OHIO
NOVEMBER 2023
COOPERATIVE North Western Electric Cooperative
Beauti-fall Scenes from autumn ALSO INSIDE High-tech co-ops
Turkey time
2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Election Election Election
Day Day
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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
INSIDE
Holiday
gift guide
22 OHIO-MADE
When stockings are hung by the chimney with care, they cry out to be filled with made-in-Ohio gifts. We’ve found a selection of items that are useful, unique, and, in some cases, downright ingenious.
Cover image on most editions: Firelands Electric Cooperative member Cheri Raphael searched long and hard for the photo she took a few years ago of her granddaughter, Lily, peeking out from under the leaves that Cheri’s husband, Ray, had just painstakingly raked from the yard at their home in New London. More readers’ “Raking Leaves” photos can be found on page 36. This page: The Red Truck design is one of the most popular lines of festive plates, mugs, and serving pieces produced by Ohio Stonewear in Zanesville — one of 16 Ohio companies featured in our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide (photo courtesy Ohio Stonewear).
NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
1
UP FRONT
Problem solvers
H
ow to reliably and cost-effectively provide electric service to less densely populated rural areas of the country was a problem that electric cooperatives were created to solve. Going back to the 1930s, most homes and businesses in cities and towns around the country had electric service. However, in rural areas and on farms, where the big utilities of the day didn’t see enough profit potential, that wasn’t the case. The advent of electric cooperatives changed all that. By the 1940s, in fact, co-ops had changed life across rural America, bringing power to nearly every corner of the country in a quick and cost-effective way. Ohio’s electric cooperatives still provide service across nearly 40% of the land area of our state, though they serve less than 10% of the population and electric demand. The challenges are real, but they’re not new. From their beginnings, co-ops have adapted quickly to take advantage of new and emerging technologies to overcome those challenges. Using a combination of cuttingedge tech, innovative ideas, and common sense, the people at your co-op come up with answers that work in your specific community. That creativity makes the co-ops’ electric service more cost-effective and reliable, and their work safer and quicker. Read more about some of that co-op tech beginning on page 4. Our emphasis on education and training, by the way, is just as important as technology in helping us rise to our challenges. Today, Ohio’s electric cooperatives operate what we believe to be the finest lineworker training program anywhere. We not only are teaching new apprentices the basics of line work, but we continue to sharpen the skills of our veteran lineworkers as well. Additionally, Ohio’s co-ops share ideas and best practices through their memberships in numerous job-specific associations, including engineering, information technology, finance and accounting, safety, legal affairs, member services, communications, human resources, management, and supervision. The process of working together, sharing ideas, and putting them to use in real-world conditions keeps cooperatives cost-competitive and allows us to be problem solvers as new challenges emerge. The simple principle of cooperation among cooperatives helps make us stronger and smarter, together.
2
OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
Pat O’Loughlin
PRESIDENT & CEO OHIO’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
Electric cooperatives have always adapted quickly to take advantage of new technologies, tools, and equipment to make our work safer, quicker, and more efficient.
NOVEMBER 2023 • Volume 66, No. 2
Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives 6677 Busch Blvd. Columbus, OH 43229 614-846-5757 www.ohiocoopliving.com Patrick O’Loughlin Caryn Whitney Jeff McCallister Amy Howat Crystal Pomeroy
President & CEO Director of Communications Managing Editor Associate Editor Graphic Designer
Contributors: Jodi Borger, Colleen Romick Clark, Getty Images, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Catherine Murray, Damaine Vonada, and Margie Wuebker. OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING (USPS 134-760; ISSN 2572-049X) is published monthly by Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. It is the official communication link between the electric cooperatives in Ohio and West Virginia and their members. Subscription cost for members ranges from $5.52 to $6.96 per year, paid from equity accruing to the member. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to editorial and advertising offices at: 6677 Busch Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43229-1101. Periodicals postage paid at Berne, IN 46711, and at additional mailing offices. Nothing in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. All rights reserved. The fact that a product is advertised in Ohio Cooperative Living should not be taken as an endorsement. If you find an advertisement misleading or a product unsatisfactory, please notify us or the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Section, 30 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215. Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, OH, and at additional mailing offices.
4 DEPARTMENTS 4 POWER LINES
8
On the cutting edge: Economics and customer service inspire electric cooperatives to stay ahead of the high-tech curve.
8 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE
Where have all the wild turkeys gone? Once a stirring comeback story, the game bird population is dwindling again.
10
10 CO-OP PEOPLE
Gobble-gobble: Family-owned
Bowman and Landes Turkeys has produced the traditional holiday meal centerpiece for four generations.
13 GOOD EATS
Potato, potahto: No matter how you slice it (or say it), the starchy vegetable packs a tasty punch.
13
17 LOCAL PAGES
News and other important information from your electric cooperative.
National/regional advertising inquiries, contact
Cheryl Solomon American MainStreet Publications 847-749-4875 | cheryl@amp.coop
31
CALENDAR
What’s happening: November/ December events and other things to do around Ohio.
31
36 MEMBER INTERACTIVE
Cooperative members:
Please report changes of address to your electric cooperative. Ohio Cooperative Living staff cannot process address changes. Alliance for Audited Media Member
Raking leaves: What could be better after hours of autumn lawn work than jumping and playing in that fresh pile of colorful fallen foliage?
36
Visit Ohio Cooperative Living magazine online at www.ohiocoopliving.com! Read past issues and watch videos about our articles or our recipes. Our site features an expanded Member Interactive area, where you can share your stories, recipes, and photos and find content submitted by other co-op members across the state. NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
3
POWER LINES
On the
Electric cooperatives use technology that can monitor their entire distribution systems to find, minimize, or even prevent interruptions of service to their members.
CUTTING BY JODI BORGER
EDGE
Economics and customer service inspire electric cooperatives to stay ahead of the high-tech curve.
4
OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
I
n the middle of one night this past July, Pioneer Electric Cooperative experienced an outage affecting 1,041 members.
In the past, the co-op would have had to rely on members calling in a report to be able to triangulate the fault that caused the outage closely enough to send out a crew to find and fix it. Those members likely would have been without power for hours in a severe test of the system’s reliability. But in this case, the co-op’s on-call engineer received a text message notification at 12:39 a.m., seconds after power was interrupted. The engineer immediately drove to the office in Piqua, evaluated the outage based on data received from the co-op’s supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, and confirmed the status. After communicating with the rest of the restoration team to make a plan, the engineer was able to reroute the power supply by remotely opening and closing a series of switches. In this instance, the co-op didn’t even have to dispatch a line crew. By 1:20 a.m., 41 minutes after the outage began, power was restored to all members.
Leading the way Electric cooperatives are not strangers to overcoming challenges. Co-ops were born because bringing power to rural America was (and remains) a difficult task that forprofit utilities wanted no part of. That explains why, from their beginnings, electric cooperatives have been at the forefront of developing, adopting, and using cutting-edge technology — not because it’s fun and fancy, but because it’s a necessity. On a large scale, co-ops use the latest technology to monitor and maintain entire systems. Closer to home, coop-developed technology has simplified tasks as mundane as reading a meter or finding the location of an outage. In a big city, that might take a few minutes for a utility crew, but co-op crews might have to drive for a couple of hours, often over vast and/or challenging terrain, to do the same thing. If technology can save that two-hour trip in a truck, it’s safer for employees, minimizes outage times, and saves members money.
Technology for growth Pioneer Electric was among the first electric utilities in the country to implement a SCADA-type system. When the co-op saw large industrial growth in its service area in the 1980s, engineers needed a way to monitor and quickly and efficiently fix any substation and power-
line issues that could damage the sensitive, sophisticated equipment now running on co-op electricity. So they developed and put into use a system that both co-ops and even larger electric utilities around the country have since adopted. Those SCADA systems can automatically and constantly report distribution line conditions, including voltage and amperage, among other things, so the co-op can see the real-time status of substations and other equipment. SCADA even allows the co-op to reroute electricity when an outage occurs. “We have visibility between substations, which allows us to perform remote switching in outage situations,” says David Elliott, Pioneer Electric’s operational technology manager.
The system knows The data from SCADA systems has allowed the addition of an automated outage management system that not only detects outages but can even predict their extent. In the mid-2000s, Pioneer added automated metering infrastructure (AMI) technology, which allows the cooperative to pinpoint an outage at an individual member’s meter even before the member has time to call the co-op. It had another advantage as well. “AMI allowed us to reliably read meters without having to dispatch a meter reader,” Elliott says. The SCADA technology has increased the reliability of the entire electric distribution system and also has significantly cut response times for outages. Co-ops are able to gather data from the system and assist line crews in finding the fault that caused the outage. Coupled with other technologies, it gives the co-op a detailed view of how the system is performing at any given moment.
A new way to serve The meter-reading systems have allowed cooperatives to put some of that technology into the members’ hands. Many co-ops have introduced apps, such as SmartHub or the South Central app, that members may use to monitor real-time energy use, pay bills, report outages, or submit service orders right from their phones. “We use SmartHub primarily for bill payment and have found the autopay function a time-saver when it comes to paying monthly bills,” says Sandy Borger, a member of St. Marys-based Midwest Electric. “We appreciate knowing that if our monthly bill looks a little off, we have the capability to log in to our account and find the issue without having to call into the co-op office.” In many cases, members can also sign up for text alerts for outages or other important and timely information.
NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
5
Monitoring the line for reliability Electric co-ops use a variety of monitoring and automation technologies that improve power reliability, shorten outage times, and reduce labor time for crews.
Drones
Drones may be used to inspect the power lines co-ops maintain. Drones can provide infrared evaluation to locate hot spots on power lines and vegetation assessment to locate trees and other vegetation that can cause outages.
Technology in efficiency Plenty of other new technology constantly in development helps co-ops become ever more efficient. Computerized mapping systems Midwest Electric members Ben and and Global Sandy Borger say they appreciate the co-op’s app, which lets them do things Positioning such as check their electric bill, even Systems (GPS), when they’re on vacation. for example, quickly locate crews and efficiently guide them to wherever they may be needed. Drones are another example. Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative began using the remotely operated flying cameras in 2018 as a way to document the installation of new cable being run under Lake Erie to Kelleys Island. “We primarily use our drone to take photos of equipment in hard-to-access areas,” says Allen Riegle, the line superintendent at Hancock-Wood. “It’s been worth the investment, and we continue to find new ways to use it all the time.”
Power sensors
Power sensors typically clamp on or connect to the power line and provide nearly real-time reporting on power, voltage, current, and more — all of which helps to provide more reliable energy to members.
Reclosers
(Antenna)
AMI
Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) provides real-time data to the co-op. In addition to meter reading, this data helps to detect faults and other potential problems on the electrical system, resulting in increased power reliability for members.
A recloser acts like a circuit breaker for power lines. When a problem occurs, the recloser temporarily shuts off power. If the problem is temporary, the recloser restores power. (This is why you sometimes see the lights blink.) If the problem persists, the recloser will shut off power until a crew can make repairs. The recloser’s antenna provides wireless, real-time data back to the co-op.
Ohio cooperatives also use drones to scout lines in difficult-to-reach areas, assess storm damage, and get an up-close perspective on tower equipment hung high in the air. They save time and money, and are safer than having to send lineworkers up a pole or tower to see what a problem might be.
… and into the future Just as few people could have predicted 25 years ago that hand-held computers would be available and easily accessible to everyone, it’s difficult to know exactly what will be the next big thing in high-tech. Predictions range from better battery storage to small modular nuclear reactors and beyond. With the amount of data coming from SCADA systems, it’s likely that artificial intelligence will come into play in the near future — not for decisionmaking, likely enough, but to filter and analyze all the information that’s available. Whatever is developed, Ohio cooperatives will continue to adapt as they always have, seeking out and using any tools they can to continue to improve their industry-leading service.
6
OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
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NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
7
WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE
Where have all the
wild turkeys gone?
Once a stirring comeback story, the game bird population is dwindling again. STORY AND PHOTO BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS
Turkey gobblers like this one are becoming less and less common in the wild because of a variety of factors.
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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
I
’ve been chasing wild turkeys, both with a shotgun and a camera, for more than 40 years, but April 2022 was my most satisfying spring hunt ever. My 12-year-old grandson, Xavier, was with me on his first turkey hunting trip, and he and I both shot gobblers — from the same blind and just seconds apart. Shortly after the high-fives and hugs — and maybe even a few happy tears — had subsided, it dawned on me that making those kinds of lifelong outdoor memories with family and friends could be more difficult in the future. Unfortunately, the wild turkey population in the Buckeye State is gradually declining.
The history of the wild turkey in Ohio is one of boom and bust. A bird of mature woodlands, turkeys thrived in presettlement times when our state was 95% forested. In 1915, a researcher by the name of Wright, after reviewing records from the 18th and early 19th centuries, wrote, “In all the United States, no state had more turkeys than Ohio and her neighbors.” Just how many wild turkeys existed in the Ohio country hundreds of years ago is anyone’s guess — a million, perhaps? “One million is possible,” says Mark Wiley, wild turkey biologist with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. “It’s very difficult to say for sure.” Regardless, everything changed within a 150year period from about 1750 to 1900, when Ohio lost all but 10 percent of its woodlands to timbering, farming, and development. As a result, our state also lost all of its wild turkeys. The last bird was believed extirpated by 1904, a victim not only of habitat loss but also of unregulated hunting. The woods, however, have gradually begun to grow back — Ohio is now one-third forested again. What’s more, in the 1950s, wildlife biologists began restocking wild turkeys captured in other states to fill our empty habitat. The wild turkey population
Ask
CHIP!
again took off, reaching an estimated modern-day population of more than 200,000 by the early 2000s. But now they are dwindling again, and the current dearth of wild turkeys is not limited to Ohio. Nearly all Eastern states are experiencing declines. Mike Chamberlain, a wild turkey biologist at the University of Georgia, believes he knows why. “There is no single smoking gun; rather, it’s death by a thousand cuts,” Chamberlain says. “As with any wildlife population, suitable habitat is key, and turkey habitat in the East is suffering in several ways. It’s not only the amount of habitat that’s decreasing. Land is also being converted to types of habitat not conducive to turkeys. In other words, the birds are trying to survive in poorquality woodlands, and those woodlands are also becoming fragmented.” Fragmentation results in little to no opportunity for the remaining turkey flocks to intermingle and exchange genetics to keep the overall population healthy. Chamberlain also points to the impact predators have on wild turkeys. Raccoon populations have been high for decades, and coyotes have become firmly established in all Eastern states. Bobcats, too, are now increasing in Ohio. All of this is bad news for ground-nesting turkey hens and their young poults. “I believe we are entering a new normal when it comes to wild turkeys,” Chamberlain says. “In my estimation, we are never going back to where we were in 1995, when modern-day turkey populations peaked in the U.S.” Work has begun to mitigate the current situation. Ohio has cut its spring turkey bag limit for hunters in half, to just one bird per hunter per year. In addition, the fall wild turkey hunting season has been shortened, and the Division of Wildlife, in conjunction with Ohio State University, has initiated a study to determine turkey hen nesting habits. Are we entering a new era of wildlife management and conservation concerning the wild turkey in the Buckeye State? We shall see.
W.H. “Chip” Gross is Ohio Cooperative Living’s outdoors editor. Email him with your outdoors questions at whchipgross@gmail.com. Be sure to include “Ask Chip” in the subject of the email. Your question may be answered on www.ohiocoopliving.com!
www.ohiocoopliving.com
NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
9
CO-OP PEOPLE
gobble! Gobble-g STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARGIE WUEBKER
P
lump hens and toms are living on borrowed time these days at Bowman and Landes Turkeys near New Carlisle in Miami County.
The family operation dates to 1948, when Kenneth Bowman and Dennis Landes set out to produce the highest-quality free-range turkeys around while being good stewards of the land. The third generation is now actively upholding the tradition, with the fourth generation ready to pick up the mantle. Baby turkeys, known as poults, arrive at the farm the day they hatch, each weighing one-fourth to one-third of a pound. The poults initially spend time in climatecontrolled barns but quickly move, at 6 to 8 weeks of age, to outdoor ranges equipped with feeders, water, and shade shelters. Fencing keeps them in and predators out. Third-generation co-owner Drew Bowman said birds flourish outdoors with a prescribed diet that includes grain raised and ground at the 2,800-acre -acre farm and grass provided by nature. The end result is a more tender and flavorful Thanksgiving (and, let’s face it, year-round) meal centerpiece.
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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
Piqua-based Pioneer Electric Cooperative serves a portion of the operation, which raises roughly 75,000 turkeys each year. Individual flocks arrive at the farm steadily between late June and mid-August, and it takes roughly 14 to 20 weeks to produce the iconic broad-breasted birds for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tables (which is several weeks less than the company founders needed to accomplish the same goal). Turkeys live a stress-free life on the farm, and that continues right up to processing day. Instead of loading the birds onto semi-trucks for transport, workers carrying poles equipped with feed bags walk the naturally inquisitive turkeys across the range to the nearby ultra-modern, USDA-inspected harvesting plant. The normal 30-member workforce swells to 100 with the arrival of November. “It’s all hands on deck to make sure everything is ready for our customers,” Bowman says. Dressed hens range in size from 10 to 21 pounds, while the heavier toms tip the scales at anywhere from 22 to 30 pounds or more. They come fresh, frozen, or smoked, depending on customer requests. “We have people coming here and telling us they initially came with their parents more than 50 years ago,” Bowman says.
Family-owned Bowman and Landes has produced the traditional holiday meal centerpiece for four generations. Drew Bowman (left), a third-generation co-owner of Bowman and Landes Turkeys, presents one of the company’s signature products. The farmers strive to give their turkeys a stress-free life.
“There was no store in those days. Customers drove in and rang a bell, and Grandma Bowman would come out of the house to wait on them.” While the company made its name selling whole birds, customers can shop for nearly everything but feathers and gobbles in the large 26,000-square-foot meat market and deli. Smaller families tend to favor more manageable turkey roasts, which combine white and dark meat, or succulent turkey breasts. Newer offerings include spiralsliced turkey breast finished with a honey-sugar glaze, homestyle gourmet turkey gravy, and sliced turkey bacon. Canned meat and broth help with quick at-home meals. Shoppers will also find a range of turkey parts available — not only drumsticks, thighs, and wings, but also necks, ribs, giblets, and tails. Other more exotic options include turkey breast mignon, cubed turkey breast steak, ground turkey burgers, turkey bratwurst, and flavored sausage. The company also produces its own deli meats, such as pastrami, ham, and turkey breast in a variety of flavors. Owners have seen a marked increase in the sale of individual sandwiches and box lunches available during store hours. Favorites include stuffed sandwiches with names like the Gobbler, the Gobbledilla, and the Big Tom. “We’re proud of our high-quality turkeys and we are always looking for new ways to promote our product,” Bowman says. “Yes, we are a holiday tradition for many families, but we give them a lot of tasty reasons to come back.” Deeply committed to producing the best product possible, the family operation also adheres to the founders’ philosophy of being good stewards of the land. Cover crops help control erosion, and the farm promotes no-till and minimum-till practices. Turkey manure enriches the soil, while the recycling of cardboard and plastic keeps those materials out of landfills. Solar arrays now provide half the energy needed to operate the farm.
Bowman and Landes, 6490 Ross Road, New Carlisle, OH 45344. www.bowmanlandes.com; 937-845-9466. The meat market and deli is open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Friday and 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Saturday. It is closed on Sunday. NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
GOOD EATS No matter how you slice it (or say it), the starchy vegetable packs a tasty punch.
ALOO MUTTER (POTATO AND PEA CURRY) Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 30 minutes | Servings: 6 2 teaspoons garam masala 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon coriander powder 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek seeds (optional) ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste) 1 tablespoon oil 1 large yellow onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced
28-ounce can crushed tomatoes 1 cup frozen green peas 2 tablespoons minced fresh 2 cups water cilantro 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, 3 cups cooked basmati rice ½-inch dice, rinsed 3 tablespoons cream or coconut cream (optional)
Mix spices (garam masala through cayenne pepper) in a small bowl. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, sauté onion in oil for 7 minutes. Mix in garlic and spices and stir for another 2 minutes. Mix in crushed tomatoes and water. Add potatoes; stir and cook at a rolling boil over medium heat 15 to 20 minutes, until potatoes are cooked through. Add peas and cream (if desired), stirring until heated through. Top with fresh cilantro and serve with rice. Per serving: 485 calories, 5 grams fat (2 grams saturated fat), 0 milligrams cholesterol, 461 milligrams sodium, 97 grams total carbohydrates, 8 grams fiber, 12 grams protein. NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
13
Check it out! See videos of some of our mouth-watering recipes being prepared at
www.ohiocoopliving.com
CREAMY ADOBO CHICKEN AND SWEET POTATOES Prep: 15 minutes | Bake: 50 minutes | Servings: 4 1½ cups heavy whipping cream ¼ teaspoon pepper 2 large sweet potatoes 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast ½ teaspoon salt Blend cream, chipotle pepper, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Peel and slice sweet potatoes into ½-inch rounds, then layer slices in a 10-inch greased baking dish. Preheat oven to 400 F. Pour 2⁄3 of the cream mixture over sweet potatoes, cover with foil, and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and place chicken breasts on top of the potato slices. Pour remaining cream over chicken and bake uncovered another 25 minutes, until potatoes are soft and chicken is cooked through. Slice chicken and serve. Per serving: 560 calories, 26 grams fat (13 grams saturated fat), 168 milligrams cholesterol, 744 milligrams sodium, 44 grams total carbohydrates, 8 grams fiber, 37 grams protein.
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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
MASHED POTATO SALAD Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Cool: 15 minutes | Servings: 12 4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, diced, and rinsed 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon celery seed
2 tablespoons yellow mustard 2 large carrots, diced 15 ounces Miracle Whip Light 10 ounces sweet relish 8-ounce brick of cheddar cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
Place diced potatoes and salt in a large stockpot and just cover with water. Turn heat to high, cover, and bring to a heavy boil. Turn down heat a bit and continue boiling for 7 to 10 minutes, until potatoes are easy to pierce with a fork. Drain and rinse potatoes with cold water; let cool to room temperature. In a large bowl with an electric mixer on low, mash and whip potatoes with the celery seed, mustard, and Miracle Whip until smooth and well-incorporated. Mix in cheddar cheese cubes, diced carrots, and relish. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Per serving: 357 calories, 18.5 grams fat (6 grams saturated fat), 29 milligrams cholesterol, 802 milligrams sodium, 42 grams total carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 8 grams protein.
LEFTOVER MASHED POTATO OMELET Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Servings: 2 1 cup leftover mashed potatoes 5 teaspoons water, divided 4 large eggs
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves ¼ teaspoon garlic salt or truffle salt
¼ teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon butter or bacon fat 1⁄3 cup shredded Swiss cheese
Note: If using ground thyme, sprinkle it on the mashed potatoes or the eggs will turn green. Reheat mashed potatoes in microwave with 1 teaspoon of the water mixed in. In a small bowl, beat eggs with 4 teaspoons water, thyme, salt, and pepper. Heat skillet over medium-low, melting butter (or bacon fat) and tilting skillet to thoroughly coat the bottom and sides. Pour in eggs and cover with lid. Let cook untouched for 4 minutes. Once eggs are a little wet but not runny, spoon mashed potatoes evenly over half and sprinkle cheese over potatoes. Cover with lid and cook another minute until cheese is melted. Remove lid and lightly run spatula around the edges of the pan to loosen. Carefully fold eggs over the potatoes and slide omelet onto a plate, cutting in half to serve. Per serving: 383 calories, 25 grams fat (11 grams saturated fat), 405 milligrams cholesterol, 565 milligrams sodium, 20 grams total carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 20 grams protein.
NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
NEWS AND VIEWS
Member-owner simply electrified by generosity of home-repair program BY GARY SEMAN JR.
Working together, NWEC Director of Operations Bob Carter, homeowner Angie Kissinger, and MVPO Housing Specialist Jacob Wreede found a way to make Angie’s home safer.
Although it wasn’t clear at the time, a storm that swept through the small town of Cooney carried winds of good fortune for Angie Kissinger. It was April 2022 when the tempest ripped off a portion of the siding of Kissinger’s house, tearing away some electrical wiring along with it. Kissinger, a member-owner of NWEC, knew the damage had to be repaired, and early estimates for the work were between $3,000 and $6,000 — but since she relied solely on a small military survivor’s benefit from her late husband, Richard, that seemed well out of her reach. Kissinger said she had some help getting repairs started, but no one had the expertise — or the money — to complete them. Meanwhile, she received a letter from NWEC informing member-owners of an impending update in technology and asking them to upgrade their electrical service to conform with new standards and policies: no meter bases
installed on a building or structure; instead, all new services or service upgrades within 300 feet of a road right-of-way were to be installed on an NWEC-owned pole. In other words, Kissinger’s 60-amp metering base would need to be replaced with Advanced Metering Infrastructure, becoming standard in the industry. The switch-overs needed to be done within six months of receiving the letter — or by Nov. 30, 2022 — and after that, the co-op had the right to turn off electric service until the improvements were made. “There was no way I could afford it,” Kissinger says. So she reached out to Bob Carter, Director of Operations for NWEC, to let him know of her financial situation. “I had to tell her the bad news (that her home couldn’t be exempted from the upgrades),” Carter says. continued on page 18A NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
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NORTH WESTERN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
A
5
ways to safeguard your home this winter
s the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, there’s a natural inclination to create a warm and cozy haven at home. Unfortunately, as the use of heating equipment, candles, and electrical items rises, the number of home fires tends to increase during winter months. Here are five ways you can safeguard your home for the winter season: 1. Ensure carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working properly. If your detectors are battery-operated, replace the batteries annually. Test the detectors once a month and give them a good dusting to ensure the sensors are clear of dirt and debris. 2. Inspect electrical cords. We depend on more cords during winter, whether for holiday lighting, extension cords, or portable heaters. Before using any corded items, double-check to make sure cords aren’t frayed or cracked. 3. Be cautious with space heaters. If you use portable space heaters, remember to keep them at least 3 feet away from flammable items. Use models that include an auto shut-off feature and overheat protection. Space heaters can take a toll on your energy bills. Use them efficiently (to heat smaller spaces) and safely. Never plug a space heater into a power strip. Speaking of power strips…
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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
4. Avoid overloading electrical outlets and power strips. When overloaded with electrical items, outlets and power strips can overheat and catch fire. If you use power strips for multiple devices, make sure the strip can handle the electrical load. For a safer bet, look for power strips that include surge protection. 5. Clean the fireplace to improve safety and efficiency. There’s nothing better than a warm fire on a chilly night, but it’s important to maintain your fireplace for safety. As wood burns, a sticky substance known as creosote builds up in the chimney. When creosote buildup becomes too thick, a chimney fire can ignite. The chimney should be cleaned at least once a year to reduce fire risks. Regular cleaning also improves air flow and limits the amount of carbon monoxide that seeps indoors. 6. Practice safety in the kitchen. As we spend more time in the kitchen during the holiday season, be mindful of potential fire hazards. Never leave food that’s cooking on the stovetop unattended. Clean and remove spilled foods from cooking surfaces and be mindful of where you place flammable items like dish towels. NWEC wants you and your family to stay safe during the winter season. Visit nwec.com for additional safety tips.
NEWS AND VIEWS continued from page 17
When he visited the house, which was built in the early 1900s, he found that most of the wiring wasn’t up to date, so he reached out to the Maumee Valley Planning Organization (MVPO), a regional planning and development firm in Defiance to see if there was help available for Kissinger’s situation. He was put in touch with Jacob Wreede, an MVPO Housing Support Specialist, who agreed to work with Kissinger. Carter then made Kissinger a deal: NWEC would relax the deadline, providing she made a good-faith effort to get the work done. “We wanted her home to be safe so we all worked together to see how we could make that happen,” he says. Then came word that Kissinger, and her home, qualified for help from the MVPO. The organization’s Community Housing Impact and Preservation program, also known as CHIP, provides funds for rehabilitation and repairs needed to bring properties up to code and addresses safety concerns for lowerincome residents. Kissinger completed the application and was approved for up to $17,000 in grants that not only would pay for repairing the storm damage and upgrading the electrical service, but for electrical updates to the interior as well. It came with one stipulation: That Kissinger can’t move out of her house for five years, something to which she happily agreed. Another benefit: The work reduced her monthly electricity bill.
Maumee Valley Planning Organization (MVPO) is a voluntary association of local governments designated as an Ohio Regional Planning and Development Organization. The Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) Program provides funding to address housing-related activities. MVPO oversees applications for Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, and Williams counties in Northwest Ohio. Eligible households that do not have the resources to make necessary improvements to their homes can apply for this program. Assistance is provided as a onetime grant in the form of a forgivable loan. CHIP assists with housing issues that pose an immediate threat to the health and safety of the occupants of eligible single-family, owneroccupied housing units. Eligible improvements will include correction of structural issues, heating, electrical, plumbing, lead paint hazards, accessibility, and water/sewer issues. It is NOT a home remodeling program, as only health and safety issues can be addressed. The program is prioritized to assist those with the most need. Eligibility requirements and additional information can be found at www.mvpo.org or by calling MVPO at 419-784-3882.
“I was excited,” she said of receiving the CHIP funds. “I was more than grateful. I thought it was just a big blessing.”
VETERAN’S DAY
NOVEMBER 11 NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
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NORTH WESTERN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Accepting bids North Western Electric Cooperative, Inc., is accepting three-year bids for the following: 1. Underground trenching – Quote per trenched foot to include digging, backfilling and backhoe per-hour rate. 2. Right-of-way clearing and tree removal – Seven townships must be cleared each year, and the bidder must be certified to work around high-voltage lines. 3. Mowing – Seven substations, North Western Electric and NW Ohio Propane facilities. Can be bid individually or as a group with a written quote per location. Call to request a list of substations. 4. Snow removal – North Western Electric and NW Ohio Propane facilities. 5. Farm ground lease – Quote to farm 8.3 acres of tillable ground adjacent to the North Western Electric facility. Work will be primarily performed in Williams and Defiance counties from 2024 through 2026. Those awarded with a bid must submit proof of insurance. Additionally, proof of workers’ compensation must be provided for those awarded underground trenching and boring or right-of-way clearing and tree removal.
For more information, contact our office at 419636-5051. Bids must be received by 4 p.m. on November 10, 2023. Submit bids at our office, by mail or e-mail to tracey@nwec.com. North Western Electric Cooperative, Inc. Attn: Operations PO Box 391 04125 State Route 576 Bryan, OH 43506 This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
NWEC and NWOP offices will be closed on Nov 23 and 24
18B OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
NEWS AND VIEWS
Community support for COTA In honor of Fairview Elementary student
More than thirty vehicles of all sizes rolled into the Fairview Elementary parking lot on Sept. 8 with a purpose — to raise awareness of Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) and to show support for a young student and his family by donating an entry fee for a touch-a-truck activity. The event, held prior to the Fairview vs. Tinora football game, was in honor of Alek Bell, who recently underwent a lifesaving bone marrow transplant. Volunteers also sold ice cream and t-shirts, and auctioned off a variety of donated items. One hundred percent of all the money raised was presented to COTA in honor of Alek. To learn more about COTA and Alek’s story, visit: cotaforalekstrong.com.
NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
18C
NORTH WESTERN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
18D
OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
NEWS AND VIEWS
EMPLOYEE NEWS LANDEL JOINS STAFF We would like to introduce Natalee Landel, the newest NWEC team member. Natalee has accepted the position of Accounting Manager. She is a graduate of Edgerton High School and achieved a master’s in business administration from Trine University. She resides in the Edgerton area with her fiancé, Jason, and their dog, Duke. She enjoys running, biking and reading in her spare time. Please join us in wishing her all the best in her new career at NWEC!
NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
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NORTH WESTERN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
YOU are making a difference
Carla Lucas, Operation Round Up Trust Board Chairman presents a check for $500 to Wendy Baker, Education Coordinator, Defiance Soil & Water Conservation District. The organization, which provides environmental education to all ages, requested the grant to assist in the purchase of supplies for educational activities like their summer Penney Nature Camp. Thanks to the generosity of NWEC memberowners who round up their electric bill each month, the Operation Round Up program has distributed more than $530,000 to our local communities. Are you interested in participating? Enroll today by calling 419-636-5051.
CONTACT
1-800-647-6932 419-636-5051
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chris Oberlin CHAIRMAN
Kim Shoup
VICE CHAIRMAN
04125 State Route 576 P.O. Box 391 Bryan, OH 43506
OFFICE HOURS Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–4 p.m. Pearl Rakes EDITOR
20
Mitch Headley SECRETARY
Richard Polter Jordan Ruffer Keith Stark Ryan Wehri TRUSTEES
Darin Thorp
PRESIDENT/CEO
OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
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OHIO
COOPERATIVE
2023
oliday H
gift guide COMPILED BY DAMAINE VONADA
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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
the y b g n u h e r a s g in When stock cry out to y e th , e r a c h it w y chimne io gifts h O in e d a m h it be filled w chant n e ly n o t o n ta n a that help S but st e r a e d d n a st e r a e everyone’s n preneurs e tr n e to st o o b a e also giv e state. th t u o h g u o r th s n and artisa ems it f o n o ti c le se a d n We’ve fou and, in , e u iq n u l, fu se u e r that a genious. in t h ig r n w o d s, se a some c NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
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American Classic Snack Company, Wadsworth Using locally grown corn and ingredients such as homemade caramel and toffee, American Classic Snack Company has produced handcrafted, small-batch popcorn snacks for more than 30 years. While Buckeye Blitz is a year-round favorite generously coated with peanut butter and chocolate, the company’s palatepleasing treats also include Bear Claw with Cashews, Beer Cheese + Bourbon, Caramel Apple, and Pumpkin Pie Crunch. 877-745-7207; orders@americanclassicsnackcompany.com; www.americanclassicpopcorn.com.
American Whistle Corporation, Columbus
American Whistle is the nation’s only metal whistle manufacturer, using exclusively made-in-the-USA materials to annually produce more than a million solid brass whistles. Ideal for stocking stuffers, the whistles are available with a variety of finishes and stamped images, and American Whistle owners Dominic and Kelly Davirro operate a factory store and give family-friendly factory tours that will blow you away. 614-846-2918; custserv@americanwhistle.com; www.americanwhistle.com.
Beagle Bay Knot Works, Huron Everything is knotty and nice at Christine and Randy Crawford’s nautical-themed shop in downtown Huron. Using centuries-old mariners’ knot-tying techniques, the seasoned Lake Erie sailors cleverly transform rope and cord into lifestyle items for land and sea. They make Star Knot ornaments and crowned knot Candy Cane ornaments in Christmas colors, and their Manila rope wreaths look shipshape in any decor. 330-465-0890; beaglebayknots@aol.com; www.beaglebayknotworks.com.
D.B. Yummers, Washington Court House Currently owned and operated by Brian Detty and his family, D.B. Yummers dates to 1991, when it started producing barbecue sauce as a fundraiser for local FFA chapters. The company’s barbecue sauce won a blue ribbon at an Ohio State Fair rib cook-off. Besides the original Sweet & Smokey Barbecue Sauce, the Dettys offer Mildly Spicey sauce and Island BBQ sauce laced with crushed pineapple. 740-505-4021; info@dbyummers.com; www.dbyummers.com.
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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
Firelands Adventure Tours, Sandusky Stumped by what to get those hard-to-buy-for folks on your list? Consider a gift certificate for an edifying and enjoyable outing with Jim Ervin and Dick Ries of award-winning Firelands Adventure Tours. Guests ride in an 18-passenger, ADAcompliant bus on their way to experiences that range from meeting winemakers to exploring lighthouses to leg lamp scavenger hunts during Holiday Lights excursions. 419-734-9283; info@firelandsadventuretours.com; www.firelandsadventuretours.com.
Four Eyes Ceramics, Cincinnati
Working from her home studio, Jenny Rush designs and crafts boldly colored, statement-making ceramic earrings, necklaces, and bracelets from U.S.-sourced clays and metals. Her geometric Big Arch, Cutout Dangle, and Mini Dome earrings are perennial bestsellers, and customers love that they’re thin, lightweight, and comfortable to wear. jenny@foureyesceramics.com; www.foureyesceramics.com.
Ohio Stoneware, Zanesville Ross and Tiffany Pattison run one of the nation’s last commercial potteries, and their 100% American-made product line includes bakeware, kitchenware, fermenting crocks, planters, pet bowls, and piggy banks. Festive holiday plates, mugs, and serving pieces are hand-decorated with designs like Gingerbread, Red Truck, Buckeye Snowman, and Red Cardinal. They’re available online or at Ohio Stoneware’s factory retail store. 740-450-4415; info@ohiostoneware.com; www.stonewareoutlet.com.
Pantless Jams, Toledo Jessica Hopkins calls her handmade jams “pantless” because they’re stripped of unnatural ingredients and contain only fruit, unrefined cane sugar, and lemon juice. She personally does everything from prepping and mashing fruit to filling and labeling jars, and her appetizing array of flavor combinations includes Peach Mango Habanero, Strawberry Rhubarb, and Blue Honey Lavender. 419-283-8470; pantlessjamsllc@gmail.com; www.pantlessjams.com.
NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
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Phoenix Bats, Plain City Started in 1996 in a one-man workshop, Phoenix Bats now boasts a state-of-the-art facility served by Union Rural Electric Cooperative. Using USA-sourced ash, maple, and birch, it manufactures bats used by Major League players, softball teams, hitting coaches, vintage leagues, and Little Leaguers, and also makes trophy and award bats. Score one online or by visiting the factory store. 614-873-7776; customercare@phoenixbats.com; www.phoenixbats.com.
Sweet Fire Sugar Bush, Glenmont Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative member Melissa Biltz and her son, Jason Blitz, work together to create Sweet Fire Sugar Bush’s products. While Jason oversees sap collection, Melissa masterminds their maple sugar-based barbecue rubs, maple sugar-coated nuts, and infused maple syrups. Their cinnamon syrup is yummy on French toast; elderberry syrup makes a great mixer; and chili pepper syrup works wonders on vanilla ice cream. 330-231-6175; sweetfiresugarbush@gmail.com; www.sweetfiresugarbush.com.
Sylvan Craft, Dalton Craig Mast and Chris Meyer share a pair of passions: forest restoration and turning fallen trees into handsome “forestto-table” cutting boards, live-edge charcuterie boards, and furniture. All the wood they use comes from their own forest near Fresno, thoughtfully harvested using horse-drawn equipment and other low-impact methods. 330-203-1343; info@sylvancraft.com; www.sylvancraft.com.
The Cobbler Candle Company, Berea Chad Smith makes candles look extra-merry by decorating them with smiling Santa, elf, and snowman faces formed from cloves, peppercorns, and cinnamon sticks. His hand-dipped soy wax candles are extra-fragrant because they’re scented top-tobottom with essential oils. He also produces snowman-faced LED candles, and his Winter Trio jar candle features the aromas of pine needles, candy canes, and red-hot cinnamon. 440-454-0571; cobblercandlecompany@gmail.com; www.cobblercandle.com.
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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
The Green Cottage Makery, Hartville Julie Matola’s desire for green living inspires the organic body and home essentials she hand-makes in her 130-yearold farmhouse. Featuring eye-catching packaging and subtle, nature-based scents, her preservative-free products include avocado oil lip balms that come in chunky, earth-friendly paper tubes and a whipped body butter that blends the healing properties of calendula flowers with hydrating coconut oil, shea butter, and pomegranate seed oil. 330-730-4408; julie@ greencottagemakery.com; www.greencottagemakery.com.
Unnatural Ohio: A History of Buckeye Cryptids, Legends, and Other Mysteries, Fremont A Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums exhibit prompted its artifacts curator, Kevin Moore, and communication manager, M. Kristina Smith, to delve into Ohio’s paranormal and unexplained phenomena. Their new book covers facts, fiction, and folklore about everything from the Dogman of Defiance and South Bay Bessie to Portage County’s UFOs and Vermilion’s Gore Orphanage ghosts. www.rbhayes.org/store.
Wittich’s Candy Shop, Circleville South Central Power Company member Janet Wittich’s confectionary has been in her family since 1840. Wittich’s proudly hand-dips old-fashioned, preservative-free chocolates, and its unique buckeyes have peanut butter centers that are fully covered in chocolate to keep them moist, with peanut butter dots on the outside. In addition to typical milk and dark chocolate versions, Wittich’s also produces hard-to-find white chocolate buckeyes. 740-474-3313; wittichscandy@frontier.com; www.wittichscandyshop.com.
zerOz, Columbus Lighten your Christmas gift list with ultra-slim zerOz wallets, a cool and useful option for kids, retirees, and everyone in between. Handmade in a downtown studio storefront by zerOz owner and inventor Paul Westrick and his team, the wallets consist of Italian and composite recycled leathers in a variety of colors and styles. Tip: For a customized zerOz, order by Dec. 1. info@zeroz.com; www.zeroz.com.
NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
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Your Local WaterFurnace Dealers Bowling Green United Home Comfort (419) 352-7092 unitedhomecomfort.com
Findlay Knueve & Sons Inc. (419) 420-7638 knueve.com
Canal Winchester Kessler Htg & Clg (614) 837-9961 kesslerheating.com Chillicothe Accurate Htg & Clg (740) 775-5005 accurategeothermal.com
Gahanna Custom A/C & Htg (614) 552-4822 customairco.com/ geothermal
Coldwater Ray’s Refrigeration (419) 678-8711 raysrefrigeration.com
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Marion Wenig’s Inc. (740) 383-5012 wenigsinc.com
Groveport Patriot Air (614) 577-1577 patriotair.com
Medina Sisler Heating (330) 722-7101 sislerwaterfurnace.com
Holgate Holgate Hardware (419) 264-3012
Mt. Vernon Cosby Htg & Clg (740) 393-4328 cosbyhc.com
Columbus Geo Source One (614) 873-1140 geosourceone.com
Kalida Knueve & Sons Inc. (419) 420-7638 knueve.com
Defiance Schlatters Plbg & Htg (419) 393-4690 schlattersgeothermal.com
Sarka Electric (419) 532-3492 sarkaelectric.com
Dresden Federal Htg & Clg (740) 754-4328 federalheating.com
Mansfield Eberts Energy Center (419) 589-2000 ebertsheatingandcooling. com
Lancaster Fairfield Heating (740) 653-6421 fairfieldgeothermal.com
OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
New Knoxville New Knoxville Supply (419) 753-2444 newknoxvillesupply.com Newark Hottinger Geothermal (740) 323-2330 hottingergeothermal.com
Sidney Lochard Inc. (937) 492-8811 Sunbury Westin Air (614) 794-1259 geothermalcentralohio.com Toledo Overcashier & Horst (419) 841-3333 ohcomfort.com Waverly Combs Htg & A/C (740) 947-4061 combsgeopro.com Wellington Wellington Indoor Comfort (440) 647-3421
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2023 Shows
2023 Shows
NOV 25 & 26 DEC 16 & 17
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WHERE ONLINE SELLERS GO TO BUY!
2024 Shows
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OCT 12 - 15 NOV 9 - 12 DEC 7 - 10
2024 Shows JAN 11 - 14 FEB 8 - 11 MAR 7 - 10
APR 11 - 14 MAY 9 - 12
Show Hours: Sat. 9am - 6pm & Sun. 10am - 4pm
Show Hours: Thurs. 10:45am - 6pm, Fri. & Sat. 9am - 6pm, Sun. 10am - 4pm
Directions: I-71 Exit 111 (E 17th Avenue) to Ohio Expo Center.
Directions: 3 miles East of Atlanta Airport, I-285 at Exit 55
OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
(3650 & 3850 Jonesboro Rd SE)
*Closed Easter Sunday
2023 CALENDAR
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
NORTHWEST
Sandusky, 5:30–8 p.m. Free. $1 carousel rides. 419626-6111 or www.merrygoroundmuseum.org. NOV. 24–DEC. 30 – North Pole Express, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, Fri./Sat. 5:30–9 p.m., Sun. 5:30–8:30 p.m. Closed Dec. 24. $5; 12 and under, $4. Hop on board our quarter-scale trains for a magical trip through a winter wonderland of sparkling lights and festive decorations. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus on select nights. 419-423-2995, www.nworrp.org, or www.facebook.com/nworrp. NOV. 24–JAN. 7 – “Hayes Train Special” Model Train Display, Hayes Library and Museums, NOV. 8–11 – “Angels in the Attic” Crafts Show, Spiegel Grove, 1337 Hayes Ave., Fremont. Free; Ross Historical Ctr., 201 N. Main Ave., Sidney, donations accepted. Operating model train display Wed.–Fri. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. runs through an intricate Victorian holiday scene. $3. Handmade crafts of all kinds by local artists. Interactive buttons, multi-tier layout. 419-332-2081 Complimentary refreshments, door prizes. www. or www.rbhayes.org. facebook.com/p/Angels-in-the-Attic-CRAFTNOV. 25–26 – “Crafts for Christmas” Craft SHOW-100063699182511. Show, Lucas County Recreation Center, 2901 Key NOV. 17–DEC. 31 – Lights Before Christmas, St., Maumee, Sat. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–4 Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, Mon.–Thur. 3–8 p.m. Free. Our winter spectacular! Fine handmade p.m., Fri.–Sun. 3–9 p.m. Over 1 million lights, the Big crafts, gifts, and holiday decorations. Also collecting Tree, and 200+ illuminated animal images. 419-385- donations for Toys for Tots. 419-842-1925 or www. 5721 or www.toledozoo.org. toledocraftsmansguild.org. NOV. 21 – Kenton Window Wonderland and NOV. 30 – Lights of Spiegel Grove, Hayes Library Christmas Parade, downtown Kenton. Free. The and Museums, Spiegel Grove, 1337 Hayes Ave., evening begins at 6 p.m. with the unveiling of the Fremont. Free. Christmas lights, sleigh rides, hot Window Wonderland and the lighting of the Hardin chocolate and popcorn, the “Hayes Train Special” County courthouse. Ohio’s Biggest Small Town model train display, and visit with Kris Kringle. 419Christmas Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Also free 332-2081 or www.rbhayes.org. entertainment, train rides for children, Santa, and so NOV. 30–DEC. 10 – Live Theatre: Sorry Wrong much more! 419-673-4131 or www.facebook.com/ Chimney, Van Wert Civic Theatre, 118 S. Race St., KentonHistoricCourthouseDistrict. Van Wert, Thur.–Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $16. 419NOV. 22 – Holiday Lights Grand Illumination, 238-9689 or www.vwct.org. Shelby County Court Square, 100 E. Court St., Sidney, 6–6:30 p.m. Free. https://sidneyalive.wpcomstaging. DEC. 1–3 – Christmas House, St. Augustine Church, 726 Monroe St., Napoleon, Fri./Sat. 9:30 a.m.–7 com/events. p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Shop for holiday wreaths NOV. 24 – Sandusky Holiday Lighting Ceremony, and décor, jewelry, and gifts, then enjoy homemade Merry-Go-Round Museum, 301 Jackson St., meals, baked goods, cheeseballs, and Christmas
WEST VIRGINIA
COMPILED BY COLLEEN ROMICK CLARK
cutout cookies. Bring your kids for Friday dinner with Santa. 419-592-7656 or www.staugie.net. DEC. 2 – Winter Wonderland Market and Parade of Lights, Downtown Revitalization District, Sidney. Free. Downtown Sidney will be alive with various activities, ending with a nighttime parade. https:// sidneyalive.wpcomstaging.com/events. DEC. 2–3, 8–10 – Christmas at the Logan County History Center, 521 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, Fri. 5:30–7:30 p.m., Sat./Sun. 1–5 p.m. Free; donations accepted. The 1906 neoclassical Orr Mansion will be fully decorated for the holidays. Enjoy entertainment, refreshments, and kids’ crafts. 937-593-7557 or www.loganhistory.org. DEC. 3 – University of Toledo Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble Concert, Donnell Theater, Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, 200 W. Main Cross St., Findlay, 3 p.m. Free. 419-423-2787 or www.marathoncenterarts.org. DEC. 6 – Down on the Farm Story Time, Proving Ground Farm, 5670 E. Twp. Rd. 138, Tiffin, 10 a.m. Stories and activities are geared for preschoolage children and focus on farming and nature in a picturesque outdoor setting. Families welcome! 419-447-7073, www.conservesenecacounty.com, or follow Seneca Conservation District on Facebook. DEC. 9 – “Bells, Brass, and Bows,” Veterans Memorial Civic Center, 7 Town Square, Lima, 7:30 p.m. $10–$35. The Lima Symphony Orchestra and Chorus present their beloved holiday concert of Christmas singalongs, sacred carols, and popular sounds of the season. 419-222-5701 or www. limasymphony.com. DEC. 10 – Winter Festival of Crafts, Franciscan Center at Lourdes University, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Pick up that last-minute holiday gift or decoration at our last show of the year. Crafts by the craftsman — no imports here! 419-842-1925 or www.toledocraftsmansguild.org.
Make sure you’re included in our calendar! To ensure we receive your lisiting in time, send details in an email to events@ohioec.org AT LEAST 90 DAYS prior to your event. Or send by U.S. Mail to:
THROUGH JAN. 8 – Festival of Lights, Oglebay Resort, Wheeling, dusk to midnight nightly. Featuring 300 acres of twinkling lights and displays over a 6-mile drive. $30 per-car donation requested; valid for the entire festival season. https://oglebay.com/lights-drive.
Ohio Cooperative Living 6677 Busch Blvd. Columbus, OH 43229 Ohio Cooperative Living will not publish listings that don’t include a complete address or a number/website for more information.
NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING
31
2023 CALENDAR
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
Painesville, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Free. Handmade art and crafts show. Shop local and help preserve history at the museum! 440-655-4455, PRRMevent@att.net, or www.painesvillerailroadmuseum.org. NOV. 25–26 – Christmas in the Alpaca Barn, 16800 Cowley Rd., Grafton, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Come and enjoy an up-close and personal look at these wonderful peaceful creatures. Shop for unique gifts at the Farm Store. 440-477-4300 or www. ourlittleworldalpacas.com. DEC. 1–3, 8–10 – Candlelight Holiday Tours of Malabar Farm, 4050 Bromfield Rd., Lucas, Fri./Sat. 5–8 p.m., Sun. 1–4 p.m. Adults $6, youth $4. Tour Louis Bromfield’s Big House, all decked out for the NOV. 18 – Victorian House Museum Grand holidays. Enjoy cookies and warm drinks. You might Opening Holiday Event, 484 Wooster Rd., even see Santa! 419-892-2784 or www.malabarfarm. Millersburg, 4–8 p.m. $5. This year’s theme is “A org/events. Child’s Storybook Christmas,” with each room decorated to reflect a specific holiday children’s DEC. 2 – Christmas in the Village, Tis the book. Santa will make an appearance! 330Season and Schrock’s Heritage Village, 4363 St. 674-0022 or https://www.holmeshistory.com/ Rte. 39, Berlin. See the village fully decorated museum#VictorianHouse. for the holidays. 330-893-3232 or https://www. tistheseasonchristmas.com. NOV. 24–DEC. 31 – Medina County Fair DriveThru Holiday Lights, Medina Co. Fgds., 720 W. DEC. 2 – Christmas in Zoar, 198 Main St., Zoar. $12; Smith Rd., Medina, Fri./Sat. 6–10 p.m., Sun. 6–9 12 and under free. Take a self-guided tour and see p.m.; Dec. 15–31, open also on weeknights 6–9 p.m. how America’s most successful communal settlement $10 for vehicle; $20 for small bus or 15-passenger celebrated Christmas in the 1800s. Juried craft show van; $50 for bus. www.medinaohiofair.com. and shopping, Bimeler Museum, and more. 800-262NOV. 24–JAN. 6 – Steubenville Nutcracker Village 6195 or www.historiczoarvillage.com. and Christmas at the Fort, Steubenville Visitor DEC. 2 – Holiday Craft Fair, LifeSpring Community Center, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville. Free. Over 200 Church, 1638 Lester Rd., Valley City, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. large-as-life, unique nutcrackers are on display 330-483-4774 or https://lifescc.net. throughout downtown and Fort Steuben Park 24/7. DEC. 3 – Canton-Akron Comic, Toy, and Nostalgia Advent Market, hayrides, the Holly Trolley, children’s Convention, St. George Event Center, 4667 activities, music, and much more. 740-283-4935 or Applegrove St. NW, North Canton, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. www.steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com. $5 (cash only); 6 and under free. Comic and toy NOV. 25 – The Handmade Market, Historic vendors, guest comic creators, hourly prizes. 330Painesville Railroad Museum, 475 Railroad St., 462-3985 or www.harpercomics.com.
DEC. 6 – Cynthia Cioffari and the University of Akron BassoonaRoos, Medina County District Library, 210 S. Broadway St., Medina, 6:30 p.m. Free, but registration recommended. A lively performance of holiday favorites and other jazz arrangements. Register at www.ormaco.org or call 419-853-6016. DEC. 8–10 – The Nutcracker, Ohio Star Theater, 1387 Old OH-39, Sugarcreek, Fri./Sat. 7 p.m., Sat./Sun. 2 p.m. 330-473-2879 or www. holmescenterforthearts.org. DEC. 9 – Stark Vintage Market, Stark Co. Fgds., 305 Wertz Ave. NW, Canton, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $3, under 5 free. Wide variety of antiques, collectibles, artisan wares, and repurposed household goods. 330-4953044 or www.starkvintagemarket.com. DEC. 10 – Emily Aleta Dorland and Duane Carlson: “Home for the Holidays,” Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth, 2–3 p.m. Free, but reservations recommended. The vocal and piano duo will take you on a musical journey celebrating the most wonderful time of the year. Register at www.ormaco.org or call 419-853-6016. DEC. 10 – Massillon Train and Toy Show, Massillon Knights of Columbus Hall, 988 Cherry Rd. NW, Massillon, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $5; 12 and under free. 150+ dealer tables. All gauges, parts, running layouts, farm and vintage toys, diecast models, NASCAR items, and more. Food and drink available. 330-262-7488 or http://cjtrains.com/shows. DEC. 13 – Jingle Bell Bus, Main Street Amherst, 255 Park Ave., Amherst, 6–8 p.m. $5 per ride; tickets must be pre-purchased. Hop aboard for a ride through Amherst to see the beautiful Christmas lights. 440984-6709 or https://mainstreetamherst.org.
Pyramid Hill Blvd., Hamilton, 7:30 p.m. Free. www. butlerphil.org or on Facebook: @officialbutlerphil. NOV. 18 – Hometown Holiday Horse Parade, downtown Greenville, 7 p.m. More than 100 lighted horse-drawn carriages, hitches, and riders illuminate the downtown. New this year: a 20th anniversary celebration beginning at 3 p.m., with a band spectacular at 6 p.m. 937-548-4998 or www.mainstreetgreenville.org. NOV. 24 – Grand Illumination, downtown Troy, 5–8:30 p.m. Join us downtown for the lighting of the Christmas tree, horse-drawn carriage rides, cider and hot cocoa, and the arrival of Santa Claus! Santa will be available for visits in the Santa House on Prouty Plaza. www.troymainstreet.org. NOV. 23–DEC. 31 – Light Up Middletown, Smith Park, 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown, 6–10 p.m. daily. A drive-through fantasy light display, open in all weather. Admission by cash donation; you set the price! www.lightupmiddletown.org. NOV. 25 – Hometown HoliDazzle Illuminated Parade, downtown Wilmington, 7 p.m. www. hometownholidazzle.com. DEC. 1 – Christmas on the Green, downtown Piqua, 6–9 p.m. Community caroling, horse-
drawn carriage rides, children’s activities, and live entertainment. 937-773-9355 or www. mainstreetpiqua.com. DEC. 1–3 – Christmas in the Village, downtown Waynesville. Shopping, dining, horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers and choirs, costumed characters, a gingerbread house making contest, and daily visits from Santa Claus. 513-897-8855 or www.waynesvilleohio.com. DEC. 2 – Piqua Holiday Parade, downtown Piqua, 2 p.m. Kids can visit with Santa after the parade in the lobby of the Fort Piqua Plaza. www. mainstreetpiqua.com. DEC. 2 – Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade and Festival, downtown Lebanon, parades at 1 and 7 p.m., festival 10 a.m.–8 p.m. www.facebook.com/ lebanoncarriageparade. DEC. 9 – The Butler Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus: Holiday Pops, Parrish Auditorium, Miami University–Hamilton, 1601 University Blvd., Hamilton, 7:30 p.m. $20. www.butlerphil.org or on Facebook: @officialbutlerphil.
NORTHEAST
SOUTHWEST
THROUGH DEC. 27 – Bluegrass Wednesdays, Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, Wed. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner, wine, and an evening of free entertainment by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. Reservations recommended. 513-385-9309, vinokletwinery@fuse.net, or www. vinokletwines.com. NOV. 17 – The Butler Philharmonic Chorus: Thanksgiving Concert, First Baptist Church, 1501
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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
CENTRAL
NOV. 9, DEC. 14 – Inventors Network Meeting, The Point at Otterbein University, 60 Collegeview Rd., Westerville, 43081, 7 p.m. Educational presentations and discussion about the invention process. Zoom meetings Nov. 16 and Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. 614-470-0144 or www. inventorscolumbus.com. NOV. 11 – Veterans March and Ceremony, Canal Winchester, 10 a.m. March begins at the Community Center, 22 S. Trine St., and ends at Stradley Place, 36 S. High St., for the ceremony. Free pancake breakfast at the Community Center for veterans and their families 8:30–10 a.m. 614-834-9915 or www. canalwinchesterohio.gov. NOV. 17–18 – Christmas in the Country, various businesses in the Amanda, Tarlton, and Stoutsville area, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (times may vary). Enjoy a ride in the country visiting area businesses. Special offers and shopping/dining guide with map available at each location. 740-503-2125 or www.countryshophop.com. NOV. 17–18 – “An Evening with Patsy Cline,” Woodward Opera House, 107 S. Main St., Mount Vernon, Fri. 7 p.m., Sat. 2 and 7 p.m. $25. 740-4624278 or www.mvac.org/events.
SOUTHEAST
THROUGH DEC. 16 – Cambridge Glass Museum Holiday Hours, 136 S. 9th St., Cambridge, Fri./ Sat. 12–4 p.m. $6, Srs. $5, under 12 free. 740432-4245, www.cambridgeglass.org, or www. visitguernseycounty.com. THROUGH DEC. 17 – Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum Christmas Tours, 532 N. Chestnut St., Barnesville, Fri. 5–8 p.m., Sat./Sun. 1–4 p.m. (closed Nov. 24). Join us for Christmas cheer and to see our museum decorated for the season. www.belmontcountymuseum.com. THROUGH DEC. 30 – Athens Art Market, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens, Sat. 9 a.m.–noon. Members of Athens Art Guild offer handmade and juried arts including pottery, furniture, fiber arts, paintings, glassware, jewelry, and more. athensartguildevents@gmail.com. THROUGH DEC. 30 – Athens Farmers Market, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens,
NOV. 19 – Buckeye Comic Con, Courtyard Marriott Columbus West, 2350 Westbelt Dr., Columbus, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $5; 6 and under free. Comic and toy vendors, comic creators, hourly prizes. 330-462-3985 or www.harpercomics.com. NOV. 19 – Zanesville Handbell Festival, Grace U.M. Church, 516 Shinnick St., Zanesville, 7 p.m. Freewill offering taken to cover expenses. Handbell choirs perform individually and together to usher in the holiday season. www.centraltrinityumc.com. NOV. 24–25 – Heart of Christmas Craft Show, Clum Auction Gallery, 7795 U.S. Hwy. 22, Rushville, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Find the perfect gift for everyone on your list and enjoy holiday music and cookies while shopping. 740215-7999 or www.theheartofchristmas.com. NOV. 24–26 – It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Knox Memorial Theater, 112 E. High St, Mount Vernon, Fri./Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun 1 p.m. $22. This American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. 740-462-4278 or www.mvac.org/events. NOV. 25–26 – Scott Antique Market, Ohio Expo Ctr., Bricker and Celeste Bldgs., Columbus, Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free; $5 parking. 800–1,200 exhibit booths. www.scottantiquemarkets.com. DEC. 1 – Festival of Trees Auction, Zanesville– Muskingum County Welcome Center, 205 N. 5th St., Zanesville, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. A community celebration and fundraiser for the chamber of commerce. Details and auction schedule will be posted at www.zmchamber.com. DEC. 1–2 – Christmas Walk, Lancaster Camp Ground, 2151 W. Fair Ave., Lancaster, Fri. 4–8 p.m., Sat. noon– 8 p.m. Music by Nostalgics Jazz Band (Fri. 7 p.m.) and the Lancaster High School Choir (Sat. 7 p.m.); Santa’s Workshop with crafts and activities (and an appearance by Santa!); holiday shopping and more. Follow us on Facebook or www.lancastercampground.org.
DEC. 1–3 – Christmas at the Palace, Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, Fri./Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $12–$29. 740-383-2101 or www. marionpalace.org. DEC. 2, 9 – Roscoe Christmas Candlelighting Ceremony, Roscoe Village, Main Stage, 600 N. Whitewoman St., Coshocton, 6 p.m. Share in the tradition of lighting the 35-foot Christmas tree. Roscoe Christmas lantern tour follows at 7 p.m. Christmas crafts offered both days; reservations required. 740-622-7644 or www.roscoevillage.com. DEC. 2–17 – Dickens of a Christmas, Ohio Village, 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, Sat. 5:30–9 p.m., Sun. 1–5 p.m. $14–$18; 3 and under free. See Charles Dickens’ festive and enduring vision of Christmas come to life. 800-6861541 or www.ohiohistory.org. DEC. 3 – Christmas in the Country, M Event Center, 24688 Co. Rd. 10, Coshocton, 12–4 p.m. Local crafters, the Real McCoy BBQ, Santa for children, and a cash bar for wine. For more information, email westlafayettefarmersmarket@gmail.com or see the event page at www.facebook.com/ westlafayettefarmersmarket. DEC. 3 – National Road and Zane Grey Museum Holiday Open House, 8850 East Pike, Norwich, 1–4 p.m. 740-872-3143 or www.ohiohistory.org. DEC. 9 – Simply Christmas Celebration, Village of Lithopolis and the Wagnalls Memorial, 150 E. Columbus St., Lithopolis, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Holiday markets, Village Shop Hop, live music, food, visits with Santa, activities for children, and the Wagnalls Memorial open house. 614-837-4765 or www.wagnalls.org. DEC. 9–10 – The Nutcracker, Woodward Opera House, 107 S. Main St., Mount Vernon, Sat. 6 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. $25. Presented by the Central Ohio Youth Ballet. 740462-4278 or www.mvac.org/events.
Sat. 9 a.m.–noon; through Nov. 23, Wed./Sat. 9 a.m.–noon. Voted Ohio’s #1 favorite farmers market! 740-593-6763 or www.athensfarmersmarket.org. THROUGH JAN. 1 – Dickens Victorian Village, downtown Cambridge. Stroll the streets to view scenes of life in 1850s England, featuring life-sized, handmade mannequins wearing vintage clothing. 800-933-5480 or www.dickensvictorianvillage.com. THROUGH JAN. 1 – Guernsey County Courthouse Holiday Light Show, Cambridge, 5:30–9 p.m. nightly (Nov. 1–4, 6:30–10 p.m.). See the courthouse decked out with thousands of pulsating colorful lights synchronized to holiday music, three 20-foot Christmas trees, and 60 animated displays. 800933-5480 or www.dickensvictorianvillage.com. NOV. 17–19 – Downtown Holiday Open House, North Paint Street, Chillicothe, Fri. 5–8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 12–5 p.m. Ring in the holidays with the annual tree lighting, “Shine On Chillicothe” lights, carriage rides, shopping, caroling, trolley rides, and more! www.downtownchillicothe.com. NOV. 25 – Cambridge Christmas Parade, downtown Cambridge, 5 p.m. 740-439-2238 or www.downtowncambridge.com. NOV. 25, DEC. 2, 9, 16 – Cut your own tree, Bruce Family Trees, 48601 Township Rd. 63 (Chapel Hill Rd.), Lewisville, 10 a.m. till dusk. Enjoy a wagon ride through the woods, then come in to warm up with complimentary hot chocolate beside the fire. Local crafts also for sale. 740-567-3320. NOV. 25–DEC. 17 – Santa Train, Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, Nelsonville Depot, 33 W. Canal St., Nelsonville. $19–$24, under 3 free. Santa comes
on board and visits with each child as the train traverses the historic Hocking River Valley. www. hvsry.org/train-rides/santa. DEC. 2 – Chillicothe Christmas Church Walk, downtown Chillicothe, 6:30 p.m. $10. Take a walking tour to several churches; a short performance will be presented at each stop. Tickets available at Eventbrite. https://visitchillicotheohio.com/ eventcalendar. DEC. 2 – Phil Dirt and the Dozers, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 7:30 p.m. $20–$25. This annual concert is great fun for all ages. Take a stroll through the oldies-but-goodies along with some of the band’s Christmas favorites. www.majesticchillicothe.net. DEC. 2–3, 9–10 – Holidays at Adena, Adena Mansion and Gardens, 847 Adena Rd., Chillicothe, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $6–$12. Guided tours of the mansion, beautifully decorated in 19th-century Yuletide splendor; live entertainment; refreshments. www.adenamansion.com. DEC. 6 – Rudolf Run 5K and Glow Walk, Elks Lodge #52, 42 W. Second St., Chillicothe, 6 p.m. $10–$30. Participants will get a glow nose and necklace with their registration. www. downtownchillicothe.com. DEC. 7, 14, 16 – Victorian Christmas Tours, The Castle, 418 Fourth St., Marietta, 7 p.m. $9–$12; 5 and under free. 740-373-4180 or http:// mariettacastle.org. DEC. 13 – John Berry Annual Christmas Tour, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 7:30 p.m. $25–$55. www.majesticchillicothe.net.
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MEMBER INTERACTIVE
Zeke Auman enjoying his first fall! Brittany Auman, South Central Power Company member
Peeking through the large leaf pile. Megan Gibson,
My daughter, Viola, and her grandpa (my dad) love to play outside. Megan Gibson, Consolidated Cooperative member
Consolidated Cooperative member
Zander, Thera, and Zane Reber enjoying the leaves. Tracey Reber, Holmes-Wayne Electric
Cooperative member
Our granddaughter, Daphne, 4, takes a rest with a snack after walking in the leaves in the metro parks. Thomas and Anna Woisnet, Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative members
Electric Cooperative member
Our kids, Nikola, Anna, Nadine, and Milica, helping their dad in the yard (this picture is about 25 years old!). Dee Dee Tumbas, Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative members
Kristin Hinkle, South Central Power Company member
Ruger throwing leaves on his little brother, Bo.
Sarah Lonsinger, Pioneer Electric Cooperative member
My daughter, Vivian, playing in the leaves. Emily
Haury, Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative member
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YOUR 36
Maggie and her cat Sonny in the leaf pile. Jessica Woods, Pioneer
Michelle Woltz playing in a giant pile of leaves with her grandkids.
OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023
My granddaughter, Rory Foster, helping Pawpaw rake leaves.
Angela Schoonover, South Central Power Company member
Sisters Emma and Ava, loving the leaves and all that comes with fall. Nicki and
Jeremy Lawrence, North Central Electric Cooperative members
VETERANS DAY NOVEMBER 11
E
lectric cooperatives across Ohio join the nation this month in honoring veterans of the U.S. armed forces — America’s courageous protectors, defenders, and heroes. We proudly acknowledge veterans’ dedication to our country, and we are grateful for the unique strengths and noble characteristics our veterans bring to the cooperative network.
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