Celebrating 4-H
Learn more - page 18
VETERANS DAY
NOVEMBER 11
Electric 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.
INSIDE
FEATURES
22 WINTER SPIRITS
If songbirds ornament our lives, northern cardinals are an adornment for every season (not only winter).
24 2025 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Got someone on your list who’s impossible to buy for? Our guide has something for every type.
Cover image on most editions: If the only things getting stuffed at your Thanksgiving meal are the turkey and your guests, check out our Good Eats section for some ideas on other yummy stuffed menu items — then check out our Member Interactive section for a collection of our readers’ holiday memories (photograph by Catherine Murray).
This page: Ohio’s state bird, the northern cardinal, may be best known as a fixture at feeders every winter, but it is a year-round resident of the Buckeye State (photograph by W.H. “Chip” Gross).
A ‘thank you’ from those who served
On Veterans Day, many people take time to thank those who served in the military. But for many veterans, the real thanks goes the other way — they are grateful they had the opportunity to serve their country, to be part of something meaningful, to grow as people, and to contribute to protecting the freedoms we all enjoy.
The military can be (to borrow a phrase) a great place to start. It teaches discipline, provides structure, and allows service members to take on responsibility at an early age. Members learn to follow orders, work as a team, and stay focused on a mission.
And those are lessons that tend to stay with a person, whether you remain in the military or move on to something else. Serving in the military, after all, doesn’t have to be a lifelong career. Most people who join the military, in fact, serve only a few years in uniform, then use what they’ve learned to go to college, start a job, or build a business. The military can provide tools to succeed — not just in combat, but in everyday life.
Serving often also instills a deep sense of patriotism in those who serve; when you see the world, it’s much easier to understand how lucky we are to live in the United States. That’s one reason veterans may be drawn to work at electric cooperatives: Having seen how it works elsewhere, they understand that a high-functioning power grid is fundamentally linked to the nation’s success, and so they often fit right in with other co-op employees who care so deeply about keeping electricity both affordable and reliable.
Military service isn’t for everyone, but for those who choose it, it can be one of the most pivotal chapters of their lives. It’s not always about fighting wars. It’s about growing up. Building confidence. Learning self-discipline. It’s about being part of something bigger than yourself. Veterans often feel their time in the military helped them discover direction and purpose.
I know that’s what it did for me.
So, on Veterans Day, while the country thanks its veterans, many veterans are quietly thankful too: thankful for the chance to serve, thankful for the lessons learned, and thankful for the life-changing impact that came from wearing the uniform.
Craig Grooms PRESIDENT & CEO OHIO’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
Military service is not always about fighting wars. It’s about growing up. Building confidence. Learning selfdiscipline. It’s about being part of something bigger than yourself.
Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives
6677 Busch Blvd. Columbus, OH 43229 614-846-5757 www.ohiocoopliving.com
Craig Grooms President & CEO
Caryn Whitney Director of Communications
Jeff McCallister Senior Managing Editor
Amy Howat Assistant Managing Editor
Neal Kindig Graphic Designer
Contributors: Colleen Romick Clark, Getty Images, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Shelby Bradford Moore, Catherine Murray, Craig Springer, and Damaine Vonada.
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 $6.48 to $7.92 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.
DEPARTMENTS
4 POWER LINES
Balancing act: Local control helps co-ops keep electricity rates as stable as possible for their members.
8 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE
Fly, fly away: Some raptors migrate over the winter, while others don’t. What’s the deal?
10 CO-OP PEOPLE
All in the family: Running one of the most iconic properties in the Hocking Hills has always been a family affair.
13
GOOD EATS
Get stuffed: Rich and flavorful stuffing shouldn’t be reserved just for the holiday bird.
17
LOCAL PAGES
News and other important information from your electric cooperative.
33 CALENDAR
What’s happening: November/ December events and other things to do around Ohio.
36 MEMBER INTERACTIVE
National/regional advertising inquiries, contact Cheryl Solomon
American MainStreet Publications 847-749-4875 | cheryl@amp.coop
Cooperative members:
Please report changes of address to your electric cooperative. Ohio Cooperative Living staff cannot process address changes.
Alliance for Audited Media Member
Thanksgiving table: Memories are in the making when families gather for a meal at the holiday — and the table itself is the centerpiece, as shown in the photo at right, shared by Washington Electric Cooperative member Darla Trigg.
Balancing act
Electric cooperatives set rates based on people, not profit.
BY JEFF MCCALLISTER
Last February, WKYC-TV in Cincinnati had a warning for its viewers: “Get ready, Ohio: Your energy bill will be higher this summer.”
In April, an AEP Ohio official told WBNS-TV in Columbus that customers should expect their bills to jump by an average of $27 beginning in June.
“Electricity price surge,” screamed a headline on Cleveland.com in late July, over a story that said Ohioans were seeing increases that averaged 10% to 15%. The story explained that a record-breaking auction in the wholesale electricity market last year had set higher prices for future supply, and that was coming to fruition.
In late July, the Ohio Capital Journal said energy bills are likely to tick up again in 2026 after the wholesale auction hit its maximum limit again this summer.
“Duke Energy bills jump in Southwest Ohio; more increases are on the way” — Cincinnati Enquirer, Sept. 23, 2025.
In all those news stories on the opposite page, there was little to no mention that electricity rates for Ohio’s electric cooperative members remained relatively stable — and in fact, as of mid-September, the price co-op members pay specifically for the generated power they use was the lowest in the state.
“We have always believed our business model is good for long-term stability in the rates paid by our members,” says Craig Grooms, president and CEO of Buckeye Power, which provides the electricity that Ohio’s co-ops distribute to their members.
“We’re seeing the benefits of that approach right now because there’s so much uncertainty in our industry — around load growth that may or may not be coming from data centers, around regulatory issues, and around the volatility of the energy markets,” Grooms says. “As cooperatives, we have certain advantages that can insulate us from a lot of that.”
What makes co-ops different?
Unlike investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives are member-owned and community-driven. The first co-ops were formed in the 1930s to bring power to areas that big investor-owned utilities ignored. Today, 25 co-ops serve nearly a million people in 77 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Nationwide, there are more than 800 electric co-ops.
When the co-ops first formed, most bought their wholesale power from the larger utilities or from nearby municipal power plants. But in 1959 , Ohio’s co-ops joined together to form Buckeye Power, a generation and transmission cooperative, to provide their electricity.
Through Buckeye and in partnership with American Electric Power, the co-ops built their own generating facility, and today Buckeye Power, through that Cardinal Power Plant in Brilliant and other facilities, generates more than enough electricity to meet the co-ops’ needs. (Buckeye also delivers significant energy generated from two natural gas “peaking” plants, its solar arrays, numerous biomass facilities around the state, and an entitlement to a portion of the hydropower generated by Niagara Falls.)
It’s that local ownership of power generation that puts the co-ops in a unique position when it comes to keeping rates stable.
The role of member governance
Local control is one of the most important features of co-op pricing. Each co-op elects a governing
board from among its members, and each co-op is represented on the board of Buckeye Power.
Among other duties, those boards oversee financial decisions. While each individual co-op determines its own unique rate structure, which includes the actual cost to deliver power to each member, the wholesale rates for generating and transmitting that power are set by the Buckeye board.
Owning those generation sources means co-op rates are more insulated from the wide swings of the competitive power markets, where wholesale rates are set through bidding and auctions. Instead, co-ops operate under a cost-based model — just as each co-op’s service fee is based on what it actually costs to deliver electricity to members, the wholesale rate is based on what it actually costs to generate that power and get it to the co-ops.
Key components in calculating wholesale rates include:
• Fuel and operating costs for generation facilities
• Debt payments on capital investments, such as power plants or transmission lines
• Maintenance and staffing
• Reserve margins to ensure reliability and plan for future needs
Balancing reliability and affordability
Still, wholesale rate setting is a balancing act. Co-ops must ensure they’re charging enough to cover their costs and maintain reliability without overburdening members with high rates. That often means planning years ahead — forecasting demand, securing fuel contracts, and investing in resilient infrastructure — and that can be a difficult task when there’s so much uncertainty in the industry.
Also, because co-ops are not for profit, any revenue above what’s needed to run the system is returned to members over time as capital credits — and just as the local co-ops return credits to their members, Buckeye Power returns capital credits to the co-ops.
That system of member governance, local ownership of generation, and not-for-profit operation helps co-ops keep rates more stable than those of investor-owned utilities, which are driven to generate a profit for their shareholders and are rarely accountable to their customers the way coops are accountable to their members.
“In the end, power rates in the co-op world aren’t about profit,” Grooms says, “they’re about people, and that makes a huge difference.”
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is a time of year that many families gather and a good time to make sure your aging loved ones are safe in their homes. Mobility can change quickly so if the stairs are becoming a challenge it might be time to consider making a change.
“I can’t imagine what we’d do without it. I wish we had installed our Stiltz Homelift several years ago!” – Mr. James, Roanoke, VA
WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE
Fly, fly away
Some raptors migrate, while others don’t. What’s the deal?
Late one September many years ago, I was visiting Pointe Mouillee State Game Area at the mouth of the Detroit River along the western shoreline of Lake Erie in late September when I looked skyward and saw the most stunning example of fall bird migration I have ever witnessed.
Hundreds of broad-winged hawks were soaring, lazily, round and round in a huge flock about a quarter-mile high. Then, it was as if an invisible hand reached into the swirling flock and began drawing the raptors away a few at a time. Over the course of the next half-hour or so, all of the hawks gradually left the flock and disappeared from sight, heading southward in a long line like a string slowly being pulled off a rotating spool of thread.
The vivid image of that annual autumnal spectacle of migration remains in my mind’s eye yet today. But it has always made me stop and wonder: Why do some raptors migrate, while others don’t?
Kevin McGowan, who hails from Springfield, has been studying the question and others like it for a long time. He holds two degrees in zoology from Ohio State University and is now a professional ornithologist and educator with the prestigious Cornell Lab of Ornithology at Ithaca, New York. “I’ve been a birder since junior high school,” he says. “I grew up birding with the Clark County Audubon Society.”
He’s studied bird migration for years, and if anyone knows the answer to my nagging question, it’s McGowan. “For raptors, it’s all about finding food,” McGowan says. “If they can find enough food in their location year-round, they don’t migrate. If they can’t, then they must move.”
Of course, that also raises another question that’s just as fascinating as why some species of birds migrate and others don’t, and that is: How do they migrate? How do they know where they’re going — especially young-ofthe-year fledglings? And how do they navigate during those arduous, dangerous, twice-per-year journeys north and south over hundreds if not thousands of miles? Some of the most recent bird migration research is revealed in author Scott Weidensaul’s latest book, A World on the Wing, which includes this fascinating tidbit:
When a bar-tailed godwit takes off from Alaska and flies across the widest part of the Pacific (a journey, research shows, that can take 11 days of nonstop flight), sleep obviously becomes an issue. A sleeping bird can’t fly; flying is not an autonomous function like breathing. Birds get around this problem through [big-word alert] unihemispheric sleep — putting one half of their brains to sleep for a few seconds at a time, alternating endlessly back and forth.
The avian world, like all of nature, is simply amazing… and likely even more so than we yet fully realize.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY W. H. “CHIP” GROSS
THREE MIGRATING RAPTORS
Red-tailed hawk
According to McGowan, red-tailed hawks are the most widespread, most common, and most commonly seen raptor in North America. In Ohio, there are both resident and migrant populations of redtails — resident redtails remain in the state all year, breeding here, but the migrant redtails breed in Canada and return to the Buckeye State only during the winter months. “Again, it’s all about finding food,” he says. “For redtails as a species, food is generally easier to find in Ohio than Canada during the winter.”
Broad-winged hawk
McGowan confirmed that my encounter long ago with migrating broad-winged hawks, a common forest hawk of eastern North America, wasn’t just some fever dream. “They completely leave their breeding ground in the U.S. and Canada in the fall, migrating to South America for the winter,” he says. “They migrate in groups ornithologists call ‘kettles,’ made up of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of hawks.” He says the birds stage at locations conducive to migration, but don’t all ultimately end up in the same place in South America. “Broad-wings seem to get something social out of clustering together, but it’s a behavior we don’t yet totally understand.”
Gyrfalcon
In contrast to red-tailed hawks, the gyrfalcon — the world’s largest falcon — is found in the highest latitudes of the Arctic tundra all across the Northern Hemisphere, where they feed on ptarmigans, a grouse-like bird. “Most of those birds spend the entire winter in the high Arctic in the dark and extreme cold, only occasionally migrating to southern Canada and the northern U.S.,” McGowan says.
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
BY DAMAINE VONADA
Sthe ALL IN
oon after Zac Loomis and his wife, Lauren, purchased the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls in February 2019, he asked the chef to tweak the menu at its restaurant, Kindred Spirits, so that every dish would be tree-nut-free. “It was the first directive I remember giving the staff, and I did it because our son, Carter, has a tree-nut allergy,” explains Zac. “I wanted him to be able to eat anything we serve.”
Ah, the joys — and challenges — of operating a 75-acre Hocking Hills resort where guests come to bask in the uninterrupted beauty of nature and enjoy high-quality lodging, dining, and spa services. Though they live in the Columbus suburb of Lewis Center, the Loomis family (Zac and Lauren, along with their 13-year-old daughter, Quinn, and 15-year-old Carter) became instant “co-op people” when they acquired the inn, which is a member of Lancaster-based South Central Power Company. Zac, a successful real estate agent and investor, initially went to the inn to help longtime owners Ellen Grinsfelder and her husband, Terry Lingo, find a buyer. Instead, he fell in love with the place and bought it himself.
Flanked on three sides by Hocking Hills State Park, the inn was one of the first Hocking Hills venues to
offer guests lodging as well as an on-site fine-dining experience. That not only played a key role in putting the region on the tourist map, but over the next three decades, the inn also grew from a modest, barnlike bedand-breakfast that original owner Anne Castle founded in 1987 into what is arguably the Hocking Hills’ most iconic — and complete — destination. “The inn is the only private property on State Route 374,” Zac says, “and since that’s a paved two-lane road, we installed signage to let people know when they are driving by it.”
After Castle died in 1991 , her daughter Ellen and son-in-law Terry continued operating the inn and established its casual but exceptionally cordial hospitality standard. They transformed 1840 s log houses into overnight accommodations; constructed made-for-couples cottages tucked away in the woods; added Pacific-style yurts; and turned one cabin into a spa. The inn’s heart, of course, was Kindred Spirits, which Ellen and Terry also expanded as a LEEDcertified environmentally friendly gathering place. At the restaurant, wines flowed, candles glowed, and guests got the distinct pleasure of dining on filet mignon while wearing hiking boots and jeans.
family
Running what is perhaps the most iconic property in the Hocking Hills has always been a family affair.
“Anne, Ellen, and Terry left a remarkable legacy at the inn that I’m trying to preserve and protect by rounding out the guests’ experiences,” Zac says. Although he’d been building new log homes in the Hocking Hills region for years and had driven by it countless times, Zac had never visited the inn until Ellen suggested he meet her banker for a tour in August 2018. Six months later, he and Lauren owned it. “Everybody knows this property,” Zac says. “It’s so iconic that in the beginning, I thought I was under a microscope.”
For the Loomises, their first real ownership test was the COVID pandemic, which surfaced only about a year after their purchase. To keep the inn’s staff working, they built three climate-controlled geodomes that were the first in the United States to offer indoor plumbing, HVAC, and electricity. Featuring large windows overlooking the woods, the geodomes boast king-sized beds, kitchenettes with retro-style appliances, and private decks.
Since then, Zac and Lauren also converted nine of the original bed-and-breakfast rooms into spa treatment spaces that offer a wide range of services for both individuals and couples. Thus, the inn now has 24
lodging units on-site: three geodomes, three yurts, six cabins, and 12 cottages.
As their children have gotten older, running the inn has become a true family affair. Carter and Quinn have done everything from dusting the gift shop and making homemade granola to cooking with restaurant manager Candice Pagano. They also learned life lessons like coping with feelings and emotions at a young age, and after Zac and Lauren bought the picturesque Hocking Hills Golf Club on U.S. 33 a few years ago, their kids set up a stand selling used golf balls.
Opened in June 2025 , the Golf Club’s new “stay and play” concept consists of four modern suites and lofts that accommodate between two and four overnight guests, and its Urban Grille serves a finger-food American menu — including bang bang shrimp, citrus berry salad, and bourbon burgers — plus cocktails, mimosas, and mules. Besides the Golf Club’s four suites, the Loomises also own four log houses and manage 18 others located throughout the Hocking Hills for friends and family members.
“No two days are ever the same,” says Zac, “and that’s not on purpose. It just happens.”
The Loomis family (below, from left), Carter, Zac, Lauren, and Quinn, is the second family to own and operate the Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls since it opened in 1987.
Get stuffed
Rich and flavorful stuffing shouldn’t just be confined to the holiday bird.
STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS
Prep: 40 minutes | Bake: 75 minutes | Servings: 6
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
6-ounce can tomato paste, divided
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning salt and pepper to taste
1 large head green cabbage
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup cooked long-grain rice
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Sauté chopped onion for 5 to 7 minutes, then add garlic and stir another minute. Pour in crushed tomatoes, then mix in half of the tomato paste along with the vinegar, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper (to taste). Lower heat and continue cooking for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to boil. Cut out core of cabbage and carefully separate 12 leaves. Shave down any thick edges with a paring knife. Plunge 4 or 5 leaves at a time in boiling water and cook 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Remove with tongs and transfer to a large bowl to cool.
In a medium bowl, mix together beef, rice, remaining tomato paste, egg, dried minced onion, garlic powder, oregano, and salt. If mixture crumbles, add a bit of water until it sticks together. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Hold a cabbage leaf open in one hand with thickest part near wrist. Spoon some filling into the thickest part. Fold sides over the filling, then tightly roll. Place seam-side down in baking dish. Repeat, using up filling.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Evenly pour cooked tomato sauce over and around the rolls.
Tightly cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until meat is fully cooked through. Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Makes approximately 12 rolls. Per serving: 326 calories, 13 grams fat (6 grams saturated fat), 34 grams total carbohydrates, 737 milligrams sodium, 90 milligrams cholesterol, 7 grams fiber, 22 grams protein.
1 large egg
1 teaspoon dried minced onion
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
GOOD EATS
RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY
CATHERINE MURRAY
SAVORY SAUSAGE ACORN SQUASH
Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 20 minutes | Servings: 4
2 acorn squash
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 shallot, minced
½ pound ground breakfast sausage (mild or spicy)
¼ cup vegetable or chicken broth
½ teaspoon ground sage
½ teaspoon thyme
¼ cup dried cranberries
3 large handfuls torn kale leaves
Slice a small piece off the top (stem) and bottom of squash so they sit upright, then cut in half perpendicular to ridges. Scoop out seeds, discarding strings. Pile seeds on a small baking sheet. Drizzle with some of the olive oil, add salt, then toss to coat and spread in an even layer. Coat the flesh of squash halves with olive oil by hand and place hollowside down in a large baking dish.
Preheat oven to 400 F. Place baking sheet with seeds on the top rack and baking dish with squash on the bottom rack. Check seeds after 7 minutes; toss and roast until golden and crispy. Scrape into a small bowl to cool. Check squash after 20 minutes; roast until fork-tender. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, sauté shallot and sausage over medium heat, breaking up sausage until cooked through. To prevent burning, add a splash of water when needed. Add remaining ingredients; stir to mix, then cover with lid and cook a few minutes, until kale is wilted. Turn off heat and leave uncovered on burner. Use a thin spatula to loosen squash from pan and turn over onto individual plates. Stuff each with filling and top with roasted seeds. Serve hot.
Per serving: 348 calories, 24 grams fat (7 grams saturated fat), 27 grams total carbohydrates, 841 milligrams sodium, 35 milligrams cholesterol, 4 grams fiber, 9 grams protein.
TURKEY CORDON BLEU STUFFED CRESCENT
Prep: 20 minutes | Bake: 20 minutes | Servings: 8
12-ounce can refrigerated crescent roll dough
8 ounces (2 cups) shredded turkey
4 ounces (½ cup) diced ham
3 ounces (1 cup) shredded Swiss and/ or Gruyère cheese
garlic powder for sprinkling
black pepper for sprinkling
1 egg
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
On a baking sheet with silicone liner or parchment paper, roll crescent dough out flat; seal perforated lines with fingers. Layer fillings down the middle third of the dough lengthwise in order: turkey, ham, cheese, garlic powder, and black pepper. Cut 1-inch slits 1 inch apart on either side of the meat and cheese, then cross strips over filling, gently pressing edges together to seal.
Preheat oven to 375 F. In a small bowl, beat egg with a splash of water and brush mixture on top of dough. Place on middle rack in oven. Bake 20 minutes, until dough is golden brown. Meanwhile, mix together mayonnaise and Dijon to make a dipping sauce. Let the rolls cool a minute or two before slicing and serving.
Per serving: 307 calories, 19 grams fat (6 grams saturated fat), 19 grams total carbohydrates, 543 milligrams sodium, 55 milligrams cholesterol, 0 grams fiber, 14 grams protein.
SWEET CHEESE BLINTZES
Prep: 30 minutes | Chill: 1 hour | Bake: 30 minutes | Servings: 12
1 cup milk
4 large eggs, divided
3+ tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 cup flour
pinch salt
16 ounces small curd cottage cheese
15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon lemon zest
½ cup + 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
In a medium bowl, whisk together milk and 3 eggs, then 3 tablespoons melted butter, then flour and salt until a smooth batter is formed. Cover and refrigerate for an hour. Meanwhile, strain liquid from cottage cheese in batches by squeezing through cheesecloth so it’s no longer runny but retains some moisture. In a medium bowl, mash drained cottage cheese, then mix in ricotta, 1 egg, vanilla, lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons sugar.
Heat an 8- or 9-inch skillet over medium. Lightly coat with cooking spray, then pour in a scant ¼ cup of the chilled batter; quickly tilt and swirl the pan to coat the bottom with batter. Cook until edges pull away from the pan. With a spatula, lay crepe uncooked side down on a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining batter, creating a stack of crepes.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish. Separate a crepe from the stack and lay on a flat surface.
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen, divided ¼ cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice powdered sugar for sprinkling (optional)
Spoon 3 tablespoons of cheese mixture 2 inches from the edge of the crepe. Fold the 2-inch edge over the cheese, pressing down slightly to flatten, then fold in the sides and roll into a log shape. Place seam-side down in buttered dish. Repeat with remaining filling and crepes.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until golden. Meanwhile, whisk ½ cup sugar and cornstarch together in a medium saucepan. Slowly pour in water while whisking, then add 1 cup of the blueberries and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over medium, then reduce heat and continue stirring until sauce thickens and is dark in color. Remove from heat and stir in remaining blueberries. When ready to serve, spoon blueberry sauce on plate, top with blintz, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Per serving: 241 calories, 11 grams fat (6 grams saturated fat), 26 grams total carbohydrates, 250 milligrams sodium, 97 milligrams cholesterol, 1 gram fiber, 11 grams protein.
Better Stories Begin Here Chapter 2
As your not-for-profit cooperative, we are proud to have played a part in our communities’ stories for almost 90 years. We are a local, community-focused organization, and we are here to help your story grow.
From October to December, we have three “chapters” focused on different programs we offer that help improve life for you — our members. Chapter 2 has officially begun, but Chapter 1 will continue through December. Don’t miss your chance to win one of our $50 bill credits!
Chapter 2: Budget Billing
Make your bills a story with no plot twists.
Budget Billing helps smooth out the highs and lows of your monthly energy bills, helping you plan without surprises. For many of our members, energy use changes significantly based on the season, extreme weather, or even the number of people who are home. This can lead to big changes in their bills throughout the year.
With Budget Billing, your monthly bill is based on your average use over the past 12 months. We use a variable budget system, which means we recalculate your average each month to help you avoid “catch-up” months.
Budget Billing is available for electric, propane*, and natural gas services. If you sign up between now and December 31, we will enter you to win one of ten $50 bill credits! You will receive one entry for each service you switch over to Budget Billing.
Visit our website and search “Budget Billing” or give our team a call to see if you qualify and get started.
Chapter 1: Outage Alerts
Our Outage Alerts chapter is still going! Through December, members who sign up for Outage Alerts will be entered to win one of five $50 bill credits each month. Visit consolidated.coop and search “Outage Alerts” to learn more and sign up or contact us for help!
*Please note, propane Budget Billing is not available for members who are participating in our 2025-2026 Propane Pre-Buy.
Supporting Local 4 -H
Congratulations to all our 4-H exhibitors on another great year!
From sponsoring livestock shows and agility classes to participating in livestock auctions, it means so much to our team and trustees to play a part in helping local youth continue to thrive through 4-H.
Thank you to the volunteers, advisors, and parents who make 4-H possible for our youth. We are so impressed by the passion, dedication, and skill that each exhibitor brings to the fair!
Consolidated Cooperative is here to serve you. Please contact us if you have any questions.
CONTACT US
24-HOUR EMERGENCY
SERVICE: 800-421-5863 service@consolidated.coop www.consolidated.coop
MAIN OFFICE
5255 St. Rte. 95 Mount Gilead, OH 43338
DISTRICT OFFICE
4993 St. Rte. 521 Delaware, OH 43015
OFFICE HOURS
7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Michael Struck, Chair
Mike Schuster, Vice Chair
Mary Fuller, Secretary
Michael Huston, Treasurer
Tim Bachelder, Asst. Secretary
Don Breece
Megan Forman-Karbler
Doug Loudenslager
Larry Roof
HAVE A STORY SUGGESTION?
Email your ideas to: editor@consolidated.coop
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Stephanie Daniel
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
Morgan Mellen
Claim your capital credits!
As your not-for-profit cooperative, we only keep the funds we need to operate. We set our margins (profits) aside as capital credits to return to our members.
Each December, when our board decides the amount of capital credits that Consolidated can safely “retire,” we send out credits or checks to current and former members. Sometimes, the credits go unclaimed because we no longer have a valid address for former members.
Visit consolidated.coop/unclaimed-capital-credits to see our digital list of unclaimed credits. You can scroll through or use the search feature to see if you or someone you know has credits to claim. Please note, members do not receive lump-sum refund checks when they move off our lines.
USE YOUR CO-OP CONNECTIONS CARD TO SAVE AT LOCAL BUSINESSES
Visit connections.coop to see all local and national offers. Thousands of members also save each year on pharmacy discounts! Need a replacement card? You can download one on the connections.coop site or call our office and we will mail one to you.
RESIDENTIAL REBATES*
Dual-fuel systems — $600
Geothermal heat pump systems — $800
Electric water heater — $250
Heat pump water heater — $400
ENERGY STAR ductless mini-split — $600
Electric vehicle level 2 charger — $250
ENERGY STAR refrigerator — $100
Smart thermostat — up to $150
ENERGY STAR freezer — $100
ENERGY STAR central air unit — $150
*Rebates are given as credits on your electric bill. Call us for rebate information!
FROM THE BOARDROOM SEPTEMBER
• Jon Todd, Safety Director, reported on recent safety education for all employees, including drug and alcohol training, and active shooter training.
• Jennifer Barger, CMO, provided legislative updates from the Community & Government Relations team, including participation in multiple advocacy opportunities on state and federal levels.
• Amanda Pridemore, CFO, provided year-to-date net margins for Electric: $3 2 million; Natural Gas: $195,000; Propane: $504,000. Fiber reported a net loss of $98,000 due to intentionally accelerated depreciation and expanded operating expenses.
• Tim Applegate, COO, reported 4,239 active fiber accounts with a 37% take rate across the board.
BY CRAIG SPRINGER
With its pointed crest and for its striking cardinalred color alone, the northern cardinal is not only easy to notice, but also to remember and to appreciate. Lucky for us, it never leaves the home place.
November is fall’s fulcrum — the time when winter soon comes in earnest to slowly settle over the land like a thickening shadow. A whole host of bird species that chirped and tweeted and bounded over our yards and parks, fields and woodlots over the summer has long since left for warmer climes in the Deep South and beyond to South America to ride out our cold spell.
They will be back. But in the meantime, we get to enjoy our delightful redbird. The northern cardinal will still be around, in town and about the countryside — a crimsonred shard with wings, flitting about in shrubs and trees, around wood piles, and along forest edges.
The colorful northern cardinal lives over the entirety of Ohio, and that alone is reason enough for the state legislative assembly to name it the official state bird. There are other meritorious reasons that call forth warm approval and high regard.
Its collection of sixteen unique songs is one good reason. The northern cardinal never stops singing throughout the year. Spring brings with it a crescendo of bird song from those recently arrived from the South as they prepare to nest, claiming aloud what is their own turf; the bachelor birds vociferously call out their eligibility.
But our redbird goes at it throughout the year, most commonly calling out a sharp singular chirp that sounds like an icepick hitting a piece of stainless steel — a call
reserved for warning other family members of potential danger. Boldly perched atop shrubs and trees where all can see, a male northern cardinal sings out a serried sharp pur-tee, pur-tee, pur-tee with an upswing at the end. They also let out a cheer, cheer, cheer, with descending notes. Winter, spring, summer — or in November — their crisp calls arc through the air like hot sparks.
Much of their song is territorial in nature, staking out and defending their nesting sites and offspring. With the passing of winter, cardinals claim nest sites in trees and shrubs, with males aggressively warding off competing males. In courtship, the males feed insects and seeds to females.
Cardinals are by nature accustomed to laying only a few grayish-white speckled eggs that are tended to by both parents through incubation and fledging. That’s a period less than two weeks long. Putting less energy into brooding only a few eggs at a time allows cardinals to produce multiple broods going as late as August. Scientists have determined that cardinal eggs and fledglings are subjected to high rates of predation by mice and snakes and parasitization by brown-headed cowbirds. The cowbirds lay their eggs in cardinal nests, and the unwitting hosts raise the parasitic baby birds as their own. Only about 30% of cardinal eggs make it to fledglings. So cardinals produce multiple broods through the nesting period to get along. Cardinals fledged any later than August would not be fit and ready to face the perils of the arduous winter that is sure to follow.
But winter has beauty all its own. It is easy to imagine a leafless maple, or pines or red cedars, draped in snow and a redbird flitting about, a scenario that might leave a little fluttering in your heart on a cold, snowy day.
The cardinal impressed American culture; it is the official bird of seven states, and the Amtrak train the Cardinal runs through six of them on its glide between New York City and Chicago, including a stop in Cincinnati. It’s the mascot of sports teams, professional and collegiate, such as Otterbein University and Wheeling University; 14 Ohio high schools own a cardinal mascot.
What’s not to appreciate about the cardinal? As Ohio nature writer Julie Zickefoose puts forth in her book, The Bluebird Effect, “The presence of a single bird can change everything for one who appreciates them.”
So, put out a bird feeder this fall and get a closer look at the state bird. You might even consider taking part in Project Feeder Watch, which offers feeding tips. You can casually watch birds at home and contribute bird-watching data that will be useful to scientists at Cornell University and elsewhere. Participants can start at any time.
The bright red male northern cardinal (opposite page) is easy to spot in any season; the female of the species sports more muted colors (photos via (Getty Images).
Holiday
Gift Guide
Got someone on your list who’s seemingly impossible to buy for? Make shopping simple this season with our tally of treasures sure to be a treat for even the trickiest members of your tribe.
(Oh, and by the way, all of these are made, based, or sold within cooperative communities around the state!)
COMPILED
BY
SHELBY BRADFORD MOORE
For those who need a getaway
Treat them like royalty
Take a step back in time during your next weekend trip by booking a stay at Landoll’s Mohican Castle, tucked right in the heartland of Mohican country. This breathtaking estate offers its guests luxury and old-world charm, and an on-site restaurant and courts for pickleball and basketball. Visit the website to book a trip or purchase a gift certificate for a stay in one of 11 suites in the original castle.
www.landollsmohicancastle.com 561 Township Road 3352, Loudonville, OH 44842 419-994-3427 | info@landollsmohicancastle.com
A stay in Utopia
An Airbnb gift card could translate into a stay in the luxurious Utopia cabin at Paradise Lake, a private lake near New Philadelphia in Amish country. Utopia promises a relaxing haven for nature lovers, with peaceful water views as well as opportunities for kayaking, fishing, or simply relaxing by the shore. Utopia boasts two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a hot tub. Other Paradise Lake cabins sleep as many as 14 or as few as two. All are available year-round.
www.paradiselakeohio.com 6400 Paradise Lake Rd. SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 | 330-275-3880
For the homebodies
Let them pamper themselves
Every item sold by Mae’s Finer Finds & Creations is handcrafted in Spencerville, including their popular soy candles and blankets. A chunky blanket, custommade with the recipient’s favorite colors, or a gorgeous dough-bowl soy candle for cozy nights at home, transforms any night in into something special. Visit the website to place an order or find a list of stores where their products are sold. www.finerfindsandcreations.com
At-home spa treatment
Unique artisan gifts and goods from more than 50 local vendors can be found at Hand + Home. A gift basket with products like body and face polish, hydrating facial mist, facial oils, and cleansers will make for a delightful at-home spa night. Place an order on their website or visit their store in Findlay.
www.handandhome.co
622 South Main Street, Findlay, OH 45840
For the artsy
Fine art from a local Mac Worthington is a world-renowned artist best known for his abstract sculptures and paintings, which can be seen in homes, businesses, and public spaces around the world. A print of a Mac Worthington original would make the perfect gift for your art enthusiast. Browse and purchase through the Ohio native’s online store or visit his personal gallery and studio in Ostrander.
www.macworthington.com 5935 Houseman Road, Ostrander, OH 43061
Blown glass to blow their minds
Your art buff will be blown away by the handblown glass artwork available at Jack Pine Studio! These one-of-a-kind glass pieces can be purchased at the Jack Pine Studio gallery in Laurelville, or online and shipped straight to you. Our favorites are the glass mugs, vases, bowls, and garden art.
www.jackpinestudio.com 21397 OH-180, Laurelville, OH 43135
Custom heavy metal
A Brighton-based company called Fabit is known for its unique metal art, welded in-house with American steel. Some of their most popular products are custom-made firepits and windchimes! Check them out on Facebook to view their recent projects and place a custom order, or visit their showroom in Brighton to purchase alreadymade sculptures, wall art, and other goods.
52300 State Route 18, Brighton, OH 44090 440-315-1649 | fabit2016@gmail.com
For the outdoorsy
Acres and acres to explore
Established in 1929 with a mission to enrich lives through the conservation of trees, nature, and history, the Dawes Arboretum covers nearly 2,000 acres and is home to about 16,000 trees. Purchase an individual or family membership for your nature lover to give them access to year-round nature exploration, programs, events, and other outdoorsy experiences.
www.dawesarb.org 7770 Jacksontown Road, Newark, OH 43056 740-323-2355 | information@dawesarb.org
A
plant for any occasion
This plant destination is known for its massive collection of succulents, unusual plants, and wide variety of indoor and outdoor flora. Groovy Plants Ranch also offers yearround classes and workshops, presales of seasonal plants, a gem mining station for kids, and much more. To shop for your gardener, visit the Ranch in Marengo or peruse their website.
www.groovyplantsranch.com 4140 County Road 15, Marengo, OH 43334
A place to hide
Have a hunter in your life? Surprise them with a new Stryker Hunting Blind, handconstructed in Millersburg. These stealthy blinds come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit the needs of any hunter. Check out the blinds offered on Stryker’s website and contact them by phone or email to order.
https://strykerhuntingblinds.com 330-674-3900 | info@strykerhuntingblinds.com
dies&sippers
A great cup of coffee
Get your coffee aficionado a delicious cup o’ Joe this holiday season! Silver Bridge Coffee roasts small-batch blends of coffee made with carefully selected arabica beans from all over the world. For the holidays, your loved one will enjoy one of Silver Bridge’s seasonal blends — Highlander Grogg or Snow Angel — or one of their ever-popular coffee-themed advent calendars.
Order online at www.silverbridgecoffee.com
Specialty wine
This mother/daughter-owned Gallia County winery and vineyard features a wide variety of wines grown and bottled on-site. Your wine connoisseur will love Merry Family Winery’s seasonal and specialty wines, like Homestead White, Decadent Red, White Diamonds, and Lucky 7. Stop by the winery to pick up a bottle Wednesday–Saturday between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., or until 8 p.m. on Fridays.
www.merrywinery.com
2376 State Route 850, Bidwell, OH 45614
Flavor upon flavor
On a Millersburg farm, dozens of all-natural, gourmet products — ranging from dry rubs and glazes to syrups and infused vinegars — are blended, cooked, and bottled by hand. We recommend trying any of their delicious syrups, which are tapped right on their farm. Simple Products items for your home chef can be purchased online and shipped to your home. https://.simplegourmetsyrups.com
For the holly & jolly
A European holiday
Find the perfect gift for your Christmas enthusiasts at the Christkindl Market of Bryan, where vendors will be set up in a European-style market around Bryan’s courthouse square. The market will be open 4–8 p.m. each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, beginning the day after Thanksgiving through December 20. For a list of vendors, visit the Christkindl Market of Bryan Facebook page.
www.facebook.com/ChristkindlBryan 118 West High Street, Bryan, OH 43506
Festivity year-round
Snowmen and reindeer and candy canes — oh my! Six Christmas-themed stores can be found in West Unity, each with its own special theme. Inside, guests can find festive home décor, Nativity scenes, snow globes, and unique ornaments. Visit the website for specific store addresses, hours, and products.
www.hollyjollychristmasshop.com/ west-unity-stores
Comparing is believing.
When you compare our geothermal system to a traditional gas or electric HVAC unit, the winner is clear.
We’ve got the competition beat on every level. A WaterFurnace geothermal heat pump offers unmatched efficiencies, so your energy costs are much lower than with a conventional furnace or a/c. It doesn’t rely on fossil fuels, so it’s much better on the environment. And the consistent temperatures and low humidity allow you to dial in your ideal comfort. Try it out and you’ll see—WaterFurnace wins. Contact your local WaterFurnace dealer today!
Geothermal is the only renewable that provides reliable operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Statement of ownership
Ohio Cooperative Living (publication no. 134-760; ISSN 747-0592) is owned and published monthly by Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc., 6677 Busch Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229. Subscription cost for electric cooperative members is $7 92 per year, paid from equity accruing to the member. 12-mo.avg Sept 2025 issue
A. Total print run 311,353
B. Paid distribution
1. Outside county pd. 308,898
G. Not distributed 233
H. Total
I.
I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete.
Jeff McCallister, Senior Managing Editor
YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS:
Ashland Comfort Control (419) 281-0144 comfortcontrolohio.com
Bowling Green
United Home Comfort (419) 352-7092 unitedhomecomfort.com
Chillicothe
Accurate Htg & Clg (740) 775-5005 accurategeothermal.com
Coldwater
Ray’s Refrigeration (419) 678-8711 raysrefrigeration.com
Defiance
Schlatters Plbg & Htg (419) 393-4690 schlattersgeothermal.com
Dresden Federal Htg & Clg (740) 754-4328 federalheating.com
Findlay Knueve & Sons Inc. (419) 420-7638 knueve.com
Gahanna
Custom A/C & Htg (614) 552-4822 customairco.com/ geothermal
Groveport Patriot Air (614) 577-1577 patriotair.com
Holgate
Holgate Hardware (419) 264-3012
Kalida Knueve & Sons Inc. (419) 420-7638 knueve.com
Sarka Electric (419) 532-3492 sarkaelectric.com
Mansfield Eberts Energy Center (419) 589-2000 ebertsheatingandcooling. com
Marion Wenig’s Inc. (740) 383-5012 wenigsinc.com
Medina Sisler Heating (330) 722-7101 sislerwaterfurnace.com
Mt. Vernon Cosby Htg & Clg (740) 393-4328 cosbyhc.com
New Knoxville New Knoxville Supply (419) 753-2444 newknoxvillesupply.com
Portsmouth Accurate Htg & Clg (740) 353-4328 accurategeothermal.com
Sidney Lochard Inc. (937) 492-8811
Sunbury Westin Air (614) 794-1259 geothermalcentralohio.com
Toledo
Overcashier & Horst (419) 841-3333 ohcomfort.com
Wellington
Wellington Indoor Comfort (440) 647-3421
Leave a legacy for future generations, nothing embodies this sentiment quite like the enduring gift of gold from American Gold Reserve. With its intrinsic value and historical significance, gold represents stability and prosperity across generations, making it a cherished asset to pass down. Secure your family’s future with a gift that stands the test of time, ensuring a legacy of financial security and enduring value.
American Gold Reserve is releasing Government issued $5 Gold American Eagles completely free of dealer mark-up for only $369 each. These beautiful $5 Gold American Eagles are a perfect way to enter the gold market. They are set for immediate public release and will sell out fast
• Teach the importance of wealth preservation.
• Great way to pass on wealth to children and grand children.
• A symbolic act of the commitment to your family.
• Gold provides your children and grandchildren with a built-in safeguard during times of financial instability.
2025
CALENDAR
NORTHWEST
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
NOV. 25 – Kenton Window Wonderland and Christmas Parade, downtown Kenton. Free. Unveiling of the Window Wonderland and lighting of the Hardin County courthouse at 6 p.m., followed by “Ohio’s Biggest Small Town Christmas Parade” at 6:30 p.m. Entertainment includes the Amazing Giants, a train ride for children, Santa, and so much more! 419-673-4131 or www.facebook.com/ KentonHistoricCourthouseDistrict.
DEC. 5–7 – ONU Holiday Spectacular, Lima Civic Center, #7 Town Square, Lima, Fri./Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat./Sun. 2 p.m. $5. The fully staged musical revue features festive carols, lavish sets, ballerinas, toy soldiers, and St. Nick himself! Showcases the performance talents of Ohio Northern University students and area children. Purchase tickets at Kewpee Locations. www.facebook.com/onutheatre.
NOV. 20 – Grand Illumination, downtown Sidney, 6–6:30 p.m. Free. Watch the downtown light up with a flip of the switch by the big guy himself, right from the grounds of the Shelby County Courthouse. www. sidneyalive.org.
NOV. 20–22 – ONU Holiday Spectacular, Freed Center, 500 W. College Ave., Ada, Thur.–Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. $5–$20. The fully staged musical revue features festive carols, lavish sets, ballerinas, toy soldiers, and St. Nick himself! Showcases the performance talents of Ohio Northern University students and area children. 419-772-1900, www. freedcenter.com, or www.facebook.com/onutheatre, NOV. 21–JAN. 3 – NWORRP North Pole Express, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay. $5; 12 and under, $3. Hop on board our quarter-scale trains for a trip through a winter wonderland of lights and festive decorations. See operating toy trains, hundreds of decorated trees, and Santa and Mrs. Claus on select nights. 419-423-2995, www.facebook.com/nworrp, or www.nworrp.org.
NOV. 21 – Winter Wonderland Parade of Lights, downtown Sidney, 7– 8 p.m. Free. Bring your family and friends downtown to enjoy this annual holiday tradition. www.sidneyalive.org.
NOV. 28–DEC. 31 – Lake of Lights, Saulisberry Park/France Lake, 13344 St. Rte. 67 W., Kenton, 6–9 p.m. daily. $5/car. A drive-through lighting event. Special events held on the weekends. 567-674-4567, lakeoflights08@gmail.com, or www.facebook.com/ LakeOfLights.
NOV. 29 – Christmas Parade and Holiday Kickoff, throughout West Liberty. Enjoy open houses and special deals in the village shops and holiday fun all day, then join us at 6:30 p.m. for the Christmas Light Up the Village parade welcoming Santa. www. mywestliberty.com.
DEC. 3–7 – Christmas Tree Festival, Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market St., Lima. Free; donations welcome. Over 100 decorated Christmas trees from community organizations, as well as “Evergreen” the Talking Christmas Tree. Tours of MacDonell House, daily demos in the Log House, and kids’ activities. www.allencountymuseum.org/events.
DEC. 5 – Delphos Kiwanis Hometown Christmas, Delphos, 6–8:30 p.m. Free. Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. Lots of activities throughout downtown for all ages! 419-236-5314, delphoskiwanis@gmail.com, or www. visitgreaterlima.com/calendar.
DEC. 5–6 — 25th annual Festival of Trees, downtown Mendon, Fri. 6–9 p.m., Sat. 1–5:30 p.m. Mendon’s town hall will be filled with beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Carriage rides, kids’ shopping, free family photos, with a visit from Santa on Saturday. www.facebook.com/p/Mendon-Festivalof-Trees-100069647363279
WEST VIRGINIA
THROUGH JAN. 4 – Festival of Lights, Oglebay Resort, Wheeling, dusk to midnight nightly. See 300 acres of twinkling lights and displays over a 6-mile drive. www.oglebay.com.
NOV. 29–30, DEC. 6–7 – Spirit of Christmas in the Mountains, Fort New Salem, 81 Settlers Lane, Salem. $8; 10 and under free with paid adult. Join us for an Appalachian Christmas, including costumed interpreters, demos, caroling, and tree lighting. 304695-2220, director@fortnewsalemfoundation.org, or www.fortnewsalemfoundation.org.
DEC. 5–6 – Winterfest, uptown Clarksburg. Christmas parade, Winterfest queen and royalty, artisans, food vendors, holiday music, and more. www.facebook.com/ClarksburgWinterFest.
DEC. 6 – Christmas at Apollo Craft Show, Apollo Career Center, 3325 Shawnee Rd., Lima, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $3; 12 and under free. Over 100 crafters selling homemade and handcrafted wares. Food available for purchase. www.facebook.com/apollocareercenter.
DEC. 6–7 – Schumacher Homestead Christmas Open House, 8350 Bixel Rd., Bluffton, 2–6 p.m. No admission fee; donation only. Tour the restored 1843 home and enjoy the decorations, songs of the season, snacks, and the holiday gift shop. Later in the day see the home lit by candlelight; there may even be a visit by St. Nick! 419-358-1049 or glwetherill@gmail.com.
DEC. 12–14 – Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Encore Theatre, 991 N. Shore Dr., Lima, Fri./Sat. 8 p.m. See all your favorite characters from the TV holiday classic come to life onstage! 419-223-8866 or www. amiltellers.org.
DEC. 13 – Lima Symphony Orchestra and Chorus: “Bells, Brass & Bows,” Lima Civic Center, #7 Town Square, Lima, 7:30 p.m. $15–$50. The festive concert will feature a stunning blend of sacred music and holiday favorites. This year’s highlight will be the “Twelve Days of Ohio Christmas,” a delightful twist on the classic carol. 419-222-5701 or www. limasymphony.com.
DEC. 13 – Wreaths Across America Day at Shawnee Cemetery, Shawnee and Zurmehly Roads, Lima, 12 p.m. Free. Remember and honor our veterans by laying fresh evergreen remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes. Sign up to volunteer or sponsor a wreath at https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/179674/ Overview/?relatedId=179651
2025 CALENDAR
NORTHEAST
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
NOV. 25–JAN. 9 – Steubenville Nutcracker Village, downtown Steubenville. Free. See 200 large-aslife, unique nutcrackers stationed amid lights and holiday decorations throughout the downtown 24/7 Also enjoy hayrides, children’s activities, music, crafts, and much more! 740-283-4935 or www. steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com.
NOV. 28–30 – Holmes County Pottery Holiday Open House, 8500 Co. Rd. 373, Big Prairie, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. www.facebook.com/holmescountypottery or www.holmescountypottery.com.
admission. Handmade arts and crafts, bake sale, raffle. 440-655-4455, prrmevent@att.net, or www. painesvillerailroadmuseum.org.
NOV. 15 – Annual March-In, Fort Laurens, 11067 Fort Laurens Rd. NW, Bolivar, Ohio, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Celebrate the anniversary of the Continental Army’s arrival to the site of Ohio’s only Revolutionary War fort as reenactors march into the fort. Various historical demonstrations; learn about 18th-century weaponry, tools, and practices. 330-874-2059 or www. fortlaurensmuseum.org.
NOV. 21 – Window Wonderland, downtown Wooster, 3 p.m. Free. Decorated storefront windows, Santa descending from the rooftop of the Briggs & Starr Building, hot chocolate, treats, live reindeer, horsedrawn carriage rides, lighting of the Christmas tree in the square, and much more. 330-262-6222 or www. mainstreetwooster.org.
NOV. 22–23 – Christmas at The Farmhouse, 1087 St. Rte. 534 SW, Newton Falls, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Over 50 vendors selling handmade items. Carolers, food trailers, hot chocolate, and shopping. Be sure to dress for the weather! https://trulytrumbull.com/events/ christmas-at-the-farmhouse-2
SOUTHWEST
THROUGH NOV. 30 – Pumpkin Blow, Neusole Glassworks, 11925 Kemper Springs Dr., Cincinnati, Wed./Thur. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Fri.–Sun. 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (excluding Thanksgiving Day). $55 per 30-minute session. Must be 5 years and older. Make your own blown-glass pumpkin from hot molten glass! Reservations required. 513-751-3292 or neusoleglassworks@hotmail.com.
THROUGH DEC. 17 – 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. 28–30, DEC. 5–7, 12–14, 20–28 – Medina County Fair Drive Thru Holiday Lights, Medina Co. Fgds., 720 W. Smith Rd., Medina, Sun.–Thur. 6–9 p.m., Fri./Sat. 6–10 p.m. Car $10, small bus/15-passenger van $20, large bus $70 330-723-9633 or www. medinaohiofair.com.
NOV. 28–DEC. 30 – Christmas at the Fort, Historic Fort Steuben, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville. Holiday Market, colorful lights and decorations, puppet shows, photo opportunities, music, Christmas Shoppe, Holly Trolley rides, and tours of Fort Steuben. For complete schedule, visit www.oldfortsteuben.com.
NOV. 29, DEC. 6, 13 – Christmas Tours, Historic Zoar Village, 198 Main St., Zoar. $15. Step back in time as you explore beautifully decorated historic buildings, each showcasing German Christmas traditions and the origins of the traditions of the Christmas season. Tours are by reservation and leave every 30 minutes; limit of 15 people per tour. 330-874-3011 or www. historiczoarvillage.com.
NOV. 30 – The Handmade Market, Painesville Railroad Museum (NYC Painesville Depot), 475 Railroad St., Painesville, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Free
NOV. 1–DEC. 28 – Ornament Blow, Neusole Glassworks, 11925 Kemper Springs Dr., Cincinnati, Wed./Thur. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Fri.–Sun. 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day). $45 per 15-minute session. Must be 5 years and older. Make your own Christmas ornament from hot molten glass! Reservations required. 513-751-3292 or neusoleglassworks@ hotmail.com.
NOV. 13–15 – Industrial Strength, Roberts Convention Centre, 123 Gano St., Wilmington. Doors open Thur. at 2 p.m., Fri./Sat., at 10 a.m. $50–$200; 17–25, half off with student ID; 16 and under free with paid adult. Indoor music festival featuring the best in bluegrass and American roots music. 800965-9324 or www.somusicfest.com.
NOV. 22 – Hometown Holiday Horse Parade and Lighted Truck/Tractor Parade, downtown Greenville, 7 p.m. Parades will be followed by the lighting of Greenville’s Christmas tree. Also enjoy carriage rides, food truck vendors, seasonal music, and much more! 937-548-4998 or www. downtowngreenville.org.
NOV. 28 – Grand Illumination, Public Square, Troy, 5–9 p.m. Kick off the holiday season with the annual Christmas tree-lighting celebration downtown. Come early to catch the arrival of Santa Claus, get in line for the horse-drawn carriage rides, shop for sweet treats and handmade crafts from local vendors, and more!
DEC. 9 – Cynthia Cioffari and the BassoonaRoos: “An Evening of Holiday Favorites,” Canal Fulton Public Library, 154 Market St. NE, Canal Fulton, 6:30 p.m. Free. A lively performance of holiday classics played on bassoon, including selections from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” and jazz-inspired arrangements. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. 419-853-6016 or www.ormaco.org.
DEC. 13 – Handbell Christmas Concert, Lincoln Way Vineyards, 9050 W. Old Lincoln Way, Wooster, 1 p.m. Presented by the Grace Ringers and Friends. Honoring veterans. Food truck on-site. Call 330-4640792, 330-345-6472, or 330-804-9463 for more information.
DEC. 14 – Barbara Rosene: “A Jolly Holiday with the American Songbook,” Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth, 2–3 p.m. Free. Rosene will sing her favorite holiday jazz standards, accompanied by pianist Rock Wehrmann. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. 419-853-6016 or www.ormaco.org.
DEC. 14 – 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. Free parking. 150+ tables. All gauges and parts, running layouts, farm and vintage toys, die-cast models, NASCAR items, and more. Food and drink available. 330-262-7488 or http://cjtrains.com/shows.
Lights turn on at 7 p.m. www.troymainstreet.org.
NOV. 29 – Hometown HoliDazzle Illuminated Parade and Festival, downtown Wilmington. Events begin at 3 p.m.; parade at 7 p.m. www. hometownholidazzle.com.
DEC. 6 – Annual Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parades and Festival, downtown Lebanon. See beautifully decorated horse-drawn carriages glide through the streets, each one adorned with twinkling lights, garlands, and ornaments. Daylight parade at 1 p.m.; candlelight parade at 7 p.m. Festival features local food and craft vendors, live entertainment, Santa, and more! Find us on Facebook at lebanoncarriageparade or www.lebanonchamber.org.
DEC. 6 – Downtown Piqua Holiday Parade, beginning at corner of Main and Greene Streets, Piqua, 2 p.m. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus after the parade on the fourth floor of Fort Piqua Plaza. www.mainstreetpiqua.com.
DEC. 6–7, 13–14 – “The Bethlehem Experience,” Countryside Church of Christ, 468 Tranquility Pike, Seaman, 6–8 p.m. Free. Outdoor, interactive guided tour representing a walk through the little town of Bethlehem as you celebrate the birth of Christ in a live rendering of that glorious night. 937-3863154, www.countrysidechurchofchrist.com, or follow us on Facebook.
SOUTHEAST
THROUGH NOV. 27 – Athens Farmers Market, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens, Wed. 9 a.m.–noon. Open year-round Sat. 9 a.m.–noon. 740-593-6763, www.athensfarmersmarket. org, or www.facebook.com/afm.ohio.
THROUGH DEC. 31 – Dickens Victorian Village, downtown Cambridge. Stroll the downtown streets to view more than 100 lifelike scenes that capture the spirit of Victorian England. 800-933-5480 or www.dickensvictorianvillage.com.
THROUGH JAN. 1 – Guernsey County Courthouse Holiday Light Show, Cambridge. Synchronized
CENTRAL
NOV. 15 – Veterans Day Concert, Epiphany Lutheran Church, 268 Hill Rd. N., Pickerington, 3 p.m. Free admission; freewill offering will be taken. Join the Pickerington Community Chorus as we present our annual concert to honor our veterans. www. facebook.com/Pickeringtoncommunitychorus.
NOV. 17 – National Take a Hike Day, YMCA side of Roundtown Trail, 440 Nicholas Dr., Circleville, 1 p.m. Join us for a stroll along a paved path as you enjoy the crisp fall air, scenic views, and the experience of connecting with nature and community. Program will be canceled in event of inclement weather. Dress appropriately for outdoor conditions. An adult must accompany all children under the age of 12. For questions, email mellis@pickawaycountyohio.gov.
NOV. 19 – Walk-A-Long Wednesdays at Pickaway Trail, 23727 Canal Rd., Circleville, 9:30 a.m. Free. Please dress appropriately for outdoor conditions and for a walk along various trail surfaces. An adult must accompany all children under 12. Program will be canceled in event of inclement weather. For questions, contact mellis@pickawaycountyohio.gov.
light and music shows nightly. More than 85,000 lights, two amazing 23-foot Christmas trees, and 60 animated displays. 800-933-5480 or www. dickensvictorianvillage.com.
NOV. 14 – Christmas with the Celts, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 7:30 p.m. $30–$40. High-energy holiday show blending lively Irish carols, modern Christmas hits, spirited Irish dancing, and heartwarming humor. www. majesticchillicothe.net.
NOV. 15 – Chillicothe VAEA Winter Craft Bazaar, Chillicothe VA Medical Center, Bldg. 9, 17273 St. Rte. 104, Chillicothe, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission. Enjoy homemade noodles, handmade crafts, a silent auction, and up to 30 vendors. https:// visitchillicotheohio.com/event/winter-bazaar.
NOV. 21 – ThunderBeard: A Tribute to ZZ Top, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 7:30 p.m. $29–$45. A high-energy live show packed with iconic hits, fuzzy guitars, and top-tier showmanship that captures the spirit of the legendary Texas rockers. www.majesticchillicothe.net.
NOV. 29 – Cambridge Christmas Parade, Wheeling Avenue, Cambridge, 5 p.m. Join us as we kick off the holiday season with our annual Christmas
parade. This year’s theme is “Christmas Fun for Everyone.” Enjoy dazzling floats, festive music, twinkling lights, and of course a visit from Santa Clause! www.downtowncambridge.com.
DEC. 3 – Rudolf Run 5K and Glow Walk, Chillicothe, 6 p.m. $10–$30. Enjoy a festive evening race starting at the Elks Lodge (42 W. Second St.) and ending at Enderlin Circle in Yoctangee Park. Registration includes a glow nose and necklace (if registered by 11/23), with proceeds supporting downtown Christmas lights. www. downtownchillicothe.com.
DEC. 6 – Phil Dirt and the Dozers, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 7:30 p.m. $25–$40. The band returns for their annual family-friendly concert, featuring classic hits from the ’50s–’70s and festive Christmas favorites in a nostalgic rock-and-roll celebration. www.majesticchillicothe.net.
DEC. 14 – Columbus Symphony Holiday Pops Spectacular, Ohio University Chillicothe, Shoemaker Center, 101 University Dr., Chillicothe, 4 p.m. $5–$25 CSO and Ross County’s own Community Choir will present an evening of joyful music and holiday cheer for the whole family. www.crcf.net/holiday-popsspectacular-2025
NOV. 21–22 – Christmas in the Country Shop Hop, various businesses in the Amanda, Tarlton, and Stoutsville area. Take a ride in the country to shop for Christmas treasures, vintage finds, good food, and much more. Join our scavenger hunt to gather entries into our drawing for Shop Hop Bucks. 740-207-1808 (call or text) or www.countryshophop.com.
NOV. 22 – Annual Craft Show, 23720 Airport Rd., Coshocton, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Free admission. Fundraiser for Hopewell School PTO and Coshocton County Special Olympics. Over 40 vendors, food, 50/50, raffles, food, and more. 740-575-4809, tcollins@ coshdd.org, or www.coshdd.org/craft-show.
NOV. 28 – Annual Holiday Bazaar and Craft Show, Lake Park Pavilion, 23253 OH-83, Coshocton, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. With over 40 talented vendors of handmade crafts, you will be sure to find that special gift or something special for yourself! Come and enter to win one of many door prizes. www.coshoctonlakepark.com.
NOV. 29 – Luminous Layers: Shimmer Painting Workshop, Park HQ, 16405 US HWY 23 South Bloomfield, 12–4 p.m. $12 fee. For ages 8+. Local nature artist and naturalist Nora Steele will help guide you as you create your own shimmering masterpiece! All materials provided. Register in advance on Eventbrite to reserve your spot, then drop in anytime during the listed hours. Takes approximately 45 minutes. An adult must accompany all children under the age of 12. For questions, email mellis@ pickawaycountyohio.gov.
DEC. 5 – First Friday Art Walk, downtown Zanesville, 5–8 p.m. Come downtown on the first Friday of the month, when all our participating galleries, studios, and small businesses are open at the same time! See our website for a map of current participants: https:// artcoz.org/arts-district-map.
DEC. 5 – Pickerington Holiday Gathering, Pickerington Village, 5–8 p.m. City Christmas tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. Horse-drawn wagon rides, ice carving, petting zoo, kids’ activities, strolling carolers, food trucks, and more. Holiday Gift Market 5–8:30 p.m. Lions Club Holiday Parade steps off at 8 p.m. 614-382-2452 or www. pickeringtonvillage.com.
DEC. 7 – Christmas in the Country Craft Show, M Event Centre, 24688 Co. Rd. 10, Coshocton, noon–4 p.m. Local crafters, food vendor for lunch, and holiday-themed drinks while you shop. www. facebook.com/events/1371113114152163
DEC. 12 – Columbus Symphony Orchestra Holiday Spectacular, Faith Memorial Church, 2610 W. Fair Ave., Lancaster, 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Adults $30, children $10. Tickets available online or by calling the CBUSArts Ticket Office at 614-469-0939 or the church office at 740-654-1711. For information: www.columbussymphony.com or www.faithm.ch.
DEC. 13 – Craft Show, Lancaster Campground Activity Bldg., 2151 W. Fair Ave., Lancaster, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Sponsored by Fairfield County Genealogical Research Library. Numerous vendors and crafters; drawings; bake sale and refreshments. 740-653-2573 or www.fairfieldgenealogy.org.
DEC. 14 – Lancaster Men’s Chorus Christmas Concert, Fairfield Christian Church, 1965 N. Columbus St., Lancaster, 3 p.m. This year’s program features “Our Favorite Things” about the holiday season presented in song form. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at www.lancastermenschorus.org.
Thanksgiving table
1 3 4 5 2
1 The table is all set for Thanksgiving dinner at the Bailey house Beth Bailey, Pioneer Electric Cooperative member.
2 — My son, Riggs, and his cousins, Bella, Brentlee, and Avery, gathered around the Thanksgiving table. Blaine Klaus, Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative member.
3 — Our Thanksgiving table. Catrina Zanotto, Consolidated Cooperative member.
4 — Thankful for another year to celebrate with friends who are like family! Andrew Bushman, Midwest Electric member.
5 — Our Thanksgiving table. Darla Trigg, Washington Electric Cooperative member.
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