McCluer retiring after 41 years on co-op board
INSIDE 2026 virtual annual meeting Appreciating lineworkers Backyard makeovers
Newly fallenredesignedlineworker license plate now available
Electric lineworkers put their lives on the line to power Ohio. Honor fallen lineworkers and support their families when you renew your Ohio license plates.
April is a month that naturally invites reflection. As seasons begin to shift and routines change, it gives us an opportunity to pause and recognize the people whose work often goes unnoticed, but whose impact is felt every single day. For electric cooperatives, April 13 holds special significance because it’s Lineworker Appreciation Day — a time to recognize those who keep our electric systems running through every challenge.
This year, that appreciation carries added weight. The winter of 2025–26 has been one of the coldest in recent Ohio history. Extended periods of freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and wind created difficult, and at times dangerous, conditions for anyone working outdoors. Yet through it all, our lineworkers continued to respond, repair, and restore, ensuring reliable service when our members needed it most.
Lineworkers perform highly skilled, physically demanding work that requires constant attention to both safety and precision. Whether restoring power after a storm or maintaining infrastructure in bitter cold, they often work in conditions most of us try hard to avoid. Their willingness to be on the front lines, at all hours and in all weather, allows the rest of us to stay warm, safe, and connected.
At the same time, it’s important to recognize another group of employees who are just as critical to keeping the lights on: our power plant operators. Reliable electricity begins with reliable generation. If there’s no power generated to run through them, the condition of the lines doesn’t matter. Power plant employees work around the clock, often in demanding environments that require constant focus and technical expertise, to ensure electricity is available.
Power plant operators, like lineworkers, faced challenges that came with extreme cold and high demand this winter. Their work may be less visible to the public, but it’s no less essential. Together, the generation team and line crews form a system that must function seamlessly to serve our members, and this month is the perfect time to thank them for their hard work and dedication. Their contributions are invaluable and we are grateful for their service.
Craig Grooms PRESIDENT & CEO OHIO’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
Together, the generation team and line crews form a system that must function seamlessly to serve our members.
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: Alicia Adams, Colleen Romick Clark, Getty Images, Mary Mogan Edwards, Randy Edwards, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Catherine Murray, and Kevin Williams.
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.
Reluctant crusader: Tragedy propels co-op mom to a new role as an advocate for lineworker safety. 8
Riding for a cause: Members’ initiative brings national awareness, support to troubled veterans.
What are the chances? Ohio’s most popular game animals must overcome some long odds to reach adulthood.
Bake my day: Nothing beats your faithful oven for cooking flavorful food with less fuss and muss.
News and important information from your electric cooperative. 32
What’s happening: Events and other things to do around Ohio.
National/regional advertising inquiries, contact Cheryl Solomon
American MainStreet Publications 847-749-9015 | 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
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. 13 8 10 4 36 32
Photobombs: Unexpected faces find their way into members’ photos of friends and family, as shown at right in South Central Power Company member Katie Grubba’s pic of her great-nephew, Ethan, and grandson, Camden, being crashed by Rebekah and Aunt Helen.
CORRECTIONS: An outdated advertisement on page 29 of our March issue offered gold coins for a price that was no longer available; we regret the error. A feature in our February issue incorrectly stated that Imogene Curtis, one of the organizers of the Lincoln School marches, had not graduated from high school; in fact, she was a high school graduate and attended college.
Tragedy propels co-op mom to a new role as an advocate for lineworker safety.
BY JEFF MCCALLISTER
Brandie Hale never imagined that she ever would be any kind of an activist. As a selfdescribed introvert who doesn’t like to talk — especially to large groups — it’s just not the kind of thing she’d put her energy into. Besides, as a mom of five kids, she’s always had plenty of other things to keep her busy, thank you very much.
Yet there she was, under bright lights on a stage with her husband, Brandon Hale, reminding hundreds of business and cooperative leaders from around the state about the importance of workplace safety.
“Safety is everything, something that can affect our lives every single day,” she told the crowd. “I definitely don’t like to do this kind of thing, but I will do it forever if it can keep one other family, one other person, from having to live what we live now.”
Pride and joy
Brandie’s oldest child, Blake Rodgers, was born March 25, 2000, and even before his first birthday, he had learned to climb steps and could even climb up onto furniture. As he grew up, he excelled at football and baseball and at being a big brother.
Blake went to trade school for his last two years of high school, and, despite a fear of heights, enrolled in lineworker school when he graduated. “Fearless, determined, and strong-willed,” his mom says. “I was totally clueless when he told me he was going to be a lineman. I was like, ‘All right, you do what you want, good for you.’”
In July 2022, he took a job as an apprentice lineman with Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative in Rio Grande, tasked with maintaining power lines across some of the most treacherous terrain in the state. He loved the work — he took tremendous pride in keeping the lights on — and his infectious personality made him an immediate hit with his co-workers.
And every day after work, he’d call his mom to catch up and “push her buttons.”
Everything changed
From the time he was very young, Blake also loved Christmas — the lights, the decorations, the joy in the air — and was excited as Christmas approached that first year he worked at the co-op.
But there was work to do first. Three days before the holiday, Winter Storm Elliot barreled through the Midwest, bringing high winds, blinding snowfall, Continued on page 6
Continued from page 5 sleet, and record cold that affected the majority of the U.S. and parts of Canada.
Temperatures dropped by 40 degrees in a two-hour span, and the sleet that fell across the southern portion of the state did a number on Buckeye Rural’s distribution system. Hundreds were left without power by the morning of Dec. 23, 2022
As they do, the co-op line crews jumped into action. At 10:20 a.m., as he was working to try to get members’ power back on in time for their holiday celebrations, Blake Rodgers made contact with a line that was energized. It was fatal.
“You don’t realize how much someone fills your life until they’re not there,” Brandie says. “I love all my children with every piece of my heart, but I never understood how deep that love ran until I lost one. Losing a child feels like a part of your heart has been torn away — a million pieces that never quite fit back together.”
Christmas, once that most magical time of year, is now something Brandie and Brandon have to brace themselves for, as the season is filled with reminders of that day and of planning Blake’s funeral. It took a long time before they could even think about the events around Blake’s death — let alone talk about them.
But there they were, under those bright lights and speaking from their hearts about workplace safety to the leaders who set the tone and define the workplace safety culture at each of Ohio’s 24 local electric distribution cooperatives. And their message was clear.
“We’re asking you to do the impossible, to seek perfection,” Brandon told them. “I know many of you
have outstanding safety records, and that’s something that you should be proud of. You can’t allow that past success to let cracks open up for future failures to seep in.
“We all have a responsibility to those that we lead to do our very best every day,” he continued. “Every organization reflects its leader, every single one. If you make safety your priority, the people who follow you will make it their priority, too.”
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the family felt an outpouring of support, not only from the local community, but from around the state and across the country.
“He was our son and we loved him dearly, but we had no idea how many lives he truly affected in the short time he was alive,” Brandie says. “So now we do everything we can to honor him, to keep his memory going, and to help future linemen so no other family has to live through this.”
Brandie and Brandon put together an annual fundraising bash around Blake’s birthday in March that includes a memorial ride. The proceeds, along with support from the Community Foundation of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives and the Ohio Line Supervisors Association, fund the Blake Rodgers Memorial Scholarship to support students entering lineworker training at the Scioto County Career Technical Center.
“There are limited opportunities for a lot of our young people in this part of the state, and we have been able to send seven young men through lineman school so far,” Brandon says. “We need good people in that line of work and we need to make sure they have the best training possible, so we just believe that it’s our best way that we can give back to the community that has given us so much support.”
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Suicide is preventable. There is hope, help is available, and recovery is possible. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 or visit https://medicine. osu.edu/departments/psychiatry-and-behavioralhealth/strive.
BY MARY MOGAN EDWARDS
Jason White still works every day to manage the symptoms and struggles that came home with him from Operation Desert Storm in 1993. Difficult as it can be, though, he knows that the love of his family makes him one of the lucky ones.
“My wife, my daughter, and my granddaughter are my support system,” says White, an Army veteran with a 100% disability rating based on traumatic brain injury and PTSD. “If I’m having a bad day, they’re having a bad day — they absorb that for me.”
Many struggling veterans aren’t as fortunate, and the consequences are dire: On average, 22 veterans die by suicide every day in the U.S.
White has long done what he could to help fellow vets — for years, he donated modest proceeds from his YouTube channel to veteran-related causes.
In 2022, he told his wife, Angela, “I want to do something big for veterans.” Nearly four years later (their efforts were delayed temporarily when Jason had a heart attack shortly after his inspiration), the couple is an organizing powerhouse as the full-time volunteer operators of Riding 22 in 22 VSA, a 501(c)(3) organization that marries their desire to help veterans with their love of motorcycle roadtripping.
They’re currently preparing for year two of their centerpiece event: a group ride across 22 states in 22 days — hence the name — that connects vets across the U.S., raising awareness about suicide risk and helping many get the intensive mental-health treatment they need.
Angela contacts local news media, arranges police escorts in and out of towns, and makes sure every day features an event. It’s often a dinner hosted by a local veterans service organization or motorcycle dealership, with proceeds to benefit the cause.
Jason scouts potential routes for stops of interest. Most days feature four to five hours of riding, with stops every hour to hour and a half. The fundraising comes from suggested participant donations of $20 per rider and $10 per passenger, as well as dinner proceeds, corporate donations, and individual contributions made throughout the year.
Those efforts paid off last year when their premier event raised $11,000, which they donated to STRIVE — Ohio State University’s Suicide and Trauma Reduction Initiative. STRIVE conducts research and provides clinical treatment to people at risk of suicide. Riding 22’s donation has been used to pay travel and lodging expenses for veterans coming to Columbus for R&R, the initiative’s two-week intensive intervention for veterans with trauma and suicide risk.
The relationship with Riding 22 — not just the funding, but raising awareness among the veteran community — is critical to STRIVE’s success, according to Dr. Rosie Bauder, an OSU clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral health and principal investigator for the R&R program. “Community engagement is so important in suicide prevention,” Bauder says. “It means so much, all of their work to spread the word in ways that we wouldn’t be able to.”
Much of the proceeds from this year’s ride will again go to STRIVE, but the Whites also hope to simply help more veterans to join future rides. “Riding is therapy for a lot of veterans,” Angela says, but not all can afford the lodging and meal expenses of a three-week outing.
This year’s ride, set for May 22 to June 12, heads south to Louisiana and follows the Gulf Coast for a bit before turning north all the way to Maine, then back to Ohio for a closing ceremony. Anyone who wants to support it can join, including by car. “If you want to come with us for a day or a couple of days, for one gas stop or go for the whole 22, that’s all great,” Angela says. As the effort has gained recognition, they’ve attracted more sponsors — Harley-Davidson and Polaris are on board this year — and the Whites say those are getting generally easier to secure. This year’s goal: $22,000.
Angela knew their project was on the right track from the first night of last year’s ride, when a waitress at the kickoff dinner asked what the gathering was for. “We explained the goal,” Angela says, “and a man diagonal from our booth was listening. The couple got up and both came over to us. They were both in tears. The woman opened her jacket and her T-shirt had a military insignia and the ribbon that stands for veteran suicide awareness — they had lost a son to suicide. We’re faith-based people, and for me it was a sign from God that this is what we’re supposed to be doing.”
million people living within its borders — some 282 folks per square mile — our state is still known nationally for its excellent sport hunting and fishing opportunities, particularly for wild turkeys, Lake Erie walleyes, and
What makes that more impressive is that both turkeys and deer were once extirpated from the Buckeye State; both were completely gone by 1904 . Today, however, those two species are back. Huge kudos are due the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, for restoring healthy, huntable populations of those two game animals during the 20 th century.
Just as amazing, however, are the staggering odds that individual wild animals face to survive to adulthood in our modern environment. Take the wild turkey, for example. Joe Hutto, author of the 1995 book Illumination in the Flatwoods (which was made into a My Life as a Turkey), put it this way:
“The odds of a wild turkey reaching maturity are small. percent of all nests are destroyed or abandoned. Among the surviving nests, some eggs will be infertile. Of the young turkeys who hatch, 70 % will not last two weeks. The attrition rate of wild turkeys who have survived into maturity can be 70 % per year. When I see an adult wild turkey now in his natural habitat, I have a new appreciation for the sheer phenomenon of his existence. It is very difficult to become a wild turkey.”
As long as those odds may be, however, walleyes have it worse. In general, a female will lay 50 ,000 to 60 ,000 eggs each spring for every 2 . 2 pounds of her body weight. Anywhere from 5 % to 20 % will hatch, and only about one of every 10 ,000 fry will survive long enough to reach adulthood.
Though still certainly not a given, you have a much better chance to reach adulthood if you’re born a white-tailed deer. According to Clint McCoy, a white-tailed deer biologist with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, the last time that agency conducted a deer fawn survival study was in the early 2000 s in the southeast section of the Buckeye State.
“Over a period of three years, 2001 to 2004 , we captured, radio-collared, released, and monitored 81 fawns,” he says. “As you might imagine, the most vulnerable time for fawns was soon after birth, as about 20 % to 25 % died within the first 30 days of life. After that, the fawns were relatively safe through summer. About 65 % to 75 % of fawns survived until the various deer hunting seasons began opening in the fall.”
The annual fawn survival rate — those deer living to 1 year of age — varied during the three years of the study, with an average estimate of 58 percent survival in 2001 and 45 percent in 2002 and 2003 . McCoy says those Ohio rates are similar to what studies in other Midwestern states have found.
The survey counted deaths from natural causes (starvation, abandonment, disease), coyote and dog predation, vehicle collisions, legal hunting harvest, unretrieved hunter kills, and unknown mortality.
So, if you’re a licensed Ohio hunter or angler — we know there are about 1 2 million of you out there — what does all of this mean? If you’re fortunate enough to take a turkey this spring, waylay a walleye this summer, or down a deer this fall, make sure to appreciate the fact that you possess a true trophy, regardless of its size, in more ways than one.
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!
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For food with more flavor and perfect texture, with less fuss and muss, nothing beats cooking in your faithful oven.
Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 65 to 85 minutes | Servings: 10
6 pounds similarly sized russet potatoes, scrubbed (about 10 medium-sized)
4 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature
1 cup light sour cream
1 cup 2% milk
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
½ teaspoon pepper
3 green onions, thinly sliced (whites and greens separated)
1 cup shredded Monterey or pepper jack cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 slices thick-cut, precooked bacon, diced
Preheat oven to 425 F. Prick potatoes with fork 4 to 5 times for steam to vent and place directly on middle rack in oven; bake 40 to 60 minutes, until soft when squeezed using an oven mitt. Lower oven temperature to 350 F.
When cooled enough to touch, remove skins from half of the potatoes and quarter the remaining half with a knife. Place potatoes and butter in a large bowl; carefully mash as steam escapes. Add sour cream and milk, mashing to incorporate. Mix in seasoned salt, pepper, white parts of onion, and jack cheese. Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, then evenly spread shredded cheddar on top. For soft bacon, spread it on top, too. (For crispy bacon, cook to desired doneness, then spread on top when casserole is done baking.) Tent with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes, then remove foil and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes, or until cheese has melted. Remove from oven and top with remaining green onion (and crispy bacon).
Per serving: 375 calories, 19 grams fat (10 grams saturated fat), 39 grams total carbohydrates, 57 milligrams cholesterol, 658 milligrams sodium, 5 grams fiber, 15 grams protein. my day
Cook: 45 minutes | Bake: 20 minutes | Servings: 8
2 tablespoons salted butter
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
28-ounce can high-quality whole tomatoes
15-ounce can high-quality tomato sauce
1/3 cup dry red wine (cabernet sauvignon, Chianti)
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon fennel
1 pound ziti pasta
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
In a large stockpot over medium heat, melt butter and sauté onion until translucent. Add garlic and cook another minute. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, wine, sugar, and spices. Break up tomatoes with spoon while bringing to a low boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered 30 minutes, stirring regularly. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package’s al dente directions; quickly drain and rinse.
Preheat oven to 400 F. Transfer rinsed ziti to stockpot with sauce and stir to combine. Spoon ziti into a 9x13inch baking dish. Layer mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses on top. Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned and bubbling.
Per serving: 359 calories, 11 grams fat (6 grams saturated fat), 51 grams total carbohydrates, 31 milligrams cholesterol, 441 milligrams sodium, 5 grams fiber, 15 grams protein.
Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 30 minutes | Servings: 5
3 pounds chicken drumsticks (about 10 medium pieces)
¾ cup plain breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon paprika (smoked or regular)
½ teaspoon ground sage
2 tablespoons olive oil
Preheat oven to 400 F. Let chicken rest on counter while prepping ingredients. Place all dry ingredients (breadcrumbs through sage) in a zip-top bag, seal, and shake to combine. Coat an oven-safe wire rack with nonstick cooking spray, then place on top of a baking tray. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels, then rub evenly with olive oil. A few at a time, place chicken pieces in the bag and shake to fully coat; transfer to wire rack. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165 F. Serve with favorite side dishes.
Per serving: 565 calories, 32 grams fat (8 grams saturated fat), 16 grams total carbohydrates, 250 milligrams cholesterol, 1,105 milligrams sodium, 1 gram fiber, 52 grams protein.
Prep: 45 minutes | Proof: 3½ hours | Bake: 1 hour | Servings: 16 slices
1½ cups raisins
1¼ cups boiling water
1¼ cups whole milk, plus extra for brushing
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
5 tablespoons sugar, divided
5 teaspoons cinnamon, divided 1½ teaspoons salt
3½ cups + 2 tablespoons bread flour, divided
1½ teaspoons instant yeast
In a small heat-proof bowl, soak raisins in boiling water for 15 minutes, then drain and set aside. In a medium saucepan, melt 5 tablespoons of the butter into milk over medium heat until steaming. Remove from heat and whisk in 3 tablespoons of the sugar, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, and all of the salt. Pour mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer. Spoon and level 3½ cups of bread flour; pile on top of the milk mixture, then sprinkle yeast on top. With hook attachment on low speed, mix until flour is incorporated, then let mixer knead dough until smooth, springy, and stretchy, about 10 minutes. Stretch dough out on a clean surface, top with raisins, then fold/knead until raisins are fully incorporated. Form into a ball and return to mixer bowl; lightly coat with cooking spray, cover bowl with damp towel, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 2½ hours.
In a small bowl, whisk remaining 2 tablespoons bread flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 4 teaspoons cinnamon. Punch dough to release air, then roll flat to an 8x24-inch rectangle. Generously brush surface with milk, then evenly spread cinnamon mixture edge to edge. Starting at a short edge, tightly roll; brush with milk, pinch to seal, then turn seam side down. Pick up roll, bending ends down in an arch, and place ends into a 5x9-inch greased loaf pan. Press down on top to level it out. Lightly coat with cooking spray and let rise another hour, until dough is an inch above the pan.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Bake on middle rack for 50 to 60 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 195 F (tent with foil if necessary if it starts to over-brown). Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter; brush over top of bread when it comes out of the oven, then turn it out onto a cooling rack. Cool completely before slicing.
Per serving: 212 calories, 6 grams fat (3 grams saturated fat), 36 grams total carbohydrates, 15 milligrams cholesterol, 230 milligrams sodium, 2 grams fiber, 4 grams protein.
Check it out! See videos of some of our mouth-watering recipes being prepared at
www.ohiocoopliving.com
Online meeting: Video stream will be available starting at 7:00 p.m.
View the meeting & materials anytime between April 7 and April 30 to get the $20 meeting attendance credit!
How to view:
Visit Mid-Ohio Energy’s website for all available documents and energy credit registration: www.MidOhioEnergy.com/AnnualMeeting
Business to be conducted at the meeting:
- Election results for proposed trustee districts 7, 8, and 9
- Report on 2025-26 activities
- Approval of minutes and new business items
Additional co-op updates:
Annual meeting web page will also contain the manager’s report, a Community Fund update, annual report & more.
Attendance credit and door prizes:
Upon viewing the meeting, members can submit a form to receive a $20 energy credit and will be entered into a drawing to win a bonus energy credit!
⚡ (5) $100.00 energy credits will be selected
To register for attendance credit and door prizes, view the meeting page at MidOhioEnergy.com/AnnualMeeting
Each member who views the meeting online between April 7 and April 30 is eligible for a $20 energy credit. Energy credits will be applied on the bills generated and sent out in May (for April energy use).
We feel this is a great investment for your time spent on a brief co-op update.
Why hold the meeting virtually? Your co-op took the budget and resources for our traditional in-person annual meeting and formed a new plan for member events. The plan has been successful in reaching more members, with the virtual annual meeting in April and in-person events held in August.
Please plan to join us this summer (August 4 at Elgin High School & August 6 at our Kenton office) for our Family Fun Days, consisting of free food trucks, inflatables, and fun for all!
For more than four decades, Gene McCluer has been a steady and influential presence in the boardroom of Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative. Gene’s local connections, agricultural background, and community involvement have resulted in a legacy of leading the cooperative through modernization and reliability.
Gene’s cooperative journey began when Garner Strahm, a member of United Rural Electric Cooperative, called to ask whether he would consider running for an open board seat. After careful consideration, Gene agreed. A short time later, his tenure as a cooperative trustee began. Gene was first elected to the board of United Rural Electric in 1985. His time continued through the 1999 merger with Marion Rural Electric to form Mid-Ohio Energy, up to present day. McCluer has opted not to pursue another term after the completion of his current term, which ends in April.
Gene is a lifelong farmer with deep community ties. He and his wife, Jean, reside in Harrod, where he has received power from the co-op since 1972
During his time on the board, Gene has served in all officer positions, including two stints as the board chairman, from 2008 to 2009 and 2016 to 2018
Additionally, he served as the local representative on the board of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives (Mid-Ohio Energy’s statewide services organization) for more than 10 years, serving as chairman from 2018 to 2020 and leading several committees that worked to develop new programs and services for members throughout the state.
Gene’s legacy in the community reaches far beyond his contributions to the cooperative. He served as an OSU Agricultural Extension Agent in Hardin County from 1989 to 2013 . He’s also served on the Harrod Volunteer Fire Department, the Ag Committee for the Allen County Chamber, and numerous other community and ag-based organizations.
As a testament to his involvement, he was elected to the Allen County Ag Hall of Fame in 2021, and the Hardin County Ag Hall of Fame in 2025
When asked which accomplishment he is most proud of at Mid-Ohio Energy, Gene noted the construction of the cooperative’s headquarters facility in 2016 . The building was designed to suit the cooperative’s operations while providing a versatile meeting space for members and the community.
“The investment not only strengthened internal operations, but also reaffirmed the cooperative’s role as a community partner.”
Gene served as the board chairman as construction of
In Gene’s time as a trustee, he saw a number of major changes at the cooperative, including:
• The merger of United Rural Electric and Marion Rural Electric in 1999.
• Development of metering, mapping, and automated distribution technology systems that work together to monitor our local grid, hold down costs, and improve reliability.
• Major storm restoration efforts, including a large-scale ice storm in 2005.
• Implementation of regular pole testing programs and tree trimming practices to strengthen long-term reliability.
• Construction and renovation of co-op offices, including the dedication of the new Kenton office in 2016.
• New cooperative programs such as the Community Fund, the Central Ohio Lineworker Training program and facilities, and providing local electric vehicle charging stations.
the office was completed, and had the honor of presiding over the office dedication ceremony attended by hundreds of cooperative members.
Looking back, Gene says the aspect he will miss most is the people — the friendships built with fellow board members and cooperative staff over decades of monthly meetings, as well as the board’s willingness to work together toward common goals.
Mid-Ohio Energy sincerely thanks Gene for his service to the cooperative!
We asked Gene to share a few thoughts on his tenure: What has changed the most about the industry from the time you were first elected to now?
“There are so many new uses for electricity, from computers and appliances to electric vehicles and new farming technologies. My first experience when we moved on co-op lines was reading the meter and reporting readings to the office. Developments like automated meter reading, line upgrades, and right-ofway management have resulted in improved member service and reliability.”
What can you share from your perspective on the statewide board for Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives?
“I quickly learned that supplying power to members is a complex system, involving generation, transmission of electric along the grid, and delivery to your meter at the correct voltage. Many people and agencies are required to work together to make it all work. From talking with directors from fellow Ohio cooperatives, I’ve learned that each individual co-op can be very similar in many ways, yet so different based on leadership and the needs of members.”
In your words, what makes cooperatives stand out from other power providers?
“The fact that we are governed by our board of trustees, who make operating policies and set rates. With our cooperative model, we are operating at cost plus operating margins rather than to make a profit. We return our margins to members as capital credits, which makes us quite unique.”
What advice would you give to fellow members regarding involvement with the cooperative?
“There is a lot to learn about the industry and co-op model. Read, listen, ask questions and educate yourself to do your part as a cooperative member or to become further involved as a member of the board.”
As President & CEO of Mid-Ohio Energy, I have the unique privilege of seeing firsthand what it truly takes to keep the lights on for our members. In April, we take time to pause and recognize the brave men and women who make that possible every single day — our lineworkers.
When storms affect our communities and outages occur, many people experience inconvenience, but lineworkers see a call to action. Our crews are always ready when it matters most — leaving family dinners, working through the night, and heading into challenging conditions to restore power as safely and quickly as possible. That readiness is not accidental. It comes from rigorous training, deep experience, and a shared commitment to serving others.
As we celebrate 90 years of service, I am reminded of the countless hours invested in building and maintaining our electric distribution system, as well as the tireless work to restore lines, poles, and other equipment after high winds, ice storms, blizzards, vehicle accidents, and numerous other major storms.
What makes cooperative lineworkers especially remarkable is that they aren’t just restoring power to a system — they’re restoring power to their own communities. They live here. They raise their families here. They understand that electricity is more than a convenience; it’s essential to daily life, to local businesses, to schools, farms, and emergency services. Powering the places we call home is personal to our lineworkers.
Electric cooperatives like Mid-Ohio Energy were built on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, and lineworkers embody that spirit every day. They are the first to respond and the last to leave, often working long hours behind the scenes. At times, serving our neighbors means going beyond our own service territory through a process known as mutual aid. During major outage events, Mid-Ohio Energy crews have assisted neighboring co-ops — sometimes close to home, and sometimes across state lines — to help restore power. This spirit of mutual aid strengthens all cooperatives and ultimately benefits the members we serve.
We understand any time the lights go out can be frustrating, bringing everyday life to a halt. We are incredibly grateful to our members for your patience and encouragement during these times. Line work is demanding, physical, and at times, it can be dangerous. Crews approach each job with a focus on safety and teamwork, and they take pride in their craft and in the trust our members place in them.
In April, we will celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day, but every day, we thank lineworkers for their service and dedication to the cooperative. We appreciate the hard work, readiness, and commitment to the communities we serve.
In April, Mid-Ohio Energy celebrates 90 years of local service. Throughout the year, we're spotlighting the history and people that worked to build your cooperative. In keeping with the theme of appreciating our lineworkers, we dug deep into our archives to give you a glimpse of some of the linemen, work, and equipment of years past.
Children of members recognized for academic excellence, community involvement, and personal achievement
Mid-Ohio Energy is pleased to recognize eight local students as winners of Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative’s annual scholarship program.
The annual scholarship program awarded a total of $11,000 to students whose parents or guardians are members of the co-op. Winners were selected based upon scholastic and community activities, academic achievements, courseload, and in-person interviews.
Brogan Weston of Ridgedale was announced as the overall winner of the “Children of Members” scholarship competition, earning a $2,000 scholarship.
As the top local winner, Weston will compete for additional scholarship money in the statewide competition, which features students representing 24 electric cooperatives in Ohio.
Emri Harpster of Waynesfield-Goshen High School was chosen as the winner of a special $1,000 Touchstone Energy Achievement scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to those who display the values of integrity, accountability, innovation, and community.
Mid-Ohio Energy expresses sincere gratitude to each student who applied for the scholarships. The cooperative received many qualified applicants, which speaks highly of our local students and schools.
We wish them all the best of luck, and can't wait to see the results of their academic pursuits as they graduate and go on to make up our future workforce.
We also thank scholarship judges Lyn Davis of Kenton and Demi Snider of Kenton for their time and dedication in judging the competition.
“Brogan's leadership shines through in every setting — whether in the classroom, at school events, or while participating in community service. Teachers appreciate his humility, diligence, and respect for others. Brogran truly embodies the qualities of a role model hardworking, dependable, and principled.”
- Kristin Guthrie, Agri Science Instructor
“Emri is not only an exceptional student, but a young woman whose resilience, determination, and character are truly remarkable. Her life experiences have become the foundation for her strength, empathy, and unwavering work ethic. She approaches challenges with quiet determination and carries herself with humility and purpose.”
- Catie Adams, Guidance counselor
CHILDREN OF MEMBERS - 2nd - $1,800
Waynesfield-Goshen High School
“Bella is never afraid to be a vocal leader and strives to always make good choices. Her character is admirable. Even when it's difficult, she does the right thing, makes great choices, and tells others, in a direct-but-kind manner, that they should do the same.”
- Jocelyn Spencer, Health and Physical Education teacher and coach
CHILDREN OF MEMBERS - 3rd - $1,600
School
“Mason works for what he earns. Being involved in many activities allowed him to gain great leadership and great aspects of being a team player. He has a mindset that he can help make an impact on his school and community. ”
- Andrew Trihaft, Social Studies teacher
CHILDREN OF MEMBERS - 4th - $1,400
Upper Sandusky High School
“What separates Bailey from her classmates is her ability to persevere through any challenge handed to her with a smile. She is a born leader. The skills she possesses as a leader are not teachable but definitely serve as an inspiration to teammates/classmates.”
- Lisa Hoffbauer, ELA teacher
CHILDREN OF MEMBERS - 5th - $1,200
River Valley High School
“Becca has consistently proven herself to be an outstanding young woman who exemplifies strong character, citizenship, and dedication. She is a collaborative team member who is motivated to make meaningful, positive changes.”
- Karen Seckel, AgriScience Educator
CHILDREN OF MEMBERS - HONORABLE MENTION - $1,000
River Valley High School
“Beyond the classroom, Emma’s character is rooted in profound kindness and grit. She understands the value of community and lifelong learning. She approaches every challenge with steady determination and a caring heart.”
- Laura Carey, Visual Arts & CTE Media Arts Instructor
CHILDREN OF MEMBERS - HONORABLE MENTION - $1,000
Upper Sandusky High School
“Lauren’s classmates looked to her as an academic leader and often go to her for help and guidance, which she offers whole-heartedly. She is a student who puts in the time to not just know the information, but deeply understand the concepts.”
- Wendy Searfoss, School Librarian/Media Specialist
H
Our offices will be closed on Good Friday, April 3. Drop boxes are available at our offices for payments. Emergency service is available anytime; call 888-363-6446.
John Metcalf President & CEO Trevor Fremont Board Chairman
In reflecting on 2025, Mid-Ohio Energy continued to operate in an environment shaped by evolving public policy, economic pressure, and changing expectations within the electric utility industry. While many of these factors remain outside the direct control of your cooperative, our focus remains unchanged: providing safe, reliable, and affordable electric service to our members while preserving the cooperative principles that guide our organization.
Each year, we provide our annual report and hold an annual meeting of members to provide an update on your cooperative’s past, present, and future activities. We appreciate you taking a moment to review this report and the financial report from the past year, and encourage you to view our virtual annual meeting for more.
The 2026 Annual Meeting will be posted online starting Tuesday, April 7, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be posted online for later viewing. Members who view the meeting by April 30 will earn a $20 energy credit when registering for the meeting.
At the state level, 2025 was marked by the passage of House Bill 15 by the Ohio legislature, representing a significant restructuring of Ohio’s energy policy framework. While it is still early to determine the long-term impacts of this legislation on electric cooperatives, Mid-Ohio Energy is actively monitoring its implementation and engaging with statewide partners and
policymakers to ensure that the interests of cooperative members are represented. As with prior legislative changes, we will remain focused on maintaining reliability and affordability for our members as regulatory clarity develops over time.
Governance and member participation continued to be a priority for the cooperative in 2025. We welcomed Cy Prettyman as a new member of the Board of Trustees, representing District 4. Cy replaces Curtis Byers, who served the cooperative in several capacities over the past six years, including service on the cooperative’s Community Fund Board as well as the Member Advisory Committee. Curtis’s dedication and service to MidOhio Energy and its membership are sincerely appreciated, and we thank him for his leadership and commitment to the cooperative.
In addition, Mid-Ohio Energy members approved two updates to the cooperative’s Code of Regulations. The first amendment removed the one-year waiting period for a cooperative member’s spouse who wishes to seek election to the Board of Trustees. The second amendment formally adopted easement protections for cooperative assets that are necessary to reliably deliver electric service. These updates reflect the membership’s
support for both fair access to governance and the long-term protection of the infrastructure that serves our communities.
Member engagement remained strong throughout the year. In 2025, the cooperative hosted a virtual annual meeting, two family-focused member events, a joint legislative event in partnership with Logan County Cooperative, and a visit by Santa at both our cooperative offices. Collectively, these events drew more than 1,200 members. These opportunities allowed members to learn more about their cooperative; interact with fellow members, trustees, and employees; and actively participate in the democratic control that defines the co-op model. The strong turnout reinforces the value of continued outreach and engagement.
From an operational standpoint, 2025 was a successful year for system reliability. The cooperative experienced relatively few major storm events, allowing crews to focus on preventive maintenance and system improvements. Even with ongoing inflationary pressures — particularly high within the electric utility industry — Mid-Ohio Energy was able to maintain stable electric rates. This outcome reflects careful financial management, long-term planning, and the continued efforts of our employees to control costs while maintaining service quality.
As we look ahead, the electric industry continues to face uncertainty driven by regulatory change, supply chain challenges, and increasing demand. While these pressures are real, Mid-Ohio Energy remains well positioned due to prudent planning, strong governance, and an engaged membership. Your board of trustees and employees remain committed to responsible and transparent management of the cooperative while we adapt to changes that may affect our members in the years ahead.
2026 will be a year of celebration for your electric cooperative. The year marks the cooperative’s 90th year in business as well as the 20th year since the cooperative Community Fund was established. The fund has provided more than $844,000 in grants to nonprofit entities within the cooperative’s footprint since its creation. Additionally, 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the cooperative’s current headquarters facility in Kenton, which remains to be a functional, state-of-the-art facility today.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the employees of Mid-Ohio Energy, thank you for your continued trust and participation in your electric cooperative. We look forward to serving you in 2026 and beyond.
For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024
December 31, 2025 and 2024
NATURE OF ORGANIZATION
Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc. (the Cooperative) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio, operates as a cooperative, and is exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(12) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Cooperative’s primary business is that of providing electric service to rural consumers in Hardin, Allen, Auglaize, Marion, Logan, Wyandot, Morrow, Union and Crawford counties in Ohio. Providing electric service includes construction of plant as well as purchasing electricity to sell to consumers.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT
The Cooperative’s accounting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles, as applied to Rural Electric Cooperatives, substantially in accordance with the Uniform System of Accounts of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). Following is a description of the more significant accounting policies used by the Cooperative in the preparation of its financial statements:
Electric plant and depreciation – The Cooperative records improvements and additions to the distribution plant at cost using continuing property records. Retirements are removed from the cost and accumulated depreciation accounts at standard costs which are updated periodically. The actual cost of removing retirements is charged to accumulated depreciation during the year the retirement is completed. General plant and equipment are recorded at cost based on the unit method. Any retirements or disposals of general plant and equipment are removed from the cost and accumulated depreciation accounts. Any salvage received is credited to accumulated depreciation.
Investments – Investments are primarily in the form of patronage and equity capital of other cooperatives. They are included on the balance sheets as long-term assets. These investments are considered equity investments without readily determinable fair values and are accounted for at cost, minus impairments, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment. No impairment or observable price changes were recorded during 2025 and 2024.
Materials and supplies – Inventories of material and supplies not allocated to construction work in progress are valued at the lower of cost (determined using the average cost method) or net realizable value.
For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net
Adjustments to reconcile net margins to net cash provided by operating activities: Change in provision for
Gain on disposition of property (32,354) (424)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
and supplies (51,774)
Deferred charges, interest receivable and prepayments (133,257) 1,024,509 Accounts payable 315,702 291,881
Accumulated provision for non-pension postretirement benefits, patronage capital payable, accrued taxes and other current liabilities 180,958 (54,395) Total adjustments 2,366,601 3,366,520
Net cash provided by operating activities 3,925,438 4,784,689
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Extension and replacement of electric plant,
net of salvage and cost of retirements (3,935,584) (3,975,064)
Proceeds from sale of scrap 23,995 7,512
Proceeds from sale of assets 32,354 550
Purchase of investments - (990)
Proceeds from redemption of investments - patronage capital
Net cash used by investing activities (3,320,199) (3,313,343)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net change in consumer memberships
and deposits 22,771 18,483
Proceeds from long-term debt 2,250,000 1,000,000
Payments on long-term debt (1,846,311) (1,915,064)
Payments on finance lease obligations (129,849) (115,709)
Patronage capital credits retired (1,049,730) (1,096,686)
Net cash used by financing activities (753,119) (2,108,976)
(Decrease) Increase in cash and cash equivalents (147,880) (637,630)
(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.)
Accounts receivable – Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. Management provides a valuation allowance for potential credit losses through a charge to earnings. In establishing the valuation allowance, using the current expected credit loss methodology, management considers their knowledge of customers, historical losses, and current economic conditions in their service area. Balances that are still outstanding after reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance. Changes in the valuation allowance historically have not been significant. The Cooperative performs ongoing credit evaluations of its consumers and requires a security deposit for consumers meeting specified criteria. The Cooperative had credit loss expense of $27,554 and $2,958 for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively for charging off uncollectable accounts. The Cooperative had accounts receivable, less provision for credit losses of $2,523,275 for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Cash and cash equivalents – The Cooperative considers cash and cash equivalents to be cash on hand, demand deposits, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, and investments in commercial paper having a maturity of ninety days or less. There were no investments in commercial paper at December 31, 2025 or 2024.
Financial instruments – The Cooperative believes that the carrying amount of its financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and other current assets and liabilities, approximates fair value based on their short-term duration. The Cooperative has determined that it is not practical to calculate the fair value of investments in other cooperatives and long-term debt due to the excessive cost involved.
Income taxes – The Cooperative has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as an organization exempt from income taxes under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(12). Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes has been recorded.
The Cooperative complies with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 740-10, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. ASC 740-10 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. Management is not aware of any tax positions taken by the Cooperative on its tax returns that they consider to be uncertain or that would jeopardize its tax-exempt status. Tax returns for the years ended 2024, 2023 and 2022 are still open and subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Retirement related benefits – Generally accepted accounting principles requires the recognition of the funded status of the non-pension postretirement benefit plan as an asset or a liability on the balance sheets. It also requires the recognition of the changes in that funded status in the year in which they occur through other comprehensive income and the recognition of previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs and credits and transition assets or liabilities as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. However, these amounts were not significant for the Cooperative, therefore other comprehensive income has not been recorded.
Compensated absences – The Cooperative accrues a liability for compensated absences for which the employee has earned a vested, non-forfeitable right. Non-vested benefits related to accumulated sick leave, which cannot be reasonably estimated, are expensed as incurred.
Patronage capital and margins – Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc. operates under the Cooperative form of organization. As provided in the code of regulations, any excess of revenues over expenses from operations is treated as advances of capital by the patrons and credited to each of them on an individual basis. Generally, it is the Cooperative’s policy to retire capital contributed by patrons periodically as deemed appropriate by management and the Board of Trustees. Capital credits due to patrons who become deceased are paid to the estates of such patrons.
Concentration of credit risk – At various times throughout the year, the Cooperative may have deposits in financial institutions that exceed the federally insured limit. The Cooperative’s investments with Cooperative Response Center Inc. (CRC) and National Rural Utilities Finance Corporation (NRUCFC) are uninsured. Management does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk related to its cash deposits. Credit risk for accounts receivable is concentrated because substantially all the balances are unsecured credit to consumers, primarily for the sale of electricity, located within the same geographic region. The Cooperative has five major consumers that represent approximately 17.3% and 12.3% of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Revenue recognition and cost of purchased power – Revenues represent amounts billed monthly to members using established rates applied to energy consumption. Revenues and the related cost of purchased power are recognized during the month in which energy is consumed. Revenues from all other sources, primarily services and late charges, are recognized as the service is provided or the consumer is charged. The Cooperative generally meets its performance obligations related to the service within a month of the order. Payments for the service are due upon delivery of the service. The sales price for the services are fixed at established rates or amounts in the contract or agreed to at the time of the sale of the power and services.
Some of the Cooperative’s operations provide for deposits or prepayments for power. The revenue and
gross profit related to these transactions is not recognized until the power is consumed by the member. These consumer deposit contract liabilities are classified as current liabilities on the balance sheets.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – Continued
The table below includes disaggregated information by the significant type of consumer and services for the years ended December 31:
Statement of cash flows – Net cash flows from operating activities include cash payments for interest of $1,019,896 and $1,214,032 for 2025 and 2024, respectively. There were no payments for federal income taxes.
Use of estimates – The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Cooperative is from time to time subjected to litigation through the ordinary course of business. As of December 31, 2025, management is not aware of any litigation pending or pertaining to the Cooperative that is material to the financial statements. The Cooperative is fully insured against any pending litigation.
Starting in 2018, participating Cooperatives in the RS Plan may make an additional contribution prepayment (voluntary contribution acceleration program or ‘VCAP’ contribution) in order to reduce future required contributions. The reduction in future contributions (contribution discount) and the length of the period over which the contribution reduction extends (discount period) is selected by the Cooperative. The VCAP contribution amount is then determined such that it is expected to fund the contribution discount over the discount period. After making the VCAP contribution, the RS Plan billing rate is reduced to reflect the selected contribution discount, which becomes effective the subsequent January 1. The VCAP contribution is accounted for on a monthly basis by crediting it with the actual monthly RS Plan investment return and reducing it by the reduction in monthly contributions obtained through the contribution discount, until the account value reduces to zero. Changes in plan provisions, demographic changes, asset returns different from the long term expected return on plan assets, and other factors will have an impact on the length of the discount period.
On December 1, 2023, November 1, 2024, and December 1, 2025, the Cooperative made voluntary $250,000 prepayments to the NRECA RS Plan with a three-year discount period. The Cooperative recorded the prepayments in deferred charges on the balance sheets and is amortizing each over three years.
Listed below are the major classes of the electric plant as of December 31:
General plant depreciation rates have been applied on a composite and straight-line basis as follows:
Structures and improvements 10 to 50 years Office furniture and fixtures 5 to 24 years
Transportation equipment 5 to 15 years Laboratory
Communications
Provisions have been made for depreciation of transmission plant and distribution plant at a straight-line composite rate of 3.10 percent per annum. The depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 totaled $2,370,017 and $2,312,281, respectively, of which $205,918 and $189,070, respectively, have been capitalized to distribution plant and expensed to numerous accounts in accordance with RUS policies and procedures.
During 2025 and 2024, the Cooperative held leased vehicles under finance lease agreements. For financial reporting purposes, the present value of the minimum lease payments has been capitalized. The equipment has a total cost of $740,986 and $628,723 at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and accumulated amortization of $372,278 and $446,701 at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Amortization of property leased under finance leases is included in depreciation expense and was $100,135 and $113,076 for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Interest expense related to these leases and charged to operations was $16,282 and $7,870 during 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Future minimum lease payments required under finance lease agreements for the years subsequent to December 31, 2025 are as follows::
by each member’s billings during the year the margins were generated. No portion of any current allocation is paid in cash.
Patronage capital consisted of the following as of December 31:
Less: Retirements to date (23,638,222) (22,588,492) Total Patronage Capital $ 30,694,712 $ 30,185,605
Under the provisions of the mortgage agreement with RUS, until the equities and margins equal or exceed 30 percent of the total assets of the Cooperative, the return to patrons of capital contributed by them is limited generally to 25% of the patronage capital or margins received by the Cooperative in the prior calendar year.
The equities and margins of the Cooperative represent 47.2% in 2025 and 47.5% in 2024 of the total assets at the balance sheet dates. During 2025, the Board of Trustees approved a 2% general retirement of 2024 capital credits totaling $600,762.
INVESTMENTS
Investments consisted of the following as of December 31:
The member capital securities held by NRUCFC earn interest at an annual rate of 5.0%, payable semiannually with a maturity date of July 2044. The NRUCFC has the option to redeem all or a portion of the principal in July 2026.
The capital term certificates held by NRUCFC earn interest at an annual rate of 3.0% or 5.0%, payable semi-annually with maturity dates ranging from 2026 to 2080. The $10,000 equity investment with CRC earns dividends annually at the discretion of its Board of Directors..
LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt is represented by mortgage notes payable to the Federal Financing Bank (FFB) of the United States of America acting by and through RUS, NRUCFC and CoBank. Following is a summary of outstanding long-term debt as of December 31: 2025 2024 Mortgage notes payable to FFB:
Substantially all assets of the Cooperative are pledged as security for the long-term debt to FFB, NRUCFC and CoBank. Loan agreements contain various financial covenants, which the Cooperative was in compliance for both periods presented.
As of December 31, 2025, there are unadvanced loan funds available to the Cooperative from NRUCFC and CoBank for lines of credit of $2,000,000 and $1,000,000, respectively, of which there was no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. Unadvanced loan funds available to the Cooperative through FFB were $8,750,000 and $11,000,000 at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
During 2019 certain debt was refinanced resulting in a prepayment penalty of $182,608. The penalty is included in prepayments on the balance sheets and is being amortized over fifteen years. The amortization expense is included in other deductions on the statements of revenue and patronage capital.
As of December 31, 2025, annual maturities of all long-term debt outstanding for the next five years are as follows:
2026 $ 1,942,973
2027 1,841,150
2028 2,090,514
2029 2,358,498
2030 1,186,939
Thereafter 20,179,716
The Cooperative sponsors three retirement related benefit plans, a defined benefit pension plan, a defined contribution retirement plan and a postretirement health care plan. Following is a brief description of each of the plans including financial data recognized in the accompanying financial statements related to each plan.
Defined Contribution Retirement Plan – The Cooperative maintains a 401(k)-profit sharing plan that covers substantially all employees. In accordance with this plan, the Cooperative contributes 0.5% of each participant’s base salary for each 1% of salary that the participant contributes to the plan. The maximum contribution by the Cooperative is 3% of salary. For the years 2025 and 2024, the Cooperative made contributions to the plan of $94,935 and $71,321, respectively.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan – Substantially all the employees of the Cooperative are covered by the NRECA RS Plan, which is a defined benefit pension plan qualified under Section 401 and tax-exempt under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is a multiemployer plan under the accounting standards. The plan Sponsor’s Employer Identification Number is 53-0116145 and the Plan Number is 333. A unique characteristic of a multiemployer plan compared to a single employer plan is that all plan assets are available to pay benefits of any plan participant. Separate asset accounts are not maintained for participating employers. This means that assets contributed by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.
The Cooperative’s contributions to the plan of $181,374 and $137,255 for 2025 and 2024, respectively, represented less than 5% of the total contributions made to the plan by all employers.
In the RS Plan, a “zone status” determination is not required, and therefore not determined, under the Pension Protection Act (PPA) of 2006. In addition, the accumulated benefit obligations and plan assets are not determined or allocated separately by individual employer. In total, the RS Plan was over 80% funded on January 1, 2025 and January 1, 2024 based on the PPA funding target and PPA actuarial value of assets on those dates. Because the provisions of the PPA do not apply to the RS Plan, funding improvement plans and surcharges are not applicable. Future contribution requirements are determined each year as part of the actuarial valuation of the RS Plan and may change as a result of plan experience.
Non-pension Postretirement Benefit Plan – The Cooperative sponsors a defined benefit postretirement health care plan covering substantially all employees. The plan is funded by the Cooperative on a “pay as you go” basis and provides a fixed annual benefit for retired employees with 20 years of service between the ages of 61 and 65. ASC 715 Compensation - Retirement Benefits, requires the recognition of the funded status of pension plans and non-pension postretirement benefit plans as an asset or liability on the balance sheets, the recognition of changes in that funded status in the year in which they occur through other comprehensive income and the recognition of previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs and credits and transition assets and liabilities as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Since the Cooperative’s postretirement benefit plan covers a limited time period for the retiree (between ages 61 and 65) and the benefits paid cannot exceed a total of $21,600 per participant for the four-year period, management did not obtain an actuarial study and did not implement all of the provisions of this standard. Management estimated the maximum potential liability for the Cooperative and determined that the impact of not implementing the standard was not significant.
The following table sets forth the plan’s estimated funded status and presents the amounts shown in the Cooperative’s financial statements as of December 31:
and 6.49%, respectively. The prepaid balance is included in current portion of prepayments on the accompanying balance sheets.
The Cooperative borrows funds from CoBank, in which it is an owner and a member. The Cooperative has an investment in CoBank and may receive patronage from time to time.
The Cooperative is a member of the NRUCFC, which provides a portion of the Cooperative’s financing. Investments in NRUCFC include stock and patronage capital as well as interest bearing capital term certificates and capital security investments.
The Cooperative purchases most of its materials and supplies from UUS of which it is an owner and member. Investments in this organization include patronage capital.
The Cooperative purchases data processing services from Meridian Cooperative of which it is an owner and member. Investments in this organization include stock and patronage capital.
The Cooperative previously purchased data processing services from NISC of which it is still an owner and member. Investments in this organization include a membership fee and patronage capital.
The Cooperative is a member of NRTC. Membership in this association required an investment of $1,000.
The Cooperative is a member of CRC. Membership in this association required an investment of $2,500.
Federated, a non-assessable reciprocal insurer, provides property and liability insurance to the Cooperative. The carrying value of this investment represents the Cooperative’s contributions and share of patronage capital.
The Cooperative purchases fuel and other miscellaneous materials from Central Ohio Farmers Coop of which it is a member. Investments in this organization includes a membership fee and patronage capital.
Additional information, including the investment balances in these related entities, is provided in the “INVESTMENTS” note.
Following is a summary of related party purchases for the years ended December 31:
Accounts payable due to related parties included the
As noted above, the total estimated accumulated postretirement benefit obligation is not recorded on the balance sheets but will eventually be recorded through annual charges of net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation ($100,670 as of December 31, 2025) includes estimates for experience gains and losses and unrecognized prior service costs. The discount rate used in determining the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation is 6 percent. The estimated maximum potential for benefits to be paid over the next five years approximates $73,795. Management believes the estimated accrued benefit cost included on the balance sheets is very conservative since no allowance is included for employee turnover and no reduction in the obligation was made for employees that choose to not retire between ages 61 and 65.
The Cooperative purchases all of its power from Buckeye Power, Inc. at rates determined in its wholesale power agreement. Buckeye Power, Inc. is a cooperative whose membership includes Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc. The Cooperative has an investment in and receives patronage from Buckeye Power, Inc. Accounts payable to Buckeye Power, Inc. at December 31, 2025 and 2024 were $1,483,348 and $1,508,778, respectively.
There is also a prepaid balance with Buckeye Power, Inc. of $2,498,826 and $2,369,230 as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, that earns interest at an annual weighted average rate of 7.1%
The above amounts are included in “accounts payable - other” on the accompanying balance sheets.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent events were evaluated through January 28, 2026, which is the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
1,336
Total consumers: Substations owned & operated:
8,203
Total taxes paid Number of employees
$1,796,591
13 23 Miles of line: Counties Served: Allen, Auglaize, Crawford, Hancock, Hardin, Logan, Marion, Morrow, Union, and Wyandot
To the Board of Trustees
Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc. • Kenton, Ohio
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc., which comprise the balance sheets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the related statements of revenue and patronage capital, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc., as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc. and to meet our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audits. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion.
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and Government Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.
The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the financial statements.
In performing an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and Government Auditing Standards, we:
• Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.
• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements.
• Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.
We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control related matters that we identified during the audit.
Management is responsible for the other information included in the annual report. The other information comprises the introductory, statistical sections and include the basic financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinions on the basic financial statements do not cover the other information, and we do not express an opinion or any form of assurance thereon. In connection with our audit of the basic financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and consider whether a material inconsistency exists between the other information and the basic financial statements, or the other information otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work performed, we conclude that an uncorrected material misstatement of the other information exists, we are required to describe it in our report.
In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued our report dated January 28, 2026 on our consideration of the Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting and on our tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements and other matters. The purpose of that report is solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control over financial reporting and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of the Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting or on compliance. That report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting and compliance.
Columbus, Ohio January 28, 2026
Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative serves portions of 10 counties in northcentral Ohio. The current board is made up of one trustee from each of the cooperative’s nine districts. Each year, prior to the annual meeting of members, members vote (either by mail or by online ballot) to elect trustee representatives. Board members are responsible for cooperative policies, rates, and contracts. They are the ambassadors of the cooperative’s rural community, focusing on the needs of the membership.
BY ALICIA ADAMS
Imagine taking a statewide road trip only to find every highway restaurant, hotel, and gas station closed. For a traveler, being tired, hungry, and in danger of running out of gas makes the journey difficult, if not impossible. For the pollinators of Ohio (bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds), that’s often the reality of navigating manicured lawns and concrete.
It’s not just a problem for bugs and birds. Whether on a commercial farm or in a gardener’s backyard, many of Ohio’s crops — cucumbers, pumpkins, and tomatoes, for example — depend on a healthy pollinator population. As wild, weedy spaces become more scarce, pollinators face increasing challenges. According to Ohio State University Extension, “Animal pollinators and bees in particular are currently facing many threats, such as lack of forage (flowers for food) and lack of suitable nesting sites.”
One way humans can help is by planting a pollinator pathway, creating an environment where those farm and garden helpers don’t have to work so hard just to get by.
A pollinator pathway is a grouping of native, diverse plants that help beneficial insects and birds survive in developed areas. Made up of plants that bloom in succession, they provide corridors of food and shelter from spring to fall. Typically located
along roads, sidewalks, and yards, these pathways provide different landscapes needed to create bridges between habitat areas that might be too far apart otherwise.
Pollinator pathways don’t have to be special gardens. They can grow in everyday spaces like farm edges, small-town backyards, and roadsides between communities.
Pathways need two types of plants to create a supportive environment: nectar/pollen plants that provide food for adult pollinators and host plants for butterfly/moth caterpillars to feed on and grow. To make planting decisions easier, you can use the “three-by-three” formula: Pick three native species that bloom in each of the three seasons: spring (March–May), mid-summer (June–August), and late summer/fall (September–November). Different types of pollinators are active at different times of the year, so having a continuous bloom is critical.
When possible, it’s especially helpful if such groupings can be within 300 to 500 yards of another, creating that pathway of pit stops that pollinators need. By choosing to grow a pollinator pathway, you not only plant a vibrant, active garden but also choose to help sustain the creatures that keep farms, fields, and communities thriving.
Stagger bergamot (above), wild columbine, and New England aster (below) to provide a consistent food source for pollinators.
Here’s a season-by-season list of native plants to get you started: Spring
Willow (Salix species)
Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)
Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) species)
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Lobelia cardinalis)
In times of economic uncertainty—when inflation rises, markets fluctuate, and long-term financial stability feels less predictable—many investors turn to gold as a dependable store of value. By holding a portion of your wealth in gold, you can help safeguard your portfolio and preserve longterm financial security, even when broader economic conditions are unclear.
Since 2015, gold has surged over 400% — outpacing both the S&P 500 and the Dow during the same
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Geothermal isn’t just about comfort. It’s about energy independence, grid resilience, and good jobs.
Geothermal heating and cooling doesn’t just make homes more comfortable and efficient—they’re powered by a domestic, underground energy source that’s available 24/7, rain or shine.
Made in the USA: Our geothermal systems are built right here in America, supporting advanced manufacturing jobs.
Grid-friendly: While AI, EVs, and data centers push power demand to new heights, geothermal helps reduce peak load—easing the burden on our utilities.
Job-creating: From HVAC contractors and well drillers or trenchers to engineers and architects, geothermal supports a wide network of high-paying, skilled jobs in every community it touches.
Geothermal isn’t just smart for homeowners. It’s smart for the country.
Thinking about a water feature to zhuzh up your backyard landscape?
We’ve got some tips.
BY RANDY EDWARDS
When we moved into our house nearly three decades ago, there was a small pond in the backyard garden, its shape fixed by a hard plastic liner. The pond was choked with excess vegetation that hid, somewhere in the depths, a small pump that did not pump.
Yearning for the sound of running water and croaking frogs in our suburban backyard, we put rebuilding that pond at the top of our to-do list. Since money was tight and we were up for a challenge, we did it ourselves — removing the old, cracked pond liner and starting from scratch.
It was physically demanding work, and it took some trial and error to balance our water chemistry, but for more than two decades now, the pond has provided a visual and audible centerpiece to our landscape.
Even a small pond adds beauty and interest to a backyard, says Justin Miller, general manager of Aquarium Adventure in Columbus, and for the homeowner, an added value is “stress relief.”
“You sit out there with the sound and the movement of the water and it just relaxes you,” he says.
Here are a few things to consider if you’re thinking about wading into a pond project of your own: Check local regulations: A permit may be required, especially if your pond will be more than 1,000 square feet at the surface. Community rules differ everywhere, though, so call before you dig. That goes for the utilities, too — dial 811 and have your utilities marked so you can avoid buried water, gas, and electric lines.
Choose a spot: Do you want to gaze out on your pond from your patio? Or practice the Japanese garden principle of miegakure (hide and reveal) and tuck the water feature behind some shrubbery, so that visitors will discover it as they walk through your yard? Either way, you’ll need an electricity source nearby, for aeration.
Aeration: Fountains or waterfalls will keep water moving, prevent mosquitoes, add oxygen to the water, and provide a pleasing murmur and splash to your pond. Some pumps are submerged in the deepest part of the pond, while others hang at the pond’s edge, doing double duty by skimming out debris. Do some research and pick the best setup for your needs.
Decide your depth and shape: If you want fish, you’ll want the water at least 2 feet deep — 3 feet for larger species like koi. Gently sloping edges will encourage frogs to visit, but fish love tadpoles, so many people choose either fish or frogs, not both.
You can hire a landscaper or a company like Aquarium Adventure to install a backyard pond, but if DIY projects spark joy for you, a small backyard pond is a doable project — as long as you have a strong back (or some friends who do).
Digging the basin is the hardest part of the project, Miller says, so many times, homeowners will hire an excavator to do that heavy lifting even if the rest of it is DIY.
Miller strongly recommends a full pond clean-out each spring. Empty the water, remove accumulated debris, and clean and inspect the liner. When you refill the pond, be sure to remove the chlorine that occurs in tap water, using a chemical detoxifier or simply by letting the water sit for several days before adding back plants or fish.
Choose a liner: Soft-sided liners will conform to the basin you dig, they’re easy to install, and Miller says 45-mil liners like those sold in his store will last decades. Preformed shell liners offer ease of installation, a clean look, and resistance to puncturing by rocks, roots, or animal burrowing.
Pond chemistry is key: Proper pH levels are key for fish and plant health. Excess nutrients will cause excess algae to grow, turning the water an unsightly green. Test your water regularly and use barley bales, chemical algicides, or UV sterilizers to keep your water clear.
Add some plants: Pond plants add beauty, provide shelter for fish, and can help balance water chemistry. Options include submerged plants, floaters, and marginals. Many are perennial and can be sunk to the bottom of the pond to weather the winter.
Mosquito-proof your pond: Proper aeration helps. Fish will eat mosquito larvae. Consider biological additives to the pond that will kill larvae but not harm fish or frogs.
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born before 1964 get new medical alert device
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From a small garage to tinker on your vintage automobile to an elaborate workshop to focus on your woodworking hobby, a residential storage and hobby building designed and constructed by Morton is crafted to provide a stronger, longer-lasting, better-looking structure customized to fit your needs. Don’t settle for second best — because Morton has a quality that’s unmistakable, just like you.
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Cache of 1,193 First-Year 1964 Silver Kennedy Half Dollars
Collectors LOVE “firsts” as no collection is complete without the very first coin. First-year coins are almost always the most coveted coins and the 1964 First Year Silver Kennedy Half Dollar is no exception, especially when you consider the coin has been struck for over 60 years! But there’s something else that makes the FirstYear 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar hoarded by all…
What makes the 1964 Silver Kennedy Half Dollar stand out is its silver composition. While Silver Kennedy Half Dollars were issued from 1964-1970, the 1964 Silver Half is the ONLY YEAR made in 90% silver!
Rarcoa, America’s Oldest Coin Company, is announcing the public release of 1,193 of the very first year and only 90% silver year, 1964 Silver Kennedy Half Dollars. What may be even more impressive is that each coin is in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, pristine as the day they were released.
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Yes, temblors happen,
even in the heart of it all.
BY KEVIN WILLIAMS
The early hours of February 22 were typical for a Sunday morning in rural Highland County. Absent the typical weekday rush, most residents of the area in rural southwestern Ohio were still sleeping, or perhaps up and enjoying that first cup of coffee or starting to get ready for chores or church.
But then, a little before 6 a.m., something happened that was not at all typical. Dozens of posts and comments on social media forums described a sound like thunder, rattling windows, and items falling from shelves. Turns out, the shaking that caused the early wake-up call was an earthquake — a mild 2.5 temblor deep below the earth’s surface a couple of miles or so east of Hillsboro.
Ohio, of course, is not immune from seismic activity.
There are several long-dormant fault zones known as remnant strain faults underneath the Buckeye State, according to Mike Brudzinski, a geology professor and earthquake expert at Miami University in Oxford — and some of those, he says, have energy built up in them like a cocked gun.
But knowing which faults are ready to fire is still out of scientific reach.
“Over long periods of time, small changes in stress in the earth can tip a fault over the edge,” Brudzinski says. “How many cocked guns are left and how many faults are really primed? There is no way to know; we really can’t anticipate when and where they will occur. Our ability to forecast earthquakes is not great.”
While Hillsboro may have been the site of the most recent shaker, Brudzinski says that Anna, a town of 1,500 people between Dayton and Lima, is the earthquake epicenter of the Buckeye State.
Anna, which sits atop the Anna-Champaign Seismic Zone, a fault deep below the surface, frequently experiences small trembles — but also was the site of two of the largest earthquakes in Ohio’s recorded history (see list, opposite page). “You might be able to make the case that for magnitude 5 0-size events, Anna is the only place in the state,” Brudzinski says.
But it definitely isn’t the only place that shakes. Magnitude 3.0 events are a regular occurrence northeast of Cleveland, for example, though many of those are related to fracking rather than naturally occurring faults in the earth’s crust.
The biggest earthquake threat to folks in Ohio, in fact, actually comes from outside the state. The New Madrid Seismic Zone, which runs through Missouri and Illinois, spurred magnitude 7.0 earthquakes in the early 1800s that were felt as far away as Boston. Brudzinski says a hypothetical 7 5-plus event in the northeast part of that zone today likely would cause widespread disruption over the entire eastern part of the country, including much of Ohio. Damage would be greater than even a 6 0 event centered in Anna — where the damage would still be significant, but likely would be more contained to the immediate area.
Brudzinski says there is a good chance most Ohioans will not experience an earthquake in their lifetime. He says that a “big one” could happen here, “but it could happen in a lot of other places too.”
Check out www.ohiocoopliving.com to read about the author’s personal earthquake experiences and Ohio’s contribution to earthquake science.
“A deep rumbling accompanied the tremor, and those living on traffic arteries were inclined at first to believe the noise was caused by passing trucks. Because of the quietness of the hour, the quake was noticed by many more persons than the one which shook Ohio the previous Tuesday. Tumbling brick chimneys and shattered glass awakened residents of Anna, where the latest quake probably centered, similar to that of last week, seismologists reported.”
— The Bluffton News, March 11, 1937
Anna (Shelby County), March 9, 1937, magnitude 5.4. The largest earthquake in Ohio history. Caused severe damage, including cracked buildings, toppled chimneys, and structural issues.
Anna (Shelby County), March 2, 1937, magnitude 5.0. Occurred one week before the larger quake. Damaged churches and chimneys throughout the area.
LeRoy Township (Lake County), Jan. 31, 1986, magnitude 5.0. Struck near Cleveland in Lake Erie. Felt in 10 states and southern Canada; caused broken windows and cracked plaster.
Lima (Allen County), Sept. 19, 1884, magnitude 4.8. Significant for the late 19th century.
Portsmouth (Scioto County), May 17, 1901, magnitude 4.2. Dislodged bricks from chimneys and cracked windows.
Crooksville (Perry County), June 20, 1952, magnitude 3.9. Caused minor to moderate damage.
Pomeroy (Meigs County), Nov. 5, 1926, magnitude 3.6. Caused minor to moderate damage around southeastern Ohio.
Youngstown (Mahoning County), Dec. 31, 2011, magnitude 4.0. About 2.5 miles northwest of the city.
APR. 16 – Cabaret Dinner: The Belleville Trio with Gypsy Jazz from the 1930s, Corkscrew Saloon, 811 W. Liberty St., Medina, 6 p.m. $70/person; includes dinner and first drink. Enjoy a buffet dinner in a relaxed atmosphere while listening to club-style jazz from another era. Limited attendance; book now to avoid disappointment: www.ormaco.org or 419-853-6016
APR. 17 – Homeschool Day, Historic Zoar Village, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. $8; 5 and under free; 1 free adult admission per group. Learn how the Zoar Separatists and other people in the 19th century prepared for spring through hands-on activities, including a bread relay, butter churning, seed planting, and tin smithing. Reservations requested. 330-874-3011 or www. historiczoarvillage.com.
APR. 18–19 – Spring Button Show: “Hearts Full of Buttons,” Carlisle Inn, 1357 Old Rte. 39, Sugarcreek, Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. $5; under 18 free. Open to the public. Antique, vintage, and modern garment buttons for display and sale. Sat. banquet, 6 p.m.; education programs, 7 p.m.; Sun. silent auction, 8 p.m. https://ohiobuttons.org or showinfo@buttons.org.
THROUGH MAY 12 – Line Dancing, Delphos Eagles Aerie #471, 1600 E. Fifth St., Tues. 6–7:30 p.m. $5
Step-by-step instructions given at the beginning of each class. Everyone can learn! Private lessons also available. Taught by Kelly Jackson Kroeger (see her Facebook page). www.visitgreaterlima.com/calendar.
APR. 4–5, MAY 2–3 – Tri-State Gun Show, Allen Co. Fgds., 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima, Sat. 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. $8; 18 and under free. Over 400 tables of modern and antique guns, edged weapons, and sportsmen equipment. 419-647-0067 (Manetta Obringer) or www.allencofair.com/events-calendar.
APR. 11–12, MAY 9–10 – Findlay Flea Market, Hancock Co. Fgds., 1017 E. Sandusky St., Findlay, Sat. 9
APR. 20–MAY 3 – Spring Quilt Show, Fort Steuben Visitor Center, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville, Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sat. noon–4 p.m., or by appointment. Free. Over 25 local creations — from handstitched family heirlooms to machine-crafted modern designs — will be on display. 740-283-1787 or www.oldfortsteuben.com.
APR. 23–26 – Geauga County Maple Festival, Chardon. Oldest maple festival in the U.S. Arts and crafts show, bathtub races, grandstand entertainment, rides, lumberjack competition, two parades, pancakeeating contest, all-you-can-eat Pancakes in the Park every day, and more. 440-332-7055 or www. maplefestival.com.
MAY 2 – Magic of Moms Craft and Vendor Show, Emidio and Sons Banquet Center, 48 E. Bath Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Free admission. Local vendors and crafters, raffles, 50/50, and much more! Proceeds benefit Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Baseball Association. www.facebook.com/everydaylimes/events.
MAY 2–3 – Annual Ohio Civil War Show, Richland Co. Fgds., 750 N. Home Rd., Mansfield, Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $8; under 12 free. Seven buildings; 800 exhibitors. Artillery show, cannon firing demos, living history campfire, fife and drum corps, WWII small arms demos, and much more. https:// ohiocivilwarshow.com.
MAY 5 – Brad Wagner and Anthony Fuoco: “A Jazzy Evening,” Canal Fulton Public Library, 154 Market St. NE, Canal Fulton, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Free. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The duo will present a concert of jazz standards. Wagner plays saxophone with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and Fuoco teaches piano and jazz studies at Baldwin Wallace University. 419-8536016 or www.ormaco.org.
MAY 7 – George Foley: “Music Born in America,” Medina County District Library, 210 S. Broadway St., Medina, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Free. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Foley will share the story of the evolution of jazz through the early part of the twentieth century while performing this uniquely American art form as a part of the 250th American anniversary celebration. 419-853-6016 or www.ormaco.org.
MAY 7 – National Day of Prayer Event, LaGrange Global Methodist Church, 105 W. Main St,, LaGrange, noon. All are welcome. For more information, call the church office at 440-355-4561
MAY 8–9 – Maifest German Festival, Historic Zoar Village, Fri. 5:30–10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. Celebrate the coming of spring with a traditional German festival filled with beers, brats, and bands! Discounted guided tours of the village: $5/adult; 11 and under free. Car show on Saturday ($10 registration fee) will feature a variety of antique German-made vehicles. 330-874-3011, zoarinfo@zca.org, or www. historiczoarvillage.com.
MAY 9– Plant Discovery Day Sale, Secrest Welcome and Education Center, 2122 Williams Rd., Wooster, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (Members get first pick Fri., May 8, 3–4 p.m.) Over 120 different trees and shrubs, perennials, and herbs for sale. Find rare and exotic plants, native plants, vegetables, and more. www. friendsofsecrest.com.
MAY 9 – America 250: Zoar Art Tours, downtown Zoar, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. $12. Discover the charming village of Zoar through the eyes of the artists who were inspired by its beauty. This guided tour weaves together the town’s unique 19th-century heritage with the stories of renowned painters who captured its quiet streets, lush landscapes, and historic architecture. 330-874-3011 or www.historiczoarvillage.com.
a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Free admission. New, used, and vintage items, crafts, and more. Food trucks on-site. Vendors welcome! 419-619-0041 (Christine) or www.findlayfleamarket.com.
APR. 11, 25, MAY 9, 23 – Market on Main, downtown Kenton. Outdoor market showcasing vendors, makers, and growers. Shop local, discover unique goods, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. 419-673-4131 or www. facebook.com/marketonmainkenton.
APR. 17–19 – World War II Reenactment, AuGlaize Village 12296 Krouse Rd., Defiance. Features a camp area, open to the public, and then stations where reenactors will discuss being an Allied or Axis soldier during different points of the war. School Day on Friday and public “battles” on Saturday. America 250 Celebration additions: U.S. WWII half-track vehicles; demo showing how socks were made during WWII for the soldiers; WWII-era dance Saturday evening, open to the public. 419-990-0107, villageauglaize@gmail.com, or www.auglaizevillage.com.
APR. 18 – Lima Sister Cities Association Annual Cherry Blossom Festival, Sister Cities Garden, 202 W. Eureka St., Lima, 1–4 p.m. Celebrate the blooming of our nine cherry trees with Japanese cultural activities and entertainment. www.limasistercities.com.
MAY 2–3 – NWORRP Opening Weekend, 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, 1–4 p.m. Join us for an afternoon party to celebrate our 2026 season. Quarter-scale train rides,
carnival games, inflatables, mini-golf, and great food all available. 419-423-2995, www.facebook.com/nworrp, or www.nworrp.org.
MAY 9 – Annual Lilac Festival and Street Fair, Clinton Street, Defiance, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. Celebrate the official flower of Defiance with the community’s largest arts and crafts fair. Free lilacs to the first 750 attendees. 160+ arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, children’s activities. 419-782-0739 or https://visitdefianceohio.com.
MAY 9 – Market on Main and Spring Fest, downtown Kenton, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Free admission. Vendors, food trucks, kids’ activities, and more. 419-673-4131 or www. facebook.com/marketonmainkenton.
MAY 9–SEP. 13 – NWORPP Museum Summer Hours, 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, Sat./Sun. 1–4 p.m. $3; 12 and under, $2. Quarter-scale train rides, model train displays, museum tours, games, play area, and more. 419-423-2995, www.facebook.com/nworrp, or www. nworrp.org.
MAY 14–16 – Findlay Armed Forces Day Celebration, Hancock Co. Fgds., 1017 E. Sandusky St., Findlay, 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Free admission. Reenactments, living history displays, encampments, swap meet with over 170 vendors, weapons and military vehicles from all eras, including the American Huey 369, UH-1B Gunship 049, and M4A3E8 Sherman Tank. www. findlaymilitaryshow.org.
APR. 6, 20, MAY 11, 25 – American Sign Language Class, Betsey Mills Club, 300 4th St., Marietta, 6 p.m. Free to members; $10/class non-members. Taught by deaf instructors and interpreters. Learn ASL and deaf culture. All ages welcome. 740-373-4981 or www. betseymills.club.
APR. 7, 14, 21, 28 – Training Tuesdays: Garlic Mustard Removal, Mound City Group, Hopewell Culture
National Historical Park, 16062 St. Rte. 104, Chillicothe, 9 a.m. Attend a training on one of these dates to learn identification and safety for the removal of invasive garlic mustard from park grounds. Once trained, stop by any day in April and volunteer anytime from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help. www.facebook.com/hopewellohionps/events.
APR. 7, 21, MAY 5, 19 – Mom Café, Betsey Mills Club, 300 4th St., Marietta, 10–11:30 a.m. Free to new or expectant parents. Open to all moms. Join us for discussion, self-care, and resources. Snacks provided. 740-373-4981 or www.betseymills.club.
APR. 12 – “Notable Souls of Grandview Cemetery,” Grandview Cemetery, 300 Brookside Dr., Chillicothe, 1–4 p.m. $10. Costumed guides share stories of notable Ross Countians buried here, including Nathaniel Massie,
early elected officials, and other men and women who shaped the world. 740-702-7677, 740-253-1067, or www. visitchillicotheohio.com/america250-rosscountyohio.
APR. 15 – Vision Journaling, Betsey Mills Club, 300 4th St., Marietta, 4–6 p.m. Learn to creatively collect your thoughts and create your very own vision journal using writing and images to explore your next chapter. 740-3734981 or www.betseymills.club.
APR. 18 – Earth Gathering Festival, Pump House Center for the Arts, 1 Enderlin Circle, Chillicothe, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free. Juried-invitational art festival with an Earth Day theme. Earth-friendly art, music, food, products, and ideas. www.visitchillicotheohio.com.
APR. 18 – Positivi-Tea Luncheon, Mr. Lee’s Restaurant (Banquet Room), 2000 E. Wheeling Ave., Cambridge, 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. $20/person. Catered lunch, guest speaker, and basket raffles. Contact Melissa Swingle at 330-814-0188 for tickets.
MAY 2 – The Big Deal at Great Seal, Great Seal State Park, 4908 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe, 8 a.m. Trail running event includes Big Deal 100-mile, 100K, 20-mile, and 5K on a 20-mile loop with 2 road crossings and 3,000 feet of elevation gain per loop. www.runfluentevents.com.
MAY 2 – Ohio Is for Writers Book Fest, Chillicothe–Ross County Public Library Annex, 140 S. Paint St., Chillicothe, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Meet and support Ohio authors and discover your next favorite read. 740-702-4145 or www. visitchillicotheohio.com/america250-rosscountyohio.
MAY 2 – Twitty & Lynn: “A Salute to Conway & Loretta,” Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 7 p.m. $45–$65. Tribute to the famous duo by their grandchildren Tre Twitty and Tayla Lynn. www. majesticchillicothe.net.
MAY 2 – Caldwell Lake Disc Golf Tournament, 47044 Caldwell Lake Rd., Caldwell. This is one of the most
challenging and scenic disc golf courses in southeastern Ohio. Players are welcome to come and practice before the event. 740-732-4645 or golf@caldwellohio.org.
MAY 2–24 – Spring Plant Sale, Adena Mansion & Gardens, 847 Adena Rd., Chillicothe, Wed.–Sat. 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 12–5 p.m. Browse a selection of vegetables and flowers; get advice and information from our horticulturalist. www.adenamansion.com.
MAY 6 – Women in Business Salon, Betsey Mills Club, 300 4th St., Marietta, 6–8 p.m. $25/meet or $75/ full salon. First of a trilogy (next sessions Jun. 3, Jul. 1). Businesswomen meet once a month for three months to share insights and real-world experience. Snacks and drinks available. 740-373-4981 or www.betseymills.club.
MAY 7–9 – Wildflowers and Songbirds of Ohio’s “Deep South,” Tremper Mound Preserve, 20580 St. Rte. 73, McDermott. Join us for a late-spring wildflower immersion, exploring stunning flora. 937-794-3360, arcpreserveinfo@gmail.com, or www. arcofappalachia.org.
MAY 8–10 – Chillicothe Trade Days, Ross Co. Fgds., 344 Fairgrounds Rd., Chillicothe. Old school-style market days event. Hundreds of vendors selling antiques, livestock, plants, crafts, and more. www. chillicothetradedays.com.
MAY 9 – Ohio Creates: Arts, Culture, and Entertainment, Pump House Center for the Arts, Chillicothe, 2 p.m. Doors open 1:30 p.m. Learn about Chillicothe/Ross County’s artists of the past, while enjoying the displays of the present. Refreshments available. 740-702-7677, 740-253-1067, or www. visitchillicotheohio.com/america250-rosscountyohio.
MAY 10 – Mother’s Day Dinner, Fearing Township Fire Department, 1975 Stanleyville Rd., Whipple, starting at 11 a.m. For information, contact Jeff Lauer at 740-516-3989
THROUGH APR. 30 – Bunny Paperweight, Neusole Glassworks, 11925 Kemper Springs Dr., Cincinnati. $50/person per 30-minute session. Reservations required; payment due at scheduling. Ages: 5 years and older. With help from our professional glass artists, sculpt your own adorable bunny paperweight from hot molten glass. Pickup in 7 days. 513-7513292, neusoleglassworks@hotmail.com, or http:// neusoleglassworks.com.
THROUGH APR. 30 – Easter Egg Paperweight, Neusole Glassworks, 11925 Kemper Springs Dr.,
us your event Submit listings AT LEAST 90 DAYS in advance to events@ohioec.org
Ohio Cooperative Living will not publish listings that don’t include a complete address or a number/website for more information.
Cincinnati. $50/person per 30-minute session. Reservations required; payment due at scheduling. Ages: 5 years and older. With help from our professional glass artists, sculpt your own adorable Easter egg paperweight from hot molten glass. Pickup in 7 days. 513-751-3292, neusoleglassworks@hotmail.com, or http://neusoleglassworks.com.
THROUGH MAY 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.
APR. 17–19 – Wildflower Pilgrimage, Highlands Nature Sanctuary, 7660 Cave Rd., Bainbridge. $225 Daylong field trips to botanical hotspots and floral showcases of our region, featuring both Arc preserves and other private and state-owned natural areas. Includes two breakfasts and one dinner, as well as evening keynote presentations at the Paxton Theatre. Register at www.arcofappalachia.org/wildflowerpilgrimage.
APR. 18 – Family Program: Wildlife and Wildflower Hike, Wagers’ Devil’s Backbone Memorial Park, 1301 OH-725 W., Camden, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Free. Led by Savannah Ballweg from OSU Extension Office. Join us for a hike and learn to identify nature. 937962-5561, pcpdevents@gmail.com, or www. preblecountyparks.org.
APR. 18 – Wildflower Pilgrimage JR, Highlands Nature Sanctuary, 7660 Cave Rd,, Bainbridge. $20/family. For youth ages 6–10 years old and their families. Begins with a presentation, followed by a guided walk around the pond to explore beaver activity. Bring your own picnic lunch. Register at www.arcofappalachia.org/ wildflower-pilgrimage-jr.
APR. 25 – An Art Affair: Fine Art Sale and Exhibition, Tipp Center, 855 N. 3rd St., Tipp City, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission. Door prizes, food trucks, music, and 40+ fine art vendors! 937-543-5115 or www. tippcityartscouncil.com/an-art-affair or call.
APR. 30 – Historical Speaker Series: Shari Petersime, New Madison Public Library, 142 S. Main St., New
APR. 25 – Ramps and Rails Festival, Elkins Depot, 315 Railroad Ave., Elkins, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Learn about this unique indigenous Appalachian leek while enjoying local arts and crafts, live music, and delicious ramp-themed foods. Train rides available. 304-635-7803 or www.elkinsdepot.com/events/ ramps-and-rail-festival.
MAY 9–17 – West Virginia Strawberry Festival, downtown Buckhannon. Food vendors specializing in strawberry treats of all kinds, live entertainment, craft and vendor show, three parades, carnival, games, exhibits, and much more! 304-472-9036 or www.wvstrawberryfestival.com.
Madison, 6–7 p.m. Free. Petersime will share the history of Longtown, a 19th-century, predominantly African American and multi-racial settlement in Darke County, Ohio. Reservations recommended. 937-996-1741, info@ newmadisonpubliclibrary.org, or https://mynmpl.org.
MAY 2 – Bear’s Mill Spring Open House, Historic Bear’s Mill, 6450 Arcanum Bear’s Mill Rd., Greenville, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Check out our spring products and join us for free grinding demonstrations with the miller at 12, 2, and 4 p.m. www.bearsmill.org.
MAY 2 – Spring Women’s Walk in the Woods, Highlands Nature Sanctuary, 7660 Cave Rd., Bainbridge, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $20. Come together with women of all ages and occupations to relax and connect in the beauty of our natural world. We will meet at the Appalachian Forest Museum to hear a presentation from a guest speaker and enjoy a packed lunch (please bring your own). We will then depart for a hike on one of the stunningly beautiful trails near the Sanctuary. www. arcofappalachia.org/walk-in-the-woods-1
MAY 8 – Taste of the Arts, 326 N. Main St., Piqua, 5–9 p.m. Join us for a delightful evening of fun, music, and food in downtown Piqua. See various demonstrations at the storefronts while enjoying a variety of live music. Choose from a wide selection of food options from local restaurants and caterers. Items range from $1 to $5 www.mainstreetpiqua.com.
MAY 9 – A Decadent Affair, Tipp Center, 855 N. 3rd St., Tipp City, 5–9 p.m. Premier event bringing together the best in local wine, art, music, and gourmet delights. VIP experience will be held from 5 to 6 p.m.: Enjoy early access, exclusive tastings, and more. Space is limited; only 150 tickets available. For tickets, call 937-543-5115 or visit www.tippcityartscouncil.com/a-decadent-affair.
APR. 3–4 – Artisans Market, The Downtown Exchange, 527 Main St., Zanesville, Fri. 5–9 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Arts and crafts by quality Ohio makers and artisans. Food available. www.downtown-exchange. com/DTXAM.
APR. 3, MAY 1 – First Friday Art Walk, downtown Zanesville, 5–8 p.m. Come downtown on the first Friday of each month, when galleries, studios, and small businesses are open at the same time! See the Artist Colony of Zanesville’s website for a map of participants: https://artcoz.org/arts-district-map.
APR. 17 – Malpass Brothers, Cornerstone Global Methodist Church, 207 S. Court St., Marysville. Doors open 6 p.m., concert 7 p.m. Part of the Marysville Winter Bluegrass Series, Entertainment, food, homemade pies on-site. 937-642-4712 or www. marysvillewinterbluegrass.com.
APR. 18 – Pickerington Community Chorus: Spring Concert, Epiphany Lutheran Church, 268 Hill Rd N., Pickerington, 3 p.m. Free admission; freewill offering will be taken. www.facebook.com/ Pickeringtoncommunitychorus.
APR. 18 – Quilters Market Day, Fredericktown Schools, 111 Stadium Dr., Fredericktown, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $5. Flea market. Buy/sell quilting tools, books, patterns, fat quarters, quilted items. Fat quarter drawing. Quilt show (non-juried). For information, call Patty at 740-6946140 or visit www.fredericktown.org.
APR. 22 – Wise Lunch, Headwaters Outdoor Education Center, 151 Home Rd., Mount Gilead, 12 p.m. in the main
building. Bring your lunch and visit; discuss building the new tiny terrarium, then make one to take home. Materials are provided and free. Call 419-946-7923 to reserve your spot.
APR. 24–26 – The Big Roadshow: “Transportation Milestones That Shaped Pickerington,” Pickerington Senior Center, 150 Hereford Dr., Pickerington, Fri. 4–7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. An America 250 event. Focuses on Zane’s Trace, Ohio & Erie Canal, the railroad, and I-70. Model train displays, LEGO exhibit, wood carvings, historical timeline and photos, antique vehicles, kids’ activities, and more. Food available. www.pickhistory.org.
APR. 25 – Earth Day Celebration, ECO Center, 1757 Co. Rd. 59, Caledonia, 12–3 p.m. Free. Fun-filled and educational day for the entire family! Local art, inflatables, barrel train, farm animals, kids’ arts and crafts, local produce and earth-friendly vendors, environmental exhibitors, nature scavenger hunt, mini ziplines, and outdoor nature lessons. www. ecocenterohio.com.
APR. 25 – Pickerington Train Depot Tours, Toledo & Ohio Central Train Station, 50 N. Center St., Pickerington, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Tours on the hour. Reenactor Tony Mills will portray Clyde Leach, the depot agent during a time when Pickerington was home to both the state’s largest creamery and a major grain mill. www.pickhistory.org.
APR. 25 – Rock Your Garden: A How-To Workshop, Darby Landscape Supply, 8075 Harrisburg Pike, Orient, 10–11 a.m. Free. Discover how to use stone to add structure, texture, and visual interest to your landscape. Plus, tour of a rock production plant covering types of rocks and where they come from. All participants receive a free rock to add to their home landscape. 614809-8538 or www.darbylandscape.com.
APR. 26 – Coshocton Community Choir Spring Concert: “Still Be My Vision,” McKinley Auditorium, Coshocton High School, 1205 Cambridge Rd., Coshocton, 3–4:30 p.m. Free admission; freewill donations only. Includes the 80-voice adult choir, the Coshocton Youth Chorale, the Coshocton Singers, the Roscoe Brass, and other instrumentalists. 740-6230554 or www.coshoctoncommunitychoir.org.
APR. 26 – Marysville Toy Show, Union Co. Fgds., Beef Barn, 845 N. Main St., Marysville, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $6; 12 and under free; early buyer (8–9 a.m.) $12 Free parking. Die-cast cars, action figures, model kits, farm toys, all toys old and new. Find us on Facebook @ Marysville Toy Show or visit www. marysvilletoyshow.com.
MAY 1 – Pickerington Chocolate Hop, Olde Pickerington Village, 6–8:30 p.m. A $5 donation gets you a map of locations around the Village where you will receive a little chocolate treat as a thank-you. Begin on the plaza at Columbus and Center Streets. Limited number of maps; donate in advance to reserve a map. www.pickeringtonvillage.com.
MAY 2 – Birds of the Preserve: Spring Migration Hike, Park District HQ, 16405 U.S. 23, South Bloomfield, 9 a.m.–noon. Free. Guided bird walk through the preserve, celebrating the return of spring neo-migrant birds. For all experience levels. We’ll follow a paved path with the possibility of off-trail exploration in the woods. Dress for the weather. Adult must accompany any child under 12. For questions, email mellis@pickawaycountyohio.gov or visit www. pickawaycountyparks.org/upcoming-events.
MAY 2–OCT. 31 – Coshocton Farmers Market, Coshocton County Maintenance Garage, 23220 Co. Rd. 621, Coshocton, Sat. 8:30 a.m.–noon. Locally grown produce, baked goods, and artisan crafts. Rain or shine. www.facebook.com/coshoctonfarmersmarket or market.manager@coshfarmmarket.org.
MAY 9 – Landscape Basic Design: A How-To Workshop, Darby Landscape Supply, 8075 Harrisburg Pike, Orient, 10–11 a.m. Free. We will cover the basics of garden design using color, height, texture, size, and hardscape vs. softscape; also animal resistance, weeds, and maintenance Each participant receives a free flower to take home and plant. 614-809-8538 or www. darbylandscape.com.
MAY 9 – Spring Fling Craft Show, Sims Farm, 11300 Chilli-Lanc. Rd., Amanda, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Indoor and outdoor vendors. Plants and much more for Mother’s Day gifts. Silent auction of quarter beef from Hoffman Farms to benefit the Sewing Shefs 4-H Club. For more information, call 740-974-8747
1. My daughter, Emma, loves to photobomb her daddy, my husband, Mark. Rachael Belford, Consolidated Cooperative member.
2. My twin sister, Laura Cupp, struck a pose, so my daughter, Sierra Barnette, and I took the opportunity to photobomb her! Lori Highfield, South Central Power Company member.
3. Pick me! Bailey sits so pretty while Zoey Rose photobombs with jumps in the background. Rose Edwards, Frontier Power Company member.
My husband photobombing the girls’ photo. Julie King, Midwest Electric member.
5. Got a group picture taken while snow skiing and later realized this random guy bombed the picture! Jennifer Huffman , Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative member.
6. My son photobombing my granddaughter while visiting the Statue of Liberty. Janet Fox, Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative member. 1 4 2 5 6 3
For July, send “America” by April 15. For August, send “Showtime at the fair” by May 15. Upload your photos at www.ohiocoopliving.com/memberinteractive. Your photo may be featured in our magazine or on our website. Send us YOUR picture!
Call before you dig!
ohioec.org/purpose
Know what’s below—dial 811 before any project that requires digging.
Underground utilities, such as gas, water, and electric lines, can be a shovel thrust away from turning a spring project into a disaster. Play it safe by dialing 811 three days before digging to find out where utility lines run on your property. It’s free, fast—and may save a life!
