Ohio Cooperative Living – August 2026 - Butler

Powering education

Mapping utility right-of-way using GIS and drone technology

INSIDE

Right TREE, Right PLACE

to locate underground electric or other utility lines. This is a free service and it’s the law!

Before you buy a tree, look up and around. See any power lines? That’s your cue to plant far away—use the chart below as a guide.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Avoid planting shrubs and flowers around green transformer boxes and electric meters. Your co-op needs access for meters, and it’s safer to keep the space clear.

ohioec.org/purpose

Small-Tree Zone: Less than 25' tall and spread at least 25' from lines.

Medium-Tree Zone: 25'-40' in height and spread at least 40' from lines.

Large-Tree Zone: Larger than 40' in height and spread at least 60' from lines.

We all live by rules. Rules help keep society orderly. They protect individual rights, and they give families and businesses a fair basis for planning. We make better decisions when we understand the rules and can trust they’re not going to change without warning. The same is true at your local electric cooperative.

Co-ops need clear regulations so they can make responsible decisions for the people and communities they serve. In the electric utility industry, regulatory certainty is especially important because our investments are large, long-term, and essential to everyday life. A new substation or transmission facility can cost millions of dollars, and a new power plant can require billions. Those are commitments co-ops make over decades, and the costs of those commitments are ultimately paid by members who depend on co-ops for reliable and affordable electricity. It’s almost impossible to make investment decisions wisely if the rules keep shifting.

Over the last 20 years or so, electric utilities have experienced what seems like regulatory whiplash. Especially at the federal level, new administrations tend to use policy to drive broad changes — and everyone is left wondering whether today’s rules will still apply after the next election. That uncertainty is one reason our industry now faces one of its greatest challenges: resource adequacy, or the ability to generate enough electricity to meet demand. Data centers, which have added major new demand to the grid, are only part of the story; for years, federal and state governments have sent mixed signals about how our nation generates its electricity, and co-ops have continually been caught in the middle.

Rules passed a few years ago will narrow the resources available to serve electric demand over the next 10 to 15 years, and in doing so, add trillions of dollars in costs and create serious reliability concerns. Efforts are underway to repeal those rules, but future administrations could simply put them forward again and start the cycle all over.

For co-ops and other utilities, that makes responsible planning harder and, more importantly, puts members at greater risk. Not-for-profit electric cooperatives don’t have the luxury of guessing wrong. Their mission is to provide reliable and affordable power to their members, as simple as that. But to carry it out, co-ops need a set of rules they can count on for the long haul. A country cannot build and maintain a modern electric grid if utilities must plan around political swings every four years.

Regulatory certainty doesn’t mean policy has to stand still. It means clear, durable, and realistic rules that help utilities plan for the future, invest responsibly, and recover costs fairly. As election season begins, we should encourage candidates and policymakers to understand the uncertainty that too-frequent shifts in energy policy create for our industry, making it harder to serve members the way they demand and deserve: reliably and affordably.

Craig Grooms is president and CEO of Buckeye Power, the co-op-owned utility that provides the electricity Ohio’s electric cooperatives deliver to their members; and Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc., their statewide trade association.

Regulatory certainty means clear, durable, and realistic rules that help utilities plan for the future, invest responsibly, and recover costs fairly.

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives

6677 Busch Blvd. Columbus, OH 43229 614-846-5757 www.ohiocoopliving.com

Craig Grooms President & CEO

Jeff McCallister Senior Managing Editor

Amy Howat Assistant Managing Editor Neal Kindig Graphic Designer

Contributors: Alicia Adams, Tim Baldwin, Colleen Romick Clark, Getty Images, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Catherine Murray, Theresa Ravencraft, Craig Springer, Kevin Williams, and Margie Wuebker.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING (USPS 134-760; ISSN 2572-049X) is published monthly by Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. It is the official communication link between the electric cooperatives in Ohio and West Virginia and their members. Subscription cost for members ranges from $6.48 to $7.92 per year, paid from equity accruing to the member.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to editorial and advertising offices at: 6677 Busch Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43229-1101. Periodicals postage paid at Berne, IN 46711, and at additional mailing offices. Nothing in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. All rights reserved. The fact that a product is advertised in Ohio Cooperative Living should not be taken as an endorsement. If you find an advertisement misleading or a product unsatisfactory, please notify us or the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Section, 30 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215. Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, OH, and at additional mailing offices.

DEPARTMENTS

4

POWER LINES

TIMM-BURRR! Because it’s so important for reliability, vegetation management is an important part of cooperatives’ work plans.

8 CO-OP PEOPLE

Meant to be: Co-op couple makes dreams come true, one gig at a time.

10 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

Aerial angler: The belted kingfisher rewards intrepid birders with some dramatic scenes.

13

GOOD EATS

Gobs of cobs: Summer have you craving the sweet taste of corn? We’ve got you covered!

17 LOCAL PAGES

News and other important information from your electric cooperative. 30

IN THE GARDEN

Beat the heat: Summer watering tricks save money and power.

MEMBER INTERACTIVE

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 32 34

34

Show day at the fair: Members proudly share photos, like the one at right that South Central Power Company member Jacklyn Rose submitted of her stepson, Elijah, showing his market gilt at the 2025 Pickaway County Fair.

CALENDAR

What’s happening: August/ September events and other things to do around Ohio.

-BURRR!

Because it’s so important for reliability, vegetation management is a key part of cooperatives’ work plans.

TIMM

BY AMY HOWAT

Some people might be alarmed by the sight of a low-flying helicopter dangling what looks like a prop in a horror movie passing over their property.

Nancy Thompson was excited.

One muggy morning in late June, she stood outside watching as a contractor working for Mariettabased Washington Electric Cooperative flew his helicopter through a wooded ravine on Thompson’s farm in Whipple in rural Washington County, using an eight-bladed rotary saw hanging from his aircraft to trim trees away from the power line right-of-way.

“Washington Electric called me last week and told me they would be here, and here they are,” she says. “I think it’s kind of exciting. They came through and cut the trees without cutting the wire. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

About 50% of all power outages are caused by vegetation. That figure varies widely depending on the landscape through which power lines run, and it reaches twothirds for some Ohio co-ops. Many outages occur during storms when limbs or entire trees fall across electric lines, but others arise less dramatically when branches grow into lines.

So while different cooperatives employ different strategies for cutting and clearing trees and foliage from

the areas around power lines, all co-ops share the same objective in managing that vegetation: to keep electricity both safe and reliable for their members.

A matter of responsibility

Ohio law requires electric utilities to maintain the safety of their lines, and that responsibility extends to private property, where co-ops have a legal “easement” providing permission to access lines on members’ property.

Whether they approach from the air or the ground, whether their employees do the work or they utilize contractors, co-ops generally work through their systems on multi-year rotations, employing various techniques of clearing, cutting, and spraying to keep lines up and power flowing to their members.

“We maintain a 40-foot right-of-way, which is 20 feet on each side of a power line,” says Kyle Cramblett, operations manager for Coshocton-based Frontier Power Company.

“We do this to prevent outages, which can happen not just from trees falling onto a line, but from trees growing into a line. It’s also for the safety of the public, so electricity doesn’t arc into a tree where a child could be climbing.”

Additionally, Cramblett says, keeping rights-of-way clear allows co-op crews to more easily reach lines for repairs and maintenance. “If we have to put wires back up after a storm, it’s much harder to do if we have to cut through briars and brush to get to the lines.”

Different tactics, same objectives

Each of Ohio’s 24 electric distribution cooperatives has not only its own technique, but its own philosophy in managing their rights-of-way.

At Frontier Power, for example, employee crews do the right-of-way work, and time spent working ROW is a prerequisite for prospective lineworkers.

“All of our lineworkers have to start on our right-of-way crew,” Cramblett says. “They not only learn proper tree cutting and vegetation control, but they also learn our whole system and how our maps work. When we fill a lineman position, we take candidates from our ROW department.”

At Washington Electric, the ROW heavy lifting — including tree trimming and herbicide spraying — is done by contractors supervised by the co-op’s operations department.

“It takes a lot of time, effort, and money to maintain rights-ofway,” says Kenneth Angle, operations foreman at Washington

What happens when trees meet power lines?

When branches or limbs touch energized lines, several problems can occur:

• Momentary contact can cause blinking lights or voltage fluctuations

• Sustained contact can result in a full outage

• Broken limbs can pull lines down, creating dangerous conditions.

Even when an outage doesn’t occur immediately, repeated contact weakens equipment and increases the risk of future failures.

PHOTO BY TIM BALDWIN

A serious tree-sponsibility

While cooperatives’ vegetation management strategies focus on reliability and safety, another factor is important as well: preserving the abundant, healthy trees that members and communities value.

“We all have a priority for reliability and safety,” says David Tidd, arborist for Mount Gilead-based Consolidated Cooperative. “But we also do a lot of listening to our members about their concerns. We do what’s best for the trees while keeping in mind our goals.”

A key component is following industry best practices for trimming trees. “We adhere to the standards of the International Society of Aboriculture, in conjunction with the Utility Arborists Association,” Tidd says. “We also try to educate members about why we cut trees and why we use techniques like directional pruning, so trees grow away from power lines.”

Tidd, who has a bachelor’s degree in forestry and is ISA-certified as an arborist and utility specialist, works with members to find solutions agreeable to them and to the co-op.

“Communication is key,” he says. “Our work planner goes out ahead of crews, notifying members so they’re not surprised and so we can find the happy medium of how much we’re going to cut.”

Consolidated’s efforts have earned the co-op recognition as a Tree Line USA-certified utility through the Arbor Day Foundation, which promotes safe, reliable service and healthier forests.

Washington Electric Cooperative has the challenge of lines that go through the Wayne National Forest. “The national forest has its own rules, paying attention to the needs of wildlife and the health of the forest,” says Kenneth Angle, the co-op’s operations foreman. “We notify them any time we’re going to work in the forest. They understand what we need to do for our members and we understand that we have to be good stewards of the environment.”

All members benefit when co-ops do a good job managing their rights-of-way.

“With more bad storms recently, people are coming to understand the importance of vegetation management,” Tidd says. “No one likes to be out of power or without internet.”

Continued from page 5

Electric. “We work to find the best and most cost-effective way to manage it for the short term and the long term.”

Aerial and ground approaches

Given the rugged, wooded territory typical of the eastern and southern portions of the state, including areas served by Washington Electric, those contractors often need a unique set of skills — as Nancy Thompson witnessed during that helicopter visit in June. “It’s like a huge cliff there, into that ravine,” Thompson says. “I don’t know how they could ever do it without a helicopter. I really appreciate all they do to keep my electricity on.”

In addition to providing access where ground equipment would have trouble reaching, a helicopter provides other advantages, Angle says. “The helicopter can clear from the ground to the sky without tearing up the ground, and it can do in minutes what could otherwise take days.”

Meanwhile, Frontier Power’s employees use a combination of specialized equipment as they undertake a ground assault on vegetation in rights-of-way. “We do side-trimming with a Jarraff, which is like an industrial tractor with a 70-foot telescoping boom,” Cramblett says. “It can get us access into tough places, in many conditions, and it saves our guys from having to climb trees to side-trim the edges of the ROW.”

The Jarraff is followed by two different types of mowers, including a Fecon, which mulches the vegetation that has

been trimmed, and a skid steer with a brush hog, a rotarytype mower, to tackle briars and smaller vegetation.

Keeping things clear

Once a section of right-of-way has been cleared, the challenge is to keep it that way. Crews spray herbicide to keep vegetation from growing back too quickly. “Herbicide gives us a few years before the woody vegetation starts to come back,” Cramblett says. “If we didn’t spray, we would have to double up how much trimming and mowing we do.”

Angle says the herbicide co-ops use is safe and encourages growth of grass and low-growing plants that support pollinators and wildlife. “It helps to create good habitat for deer to graze and for turkeys, and the way we cut the rightof-way, the brush along the sides gives small animals places to hide,” he says. “It’s a win-win for us and the varmints.”

Getting the job done

However cooperatives achieve vegetation management, they all want members to understand that the efforts are focused on meeting members’ needs and expectations.

“We’ve got a plan and a job to do,” Cramblett says. “When we do it, members are going to find that their power is more reliable down the road. When a storm comes through, there will be fewer outages and the duration will be a lot less when we’ve cleared the rights-of-way.”

Technological advancements

Ohio

co-ops rely mostly on tried-and-true methods of vegetation management — following rotation schedules, trimming, mowing, and spraying on set timelines — but some technological tools may provide additional help in the future.

Co-ops can assess rights-of-way without sending personnel out to inspect all lines: for example, by using high-resolution satellite imagery for an up-close view from above, or LiDAR, which stands for “light detection and ranging” and gives exact, three-dimensional data about the shape of the surface around utility assets.

While they are promising options, both can be cost-prohibitive, says Joshua Smock, GIS and engineering specialist at Butler Rural Electric Cooperative in Oxford.

One technology application that’s more practical, especially for small- to medium-sized co-ops, is using drones with cameras to get views of lines and ROW areas, Smock says.

Butler, in fact, recently completed a program with Miami University geographic information systems students, performing drone-based inspections focused on mapping and evaluating utility rights-of-way. The partnership provided real-world experience for the students while helping the co-op evaluate the benefits of drone-based inspections.

Butler is now in the process of developing an ongoing drone program that will help with vegetation management and equipment inspection, among other benefits.

“You have a better view of the tree canopy from above than from below,” Smock says. “Drones can help us see any encroachment of trees in the right-of-way that could cause problems.”

Additionally, drones allow access to hard-toreach places. “It’s faster and cheaper to send someone to scout with a drone in areas that might not be easily accessible for crews on the ground,” Smock says.

Meant

to be

Co-op couple makes dreams come true, one gig at a time.

BY MARGIE WUEBKER

Dalton Hesson made his singing debut with a rendition of “Folsom Prison Blues” at the North Star Community Picnic in Darke County when he was 6 years old. He took piano lessons for more than four years and his parents gave him a guitar when he was 12

Delaney Moore, meanwhile, firmly believes she sang before she talked. She says her parents supported her musical interests from the start, with years of vocal training, and have always been her biggest fans as she sang at church, school events, and community theater.

Hesson grew up in Darke County, where he and his family are members of Darke Rural Electric Cooperative; Moore hails from Fairfield County, where she and her family are members of South Central Power Company.

Both joined Future Farmers of America at their respective high schools, and both attended the national FFA convention in 2022, where, as fate would have it, both entered the talent competition. Hesson strummed his guitar and sang his way into the top 15; Moore finished third.

Soon, they were Dalton & Delaney, performing at clubs and events with a mix of covers and original songs that span the musical spectrum.

“Growing up, we approached music from different angles,” Moore says. “I’m so glad Dalton came along. What we once did differently, we now do together.”

“We had to go all the way to Indianapolis to meet,” Hesson says with a smile. “I may write the songs, but Delaney brings them to life with her beautiful voice.”

The first few years after that fateful meeting have been busy with plenty besides music. Hesson attended Edison State College and then Franklin University and now works as a loan officer at a bank in Greenville. Moore is currently studying agricultural communications and public relations while working at a communications firm in Lancaster. In June, they got engaged.

In addition to balancing their careers, the duo performs at various venues across the state. Gigs generally take place on Saturdays, but occasionally the weekend stretches to include two or even three performances.

Hesson enjoys the challenge of writing original songs like “The Country Girl in Me,” which celebrates their involvement in agriculture and life in a rural area. Another of their originals, “Here’s to You,” often evokes a mix of emotions — and not only from the audience.

“I wrote it in the course of one night as a tribute to my cousin’s fiancé, who died in a farming accident,” he says. “Not all songs flow that easily.”

Moore, who also wants to try her hand at songwriting, is convinced music connects with people and helps them deal with challenges and uncertainties in life. She hopes their collaborative efforts will lead to professional recordings in the future.

It’s already led to a performance at one of the premier music events in the country. From the time he was young, Hesson says, he dreamed of performing at the annual Country Concert, which takes place in Fort Loramie, about 20 minutes from where he grew up, and draws nearly 80,000 fans over the course of a weekend.

That dream came true after the couple won a “Get the Gig” competition last year.

“I knew I wanted to play one of the stages out there, but I never thought that was possible,” he says. “We are so grateful for all the people who showed up and supported us to make performing at Country Concert everything we dreamed it would be and more.”

Moore was amazed at the size of the crowd, which included many relatives and friends. “Dalton’s parents rented a big party bus and showed up with 40 to 50 people on a Wednesday night,” she says. “It was so awesome.”

To learn more, visit www.daltondelaneymusic. com. New bookings are being added all the time, usually announced on the Dalton & Delaney Facebook page.

Aerial angler

The belted kingfisher rewards intrepid birders with some dramatic scenes.

STORY AND PHOTO BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS

It’s entirely possible I was a belted kingfisher in a former life. The ultimate introverts of the bird world, kingfishers only spend time with others of their kind when raising their young; other than that, they’re fishing.

Every accomplished angler has learned the lesson of patience, and the belted kingfisher is the quintessential example. The medium-sized, blue-and-white bird (picture a blue jay with a Bart Simpson haircut) will either perch on a dead snag or hover in midair along the edge of a lake, river, or stream, staring intently into the water below. When opportunity presents itself in the form of a fish near the surface, the bird will suddenly hit the water face-first, leading with its stiletto-like beak to snag its prey.

It’s one of the most intriguing sights in all of nature. Whether from a perch or a hover, the bird folds its wings and drops like a rock, hitting the water with

a splash. Within a split second, an opaque nictitating membrane — a kingfisher’s third eyelid — closes horizontally over the eyeball to help protect it under water. The kingfisher doesn’t spear the fish, but instead grabs it between its upper and lower jawbones. The bird then pivots 180 degrees and allows the natural buoyancy of its body to pull it back to the surface, where it spreads its wings and pushes off into the air with its prize.

Jim McCormac, the author of the identification guide Birds of Ohio, describes what happens next: “The unfortunate victim is taken back to the perch, where it is often savagely pounded against an unyielding surface until stunned, at which point the kingfisher gulps it down.”

Experienced birders, however, know it takes a sharp eye and a pair of powerful binoculars to see the exceptionally wary kingfisher up close. All a beginning birder usually gets is a quick glimpse of a disappearing blue blur and a loud, raucous, rattling call. Kingfishers have half a dozen common colloquial names, but one of the most descriptive is “fly-up-the-creek,” because that’s usually all you see of the bird. They are hardy birds, often overwintering in Ohio as long as there is enough open water in which to fish, so watch for them year-round.

tunnel, they hollow out a round nesting chamber, which the female fills with five to eight translucent white eggs. Incubation lasts about 24 days, and the mated pair alternates sitting on the eggs. Once the young birds hatch, the female broods the young while the male keeps busy fishing for the family. It isn’t long, however, before the voracious appetites of the young kingfishers — who can eat from one to nearly two times their weight in fish daily — keep both parents fishing fulltime. The young birds leave the nest after about five weeks, and learn to fish on their own a week or two after that. From that time on, young kingfishers will make their own solitary way in the world until taking a mate the following summer.

Unlike most birds, female kingfishers are more colorful than the males. Both sexes sport a blue-gray chest band, but the female also boasts a rust-colored belly band. After breeding, the pair nest by excavating a horizontal tunnel several feet long into a steep earthen riverbank. They take turns digging with their bills, pushing the dirt out behind them with their feet. At the end of the

Although kingfishers eat mainly fish, I once saw a short video clip taken by a friend’s trail camera of a male kingfisher bringing a sizable frog, which he had already beaten senseless, to his mate. The female kingfisher came to the entrance of the nesting tunnel and unceremoniously — without so much as a “Thanks, Honey” — grabbed the frog by the nape of the neck with her beak and pulled it backward into the tunnel. It looked like a gangster movie in which the unconscious hero is dragged through a door in a dark alleyway by the bad guys. Only in this case, I don’t think our “hero” survived to save the damsel in distress.

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Go cobs of

Summerhaveyoucraving thesweettasteofcorn? We’vegotyoucovered!

CORN COB CHOWDER

Cook: 40 minutes | Servings: 8

6 to 8 fresh corn cobs, shucked

8 cups water

1 teaspoon salt

1 pound redskin potatoes, ½-inch dice

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 medium carrot, grated

1 medium yellow onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

3 large tomatoes, diced

1 small zucchini, grated

2 cubes vegetable bouillon

½ teaspoon pepper

small bunch fresh basil, chiffonade

With a sharp knife, cut kernels from corn cobs. Store kernels in fridge for now. In a large stockpot, bring corn cobs, water, and salt to a boil; lower heat to medium, cover, and cook 25 minutes. Use tongs to transfer cobs to a strainer; once cooled to the touch, use the back side of a knife to pop remaining soft corn out of the cobs into stockpot, then discard cobs. Add potatoes to stockpot and bring to a boil once more; lower heat to medium, cover, and cook 8 to 10 minutes, until potatoes are tender when pricked with a fork.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and sauté carrot and onion until onion is soft and translucent. Add garlic, stirring another minute. When potatoes are cooked, transfer contents from skillet to the stockpot, then stir in corn from fridge, tomatoes, zucchini, bouillon, and pepper; continue cooking until heated through. Stir basil into chowder or sprinkle on top.

Per serving: 110 calories, 2 grams fat (1 gram saturated fat), 21 grams total carbohydrates, 4 milligrams cholesterol, 600 milligrams sodium, 3 grams fiber, 3 grams protein.

SWEET CORN COOKIES

Prep: 30 minutes | Bake: 15 minutes | Servings: 30

2 cups flour

½ cup masa harina (corn flour)*

½ cup yellow cornmeal

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup honey

1 large egg

2/3 cup whole pecans

In a large bowl, mix together dry ingredients (flour through salt) until well combined. In the bowl of a stand mixer with whisk attachment, cream butter, sugar, and honey until fluffy and light in color. Add egg, mixing and scraping until fully incorporated. Add flour mixture, mixing on low at first, then increase speed to medium until just combined. If dough is crumbly, slowly drizzle in a teaspoon of water at a time while mixing on medium speed until dough sticks together and holds its form.

Preheat oven to 325 F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. With a large spoon, loosely form dough into 2-inch balls (if weighed, 34 grams each), space them 2 inches apart, and press a pecan into the center of each.

Bake 12 to 14 minutes until edges are a medium golden and set. (For a slightly toasty or crunchy cookie, let them brown all over, an extra 2 to 3 minutes.) Place cookie sheet on a trivet and let cookies cool 10 minutes before transferring. (If reusing cookie sheet, ensure it's fully cooled so the butter doesn't run out of the dough.) Store cookies in an airtight container for up to three days. Makes 30 (2½ dozen) cookies.

*Masa harina, or corn flour, is commonly found in the baking aisle with other flours. Two popular brands are MASECA and Bob's Red Mill.

Per cookie: 155 calories, 8 grams fat (4 grams saturated fat), 20 grams total carbohydrates, 22 milligrams cholesterol, 64 milligrams sodium, 1 gram fiber, 2 grams protein.

BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALSA

Prep: 10 minutes | Servings: 8

1½ cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)

2 Roma tomatoes, diced small

½ bell pepper, diced small

1 clove garlic

small jalapeno, seeds removed (optional)

½ cup cilantro leaves

small handful of chives

1 large lime, zested and juiced

¼ cup olive oil

15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed

In a medium bowl, mix together corn, tomatoes, and bell pepper. With a small food processor or immersion blender, pulse garlic through olive oil until a creamy dressing is formed. Pour dressing over the mixture, stirring to coat, then fold in black beans. Serve with tortilla chips or get creative by adding it to salads, tacos, fish, meat, or rice dishes. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to four days. Stir each time just before serving.

Per serving: 131 calories, 8 grams fat (1 gram saturated fat), 12 grams total carbohydrates, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 127 milligrams sodium, 3 grams fiber, 4 grams protein.

PULLED PORK ON CORN CAKES

Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 20 minutes | Servings: 6*

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2¼ cups whole buttermilk

1¼ cups cornmeal

¾ cup flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1½ pounds pre-made BBQ pulled pork minced chives, optional

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add buttermilk and cornmeal, whisking until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool 10 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk together flour through salt. Whisk eggs into cooled cornmeal mixture, then fold in flour mixture with spatula until fully combined.

Heat an electric skillet to 325 F (or a large skillet over medium heat) and coat lightly with cooking spray. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of batter into skillet and spread it a bit with the back of a spoon. Repeat, cooking a few at a time, about 90 seconds per side. Meanwhile, heat up the pulled pork so it's ready when the pancakes are finished. Using tongs, plate pancakes, then top with pulled pork and sprinkle with chives, if desired.

*This recipe makes about 36 miniature pancakes, serving 12 as an appetizer or six as a main course.

Per main-course serving: 620 calories, 31 grams fat (13 grams saturated fat), 49 grams total carbohydrates, 183 milligrams cholesterol, 1,367 milligrams sodium, 2 grams fiber, 33 grams protein.

Exploring AI’s potential for improved service and reliability

Like it or not, artificial intelligence seems inescapable. Even a quick Google search produces an AI-generated smorgasbord of results, rather than a simple list of links. AI is even shaping conversations about the future of energy.

While news headlines often focus on the rapid growth of AI, electric cooperatives are taking a measured approach to understanding how these tools might help improve service for the local communities we serve.

For Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, our goal is not to adopt AI technology simply because it’s new. Instead, any tool or innovation must provide a clear benefit to our members, whether that’s improving power reliability, increasing operational efficiency, or helping our team make better-informed decisions. As we explore AI tools, we are doing so cautiously, evaluating where it can add value while maintaining a strong focus on member needs, privacy, and system reliability.

One area where AI shows promise is electricity load forecasting. Electric demand changes throughout the day and fluctuates significantly during periods of extreme weather. Advanced forecasting tools can analyze historical data, weather patterns, and additional factors to help predict when electricity use is likely to increase. Better forecasts allow us to prepare for higher demand, manage resources more effectively, and support reliable service during peak periods.

Al tools are also being used to provide additional information to consumers to allow them to make better decisions regarding their energy use. The enhanced data analytics tool available through SmartHub is one such application. This tool looks at energy patterns and information you provide regarding your home setup. The result is an energy report showing you a detailed breakdown of where your energy dollars are being spent.

Other tools being investigated in the industry involve the use of image recognition to help monitor vegetation

growth near power lines and predict areas where it may become problematic, allowing the utility to concentrate efforts in areas where it is most effective. As a small cooperative, we need our technology use to be cost-effective and we have not adopted this technology. But, we can see it becoming more cost-effective as it develops and we’re investigating the use of drones to possibly be a source of this type of imagery.

Beyond the electric system itself, AI could also improve day-to-day operations. For example, AI tools can assist office employees by summarizing lengthy reports, organizing member feedback, and analyzing large amounts of data. These types of tools could help our team spend less time on repetitive administrative tasks and more time focusing on members and addressing our community’s energy needs.

Even with these potential benefits, we recognize AI is not a cure-all. Human oversight remains essential, and decisions that affect our members will never rely solely on automated systems.

As AI tools evolve, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative will continue exploring their potential. But, as with any new technology, adoption will be guided by a simple principle — if an AI tool helps improve reliability, efficiency, or services for our members, it’s worth considering. If it doesn’t, we will continue exploring solutions that do.

THIS MONTH’S BILLS WERE MAILED AUGUST 6 AND ARE DUE AUGUST 20 See next page for

THIS MONTH’S BILLS WERE MAILED

AUGUST 6 AND ARE DUE AUGUST 20

Consider the convenient, secure payment options below to avoid mail delays and late fees.

AUTO PAY

Reduce the stress of missing a payment or receiving a late charge by having your payment automatically removed from your checking or savings account on the due date.

Follow these steps to enroll in Auto Pay:

1. Log in to SmartHub

2. Select Bill & Pay then Auto Pay Program

3. Accept the Auto Pay Terms & Conditions

4. Select Enroll under Auto Pay Enrollment

5. Follow the instructions and continue paying your bill until your statement reads “Automatic Payment –DO NOT PAY!”

ONLINE

Pay online through SmartHub by visiting butlerrural.coop or download the SmartHub app. If you don’t want to create a SmartHub account, use the Pay Now tab on the home screen of our website to quickly and securely make a payment.

MOBILE APP

Easily manage your account on the go and make payments with our free SmartHub app. Available on the App Store or Google Play Store — search for SmartHub.

PHONE

Call 855-940-3867 to use our Self-Serve phone number. The automated system allows you to pay your bill 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also call our office at 513-867-4400 during normal business hours to pay with a card.

COOPERATIVE’S OFFICE

Pay your bill at the cooperative’s office at 3888 Stillwell Beckett Road in Oxford, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Our office has a drop box that can be used to make payments after hours or on the weekends. Please, do not put cash in the drop box.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANK

Pay your electric bill at any First Financial Bank location with no charge. Visit the bank’s website for branch locations. Payments may take up to 24 hours (during normal business hours) to be received.

BILL CREDIT WINNERS

Did you attend our annual meeting in April? If so, you could be the winner of a $50 bill credit. Congratulations to the June winners!

Deborah Canaan • Douglas Craig • Georgia Enneking • Greg Fields • Troy Swearingen

Managing notifications in SmartHub

Managing your notifications in SmartHub will ensure you receive app, text, and/or email alerts with information on planned outages, billing issues, and co-op news and events. Here are the steps to manage your SmartHub notifications in your SmartHub online portal.

MANAGING NOTIFICATIONS THROUGH SMARTHUB

1. Log into SmartHub through our website or using the free SmartHub mobile app.

2. Click Settings > Manage Notifications.

3. Click which notifications you wish to receive. Descriptions of these notifications are available in SmartHub. Notifications include:

• Billing

• Consumer Analytics

• Miscellaneous • On Demand

Service

Usage

4. Choose the applicable email address or phone number.

5. You will need to click on each notification preference for each email address and phone number.

WHAT IF YOUR PHONE NUMBER IS GRAYED OUT?

If your phone number is grayed out in the Manage Notifications section, here’s what to do:

1. Navigate to the SmartHub home page.

2. Click Settings > Contact Methods.

3. Click the pencil icon for the applicable phone number.

4. You may have a contact in the system that has not been verified. If that is the case, click “Confirm Contact” under “Additional Contacts on File.”

• RECEIVE TEXT MESSAGE

Choose “yes” to receive text messages. You will then receive a text with a verification code to verify your account.

• PLACE ON DO NOT CALL LIST

Choose “no” to ensure you receive all information about scheduled outages and service improvements. Choosing yes prohibits you from receiving this information via phone call.

• RECEIVE VOICE CALLS

Choose “yes” and accept the terms to ensure we can reach you with a live, one-to-one voice call as necessary.

5. You can then adjust the following notification settings, accept the Terms & Conditions, and save.

6. Then, return to the Manage Notifications section and follow steps 3 through 5 of Managing Notifications Through SmartHub to manage your notifications.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to a member service representative by calling 513-867-4400 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Download the free SmartHub app to stay connected, pay your bill, and view energy use.

Emerging AI tools for better service

Electric co-ops are already exploring AI for a variety of applications that improve service and reliability and ultimately benefit members.

• Electricity load forecasting: Prompt-based tools help predict periods of high electricity use, helping prepare for increased demand.

• Energy use patterns: These tools provide detailed estimates to members regarding their energy use.

• Office productivity: AI tools can help summarize safety reports, organize feedback, and analyze data to better

We offer a 50% rebate ($150 maximum) for the purchase of new smart thermostats. The thermostats must be new and Energy Star-rated at the time of purchase and installation. The residential home where the smart thermostat is installed must have broadband access and the thermostat must be Wi-Fi connected. A maximum of two rebates, one for each new qualifying smart thermostat purchased and installed, will be paid per member. This rebate will be applied as a credit on your electric bill.

Take the stress out of paying your electric bill with

BUDGET BILLING

Would you like to make managing your monthly finances easier? How about paying a similar amount each month for electricity? We’re here to help take the stress out of paying your bill!

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s budget billing program offers members a convenient way to plan their budget by leveling their electric payment each month. The monthly budget amount is based on 12 months of consumption history and is determined by your average monthly amount. This average amount is what you will pay each month.

To be eligible for the budget billing program, members must have a $0 balance on their account.

Interested in signing up or learning more? Give us a call at 513-867-4400!

3888 Stillwell Beckett Road, Oxford, OH 45056

Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Stealing electricity and meter tampering are crimes

Stealing electricity and tampering with utility equipment is against the law. A person does not have to be seen tampering with a meter to be held responsible for the action.

Theft of a utility service is a first-degree misdemeanor if the value of the stolen electricity plus any utility equipment repair is less than $150. It’s a fourth-degree felony if the value is more than $150 or if the offender was previously convicted of the charge.

Tampering is interfering with, damaging, or bypassing a utility meter, conduit, or attachment with the intent to impede the correct registration of a meter or the proper function of a conduit or attachments. Conviction can cost up to five years in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Meter tampering costs all of us — the cooperative and the members we serve. Not to mention it’s downright dangerous. If you witness someone tampering with an electric meter, contact Butler Rural Electric Cooperative at 513-867-4400

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative earns two national Spotlight on Excellence awards

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative was recently recognized for outstanding communication excellence, earning two Spotlight on Excellence awards. The cooperative received a gold award for its mail delay strategic communication campaign and a silver award for its member value strategic communication campaign.

The mail delay strategic communication campaign helped members navigate challenges related to mail delivery disruptions by providing clear updates and alternative payment options. The campaign ensured members had the information they needed to avoid service interruptions and manage their accounts with confidence.

The member value strategic communication campaign highlighted the many benefits of cooperative membership, including reliability, local service, and the cooperative principle of putting members first. The campaign helped strengthen member understanding of the value they receive beyond electric service and led to the cooperative receiving its highest member satisfaction score.

The recognition reflects Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s ongoing dedication to excellence and its focus on delivering meaningful value to every member.

Jade Guthrie MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

The awards were presented to Jade Guthrie, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s manager of communications and marketing. The awards reflect the cooperative’s commitment to keeping members informed and engaged through effective, timely communication.

Butler Rural Community Connection provides grants to local nonprofit groups, schools, and organizations in Butler, Preble, Hamilton, and Montgomery counties. Funds for the program come from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative members and employees who voluntarily contribute to Community Connection. Some members choose to allow their monthly electric bills to be rounded to the next dollar amount and the extra change is allocated to Community Connection. Other members and employees choose to donate a specific amount each month or give a one-time donation. Thank you to those who contribute to Community Connection!

Past grants funded:

• School sensory paths

• Playgrounds for parks

• Food shelters

• Animal rehab shelters

• AEDs for community locations

• Teacher classroom materials

• Accessible wheelchair swings

• Senior citizen home repair costs

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

POWERING EDUCATION

Mapping utility right-of-way using GIS and drone technology

When classroom learning meets real-world utility work, the results can reshape how students prepare for their careers and how organizations approach innovation. That was the case when Miami University’s geographic information system, or GIS, students partnered with Butler Rural Electric Cooperative on a series of drone-based utility inspection projects focused on mapping and evaluating utility right-of-way.

The collaboration began through conversations between Robbyn Abbitt, a Miami University faculty member, and Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s engineering department during a GIS and drone workshop. What started as a networking discussion quickly evolved into an opportunity for students to apply GIS, drone technology, and field research to utility infrastructure challenges.

At the center of the partnership was a shared goal — giving students meaningful industry experience while helping the

cooperative explore whether drone-based inspections could become a practical in-house solution for monitoring pole lines and utility assets.

Three groups — each including a drone team, GPS team, and data processing team — worked together on the project. One team flew drones while one was on foot, gathering GPS points of the electric assets. The data processing group finalized the field teams’ findings. The groups worked together to make different mapping web applications and dashboards for Butler Rural Electric Cooperative to review.

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative selected project sites that are outage-prone and close in proximity to the cooperative’s office and Miami University’s campus. The cooperative’s engineering department focused on areas that would show students the difficulties the cooperative, utilities, and the energy industry face and how GIS and drone technology tools can help.

For students, the project extended far beyond technical GIS exercises. Teams were expected to communicate professionally with clients, manage timelines, divide responsibilities, and deliver polished reports and presentations. Students also had to adapt quickly in the field by learning drone operations, troubleshooting GIS databases, and working through unpredictable weather conditions.

“Real-world applications are critical to preparing students to be competitive in the job market,” says Robbyn Abbitt, Miami University professor and Butler Rural Electric Cooperative member. “The more students are exposed to how industry applications work for organizations, the more comfortable they are in those environments.”

One student team focused on Governor Bebb MetroPark in Okeana, where the cooperative’s engineering department is exploring the conversion of overhead utility infrastructure to underground service to improve reliability in an outage prone corridor. Using drones, the students mapped utility poles, analyzed potential flight

paths, and identified environmental obstacles along the route.

Samantha Besel, a junior majoring in zoology and environmental science, said the project aligns closely with her interest in forestry and environmental work. She also noted one of the most valuable lessons came from collaborating within a team. “We were able to pave our own path at some point in the project,” she reflected afterward, highlighting the balance between structure and independence that defined the experience.

Another group conducted a GIS-based assessment at Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s community solar field in Oxford. By capturing aerial imagery and managing large datasets, students evaluated site conditions and infrastructure health while gaining experience with advanced GIS applications and data management platforms.

A third team surveyed a utility line corridor between Booth Road and Talawanda High School, examining the condition of poles across rural terrain. Their final map identified poles in good condition as well as assets requiring maintenance or replacement. During the inspection process, students even discovered pole damage caused by woodpeckers near the top of one structure. This is an example of the detailed observations drone technology can reveal.

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

While the projects produced valuable deliverables for Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, the broader impact is in how cooperative employees prepared students for the realities of professional GIS and utility work. Field conditions were not always ideal. Bitter cold, high winds, equipment issues, and data inconsistencies all became part of the learning process. “I was surprised how the students adapted well to challenges,” says Joshua Smock, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s GIS and engineering specialist. “They stayed engaged and curious, asking questions all semester.”

In the end, success was measured not only in maps, imagery, or inspections completed, but in confidence gained. Students left the experience with professionallevel projects, client interaction experience, and a clearer understanding of how GIS technology supports modern utility operations. For Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, the partnership demonstrated that drone-assisted inspections could be practical and effective for future inhouse operations.

As utilities increasingly rely on GIS, remote sensing, and drone technology, collaborations like this help build the next generation of professionals ready to power the industry forward.

2027 ELECTION DISTRICTS 1, 2, & 5

Did you know Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is member-owned and operated? Co-ops are democratic organizations whose members have equal voting rights and can influence policies and decisions by participating in co-op elections. This concept — called Democratic Member Control — is one of the cooperative principles that guide our daily operations.

Three board seats are up for election in 2027 –District 1 (Oxford and Reily townships), District 2 (Milford Township), and District 5 (Madison and

HOW TO BECOME A CANDIDATE

Wayne townships). David Evans holds the seat for District 1, Jim Meador holds the seat for District 2, and Vickie Jo Barger holds the seat for District 5. These board members can run for re-election if they choose.

Members living in Madison, Milford, Oxford, Reily, and Wayne townships can run for and be elected to serve on the board of trustees. Board members help make decisions on the members’ behalf and ensure the co-op always operates in the best interest of its members.

If you’re interested in being considered for the upcoming election, contact Butler Rural Electric Cooperative at 513-867-4400 or visit butlerrural.coop to have your name referred to the nominating committee.

ELECTION TIMELINE

JULY 2026

13th

Nominating committee meets with co-op’s attorney to discuss the committee’s responsibilities and the election.

AUGUST 2026

Members living in districts 1, 2, and 5 receive mail and email notices letting them know they can run for the board of trustees. Interested members can contact the co-op to receive a Trustee Handbook and candidate information form, which is similar to an application.

SEPTEMBER 2026

14th

Nominating committee meets with attorney to discuss board candidates and develop a plan to recruit candidates.

OCTOBER 2026

14th

Deadline for members to apply to run for the board of trustees.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The nominating committee members listed below are responsible for choosing qualified candidates to run for the board of trustees. The committee will meet in July, September, and November 2026 to prepare for the election.

District 1

Oxford and Reily townships

Mike Egbert

Susan Rooney

District 2

Milford Township

Kevin Blakley

Bob Ison

District 3

Israel and Somers townships

Ted Cornthwaite

Lewis Willeford

District 4

German and Gratis townships

Christine Geisen

Alayna Lyon

District 5

Madison and Wayne townships

Christopher Flowers

Steven Wells

District 6

Morgan Township

Tom Boyd

Ryan Shupp

District 7

Hanover and St. Clair townships

Ralph Gross

Edward Ulreich

District 8

Colerain, Crosby, and Harrison townships

Risa Dole

Christina Vennemeier

District 9

Fairfield and Ross townships

Kenneth Estep

Peter Meyer

Board members serve three-year terms and are entrusted with reviewing policies, assessing financial performance, and ensuring the cooperative continues to serve members with safe, reliable, and affordable electricity.

This is your opportunity to step into a leadership role, represent your cooperative, and help guide the future of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative.

NOVEMBER 2026

16th

Nominating committee interviews members running for the board. Committee selects up to two candidates for each district after the interviews.

DECEMBER 2026

31st

Petitions due at co-op’s office. Qualified members can submit petitions with 25 member signatures to run for the board.

JANUARY 2027

11th

Nominating committee interviews candidate(s) who filed petitions, if needed.

MARCH 2027

22nd Election begins. Members can vote for one candidate in each district. Voting is completed by mail, online, or through SmartHub.

April 2027

27th

Election ends

29th

Annual meeting Election results announced

INTERESTED IN SOLAR

WITHOUT THE COST OF INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE?

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative members can go green this summer with Butler Rural Community Solar! Members can purchase a subscription to up to ten panels at our coop’s community solar array, guaranteeing them access to one of the cleanest and most affordable renewable energy sources available.

SOME OF THE BENEFITS:

No up-front or maintenance costs

Protected against inflation

No changes to your property or installation barriers

Immediately available solar power

Learn more about Butler Rural Community Solar, view a sample bill, and subscribe at butlerrural.coop or call 513-867-4400.

Access your electric use, pay your bill, and report outages through our free SmartHub app.

Busy as a

From plant pollination to honey production, honeybees (and their keepers) are vital to Ohio’s thriving agriculture.

BY THERESA RAVENCRAFT

They might be easy to take for granted, but honeybees make a significant contribution to your daily diet.

Honeybees pollinate at least 70 crops produced in Ohio each year, including apples, pumpkins, cucumbers, strawberries, and sunflowers.

“Every third bite of food or drink we consume, honeybee pollination had something to do with it,” says David Heilman, owner of Ohio Honey Farms in Wooster and a member of Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative. “Honeybees aren’t the only pollinators, but they account for about 80% of the pollination of U.S.-grown crops.”

Honeyrun Farms keeps 400 hives of honeybees, focusing their efforts on seasonal honey production and the pollination of apple orchards in central Ohio.

Honeybee pollination increases fruit and seed production, meaning higher yields. It also enhances crop quality by improving size and flavor of produce. Pollination also supports ecosystem health by maintaining biodiversity.

Heilman manages nearly 800 hives, which he hires out to farmers. Half of his hives travel out of state, but he estimates his bees alone help Ohio growers produce $10 million to $15 million worth of crops each year.

Oh, and by the way, those busy workers also make one of the more luscious food products on the planet. Heilman’s bees produce more than 35,000 pounds of honey annually.

Operating a honeybee farm is not an easy job, and beekeepers and their hives face numerous challenges. Honeyrun Farm is a small family-operated farm owned by Isaac and Jayne Barnes just outside Williamsport in Pickaway County, where they are members of Lancasterbased South Central Power Company.

“Increased farmland development and greater use of chemical sprays on farm fields threaten honeybees,” says Jayne Barnes. “Farmers often remove tree lines between fields to maximize the amount of land that can be farmed, and that decreases bees’ access to forage on trees and wildflowers.”

Parasitic mites and drastic changes in the weather also play a significant role in the loss of honeybees each year. Doug Fitch is owner of Fitch Pharm Farm in Ashland, where he is a retired pharmacist, farmer, and maple syrup producer. A member of Firelands Electric Cooperative, he’s also been a beekeeper for the past 38 years.

You can help

Apiarists say homeowners can do a few simple things to make life easier for honeybees:

• Replace annuals with pollinator-attracting perennials in landscaping

• Reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides

• Buy honey from local honey producers

“We gather feral bees from old barns and houses with swarm traps and use them to strengthen our hives,” Fitch says. “It is survival of the fittest. These bees are the strongest and know how to survive cold winters, and they produce the best honey.”

Sweetness

If you’re looking to buy honey in your area or are interested in beekeeping, these honeybee farms are among those you might turn to (*indicates an Ohio electric cooperative member):

Bee Barn of Southeast Ohio

450 Coffman Road, Marietta; 740-516-0421

Along with honey, the Bee Barn sells a full line of beekeeping equipment, including Honey B Healthy products, bee suits, gloves, and more.

Bee Dad Honeybees

470 Sunbury Meadows Drive, Sunbury; 440-781-5635

Nick Szucs not only owns Bee Dad, he’s also a parttime registered nurse and full-time stay-at-home dad. He sells bees and honey and enjoys preparing each hive for the season ahead.

Cherry City Honey Farm and Apiary

1000 County Road 312, Bellevue; 567-228-0455

Visit Cherry City Honey to discover the rich flavors and educational experiences, including workshops at the farm, tour bus presentations, bee equipment, and recipes using honey on their website.

Combs Bee Farm

235 W. Center St., Milford Center; 937-537-1739

Combs Bee Farm specializes in beeswax, raw local honey, bee equipment, and handmade soap. Through a USDA-funded project, Combs is working to improve the quality of queen bees and promote disease prevention.

*Don Popp’s Honey Farm 3134 Oxford Middletown Road, Hamilton; 513-312-1427

This vast farm on the western Ohio border maintains more than 1,900 hives. A member of Butler Rural Electric, Popp’s Honey Farm produces honey and distributes products throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.

*Fitch Pharm Farm 1591 Township Road 1353, Ashland; 419-281-4407

Firelands Electric

Cooperative member Doug Fitch and his family take pride in running a natural farm, where they produce maple syrup, pancake mix at their grist mill, and raw honey from 24 hives.

Hartville Honey Bee Farm

2644 Wright Road NW, Uniontown; 330-324-6023

Nana’s

Honey

24062 Hull Prairie Road, Perrysburg; 419-367-9192

Hartville Honey produces 100% pure wildflower honey straight from the hive to the jar. The farm also sells bees and queens, and rents bee equipment, including beehive kits.

*Honeyrun Farm

9642 Randle Road, Williamsport; 330-763-4752

Isaac and Jayne Barnes, members of South Central Power Company, try to be good stewards as owners of Honeyrun Farm, where they produce several varieties of honey, hand-crafted soap, and beeswax candles. “We strive to produce environmentally mindful goods while ensuring the health and survival of our honeybees,” says Jayne Barnes.

Kline Honey Bee Farm

3015 OH-14, Rootstown; 330-730-4044

Kline Honey Bee Farm is a 34acre, century-old working farm in Rootstown that takes pride in supporting the community and bringing fresh, pure products right to the kitchen table.

Mike’s Bees and Honey

8735 County Road 304, Forest; 419-365-9922

Mike Jablonski learned his beekeeping skills from his grandfather and has been working with bees since the age of 13. He specializes in quality queen bees, nucs, and bee services.

Don’t blink or you just might miss the little cabin in Perrysburg known as Nana’s Honey Hive. Stop in to talk with the owner about bees and shop for quality raw honey and products made from wax.

*Ohio Honey Farms

4346 Lattasburg Road, Wooster; 330-466-7162

With nearly 800 hives, HolmesWayne Electric Cooperative member Dave Heilman hires out his bees to farmers both in Ohio and out of state for pollination. He produces honey, beeswax, and queen bees for sale.

*Weiss Honeybee Farms

6334 Dayton-Brandt Road, Tipp City; 513-549-3131

Members of Pioneer Electric Cooperative, the Weiss family has been producing and selling honey since 2019. “We strive to bring the honey straight from the hive to your table,” says Bernie Weiss.

*Williams Honey Bees

46 Porter Ave. #8011, Frankfort; 740-998-4380

Dan and Cortney Williams have turned their hobby into one of the largest queen bee-rearing operations in the state. With more than 800 hives, the South Central Power Company members make honey and use their beeswax to make soaps and lip balm.

Hope springs eternal

There are hundreds of tempting natural springs in Ohio — but make sure to think before you drink!

STORY AND PHOTOS BY KEVIN WILLIAMS

It was a cloudy, misty afternoon that belied the spring season when my children and I arrived at Glen Helen Nature Preserve near Yellow Springs, in search of the nearby town’s iconic namesake.

We had heard tales of locals drinking from the spring (some for decades), and my children and I were enchanted with the prospect. But there’s a lot to think about before sipping (or chugging) that clear, cool water from the Yellow Spring, or any of the hundreds of naturally occurring springs in the state.

ACCORDING TO A MAP from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, most of Ohio’s springs are in the southeast part of the state, with a fair number in central and southwest Ohio as well. Steven Lyon, an associate professor at the School of Environment and Natural Resources at Ohio State University, says they’re driven by the state’s geological history and the prevalence of limestone, sandstone, and shale.

“Much of what we see in Ohio comes as a result of the glaciers that once covered the state,” Lyon says. “Geology determines how much water is in the ground and how easily it moves; then, if the geology intersects with the surface, you can get natural springs.”

But just because they are naturally occurring doesn’t mean the water is necessarily clean and pure. Nick Boutis, executive director of the Glen Helen Association, which oversees the Yellow Spring, says the water coming from the spring there is not routinely tested and is not certified as a source of clean drinking water. “Water that looks and smells clean can still have nitrites, coliform bacteria, or other human-caused pollutants that you would not want to ingest,” he says.

Erik Larson, professor of geology at Shawnee State University, who studies this sort of thing, says he steers clear of drinking fresh spring water as a matter of practice. “I personally wouldn’t drink it; there’s just too

many ways that the groundwater can get contaminated by any number of things, so it’s just not worth it to me,” he says. “But lots of folks do.”

LYON SAYS WHAT DETERMINES whether you can drink water from springs (or rivers or lakes) is what activities are happening in the watershed.

“If there are people living in the region above where the spring is, then things like E. coli from their waste can be an issue,” Lyon says, noting that a leaky septic tank could spoil an otherwise pristine spring in a populated area. He also noted that farms and cows can bring things like cryptosporidium or other pathogens. “That’s why

we can drink straight from small streams up high in the mountains, since no people or animals live above them,” he says. “All it takes is one microscopic bad guy in the water to make you sick, so in a populated area especially, best to steer clear.”

If people and their activities are few and far between, and the water goes through the geology getting filtered, risk can be lower. Sandstone in particular, Lyon says, is good at filtering water. “Think about all the people in the state that have well water at their house rather than municipal water.”

FOR MANY LOCALS WHO CHERISH the crisp, cold, clear water coming from the ground, the risk is one they’re willing to assume.

Just outside of Greenfield, for example, on a piece of private property just over the Ross County line, runs another freshwater spring that locals have drawn from for generations.

I watch as visitor Greg Gentry fills about 100 1-gallon jugs in an hour. He says his family goes through about 20 gallons a week, but it’s his first time at this particular spring. “It tastes good,” Gentry says. “We’ll see how it stores before getting more.”

Buchtel Spring, outside Nelsonville, is another spring popular with locals, as is Christopher Spring in Cadiz and the Malabar Spring in Holmes County.

Spring-seekers expecting a bubbling spring emanating from the earth might end up disappointed. Water from the spring near Greenfield, for example, flows cleanly and crisply from a pipe that property owners have put in to route it from the earth and make it easier to collect.

Many of the more popular springs in the state have been similarly piped.

BACK IN YELLOW SPRINGS, within minutes of being on the trail in the Glen Helen Preserve, we ran into a local woman who not only kindly guided us to the spring, she told us what we had heard elsewhere: that people drink from it all the time with no problems. Continued on page 26

We heard it before we saw it. The tranquil yet unmistakable sound of water rushing and rippling over rocks confirmed we were headed in the right direction. Soon, we came upon the cool, cascading water spurting out in a steady stream. Where the water came from the earth, rocks were tinted a bright yellow-orange from the water’s high iron content, but after the spring water had run over the rocks for a few feet, the iron had been filtered out and the rocks were clean.

Iron, however, isn’t all that’s in the water here. Boutis says it also contains trace amounts of arsenic and cadmium. “If a person used it as their sole water source, those trace amounts could bioaccumulate and cause problems,” he says.

DESPITE THE WARNING, we filled some cups, and I guzzled it straight down. It tasted pure and clean and it was truly refreshing. I can’t speak for others, but we never felt any ill effects.

ALL shutterbugs!

2027 CALENDAR PHOTO CONTEST

Co-op members: Have you captured a memorable scene from around your community? See YOUR photo in the 2027 Ohio Cooperative Living cooperative wall calendar!

We’re looking for the best images to showcase in every season of the year — flowing landscapes, delicate flowers, amazing animals, or just everyday life. Winning entries will receive a cash prize and be featured in next year’s calendar!

Photo requirements

☀ High-resolution, color, digital images only

☀ Horizontal format, capable of filling an 8x11-inch image area

☀ No watermarks or extreme filters

☀ Only JPG or TIFF formats accepted

HOW TO ENTER

☀ Send submissions by email attachment only to photo@ohioec.org

☀ Provide an explanation of the photo — the what (or who), where, and when — as well as the name of the photographer if it was someone other than you

☀ Include your name, address, phone number, and the name of your co-op

☀ One entry per household

Jefferson’s townships

How the USA’s checkerboard geography started at a point in Ohio.

BY CRAIG SPRINGER

If you’ve ever flown over Ohio and points west, you cannot help but notice the checkerboard of farm fields and woodlots — the corn-and-soybean plaid that’s repeated westward until it finally exhausts itself at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

You see the long, straight roads that look like gray-black ribbons pulled tight and laid over the land. From 35,000 feet, you see that the roads run, for the most part, at right angles, even in towns and cities.

All of that comes from one of humankind’s greatest innovations — and one that got its start in Ohio while the Buckeye State was still wilderness: the Public Lands Survey.

In 1774, the Ohio Country was a vast land populated by a host of Native American tribes, and the British Crown wanted to use it as feudal property — owned by the king — where occupants would pay a tribute to live there.

A young Thomas Jefferson was having none of it. He penned a pamphlet denouncing the plan — he hated the thought that only aristocrats and kings and churches could own land in America. More on that in a bit.

Soon, after having vanquished the most powerful military in the world, the fledgling United States had massive debt it needed to retire from the American Revolution. The land west of the Alleghenies was a potentially valuable asset, but before it could be sold off to the public, it had to be surveyed.

So Congress laid down the law on how the vast expanses of woodlands and meadows and marshes would be divided and distributed. Jefferson, then a representative from Virginia, authored the Land Ordinance of 1785 , establishing townships — a grid

of baselines and meridians 6 miles square, each further divided into 36 1 -square-mile sections numbering 1 through 36 — ready for auction to those heading west and, as it turns out, easily distinguished from the vantage of today’s jetliner cruising altitude.

The survey started at the appropriately named Point of Beginning, at what is now East Liverpool, where Ohio meets Pennsylvania and the West Virginia panhandle. The actual starting spot for the Public Lands Survey is now submerged in the Ohio River, but nearby is a stout, squat obelisk marker that is underwhelming considering the significance of what unfurled through Ohio and onward.

The monument, though not specifically stated as such, commemorates three Jeffersonian ideals pivotal to the Land Ordinance: public education (Section 16 of each township was set aside for that purpose); westward expansion; and ownership of private property, which, as you remember, had stirred his passion back in ’74. Lost to an asterisk of history is that Jefferson’s first draft of the Declaration of Independence made prominent mention of the prospect of land ownership — it was replaced with “pursuit of happiness,” but remained dear to his heart.

On September 3, 1785, Thomas Hutchins, the first Geographer of the United States, rolled out a 66-foot-long chain and started measuring the wilderness behind axemen who cut paths through the forest. A surveyor’s chain, in fact, was the first unit of measurement designated by law in America and is still in use.

Additional evidence is all around of what a massive undertaking the mapping of America was — but nowhere more prominent than its proving ground in wild Ohio.

A few one-room schoolhouses, for example, still dot the Ohio landscape, often situated on the corner of mile-square sections numbered 16 on maps. The city of Mansfield is named after the mathematics professor who, at Jefferson’s urging, took over the Public Lands Survey and refined the methods to account for laying a rectangle over our globular planet. The Ohio-Indiana state line, in fact, was Mansfield’s meridian.

Beat the heat Watering tricks save plants (and power).

BY ALICIA ADAMS

When summer heat settles in, gardens can quickly go from thriving to stressed. With the right timing and techniques, you can strategize your watering so your plants are properly hydrated, water usage is reduced, and demand on electricity is lowered as well. “Watering is a little bit of art and a little bit of science,” says Timothy McDermott, assistant professor and extension educator at Ohio State University. Even modest adjustments in watering habits can add up to smaller water bills, healthier plants, and lower costs for all. Here are some tips:

Timing is everything

The time of day when you water affects how much water gets to the plant. “Morning watering is best, as the soil is cool and allows the plant to take up water through its roots,” McDermott says. “Morning watering also minimizes evaporative loss.”

Early, between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., is ideal, because it allows plants to dry during the day. It also avoids the need to irrigate in the afternoon, which is typically high-demand time for electric use. Peak demand on the grid typically runs from roughly 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the hottest weekdays, meaning costs are at their highest. Shifting water-intensive tasks, including running wells, to morning hours helps reduce strain on the grid and can lower energy costs for all members.

Water smarter

Watering at the base of the plant is the best way to encourage uptake, as roots absorb water through the soil. Infrequent, deep watering strengthens the root system and reduces total water use compared to frequent, shallow spray-downs. If you don’t have time for a deep watering, however, soaker hoses and drip irrigation can deliver water to the root zone of the plant and cut waste by up to 50% compared to overhead sprinklers.

An alternative (and ancient) method is to use an olla (pronounced ohyah). These unglazed terra-cotta pots are filled with water and buried next to the plants. They then passively deliver water to roots as needed, with no electricity required, and cut water use by as much as 70% compared to traditional watering.

Mulch, mulch, mulch

Putting organic mulch around plants significantly reduces the need for watering. Mulch forms a barrier that slows evaporation from the soil surface, meaning roots stay moist during dry spells and you can reduce watering to as little as once or twice per week. Mulch also insulates soil, keeping it cooler in summer heat and warmer on cooler nights — ideal conditions for healthy roots. For vegetables, spread 2 to 3 inches of gardening straw, starting 1 to 2 inches from the plant stems to avoid rot. For flower beds, pots, and hanging baskets, use compost or organic wood chips or wood mulch.

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Show day

at the fair

and my

Send us YOUR picture!

and

For November, send “Tailgate party” by August 15. For December, we’re changing things up: Send “Holiday haiku” (poetry) by September 15.

Upload photos at www.ohiocoopliving.com/memberinteractive, and send poetry in an email to memberinteract@ohioec.org (be sure to include your name, the name of your cooperative, and a number where you can be reached if we have questions).

As always, your submission may be featured in our magazine or on our website!

2026

CALENDAR

CENTRAL

THROUGH 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.

THROUGH NOV. 28 – Huber Machinery Museum Hours, 220 E. Fairground St., Marion. Open Sat. 1–4 p.m. or by appointment. Admission by donation. Huber farm tractors, threshers, road graders, road rollers, Marion Steam Shovel Company, Marion Power Shovel Company history. See machinery, photos, and related items, including a model 21 steam shovel. hubermuseum@gmail.com or www.facebook. com/hubermachinerymuseum. To schedule a visit, leave a message at 740-387-9233 or 614-271-9951

AUG. 7, SEP. 4 – First Friday Art Walk, downtown Zanesville, 5–8 p.m. On the first Friday of each month, participating 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.

AUG. 7–8, SEP. 4–5 – The Downtown Exchange Artisans Market, 527 Main St., Fri. 5–9 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. A unique shopping experience featuring quality Ohio makers and artisans. Arts, crafts, and food. www.downtown-exchange.com/DTXAM.

WEST VIRGINIA

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

AUG. 16 – Old School and More Car Show, 1 Burgett Dr., Fredericktown. Registration 9 a.m.–1 p.m. ($15 fee). Awards 3 p.m. Cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles; all makes, models, years welcome! Food trucks, music, 50/50, raffle. Rain date: Aug. 23 740-627-0386 or Mrs. Mopar on Facebook.

AUG. 22 – Books and Crafts in the Barn, 5530 Radnor Rd., Radnor, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Free admission. 50+ vendors. A combination of local authors, arts and crafts, direct sales, and more. All merchandise is Christian or family-friendly. Food truck, painting classes, and mini photo shoots available (fees apply, preregistration preferred). More information available at https://maryrodman.com/events.

AUG. 28 – Hang On Sloopy: The Movie, Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center, 777 Evening St., Worthington, 7 p.m. $25 + fees. A “ROCKumentary” about a university and an entire state’s incredible 50-year love affair with a rock song. Featuring live performance by members of the Rick Derringer Band. www.mcconnellarts.org.

AUG. 29 – Boogie on the Blacktop: Radio City, Circleville Eagles, 135 E. Main St., Circleville, 7–11 p.m. $5. Outdoor concert with food vendors and drinks. www.pickaway.com.

AUG. 29 – Craft Show, Lancaster Campground, 2151 W. Fair Ave., Lancaster, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Free. Sponsored by the Fairfield County Genealogical Research Library. Crafts, raffle, bake sale, and luncheon foods. 740-653-2573 or www. fairfieldgenealogy.org.

AUG. 31–SEP. 7 – Morrow County Fair, Morrow Co. Fgds., 195 S. Main St., Mt. Gilead. Livestock shows, exhibits, entertainment, dinosaur show, and fair food. Monster truck show with free monster truck rides. See schedule and details at www. morrowcountyfair.org.

SEP. 4–6 – Coshocton Flint Festival and Fall Knap-In, Coshocton Co. Fgds., 724 South St., Coshocton, Fri./Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. $5/vehicle. Watch craftsmen make arrowheads,

spear points, stone and bone tools. Rocks, gems, minerals, and jewelry makers. Atlatl demonstrations. For camping and vendor info, call 814-720-7512 or 330-473-7014

SEP. 5–6 – Annual Dahlia Show, Union County YMCA, 1150 Charles Lane, Marysville, Sat. 1–5 p.m., Sun. 1–4 p.m. Free and open to the public. Presented by the Greater Columbus Dahlia Society. Top growers in the Midwest compete for recognition and prizes in dozens of categories. See hundreds of blooms of all types of dahlias as well as dahlia arrangements and photographs. www.columbusdahlias.com.

SEP. 10–12 – Marion Popcorn Festival, downtown Marion. Free admission. Parade Thur. 6 p.m. Food, rides, games, arts and crafts, entertainment, and popcorn for all! 740-387-FEST (3378) or www. popcornfestival.com.

SEP. 11–12 – Lithopolis Honeyfest, 5 E. Columbus St., Lithopolis, Fri. 3–7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Free admission/parking; shuttle transportation provided. Learn about the importance of the honeybee while enjoying artist booths, music, food, and fun. Kids’ activities and sensory-friendly area. www. lithopolishoneyfest.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. For questions, call 614-774-4416

SEP. 12 – Heritage Day Festival, 27 E. Sandusky (St. Rte. 95 at St. Rte. 314), Chesterville, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Free family fun with dozens of vendors and crafters, food trucks, kids’ games, noon parade, cruise-in/ tractor show, live music, pie auction, history displays, library book sale, and much more! New this year: “Chesterville’s Got Talent” show! 419-545-9119 or www.facebook.com/heritagedayfest.

SEP. 14 – Friendly Ties Square Dance Club Lessons, Pickerington Senior Center, 150 Hereford Dr., Pickerington, 7–9 p.m. First two lessons (9/14 and 9/21) are free; each Monday after that is $5 per person. Come join in the fun and reap the benefits: physically, mentally, and emotionally. 614778-7131, 614-419-4194, or www.friendlyties.org.

THROUGH SEP. 7 – America 250 Celebration: Star-Spangled Summer, Oglebay Park Resort, 465 Lodge Dr., Wheeling. Featuring patriotic displays and experiences, dining specials, live music, family activities, and more. 304-243-4000 or www. oglebay.com.

SEP. 4–6 – West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, West Main Street, Clarksburg. Authentic Italian food, free entertainment, games, prizes, rides, and much more! 304-622-7314, wvihf@wvihf. com, or www.wvihf.com.

ensure we receive your listing in time, send details in an email to events@ohioec.org AT LEAST 90 DAYS prior to your event. Or send by U.S. Mail to:

NORTHEAST

THROUGH SEP. 5 – Dennison Depot Railroad Museum Guided Tours, 400 Center St., Dennison, Wed./Sat. 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. $4–$8; under 7 free. Guides will lead guests through beautifully restored exhibits, share stories of Dennison’s role in American railroad history, and highlight the WWII Canteen that served more than 1 5 million soldiers. 740-922-6776 or www.facebook.com/ DennisonRailroadDepotMuseum.

THROUGH NOV. 21 – Age of Steam Roundhouse Tours, 213 Smokey Lane Rd. SW, Sugarcreek, Thur.–Sat. 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. $12–$20; 2 and under free. Learn the fundamentals of steam locomotives and experience the storied past of the railroad. Only online purchases are guaranteed for the selected day and time. Youth tours available ($5–$10) on select Friday and Saturday afternoons. 330-8524676 or https://ageofsteamroundhouse.org.

AUG. 8–9, 15–16, 22–23 – Shaker Woods Festival, 44337 County Line Rd., Columbiana, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. $12; 12 and under free. Free parking. Over 200 crafters and artisans dressed in Shaker period clothing will demonstrate and sell their handmade wares. www.shakerwoods.com.

AUG. 16 – Urban Troubadour: “Baroque Music for Flute, Violin, and Cello,” Spring Grove Cemetery, 785 E. Washington St., Medina, 2 p.m. Free. Enjoy a concert of classical music performed in an outdoor

SOUTHEAST

THROUGH SEP. 6 – Tecumseh! Outdoor Drama, Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheater, 5968 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe, Tues.–Sat. 8 p.m. $35–$75. Witness the epic life story of the legendary Shawnee leader as he struggles to defend his sacred homelands in the Ohio country during the late 1700s. www. tecumsehdrama.com.

AUG. 16 – Igniters Rod Run and Car Show, Yoctangee Park, Enderlin Circle, Chillicothe, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. The 46th annual show offers a full day of chrome, classics, and community with 50 top trophies, specialty trophies, food vendors, door prizes, giveaways, and much more. www. downtownchillicothe.com.

AUG. 20 – Stitch with Me: A Crochet Group, Betsey Mills Club, 300 Fourth St., Marietta, 6–7 p.m. Free

setting. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. 419853-6016 or www.ormaco.org.

AUG. 17–23 – Jefferson County Fair, 1505 Friendship Park Rd., Smithfield. Celebration of agricultural achievements and fun for all. https:// www.thejeffersoncountyfair.com.

AUG. 22 – Jazz Under the Stars: Patrick Lynch and the Eric Everett Trio, Uptown Park, Medina, 7 p.m. Free. Swing to Rat Pack and big band classics, as well as pop music from the ’60s–70s. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics. In the event of rain, concert will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 317 E. Liberty St., Medina. 419-853-6016 or www.ormaco.org.

AUG. 22 – Speaker Series: Patrick Pool, Fort Laurens Museum, 11067 Fort Laurens Rd., Bolivar, 11 a.m. Free and open to the public. Pool will discuss his book Black Patriots: Recovering a Lost History of the American Revolution. www.fortlaurensmuseum. org/speaker-series-patrick-pool.

AUG. 23 – David Giffels: “The 80s Music and Story of Devo in Ohio,” Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth, 2–3 p.m. Free. Giffels will give us a behind-the-scenes look at the Akron-centric band Devo and the band members’ early days in Kent and Akron. Seating is on a first-come, firstserved basis. 419-853-6016 or www.ormaco.org.

AUG. 23–30 – Lorain County Fair, 23000 Fairgrounds Rd., Wellington. 440-647-2781 or www. loraincountyfair.com.

SEP. 8–20 – “Celebrate the Constitution,” Historic Fort Steuben, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville, Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. Annual exhibit and activities focusing on the nation’s founding document and the issues and personalities of the time. 740-283-1787 or www.oldfortsteuben.com.

SEP. 12 – Holmes County Art Festival, Historic Downtown Millersburg. Free. Regional and local artists, live entertainment, food trucks, performances, and more. In the heart of Ohio Amish

to members; $10 non-members. All experience levels welcome. Bring your choice of yarn and hook. Bring a drink and a friend! 740-373-4981 or office@ betseymills.club.

AUG. 21 – BeachFest 2026: Yacht Rock Edition, 1 N. Paint St., Chillicothe, 6:30–9:30 p.m. Free. Enjoy a day at the beach in downtown Chillicothe where Monsters of Yacht will perform and take you on a journey through the ’70s and ’80s. www. downtownchillicothe.com.

AUG. 22–23 – Sands in the Streets Volleyball Tournament, 1 N. Paint St., Chillicothe. Year 6 is bigger, with larger payouts, bigger tournaments, and an extra day of competition. Learn more at www. downtownchillicothe.com or www.facebook.com/ downtownchillicotheohio.

AUG. 24–29 – Monroe County Fair, Monroe Co. Fgds., 46760 St. Rte. 26, Woodsfield. Tuesday is Senior/Veterans Day for ages 60 and over; Friday is Youth and Kids Day for children ages 3–12 740-2139696 or on Facebook: Monroe County Fair Ohio.

AUG. 29 – “Caterpillar Round-Up,” Highlands Nature Sanctuary, 7660 Cave Rd., Bainbridge, 12–4 p.m. Free to the public. Field naturalists will share their annual crop of moth caterpillars, whose dazzling diversity, colors, strange and wonderful appendages, camouflage, and size are astonishing. www.arcofappalachia.org.

Country, this event provides an opportunity for attendees to celebrate the arts while giving artists a platform to promote their work! 330-674-2412 or https://historicdowntownmillersburg.com/event/ holmes-county-art-festival-september-12-2026

SEP. 12 – Ohio’s Tree Farm of the Year Tour, Holden Arboretum, 9550 Sperry Rd., Kirtland, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Free with preregistration: https://holdenfg.org/events/ holden-arboretum/tree-farm-tour. Tour the 74-acre forest and learn about tree farming, developing a woodland management plan, timber stand improvement, invasive identification, timber harvests, and more. Tours, talks, demos, kids’ activities, and displays. Food and beverages available for purchase. For questions, contact Anna at 440-379-7702

SEP. 12 – Age of Steam Roundhouse Yard Tour, 213 Smokey Lane Rd. SW, Sugarcreek. $80. Our unique yard tours allow guests to view pieces of railroad equipment in the museum collection that are normally not accessible to our standard tours, and to view the equipment from within a moving passenger car! Tickets are limited and may be purchased only online prior to the event. 330-852-4676 or https:// ageofsteamroundhouse.org.

SEP. 12–13 – Pioneer Days, Historic Lyme Village, 5001 St. Rte. 4, Bellevue, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $6–$15; 5 and under free. See demonstrations on blacksmithing, cooking, and many activities of the pioneer era. President Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln will be present. Cannon firing hourly. Food will be available in the Carriage House Café. www. lymevillage.org.

SEP. 12–17 – Wayne County Fair, Wayne Co. Fgds., 199 Vancouver St., Wooster, gates open 8 a.m. $5 at gate. Ohio’s foremost agricultural fair. 330-262-8001 or www.waynecountyfairohio.com.

SEP. 13 – Timothy Culver: “Sondheim, Songs from the 90s,” Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth, 2–3 p.m. Free. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. 419-853-6016 or www. ormaco.org.

SEP. 4 – Pandora’s Box: Aerosmith Tribute, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 7:30 p.m. $35–$45. www.majesticchillicothe.net.

SEP. 11 – Classic Stones Live: Rolling Stones Tribute, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 7:30 p.m. $30–$40. www. majesticchillicothe.net.

SEP. 11–12 – Murder on the Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheater, 5968 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe, 5:30 p.m. $60–$100. An evening of food, fun, and mystery! Following the closing performance of Tecumseh!, a body is found in the parking lot. The clues are few and far between, but there are six highly suspicious suspects. It’s your job to figure out who did it! www.tecumsehdrama.com.

SEP. 11–13 – Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, Ohio River Levee, Marietta. Sternwheeler races, car show, pageant, 5K, entertainment, food, and fireworks. 740-373-5178 or www.sternwheel.org.

SEP. 11–13 – Rarden Whitetail Deer Festival, Rarden Community Park, 1363 Main St. (St. Rte. 73), Rarden, Fri. 5–10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Free admission/parking. Hunting vendors, craft vendors, live entertainment, buck wall, archery tournament, food vendors, coyote hunts, deer scoring on Saturday, pageants, raffles, kids’ events. 937-725-0631 (Jackie), www.facebook.com/ RardenFestival, or www.rardendeerfest.com.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

SOUTHWEST

THROUGH OCT. 8 – Piqua Community Farmers’ Market, 116 W. High St., Piqua, Thur. 3–6 p.m. The very best locally grown food, home-baked items, and handmade crafts. www.piquafarmersmarket.com.

AUG. 5. SEP. 2 – Bluegrass Wednesday, Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, Wed. 6:30–8:30 p.m. 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/post/vernon-mcintyre-s-appalachian-grasswednesday-nights-at-the-winery.

AUG. 14–20 – Miami County Fair, Miami Co. Fgds., 650 N. County Rd. 25A, Troy. 937-335-7492 or www. miamicountyohiofair.com.

AUG. 21–29 – The Great Darke County Fair, Darke Co. Fgds., 800 Sweltzer St., Greenville, 7 a.m. to midnight. $7; under 12 free with paying adult. $30 for 9-day pass. 937-548-5044 or www.darkecountyfair.com.

NORTHWEST

THROUGH SEP. 13 – NWORRP 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.

THROUGH OCT. 10 – The Great Sidney Farmer’s Market, 100 E. Court St., Sat. 8 a.m.–noon. Vendors from the area sell food, crafts, and more. 937-6586945 or www.facebook.com/sidneyfarmersmarketoh.

AUG. 8, 22, SEP. 12 – Market on Main, downtown Kenton. Vendors, makers, and growers. Discover unique goods and enjoy the atmosphere. 419-6734131 or www.facebook.com/marketonmainkenton.

AUG. 9, 23 – Delphos Music in the Park, Delphos Stadium Park, Hanser Family Pavilion, 1101 N. Jefferson St., Delphos, 6–8 p.m. Free. Wastin Neon (8/9); The Endless Summer Band (8/23). Concessions open at 5:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs. 419-695-4010 or follow us on Facebook.

AUG. 22 – Bluegrass Night, Fibonacci Brewing Company, 1445 Compton Rd., Cincinnati, 7–9 p.m. Free. Lively bluegrass music by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, a variety of beer at the beer garden, and food trucks. 513-832-1422 or http:// fibbrew.com.

AUG. 22 – Family Program: “Night Sky with Astronomer Terry Mann,” Garber Nature Center, 9691 OH-503 N., Lewisburg, 7–9 p.m. Free. Join us for an exciting evening learning about the stars. For all ages. 937-962-5561, pcpdevents@gmail.com, or www.preblecountyparks.org.

AUG. 23 – Appalachian Summer at Pyramid Hill, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd., Hamilton, 12–8 p.m. $5–$10. Festival features live music by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass plus several other bands. Details and showtimes at www.pyramidhill.org/events. Tickets at https://pyramidhillsculptureparkmuseum. ticketing.veevartapp.com/tickets/view/list/ appalachian-summer.

SEP. 3 – Adams County Jr. Fair Beef BBQ, Ohio Valley CTC, 175  Lloyd Rd., West Union, 4:30–7 p.m. Held on the first Thursday of September for 63 years, proceeds benefit Jr. Fair improvements. 1,500 pounds of beef roasted on a 50-foot in-ground pit. corbettphipps2016@gmail.com or 937-205-0842

SEP. 4–6 – Oktoberfest, Liberty Home German Society, 2361 Hamilton-Cleves Rd. (Rte. 128), Hamilton, Fri. 6–11 p.m., Sat. 1–11 p.m., Sun. 1–8 p.m. Food, music, beers. 513-571-6198, www.libertyhome. net, or the Liberty Home Association Facebook page. SEP. 7 – Open House at White Water Shaker Village, 11813 Oxford Rd., Harrison, 2–5 p.m. Free.

AUG. 13–16 – St. Marys SummerFest, Skip Baughman Complex and the Nidec Minster Grand Pavilion / St. Marys Theater, downtown St. Marys. Live music, concessions, trivia, cruise-in, parade, fireworks, apple pie and cookie bake-off, inflatables and kids’ games, craft show, Declaration of Independence reading, and more. 419-300-4611, info@stmarysohio. org, or www.stmaryssummerfest.com.

AUG. 15 – Happy Together Tour, Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, Crouse Performance Hall, #7 Town Square, Lima, 7:30 p.m. $56+. Artists from the ’60s and ’70s, such as The Association, Chicago’s former lead singer Jason Scheff, and Gary Puckett. www.limaciviccenter.com/happytogether.

AUG. 16 – Sunset Jazz, Towpath Trail, Grand Rapids, 2 p.m. to dusk. Free admission. Fantastic lineup. Food and beverages for purchase. Bring lawn chairs. NO coolers allowed. www.grandrapidsartscouncil.org.

AUG. 21–29 – Allen County Fair, Allen Co. Fgds., 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima, 7 a.m.–11 p.m. Single-day ticket, $10; 6 and under free. Free parking. Entertainment, showcase of bands, truck competitions, harness racing, demolition derby, cheerleading competition, and more. www. allencofair.com.

AUG. 22 – Lake Loramie State Park Car Show, 11070 St. Rte. 362, Minster, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Registration begins at 9 a.m. First 75 entries receive a DASH plaque; the 250th car receives a special award for America’s 250th! Food vendors, raffles, and more. Benefits Shelby County United Way. 937-295-2011, www.lakeloramiefallfest.com, or www.facebook.com/LakeLoramieStateParkOH.

2026 CALENDAR

Tour the 200-year-old village, one of the 24 Shaker communal villages founded in the United States. 513452-3179 or www.whitewatervillage.org/events.

SEP. 11–13 – Vinoklet Art and Wine Festival, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, Fri. 5:30–11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Sun. noon–8 p.m. Free admission. Free concerts, dancing, shopping, playing, and family fun! Food and beverages available for purchase on-site. 513-385-9309, vinokletwinery@fuse.net, or www.vinokletwines.com.

SEP. 12 – The aMAZing 5K Trail Run, Garber Nature Center, 9691 OH-503 N., Lewisburg. Registration 8 a.m.; race starts at 9 a.m. $25 or $35 with T-shirt; 12 and under, $15 or $25 with T-shirt. Celebrating America’s 250th! 937-962-5561 or pcpdevents@ gmail.com. Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/ Register/?raceId=144315

SEP. 12 – A Taste of Harrison, The District, 100 and 200 blocks of Harrison Avenue, Harrison, 4–10 p.m. Free admission. Enjoy BBQ, brews, bluegrass, artisan and craft vendors, and family fun! Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass plays from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information, contact the City of Harrison at 513-367-2111

SEP. 12 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Vinoklet Art and Wine Festival, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, 12–3 p.m. Free. 513-607-1874, fotmc@ iglou.com, or www.fotmc.com.

SEP. 13 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, St. B @ 3 Concert, 10345 Montgomery Rd., Cincinnati, 3–4 p.m. 513-607-1874, fotmc@iglou.com, or www.fotmc.com.

AUG. 22–23 – Family Fun Weekend: “Back to School Bash,” Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co Rd. 99, Findlay, 1–4 p.m. $5. Games, quarter-scale train rides, bounce house, and other family-friendly activities and events. 419-423-2995, www.facebook.com/nworrp, or www.nworrp.org.

SEP. 4–7 – West Liberty Labor Day Festival, Lions Club Park, West Liberty. Classic car cruise-in, ice cream social, bingo, antique tractor pull, 3-mile run/ walk, chicken BBQ, tournaments, and more. Monday is Family Fun Day. www.westlibertylions.org/laborday-festival.html.

SEP. 5–6 – Bucyrus Flea Market and Craft Sale, Crawford Co. Fgds., 610 Whetstone St., Bucyrus, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Free admission. 419-569-7008 (David) or www.crawfordcofair.com/annual-events.

SEP. 12 – Historic Barn Tour, various locations in Hancock County, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $15 online; $25 day of event. Self-guided tour of six historic barns in Hancock County, showcasing farms near Liberty Township. There will be vintage aircraft at one of the stops, thanks to a partnership with the EAA club of Findlay. www.hancockhistoricalmuseum.org.

SEP. 13 – Findlay Fall Model Train Show, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Trains will run until 4 p.m. $5; 12 and under free with adult admission. Vendors will display and sell model trains, toy trains, and railroad memorabilia. Quarter-scale train rides for additional cost: $3 adults, $2 children. 419-423-2995, www. facebook.com/nworrp, or www.nworrp.org.

Enter to win a $100 CREDIT on your electric bill!*

Simply fill out this form and drop it off at the Ohio's Electric Cooperatives Education Center on Wheat Street during the 2026 Farm Science Review.

Name:

Electric co-op name:

Email address:

*Must be an Ohio electric cooperative member to enter and win. NO PHOTOCOPIES. Winners will be drawn at random from among all

When you attend the Farm Science Review, make sure to visit the NEW Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives Education Center to find exhibits, energy-saving tips, demonstrations, and free popcorn! Join us at the FARM SCIENCE REVIEW

Molly Caren Agricultural Center September 22–24, 2026 London, Ohio STOP BY OUR BUILDING!

Using energy wisely is important — on the farm and in the home.

Farm Science Review, sponsored by Ohio State University, is the largest agricultural event in our region, drawing more than 130,000 visitors every year. It’s a fun, educational event for farmers and non-farmers alike.