Ohio Cooperative Living – March 2026 - Pioneer

OHIO COOPERATIVE

Little libraries spread spring

INTERESTED IN ELECTRICAL LINE WORK?

High school students can join us for

ExploreAg Day

Friday, May 29, 2026

Friday, October 23, 2026

• Try on lineworker gear

• Build a crossarm

• Locate underground conductors

• Apply line cover to power lines

Scan for registration information

Registration opens March 1, 2026

Dates are subject to change

INSIDE

FEATURES

21 UPWARD BOUND

Indoors or outdoors, the sport of rock climbing is on a rising trajectory.

26 SEED SWAP

Little free libraries of a different kind help spread beauty and expand habitats for pollinators.

30

HORSE WHISPERER

An 1800s farm boy with a talent for equine affairs is still an inspiration in his Ohio hometown.

Cover image on most editions: Purple coneflowers, the only echinacea species native to Ohio, are a key source of pollen for butterflies, bees, and other insects during the summer months, and their seeds are among those available in “seed libraries” sprouting up around the state (photograph by Vladimir Sotnichenko/via Getty Images).

This page: A statue of Cruiser, a supposedly untamable horse, greets visitors at the community rec center in Groveport (photograph by Damaine Vonada).

When it matters most

When severe winter weather recently swept across Ohio and much of the eastern United States, it put significant strain on the electric grid. As temperatures dropped, electricity demand surged and fuel systems tightened. It was a challenging period that once again showed what truly matters during extreme cold: a reliable, diverse power supply that performs under pressure.

Within our 13-state region of the grid, known as the PJM Interconnection, coal, nuclear, and natural gas resources did exactly what they were built to do: keep power flowing when conditions are at their worst. Together, they supplied more than 90% of the electricity used during the coldest of those days.

The fleet of generation resources that power Ohio’s electric cooperatives stood strong as well. All three coal-fired units at our Cardinal Power Plant remained online, as did all 11 Ohio Valley Electric Corporation coal units. Natural gas plants owned by cooperative members stayed online as well, despite extremely high gas prices and heavy strain on the natural gas delivery system. That balanced mix of resources helped maintain reliability across PJM and avoided potential power shortages during some of the most extreme conditions we’ve seen in quite some time.

One of the key lessons from that weather event was the importance of readily available fuel. Coal and nuclear plants store fuel on-site, which protects against sudden price spikes and fuel delivery interruptions. We saw what a difference that made when natural gas supplies became tight and prices rose sharply. While natural gas plants owned by Ohio cooperatives do maintain limited on-site backup fuel, it’s typically only enough for a few days of operation. Coal and nuclear plants, meanwhile, store enough fuel to run for weeks or even months at a time. That’s a real safeguard that helps manage both reliability risks and spiking costs, providing a critical buffer during the prolonged severe weather.

None of that reliability happens by accident, or without people. The operations, scheduling, and dispatch teams at our coal and natural gas plants worked around the clock, in difficult conditions, to secure fuel supplies, manage pipeline flows, and monitor rapidly changing grid conditions to keep those units operating safely and reliably.

Their dedication and expertise helped keep the lights on and homes heated when Ohio families needed it most.

Coal, nuclear, and natural gas resources did exactly what they were built to do: keep power flowing when conditions are at their worst.

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives

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

Craig Grooms President & CEO

Caryn Whitney Director of Communications

Jeff McCallister Senior Managing Editor

Amy Howat Assistant Managing Editor

Neal Kindig Graphic Designer

Contributors: Margaret Buranen, Colleen Romick Clark, Getty Images, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Catherine Murray, and Damaine Vonada.

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

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

DEPARTMENTS

4 POWER LINES

The power beneath your feet: Geothermal systems take advantage of nature and physics to provide clean, efficient heating and cooling.

8 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

In search of... After many fruitless years, author’s quest for an elusive “bull can” takes a different tack.

10

CO-OP PEOPLE

The problem with beavers: Sometimes the busy little things, cute but industrious as they are, can be a real headache.

13

GOOD EATS

Tea time! We all can appreciate a good cuppa, but the joys of tea don’t have to be limited to a mug.

17 LOCAL PAGES

News and other important information from your electric cooperative.

33 CALENDAR

National/regional advertising inquiries, contact Cheryl Solomon American MainStreet Publications 847-612-9015 | cheryl@amp.coop or email advertising@ohioec.org

Cooperative members:

36

13 8 10 4 36 33

What’s happening: March/April events and other things to do around Ohio.

MEMBER INTERACTIVE

Tea party: Anytime can be a special occasion when you put on a kettle for friends and family — as shown in South Central Power Company member Greg Schumacher’s photo (on the right) of his setup for “high tea with the bride-to-be.”

Please report changes of address to your electric cooperative. Ohio Cooperative Living staff cannot process address changes. 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.

Alliance for Audited Media Member

The power

your feet beneath

Geothermal systems take advantage of nature and physics to provide clean, efficient heating and cooling.

BY AMY HOWAT

When people consider renewable energy sources, they tend to look up. Solar power, after all, is a common choice for someone looking to go green or potentially save money on electricity.

For some, however, it can pay to look down. Geothermal systems take advantage of the naturally consistent temperature underground to provide energy-efficient heating and cooling year-round.

“People choose geothermal for the environmental benefits and to save money,” says Tim Litton, director of marketing for WaterFurnace, an Indiana-based geothermal system manufacturer. “Geothermal is twice as efficient as any traditional heat pump, which means people can save more money on heating and cooling.”

Avoiding extremes

Home geothermal systems work generally the same as the more common air-source heat pumps, which use refrigerant and a compressor to transfer heat, says Bruce Warnecke, energy service advisor at HancockWood Electric Cooperative in North Baltimore. “But

geothermal uses ground temperatures, which remain constant compared to air temperatures, which fluctuate widely,” he says.

In the Midwest, the temperature just a few feet under the ground stays at a consistent 55 degrees, no matter the air temperature above. “The system uses pipes that circulate liquid through the ground to either extract warmth to heat the refrigerant or deposit the heat to cool the refrigerant,” Warnecke says. “On a day when it’s 90 degrees outside, it’s much more efficient to use 55-degree water to cool than to use 90-degree air. If it’s 15 degrees outside, it’s much more efficient to use 50degree water than that extremely cold air.”

The harder the system works, the more electricity it uses, raising the homeowner’s electric bill. “In the winter, the colder it gets, the harder a traditional heat pump has to work to get heat from the outside air,” Litton says. Extremely cold days can push air-source heat pumps to switch to auxiliary or supplemental electric heat, which can use five or 10 times as much electricity as the normal heat-pump mode. Geothermal

heat pumps almost never use backup heat, Litton says, because of the consistent ground temperature.

Real-life application

Hancock-Wood member Doug Schwiebert of Hamler recently put a geothermal system into a newly constructed barndominium in Henry County. The choice was easy, he says, because he’d had a positive experience using geothermal in an old farmhouse.

URE: LEED-ing by example

Electric cooperatives frequently advise and educate members about energy efficiency.

When Marysville-based Union Rural Electric Cooperative built its new headquarters in 2007, the cooperative led by example, constructing a LEEDcertified green building.

A major component of its energy-efficiency plan was a geothermal system for heating and air conditioning, says Matt Zarnosky, URE’s chief operating officer and vice president of engineering.

“We have geothermal for the whole building,” he says. “We have 18 compressor units in the building for geothermal heating and air conditioning. If you put geothermal in your house, you’d have just one.”

The co-op benefits both from lower overall energy usage and from consistent costs throughout the year. “Because the temperature of the ground is always constant, we don’t see huge spikes in cost during especially hot or cold weather.”

URE’s building is raised off the ground and heat comes through vents in the floor, Zarnosky says, and a glass section of flooring makes that space visible. Additionally, some of the geothermal units may be seen behind glass doors in the co-op building.

The co-op’s building also has an enthalpy wheel, an energy-recovery unit that saves heat from exhaust air.

“It transfers heat from exhaust air to intake air, and tempers the air as we’re bringing in fresh air,” Zarnosky says.

“We don’t let any heat go to waste.”

“The one in the farmhouse is 20 years old,” Schwiebert says. “When we put it in, our electric bill did drop. It’s also been really reliable. We just clean the furnace filter and we haven’t had to do anything else to it.”

Litton says longevity is another advantage of these systems. “A geothermal unit lasts about 25 years, while most other types of HVAC units are expected to last 15 to 18 years. There’s no combustion, no flames or fumes, and no outdoor components. It’s quieter and there’s no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.”

Continued on page 6

Continued from page 5

Schwiebert’s systems use horizontal loops buried in the ground.

“We’re in the middle of a field, so we’ve got plenty of room here,” he says. Other configurations include vertical loops that go straight down and open-loop systems that use water from a nearby pond.

Investing in efficiency

Geothermal systems can be a good option for people building new homes, especially if they have available land for a horizontal loop, which is the most costeffective option, Warnecke says. Geothermal may also be installed in existing homes. The choice makes the most sense for people who plan to stay in their homes for a significant time, he says.

“They cost more up front to purchase, often about one and a half to two times a traditional system,” he says.

“But the month-to-month energy savings will pay off.”

How long that payoff takes varies, he says, but a good contractor can provide a cost-savings analysis to help homeowners decide whether geothermal is a good investment in their particular situation.

Litton said that, on average, homeowners recoup the costs of a geothermal system in about 10 years,

depending on the initial costs, incentives, and other variables.

Another factor to consider is rebates from electricity providers and possible state or local tax credits or incentives as well. “Our cooperative offered a rebate and we also got a 30% federal tax credit,” Schwiebert says.

“That made the investment much closer to what we might have paid for another type of system.”

On its website, WaterFurnace offers a calculator to help potential customers estimate their savings and also directs them to available local incentives, Litton says.

A win-win for co-ops

Because geothermal systems avoid the worst energyuse spikes in extremely hot or cold weather, they keep homeowners’ bills more constant. At the same time, they don’t contribute to the energy demand surge that comes with extreme temperatures, benefiting utilities, which have prices set based on their peak energy use. For co-ops, lower peak demand means lower costs for everyone.

“For every 1,000 homes that adopt geothermal, it reduces peak demand by about 10 megawatts,” Litton says. “That’s why utilities offer geothermal incentives.”

In search of…

After many fruitless years, author’s quest for an elusive ‘bull can’ takes a different tack.

Decades ago, when I was a much younger man, I was a serious waterfowl hunter. I enjoyed the history and traditions of the sport nearly as much as the hunting itself — so much so that for several years, I owned and hunted from an original Dan Kidney sneak boat, built by the legendary boatbuilder in 1919 at his shop in De Pere, Wisconsin. A buddy and I hunted from the antique wooden craft for several years, mainly offshore along the famous Lake Erie marshes that ring the lake’s Western Basin, as well as on adjoining Sandusky Bay.

One species of waterfowl, however, always seemed to elude us: the so-called king of ducks — the canvasback.

Large, handsome, fast-flying birds, canvasbacks were not exactly numerous during those years, but they were plentiful enough to be considered fair game. No matter how hard we hunted, however, we never bagged a single one.

I retired from duck hunting and sold the boat decades ago, but in truth, I never totally lost the desire to bag a “bull can,” as hunters call the male (or drake) canvasback. Recently, I realized that I’m not getting any younger, and I decided that if I’m ever going to do it, I should probably do it soon. And I knew exactly where to begin my “hunt.”

The Ohio Decoy Collectors and Carvers Association (www.odcca.net) holds its annual, weekend-long show and sale in mid-March just south of Cleveland, this year’s gathering being the 47th. Open to the public with a nominal admission charge, it’s a celebration of all things waterfowl, from vintage duck decoys to present-day, intricately carved and hand-painted nongame birds that look as if they could come alive in your hand if you picked them up. There are also decoy carving and painting demonstrations, as well as serious competitions to determine the most lifelike birds.

The yearly ODCCA show and sale runs concurrently with the annual meeting of the Great Lakes Decoy Association, so it’s really a combination of two shows in the same location at the same time, and Brad Falkinburg, the ODCCA president, tells me it’s the largest collecting and carving show in the Midwest.

Adam Grimm (www.adamgrimm.com), a full-time professional wildlife artist, will return to the event this year to meet and greet attendees and display some of his award-winning artwork. Grimm, who was born and raised in Ohio and now lives in South Dakota, is a bona fide celebrity in the field. For a wildlife artist to win the federal “Duck Stamp” art contest — the oldest and most prestigious wildlife art competition in America — even once is a career-defining moment. Grimm has won three times.

He was just 21 years old and studying at the Columbus College of Art and Design in 2000 when he won the award for the first time with a painting of a single mottled duck (he’s still the youngest artist ever to earn the award). He took the top prize again in 2014 with his rendering of a pair of canvasbacks, and he won for the third time in 2024 with a painting of a pair of spectacled eiders. I interviewed him shortly after that first win and immediately became a fan of his art, rooting him on from the sidelines ever since.

Incidentally, only two other Ohio wildlife artists have ever won the federal Duck Stamp competition: Bob Hines in 1946 and John Ruthven in 1960 — both with paintings of redhead ducks.

But back to my quest to bag my long-sought-after bull can. Mission accomplished! At the 2025 ODCCA show, I met Robert Lewis of Eastpointe, Michigan, who’s been carving and painting waterfowl decoys professionally for half a century. His work included a beautiful drake canvasback in a resting pose (see photo on the far left), and I ordered one then and there. The bird arrived by mail a few months later, and now sits on my writing desk, forever snoozing, with its head resting comfortably on its back.

The problem with beavers

STORY AND

WSometimes the busy little things, cute but industrious as they are, can be a real pain.

BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS

ith the exception of humans, likely no other species on earth can control its environment like the beaver. They do so, of course, by building dams — creating habitat not only for themselves but for other wetland wildlife species as well.

The problem, however, is that the ponds beavers create can also inundate homes, roadways, crop fields, and countless other bits of human environment, causing significant damage every year.

The rodents are so large (weighing up to 60 pounds) and unrelentingly industrious (“busy as a beaver,” of course), sometimes it may seem their secret motto is “Dam the Humans!”

Until recently, the main solution to beaver issues has been to do away with the beaver; eliminate the beaver and you eliminate the problem, or so goes the theory. But that kind of thinking is slowly beginning to change. Many rural landowners enjoy having beavers on their property, along with other wildlife their ponds attract — as long as the beavers and their dams can be kept under control.

Take, for example, Chris and Hyla Skudder, members of Mount Gilead-based Consolidated Cooperative who live on 22 acres near Cardington that include a small wetland.

“Two years ago, a pair of beavers moved in and began damming the wetland to increase its size,” Hyla says. “That was unacceptable to us because our house sits near the wetland and the water level was rising toward our foundation. Each morning, we’d have to spend an hour or two tearing out the section of the dam the beavers had built the previous night. It was dirty, wet, exhausting work.”

Finally, the Skudders had to admit the beavers were winning.

So they made a call to Steve Ecrement, a certified wildlife biologist, professional wetland scientist, and certified beaver coexistence professional. Ecrement and his company, Ohio Beaver Strategies, solve beaver problems for landowners. If at all possible, they do so using nonlethal methods — in other words, without killing the beaver.

“Trap and kill a beaver and all you’re doing is beginning a cycle where you’ll have to trap and kill more beavers as they move into the unoccupied habitat,” Ecrement says. “Instead, the solution is to outsmart a beaver. The goal is to stabilize the situation for both the landowner and the beaver, which solves the problem.”

Of course, that’s easier said than done. In the case of the Skudders’ property, Ecrement installed a Flexible Pond Leveler pipe system, a flow device that creates a permanent leak through the beaver dam that beavers can’t plug. “That eliminates the need for repeated trapping despite the presence of beavers.”

In order for the pipe system to be effective, it must be designed so that beavers can’t detect the flow of water into the pipe. The Flexible Pond Leveler does this by surrounding the submerged intake of the pipe with a large cylinder of fencing that is placed in water that’s as deep as possible. As a result, beavers do not try to clog the pipe with sticks and mud, and a safe, steady water level is maintained. Ecrement said that every situation he encounters is a bit different, but he’s seen plenty of beaver damage during his career and he usually wins the battle.

“Working with Steve has been a big win for us,” says Chris Skudder. “We now have the water level in our wetland stabilized, and yet we have beavers, too.”

To contact Ohio Beaver Strategies, email steve@ohiobeaverstrategies.com or visit https://ohiobeaverstrategies.com.

Beavers in the Buckeye State

Beavers could be found all over Ohio during pioneer times, but they disappeared from the Buckeye State by the late 1800s due to habitat loss and the unregulated trapping of the animals for their valuable, luxurious pelts.

time! Tea

We all can appreciate a relaxing cuppa, but the joys of tea don’t have to be limited to a mug.

RECIPES

CHERRY HIBISCUS BREAD

Prep: 30 minutes | Soak: 2 hours | Bake: 55 minutes | Servings: 16

4 cherry hibiscus tea bags

1½ cups hot water

12 ounces dried cherries and plums, chopped zest of one lemon

1 cup packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1½ cups flour (spooned and leveled)

1½ heaping teaspoons baking powder

¼ heaping teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon ginger

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup powdered sugar

Steep tea bags in the hot water for 10 minutes. In a small container with lid, mix together dried fruit, lemon zest, and 1¼ cups of the tea; cover and let soak at least 2 hours. Reserve remaining ¼ cup of tea for icing.

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, beat brown sugar and eggs together using a wooden spoon, then stir in flour, baking powder, salt, and spices until incorporated (batter will be quite thick). Mix in teasoaked fruit until all liquid is incorporated and fruit is well dispersed. Transfer batter into an 8x8-inch greased baking dish and bake 50 to 55 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean.

Whisk together powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of reserved tea, adding more tea until icing reaches desired consistency. Once bread has completely cooled, drizzle icing across top.

Per serving: 189 calories, 1 gram fat (0 grams saturated fat), 43 grams total carbohydrates, 23 milligrams cholesterol, 213 milligrams sodium, 1 gram fiber, 2 grams protein.

GREEN TEA NOODLE SOUP

Cook: 30 minutes | Servings: 4

5 cups water

6 bags decaffeinated green tea

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1½ cups diced yellow onion (approx. 1 medium)

1½ cups diced carrots (approx. 2 large)

1½ cups diced celery (approx. 4 stalks)

2 cloves garlic, minced

5 cups chicken stock or broth

½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1 bay leaf

½ teaspoon pepper

4 ounces wide egg noodles

2 cups cooked and shredded chicken

Using the 5 cups of water, prepare green tea according to package directions. Melt butter in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery; sauté until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and sauté another minute. Add green tea, chicken stock, thyme, bay leaf, and pepper. Increase heat and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Stir in noodles, cover with lid, and cook for 15 minutes. Add chicken and continue cooking uncovered until noodles are tender. Serve hot.

Per serving: 224 calories, 10 grams fat (4 grams saturated fat), 21 grams total carbohydrates, 47 milligrams cholesterol, 283 milligrams sodium, 2 grams fiber, 13 grams protein.

MATCHA RICE CRISPY TREATS

Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 5 minutes | Cool: 10 minutes | Servings: 12

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

10 ounces marshmallows

3 tablespoons unsweetened matcha powder (see notes)

6 cups crispy rice cereal

Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Melt butter in a large nonstick stockpot over medium heat. Add marshmallows, stirring until fully melted. Remove from heat; stir in matcha powder until uniform in color, then stir in cereal until fully coated. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish; coat hands with cooking spray and press mixture into an even layer. Cool 10 minutes before cutting.

NOTES: Culinary-grade matcha powder is available at most grocery stores. If powder has clumps, sift before adding. Not a fan of matcha tea? Try 2 teaspoons of a chai spice blend instead. Per serving: 149 calories, 3 grams fat (1.5 grams saturated fat), 31 grams total carbohydrates, 7 milligrams cholesterol, 141 milligrams sodium, 1 gram fiber, 2 grams protein.

EARL GREY CUSTARD CREAM PUFFS

Prep: 1 hour | Chill: 3 hours | Bake: 30 minutes | Servings (bite-size): 40

CUSTARD CREAM

2 cups whole milk

6 Earl Grey tea bags

¼ cup + 2 teaspoons cornstarch, divided ½ cup sugar

5 egg yolks

2 teaspoons vanilla extract pinch of salt

½ cup heavy whipping cream

1 tablespoon powdered sugar (plus more for sprinkling)

CHOUX DOUGH

½ cup unsalted butter

1 cup water

1 teaspoon sugar

pinch of salt

1 cup flour

4 large eggs, room temperature

For the custard: In a saucepan over medium heat, bring milk to a simmer. Turn off heat, add tea bags, and cover with lid to steep. In a large heat-safe bowl, whisk together ¼ cup of the cornstarch, sugar, and egg yolks until pale yellow in color. Lift tea bags from milk; with a pair of tongs, squeeze excess liquid back into saucepan and discard bags. Heat milk over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until temperature reaches 180 F. Remove from heat and slowly drizzle hot milk into the egg yolks while whisking constantly. Transfer back to saucepan and bring to a light boil over medium-high heat, whisking constantly until thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla and salt. Transfer back to bowl; smooth out top with a spatula and seal custard’s surface with plastic wrap. Once cooled to room temperature, refrigerate 2 hours.

For the choux dough: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter into water, then add teaspoon of sugar and pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and add flour; stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until a thick paste is formed. Return to heat and cook, stirring constantly until dough pulls away from the saucepan’s sides. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment and let cool to below 125 F. Beat in one egg at a time until dough goes from shiny/smooth to dull/coarse. Beat for 1 minute after adding the last egg; dough will be sticky and smooth.

To bake puffs: Preheat oven to 400 F. Add dough to a pastry bag tipped with a ½-inch round tip. On parchment- or silicone-lined baking sheets, pipe 2 or 3 equal-sized mounds at a time (about 1½ inches in diameter and 1 inch tall) about 2 inches apart. Dip finger in water and gently press peaks to round the tops, repeating 2 or 3 at a time with remaining dough. Bake 20 minutes, then turn oven off, leaving puffs in to continue baking to a medium brown (don’t peek, as they may deflate if oven is opened). Remove from oven and slice each puff in half horizontally to allow steam to escape. Return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes, leaving door open, until puffs don’t yield when lightly tapped.

To finish: In the bowl of a stand mixer with whisk attachment, beat heavy cream, remaining 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, and powdered sugar until peaks are just stiff enough to hold when turned upright. Remove chilled custard from fridge and loosen with a spatula (it’ll be quite thick). Fold ¼ of the whipped cream into custard to start, then fold in the rest until evenly distributed. Fill a piping bag (tipped with an open star tip) with custard cream. Generously pipe custard into the bottom half of each puff and replace their tops. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

NOTE: Custard cream and pastry puffs can be refrigerated separately for up to 3 days before assembling. Leftover assembled cream puffs can be refrigerated for 24 hours.

Per bite-sized puff: 76 calories, 4.5 grams fat (2.5 grams saturated fat), 6.5 grams total carbohydrates, 50 milligrams cholesterol, 26 milligrams sodium, 0 grams fiber, 2 grams protein.

PIONEER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LOCAL PAGES

The value behind your monthly Ohio Cooperative Living magazine

Each month, 314,000 members of Ohio’s electric cooperatives receive Ohio Cooperative Living magazine — a publication that is unique to electric cooperatives. It reflects a shared commitment among Ohio’s cooperatives to keep members informed and connected.

What makes this publication special is its mix of statewide and local content. The center pages are customized by cooperatives to feature updates, news, and information specific to the people each co-op serves. Surrounding those pages with local content is quality statewide content — stories about Ohio’s natural beauty, helpful insights about electricity and energy efficiency, human-interest features, articles that highlight the communities we call home, recipes, and a calendar of events from around the state.

For many members, the magazine arrives each month without a second thought, but behind this simple delivery is a surprising value.

The magazine costs just 63 cents per member per month — less than the price of a postage stamp!

That number often raises eyebrows. In a world where printing and mailing costs continue to rise, how is a full-color, professionally produced magazine delivered so affordably? The answer is something many readers, including those who flip through it regularly, may not even notice — advertising.

The advertisements placed throughout Ohio Cooperative Living significantly offset the overall cost of publishing and mailing the magazine. And because Ohio’s electric cooperatives are not-forprofit, that revenue doesn’t get tucked away as earnings. Instead, it is reinvested directly into the cost of producing and distributing the magazine — reducing the amount members pay for it.

In other words, the advertisers who choose to reach our statewide audience help ensure that Ohio Cooperative Living remains an affordable, high-quality communication tool for every member.

Your cooperative exists to serve you, not shareholders, and this publication is one of the many ways we connect, inform, and support our membership. We hope that when you open Ohio Cooperative Living every month, you not only enjoy the stories, but you also feel even more connected to the cooperative as you learn a little more about it.

Your voice. Your choice.

More ways than ever to cast your vote

Join us for

Pioneer Electric’s Annual Meeting

Saturday, March 21, at Graham Elementary School

8:30 a.m. Doors open 9:00 a.m. Business meeting begins hot breakfast provided

Visit with other members and Pioneer leaders, employees, and trustees; hear an update on the current state of the co-op; learn about plans and priorities for 2026; and gain insight into trends shaping the power industry.

Participating in your cooperative’s future just got easier. In 2026, Pioneer Electric Cooperative rolled out a new voting option that brings convenience right to your inbox: secure voting by email. It’s a modern, member-friendly way to take part in the 2026 Board of Trustees and County Board Election — and it’s designed to fit seamlessly into your day.

More flexibility, same secure process

This year, members have multiple secure options to cast their ballots (voting started Feb. 6). Whether you prefer tapping on your phone, clicking a link on your computer, or mailing in a paper ballot, there’s a method that works for you. Every option is simple, safe, and built with member convenience in mind.

Members may cast their ballots using any of the following methods:

SmartHub

Log in through the SmartHub mobile app or online portal and complete your ballot quickly and securely.

Email (New for 2026!)

You should have received a secure voting link by email on Feb. 6 and a reminder on Feb. 24. You can submit your ballot electronically — no login required.

Online

Visit www.pioneerec.com, click the Vote Now button at the top of the home page, and enter the credentials included with your mailed ballot.

Mail

Prefer paper? Simply complete your ballot and return it using the enclosed prepaid envelope.

Mark Your Calendar

Voting Deadline: All votes must be submitted by March 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

As a cooperative member, your vote helps shape the leadership and direction of Pioneer Electric Cooperative. Each ballot represents a voice in cooperative governance — and together, those voices guide decisions that impact service, innovation, and the communities we serve.

ANNUAL MEMBERS’ MEETING OF PIONEER ELECTRIC

This is your official notice of the Annual Meeting of Members of Pioneer Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., to be held at Graham Elementary School, St. Paris, Ohio, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, for the following purposes:

1. To hear reports of officers and management.

2. To elect trustees to fill three vacancies. The three terms that expire this year, with the candidates for election, are:

Champaign District — John Vulgamore. Candidates: Suzie Schindewolf and John Vulgamore

Miami District — Wade Wilhelm. Candidates: Trevor Lavy and Wade Wilhelm

Shelby District — Roger Bertke. Candidates: Kenneth Alexander and Roger Bertke

Each member (husband or wife) has one vote for each trustee to be elected, one in Champaign District, one in Miami District, one in Shelby District.

3. To conduct such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting of members.

— John Goettemoeller, Secretary, Pioneer Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

OFFICIAL NOTICE

90th Annual Members’ Meeting of Champaign County District Nominating Committee of Pioneer Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

March 1, 2026

Dear Member:

This is your official notice of the Annual Meeting of Members of Pioneer Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., to be held at Graham Elementary School, St. Paris, Ohio, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, for the purpose of electing trustees and to transact such other business as may properly come before this meeting. Candidates to fill four vacancies on the Champaign County Board in the following geographical areas are:

Area 1 — Matthew Bost, State Route 29, Urbana; G. Wes Duer, Woodville Pike, St. Paris

Area 2 — Danielle Bair, Elm Tree Road South, St. Paris; Tony Randall, Prairie Road, Urbana

Area 3 — Rodney Wilkins, Gray Road, Cable; Brenda Windle, Couchman Road, West Liberty

Area 4 — Brian Reed, Burton Road, North Lewisburg; Dale Thompson, Hunt Clymer Road, Mechanicsburg

— G. Wes Duer, Secretary, Champaign County District Nominating Committee of Pioneer Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

OFFICIAL NOTICE

90th Annual Members’ Meeting of Miami County District Nominating Committee of Pioneer Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

March 1, 2026

Dear Member:

This is your official notice of the Annual Meeting of Members of Pioneer Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., to be held at Graham Elementary School, St. Paris, Ohio, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, for the purpose of electing trustees and to transact such other business as may properly come before this meeting. Candidates to fill four vacancies on the Miami County Board in the following geographical areas are:

Area 5 — Teri Slover, Union Shelby Road, Piqua; Jerry Walter, State Route 48, Covington

Area 6 — Charles Elliott, Worley Road, Troy; Daniel Rittenhouse, Bard Road, Tipp City

Area 7 — Tyler Mumford, Alcony Conover Road, Casstown; Dan Sturgill, Casstown Sidney Road, Piqua

Area 8 — James Sommer, Rudy Road, Tipp City; Jeremy Taylor, Palmer Road, New Carlisle

— Jenny Hodge, Secretary, Miami County District Nominating Committee of Pioneer Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

OFFICIAL NOTICE

90th Annual Members’ Meeting of Shelby County District Nominating Committee of Pioneer Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

March 1, 2026

Dear Member:

This is your official notice of the Annual Meeting of Members of Pioneer Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., to be held at Graham Elementary School, St. Paris, Ohio, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, for the purpose of electing trustees and to transact such other business as may properly come before this meeting. Candidates to fill four vacancies on the Shelby County Board in the following geographical areas are:

Area 9 — Jennifer Henke, Mason Road, Fort Loramie; Josh Siegel, Timber Ridge Drive, Fort Loramie

Area 10 — Eric Ditmer, Houston Road, Sidney; Dennis Grandey, Wright Puthoff Road, Sidney

Area 11 — Randy St. Julian, Sidney Freyburg Road, Botkins; Neil Zumberger, Sharp Road, Sidney

Area 12 — Randy Caudill, Fort Loramie Swanders Road, Sidney; Seth Middleton, Sidney Plattsville Road, Sidney

— Joe Everett, Secretary, Shelby County District Nominating Committee of Pioneer Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Jeff Alexander retires after 37 years of service

After 37 years with Pioneer Electric Cooperative, meter technician Jeff Alexander retired on January 31, 2026. Throughout nearly four decades, Jeff built a reputation not just for technical skill, but for his willingness to help cooperative members and the community.

Jeff began his career in June 1988 as a groundman and lineman trainee. He worked his way up through hands-on experience, becoming a first-class lineman in 1996. In 1998, he transitioned into metering, holding meter technician I and II positions. In 1999, he stepped into the role of meter technician A — the position he held until his retirement.

When Jeff reflected on the most rewarding part of his career, it was the people.

“Helping people — members, co-workers — that’s been the best part,” Jeff says.

That service-oriented focus guided everything he did. Members came to know Jeff as someone who took the time to listen, investigate, and find answers — whether assisting with a high bill concern or a stray voltage issue affecting a farm. As a farmer himself, he understood those challenges and personally connected with the importance of finding a solution.

“Jeff was a great technical resource in resolving members’ power quality concerns,” says Lynn Maniaci, director of technical services and engineering. “He excelled in these challenging situations.”

Jeff’s commitment to members also showed in his work behind

the scenes. He played a key role in bringing new technology to the cooperative, including the development of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system and the setup of the Automated Metering Infrastructure. These projects modernized system operations, improved reliability, and strengthened service for cooperative members.

“Jeff was instrumental in getting the SCADA and AMI systems installed in the field, leading to a huge improvement in outage restoration times,” Maniaci says. “The members greatly benefited from his dedication and commitment to the co-op.”

Before moving into metering, Jeff spent a decade on the line crew, including time as a first-class lineman. He remembers storm restoration work as some of the most challenging and rewarding parts of the job.

“I loved working storms,” Jeff says. “It’s actually something I still missed later in my career.”

Jeff’s dedication to service didn’t stop at the cooperative. For 26 years, he served with the Pleasant Hill-Newton Township Volunteer Fire Department, further exemplifying his commitment to community and service-oriented nature.

Jeff admitted his retirement from the co-op is bittersweet.

“I’m going to miss the people I work with, the job, the members,” Jeff says. “I’m really going to miss everything about it.”

As much as he will miss the cooperative, Jeff looks forward to more time with his grandkids, farming, traveling, and fishing — a well-earned next chapter.

Is your house

Ted Riethman MARKETING AND ENERGY USE SPECIALIST

If you are a parent, have you ever noticed how, over the years, you start to sense when your children aren’t feeling right or aren’t acting like themselves? Well, your home can sometimes give off similar signs when it isn’t operating the way it normally does.

When I visit a home where there are concerns about electric usage, one of the first things I do after stepping inside is listen. I pay attention to any unusual sounds or noises in the house. Do I hear humming, vibrations, blowing, or even grinding? These sounds can be clues that something inside the home isn’t working properly and could be causing energy usage to rise above normal.

I’ve found humming noises caused by fan motors or sump pumps that were stuck and not operating correctly. Constant humming can also come from a refrigerator or freezer that is running nonstop for no good reason. Vibrations may indicate well or water lines that are continuously moving water through the home when they normally wouldn’t be. Blowing sounds are often related to a furnace fan motor that has been switched from auto to continuous run mode, or a dehumidifier that is running constantly because the humidity level is set too low — or because it has lost refrigerant and is no longer dehumidifying properly. Grinding noises are less common, but they can occur when a fan motor component is misaligned and rubbing against another part.

Listening to the sounds inside your home can help you diagnose problems before they become bigger issues on your electric bill. Paying attention to how your house behaves as weather conditions change can also help you better understand what may be using electricity inside your home.

If you’re ever unsure whether something in your home isn’t quite right and may be using more electricity than it should, you can always check your hourly, daily, and monthly usage on the SmartHub app or log in on our website, www.pioneerec.com.

talking to you?

Pioneer awards Trade and Technical Scholarships

Four high school seniors from the area have been selected to receive Pioneer Electric Cooperative’s 2025-2026 Trade and Technical Scholarships. Each recipient, the child of a Pioneer member, will be awarded a $750 scholarship to support continuing education in trade and technical fields from a community college or trade school.

Scholarship winners include:

These scholarships demonstrate Pioneer’s ongoing commitment to investing in the future of skilled professionals and supporting the next generation as they pursue technical and vocational careers. We’re proud to support students as they plan their futures and hope that, in time, their talents and training may benefit our local communities. We wish them continued success as they begin their next chapter.

Pioneer brings electrical safety training to Miami East students

Pioneer had the opportunity to visit Miami East Elementary School to put on an electrical safety demonstration for students, sharing important lessons about how to stay safe around power lines, substations, and everyday electrical equipment. Through hands-on examples and real-world experience, they helped students understand potential hazards and what to do to protect themselves at home, at school, and in their neighborhoods.

HOW TO SWITCH TO PAPERLESS VIA SMARTHUB:

Step 1: Get SmartHub

• Download the SmartHub app from your phone’s app store, or

• Visit our website and click the SmartHub link.

Step 2: Log in or register

• Log in with your existing Pioneer account

• Or select “Sign Up” to create your SmartHub account.

Step 3: Go to Settings

• In SmartHub, look for “Settings” on desktop or tap the “...” on mobile to select settings.

• Select “Paperless Billing.”

Step 4: Turn on Paperless Billing

• Choose the account you want to update.

• Toggle Paperless ON and confirm your selection.

Step 5: Choose how you’re notified

• Add or confirm your email address and mobile number.

• With your consent, turn on invoice and payment notifications so alerts go straight to your email or phone.

Step 6: (Optional, but encouraged) Set up Autopay

• From the Billing or Payments menu, select Autopay.

• Add a bank account or card and choose your preferred draft date.

LIFE ON THE LINE: UNSEEN DANGERS OF LIVE WIRES

Would you know what to do if you came in contact with a power line? One wrong step could be fatal. Knowing how to spot hazards and who to contact for help can save the lives of potential victims, emergency responders, and you.

Pioneer Electric Cooperative invites members of the community – specifically first responders, farmers, city employees, transportation departments, road and tree trimming crews, and other contractors – for a free electric safety demonstration on March 25

Demonstrations will take place at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and are expected to last approximately 1.5 hours. (EMS responders will receive 1.5 hours of CE credit through the Premier Health CE Training Alliance.)

We are committed to the safety of our local communities, and part of that commitment is providing education, training, and information to keep our neighbors safe.

Mark A. Bailey Chair

Colleen R. Eidemiller First Vice Chair

John H. Vulgamore

Second Vice Chair

John I. Goettemoeller

Secretary Roger J. Bertke

Treasurer Robert Billings

Ted R. Black

Bill Clark

Wade H. Wilhelm

Ron L. Bair

Orville J. Bensman

Ronald P. Clark

Harold T. Covault

Donald D. DeWeese

Duane L. Engel

Dwain E. Hollingsworth

Terrence A. Householder

Douglas A. Hurst

Edward P. Sanders

Paul R. Workman

Trustees Emeritus

Thomas J. Musick President/CEO

Indoors or outdoors, the sport of rock climbing is on a rising trajectory.

BY MARGARET BURANEN

Ted Welser, a professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Ohio University, focuses his academic research on “the intersection of digital social systems, organizations, and social change.”

But when he’s not studying the evolving use of social media or digital inequality in Appalachia, he usually can be found on a rock somewhere.

Welser started climbing in 1989, while he was a student at Miami University in Oxford. “Miami had one of the few indoor climbing walls then,” he recalls. Through the years while both his CV and his family grew, so did his love for climbing, and he’s since climbed all over the world.

“Climbing combines physical activity — a sport-like activity — with a meaningful cultural experience,” he says. “It’s a reason to travel and experience new places. I’ve spent hundreds of days climbing in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Alabama, traveling to places that are remote. I’ve enjoyed meeting people there who are climbers and not climbers.”

Shortly after he earned his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Washington, he and his wife, Laura Black, moved to Athens with their two kids to be professors at OU.

He built a climbing wall in his garage, founded the Climb Athens nonprofit, and began working with the Ohio Climbers Coalition, for which he serves as Southeast Regional Coordinator. Even his kids have gotten in on the act, having started when each was about 2 years old. His older daughter has climbed internationally and has competed in the National Collegiate Climbing Competition.

Welser is also an ambassador of the sport, always eager to introduce more people to climbing. “It’s worth it to give it a try, if you haven’t done it,” he says. “It’s an activity that can help you find new horizons and new things you haven’t experienced.”

Of course, just a glance will tell folks that climbing appears to be a dangerous sport. For those worried that it seems like it might be too much, he understands, but has a ready answer.

“You have to understand that there is a risk, but we do what we can to follow safety practices,” Welser says. “In over 30 years of climbing, I’ve practiced to stay very safe. When I’m high off the ground, I always have a rope to catch me if I fall.”

What climbing type is for you?

• The most dangerous type of climbing is free solo, where the climber has no safety equipment or anyone else to rely on. Welser says that despite the YouTube videos, it’s extremely rare because it’s beyond most people’s climbing ability and the risks of falling are so high.

• Bouldering, as its name suggests, is climbing over large rocks within a few feet of the ground. It might sound easy, but often requires climbing sideways. “It can be very intense,” he says. “It’s like a puzzle to solve.”

Welser suggests that people who want to try climbing should visit an indoor climbing gym for some instruction. Indoor climbing walls are also common at community recreation centers and universities.

Noting that some indoor climbing gyms offer yoga classes, Welser says climbing requires “a balanced fitness — strength and flexibility.”

To begin climbing outdoors, it’s a good idea to book a professional instructor/guide. Such services are available at major climbing areas, such as Hocking Hills, New River Gorge in West Virginia, and Red River Gorge in Kentucky.

• Multi-pitch climbing is a way to climb a cliff or rock that is too tall to be climbed on one length of rope. Instead, the first climber climbs part of the way with a rope, then stops and anchors the rope to safety bolts already installed into the rock. The second climber then ascends that distance and they repeat the process until both climbers reach the top.

• Traditional, or “trad,” climbing is riskier than multi-pitch because the climber must place their own removable safety anchor points. The climber wedges cams and bolts into crevices in the rock.

• Ice — people who climb ice, such as frozen waterfalls, wear special boots that dig into the ice as they kick each foot inward. They hold a hatchetlike tool to hit into the ice for each new handhold.

Climbers are always looking for new places to climb. Welser says that many good sites in Ohio are on private land. He and other experienced climbers strive to protect climbing areas and consider access to private land as a privilege. He notes that landowners have several legal protections against any liability claims.

Lasting is believing.

When you pay good money for something, you think it should last. We agree. Especially when it’s your family’s comfort.

The lifespan of even the most expensive conventional a/c is just 15-18 years. With a WaterFurnace geothermal unit, you can expect a lifespan of 25 years—sometimes even more. Plus, the life expectancy of the underground infrastructure is at least double that. Longer unit life means less cost to you and less waste in our landfills. And that makes WaterFurnace the better choice.

Geothermal is the only renewable that provides reliable operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS:

Ashland Comfort Control (419) 281-0144 comfortcontrolohio.com

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Accurate Htg & Clg (740) 775-5005 accurategeothermal.com

Coldwater Ray’s Refrigeration (419) 678-8711 raysrefrigeration.com

Defiance Schlatters Plbg & Htg (419) 393-4690 schlattersgeothermal.com

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Findlay

Knueve & Sons Inc. (419) 420-7638 knueve.com

Gahanna Custom A/C & Htg (614) 552-4822 customairco.com/ geothermal

Groveport Patriot Air (614) 577-1577 patriotair.com

Holgate Holgate Hardware (419) 264-3012

Kalida Knueve & Sons Inc. (419) 420-7638 knueve.com

Sarka Electric (419) 532-3492 sarkaelectric.com

Mansfield Eberts Energy Center (419) 589-2000 ebertsheatingandcooling. com

Marion Wenig’s Inc. (740) 383-5012 wenigsinc.com

Medina Sisler Heating (330) 722-7101 sislerwaterfurnace.com

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New Knoxville New Knoxville Supply (419) 753-2444 newknoxvillesupply.com

Portsmouth Accurate Htg & Clg (740) 353-4328 accurategeothermal.com

Sidney Lochard Inc. (937) 492-8811

Sunbury Westin Air (614) 794-1259

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Seed

swap

Little free libraries of a different kind help spread beauty and increase habitats for pollinators.

BY MARGARET BURANEN

On a beautiful spring morning a few years ago, Randy Evans, director of Three Valley Conservation Trust in Oxford, was walking through a wooded area with the owner of the property, admiring the stunning array of wildflowers in bloom.

The woman, whose land is protected by a conservation easement secured through 3VCT, remarked how wonderful it would be if more people could enjoy the beauty of wildflowers firsthand. Suddenly, an idea began to germinate.

Evans thought of all the Little Free Libraries that were springing up at the time, offering books for anyone to take, and thought that maybe a similar program might encourage more people to plant wildflowers. It was a project, he figured, that would fit right in with 3VCT’s mission.

Three Valley Conservation Trust is a nonprofit group that promotes conservation measures in Butler, Preble, and Montgomery counties. Its 250 members mainly work to secure land conservation easements and raise awareness of the importance of protecting natural habitats and resources.

Evans and the 3VCT staff immediately jumped into some research and applied for a grant, which was approved in 2022, and “seed libraries” started springing up at various locations around Butler County in early 2023. Members of the public may take seeds from the libraries, free of charge, to plant in their backyards or wherever they choose.

“We’re creating and growing pollinator habitats throughout the community,” Evans says.

“Native plants are terrific because they take less water and are more likely to survive long-term.”

In turn, he says, those plants are a source of food and shelter for native bees and caterpillars.

“If you’ve never planted native wildflowers, you’ll be surprised at the diversity of the pollinators they attract and how easy they are to maintain.”

The 3VCT seed libraries offer seeds for 44 varieties of native Ohio wildflowers. Evans says the most popular seeds are for butterfly milkweed and other types of milkweed, cardinal flower, and blue lobelia. Other seeds available include purple coneflower, indigo, evening primrose, and columbine — stocked on a rotating basis depending on what’s available and what’s in season.

3VCT buys wildflower seeds in bulk from a seed supplier. It also receives donations of milkweed seed from the Butler County Soil and Conservation District. And now, thanks to a new Ohio law that has removed previous restrictions on collecting and sharing wildflower seeds as long as it’s for noncommercial purposes, local gardeners can also donate seeds to the cause.

Volunteers for the nonprofit divide the seeds into smaller, labeled packets and stock the libraries during the first week of every month from March until October or November.

Six 3VCD seed libraries are located in West Chester Township (at Keehner Park, Christ the King Lutheran Church, and Voice of America Park). The others are at Cherokee Park in Liberty Township, Ruder Preserve in Oxford, and Timberman Ridge in Hamilton. The MidPointe public libraries in Monroe, Trenton, Middletown, West Chester Township, and Liberty Township also have wildflower seed libraries.

Color photographs of the wildflowers in bloom are displayed on Three Valley Conservation District’s website (https://3vct.org/what-we-do/community), along with planting instructions and directions to each of the seed libraries maintained by the trust.

Evans says that increased financial donations and more volunteers would allow the nonprofit to establish additional wildflower seed libraries. “So many people call us up and thank us for doing this,” he says.

Find a seed library near you

It’s likely enough there’s a free wildflower seed library near you. Some good places to find them include public libraries, local gardening clubs and Facebook groups, local chapters of Wild Ones (focuses on native plants), Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and county horticulture extension agents. A few others we found include:

¹ Watershed Stewardship Center, Parma

¹ Cleveland Public Library

¹ Holden Forests and Gardens, Kirtland

¹ Avondale Community Garden at Franklinton Farms, Columbus

¹ Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Cleveland

¹ Westerville Public Library

¹ West Creek Conservancy, Parma

¹ Seed Vault, Annehurst

Women Util ities in

The best service is cultivated by a variety of backgrounds,

During National Women’s Month, Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives proudly recognizes the contributions of all our female sta in providing reliable, a ordable, and environmentally responsible electric power to our

thoughts, education, and experiences. consumer-members.

LEAVE A LEGACY

The Enduring Gift of Gold

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• Teach the importance of wealth preservation.

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An 1800s farm boy with a talent for equine affairs is still an inspiration in his Ohio hometown.

Horse whisperer

The name of John Solomon Rarey is known to most folks in the Franklin County town of Groveport; there’s a statue of him at the community’s rec center, after all, and his brother William was one of the original founders of the village (which at the time was called Rarey’s Port). The Rarey name graces several roads, buildings, businesses, and even a cemetery in the area.

In his day, though, John S. was a celebrity. “If he were alive today, Rarey would be world-famous,” says Rick Palsgrove, director of the Groveport Heritage Museum. “Once he trained that untamable horse, everyone knew who he was.”

Rarey cemented his reputation as one of the greatest horse trainers the world has ever known when he won a bet with England’s Earl of Dorchester. The earl owned a horse named Cruiser, reported to be the fastest in England. But the animal also was vicious — a living fury who kicked two grooms to death, and who witnesses said had snapped an inch-thick iron bar with his teeth. He was considered too dangerous to race.

A better way

Rarey was born in 1827 near what is now Groveport. His family owned several farms in the area, and from childhood, he displayed a genius for working with horses. After he “broke” his first horse at age 12, locals began soliciting him to handle their horses. By 1855, he was testing his techniques on feral horses in Texas, and soon he was demonstrating them to British officers in Canada.

The “Rarey Method” was revolutionary for its time. Instead of fear or pain, Rarey employed kindness, patience, a firm demeanor, and a soothing touch. “Rarey could train horses without hurting them,” says Palsgrove.

In 1857, Rarey ventured to England, where his abilities had attracted the attention of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The royal couple asked him for a command performance at the January 1858 marriage of their eldest daughter at Buckingham Palace.

The Times of London reported the “surprising and successful result” when a cream-colored horse

belonging to Her Majesty was “subjected to the manipulation of Mr. Rarey” during the event. “This particular animal has never permitted anybody to ride him,” the newspaper stated, “but he allowed Mr. Rarey to mount him without offering the least resistance.”

That horse, however, had nothing on the notorious Cruiser, and the English press challenged Rarey to conquer the fearsome dark bay. Dorchester bet Rarey a hundred pounds that he couldn’t tame Cruiser within three months.

Rarey did it in three hours.

When Rarey met Cruiser, the horse was being held in a cramped brick stable to limit his movement. Rarey boldly opened the stable’s oak door and stood before the stallion. Using a hushed voice and gentle stroking, Rarey quieted Cruiser enough to gently restrain him, and in no time the horse docilely lay down. Both Rarey and Dorchester rode Cruiser that day.

Back to Ohio

Having convinced England’s aristocracy of his prowess, Rarey embarked on a world tour. He gave lectures, did public demonstrations, rubbed shoulders with European royalty, and collected numerous accolades along the way. Queen Victoria’s courtiers danced to the “Rarey Waltz.” A new word — “Rareyfy” — was coined, meaning to tame a horse by kindness.

In 1861, newly rich, Rarey acquired Cruiser from Dorchester and returned home. There, he built a 24-room mansion he called Cedarlawn, as well as a stable and a paddock for Cruiser. Dignitaries from around the world flocked to Groveport, and Rarey flew the flags of their home countries over Cedarlawn when they did.

Rarey and Cruiser toured northern cities, performing from Boston and New York to Chicago and Cincinnati. “Rarey tamed whatever animals people brought to a show,” says Palsgrove. “Then at the end, out came Cruiser, and he’d shake hands with the horse.”

Rarey’s practices drew praise from all over. Abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison opined that Rarey provided a “lesson in substituting love for brutality.”

With the Civil War raging, the U.S. military also took notice. At the invitation of Gen. Henry Halleck, Rarey visited the Army of the Potomac in December 1862 to instruct Union cavalry officers, and even witnessed the Battle of Fredericksburg from a reconnaissance balloon.

Three years later, after a debilitating stroke, Rarey died in 1866 at age 38. After Rarey’s demise, Cruiser resumed his unruly ways, but lived out his days at Cedarlawn in accordance with his friend and master’s will. Cruiser died in 1875, and the horse was still so well known that his obituary ran in The New York Times.

Legacy of horse and man

Though Palsgrove delights in showing visitors the passage in Little Women where Louisa May Alcott referenced the horse whisperer, today’s world has largely forgotten Rarey and Cruiser.

But not in Groveport, where their story remains very much alive.

Not only does the Groveport Heritage Museum devote significant exhibit space to the pair, but Cruiser is featured on the city’s seal. A mural saluting Cruiser graces the side of a building on Main Street, and in front of the Groveport Recreation Center, statues by Zanesville sculptor Alan Cottrill portray Rarey and Cruiser’s fateful first meeting — Rarey with his signature top hat and muttonchop whiskers and wild-looking Cruiser with teeth bared.

Groveport’s most enduring tribute to Cruiser comes from its school district, which chose him as its mascot in the early 1900s, inspired by his strength, spirit, and discipline. The school colors were also based on the horse — “black, because Cruiser was a very dark horse, and red, for his temperament,” says Palsgrove.

Although Rarey was laid to rest in his family’s plot in Groveport Cemetery, Cruiser’s burial site is a mystery; Palsgrove says the Rarey family kept it a secret because they feared grave robbers would steal the remains and put them on display.

A middle school building now occupies the place where Cedarlawn once stood, and a football field has replaced Cruiser’s barn and paddock. “Cruiser’s grave might be somewhere beneath that field,” says Palsgrove. “But we’re not sure, and I think we’re fine not knowing.

2026 MARCH/APRIL

CALENDAR

NORTHEAST

THROUGH MAY 31 – “The Woman Behind the Lens: Frances Benjamin Johnston and the American Presidency,” McKinley Presidential Library and Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW, Canton. Exhibit of Johnston’s photographs of Presidents McKinley, Cleveland, Harrison, and others, as well as Southern architecture, historic gardens, and African American and Native American students. 330-455-7043 or www. mckinleymuseum.org/events.

MAR. 1–31 – Ice Wine Festival, Wineries of the Grand River Valley, 12–5 p.m. Each of the seven participating wineries will provide samples of their ice wines along with an appetizer. $10 at each location. www.grandrivercellars.com/events/2026wggrv-ice-wine-festival.

MAR. 6, 13, 20, 27 – Beginner Beekeeping Class, Life Church, 1033 Elm St., Grafton, 7–9 p.m. $50. Series of four classes offered by the Lorain County Beekeepers Association will cover topics such as beekeeping equipment, hive management, and hive care. Additionally, hands-on hive openings offered on Apr. 18 and 25. https:// loraincountybeekeepers.org.

MAR. 7–29 – Chatham’s Annual Sausage and Pancake Breakfast, presented by the Chatham Fireman’s Association, Chatham Memorial Hall (former VFW Hall), 6299 Avon Lake Rd., Chatham, Sat./Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $12, Srs. $11, Children $8 Contact Steve Arters at 330-635-0958 or Frank Keeling at 330-410-6237 for additional information.

WEST VIRGINIA

MAR. 7–29 – Show Your Stuff Art Show, Historic Fort Steuben Visitor’s Center, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville, Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. Local Ohio Valley artists will display their works of art in various media. Don’t miss your chance to see talent up close — and maybe even take a piece of it home! Presented by the Steubenville Art Association. 740-283-1787 or www.oldfortsteuben.com.

MAR. 14 – Shreve Migration Sensation, Clinton Township Garage, 225 E. McConkey St., Shreve, 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission. A day of birding, nature exploration, and family-friendly activities in the heart of the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area. www. shreveohio.com/migration-sensation.

MAR. 15 – Annual Buzzard Day Pancake Breakfast and Craft Fair, Hinckley Preparatory Academy, Hinckley, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. $10–$15; 5 and under free. This annual tradition marks the return of the turkey vultures and the arrival of spring, with food, festivities, and a nod to the town’s history. www.hinckleyohchamber.com/ happenings/#buzzardday.

MAR. 21–22 – Vintage Decoys and Wildlife Art Show and Sale, Holiday Inn Cleveland South, 6001 Rockside Rd., Independence, Sat. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $5; 17 and under free. Largest venue in the Midwest for decoy collectors, competitive carvers, and wildlife/waterfowl artists. Carving contests, hands-on demos, Saturday auction, raffles, cash prizes, and more. ohiodecoycolcarvers@hotmail.com or www.odcca.net

MAR. 21–22 – Model Railroad Show, Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Dr., Kirtland (St. Rte. 306 at I-90, exit 193), 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $9–$16 (cash). Model railroad dealers and exhibitors, operating layouts, historical displays, collectibles, and more. 216-598-8842, www.facebook.com/ RailfestTrainshow, or www.railfest.org.

MAR. 22 – World Tour of Music: Larry and Joe, Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 S. High St., Akron, 2 p.m. Free. The versatile multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters will perform a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music on harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, maracas,

MAR. 27–29 – Wheeling Polka Festival, Oglebay Park, Wilson Lodge, Glessner Auditorium, 465 Lodge Dr., Wheeling. $25; 3-day pass, $69. Enjoy live polka bands, spirited dancing, and classic Polish fare. Tickets sold online only. www.oglebay.com/polka. APR. 11 – Civil War Symposium: “Chronicling the Fight: Art and Photography of the Civil War,” Davis & Elkins College, 535 Campus Dr., Elkins, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $35. Topics include Matthew Brady, the famous photographer who made the horrors of war more intimate, and the stories and photographs of West Virginia soldiers. https:// beverlyheritagecenter.org/events.

guitar, and upright bass. Seating is on a firstcome, first-served basis. 419-853-6016 or www. ormaco.org.

MAR. 28 – Hop Around Millersburg, Historic Downtown Millersburg. Free. Spring open-house celebration for all ages! Adult Easter egg hunt with store coupons and gift cards, kids’ scavenger hunt, coloring contests, and open-house events at the downtown businesses! The Easter Bunny will be at Miller’s Creamery. 330-674-2412 or https:// historicdowntownmillersburg.com/event/hoparound-millersburg-march-28-2026

APR. 3 – Pretzel Day, Historic Zoar Village, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Celebrate Good Friday like a true Zoar Separatist with pretzels, pretzels, and more pretzels! Stop by the Zoar Bakery for a fun, flavorfilled day with fresh pretzels straight from the oven or at one of the grab-and-go stations. Please be patient, as bakery wait times may be long. 330874-3011 or www.historiczoarvillage.com.

APR. 11 – Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Radio Club Hamfest and Computer Show, Emidio and Sons Expo Center, 48 E. Bath Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. $10 330-790-1680 or www.cfarchamfest.org.

APR. 11 – “Over Here!”: World War I Program, Fort Laurens Museum, 11067 Fort Laurens Rd., Bolivar, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Learn about the First World War from reenactors portraying the soldiers who fought “over there.” 330-874-2059 or www. fortlaurensmuseum.org.

APR. 12 – Joe Rangel: “The Music of Bing Crosby,” Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth, 2–3 p.m. Free. The jazz vocalist and guitarist will showcase music performed by Bing Crosby. Not only will he sing, but he also will accompany himself on a seven-stringed guitar. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. 419853-6016 or www.ormaco.org.

APR. 12 – Medina Model Railroad and Toy Show, Medina Co. Fgds. Community Center, 735 Lafayette Rd. (St. Rte. 42), Medina, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $8. Over 250 tables. New and used train sets and components from HO to G scale, operating layouts, vintage toys, and more. 330-948-4400 or www. conraddowdell.com.

Ohio Cooperative Living will not publish listings that don’t include a complete address or a number/website for more information.

2026 CALENDAR

CENTRAL

MARCH/APRIL

MAR. 6, 13, 20, 27 – Friday Fish Fries, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 600 Hill Road N., Pickerington, 4:30–7 p.m. Hosted by the Knights of Columbus. Featuring fried and baked fish, fresh salmon, macaroni and cheese, and more! Carryout available. See our website for more details. www.kofc11187.com/fishfry. http://kofc11187 com/FishFry.htm.

MAR. 6, APR. 3 – First Friday Art Walk, downtown Zanesville, 5–8 p.m. Come downtown on the first Friday of each month, when all our participating galleries, studios, and small businesses are open at the same time! See the Artist Colony of Zanesville’s website for a map of current participants: https:// artcoz.org/arts-district-map.

MAR. 20–22 – Open Season Sportsman’s Expo, Ohio Expo Center, Bricker Bldg., 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus. The latest in outdoor and hunting gear, hands-on demos, trophy deer contest, expert seminar speakers, shooting and archery ranges, door prizes, and entertainment like Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel! www. openseasonsportsmansexpo.com/ohio.

MAR. 20–22 – Peony Palooza, Groovy Plants Ranch, 4140 Co. Rd. 15, Marengo, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. From garden peonies to premium itohs and tree peonies, we’ll have them all! www. groovyplantsranch.com.

MAR. 21 – GCHS Band Spring Craft and Gift Bazaar, Grove City High School, 4665 Hoover Rd., Grove City, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $5; 5 and under free. Homemade food and baked goods available for purchase. 614-801-3300 or www.gchsbands.org/ bazaar/spring-bazaar.

MAR. 21 – Ohio Boating Education Course, Alum Creek State Park, Horace R. Collins Classroom, 3307 S. Old State Rd., Delaware, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. This class fulfills Ohio’s mandatory boater education law requirements. Bring a sack lunch. Register in advance by calling Alum Creek Park Office at 740-548-4631. More information available at https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-avisit/events-calendar (search “boating”).

MAR. 21 – Sewing Smorgasbord, Sheridan Middle School, 8660 Sheridan Rd., Thornville, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; doors open 8:15 a.m. $10 (cash only). Over 30 classes, over 15 exhibitors, fabric fair, scissor sharpening, sewing machine raffle, two fat-quarter raffles, door prizes, and three “themed” basket raffles! No preregistration required for classes. Lunch available for purchase. 740-405-7891, crshuster1@gmail.com, or www.facebook.com/ osuextensionperry.

MAR. 22 – Columbus Spring Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, Makoy Event Center, 5462 Center St., Hilliard, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $3, under 12 free. Large show featuring artists and crafters selling their original handmade items. 440-227-8794 or www. avantgardeshows.com.

MAR. 22 – Columbus Toy and Game Show, Ohio Expo Center, Lausche Bldg., 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $15; 10 and under free; early buyer, 8–9 a.m., $20. Buy, sell, and trade new and retro toys, video games, and collectibles. Free arcade games, celebrity guests, free family activities. www.ctspromotions.com.

MAR. 22 – Ohio Bridal and Wedding Expo, Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., Columbus, 1–5 p.m. Free with pass (see

SOUTHWEST

THROUGH APR. 29 – Bluegrass Wednesdays, Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, Wed. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner, wine, and an evening of free entertainment by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. Reservations recommended. 513-385-9309, vinokletwinery@fuse.net, or www. vinokletwines.com.

MAR. 15 – Cincinnati Spring Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, R.S.V.P Event Center, 453 Wards Corner Rd., Loveland, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $3; under 12 free. Kick off spring with us! This large show will feature artists and crafters selling their original handmade items. Concession stand by the venue. www.avantgardeshows.com/events.

MAR. 26–29 – Cincinnati Auto Expo, Cincinnati Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Cincinnati. $9–$11; 12 and under free with paid adult/teen admission. Compare the newest models created by your favorite manufacturers while learning more about the latest technologies that enhance driver and passenger experience. Fun for the whole family! 513-326-7100

MAR. 28 – Cabin Fever Arts Festival, Southern State Community College, Patriot Center, 100 Hobart Dr., Hillsboro, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission. Presented by the Appalachian Artisans Guild. A showcase of quality handcrafted arts and

website), or $10 at door. Find the perfect gown, DJ, photographer, reception venue, band, and honeymoon destination! Fashion show, food sampling, photo gallery, prizes and giveaways, and much more. https://bridalshowsoh-cc.com.

MAR. 27–29 – Columbus Home Improvement Show, Ohio Expo Center, Kasich Hall, 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, Fri. 12–6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. $5; under 18 free. See the latest innovations and design trends from hundreds of exhibitors. Local remodeling and building experts will be on hand to answer your questions. www.homeshowcenter.com/overview/ columbushome2

MAR. 28 – Annie Glenn Tea and Toys, John and Annie Glenn Museum, 72 W. Main St., New Concord, 1–3 p.m. $20 per guest. Join us for a fullservice tea featuring a historic toy presentation and full tour of the museum. Spaces are limited. Email information.maem@gmail or call 740-826-3305 to reserve a seat.

MAR. 28–29 – Scott Antique Market, Ohio Expo Ctr., Bricker and Celeste Bldgs., 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission; $7 parking. 800 exhibit booths. info@scottantiquemarket.com or www. scottantiquemarkets.com.

APR. 9–12 – Equine Affaire, Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus. $10–$20; 6 and under free. The nation’s premier equine expo and equestrian gathering, featuring training clinics, seminars, demos, exhibits, equine entertainment and competition, and much more. 740-845-0085 or www.equineaffaire.com.

APR. 11 – Sunbury Piece Corps Quilt Show, Sunbury United Methodist Church, 110 W. Cherry St., Sunbury, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $5. Quilts on display, vendors, quilting rummage sale. Food for sale around lunchtime. Email sunburypiececorps@ aol.com.

crafts. Vendors, food truck, coffee truck, and live entertainment. www.appartguild.com

MAR. 31 – Miami University Appalachian Studies Concert, Harry T. Wilkes Conference Center, 1601 University Blvd., Hamilton, 7 p.m. Free. Enjoy an evening of lively bluegrass music by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, featuring lightning-fast instrumentals, close harmonies, and entertaining novelty songs. 513-785-3277 or www. facebook.com/MiamiRegionalsAppStudies.

APR. 11 – Family Trout Fishing, Caesar Creek State Park, 8570 East St. Rte. 73, Waynesville, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Family-friendly fishing event in partnership with ODNR. Meet at the Caesar Creek Youth Pond. https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-avisit/find-a-property/caesar-creek-state-park.

SOUTHEAST

MAR. 14 – Miller’s Automotive Swap Meet and Car Show, Ross Co. Fgds., 344 Fairgrounds Rd., Chillicothe, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $8; under 14 free. Open to all motorsports from restoration to racing, including race cars, tools, hot rods, apparel, collectibles, rat rods, go-karts, and more. 740701-3447 (Nate), 740-701-2511 (Brian), or www. millersswapmeet.com.

MAR. 17 – RUNA: Celtic Roots Music, Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 7 p.m. $27–$67. This music “super group” interweaves the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the harmonies and rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco, and blues. www.peoplesbanktheatre.com.

MAR. 20–21 – River City Blues Festival, Lafayette Hotel, 101 Front St., Marietta. $45–$60;

NORTHWEST

THROUGH MAY 12 – Line Dancing, Delphos Eagles Aerie #471, 1600 E. Fifth St., Tues. 6–7:30 p.m. $5. Step-by-step instructions given at the beginning of each class. Everyone can learn! Private lessons also available. Taught by Kelly Jackson Kroeger (see her Facebook page). www. visitgreaterlima.com/calendar.

MAR. 7–8, APR. 4–5 – Tri-State Gun Show, Allen Co. Fgds., 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima, Sat. 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. $8; 18 and under free. Over 400 tables of modern and antique guns, edged weapons, and sportsmen equipment. 419-647-0067 (Manetta Obringer) or www. allencofair.com/events-calendar.

MAR. 20 – The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg, The Ritz Theatre, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin, 7:30 p.m. Join us for a free screening of this 1927 silent film. and a few surprises! 419-448-8544, info@ ritztheatre.org, or www.ritztheatre.org.

MAR. 21 – Black Swamp Spinners Guild Annual Market Day and Fiber Fair, Wood Co. Fgds., Junior Fair Bldg., 13800 W. Poe Rd., Bowling

weekend pass, $120. The festival brings together some of the most talented blues performers from around the country. For information, call Jay Phillips at 304-481-8389 days, evenings, and weekends. For lineup and schedule, visit https:// bjfm.org/blues-festival.

MAR. 20–22 – Retreat: “Bloom and Create,” Riverview Conference Center, 20 N. Plaza Blvd., Chillicothe. $130. Twigs & Twine Craft Shop is hosting a three-day spring crafting getaway! Bring your projects and enjoy a weekend full of creativity, friendship, and inspiration. www. twigsandtwinecraftshop.com.

MAR. 21 – Fearing Township Volunteer Fire Department Annual Dinner, 1975 Stanleyville Rd., Whipple, 4 p.m. For more information or questions, call 740-516-3989

MAR. 27 – “The Gambler Returns”: Kenny Rogers Tribute, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 7:30 p.m. $30–$40. Country recording artist Alan Turner re-creates the magic of a night with Kenny. This full band show will take you on a musical journey through the career of an American icon and legend. www.majesticchillicothe.net.

MAR. 28 – Flint Knapping Demonstration, Hopewell Mound Group, 4731 Sulphur Lick Rd., Chillicothe, 1–3 p.m. Ed Moreland will discuss the history of flint knapping and the knapping process, followed by a live demonstration. Learn about this ancient technology. 740-774-1126 or www. friendsofhopewell.org/events.

Green, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $1; open to the public. Roving, fleeces, exotic fibers, handcrafted items, homespun yarns, books, dyes, spinning and weaving equipment and supplies, and demonstrations. Lunch available. For more information, email blackswampsg@gmail.com.

MAR. 21 – The Lettermen, The Ritz Theatre, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin, 7:30 p.m. $20–$50 419-4488544, info@ritztheatre.org, or www.ritztheatre.org.

MAR. 22 – Findlay Spring Model Train Show, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; trains run until 4 p.m. $5; 12 and under free with adult admission. Vendors will be displaying and selling model trains, toy trains, and railroad memorabilia. Quarter-scale train rides available: $3 adults, $2 children. 419423-2995, www.facebook.com/nworrp, or www. nworrp.org.

MAR. 28 – Maple Syrup Festival, Williams Co. Fgds., Montpelier, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Contact the Williams SWCD at 419-636-9395 for more information or email amichaels@williamsswcd.org.

MAR. 31 – The Music Man, Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, #7 Town Square, Lima, 7:30 p.m. $62–$102. There’s trouble in River City when a fast-talking traveling salesman named Harold Hill arrives and cons the townspeople into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band, but his plans to skip town are foiled when he falls for the town librarian. www.limaciviccenter.com.

APR. 4 – NWORRP Easter Egg Hunt, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. $3; 12 and under, $2. A continuous scavenger egg hunt for all ages with a chance to win a “Golden Ticket” good for the 2026 season. No competition here! Just fun and treats

APR. 4 – Stanleyville Community Group Easter Egg Hunt, Fearing Township Volunteer Fire Department, 1975 Stanleyville Rd., Whipple, 10 a.m. Come hunt some eggs and get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny. For more information, call 740-336-4062 or email us at fearingtownship@ gmail.com.

APR. 11 – First Capital Lecture Series: “Ohio Moves: Transportation — The Erie Canal,” Dard Hunter Studio, 125 W. Water St., Chillicothe, 2–4 p.m. Free. Tom Troester will share the story of the canal that ran through Chillicothe from 1831 to 1907. The presentation will be in a former canal warehouse built in 1847, much of which is still original. A guided tour of a small section of the canal will be available after the lecture. www.visitchillicotheohio.com/america250rosscountyohio.

APR. 11–12 – Association of Ohio Long Rifle Collectors 51st Annual Show, Lafayette Hotel, 101 Front St., Marietta, Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. $8; members and children under 12 free. Buy, sell, or trade. Features Ohio-made muzzleloading rifles and their accouterments from the 18th and 19th centuries; over 200 makers. Includes rifles from the late, contemporary builder Warren Offenberger and antique guns by Stilgenbauer. Also demos of leatherwork and engraving. For info, contact John Reinbolt at 419429-9825 or jreinbolt24@bright.net. Visit http:// aolrc.com or follow us on Facebook.

for all participating youngsters. Quarter-scale train rides continue until 4 p.m. 419-423-2995, www. facebook.com/nworrp, or www.nworrp.org.

APR. 5 – Lima Community Easter Dinner, Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, #7 Town Square, Lima, 12:45–2 p.m. Free. Gather with the community around a common table for Easter dinner. www.limaciviccenter.com.

APR. 10–12 – McDonald’s Youth Theatre: The Hobbit, Encore Theater, 991 N. Shore Dr., Lima, Fri./Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $10; 10 and under, $5. You’ve read the book and seen the movies — now journey there and back again in the stage adaptation of Tolkien’s epic tale of magic, treasure, and dragons. www.amiltellers.org.

APR. 11 – F.A.C.T Pound Out Cancer Event, Tiffin University, Tiffin, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Buy a T-shirt, join in the POUND workout, check out the vendors, silent auction, and food trucks. All proceeds go to support F.A.C.T of Seneca County. www.facebook. com/poundoutcancertiffin.

APR. 11 – Lima Symphony and Chorus: “Fate and Fortune,” Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, #7 Town Square, Lima, 7:30 p.m. $15–$50 Dive into a powerful musical journey exploring the forces that shape our lives — desire, destiny, and the unpredictable tides of fortune. Don’t miss this exhilarating night of music! 419-222-5701 or www. limasymphony.com.

APR. 11 – Spring for the STARS Vendor and Craft Fair, Elida Elementary School, 300 Pioneer Rd., Elida, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $2; free for K–5th grade. Over 40 vendors with handcrafted items and great gift ideas. Concessions available. For more information, contact Nicole Oen at noen@elida.k12.oh.us.

1 4 5 6 2 3

1. Lilly and friends’ tea party. Margo Wolf, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative member

2. Our granddaughters, Brynlee and Aubree, enjoying a little tea. Janet Ruffing, North Central Electric Cooperative member

3. Our daughters, Bernadette and Hattie, having a tea party with all of their favorite stuffed animals. Olivia Winner, Pioneer Electric Cooperative member

4. An afternoon lunch tea party with daughter and granddaughter. Marge Weitzel, Midwest Electric member

5. Our grandson, Owen Warnecke, enjoying his tea party with his friends. Della Wenninger, Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative member

6. Myself, my sister Michaila, mother, Maureen, and grandmother Connie (all co-op members) out for a tea party day at a tea house in Ohio! Katherine Klaus, The Energy Cooperative member

For June, send “Roller coaster” by March 15; for July, send “America” by April 15. Upload your photos at www.ohiocoopliving.com/memberinteractive. Your photo may be featured in our magazine or on our website. Send us YOUR picture!

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