country living may 2016 butler

Official publication ofyour electric cooperative

MAY 2016

Local co-op pages 19-22Funny signs 24Spring and summer festivals 26Jack Nicklaus 30

Project Ohiolights upGuatemala 4

www.ohioec.org

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D E P A R T M E N T S

F E AT U R E S

24 FUNNY SIGNS We feature a montage of the hilarious signs you sent us from around Ohio and beyond.

26 FUN AND FUNNY FESTIVALSWe suggest four spring and summertime festivals foryou to consider.

30 GRIN AND (GOLDEN) BEAR IT Check out our compendium of facts about Jack Nicklaus in observance of this month’s 40th annual Memorial Tournament in Muirfield.

31 WHAT A KICK! Kick up your heels and try FootGolf.

Our lineup of spring andsummer “Fun and Funny

Festivals” includes the DogFest at Zoar.

Beloved bybikers and

hikers alike,the Little Miami

Scenic Trail turns25 this year.

Linemenand other

representativesfrom Ohio’s Electric

Cooperatives traveled tothe remote Guatemalan village

of La Soledad in March to bringlight and power to the gratefultownspeople. Read about “ProjectOhio” on page 6.

3 COOPERAT IVE CONNECT ION

6 POWER STAT ION

8 THE 7 COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES

12 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

14 GARDENING LANDSCAPE

16 FOOD SCENE

24 MEMBER INTERACTIVE

32 CO-OP PEOPLE

34 OHIO ICON

36 MAY CALENDAR

39 OHIO QUIZ

Next month...The work ofGovernment Affairs

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Sometimes our perceptions become skewed by whatwe hear or read in the news. Headlines often empha-size problems and concerns but rarely celebrate theslow, constant progress made by business or idustry.We often need a reality check, or an opportunity tolook at the facts and adjust our perception. I hopeyou’ll take a few moments to look at the electricpower industry as I see it.

Production of U.S. electric power is cleaner thanit’s ever been, by a lot. Sounds like a bold claim, butit’s true by every measure. Since 1990, emissions ofregulated pollutants from the production of electricityhave steadily decreased. Depending on the factorsmeasured, we produce one-third more electricitytoday, with 65 percent to 80 percent lower emissions,as compared to 1990. That’s correct — in 2015, weproduced about one-third more electricity than we dida quarter of a century earlier, with far fewer emis-sions.

You might wonder how we did it. Like many accom-plishments, the reduction of emissions is the result ofhard, concentrated effort. The technology used toscrub pollutants from power plant smoke stacks hasimproved dramatically throughout the past 25 years.Coal-burning power plant efficiencies have been en-hanced, which typically reduces emissions by about90 percent. Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives have been atthe forefront of the charge.

New supplies from shaleformations have made nat-ural gas more available andless expensive. As a result,some older, coal-firedplants have been replacedby new, cleaner-burningnatural gas-fired powerplants. In fact, it is ex-pected that in 2016, we’llproduce more electricity from natural gas than fromcoal. That’s a first. As recently as 2005, more thanhalf of the electricity produced in the U.S. was fromcoal. Today, that figure stands at about 33 percent.

Renewable energy sources have been on the rise, aswell. As of 2015, hydropower has remained at aboutsix percent of U.S. power generation, while electricproduction from wind and solar power sources hasgrown from about two percent to more than eightpercent of the nation’s total. Ohio’s electric coopera-tives have been regularly adding renewable energysources, too.

Regardless of what you may have heard, facts arefacts. The U.S. electric power system remains theenvy of the world. The powerful combination of safe,reliable delivery and clean, affordable productionmakes our electric power system world-class. Thatfact may not make headlines, but it’s good news forthose of us who use electricity every day.

2 COUNTRY LIVING • MAY 2016

Cooperative Connection

Reality check

PAT O’LOUGHLIN, PRESIDENT & CEO • OHIO RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES & BUCKEYE POWER


MAY 2016 • COUNTRY LIVING 3

May 2016 Volume 58, No. 8

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives

6677 Busch Blvd.Columbus, OH 43229

[email protected]

www.ohioec.org

Patrick O’Loughlin President & CEO

Patrick Higgins Dir. of Communications

Rich Warren Managing Editor

Magen Howard Associate Editor

Adam Specht Member Services &

Communications Consultant

Chris Hall Communications Specialist

Nikki Heath Communications Specialist

Nila Moyers Administrative Assistant

COUNTRY LIVING (ISSN 0747-0592)is the official public ation of Ohio RuralElec tric Co op eratives, Inc. With a paidcirculation of 294,359, it is the monthlycom mun ication link be tween the elec tricco operatives in Ohio and West Virginiaand their mem bers. Nothing in this pub-lication may be reproduced in any man-ner without specific written permissionfrom Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives,Inc. All rights reserved.

The fact that a product is advertised in Coun try Liv-ing should not be taken as an en dorse ment. If youfind an advertisement mis leading or a product un-satisfactory, please not ify us or the Ohio AttorneyGeneral’s Of fice, Consumer Protection Sec tion, 30E. Broad St., Col um bus, OH 43215, or call 1-800-282-0515.Periodicals postage paid at Colum bus, OHand at additional mailing offices.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to edi-torial and advertising offices at: 6677 BuschBoulevard, Columbus, OH 43229-1101

Cooperative members —Please report any change of

address to your local electric cooperative.

National advertising representatives:

NATIONAL COUNTRY MARKET,800-NCM-1181

State advertising representatives:

Sandy Woolard 614-403-1653Tim Dickes 614-855-5226

Alliance forAudited Media Member

Follow us on :

ohioec.orgCheck out the mobile-friendlywebsite and digital editionof Country Living, as well asother timely information fromOhio’s electric cooperatives.

Home improvement

For a package of stories describing how toenhance the curb appeal of your home — in-cluding improvements with doors and win-dows, paint, and windows and siding — lookunder “Online Exclusives” under the Coun-try Living button at www.ohioec.org.

Ohio travel

Want to see Ida McKinley’s tiara? A Lima jailcell that John Dillinger broke out of? You neverknow what you’ll find in Ohio’s small-town mu-seums. Click on the cover of the current issueand go to page 20.

RecipesIn addition to the last installment of egg recipes you sent for the recipe

contest in January, check out the Lake Erie fish recipes submitted byCooking Editor Margie Wuebker and Nutrition Editor Diane Yoakamunder the “Food Scene” button.

In addition• Read a story on “Can you have a Zero Net Energy Home?”• See more photos of the work of Project Ohio in Guatemala.

In this issue:Sandusky Bay (p. 12)

Quailcrest Farm (p. 14)

Lakeside (p.26)Cambridge (p. 26)

Versailles (p. 26)

Zoar (p. 26)Memorial Tournament, Muirfield (p. 30)

Findlay (p. 32)

Little Miami Scenic Trail (p. 34)

Online exclusives


mailto:[email protected]



POWER STATION

GUATEMALA IS THE “place of manytrees,” but for the 322 residents ofLa Soledad, nestled 8,800 feetabove sea level, within the rugged,mountainous terrain of the coun-try’s central region, the only thingthey knew about electricity waswhen lightning lit up the skies ofthe surrounding forest. Thatchanged in March, when 17 line-men, representing Ohio’s 24 elec-tric cooperatives, spent more thantwo weeks bringing light to part ofthe 20 percent of Guatemala thathad never known electricity.

It takes a village

La Soledad’s picturesque back-drop is the setting for 72 primi-tive homes that house the villagepopulation, composed primarilyof families who eke out a livingdoing backbreaking farm work.According to Dwight Miller,director of safety and loss controlfor Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives,the partnership between thevillage residents and the “ProjectOhio” linemen crew was a perfectpairing.“The people of La Soledad

work tirelessly, in unforgivingconditions, and that resonatedwith the crew,” says Miller. “Line-men are used to hazardous, re-lentless work, in all kinds ofweather, when the stakes are

high,” Miller adds. The Ohio crew was determined

to bring power to the tiny com-munity, and the citizens of LaSoledad worked side-by-side withthe linemen to hand-dig holesthrough seemingly impenetrablerock, set 70 poles and 67 anchors,and do what was needed to bedone to bring light to their lives.

Attitude of gratitude“La Soledad was considered the

least of the villages in the area,”Miller states. “Now, it’s at the topof the list. Because of the electrifi-cation, people from nearby vil-lages are streaming into LaSoledad to build homes.”La Soledad’s value system can

likely take partial credit. Accord-

This littlelight of mine...

"Project Ohio" is endorsed by the NationalRural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA),with its tenet to promote global developmentvia rural electrification.

To see more photos of Project Ohio,go to www.ohioec.org.

STORY BY

PATRICK HIGGINS

‘Project Ohio’ brings power and light to a Guatemalan village




ing to Miller, the village has an over-whelming sense of community. TheOhio linemen and native men alikestarted each day in prayer and then gotdown to work as a team. Most work-days were virtually sunup to sundown;a treacherous trip down the mountain-side for supplies meant even longerhours. In a land where hot showershad to wait until the water boiled andtoilets are flushed by using buckets,life above the clouds wasn’t quiteheaven.But despite the grueling work and

endless hours, sweat and sacrifice werebalanced by levity and laughter. Thegratitude of the villagers and the op-portunity to forever change their liveswas a beacon for the Ohio linemen.

Los niños“Sundays were reserved for church

and fun,” Miller indicates. After serv-ices, however, given the choice to go

into town for “R&R,” the linemenopted to stay in La Soledad. The rea-son? The village’s smallest residentshad captured the linemen’s hearts. Soc-cer, football (American style), candy,and cornhole games were the order ofthe day. “‘Project Ohio’ did more thancross international lines,” Miller notes.“It brought generations and culturestogether.” The crew brought more than elec-

tricity to La Soledad. Fortified by dona-tions from back home, the bountybrought by the crew included 310 barsof soap; 340 toothbrushes and tubes oftoothpaste; 156 assorted toys; 170 pairsof shoes; 24 blankets; umbrellas; schoolbackpacks; boxes of school supplies;and financial contributions that willallow La Soledad’s children to completegrades 7 to 12 (to do so, electricity inthe village schoolhouse is a requirementof the Guatemalan government).

( — continued on page 6)



“Until I got to La Soledad, I didn’t know what poor was,”admits Chris Napier, safety and loss control consultant forOhio’s Electric Cooperatives. “Still, I wouldn’t think twice aboutgoing back.” In fact, “sign me up” reflects the sentiments of theentire Ohio crew. The linemen and the villagers had formed abond, even as they were beginning to see the light at the end ofthe tunnel.

6:32 p.m.The lights pierced the darkness on Saturday, March 12, in an

inauguration celebration that lasted into the now-illuminatednight. Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives President and CEO PatrickO’Loughlin greeted the crowd in Spanish, joined by PauldingPutnam Electric Cooperative CEO George Carter, who suppliedcandy for the piñatas. “There’s a special place in my heart for thepeople of La Soledad,” Miller intimates. The village, which usedto shut down at nightfall, now has reason to burn the midnightoil — or to at least leave the lights on.

Project Ohio ( – continued from page 5)



IN OUR SEVEN-PARTseries, you’ll learn how

the same sevenprinciples that guide

cooperatives around theworld also govern your

local electric co-op,keeping you — a valuedmember-owner — asthe primary focus.

Principle 3, “Members’Economic

Participation,” reads asfollows: “Members

contribute equitably to,and democratically

control, the capital oftheir cooperative.”

Principle 3:Members’ Economic Participation

TheBY SAMANTHA RHODES

Legionnaires: Dedicated to their country

THE NUMBER OF OHIO VETERANS who are members of the American Le-gion — about 105,000 — exceeds the maximum capacity of “The Horse-shoe,” The Ohio State University Buckeyes’ football stadium.Compared to the Legion’s nationwide membership of nearly 2.2 mil-

lion, Ohio comprises only a small chunk of the country’s largest veterans’service organization. But Ohio Department Adjutant Tom Simons, a re-tired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and member of South Central PowerCompany from Canal Winchester, says Ohio plays a vital role.“As veterans, we say an oath to defend and support our constitution,

and that doesn’t stop when we get out of uniform,” Simons says. “Wefirmly believe that as an American citizen, you have responsibilities toparticipate in your government. We try to teach that to our youth.”For more than 70 years, the Ohio department has annually sponsored

Buckeye Boys State, a weeklong leadership camp for high school boys tolearn about American government. Nationally, more than 20,000 youngmen from their respective states participate in Boys State every year.Alumni include former President Bill Clinton, professional basketballplayer Michael Jordan, and astronaut Neil Armstrong — to name a few.Simons says that the organization is nothing without its local posts in

each state — the place where every resolution starts.Across Ohio, numerous posts are stationed in electric cooperative

service territories, forging close relationships with their city councils anddonating to various programs like local Scout troops. Each post evensponsors a Legion baseball team that competes throughout the year.“Veterans understand teamwork, and our Legion baseball teaches how

to work in a collective to achieve a common goal,” Simons says. “No mat-ter what service you’re in, it’s all about teamwork.”

Living the principle

Just as you pay your monthly electric bill to your co-op, American Le-gion members also contribute by paying annual membership dues tocover administrative costs.Both forms of economic participation make the contributors part-

owners of their organization. In other words, as a paying member of yourelectric co-op, you democratically control the capital and common prop-erty of the cooperative and reap the same benefits as other member-own-ers.“Whether you’re a member of the Legion or your electric co-op, having

ownership gives you a stake in the fight and brings you into the team,”Simons says. “Then you start to understand what your part is in it.”

To learn more about the American Legion or to find a post in your area, visitwww.legion.org.



http://www.legion.org

Understanding capital credits

Did you know that by paying your monthly electric bill on time, you’re helping se-cure your co-op’s future?According to Cathy Bitler, vice president of member service and community rela-

tions at South Central Power, your electric co-op has two means of raising capital tofund its operations — through member participation or through loans. Thus, whenmembers contribute to the company, they assure that funds are available to operatethe cooperative without having to borrow money from a bank.“Members help hold down the cost of money, which holds down costs for every-

one,” Bitler says.Your cooperative then uses that money to cover its expenses, including hiring and

training staff, buying equipment, and building power lines to deliver safe, reliablepower to homes, farms, schools, and businesses. But because cooperatives operate on a not-for-profit basis, any margin — or capi-

tal — left at the end of the year after all of the bills are paid is credited to memberson an equitable basis. That’s where capital credits come in.“Think of it this way: Capital credits are the members’ share of the cooperative’s

success in operating efficiently,” Bitler says. “It’s unique to our business model.”All cooperatives handle capital credits in different ways. For example, some send

checks, while others issue rebates or credits on future electric bills. Even deceasedmembers can still receive capital credits to their estate.

To find out how your cooperative handles capital credits, call or visit your co-op’s website.



LAST OCTOBER 30, Roger Keller, the energy advisor atConsolidated Electric Cooperative (CEC), arrivedhome after some late evening work when his wife,Brenda, offered him some coffee. With just one sip,Roger started choking and fell to the floor, his left sideparalyzed. Sensing that Roger had just had a stroke,Brenda called for help, and Roger was rushed to ahospital in Marion.Since there were no stroke specialists on duty, Roger

was evaluated by an off-site physician by a devicecalled “telestroke,” where doctor and patient interactthrough a television screen. The doctor ordered thatthe clot-busting drug tPA be administered. Roger wasthen flown by helicopter to Riverside Hospital inColumbus, where doctors were able to remove the clotfrom his brain. Several minutes later, he started re-gaining feeling in his left side, a very promising sign.After a week in the hospital, Roger was moved to a

rehabilitation center, where his recovery was swift. Hewas back at work on Feb. 15, as good as new. “If I’d waited longer to receive treatment because I

didn’t have access to telestroke, my recovery would havebeen much longer,” Keller says. “There’s a good chance

I’d still be in a wheelchair.” Infact, there’s a chance he’d havebeen wheel chair-bound therest of his life. By a miraculous coinci-

dence, Consolidated hadexpanded bandwidth in-frastructure within its ter-ritory in 2014, including tothe Marion hospital whereRoger had the telestrokeconference. As ConsolidatedPresident and CEO PhilCaskey puts it, “WhenCEC embarked on ourproject to bring high-speed data capabili-ties to our serviceareas, we hopedand expected theresult would be toimprove the qual-ity of life for ourmembers andcommunities. It’salmost impossibleto express the joythat we feel by

having helped to provide such a life-altering outcomefor any person, let alone such a valued member of ouremployee family.” Roger’s stroke story hasn’t ended with his recovery.

He was requested by the American Heart Associa-tion/American Stroke Association to travel to Wash-ington, D.C., to advocate for the Further Access toStroke Telemedicine Act, also known as the FASTAct, which would require Medicare reimbursementfor all telestroke evaluations. Because he lives in arural area, Roger is eligible for this reimbursement.Patients at urban or suburban hospitals are not.Roger doesn’t think that’s right. “Everybody should

have access to Medicare reimbursement, regardless ofwhere they live,” he says. “I told them I’d be happy to go.” So, in early March, Roger and 200 other stroke

advocates and neurologists from across the U.S. wentknocking on the doors of lawmakers to tell their sto-ries. Ohio legislators visited included Senator SherrodBrown and representatives Pat Tiberi, Steve Stivers,and Joyce Beatty. Representative Beatty didn’t need any convincing.

A stroke victim herself, she introduced the FAST billto the House. It’s also been introduced in the Senateand has been assigned for committee consideration inboth chambers.After their visits, seven congressional members

pledged their support for the FAST Act, so Roger feelsgratified that his trip was worthwhile. He urges Coun-try Living readers to add their voices to the call by con-tacting their congressional representatives. To makethat process easy, go to yourethecure.org. Just click onthe red button “Take Action Today” and be guidedthrough the process of expressing your support.

FAST actionRoger Keller’s rapid recovery from a stroketurned him into a congressional advocate

BY RICH WARREN

A telestroke device allows stroke patients to be evaluated by anoff-site physician through use of web-based communications.



IN ONE OF Hank Williams Jr.’smore famous songs, entitled “ACountry Boy Can Survive,” heclaims, “I can plow a field all daylong; I can catfish fish from dusk’til dawn.” Applying that samelogic, Scott Heston must be acountry boy, too, because he candefinitely catch catfish from dusk’til dawn — all day long for thatmatter. Of course, he is fishingLake Erie’s Sandusky Bay.Located at the south edge of

the Western Basin just west ofthe town of Sandusky, the bay is

catfish heaven. Shallow, muddy,and full of natural fish food, tensof thousands of channel catfishroam the bay, weighing up to 12pounds or more and measuringmore than 30 inches. “The fishingjust con tinues to get better,” saysHeston. “In recent years, the cat-fish have grown even bigger.”Heston, from Sugar Grove,

should know. He has been fishingSandusky Bay for more than 40years. His grandfather onceowned a small cabin beside thebay and taught him how to fish. “He and I would fish together

almost every weekend during thesummer,” Heston says. “I remem-ber my parents driving up to thelake one weekend to spend some

time at the cabin with us. Theydecided to go to nearby CedarPoint amusement park for theday and asked me if I wanted togo along, thinking I’d jump at thechance. I told them I’d rather gofishing with Grandpa — and Idid.” Heston begins his catfishing

each spring in May and continuesthrough September. “The bestfishing is during the heat of sum-mer, during July and August,” hesays. “That’s usually when thewalleye and yellow perch fishingon the main lake is slow, but youcan always catch catfish in thebay.”I fished with Heston on a per-

fect July morning last summer. Ihave to admit that at the begin-ning of the trip I was a little skep-tical about the numbers and sizeof catfish he claimed we’d catch.

(If maybe you

ChasingMr. WhiskersLake Erie’s Sandusky Bay is ‘Catfish Heaven’

WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

STORY AND PHOTO BY W. H. ‘CHIP’ GROSS




haven’t heard, some fishermenare known to stretch the truth abit.) But during three hours offishing, we caught more than 40channel catfish — so many Ieventually lost count. Some ofthose fish weighed nearly ninepounds!Any size catfish is fun to catch,

but the biggest are brawlers. Iwas daydreaming for a few min-utes while waiting for a bite, anda large cat hit so hard it nearlyjerked the rod from my hands. Alittle later, Heston almost lost arod over the side of the boat.For hooking the large cats,

Heston borrows a techniquefrom yellow perch fishing, usinga weighted spreader with twohooks as his terminal tackle. Butunlike in perch fishing, he baitsthe hooks with raw shrimp tails,not live minnows. “I once bought cooked shrimp

by mistake and couldn’t under-stand why the fishing was soslow that day,” he says. “But whenI switched back to uncooked rawshrimp, the fish started bitingagain. When fishing for catfish,it’s all about the scent of thebait.”If you’d like to fish with Scott

Heston, he opened a catfishingcharter service earlier this year. A

family-friendly trip aboard Cap-tain Scott’s boat is a great experi-ence for kids.“I use a 24-foot pontoon boat,

so there is plenty of room forchildren and families to movearound,” he says. “To make it eas-ier for novice anglers, I do every-thing everyone else doesn’t wantto do, such as baiting hooks andtaking fish off, even cleaning thecatch.” Heston recommends a half-

day (four-hour) charter for fami-lies. If you’d like to make it aweekend at the lake, he suggeststaking the kids to Cedar Pointon day two. Just don’t be sur-prised if they’d rather go catfish-ing again instead.

To find out more about Scott Heston’scatfishing charter service,call 740-243-1772, or go towww.captainscottcc.com.

Outdoors editor W. H. “CHIP”

GROSS, a member of ConsolidatedElectric Cooperative, is interestedin hearing from you about anyoutdoor story idea you might likehim to investigate. His e-mail ad-dress is [email protected];his website is www.chipgross.com.


http://www.captainscottcc.com


http://www.chipgross.com

GARDENING LANDSCAPE

AT QUAILCREST FARM, GinnaPhillips and her siblings encouragepeople to enjoy the many gardensthat grace the family’s 200 acres ofland near Wooster.Quailcrest Farm, which is

served by Holmes-Wayne ElectricCooperative, is the gardening busi-ness that Phillips owns and oper-ates with her sister, DeborahRobinson, and brothers, TobyBruch and Rusty Bruch. It’s alsothe place where the four of themgrew up after their parents, Tomand Libby Bruch, transplantedthem in 1957 from Cleveland towhat was then a dairy farm.The Bruch youngsters were

raised in the colonial-style farm-house that still stands along Quail-crest Farm’s driveway and nowshelters yet another generation ofthe family. The late Libby Bruch launched

the Quailcrest Farm gardeningbusiness in 1975. “My mother wasa great gardener,” says Phillips.“She couldn’t find the herbs andperennials she wanted, so she de-cided to grow them herself.” Mrs. Bruch turned an old sum-

mer kitchen into a small shop andplanted row after row of perenni-

als in the farm’s fields. “In theearly days,” recalls Phillips, “cus-tomers would drive out to ourfarm to dig up clumps of whateverplants they wanted and then takethem back home.” Quailcrest Farm today is a

unique gardening destination thatmeasures up to its “magical placein the country” motto. Part nurs-ery, part greenhouse, and part giftshop, it’s a relaxed and welcomingplace where the friendly farmdogs, Lola and Sarge, greet cus-tomers; where hundreds of vari-eties of flowering trees, shrubs,and other perennials are propa-gated; and where the Tea House

Garden’s giant allium, heliopsis,and acanthus provide a naturallylovely setting for weddings. It’salso where old-fashioned lilacs andcrab apple trees surround a recon-structed schoolhouse and wherean entire family of dedicated gar-deners tends the grounds, culti-vates the plants, and eagerlyshares their years of knowledgeand experience. Although Quailcrest Farm sells

everything from hostas to heirloomtomato plants to hanging basketsof flowers, it’s known for its phe-nomenal selection of herbs andscented geraniums. “We have hun-dreds of different herbs,”

From hostasto heirlooms

Quailcrest Farm has becomea gardening destination

STORY BY DAMAINE VONADA

PHOTOS BY GINNA PHILLIPS

Just for fun Mark your calendar for these enjoyable Quailcrest Farm events.“Quail Cup” Old Time Baseball, Sunday, May 29 —Bring a chair and watch “gentlemanly” teams play 1860s-style

baseball. No spitting or cussing, but plenty of fun and fresh air, as wellas flourishing plants for sale.

Spring Garden Fair, June 11 and 12 —More than 60 artisans bring their garden-related wares and

demonstrate their skills. Come for hypertufa planters, miniature gardens,live alpacas, food wagons, and gardening ideas galore.

Herb Fair, Sept. 10 —Ushering in autumn and the holidays, the fair offers bountiful herbs

and beautiful dried flowers, a bevy of artists and craftsmen, and abonanza of antiques, furniture, fine jewelry, and more.




says Phillips, “including about 15 va-rieties each of rosemary, thyme,lavender, and basil.” With some 50scented geraniums, Quailcrest alsooffers a delightful and diverse selec-tion — lemon, rose, citrus, nutmeg,ginger — of fragrant foliage.“Scented geraniums,” notes Phillips,“make nice container plants. Somepeople like to place pots of thelemon ones around their patios toward off mosquitoes.” Since May is a prime planting

month for Ohio gardeners, Quail-crest Farm’s greenhouse is brimfulof flowering annuals, vegetableseedlings, and popular perennials,such as butterfly plants, coral bells,and coneflowers. Customers whobring their own containers can pickout plants, pot them up at the on-site potting shed, and then shop forgarden accessories, fairy gardenitems, silk floral arrangements, andmuch more in the bright and airyGift Barn. The formal herb garden’s mint

and lavender are coming to life, andthe peony garden is in full, exquisitebloom. “Our peonies,” declaresPhillips, “look gorgeous in May.” DAMAINE VONADA is a freelance writerfrom Xenia.

Quailcrest Farm, 2810 Armstrong Rd.,Wooster. Guided group tours with boxlunches, by reservation. For hours andother information, call 330-345-6722, orvisit www.quailcrest.com.

From hostasto heirlooms

Member interactive:Send us your photos and stories!

If we use your photo, you will get a Country Livingmug.

If we use your essay, you’ll get: $25For July, send us by May 15photos of “Look-alikes.”

For August, send us by June. 15essays on “My (not so) secret obession.”

Guidelines:1. Stories no longer than 150 words2. Digital photos should be a minimum of 300 dpi3. One entry per household per month4. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you

want anything returned

5. Include your name, mailing address and the nameof your electric co-op

6. E-mail: fromourmembers @ ohioruralelectric.coop

By U.S. mail: Editor, Country Living, 6677 BuschBlvd., Columbus, OH 43229


http://www.quailcrest.com

FOOD SCENE

Something f ishygoing on

SPRINGTIME LURES ANGLERS to Lake Erie, where fishlike yellow perch and walleye abound. Once the “catchof the day” is brought home, it must be cooked prop-erly to ensure flakiness and optimum flavor.Don Schonauer of Chardon considers Lake Erie

perch “yellow gold,” claiming its flavor is excellent dueto cold water temperatures and a diet rich in minnows.It has neither a fishy taste nor a telltale smell.Schonauer, who prefers perch deep fried in peanut oil,

recommends using a cooking thermometer to ensure theoil reaches 375 degrees, before adding fillets.

Bev Frischkorn of Mentor on the Lake loves the

“mighty awesome” flavor of walleye grilled to perfec-tion in foil packets with fresh garden produce. She al-ternates vegetables in season from the garden orfarmers’ market.“My husband is a purist — he thinks fish needs to

be fried — but this is a welcome alternative,” she says.“Try it once, and you’ll be hooked.”

The Ohio Division of Wildlife (http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov)provides many recipes for baked fish. Also, see additional fishrecipes at www.ohioec.org.

STORY BY MARGIE WUEBKER;

PHOTOS BY CHERYL BACH

Try your hand at cooking Lake Eriebounty — walleye and perch



http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov


LAKE ERIE YELLOW GOLD(DEEP-FRIED PERCH FILLETS)

12 to 15 perch fillets1 cup Kentucky Kernel seasoned flour1 cup of your favorite bread crumbs (Shore Lunch) or crushed pretzels

Water12 to 16 oz. peanut oilWash perch fillets. In a plastic Ziploc bag, mix seasoned flourand bread crumbs or crushed pretzels. Place wet fillets in bagand shake well, until all fillets are coated. Take fillets out of bagand place on separate plate. Place remaining flour and breadcrumbs from bag into a bowl and slowly add water, until youhave a pancake batter consistency. Bring peanut oil to 375 de-grees in deep-frying pot. Dip fillets one at a time and drop intohot oil. Fillets should immediately float. Cook 1-1/2 minutes oneach side or until golden brown. Serves 3 to 4.

BAKED PERCH

1 lb. perch filletsCooking spray2 Tbsp. Italian-style bread crumbs1 tsp. parsley1-1/2 cups Parmesan cheese1/2 stick butter, meltedPreheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray baking pan with cookingspray. Create one layer of fillets in bottom of pan, covering theentire bottom. For the topping, mix bread crumbs, parsley, andParmesan cheese. Using a basting brush, spread melted butteron top of fish and then spread topping, covering all of the fil-lets. Bake fish for 12 to 15 minutes depending on size of fillets.Fish are done when they are white and flaky when tested witha fork. Serves 3 to 4.

GRILLED WALLEYE AND VEGETABLES IN FOIL POUCHES

8 oz. walleye4 Tbsp. butter 8 oz. cherry tomatoes, sliced 1 onion, sliced 4 cups sliced summer squash 1 large garden pepper, sliced1 cup mushrooms, sliced Salt and lemon pepper to taste2 cloves of garlic, minced 6 Tbsp. fresh basil, chopped Use half of all ingredients for each serving packet. Adjust typeand amount of vegetables to taste and availability. Prepare grillfor medium-high heat (about 400 degrees). Tear off two largesquares of aluminum foil, each about 10 inches in length. Foldeach in half to create a fold line, then open, like a book. Cut

the fish into two equally sized portions. On each piece of foil,place 1 Tbsp. of the butter on the foil. Layer half of the vegeta-bles on top of butter. Lay one piece of fish on top of the veg-etables. Season well with salt and lemon pepper and mincedgarlic (or other seasonings of choice). Layer remaining half ofvegetables on top of fish. Top with 1 Tbsp. butter. Fold up thesides of the foil and seal edges tightly to make a pouch. Placethe packets directly on the grill. Cook for about 10 minutes. Usea spatula to carefully turn the packets. Cook until the packetspuff up (about 5 minutes). Remove packets from the grill with aspatula and place them on a plate. Use kitchen shears or aknife to cut a slit through the top center of each packet to foldopen. Open carefully — the steam that will rise from eachpacket is hot. Check to be sure fish is opaque and cookedthrough to the center. If not, place back on the grill for 5 to 7more minutes. Top the fish with freshly chopped basil. Servethe fish pockets directly in the foil to retain all of the flavors.Serves 2.

Deep-fried perch

Baked perch




Three ways to increase your omega-3 fat intakeThree ways to increase your omega-3 fat intakeBY DIANE YOAKAM, RD, LD

Talk of good fat and bad fat consumes the nutrition world. Omega-3 fatty acids rank high on the list of healthy fats and offerhead-to-toe health benefits for dementia, depression, heart health, and arthritis. Adding a few servings of the following foods is thebest bet for adequate intake.

Fish: Two crucial omega-3 fats are found primarily in fish and fish oil. Both these fats are an important part of the processinvolved in reducing inflammation in the body and lowering triglyceride levels. Those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis also benefit,since stiffness and joint pain are reduced. Fish oil supplements appear to boost the effectiveness of medications often used to easeanti-inflammatory conditions. The best sources of omega-3 fats are salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines, anchovies, tuna,and cod liver oil. Two servings of fish are recommended weekly.

Flax and chia seeds: Plant sources of omega-3 fats contain an essential fat that must be consumed through dietary sources. Arecent study found that this fat limited growth of cancer cells in both breast and cervical cancers and also caused cell death ofcancer cells, without harming healthy cells.

Walnuts: Walnuts provide 100 percent of the recommended daily serving of plant-based omega-3 fats in just a quarter cup. Menshould consume 1.6 grams of this fat daily, while 1.1 grams per day is sufficient for women. Walnuts are an easy way to get moreomega-3 into the diet, as they require no preparation, making them an excellent on-the-go source of healthy fat.

For recipes and tips on how to increase omega-3 fats, visit www.ohioec.org.

FOOD SCENE



SEPTEMBER 2013 • COUNTRY LIVING 23

Butler Rural Electric CooperativeLocal Pages

O�ce Location3888 Stillwell Beckett Rd.Oxford, OH 45056

513-867-4400800-255-2732

Access your electric use and pay your bill 24/7 through SmartHub at ButlerRural.coop

Trustees�omas McQuistonPresidentBob HoelleVice PresidentMary Beth DorrelSecretary/Treasurer

RatesGeneral Service: Distribution Energy Charge5.02¢ per kWh

Distribution Base Charge: $38

Generation & Transmission Charge: Fluctuates Monthly

General ManagerMichael L. Sims

Communications RepresentativeJade M. Guthrie

Richard BairDavid EvansRonald KolbJames MeadorRobert SpaethMichael Tilton

�omas HumbachAttorney

When we think about disasters that could a ect Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, many thoughts drift toward a widespread outage that a ects our members for days or even weeks.

After every major outage, we gauge our successes and failures by how we performed. We look for things

we did well, and we also focus on how we can improve. All of these observations are reviewed and discussed so we are better prepared for the next event. Whether it’s Hurricane Ike causing thousands to be without power or one outage a ecting a single member, preparedness is crucial.

Disaster recovery goes beyond getting the lights back on for our members. Key functions of the cooperative must continue during and after an event. While our ultimate goal is to prevent any interruption of key functions, such as responding to member inquiries or taking payments, we understand there may be elements

outside our control. Appropriate processes and procedures are in place

that allow us to e�ciently recover and continue after a significant event. From replicating critical data o -site to replacing our computer and phone systems or relocating to a di erent area, plans have been made and put in place to help us manage the unexpected.

Disaster planning, or crisis planning, is critical for any business. The di erence in having or not having a reliable emergency response plan can have devastating e ects on a business and those it serves. For many years, we have developed our plan to include every imaginable scenario. While this task may have seemed daunting at times, we have a working plan that has helped us focus on areas where we may have a weakness or exposure to higher risk. We are confident that the process of continually reviewing our emergency response plan helps us to be prepared for natural or man-made disasters that may come our way.

While we hope nothing as severe as losing our building or a substation will happen to us, we understand the responsibility we have to protect our members from any disaster, big or small. We will continue to learn from the past, be conscious of current issues, and anticipate the future for the benefit of our members.

Disaster recovery goes beyond getting the lights back onBY GREG PHILLIPS, DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE SERVICES

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Butler Rural Electric Cooperative

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s 2016 Youth Tour delegatesThe Electric Cooperative Youth Tour is an annual leadership program coordinated by Butler Rural Electric Cooperative and its statewide service organization, Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives. It’s a weeklong, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., that gives exceptional high school students the opportunity to meet with their congressional leaders at the U.S. Capitol, make new friends from across the country, and see many of the famous Washington sights.

But it’s much more than a sightseeing trip. Youth Tour was established with one thought in mind — to inspire and educate the next generation of leaders. Since 1964, more than 50,000 young Americans have taken advantage of this special opportunity o ered by their electric cooperatives.

While in D.C., participants have a chance to meet with their elected o�cials and discuss issues that are important back home. Without a doubt, Youth Tour has grown into an invaluable program that gives young Americans an experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Students have repeatedly shared that this experience has helped them grow into successful professionals. It has also benefited our local communities. Youth Tour participants return home with a deeper understanding of what it takes to be a leader, and as a result, they put these skills to use right here in our community.

The 2016 Youth Tour is June 10-16, and Butler Rural Electric Cooperative will send six delegates to visit our

nation’s capital. The following students completed an application and a test in order to qualify as a delegate.

Natalie Hopkins is the daughter of Kirk and Pam Hopkins. She is a sophomore at Harrison High School, where she is involved in marching and concert band and is a member of the Spain Society, Drama Club, and French Club.

Emily Muench is the daughter of Erika Klaber. She is a sophomore at the School for Creative and Performing Arts, where she is involved in theater, stage management, and student government and is a member of the National Junior Honor Society.

Elizabeth Schulte is the daughter of Larry and Julie Schulte. She is a junior at Oldenburg Academy, where she is a member of the National Honor Society, plays soccer, and plays in the school orchestra.

Olivia Tilton is the daughter of Mike and Teresa Tilton. She is a junior at Talawanda High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society, 4-H, FCCLA, and drama club.

Peter Whiteman is the son of Scott and Jane Whiteman. He is a junior at Talawanda High School, where he plays soccer and swims on the school’s team. He is involved with the youth group at Faith Lutheran Church.

David Winter is the son of Tom and Janet Winter. He is a sophomore at Edgewood High School and is a 4-H camp counselor, plays varsity tennis, and is an altar server at St. Peter in Chains Church.

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MAY 2016 • COUNTRY LIVING 20a

Stealing electricity and tampering with utility equipment are 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 o ender was previously convicted of the charge. Tampering convictions carry similar penalties.

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 an o ender up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine or 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 or 800-255-2732.

Stealing electricity and meter tampering ARE CRIMES


The cooperative’s o�ce will be closed on Monday, May 30. From everyone at Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, have a safe and happy Memorial Day! If you experience an outage, please call the cooperative’s o�ce at 513-867-4400 or 800-255-2732 and report it to our after-hours call center. Outages can also be reported online using SmartHub. To access SmartHub, visit www.ButlerRural.coop or download the app.

Office closed for Memorial DayMONDAY, MAY 30 BILL CREDIT WINNERS!

Did you attend the cooperative’s Annual Meeting in 2015? If you did, watch for your name each month in Country Living magazine because

you could be the winner of a $50 bill credit. All Annual Meeting attendees who did not win a bill credit at the meeting are eligible to win. Names are drawn at random by the board of trustees. Congratulations to the

March winners!

Gareda GueckingDonna GallagherMelvin Simpson

Doris StarrSusan Srivastava

nation’s capital. The following students completed an application and a test in order to qualify as a delegate.

Natalie Hopkins is the daughter of Kirk and Pam Hopkins. She is a sophomore at Harrison High School, where she is involved in marching and concert band and is a member of the Spain Society, Drama Club, and French Club.

Emily Muench is the daughter of Erika Klaber. She is a sophomore at the School for Creative and Performing Arts, where she is involved in theater, stage management, and student government and is a member of the National Junior Honor Society.

Elizabeth Schulte is the daughter of Larry and Julie Schulte. She is a junior at Oldenburg Academy, where she is a member of the National Honor Society, plays soccer, and plays in the school orchestra.

Olivia Tilton is the daughter of Mike and Teresa Tilton. She is a junior at Talawanda High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society, 4-H, FCCLA, and drama club.

Peter Whiteman is the son of Scott and Jane Whiteman. He is a junior at Talawanda High School, where he plays soccer and swims on the school’s team. He is involved with the youth group at Faith Lutheran Church.

David Winter is the son of Tom and Janet Winter. He is a sophomore at Edgewood High School and is a 4-H camp counselor, plays varsity tennis, and is an altar server at St. Peter in Chains Church.

Master Gardeners is holding its annual spring plant sale at the Butler County OSU Extension O�ce, 1802 Princeton Road, Hamilton, on Saturday, May 7, starting at 10 a.m. and going until all plants are sold. Items include perennials, annuals, shrubs, wildflowers, day lilies, irises, herbs, berries, hostas, vegetables, and rare species, all carefully transported by Master Gardeners from their own gardens. New and gently used garden tools and decor will also be available.

Master Gardener spring plant saleSATURDAY, MAY 7

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http://www.ButlerRural.coop


28b COUNTRY LIVING • NOVEMBER 201420b COUNTRY LIVING • MAY 2016

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative scholarship winners$10,100 AWARDED TO 5 LOCAL STUDENTS

Madalyn Young, the daughter of Eric and Tracy Young, is the first-place female division winner of the Children of Members Scholarship, receiving a $2,600 award. Upon graduation from Harrison High School, she will attend Wright State University and major in athletic training. Madalyn is involved with the youth in our community and volunteers as a junior coach for Harrison Youth Football Cheerleaders. She is a varsity cheerleader and is on the varsity track team. Madalyn is the student council president and president of the National Honor Society. She is vice president of HOSA–Future Health Professionals and placed at the state competition, qualifying her for the national competition. She is a member of Key Club and is a past member of the Spanish Honor Society. Madalyn works at the Country Barrel restaurant as a waitress.

Madalyn Young

Garry “Robbie” Tuttle, the son of Larry and Marie Tuttle, is the first-place male division winner of the Children of Members Scholarship, receiving a $2,600 award. Upon graduation from Madison High School, he will attend Miami University and major in chemistry to prepare for a degree in medicine. Robbie is active in the community, volunteering at Miller Ridge Elementary, the Middletown Building Department, and the Middletown Board of Education. He is president of the National Honor Society, vice president of Spanish Club, and secretary of the Science Club and is an intern for the Middletown Board of Education’s communication department. He is a varsity tennis player and received the Scholar Athlete Award. Robbie works at the Middletown Area YMCA as a lifeguard.

Robbie Tutt le

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MAY 2016 • COUNTRY LIVING 20c

Garry “Robbie” Tuttle, the son of Larry and Marie Tuttle, is the first-place male division winner of the Children of Members Scholarship, receiving a $2,600 award. Upon graduation from Madison High School, he will attend Miami University and major in chemistry to prepare for a degree in medicine. Robbie is active in the community, volunteering at Miller Ridge Elementary, the Middletown Building Department, and the Middletown Board of Education. He is president of the National Honor Society, vice president of Spanish Club, and secretary of the Science Club and is an intern for the Middletown Board of Education’s communication department. He is a varsity tennis player and received the Scholar Athlete Award. Robbie works at the Middletown Area YMCA as a lifeguard.

Morgan McQueen, the daughter of Wade and Marsha McQueen, is the second-place female division winner of the Children of Members Scholarship, receiving an $1,800 award. Upon graduation from Talawanda High School, she will attend The Ohio State University or Vanderbilt University and major in history. Morgan is an active member of Oxford Baptist Church, organizing and directing weekly Bible study and Vacation Bible School. She works with local schoolchildren at Marshall Elementary as a KKids Club Junior Advisor. She also organized and supervised the Lock-In-a-Cure-4-Diabetes event at the school. Morgan is a varsity captain for the Talawanda women’s soccer team and received the Southwest Ohio Conference Good Sportsmanship Award. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is a National Merit Commended Scholar. Morgan is a copy editor for the Talawanda Tribune and is a member of the Ohio Attorney General’s Teen Ambassador Board.

Morgan McQueen

Nathan Corbissero, the son of Dean and Susan Corbissero, is the second-place male division winner of the Children of Members Scholarship, receiving an $1,800 award. Upon graduation from Badin High School, he will attend The Ohio State University or Miami University and major in biochemical engineering. Nathan is active in the community and volunteers at Sacred Heart Church in Fairfield. He is also a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and the Hamilton Community Meal Center. Nathan is treasurer of the National Honor Society and is the student council class representative. He is treasurer of French Club and serves as the liaison between the Badin community and prospective students as an ambassador. He was on the homecoming court and is a member of the golf team.

Nathan Corbissero

Benjamin Hiner, the son of Randy and Debbie Hiner, is the first-place winner of the Touchstone Energy® Achievement Scholarship, receiving a $1,300 award. Upon graduation from Badin High School, he will attend the Carl H. Lindner College of Business at the University of Cincinnati and major in operations management. Ben is a member of the National Honor Society and is on the Academic Honor Roll. He is a eucharistic minister for Queen of Peace Parish and is a member of the faith and leadership team for Kairos retreats. Ben is on the varsity track team, plays basketball, and is the vice president of his 4-H club.

Benjamin Hiner

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What’s more important than your house? The people and special keepsakes inside it. One of the easiest and most e ective ways to protect your loved ones and belongings is to have an outdoor security light. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative leases security lights to members for $10 per month, which is added to their electric bill. The monthly charge covers the light’s installation, maintenance, and all electricity consumption. LED fixtures are now o ered for all new security lights, instead of the standard high-pressure sodium and mercury vapor lights used previously. Members who do not have a security light and request one will receive the new LED light. Members whose existing light requires a repair will also receive, at no additional cost, the new LED light. Members with existing, working security lights will receive the new LED light once their old unit fails. LED lights are more energy e�cient, longer lasting, and environmentally friendly and cast a whiter light. For more information on the new LED security lights, read the testimonies on the opposite page from

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative board member Dave Evans and Manager of Accounting and Finance Judie Persinger. Dave and Judie are Butler Rural Electric members and have each had one of the cooperative’s security lights for years. They agreed to exchange their security lights to test the new LEDs. Director of Engineering and Planning Tom Wolfenbarger and Director of Operations Mike Murray also o er information regarding the LED light’s e�ciency and maintenance. If you don’t have a security light through the cooperative and are interested in one, a 36-month agreement must be signed prior to installation of the light to allow the cooperative to recover the cost of installation. Some members choose to install their own security lights. However, members are not permitted to install their own lights on our poles for safety and liability purposes.

20d COUNTRY LIVING • MAY 2016


Let there beLet there be

lightNew LED security lights increase safety without increasing costs

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MAY 2016 • COUNTRY LIVING 20e

Tom WolfenbargerDirector of Engineering & PlanningThe new LED lights provide a higher CCT, or Kelvin, rating. This means they produce a light that is closer to sunlight in color and appears brighter than the old high-pressure sodium (HPS) bulbs. In terms of e�ciency, the LED bulb has 89.5 Lumens per watt versus 72.5 for an HPS bulb. The new lights also have an on-and-o memory storage capability, which will enable the light to continue working if the light sensor fails. This will help hold down costs for our members because it will reduce the maintenance requirements for the lights.

Dave EvansBoard of TrusteesI have two security lights through Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. The cooperative switched both of them for the new LED version as a test. I could tell a di erence in the new lights right away. The new light is pure white, making it much brighter. The new LED lights also seem to light up a greater distance compared to the old ones. My neighbors have even noticed how bright the lights are and the di erence they have made in lighting up their yards. Since the new LED security lights were switched out for the older style, my security light fee of $10 has remained the same. Therefore, I would say the new LED security lights are a great value.

Judie PersingerManager of Accounting & FinanceI have had a security light through Butler Rural Electric Cooperative for years and tested the new LED light. The light is bright and white, not yellow-tinted like the old one. It provides the needed outdoor lighting at our home. The equipment is higher in quality compared to the old light, but the best part is that we are saving energy by a reduction in kilowatt-hour use. Future maintenance costs are also expected to be less compared to the old units.

Mike Murray Manager of OperationsThe new LED bulbs are more energy e�cient than the old high- pressure sodium bulbs. They also require less maintenance. The energy savings, along with the reduced maintenance, will result in estimated savings of $20 per LED light per year. This savings will allow the cooperative to continue to hold down costs for our members.

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Power To �e People (Open Hands Food Pantry)Funds to pay utility bills $1,000Harrison Junior SchoolChromebooks $945OSU Extension SNAP-Ed, Butler County Nutrition Education $750Talawanda School District Space camp trip $500Bogan Elementary BizTown �eld trip $1,119PARACHUTE: Butler County CASA Volunteer sponsorship and training $1,700Ross High School Color Guard Uniforms $500Respect for Law Camp Camp scholarships $1,000Preble Shawnee Jr./Sr. High School Whiteboard $500City of Oxford Fire Department DVD training materials $450College Corner Community Club Scoreboard $500

Butler County 4-H Dog Program Storage box materials $350Harrison Junior School Chromebooks $945Amazing Grace Quilters Camera and sewing machine $500Madison Township Board of Trustees Grills $500Boy Scouts Troop 930 Upgrade trailer $500�e Village & Farm Garden Club Tree purchase and planting $328�e HIT Foundation Senior home repairs $2,300West Elkton Intermediate School Tablets $587Whitewater Valley Elementary SchoolLaptops $1,017Talawanda High School Picnic tables $400Talawanda High School Anthropology Classes Field trip transportation and admission $300Oxford Police Department–Citizens on Patrol Uniforms $400Preble Shawnee Local School District iPad and so�ware $799Talawanda Middle School Pencil and eraser vending machine $600Preble Shawnee Youth Baseball League Catcher equipment $810


20f COUNTRY LIVING • MAY 2016

Butler Rural Community Connection awards $35,602.59 in fall grantsYour pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters are small change that can make big changes in your community. By voluntarily rounding up their electric bills each month, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative members give money to help deserving organizations right here in our local communities. Thank you to the cooperative members and employees making monthly Community Connection contributions! In March, Community Connection had 68 grant applications, and more than $116,000 was requested. The board awarded $35,602.59 in grants to the following organizations and groups:

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MAY 2016 • COUNTRY LIVING 20g

Butler Rural Community Connection awards $35,602.59 in fall grants

Madison Jr./Sr. High School Teacher training materials $1,000Madison Elementary School Reading Counts program $750Gratis EMS Oxygen tanks, supplies, and CPR video $477Crosby Township Maintenance Department Emergency lighting $324Harrison VOCE Community Choir Electronic keyboard $250Big Brothers Big Sisters Butler County Sporting equipment and cra� supplies $1,500Camden-Somers Township Fire & EMS Pelican lights $860.59Boy Scout Troop 78 BSA camping trip $500Preble Shawnee Local School District ELMO document camera $650MAKETANK, Inc. Kite-building supplies and T-shirts $650Animal Friends Humane Society Surgical supplies for spaying and neutering $500Boy Scout Troop 926 Tent and camping supplies$500

Preble Shawnee Local Schools Xylophone bass bars $255Izaak Walton League-Hamilton Chapter Canoes, kayaks, and life jackets $450Oxford Community Arts Center Portable performance lighting system $2,000Preble Shawnee Jr./Sr. High School Online English program $249Coleraine Historical Society Canopy $620Oxford Women’s Care Center Furniture $780Biggest Fish of My Life Club Kids’ �shing gear $500Reily Township Trustees 2 AEDs $1,337West Elkton-Gratis Township Fire Department Tables and chairs $400Preble Shawnee Jr./Sr. High School Interactive whiteboard $500Invent Now, Inc. Camp Invention scholarships $500Talawanda School District Farm to Plate program supplies $750

6now in July!

july

15

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20h COUNTRY LIVING • MAY 2016

In 1992, the all-male board of trustees changed when Mary Beth Dorrel was elected to the board. She was the cooperative’s first female board member and the first woman to hold an o�ce on the board.

Mary Beth is a resident of Ross Township and has been a member of

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative for 49 years. She served on the board of trustees for 24 years and was the secretary and treasurer for 19 years.

Mary Beth was a postal worker and has two sons. She was also involved in her family’s farm and in the farming community. She has served as an elder, Sunday school teacher, and greeter at her church. She served as president of the Farm and Village Garden Club and was a board member, women’s president, youth advisor, and news reporter for the Butler County Farm Bureau.

“A trustee must be capable of working with other board members and management sta to keep the cooperative financially sound. Watching the market and loan rates of other institutions to ensure we provide a ordable electric service to our members is a must,” Mary Beth said. “Having the foresight to plan and make decisions regarding the future of the cooperative is a responsibility of the board of trustees.”

Mary Beth was especially interested in climate

change legislation, alternative energy sources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Mary Beth said she has enjoyed reflecting on the past 80 years of the cooperative’s history and on her time as a board member for Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. It has been her pleasure to serve our members since 1994, she said, and as the secretary and treasurer for the board of trustees, she was glad to leave the cooperative in a positive financial position. She retired from the board of trustees at the Annual Meeting on April 28.

Don’t forget to share old giveaways, bill inserts or any other Butler Rural Electric Cooperative memorabilia from the past with us! We will display them in our lobby throughout the year for other members to see and enjoy.

Past board member Mary Beth Dorrelcelebrates 24 years of service

Top right, Mary Beth Dorrel at the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the cooperative’s current office building in 1995. Bottom right, on her birthday in 2015. Top left, with Tom McQuiston at the 2011 Annual Meeting. Middle left, with Tom McQuiston and Don Truster at the 1993 Annual Meeting. Bottom left, at the 1996 Annual Meeting.

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Top right, Mary Beth Dorrel at the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the cooperative’s current office building in 1995. Bottom right, on her birthday in 2015. Top left, with Tom McQuiston at the 2011 Annual Meeting. Middle left, with Tom McQuiston and Don Truster at the 1993 Annual Meeting. Bottom left, at the 1996 Annual Meeting.

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When teenagers Lee Whittaker and Ashley Taylor saw a power line safety demonstration at their high school, they never dreamed what they learned that day would be put to the test. Days later, Whittaker and Taylor, along with two classmates, were in a car that crashed into a utility pole, bringing live power lines to the ground. “When people are involved in a car accident, electricity is usually the last thing on their minds,” explains Molly Hall, executive director of the Energy Education Council’s Safe Electricity program. “We’re usually more concerned about whether anyone was injured or how badly the vehicle is damaged. We can forget that by exiting the vehicle, we’re risking exposure to thousands of volts of electricity from downed power lines.” If you are in an accident with a utility pole, your vehicle may be charged with electricity. If this is the case and you step out of the car, you will become the electricity’s path to the ground and could be electrocuted. Loose wires and other equipment may be in contact with your car or near it — creating a risk for electrocution if you leave the vehicle. While downed lines can sometimes reveal they are live by arcing and sparking with electricity, this is not always the case. Power lines do not always show signs that they are live, but they are just as lethal. After an accident, stay in the car, and tell others to do the same. If you come upon an accident involving power lines, do not approach the accident scene. If you see someone approaching, warn them to stay away. Call 911

to notify emergency personnel and utility services. Do not leave your vehicle until a utility professional has told you it is safe to do so. The safest place to be is almost always inside the car. The only reason you should exit the vehicle is if it is on fire, and those instances are rare. If you must exit the vehicle, jump clear of it with your feet together, without touching the vehicle and ground at the same time. Continue to “bunny hop” with your feet together to safety. Doing this will ensure that you are at only one point of contact and will not have di erent strengths of electric current running from one foot to another, which can be deadly. Whittaker, Taylor, and their friends survived the accident because they had learned what to do. While they waited more than 30 minutes for line crews to arrive and deactivate the power line, Whittaker and Taylor made sure nobody left the car and warned those who came upon the accident to stay far away. “Knowledge was crucial in keeping everyone involved in the accident safe,” Hall says. “We want to make sure that everyone knows what to do if they’re in accidents with power poles.” Every May, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative recognizes National Electrical Safety Month. While safety for our members is top priority year-round, Electrical Safety Month is a time to acknowledge the importance of safety excellence. Electrical safety awareness and education can save lives. For more tips and information about electrical safety, visit ButlerRural.coop/content/safety.

Knowing what to do SAVED THEIR LIVES

Jump a safe distance from your car.Jump a safe

Keep your feet together and hop away.Slowly slide feet apart once you’re to safety.

If you are in an accident involving a utility pole, don’t get out of the car unless it is on fire or there is other imminent danger. If you absolutely have to get out, remember these steps:

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MEMBER INTERACTIVE

Funny signs

Chip Hart, HillsboroSouth Central Power

Max Wood, SpencervilleMidwest Electric

Mary Maag, FindlayHancock-Wood EC

Angie Hamey, SomervilleButler REC

Greg Keller, BellefontaineLogan County EC

David Kupchick, West SalemLorain-Medina REC

See our guidelines and deadlines on page 39 for future months’ submissions.

Editor’s note:We received an avalanche of submissionsfor this category. To see more of the funny signs you sentus, go to www.ohioec.org.




Cathy Thomas, StrongsvilleSouth Central Power

John Lamp, WoosterHolmes-Wayne Electric

Donald Weyrick, AkronCarrroll EC

Dean Jones, HillsboroSouth Central Power

Donna BreitingerSouth Central Power

Terri Bates, LaGrangeLorain-Medina REC

Harriet Bailey, WestervilleConsolidated EC




2

Fun and funny

festivalsSpring and summer

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Wooden Boat Show and Plein Air Art Festival,Lakeside

They’re two terrific events at one exceedinglylovely location on the shores of Lake Erie at Lake-side, a family-oriented community where the sum-mertime Chautauqua fun combines activities formind, body, and spirit. Morning swims, afternoonshuffleboard, and evening concerts are all in aday’s fun at Lakeside, but in mid-July, its quintes-sential weekend features two singular outdoorevents. The Wooden Boat Show presents the timeless

beauty of some 75 vessels dating back to the early1900s, while the Plein Air Art Festival providesthe rare pleasure of communing with artists asthey paint on Lakeside’s pristine grounds. Added attractions: Musicians perform at Lake-

side’s Pavilion; the Hotel Lakeside grills picnicfare; and nostalgic boat rides are available onAmazing Grace, a 1937 Richardson Cruiseabout.Both events are free, but visitors must purchase aChautauqua Pass (starting at $7) to enter thegated Lakeside community.

Wooden Boat Show, July 17; Plein Air Art Festival, July 15-17.

For more information, call 866-952-5374, or visit

www.lakesideohio.com.

— Damaine Vonada

Dog Fest, Zoar

Diving dogs, jumping dogs, and swimming dogs— they’re all the darlings of the Dog Fest of Zoar,but the aquatic performances of the BuckeyeDockDogs are only part of the canine competitionand crowd-pleasing entertainment found here. Seehow your own dog stands up as an athletic wun-derkind in agility and skill-based feats like obsta-cle-course runs. You can also show off your dog’sgood looks in the pet parade and costume con-tests. The owner-pet look-alike contest is another

shout-out opportunity at the two-day festival in ahistoric village founded by German separatists in1817. See what’s new in the pet care scene, get aphoto of your pet, and pick up pet paraphernaliaand treats at the vendor booths before headinghome.

June 11-12, 198 Main St., Zoar. For more information, call 330-

874-3011.

— Jamie Rhein

The Jerusalem Experience, Cambridge

Each summer, Jesus’s story comes to life at theLiving Word Outdoor Drama, where costumed actors of all ages take the stage. Stories like theSermon on the Mount, the Good Samaritan, andthe Last Supper unfold in the naturally landscapedamphitheater on a slice of farmland outside ofCambridge.The Jerusalem Experience is a one-day multi-

sensory event in August that’s an addition to theoutdoor drama’s repertoire. The amphitheater,with its Bible-inspired sets, becomes the backdropfor kids and adults to learn about biblical timesfirsthand. From costume making to carpentry, orfrom basket making to pottery and playing games,families learn about Jesus’s time with hands-onactivities. Try your skills blowing the shofar, theancient instrument made from a ram’s horn, tradi-tionally used for Jewish religious purposes. Foodof the time period is included.

August 27, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 6010 College Hill Rd., Cambridge.

$10 admission includes a ticket to the outdoor drama. For

more information, call 740-439-2761 or visit

www.livingworddrama.org.

— Jamie Rhein

Poultry Days, Versailles

Chicken reigns supreme in this Darke Countycommunity with the approach of Versailles PoultryDays. From whimsical chickens painted on villagestreets to the crowning of Miss Chick and LittleMiss Chick, to a huge inflatable chicken float inthe lavish parade, the event celebrates the area’shistory as a leading poultry producer.This year’s theme continues in that vein with

“Salute to the American Farmer.” More than25,000 barbecued chicken dinners will be servedthroughout the weekend, along with an array offestival foods. Two parades will pass throughvillage streets, while other activities include theUltimate Frisbee Tournament; corn hole games;kiddie tractor pulls; musical entertainment;amusement rides; concession stands; a book sale;and art, photography, woodcarving, and flowershows.

June 10-12 on the former Versailles High School grounds, 459

S. Center St., Versailles. For more information, visit

www.versaillespoultrydays.com.

— Margie Wuebker


http://www.lakesideohio.com

http://www.livingworddrama.org

http://www.versaillespoultrydays.com

THE MEMORIAL TOURNA-MENT founded by JackNicklaus turns 40 thismonth, so what bettertime to laud Ohio’s own

golf legend? Wehereby present aNicklaus “golf digest.”

BiographyName: Jack William Nicklaus Birthdate: Jan. 21, 1940Birthplace:Columbus, OhioParents:Charlie and HelenNicklaus Education:Upper Arlington HighSchool; Ohio State UniversitySpouse:Barbara, married 1960

Children: 5Grandchildren: 22Residence: FloridaNickname:Golden BearNoteworthy:While UpperArlington’s teams are called“Golden Bears,” a sportswriteralso applied that nickname to theblonde, burly young Nicklaus.

Professional CareerPGA Tour Victories: 73Holes-in-One: 21Top Money Winner: 8 timesPGA Tour Earnings: $5,723,192Champions Tour Victories: 10Champions Tour Earnings:$3,372,207Total Victories: 118 (includingunofficial and international events)Major Titles:A record-setting 18(6 Masters, 5 PGA Championships,4 U.S. Opens, 3 British Opens)Noteworthy: Endurance may beNicklaus’s greatest golfing feat. In1963 at age 23, Nicklaus was theyoungest person to win theMasters Tourna ment. In 1986, 46-year-old Nicklaus took the Mastersa record-setting sixth time and wasits oldest winner. In 2015, at 75,Nicklaus aced the Masters Par 3Contest’s fourth hole.

KudosGolfer of the Century/Millen-nium, Associated Press, BBC, numerous golf publications; 20th Century’s Best Male Athlete,Sports Illustrated;Presidential Medal of Freedom,2005’Congressional Gold Medal, 2015Noteworthy: In 2006, Nicklauswas the fifth non-Ohio State bandmember privileged to “dot the i”in Script Ohio.

Memorial Tournament, 2016 The prestigious PGA invitationalis played on the Nicklaus-designedcourse at Dublin’s Muirfield Vil-lage Golf Club. Hosted by Nick-laus, it honors leading golfers andraises millions for local charities.

Noteworthy:Muirfield’s namesalutes the Scotland course whereNicklaus won the 1966 OpenChampionship, clinching his firstcareer grand slam.

From Nicklaus:“Professional golf is the only sportwhere, if you win 20 percent ofthe time, you’re the best.”“It takes hundreds of good golfshots to gain confidence, but onlyone bad one to lose it.”“If you want to hit it farther, hit itbetter.”“Golf is not, and never has been,a fair game.” DAMAINE VONADA is a freelancewriter from Xenia.

For more information on the MemorialTournament, call 614-889-6712, or visitwww.thememorialtourament.com. Thismonth’s Ohio Quiz on page 39 alsofeatures Jack Nicklaus.

Grinand (Golden)Bear itCelebrating Jack Nicklaus and the 40th Memorial TournamentBY DAMAINE VONADA



http://www.thememorialtourament.com


REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE A KIDhow much fun it was simply kick-ing a ball? In keeping with thatconcept, a new sport has arisen inrecent years — footgolf. It’s beingplayed on golf courses around theworld, and some 25 courses havebeen developed in Ohio during thepast decade alone.The sport is played like golf, but

footgolfers don’t use the sameholes or greens as regular golfers.The object of the game is to kick a#5 soccer ball from a designatedtee box into a 21-inch-diametercup in as few strokes (kicks) aspossible. Par per hole is usuallyfive or less. Footgolf holes are gen-erally shorter than standard golfholes, so players can play a roundof either nine or 18 holes in aboutone to two hours, respectively.Footgolf doesn’t require expen-

sive equipment (clubs), clothing,or specialized skills. It’s alsocheaper — a round of nine holesusually costs less than $10.Green Hills Golf Course

(www.greenhillsgolf.com)near Clyde added footgolfjust a year ago. “In Sep-tember, we were surprisedthat more rounds of foot-golf were played on ourexecutive course than reg-ular golf,” says AdamCrockett, one of thecourse’s co-owners. “Manyof those people participat-ing were families, some-times three generations —kids, parents, and grand-parents.”Footgolf was a good fit

for Green Hills because italready had an executive(par-three) course that wasunder utilized. “So nineholes of footgolf lent itself well tothat course’s shorter layout,” saidCrockett.Tiffin University’s women’s soc-

cer team played footgolf at thecourse last year, and the ClydeHigh School boys’ soccer teamplayed weekly during the summeras a team-building activity. “Many of those young people

had not been exposed to a golfcourse atmosphere before, and as aresult, some returned to try regu-lar golf,” says Crockett. “Footgolf is

a good crossover sport, gettingnew people interested in tryingtraditional golf.” That’s importantto golf course owners such asCrockett, as the number of peopleplaying golf in America is gradu-ally declining. The governing body for footgolf

in the U.S. is the American Foot-Golf League (AFGL). For more in-formation, or to locate a footgolfcourse near you, go to www.afgl.us.Adult or young person, if you cankick a soccer ball, you can playfootgolf!

W. H. “CHIP” GROSS is CountryLiving’s outdoors editor.

What a kick!Kick up your heels and try footgolf

BY W. H. ‘CHIP’ GROSS

It looks like soccer, and players arekicking an actual soccer ball, but foot-golf’s goal is to get the ball not into anet but into a 21-inch cup in as fewkicks as possible. And just like golf,each hole has a par, of usually five orless. (Photos courtesy of the AmericanFootGolf League)


http://www.greenhillsgolf.com

http://www.afgl.us


PUTTERING AROUND IN RETIRE-MENT can mean different thingsto different people. For some, itmeans practicing their golf swing,leafing through a few books,maybe crafting a birdhouse ortwo.But 83-year-old John Cheney

of North Baltimore in WoodCounty is more likely to spend hisfree time patching up a 28-tonmilitary recovery vehicle, or as-sembling a Cold War-era rocket.Cheney is a retired U.S. Army

Reserve lieutenant colonel whoalso worked for 41 years forHancock-Wood Electric Coopera-tive, serving as CEO for 14 ofthose years. For decades, he hascollected and rebuilt dozens ofmilitary vehicles and assortedmateriel. With his son, JohnCheney II, he’s amassed one ofthe largest private collections ofmilitary vehicles, rockets, andmissiles in the world.The beneficiaries of the

Cheneys’ passion have been thecitizens of northwest Ohio andvisitors from, well, all over.Cheney has been a driving forcein the Findlay Military Show, anannual three-day celebration ofthe armed forces that has been

going strong for 29 years.This year’s show is expected to

include up to 300 vehicles thatvisitors can inspect up-close. Theevent, put on by the Findlay Mil-itary Association, is held annu-ally on Armed Forces Dayweekend, the third weekend inMay.“We want to educate the peo-

ple,” says Cheney II. “We wantthem to see the complexity andthe simplicity of the vehicles. It’sone thing to go to a museum andsee one, but it’s another thing tosee it drive past you and stopwhere you can touch it. That’simportant.”Other highlights of this year’s

Findlay Show will include:

• A pass-and-review, in which ownerswill set their vehicles in motionaround the fairgrounds

• A swap meet that will include morethan 100 vendors trading militarymemorabilia, as well as vehicle parts

• Battlefield re-enactments and living-history displays

• Musical performances

• An awards breakfast on Saturdaymorning.

Keith Kimmel, commander ofthe Findlay Military Association,

says an Indiana-based nonprofitgroup is scheduled to bring anAmerican Huey 369 helicopter.You actually never know who’s

going to show up. “Last year, agentleman brought a semi-truckfrom Rhode Island with twoarmored vehicles on it,” Cheneysays. “We didn’t even know hewas coming.”Cheney, a Lima native, joined

the Army as a commissioned offi-cer, after graduating from Bowl-ing Green State University in1954. He served in active duty fora few years, assigned to workwith rockets and missiles. Theyincluded corporal missiles, whichwere the first guided weapons inthe United States to carry a nu-clear warhead, and Honest Johnrockets, the nation’s first nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface rocket.A tour of the Cheneys’ three

barns reveals their impressive,sprawling collection, which in-cludes 35 trucks, eight types ofrockets and missiles, about 15trailers, and a large library on thehistory and restoration of militaryvehicles.The collection includes an

MGR-1 rocket, otherwise knownas the Honest John. “This is iden-

A rock star with rocketsFormer co-op CEO collects them — as well as military vehicles andmissiles — and you can see them at the Findlay Military Show in May

BY MICHAEL PRAMIK

CO-OP PEOPLE



tical to ones I shot in the ’50s,”Cheney says.Other collectibles include Nike

Ajax and Nike Hercules missiles,a Little John rocket, and a SovietSA-2 missile. Their vehicles in-clude the huge military transportmachine; a half-track vehicle;several Jeeps; a Hawk missileloader transporter; even a modi-fied Soviet GAZ-69 anti-tankmissile launch vehicle.There’s also a launcher for the

Little John rocket. “It’s the ulti-mate Jeep accessory,” jokesCheney II, “to have a towablenuclear missile behind you.”The Findlay Military Show is

one of the top military vehicle at-tractions in the country, andmuch of its prestige reflects theCheneys’ dedication to their craft,Kimmel says.“Their collection is unbeliev-

able,” he states. “John was acareer man in the Army, and hisson knows every detail of everytype of vehicle and weapon. He’sjust a world of information.”Cheney describes their collec-

tion as “a mobile museum.” It’s alabor of love. They often find var-ious parts of a rocket or vehiclesin different locations. Touring his

garage, Cheney points to an Hon-est John rocket.“We found the motor at a

junkyard in southern Indiana,and we found the warhead besidea barn in Kentucky,” he says. “Wefound the launcher at a surplusdealer in Texarkana, Texas.”The extra effort is worth it,

they say.“We’ve had the pleasure of

having veterans see the equip-ment they used to operate and re-

living their lives,” says Cheney II.“That’s the reason we collect andrestore these vehicles.”

MICHAEL PRAMIK is a freelancewriter from Columbus.

This year’s Findlay Military Show runsfrom May 20-22 at the Hancock CountyFairgrounds, 1017 E. Sandusky St., inFindlay. For more information, call 419-429-7344, 419-721-4456, or visitwww.findlaymilitaryshow.org.

John Cheney, former CEO of Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative, and his son, John Cheney II,have amassed one of the largest private collections of military vehicles, rockets, and missiles inthe world. Many of their prized possessions will be among the 300 vehicles on display at theFindlay Military Show, an annual three-day celebration of the armed forces held during ArmedForces Day weekend, the third weekend in May. (Photo by Wendy Pramik)


http://www.findlaymilitaryshow.org

ICON

Location: Largely following thecourse of the Little Miami River,a state and nationally designatedscenic stream, the nearly 80-mile-long recreational trail stretchesfrom Springfield to the east sideof Cincinnati.

Provenance: In the 1970s, theOhio Department of NaturalResources and local govern-ments began acquiring right-of-way property on the route ofthe old Little Miami Railroad,which was incorporated in 1836and initially ran betweenSpringfield and Cincinnati.Those rights-of-way were con-

verted into a paved recreationaltrail that opened in 1991 andbecame a major feature of LittleMiami State Park, a nontradi-tional linear greenspace thatflanks the trail for some 50miles.

Significance: The Little MiamiScenic Trail is one of the nation’slongest continuously paved multi-use trails. It’s also a part of threelarger trails — the seven-stateNorth Country National ScenicTrail; the Buckeye Trail, whichloops for some 1,400 milesaround Ohio; and the Ohio toErie Trail system between Cleve-land and Cincinnati. In addition,it’s a mainstay of the largestpaved trail network in the UnitedStates — Miami Valley BikeTrails, which boasts 330 miles ofintersecting trails in southwestOhio.

Currently: Celebrating its 25thanniversary this year, the LittleMiami Scenic Trail is one ofOhio’s most popular rail trails,with more than 900,000 user vis-its during 2015. The tree-shaded,serpentine trail boasts the naturalbeauty of the Little Miami River;traverses a corner of the statewhose history dates back to theHopewell Indians; and leads toattractions that range fromYoung’s Jersey Dairy to Fort An-cient earthworks to Kings Islandamusement park. The trail is alsoa destination for cross-countryskiing, rollerblading, backpack-ing, and horseback riding.

It’s a little-known fact that: Ac-cording to surveys conducted bythe Miami Valley Regional Plan-ning Commission, the LittleMiami Scenic Trail’s annualimpact on the regional economyis about $13 million.

For more information about the LittleMiami Scenic Trail, its route, andrecreational opportunities andattractions along it, visit:www.miamivalleytrails.org;http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/littlemiami;www.gcparkstrails.com;www.littlemiamistatepark.org;www.railstotrails.org; andwww.traillink.com.

TheLittle MiamiScenic TrailSouthwest Ohio BY DAMAINE VONADA



http://www.miamivalleytrails.org

http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/littlemiami

http://www.gcparkstrails.com

http://www.littlemiamistatepark.org

http://www.railstotrails.org

http://www.traillink.com

MAY 2016 CALENDAR

NORTHWESTMAY 6-15 — Biggest Week inAmerican Birding, many locations inthe Oak Park area. A variety of fieldtrips, workshops, and demonstrationsduring the peak of spring warbler mi-gration. www.biggestweekinamerican-birding.com.

MAY 7 —Schedel GardensCommunity Day Festival, 19255 W.Portage River South Rd., Elmore, 10a.m.-3 p.m. Vendors, demonstrations,food, and drink. Free. 419-862-3182 orwww.schedel-gardens.org.

MAY 7, 8 — Northwest OhioBlacksmiths Hammer-In, AuGlaizeVillage and Farm Museum, 12296Krouse Rd., Defiance. Registration fee.Demonstrations, workshops, classes.419-542-6464 or www.auglaizevil-lage.com

MAY 11-14 — Perrysville Free StreetFair, 2016 N. Bridge St., Perrysville,Wed.-Thurs. 5-10 p.m., Fri. 9-11 p.m.,Sat. 12 noon-11 p.m. Fri.night gardentractor pull, Sat. parade. 419-938-6142

MAY 13 — Mercer County Ribfest,ribs from vendors from all over Ohio,5-11:45 p.m. 419-586-3239 orwww.ohio.org/events/mercer-county-ribfest

MAY 14 — Spring on the Farm,Encore Theater, 22611 St. Rte. 2,Archbold, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Guests expe-rience what life was like in rural Ohiomore than 100 years ago. 800-590-9755 or http://saudervillage.org.

MAY 14 — Lilac Festival andStreetfair, downtown Defiance, 10a.m.-4 p.m. 419-782-0739 or http://visitdefianceohio.com.

MAY 14 — Bluffton Arts and CraftsFestival, downtown Bluffton, 9 a.m.-3p.m. 419-369-2985, ext. 118, orwww.explorebluffton.com.

MAY 15 — Van Wert Area BoychoirSpring Concert, Trinity UnitedMethodist Church, 220 S. Walnut St.,Van Wert, 3 p.m. Free will offering.419-238-1962.

MAY 20-22 — Hamler Country Fest,St. Rte. 109, Hamler. Three days ofcountry music with Craig Campbell,Nashville Crush, Tony Rio, and more.419-748-7459 or www.hamlercoun-tryfest.com.

MAY 21 — Antique Car Gathering,Sauder Village, 22611 St. Rte. 2,Archbold, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 100 antique cars on display in the historicvillage. 800-590-9755 or http://saudervillage.org.

MAY 21 — Toledo Jazz Orchestra:The Beatles, Valentine Theatre, 400N. Superior St., Toledo. 419-242-2787or www.thetoledojazz orchestra.org.

MAY 21 — KeyBank Pops: Music ofthe Rolling Stones, StranahanTheater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd.,Toledo, 8-10:30 p.m. 419-381-8851,419-246-8000, or www.toledosym-phony.com.

MAY 21, 22 — Settlers Re-enactment,AuGlaize Village and Farm Museum,12296 Krouse Rd., Defiance. Living his-tory demonstrations of how settlersfrom 1750 to 1812 survived. 419-636-2560 or www.auglaizevillage.com

MAY 26-30 — Walleye Festival,Waterworks Park, Port Clinton. Live en-tertainment including a kids’ fishingderby, carnival rides, a beer fest, aGrand Parade, live concerts, and hun-dreds of vendors. 419-734-5503.

MAY 27-29 — Antique Tractor andGas Engine Show, Shelby Co. Fgds.,Sidney, $2. 937-596-6812

MAY 28-30 — Logan Hills FestivalHall-Fawcett Park, Zanesfield. Free.Living history, music, outdoor drama,native woodland gathering. http://loganhills.homestead.com

NORTHEASTMAY 1 — Frank Lloyd Wright HomeTours, 534 Morgan St., Oberlin, 1-5p.m. $5. 440-775-8671.

MAY 1 — Ohio Civil War Show,Richland Co. Fgds., Mansfield, Sat. 9a.m.-5 p.m, Sun. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $7.Seven buildings with 750 tables of mil-itary items, relics, and memorabiliafrom 1785 to 1945. Buy, sell, or trade.800-642-8282 or 419-525-1300.

MAY 1 — A Night of Sinatra,TrueNorth Chamber Orchestra and BigBand, Emerald Event Ctr., 33040 JustImagine Dr., Avon, 3 p.m. 440-949-5200 or www.tncarts.org.

MAY 5-7 — Minerva Village-wideGarage Sales, more than 40 garagesales throughout Minerva. 9 a.m.-5p.m. 330-868-7705, ext. 106, or 330-868-3783.

MAY 6, 7 — Dandelion MayFest,Breitenbach Wine Cellars, 5934 OldRte. 39 Northwest, Dover, Fri. noon-7p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Dandelionfood tastings, cooking demonstrations,entertainment, dandelion picking con-test, vendor fair. 330-343-3603 orwww.breitenbachwine.com.

MAY 7 — Celtic Beltane Festival,Columbia Woods Park, Norton, gatesopen 10 a.m. Celtic music and danc-ing, Highland athletes competition,children’s games, vendors, clan tents.www.scottishamericansociety.org.

MAY 15 — Paddle and Pedal Fest,Lakeview Park 1800 W. Erie Ave.,Lorain, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Try out kayaks,stand-up paddleboards, or canoes.Pre-register at 800-LCM-PARK orwww.metroparks.cc.

MAY 21 — Brass Band, Big BandConcert, Medina Performing Arts Ctr.,851 Weymouth Rd., Medina, 7 p.m.Presented by the Brass Band of theWestern Reserve. Admission. 614-563-7170.

MAY 26 – Summer Concert Series,Berkman Amphitheater, Fort SteubenPark, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville, 6:30-9 p.m. Classic car cruise-in, craft ven-dors, and family-friendly music.740-283-1787 orwww.oldfortsteuben.com.

CENTRALMAY 1 — “Come, Stay With Me,”Lancaster Chorale Concert, St. MaryChurch, 132 S. High St., Lancaster, 4 p.m. Traditional harmonies ofMendelssohn and Brahms, and mod-ern American and British composi-tions. 740-687-5855 orwww.lancasterchorale.com”

MAY 6 — Olde Pickerington VillageChocolate Hop, 15 E. Columbus St.,Pickerington, 6-8:30 p.m. Small dona-tion for a map of the many OldeVillage businesses offering a “thankyou” chocolate treat. 614-321-8821 orwww.pickeringtonvillage.com.

MAY 7 — Time Travelers Ball, Tri-Rivers Career Ctr., 2222 Marion-Mt.Gilead Rd., 7 p.m. $20. The evening isan opportunity for participants to“travel” to their favorite time in historywhile dressing in period clothing. 740-387-4255 or www.marionhistory.com.

MAY 7 — Herb Day, Ohio HerbEducation Ctr., 110 and 117 Mill St.,Gahanna. 614-342-5240 or http://ga-hanna.com.

MAY 7-9 — Central Ohio FolkFestival, Battelle Darby Creek MetroPark, Galloway. 614-470-3963 orwww.cfms-inc.org.

MAY 11 — Culpepper &Merriweather Circus, field behind100 Washington St., CanalWinchester, shows at 5 and 7:30 p.m.Advance discount tickets $10, $7 C.and Srs. 614-837-1851 or http://canal-winchesterlions.org.

MAY 12 — Five Nights on Campus –The General Guinness Band, OSUMarion, 1465 Mt. Vernon Ave.,Marion, 7:30 p.m. $10, Srs. $9, Std.

$4. Lively ballads, fiddle tunes, andstep dancing. 740-725-6340.

MAY 13-15 — Community DaysFestival, Fairfield Co. Fgds., Lancaster,Fri. 4-10 p.m., Sat. noon-10 p.m., Sun.noon-6 p.m. Amusement rides, food,arts and crafts show. Marbles tourna-ment Sat., car show on Sun., Civil Warencampment all 3 days. 740-654-9248or www.communitydaysfestival.org.

MAY 15 — Lancaster Fairfield YouthChoir Spring Concert, FirstPresbyterian Church, 222 N. Broad St.,Lancaster, 4 p.m. 740-654-7392 orwww.lancasteryouthchoir.com.

MAY 20 — One for the Road, MayPavilion, Palace Theatre, 276 W.Center St., Marion, 7:30 p.m. Hitsranging from 1958 to today. 740-383-2101 or www.marionpalace.org.

MAY 20 — Six One Pour: The Ohio CraftBeer Fest, Huntington Park, 330Huntington Lane, Columbus, 7p.m.-11 p.m. www.columbusbeer-week.com/sixonepour.

MAY 21 — Goodwill Wheel-A-Thon,Tri-Rivers Career Ctr., 2222 Marion-Mt.Gilead Rd., Marion. Charity auctionand wheelchair roundup beginning at10 a.m. Registration begins at 9:30a.m. 740-387-7023 or www.marion-goodwill.org.

MAY 28, 29 — Asian Festival, GenoaPark, 303 W. Broad St., Columbus, 10a.m.-9 p.m. Free. Learn about the cul-tures and traditions of people fromChina, Japan, India, Indonesia,Cambodia, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand,Philippines, Laos, and Pakistan.http://asian-festival.org.

MAY 28-30 — Utica Sertoma IceCream Festival, Ye Olde Mill andVelvet Ice Cream Co., 11339 Mt.Vernon Rd., Utica. 800-589-5000 orwww.sertomaicecreamfestival.com.

MAY 30 — Memorial DayCelebration, Veterans Memorial Park,Lockbourne. Parade starts at 12 noonwith service honoring TuskegeeAirmen, WASPs, and other veterans tofollow. 614-491-3161.

SOUTHEASTMAY 1 — Morel Mushroom Mania,Shawnee State Park, 14755 Cadiz Rd.,Lore City. Learn how to find and cookthese mysterious mushrooms. 740-858-6652.


PLEASENOTE• Country Living strives for ac -curacy but strongly urges readers to confirmdates and times before traveling long dis-tances to events. Submit listings AT LEAST90 DAYS prior to the event bywriting toCountry Living, 6677 Busch Blvd.,Columbus, OH 43229 or [email protected] Livingwill not publish listings thatdon’t include a complete address of wherethe event takes place or a number to call formore information.


http://www.biggestweekinamerican-birding.com



http://www.schedel-gardens.org

http://www.auglaizevil-lage.com



http://www.ohio.org/events/mercer-county-ribfestMAY



http://saudervillage.org

http://visitdefianceohio.com

http://www.explorebluffton.com

http://www.hamlercoun-tryfest.com



http://saudervillage.org

http://www.thetoledojazz

http://www.toledosym-phony.com



http://www.auglaizevillage.com

http://loganhills.homestead.com

http://www.tncarts.org

http://www.breitenbachwine.com

http://www.scottishamericansociety.org

http://www.metroparks.cc

http://www.oldfortsteuben.com

http://www.lancasterchorale.com%E2%80%9D

http://www.pickeringtonvillage.com

http://www.marionhistory.com

http://ga-hanna.com

http://ga-hanna.com

http://ga-hanna.com

http://www.cfms-inc.org

http://canal-winchesterlions.org



http://www.communitydaysfestival.org

http://www.lancasteryouthchoir.com

http://www.marionpalace.org

http://www.columbusbeer-week.com/sixonepour



http://www.marion-goodwill.org



http://asian-festival.org

http://www.sertomaicecreamfestival.com


MAY 2016 CALENDAR

MAY 1 — Zane Grey Day, NationalRd. Zane Grey Museum, 8850 E.Pike, Norwich, noon-4 p.m. 740-872-3143 or www.ohiohistory.org.

MAY 5-8 — Wild Turkey Festival,McArthur. A turkey calling contest andstreet fair with a parade, car show, quiltshow, rides, games, and entertainment.800-596-4459 or 740-596-5033.

MAY 6, 7 — Salt Fork GospelJubilee, Salt Fork Lodge andConference Ctr., 14755 Cadiz Rd.,Lore City, Fri. 6 p.m., Sat. 1 p.m.Reservations. 740-435-9000, 740-432-3787, or www.saltforkstatepark-lodge.com.

MAY 6, 7 — Spring Fest, DeerassicPark Education Ctr., 14250 Cadiz Rd.,Cambridge, noon-4 p.m. 740-435-3335 or http://deerassic.com.

MAY 7 — Spring Craft Show, LakeHope State Park, 27331 St. Rte. 278,McArthur, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Stop by theLake Hope Dining Lodge and browselocal crafters selling their wares. 740-596-5253.

MAY 7 — Otway Cruise-in CarShow, St. Rte. 348, Otway, registra-tion 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Drive through arestored covered bridge. $10. 740-372-3395.

MAY 13-15 — Cambridge SingersSpring Show, Scottish RiteAuditorium, 941 Wheeling Ave.,Cambridge, Fri./Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3p.m. 740-432-3956.

MAY 14 — Cabela’s King KatTournament, 300 block of First Ave.,Gallipolis, 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Fishingtournament. 740-446-6882, 270-395-4204, or www.kingkatusa.com.

MAY 14 — Cabela’s Kids’ FishingRodeo, Bob Evans Farm, 10854 St.Rte. 588, Rio Grande, 8 a.m.-noon.740-446-6882, 270-395-4204, orwww.kingkatusa.com.

MAY 14 — Glenn Miller Orchestra,People’s Bank Theatre, 222 PutnamSt., Marietta, 8 p.m. $15/$20/$25.740-373-0894.

MAY 26-29 — Feast of theFlowering Moon, downtownChillicothe, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Free. Afamily-oriented event featuringNative American music, dancing,traders, and exhibits. 740-702-7677,800-413-4118, or www.feastofthe-floweringmoon.org.

MAY 26-30 — Moonshine Festival,downtown New Straitsville. Moon -shine still display, vendors, moon-shine burgers, moonshine pie, moon -shine doggies. 740-394-2239orwww.explorehockinghills.com.

MAY 27-30 — Muskingum ValleyTrade Days and Flea Market, St.Rte. 78 in Reinersville, 13 mi. east ofMcConnelsville. Free. 740-558-2740

MAY 28 — Gallipolis Bass BustersYouth Fishing Day, Bob Evans Farm,10854 St. Rte. 588, Rio Grande, 10a.m.-2 p.m. 800-994-3276 orwww.bobevans.com.

SOUTHWESTTHROUGH JUN. 19 — InternationalButterfly Show: Butterflies of theCaribbean, Krohn Conservatory,1501 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati. $7, C.$4. 10,000 colorful butterflies in thegreenhouse. 513-421-5707 orwww.cincinnatiparks.com/krohn-con-servatory.

APR. 30-MAY 1 —American Quarter HorseAssoc. Youth Show, Roberts Arena,4095 St. Rte. 730, Wilmington. 937-382-1965 or www.robertsarena.com.

MAY 1 — Bear’s Mill Spring OpenHouse, 6450 Arcanum-Bear’s Mill Rd.,Greenville, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tour the four-story working mill, shop in the store,and browse in the gallery. 937-548-5112 or www.bearsmill.com.

MAY 6-8 — Appalachian Festival,6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, Fri/Sat 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-6p.m. Two music stages, Appalachianstorytelling, living history, crafts,demonstrations, food. 513-251-3370or www.appalachianfestival.org.

MAY 13-15 — Maifest, GermaniaPark, 3529 W. Kemper Rd.,Cincinnati, Fri. 6 p.m-12 a.m., Sat. 2p.m.-12 a.m., Sun. 12-8 p.m.Traditional German food and enter-tainment. 513-742-0060 or http://germaniasociety.com.

MAY 14 — Hug the Earth Festival,Stillwater Prairie Reserve, 9750 St.Rte. 185, Covington, noon-5 p.m. Livemusic, tree climbing, archery, geo-caching, rock wall, zip line, and highropes stations. 937-335-6273 orwww.miamicountyparks.com.

MAY 20-22 — Arcanum Old-Fashioned Days, George St.,Arcanum. 937-692-5139

MAY 20-22 — A World A’Fair, DaytonConvention Ctr., downtown Dayton,Fri. 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-11p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day in-ternational festival of music anddance. http://aworldafair.org.

MAY 21 — Upper Valley Fiber Fest,Duke Lundgard Bldg., Miami Co.Fgds., Troy, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Lots ofhands-on demonstrations and plentyof vendors. 800-348-8993 orwww.upper valley fiberfest.org.

MAY 21 — Oxford Wine Festival,Uptown Park, Oxford, $20 in ad-vance, $25 at door. Includes five tast-ing tickets and a tasting glass.513-523-5200 or www.oxfordwine-festival.com.

WEST VIRGINIAMAY 7 — Engines and WheelsFestival, North Bend State Park, 202North Bend Park Rd., Cairo. Old-fash-ioned engines and turn-of-the-cen-tury industrial, oil field, and farmmachinery. 304-628-3587.

MAY 13, 14 — Bluegrass Festival,North Bend State Park, 202 NorthBend Park Rd., Cairo. 304-643-2931.

OHIO CAMPGROUNDS


U

1. Masters2. 263. 1971 and 19784. Scioto5. Akron’s Rubber City Open6. 19617. Time8. 59. 198810. University of St. Andrews in Scotland11. Tiger Woods12. 5 pounds

Ohio Quiz(Answers from page 39)


http://www.ohiohistory.org

http://www.saltforkstatepark-lodge.com



http://deerassic.com

http://www.kingkatusa.com

http://www.kingkatusa.com

http://www.feastofthe-floweringmoon.org



http://www.explorehockinghills.com

http://www.bobevans.com

http://www.cincinnatiparks.com/krohn-con-servatory.APR



http://www.robertsarena.com

http://www.bearsmill.com

http://www.appalachianfestival.org

http://germaniasociety.com

http://www.miamicountyparks.com

http://aworldafair.org

http://www.upper

http://www.oxfordwine-festival.com



OHIO MARKETPLACE

***ADVERTISE HERE***ONLY $310 FOR 3 MONTHS!

Largest circulation of any Ohio rural magazine.COUNTRY LIVING

Rich Warren 614-846-5757 [email protected]

OHIO QUIZ

A few of the “Bear” facts

This month’s quiz features Jack Nicklaus, the pro golf superstarand elder statesman whose signature Memorial Tournamentshines the PGA’s spotlight on his hometown of Columbus everyMay. We’ll provide the clues about golf’s famous “Golden Bear,”and you score the answers. For example, if the clue is “Who arethe ‘Big Three’ credited with popularizing golf?,” the answerwould be “Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus.”

CLUES1. Nicklaus was the first golfer to win this tournament in twoconsecutive years, 1965 and 1966.2. In 1966, Nicklaus also became the youngest player to win thecareer grand slam — Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship,PGA Championship — of men’s golf. How old was he?3. When did Nicklaus achieve his second and third career grandslams? 4. Coached by his father and club pro Jack Grout, Nicklaus beganplaying golf at age 10 at what Columbus-area country club?5. At 18, Nicklaus played in his first PGA tour event. What was it?

6. Nicklaus was the first to win both theNCAA golf championship and U.S. Amateurin the same year. What year was it?7. After his first professional win at the 1962U.S. Open, what magazine put Nicklaus onits cover?8. How many times has Nicklaus been onU.S. teams that bested Great Britain to win theRyder Cup? 9. In 1973, Nicklaus became the first golfer ever towin $2 million during a career. When was he the firstto hit the $5 million mark?10. In 1984, what university gave Nicklaus the first honorarydoctorate it ever presented to a sportsman?11. Wheaties featured Nicklaus and what other golfer on its“breakfast of champions” boxes in 2003?12. Prior to his 2005 British Open appearance, the Royal Bank ofScotland made Nicklaus the first nonroyal living person to appearon one of its bank notes. What was its denomination?

ANSWERS ON PAGE 37




OHIO QUIZ

A few of the “Bear” facts

This month’s quiz features Jack Nicklaus, the pro golf superstarand elder statesman whose signature Memorial Tournamentshines the PGA’s spotlight on his hometown of Columbus everyMay. We’ll provide the clues about golf’s famous “Golden Bear,”and you score the answers. For example, if the clue is “Who arethe ‘Big Three’ credited with popularizing golf?,” the answerwould be “Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus.”

CLUES1. Nicklaus was the first golfer to win this tournament in twoconsecutive years, 1965 and 1966.2. In 1966, Nicklaus also became the youngest player to win thecareer grand slam — Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship,PGA Championship — of men’s golf. How old was he?3. When did Nicklaus achieve his second and third career grandslams? 4. Coached by his father and club pro Jack Grout, Nicklaus beganplaying golf at age 10 at what Columbus-area country club?5. At 18, Nicklaus played in his first PGA tour event. What was it?

6. Nicklaus was the first to win both theNCAA golf championship and U.S. Amateurin the same year. What year was it?7. After his first professional win at the 1962U.S. Open, what magazine put Nicklaus onits cover?8. How many times has Nicklaus been onU.S. teams that bested Great Britain to win theRyder Cup? 9. In 1973, Nicklaus became the first golfer ever towin $2 million during a career. When was he the firstto hit the $5 million mark?10. In 1984, what university gave Nicklaus the first honorarydoctorate it ever presented to a sportsman?11. Wheaties featured Nicklaus and what other golfer on its“breakfast of champions” boxes in 2003?12. Prior to his 2005 British Open appearance, the Royal Bank ofScotland made Nicklaus the first nonroyal living person to appearon one of its bank notes. What was its denomination?

ANSWERS ON PAGE 37



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