country living july 2016 lorain-medina

Official publication ofyour electric cooperative

JULY 2016

www.ohioec.org

Local co-op pages 19-22National Park Service turns 100 24Lake Erie islands 30Outhouse races 32

75 years of progress 4

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DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

4 THE POWER OF PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER

Statewide association celebrates 75 years of service to Ohios electric cooperatives and looks ahead to a bright future.

12 RIDE EM COWBOYBuckin Ohio offers rodeo-style entertainment and thats no bull!

23 AMERICAS BEST IDEA The National Park Service celebrates 100 years.

26 CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARKCVNP is Ohios own natural treasure.

30 OFFSHORE ADVENTURES Explore the natural wonders of the Lake Erie islands.

32 TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS Race with outhouses. No magazines needed.

40 A VISIT TO WALLY (ROAD) WORLD Take a scenic drive along the Mohican River.

2 COOPERAT IVE CONNECT ION

4 POWER STAT ION

8 THE SEVEN COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES

10 OHIO ICON

12 CO-OP PEOPLE

14 GARDENING LANDSCAPE

16 FOOD SCENE

23 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

28 MEMBER INTERACTIVE

36 JULY CALENDAR

39 OHIO QUIZ

Next month...The work ofLoad Control

inside

32

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23

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2 COUNTRY LIVING JULY 2016

We hear about independence all the time in ourdaily lives independent voters are a hot topic thisyear, and energy independence has been an impor-tant subject of late. Last months issue of CountryLiving featured autonomy and independence as pil-lars of the seven principles on which electric cooper-atives are founded. Independence is a powerful ideathat has fueled our countrys growth; that was bornof great intellect; and that has been paid for withblood, sweat, and tears.The path to independence is a study in contrast.

To achieve independence individually, our forefatherscame together cooperatively to achieve this elusivegoal. The last sentence of the Declaration of Inde-pendence states the reality quite clearly: And for thesupport of this Declaration, with a firm reliance onthe protection of Divine Providence, we mutuallypledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and oursacred Honor. Thats a real commitment to coopera-tion.Independence is not born of ignorance, either. It

requires an understanding of and agreement with the

principles involved. Inits more famous second sentence, the Declaration ofIndependence once again shines a light on the needfor unifying principles:We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all

men are created equal, that they are endowed bytheir Creator with certain unalienable Rights, thatamong these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit ofHappiness.While the writers of our Declaration proclaim

these truths to be self-evident, the record indicatesthat it took a fair amount of discussion to come to aconsensual understanding of these root doctrines.Likewise, Ohios electric cooperatives strive to live outtheir own core principles. They formed a unifiedband 75 years ago and built an active, structured,statewide organization so that they might maintaintheir independence and provide you with safe, reli-able, clean, and affordable electric service then, andinto the future. So far, so good.Hope each of you enjoys a splendid Independence

Day. God bless America!

Cooperative Connection

Independence throughcooperation

PAT OLOUGHLIN, PRESIDENT & CEO OHIO RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES & BUCKEYE POWER


JULY 2016 COUNTRY LIVING 3

July 2016 Volume 58, No. 10

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives

6677 Busch Blvd.Columbus, OH 43229

[email protected]

www.ohioec.org

Patrick OLoughlin 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

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 AttorneyGenerals 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 fromOhios electric cooperatives.

Focus on pets

We offer a package of pet-related storiesthis month, on subjects ranging from animalsin art, a dog bakery in Massillon, and an ex-hibit of Divine Felines in Cincinnati. Underthe Country Living button, click on thecover of the current issue and go to page 19.

Ohio travel

Visit the John and Annie Glenn Historic Site,the boyhood home of the astronaut and senatorin New Concord. This story can be found underOnline Exclusives.

Recipes

Check out the recipes for picnic or potluck fare submitted by CookingEditor Margie Wuebker and Nutrition Editor Diane Yoakam under theFood Scene button.

In addition

Find out: Is your ductwork delivering? Learn more about Greenvilles Jackpot of July Jubilations.

In this issue:

Indian Lake (p. 8)

Springfield (p. 10)

Burbank (p. 12)

Marengo (p. 14)Cuyahoga Valley (p. 26)

Lake Erie islands (p. 30)

Wally Road (p. 40)

Online exclusives



Thepowerofpeople

BY NANCY GRANT

WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER if we team up?That simple question, asked by the leaders of ahandful of rural electric cooperatives in 1941, setin motion a commitment to serving Ohios ruralcommunities that continues today. Thatstatewide association, now known as OhiosElectric Cooperatives, strives to help member co-ops provide safe, reliable, affordable electricity and a lot more.

Statewide association celebrates 75 years of service toOhios electric cooperatives and looks ahead to a bright future

workingtogether

POWER STATION



In those early days at the end ofthe Great Depression, the men andwomen of the fledgling co-ops set upsimple offices, talked to their friendsand neighbors about the benefits ofrural electrification, then workedlong hours to build the network ofpoles and lines, transformers, andelectric meters.Pat OLoughlin, president and

CEO of Ohios Electric Cooperatives,says, As I travel around the state, Isee more than poles and wires Isee the dedication of those earlyco-op leaders to improve the lives ofthe people in their communities. Ithank them for their courage andtheir vision. The association theyformed, based on the seven co-opprinciples, is flexible enough to meetchallenges they never dreamed of.Today, we continue our commitmentto listening to the concerns of ourmembers and working together toachieve new goals.

Working for all co-op membersKen Keylor, who retired in 2015 as

vice president of statewide services,says, When the association began, itsbiggest problem was buying whole-sale power. Individual co-ops had to take whatever was of-fered from other utilities. At first, theco-ops sat down to talk about howthey could negotiate better contractsto buy electricity. Then somethingelse happened, something really spe-cial. They began to have a vision forall the other things they could do bet-ter together instead of one by one. Those early conversations began a

tradition of sharing ideas. Keylorsays, As a statewide association,weve always seen the value of talk-

ing with our co-op managers. To doa good job, youve got to know whatsgoing on. So we made the effort tounderstand whats happening on theground in their systems, find outwhat their boards are talking about,what their members are concernedabout, and listen to their challenges.We have always asked, What can wedo better to help you?Over the decades, the statewide

associations role and the services itprovides have expanded to include:

Communications services, including digital and multimediaprojects

Power and technical services Government affairs Safety and loss prevention Scholarship and youth programs Mutual aid and disaster recovery

Within each area, the focus hasshifted during seven-and-a-halfdecades as circumstances havechanged. The power and technicalservices area is a good example of responding to different needs andconcerns. In the late 1950s, instead ofpurchasing power from outsiders, theco-ops determined that building theirown generation and transmission co-operative, Buckeye Power, wouldmake better sense. In todays world,as interest in renewable sources ofenergy production increases, BuckeyePower and the statewide group arecarefully studying the technical andfinancial details, monitoring each ad-dition to the mix of power sources todetermine which methods offer themost benefits to co-op members.

(Opposite page) Then and now: The original headquarters of Ohios Electric Cooperativeswas a small building in Columbus. Todays building, constructed in 1974, is shared withBuckeye Power and the Rural Electric Supply Cooperative. (Above) The first pole financedby the Rural Electrification Administration was erected in Piqua in 1935. A historical markercommemorating this milestone stands outside the offices of Pioneer Electric Cooperative.

1955 Howard Cummins becomes executive manager of OREC.Its a position hell hold until 1977.

1941 Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc., the statewide trade association, is formed.

(Continued on page 6)



Sharing ideas and best practices

The statewide associationjumped into the communicationsrealm almost immediately, prepar-ing information packets and arti-cles during the 1940s to helpco-ops better serve their localmembers. In 1958, the statewidegroup began publishing CountryLiving magazine to help co-opmembers learn about the industry.Exchanging information and

finding the best ways to use newtechnology is a continuing themewithin the statewide group inevery area of service. Keylor says,When something good happens,news travels fast. Bad news does,too, and we learn from each

others mistakes. In face-to-facemeetings and online forums, thestatewide group provides manyopportunities for the co-ops to ex-change ideas, always looking forthe best practices. Several years ago, when many

co-ops expressed concern aboutworker accidents, the statewidegroup listened and took action.Keylor says, The local co-ops saidthey wanted to focus on safety, soat the statewide level we invested alot of manpower into new trainingprograms. The statewide groupnow manages the Central OhioLineworker Training (COLT) pro-gram, which provides hands-ontraining and certification to newlineworkers, as well as ongoing

jour-

neyman training and certificationfor veteran lineworkers. Through-out the year, statewide employeesin the safety and loss control pro-gram host special safety sessions inColumbus, and travel throughoutthe state and West Virginia to helpindividual co-ops maintain consis-tently high safety standards.The list of services that the

statewide group provides is long,deep, and varied, including every-thing from coordinating mutual aidduring disaster recovery, managingthe annual Youth Tour, speaking upfor co-op members in Columbusand Washington, exploring newways to use computer technology,offering expert advice about energyefficiency, and member out-

The power of people working together (continued from page 5)

1968 Cardinal Station Unit 2 becomesthe official property of Buckeye Power.

1963 The Cardinal StationAgreement is signed.

1958 The first issue of Country Living is published in October.



1941 Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc., thestatewide trade association, is formed.

1942 The National Rural Electric CooperativeAssociation is formed.

1952 The first permanent OREC offices open inColumbus.

1952 W. E. Stuckey becomes manager andserves until 1955.

1955 Howard Cummins becomes executivemanager of OREC. Its a position hell holduntil 1977.

1958 The first issue of Country Living ispublished in October.

1959 Buckeye Power, Inc., is established.1961 The Rural Electric Supply Cooperative

(RESCO) is formed, allowing Ohioscooperatives to take advantage of quantitydiscounts for purchasing equipment andmaterials.

1963 Cooperative and Ohio Power officialsannounce the signing of the CardinalStation Agreement.

1968 Cardinal Station Unit 2 becomes the officialproperty of Buckeye Power.

1972 Buckeye Power, Inc., and Ohio Power enteran agreement for construction of CardinalStation Unit 3.

1972 OREC establishes its safety and loss controldepartment.

1973 Buckeye Power, Inc., begins a loadmanagement program.

1975 OREC and BP move to their currentheadquarters.

1977 Cardinal Station Unit 3 is placed in service.1977 Robert Cleveland becomes president of

OREC and Buckeye Power.1981 Buckeye Power, Inc., purchases 2,100 acres

in Ross County for the site of a futuregenerating plant.

1981 Buckeye Power begins a marketingprogram with Dual Fuel system rebates.

1985 Ohio electric cooperatives observe the 50thanniversary of the Rural ElectrificationAdministration.

1989 Richard K. Byrne becomes president andCEO of OREC and Buckeye Power.

1991 In response to cooperatives needs forconsulting engineering services, BuckeyeMember Cooperative, Inc., becomesBuckeye Member Service Company.

1998 Touchstone Energy is introduced, a

national alliance of local cooperatives providing high standards of service tomembers and communities.

2000 Ohio Gov. Bob Taft signs legislation thatwill restructure the states electric utilitymarketplace. Ohios electric cooperatives announce they will not immediately opt-in to competition.

2001 Customer choice comes to Ohio, but afterthe first six months, few consumers haveopted to change suppliers, and even ewerhave been approached by marketers.

2001 A decade-long construction project beginson new emissions control systemson Buckeyes Cardinal generating units tomeet stricter EPA requirements.

2002 Tony Ahern becomes CEO of Ohio RuralElectric Cooperatives and Buckeye Power.

2002 Robert P. Mone Station, a 510-megawatt(MW) peaking plant, comes online.

2004 A lineworker training program begins as apartnership between OREC and MarionTechnical College. It is branded as COLT (Central Ohio Lineworker Training) in 2009.

2004 A subsidiary of Buckeye Power purchasesownership and rights at two generatingstations operated by the Ohio ValleyElectric Corporation.

2007 Buckeye Power purchases 30 MW of windgeneration from the Story County WindEnergy Center in Iowa.

2007 Buckeye Power purchases the GreenvillePeaking Plant (200 MW).

2008 Two biogas generation projects come online at Bridgewater Dairy (1.2 MW) and Wenning Poultry (1.8 MW).

2008 Plug-In 1, a plug-in hybrid electric Ford Escapethats a research and development project for Ohios Electric Cooperatives, hits the road.

2012 Country Living magazine wins the George W. Haggard Memorial Journalism Award, the highest national recognition among electric cooperative statewidepublications.

2013 Ohios cooperatives score an all-time high onthe American Customer Satisfaction Index. The score is surpassed the following year.

2015 Pat OLoughlin becomes president and CEO of Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives and Buckeye Power.

75 years of progress

s .

reach.OLoughlin says,

Everything we do iscentered around better-ing the lives of co-opmembers and the ruralcommunities. The next75 years will be full ofopportunities andwere ready for whatevercomes next.

NANCY GRANT is amember of the Coopera-tive CommunicatorsAssociation and theAmerican Society ofJournalists and Authors.

2001 A decade-long project beginsof installing new emissions controls at the Cardinal generating units.

2015 Pat OLoughlin becomes president and CEO of Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives and Buckeye Power.


IN THIS SEVEN-PART SERIES, youlllearn how the same principles thatguide cooperatives around theworld also govern your localelectric co-op, keeping you a valued member-owner theprimary focus. Principle 5, Education, Training, and In-

formation, reads as follows: Cooperativesprovide education and training for theirmembers, elected representatives, managers,and employees, so that they can contributeeffectively to the development of their coop-eratives. They inform the general public,particularly young people and opinion lead-ers, about the nature and benefits of cooper-ation.A closer look at a rural school district in

northwest Logan County provides a real-lifeexample of this principle in action.

The Laker motto: Educate, inspire, empowerImagine glass beakers, hand-drawn

graphs, and outdoor field trips where thewind blows away the status quo. For seventhgrade science teacher Erika Eley, her class-room is a portal the place where studentsuse tangible experiments to break down abstract concepts into aha lessons.I enjoy teaching science because it allows

me to show students that science is allaround them, and it affects their lives on a

daily basis, the Indian Lake Middle Schoolteacher says. I try to make them aware thatthey can make a difference for the world,even if it seems small and insignificant. Eley isnt alone in her passion for educa-

tion. The Indian Lake School District inLewistown serves nearly 1,800 K-12 stu-dents and proudly maintains high academicstandards with rigorous classes.Whether its the Laker Zone program

that instills confidence and compassion inelementary kids, the new middle school robotics team, or revamped high schoolwelding and 3-D printer courses, IndianLake Schools constantly examines the needsof its students and works to align with them.In the spring, the district even hosted thefirst-ever Logan County Workforce Expo,bringing in representatives from more than40 local companies seeking job applicants.

Living the principle Just as educating students is Indian Lake

Schools main priority, your electric coopera-tive also emphasizes educating its members,employees, and even the general publicabout the nature of co-ops, as well as energyefficiency and electric safety tips.In fact, this summer, Indian Lake High

School and Logan County Electric Co-opcelebrate a decade of partnership through awind turbine on the schools front lawn forscience classes to study. The turbine is esti-mated to power one classroom for an entireyear and ensures that students learn first-

The SevenCooperative PrinciplesPrinciple 5: Education, Training, and Information

BY SAMANTHA RHODES



hand about renewable energy.Informing and engaging todays

youth is one of your electric co-opsmain priorities, as demonstratedby programs like the annual YouthTour trip to Washington, D.C.,school safety and high voltagedemonstrations, and the awardingof college scholarships.Information is also spread

through Country Living, co-opwebsite and social media pages, atannual member meetings, andthrough community events. Co-opemployees also receive trainingthrough online learning opportu-nities, conferences, or even contin-ued education funded by thecooperative. Of course, members

can always call or visit theirco-op to ask questions or re-ceive personalized advice forsaving money on their elec-tric bill.When a cooperative is

involved in education, theyare doing what they shouldbe doing, says Michael Wil-son, director of communi-cation at Logan CountyElectric Cooperative. Theyhelp prepare the next gen-eration of leaders in Amer-ica and strive to provideinformation that empowerspeople to improve the quality oftheir lives.

Be E3 Smart: Saving Ohio homes billions Throughout the past four years, Indian Lake Middle School students

have been bringing home unusual items: LED night lights, door sweeps,and shower heads just to name a few. These giveaways are part of aprogram called Be E3 Smart, which teaches Ohio students ways toreduce energy demand and use.

The students really enjoy the lessons, says ILMS teacher ErikaEley. The most exciting part was being able to bring the energy biketo the classroom and show students how energy is converted andused in small appliances. They were all able to take turns creatingelectricity, just by pedaling.

Sponsored by Ohios Electric Cooperatives and implemented bynonprofit energy education group the Ohio Energy Project (OEP), theprogram is free to schools and promotes student leadership through its innovative school-to-home model.

In 2015, more than 42,000 energy saving kits were distributed to Ohio homes via students sharing what theylearned with their parents. The result? According to OEP, families saved nearly 103,000 megawatt hours and $9 million on utility bills.

Through the Be E3 Smart program, Ohio electric cooperatives empower students to become informed leadersof tomorrows energy-responsible society. To learn more about the program, visit www.ohioenergy.org.



Location: On the southwest side ofSpringfield.

Provenance: In 1932, at age 48,Harry George Ben Hartman waslaid off from his job as a molder at aSpringfield foundry. Rather thanremaining idle during the Great De-pression, Hartman began construct-ing a cement fishing pond in thebackyard of the little country housenear Springfield where he lived withhis wife, Mary, and their children.After completing the pond, Ben keptworking in the yard, constructingnumerous structures from hundredsof thousands of stones he dug out ofa nearby creek bed. He embellishedthe structures with handmade fig-urines, and Mary, who was an avidgardener, beautified his designs withextensive planting and flowerbeds.By the time Ben returned to work

in 1939, his unique and eclectic rockgarden displayed more than 50structures featuring themes from theBible, American history, andDepression-era pop culture. They

included miniature versions ofMount Vernon, Lincolns Tomb, theHoover Dam, and Noahs Ark; a 14-foot-tall cathedral accented by Vir-gin Mary statuettes, and a renderingof Da Vincis famous painting TheLast Supper; and a 12-foot-tall cas-tle modeled after one in West Vir-ginia that had been pictured on apostcard Mary got in the mail.After Ben passed away in 1944,

Mary valiantly maintained theirgarden of love until her own deathin 1997. The neglected rock gardenfell into disrepair, but was rescuedand restored by Wisconsins KohlerFoundation. An organization calledthe Friends of the Hartman RockGarden acquired the site and re-opened the rock garden to the pub-lic in 2010.

Significance: The Hartman RockGarden is revered as a folk art mas-terpiece and considered an excep-tional example of outsider artcreated by a self-taught artist usingfound materials. Ben had genius in

his hands and imagination in hishead, says Rod Hatfield, a photog-rapher who is currently the gardensartist-in-residence and caretaker.

Currently: People from around theworld journey to Springfield to seethe Hartman Rock Garden, whichhas been featured in numerousnewspapers and magazines, as wellas on travel and tourism websites.Throughout the year, visitors marvelat the picket fence that Ben craftedfrom concrete or the 20,000 stoneshe used for his Tree of Life sculp-ture, but the rock garden looks bestduring summer, when its chock-fullof colorful blossoms and Bens pondis once again alive with goldfish andwater lilies. The Hartman Rock Garden, 1905 RussellAve., Springfield. Open daily, dawn todusk. Self-guided tours are free (donationsappreciated); guided group tours byappointment only for a fee. For moreinformation, call 937-325-7621 or visitwww.hartmanrockgarden.org.

Hartman Rock GardenSpringfieldBY DAMAINE VONADA


OHIO ICON



CO-OP PEOPLE

ACE THORSELL may be only 6yearsold, but hes already a rodeo showentertainer. Throughout the sum-mer, the first-grader puts on hiscowboy hat and fanciest boots,steps into the arena at CreekBend Ranch, and announces tothe audience, Howdy, everyone,and welcome to Buckin Ohio!The spectators, of course, heartilyapplaud.Buckin Ohio is a professional

bull-riding series that theThorsell family parents Dennyand Eileen Thorsell, son Shawn,daughter Charis, and grandsonAce present monthly from Maythrough September. The Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Coopera-tive members live on Creek BendRanch, where they breed andtrain registered bucking bulls thatgo to top-tier rodeos throughoutthe country. We raise bulls, weshow bulls, and we compete withour bulls, explains Denny.Located just off I-71 near Lodi,

the working ranch is one of

Ohios rare bucking bull opera-tions and provides an authenticvenue for Buckin Ohio. Webring a taste of the West to theMidwest, says Eileen, with ourfacilities and events and familyslifestyle. A traditional rodeosport, bull riding has swelled inpopularity in recent years, andBuckin Ohio annually attractsabout 25,000 people, who enjoyboth the ranchs wholesome at-mosphere and the excitement ofwatching PBR (Professional BullRiders) cowboys trying to stay onrearing and kicking bulls. Theheart of what we do is creatingmemories around Western-styleevents, says Eileen. Although the Thorsells have

staged Buckin Ohio since 2001,the series actually took root morethan 50 years ago in Dennyshometown of Cleveland. A citykid, Denny developed his affinityfor animals when he got his firstjob leading ponies at the zoo.His grandmother, who loved

Clevelands symphony, also in-sisted that Denny go to concertswith her. While we waited forthe streetcar to Severance Hall,"he recalls, Id sneak into a drug-store and look at Western maga-zines. One day Denny saw an article

about Pine Johnson, the quarterhorse trainer at the famous Wag-goner Ranch in Texas. He wrote aletter asking Johnson for a job.When Johnson replied with anoffer, Denny gave his parents anultimatum. I told them, he says,that if they didnt let me go toTexas, Id run away. His folks re-lented, and teenage Denny leftCleveland to learn about horses. Returning to northeast Ohio in

the 1960s, Denny married Eileenand built a successful insurancebusiness, but he always kept ahand in breeding quarter horsesand raising cattle. For more than40 years, Denny has been anAmerican Quarter Horse Associa-tion-approved judge and haspresided at equine competitionsin 33 countries. He also is tri-chairman of the American Quar-ter Horse Congress, the worldslargest single-breed horse show,which takes place in Columbusevery October. The Thorsells branched into

bucking bulls when Shawn was inhigh school and started ridingthem in rodeos. They initiallybought practice bulls for Shawn,and over time theyve methodi-cally enlarged and improved theirherd. Since bulls are judged onhow high they kick, its all abouthow much air they can get, says

Ride emcowboy!Buckin Ohio offers rodeo-style entertainment and thats no bull!

BY DAMAINE VONADA


Denny. We aim for that wow!factor.A bull riding champion in high

school, Shawn attended college inOklahoma on a rodeo scholarshipand later competed professionally.He now manages Creek BendRanch and produces bull ridingevents for the American QuarterHorse Congress and the MedinaCounty Fair. Buckin Ohio wasborn when Shawn brought in rid-ers to test the ranchs stock. Peo-ple carrying coolers just startedshowing up to watch the cow-boys, says Denny, and Eileen gotthe idea that we maybe could put

on bull riding events. When 500people attended the first BuckinOhio, the Thorsells knew they

were on to something. Today, Buckin Ohio is carefully

choreographed, fast-paced, andfun. We want each and everyevent to be spectacular, notesShawn, who schedules the ridersand selects the bulls. Pre-eventactivities include ice-cream eatingcontests and stick horse races forkids, and the shows, which fea-ture barrel racing as well as bullriding, always begin with a prayerand the singing of the nationalanthem. Charis, a singer andsongwriter, also performs hercrowd-pleasing Texas soundmusic, and Ace displays his mut-ton bustin (sheep riding) skills.When the event is over, Dennyand Eileen personally thankeveryone for coming. At BuckinOhio, says Denny, we put ourbest into what we do. DAMAINE VONADA is a freelancewriter from Xenia.

Buckin Ohio at Creek Bend Ranch,8154 Garman Rd., Burbank. Forinformation about upcoming shows onJuly 16, Aug. 20, and Sept. 17, call 330-624-7205 or visit www.buckinohio.com.

(Above) How long can he hold on? Find out at Buckin Ohios monthly shows. (Opposite page) The Thorsell family, owners of Creek Bend Ranch.




AS A LITTLE GIRL GROWING UP inMorrow County, Gale Martincould disappear for hours, mak-ing a study of and identifying theplant life that surrounded herparents farm. Often, her parentshad to send a hired hand with atractor to find her and bring herhome. These days, Martin haschanneled her childhood passioninto Natives in Harmony, herplant business dedicated to pre-serving Ohios native plants some in danger of disappearingforever.Preserving the future by pre-

serving Ohios plant heritage is aperfect fit for Martin, who is alsothe executive director of the Mar-ion County Historical Society andof the Wyandot Popcorn Museumin Marion. Part of her historicalsociety job is to monitor theprairie remnant thats part of theSandusky Plain. Prairie remnantsare the bits of what was once avast landscape of grass prairiesand burr oak savannahs. The Sandusky Plain, which

used to stretch for 200,000 acresfrom the Olentangy River to theeast and Tymochtee Creek to thewest, is now mostly found alongrailroad tracks, roadsides, and pioneer cemeteries in Marion,Crawford, and Wyandot counties.As Martin traveled from remnantto remnant, the plants capturedher attention. I would see theselittle plants that were so lovely,

she says, and she decided to takeaction to save them, thinking thatif something wasnt done to pre-serve those lovely plants, theydbe gone.I collected seeds of the flow-

ers, propagated the plants, anddonated them to park districts.The goal was to try to get stateand county parks to use plantsthat were disappearing.In addition, Martin now has

an entire section of prairie plantsat Natives in Harmony, which is amember of Consolidated ElectricCooperative.Martin started with the rare

Crawford County prairie sedgeand the delicate Bicknells sedge,which is high on the endangeredlist. The park gave her the seeds,and Martin grew the plants, butshe kept back a couple so shecould continue to harvest seeds togrow more plants. Her businessmodel was born. All of Natives inHarmonys plants are now grownin containers from seeds or fromcuttings.By making sure that the

genetic material is native to Ohio,Martins aim is to help people create habitat for Ohios native insects and bird species. Theseeds of the endangered Bicknellssedge, for example, are food forthe red-legged grasshopper, thehorned lark, the snow bunting,and the Savannah sparrow,among others.

When Martins husband, DanGrau, built her the potting shedthat also serves as a showcase ofwhimsical yard ornaments andplanters, Martin didnt expectthat Natives in Harmony wouldbecome robust so fast. Her firstthought was that she would de-velop a business for retirement,but her customers had a differentidea. Each weekend, from Aprilthrough September, new peoplearrive to load up a childs wagonwith a bounty of possibility. Whether customers come with

specific plants in mind or haveabsolutely no idea which ones tobring home, Martin is happy tooffer her expertise and sugges-tions. Why dont we take a littlewalk, and Ill give a tutorial?seems to be a common response

GARDENING LANDSCAPE

Preserving Ohios heritage

one plant at a timeBY JAMIE RHEIN

GoldenrodColumbine Fire Pink



to customer inquiries. Martin ques-tions her customers about sunlightand soil quality, and finds out whatthe customer thinks would work inhis or her yard.The gardens that Martin has

cultivated on her property serve asidea generators and are palates ofcolors and textures that changewith the seasons. Browsing the tidyrows of container plants groupedby the ecosystems in which theynaturally grow is like a science andhistory lesson. Each plant is la-beled, and corresponding informa-tion cards explain the details ofeach. Theres the vibrant red of fire

pink that blooms on a woodlandedge in spring, the dusty pinkishcolumbine, and the lavender spi-derwort. In summer, the coneflow-ers, sundrops, and milkweed aremagnets for bees and butterflies,perfect for a prairie environment.Some plants grow in differentamounts of shade, sun, and mois-ture. Martin experiments to seewhat grows where, so she can giveher customers a variety of ideas ofwhat might work for them at theirown homes.For Martin, making customers

happy in their pursuit of growing

native plants is a win. As long aspeople keep planting them, theplants will always be here, shesays. The Bicknells sedge dependson it. JAMIE RHEIN is a freelance writerfrom Columbus.

Natives in Harmony is located at 4652Township Rd 179, Marengo. Its open onSundays from 12 to 6 p.m. and byappointment. Contact Martin [email protected] or call 419-688-9800. Species inventory varies byseason.

Gale Martin



Susan Denten, a member of Tri-county Rural Electric Cooperative,decided to enter her go-to dish inCountry Livings latest recipe con-test featuring favorite carry-indishes for picnics and potlucks. Itproved to be a good decision, asjudges selected her Kielbasa Kissesthe grand prize winner.The Swanton-area resident re-

ceives so many requests for therecipe that she keeps it on hercomputer for ready access. Herhusband, Dale, initially receivedthe recipe from a friend (BethHolly) nearly four decades ago.The original recipe specified

smoked kielbasa links, but theDentens prefer the flavor of Eck-rich smoked sausage. They also replaced cooking onions withsweet onions and used yellow orGolden Delicious apples instead of

other varieties. While the originalrecipe calls for 1 pound of brownsugar, Dale Denten prefers using 3pounds for a sweeter outcome. Hiswife prefers the lesser amount.I do not typically eat processed

meat, but this dish is hard to refuse, Susan Denten says. Thesmoked sausage, baked with thesweet onions, apples, and brownsugar, is so flavorful its impossibleto pass up. It has a deliciouslysweet flavor that is so unique.For optimal flavor, the Dentens

generally make the dish severaldays ahead of the scheduled serv-ing. However, it is equally goodmade just prior to a picnic, party,or carry-in.This is the first time I entered

a recipe contest, she said. I knewI had a good recipe, and I reallywanted the KitchenAid mixer

grandprize.Runners-up

in the contest wereDiane Kortan of theWooster area, aHolmes-Wayne EC mem-ber, and Dianna Mace ofBainbridge, a member of SouthCentral Power.Kortans recipe for Hot German

Potato Salad came from a 1950s-era Betty Crocker Cookbook. How-ever, she made changes to yieldmore sauce. Mace contributed Coconut Crunch, a light dessertsandwiched between layers ofcrumb crust. She first tasted therecipe at a friends home. To see other recipes received for thiscontest, visit www.ohioec.org. They willappear over the course of comingmonths.

Take aprizewinnerto your nextpotluck!Forget deviled eggs. Try one ofthese entries to our recipe contest.BY MARGIE WUEBKER

Our next recipe contest: ApplesCountry Living's October recipe contest featuresapples the versatile fruit that stars in many dishesother than pie. We want to focus on that versatility,rather than receive dozens of pie recipes. Besure to include all ingredients, completedirections, and the number of servings.Also include your name, address,telephone number, and the name ofyour cooperative. You can sendup to three recipes to foodeditor Margie Wuebker incare of Country Living,6677 Busch Blvd.,Columbus, OH43229. Thedeadline is

August 1.

FOOD SCENE


KIELBASA KISSES

6 smoked kielbasa or Eckrich smokedsausage links, each about 12 incheslong

2 medium sweet onions, sliced into1/2-inch chunks and separated

10 medium Golden Delicious apples,peeled and diced into 1/2-inchchunks

1 lb. brown sugar1/2 cup cornstarch 1/3 cup waterPlace three sausage links each into two13 x 9-inch baking dishes; cover withfoil. Bake grease out of sausage in aslow 275-degree oven for 60 minutes.Drain grease, pat dry with paper toweland cut links into bite-size pieces (1/4-to 1/3-inch thick). Return sausage tobaking dishes. Cover each dish evenlywith onions, apples, and brown sugar,pressing down slightly. Bake uncoveredin a slow oven (250 to 300 degrees) for2 to 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutesuntil apples are done. Dissolve corn-starch in water to thicken accumulatedliquid. Stir well for several minutes untilthickened; serve hot. Serves 25 to 30.

HOT GERMAN POTATOSALAD

6 medium potatoes, scrubbed and boiled in jackets

4 slices bacon3/4 cup chopped onion3 Tbsp. flour2 Tbsp. sugar1-3/4 tsp. salt3/4 tsp. celery seedsDash of pepper1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. water1/2 cup vinegarPeel cooked potatoes and slice thin. Frybacon slowly in skillet until crisp; re-move from skillet and drain on papertowel. Saut onion in bacon fat untilgolden. Blend in flour, sugar, salt, celeryseeds, and pepper. Cook over low heat,stirring until smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat; stir in water andvinegar. Heat to boiling, stirring con-stantly. Boil 1 minute. Carefully stir inpotatoes and crumbled bacon. Removefrom heat, cover, and let stand untilready to serve. Serves 4 to 5.

COCONUT CRUNCH

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted1 cup all-purpose flour1-1/4 cups flaked coconut1/4 cup packed brown sugar1 cup sliced almonds1 package (3.4 oz.) instant coconut pudding mix

1 package (3.4 oz.) instant vanilla pudding mix

2-1/3 cups cold milk2 cups Cool WhipCombine the first five ingredients; presslightly into a greased 9 x 13-inch (or a lit-tle smaller) baking dish. Bake at 350 de-grees for 25 to 30 minutes or untilgolden brown, stirring every 10 minutesto form coarse crumbs. Cool; dividecrumb mixture in half; press half into thesame baking dish and reserve the otherhalf. Mix dry puddings, add milk, and stiruntil thickened. Fold in Cool Whip andspoon mixture over crumb crust. Topwith remaining crumbs. Cover and refrig-erate overnight. Serves 8 to 10.



Nutritious ways to feed a crowdBY DIANE YOAKAM, RD, LD

When presented with the challenge of feeding a crowd, it can be tempting to slide a family-size frozen lasagna in the oven andcall it good enough. Seek a better meal route by searching for dishes that are filled with nutrients. From the appetizers, to the maincourse, clear through to dessert, theres nothing like sharing fun and memories around a nutritiously delicious meal.

Color is the key to a healthy dish. Choose foods from all spectrums for appeal and for more nutritional bang for your buck. Fruits,vegetables, beans, and grains add texture and color, producing a well-balanced meal that contains an abundance of vitamins,minerals, and phytonutrients.

Give your favorite go-to recipes a makeover. A few simple substitutions transform an ordinary dish into something much morenutritious. Be sneaky with the veggies and add a few finely diced varieties into potato and macaroni salad, for instance. Or, tryblending them into casseroles. Utilize natural sweetness by making fruit-based desserts. Ditch the fake-flavored beverages, opting forfruit-based beverages instead, like infused water.

Nutritious potluck-pleasing recipes, like roasted root vegetable salad, makeover macaroni salad, and watermelon-mint water, arejust a click away at www.ohioec.org.

FOOD SCENE


Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative

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Lorain-Medina Rural Electric CooperativeLorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative

PagesPagesPlPlPocallocall

22898 West Road | P.O. Box 158 | Wellington, Ohio 44090440-647-2133 or 1-800-222-LMRE

www.lmre.org

Lorain Medina rural Electric cooperative will celebrate its 80th anniversary Tuesday, July 19, at its Family Fun Day and annual meeting at the Lorain County Fairgrounds in Wellington.

This will be the third year for the Family Fun Day, which has attracted about 2,300 members and guests each of the past two years.

The days activities will include bounce houses, rides, pony rides and petting zoo, electrical safety demonstrations, face painting, and a reptile show. The event is free for members. Registration begins at 1 p.m.

Children must be accompanied by an adult coop-erative member. All children will be given a sticker when their parents or grandparents register. Stickers must be worn to enjoy the rides, bounce houses, and special displays. Member-business displays and well-ness booths will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. Lifeshare will be conducting a blood drive.

Raders Homemade Ice Cream will be on hand selling sweet treats, and Big Dogs Catering will serve dinner from 4 to 6 p.m.

Entertainment will be provided by The Men of Steele, made up mostly of retired teachers from Amherst Marion Steele High School. Performing at wineries and local events, they often play oldies music. They take the stage at 5 p.m., and the business meeting in the same building will follow at 6 p.m.

This year, the cooperative has one contested trustee race with two Carlisle Township members seeking to fill the District 3 seat. Two incumbents are running unopposed for the other two seats.

Kathleen Fox and Michael Guarino, both of Carlisle Township, will vie for District 3 seat to replace the retiring Ken Died-rick.

Incumbents Roy Norris of Litchfield Township and Dick Indoe of Harrisville Township are running unopposed for District 6 and District 9, respectively. Bi-ographical summaries for the candidates can be found on pages 20-20A.

Ballots were mailed to all members in mid-June. Members can vote using a paper or online ballot until 11:59 a.m. Friday, July 15. Winners will be announced at the annual meeting.

Co-op to celebrate 80 years at annual meeting BY TERI LEASE, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Kathleen Fox and Michael Guarino, both of Carlisle Township, will vie for

and District 9, respectively. Biand District 9, respectively. Biographical summaries for the candidates can be found on

and District 9, respectively. Bi-


LorainMedina0716.indd 1 6/17/16 11:23 AM


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Lorain-Medina Rural Electric CooperativeLorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative

Michael J. Guarino, CPA, CFE, CGFMDistrict 3: Carlisle, Columbia, and Eaton townships in Lorain County

Kathleen Norton Fox, 58, of Carlisle Township is seeking her first term as District 3 trustee. She has been a member of LMRE for 34 years. She has been a lawyer, a CPA for 21 years with Kathleen Norton Fox, Inc., and the attorney and treasurer of Fox Veterinary Hospital, Inc., for more than 20 years. Fox earned her Juris Doctorate from John Marshall College of Law, a Bachelor of Science in business/accounting from Baldwin-Wallace College

in Berea, and an Associate of Science from Ohio States ATI of Wooster in horse production and management. She and her husband, Dr. William K. Fox, have been married 34 years and have one daughter. Community involvement: Fox has served as the treasurer of Friends of Lorain County Junior Fair from 2010 to present. She has also served on the LMRE People Fund board for six years, four years as president, and as se-nior and junior vice president of the Grafton VFW for more than 10 years. Why are you seeking election? I am interested in the new laws and regulations regarding how the govern-ment wishes to implement green electricity while trying to maintain the affordable cost of electricity to coopera-tive members.

Kathleen Norton Fox, CPADistrict 3: Carlisle, Columbia, and Eaton townships in Lorain County

District 3

2016 Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees electionThe 2016 Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees election opened June 15. All members received a ballot in the mail. Videos with each of the candidates can be viewed at www.lmre.org.

Letters were enclosed with the January and February electric bills to all members in districts 3, 6, and 9 outlining the nomination process for the three trustee terms that expire this summer. Articles were published in the cooperatives monthly newsletter in Country Living, in an electronic newsletter, and on the cooperatives website. In District 3, two members submitted nominating petitions bearing at least 25 signatures of members residing in their district. In districts 6 and 9, only one member each submitted nominating petitions with at least 25 signatures from their respective district.

Voting instructions are enclosed with the ballot. The most cost-effective method to cast a ballot is online at the cooperatives website, www.lmre.org. Vote for one candidate in each of the three districts. All ballots must be received by 11:59 a.m. Friday, July 15.

District 3

Michael J. Guarino, 70, of Carlisle Township is seeking his first term as District 3 trustee. He has been a member of LMRE for 15 years. Guarino is a United States Marine Corps Vietnam veteran. He has been a trust tax officer in the banking industry for 13 years, accountant/auditor and audit manager for the Auditor of State for 29 years, and a financial auditor for the Ohio Casino Control Commission for four years. Guarino earned an under-graduate degree in psychology with a major in accounting. He is a Certified Public Accoun-

tant (CPA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM). He has a son and a daughter. Why are you seeking election? I want to bring my years of experience in public and governmental account-ing and auditing to the board while serving LMRE members. My goal is to harmonize with the board members in their continuous efforts in providing quality service to members of LMRE.

District 9: Chatham, Harrisville, Lafayette, and Westfield townships in Medina County



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JULY 2016 COUNTRY LIVING 20A

District 3: Carlisle, Columbia, and Eaton townships in Lorain County

Kathleen Norton Fox, 58, of Carlisle Township is seeking her first term as District 3 trustee. She has been a member of LMRE for 34 years. She has been a lawyer, a CPA for 21 years with Kathleen Norton Fox, Inc., and the attorney and treasurer of Fox Veterinary Hospital, Inc., for more than 20 years. Fox earned her Juris Doctorate from John Marshall College of Law, a Bachelor of Science in business/accounting from Baldwin-Wallace College

in Berea, and an Associate of Science from Ohio States ATI of Wooster in horse production and management. She and her husband, Dr. William K. Fox, have been married 34 years and have one daughter. Community involvement: Fox has served as the treasurer of Friends of Lorain County Junior Fair from 2010 to present. She has also served on the LMRE People Fund board for six years, four years as president, and as se-nior and junior vice president of the Grafton VFW for more than 10 years. Why are you seeking election? I am interested in the new laws and regulations regarding how the govern-ment wishes to implement green electricity while trying to maintain the affordable cost of electricity to coopera-tive members.

District 3: Carlisle, Columbia, and Eaton townships in Lorain County

District 3

The 2016 Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees election opened June 15. All members received a ballot in the mail. Videos with each of the candidates can be viewed at www.lmre.org.

Letters were enclosed with the January and February electric bills to all members in districts 3, 6, and 9 outlining the nomination process for the three trustee terms that expire this summer. Articles were published in the cooperatives monthly newsletter in Country Living, in an electronic newsletter, and on the cooperatives website. In District 3, two members submitted nominating petitions bearing at least 25 signatures of members residing in their district. In districts 6 and 9, only one member each submitted nominating petitions with at least 25 signatures from their respective district.

Voting instructions are enclosed with the ballot. The most cost-effective method to cast a ballot is online at the cooperatives website, www.lmre.org. Vote for one candidate in each of the three districts. All ballots must be received by 11:59 a.m. Friday, July 15.

District 3

Michael J. Guarino, 70, of Carlisle Township is seeking his first term as District 3 trustee. He has been a member of LMRE for 15 years. Guarino is a United States Marine Corps Vietnam veteran. He has been a trust tax officer in the banking industry for 13 years, accountant/auditor and audit manager for the Auditor of State for 29 years, and a financial auditor for the Ohio Casino Control Commission for four years. Guarino earned an under-graduate degree in psychology with a major in accounting. He is a Certified Public Accoun-

tant (CPA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM). He has a son and a daughter. Why are you seeking election? I want to bring my years of experience in public and governmental account-ing and auditing to the board while serving LMRE members. My goal is to harmonize with the board members in their continuous efforts in providing quality service to members of LMRE.

District 9

Roy R. Norris, 61, of Litchfield Township is running for his second term as District 6 trustee. He has been a member of LMRE for 18 years. Norris is retired from business and lives on a small farm in Litchfield. He was previously employed at Management Council Technology Solutions Group for two years as its chief operations officer. He worked 12 years for WVIZ/PBS Ideastream, as a senior director of Educational Services from 2003 to 2009 and as chief of Educational Technology and K-12 services director from 1997 to 2003. From 1984 to 1997, he was director of Computer Services for Columbiana County Educational Services Center. Norris has provided consulting services to IBM, Ameritech, and numerous schools and universities. He also served as vice presi-dent of ValueNet, an Internet service provider, which he owned and operated with two partners. He and his wife, Marianne, have been married 33 years and have three children. Norris has completed the curriculum re-quirements for the CCD certificate and a majority of the curriculum for the Board Leadership certificate from NRECA. He graduated with a Master of Science in combined science at Youngstown State University. Community involvement: Norris is a member of Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, where he serves as a lector and choir member. He also serves on the churchs social justice committee and volunteers in the food pantry and community garden. Norris serves on the Litchfield Zoning Commission, is a member of the Litchfield Historical Society, and serves on the Cleveland Metropark Zoo Education Advisory Committee. Why are you seeking election? Over the last 2 1/2 years as your representative for LMRE, I have com-pleted the curriculum requirements for the Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate and have completed 90 percent of the curriculum for the Board Leadership certificate. Only 28 percent of all serving cooperative directors in the country have earned the Board Leadership certificate. This has been a substantial investment of time on my part and a financial investment on the part of LMRE. I wish to seek re-election as an LMRE trustee to utilize my training and business experience from my career to assist with the financial direction and strategic planning process of LMRE. If re-elected, my goal for the upcoming term is to continue working with the board to maintain a cap on spending while exploring possible strategic opportunities in renewable energy sources, such as a community solar program, which will allow members to opt in.

Roy R. NorrisDistrict 6: Grafton Township in Lorain County and Lafayette, Litchfield, and

York townships in Medina County

District 6

Richard K. Indoe, 78, of Harrisville Township has served as District 9 trustee since 2000. He has been a member of LMRE for 48 years. Indoe owns and operates, with his two sons, Richman Farms, a dairy and crop farm in Harrisville Township. He earned his Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) certificate in 2003 from the National Rural Electric Coopera-tive Association (NRECA) and his Board Leadership certificate from NRECA in 2012. Indoe graduated with a bachelors degree in dairy science from The Ohio State University. Community involvement: Indoe has been a Harrisville Township trustee since 1984 and is active in the Lodi community as a member and past president of the Rotary Club, a Boy Scout committeeman, and partic-ipating with the Lodi Historical Society and the railroad museum. He is a member and past president of the Ohio Holstein Association, past director of the Holstein Association of America, and past master of the Harris-ville Lodge. He was a member of the Medina County Communications Board for eight years, was a member of the Medina County Fair Board for 21 years, and is a member of the Medina County Trustee Association. Indoe is a former president and charter member of the Lodi Ruritan Club. He was also a 4-H advisor for 25 years. Indoe is a 32nd degree member of the Scottish Rite. He is a graduate of Leadership Medina County and a for-mer board member. He is a member of the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame and the Ohio State University Dairy Science Hall of Fame. Why are you seeking election? My goal is to maintain the quality and reliable service we provide to our members with a dependable power supply that is affordable.

Richard K. IndoeDistrict 9: Chatham, Harrisville, Lafayette, and Westfield townships in Medina County



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Kids rides Bounce houses Pony ridesElectrical safety demonstrations and much more!

The 80th Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative annual meeting will feature the formal announcement of the election of three trustees, management reports, member business displays, and door prizes.Be on the lookout for your registration card with your July electric bill.

Lorain-Medina Rura

l

Electric Coope

ratives

Fun DayFamily

AnnualMeeting80th

Tuesday, July 19Lorain County Fairgrounds, Wellington

Family Day 1-6 p.m.Local business displays 1-6 p.m.Registration 1-6 p.m.Dinner 4-6 p.m.Business meeting 6-7 p.m.

Lorain County Fairgrounds, WellingtonLorain County Fairgrounds, WellingtonLorain County Fairgrounds, Wellington

and Schedule of Events

Meeting Agenda



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JULY 2016 COUNTRY LIVING 20C

and

Participate in the cooperative you ownParticipate in the cooperative you own

Kids rides Bounce houses Pony ridesElectrical safety demonstrations and much more!

The 80th Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative annual meeting will feature the formal announcement of the election of three trustees, management reports, member business displays, and door prizes.Be on the lookout for your registration card with your July electric bill.

Lorain-Medina Rura

l

Electric Coope

ratives

Fun DayFamily

AnnualMeeting80th

Tuesday, July 19Lorain County Fairgrounds, Wellington

Family Day 1-6 p.m.Local business displays 1-6 p.m.Registration 1-6 p.m.Dinner 4-6 p.m.Business meeting 6-7 p.m.

and Registration .............................................Floral Hall ...................................................1 - 6 p.m.Family Fun Day .................................Around Exhibitors Hall ...........................................1 - 6 p.m.Wellness Displays ......................................Floral Hall ...................................................1 - 6 p.m.Dinner* ............................................ Junior Fair Building ............................................4 - 6 p.m.Family Entertainment ................................. Fair Hall .................................................. 5 - 6 p. m.Business Meeting .......................................Fair Hall ....................................................... 6 p.m.

1. Call to order2. Approval of 2015 minutes3. Introduction of guests4. Election overview A. Attorney David Harwood5. Introduction of trustee winners: District 3 - Kathleen Norton Fox, CPA Michael J. Guarino, CPA, CFE, CGFM District 6 - Roy R. Norris District 9 - Richard K. Indoe6. People Fund Report A. Chairperson, Joe Swinko

7. Report of officers A. Keith Lowe, Treasurer B. Rodney John Eaton, President C. Markus Bryant, General Manager8. Questions and answers9. Old business10. New business11. Adjournment12. Awarding of door prizes

80th Annual Meeting & Family Fun Day

official notice

Lorain Medina Rural ElectricCooperative, Inc.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016Lorain County Fairgrounds, Wellington

Schedule of Events

Meeting Agenda

Remember to bring your registration cardto the meeting!

Members will receive an annual meeting registration card with their July bill. They must bring that perforated card to the meeting in order to register and receive a gift from the cooperative. Members do not need to bring the annual meeting promotional flier that also is included in the July bill.

Ice cream will be available for purchase from 1-6 p.m.*Free meal provided by the cooperative from Big Dog Catering will begin at 4 p.m.



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20D COUNTRY LIVING JULY 2016


Your electric bill gets a makeover Diedricks retirement represents end of eraFamily trio has served 72 years on LMRE board

Since 1944, a member of the Diedrick family has served on the Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooper-ative Board of Trustees.

That 72-year Diedrick family run will come to an end this month following the LMRE annual meeting July 19, when Ken Diedrick steps down as trustee and concludes a 36-year career on the LMRE board.

Service with a high degree of commitment and dedication is a Diedrick family tradition. Diedricks grandfather, Carl, served from 1944 until 1965, when his son Fred, Kens uncle, won the district seat. In 1980, Ken succeeded his uncle.

The cooperative is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2016. That means for 90 percent of the coopera-tives history, there has been a Diedrick family mem-ber serving on the board.

My grandfather served and my uncle served. I knew what it was all about, so it made sense for me to run, Diedrick said of his decision to con-tinue the family tradition and run for the board. Interestingly, he defeated Judy Pickworth, who is now on the board representing LaGrange Town-ship.

I was about 30 when I joined the board. Gary Rowland and I would go to meetings, and I felt like a baby in the cradle. Everyone was 30 or 40 years older than we were.

Its been a great experience, Diedrick said. I had decided when I ran three years ago this would be it. My wife was ill, and I couldnt commit the time necessary. I met a lot of people and made a lot of friendships. Linda, his wife of 43 years, passed away in 2015.

He moved up through the ranks on the LMRE

board, serving nine years as the boards secretary- treasurer, six years as vice president, and 10 years as president. He also served on the Federated Energy Services Cooperative Board of Trustees, represent-ing LMRE on the management and shared services board with board members from North Central Elec-tric Cooperative in Attica. He served three terms as

chairman of the FESCO board. Markus (General Manager Markus

Bryant) did a lot of work putting the federation together, Diedrick said. I remember driving to a meeting with him while we were working on estab-lishing the federation. We talked fed-eration all the way up and all the way back. The federation has been a real benefit to both co-ops. Both boards just decided they were going to make it work. By sharing resources and personnel, the two cooperatives collec-tively save about $1.5 million annually.

Fellow board member Jim McConnell said Die-drick was an influential force in the formation of FESCO. Members of both cooperatives have bene-fited greatly both financially and from more effective management. This innovative concept required a great deal of thought and study, extra time and effort from Ken and his fellow board members to take an untried idea and fit all the pieces in place and make

it work. Not everyone is willing to commit that kind of dedication and service, but it has never been a question with Ken.

Obviously, there have been a lot of changes in 36 years. Our growth has been the biggest change, especially in this area Diedrick said, referring to LaGrange, Carlisle, Grafton, and Eaton townships. When he joined in 1980, the cooperative had 8,900 consumers. In 1988, the four-lane Route 10 exten-sion was opened, creating quick access to Cleveland

BY TERRY MAZZONE, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, MEMBER AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

(Continued on page 20F)

Carl Diedrick1944 to 1965

Fred Diedrick1965 to 1980

Ken Diedrick1980 to 2016

72 years of Diedrick

Ken has set a standard of service and commitment over his 36 years that those of us who have had the privilege of serving with him can only strive to match, but not exceed.

LMRE Trustee Jim McConnell



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Did you notice something new when you looked at your bill this month? All the information you need still there, but now, its easier to read.

We added a service summary, Data Processing Manager Theresa Scherger said. This makes it more readable. The information will be easier to find and easier to understand.

These new bills are now being processed right here in Ohio. The benefits of using a company here in Ohio are better customer service and a better price, said Director of Finance, Accounting and Customer Service Bill Dye. We are able to deliver an enhanced bill to our consumers for the same price as the basic bills we have been using.

A close look at the new bill can be found at www.lmre.org under My Account > About Your Bill. If you have any questions about your bill, call a customer service representative at 800-222-5673.

Your electric bill gets a makeover

A close look at the new bill can be found at www.lmre.org.

Diedricks retirement represents end of eraFamily trio has served 72 years on LMRE boardBY TERRY MAZZONE, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, MEMBER AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

JULY 2016 COUNTRY LIVING 20E



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Board of TrusTeesRodney L. Eaton, President ............. District 4Gary L. Rowland, Vice President. ...District 1James R. McConnell, Secretary ....... District 2Keith E. Lowe, Treasurer .................. District 8Kenneth J. Diedrick, Trustee .......... .District 3Richard K. Indoe, Trustee ............... .District 9Judy A. Pickworth, Trustee ...............District 5Roy R. Norris, Trustee ....................... District 6Brenda J. Wolfe, Trustee....................District 7

General manaGerMarkus I. Bryant

local PaGe ediTorTerry F. Mazzone, CCC

Teri E. Lease, Communications Manager

office Hours8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Weekdays

***24-hour Night Depository Access

***Budget billing, Co-op AutoPay, E-Bill

payment programs available***

Bills due 24th of month


22898 West RoadP.O. Box 158

Wellington, Ohio 44090

Office and Trouble Calls:440-647-2133

Toll-Free: 1-800-222-LMREwww.lmre.org

E-mail: [email protected]

20F COUNTRY LIVING JULY 2016

and its west side. A 20-year building boom ensued, and today, LMRE serves about 16,200 consumers.

He pointed to technological advancements as an-other major change.

For several years, the cooperative gradually up-graded and enhanced is Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system, giving operations depart-ment personnel the ability to remotely isolate and transfer power to reduce the length of outages. That cut down on outage times, Diedrick said. Its amazing what we can now do right from the office.

As younger board members, Rowland said he and Diedrick were committed to using technology to serve members. He remembered that in the early 1980s, switches were installed which put the system in parallel and allowed the cooperative to transfer power between substations, once again reducing the length of outages. It used to be everything had to be done manually. Members may not have noticed something like that, but its one of those behind-the-scenes things we did to improve service.

The move to digital meters in 2010 was another major change. No longer did members have to read and submit monthly meter readings. Diedrick also saw the establishment of the LMRE People Fund as a major achievement during his term.

He said the annual meeting format has changed significantly. When he joined the board, the annual meetings used to be held at the cooperative head-quarters on a Monday afternoon in August with limited attendance. Today, the annual meeting is now held at the Lorain County Fairgrounds on a Tuesday afternoon-evening and attracts 2,300 to its Family Fun Day.

Were losing the ideal board member, President John Eaton said of Diedrick. He was always there

and always came prepared. As our board president, he was a great leader. When we had a new board member, we always had them sit with Ken.

Ken has provided a wealth of knowledge and experience as an LMRE trustee that will be sorely missed, McConnell said. Kens background and longevity is evident at every trustee meeting and is a resource we have drawn upon frequently. He helped guide the co-op through three general man-ager changes, dozens of major operational and tech-nology changes, numerous political and regulatory challenges, and the formation of FESCO.

Ken has set a standard of service and commit-ment over his 36 years that those of us who have had the privilege of serving with him can only strive to match, but not exceed.

The only monthly board meeting he missed was in July 2015, when he collapsed at home prior to leaving. He was rushed to the hospital. A brain tumor was discovered.

One week prior to the 2015 annual meeting, the tumor was removed. He was released from the hos-pital one day before the annual meeting and insisted on attending. Shortly before the business meeting, he was escorted into the fairgrounds. His perfect annual meeting attendance is still intact.

Ken was determined that he was not going to miss that meeting, Pickworth said. As trustees, we all knew that he was not about to let something like major surgery slow him down. We have been very lucky to have someone like Ken show such a high level of dedication to his job as trustee.

It has been an honor to serve on the board with Ken and to be able to learn from his knowledge and dedicated experience from his 36 years to the cooperative.

Ken Diedrick to retire after 36 years(continued from page 20D)



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JULY 2016 COUNTRY LIVING 20G

The warehouse and mechanic employees work together to keep the operations department in top shape. Chief mechanic Dan Scyoc and first-year mechanic Tyler Honoshofsky do whatever it takes to keep the equipment up and running.

My job here at the co-op is to make sure every-thing is properly maintained in safe working order, Honoshofsky said.

We also do some fabricating, Scyoc added. When something needs made for a special applica-tion or purpose, we fabricate it.

The most challenging part of the job for Hono-shofsky is to keep up with all the pieces of equip-ment, from bucket trucks to trailers and even lawnmowers. There are a lot of different pieces of equipment that we have, and I have to stay on top of keeping it maintained.

Maintaining the LMRE fleet of vehicles has changed over Scyocs 40-year career. One big change is in the truck chassis and in the booms. The booms have a lot more protection on them than what they used to, he said.

Along with the mechanics, the warehouse/utility personnel work behind the scenes to support the operations department.

My job is important because I make sure the guys have the materials they need to do their job, first-year Warehouseman/Utility Assistant Casey Orsik said.

Like the mechanics, the warehouse/utility

employees perform many jobs. I do everything from working in the warehouse unloading trucks and making sure the materials are there for the line crews, to going out to work on the lines, to working in the meter room for collections and disconnecting meters, Orsik said.

Its this type of commitment and work ethic that makes the entire cooperative successful, leading to excellent member satisfaction.

BY BRIAN E . BARR, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

Chapter 4: The guys in the garage

Warehouseman Dave Margraf (top) and Ware-houseman/Utility Assistant Casey Orsik (left) work behind the scenes, ensur-ing the line crews are fully equipped to safely tackle the day.

The Power League

and always came prepared. As our board president, he was a great leader. When we had a new board member, we always had them sit with Ken.

Ken has provided a wealth of knowledge and experience as an LMRE trustee that will be sorely missed, McConnell said. Kens background and longevity is evident at every trustee meeting and is a resource we have drawn upon frequently. He helped guide the co-op through three general man-ager changes, dozens of major operational and tech-nology changes, numerous political and regulatory challenges, and the formation of FESCO.

Ken has set a standard of service and commit-ment over his 36 years that those of us who have had the privilege of serving with him can only strive to match, but not exceed.

The only monthly board meeting he missed was in July 2015, when he collapsed at home prior to leaving. He was rushed to the hospital. A brain tumor was discovered.

One week prior to the 2015 annual meeting, the tumor was removed. He was released from the hos-pital one day before the annual meeting and insisted on attending. Shortly before the business meeting, he was escorted into the fairgrounds. His perfect annual meeting attendance is still intact.

Ken was determined that he was not going to miss that meeting, Pickworth said. As trustees, we all knew that he was not about to let something like major surgery slow him down. We have been very lucky to have someone like Ken show such a high level of dedication to his job as trustee.

It has been an honor to serve on the board with Ken and to be able to learn from his knowledge and dedicated experience from his 36 years to the cooperative.

Ken Diedrick to retire after 36 years

Chief Mechanic Dan Scyoc (left) and Mechanic Tyler Honoshofsky maintain the vehicles and equipment the line crews rely on to keep the power on for the members.



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20H COUNTRY LIVING JULY 2016

The LMRE People Fund Board of Trustees once again elected new officers at its April meeting, following the resignation of People Fund board chairman Kathy Norton Fox, who is seeking election to the District 3 seat on the LMRE Board of Trustees. The People Fund bylaws state members seeking or holding a position on the LMRE board cannot serve on the People Fund board.

The cooperatives board decided it was best to wait until after the District 3 election to appoint someone to fill the vacancy on the People Fund board. Norton-Fox resignation forced the People Fund board to re-elect officers.

Vice-Chairperson Joe Swinko of Litchfield Township was nominated and elected chairperson. Linda Heyde of Huntington Township was nominated and elected Vice-Chairperson. Janice Brill of Pittsfield was elected secretary, replacing Heyde. Lora Callihan of Nova remain treasurer.

The board reviewed grant applications and awarded eight grants totaling about $31,800. Reports on these grants will be presented in a future edition of Country Living.

Herrick Memorial Library, summer reading program $6,300 LMRE member, hearing aids $3,000Chatham Fire & Rescue, medical rescue bed $3,000LMRE member, medical bills $3,000Wellington High School, weight training facility $5,170Lorain County Free Clinic, prescription drug program $4,000Black River Youth Baseball and Softball, field maintenance equipment $6,604Black River Youth Football, game day pants with pads $3,750

BY TERI LEASE, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

People Fund granted funds totaling $34,823.71 during the second quarter meeting

To report an outage, please call 1-800-222-LMRE and our after-hours call center will be available.

Use toaster ovens or convection ovens for small meals rather than your stove or oven they use one-third to one-half of the energy a full-sized oven uses.

Source: energy.gov

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

The LMRE People Fund boardrounds up new officers

The office is closed Monday, July 4, in celebration of

Independence Day.

Have a safe holiday!



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The LMRE People Fund Board of Trustees once again elected new officers at its April meeting, following the resignation of People Fund board chairman Kathy Norton Fox, who is seeking election to the District 3 seat on the LMRE Board of Trustees. The People Fund bylaws state members seeking or holding a position on the LMRE board cannot serve on the People Fund board.

The cooperatives board decided it was best to wait until after the District 3 election to appoint someone to fill the vacancy on the People Fund board. Norton-Fox resignation forced the People Fund board to re-elect officers.

Vice-Chairperson Joe Swinko of Litchfield Township was nominated and elected chairperson. Linda Heyde of Huntington Township was nominated and elected Vice-Chairperson. Janice Brill of Pittsfield was elected secretary, replacing Heyde. Lora Callihan of Nova remain treasurer.

The board reviewed grant applications and awarded eight grants totaling about $31,800. Reports on these grants will be presented in a future edition of Country Living.


Herrick Memorial Library, summer reading program $6,300 LMRE member, hearing aids $3,000Chatham Fire & Rescue, medical rescue bed $3,000LMRE member, medical bills $3,000Wellington High School, weight training facility $5,170Lorain County Free Clinic, prescription drug program $4,000Black River Youth Baseball and Softball, field maintenance equipment $6,604Black River Youth Football, game day pants with pads $3,750

GenerLink and your generator will help you weather the storm

Over the past five years, July has been the month with the highest number of outages. A GenerLink device added at the meter base will allow a portable generator to be connected to the home, allowing the home to operate safely during these outages. GenerLink is installed outside at the electric meter in less than 30 minutes by the cooperatives meter technician. While there is equipment cost, installa-tion is free.

GenerLink is the SAFE connectionGenerLink eliminates the use of extension cords

and other connections that can be hazardous to members and utility personnel. It detects when a generator is operating and automatically discon-nects from the utility grid, eliminating dangerous backfeed.

Backfeed is a condition where electricity is being generated from a source outside the utility pow-er grid and is feeding or traveling back onto the power lines. Backfeeding onto the electric lines is a dangerous situation to line personnel because a line they consider as dead may, in fact, be energized by backfeed from a generator. The results can be fatal.

A 20- or 30-amp GenerLink with a 20-foot power cord is available. An interest-free financing option for the equipment is available to qualifying members. Contact the cooperative for current pric-ing at [email protected] or call 440-647-2133 or 1-800-222-LMRE (5673).

In the United States, lightning kills an average of 66 people per year and injures another 300, according to the National Weather Service. In an effort to decrease these numbers, Safe Electricity offers the following tips to stay safe during storms: If youre close enough to the storm to hear thunder, youre most likely close enough to be struck by lightning. Seek shelter immediately. Do not seek shelter under trees, picnic or rain shelters, or in open-frame vehicles. Dont plug in or unplug anything electrical during the storm. Dont use corded telephones phone use is the number one cause of indoor lightning injuries in the United States. Avoid contact with water, pipes, washers, or dryers. If you cant find shelter in a building or in a closed-frame vehicle, keep your feet together and sit on the ground away from water, high ground, or open spaces. If a person is struck by lightning, call 911 and care for the victim immediately. You can not be harmed by touching the victim after he or she has been struck.

Visit www.SafeElectricity.org for more information on electrical safety.

Lightning Dangers

The LMRE People Fund boardrounds up new officers

In the United States, lightning kills an average of 66 people per year and injures

ightning DangersThe office is closed Monday, July 4, in celebration of

Independence Day.

Have a safe holiday!



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Time to replace your older refrigerator or freezer?

LMRE now offers $100 rebateTake advantage of Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Coop

country living july 2016 lorain-medina

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