Ohio is considered Northern, for our purposes. Anything not in a coastal state is northern or southern, at the moment.
Ohio has had several gatherings under the moniker of MidWest NEST. The main hosts, Bellarisa and Annaloo99, have both been way too preoccupied at present to do another, though. Bella had another baby (microBella v2), and Anna's plannin' a weddin', and likely gettin' busy with the husband t'be. They are, however, folks with whom to coordinate, as they know many in that area.
Chicago's CHEST, run by TickleChgo, is close to ya, and also good. I know him, and like him. I know nothing about NYST, save that Josie's doin' it, but it bears visitin', and is comin' up in August with an event, and even has a munch in July, if memory serves. She's a sweet lady.
Slightly more distant in time is the possibility that another NEST will happen. They're in Philly. Max Speer runs 'em. He's a friend, and I enjoy visitin' him, and thus recommend him too.
All in addition to the Hyena's Club, whose organizational activities are to be praised greatly. The more events there are, the better, says I!
dvnc