Currents, Anza Electric Cooperative, May 2025

Currents ANZA ELECTRIC

MAY 2025

A 31-mile challenge, the McKenzie River Trail Run has tested runners’ strength and stamina for nearly 40 years.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL SHERMAN, SPRINGFEDMEDIA.NET

McKenzie River Trail Run A world-renowned ultramarathon with a local mission Page 12

SAVE ON WINDOWS AND DOORS!

400 OFF EACH WINDOW $850 OFF EACH DOOR

$

1

MINIMUM PURCHASE OF 4

1

MINIMUM PURCHASE OF 4

AND

NO Money Down | NO Monthly Payments | NO Interest for 12 months

1

MINIMUM PURCHASE OF 4 – INTEREST ACCRUES FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE BUT IS WAIVED IF PAID IN FULL WITHIN 12 MONTHS

4.7 OUT OF 5 BASED ON 95,000+ REVIEWS “My overall experience was great. I love the window, and from sales to scheduling, the experience was very good. The installers are highly skilled professionals and I would recommend Renewal by Andersen to all my contacts.”

LYNN F. | RENEWAL BY ANDERSEN CUSTOMER

70%

MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT IN SUMMER2

KEEP THE COOL AIR IN AND THE HEAT OUT! Solving your window problems and having a comfortable home is easy and enjoyable when you choose Renewal by Andersen. Take advantage of this great offer to save money on your window project – and help save on high energy bills for years to come!

SmartSun™ glass Helps keep the heat out and the cool in.

Offer Ends June 30

Call for your FREE consultation.

888-901-0606 Visit findyourwindow.com

1

DETAILS OF OFFER: Offer expires 6/30/2025. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Get $400 off each window and $850 off each entry/patio door and 12 months no money down, no monthly payments, no interest when you purchase four (4) or more windows or entry/patio doors between 5/5/2025 and 6/30/2025. Subject to credit approval. 12-month Promo Period: while no payments are due, interest accrues but is waived if the loan is paid in full before the Promo Period expires. Any unpaid balance owed after the Promo Period, plus accrued interest, will be paid in installments based on the terms disclosed in the customer’s loan agreement. Financing is provided by various financial institutions without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, or familial status. Savings comparison based on purchase of a single unit at list price. Available at participating locations and offer applies throughout the service area. See your local Renewal by Andersen location for details. License numbers available at renewalbyandersen.com/license. Some Renewal by Andersen locations are independently owned and operated. 2Values are based on comparison of Renewal by Andersen® double-hung window U-Factor to the U-Factor for clear dual-pane glass non-metal frame default values from the 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018 International Energy Conservation Code “Glazed Fenestration” Default Tables. Military discount applies to all active duty, reserves, national guard, veterans, and retired military personnel. Eligibility will be verified through SheerID. Military discount equals $300 off your entire purchase and applies after all other discounts, only valid on initial visit, no minimum purchase required. “Renewal by Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of their respective owners. © 2025 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved.

RBA14201 *Using U.S. and imported parts.

FROM THE PIONEER TEAM

Currents May 2025 • Volume 60, No. 3 ANZA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Sherri Stafford

ARIZONA GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION COOPERATIVES DUNCAN VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Kassi Mortensen

ELECTRICAL DISTRICT NO. 2

Roselyn Bever

GRAND CANYON STATE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

Hannah Capozzi

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Chasity Anderson EDITOR

Victoria Hampton Currents (USPS 030-520) is published bimonthly for members for $3.30 a year, plus postage by Pioneer Utility Resources, 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy.

Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124—a not-forprofit Oregon cooperative corporation— to serve the communication needs of four consumer-owned electric utilities in Arizona and California. Preferred periodical postage paid at Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 and additional mailing offices. © 2025 Pioneer Utility Resources. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Currents, 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124.

TO CONTACT CURRENTS

Mailing address: P.O. Box 1306 North Plains, OR 97133-1306 Email: info@pioneer.coop Subscription services: Nonmember subscriptions $8 (U.S.) per year.

Prepayment required. Identify local edition desired.

The Measure of Our Moments Time is a curious thing.

We count it in seconds, minutes, years—yet its true value isn’t in its measurement but in how we fill it.

In this month’s issue, I was drawn to how our story subjects measure their moments. James Du Bois captures literal droplets of time in his Oregon Du Drops, preserving rainwater in delicate glass bulbs that mark weddings, births, memorials and more.

“It’s the closest thing to catching time in a bottle,” he tells us, creating physical mementos of fleeting moments.

Time takes on different dimensions for the ultramarathon runners featured in our McKenzie River Trail Run Spotlight feature.

These remarkable athletes measure hours not by clock ticks but by miles conquered—testing physical limits while forming deep bonds with fellow runners and the natural world.

What started as five men running 50 miles evolved into an event that sells out within 24 hours, drawing participants from 18 states and beyond.

Perhaps most poignant is Aaron Reed’s relationship with time. The ultrarunner and

musician faced the ultimate countdown when diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“If we don’t get it out immediately, you got maybe six weeks,” his doctor told him. Today, recovered and training again, Aaron views each day as a gift, noting a higher power gave him back his most precious resource: time.

As we move into May, I’m reminded we each have our own way of marking our days. For some, it’s through creative pursuits—capturing raindrops or photographing new life, as Dave LaBelle encourages in his column. For others, it might be pushing our physical boundaries or simply savoring a sweet moment inspired by one of our spring desserts.

However you choose to measure your moments, I hope you find inspiration in these pages to make them count.

Until next time, Chasity Anderson Editorial Director

Do you know someone who spends their time in a unique, interesting way? I’d love to learn more. You might see them showcased in an Up Close article later this year. Reach me at editor@pioneer.coop.

Delivery Issues: Utility members should contact the local utility office listed on the back cover. Nonmembers should contact Pioneer Utility Resources at mailingdept@pioneer.coop.

Rainy-Day Relics

Oregon Du Drops are perfect for reflecting on life Up Close, Page 10

Extra copies: $3 each, prepayment required. Supply is limited. Identify edition, month and year.

Reprint permission: Direct all requests to info@pioneer.coop.

McKenzie River Trail Run

Manuscripts and photographs: Query first. Do not send unsolicited materials.

A world-renowned ultramarathon with a local mission Spotlight, Page 12

DISPLAY ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

American MainStreet Publications 611 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 504 Austin, TX 78704 800-626-1181 or 512-441-5200 displayads@pioneer.coop

Reader Exchange 18 Picture Hunt Photo Contest 19 Before You Go Utility Pages: 4-5, 8, 25, 32

22 30

Spring Into Flavor With Fruity Desserts

In The Kitchen, Page 16

M AY 2 0 2 5

3

‘I Couldn’t Meet Luis Manzanarez, Anza Electric’s 2024 Washington Youth Tour Winner and Youth Leadership Council Delegate

By Kelly Brenz Anza Electric is one of the many cooperatives that sponsors students on a trip to Washington, D.C., every June. During the Washington Youth Tour, students from across the nation receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the nation’s capital.

Luis Manzanarez was one of three students who won this once-in-a-lifetime trip in 2024. Through this experience, local teens forge friendships with students from across the country and gain leadership skills.

While in D.C., students get to see firsthand how the government works and learn about the history of the nation.

They tour the Capitol building and walk in the footsteps of the founding fathers. Among the many sights, they tour Arlington National Cemetery, the Library of Congress, the Lincoln Memorial, George Washington’s Mount Vernon and more.

During the trip, Luis was chosen as California’s 2024 Youth Leadership Council delegate. In March, ABOVE: Youth Leadership Council Delegate Luis Manzanarez takes the stage at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s PowerXchange.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANZA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

4

M AY 2025

ANZA ELECTRIC

n’t Have Asked for More’ he met with other YLC delegates in Atlanta for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Annual Meeting.

YLC delegates submit speeches, competing for the position of YLC National Spokesperson. Luis was one of the top five contenders. Maggie Martin was chosen as the YLC National Spokesperson and addressed the crowd at NRECA’s PowerXchange meeting.

Last June, I traveled with Luis and the other students to Washington, D.C., as a chaperone. After returning from Atlanta, I talked to Luis about his experience:

What inspired you to compete in AEC’s Washington Youth Tour contest?

“My teacher, Ms. Mohn-Brimhall,” Luis says. “She was very avid about participating and what an experience it would be. The tour was not what I expected. It was so much more. I thought we would see a few museums and hang out at the hotel pool, but we got to see a bit of everything. I couldn’t have asked for more.

I got the full experience.”

What was the best part of the trip to D.C.?

“The best part about this experience was the museums because they all had their own way of making me feel,” he says. “I felt more patriotic and more dignity or sorrow, because I wasn’t just reading about it, I was experiencing it.

“This was an opportunity for someone from Anza, this small mountain community, to go on a big trip,” Luis adds.

“I don’t go out at all. I don’t go on trips or vacations.

Having someone tell me to pack my bags, I was going to D.C., was amazing. And going with kids my age made it feel like I was going with a group of friends. Above all, it was fun. I made friends that I still talk to.”

What had the most impact on you?

“The one place that had the most impact on me was the Holocaust Museum,” he says. “It

“It felt like it didn’t matter where you come from, you can accomplish anything. I saw that I can help people by helping the cooperatives themselves.”

-LUIS MANZANAREZ

was uncomfortable being there, but it was raw knowledge, nonetheless. I felt a fraction of what I am sure the prisoners felt.

It was one thing to read about it, it was another to see it.”

Tell me about your Youth Leadership Council experience at NRECA’s Annual Meeting.

“The YLC was life changing. I left crying, in all honesty, from the people I met there and the experience that I had,” Luis says.

“The people I met were genuine and unique. I bonded with them. Above all, YLC showed me that connections are important and to care about people. I wasn’t sure what NRECA was or what cooperatives do until I was right there, learning firsthand just how much people care about us. It gave me pride and made me want to be a part of that.”

Have these experiences changed your future plans in any way?

“My future plans are going to a college or university,” he says.

“I was thinking about premed. Being a part of YLC and having this experience with different kinds of people, I got an insight that not many people my age get to have. I met executive leaders, local leaders, engineers, military people—it was cool.

It felt like it didn’t matter where you come from, you can accomplish anything. I saw that I can help people by helping the cooperatives themselves. This experience changed my focus to a bigger picture of ways I can help others.” n

ADOBE STOCK ILLUSTRATION

BY PRIMIAOU

M AY 2 0 2 5

5

Power Life S May is Electrical Safety Month

By Abby Berry and Nina Todea

Avoid overloading electrical outlets with power strips that exceed the outlet’s capacity.

PEXELS PHOTO BY ZION

6

M AY 2025

Every May, Electrical Safety Month serves as a vital reminder of the importance of preventing electrical hazards at home. Electricity powers nearly every aspect of modern life, but if handled improperly, it can pose serious risks, including injuries and property damage.

Your electric utility understands the risks associated with improper electricity use, which is why we’re committed to reminding you to stay vigilant and practice electrical safety year-round.

By following key safety practices, you can reduce the risk of electrical hazards and ensure your family stays protected. Here are eight essential tips for powering up safely at home: 1. Be vigilant. Regularly inspect your home’s electrical system, including smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, for signs of damage or outdated components.

Electrical fires can start silently and out of sight, making functional smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors essential for early detection.

Test alarms monthly, replace batteries annually and ensure you have alarms installed in key areas of your home, including inside and outside of bedrooms.

2. Replace frayed electrical wires or cords. The Electrical Safety Foundation International estimates roughly 3,300 home fires originate from extension cords every year, primarily due to overloading, overheating or fraying. If you’re relying on extension cords as permanent power solutions, consider contacting a qualified electrician to install additional outlets where you need them.

3. Use surge protectors. Safeguard your sensitive electronics and appliances with surge protectors.

These handy devices help divert excess voltage away from your electronics, reducing the risk of damage or electrical fires. Not all power strips include surge protection, so read the product label carefully.

Additionally, surge protectors can lose effectiveness over time and should be replaced when damaged or outdated.

e Safely

4. Practice safe use of power strips. Avoid overloading electrical outlets with power strips that exceed the outlet’s capacity. High-energy devices, such as heaters, microwaves and hair dryers, should be distributed across multiple outlets. Overloading an outlet with “busy” power strips can lead to overheating and create a fire hazard, so be sure to check the power strip’s wattage rating before plugging in items.

5. Don’t mix water and electricity. It may seem obvious, but accidents involving water contact with electrical items happen. Always keep electrical appliances and devices away from water sources, such as sinks, bathtubs or swimming pools. Make sure your hands are dry before touching any electrical switches or appliances. Never handle electrical devices with wet hands. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters should be installed in areas where water and electricity are typically in proximity, including kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor outlets.

6. Hire a qualified electrician for major work.

While DIY projects may seem like a tempting way to save money, working with electricity requires specialized knowledge of your home’s electrical system and national safety codes. Cutting corners can be a costly mistake beyond your wallet.

Recent data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports nearly 400 electrocutions in the United States each year, 14% of which are related to wiring hazards. A licensed electrician has the expertise to handle major electrical tasks, such as installing new wiring, upgrading your circuit breaker panel or troubleshooting electrical issues. When it comes to electricity, safety should always be your priority—leave the major jobs to the experts.

7. Educate family members. One of the best ways to ensure the safety of everyone in your household is to talk about electrical safety. Teach children not to play with electrical outlets or appliances, and ensure they understand the potential dangers of electricity. Create and practice a home fire escape plan that includes electrical safety precautions in the event of an emergency.

Practicing electrical safety at home is essential for protecting your family, property and peace of mind.

Remember, electrical safety isn’t just a one-time effort—it’s a year-round responsibility. Taking these steps can help ensure a safer, more secure home for you and your loved ones. n

PLUGGED IN

Electrical Fire Do’s and Don’ts Homeowners should always take precautions to mitigate the risk of electrical fires and other electrical hazards—but what happens if those precautions are still subject to human error?

Faulty wiring, power surges or malfunctioning appliances can ignite flames in an instant. In those critical moments, knowing exactly what to do can mean the difference between safely containing an electrical fire and facing a devastating loss. Follow these guidelines if an electrical fire breaks out in your home: Do cut the power: If a faulty appliance causes the fire, unplug it immediately. If you can’t reach the plug but have a safe path to your home’s breaker panel, turn off the electricity at the panel.

Do use a fire extinguisher: Not all fire extinguishers are created equal. Electrical fires should be extinguished with Class C fire extinguishers, which are specifically designed to address electrical fires. Fire extinguishers should only be used on small, contained fires. Electrical Safety Foundation International recommends homeowners buy a fire extinguisher large enough to effectively put out a small fire, but not so heavy that it is difficult to handle. In a pinch, small electrical fires can also be smothered with a fire blanket or baking soda.

Don’t use water: Although it may be your first instinct, water conducts electricity and can make the fire worse or cause electrocution.

Do evacuate immediately: If the fire spreads out of your control, get everyone out of the house and to safety, then call 911. Closing doors behind you can slow the spread of the fire.

M AY 2 0 2 5

7

ANZA ELECTRIC

KEEP CALM AND

LET LINEWORKERS CARRY ON

By Pam Stevens Picture this: It’s a dark and stormy night, and the power’s out. Your phone flashlight is your new best friend, and you’re wondering how to keep your family warm. Suddenly, in the distance, you see them—the superheroes of the grid—our electric lineworkers.

But here’s the deal: This isn’t the time to turn into an overcurious bystander. For everyone’s safety, it is best to let them do their work.

Safety First—For You and Them Electricity is no joke. Lineworkers are trained to handle dangerous situations, but they can’t do their job efficiently if they’re distracted by folks wandering too close. It’s not just risky for them—it’s risky for you, too. High-voltage equipment isn’t forgiving, and the safest place for you during an outage is far, far away from the action. As special as each of our members are, you are no exception to this rule.

Information for You and Your Co-op We know it’s tempting to walk up and ask what’s going on. But trust us, lineworkers already have enough on their plates. Every

8

M AY 2025

minute spent explaining what’s happening is a minute they’re not fixing the problem. Instead, always report your outage, then stay informed through social media channels. For large or extended outages, updates are provided as new information is available.

Let Efficiency Shine The fewer distractions, the faster the power comes back on.

By keeping your distance, you’re not just staying safe—you’re helping your whole community get their power restored quickly.

Think of it as your way of contributing to the effort without needing a hard hat.

Show Your Support from Afar Lineworkers are top-notch pros dedicated to your service, and we know you want to thank them for their hard work. Do so with a wave from a distance or consider sending a note to the co-op on its social media channels. They’ll appreciate the gesture without worrying about rescuing you near a live wire and having concern for their own safety.

So next time the lights go out, remember: Stay safe, stay informed and let the pros handle it. Your cooperative—and your community—will thank you. n

Generational Wealth A future for generations to come

339

$

ea.

Minimum order of 5 coins

GENERATIONAL WEALTH is of paramount significance as it represents a beacon of

financial stability. It serves as a tangible testament to the hard work, diligence, and financial acumen of previous generations, offering a solid foundation upon which future generations can build their dreams and aspirations.

American Gold Reserve is releasing Government issued $5 Gold American Eagles completely free of dealer mark-up for only $339 each. These beautiful $5 Gold American Eagles are a perfect way to enter the gold market. They are set for immediate public release and will sell out fast.

AMS-RL22

CHECKS

24 hours - 7 days a week

1-866-852-3346

• Free of dealer markup.

• Protection against inflation and deflation.

• Gold offers financial cover during geopolitical uncertainty.

• Good portfolio diversifier.

GOLD RESERVE

Strict limit of 10 per house hold, per lifetime. For new clients only.

Rainy-Day

Relics Oregon Du Drops are perfect for reflecting on life

By Vicki Hillhouse Inside a Rockaway Beach gallery off U.S. Highway 101, tiny water worlds dangle overhead. Delicate glass bulbs filled with Oregon rain and topped with brass temple bells hang like droplets suspended in time.

Artist James Stephen Du Bois— known to all simply as Du Bois— began making the bulbs for his James Stephen Du Bois is the own delight about 50 years ago. creator of Oregon Du Drops.

PHOTO BY WESLEY LA POINT In 1999, after honing his creative process, he decided to fill them with Oregon rainwater and sell them as works of art. People occasionally asked if he had rain from a specific date. Soon, he was collecting and cataloging rain to customize his bulbs for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and memorials.

“It’s the closest thing to catching time in a bottle,” Du Bois says.

Most rewarding are the emotional bonds that tie his Oregon

Du Drops with the people who buy them.

“We call that nonmonetary compensation,” he says. “There’s such reward from touching people’s lives.”

On days he and his wife, Cathleen “Cat” Freshwater-Du Bois—both in their 70s— contemplate retirement, this is what drives him to continue.

“I like the idea that I’m making something for someone I don’t even know is going to come in,” he says. “When they do come in, and they see it, and it’s meaningful to them, then I know I’m doing something important.”

A Drop of Inspiration Oregon Du Drops date back to Du Bois’ 1970s college days at Indiana University. One early morning, he was walking in the woods when the rising sun illuminated a flowering bush blanketed in dew drop-covered spiderwebs.

“It was just the most interesting thing I’d ever seen,” Du Bois says.

He stood captivated for the longest time, wanting to re-create

Oregon Du Drops is easy to spot with its bright red color off the Oregon Coast Highway in Rockaway Beach. A giant mobile of reflective drops outside the building is known for catching the eyes of travelers, who turn their vehicles around to see what’s inside. PHOTO BY VICKI HILLHOUSE

10

M AY 2025

Handmade pieces are

UP CLOSE

ABOVE AND LEFT: Each drop made by Du Bois is suspended with ribbon corresponding to the month when the rainwater inside was collected.

He gathers a gallon of water each month to fill the decorative bulbs, commemorating birthdays, anniversaries, deaths and other memorable dates. PHOTO BY JAMES STEPHEN DU BOIS

the refraction and reflections. Once home, he dug out a spent light bulb, opened the metal with pliers, cleaned out the bulb and filled it with water.

“I was getting the same effect that I saw in the dew drops,” he says.

He started making them for his home, displaying them in windows, and sometimes adding plant cuttings. The exploding roots, though, robbed the reflective aspect—one of the first lessons of making Du Drops. Over the decades, Du Bois learned how to prevent the invasion of microorganisms in the bulbs with isopropyl alcohol and how to seal the orbs with adhesive.

“I played with them myself, about 25 years, just enjoying them,” he says. “A lot of people said along the way, ‘You ought to be sharing these with people.’ I never saw myself as an artist. I was just interested in what I was seeing.”

In 1999, while living in Springfield, Oregon, he began selling his drops at a Saturday market in Eugene. That year, Eugene experienced a 90-day drought, and Du Bois ran out of rainwater. Determined never to go without a water supply again, he now uses a dehumidifier to pull moisture from the air, collecting a gallon a month.

He met Cat in 2001 when he had a booth at Rockaway Beach’s Wine, Cheese and All That Jazz Festival, where she belted out tunes throughout the afternoon as a performer.

Cat enjoyed the Du Drops and set out to buy one filled with Valentine’s Day rain. Short on funds, she and Du Bois agreed to put the bulb on layaway. When they went to shake on the deal, Cat was so taken with the bespectacled artist that she kissed him instead.

“We’ve been together ever since,” she says.

They married a year later and eventually moved to Rockaway Beach.

Making Memories Most customers discover Oregon Du Drops by driving past the couple’s home gallery. A metal mobile outside holds the drops, and passing motorists turn their cars around to check it out. Inside,

beams of light from the windows and skylight bounce off mirrors in sparkling resplendence.

The simplest bulb takes about eight days to make. Du Bois juggles several at a time in different stages of production. An icicle version can take three weeks as he shapes the glass with fire. Each drop hangs from a different color of ribbon depending on the month it was made.

Du Bois adds test tubes inside some bulbs and fills them with birthstones. He’s filled requests, too, to add cremated ashes inside.

For such orders, he lights a candle as he makes the Du Drop and plays the favorite music of the person who died.

Cat engraves each Du Drop with dates, names or special messages.

“I wanted her hand on every Du Drop,” Du Bois says.

Cat also runs the gallery and serves as the voice on the phone, taking orders.

Shelves in the downstairs “rain cellar” are lined with 1-liter bottles.

Demand for specific days has been relatively random. A recent customer requested a Du Drop from his October 1999 birth date. To Du Bois’ delight, that date was the starting point of his library.

Du Bois diligently updates the water catalog on his Oregon Du Drops website. The earliest years of collection don’t include specific dates. But recent years break down each day water was collected and whether it was dew or rain. Some supplies have been used up, such as the last four months of 2020.

For the time being, Du Bois is committed to continuing the business in one-year increments. He plans to keep making bulbs for Oregon Du Drops until at least 2026. He entertains the idea of making YouTube tutorials so others can make their own when he’s unable to do it. For now, he continues to touch lives with his watery wonders.

“That’s one of the nicest parts of the job—connecting with people’s lives,” he says. n Oregon Du Drops is located at 450 U.S. Highway 101, Rockaway Beach, and can be found online at oregondudrops.com.

M AY 2 0 2 5

11

SPOTLIGHT

McKenzie River T A world-renowned ultramarathon with a local mission

By Victoria Hampton For nearly four decades, hundreds of runners have risen early to find their place behind the starting line of the McKenzie River Trail Run in Oregon. Instead of hitting the pavement, these athletes are getting off the beaten path. Along the 31-mile challenge are awe-inspiring waterfalls, an old growth forest and a lake so clear and blue it seems otherworldly.

These are just a few of the highlights that make the McKenzie River Trail Run a sought-after experience for ultrarunners.

“The physical beauty of the trail itself it unbelievable,” 73-year-old Race Director Tim Hooton says. “It rivals almost any scenic place.”

The event has tested runners’ strength and stamina along the Oregon trail for 38 years. The physical feat is paired with nature and camaraderie, some of the key differences that set ultramarathons apart from other competitions.

What started in the late ’80s with five men running 50 miles is now an annual 50K race that sells out in 24 hours, attracting runners from near and far.

“This year’s registration, we have people from 18 states and two foreign countries— New Zealand and Australia,” says Tim, who has been involved with the run for decades.

Ultramarathon runners push their physical limits while competing for top placement or simply crossing the finish line. The organizers behind these events dedicate their time to keeping participants coming back, all for the love of the sport.

12

M AY 2025

What is ultrarunning?

Ultramarathons are characterized as anything longer than a 26.2-mile marathon. While 31-, 50- and 100-mile races are common, there are challenges of far greater distances.

While the races put runners to the ultimate test, UltraRunning Magazine Editor Amy Clark says competitors find community and connectedness with smaller participant size and support along the trail.

“As ultrarunners, we understand that physical and mental breakdown of just trying to get through,” she says. “Most of the people who are drawn to this sport really care about each other. We want to see each other succeed.”

These events attract runners from all age ranges and walks of life. Race rosters list participants in their early 20s up to 80 years old.

Tim reflects on his lifetime of running, noting the increasing popularity of trail running since the late ’80s, which led to the growth of ultramarathons throughout the country.

The number of runners finishing ultramarathons in North America has steadily increased—with some dips when races were canceled during COVID-19 years 2020-2022—from 11,171 finishes in 1998 to 142,890 in 2024, according to UltraRunning Magazine.

Also on the rise is the number of female participants. In 2024, of the 2,949 ultraraces with 50 or more finishers in North America, female competitors won more than 51 ultramarathons.

“Our race is almost 50% women,” Tim says. “We’re talking women who can hang with the men and even kick butt. It has been fun to watch.”

r Trail Run While marathons attract thousands of competitors, ultramarathons typically draw fewer than 1,000. Many, such as the McKenzie River event, cap registration around a few hundred.

“The entire sport itself, it is so different from what I was used to with the running community,” Amy says.

Amy ran her first marathon in 2002 with the goal of eventually qualifying for the Boston Marathon. After having children, Amy returned to running marathons but found she didn’t have the same excitement for the experience.

She decided to give ultrarunning a try at the McDonald Forest 50K in Corvallis, Oregon, in 2014.

“It was a completely different community and felt like a different sport than running on a road for 26 miles,” she says.

In a typical road-running experience, Amy’s goal was to run as fast as she could for as far as she could. In ultramarathons, she found people talking and encouraging each other between the eight check-in stations.

Along the route, volunteers are stationed to help runners get a quick snack, refill water bottles and attend to any medical needs.

“It’s a symbiotic relationship,” Amy says.

“The volunteers, if they weren’t out there, it would be a lot harder. They are what help keep us going.”

Amy ran the McKenzie River Trail Run in 2015 and returns in June.

“That’s why I go out and run these races,” Amy says. “I love the scenery, experiencing it with other people and pushing yourself a little harder than another run.”

Giving Back The McKenzie River Trail Run is about people over profit. When Tim became the race director in 2018, he had a vision to transform the one-day event into a vehicle for positive change in his rural community.

“I knew what I could do to expand it to have a greater impact,” he says.

The McKenzie River Trail Run became a nonprofit event seven years ago. Tim and event volunteers have expanded the number of annual participants. They find race sponsors and encourage racers to support local lodging, eateries, stores and services while in town.

The nonprofit donates race funds to community projects, including providing equipment for the local cross-country team, replacing freezers and storage shelves for the food pantry, repairing the roof at the community center and replacing gear for the volunteer fire department.

“We take great pride in our local community,” Tim says. “I cannot take the credit for all this stuff. I surround myself with people who are way smarter than me.”

Support is vital to the continuation of ultramarathons throughout the country.

The McKenzie River Trail Run has held onto its roots for four decades and continues to take new strides to support the rural community.

“To have what McKenzie River has—a dedicated race director, a dedicated community and a dedicated volunteer base—is a unique thing and should be celebrated,” Amy says. n For more information about the McKenzie River Trail Run, visit mrtr.org.

For 38 years, competitors have traversed an awe-inspiring trail through one of Oregon’s most scenic areas during the McKenzie River Trail Run. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL SHERMAN, SPRINGFEDMEDIA.NET

M AY 2 0 2 5

13

At mile 161 of the Cocodona 250, Aaron Reed suffered a stress fracture in his leg. His mental fitness and stamina pushed him on to the finish line. PHOTOS COURTESY OF AARON REED

Keeping Time Ultrarunner beats the odds

By Victoria Hampton As a runner and musician, Aaron Reed’s life revolves around keeping time. From pace to beat, he follows a rhythm of performance as he traverses trails and takes the stage.

In December 2024, time took on new meaning when Aaron collapsed during a routine gym workout. Suddenly, he was hanging in the balance between life and death.

14

M AY 2025

“I didn’t realize anything was wrong until I had a seizure,” Aaron says.

He was facing an unexpected challenge— time running out. Yet, mental and physical strength, along with divine intervention, prepared Aaron for the fight of his life.

Going the Distance Aaron, 42, has loved running since middle school. When he moved to Oregon in 2004, he ran along the state’s scenic trails and found a path to the ultrarunning community.

“I was always really into long runs and as I got older, got into running ultras,” Aaron says.

Aaron continues taking on challenges at longer distances and finds new trails to explore while touring and performing with his brother, Phil. Known as The Brothers

Reed, the duo takes the stage at intimate venues from Washington to Arizona, combining storytelling with original lyrics.

During a tour stop in Arizona, Aaron discovered the Cocodona 250, a 250-mile ultramarathon from Black Canyon City to Flagstaff through some of state’s most scenic landscape.

In May 2024, seven months before he collapsed in the gym, Aaron found himself relying on his mental strength to push his body through the challenge. He was 80 miles in when he sensed something was wrong. By mile 161, he suffered a stress fracture in his leg.

“I had to make the decision,” Aaron says.

“I am going to finish. The only way I won’t is if I am taken out of the race.”

He walked the remaining 89 miles in 52 hours, completing the race in four days, eight hours, 16 minutes and 33 seconds.

While achieving some of his best performances, on the trail and stage, a bigger threat was growing inside him.

Divine Intervention At the end of the year, following a series of tests at the hospital, Aaron was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“It’s kind of interesting, because (the tumor) was in there … I was racing really hard,” he says. “I was doing really well in races, the music, just everything was going so well, and then this happened.”

Due to the severity of the tumor, the surgeon didn’t know if it was possible to remove it all or what type of life Aaron would have after surgery. He could lose his vision, his ability to speak or, in the worst case, his life could be cut short.

“If we don’t get it out immediately, you got maybe six weeks,” Aaron recounts the doctor’s prognosis. “How long if I get it out? Thirteen months.”

Aaron’s wife, Becca, says time seemed to move backward as she stood next to her husband in a hospital bed and tried to process the news.

“I felt like things were going slow but incredibly fast,” she says. “The neurosurgeon came in, and it felt like this weird time warp of slow motion and super quick all at the same time.”

As a nurse, Becca helps people through some of the worst times in their lives. Yet, knowing her husband was facing a lifethreatening diagnosis was different.

“Nothing can prepare you for it,” she says. “It just absolutely floored me.”

Becca kept replaying the morning before Aaron’s seizure in her mind. They were drinking coffee together and planning the weekend. She savored the last moments of normalcy as she came to terms with the fact that if her husband survived, his life may never be the same.

As Aaron awaited surgery, Becca and Phil huddled with him on his hospital bed, shedding tears and holding on to the person they loved in his toughest moment.

Aaron says a calm washed over him as he drifted into a deep sleep.

That is when he heard a voice. From somewhere unexplained and unsolicited, Aaron experienced a moment of divine intervention, offering him protection and peace of mind.

“God just literally put me to sleep,” Aaron says. “As soon as he put me to sleep, he said, ‘You’re gonna be OK.’ I just came out of it knowing I was going to be OK.” Eight days after Aaron’s seizure, doctors successfully removed his tumor. Now, everyone waited to see what would remain of Aaron’s abilities when he woke up.

Shortly after finding out Aaron was awake, the doctor returned to his family with an update.

“He came storming back in and said, ‘He’s awake,’ ” Aaron says. “‘He knows his name. He knows where he’s at. He knows where he’s from. He just said the Packers game is on in 45 minutes. He’s talking.’ ” On Christmas Day, just two days after surgery, Aaron was released from the hospital. He was back on a stationary bike seven days later. Since then, he’s started racing again in preparation for ultramarathons this summer.

Aaron’s pathology tests continue to show improvements.

“I know this isn’t going to be the thing I die from,” he says.

Coming Together in McKenzie River In June, Aaron, Becca and Phil are joining the McKenzie River Trail Run, an ultramarathon coordinated by their friend, Tim Hooton.

“Tim is one of my soul friends,” Aaron says. “It’s cool to get to be there and get to do this thing he puts so much work in.”

During race weekend, Aaron and Becca will commemorate their 10 years of marriage with a vow renewal.

“McKenzie River has always been a really special place for us,” Becca says. “There’s something magical in that area. The forest and that river, you feel like you’re so far

Since he recovered from a brain tumor, Aaron Reed and his wife, Becca, view every day as a gift. The couple will compete in the McKenzie River Trail Run in June.

away. There’s barely any cell service. It’s just a time to disconnect from the craziness of the world, and it just feels really peaceful and serene and quiet.”

While the worst is behind Aaron, building his mental stamina is just as much a part of his daily life as his physical fitness.

Aaron writes in a journal, meditates twice a day and eats healthy. His practices include writing on paper five things he’s grateful for each day and placing the list in a jar.

“It seems to do quite a bit, especially if you’re one of those people who tends to gravitate towards the gloom and doom,” Aaron says. “I always have believed that the mind is super powerful.”

Yet, he doesn’t give himself credit for his miraculous recovery. Aaron believes a higher power gave him back his most precious resource: time.

“I didn’t have to tell myself it was OK,” Aaron says. “God literally came to me uninfluenced and just told me I would be OK.” n To listen to Aaron and Phil’s music, visit thebrothersreed.com.

M AY 2 0 2 5

15

IN THE KITCHEN

Spring Into Flavor

WITH FRUITY DESSERTS Strawberry Trifle

1 cup whole milk 1 cup sour cream 3.4-ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix 1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway ADOBE AI ILLUSTRATION

BY SASHAMAGIC

16

M AY

2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped 8 cups cubed angel food cake 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries Additional sweetened whipped cream for topping

In a large bowl, beat the milk, sour cream, pudding mix and orange zest on low speed until thickened. Fold in whipped cream.

Place half the cake cubes in a 3-quart glass bowl. Arrange a third of the strawberries around the side of bowl and over the cake. Top with half the pudding mixture. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining berries. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Top with additional sweetened whipped cream just before serving.

2025

Pistachio Fluff (Watergate Salad) 1/2 cup maraschino cherries 2 3½-ounce packages instant pistachio pudding mix 24 ounces whipped topping

20-ounce can crushed pineapple, undrained 2 cups chopped walnuts 1 pound mini marshmallows

Chop the cherries into quarters, but reserve a few whole cherries.

Combine pudding mix with whipped topping and pineapple. Add walnuts, chopped cherries and marshmallows. Combine well.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Garnish with whole cherries on top before serving.

Almond Cheesecake Crust

11/4 cups crushed vanilla wafers (about 40 wafers) 1/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup finely chopped almonds 1/3 cup salted butter, melted

Filling 4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened 11/4 cups sugar

Topping 2 cups sour cream 1/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 extra-large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten 2 teaspoons almond extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/8 cup toasted sliced almonds

Heat oven to 350 F. In a bowl, combine the wafer crumbs, sugar and almonds. Stir in the butter, and mix well. Press into the bottom of a greased 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.

To make the filling, beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until smooth. Add eggs. Beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in extracts. Pour into crust. Place on a baking sheet.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until center is almost set.

Remove from the oven. Let stand for 5 minutes, but leave the oven on.

To make the topping, combine the sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Spoon the mixture around the edge of cheesecake.

Carefully spread over filling. Bake 5 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen. Cool for 1 hour before refrigerating overnight.

Just before serving, sprinkle with almonds. Remove side of pan. Refrigerate leftovers.

Lemon Mousse

2/3 cup sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch Dash of salt 3 extra-large egg yolks 2/3 cup whole milk 1/2 cup lemon juice

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest 1 cup heavy whipping cream, plus more for topping Lemon slices

In a small saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch and salt. Whisk in egg yolks and milk until smooth. Whisk in lemon juice until blended. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes longer. Stir in lemon zest.

Transfer mixture to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until cold.

Once cold, beat whipping cream in a small bowl on high speed until soft peaks form. Fold into lemon mixture.

Spoon into serving dishes. Top with additional whipped cream and lemon slices.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad 2 cups crushed pretzels 3/4 cup butter, melted

3 tablespoons sugar

Filling 2 cups whipped topping 1 cup sugar

8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

Topping 2 3-ounce packages strawberry gelatin 2 cups boiling water

2 16-ounce packages frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed Additional whipped topping and pretzels

Heat oven to 350 F. In a bowl, combine the pretzels, butter and sugar.

Press into an ungreased 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

To make the filling, beat whipped topping, sugar and cream cheese in a small bowl until smooth. Spread over pretzel crust. Refrigerate until chilled.

To make the topping, dissolve gelatin in boiling water in a large bowl. Stir in sweetened strawberries. Refrigerate until partially set. Carefully spoon over filling. Refrigerate until firm, about 4 to 6 hours. Cut into squares. Serve with additional whipped topping and pretzels.

M AY 2 0 2 5

17

READER EXCHANGE

Crafts/Hobbies

Milestones

My wife, Stephanie, is an avid gardener.

She has only been doing it for a couple of years now, but she has more than 300 dahlia plants and rows of wildflowers and vegetables. She would love it if you would send her pictures of your garden or flowers and give each other hints/tips. She has spent every month for the past 15 years responding to this magazine and writing birthday wishes, recipes, etc. It really fills her bucket. It would be great if she could receive the same. Thanks.

My mother-in-law will be 96 this month.

She lives in a care home and would love to receive birthday wishes. Please mail to Lillian McClimans, Silver Spring Personal Care Home, 125 State Road #4, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. Thank you.

Joe Randall 24753 Vaughn Road Veneta, OR 97487

I worked with a lovely lady named Jamie from Hermiston, Oregon, this corn harvest. During the season, she slipped and fell onto an extremely fast conveyor belt while unloading corn from a truck’s hopper and experienced severe injuries.

She has not been able to work or do many of her favorite activities in recent months. Shopping for vintage marbles and paperweights at antique stores and yard sales is her favorite thing to do, but that's been a challenge lately since she doesn’t have the income she used to. She hasn’t been able to make any of her epoxy river charcuterie boards, cutting boards or river tables. She does very beautiful work. I wanted to see if any readers could donate vintage marbles and paperweights to her during this time. Please send to Jamie, P.O. Box 547, Irrigon, OR 97844 Anonymous friend of Jamie Hermiston, Oregon

My grandson and I just finished building a “marble run” which takes up half of the workshop. We only have a handful of marbles and need more. Instead of going to the store to buy some I thought I would try here first. Who has some marbles laying around? They can be “boulders” and “steelies.” Thank you very much.

K. Johnson 55271 Suba Road Coquille, OR 97423

18

M AY 2025

Pamela McClimans Lebanon, Oregon

Our mom, Jo, turns 93 this month. She grew up in Bellingham, WA. She was the lead in “You Can’t Take It With You” in high school and was Worthy Advisor in Rainbow Girls. She moved with our dad during his Navy years, and settled in Southeastern Washington to raise a family.

Dad paved roads all over Montana, Idaho and Oregon. Mom made a home for us wherever his work took us. Dad is gone, after 70 years of marriage. Mom enjoys doing crosswords, Sudokus, texting her grandchilden, and watching old episodes of “Matlock,” “ The Andy Griffith Show” and “The Lawrence Welk Show.” She is an avid follower of Gonzaga basketball. Please consider sending “Jo” a birthday card.

Thank you. Send to Jo c/o Karen Walton, 2644 Harris Ave., Richland, WA 99354.

Our mom will be 97 this month. She is a wonderful mom and a very strong lady.

She has been adjusting to assisted living in Oregon. She lived in Yuma for about 20 years on her own. She loves mail. She has had quite a diverse life. Rancher, logger, commercial fisherman, miner, and wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma and great-great-grandma. She loved to travel and play games. Please send to Grande Ronde Retirement, Verna Oliver, 1809 Gekeler Lane #104, LaGrande, OR 97850.

Susan Mascal Baker City, Oregon

My mom turns 89 years old this month.

Although a strong woman of faith, the last 21/2 years have been a roller coaster. She went into assisted living, and my mom and dad celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Sadly, Dad died two months later. Two great-grandchildren died; two others were born healthy. A granddaughter married and Mom’s dearest sister died.

Mom loves to receive mail and would be delighted to hear from people across the country. Please send to Phyllis Crist, 1651 NE 108th Ave., Portland, OR 97220.

Debbie Larson Vernonia, Oregon

Karen Walton Richland, Washington

Submitting Requests Is Free Send your request—with no attachments—to readerexchange@ruralite.org or mail to Reader Exchange, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Fill in the subject line with Reader Exchange. Acceptance, scheduling and editing are at the editor’s discretion. Single requests only, please. No duplicates.

Submissions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis and as space allows.

We cannot honor every request.

Please affirm you have authorization from all appropriate parties before submitting.

By submitting, you indemnify Reader Exchange, Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., its officers, directors, employees, utility clients and insurers from all legal liability incurred by the publication of information.

We no longer accept pen pal requests. You may submit a pen pal request as a Marketplace ad. Marketplace pricing applies.

When submitting a milestone request, please send it at least two months before the milestone.

Phone numbers will not be published. Email addresses will be published if part of the ad, but the request must include a postal address.

Request must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.

2026

Ruralite Calendar Photo Contest

BY ARLEN RICKE, OREGON— COOS-CURRY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

It is time to share your favorite photos for a chance to appear in our 2026 Ruralite calendar.

Up to 13 winners will be selected and receive $100. Photos must be submitted by June 30, 2025.

The contest is open to recipients of Ruralite and Currents magazines.

Each person may only submit up to two photos. Each submission must include: • Photographer’s name, address and electric utility.

• A short description of what is shown.

• Photographer’s email address and phone number.

• JPEG file photos only. Photos must be horizontal or landscape format and at least 300 dpi at 11 inches wide by 9 inches tall. Vertical photos and files larger than 30 MB will not be accepted.

Enter today by visiting tinyurl.com/ruralitecalendar or use the provided QR code on this page.

Winning Tips

• Use the highest resolution setting on your camera.

• Photograph beautiful places and wildlife.

• Capture scenes full of vivid color.

• Reflect the seasons.

• Make us feel something—awe, joy, etc.

For more information, visit ruralite.com/2026contest.

ADVERTISEMENT

Doctor urges seniors to carry medical alert device Seniors snap up new medical alert device that comes with no monthly bills People don’t always do what their doctor says, but when seasoned veteran emergency room physician, Dr. Philip B. Howren, says every senior should have a medical alert device, you better listen up.

“Seniors are just one fall away from being put in a nursing home,” Dr. Howren said. “With a medical alert device, seniors are never alone. So it keeps them living independently in their own home. That’s why seniors and their family members are snapping up a sleek new medical alert device that comes with no monthly bills ever,” he said.

Many seniors refuse to wear old style help buttons because they make them look old. But even worse, those medical alert sys-

tems come with monthly bills.

To solve these problems Universal Physicians, a U.S. company went to work to develop a new, modern, state-of-the-art medical alert device. It’s called “FastHelp™” and it instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever.

“This slick new little device is designed to look like the pagers doctors wear every day. Seniors love them because it actually makes them look important, not old,” Dr. Howren said.

FastHelp is expected to hit store shelves later this year. But special newspaper promotional giveaways are slated for seniors in select areas. ■

■ NO MONTHLY BILLS: “My wife had an old style help button that came with hefty bills every month and she was embarrassed to wear it because it made her look old,” said Frank McDonald, Canton, Ohio. “Now, we both have FastHelp™, the sleek new medical alert device that our grandkids say makes us look ‘cool’ not old,” he said. With FastHelp, seniors never have to worry about being alone and the best part is there are no monthly bills ever.

Seniors born before 1961 get new medical alert device with no monthly bills ever It’s just what seniors have been waiting for; a sleek new medical alert device with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills that instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help with just the push of a button for a one-time $149 price tag that’s a real steal after today’s instant rebate The phone lines are ringing off the hook.

That’s because for seniors born before 1961, it’s a deal too good to pass up.

Starting at precisely 8:30am this morning the Pre-Store Release begins for the sleek new medical alert device that comes with the exclusive FastHelp™ One-Touch E 911 Button that instantly connects you to unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever.

“It’s not like old style monitored help buttons that make you talk to a call center and only work when you’re at home and come with hefty bills every month. FastHelp comes with state-of-the- ■ FLYING OUT THE DOOR: Trucks are being loaded with the new medical alert devices called FastHelp. They are now being to lucky seniors who call the National Rebate Center Hotline at 1-800-330-4294 DEPT. HELP8533 today. Everyone is art cellular embedded delivered calling to get FastHelp, the sleek new medical alert device because it instantly connects you to unlimited nationwide help every(Continued on next page)

where cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever.

ADVERTISEMENT

(Continued from previous page)

Universal Physicians, the U.S. based heavyweight, just delivered a knockout blow sending the top rated contenders to the mat with the unveiling of FastHelp.

It’s the sleek new cellular embedded medical alert device that cuts out the middleman by instantly connecting you directly to highly trained 911 operators all across the U.S. There’s absolutely nothing to hook-up or install. You don’t need a land line and

you don’t need a cell phone.

Everything is done for you.

“FastHelp is a state of the art medical alert device designed to make you look important, not old. Old style monitored help buttons you wear around your neck, or require expensive base station equipment or a landline are the equivalent of a horse and buggy,” Lawrence says.

“It’s just outdated.”

Millions of seniors fall every year and spend hours lying on the floor helpless

and all alone with no help.

But seniors who fall and get immediate help are much more likely to avoid getting sent to a nursing home and get to STAY living in their own home independently.

Yet millions of seniors are still risking their safety by not having a medical alert device. That’s because seniors just can’t afford to pay the monthly bills that come with old style medical alert devices.

That’s why seniors born

before 1961 are rushing to cash in the whopping $150 instant rebate before the 21 day deadline ends.

So there’s no need to wait for FastHelp to hit store shelves later this year because seniors born before 1961 can get it now just by using the $150 instant rebate coupon printed in today’s newspaper before the 21 day deadline ends. If lines are busy keep trying, all calls will be answered. ■

HOW TO GET IT: IF BORN BEFORE 1961: Use the rebate coupon below and call this Toll-Free Hotline: 1-800-330-4294 DEPT. HELP8533 IF BORN AFTER 1961: You cannot use the rebate coupon below and must pay $299 Call: 1-800-330-9423 DEPT. HELP8533 THE BOTTOM LINE: You don’t need to shop around. We’ve done all the leg work, this deal is too good to pass up. FastHelp with the instant rebate is a real steal at just $149 and shipping and there are no monthly bills ever.

PROS: It’s the sleek new medical alert device that comes with the exclusive FastHelp One-Touch E 911 Button that instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts or deposits. It connects you to the vast available network of cellular towers for free and saves seniors a ton of money because there are no monthly bills ever making this deal irresistible. Plus it’s the only medical alert device that makes seniors look important, not old.

CONS: Consumers can’t get FastHelp in stores until later this year. That’s why it’s so important for seniors born before 1961 to call the National Rebate Center Hotline within the next 21 days. For those who miss that deadline, the sleek little medical alert device will set you back over $300 bucks.

EXPIRES

REBATE COUPON

technology. That means it works at home or anywhere, any time cell service is available whether you’re out watering the garden, driving in a car, at church or even hundreds of miles away on a tour or at a casino. You are never alone. With just a single push of the One-Touch E Button you instantly get connected to free unlimited help nationwide with no monthly bills ever,” said Jack Lawrence, Executive Director of Product Development for U.S. based Universal Physicians.

“We’ve never seen anything like it. Consumers absolutely love the sleek new modern design and most of all, the instant rebate that practically pays for it and no monthly bills ever,” Lawrence said.

FastHelp is the sleek new medical alert device with the best of combinations: a quality, high-tech engineered device that’s also an extremely great value because there are no monthly bills ever.

Better still, it comes with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever – which makes FastHelp a great choice for seniors, students and professionals because it connects to one of the largest nationwide networks everywhere cell service is available for free.

And here’s the best part.

All those who already have an old style monitored medical alert button can immediately eliminate those monthly bills, which is why Universal Physicians is widely advertising this announcement nationwide.

“So if you’ve ever felt a medical alert device was too complicated or expensive, you’ll want to get FastHelp, the sleek new medical alert device with no monthly bills,” said Lawrence.

The medical alert device slugfest was dominated by two main combatants who both offer old style monitored help buttons that come with a hefty bill every month. But now

P7366 OF23915R-1

21 Days from Today’s Publication Date

After Coupon Expires: The FastHelp is $299.00 plus shipping & handling

$150 Off

FastHelp

™

One-touch help. Anytime. Anywhere.

With no monthly bills ever.

HELP8533

FastHelp, the new medical alert device that instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever.

USE THIS COUPON: To get $150 off FastHelp you must be born before 1961 and call the National Rebate Center Hotline at 1-800-330-4294 DEPT. HELP8533 before the 21 day rebate deadline ends.

FASTHELP IS COVERED BY A 30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE LESS SHIPPING AND A 1 YEAR LIMITED WARRANT Y. FASTHELP IS A 4G CELLUL AR DEVICE. FASTHELP WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE 911 CALLS WHEN CELLULAR SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE SUCH AS IN REMOTE OR HIGH DENSIT Y AREAS. WE SUGGEST TESTING CELLUL AR CONNECTION BEFORE USE. SEE OWNERS MANUAL. FASTHELP USES GPS TRIANGUL ATIONS TO APPROXIMATE YOUR LOCATION WHEN YOUR DEVICE IS TURNED ON. DR. HOWREN IS A COMPENSATED MEDICAL ADVISOR AND FR ANK MCDONALD IS AN ACTUAL USER AND COMPENSATED FOR HIS PARTICIPATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES TA X. UNIVERSAL PHYSICIANS 7747 SUPREME AVE, NORTH CANTON, OH 44720.

THE GREAT PICTURE HUNT

NIKON D800 180mm lens ISO: 400 f/2.8 at 1/80

Photographing New Life

By Dave LaBelle

Reader Challenge

I must have been 10 or 11 years old the day my mother drove 10 miles, took me out of my junior high class and rushed me home so I could watch my cat have kittens. Recognizing education comes in many packages, she figured me witnessing a cat giving birth was as valuable as what I might miss in the classroom that day. I didn’t have a camera yet, or I am sure I would have photographed the educational event. However, in the decades following, I photographed numerous animal and human births.

Watching new life enter our world never gets old.

I like to think I’m a positive guy who usually doesn’t allow the hard things in life to get me down and to embrace the biblical admonition of focusing on things that are good and lovely.

However, sometimes I can slip into dark moods. After all, a person can take only so much lying, cheating, posturing, stealing and killing. Watching animals in person or online, especially parents caring for their newborns, helps push away those poisons.

I was in a melancholy mood this past week, troubled too deeply about the state of our country, until a video of a baby elephant snuggling humans tickled me. It felt good to laugh. And then I watched rare footage shot from the mouth of a mountain lion den as a mother played with her kittens. Finally, I became engrossed with a livestream of bald eagles hatching eggs at California’s Big Bear Lake.

This is the time of year a lot of creatures give birth. Explore to see if you can find a spot to observe new life entering the world. This might be a nest near a lake or in a backyard tree. Perhaps you know where there’s an active fox den or a large hole in a tree where raccoons or squirrels have chosen to bring their young into the world.

22

M AY 2025

Without disturbing, see if you can capture new life and the behavior as the offspring ventures into the world. I can’t wait to see what you find.

Email your best image (just one) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to gph@pioneer.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.

I was again reminded how amazing our natural world is.

Just as a slow walk in nature calms my spirit and reminds me of the awe-inspiring creation we inhabit, watching baby animals enter the world and witnessing the care of their parents lifts my spirit. n Photographer, author and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century, sharing photo tips and life perspectives with readers. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and his blog at bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.

TRANSFORM YOUR BATHROOM

IN 1 DAY Professionally Installed In As Little As One Day!

BEFORE Why wait? Easily customize and build your dream bathroom with Safe Step! We’re here to help you every step of the way!

Call today and receive exclusive savings

FREE TOILET plus $1,000 off!

FOR A LIMITED TIME*

1-800-996-6498

AFTER *Free toilet with purchase and installation of a walk-in tub or walk-in shower only. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value.

Must present offer at time of purchase.

Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Market restrictions may apply. Offer available in select markets only.

CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445 13VH11096000

The LOWEST Price You Will Ever Pay for a Swiss Watch

 “Great Swiss quality high tactical style”

ImpStaue ® ossi r b Onl le Price y

$59

— Gene H.

Made in Switzerland

S

Tactical Meets Practical

witzerland is synonymous with expensive, big-name luxury watches like Rolex®, Piaget® and Patek Philippe® that sell for thousands, but the Stauer Swiss Tactical Watch delivers Swiss precision for a fraction of the cost.

Inspired by military timepieces like the American A-11, it combines rugged performance, simplicity, and legendary craftsmanship — built for action, not display cases.

Precision Takes Time Swiss excellence demands patience. Each Stauer Swiss Tactical takes nearly nine months to complete, and this is a limited edition of 4,900. Crafted by master watchmakers, some of whom have worked with the other prestigious brands, this is your chance to own a rare, precision-engineered tactical watch without the inflated luxury price tag.

Why Pay for a Name?

Big brands charge more for status. Stauer delivers the same quality and precision with high-contrast markers for instant readability, a shock-resistant case to withstand hard knocks and Swiss-made movement for impeccable timing.

Limited Offer – Act Now Don’t miss this rare combination of Swiss craftsmanship and unbeatable value. Only 4,900 available — once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Why pay more when you can own precision, heritage, and adventure for less? Order now — time is running out.

Watch Specifications: • Made in Switzerland with precision Swiss Ronda 515 movement. Stainless steel caseback. Brown leather band • 44 mm diameter case. Date window at 3 o’clock • Water-resistant to 3 ATM. Fits wrists up to 8 ¼”

Stauer Swiss Tactical Watch $399 $59* + S & P Save $340

*Special price only for customers using the offer code.

1-800-333-2045 Your Insider Offer Code: SST161-01

Stauer

®

14091 Southcross Drive W., Dept. SST161-01 Burnsville, MN 55337 | www.stauer.com

AFFORD THE EXTRAORDINARY®

ANZA ELECTRIC

Local Participating Businesses Visit www.connections.coop to get details on these great offers!

Allied Electric (800) 305-0544 50-percent off regular service call.

Anza Community Broadcasting (KOYT) (951) 763-5698

Freedom Electric (951) 763-0744

Lorraine’s Pet Supply & Grooming (951) 763-0033

Phatpuppy Art (949) 201-6499

15-percent off service calls.

$5 off first groom. Save $1 on nail trims. $1.00 off 40# pet food.

15-percent off any digital art design or photoshoot.

Mountain Communities Telephone Directory (951) 492-9822

NEW: Plateau Animal Home Health (951) 332-5042

Gollery Electric (951) 763-0809

10% off membership

10-percent off service call of $250 or less

Anza Pizza Factory (951) 389-6155

Heritage Well Service (951) 763-2210

Free breadsticks with purchase of any pizza.

$20 off any service.

Anza Valley Outlook (951) 763-5510

High Country Mercantile (951) 234-1314 Free shipping on merchandise

50-percent off classified ads

Bodywork by Alyssa (951)5 41-7643

High Country Nursery (951) 837-1905

Common Grounds (951) 744-0428 10-percent off any purchase (excludes promo items)

Dairy Queen Anza Buy 1 blizzard, get 1 for .99 of equal value or less

Danielle’s Skin Care (760) 567-0822 Buy one facial, 2nd one half-off

Dennis Does It Plumbing Repairs (909) 228-2178 15-percent off service call.

Highway 371 Business Association (951) 763-8630

$30 off reg svc call. $50 off for seniors. $50 off 1st 2hrs of labor.

Hydrascope Engineering Co. (951) 763-4875 $1000 off engineering and design when we do the work or 10-percent off posted machinery rates.

Jacy Farm (Fruit Orchard) (951) 837-0536 10-percent off regular priced items.

Desert Dough + Co. (619) 884-1350 Buy 2 specialty boules & get a free classic boule

Dr. Cox, Chiropractor (760) 898-3860

Mountain Man Firewood (951) 704-4175

JB Nursery (951) 763-7688

Mr. Happy’s Mercantile (951) 763-2692 Free cloth tape measure or can koozie with purchase.

$10.00 off first visit

Buy any combo plate, 2nd combo half price.

ERA Excel Realty (951) 763-2535

Lopez Becerra Cleaning Service (951) 599-3491

Free wine tasting at a Temecula Winery at closing ($100 value)

Free 1/2 hour on first cleaning.

10-percent off all services.

Progressive Land Surveying (951) 551-6830 15-percent discount NEW: Raya’s Treats

(951) 285-1052

Napa Auto Parts Anza (951) 763-1400 up to 45% off MSRP

10-percent off first order

Once Upon A Thread (951) 760-9829

Join CSA to receive free honey and eggs.

10-percent off all sales excluding sale items.

Overland Realty (951) 763-2500 Credit to buyer or seller at close of escrow, $200 off closing costs for residential, $100 for vacant land

Packard Construction (951) 805-2340 5-percent off labor

Palms to Pines HVAC (760) 636-6933 $20 off service call. Free estimates.

25-percent off all purchases

La Cocina Mexican Restaurant (951) 763-5155

Powers Up Hair Studio (951) 834-4917

Free stacking of 1st order

20% off membership renewals

Hoss Air HVAC Services (310) 982-9694

$15.00 off first housecall

Free red or black SUPERBOLD listing

10 or 15% off some purchases

Free gift aromatherapy

(Digital Art & Photography)

Peoplepedigree.com (951) 763-9758

Sage Mountain Farms (951) 663-3079

NEW: Sandi’s BizAssist (951) 744-5011 10-percent off in-house products & services

Stone Equipment/TYM Tractors (951) 288-6548 3-percent off tractors

Unstuck Towing & Recovery (951) 852-9177 10-percent off hourly towing rate

Yilberto’s Taco Shop (951) 763-4433 5% off any purchase of $10 or more

25-percent off regular rates and a referral incentive program.

M AY 2 0 2 5

25

MARKETPLACE Agriculture

4x5 round bales, Meadow foxtail orchard grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square.

208-435-4637 or 208-435-4002; nas@cpcinternet.com. 1225 Reinforced custom-sized pond liners (39 cents/sqft). Hay covers, greenhouse covers, any width and length. Truck tarps and more.

High puncture and tear strength. Best price guaranteed. Celebrating 44 years in business btlliners.com. 541-447-0712. 0426 Irrigation system in NW MT. $15K, OBO. Includes 2 1/4 mile wheel lines, 1,380-ft. mainline w/25 risers; 2,400-ft. handline in 4x3x2-in., handline pipe trailer, 10hp electric motor w/Cornwell pump, 6-valve opener. tlazym82@gmail.com; 907-590-1454.

0525 Antiques and Collectibles Buying antiques and collectibles: advertising signs, porcelain signs, gas pumps, beer signs, antique toys, cast-iron coin banks, neon signs and more. Jason, 503-310-3321 or tjabaughman@yahoo.com. 0925 Buying American Indian collectibles, Navajo blankets and rugs, baskets, beadwork, etc.

Also, quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com.

0625 WC Collectibles. We buy comic books. Local to Inland NW. Willing to travel. 509-496-1835; WCCollectiblesCheney@gmail.com. 0525 Rural collector/historian buying clothing items and accessories from 1860-1915. Hats, shoes, dresses, etc. Also items from Lonerock and Condon, OR. 971-404-8332. 0525 1954 first issue of “Sports Illustrated” and next 9 consecutive issues available to collectors, great condition. Send offer to, sunstar@iinet.com. 0525 Assisted Living Facility Haven House in Fossil, OR has rooms to rent on a month-to-month basis. 2 bd, $1.2K, 1 bd, $1K; and studio, $800. Lou G., 541-763-4651.

0525

Quick, Affordable: How to Place an Ad

Ads 25 words or fewer are $35 a month. An extended ad of up to 35 words is $50 a month. Contact information is included in the word count. Phone numbers and emails count as one word.

Longer ads may be placed. Contact 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop for pricing information.

Ads are for customers of member co-ops, public utility districts and municipals only. Subscribers and nonmembers may inquire about pricing at 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop.

Ads must be direct and in first person, and are subject to approval and editing.

Closing deadlines (in our office): June issue—April 30, 2025.

If submitting ad by mail, send appropriate payment with your name, address, email, phone number and the name of the electric utility that provides your magazine to: Marketplace, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133. Make check or money order payable to Ruralite.

We accept credit card payments for ads submitted by email. Send ad to info@ pioneer.coop.

Call 503-357-2105 to pay by credit card.

Advertisements are accepted in good faith. Pioneer Utility Resources is not liable for interactions between buyers and sellers.

Community Events

Free Items

Art exhibits “Explorations” (Dr. John Lundy) and “Thin Red Thread” (Bayly Lay).

May 2-June 28. Art Center East. La Grande, OR. artcentereast.org. 0525

Free materials—When church/government unite, enforcing Sunday Law, the “Mark” of the “Beast” is here. Don’t be deceived, be informed. Leave mailing address only, TBSM, POB 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. 888-211-1715; tbsmads@yahoo.com. 0625AR

High Desert Music Jamboree at Harney County Fairgrounds in Burns, OR. June 12-14, Oregon Oldtime Fiddlers District 9. 541-573-1323; ootfa.org. 0525 Equipment/Tools Farmi JL 300 logging winch, small woodlands, $1K. 13 push-pull control cables, $50 each. 60 16-inch nylatron and steel sheaves, 1/2-inch rope, $50 each. 4-ft. towbehinds Land Pride mower, $800. Kubota rototiller, near new, $1.5K. Ted, 458-910-3727.

0625

Boats

For Rent, Lease

Aluminum drift boat with trailer. Fish tray, bow and stern anchor system. Composite oars. 14- ft. by 8 in. with 54-in. bottom.

Dry box with two seats. Wheeler, OR. $2.7K. 503-530-0315. 0525

Seeking ranch lifestyle in retirement? 2-bd, 2-ba home available in Central OR. Heritage ranch. Rent negotiable with handyman discount. Phone calls only, 206-818-9673.

0525

26

M AY 2 0 2 5

Help Wanted The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair in Ritzville is seeking a responsible summer groundskeeper/camp host. Responsibilities include mowing, watering, general maintenance, overseeing the campground and other duties as needed. Would ideally be on-site May through mid-Sept. Full hookup provided.

Contact Dan at skamaniadan@gmail.com or mail a letter of interest to: P.O. Box 14, Ritzville, WA 99169.

Follow us!

facebook.com/Ruralite

Dry-land wheat farm looking for skilled worker in field and shop work. Full-time (40plus hours a week with seasonal overtime).

Ideal candidates have experience operating/ maintaining heavy equipment related to a dry-land operation. Some on-job training available. Walla Walla, WA. Resume to mike9681@charter.net. 0525 Miscellaneous 3 cemetery plots, Salt Creek Cemetery near Dallas, OR. $1.2K each. Open to offers on all.

Message, 503-457-8084. 0625 Foster parents needed to care for teen youth in Wasco and Hood River counties. Agency provides on-call support, training, $2.1K/youth monthly reimbursement, 2 days off/month.

Fosterinfo@nextdoorinc.org; 541-308-2207.

Local commercial fisherman sells summer catch of preserved freshness by blast freezing at sea, gourmet canned tuna on internet. Sept.June. 100% guaranteed the best canned tuna you ever tasted. Original, jalapeno and garlic flavors available. To order: twofisherstuna.com or 206-799-1082. 0525 Granite cemetery markers at affordable prices. Will ship to most places. For more info: Joe, highdesertmemorials@gmail.com or 541-815-8906; highdesertmemorials.com.

Looking for that special knife? I hand make custom hunting and fishing knives. I also make other metal and wood crafts.

Buckeyeknives.com; 559-212-0693. 0625 Pets Fort Sage Kennels closing. AKC-registered Airedales. Females, 1 year old. Males 2 to 3 years old. 530-827-2271 or 530-249-7896. 0525 Plants Cactus for sale. Cold/winter hardy. Good for landscaping. Sunnyside/Mabton, WA, area. Local pickup only. 509-391-5546; marybarthlow@gmail.com. 0725 Real Estate Impressive family home with high-end upgrades on the John Day River. $439K. Duke Warner Realty: ddwr@ortelco.net, 541-987-2363. 0525 320 acres east of Adel, OR. Borders Hart Mountain views, Steens Mountain and Beaty Butte. Landowner tags, very rural. $263K. For maps: thejugglingman3@gmail.com; 541-659-1573. 0525 $180K. 160 acres, proven gold claims. 131 miles north of Fairbanks, AK. 50-yard-per-hour shaker plant. Complete water system. Text, 907-223-3036. 0525 Granite, OR. 3 city lots, 3/4 acre each, one has an off-grid cabin. Year-round activities: hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, snow-mobiling, 4x4, etc. $200K for all 3. 541-519-9077; billpathanley@gmail.com. 0525

82 acres with Doug Fir (planted 2008) and permitted rock quarry. Approx. 27 miles north of Roseburg, near I-5 exit 150. $2.1M. Lee Real Estate: john@northwestfarmbroker.com; 503-245-9090. 0525 Irrigon, OR. 3-bd, 2-ba. Manufactured home on permanent foundation. Lawn maintenance business with equipment. Huge shop and garage stick-built, unattached. One full city block property. $435K. 541-922-9675. 0625 Southern CA, Riverside County property for sale. 60 acres. I-10 at Joshua Tree exit. Parcel #715300006. $120K cash. Reasonable offers considered. lrehburg@aol.com; 714-349-7981.

Enjoy your ideal Maui getaway. This updated 2-bd, 2-ba condo sleeps 4 and features a charming “surf shack” design. Just half a block from a beautiful beach, it’s perfect for morning strolls and sunsets. Plus, you’re steps away from shops and restaurants at Azeka Plaza. tinyurl.com/MauiGetaway.

0525 Bend country cabin. Very clean and fully furnished cabin on private ranch. Close to recreation areas. Very nice. $95/night.

541-382-3050; bendcountrycabins@gmail.com.

0625 Recreational Vehicles

Well-established Real Estate Brokerage expanding its team. Specializing in residential, commercial, vacant land, and ranch properties throughout Eastern OR. We’re a smaller brokerage focused on supporting our agents.

Michael: Michael.ccp@outlook.com; 541-390-1032. 0525

2015 Momentum 380ToyHauler. Garage 9.7x7.9ft. Sleeps 6, center island, pantry, fireplace, 3 slides, Onan generator. Excellent condition. Photos available. $55K. 406-827-0618; shoffland54@gmail.com.

0525

20 acres buildable land Oakland, OR. Established road, driveway, building pad.

Previous septic approval. Zoned agriculture/ wood. Stunning views, varied timber. $419K. Jim, 541-430-7576. 0525

Dawn Till Dusk Masonry. Brick, block, stone and pavers. Small jobs and repairs welcome. dawntillduskconstructionmasonry.com.

541-388-7605; 541-410-6945. License #245760 bonded and insured. La Pine, OR. 0525

Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm and recreation property in OR. Fourth-generation Oregonian, prior ranch owner. For sale: Klamath Marsh, OR. 173.65 acres. $2.5M. Guest Ranch Overlay. John Gill, 541-480-9161; johngill@landandwildlife.com.

Land and Wildlife brokerage. 0525

Blue Mountain Defensible Space LLC Wildfire Fuel Reduction: clearing brush, thinning trees, animal habitat enhancement. Expert service. Grant money available OR, WA, ID. Bluemountainbrush@gmail.com, 509-399-3473; Bluemountainbrush.com. 0126

10-acre parcel near Denali Park, across from Otto Lake in Healy. Build to suit: lodge, home or rehab cabins on-site. richellekillian@gmail.com. 0525

Old carpenter tools, planes (wood/metal), levels, chisels, slicks, adzes, axes, hatchets, handsaws, old rulers, spoke shaves, wrenches, shipwright tools, old tool chests. 503-659-0009; 971-666-0659. 0525

Awesome view of the Nestucca River, still in tidewater, across from a great fishing hole.

Newer, glassed in Trex deck overlooking the river. 2-bd, 2-ba home with knotty pine interior. 2-car garage, plenty of room for kayaks. A short walk to a beautiful beach. $524.9K. steelheadsteven@gmail.com; 503-680-9799. 0525 Recreational Rentals Oceanfront cottage on the spectacular Central OR Coast. Stunning views, sandy beach.

Scoters, spindrift and seals. 2-bd + loft all w/ double beds. Rates and reservations: relax@WaveCatcherbeachrentals.com, wavecatcherbeachrentals.com, 541-740-2846.

Services

Want to Buy

Gold, silver, coins/currency, buy, sell.

Collections wanted. Fair prices paid. 44 years in retail store. Baker City, OR. 800-556-2133; garrymclin@aol.com. 1025 Buying American Indian collectibles, Navajo blankets and rugs, baskets, beadwork, etc.

Also, quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com. 0625

Your ad could be here in July. See instructions on Page 26 for details.

Eatonville United Methodist Church

A Spiritual Base Camp On The Way To Paradise.

Mashell Avenue North P.O. Box 205 Eatonville, WA 98328 360-832-4021 Home: 360-832-4562 Pastor Bernard Preston Ritchea Cell: 361-330-9666 Facebook: Eatonville United Methodist Church of Washington OPEN HEARTS OPEN MINDS OPEN DOORS OPEN TABLE WORSHIP SERVICE BEGINS AT 10:30 a.m.

M AY 2 0 2 5

27

Move Ov

to Protect Roadside C

By Scott Flood When lineworkers are perched in a bucket truck, repairing power lines along a busy road, they have good reason to be concerned about their safety. Although most lineworkers are less apprehensive about working with high voltages or falling, their biggest worry is also the most unpredictable—a distracted driver hitting their vehicle or a nearby power pole.

The National Safety Council reported that 891 people were killed and 37,701 people were injured in work zone crashes in 2022, the most recent year for which statistics are available. Most of those crashes occur in construction sites, which are usually well marked.

Electric utility crews are likely to face even greater danger, as they often work alone along remote stretches of roads, frequently in heavy rain or other adverse weather conditions that can make it harder for passing drivers to see them.

The danger of work zone crashes led every state to adopt move-over laws that require drivers to lower their speeds and switch lanes when possible to protect emergency vehicles.

The goal is to provide an added safety buffer and minimize the potential for accidents. Drivers caught violating the laws can face penalties, such as significant fines.

Unfortunately, the Journal of Road Safety reports that just 14 states’ move-over laws protect other types of service vehicles, such as construction trucks and utility vehicles.

That means drivers in those states are under no legal obligation to give lineworkers that added margin of safety.

Compounding the issue is the dramatic increase in 28

M AY 2025

distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported that as many as 1,000 Americans are injured each day because of activities that take drivers’ attention away from the road. The most common is reading and responding to text messages. If a driver traveling at 55 mph glances at their phone for just five seconds, they’ll have traveled the length of a football field before returning their gaze to the road.

The design of today’s vehicles contributes to distractions.

Many vehicles have complex controls for entertainment and climate that demand the driver take their eyes off the road to make even simple adjustments.

Geography can also be a factor. Electric utilities serving rural and remote areas often have power lines along twisty and hilly roads. Locals accustomed to driving those roads at high speeds may be startled and have little time to react when they encounter a work crew past a hill or around a curve.

Serving some of the most remote parts of Northwest Oregon’s five counties, West Oregon Electric’s power lines stretch along narrow, winding roads.

“Safety should always come first when driving through rural areas where line crews are working,” West Oregon Electric General Manager Billi Kohler says. “Drivers should stay alert, follow posted signs and respect flagger instructions.

“Giving line crews plenty of space isn’t just courteous— it’s crucial for their safety and yours.”

Besides the potential for lineworker injuries, accidents can also damage or destroy expensive service vehicles,

ARIZONA G&T COOPERATIVES

Over

e Crews

reducing a utility’s ability to respond to outages and other problems. Power poles and other infrastructure may also suffer severe damage.

Additionally, many of the tasks performed by lineworkers, such as reconnecting high-voltage power lines, are inherently dangerous and require their complete focus. When their attention is distracted by speeding or noisy vehicles, they’re more likely to make mistakes that can complicate the repair or cause injury.

Electric utility employees aren’t only at risk when their vehicles are parked and repairs are underway. Lineworkers frequently have to drive slowly along the road’s shoulder to pinpoint broken power lines or failed transformers, especially in darkness or conditions that interfere with visibility.

Many state transportation agencies have work zone awareness programs. Amplifying those efforts by devoting part of a utility’s advertising, publicity and social media to roadside safety reminds drivers of the importance of giving lineworkers a wide berth.

Utilities are considering ways they can modify bucket trucks and other service vehicles to make them more visible.

“WOEC’s trucks are equipped with bright colors, flashing lights and warning signs,” Billi says. “We use trained flaggers for any planned work along the highway.”

Warning signs and cones are placed in advance of the work zone during emergency outages where flagging crews are unavailable.

Sometimes, a little bit of extra attention is all that’s needed to prevent a serious incident. n

PHOTO BY JERRY MOSEMAK

A Look at Move Over Laws ALASKA Drivers approaching stationary emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights traveling in the same direction must vacate the lane closest if safe, or slow to a speed reasonable for traffic, road and weather conditions.

ARIZONA Drivers must reduce speed and, if safe, vacate the lane closest to stationary vehicles with flashing lights, including emergency vehicles and tow trucks.

CALIFORNIA Drivers must slow down and vacate the lane closest to a stationary emergency response vehicle flashing emergency lights if safe to do so. This includes tow trucks and Caltrans vehicles, if displaying flashing amber lights.

IDAHO Drivers traveling in the same direction must slow and vacate the lane closest to a stationary emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights if safe to do so. This includes stationary police and authorized emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and other recovery vehicles.

MONTANA Drivers approaching a stationary emergency, highway maintenance or utility vehicles displaying flashing lights must slow down and vacate the lane closest if safe. Drivers should also reduce their speed to 20 mph under the posted speed limit on interstates or to half the posted speed limit on other roads if they cannot safely move over.

NEVADA Drivers traveling in the same direction must reduce speed, proceed with caution and, if safe, move to the far lane while passing stationary emergency vehicles and tow vehicles displaying amber flashing lights.

OREGON Drivers approaching a stationary vehicle displaying flashing lights—including roadside assistance, emergency vehicles and tow vehicles—traveling in the same direction, must vacate the lane closest if safe or reduce speed to at least 5 mph under the posted speed limit.

WASHINGTON Drivers must vacate the lane closest to stationary emergency vehicles, including tow trucks and utility trucks, if they are traveling in the same direction and it is safe to do so. If not, drivers must slow down to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit and may not exceed the speed limit within 200 feet before and after a stationary emergency vehicle that has its flashing lights activated.

M AY 2 0 2 5

29

BEFORE YOU GO

100% Guaranteed Protective Sleeves

PHOTO BY MITCHELL WALLACE

A Bright Start to the Day Highlighting the beauty all around him, Mitchell Wallace captures the sun as it peeks over a hill on a ranch in Baker City, Oregon.

To submit your photo, email a JPEG to photos@pioneer.coop. Include “Before You Go” in the subject line and share a bit about what inspired you to make your photo. n

•Prevents Cuts & Scratches •Durable Soft Leather •Adjustable Air-Flow

armchaps.com 6 5 1- 492- 483 0

DO MORE WITH YOUR DR® CHIPPER Every DR® Chipper gives you MORE

POWER – to chip and shred mountains of yard waste including branches over 5" in diameter.

MANEUVERABILITY – thanks to large wheels and tow-behind capability.

CHOICE – Dedicated Chipper and Chipper Shredder models available.

PRO XL575

Scan the code to shop DRPower.com today or request a free catalog!

FREE SHIPPING options available 30

M AY 2025

Have you Found the Best Value in Travel?

Grand Canyon See the greatest national parks of America’s Southwest!—Book now for choice dates: Caravan.com, 1-800-CARAVAN

Grand Canyon, Bryce & Zion 8-Day Tour $2195

Welcome to a great vacation at an affordable price. These quality tours feature complete sightseeing, professional Tour Directors, and great itineraries. Discover for yourself why smart shoppers and experienced travelers have chosen Caravan Tours since 1952.

See the greatest national parks of America’s Southwest! You’ll enjoy 2 nights in national park lodges near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, 2 nights at Lake Powell Resort, and 2 nights near Zion National Park.

Enjoy complete sightseeing with more visits, extra features, and local guides. Caravan includes all activities listed in the tour itinerary.

Caravan does not sell any optional activities which can add hundreds of dollars to your tour price. Your free time is scheduled in great settings where there is no need to buy additional expensive activities.

Latin America Tours Days Price Costa Rica 8 1195 Panama 8 1395 Guatemala 8 1195 Belize with Tikal 10 1795 Dominican Republic 7 1195 Colombia 10 1595 Mexico Copper Canyon Train 8 1695 Mexico Ancient Civilizations 9 1495 Mexico Colonial Cities 8 1195 Mexico Riviera Maya 8 1295

Our 73rd year of excellence.

Caravan has operated fully guided tours of superb value under the same USA/Canada Tours family management and ownership Grand Canyon, Bryce & Zion 8 2195 since 1952.

Mt Rushmore & Yellowstone 9 2395 The #1 in value. Your Grand Canyon, Bryce & Zion tour is fully guided with New England & Fall Colors 8 1995 all hotels, activities, and some meals. “Brilliant, Affordable Pricing” Nova Scotia & Maritimes 9 1995 Arthur Frommer, Travel Editor You’ll explore Grand Canyon, Bryce, Canadian Rockies & Glacier 9 2195 Zion, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Antelope Slot Canyon, Sedona, and THE #1 IN VALUE—FULLY GUIDED TOURS SINCE 1952 more!—Book now for choice dates: Scan for Grand Canyon, Bryce & Zion 8-Day Tour $2195

AZ-56 Postmaster: Send address changes to Currents, 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124 Board of Directors Ryall Stewart, President Stephen Lauzier, Vice President Pebbles Lewis, Treasurer Hope Adams Diane Sieker Greg Pennyroyal General Manager Kevin Short

P.O. Box 391909 Anza, CA 92539 Phone: 951-763-4333 Fax: 951-763-5297 aec@anzaelectric.org anzaelectric.org EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES

May and June—Congratulations!

Betsy Hansen.............................8 years Kristen Martin.............................1 year

A Message From the Manager

Wildfire Awareness

After a long, cold, windy winter—without a lot of rain—it’s time to start planning for the long, warm summer. Again, without a lot of rain.

The National Interagency Fire Center reports humans cause 85% of the wildfires that occur in the United States every year. There are very basic steps to take in preparation for fires and steps to prevent them happening in the first place.

Preparing and protecting your home is the most basic step. If possible, build with noncombustible materials. If you’ve already built, fire retardant chemicals can reduce the flammability of wood or other products.

Next, clean up. Remove dead leaves and vegetation around your home, keep yards clear of debris, maintain a fire break around all structures and Kevin Short keep driveways clear for fire department access.

Keep chimneys and flues clean, and install wire mesh spark arrestors over them to reduce embers escaping.

For electrical equipment in your home, avoid overloading outlets. Use only UL-approved cords for temporary use. Never use extension cords in place of permanent wiring.

If in doubt of the integrity or safety of your electric service, call us. We’re happy to stop by and inspect your home’s electric equipment and recommend any safety repairs or replacements. This service is free of charge for our members.

There are several resources online to assist with suggestions and tips to further protect your home. We strongly urge everyone to take full advantage of these as soon as possible.

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Be safe!

IMPORTANT DATES h May 21–Director Candidate

petitions due.

h May 26–Memorial Day, office

closed.

h July 19–AEC Annual

Membership Meeting.

Our crew is on standby 24 hours a day. To report an outage or other service problem, please call 951-763-4333.

32

M AY 2 0 2 5