MEC staff and family gather for the Veterans parade in Bullhead City.
PHOTO BY TINA PADEN
Currents
January 2021 • Volume 56, No. 1
ANZA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Sherri Stafford
ARIZONA’S GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION COOPERATIVES
Geoff Oldfather
DUNCAN VALLEY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Steven Lunt
ELECTRICAL DISTRICT NO. 2
Roselyn Bever
GRAHAM COUNTY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Diane Junion
MOHAVE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Bo Hellams
EDITOR
Mike Teegarden, CCC
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Preparing to Rebound in 2021
In our family, where cheesy humor reigns supreme, my wife and son like to say, “Remember what life was like before the pandemic hit seven years ago?”
With 2020—a dog year, if ever there was one—now in the rearview mirror, how do we turn the corner and begin anew?
Our Up Close feature on pages 10 and 11 offers practical steps to navigate the new year amid continuing uncertainty and change.
Instead of making resolutions, the experts suggest taking an approach that involves reflection, intention and focusing on what you value most. Rather than looking too far ahead—we all now know how quickly a year can change—the emphasis is on having a plan and taking simple steps for a better today.
Meet the Heroes
After a year of celebrating Heroes Among Us, our main feature starting on page 12 shines a final light on a handful of selfless helpers who capture the spirit of the yearlong series. You will also meet our adult and youth Heroes of the Year, nominated by readers who appreciated how each went the extra mile to serve others.
Something New in 2021
We will soon launch a storytelling series focusing on rural arts in the Northwest and West, spotlighting how communities and individuals are not only pivoting to keep arts alive, but to thrive in new ways. They are comeback stories, in a year of rebounding, that we look forward to sharing on these pages throughout 2021.
Happy New Year!
—Leon Espinoza Vice President of Content
Dare to Dream of New Beginnings
Americans have seen their share of challenges in 2020 Up Close, Page 10
Everyday Helpers
Your adult and youth Heroes of the Year go the extra mile Heroes Among Us, Page 12
Utility Pages: 4-5, 8, 25, 28-29, 32
Operation Cool Shade
Hot sales power cool savings at MEC’s annual tree sale in November
Operation Cool Shade is one of those programs—funded by our energy efficiency/demand side management billing surcharge—that members never want to miss. Mohave Electric Cooperative has offered discounted shade trees for more than 10 years, and 2020 was the largest to date.
This year, MEC offered four types of trees: Chilean mesquite, desert willow, rosewood and willow acacia.
An additional 300 rosewood trees were added this year, bringing our total available trees for purchase to 2,100.
At $9 a tree, these trees come at an attractive price and
include a free LED lightbulb with each tree to kick off the energy savings.
New this year, MEC added a phone-in presale event to promote social distancing, which also benefited our more distant members from across our service areas. With only two phone order presale events, we sold almost half of the available trees before the event officially began.
MEC will evaluate the success of our presale event and work to create a more refined buying experience in the coming years.
MEC sold out of the 2,100 trees at our first pickup date
November 14. Staff and volunteer clubs created a smooth-running machine for our members, so their tree purchases did not hinder weekend time.
By 12:30 p.m., all western service area trees were picked up, and the lot was empty. Social distancing was safely practiced, and the event continued smoothly with minimal contact between event staff and members.
To better serve our members, we added an eastern service area pickup day this year.
The additional pickup locations and phone orders
streamlined the process and created more convenience.
Now that you have your trees, the next step is planting them. Consider growing them on the east, south and west sides of your home to create the most shade for your home. Blocking your home from the sun maximizes the amount of energy savings provided by the trees.
Members should never plant their trees under power lines, which could interfere with our service.
We thank everyone who participated and hope you will be back next year.
Thank you to Bullhead
From left, Mohave Electric CEO Tyler Carlson, Bullhead City Mayor Tom Brady, MEC Board Director Joe Solar, MEC Chief Operating Officer Rick Campos and MEC Energy Management Specialist Steve Bouman at the Operation Cool Shade tree sale in November.
PHOTOS BY BO HELLAMS
City and the Pinion Pine Fire Department for allowing us to hold our event at your locations. The accessibility these two pickup locations provide is a wonderful convenience to our members. And lastly, thank you to those members who participated in the program. We hope your trees create shade and save energy for many years to come. n
TOP: A volunteer loads new trees ready to take home and plant at the annual Mohave Electric Cooperative tree sale.
ABOVE and LEFT: Staff, MEC board members and volunteers help with Operation Cool Shade, selling 2,100 trees this year.
Closing the Gap
High-speed internet brings a world of opportunity to rural communities
By Drew Woolley
As the 2020 spring semester approached and the scope of the pandemic became clear, faculty at Washington State University accepted they would not soon return to typical campus life.
They needed a new plan. Their first idea was to give students access to online courses at WSU Extension
locations across the state. But just as a strategy formed, a statewide “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order prohibited such gatherings.
Soon, the essential nature of internet access would become even more evident—particularly in rural communities, where Pew Research estimates one in five Americans lacks
access to high-speed internet services. It was a realization already playing out across the nation. While health services, businesses, school systems and others increasingly depend on internet access, the pandemic emphasized its importance.
“We needed a Plan B,” says Monica Babine, senior associate at WSU Extension’s program for digital initiatives. “We began
exploring the idea of taking our internet access from inside the building to outside.”
Rural Washington libraries had long offered internet access in their parking lots. Extension worked with the libraries and the Washington State Broadband Office to open opportunities to join with more than a dozen private and nonprofit organizations
Expanding rural broadband is key to building an infrastructure to support students, businesses and travelers. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY MTRLIN
throughout the state.
The result was more than 600 drive-in Wi-Fi hot spots. Community libraries hosted about half the locations, allowing students and the general public free access to high-speed internet.
“What started as an emergency response has become so important that the Broadband Office is asking for more funding to expand it next year,” Babine says. “We’ve heard from students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to take classes, entrepreneurs who are using hot spots to conduct business and telehealth appointments that are opening medical access to providers whose doors are closed.”
A Class of Their Own
Traditionally, the “homework gap” has been a concern for students who have access to the internet in the classroom, but not when doing schoolwork at home. However, research by the Quello Center at Michigan State University indicates performance gaps extend even further.
The center’s report finds rural middle school and high school students without reliable internet access are less likely to pursue a college degree, score lower on standardized tests, and tend to have less interest in careers related to science, technology, engineering and math.
High-speed internet not only can help boost students’ performance, it gives them access to educational opportunities their local school district might not have the resources to provide.
“People are taking their job or business idea and moving out to where they can take advantage of the quality of life and safety, and get away from the health challenges of big cities.”
— MONICA BABINE
library. Throughout Minnesota and North Dakota, Essentia Health’s telestroke program makes it possible to diagnose and begin treating stroke patients on their way to the hospital.
“One of the things we have heard in our research is how important high-speed internet is to students in small, remote school districts when it comes to accessing classes,” says Anna Read, an officer for the Broadband Research Initiative at The Pew Charitable Trusts. “They can take advanced placement classes or get technical training that their school district couldn’t offer on its own.”
The 21st Century Economy
The same is true for small businesses that can use the internet to tap into the global economy from a small town or even their own backyard. In fact, a lack of service hamstrings many rural businesses before they even have a chance to get off the ground.
“We heard so many stories about high-speed internet helping businesses participate in the 21st century economy,” Read says. “Without that service, it is very challenging for rural businesses to grow or even retain the business they have.”
As access to high-speed internet expands in rural areas, these communities are quickly becoming attractive alternatives to major cities.
For existing businesses looking to establish a satellite
office, gig workers in need of affordable homes or startups searching for locations, rural America can provide a better quality of life with less overhead.
“I could start a business in a rural community for a lot less than downtown Seattle,” Babine says. “If you watch migration out of rural communities, it was huge for many years, but we’re starting to see it reverse.
People are taking their job or business idea and moving out to where they can take advantage of the quality of life and safety, and get away from the health challenges of big cities.”
No Going Back
The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of connectivity across the board. But few areas show the need as acutely as health care.
For many rural Americans, a trip to the nearest hospital can take hours, meaning remote access to specialized care is often the difference between life and death.
Across the country, telehealth has helped connect patients to the care they need. In McKee, Kentucky, a virtual living room program allows veterans to consult with Veterans Affairs health care providers from the comfort of a private room in their local
In the past, helping patients accustomed to in-person visits with their doctor become comfortable with new telehealth options has been a challenge. But with the pandemic forcing many Americans to adapt to remote work, that transition may no longer be as much of a hurdle.
“In early March, I was still selling the idea of remote work and telehealth,” Babine says. “We’re not selling it anymore.
The pandemic has made telehealth very global and very personal. I think the reality is that we’re not going back. The norms have changed, and people will say, ‘Why do I have to go to the doctor 50 miles from here when I could just get on the phone with them?’”
While the past year has made the internet gap between rural and urban America clearer, Babine is optimistic about bridging it. Between shifting norms and the partnerships WSU has developed with organizations across Washington, Babine sees a bright future ahead for high-speed service in rural communities.
“Even when I worked for one of the major telcos in this state in the ’70s and early ’80s, I never saw such tremendous collaboration between providers and stakeholders,” Babine says. “I’ve been doing this a long time, and I have to say I have never been so hopeful.” n
MOHAVE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
The Talk Around Town With TWN
If you have not heard about Mohave Electric’s new fiber-optic communication system, we have exciting news for you.
Mohave Electric has been working hard to get the “fiber in the air,” as CEO Tyler Carlson says. Plans are in motion and fiber is already being laid in the ground and hung on the poles.
Mohave Electric’s fiber system will provide valuable communications for our electric facilities and is the gateway to TWN Communications’ superior broadband internet service.
Back in December, two contract crews, Western Line Builders and Four States Electric, finished up the “make-ready” work for Mohave Electric Cooperative’s side of the construction. This work included replacing short power poles with taller ones and correcting line clearance issues. The correct line spacing ensures a clearer connection and frequency for our communication services.
A contract crew from Enertech is installing small centralized communication buildings known as “hut” master system points throughout our service areas for the broadband service. The huts serve as a command location for communications within the fiber. This has been set in motion by our partner, TWN Communications. These huts are the start to supplying members the fiber-optic broadband internet service that is built around reliability and redundancy.
On December 1, Ervin Cable Construction started installing fiber on the poles and in the ground to our members. This project is scheduled for a five-year build out. However, MEC and TWN have started construction to the central Bullhead service area and are working quickly to install the system to provide internet service to members as soon as possible.
For the most up-to-date information, preregister on our website for TWN’s broadband service. Preregistration does not sign you up for service and is not a contract. It simply helps MEC see how many members are interested in receiving
service and helps you, the member, receive construction updates and information about plans and services. Preregistration also allows us to determine what areas need to be built out next. Preregister at mohaveelectric.com/ broadband or by scanning the QR code on this page.
If you registered to be a “Champion,” congratulations and thank you for being a part of this major build out for all MEC members. We hope you continue to spread the word of fiber in our
area and that your Champion kits and gear help spread the news.
One new step in our broadband offerings will be TWNprovided phone service right from the start of installation. Now you can have great internet and home phone service from the same provider to bundle and save. Keep your fingers crossed. We are working to provide local news and educational programming, too. We will keep members updated. n
Contract crew Ervin Cable Construction LLC, hangs fiber across a large canyon. PHOTO BY BO HELLAMS
Dare to Dream of
From a global pandemic and national politics to social unrest and devastating wildfires, Americans have seen their share of challenges in 2020
Shelter-in-place, home school and virtual reality took on new meanings. We spent a lot more time washing our hands—and our groceries..
Now that 2020 is behind us, how can we greet 2021 with hope amidst the ongoing change and uncertainty?
Resilience is the key, says Erin Martin, a physician and empowerment coach from Santa Rosa, California.
“The human ability to bounce back from adversity is what makes us so adaptable,” Erin says. “We actually can thrive despite and in the midst of adversity.
“I encourage my patients and clients to dig deeper and find a source of resilience they may have not tapped in a long time or, for some, ever. When we don’t have a choice and there’s no definite end in sight, we can choose to find the resources and the inner strength we need, or we become the victims of circumstance.”
Erin suggests beginning 2021 by writing down all that has happened in the past year: the good and bad, accomplishments and setbacks.
“We move so fast in life that we often don’t take the time to reflect on what actually transpired and give ourselves credit for what we’ve made it through and our successes,” she says. “Most of us need to have a little more grace for ourselves, and it’s easier to see that when it is in black and white right in front of our eyes.”
Many Americans began 2020 with a list of resolutions and goals, only to toss them out a few
Story by Lori Russell
New Beginnings
Tips for a Better Today
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, symptoms for anxiety and depressive disorders in U.S. adults have more than tripled in the past year, increasing from 11% in 2019 to 41% in 2020.
Amy Marshall, a licensed clinical social worker from The Dalles, Oregon, offers these tips for a better today.
• Smile from behind your mask. Tell your neighbor you are glad to see them. Share your appreciation with the grocery clerk, postal carrier and others. You will feel better and so will they.
• Make a phone call or create a virtual visit with another human every day. Now’s the time to call the people you have not had time to call. To express yourself on many levels, contact different friends and family members who share your interests, such as a fellow gardener, a fishing buddy, a hiking pal or a church member.
• Remember all the things you did to connect early on in the coronavirus pandemic. Do them again.
• Pick one thing to accomplish each day, then check it off the list. Feel the relief that something is over.
• Create a sense of timelessness by spending time outdoors where there is no indication of what year it is.
• Shift your perspective. Imagine it is a year from now. What do you want to have learned or experienced in 2021?
months later with the arrival of the coronavirus. This year, Erin suggests setting an intention instead.
“Examine what you really value, what you really hold important in your life, and set intentions to amplify these things,” she says. “If family is important, set an intention to cultivate experiences that connect you deeper with those you love. If helping others is something you prioritize, set an intention to be of service in new and creative ways given the current limitations of the pandemic.”
It’s tempting at the start of a new year to overcommit. Don’t. Decide what is valuable. Say yes to those things and little else.
Life has its ups and downs. There is
a week of sunny days and then a storm blows in. A loved one gets COVID-19. The school district announces classes will remain online for another semester.
“When those things pile up, most of us keep it to ourselves and isolate more,” says Jan Berg, a certified life and professional coach from Tacoma, Washington. “We would be better off to recognize the cycle—that it gets bad and then it gets better again and then it gets bad and then it gets better again.”
Rather than waiting until life is difficult to try to figure out how to cope or tough it out alone, Jan says it is easier to create a plan when things are better.
Need Help?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates a disaster distress helpline, offering free confidential counseling 24/7, 365 days a year for anyone experiencing emotional distress related to a natural or human-caused disaster, including the coronavirus pandemic, wildfires, floods and incidents of community unrest. SAMHSA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Call 800-985-5990 for more information or to find help.
Think about what brings satisfaction
and connection. Activities may include meditation, exercise, regular conversations with loved ones, holding a child or reading books together. Friends can help friends by setting regular times for virtual support calls.
When times are rough, work the plan.
Finally, remember to take in the good. Americans created new candy delivery systems for trick-or-treaters, celebrated virtual graduations and had drive-by birthday parades.
We no longer wash our groceries.
“We are reimagining our sources of friendship and support,” Jan says. “It takes imagination and focusing on what you want rather than what you don’t want.”
These Are Your HEROES
By Victoria Hampton
You don’t need a cape to be a hero or to put a smile on someone else’s face.
After a year exploring Heroes Among Us: Everyday Helpers Who Make a Difference, we salute four reader-nominated heroes—ages 12 to 81—who exemplify what it means to lift others and brighten day.
Our heroes are a former Marine who is still on mission, a middle schooler spinning her bicycle wheels to help others, a family who developed special gatherings to create a community within a community, and a young girl who realized her biggest hero lived under her own roof. The common thread is a selfless spirit and willingness to meet a need.
Here are their stories. At the end, find out who we selected as our adult and youth heroes of the year. The student received a $1,000 scholarship. The adult received a $500 gift card and $500 to the charity of their choice.
The Heroism of a Hug
After serving his country for 24 years, Ronald Jacobson stays true to the values he learned from the Marine Corps. One he applies to life every day is taking care of his troops.
“I’m still taking care of my troops, except they’re 70 years younger than I am,” Ronald says.
The 81-year-old retired sergeant and Vietnam War veteran from Ronald, Washington—yes, his hometown shares his name— volunteers at Cle ElumRoslyn Elementary. Known
affectionately as Grandpa Ron, his warmth and presence play an important role in shaping the lives of students in his community.
This starts with greeting them as they get off the school bus and head into school.
“Every morning I get 30 hugs by 9 a.m., and these are sincere hugs,” Ronald says.
“Kids will run the length of the school to get a hug from Grandpa Ron.”
For the past five years, Ron has volunteered for the school district’s WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program. This national program gets fathers and father-figures involved at local schools.
“For some students who may not have male role models at home or grandparents nearby, Grandpa Ron provides that presence and relationship for all our kids,” says Sarah Day, community relations and career and technical director at Cle Elum-Roslyn School District.
Ron’s help at the school does not stop at hugs. He is also on the playground during recess, in the library for reading groups, in the lunchroom eating with students and helping teachers in the classroom.
Ron wears his commitment to his community as a badge of honor. In 2019 alone, he served 1,100 volunteer hours.
“He timed his pacemaker surgery for spring break so he wouldn’t miss school,” says Katia Merkel, whose three kids grew up with Grandpa Ron as one of their cross-country coaches. “He’s an inspiration for me because when I retire, I want to be like that.”
This year, Ron’s
ABOVE: Veteran Grandpa Ron has dedicated thousands of hours of service to his local elementary school. OPPOSITE PAGE: Grandpa Ron greets Lillian Oliphant-Christie outside Cle Elum-Roslyn Elementary.
volunteering did not go quite as planned, but he refused to give up his connection to the students.
When he was restricted to his home due to the pandemic, the school made sure students could stay in touch with Grandpa Ron. In early April, staff and parents coordinated
Superhero at Home
a 100-vehicle parade past his house. The school added his contact information to the online directory, and emails and letters from students poured in.
“My mailbox was absolutely full,” Ron says. “I had a dozen letters a day all summer long from these elementary school children.”
Letters included handwritten notes, pictures and posters from students to keep Ron company during the stay-athome order.
“It meant that somebody cares,” Ron says. “I have every letter they have written me.”
Ron’s involvement in his community reaches beyond elementary school. He is a volunteer assistant for the high school cross-country team and raises money for annual scholarships for local students. He also gives back to his Veterans of Foreign Wars post, helping veterans in the county access medical care, rent
Paige Burgener is a 12-year-old from Hermiston, Oregon, who loves watermelon, dragons and, above all things, her dad, Benjamin.
Her appreciation for her father is told best in her own words.
“Most people say that their dad is their hero, but apparently they don’t know my dad. I just turned 12 a couple of weeks ago and I have broken my femur several times in my life and my tibia and fibula one time each and that is because I have something in my bones called fibers dysplasia, which are tumors in my bone. Most of my friends are supportive of it, but others just turn away. But I know my dad is always supportive of it, and me. Even though my surgeries are expensive and we are not the richest people on earth, he is kind. Even though I’ll limp the rest of my life, he loves me. He is gentle but protective, and I love him, too (Dad, I think you are the best dad in the whole wide world. I love you to the moon and back). I don’t even care if this doesn’t get to the paper or if he gets the money. I just care that somebody besides me cares for him.” n
assistance and other services. Ron is known for being there for others. When it comes to the students he supports, even the smallest acts of kindness can make a difference.
“I am the one who gives them a hug and pats them on the back to reassure them,” Ron says. “I’m there and they know I’m there.”
School staff members, such as Superintendent Michelle Kuss-Cybula recognize the role Grandpa Ron fills in the lives of their students as an act of heroism.
“When I think about the qualities that define a hero, I think of Grandpa Ron,” Michelle says. “He doesn’t need a cape to fly over mountains or a shield to weather a storm. Grandpa Ron’s hero costume consists of a warm heart, gentle manner and unwavering commitment to our children. His endless service to our school community and our country is truly heroic.” n
ABOUT THE SERIES: Pioneer Utility Resources, publisher of Ruralite magazine, spotlights Heroes Among Us each month, sharing the unique stories of volunteers and difference-makers in communities across the Northwest and West. The series, which seeks to inspire community involvement, receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust—a private nonprofit foundation serving nonprofits across the Pacific Northwest. This is the final story in the series.
Paige with her dad, Benjamin, who she says is her very own superhero.
Going the Distance
Cycling brings people of all ages together. For one 12-year-old girl, an unexpected friendship and family support helped turn her love of cycling into a fundraiser for kids in need.
Every year, Brooklyn Hohman looks forward to a camping trip with fellow church members to the mouth of the Deschutes River near Biggs Junction, Oregon. During one of those camping trips, she found unexpected camaraderie with a group of adults headed out for a long bike ride. As the group was getting ready to leave, 8-year-old Brooklyn approached Dan McCullough to ask if she could come along for the ride.
“Most people would be like, ‘We’re going on a grown-up ride,’ but he actually let me come,” Brooklyn says.
She kept pace with the group on a 14-mile ride.
“The next day, I thought she’d be done with that, but she asked to go again,” says Brooklyn’s mom, Tina. “She came home so excited and could not wait to go back.”
Dan and Brooklyn have been biking buddies ever since. They bike together once or twice a month on trails around Bend, Oregon, where both live.
They even started swapping bikes as Brooklyn got older. Dan gave Brooklyn a bike for distance riding, and Brooklyn and her sister, Carmen, gave their old bikes to Dan’s grandkids.
After all of her longdistance cycling with Dan,
Brooklyn had her heart set on participating in Cycle Oregon’s multiday bicycle rides throughout the state.
But 2020 events were canceled due to the pandemic.
When it seemed like Brooklyn’s dream of hitting the open road was over, her mom found an alternative.
Tina came across the Great Cycle Challenge USA. The nonprofit challenges people of all ages to use their love of cycling to help fight
kids’ cancer. Participants set personal riding goals, and ask friends and family to sponsor them by matching miles with donations.
Brooklyn was up for the new challenge.
“I was glad that I could do something that I enjoyed doing and, at the same time, I was helping kids,” Brooklyn says.
The Great Cycle Challenge was in September. Brooklyn pledged to ride 150 miles and
raise $1,000.
She had the support of her family and Dan to help reach her personal riding goal. From 6-mile trips with Tina and Carmen around their neighborhood to long rides of 14 to 21 miles with Dan, Brooklyn was on her way to the finish line.
She logged her miles on the Great Cycle Challenge app.
Brooklyn was on track to meet her goal when the Oregon wildfires started. Due to hazardous air quality, Brooklyn was stuck inside for more than a week. She still had a lot of ground to cover by the end of September.
Through this setback, the Great Cycle Challenge sent participants encouraging emails about kids who had been helped by cyclists just like Brooklyn. One child in particular stood out to her.
“There was a little girl who liked to dress up and stuff, and she seemed really sweet,” Brooklyn says. “It really motivated me to keep going.”
When the smoke cleared, Brooklyn put her sneakers on the pedals to get in her remaining miles.
“She is a go-getter,” Tina says. “She’s one of those kids that if you tell her she can’t do it, she’s going to prove you wrong.”
In the end, Brooklyn completed 21 rides totaling 151 miles and raised $1,478.
“It’s really nice that I got to help these kids get better, because I don’t need this money and they do,” Brooklyn says. n
Brooklyn Hohman cycled 151 miles this summer for her fundraiser to help kids with cancer.
Special Gatherings for Special People
When Pat and Jim Stone’s son, Matthew, finished school, his world stopped. Born with Down syndrome, Matthew was dependent on the social interaction he received at school. Pat and Jim knew Matthew needed new opportunities to socialize and have fun.
They worked hard to help Matthew build friendships outside of school, but believed there had to be something more for families like theirs.
The family traveled from La Pine, Oregon, to nearby Bend for social gatherings for families with special needs adults, but felt like wallflowers in a group where everybody knew everybody, except for them.
“All his friends were special people he met at school,” Pat says. “Jim and I talked about the idea of starting social gatherings for families in La Pine.”
They gathered four other people and developed a community group called Special Gatherings for Special People.
In 2017, the group organized three social gatherings a month for people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Activities included dinner and bowling, barbecues and paint nights in the La Pine community.
“It is just phenomenal to see the special folks being together and having such a social time,” Pat says.
Every person who comes to participate in the fun has a chaperone—a family member, friend or personal support worker—to accompany them at
Pat and Jim’s Stone’s son, Matthew, was the inspiration for their community group Special Gatherings for Special People.
“You sit in your home and you do all you can for your special child, but you’re alone. In a rural town like this, a lot of times your neighbors are a mile away. By coming together, we became a community within the community.”
—PAT STONE
to the event, expecting she would sit by herself. Soon after arriving, others participating at the dance got her to dance and join the fun.
At the end of the night, the mom came up to Pat and said this was the best night of her daughter’s life.
“There are no expectations other than, ‘You want to be my friend? I’ll be your friend,’” Pat says. “I cannot put to words what it means to have these opportunities.”
During the past few years, Pat has seen a whole new community come to life in La Pine.
“We had great community support and we, ourselves, became a community,” Pat says. “You sit in your home and you do all you can for your special child, but you’re alone. In a rural town like this, a lot of times your neighbors are a mile away. By coming together, we became a community within the community.”
the event.
During the gatherings, caregivers come together to share advice, resources and offer support to one another.
Pat also shares resources on the Special Gatherings for Special People Facebook community.
Monthly events draw 20 to 25 people. When the group hosts dances, as many as 80 people have attended.
“These gatherings are like putting a deposit in their social bank,” Pat says. “It fills them up till they can get to the next one.”
What Pat did not expect
when starting this group was just how much the La Pine community would embrace it. When she coordinated an activity at the La Pine Parks and Recreation Center, the staff came together to plan activities for the group every month. When it came to hosting dances, a beauty salon volunteered to give makeovers and style hair.
“Wherever we went, the La Pine community supported us,” Pat says.
She tears up as she tells a story from the first fall festival dance the group hosted. A woman brought her daughter
After a few unsuccessful attempts at virtual gatherings and activities, the group looks forward to coming together again. In the meantime, Pat continues to share resources on the Special Gatherings for Special People Facebook Community. n
And The Winners Are
... Grandpa Ron Jacobson, the tireless friend of students, and Brooklyn Hohman, the young cyclist who raised money to help other kids, earned Adult and Youth Heroes of the Year honors. Thank you, readers, for sharing the many heroes in your life.
Recipes by Anne P. Braly
Healthy and Hearty Beans
Tuscan White Bean Skillet
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
8 ounces brown mushrooms, sliced
11/2 cups diced yellow onion (about 1 large onion)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
2 14.5-ounce cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
2 14.5-ounce cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 14.5-ounce cans artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon sugar
Parsley, for garnish
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil until shimmering in a 10-inch, cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the mushrooms to the pan in a single layer. Brown for 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a bowl and repeat with remaining mushrooms. Add remaining tablespoon of oil to pan. Add onions and sauté until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook until fragrant and softened, another 2 minutes.
Add diced tomatoes to pan, along with beans, artichoke hearts, salt, pepper, oregano, thyme and sugar. Cover pan and turn down heat to medium. Cook until hot, about 10 minutes. Return mushrooms to pan and cook another 1 to 2 minutes.
Spoon bean mixture into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with crusty bread.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY
Beans are perfect for cold days
With the holiday season behind us and winter in full swing, it’s time for a bit of comfort. There’s perhaps no better way to create warmth than with a steaming bowl of bean soup or chili with beans—or, for that matter, any type of bean dish.
Beans can pull double duty, offering wonderful taste and texture while being a delicious meat substitute. Whether black, red, white or brown, beans are a great source of fiber, protein, iron, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and many other beneficial nutrients.
If you choose dried beans over canned, you will save money and reduce your sodium intake. If you use canned beans, rinse them to reduce excess salt.
Nutty White Bean and Wild Rice Soup
1/2 cup cashews
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
3 medium carrots, cut into rounds
8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried oregano
8 cups vegetable broth
1 cup wild rice (not a wild rice blend)
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 15-ounce cans white beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup water
2 teaspoons dried sage
1 tablespoon soy sauce, tamari or liquid aminos
Place cashews in a bowl and cover them with water. Let soak.
In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil and sauté onion, celery and carrots, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 2 more minutes. Add garlic, thyme and oregano. Stir for another 2 minutes.
Add broth, wild rice, 11/2 teaspoons salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Add the beans and continue to simmer, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutes more, or until rice breaks open.
Using a liquid measuring cup, carefully remove 2 cups of the hot soup, including broth, veggies and rice. Put it in a blender with 1 cup of water. Drain cashews, then add them and dried sage to the blender. Blend on high for about 1 minute, until creamy.
Pour the mixture back into the soup. Add the soy sauce. Taste and, if needed, add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Adjust seasonings as desired.
Garnish with freshly ground pepper.
Black Bean Enchiladas
2 large portobello mushroom caps, stems removed and caps thinly sliced
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Heat oven to 400 F.
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 cup vegetable broth or water
3 cups red enchilada sauce, divided
11/2 cups guacamole
12 8-inch corn tortillas
Garnishes:
1 cup thinly sliced romaine lettuce
1 to 2 radishes, julienned
2 tablespoons minced red onion
Cilantro or parsley, torn
Sour cream or Greek yogurt
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté sliced veggies for 6 to 7 minutes, until tender. Add black beans, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, paprika, kosher salt, lime juice, and vegetable broth or water. Cook for 2 minutes, until liquid is thickened into a sauce.
Spread 1 cup of enchilada sauce in the bottom of a large baking dish.
Brush both sides of each tortilla lightly with olive oil. Heat a large griddle to medium-high heat. Cook tortillas in batches for 15 seconds per side until lightly browned.
Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup of vegetable filling and about 2 tablespoons guacamole, running in a line down the center. Roll tortilla and place it in baking dish, seam side down. Once all tortillas are in the dish, pour remaining 2 cups of enchilada sauce over the top.
Bake for 5 minutes, until warmed through. Top with garnishes and serve.
READER EXCHANGE
Books/Magazines
I would like to buy several copies of “The Northern Spotted Owl; An Oregon View,” by Benjamin Stout.
Liz VanLeeuwen
27070 Irish Bend Loop Halsey, OR 97348
I am looking for a copy in good condition of “Food for Fifty” by Dorothy Dean of the Spokesman-Review newspaper. It’s from the 1960s. Please let me know if you have a copy to sell and the price. Thank you.
Annie Peterson Shiffer
2116 E Touchmark Lane Spokane, WA 99203
Crafts/Hobbies
If you have any wooden embroidery hoops to donate, I could sure use them for an art project. It’s OK if they are not a matching pair, or are split. Any shape will do. If they have the metal springs or screws, I’ll try to make them work. Thanks for helping me.
G. Johnson
P.O. Box 6 Alturas, CA 96101
My hobby is researching events that took place many years ago. I am trying to research the June 17, 1877, White Bird Canyon Battle involving the Nez Perce Tribe and the U.S. Army in north central Idaho. I am looking for photos of any US Army personnel who were killed during the battle. If you have an ancestor killed in the battle and have a photo, please reach out. My main focus is trying to find a photo of 1st Lt. Edward Russell Theller. If possible, also a marriage photo of him and his wife, Delia. Thank you.
Steve Plucker
9020 Lyons Ferry Road Prescott, WA 99348 pif@bmi.net
I would appreciated wool yarn for a children’s knitting club that started in my community.
S. Turner
1403 Drury Road Deary, ID 83823
My son Ezra is a 12 year-old baseball card collector and is especially interested in any baseball cards before 1975. If you have any old baseball cards before 1975 lying around, he would be very happy to take them off of your hands. Please send to Ezra Phillips, 286 Rock Creek Road, Rockaway Beach, OR 97136.
Adam Phillips Rockaway Beach, Oregon
Milestones
Our mother is turning 90 years young this January. Please help us celebrate her milestone with birthday wishes. I know receiving cards would be such a welcome surprise. She loves spending her day watching the squirrels, birds and sheep on our farm. Mail is always a special treat for her. Please send cards to Joyce Teigen, 3121 Odell Hwy. Hood River, OR 97031.
Terri Hansen Hood River, Oregon
Our father turns 105 on January 19. We would love to shower him with cards and letters as we celebrate such a special occasion. His address is Paul Strait, 1025 High Prairie Road, Lyle, WA 98635.
Louise Sperling Klickitat, Washington
My dad, a World War II veteran, turns 95 in January. I would appreciate any cards sent to Edward Bohin, 308 Boyle Center, Auburn, NY 13021.
Edna Dayley North Pole, Alaska
Thanks
I cannot adequately express my appreciation to the readers who sent my mother a birthday card. I have often found my mother’s mail almost entirely sales catalogs. This year, as her birthday approached, birthday cards came in by the score, overwhelming that other mail. Sadly, mom died suddenly just before her 102nd birthday. She was smiling in her very last hour. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” My
mother and I felt the love from wonderful readers. And for those cards that came in too late for mom, I will be forwarding them to her best friend, who celebrates her own birthday the same month as my mother.
George Ice Alpine, Oregon
Submitting Requests Is Free
Please 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. Please 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 firstcome, first-served basis.
We are no longer accepting pen pal requests. If you are interested in placing a request of this nature, you may submit the request as a Marketplace ad. The normal Marketplace pricing applies. When submitting a milestone request, please consider sending 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, address and name of the electric utility that provides your magazine.
Rubye Ice a week before her birthday. PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE ICE
ADVENTURE AWAITS
What Is It?
With a national forest and lakes carved out by glaciers, Coeur d’Alene offers many forms of outdoor adventure in northern Idaho.
History
In the early 1800s, the Coeur d’Alene area was home to the Schitsu’umsh people. It soon became a fur trading post. French traders referred to the Schitsu’umsh people as “Coeur d’Alene,” meaning “heart of the awl,” because their trading skills were as sharp as an awl—a tool for puncturing leather.
Escape to the woods and waters in Northern Idaho at
Coeur d’Alene
Take a Hike
On the Water
Lake Coeur d’Alene is 26 miles long, with more than 130 miles of shoreline. Launch a boat and head out onto the water, or stay dry on the shore and find a beach. If you’re looking for thrills, consider rafting on the Spokane River.
The Tubbs Hill Nature Trail is an easy 2-mile round-trip hike that starts in downtown Coeur d’Alene, and offers a great view of the city and lake. For a long hike or bike ride, consider the North Idaho Centennial Trail. The paved trail begins just east of Coeur d’Alene and runs 23 miles to the IdahoWashington border.
Set Up Camp
Bring your tent and camp out for a socially distanced trip. Coeur d’Alene has many campsites, including Farragut State Park and Heyburn State Park. Visit www. parksandrecr eation.idaho. gov/camping/ for information about when the parks are open and how to reserve a spot.
More Information
To start planning your trip, visit www. coeurdalene. org or call 208-664-3194.
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY JAMES SAKAGUCHI
How can a rechargeable hearing aid that costs only $29 999 be every bit as good as one that sells for $2,400 or more?
The answer: Although tremendous strides have been made in Advanced Digital Hearing Aid Technology, those cost reductions have not been passed on to you. Until now...
The MDHearingAid® VOLT+ uses the same kind of Advanced Digital RECHARGEABLE Hearing Aid Technology incorporated into hearing aids that cost thousands more at a small fraction of the price.
Over 500,000 satisfied MDHearingAid customers agree: High-quality,digital, FDA-registered rechargeable hearing aids don’t have to cost a fortune. The fact is, you don’t need to spend thousands for a hearing aid. MDHearingAid is a medical-grade, digital, rechargeable hearing aid offering sophistication and high performance, and works right out of the box with no timeconsuming “adjustment” appointments. You can contact a licensed hearing specialist conveniently online or by phone — even after your purchase at no cost. No other company provides such extensive support. Now that you know...why pay more?
THE GREAT PICTURE HUNT
A Healing Therapy Tool
IT IS A SHORT WALK to see the world as a cruel, dark, hopeless place. But where there is shadow, there must also be light—and few tools better capture that light than a camera.
I have often alluded to how photography has changed my life. Given the events of this past year, using your camera as a therapy tool might be more valuable now than ever before. Like writing, photography can be a magical tool to fight anxiety and depression, and enhance well-being.
The camera can show us the way out of dark tunnels, and help us see and appreciate the beauty in and about us. Focusing on the awe of our natural world or scenes of love and compassion among humans helps shift our perception of the world and ourselves.
As an insecure young person, the camera was my Superman’s cape and shield against shyness and unworthiness. Photographs were my words gathered in my life’s diary. It gave me a sense of purpose and belonging. It took me away from my own grief as I saw the grief of others, which encouraged my compassion. It helped me share my deep secrets with those who cared to look.
For most of my career, I have chosen to focus on and celebrate good things, helpers, and acts of love and compassion, dedicating myself to searching for and documenting things that are lovely and affirming, especially in the hard shadows of injustice, hatred and grief.
Photography can increase our creativity, connect us with others of like interest, fight loneliness and depression, build our self-confidence and self-esteem, and give us some control in a world where so many things are out of our control. Photography can give you and your subject a voice—a way to be seen and heard.
We choose what to photograph and share, how to frame the world. It is a wonderful tool for self-expression, and allows me to say things I am unable to say with words.
To this day, photography remains a loyal friend and trusted therapist to me. The camera beckons me to get out of bed, follow the light and discover the world. Capturing a still photograph that expresses not only what I see but how I feel about what I see is an ongoing challenge I never master. I am always trying to get better. n
Communing or photographing nature—even looking at nature photographs—has calming, healing benefits. It was cold and I was shaking. I used a shutter speed fast enough to help stop camera shake.
Reader Challenge
Photograph something beautiful, something you love or that brings you joy. Write about what you see and how it makes you feel. Keep a daily journal, writing about what you discover about the outside world and the inside you.
To share your work, email your best image with caption information and explain how it affects you to GPH@pur.coop. We may share the best submissions on our website or social media channels.
Dave LaBelle used photography and the arts for mental health recovery in his work with the Athens Photo Project. Dave is an internationally known photographer, author and lecturer. He has worked for 20 newspapers and magazines in nine states, and taught at three universities. For more information, visit www.greatpicturehunt.com.
NIKON D800, 55mm lens, ISO 100, aperture f/4.5, shutter 1/250, no tripod
Cool Weather Recipes
Readers share their homemade recipes
Chili: This winter, enjoy a collection of chili recipes from previous Ruralite contests. This booklet features recipes such as Hunter Chili and Chili Verde; there is beanless chili, meatless chili, hot-beyondbelief chili and mild to medium chili. Recipes include comments and stories from the entrants. Also included at the back of the cookbook are pages featuring recipes submitted from the 2000 Slow Cooker contest. The chili cookbooks are $6 each, which includes postage.
Bread: Who can resist the smell of fresh bread baking? Pumpkin Bread, Bacon Onion Buns and Sourdough Starter are just a few of the more than 400 recipes featured in this reader recipe cookbook. The cookbook is 8 1/2x11-inch spiral bound, indexed and only $8 each (includes postage).
To order by mail, submit with proper payment, cookbook title, name, address, and number of cookbooks wanted to Ruralite Cookbooks, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133.
To pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover card or American Express, call 503-357-2105. To order online, visit www.ruralite.org. Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
Mohave Electric Cooperative Honors Veterans
At Mohave Electric, we have the upmost pride for our country and those who have served this country. On November 7, Mohave Electric employees donated their time in the Paul Walsh Memorial Veteran’s Parade to show our respect to those who served or are currently serving.
All branches of service were represented with flags hung from our original Old Number One. This year, due to COVID-19 regulations, the normal parade routine changed. Rather than walkers handing out goodies and a trailer decorated behind Old Number One, Mohave Electric employees with Jeeps followed behind Old Number One, flying American flags, service flags and Mohave Electric flags.
The parade had more than 100 vehicles. Participants from different groups and businesses were decked out in patriotic clothing. Mohave Electric Cooperative is proud to be a part of community events such as this. No matter the restrictions in place, our goal was to show our continued community support.
In addition to the parade, Mohave Electric highlighted employees who served our country with social media posts throughout November. It is always a great day to highlight our
staff, who have amazing past employment history.
Mohave Electric will continue to attend parades and events to celebrate the community. We know times are uncertain for a variety of community events, but we will work to be a part of as much as we can.
Once more, thank you to all who served, who are serving or plan to serve, and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the freedom we have today. n
MEC employees in Jeeps ride in the Paul Walsh Memorial Veteran’s Parade.
MEC’s Community Liaison Ellen Brown rides in Old Number One with CEO Tyler Carlson showing support to our veterans during the parade.
PHOTOS BY TINA PADEN
MARKETPLACE
Agriculture
Reinforced custom-sized pond liners (39 cents/sqft). Hay covers, greenhouse covers, any width & length. Truck tarps & more. High puncture & tear strength. Best price guaranteed. American made since 1981. www.btlliners.com; 541-447-0712. 0421
Antiques and Collectibles
Antique wood-burning parlor furnace. Allen Mfg. Co., Nashville. Attractive, 42” tall, 26” wide. Photos available. Garibaldi, Oregon. Best offer. clammingram@yahoo.com. 0121
Books, Magazines, Videos
My daughter shares joys and challenges of being called to the mission field of Bush Alaska in her book “Colliding With the Call.” $11.70 per book. Beth Butters, 450 Disciple Way, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805. gagui.butters@gmail.com. 0121
Christian author and teacher, Mary Hohmann, wrote “Poems from the High Prairie” to help you live above trials. Published 2020. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, $12.95 0121
“Montello Remembered.” 188pgs of yarns, memories & history about Northeastern Nevada, including ranches, mines, people & railroads. $32 includes S&H. Dee Pruitt, 461 Lamoille Canyon Road Unit 9, Spring Creek, NV 89815. pruitt2010@frontier.com; 775-753-3254. Cash or check. 0121
Book restoration. Bibles, cookbooks, cherished family heirlooms. Beautiful work. We give renewed life, more durable than original, to last for generations. 775-537-7066; salacanstudio@gmail.com. 0121AR
Building Supplies
#1, premium, red cedar shingles, no knots. $35/bundle (22 bundles) (550sqft. coverage)
Free box ¼”x1½” Narrow Crown s.s.staples. Gold Beach, Oregon. 541-373-1040.
Emergency Preparedness
Build your safe space in this world: Harden your home, build an underground shelter and learn how to protect everything you love. KeepYourTribeAlive.com. 0321
Free Items
Church, government uniting, suppressing “religious liberty,” enforcing National Sunday Law. Be informed. Need mailing address only. TBS, PO Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. 888-2111715; thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com. 0321AR
Furniture, Appliances
Power lift chair/recliner. Manufacturer: Golden; model 510-SME. New price $2,265. Asking $1,200. Excellent condition. Call 509-521-5074.
Horse, Accessories
Horse stall mats. Heavy-duty mats for stalls & walkways. For information, text or call Ken, 503-351-8677. 0121AR
Miscellaneous
Authentic Austrian Walkjanker (boiled wool jacket). Steirische green, very heavy, excellent condition, men’s medium. Call 509-521-5074. 0121
Pahrump, Nevada, commercial fisherman sells summer catch gourmet canned tuna on internet April-September. 100% guaranteed the best canned tuna you ever tasted. Twofisherstuna.com, 206-799-1082. 0221
Cemetery markers, both granite & bronze. Also offering bronze plaques, signage. All at affordable prices. Shipping available. Call Joe Plass for more info, 541-815-8906; www.highdesertmemorials.com. 0221
Used toy cars, trucks with wheels in lots of 20. $30/lot, 15 lots available. 541-609-1290. 0121
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.
Longer ads may be placed. For pricing, contact 503-718-3717 or lwiseman@pur.coop.
Ads are for customers of member co-ops, PUDs and municipals only. Subscribers and nonmembers may inquire for pricing at 503-718-3717 or lwiseman@pur.coop.
Ads must be direct and in first person, and are subject to approval and editing.
Closing deadlines (in our office): March issue—January 29, 2021.
Pets, Supplies
AKC-registered Airedales. Fort Sage Kennels, Patricia Sharp, PO Box 246, Doyle, CA 96109; 530-827-2271. 0321
Chesador puppies. Order now. Late October breeding. For more information, call 541-9355810 or 541-914-4184. 0121.
AKC-registered red toy poodle available for stud service. Bonnie Todd, Braejay’s Lil Toy Poodles, 509-551-4322. Benton City, Washington. 0621
Real Estate
For sale or lease. 56ac in Southeast Nevada, next to Grant Wilderness. Remote w/access & spring. Hunt, hike, prospect. 775-318-0049; Aaron.Buffington@yahoo.com. 0121AR
4 2.25ac lots (1 commercial), Sandy Valley, Nevada. Close to Las Vegas. $55,000ea, make deal for all 4. Possible OWC. Near post office, store. Some utilities. 775-209-2830. 0121
R-3 lot. Brookings, Oregon. Investment opportunity. Build triplex or fourplex. Close to ocean, shopping, restaurants. Utilities at lot line. ¼ac. $97,000. 541-661-1798. 0121
Lot in beautiful Cambria, California, where “the pines meet the ocean.” Retirement investment. Double lot on Burton Circle. No water meter waiting number. $7,000. 541-661-1798. 0121
Thompson Falls, Montana. Remodeled 2bdr house, single-wide w/ add on. 18x18 master bdr. Guest cabin. Barn/garage & shop. Double carport. Beautiful fenced yard. 2.7ac. 719-469-1274. 0121
Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm & recreation property in Oregon. Fourthgeneration Oregonian, ranch owner. 94ac for sale, Madras, Oregon. $249,000. John Gill, 541-480-9161; johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 0121
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@pur.coop.
Land sale, F18073, parcel B U.S. survey 5122. 79.97ac. $85,000. Located ¼mi upriver from native village of Kiana on the Kobuk River. Pristine land & water excellent for hunting, fishing & trapping; moose, caribou, lynx, fox & snowshoe hares. Abundant salmon, trout, whitefish, grayling, pike & shellfish. Elmer M. Jackson, PO Box 134, Kiana, AK 99749. 0121
29.5ac w/ house, 4246 Cougar Creek Road, Oakland Oregon. Umpqua river frontage, water rights. Property in TIC. Selling my half for $200,000. Eric, 503-641-4410; kidtras@frontier.com. 0121
Buildable, 4.26ac. Gated community above Ochoco Reservoir, Prineville, Oregon. Spectacular views. 400-amp service; shared well w/cistern ready. RV parking, if shielded. Septic approved. $110,000. 503-622-6515. 0121
Anaconda, Montana, 300ac, USFS border, end of road, well & septic in, RV pad, stream, pond, springs, wildlife galore, off-grid, easy access. $743K. j_w_ross@yahoo.com. 0121
Recreational Rentals
Looking for a quiet getaway, look no further. Vista House Vacation Rental in quaint hillside village of Oceanside, Oregon. Panoramic ocean views, sunsets, winter storms. 3 units, slp 2-16. 503-730-7149; vistahouseoceanside.com. Ask about monthly rates. 0121
High mountain getaway. Palouse Divide Lodge. 3 full-service cabins. Gift shops on site. East of Potlatch, Idaho, on Highway 6, milepost 26. Shirley Hathaway. 208-245-3552. 0421
Bend country cabin. Very clean & fully furnished cabin on private ranch. Close to recreation areas. Very nice. $90/night. 541-382-3050; bendcountrycabins@gmail.com. 0121
Lincoln City, Oregon. Beautiful ocean views. Slps 12. 4bdr (2 w/king), 3 full baths, Wi-Fi, cable, frplc, W/D, dishwasher, 2nd kitchen upstairs. Info/pics: vrbo.com/693193. Call for special prices. fbeckwithfamily@gmail.com; 503-720-6144. 0321
Wavecatcher: oceanfront, central Oregon Coast. Easy beach access. $120/night winter, $150/night summer; seventh night free. Two bedrooms w/double beds, sleeping loft w/ double beds. Full kitchen/bath, linens. Pet friendly. COVID-cleaned between guests. 541740-9953. Check wavecatcherbeachrentals.com for availability. 0221AR
Want to Buy
Buying old Navajo blankets, rugs & old jewelry, old beadwork & baskets, etc. Also old paintings of the American West, both realism & abstract artists. One piece or collections. Send photos. 760-409-3117, amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com. 0221
Geographic Information System (GIS) Coordinator
Lassen County, Susanville, CA
Salary: $25.36 - $30.58 per hour, plus benefits
Filing deadline: Open until filled. First application review: December 28, 2020.
Duties: Under the direction of the Planning and Building Services director, the GIS coordinator plans, coordinates, oversees and participates in the development, implementation, integration, operation, and maintenance of the county’s geographical information system (GIS) and permit system. Minimum requirements: Education Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree with a major in geographic information systems, information technology, civil/structural engineering, architecture, or a closely related field is preferred (job related geographic information experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis). Experience: Four years of increasingly responsible geographic information systems experience. License: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license. For a job bulletin and an application, visit Lassen County Personnel at: www.lassencounty.org, or visit our application center at: 221 S Roop St., Susanville, CA 96130. EOE.
An old windmill, any condition, and/or a hydraulic ram pump. Preferably within 200mi of La Grande, Oregon. 541-663-9091. 0121
Wanted. Vintage wristwatches, pocket watches, watch collections, watchmakers’ estates, etc. Call 541-760-1050. Please leave a message if I don’t answer. Will travel. Thank you. 0221
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. 0121
Cash paid for old gas station and oil company signs, pumps, globes, metal oil cans. Good condition. Discreet cash settlement. Clifton Jones, collector. 512-413-4459. 0221
Wanted: 1967-1972 Buick Skylark, GS, Stage 1, GSX. Cars, parts or leads. Or any ’60s or ’70s vehicles. Email billybibbett@hotmail.com. 0121
Buy, sell, repair rock saws and everything lapidary. Buying old rock and gem books & catalogs. CigarBoxRock.com. 541-280-5574; cbr@bendnet.com. Bend, Oregon 97701. 0221
Gold, silver, coins/currency, buy, sell. Collections wanted. Fair prices paid. 41yrs in retail store. Baker City, Oregon. 800-556-2133; garrymclin@aol.com. Will travel. 1021
Code Enforcement Officer I/II
Lassen County, Susanville, CA
Salary: Level I: $19.28-$23.18 per hour, plus benefits Level II $21.13-$25.43 per hour, plus benefits
Filing deadline: Open until filled. First application review January 7, 2021.
Duties: The code enforcement officer develops and coordinates a program of education and policy compliance to improve conditions on public and private property. The code enforcement officer enforces the provisions of the Lassen County zoning, building, health and safety codes and county highway encroachments through field inspections and code enforcement. Minimum requirements: Education: Equivalent to an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university. Courses in building/ construction trades or business preferred. Experience: Code Enforcement Officer I: Two years of experience working with community groups, community educational programs, or in a customer service function. Experience with building code and property allowances/restrictions is preferred. Code Enforcement Officer II: Two years of experience comparable to that gained as a Code Enforcement Officer I with Lassen County. License: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license. For a bulletin and application, visit Lassen County Personnel at www.lassencounty.org, or visit our application center at: 221 S Roop St., Susanville, CA 96130. EOE.
Change Structure A
in Replacing wooden structures with steel poles improves reliability
Story and photos
by Geoff Oldfather
When it comes to transmission system reliability, the engineering and planning required can take place up to a year before the actual work occurs. All three elements are an ongoing process at Arizona G&T Cooperatives.
This fall, the AzGT transmission line crew tackled one of several major structure
change-out projects taking place before year-end, replacing a three-pole wooden structure on the Pantano-New Tucson 230-kilovolt line with a single, self-supporting steel pole.
The structure southeast of Tucson is about a mile east of the Old Sonoita Highway, and about a mile south of Interstate 10, at a point where the line makes an angled turn toward the southwest.
Robert Bivens, AzGT
transmission maintenance manager, says planning for the structure change out began last January. The COVID-19 pandemic has made ordering materials more challenging.
“The lead time on getting the poles and all that, it kind of pushed it back,” he says.
Robert says the supplier is short-handed, so it is taking longer to get the poles and
other supplies delivered, but the project is still running on time.
In spite of the challenges, this and other projects were on schedule to be completed by the end of this year.
Robert says the time frame for replacing the structures is critical because the lines are de-energized for up to four days while work is done.
“In order to do this, we have to take an outage on the line,” Robert says.
Winter is the perfect time to de-energize the line because demand is low.
“It gives us the capability of taking this line out where they can reroute power other places,” Robert says.
Replacing wood structures with steel is part of the yearly maintenance plan focused on one thing: keeping the power flowing.
“It’s a reliability issue,” Robert says. “Wood poles have guy wires, different things that could go wrong with it, and we could lose it because of those. Going to self-supporting gives more reliability on it. We don’t
AzGT crews replace wooden three-pole structures with a single metal pole.
Tony Ferraro guides the first section of a steel pole into position as Jason Searle (not shown) maneuvers the pole into position from a boom truck.
really have to worry about it because nothing can really happen to it. It stays up.”
These projects have an added benefit: a chance for some large-project training for two new apprentice linemen.
“Two new apprentices— one’s been on two weeks, and the other one three weeks, so this is all new to them—so I’m out here trying to see how they do, work with the guys, how they’re getting along,” Robert says.
There are three apprentices on the crew. Brandon Guinane is in the fourth year of his apprenticeship.
“I had him up in the bucket, and he took the newest one up there, Ralph Rodriguez,” Robert says. “Just showing him how to do things, how they’re doing the work, what they’re doing, how to do it safely.”
The other apprentice is Jordan Tracey.
“They’re a great bunch of guys,” Robert says. “They know their jobs, so we’re comfortable with them teaching these new guys what they need to know
in order to do their job, and they have no problem doing this for us. They love teaching,
and bringing in new guys and teaching them a new trade. It’s fulfilling.” n
The first section of the steel pole is hoisted toward its cement base.
The steel pole is in place, with one of the horizontal arms that will hold the conductor bolted on.
A Sign of Hope Stands Tall
A new year brings hope: Ruralite reader David Bullock snapped this picture outside The Dalles, Oregon. After such a tough year, he sees in the image better days on the horizon: “To me it represents the hope for our nation, even if somewhat fuzzy during this time.”
Seeking a fresh start is nothing new: Civilizations have been marking the new year with festivities and new beginnings for at least 4,000 years. The earliest recorded celebrations date back to ancient Babylon, according to www.history.com.
Our New Year’s history: Julius Caesar instituted January 1 as the first day of the year in 46 B.C., partly to honor the month’s namesake, Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. In 1752, England and its American colonies officially adopted January 1 as New Year’s Day, adopting the Gregorian calendar. For more New Year’s history, go to www.history.com/topics/holidays/new-years.
Bad to the Bone
If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re looking for.
The blade is full tang and is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion.
The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world.
But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power compact binoculars and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Huntsman Blade
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.
12" overall length; 6 ¹⁄2" stainless steel full tang blade • Genuine bone handle with brass hand guard & bolsters • Includes genuine leather sheath
A final word: As we begin 2021, President Abraham Lincoln’s wisdom suggests keeping our eyes ahead: “I am a slow walker, but I never walk backwards.”
the insider offer code to get our special price.
Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. HUK410-01, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337
*Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed original Stauer.com price.
residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product.
A colorful sky serves as the backdrop for a small American flag on a fence post in The Dalles, Oregon. PHOTO BY DAVID BULLOCK
MORE THAN 4,100 CATS AND DOGS ARE KILLED IN OUR NATION’S SHELTERS EVERY DAY.
But they aren’t just cats and dogs.
They are Beans and Mr. Buttons. Princess and Barkley.
They are Lulu who is afraid of the vacuum cleaner, and George who loves cheese.
They are impromptu serenaders and accidental stunt men. They snore. They play. They hate baths, but love the hose.
They like car rides and drooling on the window.
They are three-legged race champions and curtain ninjas.
They are tail-waggers and sloppy kissers.
They are close talkers and belly rub collectors.
They are blanket hogs and entire bed hogs.
They are individuals. And they just want to be someone’s best friend.
One at a time, together, we can Save Them All. save-them-all.org
P.O. Box 22530
Bullhead City, AZ 86439
Member Services: 928-763-1100
Outage Reporting: Toll free 844-632-2667 or text “outage” to 55050 from the phone number linked to your MEC account. mohaveelectric.com
Mohave Electric Cooperative Board of Directors
President Joe Anderson
Vice President Deborah Johnson
Secretary Toni Barbaro
Treasurer Rich Tempelman
Michael Bartelt
Cindy Christy
John Nelssen
Jose “Joe” Solar
CEO
Tyler Carlson
What’s Happening
h January 1—Office closed for New Year’s Day
h January 21—Ribbon cutting for TWN and MEC
h January 29-31—Join MEC at the Home and Garden Show
h February 10—Join MEC at the Winter Expo.
h February 15—Office closed for Presidents Day.
A Message from the CEO
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
There is no shortage of new information from MEC during this time of year. One of the largest updates I can provide is that fiber is in the air (read more on page 8). Crews have been working to establish the backbone of this project since December, and have placed thousands of feet of fiber to create an advanced electrical system and assist in the grow of a much-needed, more reliable fiber-optic internet service brought to our members by MEC fiber and TWN Communications. We want to again thank our members who participated in tree purchases during Operation Cool Shade. This year differed from past years in many ways. We added 300 more trees, had a presale phone event and had a specific eastern service area pickup location. All trees were picked up before 2 p.m. during our western service area pickup day. This program has been going on for years. We hope the changes helped our members receive the trees they wanted to not only make their home more beautiful, but also create energy savings for years to come. Members received a free LED lightbulb with each tree purchase. If you have not done so yet, install those lightbulbs and kick off your energy savings today. You can find more information on this event on page 4.
Tyler Carlson
MEC was proud to be a part of the Paul Walsh Memorial Veteran’s Parade. Mohave Electric staff volunteered their time to show their appreciation and respect to the veterans who serve and have served our country. I drove Old Number One in the parade, followed by employees in their Jeeps. Event structure and participation has been altered due to COVID-19 restrictions, but MEC worked together to gather as much participation as possible to show our respect to those who have served. Read more on page 25.
We are excited to announce that as we kick off the new year, MEC has been serving our members for 75 years. You can view our new 75th anniversary logo at the top left corner of this page. MEC started in 1946 with a few meters and has grown to more than 42,000 meters and more than 1,500 miles of line. Just like when we started, Mohave Electric Cooperative is here to grow with you.
Some of our most-recent advancements as a growing cooperative were the launch of our new website back in October, and putting together the CEO PowerPoint video recapping our years’ work that is now live at https://www.mohaveelectric.com/about-us/annual-meeting. We continue to improve our website and deliver a much higher quality of information to our members. We know a power point video is not what our members are accustomed to. We hope our 75th year anniversary annual meeting will be in person so we can gather with our members face to face once again.
From our family to yours, stay safe and enjoy the start of a new year.
Tyler Carlson, CEO