Currents, Mohave Electric Cooperative, November 2022

Currents MOHAVE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

NOVEMBER 2022

Storm Damage CEO Tyler Carlson praises employee efforts and co-op aid Page 4

ALSO INSIDE >>

Co-op Connections Card Page 8 Fire Department Solar Grant Page 25 PHOTO BY GARRY ABIDIN/MEC

FROM THE PIONEER TEAM

Ruralite

Currents Our Readers Are Awesome!

November 2022 • Volume 57, No. 6 ANZA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Sherri Stafford

ARIZONA’S GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION COOPERATIVES

Magen Howard

DUNCAN VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Steven Lunt

ELECTRICAL DISTRICT NO. 2

Roselyn Bever

MOHAVE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Heather Foreman

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Mike Teegarden EDITOR

Victoria Hampton Currents (USPS 030-520) is published bimonthly for members for $1.23 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. © 2022 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.

When interviewing for my position at Pioneer, I asked about the best part of working with rural electric magazines. The answer was, resoundingly, the readers.

After a few weeks in my role and interacting with readers myself, I understood exactly what everyone was talking about. There is a kindness and generosity within our readership that creates a genuine sense of community.

This amazing community has been highlighted to me through working on the Reader Exchange page. Since my first month here, I have helped compile and place submissions. Not a month goes by without receiving hundreds of requests.

Recipes, milestones, craft supplies, the hunt for long-lost items—not only are they sent in by the hundreds, but responses to these requests can also be in the hundreds.

A great example of this can be seen in our Before You Go article this month. There, you can learn one of our readers asked for extra corks for a project and received 26,000. It was so impressive, the reader and her cork donations were featured on the local news!

The number of cards and milestone requests we receive is inspiring and deeply moving.

Sometimes close to 1,000 are sent in response, and the stories of how happy they make the receiver really touch our hearts. It’s a pleasure to celebrate milestones with readers and have a moment to honor everything they have achieved in life. This month, we have specially

selected one submission for Veterans Day, from a reader requesting cards sent to her grandfather in honor of his service in World War II. I have no doubt our readers will (literally) deliver.

At first glance, some may underestimate this “little” magazine, but the community our readers have built is long-lasting and massive.

Alyssa McDougle Publications Coordinator

A handwritten note from one of our readers asks for cards for her World War II veteran grandfather.

See page 18 for the full request and others.

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.

Podcasting 101

Take control of what you listen to by subscribing to podcasts; the variety of topics is endless 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.

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

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Students dig outdoor education that includes hands-on learning Learning Curve, Page 12 Plugged In In the Kitchen

6 16

Photo Hunt Before You Go

22 30

Utility Pages: 4-5, 8, 25, 32 NOVEMBER 2022

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Massive Storm Results in Widespread Damage CEO Tyler Carlson praises employee efforts and aid from Arizona’s electric cooperatives while thanking MEC members for their support and endurance

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MOHAVE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

A massive storm rolled through Bullhead City and the surrounding area on Sunday, September 4, with wind gusts over 80 mph, resulting in widespread damage and power outages in Mohave Electric Cooperative’s Western service territory.

At the height of the storm, 36,000 member meters were without power. Key to the massive outage was the damage to the transmission provider’s 230 kV system, which cut MEC’s access to the bulk power grid, in addition to substantial damage to MEC’s distribution system.

By early Monday, September 5, 16,000 members had been restored, and by 6:30 p.m. that night the outage was down to just 5,000 members. This was despite over 140 poles being either down or severely damaged.

MEC CEO Tyler Carlson praised not only his crews, but other electrical cooperatives who came to MEC’s aid.

“MEC crews, and those of our sister cooperatives, worked round the clock to restore power. They are our true utility superheroes,” said CEO Tyler Carlson.

“Every employee, in every position in the cooperative, helped at some level and picked up and did whatever was needed to get the job done and support our crews.

Saying thank you to the employees and crews just does not seem like enough.”

All residential members’ power was officially restored at 11:14 p.m. on 9/9/22 and the final business member’s power was restored at 4:55 p.m. on 9/10/22.

We have evaluated the system damage and have a preliminary report of: • 140 poles damaged (wood, steel and concrete) • 19 miles of line replacement We couldn’t have done this without help from these other resources called upon to support the restoration efforts: Arizona Generation and Transmission Cooperative, Benson AZ; Trico Electric Cooperative, Marana, AZ; Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, Willcox AZ for their crews and supplied materials; and Navopache Electric Cooperative, Lakeside, AZ for donated materials.

“One of our principles, Cooperation Among Cooperatives, is about serving members most effectively and strengthening the cooperative movement by working together.”

MEC CEO TYLER CARLSON

ABOVE: Members of Mohave Electric along with Trico and Sulphur Springs work on replacing poles along the Bullhead Parkway in Bullhead City. OPPOSITE PAGE: A crew from Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative assists the MEC crews by removing a fallen pole. PHOTOS

BY GARRY ABIDIN/MEC

“We are also deeply appreciative to our members for their patience, endurance, and support,” added Carlson. “This storm caused the most severe damage to MEC’s system in our history, by far. And may be the first time for our community, where a storm this severe led us to invoke the assistance from our neighboring electric Cooperatives. This is what Cooperatives are all about.

“One of our principles, Cooperation Among Cooperatives, is about serving members most effectively and

strengthening the cooperative movement by working together. I am proud of our entire team, our line crew, operations, call center, auto shop, member service, and everyone who took part in the restoration and support of our members. I am proud of our community for coming together to assist members in a time of need.”

MEC also wants to thank the nonprofits and volunteers that have provided resources to our members during this time.

Thank you all for your time and dedication to our community. n

NOVEMBER 2022

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PLUGGED IN

ADOBE STOCK PHOTOS

BY JULIASUDNITSKAYA

Smart Appliances for the Smart Chef

Work in the kitchen is more innovative this holiday season

By Katherine Loving Whether you’re a master chef or a culinary novice, smart appliances add convenience to any kitchen. Smart kitchen appliances can guide you step-by-step or even perform the cooking themselves.

Smart appliances typically rely only on Wi-Fi—paired with a custom smartphone applications—for interaction, while others can work with common smart home systems, such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa.

Smart home systems establish routines based on our activity, such as when we return home from work. You can set smart devices to begin a programmed routine to turn on lights, adjust the thermostat and other tasks. For smart kitchen appliances, routines could include preheating an oven or turning on a coffee maker.

Let’s take a look at a few smart appliances for the home chef.

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Cooktops and Ranges Induction cooktops are an innovation in themselves. Induction cooking works by delivering energy directly to cookware using a magnetic field that warms the inside of cookware specifically made for induction cooking.

Induction cooktops are 32% more energy efficient than gas cooktops and about 75% more efficient than electric cooktops.

Similar to other smart cooktops, smart induction models recognize when a pan is placed on an element and automatically turn off when a pan is removed from the cooktop.

Brands such as Samsung and Bosch offer additional smart functions such as synchronization of the cooktop with a brand-matched smart ventilation hood.

The smart hood activates as soon as cooking begins and adapts to cooking intensity on the fly.

Smart ranges can also include this function and often feature a barcode-scanning system that allows you to scan packaged foods, prompting the oven to start based on the instructions.

Smart ranges can be controlled remotely to preheat, as well as change and monitor temperatures through the companion app or an integrated home system. A few brands offer a Wi-Fi connected cooking thermometer to allow remote monitoring, leaving the home chef free to do other things while an app keeps an eye on cooking progress.

For novice chefs, many smart ovens and cooktops have guided step-by-step recipes within the app to help control the cook time and temperature.

Countertop Ovens Manufacturers are adding smart functionality to their countertop cooking options as well.

Induction cooktops, such as the Samsung model shown here, transfer heat directly to the cookware, which is specially made for induction cooking. PHOTO COURTESY OF SAMSUNG

The June Oven includes an interior camera that allows progress to be tracked from its app, which provides monitoring and notifications to your phone when cooking is complete.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JUNE

Smart coffee makers, such as this Hamilton Beach model, can connect to Amazon Alexa or Google Home with smart functions to set brew schedules and brew strength.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HAMILTON BEACH

The June Oven includes an interior camera that allows progress to be tracked from its app. The app also provides monitoring with push notifications to your phone when cooking is complete.

Tovala offers a smaller, countertop oven for ready-to-cook meals. These ovens use barcode-scanning technology for both Tovala meals and those from the grocery store. The Tovala app uses push notifications to track progress.

Like Tovala, the Breville smart oven offers guided recipes and an app that directs cooking temperature and function—such as air fry or bake—as the

Smart microwaves, such as this GE model, include barcode-scanning technology to allow product-specific cooking instructions to be sent to the appliance.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GE

recipe advances. The Breville Smart Oven also uses an on-board chip to monitor and stabilize temperature from all sides for more efficient cooking.

Microwaves, Multicookers and Other Gadgets Other common kitchen appliances and small devices are getting smart, too. However, these devices feature a smaller set of functions than those mentioned earlier.

Microwaves from manufacturers such as LG, Whirlpool, GE, Sharp and Toshiba include the barcode-scanning function to allow product-specific cooking instructions

to be sent to the appliance.

Smart kitchen scales, air fryers and pasta makers are available to connect to your phone for guided measuring and cooking.

If you’re looking for a smart kitchen gadget that won’t break the bank, try a smart meat thermometer. These devices work with an app to specify optimal cook time and temperature. They notify the chef when the meat is ready.

As our appliances and kitchen gadgets get smarter, home chefs will have more options for convenience and functionality.

Bon appétit! n

NOVEMBER 2022

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“I haven’t been this excited since I got my first bicycle!”

Introducing

ZOOMER!

The portable, folding, battery-powered chair that offers easy one-handed operation Remember when you were a child and got your first bicycle? I do. It gave me a sense of independence . . .

I felt like I could go anywhere, and it was so much easier and more enjoyable than walking. Well, at my age, that bike wouldn’t do me much good. Fortunately, there’s a new invention that gives me the freedom and independence to go wherever I want . . . safely and easily.

It’s called the Zoomer, and it’s changed my life.

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My Zoomer is a delight to ride! It has increased my mobility in my apartment, my opportunities to enjoy the out-of-doors, and enabled me to visit the homes of my children for longer periods of time.

The various speeds of it match my need for safety, it is easy to turn, and I am most pleased with the freedom of movement it gives me.

Sincerely, A. Macon, Williamsburg, VA After just one trip around your home in the Zoomer, you’ll marvel at how easy it is to navigate. It is designed to maneuver in tight spaces like doorways, between furniture, and around corners. It can go over thresholds and works great on any kind of floor or carpet. It’s not bulky or cumbersome, so it can roll right up to a table or desk– there’s no need to transfer to a chair. Its sturdy yet lightweight aluminum frame makes it durable and comfortable. Its dual motors power it at up to 3.7 miles per hour and its automatic electromagnetic brakes

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The Zoomer and Zinger Chairs are personal electric vehicles and are not medical devices nor wheelchairs. They are not intended for medical purposes to provide mobility to persons restricted to a sitting position. They are not covered by Medicare nor Medicaid. © 2022 Journey Health and Lifestyle

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UP CLOSE

A NEW

CONNECTI

How podcasts provide a personal touch in a digital age

By Drew Woolley

When Roger Anderson first discovered podcasts, he wasn’t pulled in just by convenience or gripping narratives.

Being able to listen to episodes ondemand was certainly a perk, and there were plenty of great storytellers, like Hardcore History’s Dan Carlin. But what struck him most was the passion of the Roger Anderson uses The Kitchen Counter to share the cooking skills and inspiration he picked up from his family with others.

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people speaking to him through his headphones.

“I thought, ‘Wow, here’s this guy just talking about history, and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever heard,’” Roger says.

“I found other podcasts and thought this is such a neat space. It’s not corporate networks putting out content. It’s average people doing things they love and sharing it. I would love to do that.”

At their heart, podcasts are audio recordings focused on specific topics—not unlike a pre-recorded radio show. But because they can be downloaded to a phone or computer to be played at any time, they allow listeners to go as deep or as light as they want on a certain topic.

In 2014, Roger launched his own podcast: The Kitchen Counter.

He isn’t a professional chef, but Roger did grow up surrounded by food.

Whether it was working at his family’s hometown diner, Muggsy’s, in Toledo, Oregon, or watching his mom make time at

the end of a busy day to cook fresh meals for her family, food was always a connective thread for him and his five siblings.

Home cooking was a natural fit.

Posting new episodes a few times each month, the podcast started as a platform for Roger to introduce his audience to cooking basics, banish myths about the kitchen and share advice for preparing some of his favorite meals.

During the last seven years, it has also become a place for conversations with chefs from across the country.

“Early on I was actually kind of terrified to talk to other people,” Roger says.

“What do I have to contribute that someone who’s written a cookbook couldn’t?

What could I add to the conversation?

But you just have to understand that wherever you’re at in your journey of knowledge and understanding, there are people above and below you. There’s always someone you can help.”

Sounds Like Magic When Roger launched The Kitchen Counter, podcasts were just beginning to gain mainstream popularity.

He could have chosen any format to share his knowledge about cooking—social media, a blog or a YouTube channel— but he already felt podcasts had a special appeal for the audience. For one, they are available completely on-demand.

“You can listen to it when you want, where you want,” he says. “You can listen to 50 episodes in one weekend if you feel

like it. It really puts people in control of their consumption.”

The audio format also gives people the freedom to do other things, like drive to work or cook dinner, while continuing to enjoy their favorite podcast.

“As a listener, I find it much more appealing than, say, YouTube videos, because it’s something I can follow along with without having to focus all of your attention on it,” Roger says. “I know I can’t write emails and watch a YouTube video at the same time. But I can certainly listen to a podcast.”

He also finds listening to be a much more personal way to engage with his favorite subjects or to learn about something new.

“I don’t know what it is but there really is something deeply connective and personal about it,” Roger says. “If you have headphones on it’s like hearing someone’s voice in your head, in a good way. You can’t get that on YouTube or in written mediums. There’s something about it that’s kind of magical.”

Find Your Passion In the seven years since he started podcasting, Roger has seen an industry transformation.

An influx of advertising money has turned what used to be a space made up entirely of scrappy creatives into a money-making industry. But he says that isn’t all bad.

“There’s the joke that everybody has a podcast—and to some degree, compared to other mediums, it can feel that way,” Roger says. “But that’s kind of cool in my opinion because it means there’s a podcast for everybody.”

Even with a growing number of major companies getting into the game and

famous voices hosting podcasts on the side, Roger doesn’t believe it is hard to find the independent streak that drew him to the format years ago.

“There are a lot of big, huge network podcasts or celebrity podcasts, and those are all good,” he says. “But for every one of those there are probably five or six or 10 independent podcasts with people who are approachable and have a passion they want to talk about. I think that’s a great benefit to the podcasting world.”

For Roger, that scale and variety is ultimately podcasting’s greatest strength.

No matter what your interests, somewhere out there is an audience that is just as eager to hear more about them as you—and a voice or 10 eager to lead the conversation.

“I think the appeal is that whatever someone is passionate about or interested in, I can guarantee them there’s at least one if not many, many podcasts about it,” Roger says. “It gives them an opportunity to find their people and hear things that they’ll never hear on TV or the radio.”

Tune in In the early days of podcasting, following your favorite show required navigating a technological obstacle course of downloads and synced devices.

Today, the process is as easy as downloading an app.

Apps such as Apple Podcasts and Stitcher make it easy to search thousands of the latest podcasts and subscribe to your favorites for free.

If you have a Spotify app, you already are set. Just go to the search tab and choose “Podcasts & Shows” to start adding new discoveries to your list.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few to get you going: Hardcore History. Host Dan Carlin goes deep on his favorite historical topics from the Mongols to the Eastern Front of World War II. Sound Opinions. Chicago music critics Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot discuss music’s greats, talk shop with artists and share their opinions on the latest releases.

Radiolab. An audio storyteller explores amazing tales of science, history, culture and more from across the globe with music and sound that will suck you in.

My Favorite Murder. Lifelong true crime fans Karen Kilgriff and Georgia Hardstark share tales of crime, murder and a few laughs along the way.

The Watch. Longtime friends Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald break down the latest in TV, movies and music that deserves your attention.

The Money Pit. When it comes to home improvement projects, your home doesn’t have to be one, thanks to the unbiased expertise of Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete.

A Way to Garden. World-renowned gardening expert Margaret Roach digs in to garden design, upkeep, trees, veggies and even recipes for what you grow.

Switched On. Hosts Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins sit down with Bloomberg analysts to uncover the future of energy, transportation and sustainability.

The Broadband Bunch. Hear from industry leaders, pioneers and policymakers about the state of the industry, the latest trends and how broadband impacts all of us.

Ruralite: The Podcast. Listen in on the go or around the house to put a voice to some of your favorite Ruralite stories. n NOVEMBER 2022

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ADOBE STOCK BY RACENER, NMARQUES74, SPAXIAX

TION

Podcasts create a personal connection for Roger and allow his listeners to engage with cooking in new ways.

SOLE for the Outdoors SnowSchool provides hands-on learning

North Idaho students venture into the unknown to explore and learn about their winter wildlands courtesy of Selkirk Outdoor Leadership and Education's SnowSchool program.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SOLE

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By Brandon Pomrenke Several upper elementary school students in the rural Pacific Northwest are about to set off on a three-day learning adventure.

Their classroom is the great outdoors.

Their school supplies include snowshoes, hiking boots and research equipment.

Their instructors are expert outdoorspeople excited to help students explore and appreciate their surroundings through E-STEM (environmental education, science, technology, engineering and math).

Selkirk Outdoor Leadership and Education—a 501(c)(3)nonprofit headquartered in Sandpoint, Idaho—isn’t a standard school experience.

“We know from research that experiential education is one of the most powerful ways for kids to learn,” says Joy Jansen, SOLE education adviser, who earned her doctorate and master’s in education. “It opens the door for kids who struggle to learn. Experiential education lights up the brain. It engages all of our senses. This is what kids need.”

Dennison Webb, SOLE founder and executive director, helped shape the experience. He jokes he’s been preparing for the role since he was 7 years old.

“We go into the classroom and orient students and educators to the experience on the first day,” he says. “Then we get them into the field for an entire day. We wrap it up and go back to the classroom and synthesize the data. They get a very comprehensive experience. A lot of programs don’t do that.”

Dennison says the environmental science, technology, engineering and math coursework is evidence-based.

The husband-and-wife team of Joy and Dennison is keen on experiential and outdoor education, and teaching lessons they hope stick with participants for life.

“For us, it’s really about learning comprehension,” Dennison says. “It’s not just a one-and-done type of experience.

We want to know what these kids are doing after their SOLE experience. How are they taking that knowledge back into their classroom or their community?”

It’s not just about the newfound knowledge of the outdoors. Students are

taken out of their comfort zones and grouped with others. They may never have been up a mountain before or strapped on snowshoes.

While SOLE does provide structured lesson plans and curriculum, a lot of leadership development happens by going through the process.

Dennison says students face new challenges with coaching and a foundation.

“Leadership isn’t always being out front being vivacious and an extrovert,” Joy says.

“It also can come in a quiet way. When an individual finds leadership within themselves, they find that confidence to be able to lead others.”

Getting Wild in Winter The SnowSchool experience—SOLE’s flagship program—is about more than being active outside. Joy and Dennison say experiential education teaches students a sense of place and belonging.

“We’re educating them about the flora and fauna—the natural environment, the systems within them and how they work in their area,” Dennison says. “The idea is that these kiddos will step back from the experience and have a greater appreciation for where they live, and they’re more informed as citizens. Ideally, they’re stewards of their community and its environment.”

Dennison says SOLE has a unique geographic region and provides affordable access to outdoor experiences.

“At our local schools, over 50% of the kids are in poverty daily,” he says. “We encourage having these experiences where they learn outdoor skills that can help them pursue future outdoor recreation on their own. It’s really important to offer this to local kids and to do it right.

“You learn fundamental skills such as how to keep warm and dry in an outdoor setting, land navigation and all the skills that will allow them to be successful whether they’re going out for an elk hunt or backpacking with friends. These are skills they can use for the rest of their lives.”

Joy says a highlight of the program is students take what they learned on the first day and apply the techniques the second day, when they head outdoors for the experience.

“The kids go in and actually hop in the snow pit and use all the tools,” she says.

“They are doing snow pit profiles just like a forecaster would do. They collect data using the tools, then they follow that up with charts and talking about the data. The kids are living the situation, and all of their data goes into a national database. It gives them purpose.”

Dennison says students do the science and draw their own conclusions.

“If they want to say climate change is happening, that’s great, but defend your answer,” he says. “Show me how you came to that. Over 80% of our fresh water comes from snowpack, so it’s pretty cool to watch kids make those connections.”

Joy says she values that the learning applies locally.

“They’re understanding why our snow is so important—the water we drink, the water we bathe in, the water that is our substance and that goes into our watershed,” she says. “They have an understanding of how everything is connected and why our snow is so important. We all think snow is beautiful, but what is snow? It’s not just snow anymore. The experience gives snow purpose. It gives it life.”

Multidisciplinary Learning Dennison says the community, staff and seven-member board of directors have worked to make SOLE a success since its inception 10 years ago. In that time, more than 7,600 rural youth have experienced a SOLE program. Approximately half of the participants qualify as low income.

Dennison estimates instructors have provided more than 60,000 hours of programming.

The SOLE team views the program as multidisciplinary, with instruction about stewardship. Being a good citizen is being a steward of the land, Dennison notes.

Every fifth grade class in the area gets a chance to experience the outdoors as a group, but programs are offered to the general public, too.

Students learn the importance of taking care of where they live.

Joy says learning is about more than just understanding things scientifically, but developing a relationship with snow NOVEMBER 2022

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Students take their day one lessons into the field where they snowshoe their way to measure snowfall and snow conditions.

and other students, regardless of previous experiences.

The SOLE team prides itself on providing the outdoor experience to anyone, despite challenges.

“One of my fondest memories is of a student named Nick,” Dennison says. “Nick had physical disabilities that often limited his ability to participate in field trips with his peers. Our field instructor partnered with the Lake Pend Orielle School District

Special Education Department to develop accommodations so he could participate in the experience.”

Nick traveled on a sled with his peers to the snow pit areas, fully participating in the outdoor science and fieldwork portions of the program.

“It was so impactful for him that the following fall, he went to his former teacher on day one and again thanked her for helping him be part of the program,”

Dennison says. “I think this captures the impact of our programs well. They are not designed as a one-and-done fun outdoor experience. They are intentionally and purposefully designed to leave a lasting impact.” n For more information about Selkirk Outdoor Leadership and Education, visit soleexperiences.org. Per-student costs range from $45 to $200, depending on program length and topic.

ABOUT THE SERIES: Pioneer Utility Resources, publisher of this magazine, is taking readers on a yearlong journey, The Learning Curve, highlighting success stories in rural education in challenging times. The series receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, a private nonprofit foundation serving nonprofits across the Pacific Northwest.

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NOVEMBER 2022

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IN THE KITCHEN

Festive y wa ada e r T ude rtr X e G LCO by WI s E e I T cip KA Re BY O OT PH

FALL FLAVORS

Pumpkin Baked Brie

1 puff pastry 1 tablespoon pumpkin or apple butter 4½-ounce wheel of brie 1 egg white, beaten 1 tablespoon water

Kitchen twine Cheese straw and sage leaves for stem/garnish Apple slices Assorted crackers and toasts

Heat oven to 375 F. Lay out puff pastry. Spread a spoonful of pumpkin butter in the middle. Place the wheel of brie on top of the butter.

Cut the pastry puff into a circle and get rid of the excess. Wrap the brie in the puff pastry and pinch to seal. Tie six pieces of baker’s twine evenly around the brie to create vertical lines. Knot the twine where the pastry is sealed.

Combine the egg white with a tablespoon of water to make an egg wash. Whisk the mixture thoroughly. Flip the brie pumpkin over, smooth side up. Brush it with the egg wash. Bake for 20 minutes.

Remove the baker’s twine. Add sage leaves on top with the cheese straw. Serve with apple slices, assorted crackers, toasts and pumpkin butter.

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Hot Mulled Cider

1 whole nutmeg 10 to 20 allspice berries 10 to 20 cloves 4 star anise 8 cinnamon sticks 1 gallon apple cider

Orange slices, for garnish Whole cranberries, for garnish Rum, brandy or bourbon, optional

Pour the cider in a slow cooker. Add spices. Cook on low for 3 hours.

If using, stir in alcohol. Garnish with orange slices and cranberries. Serve in mugs.

Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Pumpkin Hummus 3 cloves roasted garlic 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons water 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2⁄3 cup pumpkin puree 1 tablespoon honey ½ teaspoon finely minced fresh rosemary Salt, to taste

To roast garlic, heat oven to 400 F. Place garlic cloves in tin foil. Drizzle with olive oil. Seal packet of foil. Roast for about 30 minutes.

Puree all ingredients except rosemary in a blender or food processor until smooth. Add more oil or water as needed. Stir in the rosemary.

Serve with warm naan or pita bread.

Pear and Goat Cheese Appetizer 2 firm pears 4 ounces goat cheese Walnut pieces

Heat oven to 375 F. Slice pears and arrange on an oven-safe platter. Dot with goat cheese. Sprinkle walnut pieces over the top.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cheese is lightly browned in spots. Remove from the oven. Drizzle with honey and balsamic vinegar, as desired. Serve with crackers.

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Dip 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 15-ounce can pumpkin 2 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon

3 cups all-purpose flour 2½ teaspoons ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt

3 extra-large eggs 1¾ cups granulated sugar 2 cups grated zucchini 2 sticks salted butter, melted and slightly cooled 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup chopped walnuts

Heat oven to 325 F. Grease two 8½-by-4½-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Use a whisk to mix well.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar. Add the zucchini, butter and vanilla extract. Stir well to combine.

Add the dry ingredients to liquid ingredients. Mix until just combined. Add the walnuts. Divide the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Set the pans on a wire rack and let cool, then turn the loaves out onto the rack to cool completely.

1 teaspoon ginger ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice Gingersnaps Graham crackers

Blend cream cheese until creamy and fluffy. Add pumpkin and blend. Add powdered sugar and mix. Add cinnamon, ginger and pumpkin pie spice. Mix well, scraping sides of bowl as needed.

Refrigerate for at least one hour. Serve with gingersnaps and graham crackers.

Rustic Apple Tart Zucchini Bread

Honey Aged balsamic vinegar Rustic crackers

1 sheet puff pastry 2 Granny Smith apples ¼ cup granulated sugar 3 tablespoons butter, melted

½ teaspoon cinnamon Slivered almonds, powdered sugar and ice cream

Heat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

Cut puff pastry into two long strips, each approximately 3½ by 12 inches.

Cut apples in half through the core. Remove core. Leave peel on, if desired. Thinly slice apples.

Arrange apples on the pastry, overlapping each other slightly. Leave a bit of a border around the sides. For each tart, sprinkle half of the sugar and cinnamon. Gently brush with half of the melted butter.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until edges are golden brown.

Cool on a wire rack.

Serve warm or at room temperature. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and almonds. Serve with ice cream.

N O V E M B E R 2022

17

READER EXCHANGE Crafts/Hobbies I am looking for quilt fabric scrap pieces from 5-inch squares to fat quarter for a quilt project I do every year for the local care center where my daughter works. I make lap-size scrap quilts because some of the older people get cold sitting around, and I like to give back.

Thank you much.

Kim Cody 298 Basham Lane Troy, MT 59935

I’d love to have men’s or women’s jewelry you no longer want.

I am disabled and on a fixed income. I would love pieces to make something special and sparkly for myself and maybe for my husband, who also is disabled. I would appreciate anything you gift me. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.

Shelly Wagner 913 Stillwell Ave. Tillamook, OR 97141 swagner0067@gmail.com

We have several boxes of used postage stamps of all kinds and values that my father-in-law collected. We would gladly give them to anyone who would like them—perhaps for a homeschool or classroom project?

M. Meyer P.O. Box 1886 Redmond OR 97756 martiinbend@yahoo.com

I am looking for costume-type jewelry, gems, chains, buttons, etc. you no longer use so I can make craft items.

Tanya Dronoff P.O. Box 270693 Susanville, CA 96127

I am a retired teacher in need of Scrabble letter tiles and racks for projects. I do not need the gameboard or box. Missing letters are OK. Tiles and racks fit into a 7.5x10-inch bubble envelope. I will gladly repay postage.

Thank you for your kindness.

C, Marie Dunn 24569 Williams Road Monroe, OR 97456

Submitting Requests Is Free

Send your request to readerexchange@ruralite.org (no attachments, please) 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 first-come, first-served 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 (pricing applies.)

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

Phone numbers are not published. Email addresses are if part of the ad, but you must include a postal address.

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

18

N O V E M B E R 2022

Milestones

Odds

My husband, Jack, turns 83 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s before his birthday in late fall.

It would really cheer him up to receive birthday cards. Please send to 235 Wildwood Lane, Sequim, WA 98382. Thank you.

My grandpa, Lester, is a 99-year-old World War II vet. After returning home, he married the love of his life, Grace. They raised six children on their family farm. Both enjoyed sending cards to people who requested them. It would be neat if Lester received thankyou cards for Veterans Days.

Please send to Victor Lester Pennecard, c/o Grangeville Health and Rehab, 410 E. N. 2nd St., Grangeville, ID 83530.

Jean Janis Sequim, Washington

Please help our mother celebrate her 100th birthday in November. She would be thrilled to receive birthday cards from all of you. Please mail to Ellen Heckendorf, c/o Phil Heckendorf, 861 Calle Jon, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360.

Thank you so much.

Linda Heckendorf Blue River, Oregon

Our mother, Betty Nordling, will turn 100 years young at the end of November. Mom was born in Duluth, Minnesota, and moved to Oregon in 1966.

She would be surprised, and it would brighten her day, to receive cards. Please mail to Betty Nordling, 14314 SE Webster Road #D17, Portland, OR 97267. Thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness.

Linda Feist Prineville, Oregon

My parents, Joanne C. Becker and C. Dale Becker, are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this fall. They met while studying at the University of Washington. They have four children, 11 grandchildren and multiple great-grandchildren scattered in Washington and Texas. Please help them celebrate by sending notes to 702 S. 48th Ave., West Richland, WA 99353.

Sarah Becker Seattle, Washington

Kelcy Nesheim Anatone, Washington

Recipes I would like to find a recipe for brown sauce that is poured over suet pudding at holiday time.

Ruth Bostick P.O. Box 500 Irrigon, OR 97844 ruthbostick02@yahoo.com

Thanks To everyone who sent my wife puzzles, saying thank you is such a weak expression for all you have sent. We are overwhelmed by the love and generosity showered on us.

There are no words to express our joy. God bless all of you.

Your thoughtfulness will come to mind as we put the puzzles together. I wish we could write to each one of you.

Don and Ruth Maddy Wahkiacus, Washington

Thank you for the all the recipes. I’m sorry for not adding a ZIP to my address.

However, the mail arrived, and a cake will be in the oven soon.

Kay Z. Spokane, Washington

THERAPY, SAFETY AND INDEPENDENCE

How a Safe Step Walk-In Tub can change your life Remember when…

Personal Checklist:

Think about the things you loved to do that are difficult today — going for a walk or just sitting comfortably while reading a book. And remember the last time you got a great night’s sleep?

As we get older, health issues or even everyday aches, pains and stress can prevent us from enjoying life.

So what’s keeping you from having a better quality of life?

Check all the conditions that apply to you.

Arthritis

Dry Skin

Insomnia

Anxiety

Diabetes

Mobility Issues

Lower Back Pain

Poor Circulation

Then read on to learn how a Safe Step Walk-In Tub can help.

Feel better, sleep better, live better A Safe Step Walk-In Tub lets you indulge in a warm, relaxing bath that can help relieve life’s aches, pains and worries.

Safe Step includes more standard therapeutic and safety features than any other tub on the market, plus the best warranty in the industry: Heated Seat and Back

Hydro-Jet Water Therapy – 10 Built-In Variable-Speed Massaging Water Jets

Electronic Keypad MicroSoothe® Air Therapy System

16 Air Bubble Jets

New Rapid Fill Faucet

Complete Lifetime Warranty on the Tub

A Safe Step Tub can help increase mobility, boost energy and improve sleep.

It’s got everything you should look for in a walk-in tub: • Heated Seat – Providing soothing warmth from start to finish.

• MicroSoothe® Air Therapy System – helps oxygenate and soften skin while offering therapeutic benefits.

• Pain-relieving therapy – Hydro massage jets target sore muscles and joints.

• Safety features – Low step-in, grab bars and more can help you bathe safely and maintain your independence.

• Free Shower Package – shower while seated or standing.

Call now toll free

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for more information and for our Senior Discounts.

Financing available with approved credit.

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Personal Hygiene Therapy System and Bidet

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www.BuySafeStep.com

*Subject to credit approval, with the purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Tub or Shower. Not applicable with any previous walk-in tub or shower purchase. Interest is billed during the promotional period but all interest is waived if the purchase amount is paid before the expiration of the promotional period. There is no minimum monthly payment required during the promotional period. Safe Step Walk-In Tub is neither a broker nor a lender. Financing is provided through third-party lenders unaffiliated with Safe Step Walk-In Tub, LLC under terms and conditions arranged directly between the customer and such lender. All subject to credit requirements and satisfactory completion of finance documents. Any finance terms advertised are estimates only. Offer available in select markets, not available in Canada. Participating dealers only. Other restrictions may apply.

ADVENTURE AWAITS

See waves of weathered sandstone at

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument

PHOTO BY BOB WICK, BLM

What Is It? Near the ArizonaUtah border, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument encompasses more than 280,000 acres of vibrant geologic features, including tall cliffs and swirling rock formations.

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N O V E M B E R 2022

History

Camping

More Information

Over thousands of years, wind and rain eroded layers of sandstone to create Vermilion Cliffs’ stunning geologic features.

The most notable is The Wave—pictured here—within Coyote Buttes. Much of the monument is so remote that it is used to reintroduce California condors to the wild.

To stay at the monument overnight, consider camping or backpacking. The monument offers three- and fiveday backpacking permits. Two developed campsites— Stateline and White House—sit just outside the monument’s borders.

There are no paved roads within Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.

To see the sights from the road, consider driving along Vermilion Cliffs Scenic Highway. To start planning your trip, visit www.blm.gov/ visit/vermilioncliffs-nationalmonument or call 435-688-3200.

Hiking The wave is a difficult 6.4mile hike, which demands wayfinding skills. To make the challenging journey, advance permits are required through recreation.gov, with a daily lottery and an advanced lottery for those looking to plan months in advance.

This 4-carat stunner was created from the aftermath of Mount St. Helens eruption!

What our clients are saying about Stauer Helenite jewelry: “My wife received more compliments on this stone on the first day she wore it than any other piece of jewelry I’ve ever given her.”

– J. from Orlando, FL

Famous Volcano Has Strange Effect on Women Man and nature collaborate to create a glamorous green ring guaranteed to rock her world! Own it today for ONLY $99 plus FREE studs with ring purchase!

O

n May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted, sending a column of ash and smoke 80,000 feet into the atmosphere.

From that chaos, something beautiful emerged—our spectacular Spirit Lake Helenite Ring.

weight jewelry. “It’s just recently that luxury jewelers have fallen in love with helenite,” says James Fent, GIA Graduate Gemologist.

“Clear green color in a stone this size is rarely found in emeralds but helenite has come to the rescue.”

Created from the superheated volcanic rock dust of the historic Mount St. Helens eruption, helenite has become the green stone of choice for jewelry and fashion designers worldwide. Helenite’s vivid color and immaculate clarity rivals mined emeralds that can sell for as much as $3,000 per carat. Today you can wear this 4-carat stunner for only $99!

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Bring home the Spirit Lake Helenite Ring and see for yourself. If you are not completely blown away by the exceptional beauty of this rare American stone, simply return the ring within 30 days for a full refund of the item price. It’s that simple. But we’re betting that once you slide this gorgeous green beauty on your finger, it will take a force of nature to get you two apart!

EXCLUSIVE

FREE

Helenite Studs -a $129 valuewith purchase of Spirit Lake Ring

Our exclusive design highlights the visually stunning stone with a concave cut set in .925 sterling silver loaded with brilliant white Ultimate Diamond Alternative ®, DiamondAura®. The classic pairing of colors in a vintage-inspired setting makes for a statement ring that’s simply impossible to ignore!

Beauty from the beast. Also known as “America’s Emerald,” helenite is not an emerald at all, but a brighter and clearer green stone that gem cutters can facet into spectacular large carat

Spirit Lake Helenite Ring Total value with FREE studs $478* Now, Offer Code Price Only $99 + S&P Save $379!

1-800-333-2045

Your Offer Code: SLR730-02

You must use this offer code to get our special price.

Stauer

® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155,

Rating of A+

Dept. SLR730-02, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

* Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.

4 carat Helenite center stone • Ultimate Diamond Alternative®, DiamondAura® accents • .925 sterling silver setting • Whole ring sizes 5–10

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary®

THE GREAT PICTURE HUNT

NIKON D200, 300mm lens ISO 800, f/4 at 1/640

The Shelter of the Cross

All of us have done it. As we drive down the highway, something catches our eye—something or someone unusual or out of place.

Maybe it’s a 30-foot-tall cement rooster, a brightly colored Santa Claus standing in an open field, or an unexpected moment of tenderness, such as someone carrying a dog on their back. I’ve seen all of these.

If you are like me, your insatiable curiosity compels you to stop, turn around and go back for a closer inspection—and maybe a few pictures.

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..

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N O V E M B E R 2022

What is interesting or beautiful is in the eye of the beholder. If you’re an arborist, you might notice types or shapes of trees most of us pass by. I have friends obsessed with trains who can hardly pass one without taking a picture of it. My wife loves old houses and flaky paint.

For me, seeing and trying to capture fleeting, visual life lessons—ironies, contradictions and metaphors—interest me most.

I call these gentle, visual sermons.

Such is the case with this photograph I titled, “Under the Shelter of the Cross.”

For me, both the irony and the symbolism are unmistakable, reminding how even the birds and animals are provided for by their creator. n

Take the Reader Photo Challenge Put your picture-sensing radar on high alert for anything that seems out of place or out of the ordinary: common items parked in uncommon spots; uncommon caring or uncommon emotion; visual metaphors and lessons; or contrasts, such as the wealthy and the poor.

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

“In recent years, a group of international designers and artists has rediscovered the innate modernity of Italian blown glass, turning to Murano as inspiration…” — New York Times, 2020

g chin Matacelet Br

E E R F

The brightly-painted fisherman houses on Burano Island in Venice are the inspiration behind The Murano Rainbow Necklace

Genuine Murano Necklace

only

39!

$

PLUS FREE Bracelet! a $99 value!

Raffinato

™

—Italy

Send Her Over The Rainbow 700-year old legendary art form for the price of your dreams.

N

ow I know how that little farm girl from Kansas felt when she went over the rainbow and awoke in a land of spectacular color.

Look what I found in the land of ahhs!

Approaching Burano Island off of northern Venice was like being swept away in a dream. Known for its brightly-painted fisherman houses that line the canals, I was greeted with every color of the rainbow. Since before the Venetian Republic, Burano was home to fishermen and legend says that the houses were painted in bright hues so they could see their way home when fog blanketed the lagoon.

Inspiration struck. I wanted to capture this historical beauty in the centuries old art form of Murano. Still regarded as being the finest form craftsmanship in the world, Murano has evolved into modern day fashion statements.

So I hopped on a vaporetto for a forty minute ride to Venice and sought out the impeccable talents of one of Venice’s finest Murano artisans. They’ve captured the vibrant colors of the iconic fisherman houses in the perfect hand-formed beads of The Rainbow Murano Necklace. To own a piece of authentic Murano is to own a piece of fine art steeped in history. Each and every piece is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

I want to make it easy for you to send her over the rainbow. That’s why for a limited time you can treat her to the The Murano Rainbow

Necklace for only $39. And, to help you double down on romance, I’ll throw in the matching bracelet absolutely FREE! As one of the largest importers of handcrafted Italian jewelry, we have a way of making dreams that you dare to dream come true.

Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Enjoy the Murano Rainbow Necklace for 30 days. If it doesn’t pass with flying colors, send it back for a full refund of the item price. You can even keep the bracelet for your trouble.

Limited Reserves. You could easily pay $300 or more for a Murano glass bead necklace, but at $39 PLUS a FREE bracelet, these authentic handcrafted pieces won’t last. For a remarkable deal, there’s no place like Raffinato.

Jewelry Specifications: • Made in Italy of genuine Murano • Necklace: 23”L; Bracelet: 7”L; Lobster clasps Murano Rainbow Necklace $199 $39* + S&P Receive the FREE matching bracelet with your purchase of the Necklace — a $99 value! *Special price only for customers using the offer code.

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Raffinato™ |

I M P E C C A B L E I TA L I A N D E S I G N A N D C R A F T S M A N S H I P

Smithsonian®

Minted in 24k Pure Gold!

Actual size is 6.9375 x 3 in.

Bring Home $111,100 and Save Up to $110,921!

Incredibly Rare Notes, Resurrected in 24K Gold!

Have you ever dreamed of holding a $100,000 bill in your hand? How about a group of bills that includes $100,000, $10,000, $1,000 and $100 bills? Now you can, with these gold currency reproductions from the Officially Licensed Smithsonian® Series-1934 100 mg 24-Karat Gold Certificates, which includes all four of the above Notes!

99.9% Pure Gold History In Your Hands

The actual Series-1934 Gold Certificates were legal tender, but were not intended for circulation—in fact private ownership was banned. Rather, these Notes were intended for transferring funds between Federal Reserve banks. The Certificates legally represented their worth in gold, and didn’t require a forklift to move!

By 1960, the Notes had served their purpose, and most were destroyed. Only a small number still exist, including those held by the Smithsonian.

100 Milligrams 99.9% Pure Gold

These replica Series 1934 Currency Notes were reproduced from originals housed at the Smithsonian— and include the official Smithsonian sunburst. Best of all, using state-of-the-art

technology, 100 milligrams of 24K gold are transformed into currency-sized works of art! Each will arrive graded in Gem Uncirculated (Gem UC) condition by Paper Money Guaranty (PMG).

Limited Mintage — Secure Yours NOW!

For this first-ever release, only 5,000 of these Series 1934 Gold Certificate Currency Notes were produced. These are the very first of their kind, created with 100 mg of 99.9% pure gold.

Get the complete Set or get them individually. They’re going fast, and our limited supply will not last, so secure yours now!

1934 Smithsonian 24k Gold Certificates $100 $49.95 SAVE $10, Only $39.95 each! + s/h $1,000 $49.95 SAVE $10, Only $39.95 each! + s/h $10,000 $49.95 SAVE $10, Only $39.95 each! + s/h $100,000 $49.95 SAVE $10, Only $39.95 each! + s/h Acquire the entire collection and SAVE even MORE… 4-Pc. Set $199.80 SAVE $50+, Only $149 each! & FREE SHIPPING For a limited time only, you can get FREE standard domestic shipping with your product total over $149 before taxes (if any). Not valid on previous purchases.

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Each currency strike comes sealed in a protective plastic holder to preserve its perfect 70 condition

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Offer Code SHN412-02 Please mention this code when you call.

SPECIAL CALL-IN ONLY OFFER For more pictures and to see the actual $100,000 note in the Smithsonian collection, visit GovMint.com/SHN or place your phone here >>>

GovMint.com® is a retail distributor of collectible coin, currency and numismatics issues and is not affiliated with the U.S. government. The collectible coin, currency and numismatics markets are unregulated, highly speculative and involve risk. GovMint.com reserves the right to decline to consummate any sale, within its discretion, including due to pricing errors. Prices, facts, figures and populations deemed accurate as of the date of publication but may change significantly over time. All purchases are expressly conditioned upon your acceptance of GovMint.com’s Terms and Conditions (www.govmint.com/terms-conditions or call 1-800-721-0320); to decline, return your purchase pursuant to GovMint.com’s Return Policy. © 2022 GovMint.com. All rights reserved.

MOHAVE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Bullhead FIre Chief Patrick Moore (L) joins Assistant Chief Scott Neal, MEC Board Member Deborah Johnson and Energy Management Specialist Julia Garringer for the presentation of a $50,000 grant for Fire Station No. 5’s solar installation. PHOTO BY JOHN C. PYNAKKER/MEC

MEC Presents $50k Grant to Fire Department for Solar

Mohave Electric Cooperative presented a ceremonial check for $50,000 to the Bullhead City Fire Department on 8/3/2022 to represent the completion of the MEC Solar Initiative for the Community project at Bullhead City Fire Station 5.

The money comes from the Arizona Corporation Commission mandated Renewable Energy Standard Tariff (REST) that is a part of every member’s monthly bill and is part of an ongoing effort by MEC to aid public entities who directly impact MEC members.

“The Bullhead City Fire District (BCFD) would like to thank MEC for their tremendous donation,” said BCFD Chief Patrick Moore. “The grant enabled the BCFD to install solar panels that will reduce our operating costs and allow the BCFD to divert those funds to the overall mission of fire and EMS services. The continued partnership between BCFD and MEC is beneficial to our citizens and community.”

“We’re always excited to complete a solar initiative for the community project that can positively impact our members,” said

MEC Energy Management Specialist Julia Garringer. “We look forward to working with fire departments within our service territory on future projects.”

By adding solar to publicly funded buildings, MEC is helping our members indirectly by saving them tax dollars which would have been spent on energy costs.

“The Bullhead City Fire Department is grateful and appreciative of the monetary support from MEC for station 5,” said BCFD Assistant Chief of Logistics Scott Neal. “With increasingly tight budgets, especially in the area of energy consumption, the $50,000 solar grant comes at a perfect time for our organization.”

Neal said that the BCFD expects to save between $400-$450 monthly in electricity costs. The next REST project will be a $50,000 grant for the Boys and Girls Club to install solar on their new building in Fort Mohave that is expected to open in 2023.

MEC has provided $1.5 million in solar to more than 35 community-based projects across our service territory. n NOVEMBER 2022

25

MARKETPLACE Agriculture

Reinforced custom-sized pond liners (35 cents/sqft). Hay covers, greenhouse covers, any width & length. Truck tarps & more.

High puncture & tear strength. Best price guaranteed. Celebrating 41 years in business. www.btlliners.com; 541-447-0712. 0423 4x5 round bales, Meadow Foxtail Orchard Grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square. 208-435-4637 or 208-435-4002. nas@cpcinternet.com.

Antiques and Collectibles Large sea chest and other related nautical items for sale. 928-322-8924. 1122 Rural collector buying old antique 1860s-1915 clothes, hats, shoes, parasols, undergarments, old diaries and photo albums. Any condition.

Thank you. Dl_pappas@yahoo.com or call 971-404-8332. 1122 Vintage movie posters, mostly old Westerns from the ’30s-’60s Good condition. Starting at $45. Email or call me to request a list: electricsignlady@yahoo.com or 702-234-3866.

Books, Magazines, Videos 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. 1122AR Business Opportunities Coin shop business for sale. 40+ years, Reedsport, OR. Fantastic turnkey opportunity.

Coin, jewelry, collectibles. Showcases, supplies, furniture, equipment, alarm/camera system.

Large, established customer base. Only coin shop on the southern Oregon Coast. $95,000 541-271-4623.

Dog grooming business for sale. Located in beautiful Brookings, OR. Excellent clientele; be as busy as you want. Room to grow.

541-469-2348. 1222 Feeling the pinch of higher gas and groceries?

Our wholesale online company can save you money and gas. 208-400-0013 (text) or www.familyandanimalwellness.com. 1122AR Community Events Annual Handmade Holidays Makers Market at Art Center East in La Grande, OR. November 18 & 19, 2022. Local and regional artists and artisans. Artcentereast.org. 1122

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N O V E M B E R 2022

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. Contact 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop for pricing information.

Ads are for customers of member co-ops, PUDs 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): January issue—November 30, 2022.

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.

Equipment/Tools 1996 Skylead C-40 16000 Yarder. Very good working condition. Completely equipped, ready to log. Workhorse. Yarder & carrier fuel efficient, diesel-powered. Reedsport, OR. $150,000. 541-271-5848. 1122 Free Items Church, government uniting, suppressing “religious liberty,” enforcing National Sunday Law. Be informed. Need mailing address only.

TBS, P.O. Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. 888-2111715; thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com. 0223AR

Granite cemetery markers at affordable prices.

Will ship to most places. Please call Joe at 541-815-8906 for more information. www.highdesertmemorials.com & hdmemorials@bendbroadband.com. 1222 Pets, Supplies Stud service for mini Australian shepherd.

Photos available. Crescent Lake, OR. Liz Sanders, 360-901-1291. 1222 AKC registered Airedales. Fort Sage Kennels, Patricia Sharp, P.O. Box 246, Doyle, CA 96109; 530-827-2271. 0323

Hobbies, Gifts, Games

Real Estate

High-quality Santa letter packages handcrafted in North Pole, AK for babies, kids, teens, adults and pets, since 2002. Include a custom ornament, earrings or gift. Coupon code GV11 saves 10%. www.SantasLettersAndGifts.com; 907-488-8118. 1122

For sale: 1.3 +/- acres in Missoula, Montana’s premier business center. Commercial/ light industrial development opportunity.

Located in Missoula Opportunity Zone and the Missoula Reserve/Scott Street Urban Renewal District. $792,792. MLS: 22208775.

Contact Kathi Olson, BHHS Montana Properties. 406-544-7359. 1122AR

Home and Hearth Shoe equipment for sale; finishers, curve needle, sewing machine, etc. Call 541-786-2098 or 541-786-2031, email rxboxer@hotmail.com.

Miscellaneous Local commercial fisherman sells summer catch gourmet canned tuna on internet September-June. 100% guaranteed the best canned tuna you ever tasted. 206-799-1082; twofisherstuna.com. 1222

One-in-a million opportunity to own a successful wilderness lodge on 5 gorgeous acres on Resurrection Bay, AK. 180-degree views, lodge and four cabins, as seen on “Building Alaska.” Seward Properties.

907-312-7660. MLS #22-10024. 1122

as $3,000 per carat.

Today you can wear this 4-carat stunner for only $99!

Our exclusive design highlights the visually stunning stone with a concave cut set in .925 sterling silver loaded with brilliant white, lab-created DiamondAura®.

Recreational Rentals Wavecatcher: Oceanfront. Central Oregon coast. $140/night mid-Oct to mid-May; $175/ night mid- May to mid-Oct (plus cleaning/tax).

Three rooms w/double beds/futons. Pets welcome. wavecatcherbeachrentals.com; reservations: 541-740-9953. Closed this November-February. 122AR

11.27 acres with 3484sqft house on Umpqua River just west of Elkton on Hwy. 38. See video by scanning the QR code at right.

1122

Bend country cabin. Very clean & fully furnished cabin on private ranch. Close to recreation areas. Very nice. $95/night. 541-382-3050; bendcountrycabins@gmail.com. 1222 Resorts, Camps, Tours,Lodges Stay at Black Butte Ranch! Have certificate worth $1,861 in lodging that I am willing to sell for $1,300. Must make reservations through BBR and stay prior to 3/31/23. Email themackfam@comcast.net for more info.

Want to Buy 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. 1122 Wanted: 1967-1972 Buick Skylark, GS, Stage 1, GSX. Cars, parts or leads. Or any ’60s or ’70s vehicles. Email billybibbett@hotmail.com.

Buy, sell, repair rock saws and everything lapidary. Buying old rock and gem books & catalogs. CigarBoxRock.com. 541-280-5574; cbr@bendnet.com. Bend, OR. 1122

Coos River 8.75-acres horse property w/ house and well. Daniel Creek runs through property. Call me for showing: James Wardrope Realty, PBLN P.O. Box 671, Elkton OR 97436, OregonRiverRealty.com, OregonRiverRealtor@ gmail.com, 541-480-0212. Do you have a place for sale near water? Don’t leave $$money$$ on the table. 1122

Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm & recreation property in Oregon. Fourthgeneration Oregonian, ranch owner. For sale: central Oregon 2-acre parcel, $649K. John Gill, 541-480-9161; johngill@landandwildlife.com.

Land And Wildlife brokerage. 1122Recreational

Holiday Recipes Perfect for gift-giving or as an addition to your own kitchen, just in Holiday Favorites time for the holiday season.

Delicious holiday recipes—everything from tried-andtrue family favorites passed down through generations to tempting new recipes to add flavor to the holidays. More than 300 wonderful recipes. The price is $10, which includes postage To order by mail, submit with proper payment, 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 503-3572105.

To order online, visit www.ruralite. com. Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.

Wanted: muscle cars ’66 to ’70 Camaros, Chevelles, etc. Running or not, project cars.

Please contact Brian, 203-496-6297. Will handle all shipping. brtservicesllc@gmail.com. 1122 Wanted C1 Corvette. ’58-’62. Finished car, no projects. Prefer manual transmission. Will pay for quality. Randy, 503-544-3807, call or text.

1222

Your ad could be here in January. See instructions on page 26 for details.

SHEEPSKIN SLIPPERS

MADE IN MONTANA from the finest American wool pelts, our slippers have been a Rocky Mountain Gift tradition for

nearly fifty years. Now with an improved foot-hugging design and a durable outsole. Color: Acorn with brown tipped wool.

Full sizes only: Womens 5 thru 10: Mens 7 thru 13 (if you wear a half size we suggest the next size down) $89.50/pair. Also

available with sheepskin soles (indoor use only) $79.50/pair.

Shipping rates apply (call to inquire if ordering by mail).

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO BROWSE OUR ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS!

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NOVEMBER 2022

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arm 651

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

Collections wanted. Fair prices paid. 43 yrs in retail store. Baker City, OR. 800-556-2133; garrymclin@aol.com. Will travel. 1023

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 or 971-666-0659. 1122

100% Protec

Recipes Submitted by Readers for the November 2002 Contest

Buying old California Indian baskets, Navajo blankets and rugs & old jewelry, old beadwork, etc. Also, signed paintings of the American West & abstract artists. One piece or collections. ’60s muscle car or ?, send photos. 760-409-3117, amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com. 0123

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. 1222

Old Mill Farm Store, Cottage Grove, OR. In continuous operation; large clientele. Complete with inventory. Owners will train. Extra city lots on property included. James Wardrope Realty.

Bring home the Spir Ring and see for yo not completely blow ceptional beauty of t stone, simply return days for a full refund price. It’s that simple that once you slide th beauty on your finger of nature to get you tw

27

ARIZONA G&T COOPERATIVES

On October 12, members and directors of Arizona electric cooperatives filled the room at the Arizona Corporation Commission open meeting in Phoenix. They spoke in support of a financing application for additional gas-fired generation units at Apache Generating Station during the public comment period. Arizona Generation and Transmission Cooperatives thanks everyone who showed their support. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARIZONA G&T COOPERATIVES

Transforming Arizona’s Power Portfolio Cooperatives’ most valuable resource, their people, help in the quest to diversify generation

By J.D. Wallace As energy markets evolve and the demand for renewable power grows, Arizona Generation and Transmission Cooperatives (AEPCO) is taking innovative but responsible steps to address

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the changing landscape.

AEPCO, a power supplier for its member electric distribution cooperatives, is embarking on an action plan to develop new power resources to diversify its portfolio, improve reliability and flexibility, and to reduce its long-term carbon footprint. As a communitybased, democratically controlled, not-for-profit provider of power, transmission, and energy services throughout rural Arizona, AEPCO’s transition plan is founded on its core mission: to provide reliable power and value-added services to member electric cooperatives and public power utilities—and the communities they

serve—at the lowest possible cost.

“We exist to support our members and communities with the reliable, affordable power they need to thrive, and this plan will help us ensure we’re meeting their needs while also helping to enable a responsible clean energy transition in Arizona,” says Patrick Ledger, AEPCO’s executive vice president and CEO. The first phase of AEPCO’s action plan focuses on an initiative at its existing power plant, Apache Generating Station, which opened in 1961 in Cochise, Arizona, about 90 minutes southeast of Tucson. AEPCO will develop flexible, efficient, quick-start natural gas units to help modernize its fleet for increasing renewable integration and to meet the requirements of evolving energy markets.

“Quick-start natural gas units are able to turn on and ramp up to full power in just five minutes, which means they can supplement solar power as clouds pass over,” says Christopher Jimenez, AEPCO’s director of energy services and resource planning.

AEPCO will also expand its renewable resource portfolio with a large photovoltaic solar installation with battery storage. These new resources will be sited at Apache Station as well, and AEPCO’s workforce will operate and maintain the new gas units and new solar and battery.

In addition to ensuring power will be available when co-op members need it, the new gas units will help reduce emissions over the long term, says Nathen Hatch, AEPCO’s director of generation engineering.

“The new gas units will have significantly lower emission rates than older gas units, and they can ramp up and down quickly and also support more renewables on our system,” Hatch says.

“The new units will have selective catalytic reduction, or SCR, technology installed to limit the emissions while generating power during both regular operation and when we need to quickly ramp up or ramp down.”

The new gas units will also be capable of using clean hydrogen, a technology that isn’t ready yet for utility scale operation but shows enough promise that AEPCO is preparing for it in the future.

AEPCO plans to bring the gas units online in 2024 and the large solar and battery system on in 2025. Recent independent studies by the Western Electricity Coordinating Council and reputable energy consulting firms have shown beginning in the summer of 2024, the Southwest region runs the risk of power shortages, in part because coal plants are retiring off the power grid and are not being replaced with other resources fast enough to keep pace with

A Reliable Energy Future

Arizona Electric Power Cooperative is embarking on an action plan to develop additional resources to power rural Arizona.

X 45 MW solar and 100 MW/340 MWh of battery storage projects in development.

X New utility-scale renewable energy project expected from all-source request for proposal to be online before 2026.

X Member plans for additional utility-scale solar/battery additions by 2026.

X Member plans to implement demand response thermostat program.

X 80 MW of flexible, efficient natural gas generation in development by 2025.

X Additional flexible natural gas generation under consideration for 2026 for reliability and to increase to increase ability to integrate planned solar additions. increasing demand.

Because of increasing demand from neighboring states like California as well as population growth and new business development within Arizona, competition for additional power on the market has risen and has caused market prices to do the same. Adding both renewable resources, which provide fixed-price power, and super-efficient gas generation will reduce costs over the long term, thanks to improved efficiency and the ability to avoid high-cost market power purchases.

Outreach by AEPCO and electric distribution cooperatives in Arizona has shown that consumers who live in co-op service areas across the state understand the need to diversify AEPCO’s generation fleet.

Electric co-op consumers and community members have supported the effort by signing support cards and sending messages to the Arizona Corporation Commission through a special project website, ReliableEnergyArizona.com. The site educates visitors about the cooperatives’ long-term energy plan and provided them a platform to communicate their position on the plan to commissioners, who regulate utilities in the state.

“We’re grateful to all of the rural Arizonans who have taken the time to understand our energy plan and support our efforts,” Ledger says. “We’ll continue to engage our co-ops, which own and democratically direct AEPCO, and the consumer-members they serve as we work toward a reliable, clean, affordable energy future.” n

NOVEMBER 2022

29

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation

BEFORE YOU GO

Required by 39 USC 3685 Filed with the USPS on 09-23-22

Currents (publication number 030-520) is published bimonthly at 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Six issues are published annually with a subscription price of $2.46 paid by utility members in their electric bills.

The name and complete mailing address of the publisher is: Pioneer Utility Resources, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124.

The name and complete mailing address of the editor is Mike Teegarden, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Ste. 100 Hillsboro, OR 97124.

The owner is Pioneer Utility Resources (PUR). There are no known bondholders or other security holders.

PUR is a nonprofit organization mailing under DMM Section 423.12. Its purpose, function and nonprofit status for federal income tax purposes has not changed in the preceding 12 months.

The average number of copies of each issue during the preceding 12 months are: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months a. Total No. Copies (net press run) ...................................................... 48,576 b. Paid Circulation (1)Outside County ....................................................................... 48042 Cyllene, who crafts birdhouses with (2) In-County ..................................................................................... -0(3)Sales Through Dealers ................................................................... 454 leftover wine corks, had little luck with (4) Other Classes ................................................................................-0c. Total Paid Circulation local wineries, bars and restaurants.

Statement of Ownership, (Sum of 15b(1) through 15b(4)) .................................................. 48,496 So, Cyllene popped the question to d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Management and Circulation (1) Outside County .............................................................................-0Ruralite readers. Could they help? The (2) In-County ...................................................................................... -0Required by 39 USC 3685 answer came swiftly.

(3) Other Classes .................................................................................-0Filed with the USPS on 09-23-22 (4) Outside the Mail ........................................................................... -0By early September, she had received Currents (publication number 030-520) is published bimonthly at 5625 NE e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution 26,000 corks—enough to make almost Elam Young 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. SixKing, issues areofpublished (Summade of 15d(1)with throughrecycled 15d(4)) .......................................................

A fewParkway, of theSte.birdhouses Cyllene Bend, Oregon, wine corks. PHOTO -0with a subscription price of $2.46 paid by utility members in their f.Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e) .........................................48496 200 birdhouses. Corks poured in from the annually COURTESY OF CYLLENE KING electric bills. g.Copies Not Distributed .......................................................................80 North Pole to Nevada and everywhere in The name and complete mailing address of the publisher is: Pioneer h. Total (Sum of 15f and 15g) ........................................................... 48,576 Utility Resources, 5625the NE Elam Parkway, Ste. 100, (15c divided by 15f times .....................................

She Paid loved the notes that100)came with the 100% Before TVYoung story aired, sheHillsboro, had OR 97124. i. Percent between.

The name and complete mailing address of the editor is Mike Teegarden, No. Copiesdeliveries of Single Issue Published Nearestincluding to Filing Date special from readers, already written a thank-you to readers, Cyllene found herself tripping over 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Ste. 100 Hillsboro, OR 97124. a.Total No. Copies (net press run) ........................................................ 47,624 owner is Pioneer Resources (PUR). areso no known ab.widow who still saves corks because saying, “YourUtility response has There been bins of wine corks, thanks to the generous The Paid Circulation bondholders or other security holders.

(1) Outside County .......................................................................47,109 incredible that our local news station her late husband made trivets from them. spirit of so many. She even found herself PUR is a nonprofit organization mailing under DMM Section 423.12. Its (2) In-County ..................................................................................... -0purpose, status for federalstory income on tax purposes has Cyllene sent her a birdhouse. is function doingand a nonprofit human-interest featured on her local news station. The (3)Sales Through Dealers ...................................................................

435 not changed in the preceding 12 months.

(4) Otherof Classes ................................................................................-0And, course, she plans to pay it community and together.

Ruralite reader response was too good a The average number of copieshow of eachwe issueband during the preceding … c. Total Paid Circulation 12 months are: you all so much! I hate to turn away Thank forward by responding to requests in the 47,544 story to pass up.

(Sum of 15b(1) through 15b(4)) ...................................................

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution but if I don’t, I will need a bigger Reader Exchange from other readers. And “The readers of Ruralite are a very speciala. Totalcorks, No. Copies (net press run) ...................................................... 48,576 (1) Outside County .............................................................................-0Circulation ” so it(2)goes. group of people,” says a grateful Cyllene. b. Paidhouse. n In-County ...................................................................................... -0(1)Outside County ....................................................................... 48042 (3) Other Classes .................................................................................-0(2) In-County ..................................................................................... -0(4) Outside the Mail ........................................................................... -0(3)Sales Through Dealers ................................................................... 454 e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (4) Other Classes ................................................................................-0(Sum of 15d(1) through 15d(4)) ........................................................ -0c. Total Paid Circulation f.Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e) .......................................... 47,544 (Sum of 15b(1) through 15b(4)) .................................................. 48,496 g.Copies Not Distributed ........................................................................80 Statement of Ownership, d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution h. Total (Sum of 15f and 15g) ............................................................ 47,624 (1) Outside County .............................................................................-0- i. Percent Paid (15c divided by 15f times 100) ...................................... 100% Management and Circulation (2) In-County ...................................................................................... -0Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months Required by 39 USC 3685 (3) Other Classes .................................................................................-0- (Electronic) (4) Outside the Mail ........................................................................... -0a.Paid Electronic Copies ........................................................................ 2,188 Filed with the USPS on 09-23-22 e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution b. Total Paid Print Copies and Paid Electronic Copies Currents (publication number 030-520) is published bimonthly at 5625 NE (Sum of 15d(1) through 15d(4)) ....................................................... -0(Sum of 15c and 16a) ................................................................... 50,684 Elam Young Parkway, Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Six issues are published c. Total Print Distribution and Paid Electronic Copies f.Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e) .........................................48496 annually with a subscription price of $2.46 paid by utility members in their (Sum of 15f and 16a) ................................................................... 50,684 g.Copies Not Distributed .......................................................................80 electric bills. h. Total (Sum of 15f and 15g) ........................................................... 48,576 d. Percent Paid (Print and Electronic) (16b divided by 16c times 100)...100% The name and complete mailing address of the publisher is: Pioneer i. Percent Paid (15c divided by 15f times 100) ..................................... 100% No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date Utility Resources, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124.

(Electronic) The name and complete mailing address of the editor is Mike Teegarden, No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Ste. 100 Hillsboro, OR 97124. a.Total No. Copies (net press run) ........................................................ 47,624 a.Paid Electronic Copies ....................................................................... 1,965 b. Total Paid Print Copies and Paid Electronic Copies The owner is Pioneer Utility Resources (PUR). There are no known b. Paid Circulation (Sum of 15c and 16a) ................................................................... 49,509 bondholders or other security holders.

(1)Outside County .......................................................................47,109 PUR is a nonprofit organization mailing under DMM Section 423.12. Its (2) In-County ..................................................................................... -0- c. Total Print Distribution and Paid Electronic Copies (Sum of 15f and 16a) ................................................................... 49,509 purpose, function and nonprofit status for federal income tax purposes has (3)Sales Through Dealers ................................................................... 435 d. Percent Paid (Print and Electronic) (16b divided by 16c times 100)...100% not changed in the preceding 12 months.

(4) Other Classes ................................................................................-0The average number of copies of each issue during the preceding I certify the statements made by me are correct and complete. c. Total Paid Circulation 12 months are: (Sum of 15b(1) through 15b(4)) ................................................... 47,544 Mike Teegarden, Editor Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution a. Total No. Copies (net press run) ...................................................... 48,576 (1) Outside County .............................................................................-0b. Paid Circulation (2) In-County ...................................................................................... -0(1)Outside County ....................................................................... 48042 (3) Other Classes .................................................................................-0(2) In-County ..................................................................................... -0(4) Outside the Mail ........................................................................... -0(3)Sales Through Dealers ................................................................... 454 e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (4) Other Classes ................................................................................-0(Sum of 15d(1) through 15d(4)) ........................................................ -0c. Total Paid Circulation f.Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e) .......................................... 47,544 (Sum of 15b(1) through 15b(4)) .................................................. 48,496 g.Copies Not Distributed ........................................................................80 d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution h. Total (Sum of 15f and 15g) ............................................................ 47,624 (1) Outside County .............................................................................-0- i. Percent Paid (15c divided by 15f times 100) ...................................... 100%

A Toast to Readers Oops, you did it again. Cyllene King, of Bend, Oregon, turned to Reader Exchange in July with a simple request for corks, which can be hard to snag in the age of screwtop bottles and rubber stoppers.

Annual Required Postal Statement

30 ......................................................................................

N O V E M B E R 2022 (2) In-County -0(3) Other Classes .................................................................................-0(4) Outside the Mail ........................................................................... -0e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (Sum of 15d(1) through 15d(4)) ....................................................... -0f.Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e) .........................................48496

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months (Electronic) a.Paid Electronic Copies ........................................................................ 2,188 b. Total Paid Print Copies and Paid Electronic Copies (Sum of 15c and 16a) ................................................................... 50,684

AZ-146 Postmaster: Send address changes to Currents, 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124 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 Kevin Nestrick Jose “Joe” Solar

CEO

Tyler Carlson

What’s Happening

h November 5—Veterans Parade h November 11—Office Closed for Veterans Day h November 12—Operation Cool Shade Bullhead City Pickup h November 19—Operation Cool Shade Kingman Pickup h November 24-25—Office Closed for Thanksgiving

A Message from the CEO A lot has happened since our last Currents magazine, most notably was a violent storm that came through on Labor Day weekend and caused a massive outage. Please see the in-depth story in this edition on pages 4 & 5. Other news includes updates from our District and Annual meetings.

During September, I was privileged to meet with you at our district meetings as well as the Annual Meeting. On Thursday, September 15 at the Anderson Auto Group Fieldhouse hundreds of Cooperative members attended the annual meeting as well as many special guests.

Attendees received a nice gift bag and some lucky winners won some great door prizes and power credits. If you haven’t made it out to the Annual Meeting, I encourage you to come out next year and hear what we have going on.

The annual event, as mandated by the cooperative’s bylaws, was used to discuss several items from the past year as well as looking forward to the future.

Members entered the Fieldhouse, registered, received their free meals, and were given a complimentary gift of a large, insulated tote filled with picnic-themed gifts like a picnic blanket, frisbee and collapsible travel cups.

The members then made their way past informational tables for TWN Communications, Asplundh, Arizona Generation & Transmission Cooperatives (AzG&T) and Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association (GCSECA).

MEC had tables there as well, staffed with MEC employees who provided information on the SmartHub® app, Capital Credits, and the Outage Management System.

Board President Joe Anderson introduced the nine, member-elected Directors that comprise Mohave Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors, along with Phil Cook, the CEO/GM of Graham

County Electric Cooperative; Jason Bowling, CEO of Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative; Russell Smolden, CEO of B3 Strategies; Patrick Ledger, CEO of AzG&T; and Grand Canyon State Tyler Carlson Electric Cooperative Association (GCSECA) CEO Dave Lock.

Those in attendance learned that the results of a recent public opinion survey showed that over 90% of MEC members approve of the service that MEC provides, with 50% citing reliability as their top reason why. Good service and costs were the second and third most popular reasons.

Reliability is critical for consistent and affordable service, which is why we are working so hard to secure other avenues of local energy generation and storage.

Members in attendance voted to approve a proposed Bylaw amendment changing the way notifications can be disseminated to board members for special meetings. Notifications can now be provided by email and telephone and the time required for providing notices has been shortened.

We also held our board member elections at our district meetings, and members in attendance recommended that Rich Tempelman (District 1), Deborah Johnson (District 2), and Toni Barbaro (District 3) continue representing them for a three-year term. I’d like to congratulate these three board members who, along with the rest of the board members, work tirelessly to help the cooperative. We are happy to have them continue in their roles.

h December 2—Boom Box Parade h December 26—Office Closed for Christmas

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N O V E M B E R 2022

MEC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER & EMPLOYER