Currents, Mohave Electric Cooperative, September 2020
A crew installs a new pole that will bring power to the Moss Mine.
PHOTO BY TERRY PURYEAR
September 2020 • Volume 55, No. 5
ANZA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Sherri Stafford
ARIZONA’S GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION COOPERATIVES
Geoff Oldfather
DUNCAN VALLEY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Steven Lunt
ELECTRICAL DISTRICT NO. 2
Roselyn Bever
GRAHAM COUNTY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Diane Junion
MOHAVE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Peggy Gillman
CURRENTS EDITOR
Mike Teegarden, CCC
Currents (USPS 030-520) is published bimonthly for members for $2.03 a year, plus postage, by Pioneer Utility Resources, 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy Ste 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124—a notfor-profit Oregon cooperative corporation—to serve the communication needs of 53 consumerowned electric utilities in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, California, Arizona and Hawaii.
Postmaster: Send address changes to Currents, 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Ste 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124.
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Offering More Than a Meal
“Come in … I’ll give ya shelter from the storm.”
The lyrics penned by Bob Dylan decades ago capture how The Dining Room is more than simply a place to feed the hungry. The former soup kitchen turned sit-down-style restaurant serves up heaping portions of dignity, creating a haven—if only temporary—from the troubles of life. It is a place where those who walk through its doors can stand tall, hold each other up and share community.
This month’s Heroes Among Us feature—Shelter From the Storm—tells the story of The Dining Room through the eyes of noted author Lauren Kessler, who lives in Ruralite country and is a regular reader. The storytelling may change your view on what it means to be a hero.
Nomination Deadline Nears
Who is your volunteer hero? We have been asking that question all year.
The response has been inspiring, with nominations ranging from folks who work tirelessly to serve others—“making you feel like you are the only person in the room”—to a longtime school volunteer who scheduled surgery over spring break to avoid missing school time.
That brings us to October 5, which is the deadline to make a nomination. Here is a reminder of the details.
As part of our Heroes Among Us series—see our latest installment on page 12—we’ve asked Ruralite and Currents readers to identify both a youth and adult hero in their midst, someone who makes community better for those around them.
We will profile the adult and student winner. The adult gets a $500 gift card and $500 for the charity of their choice. The student winner receives a $1,000 scholarship from Pioneer Utility Resources.
Send nominations to editor@pur.coop. Please include your name and number for possible follow-up.
Shelter From the Storm
Rather than sending people through a food line, the hungry are provided personal service Spotlight, Page 12
Leon Espinoza Editor
Helping Industry Thrive
MEC and Golden Vertex break ground on a new power line to provide electric service to Moss Mine
Golden Vertex began building a new 6.9-mile, three-phase, 24.9-kilovolt power line as part of the Moss Mine Federal Lands Expansion project. The line will tie into an existing power line at the intersection
of Silver Creek Road and Bullhead Parkway.
The new power line will allow Golden Vertex to convert the Moss Mine from on-site diesel-generated power to utility grid power
supplied by Mohave Electric Cooperative.
U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar visited Moss Mine in July and toured the operation with Golden Vertex President Joe Bardswich, MEC CEO Tyler Carlson and MEC COO Rick Campos.
Currently, eight 455-kilowatt Tier IV Final diesel generators power the
crushing and Merrill Crowe plants, the offices, shops and laboratories at the mine. Seven smaller diesel generators ranging from 6 kW to 240 kW are adjacent to pumping facilities.
As these engines age, it is anticipated maintenance and instances and duration of equipment failures will increase. MEC has a proven
record for reliable electric system operation and fast restoration times following outages.
Utility grid power enables replacement of the generators and will save Golden Vertex an estimated $130,000 a month at present diesel prices, eliminate the burning of 5,600 gallons of diesel per day, reduce emissions by 840 tons
of noxious gases per year and drastically decrease emissions of particulate matter, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen into the atmosphere.
This project will increase the efficiency of mining operations by substituting high-cost diesel generated power with lower-cost, more reliable utility power.
A communications fiber
This project will increase the efficiency of mining operations and improve air quality by substituting highcost diesel generated power with lowercost, more reliable utility power.
optic cable will be installed on the new power poles. The fiber optic line will provide data and communications capabilities for mine operations, precious metals security and camera systems, and environmental control and monitoring.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture funded the project.
The loan program provides funds to reduce emissions from diesel generation of electricity and help strengthen rural economies through job creation for energy efficiency and conservation projects.
The Moss Mine project is responsible for more than 140 jobs and millions of dollars of economic activity for the state of Arizona. n
ABOVE: U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, right, tours Moss Mine with, from left, Golden Vertex President Joe Bardswich, Mohave Electric COO Rick Campos and MEC CEO Tyler Carlson. LEFT: Golden Vertex is building a power line to supply utility power to the mine, removing the need to run diesel generators. PHOTOS BY TERRY PURYEAR
Prepare for Storm Season
Make your disaster plan today and discuss it with your family because you may not be together when implementing it
By Pam Blair
Many disasters strike without warning. If separated, how will you get in touch with your family? Will you have the supplies you need? Will everyone know what to do?
Preparing for emergencies starts at home. Developing and implementing a plan involves every member of the family. It’s important to make a plan now, ahead of storm season. Write it down, review it with all members of the household and test it out before confronted by an emergency.
No area of the country is immune from severe weather. Hazards vary by region, but include flooding, thunderstorms, damaging winds, tornadoes, hurricanes, and winter storms with snow, sleet and freezing rain.
Tailor your plan to the disasters most likely to affect your area, and the unique characteristics and needs of your family.
Step 1: Develop the Plan
Determine how you will receive emergency alerts and warnings. Wireless Emergency Alerts are received like text messages and require no signup. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio All Hazards works with federal, state and local emergency management officials, and connects to the Emergency Alert System. It requires special equipment. Next, create a family communication
plan. Know how you will reconnect with one another if separated. Pick someone out of town that everyone should contact. They may be easier to reach in a disaster. Text rather than call. In an emergency, phone lines may be tied up.
Establish a family meeting place that is safe, familiar and accessible. If you have pets or service animals, think about animal-friendly locations. Consider places in your house, neighborhood and outside your town where you can take shelter.
Keep in mind that the coronavirus may have altered your community’s usual plans. If sheltering with others, take cloth masks for anyone over 2 years old, soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and general household cleaning supplies.
Identify multiple evacuation routes. Your preferred path may be blocked. Keep a full tank of gas in your vehicle. Some disasters may require you to depart on foot.
Finally, put your family emergency plan and contacts in writing. You can download a guide from ready.gov or create your own.
Step 2: Build Your Emergency Kit
Being prepared for an emergency isn’t just about staying safe. It’s also about how to stay clean, fed, healthy and comfortable when a disaster has knocked out electricity. If you lose power, how will you eat? The refrigerator won’t keep your food cold. The microwave won’t warm things up. You might not have access to clean water. The grocery store or bank may be closed.
Keep in mind the ages of family members, medical and dietary needs, and pets or service animals. Supplies should last at least three days—longer if you are in a remote or hard-to-access area.
Store the following items in airtight plastic bags in easy-to-carry containers, and replace expired items as needed:
• Water—1 gallon per person per day, for drinking and sanitation (extra for pets).
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio, preferably a NOAA Weather Radio.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• Nonperishable food and a manual can opener; infant formula and bottles.
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils.
• First-aid kit, prescriptions and nonprescription medications such as pain relievers, antacids and laxatives.
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person; change of clothing and shoes.
• Pet food and supplies.
• Whistle, to signal for help.
• Dust mask, plastic sheeting, duct tape, and wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
• Cellphone, charger and backup battery.
• Cash or traveler’s checks.
• Copies of important documents such as insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container.
• Matches and fire extinguisher.
Step 3: Practice, Practice, Practice! Make sure everyone in the family has copies of your plans and contacts, and keeps them in a safe space, like in a backpack, wallet or taped in a notebook. Also put them in your cellphone.
Meet regularly as a household to review and practice your plan. n
Safely Operate Your Generator
Place the generator on a level surface. Otherwise, fuel may leak from the fuel cap.
Use an appropriately sized extension cord—usually 10, 12 or 14 gauge. The lower the number, the thicker the cord and the more electricity it can carry. Do not run it under a rug. Heat can build up and spark a fire.
Do not run a generator indoors or in an enclosed space. Internal combustion engines produce deadly carbon monoxide gas.
Fill your generator with clean, fresh fuel in a well-ventilated area while it is turned off. Keep the fuel level 2 inches below the top of the fuel tank to allow expansion in hot weather and prevent overflow.
Check fuel levels periodically to be sure you have adequate fuel for emergencies.
Use the correct amount and type of oil. Refer to the engine manual included with your generator. Check the oil level prior to starting.
Allow the generator to run about two minutes before plugging in extension cords, appliances or equipment. Do not start a generator with items already plugged in.
Start items from the largest power user to the smallest. Keep in mind many items— especially those with electric motors, such as well pumps, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and plug-in space heaters—require a surge of power to get them started.
To avoid the possibility of a voltage surge, unplug all cords in the reverse order they were plugged in, then wait about two minutes before shutting down the generator.
Diligently perform manufacturer’s suggested maintenance or checkups on the system. If necessary, hire a professional. n
National Preparedness Month is recognized in September to promote family and community disaster and emergency planning. Before a storm hits, understand, plan and practice for weather-related risks. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Budget Billing Levels Your Monthly Payment
Budget Payment Plan
Use MEC’s SmartHub app to sign up
Mohave Electric offers a budget payment plan to help members budget electric service payments evenly over a 12-month billing cycle. The plan is available to all residential service members who have had service at their current residence for at least 12 months.
Under the plan, the total number of kilowatt-hours used during the previous 12 months is divided by 12 to obtain an average monthly kWh use. The budget payment is calculated using this kWh figure. The member will pay this amount every month beginning with the November billing. On the 12th month (October), the bill will reflect any underpayment or overpayment relative to actual use. Members who have underpaid will be required to pay the difference to bring their account balance to zero. Any overpayment will be credited to the account.
There are many benefits to budget billing. Members on a budget or fixed income know in advance how much they will have
to pay each month. Members who have high summer use and low winter use can avoid higher summer bills by spreading those costs out throughout the year.
Members can remain on budget billing as long as their account is current and may cancel the plan at any time. Registration for the budget payment plan begins in September and ends October 31.
A brightly colored card is included with your September billing. Fill out your name and account number, and send it back with your bill payment. You also can log into your SmartHub account for a convenient way to sign up. The option is found under “Bill and Pay,” then select “Budget Billing.”
The form also is available online at www.mohaveelectric.com. Click on “Member Services,” then “Budget Payment Plan” to print out a form to sign up.
Let us help you budget your electricity expenses. n
Philip Mascher, a member of The Dalles Art Center board, reviews studies for the citywide mural project. “It’s great to see art go beyond the walls,” he says, “and for people to connect in meaningful ways.”
PHOTO BY DREW MYRON
An Unusual Art Project Unites a Community DrawnTogeth
By Drew Myron
Most art shines upon completion, but for a citywide art project in The Dalles, Oregon, the process is the art.
Looking to express pride of place, a group of community leaders initiated a project blending art, history, culture and creativity. What began as a mural to represent the history of this Oregon Trail town has expanded into a citywide collaboration of artists, students, historians, businesses, organizations and volunteers.
All Together The Dalles is a photomontage featuring the town’s landmarks, historical icons, agricultural industry, tourist spots, majestic river and high desert landscape—all combined into one detailed scene. The final painting is an elegant grayscale mural consisting of 15 panels that stretch 41 feet wide by 13 feet tall.
While the visual collage is both intricate and expansive, the real value is not in the finished work, but in its communitycentered production.
“We wanted to create a connecting force
for the community,” says Scott Stephenson, The Dalles Art Center director. “This was a big stretch for the organization and for the community, bringing so many components and people together. This is ‘all together’ in a literal and figurative sense.”
Situated along the Columbia River in the center of Oregon’s northern border and 80 miles east of Portland, The Dalles sees the divisions of politics, history and geography.
“The Dalles is a symbol of differences,”
Scott says. “It’s red and blue, rural and urban, east and west, but it’s also a connection point.”
In many ways, the project represents fresh takes from established themes.
In 2018, Scott took the helm as director of The Dalles Art Center, just about the same time Rich Mays was elected mayor. As Scott was working to bring new energy to the center, Rich—who had recently retired from 40 years in city management throughout Oregon—was advocating for city art and beautification.
“We have an incredible amount of history, and it’s important to take advantage of our history and culture,” Rich says of the oldest incorporated city in Oregon, which has long been a hub for agriculture and trade. “This project has fostered an atmosphere of working together.”
The foundation of the project is art and history. Beth Kerschen, a Portland photographer, captured The Dalles in photos. Chris Pothier, a realist painter who lives in The Dalles, was commissioned to bring ideas to life.
Beth spent nearly 1,000 hours documenting The Dalles in photographs used to create a visual collage reinterpreting the town’s key elements. That image was then enlarged and projected to massive scale, allowing Chris to draw and paint the work on canvas panels.
Working collaboratively, Chris invited the community to join in the process and shared hands-on art lessons with people of all ages and experience.
The project provided a way to give back, says Chris, who has worked as a professional artist for 20 years.
“In an artist’s life, one goes from a focus on individual achievements and efforts of their career, to build one’s legacy up and gain confidence and skill,” Chris says. “In the later part of an artist’s career, the focus shifts to more of a teaching role and involvement with community. I am now in that part of my career where I enjoy my role in the community and love the idea of giving back, of passing on the knowledge and skill.”
More than a pretty picture, the project is rooted in the past. Teams of volunteers
spent hours researching the city’s buildings, landmarks and icons, searching for historical and cultural significance, then working together to determine which to include in the mural.
Volunteer Karl Vercouteren, a retired minister who has lived in The Dalles for more than 40 years, spent months researching the history and architecture of more than 30 structures—from storefronts to civic centers, ballparks and more. His engaging descriptions—paired with Beth’s photos—are featured on the project’s website and on a walking tour app created by the city’s planning department.
“It was really fun because I’ve had some experience with all of these buildings,” Karl says, “and I got to talk to with some oldtimers. I learned so much.”
It’s a common sentiment, says Philip Mascher, who serves on the art center’s board of directors.
“It’s art you can lean into,” he says. “We see people moving in close to see places they know and tell stories. ‘I got married here,’ or ‘I remember that place.’ It’s great to see art go beyond the walls and for people to connect in meaningful ways.”
All Together joined people from
across the town of 15,000. City planners chimed in with background and history, artists worked with local schools, a print shop donated postcards and flyers, an advertising company donated billboards, a marketing firm created a website and a landlord offered his downtown building as a mural backdrop.
The entire project cost $30,000, with funding from the art center, city and art organizations, along with thousands of dollars in donated goods and services from local businesses.
“We really bootstrapped this,” Scott says Just as the mural was scheduled for its spring debut, the pandemic arrived. The panels—painted and ready to hang— wait in the art center basement while organizers work out plans for a community celebration. In the meantime, art prints are available for purchase as a project fundraiser.
Even without the display, the power of art is clear.
“It starts out a small idea, and it starts to gain momentum,” Scott says. “Art is a fantastic tool for connection and pride.” n
For more information, go to www.alltogetherthedalles.com or www.thedallesartcenter.org.
Artists Beth Kerschen, pictured, and Chris Pothier worked with the community to bring ideas to artful life. As a project fundraiser, The Dalles Art Center is selling prints of the mural All Together The Dalles. PHOTO COURTESY OF CORNER OFFICE CREATIVE
HEROES
Shelter From the Storm
By Lauren Kessler
Jesse sits at the long, stainless steel table chopping onions in that quick, careful way you learn in culinary school and perfect during long hours in commercial kitchens. He’s preparing what will be tomorrow’s entrée—a favorite here at Food for Lane County’s Dining Room: Southwest chicken casserole.
Angie is a few feet away, rummaging in the room-sized cold storage unit, loading a trolley with gallons of milk and cartons of fruit juice. She wheels it out to the beverage bar in the main room, then returns for the dessert cart, its tall stack of shelves stocked with slices of cake and pie donated by local grocers. Rene hefts industrial-sized serving pans from the back counters to the steam table. One of the pans is piled high with pork chops. Another has mounds of mashed potatoes. There’s a pan with green salad and another with quartered oranges.
This will be today’s lunch at The Dining Room—a former soup kitchen that now operates as a sit-down restaurant with table service, cloth napkins, an attentive wait staff, live music and an attitude that long ago evolved from philanthropy to neighborliness. Monday through Thursday, more than 200 hungry people come to this modest brick building on Eighth Street just west of downtown Eugene, Oregon, for a meal. For some, too many, it may be their only meal of the day.
These diners, like almost half a million Oregonians—and one in five Oregon children—are food insecure, meaning they lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. In fact, in any 10-year period, about half of all Americans experience economic woes severe enough for them to have trouble adequately feeding themselves or their families. Seniors may have to choose between enough food and paying for prescription medications. Young families with government-funded food assistance sometimes cannot make it through the month on those benefits. Those who live paycheck to paycheck may have to choose between paying the rent or filling the grocery cart. Hunger is not just a problem for those living on the street.
Lane County, the fourth-most populous
county in Oregon, has the second-highest rate of hunger in the state. The Dining Room, one of Food for Lane County’s most beloved programs, is on the front line, serving not just food but “generous portions of dignity,” as Manager Josie McCarthy puts it. It was Josie’s idea to convert what used to be a Great Depression-style, grab-a-tray-wait-in-line soup kitchen into an eatery that could pass for a local restaurant. “Except,” Josie adds, waiting a beat, “it’s free.”
Food for Lane County has been on the job since 1984 when a single staffer and one volunteer started running the agency out of
a small house in Springfield. Today it is the second-largest food bank in the state with more than a dozen programs—from Meals on Wheels to Children’s Weekend Snack Packs, from rural pantries to urban gardens, from nutritional education to job training— and a network of 151 partner agencies. The nonprofit’s goal is to solicit, collect, grow, rescue, prepare, package and serve food for distribution to the county’s most vulnerable citizens. Its Herculean mission: End hunger.
At The Dining Room, the mission is
more modest and immediate: Feed the hungry people who show up at the door.
It’s noon on a Wednesday, and a line of diners queues up in the parking lot. Families with small children, the elderly and those with disabilities will be seated immediately. Others take a ticket and wait for their number to be called.
Under a small tent at the desk, staffers Rachel and Tyrone check in each diner, greeting many by name. They act as maître d’s and, in the rare instance of trouble,
bouncers. Once inside, the diners seat themselves at one of the seven booths, four tables or along the eight-stool counter. It is an intimate space with room for 45.
Picture windows overlook a treelined street. Four bold, colorful murals decorate the walls. On the wall next to the chalkboard menu is a hand-painted 12-stanza poem about struggling to survive. On another wall is this quotation from Chilean poet Pablo Neruda: “… for now all I ask is the justice of eating.”
The nine volunteers on duty today ready themselves for the first rush. They are part of the almost 80-person roster of community members who donate 850 hours a month to keep The Dining Room humming. Michelle is a pediatrician. Rich owns a commercial painting company. Milan works in his family’s import business. Judy is a retired teacher. Guy is a writer. Shelley just sold her store downtown. On other days, an accountant, a minister, a massage therapist and a former police officer help out. A woman who used to be homeless volunteers now, as does a man who served time. His first meal out of jail was here.
High school, community college and university students take shifts as do groups from local churches, temples and civic organizations. They plate food, wait and bus tables, pour coffee, circulate with dessert trays, scrape plates and play music. You would think these volunteers, or perhaps the hard-working team of staffers, would be the heroes of this story. All are
compassionate and generous folks, resolute in their care for their community. But the real champions are the people who make their way inside, those with lives so full of challenges there seems room for little else. But there is room here. There is room to sit unhassled, to be warm and dry or cool and out of the sun, to take a breath, to feel safe, to feel part of a community that cares.
Sean, Sasha and two of their four young children sit at the first booth. Sean has a decent job with the city, but his small raises have led to successive cuts in the family’s SNAP benefits.
With one wage earner and six mouths to
feed, the family depends on The Dining Room and Sasha’s weekly trips to the food pantry. Their little girl, decked out in a pink tutu, is bobbing up and down in her seat. Her energy fills the room.
At the next booth sits Timmy,* who has been on the streets for 17 years. His clothes hang on his slight frame. His troubles, whatever they are, show on his long, pale face. Sometimes he sits alone, staring into his plate, eating with the focus and intensity of someone who doesn’t often sit in front of a full plate. Today he sits next to Wanda,* an older woman he has taken under his wing. She balances herself with a walking stick. She hears voices. She used to come to The Dining Room ragged and unwashed, a protection against rape and abuse. Now she has Timmy, and she is safe.
Sheri takes her usual seat in a banquette near the door. She is legally blind, but she has been coming to The Dining Room for so long she has the layout memorized. Sometimes her son, who is autistic, is with her. Often she brings along someone from the social services companion program she works for part-time—a person whose disabilities might make coming alone too much of a challenge. Sheri is attentive, kind, genuine. She saves a few dollars every month to donate to Food for Lane County.
Across from her this afternoon, conversing pleasantly about the weather, sits John. He is a burly 67-year-old who shaves his head every three days to reveal a large tattoo not expertly inked, an eyeball that covers a third of his scalp.
A couple in their 80s sits in the fourth booth. They are gentle with each other, caring. She places a napkin on his lap; he offers her a forkful of dessert. Observers might mistake them for an old married
couple, but they are not. They found each other on the streets. Together, with access to neither transportation nor a computer, they’ve negotiated the byzantine world of social services and have finally secured a place to live. They share this news with everyone who walks by the booth, acquaintance and stranger alike. They beam at each other.
At a small table near the entrance sits a small man in a jaunty cap dressed headto-toe in bright green. He looks like a leprechaun. Across from him is a middleaged woman with carefully applied makeup and the ready-for-an-interview outfit she just bought at St. Vinnie’s. If she gets this job, she can make next month’s rent. The man in green wishes her luck, tipping his cap. He says he’s sure she’ll get it.
The diners accept each other with grace and patience. There’s the woman who cradles a doll as if nursing her; the man who sways back and forth, singing as he eats; the woman who gestures as if conducting an orchestra; the man who positions his face an inch from his plate and shovels in the food with his hands. The man who proclaims every day to be his birthday. The man who hasn’t showered in months.
This is a safe haven of dignity and respect for those whose everyday lives often include neither. And it is the diners themselves who make this happen. They leave the chaos, confusion and uncertainty of their lives at the door. They bring in their best selves. Their ability to survive is a lesson in heroism. Their acceptance of and generosity toward each other are even more powerful lessons.
When the pandemic closed The Dining Room to sit-down service in mid-March, Josie and her team pivoted, immediately
ABOUT THE SERIES: Pioneer Utility Resources, publisher of Ruralite magazine, spotlights Heroes Among Us each month, sharing the unique stories of volunteers and differencemakers in communities across the Northwest and West. The series, which seeks to inspire community involvement, receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust—a private nonprofit foundation serving nonprofits across the Pacific Northwest, including Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
Ways to Help
X Donate to your local food bank.
X Volunteer at a local organization serving the hungry.
X Donate to a charity or local food drive.
To locate food banks across the U.S., check out feedingamerica.org/find-yourlocal-foodbank.
switching to takeout service, dispensing two hot meals and two sack lunches every week from a long table set outside. The hungry kept coming, lining up in the parking lot, 6-feet distant, taking their meals from masked and gloved staffers, finding places to eat in nearby parks or in alleys or on stairwells. It wasn’t the same. But it was something.
With its closely spaced booths and tables, its elbow-to-elbow places at the counter and its single entrance, The Dining Room is an intimate indoor space that probably cannot safely be reopened until the pandemic is history. Josie is busy searching for a substitute venue, a welcoming space.
“It’s about the food,” she says, “but we know—all of us—that it’s about so much more.”
A diner approaches the table where Rachel and Tyrone hand out today’s lunches. He’s a regular, a loner, not unfriendly but quiet and self-contained. He takes the sack and stands there, shifting from foot to foot, looking at the asphalt. Then he pulls down his paper mask, looks up and smiles. n
*This name is changed.
About the author: Lauren Kessler is a nationally noted award-winning author of narrative nonfiction. She is also a regular Ruralite reader. Her latest book is “A Grip of Time: When Prison Is Your Life.” To learn more, go to laurenkessler.com
for Cooking Fun TAPPING THE SUN
Story and recipes by Amy Grisak
If you think there is nothing new under the sun when it comes to preparing family meals outdoors, it may be time to try solar cooking.
Harnessing the sun can take camp cooking to a new level. The most important ingredient, of course, is the sun.
Solar cooking is not new. Pioneering meteorologist Horace Benedict de Saussure built the first successful solar oven in 1767.
Today, tapping the sun’s rays attracts people drawn to a simple way of cooking that requires no fossil fuels. There are no flames, meaning it is safe for youngsters, with no risk of burning down the forest.
Cooking options for harnessing with the sun come in four forms:
• Panel cookers are simple three-sided boxes surrounded by reflective panels. The sunshine is focused on the cook pan.
• Solar ovens are a fully enclosed black box with a lid and reflective panels. These ovens retain the heat better than the open panel cooker model, making it easier to maintain even cooking temperatures.
• Parabolic cookers look like space-age satellite dishes. They cook hot and fast.
• The newest option—evacuated glass tube cookers—are super-efficient and functional under somewhat cloudy skies.
Ready to Give it a Try?
The sun is often most ready to work for you between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You will want two to four hours of sunny skies. A few passing clouds are fine, but you don’t want the temperature inside the oven to drop below 155 F.
Preparing the oven can be as easy as clipping on the reflective panels, positioning it to face the sun, then waiting for it to reach 180 F, the minimum temperature at which most foods will cook effectively.
Anyone comfortable with slow cookers can step into solar oven cooking. It is as easy as putting your meats and vegetables together in a dark, metal pot—graniteware works great—and placing it in the solar oven.
Solar cooking has the advantage of not burning anything, even if you forget. As with using a slow cooker, food comes out tender and the flavors meld together.
Whether chicken, ribs, stews, chilis or lasagna, meals will come out delicious without too much effort from the chef.
One surprising aspect of solar ovens is how well they bake. Cookies can turn out a little crispy if you don’t pay attention, but cakes, fruit crumbles and bread bake well. When baking, the key is to preheat the oven a little hotter than the recipe calls for.
Some oven types cook faster than others. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s recommendation on cooking times. n
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY PETER
Fall-Off-the-Bone Camp Ribs
2 slabs of baby back ribs (roughly 6 pounds), cut into 3- to 5-rib sections
Barbecue sauce
Dry rub
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Mix the dry rub ingredients and place in a sealed bag with the ribs. Keep cold until you are ready to cook.
Set up the solar oven in an open area and heat to at least 180 F. Place the ribs in two black enamel pots or a similar covered container. You can use a 9-inch-by-13inch pan covered in foil. Once the solar oven has reached temperature, place the covered ribs inside. Keep an eye on the temperature to ensure it remains at 180 F or higher. Allow the ribs to cook for an hour and a half to 2 hours. Open the solar cooker and take off the lids. Drain excess liquid before adding the barbecue sauce. Replace the lid and cook for another 1½ to 2 hours.
Serves 4
Hawaiian Chicken With Rice
11/2 to 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
2 cups sweet peppers, finely chopped
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 can pineapple chunks, drained
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup rice
2 cups water
Sauce
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon grated ginger
Heat the solar oven to at least 180 F. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, honey and ginger. Place the chicken, vegetables and pineapple in a second medium-sized, covered pan. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables. Stir thoroughly. Bake for an hour.
Add the rice and water to a medium-sized covered pan. Place in the oven and cook for 35 to 45 minutes, until all water is absorbed. The chicken should be ready when the rice is done.
Serves 4 to 6
How Solar Cooking Works
Solar cooking is done by means of the sun’s UV rays. A solar cooker lets the UV light rays in, then converts them to longer infrared light rays that cannot escape. Infrared radiation has the right energy to make the water, fat and protein molecules in food vibrate vigorously and heat up. For more information, go to science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/ green-science/solar-cooking1.htm.
Camping Carrot Cake
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup applesauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups grated carrots
Frosting
1/2 cup butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch salt
At home, mix all dry ingredients and seal them in a gallon-sized plastic bag. In a separate bag, mix the eggs, vanilla, applesauce and vegetable oil. Make sure this bag is sealed well so you don’t have a mess in your cooler. Place the grated carrots in a third bag and keep it in the cooler next to the wet ingredients. Make sure both the egg/vanilla/applesauce/oil mixture and the carrots remain chilled until you are ready to use them.
Prepare the frosting at home. Cream together the butter and cream cheese, then gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Whip well. Spoon this into a large plastic bag and keep it in the cooler.
To bake, set the solar oven in an open, unobstructed area where the sun will reach it for hours. Once it reaches 200 F, you are ready to bake. Butter a 9-inch-by-13-inch pan. A disposable aluminum pan will work.
In a medium-sized bowl, dump in the dry ingredients, add the wet ones and mix well. Add the carrots and stir. Pour the mix into the pan and set it inside the solar oven. Clip on the lid and attach the reflectors.
Bake for 1½ to 2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven. Once cooled, frost the cake by cutting off a bottom corner of the frosting bag and squeeze it over the top of the cake.
Serves 12
Sun-Cooked Frittata
1/2 cup onion, shallot or green onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup asparagus, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup sweet red peppers, chopped
1 teaspoon olive oil or butter
6 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
Cook the vegetables first for the best flavor and texture. Heat solar oven to 160 F. Add the oil or butter to a 9-inch-by9-inch pan or cast-iron skillet. Add the vegetables and cook in the oven for 30 to 45 minutes. Add the cheese and salt to the beaten eggs. Whisk. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables. Bake for another 30 to 45 minutes, or until the eggs are set.
Serves 2 to 3
READER EXCHANGE
Milestones
Helen McCart will be 100 years young on September 9. Since we can’t have a party for her, I would like to have people send her birthday wishes to celebrate her special day. Please send cards to Helen McCart, The Aspens, 210 Roe Davis Ave. RM #32, Hines, OR 97738
Judith Hook Burns, Oregon
My mom and mother-in-law share the same birthdate, September 1. I was hoping for some fun little family competition on who can receive the most cards. They both would love to receive cards from all of you. My mom, Lucy Hendricks, will be 85. Her address is 1207 Van Giesen St., Richland, WA 99354. My mother-in-love will be 77. Her address is 239 Dubois Ave., Twin Falls, ID 83301. Thank you for making them both feel special on their shared birthday.
Annie Patterson West Richland, Washington
Our mother will turn 92 on September 30. She has been a lifelong resident of Washington. She and my dad traveled up and down the inside passage to Alaska, making boating friends along the way. Like many of our senior population, she has been quarantining since February. She would be surprised and happy to receive cards from readers. Please send to: Harriet Wright, 1342 Lenore Drive, Tacoma, WA, 98406. Thank you so much.
Joanne & Dennis Lockard Anderson Island, Washington
My mother, Rubye Ice, turns 102 on September 13. She has survived two pandemics (1918 and 2020), World War II, identical twin boys, a teaching career, a heart pace-maker and cancer. She has also outlived most of her friends and doesn’t receive mail often. She would be thrilled to get birthday greetings from readers. Please send cards to: Rubye Ice, 855 Somerset Court, San Carlos, CA 94070. Thank you.
George Ice Monroe, Oregon
Reader Exchange Milestones run on a firstcome, first-served basis. When submitting a request, please consider sending at least two months before the milestone.
On September 21, my father, Chuck Bushey, will turn 99. He would be delighted if he received birthday greetings as he is housebound in an independent senior apartment. He had been holding up reasonably well, until they closed the swimming pool recently. Since the closing, he’s taken to walking the perimeter of the building to achieve a mile. He takes great interest in stamps and sends notes with as many as nine stamps on the envelope (totaling 55 cents). His address is Charles Bushey, 3800 Carman Drive #291-D, Lake Oswego, OR 97035. Thank you.
Jan Bottcher Sisters, Oregon
Odds
I know it has been a hard year on all of us. My mother, Mary Kozlowski, has been in and out of the hospital the majority of this year. Some doctors had written her off, but she continued to fight. She finally has wonderful doctors and is doing better. It would mean so much to lift her spirits to get words of encouragement, good thoughts and prayers. If you could drop her a card, it would mean more than words can express. Please send cards to: 724 Vantage Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89145. Thank you for your kindness.
Kim Kozlowski McGill, Nevada
Thanks
Thank you to all who sent birthday cards, bookmarks, money, balloons, etc. to my aunt, Lily Swanson, for her 102nd birthday three years ago. She was absolutely delighted and her spirits were lifted. She thought the crocheted shawl along with a large scrapbook of birthday cards made by Ms. Matoon’s beauty shop customers was above and beyond. She will be 105 in September; she still reads the New Yorker and does a little dance each night. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness.
Linda Graves Springfield, Oregon
In the winter, I asked readers to send any empty Altoid tins they may have to my grandkids in Minnesota, Bethany and Ben Anderson. They needed tins to make “kitty beds” for a fundraising project to benefit Feed My Starving Children. After this was published, 450 tins arrived. The kids got busy with their friends and are working hard. They are handmaking these little kitties that sell for $10 each. When done, this will allow for more than $4,500 to be raised. Thank you, readers. You are amazing.
Shirley Lyons Veneta, Oregon
Submitting Requests Is Free
Please send your request—with no attachments—to readerexchange@ ruralite.org or mail to to Reader Exchange, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Please fill in the subject line with Reader Exchange. Acceptance, scheduling and editing are at the editor’s discretion. Single requests only, please. No duplicates. Submissions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Phone numbers will not be published. Email addresses will be published if part of the ad, but the request must include a postal address. Request must include the name, address and name of the electric utility that provides your magazine.
Bethany and Ben’s “kitty beds.” Photo courtesy of Shirley Lyons.
WHAT IS IT?
The remnants of a collapsed volcano in Southern Oregon now hold Crater Lake—the ninth-deepest lake in the world.
A BIG BOWL
Mount Mazama lost its top in an eruption about 7,700 years ago. The mountain’s now-hollow center, known as a caldera, filled with water about 1,940 feet deep. That’s deep enough for the Statue of Liberty to stand atop the Washington Monument, on top of the Eiffel Tower, with room to spare.
Crater Lake
America’s deepest lake has some of Earth’s clearest water
DOWN ON THE WATER
Crater Lake only gets water from snow and rain that falls into the caldera, so with care from the National Parks Service, the lake is largely free of pollutants, algae and pesticides. This allows the water to shine a pure blue.
TAKE A LAP
Rim Drive is, as its name suggests, a 33-mile road around the rim of the caldera. Either hop on a trolley tour at Rim Village—the area near the main visitor center—or drive it yourself, getting the full range of views of the water, or turn around for landscape views of the region.
TRAVEL BASICS
Mount Mazama still gets lots of snow at its peak, so most people visit between late May and early October. For lodging, Crater Lake Lodge has 71 rooms overlooking the lake, or you can stay in a nearby town and enjoy driving through Umpqua National Forest on your way.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Between May 22 and October 31, a $30 pass admits one car and its occupants into the national park for seven consecutive days. For more information, visit nps.gov/crla or call 541-594-3000.
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY JEREMY JANUS
You can’t always lie down in bed and sleep. Heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches–and dozens of other ailments and worries. Those are the nights you’d give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in: one that reclines to exactly the right degree, raises your feet and legs just where you want them, supports your head and shoulders properly, and operates at the touch of a button.
Our Perfect Sleep Chair® does all that and more. More than a chair or recliner, it’s designed to provide total comfort. Choose your preferred heat and massage settings, for hours of soothing relaxation. Reading or watching TV? Our chair’s recline technology allows you to pause the chair in an infinite number of settings. And best of all, it features a powerful lift mechanism that tilts the entire chair forward, making it easy to stand. You’ll love the other benefits, too. It helps with correct
spinal alignment and promotes back pressure relief, to prevent back and muscle pain. The overstuffed, oversized biscuit style back and unique seat design will cradle you in comfort. Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced arm support when sitting or reclining. It even has a battery backup in case of a power outage. White glove delivery included in shipping charge. Professionals will deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it, position it, and even carry the packaging away! You get your choice of Genuine Italian leather, stain and water repellent custom-manufactured Duralux with the classic leather look or plush microfiber in a variety of colors to fit any decor. New Chestnut color only available in Genuine Italian Leather and long lasting Duralux. Call now!
Pictured: Leather chair chestnut color. Chestnut color also
THE GREAT PICTURE HUNT
Saying Goodbye
In his youth, Gus loved to chase squirrels, cats, UPS and FedEx trucks, and bite water from a hose or moving creek, swelling like a balloon. He attacked garage doors when opening or closing and ran in wild circles barking at thunder.
A member of the family, the little dog was a grandmother’s present for my son Tucker’s fifth birthday. Gus—who traveled with us on road trips and moves across the country—became as much my youngest son Henry’s dog as Tucker’s. Nobody loves creatures—especially dogs— more than Henry. His first sentence was, “I am a dog.”
We almost lost Gus before he was 5. A neighbor’s Great Dane chomped the Jack Russell in the midsection and shook him almost to death. Gus rebounded and wasn’t afraid of any dog, regardless of size.
But as time does to all living things, the years took their toll.
Watching our 15-year-old dog lose his personality, motor skills and control of his bowels was heartbreaking. Gus was the first dog I have witnessed the cycle of life from puppyhood to old age.
The last months were the hardest. Suffering from a form of doggie dementia, blind and deaf, he shuffled in circles or stood for long periods staring in corners. He didn’t sleep well. Neither did my wife nor I.
Finally, the hard day came when we knew it was time to say goodbye. My wife, Erin, bought a soft blanket to wrap and cuddle Gus on her lap
Reader Challenge
Look for a meaningful transitional life moment. Document it with an unrehearsed picture. Be discreet and don’t overshoot. Don’t ruin the experience. Pick your moments.
while carrying him into a new, strange environment. When the vet gave him a shot to put him to sleep forever and Gus gently dropped his head and his little body relaxed in my wife’s comforting arms, we both cried.
I awoke at 5 a.m. two days
later, sure I heard Gus. I got up silently to avoid waking my wife. Heart pounding, I expected to see Gus. He was gone. I leaned against the sink and wept. I cried again after calling Henry and hearing his whimpers as I told him we put Gus to sleep.
For Tucker and Henry, it was like losing a little brother.
I believe in the power and beauty of real visual intimacy. I loved that feisty little dog. I wept because I missed him and knew I should have been kinder and more patient with him. n
Dave LaBelle has worked for 20 newspapers and magazines in nine states, and taught at three universities.
“Though I have received a lot of criticism throughout my career for photographing real, intimate events—however uncomfortable— I maintain the beauty and value of documenting real, unrehearsed life events. The camera has long been one of the tools I use to see and understand the world, and it remains so.” To read more of Dave’s writings on life, visit bridgesandangels.wordpress.com and www.greatpicturehunt.com.
NIKON D800, 50mm lens ISO 800, f/2.8 at 1/160
Erin says goodbye to Gus. Even in sad moments, find the good, real and heartwarming.
PHOTO BY DAVE LABELLE
HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY ADVA NCED DIGITAL
The answer: Although tremendous strides have been made in Advanced Digital Hearing Aid Technology, those cost reductions have not been passed on to you. Until now...
The MDHearingAid® VOLT uses the same kind of Advanced Digital RECHARGEABLE Hearing Aid Technology incorporated into hearing aids that cost thousands more at a small fraction of the price.
Over 350,000 satisfied MDHearingAid customers agree: High-quality, digital, FDA-registered rechargeable hearing aids don’t have to cost a fortune. The fact is, you don’t need to spend thousands for a hearing aid. MDHearingAid is a medical-grade digital rechargeable hearing aid offering sophistication and high performance, and works right out of the box with no time-consuming “adjustment” appointments. You can contact a licensed hearing specialist conveniently online or by phone — even after your purchase at no cost. No other company provides such extensive support. Now that you know... why pay more?
MEC is working to bring fiber-based internet service to your community. Be the first to know when it's available in your neighborhood.
MARKETPLACE
Agriculture
Reinforced custom-sized pond liners (39 cents/sqft). Hay covers, greenhouse covers, any width & length. Truck tarps & more. High puncture & tear strength. Best price guaranteed. American made since 1981. www.btlliners.com; 541-447-0712. 0421
Books, Magazines, Videos
“Queens of the Roleo” DVD. Award-winning documentary about world champion women log rollers in Idaho in the 1960s. $25 plus shipping. Contact Dave Jones, 541-706-1053. 0920
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. 0920
Business Opportunities
Earn extra income with Avon. Sign up for free. www.youravon.com/ccessnun. Call or text 541-740-1284. 0920
Starbuck, Washington, near Dayton. Store/ pub 2,400sqft metal building constructed 2008. Clean, thousands in equipment. Presently operational. Near new straw plant. Live/work here. $199,950. Also, 4 buildable lots, w/ service, Starbuck. All $99,500. 253-261-5340, 253-302-0853. 0920
Equipment/Tools
Mighty Mac garden chipper, powered by newer but little used 2.5 HP gasoline. Chips up to 2.5”-3” tree limbs. $100, Portland, Oregon. 503-957-1621 for information.
Church, government uniting, suppressing “religious liberty,” enforcing National Sunday Law. Be informed. Need mailing address only. TBS, PO Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. 888-2111715; thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com. 1220AR
Miscellaneous
Local Pahrump, Nevada, commercial fisherman sells sashimi-grade gourmet canned tuna on internet: 100% guaranteed the best canned tuna you ever tasted. Twofisherstuna.com. 206-799-1082. 1120
Cemetery markers, both granite & bronze. Also offering bronze plaques, signage. All at affordable prices. Shipping available. Call Joe Plass for more info, 541-815-8906; www.highdesertmemorials.com. 1120
Pets, Supplies
Looking for female Border collie, year or less, spayed or not OK. Loving country home. $300$400. Thanks. Please call Tom, 541-935-1318. 0920
AKC-registered Airedales. Fort Sage Kennels, Patricia Sharp, P.O. Box 246, Doyle, CA 96109; 530-827-2271. 0321
Pools/Spas
70’x42’ inflatable swimming pool enclosure with heaters/blowers. $21,000 new; used one winter. $7,500 or make an offer. Freight extra. Pictures, additional information available. 775727-4414; manager@preferredrv.com. 0920
Real Estate
Premiere Oregon Properties: 30yrs’ experience getting the best price for sellers and buyers. 4 sale: Old Mill Farm Store in business since 1853. $935k. 4 sale: 238ac 2.5mi Umpqua River frontage. Possible wetland mitigation property. $690k. 541-480-0212. James Wardrope Realty. OregonRiverRealty.com; office@RiverInnElkton.com. 0920
Quick, Affordable: How to Place an Ad
Ads 25 words or fewer are $35 a month. An extended ad of up to 35 words is $50 a month. Contact information is included in the word count.
Longer ads may be placed. For pricing, contact 503-718-3717 or lwiseman@pur.coop.
Ads are for customers of member co-ops, PUDs and municipals only. Subscribers and nonmembers may inquire for pricing at 503-718-3717 or lwiseman@pur.coop.
Ads must be direct and in first person, and are subject to approval and editing.
Closing deadlines (in our office): November issue— September 30, 2020.
Alaskan dream opportunity. Year-round recreational cabin. Circle Hot Springs, central. Hunting, fishing, mining, ATV, etc. on 5ac. $30,000, firm. 775-537-6755. 0920
10ac ranchettes in Box Elder County, Utah. Owner financing available. $500 down, $219/ mo. No qualifying. Lindsay, 801-930-8310; dovecreekfarms@gmail.com. 1020
56ac in Southeast Nevada, next to Grant Wilderness. Remote w/access & spring. Hunt, hike, prospect. 775-318-0049; Aaron.Buffington@yahoo.com. 0920AR
Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm & recreation property in Oregon. Fourthgeneration Oregonian, ranch owner. 240ac for sale in Bend, $1,499,000. John Gill, 541-4809161; johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 0920
Sportsman’s paradise, prepper’s hideaway. 1,300+sqft, 2bdr, 1ba on 4.9ac, ½mi from Alyeska Pipeline, on road system in Alaska game management, unit 13D. Copper River Basin. Contact: winter, 480-247-6348; summer, 907-822-5139. 0920
Buildable, 4.26ac. Gated community above Ochoco Reservoir, Prineville, Oregon. Spectacular views. 400-amp service; shared well w/cistern ready. RV parking, if shielded. Septic approved. $120,000, reduced. 503-6226515. 0920
Wood-Mizer sawmill & commercial Grizzly woodworking equipment. 1,600sqft shop, 850sqft house, 5 outbuildings. 35mi north of Fairbanks, Alaska, on 7.8ac. $390,000. Call 907-699-2253 for details. 0920
North Umpqua riverside. RV/shop, garage, 3bdr mh, gentle to river. Well, water rights, neighborhood. World-class steelhead, salmon, trout. FSBO $275k. 541-673-7948 home, 541-880-6605 cell; donfishon@hotmail.com. Incredible site. 0920
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 lwiseman@pur.coop.
Anaconda, Montana, 300ac, USFS border, end of road, well & septic in, RV pad, stream, pond, springs, wildlife galore, off-grid, easy access. $785K. j_w_ross@yahoo.com. 1020
Idaho, peaceful Hagerman Valley. House, 2-car garage, 30x40 shop on ½ac. Spring water, sprinkler system, propane fireplace, 27 mature evergreen trees. Buildable 3.5+-ac. electricity, water on property. Private drive. Valley views. Sold together or separate. Properties next to each other. Call, 208-410-8548.
238ac w/2½ miles of riverfront near Reedsport, $690k. Cottage Grove Old Farm Store est. 1850s $935k, w/stock negotiable. If your property is near a river, we will sell it for more. OregonRiverRealty.com 541-480-0212.
Imbler, Oregon. One city lot, just shy of an acre. Septic is in, bare ground. Natural gas & water are to the lot. $130,000. Wonderful small town & school district. Excellent place to raise a family. 208-791-1670. 1020
Recreational Rentals
Lincoln City, Oregon. Beautiful ocean views. Slps 12. 4bdr (2 w/king), 3 full baths, Wi-Fi, cable, frplc, W/D, dishwasher, 2nd kitchen upstairs. Info/pics: VRBO.com/693193. Call for special prices. fbeckwithfamily@gmail.com; 503-720-6144. 0920
Planning a vacation, reunion, retreat or getaway? Vista House Vacation Rental in quaint Oceanside, Oregon, unobstructed ocean view all 3 units. Slps 2-16. Everything
provided, very clean, relaxing, owner operated. Call about monthly rates. 503-730-7149; vistahouseoceanside.com. 0920
Bend country cabin. Very clean & fully furnished cabin on private ranch. Close to recreation areas. Very nice. $90/night. 541-382-3050; bendcountrycabins@gmail.com.
Oceanside, Oregon. Romantic 3bdr retreat for special occasions. Newly remodeled. 5min walk to beach, 2 lg decks facing ocean. 503-649-9463; www.dreamvacationspots.com.
Wavecatcher: Oceanfront, central Oregon Coast. Easy beach access. $145/night summer, $110/night winter; seventh night free. Two bedrooms w/double beds, sleeping loft w/double beds. Full kitchen/bath, linens. Pet friendly. Bleached & ready when rentals re-allowed. 541-740-9953. Check wavecatcherbeachrentals.com for availability. 1020AR
Situations Wanted
Wanted to rent: vacation house, beach/no beach for a family of 25, 10 adults, children ages 3-16yrs. Late June 2021. Have references. 509-948-1670. 1020
Want to Buy
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. 0920
Cash paid for old gas station and oil company signs, pumps, globes, metal oil cans. Good condition. Discreet cash settlement. Clifton Jones, collector. 512-413-4459. 0221
Private collector looking for all things aviation. Aircraft parts, pieces, photos, historical items, ephemera, airlines, collections. Northern California. Will travel. 510-909-1413, Allensaero@aol.com. 0920
Wanted: 1967-1972 Buick Skylark, GS, Stage 1, GSX. Cars, parts or leads. Or any ’60s or ’70s vehicles. Email billybibbett@hotmail.com. 1020
Buy, sell, repair rock saws and everything lapidary. Buying old rock and gem books & catalogs. CigarBoxRock.com. 541-280-5574; cbr@bendnet.com. Bend, Oregon 97701. 1020
Gold, silver, coins/currency, buy, sell. Collections wanted. Fair prices paid. 40yrs in retail store. Baker City, Oregon. 800-556-2133; garrymclin@aol.com. Will travel. 1020
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. 0920
Sturdy old wooden highchair for child. Prefer one that transforms into a chair & table via leg hinges. La Grande, Oregon. 541-910-0185; pattispray@gmail.com. 0920
Soups, Stews and Chowder
With more than 220 recipes, this book has something for every taste: Scandinavian Cabbage Soup, Venison Barley Soup, Alaskan Stew, Italian Dumpling Stew, Fireside Chowder, Crab Chowder and so much more. Garden-fresh soups or warm winter meals can all be found here. The cookbook is 8½x11-inch spiral bound, indexed and only $6 (includes postage).
To order by mail, submit with proper payment, cookbook title, name, address, and number of cookbooks wanted to Ruralite Cookbooks, PO Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133-1306.
To pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover card or American Express, call 503-357-2105. To order online, visit www.ruralite.com.
Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
Teaming Up to Help the Community
AzGT, SSVEC support free COVID-19 testing at three Cochise County events
Story and photos by
Geoff Oldfather
Registered Nurse Susan Lange knows all too well how rural areas are often left behind—and the situation is no different when it comes to testing people for COVID-19.
“This testing is desperately needed here,” says Susan, director of community programs for Chiricahua Community Health Centers Inc. “In areas like this where you have a large number
of vulnerable people—farm workers, agricultural workers—they don’t have the same protection as other populations so it makes them more susceptible.”
Susan says people often don’t have insurance so they tend to avoid going to a clinic.
“All of those things kind of add up to trouble, because without testing we really would have no idea the extent of this epidemic,” she says. “With testing, at least we have numbers that can guide us as to what the possible next steps are, what we
need to do as a clinic, what we need to do within the hospital systems to take care of the people.”
For more than five weeks, CCHCI held 25 free testing events at communities around Cochise County, including Benson, Willcox, Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Douglas and Elfrida. It ran out of funding because of overwhelming demand.
CCHCI announced the week of June 16 it would have to stop the free testing due to a lack of funds. CCHCI donates staff and testing kits and organizes the events, but
Registered Nurse Susan Lange with Chiricahua Community Health Centers Inc. performs a nasal swab to test for COVID-19 during one of three testing events in Cochise County sponsored by Arizona G&T Cooperatives and by Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative. Preregistration at each of the three events was limited to the first 100 people. The tests were free.
it was still paying more than $10,000 for every 200 tests.
When Arizona G&T Cooperatives learned CCHCI had to cancel the testing events, it took the lead to make sure the testing could continue through July— considered a critical time because of the Fourth of July holiday.
When staff at Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative were contacted, they quickly agreed to team up to donate a combined $15,000 for three testing events in Willcox, Sierra Vista and Benson. Testing events were held in Willcox on June 30, Sierra Vista on July 10 and Benson on July 14.
The two July events provided data to compare with the June event to see if there was a spike in cases over the Fourth of July weekend, which there wasn’t. They also helped bridge a gap in testing until August 1, when CCHCI was to receive more state and federal funding for testing.
When Cochise County residents Jim and Ruth Graham learned of the free COVID-19 testing in Willcox, they immediately registered.
“Part of it is we have a business where
we have opportunities to be in close contact with other people, and we’re trying to follow the guidelines the CDC and the governor have said to follow,” Jim says. “The other part of it is, the testing is also important to all of us because we have to have real numbers to really know what the full picture is, because there’s definitely a problem. Until we know the facts and get a handle on them, which the testing helps us do, we’re not going to be able to resolve the whole issue.”
Jim and Ruth own Golden Rule Vineyards and Cochise Groves Pistachios, on Dragoon Road west of the Apache Generating Station. Both say they are extremely cautious in their daily lives— masking up, maintaining social distancing, and practicing hand-washing and hygiene.
Jim was impressed at how well organized the testing event was and how fast it went.
“It wasn’t as invasive as other people said it was,” he says. “The folks that ran it were very cordial and it didn’t take very long, probably less than a minute from the time we pulled up and the swabs were done and we drove off.
“This testing is desperately needed here.”
—REGISTERED NURSE SUSAN LANGE
“We’re farmers and business people. We depend on the electricity from the G&T and SSVEC. When we flip the switch, we want the power to be there and it is. This is a perfect example of how the cooperatives not only provide the power, but also a community service that’s so important, and we want to thank you for doing it.”
Susan wants to recognize the CCHCI team doing the testing, as well as the cooperatives.
“This is the ‘A’ team,” Susan says. “I think we’ve done more than 25 events and this group right here has been at most of these events, and you can see we kind of read one another’s mind. We know what the other one is going to do, we know what the system is, and as a result of that, things run seamlessly.
“I want to say, we are really, really grateful for your sponsoring this event, and the people coming through have expressed their gratitude, so thank you.
“It gets us information to meet the needs of the population.” n
With thanks to the CCHCI Staff: Susan Lange, Celeste Vasquez, Molly Fenn, Patrick McPherran, Danny Barrera, Martin Rubio, Enrique Noriega, Erika Vega.
J.D. Wallace, AzGT communications, social media and marketing administrator, interviews Susan about the need for COVID-19 testing in rural areas, and about wearing masks and observing social distancing.
Staying Connected Despite a Pandemic
A touching moment: Donzella Schlager, 93, a faithful Ruralite reader and longtime resident of The Dalles, Oregon, meets 5-month-old Luna Monet Hernandez, her first great-great-granddaughter from Napa, California.
Love in the time of COVID: The senior living community where Donzella lives allows weekly visits with family members. A shield of protection was no barrier to a special first encounter during the summer between Donzella and Luna, who is held by her mom, Jordan.
Connecting matters: Research verifies that keeping generations of family connected benefits everyone, fostering a sense of well-being in kids and warding off anxiety and feelings of isolation in grandparents. Window visits, care packages and video visits all can do wonders in these challenging times. n
Donzella Schlager, right, gives her great-great-granddaughter Luna a kiss on the hand through a plexiglass shield as Luna’s mom, Jordan, takes in the moment.
PHOTO BY BETH KASER
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 phone number linked to your MEC account. mohaveelectric.com
Mohave Electric Cooperative Board of Directors
President Joe Anderson
Vice President
Deborah Johnson
Secretary
Toni Barbaro
Treasurer
Rich Tempelman
Michael Bartelt
Cindy Christy
John Nelssen
Jose “Joe” Solar
CEO
Tyler Carlson
What’s Happening
h September 7 Labor Day. MEC offices closed.
h September 12 Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Phone-only sales for Operation Cool Shade tree sales. See mohaveelectric.com for details.
h September and October Budget Payment Plan sign up.
h November 3 VOTE!
AZ-146 Postmaster: Send address changes to Currents, 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124
A Message from the CEO
Currents and Cookbooks
Welcome to the second issue of our new Currents member magazine. We are hearing positive comments about the publication. Best of all, members are reading and enjoying Currents.
MEC members are ordering cookbooks. One member ordered 10 of them. Several members have submitted calendar contest photo entries. This publication wouldn’t happen for MEC’s members without the help and professional efforts of the publisher, Pioneer Utility Resources. PUR is a not-for-profit cooperative like Mohave Electric, with the same values and business practices.
An MEC reader said, “I loved getting the magazine and read it cover to cover, finding it very interesting and informative. Thank you for such a good magazine.”
Currents is part of our enhanced member communication goal. In the past few months, we have gone from one social media channel to four: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Follow us!
A bigger project is a complete overhaul of our website. The all-new mohaveelectric.com is expected later this year, and is something to look forward to.
In this issue of Currents, our cover story is on pages 4 and 5. The Moss Mine power line project provides reliable and cost-effective electricity for the mining operation and will have a significant positive impact on air quality by replacing the existing diesel generators at the mine.
I want to join Golden Vertex/Moss Mine and thank Rep. Paul Gosar for his help clearing hurdles for this project to move forward. Our members and community benefit by his support for a local business that is forward-thinking to improve air quality and create more than 100 good jobs.
More MEC and Arizona generation and transmission content is found on pages 8, 25, 28 and 29. Last month, our board of directors made the difficult decision to cancel our district and annual member meetings for 2020.
Uncertainty and changes surrounding health concerns and risks have made it impossible for us to secure a facility for our meetings, and make it difficult to provide physical distancing at meetings. A few other considerations affected the decision: There is no outstanding business to conduct, no proposed changes to MEC’s bylaws and there were no applications received for a board position.
MEC’s annual report document is available to view at mohaveelectric.com. I am preparing a video presentation of the year’s highlights which will be added soon to the website. Click on About Us, then Annual Meeting.
We enjoy spending time with members at our meetings each year and will miss that. On a bright note, we are planning MEC’s 75th anniversary in 2021 with a celebration at next year’s annual meeting and lots of gifts to make up for this year. We hope to see you next year. Maybe you’ll win a cookbook!
