Currents, Mohave Electric Cooperative, September 2021

Currents MOHAVE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

SEPTEMBER 2021

First Fiber Connections Page 4

ALSO INSIDE >>

Operation Cool Shade Washington Youth Tour Mohave Electric and TWN celebrated their first fiber-optic broadband connection in July. See story on page 4.

FROM THE PIONEER TEAM

Ruralite Currents September 2021 • Volume 56, 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

Heather Foreman EDITOR

Victoria Hampton Currents (USPS 030-520) is published bimonthly for members for $1.73 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.

Preferred periodical postage paid at Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 and additional mailing offices. ©2021 Pioneer Utility Resources. All rights reserved.

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ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY ME STUDIO

Lessons From An Awful Day The phone rang. I rolled to the side. The phone rang again.

I rubbed my eyes, barely awake, answered and heard the baritone voice of my managing editor Alex, the last voice I expected to hear. He shared unthinkable news: A passenger jet had careened into the World Trade Center, and we were putting out an Extra edition of the paper.

For the next 15 hours, as the horrible events of September 11, 2001, unfolded, I helped write the first headlines of history as front-page editor of The Seattle Times even as I tried to process a day like no other—one that would unify us all in terror and tragedy.

Twenty years later—could it really be 20 years since that awful day—I have a different assignment, spotlighting and helping tell the stories of rural America in a cooperative landscape I love.

If there is a lesson from 9/11 all these years later, it is that we are all in this together and there is power in unity, especially in tough times.

At Ruralite, our team approaches stories with an eye toward building community, encouraging participation and helping one another. We seek to shine a light on things that make us better, or as Lincoln said, appeal to the better angels of our nature.

It is not by chance that throughout the past three years we have focused storytelling on the changing face of rural health care, everyday heroes who make a difference and preserving rural arts at a time of tremendous challenge.

As we salute the fallen and the heroes of 9/11 this month, here is a challenge for you and me in these divisive times: Let’s pay tribute to that awful day by performing an act of kindness to someone with whom we do not see eye-to-eye.

It may bring the kind of healing that, as it did then, makes a difference now.

Leon Espinoza Vice President of Content

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Coming Home

Delivery Issues: Utility members should contact the local utility office listed on the back cover. Nonmembers should contact Pioneer Utility Resources.

Know your rights about burying loved ones Up Close, Page 10

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

Inspired by the Mountains

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

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

Rugged Alaska landscape serves as outdoor studio for pair of adventuresome artists

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The Heart of Community, Page 12 Plugged In In the Kitchen

6 16

Photo Hunt Before You Go

22 30

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

SEPTEMBER 2021

3

MOHAVE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

PHOTO BY MEC

MEC and TWN Celebrate First FiberOptic Broadband Connections Mohave Electric Cooperative has exciting news for our members! The first fiber connections have been made. On July 15, 2021, MEC, TWN Communications, state and local elected officials, and community members came together to commemorate the first fiber broadband connects.

In a first-of-its-kind endeavor for an electric cooperative in Arizona, MEC is building a fiber-optic network to enhance electric operations and provide fast, reliable broadband service for MEC members.

“Our members and electeds insisted 4

S E P T E M B E R 2021

MEC take on this challenge,” said MEC CEO Tyler Carlson. “MEC was formed by our early members when investor-owned utilities would not provide electricity to this area. Similarly, our members have a drastic need for reliable internet not provided by others. 75 years later, the cooperative model comes full circle, and here we are bringing a fiber network to serve our members’ needs.”

MEC overcame incredible challenges and successfully triumphed a few “firsts” to start a fiber broadband project. MEC

is the first Arizona electric cooperative to secure legislation during the COVID-19 pandemic with a super majority of both houses passing SB 1460, and Governor Ducey signing the legislation in June 2020. MEC is the first electric co-op to receive unanimous broadband financing approval from the Arizona Corporation Commission and the first electric co-op to secure $110 million in private financing through CoBank.

These rare milestones demonstrate why MEC’s fiber network is “first of its kind”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MEC, TWN, elected officials and representatives come together to commemorate the first fiber connection. PHOTO BY STEFANIE SPENCER | TOPAZ PHOTOGRAPHY

Fiber construction crews diligently work to install fiber for MEC members. PHOTO BY ROJEANA WYMBS | MEC

for an Arizona electric co-op.

Construction for this five-year project began December 2020. To date there is over 285,000 feet of fiber installed. MEC and TWN also made their first fiber broadband connection in late June.

“This first connection represents another big step toward bridging the digital divide, a cornerstone for telemedicine, remote learning, benefits to business and the economy for our rural area,” Carlson continued.

TWN CEO Colin Wood stated, “We are thrilled to work alongside MEC to bring fast, reliable fiber internet to the region. We hope this partnership provides a positive change to the communities we serve, as well as enriches the lifestyles of cooperative members.”

The fiber-optic network will also enhance MEC’s electrical facilities including substations, MEC equipment, meters, improve communications with our transmission provider (AZ G&T), and renewable energy facilities. By interconnecting our equipment and facilities, the fiber-optic network will allow MEC to receive near real-time data for enhanced operation capabilities.

As we continue with Phase 1 construction and connecting members in Bullhead City, contractor crews may need access to utility easements on or near your property. We ask for your patience and cooperation as we continue to improve our electrical infrastructure.

Be in the know by pre-registering today for your home or business! TWN will send

project updates via email and notify you when service is available. Pre-register at www.mohaveelectric.com/broadband, call 888-227-2095, or by scanning the QR code below. n

SEPTEMBER 2021

5

PLUGGED IN

Generate Safely: Tips to Save Lives

By Leanna Thesken

Experiencing a power outage?

Ready to power up your generator?

Don’t overlook safety in your haste to light up your home.

Despite the convenience and comfort of a generator’s power, improper use can be deadly. More than 900 people died of carbon monoxide poisoning—and thousands were injured—while using portable generators from 2005 to 2017.

In 2019, 55 fatalities were directly attributed to CO poisoning from portable generators.

“Proper use of a generator can mean the difference between life and death,” says Erin Hollinshead, executive director at Safe Electricity, a public awareness program of the Energy Education Council.

Because generators are not used regularly, it is common to overlook basic safety measures.

“People don’t need generators very often,” says John Stuart, chief operating officer at Florida Keys Electric Cooperative.

“Somebody may not have lost power for months or even years. It is always a good idea to have your generator maintained, make sure it runs properly, make sure it is fueled and, most importantly, have a plan.”

Erin highlights eight basic steps to follow: • Do not take generator use lightly.

Familiarize yourself with operating instructions. Know how to safely use a generator in advance of an outage or emergency.

• Make sure the generator is in working order by maintaining it between uses.

• Place the generator at least 20 feet away from windows, doors or any other opening to your home. Do not use it in a garage, basement or crawl space, and do not use one in any structure a person may enter.

Instead, use it outdoors in a dry location.

Use it under an open-sided, portable canopy structure if there is precipitation.

• When camping, do not place a generator where exhaust could enter an RV, tent or other enclosed areas. Make sure it is in good working order before heading out.

• Keep carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and test them often. Have one in your camper or RV, too.

• Discuss the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning with family members and loved ones. Symptoms of exposure include headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and tightening across the chest.

Often, people do not associate these symptoms with carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Use properly rated extension cords to plug appliances into a generator. This means using safety-tested cords designed for heavier, outdoor use.

• Post safety guidelines and operating instructions with the generator. n

15 Outage Kit Must-Haves X Water (1 gallon per person per day for two

weeks)

X Nonperishable food X First-aid kit and medication X Personal hygiene products X Flashlights and extra batteries X Portable cellphone chargers X Battery-powered radio with access

to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather alerts X Copies of important documents (identification, insurance policies, etc.)

X Emergency contact information X Cash X Multipurpose tool X Emergency blanket X Battery-powered fans X Emergency kit for your pet X Books, board games, puzzles, etc.

FAQs: Operational Guidelines for Proper Use of a Generator What steps should I take before starting a portable generator?

First, assess each appliance’s wattage requirements to avoid overload.

Check the oil level of the generator. Refer to the engine manual to ensure you use the correct amount and type of oil. With the generator turned off, fill it with fresh fuel in a well-ventilated area.

How do I avoid a voltage surge?

Let the generator run about two minutes before plugging in extension cords, appliances or equipment. Do not start a generator with items plugged in. Start from the largest power user to the smallest. Items with electric motors—well pumps, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and plug-in space heaters—require a surge of power to start. Unplug cords in the reverse order they were plugged in. Wait about two minutes before turning off the generator.

How do I power my appliances?

Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. This causes back feeding, which puts utility workers, neighbors and household members at risk of electrocution. Use a heavy-duty extension cord to plug appliances directly into the generator. Place the generator outdoors on a dry, level surface.

How do I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?

Never use a generator inside a home, garage, basement or partially enclosed area. Keep it outdoors to prevent fumes from entering through doors, windows and vents. Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. You may be exposed to fumes even if you smell nothing. Get to fresh air immediately if you feel sick. n

Be prepared for any circumstance by understanding proper generator use. Here are answers to frequently asked questions.

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S E P T E M B E R 2021

Plug appliances into a portable generator using properly rated extension cords. Start with the largest power user. Make sure the generator is outdoors on a dry, level surface away from any openings to the home. PHOTO BY NIKKI CULLEN SEPTEMBER 2021

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MOHAVE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Washington Youth Tour (Arizona) group from 2019. Applications are now open for the Summer 2022 trip. PHOTO BY MEC

Attention High School Juniors:

Washington Youth Tour Returns With the start of the 2021-2022 school year, Mohave Electric Cooperative is proud to announce the continuing sponsorship of the Washington, D.C. Youth Tour.

Students, whose parents or guardians are MEC members, will be selected to represent Mohave Electric Cooperative in the annual Washington D.C. Youth Tour.

The week-long excursion allows the students to interact with others from all over the country, visit our Capitol’s landmarks, and learn about our country’s rich history. The annual Washington D.C. Youth Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and takes place in Summer 2022.

“The Washington Youth Tour represents our commitment in creating the best educational opportunities and access for our youth. It’s a way to educate the public while also investing in our members,” stated MEC’s CEO, Tyler Carlson.

Education, Training, and Information 8

S E P T E M B E R 2021

are one of the 7 Cooperative Principles upheld by MEC. One way MEC shows commitment to this principle, and our community, is by supporting the future of even the youngest of members.

Washington D.C. Youth Tour is a unique chance for students to learn about what it means to be a part of something larger, whether that be a cooperative or our nation.

MEC selects participants from applicants through a competitive process that includes an essay and presentation before a panel of judges. All applicants must be high school juniors and receive parental or guardian permission to apply.

Applications and a 300–500 word essay are due by October 8, 2021. Applications will be available through the Mohave Electric website at www.mohaveelectric. com/community/washington-youth-tour/ or through local high school counselors. n

Participants of the Washington Youth Tour visit major sights, including the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. PHOTO BY MEC

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UP CLOSE

Keelia Carver and her husband, Blaine, brought their son Max home to be buried in the cemetery on the family’s ranch.

Know your rights about burying loved ones

By Lori Russell

Keelia Carver first read about home funerals in a magazine. She was young. Her parents were healthy. The idea of caring for a loved one in death was compelling, but not yet applicable to her life.

That changed in February 2018, when her 4½-year-old son Max died tragically in an accidental drowning.

After his death, Keelia and her husband, Blaine, wanted to bring Max home from the hospital and lay him to rest in the cemetery on the family ranch in Central Oregon.

Authorities told them that wasn’t possible. Instead, they were given a list of funeral homes and told they would need to hire one to secure the release of their son’s body.

What the Carvers did not know at the time—nor did the professionals they 10

S E P T E M B E R 2021

turned to for help—is that keeping or bringing a loved one home after death is legal in every state in the U.S. The nextof-kin has the right to custody and control of the body for bathing, dressing, private viewing and ceremonies as they choose.

“You find out they were all wrong and it’s just devastating,” Keelia says. “We could have had all that time with Max. It felt like we were abandoning our kid in a town with strangers.”

Despite their shock and grief, and with no easy place to find information about their rights, the Carvers persisted in their efforts and eventually were able to bring Max home to bury him on their property.

They planned the funeral and gathered with family and friends to share memories.

Keelia gave the eulogy. Blaine read one of Max’s favorite picture books. They sang “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” and

“Amazing Grace.”

Max was buried at the foot of his grandmother’s grave with his fishing pole, binoculars and other treasured items.

Since then, Keelia has worked to make sure others know the law and have access to the resources they need to care for their loved ones after death. Her efforts have led to changes at the hospital where the Carvers spent that terrible day three years ago.

After learning of the family’s story, the state medical examiner’s office updated its annual in-service training to include the rights of loved ones.

Keelia has partnered with other advocates to create the Oregon Funeral Resources and Education website (oregonfuneral.org), which provides information about Oregonians’ legal rights and resources when death occurs.

Did You Know?

X In the U.S., it is legal for

In Oregon, whether the death was anticipated or unanticipated, once the time and cause of death are established, the family may choose to care for and transport the body, file the 24-hour notice of death and death certificate, arrange for disposition and conduct any other aspects of after-death care.

Families may—but are not required to—hire a funeral director to assist with some or all of those services. For example, a family living in a remote rural area may hire a funeral home to prepare the body and casket, and then choose to transport the casket themselves

to their local cemetery. A funeral may be held at a private residence, church, funeral home, park or other locations.

Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death. Most have unique rules about embalming, burial or cremation, scattering ashes, and how to obtain a death certificate.

Keelia suggests Oregon families print the one-page information sheet on the website and share it with the appropriate professionals when planning after-life care.

“Show it to the hospital or the nursing home administrator or the hospice nurse or the

medical examiner or the police officer and say, ‘This is the law.

Please help me,’ ” she says.

Keelia continues spreading the word, speaking to health care providers, community groups and other organizations.

“There are plenty of people who want a mainstream funeral, but there are others that this matters to,” she says.

“Maybe it doesn’t matter to you, but maybe it matters to your sister, or your best friend, or your grandmother. Maybe you can be that ray of grace on somebody’s terrible day. You have the power to go out and help somebody.” n

families to bring or keep their loved one home until the time of burial or cremation. In 10 states, a funeral director may need to be involved in some capacity, but this does not prevent a home funeral.

X The National Funeral Alliance (homefuneralalliance.org) provides home funeral resources and a quick guide to the requirements by state.

X The Funeral Consumers Alliance (funerals.org) is dedicated to protecting a consumer’s right to choose a meaningful, dignified and affordable funeral. Check out “Four Steps to Funeral Planning” on the FCA website to get started. Search the list of FCA chapters to find resources in your state, including average funeral costs.

X Oregon Funeral Resources & Education (OregonFuneral. org) and Washington Funeral Resources & Education (WashingtonFuneral.org) provide state-specific information about legal rights and resources when death occurs. Families can find affordable and meaningful ways of memorializing and caring for their loved ones.

X The Green Burial Council (greenburialcouncil.org) advocates for environmentally sustainable, natural death care.

SEPTEMBER 2021

11

Inspired by the

Mountains Rugged Alaska landscape serves as outdoor studio for pair of adventuresome artists

By Molly Rettig

Klara Maisch felt the cold breath of the glacier on her face as she hiked up the river of ice. Gray clouds thickened the Alaska sky, and a clap of thunder warned of a coming storm. In the flat light, it was hard to see the deadly crevasses shooting across the dirt-striped ice.

Every so often, Klara’s imagination would plunge into one of them. Then she would stop and reassure herself that she had all the safety gear she needed and had climbed this route plenty of times.

This trip, however, was different. It wasn’t about summiting the peak or skiing down it. It was about painting it.

When Klara made it to the ridge, she found a spot where the Gulkana Glacier seemed to spill out of the sky and down the valley like cream flowing from a pitcher—a stunning convergence of ice and rock that is the hallmark of the eastern Alaska Range.

She unloaded the large rolled-up canvas

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S E P T E M B E R 2021

sticking out of her backpack and propped it against a boulder, then gathered the smoothest, flattest rocks she could find for her brushes and tubes of paint.

The next four days, Klara painted in this little art studio in the glacial moraine—a landscape carved and polished by moving ice over thousands of years.

When her legs grew numb from sitting on the jagged rocks, she took a break and climbed around or read a book.

“It’s not meant to be comfortable,” Klara says. “I think the discomfort is a good reminder that I’m a visitor here.”

Klara’s sweeping mountain scenes reflect a reverence for Alaska’s wild places—the

push and pull, beauty and danger, strength and vulnerability they wield.

As an artist and wilderness guide, Klara spends a lot of time exploring these landscapes, their colors and angles and textures, as well as how she fits into them.

She says the goal is to find places that make her feel as small and insignificant as possible.

“That’s the feeling I’m constantly chasing, either on my skis or on camping trips or when I’m painting, that feeling of direct immersion in a place,” she says.

Her large oil painting from the glacier captures not just the swirling flow of ice, but the exposure she felt being up there

The Heart of Community

Klara Maisch cross-country skis to a site in the Alaska Range to paint what she sees and feels. PHOTO BY TOBIAS ALBRIGTSEN

alone. When it traveled across Alaska as part of an Anchorage Museum exhibit this summer, Klara says it was like sharing that private moment with the world.

A Different Perspective When Leighan Falley flies through the Alaska Range in her small propeller airplane, she looks for scenic views for her passengers and good places to ski. But she also looks for scenes she can paint.

The alpinist-turned-glacier-pilot has spent untold hours in these mountains, climbing their faces and skiing down their spines. She has summited Denali half a dozen times, felt the fear, euphoria and lightheadedness of standing atop the highest point in North America. These same emotions seem to jump off her paintings.

“There’s something that just trickles into the art, if you’ve walked there or climbed

on it or had life-threatening experiences on it,” Leighan says.

Leighan has had a few near misses on Denali and seen more than one fatality.

She knows mountains are not just beautiful sculptures. They can also be violent.

“Sometimes this works its way into my art in the form of darkness or winds, painting a peak to look menacing or haunting—and they are,” she says.

There is no shortage of artwork paying homage to Alaska’s beauty. Artists from across the world flock to the state’s wilderness areas, float down its remote rivers and set up easels along rugged dirt roads to try to put it on paper.

But few can reach the places Klara and Leighan go, using just their feet and their mountaineering skills, nor capture the mood that exists so far away and high above the rest of the world.

“The Steg,” by Klara Maisch.

SEPTEMBER 2021

13

A Lifelong Connection Klara was in a baby carrier when she first started exploring the Alaska Range.

Growing up in Fairbanks, it was the closest access point to the high alpine country.

Her parents taught her to ski early.

She became part of a vibrant racing community that practically lived at the local ski hill. While she has skied all around the world, the eastern Alaska Range holds a special place in her heart.

“I love the geology,” Klara says. “I love the rivers. It’s where I learned how to be outside.”

Leighan also grew up admiring the mountains biting into the Fairbanks horizon. When she was 10 years old, driving into town with her mom for a summer fun run, she pledged to climb Denali one day.

“It wasn’t about conquering it or getting to the summit,” Leighan says. “I just wanted to see Alaska, and Denali seemed like the greatest vantage point.”

About a decade later, she accomplished that goal and was rewarded with a view that exceeded her childhood dreams.

“When there is a cloud deck below you, you’re standing on top of this island in the sky, this beautiful sunlit island,” she says.

“It’s amazing.”

Leighan’s paintings echo that sense of awe. They have been featured in galleries and coffee shops around Anchorage, at national film festivals and on the can of Denali Brewing’s Hazy IPA. An Expression of Their Souls For these women, art is a way to challenge themselves: physically, by going deeper into the places they love, and intellectually, by expressing why they love them.

Klara says painting a mountain is a lot like skiing on it.

“It’s a way to interact with the landscape, to feel it out, to get to know it on an intimate level,” she says. “When you’re flying down the hill on skis, you have to understand what all the undulations mean and choose your line through it. It’s very similar to the experience of making art outside. I’m just using my eyes instead of my body.”

Leighan sees this in her friend’s work.

“Klara just has this beautiful channeling 14

S E P T E M B E R 2021

After Leighan Falley gave birth to her daughter, she transitioned from mountain guiding to becoming a pilot, raising Skye with her husband, Tucker. PHOTO COURTESY OF LEIGHAN FALLEY

Throughout the seasons, Klara hikes, skis, floats or flies into remote areas of Alaska to paint on site. PHOTO BY TOBIAS ALBRIGTSEN

of what’s actually happening in her soul,” Leighan says. “You can feel the rain that’s falling, tell whether she’s cold or not, comfortable or not.”

Leighan’s paintings hedge closer to realism—something she blames in part on her profession.

She says aviation trains her to suppress her more impulsive instincts—the same ones needed to create great art.

“I can reproduce what’s in front of me and add a little bit of soul to it, but it doesn’t have the same kind of freewheeling creativity as when I was younger,” Leighan says.

Wrestling With Environmental Changes Right off the Richardson Highway, three hours south of Fairbanks, the Gulkana Glacier is easily visible from the road.

While scientists have been monitoring its

Klara sets up her art studio next to whatever she is sketching and painting, whether water or mountains. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KLARA MAISCH

retreat since the 1960s, it doesn’t take a glaciologist to tell it is melting away.

When Klara went there as a child in the 1990s, the glacier filled the valley. Looking up, there was a speck of rock in the middle, surrounded by ice on either side.

Today, that speck has become a huge outcropping of rock as the ice around it has vanished, draining down the creek during Alaska’s increasingly warm summers, along with billions of additional tons of Alaska’s glacier ice.

It’s a subject Klara wants to confront in her art, partly by returning to the same spot in future years to document its change.

“These remote places are actually very interconnected with the choices we’re making in town,” she says. “I hope my art can be a voice for these places that not a lot of people get to see and experience.”

Leighan wrestles with the same thing every day from her cockpit.

She knows her plane burns 50 gallons of jet fuel an hour—no small contributor to climate change. Yet when she flies passengers through the Alaska Range, weaving in and out of peaks and swooping over ancient ice fields, it changes them.

“People are moved to tears on a daily basis,” Leighan says.

She hopes her art can do the same to those who view it.

“With my paintings, I try to take them there so they can see the profound beauty that is the Alaska Range and maybe care about it a little more and want to protect it a little more,” she says. n

As a bush pilot, Leighan frequently sees mountain peaks. IMAGES COURTESY OF LEIGHAN FALLEY

ABOUT THE SERIES: Pioneer Utility Resources, publisher of this magazine, is shining a light on rural arts, hoping to tell a comeback story. The Heart of Community receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.

SEPTEMBER 2021

15

IN THE KITCHEN

BACK-TO-SCHOOL

Easy Dinners

One-Skillet Rice and Beans With Kielbasa 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon butter 14 ounces Polska kielbasa or smoked andouille sausage, diced 1 medium onion, diced 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup white rice 2 cups chicken broth

14-ounce can beans (red, pinto, black eyed peas or field peas), rinsed and drained ½ teaspoon Creole seasoning ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes Salt and pepper, to taste 1⁄3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley Hot sauce

In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add kielbasa and onion. Sauté 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and stir for about 30 seconds.

Add the rice, and stir to coat. Stir in broth, beans, Creole seasoning, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover; reduce heat to mediumlow. Simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is done. Stir once halfway to prevent sticking.

Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley. Serve immediately with a few dashes of hot sauce.

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S E P T E M B E R 2021

Chicken Enchilada Casserole Cooking spray 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium white onion, peeled and diced 1 large bell pepper, cored and diced 4-ounce can diced green chiles 15-ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained

8-ounce can whole kernel corn, drained 3 cups shredded or diced cooked chicken 3 cups red or green enchilada sauce, divided 12 corn tortillas, halved 3 cups shredded Monterrey Jack or Mexican blend cheese Toppings: fresh cilantro, green onion, diced avocado, sour cream

Heat oven to 375 F. Mist a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.

Add onion, pepper, chiles, beans, corn, chicken and 2 cups enchilada sauce to a bowl. Stir to combine.

Pour about ½ cup of the remaining enchilada sauce in the baking dish. Spread until the bottom of the dish is evenly coated. Top with a layer of eight tortilla halves. Top evenly with ⅓ of the chicken mixture, followed by ⅓ of the cheese.

Repeat with another layer of tortillas, chicken mixture and cheese. Follow by a final layer of tortillas, chicken mixture, the remaining ½ cup of enchilada sauce and cheese.

Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is thoroughly melted.

Garnish with toppings and serve warm.

Pressure Cooker “Baked” Ziti 2 cups chicken broth 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper 2 cloves garlic, minced 16 ounces ziti 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes

2 teaspoons dried basil 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus additional for topping ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped, plus additional for topping

Spray the insert of the pressure cooker with cooking spray.

Pour in the chicken broth and heavy whipping cream. Add salt, pepper and garlic. Add the pasta, but do not stir.

Evenly pour the crushed tomatoes over the pasta.

Sprinkle the basil and oregano over the tomatoes. Do not stir.

Secure the pressure cooker lid. Set the valve to the sealing position. Select manual or pressure cook. Set for 5 minutes cook time. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Quick release the remaining pressure.

Add the cheese. Stir ingredients until well combined.

Serve with additional cheese and chopped fresh basil.

Slow Cooker Jerk Short Ribs Ground Beef Stroganoff 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound lean ground beef 1 medium onion, diced 1 pound portobello mushrooms, sliced 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup beef broth

1 cup heavy cream 1⁄3 cup sour cream 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper Egg noodles

Heat a deep pan over medium-high heat with olive oil. Add ground beef and brown. Drain excess grease. Add onions and garlic. Saute until onion is translucent. Add mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes. Add flour and stir until absorbed.

Add beef broth, heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.

Remove from heat and add sour cream. Stir to combine and season to taste.

Serve over egg noodles or your favorite starch.

1 tablespoon ground coriander 2 teaspoons ground ginger 2 teaspoons onion powder 2 teaspoons garlic powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon dried thyme ½ teaspoon ground allspice ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1⁄8 teaspoon ground cinnamon Approximately 5 pounds bone-in beef short ribs 1 large onion, chopped ½ cup beef broth 10 ounces apricot preserves 3 tablespoons cider vinegar 3 garlic cloves, minced

Combine first 10 ingredients, reserving 2 tablespoons. Rub remaining seasoning mixture over ribs.

Place onion and broth in a slow cooker. Cover with ribs.

Cook, covered, on low until ribs are tender, about 6 to 8 hours.

Meanwhile, combine preserves, vinegar, garlic and reserved seasoning mixture. Serve with ribs.

Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway PHOTO BY KATIE WILCOX

SEPTEMBER 2021

17

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Seniors born before 1956 get big boost SLEEK NEW MEDICAL ALERT DEVICE IS FLYING OUT THE DOOR

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Seniors born before 1956 get new medical alert device

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Special Report: Demand for new Medical Alert Device soars

cell service is available whether you’re out watering the garden, driving in a car, at church or even hundreds of miles away on a tour or at a casino.

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“It’s not like old style monitored help buttons that make you talk to a call center, only work when you’re at home and come with hefty bills every month. FastHelp comes with state-ofthe-art cellular embedded technology. That means it works at home or anywhere, anytime

All seniors born before 1956 are getting an instant $150 rebate making this deal just too good to pass up

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Seniors snap up new medical alert device that comes with no monthly bills

People don’t alway s do wh at their doctor says, but when seasoned veteran emergency room physician, Dr. Philip B. Howren says every senior should have a medical alert device, you better listen up.

“Seniors are just one fall away from being put in a nursing home,” Dr. Howren said.

“With a medical alert device, seniors are never alone. So it keeps them living independently in their own home.

That’s why seniors and their family members are snapping up a sleek new

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Many seniors refuse to wear old style help buttons because they make them look old.

But even worse, those medical alert systems come with monthly bills.

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Sleek new modern design makes you look important not old

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“This slick new little device is designed to look like the pagers doctors wear every day.

Seniors love them, because it actually makes them look important, not old,” Dr. Howren said.

FastHelp is expected to hit store shelves later this year. But special newspaper promotion a l g ive aways are slated for seniors in select areas that call 1- 800 -275 - 0444 Ext. HELP3229. ■ (Continued on next page)

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

(Continued from previous page)

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

So if you’ve ever felt a medical alert device was too complicated or expensive, you’ll want to get FastHelp, the

The problem with medical alert devices is, nobody wants to wear them because it makes them look old.

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That’s because it’s the first state of the art medical alert device designed to make you look important, not old.

Old style monitored help buttons you wear around your neck, or require ex pensive base station equipment or a landline are the equivalent of a horse and buggy, it’s just outdated.

Millions of seniors fall every year and spend hours lying on the floor helpless and all alone with no help.

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

sleek new medical alert device with no monthly bills.

The medical alert device slugfest was dominated by two main combatants who both offer old style monitored help buttons that come with a hefty bill every month. But now Universal Physicians, the U.S. based heavyweight, just delivered a knockout blow sending the top rated contenders to the mat with the unveiling of FastHelp. It’s the sleek new cellular embedded medical alert device that cuts out the middleman by instantly connecting you directly to highly trained 911 operators all across the U.S. There’s absolutely nothing to hook-up or install.

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HOW TO GET IT BORN BEFORE 1956: Use the rebate coupon to the right and call this Toll-Free Hotline: 1-800-275-0444 EXT. HELP3229 BORN AFTER 1956: You cannot use the rebate coupon to the right and must pay $299 Call: 1-800-281-0344 EXT. HELP3229

in their own home independently.

Yet millions of seniors are still risking their safety by not having a medical alert d e v i c e . T h a t ’s because seniors just can’t afford to pay the monthly bills that come with old style medical alert devices.

T h at’s why seniors born before 1956 are rushing to cash in the whopping $150 instant rebate before the 7 day deadline ends.

So there’s no need to wait for FastHelp to hit store shelves later this yea r because seniors born before 1956 can get it now just by using the $150 i n s t a nt r e b at e coupon printed in today’s newspaper before the 7-day deadline ends. If lines are busy keep trying, all calls will be answered. ■

PROS: It’s the sleek CONS: ConBOTTOM LINE: You don’t need to shop around.

We’ve done all the leg work, this deal is too good to pass up. FastHelp with the instant rebate is a real steal at just $149 and shipping and there are no monthly bills ever.

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

sumers can’t get FastHelp in stores until later this year.

That’s why it’s so important for seniors born before 1956 to call the National Rebate Center Hotline within the next 7 days.

For those who miss that deadline, the sleek little medical alert device will set you back over $300 bucks.

Five Star Customer Reviews See what actual customers are saying about FastHelp VERY IMPRESSED “When I pressed the alert button, I got straight through to help and they answered me immediately. I live out in the country and my cell phone doesn’t always get reception... that was not a problem with my FastHelp device.”

- Walter, TN LIFESAVER “When I got my FastHelp I never thought I’d have to use it, but when I fell and broke my hip it saved my life.”

- Harold, OH Very appreciative of having FastHelp “I did have an emergency. Help RESPONDED quickly and came in a few minutes.”

- Irving, PA

WE LOVE THE PRODUCT “We bought it outright with no bills ever.”

- Rosemary, NY Safe anywhere “This little FastHelp device is my guardian angel. I’m so glad my daughter-in-law got it for me.”

- Pete, FL Everyone should have it “I’ve been telling everyone to get one.

Thanks to the folks at FastHelp for taking good care of people when they need it.”

- Mark, IA Love my unit and feel much safer “I am a 68 year old recent widow. Standing on a chair to put my tree topper on this Christmas I thought ‘What if I fell?’

Saw your ad and ordered my FastHelp unit.”

- Megan, CA Unsolicited consumer feedback from satisfied customers as reported to Universal Physicians.

Universal Physicians rated these customer reviews 5 stars

REBATE COUPON

VALID FOR USE 7 DAYS ONLY Amount of Rebate (AOR )

1P

$150.00 OFF

2Y

RE: HELP3229 DLV Y: ML2077R-1

1 OF 1

FASTHELP IS COVERED BY A 30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE LESS SHIPPING AND A 1 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY. FASTHELP IS A 4G CELLULAR DEVICE. FASTHELP WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE 911 CALLS WHEN CELLULAR SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE SUCH AS IN REMOTE AREAS. FASTHELP USES GPS TRIANGULATIONS TO APPROXIMATE YOUR LOCATION WHEN YOUR DEVICE IS TURNED ON. DR. HOWREN IS A COMPENSATED MEDICAL ADVISOR. OH RESIDENTS ADD P7328 OF22307R-1 6.5% SALES TAX. UNIVERSAL PHYSICIANS 7747 SUPREME AVE, NORTH CANTON, OH 44720.

ADVENTURE AWAITS

Venture a century back in time while visiting the

Kennecott Mines

History

What Is It? Once a bustling mining town, Kennecott, Alaska, has been abandoned for more than 70 years, offering a glimpse into the boom-andbust tales from mining history.

20

S E P T E M B E R 2021

In 1900, prospectors Clarence Warner and Jack Smith explored the Kennicott Glacier and came across cliffs of exposed copper, which became the Bonanza mine.

Samples showed it was one of the richest copper deposits ever found.

Between 1911 and 1938, the mine produced nearly $200 million of copper.

Walk Through the Past

I Before E

Explore the Surroundings

In Kennecott, the old general store and post office are home to many exhibits, but visitors can also walk through the recreation hall, railroad depot, residential cottage and more. The mines are a National Historic Landmark run by the National Park Service, so consider taking a walking tour with a ranger.

The Kennecott Copper Corp. got its name from the famous Kennicott Glacier, itself named after the naturalist Robert Kennicott. One theory for why the company uses an “e” rather than an “i” is that a clerk made the typo early in the company’s history, and nobody ever bothered to correct the mistake.

If you’re looking for a hike, there are options near Kennecott, such as Root Glacier Trail and Old Mine Trail.

Kennecott is within WrangellSt. Elias, America’s largest national park at 13.2 million acres. Once you’re done at the mines, take the time to take in more of the Alaskan wilderness.

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY TAHA

More Info To start planning your trip and to stay up to date on local travel restrictions, visit www. nps.gov/wrst/ planyourvisit/ kennecottvisitor-center. htm or call 907-822-5234.

READER EXCHANGE

Crafts/Hobbies I am looking for antique ceiling tiles for a project. Please let me know how many you have, how big and what they look like, possibly including a picture. Willing to pay for shipping and so forth if they are what we are looking for. Thank you much.

Patricia Ryno P.O. Box 9 Mitchell, OR 97750

I am looking for old blankets to use as batting in small quilts. Probably no smaller than 36” x 36”. I am making them to give away to young children who need them.

Batting would also be appreciated. I am taking quilt parts and piecing them so if you had some quilt squares 12” x 12” I could use them also. If you have small quilt tops I could finish them. If you are in my area, I could arrange to pick it up. If you would have some or even one to have picked up, please contact me at threecrossesquilting@gmail.com. Thank you for helping bring smiles to some young people.

Judy Thomsen P.O. Box 678 Condon, OR 97823

I am in need of pillow cases for Dresses for Africa. My friends and I sew all year to send to girls in Africa. Please be kind and make sure the pillowcases are in good shape. Thank you in advance.

Linda Dixon 425 E St. North Powder, OR 97867

I am searching for some embroidery thread, J&P Coats, six-strand floss color #141. It is very bright red. I need it to finish a very old piece of embroidery. I need a least two packages. Please help me finish this project. Thank you.

Donna Rodini P.O. Box 1644 Brookings, OR 97415

My wife, Chelsea, and I are expecting our first child in February of 2022. Due to exorbitant prices for building materials, we’re unable to build our house as planned this year. We are going to warmer weather

to wait out winter and have our baby.

During this time, Chelsea and I are trying to keep busy with our favorite hobbies.

Chelsea is a photographer and would love any photos people want to share so she can create a collection. She is particularly fond of vintage photos, black and white, as well as landscape and wildlife. Please send any spare photos and words of encouragement to Chelsea at 44 Camp Lake Drive, Hardeeville, SC 29927. Thank you.

Jon Mowery Bonners Ferry, Idaho

Milestones My mother’s 90th birthday is the same week as my daughter’s wedding midSeptember. Her name is Ardith or ‘“Ardy.”

My mom displays cards she receives for months afterwards, rearranging and rereading. Could readers send her just a little note of interest about yourself?

Maybe a hobby, a place you have visited or what you see when you look out of your window. Thank you so much. Send birthday greetings to: P.O. Box 3413, Albany, OR 97321 Christine Smith Philomath, Oregon

My dad will be 88 in September. He is an old cowboy. He ran a small cattle ranch and farmed almost 150 acres of alfalfa. He is retired now, but the many years of work have taken their toll and my mom died last year. He loves to get mail and would enjoy cards from all over the West. Please send to: J.L. Whipple, P.O. Box 164, Lund, NV 89317.

Connie Peacock Lund, Nevada

My mother will turn 90 in September.

I know she would love to receive cards.

Like most of the “Greatest Generation,” these past 19 months have been a real struggle. Over Christmas 2020, she was in the hospital a week, trying to diagnose a health problem. Your cards would really help her feel connected: Joannie Ellis-Pitts, 310 Pitney Lane Unit 61, Junction City, OR 97448.

Odds Once again, we are collecting items for Operation Christmas Child for children around the world. If you knit or crochet, we would love to have Barbie clothes or finger puppets. We also need like-new Matchbox cars. Our goal is to send 500 shoe boxes filled with useful and fun items this year. Happy to refund postage. Thank you to those who have helped in the past.

Peggy Hodge 10106 Edgewood Drive Anderson Island, WA 98303

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

Submissions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis and as space allows. We cannot honor every request.

Please affirm you have obtained 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 this information.

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

Marketplace pricing applies.

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

Phone numbers will not be published. Email addresses will be published if part of the ad, but the request must include a postal address. Request must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.

Sherrie B. Eugene, Oregon

SEPTEMBER 2021

21

THE GREAT PICTURE HUNT

Debbie Ripley watches over her son Dustin—forever connected to a ventilator—seven days after her oldest son, Dan, died at age 35 of the same disease his brother battles. Overwhelmed with the planning and duties surrounding her son’s death, she also cares for Dustin because all of the nurses quit.

Seeing Beyond the Surface I LOOKED INTO HER FACE AND SAW LAYERS OF EMOTION. It had been seven days since her firstborn son, Dan, failed to wake up on a Saturday morning. Now, after all nursing help had quit, Debbie Ripley cares for her second son, Dustin, two years younger than his brother. Like his older brother, Dustin has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and requires a ventilator.

I went to the Ripley house hoping to bring some comfort to old friends and to talk with and photograph Dustin. The brothers were inseparable and spent their lives together, rarely more than inches apart. As often happens, preconceived ideas change quickly. I am reminded there are many stories under one roof. We choose which ones to share.

Though father Dale and Dustin were grieving in their own unique way, Debbie’s face quietly spoke the loudest. Not until I returned home and looked at the images of Debbie on a computer screen did I see and feel her conflicting layers of emotion.

The gift of a still photograph lies in allowing us the privilege of studying, of journeying deep into a face without risk of voyeurism or embarrassment. Often, I see expressions or gestures in a photograph I did not see when looking through the lens and making the photograph. Studying Debbie’s face, I see fear and worry, strength and courage. Above all, I see the eternal burden and love of a mother.

I will forever encourage you, dear readers, to gather the courage to photograph real, unrehearsed emotion, even during life’s most difficult times. In darkness, there is always light to be shared. Though often difficult to photograph at the time, these moments become priceless treasures with time. A photograph can never contain the depth and complexity of our being, but at its best it can stir us and offer shadows of our inner person. n Read more about Dave LaBelle’s relationship with Dan, Dustin and the Ripley family—and their journey with Duchenne muscular dystrophy—at bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.

22

S E P T E M B E R 2021

NIKON D800 85mm lens ISO 560 f/4.5 at 1/160 Dave LaBelle spent his boyhood years taking photos and began his storied photojournalism career while still in high school.

He worked for 20 newspapers and magazines in nine states and taught at three universities.

Since 2009, the internationally known photographer, author and lecturer has shared his photo tips and life perspectives with our readers. To read more of Dave’s writings on life, visit bridgesandangels. wordpress.com and www.greatpicturehunt.com.

Reader Photo Challenge Muster the courage to photograph friends in tough times. Based on my experiences, I am confident both you and your friends will grow closer from the experience.

I am photographing a church friend years younger than me who is dying. I interviewed her last week and photographed her. She said she feels honored I would use my “artistry” on her. She is handling her journey with faith and grace.

Please email your best image along with caption information to GPH@pur.coop. We may share some of the submissions on our website and social media channels.

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Operation Cool Shade When members spend time outdoors in the summer heat, having shade to feel cooler is a hot commodity, or cool commodity in this case. Although temperatures are the same in the shade, people feel at least 10 degrees cooler. The same could be said about preventing direct sunlight into your home, which lowers the outside wall temperature.

Operation Cool Shade trees enhance the look of your home and yard while saving energy dollars. Shading your home can reduce cooling costs up to 20% in just a few years, and the energy not being consumed is also better for the environment.

“There’s a reason why people park their cars in the shade. When the sun comes through the window it generates heat and raises the temperature in your home,” said Steve Bouman, energy management specialist with Mohave Electric Cooperative.

MEC is offering 2,100 trees for purchase by members for $9 each, including a complimentary LED bulb. Sales are limited to four trees per member.

Enjoy the convenience of phone order presales on September 11 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. by calling 928-763-1100. Regular tree sales will begin on September 22 and continue through October 5 at MEC member service, located at 928 Hancock Rd. Tree pick-up for Bullhead City is November 13 at a new location, Anderson Auto Group Fieldhouse. Tree pickup location for MEC’s eastern service area is November 20 at Pinion Pine Fire Department in Kingman.

As with previous years, MEC employees have been working closely with the University of Arizona Mohave County Cooperative Extension of the Master Gardeners in Bullhead City to determine suitable trees for a desert environment. The shade trees chosen this year are rosewood, willow acacia, Chilean mesquite, and desert willow. The Bullhead City Master Gardeners will also be offering a workshop on how to plant your Operation Cool Shade trees and other desert-adapted plants on October 21, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Mohave County Library Bullhead City branch at 1170 Hancock Rd. Those considering purchasing shade trees should create a landscaping plan. Ensure you have enough space to plant at least three trees so that they may provide enough shade to shield your home on the west, south, or east side. Before you plant, it is important that all members call Arizona 811 at 800-782-5348 or go online at arizona811.com to create a ticket. Arizona 811 will notify utility locators to mark the placement of underground

MEC is offering 2,100 trees for members to purchase during Operation Cool Shade. PHOTO BY MEC

utility wires and pipes where you plan to plant trees. Never plant trees where their growth will interfere with overhead power lines.

A good rule to follow is, at maturity, the trunk and branches of trees should be at least 15 feet away from overhead power lines.

In addition, be mindful to plant 15 feet from driveways, patios, sidewalks, and blocks walls.

For complete details on Operation Cool Shade, please visit MEC’s website and stay tuned to MEC’s Facebook page for event updates. n SEPTEMBER 2021

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 40 years in business. www.btlliners.com; 541-447-0712. 0522 Antiques and Collectibles Antique tools, 28” grinding wheel, 3 antique wood stoves, horse-drawn wagon, old disc.

Aaron.Buffington@yahoo.com. 0921AR

Fully restored. Ready to reopen for community and travelers. $379K. Call Dawn 530-310-4614 or email dawnmeyers7@yahoo.com. 0921 Work and shop from home with an Idahobased online shopping club. Safer, cheaper products, shipped to your door. It is like Amazon or Costco only cheaper. www.earthandanimalwellness.com.

Supplement your income. Call or text 208-400-0013. 0921AR Build your safe space in this world: Harden your home, build an underground shelter and learn how to protect everything you love. www.KeepYourTribeAlive.com. 0921AR

Shirley Temple doll collection. 11 composition, 1 porcelain and several vinyl. Can send photos. Text, 208-494-6182. rene.riddle@yahoo.com. 0921

Large wine press with electric crusher. Good condition. $700. 541-929-4041. 1021.

Automotive Need a replacement passenger side mirror for 1995 Buick Riviera. Red color preferred. 714531-8427. 0921 1989 Chrysler TC by Maserati. 2.2 automatic.

Red w/ginger interior. Soft top excellent & hard top w/original glass. Garaged & all records since 2008, service & repair manuals.

158K miles. $5,250 OBO. 541-760-3024; rcsheldrake@gmail.com. 0921AR 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. 0921AR Business Opportunities NorCal: Country store, café & residence in one.

Cessna 421, 1968 and 1969. Low time, well equipped, out of license. $50K and $60K. yumaaircraftsupply@gmail.com. 0921 Niche for two. Sunset Memorial Gardens, Richland, WA. All cemetery expenses included.

Present day cost $2,400. Offered at $1,800.

509-554-0799. 0921

Emergency Preparedness

Historian buying any 1860-1915 clothes, shoes, hats, undergarments or photo albums—one piece or large amount. Paying good price. Let me know what you have. Debbie, 971-4048332; Dl_pappas@yahoo.com. 0921

Miscellaneous 3 Steelcase lateral 5-drawer file cabinets.

Height 63¾”, width 36” and depth 18”. Light tan, excellent condition. You haul. Call 509-3692002. 0921

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. 1021

Equipment/Tools

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. 1221AR

Widowed 76-year-young lady, Christian, nonsmoker, attractive, outgoing, talkative, homeowner, La Grande area, looking for male companion late 60s to mid 70s, nonsmoker, Christian, outgoing, likes eating out, traveling, pets, yard sales. Serious inquiries only 541663-9791. 0921

Home and Hearth

Pets, Supplies

Free Items

New kitchen knife storage frees counter or drawer space. Our reviews tell it all.

Handcrafted by retired teachers in Oregon, USA. Visit Jbwoodturn.com. 1121 Residents of Franklin County, WA. Receive a $100 voucher to remove fruit-bearing and ornamental trees (flowering plum, crabapple, Hawthorne). Voucher(s) are redeemable at participating locations. Residental trees only—no commercial orchards. Call for details before you remove trees. Franklin County Horticultural Pest and Disease Control Board, 509-545-3580. 0921

Rare dark red F1 goldendoodles that have AKC-registered parents will be ready for their forever homes in October. $2,500. www.westcoastgoldens.com.

541-271-3310. 0921

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 503-357-2105 or info@pur.coop.

Ads are for customers of member co-ops, PUDs and municipals only. Subscribers and nonmembers may inquire for pricing at 503-357-2105 or info@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, 2021.

26

S E P T E M B E R 2021

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

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

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

Alaska. Year-round road access, power, Wi-Fi, cellphone service, garage & more. $394,900. jimnsalley@yahoo.com. 0921 15 off-grid acres. 3-5 contiguous acres facing 2 separate roads. Outstanding views of Mt. Blanca, one of Colorado’s 14,000’ peaks. 5mi to Ft. Garland, CO. Just awaiting your cute cabin. $72,500. 541-729-3198. 0921 AKC dark red purebred golden retriever puppies available for their forever homes in October. $2,500. www.westcoastgoldens. com. 541-271-3310 0921 Stud service for mini Australian shepherd.

Photos available. Crescent Lake, Oregon. Liz Sanders, 360-901-1291. 0921 AKC-registered Airedales. Fort Sage Kennels, Patricia Sharp, P.O. Box 246, Doyle, CA 96109; 530-827-2271. 0322 Real Estate 3 2.5ac lots (1 commercial), Sandy Valley, Nevada. Close to Las Vegas. $55,000ea, or $150,000 for all 3. Possible OWC. Near post office, store. Some utilities. 775-209-2830.

0921AR Beautiful acre lots in custom-home area of Pahrump, Nevada. Paved roads, no HOAs, near shopping. Hurry before the prices go up. Starting at $24,000. Some OWC. Some w/ water rights. 775-209-2830. 0921AR Beautiful custom homes on acre lots in Pahrump, Nevada. 5-car garages plus RV garage. Call for address to tour online. Paula, 775-209-2830. 0921AR Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm & recreation property in Oregon. Fourthgeneration Oregonian, ranch owner. 640ac for sale, Ironside, OR. $640,000. John Gill, 541480-9161; johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 0921 Buildable, 4.26ac. Gated community above Ochoco Reservoir, Prineville, Oregon.

Spectacular views. 400-amp service. RV parking, if shielded. Septic approved. $110,000.

503-622-6515. 0921AR Looking to relocate in western Montana?

Commercial, residential, land, investment.

Contact Kathi Olson, BHHS Montana Properties, 406-544-7359. 0921AR Brookings, Oregon. Cozy 2+2, 1,368sqft manufactured home on nearly ¼ac. $255,000.

Patricia Piper, Century 21 Agate Realty, 1016 Chetco Ave, Brookings, OR 97415. 541-2512152; patpiper@charter.net. 0921 Fishing, hunting, snowmobiling from the front door of this modern cabin with 380’ of riverfront on the Gulkana River in Southcentral

Need to sell land fast? Tired of paying property taxes? Inherited land you don’t need?

We buy land. 843-564-8438. No agents. No commissions. www.sellyourvacantlandfast.com.

1021 If your property is near a river or lake, we will sell it for more. OregonRiverRealty.com.

Premiere Oregon Properties: 30yrs’ experience getting the best price for sellers and buyers.

4 sale: Old Mill Farm Store in business since 1853. $960k. 4 sale: 238ac 2.5mi Umpqua River frontage. Possible wetland mitigation property. $690k. 541-480-0212. James Wardrope Realty. OregonRiverRealty.com; office@RiverInnElkton.com. 0921 Recreational Rentals Maui vacation rental, 1bdr, full kitchen, across from beach. For further details, plus 10% discount when booked through owner, call 541-974-4427; leave message if unavailable.

1221 Wavecatcher: oceanfront, central Oregon Coast. Easy beach access. $140/night winter, $150/night summer +cleaning/tax; seventh night free. Two bedrooms w/double beds, sleeping loft w/double beds. Full kitchen/bath, linens. Pet friendly. COVID-cleaned between guests. 541-740-9953. Check availability, wavecatcherbeachrentals.com. 1121AR Bend country cabin. Very clean & fully furnished cabin on private ranch. Close to recreation areas. Very nice. $95/night. 541382-3050; bendcountrycabins@gmail.com.

0921 Situations Wanted Looking for rental in Provo, Utah, starting January 1, 2022. Minimum 2bd, need yard for my dogs. Can pay $900/mo or less. Call 702480-0049. 0921 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. 0222 Wanted: 1967-1972 Buick Skylark, GS, Stage 1, GSX. Cars, parts or leads. Or any ’60s or ’70s vehicles. Email billybibbett@hotmail.com.

1121 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. 1021 Buying old Navajo blankets, rugs & old jewelry, old beadwork & baskets, etc. Also, signed paintings of the American West, & abstract artists. One piece or collections. ’60s muscle convertible or ? Photos. 760-409-3117, amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com. 1021 Gold, silver, coins/currency, buy, sell.

Collections wanted. Fair prices paid. 41yrs in retail store. Baker City, Oregon. 800-556-2133; garrymclin@aol.com. Will travel. 1021 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. 0921 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.

0921

Holiday Recipes

Holiday Favorites

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

Delicious holiday recipes—everything from triedand-true family favorites passed down through generations to tempting new recipes to add flavor to the holidays. More than 300 wonderful recipes. The price is $8, which includes postage.

Recipes Submitted by Readers for the November 2002 Contest

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 503-357-2105.

To order online, visit www.ruralite.com.

Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.

SEPTEMBER 2021

27

ARIZONA G&T COOPERATIVES

Muralist Brings New Life to Benson Locals and visitors admire photo-realistc murals adorning buildings throughout the Arizona town

By Nancy Jorgensen Doug Quarles has painted more than 47 murals on buildings in Benson, population 5,000, since moving to town in 2013.

It takes a lot of caffeine to paint that many murals.

“My wife, Sharon, says when I’m cut, I bleed paint and coffee,” Doug says.

Doug’s latest panorama—an American flag and an eagle—emblazons the front of Frontier Fitness, a locally owned gym.

Life-size heroes from the community are pictured saluting the flag.

The subjects of the mural include a detective from the Benson Police Department, a Border Patrol officer and a buffalo soldier re-enactor. A K-9 handler from the Cochise County Sheriff ’s Department posed with her dog, both in full uniform. One person is pictured twice 28

S E P T E M B E R 2021

to depict his jobs as both an EMT and a firefighter.

Doug photographed every subject and spent five to eight hours painting each.

The heroes were invited to the mural’s dedication ceremony in July.

“They were so tickled to be on the wall,” Doug says.

Citizens and businesses contribute to the murals through the nonprofit Benson Clean and Beautiful organization, which is dedicated to beautifying Benson. Arizona G&T Cooperatives provided a significant share of mural seed money and continues to contribute to the project.

Lisa Hill, past president of Benson Clean and Beautiful, says the Benson Visitors Center, the Benson Library and local businesses have sold about 600 mural guidebooks in the past five years.

The original included 12 pages. The latest version has grown to 72 pages.

Beyond the $5 guidebook, hundreds of locals and visitors track down the murals after learning about them from news stories or word of mouth.

“People love seeing murals,” Doug says.

“A mural can increase the value of your property. They’re a form of beautification,

and they give a town personality. Visitors hear about them, stop and take pictures, get a meal, fuel up and end up spending dollars while they’re here.”

Moviegoers may recall the line, “If you build it, they will come,” from “Field of Dreams.” Doug adapts the line to reflect what he believes murals can do for a town: “If you paint them, they will come.”

As if to prove his point, two ladies swing

by Doug’s gallery, Quarles Gallery, to visit with the artist.

“We used the guidebook to look at your murals all morning,” says Jan Wiley, who manages a nearby health clinic. “We had such fun.”

Doug paints in a photo-realistic style.

His Benson works include local desert wildlife, the “throne room” of nearby Karchner Caverns and a cattle drive from Benson’s early days.

The guidebook also lists items Doug hides in each work. Jan and her friend— visiting from Ohio—spotted a penguin, aliens and gargoyles, among other concealed treasures.

“But we couldn’t find the kingfisher!”

Jan says.

“Maybe it flew off,” Doug laughs.

This mural by Doug Quarles features photorealistic local desert wildlife. PHOTO BY STEFANIE SPENCER

Doug’s commitment started when Lisa visited Lake Placid, Florida, and saw that town’s murals. When she returned home, she met with the Benson City Council to share the mural idea.

“They conned me into heading up Clean and Beautiful,” Lisa says.

Her initial effort resulted in a newspaper article seeking muralists. A friend of Doug’s saw the article and called him.

Originally from Louisiana, the Quarleses created murals in Tucumcari, New Mexico, for several years. The couple drove to Benson, which lies about 30 minutes east of Tucson, to meet with Lisa.

Doug submitted renderings for the Benson Visitors Center murals, and the City Council approved them. Lisa raised $7,000 in seed funds. The history- and railroad-themed murals were soon unveiled to much fanfare.

The Quarleses moved to Benson and began work on more murals.

Benson Clean and Beautiful chooses themes for murals it funds, and Doug submits renderings for committee approval.

Sharon and Doug brainstorm ideas together, and Sharon researches the history

behind many of the subjects. An artist in her own right, Sharon displays her own paintings in the Quarles Gallery.

While Doug paints murals most mornings, he also spends his time creating smaller pieces for the gallery and commissions. He paints signs for local businesses, too.

“The murals have given me a lot of mileage,” he says. “I meet people on the street while I’m painting, and the murals bring people into the gallery. One guy who came in bought 30 paintings one day.”

Forty-seven murals later, “The results are everything we dreamed,” Lisa says.

“Doug has made the program. It looks like you can walk right into his murals.”

While other towns’ murals look like cartoons or graffiti, Doug focuses on realism. He might use a roller to paint a background, but he deploys a brush, tape measure and snap line on almost every inch.

“When I die and get to heaven, and God asks me what I did with my talent, I can say, ‘I painted,’ ” Doug says. “I’ve got a lot more I want to paint.” n For more information, visit quarles-art.com, or call Quarles Gallery at 520-686-4093. Go

Muralist Doug Quarles has painted more than 47 murals on buildings in Benson, Arizona. PHOTO BY STEFANIE SPENCER to BensonCleanandBeautiful.com and click on The Murals, or bensonvisitorscenter.com and click on Benson Murals.

SEPTEMBER 2021

29

BEFORE YOU GO

A Ruralite Love Story Once upon a time on these pages, Rural Mailbox played matchmaker for readers seeking meaningful relationships.

Heartfelt personal ads in each issue featured rural singles doing their best to connect in 25 words or less. Did it work?

Did readers find their soulmates? Read on.

“Christian man of integrity.

Enjoys kids, mountains, food, conversation, country western music, backpacking, horses, working, singing, relaxing. Seek active, countrified Christian lady, mature 21-30.”

Flashforward to 2021 and say hello to Craig and Jenni Tissell, a happily married couple who found one another through—you guessed it—Ruralite magazine.

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While the internet and online dating eventually made Rural Mailbox a thing of the past, we are glad Jenni and Craig—who began their love story in rural Washington before moving to Idaho—are still going strong and will celebrate 24 years of marriage in early December. n

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13608 Mueller Value Plus - AZ.indd 1

7/29/21 3:21 PM

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

A Message from the CEO

News From Your Cooperative Mohave Electric is having an awesome 75th anniversary year. Some very exciting times here as we wrap up summer and move towards the end of the year.

I am pleased to announce that we have our first member connections for fiber-optic broadband service with TWN. This is a huge milestone, first-of-its-kind for an Arizona cooperative utility! Enjoy reading the article in the Currents magazine, and remember to pre-register.

Later this month Mohave Electric will be holding its annual meeting, and we are looking forward to celebrating our 75th anniversary with our members. As we announced in July, Capital Credits have been distributed to members, so keep an eye out for your credit.

Another milestone for our 75th anniversary, MEC marks the 1,000th solar residential installation milestone for the SunWatts Renewable Energy Rebate Program. This also marks the 100th solar residential installation for 2021.

Stay tuned for more good news and updates from MEC in our November magazine. n MEC members, the Barela’s, are the 1,000th MEC residential solar rebate project standing with their contractors Streamline Solar and MEC board directors. From left, Streamline Solar Contractors Chris Hansen and David Harmon, MEC Energy Management Specialist Steve Bouman, Members Carmelita and Henry Barela, and MEC Board Directors Michael Bartelt and Rich Tempelman.

What’s Happening h MEC District and Annual Meetings

District 1 | September 13 District 2 | September 14 District 3 | September 15 Annual Meeting | September 16 32

S E P T E M B E R 2021

Tyler Carlson

h Operation Cool Shade

Phone Presales | September 11 Regular sale | September 22 – October 5 Pick-up | BHC, November 13 Pick-up | Kingman, November 20 h Budget Billing applications due October 31