Water cascades over Tumalo Falls in winter.
PHOTO BY CEC MEMBER ROBERT TEWES
Ruralite
February 2024 • Volume 72, No. 2
CEO Michael Shepard
SENIOR VP OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Mike Teegarden, CCC
DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Noble
Sprayberry
SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC
ASSISTANT EDITORS Chasity Anderson, CCC; Victoria Hampton, CCC, David Herder CCC
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Valeri Pearon, Nina Todea
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION SR. MANAGER
Elizabeth Beatty
PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Alyssa McDougle
Ruralite (USPS 397-460) is published monthly for members for $4.83 per year, plus postage, by Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124—a not-for-profit Oregon cooperative corporation—to serve the communication needs of 47 consumer-owned electric utilities in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Nevada and California. Preferred periodical postage paid at Hillsboro, Oregon, 97123 and additional mailing offices. © 2024 Pioneer Utility Resources. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
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Ruralite Celebrates 70
Ruralite magazine hits a milestone this year: 70 years of storytelling and serving readers throughout the Northwest.
Ruralite magazine started in 1954 with a handful of electric cooperatives. It now serves 46 public power utilities, including co-ops, PUDs and a municipal utility. Every month, we mail more than 360,000 magazines to readers across the region in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and California. Did you know Pioneer Utility Resources, which publishes Ruralite magazine, is a co-op? We are owned by the more than 250 utilities we serve. We don’t just tell the cooperative story; we live it.
Speaking of stories, our main feature in February shares tips for finding your healthy living bliss in 2024. Personally, I’m a big fan of yoga. The breathing techniques are useful in stressful situations, and the gentle stretching helps keep me in good shape for more strenuous activities such as golf and pickleball.
Our Up Close story shares the success of entrepreneur Jasmin Smith. The owner of Baby Vend sells baby supplies in vending machines in 23 cities across the country. She was inspired to start her business after realizing she was short on supplies during a trip to the mall with her twin babies. She understood if this was a problem for her, other parents might also need a hand, and she found a way to help.
Adults are not the only ones with great ideas. We want to feature youth entrepreneurs in a future issue of Ruralite. If you know someone in their teens or younger who is running a successful business, we would love to hear from you. You can share your idea by visiting www.wkf.ms/3idk8B6.
Sincerely,
Mike Teegarden Editorial Director
Innovation Can Happen Anywhere
Baby Vend CEO Jasmin Smith is changing the way families travel Up Close, Page 10
Health and Wellness
Small choices can result in big improvements
Spotlight, Page 12 Plugged In 6 In the Kitchen 16
Photo Hunt 22 Before You Go 30 Utility Pages: 4-5, 8, 25, 28-29, 32
Your Investment at Work
By Brent ten Pas
In 2024, Central Electric Cooperative enters the sixth year of its ambitious decade-long $147 million Strategic Investment Initiative to meet growing energy demand without compromising safety, efficiency and reliability for the members it serves.
CEC’s service territory encompasses 5,300 square miles. Since 1941, the territory has evolved into nearly 4,000 miles of power lines and 24 substations. The co-op’s initial significant growth occurred in the 1950s and 1960s. Many of those power poles and underground cables are in use but nearing the end of their lifespans.
While CEC steadily upgraded equipment throughout the years, the Strategic Investment Initiative allows the co-op to accelerate the effort. From 2017 until the end of 2023, CEC replaced 1,682 aging poles and plans to replace another 400 this year.
Efforts to replace underground distribution cables continue. When the cooperative began installing underground cables in
the late 1960s, the industry’s standard practice was to bury power lines directly in the ground. Over time, moisture, heat, rocks and other disturbances can cause underground cables to fault, contributing to power outages. As of last year, CEC has buried 26 miles in conduit, and the effort continues.
“CEC members consistently have ranked dependability as the most important membership benefit over the years,” says CEC President and CEO Brad Wilson. “The initiative takes that directive to heart, funding numerous projects to enhance the system and reliability while meeting growing demand.”
CEC has experienced tremendous growth in its service territory. Since 2019, active services have risen by 5.5%, with projections that growth will increase by another 5% in the next five years. Therefore, increasing load capacity on its transmission lines and at substations is critical to enhancing the electric system.
Exemplifying this effort is CEC’s ongoing work to upgrade the cooperative’s 3.6 miles of transmission line from the Bonneville
Central Electric Cooperative crews continue to update equipment according to the co-op’s Strategic Investment Initiative.
PHOTO BY BRENT TEN PAS
CEC is engaged in a multiyear project to enhance and increase capacity from the Bonneville Power Administration’s Redmond Substation to the co-op’s Cline Falls Substation in Eagle Crest.
Power Administration’s Redmond Substation to CEC’s Cline Falls Substation in Eagle Crest. A multiyear endeavor, equipment upgrades will eventually support a 115-kilovolt power line. This year marks Phase III of the plan as CEC completes the project, converting the last 1.2 miles. See the map above.
Linked to increasing transmission capacity is expanding existing substations or building new ones to meet load growth. Substations are the key interface between the transmission and distribution systems, ultimately delivering power to members’ homes.
Since embarking on its initiative, CEC has upgraded its Bend, Lone Pine, Powell Butte, Sisters and Tumalo substations. Black Butte Ranch Substation west of Sisters and the Juniper Heights Substation south of Prineville will receive upgrades.
Three existing substations are in the design phase for expansion in 2025. A new substation is also in the works, as the 261-acre Stevens Road Tract in southeast Bend will have a range of housing and commercial businesses coming online.
• The third critical component receiving funding is CEC’s ongoing wildfire mitigation plan, which calls for timely routine inspections of its rights-of-way to identify hazards and needed vegetation management. Much focus is on Sisters and other highrisk areas.
CEC has submitted permits with the United States Forest Service to conduct vegetation management along a 3.5-mile stretch parallel to Pine Street north toward Indian Ford Road, targeting approximately 130 hazardous trees to be trimmed or removed. Upon USFS approval of the permit, crews plans to conduct the work in May before wildfire season starts.
This effort builds on work conducted last year, when crews removed a mix of 300 hazardous junipers and pines along 10 miles in rights-of-way parallel to the Brooks-Scanlon Logging Road west of the Tollgate Subdivision out to Highway 20. Before
then, CEC removed 76 trees along a 2-mile corridor of power lines in the Camp Sherman area. In 2021, the co-op cleared trees, overhanging limbs and vegetation on a 13-mile section off Indian Ford Road heading out of Sisters toward Green Ridge.
The combination of these efforts will continue to provide the members and communities CEC serves with safe and reliable electricity well into the future. n
The cloud.
NOTthe cloud.
or another city, state or country. The cloud’s remote servers handle much of the computing and the storage, so you don’t have to buy a Pentagon-worthy computer.
The cloud also allows us to store and back up our own data. For instance, you can store and view documents, videos and your photo collection on a cloud service without overloading your computer or smartphone’s internal storage.
If you use cloud services, anything you save is backed up and accessible from anywhere, provided you remember usernames and passwords. A fire, network outage or a power surge might destroy your devices, but your information can still be secure in the cloud if you backed it up.
Where Is the Cloud?
The cloud is not actually in the clouds. Cloud services are right here on Earth, stored inside computer servers that are most likely sitting inside server farms— giant, temperature-controlled facilities full of computer servers that store and transmit information. Next time you picture the
cloud, think of rows of black boxes with blinking lights.
Not-so Silver Linings
There can be downsides to storing and accessing information remotely, however. For one thing, many cloud services cost money. Some devices, such as iPhones, offer free cloud storage up to a certain amount of data. After that, you’ll need a subscription. Business cloud services often charge per gigabyte of storage.
Also, cloud services only work with internet access. Without the internet, there is no connecting to the cloud. And despite serious security measures set in place by cloud service companies, hackers can still find ways to get in. Other calamities that could disrupt your cloud services are natural disasters and other disruptions that cause network outages. n
Avoid QR Mischief
QR codes—short for quick response codes— pop up frequently. TV ads, restaurant menus and many more businesses and services rely on these little squares of blocky lines to link a smartphone user to handy information, a download or as a way to digitally send money to someone.
The FBI, however, has warned that cybercriminals may tamper with the codes. The FBI offers a few tips so you can take advantage of QR codes while staying safe and secure:
X After scanning a QR code, check the URL to make sure it is the site you want. A malicious domain name may be similar to the intended URL but with typos or a misplaced letter.
X Be cautious when entering login, personal or financial information.
X If scanning a physical QR code, ensure the code shows no signs of tampering, such as a sticker placed over the original.
X Do not download an app from a QR code.
X If you receive an email asking you to complete a payment through a QR code, call the requesting company to verify. Look up the company’s number on a trusted site—don’t use a number from the email.
X Do not download a QR code scanner app— the built-in phone camera is a safer option.
X If you get a QR code you believe to be from someone you know, contact them through a known number or address to verify.
X Avoid making payments through a site navigated to from a QR code. Instead, manually enter a known and trusted URL to complete the payment.
Power Pole Clutter
Flyers, satellite dishes, posters, basketball hoops, decorative lights, even hunting stands. You name it, someone has tried to staple, nail or tie it to a power pole. Here’s a quick look at the dangers and pitfalls associated with unauthorized pole attachments.
Illegal
Many state and local laws and the National Electrical Safety Code prohibit any unauthorized items on poles. Utilities can face fines if these attachments aren't removed.
Pole Damage
Even small holes can allow moisture and insects past the pole sealant, which can shorten the life of the pole or weaken it and cause it to fall in a storm.
Hinders Repairs
Posters and flyers can hide identifying markers on poles and slow repair work.
Gloves
Staples, tacks and nails can puncture a lineworker’s insulated rubber gloves and expose them to electric shock.
Boots
Objects can cause a worker to fall if they snag their boots.
Climbing Hooks
Nails and tacks can impede climbing hooks from sinking into the wood.
Dangerous
A person who gets too close to energized lines while attaching an object can be electrocuted.
Distraction
Some materials posted on poles, like mirrors or holiday decorations, can be a distraction to drivers.
Source: NRECA; Design: Jeff Dionise
Better Way to hearTV®
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Quiet TV mode lets others mute the television or set the volume to their preferred level while you listen as loud as you want on the headset.
and everyone knows me as an entrepreneur, I was able to quickly get an airport contract.”
In 2019, Jasmin unveiled her first vending machine at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Since then, she has expanded her business to 23 cities across the country.
Jasmin’s Anchorage community connections were critical to her success in placing her first machine at the Anchorage airport. She returns the favor by providing small businesses the opportunity to include their products in Baby Vend machines and offering support to those wishing to install and manage their own machines.
While the Alaskan network of support gave Jasmin a leg up with her business, the community is no stranger to challenge. She says Alaskan communities don’t always have equal access to supplies, which has created obstacles in maintaining a thriving business.
“I think the hardest part was just geographically being so far away and in a perceived rural area,” Jasmin says. “I had to kind of figure out how to keep myself connected and balance higher costs.”
Leaving a Legacy
Since starting her journey with Baby Vend, Jasmin has navigated
the challenges of running a business and been victorious. In 2017, she was named to the Alaska Top Forty Under 40 list and has also been recognized by Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy for her entrepreneurship and community leadership. She has coached more than 650 entrepreneurs across the nation.
Looking ahead to the future of Baby Vend, Jasmin remains committed to innovation and growth. With plans to evolve her business to continue meeting the needs of her customers, Jasmin’s ventures as a successful entrepreneur are far from over.
“I think right now, our biggest thing is just kind of pivoting some of our customer bases to more contract base and really expanding on our product line,” Jasmin says.
Her long-term vision is in line with her desire to continue revolutionizing convenience for families on the go while encouraging the next generation of business owners. Through her work, Jasmin has learned a lot about entrepreneurship, but one of the lessons that has stuck with her is to be flexible and not take anything personal when it comes to business.
“I’ve learned to not internalize so many things that happen in business,” Jasmin says. “Just learn from it and just keep pivoting and growing and seeking that feedback … and remembering those that have been with me along this whole journey.” n
FROM LEFT: The Anchorage, Alaska, community has been instrumental in supporting Jasmin’s business, ultimately culminating in the installation of her first vending machine at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in 2019. Jasmin founded Baby Vend in 2016 after realizing parents need more access to child care products while traveling. Baby Vend machines are constantly improving, incorporating cutting-edge technology and products sourced from local small businesses. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BABY VEND
Small choices can result in big improvements
By Pamela A. Keene
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY DESIGNPICS
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, its effects linger. The pandemic changed the way we interact with each other, how and where we earn a living, how we spend our free time and how we approach the choices we make to keep us healthy. Life today is definitely different than it was five years ago.
“During the pandemic, people faced much more isolation, worry and fear, and this has left residual health and wellness issues,” says Dr. Ginger Nicol, associate professor of psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “People stayed at home more, their circle of faceto-face relationships shrank. They became more sedentary, influencing mental and physical health and wellness.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics, approximately 12% of those surveyed aged 18 and older in 2022 said they regularly had feelings of worry, nervousness or anxiety.
“These feelings can lead to more serious mental health issues,” Ginger says. “However, there are ways that can improve your overall health and wellness— both mental and physical—to result in more day-today enjoyment and health, and ultimately result in a better quality of life. Choosing to add more movement and activity, increasing time spent with family and taking time for personal reflection can all contribute to better health and happiness.”
The pandemic cannot be wholly blamed for a decline in people’s mental and physical health. Today’s society is less active and exponentially more sedentary than it was several decades ago.
Even before the pandemic, many Americans sat in front of some type of screen for much of their waking hours.
With COVID-19, dependence on screens and technology expanded.
During COVID-19, those with existing health issues were less likley to spend time outdoors—nor did they socialize with family or friends—so the feelings of isolation and angst were magnified. Depression, weight gain and other factors contributed to a decrease in physical fitness.
“Physical and mental health are inseparable,” Ginger says. “Research has shown that people who are active tend to have a better mental outlook and lead more enjoyable lives. The reverse is also true. People with a positive outlook are more likely to participate in some sort of regular activity.”
What Is Wellness?
Numerous factors contribute to a healthy life, from nutrition and exercise to ample sleep. Wellness encompasses physical and mental health, and taking care of mind and body promotes a balanced lifestyle.
“Our needs change as we grow older,” Ginger says. “As such, it’s important for us to be aware of these changes and how we can address and adjust to them without compromising our wellness. Being responsible for our aging can help us reduce risk of disease, such as diabetes, stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular issues, depression and anxiety.”
Many things can contribute to a longer and more fulfilling life, such as regular wellness visits with a primary care physician to stay on top of potential health concerns; completing age-appropriate testing, such as colonoscopies and cancer screenings; and being willing to adjust eating, behavior and lifestyle habits.
result in broken bones, head injuries, cuts and bruising. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries.
“Simple things—like practicing standing on one foot while you’re brushing your teeth or when next to the kitchen counter—can help improve your general core strength,” Ginger says. “If you can improve your ability to stand up from sitting and also increase your confidence in your balance, you’re making good headway toward a healthier and safer life.”
Brain Health
Technology is a huge distraction in creating a healthy life. It can prevent people from relaxing, letting go of anxieties or working through challenges.
“Train your brain to let go of external diversions by turning off your smartphone, taking a walk in a park,” Ginger says, “or simply finding a quiet place to sit and daydream for a bit. Daydreaming can be a powerful tool to help your brain slow down to the external stimuli and allow you to notice things you’d ordinarily glance over.”
Ginger suggests using a positive trigger to help increase awareness and help with relaxing.
“Perhaps you’ve gone on a vacation and remember a pleasant sight, sound or feeling that can take you back to that time: the deep blue of the ocean, the sound of the leaves rustling on a chilly fall day or seeing a stunning sunset,” she says. “Use that to disconnect you from the worries of the day to reconnect with yourself.”
Other ways to unwind can include reading just for fun, spending an hour in the garden, pursuing a favorite hobby or experiencing a new one as a way to give your mind a rest.
“We spend our lives in front of screens, and we just don’t get outside enough to simply reflect and be very present in the moment,” Ginger says. “Some people meditate, others practice yoga, but the secret is to find a way to slow down your brain waves and clear your mind. Give it time to refresh and you’ll be surprised how much more happy you can be.”
Health and wellness are parts of life’s journey that require heightened awareness and a commitment to make changes when necessary.
“Adding a bit more movement each day, taking time to build meaningful social connections and allowing yourself to unplug from time to time can do wonders for your mental and physical health,” Ginger says. n
Long walks on the beach, quality time with loved ones and yoga are ways to rejuvenate the mind and body. PHOTOS COURTESY OF PIXABAY
Find Comfort IN A BOWL OF SOUP
Minestrone
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup diced carrots
½ cup diced celery
½ cup chopped onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
32 ounces chicken broth
28-ounce can petite diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
15-ounce can white beans, drained and rinsed
15-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Parmesan cheese rind
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon fresh black pepper
1 fresh rosemary sprig
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 medium zucchini, diced
2 cups baby spinach, chopped kale or chopped collard greens
Salt and pepper, to taste
Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes for garnish
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion and garlic. Stir. Saute until tender and fragrant, about 15 minutes.
Add broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, cheese rind, salt, pepper, rosemary, bay leaves, basil and parsley. Bring to a boil. Cover. Cook on low for 40 minutes.
Remove the bay leaves, rosemary and Parmesan rind. If you prefer a thicker soup, pulse a few times with an immersion blender.
Add the zucchini and spinach. Cover. Simmer until the zucchini is tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
PHOTO BY KATIE WILCOX
Zuppa Toscana
16 ounces Italian sausage links, medium or hot
6 slices bacon
¾ cup chopped onion
1½ teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons chicken soup base
1 quart water
Heat the oven to 300 F.
2 large potatoes, cut into ¼-inch slices
2 cups kale, washed, dried and shredded
1⁄3 cup heavy whipping cream
Parmesan cheese
Place sausage links on a sheet pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until cooked through. Cut links in half lengthwise, then cut at an angle into ½-inch slices.
Cook bacon and onion in a large saucepan over medium heat until onion is almost clear. Remove bacon and crumble. Set aside.
Add garlic to the pan with the onion. Cook together for about 1 minute. Add chicken soup base, water and potatoes. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add bacon, sausage, kale and cream. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Top with Parmesan cheese before serving.
Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
6 cups chicken broth
2 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cubed
6-ounce package long grain and wild rice blend, quick-cooking version with seasoning packet
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup butter
1 cup carrot, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup onion, diced
3 cups half-and-half
Open rice package. Set aside the seasoning packet. In a small bowl, combine pepper and flour. Set aside. In a large pot over medium heat, combine broth and chicken. Bring to a boil, then stir in rice. Cover, and remove from heat.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add carrots, celery and onion. Saute for 5 minutes. Stir in the contents of the seasoning packet. Continue cooking vegetables until softened, about 5 minutes. Add seasoned flour gradually while constantly stirring to form a roux. Saute roux for 3 to 4 minutes to cook out raw flour taste.
Whisk in cream, a little at a time, until fully incorporated and smooth. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Stir cream mixture into broth and rice. Cook over medium heat until heated through and rice is done, 15 to 20 minutes.
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
2 large onions, chopped
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups water, divided
4 cups chicken broth
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1½ cups mashed potato flakes
½ pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
¾ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dried basil
1⁄8 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup half-and-half
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 green onions, sliced
In a large skillet, saute onions in butter until tender. Stir in flour. Gradually stir in 1 cup water. Bring to a boil. Stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Transfer to a 5-quart slow cooker.
Add the broth, potatoes, potato flakes, bacon, pepper, salt, basil, thyme and remaining water. Cover. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until potatoes are tender. Stir in cream, and heat through. Garnish with cheese and green onions.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
4 tablespoons butter
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 stick of celery, diced
½ cup carrots, julienned
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups half-and-half
½ teaspoon thyme
½ teaspoon mustard powder
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
16 ounces potato gnocchi
1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
1 pinch red pepper flakes,
Salt and pepper, to taste
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, celery and carrots. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic. Cook for 1 more minute.
Add the flour, and stir to combine. Cook until the flour begins to turn a golden color, about 2 minutes.
Add the chicken broth and half-and-half in splashes, stirring to incorporate. Don’t add it too quickly, or you will break the roux. Add the thyme and mustard powder.
Add chicken breasts to the broth. Bring it to a gentle boil. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove the chicken and let it rest for 5 minutes. Dice the chicken, and add it back to the soup. Let the soup simmer until reaching the desired consistency. It will continue to thicken as it simmers.
Add the gnocchi. Simmer according to package instructions.
Reduce heat to low. Add the spinach, red pepper, salt and pepper. Simmer until spinach is wilted, about 1 minute.
READER EXCHANGE
Books/Magazines
I am searching for a book by Amanda Grant: “Where has Jessie Gone.” If you have a copy you can part with, please let me know.
Caroline N. 4016 Berry Court Fairbanks, AK 99709
Crafts/Hobbies
I’m helping homeless people out on the streets. I recently learned how to knit and made scarves and hats for them as Christmas presents. I am looking for anyone willing to donate yarn and other things homeless people could use, as well as some words of encouragement.
Abigail Cowart 29 Hilltop Lane Wahkiacus, WA 98670 Cowartabigail26@gmail.com
I’m requesting old, broken and unwanted jewelry of any kind. I take it apart, clean it and repurpose it into decorative frames, mirrors, etc. Thank you in advance.
Holly Hill P.O. Box 1006 Port Orford, OR 97465 Turdsmama@outlook.com
Milestones
My stepdad turns 90 this month. He spent his 37-year career in law enforcement, retiring from the California Highway Patrol. He and my mom were married for 10 years before she passed in 2015. He loved her dearly. He spends his time with his dog, Polly. I know he would be surprised to receive birthday cards for this special birthday milestone. If you’d like to send a card, address it to Bob Allee, 1080 E. Lassen Ave., Apt 37, Chico, CA 95973. Thank you.
Pam Scheideman Chico, California
My mom will celebrate her 88th birthday in February. I would like to honor her and her special day by inviting you to send birthday wishes her way. She loves getting mail and would be most grateful to receive birthday cards. Thank you for your kindness. She will be delighted. Mail to Velma Larson, 1024 Anna St., Prosser, WA 99350.
Jeanne Whitenack
Prosser, Washington
Music
I’m seeking cello sheet music—particularly upbeat Celtic tunes— and an instructor for beginner adults near Oakridge, Oregon. Thanks in advance.
Barbara Counsil
P.O. Box 899 Oakridge, OR 97463
Odds
I am a retired Navy veteran. I served my country from 1956-60. I had hoped to make the Navy a career, but situations existed that prevented this. Over the years, I gave away some of my uniform garments and wonder if anyone out there has some items I would like to have: a black silk neckerchief, watch cap, peacoat (extra large) and formal naval hat. Willing to pay postage and reasonable cost of objects. I do have a uniform and hat. Thank you for your help in advance.
Don Maddy 43 Mill Drive Wahkiacus, WA 98670
I’m looking for a cider press and fruit grinder for home use.
Rosemarie Hausmann P.O. Box 471 Reedsport, OR 97467
Recipes
I’m looking for an old recipe my mom had and said ran in one of the Bake Off cookbooks in the late 1960s or early ’70s. It’s a cheesecake made in a 9-by-13-inch pan, lined with a yeast-raised dough, and filled with a mixture of crushed pineapple, cottage cheese and cream cheese. I can’t remember the last part. I think this part is cooked on a stovetop before being put in the crust. It is topped with another crust, baked and glazed when it’s done, and cooled. It is super delicious.
Marcene Berends 52875 Ranch Drive La Pine, OR 97739 Otterlover1157@gmail.com
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Kenai Fjords National Park
What Is It?
Mountains, ice and the ocean all come together in Kenai Fjords National Park in Southern Alaska. Just southwest of Seward, Alaska, and above the Gulf of Alaska, the fjords are home to behemoth fields of ice.
Nice Ice
The 23,000-year-old Harding Icefields and its outflowing glaciers are more than 700 square miles large. The ice is thousands of feet thick, but that isn’t always enough to cover the mountains underneath. The exposed mountaintops are called nunatak, or lonely peaks.
Drive a Fjord
The fjords are not the most accessible national park, given the giant glaciers that cover it. Many drive up the east side to see Exit Glacier—the only part of the park accessible by road—and see how glaciers reshape the landscape. Open year-round, Exit Glacier is home to a few trails of varying difficulty.
Take a Boat
Much of the park is only accessible by boat. Boat tours, available in the summer, offer the ability to see tidewater glaciers—the glaciers that reach the sea. When these glaciers calve ice into the sea, the ice serves as floats for local harbor seals. The waters around the park are also home to otters, porpoises, whales and more.
COURTESY OF NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE/JIM PFEIFFENBERGER
More Information
Kenai Fjords National Park has no entrance fee. To plan your trip, call 907-422-0500 or visit www.nps.gov/kefj.
PHOTO
It was a warm summer afternoon and my wife and I were mingling with the best of them. The occasion was a 1920s-themed party, and everyone was dressed to the nines. Parked on the manse’s circular driveway was a beautiful classic convertible. It was here that I got the idea for our new 1920s Retrograde Watch.
Never ones to miss an opportunity, we carefully steadied our glasses of bubbly and climbed into the car’s long front seat. Among the many opulent features on display was a series of dashboard dials that accentuated the car’s lavish aura. One of those dials inspired our 1920s Retrograde Watch, a genuinely unique timepiece that marries timeless style with modern technology. With its remarkable retrograde hour and minute indicators, sunburst guilloche face and precision movement, this design is truly one of a kind. What does retrograde mean? Instead of displaying the hands rotating on an axis like most watches, the hands sweep in a semicircle, then return to their starting point and begin all over again.
Retrograde watches by the big brands can set you back thousands; one recent offering from a big French fashion house is selling for more than $150,000! But because we’ve designed the 1920s Retrograde Watch in-house, we can offer it to you for just $99!
This watch is so wildly popular with our customers that we’re actually concerned about running out; we only have 937 729 left for this ad!
1920s Style for a 1920s Price
Join more than 1 smart people who love stauer watches
Watch Specifications:
• Precision movement
• Stainless steel case, caseback and crown
• Retrograde hour and minute indicators
• Water-resistant to 5 ATM
• Brown genuine leather band
• Fits wrists up to 8"
1920s Retrograde Watch
$399 $99* + S&P Save $300
*Special price only for customers using the offer code.
“An elegant and exciting timepiece that every collector will love.”
“[A] unique and beautiful timepiece.”
— Carlos C., Los Banos, CA
— George omas, internationally renowned watch expert
Now you can nally have all of the soothing bene ts of a relaxing warm bath, or enjoy a convenient refreshing shower while seated or standing with Safe Step Walk-In Tub’s FREE Shower Package!
✓ First walk-in tub available with a customizable shower
✓ Fixed rainfall shower head is adjustable for your height and pivots to o er a seated shower option
✓ High-quality tub complete with a comprehensive lifetime warranty on the entire tub
✓ Top-of-the-line installation and service, all included at one low, a ordable price Now you can have the best of both worlds–there
Attention, Photographers
Your photo could be on the cover of Ruralite magazine.
Central Electric Cooperative is hosting a Ruralite cover photo contest. We are seeking dynamic images that capture our culture, community and the natural beauty of our service territory. CEC’s member services team will judge the photos.
The top three winners earn a $100, $75 and $50 Visa gift card, respectively. The winning photo is featured on the cover of Central Electric’s May edition of Ruralite.
X The contest is open to Central Electric Cooperative members only. We strongly encourage youth to participate.
X All photos must be taken within CEC’s service territory.
X Each member can submit up to two original photos.
X Submitted photos must be vertical (portrait) orientation.
X Submissions must be high-resolution, digital images in jpeg format and 300 dpi at approximately 8-by-10 inches.
X All submissions must include the photographer’s name and detailed caption information.
X Photos previously published in Ruralite ARE NOT eligible.
X Prints ARE NOT accepted.
X Email cecmemberservices@cec.coop with the subject line “2024 Photo Contest Submission.”
X The contest deadline is March 15.
X By submitting your photos, you give CEC the right to use your images on Ruralite’s cover, and CEC’s social media pages and future publications.
Photo Tips
X Make photos around sunset or sunrise. The low light makes for prettier landscapes.
X Include people doing interesting things, such as skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking, hunting, fishing or biking.
X Get close to your subject, but leave room at the top for the magazine’s title.
X Only send your best photos.
MARKETPLACE
Agriculture
Reinforced custom-sized pond liners (39 cents/sqft). Hay covers, greenhouse covers, any width and length. Truck tarps and more. High puncture and tear strength. Best price guaranteed. Celebrating 42 years in business. www.btlliners.com. 541-447-0712. 0424
4x5 round bales, Meadow Foxtail Orchard Grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square. nas@cpcinternet.com; 208-435-4637 or 208-435-4002. 1224
Antiques and Collectibles
Buying antiques and collectibles: advertising signs, porcelain signs, gas pumps, beer signs, antique toys, cast-iron coin banks, neon signs and more. Jason, 503-310-3321 or tjabaughman@yahoo.com. 0324
Buying American Indian collectibles, Navajo blankets and rugs, baskets, beadwork, etc. Also, quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com. 0224
Lifetime collection Fender vintage amps 1960s70s. Serious inquiries only. 541-589-2807.
WC Collectibles. We buy comic books! Local to the Inland Northwest, willing to travel. WCCollectiblesCheney@gmail.com; 509-496-1835. 0724
Books, Magazines, Videos
More “Montello Remembered” novels available. I’m also liquidating my NV history collection. Many rare and hard-to-find books now available. pruitt2010@frontier.com; 775-753-3254. 0324
Book restoration. Bibles, cookbooks, cherished family heirlooms. Beautiful work. We give renewed life, more durable than original, to last for generations. salacanstudio@gmail.com; 775-537-7066. 0224AR
Business Opportunities
A great business opportunity in Boardman, OR. A small cafe you can use your imagination in. Frontage view of freeway, quick in and out access. A coffee shop on property for extra income. $1.3M. For more information, call Karen at 541-571-0636. 0224
Quaint hardware store in Maupin, OR, for sale. Inventory and interior store recently updated and refreshed. See ad on Bizbuysell.com or email Maupincountrystore@gmail.com. $309K.
Looking to purchase a small business in Northern Idaho. Call or send information on any opportunities. Can do a quick purchase. 559-269-5554; mike@rouchbuilders.com. 0324
Quick, Affordable: How to Place an Ad
Ads 25 words or fewer are $35 a month. An extended ad of up to 35 words is $50 a month. Contact information is included in the word count. Phone numbers and emails count as one word.
Longer ads may be placed. Contact 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop for pricing information.
Ads are for customers of member co-ops, public utility districts and municipals only. Subscribers and nonmembers may inquire about pricing at 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop.
Ads must be direct and in first person, and are subject to approval and editing.
Closing deadlines (in our office): April issue—February 29, 2024.
If submitting ad by mail, send appropriate payment with your name, address, email, phone number and the name of the electric utility that provides your magazine to: Marketplace, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133. Make check or money order payable to Ruralite.
We accept credit card payments for ads submitted by email. Send ad to info@pioneer.coop.
Call 503-357-2105 to pay by credit card.
Advertisements are accepted in good faith. Pioneer Utility Resources is not liable for interactions between buyers and sellers.
Free Items
Free materials—church, government uniting, suppressing “religious liberty,” enforcing National Sunday Law. Be informed. Need mailing address only. TBS, P.O. Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. tbsmads@yahoo.com; 888-211-1715. 0424AR
Miscellaneous
Local commercial fisherman sells summer catch of preserved freshness by blast freezing at sea, gourmet canned tuna on the internet. Sept.-June. 100% guaranteed the best canned tuna you ever tasted. Original, jalapeno and garlic flavors available. Twofisherstuna.com. Call 206-799-1082 to place your order. 0324
Alaskan Yellow Cedar. Great for planter boxes, herb and flower beds, fencing or decks. Various sizes available. Pete, 541-206-0727. Lisa, 541-747-5025, ext. 21. 0624
Custom handmade knives. Now taking orders for hunters, chefs, bowie or utility. Damascus or 1095 high-carbon steel guaranteed. Call or text 509-250-2662. Pictures available. 0224
Granite cemetery markers at affordable prices. Will ship to most places. For more info: Joe, 541-815-8906; www.highdesertmemorials.com; and highdesertmemorials@gmail.com. 0524
Cigar box guitars. 3 string; electric or acoustic. American art you can play. $200-300. Call or text for pic and pricing, 701-425-1576. 0224
Pets, Supplies
Purebred white shepherd puppies. Protective instincts of German shepherds and the loving attitude of labs. They’re not hyper or yappy. Born 10/31/2023. Eugene, OR. 541-913-0253.
Idaho Shag (border collie x Airedale). The best dog you will ever have. Farm/ranch dog. Males and females. $450 each. Colton, OR. 971-804-1706. 0224
Get the absolute best farm dog. English shepherds are good with all stock, are great watchdogs, superb varmint hunters, friendly and easy to train. Our litter was born Dec. 4, and our pups will be ready for their forever homes just in time for Valentine’s Day! $900 each. Applications are available at www.goodearthfarm.org. 541-913-5980; admin@goodearthfarm.org. 0224
Real Estate
Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, Dallesport, WA. 1,608 sqft. mobile home for sale in park. $670 monthly rent. Excellent condition. Professional upgrades. Motivated seller. $109K. 503-396-1251. 0424
Lineworker Scholarship Helps Local Youth Achieve Dream
By Courtney Cobb
Crook County High School graduate
Colton Porfily knew early in life he wanted to join the trades. The question was, which field would he choose?
Colton began working in construction at age 16, learning the value of a hard day’s work alongside family. His father and uncle own a construction company in Prineville, and his older sister is the company’s head of safety.
“They taught me how to work in the construction trade,” Colton says. “We are a close family who support each other any way we can.”
One day, while working on a construction job, Colton found his passion.
“I was working side by side with a line crew on a job we had when I first started at the family business,” he says. “Ever since
that day, I have wanted to do line work. I wanted to be a lineman.”
Besides looking for a career path, Colton knew he wanted to be helpful and play a vital role in the community.
“This trade will always be needed, and that motivates me to be outside working when people rely on the power staying on,” he says.
Last June, Central Electric Cooperative awarded a $5,000 lineworker scholarship to Colton.
“Central Electric Cooperative is excited to support Colton’s pursuit of becoming a lineman,” says Brent ten Pas, vice president of member and public relations. “He exudes enthusiasm, dedication and desire to learn the craft. We are confident he will be successful and a great representative for his generation of lineworkers.”
Colton is attending Northwest Lineman
College in Meridian, Idaho. He is grateful for the scholarship to help with his education and training.
“(Northwest Lineman College) will provide me with useful knowledge I can use to work on power lines and also learn how to work as part of a team,” he says. “The scholarship helped me not only to pay for my tuition but also to obtain my Class A commercial driver’s license without having to pull out student loans and stay out of debt.”
So, what’s next? After line school, Colton plans to stay near the Northwest but he is also excited to travel wherever there is work.
“I am very thankful for this opportunity that CEC has given me,” he says. “I am committed to taking this opportunity and making it a long-term career as a lineman.” n
Colton Porfily pauses midpole climb at Northwest Lineman College. PHOTO COURTESY OF COLTON PORFILY
BEFORE YOU GO Letters Let Love Simmer
By Dan Gibson
More than 30 years ago, in response to a personal ad in the August 1992 Ruralite, romance blossomed.
As a truck driver, I had little opportunity to date, let alone find a wife. Since another family member found true love and married a gentleman through Ruralite personals, maybe there was a young lady for me to write to as well.
I began writing to X38—Emily—and was instantly smitten. Emily included a beautiful photo, which I quickly attached to the dash of my semitruck. I dreamed about marrying her.
After nine months of writing, phone calls and flights back and forth, we were happily married in May 1993 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. After honeymooning on the Oregon Coast, we settled down in Harrisburg, Oregon, to raise a family.
By 2019, the children were grown and on their own, so we sold our house and moved back to north Idaho to be closer to family and friends. We waited four years until the home of our dreams went up for sale—the house my wife grew up in and that her father built. We moved into our house in May 2023, exactly 30 years to the day after we married. It was amazing to see how God answered my prayers for a wonderful wife and, 30 years later, answered our prayers for a house to buy that has so many fond
memories for us.
Take it from us: The old-fashioned way of writing letters and waiting for a response is the best way to find a mate. It lets love simmer into something beautiful. n
Dan and Emily Gibson met through Ruralite in 1992. PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILY GIBSON
Donny Coursey and his wife, Cathy
Central Issues
Central Electric Cooperative DIRECTORS
Chairman Kip Light, Madras
Vice Chairman Kelly McFarlane, Powell Butte
Secretary/Treasurer Kenneth H. Miltenberger, Alfalfa
Mark Christie, Sisters
Beverly Clarno, Redmond
Boyd Keeton, Tumalo
Sam McKenzie, Prineville
Dan Steelhammer, Bend
Tom Strand, Terrebonne
Attorney, Thomas M. Grim
Cable Huston LLP, Portland STAFF
President & CEO
Brad Wilson
Vice President of Finance & Accounting
Shane Morgan
Vice President of Operations & Engineering
Kevin Rohde
Vice President of Information Services
Phillip Franklin
Vice President of Member & Public Relations
Brent ten Pas
Vice President of Customer & Energy Services
Ryan Davies
24-HOUR PHONE NUMBERS:
Call 541-548-2144 or toll free at 800-924-8736.
Mission Statement
The aim of Central Electric Co-op is to make electric energy available to its members at the lowest cost consistent with sound economy and good management.
The board meets the third Thursday of each month at the CEC office, 2098 NW Sixth St., Redmond, OR.
www.cec.coop
OR-12
Settlement Details Pose Risk
Last month on this page, I highlighted a secret deal between plaintiffs and the federal government regarding the Federal Columbia River Power System operations.
Central Electric Cooperative relies on the FCRPS for nearly all of its wholesale electricity. The recent agreement could have long-term adverse impacts on rates and system reliability.
Since 1992, litigation has persisted on how to operate the FCRPS to balance the needs of salmon and electric ratepayers.
Sixteen months ago, the federal district court judge overseeing the latest round of litigation approved a stay, while the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality engaged federal mediators to resolve the litigated issues, resulting in the federal government and the six sovereigns—four federated tribes and the states of Oregon and Washington—striking a deal behind closed doors.
Several Pacific Northwest congressional members leaked the agreement once they learned of it to spotlight the lack of transparency and involvement of stakeholders, including public power.
Since then, public power has gained a greater understanding of the deal’s implications. The outlook is grim.
The agreement:
• Shows a clear path toward breaching the Lower Snake River dams. The dams represent 12% of the Bonneville Power Administration’s total generation, which is affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally responsible power. The dams also play a critical role in keeping the lights on during extreme weather events. The agreement calls for feasibility studies, the first step toward breaching the dams.
• Exposes BPA and its public power customers to tremendous financial risk
with the cost of replacing lost generation. The early estimated cost is $2 billion to $6 billion to bring renewable energy—a variable and intermittent resource—to replace the 24/7 firm hydropower resource, a system already in place with a proven track record. BPA has estimated this replacement resource would cost $415 million to $860 million annually, equivalent to a 21% to 43% increase in BPA power rates.
• Creates uncertainty in operating the Federal Columbia River Power System. The agreement calls for adaptive management of the hydropower system, allowing the six sovereigns to make decisions without any protection or standards for the power system impacts. The result will lead to less available hydroelectricity at a much higher cost.
• Will not stop lawsuits and claims. While the six sovereigns agree to not pursue litigation during the next five years, entities not bound by the agreement or not parties to the case can bring lawsuits. At this writing, two lawsuits and a claim have already been filed since the agreement became public. Parties may also continue to litigate against BPA’s rates, budget and other agency proceedings.
CEC and the public power community are seeking ways to protect its investment in the FCRPS to ensure hydroelectricity is affordable and reliable while exploring potential alternative power resources. I will continue to keep you apprised as developments occur.
President and CEO Brad Wilson