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Seasons of Change
As I write this, the promise of spring is on the calendar, but there are currently no signs it’ll actually occur. I choose to hope for the best.
Spring is known as a season of renewal and fresh starts, and those themes echo throughout this month’s issue.
I’m particularly excited to share our Up Close story about Danny and Angie Butler, the remarkable mother-son duo who represented Walla Walla, Washington, on “The Amazing Race.” Their journey wasn’t just about competing for a million-dollar prize; it was about strengthening an already incredible bond through shared adventures.
Their story reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful victories aren’t about crossing a finish line.
Our spotlight feature, “Bridging the Skills Gap,” explores how innovative programs are reshaping career paths across multiple states. From Alaska Works’ free trade classes to Hermiston High School’s enterprising student-run businesses in Oregon, there are many exciting alternatives to traditional four-year degrees.
At a time when employers are struggling to fill positions, these programs offer hope and opportunity for our region’s workforce.
I am intrigued by Tim Myres’ innovative work combining apprenticeships with college degrees at Sheet Metal Local 104 in California. His program proves we don’t always have to choose between academic and practical education. Students can graduate with both a valuable trade certification and an associate’s degree, at no cost to their families.
Speaking of innovative education, don’t miss Dave LaBelle’s charming reflection on teaching photography via the humble egg. His story about using this simple object to teach students about light, shadow and composition reminds us the best lessons often come from unexpected sources. And because March wouldn’t be complete without a nod to St. Patrick’s Day, Gertrude Treadaway serves up a hearty feast of Irishinspired recipes. Her Guinness-braised beef might just become your new favorite comfort food.
Here’s to embracing the season’s promise of renewal.
Until next time, Chasity
Anderson Editorial Director
For supplemental and interactive content, search @Ruralite on your favorite social media sites.
Amazing Ride
From reality TV to everyday life, a mother and son celebrate gratitude Up Close, Page 10
Bridging the Skills Gap
Apprenticeships, service programs and trade schools reshape the workforce
Spotlight, Page 12
A Hearty Feast For St. Patrick’s Day
In The Kitchen, Page 16
AprilMayBringShowers Flowers! Annual Meeting
Thursday, May 15
Columbia REA Walla Walla Service Center
Mark your calendars More details coming Soon!
Hot Shots! Columbia REA
Kacci Yeend-Person
Columbia REA
IT Support Specialist
What does the IT Support specialist do?
I am the IT Help Desk person. When someone sends a help request through the Help Desk email address, I handle those. I also help monitor some of our other computer systems, such as our security event monitoring system.
I’m working on moving our Help Desk request system from an email based program to an online system, which will help with tracking and allocation of resources.
What were you doing before coming to Columbia REA?
I actually owned a daycare with my mom. It’s out on the old family farm off of Valley Grove road. It’s called Karla’s Daycare. it’s been there for about 20 years.
What has prepared you for your work at Columbia REA?
I have an Associates in Business degree from WWCC. While I was working at the daycare, I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in cybersecurity from WGU. I worked days and did my classwork at night. It was a 3-year program and I finished in 18 months.
What do you like to do away from work?
My husband and I love hiking, kayaking…anything outdoors. He tried to get me into hunting for awhile but I prefer just the hiking part. We have two chocolate labs that like to come with us.
Ed Corona-Ibarra, Columbia REA
Engineering Technician
What does an Engineering Technician do?
I work with members, contractors, electricians, either on the phone or in person, to see what kind of service that is needed. Then I gather all that information and build a service order or work order to get the process going of providing that service.
What were you doing before coming to Columbia REA?
I worked at PBS Engineering here in Walla Walla. I was a drone operator. We used drones for surveying, topography mapping and stuff like that...a lot of data gathering.
What has prepared you for your work at Columbia REA?
Everything, I guess. I have no direct experience doing this kind of work. I’m just ambitious. I like to keep pushing myself so I can really be an asset. Bryan Maas has been helping me out, and his knowledge is crazy. I’d like to get to that point someday. I’m really looking forward to furthering my knowledge in this new field.
What do you like to do away from work?
After work I go to the gym. I love playing soccer. I play in the Sunday soccer league all year round. I have
For now it’s just us three, but we do have plans for more kids in
Hold That
Batteries power toys, remotes and even cars. Now, they’re showing they can help power communities, too.
By Jennah Denney
It’s often possible to use resources immediately while also saving some for later. It can be cost-effective for electric utilities to generate power when it is the most affordable and then save it for when demand is highest.
To do this, we need to use batteries.
To help manage supply and demand, some electric utilities use a variety of battery energy storage systems. These can vary by battery material—be it electrochemical, mechanical or thermal—as well as by size, with
some operating at utility scale. Other, smaller batteries can be placed in residential garages.
Utility-scale battery systems are designed for energy storage to support the electric grid, requiring high initial investments but offering significant long-term savings.
Residential battery systems cater to individual homes, providing more energy independence and savings while still representing a significant investment.
Utility-Scale Battery Storage
Utility-scale storage systems are large installations that store
huge amounts of electricity. Some can store several megawatt-hours, which could power 500 homes for several hours. Larger installations can store enough to power roughly 1 million households.
The key benefit of batteries is balancing supply and demand. Batteries can take energy produced when the cost of production is cheaper and save it for periods of high demand when utilities may see higher prices.
This can be especially useful in areas where demand can spike or fall rapidly throughout the day.
Batteries also pair well with renewable generation sources, such as solar and wind. Sometimes, on particularly sunny or windy days, solar panels and wind turbines produce more power than a community needs at the time. Batteries can save that energy for when the sun sets or the winds fade.
Electric utilities can also deploy utility-scale storage systems at electric substations to enhance grid resilience. If a power outage means no electricity is reaching a substation, on-site batteries can continue sending power to critical infrastructure—such as hospitals and emergency services—until power is restored.
Battery systems can store power. PHOTO COURTESY OF TRICO ELECTRIC CO-OP
That Charge
Residential Battery Storage
With batteries, homeowners can reduce their energy bills and ensure a steady supply of power, even during grid disruptions and outages.
Residential battery storage systems are compact installations designed for individual homes, typically ranging from a few kilowatthours to 10s of kWh in capacity. Often paired with residential solar panels, these smaller systems allow homeowners to store excess energy generated during the day for use at night or during power outages. Residential batteries can help provide a level of energy independence. However, the initial cost of buying and installing a residential storage system is expensive, which may deter some homeowners.
Electric utilities are increasingly recognizing the benefits of residential battery storage. These systems not only support grid stability and resilience, but can help reduce costs for utilities and their customers. Some utilities offer energy-storage programs and rates, which means homeowners can contribute to a more efficient and reliable energy system that benefits the entire community.
As electric utilities navigate the complexities of modern energy supply, utility-scale and residential battery energy storage systems can be a benefit to all of our lives. n
Energy Storage
Energy storage involves devices and methods that absorb power when it’s generated and save it for when it’s most needed. The ability to “warehouse” large quantities of energy economically and over long periods of time will help utilities improve grid operations, integrate renewables and boost reliability.
Below are the four most widely used storage methods.
Electrochemical
Battery storage; most common: lithium-ion and lead
Mechanical
Kinetic storage; most common: flywheel and compressed air
Racks
Gravitational
Thermal
Amazing Ride
From reality TV to everyday life, a mother and son celebrate gratitude
By Vicki Hillhouse
The energy was electrifying in the Activities & Recreation Center at Point Loma Nazarene University for the premiere of season 36 of “The Amazing Race.” Students gathered, and friends and family flew in to watch Resident Director Danny Butler and his mother, Angie, a middle school teacher, make their series debut in 2024.
It felt like half a lifetime to Danny since the duo set out on their reality television adventure, representing Walla Walla, Washington, in challenges around the globe against 12 other pairs with a $1 million prize waiting for one team at the finish line. It had actually been a year and a half since filming ended.
Danny says holding the secrets of the season for so long was a grind. Everyone in the room wanted to know where in the world they went (Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Barbados); what kinds of wild adventures they had (paragliding into Medellin, rally car racing in Cordoba, tracking down the childhood home of singer Rihanna in Bridgetown); and how far they made it (sixth place).
A Memorable Exit
But there was a much larger spoiler: Danny and Angie made series history in the eighth episode. Separated from their film crew in a Barbadian roundabout, they lost so much time in the wait to reunite and continue with the race that they were ultimately eliminated. Fans were reeling about the unprecedented loss, caused not by Danny and Angie’s actions but by decisions outside of their control.
In the year since, their elimination is one of the most askedabout aspects of their experience. Angie’s second-most asked question is from mothers who want to know the secret to a family bond so tight that her eldest son would invite her to compete on a reality show in the first place.
Their response to just about every question is one of cheerful gratitude—a hallmark, along with their deep-rooted faith, of their time on the show.
“We didn’t want to disappoint each other,” Angie says. Their ending—however controversial—was a sort of gift.
“The way we went out—Mom killed it that day playing pickleball—neither of us failed each other,” Danny says.
“Our job on that show was to love others well and reflect our love for each other, and I think we did that,” Angie says.
Sharing the Experience
Danny hopes to one day return to “The Amazing Race” for an all-stars season to get another chance. In the meantime, he and Angie launched a podcast, “Read the Clue,” where they recapped the episodes from their season—with Angie in Walla Walla and Danny in San Diego. They have made appearances together, including at Over the Edge Celebrity Weekend, a threeday brush with reality TV stars raising funds for their chosen nonprofit organizations.
Thirteen teams line up in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for the start of “The Amazing Race.” PHOTO BY
ABOVE AND RIGHT: Mother-and-son team Angie and Danny Butler race through Colombia on the 36th season of “The Amazing Race,” which aired in 2024. They paraglided into Medellin and, among other things, had to harvest and process a kilogram of ripe Arabica beans as one of their roadblock challenges. PHOTOS BY KT KARZEN/CBS AND YURI HASEGAWA/CBS
to speak about her experience and the bonds she has with her three children. She looks up other show contestants when she’s traveling outside of Washington and was even recognized at the bottom of Bryce Canyon in Utah when a family asked her to take their photo and realized they’d seen her on television.
“I never dreamed that would be part of my journey,” she marvels. “Once we got off the show, I thought that was it.”
Living a Dream
Danny, 28, had long been preparing himself to be a contestant. In their Walla Walla home, the family, including father Dan, built puzzles, played games and enjoyed challenges.
A dogged fan of competition shows,
Danny knew he wanted to be a contestant someday when he watched the 12th episode of the 15th season of “Survivor.” Contestants and their
race their way to a dais in the middle.
“I thought, ‘That is the coolest thing. I want to do that someday,’” he says.
“The Amazing Race” held a particular place in his heart. When Danny was a freshman in high school, he staged his own version of the show in Walla Walla. Friends and fellow youth group members pedaled their bikes through town, following his clues and competing in challenges. It led them, among other places, to the local candy store where they had to guess flavors of jellybeans in a blind tasting to move on.
Making the show about a decade later was a dream come true. Now, with the 37th season slated to begin March 5, Danny and Angie look forward to expanding their reality television family.
Danny plans to host the kickoff with another version of his own race for friends the weekend before. Then he’ll put together a premiere party at his home.
“I will watch on my TV and be ready to jump on socials to celebrate and root for so many fun people,” he says. n
Sparks fly as an apprentice participates in a competition at Local 66 Western Washington Sheet Metal's training center. The center offers a summer program to give high school seniors and recent graduates a taste of the trades. PHOTO BY TIFFANNIE BOND
BRIDGING THE SKILLS GAP
Apprenticeships, service programs and trade schools reshape the workforce
By Ginger Meurer
Employers are struggling to fill positions in a tight labor market.
There are only 92 available workers for every 100 job openings in California, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In Oregon, the stat is even more staggering, with 66 available workers for every 100 open jobs. To see the rate in your state, visit tinyurl.com/availableworkers.
Good jobs are out there for those with advanced skills that can come from career and technical education programs and apprenticeships. Even volunteer experience can transform a candidate into a desirable hire. Here is a sampling of programs working to fill the skills gap.
Alaska Works
Launched through a trade union partnership more than two decades ago, Alaska Works (alaskaworks.org) offers free classes covering basics in welding, wiring, first aid, construction, forklift operation, carpentry and more. The idea, says Gena Bolton with the Fairbanks site, is to give Alaskans ages 16 and older a taste of a variety of industries.
“We encourage people to take several different trainings, so they have a better idea of what they’re interested in or what their skill level is,” Gena says. “Not everyone is going to be an electrician. We need carpenters. We need laborers. We need welders.”
Alaska Works also helps with applications for union apprenticeships and interview training. Participation doesn’t
guarantee union acceptance, but Gena says it shows an applicant’s commitment, and that does not go unnoticed.
Not all participants become union members. Gena says some use the forklift certification to earn an extra $3 an hour in their current jobs.
“There's a lot of different kinds of success,” she says.
Trying on Apprenticeship
Giving potential union recruits a taste of the trades early is the goal of the preapprentice programs overseen by Jeff Reinhardt, executive administrator at Local 66 Western Washington Sheet Metal.
Local 66 works with several initiatives, including Heavy Metal Summer (hmse.org), a series of free summer camp explorations offered across the country, and ANEW (anewcareer.org), a Puget Sound-based multiunion partnership.
Local 66 offers its own summer preapprenticeship for rising high school seniors or recent graduates. Jeff says the union usually only takes two candidates from any one school. Once accepted, recruits are expected to arrive at 6 a.m. and work all day in classrooms and in the shop.
“Can you imagine a high school kid not getting up at 6, but starting at 6 a.m.?” Jeff says. “Most of the time they’re in the parking lot here at 5:15, and there are some that are coming a half hour, 45 minutes away. It’s impressive to see the level of commitment.”
The first week, the program always loses a few of the 20 or so recruits.
“Like I tell them, ‘Don’t feel bad if you decide this isn’t what you want to do,’” Jeff says. “At least you can check that box and say, ‘Hey, I tried it. I don’t want to do that.’”
At the end of the program, about five participants are offered apprenticeships, skipping applications and interviews. That fiveyear apprenticeship comes with paid training, health insurance and on-the-job experience.
One of the goals of the program is to prevent the “seven-year gap,” a phenomenon where people spend four years in college and another three trying to find jobs before finally discovering the benefits of a trade apprenticeship.
“So, why don’t we just go straight to them and see what kind of interest they have,” Jeff says.
Hermiston High School Gets to Work
Roger Berger’s accounting students at Hermiston High School in Eastern Oregon would often wonder when they would use the skills learned in his class.
Roger had an immediate answer for them when the opportunity arose to launch a school coffee shop. More than 17 years later, that initial practical application has evolved into a career and technical education department with 11 pathway programs, including agriculture, health sciences and engineering.
In the business program, students manage two concessions businesses, run a print shop making signs and promotional materials, and produce apparel for the school district. Roger says people are surprised at the program’s scale, with students handling every aspect from human resources to publicity.
“Our goal this year was to do $200,000 between five businesses, and I think we’ll probably be closer to $250,000,” he says. “People always think, ‘Oh you have a Keurig and a little teapot.’ No, we have a full espresso machine, and we have probably one of the best ovens in the country. We’re really trying to build the opportunity for our students to work with the equipment they’re going to see out in the field.”
Thanks to community partnerships, students participate in internships, job shadowing, practicums and site visits. Roger is grateful that Umatilla Electric Cooperative provides experiences for computer science, engineering and marketing students. Others have gained skills through business and medical partnerships.
"What we’re trying to show is there is incredible value in school and in taking advantage of opportunities and giving yourself the best chance for success,” he says.
The Best of Both Worlds
Tim Myres got tired of hearing a four-year degree was superior to an apprenticeship. So, when he was working at Sheet Metal Local 20’s training center in Indiana, he partnered with Ivy Tech Community College to help apprentices earn associate degrees and journeyperson status simultaneously. When he moved to Local 104 in the San Francisco Bay area, he wanted to launch a dual-credit apprenticeship.
“We’re always raising our hand, yelling out loud that we’re as good as a college,” Tim says. “Without a degree, people can argue that. So, it’s important that if they go through our program, they not only develop a career that they’ll have for a lifetime, with all the skills they learn, but they’ve also received an associate degree. Nobody can argue now that we’re not at the same level as a college. We are a higher education facility."
Most participants get college credit for experience gained through their five-year apprenticeships, but there are usually a few classes needed to complete an associate degree. Teaming with Foothill College, Tim worked to translate union training into community college equivalents that led to degrees for his apprentices.
In the end, there were two classes remaining: English and humanities. The college offers a humanities class at no cost to apprentices. For the English requirement, students can enroll in an industry-specific program that teaches how to write construction documents and professional responses to evaluations and draft research papers on an issue affecting the Local 104 in California.
“It's not just, ‘I had some English class, and I had to read stuff.’” Tim says. “No, this is actually stuff you can use and learn from that will help you moving forward as a professional."
Foothill College is developing a bachelor’s degree for those who want to go into project management.
Managing family dynamics and expectations is a big part of Tim’s mission, too.
“There are a lot of families that say, ‘Don’t go into the building trades. You’re smarter than that. Go to college,’” he says. “They can have both here. They can have a job where they’re making money, receiving health care benefits, receiving a pension and getting the college degree, and it costs the family nothing. How can parents argue that?”
Benefits of Volunteer Work
Even after college, a career path isn’t always clear. One choice is public service. AmeriCorps (americorps.gov) helps train and deploy volunteers who work with schools, nonprofits and government organizations.
Branches include AmeriCorps NCCC, a full-time, team-based, residential program for 18- to 24-year-olds tapped to help in
Eighth graders in Hermiston, Oregon, tour the high school's greenhouse to learn more about the ag plant science program. High school students grow and sell plants each year as a learning opportunity and fundraiser for the Hermiston chapter of the National FFA Organization.
PHOTO BY ROGER POPE
natural disasters, work on public land and more. AmeriCorps VISTA, short for Volunteers in Service To America, places individuals with organizations that fight poverty. AmeriCorps State and National matches participants with organizations that see service as a solution to local, regional and national challenges. AmeriCorps Seniors provides retirees with opportunities to serve.
Benefits for AmeriCorps participants include scholarships to use on higher education or to pay off student loans, and modest stipends to cover living expenses. Jacqueline Simon, AmeriCorps senior public affairs specialist, says the program gives people who aren’t sure what they want to do yet the opportunity to pause and get some actual hands-on experience in the field.
“I think that’s actually a really important thing to have the opportunity to explore and learn and find more about yourself,” she says. “There is a place for everyone. That I am certain of, whether someone is 18, right out of high school and not really sure if college is right for them, or what path to study in college, or if they just need a breather. It is an incredible hands-on experience where you learn new skills, you build professional relationships, and you get guidance from people who have worked in a field for a long time.”
A breather is exactly what AmeriCorps alumnus RoShawn Perry needed after finishing college in Ohio. He wanted to return to California to be close to family and had dreams of graduate school but needed a break from the classroom. An AmeriCorps representative encouraged him to apply to be a lead for an NCCC team. He served a year and then signed up for a second stint through the AmeriCorps State and National program working with adolescents.
“I really enjoyed my experience,” RoShawn says. “It really stretched me a lot of ways. It gave me a huge boost of confidence as a leader.”
After earning his master’s degree, RoShawn returned to AmeriCorps and served as a unit leader, helping direct teams of young adults traveling the country. Now he works for a nonprofit that partners with AmeriCorps sponsoring volunteers.
RoShawn encourages anyone who’s uncertain about what chart to course for their life to take time to serve others, travel the nation and get to know different communities and people.
“It will allow you to have new experiences that will hopefully expand your world views and your perspective in life,” he says. “And you get to do it while making lifelong friends and having a fun time.” n
ABOVE: Alaska Works offers free classes, including heavy equipment operation to give Alaskans 16 and older a taste of a variety of industries. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALASKA WORKS PARTNERSHIP BELOW: RoShawn Perry, back row, center, joined AmeriCorps after finishing college. He later became an AmeriCorps unit leader and now works for a nonprofit that partners with the volunteer organization.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROSHAWN PERRY
A sheet metal apprenticeship program affiliated with Local 104 in the California Bay Area helps students graduate with journeyperson status, five years of paid classroom and on-the-job training, and their associates degrees.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LOCAL 104
A Hearty Feast FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
PHOTO BY KRISSY HAYNIE
Guinness Braised Beef
2 tablespoons cooking oil
21/2 pounds beef (crosscut shanks, chuck short ribs or beef for stew)
Salt and pepper
6 medium shallots, sliced thin
4 to 5 sprigs fresh thyme, chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
16 to 32 ounces Irish stout, depending on how much liquid you want
Heat oven to 300 F.
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 bay leaves
Rosemary sprigs
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 to 3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 cups baby carrots
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Trim any excess fat from the beef and cut into cubes. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Gently dust with a bit of flour, and reserve the rest of the flour. If working with crosscut beef shanks, leave whole and skip flour-dusting.
Add the cooking oil to a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef, then remove it from the pot. Lower the heat to medium. Sauté the onions with the thyme. If needed, add a little more cooking oil.
When the onions are translucent, stir in the flour. Cook for about 1 minute. Deglaze with some of the stout, scraping off brown bits from the bottom. Add the remaining stout, brown sugar, garlic, tomato paste, rosemary sprigs, carrots and bay leaves. Increase the heat and stir. Return the beef to the pot, and bring to a boil. Cover, then transfer to the oven.
Cook for 21/2 to 4 hours, or until the meat is tender. Check on the meat around the 2-hour mark. Remove from the oven. Discard the bay leaves and rosemary sprigs. Serve as is, or over mashed potatoes or rice.
Shamrock Shake
11/2 cups vanilla ice cream
¾ cup whole milk
1 drop green gel food coloring
1/2 teaspoon mint extract
Whipped cream
1 tablespoon green sprinkles
2 maraschino cherries
In a blender, combine ice cream, milk, food coloring and extract. Blend until smooth. Divide into two glasses. Top each with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry.
Colcannon Potatoes
1 medium head cabbage, about 2 pounds, shredded
4 pounds potatoes, peeled and quartered
2 cups whole milk
1 cup chopped green onions
11/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup butter, melted
Minced fresh parsley
Cooked bacon, crumbled
Place cabbage and 2 cups of water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer until cabbage is tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, reserving cooking liquid. Keep cabbage warm in a separate dish.
In the same pan, combine potatoes and reserved cooking liquid. Add additional water to cover potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cook, uncovered, until potatoes are tender about 15 to 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, place milk, green onions, salt and pepper in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Drain potatoes. Place them in a large bowl and mash. Add milk mixture, and beat just until blended. Stir in cabbage. To serve, drizzle with butter, and top with parsley and bacon.
Easy Corned Beef and Cabbage
2 to 3 pounds corned beef brisket with spice packet
4 cups beef broth
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 pounds small red potatoes
2 pounds baby carrots
1 large head green cabbage, cut into wedges
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Place corned beef into a large pot with lid. Pour beef broth over brisket to cover. Add Worcestershire sauce. Sprinkle spice packet over brisket.
Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 50 minutes per pound of brisket, until the meat shreds easily with a fork.
Add potatoes. Cover and cook until potatoes start to get tender, about 15 minutes.
Add carrots and cabbage wedges. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook, with lid on, for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender. Cooking time depends on the size of the carrots and potatoes.
Remove meat from the pot. Let rest for 15 minutes. Slice against the grain, then shred. Serve vegetables with liquid. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Irish Soda Bread
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
11/4 cup buttermilk, divided
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted
Heat oven to 375 F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
Mix flour, softened butter, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Stir in 1 cup buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead slightly. Form dough into a round, and place on prepared baking sheet.
Combine melted butter with ¼ cup buttermilk in a small bowl. Brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an ‘x’ into the top of the loaf.
Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 45 to 50 minutes. Check for doneness after 30 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.
Shepherd’s Pie
Mashed potato topping
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
4 tablespoons butter
Filling
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups frozen peas, carrots and corn medley
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup beef broth
Heat oven to 350 F.
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 to 1/2 cup milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon rosemary
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1 bay leaf
Boil the potatoes until fork tender. Drain. Add butter, sour cream, milk, salt and pepper. Mash the potatoes until desired consistency. Set aside.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the onions and garlic. Drain excess grease. In the same skillet, add the frozen vegetables. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Sprinkle flour over the meat and veggies. Stir to mix. Add tomato paste; mix. Add the broth, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, then reduce to low heat. Cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes, adding additional broth if necessary to prevent the meat from drying out.
Remove from heat. Remove the bay leaf, then spread the meat mixture in an even layer in a 9-by-13-inch dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Top the meat with the mashed potatoes, making an even layer of potatoes. Bake for 30 minutes until brown and bubbly. If desired, place the dish under broiler to brown further.
READER EXCHANGE
Books/Magazines
I'm interested in paperbacks or books under the title of “Conan the Barbarian” or “King Kull.” Please respond with titles and purchase prices. I'll also cover costs to ship. Thanks.
Mike Goodpaster
270 Old Stage Road Goldendale, WA 98620 miletrmu@frontier.com
I'm looking for a copy of “A Friend Called Chum” by Bernelda Wheeler. Hardback preferred, but will take paperback. Can pay a fair price and shipping if requested. Thank you.
S. Dietrich 1203 1st St. Tillamook, OR 97141
Crafts/Hobbies
I am searching for leftover fabric with fun prints kids would enjoy. I need about 1½ yards of fabric for a standard size pillowcase. I plan to make a bunch of pillowcases and give them to children in hospitals.
Abigail Cowart 29 Hilltop Lane Wahkiacus, WA 98670
I am looking for quilt batting pieces. Just scraps. I can stuff pillows for dogs or kitties in need of beds. Any size and batting will do. Thank you in advance.
Kimberly Cody 98 Basham Lane Troy, MT 9935
Senior statesman stamp collection to a good home. Instead of selling my 50-yearold collection I will send it to a serious collector. Tell me why you want it.
Patricia Slaven
1769 Blackbird Lane Lincoln, CA 95648 developtalent@gmail.com
Looking for 1½ inch buttons for a craft project. Would appreciate any color. Thank you.
J. Weaver 1884 S. Road Lenore, ID 83541
Odds
I have small cat pictures to give away.
Pearl Price P.O. Box 7047 Hermiston, OR 97838
We have a house in Manzinita, Oregon. My wife and I were out to dinner on Jan. 25. We stopped at the Dunes restaurant, then stopped in the Little Apple store for some supplies. Somewhere between these two stops, I lost my ring. I had gloves on, and I think the ring may have slipped off my finger while I was removing the glove. This ring has a stone and oval. It is gold with a semiprecious black hematite stone with an intaglio face of Mercury. It was given to me by my late uncle who had mailed it to my late aunt during his tour of duty during World War II. I am offering a $100 reward for its return.
Rodger Lance 8309 NE 152nd Ave. Vancouver, WA 98682 rrlance@comcast.net
Thanks
The Fort Rock Valley Historical Society board members thank all of you who responded to our request for vintage Christmas ornaments. We received many beautiful treasures and were able to create a wonderful “period” Christmas tree display in one of our old buildings. We are truly grateful.
Toni Collins, Nancy Bowers, Jana Kitteredge, Tom Rosenthal, Joni Bramlett Fort Rock, Oregon
Words cannot fully describe the gratitude my family would like to share with all the many wonderful readers. Our mom, Verneil Johnson, was surprised beyond belief by the huge outpouring of heartfelt birthday cards, letters and keepsakes. The warmth expressed by so many of you made for a very happy little old lady on May 18, when she turned 100 years old. We went to a wonderful Mexican restaurant in her Amery, Wisconsin, town that day, where she was serenaded with a birthday song and cake. The large dining table next to us included a new father very gently holding his tiny 2-week-old infant. Just feet apart from each other, were two people, our mom and this tiny baby both born in May, exactly 100 years apart. Thank you so much.
Clayton Johnson Gold Beach, Oregon
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.
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Request must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.
How a Safe Step Walk-In Tub can change your life
Remember when…
Think about the things you loved to do that are dif cult today — going for a walk or just sitting comfortably while reading a book. And remember the last time you got a great night’s sleep? As we get older, health issues or even everyday aches, pains and stress can prevent us from enjoying life.
So what’s keeping you from having a better quality of life? Check all the conditions that apply to you.
Then read on to learn how a Safe Step Walk-In Tub can help.
Feel better, sleep better, live better
A Safe Step Walk-In Tub lets you indulge in a warm, relaxing bath that can help relieve life’s aches, pains and worries.
A Safe Step Tub can help increase mobility, boost energy and improve sleep.
It’s got everything you should look for in a walk-in tub:
• Heated Seat – Providing soothing warmth from start to nish.
• MicroSoothe® Air Therapy System –helps oxygenate and soften skin while offering therapeutic bene ts.
• Safety features – Low step-in, grab bars and more can help you bathe safely and maintain your independence.
• Free Safety Package
desert and riparian environments together at
Sabino Canyon See
Recreation Area
What Is It?
Find water in the desert at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. Located outside of Tucson in Southern Arizona, the area has great views of the Santa Catalina Mountains, beautiful desert landscapes and greenery sprouting up along Sabino Creek.
Follow the Water Sabino Creek runs almost year-round, fed by water from seasonal springs and the Santa Catalina Mountains. In the riparian areas around the creek, you may find cottonwood, willow and walnut trees, compared to the mesquite and saguaro found in the desert areas. The Sabino Dam near the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center is a popular spot for visitors.
Popular Hikes
For shorter trips, consider the Sabino Dam or Rattlesnake Trail Loop—easy to moderate trails that are less than a mile round trip. A popular and moderately challenging longer hike is the 8.4-mile round-trip Bear Canyon to Seven Falls Trail. Many birds live along the trail, and the trail ends at Broadmoor Seven Falls.
Coronado National Forest
Sabino Canyon is part of the Coronado National Forest, which covers almost 1.8 million acres in Arizona and New Mexico. The forest is known for its 12 mountain ranges and huge range in elevation—going from 3,000 feet to 10,720 feet. In one day, visitors can see snow and views from the mountaintops, lounge by a mountain lake and wander through cactus-filled desert.
More Information
The Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. To enter the park, visitors need an $8-per-vehicle day pass, a $10 week pass or a $40 annual pass. To start planning your trip, visit https://tinyurl. com/43954t7b.
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY CHARLES
The Most Lightweight, Stylish and Portable Mobility Scooter Redefining Independence
Whether exploring abroad or handling your daily routine,
the ATTO SPORT keeps you moving.
Everyday Freedom
Mobility scooters keep you independent, making daily life easier and more enjoyable. From errands to visiting friends, they help you stay active and connected. Whether it’s a scenic outing or your to-do list, mobility scooters open new opportunities and let you enjoy life your way.
Life Without Limits
Folding mobility scooters offer a lightweight, compact design that fits in car trunks, on planes, and on cruises. They are easy to store and perfect for travel and everyday use. Whether exploring new places or handling errands, folding scooters provide convenience, independence, and the freedom to go anywhere.
The ATTO SPORT
folding travel scooter delivers a perfect blend of style, innovation, and performance. It is designed for those who value independence and sophistication
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The ATTO SPORT’s innovative design separates into two lightweight parts, with the heaviest weighing only 37 lbs.
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The ATTO SPORT has an ergonomic and adjustable seat and handlebars, crafted to ensure a smooth, enjoyable ride every time, even on longer journeys.
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The ATTO SPORT redefines mobility with a sporty, elegant design that looks as great as it feels. Its modern aesthetic and 3-wheel agility let you easily navigate tight spaces, and it is equipped with electronic stability control for added safety on descents and turns
Airline Approved Battery
The ATTO SPORT is equipped with a TSA-approved battery. Its compact size and optional split mode make it the only mobility scooter that can fit in the aircraft's overhead compartment.
Reliable for Every Adventure
With a driving range of up to 12.5 miles (extendable to 25 miles with the XL battery), a 6.2 MPH top speed, a weight capacity of 300 lbs, flat-free, shock-absorbing tires, and 4-inch ground clearance, it is ideal for air travel and outdoor exploration and built for longevity.
Front and Rear Lights
ATTO SPORT’s powerful front and rear LED lights enable riding in dark conditions.
It's Never Too Soon
Time waits for no one, so why should you? There’s no better time to reclaim your mobility and make the most of every moment.
Don’t wait! Call now to buy your ATTO SPORT and receive a free XL battery.
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Splits into two lightweight parts for easy lifting
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THE GREAT PICTURE HUNT
You Can Learn a Lot From an Egg
Story and photo by Dave LaBelle
When I began teaching at Western Kentucky University in the 1980s, thenProgram Director Mike Morse gave a first assignment titled, “The Egg,” to students in the basic photo class. At first, I was a little taken aback by the frivolity of the assignment. We were a photojournalism program, not an art photography school. However, I quickly saw the genius of the exercise.
Designed to encourage students to recognize how light and shadow can reveal texture and shape, a chicken egg was the perfect model. Eggs are readily available and relatively inexpensive as props, and you can eat them after a photo session if you like.
Eggs are also easy to transport and, unlike living models, don’t talk back or whine about the environment being too cold or too hot. And they don’t expect payment.
The goal was not to see what a student could do to an egg or how many locations they could photograph it in. Rather, it was to recognize how light in different forms, intensity and direction influenced the way the camera saw the egg. When light illuminates the shell from the side, it reveals the egg’s texture, and from behind, its shape.
Some of the photos turned in cracked me up, and there were some egg-cellent results.
A few students took their eggs into the studio, opting for a controlled environment. Others got egg-cited and carried their models outdoors, camping or hiking, preferring a natural backdrop. Eggs were photographed in unexpected and precarious places. Others hatched a plan to boil their eggs first before carrying them out into the world to be exposed to the elements.
Reader Challenge
NIKON D810 56mm lens ISO: 640 f/2.8 at 1/200
One woman carefully broke her egg and photographed each half. Another dressed an egg in clothing as if a relative of Humpty Dumpty. No doubt some tenderhearted students talked to their eggs, reassuring they were not breaking up with them.
Some students chose not to put all their eggs in one basket and tried a variety of environments and lighting, eggs-hausting every angle. I remember a resourceful student photographed his egg with light coming through it rather than falling on it. Still others chose multiple egg compositions, upwards of a dozen in some cases, to show repetition of form and pattern.
As with any class, there were some who missed the point of the assignment and received lower grades. They weren’t bad eggs, as such, they just didn’t listen or grasp
the point of the lesson. They splattered eggs with baseball bats, dropped them from tall buildings, took them to the beach and dressed them as a family of Smurfs.
One student placed an egg next to nursing puppies as if was the runt of the litter. The mother didn’t seem to mind, but the light was less than flattering.
Needless to say, it was a fun assignment, revealing the creativity, resourcefulness and potential of first-year students. n
Photographer, author and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century, sharing photo tips and life perspectives with readers. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and his blog at bridgesandangels. wordpress.com.
This is an exercise to help us notice how light and shadow influence the way we see things. When we think about it, all of life is about light and shadow. Consider sidelight to show texture or backlight to reveal shape. Watch how shadows falling on your egg follow the egg’s shape. As with any challenge, have fun with this exercise and take your time; you don’t have to scramble to find an unusual environment. In fact, you don’t need to leave your home. However, if you do go outdoors, you might get a few odd looks from folks curious why you are carrying or making pictures of an egg. But this might be a great way to bring you out of your shell and start a conversation with a stranger. As a photographer, I know I am a shell of my former self. I cannot move as easily or as quickly as in my youth, but I can still see and appreciate how light falls upon and nourishes every corner of our world.
Email your best image (just one, please) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to gph@pioneer.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.
Discover all 13 of our Recipe Contest cookbooks. Each is 8½-by-11” with index. Prices shown include postage and tax.
Please allow two - three weeks for delivery; include your email address if you would like a shipping confirmation.
Powering a Sustainable Future Columbia REA and the Path to Carbon-Free Energy with Small Modular Reactors
With the recent surge in power demand in our region and our desire to provide sustainable energy for our members, it is critical that sources of carbon-free, reliable, and responsible power be developed.
Recognizing some of these challenges, Columbia REA is proud to be part of the solution in the clean energy transformation.
In 2019, Washington state implemented the Clean Energy Transformation Act, which commits Washington to an electricity supply free of greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
In fall 2022, to help meet the state’s energy goals and the power demand of our members, Columbia REA, Energy Northwest and 16 other utilities in the region kicked off a series of discussions and investments to help meet the climate goals of the state, contributing nearly $1 million toward the development of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs).
Notably, on Oct. 16, 2024, Energy Northwest announced its partnership with Amazon and X-energy to begin the feasibility phase of a small modular reactor project near Columbia Generating Station in Richland, Washington. Amazon’s funding will support two years of thorough and robust environmental, safety, permitting, licensing and risk analyses leading up to a request of formal approval of the project from Energy Northwest members, including Columbia REA. If approved, Energy Northwest would then apply for a construction permit.
The first project would be 320 megawatts (MW). Energy Northwest will have the option to expand the project with another 640 MW for a total capacity of up to 960 MW. This additional power will be available to Amazon and northwest power utilities to power homes and businesses. This funding will help move the region well down the road toward deploying one of the first advanced nuclear generation plants in the country.
Columbia REA, which is a longtime customer of Energy Northwest, is committed to providing clean energy resources for our members that are capable of meeting the clean energy challenges of the future and helping Washington state meet its climate and carbon reduction goals.
Our contribution to this project was a first step in achieving that goal.
We applaud this collaboration between Amazon and Energy Northwest as it demonstrates how public-private partnerships can accelerate progress through a shared vision and also paves the way for public power entities to develop and build future SMRs to help meet the region’s growing energy demands.
MARKETPLACE
Agriculture
4x5 round bales, Meadow Foxtail Orchard Grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square. nas@cpcinternet.com; 208-435-4637 or 208435-4002. 1225
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 43 years in business. www.btlliners.com. 541-447-0712. 0425
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. 0325
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. 0625
WC Collectibles. We buy comic books! Local to Inland Northwest. Willing to travel. WCCollectiblesCheney@gmail.com; 509-496-1835. 0525
1950 16-inch Shirley Temple Doll includes unopened, 24 boxed outfits from 18 Shirley Temple films. Plus, 96 Shirley movie panels, w167 Stamps & “Child Star” biography book. DOLLSLLC@comcast.net; 503-539-7601. 0325
Automotive
1948 Chevy Fleetmaster. “Under construction” trophies. Mustang II, front end. Ford 9-inch rear end, V8, automatic, disk breaks. Needs to be finished. $8.5K. 530-233-2115. 0325
Dodge Cummins X-Cab. 4x4. 2001. Canopy. Auto. Runs well. High miles. $11K, possible trades. 541-786-0228. 0325
Extra nice, rare Cummins Mega-Cab. 200. New tires, trans, AC. Loaded. $28.5K; will trade for living-quarter horse trailer. 541-786-0228. 0325
1955 Chevy 5-window PU, 1st series 3100. Frame-off restoration by Glenn Vaughn Restorations. All original. $38K. Text or call 206-351-2623. 0325
Books, Magazines, Videos
“The Bunny Book; What Would You Name a Book about Bunnies and God?” Bunnies learn about matches, separation, bullying, fear, death, God and more. 626-482-4955. 0425
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): May issue—March 31, 2025.
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.
Business Opportunities
Turnkey cafe, pizza, bakery in the picturesque town of Cedarville, CA. Newly renovated, fully equipped commercial kitchen, cozy dining and bar room, potential mini brew pub. Priced for quick sale, $225K. Shelia, 530-569-0529. 0425
For sale: successful Northeast Oregon Drive-In Diner. Union, OR. Owner wishes to retire after 28 years. RMLS #24493530. Walt BrookshireBroker, Oregon Trail Realty, 541-805-8689. $185K. 0325
43-year-old, turnkey, international, river running shuttle business in AZ, with 2 homes and more. Please contact seller for more information and photos at info@rrshuttleservice.com. Be sure to check out our website at rrshuttleservice.com. 0325
Community Events
Celebrate Art Center East’s 47th Birthday and Membership Drive throughout March in La Grande, OR. Enjoy special promotions and support the arts. artcentereast.org. 0325
Annual Quilt and Needlework Show in Pahrump, NV, at Bob Ruud Community Center. April 4-5, presented by the Shadow Mountain Quilters. Shadowmountainquilters.com. 0325
Equipment/Tools
Wood splitter; like new. Only split two cords with it. 503-543-7208. $1,850. 0325
Motor lift on wheels. Great for taking 5th wheel plate out of truck bed. $50. 503-543-7208.
For Rent, Lease
Northeast, OR. 1 bd., 1 ba., bonus room. Nice smaller home. Water/sewer/garbage paid. On the river. $650 month, plus deposit. 55-plus preferred. Phone calls only. 541-519-3400. 0325
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 0325AR
Help Wanted
The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair in Ritzville, WA, is currently seeking a reliable and responsible summer groundskeeper/ camp host. Responsibilities include mowing, watering, general maintenance, overseeing the campground and other duties as needed. Would ideally be on-site May through midSeptember. Full hook up provided. Interested person(s) contact Dan at skamaniadan@gmail. com or a letter of interest to P.O. Box 14, Ritzville, WA 99169. 0425
Livestock, Supplies
28th annual Oft Angus Bull Sale. March 20. Producers sale yard, Vale. Selling 90 fall and 2-year-old bulls. Terry, 208-741-0824 or Colleen, 208-202-8352. 0325
Miscellaneous
Foster parents needed to care for teen youths in Wasco and Hood River counties. Agency provides on-call support, training, $2.1K/youth monthly reimbursement, 2 days off/month. Fosterinfo@nextdoorinc.org; 541-308-2207. 0625
Looking for that special knife? I hand make custom hunting and fishing knives. I also make other metal and wood crafts. Buckeyeknives.com; 559-212-0693. 0325
Local commercial fisherman sells summer catch of preserved freshness by blast freezing at sea, gourmet canned tuna on internet. Sept.June. 100% guaranteed the best canned tuna you ever tasted. Original, jalapeno and garlic flavors available. To order: twofisherstuna.com or 206-799-1082. 0525
Granite cemetery markers at affordable prices. Will ship to most places. For more info: Joe, 541-815-8906 or highdesertmemorials@gmail. com; www.highdesertmemorials.com. 0325
Pets
Border collie/McNab puppies. The best dog you will ever have. Males and females, $450 each. Colton, OR. 503-314-0145. 0325
Real Estate
160 acres bordering BLM with off-grid cabin. Creek, LOP tag eligible, 5 bay machine shed. $385K. Duke Warner Realty, 541-987-2363; ddwr@ortelco.net. 0325
3 beautiful 1.01-acre lots in Pahrump, NV. Awesome mountain view in nice area. No HOA. $30K each or two for $55K. Easy access to off-roading. Horses OK. Also 10-acre lot with water rights and underground utilities. pkcfitness@hotmail.com. 775-209-2830. 0325
320 acres east of Adel, OR. Borders Hart Mountain views, Steens Mountain and Beaty Butte. Landowner tags, very rural. $263K. For maps: 541-659-1573; thejugglingman3@gmail. com. 0325
$180K. 160 acres, proven gold claims. 131 miles north of Fairbanks, AK. 50 yard per hour shaker plan. Complete water system. Text, 907-223-3036. 0325
John Day, OR. Palm Harbor energy efficient 3 bd., 2 ba. home on 1.99 acres. 50 gpm well, heat pump. $389K with mower, $386K without. 541-633-3614; steve@crestviewcable.com.
Granite, OR. 3 city lots, 3/4 acre each, one has an off-grid cabin. Year-round activities: hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, snow-mobiling, 4x4, etc. $200K for all 3. 541-519-9077; billpathanley@gmail.com. 0525
Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm and recreation property in OR. Fourth-generation Oregonian, prior ranch owner. For sale: Klamath Marsh, OR. 173.65 acres. $2.5M. Guest Ranch Overlay. John Gill, 541-480-9161; johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 0325
Recreational Rentals
Bed and Birds; a guesthouse. Wet meadows, range, forest, dark sky. Sleeps 9. Lakeview, OR. Explore or ride? Near ski hill. Reasonable. 541-219-2044. 0425
Bend country cabin. Very clean and fully furnished cabin on private ranch. Close to recreation areas. Very nice. $95/night. 541-382-3050; bendcountrycabins@gmail.com.
Wavecatcher: oceanfront cottage. Central OR coast. $175/night (plus cleaning/tax). Open April through Oct. Holds up to 6-plus children and pets. Wavecatcherbeachrentals.com. Reservations: 541-740-2846. 0325
Recreational Vehicles
“Nest Egg” camping trailer, 2013, very lightly used, excellent condition, garage storage, interior cupboards and queen mattress, exterior galley, West Richland, WA. 509-420-6072, dd.cmsimpson@frontier.com.
VW Eurovan full camper. White, 2001. 144K miles. Kept in garage. Very clean, excellent condition, all service records, no accidents, one owner since 2006. $35K. Corvallis, OR. 541-752-0522; Bill@Randallclan.net. 0325 Services
All types of roofing and repairs, family business since 1956 where integrity prevails. Dave, 541-852-2816. Josh, 541-255-6031. 0425
Dawn Till Dusk Masonry. Brick, block, stone and pavers. Small jobs and repairs welcome. dawntillduskconstructionmasonry.com. 541-388-7605; 541-410-6945. License #245760 bonded and insured. La Pine, OR. 0525
Want to Buy
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; 971-666-0659. 0325
Gold, silver, coins/currency, buy, sell. Collections wanted. Fair prices paid. 44 years in retail store. Baker City, OR. 800-556-2133; garrymclin@aol.com. 1025
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. 0625 Eatonville United Methodist Church A Spiritual Base Camp On The Way To Paradise. Mashell Avenue North P.O. Box 205 Eatonville, WA 98328 360-832-4021 Home: 360-832-4562 Pastor Bernard Preston Ritchea Cell: 361-330-9666 Facebook: Eatonville United Methodist Church of Washington OPEN HEARTS OPEN MINDS OPEN DOORS OPEN TABLE WORSHIP SERVICE BEGINS AT 10:30 a.m.
Are you eligible for
Tax Credits?
Are you looking to upgrade your home's energy efficiency?
These tax credits could help reduce the cost.
Home energy-efficiency upgrades come with a lot of benefits. They can lower your energy bills, make your home more comfortable and reduce your environmental footprint. The bad news is that home energy upgrades can be costly. The good news is that a variety of tax credits are available to help reduce those costs, making home energy improvement more affordable.
What Tax Credits are Available?
Federal tax credits of up to 30% of the cost of qualifying home improvements are available for qualifying projects. Individual projects are subject to maximum amounts, which are detailed below.
• Air-source and geothermal heat pump HVAC systems ($2,000 maximum)
• Heat pump water heaters ($2,000 maximum)
• Insulation and air sealing ($1,200 maximum). Improvements include insulation, weatherstripping, caulk and expandable foam. Materials or systems must meet International Energy Conservation Code requirements.
• Windows and skylights ($600 maximum). Windows and skylights must make the ENERGY STAR® Most Efficient list, which features the very best products for energy savings and environmental protection.
• Exterior doors (maximum $250 per door, $500 total). Eligible doors must be ENERGY STAR-certified.
• Home energy audit ($150 maximum). The audit must include a written report and be conducted by a certified home energy auditor.
Bold items above are also eligible for Columbia REA rebates. Go to www.columbiarea.coop for details as some requirements apply.
Tax credits for up to 30% of project costs are also available for clean energy upgrades, including:
• solar panels
• solar water heaters
• small wind turbines
• fuel cells and geothermal systems Battery storage technologies are also eligible.
Only improvements made to existing homes that are the taxpayer’s principal residence can qualify for these credits.
You can claim credits when you file your tax return. A credit is an amount you subtract from the tax you owe, which can lower your tax payment or increase your refund.
• If you completed qualifying home energy upgrades last year, you can claim them on this year’s return. Any upgrades you make this year can be claimed next year. These credits are available for projects installed between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2032.
• Gather all relevant documents associated with your energy upgrades. To claim credits, answer appropriate questions in your tax filing software. If you file a paper return, you will have to complete a form and attach it.
• For more information, see Tax Credits and Deductions from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or contact a qualified tax professional. Columbia REA, State and local financial incentives may also be available in your area for energy-efficiency upgrades.
So Long Summer
After keeping an eye on the haze of the Park Fire in California, a perfectly clear day finally arrived, and it was time for one last trip before school started.
Lena Lubinskas and her 9-yearold daughter, Mila, decided to take advantage and head to McCloud to see the three McCloud waterfalls.
“Two days before we went on the trip, I got my daughter a new cellphone,” Lena says. “She took this picture with her phone, and
I was extremely surprised that having no photography experience and having a phone for only two days, she took such a perfect picture.
“I think she might have a photography talent that we just discovered.”
To submit your photo, email a JPEG file to photos@pioneer.coop. Include “Before You Go” in the subject line. Please share a bit about what inspired you to make your photo. n
The Middle Falls of the McCloud waterfalls sparkles as the sun hits it on a clear day in McCloud, California.
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PHOTO BY MILA LUBINSKAS
Ready! Set! Go!”
e starting gate opened and 19 horses galloped o , each jockeying for the lead. While Apache, the horse I bet on, was the odds-on favorite, his rival Napoleon pulled ahead in the race’s nal seconds.
In less than a minute I lost a fortune at the Paris horse races.
After a brief moment of disbelief, something caught my eye. It seemed like every woman in Paris was carrying the same classic handbag! I had to have one for my own, so I had our handbag designers interpret this classic o er. Presenting the Parisian Chic Claire Handbag
I Lost a Fortune at the French Races, but Fortunately I Found is Bag
Backed by our satisfaction guarantee, you can revel in its sophistication risk-free for 30 days. Should it fail to dazzle, return it for a full refund of the item price.
Handbag Speci cations:
• Brown vegan leather.
• 8 1/2”x 4” D x 6 1/2” H, 9 1/2” H w/handle.
• Two interior open pockets, two interior zipped pockets, one outside zipped pocket.
Parisian Chic Claire Handbag
$299 $39* + S&P Save $260
*You must use Insider Offer Code PCH162-01 to get this price.
Inspired by the equestrian gear I encountered in the stables after the race, the Claire Bag is the color of saddle leather with metal adornments that recall horse bits and stirrups. Sturdy and chic, the Claire Bag is ideal for the woman on the go. See for yourself why the Parisian Chic Claire Handbag is the toast of France!
2929 Melrose Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: 509-526-4041
Fax: 509-526-3666
Toll Free: 800-642-1231
www.columbiarea.coop
Board of Directors
Doug Logan, President
Jay DeWitt, Vice President
Dennis Munden, Secretary/Treasurer
Neil Carpenter, Director
Patrick Dennis, Director
Greg Knowles, Director
Philip Mehlenbacher, Director
Glen Shipley, Director
Katie Wooldridge, Director
Board meetings are normally the fourth Tuesday of each month. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. and is usually held in Walla Walla.
Staff
Scott Peters, Chief Executive Officer
Jennifer Aichele, Human Resources Manager/ Executive Assistant
Dan Andrews, Manager of Power Services & Regulatory Affairs/Compliance
Doug Case, Manager of Communications & Community Engagement
Jim Cooper, Chief Financial Officer
Gene Dawes, Manager of Broadband Services
Brendan Johnson, Manager of Technology & Member Service
Jeff Murphy, Manager of Engineering & Operations
Steve Owens, Ruralite Editor
WA-22
PNGC - Strength Through Numbers
The Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative, or PNGC, is an Oregon-based electric generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative owned by 25 Northwest electric distribution co-op utilities.
That is the boilerplate language straight off the PNGC website.
What PNGC actually represents for Columbia REA, one of the 25 owner-member cooperatives mentioned above, is an opportunity to really “get in the game” in terms of securing continued access to adequate energy resources while maintaining the lowest rates possible for you, the owner-members of Columbia REA.
What is the game? Let’s pretend for a moment that a megawatt of electricity is like an Easter egg, and our game is a highly competitive Easter egg hunt. The eggs we need are out there, but every utility is hunting for them, and the number of eggs out there is not increasing as fast as the demand for eggs.
And what happens when the demand for eggs goes up? Yep, the cost goes up. But, getting back to our friends at PNGC, we also know that if you need just a dozen eggs, and you have 10 friends who also need a dozen eggs, then you can go straight to the farmer, and get a better deal on 11 dozen eggs.
That is the opportunity provided by membership in PNGC: 25 electric utility co-ops banding together to create bargaining power in the energy market to get the best deals possible, wherever those deals are available.
Columbia REA will still get the majority of our electricity from BPA hydropower, but the amount of hydropower that BPA is allowed to generate is entirely allocated, which is driving the need to search for additional electricity elsewhere to meet increasing demand. That search is taking place in a very complex, ever-changing landscape.
As a member of PNGC, we have an entire team of professionals working on our behalf to seek out and secure secondary market power wherever it can be found. Columbia REA’s Dan Andrews is a recent addition to that PNGC Power Purchasing Group.
“These are people who live, eat, and breathe the energy marketplace. We are always looking for available resources,” says Dan.
“Whether its solar, wind, SMRs, gas, coal, we’ll look into it. e decisions we’re making today are going to impact our members going forward for 20 years My job is to make sure we get the power we need at the best possible rate to benefit the co-op.”
The 25 PNGC-member utilities represent over 430,000 accounts across seven western states. That is roughly 100 times the number of accounts we handle at Columbia REA. And all those utilities are facing the same challenges we are, searching for the same energy solutions that we are, fighting for members the same way that we are. Being a member of PNGC can provide strength and solidarity, and significant bargaining power that Columbia REA would not have on our own, and that strength will pay dividends for a long, long time, not to mention help keep our Easter egg hunt from turning into a more difficult game, such as “Find the Needle in the Haystack.”
