Day,
PHOTO BY CCEC
ELECTRICIAN RYAN MCGINNIS
Ruralite
April 2025 • Volume 72, No. 4
CEO Michael Shepard
SENIOR VP OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Chasity Anderson, CCC
DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Noble Sprayberry
SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC
ASSISTANT EDITORS Victoria Hampton, CCC; David Herder, CCC; Sable Riley, CCC
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Valeri Saldanha Rosa, Nina Todea
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION SR. MANAGER
Elizabeth Beatty
SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Alyssa McDougle
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Connecting Through Action
Flipping through our April edition, I’m struck by the sheer amount of “doing” happening in our communities.
Our Easter Sunday dinner feature isn’t just about food—it’s a practical approach to creating a memorable meal without unnecessary fuss. These recipes are straightforward and delicious, which is why they deserve a spot on your table this month.
The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, now marking its 50th anniversary, demonstrates how practical skills can transform into community events with a real economic impact. What began as a teaching necessity has evolved into an annual celebration that brings $1.7 million to a smalltown’s economy. That’s not just tradition. That’s impressive community development.
Speaking of action, our “Beyond Barriers” feature highlights organizations tackling accessibility head-on. These aren’t just feel-good stories—they’re examples of problem-solving at its finest. When faced with the challenge of making outdoor recreation accessible, groups like Oregon Adaptive Sports and David’s Chair didn’t just talk about inclusion—they engineered solutions with tangible results. As David’s Chair
Founder Steve Furst puts it, they “fumbled through” and figured it out.
Even Dave LaBelle’s piece on rainbow photography offers practical advice: Keep your camera ready as storms clear, use interesting foregrounds and be prepared to capture fleeting moments.
What ties these stories together is action— people identifying gaps and taking steps to address them. From Jean Wells opening a quilt shop because her students lacked materials to Bill Greenwood developing accessible water entry points after hearing about someone struggling, our communities are full of doers.
As you read this month’s issue, I hope you are inspired not just to appreciate these stories but to look around your own community. Where are the gaps you might help fill? What practical skills could you share? Sometimes, the most meaningful contributions start with acknowledging we can do better and then asking, “What’s a solution?”
Do you know any stories of “doing” you think should be showcased on the pages of Ruralite? I’d love to learn more. Reach me at editor@pioneer.coop.
Until next time, Chasity Anderson Editorial Director
For supplemental and interactive content, search @Ruralite on your favorite social media sites.
A Big Show in a Small Town
The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show marks 50 years Up Close, Page 10
Beyond Barriers
Innovative organizations make the great outdoors accessible to all Spotlight, Page 12
Easter Sunday Dinner Menu
In The Kitchen, Page 16
Plugged In 6 Reader Exchange 18
Picture Hunt 22 Before You Go 30 Utility Pages: 4-5, 8, 25, 28-29, 32
Maintaining Reliable Service: CCEC Announces 2025 Rate Adjustment
At Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative, we understand affordability and reliability matter to you. Like many industries, electric utilities are facing rising costs due to inflation, supply chain issues and increased wholesale power rates. To continue delivering safe, reliable electricity while maintaining financial stability, CCEC will implement a necessary rate adjustment effective May 1, 2025, with an average increase of 7.5% across all rate classes.
How It Affects Your Electric Bill
For residential members, the monthly base charge will increase by $1.29 to $35.79, and the energy charge will increase by 0.89 cents to 10.45 cents per kilowatt-hour. This translates to a 7.8% increase for residential members.
For a typical residential member consuming 1,000 kWh per month, this results in a $10.04 increase, bringing the total bill from $130.25 to $140.29. This example highlights the combined effect of the base charge adjustment and the energy charge rate increase on an average household.
As a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, CCEC sets rates based on the actual cost of providing service. This adjustment follows an independent Cost of Service Analysis, which reviewed operational expenses, the rising cost of equipment and materials, infrastructure investments and wholesale power costs.
“We’re mindful of the impact of rising costs our members are facing, and we don’t take this decision lightly,” CCEC Board President Jim Kolen says. “Unfortunately, we are seeing higher costs across our operations. The cost of the materials and equipment needed to deliver power to your homes and businesses, such as transformers and underground wire, have increased significantly in price, making it more expensive for us to provide the reliable service you expect and deserve.”
Managing Costs While Maintaining Reliable Service
Before making any rate adjustments, CCEC took steps to control costs and improve efficiency while maintaining safe, reliable and high-quality service. Actions include:
• Reducing expenses where possible without compromising service quality.
• Using technology to improve efficiency and reduce labor costs.
• Improving operational efficiency across departments.
• Strategically timing system upgrades to maximize value.
• Examining our long-range capital plan for additional savings. “Our leadership team is working hard to minimize these impacts,” CCEC General Manager and CEO Brent Bischoff says. “We’re pursuing all available options to mitigate rising costs while maintaining reliable service and rapid outage response. This includes planning for Bonneville Power Administration’s announced wholesale power rate adjustments in late 2025 as we balance inflationary pressures with our duty to maintain financial integrity.”
Tools to Help Manage Members’ Electric Bills
We understand that rate adjustments can be challenging for our members and affect household and business budgets. As a member-owned cooperative, we offer resources to help you manage energy costs effectively:
• Online portal: Access to account management tools, including automated payments and energy use monitoring.
• Daily use alerts: Sign up to receive daily notifications about your kWh use to help monitor and control energy consumption. To enroll, visit ccec.coop or contact member services directly.
• Flexible payment programs: Choose from billing options that fit your needs, including prepay billing, budget billing and levelized billing to make your electric costs more predictable.
• Personalized consultations: Schedule a 15-minute appointment with a member services representative who can explain how the rate adjustment will affect your specific account and provide customized energy-efficiency tips to help lower your bill. Sign up at ccec.coop/appointment.
“We know this rate adjustment may raise questions, and we’re here to help,” CCEC Marketing and Member Services Manager Keith Buchhalter says. “Our member services team is ready to provide personalized support, explain how this impacts your specific bill and offer practical tips to manage your energy usage and costs.”
We remain committed to providing you with the high-quality reliable service you expect while carefully managing costs and planning for the future. If you have questions about this rate adjustment or need assistance, reach out to the member services team at 541-332-3931. n
Rising
Material Costs From 2020 to Present
Nick remembers pulling up near a house to repair power lines one Christmas Eve.
“They had been out of power for days,” he says. “Once I finished, I remember seeing their Christmas lights come back on. I thought that was pretty cool.”
The pay is good, too, he says. Nick was making ends meet as a valet at a hotel when he first learned about the trade. He wanted a better life for his family, and linework fit the bill. It also gave him a chance at retirement.
“Getting a good job with a retirement where you could actually enjoy your life after work? Nobody had ever really talked about that to me,” he says.
While compensation and benefits vary for lineworkers depending on location, experience and other factors, the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median pay in 2023 was $85,420 per year, or $41.07 per hour. However, those figures represent the middle of the pay range, and they don’t take into account overtime hours and additional jobs helping other utilities in the aftermath of storms—all of which can result in additional income.
How to Do It
Joining the trade means learning various—and oftentimes difficult—technical skill sets in and out of the classroom, all while maintaining a certain level of physical fitness, says David Bogue, a journeyman lineworker with Florida Keys Electric Cooperative.
Not only do lineworkers need to know how electrical systems work, they’re also required to learn numerous safety techniques. In addition, lineworkers climb utility poles wearing heavy toolbelts in all kinds of weather. The job requires working days and nights, depending on schedules and needs.
“Everybody’s story is a little bit different. Everyone gets into the trade in their own way.”
–EVAN PETERS, LINEWORKER AT BENTON REA IN WASHINGTON
“I would say becoming a journeyman is an attainable goal, but it’s a hard goal,” David says. “But, as someone once told me, I could throw a dart at a map and go get a job there. Also, the skills I’ve learned are not going to be replaced with AI anytime soon.”
Lineworkers can get their start by attending training schools, taking community college courses or working at a local utility in other capacities, such as a groundworker. Rudy Vega, a journeyman lineworker at FKEC, got his start doing right-of-way work with the cooperative 23 years ago.
“I had been working in a tree group there just under two years when the opportunity came up to be an apprentice lineman,” Rudy says. “They approached me and asked me if I was interested, and I said, ‘Definitely. I’ll give it my best.’”
Evan Peters, a lineworker at Washington’s Benton Rural Electric Association, was fighting wildfires when he first learned about the trade from a group of lineworkers.
When he expressed an interest in the job, one of the men suggested he attend a lineworker school. After graduating, he took a job at Benton REA.
“I like that it’s something new every day,” Evan says. “I like that I get to work outside with my hands, especially at a local utility. It can be really fulfilling.”
When it comes to joining up, however, Evan suggests those interested ask around before they jump in headfirst.
“I would tell them to reach out to local linemen,” he says. “Ask them how they did it. Everybody’s story is a little bit different. Everyone gets into the trade in their own way.” n
Want to Be a Lineworker?
Must-haves:
X Be 18 years of age.
X Hold a high school diploma or GED.
X Maintain a valid driver’s license.
X Able to work at heights and lift heavy equipment.
Getting started?
Every lineworker has a story about how they got started, and there are many pathways to taking the job. Here are a few ways to make it happen:
X Join an apprenticeship program at a local utility.
X Enroll in a lineworker school or training program.
X Start at a utility as a groundworker or other job.
Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative journeyman lineworker Taylor Hammack produces an electrical arc during an electric safety demonstration at Southport Elementary School. PHOTO COURTESY OF GULF COAST ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Honoring Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative Lineworkers
During a major storm, the wind howls through ancient Douglas firs as rain lashes the southern Oregon Coast. While most community members take shelter, a team of professionals gears up, ready to brave the elements. These are the lineworkers of CoosCurry Electric Cooperative—the caretakers of our power grid and the heroes of every large storm in Coos and Curry counties.
Since electricity first flickered to life in America in the late 1800s, lineworkers have stood as the vital connection between power generation and our homes. Former CCEC board member Monte Lund remembers the world before electricity—carrying lanterns to do barn work, watching horses pull logs over hills and using gas-powered washing machines. When President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Rural Electrification Administration sparked the formation of cooperatives like ours in the 1930s, it was lineworkers who brought our coastal communities out of the darkness.
Their story is written across our rugged landscape. In the 1960s, when the community of Agness awaited power, crews spent more than a year clearing 40-foot rights of way through impossibly steep terrain, often working entirely by hand. Innovation was born out of necessity when poles were helicoptered into position where no vehicle could reach.
The 1970s brought new challenges during America’s energy crisis, yet our lineworkers persevered by converting 31 miles of transmission line between Gold Beach and Brookings. At $2.25 million—about $15 million today—it represented the most ambitious project in the cooperative’s first four decades.
Their commitment to safety became legendary by 1987, when CCEC received a $30,000 insurance refund for completing a full year without a lost-time accident and a gold seal certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Safety
Accreditation Program. This safety culture continues today.
The tools have changed. In the old days, lineworkers didn’t have radios or cellphones. Instead, they located problems, then went door-to-door borrowing members’ telephones to coordinate repairs. Today’s lineworkers carry sophisticated equipment, but their essential qualities remain unchanged: strength, knowledge, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to service.
Our modern lineworkers proudly carry on the traditions established by those who came before them, while embracing new technologies and techniques. Beyond serving our local communities, CCEC’s lineworkers answer the call when neighboring utilities face emergencies. Through mutual aid agreements, our crews have traveled throughout Oregon to help restore power after devastating ice storms, wildfires and windstorms. This cooperation among cooperatives transcends service territories. When one community suffers, lineworkers from across the state unite to rebuild and restore, knowing their colleagues would do the same for us in our time of need.
When storms plunge our communities into darkness, these men and women leave the warmth of their homes to restore power to yours. They scale poles in freezing rain, troubleshoot complex systems amid howling winds and work through the night until every member’s lights shine again.
On April 18, National Lineman Appreciation Day, we honor these remarkable professionals who maintain our connection to the modern world. Their story is woven into the fabric of our cooperative—a legacy of service spanning generations.
When we flip a switch and light appears, we’re witnessing the culmination of courage, skill and dedication from our past and present lineworkers. Thank you for keeping the power flowing along our wild and beautiful coast, come rain, wind or storm. n
If you would like to leave our lineworkers a special note of appreciation, visit ccec.coop/thank-a-lineman. Your words keep them going through grueling conditions.
FROM LEFT: CCEC lineworkers use a helicopter to bring power to Agness in the 1960s. CCEC crews install a radio tower. The installation of a new substation in the 1970s helps CCEC supply power to more members. Lineworker Gary Veech hosts a safety demonstration for local students. PHOTOS COURTESY OF COOS-CURRY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
A Big Show
The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show marks 50 years in a Small Town
Great ideas, those that stand the test of time, often arise from necessity. Such was certainly true for Jean Wells, who moved to Central Oregon in the ’70s to teach home economics, only to discover her students didn’t have access to the necessary materials.
Jean opened The Stitchin’ Post quilt shop in downtown Sisters to address this need, but took the opportunity a step further. She displayed about a dozen of her family’s quilts in the shop to showcase the centuries-old tradition of creating textile art.
Her students and local businesses loved the idea, which evolved into a quilt show that grew every year. This year, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show celebrates its 50th anniversary. It’s considered to be the world’s largest outdoor quilt show—although organizers admit that’s a tough claim to prove. Around 1,000 quilts will be on display throughout the town July 12 as part of a show that includes children’s activities and special events.
“It’s organically grown over the years,” says Dawn Boyd, executive director of the nonprofit that runs the show.
The event attracts 10,000 visitors to the town of 3,000 residents. Even more remarkable is the tiny staff that produces the show. Dawn has help from a part-time staff member and a group of volunteers ranging from a few people throughout the year to about 300 on show day. The annual economic impact the quilt show has on Sisters is estimated at $1.7 million.
“It’s so much fun, and you meet so many people from everywhere,” Dawn says.
What the Show Entails
Hundreds of quilts—items from Jean’s personal collection and those belonging to quilting teachers and students worldwide— are installed early in the morning throughout downtown Sisters. Admission to view these masterpieces is free.
“They’re all over town, like three blocks by seven blocks,” Dawn says. “There’s also a city park we take over.”
Local firefighters get in on the act, hanging quilts on the side of The Stitchin’ Post building. Visitors and residents love to watch the proceedings.
Handmade pieces are displayed at the Teachers Pavilion during the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.
PHOTO BY SPENCER GILES
“It’s a highlight for some of our visitors,” Dawn says with a laugh. “They get a coffee, then they watch the firemen in action.”
This year, the quilts displayed on The Stitchin’ Post wall will be a log cabin pattern created by the shop’s employees. In addition to the quilts around town, children are invited and encouraged to make their own fabric-based crafts at the Kids Activity Center.
“It’s neat to show them how colors can go together,” Dawn says.
Quilters have a chance to use their talents to produce their own fabric postcards. The 19th annual Wish Upon A Card fundraiser challenges participants to create a 4-by-6-inch quilted art piece— called a postcard—using two fabrics designed by Giucy Giuce, a business run by designer Giuseppe Ribaudo. Contestants can create a similar postcard highlighting the 50th anniversary of the show. Winners receive quilt show goody bags.
Sales of both juried and nonjuried postcards help raise funds for an SOQS scholarship given to local high school graduates entering a collegiate fabric arts or design program.
“People love them,” Dawn says of the postcards.
Quilters can also compete for prizes in the Quilt Block Contest featuring the fabrics of sister quilter Kathy Deggendorfer’s Sisters Mountain Meadow collection. Each packet contains six fabric squares to build a finished 9.5-by-9.5-inch block. The first-place winner receives a cash prize, and honorable mentions are awarded additional fabrics.
For more information about the contests, visit soqs.org/contests.
Special Events
Jean offers Quilters Affair—quilting classes led by teachers from around the world—the week before the show. The list of classes, held at The Stitchin’ Post, is announced in December, and many visitors make plans immediately. Accommodations in Sisters fill up fast.
“It’s a huge event for them, coming from all over,” Dawn says.
On Friday, July 11, Jean and her daughter, Valori Wells, a quilter in her own right, discuss the show’s history at an event called “A Town Covered in Quilts” at Sisters High School.
On Sunday, award-winning Dallas quilter Karen K. Stone offers walking tours at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and a lecture at 10 a.m. at FivePine Lodge Conference Center. Karen’s quilts have nabbed awards in international competitions, and her Indian orange peel
quilt is now part of the Quilt National Collection at the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska. There is a cost to attend both events, but visitors are free to enjoy Karen’s quilts on display from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. along the creek at the conference center.
A raffle of a special 48-by-84-inch quilt raises more funds for the show. Valori designed a Sisters Scape pattern years ago, and Donna Rice and Jean reimagined the design in a piece they named “Sisters Scape Reimagined 2025: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.”
The raffle quilt includes the iconic Three Sisters mountains, from which the town got its name, along with wildflowers, Ponderosa pine trees and Whychus Creek. June Jaeger recreated the design of the creek and its fish, while Donna, Jean, Jan Tetzlaff, Janet Roshak and Diane Jaquith pieced the remaining blocks and assembled the quilt. Annette Caldwell finished the quilt with machine quilting. Raffle tickets cost $5, and the winner is announced on show day.
50 Years Strong
As the show grew from its start in 1975, Jean created a nonprofit and handed over the reins, although she is still on the show’s board and is active in the annual event.
“She’s retired but still involved in everything,” Dawn says, adding the nonprofit show and its founder “are entwined like a bowl of spaghetti. We are separate but together.”
Like Jean, Dawn came to Sisters out of necessity. She and her family moved to coastal Oregon from Southern California but veered to Sisters after what Dawn calls a “midlife misdirection,” and a new college degree made her realize she longed for a career in event planning. The job of executive director emerged, and when she approached her husband about moving to Sisters, she learned it was his dream to live in Central Oregon.
Her mother, an active quilter, was pleased as well.
“I had quilted before,” Dawn says, but gave it up while raising a family. “Obviously, living here, I picked it back up.
“I didn’t have a choice,” she says with a laugh. n
For more information on the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, visit soqs.org.
A volunteer helps set up the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.
PHOTO BY SPENCER GILES
Quilts are exhibited on the outside of the Stitchin’ Post quilt shop in downtown Sisters, Oregon. PHOTO BY ANDREW PENNIMAN
Innovative organizations make the great outdoors accessible to all Beyond Barriers
By Ginger Meurer
Extending recreation and athletic opportunities to people of all abilities is the mission of adaptive sports and other organizations throughout the West. Accessible beaches, parks, trails, waterways and adaptive equipment allow participation for people who might otherwise be unable to enjoy these experiences. Here’s a small sampling of these inclusive efforts.
Oregon Adaptive Sports
Oregon Adaptive Sports offers professional outdoor experiences supported by more than 350 volunteers and 30 certified instructors, catering to participants of all ages and abilities. It also provides access to state-of-the-art adaptive equipment.
“We have a fleet of sit-skis, adaptive mountain bikes and adaptive cycles,” says Executive Director Pat Addabbo.
He says Oregon is an ideal setting for outdoor activities.
“It’s a great place to come test out different types of equipment and to enjoy the hundreds of miles of trails that we have access to here. It’s a just a great place to get out and ride a bike.”
Oregon Adaptive Sports taps adaptable transportation to make sure athletes can easily reach activity sites. Affordability is at the heart of all the nonprofit’s offerings.
“We have a robust scholarship program,” Pat says. “We never turn
anybody away for inability to pay.”
Through a sponsorship from Toyota, new athletes can participate in three free experiences. Additionally, the Kelly Brush Foundation sponsors one of Oregon Adaptive Sports’ most unique events: Turns & Berms, a three-day camp designed specifically for athletes with paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries. Campers ski Mount Bachelor in the mornings and mountain bike in crisp spring air near Bend in the afternoons.
Fundraisers help, too. The biggest is the First Chair Gala, named for a golden opportunity skiers cherish.
“As a skier, the term First Chair has a bit of a palpable sort of magic to it,” Pat says. “It’s the idea of getting on the chairlift early in the morning with a whole day of adventure laid out in front of you. First Chair kind of captures that spirit, and that’s something that we’re always working to bring to our community— that participation and sense of adventure.”
Go to oregonadaptivesports.org for more information.
Seattle Adaptive Sports
Nick Weiss first hit the basketball court in his wheelchair with Seattle Adaptive Sports at age 10. Today, he’s the nonprofit Paralympic sports organization’s operations manager.
“This is year 23 for me as far as playing wheelchair basketball,” Nick says. “This is the program that set me up to go play college ball. And for me, this is very full circle. I get to lead this organization, which has really impacted my life. I’m fully invested in this program and what we do.”
Originally managed by parents, the organization now sees athletes competing at elite levels. The goalball team just won a national championship, sled hockey is poised to launch a new youth team, and the power soccer program just received a grant to establish a competitive team.
The organization serves athletes ages 6 and older. But Nick hopes to reach families even earlier, perhaps even offering support and information to expectant parents whose child may
As athletes compete, Nick says they gain skills and make
“These are friendships that they’re going to have the rest of their lives,” he says. “And I say that from experience. I’m friends with the people I met when we all started playing when I was 10 years old.”
Learn more at seattleadaptivesports.org.
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, prioritizes adaptive recreation, from a giant accessible playground built at McEuen Park in 2013 to newly paved hiking trails. The city’s biggest project was inspired by a wheelchair user who described the struggle of accessing the water at Atlas Mill Park. She said when she wanted to swim, she had to
ABOVE: Competitors glide across the ice during a Seattle Adaptive Sports sled hockey game. PHOTO COURTESY OF SEATTLE ADAPTIVE SPORTS
OPPOSITE: Afternoons of accessible mountain biking are a highlight at Turns & Berms, an Oregon Adaptive Sports camp sponsored by the Kelly Bush Foundation. PHOTO COURTESY OF OREGON ADAPTIVE SPORTS
Adventures Without Limits leads a Clackamas River rafting trip. The Oregon-based adaptive and inclusive outfitter accommodates people of all abilities. PHOTO BY ELISE HAVERLAND
“We raised money for the one chair, and we had some leftover, so we bought a youth chair, also.”
Steve credits David with the plan to share the chairs.
“It goes back to his insight and his vision,” Steve says. “He talked about giving the chair to somebody else. ‘You give it to somebody, and one person gets in the chair a few times a year, maybe. But, hey, what if we come up with a plan so anybody can use the chair?’ And then we just fumbled through the nonprofit stuff and put it together.”
On Jan. 11, 2018—only 11 months after his diagnosis—David died, leaving behind a growing legacy. With Steve as CEO, David’s Chair now manages 23 track chairs and three golf chairs available for free to people with mobility challenges.
Partner organizations and volunteers manage the chairs at fixed locations like beaches, golf courses and trails. Most of the chairs are at Oregon beaches, but reservable chairs are also available in the California Redwoods, at the Rosewood Nature Study Area in Reno and Ten Mile Ranch in Texas. Tow ’N Go chairs also allow users to enjoy independent outdoor adventures.
Steve sees familiar names come through the reservation system that serves just under 1,000 people annually.
“There’s about three or four that regularly will go up and down the coast enjoying it, and that’s awesome,” he says.
Learn more about the nonprofit or reserve chairs at davidschair.org.
Adventures Without Limits
All abilities and ages are served by the Oregon-based adaptive and inclusive outfitter Adventures Without Limits. The organization hosts private groups and community trips, and, in winter, it leads snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trips.
Participants with ambulatory challenges participate on sit-skis. Spring through fall, there are more outdoor activities.
“We raft, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, hike and camp—a little bit of rock climbing, as well,” Director of Outreach and Development Jennifer Wilde says.
Using adaptive equipment, patience and sometimes a bit of foam, duct tape and creativity, the organization ensures outdoor recreation is available to all.
“We want to share all these beautiful spaces and activities in Oregon with everyone and believe that nature should be accessible for everyone,” Jennifer says. “We’re always excited to connect new folks to the outdoors and come up with creative solutions to meet their individual needs to make it accessible for them in whatever way that means.”
“They can go hunting, camping, fishing, wherever they want to go for seven days at a time,” Steve says.
Additional Resources
Many organizations provide information on accessible locations and activities.
Visit Idaho offers an online accessibility tool packed with resources. Go to visitidaho.org/ things-to-do/accessible-activities for firsthand accounts of locations from Craters of the Moon National Monument to Shoshone Falls to College of Southern Idaho’s Centennial Observatory.
“We’ve realized that while we can make the outdoors more accommodating, it’s challenging for visitors to enjoy if we don’t provide the needed information when they are planning their trip,” says Andrea Rayburn, a Visit Idaho tourism specialist.
In addition to destination information, Visit Idaho highlights organizations working to help, like People Need People, a group that brings
Learn more at awloutdoors.org. n
in volunteers to help trail explorers by pulling and pushing them in all-terrain wheeled chairs through the hills. There’s also Boise Adaptive Snowsport Education, a 100% volunteer-staffed program offering adaptive ski lessons. Western Adaptive Veteran Education Snowsports provides adaptive equipment, ski and snowboard instruction, and therapeutic experiences for veterans.
Disabled Hikers, a Carlsborg, Washingtonbased nonprofit, offers resources, events and group hikes. Its website, disabledhikers.com, is packed with detailed trail guides to accessible destinations like Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park, Big Creek Nature Trail near Hoodsport, Washington, and entire regions like the guide to the Boise, Idaho, area.
Access California’s website, accessca.org,
is packed with detailed guides to accessible trails, parks, gardens, lodging and resources for adaptive equipment.
Folks looking for accessible lodging, transportation or location booking information internationally should visit accessiblego.com. Wheel the World also helps with bookings and lists accessible group tours, activities and equipment rentals.
The Administration for Community Living maintains a list of centers for independent living on its website, acl.gov. These organizations, found in every state, provide accessibility tools. One example is Ability 360. With Arizona offices in Phoenix, Gilbert, Pima County, Glendale and Pinal-Gila County, Ability 360 is a home for accessible sports, fitness and lifestyle transition education.
Sit-skis make Mount Bachelor accessible during an early-morning run at Turns & Berms.
PHOTO COURTESY OF OREGON ADAPTIVE SPORTS
Easter Sunday DINNER MENU
Garlic and Rosemary Grilled Lamb Chops
2 pounds thick-cut lamb rib chops
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
11/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Zest of 1 lemon
1/4 cup olive oil
Combine the garlic, rosemary, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, lemon zest and olive oil in a measuring cup.
Pour the marinade over the lamb chops, flipping them over to cover completely. Cover and marinate the chops in the refrigerator for at least one hour or up to as long as overnight.
Let the lamb chops come to room temperature before grilling.
Grill the lamb chops on medium heat for 7 to 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 135 F.
Allow the lamb chops to rest on a plate covered with aluminum foil for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
PHOTO BY KATIE WILCOX
Simple Roasted Asparagus
2 pounds fresh asparagus
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Heat oven to 400 F.
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 lemons, cut in wedges
If the stalks of the asparagus are thick, peel the bottom half of each. Lay them in a single layer on a sheet pan spread with aluminum foil. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with pepper and salt.
Roast until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and return to the oven for another minute. Serve with lemon wedges.
Duchess Potatoes
2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
Salt
1/4 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 large egg yolks
Place potatoes in a medium to large pot, and cover with a few inches of cold water. Add a few teaspoons of salt to the water. Bring to a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are forktender, about 20 to 25 minutes.
While the potatoes are boiling, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, and set aside. You will use this butter to coat the potatoes right before they go into the oven.
Heat the oven to 425 F.
When the potatoes are cooked, drain in a colander. Put the potatoes back in the pot, and set over low heat. Allow them to release steam for a minute or two.
Add 2 tablespoons of butter, and mash the potatoes until the butter has been incorporated. Add the nutmeg, black pepper and heavy cream. Continue mashing the potatoes. Once everything is incorporated, add salt to taste. Add the egg yolks. Continue to mash until the mixture is smooth. Do not over-mash, or your potatoes will end up with a gluey consistency.
Put the mashed potatoes in a piping bag with a large star point. Pipe the potatoes onto a cookie sheet. Brush the swirled edges with melted butter so they brown nicely in the oven.
Bake until nicely browned, about 20 minutes. Serve hot from the oven.
Spinach Pomegranate Salad
Salad
10-ounce bag baby spinach leaves, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup walnut pieces
1/2 cup crumbled feta
Vinaigrette
1/4 cup aged balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 to 3 tablespoons honey
1/4 medium red onion, sliced thin
1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper
Combine all vinaigrette ingredients. Shake well.
Place spinach in a salad bowl. Top with walnuts, feta, red onion, alfalfa sprouts and pomegranate seeds. Drizzle with vinaigrette.
Pistachio Pudding Cake Cake
1 package yellow cake mix
3.4-ounce package instant pistachio pudding mix
Icing
3.4-ounce package instant pistachio pudding mix
1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup cold whole milk
Heat oven to 350 F.
4 large eggs
1 cup club soda
1/2 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts for garnish
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, soda and oil. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes.
Pour into a greased and floured 10-inch fluted tube pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the frosting, beat the pudding mix, cream, milk, and confectioners’ sugar on high in a large bowl until stiff peaks form. Frost cake. Sprinkle with walnuts. Refrigerate until serving.
Books/Magazines
I am looking for booklets for beaded Christmas ornaments. Possibly called “Beaded Fantasies.” I am willing to purchase and refund postage. Thank you.
Betty Mercado 1820 E.10th St. The Dalles, OR 97058 bettym@centurylink.net
Crafts/Hobbies
My daughter, sister and I would like more unwanted jewelry. We are making jewelry for seniors.
Marsha Holeik
16637 William Foss Road LaPine, OR 97739
Looking for old-style 9-pound 100% cotton typing paper for my hobby. It is very thin and may be called onion skin or parchment paper. Any color of paper. Willing to pay postage. Thank you.
Robert Pierce
9715 Buckingham Drive Pasco, WA 99301 Rcpljp@aol.com
I am starting sewing lessons for young children. In need of small printed fabrics, lace, trims and buttons. Doll or stuffed animal patterns. Will pay postage. Thanks.
Jan Dwyer
19111 Buck Drive Bend, OR 97703
I have an 11-year-old dressage saddle that is not rideable anymore because of a compromised tree. The black leather is in excellent condition. If you are a leather artisan, there is a lot of beautiful, usable leather. Come to pick it up and it is yours.
S. Stelzer
P.O. Box 352
The Dalles, OR 97058
Milestones
My dad turns 90 in early spring. He is a cowboy at heart; you never see him without a cowboy hat on. He loves John Wayne and has watched all of his movies multiple times. He is an avid reader and had a large Louis L’amour collection. He loves old Ford trucks—the older, the better. He plants and maintains six large flower beds at home. He is easy-going and always has a smile on his face. He would love to hear from readers for this milestone. Please send to Don Whitehead, 590 NW 23rd St. #124, Redmond, OR, 97756.
Lori Blackburn Redmond, Oregon
Our mother, Myrtle, will be celebrating her 100th birthday in April. She was raised in Lonerock, Oregon until her older sister started high school in Condon. Myrtle completed school in Condon and married her sweetheart, Garland, right after her graduation. They raised five children. She spent many years tending to plants in their country home yard, vegetable garden and green house. Now she lives at Summit Springs Village in Condon and enjoys getting mail other than bills. Please send cards to Myrtle Potter at P.O. Box 116, Condon, OR 97823. Thank you.
Sharon Hamner Condon, Oregon
Submitting Requests Is Free
Music
Looking for intermediate to advanced sheet music or books for one or two violins, any style. I am willing to reimburse for shipping.
Ilya Perry
P.O. Box 404 Lyle, WA 98635
Thanks
My mom, Susan Monihan, had her 80th birthday in December, and she was so amazed at all the love she received from Ruralite readers! She received more than 200 cards and gifts. She is still reading your lovely notes. You really blessed her and made her birthday memorable.
Kristi Snyder
Trout Lake, Washintgon
Thank you to the readers who showered my father, Doug Nelson, with cards for his 98th birthday. I was able to be there for a couple days and see the joy on his face when my mom returned each day with a bag full of cards. Each card was carefully opened and read before saving the stamp and recording the town it was sent from. It brought so much happiness to their home. Thank you for showing him how much he matters.
Leslie Feltman Stanley, Idaho
Send your request—with no attachments—to readerexchange@ruralite.org or mail to Reader Exchange, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Fill in the subject line with Reader Exchange. Acceptance, scheduling and editing are at the editor’s discretion. Single requests only, please. No duplicates.
Submissions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis and as space allows. We cannot honor every request.
Please affirm you have authorization from all appropriate parties before submitting. By submitting, you indemnify Reader Exchange, Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., its officers, directors, employees, utility clients and insurers from all legal liability incurred by the publication of information.
We no longer accept pen pal requests. You may submit a pen pal request as a Marketplace ad. Marketplace pricing applies.
When submitting a milestone request, please send it at least two months before the milestone.
Phone numbers will not be published. Email addresses will be published if part of the ad, but the request must include a postal address. Request must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.
Ever in Awe
Story and photo by Dave LaBelle
As a small child, I was spellbound by giant rainbows stretching across the valley near our home. The magnificent bands of glistening colors felt so close I could almost touch them, bathe in them. Believing there was a pot of gold buried where each end of the rainbow touched the earth, my siblings and I sometimes raced barefoot across the fields hoping to find the treasure before the magical bow disappeared.
I’m not sure at what age I outgrew the legend of hidden treasure. Perhaps it was the same time I began questioning the Easter Bunny?
Sadly, as I grew older and wiser, the awe I once had for those fading, magical colors also disappeared. As a teenager, rainbows no longer held the same allure.
But then, not long after my mother disappeared in floodwaters and our home was washed away by endless days and nights of torrential rains, I was reading in the book of Genesis how God set a bow in the sky after the great flood as a sign the Earth would never again be destroyed by water. As you can imagine, the story stirred my heart, and I have never viewed a rainbow the same since. And soon that mystery—that childhood wonder—even returned.
I believe rainbows will forever capture our imagination.
Whether you believe the Bible story or are simply touched by those colorful, curved ribbons of light stretching across the sky or magically appearing in the mist above a lake or river, there is something beautifully comforting and hopeful about seeing a rainbow appear.
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.
NIKON D810 70mm lens ISO: 125 f/5 at 1/640
Including an interesting foreground creates scale, depth and dimension. A vibrant rainbow can be the star of your photograph or an unexpected accent to complement an already colorful scene, such as pitcher Max Steffens, of Epworth, Iowa, competing in a semipro baseball tournament.
Reader Challenge
Keep your camera close and be ready as storms clear and rains cease. Often after a rainy day, clouds part before a sunset, and a rainbow alone can be a breathtaking sight.
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.
Best Breads Cookbook
This 8½-by-11-inch indexed cookbook features yeast breads, quick breads, scones and specialty breads for $10 (includes postage).
TO ORDER BY MAIL:
Submit payment with cookbook title, your name, address and number of cookbooks wanted to:
Ruralite Cookbooks
P.O. Box 1306
North Plains, OR 97133
TO PAY BY PHONE:
Call 503-357-2105 for credit card payments with Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.
TO ORDER ONLINE: Visit www.ruralite.com. Please allow two to three weeks for delivery.
With more than 200 recipes, this cookbook from our 2007 contest offers options for potlucks, family reunions or picnics. As a bonus, additional pages feature previously unpublished barbecue recipes from a 2006 contest. The 8½-by-11-inch indexed book is $10 (includes postage).
Recipes submitted by Readers for the March 2007 Contest
TO ORDER BY MAIL:
Submit payment with cookbook title, your name, address and number of cookbooks wanted to:
Ruralite Cookbooks
P.O. Box 1306
North Plains, OR 97133
TO PAY BY PHONE: Call 503-357-2105 for credit card payments with Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.
TO ORDER ONLINE: Visit www.ruralite.com.
Please allow two to three weeks for delivery.
Curry Transfer & Recycling Shares Recycling Tips
When you think about recycling, you should consider the big picture: reduce, reuse and recycle. When we recycle, we take materials that would be thrown away as trash and instead allow them to be turned into new products.
Recycling is important for so many reasons. According to the America Recycles Day website, there are several ways that recycling has a positive benefit on our everyday life:
• It saves energy and resources. By recycling items, such as newspaper, cardboard and aluminum cans, we use fewer natural resources, including trees, water and minerals.
• It reduces greenhouse gases. Recycling helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution by using fewer natural resources and less energy.
• It preserves the environment. Recycling helps reduce the amount of solid waste sent to landfills, conserves natural resources and prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials. This helps preserve our natural ecosystem and wildlife.
• It creates jobs. Recycling creates a variety of jobs, from curbside collection crews to sorters.
• It gives garbage new life. By recycling used items, you help create something new.
Recycling in Curry County
Here are some tips to prepare your items for recycling:
• Keep it clean. Rinse all containers out to keep recycle materials free from food contamination.
• Keep it loose. Do not bag your recyclables.
• When in doubt, leave it out. To keep the recycling stream free from contamination, a good rule of thumb is: When in doubt, leave it out.
Recycling Collection Basics
In Curry County, Curry Transfer & Recycling offers curbside recycling to all city and urban growth residential customers. This includes a 64-gallon recycle cart and 18-gallon glass bin. They accept plastic jugs and bottles No. 1 and No. 2 that are rinsed out, newspapers, flattened cardboard, cereal/cracker boxes (no plastic liners), magazines, catalogs, scrap paper, egg cartons, aluminum cans (rinsed out), steel cans, clean foil and aluminum trays. These items are placed directly into your recycle cart.
In your glass bin, you may place rinsed food or beverage glass bottles or jars in any color.
Due to a robotic arm used to empty your recycle cart, there are a few key things to keep in mind:
• Do not bag your recyclables. Toss them directly into the cart.
• Make sure recycles are level when the cart is full, allowing the lid to close.
• Have your cart out the night before or by 6 a.m. every other week on your scheduled pickup day. Make sure the lid opens up toward the street.
• Do not wedge items in the cart. Make sure everything inside the cart can fall freely when the cart is emptied.
• Keep the cart 3 to 4 feet from other carts, 10 feet away from trees and power lines and at least 5 feet away from cars.
Waste Prevention
Waste prevention is an upstream activity that involves reducing waste through changes in the design, purchase and use of materials. In its simplest form, waste prevention means using less stuff.
Waste prevention “has potential environmental benefits. It typically reduces environmental impacts throughout all stages of the life cycle of materials, including resource extraction, manufacturing, transportation and end-of-life management, such as recycling or disposal.
For households and businesses, waste prevention can also typically save more money than recycling or composting. n
MARKETPLACE
Agriculture
4x5 round bales, Meadow foxtail orchard grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square. 208-4354637 or 208-435-4002; nas@cpcinternet.com. 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. 0925
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
Automotive
1976 GMC half-ton pickup sitting for 20-plus years. Body good, runs when parked. Interior needs rehab. Reno, NV. $4.5K. Dale, 775-742-2989. 0425
Wanted: running board for 1928-29. AA express truck. 69 ¾” x 9 ½” with Ford script in middle. Allen Piquet, 541-571-4506; Piquetat1967@gmail.com. 0425
Health forces sale. Two-for-one: 1971 Ranchero and 1974 race car. Ranchero needs work; race car for parts. $1.75K. garyvavzycki@gmail.com. 0425
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
Business Opportunities
Urgently needed: company that can raise up a foundation in Fairbanks, AK area. My house is sinking. John, alaskamoose@yahoo.com and 812-896-9951; or leave a voice message at 812-967-3220. 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): June issue—April 30, 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.
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
Community Events
Eastern Oregon University student art exhibit, plus work by artist Genevieve Gaudreau Thompson. April 4-26. Art Center East in La Grande, OR. artcentereast.org. 0425
Equipment/Tools
Farmi JL 300 logging winch, small woodlands, $1K. 13 push-pull control cables, $50 each. 60 16-inch nylatron and steel sheaves, 1/2-inch rope, $50 each. 4-ft. tow-behinds, Land Pride mower, $800. Kubota rototiller, near new, $1.5K. Ted, 458-910-3727. 0625
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. 0625AR
Help Wanted
The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair in Ritzville, WA, is 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. Contact Dan at skamaniadan@gmail.com or mail a letter of interest to, P.O. Box 14, Ritzville, WA 99169. 0425
Miscellaneous
Foster parents needed to care for teen youth 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
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, highdesertmemorials@gmail.com or 541-815-8906; www.highdesertmemorials.com. 0425
Pets
Fort Sage Kennels, closing. AKC-registered Airedales. Females, 1 year old. Males 2 to 3 years old. 530-827-2271 or 530-249-7896. 0425
Real Estate
320 acres east of Adel, OR. Borders Hart Mountain views, Steens Mountain and Beaty Butte. Landowner tags, very rural. $263K. For maps: thejugglingman3@gmail.com; 541-659-1573. 0425
$180K. 160 acres, proven gold claims. 131 miles north of Fairbanks, AK. 50-yard-per-hour shaker plant. Complete water system. Text, 907-223-3036. 0525
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, snowmobiling, 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, 541-4809161; johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 0425
82 acres with Doug Fir (planted 2008) and permitted rock quarry. Approx. 27 miles north of Roseburg, near I-5 exit 50. $2.1M. Lee Real Estate: john@northwestfarmbroker.com; 503-245-9090. 0525
20 acres in northeast NV. Comes with real and personal property. Year-round access. Ideal off-grid homestead. Water, power close by. $35K. geopup58@gmail.com. 0425
Looking to purchase small-to medium-size cattle ranch in Northeast CA, Southern OR, Western NV. Have cows, capital, ability to finance. Will consider seller finance and life estate. Brushpopper65@gmail.com. 0425
Awesome view of the Nestucca River, still in tidewater, across from a great fishing hole. Newer, glassed in Trex deck overlooking the river. 2 bd., 2½ ba. home with knotty pine interior. 2-car garage, plenty of room for kayaks and a short walk to a beautiful beach. $549K. steelheadsteven@gmail.com; 503-680-9799. 0425
Great live/work opportunity in Dayville. See to appreciate the endless possibilities within this 2-story building. $325K. Duke Warner Realty, 541-987-2363; ddwr@ortelco.net. 0425
Pahrump, NV, city 1/4 acre lots. Good for off grid or investment. $100/mo for 10 years. Walmart and food stores close by. garyvavzycki@gmail.com. 0425
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. 541382-3050; bendcountrycabins@gmail.com. 0525
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. 0425
Enjoy your ideal Maui getaway. This updated two-bd., 2-ba. condo sleeps 4 and features a charming “surf shack” design. Just half a block from a beautiful beach, it’s perfect for morning strolls and sunsets. Plus, you’re steps away from shops and restaurants at Azeka Plaza. www.cbislandvacations.com/vrp/ unit/Kihei_Garden_Estates_G204-643-15. 0425 Recreational Vehicles
2015 Momentum 380ToyHauler. Garage 9.7 x 7.9 ft. Sleeps 6, center island, pantry, fireplace, 3 slides, Onan generator. Excellent condition. Photos available. $55K. 406-827-0618; shoffland54@gmail.com. 0525
1964 Airstream Land Yacht trailer. 22-ft. Body good, interior needs total rehab. Towable. Reno, NV. $5.5K. Dale, 775-742-2989. 0425 Services
Dawn Till Dusk Masonry. Brick, block, stone and pavers. Small jobs and repairs welcome. dawntillduskconstructionmasonry.com. 541388-7605; 541-410-6945. License #245760 bonded and insured. La Pine, OR. 0525
All types of roofing and repairs, family business since 1956 where integrity prevails. Dave, 541-852-2816. Josh, 541-255-6031. 0425
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. 0425
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
1963 Corvette car; split window coupe. Some repairs okay. Numbers need not match. Grampa Don, 541-232-3748. 0425
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.
Beacon Broadband: Illuminating Coos County as the Network Expands North
After successfully establishing a foundation in Curry County, Beacon Broadband is steadily advancing northward into Coos County as part of Phase 2 of the buildout. For many residents who have been asking, “Is Beacon really coming?” the answer is yes! The high-speed fiber broadband experience is on its way.
“We understand the skepticism,” says Beacon Broadband Grant Management Specialist Val Early. “Many rural communities have heard promises before, but our crews are actively working on the
ground, right now, to make this network a reality for everyone in the Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative service area.”
Mainline Progress Continues
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of BBI construction partner, Keyline Construction, the critical mainline infrastructure—the backbone of the entire network—continues to expand throughout Coos County. This foundational work is essential before individual homes can be connected.
The Langlois C zone has been released,
with Langlois A following as planned. These milestones represent significant progress as Beacon Broadband begins lighting up Coos County with fiber internet that will rival or exceed other network providers in our area.
Construction teams are working on the Morrison mainline. The Agness area build-out is scheduled to begin this month, strategically timed to be completed before summer fire restrictions take effect.
To view the progress, visit the status map at beaconbroadband.com/map.
“We are committed to bringing service to all the unserved and underserved locations to comply with grant obligations. I would highly encourage people to pre-register so when we turn on an area, we can focus on bringing service to you as soon as possible.”
-VAL EARLY, BEACON BROADBAND GRANT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Residents gather to learn about Beacon Broadband’s service during a community Q&A session. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BEACON BROADBAND
From Mainline to Your Home
Once the mainline infrastructure is complete in an area, Beacon Broadband begins installing drops to individual homes. A drop is the physical connection that runs from the mainline fiber network to residences, which is the final link that brings high-speed internet to homes. Shortly after, Beacon Broadband installers hook up the drop to equipment in your home.
“The drop installation is where residents will feel like Beacon is finally here,” Val says. “This is when the service becomes tangible for households that have been waiting for reliable internet for years.”
Prioritizing Based on Community Interest
Beacon Broadband prioritizes home installations based on preregistrations. Advance registration is free and can be completed at beaconbroadband.com. The simple form requires basic information, including your place of residence, which helps BBI map out areas of highest demand.
By registering, you are placed in our advanced reservation system to be notified about our construction status and receive a priority installation.
“We are committed to bringing service to all the unserved and underserved locations to comply with grant obligations,” Val says. “I would highly encourage people to pre-register so when we turn on an area, we can focus on bringing service to you as soon as possible.”
Grant Funding Secures Faster Expansion
Some community members have expressed concerns about the stability of grant funding for the project. Beacon Broadband officials confirm all grant funding is secure. Grant funding requires a significant acceleration in construction timelines.
“Our grant funding is solid,” Val says. “In fact, it will require us to ramp up construction significantly, particularly in
communities that need fiber internet the most, to make the most of the grants.”
Community Q&A Sessions Coming Soon
Before each area is connected to the network, Beacon Broadband hosts community Q&A sessions where residents can get answers to all their questions about installation, construction timelines and service options.
“We believe in transparency and want to ensure everyone understands exactly what to expect,” says Beacon Broadband Vice President of Marketing and Sales Bill Gerski. “These sessions will provide clarity on everything from what happens during installation to what service packages will be available.” n
To sign up for advance reservation for Beacon Broadband service and help prioritize your area for connection, visit beaconbroadband.com today.
Moment of Reprieve
On a hot July day, Wren Zielinski took her turkey, Mr. T, to the Linn County Fair in Albany, Oregon. Wren raised the turkey from a tiny 1-day-old poult in the spring until he was a full-grown tom ready for the summer fair.
As the two enjoyed the cool breeze from nearby fans, Wren’s mom, Katie, took a photo of them.
“I’m not sure what she was thinking at that moment or what Mr. T was thinking either, but they seemed so content,” Katie says. 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
DO MORE WITH DR® POWER
Make Your Driveway Like New with a DR® Power Grader
• Fill in potholes and smooth out washboards
• Loosen and redistribute existing material
• Tow with your ATV, UTV, or tractor
Chippers Help You Clean Up and Clear Out
• Chip and shred with power to spare
• Annihilate thick branches and reduce yard waste
• Easy to move easy to use—large wheels and easy towing
• Built USA tough
While waiting in a pen, Wren Zielinski and her turkey, Mr. T, cool off in front of fans at the Linn County Fair. PHOTO BY KATIE ZIELINSKI
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.
ORDER BY MAIL: Submit payment with cookbook title, your name, address and number of cookbooks wanted to:
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY FAHRWASSER
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY ZI3000
ADOBE STOCK IMAGE BY YULIA FURMAN
Board of Directors
President
Jim Kolen, Gold Beach
Vice President
Cheryl L. McMahan, Southern At-Large
Secretary/Treasurer
John G. Herzog, Brookings/Harbor
Georgia A. Cockerham, Brookings/Harbor
Daniel Loshbaugh, Northern At-Large
Peter C. Radabaugh, Bandon/Coquille
Daryl C. Robison, Port Orford/Langlois
Attorney—Tyler Pepple
Staff
General Manager/CEO
Brent Bischoff
Corporate Services/CFO
Paul Keeler
Engineering Manager
Matt Mjelde
Marketing and Member
Services Manager
Keith Buchhalter
Operations Manager
Scott Adams
Human Resources Director
Breanne Valliere
Office hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Closed Fridays.
541-332-3931
After-Hours Outage Number
866-352-9044
Call Before You Dig 811
ccec.coop
OR-13
Federal Policy Uncertainty
Regardless of your political leanings, we can probably agree there is more uncertainty and upheaval in federal policy with the change in administrations than we have seen in several decades and maybe more than any of us have seen in our lifetimes. The closest comparison would be the Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan turnover in 1980. Before that, it would have been Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal.
What does this administration change mean for your electric energy supply from Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative? What does it mean for those of you who subscribe to or are anxiously waiting for Beacon Broadband service? It is too early to know long-term effects. But here are some federal policy changes that have potential to affect CCEC and BBI now and in the future.
The federal reduction in force had an immediate effect on our wholesale power provider, Bonneville Power Administration. In total, BPA lost about 14% of its workforce. Federal jobs at BPA are funded by revenue from the sale of electricity generated by the federal hydropower system. This component of the nationwide federal reduction in force does not save any taxpayer dollars. It does, however, limit BPA’s ability to accomplish its mission.
The electric utility industry is resourceful and resilient. The lights will stay on. The larger concern is how this policy decision will affect the federal hydropower system and the BPA transmission grid in the coming decades. These employees were hired over many years to meet the immediate and long-term needs of the federal power system here in the Northwest. They were dismissed by the stroke of a pen.
Beacon Broadband recently received two grants totaling about $25 million to build the rest of the fiber broadband network. Neither of these federally funded grants have been pulled back or limited by recent federal policy changes. Getting broadband to rural America remains a priority of the new administration. One of these grants through the United States Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect program may benefit from the administration’s rollback of Environmental Protection Agency’s rules. We are hopeful for red-tape relief, but we don’t yet know if any EPA rule changes will speed our use of these grant funds.
At CCEC and BBI, we are anxious to interpret and understand how federal policy changes will affect our ability to provide the services you depend on. It feels a bit like watching a tennis match, with our heads whipping back and forth to keep our eyes on the ball.
Brent Bischoff General Manager and CEO brent.bischoff@cooscurryelectric.com
Brent Bischoff