NOVEMBER 2024
ELECTRIC
Vietnam War veterans discover a bond after service and careers Page 4
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You
November 2024
• Volume 72, No. 11
CEO Michael Shepard
SENIOR VP OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Mike Teegarden, CCC
DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Noble Sprayberry
SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC
ASSISTANT EDITORS Chasity Anderson, CCC; Victoria Hampton, CCC; David Herder, CCC
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Valeri Pearon, Nina Todea
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION SR. MANAGER
Elizabeth Beatty
SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Alyssa McDougle
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See that young guy on the left? That is me more than 30 years ago on my first trip for this magazine. I was ambitious, energetic and excited about embarking on a new career as an assistant editor at a magazine, my dream job. Today, I am writing my last column before retiring at the end of the year. What a glorious ride it has been.
During my time, I have traveled to places I only dreamed of seeing. I spent a week on a tug-and-barge off the coast of Alaska. I traveled to Guatemala, where I spent three weeks photographing lineworkers bringing electricity to a small community for the first time. I have been in small, rural Alaskan villages only accessible by plane, boat or sled. I have covered forest fires in Oregon and a plucky young barrel racer in Arizona who is paralyzed from the waist down. I’ve been hoisted 70 feet in the air in a bucket truck and flown in a hot air balloon. And I have attended countless utility annual meetings, talking with readers like you.
In the past few years, I’ve received many calls, letters and emails from you. Some of you were grateful for a story or hopeful I would publish
For supplemental and interactive content, search @Ruralite on your favorite social media sites.
one. Others took exception to something in the magazine or found an error you thought I should know about.
A few of you sent me milkweed seeds in my quest to create a monarch butterfly habitat.
I appreciate your passion about what is printed each month. You have kept me on my toes. Thank you. My success here is due to two factors: The support of my wife and kids when I worked long hours and traveled at inopportune times; and through the support of a wonderful team of friends who do amazing work every day. I wish I had room to list each one of you, but you know who you are.
Starting next month, Chasity Anderson takes over duties as editorial director. She is a friend and someone I have great respect for. I know she will serve you well.
And now, friends, I say goodbye. I hope you continue to be faithful readers.
Farewell,
Mike Teegarden Editorial Director
Air Force veteran continues to lead in local and state VFW Up Close, Page 10
Volunteers build beds so no child has to sleep on the floor
By Craig Reed
Dale Orwick and Terry Weakley have had much in common throughout their lives. But the longtime Douglas County residents didn’t know about the similarities until they were closing in on their 70th birthdays. Through their common journeys, they could have unknowingly crossed paths or even bumped shoulders.
• Both graduated from RHS schools: Terry from Riddle High School in 1967 and Dale from Roseburg High School in 1968.
• Both were drafted into the U.S. Army: Terry in July 1969 and Dale in September 1969.
• Both were in the same unit, the 101st Airborne Division: Terry in the Bravo Company 2nd Battalion of the 501 infantry regiment and Dale in Charlie
Company 2nd Battalion of the 502 infantry regiment.
• They both went through basic training and then advanced infantry training at Fort Lewis, Washington.
• Both deployed to Vietnam for 11-month tours in combat zones: Terry on Jan. 3, 1970, and Dale on Jan. 7, 1970.
• Both suffered non-life-threating wounds in action. Terry was shot in the leg in April 1970, and Dale was hit by shrapnel in the shoulder in May 1970.
• Both spent several weeks recovering at the 6th Convalescent Center at Cam Ranh Bay.
• Both returned stateside in December 1970. Dale finished his military time working at a Fort Rucker, Alabama, survival school for helicopter pilots in training.
“I guess they figured since I’d been there (Vietnam), I could help the pilots learn how to evade and escape if needed,” Dale says.
Terry finished his military time at Fort Hood, Texas, training with tanks.
• Both left the service in mid-1971. Dale was discharged as a buck sergeant hard stripes, earning the stripes through a field promotion. Terry was discharged as a corporal.
Dale and Terry were happy to return home to their Douglas County roots but understood the need to serve in Vietnam.
“I thought it was worth being there because the communists wanted to suppress democracy,” Dale says.
• Both men left Vietnam and the service with myriad medals and awards, including the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart (two for Dale), Army Commendation Medal and Air Medal.
“We didn’t choose to be infantry, we were just placed,” Dale says. “Infantry is considered the bloody tip of the spear. Of all those who survived, most have received the Purple Heart medal.”
Back home, Dale worked for Roseburg Forest Products for 43½ years, mainly operating a bulldozer and helping build logging roads.
Terry worked in the logging industry for Huffman & Wright Logging of Canyonville for 27 years and then was a part owner of Cascade Thinning, a logging business, for 10 years.
“Dale probably helped build roads that I then used while logging,” Terry says.
These common bonds didn’t come to their attention until they met in 2017 at an Umpqua Valley Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America meeting in Roseburg. They were drawn to introduce themselves to one another by the 101st Airborne vests each was wearing.
“It took several months for us to begin to realize we had parallel stories,” Dale says. “It was like, ‘Hey dude, I think you’re my brother. We’ve lived the same life, just several yards apart.’’’
In sharing their lives and stories, the two discovered they both attended the 1976 Elvis Presley concert in MacArthur Court at the University of Oregon in Eugene.
“Maybe we were sitting just a few seats apart,” Dale says.
Terry, 75, and Dale, 74, continue to be active veterans. For years, they were members of the Honor Guard for funerals at Roseburg National Cemetery and of the Flag Line. They have retired from the Honor Guard, but continue to participate on the Flag Line. In 2023, they attended most of the cemetery’s 140 burials, most of them Vietnam veterans.
They are also involved with the Oregon Memorial Traveling Wall, helping to set it up, being present and then taking it down at most of the eight events where it is on display annually.
“We have so much in common,” Dale says. “We have the same values. We’re the best of friends.”
Terry agrees.
“We’ll be friends until we die,” he says. “We’ll probably die together.” n
Think like a lineworker to winterize your home and prepare emergency measures before the chill of the season sets in
By Nina Todea
When winter temperatures drop and storms hit, it can be challenging to stay warm and safe. Extremely low temperatures, high winds and heavy snowfall can lead to power outages. During a power outage, utility crews work as quickly and safely as possible to restore your power, but it still takes time.
Lineworkers, who brave the elements to keep electricity flowing, have key insights to storm readiness and how to keep their families ready come winter. Think like a lineworker, and take proactive measures now to ensure your home remains safe and prepare your family to weather any storm coming your way.
Although the extremity of winter weather varies from one region to another, no area is immune to weather-related events.
In Northern Idaho, where Foreman Cliff Miller has been a lineworker with Clearwater Power Co. for 29 years, winters are cold with significant snowfall. Cliff’s experiences as a lineworker
influence his lists of tasks inside and outside the home.
He recommends ensuring your heating system is reliable and efficient. Start with scheduling a maintenance check for your furnace or heating source. A professional can clean filters, check for potential hazards and ensure your system operates smoothly.
If you rely on electric heat, have a backup heating option in place—such as a generator, fireplace or wood-burning stove—to stay warm during prolonged outages. Remember that fuel- and woodburning heat sources should always be properly ventilated.
Insulating your home and weatherstripping around doors and windows can prevent heat loss and keep your space more comfortable, with and without power. For a more budget-friendly option, consider thermal curtains to help retain warmth.
Outside the home, Cliff recommends disconnecting all hoses from bibs and hydrants, draining them and putting them away, as well as draining and winterizing
campers and boats to store them for the winter. Installing stock tank heaters and filling propane tanks before winter weather hits is also beneficial.
When a storm hits and a power outage is likely, unplug all sensitive equipment so it isn’t damaged in a potential power surge.
An effective winter emergency kit is crucial for any household. Stock up on essentials: nonperishable food items, bottled water and medications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends families have at least a three-day supply of food and water per person.
“My home winter emergency kit includes water, freeze-dried meals, flashlights, a jet-boil or other backpack camping stove for heating water and food,” Cliff says. “Water and freeze-dried meals have served us best. I also always keep flashlights, blankets, a winter coat, a stocking hat and gloves in the vehicle during winter months.”
Warm clothing, such as gloves, hats and thermal layers, can protect against the
biting cold if you need to venture outdoors to tend to animals or assist neighbors.
For Cliff, layering is key. Multiple thinner layers will keep you warmer than one thick layer. Consider adding safety gear, such as helmets or high-visibility vests, to your kit.
“Good warm, waterproof boots are necessary for harsh winter conditions,” Cliff says. “I dress for the worst and hope for the best.”
Also include within reach a shovel for clearing snow and an ice scraper for your vehicle.
Braving the weather is often unavoidable. When you must venture out, tread carefully, whether on foot or in your vehicle.
If you’re shoveling snow, stay hydrated and take regular breaks to maintain alertness. Lineworkers know cold weather can be deceptive; you might not realize you’re getting fatigued or dehydrated until it’s too late.
“To stay focused and alert when out in inclement weather, especially for longer periods, it is important to keep your core temperature up, rest when you can and then caffeinate—in large quantities—when you can’t,” Cliff says.
If driving, check your tires prior to the winter season so your vehicle is in good condition and can manage icy roads. Be aware of others—including lineworkers, who might be working to restore power— drive slowly and remove potential distractions. If you encounter downed lines, always assume they are live. Steer clear of the lines, and call your utility to report the damage.
Remember that your safety, and the safety of your community, is more important than arriving early to your destination. Always check the weather forecast to know what to expect.
Winter weather can be unpredictable. By understanding the risks associated with winter storms and taking steps to mitigate those risks, you can ensure your family stays safe and warm. n
By Scott Flood
Moments ago, a stray bolt of lightning connected a menacing cloud with a power pole about a mile east of your home. Your lights flickered briefly before going out. Things become eerily quiet as all your home’s devices equipped with motors and fans stop providing their constant symphony of background noise.
You’re experiencing a power outage, so you reach for your phone and call your electric utility. Good move. Sometimes, consumers don’t call because they assume their neighbors will. However, the more who call, the more quickly the utility is able to pinpoint the outage location.
Back at the office, the utility’s grid system operator noticed the sudden pause at the moment 300 million volts of lightning danced around a transformer, and they’re able to triangulate the location of the outage. The system estimates around 500 consumers are in the dark as a line crew tosses their dinners aside and steers their trucks in that direction.
Thirty minutes later, the lineworkers slowly drive along a stretch of road, keeping one eye on traffic while inspecting every pole, wire and transformer. In another eight minutes, they stop and step out for a closer look. The mystery is solved with one glance at the burn mark across the surface of the transformer. Readying the truck and ensuring it’s safe, they move closer.
If you watch the lineworkers, you might mistakenly assume they’re not motivated. After all, you’re dealing with a power outage you want to end as soon as possible. But there’s a good reason the lineworkers aren’t rushing or running around.
Power lines carry high-voltage electricity. It’s safe when all elements of the system are in good working order, but it’s potentially deadly when that’s not the case. Lineworkers approach what they do deliberately, efficiently and—most of all—safely. Every action is carefully planned so they can spot potential hazards. They follow standard procedures and safety requirements to ensure repair is effective and sound. The work may take a little extra time, but it means they’ll make it home safely at the end of the day (or night).
Less than an hour after finding the cause of the outage, the lineworkers load their tools and gear back onto the trucks. This time, the problem was easy to spot, the repair was fairly straightforward, and the weather cooperated. But no two outages are exactly alike. The next could be in severe weather or on a remote segment off the main road. It could involve a fallen tree that needs to be cut with chainsaws or a broken pole that needs to be replaced.
Driving back to the utility, the lineworkers watch the passing homes and smile. The warm glows coming from the windows means the power’s back on again.
Lightning isn’t the only threat to the electric system. Outages can occur from a variety of causes, including fallen trees, vehicle crashes, extreme weather and even curious critters, such as squirrels.
Electric utilities invest in technology and equipment designed to protect the power grid and prevent outages from plunging your home into darkness. But when the power does go out, lineworkers put themselves at risk to return your life to normal.
Dear Neighbors,
Douglas Fast Net (DFN) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Douglas Electric Cooperative headquartered in Roseburg. We are dedicated to providing high-speed internet and telecommunications services to communities throughout Douglas, Coos, and Lane Counties. As a locally owned entity, DFN is deeply rooted in our region, prioritizing the needs and interests of our neighbors and members.
Supporting local businesses like DFN has a significant positive impact on the local economy and your community. When you choose to do business locally, you are directly contributing to the economic stability and growth of the area. Local businesses, including DFN, often reinvest their earnings back into the community, creating a cycle of prosperity. This reinvestment can lead to more job opportunities, improved infrastructure, and enhanced public services, all of which benefit residents.
Another advantage is that we are more attuned to the specific needs and values of our community. We can provide personalized service, build long-term relationships with customers, and support local initiatives and events. This creates a strong sense of community and belonging, fostering a supportive environment where everyone thrives.
By choosing DFN and other local businesses, you are not just a customer; you are a vital part of a thriving local ecosystem. Supporting them means supporting your friends, neighbors, and the future of your community. Let’s keep our local economy robust and resilient by prioritizing and valuing local enterprises.
By Melanie Jones
“It’s not a man’s world,” Carol Kacal says.
The Air Force veteran has been breaking glass ceilings for decades.
For 20 years, Carol served her country. Her service included a six-month stint in Turkey, where she held a leadership role. She says meeting all the different people and making lasting friends was a favorite part of her service.
the Air Force seemed like a good fit. She signed up at 18 and got her wish.
Along with assignments stateside in Missouri, Arizona and Colorado, Carol served in Guam, Germany, Korea and Turkey before her last assignment in Alaska. She liked it so much that she stayed after putting in her 20 years.
Carol says one of her most interesting stops was in Turkey, where she oversaw supplies and equipment coming in and out of the country for the Army and Air Force.
in and take advantage of the different opportunities provided,” is her advice for anyone considering serving in the military.
But Carol has specific words of wisdom for women.
“Females need to work alongside others, not behind or think they are better or worse,” she says. “The big thing is learning to be a team.”
This holds true in the military and out.
Carol earned the right to join the VFW while serving in Korea. In the past, many women veterans chose to join the women’s auxiliary instead of the VFW itself, even though they had served in the military. Now, not only are more women joining, but more are serving in leadership roles.
“Joining the VFW brings camaraderie among people who have been in military situations together,” Carol says. “We pull together and are able to stand up for veterans’ rights that we’re promised when we sign the dotted line.”
Carol serves as quartermaster for VFW Post 10029 in North Pole.
“I believe in helping the veterans and their families,” she says.
One thing Carol is always proud to do is ensure there are flag lines for soldiers to walk through when they return home. She says some people at airports seem to think they are blocking servicemen and women from seeing their families when they get off their planes, but that’s not the intent. Organizers want to ensure that when service members step into the airport returning from their stations, all they see is a wall of U.S. flags.
Life isn’t all about the VFW, though. Serving in accounting and budgeting in the Air Force prepared Carol for her current job as an accounting assistant at Design Alaska.
There were a few struggles when she first left the military, though. For one thing, deciding what to wear was a hassle after 20 years of wearing a uniform almost every day. Another was keeping track of time.
“Now I work on an hourly basis, not on call 24/7,” she says.
Veterans Day is special for Carol. She and her veteran husband of 19 years, David, work with a second grade class
that holds a special program for veterans each year. They previously held the event at the VFW post, but it grew so large, they must hold it at the Moose Lodge in Fairbanks.
Last year, about 75 students performed a program for about 20 or 30 veterans, with parents and others in attendance. Recently, the students presented veterans with a flag with all their handprints on it.
Carol isn’t sure why there are so many women veterans in Alaska—it’s tied with Virginia for the greatest proportion—but she does know there are many dualenrollment couples in the state, meaning both spouses served in the military.
Regardless, Carol loves calling Alaska home and enjoys camping with David and playing with their cat and dog. The couple have three children and six grandchildren. When she’s not outside, working or helping other people, Carol enjoys doing puzzles on her computer and encouraging other women to join VFW.
“You have that right just as much as (men) do to be a comrade,” she says. “We have served side by side.” n
By Ginger Meurer
A joyful chorus from excited children greets the chapter members of Sleep in Heavenly Peace Nye County, Nevada, as they deliver seven beds to a Pahrump home. The number is just one shy of the organization’s record.
“When we came, they had nothing,” says Nye County Chapter President Carmen Murzyn. “Tonight, they all get to sleep in their own beds.”
Volunteers hauling headboards, railings, mattresses, bedding and tools stream in the door and up the stairs—home to children ranging in age from 6 months to 15 years old. The house is empty except for a television, a camping mattress and a few blankets.
The children’s mother said they moved from Las Vegas in search of a better job and more affordable housing. Her previous landlord wanted $3,000 a month for their apartment.
“I finally gave up and said, ‘I can’t afford it,’” she says.
Without a truck or funds for the move, the family left most of
their belongings behind and started over in Pahrump.
Chapter Delivery Manager Steve Filarowski and Chapter Build Manager Jim Murzyn—Carmen’s husband—assemble the wooden beds with power tools.
“They’re so basic, but they’re built well,” Jim says. “They’re solid. In this case, it’s the only piece of furniture in the house, but a lot of times they’re the nicest piece of furniture in the house.”
Jim and Steve say the basic components of the beds make them easy to assemble and sturdy.
“If we ever have an earthquake, I’m getting under one of these,” Jim says.
“They’re really built to last,” Steve adds.
Interested children can assist with assembly. On this day, only the oldest braves the screech of the power tools. Jim and Steve help her safely guide the screws into her bunk.
“Don’t be afraid of it! You’re doing good,” Jim says as she pushes the driver trigger. “It just makes noise.”
Once the beds are up, Carmen and volunteers Marjorie
Washington and Charmayne Fazackerley help the children choose bedding. They unroll mattresses and teach them how to make their beds.
Deliveries like this tap the talents of Sleep in Heavenly Peace volunteers in more than 300 chapters in four countries united by one mantra: “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.”
SHP founder Luke Mickelson says his first delivery in December 2012 melted his heart and left him resolved to do more. He built a set of bunks with a young men’s church group for a family in their Twin Falls, Idaho, congregation. After that, he built a bed with his family and delivered it to Haley, a 6-year-old girl who was in a new home with her mom after being homeless and sleeping in the backseat of their car.
“We went into little Haley’s bedroom, and there was a pile of clothes in the corner, and that’s what she slept on,” Luke says.
Haley’s joy and her mother’s tears of relief were eye-opening. Back then, it took hours to build a bed, but Luke realized there was nothing more worth his time.
“We ended up doing 22 beds before Christmas that year,” Luke says. “It was awesome.”
The next December, he got more people involved. In 2014, he set up a nonprofit because people wanted to donate to the cause. In 2015, Luke and his friend, now SHP Executive Director Jordan Allen, decided instead of just building at Christmas and for a few
Eagle Scout projects here and there, they should host builds all year. There were 15 build days that year.
Soon, SHP got calls from volunteers from Minnesota to Maryland who wanted to build beds in their hometowns. So, they flew people into Idaho to train them and help them form new chapters. By the end of 2017, they had chapters in five states and more on the way.
That’s when Mike Rowe of TV’s “Dirty Jobs” fame featured
Sometimes you have to be willing to challenge yourself to do more than you think you can do.
—Jim
Prior, co-president of the SHP Eugene Chapter
them on his “Returning the Favor” Facebook Watch series. Mike leveraged community support for a rent-free warehouse for SHP for three years.
“But the biggest thing that came from that is we were viewed by 10 million people,” Luke says.
The episode aired Feb. 12, 2018. SHP put together an application for those wanting to start chapters.
“In the first year, we had like 2,000,” Luke says. “A crazy amount.”
SHP swiftly boomed from seven chapters to more than 120. Apart from a slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, SHP has consistently added 40 to 50 chapters a year.
Prospective chapter presidents must go to a build and prove they have enough community support to keep their chapters going. Then they fly to Lehi, Utah, for training.
Jim Prior, who serves as co-president of the SHP Eugene Chapter alongside his wife, Jeanette, says training is intense. They’d been involved in SHP for more than four years, so they felt like there was much they understood—but the training gave them much more to learn.
“It was still kind of like drinking from a fire hose,” Jim says. “Even though we knew the general concept of what was going on.”
The Priors took over when Eugene Chapter founders Bryce and Connie Jonas decided to step back a little over a year ago. No one had volunteered to take over, and the Priors
didn’t want to see the area’s needs go unmet.
“I thought, ‘Sometimes you have to be willing to challenge yourself to do more than you think you can do,’” Jim says. “Nobody was really stepping up. And it had been such a great charity. It really gives a hand up and not just a handout to families. So, I said, ‘Welp, let’s keep this going.’”
Jeanette was on board, too.
“Jim and I thought about it and did a lot of praying,” she says. “We didn’t really want to see it go away. We believe in what it does and how it helps kids, and just to see the smiles.”
Jim says raising funds isn’t hard. Once he is in front of an audience, the idea of helping children sells itself. Plus, the dollars raised stay in town. Other than 10% routed to the national headquarters for overhead such as insurance, logistics and website maintenance, every penny raised stays with each local chapter and goes directly into beds for kids.
Luke says only about 4% of the national money is labeled as management, which is “completely unheard of in the nonprofit world, especially for a nonprofit with nearly a $25 million annual budget. We’re pretty proud of that.”
While some builds invite the public to help, using donated funds to cover the $300 to $350 for a bunk, others are sponsored by organizations or businesses and frequently serve as teambuilding exercises. In Eugene, several sponsored builds occur
each year, including builds with coaches and players from the University of Oregon’s athletics programs. A July build brought in nearly 200 coaches, players and volunteers from multiple Oregon chapters who turned out 155 beds in less than four hours.
Nationally, Lowe’s—one of the organization’s biggest sponsors— hosts huge builds with multiple chapters.
The bed-building process has evolved a lot since 2012.
“I used to be on hands and knees trying to square corners,” Luke says. “It would take two hours just to build a bed, let alone sand it and stain it.”
Now, at some of the biggest builds, a bed is completed every 24 seconds.
“It’s crazy,” Luke says. “I like to say Henry Ford would be pretty proud of our assembly line.”
Everyone involved agrees that while building beds is fun, the most important part of the mission is the children.
When the beds were complete at the Pahrump home, 3-yearold Jazita was first to hug her freshly cased pillow and lie down on her new bed. She was speechless when asked what she thought of it, but her smile and expression of “Is this really for me?” were unmistakable.
Carmen isn’t surprised by Jazita’s reaction. Before the delivery, she talked about what it’s like when kids get their own beds.
“It’s like it’s their own space,” she says. “It’s their place; it’s nobody else’s. We’ve had quite a few kids get right in, and they’re already going to sleep before we’re out the door. The kids will jump in their bed no matter what time it is.”
Even though it was only 4 p.m., that’s exactly what Jazita did. n
For more information on volunteering or to apply for a bed, visit shpbeds.org.
Leftover Turkey and Dumpling Soup
Olive oil, as needed
1 large onion, sliced
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
½ cup frozen peas
2 sprigs fresh sage
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
2½ quarts turkey or chicken stock
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1¾ cups heavy cream
1 pound leftover turkey, shredded
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Heat a large, heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Add enough oil to just coat the bottom. When the oil is hot, add the onion slices. Let them caramelize for about 8 minutes or until golden brown, stirring often. Add the carrots and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for about 8 minutes.
Add the sage, thyme, bay leaves and stock. Stir well and bring the liquid to a simmer.
Simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring often. Season the soup with salt and black pepper, to taste.
Meanwhile, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Stir in the heavy cream until just incorporated. Don’t overmix. The dough should be somewhat lumpy.
Remove the herbs from the soup, and stir in the turkey. Use two spoons to drop the dumplings into the soup in an even layer. Cover the pot, and simmer for 8 minutes. Remove the lid, add the peas, and simmer for 3 minutes.
Serve the soup in large bowls topped with black pepper and any additional herbs.
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
3 cloves garlic, grated and divided
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more for pasta water
¾ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 pound dry cavatappi pasta
6 sage leaves
½ medium yellow onion, grated
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon ground mustard
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups whole milk
15-ounce can pumpkin puree
8 ounces fontina cheese, shredded
8 ounces smoked gouda cheese, shredded
In a small nonstick skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 1 grated garlic clove. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the breadcrumbs, 1/2 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Toast, stirring frequently, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove the mixture to a small bowl. Cool for 5 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan. Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Add the pasta, and salt to taste. Cook, stirring the pasta, until just under al dente, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
In the same pot over medium heat, melt the remaining ¼ cup of butter. Stir in the sage leaves. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sage is lightly fried and the butter is deeply golden and smells toasty. Move the sage leaves to a paper towel-lined plate, and add the onion to the butter. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the remaining two grated garlic cloves. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Whisk in the flour, mustard, nutmeg, cayenne, the remaining 11/2 teaspoons of salt and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook until the raw flour smell disappears, 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Whisk in the pumpkin puree. Cook until thick, 5 minutes.
Remove the pot from heat. Gradually add the shredded cheeses, whisking until melted before adding more. Taste for salt.
Fold in the drained noodles, adding pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until the sauce coats the noodles.
Serve the mac and cheese hot, sprinkled with the toasted panko bread crumbs and crumbled sage.
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
17.3-ounce package puff pastry sheets, thawed
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup apple butter
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
Heat oven to 400 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine the cheeses. Sprinkle a clean work surface with ¼ cup of the cheese blend. Place one puff pastry sheet over the cheese, and sprinkle with another ¼ cup of cheese blend. Use a rolling pin to press the cheese into the pastry. Roll the sheet into a 10-by-14-inch rectangle. Repeat the rolling-out process with a second sheet of puff pastry and 1/2 cup of the cheese blend.
Brush the surface of one pastry sheet with egg wash. Place the other sheet on one of the prepared baking sheets. Brush the surface with the apple butter, maintaining a 1-inch border. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of the cheese blend and thyme. Top with the second sheet, egg wash-side down, pressing the layers gently together. Refrigerate the assembled sheet for 30 minutes.
Transfer the chilled sheet to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the pastry into ¾-inch-wide strips. Transfer the strips to the baking sheets, spacing them at least 1 inch apart. Pinch the ends to close, and twist each end in the opposite direction to create a spiral. If they start to untwist, gently press the ends into the parchment.
Refrigerate the twists for 30 minutes, then brush with more egg wash. Bake until golden brown and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes.
Cool the twists on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
2 to 2½ pounds butternut squash
¼ cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 cup pecan halves
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
¼ teaspoon salt
2/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 extra large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Heat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Set aside. Cut the squash in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Place the squash cut-side down on the baking sheet. Bake for about 45 minutes or until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork. Allow the squash to cool enough to handle.
Spray a casserole dish with vegetable cooking spray. Set aside. While still warm, scoop out the butternut flesh and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Mash the squash with a potato masher until no chunks remain. Add the milk, vanilla, sugar, butter and cinnamon. Stir until combined. Add the eggs. Fold together until blended.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Bake until almost set, about 30 minutes. While the casserole is baking, prepare the topping.
In a small bowl, combine the pecans, melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir until coated. Remove the baking dish from the oven, and sprinkle the pecan mixture over the squash. Continue baking until set, about 15 minutes.
I would appreciate any Catherine Cookson books you may have and no longer want.
Marsha King 16637 William Foss Road La Pine, OR 97739
I would love any old stamp collections or singles you would like to part with. Thanks in advance.
Rosalie Ferry 109 Raven Lane Careywood, ID 83809-9711
I’m seeking to illuminate my winter days with sparkle therapy. Living with a disability on a fixed income can be challenging, but your gift would bring sunshine. If you're willing to part with unwanted jewelry, components or treasures—for men or women—I’d be thrilled to accept them. Your thoughtfulness would give me a sense of fulfillment and happiness. Thank you in advance. I am forever grateful for your generosity.
Carly Wagner 913 Stillwell Ave. Tillamook, OR 97141
We are starting a respite care and are looking for old jewelry—broken or not— chains, beads, pearls and any items used to make jewelry or crafts for dementia patients. We would really appreciate anything you can give.
Diane Whitley
P.O. Box 1629 Eastsound, WA 98245
My mother turns 92 this month. She is the wife of a retired Air Force man who took us all over. On base, she was a Girl Scout leader, VBS teacher and spent a lot of time at our sports events. She spends her days now reading, lunching with her greatgrandchildren and playing games online. It would be such a treat for her to receive wishes for her birthday. Send to Betty West, 1860 17th St., Springfield, OR 97477.
Laura Crowe
Springfield, Oregon
My dad turns 94 in December and would be delighted to receive birthday cards. He was born in England and served in the R.A.F. as a navigator. He came to the United States in 1965 and worked in sales until he retired. Since my mom’s passing, he spends his time watching the news and all sports on TV. He does some light gardening and still reads without glasses. His favorite hobby is sampling new beers, so if any readers could make suggestions of a new beer for him to try, he would love that. Send cards to Peter Burgoyne, 5549 Our Lane, Zephyrhills, FL 33542.
Larry Burgoyne Sagle, Idaho
I am looking for a recipe for pecan praline fudge. I have one, but it failed both times I’ve used it. Can you help? Thank you in advance.
Pat Moss
P.O. Box 61155 Fairbanks, AK 99706
A special thank you to all who contributed to my button collection. Your response was overwhelming, and I deeply appreciate you.
Bette McCarthy Pahrump, Nevada
Thank you to all the Ruralite readers who sent my friend, Elsie Bergold, almost 500 cards for her 105th birthday. We played poker and had cake. She was completely shocked by all the cards and the gifts that were sent from complete strangers. She opened all of her cards and read every one of them. KVAL News did a story on her for the nightly news.
Martha Curl Creswell, Oregon
Thank you to all the wonderful, amazing and kind readers that sent me buttons and my grandfather’s yearbook. It was like Christmas. I received them in packages, boxes and envelopes. Thank you so very much for your time, thoughts and kindness. I am so very thankful to everyone.
Kim Koester Fairbanks, Alaska
Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Send your request—no attachments, please—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 you must include a postal address. Requests also must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.
See the strength of nature’s architecture in Arizona at
In Central Arizona, just north of Payson, Tonto
Natural Bridge State Park is home to one of the largest natural travertine bridges in the world. The bridge is 60 feet thick, sits 183 feet off the ground and tops a roughly 400-footlong tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point.
Catch Fall Leaves
When visiting, enjoy the short hike down to the bottom of the waterfalls that gently cascade over the bridge and surrounding rocks. The water flowing down from the bridge has created an ideal environment for the aspen, cottonwood and elder trees that brighten the park with magnificent fall colors. While the colors peak in later October, they continue throughout November.
The natural bridge is made of a crystalline form of limestone, known as travertine. Broadly, the rock forms when spring water rich in calcium carbonate evaporates, leaving the calcium behind. The calcium built up into a large structure, before a hole was worn through the rock, creating the bridge.
In addition to the travertine bridge, the park has four hiking trails, a picnic area, a group use area and the historic Goodfellow Lodge. All trails are shorter than a half-mile, but they are steep and strenuous, so be sure to pack drinking water. The trails close an hour before the park closes, and no dogs are allowed on any of the trails.
The state park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but closed on Christmas. On Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, the park closes at 2 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for youth 7 to 13 and free for children 6 and under. If visiting in the winter, be prepared for reduced services. Go to azstateparks. com/tonto for detailed information.
The best walk-in tub just got better with breakthrough technology! Presenting the all new Safe Step Walk-In Tub featuring MicroSoothe. ® An air system so revolutionary, it oxygenates, softens and exfoliates skin, turning your bath into a spa-like experience. Constructed and built right here in America for safety and durability from the ground up, and with more standard features than any other tub.
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✓ High-quality tub complete with a comprehensive lifetime warranty on the entire tub
✓ Top-of-the-line installation and service, all included at one low, affordable price You’ll agree – there just isn’t a better, more affordable walk-in tub on the market.
By Dave LaBelle
Thanksgiving comes in different shapes and is expressed in different ways.
Herb Recker never felt he deserved to take advantage of the Honor Flights that carry veterans to Washington, D.C.
Herb died in January at the age of 71. His Iowa friend, Tom Klaren, who served with him in the Iowa National Guard, carried Herb’s encased flag in May on an Honor Flight.
When veterans gathered at the World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C., they saluted the folded flag Tom brought, which had been given to Herb’s widow, Mary, at his funeral.
“I feel so passionate at what we owe those people, so much of what they gave up,” Tom says. “What their wives gave up, what their mothers and fathers gave up. Sometimes the ultimate sacrifice.
“I am a veteran myself, but not to the point these guys are, who served overseas. I just feel I am a step down from these
a century. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
As storytellers, we are always looking for fleeting moments that best express the pulse of a story. While I occasionally talk about photo fundamentals, my greatest interest and love is about the psychology of photography.
Perhaps you know a veteran who would agree and even enjoy the attention sitting still for a portrait would bring. Remember, when you make someone’s picture or listen to their story, you are honoring them.
Stay focused and alert. So many times, it is often those ever-fleeting gestures that reveal the most.
guys, that’s how I feel. Actually, Herb felt like I did. Since we were in the National Guard, we felt like we didn’t deserve to go like the guys who actually were in combat.”
Though Tom has made three Honor Flight trips as a guardian for four different veterans, he never made the trip as an “honored” veteran.
Herb and Tom were best friends from grade school, high school and in the National Guard. It was Tom’s honor to carry Herb’s flag to Washington, D.C.
“He was in my wedding, and I was in his wedding,” he says.
D810, 180mm lens ISO 100, f/5 at 1/200
After interviewing Tom, I made several pictures with his best friend’s flag in two different places in his home before asking him to carry Herb’s flag outside on his front lawn. Nothing I shot expressed the emotion this patriotic man felt. Then, after I was finished and sitting on the lawn, Tom grew openly emotional because it had been less than a week after returning from his trip to Washington, D.C. Emotions for Tom were still raw. Looking up, I saw him
relax and drop his guard. A small window opened, and I quickly raised my camera and was able to make two frames before the fleeting moment passed.
Once again, I was reminded of the importance of anticipating the unexpected. Sometimes the best unguarded storytelling moments happen when the formal shoot is over. Deep and buried emotions often surface ever-so-briefly once the camera is off. n
ea.
Minimum order of 5 coins
GENERATIONAL WEALTH is of paramount significance as it represents a beacon of financial stability. It serves as a tangible testament to the hard work, diligence, and financial acumen of previous generations, offering a solid foundation upon which future generations can build their dreams and aspirations.
American Gold Reserve is releasing Government issued $5 Gold American Eagles completely free of dealer mark-up for only $279 each. These beautiful $5 Gold American Eagles are a perfect way to enter the gold market. They are set for immediate public release and will sell out fast
hours - 7 days a week
• Free of dealer markup. • Protection against inflation and deflation. • Gold offers financial cover during geopolitical uncertainty. • Good portfolio diversifier.
• 24", 28", and 30" clearing widths
• Easy 180 degree turns with 6 forward speeds and 2 reverse
• Heated hand grips, LED headlights, and rugged chute controls
Ruralite reader submissions from this cook booklet features such recipes as Pollo Dorado, Southern Scalloped Chicken, Hawaiian Meatballs, Texas-Style Turkey Salad and Sweet and Sour Chicken. The cookbook is indexed and costs $8 (includes postage).
To order by mail, submit proper payment and include the cookbook title, your name, address and number of cookbooks wanted to Ruralite Cookbooks, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133.
To pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover card or American Express, call 503-357-2105. To order online, visit www.ruralite.org.
Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
By Miranda Boutelle
Q: How can smart-home technology help me lower my power bill?
A: Smart technology can make it easier to save energy by simplifying or automating tasks. It can also optimize energy use to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
When upgrading to smart technology at home, consider the purchase cost as well as long-term savings. For example, you may pay more for a product with the latest technology, but it could result in significant savings each year and throughout the lifetime of the appliance.
Here are some smart devices that take the work out of saving energy.
Smart thermostats save energy by automatically adjusting your heating or cooling system. For example, you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling costs by adjusting your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours a day, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
You can program a smart thermostat to change the temperature when you are asleep or not at home or use a smartphone app to adjust your thermostat settings while you are away. Some models use artificial intelligence to maximize efficiency by learning your patterns and preferences. Prices range from $80 to $250, depending on features. Smart thermostats do not work with all heating and cooling systems, so check compatibility before you buy.
Your water heater can also be controlled for energy savings. Installing a timer on your electric water heater can save 5% to 12% of the energy it uses by turning it off at night and when you don’t need to use hot water, according to the DOE.
If you plan to replace your electric storage water heater with a heat pump
water heater, consider a model equipped with smart technology features, including Wi-Fi capabilities for controlling it remotely or during peak demand times, viewing the amount of hot water available and tracking energy use. A variety of modes are available, including vacation, efficiency and high demand, which produces more hot water. Some models can notify you or shut off if a leak is detected. Depending on the manufacturer and size of the unit, a smart heat pump water heater may only cost a few hundred dollars more than a standard heat pump water heater.
Smart lighting gives you the power to control lights in your home remotely or set a lighting schedule that fits your lifestyle. This can be beneficial for energy savings and provide home security benefits. If you or other members of your household are notorious for leaving lights on, smart lighting can help. Numerous features are available, including dimmable bulbs and color-changing effects.
Smart light switches are another budget-friendly way to control lighting. They’re priced from about $10 to $50. Smart switches with dimmable options are available and can also control ceiling fans. Some have occupancy sensors that turn lights off when no movement is detected in a room.
A smart plug fits into any outlet to control whatever is plugged into it. Set it to automatically turn off and on or control them using a smartphone app. Prices range from $8 to $25.
A variety of smart shades, curtains and blinds are available, including styles with integrated controls. You can also add smart controls to your existing blinds or curtains. Both options allow you to adjust the tilt of blinds and open or close curtains. Set a schedule, control them remotely or use a voice command paired with a voice
assistant, such as Alexa or Google Home. This allows you to reduce cooling needs in the summer and heating needs in the winter. Smart controls start at around $70. To save the most energy, prioritize windows with the most incoming light.
Upgrading to smart home technologies can make it easy to use less energy at home. Choose options that make the most sense for your lifestyle to optimize savings. n
Agriculture
Reinforced custom-sized pond liners (39 cents/sqft). Hay covers, greenhouse covers, any width and length. Truck tarps and more. High puncture and tear strength. Best price guaranteed. Celebrating 43 years in business. www.btlliners.com. 541-447-0712.
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. 1124
Automotive
‘66 and ‘67 Ford 2-door hardtop Fairlane 500s 289 V8, auto, straight, good glass, titles, project cars. ‘66 runs. ‘67 new upholstery. $5.5K each or $10K for both. LaGrande, OR. 541-663-9091. 1124
Business Opportunities
For sale: quaint hardware store in Maupin, OR. Inventory and interior store recently updated and refreshed. See ad on Bizbuysell.com or email Maupincountrystore@gmail.com. $239,999. 1124
Community Events
Art Center East’s 16th Annual “Handmade Holidays Makers Market” 4-8 p.m. Nov. 15 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 16 in La Grande, OR. artcentereast.org. 1124
Farm Equipment
Two 1937 rare co-op tractors. #2, #3 1952. $900 for both. $1.7K, 1959. 691 $2K. 208-507-1211. 1124
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. 1224AR
Help Wanted
The Cape Blanco Heritage Society needs volunteers at the Cape Blanco Lighthouse Greeting Center and Hughes House for 2024 and 2025. Background checks are required. Free RV hookups are available to volunteers. heritage32@frontier.com; 541-332-0521. 1124
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): January issue—Nov. 30, 2024.
If submitting ad by mail, send appropriate payment with your name, address, email, phone number and the name of the electric utility that provides your magazine to: Marketplace, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133. Make check or money order payable to Ruralite.
We accept credit card payments for ads submitted by email. Send ad to info@pioneer.coop.
Call 503-357-2105 to pay by credit card.
Advertisements are accepted in good faith. Pioneer Utility Resources is not liable for interactions between buyers and sellers.
Hobbies, Gifts, Games
Santa letters and cheerful artwork for gift giving and holidays, made in Alaska. We ship high-quality gifts and custom artwork, including letter bundles, totes, jewelry, prints, cards, relief prints, tiles. GV11 saves 10%. www.PamelaSueArtandDesigns.com. 1124
Miscellaneous
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 call 206-799-1082. 1124
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.
Alaskan yellow cedar. Great for planter boxes, herb and flower beds, fencing or decks. Various sizes available. Pete, 541-206-0727. Lisa, 541-747-5025, ext. 21. 1224
Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm and recreation property in OR. Fourth-generation Oregonian, prior ranch owner. For sale: Sisters, OR. 40 acres. Price reduced. $1.55M. John Gill, 541-480-9161 or johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 1124
Dale store. Live or work in a recreational enthusiasts’ location, store, fuel, post office, home, game cooler. $325K. Duke Warner Realty, 541-987-2363 or ddwr@ortelco.net.
Last chance to get an undeveloped buildable lot (8,000 sqft.) in Sportsman’s Park (Wasco County, Tygh Valley, OR). Sewer to property line, water on property, power available. National forest on backside. 7 miles to Wamic. $86.6K. Eric, 971-370-0220. 1124
Become an instant Nevadan. Wells: Fully equipped, nonoperating, Bar/Grill, 479 6th St., $395K. 3/2 home, 1355 Lake Ave., $230K. 160 acres with water rights and structures, $160k. Goldfield, ruins of Catholic Church, $65K. Pahrump, Resort Membership $1.8K. kisciniello@yahoo.com; 775-550-2263. 1124
Your ad could be here in January. See instructions above for details.
Newly renovated house in 55-plus community. Peaceful, park-like setting. Great location just minutes from downtown Astoria. 1 bd, 1 ba, country kitchen and cozy living room. $1.6K/ month. 900 sqft. 503-307-7875. 1124
320 acres east of Adel, OR. Borders Hart Mountain views, Steens Mountain and Beaty Butte. Landowner tags, very rural. $263K. For maps, contact thejugglingman3@gmail.com; 541-659-1573. 1124
Recreational Rentals
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. 1124
Getaway at either of our Airbnb’s here in Lenore, ID. We are on the Clearwater River, so great fishing and hiking. See www.bearcountrygetaways.com. Hope to see you. Cindy and Rocky Wines. 1124
Bed and Birds; a guesthouse. Very private. Wet meadows, range, forest, dark sky, lakeview. Explore or ride? Near ski hill. Reasonable. 541-219-2044. 1124
Recreational Vehicles
Forest River Sunseeker 24, 2016. Good condition. 58,200 miles. 8-ft. slide out with dinette. Seats 4, sleeps 6. $53.9K. OBO. tedbcsc1948@gmail.com; 458-910-3727.
Services
Dawn Till Dusk Masonry. Brick, block, stone and pavers. Small jobs and repairs welcome. Check out our website at dawntillduskconstructionmasonry.com. 541-388-7605; 541-410-6945. License #245760 bonded and insured. La Pine, OR. 1124
We all want delicious, fresh, nourishing food to feed our families. We’ve got pastured pork corn-/soy-/GMO-free. Delivery to your door or drop sites. Order at www.rural-roots-ranch.com or text Christy at 541-589-4674. 1224
Wanted: 1967-’72 Buick Skylark, GS, Stage 1, GSX. Cars, parts or leads. Or any ’60s or ’70s vehicles. billybibbett@hotmail.com. 1124
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 or 971-666-0659. 1124
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. 1125
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. 1124
Retired couple wants to buy older Bigfoot or Northern Lite truck camper in good condition. 406-827-3447; montanagirl@blackfoot.net.
Who can resist the aroma of homemade bread baking in the oven? Try your hand at more than 400 mouth-watering recipes submitted by readers. This 8½-by-11-inc, 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.
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
Story
and photos by
Rural Montana Editor Ryan Hall
The four lower Snake River dams play a vital role in recreation and environmental stewardship in Idaho and Washington and have important impacts on irrigated farmland.
“Whenever you build a dam, you have a bunch of associated missions that go along with that,” said Chad Rhynard, chief of the technical support branch for
the Walla Walla District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The Corps of Engineers oversees habitat management units, where it manages lands specifically for recapturing native habitats.
“We do a little bit of everything in our portfolio because of how flexible hydropower is,” Rhynard said.
Recreating
“People will always recreate,” Rhynard said. “They will always find ways to get to water.”
The Corps of Engineers does everything it can to present fun, safe opportunities that also protect the environment.
“As people find their way to the water, they do it in such a way that is safe to them, others and the environment,” Rhynard said.
Corps also is focused on preserving cultural habitats.
“We have a lot of cultural significance along our shorelines,” Rhynard said. “It’s where your grandfather took you fishing for years growing up.”
The Corps has created and oversees parks, boat launches and beaches, as well as tent and RV campgrounds.
Rhynard said people fish, boat, swim and play watersports, in addition to taking advantage of the primitive and full hook-up camping with shower facilities up and down the Snake River.
“We are trying to manage native landscapes the best we can,” he added.
Rhynard said the dams present unique recreational opportunities because just upstream of each dam, the Snake River seems more like a lake, while downstream areas have characteristics of a river.
“It really just depends on where you are along the river,” he said.
The more developed campgrounds are popular in the summer, according to Corps staff.
“Charbonneau Park is pretty much a destination location,” said Brandon Frazier, assistant natural resource manager for the Army Corps of Engineers, describing the area in Eastern Washington that features camping, swimming, hiking, fishing, boating and more.
In addition to the parks and campgrounds, the HMUs the Corps manage are valuable to recreationists and wildlife.
People can hunt, watch birds and ride horses in the HMUs, in addition to other activities. But those activities don’t come at the expense of the wildlife or habitat. In fact, that’s exactly what the HMUs are designed to protect.
“We manage those areas for habitat and wildlife diversity,” Frazier said. “I think they’re very vital.”
Much of the habitat in the HMUs is water-dependent.
“Without the dams, those opportunities would be lost,” Frazier said. “A lot of those riparian areas would be dry.”
It may surprise some people to learn irrigation is not one of the core missions of the lower Snake River dams. However, that does not mean they are not vital to
area farmland.
“We don’t have an irrigation mission in the Corps,” said Paul Ocker, chief of operations for the Walla Walla District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
However, there are about 48,000 acres of irrigated lands because of Ice Harbor Dam. Apples, cherries, grapes, wheat, canola, mint and more are all aided by irrigation.
According to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s 2022 Lower Snake River Dams: Benefit Replacement Report, potatoes and onions are grown on lands irrigated because of Ice Harbor Dam. The report further states the combined production value of irrigated land along the Snake River in 2021 was estimated to be $327.89 million.
The report also states if Ice Harbor Dam was to be breached, as has been proposed by some environmental groups, the cost estimates for mitigating impacted irrigation from wells and surface water combined would range from $188 million to $787 million. The additional annual maintenance cost would be another $7.4 million. Over 50 years, these annual maintenance costs equate to an additional $218 million, the report states. n
Used with permission of Rural Montana magazine.
At Pioneer Utility Resources, the publisher of Ruralite magazine, we are always working to put the right letters together to tell a story. The American Red Cross story can’t be told without three letters: A, B and O, which represent the main blood types. When those important letters are missing from blood bank shelves, lives are at stake.
With the recent hurricanes in Florida adding to the need for blood nationwide, we encourage each of you to consider
Donate between Nov. 18 and Dec. 8, and you could receive two pairs of socks.
X Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets.
X Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S.
X Nearly 5,000 units of platelets and 6,500 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S.
X Sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require blood transfusions throughout their lives.
X According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.9 million
donating blood by rolling up your sleeves and visiting a local Red Cross donation center between Oct. 25 and Dec. 25. Your gift of blood can save more than one life.
Visit this link—https://rcblood.org/3zJ1rxU—or scan the QR code below. Sign up to help us reach our goal and fill in the missing blood types so patients can receive the lifesaving care they need. Make and keep an appointment to give blood to the American Red Cross. n
https://rcblood.org/3zJ1rxU
people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2025. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatments.
X Nearly 16 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
X The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 units.
X A single-car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.
X Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured; they can only come from volunteer donors.
X The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O.
X One donation can help save more than one life.
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 spiral-bound, indexed book is $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.
By Those We Serve
Douglas Electric Cooperative Inc.
1981 NE Stephens St.
Roseburg, Oregon
Phone 541-673-6616
800-233-2733
Outage 888-420-8826
Officers
President | Robert Poage
Vice President | Bill Jackson
Secretary | Shirley Cairns
Treasurer | Suzi Armstrong
Director | Evan Barnes
Director | David House
Director | Terry Nelson
General Manager
Keith Brooks
Chief Operating Officer
Phil Bigler
Director of Operations
Shawn Filice
Office Manager/CFO
Bill Reinhart
Fire Mitigation Manager
Todd Sherwood
Mission Statement
The mission of Douglas Electric Cooperative, a member-owned and operated cooperative, is to provide affordable, reliable electric and other compatible services that enhance the quality of life for its members, using progressive marketing in conjunction with sound financial and management principles.
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We are thankful for electric cooperatives and their members who brought progress to rural communities that investorowned utilities chose to not serve.
At Douglas Electric Cooperative, our dedicated staff is committed to delivering excellent service and ensuring safe and reliable electricity that powers essential needs, such as appliances, heating and cooling systems, lighting, cellphones, electric vehicles and medical devices. I am honored to lead Douglas Electric as we continue our mission of serving our members and supporting the needs of our rural communities.
One of the Seven Cooperative Principles is Democratic Member Control. Douglas Electric is controlled by our members, who actively participate in shaping policies and making key decisions. Members elect directors from each district within our service area to serve on the board, and the board members are accountable to the members they represent. We are thankful for our board members, who dedicate their time to attending important training sessions, participating in monthly meetings and staying well-informed about electric cooperative issues to effectively serve our members.
Another cooperative principle is Concern for Community. Douglas Electric partners with charities, supports local teams and participates in community events, such as the Sutherlin Throwdown and Zoobilee at Wildlife Safari. We also take part in the Southern Oregon Trade Careers Expo, and our lineworkers and office staff provide students with valuable information about career opportunities at utility cooperatives across the nation.
We are thankful our board of directors supports the Washington, D.C., Youth Tour program. Each year, for one week in June, we send a teenager from our service area to learn more about our great country’s history and the unique role of electric cooperatives. We are honored to be a part of the 2025 Youth Tour. The application is available on our website at www.dec.coop.
We are deeply grateful to all our members and appreciate the acts of kindness shown to our lineworkers and employees when they are working in extreme weather conditions. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to restore power when these challenging times occur.
We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our friends and neighbors in Douglas County and want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving.
General Manager Keith Brooks
