Golden
From left are Josh Parsons, Joe Waggoner, Marc Dugas, Ian Wiedmaier and Ian Olesen.
PHOTO BY RED PHOTOGRAPHY
FEELING REJUVENATED WITH CBD
Everyone feels the hurt as we age, but CBD can help you deal with it
By: Beth Giles
Life really does fly by. Before I knew it, my 60s had arrived, and with them came some new gifts from dear ol’ Mother Nature—frequent knee pain, stress, low energy and sleeplessness. Now, I’m a realist about these things, I knew I wasn’t going to be young and springy forever. But still, with “golden years” nearly on my doorstep, I couldn’t help but feel a little cheated. That is until I found my own secret weapon. Another gift from Mother Nature.
It began a few months back when I was complaining about my aches and pains to my marathon-running granddaughter, Jen. She casually mentioned how she uses CBD rub to help with her joint pain. She said that CBD gave her more focus and clarity throughout the day and that her lingering muscle and joint discomfort no longer bothered her. She even felt comfortable signing up for back-to-back marathons two weekends in a row this year. That made even this self-proclaimed skeptic take notice.
But I still had some concerns. According to one study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 70% of CBD products didn’t contain the amount of CBD stated on their labels. And, as a consumer, that’s terrifying! If I was going to try CBD, I needed to trust the source through and through. My two-fold research process naturally led me to Zebra CBD. First, I started calling my family and friends. Call me old fashioned but I wanted to know if
there were people whom I trusted (more than anonymous testimonials) who’ve had success using CBD besides my granddaughter.
Secondly, I wanted cold hard facts. Diving deep into the world of CBD research and clinical studies, I came across Emily Gray M.D., a physician at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) Medical School and medical advisor to Zebra CBD who is researching the effects of CBD. Dr. Gray wrote “early results with CBD have been promising and we have a lot of research underway now. I’ve had several patients using CBD with good success. It’s important that you know your source of CBD and how to use it properly.”
After hearing it from the doctor’s mouth, I returned to my research, asking more people and was amazed by the number of close friends and family who were already on the CBD train. Apparently, I was the only one without a clue! And funny enough, a couple of friends who commented were using the same brand as my granddaughter—Zebra CBD. There was no consensus as to why they were using CBD, but the top reasons given were for muscle & joint discomfort, mood support, sleep support, stress and headaches, as well as supporting overall health & wellness.
Eventually, even the most skeptical of the bunch can be won over. With a trusted CBD source in mind, I decided to give it a go.
When I viewed Zebra CBD’s selection online, I
was impressed by its array of products, including CBD oils called tinctures, topicals, chewable tablets, mints and gummies. After reading on their website that all their products are made with organically-grown hemp, I ordered... and it arrived within 2 days!
The first product I tried was the Rub. Now this stuff was strong. Immediately after rubbing it on my knee, the soothing effects kicked in. It had that familiar menthol cooling effect, which I personally find very relieving. And the best part is, after two weeks of using it, my knee pain no longer affected my daily mobility.
The Zebra Sleep Gummies, on the other hand, had a different but equally positive effect on my body. To take it, the instructions suggest chewing thoroughly. This was simple enough, and the taste was, well, lemony. After about 15 minutes, a sense of calm came over my body. It's hard to describe exactly; it's definitely not a "high" feeling. It's more like an overall sense of relaxation—and then I was out. Needless to say, I slept great and woke up refreshed. I haven’t slept like that in a long time.
While it hasn’t been a catch-all fix to every one of my health issues, it has eased the level and frequency of my aches. And it sure doesn’t seem like a coincidence how rejuvenated I feel. All-in-all, CBD is one of those things that you have to try for yourself. Although I was skeptical at first, I can safely say that I’m now a Zebra CBD fan and that I highly recommend their products. Also, I managed to speak with a Zebra CBD spokesperson willing to provide an exclusive. If you order this month, you’ll receive $10 off your first order by using promo code “RL10” at checkout. Plus, the company offers a 100% No-Hassle, Money-Back Guarantee. You can try it yourself and order Zebra CBD at ZebraCBD.com/CM or at 1-888-762-2699.
Ruralite
April 2024 • Volume 72, No. 4
CEO Michael Shepard
SENIOR VP OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Mike Teegarden, CCC
DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Noble Sprayberry
SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC
ASSISTANT EDITORS Chasity Anderson, CCC; Victoria Hampton, CCC, David Herder CCC
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Valeri Pearon, Nina Todea
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION SR. MANAGER
Elizabeth Beatty
PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Alyssa McDougle
Ruralite (USPS 397-460) is published monthly for members for $4.83 per year, plus postage, by Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124—a not-for-profit Oregon cooperative corporation—to serve the communication needs of 47 consumer-owned electric utilities in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Nevada and California. Preferred periodical postage paid at Hillsboro, Oregon, 97123 and additional mailing offices. © 2024 Pioneer Utility Resources. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
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Pollinator Power
I like food, maybe a little too much sometimes.
About 35% of the food crops we eat depend on pollinators buzzing and flitting from one plant to the next.
In recent years, at the urging of my beekeeper friends, I have changed my gardening habits to be more bee-friendly. My yard is small, and I know this one act won’t change the world, but I feel good knowing I’m at least contributing to the pollinator ecosystem. While bees are the most prolific pollinators, butterflies are important contributors. This month on Page 12, you can read about monarch butterflies, which are considered a vulnerable species.
pretty exciting to have my own crop of monarch butterflies.
Check out our story for ways you can make your yard more pollinator friendly.
Our Up Close feature this month on Page 10 highlights Gwen Trice and her quest to bring to light a former logging community in Northeastern Oregon, where her father and grandfather lived in 1923. Maxville was one of the few places in Oregon where Black people and white people lived and worked together.
Gwen is working to cultivate a healing and educational environment at the site. She also is restoring a historic cabin on-site.
Monarchs only lay their eggs in milkweed plants, which are becoming more scarce in the wild. I tried growing milkweed from seed last year, but my first attempt failed. But I’m stubborn and will try again using plant starts this time. Hopefully, I’ll have better luck. It would be
Finally, check out Before You Go on Page 30 to learn how Ruralite readers pitched in to help a school put on a successful Family Math night.
Sincerely,
Mike Teegarden Editorial Director
Meet the Logger’s Daughter
Gwen Trice preserves community through Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center Up Close, Page 10
2024 Voting Guide
Golden Valley Electric Association Districts 4 and 7 Board of Director Elections and Bylaws Vote
Get to Know Your Candidates
As a member of GVEA, the single-most important action you can take is to vote for your board representative. To help you in your selection, candidate bios are presented here.
Additional information about each candidate is on GVEA’s website at www.gvea.com/elections. Candidate information also will be in election packets mailed on May 3 to members who live in Districts 4 and 7.
Vote!
Members will receive ballots in the mail and can choose to cast their ballot via mail or online.
• For members with multiple accounts, your district is determined by your membership account.
• Members with more than one type of membership are entitled to one vote for each type of membership.
To Vote Electronically:
STEP 1: Your password will be mailed to you on a postcard, separate from the election packet.
STEP 2: Locate your electronic voting number. This will be on the back of the postage paid return envelope. It is also provided on your April, May and June bill statements for Districts 4 and 7 members.
STEP 3: Visit https://www.directvote.net/GVEA.
If you need help, contact the Election Helpline at 855-761-9111 or email goldenvalley@alaska-cpas.com. E-vote is fast, easy and secure.
Special Notice
This year, all members, not only those in Districts 4 and 7, will receive a ballot to vote on proposed revisions to GVEA’s Bylaws. Although sections of these bylaws have been amended over the years, the Board of Directors felt strongly that a thorough review was needed to ensure the Bylaws still met the best interest of GVEA’s membership and provide the flexibility to run the cooperative in an efficient and costeffective manner. More information on the proposed revisions can be found on GVEA’s website at www.gvea.com.
Thank you for voting!
Tom DeLong, GVEA Board of Directors Chair
“Voting is one of the most important actions you can take as a member-owner of Golden Valley Electric. You help set the direction of your local electric co-op through the representative you elect to the board of directors. Please take a few minutes to learn about the candidates and cast your vote.”
Learn more at gvea.com/elections
April 25—GVEA Annual Meeting.
May 3—Ballots mailed and online voting opens.
June 4—Ballots must be received by 5 p.m., electronically or by mail.
June 6—Election committee counts ballots.
Gary Newman
District 4 Candidate
Nominated by committee
Primary residence: 1083 Esro Rd
Phone: 907-488-2001
Email: gvea@chena.org
Years in Alaska: 52
Occupation/Employer: Retired; Information Systems Administrator for UAF 12 years; Facilities Manager, Energy and Housing Manager, Telecommunications Manager for Tanana Chiefs Conference 15 years; Energy auditor 5 years; Telephone PBX Journeyman Installer for Fairbanks Municipal Utilities System 8 years.
Education: B.A. Psychology; National utility certifications: CCD, required of GVEA Directors, Board Leadership Certification; Director Gold (highest educational level); PBX Journeyman; Certified Energy Auditor, Cisco Networking (CCNA), many other certificates/trainings in the course of my professions.
Personal interests/hobbies: Community service, playing Celtic music, sound engineering, photography, hiking, chain sawing, history of Alaska and the Fairbanks area, technology in general.
Organization affiliation:
Golden Valley Electric Association Board of Directors 2015present, Board Secretary, Chair Administrative Committee. Associated organizations as a GVEA Director: National Rural Electrical Cooperative Association, Northwest Public Power Association, Alaska Power Association. University of Alaska Fairbanks Master Plan Committee - 2005 - 2023. Contra Borealis Dancers board of directors 1993 – present. Esro Road Association 2008 - present, President, Northern Lights Council of Dancers Board of Directors 2013 - 2019, board chair, Friends of Koponen Homestead Board (promoting non-motorized trails in the Chena Ridge area) 2014 - present
Tomaszewski
District 4 Candidate
Nominated by committee
Primary residence: 135 Wilderness Drive
Phone: 907-347-2967
Email: samplealaska@ gmail.com
Years in Alaska: 40
Occupation/Employer: Business Owner
Education: University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Owner/Operator for nearly 20 years of an Electrical Contracting Company (Industrial, Commercial, & Residential with unlimited commercial wiring license) Acquired numerous certificates and completed trainings throughout my lifework contributing to the success of my entrepreneurial ventures. Self-taught Birch Syrup entrepreneur producing ten products in every Walmart and Fred Meyer in the State.
Personal interests/hobbies: I’m passionate and committed to enhancing well-being through hands-on efforts in our community, prioritizing family and forging connections. I actively volunteer in a food pantry and have served on community boards to contribute to positive change in the Interior. I love reading, learning, and checking things off my to-do list.
Organization affiliation: FNSB Board of Equalization. 2023-present. Founder/Organizer of Journey Food Pantry distributing over 170,000 pounds of food yearly. 2017-present. Member: Journey Christian Church. 2011-present. Chair, secretary, member: Member Advisory Committee (MAC) to the GVEA Board 2019-2023. Climate Action Committee Member 2022-2023. FNSB Curriculum Board 2020-2022
Special interest/Community service: My interests involve diverse community service roles. I established and volunteer at a local food pantry, serving the marginalized in our community. Throughout my terms on the FNSB Curriculum Board, I
Special interest/Community service: I have always been one to give to my community where the need was demonstrated and I had the expertise to offer. I have long had an active interest in GVEA as a member-owned electric cooperative. GVEA is a major contributor to the health, welfare and economy of our communities and I take seriously the responsibility of serving. I particularly appreciate that GVEA is a not-for-profit, non-partisan, non-political organization dedicated to serving all our members and am always responsive to members concerns.
Why are you interested in running for a seat on GVEA’s board? Of course candidates are for reducing rates, maintaining reliability, and watching the financials. It’s in our mission. How that’s achieved is the challenge/opportunity for the board and management. GVEA is undergoing a major transformation of generation and transmission in the next few years. The landscape is complex, with issues that have built-up for decades, spanning many players - Railbelt utilities, Alaska state/federal agencies, Legislature, industry experts, our employees, and GVEA member-owners. I’m optimistic, but it’ll take some time, tenacity and patience. I have been and will be dedicated to our future with a deep understanding of these issues from my expertise, commitment and passion for our cooperative. I’ve successfully advocated for increased transparency, ROW clearing, and in guiding our future direction. I encourage GVEA to do more to empower members about their own usage, particularly through this transition. I’ll always be honest and respond to member concerns. More at http://gvea.chena.org
passionately advocated for the values of both education and community. Currently, as an alternate on the quasi-judicial Board of Equalization, I disseminate information and make determinations of fact. Additionally, my years on the Member Advisory Committee at GVEA, including two terms as Chair, demonstrated my commitment to understanding energy resources and engaging community involvement. These experiences reflect my dedication to furthering education, equality, and overall community welfare. Why are you interested in running for a seat on GVEA’s board? My Goals: Reducing the Cost of Electricity! Board Transparency and Communication. Common-Sense, Sustainable Energy Goals. I’m dedicated to building and implementing longterm strategies that focus on reducing rates to alleviate financial strain on all members. Transparency and communication are key to building trust and a relationship between GVEA and our member-owners. Common sense must be applied to the Strategic Plan to ensure the cooperative’s energy sustainability and efficiency. My vision encompasses not just immediate benefits, but also our energy future, aligning with GVEA’s long-term goals. With the opportunity to be the first woman on the board in nearly twenty years, I’ll leverage my experience as a business owner and community advocate to offer fresh perspectives, ask questions, and devise effective solutions. By emphasizing rate reduction, transparency, and common-sense solutions, we’ll move toward a healthy and thriving future.
Todd Adams District 7 Candidate
Nominated by committee
Primary residence: Mile 315.1 Parks Hwy
Phone: 907-378-0285
Email: toddadams.ak@ gmail.com
Years in Alaska: 28
Cyrus Cooper District 7 Candidate
Nominated by committee
Primary residence: ASLS 86-159, Tract B, Lot 1a
Phone: 907-750-1520
Email: vortmund@ mtaonline.net
Years in Alaska: 19+
Occupation/Employer: Senior Project Manager, Siemens Industries
Education: OSHA 30 with over 40 CEUs. Construction Quality Management. Over 40 Specific Siemens Project Management Certificates
Personal interests/hobbies: I enjoy being an outdoorsman - retriever training and competition, hunting, fishing, and farming. Other interest includes Rokon motorcycles and farming.
Organization affiliation: Fairbanks Retriever Club, member since 2000, Board Member, VP, and President in various roles over 20 years. American Chesapeake Club (retrievers) Current Board member
Special interest/Community service: I have been extensively involved with design and execution of utility monitoring and control systems on large-scale complex sites for my entire professional career, all geared toward the result of consumer
savings and customer satisfaction. I have practiced the practical applications and facilitated the cost benefit scenarios of numerous methodologies including duty cycling, peak demand limiting, and start stop time optimization for customers based on utility companies’ various billing structures. I believe implementing these methodologies even on a small scale would help both local communities and GVEA’s planning towards the future.
Why are you interested in running for a seat on GVEA’s board? I have spent the last 2 plus years on the GVEA Board of Directors and still believe I have much to positively contribute. Having been in large corporate structures and engaging with their methods of business, I believe I could continue to facilitate the scaling of ideas to our local co-op model, providing new opportunities for members at-large and GVEA. If given the privilege of serving my local community and the larger region, I commit to giving my time and expertise.
Occupation/Employer: Advanced Logistics Analyst and Demonstrated Master Logistician, Strategic Business Alliance Group
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice, AA Criminal Justice; Demonstrated Master Logistician Certification, 2022; National Incident Management Course, 2019; MSHA Course Instructor, ID# M90412765; TapRoot Incident Investigation Course, 2014; USACE Construction Quality Control Management Course, 2012; USAF Incident On-Scene Commanders Course, 2005; Dynamics of International Terrorism, 1996
Personal interests/hobbies: As a 28-year retired Air Force veteran, I seek support for the health, welfare and sustainability of our military communities within the Interior of Alaska; local Community Health, Welfare and Lifestyle preservation through active local governance participation. Hunting, archery, orchard creation, horticultural sustainment and year-round farming to facilitate community food security.
Organization affiliation: Healy Lions Club Member and National Rifle Association Life Member
Special interest/Community service: Fair and Equal representation for all Owner/Members of District 7 in all activities Association leaders determine are viable in the pursuit of unquestionable energy security, short and long-term energy transmission grid reliability and cost effectiveness in all operations we undertake. Concurrently, I seek full support for members of Districts 1 thru 6 in all activities which improve our collective energy security and sustainability. Such efforts must be realized as a WE effort opposed to an “I” or ME effort. I
have and will continue to actively pursue building communicative bridges to address improvement opportunities for our Association at all levels because we ALL should be confident in our local energy utility and we do that best through operational and public awareness transparency. I seek to hold full and open discussions regarding GVEA strategic planning initiatives, to include potential coal-plant closures or realignments; the creation of new battery farms while improving existing battery infrastructure capabilities; additions to the Eva Creek wind turbine site and the analysis of core GVEA mission statements for compliance and evolution to optimize support for and to our membership.
Why are you interested in running for a seat on GVEA’s board? I am running for District 7 of the GVEA Board of Directors to ensure the voices of the District 7 members are actively heard, that problems relayed by the membership are actively addressed, and that no one is disenfranchised through levied GVEA policies, procedures, or practices. I seek to ensure that decisions directly affecting District 7 are front and center in all discussions affecting membership or GVEA production and/or transmission infrastructure. I seek to strengthen our Association through full analysis of current and expanded goals envisioned by the GVEA Board of Directors and will endeavor to minimize negative impacts to the membership in terms of unnecessary or onerous cost factors which could and should be mitigated or eliminated. We have a good Association which I know can be a GREAT Association when we all receive equal and unfettered representation in matters affecting our collective future…I seek to ensure the promise of the Association is realized and that members benefit from the monies spent in our names
District 7 Candidate
Nominated by committee
Primary residence: Lot 38 Block 5 Sulfide Loop Rd
Phone: 509-868-3574
Email: krista.zappone@ gmail.com
Years in Alaska: 10
Occupation/Employer: Department Supervisor, Three Bears Alaska
Education: Northwest Renewable Energy Institute 2012Certified Wind Turbine Technician Eastern Washington University: 2012. Bachelor of Arts, Women and Gender Studies, Minors: Psychology, Sociology, Counseling Educational Psychology Pierce Community College: 2009. Associate of Arts, General Transfer Studies
Personal interests/hobbies: I am interested in sustainability, conservation, self-reliance, and learning new skills. I have experience in public discourse, long-term asset management and project planning. At home I am always wrapped up in a project, from planning a remodeling project to chopping firewood or yard work, and hanging out with my dogs.
Organization affiliation: I volunteer with the Healy Valley Lions Club and was Club President from 2017-2023. I currently serve on the Denali Borough Assembly as the Deputy Presiding officer. Starting back in 2014, during my time on the assembly I have also served on the Finance Committee, and have attended several work sessions as required.
Special interest/Community service: Since moving to Healy I have had the opportunity to participate in several volunteer activities. One of my favorites is the Murder Mystery Theater event. I have volunteered and acted out the roles of a cowboy,
District Descriptions
District 1
Includes the railroad industrial area, which includes Well St. and Phillips Field Rd south of the Johansen Expy to the Chena River; Graehl Subd. north of Dry Slough to Hamilton Ave. and north of Adak Ave; heading north out of Fairbanks, the general area west of the Steese Hwy, including Fox, Chatanika, Haystack and Elliot Hwy; Farmers Lp, Goldstream, Murphy Dome and Sheep Creek Rds; the University of Alaska; College Rd; and north of Noyes Slough, excluding Lemeta Subd. south of College Rd.
District 2
Includes Lemeta Subd. south of College Rd; the general area south of Noyes Slough and north of the Chena River; Doyon Estates; Danby St; Aurora Subd; Geist Rd; University West; west of Chena Pump Rd, including Rosie Creek and Chena Ridge; Goldhill Rd; Ester; and the Parks Hwy south to Mile 343.
District 3
Includes the area south of Chena Small Tracts and east of Chena Pump to Rosie Creek; the west side of Fairbanks, south of the Chena River, west of Peger Rd and south of Airport Way; north of Richardson Hwy to Woll Rd; and south of the Chena River and Chena Slough over to Nordale Rd; and Richardson Hwy west of Mile 352.
a French privateer, and a French maid to help raise money for the community library. I play hockey with the Healy Coal Queens and have coached a youth hockey team in the past. I currently serve our community primarily with the local Lions club. We are most well-known for our community Thanksgiving dinner and the 4th of July community barbeque. Constantly a part of projects to improve things in our community.
Why are you interested in running for a seat on GVEA’s board? I enjoy collaboratively working with people to achieve goals. I have worked in and managed operations and maintenance at a wind farm and have a good understanding of the way GVEA’s power productions work together to provide as well as support stable electricity for members. There is a lot of potential for these operations to improve and continue to grow. It is important to make sure these decisions and investments are made responsibly; with careful consideration of all factors including but not limited to stability, reliability, predictably, financial impact, socioeconomics, long-term maintenance, and environmental impacts. These discussions around energy, infrastructure, planning, development, and maintenance are a passion of mine. The decisions made by the board are important to today’s members as well as those for years to come. As a Healy resident there is a lot of discussion surrounding unit 2, I want to be in a position to represent those members fairly and with proper consideration.
District 4
Includes downtown Fairbanks, north of Airport Way and east of Peger Rd up to the Chena River; the subdivisions of Island Homes, Hamilton Acres, Shannon Park and Birchwood Homes; all areas east of the Steese Hwy heading north out of Fairbanks and south of Goldstream Rd, including Chena Hot Springs Rd; also, the Secluded Acres Subd., located east of Ft. Wainwright and north of the Chena River to the mouth of the Chena Slough.
District 5
Includes the general area of North Pole; the Richardson Hwy from Mile 352 and the east side of Woll Rd; Nordale Rd; the area north of Chena Slough, excluding the general area of Chena Hot Springs Rd; Moose Creek; Eielson; and south to the Salcha River.
District 6
Includes Delta Junction, Fort Greely and all areas south of the Salcha River, including Harding and Birch Lakes.
District 7
Starting at MP 330 on the Parks Hwy (near Skinny Dick’s Halfway Inn) heading south to include the areas of Nenana, Clear, Anderson, Healy, McKinley Village and Cantwell.
Krista Zappone
One internet meme declares, “The most popular linemen in America are not in the NFL.” This is especially true when there is a power outage. GVEA lineworkers gear up and head out into all kinds of weather conditions at all hours of the night to restore power to Interior communities. April 18 is Lineworker Appreciation Day, and GVEA is proud to honor its longestserving lineworkers who provide emergency services to the members.
Ian Wiedmaier says it was a complete happenstance that he became a lineworker. When he first contacted the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, he only knew that lineworkers worked on poles and power lines. But he quickly learned that responding to outages is the priority, followed by troubleshooting, conducting new service connects and replacing old power lines.
“I had no clue what I was getting into,” Ian says. “But it worked out the best for me.”
He says the work is challenging and rewarding. Despite the inclement weather and days working in high places, he is here to stay. In 2021, after 13 years at GVEA, Ian temporarily moved to the Pacific Northwest, only to return to Alaska a year later. He says Alaska is his home.
Josh Parsons started his 14-year career with GVEA after reading the job description and determining that working outside fit him well. While weather conditions can sometimes present a challenge, Josh says distance is another factor for lineworkers. Since Interior communities are spread out, lineworkers often travel consecutive days to provide services and manage outages.
All About Power:
GVEA Honors the Co-op’s First Responders in April
By Rachael Kvapil
“One day, we’ll be in Healy, a few days later down in Delta, back in Fairbanks and then head out to Cantwell,” he says.
As snow loads push trees onto power lines, Josh emphasizes that people should not address the problem themselves. Instead, they should send a picture to GVEA, so they can figure out the best way to address the problem.
Joe Waggoner is no stranger to trees on power lines. In his 16 years at GVEA, he has cleared his fair share, including one that caught fire after touching a live wire. Though he describes himself as an adrenaline junkie, he says GVEA provides everything necessary to handle intense situations safely.
“Stay away from down power lines,” Joe says. “Call GVEA. Down lines may not look energized, but they could be.”
Joe trained as a lineworker with the encouragement of a friend who had already started an IBEW apprenticeship. He considers GVEA his extended family and plans to stay until retirement.
Ian Olesen agrees with the adrenaline junkie moniker but says lineworkers are also about safety. After 14 years with GVEA, he says it’s essential to stay focused in an unnerving situation. Although outages are common emergencies, he says teams also respond to accidents that involve cars hitting poles.
“A car tangled up in down lines is some of the scariest stuff,” Ian says. “There isn’t any indication if the line is dead. The best thing to do is stay in the car while observers steer clear of the situation.”
Occasionally, lineworkers will also have to respond to structure fires that require them to de energize a line before firefighters can spray water. He says it’s these kinds of intense situations that lineworkers train for from the start. n
Four of GVEA’s longest-serving linemen are, from left, Ian Wiedmaier, Josh Parsons, Ian Olesen and Joe Waggoner. PHOTO BY RED PHOTOGRAPHY
The answer: Although tremendous strides have been made in
“I
Aid Technology, those cost reductions have not been passed on to you. Until now... MDHearing ™ uses the same kind of technology incorporated into hearing aids that cost thousands more at a small fraction of the
Meet the Logger’s Daughter
Gwen Trice preserves community through Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center
Story by Chiara Profenna
In the mountains of Northeastern Oregon lie what remains of an abandoned timber town. Once the most populous community in Wallowa County, Maxville now comprises a single log cabin atop 96 acres of empty land. Its past—nearly lost to history—echoes through the efforts of Gwen Trice, the founder and executive director of Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center in Joseph, Oregon.
In the past decade, Gwen has transformed Maxville into more than just a historical site. She has created a space where the past comes alive, and the spirit of community thrives.
Revealing an Untold Story
Gwen’s journey to preserve Maxville’s history began in 2003 when she discovered her heritage in connection with the township.
“I found out my father and grandfather were in the group of the first African Americans that came out by boxcar from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in 1923,” Gwen says.
This discovery shocked Gwen, who knew her father, Lafayette “Lucky” Trice, as a respected businessman in La Grande, Oregon. After the revelation, Gwen uprooted her life in Seattle to return to Eastern Oregon—where she was raised—to reconnect with her past.
“I realized having grown up in this space where Black history wasn’t told … we weren’t a part of the narrative,” Gwen says. “I ended up moving to Wallowa County, where this history resides, and just really took up the gauntlet, more for myself. I really wanted to find out about my history.”
Gwen took to Maxville’s neighboring towns in search of stories. She began collecting and preserving the personal accounts of elders. Her project became the Oregon Public Broadcasting documentary, “The Logger’s Daughter,” which explores the history of Maxville through interviews and collected artifacts.
Images from the center display some of the rich history of the town. This photo captures Greek and Black loggers working in Maxville.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MAXVILLE HERITAGE INTERPRETIVE CENTER
The documentary’s first Oregon viewing was at the senior center in Wallowa. There was an overwhelming turnout, surpassing the room’s capacity. Upon seeing the elders weeping in the front row, Gwen realized how important it was to tell the story of Maxville in its entirety.
“I knew that it was bigger than me coming back, writing on screenplays and doing my family history,” Gwen says. “It was a history of a community. I had no idea how much bigger it would get.”
100 Years of Maxville
Not many Oregonians have heard of Maxville. The town of about 400 people was founded in 1923 by the Bowman-Hicks Lumber Co., which recruited loggers from the South to work in the timber industry. Unlike most lumber towns, Black and white loggers worked side by side.
The segregated township was one of the only places in Oregon where Black families lived due to Oregon’s exclusionary laws at the time. Despite the laws and segregation practices, the town was known for breaking down the barriers of race. Gwen says community members relied on each other and coexisted peacefully.
“(Maxville) is a place where my family came because they got to make more money and had the hope of possibly coming out of a space that we were being hung from trees in the South,” she says.
For a decade, Maxville prospered as a major logging town. But in 1933, it fell victim to the Great Depression, and the land was quickly vacated. Many families moved to nearby Wallowa or La Grande. The history of the once-bustling community faded from memory during the next few decades.
One hundred years later, Maxville is reentering the Oregon landscape thanks to Gwen’s efforts and advocacy. With the help of Hancock Timber, Eastern Oregon University and Clatsop Community College, Gwen is restoring the authentic cabin that remains on the townsite. She hopes to establish the site as a visitors center and permanent exhibition of the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center.
Interpreting the History of Maxville
With her materials collected and the groundwork started, Gwen began to create the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center in 2008. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to cultivate an educational and healing environment.
“To tell this inclusive story—the good, the bad, the ugly—in a truthful and transparent way is extremely healing and helpful,” Gwen says. “And it’s difficult. Some days are better than others.”
Gwen says the center is a healing place for not just for Black people but also allies.
“We’re creating a trauma and healing program right now,” she says. “Trauma and healing in the environment and making the connection to a lot of us that have been marginalized in one way or another.”
The program is in the early stages of development. As Gwen expands the center, she hopes visitors see it as a sacred and bright place for everyone.
“We all have different needs,” Gwen says. “But I hope that it provides a bridge to whatever healing they may be looking for.” n
Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center is at 103 N. Main St. in Joseph, Oregon.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Gwen stands proudly in front of a historic photo of the Black and white loggers from Maxville, where her father is pictured in the back row, fourth from the left. PHOTO BY CHIARA PROFENNA The interior of the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center features a curated collection of photographs from Maxville, artistic renderings of the town and personal artifacts from families, painting a vivid portrait of life in Maxville. The historic Maxville cabin is being restored to create a new expansion for the center. Since the project began, the site has been nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MAXVILLE HERITAGE INTERPRETIVE CENTER
Majestic M onarchs: Royalty Among
Pollinators
By Pamela A. Keene
ADOBE STOCK IMAGE BY BAZZIBA
When it comes to Western monarch butterflies, the statistics are alarming. Since the 1990s, their population has declined by 99%. But there’s good news for these vibrant butterflies that migrate from the Pacific Northwest to Southern California.
“Our census in 2023 showed a decline in the Western monarch population, but the decrease is not quite as severe as it was five years ago,” says Emma Pelton, senior conservation biologist with the Xerces Society, whose mission is to protect invertebrates and their habitats. “Our organization has been conducting annual monarch counts for the past 25 years, typically around Thanksgiving, and we have seen a steady decline.”
She attributes the reduction of the number of Western monarchs to loss of habitat from development, overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, and severe extremes in temperatures. Migrating north each spring from Southern California to their summer breeding grounds west of the Rocky Mountains, the butterflies seek shelter and adequate food for their larvae, which will become the next generation of adult monarchs.
“Places to feed, lay their eggs and protect themselves from predators are vanishing as native and natural habitats disappear,” Emma says. “It’s up to all of us to be aware of the monarchs’ dwindling population and to each do our part to help them survive and thrive.”
Monarchs rely on milkweed, laying their eggs on the underside of the leaves. Those eggs hatch into small, gray larvae, becoming the plump yellow, black and white caterpillars that feed on milkweed.
“Milkweed is the sole host plant for monarchs,” Emma says. “Once the eggs hatch into caterpillars, they can literally strip the plant of all its foliage, sometimes in less than a day. However, if the butterflies can’t find milkweed, they don’t have a place to lay their eggs. The caterpillars won’t hatch and morph into more adult monarchs.”
Butterflies join wasps, bees and birds as pollinators.
“If it weren’t for pollinators, humans would have a lot less variety in their diet because one of every three bites of goods we consume is the result of pollinators,” says Lora Morandin, associate director of Pollinator Partnership, based in San Francisco. “Monarchs are great ambassadors because they are colorful, showy and attract our attention. They’re also a gateway to learning about insects and other creatures that pollinate.”
Working globally, Pollinator Partnership manages North America’s annual Pollinator Week, slated for June 17-23, to raise awareness for all pollinators. A robust tool kit in multiple languages has been developed for Pollinator Week to be used by individuals, organizations and classrooms. The information can be found at pollinator.org.
“We can all help pollinators in some way,” Lora says. “The website offers extensive information that ranges from bee-friendly farming and gardening guidelines to responsible use of pesticides. We encourage the public to explore our website and adopt practices that will help pollinators, people and our planet.”
How You Can Help: Plant a Pollinator Garden
By Pamela A. Keene
From butterflies and bees to insects and birds, pollinators help feed the world. But they need human support to do their jobs.
“The best way to help pollinators is to plant a pollinator garden,” says Stephanie Hazen, a retired veterinarian and master gardener in Salem, Oregon. “That way, you’re helping provide pollinators a source of food, a place to nest and shelter from other predators.”
Stephanie says she started a new mission when she retired: focus on pollinators and native gardening, growing trees, shrubs, perennials and nonhybrid plants adapted to specific climates, soil conditions and environments.
“When you choose plants that are native to your area, you’ll be supporting the groups of insects, birds, bees and butterflies common where you live,” she says. “These creatures have four-season relationships with plants, and what better way to feed this symbiotic relationship than to include plants that naturally grow where you live? The pollinators will be attracted to them all year long.”
Stephanie recommends a mixture of plants that provide four-season interest to help pollinators.
“Pollinators need more than just blossoms in the spring, summer and fall to thrive,” she says. “Perennials, such as evening primrose, goldenrod and yarrow, are excellent choices. Once they bloom, the spent foliage and the hollow flower stems can become shelter for insects.”
Stephanie also suggests planting milkweed for Western monarchs.
“These beautiful butterflies rely on milkweed as their only host plant,” she says. “They lay their eggs on milkweed, and when the larvae hatch, they will feed on the leaves as they grow into caterpillars.”
A perennial garden should provide shelter and a shallow water source as well. Sources for native plants include local nurseries, local plant sales and various states’ Native Plant Societies. Some states’ Soil and Water Conservation Districts hold native plant sales as well. Each state’s Cooperative Extension Service, managed through land-grant universities, offers detailed pamphlets, plant lists and how-to publications that are free to read online or download.
“Anyone can add pollinator attractors to their landscapes, even if you live in an apartment or a condominium,” Stephanie says. “All it takes is a planter with a few flowering plants, and you’re all set.”
ADOBE
Pollinators in the Classroom
pollinator gardens at the school.
“In 2021, we began the garden program with two second grade classes, and the project has grown to six gardens maintained by three second grade and three fourth grade classes,” Julia says. “Each of the classes has time devoted to insects, and the gardens are filled with red ladybugs, praying mantis, earwigs and green lacewings, which feed on harmful bugs, such as aphids. Butterflies flit in and out and feed on the nectar of native plants.”
This year, Oregon State University graduate student Ashley Hall has joined the team as an intern for her environmental sciences thesis, focused on monarchs, including developing curriculum.
“Last September, Ashley was able to secure caterpillars for the students to raise and release after they morphed into butterflies,” Julia says. “Ashley also received a Bright Ideas grant from CoosCurry Electric Cooperative that was used to purchase educational supplies, butterfly enclosures, bug boxes and magnifying glasses.”
Community support also comes from Brookings Oregon Monarch Advocates, with master gardener volunteers as leaders.
Across the country, students participate in school gardening activities, growing fruits and vegetables, and studying the importance of pollinators.
In Brookings, Oregon, an original school garden from the early 2000s at Kalmiopsis Elementary School sees new life as a teaching tool. With a group of dedicated teachers, students and volunteers, students learn about where their food comes from and the vital roles of insects and other pollinators in feeding humans.
“Teaching youngsters about cultivating plants from an early age can help instill a love of gardening that will last them their whole lives,” says Julia Bott, who provides staff support for school programs through the Master Gardeners of Oregon State Extension.
Julia worked with volunteers and teachers to revive the
“The pollinator garden has become a focal point of our school and an educational complement to growing fruits, vegetables and flowers here,” Julia says. “At first, when some of the students saw a bug, they’d scream and take off running. Now, they’re learning about the benefits of insects and appreciate them more.”
Across North America, the profile of monarch butterflies and other pollinators is rising through environmental organizations, conservation groups and initiatives such as National Pollinator Week each June and the November Western Monarch Count.
“Helping preserve our pollinator habitats and protect these vital insects can be everyone’s mission,” Lora says. “Whether you volunteer for a community project, plant more natives in your landscape or put several perennials in a container on your deck or porch, you’re doing your part. Every little bit helps.” n
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A monarch caterpillar lives its entire life on milkweed. A tagged monarch visits its host plant, showy milkweed. PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE HAZEN A monarch butterfly emerges from its chrysalis.
PHOTO BY PIXABAY
Protecting Pollinators
Sends a Message
By Pamela A. Keene
Think about the possibilities. Electric utilities manage miles of transmission lines across the areas they serve. What if the land within those rights-of-way could create better food sources, shelter and protection for pollinators?
That’s exactly what the Bonneville Power Administration has done in Portland, Oregon’s Forest Park—one of the largest urban parks in the country—through a multiyear collaboration with Portland Parks and Recreation and Metro, a regional planning agency. By improving the land beneath power line rights-of-way in the 5,200acre park, about 67 acres of habitat now provide better nesting sites, shelter and food sources for pollinators.
Begun in 2016, the Forest Park project has increased pollinators along the rights-of-way while reducing the company’s maintenance costs. The initiative speaks to sustainability, environmental stewardship and community involvement.
“Pollinators are crucial to the environment and to the very food we eat,” says Nancy Wittpenn, BPA environmental protection specialist and a leader in BPA’s Pollinator Workgroup. “However, many people are not aware of the benefits butterflies, beetles, bees and other pollinators provide, so we wanted to involve our employees in education and activities to learn more.”
In 2018, the agency created its first Pollinator Workgroup.
“The Pollinator Workgroup formalized what some BPA staff had already been working on,” Nancy says. “Today, our Pollinator Workgroup has 20 or so members who plan events and activities for employees during National Pollinator Week, create educational opportunities and design hands-on projects to protect and support pollinators.”
Activities have included installing temporary mason bee houses at BPA facilities, promoting the weeklong National Pollinator Week each June and sponsoring speakers to educate BPA staff about the importance and benefits of pollinators.
Projects have included a monarch butterfly mapping program, native plant selection and advice for landscape design at BPA facilities, creating pollinator-friendly management best practices used by several groups within BPA, and partnerships to replicate the Forest Park model in other BPA rights-of-way.
In 2023, BPA received national recognition for its work in Forest Park through the Pollinator Electric Power Award from the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign. Nancy received the 2021
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The Bonneville Power Administration created a workgroup to organize and plan pollinator events. BPA's Nancy Wittpenn is an award-winning leader of BPA’s Pollinator Workgroup. Pollinators at work ensure our plants continue to flourish. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION, AMBER BARNES AND POLLINATOR PARTNERSHIP
Power Delivery and Utilization Technology Transfer Award for her contributions to a documentary about pollinators. The Electric Power Research Institute produced the documentary as part of its Powerin-Pollinators initiative.
What has driven BPA’s commitment to pollinators?
“Our agency is in a very unique position to support pollinators while continuing to be effective environmental stewards,” Nancy says.
“BPA’s leadership and employees have made a commitment to pollinator survival, and this commitment has become an important part of our sustainability culture.
“We’re working within the organization, but many of our individual employees and their families are supporting pollinators in their own home landscapes and communities. It’s not only a win-win for BPA and the environment, but for the communities we serve, our customers and stakeholders, our employees and their families.”
Eggstraordinary EATS
Poached Egg Tostadas With Avocado-Tomatillo Salsa
Nonstick cooking spray
4 6-inch corn tortillas
4 cups water
Salsa
1 medium avocado, diced
1 medium Anaheim or poblano pepper, seeds and ribs discarded, diced
1 medium tomatillo, papery husk discarded, washed and diced
1/2 medium tomato, diced
1 tablespoon white vinegar
4 large eggs
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 medium garlic clove, minced
1/8 teaspoon salt
Heat oven to 400 F. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lightly spray foil with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange tortillas in a single layer on foil. Lightly spray tortillas with nonstick cooking spray. Using a fork, pierce tortillas to prevent them from filling with air. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Transfer to serving plates.
In a large skillet over high heat, bring water and vinegar to a boil.
Once water is boiling, reduce heat and simmer. Break egg into a cup, then carefully slip egg into simmering water. Repeat with remaining eggs, avoiding eggs touching in water. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, or until egg whites are completely set and yolks are beginning to set but aren’t hard. Using a slotted spoon, remove the eggs to a plate.
To make the salsa: In a medium bowl, gently stir together avocado, pepper, tomatillo, tomato, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, garlic and salt. Spoon onto the tostadas, then top each tostada with an egg. Recipe and photo source: American Heart Association
Herbed Spanish Omelet
1 pound potatoes, peeled and diced or shredded
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup diced red onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 large whole eggs, lightly beaten
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
Salt, to taste
Fresh parsley sprigs, for garnish
Place potatoes in a large pan. Cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook, uncovered, for 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover. Let stand for about 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain well.
Heat oil in a deep, 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add potatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
Combine whole eggs and egg whites. Stir in parsley, basil and chives. Season with salt, to taste. Pour mixture over potatoes in the hot skillet. Reduce heat and cook, uncovered, for about 10 minutes or until the bottom of the omelet is golden.
If desired, brown the top under a broiler. Garnish with fresh parsley sprigs.
Source: culinary.net
Breakfast Burrito
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 small red onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
4 eggs
4 egg whites
1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
Nonstick cooking spray
4 flour tortillas
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup salsa
1 large tomato, seeded and diced
1 avocado, sliced Hot sauce
In a large skillet, heat canola oil over medium heat. Add red onion and red bell pepper. Cook for 8 minutes. Add black beans and red pepper flakes. Cook for 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to dish. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs and egg whites. Stir in cheese until combined. Heat a large skillet over low heat. Add egg mixture and scramble for 3 minutes or until cooked through.
Spread sour cream over the tortilla. Spread salsa over sour cream. Spoon 1/4 bean mixture over salsa. Spoon 1/4 scrambled eggs over the bean mixture. Top with diced tomatoes and avocado. Drizzle with hot sauce, if desired. Roll up burrito. Repeat three times with the remaining ingredients.
Source: culinary.net
Poblano Frittata
4 large eggs
1/4 cup fat-free milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 medium poblano peppers, seeds and ribs discarded, chopped
2 cups frozen corn, thawed
2 medium green onions, chopped
1/4 cup finely shredded cotija cheese or crumbled queso fresco
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk and cilantro. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat, swirling to coat the bottom of the skillet. Cook poblano peppers for 3 minutes or until browning on edges, stirring frequently. Stir in corn and green onion. Reduce heat to mediumlow. Carefully pour in egg mixture. Cook, covered, for 10 minutes, or until the mixture is just set on the edges and still soft in the center. Avoid overcooking. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with cheese. Cut into eight wedges. Top with tomatoes and sour cream.
Source: American Heart Association
Sweet Potato Hash With Eggs
2 teaspoons canola oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 medium red or green bell pepper, chopped
2/3 cup fat-free, low-sodium vegetable broth
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
Hot pepper sauce
Heat oil in an electric pressure cooker set on saute. Cook onion for 3 minutes or until soft, stirring frequently. Turn off the pressure cooker.
Stir in potatoes, bell pepper, broth, garlic, paprika, cumin, thyme, pepper and salt. Secure lid. Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. Quickly release pressure. Turn off the pressure cooker.
Remove the pressure cooker lid. Crack one egg into a small bowl. Using the back of a spoon, make a small well in potatoes. Slip the egg into the well. Repeat with the remaining eggs, making separate wells for each egg. Secure the lid with the pressure vent open. Saute for 2 minutes. Let stand on the keep-warm setting for 2 minutes or until eggs are cooked to desired consistency.
Serve hash sprinkled with a dash of hot pepper sauce.
Source: American Heart Association
Books/Magazines
Looking to discover if anyone has old Robert Howard authored books (Conan and/or King Kull) for sale at a reasonable price. I will pay to ship. Thanks.
Mike Goodpaster
270 Old Stage Road Goldendale, WA 98620
Crafts/Hobbies
Senior citizen seeks to rekindle childhood love affair with stamps. I am looking for stamp collections: 1950s or earlier, U.S. or foreign, loose or in albums, and old envelopes and postcards with stamps, etc. Thank you.
Norman Allen P.O. Box 70 Janesville, CA 96114 woodsmit@psln.com
Hello! I live 50 miles from town, and I’m looking for buttons, especially old buttons. If you (or any family members) have any, I’d appreciate them deeply. Thank you very much.
Ana Howard 61380 Highway 129 Anatone, WA 99401
Looking for all things loom, yarns of any sorts. Plastic pegged looms, storage bags. Thank you in advance.
Tanya Dronoff
P.O. Box 270693 Susanville, CA 96127
Milestones
My aunt, Adrian Lisker, turns 100 this month. She worked at the Lower Westchester Y in Mount Vernon, New York, for more than 30 years. She helped several thousands of people with child care and other programs. She helped raise me as a child to be a kind and loving person and to help people in need. Please send her birthday cards to 312 Clairmont Ave., Mount Vernon, NY 10552. Thank you for helping my aunt celebrate this monumental event in her life.
Seth Goldstein Cannon Beach, Oregon
My Aunt Margaret will have her 90th birthday this month. I believe she would thoroughly enjoy and be very surprised to receive cards celebrating this milestone birthday. It would make her day very special. Thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity. Please send cards to Margaret McLaughlin, 401 NW Johns Lane, Pendleton, OR 97801.
Ron Kopp
Condon, Oregon
Odds
As the owner of the former Ochoco Grange Hall (#741) in Prineville, Oregon, I would dearly love to hear from anyone willing to share their personal experiences, knowledge and memories of this beautiful and historic property. It would be fun to learn more about the history of the property from people who have experienced it firsthand. Please include a phone number and/or email address. Thank you.
Rose Cribbs P.O. Box 175 Wallowa, OR 97885
Thanks
Irene Wolters, of Osburn, Idaho, turned 100 on October 31. Throughout October, she received more than 472 birthday cards. Irene expressed to me how much the cards meant to her and how happy they made her the whole month long. You just never realize what an impact you can make on someone’s life by just showing kindness and that they are not forgotten. Thank you so very much for the love and remembrance of my precious friend. May God bless you all.
Marilyn Burch Priest River, Idaho
Thank you so very much for all the wonderful buttons I received in the mail. It was such a surprise. I am still needing large red and orange buttons to make my daughter the octopus for her graduation.
Kim Koester
Fairbanks,
Alaska
I’m overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness shown by readers over the past six weeks in recognition of my 100th birthday. I not only received beautiful birthday cards, but also notification from agencies for contributions throughout the entire Western United States, as well as from New York City, Alaska and Hawaii. Many writers shared their life stories, and I read them as if I was catching up with a lifelong friend. Thank you ever so much for making my 100th birthday a true once-in-a-lifetime event.
Lorraine Martin Corvallis, Oregon
Happy Earth Day!
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& Jack B., CA A Better Way to hearTV®
“Now Jack can control the volume on his TV•Ears while I set the TV volume or mute it for complete quiet. Once again, he can understand every word and we can watch our favorite TV shows together.”
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Darlene
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Quiet TV mode lets others mute the television or set the volume to their preferred level while you listen as loud as you want on the headset.
Look up at cliffs and waterfalls in California at
Yosemite National Park
What Is It?
Home to huge waterfalls and cliff faces, Yosemite National Park is one of the country’s most visited national parks. Almost all of the California park’s 747,956 acres are classified as wilderness.
Water Falls
Yosemite is home to many waterfalls. Many of the falls flow heaviest in the spring—specifically May or June. Yosemite Falls is one of the largest falls, with a descent of almost a halfmile over three stages. Horsetail Fall, pictured, typically flows December through April, but can look as if it turns to lava when it catches the light of February sunsets.
Ground Rises
Many cliffs are interesting even without a waterfall. El Capitan is a rock face that rises 3,000 feet over Yosemite Valley. It is a favorite spot for rock climbers. Half Dome is even taller, reaching 5,000 feet above the valley. Half Dome is a batholith—an extrusion from Earth’s crust— visible from most of the eastern half of the Valley.
History
Yosemite was America’s third national park, designated by Congress in 1880. The Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias were protected earlier, in 1864, by President Abraham Lincoln. This protection set aside the lands for public use, resort and recreation, and was the first place the United States preserved for such goals.
More Information
Yosemite National Park is heavily visited, and some days require reservations to visit. Plan ahead to see if you need a reservation for your trip. To start planning, visit www.nps.gov/yose or call 209-372-020.
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY PERRY GALLAGHER/ WIRESTOCK
Our Invisible Heroes
By Dave LaBelle
They scrub and vacuum our floors, clean our desks and windows and toilets. But we don’t really see them, even when we watch them working.
These are the invisible heros.
I recently learned that 87-year-old Shirley Vorwald was still washing dishes and cleaning at a nearby elementary school, as she had also done
Renowned author, photographer and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
the past 48 years.
When I asked about Shirley from those who knew her well, all agreed she was a tireless worker and charitable giver. But they warned she would never let me do a story on her because “she is an introvert and is not likely to talk with you.”
They were wrong, at least about talking to me.
Shirley was cordial and talkative, and even invited me into her small home, showing me every detail—living room, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, even the smaller-than-standard oven in which she bakes hundreds of pies each year. Besides holding down at least two jobs most of her life, she loves to bake pies for people.
In fact, some only know her as the pie lady.
Never married, she says with no bitterness, “My dad didn’t believe in marriage. He didn’t want to lose his help on the farm.”
Shirley is the last of nine children. Her brother, Jerry, died recently at age 92. The day before Christmas, she baked him a birthday cake he never got to eat.
“He was in bed. He could see it but he couldn’t eat it,” she shares.
She is content. Working has been and is her life since growing up on a farm. At a time in life when most count the days to retirement, Shirley just wants to keep working. n
ABOVE: NIKON D800, 31mm lens ISO 2000, f/3.5 at 1/250
Reader Challenge
Find an unseen hero in your community and shine a light on them. Explain to them that you see and appreciate them for what they do. You might have to persuade them since these invisible people can be shy. Honest, caring persistence can crumble those walls of distrust. Ask if you can interview them and do a portrait or even a short story about them. It is often easier to get shy people to talk than agree to be photographed, so talk first before asking about pictures.
Email your best image (just one, please) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to GPH@pur.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.
LEFT: NIKON D800, 50mm lens ISO 2000, f/9 at 1/60
Shirley Vorwald is dedicated to her work at a local elementary school, even after 48 years of cleaning. PHOTOS BY DAVE LABELLE
By Rachael Kvapil
When GVEA Journeyman Lineman Marc Dugas, joined the utility in 2008, he was looking for a significant life change. After working long hours away from home in the construction industry, Marc wanted to work closer to home with more manageable hours. More than a decade later, after experiencing personal and professional challenges, he is doing what is necessary to keep the power running to GVEA members while improving the infrastructure along the way.
Marc, who is originally from Northern Minnesota, isn’t the type to overemphasize the importance of his work. In true Midwest fashion, he is humble about the duties of a lineworker as a first responder when the power goes out. The time of day and weather conditions are irrelevant.
Marc and his team gear up to respond to outage reports and restore power as quickly as possible. Other less urgent but no less important parts of his job include new service connections, troubleshooting problems and replacing aging wires as needed.
Marc Dugas: Restoring Power to the People
company like GVEA where there are supportive coworkers and supervisors.
The support, along with friends and family, helped him when he battled cancer in 2013 and when he had to have a hip replacement in 2018. But as with all things, Marc keeps an even perspective on the challenges and successes.
“My biggest highlights are simply working and getting to raise my family,” he says.
April 18 is Lineworker Appreciation Day. Marc is one of the five longestworking lineworkers at GVEA, with 15.5 years under his belt. He says a career as a lineworker is great for anyone who loves the outdoors and enjoys working as a team. He has some simple advice for anyone considering working as a lineworker: show up on time, work your hardest and pay attention.
“The biggest thing is to listen,” and then, with a chuckle, he adds, “Also, stay in shape and stretch. This job is hard on the body. This is not a desk job.”
“Technology has changed our work quite a bit,” Marc says. “We have smart meters that alert us to outage areas. Before, we had to wait for people to call dispatch and knock on doors to find the location of the problem.”
He says basic equipment has also improved, making it easier to work outside in inclement weather and manage complicated situations. He says it also helps to work at a
Marc ventured up to Alaska prior to joining the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and training as a lineworker. He coached hockey for a while and later taught in rural Alaska.
In his free time, he enjoys skiing, hunting, fishing, golfing, boating with his family on the river, and traveling to Hawaii, Minnesota and Washington. n
PHOTO BY RED PHOTOGRAPHY
MARKETPLACE
Agriculture
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4x5 round bales, Meadow Foxtail Orchard Grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square. 208-435-4637 or 208-435-4002; nas@cpcinternet.com. 1224
Antiques and Collectibles
Buying antiques and collectibles: advertising signs, porcelain signs, gas pumps, beer signs, antique toys, cast-iron coin banks, neon signs and more. Jason, 503-310-3321 or tjabaughman@yahoo.com. 0924
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. 0524
WC Collectibles. We buy comic books! Local to the Inland Northwest, willing to travel. WCCollectiblesCheney@gmail.com; 509-496-1835. 0724
Boats
9-ft. fishcat pontoon boat. Anchor system, frame, motor mount, mesh cargo deck, oars, force fins, pumps, new condition. $600, cash. 541-963-8160. La Grande, OR. 0424
Books, Magazines, Videos
More “Montello Remembered” novels available. I’m also liquidating my NV history collection. Many rare and hard-to-find books now available. pruitt2010@frontier.com; 775-753-3254. 0524
Book restoration. Bibles, cookbooks, cherished family heirlooms. Beautiful work. We give renewed life, more durable than original, to last for generations. 775-537-7066; salacanstudio@gmail.com. 0424AR
Business Opportunities
Glass-blowing supplies and equipment. Includes: regulators, torch and multiple torch tips in various sizes, small oxygen tank. Bill, 406-827-7291 or shirbill@blackfoot.net. 0424
Quaint hardware store in Maupin, OR, for sale. Inventory and interior store recently updated and refreshed. See ad on Bizbuysell.com or email Maupincountrystore@gmail.com. $275K. 0924
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, 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.
Community Events
June 21 and 22: 5th annual Ely Rock and Gem Swap. Buy-sell-trade. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Presented by White Pine Public Museum, 2000 Aultman St., Ely, NV 89301. Entry fee: adults $7, children $4. Children’s activities and more. www.wpmuseum.org; 775-289-4710, wpmuseumnv@gmail.com. 0624
Annual Eastern Oregon University student art exhibit, plus work by artist Theresa Henderson. April 5-27, 2024. Art Center East in La Grande, OR. Artcentereast.org. 0424
Farm Equipment
Needed for AK homestead: Ford 601/2000, MF 35/135. 2 or 4WD, gas or diesel, live PTO, loader, power steering, ROPS or cab, wheel weights, ½ track kit. Ready for work haying airstrip/ski strip, snow removal. 8N needs help. 907-322-5846. Lower 48 OK. 0524
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.
Media
Watch local TV—on the go—for free on your TV, phone, tablet, computer or Roku. Visit www. kpvm.tv and stream live today! 775-727-9400.
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. Twofisherstuna.com. Call 206-799-1082 to place your order. 0624
Alaskan Yellow Cedar. Great for planter boxes, herb and flower beds, fencing or decks. Various sizes available. Pete, 541-206-0727. Lisa, 541-747-5025, ext. 21. 0624
Granite cemetery markers at affordable prices. Will ship to most places. For more info: www. highdesertmemorials.com; Joe, 541-815-8906 or highdesertmemorials@gmail.com.
Your ad could be here in June. See the opposite page for details.
Pets, Supplies
Purebred golden retriever puppies available in April. Parents are AKC registered, redcolored, short-haired, athletic, gentle, loving and superb companion animals. 541-390-3417. Sisters, OR. 0424
Choose your hunting companion now. Retriever puppies are half-lab/half-golden retriever. 541-620- 8039 or 541-620-8639. 0424
AKC/UKC health-tested rat terrier puppies. Chocolate and chocolate tri-colors. 1 female. 4 males. Ready now. Approximately 20 lbs. Litterbox trained. Kennel trained. House training in progress. Super smart. Even temperaments, on and off switch. 218-220-0699; Skinnersteadfamily@gmail.com. 0424
Looking for stud services for 2-year-old female borgi in late April-early May. Black and white borgi or miniature/small full-bred border collie preferred. Willing to pay a stud fee and travel if necessary. Suzi Smith, 775-233-7242 or suzicooksmith@outlook.com. 0424
Real Estate
40 acres in Christmas Valley, OR. Water well, metal barn 36’x36’, two open carports, one container. Send offers to 52485 Sunrise Blvd., La Pine, OR 97739. 0524
Lakefront home Eagle Lake, CA. 3-bd, 2-ba, 2-car garage, fully furnished and stocked, move-in ready, docks, boat lift. $299K or trade? 775-771-5263; bdl1962@gmail.com.
2-acre level lot with view. Well and power on-site with a nice mix of trees. On a paved road just minutes from Thompson Falls, MT, and the Clark Fork River. $195K. 406-923-8221.
$600K interior Alaskan turnkey roadhouse and 2 dry cabins. Well-maintained on 5 acres with pond. 50 scenic miles south to Denali Park entrance. 907-460-9292. 0524
Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm and recreation property in Oregon. Fourthgeneration Oregonian. For sale Sisters, OR, 40 acres. Price reduced to $1,595,000. John Gill, 541-480-9161 or johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 0424
23 acres east of Cottage Grove, OR. 8 acres flat pasture, 15 acres forested hillside. 2 cabins, well, tractor, shed, firefighting equipment. City water, electricity. Quiet, secluded, views. Photos on request. $450K. hannond@comcast.net. 0424
Dayville Cafe. Be your own boss, located in the John Day Valley. $275K. Duke Warner Realty, 541-987-2363 or ddwr@ortelco.net. 0424
Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, Dallesport, WA. 1,608-sqft. mobile home for sale in park. $670 monthly rent. Excellent condition. Professional upgrades. Motivated seller. $109K. 503-396-1251. 0424
4 well-maintained 1,200-sqft. cedar homes with huge decks on year-round creek. 2.12 acres. Close to small town of Selma, OR. $875K. 541-597-2185. 0424
Off-grid homestead. Ideal for wind/solar power. NE Elko County, NV. Has equipment, quarters, shop. Year-round access. Water and power nearby. $35K. geopup58@gmail.com. 0424
Recreational Rentals
Wavecatcher: oceanfront cottage. Central Oregon coast. Summer $175/night midMay to mid-Oct.; $140/night mid-Oct. to mid-May (plus cleaning/tax). Three bedrooms w/double beds. Pets welcome. Wavecatcherbeachrentals.com. Reservations: 541-740-2846. 0624AR
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.
Vacation rental: Syringa, ID, rustic 2-bd. furnished frame cabin. Near rivers, mountains, wilderness. www.airbnb.com/rooms/356491; glenscott.swearingen@gmail.com.
Recreational Vehicle
Selling 2023 Forest River Salem FSX 17-ft. travel trailer 170SS with slideout. Like new, many functions never used. Call for more info/ price. 509-521-5074. 0424
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 or 541-410-6945. License #245760, bonded and insured. LaPine, OR.
Call Pahrump Lock and Safe for all your residential, commercial and safe services. 24-hour emergency service in Pahrump, NV. 702-379-8441; Jim@pahrumplockandsafe.com.
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. 0724
Want to Buy
Old postage stamp albums. 253-307-1881; brashearsj@hotmail.com. Please send photos and contact info. 0524
Wanted: Small, working oven element for a 1967-ish flair, double wall oven. 15 inches long, including 3-prong plug-in, 10.5 inches wide. 541-256-0990. 0524
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. 0524
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. 1024
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. 0424
Need to buy one copy of “Morrow County History Book” in good condition, published in 1983. Hard cover, 9x11 1/4”, dark green with gold agricultural design inset on front. Ione, OR. 541-422-7495; L8ucy5T@gmail.com.
Wanted: early Corvette ’58-’62, any condition. Call/text Randy, 503-544-3807. 0824
Learn More About This Quarter’s Fuel and Purchased Power Rate Change
Golden Valley Electric Association’s Fuel and Purchased Power, known as F&PP rate for the three-month period, March 1 through May 31, increased approximately 4.8 cents to $0.16629 per kilowatt-hour. This results in an increase to members’ monthly bills with residential members seeing an increase of roughly $29 for the quarter, based on an average use of 600 kWh per month.
GVEA is a cooperative, so it is important that every member-owner understands how their bill is calculated and what factors into any rate increases or decreases. The F&PP rate is recalculated quarterly, more often than any other rate on members’ bills. It can also fluctuate heavily, with members sometimes seeing large increases or decreases. The frequency of these rate changes helps ensure that members are timely charged or refunded for costs tied to fuel and power purchase expenses.
To help ensure members better understand this rate, GVEA has compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about the F&PP rate, both generally and more specifically to this quarter. Read on to learn more.
Do you have a question not answered here? Please give us a call at 907-452-1151 or visit www.gvea.com.
What is the F&PP rate?
The F&PP rate is a component on a member’s bill and is applied based on kilowatt-hour use. The F&PP rate is determined by the cost GVEA incurs to generate power to meet the needs of our members—based on fuel prices, generating units and our ability to purchase power from other local and southcentral utilities and/ or entities.
How is the F&PP rate calculated?
The calculation is adjusted quarterly and includes two components: (1) what we project will be our cost of power over the next quarter, and (2) a true-up of any over or under collections from the previous quarter (i.e., the difference between what we projected the previous quarter and what actually occurred). The F&PP rate is a pass-through of GVEA’s actual fuel and purchased power costs. There is no markup on this charge.
What are the key drivers for the March 1, 2024, increase?
For the rate effective March 1 through May 31, the cost of fuel, scheduled generation unit maintenance and the inability to guarantee access to economy energy all factor into the increase. The price of fuel is currently high and is expected to remain high throughout the quarter. Necessary planned maintenance will impact lower cost generating units, requiring the utilization of higher cost generation.
Due to constraints on natural gas in the Cook Inlet, GVEA does not expect to be able to purchase economy energy from southcentral utilities. These factors combined, coupled with GVEA’s commitment to meet
the energy needs of our members, increased the F&PP rates this quarter.
Additionally, looking back at the previous quarter (December 1 through February 29), Healy Unit 2 was offline for an unexpected, unprojected 26-day outage. As a result, GVEA had to generate energy to make up the production shortfall using our more expensive Naphtha and diesel plants. At the same time, fuel market prices were higher than projected. Due to these circumstances, the balancing account grew to a $10.7 million under-collection, which must be recouped this quarter.
Why is GVEA not getting any economy energy over the next three months?
As has been widely reported in the state, the extreme cold weather experienced throughout Alaska in recent months—particularly in southcentral Alaska—strained the natural gas supply. The entities that provide GVEA with economy energy cannot commit to any firm amounts due to current circumstances. GVEA will continue to monitor and pursue any economy energy that may become available on a daily basis consistent with current practices.
What is GVEA doing about the cost of power?
GVEA understands any rate change has an impact on members and businesses. The recent increase in GVEA’s cost of power underscores the necessity for GVEA to aggressively pursue and secure lower-cost, reliable energy to replace underperforming generation units and reduce GVEA’s reliance on higher-cost generation. GVEA is actively pursuing a strategic generation plan focused on reducing costs without
impacting reliability. Visit www.GVEA.com for additional details on these efforts.
Why does the F&PP rate fluctuate?
Just like gas prices at the pump when you fill up your vehicle, the F&PP rate is impacted based on the price of fuel. Unlike the price of natural gas in southcentral Alaska, GVEA’s price for fuel can be unpredictable and susceptible to changing fuel market conditions. Other factors contribute to fluctuations in the F&PP rate, such as unexpected outages and shifting availability of power to purchase. All of these have an impact on the calculation of the F&PP rate.
Why is the F&PP rate changed quarterly instead of once a month or once a year?
Like other regulated electric utilities, GVEA is required by its governing body, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, to update its F&PP quarterly. Additionally, as the F&PP rate charges only actual costs, quarterly adjustments allow GVEA to timely collect or refund any over or under collection of this rate to reflect GVEA’s actual fuel expenses and generation purchases.
Who determines GVEA can raise or lower the F&PP rate?
GVEA follows the same Regulatory Commission of Alaska-approved methodology every quarter to calculate the F&PP rate. The projected rate is then filed with the RCA. Under the RCA’s regulations, the F&PP rate change takes effect immediately upon filing with the RCA However, the rate is subject to the RCA’s subsequent review, adjustment and approval.
BEFORE YOU GO
Ruralite Readers Come Through
North Powder Charter School in North Powder, Oregon, is grateful to the generous Ruralite readers who sent decks of cards and dice to the school for Family Math Night in March. The request was published in a Reader Exchange ad in January.
The school received more than 400 decks of cards and 450 dice from across the United States, including places as far as New York City and Anchorage, Alaska. NPCS staff loved reading the personal notes enclosed with many of the packages.
The donations were used to make math game bags consisting of two decks of cards and a pair of dice. Students from preschool through sixth grade were invited with their families to enjoy a night of fun math games, dinner and bingo. Thirty-two families— more than 50 students—attended.
The math games build number identification skills and fluency with
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Students took home their math game bags with directions for each game so they can continue to play with their families. n
• Powers up hills with ease
• Powered dumping
• Converts to a flatbed
• Chip and shred with power to spare
• Bigger engines that chew up the competition
• Built USA tough for smooth, reliable
Second grade teacher Dana Marlia plays salute with students and parents during Family Math Night at North Powder Charter School. PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH POWDER CHARTER SCHOOL
Owned By Those We Serve BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Tom DeLong, Chair, District 2
Chris Bunch, Vice-Chair, District 5
David Messier, Treasurer, District 1
Gary Newman, Secretary, District 4
Todd Adams, District 7
Fred Sheen, District 6
Rick Solie, District 3
Corporate Headquarters
758 Illinois St.
P.O. Box 71249
Fairbanks, AK 99707-1249
907-452-1151
1-800-770-GVEA (4832) Fax 907-458-6365
Delta Junction Office 1681 Richardson Highway Delta Junction, AK 99737
907-452-1151
1-800-770-GVEA (4832) Fax 907-895-5472
Report Outages:
907-452-1151
1-800-770-GVEA (4832)
Select: Option 1, Option 1
View Outage Map: gvea.com/outages
www.gvea.com
AK-37
Tree Giveaway
Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m.
LOCATIONS
Delta: GVEA Delta office parking lot, 1681 Richardson Highway
Fairbanks: GVEA Fairbanks campus parking lot, 758 Illinois St.
Healy: Denali Chamber of Commerce, Mile .4 Healy Spur Road
Nenana: Coghill’s General Store, 807 A St., Nenana
This year’s trees are American Black Currant, Siberian Crabapple and White Lilac.
Since 1991, GVEA has given away more than 87,000 trees and shrubs in an effort to educate our members on the importance of planting the right trees in the right place.
To learn more about GVEA’s Plant Smart landscaping recommendations and guidelines, visit www.gvea. com/plant-smart.
Annual Members’ Meeting
In Person & Virtual! Thursday, April 25, 2024
At Hering Auditorium Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting will be in person and also live streamed on GVEA’s YouTube channel. Family-friendly activities and educational booths are open prior to the meeting. Stay tuned for additional details at www.gvea.com/annual.
American Black Currant
Siberian Crabapple
White Lilac