On the world stage, Teagan Lockwood represents Fairbanks with strength, spirit and a love for Alpine skiing.
PHOTO BY KELLY REYNOLDS
Ruralite
August 2025 • Volume 72, No. 8
CEO Michael Shepard
SENIOR VP OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza
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Alyssa McDougle
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Growing Forward
Some people see potential where others see problems, growth where others see limitations.
This month’s stories celebrate those who have learned to nurture. Emily Blessington didn’t grow up on a farm, but she discovered her calling in the controlled environment of Farmbox Greens, where seeds transform into harvest-ready greens in just seven days.
“If you have a passion for plants, and if you’re willing to learn, then you can learn anything,” she tells us.
Her journey proves that sometimes the most fulfilling paths are the ones we never expected to take.
Brian Rusk found his own unexpected path in aquaponics, where fish and plants work together in perfect balance. After decades as a geology professor, he discovered that tending to this living system—naming his koi, talking to them, watching them thrive alongside his greens—brought him more joy than any classroom ever could.
“As long as they’re in balance, they can continuously work together,” he explains, describing both his farm and his new life.
These modern cultivators understand something timeless—growth requires both patience and innovation. Each part of the story, beginning on Page 12, reveals how traditional farming wisdom adapts to new challenges.
Even our kitchen feature celebrates this spirit of cultivation. Fresh basil becomes the foundation for everything from classic pesto to inventive vinaigrettes. Each recipe honors
the herb’s journey from seed to plate, transforming simple ingredients into something memorable.
Dave LaBelle’s photography column reminds us that cultivation isn’t always about plants. Sometimes it’s about cultivating awareness— learning to see the stories that unfold when we pay attention to gestures and body language, the quiet moments that speak louder than words.
What draws my attention to these cultivators is their willingness to tend patiently to what they’ve planted. They understand the most rewarding growth often happens in controlled environments where every element—light, nutrients, timing—receives careful attention. They’ve learned innovation doesn’t mean abandoning tradition. It means finding new ways to honor what we’ve always known about nurturing life.
As summer abundance surrounds us, I find myself wondering what I’m cultivating in my life. Are there dreams that need more deliberate attention? Skills that deserve patient development? Relationships that could flourish with better balance? Sometimes the most meaningful harvests come from the gardens we tend with daily care.
Until next time, Chasity Anderson Editorial Director
Spotlight, Page 12 The Wall That Heals Up Close, Page 10
A Growing Enterprise Farmers embrace hydroponic and aquaponic systems
The Fun and the Brave: Meet
By Deb Hickok
Ski Champion
Teagan Lockwood
“When you do your best and have fun then so do I,” says 22-year-old Teagan Lockwood as she cheers on and is inspired by her teammates. “We have more fun together.”
Teagan also refers to the oath of the Special Olympics first spoken by its founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” The international organization and its local counterparts provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Community programs and clubs guide a select few athletes to the global games held in winter and summer.
This past March, Teagan traveled from Fairbanks to Turin, Italy, to compete in slalom events for Alpine ski races during the Special Olympics World Winter Games.
Teagan and her two other teammates from Alaska joined more than 100 other athletes from around the country on Team USA. The 2025 international games in Italy convened nearly 1,500 athletes from 98 delegations plus 2,000 volunteers, 1,000 coaches, 100 youth leaders and 1,000 credentialed media representatives.
Teagan brought home the bronze. She also returned with cherished memories.
In addition to winning the bronze-medal spot on the podium in the Intermediate Slalom race, Teagan placed notably in other intermediate downhill races. She earned fourth place in the Giant Slalom and seventh in the Super-G or “super giant slalom” race.
Teagan’s runs in the mountain venues of Sestriere, Italy, had the dramatic challenges that are characteristic of elite worldwide competitions. The slalom is the most technical event in alpine skiing. With gates set close together, the downhill skiers perform fast turns and rapid changes in direction.
The Super-G combines the speed of downhill skiing with the more precise turns of giant slalom. While there’s less vertical drop than the downhill, the gates are placed closer together.
During her Super-G run, Teagan fell, losing a ski in the process. She was able to recover the equipment and get back on the course within the required one-minute time limit. Despite the setback, she finished in seventh place. After the race, Teagan’s knee didn’t feel right.
Entering her final race, Teagan not only had to cope with an aching knee, she also had to compete in extremely foggy conditions. The Intermediate Slalom usually has two runs which are added together to determine the final ranking. The first run was
Representing Team USA, Teagan shined on the world stage this year. PHOTO BY KELLY REYNOLDS
GOLDEN VALLEY ELECTRIC
cancelled due to inclement weather. This race was Teagan’s last chance to medal.
“We couldn’t see the gates and we were all tired,” Teagan says.
Her Olympic schedule had been grueling. She began each day with a 5:30 a.m. wake-up call, was on the chairlift by 9 a.m. and skied until late afternoon, followed by dinner at 7 p.m.
“We couldn’t see her until she got across the finish line,” Nicole Lockwood, Teagan’s mother, says.
Returning home, Teagan needed surgery to repair her knee. She already had undergone and recuperated from two knee and two ankle surgeries in prior years.
What motivates Teagan through the twists and turns?
She cites her favorite skier, Lindsey Vonn, as inspiration. “She gets back up,” Teagan says.
She also enjoys the chance to spend time with family on the slopes. “I get to ski with my sister, it’s fun,” she says. “I like to go fast!”
Team Teagan Rallies
While now an accomplished downhill skier, Teagan took up the sport only about 10 years ago.
During those years, she weathered disappointments and showed first-class resilience to get to the competition in Italy.
Teagan was first selected as an athlete nominee for the ski team in 2019, and was slated to compete in the winter games in Sweden in 2021. However, due to funding issues, Sweden had to drop out of hosting the games. Russia was set to host the competitions in 2022. However, the event was postponed to 2023 due to COVID19, before ultimately being canceled due to safety concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“It’s like promising someone a birthday and having to postpone it for five years,” Nicole says.
Since her family are her primary coaches, Teagan continued her training during the pandemic. But preparation was complicated when she suffered an ACL injury on her knee.
“Hers was the last surgery at the surgery center before COVID hit,” Nicole says. “It became a lot of work.” Throughout it all, her favorite person to ski with continued to be her sister, Logan.
“She’s more fun,” Teagan says.
Teagan shares her playfulness with others. For example, she surprised coach Jason Kohler with a red, white and blue tutu to celebrate his birthday. He immediately donned it on the slopes at Sestriere. An Anchorage resident, Jason served as Alpine skiing and snowboarding commissioner for Special Olympics Alaska and was selected to be the head coach for Team USA.
While Teagan identifies her team as including “my mom and dad and sister, my family and friends,” her number of supporters has grown over the years.
On her journey home from Italy, Teagan wore her bronze medal. The passengers on an Alaska Airlines flight heartily applauded her after the flight attendant announced Teagan’s recent accomplishments.
A crowd of friends was waiting at Fairbanks International Airport to congratulate Teagan and welcome her and her family home.
“I was very happy,” she says.
Making Memories in Italy
Teagan’s father Kurt, a retired police officer, was the first of the Lockwood family to depart for Italy. He served as one of more than 100 volunteers for the Law Enforcement Torch Run or LETR.
Known as “Guardians of the Flame,” Kurt joined law enforcement officers from around the world to carry the Flame of Hope, the torch that symbolizes the Special Olympics. Lit in Athens, officers carried the torch through Rome and the Piedmont region of Italy, then passed it on to the athletes during the Opening Ceremony in Turin.
Starting within their local communities, LETR engages law enforcement worldwide to champion acceptance and inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Its fundraising drives throughout the globe, including Alaska, support Special Olympics.
This past May, Special Olympics Alaska promoted concurrent 2025 Alaska Law Enforcement Torch Run and Pledge Drive. The family-oriented, 5K run/walk events were held in 13 locations around the state. The Tanana Valley Community’s fundraiser took place at Chena Lakes Recreation Area in North Pole.
“I’ve done it a lot,” Teagan says about her participation.
As Teagan traveled to Italy separately from her family, the highlight was meeting her teammates. She especially enjoyed their send-off from New York City. The group stayed at the TWA Hotel, a landmark flight center that was converted into a retro hotel celebrating the 1960s.
While in Italy, ESPN featured a segment on Teagan during the network’s coverage of the Winter Games.
“It was fun,” Teagan says. “They’re really nice to talk to.”
Nicole says the sports channel first took an interest in her daughter during the team camp held in Utah prior to the games.
“The camp is kind of your tryout,” Nicole says.
Before being officially accepted as a member of Team USA for the international Winter Games, Teagan and the other nominated athletes had to demonstrate additional competencies. They had to prove that they are great teammates, were able to navigate without their parents and coachable.
Throughout her stay in Italy, Teagan enjoyed lots of pizza, particularly a pizza party for her team. The family’s visit was extended for a vacation. A favorite memory for Teagan was a stop at the Museo Egizio—Egyptian Museum—in Turin. She has long been fascinated with this ancient culture, especially King Tut.
Teagan Moves Onward With Her Well-Rounded Life
Teagan was named as Special Olympics Alaska Female Athlete of the Year in 2021. Lucky Racer, a nonprofit organization, awarded her a scholarship as a 2024/2025 Champion.
“There are a lot of ribbons and medals from over the years,” Nicole says.
“I am very proud of myself,” Teagan says.
She especially appreciates the big trophy from Lucky Racer.
Teagan says her first love is dancing. She began classes at 3 years old. In alternate years, she participates in Dance Excellence, a festival in Los Angeles. She has performed with her dance groups in a variety of settings from the Tanana Valley Fair to Disneyland.
Her next semester of dance starts this month, under the tutelage of her sister at Dance Theatre Fairbanks. In March, Teagan will perform at Universal Studios with a group from the studio.
“The best part is doing it with my friends,” Teagan says.
She has been active in a number of other sports and activities. For instance, Teagan has participated in gymnastics for many years. She earned a varsity letter in cheerleading. She’s taken up golf as well as track and field.
Her calendar also includes hunting and fishing with her family. Every summer, she looks forward to visiting with her grandmas and grandpas in Michigan.
“We have ice cream before dinner,” Teagan says.
As for skiing, Teagan says that her immediate plans are to engage in that sport only for fun. But she encourages others to participate in the Special Olympics.
“Do it,” Teagan says enthusiastically. “You’ll have fun meeting lots of new friends.” n
Known for her courage and contagious joy, Teagan brings heart to every race. PHOTO BY KELLY REYNOLDS
2025 Rate Case Update: What Is a Revenue Requirement Study?
At Golden Valley Electric Association, we’re proud to operate as a not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperative. That means the rates you pay go directly toward the cost of delivering reliable power—not to generate profits. As we’ve been communicating, GVEA is in the process of a rate case which we plan to file in December 2025. The rate case includes significant studies and analysis to review the rates charged to our members. Last month, GVEA conducted a study known as the revenue requirement. Want to know more about it? Keep reading.
What is a revenue requirement study?
A revenue requirement study is a comprehensive look at what it costs to power Interior Alaska. The study looks at GVEA’s annual cost of operations to determine whether current rates are sufficient to recover those costs, while maintaining financial health and continuing to provide safe, reliable service. A revenue requirement is not new for GVEA, as a similar analysis is conducted in support of the simplified rate filing process GVEA undertakes twice a year. This process helps determine the amount of revenue GVEA needs to collect and will be used in later studies as we determine what rates should be available to collect those costs and who should pay them.
How does a revenue requirement study fit into the 2025 rate case?
GVEA plans to file its 2025 rate case with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska in December 2025.
Between now and then, GVEA is conducting a thorough review of our costs, revenues and future financial needs with expert guidance from the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation. CFC has supported hundreds of rate cases nationwide, and their team is helping to ensure GVEA’s board and staff receives accurate data and sound, objective recommendations.
The revenue requirement study serves as the financial foundation of this work. It provides important information on the financial health of GVEA and supports other studies and analyses
on GVEA’s rates, ensuring any proposed changes are based on real needs and members are paying fair, cost-based rates.
Why does it matter for members?
The upcoming rate case, of which the revenue requirement study is a component, are key tools that help GVEA:
• Maintain long-term financial stability.
• Ensure fairness between different member classes.
• Make strategic investments in reliability and system improvements.
• Keep rates aligned with the actual cost of service.
How can you get involved?
We understand that many of you may want to know more about GVEA’s rates or how this upcoming rate case may impact you.
GVEA is committed to providing transparent communications throughout this process, so members have the necessary tools and information to understand any rate impacts.
Here are a few ways you can stay informed and share your input as we move forward:
• Attend public meetings. In addition to regular board meetings, GVEA will host informational sessions for members in fall 2025 to explain the rate case and answer questions.
• Follow our updates. We’ll share the latest news about the rate case on our website, social media and, in Ruralite.
• Ask questions. If you have concerns or want to better understand the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to PR@gvea.com
What’s next?
Over the coming months, GVEA will continue refining the details of the rate case filing with upcoming discussions on the cost of service study and potential rate design options. Once submitted, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska will review our proposal to ensure the changes are justified and fair for the cooperative and our members. n
PHOTO BY SASIRIN PAMAI
The Wall That Heals
Mobile replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall comes to the Northwest
By Dianna Troyer
An Oregon Vietnam War veteran with enduring survivor’s guilt refused to visit The Wall That Heals when it came to his town several years ago.
The traveling three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., is in its 30th year of touring the nation.
While fighting in Vietnam, the veteran came down with appendicitis. When he was sent to a hospital for treatment, a friend took his place on patrol. He later learned their platoon had been attacked. He never heard from his friend again and assumed he had been killed.
In the confusion of the platoon being transferred, he ended up with his friend’s dog tags. He carried them for decades to honor his friend’s memory.
“His wife told us what happened when she came with the dog tags to find the name on the wall,” says Cathy Miller, program manager/site manager for The Wall That Heals.
“We couldn’t find the name on the wall,” Cathy says. “We did some research and found he never died during the war. He was an engineer with three kids and five grandchildren and died in 2015. After her husband learned about his friend’s fate, he came the next day. He was finally healed after five decades of survivor’s guilt.”
‘Wall Magic’
Cathy has seen countless examples of healing as the wall travels the nation from March to November honoring the 58,281 men and women who died during the war. Three million Americans served in the Vietnam War.
“We call those healing moments ‘wall magic,’” she says. “We see things happen that never would have happened if the wall hadn’t come. A weight is lifted, and people’s expressions change as they cry and release emotion and pain.”
The nonprofit Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund created the mobile replica for those who cannot travel to the memorial wall in Washington, D.C. Two staff members from the memorial fund are at each host site. The replica was dedicated and displayed for the first time on Veterans Day in 1996.
Since then, the 375-foot-long wall has traveled to 800 communities where millions of people have toured it. In each location, the wall can be viewed for free for three days. An accompanying mobile education center with videos and memorabilia personalizes the roles of Americans in the
LEFT: Millions of people in 800 communities have toured The Wall That Heals since 1996. The 375-foot-long wall is a mobile three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. RIGHT: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund staff travel with the wall and witness moments of healing they call “wall magic”—when viewers’ expressions change as they release emotion. PHOTOS
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL FUND
war starting in 1950 when the United States had an advisory role.
“I’m blessed to be part of this, to do what I love, to create a safe place for people to heal,” Cathy says. “I meet the most wonderful people, Gold Star families honoring their loved ones, the volunteers who set it up and take it down, and truckers who donate their time to drive around the 53-foot-long trailer carrying it.”
Hitting the Road
Every year, only about 30 sites are selected from roughly 140 applicants to host The Wall That Heals. To be chosen, a community must provide 35 to 40 physically fit volunteers to erect and dismantle the wall, and have an adequate location and a short program about the wall.
Among the towns selected in the Northwest are Ellensburg, Washington, and Independence, Oregon.
Ellensburg, Washington, Sept. 4-7 at Rotary Park
While on a weeklong family vacation in Washington, D.C., Ellensburg resident Henry Johnston recalls how the Vietnam Veterans Memorial affected his two teenage sons.
“It’s a somber experience with the volume of names listed,” says Henry, a mortician in the Central Washington town of 19,000. “With the way it’s laid out, you feel a personalized impact of the war.”
Upon learning about the traveling wall, Henry says he knew it needed to come to his town.
“I notice, too, with my business that we’re burying more Vietnam vets,” he says.
He and Russell Colmore, a veteran, are members of the Downtown Ellensburg Rotary Club and organized Kittitas County’s other three clubs to host the wall. Henry, 39, says he became aware of the war due to his high school computer science teacher, who served in Vietnam with his three brothers.
Russell served in the Air Force from 1974-78. During the war, he was assigned to a refueling station in the Azores near Portugal.
Independence, Oregon, Sept. 18-21 at Sports Park
For several years, Vietnam veteran Billy Whisenant envisioned the traveling wall coming to Independence, a town of 10,000 in Western Oregon.
“It’s a perfect place, considering Independence is the first town to have a
permanent Vietnam Veterans Memorial,” says Billy, cochairman of the host committee and commander of American Legion Post No. 33.
Dedicated in1982, the memorial at Main and Center streets was built by three Vietnam War veterans and is the oldest Vietnam War memorial west of the Mississippi River.
“Our local memorial has a dedication plaque set in stone,” Billy says.
A motorcycle escort is being planned to kick off the event Sept. 16.
“I’m grateful for all our dedicated community members coming together to make this successful for all who come,” Billy says.
Billy, a combat Marine Corps veteran who served from 1967-68, recalls being with a young man on the day he died in the war.
“It was emotional to find his name on the wall and have a good cry,” he says. “The wall is a place where people can feel free to talk to each other. It’s an opportunity to educate people of all ages about the war and its impact.”
The Wall That Heals’ schedule is at thewallthatheals.org. At each location, the wall opens at 9 a.m. on the first day, is open around the clock, and closes at 2 p.m. on the final day.
A Village of Volunteers
The Wall That Heals requires approximately 35 to 40 volunteers and takes six to 10 hours to set up.
More than 160 metal stakes are pounded into the ground to secure the metal framework that holds 140 panels bearing the names of American servicemembers who died in the war from 1959-75. The panels increase in height, with the tallest at 7.5 feet weighing about 80 pounds. Made of a synthetic granite, each panel is sanded and polished during the winter offseason.
Listed by date of casualty, names include 43 sets of brothers, three sets of fathers and sons, 16 chaplains and eight women who were nurses. Those listed range in age from 15 to 62.
LEFT: From March to November, the wall travels to about 30 communities nationwide to honor the 58,281 men and women who died during the war. RIGHT: Volunteers erect and dismantle the wall with its 140 panels listing names of Americans who died in service during the Vietnam War.
A Growing Enterprise
Farmers embrace hydroponic and aquaponic systems to cultivate fresh produce year-round
By Ginger Meurer
While the Pacific Northwest is home to many traditional farms scattered across the countryside, some entrepreneurs are finding new paths to planting, using hydroponic technology—which relies on nutrient-rich water solutions instead of soil—to grow food year-round in greenhouses and even warehouses.
A few are taking the process a step further with aquaponic systems that raise greens and fish in a shared system that mimics natural streams.
Growing With Farmbox Greens
Operations Manager Emily Blessington leads the team of eight at Farmbox Greens, Seattle’s first indoor vertical produce farm.
Dan Albert founded Farmbox in 2012 with his wife, Lindsay Sidlauskas, in their home garage.
“They just grew it from the ground up,” Emily says. “They went to farmers markets and cold-called chefs to get their product into the hands that they wanted. It was definitely a labor of love.”
In 2016, The New York Times wrote about Farmbox. Charlie Billow, of produce wholesaler Charlie’s Produce, saw the article, bought the company and helped it
ABOVE: Brian Rusk pulls a tray of lettuce from the aquaponic system at FarmWild’s greenhouse in Bellingham, Washington.
PHOTO BY KATHERYN MORAN
expand into a warehouse space in the SoDo neighborhood of Seattle, where it still operates today.
Dan moved on to other pursuits in 2020, but not before he trained Emily as an entry-level employee seven years ago. When she graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in environmental policy, Emily wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. So, she and a college friend went to work as WWOOFers. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms matches volunteers interested in learning the trade with farmers all over the world willing to provide education, room and board in exchange for labor. Emily worked her way around traditional farms for about six months.
“I realized this is incredible,” she says. “This is what I want to do with my life.”
She returned home to Seattle, found Farmbox and got a job at the bottom rung. She knew nothing about hydroponic farming, but Dan was understanding and willing to show her the ropes. Emily swiftly worked her way up to lead and finally operations manager.
“If you have a passion for plants, and if you’re willing to learn, then you can learn anything," she says. "I’m a real testament to that. I did not come from any sort of farming background. It’s all possible.”
Much like Emily, the seeds at Farmbox reach their full potential swiftly. Time and density are tighter in hydroponics. Instead of spacing plants and giving them time to grow, seeds are planted densely and harvested quickly. After a few days of germinating in the dark, the plants get water, nutrients and a daily 17-hour dose of LED light that mimics sunlight. Fastest from seed to harvest are the radish mix and the pea shoots, which are ready to sell in only seven days. The longest to market are the basil and red sorrel, which can take anywhere from 21 to 23 days.
Emily loves the smells at Farmbox, especially when harvesting fragrant herbs like basil or cilantro. Unlike traditional farmers, her team members rarely gets their hands dirty.
“If you were to see us harvesting, we’d have hairnets on, and we’d be wearing gloves and smocks. It feels very much like lab meets farm. We wear gloves at all steps during production just to be sure we’re as food-safe as possible,” she says.
Every facet of the growth process—pH, nutrients, light—is controlled. But sometimes challenges must be weathered and whole cycles of crops must be discarded, like the time the power went out for a few days.
“It was a bit of a struggle, but we just bounced back, and we’re off to the races,” Emily says. “A real system issue can affect things for a month, but we try to bounce back as quick as we can.”
Emily is certain robots won’t be doing her job anytime soon.
“We can really put our eyes on each tray, and that’s pretty special,” she says. “Maybe a robot could do that, but I think that we care so deeply, and I just don’t think a robot could.”
Hydroponics Help Farmers Be Nimble
Mykl Nelson, who taught urban agriculture at Oregon State University from 2020-2025, says he sees a potential for growth in hydroponics as acreage becomes harder to come by, especially for young first-generation farmers who don’t own land and are looking to break into the industry.
FROM TOP: Purple radish grows in the vertical hydroponic tower at Farmbox Greens in downtown Seattle. Gloves, crisp white gowns and on-site packaging ensure Farmbox Greens’ microgreens are as fresh and clean as possible. PHOTOS COURTESY OF FARMBOX GREENS
“If you’re growing on 5 acres on the edge of town and the person you’ve been renting from decides to sell it, and you’ve got to get out, you’re not taking that soil with you,” Mykl says. “All the work that small, organic farmers do to their soil, it’s just gone. All the tending to microbial life and the soil tills and soil aggregation and trying to change texture and trying to improve organic matter, all of that is gone. And you just have to walk away.”
But hydroponic farmers growing in vertically stacked systems in a warehouse, Mykl says, can take advantage of their systems’ modularity and pack up the operation and set up shop elsewhere, if necessary.
“It would still be a pain,” he says. “You’d still have to shut down production. So, there’d be a length of time when you wouldn’t have fresh product. It would be annoying, something to be avoided, but it would be possible.”
Mykl says another benefit of hydroponics is the ability to be nimble. While conventional farmers must slowly improve soil to get it where they want it, adjusting conditions in a hydroponic system is instant.
“If you want the pH lower—boom, it’s lower,” he says.
Best of all, Mykl says, is it happens without pesticides, chemicals or even dirt. He adds that real research is going into designer produce.
He sees farmers focused on “growing not just a good lettuce, but the best head of lettuce and being able to manipulate how crisp it is and how many antioxidants are in there and how many nitrates are in there,” he says.
Fish Are Friends at FarmWild
Brian Rusk, known to most as Farmer Brian or the Basil Guy, raises fish and leafy greens in a symbiotic system in Bellingham, Washington. The fish excrete waste full of nutrients the plants need to grow. Then the plants clean the water, and the system sends it back to the fish.
“As long as they’re in balance, they can continuously work together,” Brian says.
While many aquaponic farmers prefer raising seafood like tilapia, Brian says he prefers raising koi, and he doesn’t have to kill them.
“Mostly I just name them and pet them and talk with them and keep them well,” he says.
Brian grew up in suburban Richmond, Virginia. After earning his doctorate in geology, he worked as a university professor. About 10 years ago, Brian started FarmWild as a side gig, raising chickens for eggs and turkeys for Thanksgiving. In 2017, he added aquaponics.
Out of all the things he did on the farm, Brian found aquaponics the most captivating. When he realized he was delegating the other work to employees, he decided last year to
FROM TOP LEFT: The Rusk Family takes a break in their Bellingham aquaponic greenhouse. PHOTOGRAPHER KATHERYN MORAN Michael and Olivia Hasey thin basil in their Oregon aquaponic farm. PHOTO BY MOTOYA NAKAMURA, ©THE OREGONIAN
give up the fowl and focus his full attention on fish and greens. He almost regretted it when his buddies were bringing in $12 a carton for eggs.
Brian eased away from university life, too, first working fewer hours, then half-time before stepping away altogether five years ago. Along with the switch to aquaponics came a change of venue. Instead of working out of greenhouses on the farm, Brian works in downtown Bellingham in a warehouse less than a mile from many of his biggest customers.
That proximity means FarmWild greens couldn’t be fresher. Brian pulls the basil from the water with the roots still intact, boxes it up and drives it to his nearby restaurant customers.
“It’s still growing in the box and can stay alive for weeks so they can harvest it in their own kitchen,” he says.
From Ponds to Aquaponics
As a kid in California, Michael Hasey had a clubhouse with walls lined with aquariums.
“Anything I could catch went into an aquarium where I would study it and then let it go,” he says.
Michael learned farming by helping at surrounding ranches near his childhood home in Livermore. He racked up skills as he went, learning about landscaping, construction and pond development. He’s particularly proud of work he did maintaining water features for places like Mission Bay Golf Course, Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo.
As he worked on ponds, Michael perfected methods of breeding fish using vegetative filtration. He wrote an article about it for POND Trade Magazine, and a university professor in the Virgin Islands reached out.
The professor said the university was studying similar things but using it for food crops—calling it aquaponics—and invited Michael to visit. It just so happened that Michael's brother was working as a chef near the university.
“So, I had a place to stay,” Michael says. “I hopped on a plane, and there I was studying under Dr. James Rakocy.”
His new mentor was one of the fathers of aquaponics.
From there, Michael made his dream a reality. He sold his pond business and bought land and water rights in Southern Oregon. For five years, he and his wife, Olivia, with the help of a partner, interns and WWOOFers, built and ran a successful farm in the Rogue Valley.
Rogue Aquaponics had six tanks, each larger than 1,000 gallons. The company was raising 1,400 to 1,600 pounds of fish a month. Meanwhile, Olivia was developing the plant side, working on recipes for pesto, which they processed in an on-site commercialgrade facility and sold through distributors and at farmers markets under the name Super Simple Foods. Michael was also sought after as a consultant by others hoping to start aquaponic systems of their own.
That’s when the area was hit by a huge storm. Add to that the COVID-19 pandemic and the birth of Michael and Olivia’s second child, and it was all just too much. The couple decided to pause
production for a while so Michael could focus on consulting. Five years later, they have no intention of giving up on aquaponics, but they are planning to pursue it in a new place. As soon as their Oregon farm sells, the couple plans to head to Kona, Hawaii, which Michael says is a big hub for aquaponics.
“They’re pioneers in this industry and have been for a long time,” he says.
Olivia is excited about the future, too.
“I’m over the moon,” she says. “We’re just really champing at the bit to get to all these new ways we can see ourselves applying all the things we’ve learned here.” n
Annual Farm Tour Returns
FarmWild, an aquaponic farm in downtown Bellingham, is among 15 stops on this year’s Whatcom County Farm Tour.
The tour, sponsored by the nonprofit Sustainable Connections, welcomes the public to visit “a good mix of farms,” says organizer Jessica Gillis. That includes “folks that grow vegetables, fruit, or flowers, those that raise animals, and some that use hydroponic or regenerative practices," she says.
Last year, the tour drew more than 1,750 participants to the free one-day event. This year, FarmWild has a change of venue. Last year, the business was still out in the country, and 300 to 400 people made the trek to see pigs and chickens. Founder Brian Rusk suspects being in downtown Bellingham, in a more accessible venue, will result in a bigger draw this time around.
“Most people have never seen this kind of thing, and there’s a lot of curiosity around it,” he says.
Other farms slated to participate include: Alluvial Farms, Bellingham Flower Farm, CTK Food Share and Farm, Fair Cow’s Path Farm, Five Elements Harvest, Grace Harbor with Steensma Creamery, Growing Veterans, Lagom Vineyards, Oak Meadows Farm, Primavera Farm, Small Acres, Sonder Farmstead, Widnor Farms and Wright Brothers Farms. Visit sustainableconnections.org/whatcom-county-farm-tour for more information about the tour.
A BOUNTY OF BASIL From Garden to Table:
Classic Caprese Pasta Salad
Pasta salad
1 pound of your favorite shaped pasta, cooked and cooled
3 cups grape tomatoes, halved
12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese balls, plain or marinated, halved
Dressing
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/3 cup basil, chiffonade
¼ cup parsley, chopped
1/8 cup freshly grated ParmigianoReggiano cheese
Balsamic glaze, for drizzling
Salt Pepper
In a bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, cheeses and herbs. In a glass measuring cup, whisk dressing ingredients. Season to taste. Pour dressing over pasta salad, and toss to combine. It’s best if it’s chilled for an hour. Garnish with more basil. Drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving.
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY YULIA LISITSA
Green Goddess Salad Dressing
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup scallions, chopped
½ cup chopped fresh basil, packed
1/8 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
½ cup sour cream
Place all ingredients except for sour cream in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Add sour cream and process until blended.
Keep refrigerated until serving on your favorite salad.
Basic Basil Pesto
½ cup toasted pine nuts
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove
¼ teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups basil, leaves only
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for a smoother pesto
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
In a food processor, combine the pine nuts, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Pulse until well chopped. Add the basil. Pulse until combined.
With the food processor running, drizzle in the olive oil. Pulse until combined. Add the Parmesan cheese, and pulse to briefly combine. Add more olive oil if desired.
Basil Vinaigrette Pasta
Vinaigrette
1 shallot, roughly chopped
2 cups tightly packed fresh basil leaves, stems removed (about 4 ounces)
1 clove garlic
Pasta
1 pound pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic
2 shallots, thinly sliced
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoons red pepper flakes
½ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 zucchini, cut into coins
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
1 lemon, juiced
Fresh basil
Parmesan cheese
To make the vinaigrette, combine all ingredients in a highpowered blender. Blend for 60 seconds until smooth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, shallot and red pepper flakes. Saute until fragrant. Add the zucchini, and saute until just soft. Add the pasta and ½ cup of basil vinaigrette. Toss to combine. Add more basil vinaigrette as needed. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice before serving.
Basil Mayonnaise
2 extra-large egg yolks, at room temperature
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ cup freshly grated
Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
½ cup chopped fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup vegetable oil, at room temperature
½ cup quality olive oil, at room temperature
Place the egg yolks, lemon juice, Parmesan, mustard, basil, garlic, salt and pepper in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process for 30 seconds until smooth.
Combine the vegetable oil and olive oil in a liquid measuring cup. With the processor running, slowly pour the oil mixture through the feed tube to make a thick emulsion.
Store in the refrigerator until ready to use; it will keep for up to a week. Serve with beef tenderloin or steak.
Panzanella
Baguette bread, preferably stale, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 3 cups)
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon kosher sea salt, divided
2 pounds ripe tomatoes, any variety or color
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, torn into bite-size pieces
½ cup thinly sliced red onion
2 garlic cloves, grated to a paste
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, divided
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Large pinch red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
Black pepper
1 cup sliced English cucumber
½ cup torn basil leaves
¼ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped
Heat oven to 425 F. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet, and toss with 2 tablespoons oil and a pinch of salt. Bake until dried out and golden brown at the edges, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
Cut tomatoes into bite-size pieces, and transfer to a large bowl. Add mozzarella, onions, garlic paste, 1 tablespoon vinegar, oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt and red pepper flakes. Toss to coat, then set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar, mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste. While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in the remaining 4 tablespoons of olive oil until the mixture is thickened. Stir in cucumbers, basil and parsley.
Add bread cubes and cucumbers to the tomatoes. Toss well. Let sit for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours before serving. Toss with a little more olive oil, vinegar and salt if needed just before serving.
READER EXCHANGE
Crafts/Hobbies
We are gathering items for this year’s Operation Christmas Child. If you sew, knit or crochet, we would love to have new or like new Barbie dolls, Barbie clothes, children’s knitted/crocheted hats or finger puppets. We are also collecting Matchbox or Hot Wheels cars, cloth pencil pouches and Beanie Babies. With your help, last year we sent 712 shoeboxes worldwide. Our goal is to send as many or more this year. Many thanks to those who have sent items in the past, you’ve shared joy with children, many of whom had never received a gift of this nature. If you have other ideas for children 3-14, let us know. Sometimes items are too large for the shoeboxes. We cannot send liquids or sweets. Thank you.
Peggy Hodge 10106 Edgewood Drive Anderson Island, WA 98303 Peggyocc2000@gmail.com
I am looking for all types of sewing materials to use and pass out around the villages. Reason being, we have a memorial potlatch in March 2026. People are already sewing for this event. They are sewing to contribute in many villages around Nulato, Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska. Even some down in the lower states. All sewing items are appreciated. Maaseé (thank you in our language, Lower Koyukon Athabascan, Nulato, Interior Alaska).
Eileen Stickman
P.O. Box 65082 Nulato, AK 99765
My sister and I are making jewelry. Please send any unwanted chains, beads or jewelry. Thank you.
Marsha Holeik and Susan Bybee 16637 W.M. Foss Road La Pine, OR 97739
Milestones
My mother turns 95 years old in late August and would be elated to receive birthday greetings from everywhere. She was married for 67 years, raised seven daughters and had a successful career in real estate. She currently volunteers in the library at her retirement home and is going strong. Please send cards to Shirley Smith, 1950 NE 102nd Ave., Room 265, Hillsboro, OR 97006. Thanks.
Cheryl K. Smith Cheshire, Oregon
My mother turns 97 in early August. Originally from Mill City, Oregon, she moved to Longview, Washington, with her father and siblings after the death of her mother. She was married for 50 years until her husband’s death, and she is one of those people who has never met a stranger. She makes it a point to visit the mailbox at her apartment, so please help us fill it with birthday wishes. Freda Everdell, 1767 20th Ave., Apt. 613, Longview, WA 98632.
Paula Everdell Graham, Washington
Submitting Requests Is Free
My mother celebrates her 90th birthday in August. She is very active, playing bunco, musical bingo and card games with her friends. She and my dad have been married 73 years. She loves growing beautiful flowers. She would be surprised to receive cards on this milestone birthday. Please send to Ava Greenwood, 11006 E. Santan Blvd., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248. Thank you.
JoAnn Pruett Sagle, Idaho
Odds
I am looking for a Cadillac hubcap (just one) for a community art project. Year and condition doesn’t matter. Thank you.
L. M. Fenton 43712 37th Ave. E. Eatonville, WA 98328 lmfenton@outlook.com
Thanks
Readers are amazing. My mom, Jo, received more than 300 beautiful cards for her 93rd birthday, including puzzle books, funny anecdotes, lovely sentiments and, importantly, prayers. She was delighted. Thank you.
Karen Walton Richland, Washington
I want to thank the person who sent me the lovely book for beaded jewelry.
Betty Mercado
The Dalles, Oregon
Send your request (no attachments) to readerexchange@ruralite.org or mail to Reader Exchange, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Fill in the subject line with Reader Exchange.
Acceptance, scheduling and editing are at the editor’s discretion. Single requests only. No duplicates. If replying to a reader submission, please only send what is requested. Submissions are handled first-come, first-served 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 (pricing applies). When submitting a milestone request, please send it at least two months before the milestone. Phone numbers are not published. Email addresses are if they are part of the ad, but you must include a postal address.
Requests must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.
Head out for great fishing in Arizona at ADVENTURE
Alamo Lake State Park
What Is It?
Head to Western Arizona for clear water surrounded by low mountains at Alamo Lake State Park. Known for its bass fishing, exploring the park is a great way to experience the Sonoran desert and see wildlife, such as eagles, pelicans and Great Blue Herons.
History
Alamo Lake sits on the Bill Williams River behind Alamo Dam. While the dam was being built in the 1960s, the Army Corps of Engineers, Arizona State Parks and Arizona Game and Fish worked to determine the operation and management of Alamo Lake. It became a state park in November 1969—just months after the dam was completed—and the Army Corps of Engineers built a campground, picnic area and boat ramp.
Gone Fishing
Alamo Lake is 3,500 acres and known for three types of fish. The most notable is largemouth bass, which can be caught year-round, and the lake is home to frequent bass fishing tournaments. The lake is also a great spot to catch crappie and tilapia. Fishers older than 10 must have a valid Arizona fishing license.
More Nearby
There’s lots to do around Alamo Lake State Park. Head northeast, and within four hours you will pass Prescott National Forest, known for its mountains and waters, on your way to the red rock buttes of Sedona. Head west from Alamo Lake, and it is about three hours to Joshua Tree National Park.
More Information
Alamo Lake State Park has a $10 entrance fee for a person in their own vehicle, or $20 for a vehicle with up to four people. To start planning your trip, visit tinyurl.com/a82rz9zr.
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY HANSWISMEIJER
Doctor urges seniors to carry medical alert device
Seniors snap up new medical alert device that comes with no monthly bills
People don’t always do what their doctor says, but when seasoned veteran emergency room physician, Dr. Philip B. Howren, says every senior should have a medical alert device, you better listen up.
“Seniors are just one fall away from being put in a nursing home,” Dr. Howren said. “With a medical alert device, seniors are never alone. So it keeps them living independently in their own home. That’s why seniors and their family members are snapping up a sleek new medical alert device that comes with no monthly bills ever,” he said.
Many seniors refuse to wear old style help buttons because they make them look old. But even worse, those medical alert systems come with
monthly bills.
To solve these problems Universal Physicians, a U.S. company went to work to develop a new, modern, state-of-the-art medical alert device. It’s called “FastHelp™” and it instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever.
“This slick new little device is designed to look like the pagers doctors wear every day. Seniors love them because it actually makes them look important, not old,” Dr. Howren said.
FastHelp is expected to hit store shelves later this year. But special newspaper promotional giveaways are slated for seniors in select areas. ■
■ NO MONTHLY BILLS: “My wife had an old style help button that came with hefty bills every month and she was embarrassed to wear it because it made her look old,” said Frank McDonald, Canton, Ohio. “Now, we both have FastHelp™, the sleek new medical alert device that our grandkids say makes us look ‘cool’ not old,” he said. With FastHelp, seniors never have to worry about being alone and the best part is there are no monthly bills ever.
Seniors born before 1961 get new medical alert device with no monthly bills ever
contracts,
with
The phone lines are ringing off the hook.
That’s because for seniors born before 1961, it’s a deal too good to pass up.
Starting at precisely 8:30am this morning the Pre-Store Release begins for the sleek new medical alert device that comes with the exclusive FastHelp™ One-Touch E 911 Button that instantly connects you to unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever.
“It’s not like old style monitored help buttons that make you talk to a call center and only work when you’re at home and come with hefty bills every month. FastHelp comes with state-of-the-art cel -
(Continued on next page)
(Continued from previous page) lular embedded technology. That means it works at home or anywhere, anytime cell service is available whether you’re out watering the garden, driving in a car, at church or even hundreds of miles away on a tour or at a casino. You are never alone. With just a single push of the One-Touch E Button you instantly get connected to free unlimited help nationwide with no monthly bills ever,” said Jack Lawrence, Executive Director of Product Development for U.S. based Universal Physicians.
“We’ve never seen anything like it. Consumers absolutely love the sleek new modern design and most of all, the instant rebate that practically pays for it and no monthly bills ever,” Lawrence said.
FastHelp is the sleek new medical alert device with the best of combinations: a quality, high-tech engineered device that’s also an extremely great value because there are no monthly bills ever.
Better still, it comes with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever – which makes FastHelp a great choice for seniors, students and professionals because it connects to one of the largest nationwide networks everywhere cell service is available for free.
And here’s the best part. All those who already have an old style monitored medical alert button can immediately eliminate those monthly bills, which is why Universal Physicians is widely advertising this announcement nationwide.
“So if you’ve ever felt a medical alert device was too complicated or expensive, you’ll want to get FastHelp, the sleek new medical alert device with no monthly bills,” said Lawrence.
The medical alert device slugfest was dominated by two main combatants who both offer old style monitored help buttons that come with a hefty bill every month. But now Universal
Physicians, the U.S. based heavyweight, just delivered a knockout blow sending the top rated contenders to the mat with the unveiling of FastHelp. It’s the sleek new cellular embedded medical alert device that cuts out the middleman by instantly connecting you directly to highly trained 911 operators all across the U.S. There’s absolutely nothing to hook-up or install. You don’t need a land line and you don’t
need a cell phone. Everything is done for you.
“FastHelp is a state of the art medical alert device designed to make you look important, not old. Old style monitored help buttons you wear around your neck, or require expensive base station equipment or a landline are the equivalent of a horse and buggy,” Lawrence says. “It’s just outdated.”
Millions of seniors fall every year and spend hours lying on the floor helpless
HOW TO GET IT:
IF BORN BEFORE 1961:
and all alone with no help.
But seniors who fall and get immediate help are much more likely to avoid getting sent to a nursing home and get to STAY living in their own home independently.
Yet millions of seniors are still risking their safety by not having a medical alert device. That’s because seniors just can’t afford to pay the monthly bills that come with old style medical alert devices.
That’s why seniors born
before 1961 are rush ing to cash in the whopping $150 instant rebate before the 21 day deadline ends.
So there’s no need to wait for FastHelp to hit store shelves later this year because seniors born before 1961 can get it now just by using the $150 instant rebate coupon printed in today’s newspaper before the 21 day deadline ends. If lines are busy keep trying, all calls will be answered. ■
Use the rebate coupon below and call this Toll-Free Hotline: 1-800-330-4294 DEPT.
IF BORN AFTER 1961: You cannot use the rebate coupon below and must pay $299 Call: 1-800-330-9423 DEPT. HELP8699
THE BOTTOM LINE: You don’t need to shop around. We’ve done all the leg work, this deal is too good to pass up. FastHelp with the instant rebate is a real steal at just $149 and shipping and there are no monthly bills ever.
PROS: It’s the sleek new medical alert device that comes with the exclusive FastHelp OneTouch E 911 Button that instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts or deposits. It connects you to the vast available network of cellular towers for free and saves seniors a ton of money because there are no monthly bills ever making this deal irresistible. Plus it’s the only medical alert device that makes seniors look important, not old.
CONS: Consumers can’t get FastHelp in stores until later this year. That’s why it’s so important for seniors born before 1961 to call the National Rebate Center Hotline within the next 21 days. For those who miss that deadline, the sleek little medical alert device will set you back over $300 bucks.
THE GREAT PICTURE HUNT
Speaking Without Words
By Dave LaBelle
I have written in past years about the merits of photographing people from the back, but the concept is worth repeating.
Body language—or gesture, as it is often called—can convey much in a still photograph. We can often tell a lot about a person’s disposition just by the way they carry themselves.
Whether overt gestures such as raising a fist in protest or outstretched hands imploring agreement speak loudly, the quieter, subtle gestures—such as the way one walks, or tilts their head when speaking or listening—can also communicate a lot when our eyes pay attention.
If you have never closely studied Rembrandt’s “The Return of the Prodigal Son,” I suggest you give this masterpiece a serious look. Beyond the mood-setting color, the postures of the son, father and brother—especially the positions of the hands—are powerful details employed to tell this compassionate story in one of the artist’s greatest works.
A few years ago, I was walking in the hills with a dear friend, Mark, after he had lost his oldest son. He often took long hikes alone to pray. He asked one day if I would walk with him. I did not carry a camera on this day, but I did have my cellphone.
Following behind on the narrow path,
Reader Challenge
the movements of his body—sometimes unsteady on the stony path—felt like a metaphor for his life then.
I know you are struggling day by day, I observed.
He softly answered, “It is more like hour to hour.” n
Capture a storytelling photograph without showing a person’s face. Pay attention to body language. Watch how one sits or walks and where they do so. In European countries it’s not uncommon to see older men ambling alone with their hands folded behind them.
Email your best image—just one—with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to gph@pioneer.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.
sharing
tips and life perspectives with readers. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and his blog at bridgesandangels. wordpress.com. iPhone 6s, 4.2mm lens ISO 25, f/2.2 at 1/2959
Photographer, author and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century,
photo
Generational Wealth
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. $359ea.
American Gold Reserve is releasing Government issued $5 Gold American Eagles completely free of dealer mark-up for only $359 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.
Free of dealer markup.
Protection against inflation and deflation. • Gold offers financial cover during geopolitical uncertainty.
Good portfolio diversifier.
August: National Peach Month Aug. 8: National Zucchini Day
Luscious Peach Recipes ~ Desserts Cookbook: $8 Comfort Foods Cookbook: $13
Tempting Zucchini Recipes ~ Casseroles Cookbook: $10 Everybody’s Favorites: $10
Soups Stews & Chowders: $10
Discover all 13 of our Recipe Contest cookbooks. Each is 8½-by-11” with index. Prices shown include postage and tax.
Please allow two - three weeks for delivery; include your email address if you would like a shipping confirmation.
ORDER BY MAIL: Submit payment with cookbook title, your name, address and number of cookbooks wanted to: Ruralite Cookbooks P.O. Box 1306 North Plains, OR 97133
PAY BY PHONE: Call 503-357-2105 for credit card payments with Visa, MasterCard, Discover or AMEX.
ORDER ONLINE: Visit www.ruralite.com and find Store.
By Rachael Kvapil
Josh Steadman is one of the few people who can say they maintained an office on the GVEA campus after taking a position with another company.
From 2006-13, Josh worked as a senior systems and network engineer for GVEA, which, at the time, also owned AlasConnect. In 2013, a few years before Matanuska Telephone Association bought AlasConnect, Josh took the same position with that company, where he worked until 2022. The change in ownership of AlasConnect didn’t affect his work location. However, it did make for a seamless transition when he returned in 2022 to his position with GVEA.
“It was not a traditional situation,” Josh says, laughing. “In my head, there’s an asterisk when I say I’ve worked about 20 years with GVEA.”
Information technology fascinated Josh since childhood. Growing up at a time when computers were going mainstream, he had the opportunity to learn about the inner workings of these high-tech machines in a relatively free-range manner. His mother worked at Prince William Sound Community College, which featured a sizeable computer lab. Josh got hands-on experience troubleshooting problems for students and staff. Soon, he found he enjoyed helping people as much as he enjoyed fixing problems.
Josh Steadman: Providing Personable Assistance to Co-Workers and the Community
“And since my job is fixing problems, my co-workers are happy to see me,” he says.
Apart from his co-workers, Josh says one of the best things about his work is that it’s different every day. When he comes to work, it’s a new set of issues to troubleshoot, new people to help and new system improvements to make. It makes it hard to pick out a specific career highlight because he remembers the good feelings from helping his co-workers more than the project itself.
In his free time, Josh contributes his problem-solving skills to volunteer with Calypso Farm & Ecology Center.
Calypso Farm is a nonprofit educational farm in Fairbanks that offers hands-on education programs for all ages and grows fresh food for the community. Josh currently serves on the board and volunteers his time, helping with IT and picking food from the farm. He says Calypso Farm is filled with good, friendly people, which makes volunteering there fun.
“It’s never a chore working with them,” he says. “It doesn’t matter what I’m doing, I’m having a great time.”
Josh is not the stereotypical IT support professional portrayed on TV. He is much more personable than what you might see in shows like “The IT Crowd” and loves working with the great group of people at GVEA. The fun he has helping people motivates him every day.
Other than volunteering, Josh’s main hobby is traveling. He has visited almost 50 countries and has been to six out of seven continents. One might think the last continent is the difficult-to-access Antarctica, but Josh has already managed to get there. The last continent on the list is Australia, which Josh plans to visit in the next five years.
“I joke that I’ll finally be a world traveler once I go to Australia,” he says. n
PHOTO BY KELLY REYNOLDS
MARKETPLACE
Agriculture
4x5 round bales, Meadow Foxtail Orchard Grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square. 208-435-4637 or 208-435-4002; nas@cpcinternet.com. 1225
Reinforced custom-sized pond liners (39 cents/sqft). Hay covers, greenhouse covers, any width and length. Truck tarps and more. High-puncture and tear strength. Best price guaranteed. Celebrating 44 years in business. www.btlliners.com. 541-447-0712. 0426
Antiques and Collectibles
Buying antiques and collectibles: advertising signs, porcelain signs, gas pumps, beer signs, antique toys, cast-iron coin banks, neon signs and more. Jason, 503-310-3321 or tjabaughman@yahoo.com. 0925
Buying American Indian collectibles, Navajo jewelry, blankets, rugs. CA/AZ baskets and beadwork. Quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com.
Automotive
1984 Harley Davidson FLTC. Very good condition. One owner, extras. Interested? Call 208-267-7145. 0825
Well-preserved, street-legal 1953 Morris Minor Sedan. Licensed, insured and carefully stored in Bandon since 2001. Black, left-hand drive, red leather interior. Offers of more than $10K welcomed. Call/text 541-808-1069. 0925
’69 Mustang coupe 302. Automatic. Runs as is. $5K. Bill, 541-782-2096. 0825
Books, Magazines, Videos
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. 0825
Free Item
Free materials. When church/government unite, enforcing Sunday Law, the “Mark” of the “Beast” is here. Don’t be deceived, be informed. Leave mailing address only, TBSM, PO Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. 888-211-1715; tbsmads@yahoo.com. 1225AR
Help Wanted
Older woman in Brookings, OR, needs regular help with easy yard work. Sometimes need to be driven to town in winter. Good pay. Text 707-951-1882. 0825
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): October issue—Aug. 28, 2025.
If submitting ad by mail, send appropriate payment with your name, address, email, phone number and the name of the electric utility that provides your magazine to: Marketplace, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133. Make check or money order payable to Ruralite.
We accept credit card payments for ads submitted by email. Send ad to info@pioneer.coop.
We want you. Apply now to teach classes at Art Center East in La Grande, OR, for fall and winter quarters. 541-624-2800; artcentereast.org. 0825
Miscellaneous
3 cemetery plots, Salt Creek Cemetery near Dallas, OR. $800 each. Open to offers on all. Message 503-457-8084. 0825
Granite cemetery markers at affordable prices. Will ship to most places. For more info: Joe, 541-815-8906 or highdesertmemorials.com; highdesertmemorials@gmail.com. 0825
Pets
Fort Sage Kennels, closing. AKC-registered Airedales. Females, 1 year old. Males 2-3 years old. 530-827-2271 or 530-249-7896. 0925 Plants, Garden Supplies
For sale: about 100 30-year-old black walnut trees in Eltopia, WA. 509-531-5899; janitorialex@yahoo.com. 0825
Real Estate
615 remote acres w/views. LOP tag eligible, fenced, 2 springs, year-round creek, cabin. $584K. Duke Warner Realty, 541-987-2363 or ddwr@ortelco.net. 0825
320 acres east of Adel, OR. Borders Hart Mountain views, Steens Mountain and Beaty Butte. Landowner tags, very rural. $179K. Due to injury quick sale. For maps: 541-659-1573 or thejugglingman3@gmail.com. 0825
Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm and recreation property in OR. Fourthgeneration Oregonian, prior ranch owner. For sale: Klamath Marsh, OR. 173.65 acres. $2.5M. Guest Ranch Overlay. John Gill, 541-480-9161; johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 0825
Preppers paradise. Totally turnkey, off-grid, 5,200-watt solar, 3,900-sqft. custom home, 4 bd, 3 ba, daylight basement more than 2,000sqft. shop, very private 20 acres, 8-GPM well, 1,500-gallon propane tanks, 2 large backup generators. $1.549M. 760-382-8654.
40 acres, 30 minutes north of Ely, NV, in beautiful Steptoe Valley. Electricity nearby. $58.8K. 775-289-4906. 0825
10-acre mountaintop retreat, quiet solitude, timbered meditation trails. 3-bd, 2-ba mobile home, guest house, 20x20 shop, excellent well. 9 miles west of Creswell, OR. $495K. Bette, 541-953-4001. 0825
Recreational Rentals
Oceanfront cottage on the spectacular Central OR coast. Stunning views, sandy beach. Scoters, spindrift and seals. 2 bd and loft, all w/double beds. Rates and reservations: wavecatcherbeachrentals.com; relax@WaveCatcherbeachrentals.com, 541-740-9953. 0825
Enjoy your ideal Maui getaway. This updated 2-bd, 2-ba condo sleeps 4 and features a charming “surf shack” design. Just half a block from a beautiful beach, it’s perfect for morning strolls and sunsets. Plus, you’re steps away from shops and restaurants at Azeka Plaza. tinyurl.com/MauiGetaway.
Beautiful coastal mountain outdoor events venue on the Nehalem River. Off Highway 26 just 25 minutes from Seaside and 45 minutes from Portland, enclosed 30x60 white tent, 20x24 deck overlooking the Nehalem River and beautiful wilderness background. Book the weekend or by the hour with camping available. Schedule a tour today. 971-489-3960. 0925
$275/night VRBO vacation rental. Only 1/8 of a mile from Lake Coeur d’Alene, ID. t.vrbo.io/EgtTnZc7HSb. 0925
Recreational Vehicles
2007 17-ft. Nash trailer. Self-contained. Lots of extras. Sleeps 5 to 6 (3 bd). $11K. Visit “Dean Wheeling” on Facebook Marketplace. 541-444-1394. 0825
Resorts, Camps, Tours, Lodges
Cruises: Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Panama Canal, Hawaii and more. River cruises, safaris, resorts. UdoU Travel LLC: www.udoutravelllc.com, 541-256-0100, cindygreenup@gmail.com. 1125
Services
Dawn Till Dusk Masonry. Brick, block, stone and pavers. Small jobs and repairs welcome. dawntillduskconstructionmasonry.com. 541-388-7605, 541-410-6945. License #245760 bonded and insured. La Pine, OR. 0825
Blue Mountain Defensible Space LLC Wildfire Fuel Reduction: clearing brush, thinning trees, animal habitat enhancement. Expert service. Grant money available OR, WA, ID. Bluemountainbrush@gmail.com, 509-399-3473; Bluemountainbrush.com. 0126
Situations Wanted
71-year-old country girl. Received many responses, unfortunately from too far away. Looking for Brookings, OR, area only. Snowbirds? Be a bit persistent; I’m overwhelmed with replies. Please text me at 707-951-1882.
Want to Buy
Old carpenter tools, planes (wood/metal), levels, chisels, slicks, adzes, axes, hatchets, handsaws, old rulers, spoke shaves, wrenches, shipwright tools, old tool chests. 503-659-0009, 971-666-0659. 0825
Gold, silver, coins/currency, buy, sell. Collections wanted. Fair prices paid. 44 years in retail store. Baker City, OR. 800-556-2133, garrymclin@aol.com. 1025
Buying American Indian Collectibles, Navajo jewelry, blankets, rugs. CA/AZ baskets and beadwork. Quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com or call 760-409-3117. 1025
Cash paid for old gas station and oil company signs, pumps, globes, metal oil cans. Good condition. Discreet cash settlement. Clifton Jones, collector, 512-413-4459. 1225
Salad Cookbook
Want a fresh take on salads? More than 250 readerrecommended recipes are listed in an 8½-by-11-inch indexed book for $8, postage included.
To order by mail, send payment and number of cookbooks wanted along with your name and address 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 two to three weeks for delivery.
GOLDEN VALLEY ELECTRIC
Preparing Homes and People for Wildfire Season
By Rachael Kvapil
Interior wildfires hit hard this summer, prompting evacuations in several communities. As fire crews continue their best efforts to protect structures, residents can assist them by creating defensible space around their homes. By preparing their properties and themselves for possible evacuation, they can help minimize damage should a fire approach.
The Space Between
Defensible space is a buffer around a building where vegetation, debris, and combustible materials are removed or significantly reduced. Geoffrey Coon, North Star Volunteer Fire Department fire chief, explains there are three main zones of defensible space that are important for building owners to address for maximum safety.
Zone 1 is the area closest to the home—0 to 5 feet—and generally in the most need of proactive maintenance. In this area, all combustible materials, such as wood stacked against an outer wall, gas cans, trees and shrubs, should be addressed first. Dead and broken branches should be removed along with dead and dying trees and dried leaves from the gutters. Live branches should be stripped within 8 feet of the ground to prevent a ground fire from climbing upward. Shrubs should be trimmed to less than 18 inches, and highly flammable plant material should be cleared away. This is the area where less flammable options, such as irrigated grass, rock gardens, stone patios, metal patio furniture and noncombustible decking, could make a big difference.
Zone 2 extends outward to 30 feet, where it’s important to space trees at least 10 feet between their crowns. Trimming tree limbs 8 feet off the ground, removing dead, dying, or unhealthy trees and dead, rubbing and broken branches is highly recommended. Homeowners should stack firewood away from trees and shrubs and at least 30 feet from any structures.
Zone 3, which extends to 100 feet and beyond, primarily focuses on thinning and pruning trees and vegetation, similar to Zones 1 and 2, to slow the approach of a wildfire and improve the health of the surrounding forest.
“Spacing trees is more difficult in dense areas,” Geoffrey says. “Some homeowners are hesitant to remove trees from their property. We encourage them to keep the healthy ones that are benefiting them the most and thin out the rest.”
Even though fire season is already underway, Geoffrey says homeowners can make immediate improvements just by mowing and watering their lawns, raking up brush and debris, and trimming branches. Addressing the spaces closest to structures will go a long way in preventing spot fires that occur
PHOTO BY RUIG
when the wind carries embers ahead of the main fire, igniting new ones by landing on dry debris or other combustible materials.
Ready, Set, Go
As current wildfires grow and change, it’s essential to check if your residence falls within any of the three-phase evacuation zones. Geoffrey says there are specific activities that people should tend to once they find out their homes are in either a READY (Prepare Now), SET (Be Alert), or GO (Immediately Leave) status.
During the “Ready” phase, residents should:
• Check to make sure your defensible space is clear.
• Stay informed by monitoring local news, social media and signing up for evacuation notices. The Alaska Interagency Coordination Center provides online maps to track fires throughout the state at fire.ak.blm.gov.
• Prepare an evacuation kit. The kit should fit into a vehicle and include items like food, water, first aid, medications, clothing and important documents and valuables.
• Residents should identify and plan their evacuation routes.
• Create an emergency action plan and make sure family members and guests know what to do.
During the “Set” phase:
• Park a vehicle out of the garage and facing the road.
• Turn on exterior lights and close all windows and doors.
• Consider relocating to a shelter outside the affected area.
During the “Go” phase:
• Act early. Leaving early ensures your safety and allows emergency personnel more access to the road system, which can help save your home and the homes of your neighbors.
• Execute your emergency action plan.
• Cooperate with emergency personnel during the evacuation and reentry process.
Powerful Advice
Nathan Minnema, Golden Valley Electric Association Chief Operating Officer, says residents should be aware that the Division of Forestry typically requests the utility to turn off power in areas with a “Go” status, as this indicates the fire is rapidly approaching the area. Turning off the power in an evacuation zone removes a hazard to emergency crews and their equipment. It also stops downed power lines from igniting or reigniting fires.
“This summer there have been more fires that were close to residences than normal,” Nathan says. “We haven’t had this many requests to turn off power over the past 14 years I’ve been at GVEA.”
Homeowners should be aware that power may not be restored immediately once they’re allowed back into their homes. During the Bear Creek Fire, it took two days to repair damaged lines before power could be restored. Nathan says this duration could be longer if the number of damaged poles and lines in need of repair is extensive. He says the best way to prepare for this instance is to have a source of temporary power, such as a generator, that can keep the house functional while the utility power is deenergized.
Finally, Nathan emphasizes that the general public should stay away from any down power lines, even if the power line has started a fire. He says just because the line is on the ground doesn’t mean power has been turned off. And if a fire has started, he says, don’t approach the downed power line in an attempt to put out the fire or spray water in the area of the downed power line. He says people put themselves in danger when they approach a downed power line. An energized downed power line can induce voltage in the ground and cause serious injury, even if someone doesn’t directly touch the line itself.
“Please, wait for GVEA crews to come and deenergize the line and allow emergency crews to handle any fire hazards surrounding the line.” Nathan says. n
PHOTO BY TROUTNUT
There are three main zones of defensible space that are important for building owners to address for maximum safety.
BEFORE YOU GO
Dinner, My Deer?
Nature surprises us through sunsets, picturesque landscapes and even by friendly wildlife visits to your backyard.
“We were sitting at the table in the patio about to have dinner, and here came the deer,” Robbie Strand says.
To submit your photo, email a JPEG to photos@pioneer.coop. Include “Before You Go” in the subject line and share a bit about what inspired you to make your photo. n
A message from the
Be aware!
Ticks are tiny and can be found almost anywhere outdoors, year round! The best prevention is to pay attention.
Be prepared!
When you go outdoors, wear an EPA registered insect repellant, and protective clothing. The best defense is… defense, it turns out.
Check everywhere!
When you come back inside, take a shower, and check everywhere! We mean everywhere: Up top! Bend over! Don’t be scared.
Ticks suck, but being outdoors shouldn’t. Learn more at
If you do get a tick, there’s no need to panic. Follow safe removal instructions, and call your doctor with any questions!
A herd of deer shows up as surprise guests. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBBIE STRAND
TICK TIP #1
TICK TIP #2
TICK TIP #3
TICK TIP #4
Forest Through the Trees
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Owned By Those We Serve
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tom DeLong, Chair, District 2
Rick Solie, Vice-Chair, District 3
David Messier, Treasurer, District 1
Gary Newman, Secretary, District 4
John Sloan, District 6
Bradley Swope, District 5
Krista Zappone, District 7
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
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AK-37
YOU’RE NOT A CUSTOMER.
YOU’RE AN OWNER.
Capital Credits
There Are Benefits to Electric Cooperative Membership
When capital credits are retired— currently in 25 years cycles— Golden Valley Electric Association issues a refund to you.
In 2024, Golden Valley refunded $6.9 million in capital credits to members who had service in 1999 and before.
Preparations are already underway for the capital credit check run that will take place this fall, after board approval.
It’s inevitable that some checks will not reach past members, due to invalid mailing addresses or missing W-9 tax information, which is required for capital credit checks of $600 or more.
GVEA requests your assistance to ensure your refund check makes it to you.
• If you are currently a member and receive mail from GVEA, you’re all set; no further action is needed.
• If you were a member in 1999 but no longer receive service and are unsure of the mailing address we have on file, contact GVEA at your earliest convenience.
There are a variety of ways to contact GVEA’s capital credits team:
• Visit: gvea.com/capital-credits where you can find capital credits information, news and resources.
• Call 907-451-5625 or 1-800-770-4832.
• Email capitalcredits@gvea.com.