Ruralite, Golden Valley Electric Association, October 2025

Chef Jake McGlew and Cali Best, founders of Alaskan Bounty for Children, kick off a new initiative providing free, nutritious lunches to local students in the Denali Borough. PHOTO BY KAMI MACIVER

Ruralite

October 2025 • Volume 72, No. 10

CEO Michael Shepard

SENIOR VP OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Chasity Anderson, CCC

DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Noble Sprayberry

SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC

ASSISTANT EDITORS Victoria Hampton, CCC; David Herder, CCC; Sable Riley, CCC

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Valeri Saldanha Rosa, Nina Todea, CCC

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION SR. MANAGER

Elizabeth Beatty

SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR

Alyssa McDougle

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The Power of Connection

This month’s cover story about Light Up Navajo and NRECA International demonstrates the power of utilities working together.

In May, when Lucille Williams woke to the sound of trucks outside her home, it marked the end of a 21-year wait for electricity.

“My heart was beating like crazy,” she tells us about the moment her porch light finally came on. “I was so anxious. I couldn’t wait.”

That moment represents more than just flipping a switch—it’s the result of lineworkers from across the country spending their time and expertise helping families they’d never met, in places they’d never been.

Likewise, for more than 60 years, NRECA International has been establishing electric utilities and cooperatives in 54 countries, bringing electricity to more than 220 million people worldwide. Their work goes beyond poles and wires—they engage communities in every step, from establishing utilities to training local people to maintain the systems long after crews return home.

“It’s not just about the lineworkers going there and establishing that service,” says Ingrid Hunsicker from NRECA International. “It is also making sure that the people within that community are prepared to maintain it moving forward.”

On a separate front, I have exciting news about our editorial team. We recently received four awards from the National Electric Cooperative’s Statewide Editors Association, including top honors for Victoria Hampton’s powerful feature “Giving a Voice to the Silent” about human trafficking and recognition for her

profile “Keeping Time” about a runner’s recovery from brain surgery. The two other awards were for photos used within features.

These awards recognize the heart of our team in every story. They also reflect our commitment to shining light in dark places and celebrating resilience in our communities.

As we celebrate National Co-op Month and Public Power Week, I’m reminded cooperation isn’t just about formal partnerships among organizations. It’s about recognizing our individual lights shine brightest when they’re connected to something larger—a power grid, a community gathering around a breakfast table or a magazine that carries stories from one reader to another.

Until next time,

Chasity Anderson Editorial Director

Light Up Navajo: Powering Homes and Hope

Public power utilities band together for multiyear effort to bring electricity to thousands of families

Spotlight, Page 10

Easy Morning Meals

In the Kitchen, Page 16

Assistant Editor Victoria Hampton and Senior Vice President of Content Leon Espinoza hold awards from the National Electric Cooperatives Statewide Editors Association. PHOTO BY BRANDON POMRENKE

Stronger Together:

From Banks to Bikes to Lunch Trays, Honoring Community Champions During Co-op Month

By Kris Capps

In honor of National Co-op Month, we’re shining a spotlight on three local businesses in the Golden Heart communities that give back in extraordinary ways: Mt. McKinley Bank, F & H Fitness and Tonglen Lake Lodge. These community-driven organizations embody the spirit of cooperation and service, whether by empowering employees to support local nonprofits; hosting events like F & H’s annual Spin For a Cause fundraiser to promote health and raise funds for local causes; or providing free meals to schoolchildren through Tonglen Lake Lodge’s generosity. These businesses are actively helping shape a stronger, more connected community.

Mt. McKinley Bank

Some of Mt. McKinley Bank’s happiest guests are members of Companions Inc, who regularly visit the bank and bring their four-legged therapy dogs with them.

That is because the bank empowers its employees to direct where they want bank donations to go in the community. Many bank employees choose Companions Inc., a longtime nonprofit that supports therapy dogs who do everything from visit hospital patients to university students during finals week.

“Mt. McKinley is a mutual bank,” President Patty Mongold says. “We don’t have shareholders. We take our earnings and put them back into the capital structure of the bank, so we have more money to lend.

“We take a good percentage and give back—it’s always been that way,” she says. “We’ve always done as much as we could to support our local community.”

Patty should know. She has worked in every department in her 50 years at the bank. This year, she is being honored as the University of Alaska Fairbanks Business Leader of the Year.

Companions Inc. is only one of the nonprofit organizations that benefits from the bank’s generosity.

The bank provides not only donations to organizations, but foundational funds that can help them put together fundraisers. Those fundraisers garner even more contributions for the organizations.

The bank also supports employees donating time in person to do good work in the community, whether at the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, the Fairbanks Rescue Mission, The Door or the Center for Nonviolent Living, to name just a few.

It is also a way of looking ahead, she says, adding, “You never know when you might need those services.”

A few years ago, Patty learned of another program that enabled employees to choose where their employer directs donations.

“I thought about it and about three years ago, I thought, let’s see if we can fit this in our budget,” she says. “We set aside $30,000. Each employee has the ability to direct a $300 donation to a nonprofit of their choice.”

Employees embraced this unexpected new perk to their employment. Some were passionate about certain nonprofits, but unable to donate personal funds. The bank helps them support their favorite nonprofit groups.

“They’re really taking it to heart,” she says.

Companions Inc. is a big winner in this program. Now, bank customers and their happy canines are regular visitors.

“We’re very pleased to see those puppies come into the bank,” Patty says. “It’s a great group. They’ve been able to benefit from the donations. It was a win-win.”

The intention of giving back to the community has been a very strong focus of the bank since its inception.

“From the very beginning, when we first started making some money, we needed to give back to the community,” Patty says. “Every year, it grows a little bit.”

The groups cover all variety of community needs, such as arts, safety and security of families, local sports groups, and education, including at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Patty says she is proud to work for a business that believes in supporting the local community. It isn’t long, she says, before newcomers discover that friends in Interior Alaska become just like family.

Tessa Rae is a Companions Inc. dog. PHOTO BY SHIRLEY WINTHER

F&H Fitness

F&H Fitness Center created a unique way to raise money for community causes while helping people stay fit.

The business launched Spin For A Cause in 2017 when a friend’s baby was diagnosed with a rare disease, and insurance didn’t cover medical costs. The idea of a spinning fundraiser was born.

“The first year, it kind of happened organically,” says F&H owner Tina Peterson.

Spinning is a cycling class, where participants ride stationary bikes in a group setting, often to a high-energy soundtrack.

Once the idea of the fundraiser was embraced, organizers found sponsors for each standing bike, delivered the actual stationary bikes outside Lavelle’s Restaurant in downtown Fairbanks and proceeded to raise $36,000 that first year.

It has become an annual event and has raised $316,621. In 2025, cyclists and sponsors raised $17,325 for Careline Alaska, a suicide prevention hotline and crisis service.

Spin For A Cause usually happens during the summer months. Sponsorships come from individuals and businesses alike. Many of these sponsors have never done spinning themselves.

“There are three different rows,” Tina says. “$550 for the first row, $500 for the second row, and $450 for the third row.”

Although as many as 75 bikes have been rounded up for this event in the past, the number is now closer to 30-35 bikes.

The length of the ride dependson each rider’s fitness, but an estimated three hours has become the usual amount of time for each Spin For A Cause event.

“There are such incredible people in our community that own small or big businesses,” Tina says. “They sponsor one or multiple bikes. If they don’t have a rider for the bike, we find riders for the bike.”

Some riders really get into it, wearing costumes and giving themselves fun team names.

“We raised money for all different causes,” Tina says.

That includes suicide prevention, domestic violence, cancer detection and more.

The last few years, the focus has been on suicide prevention and mental health.

“It’s such an epidemic here and in Alaska,” she says.

Tina is a certified personal trainer, and she loves spinning.

“Movement is such a healthy thing for our minds,” she says. “If you move your body, it changes your mind.”

The music is a a huge motivator, she notes.

“I prefer to move through music,” she says.

“That’s how we created the culture ride. It’s all music and movement.”

She calls it a culture ride because it is “a culture of love and acceptance of all people.”

“I’m expanding the thought of fitness and what our bodies should look like,” she says. What stops many people from coming into a gym is feeling shame during previous bad experiences.

“I really tried to take fitness a different route,” she says. “Making people feel empowered, rather than feeling not good enough.

Mt. McKinley Bank employees giving back by serving at the local food bank. PHOTO COURTESY OF MT. MCKINLEY BANK

Tina Peterson leads a ride at Spin for a Cause, raising funds for mental health services. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRACE WILSON

GOLDEN VALLEY ELECTRIC

“Sometimes people say ‘I’ll come once I get in shape,” she says.

That day never seems to come.

“I wish people could look at that and say, ‘I’ll come so I can get in shape,’” she says. “I really try to change the stigma of fitness. We help people feel strong.”

Tina offers a huge thank-you to everyone who has participated in Spin For A Cause.

“It has had such an impact on our community,” she says. “I have gratitude that people show up and help, volunteer their time. We are going to continue it.”

So folks can begin prepping for next summer’s annual event, either by sponsoring, cycling or cheering them on. It is sure to be a successful one that benefits our community. Contact F&H Fitness at fhfitnessstudio.com

Tonglen Lake Lodge

When Cali Best was a student at Tri-Valley School in Healy, she either brought her own lunch to school, or bought lunch on the days various non profits offered it as a fundraiser for their organizations.

There were tacos sold for the local preschool and day care, grilled cheese sandwiches for the local Booster Club and more options on other days.

Lunches were provided only when nonprofits wanted to offer them, usually charging about $4 for each lunch. The school didn’t provide a hot lunch program for all students.

Cali is now an adult with two children who attend TriValley School. She works as general manager of Tonglen Lake Lodge in the Denali Borough.

She and Tonglen Lake Lodge Executive Chef Jake McGlew recently launched a new nonprofit, Alaskan Bounty for Children, or ABC, to provide free, nutritious lunches five days a week to students at all three schools in the Denali Borough: Tri-Valley School in Healy, Anderson School in Anderson and Cantwell School at the southern end of the borough. The program may expand to offer breakfasts as well.

A 2021 report from the Brookings Institution said schools with free meals saw improved math performance, better attendance and a reduction in suspensions among certain students.

This new program also plans to offer vocational hospitality training for high school students. This will prepare students to enter the local job market with more than dishwashing skills.

“Our community needs this program,” Cali says. “Students will be ready to enter kitchens with the knowledge to maintain health and safety standards as well as experience with food preparation for actual service.”

Jake also recognizes the potential of this program. “We have a huge tourism business in our backyard. We’re doing our kids a disservice by not setting them up for, not a dishwashing job, but a manager job,” he says.

Lunches are paid for by donations and grants. Many parents have already stepped forward to donate the cost of their own childrens’ lunches every school day.

The F&H Team in 2024! To date, they have raised over $316,000 for local causes through Spin for a Cause.

PHOTO BY GRACE WILSON

Of course, students are not required to eat the provided lunches. They may continue to bring their own lunches from home..

Concession stand sales during sports games remain unchanged. However, Cali suggested the new program could offer opportunities for groups like the Booster Club to order concessions supplies at lower rates through ABC, increasing their profit margins.

The new program also accommodates allergies and dietary restrictions.

ABC had to be approved by the Denali Borough School Board because it would be accepting a donation worth more than $5,000, if it instituted this program.

There was much discussion about it earlier this year. At one of those meetings, Denali Borough School Superintendent Dan Polta reminded board members that the board has asked him three times over the years to find and implement a lunch program. Every option, at that time, came with a cost.

“Right now, you have an opportunity,” he told the board. “You could do it and have no cost.”

The board eventually approved the program and it debuted this school year. As of mid-September, about half of the students are taking advantage of the free lunches. The numbers appear to be growing every day.

To make opening day especially memorable, Jake dressed up in a hot dog costume and Cali wore a hamburger costume. That got hungry kids’ attention.

“I thought it was a blast,” Jake says.

Those goofy costumes certainly got students’ attention, but it didn’t take long for their focus to shift to the food.

“I thought school lunch was going to be disgusting like you see in the movies, but this is really good,” one student remarked.

The best compliment may have come from the student who cleaned up his plate and then told the two lunch providers: “Don’t tell my mom, but this chili is better than the chili she makes.”

For more information about the program or to donate, visit alaskanbountyforchildren.com. n

Cali Best and Chef Jake McGlew kicked off the new school lunch program in style, to launch Alaskan Bounty for Children. PHOTOS BY KRIS CAPPS

Traveler Information Helps Drivers ‘KNOW B4 U GO’

By Rachael Kvapil

The temperatures are dropping and soon snow will cover the summer landscape. Extreme winter weather creates unpredictable road conditions for drivers, and many neighborhoods communicate drivability on social media. However, long-distance travelers need information outside their immediate area. For years, Alaska 511 has provided that information via phone, website and app.

Anyone who has driven in Alaska will frequently see the blue 511 travel information signs along the highway. Originally, 511 was designated as the national traveler information number in July 2000. Alaska was one of eight states that pooled resources to develop the 511 phone system. Alaska was the 18th state to implement the phone service launching the current website, 511.alaska.gov, and mobile app in 2019.

Alaska 511 seeks to be the one-stop shop for all travel information. The system includes road condition reports, road construction updates, road closures, Amber Alerts, weather conditions, winter driving tips, real-time ferry schedules, and road weather cameras on the website and app.

“The Alaska Department of Transportation has hosted the service since its inception,” says Pam Golden, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities state traffic and safety engineer. “We provide information so drivers can be aware while driving through Alaska. We also coordinate with the Yukon since many residents also regularly drive in there, too.”

Unlike other states, Alaska does not have a dedicated statewide traffic operations center. A small crew of DOT&PF staff are responsible for receiving information from internal

and external sources and managing the system. Internally, ADOT’s maintenance and operation crews provide the bulk of the information along with other field crews and project managers. Externally, information comes from construction companies, public reports and social media. The Alaska State Troopers, Valdez and MatCom Public Safety in Wasilla enter information about crashes and delays. The city and borough of Juneau are the most recent partner, and kept information current during the recent glacial outburst.

The result is a user-friendly display where people can apply filters to isolate the information they need. ADOT continues to add new information as technology evolves. Most recently it started including locations of electric vehicle charging stations, snowplow priority maps and a pilot bus safety alert system for drivers in the Fairbanks North Star Borough on its app. A freight mode is also available for commercial drivers who need to stay aware of seasonal loads and bridge over heights.

“Safety is our primary concern, particularly during winter,” Pam says. “If the state is dealing with freezing rain events and the roads have become difficult to travel—or flooding, or a large earthquake has happened—we don’t want people stuck or unprepared.”

Pam adds that road conditions change quickly, and they strive to update information as quickly as possible. Travelers can help by pulling over and contacting ADOT to report a closure or traffic delay not shown on 511 either via Facebook, an email to dot.511@alaska.gov, or through the feedback tool on the iPhone and Android app. n

Light Up Navajo: Powering Homes and Hope

By Victoria Hampton

Navajo Tribal Utility Authority crew members work alongside volunteer lineworkers to bring electricity to remote homesteads across the Navajo Nation. PHOTO COURTESY OF NTUA

Public power utilities band together for multiyear effort to bring electricity to thousands of families in the United States

On May 19, Lucille Williams woke to the rumble of truck engines and the hum of voices outside. After two decades without electricity, her wait was finally over.

“We get electricity today,” Lucille whispered to herself excitedly as she peeked out the window.

As crews placed the final power pole and installed a meter on Lucille’s mobile home, she placed 36 light bulbs in their sockets. That evening, she stood outside, eagerly waiting.

“My heart was beating like crazy,” she says. “I was so anxious. I couldn’t wait. The porch light came on, and I jumped up and down, tears running down my face.”

Lucille hugged the lineworkers, then ran inside, trying all the light switches and hearing the the hum of her

desert. Life revolves around collecting water and making frequent trips to grocery stores for fresh food that only lasts a day or two. Many families are willing to make this sacrifice to stay on their ancestral land.

“The land is really important in terms of our culture,” says Deenise Becenti, NTUA government and public affairs manager. “We homestead, and we stay where our ancestors have always lived. And if that means we have to go without power, that is our home. That’s who we are and where we came from.”

they brought power to 233 homes in just six weeks. The work continues, reaching the more remote areas of NTUA’s service territory while attracting more volunteers.

“We’re going to the rural areas where families have been waiting decades,” Deenise says.

Crews work on Light Up Navajo projects from April through July. Utilities send lineworkers for one to two weeks to place poles and pull power lines over miles of challenging rocky terrain in hot weather.

“We have utilities from every corner of the continental United States participating in this effort,” Jeff says.

The Power of Sharing

This story is not a distant memory from when the rural West was in the dark or a recollection from a service trip abroad. In May 2025—after a 21-year wait— electricity finally came to Lucille’s home on the Navajo Nation in Arizona. The Navajo Nation is the largest reservation in the country, spanning parts of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. More than 10,000 households still do not have electricity. The Light Up Navajo initiative is working to bring that

To protect the place they call home, keep families on their homesteads and create an environment where younger generations can thrive, the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority leaned on a principle deeply rooted in the public power industry—helping communities in need.

A Plan for Change

No power means no running water, refrigeration, air conditioning or heating in the highelevation

NTUA set out to create change by sharing the story of the Navajo people. In 2019, NTUA presented a shocking reality: In the United States, more than 15,000 families live without an essential service the rest of the country has received for nearly 100 years.

“People were astounded,” Deenise says. “They couldn’t believe that there was a region in the United States where there are thousands upon thousands of American families living without electricity.”

Through the American Public Power Association, an organization representing 2,000 not-for-profit, community-owned utilities, utility leaders banded together to help close the gap.

“When utilities find that there is a need, the response has been tremendous,” says Jeff Haas, APPA senior vice president of membership and marketing. “It is one of the beautiful things about this industry.”

When disasters cause widespread outages and damage to a utility’s service area, crews and equipment from near and far soon arrive to restore power quickly. NTUA leaned on this principle to bring power to remote areas of its service territory.

This sparked a mutual aid initiative named Light Up Navajo. Instead of restoring service in the aftermath of disaster, volunteer crews build electric grids where none exist.

Volunteers from 28 utilities in 13 states assisted NTUA’s crews in 2019. Together,

Volunteer crews learn from the people they serve, hearing stories about their way of life and the challenges they face without electricity.

The people and place left a lasting impression on Jacob Manning, line crew foreman at Wells Rural Electric Co. in Nevada. Driving out to the work site each day, he witnessed what life is like without basic amenities so many take for granted. He shared the road with trucks hauling totes to gather water for families facing the summer heat without air conditioning.

“It was a humbling experience,” Jacob says. “I think you take a lot for granted. At our fingertips, we have everything. I was seeing what they have to go through day to day just to live.”

Light Up Navajo gives lineworkers opportunities to interact with residents during workdays and appreciation dinners. This brings the experience full circle, letting crews get to know the people they serve. Jacob was intrigued by the generational homesteads and the benefits electricity will bring.

“Now that we brought power to this plot of land, there’s fifth-generation kids or families that are now going to build on that land,” he says. “There’s people that we’ve talked to that had family members that were 95 years old and have never had power.”

Bringing Younger Generations Home

Natrina Bigthumb had a vision for her family’s future—a home with space for her four children to play, close enough for cousins, aunts and grandparents to be part of their daily lives.

“I wanted to be more connected to my roots,” she says. “I wanted my kids to be close to family. I wanted them to connect back to the land and the people.”

Staying where she was raised took patience and resilience. Natrina and her husband, Josh Benally, bought a modular home and waited three years to receive power. However, Natrina’s determination was steadfast.

“Our ancestors grew up in hogans with no water, with no lights,” she says. “Our ancestors waited. I’m sure we can wait. We can be patient.”

On the day their home received electricity, Natrina and Josh took off from work to prepare a meal for the crew. The main specialty was Navajo burgers—served on frybread instead of buns.

“I feel like they were more excited to be here,” Natrina says of the lineworkers. “They told us they were from Texas, and it

was just flat. So, when they came and they saw the mountains and the mesa and just how the scenery was here, they were just all in awe. It’s so beautiful. They really appreciated being in this area.

“They actually were pretty shocked that it takes so long for families to get utilities,” she says.

The crew members compared timelines. The few weeks it takes to establish power where they live translated to years just a few states away on the Navajo Nation. When community members move off the Navajo Nation for work and access to essential services, the length of time it takes to establish power service deters them from returning, Natrina says.

“Honestly, a lot of people within our community don’t come back because they don’t want to go through the process,” Natrina says.

But moving to a city was not what Natrina wanted for her family.

“We’re looking at the bigger picture,” she says.

Natrina’s home was electrified in June 2024. In July 2025, the house was connected to water service. Natrina and Josh are now living out their dreams close to family.

Bringing back the next generation is a vital part of the Light Up Navajo initiative.

“We’ve seen families and the younger generation start returning because there are

all the utility services,” Deenise says. “When electricity reaches that homestead, that’s where they build their home.”

‘The Land is Part of Us’

The connection to the land runs deep for the people of the Navajo Nation. For many, leaving the land their ancestors fought to reclaim is not an option.

From 1864-66, the federal government forced Navajo families to walk upwards of 300 miles from areas of modern-day Arizona and New Mexico to an internment camp in Bosque Redondo, New Mexico. The Long Walk of the Navajo was a death march— stripping families of their place and culture and taking the lives of an estimated 3,000 people. Over the span of two years, and more than 50 forced marches, tribal leaders and chiefs negotiated to reclaim their homes.

In 1868, the Navajo people and the U.S. federal government signed the Treaty of Bosque Redondo. The message among families returning to the Navajo Nation was clear: This is your land. Don’t leave it.

Multiple generations of families put down roots and established homesteads.

“We come from the land,” Deenise says. “The land is part of us, and that is what families believe. They share the stories with the visiting linemen and say, ‘This is why we’re here.’”

The Work Continues

It will take more than 20 years to connect the remaining 10,000-plus people still living without power.

ABOVE: During an appreciation dinner, Lucille Williams thanks the lineworkers who brought power to her home. LEFT: After waiting more than 20 years, Lucille finally has power connected to her home. PHOTOS COURTESY OF NTUA

“We average over 400 families per year with NTUA’s independent work and Light Up Navajo partnership,” Deenise says.

It takes more than dedicated utility employees and volunteers to get the job done. The average cost to connect one family is $40,000. Adding equipment costs— transmission lines, electric substations, house wiring and more—the project will cost close to $1 billion to complete.

Light Up Navajo must continue to receive national awareness, funding and volunteer commitment each year. Funding sources range from the federal government to donations by national organizations and labor and equipment contributed by participating utilities.

The American Public Power Association’s government relations team advocates for the initiative in the halls of Congress and among congressional delegations, Jeff says.

“The job isn’t done,” he says. “A lot of work remains. This is not a set-it-andforget-it operation. We need to continue to promote the fact that help is still needed.”

Lending a hand to those in need is emblematic of public power, says Jeff, who sees the power of APPA and participating utilities sharing the stories of the Navajo people to advocate for a brighter future.

“The Navajo people are very proud people,” Jeff says. “I’d come to find that they volunteer to serve in the military at

the highest rate of any ethnic group in the United States. And there are, literally, more than 10,000 people on the Navajo Nation that don’t have access to power or running water.”

Hope for the Future

When Lucille returned to the Navajo Nation to care for her elderly parents two years ago, it was like stepping back in time. Her mobile home was a reminder of sacrifices made to create a livable environment for her four children. She wondered if this could ever be a place her family called home again.

Lucille grew up without electricity and tried to continue the lifestyle with her own family before moving to places with power. Before she received electricity, she returned to the routine of hauling water, using ice to keep perishable food fresh, finding shady spots for temporary relief from the heat and renting a generator for intermittent power.

“It’s a lot of work, living without electricity,” Lucille says. “There’s no time for so many other things that you want to do.”

Without electricity, Lucille’s home wasn’t a place where her family could comfortably gather. Yet, with the flip of a switch, her children have renewed interest in returning to the homestead.

“Now that my kids want to come back just because of electricity, it makes a huge difference,” Lucille says. “It’s really a home now.”

The stories of families like Lucille’s and Natrina’s are passed on to electric utility staff and leaders, shared at APPA’s national conferences and echoed through the halls of Congress. APPA and NTUA hope the stories attract more volunteers and funding to keep the program running.

“It gives you purpose,” Deenise says. “I’ve been with NTUA for more than 27 years, and every time I hear these stories, you know, this is why I’m here.”

For Lucille, the connection stretches beyond poles and wires. She can now bridge the gap of displacement and place, inviting her family back to the land deeply rooted in their shared legacy.

“It’s not just for me, but for my kids and my grandkids,” Lucille says. “It felt so good, finally, to have electricity in my home.” n

Visit ntua.com/light-up-navajo.html for more information and ways to get involved with Light Up Navajo.

ABOVE: Natrina Bigthumb and her family gather in front of a bucket truck. Front row, from left, are daughters Jayde and Dallis. Back row, from left, are Natrina’s husband, Josh Benally, holding son Gunner, and Natrina. Not pictured is their son Dallin. RIGHT: The family’s dream of living close to relatives on the Navajo Nation became reality in 2024 when volunteer lineworkers from Texas connected their home.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NATRINA BIGTHUMB

NRECA

International brings light to communities across the globe It Starts With Power

By Victoria Hampton

After homes are energized and lineworkers head down dirt roads to make their journeys back to the United States, what happens to the families who have electricity for the first time? The team at NRECA International strives to build a sustainable, communitydriven power program that ensures rural families can thrive for generations.

Since 1962, NRECA International has helped establish more than 250 electric utilities and cooperatives in 54 countries. The success of bringing electricity to more than 220 million people is described in the stories that Senior Program Manager Ingrid Hunsicker shares about the transformative power of people coming together to improve the quality of life in remote communities.

“What does it really mean for them to not have access to power?” Ingrid says. “It’s a life of hardship.”

Lack of electricity means limited access to health care and education, and long hours of labor over everyday tasks, such as washing laundry, preparing food and hauling water.

Ingrid illustrates the experiences of a small Guatemalan homestead with 17 family members. In that household, young girls help shoulder the responsibility of feeding their family. They gather corn, grind it with hand tools, mix it with collected water to create a dough and cook tortillas. It takes five hours for just one staple of the day’s meals to be prepared. Without refrigeration, the process starts over the next day.

“You normally do not see girls graduate from sixth grade because they’re busy having to do work,” Ingrid says. “If you don’t have education, if you don’t have health care, if you don’t have help in being able to do the mundane work around the house, you never get out from under poverty.”

NRECA International enacted a plan to

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Locals gather at a market in Liberia. Two volunteer lineworkers make connections with children of a remote village in Guatemala during a rainy day walk. In Zambia, a woman from the village of Zuze stands in the doorway of her home with electricity thanks to the support of NRECA International.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Training staff members is a vital part of continuing success for the electric cooperatives NRECA helps establish in remote communities throughout the world. NRECA International’s Frank Bergh, center, provides training to Totota Electric Cooperative employees in Liberia. PHOTOS COURTESY OF NRECA INTERNATIONAL

change the lifestyle of this family’s community from surviving to thriving.

The nonprofit brings together electric cooperative experts— from lineworkers and engineers to general managers and chief finance officers—who partner with international communities to create rural electrification programs.

Bringing electricity to these towns and villages goes beyond poles and wires. NRECA International engages the communities at every step of the process, from establishing utilities and planning infrastructure to building ownership of the local grid.

By creating a sustainable model for international rural electrification, the nonprofit ensures the lights stay on long after work crews return home.

“It’s not just about the lineworkers going there and establishing that service,” Ingrid says. “It is also making sure that the people within that community are prepared to maintain it moving forward. Part of our requirements of where we can work includes an entity that’s going to take over the operation and maintenance of the system.”

That partnership may include municipalities, government organizations or local village associations that maintain the grid and oversee electric utility operations.

Back in Guatemala, Ingrid visits the same homestead five years later to learn how electricity has benefited the family.

“They had bought a corn mill, and now, instead of five hours that it used to take them to mill the corn by hand, it has taken them 15 minutes,” she says.

A refrigerator and microwave also help cut down on food preparation time. There is a clothes washer, saving multiple trips to the river. For entertainment, there’s a small TV and radio.

The health of the family also improved. Electric lights

eliminated toxic fumes from candles and kerosene lamps and smoke from cookfires, which can cause respiratory issues, especially in young children.

“The electricity was half the cost than what they used to have to spend on kerosene and batteries and candles,” Ingrid says.

As for the young girls who once spent each day preparing food, their worlds expanded in a way the generations of women before them never could have imagined.

“You know what those little girls are doing?” Ingrid says. “They’re going to school.” n

To learn more about how you can support NRECA International’s work in Guatemala, Zambia and Liberia, visit tinyurl.com/nrecaintlpower.

Easy Morning Meals

START THE DAY WITH BREAKFAST CASSEROLES

Hashbrown Casserole

32 ounces frozen, shredded hash browns, thawed

½ cup melted butter

10½ ounces condensed cream of chicken soup

16 ounces sour cream

½ cup finely diced onion

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Heat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish.

In a large bowl, combine hash browns, butter, soup, sour cream, onion, 1½ cups cheese and pepper. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish, and top with the reserved ½ cup of cheese.

Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY LILECHKA75

Crustless Quiche Casserole

12 large eggs

1/3 cup milk

2 tablespoons sour cream

½ cup shredded

Swiss cheese

¼ teaspoon salt

Dash of pepper

Heat oven to 350 F.

2-3 green onions, thinly sliced

¼ cup bacon bits

Spinach and/or mushrooms, sauteed and lightly salted

Spray a 9-by-13-inch pan with cooking spray. Set aside. In a medium-size mixing bowl, add eggs, milk, sour cream, cheese, salt and pepper. Whisk together until mixed well.

Add green onions, bacon and any sauteed veggies. Mix well.

Pour the mixture into the greased pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the center springs back when touched.

Bacon, Sweet Potato and Egg Casserole

1 pound bacon, cut into ½-inch strips

1 yellow onion, diced

1 red bell pepper, seeds removed, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

12 large eggs

1 cup milk

3 cups fresh or frozen diced sweet potatoes

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1½ teaspoons salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

2 green onions, chopped

Heat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside.

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until it is crispy. Remove bacon, and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Roughly chop the bacon. Set aside. Add the onion and red pepper to the skillet. Cook over medium heat until tender. Add the garlic, and cook for 2 minutes. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Whisk in the milk. Stir in the cooked vegetables, potatoes and 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Set ¾ cup of bacon aside, and stir in the rest. Season with salt and pepper.

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and green onions. Bake for 20 minutes. Evenly distribute the remaining bacon on the top of the casserole.

Bake for an additional 20 to 30 minutes or until the eggs are firm and the top is slightly golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes. Cut into squares, and serve warm.

Note: This casserole can be prepared in advance. Pour the mixture in the pan, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready to eat.

Overnight Breakfast Casserole

1 pound mild breakfast sausage

1 can crescent rolls

6 extra-large eggs, beaten

Heat oven to 350 F.

1 block cream cheese, cut into small cubes

2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheese

Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Brown sausage in skillet, draining excess grease. Spread crescent rolls in the bottom of the dish. Top with sausage. Pour eggs over sausage. Spread cream cheese cubes evenly, and top with shredded cheese. Bake for 30 minutes.

Note: You can prepare everything the night before. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to bake the next morning.

Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon vanilla extract, divided

2 cups blueberries, divided

2 loaves French bread, cubed

2 cups milk

8 large eggs

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Mix cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Fold in 1 cup blueberries.

Cover the bottom of a 10-by-14-inch baking dish with a layer of bread cubes. Spread cream cheese mixture over bread layer. Top with remaining bread cubes.

Whisk milk, eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl. Pour over bread mixture.

Sprinkle 1 cup blueberries over bread-egg mixture. Tightly cover dish with aluminum foil. Refrigerate 8 hours to overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 to 60 minutes before baking.

Heat the oven to 375 F. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil, and continue baking until the center is set, about 30 minutes.

READER EXCHANGE

Crafts/Hobbies

My former piano teacher, who just turned 108, lives in a retirement home. She still walks with a walker and doesn’t use a wheelchair. She plays bingo and mahjong but unfortunately is too arthritic to play the piano. She says her eyesight and hearing is not what it used to be, but at this point in life what is there to complain about? She is a lovely person and loves to write letters. She still sends me letters on white-lined paper. If anyone has blank cards or stationery so she can continue writing as long as she’s able, she would love the donations. Please send to Sarah Levin, 660 Woelfel Road, Room #113, Brookfield, WI 53045.

Heidi Dorman Sandpoint, Idaho

I’m looking for counted cross designs for towels. If anyone has booklets for sale, I’m interested. I recall American School of Needlework had several. Thanks.

Betty Mercado

1820 E. 10th St. The Dalles, OR 97058

Looking for old or new fishing lures, flies, snaps, beads and spinners for art projects.

Stella Brown 2485 Nakia Court Durham, CA 95938

Milestones

In October 1935, who would have known the adventure this child would have: born in North Dakota to farmers; married, moved to Oregon, had four children, divorced, struggled as a single mother with no child support, and worked seven days a week to raise her children. Yet, we all grew up not knowing the real struggles she went through. We look up to her for advice, love and support. She now has 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren. She will be 90 this year. Please help us celebrate her by sending her a card. Irene Roeder, 18160 Cottonwood Road, PMB 747, Sunriver, OR 97707.

Rhonda Mulford Redmond, Oregon

My dad, Ron, has a birthday this month that I’d love your help to celebrate. He has lived with chronic leukemia for about seven years, with a brief period of remission a few years ago. He has an amazing mindset and keeps going every day, yet these past few months have been increasingly tough with longer bouts of exhaustion and sickness. He is a retired self-employed painting contractor. He loves spending time with his family and playing bluegrass music with his band. These days, he finds much enjoyment sitting on the porch, playing and learning new bluegrass songs. He has been a longtime part of the Oregon bluegrass music community. He makes friends wherever he goes and has a heart for serving others. He would love to receive birthday wishes. Please send to Ron Taylor, 31373 SW Heater Road, Sherwood, OR 97140 or ron@taylorpaintingofportland.com.

Krista Frank Rhododendron, Oregon

My mom, Marolyn, turns 90 this month. She has talked about reaching this milestone for the past year. She would be thrilled to receive cards from readers. Mom has lived most of her life in Oregon, with just a short time in Larned, Kansas, when she was a young newlywed and my dad worked as an orderly at the mental hospital there. Mom and Dad loved to travel around the United States and into Canada, one of their epic trips involved a drive from Oregon to Maine, down the east coast to Florida and back to Oregon, timed to see the fall colors across the northern United States. She would love to read about your epic travel adventures. Send letters to Marolyn Bond, 5365 Columbus St. SE, Albany, OR 97323.

Lori Halsey Lebanon, Oregon

Happy Halloween!

Thanks

To all the thoughtful readers who sent birthday wishes, I have enjoyed reading every message. The cards made my birthday very special. I feel I have many new friends across the United States. My sincere thanks to all.

Trudi Engen Pilot Rock, Oregon

Submitting Requests Is Free

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, please. 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.

Take a ride through wilderness at the base of North America’s tallest peak

Denali National Park and Preserve

What Is It?

Denali National Park and Preserve is massive, covering more than 9,400 square miles. The name Denali means “tall one” or “high one”—fitting for the 20,310-foot-tall Mount McKinley, which can be seen from 200 miles away when skies are clear.

Take a Ride

One of the best ways to take in Denali during warmer months is by vehicle. Denali has one park road, and private vehicles can drive the first 15 miles to Savage River. A great option from May through September is a guided bus tour. One option, offered through a vendor that works with the National Park Service, is the Tundra Wilderness Tour, a 5 1/2-hour trip that takes visitors deep into the park to see landscapes and wildlife.

Wildlife

The park and preserve is known for the “big five” wildlife species: moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears and wolves. The species roam around the park, so finding specific animals on your trip can be difficult. Moose are often closer to the outer edges of the park, while bears are commonly in higher elevation areas or near rivers. Bus tours are great ways to see wildlife because the roads are often elevated and offer great vantage points.

Consider Winter

Fewer people visit Denali during winter, when temperatures can range from 40 F down to minus 40 F. For those willing to brave the elements, winter activities offer a different park experience. Cross-country skiing is popular, and the Murie Science and Learning Center— which acts as the park’s winter visitor center—has snowshoes visitors can borrow. Denali is far enough north you may see the Northern Lights.

More Information

An entrance pass for the national park is $15 a person, and the pass lasts for seven days. People 15 and younger do not need passes. Annual passes are available. For more information, visit nps.gov/dena or call 907-683-9532.

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY DOREEN LAWRENCE

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 sys -

tems 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

It’s just what seniors have been waiting for; a sleek new medical alert device with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills that instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help with just the push of a button for a one-time $149 price tag that’s a real steal after today’s instant rebate

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)

■ FLYING OUT THE DOOR: Trucks are being loaded with the new medical alert devices called FastHelp. They are now being delivered to lucky seniors who call the National Rebate Center Hotline at 1-800-330-4294 DEPT. HELP8723 today. Everyone is calling to get FastHelp, the sleek new medical alert device because it instantly connects you to unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever.

(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:

IF

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.

BORN AFTER 1961: You cannot use the rebate coupon below and must pay $299 Call: 1-800-330-9423 DEPT. HELP8723

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.

NIKON D810, 62mm lens ISO 250, f/6.3 at 1/400

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

By Dave LaBelle

When I fly into Portland, I try to get a seat on the right side—also known as the starboard side—of the airplane to see and photograph the Columbia River Valley, one of my favorite places on Earth.

The scenic airport approach along the Columbia is always different depending on the time of day, time of year and weather conditions. Ideally, I would choose to view the valley on a late afternoon in fall, maybe 30 minutes before sunset.

Whether you are a passenger in a car, riding on a train or flying in a plane, there are interesting pictures to be made, even through windows. I never pass through an airport or fly in a plane without a camera, because I never know what I might see. However, there are a few things to consider when photographing through windows of moving vehicles.

• A fast shutter speed—1/500th or faster—is preferred when photographing a landscape from a moving vessel. Faster shutter speeds help reduce camera shake and freeze what you are taking pictures of outside. If you do not have control of shutter speeds, try increasing your ISO and the camera will compensate. Faster shutter speeds are particularly helpful if you press your lens against the glass to reduce flare or reflections.

• Focusing can be a problem. If you’re using autofocus, the

camera will often try to focus on the glass, especially if it is dirty or scratched, so it’s best to switch to manual focus, which allows you to focus beyond the window.

• Turn your flash off, especially in the evening. The flash does not help because it can only illuminate a few feet, not the hundreds of feet below to Earth. Instead, it will reflect off the glass and ruin the picture. Increase your ISO and the camera will adjust for the lower light outside. n

Reader Challenge

Try photographing from a moving vehicle. Don’t wait to pull out your camera after you arrive at your destination. Experiment and see what interesting pictures you can make on the move.

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.

Photographer, author and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century, sharing photo tips and life perspectives with readers. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and his blog at bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.

The Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge snakes over the Columbia River, connecting Portland, Oregon, to Vancouver, Washington.

PHOTO BY DAVE LABELLE

When it’s you against nature, there’s only one tool you need: the tempered steel Stag Hunter from Stauer—now ONLY $59!

TSurvival of the Sharpest

hat first crack of thunder sounded like a bomb just fell on Ramshorn Peak. Black clouds rolled in and the wind shook the trees. I had ventured off the trail on my own, gambled with the weather and now I was trapped in the forest. Miles from camp. Surrounded by wilderness and watching eyes.

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I knew that if I was going to make it through the night I needed to find shelter and build a fire... fast. As the first raindrops fell, I reached for my Stag Hunter Knife

Stauer 30x60 HD Pocket Binoculars -a $99 valuewith your purchase of the Stag Hunter Knife

Forget about smartphones and GPS, because when it comes to taking on Mother Nature, there’s only one tool you really need. Our stunning Stag Hunter is the ultimate sidekick for surviving and thriving in the great outdoors. Priced at $149, the Stag Hunter can be yours today for an unbelievable $59! Call now and we’ll include a bonus leather sheath!

A legend in steel. The talented knifemakers of Trophy Stag Cutlery have done it again by crafting a fixedblade beauty that’s sharp in every sense of the word. The Stag Hunter sports an impressive 5⅓" tempered German stainless steel blade with a genuine deer stag horn and stained Pakkawood™ handle, brass hand guard and polished pommel. You get the best in 21st-century construction with a classic look inspired by legendary American pioneers.

But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 30x60 HD pocket binoculars and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Stag Hunter Knife.

BONUS! Call today and you’ll also receive this genuine leather sheath! The

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the craftsmanship. If you’re not completely impressed, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price. But we believe that once you wrap your fingers around the Stag Hunter’s handle, you’ll be ready to carve your own niche into the wild frontier.

“This knife is beautiful!” — J., La Crescent, MN

“The feel of this knife is unbelievable... this an incredibly fine instrument.” — H., Arvada, CO

Not shown actual size.

By Rachael Kvapil

From age 5, Ashley Bradish attended primary and secondary school in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Every school year, when the final bell rang, she and her family were on a plane back to Fairbanks for the summer. Ashley’s heart always belonged to Fairbanks, where she eventually settled after graduating from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

“My mom owned McPeak’s Badger Store,” Ashley says. “We moved to Tulsa for my dad’s work, but my mom kept her business and ran it remotely. So, we would fly back here as soon as school got out and fly to Tulsa right before the school year began.”

Given her fond memories riding bikes and in-line skating down the aisles of McPeak’s, perhaps it’s no surprise Ashley and her family eventually returned to Interior Alaska. Her upbeat outlook and deep love of the community led to her position as Golden Valley Electric Cooperative’s director of external affairs and public relations.

After working in the Alaska tourism industry and international event management, Ashley joined GVEA as a public relations specialist in 2020. Her mother-in-law worked at GVEA for 30 years, so she always heard great things about the cooperative. A little more than three years later, Ashley advanced to her current position.

Ashley Bradish: Dedicated

to Strengthening Connection Between Members and the Cooperative

Ashley’s team is responsible for all internal and external communication for the cooperative, sending out informational pieces and answering inquiries throughout the year. Social media is an important medium for communicating with members, so they post and respond to comments, questions and direct messages as often as possible.

“Members want to know what’s going on during major outages,” Ashley says. “Sometimes, it feels like we’re on social media 24/7 after a big storm, but we understand that members expect to hear from us. We try to show a bit of our personality when appropriate because it’s hard for people to connect with cookie-cutter corporate language.”

She and her team are also staff liaisons to the Member Advisory Committee that meets once a month, and they manage all internal and external GVEA events. The most significant events are the annual meeting and the board of directors’ election process. Many of these events are cyclical and managed with careful planning.

“I think our team’s job boils down to helping members and employees feel connected to their electric co-op,” she says. “When I worked in tourism, every guest only saw our tour once, so we worked to make it unforgettable. That’s a good approach at GVEA, too—every interaction with our members is a chance to build trust and strengthen relationships.”

From the moment Ashley began her current position, it’s been the team’s goal to improve membership perception and participation, something she says everyone at GVEA cares about deeply. On a professional level, she feels there is still room to grow, and she appreciates that GVEA supports that growth.

On a personal level, Ashley and her husband recently welcomed their third child, so her focus is on transitioning “from surviving to thriving.” At this stage of life, Ashley has little time for hobbies, but when she gets the chance, she enjoys playing guitar and performing in gospel choir and cabaret with the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. n

PHOTO BY GRACE WILSON

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

175-gallon fuel tank on metal stand. Filter, hose, nozzle. $375. 541-963-2585. 1025

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, tjabaughman@yahoo.com or 503-310-3321. 0326

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. 1025

Automotive

Chrysler 392 Hemi, $3K; Ford, 66 Fairlane Hood 390 inserts, straight $300; passenger side door, $100; fender, $100; Ford C-6 transmission, $300. La Grande, OR. 541-663-9091. 1025

1964 Corvette Stringray coupe. Runs well. Good condition. 327/300 HP. 4-speed. Motor rebuilt. Custom Corvette sound system. $29.5K. Text, 208-631-6322.

Classic ’89 Reatta. 120K miles. Clean, runs great. $4.5K. OBO. 541-894-2423. 1125

1970 Buick 455 + T400 and snorkel air cleaner. $1K or trade? 530-257-3756. 1025

Boats

Mirrocraft 12’ aluminum fishing, recreation boat. Year 2000. Two seats. Electric motor and 15-horse Honda gas motor. Asking $1,995. 541-444-1394. 1025

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. 1025

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): December issue—Oct. 31, 2025.

„ If submitting ad by mail, send appropriate payment with your name, address, email, phone number and the name of the electric utility that provides your magazine to: Marketplace, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133. Make check or money order payable to Ruralite.

„ We accept credit card payments for ads submitted by email. Send ad to info@pioneer.coop. Call 503-357-2105 to pay by credit card.

Advertisements are accepted in good faith. Pioneer Utility Resources is not liable for interactions between buyers and sellers.

Business Opportunities

For sale: quaint hardware store in Maupin, OR. Inventory and interior store recently updated and refreshed. See ad on Bizbuysell.com or email Maupincountrystore@gmail.com. $129K. 0226

Community Events

Art Center East’s Inaugural Glass Open exhibit and “Cloud Cover.” Artworks by Terri Rice. Sept. 5-Oct. 25. La Grande, OR. 541-624-2800. artcentereast.org. 1025

Farm Equipment

Farmi JL 301 logging winch for small tractor, $1K. Kubota rototiller, $1.5K. FOB Eugene. Ted, 458-910-3727. 1025

Kubota 40” offset tiller. $900. 541-875-4172. 1025

For Rent, Lease

Homes to rent in Burns, OR. 2,000 sqft. 4 bd and 2 ba, $1,500 per month. 700 sqft. home $800 per month. Text 541-731-0317 or email realtortallsteve@gmail.com. 1025

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, P.O. Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. 888-211-1715; tbsmads@yahoo.com. 1225AR

Hobbies, Gifts, Games

We ship warm, vintage Santa letters and nature-inspired artwork from Alaska for holidays and gift giving. Choose from Santa letter bundles, watercolor prints, cards, block prints, earrings and more. GV10 saves 10%. www.PamelaSueArtandDesigns.com 1025

Miscellaneous

Granite cemetery markers at affordable prices. Will ship to most places. For more info: highdesertmemorials.com; Joe, 541-815-8906 or highdesertmemorials@gmail.com. 1025

Pellet Stove-Quadra Fire Santa Fe, 700-1,900 sqft. Used 2 seasons. Great for house, mobile, rental. $1,750. Starchaser987@yahoo.com; 541-419-7477. 1025

Crushed rock for sale. John Long quarry on John Long Road at Rice Hill. 541-459-3072. Sheepskin slippers. Feather light and impossibly cozy. Handmade in OR, $155. softstarshoes.com/adult-fireside-slipper.html or call 541-753-5845. Free shipping. 1025

Attention, landowners. Grants available now. Wildland fire fuel reduction service. Steep ground, remote, rocky, small lot, big acreage, no problem. Blue Mountain Defensible Space LLC. Bluemountainbrush@gmail.com; Bluemountainbrush.com; 509-399-3473. 1025 Real Estate

Thriving turnkey all-inclusive business in Seneca, OR. Bear Valley store. $450K. Duke Warner Realty, ddwr@ortelco.net, 541-987-2363.

320 acres east of Adel, OR. Borders Hart Mountain views, Steens Mountain and Beaty Butte. Landowner tags, very rural. $179K. Quick sale, due to injury. For maps: 541-659-1573; thejugglingman3@gmail.com.

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. 1025

1996 Redmond single-wide manufactured home in Prairie City, OR. 56x14. 2 bd., 1 ba. Needs some TLC. Priced right. $13K. Serious inquiries only. 541-610-4797. 1025

One-of-a-kind property for sale by owner near La Pine, OR 97739. 3 bd., 2 ba., living room, dining area, sunroom, front porch, cedar deck. Pole barn, unfurnished cabin, wood shed, chicken house. Landscaped. 2.35 acres, great well, mature trees, very private. $715K. 541-420-0132. 1025

20-acre homestead. East of Montello, NV. With Conex, trailers and tractors. $30K. Ideal for off-grid living. geopup58@gmail.com. 1025

Recreational Rentals

Fun fall days available. Oceanfront cottage on the spectacular Central OR Coast. Stunning views, sandy beach. Scoters, spindrift and seals. 2 bd. and loft, all w/double beds. Now booking for 2026. Rates and reservations: wavecatcherbeachrentals.com; relax@WaveCatcherbeachrentals.com, 541-740-9953 or 541-740-2846. 1025

Deeded timeshare; 2-bd. unit; large deck overlooking golf. Week 32. Stoneridge Recreational Club, 150 Holiday Loop Blanchard, ID 83804. $4.8K Jeanette Williams, 509-830-2299. 1025

Recreational Vehicles

1999 Newmar Dutch Star 38’ RV. Diesel. 3126B Caterpillar engine. Freightliner chasis. One slide. Good condition. 95K miles. $18K. 530-616-0388.

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. 0226

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

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. 1025

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. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com.

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

GVEA Fee Reductions:

What the New Changes Mean for Members

PHOTO BY FOKUSIERT

It’s been many years since Golden Valley Electric Association last updated its fees. Following recent changes approved by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, some member fees are decreasing thanks to new technology and greater efficiencies.

Over time, the costs of providing individual member services have changed due to shifts in labor and the adoption of new technology. To ensure we follow the cost-causer, cost-payer ratemaking principle required by the RCA, GVEA filed updates to the schedule of deposit, charges and fees provided in its operating tariff, reflecting the change in the cost of providing those services. The RCA approved the requested changes Aug. 7, and made them effective Nov. 1, 2025.

Why the changes?

• Some fees no longer reflect today’s labor and service costs.

• With the adoption of new technology like advanced metering infrastructure, known as AMI or smart meters, many connection and reconnection fees are decreasing. AMI allows GVEA to connect new members remotely rather than requiring a visit to the business or residence. This cost savings is significant to our members, and we can begin flowing that cost savings through to our membership.

• The goal is simple: Cost-causers should be the costpayers so one member doesn’t end up paying for another member’s service needs.

For the full fee schedule, which includes some lesser common fee updates not covered at right, see GVEA’s Operating Tariff Sheet Nos. 31 through 32.3 at gvea. com/about-us/your-cooperative/tariff.

When does this start?

All new fees take effect Nov. 1, 2025. These updates make sure our fees are fair, reflect the actual cost of service and help keep overall rates affordable for everyone. n

Examples of What’s Changing

Join the Conversation on GVEA’s Rate Case

theSavedate

This fall, GVEA holds a series of public meetings in communities across its service territory to share the overall findings of the rate case, discuss rate design options and gather input from our members. Each meeting includes a presentation followed by time for member comments and questions. A virtual participation option is available for every meeting. All meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. See below for dates and locations.

• Fairbanks: Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Noel Wien Library Auditorium

• North Pole: Thursday, Oct. 16, at North Pole High School Commons

• Healy: Monday, Oct. 20, at Tri-Valley Community Center

• Delta: Wednesday Oct. 22, at Delta Lions Club

• Nenana: Thursday, Oct. 23, at Nenana Community Center

To learn more about GVEA’s rate case and to stay up to date on the most current information, visit gvea.com/rate-case.

GVEA CEO Travis Million will join members at upcoming community meetings to share information on the rate case and answer questions. PHOTO BY KELLY REYNOLDS

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation

Required by 39 USC 3685 Filed with the USPS on 9-22-25

Ruralite (publication number 397-460) is published monthly at 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Twelve issues are published annually with a subscription price of $9.19 paid by utility members in their electric bills.

The name and complete mailing address of the publisher is: Pioneer Utility Resources, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124.

The name and complete mailing address of the editor is Chasity Anderson, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. The owner is Pioneer Utility Resources (PUR). There are no known bondholders or other security holders.

PUR is a nonprofit organization mailing under DMM Section 423.12. Its purpose, function and nonprofit status for federal income tax purposes has not changed in the preceding 12 months.

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months

a. Total No. Copies (net press run) ................................................. 337,668

b. Paid Circulation (1) Outside County....................................................................335,507 (2) In-County .................................................................................... -0(3) Sales Through Dealers ...........................................................1,461 (4)

c. Total Paid Circulation (Sum of 15b(1) through 15b(4))

d.

(3) Other Classes ...............................................................................-0(4) Outside the Mail ...........................................................................-0-

e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (Sum of 15d(1) through 15d(4)) ....................................................... -0-

f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e) .....................................336,968

g. Copies Not Distributed .....................................................................700

h. Total (Sum of 15f and 15g) ........................................................ 337,668

i. Percent Paid (15c divided by 15f

a.

b. Paid Circulation (1) Outside County....................................................................335,711 (2) In-County ................................................................................... -0(3) Sales Through Dealers ............................................................ 1,413 (4) Other Classes .............................................................................-0-

c. Total Paid Circulation (Sum of 15b(1) through 15b(4)) ...............................................337,124

d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (1) Outside County ...........................................................................-0(2) In-County ....................................................................................-0(3) Other Classes ..............................................................................-0(4) Outside the Mail .........................................................................-0-

e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (Sum of 15d(1) through 15d(4)) ......................................................

f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e) ....................................

g. Copies Not Distributed ....................................................................415 h. Total (Sum of 15f and 15g) ........................................................337,539

i.

I certify the statements made by me are correct and complete. Chasity Anderson, Editorial Director

Holiday Recipes

Perfect for gift-giving or as an addition to your own kitchen, the holiday recipes cookbook is available just in time for the holiday season. Get more than 220 recipes in an 8½-by-11-inch indexed book for $10, postage included.

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

BY PHONE: Call 503-357-2105 to pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover card or American Express.

ONLINE: Visit ruralite.org.

Try our other cookbooks: Poultry, $8; Soups/Stews, $10; and Best Breads, $10

Tears From a Volcano

OnMay 18, 1980, the once-slumbering Mount St. Helens erupted in the Paci c Northwest. It was the most impressive display of nature’s power in North America’s recorded history. But even more impressive is what emerged from the chaos... a spectacular new creation born of ancient minerals named Helenite. Its lush, vivid color and amazing story instantly captured the attention of jewelry connoisseurs worldwide. You can now have four carats of the world’s newest stone for an absolutely unbelievable price.

Known as America’s emerald, Helenite makes it possible to give her a stone that’s brighter and has more re than any emerald without paying the exorbitant price. In fact, this many carats of an emerald that looks this perfect and glows this green would cost you upwards of $80,000. Your more beautiful and much more a ordable option features a perfect teardrop of Helenite set in gold-covered sterling silver suspended from a chain accented with even more verdant Helenite.

Helenite Earrings -a $129 valuewith purchase of Helenite Necklace

Limited Reserves. As one of the largest gemstone dealers in the world, we buy more carats of Helenite than anyone, which lets us give you a great price. However, this much gorgeous green for this price won’t last long. Don’t miss out. Helenite is only found in one section of Washington State, so call today! Romance guaranteed or your money back. Experience the scintillating beauty of the Helenite Teardrop Necklace for 30 days and if she isn’t completely in love with it send it back for a full refund of the item price. You can even keep the stud earrings as our thank you for giving us a try.

Helenite Teardrop Necklace (4 ¼ ctw) $299* .....

Helenite Stud Earrings (1 ctw) $129 +S&P

Helenite Set (5 ¼ ctw) $428* ...... Call-in price only $129 +S&P (Set includes necklace and stud earrings) Call now and mention the offer code to receive FREE earrings.

Necklace enlarged to show luxurious color

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

800-770-GVEA (4832) Fax 907-458-6365

Delta Junction Office 1681 Richardson Highway Delta Junction, AK 99737

907-452-1151

800-770-GVEA (4832) Fax 907-895-5472

Report Outages:

907-452-1151

800-770-GVEA (4832)

Select: Option 1, Option 1

View Outage Map: gvea.com/outages

www.gvea.com

AK-37

Nominating committees in GVEA districts 1, 2 and 3 will be seeking board of director applicants. If you live in one of these districts and are interested in serving your electric cooperative, find everything you need at gvea.com/elections, including

• Candidate application

• Policy outlining directors’ qualifications

• Application checklist Directors attend monthly board meetings and frequent committee meetings. Some travel and national certification are required. On average, directors can expect to spend 500 hours a year on GVEA-related business. Board members are paid meeting fees, plus standard mileage rates for travel. Health insurance is available. n

Application deadline:

5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026

Applications must be submitted online. Applications go live on October 30, 2025.

District 1

Includes the railroad industrial area, which includes Well Street and Phillips Field Road south of the Johansen Expressway to the Chena River; Graehl Subdivision to Hamilton Avenue and north of Adak Avenue; heading north out of Fairbanks, the general area west of the Steese Highway, including Fox, Chatanika, Haystack and Elliot Highway; Farmers Loop, Goldstream, Murphy Dome and Sheep Creek Roads; the University of Alaska; College Road; and north of Noyes Slough, excluding Lemeta Subdivisions south of College Road.

District 2

Includes Lemeta Subdivision; the general area south of Noyes Slough and north of the Chena River; Doyon Estates; Danby Street; Aurora Subdivision, Geist Road; University West; Chena Ridge; Goldhill Road; Ester; and the Parks Highway south to Mile 343.

District 3

Includes the area south of Chena Small Tracks and east of Chena Pump to Rosie Creek; the west side of Fairbanks, south of the Chena River, west of Peger Road and south of Airport Way; north of the Richardson Highway to Woll Road; and south of the Chena River and Chena Slough over to Nordale Road; and Richardson Highway west of Mile 352.

Applications and maps of each district are available at gvea.com/elections.

If you have questions, call 907-458-4518 or email pr@gvea.com.