Ruralite, Golden Valley Electric, June 2024

Ruralite

Monroe High School graduate

Ainsley Sauer received the 2024 GVEA Academic Degree Scholarship.

PHOTO BY GRACE WILSON

FEELING REJUVENATED WITH CBD

Everyone feels the hurt as we age, but CBD can help you deal with it

By: Beth Giles

Life really does fly by. Before I knew it, my 60s had arrived, and with them came some new gifts from dear ol’ Mother Nature—frequent knee pain, stress, low energy and sleeplessness. Now, I’m a realist about these things, I knew I wasn’t going to be young and springy forever. But still, with “golden years” nearly on my doorstep, I couldn’t help but feel a little cheated. That is until I found my own secret weapon. Another gift from Mother Nature.

It began a few months back when I was complaining about my aches and pains to my marathon-running granddaughter, Jen. She casually mentioned how she uses CBD rub to help with her joint pain. She said that CBD gave her more focus and clarity throughout the day and that her lingering muscle and joint discomfort no longer bothered her. She even felt comfortable signing up for back-toback marathons two weekends in a row this year. That made even this self-proclaimed skeptic take notice.

But I still had some concerns. According to one study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 70% of CBD products didn’t contain the amount of CBD stated on their labels. And, as a consumer, that’s terrifying! If I was going to try CBD, I needed to trust the source through and through. My two-fold research process naturally led me to Zebra CBD. First, I started calling my family and friends. Call me old fashioned but I wanted to know if

there were people whom I trusted (more than anonymous testimonials) who’ve had success using CBD besides my granddaughter.

Secondly, I wanted cold hard facts. Diving deep into the world of CBD research and clinical studies, I came across Emily Gray M.D., a physician at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) Medical School and medical advisor to Zebra CBD who is researching the effects of CBD. Dr. Gray wrote “early results with CBD have been promising and we have a lot of research underway now. I’ve had several patients using CBD with good success. It’s important that you know your source of CBD and how to use it properly.”

After hearing it from the doctor’s mouth, I returned to my research, asking more people and was amazed by the number of close friends and family who were already on the CBD train. Apparently, I was the only one without a clue! And funny enough, a couple of friends who commented were using the same brand as my granddaughter—Zebra CBD. There was no consensus as to why they were using CBD, but the top reasons given were for muscle & joint discomfort, mood support, sleep support, stress and headaches, as well as supporting overall health & wellness.

Eventually, even the most skeptical of the bunch can be won over. With a trusted CBD source in mind, I decided to give it a go.

When I viewed Zebra CBD’s selection online, I

was impressed by its array of products, including CBD oils called tinctures, topicals, chewable tablets, mints and gummies. After reading on their website that all their products are made with organically-grown hemp, I ordered... and it arrived within 2 days!

The first product I tried was the Rub. Now this stuff was strong. Immediately after rubbing it on my knee, the soothing effects kicked in. It had that familiar menthol cooling effect, which I personally find very relieving. And the best part is, after two weeks of using it, my knee pain no longer affected my daily mobility.

The Zebra Sleep Gummies, on the other hand, had a different but equally positive effect on my body. To take it, the instructions suggest chewing thoroughly. This was simple enough, and the taste was, well, lemony. After about 15 minutes, a sense of calm came over my body. It's hard to describe exactly; it's definitely not a "high" feeling. It's more like an overall sense of relaxation—and then I was out. Needless to say, I slept great and woke up refreshed. I haven’t slept like that in a long time.

While it hasn’t been a catch-all fix to every one of my health issues, it has eased the level and frequency of my aches. And it sure doesn’t seem like a coincidence how rejuvenated I feel. All-in-all, CBD is one of those things that you have to try for yourself. Although I was skeptical at first, I can safely say that I’m now a Zebra CBD fan and that I highly recommend their products. Also, I managed to speak with a Zebra CBD spokesperson willing to provide an exclusive. If you order this month, you’ll receive $10 off your first order by using promo code “RL10” at checkout. Plus, the company offers a 100% No-Hassle, Money-Back Guarantee. You can try it yourself and order Zebra CBD at ZebraCBD.com/CM or at 1-888-762-2699.

Ruralite

June 2024 • Volume 72, No. 6

CEO Michael Shepard

SENIOR VP OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Mike Teegarden, CCC

DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Noble Sprayberry

SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC

ASSISTANT EDITORS Chasity Anderson, CCC; Victoria Hampton, CCC; David Herder, CCC

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Valeri Pearon, Nina Todea

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION SR. MANAGER

Elizabeth Beatty

PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR

Alyssa McDougle

Ruralite (USPS 397-460) is published monthly for members for $4.83 per year, plus postage, by Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124—a not-for-profit Oregon cooperative corporation—to serve the communication needs of 47 consumer-owned electric utilities in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Nevada and California. Preferred periodical postage paid at Hillsboro, Oregon, 97123 and additional mailing offices. © 2024 Pioneer Utility Resources. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

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Stories to Inspire

Every once in a while, a phone call elevates my day. A few months ago, Carole McDonald reached out to suggest we put together a presidential election trivia story, just like we did in 2008.

Carole has been a loyal reader for some time and is also a history buff. She has an indescribable sparkle evident even during a phone call. Ever curious, I asked writer Ginger Meurer to write a story about Carole, which you will find on Page 10. If you meet Carole, be ready for her to quiz your history knowledge. And look for that trivia story in October.

Our Spotlight feature on Page 12 may inspire you to pack a bag and book a trip. We have lots of ideas for ways to see the country by boat, train and car. But this story isn’t about how to pack every minute full of adventure. Instead, we offer tips for ways to slow down and soak up your surroundings.

Some of my favorite family vacations were car trips where we listened to books on CD while we drove. It was fun to experience the geographic changes as we traveled. Our children appreciated impromptu stops for snacks and soccer ball breaks. I capped off each trip with a photo book commemorating our time on the road.

Celebrating 70 Years

This month, Ruralite magazine celebrates 70 years. To commemorate the event, we are publishing a recipe from our very first magazine in 1954. You can check out the chocolate refrigerator cake recipe on Page 30. I hope some of you are inspired to try it out.

Sincerely,

Mike Teegarden Editorial Director

Sweet and Spicy

Retired teacher doles out cookies and history lessons

Up Close, Page 10

GVEA Scholarship Recipients Radiate Energy

By Kris Capps

$16,000 Academic Degree Scholarship

Ainsley Sauer, Monroe Catholic High School

Science has always called to Ainsley Sauer, who graduates from Monroe Catholic High School with the class of 2024. From studying nature in her own backyard to volunteering and holding internships with local wildlife research organizations, she realized that a career in science was the path she wanted to pursue. Then she discovered the world of chemistry and learned how she could integrate that into her passion for the environment.

“I plan on attending the University of Alaska, Fairbanks,” she says. “My goal as a future scientist is to study the lesser-known Alaskan wilderness. The decomposers, microbiomes and forest floors of Alaska are often overlooked.”

Nor does the general public know much about them, she adds.

“My educational goal is to ultimately achieve a master’s degree and Ph.D majoring in environmental chemistry with a minor in wildlife science,” she says.

From there, environmental chemistry will be her pursuit.

When she’s not thinking about chemistry, she volunteers in the community, something her parents always encouraged. She has served as a catechist at her church, teaching children. Combining her knowledge of the local community and her love of environmental chemistry, she intends to research and share information about the unique and unknown aspects of the Alaskan environment, which can help homeowners and businesses manage their properties to the benefit of themselves and Alaska.

GVEA has announced eight scholarship recipients for the upcoming 2024/2025 academic year. These accomplished Interior residents convey energetic and thoughtful approaches to academics, volunteerism, sports and other activities.

$3,500 Career and Technical Education Scholarship

Christopher Graham, PEAK Homeschool

Five generations of Christopher Graham’s family have worked with Golden Valley Electric Association and he plans to follow in their footsteps.

After growing up in Healy and being active in basketball, hockey and outdoor pursuits all of his life, he graduates with the 2024 class of the PEAK Homeschool program and is looking toward his future.

He got a start learning mechanical skills during summer work in the Healy area. That led to an internship at the Usibelli Coal Mine where he learned from professionals.

He is signed up to take welding courses at UAF’s Career and Technical Center in the fall. This scholarship and a University of Alaska scholarship make that career track possible now.

Christopher wants to stay in Alaska and was accepted at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. With that acceptance letter in hand, he is now eligible to accept a paid internship at Usibelli Coal Mine.

“After I’m done with school, I am hoping to come back to Healy and get a full-time job,” he says. “I am really excited about what the next year or so has in store for me. I will push myself every day to make sure I take full advantage by working hard.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF AINSLEY SAUER

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER GRAHAM

$3,500 Academic Scholarships

Keira O’Connor,

North Pole High School

Lifelong Fairbanks/North Pole resident Keira O’Connor plans to major in nursing. She has yet to choose a college but has been accepted by several universities. Her plan is in place: earn a bachelor’s degree and then work toward a master’s degree in nursing. Her ultimate goal is to become a nurse practitioner, specializing in either pediatrics or orthopedics.

She was involved in many pursuits during her high school career, including student government, National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America and more. Keira also received many awards and has been recognized as a student leader.

“All this helped shape me into the person I am today by teaching me responsibility, leadership and determination,” she says.

Her long-term goal is to return to Alaska.

“Growing up here, I have seen firsthand that it is the best place to grow up and learn many of life’s valuable lessons,” she says. Eventually, she hopes to become a teacher and educate the next generation of health occupation students at a local high school.

“I feel what has helped me to find my passion for going into the medical field was the classes I was offered in high school and the teachers that let me explore different pathways, and I would like to be able to inspire future students in the same way,” she says.

Sophia Schultze, North Pole High School

This swimmer and literacy tutor has her eye on a career in criminal justice. Sophia Schultze plans to attend Stevenson University in Maryland, and because of her high school GPA, she will begin her studies there in the honors program.

“My interests lie in criminal investigation and being a prosecuting attorney,” she says. She may also consider working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“Having the opportunity to study and learn more about these careers will give me insight into what I truly want to do in life,” she writes in her application.

The Honors Program at Stevenson University will provide not only advanced classes but also create connections outside of the university, which will be critical in helping her select a career path.

Sophia has been swimming competitively since the age of 6, a passion she hopes to continue in college. She has earned lifeguarding certifications and will spend this summer working as a lifeguard for the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

She also volunteers at the Literacy Council of Alaska, primarily in the bookstore.

“I have always loved books,” she says. “I knew that investing my time in helping others achieve their academic goals was incredibly important.”

Hannah Willis, West Valley High School

Thanks to her parents, Hannah Willis grew up knowing the importance of hard work and “working smarter, not harder.” It is a philosophy she has followed juggling school, work and life.

“I have proven their values right many times over while growing up,” she says.

She tried many sports and learned she loved soccer. Throughout her soccer career, she learned the importance of effective communication and adapting to different situations. That helped hone her leadership skills and led to volunteering opportunities. Hannah often volunteers as a coach or referee for recreational soccer leagues.

Because she loves books, she also volunteers at Forget-Me-Not Books once a week, which she calls “a dream job.”

She was always interested in the medical field and finds herself drawn to anesthesiology as a unique way to help people.

“No one wants to be awake for surgery or even be able to feel the pain of a root canal,” she says.

Aware of the hard work required to get into medical school, Hannah has been accepted to Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina.

Her long-term plan is to return to Alaska to pursue a career in anesthesiology and become a local leader in that field. She won’t leave soccer behind either and plans to participate in the Fairbanks Youth Soccer Association upon her return.

PHOTO BY RED PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHN PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY APPLEGUM PHOTOGRAPHY

GOLDEN VALLEY ELECTRIC

$3,000 Continuing Education Scholarships

Alden Jerome, Salcha

Alden Jerome is a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy. This semester, he serves as the academy’s 4th Battalion commander.

His training at the naval academy, coupled with his upbringing in Alaska, prepared him to act quickly in dire situations. From witnessing a stranger help his brother with an allergic reaction on a remote hiking trail to experiencing a moose collision where a passerby stopped to help, his personal experiences have honed his ability to act under pressure.

“I learned that in extreme scenarios, our choices matter,” he writes in his application. “It was second nature to me to pursue a career in service to others, as I internalized these lessons.”

A graduate of Hutchison High School in May 2020, Alden reported to the naval academy just two months later.

As he nears graduation and an officer commission in the U.S. Navy, Alden intends to earn a master’s degree and has been accepted into the University of Glasgow’s Master of Science in Human Rights and International Politics program. His goal is to become one of the U.S. Navy’s leading experts on mass atrocity and genocide prevention.

The University of Glasgow awarded him the International Leaders Scholarship. This GVEA scholarship adds another 10%, enough for the U.S. Navy to grant permission for his study while remaining on active duty in the Navy.

Joshua Myers, Fairbanks

Joshua Myers decided early in life he wanted to be a community builder. At a young age, he volunteered to provide snacks to voters at his local precinct. He developed an appreciation for everyone who played a role in ensuring peoples’ right to vote.

In high school, he volunteered as a pre-K soccer coach. Between that and playing soccer and basketball himself, he discovered sports have a special power.

“They are not only a great source of fun for the participant, but sports bring the community together,” he says. “I made it my goal as a coach to make soccer enjoyable and uniting for community members of all ages.”

He sought a career that would not only pay the bills, but one where he could be of service to those around him. He chose law and hopes to work on criminal justice reform in the future.

Following his graduation from Patrick Henry College in Virginia in 2027 with a degree in American politics and policy, Joshua plans to attend law school.

“I know that by the end of my education, I will be equipped to serve my community through my career,” he says. “I also hope to pour into my community through volunteering my time.”

He sees pro bono work in his future, for those who can’t afford to hire an attorney.

He will continue serving as a volunteer soccer coach.

“Just as so many people have built me up—being there for me and guiding me through advice, help, stories and laughs—I hope to encourage those in my community to live and enjoy life to its fullest,” he writes in his application.

Will Tomeo, Denali Park

Growing up in rural Alaska, Will Tomeo saw firsthand the effects of climate change and pollution, including permafrost thawing and spruce bark beetle epidemics. At a young age, he began combatting these issues. He participated in highway and community cleanups, in middle school he worked with the Zero Landfill Ambassadors program to reduce waste in his local community, and he helped introduce a school recycling program that worked with local businesses to educate the community.

He found himself “absorbed with science” and that became his new passion. In eighth grade, he stumbled upon a YouTube video about the pros and cons of nuclear energy.

Today, he is at the University of Michigan, focusing his study on nuclear fusion.

“For a long time, I have believed that commercial nuclear fusion energy will be the greatest technological advancement humans will have ever made,” he says. “Seeing the possibility of contributing to cracking commercial nuclear fusion power in my career, I’ve seized the opportunity and have dedicated myself to studying nuclear fusion.”

Will intends to help change the energy landscape. He believes fusion power could replace fossil fuels, slow climate change and help “preserve the environment I care so much about.”

“My community could be spared harmful effects, such as deforestation, sinking ground and new pests not native to the area, such as ticks,” he writes in his application. “Fusion energy could provide GVEA and its members with a more efficient, affordable and sustainable power source.” n

PHOTO BY MARTHA TOMEO

PHOTO BY THORNTON STUDIOS

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSHUA MEYERS

A Message from GVEA’s Board Chair

As the Chair of Golden Valley Electric Association’s (GVEA) board of directors, I appreciate the opportunity to address our members as we embark on a significant transition in our cooperative’s leadership.

Several months ago, CEO John Burns shared with the board his intention to retire in June of this year, after eight years of exemplary service to GVEA and the membership. Since 2016, John has served as GVEA’s General Counsel and as CEO for the last four years. He has guided our cooperative through both challenges and triumphs with unwavering commitment to the cooperative and our members. On behalf of the board of directors, we extend our gratitude to John for his outstanding contributions and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.

We are appreciative to John for giving ample notice, which provided the board the opportunity to pursue a deliberative succession planning process to ensure that the best choice could be made for Golden Valley, our employees and members. As a result, the board approved a resolution at our May 28 meeting to name GVEA’s Chief Operating Officer, Travis Million, as the new CEO upon John’s retirement.

With over a dozen years of experience in the electric utility industry and a proven track record of leadership as CEO of Copper Valley Electric Association (CVEA) prior to coming to GVEA, Travis is well-prepared to lead the cooperative into its next chapter of growth and innovation. For the last eight months as COO he’s been responsible for overseeing GVEA’s Operations, Engineering and Power Supply departments – a role he also previously held at CVEA as well as being Manager of CVEA’s Power Generation and Compliance. In addition to his operational and executive credentials, Travis is familiar with Railbelt utility related issues through the various roles he has served, including with the Alaska Power Association (APA) as both a board member and as a member of APA’s Safety Committee, as a member of NRECA’s Generation Advisory Committee and with the Alaska Broadband Advisory Board.

Travis is imminently qualified to lead GVEA as CEO and his level experience will be a tremendous asset to the cooperative as we look to future. The board of directors is confident that Travis’ leadership will ensure a smooth transition as the cooperative continues to focus on serving its members, advancing cost-saving initiatives and working toward transformative change along the Railbelt.

It is evident that there are challenges ahead, both for GVEA and for the entire Railbelt, regarding rising costs, natural gas shortage issues and increasing regulations on carbon emissions. These challenges are precisely what GVEA’s Strategic Generation Plan (SGP) is meant to address. The board is confident that this plan will take this cooperative in the right direction as we remain committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity to our members, while also embracing innovation and adapting to meet evolving needs.

Additionally, continuing to collaborate and foster partnerships with the other Railbelt utilities, state and local governments, key stakeholders and organizations is essential as we all work to address these shared challenges and seize opportunities to lower costs and increase reliability.

With Travis at the helm, building upon John’s solid foundation, and the support of our dedicated staff, board members and members, I am confident that GVEA will achieve our goals and continue to fulfil the energy needs of the communities we serve.

GVEA Board of Directors, Chair

Tom DeLong

GVEA Board Chair, Tom DeLong.

Travis Million, GVEA’s CEO, effective June 7, 2024.

Walking with Heart: Healy’s Tribute to Paula Newton

By Kris Capps

About 135 people wearing purple braved blustery winds in Healy on May 11 to participate in the fourth annual Healy’s Heart On The Move, the 2024 Healy Heart Walk.

Purple just happens to be the favorite color of longtime Healy resident and beloved schoolteacher Paula Newton. She also served many years on the GVEA Good¢ents Board of Trustees. The walk was in her honor, as she continues recovering from open heart surgery in March.

Her recovery is going so well, she was able to join the crowd and walk the 2.4-mile course with her family. But she was overcome with emotion if she tried to talk about how she felt, knowing all the people supported her.

“I really felt the love of the community,” she says.

Paula always had a heart murmur and routinely had it checked every few years. When COVID-19 hit, that routine fell by the wayside. Eight years suddenly went by and when she finally did get a checkup, she discovered surgery was the only option to replace an aortic valve in her heart.

“It went from mild to severe in that time,” she recalls.

Luckily, the surgery went well and her recovery is right on track. Friends, family members and colleagues showed up for the walk to support her, both financially and emotionally.

There were bikers, joggers, dog walkers, wagons and strollers. One person even carried a cat on her back, in a little carrier. Everyone wore a purple Healy’s Heart On

The Move T-shirt and many sported heart-shaped purple sunglasses.

The $1,916 raised by participants will be split between the American Heart

Association and, the Newton Family, which chooses to donate its share to buy a mobile AED for the Tri-Valley Community Center or some other piece of valuable heart-healthy medical equipment.

This local walk began in May 2021 when Healy residents rallied around a local family whose baby daughter died of a congenital heart defect. Elizabeth Loatwall and Tony McGanty lost 10-month-old Briar four years ago. When the community gathered to help her family, the parents were overwhelmed by the community’s support.

“This show of love from everybody—it’s more than I could ever dream,” Elizabeth said at the time. “It meant more to us than they would ever know, and we can feel the love from everyone.”

The event continues today. This year, Elizabeth walked, pushing one of her children in a stroller.

Local Healy resident Tina Graham launched the first walk in 2021 when she learned of Briar’s sudden and tragic death. It hit home because her own son had a heart condition as an infant and has had a pacemaker most of his life. He is now an adult, who had additional pacemaker surgeries in 2022 and 2023.

“This was a way that neighbors could rally around the hurting family,” Tina says, looking back. “We could be outside and yet together after COVID restrictions, and show them love and financial support and also do something that was good for our health and great for heart health awareness.”

Golden Valley Electric Association and Usibelli Coal Mine, both integral to the Healy community, sponsored the event this year, which included a community barbecue after the walk and T-shirts for participants. n

ABOVE: Longtime teacher Paula Newton is front and center at Healy’s Heart Walk, still recovering from open heart surgery in March. She was overwhelmed by the throng of people who showed up to support her and heart health. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KRIS CAPPS

LEFT: Rita Jacobs and Dylinn Christensen, Paula Newton’s granddaughter, made sure to wear all purple—including heart-shaped purple sunglasses—during the Healy Heart Walk.

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Retired teacher doles out cookies and history lessons

old mixer died, saying, “You can’t have

Other friends bring her nuts to hand grind for her vanilla crescents or provide labor to help roll out savory treats like her famous pierogies or her poultry-filled

Pierogies can take days to make, and grinding nuts the old-fashioned way is challenging, though not as rough as when her father had to crack the nut shells first. It’s hard work, but Carole loves to please.

“I’m a frustrated pastry chef, what can I say? I should have gone to culinary school,”

Instead, the Pennsylvania native studied to be a teacher and taught second and third grades in Cleveland, Ohio, where she

It was Carole’s first-generation PolishAmerican family that encouraged her to teach. Her parents didn’t want her to do

“She’d buy a yard of material and make a dress. When that wore out, she’d take the zipper from that dress and sew it into the new one. She was very resourceful,”

Carole still uses her educator skills crafting quick history quizzes to share at the DMV, the post office and the grocery store.

“What’s my question today?” the gas station attendant asks her whenever she goes in.

Carole loves to make people laugh, too, especially when she issues invitations to join her “elite club.” The club has no meetings and charges no dues. It’s a farflung collection of people who own the fancy crochet toilet paper cozies she started making just before the pandemic.

Carole took a cozy to her cardiologist.

“All the nurses started laughing, and they all wanted them,” she says. “I brought a little levity to the health care industry.”

She went on to give them to everyone she met: her dentist, her lawyer, the doctor next door, even strangers in parking lots. We’ll never know if the red, white and blue toilet paper cozy Carole sent Donald Trump is sitting on the back of a golden toilet. But the

Pizzelle Italian Cookies

½ pound butter

½ pound Fleischmann's original margarine

1½ cups granulated sugar

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Carole MacDonald takes a break in her

presidential seal gleams through the glass on a framed thank-you note for the “kind letter and humorous gift.”

6 eggs

3 teaspoons anise extract (or sambuca, an anise-flavored liqueur if anise prices keep going up)

2 teaspoons vanilla

5 cups flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

You can add 1 teaspoon salt, but Carole doesn’t. Cream the butter, margarine and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time. Then add extracts. Sift dry ingredients, then add them to the wet. Cover the batter with foil and refrigerate overnight. Heat your pizzelle iron. Then drop one tablespoon batter on each side and cook for 30 seconds.

to share a glamor portrait she had taken years ago. Carole loves to crochet and share her work, whether it be granny square blankets or toilet paper toppers. Carole’s pierogies are stuffed with potatoes and cheese or with onions and sauerkraut. It takes Carole two days to make her poultry pastry squares.

Carole MacDonald’s oatmeal cookies are made using the recipe on the back of the butterscotch chip bag.

Carole guesses she’s made more than 200 toilet toppers, and they’re in at least 44 states and three countries. But she’s not slowing down. In 2021, she had her knee replaced and brought a stash of yarn to the hospital.

“It was a diversion,” she says. “I don’t want to think about the pain. So, I was making them and giving them away to the nurses in the hospital.”

Carole loves to laugh, but she also has a serious side that helped her lead her rural

homeowners organization for 20 years. There was no management company. Carole did it all from hand-delivering meeting notes and notices to all 250-plus houses to keeping distant landowners who hadn’t built yet responsible for lot upkeep. She fought for the homeowners, as well, heading “over the hump from Pahrump” to speak out against proposed legislation that may have weakened the organization. After a few years, state officials insisted she wasn’t qualified to do the job. So, Carole drove more than an hour each way to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to take classes and get her certification. She didn’t

hang up her hat until 2018 when she broke her back. In recovery after surgery, she resolved, “No more.”

Though she’s no longer the face of the HOA, Carole keeps cooking, crocheting, learning and, most of all, laughing.

A while back, Carole tripped over a cord, and 911 was called to check her out. The EMTs came with the gurney ready.

“I asked them, ‘Would you like to be a member of my elite club?’ And I said, ‘Pick whichever one you want.’”

“You don’t want to go to the hospital?” they asked.

“Nah, I’m OK,” she replied. n

Pahrump, Nevada, kitchen

Boats, Trains and Automobiles

By Pamela A. Keene

Think about your last vacation. What do you remember? Did you hurry from one activity or place to another, getting a bird’seye view of too many things to enjoy the journey?

If so, there’s good news. You can use 2024 to do something different: Explore iconic highways, ride the rails to multiple destinations or board a riverboat on the country’s waterways.

“There’s a growing trend called ‘slow tourism,’ a chance to enjoy the journey, make memories, eat like a local, participate in experiences and discover the heart of a destination,” says Berkeley Young, president of tourism research and consulting firm Young Strategies Inc. “You can travel by road, rail or boat; set your own pace; and create lasting memories—all without a passport.”

Similarly, Kim Orlando, founder and CEO of women’s travel site SheBuysTravel, says she’s seen an increase in domestic travel for all kinds of users—families, girls’ getaways, affinity groups and multigenerational travelers.

“Domestic destinations are packed with experiences that range from riverboat cruising to road trips, and it's usually more affordable than traveling overseas,” she says. “Vacation varieties are endless: mountains, desert, oceans, lake life. Busy cities and charming small towns offer travelers diverse cultural experiences and cuisines.”

Kim says domestic travel has many advantages.

“The language, roads and monetary systems are familiar, and time differences are not as drastic, giving you more fun time in your destination and less stress,” she says. “You can literally hop in your car and go.”

Asphalt Icons

When you ask people about America’s iconic drives, three or four big routes come to mind, depending on where you live: the Pacific Coast Highway from Dana Point, California, to Leggett, Washington; historic Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica/ Los Angeles; and U.S. 1 on the East Coast from Key West, Florida, to Fort Kent, Maine.

“Taking a road trip along any of America’s iconic highways opens up a whole world of itineraries, regardless of where you live and what you enjoy,” Berkeley says. “Whether you take a long weekend or an extended trip, consider exploring some of the country’s more unusual and diverse regions defined by their distinctive highways.”

He says a highway route rather than a connect-the-dots system of interstates can make for a more relaxing vacation.

Ride the Rails

With more than 21,400 miles of routes and more than 500 destinations across 46 states and parts of Canada, travel via Amtrak connects people to big cities, small towns, national parks, historic sites, popular travel destinations and off-thebeaten-path adventures.

“Train travel can be a good alternative to driving or flying, and these days, customers have many options when taking a trip by rail,” says Kimberly Woods, senior public relations manager at Amtrak’s Washington, D.C., office. “Diverse destinations and

the variety of routes and accommodations broaden choices, whether you’re traveling with children, as a couple, solo or with a group of friends.”

Amtrak is the only national passenger rail service in the United States. In 2023, it had more than 28 million passengers, according to the company’s annual report.

“We’re seeing a strong increase in people who choose to travel with us because of the convenience, the chance to see more of the country than flying and the simple novelty of being on a train,” Kimberly says.

Amtrak offers multiple options to travel short distances, such as from Washington, D.C., to New York, Chicago to Milwaukee and various locations in Southern California.

Leisure travelers opt for overnight travel on several longdistance trains. The configurations of accommodations can include several types of service. First class offers private rooms with chairs that convert to upper and lower berths, larger bedrooms, family suites and accessible bedrooms. Coach cars have extra legroom and dedicated luggage storage.

A white-tablecloth dining car features traditional chef-curated menus. Customers can visit a cafe car to buy more casual options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Passengers can also bring their own food, beverages and snacks. Basic Wi-Fi is offered, and passengers can travel with small pets or bring their bicycles.

The Auto Train offers daily service from Lorton, Virginia, to Sanford, Florida, and allows customers to travel with vehicles.

In the Northeast between Washington, D.C., New York and Boston, customers travel for work, vacation or day trips. However, as Amtrak’s routes fan out westward, the number of leisure travelers increases.

“You can board in New York and travel along the East Coast to Washington, D.C., to Florida and as far south to Miami,” Kimberly says. “Chicago is our hub for Western itineraries to Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Oakland/San Francisco; and Los Angeles with a variety of other destinations along the way in large cities and smaller towns alike.”

In addition to direct routes, spur lines fill in across the lower half of the country. The Amtrak USA Rail Pass includes hop on/off access for 10 segments over 30 days for a single fare.

“When you travel by train, you can be as busy or relaxed as you want,” Kimberly says. “You’ll have space to work, read, watch movies on your devices, have good old-fashioned face-toface conversations or just sit back and look out the window to enjoy the scenery.”

Rolling Down the River

The sight of a paddle-wheeler cruising down the Mississippi River conjures up romantic images of an earlier time in America’s history when waterways transported pioneers and settlers westward. Today, traveling by riverboat or small ship has been significantly modernized, yet the romance and adventure remain.

River cruises allow visitors to enjoy laid-back transportation with an itinerary of interesting stops.

“Cruising the Mississippi River, you can visit St. Louis to

ADOBE STOCK IMAGE BY MICHAEL URMANN

Whether you choose to travel by boat, train, plane or car, allow time for discovery stops to explore unexpected treasures along the way. Those off-the-beaten-path finds can be the highlights of your trip.

see the iconic Gateway Arch National Park, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, and Forest Park and its many free attractions,” says Katie Blake, public relations specialist with Missouri Division of Tourism. “Smaller towns along the river reveal much of the country’s history and culture, especially because many of them were founded as the nation grew.”

Alexa Paolella, manager of public relations for American Cruise Lines, says people love the different twist on U.S. vacations that small ships offer.

Traveling the country’s waterways by riverboat opens a whole new experience that’s like a flashback in time,” she says. “No passport is required, and your hotel travels with you from port to port, so you unpack once. It’s a much more relaxed pace for discovery with more time to explore small river towns and picturesque shoreside villages, especially the places large cruise ships don’t go.”

American Cruise Lines’ fleet of 19 ships sail America’s coastlines and rivers. Accommodations vary from 90 to 180 passengers, depending on the vessel. Classic paddle-wheelers and modern riverboats navigate the Mississippi and Columbia rivers.

The company’s small cruise ships transport guests along both coasts, with itineraries in Alaska and Puget Sound and cruises exploring the New England coast all the way to the Florida Keys. It has also added national park tours to its offerings.

PHOTO BY VISITMO.COM

PHOTO BY SEEING SOUTHERN

PHOTO BY AMERICAN CRUISE LINES

Many of the company’s itineraries are themed around music, history or cuisine that explore the distinctive characteristics of each ship’s ports of call.

“All our cruises offer a variety of experiences and activities ashore each day, providing access to larger cities but also the opportunity to relish the unique experiences only found in the smaller towns along the way,” Alexa says. “Onboard, curated entertainment and chef-prepared daily meals complement the comfortable and relaxing travel that comes with sailing on America’s waterways.”

Best Resources for Local Knowledge

“Some of the best planning resources are state tourism divisions and local convention and visitors bureaus,” Berkeley says. “Their job is to know their states, towns and counties and to provide easy ways to take a vacation that suits your interests and lifestyles.”

Every state has a dedicated tourism department with staff who promote visitation by creating trip plans around music, food, culture and history. Research them first before drilling down to specific stops along the way via city/town or county-specific visitors bureaus and welcome centers.

“State and local agencies work with local attractions, accommodations, dining and special events and maintain extensive information about what to do, the best times to visit, outdoor activities and much more,” he says. “They have access to information about recommended routes and many times offer promotions for hotels, restaurants and attractions.”

Key travel planning resources include state tourism and economic departments, and local convention and visitors bureaus.

Berkeley says true leisure travel is about the experience, but vacationers in a hurry to get where they’re going may miss interesting discoveries along the way.

“Just remember: Don’t sweat the tiny details,” he says. “ Determine the path you want to explore, book your transportation and some lodging, and get out there,” he says. “Fill in your itinerary as you go along. Meet locals and eat local. Be adventuresome—go find the real America.” n

Asphalt Icons: Take Your Pick for Your Next Road Trip Discovery

By Pamela A. Keene

Ohio native Kim Taddie saw the ocean for the first time when she was nearly 22 years old, landing a job in Ocean City, Maryland. She’s been exploring ever since. She and her husband, Gordon McLachlan, have traveled across North America and around the globe. Now residents of Ocean Beach, California, they have spent much of their 40-year marriage on the road.

“Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, our family would go camping but only to places nearby, so I’d never really been anywhere until my early 20s,” says Kim, a retired nurse practitioner.

“When we met, Gordon had been an avid traveler, not just in the U.S. but all over the planet. It was a perfect match: I wanted to travel more, and Gordon was living my dream.”

Aside from their globe-trotting, they’ve traversed the United States, mostly on the road in their motorhome. One of Kim’s favorite courses is along the first transcontinental highway, Route 66 between Chicago and Southern California.

“Traveling along the two-lane asphalt road is like going back to the 1950s with roadside attractions, motor courts, crazy statues and all kinds of nostalgia,” she says. “It’s not as popular as a travel route since the interstates have opened up, but it is so worth the drive because of what it represents in our country’s history.”

Among Gordon’s favorite routes is the 1,650-mile Pacific Coast Highway, which hugs the shores of the Pacific Ocean from Dana Point, California, north to Leggett, Washington.

“Spectacular views, the chance to see whales and other wildlife offshore, plus memorable sights like Big Sur between Carmel and San Simeon, the Avenue of the Giants in Weott, California, and the Heceta Head Lighthouse in Florence, Oregon, are why we keep going back,” he says. “Camping in state parks along the way allows us to take our time and discover other treasures, too.”

Nicky Omohundro, an Oklahoma City-based editor who launched Littlefamilyadventure. com to encourage family travel, says the country’s iconic highways are a great place to start a family road trip.

“Each has its own trademark stops, like the Delta Blues Trail that’s part of the Great River Road along the Mississippi River and, of course, Route 66,” she says.

Nicky advises tackling renowned highways in sections, and she often travels with no cellphone, just a map.

“For me, when we do this, it’s more about the journey than the destination,” she says. “And we’re never disappointed.

“Kitschy street art in many of the towns, retro diners, motor courts and gas stations are just a few of the reasons we love Route 66. You almost have to see it to believe it. Giant statues of American music and film stars like Elvis, James Dean and Marilyn Monroe at the Braidwood, Illinois, Polk-A-Dot Drive In and the Catoosa, Oklahoma, Blue Whale prove the point. The route doesn’t really take itself too seriously.”

ADOBESTOCKIMAGEBYVECTORPOCKET

It's Coming Back: ZUCCHINI SEASON

Roasted Summer Squash

1 pound summer squash

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Heat oven to 400 F.

1 tablespoon panko bread crumbs

1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Cut squash into ½-inch-thick slices. Toss with olive oil. Combine the remaining ingredients in a small bowl, and toss with squash.

Place the squash on a baking sheet. Roast for 12 to 14 minutes or until squash is tender.

Broil for 1 to 2 minutes or until crumbs are lightly browned.

Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway

ADOBE STOCK

PHOTO BY SVETLANA KOLPAKOVA

Easy Summer Squash and Zucchini Bread

1/2 cup yellow squash, grated

1/2 cup zucchini, grated

1/2 cup of brown sugar

1/2 cup white granulated sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 extra-large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

11/2 cups all-purpose flour

Heat oven to 350 F.

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup chopped pecans and walnuts, plus extra for topping

Cinnamon and sugar for sprinkling

Combine yellow squash, zucchini, brown sugar, white sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla in a bowl. Mix well. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, allspice and cinnamon. Combine until mixed and all ingredients are wet. Fold in nuts.

Pour into a greased 9-by-5 loaf pan. Top with extra nuts, and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes.

Let cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan.

Zucchini Pesto Pasta

1 pint cherry tomatoes

Olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

6 medium yellow squash or zucchini, or mix of both

Heat oven to 400 F.

16 ounces spaghetti

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup basil pesto

1/2 cup pasta cooking water

1 cup coarsely grated Parmesan cheese

Fill a large pot with salted water, and bring to a boil.

Toss tomatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread out in one layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash zucchini. Cut off ends, then cut in half lengthwise. Slice into half-moon pieces.

Cook pasta until al dente. While it is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Use a pan that’s big enough to hold all the pasta when it’s cooked. When the oil is hot, add the minced garlic. Turn down the heat to medium. Saute until you can start to smell garlic, about one minute.

Add the sliced zucchini. Season to taste with salt and fresh-ground black pepper. Cook until the zucchini is tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the pesto to the cooked zucchini. Gently stir to combine. Add the roasted tomatoes. Add the drained cooked pasta to the zucchini/pesto/ tomato combination. Gently mix, adding pasta cooking water until the mixture is combined. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.

Southern Squash Casserole

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

6 to 8 squash, sliced

1 large onion, thinly sliced 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 sleeve crushed buttery crackers

Heat oven to 350 F. Grease a casserole dish.

Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over mediumhigh heat. Saute the squash and onion until soft. Remove from heat. Stir in the Parmesan, cheddar and sour cream. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

Scoop the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the cracker crumbs evenly over the top. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Marinated Zucchini and Summer Squash

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon minced garlic

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 pound zucchini (about 3 large), trimmed and sliced diagonally, about 1/2-inch thick

1 pound yellow crookneck squash (about 3 large), trimmed and sliced diagonally, about 1/2-inch thick

Whisk the vinegar, lemon juice and garlic in a large bowl to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in the oil.

Spoon 3 tablespoons of the marinade into a small bowl. Cover and set aside.

Add the zucchini and yellow squash to the remaining marinade in the large bowl. Toss to coat.

Transfer the mixture to a 9-by-13 glass baking dish. Cover and marinate at room temperature for at least three hours, or cover and refrigerate for up to one day.

Prepare a grill for medium-high heat.

Grill the vegetables until they are crisp-tender and brown, turning occasionally, about 8 minutes.

Transfer the vegetables to a platter. Drizzle with the reserved marinade. Serve hot or at room temperature.

READER EXCHANGE

Crafts/Hobbies

Senior lady looking for marbles, beads, small trinkets, costume jewelry and small polished rocks for resin crafting. Thank you in advance.

Patti Gordon 180 Jacob Acres Lane Curtin, OR 97424

Looking for 21/2" strips of cotton fabric— different kinds of fabric from all over. Anything longer than 6 inches (21/2"x 6"). Thank you.

Becky Robison 6575 Seattle Ave. Bay City, OR 97107

I am looking for any Scrabble tiles you are willing to donate to do an art project for a close friend who is grieving the loss of her husband. This will be a tribute to her husband and their life together. Hopefully, it will be a way to help in her grieving process. Thank you for your help and your heart.

Debby Barich

31323 Woodsia Lane Eugene, OR 97405

Milestones

My friend, Margaret, turns 102 in June. I would love for her to receive cards to congratulate her on this amazing age. Please send to Margaret Brunner, Baron’s Residential Care, 5289 Loci St., San Diego, CA 92117.

Lynda Alberico Susanville, California

My mom turns 89 in June. She has Alzheimer’s and lives with family. Even though she can no longer correspond, she loves to receive mail. She enjoys pictures of animals. I know she would be thrilled to receive cards. Thank you in advance for your kindness and thoughtfulness. Please send to Shirley Rae, 4927 Genevieve Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90041.

Kathleen Ahern St. Maries, Idaho

My father celebrates his 100th birthday in June. He is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran and postal worker. One of his most meaningful memories is being selected for an Honor Flight. He enjoys people and loves to lend a listening ear to those in need. Quiet and reserved, he is our family historian. As many of his friends are no longer here to celebrate with him, please join in celebrating his milestone with a card. I know he will read each card and share the broadest and warmest of smiles. Send to Forrest Williams, 2140 Center St., Apt. 201, Ashland, OH 44805. Thank you.

Lea Ann Curry Pahrump, Nevada

Odds

I am in need of 60-watt incandescent light bulbs for a cat’s house. She uses the light bulbs in the winter to keep warm. LED light bulbs are great but do not generate heat to keep Ringo warm. Thank you in advance.

Donna Morelini

476-980 Jeffrey Lane Susanville, CA 96130

Submitting Requests Is Free

I bought the wrong ink for my Canon printer. It is unopened. 245 Black and 244 Color Fine cartridges to be donated to anyone with the correct Canon printer.

Mary Cooke 1503 Conklin Lane Cove, OR 97824

Recipes

Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, my mom would bake an egg-based Germanstyle dinner roll. The recipes I have found don’t have the golden color or flavor. If anyone knows about this type of roll and has a recipe, I would appreciate it.

Richard Firman P.O. Box 6 Likely, CA 96116

Thanks

In the June 2023 edition I requested help translating postcards written in Schweizerdeutsch. The response was overwhelming. There were 14 readers willing to help me. It’s a project still in progress, but I wanted to send my sincere thanks to all who responded.

Jerilee Henderson Tillamook, Oregon

Have a safe summer!

Send your request—no attachments, please—to readerexchange@ruralite.org or mail to Reader Exchange, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Fill in the subject line with Reader Exchange. Acceptance, scheduling and editing are at the editor’s discretion. Single requests only, please. No duplicates.

Submissions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis and as space allows. We cannot honor every request. Please affirm you have authorization from all appropriate parties before submitting. By submitting, you indemnify Reader Exchange, Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., its officers, directors, employees, utility clients and insurers from all legal liability incurred by the publication of information.

We no longer accept pen pal requests. You may submit a pen pal request as a Marketplace ad. Marketplace pricing applies. When submitting a milestone request, please send it at least two months before the milestone. Phone numbers will not be published. Email addresses will be published if part of the ad, but you must include a postal address. Requests also must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.

See rocks reach for the skies in Utah at

Bryce Canyon National Park

What Is It?

See a forest of hoodoos—tall shafts of rock—reach for the sky in Southern Utah at Bryce Canyon National Park. The spires and vistas are a great chance to take in the beauty of nature.

How Do Hoodoos Form?

First, at one point roughly 50 million years ago, the area was the low point of an ancient floodplain, where particles were deposited and bound together. Tectonic plates caused uplift as the North American plate was pushed upward by a subducted plate to the west. Then, rain, water and ice eroded much of the sediment, with the towers remaining.

What to Do

Be sure to see the Bryce Amphitheater. Most of the hoodoos are in the amphitheater. The main park road has a series of drivable scenic viewpoints, which also serve as trailheads for hikes. If you continue along the main park road, the next 15 miles are known as the Southern Scenic Drive. It shows more arches and other geologic formations and highlights the park’s large change in elevation—more than 1,000 feet.

The Grand Staircase

Bryce Canyon is toward the top of a series of geologic features known as the Grand Staircase. The staircase stretches more than 100 miles, starting at the Grand Canyon and working north up a series of cliffs. These features are useful to geologists because they expose roughly 600 million years of Earth’s rock layers largely undisturbed by glacier scouring or other events.

More Information

Visitors must purchase a pass to enter the park. It is $20 per person or $35 per standard vehicle, with other passes available. To start planning your trip, call 435-8345322 or go online to www.nps.gov/brca.

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY LUCKY-PHOTO

THE GREAT PICTURE HUNT

By Dave LaBelle

I love black-and-white photos. I always have.

In my memory bank are powerful black-and-white images, such as Dorthea Lange’s “Migrant Mother” and Nate Fein’s “Babe Ruth Farewell at Yankee Stadium.”

But alongside these iconic photographs are equally powerful color images.

One such color photograph is “Afghan Girl,” made by American photojournalist Steve McCurry and published on the cover of National Geographic in 1985. The penetrating green eyes, red scarf and green background in the portrait of a then-unknown 12-year-old Sharbat Gula connected with readers as no other image had before. It became the magazine’s most popular cover ever, and CNN called it the world’s most famous photograph.

Just as I do not believe Dorthea’s 1936 gripping Depression-era photo of Florence Owens Thompson would have had the same impact in color, Steve’s poignant portrait wouldn’t have

enjoyed its far-reaching impact in black and white.

How colors play off each other is a consideration.

The Afghan girl, with green eyes and a small sliver of green beneath her red scarf, works well against that green background. Another color behind her might not have yielded the same impact.

Reader Challenge

See if you can see in color. Find or make a photograph that communicates only in color and would fail to have the same impact in black and white. If it is a dull, overcast day, consider adding a little flash to awaken the colors.

Email your best image (just one, please) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to GPH@pur.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.

Color affects our moods. Marketers and advertisers know this. Businesses spend millions trying to determine how humans will respond to certain colors and influence our buying habits. Studies have proven that, while color perception is individual, people of different age groups respond and gravitate to different colors.

My wife might say color affects our energy. n

Renowned author, photographer and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.

Storm clouds encroach on lateday sun over a corn field. PHOTO BY DAVE LABELLE NIKON D700, 24-70mm lens ISO 200, f/4 at 1/1000

2025

By Walt Amacher, Oregon—Tillamook PUD

Ruralite Calendar Photo Contest

It is time to share your favorite photos for a chance to appear in our 2025 Ruralite calendar.

Up to 13 winners will be selected and receive $100. Photos must be submitted by July 15, 2024.

The contest is open to recipients of Ruralite and Currents magazines. Each person may only submit up to two photos. Each photo submission must include:

• Photographer’s name, address and electric utility.

• A short description of what is shown.

• Photographer’s email address and phone number.

• Digital JPEG photos only. Photos must be horizontal or landscape format and at least 300 dpi at 11 inches wide by 9 inches tall. Vertical photos and files larger than 30 megabytes will not be accepted. Send submissions to calendar@ruralite.org. Put “2025 Calendar Photo Contest” in the subject line.

Winning Tips

• Use the highest resolution setting on your digital camera.

• Photograph beautiful places and wildlife.

• Capture scenes full of vivid color.

• Reflect the seasons.

• Focus on the beauty of your geography.

• Make us feel something (awe, joy).

Visit ruralite.com/2025contest for more information and an FAQ about entering the contest.

•

•

Grace Wilson: Going the Distance to Communicate

With Members

By Rachael Kvapil

Grace Wilson, GVEA’s public relations coordinator, recently finished her first triathlon. The sprint distance race (a nonstop 500-yard swim, 13-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run) fulfilled a goal Grace set for herself some time ago. Her dedication to training—she learned to swim for the race— reflects her approach to everything in life, personal and professional. When the objective is clear, she’ll work to make it happen.

Grace started with GVEA in March 2021. Previously, she owned a small media business and founded the nonprofit Our 2 Cents Fairbanks Inc. that she still manages. When the pandemic hit, Grace found the opportunity to reevaluate her career path and decided to shift away from the hustle culture. However, she wanted to continue working in the media profession.

“As a sole proprietor, I had become a little burnt out,” Grace says. “I saw the job description for the PR coordinator and thought it was a perfect fit.”

communicate what changes are being made and, most importantly, why.

“Inflation has made it a hard couple of years for Interior Alaskans,” Grace says. “GVEA isn’t immune to rising costs either, and our focus is always on keeping rates as low as possible while doing what’s best for the utility’s future and its entire membership.”

PHOTO BY TAKENYA ROSETTA

A big part of her job as public relations coordinator is member education. GVEA serves more than 100,000 residents in Interior Alaska, and Grace strives to inform communities about the cooperative by making information accessible. She works with her team to engage members through social media, Ruralite magazine, community events,

GVEA’s Annual Members’ Meeting, K-12 educational outreach and more.

“We have a diverse membership,” Grace says. “We like to meet people where they are, listen to what they have to say and clarify things when necessary, using every communication tool at hand.”

Grace says energy rates are always top of mind for members, and it is her team’s responsibility to

Grace believes it’s essential to recognize the 280 GVEA employees who work day in and day out on behalf of the membership.

“They are the most talented, dedicated people that are really representative of our golden heart communities,” she says. She is proud to support her fellow employees by coordinating employee events and leading the GVEA Wellness program. She takes great pride in coordinating volunteer opportunities for GVEA’s employees that benefit the Interior. She says people sometimes forget that employees also belong to the cooperative. As a not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperative, GVEA exists to serve its members and operates in accordance with the Seven Cooperative Principles. In fact, it’s these principles that appealed to Grace when she first considered applying for her position.

“My values really align with GVEA,” she says. “And it’s through these values that we provide an essential service to the communities we serve.”

Grace was born and raised in Fairbanks. Her parents grew up in Oregon and eventually settled in Alaska when her dad finished his military career. In addition to triathlons, Grace enjoys any activity that increases health and wellness. With two teenagers, she also spends a lot of time encouraging their hobbies and helping them as they pursue their own life goals. n

MARKETPLACE

Agriculture

Reinforced custom-sized pond liners (39 cents/sqft). Hay covers, greenhouse covers, any width and length. Truck tarps and more. High puncture and tear strength. Best price guaranteed. Celebrating 43 years in business. www.btlliners.com. 541-447-0712. 0425

4x5 round bales, meadow foxtail orchard grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square. 208-435-4637 or 208-435-4002; nas@cpcinternet.com. 1224

Antiques and Collectibles

Buying antiques and collectibles: advertising signs, porcelain signs, gas pumps, beer signs, antique toys, cast-iron coin banks, neon signs and more. Jason, 503-310-3321 or tjabaughman@yahoo.com. 0924

WC Collectibles. We buy comic books! Local to the Inland Northwest, willing to travel. WCCollectiblesCheney@gmail.com; 509-496-1835. 0724

1850 British sideboard in excellent condition. Will furnish photo and history. 360-376-2245. Leave message. 0624

Books, Magazines, Videos

Idaho author Tova R. Cladouhos offers children’s books on Amazon or email her at tovarae@gmail.com. These books are perfect for elementary-aged children; factual stories based on friendship, affection, protection and farm animal adventures. Tova loves barns, pastures, dogs, cats, sheep and ponds. Her books include, “The Nine Lives of Milo the Cat,” “Saving Lily,” “Little Molly” and “Little Molly’s Secret.” 0724

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. 0624AR

Business Opportunities

Quaint hardware store in Maupin, OR, for sale. Inventory and interior store recently updated and refreshed. See ad on Bizbuysell.com or email Maupincountrystore@gmail.com. $275K. 0924

Community Events

5th Annual Ely Rock and Gem Swap is 10 a.m.4 p.m. June 21-22. Buy-sell-trade. Presented by the White Pine Public Museum, 2000 Aultman St., Ely, NV 89301. Entry fee: adults $7, children $4. Children’s activities and more. www.wpmuseum.org; 775-289-4710; wpmuseumnv@gmail.com. 0624

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): August issue—July 1, 2024.

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

„ We accept credit card payments for ads submitted by email. Send ad to info@pioneer.coop.

Call 503-357-2105 to pay by credit card.

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

Fun, family community event. 100+ vendors, food trucks, music entertainment, children’s activities, rhubarb pies, adult beverages. Free event. www.lapineseniorcenter.org, info@lapineseniorcenter.org. June 15-16. 0624

Summerfest at White Sulphur Springs Ranch. An outdoor festival of food and music 3-7:30 p.m. June 30, at historic White Sulphur Springs Ranch Site in Clio, CA, 2200 Highway 89. www.WhiteSulphurSpringsRanch.com; 530-836-2530. 0624

Free Items

Free materials - church, government uniting, suppressing “religious liberty,” enforcing National Sunday Law. Be informed. Need mailing address only. TBS, P.O. Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. tbsmads@yahoo.com; 888-211-1715. 0824AR

Media

Watch local TV on the go for free on your TV, phone, tablet, computer or Roku. 775-727-9400. Visit www.kpvm.tv and stream live today.

Miscellaneous

Alaskan yellow cedar. Great for planter boxes, herb and flower beds, fencing or decks. Various sizes available. Pete, 541-206-0727. Lisa, 541-747-5025, ext. 21. 0624

Local commercial fisherman sells summer catch of preserved freshness by blast freezing at sea, gourmet canned tuna on internet. Sept.June. 100% guaranteed the best canned tuna you ever tasted. Original, jalapeno and garlic flavors available. Twofisherstuna.com. Call 206-799-1082 to place your order. 0624

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

Pets, Supplies

Alaskan husky. Male, 4 years old. Neutered; has all his shots. Good with children. Great disposition. Doesn’t bark. 541-875-4172. 0624

Idaho shag (border collie x Airedale). The best dog you will ever have. Farm/ranch dog. Males and females. $450 each. Colton, OR. 971-804-1706. 0724

AKC-registered Airedales. Fort Sage Kennels, Patricia Sharp, P.O. Box 246, Doyle, CA 96109; 530-827-2271. 0924

Your ad could be here in August. See instructions above for details.

Plants, Garden Supplies

Cactus for sale. Cold/winter hardy. Good for landscaping. Sunnyside/Mabton, WA, area. Local pickup only. marybarthlow@gmail.com; 509-391-5546. 0724

Real Estate

Christmas Valley, OR. 40 acres with perimeter fence. 36x36 metal building, two carports, water well 370 ft deep, storage container on chase. Taking only serious offers. 541-536-5776. 0724

Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm and recreation property in Oregon. Fourthgeneration Oregonian. For sale, Sisters, OR, 40 acres. Price reduced $1,595,000. John Gill, 541-480-9161 or johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 0624

North ID forested 20-acre property. Multiple building sites, power at property line, 6 miles to Bonners Ferry. $380K, offers considered. 530-715-0030; bgbkkr@gmail.com. 0624

320 acres east of Adel, OR. Borders Hart Mountain, Steens Mountain and Beaty Butte. Property is a dark sky sanctuary. $267K. For maps contact: 541-659-1573; thejugglingman3@gmail.com. 0624.

Dale Store. 11 acres along U.S. Hwy 395. Live and work in this recreational enthusiast area. $550K. Duke Warner Realty: 541-987-2363; ddwr@ortelco.net. 0624.

$179.9K-fully loaded, remote, AK property for sale. Log cabin, fully equipped with all living amenities, SeaArk river boat (less than 200 hrs), 5 acres, chain saw sawmill, tractor, DR mower, tool shed full of everything you will need and much more. River and trail access. Half-hour boat ride upriver from Nenana, AK, boat dock. Outside borough, so no property taxes. Only serious buyers. 907-388-7080. 0624

Comfortable 2 bd, 1 ba, 1,200 sqft. Eagle, AK, home, on Yukon River. 4 lots. 2 cabins. $175K OBO. Ann, 907-251-9094. Gary, 907-505-8263. See listing on Land.com. 0624

Wanted: Arable acreage located in Tillamook County. Zoned exclusive farm use. For growing fruit, flowers, produce and plants for Saturday Market. olsond1954@gmail.com; 503-580-7540.

Buying or selling in Brookings, OR? Call Pat Piper at Century 21 Agate Realty first. Experience. Empathy. Education. Exceptional. 541-251-2152; patpiperbroker@gmail.com.

Off-grid homestead. Ideal for wind/solar power. NE Elko County, NV. Has equipment, quarters, shop. Year-round access. Water and power nearby. $35K. geopup58@gmail.com. 0624

Summer getaway, 2 bd, 1 ba on lot located in Mountain City, NV. Needs work. $40K. Call 775-304-2398. 0624

15 off-grid acres. At 8,400-ft., near Fort Garland, CO. Great view of the state’s 4th highest peak. On Person’s Road in Sangre de Cristo Ranches. Pinon trees, year-round access. $52.9K. 541-729-0374. 0924

Recreational Rentals

Wavecatcher: oceanfront cottage. Central Oregon coast. Summer $175/night mid-May to mid-Oct.; $140/night mid-Oct. to mid-May. (plus cleaning/tax). Three bd, w/double beds. Pets welcome. Wavecatcherbeachrentals.com. Reservations: 541-740-2846. 0624AR

Bend country cabin. Very clean and fully furnished cabin on private ranch. Close to recreation areas. Very nice. $95/night. 541-382-3050; bendcountrycabins@gmail.com. 0724

Vacation Rental: Syringa, ID. Rustic, 2-bd furnished frame cabin. Near 3 rivers, mountains, wilderness. www.airbnb.com/rooms/356491; glenscott.swearingen@gmail.com. 0624

Recreational Vehicles

Sunseeker 24 on Mercedes Sprinter classic. 57,000 miles. 50% tires. Good condition. 8-ft slide out. $53.9K. FOB Eugene or Bend. 541-556-0517. 0724

1999 Dutch Star 38-ft. RV. Diesel pusher. 3126B Caterpillar engine. Freightliner chassis. One slide. Excellent condition. 95,000 miles. Many upgrades. Asking $25K. 530-616-0388. 0624

Services

Dawn Till Dusk Masonry. Brick, block, stone and pavers. Small jobs and repairs welcome. Check out our website at dawntillduskconstructionmasonry.com. 541-388-7605 or 541-410-6945. License #245760 bonded and insured. La Pine, OR. Call Pahrump Lock and Safe for all your residential, commercial and safe services. 24-hour emergency service in Pahrump, NV. 702-379-8441; Jim@pahrumplockandsafe.com.

We all want delicious, fresh, nourishing food to feed our families. We’ve got pastured pork, corn/soy/GMO-free. Delivery to your door or drop sites. Order at www.rural-roots-ranch.com or text Christy at 541-589-4674. 0724

Timeshare victims? Call TimeShareBeGone, 800-214-4460. We will get your timeshare legally canceled. A+BBB, 5-star reviews, 16 years experience. 100% money-back guarantee. 1024

Want to Buy

Wanted: 1967-’72 Buick Skylark, GS, Stage 1, GSX. Cars, parts or leads. Or any ’60s or ’70s vehicles. Email billybibbett@hotmail.com. 0824 Gold, silver, coins/currency, buy, sell. Collections wanted. Fair prices paid. 44 years in retail store. Baker City, OR. 800-556-2133; garrymclin@aol.com. 1024

Old carpenter tools, planes (wood/metal), levels, chisels, slicks, adzes, axes, hatchets, handsaws, old rulers, spoke shaves, wrenches, shipwright tools, old tool chests. 503-659-0009 or 971-666-0659. 0624

Wanted: early Corvette ’58-’62, any condition. Call/text Randy, 503-544-3807. 0824

WELCOME HOME THE BRAVE

GOLDEN VALLEY ELECTRIC

Golden Valley Electric Association hosted its Annual Members’ Meeting on a sunny spring evening at Hering Auditorium and live streamed it via GVEA’s YouTube channel, attracting nearly 500 members on Thursday, April 25. Attendees enjoyed educational booths, giveaways and family-friendly entertainment, including face painting and balloons.

GVEA 2024 Annual Meeting Recap

Following the member event, the meeting provided a detailed look into GVEA’s vision for the future and challenges the cooperative faces along the way. CEO John Burns emphasized the electric industry’s evolving landscape and GVEA’s commitment to meeting member demands, reducing rates and emissions and improving reliability.

GVEA Board Chair Tom DeLong called the meeting to order and welcomed attendees. He introduced board members and recognized the Member Advisory Committee, known as the MAC, and encouraged community members to become involved in the cooperative.

Rick Solie highlighted the importance of one of the Seven Cooperative Principles, democratic member control, and provided an overview of upcoming director elections and a vote on amendments to GVEA’s bylaws. He introduced the director candidates for districts 4 and 7, discussed the proposed bylaw amendments, outlined the voting process and emphasized the benefits of voting “Yes.”

GVEA District 1 Director and board Treasurer Dave Messier discussed electric rates and the challenges of significant cost increases over the past several years. Examples provided were a 270% price increase in overhead wire (something GVEA uses a lot of), padmount transformers that went from $23,000 to nearly $50,000 since 2020, and power poles now about 146% more expensive than they were a few years ago. As a result of rising costs, Dave noted there will be a slight increase of less than $0.01 per kilowatt hour to the utility and demand charges on members’ bills, effective June 1. For those interested, the full financial report is available at gvea.com/annual.

Chris Bunch, GVEA directors from District 5 and board vice-chair, presented this year’s GVEA scholarship recipients. Since 2002, GVEA has provided $668,000 in scholarships to students in GVEA’s service territory. More information on scholarship winners can be found on pages 4-6.

GVEA District 6 Director Fred Sheen discussed GVEA’s reliability, which stands at 99.9%, and highlighted the daily efforts of GVEA employees to keep the lights on every day of the year. Fred also discussed right-of-way season, saying that members should, “Be a hero, keep it zero—that’s zero stuff in the right-of-way”.

ABOVE: Journeyman lineman Zach McGee gives Safety City demonstrations to educate members about electrical safety. PHOTOS BY RED PHOTOGRAPHY

The 11-member Strategic Generation Plan team was introduced, with a video outlining their role and efforts to date. GVEA’s board of directors modified the SGP—originally adopted in June 2022—in February 2024, with substantive updates focused on the continued operation of Healy Unit 2 and securing reliable baseload generation to replace it, aiming to lower rates, enhance reliability and reduce emissions.

Environmental Officer and SGP Team Lead Naomi Morton Knight talked about funding opportunities through the Powering Affordable Clean Energy Program and Empowering Rural America Program. She mentioned ongoing negotiations for wind power purchase agreements and the need for a new Battery Energy Storage System to integrate renewable power onto GVEA’s system.

CEO John Burns and COO Travis Million emphasized the importance of working collaboratively with the other Railbelt Utilities, the state Legislature, the governor and other key stakeholders, such as the Alaska Energy Authority, to achieve transformative change in GVEA’s service territory and the Railbelt as a whole.

A survey following the meeting indicated positive feedback from members in attendance, with 98% of respondents rating the meeting as Excellent, Very Good or Good. GVEA’s team is proud of the event and looks forward to planning for the 2025 Annual Members’ Meeting. n

LEFT TOP: GVEA’s annual meeting is a family affair.

LEFT MIDDLE: GVEA CEO John Burns shares information about GVEA’s accomplishments and challenges.

LEFT BOTTOM: Golden Valley Member Services Team is the best in the business. They registered and counted more than 500 members in attendance.

RIGHT BOTTOM: Willie Wiredhand was in attendance at this year’s member event and meeting. Willie has been the NRECA mascot of electric cooperatives since 1950.

BEFORE YOU GO

The First Ruralite Recipe

June is the month for cool, luscious desserts that can be prepared at your leisure and kept in the refrigerator until time to serve them. Here is a dessert that is simple to prepare, elegant to look at and wonderful to eat.

Chocolate Refrigerator Cake

4 ounces sweet milk chocolate

¼ cup hot water

1⁄ 8 teaspoon salt

4 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 egg whites

½ cup powdered sugar

1 cup cream, whipped

2 dozen ladyfingers or a sponge cake

Melt chocolate with hot water and salt in double boiler. When well-blended, beat in

AI-GENERATED

ILLUSTRATION BY GEMINI

egg yolks and cook and stir over hot water for 4 or 5 minutes or until egg yolks are set. Remove from heat and chill slightly.

Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry, then beat in the powdered sugar. Fold into the chocolate mixture. If desired, reserve

1/4 cup of cream before whipping for the garnish. Whip the cream until stiff and fold into the chocolate mixture. Arrange the ladyfingers on the bottom and sides of a spring form mold. Pour in part of the chocolate mixture. Chill for several hours or overnight. Serves 8 to 10.

If using the sponge cake, cut away the center of the sponge cake leaving a shell about ¾-inch thick. Layer the cake that has been removed from the center and the chocolate mixture into the sponge cake shell and chill.

The extra whipped cream is used for a garnish topped with shaved milk chocolate. n

Editors note: As Ruralite magazine celebrates 70 years, we bring you the first recipe published in our magazine in June 1954. We hope you enjoy this walk down memory lane.

Now you can finally have all of the soothing benefits of a relaxing warm bath, or enjoy a convenient refreshing shower while seated or standing with Safe Step Walk-In Tub’s FREE Shower Package!

✓ First walk-in tub available with a customizable shower

✓ Fixed rainfall shower head is adjustable for your height and pivots to offer a seated shower option

✓ High-quality tub complete with a comprehensive lifetime warranty on the entire tub

✓ Top-of-the-line installation and service, all included at one low, affordable price

Now you can have the best of both worlds–there isn’t a

Owned By Those We Serve

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tom DeLong, Chair, District 2

Chris Bunch, Vice Chair, District 5

David Messier, Treasurer, District 1

Gary Newman, Secretary, District 4

Todd Adams, District 7

Fred Sheen, District 6

Rick Solie, District 3

Corporate Headquarters

758 Illinois St. P.O. Box 71249

Fairbanks, AK 99707-1249

907-452-1151

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