Ruralite, Golden Valley Electric, May 2025

Ruralite

May 2025 • Volume 72, No. 5

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

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION SR. MANAGER

Elizabeth Beatty

SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR

Alyssa McDougle

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The Measure of Our Moments

Time is a curious thing. We count it in seconds, minutes, years—yet its true value isn’t in its measurement but in how we fill it.

In this month’s issue, I was drawn to how our story subjects measure their moments. James Du Bois captures literal droplets of time in his Oregon Du Drops, preserving rainwater in delicate glass bulbs that mark weddings, births, memorials and more.

“It’s the closest thing to catching time in a bottle,” he tells us, creating physical mementos of fleeting moments.

Time takes on different dimensions for the ultramarathon runners featured in our McKenzie River Trail Run Spotlight feature. These remarkable athletes measure hours not by clock ticks but by miles conquered—testing physical limits while forming deep bonds with fellow runners and the natural world. What started as five men running 50 miles evolved into an event that sells out within 24 hours, drawing participants from 18 states and beyond.

Perhaps most poignant is Aaron Reed’s relationship with time. The ultrarunner and

musician faced the ultimate countdown when diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“If we don’t get it out immediately, you got maybe six weeks,” his doctor told him. Today, recovered and training again, Aaron views each day as a gift, noting a higher power gave him back his most precious resource: time.

As we move into May, I’m reminded we each have our own way of marking our days. For some, it’s through creative pursuits—capturing raindrops or photographing new life, as Dave LaBelle encourages in his column. For others, it might be pushing our physical boundaries or simply savoring a sweet moment inspired by one of our spring desserts.

However you choose to measure your moments, I hope you find inspiration in these pages to make them count.

Until next time, Chasity Anderson Editorial Director

Do you know someone who spends their time in a unique, interesting way? I’d love to learn more. You might see them showcased in an Up Close article later this year. Reach me at editor@pioneer.coop.

Rainy-Day Relics

Oregon Du Drops are perfect for reflecting on life

Up Close, Page 10

McKenzie River Trail Run

A world-renowned ultramarathon with a local mission Spotlight, Page 12

Spring Into Flavor With Fruity Desserts

In The Kitchen, Page 16

Coming to a Right-of-Way Near You!

Springtime in Fairbanks means our right-ofway crews are back in action at Golden Valley Electric Association. Our mission is to provide safe, reliable and affordable electric service to our members, and right-of-way clearing plays a crucial role in fulfilling that mission. By maintaining clear rights-of-way, we ensure uninterrupted service and reduce outage durations.

Where Our Crews Will Be This Summer

Our right-of-way crews will be working across the Interior this summer.

Eielson Farm/Moose Creek Crews will be working in this area and heading southeast along the Richardson Highway into Salcha until the ground is firm enough to move into the hills.

Delta Junction Crews will be in the area as needed for ongoing projects and to remove dangerous trees.

South Fairbanks/North Pole Crews will focus on reestablishing right-of-way in areas south of the Richardson Highway and in North Pole proper, including main roads like Homestead Drive, NPHS Boulevard, Old Richardson Highway and Laurance Road.

Fairbanks Area

• Yankovich Road: Hand crews will resume work here then continue following the mechanical crews to clean up any remaining danger trees.

• Ballaine Road: Mechanical crews will begin right-of-way reestablishment in this area, heading east into the greater Farmers Loop area (main roads include Auburn Drive, Grenac Road and Ski Boot Hill).

• Farmers Loop East: Mechanical crews will continue into the east Farmers Loop area, focusing on Summit Road, Skyline Drive and McGrath Road.

• Old Steese Highway and City Lights Boulevard: Another mechanical crew may begin work in these areas, particularly near Trax Outdoor Center.

Contracting

• North Pole Area DRS R-2: Contract crews will work on right-of-way reestablishment

GVEA’s right-of-way crews work year-round to clear trees and vegetation near power lines, with work ramping up in the spring and summer to help prevent outages and improve safety. PHOTO BY KELLY REYNOLDS

along Dawson Road from Hurst to the Richardson Highway, including Newby, Mission, Lineman and surrounding areas.

Work schedule and locations are subject to change due to weather conditions, accessibility and other logistical factors.

For the most up-to-date information on where crews are operating, check our website or follow us on social media.

For full details and updates, visit gvea.com/rowmaintenance-program. n

For further inquiries regarding rights-of-way, reach out to GVEA’s Operations Department at 907-452-1151, ext. 5692. Stay connected for regular updates by following us on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/GoldenValleyElectric) and Instagram (@goldenvalleyelectricassn).

Right-of-way maintenance is a proactive measure that reduces wildfire risk and keeps power reliable across Interior Alaska. LEFT AND BOTTOM PHOTOS BY GRACE WILSON. ABOVE PHOTO BY KELLY REYNOLDS

GOLDEN VALLEY ELECTRIC

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if a tree falls into a power line?

If a tree is in the power line, call GVEA immediately. Stay out from under the lines and keep your distance. The lines could be damaged and fall to the ground. Do not go near the tree or touch it. Trees conduct electricity.

Are property owners responsible for maintaining tree clearances within the power line easement?

No. GVEA crews clear trees and brush and cut limbs away from electrical conductors. Members are only responsible for clearing trees around their service drop. For more information gvea.com/safety/tree-management/ maintenance-of-service-drop

What is cleared and how much will be cleared?

Most right-of-way easements are 30 feet wide. GVEA normally clears from ground to sky to maintain safe access.

Will GVEA leave brush and logs behind?

GVEA will mulch small brush as part of the clearing process. Logs are left behind, as most homeowners request them for firewood.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees are dead, leaning or damaged trees that may fall on lines. GVEA has certified tree risk-assessors who evaluate hazardous trees to determine the potential for danger. If you have a hazard tree, call 907 4521151 or submit a Hazard Tree Form: gvea.com/safety/ tree-management/hazard-trees.

What kind of equipment does GVEA use?

You will see us clearing with machines as well as hand tools. Mechanical clearing is done with a Kershaw brush mower, BobCat forestry mower and a Sky Trim. The mowers cut and mulch. The Sky Trim, which has a 75-foot boom with a rotating saw blade, cuts tree branches growing toward the power lines. Remember to stay at least 300 feet away from all equipment used to clear as they can throw wood and debris a great distance.

Will you clear around my electrical service drop?

Service drops are the lines that connect your home or business to GVEA’s high-voltage lines. Because the service drop is owned by the homeowner, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain it. The service drop should be kept clear of trees and brush. GVEA can disconnect power (free during business hours) with five days’ notice to allow safe tree removal.

How will I be notified of ROW clearing in my area?

GVEA takes proactive measures to inform residents well ahead of the clearing season through various communication channels. If your area is scheduled for clearing in 2025, you should have already received an informative postcard or email and an automated phone notification. Even if no clearing is planned in your vicinity, there may still be a need to access our work area through a right-of-way on your property.

To ensure that you stay informed about important updates from GVEA, please verify or update your contact details by contacting Member Services at 907-452-1151, available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

GVEA’s right-of-way crews are the best in the business—going out of their way to access hard-to-reach areas and serve members. PHOTO BY GRACE WILSON

Before Planting This Summer

Large trees near power lines can cause service disruptions and safety hazards for you and the community. To maintain reliable electric service and enhance public safety, it’s important to plant large trees away from power lines. This reduces the need for costly and unsightly pruning or removal due to electrical hazards. Selecting tree species that don’t interfere with power lines when landscaping can greatly reduce these risks.

• Within a 15-foot radius around power poles and lines, refrain from planting trees or shrubs to allow for equipment access along the right-ofway. Consider planting grasses, annuals, and herbaceous perennials as recommended by GVEA.

• For areas 15-20 feet from power poles, opt for small trees and shrubs that won’t exceed 20 feet in height when fully grown.

• In zones 20-40 feet from power poles, choose medium-sized trees that reach a maximum height of 40 feet at maturity, taking into account height and crown size.

• For distances exceeding 40 feet from power poles, continue planting medium-sized trees that maintain a height under 40 feet, considering both height and crown size.

PHOTO BY CHAMELEONSEYE

Together We Make a Big Difference

The Good¢ents Board of Trustees awarded five grants totaling $29,514 on February, 20.

All grants from the Good¢ents Foundation are awarded to nonprofit organizations within Golden Valley Electric Association’s service territory. Applications are reviewed quarterly in February, May, August, and November by a volunteer board of trustees.

The next application deadline is July 31. Applications and more information about the program can be found online on the Good¢ents’ page. Good¢ents is funded by the generous members of Golden Valley Electric Association. Since the program began in 2011, GVEA members have funded grants totaling $1,814,412.64.

Here’s a summary of the recent grants:

• American Cancer Society: $5,000 to support free programs for cancer patients in Fairbanks. The American Cancer Society is dedicated to improving the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research and patient support. This grant helps sustain free programs and services that assist cancer patients in Fairbanks, including transportation to appointments, lodging for those needing treatment far from home and access to a 24/7 helpline for emotional and logistical support. These resources help patients overcome barriers to treatment and ensure they receive the care they need.

• Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition: $1,000 to support office renovations for climate justice work. The Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition is committed to decolonization, climate justice and inclusive leadership. Guided by Indigenous values and diverse community voices, FCAC empowers grassroots activists and advances statewide climate solutions. This grant contributes to the renovation of FCAC’s office space, including the installation of a soundproof phone booth and a dedicated meeting room. These upgrades enhance collaboration, outreach and accessibility, strengthening FCAC’s ability to drive climate action and community-led change in Alaska.

• Fairbanks Drama Association: $7,200 for a costume shop redesign project. The Fairbanks Drama Association & Fairbanks Children’s Theatre Inc. teaches, produces and supports quality theater for children and adults in Interior Alaska. This grant funds the transformation of a cluttered attic space into an organized, well-lit and functional workspace. The redesign includes better storage, designated workstations for sewing and ironing, and laundry facilities, eliminating the need for volunteers to transport costumes home for maintenance. This project creates a safer, more efficient workspace for theater volunteers and enhance production capabilities.

• Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District: $13,714 to support the Alternative Fairbanks Farming Educational Cooperative Training Program’s Farmer Training Program. The AFFECT strengthens local food security by equipping aspiring farmers with the skills and hands-on experience needed to succeed in Alaska’s challenging climate. This grant supports classroom learning, farm visits and mentorship opportunities, increasing Fairbanks’ capacity for local food production and reducing reliance on imported produce. AFFECT fosters economic opportunities in agriculture while promoting sustainable farming practices and social equity by offering tuition-free education to ensure accessibility for all.

• North Pole Grange Gallery and Studios: $2,600 for lighting upgrades. The North Pole Grange Gallery and Studios preserves the historic grange hall and serves as a community art space. This grant funds exterior lighting upgrades with energy-efficient, motion-sensing fixtures and replaces outdated interior gallery lights with LED bulbs. These improvements enhance safety, visibility and the overall experience for artists and visitors while supporting the preservation of a building eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

John Poirrier stands outside the North Pole Grange Gallery, a historic community art space soon to receive energy-efficient lighting upgrades thanks to a recent grant. PHOTO BY GRACE WILSON

Generational Wealth

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American Gold Reserve is releasing Government issued $5 Gold American Eagles completely free of dealer mark-up for only $339 each. These beautiful $5 Gold American Eagles are a perfect way to enter the gold market. They are set for immediate public release and will sell out fast. GENERATIONAL WEALTH is of paramount significance as it represents a beacon of financial stability. It serves as a tangibletestament to the hard work, diligence, and financial acumen of previous generations, offering a solid foundation upon which future generations can build their dreams and aspirations.

Rainy-Day

Relics

Oregon Du Drops are perfect for reflecting on life

By Vicki Hillhouse

Inside a Rockaway Beach gallery off U.S. Highway 101, tiny water worlds dangle overhead. Delicate glass bulbs filled with Oregon rain and topped with brass temple bells hang like droplets suspended in time.

Artist James Stephen Du Bois— known to all simply as Du Bois— began making the bulbs for his own delight about 50 years ago. In 1999, after honing his creative process, he decided to fill them with Oregon rainwater and sell them as works of art. People occasionally asked if he had rain from a specific date. Soon, he was collecting and cataloging rain to customize his bulbs for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and memorials.

“It’s the closest thing to catching time in a bottle,” Du Bois says. Most rewarding are the emotional bonds that tie his Oregon

Du Drops with the people who buy them.

“We call that nonmonetary compensation,” he says. “There’s such reward from touching people’s lives.”

On days he and his wife, Cathleen “Cat” Freshwater-Du Bois—both in their 70s— contemplate retirement, this is what drives him to continue.

“I like the idea that I’m making something for someone I don’t even know is going to come in,” he says. “When they do come in, and they see it, and it’s meaningful to them, then I know I’m doing something important.”

A Drop of Inspiration

Oregon Du Drops date back to Du Bois’ 1970s college days at Indiana University. One early morning, he was walking in the woods when the rising sun illuminated a flowering bush blanketed in dew drop-covered spiderwebs.

“It was just the most interesting thing I’d ever seen,” Du Bois says. He stood captivated for the longest time, wanting to re-create

James Stephen Du Bois is the creator of Oregon Du Drops.

PHOTO BY WESLEY LA POINT

Oregon Du Drops is easy to spot with its bright red color off the Oregon Coast Highway in Rockaway Beach. A giant mobile of reflective drops outside the building is known for catching the eyes of travelers, who turn their vehicles around to see what’s inside. PHOTO BY VICKI HILLHOUSE

Each drop made by Du Bois is suspended with ribbon corresponding to the month when the rainwater inside was collected. He gathers a gallon of water each month to fill the decorative bulbs, commemorating birthdays, anniversaries, deaths and other memorable dates.

the refraction and reflections. Once home, he dug out a spent light bulb, opened the metal with pliers, cleaned out the bulb and filled it with water.

“I was getting the same effect that I saw in the dew drops,” he says.

He started making them for his home, displaying them in windows, and sometimes adding plant cuttings. The exploding roots, though, robbed the reflective aspect—one of the first lessons of making Du Drops. Over the decades, Du Bois learned how to prevent the invasion of microorganisms in the bulbs with isopropyl alcohol and how to seal the orbs with adhesive.

“I played with them myself, about 25 years, just enjoying them,” he says. “A lot of people said along the way, ‘You ought to be sharing these with people.’ I never saw myself as an artist. I was just interested in what I was seeing.”

In 1999, while living in Springfield, Oregon, he began selling his drops at a Saturday market in Eugene. That year, Eugene experienced a 90-day drought, and Du Bois ran out of rainwater. Determined never to go without a water supply again, he now uses a dehumidifier to pull moisture from the air, collecting a gallon a month.

He met Cat in 2001 when he had a booth at Rockaway Beach’s Wine, Cheese and All That Jazz Festival, where she belted out tunes throughout the afternoon as a performer.

Cat enjoyed the Du Drops and set out to buy one filled with Valentine’s Day rain. Short on funds, she and Du Bois agreed to put the bulb on layaway. When they went to shake on the deal, Cat was so taken with the bespectacled artist that she kissed him instead.

“We’ve been together ever since,” she says.

They married a year later and eventually moved to Rockaway Beach.

Making Memories

Most customers discover Oregon Du Drops by driving past the couple’s home gallery. A metal mobile outside holds the drops, and passing motorists turn their cars around to check it out. Inside,

beams of light from the windows and skylight bounce off mirrors in sparkling resplendence.

The simplest bulb takes about eight days to make. Du Bois juggles several at a time in different stages of production. An icicle version can take three weeks as he shapes the glass with fire. Each drop hangs from a different color of ribbon depending on the month it was made.

Du Bois adds test tubes inside some bulbs and fills them with birthstones. He’s filled requests, too, to add cremated ashes inside. For such orders, he lights a candle as he makes the Du Drop and plays the favorite music of the person who died.

Cat engraves each Du Drop with dates, names or special messages.

“I wanted her hand on every Du Drop,” Du Bois says.

Cat also runs the gallery and serves as the voice on the phone, taking orders.

Shelves in the downstairs “rain cellar” are lined with 1-liter bottles. Demand for specific days has been relatively random. A recent customer requested a Du Drop from his October 1999 birth date. To Du Bois’ delight, that date was the starting point of his library.

Du Bois diligently updates the water catalog on his Oregon Du Drops website. The earliest years of collection don’t include specific dates. But recent years break down each day water was collected and whether it was dew or rain. Some supplies have been used up, such as the last four months of 2020.

For the time being, Du Bois is committed to continuing the business in one-year increments. He plans to keep making bulbs for Oregon Du Drops until at least 2026. He entertains the idea of making YouTube tutorials so others can make their own when he’s unable to do it. For now, he continues to touch lives with his watery wonders.

“That’s one of the nicest parts of the job—connecting with people’s lives,” he says. n

Oregon Du Drops is located at 450 U.S. Highway 101, Rockaway Beach, and can be found online at oregondudrops.com.

ABOVE AND LEFT:

PHOTO BY JAMES STEPHEN DU BOIS

McKenzie River

A world-renowned ultramarathon with a local mission

By Victoria Hampton

For nearly four decades, hundreds of runners have risen early to find their place behind the starting line of the McKenzie River Trail Run in Oregon. Instead of hitting the pavement, these athletes are getting off the beaten path. Along the 31-mile challenge are awe-inspiring waterfalls, an old growth forest and a lake so clear and blue it seems otherworldly.

These are just a few of the highlights that make the McKenzie River Trail Run a sought-after experience for ultrarunners.

“The physical beauty of the trail itself it unbelievable,” 73-year-old Race Director Tim Hooton says. “It rivals almost any scenic place.”

The event has tested runners’ strength and stamina along the Oregon trail for 38 years. The physical feat is paired with nature and camaraderie, some of the key differences that set ultramarathons apart from other competitions.

What started in the late ’80s with five men running 50 miles is now an annual 50K race that sells out in 24 hours, attracting runners from near and far.

“This year’s registration, we have people from 18 states and two foreign countries— New Zealand and Australia,” says Tim, who has been involved with the run for decades.

Ultramarathon runners push their physical limits while competing for top placement or simply crossing the finish line. The organizers behind these events dedicate their time to keeping participants coming back, all for the love of the sport.

What is ultrarunning?

Ultramarathons are characterized as anything longer than a 26.2-mile marathon. While 31-, 50- and 100-mile races are common, there are challenges of far greater distances.

While the races put runners to the ultimate test, UltraRunning Magazine

Editor Amy Clark says competitors find community and connectedness with smaller participant size and support along the trail.

“As ultrarunners, we understand that physical and mental breakdown of just trying to get through,” she says. “Most of the people who are drawn to this sport really care about each other. We want to see each other succeed.”

These events attract runners from all age ranges and walks of life. Race rosters list participants in their early 20s up to 80 years old.

Tim reflects on his lifetime of running, noting the increasing popularity of trail running since the late ’80s, which led to the growth of ultramarathons throughout the country.

The number of runners finishing ultramarathons in North America has steadily increased—with some dips when races were canceled during COVID-19 years 2020-2022—from 11,171 finishes in 1998 to 142,890 in 2024, according to UltraRunning Magazine.

Also on the rise is the number of female participants. In 2024, of the 2,949 ultraraces with 50 or more finishers in North America, female competitors won more than 51 ultramarathons.

“Our race is almost 50% women,” Tim says. “We’re talking women who can hang with the men and even kick butt. It has been fun to watch.”

Trail Run

While marathons attract thousands of competitors, ultramarathons typically draw fewer than 1,000. Many, such as the McKenzie River event, cap registration around a few hundred.

“The entire sport itself, it is so different from what I was used to with the running community,” Amy says.

Amy ran her first marathon in 2002 with the goal of eventually qualifying for the Boston Marathon. After having children, Amy returned to running marathons but found she didn’t have the same excitement for the experience. She decided to give ultrarunning a try at the McDonald Forest 50K in Corvallis, Oregon, in 2014.

“It was a completely different community and felt like a different sport than running on a road for 26 miles,” she says.

In a typical road-running experience, Amy’s goal was to run as fast as she could for as far as she could. In ultramarathons, she found people talking and encouraging each other between the eight check-in stations.

Along the route, volunteers are stationed to help runners get a quick snack, refill water bottles and attend to any medical needs.

“It’s a symbiotic relationship,” Amy says. “The volunteers, if they weren’t out there, it would be a lot harder. They are what help keep us going.”

Amy ran the McKenzie River Trail Run in 2015 and returns in June.

“That’s why I go out and run these races,” Amy says. “I love the scenery, experiencing it with other people and pushing yourself a little harder than another run.”

Giving Back

The McKenzie River Trail Run is about people over profit. When Tim became the race director in 2018, he had a vision to transform the one-day event into a vehicle for positive change in his rural community.

“I knew what I could do to expand it to have a greater impact,” he says.

The McKenzie River Trail Run became a nonprofit event seven years ago. Tim and event volunteers have expanded the number of annual participants. They find race sponsors and encourage racers to support local lodging, eateries, stores and services while in town.

The nonprofit donates race funds to community projects, including providing equipment for the local cross-country team, replacing freezers and storage shelves for the food pantry, repairing the roof at the community center and replacing gear for the volunteer fire department.

“We take great pride in our local community,” Tim says. “I cannot take the credit for all this stuff. I surround myself with people who are way smarter than me.”

Support is vital to the continuation of ultramarathons throughout the country.

The McKenzie River Trail Run has held onto its roots for four decades and continues to take new strides to support the rural community.

“To have what McKenzie River has—a dedicated race director, a dedicated community and a dedicated volunteer base—is a unique thing and should be celebrated,” Amy says. n

For more information about the McKenzie River Trail Run, visit mrtr.org.

For 38 years, competitors have traversed an awe-inspiring trail through one of Oregon’s most scenic areas during the McKenzie River Trail Run. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL SHERMAN, SPRINGFEDMEDIA.NET

“I didn’t realize anything was wrong until I had a seizure,” Aaron says.

Ultrarunner beats the odds Keeping Time

By Victoria Hampton

As a runner and musician, Aaron Reed’s life revolves around keeping time. From pace to beat, he follows a rhythm of performance as he traverses trails and takes the stage.

In December 2024, time took on new meaning when Aaron collapsed during a routine gym workout. Suddenly, he was hanging in the balance between life and death.

He was facing an unexpected challenge— time running out. Yet, mental and physical strength, along with divine intervention, prepared Aaron for the fight of his life.

Going the Distance

Aaron, 42, has loved running since middle school. When he moved to Oregon in 2004, he ran along the state’s scenic trails and found a path to the ultrarunning community.

“I was always really into long runs and as I got older, got into running ultras,” Aaron says.

Aaron continues taking on challenges at longer distances and finds new trails to explore while touring and performing with his brother, Phil. Known as The Brothers

Reed, the duo takes the stage at intimate venues from Washington to Arizona, combining storytelling with original lyrics.

During a tour stop in Arizona, Aaron discovered the Cocodona 250, a 250-mile ultramarathon from Black Canyon City to Flagstaff through some of state’s most scenic landscape.

In May 2024, seven months before he collapsed in the gym, Aaron found himself relying on his mental strength to push his body through the challenge. He was 80 miles in when he sensed something was wrong. By mile 161, he suffered a stress fracture in his leg.

“I had to make the decision,” Aaron says. “I am going to finish. The only way I won’t is if I am taken out of the race.”

At mile 161 of the Cocodona 250, Aaron Reed suffered a stress fracture in his leg. His mental fitness and stamina pushed him on to the finish line. PHOTOS COURTESY OF AARON REED

He walked the remaining 89 miles in 52 hours, completing the race in four days, eight hours, 16 minutes and 33 seconds.

While achieving some of his best performances, on the trail and stage, a bigger threat was growing inside him.

Divine Intervention

At the end of the year, following a series of tests at the hospital, Aaron was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“It’s kind of interesting, because (the tumor) was in there … I was racing really hard,” he says. “I was doing really well in races, the music, just everything was going so well, and then this happened.”

Due to the severity of the tumor, the surgeon didn’t know if it was possible to remove it all or what type of life Aaron would have after surgery. He could lose his vision, his ability to speak or, in the worst case, his life could be cut short.

“If we don’t get it out immediately, you got maybe six weeks,” Aaron recounts the doctor’s prognosis. “How long if I get it out? Thirteen months.”

Aaron’s wife, Becca, says time seemed to move backward as she stood next to her husband in a hospital bed and tried to process the news.

“I felt like things were going slow but incredibly fast,” she says. “The neurosurgeon came in, and it felt like this weird time warp of slow motion and super quick all at the same time.”

As a nurse, Becca helps people through some of the worst times in their lives. Yet, knowing her husband was facing a lifethreatening diagnosis was different.

“Nothing can prepare you for it,” she says. “It just absolutely floored me.”

Becca kept replaying the morning before Aaron’s seizure in her mind. They were drinking coffee together and planning the weekend. She savored the last moments of normalcy as she came to terms with the fact that if her husband survived, his life may never be the same.

As Aaron awaited surgery, Becca and Phil huddled with him on his hospital bed, shedding tears and holding on to the person they loved in his toughest moment. Aaron says a calm washed over him as he drifted into a deep sleep.

That is when he heard a voice. From somewhere unexplained and unsolicited, Aaron experienced a moment of divine intervention, offering him protection and peace of mind.

“God just literally put me to sleep,” Aaron says. “As soon as he put me to sleep, he said, ‘You’re gonna be OK.’ I just came out of it knowing I was going to be OK.”

Eight days after Aaron’s seizure, doctors successfully removed his tumor. Now, everyone waited to see what would remain of Aaron’s abilities when he woke up.

Shortly after finding out Aaron was awake, the doctor returned to his family with an update.

“He came storming back in and said, ‘He’s awake,’” Aaron says. “‘He knows his name. He knows where he’s at. He knows where he’s from. He just said the Packers game is on in 45 minutes. He’s talking.’”

On Christmas Day, just two days after surgery, Aaron was released from the hospital. He was back on a stationary bike seven days later. Since then, he’s started racing again in preparation for ultramarathons this summer.

Aaron’s pathology tests continue to show improvements.

“I know this isn’t going to be the thing I die from,” he says.

Coming Together in McKenzie River

In June, Aaron, Becca and Phil are joining the McKenzie River Trail Run, an ultramarathon coordinated by their friend, Tim Hooton.

“Tim is one of my soul friends,” Aaron says. “It’s cool to get to be there and get to do this thing he puts so much work in.”

During race weekend, Aaron and Becca will commemorate their 10 years of marriage with a vow renewal.

“McKenzie River has always been a really special place for us,” Becca says. “There’s something magical in that area. The forest and that river, you feel like you’re so far

away. There’s barely any cell service. It’s just a time to disconnect from the craziness of the world, and it just feels really peaceful and serene and quiet.”

While the worst is behind Aaron, building his mental stamina is just as much a part of his daily life as his physical fitness. Aaron writes in a journal, meditates twice a day and eats healthy. His practices include writing on paper five things he’s grateful for each day and placing the list in a jar.

“It seems to do quite a bit, especially if you’re one of those people who tends to gravitate towards the gloom and doom,” Aaron says. “I always have believed that the mind is super powerful.”

Yet, he doesn’t give himself credit for his miraculous recovery. Aaron believes a higher power gave him back his most precious resource: time.

“I didn’t have to tell myself it was OK,” Aaron says. “God literally came to me uninfluenced and just told me I would be OK.” n

To listen to Aaron and Phil’s music, visit thebrothersreed.com.

Since he recovered from a brain tumor, Aaron Reed and his wife, Becca, view every day as a gift. The couple will compete in the McKenzie River Trail Run in June.

WITH FRUITY DESSERTS Spring Into Flavor

Strawberry Trifle

1 cup whole milk

1 cup sour cream

3.4-ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway

ADOBE AI ILLUSTRATION BY

SASHAMAGIC

2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped

8 cups cubed angel food cake

4 cups sliced fresh strawberries

Additional sweetened whipped cream for topping

In a large bowl, beat the milk, sour cream, pudding mix and orange zest on low speed until thickened. Fold in whipped cream.

Place half the cake cubes in a 3-quart glass bowl. Arrange a third of the strawberries around the side of bowl and over the cake. Top with half the pudding mixture. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining berries. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Top with additional sweetened whipped cream just before serving.

Pistachio Fluff (Watergate Salad)

1/2 cup maraschino cherries

2 31/2-ounce packages instant pistachio pudding mix

24 ounces whipped topping

20-ounce can crushed pineapple, undrained

2 cups chopped walnuts

1 pound mini marshmallows

Chop the cherries into quarters, but reserve a few whole cherries.

Combine pudding mix with whipped topping and pineapple. Add walnuts, chopped cherries and marshmallows. Combine well.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Garnish with whole cherries on top before serving.

Almond Cheesecake

Crust

11/4 cups crushed vanilla wafers (about 40 wafers)

1/4 cup sugar

Filling

4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened

11/4 cups sugar

Topping

2 cups sour cream

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Heat oven to 350 F.

3/4 cup finely chopped almonds

1/3 cup salted butter, melted

4 extra-large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons almond extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 cup toasted sliced almonds

In a bowl, combine the wafer crumbs, sugar and almonds. Stir in the butter, and mix well. Press into the bottom of a greased 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.

To make the filling, beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until smooth. Add eggs. Beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in extracts. Pour into crust. Place on a baking sheet.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until center is almost set. Remove from the oven. Let stand for 5 minutes, but leave the oven on.

To make the topping, combine the sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Spoon the mixture around the edge of cheesecake. Carefully spread over filling. Bake 5 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen. Cool for 1 hour before refrigerating overnight.

Just before serving, sprinkle with almonds. Remove side of pan. Refrigerate leftovers.

Lemon Mousse

2/3 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

Dash of salt

3 extra-large egg yolks

2/3 cup whole milk

1/2 cup lemon juice

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

1 cup heavy whipping cream, plus more for topping

Lemon slices

In a small saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch and salt. Whisk in egg yolks and milk until smooth. Whisk in lemon juice until blended. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes longer. Stir in lemon zest.

Transfer mixture to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until cold.

Once cold, beat whipping cream in a small bowl on high speed until soft peaks form. Fold into lemon mixture. Spoon into serving dishes. Top with additional whipped cream and lemon slices.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

2 cups crushed pretzels

3/4 cup butter, melted

Filling

2 cups whipped topping

1 cup sugar

Topping

2 3-ounce packages

strawberry gelatin

2 cups boiling water

Heat oven to 350 F.

3 tablespoons sugar

8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

2 16-ounce packages frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed

Additional whipped topping and pretzels

In a bowl, combine the pretzels, butter and sugar. Press into an ungreased 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

To make the filling, beat whipped topping, sugar and cream cheese in a small bowl until smooth. Spread over pretzel crust. Refrigerate until chilled.

To make the topping, dissolve gelatin in boiling water in a large bowl. Stir in sweetened strawberries. Refrigerate until partially set. Carefully spoon over filling. Refrigerate until firm, about 4 to 6 hours. Cut into squares. Serve with additional whipped topping and pretzels.

READER EXCHANGE

Crafts/Hobbies

My wife, Stephanie, is an avid gardener. She has only been doing it for a couple of years now, but she has more than 300 dahlia plants and rows of wildflowers and vegetables. She would love it if you would send her pictures of your garden or flowers and give each other hints/tips. She has spent every month for the past 15 years responding to this magazine and writing birthday wishes, recipes, etc. It really fills her bucket. It would be great if she could receive the same. Thanks.

Joe Randall

24753 Vaughn Road Veneta, OR 97487

I worked with a lovely lady named Jamie from Hermiston, Oregon, this corn harvest. During the season, she slipped and fell onto an extremely fast conveyor belt while unloading corn from a truck’s hopper and experienced severe injuries. She has not been able to work or do many of her favorite activities in recent months. Shopping for vintage marbles and paperweights at antique stores and yard sales is her favorite thing to do, but that's been a challenge lately since she doesn’t have the income she used to. She hasn’t been able to make any of her epoxy river charcuterie boards, cutting boards or river tables. She does very beautiful work. I wanted to see if any readers could donate vintage marbles and paperweights to her during this time. Please send to Jamie, P.O. Box 547, Irrigon, OR 97844

Anonymous friend of Jamie Hermiston, Oregon

My grandson and I just finished building a “marble run” which takes up half of the workshop. We only have a handful of marbles and need more. Instead of going to the store to buy some I thought I would try here first. Who has some marbles laying around? They can be “boulders” and “steelies.” Thank you very much.

K. Johnson 55271 Suba Road Coquille, OR 97423

Milestones

My mother-in-law will be 96 this month. She lives in a care home and would love to receive birthday wishes. Please mail to Lillian McClimans, Silver Spring Personal Care Home, 125 State Road #4, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. Thank you.

Pamela McClimans

Lebanon, Oregon

Our mom, Jo, turns 93 this month. She grew up in Bellingham, WA. She was the lead in “You Can’t Take It With You” in high school and was Worthy Advisor in Rainbow Girls. She moved with our dad during his Navy years, and settled in Southeastern Washington to raise a family. Dad paved roads all over Montana, Idaho and Oregon. Mom made a home for us wherever his work took us. Dad is gone, after 70 years of marriage. Mom enjoys doing crosswords, Sudokus, texting her grandchilden, and watching old episodes of “Matlock,” “ The Andy Griffith Show” and “The Lawrence Welk Show.” She is an avid follower of Gonzaga basketball. Please consider sending “Jo” a birthday card. Thank you. Send to Jo c/o Karen Walton, 2644 Harris Ave., Richland, WA 99354.

Karen Walton Richland, Washington

Submitting Requests Is Free

Our mom will be 97 this month. She is a wonderful mom and a very strong lady. She has been adjusting to assisted living in Oregon. She lived in Yuma for about 20 years on her own. She loves mail. She has had quite a diverse life. Rancher, logger, commercial fisherman, miner, and wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma and great-great-grandma. She loved to travel and play games. Please send to Grande Ronde Retirement, Verna Oliver, 1809 Gekeler Lane #104, LaGrande, OR 97850.

Susan Mascal Baker City, Oregon

My mom turns 89 years old this month. Although a strong woman of faith, the last 21/2 years have been a roller coaster. She went into assisted living, and my mom and dad celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Sadly, Dad died two months later. Two great-grandchildren died; two others were born healthy. A granddaughter married and Mom’s dearest sister died. Mom loves to receive mail and would be delighted to hear from people across the country. Please send to Phyllis Crist, 1651 NE 108th Ave., Portland, OR 97220.

Debbie Larson Vernonia, Oregon

Send your request—with 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.

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 the request must include a postal address.

Request must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.

Ruralite Calendar Photo Contest 2026

It is time to share your favorite photos for a chance to appear in our 2026 Ruralite calendar. Up to 13 winners will be selected and receive $100. Photos must be submitted by June 30, 2025. The contest is open to recipients of Ruralite and Currents magazines. Each person may only submit up to two photos. Each submission must include:

• Photographer’s name, address and electric utility.

• A short description of what is shown.

• Photographer’s email address and phone number.

• JPEG file 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 MB will not be accepted. Enter today by visiting tinyurl.com/ruralitecalendar or use the provided QR code on this page.

Winning Tips

• Use the highest resolution setting on your camera.

• Photograph beautiful places and wildlife.

• Capture scenes full of vivid color.

• Reflect the seasons.

• Make us feel something—awe, joy, etc.

For more information, visit ruralite.com/2026contest.

BY

ARLEN RICKE, OREGON— COOS-CURRY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

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-theart cellular embedded

(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. HELP8533 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) technology. That means it works at home or anywhere, any time cell service is available whether you’re out watering the garden, driving in a car, at church or even hundreds of miles away on a tour or at a casino. You are never alone. With just a single push of the One-Touch E Button you instantly get connected to free unlimited help nationwide with no monthly bills ever,” said Jack Lawrence, Executive Director of Product Development for U.S. based Universal Physicians.

“We’ve never seen anything like it. Consumers absolutely love the sleek new modern design and most of all, the instant rebate that practically pays for it and no monthly bills ever,” Lawrence said.

FastHelp is the sleek new medical alert device with the best of combinations: a quality, high-tech engineered device that’s also an extremely great value because there are no monthly bills ever.

Better still, it comes with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever – which makes FastHelp a great choice for seniors, students and professionals because it connects to one of the largest nationwide networks everywhere cell service is available for free.

And here’s the best part. All those who already have an old style monitored medical alert button can immediately eliminate those monthly bills, which is why Universal Physicians is widely advertising this announcement nationwide.

“So if you’ve ever felt a medical alert device was too complicated or expensive, you’ll want to get FastHelp, the sleek new medical alert device with no monthly bills,” said Lawrence.

The medical alert device slugfest was dominated by two main combatants who both offer old style monitored help buttons that come with a hefty bill every month. But now

Universal Physicians, the U.S. based heavyweight, just delivered a knockout blow sending the top rated contenders to the mat with the unveiling of FastHelp. It’s the sleek new cellular embedded medical alert device that cuts out the middleman by instantly connecting you directly to highly trained 911 operators all across the U.S. There’s absolutely nothing to hook-up or install. You don’t need a land line and

you don’t need a cell phone. Everything is done for you.

“FastHelp is a state of the art medical alert device designed to make you look important, not old. Old style monitored help buttons you wear around your neck, or require expensive base station equipment or a landline are the equivalent of a horse and buggy,” Lawrence says. “It’s just outdated.”

Millions of seniors fall every year and spend hours lying on the floor helpless

HOW TO GET IT:

IF BORN BEFORE 1961:

and all alone with no help.

But seniors who fall and get immediate help are much more likely to avoid getting sent to a nursing home and get to STAY living in their own home independently.

Yet millions of seniors are still risking their safety by not having a medical alert device. That’s because seniors just can’t afford to pay the monthly bills that come with old style medical alert devices.

That’s why seniors born

before 1961 are rushing 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. HELP8533

IF BORN AFTER 1961: You cannot use the rebate coupon below and must pay $299 Call: 1-800-330-9423 DEPT. HELP8533

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 One-Touch 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.

Photographing New Life

By Dave LaBelle

I must have been 10 or 11 years old the day my mother drove 10 miles, took me out of my junior high class and rushed me home so I could watch my cat have kittens. Recognizing education comes in many packages, she figured me witnessing a cat giving birth was as valuable as what I might miss in the classroom that day. I didn’t have a camera yet, or I am sure I would have photographed the educational event. However, in the decades following, I photographed numerous animal and human births. Watching new life enter our world never gets old.

I like to think I’m a positive guy who usually doesn’t allow the hard things in life to get me down and to embrace the biblical admonition of focusing on things that are good and lovely. However, sometimes I can slip into dark moods. After all, a person can take only so much lying, cheating, posturing, stealing and killing. Watching animals in person or online, especially parents caring for their newborns, helps push away those poisons.

I was in a melancholy mood this past week, troubled too deeply about the state of our country, until a video of a baby elephant snuggling humans tickled me. It felt good to laugh. And then I watched rare footage shot from the mouth of a mountain lion den as a mother played with her kittens. Finally, I became engrossed with a livestream of bald eagles hatching eggs at California’s Big Bear Lake.

Reader Challenge

This is the time of year a lot of creatures give birth. Explore to see if you can find a spot to observe new life entering the world. This might be a nest near a lake or in a backyard tree. Perhaps you know where there’s an active fox den or a large hole in a tree where raccoons or squirrels have chosen to bring their young into the world.

Without disturbing, see if you can capture new life and the behavior as the offspring ventures into the world. I can’t wait to see what you find.

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.

I was again reminded how amazing our natural world is.

Just as a slow walk in nature calms my spirit and reminds me of the awe-inspiring creation we inhabit, watching baby animals enter the world and witnessing the care of their parents lifts my spirit. n

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.

NIKON D800

— Gene H.

Tactical Meets Practical

Switzerland is synonymous with expensive, big-name luxury watches like Rolex®, Piaget® and Patek Philippe® that sell for thousands, but the Stauer Swiss Tactical Watch delivers Swiss precision for a fraction of the cost. Inspired by military timepieces like the American A-11, it combines rugged performance, simplicity, and legendary craftsmanship — built for action, not display cases.

Precision Takes Time

Swiss excellence demands patience. Each Stauer Swiss Tactical takes nearly nine months to complete, and this is a limited edition of 4,900. Crafted by master watchmakers, some of whom have worked with the other prestigious brands, this is your chance to own a rare, precision-engineered tactical watch without the inflated luxury price tag.

Why Pay for a Name?

Big brands charge more for status. Stauer delivers the same quality and precision with high-contrast markers for instant readability, a shock-resistant case to withstand hard knocks and Swiss-made movement for impeccable timing.

Limited Offer – Act Now

Don’t miss this rare combination of Swiss craftsmanship and unbeatable value. Only 4,900 available — once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Why pay more when you can own precision, heritage, and adventure for less? Order now — time is running out.

Watch Specifications:

• Made in Switzerland with precision Swiss Ronda 515 movement. Stainless steel caseback. Brown leather band

• 44 mm diameter case. Date window at 3 o’clock

• Water-resistant to 3 ATM. Fits wrists up to 8 ¼”

Stauer Swiss Tactical Watch

$399 $59* + S & P Save $340

*Special price only for customers using the offer code.

By Rachael Kvapil

Golden Valley Electric Association Plant Foreman Mike Hays was already considering the next stage of his career when he applied for a position with the utility. Before working at GVEA, he was a heavy equipment mechanic for over a decade and was looking for other long-term career options. He attended a continuing education class on power generation through Local 302, where he learned about entry-level opportunities that would eventually lead him to his current work with the gas turbine fleet.

As plant foreman, Mike manages the daily activities of operation crews and schedules maintenance outages and major inspections to ensure GVEA adheres to all environmental regulations and safety standards. He also maintains an inventory for projects and orders parts needed to support output capacity and the seamless operation of plant systems.

“Preventative maintenance is important,” Mike says. “If we don’t take care of our power generating units, outages at minus 40 create a stressful situation.”

Mike joined GVEA in 2002 as an operator mechanic and worked his way up to maintenance lead in 2012. When he stepped into that role, he made it a goal to move away from a reactive maintenance mindset and created a preventive maintenance program that made the most of the existing system.

Mike Hays: A Proactive Vision for Plant Maintenance in Interior Alaska

other people how to use it, and they are all able to contribute in many ways to keep it going.”

Stepping into his current position required Mike to develop additional skills as a manager. He said it took a better part of his first year in the role to learn this new aspect of working and listening to people. Currently, Mike supervises around 20 staff members, including several who are new and a few approaching retirement. He feels it’s important to highlight the operators and mechanics he manages since their skills and dedication keep the plant clean and operating efficiently.

“It takes so much work and many people to give our members the ability to simply turn on a light or cook a meal,” Mike says. “From the generation to the distribution of power, it takes a lot of people working 24 hours a day to make this happen. I am only a small piece of the team.”

Looking forward, Mike supports the project for additional fuel storage in North Pole to provide a greater buffer if there is a delay of fuel delivery. With an aging fleet, he feels it’s time to look forward considering the growing demand for gas turbines worldwide.

“We now have a robust preventative program that is always evolving,” Mike says. “I have been able to teach

Mike moved to Alaska in 1986 when his father moved up for military service. His family briefly moved back to Colorado when his father retired but immediately returned to Fairbanks. In his free time, Mike loves spending time outdoors, cross-country skiing, hiking and fishing. 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 btlliners.com. 541-447-0712. 0426

Irrigation system in NW MT. $15K, OBO. Includes 2 1/4 mile wheel lines, 1,380-ft. mainline w/25 risers; 2,400-ft. handline in 4x3x2-in., handline pipe trailer, 10hp electric motor w/Cornwell pump, 6-valve opener. tlazym82@gmail.com; 907-590-1454. 0525

Antiques and Collectibles

Buying antiques and collectibles: advertising signs, porcelain signs, gas pumps, beer signs, antique toys, cast-iron coin banks, neon signs and more. Jason, 503-310-3321 or tjabaughman@yahoo.com. 0925

Buying American Indian collectibles, Navajo blankets and rugs, baskets, beadwork, etc. Also, quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com. 0625

WC Collectibles. We buy comic books. Local to Inland NW. Willing to travel. 509-496-1835; WCCollectiblesCheney@gmail.com. 0525

Rural collector/historian buying clothing items and accessories from 1860-1915. Hats, shoes, dresses, etc. Also items from Lonerock and Condon, OR. 971-404-8332. 0525

1954 first issue of “Sports Illustrated” and next 9 consecutive issues available to collectors, great condition. Send offer to, sunstar@iinet.com. 0525

Assisted Living Facility

Haven House in Fossil, OR has rooms to rent on a month-to-month basis. 2 bd, $1.2K, 1 bd, $1K; and studio, $800. Lou G., 541-763-4651. 0525

Boats

Aluminum drift boat with trailer. Fish tray, bow and stern anchor system. Composite oars. 14- ft. by 8 in. with 54-in. bottom. Dry box with two seats. Wheeler, OR. $2.7K. 503-530-0315. 0525

Quick, Affordable: How to Place an Ad

„ Ads 25 words or fewer are $35 a month. An extended ad of up to 35 words is $50 a month. Contact information is included in the word count. Phone numbers and emails count as one word.

„ Longer ads may be placed. Contact 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop for pricing information.

„ Ads are for customers of member co-ops, public utility districts and municipals only. Subscribers and nonmembers may inquire about pricing at 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop.

„ Ads must be direct and in first person, and are subject to approval and editing.

„ Closing deadlines (in our office): June issue—April 30, 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.

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

Community Events

Art exhibits “Explorations” (Dr. John Lundy) and “Thin Red Thread” (Bayly Lay). May 2-June 28. Art Center East. La Grande, OR. artcentereast.org. 0525

High Desert Music Jamboree at Harney County Fairgrounds in Burns, OR. June 12-14, Oregon Oldtime Fiddlers District 9. 541-573-1323; ootfa.org. 0525

Equipment/Tools

Farmi JL 300 logging winch, small woodlands, $1K. 13 push-pull control cables, $50 each. 60 16-inch nylatron and steel sheaves, 1/2-inch rope, $50 each. 4-ft. towbehinds Land Pride mower, $800. Kubota rototiller, near new, $1.5K. Ted, 458-910-3727. 0625

For Rent, Lease

Seeking ranch lifestyle in retirement? 2-bd, 2-ba home available in Central OR. Heritage ranch. Rent negotiable with handyman discount. Phone calls only, 206-818-9673. 0525

Free Items

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, POB 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. 888-211-1715; tbsmads@yahoo.com. 0625AR

Help Wanted

The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair in Ritzville is seeking a responsible summer groundskeeper/camp host. Responsibilities include mowing, watering, general maintenance, overseeing the campground and other duties as needed. Would ideally be on-site May through mid-Sept. Full hookup provided. Contact Dan at skamaniadan@gmail.com or mail a letter of interest to: P.O. Box 14, Ritzville, WA 99169.

Dry-land wheat farm looking for skilled worker in field and shop work. Full-time (40plus hours a week with seasonal overtime). Ideal candidates have experience operating/ maintaining heavy equipment related to a dry-land operation. Some on-job training available. Walla Walla, WA. Resume to mike9681@charter.net. 0525

Miscellaneous

3 cemetery plots, Salt Creek Cemetery near Dallas, OR. $1.2K each. Open to offers on all. Message, 503-457-8084. 0625

Foster parents needed to care for teen youth in Wasco and Hood River counties. Agency provides on-call support, training, $2.1K/youth monthly reimbursement, 2 days off/month. Fosterinfo@nextdoorinc.org; 541-308-2207.

Local commercial fisherman sells summer catch of preserved freshness by blast freezing at sea, gourmet canned tuna on internet. Sept.June. 100% guaranteed the best canned tuna you ever tasted. Original, jalapeno and garlic flavors available. To order: twofisherstuna.com or 206-799-1082. 0525

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

Looking for that special knife? I hand make custom hunting and fishing knives. I also make other metal and wood crafts. Buckeyeknives.com; 559-212-0693. 0625

Pets

Fort Sage Kennels closing. AKC-registered Airedales. Females, 1 year old. Males 2 to 3 years old. 530-827-2271 or 530-249-7896. 0525

Plants

Cactus for sale. Cold/winter hardy. Good for landscaping. Sunnyside/Mabton, WA, area. Local pickup only. 509-391-5546; marybarthlow@gmail.com. 0725

Real Estate

Impressive family home with high-end upgrades on the John Day River. $439K. Duke Warner Realty: ddwr@ortelco.net, 541-987-2363. 0525

320 acres east of Adel, OR. Borders Hart Mountain views, Steens Mountain and Beaty Butte. Landowner tags, very rural. $263K. For maps: thejugglingman3@gmail.com; 541-659-1573. 0525

$180K. 160 acres, proven gold claims. 131 miles north of Fairbanks, AK. 50-yard-per-hour shaker plant. Complete water system. Text, 907-223-3036. 0525

Granite, OR. 3 city lots, 3/4 acre each, one has an off-grid cabin. Year-round activities: hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, snow-mobiling, 4x4, etc. $200K for all 3. 541-519-9077; billpathanley@gmail.com. 0525

82 acres with Doug Fir (planted 2008) and permitted rock quarry. Approx. 27 miles north of Roseburg, near I-5 exit 150. $2.1M. Lee Real Estate: john@northwestfarmbroker.com; 503-245-9090. 0525

Irrigon, OR. 3-bd, 2-ba. Manufactured home on permanent foundation. Lawn maintenance business with equipment. Huge shop and garage stick-built, unattached. One full city block property. $435K. 541-922-9675. 0625

Southern CA, Riverside County property for sale. 60 acres. I-10 at Joshua Tree exit. Parcel #715300006. $120K cash. Reasonable offers considered. lrehburg@aol.com; 714-349-7981.

Well-established Real Estate Brokerage expanding its team. Specializing in residential, commercial, vacant land, and ranch properties throughout Eastern OR. We’re a smaller brokerage focused on supporting our agents. Michael: Michael.ccp@outlook.com; 541-390-1032. 0525

20 acres buildable land Oakland, OR. Established road, driveway, building pad. Previous septic approval. Zoned agriculture/ wood. Stunning views, varied timber. $419K. Jim, 541-430-7576. 0525

Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm and recreation property in OR. Fourth-generation 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. 0525

10-acre parcel near Denali Park, across from Otto Lake in Healy. Build to suit: lodge, home or rehab cabins on-site. richellekillian@gmail.com. 0525

Awesome view of the Nestucca River, still in tidewater, across from a great fishing hole. Newer, glassed in Trex deck overlooking the river. 2-bd, 2-ba home with knotty pine interior. 2-car garage, plenty of room for kayaks. A short walk to a beautiful beach. $524.9K. steelheadsteven@gmail.com; 503-680-9799. 0525

Recreational Rentals

Oceanfront cottage on the spectacular Central OR Coast. Stunning views, sandy beach. Scoters, spindrift and seals. 2-bd + loft all w/ double beds. Rates and reservations: relax@WaveCatcherbeachrentals.com, wavecatcherbeachrentals.com, 541-740-2846.

Enjoy your ideal Maui getaway. This updated 2-bd, 2-ba condo sleeps 4 and features a charming “surf shack” design. Just half a block from a beautiful beach, it’s perfect for morning strolls and sunsets. Plus, you’re steps away from shops and restaurants at Azeka Plaza. tinyurl.com/MauiGetaway. 0525

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. 0625

Recreational Vehicles

2015 Momentum 380ToyHauler. Garage 9.7x7.9ft. Sleeps 6, center island, pantry, fireplace, 3 slides, Onan generator. Excellent condition. Photos available. $55K. 406-827-0618; shoffland54@gmail.com. 0525

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. 0525

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. 0525

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 blankets and rugs, baskets, beadwork, etc. Also, quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com. 0625

Your ad could be here in July. See instructions on Page 26 for details.

Eatonville United Methodist Church A Spiritual Base Camp On The Way To Paradise. Mashell Avenue North P.O. Box 205 Eatonville, WA 98328 360-832-4021

Home: 360-832-4562 Pastor Bernard Preston Ritchea Cell: 361-330-9666

Facebook: Eatonville United Methodist Church of Washington OPEN HEARTS OPEN MINDS OPEN DOORS OPEN TABLE WORSHIP SERVICE BEGINS AT 10:30 a.m.

Attention, Homeowners! Take Advantage of the Dollars and Sense of GVEA’s REDUCE Pilot Program

New program offers low-interest loans for energy-efficient projects

By Deb Hickok

Golden Valley Electric Association recently began to offer the REDUCE Pilot Program to homeowners as well as landlords.

Responsible Energy Decisions Using Cost-Effective Efficiencies, or REDUCE, provides low-interest loans to eligible members for energy-efficiency upgrades or equipment.

“If Golden Valley can help its members to reduce their energy costs through a low-interest loan, then we are very interested in helping our members this way,” Chair of the GVEA Board Chair Tom DeLong says.

As a 20-year representative of District 2 on the board, Tom says some GVEA members have been advocating for a program like this for years.

Under the auspices of GVEA’s Member Advisory Committee, a task force was formed to research the potential and provisions of a pilot program.

“The main purpose was to look at the various models that are out there by contacting other co-ops and consultants,” says Mathew Mund, a six-year District 1 MAC Representative who served on the task force.

Born and raised in Fairbanks, Mathew views his involvement as a GVEA volunteer as a way to be more engaged with the larger community. His motivation is to assist the community in addressing energy costs and consumption.

“I just want Fairbanks to be as livable as possible,” he says. “Specifically, electricity costs have a large impact on the livability of the community.”

BY

Mathew says the task force deliberated the pilot program for about a year before sending a proposal forward to the GVEA board and staff for their consideration.

Task force members initially asked themselves questions like, “Who is this program for?” and “Who would find a program like this valuable?”

Mathew says that the emphasis became focused on those who don’t have access to financial support to improve their home.

A homeowner’s income level or credit rating are not part of GVEA’s considerations when determining eligibility for the lowinterest loan.

How REDUCE Works

An eligible GVEA member may apply for a loan, featuring an attractive 3% interest rate for either a five- or 10-year term. The loan must be used exclusively to finance approved energyefficiency and/or conservation measures at a home the applicant owns. See the sidebar on Page 29 for more information.

The loans are available for improvements across four categories—energy-efficient appliances, weatherization, lighting improvements and solar array systems. GVEA notes that the effectiveness of the equipment may vary depending on the specific location of the home.

GVEA’s approval of an application is contingent on proof that the eligible equipment will result in energy cost savings within the loan term.

PHOTO

PHOTOVS

Prior to the application process, in order to assure this savings objective, the homeowner should first contact a local contractor to provide a bid or quote for the equipment intended to be financed under this program. Not exceeding the $10,000 maximum loan amount, the costs should include the equipment as well as installation fees and labor. After obtaining the bid or quote, the homeowner may begin the application process for a REDUCE loan.

Working in tandem with the member, GVEA performs the final vetting of the application. This may require some backand-forth with the applicant. GVEA also may request a site visit if the likelihood of energy savings can’t be determined from the application.

Once GVEA confirms that the equipment is eligible for financing under the program, an approval letter is sent to the member along with a financing agreement for the homeowner to review and sign.

Upon approval of the application, GVEA directly pays the member’s contractor within 30 days.

The homeowner will also have the opportunity to enter a maintenance agreement at an additional cost. The agreement details provisions for repair and maintenance services on the financed equipment.

After notification that the equipment installation is complete, GVEA begins billing the member monthly to repay the loan. For the pilot program, the loan invoice is separate from the homeowner’s regular GVEA electric bill. Payments are due within 30 days of the bill date. Members submit their monthly payments back to GVEA until the loan is paid in full within the loan’s term of either five or 10 years.

How is the REDUCE Pilot Program funded?

GVEA allocated $200,000 for the pilot program. Eligible loans are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until those funds are depleted.

“The money for the pilot does not come from the money members pay on their bills,” Tom says.

The funds for REDUCE come from nonoperating streams of revenue in the utility’s budget. Examples of the revenue streams categorized as nonoperating are rents paid to GVEA and interest earnings.

Tom also cites patronage capital received from the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, or CFC, as a non-operating revenue source. Just like GVEA members receive capital credits from the cooperative, GVEA receives patronage capital from CFC. With $37 billion in assets, CFC aids nearly 1,000 cooperatives serving an estimated 42 million people across 50 states. Tom says these utilities largely serve low-density, lowincome, rural communities, which includes Fairbanks.

Pilot program funding has no impact on member rates.

The 3% interest rate allows GVEA to recover administrative expenses for this program, such as staff time, recording fees, marketing costs and loss reserves. This ensures that members not participating in the program don’t cover any program costs.

“It’s not a gift, it’s a loan,” Tom says. “We’re not giving money away. You have to pay it back with interest.”

Possibilities Beyond the Pilot Program

“This pilot program really should be a great weather balloon to see if there is an appetite among our members for this,” Tom says.

He highlights the pilot program will allow GVEA to gauge the broader interest among GVEA members. He explains that a true On-Bill Financing Program, or OBF, requires Golden Valley to apply to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska for approval to recoup loan payments directly through members’ bills.

If the pilot program proves successful, Tom says, the next step would be for GVEA to apply to fund a permanent program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Services, known as RUS, finances programs like OBF through the Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants program.

Tom points out that the REDUCE Pilot Program is a new and different project for GVEA and is not RUS funded.

But, GVEA does have a precedent of leveraging RUS funding to better Fairbanks and the surrounding area. For example, through RUS funds, GVEA loaned $360,000 to the Fairbanks Co-op Market Grocery & Deli located downtown. The market co-op completed paying back the loan in 2023, and GVEA has since stood up the Interior Economic Growth fund to finance other economic development projects in the Interior. The IEGF is fully funded through federal programs and has no effect on electric rates. Learn more at gvea.com/iegf.

“I am definitely in support of the pilot program,” Tom says. “The idea is that these improvements will lower your energy bill. Why wouldn’t we help our members out if we can?”

“Anything that we can do to reduce energy costs will make our community more vibrant,” Mathew says.

For more details on the REDUCE Pilot Program, including eligibility, application process, financing and maintenance agreements and frequently asked questions, go to the GVEA website at gvea.com/reduce. n

Who Is Eligible for the REDUCE Pilot Program?

Applicants, whether residential homeowners or landlords, must meet these requirements to be eligible for the pilot program:

• Be and remain a current GVEA residential member for the duration of the loan.

• Have received electric service from GVEA for a minimum of 12 consecutive months.

• Have an average electric use of 600 kilowatt-hours or more per month.

• Have not been disconnected for nonpayment within the last 12 months.

• Own the service location where equipment is to be installed.

PHOTO BY MITCHELL WALLACE

A Bright Start to the Day

Highlighting the beauty all around him, Mitchell Wallace captures the sun as it peeks over a hill on a ranch in Baker City, Oregon.

To submit your photo, email a JPEG to photos@pioneer.coop. Include “Before You Go” in the subject line and share a bit about what inspired you to make your photo. n

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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

Krista Zappone, District 7

Fred Sheen, District 6

Rick Solie, District 3

Corporate Headquarters

758 Illinois St. P.O. Box 71249 Fairbanks, AK 99707-1249

907-452-1151

1-800-770-GVEA (4832) Fax 907-458-6365

Delta Junction Office 1681 Richardson Highway Delta Junction, AK 99737

907-452-1151

1-800-770-GVEA (4832) Fax 907-895-5472

Report Outages:

907-452-1151

1-800-770-GVEA (4832)

Select: Option 1, Option 1

View Outage Map: gvea.com/outages

www.gvea.com

AK-37

2025 Voting Guide

Golden Valley Electric Association District 6 Board of Directors Elections

Electronic Voting Just Got Easier—Vote Using Your MyGVEA Account!

This year, members can vote electronically through their MyGVEA account. This process is easier and faster than ever before.

To vote electronically using MyGVEA:

1. Open MyGVEA via desktop or the mobile app.

2. Log in.

3. Click the “Vote Now” button.

4. Vote for your candidate of choice.

If you do not have a MyGVEA account:

1. Call the Election Helpline at 855-761-9111 or email goldenvalley@alaska-cpas.com to receive your unique password.

NOTE: You will need your member # to receive a password from the Election Helpline. This is located on the top right corner of your billing statement.

2. Visit directvote.net/GVEA.

3. Log in using your member # and unique password.

4. Vote!

Vote by Mail

1. Ballots will be mailed on May 9. When you receive your ballot, vote for only one candidate.

2. Place the ballot in the postage paid envelope and mail.

District 6 includes Delta Junction, Fort Greely and all areas south of the Salcha River, including Harding and Birch lakes.

Need help?

Contact the Election Helpline at 855-761-9111 or goldenvalley@alaska-cpas.com

Calendar

May 9—Ballots mailed, and online voting opens at 12 p.m. on MyGVEA.

June 10—Ballots must be received by 5 p.m., electronically through MyGVEA or by mail.

June 13—Election committee counts ballots.

June 24—GVEA Board of Directors votes to accept election results.

Learn more at gvea.com/elections.