Ruralite, Klickitat PUD, March 2025

Ruralite KLICKITAT PUD

MARCH 2025

Keeping the Lines Clear KPUD’s right-of-way maintenance improves power reliability and helps shorten outages Page 4

ALSO INSIDE >>

Net Metering Annual Review Page 25

An Updated, Improved Bill Page 28

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1/23/25 12:12 PM

FROM THE PIONEER TEAM

Ruralite March 2025 • Volume 72, No. 3

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 Ruralite (USPS 397-460) is published monthly for members for $5.43 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 46 consumer-owned electric utilities in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Nevada and California. Preferred periodical postage paid at Hillsboro, Oregon, 97123 and additional mailing offices. © 2025 Pioneer Utility Resources. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

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Back issues: Back issues and extra copies $3. Prepayment required. Supply is limited. Be sure to identify edition, month and year. Call first if ordering back issues to check availability.

Seasons of Change As I write this, the promise of spring is on the calendar, but there are currently no signs it’ll actually occur. I choose to hope for the best.

Spring is known as a season of renewal and fresh starts, and those themes echo throughout this month’s issue.

I’m particularly excited to share our Up Close story about Danny and Angie Butler, the remarkable mother-son duo who represented Walla Walla, Washington, on “The Amazing Race.” Their journey wasn’t just about competing for a million-dollar prize; it was about strengthening an already incredible bond through shared adventures.

Their story reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful victories aren’t about crossing a finish line.

Our spotlight feature, “Bridging the Skills Gap,” explores how innovative programs are reshaping career paths across multiple states. From Alaska Works’ free trade classes to Hermiston High School’s enterprising student-run businesses in Oregon, there are many exciting alternatives to traditional four-year degrees.

At a time when employers are struggling to fill positions, these programs offer hope and opportunity for our region’s workforce.

I am intrigued by Tim Myres’ innovative work combining apprenticeships with college degrees at Sheet Metal Local 104 in California.

His program proves we don’t always have to choose between academic and practical education. Students can graduate with both a valuable trade certification and an associate’s degree, at no cost to their families.

Speaking of innovative education, don’t miss Dave LaBelle’s charming reflection on teaching photography via the humble egg. His story about using this simple object to teach students about light, shadow and composition reminds us the best lessons often come from unexpected sources.

And because March wouldn’t be complete without a nod to St. Patrick’s Day, Gertrude Treadaway serves up a hearty feast of Irishinspired recipes. Her Guinness-braised beef might just become your new favorite comfort food.

Here’s to embracing the season’s promise of renewal.

Until next time, Chasity Anderson Editorial Director

Amazing Ride

To contact Ruralite: Ruralite magazine is published by Pioneer Utility Resources.

P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133-1306; 503-357-2105; email: info@pioneer.coop.

For more information, visit www.pioneer.coop.

From reality TV to everyday life, a mother and son celebrate gratitude Up Close, Page 10

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Bridging the Skills Gap Apprenticeships, service programs and trade schools reshape the workforce Spotlight, Page 12 Plugged In 6 Picture Hunt Reader Exchange 18 Before You Go Utility Pages: 4-5, 8, 25, 28-29, 32

22 30

A Hearty Feast For St. Patrick’s Day

In The Kitchen, Page 16

MARCH 2025

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KLICKITAT PUD

Keeping the Lines Clear KPUD’s right-of-way maintenance improves power reliability and helps shorten outages

During outages, Klickitat PUD crews work diligently to restore power quickly and safely. However, their job becomes more challenging when overgrown vegetation obstructs rights of way—the designated areas where power lines run. Maintaining clear ROWs is crucial for both electric service reliability and public safety.

Why Right-of-Way Maintenance Matters ROWs overgrown with trees, shrubs or other vegetation can cause significant issues.

• Power outages. Trees or branches contacting power lines can lead to outages affecting hundreds or even thousands of customers.

• Delayed repairs. When ROWs are obstructed, crews must navigate difficult terrain to access damaged lines, slowing down restoration efforts.

• Wildfire prevention. In Klickitat County’s hot and dry summers, overgrown vegetation increases the risk of wildfires. Proactive trimming reduces this hazard.

“Removal of dead or dying hazard trees from within or outside of our right of way helps prevent trees from falling into the power line during winter storms and wind events, or when fire season is active,” KPUD Engineering Supervisor Mark Garner says.

Planning for Safe & Reliable Power When customers request new electric service, KPUD staking engineers carefully evaluate the best route for power lines. Factors such as cost, maintenance, emergency access and long-term planning are considered to ensure a reliable power supply.

“During the on-site visit with a

customer, they are made aware of the importance of a clean, clear ROW and understand how it impacts both the customers and KPUD if a ROW does not meet the requirements,” KPUD Staking Engineer Nathaniel Hill says.

Keeping ROWs Clear: A Shared Responsibility Maintaining clear ROWs is a team effort. KPUD crews—along with contract partners like Kemp West— regularly trim trees and clear vegetation to ensure safe and efficient power delivery. Customers can help by: • Reporting vegetation concerns to KPUD’s operations department at 800-548-8357, via SmartHub or through the KPUD website.

• Considering the height a tree will reach when it is fully grown before planting one near power lines.

• Allowing KPUD crews access for regular inspections and maintenance.

KPUD Line Superintendent John Starr, who oversees tree maintenance operations, emphasizes the importance of customer cooperation.

“Keeping ROWs clear allows us to maintain power lines safely and efficiently,” he says. “It’s a community effort that benefits everyone.”

Power Lines Need Space We love trees, but we also prioritize safe and reliable electricity. If planting a tree near power lines, opt for lowgrowing trees like flowering or fruit trees. If planting taller trees, plant them at a safe distance from power lines to prevent interference.

By working together, we can ensure a safer and more reliable power system for all KPUD customers. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our ROWs clear. n

ABOVE: Left untouched, trees, shrubs and more can grow, disrupt access to power lines and even cause outages. LEFT: Clearing rights of way helps prevent outages and increase power reliability.

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MARCH 2025

Why KPUD Trims Trees Although most trees do not present a problem, some of them grow into or crowd power lines, poles or other utility equipment.

This could cause service issues.

Unruly and overgrown trees can: Cause outages.

Create fire hazards.

Break off and land on power lines.

Cause lights to flicker during high winds.

Get weighed down with ice and cause issues.

Proper pruning techniques are used to preserve tree health, although sometimes a tree must be removed.

This is a last resort, but it can be necessary if there are: Fast-growing trees directly under power lines.

Trees that are leaning into lines.

Trees that are declining, cracked or split.

Unobstructed power lines make it easier and safer for utility crews to repair or service lines.

MARCH 2025

5

Hold That PLUGGED IN

Batteries power toys, remotes and even cars. Now, they’re showing they can help power communities, too.

By Jennah Denney

It’s often possible to use resources immediately while also saving some for later. It can be cost-effective for electric utilities to generate power when it is the most affordable and then save it for when demand is highest.

To do this, we need to use batteries.

To help manage supply and demand, some electric utilities use a variety of battery energy storage systems. These can vary by battery material—be it electrochemical, mechanical or thermal—as well as by size, with

some operating at utility scale.

Other, smaller batteries can be placed in residential garages.

Utility-scale battery systems are designed for energy storage to support the electric grid, requiring high initial investments but offering significant long-term savings.

Residential battery systems cater to individual homes, providing more energy independence and savings while still representing a significant investment.

Utility-Scale Battery Storage Utility-scale storage systems are large installations that store

Battery systems can store power. PHOTO COURTESY OF TRICO ELECTRIC CO-OP

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MARCH 2025

huge amounts of electricity.

Some can store several megawatt-hours, which could power 500 homes for several hours. Larger installations can store enough to power roughly 1 million households.

The key benefit of batteries is balancing supply and demand.

Batteries can take energy produced when the cost of production is cheaper and save it for periods of high demand when utilities may see higher prices.

This can be especially useful in areas where demand can spike or fall rapidly throughout the day.

Batteries also pair well with renewable generation sources, such as solar and wind.

Sometimes, on particularly sunny or windy days, solar panels and wind turbines produce more power than a community needs at the time.

Batteries can save that energy for when the sun sets or the winds fade.

Electric utilities can also deploy utility-scale storage systems at electric substations to enhance grid resilience.

If a power outage means no electricity is reaching a substation, on-site batteries can continue sending power to critical infrastructure—such as hospitals and emergency services—until power is restored.

at Charge Energy Storage

En

Below are the four most widely used storage methods.

Below are used stor

Energy storage involves devices and methods that absorb power when it’s generated and save it for when it’s most needed. The ability to “warehouse” large quantities of energy economically and over long periods of time will help utilities improve grid operations, integrate renewables and boost reliability.

Electrochemical

Battery Racks

Mechanical

Motor

Cells

Flywheel

Vacuum Enclosure Upper Magnetic Bearing

Tempe Te mperature e Con Control

Lower Magnetic Bearing

Grid-enabled water heater Upper Reservoir

Cooling Vents

Fire Suppression

Pumped-storage facility

Thermal

Energy stored as heat or cold; most common: controllable water heaters

Control Panel Utility turn turns heater *) ) *Ȃ Regulates and .#$ȅ. #$ȅ. load Lowest-cost energystorage method

Generating Pumping

Lower Reservoir

Gravitational Turbine

Storage using moved mass; most common: pumped hydropower

MARCH 2025

ADOBE STOCK BACKGROUND BY PRAT

Cylindrical Rotor

Battery storage; most common: lithium-ion and lead

Grid-scale battery

Kinetic storage; most common: flywheel and compressed air

Vacuum Enclosure

Energy stor it’s most ne of time will

Source: Energy Storage Association; Design: Kevin Kepple

Source: Energy Storage Association; Design: Kevin Kepple

Residential Battery Storage With batteries, homeowners can reduce their energy bills and ensure a steady supply of power, even during grid disruptions and outages.

Residential battery storage systems are compact installations designed for individual homes, typically ranging from a few kilowatthours to 10s of kWh in capacity. Often paired with residential solar panels, these smaller systems allow homeowners to store excess energy generated during the day for use at night or during power outages. Residential batteries can help provide a level of energy independence.

However, the initial cost of buying and installing a residential storage system is expensive, which may deter some homeowners.

Electric utilities are increasingly recognizing the benefits of residential battery storage. These systems not only support grid stability and resilience, but can help reduce costs for utilities and their customers. Some utilities offer energy-storage programs and rates, which means homeowners can contribute to a more efficient and reliable energy system that benefits the entire community.

As electric utilities navigate the complexities of modern energy supply, utility-scale and residential battery energy storage systems can be a benefit to all of our lives. n

7

Cylindric Rot Motor

Re

Pump

Lowe Reservoi

KLICKITAT PUD

Untangling Power Line

Myths Safety VS

Power lines deliver electricity to homes and businesses and are essential to our modern way of life. We see them everywhere, so we sometimes forget they can be potentially dangerous.

Myths abound when it comes to power line safety. To help protect our communities, Klickitat PUD believes it’s crucial to end

01

I’m safe as long as I don’t touch power lines.

02

If birds can sit on power lines, it’s safe for humans to touch them, too.

03

Wooden ladders are safe around power lines.

04

It’s safe to trim trees near the power lines.

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MARCH 2025

Power lines are insulated, so they’re safe to touch.

power line misconceptions.

Understanding power line safety helps prevent accidents and protect lives.

KPUD promotes a culture of awareness and safety by encouraging everyone to play it safe with electricity. n

Lines can energize the air around them. If too close, electricity can jump to you, leading to injury/death.

01

There’s no difference in voltage in the distance between a bird’s feet, so no circuit is created. Electric shock occurs if a person touches a line while touching the ground.

Wood is not a sufficient insulator.

Only use nonconductive ladders around power lines and maintain a safe distance.

Branches could strike power lines and you at the same time, causing physical harm or death. This should be left to the professionals.

Touching a power line, even if it appears insulated, can deliver an electric shock.

05

02 03 04

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UP CLOSE

Amazing Ride From reality TV to everyday life, a mother and son celebrate gratitude

By Vicki Hillhouse The energy was electrifying in the Activities & Recreation Center at Point Loma Nazarene University for the premiere of season 36 of “The Amazing Race.” Students gathered, and friends and family flew in to watch Resident Director Danny Butler and his mother, Angie, a middle school teacher, make their series debut in 2024.

It felt like half a lifetime to Danny since the duo set out on their reality television adventure, representing Walla Walla, Washington, in challenges around the globe against 12 other pairs with a $1 million prize waiting for one team at the finish line. It had actually been a year and a half since filming ended.

Danny says holding the secrets of the season for so long was a grind. Everyone in the room wanted to know where in the world they went (Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Barbados); what kinds of wild adventures they had (paragliding into Medellin, rally car racing in Cordoba, tracking down the childhood home of singer Rihanna in Bridgetown); and how far they made it (sixth place).

Thirteen teams line up in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for the start of “The Amazing Race.” PHOTO BY KIT KARZEN/CBS

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MARCH 2025

A Memorable Exit But there was a much larger spoiler: Danny and Angie made series history in the eighth episode. Separated from their film crew in a Barbadian roundabout, they lost so much time in the wait to reunite and continue with the race that they were ultimately eliminated. Fans were reeling about the unprecedented loss, caused not by Danny and Angie’s actions but by decisions outside of their control.

In the year since, their elimination is one of the most askedabout aspects of their experience. Angie’s second-most asked question is from mothers who want to know the secret to a family bond so tight that her eldest son would invite her to compete on a reality show in the first place.

Their response to just about every question is one of cheerful gratitude—a hallmark, along with their deep-rooted faith, of their time on the show.

“We didn’t want to disappoint each other,” Angie says.

Their ending—however controversial—was a sort of gift.

“The way we went out—Mom killed it that day playing pickleball—neither of us failed each other,” Danny says.

“Our job on that show was to love others well and reflect our love for each other, and I think we did that,” Angie says.

Sharing the Experience Danny hopes to one day return to “The Amazing Race” for an all-stars season to get another chance. In the meantime, he and Angie launched a podcast, “Read the Clue,” where they recapped the episodes from their season—with Angie in Walla Walla and Danny in San Diego. They have made appearances together, including at Over the Edge Celebrity Weekend, a threeday brush with reality TV stars raising funds for their chosen nonprofit organizations.

ABOVE AND RIGHT: Mother-and-son team Angie and Danny Butler race through Colombia on the 36th season of “The Amazing Race,” which aired in 2024. They paraglided into Medellin and, among other things, had to harvest and process a kilogram of ripe Arabica beans as one of their roadblock challenges. PHOTOS BY KT KARZEN/CBS AND YURI HASEGAWA/CBS

Angie, who’s taken the year off from teaching science at Walla Walla’s Pioneer Middle School, has been invited by local churches to speak about her experience and the bonds she has with her three children. She looks up other show contestants when she’s traveling outside of Washington and was even recognized at the bottom of Bryce Canyon in Utah when a family asked her to take their photo and realized they’d seen her on television.

“I never dreamed that would be part of my journey,” she marvels. “Once we got off the show, I thought that was it.”

Living a Dream Danny, 28, had long been preparing himself to be a contestant. In their Walla Walla home, the family, including father Dan, built puzzles, played games and enjoyed challenges.

A dogged fan of competition shows, Danny knew he wanted to be a contestant someday when he watched the 12th episode of the 15th season of “Survivor.” Contestants and their

loved ones were blindfolded on opposite sides of a maze and had to race their way to a dais in the middle.

“I thought, ‘That is the coolest thing. I want to do that someday,’ ” he says.

“The Amazing Race” held a particular place in his heart. When Danny was a freshman in high school, he staged his own version of the show in Walla Walla. Friends and fellow youth group members pedaled their bikes through town, following his clues and competing in challenges. It led them, among other places, to the local candy store where they had to guess flavors of jellybeans in a blind tasting to move on.

Making the show about a decade later was a dream come true.

Now, with the 37th season slated to begin March 5, Danny and Angie look forward to expanding their reality television family.

Danny plans to host the kickoff with another version of his own race for friends the weekend before. Then he’ll put together a premiere party at his home.

“I will watch on my TV and be ready to jump on socials to celebrate and root for so many fun people,” he says. n

MARCH 2025

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Sparks fly as an apprentice participates in a competition at Local 66 Western Washington Sheet Metal's training center. The center offers a summer program to give high school seniors and recent graduates a taste of the trades. PHOTO BY TIFFANNIE BOND

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MARCH 2025

SPOTLIGHT

BRIDGING

THE SKILLS

guarantee union acceptance, but Gena says it shows an applicant’s commitment, and that does not go unnoticed.

Not all participants become union members. Gena says some use the forklift certification to earn an extra $3 an hour in their current jobs.

“There's a lot of different kinds of success,” she says.

Employers are struggling to fill positions in a tight labor market.

There are only 92 available workers for every 100 job openings in California, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

In Oregon, the stat is even more staggering, with 66 available workers for every 100 open jobs. To see the rate in your state, visit tinyurl.com/availableworkers.

Good jobs are out there for those with advanced skills that can come from career and technical education programs and apprenticeships. Even volunteer experience can transform a candidate into a desirable hire. Here is a sampling of programs working to fill the skills gap.

Trying on Apprenticeship Giving potential union recruits a taste of the trades early is the goal of the preapprentice programs overseen by Jeff Reinhardt, executive administrator at Local 66 Western Washington Sheet Metal.

Local 66 works with several initiatives, including Heavy Metal Summer (hmse.org), a series of free summer camp explorations offered across the country, and ANEW (anewcareer.org), a Puget Sound-based multiunion partnership.

Local 66 offers its own summer preapprenticeship for rising high school seniors or recent graduates. Jeff says the union usually only takes two candidates from any one school. Once accepted, recruits are expected to arrive at 6 a.m. and work all day in classrooms and in the shop.

“Can you imagine a high school kid not getting up at 6, but starting at 6 a.m.?” Jeff says. “Most of the time they’re in the parking lot here at 5:15, and there are some that are coming a half hour, 45 minutes away. It’s impressive to see the level of commitment.”

The first week, the program always loses a few of the 20 or so recruits.

“Like I tell them, ‘Don’t feel bad if you decide this isn’t what you want to do,’ ” Jeff says. “At least you can check that box and say, ‘Hey, I tried it. I don’t want to do that.’ ” At the end of the program, about five participants are offered apprenticeships, skipping applications and interviews. That fiveyear apprenticeship comes with paid training, health insurance and on-the-job experience.

One of the goals of the program is to prevent the “seven-year gap,” a phenomenon where people spend four years in college and another three trying to find jobs before finally discovering the benefits of a trade apprenticeship.

“So, why don’t we just go straight to them and see what kind of interest they have,” Jeff says.

Alaska Works Launched through a trade union partnership more than two decades ago, Alaska Works (alaskaworks.org) offers free classes covering basics in welding, wiring, first aid, construction, forklift operation, carpentry and more. The idea, says Gena Bolton with the Fairbanks site, is to give Alaskans ages 16 and older a taste of a variety of industries.

“We encourage people to take several different trainings, so they have a better idea of what they’re interested in or what their skill level is,” Gena says. “Not everyone is going to be an electrician. We need carpenters. We need laborers. We need welders.”

Alaska Works also helps with applications for union apprenticeships and interview training. Participation doesn’t

Hermiston High School Gets to Work Roger Berger’s accounting students at Hermiston High School in Eastern Oregon would often wonder when they would use the skills learned in his class.

Roger had an immediate answer for them when the opportunity arose to launch a school coffee shop. More than 17 years later, that initial practical application has evolved into a career and technical education department with 11 pathway programs, including agriculture, health sciences and engineering.

In the business program, students manage two concessions businesses, run a print shop making signs and promotional materials, and produce apparel for the school district. Roger says people are surprised at the program’s scale, with students handling every aspect from human resources to publicity.

GAP

Apprenticeships, service programs and trade schools reshape the workforce

By Ginger Meurer

MARCH 2025

13

Eighth graders in Hermiston, Oregon, tour the high school's greenhouse to learn more about the ag plant science program. High school students grow and sell plants each year as a learning opportunity and fundraiser for the Hermiston chapter of the National FFA Organization.

PHOTO BY ROGER POPE

“Our goal this year was to do $200,000 between five businesses, and I think we’ll probably be closer to $250,000,” he says. “People always think, ‘Oh you have a Keurig and a little teapot.’ No, we have a full espresso machine, and we have probably one of the best ovens in the country. We’re really trying to build the opportunity for our students to work with the equipment they’re going to see out in the field.”

Thanks to community partnerships, students participate in internships, job shadowing, practicums and site visits. Roger is grateful that Umatilla Electric Cooperative provides experiences for computer science, engineering and marketing students. Others have gained skills through business and medical partnerships.

"What we’re trying to show is there is incredible value in school and in taking advantage of opportunities and giving yourself the best chance for success,” he says.

The Best of Both Worlds Tim Myres got tired of hearing a four-year degree was superior to an apprenticeship. So, when he was working at Sheet Metal Local 20’s training center in Indiana, he partnered with Ivy Tech Community College to help apprentices earn associate degrees and journeyperson status simultaneously. When he moved to Local 104 in the San Francisco Bay area, he wanted to launch a dual-credit apprenticeship.

“We’re always raising our hand, yelling out loud that we’re as good as a college,” Tim says. “Without a degree, people can argue that. So, it’s important that if they go through our program, they not only develop a career that they’ll have for a lifetime, with all the skills they learn, but they’ve also received an associate degree. Nobody can argue now that we’re not at the same level as a college. We are a higher education facility."

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MARCH 2025

Most participants get college credit for experience gained through their five-year apprenticeships, but there are usually a few classes needed to complete an associate degree. Teaming with Foothill College, Tim worked to translate union training into community college equivalents that led to degrees for his apprentices.

In the end, there were two classes remaining: English and humanities. The college offers a humanities class at no cost to apprentices. For the English requirement, students can enroll in an industry-specific program that teaches how to write construction documents and professional responses to evaluations and draft research papers on an issue affecting the Local 104 in California.

“It's not just, ‘I had some English class, and I had to read stuff.’ ” Tim says. “No, this is actually stuff you can use and learn from that will help you moving forward as a professional."

Foothill College is developing a bachelor’s degree for those who want to go into project management.

Managing family dynamics and expectations is a big part of Tim’s mission, too.

“There are a lot of families that say, ‘Don’t go into the building trades. You’re smarter than that. Go to college,’ ” he says. “They can have both here. They can have a job where they’re making money, receiving health care benefits, receiving a pension and getting the college degree, and it costs the family nothing. How can parents argue that?”

Benefits of Volunteer Work Even after college, a career path isn’t always clear. One choice is public service. AmeriCorps (americorps.gov) helps train and deploy volunteers who work with schools, nonprofits and government organizations.

Branches include AmeriCorps NCCC, a full-time, team-based, residential program for 18- to 24-year-olds tapped to help in

A sheet metal apprenticeship program affiliated with Local 104 in the California Bay Area helps students graduate with journeyperson status, five years of paid classroom and on-the-job training, and their associates degrees.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LOCAL 104

natural disasters, work on public land and more. AmeriCorps VISTA, short for Volunteers in Service To America, places individuals with organizations that fight poverty. AmeriCorps State and National matches participants with organizations that see service as a solution to local, regional and national challenges. AmeriCorps Seniors provides retirees with opportunities to serve.

Benefits for AmeriCorps participants include scholarships to use on higher education or to pay off student loans, and modest stipends to cover living expenses. Jacqueline Simon, AmeriCorps senior public affairs specialist, says the program gives people who aren’t sure what they want to do yet the opportunity to pause and get some actual hands-on experience in the field.

“I think that’s actually a really important thing to have the opportunity to explore and learn and find more about yourself,” she says. “There is a place for everyone. That I am certain of, whether someone is 18, right out of high school and not really sure if college is right for them, or what path to study in college, or if they just need a breather. It is an incredible hands-on experience where you learn new skills, you build professional relationships, and you get guidance from people who have worked in a field for a long time.”

A breather is exactly what AmeriCorps alumnus RoShawn Perry needed after finishing college in Ohio. He wanted to return to California to be close to family and had dreams of graduate school but needed a break from the classroom. An AmeriCorps representative encouraged him to apply to be a lead for an NCCC team. He served a year and then signed up for a second stint through the AmeriCorps State and National program working with adolescents.

“I really enjoyed my experience,” RoShawn says. “It really stretched me a lot of ways. It gave me a huge boost of confidence as a leader.”

After earning his master’s degree, RoShawn returned to AmeriCorps and served as a unit leader, helping direct teams of young adults traveling the country. Now he works for a nonprofit that partners with AmeriCorps sponsoring volunteers.

RoShawn encourages anyone who’s uncertain about what chart to course for their life to take time to serve others, travel the nation and get to know different communities and people.

“It will allow you to have new experiences that will hopefully expand your world views and your perspective in life,” he says. “And you get to do it while making lifelong friends and having a fun time.” n

ABOVE: Alaska Works offers free classes, including heavy equipment operation to give Alaskans 16 and older a taste of a variety of industries. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALASKA WORKS PARTNERSHIP BELOW: RoShawn Perry, back row, center, joined AmeriCorps after finishing college. He later became an AmeriCorps unit leader and now works for a nonprofit that partners with the volunteer organization. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROSHAWN PERRY

F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 5

15

IN THE KITCHEN

A Hearty Feast

FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY Guinness Braised Beef

2 tablespoons cooking oil 21/2 pounds beef (crosscut shanks, chuck short ribs or beef for stew) Salt and pepper 6 medium shallots, sliced thin 4 to 5 sprigs fresh thyme, chopped 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 16 to 32 ounces Irish stout, depending on how much liquid you want

Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway PHOTO BY KRISSY HAYNIE

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JAANRUCAHRY M 2 02 023 5

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 2 bay leaves Rosemary sprigs 1/4 cup tomato paste 2 to 3 garlic cloves, chopped 2 cups baby carrots Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Heat oven to 300 F. Trim any excess fat from the beef and cut into cubes. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Gently dust with a bit of flour, and reserve the rest of the flour. If working with crosscut beef shanks, leave whole and skip flour-dusting.

Add the cooking oil to a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef, then remove it from the pot. Lower the heat to medium. Sauté the onions with the thyme.

If needed, add a little more cooking oil.

When the onions are translucent, stir in the flour. Cook for about 1 minute. Deglaze with some of the stout, scraping off brown bits from the bottom. Add the remaining stout, brown sugar, garlic, tomato paste, rosemary sprigs, carrots and bay leaves.

Increase the heat and stir. Return the beef to the pot, and bring to a boil. Cover, then transfer to the oven.

Cook for 21/2 to 4 hours, or until the meat is tender. Check on the meat around the 2-hour mark. Remove from the oven. Discard the bay leaves and rosemary sprigs.

Serve as is, or over mashed potatoes or rice.

Shamrock Shake

1½ cups vanilla ice cream ¾ cup whole milk 1 drop green gel food coloring

½ teaspoon mint extract Whipped cream 1 tablespoon green sprinkles 2 maraschino cherries

In a blender, combine ice cream, milk, food coloring and extract. Blend until smooth. Divide into two glasses.

Top each with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry.

Colcannon Potatoes

11/2 teaspoons salt 1 medium head cabbage, about 2 pounds, shredded ½ teaspoon pepper 4 pounds potatoes, peeled ¼ cup butter, melted and quartered Minced fresh parsley 2 cups whole milk Cooked bacon, crumbled 1 cup chopped green onions

Place cabbage and 2 cups of water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer until cabbage is tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, reserving cooking liquid.

Keep cabbage warm in a separate dish.

In the same pan, combine potatoes and reserved cooking liquid. Add additional water to cover potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cook, uncovered, until potatoes are tender about 15 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, place milk, green onions, salt and pepper in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.

Drain potatoes. Place them in a large bowl and mash. Add milk mixture, and beat just until blended. Stir in cabbage. To serve, drizzle with butter, and top with parsley and bacon.

Easy Corned Beef and Cabbage 2 to 3 pounds corned beef brisket with spice packet 4 cups beef broth ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce 2 pounds small red potatoes

2 pounds baby carrots 1 large head green cabbage, cut into wedges ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper

Place corned beef into a large pot with lid. Pour beef broth over brisket to cover. Add Worcestershire sauce. Sprinkle spice packet over brisket.

Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 50 minutes per pound of brisket, until the meat shreds easily with a fork.

Add potatoes. Cover and cook until potatoes start to get tender, about 15 minutes.

Add carrots and cabbage wedges. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook, with lid on, for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender. Cooking time depends on the size of the carrots and potatoes.

Remove meat from the pot. Let rest for 15 minutes. Slice against the grain, then shred. Serve vegetables with liquid.

Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Irish Soda Bread

4 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup butter, softened 4 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt 1¼ cup buttermilk, divided 1 egg ¼ cup butter, melted

Heat oven to 375 F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet.

Mix flour, softened butter, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Stir in 1 cup buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead slightly. Form dough into a round, and place on prepared baking sheet.

Combine melted butter with ¼ cup buttermilk in a small bowl. Brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an ‘x’ into the top of the loaf.

Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 45 to 50 minutes. Check for doneness after 30 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.

Shepherd’s Pie Mashed potato topping 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 4 tablespoons butter

¼ cup sour cream ¼ to ½ cup milk Salt and pepper, to taste

Filling 1 pound ground beef 1 small onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups frozen peas, carrots and corn medley 2 tablespoons flour ½ cup beef broth

1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon rosemary ½ teaspoon thyme 1 bay leaf

Heat oven to 350 F. Boil the potatoes until fork tender. Drain. Add butter, sour cream, milk, salt and pepper. Mash the potatoes until desired consistency. Set aside.

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the onions and garlic. Drain excess grease. In the same skillet, add the frozen vegetables. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Sprinkle flour over the meat and veggies. Stir to mix. Add tomato paste; mix. Add the broth, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, then reduce to low heat. Cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes, adding additional broth if necessary to prevent the meat from drying out.

Remove from heat. Remove the bay leaf, then spread the meat mixture in an even layer in a 9-by-13-inch dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Top the meat with the mashed potatoes, making an even layer of potatoes. Bake for 30 minutes until brown and bubbly. If desired, place the dish under broiler to brown further.

MARCH 2025

17

READER EXCHANGE

Books/Magazines I'm interested in paperbacks or books under the title of “Conan the Barbarian” or “King Kull. ” Please respond with titles and purchase prices. I'll also cover costs to ship.

Thanks.

Mike Goodpaster 270 Old Stage Road Goldendale, WA 98620 miletrmu@frontier.com

I'm looking for a copy of “A Friend Called Chum” by Bernelda Wheeler. Hardback preferred, but will take paperback. Can pay a fair price and shipping if requested.

Thank you.

S. Dietrich 1203 1st St. Tillamook, OR 97141

Crafts/Hobbies I am searching for leftover fabric with fun prints kids would enjoy. I need about 1½ yards of fabric for a standard size pillow case. I plant to make a bunch of pillows cases and give them to children in hospitals.

Abigail Cowart 29 Hilltop Lane Wahkiacus, WA 98670

I am looking for quilt batting pieces. Just scraps. I can stuff pillows with for dogs or kitties in need of beds. Any size and batting will do. Thank you in advance.

Kimberly Cody 98 Basham Lane Troy, MT 9935

Senior statesman stamp collection to a good home. Instead of selling my 50-yearold collection I will send it to a serious collector. Tell me why you want it.

Patricia Slaven 1769 Blackbird Lane Lincoln, CA 95648 developtalent@gmail.com

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! 18

MARCH 2025

Looking for 1½ inch buttons for a craft project. Would appreciate any color.

Thank you.

J. Weaver 1884 S. Road Lenore, ID 83541

Odds

I have small cat pictures to give away.

Pearl Price P.O. Box 7047 Hermiston, OR 97838

We have a house in Manzinita, Oregon.

My wife and I were out to dinner on Jan. 25. We stopped at the Dunes restaurant then stopped in the Little Apple store for some supplies. Somewhere between these two stops I lost my ring. I had gloves on and I think the ring may have slipped off my finger while I was removing the glove.

This ring has a stone and oval. It is gold with a semi-precious black hematite stone with an intaglio face of Mercury. It was given to me by my late uncle who had mailed it to my late aunt during his tour of duty during the World War II. I am offering a $100 reward for its return.

Rodger Lance 8309 NE 152nd Ave. Vancouver, WA 98682 rrlance@comcast.net

Thanks The Fort Rock Valley Historical Society board members thank all of you who responded to our request for vintage Christmas ornaments. We received many beautiful treasures and were able to create a wonderful “period” Christmas tree display in one of our old buildings. We are truly grateful.

Toni Collins, Nancy Bowers, Jana Kitteredge, Tom Rosenthal, Joni Bramlett Fort Rock, Oregon

Words cannot fully describe the gratitude my family would like to share with all the many wonderful readers. Our mom, Verneil Johnson, was surprised beyond belief by the huge outpouring of heartfelt birthday cards, letters and keepsakes. The warmth expressed by so many of you made for a very happy little old lady on May 18, when she turned 100 years old. We went to a wonderful Mexican restaurant in her Amery, Wisconsin, town that day, where she was serenaded with a birthday song and cake. The large dining table next to us included a new father very gently holding his tiny two-week-old infant. Just feet apart from each other, were two people, our mom and this tiny baby both born in May, exactly 100 years apart. Thank you so much.

Clayton Johnson Gold Beach, Oregon

Submitting Requests Is Free 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.

THERAPY, SAFETY AND INDEPENDENCE

How a Safe Step Walk-In Tub can change your life A Safe Step Tub can help increase mobility, boost energy and improve sleep.

Remember when…

Think about the things you loved to do that are difficult today — going for a walk or just sitting comfortably while reading a book. And remember the last time you got a great night’s sleep? As we get older, health issues or even everyday aches, pains and stress can prevent us from enjoying life.

So what’s keeping you from having a better quality of life? Check all the conditions that apply to you.

Then read on to learn how a Safe Step Walk-In Tub can help.

Personal Checklist: Lower Back Pain Arthritis Anxiety Insomnia Mobility Issues Diabetes Poor Circulation Dry Skin Feel better, sleep better, live better A Safe Step Walk-In Tub lets you indulge in a warm, relaxing bath that can help relieve life’s aches, pains and worries.

Safe Step includes more standard therapeutic and safety features than any other tub on the market, plus the best warranty in the industry: Heated Seat and Back

Hydro-Jet Water Therapy – 10 Built-In Variable-Speed Massaging Water Jets

Electronic Keypad MicroSoothe® Air Therapy System

16 Air Bubble Jets

New Rapid Fill Faucet

Complete Lifetime Warranty on the Tub

It’s got everything you should look for in a walk-in tub: • Heated Seat – Providing soothing warmth from start to finish.

• MicroSoothe® Air Therapy System – helps oxygenate and soften skin while offering therapeutic benefits.

• Pain-relieving therapy – Hydro massage jets target sore muscles and joints.

• Safety features – Low step-in, grab bars and more can help you bathe safely and maintain your independence.

• Free Safety Package For your FREE information kit and our Senior Discounts, Call Today Toll-Free

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CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445 13VH11096000

With purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Tub. Not applicable with any previous walk-in tub purchase. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase.

Cannot be combined with any other offer. Market restrictions may apply. Offer available in select markets only.

www.YourSafeStepTub.com

ADVENTURE AWAITS

See desert and riparian environments together at

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

Coronado National Forest Follow the Water

What Is It? Find water in the desert at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. Located outside of Tucson in Southern Arizona, the area has great views of the Santa Catalina Mountains, beautiful desert landscapes and greenery sprouting up along Sabino Creek.

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MARCH 2025

Sabino Creek runs almost year-round, fed by water from seasonal springs and the Santa Catalina Mountains.

In the riparian areas around the creek, you may find cottonwood, willow and walnut trees, compared to the mesquite and saguaro found in the desert areas.

The Sabino Dam near the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center is a popular spot for visitors.

Popular Hikes For shorter trips, consider the Sabino Dam or Rattlesnake Trail Loop—easy to moderate trails that are less than a mile round trip. A popular and moderately challenging longer hike is the 8.4-mile round-trip Bear Canyon to Seven Falls Trail. Many birds live along the trail, and the trail ends at Broadmoor Seven Falls.

Sabino Canyon is part of the Coronado National Forest, which covers almost 1.8 million acres in Arizona and New Mexico. The forest is known for its 12 mountain ranges and huge range in elevation—going from 3,000 feet to 10,720 feet. In one day, visitors can see snow and views from the mountaintops, lounge by a mountain lake and wander through cactus-filled desert.

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO

BY CHARLES

More Information The Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

To enter the park, visitors need an $8-per-vehicle day pass, a $10 week pass or a $40 annual pass. To start planning your trip, visit https://tinyurl. com/43954t7b.

The Most Lightweight, Stylish and Portable Mobility Scooter Redefining Independence It's easy to lift, store, and transport in the trunk of a car without sacrificing durability or performance.

Whether exploring abroad or handling your daily routine, the ATTO SPORT keeps you moving.

Unmatched Comfort The ATTO SPORT has an ergonomic and adjustable seat and handlebars, crafted to ensure a smooth, enjoyable ride every time, even on longer journeys.

Everyday Freedom Mobility scooters keep you independent, making daily life easier and more enjoyable. From errands to visiting friends, they help you stay active and connected. Whether it’s a scenic outing or your to-do list, mobility scooters open new opportunities and let you enjoy life your way.

Life Without Limits Folding mobility scooters offer a lightweight, compact design that fits in car trunks, on planes, and on cruises.

They are easy to store and perfect for travel and everyday use. Whether exploring new places or handling errands, folding scooters provide convenience, independence, and the freedom to go anywhere.

The ATTO SPORT folding travel scooter delivers a perfect blend of style, innovation, and performance. It is designed for those who value independence and sophistication Compact Convenience The ATTO SPORT transforms effortlessly from a full-sized scooter to a compact trolley in seconds, making it perfect for travel, quick storage, and easy transport wherever life takes you.

Effortless Portability The ATTO SPORT’s innovative design separates into two lightweight parts, with the heaviest weighing only 37 lbs.

Sleek and Stylish The ATTO SPORT redefines mobility with a sporty, elegant design that looks as great as it feels. Its modern aesthetic and 3-wheel agility let you easily navigate tight spaces, and it is equipped with electronic stability control for added safety on descents and turns.

Airline Approved Battery The ATTO SPORT is equipped with a TSA-approved battery. Its compact size and optional split mode make it the only mobility scooter that can fit in the aircraft's overhead compartment.

Why Choose Movinglife Free in-home demos Exceptional service Flexible payment plans Expert Technicians Multi-location service network

Most comprehensive warranty Personalized solutions Trusted by over 60,000 users Global showroom locations Sold and serviced in 62 countries

Reliable for Every Adventure With a driving range of up to 12.5 miles (extendable to 25 miles with the XL battery), a 6.2 MPH top speed, a weight capacity of 300 lbs, flat-free, shock-absorbing tires, and 4-inch ground clearance, it is ideal for air travel and outdoor exploration and built for longevity.

Front and Rear Lights ATTO SPORT’s powerful front and rear LED lights enable riding in dark conditions.

Folds in 3 seconds rolls like a trolley suitcase

It's Never Too Soon Time waits for no one, so why should you? There’s no better time to reclaim your mobility and make the most of every moment.

Don’t wait! Call now to buy your ATTO SPORT and receive a free XL battery.

Splits into two lightweight parts for easy lifting

Lightweight design makes lifting effortless

FREE HOME DEMOS & TEST DRIVES AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE SHOWROOMS OR DEMOS: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, IL, MD, NJ, NV, NY, OR, TX, VA, WA

CALL NOW: 1-888-780-4009

THE GREAT PICTURE HUNT

You Can Learn a Lot From an Egg Story and photo by Dave LaBelle

When I began teaching at Western Kentucky University in the 1980s, thenProgram Director Mike Morse gave a first assignment titled, “The Egg,” to students in the basic photo class. At first, I was a little taken aback by the frivolity of the assignment. We were a photojournalism program, not an art photography school.

However, I quickly saw the genius of the exercise.

Designed to encourage students to recognize how light and shadow can reveal texture and shape, a chicken egg was the perfect model. Eggs are readily available and relatively inexpensive as props, and you can eat them after a photo session if you like.

Eggs are also easy to transport and, unlike living models, don’t talk back or whine about the environment being too cold or too hot. And they don’t expect payment.

The goal was not to see what a student could do to an egg or how many locations they could photograph it in. Rather, it was to recognize how light in different forms, intensity and direction influenced the way the camera saw the egg. When light illuminates the shell from the side, it reveals the egg’s texture, and from behind, its shape.

Some of the photos turned in cracked me up, and there were some egg-cellent results.

A few students took their eggs into the studio, opting for a controlled environment.

Others got egg-cited and carried their models outdoors, camping or hiking, preferring a natural backdrop. Eggs were photographed in unexpected and precarious places. Others hatched a plan to boil their eggs first before carrying them out into the world to be exposed to the elements.

NIKON D810 56mm lens ISO: 640 f/2.8 at 1/200

One woman carefully broke her egg and photographed each half. Another dressed an egg in clothing as if a relative of Humpty Dumpty. No doubt some tenderhearted students talked to their eggs, reassuring they were not breaking up with them.

Some students chose not to put all their eggs in one basket and tried a variety of environments and lighting, eggs-hausting every angle. I remember a resourceful student photographed his egg with light coming through it rather than falling on it.

Still others chose multiple egg compositions, upwards of a dozen in some cases, to show repetition of form and pattern.

As with any class, there were some who missed the point of the assignment and received lower grades. They weren’t bad eggs, as such, they just didn’t listen or grasp

the point of the lesson. They splattered eggs with baseball bats, dropped them from tall buildings, took them to the beach and dressed them as a family of Smurfs.

One student placed an egg next to nursing puppies as if was the runt of the litter. The mother didn’t seem to mind, but the light was less than flattering.

Needless to say, it was a fun assignment, revealing the creativity, resourcefulness and potential of first-year students. 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.

Reader Challenge

This is an exercise to help us notice how light and shadow influence the way we see things. When we think about it, all of life is about light and shadow.

Consider sidelight to show texture or backlight to reveal shape. Watch how shadows falling on your egg follow the egg’s shape. As with any challenge, have fun with this exercise and take your time; you don’t have to scramble to find an unusual environment. In fact, you don’t need to leave your home.

However, if you do go outdoors, you might get a few odd looks from folks curious why you are carrying or making pictures of an egg. But this might be a great way to bring you out of your shell and start a conversation with a stranger. As a photographer, I know I am a shell of my former self. I cannot move as easily or as quickly as in my youth, but I can still see and appreciate how light falls upon and nourishes every corner of our world.

Email your best image (just one, please) 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.

22

MARCH 2025

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY FFAHRWASSER

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ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY ZI3000

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Discover all 13 of our Recipe Contest cookbooks. Each is 8½-by-11” with index.

Prices shown include postage and tax.

Please allow two - three weeks for delivery; include your email address if you would like a shipping confirmation.

ORDER BY MAIL: Submit payment with cookbook title, your name, address and number of cookbooks wanted to: Ruralite Cookbooks P.O. Box 1306 North Plains, OR 97133

PAY BY PHONE: Call 503-357-2105 for credit card payments with Visa, MasterCard, Discover or AMEX. ORDER ONLINE: Visit www.ruralite.com and find Store.

KLICKITAT PUD

Net Metering Annual Review KPUD’s Net Metering Program enables customers to benefit from both the reliability of an electrical grid and the ability to generate their own renewable energy.

With 422 participants across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, the program has grown to the current subscription level of 3.655 megawatts with generating systems of solar, wind and hydro being utilized.

In 2023, we successfully met our mandated participation level, yet we remain committed to supporting renewable energy adoption by continuing to offer net metering.

Customers prioritize electricity from their renewable energy system first, reducing the amount supplied by KPUD. Depending on the system’s size and electricity use, customers may generate surplus energy, which is tracked and banked as kilowatt-hour credits to offset monthly electricity usage.

KPUD’s meter reader is headed your way for annual audits Each year, as time and weather permit, KPUD conducts random audits of net meters. These audits verify readings and

check equipment to ensure accurate tracking of banked kWh credits for the annual true-up process.

To facilitate an efficient audit process, customers should ensure their meters are: • Easily accessible.

• Clearly visible from the front.

• Not physically shielded to interfere with meter functionality.

• Located in an area that is not fenced or enclosed.

If a customer has a situation where KPUD is unable to gain access to the meter we encourage them to contact KPUD to discuss a resolution.

How are kilowatt-hour (kWh) credits applied?

If a customer records zero or negative kWh use, they will not be charged for the kWh portion of energy consumption. Instead, the surplus kWh amount will be credited to the associated meter’s bank for use within the following year.

If, at any point in the net metering year, power consumption exceeds their system’s generation, the customer is billed for the kWh use, minus any available banked kWh credits.

If banked credits are insufficient to

cover the total kWh use in a billing period, the customer is billed for the remaining kWh at their applicable retail power rate.

What are banked kWh credits?

Banked kWh credits represent excess energy generated by a customer that was not used during a given billing period.

These credits are tracked in the net meter bank and can be applied to reduce kWh charges in future billing cycles. Typically, customers accumulate kWh credits in the summer and use them during the fall and winter months. Net meter accounts are subject to monthly basic fees and other applicable charges based on the customer’s rate schedule.

What happens if I generate more than I consume during the net meter year?

According to Washington state law, any unused banked kWh credits accumulated from the previous net meter year will expire March 31, and new accumulation begins April 1.

For more information about net metering with KPUD, contact our Energy Services Department at 509-773-7622 or visit www.klickitatpud.com/conservation/ netmetering. n

How Net Metering Works 1. Solar array converts energy from sunlight into electricity

2. An inverter converts the electricity produced from DC to AC & is captured in customer owned production meter & is then pushed to the home

3. The produced energy is used by the home & the excess energy (if there is any) is then pushed to the KPUD meter

4. KPUD’s bidirectional meter measures energy usage (01) & excess energy produced (71) Excess energy is the result of what is NOT used by the home that feeds back to the grid.

KPUD’s meter and customer’s production meter generally do not show the same reads

MARCH 2025

25

MARKETPLACE Agriculture

4x5 round bales, Meadow Foxtail Orchard Grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square. nas@cpcinternet.com; 208-435-4637 or 208435-4002. 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 43 years in business. www.btlliners.com. 541-447-0712. 0425 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. 0325 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 Northwest. Willing to travel.

WCCollectiblesCheney@gmail.com; 509-496-1835. 0525 1950 16-inch Shirley Temple Doll includes unopened, 24 boxed outfits from 18 Shirley Temple films. Plus, 96 Shirley movie panels, w167 Stamps & “Child Star” biography book.

DOLLSLLC@comcast.net; 503-539-7601. 0325 Automotive 1948 Chevy Fleetmaster. “Under construction” trophies. Mustang II, front end. Ford 9-inch rear end, V8, automatic, disk breaks. Needs to be finished. $8.5K. 530-233-2115. 0325 Dodge Cummins X-Cab. 4x4. 2001. Canopy.

Auto. Runs well. High miles. $11K, possible trades. 541-786-0228. 0325 Extra nice, rare Cummins Mega-Cab. 200. New tires, trans, AC. Loaded. $28.5K; will trade for living-quarter horse trailer. 541-786-0228.

0325 1955 Chevy 5-window PU, 1st series 3100.

Frame-off restoration by Glenn Vaughn Restorations. All original. $38K. Text or call 206-351-2623. 0325

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): May issue—March 31, 2025.

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

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

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

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

Business Opportunities

Equipment/Tools

Turnkey cafe, pizza, bakery in the picturesque town of Cedarville, CA. Newly renovated, fully equipped commercial kitchen, cozy dining and bar room, potential mini brew pub. Priced for quick sale, $225K. Shelia, 530-569-0529. 0425

Wood splitter; like new. Only split two cords with it. 503-543-7208. $1,850. 0325

For sale: successful Northeast Oregon Drive-In Diner. Union, OR. Owner wishes to retire after 28 years. RMLS #24493530. Walt BrookshireBroker, Oregon Trail Realty, 541-805-8689. $185K. 0325 43-year-old, turnkey, international, river running shuttle business in AZ, with 2 homes and more. Please contact seller for more information and photos at info@rrshuttleservice.com. Be sure to check out our website at rrshuttleservice.com. 0325 Community Events

Books, Magazines, Videos

Celebrate Art Center East’s 47th Birthday and Membership Drive throughout March in La Grande, OR. Enjoy special promotions and support the arts. artcentereast.org. 0325

“The Bunny Book; What Would You Name a Book about Bunnies and God?” Bunnies learn about matches, separation, bullying, fear, death, God and more. 626-482-4955. 0425

Annual Quilt and Needlework Show in Pahrump, NV, at Bob Ruud Community Center.

April 4-5, presented by the Shadow Mountain Quilters. Shadowmountainquilters.com. 0325

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M A R C H 2 0 25

Motor lift on wheels. Great for taking 5th wheel plate out of truck bed. $50.

503-543-7208.

For Rent, Lease Northeast, OR. 1 bd., 1 ba., bonus room. Nice smaller home. Water/sewer/garbage paid. On the river. $650 month, plus deposit. 55-plus preferred. Phone calls only. 541-519-3400.

0325 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 0325AR

Follow us! facebook.com/Ruralite

Help Wanted The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair in Ritzville, WA, is currently seeking a reliable and 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 midSeptember. Full hook up provided. Interested person(s) contact Dan at skamaniadan@gmail. com or a letter of interest to P.O. Box 14, Ritzville, WA 99169. 0425 Livestock, Supplies 28th annual Oft Angus Bull Sale. March 20.

Producers sale yard, Vale. Selling 90 fall and 2-year-old bulls. Terry, 208-741-0824 or Colleen, 208-202-8352. 0325 Miscellaneous Foster parents needed to care for teen youths 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.

0625 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. 0325 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, 541-815-8906 or highdesertmemorials@gmail. com; www.highdesertmemorials.com. 0325 Pets Border collie/McNab puppies. The best dog you will ever have. Males and females, $450 each. Colton, OR. 503-314-0145. 0325 Real Estate 160 acres bordering BLM with off-grid cabin.

Creek, LOP tag eligible, 5 bay machine shed. $385K. Duke Warner Realty, 541-987-2363; ddwr@ortelco.net. 0325 3 beautiful 1.01-acre lots in Pahrump, NV. Awesome mountain view in nice area. No HOA. $30K each or two for $55K. Easy access to off-roading. Horses OK. Also 10-acre lot with water rights and underground utilities. pkcfitness@hotmail.com. 775-209-2830. 0325 320 acres east of Adel, OR. Borders Hart Mountain views, Steens Mountain and Beaty Butte. Landowner tags, very rural. $263K. For maps: 541-659-1573; thejugglingman3@gmail. com. 0325

$180K. 160 acres, proven gold claims. 131 miles north of Fairbanks, AK. 50 yard per hour shaker plan. Complete water system. Text, 907-223-3036. 0325 John Day, OR. Palm Harbor energy efficient 3 bd., 2 ba. home on 1.99 acres. 50 gpm well, heat pump. $389K with mower, $386K without.

541-633-3614; steve@crestviewcable.com.

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 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. 0325 Recreational Rentals Bed and Birds; a guesthouse. Wet meadows, range, forest, dark sky. Sleeps 9. Lakeview, OR. Explore or ride? Near ski hill. Reasonable.

541-219-2044. 0425 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.

Wavecatcher: oceanfront cottage. Central OR coast. $175/night (plus cleaning/tax). Open April through Oct. Holds up to 6-plus children and pets. Wavecatcherbeachrentals.com.

Reservations: 541-740-2846. 0325 Recreational Vehicles “Nest Egg” camping trailer, 2013, very lightly used, excellent condition, garage storage, interior cupboards and queen mattress, exterior galley, West Richland, WA. 509-420-6072, dd.cmsimpson@frontier.com.

VW Eurovan full camper. White, 2001. 144K miles. Kept in garage. Very clean, excellent condition, all service records, no accidents, one owner since 2006. $35K. Corvallis, OR. 541-752-0522; Bill@Randallclan.net. 0325 Services All types of roofing and repairs, family business since 1956 where integrity prevails.

Dave, 541-852-2816. Josh, 541-255-6031. 0425

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 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. 0325 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

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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.

MARCH 2025

27

KLICKITAT PUD

An Updated, Improved Bill Beginning in February, the Klickitat PUD bill had some new updates.

They are minor, and we want to point out how you can use the improvements.

Beyond updating the KPUD logo, the new bill expanded the SmartHub options, removed outdated self-read meter details, and added common explanations to improve customer access to relevant data.

Residential and small general customers will notice a new line within the “DETAILS OF CURRENT CHARGES” section. The

new line is called Demand Charge and shows monthly demand. This is similar to how demand is reflected on bills for commercial rate classes—but for residential and small general customers, it will say zero cost.

Customer demand reflects the average peak within the highest 30-minute period of the meter’s use within the month. It is measured in kilowatts, and shows total electric consumption at a single point. The higher the kilowatts the more electricity is being used.

The lower section of the bill was

updated as well. This part of the bill, called the Remit Slip is returned to KPUD with check payments to ensure payments are applied correctly.

Self-read meter customers previously entered monthly meter reads in this section to submit their reads. With the completion of the AMI project, we no longer have self-read meters and the need for this feature.

Most customers focus on the front page of the bill. However, there is a lot of useful information provided on the back of the bill, as well. n

Demand Charge

Residential and small general customers will now see a demand line on their bills. This line will show $0 charge and highlights peak energy use during the billing cycle.

This is an effort to increase customer awareness of demand, since efforts are traditionally focused on kilowatt-hour consumption.

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MARCH 2025

Flip Your Bill Over For Useful Info The reverse side of your KPUD bill has all sorts of information that can make your life easier

Contact Us

Customers can contact Klickitat PUD using whatever method they prefer, including a QR code to easily find the KPUD website.

SmartHub

SmartHub, our customer empowerment tool, has many features that improve access to information, programs and account management tools.

Common Explanations

This section defines basic electric bill components and tiered water billing, as well as the delinquent policy and what to do during a power outage.

Account Updates If you have account updates that need made, do so by returning the Remit Slip.

ADOBE STOCK GRAPHIC BY OLEKSANDRA

MARCH 2025

29

BEFORE YOU GO

So Long Summer After keeping an eye on the haze of the Park Fire in California, a perfectly clear day finally arrived, and it was time for one last trip before school started.

Lena Lubinskas and her 9-yearold daughter, Mila, decided to take advantage and head to McCloud to see the three McCloud waterfalls.

“Two days before we went on the trip, I got my daughter a new cellphone,” Lena says. “She took this picture with her phone, and

I was extremely surprised that having no photography experience and having a phone for only two days, she took such a perfect picture.

“I think she might have a photography talent that we just discovered.”

To submit your photo, email a JPEG file to photos@pioneer.coop.

Include “Before You Go” in the subject line. Please share a bit about what inspired you to make your photo. n

The Middle Falls of the McCloud waterfalls sparkles as the sun hits it on a clear day in McCloud, California. PHOTO BY MILA LUBINSKAS

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Inspired by the equestrian gear I encountered in the stables after the race, the Claire Bag is the color of saddle leather with metal adornments that recall horse bits and stirrups. Sturdy and chic, the Claire Bag is ideal for the woman on the go. See for yourself why the Parisian Chic Claire Handbag is the toast of France!

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AFFORD THE EXTRAORDINARY®

WA-18

Board of Commissioners Dan G. Gunkel President Douglas B. Miller Vice President Stoner W. Bell Secretary Jim Smith General Manager Gwyn Miller Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Ricks Renewable Energy Asset Manager Mike DeMott Director of Finance and Power Management Brandy Myers Customer & Accounting Services Manager Mike Nixon Operations Manager Brandon Johnson Engineering Manager

www.klickitatpud.com Goldendale Office 1313 S. Columbus Ave. Goldendale, WA 98620 509-773-5891 800-548-8357 White Salmon Office 110 NE Estes Ave. P.O. Box 187 White Salmon, WA 98672 509-493-2255 800-548-8358

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MARCH 2025