Ruralite, Midstate Electric Cooperative, October 2024

MIDSTATE ELECTRIC

OCTOBER 2024

Going Casual for a Cause

Dress for the Day allows co-op staff to contribute to those in need Page 4

Ruralite

October 2024 • Volume 72, No. 10

CEO Michael Shepard

SENIOR VP OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Mike Teegarden, CCC

DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Noble Sprayberry

SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC

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

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Valeri Pearon, Nina Todea

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION SR. MANAGER

Elizabeth Beatty

SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR

Alyssa McDougle

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The Power of Public Power

When I began working here at Ruralite magazine, I had no idea what a wonderful world I had fallen into. But it didn’t take me long to figure out that working in the public power/co-op utility world was a fabulous opportunity.

The people I have met and work to serve—those same people who bring power to your homes—are earnest, hardworking individuals who care deeply about the safety and success of their communities.

This month, through National Cooperative Month and National Public Power Week from Oct. 6-12, we celebrate these entities and their teams who brighten your day with electricity.

Pioneer Utility Resources, the company that publishes this magazine for your utility, is such a fan of the cooperative business model that we are a cooperative ourselves.

If you happen to visit your utility office this month, please take a moment to appreciate

the value it brings to your life. Affordable and reliable electricity is a foundational service that affects every corner of our days.

Our Spotlight feature this month highlights the Gorge Farmer Collective in the Columbia Gorge that sprung up after COVID-19 hampered growers in Washington and Oregon accustomed to selling directly to buyers at farmers markets and restaurants.

The savvy farmers formed a cooperative to leverage their sales opportunities and developed an online store allowing buyers to place orders and pick them up outdoors. The group has continued to evolve as COVID-19 has receded.

Our Up Close feature this month will challenge you with presidential trivia, just in time for our upcoming elections next month. Impress your friends with obscure knowledge about the highest office in the United States. And, of course, please make sure you vote.

Sincerely,

Mike Teegarden Editorial Director

For supplemental and interactive content, search @Ruralite on your favorite social media sites.

Presidential Trivia

How much do you know about past presidents? Up Close, Page 10

Going Casual for a Cause

Dress for the Day allows co-op staff to contribute to those in need

By Craig Reed

Midstate Electric Cooperative’s main focus is keeping the electricity flowing to the meters of its members. In recent years, however, Midstate’s employees have contributed a bit more to their communities.

Through the co-op’s Dress for the Day program, employees have dug into their own pockets and donated money to nonprofits or families in need.

It’s simple: For $1, an employee who works in the office can wear jeans to work for the day. On the day of the co-op’s board

of directors’ meeting, the fee is $10 to wear jeans.

An employee-led committee collects money from participants and places it in a fund for a charitable donation. The committee meets quarterly to choose a local nonprofit or family in the co-op’s service area to be a donation recipient.

Midstate General Manager Jim Anderson calls the program “a simple win-win.” The employees get to be more relaxed, and a charity or family in need receives financial help.

Since the co-op established Dress for the Day in 2021, employees have raised and donated $15,000.

“The dress code used to be strictly business, but now you can be more relaxed,” Jim says. “You can wear nice jeans every day as long as there are no scheduled visitors. Everybody is

extremely pleased with the results.”

Jim says this is a way Midstate employees can contribute to their communities if they are unable to volunteer in other ways because of their jobs or other commitments.

Midstate Electric has 72 employees, including independent contractors. While several employees work outdoors and their work attire includes jeans, these employees can contribute when the hat is passed.

The co-op makes quarterly donations averaging $800 each.

Recipients in the past three years include La Pine Activity Center, La Pine Park and Recreation, North Lake County Kids Korner, Gilchrist School, La Pine Warming Center, St. Vincent’s Propane Vouchers, Klamath & Lake Counties Food Bank, La Pine Christmas Basket Association, Christmas Valley Park and

Midstate Electric Cooperative employees are raising money for the American Cancer Society through its Dress for the Day program. Combined with hard hat donations and an MEC contribution, the total is nearly $2,000, with additional donations yet to come. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEC

MIDSTATE ELECTRIC

Recreation, local veterinarian clinics for spay and neuter programs, and the Ricketts and Davis families.

“It’s a fantastic program,” La Pine Activity Center Executive Director Jamie Donahue says. “It came in handy for us. The donation fed meals to 200 seniors. Midstate has always been generous to the center.”

Lori Garrard, executive director of Klamath & Lake Counties Food Bank, says the donated money bought food distributed to the North Lake Food Share in Christmas Valley, an area Midstate serves.

“The food bank is always honored when employees take their own money to support a nonprofit that then supports their community,” Lori says.

In the second quarter of 2023, the Dress for the Day program made its largest donation. Co-op employees dug deep to support

Mariah Ricketts, the granddaughter of Pat Barker, a 30-year Midstate employee who is the area representative working foreman for Christmas Valley, Fort Rock and Silver Lake.

Mariah, now 4 years old, was diagnosed with an ependymoma tumor—a slowgrowing cancer of the brain—when she was 8 months old. She was first treated at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, but needed a second radiation treatment of her brain and spine at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The Midstate donation helped the family with expenses for the Memphis trip that lasted almost a year.

“It was absolutely overwhelming,” Pat says. “My eyes teared up. The way Midstate supported the whole situation with Mariah and her family was unbelievable.”

Mariah and her family returned home in July to Christmas Valley. Pat says Mariah is

still recovering but is gaining ground.

For the final quarter of 2024, Midstate plans to contribute to a cancer organization in an effort to bring additional attention to October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer awareness T-shirts with the words “Cutting Cancer in the Clear” were distributed to employees. Pink hard hats were also distributed to the women working in the office.

“We’ll pass the hat for donations, and Midstate will make a match,” Jim says. “We’ll then make a contribution to a cancer nonprofit to draw awareness to cancer and to cancer prevention.”

Jim says he is proud of the Midstate employees for making donations through the Dress for the Day program.

“I’m extremely grateful I have employees who care about the communities they live in and are willing to provide some assistance to those in need,” he says. n

ABOVE: A financial donation from Midstate Electric Cooperative’s Dress for the Day program provided La Pine Activity Center with the money to buy food for 200 meals served to seniors. PHOTO COURTESY OF LA PINE ACTIVITY CENTER

LEFT: Mariah Ricketts’ family received a financial donation from MEC to help with expenses while Mariah received cancer treatment.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RICKETTS FAMILY

What Is Mutual Aid, and

Mutual aid programs are how utilities help each other quickly respond to disasters

By Jennah Denney

Electric utilities employ a variety of methods to reduce the likelihood of power outages, from regular tree trimming to equipment maintenance and repairs to local grid updates. But outages occur, and when they do, public power utilities are ready to respond.

Another way electric utilitiess prepare for major outages and disasters is through mutual aid, which is a collaborative approach to emergency planning. The mutual aid model allows utilities to help each other during times of need. This approach lets utilities “borrow” restoration workers from other utilities, thereby increasing the workforce response to areas affected by a major outage. It’s essentially about neighbors helping neighbors, even when those neighbors are fellow utilities thousands of miles away.

Public power utilities were formed to provide reliable electric service to their members at the lowest reasonable cost, and mutual aid has always been a fundamental part of their DNA. The concept of mutual aid originated with rural electrification efforts in the 1930s. From the beginning, public power utilities relied on each other to provide an essential safety net in times of crisis.

Mutual aid ultimately benefits utilities’ consumers. During major outage events, utilities can increase their workforces and respond more quickly, leading to shorter outage times for consumers.

Disaster response and mutual aid are managed by public power utilities, as well as their statewide organizations. The statewide organizations help coordinate among states, helping ensure there is adequate personnel and equipment, which are the key ingredients of the mutual aid recipe. These efforts require effective logistics management and experts who

fully understand resource allocation and have the expertise to respond under pressure.

During major outages, a variety of equipment is necessary to complete repairs, including bucket trucks and other specialized vehicles, utility poles, transformers and wires. Skilled lineworkers, tree trimmers, damage assessors and other key personnel are often shared among utilities. These experts provide critical skills and a workforce to speed up the restoration process.

Because the national network of transmission and distribution infrastructure owned by public power utilities has been built to federal standards, line crews from any public power utility in the United States can arrive on the scene ready to provide emergency support, secure in their knowledge of the system’s engineering.

Mutual aid embodies the spirit of cooperation and resilience that public power utilities have fostered since their inception, even in the most challenging crises. The goal is to restore power as quickly and safely as possible after a major outage event. As utilities continue to adapt and grow, this collaborative approach ensures communities remain connected and supported. n

OPPOSITE

TOP: The goal of mutual aid is to share resources to restore power as quickly and safely as possible after a major outage. PHOTO BY JOHN HUNEYCUTT, UNION POWER COOPERATIVE

MIDDLE: Lane Electric Cooperative members express their gratitude. PHOTO COURTESY OF LANE ELECTRIC

RIGHT: During major outages, a variety of equipment is necessary to complete repairs, including bucket trucks and other specialized vehicles, utility poles, transformers and wires.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER PATON

PAGE: Harney Electric Co-op lineworkers help restore power in Eugene, OR, following an ice storm. PHOTO BY WYATT SHELLEY

and Why Does It Matter?

New Rate Structure Coming January 2025

In our ongoing effort to provide reliable and affordable electric service, Midstate Electric Cooperative is introducing a new demand charge of $1.25 per kW to our billing structure, which will take effect on your January 2025 billing statement. This adjustment reflects the cost of providing power based on the peak demand placed on our system, similar to how our power supplier, Bonneville Power Administration, bills Midstate.

The demand charge is a fee based on the highest level of electricity demand recorded during your billing cycle. After carefully reviewing all options, Midstate’s Board of Directors made the difficult decision to implement this change. By introducing a demand charge instead of an increase to the kWh rate, the cost burden is shifted to high-demand users, rather than the entire membership. This new structure is more equitable and gives members the opportunity to manage their energy costs.

To help manage your demand and potentially lower your charge, consider the following tips:

Monitor Usage: Keep track of your peak usage periods through our online platform, SmartHub. Visit midstateelectric. com to register your account.

Shift Usage: Try to use large appliances throughout the day instead of operating them at the same time.

Upgrade Equipment: Efficient appliances and equipment can reduce peak demand.

Below is an overview of the new rate structure:

1. Energy Charge (EXISTING) – The total amount of energy used during the billing cycle, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

2. Demand Charge (NEW) – This charge is based on your highest thirty-minutes of energy use during the monthly billing cycle.

3. Facilities Charge (EXISTING) – A fixed monthly charge that covers the costs of delivering electricity to your home.

In the demand charge example above, a residential member is using their clothes dryer, oven, water heater, and air conditioning simultaneously, resulting in 13 kW of demand. Since this was their peak usage for the month, they will see a demand charge of $16.25 (13 kW x $1.25) on their bill.

We understand that changes to billing can raise questions and hardships, and we are here to help. If you have any concerns or need assistance understanding how this might impact your account, please visit our website at www.mse.coop/rate-structure or contact our member service team at (541) 536-2126.

Contest OctoberCloses 31st!

To show our appreciation for MEC’s wonderful membership, we are giving away 13 Thanksgiving turkeys next month. Thank you for making this such a great community to serve! Get your name in the raffle by completing the form below or entering online at https:// www.mse.coop/thanksgiving by October 31st. Winners’ names will be drawn each business day from November 4th-November 25th.

13 Days of Thanksgiving Contest Entry Form

Name Phone #

MEC Account #

Service Address

Return form to MEC Communications Department in person or by mail at PO Box 127, La Pine, OR 97739.

Winners will be called the same day their name is drawn.

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How much do you know about past presidents?

By Sydney Turner

Presidential elections can cause passionate emotions, but one thing we can all agree on is the office of the president of the United States has a long and interesting history. We last ran presidential trivia in 2008, but a reader recently suggested we do it again. We dug up some of our favorite trivia questions to test your knowledge. Information sources are included, too, in case you want to dig deeper.

Q: During which presidency did Queen Victoria of Great Britain and Ireland give the Resolute Desk to the United States?

A. Rutherford B. Hayes

B. Chester A. Arthur

C. Ulysses S. Grant

D. Benjamin Harrison

A:

A., Rutherford B. Hayes. The HMS Resolute was sent to the Arctic in 1852 as a rescue ship in search of missing explorer Sir John Franklin. When it too became iced in, her crew eventually abandoned her in 1854, and she drifted as a ghost ship. In 1855, the Resolute was discovered by the New London, Connecticut, crew of the George Henry, made seaworthy and sailed to New London Harbor, arriving Dec. 24, 1855.

The Resolute was soon returned to England and served the Royal Navy for 23 more years until she was decommissioned. It was then that Queen Victoria ordered that a desk be made of the Resolute’s best timbers and sent to the United States as a symbol and seal of the two countries’ lasting friendship.

The desk was first used by President Hayes and was first used in the Oval Office by President John F. Kennedy. The desk has been moved in and out of the Oval Office throughout history, but has been used by every president since Jimmy Carter. https://tinyurl.com/y4mfjyc3

Q: Presidents have had many jobs. Which of the following has been held by presidents either before or after office?

A. Supreme Court justice

B. Farmer

C. Haberdasher

D. All the above

A: D. Earlier in his life, President Harry Truman was indeed a haberdasher in Kansas City, Missouri. Jimmy Carter is well known as a peanut farmer from Georgia, though many of our founding fathers held the title of gentleman farmer in addition to president. In perhaps the most unprecedented postpresidential move, William Howard Taft became chief justice of the United States after his presidency. Much preferring law to politics, Supreme Court justice was the job he wanted all along.

https://tinyurl.com/yj7em57p

Q: Which president was also a U.S. National Park Service ranger?

A: Gerald R. Ford. In the summer of 1936, Ford worked as a seasonal park ranger at Yellowstone National Park. Ford later recalled that time as “one of the greatest summers of my life.”

https://tinyurl.com/5ewn2yb6

Q: Which presidential family member can be closely connected to three presidential assassinations?

A: Robert Todd Lincoln. He was in the Petersen house when his father, Abraham Lincoln, died April 14, 1865, the day after being shot by John Wilkes Booth. In 1881, Lincoln was only a few feet away from President James A. Garfield at the train station in Washington, D.C., when Garfield received the shot that took his life. Lincoln found himself in Buffalo, New York, in 1901 when President William McKinley was shot at the Pan-American Exposition and later died.

https://tinyurl.com/5n7ka5xu

Q: Which former president was issued the first Medicare card?

A: Harry Truman. President Truman had fought passionately to establish Medicare and Medicaid while in office but was ultimately unsuccessful. Later, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law in 1965, he traveled to Independence, Missouri, to sign the bill and present former President and First Lady Truman with the first Medicare cards.

https://tinyurl.com/yeyph99x

Presidential

Presidential Trivia

Q: The presidential family’s household expenses, such as groceries, toiletries and dry cleaning, are paid for by the government. True or false?

A: False. The next time the media reports the president had sushi brought into the White House, you can rest easy. Those are not your tax dollars at work.

https://tinyurl.com/235p6639

Q: How many presidents were unmarried when they took the oath of office?

A. 5

B. 3

C. 6

D. 4

A: C. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Martin Van Buren were widowers when they took the oath of office. Andrew Jackson was married when he was elected but widowed by the time he was sworn in. Chester A. Arthur was a widower as vice president and remained so when he inherited the presidency after the death of President James Garfield. President Grover Cleveland was a bachelor when he took the oath of office for his first presidency but married during his first term in office. The American presidency has only seen one true bachelor, President James Buchanan. He never married, so his niece, Harriet Lane, served as his first lady.

https://tinyurl.com/2whjzdnz

Q: How many years is “four score and seven?”

A: 87 years. The iconic line “Four score and seven years ago,” from President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, refers to 1776. https://tinyurl.com/yc3hsv4v

Q: Under which president was the west wing constructed?

A: Theodore Roosevelt. Among other reasons, the White House—as it existed in 1901 when the Roosevelt family moved in—was not suited to hold both his rambunctious family of six children and the business of the nation. So, construction of the west wing began.

https://tinyurl.com/yu92ka49

Q: During which presidency did the term first lady become synonymous with the president’s spouse or attending female relative?

A: Grover Cleveland. Though varying terms to describe the president’s spouse have been used throughout history— including Mrs. President—it was during Grover Cleveland’s second term as president that his wife, Frances Folsom Cleveland, inspired the term we use today.

https://tinyurl.com/597pmcsu

Q: How many presidents also served in Congress?

A: 26. Ten former presidents served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, nine served in the House, and seven served in the Senate. One president, John Quincy Adams, served in Congress after his presidency.

https://tinyurl.com/23fb7vrz

Q: Which item in this list is a fact about George Washington?

A. He had wooden teeth.

B. He did not grow hemp at Mount Vernon.

C. He chopped down a cherry tree.

D. He had no natural children.

A: D. All the children George Washington helped raise were from his wife, Martha’s, first marriage and other family members.

https://tinyurl.com/yeynk339

Q: Who was the last president born as a British subject?

A. William Henry Harrison

B. Millard Fillmore

C. Martin Van Buren

D. Zachary Taylor

A: A. William Henry Harrison, the ninth president of the United States, was the last president born under British rule and, unrelatedly, the first to die in office—after only one month’s service.

https://tinyurl.com/3wwtar66

Q: What were the country’s first two political parties?

A. Whigs and Democratic-Republicans

B. Democratic-Republicans and Federalists

C. National Republicans and Democrats

D. Democrats and Republicans

A: B. Is this question causing anyone else to start humming tunes from “Hamilton,” or is that just us?

https://tinyurl.com/sweuyfdy n

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Growing Collectively

Farmer cooperative members navigates success together

By Lori Russell

Farmers are no strangers to challenges. In the Columbia River Gorge, which serves as the border between Oregon and Washington, adapting to changes in weather, soil, pests and diseases comes with the territory. But when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down restaurants and farmers markets in the region, local growers weren’t adapting to conditions or pests. They had to figure out how to get their products to the public.

Five local growers responded quickly, joining forces to sell their crops—together.

“All of our accounts shut down overnight, and people had already started seeding,” says Kiara Kashuba, executive director, co-founder and member of the Gorge Farmer Collective.

Within two months, the group created an online, direct-toconsumer marketplace where Gorge residents could place orders and pick them up outdoors.

“It served the needs of farmers to sell their stuff and for the customers to be able to access local, healthy food in a safe way,” Kiara says.

Since planting its humble roots, the GFC has continued to grow and thrive. It now has more than two dozen members and sells items for a range of local producers. Customers—ranging from individuals and families to caterers and restaurants—can check out the weekly list of seasonal produce, meat, eggs, mushrooms, bakery items, honey and other products on the website and place any size order from a bag of apples to multiple pallets of food.

Cooperative Ownership

2021. Member-owners have an equal share of the business and participate in decision-making, including setting the annual budget and electing directors to the board. In years of excess profit, dividends are returned to the members.

Kiara says the cooperative model encourages producers to lean into their market niches.

“There are so many microclimates in the Gorge,” Kiara says. “At a traditional farmers market stall, you can’t just sell greens or peppers. You need variety. But, it is a lot of work to take care of many different types of plants. In the cooperative, everyone grows what they’re good at. They work together, and it boosts everyone up.”

Before joining the GFC two and a half years ago, Paul Hansen of Total Eclipse Farm outside of Parkdale, Oregon, sold his summer fruit and vegetables directly to restaurants and farmers markets.

“Restaurants need what they need when they need it, and I have what I have when I have it,” Paul says. “Often, those two would not match up. With the co-op, I walk out in my field and predict what I’ll have available next week. If I have a lot of carrots, lettuce and strawberries coming in, I list that on the website on Wednesday.”

On Thursday, customers begin shopping, and Paul gets a list of what they have purchased the following Monday. He harvests and delivers his orders to a central warehouse Wednesday morning for delivery.

Initially established as a multimember limited liability company, the Gorge Farmer Collective became a domestic cooperative in

“At a farmers market, you’ve harvested all that produce, and because you’ve harvested it all, if you don’t sell it all, you give it to a food bank right then or compost it,” he says. “With the GFC, I can harvest 26 heads of lettuce and deliver it in a clean, efficient way with no waste. It’s a really cool system.”

FROM TOP: Onions dry a on rack at Total Eclipse Farm, owned by Paul Hansen, above. Thanks to the Gorge Farmer Collective, a known quantity of produce can be harvested each day, based on the needs of customers. PHOTOS BY WILL MATSUDA

FROM TOP: Mary Kleihege of The Little Seven Seven Ranch raises beef she sells through the co-op. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARY KLEIHEGE Paul stocks an order at the collective warehouse. Evan Menzel of Killer Tomato tends to his crop.

Small farmers aren’t in competition with one another. We’re really on the same team.

—Kiara Kashuba, Gorge Farmer Collective executive director

The GFC has taken cooperation to another level, partnering with other organizations to serve a larger, more diverse group of neighbors in the region. It supplies local school districts with fresh fruits and vegetables, introducing students to a variety of produce they might not otherwise sample. The co-op participates in the Gorge Grown Food Network’s Veggie Rx. This fruit and vegetable prescription program addresses food insecurity and increases access to fresh produce. It also works with area food banks and local, regional and state programs that provide nutritious food to Gorge residents who need it.

Shared Vision, Shared Success

Co-op members aren’t just business owners; they are also co-workers. Everyone works at least one shift a month—from loading the delivery vehicles at the warehouse to helping at the pickup sites where customers receive their orders.

“It’s really wonderful to see all this synergy of people working together for our shared business,” Kiara says.

Mary Kleihege of The Little Seven Seven Ranch in Lyle, Washington, enjoys staffing the pickup site in the nearby town of White Salmon. It is one of nine such sites in the Gorge and Portland area. During her shifts, she ensures customers have everything they need and that everything runs smoothly.

“People are always happy with what they get and are so appreciative,” she says. “They know we are working to get them what they want.”

Mary and her husband, John, raise grass-fed Highland cattle, long-haired, long-horned creatures bred to roam in large pastures. The animals are particularly well-suited for the Gorge environment and produce high-quality beef known for its flavor and tenderness.

“The GFC gives us access to the market for the beef and connects us directly to consumers who are looking for something different—and we say something better—than you can get in the grocery store,” John says.

Like many of the co-op’s owners, the Kleiheges are also customers.

“Everything that I can get from the co-op, we buy from them,” Mary says. “It’s the best food you can get. I don’t just know it’s local and it’s fresh; I know the producers. They care about the quality of everything and use best-growing practices.”

“These kinds of cooperatives make rural America strong,” John adds. “We are competing with the mega-corporations that are taking jobs away from rural America. We think that supporting the local community really matters, and the Gorge Farmer Collective is essential to building the community. It lets us keep our way of life and our lifestyle.” n

Food Hubs: Building Stronger Communities

Farmers markets, community-supported agriculture and fruit stands provide consumers access to fresh local produce and products. Food hubs are another increasingly popular model. A food hub serves as a central gathering place where local farmers bring fresh produce and products to be sorted, stored and distributed. It connects farmers with retail, wholesale and institutional buyers like restaurants, schools, grocery stores and hospitals to increase access to seasonal, locally-grown food.

One of the biggest benefits of a food hub is its support of local farmers. By providing a centralized market, food hubs help farmers sell their goods more efficiently and at fair prices. This support encourages farmers to continue producing high-quality, sustainable food, which benefits the local economy and environment. Working collaboratively also allows farmers to access larger markets they may not be able to approach independently.

Food hubs also play an important role in supplying diverse food sources to their communities and reducing dependence on large-scale, out-ofthe-area suppliers.

Two Pacific Northwest groups are good resources for those interested in learning more about this collaborative model, says Kiara Kashuba, the Gorge Farmer Collective executive director. The Oregon Food Hub Club, a program of The Oregon Community Food System Network, is a peer learning community of projects in primarily rural areas of the state. It includes nonprofit organizations, farmers, ranchers, fishermen, small food businesses and rural economic development agencies. Find out more at ocfsn.org. The Northwest Food Hub Network—nwfoodhubnetwork.com—is comprised of farmer‐owned cooperative food hubs and partner organizations, including more than 200 farmers and local food producers. It serves markets across Montana and Washington.

“Small farmers aren’t in competition with one another,” Kiara says. “We’re really on the same team.”

Creamy Comfort: GET COZY WITH CHOWDER

Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway

WILCOX

Mexican Street Corn Chowder

4 tablespoons butter

1½ cups finely chopped yellow onion

½ cup seeded, stemmed and finely chopped poblano pepper

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon chili powder, plus more for garnish

1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano

4 cups chicken stock

3 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces

24 ounces frozen corn

1 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons sugar

½ cup crumbled cotija cheese, plus more for garnish

¼ cup minced cilantro, plus more for garnish

1 tablespoon lime juice

Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

½ cup Mexican crema or sour cream, for garnish

Lime wedges, for serving

Sliced jalapenos, for serving

Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and poblano, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder and oregano. Saute for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the chicken stock and potatoes. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in the corn, cream and sugar. Cook for 5 minutes, until warmed through.

Transfer 1½ cups of the soup to a blender, and puree until smooth. Stir the pureed soup back into the pot of remaining soup. Add cotija cheese, cilantro and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Garnish with additional cilantro, cotija, chili powder and crema. Serve with lime wedges and jalapenos.

PHOTO BY KATIE

Cajun Shrimp Chowder

1 pound shrimp, deveined and tails removed

2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

6 slices bacon, chopped

1 tablespoon butter

1 medium onion, chopped

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound yellow potatoes, chopped

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

3 thyme sprigs

2 sliced green onions, plus more for garnish

3 cups sweet corn

3/4 cup heavy cream

½ teaspoon paprika

Season shrimp with Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper. In a large pot over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, about 6 minutes. Place bacon pieces on a paper towel–lined plate. Add shrimp to bacon fat. Cook until pink, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer shrimp to plate with bacon. Drain bacon fat. Melt butter in the pot, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Add onion. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour and garlic, and cook 30 seconds more. Add potatoes, broth, thyme and green onions. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in corn and cream. Simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off heat. Stir in shrimp. Season with salt, pepper and paprika. Garnish each serving with bacon and green onions.

Clam Chowder

4 slices bacon, for garnish

1 large onion, chopped

1 celery rib, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

¼ teaspoon dried thyme

3 small potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 cup water

8 ounces clam juice

1 tablespoon chicken base

2 cups half-and-half, divided 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

3 6½-ounce cans chopped clams, undrained

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Oyster crackers, for serving

In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat, add bacon and cook until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon from pot. Drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon, then set aside. Add onion and celery to the bacon fat. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Stir in potatoes, water, clam juice and chicken base. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer uncovered until potatoes are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.

In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup half-and-half and flour until smooth. Gradually stir into soup. Return to a simmer. Cook until thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Add clams and their juice and remaining cup of halfand-half. Stir until heated through, about 1 minute. Garnish each serving with bacon and oyster crackers.

Slow Cooker Corn Chowder With Bacon

2 large carrots, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

4 potatoes, chopped

32 ounces corn, drained

32 ounces creamed corn

4 cups chicken broth

1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

½ teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon dried parsley

½ teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper, to taste

12 ounces evaporated milk

2 tablespoons cornstarch

3 tablespoons butter

Place everything except the evaporated milk, cornstarch and butter into the slow cooker. Add just enough chicken stock to cover the ingredients. Cook on high for 5 hours or low for 7 to 8 hours until vegetables are softened.

Combine cornstarch and evaporated milk. With the butter, stir into slow cooker 30 minutes before serving. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste.

Broccoli Cheddar Potato Chowder

5½ tablespoons butter, divided 11/3 cups chopped carrots

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 small yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

3½ cups peeled and cubed russet potatoes, cut ½inch to 3/4-inch thick

¼ teaspoon dried thyme

3 cups chopped broccoli florets

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

6 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 cups milk

½ cup heavy cream

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

In a large pot over medium heat, melt 1½ tablespoons of butter. Add carrots, celery and onion. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic, and saute 30 seconds longer.

Stir in chicken broth, potatoes and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium. Cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Stir in broccoli. Cook 5 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender.

Meanwhile, melt remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute. While whisking vigorously, slowly pour in milk. Whisk well until no lumps remain.

Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to thicken. Stir in heavy cream. Remove from heat. Add tender vegetables to the milk mixture, and stir. Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar cheese until melted. Serve warm.

READER EXCHANGE

Books/Magazines

I am a senior looking for hardback books by Janice Holt Giles. I can pay media shipping and a small amount for each. Contact me at kingsvalley42@gmail.com with any offers. Thanks to all who sent me George MacDonald books. I was so blessed.

Helen Wilder

24751 Maxfield Creek Road Monmouth, OR 97361

Crafts/Hobbies

I would appreciate any broken jewelry, chains, beads or pearls you may no longer need.

Susan Bybee

16637 W.M. Foss Road La Pine, OR 97739

I rely on a wheelchair, and there are a lot of things I am no longer able to do, but my son comes and stays to help when he can. He and I take donations of denim pants to make quilts. We give the quilts to folks in need. I have asked readers before, and we received many responses. We have been so busy, we now have to ask again for more denim or other fabrics. Thank you.

Shirley and Matt Egbert 190 S. Crystal Drive Rupert, ID 83350

Retired couple would like to learn new languages. We are looking for Rosetta Stone in cassettes or CDs. Thank you.

Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix P.O. Box 299 Doyle, CA 96109 Chariotsofchoice@yahoo.com

I would like to get some wallpaper sample books or individual wallpaper samples for the grandchildrens’ school art project. Please do not fold them, as that will cause creases in the paper. Thank you very much in advance.

Bob Pagani P.O. Box 686 Pacific City, OR 97135

Milestones

Please help us celebrate our mother’s 90th birthday in October. She loves people and making special cards and writing letters. She would be beyond thrilled if everyone sent her birthday wishes. Thank you for your consideration. Please send cards to Wylene Vinall, 2942 W. Fairway View Circle, Tucson, AZ 85742.

Georganne Bryant Nehalem, Oregon

My son-in-law’s mother turns 100 years young early this month. I would very much appreciate her hearing from you with a card. She does jigsaw puzzles. Her name is Louise Taggart, and please send cards to: 8090 Fairview Road, Tillamook, OR 97141. Thank you in advance.

Darlene Walker Tillamook, Oregon

Please help us surprise our amazing mother for her 100th birthday this month. She has always been interested in other people and would love receiving cards or letters in the mail. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Send mail to Lorna Staveland at 24997 Sturtevant Drive, Veneta, OR 97487.

Judy Hillman Eugene, Oregon

Recipes

I am looking for a recipe for pecan praline fudge. I have one, but each time I’ve used it, it failed. Can you help? Thank you in advance.

Pat Moss P.O. Box 6115 Fairbanks, AK 99706

Thanks

Thank all of you who responded to my request for Crown Royal bags to replace the ones a quilter had lost. The generosity from readers was unbelievable. I feel the friendships and am reminded there are so many caring people.

Cindy Fay Troy, Montana

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.

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

Meet the Beauty in the Beast

Discover this spectacular 6½-carat green treasure from Mount St. Helens!

For almost a hundred years it lay dormant. Silently building strength. At 10,000 feet high, it was truly a sleeping giant. Until May 18, 1980, when the beast awoke with violent force and revealed its greatest secret. Mount St. Helens erupted, sending up a 80,000-foot column of ash and smoke. From that chaos, something beautiful emerged… our spectacular Helenite Necklace

Helenite is produced from the heated volcanic rock of Mount St. Helens and the brilliant green creation has captured the eye of jewelry designers worldwide. Today you can wear this massive 6½-carat stunner for only $149!

Helenite Earrings -a $149 valuewith purchase of Helenite Necklace

Make your emeralds jealous. Our Helenite Necklace puts the green stone center stage, with a faceted pearcut set in .925 sterling silver finished in luxurious gold. The explosive origins of the stone are echoed in the flashes of light that radiate as the piece swings gracefully from its 18” luxurious gold-finished sterling silver chain. Today the volcano sits quiet, but this unique piece of American natural history continues to erupt with gorgeous green fire.

Your satisfaction is guaranteed. Bring home the Helenite Necklace and see for yourself. If you are not completely blown away by the rare beauty of this exceptional stone, simply return the necklace within 30 days for a full refund of your purchase price.

JEWELRY SPECS:

- 6 ½ ctw Helenite in gold-finished sterling silver setting - 18” gold-finished sterling silver chain

Limited to the first 2200 orders from this ad only

Helenite Necklace (6 ½ ctw) Only $149 +S&P

Helenite Stud Earrings (1 ctw) $149 +S&P

Helenite Set $298 ....................Call-in price only $149 +S&P

(Set includes necklace and earrings)

Call now to take advantage of this extremely limited offer.

Promotional Code HNN158-03

Please mention this code when you call.

14091 Southcross Drive W., Dept. HNN158-03, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

“My wife received more compliments on this stone on the first day she wore it than any other piece of jewelry I’ve ever given her.”

- J. from Orlando, FL Stauer Client

Necklace enlarged to show luxurious color.

Doctor urges seniors to carry medical alert device

Seniors

snap up new medical alert device that comes with no monthly

People don’t always do what their doctor says, but when seasoned veteran emergency room physician, Dr. Philip B. Howren, says every senior should have a medical alert device, you better listen up.

“Seniors are just one fall away from being put in a nursing home,” Dr. Howren said. “With a medical alert device, seniors are never alone. So it keeps them living independently in their own home. That’s why seniors and their family members are snapping up a sleek new medical alert device that comes with no monthly bills ever,” he said.

Many seniors refuse to wear old style help buttons because they make them look old. But even worse, those medical alert systems come

bills

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 1956 get new medical alert device with no monthly bills ever

The phone lines are ringing off the hook.

That’s because for seniors born before 1956, it’s a deal too good to pass up.

Starting at precisely 8:30am this morning the Pre-Store Release begins for the sleek new medical alert device that comes with the exclusive FastHelp™ One-Touch E 911 Button that instantly connects you to unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever.

“It’s not like old style monitored help buttons that make you talk to a call center and only work when you’re at home and come with hefty bills every month. FastHelp comes with state-of-the-art cellular embedded technology. That means it works

(Continued on next page)

(Continued from previous page)

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

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

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

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

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

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

The medical alert device slugfest was dominated by two main combatants who both offer old style monitored help buttons that come with a hefty bill every month. But now Universal Physicians, the U.S. based heavyweight, just delivered a knockout blow sending

the top rated contenders to the mat with the unveiling of FastHelp. It’s the sleek new cellular embedded medical alert device that cuts out the middleman by instantly connecting you directly to highly trained 911 operators all across the U.S. There’s absolutely nothing to hookup 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 and all alone with no help. But seniors who fall and

HOW TO GET IT:

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 1956 are rush-

ing to cash in the whopping $150 instant rebate before the 21 day deadline ends. So there’s no need to wait for FastHelp to hit store shelves later this year because seniors born before 1956 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. ■

IF BORN AFTER 1956: You cannot use the rebate coupon below and must pay $299 Call: 1-800-330-9423 DEPT. HELP8317

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 1956 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. IF BORN BEFORE

Reader Challenge

Today’s word is “comfort.” Show me in a photograph what comfort looks and feels like. Think about what the word means to you, and then challenge yourself to make a photograph that communicates how you see or feel. Just as many find doing word puzzles stretches the mind and keeps the brain awake, you may discover that choosing a word to photograph might be an equally valuable exercise.

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

Making Pictures From Words

By Dave LaBelle

Decades ago, magazines like Popular Photography offered monthly photo challenges. Often, abstract word prompts such as “red,” “love” or “happiness” were given. I never took the challenge, but now I wish I had.

As a teacher and photography director, I learned not all students or staff shared the same ability to give shape to abstract ideas or concepts. While most were proficient when asked to photograph an event, a person or an object,

many were unable to grasp nonlinear assignments requiring interpretation. One student even angrily confessed he had to seek mental help because I had asked the class to make two interpretive photographs: one of how they saw themselves and the other of how they felt others saw them. He said he didn’t know what he felt about himself, and it stressed him so severely he sought counseling.

Years ago, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I taught a multiweek photo class for inner-city youth. In one assignment, I asked the young students to

photograph something they loved or thought was beautiful and, in contrast, something they didn’t like or would like to change.

The dozen or so students came back with pictures of pets, family members, friends, parks and trees by the water. But they also shared photos of broken windows, graffiti on walls and trashy front yards. I was so impressed with their willingness to put in pictures what they felt was ugly and distasteful.

Interpretive photography— trying to illustrate an abstract concept or a word—requires

some introspection and a desire to share how you see and feel. Sometimes, it is a matter of setting aside your literal, documentary eyes and awakening your artistic, imaginative vision. Hopefully, those who view our photographs can see what we see and feel what we feel. n

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

NIKON D810, 31mm lens ISO 1250, f/2.8 at 1/100

If I asked myself what photographs I have made lately that illustrate comfort, this unrehearsed scene of Maggie Kotz, lying near her dying husband, Vince, less than 24 hours before he died, would be at the top of my list. Though this is a spontaneous, documentary image, made as I stepped into the Kotzs’ bedroom to check on Vince, it also illustrates the word, “comfort.” PHOTO BY DAVE LABELLE

Introducing the lightest folding power chair in the world

The Journey Air Elite features the latest carbon fiber technology for the ultimate in portability and performance

Mobility issues affect over 1 in 5 Americans. These individuals, and their loved ones, know how decreased mobility can result in loss of independence, pain and falling hazards. They are often stuck at home, missing out on a variety of activities, in a vicious cycle that diminishes their quality of life. In the past, mobility devices like scooters and power chairs were too heavy and bulky to transport easily. Now, carbon fiber material invented for the aerospace program has been used to create the ultimate mobility device. It’s called the Journey Air Elite … and there’s nothing else like it on earth.

At only 26 pounds, the Journey Air Elite combines lightweight portability with world class performance. It’s simple to use joystick and powerful dual-motor drive system enables you to zip around quickly and safely. Its easy to maneuver, never tips, fits easily through doorways, and can go right up to a table or desk. Once you are done, just one pull on the seat handle folds it up. There’s a fold-down back to make it even easier to stow and store. It features flat-free tires and rear anti-tippers for added convenience and safety.

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•

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Just imagine how this chair can improve your life and make it easier for loved ones and caregivers to accompany you to activities and events you would have missed in the past. Don’t spend another day stuck at home. Call today, and a helpful, knowledgeable consultant will help you get a Journey Air Elite of your very own. Don’t wait – call now!

Folds flat in seconds

DR® Walk-Behind Leaf and Lawn Vacuum

• NEW PILOT XT Models fill paper leaf bags for curbside pickup

• Collects and mulches up to 50 lbs. per bag

• Includes onboard caddy for extra bags

Nothing Stops a DR® Field and Brush Mower

• Cut 3" thick brush and tall field grass with ease

• Up to 2X the power of the competition

• Commercial, Electric, Walkand Tow-Behind models available, including the NEW PRO MAX60T!

Please allow two to three weeks for

Why do we love October? Because it’s National Co-op Month! This is a time to truly celebrate the many aspects that set co-ops apart from traditional businesses. But more importantly, Co-op Month is a time to celebrate you, the members of the co-op.

That’s why we’re excited to announce THREE Member Appreciation Day events happening during the second week of October! These special gatherings will be held at multiple locations, giving you the chance to meet Midstate staff and directors, learn about your local electric cooperative, and enjoy some fun right in your community.

We’ll have complimentary hot dogs, refreshments, and prizes at each event, so make sure to stop by and celebrate with us! It’s a perfect opportunity to connect with the people who work hard to provide you with reliable service and to explore the benefits available to you as a member. We can’t wait to see you there!

EVENT DETAILS:

Appreciation Event 1

Date: October 7th

Time: 5pm-7pm

Location: Christmas Valley Booster Club Building

Appreciation Event 2

Date: October 8th

Time: 5pm-7pm

Location: Crescent Community Club

Appreciation Event 3

Date: October 9th

Time: 1pm-7pm

Location: Midstate Headquarters

Can’t make it to one of our events? No problem!

Every MEC member has a chance to enter our drawing for a $100 bill credit.

Scan the QR code below or visit www.mse.coop/co-opmonth to enter to win one of FOUR $100 bill credits.

Bill credit winners will be announced Oct. 10, 17, 24, and 31.

Contest ends October 31, 2024

*Only one entry is needed to be eligible for drawings throughout the month.

Congratulations!

2025 MeMber Calendar Contest Winners

January – Carolyn Waissman

February – Rachel M Canada

March – Theodore Sommers

April – Rick Anderson

May – Carol Anderson

June – Steven A Fouts

July – Michael Lazott

August – Michelle Corse

September – Harvey C Barragar

October – James Craig Geyer

November – Rick Anderson

December – Julia Deleganes Cover (above) – Saundra Hopkins

Thank you to all who entered this year’s contest. The 2025 Member Calendar will be provided to every member as an insert in November’s Ruralite.

MARKETPLACE

Agriculture

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

Grass hay 60-pound square bales very good quality. Cloverdale, OR. 503-812-2313 or 503-812-6539.

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. 1024

WC Collectibles. We buy comic books! Local to inland Northwest. Willing to travel. WCCollectiblesCheney@gmail.com; 509-496-1835. 1024

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. 1024

Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Koufax, etc. If interested in buying 1957-73 vintage baseball cards, let’s talk. Jim, 530-283-2826 or 530-394-8668. 1024

Griswold cast iron collection of pots, pans, trivets and cake molds for sale. For more info, 503-557-2933.

Condon, OR. In need of downtown building photos. 1800s-1940. Research project. Good prices. Interior scenes a plus. Debbie, 971-404-8332. 1024

Automotive

1955 Chevy 5-window PU, 1st series 3100. Frame-off restoration by Glenn Vaughn Restorations, Post Falls, ID. Mostly all original. $38K. Text or call 206-351-2623. 1024

Books, Magazines, Videos

Book restoration. Bibles, cookbooks, cherished family heirlooms. Beautiful work. We give renewed life, more durable than original, to last for generations. 775-537-7066; salacanstudio@gmail.com. 1024AR

Business Opportunities

For sale: quaint hardware store in Maupin, OR. Inventory and interior store recently updated and refreshed. See ad on Bizbuysell.com or email Maupincountrystore@gmail.com. $239,999. 1024

Quick, Affordable: How to Place an Ad

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

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

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

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

„ Closing deadlines (in our office): December issue—Oct. 30, 2024.

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

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

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

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

A great business opportunity in Boardman, OR. A small cafe you can use your imagination in. Frontage view of freeway, quick in and out access. A coffee shop on property for extra income. $1.1M. For more information, call Karen at 541-571-0636. 1024

Community Events

“Racing to Change: Oregon’s Civil Rights Years,” Oregon Black pioneers in partnership with Eastern Oregon Sunrise Project. Oct. 4-26. Art Center East, La Grande, OR. 1024

RAM Columbia River Circuit Finals Rodeo, Oct. 17-19. “The Best of the Northwest.” Deschutes County Expo Center - Redmond, OR. columbiarivercircuit.com. 1024

Equipment/Tools

DR multitrimmer, $350. Kubota roto-tiller. Only 25 hours use. $1.15K. 11 push-pull control cables $40-$90 each. Fob Eugene, OR. Ted, 458-910-3727. 1024

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. 1024AR

Help Wanted

Cape Blanco Heritage Society needs volunteers at Cape Blanco Lighthouse Greeting Center and Hughes House for 2024 and 2025. Background checks are required. Free RV hookups are available to volunteers. heritage32@frontier.com; 541-332-0521. 1024

Hobbies, Gifts, Games

Selling United States postage stamp collection. Mint plate blocks and sheets dating back to the 1940s. Photo available. Bob, 541-786-6195 or brown.donna50@gmail.com. 1024

Santa letters and cheerful artwork for gift giving and holidays, made in Alaska. We ship high-quality gifts and custom artwork, including letter bundles, totes, jewelry, prints, cards, relief prints, tiles. GV10 saves 10%. www.PamelaSueArtandDesigns.com. 1024

Miscellaneous

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 call 206-799-1082. 1124

Granite cemetery markers at affordable prices. Will ship to most places. For more info: Joe, highdesertmemorials@gmail.com, 541-815-8906; www.highdesertmemorials.com. 1124

Alaskan Yellow Cedar. Great for planter boxes, herb and flower beds, fencing or decks. Various sizes available. Pete, 541-206-0727. Lisa, 541-747-5025, ext. 21. 1224

If you have a large property in Oregon and can afford a fabulous, small-gauge, coal-fired RR locomotive, I’ll help you create your own private railroad. Contact me at malarkeywall@outlook.com. 1024

Pets, Supplies

Due to health reasons, 4-year-old friendly, registered male bloodhound needs rehoming. Kelly Cooper, 208-289-8524.

Real Estate

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

Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm and recreation property in OR. Fourth-generation Oregonian, prior ranch owner. For sale: Sisters, OR. 40 acres. Price reduced. $1.55M. John Gill, johngill@landandwildlife.com or 541-480-9161. Land And Wildlife brokerage.

Beautiful, serene setting with views located in Seneca! Approximately 2.5 acres; home, garage, metal pole barn, gated entry. $489K. Duke Warner Realty, ddwr@ortelco.net or 541-987-2363. 1024

First home with 3 decks and second home with 2 decks, carport with 40-ft. container, 2 sheds, tack building, mature shade and fruit trees on fenced 2.5 acres. White and Silver Peak Mountains. $425K. 775-966-9009.

Last chance to get an undeveloped buildable lot (8,000 sqft.) in Sportsman’s Park (Wasco County, Tygh Valley, Oregon). Sewer to property line, water on property, power available. National forest on backside. 7 miles to Wamic. $86.6K. Eric, 971-370-0220. 1024

Become an instant Nevadan. Wells: fully equipped, nonoperating, bar/grill, 479 6th St., $395K. 3/2 home, 1355 Lake Ave., $230K. 160 acres with water rights and structures, $160k. Goldfield: ruins of Catholic Church, $65k. Pahrump: resort membership $1.8K. kisciniello@yahoo.com; 775-550-2263. 1024

20 acres unimproved land N.E. NV. Yearround access. Ideal for solar-/wind-powered homestead. Travel trailers, CONEX, tractor and other equipment included. $35K. geopup58@gmail.com. 1024

Bed and Birds; a guesthouse. Very private. Wet meadows, range, forest, dark sky, lakeview. Explore or ride? Near ski hill. Reasonable. 541-947-5435. 1024

Recreational Rentals

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.

Services

Dawn Till Dusk Masonry. Brick, block, stone and pavers. Small jobs and repairs welcome. Check out our website at dawntillduskconstructionmasonry.com. 541-388-7605; 541-410-6945. License #245760 bonded and insured. La Pine, OR. 1124

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

We all want delicious, fresh, nourishing food to feed our families. We’ve got pastured pork corn/soy/GMO free. Delivery to your door or drop sites. Order at www.rural-roots-ranch.com or text Christy at 541-589-4674. 1224

Swaps/Trade

Will trade full roof replacement 40-year limited lifetime Malarkey shingle for class B RV. Certified master installation. Will travel, OR/WA. Rick, 503-544-2716.

Want to Buy

Wanted: 1967-’72 Buick Skylark, GS, Stage 1, GSX. Cars, parts or leads. Or any ’60s or ’70s vehicles. billybibbett@hotmail.com. 1124

Old carpenter tools, planes (wood/metal), levels, chisels, slicks, adzes, axes, hatchets, handsaws, old rulers, spoke shaves, wrenches, shipwright tools, old tool chests. 503-659-0009 or 971-666-0659. 1024

Gold, silver, coins/currency, buy, sell. Collections wanted. Fair prices paid. 44 years in retail store. Baker City, OR. 800-556-2133; garrymclin@aol.com. 1024

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. 1024

BARGING THROUGH

Snake River lock system helps U.S. wheat get to international markets

Story and

by Rural Montana Editor Ryan Hall

The four lower Snake River dams may now be most known for their fish-mitigation measures and for producing clean, affordable and reliable power. However, when they were built, the primary goal was much different.

“The main reason they were built was for navigation,” said Paul Ocker, chief of operations and maintenance for the Walla Walla District of the U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers, which oversees the dams. That function remains key today.

The dams serve the most inland seaport in the Pacific Northwest, the Port of Lewiston in Idaho, allowing ocean access. Without the system of dams and locks, the river would not be navigable for barges and ships, according to shippers.

Ocker said the dams maintain a 14-footdeep navigation channel for the barges and ships that use the lower Snake River. Most lockages performed at the dams are for barges, though recreational lockages are

also common.

“We have a number of cruise lines that have discovered the Snake River,” Ocker said, noting an estimated 28,000 passengers cruise the river annually.

A Wheat Waterway

Most of the lock traffic each year is barges, with up to four large barges pushed up or down the river by a tugboat.

Ocker said most of what is shipped on the river is wheat, with 10% of U.S. wheat traveling on the Snake River on its way to

photos

A worker throws a rope while a three-tow barge enters the lock at Ice Harbor Lock and Dam. These barges were hauling wheat, a common commodity on the Snake River.

the Pacific Rim.

According to the U.S. Wheat Associates website, more than 55% of all U.S. wheat exports moved through the ColumbiaSnake River System in marketing years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.

“The Columbia-Snake River System is a superhighway of sorts for moving wheat and other agricultural products from farm to market,” U.S. Wheat Associates Market Analyst Michael Anderson said. “The ability to move such a large volume of grain efficiently makes the river system a very cost-effective and ‘green’ logistical option.”

One barge can carry as much as 35 jumbo-hopper train grain cars or 134 semitrucks. A four-tow barge, the maximum size that fits in a lock on the lower Snake River, can replace 140 train cars or more than 538 semitrucks. In addition, according to Anderson, one barge can move

a ton of wheat 647 miles per gallon of fuel, while a semitruck can only move a ton of wheat 145 miles per gallon.

How a Lock Works

The locks along the Snake River are important because they allow boats and barges to safely navigate the approximately 400-foot change in water elevation from the first of the four dams to the last. Each lock is about 666-feet long, 86-feet wide and holds about 43 million gallons of water.

A barge traveling downstream pulls into the lock, and then doors close behind it. Water is spilled out of the lock until the water level matches the downstream level, at which point the doors open, and the barge continues its journey. When traveling upstream, the process works in reverse, with water being let into the lock until the water level matches the level above the dam— approximately 100 feet. Once that occurs, the barge continues upstream.

Though the time varies by lock style, it typically takes less than 20 minutes for the whole process. At Lower Granite Lock and Dam, which has two hinge-style doors, it takes about 11 minutes to fill the lock to

go upstream and a few minutes longer to drain it for a downstream journey.

“We are one of the fastest ones because we were the last one built,” Lower Granite Lock and Dam Lock Operator Neil Carlson said.

Ice Harbor Lock and Dam, with its guillotine-style 740-ton gate raised and lowered with a 40-horsepower motor, takes about 15 minutes to fill for an upstream journey.

“We do the most recreational boats (of the four lower Snake River dams),” said Harold Wentworth, chief of operations for Ice Harbor Lock and Dam.

The average for that lock is more than three boats a day annually, while Lower Granite Lock and Dam sees about 1.5 boats a day, on average, though both dams have higher boat traffic from spring through fall.

In addition to wheat and other grains, forestry products, fertilizer and vehicle fuel are shipped via barges on the Snake and Columbia rivers.

“We truly have a global impact,” Ocker said. n

Used with permission of Rural Montana magazine.

A three-tow barge waits while water drains from the lock at Ice Harbor Lock and Dam.

Perfect for a Potluck

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation

Required by 39 USC 3685

Filed with the USPS on 9-20-24

Ruralite (publication number 397-460) is published monthly at 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Twelve issues are published annually with a subscription price of $8.48 paid by utility members in their electric bills.

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

PUR is a nonprofit organization mailing under DMM Section 423.12. Its purpose, function and nonprofit status for federal income tax purposes has not changed in the preceding 12 months. Average No. Copies

Perfect for a Potluck

With more than 200 recipes, this cookbook from our 2007 contest offers options for potlucks, family reunions or picnics. As a bonus, additional pages feature previously unpublished barbecue recipes from a 2006 contest. The 8½-by-11-inch spiral-bound, indexed book is $10 (includes postage).

Recipes submitted by Readers for the March 2007 Contest

TO 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

TO PAY BY PHONE: Call 503-357-2105 for credit card payments with Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.

TO ORDER ONLINE: Visit www.ruralite.com.

Please allow two to three weeks for delivery.

Youare a man of the wilderness. The only plan you have is to walk up that mountain until you feel like stopping. You tell your friends that it’s nothing personal, but this weekend belongs to you.

How to Be Cut Off From Civilization

You’ve come prepared with your River Canyon Bowie Knife sheathed at your side. This hand-forged, unique knife comes shaving sharp with a perfectly fitted hand-tooled sheath. The broad stainless steel blade shines in harmony with the stunning striped horn, wood and bone handle. When you feel the heft of the knife in your hand, you know that you’re ready for whatever nature throws at you.

This knife boasts a full tang blade, meaning the blade doesn’t stop at the handle, it runs the full length of the knife. According to Gear Patrol, a full tang blade is key, saying “A full tang lends structural strength to the knife, allowing for better leverage ...think one long steel beam versus two.”

With our limited edition River Canyon Bowie Knife you’re getting the best in 21st-century construction with a classic look inspired by legendary American pioneers. What you won’t get is the trumped up price tag. We know a thing or two about the hunt–– like how to seek out and capture an outstanding, collector’s-quality knife that won’t cut into your bank account.

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the sale price. But we believe that once you wrap your fingers around the River Canyon’s you’ll be ready to carve your own niche into the wild frontier. When it’s you against

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

This quintessential knife can be yours to use out in the field or to display as the art piece it truly is. But don’t wait. A knife of this caliber typically cost hundreds. Priced at an amazing $49, we can’t guarantee this knife will stick around for long. So call today!

What customers are saying about Stauer knives...

“First off, the shipping was fast and the quality is beyond what I paid for the knife. Overall I am a satisfied customer!”

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14091 Southcross Drive W., Dept. RCK492-01

Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

Not shown actual size.

P.O. Box 127

La Pine, OR 97739

www.midstateelectric.coop

info@midstateelectric.coop

541-536-2126 • 800-722-7219

Departments

Member Service ....... Option 3

Engineering ........... Option 4

Marketing Option 5

Operations Option 6

After-Hours Outages and Emergencies: 541-536-2165 or 800-752-5935

OFFICE HOURS

Monday through Thursday

7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Closed Fridays and holidays

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President

Dick Luebke, Sunriver

Vice President

Ron Cass, La Pine

Secretary/Treasurer

Tanna King, Chemult

Daniel Jansen, Christmas Valley

Garry Journey, Crescent

Steven R. Miles, Fall River

Alan Parks, Fort Rock

Gil Ernst, Gilchrist

Bud Kendall, La Pine

The board meets the fourth Monday of each month at the co-op office.

STAFF

General Manager

James “Jim” Anderson

Engineering Manager

Tom Weller

CFO/Accounting Manager

Jami Steinhauer

Information Services Manager

J.D. Powers

HR and Communications Manager

Sina Streeter

Marketing Manager

Britni Davidson

Operations Manager

Brian Sharr

Attorney

Raymond Kindley

OR-23

Demand Charge Helps Maintain Fairness

The Midstate Electric Cooperative Board of Directors has decided to implement a new demand charge on residential accounts, effective January 2025. As the CEO of Midstate Electric, I want to personally address the reasoning behind this decision and the impending changes.

This decision was not made lightly, but it has become necessary due to the rising costs we are experiencing, particularly from the Bonneville Power Administration, along with significant increases in materials and transportation expenses.

During our annual meeting this year, I discussed these challenges and the careful consideration we’ve given to keeping rates manageable for our members. The cooperative and our board of directors have worked diligently to find a solution that maintains fairness across the membership. After evaluating numerous factors, we concluded a demand charge was the best path forward.

The new demand charge allows us to maintain the current facility charge and kilowatthour rate, ensuring members with higher energy demand are not subsidized by those with lower demand. We believe this approach is the most equitable way to manage the increased costs while keeping rates as stable as possible.

You will see a demand charge reflected on your January bill, and we understand this change might prompt questions. To assist you, we will offer resources to help you manage and reduce your demand, including a demand calculator on our website and instructions on how to keep track of your use through SmartHub. These tools can help you better understand how your demand is calculated and billed.

In the coming months, you will receive detailed information about the demand charge, along with tips and strategies for lowering your demand and managing your electricity use. Our goal is to provide you with all the necessary tools to make informed decisions about your energy consumption.

At Midstate, we are committed to providing reliable, affordable service to ensure our rate structures are fair and sustainable for all members. We appreciate your understanding and support as we navigate these cost challenges together.

Remember to vote in November. Your voice as a cooperative member has an impact on our future. Voting is one of the most important ways we can ensure our interests are represented, and it’s critical our cooperative community makes its voice heard. To help, Co-ops Vote has a website full of voter resources and information. Check it out at www.vote.coop. Your participation helps shape policies that affect us all. Let’s make sure our votes count.

Jim Anderson CEO/General Manager

“The future of this republic is in the hands of the American voter.” —Dwight D. Eisenhower