ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE
JANUARY 2025
Students learn to build electric vehicles Page 4
January 2025 • Volume 72, No. 1
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
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Valeri Pearon, Nina Todea
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION SR. MANAGER
Elizabeth Beatty
SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Alyssa McDougle
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As the new year unfolds, it brings with it the promise of fresh starts and new opportunities. Many of us take this time to reflect on the past year and set resolutions for the months ahead.
Whether it’s pursuing personal growth, building stronger relationships or contributing to our communities, this annual reset reminds us change is always possible. I hope that in this season of renewal, you find the strength and courage to achieve your resolutions and embrace the potential for transformation in your own life.
Yet, alongside the optimism, we must also acknowledge the importance of facing life’s more difficult truths. Sometimes, the stories that break our hearts are the ones that teach us the most. They remind us of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope to overcome even the darkest of circumstances.
One such story is that of Jane, a survivor of human trafficking, whose journey exemplifies courage, determination and the profound impact of community support.
Jane’s story, as told by our very own awardwinning writer Victoria Hampton, is a sobering reminder that trafficking often doesn’t look like the stereotypes we might imagine. It’s not confined to far-off cities or shadowy strangers. It
can occur in the homes and neighborhoods we think we know best.
Despite the horrors she faced, Jane’s journey didn’t end in despair. Her eventual escape and recovery were made possible by the tireless efforts of local advocacy groups and community task forces that refused to let her story go unheard. Today, she works to support other survivors, channeling her experiences into advocacy and care. Her resilience and resolve serve as a beacon of hope for countless others who face similar struggles. Read more on Page 10.
As we step into this new year, let us take inspiration from Jane’s journey and the work of those who supported her. Consider how you might contribute to change in your own community. Whether it’s volunteering, donating time, supplies or money, or simply raising awareness, every effort matters. The new year is a time for hope, resolve and action. Together, we can create a world where every individual has the opportunity to rewrite their story and dream of brighter days ahead.
Thank you for the wonderful story ideas many of you submitted in the past month. I’m still following up on many of them. Have additional thoughts about a story we should share? Reach me at editor@pioneer.coop.
Happy New Year!
Chasity Anderson Editorial Director
For supplemental and interactive content, search @Ruralite on your favorite social media sites.
Giving a Voice to the Silent
Community task forces create first lines of defense against human trafficiking in rural communities
Spotlight, Page 10
It Tastes Better in a Bowl
In The Kitchen, Page 16
The students in Friday Harbor High School’s EV Principles STEM class have been busy turning wrenches on a hands-on project. Since October, the students—under the guidance of their teacher, Sam Garson—have been building a fully operational electric vehicle.
The kit from The Switch Lab was sent in pieces, leaving students with the responsibility of working together to build the vehicle part by part.
EV Principles is available to all high schoolers, and this semester’s course has 14 students from a mix of grades. Students have taken full control of this project from start to finish, including project management, programming, and electrical and mechanical work. They divided themselves into groups to tackle the project in sections and got to work.
The students had lots to say about the project and the building process, including some of the hurdles they ran into along the way.
“Some things had to be done before others in order to move on to the next step, which the instructions manual didn’t mention, so we had to figure it out in the moment,” says 11th grader Chelsi. “That was a challenge we didn’t anticipate.”
The students say they like collaborating and seeing the project come together. They are all excited to get the vehicle operational and be able to drive it, which they expect to happen this month.
This build is not the first EV that Sam and his STEM students have put together. Last year, Sam took a 12-year-old EV kit build down to the frame and had his
Give your home an annual safety checkup to stay a step ahead of electrical fires
By David Herder
Being home can mean having a warm and cozy spot to rest while winter weather rages outdoors. However, your home can turn from toasty to toast in an instant if a fire breaks out.
Electrical failures and malfunctions were factors in more than 46,000 fires a year from 2015-2019, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Annually, those fires caused 390 deaths, 1,330 injuries and $1.5 billion in property damage.
The new year presents an opportunity to build new habits and safeguard your home. Give your home an electrical safety checkup to keep it how you like it—warm, safe and free of electrical fire hazards.
Cords and plugs are responsible for about 7% of deaths in home fires, despite only being involved in 1% of home fires, according to the NFPA. Extension cords are the most common cause of plug- or cord-related fires. Take these precautions with your cords:
• Check all cords for damage or fraying. These issues are fire and shock hazards.
• Don’t put weight on cords. Placing chairs or other heavy objects on cords can damage them.
• Only use extension cords temporarily. If you need electrical access in a different spot, consider contacting a licensed electrician to install new outlets.
• Plug large appliances directly into outlets, never into extension cords.
• Wires inside of walls can be dangerous as well. Check for loose wall receptacles, wires or lighting fixtures, and listen for popping or sizzling sounds behind walls.
Many electrical hazards are caused by faults—abnormal electric currents. Left untreated, these can cause shock and fire hazards. Using arc-fault and ground-fault circuit interrupter outlets can save your life. Ground faults are where electricity has an abnormal path, creating a shock hazard. Make sure you have GFCI outlets anywhere that could become wet—including the bathroom, kitchen and any outdoor outlets.
Arc faults often cause overheating in wires and electric equipment. Common culprits are pinched, damaged or overloaded wires. AFCI outlets shut off when they detect unwanted arcing. AFCIs are useful in all living areas.
Most electrical fire deaths occur in December and January, according to the United States Fire Administration. This is also the time of year when we use space heaters, wood stoves and other heating devices. Heating devices can become dangerous when used improperly. Keep these tips in mind when using heating devices:
• Keep anything that can burn at 3 feet away from heating equipment, such as furnaces, space heaters, fireplaces or wood stoves.
• Only use products as intended. Space heaters are not for drying clothes, and the cooking stove is not a heater.
• Ensure all fuel-burning heating equipment is vented to the outdoors, and keep all intake and output vents clean and clear of debris.
• If using a wood stove or fireplace, use a screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room.
• Never plug a space heater into an extension cord.
• Keep space heaters on level ground, away from areas where you may trip over it.
Many people use portable generators during outages. To properly use one:
• Let the generator run for a couple of minutes before plugging things in to prevent catastrophic surges. Similarly, plug things in one at a time, as each device requires a small surge to start up.
• Only plug generators in to your home’s transfer switch or into a heavy duty extension cord rated for the weather conditions. Never plug generators into wall outlets—this can endanger lineworkers by backfeeding electricity onto distribution lines.
• Keep generators at least 20 feet from your home to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. n
Many new devices enter our homes during the holidays, and that means new batteries to charge. Lithium-ion batteries are efficient and effective at powering phones, toys, electric bikes and more, but they can be fire hazards.
Damaged lithium-ion batteries can rapidly overheat and ignite. Whatever you’re plugging in, safe charging can prolong your battery life and prevent fire danger.
X Stop using a battery if you notice any smell, change in color or shape, too much heat, leaking or odd noises.
X Plug battery chargers directly into a wall outlet.
X Don’t overload circuits. Batteries take in a lot of energy while charging. Make sure you don’t overload your home’s circuits by having too much plugged in at once.
X Charge in a flat, dry area, away from sunlight and doorways. Heat and water can create fire risks, and keeping batteries away from exits keeps emergency paths clear should a fire start.
X Always buy batteries from known, quality sellers.
X Stay near your batteries while they are charging.
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“When you’re being forced to do things that you don’t want to do—besides the physical pain that you go through—I think it is just a really difficult thing to cope with mentally. There was a point where my brain just kind of broke.”
JANE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVOR
Human trafficking affects victims from all age groups and walks of life.
Once a trafficker has effectively isolated their victim, they use tactics of fear, shame and helplessness to keep them in the life. For Jane—a child who did not know a lifestyle beyond the one she lived on her family’s isolated ranch—traffickers used fear as their tool to keep her compliant.
“They told me that people could read my mind, and I believed that,” Jane says. “My brothers would be hurt if I didn’t do what they would ask me to do.”
In communities, trafficking happens under the radar.
“Especially in rural communities, (trafficking) doesn’t always look like the way we think it would,” Jane says. “I
wasn’t standing on street corners. I lived at home with my family. Most of my trafficking happened in people’s homes.”
Jane’s abuse continued throughout her childhood while she went to school, played sports and attended church. She seemed like any other child, with a shy and obedient nature.
“One part of me was doing all this terrible stuff, and the other part of me was who I kind of presented to the world,” Jane says. “If you had looked at me, you wouldn’t think, ‘This person is being trafficked.’”
Jane was terrified of what might happen if she opened up to anyone about her abuse. Her cousin—the same one selling her for sex—introduced her to substance abuse to help cope with the
trauma and physical abuse inflicted by her buyers and to make her easier to control.
“When you’re being forced to do things that you don’t want to do—besides the physical pain that you go through—I think it is just a really difficult thing to cope with mentally,” Jane says. “There was a point where my brain just kind of broke. It’s incredibly difficult to process.”
She also started self-harming and attempted suicide multiple times. Jane was connected to a school counselor and saw a therapist. While she was too scared to speak her truth, no one recognized the signs of what was going on behind closed doors.
“Nobody ever asked me why,” Jane says. “I don’t understand why nobody saw the bigger picture.”
“Getting connected with the at:project was probably the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
JANE
independence and a new outlook on life through therapy, housing assistance and the support of others who understood what she was going through and were there to support her every step of the way.
“Getting connected with the at:project was probably the best thing that has ever happened to me,” Jane says. “I had true, genuine, caring support for the first time in my life, and I feel like that was the turning point for me, and everything just got so much better.”
As a former homeless youth in Lincoln County, Oregon, Lizzie Martinez has firsthand experience of the transformative nature of community support for people experiencing hardship. This inspired Lizzie to dedicate her career to giving back to her community. Lizzie is the Lincoln County Trafficking Intervention Task Force coordinator and works for Children’s Advocacy Center of Lincoln County.
“Just the strength and resilience that I have seen as I’ve walked alongside survivors makes it very motivating to advocate for them in the professional arena and be a voice where they so often don’t have one,” Lizzie says.
Protecting communities from these crimes goes back to where the exploitation of children and adults often starts: vulnerabilities. Lizzie understands everyone has a different capacity to help in their communities, yet there is power in every action taken to raise awareness and support existing programs that help the most vulnerable members of communities.
From small to large, there are ways residents can address vulnerabilities and help safeguard their communities:
• Listen to survivors’ stories at thelifestory.org.
• Donate to a food bank.
• Volunteer at a school as a tutor.
• Donate clothes to youth and adult organizations.
• Research and share internet safety training resources with families. The school district may have resources available.
• Support a domestic violence or housing assistance organization.
• Report any suspected incidents of human trafficking to police.
• Organize a trafficking awareness event, such as a film screening or guest speaker. Contact a county or state antitrafficking agency for training support.
• Volunteer with Court Appointed Special Advocates or a youth advocacy organization.
• Do not buy or encourage others to buy sex.
• Form a task force with programs and services that can support victims and survivors of human trafficking. It can start with a group of concerned community members meeting at someone’s house and expand from there, which is how the Anti-Trafficking Alliance of Central Oregon was formed.
“Being able to address those vulnerabilities makes such a big difference that people don’t even realize,” Amanda says.
A decade later, Jane is still an explorer, and her reality is a place she no longer has to escape from. She takes her lived experiences and helps victims and survivors as a supervisor at an antitrafficking organization in Central Oregon.
“Something that I’ve realized doing this kind of work is how many people have stories similar to mine,” Jane says.
Jane is working on a degree in social work and plans to apply to a master’s program to continue supporting others and be a voice for change.
“I feel like it is a way of taking some of my power back,” Jane says. “Everything that I am learning right now is helping me feel even more confident and capable in my ability to show up for other people.” n
At her request, Jane’s name was changed and her last name omitted to protect her privacy.
Want to find out more? Listen to Jeri Moomaw, Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative executive director, speak about holding perpetrators accountable at ruralite.com/giving-a-voice-to-the-silent.
Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline
This 24-hour, confidential hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and support to get help and stay safe.
If you need assistance, here’s how you can connect:
Call: 888-373-7888
Text: 233733 (BEFREE)
Chat: humantraffickinghotline.org/chat
If you suspect potential situations of sex and labor trafficking in your community, call the hotline or report it to your police department.
By Victoria Hampton
Jennifer Geisler knows that anyone who steps into one of her buses could be a human trafficking victim. As chief operations officer of Sunset Empire Transportation District in Astoria, Oregon, Jennifer and her team rely on their yearly training from TAT—formerly known as Truckers Against Trafficking—and open communication to keep their riders safe and get them the help they need.
In February 2023, Jennifer’s team quickly responded to a situation involving two girls who boarded a bus in Seaside to connect with a person they met online in Portland. Calls to the Seaside transit office came from the dad of one of the girls and local police. Transportation Support Specialist Stephanie Rodriguez reviewed camera footage and contacted Jennifer and supervisor Rick Yelton to confirm the girls were on board. Jennifer, Rick, bus driver Chuck Poellnitz and police worked together to bring the girls home.
Jennifer can’t help but think about what might have happened.
“This could very well have not been a happy ending had we not been able to get involved,” Jennifer says. “That’s why we continue to do training every year, to be able to help save our children and other young people as well as elderly and disabled who are just as much of a victim in this situation. It’s just watching out for each other.”
Jennifer credits TAT’s free training to raising her team’s awareness and ability to help riders in need.
Human trafficking is a crime in which people are bought and sold for forced labor or commercial sex. For more than a decade, TAT has worked alongside the transportation industry to bring awareness to this crime and empower drivers to report incidents they see on the road.
“It makes our drivers consciously aware of these situations, and they have the tools to call and question what’s happening,” Jennifer says.
Kylla Lanier couldn’t have imagined how her family’s life would change when she cracked open a book from her mom. She and her sisters were consumed by a world they didn’t know existed when they read David Batstone’s “Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade and
“I’ll be honest, we were just shocked,” Kylla says. “We didn’t realize slavery still existed.”
It was this awareness that drove the family to create TAT. What started as local advocacy in 2009 grew into a specialized training program focused on drivers who travel the 4.2 million miles of highways in the United States.
“Most truck drivers, if they knew what was going on, they’d do something about it,” Kylla says, TAT’s deputy director and senior director of external affairs.
Today, the organization offers free human trafficking awareness training for transportation employees—such as longhaul truckers, delivery drivers and public transit drivers—along with law enforcement, government agencies, private and public companies, and community members.
“The general population in the United States, they do not understand prostitution,” Kylla says. “Almost every person in prostitution is there against their will. This is a system of exploitation.”
The exploitation of girls, boys, women and men isn’t the sensationalized experience people see in movies, Kylla says. Victims are often trafficked by people they know who rely on psychological manipulation to
trick and threaten them into providing commercial sex or forced labor. It is a crime that happens everywhere.
“It’s happening in every community, whether people want to acknowledge it or not,” Kylla says. “It is important we are aware and make sure our community is safe. It is an everywhere problem, so it is an everyone solution.”
TAT’s free training includes industryfocused, documentary-style videos, corporate and community training resources, printable posters and wallet cards, and a mobile app. The training videos bring together survivors’ firsthand accounts and antitrafficking education.
TAT’s survivor-driven education changed Oregon Department of Transportation’s Maureen McNeill’s perspective on her work eight years ago when she attended Kylla’s presentation at a law enforcement conference in Bend. During the presentation, a young human trafficking survivor shared some of her darkest moments and how she carries the weight of those experiences with her every day.
“I sat right across the table from her as she told her story, and it really stuck with me for a long time,” Maureen says. “I said to
TOP: Sunset Empire Transportation District’s employees are trained to identify signs of human trafficking.
COURTESY OF SUNSET
EMPIRE TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT RIGHT: Kylla Lanier gives a presentation on human trafficking awareness to 300 law enforcement officers at the 2022 Western States Information Network.
COURTESY OF TAT
myself, ‘I need to do something about this.’”
As the backbone of the country’s economy, Maureen knows each truck driver she meets may encounter human trafficking victims and perpetrators. Traffickers use the same extensive road network as truck drivers to transport their victims, including the rural stretch of I-84 Maureen manages from Umatilla to Baker City.
“They are the eyes of the road,” she says. “When they’re stopping in rest areas, truck stops and casino parking lots, they are likely to see something.”
When Maureen was promoted to Blue Mountain regional manager of commerce and compliance, she added human trafficking awareness to trainings she and her team present to trucking businesses and farming operations in Eastern Oregon. She has fliers and wallet cards at weigh stations
for her employees to hand out to drivers.
“Traffickers are on our highways, and they need to stop and use facilities,” Maureen says. “That’s where we’re going to spot them.”
Kylla hears stories of industry professionals across the country who have encountered suspected human trafficking and reported it to local police. Oftentimes, the people who step up to help in these situations never hear the outcome of their efforts. Yet, Kylla knows how much of a difference these actions make from the survivors she works with at TAT.
“When you see survivors thriving— these are creative, strong, smart people that deserve a chance at a better life,” Kylla says. n
Bring attention and advocacy to your community with TAT’s free human trafficking awareness resources at tatnonprofit.org.
Acai Bowl With Whole-Wheat Toast
1 100-milligram frozen acai smoothie pack
1 cup low-fat milk
1 medium frozen banana, sliced
1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries
2 slices whole-wheat bread
Fresh blueberries
Granola
Coconut flakes
Under warm water, thaw frozen acai smoothie pack about 5 seconds. In a blender, combine acai, milk, banana and mixed berries. Blend until smooth.
Toast bread slices to desired doneness.
Pour acai mixture into bowl and garnish with blueberries, granola and coconut flakes before serving. Serve with toast.
Source: Culinary.net
Chicken
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon minced ginger
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
Zucchini
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
1 pound (3 to 4 pieces) small boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon olive oil 2 medium zucchini, trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
Cauliflower rice
1 pound thawed frozen riced cauliflower
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons minced ginger
1 tablespoon ground cumin
15-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed well
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
11/3 cups halved red grapes
To make the chicken: In a medium bowl, combine oil, garlic, ginger and cumin. Add turmeric, season lightly with salt and pepper, and whisk to blend. Lightly pound chicken pieces to even them out, then coat in oil-spice mixture. Let stand 20 to 30 minutes.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken, smooth side down. Cook until golden brown underneath, about 4 minutes. Flip with spatula, and reduce heat to medium. Cook about 4 minutes until just cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil. Do not clean the pan.
To make the zucchini: In a medium skillet, heat oil on medium-high heat until hot. Add zucchini pieces. Cook, stirring often until crisp and tender, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
To make cauliflower rice: In a colander, drain cauliflower well. In same large skillet used for chicken, add oil, onion and water over medium heat. Cook, stirring until softened, about 3 minutes. Add turmeric, garlic, ginger and cumin. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add drained cauliflower and garbanzo beans. Cook until hot, about 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.
Divide cauliflower rice among four large soup bowls. Slice chicken against the grain. Arrange on top of cauliflower rice along with grapes and cooked zucchini. Serve warm.
Source: California Table Grape Commission
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries
¼ cup sliced banana
¼ cup pomegranate juice
3/4 cup dairy whipped topping
1/8 cup fresh blueberries
1 tablespoon raw pepitas
1 teaspoon honey
Set aside a few berries to place on top of finished smoothie. Add banana, remaining raspberries, strawberries and pomegranate juice to blender. Blend until smooth. Add whipped topping, and pulse until blended.
Pour smoothie into a bowl. Artfully arrange reserved berries, blueberries and pumpkin seeds on top. Drizzle with honey. Top with additional whipped topping, if desired.
Source: Ready Set Eat
1 banana, mashed
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup dairy-free milk
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon milled flaxseed
¼ cup natural creamy peanut butter, warmed
The night before, prepare oats by combining the banana, chia seeds, oats, cinnamon, dairy-free milk and water. Stir, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, scoop the mixture into a saucepan over mediumhigh heat. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue stirring frequently until mixture is thick and completely heated. Remove from heat. Stir in flax. Pour oats into bowl, and drizzle with melted peanut butter. Add toppings as desired.
Source: Ready Set Eat
1 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon white miso
¼ cup butter
11/2 pounds shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed
¼ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 cup quinoa, cooked
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cucumber, sliced into half moons
5 green onions, sliced
1 avocado, sliced
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
In a medium bowl, whisk orange juice, hot sauce, honey, soy sauce, vegetable oil, lime juice and miso until combined. Pour one-quarter of liquid into a separate bowl. Set aside. Add shrimp to the remaining mixture, and marinate 15 minutes.
Heat large skillet over medium heat with butter. Add shrimp, salt and pepper. Cook 2 minutes on each side until pink. Add mushrooms and cook until tender.
In two serving bowls, divide quinoa, bell pepper, cucumber, onions, avocado and shrimp. Sprinkle sesame seeds and cilantro over both bowls. Drizzle with reserved dressing.
Source: Culinary.net
See millions of years of history embedded in stone at Oregon’s
Jutting into the sky with its layers of rock and fossil, Sheep Rock in Eastern Oregon is home to millions of years of geologic history. One of three parts of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and next to the beautiful Painted Hills, the area is great for history, hiking and marveling at landscapes.
The Sheep Rock Unit of the fossil beds is home to rocks up to 95 million years old, with plant and animal fossils from 7 to 33 million years ago. The unit houses the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, where visitors can see a collection of fossils. The unit also includes seven hiking trails, ranging from a quarter mile to 3.25 miles round trip.
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument has two other units. One, the Painted Hills, is famous for its rolling hills with striking stripes in its rock. The colors—best viewed in the afternoon sun—are caused by variations in mineral levels. The third unit, Clarno, is home to pillars of rock formed by volcanic mudslides.
When visiting the John Day Fossil Beds, consider making it a road trip along Oregon’s Journey Through Time Scenic Byway. The byway is nearly 290 miles long, taking visitors from the Columbia River south through the fossil beds, then east through the Blue Mountains before ending in Baker City.
The John Day Fossil Beds do not require a pass, unlike many National Parks Service sites. To start planning your trip, head online to www.nps.gov/joda or call 541-987-2333.
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By Dave LaBelle
As a newspaper photographer, there were always New Year’s Day photo assignments, such as taking pictures of the first baby of the year.
Like many holidays marked with some sort of celebration, New Year’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate
Renowned author, photographer and lecturer
captured special moments for more than half a century. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
NIKON D810, 180mm lens
ISO 800, f/3.2 at 1/320
As they age, one goal for many people is to keep moving. Gary Kramer, 70, walks 15 minutes a day at a local fitness club before doing other strength-training activities. Gary says he has been working out the past five years because his chiropractor told him he needs to keep moving.
time, the beginning of a new calendar year. Most of us make resolutions we hope to keep. You know how it goes. After Jan. 1, gymnasiums are usually filled with eager folks ready to start fulfilling New Year’s health resolutions. The same gyms are half-filled by June.
But photographically, the new year might be a good time to follow a dream you have wanted to pursue.
Thanks to the help of several generous supporters, I plan to finally pursue a photographic dream I have had for many years. I call this dream A Visual Walk with Christ, and I plan to visually
interpret Biblical scenes.
So, whether you travel to the Big Apple to watch the ball drop at Times Square, position yourself in one of the towns or cities that color the
sky with fireworks, or begin a dream project, the calendar change is an opportunity to start the new year with fresh challenges, both personally and photographically. n
Try photographing resolutions in action, such as documenting someone beginning a new workout routine. Challenge yourself to make a photograph of yourself once a month. Photograph someone you love or admire throughout the year, similar to how we made a pencil mark on a doorframe for children to mark their growth. Pick a favorite spot to document over the four seasons. When my third child, Tucker, was born, I photographed him every day of his first year of life. I still draw from those images every year.
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.
Centuries ago, Persians, Tibetans and Mayans considered turquoise a gemstone of the heavens, believing the striking blue stones were sacred pieces of sky. Today, the rarest and most valuable turquoise is found in the American Southwest–– but the future of the blue beauty is unclear.
On a recent trip to Tucson, we spoke with fourth generation turquoise traders who explained that less than five percent of turquoise mined worldwide can be set into jewelry and only about twenty mines in the Southwest supply gem-quality turquoise. Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed.
We found a limited supply of turquoise from Arizona and purchased it for our Sedona Turquoise Collection . Inspired by the work of those ancient craftsmen and designed to showcase the exceptional blue stone, each stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, one-of-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you aren’t completely happy with your purchase, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.
The supply of Arizona turquoise is limited, don’t miss your chance to own the Southwest’s brilliant blue treasure. Call today!
Jewelry Specifications:
• Arizona turquoise • Silver-finished settings
Sedona Turquoise Collection
A. Pendant (26 cts) $299 * $99 +s&p Save $200
B. 18" Bali Naga woven sterling silver chain $149 +s&p
C. 1 1/2" Earrings (10 ctw) $299 * $99 +s&p Save $200
**Complete set includes pendant, chain and earrings.
You
It’s that time of year when Orcas Power & Light Cooperative members step up to run for the board of directors. It’s an important time for the energy world, with lots of important issues to tackle that will shape our communities for years to come.
Nominations are now open for the 2025 election. There are three positions open: one in District 1 (San Juan, et al.), one in District 3 (Lopez, et al.) and one in District 4 (Shaw, et al.).
OPALCO has seven board positions in four districts that are elected for three-year terms, with elections staggered. Co-op directors are paid a stipend for their time and service, and OPALCO provides board and industry training.
As a not-for-profit cooperative, having a democratically elected board is key to the structure of the organization. All members vote for all positions, regardless of their home district.
Co-op members from all backgrounds and identities are encouraged to apply. The
co-op values all kinds of experience and skill sets. You do not need to be an engineer or have previous experience with utilities.
Our organization includes experts in business management, finance and accounting, legal, insurance, benefits, education and training, marketing, technology, public policy, construction, procurement, engineering, design, project management, permitting and operations. If you have expertise in any of these areas or other pertinent experience, you may be a good fit.
There are two ways to be nominated to the OPALCO board: by committee or
petition. Candidates must be a resident in any of the districts, be a member in good standing, be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Applications by committee are due by noon Jan. 12; applications by petition are due by noon Feb. 15. The full list of candidates is posted online Feb. 28. See the timeline and eligibility criteria at opalco.com/why-run.
OPALCO has an Elections and Governance Committee that helps cultivate candidates for the OPALCO board. There are open seats for the Lopez District on the Elections and Governance Committee. Email communications@ opalco.com if you are interested in applying or have questions about the process.
Being an OPALCO board member is a powerful way to make a difference in your community. Help shape our energy future by weighing in on important decisions that affect the quality of life in San Juan County. n
4x5 round bales, Meadow Foxtail Orchard Grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square. nas@cpcinternet.com; 208-435-4637 or 208-435-4002. 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
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. 0225
1997 Eddie Bauer Expedition. 4x4 exceptional condition. New aluminum wheels and tires. 113K miles. No disappointments, leave a message. 541-661-1140.
Not just for Christmas. Idaho author Tova R. Cladouhos sells children’s books on Amazon or by email at tovarae@gmail.com. These books are perfect for elementary-aged children with factual stories based on friendship, affection, protection and farm animal adventures. Tova loves barns, pastures, dogs, cats, sheep and ponds. Her books include, “The Nine Lives of Milo the Cat,” “Saving Lily,” “Little Molly” and “Little Molly’s Secret.” 0125
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. $229,999. 0125
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. 0125
9th Annual Fiber Arts & Jewelry Exhibit. Feb. 7 - March 29, 2025. Art Center East in LaGrande, OR. Submission deadline: Feb. 1, 2025. artcentereast.org. 0125
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): March issue—Jan. 30, 2025.
If submitting ad by mail, send appropriate payment with your name, address, email, phone number and the name of the electric utility that provides your magazine to: Marketplace, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133. Make check or money order payable to Ruralite.
We accept credit card payments for ads submitted by email. Send ad to info@pioneer.coop.
Advertisements are accepted in good faith. Pioneer Utility Resources is not liable for interactions between buyers and sellers.
Fireproof combination lock safe, $300. DR multi trimmer, $300. Kubota tow rototilla, $1.75K. Land pride 4-ft mower, $800. Ted, 458-910-3727. 0225
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. 0125AR
Foster parents needed to care for teen youth in Wasco and Hood River counties. Agency provides on-call support, training, $2.1K/youth monthly reimbursement, 2 days off/month. Fosterinfo@nextdoorinc.org, 541-308-2207.
Quadra-Fire Santa Fe pellet stove 700-1,000 sqft. Used 2 seasons, cabin, small house, man cave. $1.8K. Starchaser987@yahoo.com; 541-419-7477. 0125
Granite cemetery markers at affordable prices. Will ship to most places. For more info: www.highdesertmemorials.com; Joe, highdesertmemorials@gmail.com or 541-815-8906.
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. 0225
Male husky. 4 years old. Very gentle. Great with children. 541-875-4172. 0125
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. 0125
Beautiful custom home on 15 acres w/ stunning panoramic mountain and valley views. Garage, barn. $599K. Duke Warner Realty, 541-987-2363, ddwr@ortelco.net. 0125
20 acres located east of Montello, NV. Fully livable. Year-round access. Power and water nearby. Comes with equipment and facilities. $35K. geopup58@gmail.com. 0125
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 offroading. Horses okay. Also 10-acre lot with water rights and underground utilities. pkcfitness@hotmail.com. 775-209-2830. 0125
Recreational Rentals
Bed and Birds; a guesthouse. Wet meadows, range, forest, dark sky. Beds for 9. Lakeview, OR. Explore or ride? Near ski hill. Reasonable. 541-219-2044. 0125
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 Oregon coast. $175/night (plus cleaning/tax). Open April through Oct. Holds up to 6-plus kids and pets. Wavecatcherbeachrentals.com. Reservations: 541-740-2846. 0125
Recreational Vehicles
Thor Ace model 27.2, 2017 motor home. Excellent condition. 14K miles, 2 slides. Sleeps 6, 2 TVs, always covered. $60K. debutler1947@icloud.com; 541-953-0295. 0225
24ft Sunseeker RV Mercedes. Diesel, 8-ft. slide out with 4-person dinette, sleeps 6. 60K miles, 2016. $48.5K. Ted, 458-910-3727. 0225
Services
Dawn Till Dusk Masonry. Brick, block, stone and pavers. Small jobs and repairs welcome. dawntillduskconstructionmasonry.com. 541-388-7605; 541-410-6945. License #245760 bonded and insured. La Pine, OR. 0225
Historic Windows & Restoration: windows, storm sashes, screen doors for residential buildings. historicwindowsllc.com. 541-714-3460. License #252960. Serving Corvallis, Albany, Eugene, Salem, Portland and surrounding areas. 0125
Private horse ranch in Sisters, OR, offers a spot for your RV living in trade for light horse feeding and cleaning. TK, 541-504-1234. 0125
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.
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. 0225
Cash paid for old gas station and oil company signs, pumps, globes, metal oil cans. Good condition. Discreet cash settlement. Clifton Jones, collector. 512-413-4459. 0225
Buying quality concert posters and handbills from the 1960s and ‘70s. Cash paid for desired items. Eric, 541-520-2794 or ericwedmondson@yahoo.com. 0125
Tech training programs. Residents have the opportunity to participate in technical and coding classes that cover Python, HTML, CSS, Google Workspace and ArcGIS. For training in small online business marketing, the EDC offers a business boot camp and individual workshops to navigate Etsy, Shopify, Canva, Mailchimp and Squarespace.
Trades training programs. The EDC has expanded trades programming to offer more critically needed job skills training for welding, bookkeeping, automotive technology, carpentry, metal fabrication, contract documents, project management and others as opportunities or needs arise. EDC continues its merchant mariner and home care aide workforces through ongoing programs. It continues to support youth moving toward rewarding careers through its Youth Trades programs. n
Contact the EDC office if your business or career needs a boost. Learn more at www.sanjuansedc.org.
CLOCKWISE FROM
offers a one-day, hands-on course in masonry. Students learn basic woodworking techniques in a furniture-making class. An intro to welding class provides an overview of basic welding concepts and techniques, tools and shop safety.
D“Gift of the
Client Rating of 4.9 Stars!
iscover the enchanting allure of our Two Heart Necklace, where love’s symphony unfolds in timeless elegance. Inspired by that moment, when it all clicks and you realize you have found the one…. and where two become one, this exquisite piece captures the essence of two hearts entwined in a dance of destiny. Crafted with precision and passion and encased in 14k gold, it embodies the essence of your enduring love, echoing the sentiments of Shakespeare’s sonnets and the romances of Jane Austen. Our client’s favorite, it is now priced at its lowest ever even as gold reaches a record high, awarding it a stellar 4.9-star rating in reviews making it the Gift of the Year. Embrace the magic of shared dreams and whispered promises with the Two Heart Necklace, a treasure to cherish for generations to come.
Let this necklace be your own love story, a testament to the beauty of companionship and the joy of finding
your perfect match. Embrace the romance and elegance of a bygone era with our Two Heart Necklace, a treasure to cherish for a lifetime.
Falling in love costs nothing but the value is priceless. Showing your love with this two hearts set costs next to nothing and the feeling you will get when wearing it or giving it to your love will certainly be priceless.
Two Hearts Collection
A. #57505 Bracelet (13 2/5 ctw) $299 $39* + S&P Save $260
B. #57507 Necklace (2 ⅛ ctw) $199 $39* + S&P Save $160
C. #56877 Earrings (4 ¼ ctw) $229 $39* + S&P Save $190
#57508 Necklace, Bracelet & Earrings $727 $79* + S&P Save $648
*Special
Your member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative utility. Providing energy services to San Juan County since 1937.
Eastsound Office
183 Mount Baker Road
Eastsound, WA 98245-9413
Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday Harbor Office
1034 Guard St.
Friday Harbor, WA 98250-9240
Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lopez Crew Station
4232 Center Road
Lopez Island, WA 98261-8098
No regular office hours
360-376-3500
General Manager Foster Hildreth
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Vince Dauciunas, District 1
Vice President
Jerry Whitfield, District 4
Secretary/Treasurer
Tom Osterman, District 3
Mark Madsen, District 1
Chuks Onwuneme, District 2
Wendy Hiester, District 2
Brian Silverstein, District 3
Board meetings are the third Thursday of each month, unless otherwise indicated on our website. Board materials are posted on the website the Monday before the meeting.
www.opalco.com
Happy New Year! I can’t believe it is already 2025. From all of us here at Orcas Power & Light Cooperative, we hope you had a cozy and happy holiday season and are looking forward to the new year. I’m thinking of setting some new year’s resolutions. Maybe I’ll try to stop chasing squirrels this year.
The OPALCO Board of Directors approved the 6% tariff increase at its December meeting. This means you will see an increase in your power bill each month, approximately $11 a month for the average San Juan County residence (a 1,000 kilowatt-hour user). The budget also forecasts 6% rate increases for the next five years to keep up with inflation and rising expenses, such as cost of power and labor.
In 2025, OPALCO will conduct an in-depth study of our rate structure. Based on the results of this study, there may be some changes to the way bills are allocated in 2026 and beyond. We encourage members to stay active and engaged through 2025 and throughout the process of analyzing our rates.
We encourage members to continue to take advantage of our various energy-assistance programs. For more information, visit www.opalco.com/energyhub.
We are excited about some upcoming in-person events this month. Join us for a Tidal Town Hall meeting on an island closest to you. These meetings are casual information sessions, so bring any questions you may have about the Tidal Generation Pilot Project.
• Tidal Town Hall: San Juan Island
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 4-5 p.m.
• Tidal Town Hall: Orcas Island
Wednesday, Jan. 22, 5-6 p.m.
• Tidal Town Hall: Lopez Island
Thursday, Jan. 23, 5-6 p.m.
We hope to see you there and have some great discussions. For more details, visit www.opalco.com/events.
Thank you for an amazing 2024. We look forward to another great year serving our beautiful island community in 2025.
Gotta go, I think I see a squirrel!
Happy New Year, Pepper