COOPERATIVE
DECEMBER 2024
An OPALCO crew makes snowy repairs. PHOTO COURTESY OF OPALCO
Ruralite
December 2024
• Volume 72, No. 12
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
Ruralite (USPS 397-460) is published monthly for members for $5.43 per year, plus postage, by Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124—a not-for-profit Oregon cooperative corporation—to serve the communication needs of 46 consumer-owned electric utilities in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Nevada and California. Preferred periodical postage paid at Hillsboro, Oregon, 97123 and additional mailing offices. © 2024 Pioneer Utility Resources. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
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HOW TO CONTACT RURALITE
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Here’s to New Beginnings
With this issue, I step into the position of editorial director. I am incredibly grateful to Mike Teegarden for his help in preparing for this role and support during our transition.
I take the reins deeply mindful of the incredible leaders who came before me. They set the foundation with stories that challenged, enlightened and resonated deeply— stories that became touchstones for our readers and industry. I am humbled to follow in their footsteps and carry forward the legacy.
A recent note from reader Abigail Cowart brought me great joy. She thanks everyone who donated yarn to her project of making hats and scarves for the homeless. She’s made and distributed 100 hats and scarves so far. Want to find ways you can help fellow readers? Learn more on Page 18.
For supplemental and interactive content, search @Ruralite on your favorite social media sites.
Storytelling has always been more than just words on a page to me. It is an art, a powerful way of connecting across space and time. A wellcrafted story can shift perspectives, stir empathy and ignite dialogue that lingers long after the page is turned. Over the years, I have come to see how stories provide comfort, provoke thought, and, most importantly, help us understand ourselves and the world around us. I am committed to preserving that legacy.
I want to foster a space where storytelling continues to thrive and where writers are encouraged to take risks, dig deep and capture the essence of our communities and the stories they hold.
At the same time, beginning this role signifies a new beginning, a chance to explore fresh
directions and uncharted themes. I look forward to bringing my voice and vision to this new chapter, working alongside our talented team to keep the magazine relevant, thought-provoking and vibrant. Together, we will honor the past while pushing forward, blending tradition with innovation to craft stories that inspire and resonate for years to come.
What about you? Do you have ideas for stories we haven’t yet told? I’d love to learn more. Reach me at editor@pioneer.coop. Here’s to new beginnings, rich storytelling and the road ahead.
Chasity Anderson Editorial Director
Taking Stock
Breeding program preserves heritage livestock Up Close, Page 10
All in the Family
Cooperative Family Fund helps children after tragic loss Spotlight, Page 12
Breakfast In The Kitchen, Page 16
Picture Hunt 22 Before You Go 30 Utility Pages: 4-5, 8, 25, 28-29, 32
Prepare for the New Year With OPALCO
ADOBESTOCK
IMAGEBYTATIANA
As we approach 2025, Orcas Power and Light Cooperative is preparing for our energy future, and we want our members to get involved.
The co-op faces a variety of challenges that require member feedback and active engagement. Each generation of OPALCO members has had its own unique obstacles, dating back to 1937 when our founders worked to bring electricity to the islands. Today, the challenge is clear: We’re facing a major energy transition, driven by climate change, and we need your support to navigate this change.
Our state and national goals are to transition away from fossil fuels and move toward powering our homes, vehicles and ferries with clean electricity. They are ambitious but essential goals to ensure a sustainable future.
The Cost of Power in 2025
As OPALCO works to provide reliable and renewable energy, we’re experiencing rising costs. Our energy provider, PNGC, has indicated a more than 10% increase in power costs for next year.
OPALCO members can expect a 6% rate increase this year and likely in years to come. Our board will review and vote on the final rate increase and 2025 tariffs in December, but for now, plan your budget with this increase in mind.
For the average energy use—1,000 kilowatt hours a month—a 6% increase translates to an additional $11 per month.
In 2025, OPALCO will conduct a comprehensive rate analysis to explore how to improve the distribution of power costs among our members. Your feedback is crucial in this process. By working together, we can develop a fair and effective rate structure that supports our co-op’s sustainability and financial health.
Upcoming Events
We’re excited to host several events in the coming months to discuss our plans and hear your input. Mark your calendars: Town Hall—OPALCO Tidal Energy Pilot Project
• Jan. 21 at 4 p.m., San Juan Island
• Jan. 22 at 5 p.m., Orcas Island
• Jan. 23 at 5 p.m., Lopez Island
Island Way Workshop: Our Energy Future
• Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. via Zoom OPALCO Board Candidate Forum
• March 5 at 5 p.m. via Zoom Annual Business Meeting
• April 24 at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom Annual Member Festival
• April 25 from 3-5 p.m., San Juan Island
These events provide opportunities to learn more and give feedback about OPALCO’s initiatives, from our tidal energy pilot project to discussions on our long-term energy future.
Looking Toward a Local Renewable Power Supply
We face several unique challenges as we work to build a local, renewable power supply across our islands. Beyond the cost of such projects, we must also consider the aesthetic impact and limited land available for development. With power costs rising and resources decreasing, our electricity supply is becoming less reliable.
OPALCO is studying ways to update our rate structure, promote all-electric homes, encourage energy conservation and ensure no single rate class is overburdened. Achieving these goals requires cooperation from all members. Together, we can make informed decisions about our energy future and create a sustainable power system that meets the needs of our islands.
How Members Can Prepare
As we embark on this journey together, here are a few ways you can prepare for the year ahead:
Stay informed. Keep up to date with energy issues in our region. Understanding the challenges and opportunities we face helps you make informed decisions. Make the switch. Consider upgrading to more energy-efficient electric options for heating and transportation. These changes can make a big difference in reducing both energy use and costs. Use OPALCO’s on-bill financing program Switch It Up to make the switch.
Conserve energy. Every effort to conserve energy counts. Whether it’s turning off lights when not in use, optimizing home insulation or using energy-efficient appliances, these steps help reduce our collective energy demand.
Engage with OPALCO. Get involved through our events, participate in surveys and connect with us on social media. Your feedback guides our decisions and helps us understand the needs and priorities of our members.
As we prepare for the new year, OPALCO looks forward to working with you to meet the challenges of our energy transition. By staying connected, making conscious choices and supporting our initiatives, we can build a resilient energy future together. n
Community members connect at a member event on Lopez Island. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREA HUSS
the warranty. Generous manufacturer warranties demonstrate the company’s confidence in the quality of its products.
Finally, because most smart appliances are connected to the internet, make sure you think about privacy and security. Research the manufacturer’s privacy policies and security features to ensure data —like your voice commands and shopping habits—don’t fall into the wrong hands. Making sure the manufacturer takes your privacy and online safety as seriously as you do is a smart strategy.
For most homeowners, the biggest downside to smart appliances is they carry higher price tags than their not-so-smart counterparts. However, price is just one factor in the cost of any appliance. When you also consider the long-term value smart appliances deliver—whether that’s in energy savings, helpful conveniences or improved reliability—most save you money over their service life.
Smart appliances may be eligible for rebates and tax incentives, so ask your retailer what’s available.
What’s ahead for smart appliances in the foreseeable future? The marketplace is starting to see the integration of basic artificial intelligence capabilities that can make smart appliances provide better service, greater reliability and lower energy needs. As these AI-fueled systems become more common, your refrigerator might know your habits so well it can generate a shopping list for you. Your dishwasher could adjust its operating cycle to better clean your family’s uniquely dirty dishes.
There was a time when appliances changed little from decade to decade. Today, products advance more quickly than ever before, and we can expect to see more big changes ahead. n
BY
Shop Wisely and Be an Energy Star
By Jennah Denney
As the days grow colder, you may be considering ways to stay cozy while also managing home energy use. One of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient is by choosing products with the Energy Star label. But what exactly does the label mean, and how can it benefit you?
How Products Earn the Energy Star Label
Energy Star is a program by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency to help consumers identify energyefficient products that save money and reduce environmental impact.
Products that earn the Energy Star label must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency, performance and cost effectiveness. Here’s how the process works:
The product must be more energy efficient than typical models. This helps you save on energy bills by using less electricity while still providing the same performance.
The product must be tested in EPA-recognized labs following standardized procedures. These tests ensure the product meets all energyefficiency and performance requirements.
Once tested, the product’s data is reviewed by a third-party certification body to verify it meets the set standards. This ensures only the best products receive the Energy Star label.
Even after a product is certified, the EPA conducts off-the-shelf testing on random samples of Energy Star products to ensure they continue to meet the required standards. If a product fails to meet the performance requirements during verification testing, it can be disqualified from the Energy Star program. The EPA has clear procedures for handling such disqualifications to maintain the integrity of the label.
Speaking of Labels
Whether you’re upgrading your refrigerator, replacing lightbulbs or buying new electronics, the blue Energy Star label is your assurance the product has passed all energy-efficiency tests. It’s easy to spot and can be found on products ranging from small and major appliances to electronics.
Many large appliances, such as washing machines and clothes dryers, include a yellow Energy Guide label that provides estimated energy use. Comparing these labels can help you determine how much you can save with an Energy Star model compared to a standard model.
While Energy Star products can cost a little more upfront, their energy savings over time often cover the difference. They help reduce your household energy consumption, which could translate to lower utility bills.
As you shop for appliances, electronics or other home equipment this holiday season, look for the Energy Star label. Whether it’s a new washing machine or energy-efficient lighting options, these products are a simple and effective way to save money and lower energy use. Check with your electric utility about rebates or incentives for buying Energy Star products.
To browse products that have earned the Energy Star® label, visit www.energystar.gov.
Make your home more energy efficient by choosing products with the Energy Star label.
PHOTO
MIKE GATTORNA
ADOBE
1. Members pay their electric bills. OPALCO tracks how much a member pays for power each year.
How Capital Credits Work
Electric co-ops are not-forprofit and operate at cost. Capital credits are a financial benefit of co-op membership.
2. The co-op pays operating expenses throughout the year and allocates any leftover operating revenue as capital credits.
3. Each November, the OPALCO board determines if conditions allow and votes to distribute capital credits to the members.
4. After 25 years, members get sent their share of capital credits as a check in late December.
It’s Capital Credit Season
As a co-op, Orcas Power & Light Cooperative does not earn profits. Revenues over and above the cost of doing business are called margins. These margins represent an interest-free loan for operating capital made to the cooperative by the membership. After 25 years, these margins are returned to members in the form of capital credits.
Capital credits represent each member’s ownership in the co-op. The co-op tracks how much you pay for power and determines how much of the margin you will receive in the form of capital credits. Each December, OPALCO mails out capital credit checks.
The OPALCO Board of Directors assesses the co-op’s financial conditions
and decides whether or not to approve the capital credit disbursements. If approved, the checks sent out this year are for members active in 1999 and 2000.
The check amounts range from $5 to thousands of dollars, for big energy users like grocery stores. Most checks are for $50 to $250. Last year, the co-op sent out more than $1.06 million to members.
From those capital credits, members donated about $25,000 to support Project Pal, one of OPALCO’s assistance programs. You will have the option to donate your capital credits when you get your check this month.
In 2018, OPALCO started using a smoothing methodology to distribute capital credits to ensure the distributions
are as even as possible from year to year. This helps OPALCO budget for the cash required to pay capital credits and keeps co-op margins in members’ hands. Members will continue to get their capital credits at 25 years, but distribution is calculated based on a general rolling average.
The amount of capital credit disbursements approved by the board will be announced on the OPALCO website in December. Remember to keep the co-op updated when your address changes so we can reach you with your capital credit distributions. n
Learn more about capital credits at www.opalco.com/account-services/bill/ capital-credits.
Taking Stock
Breeding program preserves heritage livestock
By Les O’Dell
Denise Hanna’s herd of cattle looks different from others seen near her Etna, California, ranch. That’s because they are different. That distinction is what first attracted her to belted Galloway cattle, and that’s why they draw so much attention.
Belted Galloways—informally known as “belties”—are best known for their appearance: usually black (although sometimes red or roan) with a wide, white belt running vertically between the shoulder and hind legs, leading some to refer to the breed as “Oreo cows.” Looks aside, the breed is known for its efficiency on rough forage, being good mothers and producing high-quality beef.
The cows are among a wide variety of heirloom breeds of agricultural livestock— animals once common across the United States but now considered endangered.
Known as heritage breeds, they are a throwback to a time before industrial agriculture became a mainstream practice.
According to The Livestock Conservancy, a North Carolina-based not-for-profit organization working to promote and protect these animals, heirlooms are breeds that were carefully selected and bred over time to develop traits that made them welladapted to the local environment. The breeds thrived under farming practices and cultural conditions that are very different
from some found in modern agriculture. Because of unique characteristics such as slower rates of weight gain, these breeds fell out of favor with commercial producers, pushing some of the old breeds to the brink of extinction.
Today, The Livestock Conservancy lists more than 180 agricultural breeds across 11 species—ranging from rabbits, ducks and geese to cattle, horses and pigs—on its Conservation Priority List, an annual report ranking the danger of disappearance of each breed. The classifications are critical, threatened, watch, recovery and study. Based on these rankings, conservationists work to preserve these breeds.
Denise shares the organization’s mission when she speaks to those who ask about her Belted Galloways.
“I talk about how they are a heritage breed, and there are not as many of them,” she says, explaining the uniqueness of the breed and quality of the beef she sells online. “I’ve been very pleased with the taste of the beef. I find that they don’t need as much marbling to be tender and taste great.”
Across the country, more than 4,000 volunteer breeders and 150-plus breed associations work to ensure endangered breeds like belted Galloways—ranked under the “watch” category on the conservation list—don’t disappear. Homesteaders and farmers choose heritage breeds for a variety of reasons. Some,
including Rex Studyvin of Jerome, Idaho, are attracted to the uncommon breeds.
Rex’s farm includes milking Devon cattle (listed as critical), Jacob-American sheep (threatened) and mule-foot hogs (critical). He says many of the characteristics of heritage breed animals— such as resistance to some parasites and diseases or ability to pasture in less-thanideal settings—may prove to be valuable over the long term.
“They have genetics that we don’t want to lose because if those genetics are gone and we need them, we will have problems,” he says.
Denise Frye of Addy, Washington, calls it “maintaining genetic diversity for the future.” She got into raising a variety of chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese through an interest in permaculture.
“Permaculture is basically a lifestyle that incorporates sustainability into all of its principles, and heritage livestock certainly fills the bill in that regard,” Denise says.
Denise has been recognized for her work in conservation breeding of the cotton patch goose, which moved from critical to threatened on the 2023 list. She established the Cotton Patch Goose Society to further promote and protect the breed a dozen years ago.
The protection of biodiversity and genetic resources are other important reasons for protecting these breeds, says Alison Martin, program director for The Livestock Conservancy. Many producers
All in the Family Cooperative Family Fund helps children after a tragic loss
By Drew Woolley
Trent and Betsey Smith never actually danced together at the country two-step event where they met. But he saw her from across the room and decided to strike up a conversation once the music faded.
“He came up to me after the dance, and we talked,” Betsey says. “We ended up dating but never actually danced with each other until after we were engaged.”
The two were married just five months later and had five kids over the course of their 28-year marriage. Then, on Feb. 6, 2023, just more than a month into a new job as a delivery driver with Fall River Propane—a subsidiary of Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative, in Ashton, Idaho—Trent died on the job from a medical emergency. He was 51.
Several months later, Fall River reached out to Betsey about a new program called Cooperative Family Fund, which provides financial support for children 17 and younger of cooperative employees who have died. While the program had only been in place for a few months, Betsey’s youngest son, Coleman, was eligible for a $10,000 trust.
Fall River has carried on Trent’s legacy by helping Betsey and Coleman with one of his favorite traditions: raising 50
Trent and Betsey Smith, center, with their five children. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SMITH FAMILY
Tony Anderson and Anne Harvey serve on the board of the Cooperative Family Fund, which brings comfort to families of co-op workers who have died. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNE HARVEY
American flags along the side of the road each Memorial Day and Independence Day. With the cooperative’s help, they plan to keep Trent’s flags flying for years to come.
“I feel like I’m very blessed that he worked for them,” Betsey
says. “They didn’t have to be as good to us as they were, considering he had worked there for barely 30 days. The fact that they would put my son into this fund, that they would be willing to do that for him, meant a great deal to me.”
A Gift for the Future
For Cooperative Family Fund Board President Tony Anderson, providing support for each member of the cooperative family—no matter how long they have been part of it—is what Cooperative Family Fund is all about. The idea for the fund first came to Tony after a series of funerals for lineworkers across the country. He realized cooperative support often ends after the funerals.
“We’re really good at funerals in our business, but we don’t
If we care about our employees while they’re here at work, I don’t think that care evaporates when there is an untimely death.
— Bryan Case, Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative General Manager
do anything after,” he says. “We always talk about being a family in the co-op world, and I believe we’ve proven that over the years. But I felt this would make us a stronger family. And member services, engineers, accountants, managers—we’re all part of that family.”
Tony discussed the idea with other cooperative leaders and proposed it to the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. in January 2022. While there are no statistics on how many electric co-op employees are lost annually, the goal is to
Trent started a tradition of flying flags for Memorial Day and Independence Day, which Fall River Electric Cooperative will continue. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SMITH FAMILY
Trent died after being on the job at Fall River Propane for only a month. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SMITH FAMILY
ABOVE and OPPOSITE PAGE: Pages from a memory book created for Luke Hackman’s family after he died in 2022.
continually raise funds so any child younger than 18 who loses a parent employed by an electric co-op would receive a $10,000 trust. That trust accrues interest until the first day of the month after the child’s 18th birthday. At that point, recipients can put the money toward whatever they choose.
“Every child is going to take a different path or has different needs,” says Anne Harvey, one of the CFF founding board members. “If college education is something for them, rather than saying this is for books, maybe they need help with housing. The skilled trades are so needed at distribution co-ops, so maybe they want to go that route, or this could give them a gap year. Each child is going to have a different need, and we just can’t wait to see how they use the fund.”
In addition to encouraging cooperative staff to remain engaged with each family, Cooperative Family Fund also helps the cooperative put together a memory book of its time with the employee to give to family members. The books are an important inclusion for Tony, who was 2 when his father died. Tony has only a single photo of the two of them together.
“I have very few stories of him, less than five probably,” he says. “The memory book was important to me because I knew the kids would appreciate it over time. When you lose somebody, the biggest thing you’re worried about is people forgetting them. And when you give that family a memory book, they feel like their loved one is not forgotten because the memories are captured in that book.”
Healing Together
For cooperatives mourning the loss of one of their own, offering meaningful support to families has been just as important as the money. Hollee McCormick, general manager of AllamakeeClayton Electric Cooperative based in Postville, Iowa, recalls her team putting together a memory book for Luke Hackman. A member of the co-op’s broadband department, Luke died in a car accident the same month the Cooperative Family Fund
was announced. His two children were the first to receive trusts through the program.
“We were all grieving the loss of Luke, and putting that book together kind of had a healing effect for all of us,” Hollee says. “I always tell Tony there was so little we could do for that family. Being able to talk to his wife and tell her that the nation of co-ops had put this program together and we would be able to help a little bit more was meaningful.”
Brad Janorschke, general manager of Homer Electric Association based in Homer, Alaska, was supportive of Cooperative Family Fund when it officially launched in December 2022. What he did not expect was that his utility would need to make use of the fund just days later, when lineworker Sam Clyde was killed in a car accident, leaving behind five children.
“He was pretty much loved by everybody,” Brad says. “His picture is still in the hallway out of the office he worked at. His dad was a retired lineman for our utility, as well. It was fantastic that the fund was there. It really helped out the family, and now the cooperative contributes to it annually.”
While many participating co-ops donate through the board or give employees the chance to contribute from their paychecks, others have found ways to involve their communities. Flathead Electric Cooperative in Kalispell, Montana, held a cookie bake-off contest, and Beltrami Electric Cooperative in Bemidji, Minnesota, had a rummage sale. Proceeds from both events went to the fund.
Care That Continues
The fund has raised $1.2 million in its first two years and provided 78 trusts for the children of 37 employees across 20 states. Those numbers serve as a reminder of just how much the fund was needed, even to early supporters like Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative General Manager Bryan Case.
Oftentimes, co-ops are conscientious of the dangers of the job, Bryan says.
“But I don’t think we really understood the magnitude of workers who die for other reasons,” he says. “Maybe it’s cancer or a car wreck, and they leave children behind who are starting high school or elementary school. The need for that support is greater than I ever envisioned or anticipated.”
Cooperative Family Fund is looking for more ways to get co-op volunteers involved as the program grows. That might be enlisting more help putting together memory books or simply building a better network to alert fund leaders to families eligible for support.
“If we care about our employees while they’re here at work, I don’t think that care evaporates when there is an untimely death,” Bryan says. “This fund gives those underage children a little bit of a boost to get them on that next step, especially when there’s just one person at home now taking care of the whole family.”
That boost has been keenly felt by the Smith family, for whom money was tight even before Trent’s death. Whatever challenges they may face, it gives Betsey peace of mind to know Coleman will have a special gift from the cooperative family waiting for him on his 18th birthday.
“We didn’t really have college funds for our kids,” she says. “With five kids, we were just trying to keep the lights on most of the time. Setting aside extra money for things like that just didn’t happen. It’s very special and important to us that they’ve done that for us.” n
Luke Hackman died in a car accident and the Cooperative Family Fund provided trust money for his children. PHOTO COURTESY ALLAMAKEE-CLAYTON ELECTRIC
HOLIDAY BREAKFAST Make Ahead
Spiced Gingerbread Loaf With Orange Icing
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
11/2 teaspoons ground ginger
11/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2/3 cup dark molasses
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
3/4 cup hot water (about 100 F)
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 extra-large egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice
Heat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt and pepper. Set aside. In a separate bowl or dish, whisk together the molasses and hot water.
In a large bowl, using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar. Beat on high speed for 1 minute until creamed together fairly well.
On medium-high speed, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the hot water/molasses and mixing each addition just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing. The batter will be thin. Whisk out any big lumps.
Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until the loaf is baked through. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean with only a few moist crumbs, it is done. Set the pan on a wire rack, allowing the bread to cool completely before removing it from the pan.
To make the icing, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice. Drizzle over the cooled loaf.
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY ZI3000
Books/Magazines
I am looking for “The Time of the End” by James Hayward. I am searching for copies anyone may have that they would be willing to send to me. I will pay postage and a small fee if necessary. Thank you in advance.
Donald Maddy 43 Mill Drive Wahkiacus, WA 98670
Crafts/Hobbies
Please support our daughter’s hobby. She loves to bake and cook for her family and friends. She is always trying a cookie recipe for her dad, muffins and brownies for her friends, cake for her grandmother and biscuits from scratch for me. Well, it’s her turn to have a recipe of her own (or two or three) for her birthday that she can add to her baking, slow cooker and stovetop collection. Please send a favorite recipe to Madison Heagney: 190 SE Lakamas Lane, McMinnville, OR 97128-6899.
Tami Heagney McMinnville, Oregon
I am looking for 6- to 10-inch taper candle molds. Antique metal or silicone. Thank you in advance.
Pamela Frazier
P.O. Box 707 Clatskanie, OR 97016 pfrazier0407@gmail.com
Milestones
My mom just loves to putter in her flower gardens. She turns 80 years young this month. Let’s make a winter birthday like a summer holiday for my mom, Sue Monihan. Please send your well wishes to Susan Monihan, c/o Kristi Snyder, P.O. Box 86, Trout Lake, WA 98650.
Kristi Snyder Trout Lake, Washington
Odds
Looking for 1960-70s Christmas ornaments: pine cone Santas, pipe cleaner angels and gnomes to replace my daughter’s childhood collection. Damaged or faded are OK; I can repair. Thank you.
Dawn Forbes P.O. Box 1574 Bandon, OR 97411
Thanks
There was an unbelievable and heartwarming reader response to my request for birthday greetings for my friend in Colorado Springs. I want to thank each of you for making Louise Tunkel’s 102nd birthday a joyful and memorable occasion. The flood of cards brought her so much happiness. She was amazed with the 400-plus cards and the variety of postage stamps. Your response and kindness is deeply appreciated and made this birthday unforgettable. Thank you.
Charlotte Shaffer-Gaumer Brookings, Oregon
My dad, Jim Padden, would like to thank all the Ruralite readers that participated in this 90th birthday surprise. He received more than 250 cards and gifts throughout August and September. He was absolutely shocked and exclaimed this was “better than Christmas!” Our Ruralite community of all ages went above and beyond expectations sending many homemade cards and drawings; nonfiction books, some from the authors with a personal message; letters; postcards, including vacationers in Europe; gifts; and an entire researched and subsequently printed booklet of the “Paternal Ancestry of Jim Padden.”
Liz Kennedy Banks, Oregon
I would like to thank the Ruralite readers who took the time to write and send me cards for my 100th birthday. I’ve received 175 cards so far, and they are so wonderful to read. Thank you very much.
Louise Taggart Tillamook, Oregon
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See a range of environments and natural beauty in Washington at
Olympic National Park
What Is It?
Sprouting up along the Pacific Coast, Olympic National Park—and all of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula along the state’s west edge—offers grand natural beauty, with rivers and beaches, deep rain forests and soaring mountains. The region got its name in the late 1700s when an explorer saw the mountains and thought they, like the Greek Mount Olympus, were majestic enough to be home to gods.
One Peninsula, Many Ecosystems
Olympic National Park has 73 miles of coastline, with Ruby and Realto beaches being popular oceanfront stops. Further ashore, the Hoh Rain Forest has plenty of hiking trails and is home to One Square Inch of Silence, one of the quietest places in the country. Towering above it all are the Olympic Mountains, including the 7,980-foot-tall Mount Olympus.
Rise and Grind
The Olympic Mountains are relatively young, by geological standards. They are roughly 34 million years old, rising as the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate subducts below the North American plate along the Pacific Coast. While this process still occurs, pushing the mountain upward, the mountains are not growing, as environmental factors grind, weather and erode the range.
Casting a Large Rain Shadow
On the west side of the peninsula, closer to the Pacific Ocean where many rain clouds form, the Hoh Rain Forest receives almost 12 feet of precipitation each year, and Mount Olympus receives an average of 50 feet of snowfall annually. However, precipitation has a hard time crossing the range, creating a dark rain shadow. Sequim, a town on the east side of the peninsula, averages just 16.5 inches of rain a year.
More Information
Entering the national park requires a pass. A Standard Entrance Pass costs $30 for a vehicle, and includes entry for up to 15 passengers. To start planning your trip, call 360-565-3130 or go online and visit www.nps.gov/olym.
PHOTO BY BILL BACCUS/ NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
We’ve
Found the Most Beautiful Endangered Species
Theirs sold at auction for $226,000. Ours is JUST $29! Curious? Read on!
To art nouveau jewelers at the turn of the last century, nothing was more beautiful than the dragonfly. In the dragonfly’s long body and outstretched wings, jewelers found the perfect setting for valuable stones. ese jewelers’ dragonfly designs have become timeless statements of style; a dragonfly pendant designed by French jeweler René Lalique recently sold at auction for $226,000. Inspired by his stunning artistry, we’ve crafted our Dragonfly Nouvelle Collection, an elegant jewelry set for JUST $29!
True artisanship in Austrian crystal and yellow gold. is necklace and earring set features gorgeous multicolored enamel paired with Austrian crystals and a yellow gold finish. Ask any jeweler and they’ll tell you it takes true artisanship to properly blend the blues and purples found in this enamel. While art nouveau dragonflies are hard to come by, we’re helping to repopulate their numbers with this artfully stylized depiction of some of nature’s smallest wonders!
Buy the pendant, get the earrings FREE. If Stauer were a normal company, we’d sell the necklace and earrings for $199 each, but because we engage the world’s best artisans and cut out the middlemen to sell directly to you, we’re offering the necklace for JUST $29! Even better: If you buy within the next few days, we’ll throw in the earrings for FREE! at’s a nearly $400 value for JUST $29!
Act fast! e first time we ran this jewelry in our catalog, it sold out in a matter of days. Get this collection now before this offer goes extinct!
Jewelry Speci cations:
• Enamel with Austrian crystal. Yellow gold finish
• Pendant: 1 ½" W x 1 ¼" H. Chain: 18" + 2", lobster clasp. Earrings: 1 ¼" L, french wire
Nouvelle Collection
A. Necklace $199 $29* + S&P Save $170
B. Earrings $199 FREE with purchase of Dragonfly Nouvelle Necklace *Special price only for customers using the offer code.
Joy To THE World
By Dave LaBelle
Every year, I create a folder on my computer desktop titled “Best Of,” where I place copies of my favorite images from the year. If it has been a good year, sometimes I end up with as many as 25 images in the folder, but usually there are 10 to 12. This process allows me to do a quick scan of pictures published or those I might want to do more with.
Recently, while looking through one of these folders from 2023, I was thinking about what I wanted to share this Christmas season— something joyful—and came across a photograph I made during a St. Patrick’s Day parade of a young man named Jake Wagner.
You might remember the name from a column I wrote about Special Olympics and giving of one’s time. Jake has Down syndrome. My heart leapt and my eyes watered as I revisited the first time I met this happy man.
Of the thousands I have photographed, few, if any, cause my heart to smile more than Jake.
Intelligent, loving and
caring, he embodies the pure, unpretentious joy I hunger to document and, more importantly, imitate. He is the greatest gift, the living Christmas card that brings me joy beyond description.
His mother, Betty, shared, “He is such a breath of fresh air. He is such a blessing. He has been making this world a better place since 1984.”
Holding his son’s hand, Jake’s father, Nick, agreed.
“He’s a very loving son,” he said. “He knows when you need a hug, too. He’s the best boy a father could have.”
When Jesus said, “Suffer the little children to come to me, for such is the Kingdom of God,” I am confident he had Jake in mind. n
NIKON D810, 180mm lens ISO 400, f/4.5 at 1/500
Reader Challenge
This Christmas season, see if you can capture a picture that brings you joy. It can be of happy children or grandchildren squealing with delight as they unwrap presents or somebody whose presence just makes you smile.
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.
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.
Jake Wagner makes the world a better place thanks to his unrestrained love and joy. PHOTO
BY DAVE LABELLE
What Stauer Clients Are Saying About Our Knives
“Outstanding knife of high quality and a great price. I now have a number of your great cutlery in my growing collection!”
— Robert F.,
WeSee the Forest Through the Trees
Richardson, TX
know you. You’re not interested in everyday, run-ofthe-mill, common cutlery. You want something with a story, a unique feature that you can brag about. We’ve got just the thing for you. Our Mighty Conifer Knife is a unique tool with a Damascus steel blade and a handle crafted from an enhanced and stabilized natural pinecone. While our competitors are charging hundreds for similar knives, we’re offering the Mighty Conifer for JUST $99! at’s what we call our Stauer Impossible Price.
Each pinecone — and therefore, each knife — has its own unique characteristics. And the back of the handle features hand tooling, a further demonstration of each piece’s individual nature.
e blade is nothing to scoff at either. Constructed of Damascus steel, a modern reworking of the legendary steel forged by ancient swordsmiths, this nearly 5-inch blade features 256 layers of steel that have been folded on top of each other to increase its durability. Our competitors are charging hundreds for boring, run-of-the-mill knives with no features worth bragging about. We’re asking JUST $99 for a knife unlike any you’ve seen before!
With its full-tang construction and high-quality genuine leather sheath, the Mighty Conifer Knife is the perfect blade for the
person who wants to stand out. CALL NOW! If you’re one of the first 700 587 callers for this ad, we’ll throw in a pair of Stauer 8x21 Compact Binoculars — a $99 value — ABSOLUTELY FREE! Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back!
EXCLUSIVE FREE Stauer 8x21 Compact Binoculars a $99 value with your purchase
Knife Speci cations:
• 9 ½" overall length. Full-tang construction
• Damascus steel blade and natural pinecone handle
• Genuine leather sheath
Mighty Conifer Knife
$299 $99* + S&P Save $200
*You must use Insider Offer Code: MCK233-01 to get this price. California residents please call regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product.
1-800-333-2045
Your Insider Offer Code: MCK233-01
BY NERUDOL
Comfort Foods Comfort Foods Cookbook
P.O. Box 1306 North Plains, OR 97133
ADOBE STOCK
PHOTO
Make a Difference in Your Co-op and Community
Run for OPALCO’s board of directors
Orcas Power & Light Cooperative is proud to be a member-owned cooperative utility and recognizes the democratic process is a key part of being a co-op. The OPALCO governing board consists of seven directors from four districts. Directors are elected for threeyear terms, with the elections staggered.
OPALCO is looking for co-op members from all backgrounds representing all identities to run for our board of directors. The co-op values all kinds of experience and skill sets, including business management, finance, accounting, legal, insurance, technology, marketing, public policy, construction, procurement,
engineering, design and project management.
Each director is elected by a vote of OPALCO members or appointed by the board to fill vacancies. All members may vote in every election, regardless of their home district.
Are you interested in helping shape the co-op’s direction? Board members create policies and strategic direction, set rates for the membership, and oversee finances and the bylaws.
Nominations for the OPALCO board open in mid-December.
For more information about open positions, eligibility and the election process, visit www.opalco.com/why-run.
Border collie/McNab puppies. The best dog you will ever have. Males and females, $450 each. Colton, OR. 503-314-0145. 1224
Real Estate
Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm and recreation property in OR. Fourthgeneration Oregonian, prior ranch owner. For sale: Sisters, OR. 40 acres. Price reduced. $1.55M. John Gill, 541-480-9161 or johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 1224
Newly constructed, beautifully finished singlelevel home with Strawberry Mountain views. $389.5K. Duke Warner Realty, 541-987-2363; ddwr@ortelco.net. 1224
Ranch, south/east Pahrump, NV. Large home for rent. 2.5 fenced acres for children, pets, horses, gardening/farming, etc. Inexpensive well water. 702-530-3720. 1224
80 acres for sale at 259 Cache Creek Road, Nespelem, WA. Water and electric available. $100K. Contact at allenmckendr@yahoo.com or 509-634-8710. 1224
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. 1224
Last chance to get an undeveloped buildable lot (8,000 sqft.) in Sportsman’s Park (Wasco County, Tygh Valley, OR). Sewer to property line, water on property, power available. National forest on backside. 7 miles to Wamic. $86.6K. Eric, 971-370-0220. 1224
Recreational Rentals
Bed and Birds, a guesthouse. Very private. Wet meadows, range, forest, dark sky. Lakeview, OR. Explore or ride? Near ski hill. Reasonable. 541-219-2044. 1224
Bend country cabin. Very clean and fully furnished cabin on private ranch. Close to recreation areas. Very nice. $95/night. bendcountrycabins@gmail.com; 541-382-3050. 0125
Wavecatcher: oceanfront cottage. Central Oregon coast. $175/night (plus cleaning/tax). Open April through Oct. Holds up to 6 (plus children and pets). Reservations: 541-740-2846. Wavecatcherbeachrentals.com. 1224
Getaway at either of our Airbnbs in Lenore, ID. $90 per night. We are on the Clearwater River with great fishing and hiking. Hope to see you. Cindy and Rocky Wines. 208-400-0013. www.bearcountrygetaways.com. 1224
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. 1224
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
Situations Wanted
Northern NV RV site available. Free rent and utilities in exchange for light lawn care. Private farm. Mature trees. Orovada, NV, area. 208-250-2026. 1224
Want to Buy
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
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
Looking for candle-making molds from 6 to 10 inches. Taper molds, antique metal or silicone. pfrazier0407@gmail.com; 503-880-8863. 1224
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
Brighten Up the Dark Season
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY RYZHKOV ALEKSANDR
Practice holiday lighting safety and energy efficiency
As the days get colder and the nights get darker, many community members start to adorn their houses and yards with holiday lighting to spread cheer. Holiday lighting is a fun way to welcome a little extra light and joy as you celebrate with your community.
As with any item that uses electricity, holiday lighting can affect your power bill and pose some safety risks. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind while planning your decorations.
Energy Efficiency and Savings
If you haven’t made the switch already, using LED lights for decorating is one of the easiest ways to save money on your lighting. Because LED bulbs can produce light without using a filament, they create little heat and are more energy efficient and safer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
A string of incandescent bulbs uses about 408 watts, whereas a string of LEDs uses about 70 watts. These days, most LED holiday lights are labeled with the number of watts used so you can choose the most efficient option.
In addition to their increased energy efficiency, LED lightbulbs last a lot longer. The operating life of a string of LEDs is typically rated between 20,000 and 60,000 hours. With the proper care, your lights can last for many holiday seasons.
To ensure you choose lights that are as energy efficient as possible, look for an Energy Star certification. Certified items use up to 75% less energy, so you can rest assured your lights aren’t burning through energy.
Add a timer to your lights to help boost efficiency. Keep your lights off overnight and during the day. Set the timer to turn
them back on at sundown for convenience, safety and efficiency.
Holiday Lighting Safety Tips
While planning and setting up your holiday lighting this year, remember to practice caution and keep electrical safety in mind. Holiday lights can pose a fire and electrocution risk if not maintained or plugged in properly. These important safety reminders can help make sure you have a safe and happy holiday season.
• Inspect all cords before you use them, especially if they have been in storage. Discard cords with cracked or damaged sockets and/or loose or exposed wires, as they create a shock and fire hazard.
• Make sure cords are mounted in a way that does not damage the cord’s insulation or cause pinching. This is
especially important near doors, windows or heavy furniture.
• Always unplug any strings of light or decorations before replacing bulbs or fuses.
• Check package designations for indoor and outdoor lights. Many indooronly lights may not be built to survive the elements and can be unsafe.
• Hang outdoor light sockets downward to prevent water from seeping into them.
• Keep indoor lights away from carpets, drapes or flammable furniture.
• If you string lights on a non-artificial tree, keep the tree properly watered to keep it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
Holiday lighting doesn’t have to take a toll on your energy bill. With these tips and tricks, we can all enjoy beautiful, bright and energy-efficient holiday lighting. n
The Orcas Power & Light Cooperative crew prepares to string holiday lights on the Eastsound tree. PHOTO COURTESY OF ORCAS ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Soup, Stews and Chowders
Get more than 220 recipes in a perfect-bound 8½-by-11-inch indexed book for $10, postage included.
BY MAIL: Send payment and number of cookbooks wanted, along with your name and address, to Ruralite Cookbooks, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133. BY PHONE: with Visa, MasterCard, Discover card or American Express.
Best Breads Cookbook
This 8½-by-11-inch indexed cookbook features yeast breads, quick breads, scones and specialty breads for $10 (includes postage).
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.
