OREGON TRAIL
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE MAY 2025
May Is Wildfire Awareness Month
Washington, D.C., Youth Tour Trade School Scholarships
Be a community hero. Volunteer with your local rural fire department.
Rural fire districts are vital to our local communities. When there is an emergency, the firefighters of rural fire districts are often the first on scene. They are called upon to save lives and protect property.
These rural fire protection districts are mostly staffed by brave volunteers who answer the call to help protect their friends and neighbors. They are almost always underfunded and understaffed.
At Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative, safety and community are some of our core values. These priorities can be seen in practice in our internal focus on fire mitigation practices as well as our internal and external focus on wildfire education and our support of the rural fire districts in our service territory.
Recently, OTEC showed this support through donations to the fire districts in Baker, Grant, Harney and Union counties. These donations are possible thanks to the generosity of OTEC member-owners who participate in the Member-to-Member Bill Round Up program and a matching grant from CoBank— a cooperative bank. When we, as a community, collect our small change through rounding up our bills, we can make a big impact
X 65% of firefighters in the United States are volunteers.
X The time donated by these firefighters is valued around $46.9 billion a year.
X Of the 29,452 fire departments in the United States, 18,873 are all-volunteer and another 5,335 are mostly volunteer.
X Every 23 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the nation.
X Direct property loss due to fires was estimated at $15.9 billion in 2021.
on the rural fire districts in our territory.
To learn more about the Member-to-Member Round Up program, or to enroll, call OTEC at 541-523-3616. You may also log in to otec.coop and select “Round Up” under “My Account.”
OTEC thanks all the heroic men and women who volunteer to protect others. n
If you are interested in volunteering, or to learn more, visit otec.coop/rural-fire.
Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative and the OTEC Member Foundation are proud to announce three local high school students will represent the cooperative at next month’s Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.
The Youth Tour is organized through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and offered by OTEC and other electric cooperatives throughout the nation to high school juniors from within their co-op membership. Every year since the late 1950s, the Youth Tour has brought students to Washington, D.C., for a week in June. To date, nearly 50,000 students from rural areas and small towns across America have participated in this program.
Participants receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the nation’s capital, where they learn about history through visits to the Arlington National Cemetery, the Washington Monument
and Smithsonian Institution museums.. Students not only meet with other participants from across the nation, they have the opportunity to discuss current issues with congressional representatives and senators. Students also learn about the history of electric cooperatives, the cooperative business model and the vital role co-ops played—and continue to play—in bringing electricity to rural America.
Boyden Weaver and Maddy Rudi, of Baker City High School, and Jaxson Everson, of Dayville High School, were selected to attend the one-week trip, where they will join other future leaders from co-ops across the nation.
OTEC and the OTEC Member Foundation are proud to support the Youth Tour program each year. Giving back to the communities we serve and investing in the next generation of leaders is part of our mission. n
In the United States, approximately 89% of wildfires are the result of human activity. This includes careless activities like unattended campfires, fireworks mishaps, and discarded cigarettes to more intentional acts like arson. Grass and brush are excellent fuels for fire, making fires involving ground cover and foliage extremely dangerous and destructive. Grass and brush fires, which are often referred to/generalized as wildfires in the U.S., can travel up to 15.5 miles per hour and can spread to tens of thousands of acres within a few hours of ignition.
In the US, the peak season for grass and brush fires is between June and August, but they can occur year-round. While they are most common in desert areas and locations experiencing prolonged drought, grass and brush fires can occur anywhere that weather conditions are dry and winds are high.
Grass and brush fires can naturally occur when lightning strikes ignite vegetation or structures. But remember, 89% of wildfires are caused by humans. The more common causes include burning debris, using hot equipment on grass, improperly discarding cigarettes, leaving campfires unattended and intentionally setting a fire.
To keep your family safe from grass and brush fires, follow these safety tips:
• Be aware of any Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches issued by the National Weather Service.
• Never build a campfire, shoot fireworks, burn debris, use a barbecue pit or initiate a controlled burn when warnings are in effect. Before engaging in any of these activities, check local ordinances.
• If engaging in these activities, never leave the area unattended and keep a shovel, bucket of water, fire extinguisher or other fire suppression tools on hand.
• If you see a snagged tree in a power line, or other damaged electrical equipment, notify Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at 541-523-3616 immediately. Never approach a downed power line or try to move one; stay at least 50 feet away from the area and warn others to do the same.
• Do not park cars, trucks, or recreational vehicles on dry grass or shrubs. Always keep vehicles properly maintained to avoid sparking and overheating.
• Use an approved spark arrester on all internal combustion engine-powered equipment used on your property, such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, tractors and trimmers. Check and replace spark arresters periodically.
Please visit otec.coop/wildfire for more information on wildfire safety.
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By Vicki Hillhouse
Inside a Rockaway Beach gallery off U.S. Highway 101, tiny water worlds dangle overhead. Delicate glass bulbs filled with Oregon rain and topped with brass temple bells hang like droplets suspended in time.
Artist James Stephen Du Bois— known to all simply as Du Bois— began making the bulbs for his own delight about 50 years ago. In 1999, after honing his creative process, he decided to fill them with Oregon rainwater and sell them as works of art. People occasionally asked if he had rain from a specific date. Soon, he was collecting and cataloging rain to customize his bulbs for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and memorials.
“It’s the closest thing to catching time in a bottle,” Du Bois says. Most rewarding are the emotional bonds that tie his Oregon
Du Drops with the people who buy them.
“We call that nonmonetary compensation,” he says. “There’s such reward from touching people’s lives.”
On days he and his wife, Cathleen “Cat” Freshwater-Du Bois—both in their 70s— contemplate retirement, this is what drives him to continue.
“I like the idea that I’m making something for someone I don’t even know is going to come in,” he says. “When they do come in, and they see it, and it’s meaningful to them, then I know I’m doing something important.”
Oregon Du Drops date back to Du Bois’ 1970s college days at Indiana University. One early morning, he was walking in the woods when the rising sun illuminated a flowering bush blanketed in dew drop-covered spiderwebs.
“It was just the most interesting thing I’d ever seen,” Du Bois says. He stood captivated for the longest time, wanting to re-create
the refraction and reflections. Once home, he dug out a spent light bulb, opened the metal with pliers, cleaned out the bulb and filled it with water.
“I was getting the same effect that I saw in the dew drops,” he says.
He started making them for his home, displaying them in windows, and sometimes adding plant cuttings. The exploding roots, though, robbed the reflective aspect—one of the first lessons of making Du Drops. Over the decades, Du Bois learned how to prevent the invasion of microorganisms in the bulbs with isopropyl alcohol and how to seal the orbs with adhesive.
“I played with them myself, about 25 years, just enjoying them,” he says. “A lot of people said along the way, ‘You ought to be sharing these with people.’ I never saw myself as an artist. I was just interested in what I was seeing.”
In 1999, while living in Springfield, Oregon, he began selling his drops at a Saturday market in Eugene. That year, Eugene experienced a 90-day drought, and Du Bois ran out of rainwater. Determined never to go without a water supply again, he now uses a dehumidifier to pull moisture from the air, collecting a gallon a month.
He met Cat in 2001 when he had a booth at Rockaway Beach’s Wine, Cheese and All That Jazz Festival, where she belted out tunes throughout the afternoon as a performer.
Cat enjoyed the Du Drops and set out to buy one filled with Valentine’s Day rain. Short on funds, she and Du Bois agreed to put the bulb on layaway. When they went to shake on the deal, Cat was so taken with the bespectacled artist that she kissed him instead.
“We’ve been together ever since,” she says.
They married a year later and eventually moved to Rockaway Beach.
Most customers discover Oregon Du Drops by driving past the couple’s home gallery. A metal mobile outside holds the drops, and passing motorists turn their cars around to check it out. Inside,
and other
beams of light from the windows and skylight bounce off mirrors in sparkling resplendence.
The simplest bulb takes about eight days to make. Du Bois juggles several at a time in different stages of production. An icicle version can take three weeks as he shapes the glass with fire. Each drop hangs from a different color of ribbon depending on the month it was made.
Du Bois adds test tubes inside some bulbs and fills them with birthstones. He’s filled requests, too, to add cremated ashes inside. For such orders, he lights a candle as he makes the Du Drop and plays the favorite music of the person who died.
Cat engraves each Du Drop with dates, names or special messages.
“I wanted her hand on every Du Drop,” Du Bois says.
Cat also runs the gallery and serves as the voice on the phone, taking orders.
Shelves in the downstairs “rain cellar” are lined with 1-liter bottles. Demand for specific days has been relatively random. A recent customer requested a Du Drop from his October 1999 birth date. To Du Bois’ delight, that date was the starting point of his library.
Du Bois diligently updates the water catalog on his Oregon Du Drops website. The earliest years of collection don’t include specific dates. But recent years break down each day water was collected and whether it was dew or rain. Some supplies have been used up, such as the last four months of 2020.
For the time being, Du Bois is committed to continuing the business in one-year increments. He plans to keep making bulbs for Oregon Du Drops until at least 2026. He entertains the idea of making YouTube tutorials so others can make their own when he’s unable to do it. For now, he continues to touch lives with his watery wonders.
“That’s one of the nicest parts of the job—connecting with people’s lives,” he says. n
Oregon Du Drops is located at 450 U.S. Highway 101, Rockaway Beach, and can be found online at oregondudrops.com.
By Victoria Hampton
For nearly four decades, hundreds of runners have risen early to find their place behind the starting line of the McKenzie River Trail Run in Oregon. Instead of hitting the pavement, these athletes are getting off the beaten path. Along the 31-mile challenge are awe-inspiring waterfalls, an old growth forest and a lake so clear and blue it seems otherworldly.
These are just a few of the highlights that make the McKenzie River Trail Run a sought-after experience for ultrarunners.
“The physical beauty of the trail itself it unbelievable,” 73-year-old Race Director Tim Hooton says. “It rivals almost any scenic place.”
The event has tested runners’ strength and stamina along the Oregon trail for 38 years. The physical feat is paired with nature and camaraderie, some of the key differences that set ultramarathons apart from other competitions.
What started in the late ’80s with five men running 50 miles is now an annual 50K race that sells out in 24 hours, attracting runners from near and far.
“This year’s registration, we have people from 18 states and two foreign countries— New Zealand and Australia,” says Tim, who has been involved with the run for decades.
Ultramarathon runners push their physical limits while competing for top placement or simply crossing the finish line. The organizers behind these events dedicate their time to keeping participants coming back, all for the love of the sport.
Ultramarathons are characterized as anything longer than a 26.2-mile marathon. While 31-, 50- and 100-mile races are common, there are challenges of far greater distances.
While the races put runners to the ultimate test, UltraRunning Magazine
Editor Amy Clark says competitors find community and connectedness with smaller participant size and support along the trail.
“As ultrarunners, we understand that physical and mental breakdown of just trying to get through,” she says. “Most of the people who are drawn to this sport really care about each other. We want to see each other succeed.”
These events attract runners from all age ranges and walks of life. Race rosters list participants in their early 20s up to 80 years old.
Tim reflects on his lifetime of running, noting the increasing popularity of trail running since the late ’80s, which led to the growth of ultramarathons throughout the country.
The number of runners finishing ultramarathons in North America has steadily increased—with some dips when races were canceled during COVID-19 years 2020-2022—from 11,171 finishes in 1998 to 142,890 in 2024, according to UltraRunning Magazine.
Also on the rise is the number of female participants. In 2024, of the 2,949 ultraraces with 50 or more finishers in North America, female competitors won more than 51 ultramarathons.
“Our race is almost 50% women,” Tim says. “We’re talking women who can hang with the men and even kick butt. It has been fun to watch.”
While marathons attract thousands of competitors, ultramarathons typically draw fewer than 1,000. Many, such as the McKenzie River event, cap registration around a few hundred.
“The entire sport itself, it is so different from what I was used to with the running community,” Amy says.
Amy ran her first marathon in 2002 with the goal of eventually qualifying for the Boston Marathon. After having children, Amy returned to running marathons but found she didn’t have the same excitement for the experience. She decided to give ultrarunning a try at the McDonald Forest 50K in Corvallis, Oregon, in 2014.
“It was a completely different community and felt like a different sport than running on a road for 26 miles,” she says.
In a typical road-running experience, Amy’s goal was to run as fast as she could for as far as she could. In ultramarathons, she found people talking and encouraging each other between the eight check-in stations.
Along the route, volunteers are stationed to help runners get a quick snack, refill water bottles and attend to any medical needs.
“It’s a symbiotic relationship,” Amy says. “The volunteers, if they weren’t out there, it would be a lot harder. They are what help keep us going.”
Amy ran the McKenzie River Trail Run in 2015 and returns in June.
“That’s why I go out and run these races,” Amy says. “I love the scenery, experiencing it with other people and pushing yourself a little harder than another run.”
The McKenzie River Trail Run is about people over profit. When Tim became the race director in 2018, he had a vision to transform the one-day event into a vehicle for positive change in his rural community.
“I knew what I could do to expand it to have a greater impact,” he says.
The McKenzie River Trail Run became a nonprofit event seven years ago. Tim and event volunteers have expanded the number of annual participants. They find race sponsors and encourage racers to support local lodging, eateries, stores and services while in town.
The nonprofit donates race funds to community projects, including providing equipment for the local cross-country team, replacing freezers and storage shelves for the food pantry, repairing the roof at the community center and replacing gear for the volunteer fire department.
“We take great pride in our local community,” Tim says. “I cannot take the credit for all this stuff. I surround myself with people who are way smarter than me.”
Support is vital to the continuation of ultramarathons throughout the country. The McKenzie River Trail Run has held onto its roots for four decades and continues to take new strides to support the rural community.
“To have what McKenzie River has—a dedicated race director, a dedicated community and a dedicated volunteer base—is a unique thing and should be celebrated,” Amy says. n
For more information about the McKenzie River Trail Run, visit mrtr.org.
He walked the remaining 89 miles in 52 hours, completing the race in four days, eight hours, 16 minutes and 33 seconds.
While achieving some of his best performances, on the trail and stage, a bigger threat was growing inside him.
At the end of the year, following a series of tests at the hospital, Aaron was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
“It’s kind of interesting, because (the tumor) was in there … I was racing really hard,” he says. “I was doing really well in races, the music, just everything was going so well, and then this happened.”
Due to the severity of the tumor, the surgeon didn’t know if it was possible to remove it all or what type of life Aaron would have after surgery. He could lose his vision, his ability to speak or, in the worst case, his life could be cut short.
“If we don’t get it out immediately, you got maybe six weeks,” Aaron recounts the doctor’s prognosis. “How long if I get it out? Thirteen months.”
Aaron’s wife, Becca, says time seemed to move backward as she stood next to her husband in a hospital bed and tried to process the news.
“I felt like things were going slow but incredibly fast,” she says. “The neurosurgeon came in, and it felt like this weird time warp of slow motion and super quick all at the same time.”
As a nurse, Becca helps people through some of the worst times in their lives. Yet, knowing her husband was facing a lifethreatening diagnosis was different.
“Nothing can prepare you for it,” she says. “It just absolutely floored me.”
Becca kept replaying the morning before Aaron’s seizure in her mind. They were drinking coffee together and planning the weekend. She savored the last moments of normalcy as she came to terms with the fact that if her husband survived, his life may never be the same.
As Aaron awaited surgery, Becca and Phil huddled with him on his hospital bed, shedding tears and holding on to the person they loved in his toughest moment. Aaron says a calm washed over him as he drifted into a deep sleep.
That is when he heard a voice. From somewhere unexplained and unsolicited, Aaron experienced a moment of divine intervention, offering him protection and peace of mind.
“God just literally put me to sleep,” Aaron says. “As soon as he put me to sleep, he said, ‘You’re gonna be OK.’ I just came out of it knowing I was going to be OK.”
Eight days after Aaron’s seizure, doctors successfully removed his tumor. Now, everyone waited to see what would remain of Aaron’s abilities when he woke up.
Shortly after finding out Aaron was awake, the doctor returned to his family with an update.
“He came storming back in and said, ‘He’s awake,’” Aaron says. “‘He knows his name. He knows where he’s at. He knows where he’s from. He just said the Packers game is on in 45 minutes. He’s talking.’”
On Christmas Day, just two days after surgery, Aaron was released from the hospital. He was back on a stationary bike seven days later. Since then, he’s started racing again in preparation for ultramarathons this summer.
Aaron’s pathology tests continue to show improvements.
“I know this isn’t going to be the thing I die from,” he says.
In June, Aaron, Becca and Phil are joining the McKenzie River Trail Run, an ultramarathon coordinated by their friend, Tim Hooton.
“Tim is one of my soul friends,” Aaron says. “It’s cool to get to be there and get to do this thing he puts so much work in.”
During race weekend, Aaron and Becca will commemorate their 10 years of marriage with a vow renewal.
“McKenzie River has always been a really special place for us,” Becca says. “There’s something magical in that area. The forest and that river, you feel like you’re so far
away. There’s barely any cell service. It’s just a time to disconnect from the craziness of the world, and it just feels really peaceful and serene and quiet.”
While the worst is behind Aaron, building his mental stamina is just as much a part of his daily life as his physical fitness. Aaron writes in a journal, meditates twice a day and eats healthy. His practices include writing on paper five things he’s grateful for each day and placing the list in a jar.
“It seems to do quite a bit, especially if you’re one of those people who tends to gravitate towards the gloom and doom,” Aaron says. “I always have believed that the mind is super powerful.”
Yet, he doesn’t give himself credit for his miraculous recovery. Aaron believes a higher power gave him back his most precious resource: time.
“I didn’t have to tell myself it was OK,” Aaron says. “God literally came to me uninfluenced and just told me I would be OK.” n
To listen to Aaron and Phil’s music, visit thebrothersreed.com.
“I didn’t realize anything was wrong until I had a seizure,” Aaron says.
By Victoria Hampton
As a runner and musician, Aaron Reed’s life revolves around keeping time. From pace to beat, he follows a rhythm of performance as he traverses trails and takes the stage.
In December 2024, time took on new meaning when Aaron collapsed during a routine gym workout. Suddenly, he was hanging in the balance between life and death.
He was facing an unexpected challenge— time running out. Yet, mental and physical strength, along with divine intervention, prepared Aaron for the fight of his life.
Going the Distance
Aaron, 42, has loved running since middle school. When he moved to Oregon in 2004, he ran along the state’s scenic trails and found a path to the ultrarunning community.
“I was always really into long runs and as I got older, got into running ultras,” Aaron says.
Aaron continues taking on challenges at longer distances and finds new trails to explore while touring and performing with his brother, Phil. Known as The Brothers
Reed, the duo takes the stage at intimate venues from Washington to Arizona, combining storytelling with original lyrics.
During a tour stop in Arizona, Aaron discovered the Cocodona 250, a 250-mile ultramarathon from Black Canyon City to Flagstaff through some of state’s most scenic landscape.
In May 2024, seven months before he collapsed in the gym, Aaron found himself relying on his mental strength to push his body through the challenge. He was 80 miles in when he sensed something was wrong. By mile 161, he suffered a stress fracture in his leg.
“I had to make the decision,” Aaron says. “I am going to finish. The only way I won’t is if I am taken out of the race.”
Strawberry Trifle
1 cup whole milk
1 cup sour cream
3.4-ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped
8 cups cubed angel food cake
4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
Additional sweetened whipped cream for topping
In a large bowl, beat the milk, sour cream, pudding mix and orange zest on low speed until thickened. Fold in whipped cream.
Place half the cake cubes in a 3-quart glass bowl. Arrange a third of the strawberries around the side of bowl and over the cake. Top with half the pudding mixture. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining berries. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Top with additional sweetened whipped cream just before serving.
1/2 cup maraschino cherries
2 31/2-ounce packages instant pistachio pudding mix
24 ounces whipped topping
20-ounce can crushed pineapple, undrained
2 cups chopped walnuts
1 pound mini marshmallows
Chop the cherries into quarters, but reserve a few whole cherries.
Combine pudding mix with whipped topping and pineapple. Add walnuts, chopped cherries and marshmallows. Combine well.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Garnish with whole cherries on top before serving.
Crust
11/4 cups crushed vanilla wafers (about 40 wafers)
1/4 cup sugar
Filling
4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
11/4 cups sugar
Topping
2 cups sour cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Heat oven to 350 F.
3/4 cup finely chopped almonds
1/3 cup salted butter, melted
4 extra-large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 cup toasted sliced almonds
In a bowl, combine the wafer crumbs, sugar and almonds. Stir in the butter, and mix well. Press into the bottom of a greased 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.
To make the filling, beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until smooth. Add eggs. Beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in extracts. Pour into crust. Place on a baking sheet.
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until center is almost set. Remove from the oven. Let stand for 5 minutes, but leave the oven on.
To make the topping, combine the sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Spoon the mixture around the edge of cheesecake. Carefully spread over filling. Bake 5 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen. Cool for 1 hour before refrigerating overnight.
Just before serving, sprinkle with almonds. Remove side of pan. Refrigerate leftovers.
2/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Dash of salt
3 extra-large egg yolks
2/3 cup whole milk
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 cup heavy whipping cream, plus more for topping
Lemon slices
In a small saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch and salt. Whisk in egg yolks and milk until smooth. Whisk in lemon juice until blended. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes longer. Stir in lemon zest.
Transfer mixture to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until cold.
Once cold, beat whipping cream in a small bowl on high speed until soft peaks form. Fold into lemon mixture. Spoon into serving dishes. Top with additional whipped cream and lemon slices.
2 cups crushed pretzels
3/4 cup butter, melted
Filling
2 cups whipped topping
1 cup sugar
Topping
2 3-ounce packages
strawberry gelatin
2 cups boiling water
Heat oven to 350 F.
3 tablespoons sugar
8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
2 16-ounce packages frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed
Additional whipped topping and pretzels
In a bowl, combine the pretzels, butter and sugar. Press into an ungreased 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
To make the filling, beat whipped topping, sugar and cream cheese in a small bowl until smooth. Spread over pretzel crust. Refrigerate until chilled.
To make the topping, dissolve gelatin in boiling water in a large bowl. Stir in sweetened strawberries. Refrigerate until partially set. Carefully spoon over filling. Refrigerate until firm, about 4 to 6 hours. Cut into squares. Serve with additional whipped topping and pretzels.
My wife, Stephanie, is an avid gardener. She has only been doing it for a couple of years now, but she has more than 300 dahlia plants and rows of wildflowers and vegetables. She would love it if you would send her pictures of your garden or flowers and give each other hints/tips. She has spent every month for the past 15 years responding to this magazine and writing birthday wishes, recipes, etc. It really fills her bucket. It would be great if she could receive the same. Thanks.
Joe Randall
24753 Vaughn Road Veneta, OR 97487
I worked with a lovely lady named Jamie from Hermiston, Oregon, this corn harvest. During the season, she slipped and fell onto an extremely fast conveyor belt while unloading corn from a truck’s hopper and experienced severe injuries. She has not been able to work or do many of her favorite activities in recent months. Shopping for vintage marbles and paperweights at antique stores and yard sales is her favorite thing to do, but that's been a challenge lately since she doesn’t have the income she used to. She hasn’t been able to make any of her epoxy river charcuterie boards, cutting boards or river tables. She does very beautiful work. I wanted to see if any readers could donate vintage marbles and paperweights to her during this time. Please send to Jamie, P.O. Box 547, Irrigon, OR 97844
Anonymous friend of Jamie Hermiston, Oregon
My grandson and I just finished building a “marble run” which takes up half of the workshop. We only have a handful of marbles and need more. Instead of going to the store to buy some I thought I would try here first. Who has some marbles laying around? They can be “boulders” and “steelies.” Thank you very much.
K. Johnson 55271 Suba Road Coquille, OR 97423
My mother-in-law will be 96 this month. She lives in a care home and would love to receive birthday wishes. Please mail to Lillian McClimans, Silver Spring Personal Care Home, 125 State Road #4, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. Thank you.
Pamela McClimans
Lebanon, Oregon
Our mom, Jo, turns 93 this month. She grew up in Bellingham, WA. She was the lead in “You Can’t Take It With You” in high school and was Worthy Advisor in Rainbow Girls. She moved with our dad during his Navy years, and settled in Southeastern Washington to raise a family. Dad paved roads all over Montana, Idaho and Oregon. Mom made a home for us wherever his work took us. Dad is gone, after 70 years of marriage. Mom enjoys doing crosswords, Sudokus, texting her grandchilden, and watching old episodes of “Matlock,” “ The Andy Griffith Show” and “The Lawrence Welk Show.” She is an avid follower of Gonzaga basketball. Please consider sending “Jo” a birthday card. Thank you. Send to Jo c/o Karen Walton, 2644 Harris Ave., Richland, WA 99354.
Karen Walton Richland, Washington
Our mom will be 97 this month. She is a wonderful mom and a very strong lady. She has been adjusting to assisted living in Oregon. She lived in Yuma for about 20 years on her own. She loves mail. She has had quite a diverse life. Rancher, logger, commercial fisherman, miner, and wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma and great-great-grandma. She loved to travel and play games. Please send to Grande Ronde Retirement, Verna Oliver, 1809 Gekeler Lane #104, LaGrande, OR 97850.
Susan Mascal Baker City, Oregon
My mom turns 89 years old this month. Although a strong woman of faith, the last 21/2 years have been a roller coaster. She went into assisted living, and my mom and dad celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Sadly, Dad died two months later. Two great-grandchildren died; two others were born healthy. A granddaughter married and Mom’s dearest sister died. Mom loves to receive mail and would be delighted to hear from people across the country. Please send to Phyllis Crist, 1651 NE 108th Ave., Portland, OR 97220.
Debbie Larson Vernonia, Oregon
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It is time to share your favorite photos for a chance to appear in our 2026 Ruralite calendar. Up to 13 winners will be selected and receive $100. Photos must be submitted by June 30, 2025. The contest is open to recipients of Ruralite and Currents magazines. Each person may only submit up to two photos. Each submission must include:
• Photographer’s name, address and electric utility.
• A short description of what is shown.
• Photographer’s email address and phone number.
• JPEG file photos only. Photos must be horizontal or landscape format and at least 300 dpi at 11 inches wide by 9 inches tall. Vertical photos and files larger than 30 MB will not be accepted. Enter today by visiting tinyurl.com/ruralitecalendar or use the provided QR code on this page.
Winning Tips
• Use the highest resolution setting on your camera.
• Photograph beautiful places and wildlife.
• Capture scenes full of vivid color.
• Reflect the seasons.
• Make us feel something—awe, joy, etc.
For more information, visit ruralite.com/2026contest.
People don’t always do what their doctor says, but when seasoned veteran emergency room physician, Dr. Philip B. Howren, says every senior should have a medical alert device, you better listen up.
“Seniors are just one fall away from being put in a nursing home,” Dr. Howren said. “With a medical alert device, seniors are never alone. So it keeps them living independently in their own home. That’s why seniors and their family members are snapping up a sleek new medical alert device that comes with no monthly bills ever,” he said.
Many seniors refuse to wear old style help buttons because they make them look old. But even worse, those medical alert sys -
tems come with monthly bills.
To solve these problems
Universal Physicians, a U.S. company went to work to develop a new, modern, state-of-the-art medical alert device. It’s called “FastHelp™” and it instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever.
“This slick new little device is designed to look like the pagers doctors wear every day. Seniors love them because it actually makes them look important, not old,” Dr. Howren said.
FastHelp is expected to hit store shelves later this year. But special newspaper promotional giveaways are slated for seniors in select areas. ■
■ NO MONTHLY BILLS: “My wife had an old style help button that came with hefty bills every month and she was embarrassed to wear it because it made her look old,” said Frank McDonald, Canton, Ohio. “Now, we both have FastHelp™, the sleek new medical alert device that our grandkids say makes us look ‘cool’ not old,” he said. With FastHelp, seniors never have to worry about being alone and the best part is there are no monthly bills ever.
It’s just what seniors have been waiting for; a sleek new medical alert device with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills that instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help with just the push of a button for a one-time $149 price tag that’s a real steal after today’s instant rebate
The phone lines are ringing off the hook.
That’s because for seniors born before 1961, it’s a deal too good to pass up.
Starting at precisely 8:30am this morning the Pre-Store Release begins for the sleek new medical alert device that comes with the exclusive FastHelp™ One-Touch E 911 Button that instantly connects you to unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever.
“It’s not like old style monitored help buttons that make you talk to a call center and only work when you’re at home and come with hefty bills every month. FastHelp comes with state-of-theart cellular embedded
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because it instantly
(Continued from previous page) technology. That means it works at home or anywhere, any time cell service is available whether you’re out watering the garden, driving in a car, at church or even hundreds of miles away on a tour or at a casino. You are never alone. With just a single push of the One-Touch E Button you instantly get connected to free unlimited help nationwide with no monthly bills ever,” said Jack Lawrence, Executive Director of Product Development for U.S. based Universal Physicians.
“We’ve never seen anything like it. Consumers absolutely love the sleek new modern design and most of all, the instant rebate that practically pays for it and no monthly bills ever,” Lawrence said.
FastHelp is the sleek new medical alert device with the best of combinations: a quality, high-tech engineered device that’s also an extremely great value because there are no monthly bills ever.
Better still, it comes with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever – which makes FastHelp a great choice for seniors, students and professionals because it connects to one of the largest nationwide networks everywhere cell service is available for free.
And here’s the best part. All those who already have an old style monitored medical alert button can immediately eliminate those monthly bills, which is why Universal Physicians is widely advertising this announcement nationwide.
“So if you’ve ever felt a medical alert device was too complicated or expensive, you’ll want to get FastHelp, the sleek new medical alert device with no monthly bills,” said Lawrence.
The medical alert device slugfest was dominated by two main combatants who both offer old style monitored help buttons that come with a hefty bill every month. But now
Universal Physicians, the U.S. based heavyweight, just delivered a knockout blow sending the top rated contenders to the mat with the unveiling of FastHelp. It’s the sleek new cellular embedded medical alert device that cuts out the middleman by instantly connecting you directly to highly trained 911 operators all across the U.S.
There’s absolutely nothing to hook-up or install. You don’t need a land line and
you don’t need a cell phone. Everything is done for you.
“FastHelp is a state of the art medical alert device designed to make you look important, not old. Old style monitored help buttons you wear around your neck, or require expensive base station equipment or a landline are the equivalent of a horse and buggy,” Lawrence says. “It’s just outdated.”
Millions of seniors fall every year and spend hours lying on the floor helpless
and all alone with no help.
But seniors who fall and get immediate help are much more likely to avoid getting sent to a nursing home and get to STAY living in their own home independently.
Yet millions of seniors are still risking their safety by not having a medical alert device. That’s because seniors just can’t afford to pay the monthly bills that come with old style medical alert devices.
That’s why seniors born
before 1961 are rushing to cash in the whopping $150 instant rebate before the 21 day deadline ends.
So there’s no need to wait for FastHelp to hit store shelves later this year because seniors born before 1961 can get it now just by using the $150 instant rebate coupon printed in today’s newspaper before the 21 day deadline ends. If lines are busy keep trying, all calls will be answered. ■
IF BORN AFTER 1961: You cannot use the rebate coupon below and must pay $299 Call: 1-800-330-9423 DEPT. HELP8533
THE BOTTOM LINE: You don’t need to shop around. We’ve done all the leg work, this deal is too good to pass up. FastHelp with the instant rebate is a real steal at just $149 and shipping and there are no monthly bills ever.
PROS: It’s the sleek new medical alert device that comes with the exclusive FastHelp One-Touch E 911 Button that instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts or deposits. It connects you to the vast available network of cellular towers for free and saves seniors a ton of money because there are no monthly bills ever making this deal irresistible. Plus it’s the only medical alert device that makes seniors look important, not old.
CONS: Consumers can’t get FastHelp in stores until later this year. That’s why it’s so important for seniors born before 1961 to call the National Rebate Center Hotline within the next 21 days. For those who miss that deadline, the sleek little medical alert device will set you back over $300 bucks.
By Dave LaBelle
I must have been 10 or 11 years old the day my mother drove 10 miles, took me out of my junior high class and rushed me home so I could watch my cat have kittens. Recognizing education comes in many packages, she figured me witnessing a cat giving birth was as valuable as what I might miss in the classroom that day. I didn’t have a camera yet, or I am sure I would have photographed the educational event. However, in the decades following, I photographed numerous animal and human births. Watching new life enter our world never gets old.
I like to think I’m a positive guy who usually doesn’t allow the hard things in life to get me down and to embrace the biblical admonition of focusing on things that are good and lovely. However, sometimes I can slip into dark moods. After all, a person can take only so much lying, cheating, posturing, stealing and killing. Watching animals in person or online, especially parents caring for their newborns, helps push away those poisons.
I was in a melancholy mood this past week, troubled too deeply about the state of our country, until a video of a baby elephant snuggling humans tickled me. It felt good to laugh. And then I watched rare footage shot from the mouth of a mountain lion den as a mother played with her kittens. Finally, I became engrossed with a livestream of bald eagles hatching eggs at California’s Big Bear Lake.
This is the time of year a lot of creatures give birth. Explore to see if you can find a spot to observe new life entering the world. This might be a nest near a lake or in a backyard tree. Perhaps you know where there’s an active fox den or a large hole in a tree where raccoons or squirrels have chosen to bring their young into the world.
Without disturbing, see if you can capture new life and the behavior as the offspring ventures into the world. I can’t wait to see what you find.
Email your best image (just one) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to gph@pioneer.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.
I was again reminded how amazing our natural world is.
Just as a slow walk in nature calms my spirit and reminds me of the awe-inspiring creation we inhabit, watching baby animals enter the world and witnessing the care of their parents lifts my spirit. n
Photographer, author and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century, sharing photo tips and life perspectives with readers. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and his blog at bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
— Gene H.
Switzerland is synonymous with expensive, big-name luxury watches like Rolex®, Piaget® and Patek Philippe® that sell for thousands, but the Stauer Swiss Tactical Watch delivers Swiss precision for a fraction of the cost. Inspired by military timepieces like the American A-11, it combines rugged performance, simplicity, and legendary craftsmanship — built for action, not display cases.
Precision Takes Time
Swiss excellence demands patience. Each Stauer Swiss Tactical takes nearly nine months to complete, and this is a limited edition of 4,900. Crafted by master watchmakers, some of whom have worked with the other prestigious brands, this is your chance to own a rare, precision-engineered tactical watch without the inflated luxury price tag.
Why Pay for a Name?
Big brands charge more for status. Stauer delivers the same quality and precision with high-contrast markers for instant readability, a shock-resistant case to withstand hard knocks and Swiss-made movement for impeccable timing.
Limited Offer – Act Now
Don’t miss this rare combination of Swiss craftsmanship and unbeatable value. Only 4,900 available — once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Why pay more when you can own precision, heritage, and adventure for less? Order now — time is running out.
Watch Specifications:
• Made in Switzerland with precision Swiss Ronda 515 movement. Stainless steel caseback. Brown leather band
• 44 mm diameter case. Date window at 3 o’clock
• Water-resistant to 3 ATM. Fits wrists up to 8 ¼”
Stauer Swiss Tactical Watch
$399 $59* + S & P Save $340
*Special price only for customers using the offer code.
Agriculture
4x5 round bales, Meadow foxtail orchard grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square. 208-435-4637 or 208-435-4002; nas@cpcinternet.com. 1225
Reinforced custom-sized pond liners (39 cents/sqft). Hay covers, greenhouse covers, any width and length. Truck tarps and more. High puncture and tear strength. Best price guaranteed. Celebrating 44 years in business btlliners.com. 541-447-0712. 0426
Irrigation system in NW MT. $15K, OBO. Includes 2 1/4 mile wheel lines, 1,380-ft. mainline w/25 risers; 2,400-ft. handline in 4x3x2-in., handline pipe trailer, 10hp electric motor w/Cornwell pump, 6-valve opener. tlazym82@gmail.com; 907-590-1454. 0525
Buying antiques and collectibles: advertising signs, porcelain signs, gas pumps, beer signs, antique toys, cast-iron coin banks, neon signs and more. Jason, 503-310-3321 or tjabaughman@yahoo.com. 0925
Buying American Indian collectibles, Navajo blankets and rugs, baskets, beadwork, etc. Also, quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com. 0625
WC Collectibles. We buy comic books. Local to Inland NW. Willing to travel. 509-496-1835; WCCollectiblesCheney@gmail.com. 0525
Rural collector/historian buying clothing items and accessories from 1860-1915. Hats, shoes, dresses, etc. Also items from Lonerock and Condon, OR. 971-404-8332. 0525
1954 first issue of “Sports Illustrated” and next 9 consecutive issues available to collectors, great condition. Send offer to, sunstar@iinet.com. 0525
Assisted Living Facility
Haven House in Fossil, OR has rooms to rent on a month-to-month basis. 2 bd, $1.2K, 1 bd, $1K; and studio, $800. Lou G., 541-763-4651. 0525
Aluminum drift boat with trailer. Fish tray, bow and stern anchor system. Composite oars. 14- ft. by 8 in. with 54-in. bottom. Dry box with two seats. Wheeler, OR. $2.7K. 503-530-0315. 0525
Ads 25 words or fewer are $35 a month. An extended ad of up to 35 words is $50 a month. Contact information is included in the word count. Phone numbers and emails count as one word.
Longer ads may be placed. Contact 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop for pricing information.
Ads are for customers of member co-ops, public utility districts and municipals only. Subscribers and nonmembers may inquire about pricing at 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop.
Ads must be direct and in first person, and are subject to approval and editing.
Closing deadlines (in our office): June issue—April 30, 2025.
If submitting ad by mail, send appropriate payment with your name, address, email, phone number and the name of the electric utility that provides your magazine to: Marketplace, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133. Make check or money order payable to Ruralite.
We accept credit card payments for ads submitted by email. Send ad to info@ pioneer.coop.
Advertisements are accepted in good faith. Pioneer Utility Resources is not liable for interactions between buyers and sellers.
Community Events
Art exhibits “Explorations” (Dr. John Lundy) and “Thin Red Thread” (Bayly Lay). May 2-June 28. Art Center East. La Grande, OR. artcentereast.org. 0525
High Desert Music Jamboree at Harney County Fairgrounds in Burns, OR. June 12-14, Oregon Oldtime Fiddlers District 9. 541-573-1323; ootfa.org. 0525
Equipment/Tools
Farmi JL 300 logging winch, small woodlands, $1K. 13 push-pull control cables, $50 each. 60 16-inch nylatron and steel sheaves, 1/2-inch rope, $50 each. 4-ft. towbehinds Land Pride mower, $800. Kubota rototiller, near new, $1.5K. Ted, 458-910-3727. 0625
Seeking ranch lifestyle in retirement? 2-bd, 2-ba home available in Central OR. Heritage ranch. Rent negotiable with handyman discount. Phone calls only, 206-818-9673. 0525
Free Items
Free materials—When church/government unite, enforcing Sunday Law, the “Mark” of the “Beast” is here. Don’t be deceived, be informed. Leave mailing address only, TBSM, POB 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. 888-211-1715; tbsmads@yahoo.com. 0625AR
Wanted
The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair in Ritzville is seeking a responsible summer groundskeeper/camp host. Responsibilities include mowing, watering, general maintenance, overseeing the campground and other duties as needed. Would ideally be on-site May through mid-Sept. Full hookup provided. Contact Dan at skamaniadan@gmail.com or mail a letter of interest to: P.O. Box 14, Ritzville, WA 99169.
Summer is right around the corner, which means wildfire season is also rapidly approaching. Wildfire mitigation is a year-round effort for Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative, but for many of our memberowners, spring represents the time to prepare their homes and properties for the possibility of wildfire activity.
Certain parts of OTEC territory are more susceptible to wildfire activity than others, which means some member-owners are more likely to experience a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). We invite you to learn about OTEC’s fire mitigation plan, including PSPS procedures, by joining us at one of our 2025 Wildfire Town Hall meetings. A PSPS may be used to shut off power in high-risk fire areas to reduce fire risk during extreme and potentially dangerous weather conditions.
Above are the dates and times of our 2025 Wildfire Town Hall meetings. You can also find information on wildfire mitigation, PSPS and wildfire safety at otec.coop under the Outages & Safety tab.
PHOTO BY MITCHELL WALLACE
Highlighting the beauty all around him, Mitchell Wallace captures the sun as it peeks over a hill on a ranch in Baker City, Oregon.
To submit your photo, email a JPEG to photos@pioneer.coop. Include “Before You Go” in the subject line and share a bit about what inspired you to make your photo. n
See the greatest national parks of America’s Southwest!—Book now for choice dates: Caravan.com,
Welcome to a great vacation at an affordable price. These quality tours feature complete sightseeing, professional Tour Directors, and great itineraries. Discover for yourself why smart shoppers and experienced travelers have chosen Caravan Tours since 1952.
See the greatest national parks of America’s Southwest! You’ll enjoy 2 nights in national park lodges near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, 2 nights at Lake Powell Resort, and 2 nights near Zion National Park.
The #1 in value. Your Grand Canyon, Bryce & Zion tour is fully guided with all hotels, activities, and some meals. You’ll explore Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Antelope Slot Canyon, Sedona, and more!—Book now for choice dates:
Scan for Grand Canyon, Bryce & Zion 8-Day Tour $2195
Enjoy complete sightseeing with more visits, extra features, and local guides. Caravan includes all activities listed in the tour itinerary. Caravan does not sell any optional activities which can add hundreds of dollars to your tour price. Your free time is scheduled in great settings where there is no need to buy additional expensive activities.
Our 73rd year of excellence. Caravan has operated fully guided tours of superb value under the same family management and ownership since 1952.
“Brilliant, Affordable Pricing”
Arthur Frommer, Travel Editor
District Offices
4005 23rd St. P.O. Box 226
Baker City, OR 97814 541-523-3616
567 W. Pierce St.
Burns, OR 97720 541-573-2666
400 Patterson Bridge Road P.O. Box 575
John Day, OR 97845 541-575-0161
2408 Cove Ave. La Grande, OR 97850 541-963-3155
otec.coop communications@otec.coop Report Outages at 866-430-4265
Facebook.com/OTECoop
Follow Us on Instagram otec_coop
Follow us at x.com/OTECoop (@OTECoop)
Board Members
President Aletha Bonebrake, Baker County
Vice President Gary Miller, Grant County
Secretary-Treasurer
Cory Miller, Union County
George “Austin” Bingaman, Union County
David Baum, Union County
Robert Cargill, Harney County
Charlene Chase, Baker County
Jeff D. Clark, Union County
Wayne Overton, Baker County
Les Penning, CEO
Ron Williams, Attorney
OR-48
This month’s message comes to us from our cooperative partners at Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association, who advocate on behalf of Oregon’s electric cooperatives and their member-owners.
Late last month, leaders of Oregon’s electric cooperatives visited our congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., to update members of Congress on some of the critical challenges we face in continuing to provide you competitively priced, reliable electricity.
Natural disasters were a focal point during our discussions. This spring, massive flooding devastated several Oregon counties, demonstrating how disasters can strike without warning. Meanwhile, the future of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is uncertain, with serious consideration given to the suggestion that disaster response may be a more appropriate role for the states. Electric cooperative leaders shared how FEMA provides critical support to Oregon communities before, during and after natural disasters—and urged our congressional delegation to support retaining this important agency.
Oregon electric co-op leaders also discussed catastrophic wildfires. Last summer was the worst fire season on record, and we are preparing as though this summer could be even more perilous. With approximately 89% of wildfires caused by humans, much of our risk is caused by factors beyond our control, and is often exacerbated by federal delays in forest management and restrictions on vegetation work. Oregon’s electric co-op leaders lobbied our delegation to support smart, commonsense solutions, such as allowing utilities to remove and sell downed trees within Forest Service utility corridors to prevent wildfire fuel buildup.
As always, we strongly defended the federal hydropower system, which is critical to the reliability of Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative. We urged our congressional delegation to end the costly and senseless debate over removing the lower Snake River dams and ensure these federal projects have the necessary resources and staffing to remain the backbone of the Pacific Northwest electric grid.
As always, our congressional delegation and their staff showed great interest in our issues. We appreciate their time and service to our nation, and we look forward to visiting with them back in our great state.
To learn more about the policies electric cooperatives are advocating for, scan the QR code at right.
