Grazing by the Stream, Harrell Hereford Ranch, Baker City. PHOTO BY COVER
CONTEST WINNER BECKY HARRELL
Ruralite
June 2025 • Volume 72, No. 6
CEO Michael Shepard
SENIOR VP OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Chasity Anderson, CCC
DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Noble Sprayberry
SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC
ASSISTANT EDITORS Victoria Hampton, CCC; David Herder, CCC; Sable Riley, CCC
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Valeri Saldanha Rosa, Nina Todea
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION SR. MANAGER
Elizabeth Beatty
SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Alyssa McDougle
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Education Powers the Leaders of Tomorrow
As part of our ongoing commitment to community, Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative is proud to award $5,000 academic scholarships to the following returning college students:
• Baker County—Morgan Stone and Sydney Keller
• Grant County—Macy Carter and Alexander Finley
• Harney County—Tayleur Baker and Kaylee Starbuck
• Union County—Sarai Clunie Paul and Owen Rinker
For more information on OTEC scholarships, visit otec.coop/scholarships.
Reader Exchange 18
Adventure Awaits 19 Picture Hunt 22 Who Owns OTEC? 30 Utility Pages: 3-8, 25, 28-29, 30, 32
The Allure of Water
Paul Swanson’s magnet fishing journey transforms disability into discovery Up Close, Page 10
Tradition Meets Eccentricity
Spotlight, Page 12
Roll, Fold and Feast
Turn to tortillas In The Kitchen, Page 16
Morgan Stone
Sydney Keller
Macy Carter
Alexander Finley
Tayleur Baker
Kaylee Starbuck Sarai Clunie Paul Owen Rinker
Congratulations
Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative and the OTEC Member Foundation are proud to power the future of Eastern Oregon through scholarships.
The OTEC-EOU Rural Scholarship Program is an exciting partnership between Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative and Eastern Oregon University. For the sixth consecutive year, four incoming EOU freshmen have been selected to receive the OTEC-EOU Rural Scholarship, which covers all tuition and fees for four years. In return, recipients commit to attend and graduate from EOU and complete an annual summer internship with OTEC.
The applicant pool is always competitive. This year’s applicants were impressive once again. The 2025 OTEC–EOU Rural Scholarships recipients are:
Antonio Washington • Baker High School
“I am truly honored to be awarded such a life-changing award that not only allows me to go to college without a major financial burden but also to be a representative of Baker City at EOU.”
Morgan Johnson • Union High School
“I am grateful to OTEC for choosing to invest in me and the goals I have for my future. I plan to study biochemistry to help pave a pathway for me to eventually attend medical school, become a sports medicine physician and give back to rural communities, just like the one I grew up in.”
Mikinah Browne • Imbler High School
“I am truly honored by your support and trust. I do not take this opportunity lightly. I will use this scholarship to the best of my ability, making every effort to excel academically and professionally. I’m deeply appreciative.”
Akylah Kaino • Burns High School
“Thank you so much for this incredible honor. This scholarship is a huge financial burden lifted from my shoulders, and will assist me in furthering my education and reaching my goal to attend law school.”
Congratulations to the following students, who each receive a $5,000 OTEC Graduating High School Senior Scholarship:
County
The OTEC Member Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that oversees OTEC’s charitable programs supporting its members, families and communities in the four counties OTEC serves. Scholarships are funded through donations and unclaimed capital credits. OTEC member-owners and their families can learn more and apply at otec.coop/scholarships.
Piper Thompson Harney
Caitlyn Horrell Harney County
Madelyn Bailey Grant County
Jayda Cant Union County
Tanner Rovey Union County
Paiten Braseth Union County
Natasha Lane Union County
Reese Koyle Union County
Jose Armenta Baker County
Monel Anderson Grant County
Anastasia Johnson Baker County
Olivia Jacoby Baker County
BY MIKE TEEGARDEN
Bringing Light to Remote Guatemala
Oregon electric cooperatives power up villagers’ lives
By Shane Stenquist
In a powerful demonstration of community and cooperation, a team of volunteer lineworkers from Oregon electric cooperatives recently returned from a lifechanging project to bring electricity to Aldea Coco, a remote village nestled in the Guatemalan mountains.
The team spent 12 days working side by side with locals to extend more than 2 miles of power line across rugged terrain. Armed with determination, compassion and a deep belief in the cooperative way, they were able to electrify 26 homes, a church and a school.
The project, known as Oregon Empowers, was the result of planning and cooperation between individual electric cooperatives in Oregon with the statewide Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA) and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) International. NRECA began the international program as an initiative that enables electric cooperatives across the United States to support rural
electrification in developing countries.
In 2023, Oregon co-ops proudly answered the call, sending a crew to Guatemala to electrify a village outside of Jalapa. When the opportunity to return to Guatemala for a second project presented itself, volunteers quickly stepped forward.
Travis Smart, a journeyman lineworker with Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative, volunteered for the 2023 Oregon Empowers project. It had such a profound impact on him that he not only volunteered for this new mission, he also brought along additional help: his 17-yearold son, Jack.
“That 2023 project baited us in,” Travis says. “We worked hard, but it was a much smaller project, and we could drive a truck to almost every structure. This project was completely different. Everything was hiking and carrying tools, plus it was much hotter this time.”
The team left behind typical late-winter conditions to find themselves working long hours in scorching, triple-digit heat.
In the past, upon arriving at the project, the crew would first begin by pulling
A family’s home lights up with the addition of electricity.
wire and attaching equipment to poles. However, for this project, the team took a different approach.
“We started inside the village, wiring the houses,” says Eric Wirfs, project leader and OTEC’s director of operations. “It turned out great because it allowed us to build
Eight Oregon electric cooperatives participated in the 2025 Oregon Empowers project: Wasco, Douglas, Blachly-Lane, Harney, Hood River, Coos-Curry, Salem and Oregon Trail. They were joined by lineworkers from Wyoming electric co-ops Carbon Power and Powder River Energy. Their joint effort reflects the heart of the cooperative difference—people working together to improve lives, one connection at a time. PHOTOS
strong connections with the villagers at the very beginning of the project and see the purpose behind what we were there for. That helped power the team through the challenges of the next week.”
Water Is Life
An essential element for any home is water. The villagers of Aldea Coco built their homes along the Coco River, which supplies all of their water needs. Water is collected and stored in 5-gallon drums for use in the homes. Washing clothes, bathing, irrigating and watering livestock takes place in the river itself. This is truly a departure from the American way of life these men are used to.
This and other NRECA International projects would not be possible without the generosity of sponsors, donors and volunteers. A special thanks to Sorbenots
“This was probably the hardest yet most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. The whole experience was even more special because I was able to share it with my son, Jack.”
—TRAVIS SMART, JOURNEYMAN LINEWORKER, OREGON TRAIL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
“Climbing
the steep slopes with equipment was difficult. I would reach out to grab a tree branch to help pull myself up, but everything there has spikes, and if you’re not paying attention, you could easily grab something that could hurt you.”
—JACK SMART, SON OF TRAVIS SMART
“My biggest takeaway was how happy the people were. From our perspective, they had very little— they lived in huts with dirt floors and no windows— yet they were extremely grateful. They all
worked as hard or harder than we did, packing in poles and transformers by
hand and
digging all the holes by
hand.”
—NICK SIMONS, JOURNEYMAN LINEWORKER, OREGON TRAIL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Coffee, who sponsored water filtration system and electric hot plates for each home.
Changing Perspectives
Eric says projects like these are important.
“I think of the benefits of this project in terms of what it means to the villagers, what it means to the team who went and how that benefits the co-ops back home,” he says.
The experience was life-changing not just for the villagers, but for the Oregon Empowers team as well.
“Seeing what this meant to the people changed our perspective on the advantages of having electricity—something we take for granted every day,” Eric says.
Eric sees value for the participants as well as for the co-ops they return to.
“Having an employee from a local
co-op go and serve like this is incredible,” he says. “It leaves a lasting impression on them as they develop as leaders and continue to serve members in our communities.”
Lineworkers who went on the trip talked about the children who, despite the language barrier, greeted them each day, eager to help and to learn.
“The village kids would follow us around all the time, very interested in what we were doing,” Travis says. “They really liked to help, carrying equipment up the steep terrain right alongside the linemen.” n
Visit the Oregon Empowers website at oregonempowers.com for more images. stories and information. You can also learn how you can help support Oregon Empowers. One hundred percent of donations are used to help those who do not have access to electricity.
OTEC Gives Notice of Unclaimed Capital Credits to Current and Former Members
Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative has updated its list of unclaimed capital credits as of May 12, 2025.
In accordance with OTEC bylaws and policy, the names of OTEC members entitled to capital credit retirements—who have not yet claimed their retirements— can be reviewed online at otec.coop/ capital-credits.
If you are a current or former OTEC member, check the OTEC website and list of members who have not yet claimed their capital credits payments. Application for reissuing funds owed
may be made by contacting your local OTEC office. Unless those people named, or their heirs, claim payment by Oct. 1, 2025, the unclaimed capital credit retirements that have been available since Dec. 31, 2020, may be forfeited to the cooperative.
OTEC asks that anyone who knows of former OTEC members who may be owed capital credits reach out to the cooperative to see if they have any unclaimed capital credits. n
For more information, call OTEC at 541-523-3616.
2025 OTEC Board of Directors Election Results
On May 8, Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative held its Annual Meeting of the Membership at OTEC headquarters in Baker City. During the meeting, OTEC General Counsel Ron Williams announced the results of the 2025 board of directors elections. Congratulations to the following candidates, who were each elected to serve three-year terms as directors:
• Position 7, Union County: Cory Miller
• Position 8, Union County: Seth Musgrove
• Position 9, Baker County: Charlene Chase Cooperatives like OTEC are democratic organizations controlled by their member-owners. Thank you for participating in the democratic process by voting for your representatives to the OTEC Board of Directors. n
Cory Miller
Seth Musgrove
Charlene Chase
ADOBE STOCK ILLUSTRATION BY BABUSHKA_P90
The Allure of
Paul Swanson’s magnet fishing journey transforms disability into discovery
By Ginger Meurer
Around 2019, Paul Swanson stumbled across a YouTube video of Magnetic Mike hurling a high-power magnet into Florida waters to fish for metal.
“That one video, I was hooked,” Paul says.
With a background in construction and angling, Paul saw magnet fishing as a beautiful blend.
“Once I threw a rope with my magnet, it was all over with,” he says. “I’ve never been so happy to pull up a horseshoe in my life.”
That first horseshoe hangs from a plaque bearing the inscription, “Everybody needs a little luck,” in Paul’s Spokane, Washington, living room.
‘Soul Saver’
Magnet fishing was more than lucky for Paul.
“I call it my soul savior,” he says.
Paul has progressive multiple sclerosis and is raising two children with autism.
“I needed something to do that wouldn’t break the family’s budget,” he says. “And our water is so rich in history, I just had to see.”
Waterways surround Paul’s home. From the 111-mile Spokane River to more than 86 nearby lakes, he says it’s impossible to run out of places to explore.
“We had the great fire of Spokane back in the early 1900s,” he says. “There’s so much stuff in that waterway, in anybody’s waterways. It’s just never been seen.”
Paul teamed with other magnet fishing enthusiasts and the Spokane Riverkeeper organization to help clean up the surrounding waterways.
“I’ve fought very hard not to be in a wheelchair,” he says. “So, now I go around with crutches and a bilateral brace, and I surround myself with a lot of warrior friends.”
There are at least four longtime regulars who meet around once a month, and as many as 700 more magnet anglers pitch in on big projects, like the time they tried to set a World Record, bringing in more than 14 tons of findings.
Friends help gear Paul up to set out aboard his double-hulled Livingston, where they throw and pull from over the boat’s edge.
“They’re all good swimmers. Nobody would let me go,” Paul says. “They keep a good eye on me. My wife’s pretty happy about that.”
Paul’s friends call him Mag Neto.
“Because I’m a magnet fisherman and because of my legs and everything else,” he says. “It just kind of stuck with me.”
Surprises Surface
Plenty has stuck to Paul’s magnet. He and his buddies have fished up just about everything, from Model-T rims to bathtubs, shopping carts, bicycles, electric scooters, phones, knives and even a few historic guns.
It isn’t about profit or treasure hunting for them. In fact, they end up donating the proceeds from most of their finds to charities. If owners are traceable, they return items, too. Often, they’ve been called on to help retrieve lost items. Occasionally, they even rescue newbies in need.
“You gotta help them out sometimes,” Paul says. “They just don’t realize that if they’re on a metal bridge and they throw out a magnet, it slaps to the side of it. There are ways to get it off, and we’ve mastered it.”
When people are looking for gear or tips, Paul sends them to Muscular Magnetics, a company launched about seven years ago in Orem, Utah, and is now based in Idaho Falls.
“Once you get the idea, oh, you’re essentially underwater metal detecting, it sparks the interest,” he says. “People wonder, ‘What can I find?’ We have had customers that have pulled some extraordinarily awesome things out of the water.”
Fish Responsibly
Paul says magnet fishing isn’t for everyone and stresses that high-power magnets are not toys. If you have a pacemaker, this is not the hobby for you. Hearing aids are magnet-sensitive, too.
“And don’t put your phone near it, or you’re going to wipe it clean,” Paul says.
He also recommends respecting the waterways. He avoids indigenous areas and stays clear of places where fish spawn. Former battle areas are also a hazard.
Muscular Magnetics owner Michael Taylor built a great relationship with Paul.
“The moment I talked to Paul, he knew everything you could imagine about magnet fishing, probably better than I did, honestly,” Michael says. “He’s done great things where he is up in Washington.”
Michael says magnet fishing took off during the pandemic with people wanting to get out more, and that interest hasn’t diminished. The moment people see it, they want to know more.
The top of that list includes a convenience store ATM retrieved from the waters separating New York and New Jersey. Magnet fishing enthusiasts have discovered live bombs that required the bomb squad. Then there are handguns, shotguns, and even a couple of sniper rifles fished out by a grandfather and his grandson in Florida.
Muscular Magnetics and several competitors offer kits with everything from low-power magnets for beginners to high-power double-sided magnets that can lift thousands of pounds.
Michael says so far, there’s only one state with laws against magnet fishing: South Carolina.
“Really, any other state is game on as far as laws go,” he says. “Any public property, from what we’ve seen, is great for it.”
Paul recommends you ask first, even on public land.
“It’s a lot like a hunting sport,” Paul
FROM FAR LEFT: Paul Swanson begins a magnet fishing excursion. PHOTO BY PAUL SWANSON JR. An empty safety deposit box from 1914 is one of the coolest treasures Paul has reeled in. PHOTO BY PAUL SWANSON ABOVE: Paul magnet fishes at Riverfront Park in Spokane. PHOTO BY LANCE TURNER
By Dianna Troyer
Festivals showcase communities' unique charms, characteristics and senses of humor. Attractions and events run the gamut from outhouse races to gravity-fueled coaster races, a Bigfoot calling contest to Basque dances and strength contests, and handcrafted mahogany boats of yesteryear to colorful kites to banana slugs.
Alaska's Outhouse Races
Imagine an outhouse shaped like a fighter jet.
That was one of the unforgettable entries in Anchorage’s annual Outhouse Races. The contest, held on the last Saturday of February, is a highlight of the two-week Fur Rendezvous—a prelude to the Iditarod and celebration of all things Alaskan.
a maximum of 12 feet in length and 8 feet in width and height. The categories were set in 2006, when the University of Alaska’s Architecture and Engineering Club started the event as a fundraiser.
Coeur d’Alene as water taxis, racers, or mail and grocery delivery, or for pleasure. He was known for his distinct boats and using blueprints of a Hacker-Craft design. They’re low in the water, so they have a smooth ride.”
Ron and his son are restoring another boat his uncle built named Skippy Junior.
“We work on it a couple of nights a week,” he says. “He was an amazing craftsman.”
The “Top Gun”-esque outhouse was built by the Alaska Air National Guard team.
“There are so many hilarious, crazy entries,” says John McCleary, executive director of the festival, known locally as Fur Rondy.
Dozens of creative teams build an outhouse on skis and race it around a course, pulling and pushing it toward the finish line. Teams of four runners and one rider—who must wear a helmet and have toilet paper on board—choose between two categories when they build their peculiar privies. In the traditional class, outhouses must measure at least 30 inches square. The unlimited class allows
Along with prizes for the fastest and last-place finishers, there are awards for best theme, most realistic, cleanest and best engineered. Along with bragging rights, the winners receive a trophy like no other—a toilet paper roll holder ensconced in a small-scale outhouse.
The outhouse races are among more than two dozen events brightening spirits during the darkness of winter. Another crowdpleaser is The Blanket Toss, when people grip the edge of a taut, tanned walrus skin and toss someone in the center skyward. Also popular are ice sculpture contests and the Running of the Reindeer, where entrants dash down a street with deer hot on their heels.
The event is a fundraiser for the Three Barons Renaissance Fair, scheduled for the first two weekends in June with pirate and fantasy themes. Sword fights, crafts and food booths are featured.
Idaho's Silver Wake Celebration
There’s a backstory to the names of dozens of handcrafted wooden antique and classic boats that line up at Sandpoint's boardwalk during the Silver Wake Celebration, an annual boat show in mid-July in Northern Idaho.
“Our boat was called the Donna Rosa for my red hair,” says Jan Keener, show chairperson. “I’ve always loved the sound of the motor, the beauty of the boats, and the lasting friendships and camaraderie of boaters.”
The sleek boats’ white oak frames are covered with mahogany and varnished to a glistening shine.
“They all have a story,” says longtime boater Ron Yandt, who owns the Uncle Bob. “It was named for my uncle, who built about 75 boats that were used on Lake
The Inland Empire Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society hosts three summer shows. This year’s Sandpoint show is July 11-13, with the public showing on Saturday, July 12. Boats are mostly from Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington. Boat owners from chapters in Portland, Seattle, Payette and Western Montana also attend.
The Coeur d’Alene Boat Festival is Aug. 15-17, and the Dry Rot Boat Show at Priest Lake is Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
Nevada's Basque Festival
The 61st National Basque Festival, July 5-6 in Northern Nevada, is sponsored by the Elko Euzkaldunak Club at its clubhouse. The celebration features live music, dancing, weightlifting, wood chopping, food and vendors, all celebrating the culture of the Basque region in Spain and France, and the immigrants who brought it with them to America.
“It’s great to see how our culture is still alive. The festival is personal for our family because my grandfather, Marcial Goitia, was Basque,” says Michelle Cromwell, marketing and advertising manager at the Elko Convention and Visitors Authority.
“He was a sheepherder and business owner. He opened a pool hall.”
Michelle recalls seeing a photo of her grandfather’s wife, Glenna Goitia, holding a shovel to break ground for the Basque Club, a meeting place for residents of Basque heritage.
To celebrate their heritage, Michelle’s three daughters learned traditional Basque dances.
“The Basque community is close, and dance groups perform at festivals throughout the area,” she says. “Our daughters are looking forward to dancing at Jaialdi, the world’s largest Basque Festival in Boise.
“Basque food is amazing,” she adds. “I still make my grandmother’s salad dressing recipe
Outhouse racers dash toward a finish line in their custom-made contraptions in Anchorage to celebrate Alaskan culture during the two-week Fur Rendezvous Festival, known locally as Fur Rondy. PHOTOS COURTESY OF FUR RONDY
1 2 3 4 5 6
PHOTO COURTESY OF RON YANDT
PHOTO BY KATIE COTTERILL
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIDGETTE CHRISTIAN
PHOTO BY SYDNEY MARTINEZ/TRAVEL NEVADA
PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLISS
with a little garlic, sour cream and vinegar.”
Elko’s Basque restaurant, The Star, honors Basque culture year-round.
“People sit at the same long tables, and the food is served family style,” Michelle says.
The schedule of festival events will be posted on the Elko Euzkaldunak Club's Facebook page.
Arizona's Bisbee Coaster Races
For more than a century, generations of Bisbee residents have celebrated the Fourth of July by racing soapbox derby-style cars, called coasters, at speeds of up to 40 mph down a canyon road.
“We start at the top of Tombstone Canyon and end at the post office,” says Bridgette Christian, chairperson of the Coaster Race Committee. “It’s how we start the holiday in the morning. My dad was a big volunteer, so I want to keep it going.”
Drivers ages 9 to 16 build their own vehicles and coast along for about 1.6 miles in roughly 3 minutes. They practice at trial runs in June to be ready for the big day in July.
The town’s population of 5,000 doubles during the event “because it’s so familyoriented,” Bridgette says. “We have a strong
sense of community here. We’re grateful to all the volunteers who make it happen.”
After the town’s copper mine closed, a large group of residents left the area, but many come back for a reunion to celebrate the summer holiday.
Other unique festivals in Arizona include the Oatman Egg Fry, ShoLo Lawn Mower Races and Wyatt Earp Days.
Northern California's Decades of Bigfoot Daze
Bigfoot’s sonorous calls resound across the small town of Willow Creek in Northern California during Bigfoot Daze, the second Saturday of July.
“We have so many events with one of our most popular ones being the Bigfoot Calling Contest,” says Shannon Hughes, president of the Willow Creek Chamber of Commerce. “It always draws a lot of entrants and a lot of laughs, too.”
She says local and worldwide Sasquatch devotees come to the annual event.
“This will be our 63rd celebration,” she says. “For some, it’s an annual pilgrimage. It’s understandable why we’re the Bigfoot Capital of the World. We’re surrounded by wilderness where there are always some sightings.”
About 300 purported sightings of the elusive creature are chronicled at the local museum along with Sasquatch exhibits. A 1967 film taken near Bluff Creek became famous when it showed an ape-like creature walking along the banks.
Among the numerous events, another one that makes spectators laugh is the 20-minute parade with entries expressing the theme of Bigfoot and the watermeloneating contest.
“It’s a great community festival,” Shannon says.
Washington’s Slug Fest
“May the slime be with you” is the saying on June 28-29 at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville.
Children learn what life looks like from a slug’s point of view. They even get the chance to race while wearing tentacle headbands, goggles and plastic sacks as they slide around on their bellies on a wet tarp.
The event is organized to celebrate the importance of the local yellow-green banana slug that helps decompose organic matter to nourish trees and plants.
Oregon’s Lincoln City Kite Festivals
Professional kite flyers demonstrate aerial acrobatics at Lincoln City Summer and Fall Kite Festivals in Oregon's Central Coast.
“It’s amazing what the professional flyers can do,” says Stephanie Hull, event outreach coordinator for Lincoln City. “We have about 50 flyers come to our events.”
KiteLife magazine named the town the Kite Capital of the World with its more than 7 miles of beach. Many festival participants handcraft their kites with shapes of whales or octopuses.
“The large inflatables are really creative,” Stephanie says. “Some people paint their own designs on the kites and others handsew them. Some choreograph their flights, too.”
This year is special.
“We’re celebrating our 40th summer festival and 45th fall festival,” she says. “We’re looking forward to seeing an LED illuminated night flight on Friday.”
The summer festival is June 21-22, and the fall festival is Sept. 20-21. n
4. Slugs are celebrated at a festival at the Northwest Trek Park in Eatonville, Washington, with festive events for children.
5. Boats align the boardwalk for festivalgoers to admire at the annual Silver Wake Celebration in Sandpoint, Idaho. 6. Professional kite flyers entertain beachside audiences at summer and fall festivals in Lincoln City, Oregon.
1. Bigfoot Daze is celebrated at Willow Creek in Northern California, where numerous purported sightings of the primate have been documented at the local museum.
2. For more than a century, the Bisbee Coaster Races have been a tradition on the Fourth of July in Arizona.
3. Dancing is a popular event at the National Basque Festival in Elko, Nevada.
PHOTO BY BRANDON SHELTON
Roll, Fold and Feast
TURN TO TORTILLAS
Easy Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas
2 8-inch flour tortillas
2 tablespoons tomato sauce (may substitute spaghetti, pizza or marinara sauce)
10 to 12 slices pepperoni
6 to 8 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese
Butter
Additional tomato sauce
Spread tomato sauce evenly over entire tortilla in a thin layer. Add pepperoni, covering half of each tortilla.
Sprinkle the pepperoni with a layer of cheese. Fold over the top of the tortilla. Melt a bit of butter in a skillet. Place two quesadillas in the skillet. Cook 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat until lightly browned.
While the first side of the quesadilla is cooking, lightly butter the other side of each tortilla. Flip over the tortillas, and cook until the second side is browned. Remove the quesadillas from the pan. Let rest for a few minutes, then slice each tortilla into quarters or thirds. Serve with warm tomato sauce for dipping.
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
ADOBE STOCK
PHOTO BY CIRCLEPS
Fiesta Pinwheels
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup sour cream
1/4 cup picante sauce
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
Dash garlic powder
4.5-ounce can chopped olives, drained
4-ounce can chopped green chiles
1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup thinly sliced green onions
8 10-inch flour tortillas, warmed Salsa
In a small bowl, beat together cream cheese, sour cream, picante sauce, taco seasoning and garlic powder until smooth. Stir in olives, chiles, cheese and onions. Spread about 1/2 cup on each tortilla. Roll up jelly-roll style.
Cover. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Slice into 1-inch pieces before serving with salsa.
Taco Lasagna Recipe
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
16-ounce jar salsa, divided
12 8-inch corn or flour tortillas, divided
16 ounces sour cream, divided 16 ounces shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
Heat oven to 350 F. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add ground beef. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a plate. Pour off any fat from the skillet.
Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining olive oil. Heat until shimmering. Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Return the beef and any juices to the skillet. Add black beans, and stir to combine. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and black pepper. Stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Pour 1/4 cup salsa into a 9-by-13 baking dish. Pour the remaining salsa into the skillet. Stir to combine.
To assemble the lasagna, spread out the salsa in the baking dish into a thin layer. Arrange four tortillas in a single layer on top of the salsa, overlapping them as needed. Dollop and spread 2/3 cup of the sour cream. Spoon half of the meat mixture over the sour cream. Spread in an even layer. Sprinkle with 11/3 cups of cheese.
Repeat layering the following: four tortillas, 2/3 cup sour cream, the remaining meat mixture and 11/3 cups shredded cheese. Top with the remaining four tortillas and 2/3 cup sour cream. Sprinkle with the remaining 11/3 cups cheese. Bake, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Sour Cream
Chicken Enchilada Skillet
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1½ teaspoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon oregano
¾ teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
1 cup sour cream
6 to 7 regular-sized flour tortillas, cut into bitesized pieces
7.5 ounces black beans, drained
14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup shredded cheese
In a large skillet, heat butter until melted. Stir in flour, and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in chicken broth. Stir until sauce is smooth and thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir chili powder, oregano, salt and pepper into the sauce.
Add chicken breasts to the pan. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan, and shred into bite-sized pieces.
Stir sour cream into the sauce. Return the chicken to the skillet. Add tortilla pieces, black beans and tomatoes. Stir until combined, then top with shredded cheese.
Cover skillet and cook until bubbly and the cheese is melted, about 5 to 8 minutes.
Freezer Burritos
11/4 pounds lean ground beef
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
11/4 cups salsa
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
½ cup water
2 15-ounce cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 8-inch flour tortillas, warmed
In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes, breaking meat into crumbles. Drain. Stir in salsa and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl, then set aside.
In a food processor, combine water and beans. Cover. Process until almost smooth. Add to beef, and stir in cheese. Spoon 1/2 cup beef mixture down the center of each tortilla. Fold ends and sides over filling. Roll up. Wrap each burrito in waxed paper and foil. Freeze for up to 1 month.
To heat frozen burritos: Remove foil and waxed paper. Place one burrito on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high until a thermometer reads 165 F, about 3 minutes, turning burrito over once. Let stand for 20 seconds.
READER EXCHANGE
Books/Magazines
Searching for Louis L’Amour 1st print edition paperbacks only. Please respond with titles. I can pay fair price and shipping if requested. Thanks.
J Hall
P.O. Box 1456 Orofino, ID 83544 jwhall13@gmail.com
Crafts/Hobbies
I’m retired and had double hip replacement in the past six months. I’m nearly recovered, and I started making patriotic American flags. They are roughly 30x20 inches tall. I’m requesting any type of fabric; printed with design or plain red, white, and blue that I can make into quilted American flags to sell.
Brian Cody 298 Basham Lane Troy, MT 59935
I’m looking for Scrabble tiles of all sizes. We are working on picture frames as a family project. Any contribution is appreciated.
Audra Shrauger
7999 SE Thomas Road Prineville, OR 97754
Milestones
I’m traveling to Washington in early June to surprise my mom for her 90th birthday. Her name is Donna, and she is as spunky as ever. I would be grateful to take birthday cards to her from people all over the states. She was living in Fairbanks for a while, so if you know her ...shhhh... this is a surprise. Please mail to Lee Ann Hough, 1190 Pickering Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99709.
Lee Ann Hough Fairbanks, Alaska
My husband turns 75 this month. He has had some health issues, but is well now. We are trying to make this a great day. Please send to Bill Hoople, P.O. Box 81691, Fairbanks, AK 99708.
Janet Hoople Fairbanks, Alaska
Our mother is turning 90 this month. We would be thrilled for her to receive birthday greetings from friends and fellow readers across the country. She has a passion for photographing wildlife and the beautiful landscapes of Idaho. She’s still very active, enjoying her Bunco games, knitting, reading and sharing delightful tea with friends. Thank you so much in advance. Please send cards to Kay Deubel, 1717 Poplar St., Sandpoint, ID 83864
Brenda Sawyer Naples, Idaho
My mom is turning 100 at the beginning of June. She lived in Florence, Oregon, for her first 12 years, then in Eugene. She married in 1945 and was married for 55 years, living in Springfield all that time. Everyone always remembers her, as she has a beautiful smile. In her later years, she made crocheted clothes hangers for friends, family and whoever needed one. She was ecstatic to know I was making this request for birthday cards to be sent to her and will enjoy reading all of them. Thank you. Send to, Linda Snyder, 4001 SE 182nd Avenue, Apt #217, Gresham, OR 97030.
Barbara Toedtemeier Heppner, Oregon
Odds
I am searching for information, stories or pictures from anyone who has family history, stories or knowledge of the lost town of Cabinet, Idaho.
Craig Nelson 8760 River Road Clark Fork, ID 83811 Buscakccf623@gmail.com
Thanks
A million thanks. Thank you so much to all the readers who sent my dear husband, Robert Dodge, warm wishes for his birthday. He was overwhelmed to see so many cards (more than 600). We are still reading through them. Many people sent small gifts, paintings and even a $2 bill. Many of the senders related to Bob’s service in the Marines, the Boy Scouts and hunter’s safety. There is no way we could send thank you notes to each person, so this will have to do. Our heartfelt thanks for all the wonderful people who care enough to send best wishes. Bob is forever grateful, as am I.
Carol Wennstrom Blachly, Oregon
Submitting Requests Is Free
Send your request—with no attachments—to readerexchange@ruralite.org or mail to Reader Exchange, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Fill in the subject line with Reader Exchange. Acceptance, scheduling and editing are at the editor’s discretion. Single requests only, please. No duplicates.
Submissions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis and as space allows. We cannot honor every request.
Please affirm you have authorization from all appropriate parties before submitting. By submitting, you indemnify Reader Exchange, Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., its officers, directors, employees, utility clients and insurers from all legal liability incurred by the publication of information.
We no longer accept pen pal requests. You may submit a pen pal request as a Marketplace ad. Marketplace pricing applies.
When submitting a milestone request, please send it at least two months before the milestone.
Phone numbers will not be published. Email addresses will be published if part of the ad, but the request must include a postal address.
Request must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.
Silver Falls State Park Walk behind and around high waterfalls in Oregon at
What Is It?
Hike into a rainforest to see a 177-foot waterfall at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon. First opened in 1933, the park is a magnet for hikers and bikers.
Oregon’s Largest State Park
Silver Falls State Park is less than an hour east of Oregon’s capital city, Salem, and contains 9,000 acres. Many of the park’s original trails, walls and buildings were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Hit the Trail
The park is known for its more than 35 miles of trails, with the Trail of Ten Falls as a highlight. The 7.2-mile loop is classified as a moderate hike, with 800 feet of elevation change. The trail gives great views of the park’s waterfalls and winds behind four of them, providing a unique angle of the falls.
A New View
A few years ago, the park opened the North Rim Trail, which gives a more accessible way to see the North Falls. Beginning from the new North Canyon Trailhead, the 1-mile trail has a compacted surface 6 feet wide. The new North Canyon day use areas also have picnic tables, restrooms and access to the park’s Nature Play Area.
More Information
Silver Falls State Park is open every day of the year. Hours vary according to the season. Parking is $5 per day. To start planning your visit, head to friendsofsilverfalls.net.
ADOBE STOCK
PHOTO BY BOB
U.S. zip codes turn up silver for residents
Sealed Vault Bags full of State Silver Bars are actually being handed over to the first U.S. residents who find their zip code listed in today’s publication and call before the 21 day order deadline ends to claim the bags full of pure silver
NATIONWIDE - Operators at the National Silver Hotline are struggling to keep up with all the calls.
That’s because Silver Vault Bags loaded with pure .999 State Silver Bars are now being handed over to everyone who beats the order deadline.
“That’s why U.S. residents will be hoarding all the silver bars they can get their hands on before the deadline ends. This comes as no surprise after the standard State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury was dropped for everyone who gets the Silver Vault Bags making them a real steal,” said Mary Ellen Withrow, the Fmr. 40th Treasurer of the United States of America, Emeritus.
“As executive advisor to the private Lincoln Treasury, I get paid to deliver breaking news. And here’s the best part. This is great news for U.S. residents because the reduced State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury is a real steal,” said Withrow.
The only thing residents need to do is find the first 2 digits of their zip code on the Distribution List printed in today’s publication. If their zip code is on the list, they just need to call the National Silver Hotline before the deadline ends.
And here’s the good news. Residents who do are getting the reduced State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury of just $390 for each State Silver Vault Bag which is just $39 for each pristine Silver half ounce bar as long as they call the National Silver Hotline at 1-888-415-6109 before the deadline ends.
Phone lines open at precisely 8:30 A.M. this morning and are expected to be flooded by U.S. residents looking to cash in on the reduced State Minimum set by the Lincoln
(Continued on next page)
■ U.S. RESIDENTS CASH IN: Calls are pouring in from state residents who are trying to get their hands on the Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags pictured above before the deadline ends. That’s because residents who find the first two digits of their zip code printed in today’s publication are cashing in on the reduced State Minimum price set for the next 21 days by the Lincoln Treasury.
Who gets the Silver Vault Bags: Listed below are the zip codes that get to claim the Silver Vault Bags. If you find the first two digits of your zip code below immediately call: 1-888-415-6109 DEPT. SMB199
(Continued from previous page)
Treasury to date. That’s why U.S. resi dents who find their zip code on the distribution list today are being urged to call.
Since this special advertising announcement can’t stop anyone from buying up all the new 2025 Edition U.S. State Silver Bars they can get their hands on, the Lincoln Treasury has not set a limit of how many Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags residents can get – these are the bags pictured that contain 10 individual Silver Vault Bags each. Everyone who gets these will be glad they did.
“Residents who want to cash in on the reduced State Minimum set by the private Lincoln Treasury better hurry. That’s because after the deadline ends, the State Minimum for these pristine half ounce U.S. State Silver Bars set by the Lincoln Treasury will go up to $68 per bar no matter how many bars people get,” Withrow said.
“We’re bracing for all the calls and doing the best we can, but with just hours left before the deadline ends, residents who find the first 2 digits of their zip code listed in today’s publication need to call the National Silver Hotline,” Withrow said.
■ SILVER IS SOARING: It’s good news for state residents who get the Silver Vault Bags each loaded with 10 solid .999 pure Silver State Bars. That’s because residents are getting the State Minimum set by the private Lincoln Treasury as long as they call before the deadline ends.
I keep calling and can’t get through: Keep trying. Right now everyone’s looking to cash in on the reduced State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury. In fact, we won’t be surprised if thousands of residents order up as many Silver Vault Bags as they can get their hands on before the deadline ends. That’s because the State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury has been reduced to just $39 for each silver half ounce bar for everyone who gets the vault bags. And since each Silver Vault Bag contains 10 pristine State Silver Bars for just $390 we’re guessing state residents will be claiming two or more bags while they’re up for grabs. But all those who really want to cash in are taking the Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags containing 100 State Silver Bars before the deadline ends and the State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury goes up to $680 per Vault Bag. In fact the State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury is reduced even further for those getting the Jumbo Bags so just be sure to ask the National Silver Hotline operator for your discount. So if lines are busy keep trying.
How much are the Silver Vault Bags worth: It’s hard to tell how much these Silver Vault Bags could be worth since they are in pristine condition, but those who get in on this now will be glad they did. That’s because the State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury goes up to $680 per bag after the deadline ends. So you better believe that at just $390 the Silver Vault bags are a real steal for everyone who beats the deadline.
Can I buy one State Silver Bar: Yes. But, the reduced State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury of just $39 per bar applies only to residents who purchase a Silver Vault Bag(s). That means only those residents who order a Silver Vault Bag(s) or a Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bag get the reduced State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury. All single bar purchases, orders placed after the deadline and all non-state residents must pay the normal state minimum of $68 per silver half ounce bar.
Why is the State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury so low now: Thousands of U.S. residents stand to miss the deadline to get the silver at the reduced State Minimum set by the private Lincoln Treasury. Now all residents who find their zip code on the Distribution List to the left are getting the Silver Vault Bags for themselves and all the solid .999 pure State Silver Bars found inside. The price for each Silver Vault Bag after the deadline ends is set to the normal state minimum of $680 which is $68 per bar. But residents who beat the 21-day deadline only cover the reduced State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury of just $390 for each State Silver Bar Bag which is just $39 per bar as long as they call the National Silver Hotline before the deadline ends at: 1-888-415-6109 DEPT. SMB199. Hotlines open at 8:30 A.M.
*** All 7 States listed are available - States not listed are already sold out ***
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES FULL-HALF TROY OUNCE SOLID .999 FINE SILVER
DATE NUMBERED IN WHICH THE STATE RATIFIED THE CONSTITUTION AND WAS ADMITTED INTO UNION
CERTIFIED SOLID SILVER PRECIOUS METAL BACK
ALL 7 STATES LISTED ARE AVAILABLE.
PHOTO ENLARGEMENT SHOWS ENGRAVING DETAI L OF SOLID HALF OUNCE STATE SILVER BARS
Anatomy of
Capturing Fireworks
By Dave LaBelle
There are annual events—such as birthdays, anniversaries and holidays—many of us are determined to make pictures of.
One of the annual events I am often called on to photograph is fireworks during the Fourth of July. Here is where I confess, even though I have photographed fireworks for more than a half a century, I never seem to capture the picture I want.
Oh, I have made some acceptable pictures through the years but not one that I felt expressed what I saw and felt.
I surveyed the grounds early where the fireworks were to be launched this past year, seeking every possible angle.
Some cities have hilltops or big rivers running through them, like Pittsburgh or Portland, Oregon. But Dyersville, Iowa, is flat with few bumps we might dare to call hills.
Finally, I decided on a low, grassy spot that afforded a relatively clean, uncluttered view of the aerial bursts. However, as parking spaces grew thin, vehicles lunged forward, parking on the grassy spot I had
Reader Challenge
chosen. Camera and tripod in hand, I had to move or get run over.
Just as I was about to seek another last-minute vantage point, a couple of children put down a blanket between two vehicles and sat waiting for the show.
Hmmm?
If I could get low enough, they might make a good foreground, their shapes against
a lit-up sky.
I moved up slowly and stealthily behind them and lay on the ground to see if I could get the camera low enough— off the tripod—to see if I had enough sky to see and capture fireworks once they began.
At one point—still 30 minutes before the show—I had to explain to their father, watching me suspiciously, the photo I was hoping to capture.
Determine to make a beautiful photograph that captures the spirit of celebration meant by filling the sky with beautiful explosions of color and design. Scout areas and choose the spot first. Then consider using a tripod and slower shutter speed. To create depth and context, foreground is key. Above all, experiment with exposure. Each burst is often a different color and intensity.
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.
As most of you who have attempted to photograph fireworks know, there is a lot of luck involved. That acknowledged, the old maxim, “Luck is where opportunity meets preparation,” was on my side this evening.
After a handful of lowbursting blasts, finally a reddishpink explosion filled the sky low enough to wash over and even reflect on the parked vehicles. n
For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and his blog at bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
Photographer, author and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century, sharing photo tips and life perspectives with readers.
Ruralite Calendar Photo Contest 2026
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.
BY
ARLEN RICKE, OREGON— COOS-CURRY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Perfect for Potlucks
With more than 200 recipes, this cookbook offers many options for potlucks, family reunions or picnics planned this summer! An added bonus in the back are the recipes from a previous barbecue recipe contest. “Perfect for a Potluck” is an 8½-by-11-inch indexed cookbook for only $10, which includes postage.
To order by mail:
Submit proper payment with your name, address and the number of cookbooks wanted to Ruralite Cookbooks, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133.
To order by phone:
Call 503-357-2105 to pay with VISA, MasterCard, Discover card or American Express.
To order online: Visit www.ruralite.org.
Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
According to the Congressional Research Service, humans cause nearly 90% of wildfires.
Wildfires can start and spread incredibly quickly. Be cautious, be prepared and help prevent wildfires.
MARKETPLACE
Agriculture
4x5 round bales, Meadow Foxtail Orchard Grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square. 208-435-4637 or 208-435-4002; nas@cpcinternet.com.
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. www.btlliners.com. 541-447-0712. 0426
Antiques and Collectibles
Buying antiques and collectibles: advertising signs, porcelain signs, gas pumps, beer signs, antique toys, cast-iron coin banks, neon signs and more. Jason, 503-310-3321 or tjabaughman@yahoo.com. 0925
Buying American Indian collectibles: Navajo jewelry, blankets, rugs, CA/AZ baskets and beadwork. Quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com.
Assisted Living Facility
Haven House assisted living at Fossil, OR. It is a wonderful place to live. For more information, call Lou Gabica, 541-763-4651.
Automotive
Rare 1960 Chevy pickup 4x4. Short-bed. Not running now. Text or call 661-713-3377. Leave message. $7K. 0625
1966 Ford Mustang Coupe in good condition. Runs well. 289 automatic. 89K miles on rebuilt engine. Wimbledon white, much of car is original. $16K. Kathi, 541-419-3243.
2006 Mazda Miata. Blue. MX-5. Convertible. Only 70K miles. Custom exhaust. Excellent condition; ready to go. Always kept in garage. $10K cash. 541-661-1644. 0625
1960 GMC 4500. 21/2 FB. Many newer parts: windshield, master cylinder, clutch, radiator, wiring harness, transmission. $750. La Grande, OR. Brent, 541-805-4909. 0625
1929 Studebaker and 1956 Ford Courier. Call 541-786-5833. 0625
1970 Ford F-100. Rare truck 4x4. Short bed. Mint green, original pain. Sitting 6 years. Not running. $11K. Paul, 775-296-3604.
Boats
1978 Mirrorcraft. 14’ aluminum boat, trailer, 2 extra tires and wheels, 15hp craftsman outboard, oars, anchor, fuel tank, 2 seats. $1.25K. La Grande, OR. Brent, 541-805-4909.
Quick, Affordable: How to Place an Ad
Ads 25 words or fewer are $35 a month. An extended ad of up to 35 words is $50 a month. Contact information is included in the word count. Phone numbers and emails count as one word.
Longer ads may be placed. Contact 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop for pricing information.
Ads are for customers of member co-ops, public utility districts and municipals only. Subscribers and nonmembers may inquire about pricing at 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop.
Ads must be direct and in first person, and are subject to approval and editing.
Closing deadlines (in our office): July issue—June 2, 2025.
If submitting ad by mail, send appropriate payment with your name, address, email, phone number and the name of the electric utility that provides your magazine to: Marketplace, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133. Make check or money order payable to Ruralite.
We accept credit card payments for ads submitted by email. Send ad to info@pioneer.coop.
Call 503-357-2105 to pay by credit card.
Books, Magazines, Videos
Book restoration. Bibles, cookbooks, cherished family heirlooms. Beautiful work. We give renewed life, more durable than original, to last for generations. 775-537-7066; salacanstudio@gmail.com. 0725
For Rent, Lease
Northeast, OR. 1 bd, 1 ba, bonus room. Nice smaller home. Water/sewer/garbage paid. On the river. $650 month, plus deposit. 55-plus preferred. Phone calls only, 541-519-3400. 0625
Quiet, spacious country home. Fully furnished, sits above Clearwater River near Lenore, ID. 3 bd, 3 ba. 1-month minimum. $1.9K. 208-476-7688.
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, P.O. Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. 888-211-1715; tbsmads@yahoo.com. 0625AR
Miscellaneous
2010 Artesian Swim Spa. 7x14’. Excellent condition. $12K. Pelican paddleboat, 5 passenger. Used twice. $500. 541-954-3884. 0625
Foster parents needed to care for teen youth in Wasco and Hood River counties. Agency provides on-call support, training, $2.1K/youth monthly reimbursement, 2 days off/month. Fosterinfo@nextdoorinc.org; 541-308-2207. 0625
Local commercial fisherman sells summer catch of preserved freshness by blast freezing at sea, gourmet canned tuna on internet. Sept.June. 100% guaranteed the best canned tuna you ever tasted. Original, jalapeno and garlic flavors available. To order: twofisherstuna.com or 206-799-1082. 0625
3 cemetery plots, Salt Creek Cemetery near Dallas, OR. $1.2K each. Open to offers on all. Message, 503-457-8084. 0625
Advertisements are accepted in good faith. Pioneer Utility Resources is not liable for interactions between buyers and sellers. Your ad could be here in July. See instructions above for details.
Granite cemetery markers at affordable prices. Will ship to most places. Joe, 541-815-8906; highdesertmemorials@gmail.com or highdesertmemorials.com. 0625
Pets
Fort Sage Kennels closing. AKC-registered Airedales. Females, 1 year old. Males, 2 to 3 years old. 530-827-2271, 530-249-7896. 0925
Border collie/McNab puppies. The best dog you will ever have. Males and females, $450 each. Colton, OR. 503-314-0145. 0625
Plants
Cactus for sale. Cold/winter hardy. Good for landscaping. Sunnyside/Mabton, WA, area. Local pickup only. 509-391-5546; marybarthlow@gmail.com. 0725
Real Estate
Cozy Dayville home with country charm and mountain views. $232.5K Duke Warner Realty, 541-987-2363, ddwr@ortelco.net. 0625
320 acres east of Adel, OR. Borders Hart Mountain views, Steens Mountain and Beaty Butte. Landowner tags, very rural. $179K. Quick sale due to injury. For maps: 541-659-1573; thejugglingman3@gmail.com. 0625
Granite, OR. 3 city lots, 3/4 acre each, one has an off-grid cabin. Year-round activities: hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, 4x4, etc. $200K for all 3. 541-519-9077; billpathanley@gmail.com. 0625
Irrigon, OR. 3-bd, 2-ba manufactured home on permanent foundation. Lawn maintenance business with equipment. Huge shop and garage stick-built, unattached. One full city block property. $435K. 541-922-9675. 0625
Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm and recreation property in OR. Fourthgeneration Oregonian, prior ranch owner. For sale: Klamath Marsh, OR. 173.65 acres. $2.5M. Guest Ranch Overlay. John Gill, 541-480-9161; johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 0625
Wanted: acreage that has been destroyed by fire. Want to purchase for rebuilding evergreen timber and wildlife habitat lands. OR, WA, ID. 509-521-7496. 0625
39 acres in Beaver, OR. Stunning mountain top view, creek, springs, wildlife, hunting, fishing, privacy. 3-bd, 2-ba home. 40x40’ barn. $595K. 503-664-3144. 0725
27 acres forested with pasture. Approved hilltop view building site; adjacent historic Unity Covered Bridge in Lowell, OR. Well, power, 2 sheds. $650K; jjmichelson@comcast.net; 206-356-0391. 0625
Sand Springs Ranch. Prepper’s Paradise in Fish Lake Valley, NV, where wild horses range. Historic 80-acre homestead with permitted spring and permitted septic system. Concrete building. 3.5 miles off Hwy 264. $649K. Contact Trish Rippie Realty, Dennis Bradley, B.S. 144254, 775-399-3972; dennis@trishrippierealty.com. 0625
Peal Starks Estate. 119 E. Allyn, Goldendale, WA. 3-bd, 2-ba fixer upper. $140K. Email inquiries to goldendale67@gmail.com. 0625
Awesome view of the Nestucca River, still in tidewater, across from a great fishing hole. Newer, glassed-in Trex deck overlooking the river. 2-bd, 21/2-ba home with knotty pine interior. 2-car garage, plenty of room for kayaks and a short walk to a beautiful beach. $524.9K. steelheadsteven@gmail.com; 503-680-9799. 0625
Rogue River, OR. Off-grid, 600-sqft. home on 40 acres. New 5O-amp solar w/batteries. Timber, game, privacy. 20 minutes from Grants Pass; 30 minutes from Medford. Turnkey. $395K. Leave message at 360-701-7192. 0625
Recreational Rentals
Oceanfront cottage on the spectacular Central OR Coast. Stunning views, sandy beach. Scoters, spindrift and seals. 2 bd, loft all w/double beds. Rates and reservations: wavecatcherbeachrentals.com, 541-740-2846, relax@WaveCatcherbeachrentals.com.
Enjoy your ideal Maui getaway. This updated 2-bd, 2-ba condo sleeps 4 and features a charming “surf shack” design. Just half a block from a beautiful beach, it’s perfect for morning strolls and sunsets. Plus, you’re steps away from shops and restaurants at Azeka Plaza. tinyurl.com/MauiGetaway. 0725
Mi Casa NW: Nehalem River day access $25/day and camping $100/night. Experience the river, creeks, hiking trails, fishing, wildlife, etc. Boat ramp BYO canoe, kayak, boat and stargaze all on 35 acres, just 25 minutes from Seaside and 45 minutes from Portland. 5 tent camping sites along the Nehalem River; private, exclusive, secure. 971-489-3960. 0725
Bend country cabin. Very clean and fully furnished cabin on private ranch. Close to recreation areas. Very nice. $95/night. 541-382-3050, bendcountrycabins@gmail.com.
Recreational Vehicles
1999 Newmar Dutch Star 38’ RV. Diesel. 3126B Caterpillar engine. Freightliner chasis. One slide. Good condition. 95K miles. $18K. 530-616-0388. 0625
2023 Winnebago EKKO Ford F-350, all-wheel drive. Travel in all 4 seasons. Approximately 12K miles. Excellent condition. $120K. 541-550-6570. 0625
Mobile home for sale. 2 bd, 2 ba 840 sqft. 6,098-sqft. lot. 234 Shoshone Lane, Henderson, NV 89015. 0625
Resorts, Camps, Tours, Lodges
Cruises: Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Panama Canal, Hawaii and more. River cruises, safari, resorts. UdoU Travel LLC: www.udoutravelllc.com; 541-256-0100, cindygreenup@gmail.com.
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. 0825
Blue Mountain Defensible Space LLC wildfire fuel reduction: clearing brush, thinning trees, animal habitat enhancement. Expert service. Grant money available OR, WA, ID. Bluemountainbrush@gmail.com, 509-399-3473, Bluemountainbrush.com. 0126
Gardening supplies, fresh produce, kitchen staples, plus more delivered monthly to a drop location near you. Azure Standard is an American business, supporting American farmers. Use code RURAL at: Azurestandard.com for $5 off your first $100 order. 0625
Sporting/Exercise
Virtual individualized training for 50-plus ages. Flexible schedule. Work at your own pace and ability. Get strong, get fit, get going. BodybyAris@gmail.com; 425-577-1630. 0625
Want to Buy
Old carpenter tools, planes (wood/metal), levels, chisels, slicks, adzes, axes, hatchets, handsaws, old rulers, spoke shaves, wrenches, shipwright tools, old tool chests. 503-659-0009, 971-666-0659. 0625
Gold, silver, coins/currency, buy, sell. Collections wanted. Fair prices paid. 44 years in retail store. Baker City, OR. 800-556-2133, garrymclin@aol.com. 1025
Buying American Indian collectibles, Navajo jewelry, blankets, rugs, CA/AZ baskets and beadwork. Quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com or call 760-409-3117. 0625
1984-92 Toyota Sunraider motor home. 18-21 feet in good condition. Some repairs OK. Don, 541-379-4111. 0625
Eatonville United Methodist Church
A Spiritual Base Camp On The Way To Paradise.
Mashell Avenue North P.O. Box 205 Eatonville, WA 98328 360-832-4021
Home: 360-832-4562
Pastor Bernard Preston Ritchea Cell: 361-330-9666
Facebook: Eatonville United Methodist Church of Washington OPEN HEARTS OPEN MINDS OPEN DOORS OPEN TABLE WORSHIP SERVICE BEGINS AT 10:30 a.m.
Who Owns the Electric Company?
Many people never give much thought to the company that supplies their electricity. In fact, for some, if you were to ask what the difference is between an electric cooperative and other types of electric utilities, they likely would not know.
An investor-owned utility is a for-profit business owned by shareholders. IOUs serve most customers in the United States.
A municipal utility is a publicly owned utility operated by a local government.
However, an electric cooperative is different. It is a not-for-profit entity owned by the people who receive electricity from it—its member-owners.
• Co-ops serve 42 million people, including 92% of persistent poverty counties.
• Co-ops power more than 22 million businesses, homes, schools and farms in 48 states.
• Cooperatives power 56% of America’s landmass.
• As not-for-profit organizations, co-ops return more than $1 billion to their member-owners annually through capital credit retirements, which are member-owners’ shares in the revenues of the cooperative.
Electric co-ops—such as Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative—focus on providing safe, reliable, competitively priced electricity, while remaining accountable to the members who own the co-op and the communities where we live and serve. n
and shred mountains of yard
branches over 5" in diameter.
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
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
Seth Musgrove, 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
Help Prevent Human-Caused Wildfires
As I sit down to write this message to you, I am reminded of this time last year, when severe storms sparked several wildfires in the area. Unfortunately, it was a sign of things to come, as Oregon went on to set a record number of acres burned by wildfires in a year.
Wildfire mitigation and response continues to be a major area of focus for us at Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative. This ongoing effort includes not only practicing responsible utility practices but also working to educate the public in wildfire mitigation.
Of the wildfires that affected Eastern Oregon in 2024, half were caused by humans. The other half were caused by lightning. Nationally, 89% of wildfires are human-caused—a metric we all have influence and control over. That is why as part of OTEC’s ongoing commitment to wildfire mitigation, we continue to help educate the public on how it’s everyone’s job to prevent fires and protect themselves, their families and their properties.
The increased frequency, size and duration of wildfires has spurred advancements in
technologies for monitoring conditions and early detection. These include the use of satellites, drones and other remote-sensing technologies, as well as AI-powered predictive models and sensor networks. Emerging technologies offer the potential for quicker response times and reduced risk to lives and properties. We are committed to monitoring and adopting advancements that help protect the people, land and way of life in beautiful Eastern Oregon.
With wildfire season rapidly approaching, I hope you will join us in preparing your home and family. Learning how to help prevent wildfires and keeping an eye out for others who may not be aware of fire prevention, safety or local burn regulations could help prevent the next human-caused wildfire.
For wildfire safety tips and to learn more about OTEC’s wildfire preparation efforts and wildfire mitigation plan, visit our website at otec.coop/wildfire.
Les Penning CEO
