Ruralite
OREGON TRAIL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
JUNE 2024
Solar Sam welcomes member-owners to OTEC’s annual meeting in Burns.
PHOTO BY GARRETT JOHNSON
FEELING REJUVENATED WITH CBD
Everyone feels the hurt as we age, but CBD can help you deal with it
By: Beth Giles
Life really does fly by. Before I knew it, my 60s had arrived, and with them came some new gifts from dear ol’ Mother Nature—frequent knee pain, stress, low energy and sleeplessness. Now, I’m a realist about these things, I knew I wasn’t going to be young and springy forever. But still, with “golden years” nearly on my doorstep, I couldn’t help but feel a little cheated. That is until I found my own secret weapon. Another gift from Mother Nature.
It began a few months back when I was complaining about my aches and pains to my marathon-running granddaughter, Jen. She casually mentioned how she uses CBD rub to help with her joint pain. She said that CBD gave her more focus and clarity throughout the day and that her lingering muscle and joint discomfort no longer bothered her. She even felt comfortable signing up for back-toback marathons two weekends in a row this year. That made even this self-proclaimed skeptic take notice.
But I still had some concerns. According to one study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 70% of CBD products didn’t contain the amount of CBD stated on their labels. And, as a consumer, that’s terrifying! If I was going to try CBD, I needed to trust the source through and through. My two-fold research process naturally led me to Zebra CBD. First, I started calling my family and friends. Call me old fashioned but I wanted to know if
there were people whom I trusted (more than anonymous testimonials) who’ve had success using CBD besides my granddaughter.
Secondly, I wanted cold hard facts. Diving deep into the world of CBD research and clinical studies, I came across Emily Gray M.D., a physician at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) Medical School and medical advisor to Zebra CBD who is researching the effects of CBD. Dr. Gray wrote “early results with CBD have been promising and we have a lot of research underway now. I’ve had several patients using CBD with good success. It’s important that you know your source of CBD and how to use it properly.”
After hearing it from the doctor’s mouth, I returned to my research, asking more people and was amazed by the number of close friends and family who were already on the CBD train. Apparently, I was the only one without a clue! And funny enough, a couple of friends who commented were using the same brand as my granddaughter—Zebra CBD. There was no consensus as to why they were using CBD, but the top reasons given were for muscle & joint discomfort, mood support, sleep support, stress and headaches, as well as supporting overall health & wellness.
Eventually, even the most skeptical of the bunch can be won over. With a trusted CBD source in mind, I decided to give it a go.
When I viewed Zebra CBD’s selection online, I
was impressed by its array of products, including CBD oils called tinctures, topicals, chewable tablets, mints and gummies. After reading on their website that all their products are made with organically-grown hemp, I ordered... and it arrived within 2 days!
The first product I tried was the Rub. Now this stuff was strong. Immediately after rubbing it on my knee, the soothing effects kicked in. It had that familiar menthol cooling effect, which I personally find very relieving. And the best part is, after two weeks of using it, my knee pain no longer affected my daily mobility.
The Zebra Sleep Gummies, on the other hand, had a different but equally positive effect on my body. To take it, the instructions suggest chewing thoroughly. This was simple enough, and the taste was, well, lemony. After about 15 minutes, a sense of calm came over my body. It's hard to describe exactly; it's definitely not a "high" feeling. It's more like an overall sense of relaxation—and then I was out. Needless to say, I slept great and woke up refreshed. I haven’t slept like that in a long time.
While it hasn’t been a catch-all fix to every one of my health issues, it has eased the level and frequency of my aches. And it sure doesn’t seem like a coincidence how rejuvenated I feel. All-in-all, CBD is one of those things that you have to try for yourself. Although I was skeptical at first, I can safely say that I’m now a Zebra CBD fan and that I highly recommend their products. Also, I managed to speak with a Zebra CBD spokesperson willing to provide an exclusive. If you order this month, you’ll receive $10 off your first order by using promo code “RL10” at checkout. Plus, the company offers a 100% No-Hassle, Money-Back Guarantee. You can try it yourself and order Zebra CBD at ZebraCBD.com/CM or at 1-888-762-2699.
Ruralite
June 2024 • Volume 72, No. 6
CEO Michael Shepard
SENIOR VP OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Mike Teegarden, CCC
DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Noble Sprayberry
SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC
ASSISTANT EDITORS Chasity Anderson, CCC; Victoria Hampton, CCC; David Herder, CCC
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Valeri Pearon, Nina Todea
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION SR. MANAGER
Elizabeth Beatty
PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Alyssa McDougle
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Stories to Inspire
Every once in a while, a phone call elevates my day. A few months ago, Carole McDonald reached out to suggest we put together a presidential election trivia story, just like we did in 2008.
Carole has been a loyal reader for some time and is also a history buff. She has an indescribable sparkle evident even during a phone call. Ever curious, I asked writer Ginger Meurer to write a story about Carole, which you will find on Page 10. If you meet Carole, be ready for her to quiz your history knowledge. And look for that trivia story in October.
Some of my favorite family vacations were car trips where we listened to books on CD while we drove. It was fun to experience the geographic changes as we traveled. Our children appreciated impromptu stops for snacks and soccer ball breaks. I capped off each trip with a photo book commemorating our time on the road.
Celebrating 70 Years
Our Spotlight feature on Page 12 may inspire you to pack a bag and book a trip. We have lots of ideas for ways to see the country by boat, train and car. But this story isn’t about how to pack every minute full of adventure. Instead, we offer tips for ways to slow down and soak up your surroundings.
This month, Ruralite magazine celebrates 70 years. To commemorate the event, we are publishing a recipe from our very first magazine in 1954. You can check out the chocolate refrigerator cake recipe on Page 30. I hope some of you are inspired to try it out.
Sincerely,
Mike Teegarden Editorial Director
Sweet and Spicy
Retired teacher doles out cookies and history lessons Up Close, Page 10
2024 OTEC—EOU Rural Scholarship Recipients
Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative helps power the future of local students
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.
As part of our commitment to powering the future, Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative and the OTEC Member Foundation offer academic and trade scholarships.
Scholarships for lineworker school and trade school remain open year-round. Academic scholarship applications typically
open in November and close in March.
The OTEC-EOU Rural Scholarship Program is an exciting partnership between OTEC and Eastern Oregon University in La Grande. For the fifth year in a row, this scholarship provides four incoming EOU freshmen the opportunity to have four years of tuition and fees paid for. Recipients of this scholarship commit to attend and graduate from EOU and complete an internship with OTEC each summer to renew the scholarship for the next academic year.
This year’s applicant pool was
extremely competitive, with many excellent candidates. The OTEC Member Foundation is proud to award the OTECEOU Rural Scholarship to the following four recipients.
Congratulations Kade, Ethan, Grace and Dakota.
Kade Rudi
Baker High School • Baker County “Rural communities are of importance to me … because of the morals and values I’ve been taught. Not many events go unnoticed by the people here, and when someone may need help, a majority of our community will reach out and help, which creates a stronger sense of togetherness and almost a familial bond.
“Many rural communities have these similar traits, which I believe teaches not only kids but everybody how to help the less fortunate as well as what it takes to be closer to others.”
Kade Rudi
Ethan Thompson
Make the Switch to a Heat Pump Water Heater
By Victoria Hampton
Advancements in technology have increased efficiency and lowered energy use for many home appliances. While smart thermostats and refrigerators are common home upgrades that help people save on electricity bills, one of the most efficient upgrades homeowners can make is to an appliance many haven’t touched in months—the water heater.
A standard electric water heater accounts for nearly 20% of the energy use in a home, which is more than a refrigerator, clothes washer and dryer combined, says Bonneville Power Administration Program Manager David Murphy.
Learn about the technology and potential energy savings for switching to an energy-efficient heat pump water heater.
Savings and Features
Heat pump water heaters can save up to $450 a year, or $4,500 over the system’s lifetime, David says. Savings are dependent on each home’s utility rates and hot water use. Systems come with a 10-year warranty.
David says heat pump water heaters can provide more hot water than similarly sized standard systems. Many tanks also have leak detection that can warn homeowners if an issue arises.
Systems have several automated settings, including maximum hot water generation when guests stay the night, high-efficiency eco mode and advanced vacation mode settings, allowing homeowners to program their return—so they come home to hot water.
“Automation, like many things we see in the technology realm, increases control of your settings,” David says. “[You]
Heat pump water heaters use about one-third of the energy of a standard electric water heater. This increases efficiency and can lead to lower electric bills. PHOTO COURTESY OF BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION
get the benefits you need while still using less energy.”
Although the upfront cost of a heat pump water heater is typically more than a standard system, homeowners can save with rebates and incentives. Electric utilities can provide information on available savings for heat pump water heater upgrades.
“Always talk to your local utility to see what they have available,” David says.
Heat Pump Efficiency
Think of a heat pump water heater as a refrigerator in reverse. A refrigerator pulls heat from inside the box and sends it outside the appliance. A heat pump water heater pulls heat from the surrounding air.
“It is a unit driven by a compressor that harvests heat from the air and puts it into your water tank,” David says.
What is the importance of this state-of-the-art heat pump technology? It uses about one-third of the energy of a standard electric water heater. This increased efficiency can lead to lower electric bills.
Installation Considerations
Heat pump water heaters are ideal for garage and basement placement. When installing in a closet, consider the compressor noise and cold air released when it is running. The compressor can also be vented outside.
Pulling heat from the air creates moisture. Each system has a condensate line pipe—a plastic tube using gravity to draw out excess condensation from the unit. This feature does require a small amount of space near the heat pump water heater for the condensate removal pump or drain piping to the outside of the house.
Also, as with any water heater, homeowners should choose a tank size that matches the number of people in the home. Tanks vary in price.
Heat Pump Water Heater Maintenance
Heat pump water heaters add a few more simple tasks to your quarterly home maintenance check. When changing the HVAC air filter every three months, clean the heat pump water heater filter as well. Use a vacuum or rinse it with water to remove any debris.
Check the condensate line pipe for clogs and dirt when cleaning the filter. The line can be cleaned with a brush or rag.
When it is time to upgrade the household water heater, make the switch to an efficient, energy-saving heat pump water heater.
Watch a video about how to use and maintain a heat pump water heater at comfortreadyhome.com/guides/ hpwh-user-guide
Mini-Split Systems Are Gaining Traction
By Leslie Tate
A ductless air conditioner, also called a mini-split system or air-source heat pump, offers a variety of options for heating and cooling, particularly for older homes and buildings.
A mini-split system can provide several benefits, but the most attractive feature is the capability to regulate temperatures in specific rooms or areas of the home.
An indoor air-handling unit, or evaporator, and an outdoor compressor/condenser comprise the two major components of a mini-split system. In many ways, mini-split air conditioners operate like conventional air-conditioning systems. In cooling mode, the system transfers heat from inside the home to the outside. With a central air system, cold air is blasted throughout all the ducts in the house from a single air handler, such as a large fan in an attic or basement. Because a mini-split can blow air from up to six independent air handlers, it can regulate temperatures for different rooms or areas inside a home or business.
Mini-splits are a viable alternative to duct systems for home additions or homes where a duct system may not be practical. When a duct system is too expensive to install, a mini-split system can efficiently heat and cool a space while keeping installation costs down.
Compared to conventional heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, minisplits can save up to 30% on cooling costs and 50% on heating costs. Additionally, inverter technology, which enables variable-speed operation in most mini-split systems, increases energy efficiency and is cheaper to operate.
In addition to greater control over heating and cooling, mini-splits can often be managed with a mobile app, smart thermostat or remote control. They provide better air quality, and homeowners can easily replace filters themselves and save on duct cleanings needed for conventional systems. Reheat dehumidification is a common feature of minisplit systems to maintain a steady room temperature while lowering humidity.
A few factors should be considered before installing a mini-split system. Determine the right size and quantity of units. Mini-split placement should consider how to best distribute air throughout the home or business. A qualified contractor can offer advice on these factors. Additionally, your home should be properly air sealed for the minisplit system to operate efficiently.
For many homeowners, a mini-split ductless heating and cooling system can be a fantastic alternative for heating and cooling. Contact your local electric utility if you have questions about mini-split systems.
Learn More About Your Board
Each year, Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative holds an election to determine who will represent you, the co-op’s member-owners, on its board of directors.
The OTEC Board of Directors is comprised of nine directors who each serve three-year terms. This means that each year, member-owners vote for three board positions. Each position appears on the ballot every three years.
Other issues, such as bylaw changes, also occasionally appear on the ballot.
Some years, the ballot contains multiple candidates running for the same position. Some years, incumbents run unopposed. While receiving a ballot that does not contain multiple voting choices may seem odd, OTEC’s bylaws state it must hold elections and send ballots to each voting member-owner.
2024 Nominating Committees
Baker County Grant County Union County
Diana Brown
DeeDee Clarke
Fred Warner Jr.
2024 Election
Suzie Nelson
Virginia Mammen
Gail Enright
Mitch Saul
Bob Quinton
Committee
Dale Mammen
Prior to each election cycle, nominating committees are appointed for each district where directors are to be elected. The committees review candidate applications and select candidates to be on the ballot. Members may also be added to the ballot through a petition process.
Once member-owners vote and return
Donna Beverage
Mary West
Cindy Edwards
Henry Lissman
their ballots, the job of counting votes falls to an election committee.
The OTEC Board of Directors wishes to thank the 2024 nominating and election committee members for volunteering their time and expertise. n
Visit otec.coop to learn more about your board of directors and the election process.
Roxie Lissman
Retired teacher doles out cookies and history lessons
old mixer died, saying, “You can’t have
Other friends bring her nuts to hand grind for her vanilla crescents or provide labor to help roll out savory treats like her famous pierogies or her poultry-filled
Pierogies can take days to make, and grinding nuts the old-fashioned way is challenging, though not as rough as when her father had to crack the nut shells first. It’s hard work, but Carole loves to please.
“I’m a frustrated pastry chef, what can I say? I should have gone to culinary school,”
Instead, the Pennsylvania native studied to be a teacher and taught second and third grades in Cleveland, Ohio, where she
It was Carole’s first-generation PolishAmerican family that encouraged her to teach. Her parents didn’t want her to do
“She’d buy a yard of material and make a dress. When that wore out, she’d take the zipper from that dress and sew it into the new one. She was very resourceful,”
Carole still uses her educator skills crafting quick history quizzes to share at the DMV, the post office and the grocery store.
“What’s my question today?” the gas station attendant asks her whenever she goes in.
Carole loves to make people laugh, too, especially when she issues invitations to join her “elite club.” The club has no meetings and charges no dues. It’s a farflung collection of people who own the fancy crochet toilet paper cozies she started making just before the pandemic.
Carole took a cozy to her cardiologist.
“All the nurses started laughing, and they all wanted them,” she says. “I brought a little levity to the health care industry.”
She went on to give them to everyone she met: her dentist, her lawyer, the doctor next door, even strangers in parking lots. We’ll never know if the red, white and blue toilet paper cozy Carole sent Donald Trump is sitting on the back of a golden toilet. But the
Pizzelle Italian Cookies
½ pound butter
½ pound Fleischmann's original margarine
1½ cups granulated sugar
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Carole MacDonald takes a break in her
presidential seal gleams through the glass on a framed thank-you note for the “kind letter and humorous gift.”
6 eggs
3 teaspoons anise extract (or sambuca, an anise-flavored liqueur if anise prices keep going up)
2 teaspoons vanilla
5 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
You can add 1 teaspoon salt, but Carole doesn’t. Cream the butter, margarine and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time. Then add extracts. Sift dry ingredients, then add them to the wet. Cover the batter with foil and refrigerate overnight. Heat your pizzelle iron. Then drop one tablespoon batter on each side and cook for 30 seconds.
Nevada,
to share a glamor portrait she had taken years ago. Carole loves to crochet and share her work, whether it be granny square blankets or toilet paper toppers. Carole’s pierogies are stuffed with potatoes and cheese or with onions and sauerkraut. It takes Carole two days to make her poultry pastry squares.
Carole MacDonald’s oatmeal cookies are made using the recipe on the back of the butterscotch chip bag.
Carole guesses she’s made more than 200 toilet toppers, and they’re in at least 44 states and three countries. But she’s not slowing down. In 2021, she had her knee replaced and brought a stash of yarn to the hospital.
“It was a diversion,” she says. “I don’t want to think about the pain. So, I was making them and giving them away to the nurses in the hospital.”
Carole loves to laugh, but she also has a serious side that helped her lead her rural
homeowners organization for 20 years. There was no management company. Carole did it all from hand-delivering meeting notes and notices to all 250-plus houses to keeping distant landowners who hadn’t built yet responsible for lot upkeep. She fought for the homeowners, as well, heading “over the hump from Pahrump” to speak out against proposed legislation that may have weakened the organization. After a few years, state officials insisted she wasn’t qualified to do the job. So, Carole drove more than an hour each way to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to take classes and get her certification. She didn’t
hang up her hat until 2018 when she broke her back. In recovery after surgery, she resolved, “No more.”
Though she’s no longer the face of the HOA, Carole keeps cooking, crocheting, learning and, most of all, laughing.
A while back, Carole tripped over a cord, and 911 was called to check her out. The EMTs came with the gurney ready.
“I asked them, ‘Would you like to be a member of my elite club?’ And I said, ‘Pick whichever one you want.’”
“You don’t want to go to the hospital?” they asked.
“Nah, I’m OK,” she replied. n
Pahrump,
kitchen
the variety of routes and accommodations broaden choices, whether you’re traveling with children, as a couple, solo or with a group of friends.”
Amtrak is the only national passenger rail service in the United States. In 2023, it had more than 28 million passengers, according to the company’s annual report.
“We’re seeing a strong increase in people who choose to travel with us because of the convenience, the chance to see more of the country than flying and the simple novelty of being on a train,” Kimberly says.
Amtrak offers multiple options to travel short distances, such as from Washington, D.C., to New York, Chicago to Milwaukee and various locations in Southern California.
Leisure travelers opt for overnight travel on several longdistance trains. The configurations of accommodations can include several types of service. First class offers private rooms with chairs that convert to upper and lower berths, larger bedrooms, family suites and accessible bedrooms. Coach cars have extra legroom and dedicated luggage storage.
A white-tablecloth dining car features traditional chef-curated menus. Customers can visit a cafe car to buy more casual options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Passengers can also bring their own food, beverages and snacks. Basic Wi-Fi is offered, and passengers can travel with small pets or bring their bicycles.
The Auto Train offers daily service from Lorton, Virginia, to Sanford, Florida, and allows customers to travel with vehicles.
In the Northeast between Washington, D.C., New York and Boston, customers travel for work, vacation or day trips. However, as Amtrak’s routes fan out westward, the number of leisure travelers increases.
“You can board in New York and travel along the East Coast to Washington, D.C., to Florida and as far south to Miami,” Kimberly says. “Chicago is our hub for Western itineraries to Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Oakland/San Francisco; and Los Angeles with a variety of other destinations along the way in large cities and smaller towns alike.”
In addition to direct routes, spur lines fill in across the lower half of the country. The Amtrak USA Rail Pass includes hop on/off access for 10 segments over 30 days for a single fare.
“When you travel by train, you can be as busy or relaxed as you want,” Kimberly says. “You’ll have space to work, read, watch movies on your devices, have good old-fashioned face-toface conversations or just sit back and look out the window to enjoy the scenery.”
Rolling Down the River
The sight of a paddle-wheeler cruising down the Mississippi River conjures up romantic images of an earlier time in America’s history when waterways transported pioneers and settlers westward. Today, traveling by riverboat or small ship has been significantly modernized, yet the romance and adventure remain.
River cruises allow visitors to enjoy laid-back transportation with an itinerary of interesting stops.
“Cruising the Mississippi River, you can visit St. Louis to
ADOBE STOCK IMAGE BY MICHAEL URMANN
Many of the company’s itineraries are themed around music, history or cuisine that explore the distinctive characteristics of each ship’s ports of call.
“All our cruises offer a variety of experiences and activities ashore each day, providing access to larger cities but also the opportunity to relish the unique experiences only found in the smaller towns along the way,” Alexa says. “Onboard, curated entertainment and chef-prepared daily meals complement the comfortable and relaxing travel that comes with sailing on America’s waterways.”
Best Resources for Local Knowledge
“Some of the best planning resources are state tourism divisions and local convention and visitors bureaus,” Berkeley says. “Their job is to know their states, towns and counties and to provide easy ways to take a vacation that suits your interests and lifestyles.”
Every state has a dedicated tourism department with staff who promote visitation by creating trip plans around music, food, culture and history. Research them first before drilling down to specific stops along the way via city/town or county-specific visitors bureaus and welcome centers.
“State and local agencies work with local attractions, accommodations, dining and special events and maintain extensive information about what to do, the best times to visit, outdoor activities and much more,” he says. “They have access to information about recommended routes and many times offer promotions for hotels, restaurants and attractions.”
Key travel planning resources include state tourism and economic departments, and local convention and visitors bureaus.
Berkeley says true leisure travel is about the experience, but vacationers in a hurry to get where they’re going may miss interesting discoveries along the way.
“Just remember: Don’t sweat the tiny details,” he says.
“ Determine the path you want to explore, book your transportation and some lodging, and get out there,” he says.
“Fill in your itinerary as you go along. Meet locals and eat local. Be adventuresome—go find the real America.” n
Asphalt Icons: Take Your Pick for Your Next Road Trip Discovery
By Pamela A. Keene
Ohio native Kim Taddie saw the ocean for the first time when she was nearly 22 years old, landing a job in Ocean City, Maryland. She’s been exploring ever since. She and her husband, Gordon McLachlan, have traveled across North America and around the globe. Now residents of Ocean Beach, California, they have spent much of their 40-year marriage on the road.
“Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, our family would go camping but only to places nearby, so I’d never really been anywhere until my early 20s,” says Kim, a retired nurse practitioner.
“When we met, Gordon had been an avid traveler, not just in the U.S. but all over the planet. It was a perfect match: I wanted to travel more, and Gordon was living my dream.”
Aside from their globe-trotting, they’ve traversed the United States, mostly on the road in their motorhome. One of Kim’s favorite courses is along the first transcontinental highway, Route 66 between Chicago and Southern California.
“Traveling along the two-lane asphalt road is like going back to the 1950s with roadside attractions, motor courts, crazy statues and all kinds of nostalgia,” she says. “It’s not as popular as a travel route since the interstates have opened up, but it is so worth the drive because of what it represents in our country’s history.”
Among Gordon’s favorite routes is the 1,650-mile Pacific Coast Highway, which hugs the shores of the Pacific Ocean from Dana Point, California, north to Leggett, Washington.
“Spectacular views, the chance to see whales and other wildlife offshore, plus memorable sights like Big Sur between Carmel and San Simeon, the Avenue of the Giants in Weott, California, and the Heceta Head Lighthouse in Florence, Oregon, are why we keep going back,” he says. “Camping in state parks along the way allows us to take our time and discover other treasures, too.”
Nicky Omohundro, an Oklahoma City-based editor who launched Littlefamilyadventure. com to encourage family travel, says the country’s iconic highways are a great place to start a family road trip.
“Each has its own trademark stops, like the Delta Blues Trail that’s part of the Great River Road along the Mississippi River and, of course, Route 66,” she says.
Nicky advises tackling renowned highways in sections, and she often travels with no cellphone, just a map.
“For me, when we do this, it’s more about the journey than the destination,” she says. “And we’re never disappointed.
“Kitschy street art in many of the towns, retro diners, motor courts and gas stations are just a few of the reasons we love Route 66. You almost have to see it to believe it. Giant statues of American music and film stars like Elvis, James Dean and Marilyn Monroe at the Braidwood, Illinois, Polk-A-Dot Drive In and the Catoosa, Oklahoma, Blue Whale prove the point. The route doesn’t really take itself too seriously.”
ADOBESTOCKIMAGEBYVECTORPOCKET
Easy Summer Squash and Zucchini Bread
1/2 cup yellow squash, grated
1/2 cup zucchini, grated
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 extra-large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
11/2 cups all-purpose flour
Heat oven to 350 F.
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans and walnuts, plus extra for topping
Cinnamon and sugar for sprinkling
Combine yellow squash, zucchini, brown sugar, white sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla in a bowl. Mix well. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, allspice and cinnamon. Combine until mixed and all ingredients are wet. Fold in nuts.
Pour into a greased 9-by-5 loaf pan. Top with extra nuts, and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes.
Let cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan.
Zucchini Pesto Pasta
1 pint cherry tomatoes
Olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 medium yellow squash or zucchini, or mix of both
Heat oven to 400 F.
16 ounces spaghetti
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup basil pesto
1/2 cup pasta cooking water
1 cup coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
Fill a large pot with salted water, and bring to a boil.
Toss tomatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread out in one layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash zucchini. Cut off ends, then cut in half lengthwise. Slice into half-moon pieces.
Cook pasta until al dente. While it is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Use a pan that’s big enough to hold all the pasta when it’s cooked. When the oil is hot, add the minced garlic. Turn down the heat to medium. Saute until you can start to smell garlic, about one minute.
Add the sliced zucchini. Season to taste with salt and fresh-ground black pepper. Cook until the zucchini is tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the pesto to the cooked zucchini. Gently stir to combine. Add the roasted tomatoes. Add the drained cooked pasta to the zucchini/pesto/ tomato combination. Gently mix, adding pasta cooking water until the mixture is combined. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.
Southern Squash Casserole
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
6 to 8 squash, sliced
1 large onion, thinly sliced 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 sleeve crushed buttery crackers
Heat oven to 350 F. Grease a casserole dish.
Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over mediumhigh heat. Saute the squash and onion until soft. Remove from heat. Stir in the Parmesan, cheddar and sour cream. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
Scoop the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the cracker crumbs evenly over the top. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Marinated Zucchini and Summer Squash
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced garlic
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound zucchini (about 3 large), trimmed and sliced diagonally, about 1/2-inch thick
1 pound yellow crookneck squash (about 3 large), trimmed and sliced diagonally, about 1/2-inch thick
Whisk the vinegar, lemon juice and garlic in a large bowl to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in the oil.
Spoon 3 tablespoons of the marinade into a small bowl. Cover and set aside.
Add the zucchini and yellow squash to the remaining marinade in the large bowl. Toss to coat.
Transfer the mixture to a 9-by-13 glass baking dish. Cover and marinate at room temperature for at least three hours, or cover and refrigerate for up to one day.
Prepare a grill for medium-high heat.
Grill the vegetables until they are crisp-tender and brown, turning occasionally, about 8 minutes.
Transfer the vegetables to a platter. Drizzle with the reserved marinade. Serve hot or at room temperature.
THE GREAT PICTURE HUNT
By Dave LaBelle
I love black-and-white photos. I always have.
In my memory bank are powerful black-and-white images, such as Dorthea Lange’s “Migrant Mother” and Nate Fein’s “Babe Ruth Farewell at Yankee Stadium.”
But alongside these iconic photographs are equally powerful color images.
One such color photograph is “Afghan Girl,” made by American photojournalist Steve McCurry and published on the cover of National Geographic in 1985. The penetrating green eyes, red scarf and green background in the portrait of a then-unknown 12-year-old Sharbat Gula connected with readers as no other image had before. It became the magazine’s most popular cover ever, and CNN called it the world’s most famous photograph.
Just as I do not believe Dorthea’s 1936 gripping Depression-era photo of Florence Owens Thompson would have had the same impact in color, Steve’s poignant portrait wouldn’t have
enjoyed its far-reaching impact in black and white.
How colors play off each other is a consideration.
The Afghan girl, with green eyes and a small sliver of green beneath her red scarf, works well against that green background. Another color behind her might not have yielded the same impact.
Reader Challenge
See if you can see in color. Find or make a photograph that communicates only in color and would fail to have the same impact in black and white. If it is a dull, overcast day, consider adding a little flash to awaken the colors.
Email your best image (just one, please) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to GPH@pur.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.
Color affects our moods. Marketers and advertisers know this. Businesses spend millions trying to determine how humans will respond to certain colors and influence our buying habits. Studies have proven that, while color perception is individual, people of different age groups respond and gravitate to different colors.
My wife might say color affects our energy. n
Renowned author, photographer and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
Storm clouds encroach on lateday sun over a corn field. PHOTO BY DAVE LABELLE NIKON D700, 24-70mm lens ISO 200, f/4 at 1/1000
Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative employees teach the importance of electrical safety to children from Union County at the 2024 Oregon Department of Transportation Safety Fun Fair. From left are Manager of Safety and Loss Control Maaike Schotborgh, Journeyman Lineman Al Dockweiler and Operations Superintendent Jeff Pillow. As a cooperative, OTEC is guided by the Seven Cooperative Principles, which include Concern for Community and Education, Training and Information. Opportunities such as the safety fair give us the chance to educate youth about the dangers of electricity and how to stay safe.
MARKETPLACE
Agriculture
Reinforced custom-sized pond liners (39 cents/sqft). Hay covers, greenhouse covers, any width and length. Truck tarps and more. High puncture and tear strength. Best price guaranteed. Celebrating 43 years in business. www.btlliners.com. 541-447-0712. 0425
4x5 round bales, meadow foxtail orchard grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square. 208-435-4637 or 208-435-4002; nas@cpcinternet.com. 1224
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. 0924
WC Collectibles. We buy comic books! Local to the Inland Northwest, willing to travel. WCCollectiblesCheney@gmail.com; 509-496-1835. 0724
1850 British sideboard in excellent condition. Will furnish photo and history. 360-376-2245. Leave message. 0624
Books, Magazines, Videos
Idaho author Tova R. Cladouhos offers children’s books on Amazon or email her at tovarae@gmail.com. These books are perfect for elementary-aged children; factual stories based on friendship, affection, protection and farm animal adventures. Tova loves barns, pastures, dogs, cats, sheep and ponds. Her books include, “The Nine Lives of Milo the Cat,” “Saving Lily,” “Little Molly” and “Little Molly’s Secret.” 0724
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. 0624AR
Business Opportunities
Quaint hardware store in Maupin, OR, for sale. Inventory and interior store recently updated and refreshed. See ad on Bizbuysell.com or email Maupincountrystore@gmail.com. $275K. 0924
Community Events
5th Annual Ely Rock and Gem Swap is 10 a.m.4 p.m. June 21-22. Buy-sell-trade. Presented by the White Pine Public Museum, 2000 Aultman St., Ely, NV 89301. Entry fee: adults $7, children $4. Children’s activities and more. www.wpmuseum.org; 775-289-4710; wpmuseumnv@gmail.com. 0624
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): August issue—July 1, 2024.
If submitting ad by mail, send appropriate payment with your name, address, email, phone number and the name of the electric utility that provides your magazine to: Marketplace, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133. Make check or money order payable to Ruralite.
We accept credit card payments for ads submitted by email. Send ad to info@pioneer.coop.
Call 503-357-2105 to pay by credit card.
Advertisements are accepted in good faith. Pioneer Utility Resources is not liable for interactions between buyers and sellers.
Fun, family community event. 100+ vendors, food trucks, music entertainment, children’s activities, rhubarb pies, adult beverages. Free event. www.lapineseniorcenter.org, info@lapineseniorcenter.org. June 15-16. 0624
Summerfest at White Sulphur Springs Ranch. An outdoor festival of food and music 3-7:30 p.m. June 30, at historic White Sulphur Springs Ranch Site in Clio, CA, 2200 Highway 89. www.WhiteSulphurSpringsRanch.com; 530-836-2530. 0624
Free Items
Free materials - church, government uniting, suppressing “religious liberty,” enforcing National Sunday Law. Be informed. Need mailing address only. TBS, P.O. Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. tbsmads@yahoo.com; 888-211-1715. 0824AR
Media
Watch local TV on the go for free on your TV, phone, tablet, computer or Roku. 775-727-9400. Visit www.kpvm.tv and stream live today.
Miscellaneous
Alaskan yellow cedar. Great for planter boxes, herb and flower beds, fencing or decks. Various sizes available. Pete, 541-206-0727. Lisa, 541-747-5025, ext. 21. 0624
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. Twofisherstuna.com. Call 206-799-1082 to place your order. 0624
Granite cemetery markers at affordable prices. Will ship to most places. For more info: Joe, highdesertmemorials@gmail.com or 541-815-8906; www.highdesertmemorials.com.
Pets, Supplies
Alaskan husky. Male, 4 years old. Neutered; has all his shots. Good with children. Great disposition. Doesn’t bark. 541-875-4172. 0624
Idaho shag (border collie x Airedale). The best dog you will ever have. Farm/ranch dog. Males and females. $450 each. Colton, OR. 971-804-1706. 0724
AKC-registered Airedales. Fort Sage Kennels, Patricia Sharp, P.O. Box 246, Doyle, CA 96109; 530-827-2271. 0924
Your ad could be here in August. See instructions above for details.
Annual Meeting of the Membership
By Shane Stenquist
On a crisp Saturday morning in early May, an Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative bucket truck raised the American flag high above the Harney County Fairgrounds, welcoming OTEC member-owners to the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Membership.
Before the meeting began, memberowners enjoyed coffee and refreshments while visiting with one another, OTEC employees and OTEC board members.
Interactive tables were set up to demonstrate some of the safety training, energy-efficiency solutions, and system hardening and weather detection equipment OTEC uses.
Members were also treated to a demonstration of how their cooperative uses drone technology to help inspect parts of the system.
Once board President Aletha Bonebrake officially opened the business meeting, attendees learned about the history of OTEC, system improvements in 2023, results of this year’s board elections and important issues facing the cooperative.
OTEC’s System Upgrades
OTEC is a relatively young electric cooperative, formed in 1988 when local leaders recognized a need, raised support and formed the utility. The equipment OTEC bought from an investor-owned utility was already aging and needing repairs.
Each year, OTEC focuses on maintenance and system upgrades that make the system safer and more reliable. In fact, since OTEC’s inception, we have invested more than $204 million—an
average of almost $6 million annually— into the system.
Bonebrake reported that in 2023, the OTEC board approved the return of capital credits to its’ member-owners. Since OTEC began retiring capital credits in 1996, we have returned $54.5 million to our member-owners.
The
State of the Cooperative
CEO Les Penning updated memberowners on the state of the co-op in 2023. One principal topic he addressed was OTEC’s wildfire mitigation tactics, including new equipment, technology and strategies to prevent wildfires in Eastern Oregon, and what individuals and businesses can do to be better prepared for wildfire season.
Penning said that while energy generation types continue to shift nationally,
Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative CEO Les Penning addresses a crowd of members at the co-op’s annual meeting.
CAPITAL INVESTMENTS
• Since inception, an investment of $204,118,519 has been made into the system.
• That's an annual average of $5,831,958.
• 2024 projected investment $10,082,000.
OTEC’s power is 84% hydroelectric and is supplied by Bonneville Power Administration. Thanks to the Pacific Northwest’s extremely reliable and clean hydroelectric system, OTEC member-owners enjoy some of the nation’s most affordable and reliable electricity.
Penning emphasized the need for diligence in protecting these resources, given the critical role the hydropower system plays.
While inflation has driven costs upward in recent years, Penning noted
that OTEC’s focus on reliability, financial strength and stability has also resulted in the benefit of rate stability.
OTEC has not raised rates since 2019.
OTEC Member Foundation
The OTEC Member Foundation, which oversees OTEC’s charitable programs, was represented by Foundation President Charlene Chase and Executive Director Lea Hoover. The foundation announced this year’s OTEC-EOU Scholarship recipients and celebrated OTEC’s
CAPITAL INVESTMENTS
• Since inception, an investment of $204,118,519 has been made into the system.
• That's an annual average of $5,831,958.
• 2024 projected investment $10,082,000.
partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which recently passed the milestone of shipping more than 100,000 books to children in OTEC’s service territory.
Director Elections
Voting results were announced for three board positions. Union County’s Austin G. Bingaman, Baker County’s Wayne Overton and Grant County’s Gary Miller won reelection. n
BEFORE YOU GO
The First Ruralite Recipe
June is the month for cool, luscious desserts that can be prepared at your leisure and kept in the refrigerator until time to serve them. Here is a dessert that is simple to prepare, elegant to look at and wonderful to eat.
Chocolate Refrigerator Cake
4 ounces sweet milk chocolate
¼ cup hot water
1⁄ 8 teaspoon salt
4 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 egg whites
½ cup powdered sugar
1 cup cream, whipped
2 dozen ladyfingers or a sponge cake
Melt chocolate with hot water and salt in double boiler. When well-blended, beat in
AI-GENERATED
ILLUSTRATION BY GEMINI
egg yolks and cook and stir over hot water for 4 or 5 minutes or until egg yolks are set. Remove from heat and chill slightly.
Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry, then beat in the powdered sugar. Fold into the chocolate mixture. If desired, reserve
1/4 cup of cream before whipping for the garnish. Whip the cream until stiff and fold into the chocolate mixture. Arrange the ladyfingers on the bottom and sides of a spring form mold. Pour in part of the chocolate mixture. Chill for several hours or overnight. Serves 8 to 10.
If using the sponge cake, cut away the center of the sponge cake leaving a shell about ¾-inch thick. Layer the cake that has been removed from the center and the chocolate mixture into the sponge cake shell and chill.
The extra whipped cream is used for a garnish topped with shaved milk chocolate. n
Editors note: As Ruralite magazine celebrates 70 years, we bring you the first recipe published in our magazine in June 1954. We hope you enjoy this walk down memory lane.
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
www.otec.coop communications@otec.coop Report Outages at 866-430-4265
Facebook.com/OTECoop
Follow Us on Instagram otec_coop
Follow us at twitter.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
Preparing for Wildfire Season
As wildfire season approaches, we invite you to learn about OTEC’s wildfire strategy—including what to expect in the event of a Public Safety Power Shutoff—by attending one of our wildfire town hall meetings or by visiting otec.coop/safety.
The following message from Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association Executive Director Ted Case highlights the importance that Oregon’s electric co-ops place on wildfire preparedness and prevention.
CEO Les Penning
Wildfire season is approaching. While the overwhelming majority of wildfires are humancaused—nearly 90% between 2018 and 2022, according to Congressional Research Service— electric cooperatives recognize they have an important role to play in preventing wildfires.
All of Oregon’s electric cooperatives have board-approved wildfire mitigation plans in place, and we work diligently to implement those plans. Safety—especially when it concerns how we mitigate wildfire—has always been our priority. But it is undeniable that, for many reasons, the threat of wildfire has exponentially increased.
Recently, Oregon co-ops showcased their wildfire mitigation strategy at the invitation of the Oregon State Legislature, Oregon Public Utilities Commission, and the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association Engineering and Operations conference. It’s a multipronged strategy, including burying power lines where possible, system hardening through more fire-resistant poles, aggressive vegetation management and the use of cutting-edge technology, such as drones, to manage systems.
Just as we’re ready to respond to an emergency, we want our members to be prepared as well. That is why Oregon electric co-ops work with their members to remove trees, thus obtaining a more defensible space and supporting local fire and first-responder organizations.
While these are proactive measures, there are many factors we cannot control. We cannot control where people throw cigarette butts and build campfires, or how public and private land near our systems are managed. We cannot control the weather or how long our fire season lasts.
More than ever before, we are committed to mitigating wildfire and preparing for an event we hope to never see.