A 4-H fowl friend drops by the Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative events trailer at the Union County Fair.
PHOTO COURTESY OF OTEC
Ruralite
November 2024
• Volume 72, No. 11
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
SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Alyssa McDougle
Ruralite (USPS 397-460) is published monthly for members for $5.43 per year, plus postage, by Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124—a not-for-profit Oregon cooperative corporation—to serve the communication needs of 46 consumer-owned electric utilities in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Nevada and California. Preferred periodical postage paid at Hillsboro, Oregon, 97123 and additional mailing offices. © 2024 Pioneer Utility Resources. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Postmaster: Send address changes to Ruralite, 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124-6454
HOW TO CONTACT RURALITE
Subscription services:
Nonmember subscriptions $15 (U.S.) per year; $25 per year (foreign). Prepayment required. Allow 4-8 weeks for first issue. Be sure to identify which local edition you want to receive.
Address Changes:
Utility members, contact your local utility. Subscribers, call us at 503-357-2105 option 3 or email mailingdept@pioneer.coop.
Back issues:
Back issues and extra copies $3. Prepayment required. Supply is limited. Be sure to identify edition, month and year. Call first if ordering back issues to check availability.
To contact Ruralite: Ruralite magazine is published by Pioneer Utility Resources.
P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133-1306; 503-357-2105; email: info@pioneer.coop. For more information, visit www.pioneer.coop.
DISPLAY ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
American MainStreet Publications
611 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 504 Austin, TX 78704
800-626-1181 or 512-441-5200
This Is the Last One—For Me
See that young guy on the left? That is me more than 30 years ago on my first trip for this magazine. I was ambitious, energetic and excited about embarking on a new career as an assistant editor at a magazine, my dream job. Today, I am writing my last column before retiring at the end of the year. What a glorious ride it has been.
During my time, I have traveled to places I only dreamed of seeing. I spent a week on a tug-and-barge off the coast of Alaska. I traveled to Guatemala, where I spent three weeks photographing lineworkers bringing electricity to a small community for the first time. I have been in small, rural Alaskan villages only accessible by plane, boat or sled. I have covered forest fires in Oregon and a plucky young barrel racer in Arizona who is paralyzed from the waist down. I’ve been hoisted 70 feet in the air in a bucket truck and flown in a hot air balloon. And I have attended countless utility annual meetings, talking with readers like you.
In the past few years, I’ve received many calls, letters and emails from you. Some of you were grateful for a story or hopeful I would publish
For supplemental and interactive content, search @Ruralite on your favorite social media sites.
one. Others took exception to something in the magazine or found an error you thought I should know about.
A few of you sent me milkweed seeds in my quest to create a monarch butterfly habitat.
I appreciate your passion about what is printed each month. You have kept me on my toes. Thank you. My success here is due to two factors: The support of my wife and kids when I worked long hours and traveled at inopportune times; and through the support of a wonderful team of friends who do amazing work every day. I wish I had room to list each one of you, but you know who you are.
Starting next month, Chasity Anderson takes over duties as editorial director. She is a friend and someone I have great respect for. I know she will serve you well.
And now, friends, I say goodbye. I hope you continue to be faithful readers.
Farewell,
Mike Teegarden Editorial Director
From Service to Leadership
Air Force veteran continues to lead in local and state VFW Up Close, Page 10
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Volunteers build beds so no child has to sleep on the floor
OTEC Scholarships Can Power Your Future
The OTEC Member Foundation and Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative are proud to announce the opening of the 2025 academic scholarship program, offering financial assistance to those pursuing higher education.
OTEC member-owners and their families can apply to receive a $5,000 academic scholarship to help pursue their educational goals.
Whether you are just beginning your college journey or returning to continue studies, OTEC has an academic scholarship that may be right for you.
OTEC–EOU Rural Scholarship Program
Are you interested in attending Eastern Oregon University? For the sixth straight year, OTEC and EOU have teamed up
to bring you the OTEC–EOU Rural Scholarship Program.
Each year, this program awards four deserving local high school seniors with scholarships that cover all tuition and fees for four years of study at EOU.
Those selected to receive the OTEC–EOU Rural Scholarship commit to graduating from EOU and completing a 120hour internship with OTEC each year. If you wish to graduate from EOU, this is the scholarship for you.
Cooperatives like OTEC care about their communities, which is why we invest in the future through scholarships. Donations and unclaimed capital credits fund OTEC scholarships.
Trade and Lineworker Scholarships
OTEC recognizes the shortage of skilled
laborers in the workforce. Trade schools can help prepare you for a rewarding career in a variety of roles, such as electrician, welder, utility lineworker, plumber, truck driver and hairdresser in a fraction of the time it takes to earn a college degree.
The OTEC Member Foundation offers $5,000 scholarships for those seeking to become lineworkers and $2,500 scholarships to attend a trade school.
Many trade industries—including the electric utility industry—offer paid apprenticeships for graduates, so many students who pursue a trade often begin a career with little or no debt. n
Donations and unclaimed capital credits fund OTEC scholarships. Visit otec.coop/scholarships to learn more and apply for OTEC scholarships.
Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative—Putting our Energy to Work for You!
OTEC Offices Closed for Thanksgiving
Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative offices are closed Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29, for Thanksgiving. We hope you have a joyful and peaceful Thanksgiving among friends and family.
biting cold if you need to venture outdoors to tend to animals or assist neighbors.
For Cliff, layering is key. Multiple thinner layers will keep you warmer than one thick layer. Consider adding safety gear, such as helmets or high-visibility vests, to your kit.
“Good warm, waterproof boots are necessary for harsh winter conditions,” Cliff says. “I dress for the worst and hope for the best.”
Also include within reach a shovel for clearing snow and an ice scraper for your vehicle.
Navigating Icy Conditions
Braving the weather is often unavoidable. When you must venture out, tread carefully, whether on foot or in your vehicle.
If you’re shoveling snow, stay hydrated and take regular breaks to maintain alertness. Lineworkers know cold weather can be deceptive; you might not realize you’re getting fatigued or dehydrated until it’s too late.
“To stay focused and alert when out in inclement weather, especially for longer periods, it is important to keep your core temperature up, rest when you can and then caffeinate—in large quantities—when you can’t,” Cliff says.
If driving, check your tires prior to the winter season so your vehicle is in good condition and can manage icy roads. Be aware of others—including lineworkers, who might be working to restore power— drive slowly and remove potential distractions. If you encounter downed lines, always assume they are live. Steer clear of the lines, and call your utility to report the damage.
Remember that your safety, and the safety of your community, is more important than arriving early to your destination. Always check the weather forecast to know what to expect.
Winter weather can be unpredictable. By understanding the risks associated with winter storms and taking steps to mitigate those risks, you can ensure your family stays safe and warm. n
Anatomy of a Power Outage
By Scott Flood
Moments ago, a stray bolt of lightning connected a menacing cloud with a power pole about a mile east of your home. Your lights flickered briefly before going out. Things become eerily quiet as all your home’s devices equipped with motors and fans stop providing their constant symphony of background noise.
You’re experiencing a power outage, so you reach for your phone and call your electric utility. Good move. Sometimes, consumers don’t call because they assume their neighbors will. However, the more who call, the more quickly the utility is able to pinpoint the outage location.
Back at the office, the utility’s grid system operator noticed the sudden pause at the moment 300 million volts of lightning danced around a transformer, and they’re able to triangulate the location of the outage. The system estimates around 500 consumers are in the dark as a line crew tosses their dinners aside and steers their trucks in that direction.
Thirty minutes later, the lineworkers slowly drive along a stretch of road, keeping one eye on traffic while inspecting every pole, wire and transformer. In another eight minutes, they stop and step out for a closer look. The mystery is solved with one glance at the burn mark across the surface of the transformer. Readying the truck and ensuring it’s safe, they move closer.
If you watch the lineworkers, you might mistakenly assume they’re not motivated. After all, you’re dealing with a power outage you want to end as soon as possible. But there’s a good reason the lineworkers aren’t rushing or running around.
Power lines carry high-voltage electricity. It’s safe when all elements of the system are in good working order, but it’s potentially deadly when that’s not the case. Lineworkers approach what they do deliberately, efficiently and—most of all—safely. Every action is carefully planned so they can spot potential hazards. They follow standard procedures and safety requirements to ensure repair is effective and sound. The work may take a little extra time, but it means they’ll make it home safely at the end of the day (or night).
Less than an hour after finding the cause of the outage, the lineworkers load their tools and gear back onto the trucks. This time, the problem was easy to spot, the repair was fairly straightforward, and the weather cooperated. But no two outages are exactly alike. The next could be in severe weather or on a remote segment off the main road. It could involve a fallen tree that needs to be cut with chainsaws or a broken pole that needs to be replaced.
Driving back to the utility, the lineworkers watch the passing homes and smile. The warm glows coming from the windows means the power’s back on again.
Lightning isn’t the only threat to the electric system. Outages can occur from a variety of causes, including fallen trees, vehicle crashes, extreme weather and even curious critters, such as squirrels.
Electric utilities invest in technology and equipment designed to protect the power grid and prevent outages from plunging your home into darkness. But when the power does go out, lineworkers put themselves at risk to return your life to normal.
Ruralite
Ruralite
Calling All Photographers!
Do you enjoy Ruralite magazine? Would you like to have your photo on a cover in 2025? Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative is holding its annual Ruralite cover photo contest. Send in your best high-resolution photos, and OTEC’s team will select winners for 2025.
There are a few rules:
• The contest is only open to OTEC member-owners.
• Each entrant may submit up to three photos.
• Photos must be vertical (portrait) orientation.
• All submissions must include the photographer’s name and location of the photo.
• Photos must be taken within OTEC’s service territory.
• Submissions must be highresolution digital images in jpeg format, 300 dpi at approximately 8-by-10 inches.
• Prints ARE NOT accepted.
• Email your high-resolution photos to communications@otec. coop. Winners receive $100 checks.
• The deadline is Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024.
• By submitting photos to this contest, you agree to give OTEC the right to use submitted photos on the cover of Ruralite magazine, and on the OTEC website and social media pages. n
From Service
Air Force veteran continues to lead in local and state VFW
By Melanie Jones
“It’s not a man’s world,” Carol Kacal says.
The Air Force veteran has been breaking glass ceilings for decades.
For 20 years, Carol served her country. Her service included a six-month stint in Turkey, where she held a leadership role. She says meeting all the different people and making lasting friends was a favorite part of her service.
the Air Force seemed like a good fit. She signed up at 18 and got her wish.
Along with assignments stateside in Missouri, Arizona and Colorado, Carol served in Guam, Germany, Korea and Turkey before her last assignment in Alaska. She liked it so much that she stayed after putting in her 20 years.
Carol says one of her most interesting stops was in Turkey, where she oversaw supplies and equipment coming in and out of the country for the Army and Air Force.
Carol Kacal, is proud of her service in the VFW.
PHOTO BY MIKE TEEGARDEN
Sleep in Heavenly
Volunteers build beds so no child has to sleep on the floor
By Ginger Meurer
A joyful chorus from excited children greets the chapter members of Sleep in Heavenly Peace Nye County, Nevada, as they deliver seven beds to a Pahrump home. The number is just one shy of the organization’s record.
“When we came, they had nothing,” says Nye County Chapter President Carmen Murzyn. “Tonight, they all get to sleep in their own beds.”
Volunteers hauling headboards, railings, mattresses, bedding and tools stream in the door and up the stairs—home to children ranging in age from 6 months to 15 years old. The house is empty except for a television, a camping mattress and a few blankets.
The children’s mother said they moved from Las Vegas in search of a better job and more affordable housing. Her previous landlord wanted $3,000 a month for their apartment.
“I finally gave up and said, ‘I can’t afford it,’” she says.
Without a truck or funds for the move, the family left most of
their belongings behind and started over in Pahrump.
Chapter Delivery Manager Steve Filarowski and Chapter Build Manager Jim Murzyn—Carmen’s husband—assemble the wooden beds with power tools.
“They’re so basic, but they’re built well,” Jim says. “They’re solid. In this case, it’s the only piece of furniture in the house, but a lot of times they’re the nicest piece of furniture in the house.”
Jim and Steve say the basic components of the beds make them easy to assemble and sturdy.
“If we ever have an earthquake, I’m getting under one of these,” Jim says.
“They’re really built to last,” Steve adds.
Interested children can assist with assembly. On this day, only the oldest braves the screech of the power tools. Jim and Steve help her safely guide the screws into her bunk.
“Don’t be afraid of it! You’re doing good,” Jim says as she pushes the driver trigger. “It just makes noise.”
Once the beds are up, Carmen and volunteers Marjorie
Jeanette and Jim Prior run the Eugene, Oregon, chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, building beds for kids. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM AND JEANETTE PRIOR
Heavenly Peace
Washington and Charmayne Fazackerley help the children choose bedding. They unroll mattresses and teach them how to make their beds.
Deliveries like this tap the talents of Sleep in Heavenly Peace volunteers in more than 300 chapters in four countries united by one mantra: “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.”
SHP founder Luke Mickelson says his first delivery in December 2012 melted his heart and left him resolved to do more. He built a set of bunks with a young men’s church group for a family in their Twin Falls, Idaho, congregation. After that, he built a bed with his family and delivered it to Haley, a 6-year-old girl who was in a new home with her mom after being homeless and sleeping in the backseat of their car.
“We went into little Haley’s bedroom, and there was a pile of clothes in the corner, and that’s what she slept on,” Luke says.
Haley’s joy and her mother’s tears of relief were eye-opening. Back then, it took hours to build a bed, but Luke realized there was nothing more worth his time.
“We ended up doing 22 beds before Christmas that year,” Luke says. “It was awesome.”
The next December, he got more people involved. In 2014, he set up a nonprofit because people wanted to donate to the cause. In 2015, Luke and his friend, now SHP Executive Director Jordan Allen, decided instead of just building at Christmas and for a few
Eagle Scout projects here and there, they should host builds all year. There were 15 build days that year.
Soon, SHP got calls from volunteers from Minnesota to Maryland who wanted to build beds in their hometowns. So, they flew people into Idaho to train them and help them form new chapters. By the end of 2017, they had chapters in five states and more on the way.
That’s when Mike Rowe of TV’s “Dirty Jobs” fame featured
Sometimes you have to be willing to challenge yourself to do more than you think you can do.
—Jim Prior, co-president of the SHP Eugene Chapter
them on his “Returning the Favor” Facebook Watch series. Mike leveraged community support for a rent-free warehouse for SHP for three years.
“But the biggest thing that came from that is we were viewed by 10 million people,” Luke says.
The episode aired Feb. 12, 2018. SHP put together an application for those wanting to start chapters.
“In the first year, we had like 2,000,” Luke says. “A crazy amount.”
SHP swiftly boomed from seven chapters to more than 120. Apart from a slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, SHP has consistently added 40 to 50 chapters a year.
Prospective chapter presidents must go to a build and prove they have enough community support to keep their chapters going. Then they fly to Lehi, Utah, for training.
Jim Prior, who serves as co-president of the SHP Eugene Chapter alongside his wife, Jeanette, says training is intense. They’d been involved in SHP for more than four years, so they felt like there was much they understood—but the training gave them much more to learn.
“It was still kind of like drinking from a fire hose,” Jim says. “Even though we knew the general concept of what was going on.”
The Priors took over when Eugene Chapter founders Bryce and Connie Jonas decided to step back a little over a year ago. No one had volunteered to take over, and the Priors
Jim Murzyn assembles a bunk bed during a delivery in Pahrump, Nevada. PHOTO BY GINGER MEURER
each year, including builds with coaches and players from the University of Oregon’s athletics programs. A July build brought in nearly 200 coaches, players and volunteers from multiple Oregon chapters who turned out 155 beds in less than four hours.
Nationally, Lowe’s—one of the organization’s biggest sponsors— hosts huge builds with multiple chapters.
The bed-building process has evolved a lot since 2012.
“I used to be on hands and knees trying to square corners,” Luke says. “It would take two hours just to build a bed, let alone sand it and stain it.”
Now, at some of the biggest builds, a bed is completed every 24 seconds.
“It’s crazy,” Luke says. “I like to say Henry Ford would be pretty proud of our assembly line.”
Everyone involved agrees that while building beds is fun, the most important part of the mission is the children.
When the beds were complete at the Pahrump home, 3-yearold Jazita was first to hug her freshly cased pillow and lie down on her new bed. She was speechless when asked what she thought of it, but her smile and expression of “Is this really for me?” were unmistakable.
Carmen isn’t surprised by Jazita’s reaction. Before the delivery, she talked about what it’s like when kids get their own beds.
“It’s like it’s their own space,” she says. “It’s their place; it’s nobody else’s. We’ve had quite a few kids get right in, and they’re already going to sleep before we’re out the door. The kids will jump in their bed no matter what time it is.”
Even though it was only 4 p.m., that’s exactly what Jazita did. n
For more information on volunteering or to apply for a bed, visit shpbeds.org.
ABOVE: Jazita can’t wait to try out her new bed. PHOTO BY GINGER MEURER TOP: Volunteers sand boards in an assembly line to build beds in Pahrump. PHOTO BY JOHN CLAUSEN
Flavors of Fall
Leftover Turkey and Dumpling Soup
Olive oil, as needed
1 large onion, sliced
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
½ cup frozen peas
2 sprigs fresh sage
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
2½ quarts turkey or chicken stock
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1¾ cups heavy cream
1 pound leftover turkey, shredded
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Heat a large, heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Add enough oil to just coat the bottom. When the oil is hot, add the onion slices. Let them caramelize for about 8 minutes or until golden brown, stirring often. Add the carrots and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for about 8 minutes.
Add the sage, thyme, bay leaves and stock. Stir well and bring the liquid to a simmer.
Simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring often. Season the soup with salt and black pepper, to taste.
Meanwhile, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Stir in the heavy cream until just incorporated. Don’t overmix. The dough should be somewhat lumpy.
Remove the herbs from the soup, and stir in the turkey. Use two spoons to drop the dumplings into the soup in an even layer. Cover the pot, and simmer for 8 minutes. Remove the lid, add the peas, and simmer for 3 minutes.
Serve the soup in large bowls topped with black pepper and any additional herbs.
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
ADOBE STOCK
PHOTO BY FOMAA
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
3 cloves garlic, grated and divided
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more for pasta water
¾ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 pound dry cavatappi pasta
6 sage leaves
½ medium yellow onion, grated
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon ground mustard
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups whole milk
15-ounce can pumpkin puree
8 ounces fontina cheese, shredded
8 ounces smoked gouda cheese, shredded
In a small nonstick skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 1 grated garlic clove. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the breadcrumbs, 1/2 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Toast, stirring frequently, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove the mixture to a small bowl. Cool for 5 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan. Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Add the pasta, and salt to taste. Cook, stirring the pasta, until just under al dente, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
In the same pot over medium heat, melt the remaining ¼ cup of butter. Stir in the sage leaves. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sage is lightly fried and the butter is deeply golden and smells toasty. Move the sage leaves to a paper towel-lined plate, and add the onion to the butter. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the remaining two grated garlic cloves. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Whisk in the flour, mustard, nutmeg, cayenne, the remaining 11/2 teaspoons of salt and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook until the raw flour smell disappears, 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Whisk in the pumpkin puree. Cook until thick, 5 minutes.
Remove the pot from heat. Gradually add the shredded cheeses, whisking until melted before adding more. Taste for salt.
Fold in the drained noodles, adding pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until the sauce coats the noodles.
Serve the mac and cheese hot, sprinkled with the toasted panko bread crumbs and crumbled sage.
Apple Butter Cheese Twists
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
17.3-ounce package puff pastry sheets, thawed
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup apple butter
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
Heat oven to 400 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine the cheeses. Sprinkle a clean work surface with ¼ cup of the cheese blend. Place one puff pastry sheet over the cheese, and sprinkle with another ¼ cup of cheese blend. Use a rolling pin to press the cheese into the pastry. Roll the sheet into a 10-by-14-inch rectangle. Repeat the rolling-out process with a second sheet of puff pastry and 1/2 cup of the cheese blend.
Brush the surface of one pastry sheet with egg wash. Place the other sheet on one of the prepared baking sheets. Brush the surface with the apple butter, maintaining a 1-inch border. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of the cheese blend and thyme. Top with the second sheet, egg wash-side down, pressing the layers gently together. Refrigerate the assembled sheet for 30 minutes.
Transfer the chilled sheet to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the pastry into ¾-inch-wide strips. Transfer the strips to the baking sheets, spacing them at least 1 inch apart. Pinch the ends to close, and twist each end in the opposite direction to create a spiral. If they start to untwist, gently press the ends into the parchment.
Refrigerate the twists for 30 minutes, then brush with more egg wash. Bake until golden brown and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes.
Cool the twists on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Butternut Squash Casserole
2 to 2½ pounds butternut squash
¼ cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
Topping
1 cup pecan halves
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
¼ teaspoon salt
2/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 extra large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Heat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Set aside. Cut the squash in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Place the squash cut-side down on the baking sheet. Bake for about 45 minutes or until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork. Allow the squash to cool enough to handle.
Spray a casserole dish with vegetable cooking spray. Set aside. While still warm, scoop out the butternut flesh and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Mash the squash with a potato masher until no chunks remain. Add the milk, vanilla, sugar, butter and cinnamon. Stir until combined. Add the eggs. Fold together until blended.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Bake until almost set, about 30 minutes. While the casserole is baking, prepare the topping.
In a small bowl, combine the pecans, melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir until coated. Remove the baking dish from the oven, and sprinkle the pecan mixture over the squash. Continue baking until set, about 15 minutes.
READER EXCHANGE
Books/Magazines
I would appreciate any Catherine Cookson books you may have and no longer want.
Marsha King 16637 William Foss Road La Pine, OR 97739
Crafts/Hobbies
I would love any old stamp collections or singles you would like to part with. Thanks in advance.
Rosalie Ferry 109 Raven Lane Careywood, ID 83809-9711
I’m seeking to illuminate my winter days with sparkle therapy. Living with a disability on a fixed income can be challenging, but your gift would bring sunshine. If you're willing to part with unwanted jewelry, components or treasures—for men or women—I’d be thrilled to accept them. Your thoughtfulness would give me a sense of fulfillment and happiness. Thank you in advance. I am forever grateful for your generosity.
Carly Wagner 913 Stillwell Ave. Tillamook, OR 97141
We are starting a respite care and are looking for old jewelry—broken or not— chains, beads, pearls and any items used to make jewelry or crafts for dementia patients. We would really appreciate anything you can give.
Diane Whitley
P.O. Box 1629 Eastsound, WA 98245
Milestones
My mother turns 92 this month. She is the wife of a retired Air Force man who took us all over. On base, she was a Girl Scout leader, VBS teacher and spent a lot of time at our sports events. She spends her days now reading, lunching with her greatgrandchildren and playing games online. It would be such a treat for her to receive wishes for her birthday. Send to Betty West, 1860 17th St., Springfield, OR 97477.
Laura Crowe Springfield, Oregon
My dad turns 94 in December and would be delighted to receive birthday cards. He was born in England and served in the R.A.F. as a navigator. He came to the United States in 1965 and worked in sales until he retired. Since my mom’s passing, he spends his time watching the news and all sports on TV. He does some light gardening and still reads without glasses. His favorite hobby is sampling new beers, so if any readers could make suggestions of a new beer for him to try, he would love that. Send cards to Peter Burgoyne, 5549 Our Lane, Zephyrhills, FL 33542.
Larry Burgoyne Sagle, Idaho
Recipes
I am looking for a recipe for pecan praline fudge. I have one, but it failed both times I’ve used it. Can you help? Thank you in advance.
Pat Moss
P.O. Box 61155 Fairbanks, AK 99706
Submitting Requests Is Free
Thanks
A special thank you to all who contributed to my button collection. Your response was overwhelming, and I deeply appreciate you.
Bette McCarthy Pahrump, Nevada
Thank you to all the Ruralite readers who sent my friend, Elsie Bergold, almost 500 cards for her 105th birthday. We played poker and had cake. She was completely shocked by all the cards and the gifts that were sent from complete strangers. She opened all of her cards and read every one of them. KVAL News did a story on her for the nightly news.
Martha Curl Creswell, Oregon
Thank you to all the wonderful, amazing and kind readers that sent me buttons and my grandfather’s yearbook. It was like Christmas. I received them in packages, boxes and envelopes. Thank you so very much for your time, thoughts and kindness. I am so very thankful to everyone.
Kim Koester Fairbanks, Alaska
Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Send your request—no attachments, please—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 you must include a postal address. Requests also must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.
See the strength of nature’s architecture in Arizona at
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
What Is It?
In Central Arizona, just north of Payson, Tonto
Natural Bridge
State Park is home to one of the largest natural travertine bridges in the world. The bridge is 60 feet thick, sits 183 feet off the ground and tops a roughly 400-footlong tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point.
Catch Fall Leaves
When visiting, enjoy the short hike down to the bottom of the waterfalls that gently cascade over the bridge and surrounding rocks. The water flowing down from the bridge has created an ideal environment for the aspen, cottonwood and elder trees that brighten the park with magnificent fall colors. While the colors peak in later October, they continue throughout November.
How Was It Made?
The natural bridge is made of a crystalline form of limestone, known as travertine. Broadly, the rock forms when spring water rich in calcium carbonate evaporates, leaving the calcium behind. The calcium built up into a large structure, before a hole was worn through the rock, creating the bridge.
What To Do
In addition to the travertine bridge, the park has four hiking trails, a picnic area, a group use area and the historic Goodfellow Lodge. All trails are shorter than a half-mile, but they are steep and strenuous, so be sure to pack drinking water. The trails close an hour before the park closes, and no dogs are allowed on any of the trails.
More Information
The state park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but closed on Christmas. On Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, the park closes at 2 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for youth 7 to 13 and free for children 6 and under. If visiting in the winter, be prepared for reduced services. Go to azstateparks. com/tonto for detailed information.
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY JASON YODER
NORTH AMERICA’S
#1 Selling Walk-In
The best walk-in tub just got better with breakthrough technology! Presenting the all new Safe Step Walk-In Tub featuring MicroSoothe. ® An air system so revolutionary, it oxygenates, softens and exfoliates skin, turning your bath into a spa-like experience. Constructed and built right here in America for safety and durability from the ground up, and with more standard features than any other tub.
✓ Heated seat providing warmth from beginning to end
✓ Carefully engineered hydro-massage jets strategically placed to target sore muscles and joints
✓ High-quality tub complete with a comprehensive lifetime warranty on the entire tub
✓ Top-of-the-line installation and service, all included at one low, affordable price You’ll agree – there just isn’t a better, more affordable walk-in tub on the market.
Someone To Be Thankful For
By Dave LaBelle
Thanksgiving comes in different shapes and is expressed in different ways.
Herb Recker never felt he deserved to take advantage of the Honor Flights that carry veterans to Washington, D.C.
Herb died in January at the age of 71. His Iowa friend, Tom Klaren, who served with him in the Iowa National Guard, carried Herb’s encased flag in May on an Honor Flight.
When veterans gathered at the World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C., they saluted the folded flag Tom brought, which had been given to Herb’s widow, Mary, at his funeral.
“I feel so passionate at what we owe those people, so much of what they gave up,” Tom says. “What their wives gave up, what their mothers and fathers gave up. Sometimes the ultimate sacrifice.
“I am a veteran myself, but not to the point these guys are, who served overseas. I just feel I am a step down from these
For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
Reader Challenge
As storytellers, we are always looking for fleeting moments that best express the pulse of a story. While I occasionally talk about photo fundamentals, my greatest interest and love is about the psychology of photography.
Perhaps you know a veteran who would agree and even enjoy the attention sitting still for a portrait would bring. Remember, when you make someone’s picture or listen to their story, you are honoring them.
Stay focused and alert. So many times, it is often those ever-fleeting gestures that reveal the most.
guys, that’s how I feel. Actually, Herb felt like I did. Since we were in the National Guard, we felt like we didn’t deserve to go like the guys who actually were in combat.”
Though Tom has made three Honor Flight trips as a guardian for four different veterans, he never made the trip as an “honored” veteran.
Herb and Tom were best friends from grade school, high school and in the National Guard. It was Tom’s honor to carry Herb’s flag to Washington, D.C.
“He was in my wedding, and I was in his wedding,” he says.
After interviewing Tom, I made several pictures with his best friend’s flag in two different places in his home before asking him to carry Herb’s flag outside on his front lawn. Nothing I shot expressed the emotion this patriotic man felt. Then, after I was finished and sitting on the lawn, Tom grew openly emotional because it had been less than a week after returning from his trip to Washington, D.C. Emotions for Tom were still raw. Looking up, I saw him
relax and drop his guard. A small window opened, and I quickly raised my camera and was able to make two frames before the fleeting moment passed.
Once again, I was reminded of the importance of anticipating the unexpected. Sometimes the best unguarded storytelling moments happen when the formal shoot is over. Deep and buried emotions often surface ever-so-briefly once the camera is off. n
Renowned author, photographer and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century.
An emotional Tom Klaren holds the flag of his deceased friend, Herb Recker. Tom carried the flag to Washington, D.C., in May 2024 on an Honor Flight. PHOTO BY DAVE LABELLE NIKON D810, 180mm lens ISO 100, f/5 at 1/200
Generational Wealth A future for generations to come
ea.
Minimum order of 5 coins
GENERATIONAL WEALTH is of paramount significance as it represents a beacon of financial stability. It serves as a tangible testament to the hard work, diligence, and financial acumen of previous generations, offering a solid foundation upon which future generations can build their dreams and aspirations.
American Gold Reserve is releasing Government issued $5 Gold American Eagles completely free of dealer mark-up for only $279 each. These beautiful $5 Gold American Eagles are a perfect way to enter the gold market. They are set for immediate public release and will sell out fast.
• Free of dealer markup. • Protection against inflation and deflation. • Gold offers financial cover during geopolitical uncertainty.
Good portfolio diversifier.
OREGON TRAIL ELECTRIC
X Disconnect hoses and drain them.
X Protect pipes from freezing with pipe covers.
X Have your chimney inspected and cleaned.
X Use space heaters and generators safely.
X Ensure your vehicle has snow tires or chains.
This time of year, when the temperatures drop and the daylight hours shorten, we are reminded to prepare. Winter is coming. Winter conditions present unique challenges for Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative, including icing of lines and equipment; heavy snow loads on trees, which can fall into power lines; and freezing, slippery work conditions.
At OTEC, we take action to make sure our crews and equipment are winter-ready.
We ensure we have plenty of cold-weather clothing, shoe chains, ice melt and snow shovels. All OTEC vehicles are equipped with emergency kits and proper winter tires. We check that heaters, headlights and windshield wipers work well.
Line crews prepare equipment to respond in winter weather conditions. This includes tools and accessories, as well as equipping off-highway vehicles with snow tracks. Crews make sure they have appropriate resources in case they are called upon for extended restoration efforts.
At our substations, we switch off cooling systems and inspect and turn on heating. We return our system protection devices from sensitive wildfire settings to normal configurations, which helps reduce the length of outages. We monitor forecasts of storm events for high winds, heavy snowfall and ice loading. n
OTEC reminds you to winterize your home and vehicles. Keep in mind the following winter safety tips.
X Make sure your furnace is in good working condition.
X Seal cracks around windows and doors. Caulking and weatherstripping are simple and effective air-sealing techniques.
X Prepare an emergency kit in case of extended power outages.
Visit otec.coop/power-outage-tips for more safety tips and to find rebates for such items as insulation, heating systems, doors and windows.
An Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative crew works to restore power in Lane County after devastating winter storms disrupted service to hundreds of thousands of Oregonians in January 2024.
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.
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. 0325
Buying American Indian collectibles, Navajo blankets and rugs, baskets, beadwork, etc. Also, quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com. 1124
Automotive
‘66 and ‘67 Ford 2-door hardtop Fairlane 500s 289 V8, auto, straight, good glass, titles, project cars. ‘66 runs. ‘67 new upholstery. $5.5K each or $10K for both. LaGrande, OR. 541-663-9091. 1124
Business Opportunities
For sale: quaint hardware store in Maupin, OR. Inventory and interior store recently updated and refreshed. See ad on Bizbuysell.com or email Maupincountrystore@gmail.com. $239,999. 1124
Community Events
Art Center East’s 16th Annual “Handmade Holidays Makers Market” 4-8 p.m. Nov. 15 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 16 in La Grande, OR. artcentereast.org. 1124
Farm Equipment
Two 1937 rare co-op tractors. #2, #3 1952. $900 for both. $1.7K, 1959. 691 $2K. 208-507-1211. 1124
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. 1224AR
Help Wanted
The Cape Blanco Heritage Society needs volunteers at the Cape Blanco Lighthouse Greeting Center and Hughes House for 2024 and 2025. Background checks are required. Free RV hookups are available to volunteers. heritage32@frontier.com; 541-332-0521. 1124
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): January issue—Nov. 30, 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.
Hobbies, Gifts, Games
Santa letters and cheerful artwork for gift giving and holidays, made in Alaska. We ship high-quality gifts and custom artwork, including letter bundles, totes, jewelry, prints, cards, relief prints, tiles. GV11 saves 10%. www.PamelaSueArtandDesigns.com. 1124
Miscellaneous
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 call 206-799-1082. 1124
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.
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. 1224
Real Estate
Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm and recreation property in OR. Fourth-generation Oregonian, prior ranch owner. For sale: Sisters, OR. 40 acres. Price reduced. $1.55M. John Gill, 541-480-9161 or johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 1124
Dale store. Live or work in a recreational enthusiasts’ location, store, fuel, post office, home, game cooler. $325K. Duke Warner Realty, 541-987-2363 or ddwr@ortelco.net.
Last chance to get an undeveloped buildable lot (8,000 sqft.) in Sportsman’s Park (Wasco County, Tygh Valley, OR). Sewer to property line, water on property, power available. National forest on backside. 7 miles to Wamic. $86.6K. Eric, 971-370-0220. 1124
Become an instant Nevadan. Wells: Fully equipped, nonoperating, Bar/Grill, 479 6th St., $395K. 3/2 home, 1355 Lake Ave., $230K. 160 acres with water rights and structures, $160k. Goldfield, ruins of Catholic Church, $65K. Pahrump, Resort Membership $1.8K. kisciniello@yahoo.com; 775-550-2263. 1124
Your ad could be here in January. See instructions above for details.
OTEC Is Committed to Wildfire Preparedness, Community Resilience
By Shane Stenquist, OTEC Manager of Communications
Everyone has a critical role to play in an emergency. This was a fundamental lesson I learned during my military service. Whether on the battlefield or in a support role, everyone is crucial to the collective effort.
I enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a young man, excited to serve my country and see the world. My time in the service influenced my worldview and beliefs but also taught me valuable skills and lessons.
On a ship, each sailor has a role to play to accomplish the mission. These roles are dependent upon one another for the whole team to succeed. Ultimately, the measure of our success relied on whether we accomplished our mission.
Aside from the fact that our ship was a great American fighting vessel, it was also our home. Living full-time aboard a ship brings a unique perspective. You quickly realize if you didn’t bring something with you, you have to do without it.
You also realize how important the ship itself is. If something serious happens in the middle of the ocean, it could quickly turn catastrophic.
An onboard fire is an extremely serious situation. It can quickly consume and destroy almost anything in its path. There’s no escape and no time to wait for help. That’s why, regardless of our primary job, we all received firefighter training. The knowledge and skills I gained deepened my admiration for firefighters’ daily bravery.
This summer, I was impressed by the remarkable cooperation among various agencies as they battled fires across Oregon. Their dedication brought to mind the training, preparation, continual practice and expertise required to combat complex fires.
This year has been historic for wildfires in Oregon. As of early October, nearly 2 million acres have burned in the state, more than in any other year since the Northwest Interagency Coordination
Center began tracking the data in 1992.
In early July, sweltering heat was accompanied by thunderstorms, with widespread lightning strikes sparking fires across the state. Many small fires quickly grew, thanks to hot, dry conditions and high winds, resulting in several much larger conflagrations. Unfortunately, lightning was not the only culprit starting these fires, as at least two of the larger fires–Cow Valley and Falls Fire–were caused by humans.
Hundreds of firefighters battled blazes in and around OTEC territory, including the Battle Mountain Complex, which burned more than 183,000 acres; the Durkee and Cow Valley fires, which burned 427,000 acres; and the Falls fires, which burned more than 151,000 acres. In total, 1.25 million acres of land burned in our area.
Large fires involve many agencies and people who prepare for such events, but they also involve others who are not trained for fires or other emergencies. Everyday folks are often thrust into action because their home, land, business or town is at risk.
Throughout this fire season, we heard stories of ranchers who dug fire lines, restaurateurs who fed workers, buildings that were turned into evacuation centers and neighbors who helped others evacuate.
To ensure efforts were properly coordinated, agencies held daily briefings, providing up-to-date information on what was happening and what to expect next. The apparent chaos of the situations gave rise to remarkable coordination, highlighting their training and preparedness.
The Aug. 14 daily briefing for the Falls and Telephone fires demonstrates the magnitude of the efforts it takes to control these large, complex fires. The list of resources included 1,051 personnel, 28 hand crews, 36 engines, 11 bulldozers, 31 water tenders, one masticator, 12 skidgines and one Type 1 helicopter. Firefighters had already triaged more than 1,000 structures, including 386 residences, 119 commercial buildings and 760 outbuildings.
Although the full expense of this wildfire season remains uncertain—there are
still 88 active wildfires in Oregon at the time of writing—it is clear the costs will be substantial.
Rapidly accumulating expenses encompass everything from workforce and equipment to the destruction of homes, other structures, livestock and wildlife. Naturally, the economic effects extend far beyond direct damage and include lost business income, disrupted supply chains, decreased tax revenue, falling property values, long-term health expenses, higher insurance premiums and more.
The reality is this could have been far worse. While fires threatened many communities, most avoided direct damages.
OTEC recognizes the potential dangers, and we understand we have a critical role to play, which is why we prioritize yearround wildfire mitigation efforts as well as educating our member-owners, visitors and the general public on how to protect their homes and properties.
If you look through the past several issues of Ruralite, you will notice a common theme on the importance of wildfire preparedness, OTEC’s efforts and how local rural fire districts are invaluable pillars of healthy communities. We explained how to receive emergency alerts and evacuation notices, how to check your air quality, how vegetation management can create
defensible space and protect power lines, and how AI and other innovations can help detect and fight fires.
In early June, OTEC invited memberowners to a series of Wildfire Town Hall meetings. OTEC staff shared the co-op’s plans for preparing, mitigating and dealing with potential fires, as well as what to expect if wildfire threatens OTEC lines and equipment.
Data shows an increase in both the frequency and duration of wildfires. To underscore this point, on Oct. 8, the National Interagency Fire Center raised the National Preparedness Level to PL5, the highest on a scale of 1 to 5. Before this year, it had only reached PL5 once in October (Oct. 1, 2020).
The relentless efforts of local fire districts, emergency managers, first responders, state and national agencies, and community members underscore the resilience and unity required to face such formidable challenges.
As the threat of wildfires continues to grow, we must remain vigilant, informed and proactive. By working together and leveraging our collective resources and knowledge, we can safeguard our homes, our communities and our way of life. Let’s continue to prioritize education, preparedness and innovation to ensure a safer future for all.
OTEC honors and thanks our valuable employees who have proudly served in the U.S. military: John Gentry, Will Lehnertz, Amanda Schlegel and Shane Stenquist. n
Visit otec.coop/wildfire-preparedness to learn more about OTEC’s wildfire plans, Public Safety Power Shutoffs and what you can do to prepare before next wildfire season.
Active wildfires burning in and around OTEC’s service territory as of July 23, 2024. GRAPHIC COURTESY OF OREGON DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Help Us Help Your Neighbors
#SleevesUp to donate blood for your community
At Pioneer Utility Resources, the publisher of Ruralite magazine, we are always working to put the right letters together to tell a story. The American Red Cross story can’t be told without three letters: A, B and O, which represent the main blood types. When those important letters are missing from blood bank shelves, lives are at stake.
With the recent hurricanes in Florida adding to the need for blood nationwide, we encourage each of you to consider
Donate between Nov. 18 and Dec. 8, and you could receive two pairs of socks.
Facts About Blood Needs
X Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets.
X Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S.
X Nearly 5,000 units of platelets and 6,500 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S.
X Sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require blood transfusions throughout their lives.
X According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.9 million
donating blood by rolling up your sleeves and visiting a local Red Cross donation center between Oct. 25 and Dec. 25. Your gift of blood can save more than one life.
Visit this link—https://rcblood.org/3zJ1rxU—or scan the QR code below. Sign up to help us reach our goal and fill in the missing blood types so patients can receive the lifesaving care they need. Make and keep an appointment to give blood to the American Red Cross. n
https://rcblood.org/3zJ1rxU
people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2025. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatments.
X Nearly 16 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
X The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 units.
X A single-car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.
X Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured; they can only come from volunteer donors.
X The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O.
X One donation can help save more than one life.
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 x.com/OTECoop (@OTECoop)
Board Members
President Aletha Bonebrake, Baker County
Vice President Gary Miller, Grant County
Secretary-Treasurer
Cory Miller, Union County
George “Austin” Bingaman, Union County
David Baum, Union County
Robert Cargill, Harney County
Charlene Chase, Baker County
Jeff D. Clark, Union County
Wayne Overton, Baker County
Les Penning, CEO
Ron Williams, Attorney
OR-48
Embracing an Attitude of Gratitude
November rhymes with remember, which is fitting because the month contains two federal holidays that remind us of how incredibly fortunate we are to be Americans: Veterans’ Day— always observed Nov. 11— and Thanksgiving—the fourth Thursday of November.
Thankfulness is a feeling and attitude of appreciation for the kindness and actions of another person or group. While there is much for us all to be thankful for, the many freedoms we enjoy in the United States should be near the top of the list. These freedoms are laid out in the U.S. Constitution and are protected by the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces.
Veterans Day was set aside to honor and celebrate America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Their service and sacrifice deserve our admiration, respect and thankfulness.
Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative would like to thank all the military veterans who swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.
Thank you, veterans. Happy Veterans Day.
