Columbia REA Safety Coordinator Jason Pimental, right, looks on as Chief Experience Officer Brendan Johnson goes through fire extinguisher training. PHOTO BY STEVE OWENS
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250 Years and Still Flying
Some anniversaries demand attention. The nation’s 250th is one of them—a milestone that’s worth more than a long weekend and a fireworks show.
This month, the United States marks a quarter-millennium since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and we are taking stock of some of the people and traditions keeping that legacy alive.
Our Sights & Sounds feature profiles three individuals whose work centers on America’s enduring symbols. Chris Garza, executive director of Troutdale Historical Society in Oregon, has spent decades gathering more than 300 flags, treating each one not as a collectible but as a primary document of American history.
In Wabasha, Minnesota, Preston Cook’s dedication to the bald eagle resulted in a 40,000piece collection of eagle-themed items, a book and a push for the long-awaited official national bird designation by Congress in 2024.
University of Michigan music historian Mark Clague, author of “O Say Can You Hear?,” makes a compelling case that the national anthem isn’t a passive ritual. It’s an active invitation to citizenship and democratic participation.
That spirit of civic engagement runs through the rest of the issue as well.
Dozens of states are contributing items to a
stainless steel time capsule being buried July 4 at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia—a deliberate act of confidence that there will be someone worth leaving something for.
Dave LaBelle’s Great Picture Hunt column documents members of American Legion Post 656 in Farley, Iowa, conducting a flag retirement ceremony for 250 worn, unserviceable flags—the kind of quiet, practiced observance that holds things together without making much noise about it.
One of the things worth noting about all these stories is how unremarkable the people in them look on paper: a historian, a collector, a music professor and Legion post members. No one appointed them stewards of the national symbols. They just showed up and kept doing the work.
That, as much as any Independence Day parade, is what 250 years looks like in practice.
Until next time, Chasity Anderson Editorial Director
Got a story idea? We want to hear it.
Scan the QR code with your smartphone camera or visit tinyurl.com/SendStoryIdeas.
Sights & Sounds
The living expression of America’s most enduring symbols Spotlight, Page 10
Page 16
Second Adult Salmon Migration Delay Raises Alarms About Court-Ordered Spill
Portland, OR – June 11, 2026.
The Public Power Council (PPC) is expressing concerns over new, court-ordered Columbia River operations at John Day Dam following reports that adult salmon passage there has been significantly delayed during the current migration season. The John Day Dam concern comes just after PPC joined a stipulation filed in late May by Federal Defendants in the ongoing Columbia River System Operations (CRSO) litigation to protect spawning salmon migrating up the Columbia River after adult passage was being slowed by new river operations at Lower Monumental Dam on the Snake River.
Across the Columbia and Snake rivers, new operations were adopted as part of the Oregon District Court’s recent Preliminary Injunction Order, which granted Plaintiff’s requests to implement untested levels of spill at the region’s federal hydro projects.
The court’s order focuses primarily on altering river operations with highest-ever levels of “spill” over the region’s dams (instead of through hydropower turbines). PPC notes, as the leading Intervenor-Defendant for public power, that these new operations came at great cost to Northwest ratepayers in the hopes of achieving benefits to salmon, which were speculative at best and are now producing unintended consequences.
The stipulation filed in late May allows the Federal Defendants to modify operations as needed to address fish passage issues at specific lower Snake River and lower Columbia River dams. The stipulation was required in response to observed delays in returning adult fish, delays that Plaintiffs allowed to reach near critical levels before agreeing to allow modified operations to facilitate adult migration.
“The untested and experimental spill regime put in place by this Preliminary Injunction appears to have immediate negative consequences for adult salmon returns while imposing unnecessary costs – two adult fish delay events in a matter of days is completely unacceptable,” said Scott Simms, CEO & Executive Director of PPC. “Federal fish managers know how to operate these dams for the safety and well-being of salmon, yet are being forced to run these rivers recklessly.”
This year’s spill season has been in effect for roughly two months. Court ordered spill at John Day is higher and more continuous than has ever been applied at the project. After about two months of continuous spill up to the prescribed 125% total dissolved gas (TDG) levels at John Day Dam under the new operations, adult Chinook passage precipitously declined from an average of 2,222 to 483 daily counts from the first to second half of May and early June. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers then took emergency action, reducing spill to 40% of project outflow in response to these dramatic salmon migration declines for three days starting June 3. Promptly in response to reduced spill, adult Chinook returns increased to 1,275 average daily counts over a three-day period.
“These dramatic swings in adult Chinook counts appear highly correlated to spill levels, and support long-standing studies showing tailrace turbidity can confuse, and challenge the upriver adult migration,” Simms said.
These new reported delays, combined with those flagged earlier at Lower Monumental Dam, raise questions about unintended consequences of the spill regime currently being imposed across the Columbia River System—particularly the unprecedented spill levels at John Day Dam. The court-ordered operations were implemented despite repeated warnings from the federal Action Agencies, PPC and other regional stakeholders that the measures were largely untested at the scale now being required. PPC has consistently argued that expanded spill mandates should be grounded in demonstrated biological benefits and rigorous scientific evaluation, not assumptions.
“For years, proponents of increased spill have argued that more spill would produce better outcomes for fish. If the facts confirm that adult salmon are now experiencing multiple days of migration delay under this new, untested operations regime, the region deserves immediate answers,” Simms said.
The current spill requirements were imposed as part of a federal court injunction affecting operations at eight Columbia and Snake River dams. PPC subsequently joined federal defendants in seeking appellate review of the injunction.
“Northwest families and businesses are already paying substantial costs associated with these court-ordered operations,” Simms said. “With these operations now appearing to create new obstacles for migrating adult salmon, it underscores the danger of imposing sweeping changes before they have been adequately tested and validated.”
PPC urges Plaintiffs to recommit to collaborative, science-driven solutions for salmon recovery rather than relying on litigation-driven operational experiments.
“The Northwest needs solutions that actually work for fish," Simms said. "We cannot afford policies that increase costs, reduce system reliability, and ultimately fail to deliver the biological outcomes they promise.”
PPC will continue monitoring the situation and will provide additional information as federal agencies complete their review.
About The Public Power Council
The Public Power Council, established in 1966, is a nonprofit association representing the interests of more than 100 consumer-owned electric utilities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Nevada which collectively serve millions of electricity consumers. PPC’s mission is to preserve and protect the benefits of the Federal Columbia River Power System for consumer-owned utilities, and is a forum to identify, discuss and build consensus around energy and utility issues. For more information, please visit us at www.ppcpdx.org.
John Day Adult Chinook Counts 2026: April 1 - June 8
Source: University of Washington DART database: Adult Passage Daily Counts
PLUGGED IN
Nature When
Strikes
Public power utilities around the country are integrating new tools and shared resources ahead of extreme weather
By Cathy Cash and David Herder
As storm season approaches, electric utilities around the country are working ahead to keep the lights on in the face of wildfires, monsoons, hurricanes and anything else Mother Nature throws at them.
“Electric co-ops are experiencing more extreme weather events all across the country and are busy preparing, planning and forecasting differently than they have in the past,” says Jennah Denney, National
Rural Electric Cooperative Association senior program manager of technology integration. “Even co-ops who’ve yet to see unprecedented events are definitely trying to limit how much of their system goes down and to restore power as fast as they can using automation, technologies and outage data.”
New sensors and weather-risk tools give utilities early warnings and situational awareness of threats like wildfires. Klickitat PUD in South-Central Washington
supports a local program that uses video cameras with software that quickly detects smoke and alerts responders. Other utilities are applying historical outage data to develop weather models to forecast potential crisis spots in their areas.
Automated sensors, communications systems and data analytics allow utilities to monitor their generation, power lines and other vital equipment in real time.
Drones are being equipped with cameras trained by artificial intelligence
to scan power lines and utility equipment and spotlight potential weak spots if severe weather rolls in.
Utilities are also updating their maintenance and vegetation management plans with the help of drone cameras or satellite imagery.
Public power utilities continue to replace aging wooden poles with steel and bury power lines where it’s cost-effective and environmentally sound to combat destruction from wind, floods and wildfires.
Glades Electric Cooperative in Moore Haven, Florida, faces hurricane season annually and has seen an uptick in the number of tornadoes in recent years. To stay prepared for the weather, the co-op has hardened its system by replacing wooden poles with those made of stronger ductile iron.
“We actually have footage of a tornado going through lines that were held up by ductile iron poles, and it all stood,” says Glades Electric Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Koukos. “If that had been prior to those iron poles, that would not have been the case.”
Glades Electric also acquires bids for storm response work before storm season so that when weather strikes, the response
runs quickly and smoothly. The state of Florida has urged utilities to restore more than 90% of their service within three days of a hurricane or other disaster. When more than half of a utility’s grid is without power—as happened to Glades Electric after Hurricane Milton in 2024—a huge response is required
Fortunately, before each storm season arrives, Glades gathers bids from contractors and support staff, including a storm services company that can provide hundreds of contractors with lodging, laundry and food.
In its Hurricane Milton response, Glades received help from more than 300 lineworkers, vegetation management crew members and other support staff, who in turn provided more than 30,000 hours of labor.
Having plans and agreements in place ahead of time ensures electric utilities across the country have everything in place for lineworkers to restore power as quickly as possible after natural and human-made disasters.
Whether it is working to resist damage or increasing response times, utilities are implementing new strategies to stay ahead of the weather. n
FEMA Act Could Save Millions in Interest
After needing to rebuild much of its electric system after 2024’s Hurricane Milton, Glades Electric Cooperative in Florida became eligible for disaster relief reimbursement funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
That reimbursement has not come yet, and it is costing the co-op $30,000 in interest each month.
“We are advocating year-round with state and federal legislators for FEMA and for legislation that will streamline the reimbursement process and reimburse us for interest that we incur,” says Glades Electric Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Koukos.
While federal funds are set aside for repairing electric grids ravaged by weather events, that money is not disbursed immediately. Utilities often need to take out loans to cover the huge costs, and these loans have interest.
However, FEMA does not reimburse utilities for the interest accrued while waiting for FEMA funding. For Glades Electric, interest from the Hurricane Milton response is nearing $500,000.
Utilities around the country are working with legislators to streamline FEMA’s reimbursement process to save utilities—and the people who ultimately pay for the electric service—significant amounts of money. The Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025 is a sweeping, bipartisan bill introduced July 23, 2025, as H.R. 4669.
If passed, it would overhaul how FEMA delivers disaster assistance, including modernizing internal systems, cutting red tape and moving money faster after major disasters. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved it in September, but the full House had not voted on it as of June.
“We’ve been working hard for several years now to get that interest reimbursement component into law,” Jennifer says.
Klickitat PUD in South-Central Washington partners with local agencies to use cameras with software that detects smoke and alerts responders. PHOTO COURTESY OF KLICKITAT PUD
Line crews work to restore power to Glades Electric Cooperative’s lines after Hurricane Milton in 2024. PHOTO COURTESY OF GLADES ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
The living expression of America’s most enduring symbols &
watching his grandfathers as a child had a particular impact on him.
Every nation tells stories about itself. In the United States, those narratives are often woven into symbols we encounter every day just as much as they are spoken out loud. It might be a flag folded at a funeral, an eagle stamped onto an official seal or a song sung before a ballgame.
As we celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary, historians, collectors and scholars are all taking a closer look at the symbols we adopted and the meanings they still carry today.
For the Love of Old Glory
The American flag has always had a special family connection for Chris Garza. Half of his family members can trace their lineage to Maryland’s founders, and almost every
“I kind of idolized them, and they both did their own daily routines of raising and lowering the flag,” Chris says. “They were fun, outgoing guys. But every day, they became very serious when they handled the flag. That really showed me how important it was as a symbol.”
When he was 8, Chris saw an old 13-star flag at a yard sale and had to have it. Looking back now, he suspects he was trying to impress his grandfathers. But it also proved to be the first step in a lifelong obsession. Now the executive director of Troutdale Historical Society in Oregon, Chris has overseen three museums and collected more than 300 American flags in the past 35 years.
The most precious to him is the flag with which one of his grandfathers was meant to be buried. At the last second, his grandmother pulled the flag from the casket and gave it to Chris, who has held it dear ever since. Another favorite is an early flag that represented the southern region of Texas, where much of Chris’ Indigenous family comes from, before the state adopted the design it uses today.
While the American flag’s design has evolved over time, Chris is particularly drawn to the idea that it has served as a unifying image throughout history.
“To me, it is the only thing capable of binding us all together,” he says. “It’s the one thing that is bigger than our differences of religion, politics or race.”
As a historian, Chris also hopes the flag reminds everyone in the United
a call to earn that freedom.
“It’s a symbol of when oppression becomes so strong and rampant that it forces people to step back and reevaluate— to look at life, our government and our communities,” he says. “Sometimes, those things need to change. That’s what the flag means to me, working to change for the better.”
A Living Symbol
While the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, many Americans may be surprised to learn this is only the second year that one of its most recognizable symbols has been official. In researching his 2019 book, “American Eagle: A Visual History of Our National Emblem,” Preston Cook was shocked to learn the
to 1966 when he was drafted into the Army.
“I was issued a uniform that had buttons with the Great Seal on my dress uniform,” Preston says. “Two years later, when I exited the Army, I cut off those buttons with the eagles on them and wear them to this day on my blue blazers. I’ve been wearing them now for 60 years.”
His acquisitions expanded first with postcards and stamps, then later with the help of eBay and a team of pickers around the country who sent him items of interest. Today, Preston’s collection of more than
THE BETSY ROSS FLAG
While lore holds that Betsy Ross designed the first American flag, there is no hard evidence pointing to any single designer. But, as the first seamstress to stitch the flag together, Historian Chris Garza says she may have influenced some of its details.
One of Chris’ favorite stories is when George Washington, a Freemason, approached Ross about making the flag, he suggested the stars have six points, as is common in masonic symbolism. Ross quickly noted that if they wanted to mass-produce the flag, fivepointed stars were much more efficient.
To prove it, she pulled out a small square of fabric, made a few quick folds and one simple cut, and handed him a perfect star. Washington was convinced, and the stars on the flag have had five points ever since.
buttons on his uniform.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PRESTON COOK
RIGHT: Preston still sews his original uniform buttons onto his blazers today.
OPPOSITE PAGE: Chris Garza’s flag collection ranges from personal keepsakes to historical designs that fell out of fashion. PHOTO COURTESY OF LEGNA STUDIO
FLY YOUR FLAG
As a flag historian and restorer, Chris Garza, executive director of Troutdale Historical Society in Oregon, regularly encounters misconceptions about flag etiquette. A common one he shared as a child was that the flag must be destroyed if it touches the ground. He can still remember dropping the flag once while lowering it for his grandfather.
“I thought it was the end of my life,” Chris says. “But he pulled me aside and explained that as long as it isn’t tattered, it can always be cleaned and reflown. That moment of relief really stuck with me.”
Another common mistake is flying the flag at night. To maintain respect and visibility, the flag should either be illuminated at night or taken down at sunset and raised again in the morning.
40,000 eagle-themed items is on display at National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota. It includes historical artifacts, including buttons worn by George Washington and a Civil War knife, as well as pop culture objects, such as sports memorabilia and an Andy Warhol print.
The eagle’s symbolic appeal in so many different settings has always been one of its most interesting features for Preston.
“It’s a symbol people turn to in times of both peace and distress,” he says. “The image of it on the Great Seal has changed from being kind of scrawny and chickenlegged to more of a full-fledged eagle. Around the 1820s, it was first used by political campaigns to show patriotism. So, it has changed over the years, but it’s remained constant throughout our history.”
For centuries, that presence has led many Americans to identify the bald eagle as the country’s national bird. Once his book was complete, Preston turned his attention to putting a bill in front of Congress that would finally make official what everyone had always assumed.
He sent a draft to U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad, whose district includes Wabasha, as well as Sen. Amy Klobuchar. The two coordinated on the bill, which unanimously passed in both houses of Congress before President Joe Biden signed it into law in 2024.
Preston has no doubt the work was worth it. It permanently enshrines what many Americans have long felt about the bald eagle.
“For many years, it was our only living symbol,” Preston says. “If you see one flying or fishing, it’s such an amazing bird. It means so much to so many people. It means freedom and liberty and power and independence and family. People just don’t get tired of seeing it, and I don’t think there’s any other symbol of America that has that kind of enthusiasm.”
The Call to Citizenship
If the eagle is the American symbol that generates the most excitement, Mark Clague believes the national anthem is the most dynamic. As a musician and musical
historian teaching at the University of Michigan for the past 20 years, he has often led an introductory class on American music. His favorite way to kick it off is with Jimi Hendrix’s 1969 performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock.
“It brings you immediately into some of the complexities around the anthem,” Mark says. “Is there a single, appropriate way to play it? Is it a protest or burning the flag through music? Hendrix was also a member of the 101st Airborne, and aspects of the performance are quite patriotic, so is it saying something more textured?”
Those questions led him down a rabbit hole that culminated in his 2022 book, “O Say Can You Hear?: A Cultural Biography of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’” Francis Scott Key’s lyrics, written after the bombardment of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, go on for four verses. Only the first is typically sung for the anthem, building to the final line, “O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave/O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”
While it is often performed with an exclamation point at the end, Mark considers the question it asks to be crucial. At the time the anthem was penned, the country had faced some of its worst defeats. Key’s vision of a bold and proud nation wasn’t something he was seeing but a hope for the future.
“Today, I think that question asks us if we are brave enough to live up to that vision,” Mark says. “Do we have the courage to be a country that celebrates liberty and justice for all? I think it has the potential to make the anthem something urgent and contemporary. It’s a verb, rather than a noun.”
When President Herbert Hoover officially signed an act of Congress making “The Star-Spangled Banner” the U.S. national anthem in 1931, it—much like the eagle—was a recognition of something that had already been true for many Americans. The song was used as a recruiting tune for the Union Army in the Civil War and was often treated as a de facto national anthem during the
Raising and lowering the flag continues to be a cherished tradition for Chris Garza.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LEGNA STUDIO
In some ways, the song is sort of democracy in action. We made the anthem by using it.
Spanish-American War and World War I.
“I think that makes it powerful,” Mark says. “In some ways, the song is sort of democracy in action. We made the anthem by using it. And for the same reason, changing it would be really hard. You could change the law, but it wouldn’t change how people feel.”
The music itself requires the performer to sing the anthem to life with dramatic highs and lows that take the same commitment the lyrics demand. Mark’s hope is that when people hear it, the
— Mark Clague
anthem won’t just serve as a celebration but also a call to action.
“It feels like the anthem is especially urgent right now,” he says. “U.S. democracy has really been built on people getting involved. Voting, sure, but also being informed, volunteering and lifting a hand to help your neighbor. Being patriotic is something you have to do and earn, rather than just something you have. And I think that call to citizenship is one of the coolest things about the anthem.” n
STAR-SPANGLED SPINOFFS
While the roots of the national anthem’s lyrics are decidedly American, the music originated with Anacreontic Society, a musicians’ club in London.
Since the tune struck a chord in the United States, Mark Clague, a music historian teaching at the University of Michigan, estimates there have been more than 600 sets of lyrics applied to that melody, on subjects as varied as farm work, unionization and women’s suffrage.
“It’s interesting to see how many different words fit the melody,” he says. “It really supports the notion that ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ is not just one iconic thing but kind
ABOVE: The University of Michigan’s library is home to the first sheet music edition of the song to use the “The Star-Spangled Banner” title. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WILLIAM L. CLEMENTS LIBRARY LEFT: Mark Clague conducts the anthem at a University of Michigan home football game. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK CLAGUE
Anniversary
Celebrations
States showcase their unique contributions
By Dianna Troyer
In honor of the United States Semiquincentennial—a fancy name for the nation’s 250th anniversary—each state is contributing to the legacy and future of the country through national and statewide initiatives.
Some states are contributing to a stainless steel time capsule that will be buried July 4 at Independence National
Historical Park in Philadelphia, between the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.
Others will have booths at the Great American State Fair, scheduled for June 25 to July 10 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Within each state, an America250 Commission has organized events to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
According to the America250 Commission’s website, “The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future.”
For the time capsule, state commissions feature their residents’ artistry and ideals with the constraint that the objects have to fit into an archival box measuring 6-by-5-by-2 inches.
Here’s a preview of how some states are highlighting their unique contributions to our nation:
ALASKA
A print of a flag designed by a member of the Indigenous people of the Aleutian Islands represents Alaska. In 1927, Benny Benson, a 14-year-old Unangax orphan, won a contest to design the flag for the then-territory of Alaska.
“The blue field is for the Alaskan sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaskan flower,” he wrote. “The North Star is for the future state of Alaska, the most northerly state in the union. The dipper is for the great bear, symbolizing strength.”
A copy of an 1875 map of New Archangel is also included. After Russia sold the Alaska territory to the United States, the town was renamed Sitka.
ARIZONA
Arizonans provided three coins, two letters and a commemorative copper ingot featuring a stamped Arizona America250 logo for the time capsule.
With laser nano-etching, a stainless steel coin preserves the full text and signatures of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, including all amendments.
“It represents both America’s foundational democratic principles and modern efforts to preserve them for future generations,” according to America250 Arizona Commission. An Arizona quarter, minted in 2008, depicts the Grand Canyon
and a saguaro cactus. A steel America250 commemorative coin features symbolic imagery reflecting freedom, time and civic responsibility.
An archival letter lists the names of the members of the Arizona America250 Commission. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes also wrote a letter reflecting on Arizona’s civic values, democratic institutions and responsibilities.
CALIFORNIA
On July 4, a family-friendly concert is planned in Los Angeles with major artists and a livestream audience. America250 planners encourage residents to build community by participating in America’s Potluck on July 5, an opportunity for neighbors to join one another to share a communal meal.
FLORIDA
At the Great American State Fair, the Florida250 Commission plans to create an old Spanish Fort with coquina brick walls, authentic sounds and cannon fire.
Within the state, the Florida Freedom Tour is traveling in two 18-wheeler trucks hauling the America250FL exhibits from the Museum of Florida History. One exhibit covers the state’s biggest battle during the Revolutionary War, the Siege of Pensacola, a two-month battle in 1781 when the Spanish prevented the British from gaining control of Western Florida.
IDAHO
Idaho’s state gemstone, the star garnet, “represents Idaho’s natural richness and geological heritage. Its distinctive starlike reflection makes it a fitting and
Idaho’s state gem is its contribution to the time capsule.
Benny Benson’s drawing of a flag won a territorial flag contest in 1927. PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMERICA250 STATE COMMISSIONS
Arizona contributed three coins and a copper ingot.
enduring symbol of the state’s rugged landscape and connection to the land,” according to America250 in Idaho planners.
Along with the gemstone, Gov. Brad Little wrote a letter to future generations, reflecting on Idaho’s history and values.
LOUISIANA
The Historic New Orleans Collection, at 520 Royal St., will have interactive 3D reconstructions of the defining moments of the American Revolution. Events include the Boston Tea Party, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, victory at Yorktown and treaty signing in Versailles.
MONTANA
Karis Jackson depicted Montana’s unique traits in beaded artwork shaped like the state.
The Browning artist incorporated the colors of the state flag, the mountains and prairies that define the state’s landscapes, the state flower—the bitterroot—and the state bird—the western meadowlark.
In the center of the design, Karis, an Apsáalooke/Arikara/ Hidatsa artist, beaded a bison. She says it’s “an animal of enduring significance to the Indigenous peoples who have called this land home since time immemorial.”
NEVADA
In Nevada, residents and tribal members are recording oral histories for a podcast and public archive, according to Nevada250 planners.
NEW MEXICO
New Mexico’s pavilion at the Great American State Fair, “will present New Mexico as an intersection of cultures, history, landscape and creativity,” says Daniel Zillman, New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs communications director.
OREGON
Lillian Pitt, a Warm Springs/Wasco/Yakama artist, made a ceramic pin depicting a tribal petroglyph and pictograph, a well-known
image high on a mountain along the Columbia River.
“Under the oral traditions of tribes along the river, She Who Watches represents Tsagaglalal, a wise and powerful chief who was transformed to stone and continues to keep vigil over her people and the river,” according to the America 250 Oregon Commission.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Among The Charleston Museum artifacts are a .75-caliber “Brown Bess” musket used during the revolution.
Several special exhibits celebrate South Carolina’s role in the American Revolution.
A new exhibit, “Ringleaders of Rebellion,” is at The Charleston Museum, the first museum in the Colonies founded Jan. 12, 1773. Among the artifacts are a .75-caliber Brown Bess musket used during the Revolutionary War.
An immersive Revolutionary War exhibition at the state fair will remain up for several years. A display emphasizes that South Carolina was the first colony to protest tea taxation on Dec. 3, 1773, 13 days before the infamous Boston Tea Party.
TENNESSEE
Knoxville-based designer Justin Helton created a poster entitled “Original Frontier.”
“From Tennessee’s rich agricultural history to its iconic musical contributions to its role in westward expansion, the Civil Rights Movement and women’s suffrage, the poster represents Tennessee’s part in shaping American culture, economy, and democracy,” according to Tennessee America 250 planners.
ABOVE: The poster “Original Frontier” showcases Tennessee’s music, agriculture and westward expansion.
WASHINGTON
Gov. Bob Ferguson’s proclamation and Lt. Gov. Denny Heck’s letter will be put in the capsule. The governor wrote about the mission of the Washington State Historical Society. Heck wrote about democracy and finding common ground between Washingtonians. n
For more information about national, state and local celebrations, visit america250.org.
Artist Karis Jackson created Montana’s contribution to the time capsule.
LEFT: Lillian Pitt made a ceramic representation of a petroglyph along the Columbia River called She Who Watches or Tsagaglalal.
Taste the Pastabilities STAY COOL WITH SUMMER SALADS
Cucumber and Dill Pasta Salad
1 pound small pasta shells
2 cups cucumber, sliced
¼ cup green onion, chopped
1 cup sour cream
½ cup milk
1 tablespoon chopped, fresh dill weed
1 tablespoon white vinegar
½ teaspoon granulated garlic
½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Cook pasta in boiling, salted water until al dente. Drain, and rinse in cold water. Transfer pasta to a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, mix sour cream, milk, dill, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Set dressing aside.
Mix cucumbers and onions into the pasta. Pour in dressing, and mix thoroughly. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Cover, and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Stir just before serving.
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY MICROTECH
Greek Pasta Salad Salad
8 ounces bow tie pasta
½ English cucumber, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
10 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved 1 to 2 shallots, chopped
Dressing
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 cup chopped, fresh parsley
2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
½ cup pitted Kalamata olives
1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Pinch kosher salt
Pinch black pepper
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Drain, then set aside briefly to cool.
To make dressing, add lemon juice, zest, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper to a large bowl. Whisk to combine. While whisking, drizzle in olive oil.
To the bowl with dressing, add pasta, cucumber, bell pepper, tomatoes, shallots, parsley, capers and olives. Toss to coat. Add feta, and toss again gently.
For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 24 hours. Give salad a final toss before serving.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Salad
1 tablespoon salt
2 cups mini bow tie pasta
3 cups frozen corn, cooked and cooled
3 green onions, finely diced
½ bunch cilantro, finely diced
Dressing
½ cup mayo
½ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon Sriracha
1 tablespoon finely diced jalapeno
1/3 cup cotija cheese
1 large avocado, diced
½ cup canned black beans drained and rinsed
2 large limes, zested and juiced
¼ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Boil 12 cups water in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon salt. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse under cold water for 15 seconds, shake off excess water, and let dry completely.
To make the dressing, whisk together mayo, chili powder, paprika, cumin, Sriracha, ¼ teaspoon lime zest and 3 tablespoons lime juice in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper. Chill until ready to use.
In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, cooled corn, avocado, onions, cilantro, jalapenos and cheese. Drizzle with dressing, and gently toss. Serve immediately.
Creamy Summer Pasta Salad
Kosher salt
16 ounces rotini
1 large carrot, shredded
1 celery rib, sliced thinly
8 ounces cheddar cheese, cubed
10-ounce bag frozen peas, thawed
½ cup cooked bacon, chopped
1½ cups mayonnaise
1/8 cup sugar
¼ cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Boil pasta in salted water to al dente. Drain, then run under cold water until cooled.
In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Add pasta and remaining ingredients. Mix well.
Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Italian Pasta Salad
Salad
Kosher salt
12 ounces pasta 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved 1 bell pepper, cored and chopped
1 shallot, chopped
6 ounces marinated artichoke hearts
¼ cup pitted Kalamata olives
Dressing
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
6 pepperoncini, chopped
6 to 8 ounces salami, cut into bite-size pieces
6 ounces mozzarella cheese balls
½ packed cup chopped, fresh parsley
½ packed cup chopped, fresh basil leaves
½ to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Boil a large pot of water over high heat.
In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients to combine. Set aside.
Generously salt boiling water, then add pasta. Cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, and add to a large mixing bowl.
To the bowl with pasta, add tomatoes, bell pepper, shallot, artichoke hearts, olives, pepperoncini, salami, mozzarella, parsley and basil. Pour dressing over pasta, and toss to coat. Serve immediately, or let sit for 30 minutes to soak up flavor.
READER EXCHANGE
Books/Magazines
I have Mother Earth News magazines, 1979-86, plus four specials. Just pay shipping. Leave message or text with contact information. Rick Jaszkowiak
rickjaszkowiak@gmail.com
Challis, Idaho
Crafts/Hobbies
I make quilts and give them to the care center here in my county. It’s a passion of mine to give back to my community. If any fellow quilter has quilt scraps that I could piece together for lap-size and baby-size quilts, I would greatly appreciate it. I have lots of tops ready to hand quilt but could use help with the batting. Thank you.
Kimberly Cody 298 Basham Lane Troy, MT 59935
I’m in search of a pattern for recliners/lift chair covers. I have a dear friend with health issues and would like to make chair covers for them. If you have a pattern, I would appreciate hearing from you. Thank you.
Pat Moss
P.O. Box 61155
Fairbanks, AK
Milestones
We have a request for our family member who was recently diagnosed with cancer and has his 84th birthday in early August. We are requesting prayers and support for him as he undergoes chemo treatment. We believe that providing him with birthday cards and words of encouragement would offer valuable reading material during his three-hour treatment. He loves old cars and collecting coins. His wife could also use some encouragement, prayers and support. Thank you and God bless. Send to Dennis and Patricia White, 2108 Verdinal Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89146-3047.
Dawn Lund Rachel, Nevada
My mother will be 94 this month. She survived the death of my father—her one and only love—eight years ago. She raised six children, five girls and one boy. She still manages to sew, which is her passion. My dad even built her a sewing room to accommodate her multitude of different machines. She has a tuxedo cat named Mimi. I know she would absolutely love getting cards for her birthday. Send to Millie Graham, 277 NE Conifer Blvd., No. 6, Corvallis, OR 97330.
Teena Graham Alsea, Oregon
My mom, Jean, turns 80 later this month, and she’d love to hear from you. She shines with kindness and is always sending mail to loved ones and strangers. Now it’s her turn. She loves laughing, silliness and flowers. Any birthday cards would be joyfully enjoyed. Send to Jean Ridle, 702 Kitchen-Dick Road, Sequim, WA 98382. Thank you.
Erin Ridle La Grande, Oregon
School/Labels
We are looking for items or advice for homeschool topics on dinosaurs, American history, chemistry and botany. This is for a homeschooled high school student, Oliver (age 14). Also, we are looking to start a silver coin collection for Sterling (17) and Oliver. Advice on where to buy coupons or even a coin would be great. Thank you.
Hannah, Sterling and Oliver Mills
479663 Highway 95 Sandpoint, ID 83864
Thanks
Thank you for honoring our dear father, Hugh Whitbread. Three hundred wonderful cards and stories from all over. There were many people thanking him for his service. You gave us all a lot of hope and reminded our family of the good people everywhere.
The Whitbread Family Adams, Oregon
Submitting Requests Is Free
Send your request (no attachments) to readerexchange@ruralite.org or mail to Reader Exchange, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Fill in the subject line with Reader Exchange.
Acceptance, scheduling and editing are at the editor’s discretion. Single requests only, please. No duplicates. If replying to a reader submission, please only send what is requested.
Submissions are handled first-come, first-served 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 (pricing applies).
When submitting a milestone request, please send it at least two months before the milestone.
Phone numbers are not published. Email addresses are if they are part of the ad, but you must include a postal address.
Requests must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.
See an ocean of ice atop fjords and mountains in Southeast Alaska at
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
What Is It?
One of the world’s largest nonpolar ice fields sits in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Southeast Alaska. Huge glaciers cover mountains and have scraped out fjords, showing the power of nature. As the glaciers have retreated, visitors can study how plants and other life reclaim the newly exposed terrain.
How to See It?
Many visitors start in Bartlett Cove— the only developed area in the park. This is where the visitor center and many services are, along with the start of several trails. Most visitors also take in the park by boat, heading out into the water to see more of the coastline. Visit the National Park Service website or other travel sites to learn about the various tour boats.
How Did It Form?
Glacier Bay sits at the collision point of the North American and Pacific crustal plates, which led to the formation of the bay’s tall, coastal mountains. The summits foster and form glaciers that, in turn, carve a rugged landscape. Retreating glaciers have left room for a young temperate rainforest to grow.
Freezing in a Rainforest
Glacier Bay is at the northern end of one of the world’s largest temperate rainforests. The Tongass National Forest covers more than 17 million acres across Southeast Alaska. The area gets 70 to 80 inches of precipitation each year, with an average of 228 days of precipitation.
More Information
The Glacier Bay visitor center is open daily from May to September. To start planning your trip, call 907-6972230 or go online to www.nps.gov/glba.
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY MARIDAV
• Rate schedule is based on your current age and is guaranteed for the life of the policy.
• Monthly rates as low as $3.49.
• Coverage is also available for your spouse and other family members.
• Benefits will NEVER be canceled or reduced for the life of the policy if premiums are paid on time.
Policy Form #SRTCV/SRTCV R13 or R17, or #SRTCV90MA in MA
• Rates are based on your children’s or grandchildren’s present age and never increase for any reason.
• Monthly rates as low as $2.17.
• Benefits will NEVER be reduced or canceled if premiums are paid on time.
• Give your children a financial head start right now. Your policy builds CASH VALUE for your family’s needs.
Policy Form #GWL2001 or GWLA001
(Offer may vary, $100,000 coverage not available in all states.) CHOOSE $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $30,000 OR UP TO $100,000 COVERAGE
Honoring Old Glory
Story and photo by Dave LaBelle
There are photographs when published that initiate diverse emotional reactions.
I recall a photograph made of a young man with Down syndrome during a finger-painting class, his hands and face splattered with paint. One of my favorite images of the year, and it was a picture of unrehearsed joy.
After publication an angry reader called, livid the paper was cruel and insensitive to print such a photograph. I called the reader and patiently listened as she referred to the photograph as “disgusting” and “ugly.” Growing impatient, I explained I saw only joy, beauty and innocence. I suggested she take a look into her own heart.
Controversy often rises because an image strikes a nerve, delighting, angering or repulsing us. Photographs can make us uncomfortable, especially graphic war images. Images of violence and killing hurt me deeply, as they should.
I am reminded, for better or worse, each of us brings our past, our unique experiences to photographs we view.
“We nourish images with the intellectual baggage we carry,” the late French photographer Henri
Cartier-Bresson said.
When we are moved emotionally by an image, it’s critical to know the context in which the image is made and shared, and evaluate why it strikes us.
Few things are more sacred or evoke deeper emotion than our flag, our symbol of American sacrifice, loyalty and freedom.
Here, members of American Legion Post 656 in Farley, Iowa, burn discarded weather-torn, unserviceable American flags in a solemn and patriotic ceremony opened with prayer.
Veterans handle and stack the discarded flags with reverent care before torching them in a barrel.
Witnessing the flames curling around the colored cloth, stirred me emotionally in a way that’s difficult to explain. I felt sadness and patriotism, considering those who have given their lives.
By the way, this is a real photograph, not a fantasy image created by artificial intelligence. n
Photographer, author and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century, sharing tips and life perspectives. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and his blog, bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
NIKON D810 32mm lens
ISO 100 f/8 at 1/320
American Legion Post 656 members hold a patriotic ceremony for the disposal of 250 unserviceable flags May 14, 2024, in Farley, Iowa.
Reader Challenge
See if you can use your camera to capture—not artificially create with AI—a photograph of our beloved stars and stripes. Challenge yourself to capture an image that speaks to how you feel about this sacred emblem.
Email your best image—just one—with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to gph@ pioneer.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.
From Campfire to Summit
A premium Damascus blade — at a price that cuts deep
For centuries, Damascus steel has been prized for its strength, beauty and legendary performance. Its distinctive flowing patterns have made it one of the world’s most sought-after blade materials. The problem? Genuine Damascus knives often come with premium price tags. That’s why we created the Stauer Damascus Explorer Knife. Built for adventurers, outdoorsmen and collectors alike, this handsome knife combines rugged utility with timeless craftsmanship. Whether you’re preparing kindling, tackling camp chores or simply admiring its artistry, it’s a blade you’ll be proud to own.
EXCLUSIVE
Stauer Pocket Binoculars
a $99 value with your purchase of the Damascus Explorer Knife
+FREE Binoculars Impossible PriceONLY
The first thing you’ll notice is the striking Damascus steel blade Its signature rippled pattern isn’t just beautiful — it’s the mark of a centuries-old forging tradition. At a full 8 inches long, the blade offers impressive cutting power while maintaining excellent balance and control.
The rich rosewood handle provides a comfortable, secure grip, while the included sheath keeps your knife protected and ready for action. Every detail reflects the kind of quality typically found in knives costing far more.
Thanks to Stauer’s direct-to-you model, we’re able to offer this premium Damascus blade at an exceptional value. But supplies are limited, and once this shipment is gone, we can’t promise another opportunity at this price.
If you’ve been looking for a knife that blends performance, craftsmanship and value, now is the time to act.
*Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed original Stauer.com price.
Knife Specifications
• Damascus steel blade
• 8" blade. 13" overall length
• Rosewood handle
• Sheath included
What customers are saying about Stauer knives...
“First off, the shipping was fast and the quality is beyond what I paid for the knife. Overall, I am a satisfied customer!” — D., Houston, Texas
California residents, please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product.
You may think you understood the concept of “priceless” jewelry. For years, “priceless” meant “astronomically expensive.” That is, until now ...
Stauer smashes the luxury status quo with the release of our FREE* 200-Carat Lusso Amethyst Necklace That’s right, we said FREE ... as in “priceless.” No charge.* ZERO dollars.* Call now and we’ll send you this impressive helping of genuine amethyst (independently appraised at $295) for FREE. We cut the price 100%. You only pay $24.95, our regular charge for shipping and processing. We’ll even pay you back with a $30 discount certificate –– that’s our Better Than Free Shipping!
A collection of purple perfection. Your Lusso Amethyst Necklace is a 200-carat symphony of smooth purple genuine gemstones. Each gemstone’s shape and translucence ignites the velvety, violet hues. The polished amethysts are hand-strung on double-knotted jeweler’s thread, and the stunning 18" necklace (with 2" extender) secures with a gold-finished lobster clasp.
Too good to pass up. Too good to last long. Amethyst is one of the world’s most coveted gemstones and our supply is extremely limited. We can only offer such an outrageous deal for a short time every few years. Over 30,000 thrilled customers were lucky enough to get this promotion last time.
We only have about 2,500 left in stock. Act now!
Necklace Specifications:
• 200 ctw of genuine amethyst
• Gold-finished spacers
• 18" + 2" length necklace
Lusso Amethyst Necklace:
Lusso Amethyst Necklace (200 ctw) $249** FREE*
*Pay only shipping & processing of $24.95. Special price only for customers using the offer code.
“This necklace is beautiful. I could not believe my eyes ... GREAT!” — Bonnie from Longs, SC
amethyst necklace limited to just the first 2,500 responders to this ad!
Can Help You Smart Home Devices Save Energy
From smart thermostats to connected plugs and lighting, today’s technology can help you improve comfort, reduce waste, and take more control over home energy use.
For many rural households, managing energy use is about more than convenience. It is about keeping monthly bills under control while staying comfortable through every season. Smart home devices can help by giving families better information, better control, and in many cases, better efficiency. While no device can replace good insulation or an efficient heating system, the right technology can help you get more from the equipment you already have.
One of the best-known examples is the smart thermostat. Smart thermostats are independently verified to save energy and money by automatically adjusting temperatures when people are asleep or away. The U.S. Department of Energy says homeowners can save up to 10 percent a year on heating and cooling. That can be especially helpful in homes where heating and cooling account for a large share of energy use. Instead of relying on someone to remember to make manual changes, a smart thermostat can do the work automatically, reducing costs while you’re away and making your home comfortable for your return. Columbia REA has rebates for many Smart thermostats at columbiarea.coop/ energy-efficiency.
when the device is not in use. Some models also show how much electricity an appliance is using, which can help you identify equipment that costs more to operate than expected.
Some smart home systems can even bring thermostats, lights, and plug loads together in one app or dashboard. ENERGY STAR notes that these systems can simplify savings by automating routines and helping homeowners better understand when and where energy is being used. That kind of awareness can lead to better habits over time. For rural families, the value of smart home technology is not just in the novelty. It is making everyday energy decisions easier. Small changes, made consistently, can add up to meaningful savings over the course of a year.
More info is available at columbiarea.coop/energy-efficiency.
Other smart devices can also make a difference. Smart lighting paired with LED bulbs can reduce waste by turning lights off automatically or following a set schedule. Smart plugs can reduce “phantom load,” the energy some electronics use even when they appear to be off. A plug connected to a television, coffee maker, space heater, or game console can shut power off completely
If you have any questions about how to be more energy efficient, please email cdesalvo@columbiarea.coop, or call 509-526-4041
Charlie DeSalvo, Energy Efficiency Specialist
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 45 years in business. btlliners.com; 541-447-0712. 0427
Antiques and Collectibles
Buying American Indian collectibles, Navajo jewelry, blankets, rugs. CA/AZ baskets and beadwork. Quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com.
WC Collectibles. We buy comic books. Local to Inland Northwest. Willing to travel. WCCollectiblesCheney@gmail.com; 509-496-1835.
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. 0926
2 large boxes of Swarovski crystals. Bought from 1980-90. Passed down to me. Make offer, 541-815-8201. Redmond, OR. 0726
Automotive
1966 Corvette coupe, BB. Beautiful, not for everyday driving. $70K. Carl, 509-420-6200.
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. 0726
“Earth’s Little Secret,” by AH Miller. Find it on Amazon books. Possibly one of the most important books on staying healthy you will ever read. 0726
Community Events
Main Street Union, OR, is hosting our annual Family Roots, Blues and Brews from 5:308:30 p.m. July 31 in our beautiful Union, OR, city park. Music by Wasteland Kings and Elwood. There will be vendors and beer available. For more information, call Jana at 541-786-5129. 0726
New works: solo exhibits by OR artists Tess Cahill and Ray Guse. July 10Aug. 29 at Art Center East in La Grande, OR. artcentereast.org. 0726
Quick, Affordable: How to Place an Ad
Ads 25 words or fewer are $35 a month. An 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.
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): September issue—July 31
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 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.
Education
Long Creek Virtual Learning Acellus Academy. Free in OR, online, accredited, K-12 education. Contact Long Creek School for information and to sign up. longcreekschool.com; 541-508-9164. 1226
Miscellaneous
Attention, landowners. Grants available now. Wildland fire fuel reduction service. Steep ground, remote, rocky, small lot, big acreage … no problem. Blue Mountain Defensible Space LLC. Bluemountainbrush@gmail.com or 509-399-3473; bluemountainbrush.com. 1126
Granite cemetery markers at affordable prices. Will ship to most places. For more info: Joe, highdesertmemorials@gmail.com or 541-815-8906; highdesertmemorials.com. 0726
Pets
Havanese puppies in Rainier, OR. Hypoallergenic, great for all ages. Raised by our family as quality pets for you. www.happeninhavanese.com or Rebecca, 503-728-6241. 0926
Pools/Spas
Stay warm and healthy this winter. Custom outdoor saunas built and delivered to you from La Grande, OR. saunahublg.com; 541-805-1318. 0726
Bucks Lake, Plumas County, CA. Five cabin/ vacation home sites located in the gated Norton Meadows Subdivision. The lots range in size from .94 to 1.53 acres and are priced from $47,500 to $84,000. Electricity is available and underground. Septic/well needs to be privately constructed. Walking distance to the Haskins Store, the lake and Bucks Marina. Accessible in the winter using snow machines. Seller will provide financing to qualified buyers. Reasonably priced, an opportunity to build your dream vacation home. Joann (Realtor), 530-864-5337. 0726
Private 20-acre retreat with mature timber, a custom 2019 home, guest quarters, garage, orchard and view. Price reduced to $990K. Bordering timberland, this OR Coast property offers comfort, privacy and country living. Call 541-961-1889. 0726
Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm & recreation property in OR. Fourth-generation Oregonian, prior ranch owner. For sale: Deschutes Canyon mountain views, 118 acres, riverfront. $11.9M. John Gill, 541-480-9161; johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 0726
Thriving turnkey all-inclusive business in Seneca, OR. Bear Valley Store. $410K. 4 Rivers Realty Inc., 541-987-2363; ddwr@ortelco.net. 0726
Real Estate
CUP approved March 21, 2025. Nonfarm dwelling. ODOT driveway approach construction application permit #100223. Fremont Hwy 31, photos. Silver Lake rural fire protection district. Surveyed, photographs, 4.47 acres, tax lot 19487. Backs BLM. 503-366-4424. 0826
Local cash buyer for all real estate and homes. Any condition or situation. No agents, no repairs, no waiting. Ready with serious offers. AJ, 509-530-1182. 1126
10.69-acre Bridge, OR, property featuring a remodeled manufactured home, usable ground, mature trees, generator backup, storage and Middle Fork Coquille River frontage across the road. Quiet rural living near Myrtle Point and Coquille with fishing, privacy, and small-town convenience for getaway or full-time country living.
USLANDCO, Dan Amos, broker, 541-430-2668. 0726
Recreational Rentals
Ocean view Maui vacation rental. For the months of May-Oct. $210/now $185. One-time cleaning $150, 2 TVs, king-size bed, queen-size sofa bed. Beach chairs and umbrellas. Great view. 503-812-6689. 0826
Sunshine and sand—book your summer dreams at WaveCatcher for 2026. Oceanfront cottage with direct beach access, on the spectacular Central OR Coast. Sleeps 6. Pet friendly. All house amenities. Winter closure Nov.-March. Reservations, information: text, 541-740-2846 or email relax@wavecatcherbeachrentals.com. 0726
Services
Sheidler Bookkeeping. Wrangling those books so you don’t have to. QuickBooks and Xero certified. Contact Valia at 541-519-9005 or sheidlerbookkeeping@gmail.com for a free consultation. 0726
Blue Mountain Defensible Space LLC Wildfire Fuel Reduction: clearing brush, thinning trees, animal habitat enhancement. Expert service. Grant money available: OR, WA, ID. Bluemountainbrush@gmail.com; 509-399-3473; bluemountainbrush.com. 1126
Old West Coffins. Simple, dignified, traditional. Pine coffins, made-to-measure in the USA. Live the cowboy way … leave the cowboy way. oldwestcoffins.com. 530-640-1940. 0826
Dawn Till Dusk Masonry. Brick, block, stone and pavers. Small jobs and repairs welcome. dawntillduskconstructionmasonry.com; 541-388-7605; 541-410-6945. License #245760, bonded and insured. La Pine, OR. 1226
Shop woodworkingspecialties.com for handcrafted OR charcuterie boards, bowls and custom functional art. Bring timeless, familycrafted beauty into your home today. Explore our collections. 0726
Sporting/Exercise
Treadmill, brand ECHANFIT. Like new, with manual. Works great. Folds to save space. 541-965-1324, The Dalles, OR. 0726
Want to Buy
Buying American Indian collectibles, Navajo jewelry, blankets, rugs. CA/AZ baskets and beadwork. Quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com. 0826
Gold, silver, coins/currency, buy, sell. Collections wanted. Fair prices paid. 45 years in retail store. Baker City, OR. 800-556-2133; garrymclin@aol.com. 1026
Old carpenter tools, planes (wood/metal), levels, chisels, slicks, adzes, axes, hatchets, handsaws, old rulers, spoke shaves, wrenches, shipwright tools, old tool chests. 503-659-0009 or 971-666-0659. 0726
100% Guaranteed
P rotective S leeves
Perfect for a Potluck
With more than 200 recipes, this cookbook from our 2007 contest offers options for potlucks, family reunions or picnics. As a bonus, extra pages feature previously unpublished barbecue recipes from a 2006 contest. The 8½-by-11-inch indexed book is $10 (plus $3 shipping for any size order).
TO ORDER BY MAIL:
Submit payment with cookbook title, your name, address and number of cookbooks wanted to:
Ruralite Cookbooks
P.O. Box 1306
North Plains, OR 97133
TO PAY BY PHONE: Call 503-357-2105 for credit card payments with Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.
TO ORDER ONLINE: Visit ruralite.com.
Please allow two to three weeks for delivery.
ildfire afety
Wildfire season is here. Columbia REA takes fire safety very seriously. One of the key steps we take is placing our equipment in Fire Safety Mode, known in the industry as “one-shot” operation. This setting helps reduce the risk of ignition from electrical arcs or sparks. The equipment used to put these settings on “one-shot” is called a recloser. A recloser functions much like a circuit breaker in your home, it automatically shuts off power when it detects a fault. Under normal conditions, a recloser will momentarily open, turning off power to allow the issue to clear. The recloser will then attempt to close, restoring power if the fault was temporary, such as a
tree branch briefly contacting the line. If the problem remains, the device will make several attempts to reclose before locking out and turning the power off.
In Fire Safety Mode, or one-shot, the recloser opens immediately at the first sign of a fault—often within a fraction of a second—and does not attempt to reclose. This approach prioritizes wildfire prevention over automatic power restoration.
As a result, outages may last longer. Crews must respond to the location, patrol the affected line to identify the cause of the outage, and manually restore service once it is safe to do so. Depending on crew availability, travel distance, distance of powerline that needs inspected and the location of the fault, restoration times may be significantly longer than under normal operating conditions.
Fire-Safe Practices Save Lives and Property
If you live next to a natural area, the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), you should provide firefighters with the defensible space they need to protect your home. The buffer zone you create by removing weeds, brush and other vegetation helps keep the fire away from your home and reduces the risk from flying embers. Firewise Communities and other wildland fire preparedness education programs provide valuable guidance on property enhancements. Each year, wildland fires consume hundreds of homes in the WUI. Studies show that as many as 80 percent of the homes lost to wildland fires could have been saved if their owners had only followed a few simple fire-safe practices. In addition, wildland fire related deaths occur because people wait too long to leave their home.
Your fire department takes every precaution to help protect you and your property from wildland fire. However, the reality is that in a major wildland fire event, there will simply not be enough fire resources or firefighters to defend every home.
Successfully preparing for a wildland fire enables you to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family, and your property.
For more information on protecting you and your property from wildland fire, please visit, www.columbiarea.coop/outages-safety/wildfire-mitigation/
What
is
Defensible Space?
Defensible Space Increases Your Safety and Reduces Fire Damage
Defensible space is a buffer zone around your home or structure created by the removal of weeds, brush and other overgrown natural vegetation. Creating defensible space can decrease fire damage to structures and allow space for firefighting operations while increasing your home’s stand-alone survivability. Landscaping plans that include non-combustible materials, fire-resistant plants and regular mitigation can contribute to the creation and maintenance of defensible space. Special consideration should be given to wind-driven embers which can travel up to a mile or more ahead of the flame front. Regularly inspect or replace outside screens and ventilation points on the home and structures. Also remember the vegetation on your property may be more of a risk to those living around you than to your own home. Work with your neighbors to help reduce the risk to everyone’s homes.
Celebrating 100
To all the dear Ruralite readers, I can’t begin to tell you how overwhelmed and overjoyed me and my family have been with the outpouring of 100th birthday wishes, blessings and special gifts! The handmade cards are so beautiful and the cards from the “little hands” at Raft River Elementary in Malta, Idaho, and Camas Valley Charter School in Roseburg, Oregon, are just precious—good job teachers! My deepest thanks to each and every one of you for taking the time to celebrate someone you have never met. And you ALL spelled Gwiazdon right! I hope you get this message of sincere gratitude and appreciation for your random acts of kindness that I will cherish for my next 100 years!
With love and blessings, Elizabeth “Betty” Gwiazdon
Elizabeth “Betty” Gwiazdon received hundreds of birthday cards from Ruralite readers in response to daughter Michele Skupic’s Reader Exchange request in the March edition. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHELE SKUPIC
But When Driving, These Sunglasses May Save Your Life!
The sun rises and sets at peak travel periods, during the early morning and afternoon rush hours and many drivers find themselves temporarily blinded while driving directly into the glare of the sun. Deadly accidents are regularly caused by such blinding glare with danger arising from reflected light off another vehicle, the pavement, or even from waxed and oily windshields that can make matters worse. Early morning dew can exacerbate this situation. Yet, motorists struggle on despite being blinded by the sun’s glare that can cause countless accidents every year.
Not all sunglasses are created equal. Protecting your eyes is serious business. With all the fancy fashion frames out there it can be easy to overlook what really matters––the lenses. So we did our research and looked to the very best in optic innovation and technology.
Sometimes it does take a rocket scientist. A NASA rocket scientist. Some ordinary sunglasses can obscure your vision by exposing your eyes to harmful UV rays, blue light, and reflective glare. They can also darken useful vision-enhancing light. But now, independent research conducted by scientists from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has brought forth ground-breaking technology to help protect human eyesight from the harmful effects of solar radiation light. This superior
lens technology was first discovered when NASA scientists looked to nature for a means to superior eye protection— specifically, by studying the eyes of eagles, known for their extreme visual acuity. This discovery resulted in what is now known as Eagle Eyes
The Only Sunglass Technology Certified by the Space Foundation for UV and BlueLight Eye Protection. the most advanced eye protection technology ever created. The TriLenium ® Lens Technology offers triple-filter polarization to block 99.9% UVA and UVB—plus the added benefit of blue-light eye protection. Eagle Eyes® is the only optic technology that has earned official recognition from the Space Certification Program for this remarkable technology. Now, that’s proven science-based protection.
The finest optics: And buy one, get one FREE! Eagle Eyes® has the highest customer satisfaction of any item in our 20 year history. We are so excited for you to try the Eagle Eyes® breakthrough technology that we will give you a second pair of Eagle Eyes® Navigator™ Sunglasses FREE––a $59.95 value!
That’s two pairs to protect your eyes with the best technology available for less than the price of one pair of traditional sunglasses. You get a pair of Navigators with stainless steel black frames and the other with stainless steel gold, plus one hard zipper case and one micro-fiber drawstring cleaning pouch are included. Keep one pair in your pocket and one in your car.
confidence, knowing your eyes are protected with technology that was born in space for the human race.
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you are not astounded with the Eagle Eyes® technology, enjoying clearer, sharper and more glare-free vision, simply return one pair within 30 days for a full refund of the purchase price. The other pair is yours to keep. No one else has such confidence in their optic technology. Don’t leave your eyes in the hands of fashion designers, entrust them to the best scientific minds on earth. Wear your Eagle Eyes®
with absolute
2929 Melrose Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: 509-526-4041
Fax: 509-526-3666
Toll Free: 800-642-1231 www.columbiarea.coop
Board of Directors
Jay DeWitt, President
Dennis Munden, Vice President
Katie Wooldridge, Secretary/Treasurer
Neil Carpenter, Director
Patrick Dennis, Director
Doug Logan, Director
Rick Lugar, Director
Kent Marquardt, Director
Philip Mehlenbacher, Director
Board meetings are normally the fourth Tuesday of each month. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. and is usually held in Walla Walla.
Staff
Scott Peters, Chief Executive Officer
Jennifer Aichele, Executive Assistant/HR
Michael Ahern, Chief Financial Officer
Dan Andrews, Manager of Power Services & Regulatory Affairs
Gene Dawes, Manager of Broadband Communications
Brendan Johnson, Chief Experience Officer
Jeff Murphy, Chief Operating Officer
Steve Owens, Ruralite Editor
Taking the Time to Get It Right
A year ago, in this column, we talked about Columbia REA’s adoption of AI technology, specifically Microsoft CoPilot, into our workflow. The headline that day was “Fast, Flexible and Forward-thinking.”
It feels slightly ironic (yet totally unrelated) that exactly one year later, as conversations around a data center in the Wallula Gap area pick up steam, Columbia REA’s involvement continues to evolve. While flexibility and forethought are present in every discussion regarding the future of your co-op, “fast” is not a term that describes Columbia REA’s decisionmaking process regarding the data center.
For more than a year, after being approached by the developer of the data center, your Board of Directors asked questions, sought answers, and weighed the pros and cons before entering into an initial agreement to serve the data center. We realize we are not experts on many of the issues and concerns being voiced publicly about the impacts of the data center. We are experts in energy supply and electricity distribution, and our focus will always be on our core expertise, but we also accept that, as members of the communities we live in and serve, we still need to weigh all the issues and make the best decisions for our members. With that in mind, here are a few key points we’d like you to remember as you work through your own thoughts on the issue:
•Protecting members and rates is our top priority. After extensive study, Columbia REA moved forward only under strict conditions designed to minimize financial risk for existing members. The data center will be placed in a separate, cost-based rate class, ensuring all related costs are tracked independently and not subsidized by any other member.
• All infrastructure costs are the responsibility of the developer. This includes substations, transmission lines, system upgrades, as well as engineering and legal expenses. This approach shields members from potential debt increases while maintaining stable and predictable rates.
• Responsible stewardship of energy resources. Data centers require substantial electricity. By proceeding carefully, Columbia REA is aligning decisions with long-term power supply planning, natural resource management, and system reliability.
• There will be benefits to the cooperative and the community. To serve the data center, Columbia REA will be adding infrastructure, while also improving overall grid resilience and outage response capabilities across our entire system. These improvements will benefit all members. The data center will also be a Walla Walla County taxpayer, helping to fund schools, emergency services, roads, and infrastructure. There will also be jobs created, from construction and high-tech jobs to secondary business opportunities and potential “vendor community” development.
Columbia REA was born here, built here, and has a responsibility to the people it serves. Our members come first, but our commitment to community is part of every decision we make. This is not about growing the company or increasing revenue. The data center project must meet the same standard as any large-scale project we take on; it must strengthen the Cooperative and serve our members’ interests.
The conversation will continue, and we want to be part of it. If you have questions or would like to discuss this further, please reach out anytime.
