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July 2026 • Volume 73, No. 7

CEO Michael Shepard

SENIOR VP OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Chasity Anderson, CCC

DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Noble Sprayberry

SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC

LEAD CONTENT EDITOR Victoria Hampton, CCC

ASSISTANT EDITORS David Herder, CCC; Sable Riley, CCC; Nina Todea, CCC

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Valeri Saldanha Rosa

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION SR. MANAGER

Elizabeth Beatty

SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR

Alyssa McDougle

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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

POSITION 1— UNION COUNTY

JEFF CLARK

Family: Wife, Libby; five children.

Occupation: Licensed Realtor/ Principal Broker.

Education: La Grande High School, Class of 1999, Oregon State University, BS Psychology 2003.

Experience: OTEC Board of Directors (2023-present); Hospital Facility Authority of Union County (2026).

Organizations: Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Morocco 20032006; Liberty Theatre Foundation; Eastern Oregon Film Festival. Issues the board of directors will need to deal with: Our cooperative will face numerous complex issues and challenges in the near future related to production and transmission of electricity, the pressures of inflation, the economy of our local communities, and the integration of new advanced technologies into our various systems. As a board, we are facing these issues head on. The next five years will see the board and staff working hard to expand our service area with the acquisition of ldaho Power’s Oregon territory and the potential expansion into Pacific Power’s Wallowa County territory.

Statement to voters: It has been a great privilege and an exciting opportunity to serve as one of your cooperative directors for the last three years. I have spent that time dedicated to listening to and communicating with our diverse membership, presenting those thoughts and comments to the board of directors and senior staff, and working hard to continue my education as a director. I have learned so much and stand ready to listen to your needs and concerns over the coming term.

2026 Board of Directors Election Voter Guide

My goal as a director is to keep our power rates low, our delivery reliable and our employees and linemen safe. We have been dealing with the great challenge of inflation in our current economic environment, and we are analyzing every angle to keep our rates as low as possible, while continuing to harden the grid against wildfire and improve our technological systems. There are many exciting developments at the cooperative.

I am excited about the expansion of OTEC into new territories. With our future increased membership and new key commercial members, we will diversify our load and benefit from the economies of scale, which will help us stabilize prices for decades to come. I would love the opportunity to serve you for another term. Thank you for your consideration. n

POSITION 2— BAKER COUNTY

ALETHA G. BONEBRAKE Family: Three children.

Occupation: Retired, Director, Baker County Library District (1985-2007).

Education: Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Spring, Maryland; George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (A.A. History); University of Wisconsin Madison, B.A. Journalism 1982; Masters in Library Science 1983.

Experience: Ten years OTEC Board Member 2014-2015, 20172025 holding Board Leadership Gold Credential; Baker City Council (2009-2013); Oregon Library Association (1985-present, president 2006-2007); Oregon State Library Board of Trustees (2010-2017; Chair 2013-2017; Senate Interim Task Force on

OREGON TRAIL ELECTRIC

Library Cooperation (2002, legislative appointment); Libraries of Eastern Oregon Board (Founding member 1999); Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon, Council, Committees (2007-present).

Organizations: Oregon Community Foundation Northeast Oregon Leadership Council (2009-present); Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre Board, Vice President (2009-present): Chair, Baker Orpheum Theatre Renovation Project (2016-present); Baker County Community Literacy Coalition (2001-present); St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Baker City (1985-present).

Issues the board of directors will need to deal with:

• Wildfires are at an inflection point causing intensive political, economic and social effects on our business of providing affordable power to our member/owners, requiring political engagement and socio-economic compromise among public leadership.

• Meeting the rapidly growing demand for energy to power large loads from data centers and other economic infrastructure development with mix of power supply resources.

• Protecting our world-class hydropower system. It is more essential than ever, as carbon-based fuels are being phased out of power production by laws and taxation, to advocate vigorously to protect our carbon-free Columbia River hydropower system from regulatory overreach based on politics instead of science.

Statement to voters: My role as an OTEC Director on your behalf is a deeply rewarding service for which I have studied diligently to keep abreast of industry change and challenges. I want to continue serving our owner/members with safe, reliable and affordable power. To this goal we work to bring new ways of achieving energy efficiencies into your homes. We also stand up with our cooperative partners to protect our extraordinary hydropower resources when co-ops are challenged by overregulation or special interests.

In the 10 years I have served on the OTEC Board I have earned Board Director Certification and our National Electric Cooperative’s certification of Director Gold. I keep informed of issues and opportunities in the wider cooperative energy community and network at state, regional and national conferences and trainings. Providing energy to a community is a very complex business in constant change due to market pressure of alternate power sources, opportunities for renewable energy adoption and regulatory activity that impacts your rates and power delivery. I work to serve you, the owner/members of our electric cooperative, with knowledge and judgement. I would be honored to continue representing you on the OTEC Board of Directors, and I ask for your vote. n

POSITION 2— BAKER COUNTY

DAVID CRAWFORD

Family: One son.

Occupation: I provide Power Line Inspection Services. I specialize in Drone Infrared (IR) Thermography, Wireless X-Ray, and NESC G.O. 95, G.O. 128, which covers overhead and underground utility construction,

overhead and underground transmission and substation systems, and Drone LiDAR power line inspections for utility customers. Using innovative technology to provide Inspection and Preventive Maintenance Program Services with advanced data collection, reporting and processing methods to ensure the highest levels of accuracy in both data collection and delivery.

Education: Pine Eagle High School, Oregon. Graduate, National Training Institute, N.J.A.T.C., Knoxville, TN, 4-year program; Certificate of Completion for HotStick/Rigging/Rubber Gloving 21KB School N.W.P.P.A., Tri-Cities, WA; Boise State Lineman College; Certificate of Completion in Cost Estimating, VO-TECH Institute, Milwaukee, Oregon, Graduate, Northwest Line J.A.T.C., Vancouver

Experience: Trustee on Cal-Nev J.A.T.C., Assistant Director of California-Nevada J.A.T.C. Power Lineman Apprenticeship, Senior Business Representative for IBEW Local Union 1245, Outside Line Construction, Inspecting/Overseeing contractors employed on Pacific Gas & Electric properties for Wildfires Management Suppression and Compliance.

Organizations: I am a recognized Oregon Emerging Small Business; Small Business Administration HUBZone certified; ISNetworld Member Contractor. These memberships support small businesses by providing opportunities to compete contractually for local and government contracts as well as contractual opportunities with larger organizations required to partner with small business for certain projects. Oregon Joint Use Association established by the Oregon Legislature to advise the PUC on national safety for all utility standards which relates to all equipment including utility poles. Northwest Public Power Association in the Western U.S. and Canada, serving the networking needs of over 300 Associate Members across the U.S. and Canada who are allied with the electric utility industry.

Issues the board of directors will need to deal with:: In my experience over the past 35 years in the utility trade we will need a Board of Directors to embrace a different perspective on the strategies that position the cooperative for growth and sustainability. By including more industry experienced leadership that provide knowledge in working with other utility and organizations as stated above.

The benefits of having the knowledge and experience in place to work effectively with utilities, as well as understanding wildfire litigation. In addition, this season of growth necessitates skill and knowledge in taking over two different utilities with older equipment; appropriately addressing necessary infrastructure issues to make them compatible with OTEC which if done correctly will greatly improve OTEC over time.

Statement to voters: With more than 35 years of experience in the utility services industry it is my desire to use my knowledge of the electric utilities infrastructure and years of industry experience to serve as a Board of Director for the Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC). I believe that my background and decades of industry specific understanding will strengthen the coop as it continues to grow in its acquisition of service area reach and increased membership. Looking forward, the future demands that we must address will require human resources to ensure the safety and integrity of our infrastructure. n

PLUGGED IN Strikes

Nature When

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.

OREGON TRAIL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Election Voter Guide

Continued from Page 5

POSITION 3— HARNEY COUNTY

ROBERT CARGILL

Family: Wife, Sandy. Four children.

Occupation: Lifetime rancher, retail business in Bums for three years.

Education: B.S. in Agriculture at Colorado State University. Organizations: Leadership Program (BLP); Director Gold Certificate (DGC); OTEC Scholarship Committee Chairman. Member of the Oregon Cattlemen and National Cattlemen Associations; Hamey County Stock Growers; Crane Union High School Board; Hamey School District #3 Budget Board; Harney County Fair Board; Hamey County Budget Board; Church Board; and 4-H leader; HinesBurns Kiwanis Member.

Issues the board of directors will need to deal with: I have been a member of electric cooperatives most of my life and I understand the importance and convenience of electricity in our community. During my time on the OTEC Board of Directors, I have acquired knowledge of electrical system and changing energy business. I believe that to have reliable and affordable electric power in our region, the Board of Directors must provide informed and consistent direction to our Electric Cooperative’s management. A changing energy market, increasing technology, and state/federal regulation will continue to impact our Cooperative, requiring Directors to be well informed of the energy business and the needs of our communities. I’ve been involved in many civic activities within our communities and I continue to hear from you, my fellow Cooperative Members, about the importance of affordable and reliable electric power. A Cooperative not only provides local control over an essential service, but is necessary for the economic health and growth of the communities. In doing so, I have worked with my committee in establishing programs to benefit our patrons: Student College Scholarships, Trade School Scholarships, Washington D.C. Scholarship Trips, and the Dolly Pardon Imagination Library Program. These programs have been an enormous benefit to all youth in our communities. It is my sincere desire to continue to serve you on the OTEC Board of Directors. Experience is not determined by the number of years you have served, but by the wisdom you have gained.

Statement to voters: I ask for your vote so that I may continue to serve the members of the cooperative in order to achieve affordable and reliable power for our communities. As our communities are experiencing difficult times due to current events, having an experienced and knowledgeable board is essential for keeping services to its members cost effective and dependable. n

POSITION 3— HARNEY COUNTY

FRED HELLBUSCH

Family: Wife, Terri. Two children.

Former occupations: 19732002 Lineman, I & R Technician, Cable Splicer, Facility Technician, OSP Engineer, Supervisor over the Oregon Coast. These positions were in Burns, Oregon and Tillamook, Oregon for United Telephone/Sprint. In 2002 I accepted a position as OSP Engineer for CenturyTel in Burns, to return to my hometown. I retired from CenturyTel in 2013 with forty years in the telephone industry. I was the Ranch Manager for Trout Creek Ranch in Fields, Oregon from 2021-2022.

Education: Graduated from Burns Union High School 1970 and various schooling and trainings for the telephone industry.

Organizations: Eight years Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Access and Habitat Board, two years as a member and six years as chairperson for the SE Oregon Region. Oregon Hunters Association, Harney County Chapter for 12 years, board member for 3 years and chapter president for 9 years. City of Hines Budget Committee 2025 and 2026.

Issues the board of directors will need to deal with: With the changes within the power industry and the coming of AI there will be a greater demand for electricity than ever, before on the electrical power grid, It will be a great task to provide reliable and affordable power to the OTEC customers, and with the added demand on the power grid safety will become more of a factor to employees and the customers. With the increasing risk of wildfires, it will put a great demand on the power grid to be maintained to a higher standard than ever before. Another area of concern will be maintaining and creating new power generation facilities.

Statement to voters: I feel I would be a great asset to the board as a longtime Harney County resident and with forty years in the utility industry. During my forty years in the telephone industry, I’ve been thru several property trades and acquisitions that have given me a wide range of experiences. Since I have been thru these trades\acquisitions I have a strong appreciation for the changes the new and existing customers and employees will go thru. My number one focus will be a smooth transition for the employees and customers. I feel I would be a strong asset to the board and would bring fresh thoughts and ideas to the table for the trying times the power industry is about to embark on. I would appreciate your vote for the opportunity to provide a new face and new ideas and to represent the customers and employees of OTEC. Thank you. n

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Greek Pasta Salad Salad

8 ounces bow tie pasta

½ English cucumber, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

10 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved

Dressing

1 lemon, zested and juiced

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 to 2 shallots, chopped

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.

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.

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Submissions are handled first-come, first-served as space allows. We cannot honor every request.

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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.

• 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.

• 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.

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(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

EXCLUSIVE FREE

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.

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. Damascus Explorer Knife PLUS FREE Binoculars $349*

*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!

A Quieter Way to Celebrate 250 Years

By Shiraz Mukarram

Every summer, Eastern Oregon swells. The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, headquartered in Baker City, sees about 250,000 visits a year. The Malheur Forest, headquartered in John Day, sees about 160,000. The Umatilla Forest welcomes another 170,000. All three forests are within the counties Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative serves.

State parks across Central and Eastern Oregon counted more than 10 million day-use visits in 2025. These are the only regions in the state to have more visitors than the prior year, according to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

We welcome those visitors. They eat at our restaurants, sleep in our towns and shop downtown. Most of them love this country the way we do. A handful, without meaning to, leave it on fire.

Where Last Year’s Fires Came From

In 2025, the Oregon Department of Forestry recorded 1,160 wildfires on the state-protected land it patrols. ODF kept 94% of those fires to 10 acres or less, according to figures the agency presented to the Oregon Legislature. The reason was fast detection and faster response, not luck.

Of those 1,160 fires, 796 were started by people. That figure runs 33 fires higher than the 10-year average of 763. Lightning accounted for 360, compared to a 10-year average of 216. Over the past decade, seven of every 10 fires on state-protected land traced back to a person, according to an analysis by the Oregon Journalism Project. The top three human causes year after year are debris burning, equipment use and recreation, which is the polite word for an unattended campfire.

The pattern is steady. The fire does not care if you meant it.

The Fireworks Problem

Between 2020 and 2024, the Oregon State Fire Marshal logged 562 firework-related fires across the state that caused roughly $2.5 million in damage. The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge began when a 15-year-old threw a lit firecracker into a canyon during a burn ban. The fire burned nearly 49,000 acres, according to U.S. Forest Service records. The cleanup took years. The scars are still there.

Oregon law only permits retail fireworks that do not explode, do not fly into the air, do not behave in an uncontrolled manner and do not travel more than 12 feet. Anything that flies or explodes, including bottle rockets, Roman candles, firecrackers and mortars, is illegal without a permit. All fireworks are illegal on federal land, including the national forests around us.

A Camping Checklist

This summer, prepare to be an informed steward of the land. Before you leave town:

• Pack a shovel, bucket and at least 1 gallon of water for every person at the site.

• Bring a charged phone, paper map and the address of the nearest ranger station.

• Check fire restriction level for the unit you are visiting at oregon.gov/odf. Levels change weekly in July.

At camp:

• Build your fire in an established ring, never on grass, pine needles or duff, the decomposed layer underfoot.

• Keep the flame smaller than the ring. A bonfire is not a campfire.

• When putting out a fire, drown the coals, stir the ash, then drown them again. If the coals are too hot to touch with the back of your hand, they are too hot to leave.

In the rig:

• Check the chains on every trailer before you pull out. A dragging chain throws sparks that can start a fire.

• Do not park on dry grass. A hot catalytic converter can start a fire in less than a minute.

This is the country’s 250th birthday. It is a great year to celebrate. It is also a dry year, following a wet spring that grew a heavy crop of fine fuels. Cheatgrass and tall annual grass dried early. The ground is ready to ignite.

• If you see smoke, call 911. Do not wait to be sure. Crews would rather drive out for nothing than arrive too late.

Bring the Kids in on It

The next generation of campers is sitting in the back of your truck right now. Through a song, storybook and activity book, OTEC’s WILD Program—Wildfire Information Learning and Development—teaches Eastern Oregon’s youngest campers how to keep this country from burning. The program is free. Visit otec.coop/wild or write to communications@otec.coop to request materials for your classroom, camp or kitchen table.

What We Owe the Place

OTEC’s lines run through some of the most beautiful country in the West. People visit for the same reasons we choose to live here. It’s beautiful, it is wild, and it is intact. Keeping it intact through this summer is a small ask in exchange for what it gives back. Celebrate loud. Celebrate proud. Leave the fireworks to the professionals, and leave your campsite colder than you found it. That is how we get to celebrate America’s 251st birthday. n

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.

Classic 1990 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer 4x4. Always kept inside. $6.5K. 503-502-8828. 0726

Books, Magazines, Videos

Book restoration. Bibles, cookbooks, cherished family heirlooms. Beautiful work. We give renewed life, more durable than original, to last for generations. 775-537-7066; salacanstudio@gmail.com. 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

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.

The Network Behind the Switch

Your home’s power connects to a web of cooperatives OTEC belongs to and helps govern

By Shiraz Mukarram

When the lights come on in your kitchen, the power runs through Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative’s wires. The story behind that flip of the switch is longer. OTEC belongs to a network of cooperatives and, through the cooperative model, owns a piece of them. That behindthe-scenes network is what makes reliable, competitively priced power possible.

A Look at the Numbers

Electric co-ops power 42 million people, serving member-owners in 48 states, including 92% of the counties the federal government classifies as persistent-poverty, according to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. They keep the lights on for more than 22 million homes, businesses, schools and farms. Each year, co-ops return more than $1 billion in capital credits to their member-owners.

OTEC is one of roughly 830 distribution cooperatives nationwide, served by another 64 generation and transmission cooperatives that sell wholesale power to the network. The reach of the network is what lets a co-op our size tap resources far larger than we could build alone.

The Power of the Cooperative Network

Several organizations add to OTEC’s power in different ways. Each is built on the same cooperative governance as OTEC. We vote for their boards and sometimes serve on them, earn capital credits from them, and reach resources at lower costs, because the not-for-profit, member-owned model serves all of us.

OTEC CEO Les Penning puts it plainly:

“We own them. They do not own us.”

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It is a trade association, a voice in Washington, D.C., and where industrywide training and safety standards are written. OTEC pays dues and helps set the direction.

Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the statewide version of NRECA. Eighteen Oregon co-ops belong. In Salem, ORECA advocates for wildfire policies, rights-of-way laws and protection of the lower Snake River dams.

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. is headquartered in Dulles, Virginia. It is a roughly $40 billion cooperative bank serving more than 1,100 member-owners across 50 states, an entity the cooperatives built to finance themselves. CFC is OTEC’s sole financier. In 1988, it lent the original $33 million that bought our system from CP National. In 2027, if the Idaho Power acquisition is

approved, CFC is positioned to lend the $154 million to fund it. Same lender, same handshake, almost four decades apart.

Cooperative Response Center in Austin, Minnesota, is the voice on the line when members call OTEC after hours. Dispatchers are co-op employees, not outsourced contractors. The call is routed, logged and handed to our line crews in minutes.

Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange, in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, is owned by the co-ops it insures and writes most of the property and liability policies on the network’s trucks, substations and offices. Because it insures only cooperatives, its people know our work better than any outside carrier could.

Pioneer Utility Resources, in Hillsboro, Oregon, is the cooperative that prints and publishes the magazine you are reading. Ruralite reaches more than 332,000 homes a month through 46 local editions across Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The covers and

The Power of the Cooperative Network

local content change with the utility served, but the masthead stays the same.

Touchstone Energy, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is the national brand cooperatives share. It buys national advertising to carry the cooperative model and supplies co-op teams with materials and messaging, saving each co-op the time and cost of building its own.

National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative in Herndon, Virginia, helps co-ops build the technology backbone: broadband networks, smart-meter systems and grid communications a single co-op could not build on its own.

NRECA International, founded in 1962, has helped establish more than 250 utilities and cooperatives in 54 countries, reaching more than 220 million people without electricity. OTEC has participated in two electrification projects in Guatemala. More than 800 million people still live without

power, and the work is far from finished.

Two Cooperatives Join Forces

Recently, software solutions partners Meridian Cooperative of Atlanta, and the National Information Solutions Cooperative, with facilities in Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, and three other states, announced plans to merge.

According to a letter to members from Meridian’s CEO, the combined cooperative will employ about 1,900 people, serve 1,200 member utilities and reach roughly 20 million end member-owners and subscribers. The merger is set to take effect Aug. 1, 2026, pending member approval, and OTEC will cast its vote.

OTEC is a member of Meridian Cooperative. The merger matters to us because it is the kind of consolidation that, in the investor-owned world, usually ends with prices going up and service going

down. In the cooperative world, it ends with two member-owned entities pooling their software, their support staff, and their roadmaps so a co-op like OTEC reaches the same tools and advanced technology as the largest member in the network.

Why the Principle Matters in July

The second of the Seven Cooperative Principles is Democratic Member Control. Members have equal voting rights: one member, one vote. It is the rule that separates a cooperative from every other kind of company.

That principle is on the ballot this month. Three OTEC board seats are up for election. The candidate profiles are printed in this issue. The deadline to vote arrives before the annual meeting in August. Read the profiles and vote. The network described here is run by the board you elect. n

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

Urgent:

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.

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® Navigators with absolute

confidence, knowing your eyes are protected with technology that was born in space for the human race.

District Offices

4005 23rd St. P.O. Box 226

Baker City, OR 97814 541-523-3616

567 W. Pierce St. Burns, OR 97720 541-573-2666

400 Patterson Bridge Road P.O. Box 575

John Day, OR 97845 541-575-0161

2408 Cove Ave. La Grande, OR 97850 541-963-3155

otec.coop communications@otec.coop Report Outages at 866-430-4265

Facebook.com/OTECoop

Follow Us on Instagram otec_coop

Follow us at x.com/OTECoop (@OTECoop)

Board Members

President G. “Austin”

Bingaman, Union County

Vice President Gary Miller, Grant County

Secretary-Treasurer

Cory Miller, Union County

Aletha Bonebrake, Baker County

Robert Cargill, Harney County

Charlene Chase, Baker County

Jeff D. Clark, Union County

Seth Musgrove, Union County

Wayne Overton, Baker County

Les Penning, CEO

Ron Williams, Attorney

OR-48

The Same Idea, 250 Years Strong

The country turns 250 this month. Most of the men who put their names on the Declaration of Independence in 1776 were strangers to one another—yet they found something worth agreeing to, and they signed.

That is the part we should always remind ourselves of during the celebrations. Not the fireworks. The signatures.

A cooperative runs on the same act, and the idea has stood the test of time. It goes back to 1844, when weavers in Rochdale, England, pooled their money to open a store on one rule: The people who use it own it. Electric cooperatives that formed across the nation in the 1930s—born from the Rural Electrification Act of 1936—followed that same path. Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative was born from that same instinct.

In 1987, three Baker City neighbors—Peggi Timm, Glenn Timm and Dick Haynes—collected one penny each from 700 people. The point was 700 names willing to stand behind a power company they would own themselves. Those pennies anchored a $33 million loan from National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., the financing entity that rural cooperatives built for this purpose. In 1988, OTEC switched on the lines, and the names of those first members are still on the walls of every OTEC office today.

Nearly four decades later, the same cooperative-owned bank is funding the next chapter.

This spring, OTEC took a formal step toward bringing Idaho Power’s service territory in Eastern Oregon into the cooperative. We filed our application with the Oregon Public Utility Commission and joined Idaho Power in a public announcement, so members and the press heard it together. The same lender that backed those 700 pennies, CFC, is backing this chapter, too. The idea has not changed.

The filing is a beginning, not the finish. The commission will take the time it needs to be diligent, and so will we. The families across Eastern Oregon that will soon call OTEC home deserve a process done correctly rather than quickly. When there is news, you will hear about it first online at otec.coop/IdahoPower and in this magazine soon after.

The network behind us is growing, too. In this edition of Ruralite, you can read about one of the cooperatives that runs the software behind your account, the enterprise systems that manage our financial records, member information and billing. That cooperative recently announced it is merging with another that provides similar services. When cooperatives combine, the gain comes back as better tools in the hands of the members they serve, here and across the country.

The people who will soon call OTEC home are not numbers on a map. They are ranchers, farmers, teachers, nurses, small business owners and shop owners who will own a piece of the lines that serve them, the same as you do.

Beginning on Page 4, you can read about three open OTEC board seats on this year’s ballot. That is the demonstration of the cooperative principle of Democratic Member Control—one member, one vote. The people who own the lines decide who runs them.

A republic turns 250 this month. The Rural Electrification Act that lit rural America turned 90 this year. Both are just getting started. Both still belong to the people whose names are on the rolls.

Thank you for being one of them.

Les Penning, CEO