Ruralite - First-Time Author Wins Award - UNITED ELECTRIC - United Electric Co-op
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Ruralite
UNITED ELECTRIC
MAY 2021
Carla Crane Osborne reads
to her grandchildren in the
barn she has cherished
since childhood.
PHOTO COURTESY OF
CARLA CRANE OSBORNE
INSIDE >> Electrical Safety
First-Time Author Wins Award
Co-op Connections
Carla Crane Osborne’s book, “Under the Barnyard Light,” was released in November after a decade of work. It is the first of a series.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARLA CRANE OSBORNE
First-Time Author Wins National Award
Carla Crane Osborne’s book captures magical moments on a farm
By Dianna Troyer Book Publishers Association in the Carla’s parents, Calvin Crane and Raeola
children’s book category. The program was Drake, with the help of their five children,
Even though decades have passed, Carla established to recognize excellence in book raised crops and livestock.
Crane Osborne still remembers the sounds editorial and design among independent “The barn and other buildings I grew
of her cherished childhood chores at her publishers. up with are still standing,” Carla says. “I’m
family’s farm near Burley. “I’m excited the book received proud my brother, Dennis, is the fifth
Grateful horses nickered and calves recognition,” says Carla, a first-time author. generation to run the farm and is carrying
mooed when they saw her coming to feed “My publisher suggested I enter.” on our family’s heritage.”
them at dusk during winter. Carla says she wrote the book because Carla says she and her husband, Ron,
“It was a magical time for me,” Carla says. she “wanted to bring to life a snapshot of who grew up in nearby Heyburn, will
“The color of the sky was unforgettable, a the past, so children today can experience always have a sentimental connection to
deep blue. There was a peaceful stillness. a sliver of the magic I knew growing up southeastern Idaho. They live in western
When I was done, I’d catch snowflakes on a farm with all its wonders—especially Idaho in Meridian where they run their
on my tongue and kiss our horse, Dandy, the sky in winter. I was thrilled to find an family businesses dealing with real estate,
goodnight.” illustrator who painted the color of the storage units, and insurance.
Those memories inspired Carla to write evening sky perfectly.” For years, Ron and Carla returned
and publish an award-winning children’s During evening, a mercury light cast a often to the family farm with their
picture book, “Under the Barnyard soft glow over the barnyard at the family children to instill an appreciation of the
Light.” She collaborated with a nationally farm in the Unity area east of Burley farm and farm work.
acclaimed illustrator and published the while Carla helped her father care for The Osbornes own land near Albion,
26-page book last fall. their livestock. about 14 miles east of Unity.
In April, the book received a Ben “The warmth of the light represented She jokes that completing the book
Franklin Award from the Independent love and security to me,” she says. was more strenuous and time-consuming
4 M AY 2021
UNITED ELECTRIC
ABOVE: Carla discusses sketches with her
nephew, Michael Crane. LEFT: Carla’s book
shares stories from her time growing up on
the family farm near Burley.
than any farm chore. She embarked on her and have no idea it’s grown on a farm.” “I had so much fun with the first book, I
literary odyssey a decade ago. Carla asked her nephew, Michael decided to write two more,” Carla says.
To complete her labor of love, she Crane, who grew up on the farm, to “Pony Express” will be released soon,
summoned her endless energy and lived sketch the buildings. followed by “Alex the Lamb.”
up to her childhood nickname of Gona “He’s a talented artist and provided Along with her farm chores, another of
(pronounced Go Na). Brandon with true-to-life sketches Carla’s cherished childhood routines was
“My brothers called me that because to follow,” Carla says. “Brandon was going to local libraries with her mother
they said I was always going somewhere on contracted to other writers, so he squeezed and siblings.
an adventure,” she says. my book in between other projects.” “We spent many happy hours perusing
Carla says she channeled her Gona She waited about four years for him to the shelves for adventure books,” she says.
energy into writing the manuscript. Next complete the illustrations. “We’d come home with a stack of books.”
she searched the internet for the right “It was worth the wait,” she says. Wanting children to take reading
illustrator. “When I showed the illustrations to our adventures, Carla donated copies of her
“I looked for more than a year,” she says. grandchildren, they told me, ‘Hey, that book to libraries in Rupert and Burley and
She finally found Brandon Dorman, looks like where you grew up.’ ” to Dworshak Elementary School in Burley,
who has illustrated two dozen picture Carla contacted Aloha Publishing where Carla was a student.
books, including the covers of New in Eagle, Idaho, to print her book. The “It’s exciting to read positive comments
York Times best-sellers “Fablehaven,” company usually publishes business and on the book’s Facebook page, on blogs
“Goosebumps,” and “The Land of Stories.” inspirational books. and the Goodreads website,” Carla says. “I
Carla contacted the agency that “They told me that my manuscript’s hope my books foster a love of reading and
represents Brandon and sent him a copy message resonated with them, and for the make children feel like they’re at a family
of her manuscript. She also told him she first time they would print a children’s farm going on their own adventures.” n
hoped her book would help children book,” she says. “They said my writing
understand where their food comes from. made them feel like they were there in the
“Brandon told me he wanted to barnyard with me pitching hay to horses “Under the Barnyard Light” is available on
illustrate my book because he believed in and bottle-feeding calves.” Amazon. It also has a Facebook page and a
YouTube page, Gona’s Reading Ranch. Carla’s
its messages,” Carla says. “Some kids think Carla’s book is the first in a series, Go website is www.carlaosbornebooks.com and
food just appears on a grocery store shelf Gona Go, a nod to her nickname. her Instagram is Carla_Osborne_books.
M AY 2 0 2 1 5
UNITED ELECTRIC
UEC’s Annual
Meeting Report
United Electric Cooperative
celebrated its 23rd Annual
Meeting of the Members
March 19. It went great!
The addition of the express
pass printed in March’s Ruralite
made registration fast and
Cordell Searle
convenient. Thank you to all
members who brought them.
Cookies, milk and water
were passed out to attendees
at the end of the meeting as a
nice treat on the way home.
Highlights included reelec-
tion of Cordell Searle and David
Phillips to three-year terms on
the board of directors. n
Congratulations to Melvin and Rosemary Barfuss, who won a $500 shopping
Nontraditional David Phillips spree at the business of their choice—the annual meeting grand prize.
Scholarship Available
Applications for United
Electric Cooperative’s $500
nontraditional scholarship are
accepted until 5 p.m. Thursday,
REMEMBER AND HONOR
June 10.
The scholarship is
given to an adult or
nontraditional student whose
life circumstances differ
from traditional students.
Applicants do not need to be
members of United Electric.
Visit www.uec.coop or stop
by the office for an application.
For information, contact Trisha
Moultrie at 208-679-2222. n
United Electric Cooperative's office is closed
Monday, May 31, in honor of Memorial Day.
8 M AY 2021
UNITED ELECTRIC
Correcting the Record: Hydro
Is Still the Best Deal in Town
By Kurt Miller, Executive Director Aside from clean energy, hydropower comes with its own
Northwest RiverPartners battery-like storage capabilities. Hydropower dams can increase
and decrease output on demand by storing and releasing water
If you or one of your family members uses social media, you from their reservoirs. This ability allows us to meet the electricity
know there is such a thing as information overload. One of the demands of customers, which vary from moment to moment and
most difficult challenges of social media is sorting through what is season to season.
accurate and what is not. Unlike hydropower, however, wind and solar don’t have built-in
As an example, a statement we often hear is, “Wind and solar storage capabilities. To make an apples-to-apples cost comparison,
power are now less expensive than hydropower.” This assertion is you must add the cost of mega-batteries to the cost of wind and
typically used as an argument to remove existing hydropower dams. solar power.
Wind and solar power are important as we look to decarbonize An international energy analytics group, Lazard, made that
our energy supply, but neither comes close to hydropower in calculation and determined the cost of utility-scale solar with
terms of capabilities or affordability. batteries ranges from $81 to $140 per MWh—roughly two to
The region’s largest hydropower provider, the Bonneville Power four times the cost of BPA’s wholesale power rate. Wind would be
Administration, charges $35.50 per megawatt-hour for electricity slightly more expensive than solar.
under its long-term utility contracts. This rate includes BPA’s While wind, solar and hydropower all have important parts to
considerable spending on fish and wildlife programs, representing play in our clean energy future, existing hydropower still provides
roughly 25% of its power supply costs. the best value per dollar for our Northwest communities. n
M AY 2 0 2 1 25
WE’RE ALL
IN THIS
TOGETHER.
Please support these businesses that participate in the Co-op Connections Card program
Home, Landscape & Commercial Services
Barclay Mechanical Services Inc. Pro Paint Inc.
5% off rental purchases. 5% off total purchase.
100 S. 490 W, Paul 1116 Overland Ave., Burley
208-438-8108 208-878-0856
Barry Equipment & Rental Stars Ferry Building Supplies
10% off daily rates; 10% off select Walker and Free hat with $100 purchase.
Bobcat parts. 20 S. 300 W, Burley
159 W. Highway 30, Burley 208-678-5562
208-678-7368
Ward’s Cleaning & Detail
It’s time to power a Small Clayville Insulation 10% off carpet and upholstery cleaning.
Business Comeback across 5% off existing residential insulation. 1131 E. 18th Ave., Burley
America. 250 E. 100 S., Burley 208-878-5105
208-678-9791
Co-op Connections is a free Wilson Bates Appliance & Furniture
member benefit program Columbia Electric Supply Co. Additional 5% off lowest furniture sale price—
brought to you by United Wholesale pricing on cash sales. Burley location only.
Electric Co-op. Download 1027 Normal Ave., Burley 2560 Overland Ave., Burley
the free Co-op Connections 208-878-9035 208-678-1133
app to find discounts
Larry’s Electric & Heating
from your local merchants Marble-N-Counter
10% off in-store purchase of filters and lightbulbs.
and nationwide. We can 5% off marble jobs.
1133 Albion Ave., Burley
support our neighborhood 1321 E. Main., Burley
businesses and reopen 208-678-4071
208-878-6042
larryselectricandheating.com
safely if we all work
together and practice smart Skaggs Furniture and Mattress Gallery
Lee’s Furniture Outlet Free local delivery on purchases over $499.
social distancing.
Up to 5% discount on your purchase. Appliances excluded.
See www.SmallBusinessComeback.coop 459 Overland Ave., Burley Overland Shopping Center, Burley
for more information. 208-878-4433 208-878-5100
28 M AY 2 0 2 1
UNITED ELECTRIC
Hospitality, Recreation & Shopping
Arby’s Snake River Bowl
10% off all purchases. 10% off regularly priced bowling, merchandise
594 N. Overland Ave., Burley and food (leagues and tournaments excluded).
208-678-8426 725 Minidoka Ave., Burley
208-679-2695
Farmers Corner
Free pop with gas purchase. Sweetheart Manor
202 S. Highway 27, Burley $100 off receptions.
208-678-5130 Overland and 42nd St., Burley
208-678-8692
Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce
25% off all Idaho gifts and jewelry (excludes The Gathering Place
consignment and sale items). 10% off purchases (excludes kits, batting and
1177 7th St., Heyburn quilting machines).
208-679-4793 24 6th St., Rupert
www.minicassiachamber.com 208-436-0455
Ponderosa Golf Tony’s Barbershop
$1 off green fees, Monday-Friday before 4 p.m. Special price for seniors and children.
320 Midoka Ave., Burley 1607 J. St., Heyburn
208-679-5730 208-219-0666
Automobile Repair & Maintenance
Clegg’s Service ‘n Repair NAPA Auto Parts
$10 off full lube and service. 7% off regularly priced items.
703 W. Main, Burley 501 Overland Dr., Burley
Office: 208-678-7697 Mobile: 208-670-7624 208-678-8311
Doug’s Alternator & Starter Repais
10% off once a month on any rebuilt starter,
alternator or generator.
1141 S. Hwy 30, Heyburn
208-878-4991
Financial Services
D.L. Evans Bank 200 W. Market St., Albion, 208-673-5301
Free Bill Pay with personal 397 N. Overland Ave., Burley, 208-678-9076
checking account. 2281 Overland Ave., Burley, 208-678-6000
108 E. Ellis St., Paul, 208-438-8400
318 S. Oneida, Rupert, 208-436-2265
Veterinary Services
Animal Medical Clinic
5% discount on cash purchases.
284 S 600 W., Heyburn
208-679-4550
M AY 2 0 2 1 29
Directors ID-29
President David Phillips
Vice President Brent Bowen Thanks to Our Frontline Folks
Sec./Treas. Cordell Searle I want to take a time out from
Bruce Beck all the talk of dam breaching,
Dean Nielsen power supply and industry
Ronald Osterhout chatter to just say “THANKS!”
George Toner We hope you noticed the
David Hruza yellow note in your bill when
it arrived in April. We sent
Board meetings are typically held these out wishing you would
the fourth Monday of the month. send back your notes of
General Manager appreciation to our linemen
M. Jamie Stark in honor of National Lineman
Engineering and Operations Appreciation Day on April 18.
Trevor Parke WOW, did you!
We posted your notes of appreciation on a bulletin board for all to read and enjoy. As
Line Superintendent
you can see from the picture, we are running out of room to hang all the notes. Our line
Kay Hill
crews stop by the wall daily to read the new comments and always head out to work with
Executive Assistant/Billing Specialist smiles from your kind words.
Trisha Moultrie Some of the comments are:
Member Services Manager “United’s linemen are the best! We are never without power for very long no matter the
Chris Seibold weather. We appreciate their dedication and commitment. Thank you!!!”
“We are so thankful to you for the work you do. I have medical equipment that helps me
Accountant/Controller
and I depend on you to keep the power going. We know you sacrifice family time when
Carla Beck
on call. Please know we thank you and keep you in our prayers.”
Mailing address: “To our friends in high places who show up so fast when we have an outage—rain
1330 21st St. or shine. Thank you so very much for your service to us! Thank you so much for your
Heyburn, ID 83336 profession in a high-risk job. Thanks again so much! God bless!”
Phone: 208-679-2222 All of us at United Electric appreciate you taking the time to jot down words of
Fax: 208-679-3333 encouragement for our linemen. It is great to know you appreciate their hard work and
Email: uec@uec.coop dedication, just as we do. But I would also like to give a shoutout to some of our other
Website: uec.coop frontline folks who are the face of the cooperative. Tami, Melissa and Liz make up our
member services team in the front office. They are the smiling folks who greet you when
Office hours: Monday-Thursday,
you walk in the front doors, use our drive-up window or call in with questions. I also want
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
to mention Sam, our staking technician, who many of you work with when you have a
Friday, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.
new service or power line project.
After Hours: 208-679-4444
Along with all of you, I also want to say THANKS to all our of frontline employees.
They are the ones who exemplify the “exceptional service and commitment to the
members” part of our mission statement.
Cooperatively yours,
M. Jamie Stark
General Manager
For more information about UEC, please check out our website
at www.uec.coop, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
32 M AY 2021
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