Dale Store & Service

04/09/2026

Survey time!!!!

We carry a few types of beer, seltzers and wines but we are looking at expanding the choices a bit. We don’t have a lot of space but we can cram a lot of variety in there if we try hard enough. 😉 We already put a few ‘singles’ in there and now have a few 24 ounce can options for you.

We are wanting to add some cider for sure. But what would be some top options for beer that you would like to see in the store… something like Corona? Or something more bougie like a high end craft beer? More IPA’s?

Let us know your thoughts and we will see what we can do!

04/08/2026

You may be thinking… “it’s too early to start thinking about firewood!” Or ”There’s plenty of time before next winter!” Well, both are true but let me tell you, cutting and stacking wood in the summer heat sucks! We have the personal use firewood permits! Come see us if you need a permit. Beat the heat and don’t let time get away from you!

Umatilla National Forest personal-use firewood permits will be available at Forest Service offices and through several local vendors beginning Friday, May 1.

All National Forests in Oregon and Washington offer personal-use firewood free of charge. However, a permit is still required to cut and haul firewood.
The maximum limit for personal-use firewood on the Umatilla National Forest is 12-cords per household per year.

Individuals that require more than 12 cords, or those wanting to sell firewood, may purchase a commercial or “charge” firewood permit for $10 per cord with a $30 minimum permit. Charge permits can only be purchased through a Forest Service office, please call ahead to arrange an appointment.
Vendors are issuing personal use permits in twelve cord increments and may charge an additional processing fee up to $2 for the permit. A list of vendors is available on the Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/permits/forest-product-permits.

Firewood cutters are required to carry an axe, a shovel, an 8 oz. capacity or larger fire extinguisher, and have their chainsaw equipped with an approved spark arrester when cutting wood.

Some areas on the Umatilla National Forest may not be accessible due to mud, snow or snow drifts. Forest visitors are asked to use extreme care to avoid getting stuck or causing extensive and illegal resource damage to the land and vegetation. Woodcutters are asked to:

• Contact the local Ranger District office before heading out to make sure the area you’re travelling to is accessible.
• Avoid driving off roads and onto wet, unstable ground or fragile meadow environments to load firewood.
• Be prepared! Pack additional food, water, clothing and other emergency supplies.
• Let someone know your destination and estimated time of return.

As we move into the hot, dry summer months, Public Use Restrictions (PURs) may be implemented.

PURs will be announced by 6 p.m. on the day prior to the restriction(s) going into effect. An updated recording at 1-877-958-9663 will let you know if firewood cutting is: allowed all day; restricted to specific hours (i.e. 1 p.m. chainsaw shutdown); restricted to specific areas of the Forest; or closed completely due to wildfire danger. Restrictions will also be posted on the forest’s website. The public is responsible to check if firewood cutting is allowed.

Firewood season on the Umatilla National Forest will end Nov. 30, 2026.

For more information on firewood cutting, please contact the Supervisor’s Office at (541) 278-3716 or your local District Office.

• North Fork John Day Ranger District: (541) 427-3231
• Heppner Ranger District: (541) 676-9187
• Walla Walla Ranger District: (509) 522-6290
• Pomeroy Ranger District: (509) 843-1891

Additional information about the Umatilla National Forest is available at www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter from the Dale Store!

04/02/2026

This post is a plea to the village. 🙏

We received some grim news regarding the Dale Post Office. There is a distinct possibility that our post office, that has been part of this community for 135 years, could be closed. 💔 😭

There was a representative sent here today to survey a location for the possible placement of roadside mailboxes. We were told that this location needs to show a performance increase, which we have shown significant 📈 improvement the last few months, in all areas, except PO Box Rentals.

We are asking for help to save this historic post office. If you live in the area, please consider utilizing the Dale Post Office to get your daily mail and packages. We are friendly and here to help you in any way we can. We have several sizes of PO Boxes and rentals starting at $34 for 6 months. We can also ship your packages and letters. Do certified letters. Money orders. Sell stamps. We are a full service Post Office!

Please, please, please help us fight to keep our Post Office!!

Call, email or pm us for more information

04/02/2026

Definitely picked the wrong night to head into town!! Super windy. Pounding rain. And depending on the elevation, it turned to snow in spots!! It was like a timed event running from the truck to the store and back and loading everything as fast as you could before you looked like you took a shower with your clothes on! April showers are here!!

04/01/2026

Happy April 1st!! It’s the only day that people check the news twice. Once to read it and once to see if it’s a prank😉

03/31/2026

For those of you that live for the thrill of river rafting…this year’s lack of snow pack has not made 2026 a top contender for best year ever. But… there is still some fun to be had. For those of you interested, we offer vehicle shuttles from the Dale area to Monument so that you can enjoy the river without the stress of figuring out how to juggle the return trip. Just give us a shout and we can help with whatever you need. Here’s a good place to check the daily water flow for the North Fork. https://waterdata.usgs.gov

03/30/2026

Oh March, what a roller coaster ride of weather you have taken us on. Down in the teens at night and into the upper 70’s during the day. Bright blue sky one day, stormy gray rain the next and swirling snow the day after. Wind gusts that relocated the horse shelters and hail that felt like little stones being tossed at you. Getting dressed every morning has been an adventure in layering😆 Today is no exception as you gifted us with a little snow flurry!! We still have one more day to go! Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings! Happy Monday from Dale!!

03/26/2026

Spring bear hunting season officially opens April 1st!! Our game cooler will be available if needed. Just remember that if you bring in a carcass it must be field dressed (Gutted and hide removed) or in game bags. An ODFW tag (if you have an electronic then we have a card you can write your info on) must stay with the meat at all times. Remember that the skull must also be submitted within 10 days of the harvest so don’t leave it behind!

When you’re ready to head home, we have ice, coolers and tarps to transport your meat, and extra salt on hand if you’re wanting to save your hides.

03/25/2026

Keep the 1977 Bee Gees “Stayin Alive” song playing in your head as you read this…

We have been going back and forth on this but just can’t justify the cost. See if you agree with us.

A to***co license is now $983 a year. We do not get any breaks in price and have to purchase any and all to***co products from specific distributors such as Big Smoke. We pay what you would at a regular store basically. Then we have to mark up the product to make a few cents. We do not sell more than, maybe, a few hundred dollars a year. So at this point we aren’t even close to paying for the license much less making a few cents to cover the hassle. In our efforts to try to get Dale financially somewhat responsible…. We are seriously considering not renewing the to***co license. There are several places close by that have a much bigger selection than us but we just want to make sure there won’t be a mob with pitchforks and torches after us 🤷‍♀️ Thoughts?

03/24/2026

Some exciting news!! And some… not so exciting news. 😳

Not so exciting news first… as of April 1st, we will be adding a 4% charge to all debit/credit card swipes. The fees are just ridiculous and being a small business, the fees really hurt us😞. We are actively trying to find a work around/new system/something with less fees but so far are not having much luck. Seems like even if the fees aren’t up front, they are built in somewhere. It’s frustrating any way we look at it. We will be adding an ATM to the store very soon as well. Checks (we swear they are still a real thing!😊) and cash are always accepted as well. We are very sorry to have to do this.

Now for the exciting news…. The restrooms 🚽 are getting a much needed makeover!!! We are trying to work on one side and then the other to minimize the disruption but there may be times we need to close them both during the remodeling phase. Just be patient with us. It will be worth it. We promise!😊

03/23/2026

Happy Monday!!! What a beautiful spring day!!! Little chilly this morning but sun is peeking over the mountains, birds are chirping, cup of coffee in hand and the smell of the forest all around. Doesn’t get much better than this!