Our weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.
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Ukraine carries out first ever aerial drone evacuation of a wounded soldier from the frontline. JWR’s Comment: Drone medevac may soon become the norm for all but the most severe trauma cases.
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A practical essay by our friend Patrice Lewis: The power of repurposing.
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Reader Tim J. in Florida wrote:
“In the past year, I have been having a hard time finding Hershey’s Cocoa in the large 23 oz container. The normal places that I would purchase, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Publix, have not been stocking it.
Sam’s Club, instead, has been stocking Premium Cocoa Powder, 100% Cacao, in a large 20 oz container from the Rising Star Baking Company, “Produced for”
Magnolia Star Baking Inc.,
2121 N. California BLVD, STE 410,
Walnut Creek CA 94563
I know the whole Hershey’s story, but don’t know anything about the Rising Star Baking Company? The term “Rising Star” kind of makes me nervous, like something from China? ‘m hoping that the Hershey’s Cocoa shortage is something temporary.”
JWR Replies: The worldwide cocoa shortage that started in 2025 is reportedly due to poor cocoa harvests in West Africa, where they grow a large portion of the world’s cocoa supply.
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OCC: Banks Used SPLC Labels to Quietly Debank Conservatives. JWR’s Comment: I was de-banked in February, 2022 by my bank in Nevada, without any warning or explanation. I suspect that the SP{LC was behind it.
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Blog reader “Sycamore” wrote:
“I just read Avalanche Lily’s comments about the Riggins, Idaho area. We’ve been through that area several times. It’s gorgeous. In 2020, we got snowed on in July in the Sun Valley area on the way to Salmon and Riggins. We also drove all the way up to see the Seven Devils Mountains and camped nearby. That was breathtaking. The Clearwater and Salmon rivers are something else as well. See this collection of photos (including Seven Devils ) at Blaze-a-Trail.”
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Victor Davis Hanson: Europe Lost Two World Wars—and America Inherited Its Self-Hatred.
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Reader John H. wrote:
“Hi James,
The Reddit graphic showing the Allegheny, Ohio & Mississippi river map was slightly wrong. In the graphic on the cited website in mid-western Pennsylvania the Allegheny River path cuts off and follows a triburaey, probably French Creek and not the mainstem of the Allegheny River.
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And lastly, for some post-Alberta Referendum aughs, watch this skit: Canada: The Board Game.
Please Send Us Your Snippets!
Please send your snippet items for potential posting to JWR. or AVL. You can do so either via e-mail or via our Contact form.