FIRST PERSON
station to see if Teresa was out there yet. At that hour of the morning, she was not. Teresa had an opportunity to get a few dollars from a pawn shop or sell it to a tourist. She could have made the equivalent of 10 pairs of earrings, or kept the camera as hers. Instead, she turned it on and looked at the photos. Teresa noticed there were several shots of me, one of her last customers. She noticed the Youth Tour badge around my neck. At the beginning of the trip, we all were given pouches and badges saying our name, state and organization. We were to wear them “at all times.” The girls, of course, complained they didn’t look good with an outfit or they were heavy. As it turns out, I had taken a picture of my badge. Teresa could identify me. She took it upon herself to do a little investigating. She and her grandson looked at the picture of the badge but could barely make out my name. They did see “National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.” They sent e-mail to NRECA — “My name is Teresa and I found Madison Hodgca camera in crystal citi please call me at…” At NRECA, the e-mail was forwarded to Steve Uram (legislative affairs advisor with Youth Tour duties). He e-mailed all the Youth Tour advisors. Ms. Forehand saw the message and got hold of me. Later I spoke to Teresa on the phone to thank her. With her South American accent communicating was not that easy. But she was ecstatic to get hold of me. She had made it her mission to track me down and with her hard work and kindness she did. And my camera was home, safe and sound. Yes, a big, busy city such as Washington D.C. has many honest and sincere people.
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Madison Hodges was one of 30 rising high school seniors sponsored by North Carolina’s electric cooperatives on the annual Rural Electric Youth Tour to Washington. The week-long adventure teaches the students about the cooperative way of business and includes visits to various monuments, museums and attractions as well as their representatives in Congress. Madison was one of three to represent Blue Ridge Electric.
More summer love I just received my August Carolina Country, and with it so hot, I decided it would be a good read for this afternoon. As always, I was not disappointed. I love the picture on page 6 of the little boy in bib overalls running down the path. It reminded me of my own brother and a similar path to our Grandma’s house with one difference: We were always barefoot in summer. And the “Summer Love” tomato sandwich: I too am a “tomater” sandwich lover, and that is exactly what we had for lunch today. I will admit that while I have tried other than plain fresh, white bread, I still can’t switch. As for the mayo, well, Duke’s just can’t be beat. I once took a bread-baking class with a baker from France, now a local baker, who also swore by Dukes. My husband, although North Carolina born and raised, has a different idea of the classic. His idea of a tomato sandwich is more the BLT style, lightly toasted bread, sliced tomato, crisp bacon, lettuce leaves, mayo, with salt and pepper. (Way too much trouble and not nearly as good, I say.) But if you ever just want to mix it up, try a slice of Jesse Jones thick-sliced bologna. Don’t worry about your health. It’s not that often! Enjoy them while they are still around. Before we know it, we will be longing for those summer gems again. Karen Watts, Wake Forest, Wake Electric
About HVAC air filters I am a Union Power member and work for an HVAC company. I look forward to your articles in that area and have used the info in my job. As I read through the article on changing your HVAC air filters [“On the House,” August 2011], I found some inaccuracies. I’m not complaining, but just want to clarify. It is not true that a clogged filter can raise the pressures in the system. Higher pressures in a system are generally caused by a dirty condensing coil. A monthly hose washing of the outdoor coil unit (power off) will help remove debris.
Also, a dirty or high-efficiency filter does not put an excessive strain on the fan motor. It will simply lower the airflow. The lower the airflow, the less the motor works. For this reason, some manufacturers do not recommend the washable high-end filters because they slow down the air too much. Check the filter recommendations supplied by your heat pump’s manufacturer. Tim Scronce, Ross & Witmer Inc., Charlotte
Thad Watkins? In the July magazine there was a picture of a Thad Watkins with his painted Boer goat Magnum, submitted by his mom from Thomasville. I have a grandson named Thad Watkins, so I was surprised to see another young man with the same name and about the same age (22 years) and build as my grandson. My grandson was named for his great-grandfather Thad, and I have never known anyone else by that name. Thad’s aunt called me kidding to say that she did not know he had a goat. Other friends said they had to look twice to be sure it was not the Thad they knew. Dorothy Watkins, Elizabethtown, Four County EMC
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