FIRST PERSON
How the cooperative family works By Michael E.C. Gery, editor
You might be surprised how often someone asks us a question She was born premature and turned 30 this year. She likes like, “How come Carolina Country is still around?” to clean and cook, especially baked barbecue chicken, blueThey usually are people from “the outside,” who are unfaberry cobbler and chocolate chip cookies. She feels a natural miliar with Carolina Country and North Carolina’s electric kinship with us. cooperatives. They wonder how a magazine like this not only Like any good cooperative family member, we encourage has survived 58 years, but has a devoted readership of more you all to be part of us, to help us do our work, to make the than 85 percent among the 565,000 households and busimagazine reflect the collective personality of North Carolina’s nesses we reach. Even we at Touchstone Energy coopthe magazine are amazed eratives. You’ll see your that surveys show more own ideas, advice, stories than 8 of 10 people who and pictures in Carolina receive the magazine read Country every month. it every month, and many One of our regular of them pass it along to correspondents is Onie people who don’t receive Frances Rogerson of it. And, we’ve found that Blounts Creek in Beaufort people of all ages, and County. We published from all walks of life, make a letter from her a few up those dedicated readyears ago. Jim Bullins ers. Our loyal advertisers, of Sophia, a member of many of whom have been Randolph EMC some with us each month for 180 miles away, noticed more than 15 years, know Onie Frances’ letter and what I mean. invited her to his annual At a Christmas in July banquet for “Jim’s Kids,” Jim Bullins and Onie In reply, we offer the “Jim’s Kids” Christmas in Frances Rogerson are flanked by Randolph EMC’s general manager Dale same explanation as you July banquet. Mr. Bullins would: We are part of has hosted the July event, Lambert (far left) and the co-op’s director of public relations Dave Rowe. the cooperative family. and another in December You can reach Jim’s Kids at 2262-4 Race Track Rd., Sophia, NC 27350. We care about what we (Phone 336-629-1973.) You can reach Onie Frances Rogerson at 466 Brooks (the next one is Dec. 9), to do and who we reach as bring joy to children and Lane, Blounts Creek, NC 27814. much as we care about others with disabilities. our own blood relatives and friends. He arranged for Onie Frances’ transportation and lodging. All you have to do is look at the messages on the page fac- They have stayed in touch with each other ever since. ing this one, and you’ll get the idea. We receive these kinds This summer, Onie Frances told Jim that she would be of messages not only every month, but virtually every day. unable to attend the Christmas in July event in Asheboro (From time to time we also hear about where we slip up, because her mother had a stroke and her close aunt had and we take those comments just as seriously.) died. Onie Frances said she needed to stay home to care for Every month, we are lucky to get real, honest-to-goodher mother, because “she waited on me a long time and she ness, heartfelt letters, calls, e-mail messages, pictures, poems took care of me.” and other presents from members who seem to enjoy us So Jim Bullins and his wife came to see Onie Frances instead. and Carolina Country as much as we enjoy them. Letha “Mr. Jim and Miss Mary they made a special trip to my Mae Humphrey in Greene County often tells us who are house to see me and my mother on July 19,” Onie Frances the important people in her life and why. The Rev. Paul wrote to us. She arranged for Jim and Mary to park their RV Honeycutt of Salemburg sends us thoughtful and humorovernight nearby, and on the day of the visit she taught Mr. ous sermonettes. Students from Butler High School send Jim how to drive a golf cart. “My whole family decided to us their stories. Last week, we got a letter from Michelle Lee adopt Mr. Jim and Miss Mary,” Onie Frances wrote. “They Millican, who lives in the Eureka Springs neighborhood of are angels sent from God. They are always there for others, Fayetteville. She sent us 18 pages of lovely, very large handand I am going to do my best to be there for them and others.” writing. She likes Carolina Country, South River EMC, Food As we approach the season of thanksgiving, we are grateful Lion, Pizza Hut, Wal-Mart and Northwood Temple Church. for our cooperative family, aren’t we?
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4 NOVEMBER 2006 Carolina Country
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