2019-03-CCEC

March 2019

Tap into Local

Flower Power page 14

Published by

NC co-ops plan residential microgrid page 12

Landscape for energy efficiency page 32

PERIODICAL

Learn about the Carteret-Craven EC customer service team—pages 25–28 March covers.indd 6

2/8/19 2:08 PM

SAVE When You Grow A Zoysia Lawn From Living Plugs!

Zoysia Lawns are thick, dense and lush!

Improving America’s Lawns Since 1953

THE ONE TIME, LIFETIME LAWN SOLUTION! Save Water! Save Time! Save Work! Save Money!

Zoysia Grows Where Other Grass Doesn’t!

Eliminates Endless Weeds And Weeding!

Plant a genuine Amazoy™ Zoysia lawn from living plugs once and never plant a new lawn again. Zoysia Zoysia thrives in is the perfect choice for partial shade to hard-to-cover spots, areas full sun! that are play-worn or have partial shade, and for stopping erosion on slopes.

North, South, East, West – Zoysia grows in any soil, no ifs, ands or buts!

Cuts Watering & Mowing

By As Much As 2/3!

Stays Green In Summer Through Heat & Drought!

No more pulling out weeds by hand or weeds sprouting up all over your lawn. Zoysia Plugs spread into a dense, plush, deep-rooted, established lawn that drives out unwanted growth and stops crabgrass and most summer weeds from germinating.

When ordinary lawns brown up in summer heat and drought, your Zoysia lawn stays green and beautiful.

The hotter it gets, the better it grows. Zoysia thrives in blistering heat (120˚), yet it won’t winter-kill to 30˚ below zero. It only goes off its green color after killing frosts, but color returns with consistent spring warmth. Zoysia is the perfect choice for water restrictions and drought areas!

Environmentally Friendly, No Chemicals Needed!

No weeding means no chemicals. You’ll never have to spray poisonous pesticides and weed killers again! Zoysia lawns are safer for the environment, as well as for family and pets!

Now 3 Ways to Start Your Zoysia Lawn!

1) Freestyle Plugs come in uncut sheets containing a maximum of 150-1”plugs.

Freestyle Plugs allow you to make each plug bigger if you want-you decide. Min. size 1” sq.

2) New Super Plugs are ready to plantprecut into individual 3 x 3 inch plugs.

They arrive in easy to handle trays of 15 Super Plugs.

Many established Zoysia lawns only need to be mowed once or twice a season. Watering is rarely, if ever, needed – even in summer!

We We ship ship at at the the best best planting planting time time for for you! you!

Your Assurance of Lawn SUCCESS

Each Order for Amazoy Zoysia Plugs is

GUARANTEED

Guaranteed to grow new green shoots within 45-60 days or we’ll replace it FREE – for up to 1 year – just call us. We ONLY ship you living genuine Amazoy Zoysia grass harvested direct from our farms. Easy planting and watering instructions are included with each order. Every Reorder assumes success of previous orders (plantings), voiding any previous guarantees, but initiating a new one-year guarantee.

3) Amazoy Approved Seed-As The Zoysia Specialists for 60+years, we finally have a Zoysia seed available that meets our standards and homeowners expectations.

Learn why at zoysiafarms.com or by phone at 410-756-2311.

Meyer Zoysia Grass was perfected by the U.S. Gov’t, released in cooperation with the U.S. Golf Association as a superior grass.

www.ZoysiaFarms.com/mag ©2019 Zoysia Farm Nurseries, 3617 Old Taneytown Rd, Taneytown, MD 21787

Order Your ZOYSIA Plugs Now — Harvested Daily From Our Farms And Shipped To You Direct!

Continental USA only and not to WA and OR

ORDER TODAY FOR EXTRA SAVINGS AND FREE PLUGS Freestyle Plugs You decide how big to cut the plugs. Each grass

sheet can produce up to 150-1 in. plugs. Plant minimum 1 plug per sq. ft.

Your PRICE

+ Shipping

SAVINGS

Super Plugs

Free Plugs

Trays

–

2

$29.95

$14.50

–

15

–

1

$24.95

$ 8.50

500

+100

4

$50.00

$16.00

60

+15

5

$90.00

$20.00

750

+150

6

$66.00

$19.50

95

+25

8

$110.00

$30.00

1100

+400

10

$95.00

$30.00

120

+30

10

$125.00

$35.00

2000

+1000

20

$165.00

$45.00

25% 36% 43% 52%

180

+45

15

$180.00

$50.00

Free Plugs Grass Sheets*

Dept. 5312

Super Plugs Precut plugs 3 inches by 3 inches READY TO PLANT Packed in trays of 15 Super Plugs. Plant minimum 1 plug per 4 sq. ft.

300

Max Plugs*

Your PRICE + Shipping

SAVINGS –

34% 47% 50% 54%

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START AND MAINTAIN A CAREFREE BEAUTIFUL ZOYSIA LAWN

PLANTING TOOLS * PLANT FOOD * WEED AND PEST CONTROLS * ORGANIC PRODUCTS * SOIL TESTS * GARDEN GLOVES * EDGING AND MORE

All Available Exclusively at www.ZoysiaFarms.com/mag or 410-756-2311 ZOYSIA FARM NURSERIES, 3617 OLD TANEYTOWN ROAD TANEYTOWN MD 21787

AMAZOY IS THE TRADEMARK REGISTERED U.S. PATENT OFFICE for our Meyer Zoysia grass.

ZoysiaFarms-Carolina Country fullpg Mar2019 Dept5312.indd 1 CC03-wk.indd 2

F

We ship all orders the same day the plugs are packed and at the earliest planting time in your state.

12/23/18 1:54 PM 2/7/19 1:06 PM

O

18 1:54 PM

Volume 51, No. 3

12

14

Favorites 4 Viewpoints 8 More Power 12 Between the Lines 30 On the House 32 Energy Sense 34 Carolina People 36 Tar Heel Tidbits 40 Carolina Gardens 42 Adventures 44 Carolina Compass 48 Carolina Kitchen 50 Where is This?

50 Carolina Music

On the Cover Metrolina Greenhouses grows around 70 million plants a year, with more than 170 acres of greenhouses located north of Charlotte in Huntersville. Read more about the innovative operation starting on page 14. Photo courtesy of Metrolina Greenhouses.

12 14 18 20

20

Life on a Microgrid

A Brunswick County community hosts the latest co-op microgrid.

Flower Power

Metrolina Greenhouses is a horticultural heavyweight.

Great Gardens, Less Work

Keep the yard looking good with limited time and energy.

Wild and Free

Wild horses are centuries-long residents of NC’s Outer Banks.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:

Home Improvement Fails

$1

You tried, you failed, we’re interested! Share photos of home improvement project gone awry —w e’ll feature our favorites in our May issue. See page 41 for details.

March 2019 | 3

CC03-wk.indd 3

2/8/19 1:20 PM

Viewpoints

Plugging in to Community

By Leslie Boney

We’re really good at measuring some kinds of connectedness. Since the 1930s, we’ve had an almost perfect knowledge of who’s connected to the power grid. And thanks in large part to electric co-ops, that includes just about everyone.

We’re developing a good sense of statewide. Nearly one-third of inactive Our “County Snapshots” tool who’s connected to broadband interworkers report substance abuse as the (iei.ncsu.edu/countysnapshot) can net service (and it’s not enough, espe- help you get started by focusing on reason. We need more hands on deck. cially in rural North Carolina).

Health status: If you are in fair or key areas in your community.

Emerging research shows that poor health, it’s harder to participate Civic connection: Checking votsocial connectedness is just as import- ing rates and counting the number in the shared life of your community. ant, but harder to measure. People In Robeson County, 29 percent of the of social groups per capita in each without strong social ties are more population is less than fully healthy; county are easy items to review to likely to suffer from health problems, in Wake it’s 13 percent. It’s hard to check on local interest in public life. mental problems and economic trouaddress community health without But studies also show that parks and ble. Disconnection is costly. confronting individual health. public facilities make a difference That’s why it’s alarming to find Technology: Broadband access is in the social and economic life of a that people are dropping out of civic difficult to measure, since “available” community, offering opportunities to groups and local churches. People doesn’t always mean “affordable.” “bump into” others and get to know aren’t volunteering as much; just Technology can connect or divide us, them. Our shared spaces help build 24.4 percent of North Carolinians and we have a long way to go before trust, connections and community. report volunteering for all North Carolinians are anything in the past year. participating in the digiReconnection has to happen within and National polls show that tal economy. trust in “the institutions of Over the coming between every community in the state — society” has fallen from 80 months and years, we’ll we all have a role in bridging our divides. percent a generation ago be highlighting commuto 22 percent today. Our nities that are addressing “trust in neighbors” has fallen from these issues in creative ways. We’ve Commuting patterns: The stereo60 percent to 32 percent. already selected several, highlighted type of commuting patterns is that Last year, when NC State’s Institute rural places empty out every morning on the ReCONNECT NC website, for Emerging Issues asked people and we hope others can learn as urban centers absorb workers. to name the biggest issue facing the from their work.

The reality is a lot more complex. state, we heard that North Carolinians In Edgecombe County, for example, But we’re also looking for energized simply aren’t working together the about 72 percent of workers commute citizens in every community who are way we used to. We’re disconnected. ready to start conversations and share out each morning. But the flow goes And it helps explain why so many their experiences with ReCONNECT both ways — 59 percent of people people worry about our state’s NC. Division is a shared problem. working in Edgecombe County are rural-urban divide.

Solving it will take shared work. commuting in. A healthy economy Our ReCONNECT NC project Let’s get started. needs a healthy mix of people com(iei.ncsu.edu/reconnectnc) is meant ing and going.

Leslie Boney is the director of NC State’s to tackle that broad problem with Labor force participation: The Institute for Emerging Issues. He can be even bigger solutions. Reconnection percentage of working-age people reached at lnboney@ncsu.edu. The next has to happen within and between who are actually working or looking ReCONNECT NC Forum, in Charlotte on every community in the state — we for work has been declining in North October 15, will focus on economic mobility. all have a role in bridging our divides.

Carolina — down to about 61 percent 4 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-wk.indd 4

2/8/19 1:21 PM

Viewpoints

THIS MONTH’S ISSUE:

Out in the Garden

Metrolina Greenhouses

Despite the inevitable late-season cold snap, we’ve had some warm days here in North Carolina, and it’s time to start thinking about this year’s garden.

Our feature on page 18 will help quell any excuse for whipping your yard into shape, and Metrolina Greenhouses shares how the pros do it on page 14.

We also have exciting news about another first for NC that electric co-ops are working on: a residential microgrid.

—Scott Gates, editor

A true, charming Lexington establishment. Coming here as a child used to make my day. So glad to see this article.

Sunny Calhoun

I come back from Florida to get pimento cheese and chicken salad. I drive up for a food run and come back to Florida. And of course, fancy pastry …

Congrats on 100 years. It’s perfect.

Starr Hoover

All the meat is cut right there in the store. The best meat you could ask for! Love it.

Jean Hutchinson

I remember going to that store with my grandma :) Rayma Reno

Thank you, Conrad & Hinkle, for being a place to go for great local, home-grown food in Lexington!!

Tommy Leonard

I especially appreciate the customer service and the friendly attitude you feel when you walk into the store!

Not to mention the wonderful selection of meats, homemade selections and the fresh produce. It is like a small-town jewel with a progressive nature! Love it!

Emma Wallace

Lexington Tourism Authority

Beloved, Far and Wide Readers love Conrad & Hinkle Food Market in Lexington (“A Century of Reliable Service,” February 2019, page 34), and they’ve shared that sentiment on carolinacountry.com. Here are a few comments from our website:

Lavender Tip Barbara Cloniger of Gastonia, a member of Rutherford EMC, called Carolina Country with a tip after reading “A Local Crop’s Prized Compound” (September 2018, page 14): She uses lavender dryer sheets to keep mosquitos away. Thank you, Barbara!

Correction to our February issue The ingredients for Apple Crumb Cake (page 41) listed a total of five eggs. You will only need three to whip up this treat, as indicated in the directions.

Contact us Phone: 919-875-3091 Fax: 919-878-3970 Mail: 3400 Sumner Blvd.

Raleigh, NC 27616 Web: carolinacountry.com Email: editor@carolinacountry.com

Change of Address: carolinacountry.com/address Experiencing a power outage?

Please contact your electric co-op directly to ensure prompt service. Visit carolinacountry.com/co-ops to find yours online.

(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800)

Read monthly in more than 700,000 homes Published monthly by

3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616 919-875-3091 carolinacountry.com Warren Kessler Publications Director Scott Gates, CCC Editor Renee C. Gannon, CCC Senior Associate Editor Karen Olson House Contributing Editor Tara Verna Creative Director Erin Binkley Graphic Designer Tom Siebrasse Advertising tom@carolinacountry.com Joseph P. Brannan Executive Vice President & CEO Nelle Hotchkiss Senior Vice President & COO North Carolina’s electric cooperatives provide reliable, safe and affordable electric service to 1 million homes and businesses. The 26 electric cooperatives are each member-owned, not-for-profit and overseen by a board of directors elected by the membership.

Why Do We Send You Carolina Country Magazine?

Your cooperative sends you Carolina Country as a convenient, economical way to share with its members information about services, director elections, meetings and management decisions. The magazine also carries legal notices that otherwise would be published in other media at greater cost.

Your co-op’s board of directors authorizes a subscription to Carolina Country on behalf of the membership at a cost of less than $5 per year.

Has your address changed?

Carolina Country magazine is available monthly to members of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives. If you are a member of one of these cooperatives but do not receive Carolina Country, you may request a subscription by calling Member Services at the office of your cooperative. If your address has changed, please inform your cooperative.

Subscriptions: Individual subscriptions, $12 per year. $20 outside U.S.A. Schools, libraries, $6.

Carolina Country is available on digital cartridge as a courtesy of volunteer services at the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Raleigh, N.C. 888-388-2460.

Advertising published in Carolina Country is accepted on the premise that the merchandise and services offered are accurately described and willingly sold to customers at the advertised price. The magazine, North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives, Inc., and the member cooperatives do not necessarily endorse the products or services advertised. Advertising that does not conform to these standards or that is deceptive or misleading is never knowingly accepted.

Should you encounter advertising that does not comply with these standards, please inform Carolina Country at P.O. Box 27306, Raleigh, NC 27611. 919-875-3091.

Carolina Country magazine is a member of American MainStreet Publications that collectively reach more than 27 million readers every month.

Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh, N.C., and additional mailing offices. Editorial offices: 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, N.C. 27616. Carolina Country® is a registered trademark of the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 707.4.12.5); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: send address corrections to Carolina Country, P.O. Box 27306, Raleigh, NC 27611.

All content © Carolina Country unless otherwise indicated.

March 2019 | 5

CC03-tv.indd 5

2/8/19 1:41 PM

Charging ahead.

Electric cooperatives are building a network of electric vehicle charging stations across North Carolina — bringing tourism and economic opportunity to communities, helping reduce emissions and opening the door for co-op consumer-members statewide to shape the future through the adoption of this technology.

Learn more at ncelectriccooperatives.com.

IDE NATIONWGE COVERA

IDE NATIONWGE COVERA

99

OF T POP

© s s a p t 2 V

A f

Powering and empowering the people and communities we serve.

TouchstoneAd-02-2019.indd CC03-wk.indd 6 1

2/5/19 2/7/19 2:34 1:07 PM

TALK, TEXT & DATA AS LOW AS $20/MONTH WIDE AGE

IDE NATIONWGE COVERA

19 2:34 PM

E ID E NWAG TIO ER NACOV

99%

OF THE U.S. POPULATION

99%

OF THE U.S. POPULATION

99%

OF THE U.S. POPULATION

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED Connect on the nation’s largest networks, with coverage to 99% of the U.S.

RANKED #1 BY J.D. POWER “Highest in Customer Service among Non-Contract Value Wireless Providers, Five Times in a Row.”

AARP MEMBER BENEFITS AARP members receive a 5% discount on service and usage every month.

OUR MOST POPULAR PLANS FOR 1 & 2 LINES! View all of our options online.

$20 A MONTH

1 LINE

INCLUDED

250 MINUTES TALK

UNLIMITED 250MB TEXT

DATA

$30 A MONTH

1 LINE

INCLUDED

UNLIMITED

UNLIMITED TEXT

TALK

2GB DATA

$55 A MONTH

2 LINES

INCLUDED

UNLIMITED

UNLIMITED TEXT

TALK

5GB DATA

ONE MORE REASON TO SWITCH! FEBRUARY 15–MARCH 31, 2019 CALL CONSUMER CELLULAR

(888) 583-2728

VISIT US ONLINE

StartCC.com

© 2019 Consumer Cellular, Inc. All rights reserved. All other products are trademarked by their respective manufacturers. New service activation on approved credit. Cellular service is not available in all areas and is subject to system limitations. Terms and Conditions subject to change. The totals shown here are costs for monthly Consumer Cellular service only. They do not include any state or local taxes. First Month Free offer applies only to new customers for service activated February 15-March 31, 2019. Costs of Talk and Connect Plans, plus access fees on all lines, are free for the first monthly billing cycle following activation. Offer does not cover any additional costs, such as equipment purchase, extended warranties, 411 charges, data over 20GB, international calling, any mandatory government surcharges, taxes, or fees. Current customers adding a line during this promotion receive a $15 credit for one-month additional line fee. Consumer Cellular received the highest number among four non-contract value providers in the J.D. Power 2016 V2 - 2018 V2 U.S. Wireless Customer Care Performance Study of customers’ satisfaction with their wireless customer care experience. Your experiences may vary.

Visit jdpower.com/awards AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.

CC03-wk.indd 7

2/7/19 1:07 PM

More Power

NC State

TEST YOUR

ENERGY KNOWLEDGE Renewable generation is expected to

grow to 31% of total U.S. power generation by 2050 (up from 18% in 2018), according to the latest Annual Energy Outlook from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Which source will lead the pack?

Mr. and Mrs. Wuf joined former Kenan Fellows Kari Cobb (left) and Daria Fedrick.

Hydropower

Solar

Wind

Geothermal

Co-op Kenan Fellows Hit the Court The two 2018–19 Kenan Fellows hosted by North Carolina electric co-ops were back in the spotlight at a January NC State basketball game against ACC rival Pitt. Kari Cobb of Northside High, hosted by Jones-Onslow EMC in Jacksonville, and Daria Fedrick of Bragg Street Academy, hosted by Central Electric in Sanford, were recognized on the court at PNC Arena for their exceptional achievements as educators.

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have sponsored and hosted six educators as Kenan Fellows since 2014, with a 2019–20 fellowship being sponsored by Union Power Cooperative in Monroe.

Answer: Solar. Solar generation is expected to make up 48% of all renewables by 2050 (up from 13% in 2018), due to falling costs for the technology. Wind comes in second at 25%.

Visit eia.gov/outlooks/aeo for more information.

Report: Electricity Demand to Surge by 2040 Over the next two decades, the electricity sector is set to be the “star of the show” — experiencing its most dramatic transformation since its creation more than a century ago, according to a new global outlook report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

“Electricity is increasingly the ‘fuel’ of choice in economies that are relying more on lighter industrial sectors, services and digital technologies,” the report said. “Its share in global final consumption is approaching 20 percent and is set to rise further.”

The report assesses the next two decades of energy trends under three scenarios: one where current policies hold, one where announced policies and targets are met (“New Policies”), and one where sustainable approaches are accelerated (“Sustainable Development”).

Under the New Policies scenario, global electricity demand will surge 60 percent by 2040 — twice the projected

rate of overall energy demand. Increases in renewable energy investments and energy efficiency will slow the growth of coal consumption, although carbon dioxide emissions would continue to trend upward under the Current and New Policies scenarios. Only through the Sustainable Development scenario would emissions decline, although the heavy lifting to achieve such an outcome rests squarely on public policy decisions, according to the report.

“Our analysis shows that over 70 percent of global energy investments will be government-driven, and as such the message is clear — the world’s energy destiny lies with government decisions,” said IEA Executive Director Dr. Fatih Birol.

“Crafting the right policies and proper incentives will be critical to meeting our common goals of securing energy supplies, reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality in urban centers, and expanding basic access to energy in Africa and elsewhere.”

carolinacountry.com/extras

Read a summary of the report and watch a video highlighting key takeaways from IEA’s assessment of our energy future.

8 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-EB.indd 8

2/7/19 12:01 PM

DESIGNED FOR YOU

Great shoes can make the best days even better, so let nothing stop you from living life to the fullest. Whether you’re a walker, dancer, fun-lover or fashionista, benefit from the innovative features and quality British craftsmanship of every style that we create in The Comfort Lab.

QUAKE Mauve Metallic Leathe

Save 25% OFF PLUS FREE TRACKED SHIPPING

QUAKE

Pebble Grey Nubuck

Aqua Nubuck

White Leather

Available in US Sizes: 5, 6, 6½, 7, 7½, 8, 8½, 9, 9½, 10, 11 Two width fittings available: Hotter Comfort Fit a US Medium/Wide/D-E fit & Extra Wide Fit a US Wide/EE Fit

EXCLUSIVE

INTRODUCTORY OFFER QUAKE SHOES Normally $99

PRETTY TOUCH-CLOSE FASTENING STRAP

A great casual style for warm Summer days, Quake’s premium uppers feature pretty punched and cute cut-out details which allow feet to breathe and are effortlessly flattering. Sitting on a new sole which boasts a minimal, natural design, every holiday wardrobe needs a pair of best-selling Quake. Take advantage of our exclusive offer and enjoy fantastic savings on Quake or across our whole collection at www.hotterusa.com.

SAVE 25% NOW ONLY

$74.25 “I Love Hotter Shoes, they are so comfortable and the fit is perfect” Nadine, Syracuse NY

FIT FOR LIFE

Prepare to fall in love with our widest range of styles that come in half sizes and fitting options, with extra room for busy toes. Ordering is easy, simply visit our website or call one of our Personal Shoppers, who are always happy to help you start your journey into pure comfort.

QUALITY YOU’LL LOVE

We pride ourselves on our expertise, innovation, world-class production and design that’s of the moment. That’s why your comfort is engineered to the millimetre to meet our unwaveringly high standards.

CALL TOLL FREE 1 866 378 7811

OR VISIT WWW.HOTTERUSA.COM Quote savings code

JVMAI19

For 25% off Quake and our complete range online* Offer available on US resident’s first order only. No sales tax is added to the sales price. You will only be charged the advertised price. Offer ends 31st August 2019. For full T&Cs visit www.hotterusa.com. *Exclusions Apply

Inspired Craftsmanship

World Class Production

Hotter_US_Carolina_County_Quake_Jan19.indd 1 CC03-wk.indd 9

British Performance and Innovation

31/01/2019 18:39 2/7/19 1:07 PM

More Power

BEMC

Retired Brunswick Electric CEO and General Manager Don Hughes (left) with the co-op’s new leader, Josh Winslow

Brunswick Electric’s Don Hughes Retires After 49 Years of Service Josh Winslow Named CEO and General Manager Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation’s CEO and General Manager Don Hughes recently announced his retirement in a way that matched his nearly five decades of service to the Supply-based co-op — he visited each District Office and gave the news to the employees personally.

Driven by a sense of duty and commitment to the cooperative, Hughes learned the business from the ground up. As his responsibilities increased, so did his intention to maintain a personal connection with Brunswick Electric’s members, Board of Directors and employees.

With a career that began in 1969 as a meter reader, he rose through the ranks to lineman, district manager, manager of Operations, vice president of Operations/Engineering and COO before being named CEO and general manager of the co-op in 2014. He represented North Carolina cooperatives on a variety of state and national committees, and has had great satisfaction leading Brunswick Electric through a period of profound growth, building four new substations, expanding renewable initiatives and deploying

AMI system-wide, among other technology improvements.

During Hughes’ tenure as general manager, the co-op grew from 86,000 meters to more than 96,000 meter locations in one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

Hughes’ service to Brunswick Electric has been more than managing the nuts and bolts of the second largest cooperative in the state. His commitment to the community has been evident in every volunteer leadership position he has held, including with the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, Lions Club, Brunswick Business & Industry Development, North Carolina Fourth of July Festival, and the U.S. Open King Mackerel Fishing Tournament.

“There’s nothing that gives back to the community like a cooperative,” Hughes said. “Through the dedication of our employees to get the job done, we go two steps further with many of Brunswick Electric’s community programs that have real impact in the lives of those we serve. Our Bright Ideas and Community Grants, our Weatherization Loans, the Warm

Homes, Warm Hearts heating assistance program — I am truly proud of how committed Brunswick Electric is to bettering our community.”

Brunswick Electric’s Joshua L. Winslow has taken over the leadership reins following Hughes’ January 31 retirement. Josh holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from NC State University, and is a licensed professional engineer.

In his 14 years with the co-op he has served as a staff electrical engineer, manager of Operations, and most recently as Chief Operating Officer.

“We have an incredible team at Brunswick Electric, and a commitment to service is in the DNA of this cooperative,” Winslow said. “We will continue to honor our founding principles as we face some of the most significant changes to our industry in decades.

Remaining focused on returning value to our membership in the form of safe, reliable, and affordable power will ensure success for the cooperative and support for the communities we serve.”

Winslow and his wife, LeeAnna, live in Supply and have three children: Raleigh, Reagan and Roslyn.

10 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-EB.indd 10

2/7/19 12:01 PM

The Next Great Italian Masterpiece The Aria Bracelet is an impeccable work of art Raffinato with a price unmatched by any

™

——— Italy

in its class.

D

a Vinci’s Mona Lisa, David by Michelangelo, Madame Butterfly by Puccini.

Italy has produced some of the world’s greatest masterpieces. And, it’s no secret it is the epicenter of the best metalworking on earth. Which is why we sought out the best artisans to ever melt precious metals to create yet another great Italian masterpiece..

For over fifty years Pietro Ferrini and Rodolfo Grotti have created unsurpassed artisan jewelry that combines age-old Etruscan metalsmithing techniques with innovative design. Today, we bring their talents to America.

The Aria Bracelet is their latest masterpiece. And, you can own it for under $50!

Each bracelet is meticulously made by hand from .925 sterling silver drenched in 18K Italian yellow gold and celebrates the traditional woven Byzantine design–– an intricate array of woven links that forms a flexible and elegant drape. We also offer the Aria Bracelet in 14K yellow gold for a price that will make you say “fantastico”.

The difference between priceless & overpriced. While shopping for bracelets, I spotted similar Byzantine bracelets with a big designer name for twice what they should charge. Ridiculous. It wasn’t Italian made. It wasn’t near as nice. High-end design shouldn’t carry a high price just because of a big name designer name up-charge.

No questions asked, 30-day money back guarantee. We want you glowing with satisfaction.

Masterpiece, not mass produced. Because each bracelet is handmade in Italy–– taking months to create–– we only have a select number available. Don’t miss this opportunity to own a piece of impeccable Italian-made jewelry for a truly amazing price. Call today!

• Made in Arezzo, Italy • 18K gold over .925 sterling silver • 7.5" bracelet; lobster clasp

The classic Byzantine chain pattern has stood the test of time for over 2,500 years To show exquisite details, bracelet shown is not exact size.

What Clients Are Saying About Raffinato™ Gold Jewelry —

 “Beautiful piece... LOTS of compliments!”

— F., Columbus, OH

18K Gold-Finished Sterling Silver Aria Bracelet 295 Stunningly affordable at $49 Save $246 14K Yellow Gold Aria Bracelet $795 Stunningly well-priced at $495 Save $300

Call today. There’s never been a better time to let your elegance shine. 1-888-444-5949 Offer Code: RFL147-01. You must use the offer code to get our special price.

Raffinato

™

14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. RFL147-01, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.raffinatoitaly.com

A c ol l ec tion of imp e ccab le d e s i g n & cr af ts m ans hi p f r om I taly.

CC03-wk.indd 11

2/7/19 1:07 PM

Between the Lines

CO-OP TECH:

Life on a Microgrid A Brunswick County neighborhood has earned an innovative distinction BEMC

Learn about microgrids across North Carolina and other innovative electric co-op projects.

BEMC

carolinacountry.com/innovation

thermostats and an option for electric vehicle charging. Energy efficient and sustainable features are incorporated throughout building materials. A portion of the neighborhood is dedicated to a larger community solar array with battery storage.

“Brunswick Electric is demonstrating the effectiveness of a smart Wi-Fi enabled water heater and thermostat for demand reduction, while also demonstrating the ability to utilize the development’s solar and battery storage,” said Brunswick Electric Vice President of Engineering and Operations Lewis Shaw. “Combined with the load reduction devices, they will form a microgrid when and if needed.”

The community is made up of interconnected loads and resources connected to the main electric grid. On a typical day, residents will obtain power from the main grid, supplemented by power from their rooftop solar panels and the community solar array. What sets this community apart is what happens should the connection to the main grid become unavailable — after a storm, for example. As a microgrid, the residents will benefit from continued solar power as well as the battery backup system.

What’s more, the demand response thermostats and water heaters can be controlled by the electric utility to make more power available to the system during that time, as well as during times of high demand.

“We are excited to work with Heron’s Nest and North Carolina’s

BEMC

A

lthough there are more homes under construction than not, anyone strolling down the street in Shallotte’s new Heron’s Nest neighborhood can tell something different is going on. Each cottage is brightly colored, small but with space used efficiently. Solar panels dot the rooftops. The driveways aren’t made of poured concrete, but permeable pavers.

These are among the few hints that the otherwise quaint development is something more. Through collaboration among Brunswick Electric, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives and developer The Adams Group, the community has claimed the distinction of the state’s first residential microgrid.

“This partnership is a great opportunity for all of the electric cooperatives in North Carolina to gain knowledge in how to integrate this equipment to bring greater resiliency and flexibility to the distribution grid by working with a local residential community,” said Jim Musilek, director of Innovation and Business Development for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.

Once fully operational, the site’s 30-plus homes will be equipped with rooftop solar panels, demand response water heaters, demand response ecobee programmable

Electric Cooperatives to gather useful knowledge that we can utilize in the future to reduce cost to our members and improve reliability,” Shaw said.

The neighborhood’s first resident, Kourtney Gore, teaches at West Brunswick High School in Shallotte, where her grandmother also taught for 30 years. Building a new home in the neighborhood was affordable and allowed her to turn her dreams (and Pinterest ideas) into reality, according to Gore. But the sustainable aspect was a big added draw.

“Being environmentally conscious and turning that awareness into action was a huge drive to build in this neighborhood,” Gore said.

“From building a house that has a footprint without wasted space that includes energy efficient materials, to utilizing solar energy, to the TrueGrid [permeable] driveway, I feel comfortable knowing that I am doing my part to lessen my negative impact on the environment.”

12 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-EB.indd 12

2/8/19 2:10 PM

#

Clip this offer and please call today!

Now, from United of Omaha Life Insurance Company and Companion Life Insurance Company...

Whole Life Insurance.

Are you between the ages of 45 and 85*?

Then this GUARANTEED ACCEPTANCE policy is for YOU! >> Choose from 4 benefit levels - up to $25,000! >> Rates “lock-in” at the age you enroll - never go up again! >> Call for your FREE all-by-mail enrollment packet! >> Call TOLL-FREE

1-888-252-4410

Or enroll online at

www.AskMutualLife.com

NO medical exam!

NO health questions!

Plus...

Proceeds paid directly to your beneficiary Builds cash value and is renewable up to age 100!**...

Then automatically pays YOU full benefit amount!

Policy cannot be canceled – EVER – because of changes in health!

Why this policy? Why now?

Our graded death benefit whole life insurance policy can be used to pay funeral costs, final medical expenses...or other monthly bills.

You know how important it can be to help protect your family from unnecessary burdens after you pass away. Maybe your own parents or loved one did the same for you. OR, maybe they DIDN’T and you sure wish they would have!

The important thing is that, right now, you can make a decision that could help make a difficult time a little easier for your loved ones.

It’s a responsible, caring and affordable decision. And, right now, it’s something you can do with one simple phone call.

You may have been putting off purchasing life insurance, but you don’t have to wait another day. This offer is a great opportunity to help start protecting your family today.

Your affordable monthly rate will “lock-in” at your enrollment age* ... $3,000.00 Benefit

Age 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-85

Male $10.45 $11.50 $14.20 $17.20 $20.50 $27.40 $37.00 $50.50

Female $8.80 $9.70 $11.95 $13.30 $16.00 $21.40 $30.10 $42.55

$5,000.00 Benefit

Male $16.75 $18.50 $23.00 $28.00 $33.50 $45.00 $61.00 $83.50

Female $14.00 $15.50 $19.25 $21.50 $26.00 $35.00 $49.50 $70.25

$10,000.00 $25,000.00 Benefit

Benefit

Male Female Male Female $32.50 $27.00 $79.75 $66.00 $36.00 $30.00 $88.50 $73.50 $45.00 $37.50 $111.00 $92.25 $55.00 $42.00 $136.00 $103.50 $66.00 $51.00 $163.50 $126.00 $89.00 $69.00 $221.00 $171.00 $121.00 $98.00 $301.00 $243.50 $166.00 $139.50 $413.50 $347.25

The rates above include a $12 annual policy fee.

This is a solicitation of insurance, an agent (In OR & WA: producer) may contact you. These policies contain benefits,

reductions, limitations, and exclusions to include a reduction in death benefits during the first two years of policy ownership. Policy Form ICC11L057P or state equivalent (in FL: 7722L-0505; in NY: 827Y-0505).

Not available in all states. In NY, during the first two years, 110% of premiums will be paid. Website unavailable for NY residents.

EASY WAY Whole Life Insurance is underwritten by United of Omaha Life Insurance Company, Omaha, NE 68175, which is licensed nationwide except NY. Life insurance policies issued in NY are underwritten by Companion Life Insurance Company, Hauppauge, NY 11788. Each company is responsible for its own financial and contractual obligations. *Age eligibility and benefits may vary by state. **In FL policy is renewable until age 121.

AFN44167_0113

CC03-wk.indd 13

2/7/19 1:07 PM

FLOWER POWER

Metrolina Greenhouses is a horticultural heavyweight

By Leah Chester-Davis

Metrolina Greenhouses

14 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-tv.indd 14

2/7/19 11:48 AM

A Metrolina Greenhouses employee cradles a handful of tiny cuttings in her hand, each no bigger than a small grass blade, and gently tosses them to her partner, a robot with a large arm that receives signals from a camera as the cuttings bounce along a conveyor belt. The automated arm moves with dexterity and speed, picking up a single tender cutting at a time and depositing each, root-end down, into a soil-filled tray. It’s quite a marvel to see the robot in action.

The cuttings will be moved to different sections or bays within the 170acre Metrolina Greenhouses complex depending on their water and light requirements. The farm under glass — comprising greenhouses the size of five shopping malls — teems with millions of plants that are tended by 600 full-time employees (not to mention robot partners) and another 800 seasonal workers, many of whom are members of EnergyUnited, the Statesville-based electric cooperative.

As the plants grow, an explosion of color and beautiful blooms punctuate early spring days for any driver traveling down Huntersville Concord Road outside Huntersville. It’s hard to keep your eyes on the road as you steal glances to peer inside the windows of the greenhouses where an array of plants — lupines, daffodils, tulips, regal geraniums, groundcovers, ranunculus — will soon be headed to a garden center near you.

to be involved in the business and is known as the First Lady of Metrolina.

Younger brothers Michael and Thomas, as well as other family members, are also involved.

“Dad would be enthralled by that,” Art says about the robots that stick 2,400 cuttings in the time it takes a person to stick 900. “Dad’s favorite saying was: ‘automate or stagnate.’ ” Tom designed an automated transplanter that picks up as many as 60,000 plants per hour and places them in containers that will be sent to stores. The technology continues to be used industry-wide.

Every available space in the greenhouse is used. Look up, and rows of hanging baskets filled with plants are moving along on a mechanized overhead system inspired by an uncle’s ski trip and observation of the gondola lifts.

The plants are moved to one central watering area, rather than requiring water over thousands of square feet.

Heating the massive complex, which is the largest, single-story heated building in the country, is accomplished by wood boilers that use recycled pallets and other biomass fuel. Water for the plants is collected from a series of ponds and goes through a water treatment system on site. All water that falls on the roof from rainfall and water that is used indoors goes back into a system to be recycled.

“When it rains an inch here we collect up to 5 million gallons of water,” explains Abe. “It is all self-sustained.

We don’t use any city water.”

Beautifying landscapes

At the peak of the gardening season, as many as 178 tractor trailer loads of plants leave the Metrolina Greenhouses every day headed to nearly 1,600 big box stores — and ultimately to your landscape or that of your neighbors.

A growing family heritage

Interested in visiting the Trial Gardens Open House?

Leah Chester-Davis

Whether it is robots and other technology or new ways to tag plants, Art and Abe VanWingerden, Metrolina Greenhouses’ co-CEOs, are keen on innovation. It’s a trait they say they learned from their Dad, Tom, who along with their Mom, Vickie, started the company with three acres of greenhouse space in 1972 after emigrating from the Netherlands the year before.

The brothers bought the business from their parents in 2007; Tom died in 2009. Their mom continues

Check metrolinagreenhouses.com or Facebook @metrolinagreenhouses in early May for instructions on getting your name on the list.

March 2019 | 15

CC03-tv.indd 15

2/7/19 11:47 AM

Metrolina Greenhouses

By the Numbers:

Metrolina’s Huntersville HQ

170 acres of greenhouse (7.4 million square feet)

70 million plants grown per year

They ship out a constant rotation of plants to a market area that spans a 600-mile radius that reaches as far north as New York, and for certain products as far south as Florida and as far west as Kansas City. It all amounts to about 70 million plants per year.

The company also owns 257 acres of perennials in York, South Carolina.

A visit to the Trial Gardens

The company invests heavily in research and development, which includes its own plant trials. As many as 1,000 different type plants may go through a three-year phase at any given time.

While Metrolina no longer hosts tours of the greenhouses, it does provide the public with a glimpse of its massive operation during its yearly Trial Gardens Open House, usually in early June. During the open house, visitors drive through the front entrance of the greenhouses to an impressive three acres of trial gardens showcasing as many as 7,000 plants.

“The trial gardens at Metrolina provide a unique opportunity for breeders, retailers, growers, industry professionals and consumers to learn about new varieties and compare new items with existing items,” says Mariah Holland, director of

marketing. “It’s not a showcase garden; it is a performance garden.”

The company simulates conditions that are most like those the average consumer faces: limited irrigation, insects, diseases and drought, for example. “The ultimate goal is to select the best of the best for consumers,” adds Mariah.

Various plots within the gardens feature annuals or perennials that love shade or sun. There are sections of plants that are great for containers, plants that are suitable for rock gardens, and incredible ideas for plant combinations. A 500-foot-long stretch of pergola creates an enchanted walkway of hanging baskets bursting with colorful blooms, all competing for attention. Comparison trials last year focused on Echinacea, creeping phlox, garden phlox and veronica. This year will be a different selection of plants.

Popular plants

Plants that have stood the test of time and remain popular with consumers include impatiens, petunias, lantana, begonias and coleus.

“Some of the popular new plants are: a new variety of celosia (Dragon’s Breath); Sunfinity sunflowers that bloom continuously, which is unusual for sunflowers; new varieties of lupines; and an easy-to-grow

600 year-round employees

800 seasonal workers

$210 million in sales annually Photos by Metrolina Greenhouses

alstroemeria,” says Abe. While it’s a bit early to select favorites this season, Mariah explains that the pre-selections are based on performance. A few they are keeping their eyes on are Sunpatiens (impatiens that thrive even in high heat and humidity), Supercals (part petunia and part calibrachoa), Color Rush Petunias, and an up-and-coming lantana.

Leah Chester-Davis loves to explore North Carolina. Her business, Chester-Davis Communications (chester-davis.com), specializes in food, farm, gardening and lifestyle brands and organizations.

16 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-tv.indd 16

2/7/19 11:47 AM

No contracts No cancellation fees

Easier is better with the Jitterbug.

The Jitterbug® Flip, from the creators of the original easy-to-use cell phone, has big buttons and an exclusive 5Star® Urgent Response button on the keypad.

EASY TO USE Today, cell phones are hard to hear, difficult to dial Plans as low as and overloaded with features you may never use. That’s not the case with the Jitterbug Flip. A large screen and big buttons make it $ easy to call family and friends. The powerful speaker ensures every month* conversation will be loud and clear. Plus, straightforward YES and NO buttons make navigating the menu simple.

Plans as low as

1499 $1499

month2

as low EASY TO ENJOY Wherever you go, a built-in camera makes it easy and Plans fun for youasto* Plans as low as capture and share your favorite memories. And a flashlight with a built-in magnifier $ Flip also $ helps you see in dimly lit areas. With all the features you need, the Jitterbug month comes with a long-lasting battery, so you won’t have to worry about runningmonth out of power.

2

1499 1499 2

** low asbe EASY TO BE PREPARED Life has a way of being unpredictable, butPlans youascan prepared in any uncertain or unsafe situation with 5Star Service. Simply press the $ Response 5Star button to be connected immediately with a highly-trained Urgent Agent who will confirm your location, evaluate your situation and get you themonth help you need, 24/7.

2

Plans as low as

1499 $1499

The Jitterbug Flip is one of the most affordable cell phones on the market and comes with dependable nationwide coverage. Friendly customer service representatives will help figure out which phone plan is best for you, and with no contracts or cancellation fees, you can switch plans anytime. You can even keep your current landline or cell phone number.

Powered by the nation’s largest and most dependable wireless network.

Buy now and get a FREE Car Charger, a $25 value!

NO CONTRACTS No cancellation fees

To order or learn more, call

1-800-972-6991 or visit us at greatcall.com

Why the Jitterbug Flip is your best choice for a new cell phone: No contracts to sign, ever

Keep your current phone number

Free U.S.-based customer service

No hidden monthly fees

Brain Games powered

by Posit Science®

Available at: *Monthly fees do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges and are subject to change. Plans and services may require purchase of a GreatCall device and a one-time setup fee of $ 35. 5Star or 9-1-1 calls can be made only when cellular service is available. 5Star Service tracks an approximate location of the device when the device is turned on and connected to the network.

GreatCall does not guarantee an exact location. Car charger will be mailed to customer after the device is activated. Jitterbug, GreatCall and 5Star are registered trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. Copyright ©2019 GreatCall, Inc.

DLGRC_015013_R1_20190225_FLIP_CAROLINA_COUNTRY_MAR.indd 1 CC03-wk.indd 17

1/15/19 4:08 PM 2/7/19 1:07 PM

2

Great Gardens, Less Work

G

ardening can be relaxing, satisfying and rewarding.

But even those of us with the greenest of thumbs run into obstacles that limit our ability to get out there and putter around.

Whether you’re short on time, or are finding that your body doesn’t quite work the way it used to, garden enthusiasts can compensate by gardening smarter instead of harder. By doing necessary jobs more efficiently and skipping a few unnecessary ones, it’s possible to maintain a nice yard with less stress.

And that’s a good goal, no matter your age.

Keep the yard looking good with limited time and energy

Story and photos by George Weigel

Garden work: Ease those aching backs by gardening smarter.

General labor-savers ■■ Pace yourself. It’s OK to take

breaks. Split jobs over several days instead of one-day marathons. You may even be able to spread work into the off-season, such as clipping spent perennials or edging beds during a winter thaw.

■■ Zone it. Carve the landscape into

zones (front, back, vegetable garden, etc.) and worry about just one of them at a time. Tackle each by priority. This breaks one mammoth job into a series of manageable small ones.

■■ Get help. Hire out the toughest

or most time-consuming jobs first.

Spreading truckloads of mulch might be a good place to start.

Jobs to skip Don’t overdo it repeating the same motion hour after hour. Do a little digging, a little weeding, a little watering.

Variety reduces soreness, blisters and repetitive-motion injuries.

■■ Vary the work.

Walk the yard and assess which plants or gardens are causing an unacceptable amount of work.

Bite the bullet and replace them with plantings that need less care.

■■ Simplify.

■■ Re-evaluate. Can you reduce

or let go of unrealistic standards?

Does the lawn really have to be totally weed-free? Can the hedge grow looser instead of being tightly clipped three times a season? Is that fresh coat of mulch really needed every spring?

Skip braiding bulb foliage after the flowers bloom.

It’s a waste of work and is counter-productive anyway. Interplant bulbs with perennials so the emerging perennial foliage will hide the decaying bulb foliage or lean toward short, small-leafed bulbs whose foliage fades away.

■■ Bulb care.

■■ Spraying. Be more forgiving of

temporary, cosmetic plant damage. Few bugs and diseases are plant-killers. For plants threatened by repeated potential fatal problems, consider replacing them rather than constantly rescuing them.

18 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-tv.indd 18

2/7/19 11:47 AM

■■ Get weeds when they’re little.

You’ll save a ton of trouble by stopping weeds before they go to seed or fruit. Better to police for weeds often than to try to undo a massive invasion.

■■ Right weapons. Switch to

long-handled weeding tools if bending over is too hard on your back.

Or spot-spray weeds with an herbicide or vinegar.

k

■■ Watch what you plant. Some

Save raking work by mowing light to moderate layers of leaves into the lawn.

■■ Mass-planting annuals. Cut

back on planting and watering annual flowers by spotting them in smaller clusters. Or switch to using them just in pots, hanging baskets and window boxes.

■■ Raking. No need to rake every last

leaf out of the yard. Leaves insulate plants over winter and feed the lawn when they’re mowed in rather than raked off. Rake only if there are too many leaves on the lawn to effectively mow them.

■■ Tilling. You’ll probably need to till

a new bed and work in compost, but after that, regular tilling is counter-productive. It stirs up weed seeds, kills earthworms and harms soil structure when wet soil is tilled.

Weed-fighting ■■ Prevention is the best medicine.

Keep 2 to 3 inches of bark or wood mulch over beds. Or use granular weed preventers over garden beds in early spring before new weeds begin to sprout.

■■ No openings. Plant closely so that

your plants occupy all of the space.

Low, spreading groundcover plants are especially effective. Remember, weeds love bare soil.

Weeds come out easier in damp soil. Hoeing is more effective in dry soil since cut-off weeds are less likely to regrow then.

■■ Weed when wet.

plants become weeds by rampant re-seeding (i.e. morning glory, Johnny jump-ups, nigella, sweet Annie, borage, snow-on-the-mountain). And some “pass-along plants” given by friends and neighbors (i.e. ribbon grass, bishop’s weed, houttuynia, lamiastrum, mints) become invaders since people tend to dig up and give away what’s getting out of control in their garden.

Lightening lawn work ■■ Cut high. Longer but level grass

still looks neat, conserves moisture and shades emerging weeds.

Cutting short just encourages faster growth and more mowing.

■■ Stop bagging. Let grass clips lie.

It saves work and cuts landfill costs, and decaying clips return nutrients to the soil. Cut often enough that clips don’t form clumps.

Do you really need four or five applications per year?

Organic or “slow-release” nitrogen fertilizers give you good but slower-growth results and can be done just twice a year.

■■ Fertilize less.

Lay stone or brick around bed perimeters. Set one upright and butt a second one against it flat and level with the ground on the lawn side. This holds in mulch, keeps grass out, and lets you run the mower wheels over the flat course.

■■ Eliminate edging.

Smarter plant selection ■■ Watch sizes. Most pruning work is

done because we put too-big plants in too-little spaces. Lean toward compact, dwarf varieties in any new plantings or at least give adequate growth space.

■■ More trees. Some of the lowest-

care landscaping is island beds of groundcovers, shade-tolerant shrubs and low-care perennials growing under trees. Pick small to mid-size ornamental trees that do more than one thing in one season.

Research how much care a plant is going to need before buying it. Especially lean toward varieties that seldom run into pest problems. Good resources include garden centers, public gardens and local NC Cooperative Extension services (visit ces.ncsu.edu to find your county office).

■■ Homework.

George Weigel (georgeweigel.net) is a Pennsylvania-based horticulturist, garden consultant, author and newspaper garden columnist.

■■ Overseed to keep lawn thick.

Dense grass is a great defense against weeds. There’s no room for anything else.

In the long run, low-care beds of dwarf shrubs, perennials, compact evergreens and groundcovers are less expensive and less work than lawns.

What other plant do we prune 25 times a year?

■■ Reduce lawn size.

Eliminate bed-edging work by laying two sets of stones — one up and one flat.

March 2019 | 19

CC03-tv.indd 19

2/7/19 11:47 AM

Wild a

T

Donna Campbell Smith

20 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-tv.indd 20

2/7/19 11:47 AM

d and Free

Wild horses are centuries-long residents of NC’s Outer Banks

By Donna Campbell Smith

T

hrough a break in the underbrush of a maritime forest stood what seemed like a mystical being. He watched me cautiously as I focused my camera on him. He was a beautiful black stallion — one of the hundreds of wild mustangs that roam freely in parts of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

His kind have ranged the beaches and maritime forests of the barrier islands for more than 400 years. They once numbered more than 5,000; today there are only a few hundred left, and people worry that they will be crowded out entirely. The horses have become victims to loss of habitat as the Outer Banks becomes more developed, to misguided tourist who try to feed and pet them, and to those who maliciously harass and cause them harm — in extreme cases killing them.

Scientists believe horses roamed North America as long as 58 million years ago. Yet, when Columbus set foot in America, he found no horses. They’d disappeared thousands of years before his arrival. Some believe the prehistoric horses failed to adapt to climatic changes that took place, leaving them without enough food.

In the 1500s, European explorers reintroduced the horse back to America. Early explorers found the Carolina coast very interesting — with tales of gold to be found further inland in the mountains — and their sturdy little horses deftly carried them through the coastal region’s swamps and thick forests. But they did not find gold.

The Spanish sailed way, leaving their horses behind. The horses, descendants of desert steeds, adapted well to their new home.

Modern day descendants

The wild horses of the Outer Banks share the same physical characteristics as the Spanish Mustang. Living in harmony with humans and wildlife, the horses have played an important role in North Carolina’s history, as horses have in all parts of the United States. Along our coast, the

equines provided horsepower to haul in fishing nets, aided in lifesaving operations and sped up over-land transportation until the automobile’s arrival.

Interest in proving the horses’ heritage developed in the 1980s, along with a burst of development on the Outer Banks. Hotels, condos and shopping centers sprouted up around the small fishing villages, threatening the future existence of the horses. Disease plagued the largest herd that lives on Shackleford Banks and a small herd on Cedar Island. Starvation almost wiped out the herd on Carrot Island, and the Corolla herd was cut in half when horses were hit by cars speeding along the newly paved Highway 12, according to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.

Outer Banks herds are descended from Spanish stallions left by explorers in the 1500s.

People living on the islands, as well as tourists who visit the resort areas, love seeing the horses grazing among the sand dunes and galloping in the surf. They became determined to make sure these beautiful animals would still be around for their grandchildren to enjoy. Protection groups formed, local and federal governments passed protection laws, and the news spread that wild horses in North Carolina were becoming endangered. The people went to work to save them.

Protecting the herds

In a cooperative effort, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund (corollawildhorses.com) and the Foundation for Shackleford Horses (shacklefordhorses.org) sponsored an inspection of their local wild horse populations in February 2007. With representatives from the Horse of the The NC General Assembly designated the Colonial Spanish Mustang as our official State Horse in June 2010.

March 2019 | 21

CC03-tv.indd 21

2/7/19 11:46 AM

Americas, the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy and the American Indian Horse Registry, they spent three days on the islands studying the similarities and differences of the two groups of horses. They observed, measured, and photographed the wild horses, noting the traditional balance and conformation of the Colonial Spanish Mustang. These and other cooperative efforts between the two groups have contributed long strides toward the preservation of the wild horses of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, but the work is far from done.

Raymond is a tenacious mule living among the Currituck Banks herd ­ — the only one of his kind.

Donna Campbell Smith is a Carolina Country contributing writer and author of several books pertaining to horses on the Outer Banks: “Pale as the Moon,” “An Independent Spirit,” and “Bankers, Mustangs and Marsh Tackies.

Brooke Mayo Photographers

“Corolla Wild Horse Fund is the designated nonprofit organization tasked with protecting and preserving the Wild Mustangs and their habitat. People are invited to become members to help support our mission. They can learn about the Mustangs at our education center, and go out on a ‘trip of a lifetime’ to experience the wild horses in their natural world,” says Linda Adkins, executive director of the fund. “The money we bring in goes directly to the horses’ care. It covers food and veterinary costs for horses at the farm, plus herd management and operational expenses for the horses on the beach.”

Horse advocates face a never-ending battle against the elements, development and public policy to continue to protect North Carolina’s wild horses, according to the Corolla and Shackleford preservation groups. In efforts to preserve the horses, offsite breeding programs have been approved as well as adoption programs.

“The public can help us further our mission in a number of ways, most importantly by respecting the wild nature of these horses,” explains Margaret Poindexter, president and chairperson of the Foundation for Shackleford Horses, Inc. “While they are acclimated to human visitors on Shackleford, they are not domesticated horses. Folks need to enjoy them from a reasonable distance, at least 50 feet away at all times. If the horses approach, folks need to back up. And if the horses stop what they’re doing, folks have gotten too close, even if they are more than 50 feet away.”

“In particular, mares and their foals need time to graze, drink, rest, and bond with one another,” Margaret continues. “The other thing folks can do is keep their pets leashed at all times. Not only is it a violation of federal law to allow your dog off leash in the National Seashore, it puts the horses and your dog at risk of serious injury or even death. Finally, we would ask that folks be mindful of protecting the natural environment that the horses call home. There are no trash cans on Shackleford Banks. Take everything home with you that you bring over.”

Horsewatching Hot Spots

Whatever herd you choose to observe, take binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens so you can abide by the distance rules and enjoy watching these beautiful wild horses in their natural habitat (spots below listed north to south).

Currituck Banks | There are several tours here that take visitors out to see the wild horses.

Ocracoke Island | Here the horses are not free-roaming, but are fenced in and managed by the National Park Service. There is an observation tower where people can view the horses.

Cedar Island | This island is accessed by ferry, although the horses live in the marshes and can be difficult to view. A public stable offers trail rides to find them.

Carrot Island | These horses can be spotted from the waterfront in downtown Beaufort.

Shackleford Banks | To see the horses on Shackleford Banks requires a ferry ride to the island and hiring a guide who will direct you to an area where you can view the horses.

22 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-tv.indd 22

2/7/19 11:46 AM

Limited Collector’s Edition Not shown actual size.

Make Your Mark The signature watermark pattern of Damascus steel is the stuff of legends at an epic $79

F

What customers are saying rom the Iron Age to the age of about Stauer knives... the Vikings, you could tell a lot about a man once he’d drawn êêêêê his blade. If the steel of his blade “This knife is unbelievable, was smooth, you knew this was a shocking, strong, sharp, man with no ambition, a man who unmatched. Great buy!” settled for the same old, same old.

But if you saw the steel carried a — S.B., Mt. Clemens Michigan wavy watermark motif, then you Legendary Damascus steel is forged using a highly specialized BONUS! knew this was a man to be reckoned technique that creates a unique wavy, watermark signature.

Call today and with, because you knew this was you’ll also true Damascus steel, the sharpest and strongest steel in the world, These legendary blades take time forged using a secretive method which left its textured, wavy mark to forge and only a few are crafted receive this on the metal. You too can make your mark. Priced at $79, the each month. Don’t let this beauty free sheath with knife Damascus Power Blade makes clear that you’re a man of purpose. slip through your fingers. purchase!

Call today!

The Damascus Power Blade features 3" of legendary modern Damascus steel. This is a folding knife with a liner lock mechanism, so it can be securely opened and closed with just one hand. The bolster is covered in genuine stag antler, giving you a solid, powerful grip. We found similar Damascus knives selling for nearly $500.00, making the price of this knife legendary.

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send the Damascus Power Blade back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.

Limited Reserves. Damascus steel blades are a lost art form that only a handful of artisan bladesmiths have mastered.

“The most common aspects of Damascus steel knives that enthusiasts consider ideal are the aesthetics and high performance.” –– Knife Informer

Damascus Power Blade $179*

Offer Code Price Only $79 + S&P Save $100

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: DMK128-01

You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

Stauer

®

14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. DMK128-01, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

*Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed original Stauer.com price.

Rating of A+

3" modern Damascus steel blade • Stag antler bolster & tortoise patterned handle • Liner lock• Overall length opens to 7”• free sheath

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

CC03-wk.indd 23

2/7/19 1:07 PM

What Kind of Hearing Aids Do Doctors Use? The same ones they recommend to their patients!

Doctors love MDHearingAids® for the same reasons patients do.

These FDA-registered, medical-grade hearing aids have the same high-tech features found in more expensive hearing aids at a fraction of the cost.

Dr. Steven Battaglia Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeon

Advanced Hearing Aid Technology

Nearly invisible!

For Less Than $200

“MDHearingAids are better than expensive clinic hearing aids, which cost thousands more,” says retired physician Dr. Robert A. “I have had five pairs of expensive hearing aids and MDHearingAids are just as good,” adds retired neurosurgeon Dr. Brian L.

So Strong Even Doctors Can’t Break Them MDHearingAids are made to last, backed by a world-class

support team. Says one forgetful neurologist: “My MDHearingAids went through a complete washer and dryer cycle. I placed them on my ears and — ay caramba! — they were working fine! Can you believe that I did it again? I found them at the bottom of the washer… still working!”

Big Sound.

Tiny Price.

CRISP, CLEAR SOUND

STATE-OF-THE-ART FEATURES

NO AUDIOLOGIST NEEDED

MDHearingAids were created by a board-certified otolaryngologist frustrated that patients couldn’t afford the high price of hearing aids.

So, he did the only logical thing…he created a low-cost, feature-packed hearing aid that costs one-fifth the price of a comparable hearing aid.

Automatic dual-directional microphones, adaptive noise suppression, speech enhancement technology, and dynamic range compression are just a few of the features that help you focus on the conversation, not the noise around you.

Save time and money, cancel those audiologist appointments!

Advanced hearing aid technology lets you easily program and adjust your MDHearingAid at home. Set-up is fast and easy, too, going from box to ear in just five minutes.

Try it RISK FREE for 45 Days

Try MDHearingAids risk-free with a 100% money-back guarantee for 45 days. Just call toll-free or visit the website shown below. Call now and get free shipping plus a free, one-year supply of batteries.

Call Toll-Free 1-800-761-8501

Visit www.GetMDHearingAid200.com

Free 1-Year Supply of Batteries with Offer Code JF77

CC03-wk.indd 24

The Doctor’s Choice for Affordable Hearing Aids

2/7/19 1:07 PM

MEMBER

News

For Members of Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative

March 2019

Community college scholarships available

Set clocks. Change filters. Check batteries.

When you set your clocks ahead an hour for Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, March 10, remember to check your heating and cooling system filters and change them if they are dirty. Dirty filters slow down air flow and make the system work harder — wasting energy and money. While you’re at it, this a good time to check your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries.

on the web

March winds can bring outages. Are you ready? Check out our Outage Center at: carteretcravenelectric.coop

December 2019 March 2019

Carteret-Craven-0319.indd 21

CCEC CCEC Member Member News News

carteret-craven electric cooperative

The Carteret-Craven Electric Foundation wants to help four local community college students pay for their studies with up to $1,000 in scholarships. Four scholarships are available – two at Carteret Community College and two at Craven Community College for $250 a semester for a total of four semesters of study.

Scholarships will be awarded according to need (75 percent) and merit (25 percent). To renew, the student must maintain a 2.5 grade-point average. The scholarship expires after five semesters from the award date.

Applications and qualifications are available at the financial aid offices at both community colleges, online at carteretcravenelectric.coop/ Scholarships, or at the co-op’s office in Newport or Havelock.

The completed packet must be received by CCEC no later than 5 p.m. on June 21.

The foundation has awarded $50,000 in scholarships since 2005 to help students at these two colleges.

25

2/7/19 1:38 PM

Our customer service representatives (CSRs) are on the front line when it comes to working with you, our members. They answer the phones and staff our front offices in Newport and Havelock.

While they may not be as visible as our employees in the field, the CSRs have more contact with members than any other co-op employees. The co-op’s CSRs, lead by Vice-

president of Customer Service Cheryl Slater, field an average of more than 9,000 calls a month.

The highly skilled workers know a good deal about nearly all of the co-op’s operations and programs and strive to address members’ inquiries and needs the first time they call, whether it is to establish new service, seek energy efficiency advice, pay on their account, or take care of any other request.

"We understand the importance of quality customer service and want our members to be more than simply satisfied; we want them to feel valued and informed," Slater said.

The CSR teams process payments, capture service orders, collect account deposits, schedule appointments for our staking technicians and energy advisor, respond to member high usage inquiries, promote co-op services and much more.

They are adept at multi-tasking, and that is never more necessary than during a major outage event, when the co-op receives hundreds of calls. They remain calm under pressure, and aim to answer each member’s questions with friendliness and professionalism.

Whether at the drive-through or on the phone, our Customer Service Representative team is eager to help the co-op's member with a variety of services, from taking payments to setting up new services and more. Pictured here are CSRs Briana Smith (top) and Mimi Show.

ALL OF OUR LINES ARE CUSTOMER SERVICE LINES. Some deliver electricity. Others deliver information. All must deliver on the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives mission: to provide you with service that’s just as dependable as the energy you count on us for every day. Learn more at TouchstoneEnergy.com.

YOUR SOURCE OF POWER. AND INFORMATION.

26

CCEC Member News

Carteret-Craven-0319.indd 22

CSR DAISY YEATON

carteret-craven electric cooperative

Our customer service team: On the front line

March 2019

2/7/19 1:38 PM

Glad Tidings Church

4621 Country Club Road, Morehead City, NC Registration* & Food Service: 5 p.m. | Official Meeting: 7 p.m.

Entertainment by Havelock High School's Chorus and Jazz Band

* Stay to the end and you could win:

u A retired co-op vehicle u Up to $1,000 in free electricity (July-December 2019 bills) u One of several cash prizes.

Plus, LED magnetic clip lights will be given to the first 600 CCEC members who register!

carteret-craven electric cooperative

Thursday, May 2

Summer sports camp deadline is March 31

The buzzer will sound soon for local rising sixth, seventh and eighth graders to apply for an allexpenses paid Touchstone Energy Sports Camp scholarship.

CCEC will send one young man to the Roy Williams Carolina Basketball Camp June 22-26 at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and one young woman to the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp June 9-12 at N.C. State University in Raleigh.

Campers will work directly with players and coaches to develop basketball skills and practice leadership and teamwork at the overnight camps.

Students must be in sixth, seventh or eighth grade during the 2019-2020 school year.

Applicants must have permission from a parent or guardian and have their own transportation to and from camp, if selected. Judges will score applicants on academics, extracurricular activities and an essay. The application is at carteretcravenelectric.coop/sportscamps.

Applications must be postmarked by March 31, with winners expected to be announced by the beginning of May. December 2019 March 2019

Carteret-Craven-0319.indd 23

CCEC CCEC Member Member News News

27

2/7/19 1:38 PM

carteret-craven electric cooperative

>

Your power. Your way.

You decide WHEN you pay and HOW MUCH. Learn more at: carteretcravenelectric.coop/PrePay

Call 811 to have underground utilities located With warmer weather in store, many of us are itching to start outdoor work. Whether you are installing a mailbox, building a deck or planting, those projects should start with a call to the 811 center.

Many power lines and other utilities are underground, and unintentionally striking a line can result in outages for entire neighborhoods, harm to yourself or your neighbors, and repair costs.

Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811. The free, FCCdesignated national 811 number connects a

caller to the appropriate local one-call center.

The center will then alert underground facility owners, including CCEC, so they can send locators to mark approximate locations of their lines with paint or flags.

Call at least 72 hours before digging to ensure enough time for utility lines to be properly marked. Once lines have been properly marked, you can roll up your sleeves and carefully dig around the marked areas.

To find out more about the program, visit nc811.com.

carteret-craven electric cooperative Offices

1300 Highway 24, Newport 450 McCotter Boulevard, Havelock 28

CCEC Member News

Carteret-Craven-0319.indd 24

Online

carteretcravenelectric.coop Email: customerservice@ccemc.com

Contact

252.247.3107 | 1.800.682.2217 Fax: 252.247.0235

March 2019

2/7/19 1:38 PM

The NEW Gold Standard of Walk-In Bathtubs

Stay Safer & More Independent with a Jacuzzi® Luxury Walk-In Bathtub

SAVE $1,500

on your NEW Walk-In Tub with ONE DAY installation

Low Entry Step

The safety features of the Jacuzzi® Walk-In Bathtub help with mobility in and out of the tub, and also help you feel more secure and independent when bathing at home.

Enjoy Legendary

Jacuzzi

®

Jet Technology

Don’t let mobility concerns end your ability to enjoy a relaxing and therapeutic bathing experience NEW!

✔ NEW! Epsom salt compatible with

hydromassage relaxes the mind and body

✔ NEW! A quieter and energy efficient pump

provides a more enjoyable bathing experience

✔ NEW! Relaxing Bubble Foot Massage ✔ NEW! Heated back and seat for more comfort and relief

✔ PLUS! Installation in as little as one day available!

Epsom Salt Compatible Now enjoy the relaxing health benefits of Epsom salt in your tub without the worry of rust or damage to your tub’s components.

CALL A JACUZZI SPECIALIST & SAVE $1,500 ®

Call now for limited-time savings on your new Walk-In Bathtub and details on installation that takes as little as ONE DAY!

ITE LIM D

W

AR

CC03-wk.indd 29

Y

LIFETIME RAN

T

Call: 1-888-884-5753 or Visit: www.JacuzziWalkIn.com

Ask About Affordable Financing

2/7/19 1:07 PM

On the House

Nepal, which sits high in the Himalayas, is one of many places that offer inspiration for energy savings through simplicity.

International Efficiency Looking abroad for energy saving inspiration

By Hannah McKenzie

Q: A:

I recently heard that Americans consume more energy per person than people in most other countries, including the United Kingdom. I’ve pursued home improvements and habit changes to reduce energy use, but how can I make a bigger impact?

Compared to much of the world, U.S. energy production is reliable, affordable and abundant.

Many of us have grown to expect air conditioning and clothes dryers, but these are uncommon luxuries elsewhere. Per-person energy use totals often include energy used throughout the United States, including in the industrial, commercial, agricultural and transportation markets. Therefore, lowering this number takes a collective effort from households and all sectors of our economy.

Going back to your question of how to markedly save more energy, let’s look abroad to find inspiration for savings and a simpler life. Here are a few life-altering ideas.

Nepal sits high in the Himalayas, where many families live simply in well-built stone houses, though with limited running water and electricity. In many villages there are no cars or roads, only footpaths. Imagine going to bed when the sun sets and waking with the roosters — no television, of course, but many joyful evenings sharing stories around a warm hearth.

Try it at home: What if we dramatically reduced the number of electronics in our homes? (Most U.S. households have at least two televisions.) Experiment by putting them in a closet for a month.

India is notorious for electricity unexpectedly turning on and off. While most families cook with gas, which is reliable, there are other ways to prepare meals with limited energy.

Rice can be brought to a boil and then left with a lid until it is cooked through. This works for oatmeal, too. At the same time, pressure cookers can make foods in 10 to 20 minutes. carolinacountry.com/energy

Go online to share your own unconventional energy saving stories and tips in the comments section of this article.

Try it at home: Aside from convenience foods, how can you reduce cooking time and increase efficiency?

Japan offers intrigue. Many households use ductless heat pumps to heat their bedrooms and living spaces.

Bathrooms are left without direct heating or cooling, which may explain the popularity of heated toilet seats.

As hotel and house guests in a recent visit to the country, we were instructed to turn off the heating/cooling entirely when we were not occupying the space.

Try it at home: Space heating and cooling are the biggest energy users in U.S. homes. What if we turned off these systems when out of the house? A properly programmed thermostat could do the job for you, but be sure to set it properly for your system — especially heat pumps that can use expensive emergency heat in extreme cold.

In many countries, clothes dryers are noticeably missing. Even in wealthy Japanese neighborhoods, backyards have elaborate racks and lines that hold everything from underpants to towels. If you had to hang dry every single item, how would your clothes-washing habits change?

Try it at home: Determine when energy use is a need versus a want, and be more selective with the wants.

Try an unfamiliar energy-saving idea for a month and see how it changes your mindset or habits. For new habits to stick, we need reminders and repetition. Do you note any impacts beyond energy savings, like additional family time, improved comfort or less stress? For more ideas, talk with elders or people who have lived in different places. I suspect you’ll see changes on your energy bill and in other areas with how you spend your time and money.

Hannah McKenzie is a building science consultant for Advanced Energy in Raleigh.

30 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-EB.indd 30

2/7/19 12:01 PM

Introducing

the future of personal transportation.

It’s not a Wheelchair...

It’s not a Power Chair...

It’s a Zinger Chair!

10”

The Zinger folds to a mere 10 inches.

More and more Americans are reaching the age where mobility is an everyday concern. Whether from an injury or from the aches and pains that come from getting older– getting around isn’t as easy as it used to be. You may have tried a power chair or a scooter. The Zinger is NOT a power chair or a scooter! The Zinger is quick and nimble, yet it is not prone to tipping like many scooters. Best of all, it weighs only 47.2 pounds and folds and unfolds with ease. You can take it almost anywhere, providing you with independence and freedom.

Years of work by innovative engineers have resulted in a mobility device that’s truly unique. They created a battery that provides powerful energy at a fraction of the weight of most batteries. The Zinger features two steering levers, one on either side of the seat. The user pushes both levers down to go forward, pulls them both up to brake, and pushes one while pulling the other to turn to either side. This enables great mobility, the ability to turn on a dime and to pull right up to tables or desks. The controls are right on the steering lever

so it’s simple to operate and its exclusive footrest swings out of the way when you stand up or sit down.

With its rugged yet lightweight aluminum frame, the Zinger is sturdy and durable yet convenient and comfortable! What’s more, it easily folds up for storage in a car seat or trunk– you can even gate-check it at the airport like a stroller. Think about it, you can take your Zinger almost anywhere, so you don’t have to let mobility issues rule your life. It folds in seconds without tools and is safe and reliable. It holds up to 265 pounds, and it goes up to 6 mph and operates for up to 8 hours on a single charge.

Why spend another day letting mobility issues hamper your independence and quality of life?

Zinger Chair® Call now and receive a utility basket absolutely FREE with your order.

1-888-565-0285

Please mention code 110637 when ordering.

• Restaurants– ride right up to the table! • Around town or just around your house Zinger is not a wheelchair or medical device and is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. © 2019 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

CC03-wk.indd 31

83933

Just think of the places you can go: • Shopping • Air Travel • Bus Tours

2/7/19 1:07 PM

Energy Sense

Made in the Shade

Strategic landscaping offers year-round benefits

By Derrill Holly

T

he approach of spring has many gardeners turning their attention to planting plans, but if your goal is energy efficiency, landscaping is an approach that can beautify your home and help you control energy costs for years to come.

Carefully positioned trees placed around a home can save as much as 25 percent of household energy use for heating and cooling, according to researchers at the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Foundation shrub plantings can also help control costs by diffusing wind or solar heating to moderate thermal temperature transfers.

Meet your microclimate For years, gardeners have used the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Hardiness Zones (planthardiness.ars.usda.gov) as guidelines for plant stock selection, seasonal cultivation and projected harvesting. But understanding the impact of nearby vegetation, topography and soil science will help you know your yard better, providing more flexibility for landscape planning and potentially more options for using plants to control energy costs.

Whenever planting trees or large shrubs, be sure to have underground utility lines marked first (call 811 at least a few days ahead of your project) and plant well away from overhead lines or pad-mounted equipment. Contact your electric co-op for more information.

Trees at the top No matter how much you love trees, you will want to plant them at a distance. Too close to foundations, pavement or plumbing means that root systems or maturing branches could damage foundations or roofs.

But planted in the right place, within five to 10 years, a fast-growing shade tree can reduce outside air temperatures near walls and roofs by as much as 6 degrees on sunny days.

Surface temperatures immediately under the canopy of a mature shade tree can be up to 25 degrees cooler than surrounding shingles or siding exposed to direct sunlight.

Deciduous trees — those that lose their leaves in autumn — are great options for seasonal summer shade, according to the Department of Energy. Tall varieties planted to the south of a home can help diffuse sunlight, providing roof shading.

Shorter varieties of deciduous trees can be planted near exposed westfacing windows to help shade homes on sultry summer afternoons. Mass plantings of evergreens selected for their adaptability to regional growing conditions can be planted further away on a north or northwestern section of a yard to form a windbreak, shielding the home from frigid winter winds.

Deciduous trees with high, spreading crowns (i.e., leaves and branches) can be planted to the south

of your home to provide maximum summertime roof shading. Trees with crowns lower to the ground are more appropriate to the west, where shade is needed from lower afternoon sun angles. Trees should not be planted on the southern sides of solar-heated homes in cold climates, because the branches of these deciduous trees will block some winter sun.

Using shade effectively requires you to know the size, shape and location of the moving shadow that your shading device casts. Trees are available in the appropriate sizes, densities and shapes for almost any shade application. To block solar heat in the summer but let much of it in during the winter, use deciduous trees. To provide continuous shade or to block heavy winds, use dense evergreen trees or shrubs.

Going low Trees, shrubs and groundcover plants can also shade the ground and pavement around the home. This reduces heat radiation and cools the air before it reaches your home’s walls and windows. Use a large bush or row of shrubs to shade a patio or driveway.

Plant a hedge to shade a sidewalk.

Build a trellis for climbing vines to shade a patio area.

To ensure lasting performance of energy-saving landscaping, use plant species that are adapted to the local climate. Native species are best, as they require little maintenance once established and avoid the dangers of invasive species.

Properly selected, placed and maintained landscaping can provide excellent wind protection, or windbreaks, which will reduce heating costs considerably. And the benefits from these windbreaks will increase as the trees and shrubs mature. After a little research and planning, you’ll be well on your way to a beautiful, energy efficient lawn.

Derrill Holly writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives.

32 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-EB.indd 32

2/7/19 3:24 PM

Portable Oxygen For The Way You Want to Live The ALL-NEW Includes Everything You Need To Regain Your Freedom Meets FAA Requirements for Travel

Portable Oxygen That Will Never Weigh You Down.

At just 2.8 lbs, the Inogen One G4 is the ultralight portable oxygen concentrator you have been waiting for. The Inogen One G4 is aapproximately half the size of the One G3.

IInogen nogen O ne G 3.

JUST 2.8 LBS! REQUEST YOUR FREE INFORMATION KIT TODAY.

Actual size: L 5.91" x W 2.68" x H 7.2"

CALL NOW!

1-800-603-7950 © 2019 Inogen, Inc. All rights reserved.

CC03-wk.indd 33

®

MKT-P0055

2/7/19 1:07 PM

Carolina People

C

Custo

Good Things Brewing Briana Brake and Celeste Beatty are championing diversity (and good beer) in Eastern NC

SAVE $ 295

ITEM 633 93454/6

By Tina Vasquez Rocky Mount Brewery

I

n North Carolina, craft brewing is a billion-dollar industry that is transforming cities and rural areas. The state boasts the largest concentration of craft breweries in the American South, but of North Carolina’s more than 300 breweries and brewpubs, only two are black-owned.

Briana Brake, brewer and founder of Rocky Mount’s Spaceway Brewery, recently joined forces with another trailblazer in the industry, Celeste Beatty, brewer and founder of New York-based Harlem Brewing.

Together, they’ve established Rocky Mount Brewery at the historic Rocky Mount Mills, a newly renovated 150-acre mixed-use development on the Tar River.

Rocky Mount Brewery is housed in a “brewery incubator” space at the Mills through a new program in partnership with Nash Community College, which offers up-and-coming brewers resources and educational opportunities. The brewery also is currently the only black-owned brewery with a physical space in North Carolina. Another, L.A. McCrae’s Black Star Line, was located in Hendersonville, but following multiple break-ins, racially-charged threats and difficulties securing funding, the brewery space was closed in January 2018.

“I think a lot of breweries need to reach out to more black and brown people and make them feel comfortable going. There are ways to signal you’re a welcoming space, from the music you play to hiring people of color to work there, or even creating

POWD NITRI PACK

apprenticeships and internships directly marketed for diversity,” Briana says. “I Briana (right) and Celeste toast with their have people messag200th Anniversary Olde Ale, commemorating the ing me or coming up anniversary of the cotton mill. to me and thanking me for just being here, “For me, Afrofuturism isn’t just thanking me for the brewery.” about depicting a future where The 39-year-old started small by makminorities are represented in pop culing ginger beer in her home. She was ture; it’s about envisioning a space for fascinated by the fermentation process, us in every industry and making that a she says, and wanted to learn everything reality,” Briana says. “There is a space about it — especially after an early expefor us in the future, and craft brewing rience when glass bottles of fermenting isn’t really inclusive of minorities yet, ginger beer exploded. That was six years so that is the world and the industry ago, and as Briana prepared herself for that I’m working toward.” the next big step of launching her own Rocky Mount is a good place to brewery, she found there weren’t many start. The predominantly black possible models she could turn to. That community has experienced a recent is, until she met Celeste during a 2016 wave of interest, primarily because of business panel at a university. By this Rocky Mount Mills. Founded in 1818 time, Celeste had been brewing beer as one of the first cotton mills in the with her company, Harlem Brewing, state, Rocky Mount Mills’ workforce for 16 years. The pair became friends was comprised almost entirely of immediately and decided to go into enslaved people. Briana said for her, business together. it’s important to acknowledge and Celeste has been based in New York understand the mills’ history. for many years, but as a Winston“I’ve talked to older people in the Salem native, she wanted to have community who grew up here when it a presence in North Carolina. She wasn’t as welcoming to black people now goes back and forth between as it is now,” Briana explains. “Many the two states, while Briana remains of these wounds haven’t healed, in North Carolina as Rocky Mount and we need to work toward that.

Brewery’s head brewer, creating beers But I let them know that we are for both Harlem Brewing and her own here at the Mills now, and this is a Spaceway Brewery. welcoming place.”

Briana describes Spaceway Brewery as an ode to Afrofuturism, a sort of Tina Vasquez is a journalist originally from reimagining of a future filled with art, Los Angeles. She is currently based in culture, and technology seen through Winston-Salem, where she is a full-time immigration reporter. a black lens.

• 5 mil

SAVE

COMPAR

VENOM $ 97

14

MODEL: VE

ITEM 97 37051, 3 61363, 6

RAPID HEAV FLOOR

SAVE $ 70

COMPAR

TEQ $

149

MODEL: T8

ITEM 64 61282/68

OBD2 ABS/S

Custome

SAVE $ 150

COMPAR

Snap-o BLUE-P

1/2" C TORQ

Custome

NO

$12 SAVE $ 469

34 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-wk.indd 34

2/8/19 3:46 PM

hft_carolin

SUPER COUPON

BEATS GRIZZLY*

Customer Rating

NOW

TABLE WIDTH

4

DRAWER COUNT

2

YES

HARDWOOD

YES

WOOD BLOCK VISE

YES

YES

FELT LINED DRAWERS

YES

149 99

$129

• Magnetic Tips • Ergonomic Handles HUSKY $ 97

7

SUPER COUPON

$5 99

14

Customer Rating

NOW

7

$ 99

MODEL: VEN4145

ITEM 97581, 97582, 37051, 37052, 64417, 64418, 61363, 68497, 61360, 61359, 68498, 68496 shown

$229 $

99

249

63842

SAVE $ 120

$

COMPARE TO

ALC

34999

MODEL: ALC-AWS3266

NOW

99

$

COMPARE TO

HUSKY

$12

3210

MODEL: HTHKSM14PCN

SAVE 59% $

ITEM 63167/63166/96645 shown

*79824615 * 79824615

*79826132 * 79826132

LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

SAVE $ 70

$79

COMPARE TO

TEQ $

14999

$

99

99

99

3 TON HEAVY DUTY STEEL JACK STANDS

2399 NOW99

20"

25

MODEL: T830018Z

ITEM 64264/64266/64879/64881 61282/68049/62326/61253 shown

$

COMPARE TO

HUSKY

MODEL: 1007102

NOW

9

229 SAVE $ 79 $17499

MODEL: C201H

ITEM 61454/69091/62803/63635/67847 shown

ITEM 38846/69597/62392/61196 shown

9

9 7 0 1 $ 159 SAVE 99 $

COMPARE TO

79995

Side tray sold separately.

ITEM 64818

691 64096 shown *79834319 * 79834319

SNAP-ON

MODEL: KRBC10TBPC

$

SUPER COUPON

72" x 80" MOVING BLANKET

Customer Rating

9 $1 49

COMPARE TO

TORIN BLACK JACK $ 84

$

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

• Air delivery: 5.8 CFM @ 40 PSI 4.7 CFM @ 90 PSI Customer Rating

$1 8

SAVE 26%

NOW

Customer Rating

21 GALLON, 2.5 HP, 125 PSI VERTICAL OIL-LUBE AIR COMPRESSOR

Customer Rating

• Adjusts from 11-3/4" to 16-3/4"

$

• 580 lb. capacity • Heavy duty gas struts hold lid open at 90 degrees

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

NOW

$5 99

COMPARE TO

BLUE HAWK $ 99

19

MODEL: 77280

SAVE 70%

ITEM 69505/62418/66537 shown

8

$ 99

*79842092 * 79842092

*79844748 * 79844748

*79847887 * 79847887

*79859762 * 79859762

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

LIMIT 6 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

OBD2 CODE READER WITH ABS/SRS/FixAssist® ZR13

TWO TIER EASY-STORE 80 PIECE STEP LADDER ROTARY Customer Rating TOOL KIT NOW

Customer Rating

NOW

$

COMPARE TO

$1 999

• 225 lb. capacity

99 $1 79

SAVE $ 150

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

SAVE $ 99 40% 29

209

99

329

$ 99 Snap-on ITEM BLUE-POINT MODEL: EECR3A 63806

$

COMPARE TO

ITEM 67514 WERNER

3388

MODEL: S322A-1

SAVE 73%

PACK OF 4 NOW

$1 99

NOW

Customer Rating

COMPARE TO

12" x 12" MICROFIBER CLEANING CLOTHS

Customer Rating

26

$ 35 PROFESSIONAL WOODWORKER MODEL: 51832

9

$

COMPARE TO

$ 99

ITEM 68986/63235/63292/97626 shown

SAVE 80%

2

$ 69

$699

PROELITE

ITEM 63925/63358/63363 shown

*79867081 * 79867081

*79867898 * 79867898

*79868773 * 79868773

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

SUPER COUPON

Customer Rating

NOW

NOW

$1 1 99

99 $129 $14999 COMPARE TO

SNAP-ON

Customer Rating

ITEM 63086/68530/56169/56171/63085 shown ITEM 68525/63088/56168/56170/63087 CALIFORNIA ONLY

• Weighs 4.4 lbs.

$

59995

MODEL: PT850

$ ITEM 62891

1599

19

$ 97 COMPARE TO MILWAUKEE MODEL: 33700

SAVE 39%

ITEM 92486/39757/60496/62398/61897/38970 shown

*79875017 * 79875017

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

$

• GFCI outlets

Customer Rating

*79871623 * 79871623

*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 6/28/19.

hft_carolinacountry_0319_M-REG161737.indd 1 CC03-wk.indd 35

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

30" x 18" HARDWOOD DOLLY 8750 MAX. STARTING/ • 1000 lb. capacity 7000 RUNNING WATTS 13 HP (420 CC) GAS GENERATOR

1/2" COMPOSITE PRO EXTREME TORQUE AIR IMPACT WRENCH

NOW

$529

COMPARE TO

HONDA $

2,599

MODEL: EB6500X1AT

SAVE 2,069 $

•

59999 99

Wheel kit and battery sold separately.

10

MODEL: 887400

*79860566 * 79860566 SUPER COUPON

SAVE $ 469

17

99

*79821227 * 79821227 RAPID PUMP® 3 TON STEEL HEAVY DUTY LOW PROFILE • Weighs 73 lbs.

FLOOR JACK Customer Rating NOW

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

Customer Rating

99 ITEM

Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trencher/backhoe, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/28/19.

18 PIECE SAE AND METRIC 30", 4 DRAWER TECH CART T-HANDLE BALL END • 12,600 cu. in. of HEX KEY SET storage

• Night vision

NOW

COMPARE TO

Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented.

Valid through 6/28/19 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.

4 CHANNEL WIRELESS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM WITH 2 CAMERAS

• 5 mil thickness

VENOM $ 97

*79805490 * 79805490

* GRIZZLY H7723 stated specs.

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

Customer Rating

SAVE 59%

ITEM 62583/62728/62570 shown

GRIZZLY H7723

$

SUPER COUPON

POWDER-FREE NITRILE GLOVES PACK OF 100

*79806667 * 79806667

MODEL: 20210003

*79815685 * 79815685

ITEM 63395 93454/69054/62603 shown

ANY SINGLE ITEM*

COMPARE TO

425

PRICE

ANY PURCHASE

6 PIECE SCREWDRIVER SET

60"

YES

$

99

SAVE $ 295

WITH

60" WOOD WORKBENCH 60"

20% OFF

FREE

1,000+ Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

PNEUMATIC ADJUSTABLE ROLLER SEAT 300 lb. capacity NOW

Customer Rating

$1 999

SAVE $ 99 69% 26 COMPARE TO

DURALAST

$

6499

MODEL: TR6201C

ITEM 61160/61896/63456/46319 shown

*79880253 * 79880253

*79882459 * 79882459

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 6/28/19*

At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.

1/23/19 10:43 AM 2/7/19 1:07 PM

Tar Heel Tidbits For the young (and young at heart)

DO YOU KNOW …

That electric plugs look different in other countries? .com gocheckers

NC HISTORY

A Warm Welcome for Hockey

Although our ponds don’t often ice over in the winter, North Carolinians love a good hockey game. The state supports the Raleigh-based Carolina Hurricanes, part of the NHL, as well as minor league teams the Charlotte Checkers, Fayetteville Marksmen and Winston-Salem’s Carolina Thunderbirds.

The most common electric plug type is called Type C, which uses two circular prongs — 137 countries use this type, including Europe, South America and much of Asia, according to the International Electrotechnical Commission. But you won’t find it in the United States. We use Type A (two-pronged) and B (three-pronged) plugs, along with about 50 other countries including our neighbors Canada and Mexico, as well as places as far away as Thailand and Japan.

So if you’re traveling abroad, pack your passport and another must-have: a plug adaptor.

But as it happens, it wasn’t ice, but fire that first brought hockey to the Tar Heel State. In 1956, a blaze destroyed the arena of the Baltimore Clippers. Representatives from Charlotte convinced the team to play out the rest of its season at the Charlotte Coliseum. The team made the move, and fans went wild.

“Thousands of people who didn’t know a goalie from a dasher board lined up their cars a mile or so on Independence Boulevard and all the other streets around the Coliseum, trying to get into the place,” said a Charlotte Observer article describing the response, according to the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The warm welcome led the team to permanently relocate to Charlotte, and through a contest in the late ‘50s the team chose a new name: The Checkers. Learn more about the team at gocheckers.com.

Hit the Ice! Inspired to strap on some skates? Whether beginner or pro, these indoor ice rinks across the state offer icy fun. Find more at carolinacountry.com:

Carolina Ice Zone | Greenville Home of ECU hockey and figure skating, open to public skating. carolinaicezone.com

Cleland Ice & Inline Skating Rinks Fort Bragg

Orange County Sportsplex Hillsborough Youth and adult hockey, camps, classes and private lessons. trianglesportsplex.com/ice-rink

Q: What do you call flowers who are best friends?

Pineville Ice House | Pineville

A: Buds.

Year-round skating open to military and civilian patrons. bit.ly/bragg-icerink

NHL-sized rink with pro shop and snack bar. pinevilleice.com

Greensboro Ice House | Greensboro

Public skating and parties plus hockey and figure skating lessons. wilmingtonice.com

Year-round public skating, youth and adult hockey and classes. greensboroice.com

Ha ve a lau gh!

Wilmington Ice House | Wilmington

Q: What does a flower say when it’s surprised?

A: What in carnation?!

36 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-tv.indd 36

2/8/19 1:13 PM

Toast of the Town

Toast can be so much more than warm bread. Creative recipes using healthy ingredients like avocado and olives are fun to make, eat and share — either with friends or (if you get really creative) via a social media post. During the rainy month of March, try “Singing in the Grain.” For additional recipes, including “Butterfly Toast” or “A Toast to Summer,” visit calolive.org/recipes/category/kid-friendly.

Singing in the Grain

¼ avocado, peeled and thinly sliced 1 slice sourdough bread, toasted Salt and pepper, to taste Handful of green olives, sliced into rounds 1 orange bell pepper, sliced 1 red bell pepper, sliced Handful of black olives, sliced into raindrop shapes 1 large sugar snap pea Arrange sliced avocado on toasted sourdough bread and top with salt and pepper.

Slice green olive rounds in half and arrange in line beneath toast.

Place one slice orange bell pepper below bread as handle and one small piece orange bell pepper above bread.

Place one straight slice of red bell pepper on bottom edge of toast.

Arrange black olive slices and sugar snap peas around toast as raindrops.

Pro tips for creating shareable slices:

1 Have a vision. Don’t be afraid to sketch it out.

2 The base of your toast is everything. Pick a sturdy variety.

3 Consider your ingredients and play with flavors,

textures and colors. For example, try to incorporate both green and black olives for greater versatility.

4 Shapes, colors and textures can add excitement.

5 Toast is a small canvas, so consider the tools you’re working with and get creative.

‘Radiantly Beautiful’

A GOOD READ

Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

In this colorfully illustrated book, readers join a mother and son on adventures around town, on a cross-country road trip — even abroad, imagining what the world would look like from the high perch of a monster truck.

Author Alison Paul Klakowicz is a native North Carolinian and Army spouse who resides in Fayetteville with her husband and son. Her son, as it so happens, provided inspiration for her debut children’s book.

“When my son was a toddler, he was obsessed with monster trucks,” Alison says. “My home was invaded by tiny monster trucks, medium-sized ones and big monster truck toys. He only wanted clothing with monster trucks.”

The real-life mother-son duo would often joke about what it would be like to drive a monster truck, and this book gives some idea of just how much fun it could be.

To learn more about the author or to order the book (28 pages, eBook $2.99, paperback $6.99, hardcover $16.99), visit alisonpaulklakowicz.com.

Nearly 80 years ago this month, dogwood blossoms were on the NC General Assembly’s mind. On March 15, 1941, the delicate white flower was designated the official state flower. Legislators declared it “a radiantly beautiful flower which grows abundantly in all parts of this Sate.” Virginia and Missouri also have honored the dogwood with similar designations.

March 2019 | 37

CC03-tv.indd 37

2/7/19 11:46 AM

ADVERTISEMENT

Leading Acid Reflux Pill Becomes an AntiAging Phenomenon

B

Clinical studies show breakthrough acid reflux treatment also helps maintain vital health and helps protect users from the serious conditions that accompany aging such as fatigue and poor cardiovascular health

by David Waxman Seattle Washington: A clinical study on a leading acid reflux pill shows that its key ingredient relieves digestive symptoms while suppressing the inflammation that contributes to premature aging in men and women.

And, if consumer sales are any indication of a product’s effectiveness, this ‘acid reflux pill turned anti-aging phenomenon’ is nothing short of a miracle.

Sold under the brand name AloeCure, it was already backed by clinical data documenting its ability to provide all day and night relief from heartburn, acid reflux, constipation, irritable bowel, gas, bloating, and more.

But soon doctors started reporting some incredible results…

“With AloeCure, my patients started reporting less joint pain, more energy, better sleep, stronger immune systems… even less stress and better skin, hair, and nails” explains Dr. Liza Leal; a leading integrative health specialist and company spokesperson.

AloeCure contains an active ingredient that helps improve digestion by acting as a natural acid-buffer that improves the pH balance of your stomach.

Scientists now believe that this acid imbalance is what contributes to painful inflammation throughout the rest of the body.

The daily allowance of AloeCure has shown to calm this inflammation which is why AloeCure is so effective.

Relieving other stressful symptoms related to GI health like pain, bloating, fatigue, cramping, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, and nausea.

Now, backed with new clinical studies, AloeCure is being recommended by doctors everywhere to help improve digestion, calm painful inflammation, soothe joint pain, and even reduce the appearance of wrinkles – helping patients to look and feel decades younger.

FIX YOUR GUT & FIGHT INFLAMMATION

Since hitting the market, sales for AloeCure have taken off and there are some very good reasons why.

To start, the clinical studies have been impressive. Participants taking the active ingredient in AloeCure saw a stunning 100% improvement in digestive symptoms, which includes fast and lasting relief from reflux.

Users also experienced higher energy levels and endurance, relief from chronic discomfort and better sleep. Some even reported healthier looking skin, hair, and nails.

A healthy gut is the key to a reducing

swelling and inflammation that can wreak havoc on the human body. Doctors say this is why AloeCure works on so many aspects of your health.

AloeCure’s active ingredient is made from the healing compound found in Aloe vera. It is both safe and healthy. There are also no known side effects.

Scientists believe that it helps improve digestive and immune health by acting as a natural acid-buffer that improves the pH balance of your stomach.

Research has shown that this acid imbalance contributes to painful inflammation throughout your entire body and is why AloeCure seems to be so effective.

EXCITING RESULTS FROM

When your digestive system isn’t healthy, it causes unwanted stress on your immune system, which results in inflammation in the rest of the body.

The recommended daily allowance of acemannan in AloeCure has been proven to support digestive health, and calm painful inflammation without side effects or drugs.

This would explain why so many users are experiencing impressive results so quickly.

REVITALIZE YOUR ENTIRE BODY With daily use, AloeCure helps users look and feel decades younger and defend against some of the painful inflammation that accompanies aging and can make life hard.

By buffering stomach acid and restoring gut health, AloeCure calms painful inflamTo date over 5 million bottles of AloeCure mation and will help improve digestion… have been sold, and the community seeking soothe aching joints… reduce the appearance non-pharma therapy for their GI health con- of wrinkles and help restore hair and nails … manage cholesterol and oxidative stress… tinues to grow. and improve sleep and brain function… withAccording to Dr. Leal, her patients are ab- out side effects or expense. solutely thrilled with their results and are ofReaders can now reclaim their energy, viten shocked by how fast it works.

“For the first time in years, they are free tality, and youth regardless of age or current from concerns about their digestion and al- level of health. most every other aspect of their health,” says One AloeCure Capsule Daily Dr. Leal, “and I recommend it to everyone who wants to improve GI health without • Helps End Digestion Nightmares resorting to drugs, surgery, or OTC medica• Helps Calm Painful Inflammation tions.”

• Soothes Stiff & Aching Joints “I was always in ‘indigestion hell.’ Doc• Reduces appearance of Wrinkles tors put me on all sorts of antacid remedies. & Increases Elasticity Nothing worked. Dr. Leal recommended I try • Manages Cholesterol & Oxidative AloeCure. And something remarkable hapStress pened… Not only were all the issues I had with my stomach gone - completely gone – • Supports Healthy Immune System but I felt less joint pain and I was able to actu• Improves Sleep & Brain Function ally sleep through the night.”

With so much positive feedback, it’s easy HOW TO GET ALOECURE to see why the community of believers is growing and sales for the new pill are soaring.

Due to the enormous interest consumers have shown in AloeCure, the company has deTHE SCIENCE BEHIND ALOECURE cided to extend their nationwide savings event AloeCure is a pill that’s taken just once dai- for a little while longer. Here’s how it works... ly. The pill is small. Easy to swallow. There Call the AloeCure number and speak to a are no harmful side effects and it does not live person in the US. Callers will be greeted by require a prescription. a knowledgeable and friendly person approved The active ingredient is a rare Aloe Vera to offer up to 3 FREE bottles of AloeCure with component known as acemannan. your order. AloeCure’s Toll-Free number is Made from of 100% organic Aloe Vera, Al- 1-800-808-6379. Only a limited discounted oeCure uses a proprietary process that results supply of AloeCure is currently available. in the highest quality, most bio-available levConsumers who miss out on the current els of acemannan known to exist. product inventory will have to wait until more According to Dr. Leal and several of her becomes available and that could take weeks. colleagues, improving the pH balance of your They will also not be guaranteed any additionstomach and restoring gut health is the key to al savings. The company advises not to wait. revitalizing your entire body.

Call 1-800-808-6379 today.

PATIENTS

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. ALL DOCTORS MENTIONED ARE REMUNERATED FOR THEIR SERVICES. ALL CLINICAL STUDIES ON ALOECURE’S ACTIVE INGREDIENT WERE INDEPENDENTLY CONDUCTED AND WERE NOT SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN GLOBAL HEALTH GROUP.

CC03-wk.indd 38

Con

EZ cli wi to ni m cu Lo sli an to sh S

2/7/19 1:07 PM

THE

Free Shipping &

BEST NAIL CLIPPERS

Handling when buying 2 or more

SAVE

UP TO

46%

YOU WILL EVER USE!

off original prices

EZ Grip Side Cut Clippers Won’t Slip Or Slide Dept. 77038 © Dream Products, Inc. (Prices valid for 1yr.)

Helps Prevent

PAINFUL

Ingrown Toenails!

Side Cutting Blade Makes Precise, Hygienic Corner Cuts

Extra Large Finger Loops

Folds For Compact Storage

Receive A Free Surprise Gift With Every Order

Toenail Fingernail

Connect with

DreamProducts.com

EZ grip, carbon steel chrome-plated clippers feature extra-long handles, with exclusive dual finger loops to prevent slipping and accidental nicks or cuts. Side-cutting style makes precise, hygienic corner cuts to help prevent ingrown nails.

Looped ends keep the clippers from slipping and make them so easy for anyone to use. 3” fingernail and 4” toenail clippers both have precision sharp cutting edges.

Satisfaction Guaranteed or Return For Your Money Back

CC03-wk.indd 39

website offers may vary

email

blog

facebook

❑ VISA

EZ Grip Side Cut Clippers Item# 86388

pinterest

_____ Toenail Clipper(s) @ $9.99 ea. $

google+

1-800-530-2689

❑ MasterCard

Order Now TOLL-FREE

❑ Discover®/NOVUSSMCards

Card#

/

Exp. Date

Item# 86371 _____ Fingernail Clipper(s) @ $6.99 ea. $ CA residents must add 7.25% sales tax $

Add $3.95 Regular Shipping and Handling 1st item FREE Shipping & Handling when buying 2 or more $

❑✔

FOR EXPEDITED SHIPPING (optional) Add An Additional $2.95 (receive your order 5-7 days from shipment)

Please Print Clearly

$ 2.95

TOTAL $

Check or money order payable to: Dream Products, Inc.

Send Order To: 412 Dream Lane, Van Nuys, CA 91496

Name Address City

ST

Zip

Daytime Phone #

Dept. 77038

Email

2/7/19 1:07 PM

Carolina Gardens

Morning Glory

Purple Hyacinth Bean

Born to Run

Flowering vines provide fast cover Story and photos by L.A. Jackson

If your patio, porch or deck could use some relief from the summer sun’s hot, incessant rays this year, an allnatural shady solution can be had with flowering vines. There are many such vines that are fast climbers full of lightblocking foliage, which, as a bonus, also put on bodacious bloom shows.

You only have to provide a trellis, arbor or other means of vertical support, and then watch ’em grow!

Need examples? Here are a few of my favorite flowering vines that are — with a tip of my hat to Bruce Springsteen — born to run: Morning Glory (Ipomoea tricolor).

Snaking through farmland, morning glory is considered a weed; reaching for the blue heavens in a cultivated garden, it is thought of as a blooming beauty. This frisky plant is capable of stretching leaders up to 10 feet long that, as its name implies, will greet each new day with a fresh round of sassy tubular flowers.

Firecracker Vine (Manettia cordifolia). Crackling red is the snappy color of the small, tube-shaped flowers that cover this vigorous vine, which can stretch to over 15 feet in length. The blooms don’t start putting on a show until mid to late summer, but their fireworks are worth the wait.

Scarlet Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus). As a bean-producing plant,

this vine is more dependable further to the north where summertime temperatures typically range below 90 degrees and won’t damage the plant’s pollen, but in the sunny South, this beauty will try, try and try to set bean pods with waves of flashy red flowers along 10- to 15-foot vines from mid-June until early autumn.

Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit).

Its feathery, fern-like foliage makes this vine seem delicate, but don’t be fooled — it is a strong climber that will easily reach 15 to 20 into the sky, dripping with small, bright red, trumpet-shaped blossoms that are hummingbird magnets.

Purple Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus). As advertised, this vine produces beans (and they are even edible when properly cooked), but the true value of this plant in the landscape is as a sprawling ornamental that not only produces runners up to 15 feet in length, but also sports pretty white to light lilac-colored flowers that freely mingle with maturing, electric purple bean pods.

I haven’t found any of these vines to be particularly hard to spot in garden shops, but if you don’t have any luck locally, they are all easy online finds.

L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine. Contact L.A. at lajackson1@gmail.com.

Garden To-Do’s for March Concerned about slugs and snails snacking on your young garden plants this spring and summer?

Dispatch them with the next generation of commercial slug and snail killers that contains iron phosphate as the active ingredient.

While quite effective against slimy intruders, they are much safer for use in gardens frequented by pets and wildlife than Metaldehydebased products that have been common for years.

FF

Discourage slugs and snails naturally by dusting light rings of wood ash around any tender targets to help keep these pests away. However, when the rains come, moisture will lessen the effectiveness of this barrier, so repeat applications are often necessary.

FF

’Tis time to fertilize. In particular, established roses, shrubs, perennials and trees will benefit from a wake-up nutrient jolt early in the month. To minimize this job for the rest of the growing season, use a commercial time-release fertilizer that will slowly send nutrients into the root zone over the next several months.

FF

The new leaves of ornamentals and annuals will bring out a new wave of bad bugs. Aphids, in particular, will gang up on tender young foliage, so be on guard for these pinhead-sized pests that do their worst on the undersides of leaves.

40 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-EB.indd 40

2/7/19 12:02 PM

NEVER SEAL YOUR WOOD OR CONCRETE AGAIN

PERMANENT ONE-TIME SOLUTION

BEFORE

25% OFF WITH THIS AD

AFTER

BEFORE

• We clean, restore & permanently preserve your product.

• Prevents wood from rotting, decaying and further damage from moisture.

• Repels mold, mildew & fungus growth.

• Prevents concrete from pitting, flaking, dusting and scaling.

• Prevents salt & alkali damage.

• Backed by technology.

AFTER

Free Estimates

844.481.6862 PermaSealUSA.com

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Home Improvement Fails

You tried, you failed, we’re interested!

Ever start a home improvement project with big plans, but end with regrets, a mess and a fervent wish you’d called in a professional? (We have.) If you can finally laugh about it, please share photos of and stories about your DIY project fail. We will pay $50 for each photo or story published in our May 2019 issue.

Rules

Send to

Deadline: March 15, 2019

Online: carolinacountry.com/DIYfails No emails, please.

One entry per household Digital photos should be a minimum of 1200 by 1800 pixels; prints a minimum of 4 x 6 inches.

Include your name, electric co-op, mailing address and email address or phone number with your entry.

Text should not exceed 200 words.

We retain reprint and online rights. Payment will be limited to those entries appearing in print, not entries featured solely on carolinacountry.com.

Mail: Carolina Country Home Improvement Fails 3400 Sumner Blvd.

Raleigh, NC 27616 If you would like us to return your photo print, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

(We will not return others.)

March 2019 | 41

CC03-wk.indd 41

2/7/19 1:07 PM

CAROLINA COUNTRY

adventures

Goldsboro: Plenty to See from Land and Air

By Renee Gannon | Photos by Goldsboro Travel & Tourism

Goldsboro sits just about in the center of North Carolina’s Coastal Plain, about an hour east of Raleigh, an hour south of Greenville, an hour west of New Bern and a little over an hour north of Wilmington. Many of us travel the Highway 70 East corridor to the coast and make a quick stop in the Goldsboro area for a plate of Eastern-style barbecue. Ever wonder what else is in Goldsboro? Well, there’s a lot!

Head downtown In the mid-2000s, like many mid-sized towns in North Carolina, abandoned buildings were slated for demolition in Goldsboro, but the locals fought to earn grants and development funding to renovate the buildings.

Goldsboro has seen a revitalization of its 21-block downtown, becoming a mixed-use mecca for local shops and businesses, including the Paramount Theatre, restaurants, art studios, bottle shops, taprooms and a growing list of accommodations, including apartments, bed and breakfast inns and Airbnbs. The middle 8- to 10-block corridor, with its Street Scapes project, now serves as the backbone for

Wings Over Wayne Every other year, Seymour Johnson AFB hosts a national air show, trading off with the Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station.

This year’s Wings Over Wayne Air Show will be held April 27–28. The two-day event will feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, as well as other air performances, ground demonstrations and enactments. Visit wingsoverwayneairshow.com to learn more.

the renovation efforts. A portion of the 1,200-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs through downtown Goldsboro.

And the NC African-American Music Trail has a stop at the Arts Council of Wayne County.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of food and drink downtown (including Thai and sushi), that ranges from home cooking for around $6 at B&G Grill to upscale dining. You can relax at the wine bar and whiskey lounge at Barrique, sample a few craft beers at Well Travelled Beer or sip and play an arcade game at Goldsboro Brew Works, and smoke cigars and taste craft beer at Tobacco and Hops.

Hotbed of barbecue Let’s get back to the Eastern-style barbecue, where you can sample pork at six different locations in and around Goldsboro. Three of the oldest restaurants are Grady’s, Wilber’s and McCall’s. Grady’s is located at a country crossroads south of town near Dudley. Its unassuming white building with the church-like pithouse in the back is worth the venture off the main roads. Historic Wilber’s and McCall’s are across the street from each other along Highway 70, on the eastern edge of town. Both have been mainstays for locals and travelers.

Adams Roadside Bar-B-Q, a fairly new addition, is on the west side along

Highway 70. All offer pit-cooked, vinegar-based barbecue, chicken and a variety of sides; and each has its own flavor and attitude.

For the love of jet noise One of the area’s biggest resident and visitor draw is the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. The sound and excitement of F-15E Strike Eagle jets and KC-135R Stratotanker refueling planes flying overhead is constant.

Home to the 4th Fighter Wing and the 916th Air Refueling Wing, the base is named for Goldsboro native U.S. Navy Lt. Seymour Johnson. The base serves as a main hub for training and deploying the nation’s fighter pilots and weapon systems operators.

The city’s tagline: “Be more. Do more. Seymour.” harkens to the impact the base has in the area. Bumper stickers that state “I Jet Noise” are seen around town. Free base tours are offered on the fourth Thursday of every month through the Goldsboro visitors center (919-734-7922 or ahoggard@goldsboronc.gov). The tour takes you behind the scenes of a vital armed forces base, allowing you to see jets up close and peak into a fighter jet’s cockpit, watch take-offs and landing, and learn more about the past, Learn more about Goldsboro at visitgoldsboronc.com.

42 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-tv.indd 42

2/7/19 11:46 AM

FDA Listed Hearing Aid ONLY $ 299 EACH! Y A 45-D EE RISK-FARL TRI

✔ 100% Digital ✔ 100% Risk-FREE 45-day home trial ✔ FREE shipping ✔ Payment plans available ✔ FREE unlimited professional support

We trust you...

SEND NO MONEY NOW! FOR QUALIFIED BUYERS

SAME HIGH-QUALITY DIGITAL HEARING AIDS OFFERED BY AUDIOLOGISTS AND ENT’S. The Apollo™-6205 is the perfect FDA registered digital hearing aid if you want the BEST technology for the BEST price. American Made electronics give you advanced technology in a durable, easy to maintain hearing aid. Includes four channel compression for crisp, clear sound and feedback cancellation that virtually eliminates squeal. Discreet slim-tube design gives you the most natural sound with total comfort.

The typical hearing aid costs at least $2,300 but your price is nowhere near that with this special offer! Try the Apollo™-6205 with NO MONEY DOWN completely Risk-FREE for 45 days in the comfort of your own home and see if it’s everything we’ve promised. Call now: 1-866-215-7809 and mention promo code 03-323.

High-quality American Made electronics

“It is amazing to be able to hear people more clearly. It’s so much easier to hear conversations among friends. It is very comfortable to wear and fits perfectly behind my ear. Thank you for a great product.”

Mark P. –Wilson, NC

Doctor Designed ● Audiologist Approved

Try our Apollo™-6205 hearing aid risk-free for 45 days.

SEND NO MONEY NOW! If you like it then pay only $299 per aid or simply send it back.

By phone (Mon-Fri • 8 am - 5 pm Central Time)

Expires: 5/31/19

CODE 1-866-215-7809 PROMO 03-323

Visit us online and SAVE. (Deposit required for online orders.)

Trusted Since 1979

• Hearing aids by mail for 39 years • Over 750,000 satisfied customers Facility and devices registered with the FDA.

CC03-wk.indd 43

www.HearingHelpExpress.com 45-DAY RISK-FREE HOME TRIAL

A+ Rating

Satisfaction

Better Business Bureau

GUARANTEED

100%

2/7/19 1:07 PM

Carolina Compass

Rock & Jewelry Show Displays, mini-mine March 22–24, Hickory cvgmc.com

Bridal Show Range of vendors March 23, Hendersonville 800-828-4244 visithendersonvillenc.org

Meltdown Games Trash bag racing and more March 23–24, Blowing Rock 800-322-2373 appskimtn.com

PIEDMONT Planetarium Show Learn about space missions March 1, Gastonia 704-866-6900 schielemuseum.org

Potters Conference

Tea with Seagrove Potters Gallery crawl, baked goods March 9, Seagrove

Demos, displays March 1–3, Asheboro 336-629-0399 ncpottersconference.com

March Events MOUNTAINS Fly fishing tournament Banquet-style fundraiser March 8–9, Boone 828-355-9109 duesouthoutfitters.com/blog

For King & Country Australian duo March 9, Franklin 866-273-4615 greatmountainmusic.com

The Jungle Book Live

FAB Crawl

Disney film adaptation March 15–16, Franklin 866-273-4615 greatmountainmusic.com

Food, arts, brews March 16, Morganton 828-438-5252 downtownmorganton.com

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Flapjack Fundraiser

March 16, Boone 828-268-6280 joneshouse.org

Local breakfast flavors March 16, West Jefferson 336-846-3827 florenceartschool.org

Daniel Boone Rail Jam Ski, snowboard competition March 16, Boone danielboonerailjam.com

Chili Cook-Off

Mid-Winter Dulcimer Festival

Amateur & restaurant competitions March 14, Morganton 828-438-5252 downtownmorganton.com

Spring Sip & Shop Demos, treats March 22–23, Asheville 828-253-7651 grovewood.com info@grovewood.com

Workshops, concerts March 2, Shelby 704-472-9791 jcdulcimer.com

Ralph Stanley II Show Bluegrass music March 2, Liberty 336-622-3844 thelibertyshowcase.com

James Bay British singer-songwriter March 5, Durham 919-680-2787 dpacnc.com

Tea with Seagrove Potters Gallery crawl, baked goods March 9, Seagrove 336-879-4145 teawithseagrovepotters.webstarts.com

carolinacountry.com/calendar

See more events online with photos, descriptions, maps and directions.

MOUNTAINS

77

PIEDMONT

Listing Deadlines: Submit Listings Online: For May: March 25 For June: April 25

95

carolina­country.com/calendar (No email or U.S. Mail.)

COAST

Chili Cook-Off Amateur & restaurant competitions March 14, Morganton

44 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-wk.indd 44

2/7/19 1:07 PM

Carolina Compass

Southern Foodways

Spring Garden Symposium

Year of the Woman Lecture Series March 9, Pineville 704-889-7145 bit.ly/yotw-lectures

Horticulture speakers March 23, Fayetteville 910-261-1091 bit.ly/fayetteville-gardens2019

Bluegrass and Gospel Festival

Whispers & Echoes

March 9, Locust 704-622-5793 bearcreekbluegrass.com

Jewelry, paintings, wood Through April 21, Hillsborough 919-732-5001 hillsboroughgallery.com

Highfalls Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention

Chicago

Entertainment, food March 9, Robbins 910-464-3600 ncmcs.org/domain/753

Rock concert March 26, Durham 919-680-2787 dpacnc.com

Sandy Ridge School Bluegrass Show

Benefit Concert

March 16, Sandy Ridge 336-932-5664 richintraditionbluegrass.com

Tap Dogs Contemporary dance-theatre March 19–20, Durham 919-680-2787 dpacnc.com

The Isaacs, Karen Peck & New River March 30, Albemarle 704-986-3666 stanlyciviccenter.com

COAST Magic School Bus Musical adaptation March 1, Greenville 252-737-5444 bit.ly/ecu-schoolbus

Know Before You Go

In case something changes after Carolina Country goes to press, check information from the contact listed.

First Friday Artwalk

Rooming House

March 1, Greenville 252-561-8400 uptowngreenville.com

Comedic dance-theatre March 14, Greenville 252-737-5444 bit.ly/ecu-lucky-plush-productions

Eastern Home & Living Expo Landscaping, building vendors March 2, Greenville 252-756-7915 pitthba.com/expo2019

Vox Fortura Classical vocals March 21, Washington 252-947-2076 gobcca.org

UNC Harp Ensemble March 3, Oriental 252-617-2125 pamlicomusic.org

Kidsfest

African American Music Series March 8, Greenville 252-551-6694 pittcountyarts.org/events/music-series

Brunswick County Intercultural Festival Celebrating cultural diversity March 10, Bolivia 910-842-6566 bcifestival.org

Puppet show, face painting March 23, Greenville 252-758-8885 mppfc.org

March Madness Bazaar Bake sale, kitchen boutique March 30, Bridgeton 252-638-4638 eghaggett@embarqmail.com

SMALL SURPRISES

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED Whether by land or water.

Kidsfest Puppet show, face painting March 23, Greenville

There are more than 250 farmers markets in North Carolina, and some stay open year-round.

For one near you, visit bit.ly/NCfarmmarkets.

More at VISITALAMANCE.COM

March 2019 | 45

CC03-wk.indd 45

2/7/19 1:07 PM

Marketplace

$11,495 - 30x40x10

EASTERN

DIVISION

Painted Enclosed Built Price (Not Shown)*

STORAGE BUILDINGS HAY BARNS HORSE BARNS GARAGES *Custom building shown.

Call for pricing.

Hurricane Upgrade E of I-95 • Fully Insured • #1 Metal • Custom Sizes 4/12 roof pitch • Engineered trusses • Local codes/freight may affect prices

www.nationalbarn.com

1-888-427-BARN (2276)

GROW MOREL MUSHROOMS

CREATE A PERENNIAL MOREL GARDEN IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD We provide the spawn and easy to use instructions for preparing an outdoor Morel Habitat. You just sow the seed, maintain the Morel Habitat, and pick & enjoy fresh Morel Mushrooms. $32.95 + $8.65 S/H ORDER (800) 789-9121

25 Year Warranty • Easy Bolt-Together Design Engineered Stamp Blueprints

GOURMET MUSHROOMS

P.O. BOX 515 NC8 * GRATON, CA 95444

www.gmushrooms.org

Farm • Industrial • Commercial

RHINO.BUILDERS/NC 940-304-8072 info@rhinobldg.com

Custom Steel Buildings

1-800-882-5150

KILL LAKE WEEDS

Steel Mobile Home Roofing Leaks? Roof rumble?

High energy bill?

Before

After

10 lb. bag treats up to 4,000 sq.ft. $91.00.

50 lb. bag treats up to 20,000 sq.ft. $344.00.

Contact us at 800.633.8969 or roofover.com Mobile Home Roofover Systems Since 1983

FREE SHIPPING! Certified and approved for use by state agencies.

State permit may be required.

Registered with the Federal E. P. A.

KillLakeWeeds.com Order online today, or request free information.

Our 64th year

AQUACIDE CO.

PO Box 10748, DEPT 32K White Bear Lake, MN 55110-0748

46 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-wk.indd 46

2/7/19 1:07 PM

Marketplace

Arco Steel Buildings 1-800-241-8339

BBB A+ rating for 40 years!

Business Opportunities

Miscellaneous

Busi

FREE CBD STORE! I “Googled” My Symptoms! Turns Out All I Need Is PATENTED 10xPure CBD Oil! NO THC! www.FreeCBDStore.biz

TIRED OF PAYING PROPERTY TAXES? Inherited land you don’t need? www.sellyourvacantlandfast.com Quick cash, 843-564-8438.

FREE C Out All www.F

Vacation Rental

WANTED: AMERICAN WHISKEY AND BOURBON BOTTLES OR DECANTERS, sealed and unopened. The older, the better. CASH. Call 540-845-6107 or Email: majiddk@comcast.net

Vaca

PLAY GOSPEL SONGS BY EAR—$12.95. “Learn Gospel Music.” Chording, runs, fills—$12.95. Both $24.

Davidsons, 6727C Metcalf, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66204. 913-262-4982.

Gold

ATLANTIC BEACH OCEANFRONT CONDO, breathtaking view. 1/BD, 1½ /BA, $75.00. 816-931-3366.

Highest Quality Low Prices!

40 x 60 x 10 • 50 x 75 x 12 60 x 100 x 12 • 100 x 150 x 20 20 x 100 x 8’6” Mini Storage

FUN, HOW TO PAN. Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, California. 1-407-282-3594. WWW.GOLDMAPS.COM.

For Sale HONEYBEES 3 pound package with queen $105.00 Order now for March 31st pickup in Rutherfordton Call Fred 828-980-0725

All sizes available!

40

Gold Maps

Years

(Buildings not as shown above) (FOB plant-local codes may affect prices)

A BOOK OF COLLECTED “YOU KNOW YOU’RE FROM CAROLINA COUNTRY IF…” submissions from Carolina Country magazine readers. You know you’re from Carolina country if you say “Laud ham mercy!” 96 pages, illustrated, 4 by 5½ inches. Only $7 per book (includes shipping and tax). Send payment to “You Know,” Carolina Country, PO Box 27306, Raleigh, NC 27611. Or buy with a credit card at our secure online site at carolinacountry.com.

“CAROLINA COUNTRY REFLECTIONS” More than 200 photographs showing life in rural North Carolina before 1970. Each picture has a story. Hardcover, coffee table book, 160 pages. Only $15 (includes tax and shipping).

Comes with free cookbook. Send payment to “Reflections,” Carolina Country, PO Box 27306, Raleigh, NC 27611. Or buy online at carolinacountry.com.

NURSERY STOCK & SEED GROW HALF DOLLAR SIZE MUSCADINES & BLACKBERRIES, FREE CATALOG. 200 varieties fruit, nut trees, vines & berries.

1-800-733-0324. ISON’S NURSERY, Brooks, Georgia 30205 www.isons.com

FREE MATERIALS: SOON CHURCH/GOVERNMENT UNITING. Suppressing “Religious Liberty”, enforcing a “National Sunday Law”. Be informed! Need mailing address only. TBSM, Box 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771. thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com 1-888-211-1715.

FARM FENCING Watterson Tree Farm installs any type field fencing, especially woven wire with wooden posts, and board fencing. Certified Redbrand installer and Kencove dealer. Website www.farmfencenc.com.

Wildlife Damage Control Agent, David 240-498-8054 email treefarmnc@yahoo.com.

HEIRLOOM SEEDS FOR YOUR GARDEN. Free catalog call 828-389-2642; or write Seedworthy, 31 Wounded Knee Lane, Hayesville N.C. 28904; seedworthy@gmail.com or visit our website; seedworthy.org The N.C. Association of Electric Cooperatives and its member cooperatives do not endorse the services and products advertised. Readers are advised to understand fully any agreement or purchase they make. To place a classified ad: carolinacountry.com/classifieds

Win a $100 Gift Card from Carolina Country!

March 2019

Tap into Local

Flower Power page 14

Published by

NC co-ops pla residential mi n crogrid

Subscriptions Available page 12

Landscape for energy effici ency

page 32

PERIODICAL

Recipes, event listings, energy What’s in Gol dsboro? Turn s out quite a bit —p age about 42 efficiency tips and stories why we love to call North Carolina home, delivered to your mailbox every month.

carolinacountry.com/subscribe

Make a connection with Carolina Country! Sign up for our email updates so you don’t miss out on your favorite content. New email subscribers will automatically be entered into a random drawing for a $100 gift card. Visit carolinacountry.com/signup by March 31.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. There are two ways to enter into the random drawing and become an eligible entrant: (1) PRIMARY ENTRY: An Entrant must sign up to receive emails from Carolina Country (typically two per month) and from select approved sponsors using the form at carolinacountry.com/signup for a chance to win;(2) ALTERNATIVE ENTRY: In order to be entered without completing the primary entry conditions, an Entrant must send a letter with the Entrant’s first and last name, mailing address and telephone number to Carolina Country, Email Sign-up Sweepstakes, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616 prior to conclusion of the applicable Sweepstakes Period. One entry per person, drawn by random; odds of receiving the one (1) gift card (retail value of $100) depend upon number of entries received.

Entries must be received by March 31, 2019. The drawing will be held April 1, 2019.

March 2019 | 47

CC03-wk.indd 47

2/8/19 1:23 PM

ATLAN ing vie

FUN, H Califor

For S

HONEY Order n Fred 82

A BOO CAROL Countr Carolin illustra shippin Carolin buy wi carolin

“CAROL photog 1970. E book, 1 Comes “Reflect NC 276

Carolina Kitchen

‘Don’t Tell Them It’s Good for Them’ Vegetable Soup Even carnivores will enjoy this simple, hearty soup, but you can make it completely vegetarian by replacing the chicken stock with vegetable stock or water. Boost the nutrition by adding a cup of canned, drained cannellini beans.

¼ 2 2 2 1 1 1

cup olive oil cups chopped onion cups chopped celery cups chopped carrots clove garlic, chopped quart chicken broth (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained 1 cup peeled, diced potatoes Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup shredded green cabbage Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, carrots and garlic. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are soft but not browned, about 5 minutes.

Add the chicken broth, tomatoes with their juice and potatoes, plus enough water to cover the vegetables by about 2 inches. Taste, then add salt and pepper.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

Add the cabbage, stir, and simmer for another 5 minutes or so, just until the cabbage is soft.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

carolinacountry.com/recipes

Search more than 800 recipes, with a new recipe featured every week!

Unless otherwise noted, recipes on this page are reprinted with permission from “Fan Fare: A Playbook of Great Recipes for Tailgating or Watching the Game at Home” by Debbie Moose (debbiemoose.com), who has authored seven cookbooks and is a former food editor for The News & Observer in Raleigh.

48 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-tv.indd 48

2/7/19 11:45 AM

Carolina Kitchen

From Your Kitchen

Corny Cornbread Crumble it into chili, or serve it beside soup or meatloaf — this cornbread goes with anything.

Baking it in a cast-iron frying pan makes for even cooking and gives the crust a crunch. ½ cup flour 1½ cups yellow or white cornmeal ½ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 5 tablespoons butter, divided 1 (8.25-ounce) can creamed corn* 1 tablespoon sugar 1 cup buttermilk 1 egg Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If using cast-iron pan (recommended) put the pan in the oven during preheating.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, salt, baking powder and baking soda.

Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in the microwave or a pan on the stove. Combine the melted butter with the creamed corn, sugar, buttermilk and egg. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until combined; don’t overmix.

Remove pan from oven once very hot.

Put the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the hot pan and swirl to coat the sides.

Pour in the batter.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the pan cool for a few minutes on a wire rack before serving. * Make it spicy! Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon chili powder to the dry ingredients and use 1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained, instead of the creamed corn.

Yield: 8 servings

Crowd-Pleasing Marinated Green Beans This easy salad is a favorite at parties, potlucks and picnics (and even other events that don’t begin with a “P”). It travels easily and the proportions can be multiplied. ½ large red onion, thinly sliced 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup herb-flavored wine vinegar (for extra flavor) or white wine vinegar Salt and black pepper to taste 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 pounds fresh green beans, ends trimmed Place the sliced onion in a colander placed over the sink.

In a small bowl, stir together the oil, vinegar, salt and pepper until combined.

Stir in the garlic. Set aside.

Place the green beans in a large pot and add enough water to cover them. Cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat.

When the water boils, reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, just until the beans are bright green; do not overcook. Pour the beans and hot water over the onions in the colander. Rinse under cold running water to cool down.

Drain well.

Put the beans and onions in a large bowl or large zipper-top plastic bag. Pour the dressing in and mix well with the vegetables.

Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, stirring occasionally. Serve at room temperature.

Yield: 8 servings

Pistachio Cake 1 box yellow cake mix 2 boxes (3½ ounces) pistachio instant pudding 4 eggs ½ cup oil 1 cup club soda ½ pint heavy cream 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour tube pan or angel food pan. In a large bowl, mix cake mix with one box of instant pudding mix, then add eggs, oil and club soda.

Mix gently until smooth, and bake 45–55 minutes.

For icing, combine heavy cream, milk, second box of pudding mix and sugar. Beat until smooth and ice the cake after it has cooled.

Refrigerate before serving. Makes a very pale green-colored cake, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day! Recipe courtesy of Christine Wyant of Clyde, a member of Haywood EMC

Send Us Your Recipes

Contributors whose recipes are published will receive $25. We retain reprint rights for all submissions. Recipes submitted are not necessarily entirely original. Include your name, address, phone number (for questions), and the name of your electric cooperative. Mail to: Carolina Country Kitchen, P.O. Box 27306, Raleigh, NC, 27611. Or submit your recipe online at: carolinacountry.com/myrecipe.

March 2019 | 49

CC03-tv.indd 49

2/7/19 11:46 AM

13 10 ⁄8 103⁄4 10 ⁄16 7

101⁄2

Looking for

where

Recipes?

Find them on page 48.

in Carolina Country is this ?

Send your answer by Wednesday, March 6, with your name, address and the name of your electric cooperative.

Online:

carolinacountry.com/where

By mail: Where in Carolina Country?

P.O. Box 27306

Raleigh, NC 27611 Multiple entries from the same person will be disqualified.

The winner, chosen at random and announced in our April issue, will receive $25.

March winner

The February “Where Is This” photo by Michael Huss features the Walker Top Baptist Church, located on top of Burkemont Mountain near Morganton in the South Mountains of Burke County. According to Huss and a few readers, the church was built around 1840 by Joseph Alexander Walker and is still used today for homecomings and reunions.

It is believed to be one of the oldest churches in the county. Sharon Winters notes that a local 5K goes up the mountain and ends at the church, which sits at an elevation of 2,900 feet. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Deborah Lambert of Nebo, a Rutherford EMC member.

Have a roadside gem you’d like to share? Submit a photo, plus a brief description and general location information, at carolinacountry.com/where.

MUSIC

Chris Charles of Creative Silence

Carolina

MARCH’S FEATURED TRACK

“Liquid”

By Al Strong

Superb horn smoothly weaves with drums, bass and piano in Al’s elegant, mellow song, one of 10 tracks on his versatile album, “LoveStrong Volume 1.”

The collection blends progressive jazz, soul and afro-beat grooves, and offers six original compositions and four contemporary renditions of standards.

Other standout tracks include the swinging “Getaway 9,” the nostalgic “Was,” “Ci’s Blues,” and the sophisticated “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” Al’s ensemble of talented musicians, including Jeremy “Bean” Clemons and Lovell Bradford, achieve a lush interplay that comes with truly being in the moment.

carolinacountry.com/music

Learn more about Al and listen to this featured track, as well as others from NC musicians.

50 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-wk.indd 50

L

❑

* a f

101⁄2 103⁄4 1013⁄16 107⁄8 2/7/19 2:30 PM

B u

“The Light of Life”

LIGHTS UP!

by Thomas Kinkade When life’s calm seas turn rough and the path no longer clear, it’s God’s love that navigates us through. Lighting the darkness with his radiant presence ... and igniting our hearts with the flame of faith.

Now, the artistry of Thomas Kinkade inspires a dramatic, one-of-a-kind sculpture — an illuminated lighthouse, graced with the Painter of Light’s™ luminous imagery and faith-fortifying words from the Holy Bible.

Expertly crafted and painted by hand Standing an impressive 9 inches tall, every inch of “The Light of Life by Thomas Kinkade” sculptured lighthouse is intricately handcrafted ... from its etched “brick work” ... to its glittery crystalline “wave” that gorgeously displays a full-color scene from Thom’s masterpiece, The Light of Peace.

Sparkling glass accents and light-up beacon!

Then, the top portion is embellished with the elegant look of clear crackled glass — hand-formed and placed by hand Plus, with just the flip of a switch, the lighthouse’s beacon beams as bright as God’s love!

Reserve yours now.

Limited to 95 casting days, reserve your hand-numbered edition now for four payments of $27.49*; only your first installment is due prior to shipment.

A Hamilton Certificate of Authenticity is included. Mail the attached coupon today.

.”

d

LIKE US ON

Fastest way to order: HamiltonCollection.com/KinkadeLife

©2019 HC. All Rights Reserved.

The Light of Peace © 1996 Thomas Kinkade

Shown smaller than approx. size of 9" high; requires 3 AAA batteries (not included).

Name__________________________________________________

Send No Money Now! ❑ YES! Please accept my order for “The Light of Life by Thomas Kinkade” as described in this announcement.

*Add a total of $17.00 for shipping and service, and sales tax; see HamiltonCollection.com. All orders are subject to product availability and credit approval. Allow 6 to 8 weeks after your initial payment for shipment.

(Please print clearly.)

Address________________________________________________ City_________________________ State______Zip_____________ Email (optional)__________________________________________ Signature_______________________________________________

MAIL TODAY!

❏

Lo Ad

❏

09-08018-001-BI1

MAIL TO:

9204 Center For The Arts Drive, Niles, Illinois 60714-1300

P

09-08018-001-E67201

J C

❏

Tra C

❏

Ye S

❏

Shi Se

❏

B_I_V51 = CC03-wk.indd

Live Area: 7 x 9.75, 1 Page, Installment, Vertical updated 6.22.2018

2/7/19 1:07 PM

CC03-wk.indd 52

2/7/19 1:07 PM