2019-05-BRE

May 2019

Something extra is coming!

Money back. It’s the cherry on top of being a Blue Ridge member!

This month, we’re returning $5.2 million in capital credits. Turn the page to learn more about this sweet benefit you receive as a member of a cooperative.

PERIODICAL

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Money back! the cherry on top

Being a member of a not-for-profit electric cooperative brings sweet benefits. One of those extras is capital credits. Translated, capital credits represent part of your ownership in Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation.

This year, more than $5.2 million will be returned to Blue Ridge members!

Almost 20,000 active members due a capital credits refund of $35 or more are being mailed checks in May. More than 37,000 members due a refund less than $35 will see a credit on their bill.

Capital credits. One more something extra from your electric cooperative.

The benefits continue even after you move!

More than 45,000 former Blue Ridge members have capital credits refunds coming their way. Be sure Blue Ridge has your current address even after you’ve moved away to ensure you receive your refund.

Former members may go to BlueRidgeEnergy.com/unclaimed to search for unclaimed capital credits that may belong to them.

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May 2019

Improvements Around

Your Home Starting on page 12

Published by

Co-ops meet with NC legislators page 10

Celebrate black bears in Plymouth page 36

PERIODICAL

Blue Ridge Energy distributing capital credit refunds this month—pages 21–24 May covers.indd 2

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4/10/19 10:32 AM

Volume 51, No. 5

16

12

Favorites 4 Viewpoints 6 More Power 26 On the House 30 Tar Heel Tidbits 32 Carolina Gardens 34 Carolina Compass 36 Adventures 38 Marketplace 39 Classifieds 40 Carolina Kitchen 42 Where is This?

42 Carolina Music

On the Cover Hannah and Thomas Gibson “flip” houses (renovating fixer‑uppers to boost value), including this one, in western North Carolina.

They share tips on home improvement projects that will give you the most bang for your buck, starting on page 12.

Photo by Revival Photography.

12 16 18 20

32

Flip Your House

The right improvements can make an old house feel new again.

Show the Heart of Your Home Some Love

A practical guide to tackling a kitchen renovation.

Home Improvement Fails

A few of our favorite reader stories of DIY projects gone wrong.

A Life in Postcards

Walter Pinchbeck rode the rails but found a home in NC.

CALL FOR VOTES:

Carolina’s Finest

$1

We need your help finding the best of the best in North Carolina, from barbecue restaurants to lakes, beaches and trails. See page 10 for details.

May 2019 | 3

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Viewpoints

Safety Tips That Can Save Your Life

By Jeff Clark

Electric cooperatives’ top priority is always to provide safe, reliable, affordable energy to their members. Your well-being and that of the larger communities we serve are of paramount concern.

May not only means spring storms safety reasons, jump clear of the and potentially severe weather, it also vehicle. Do not let any part of your heralds the beginning of the celebody or clothing touch the vehicle bration season for many high school and ground at the same time. Land students, especially seniors. Proms, with your feet together and shufgraduation parties and other social fle away (in small steps with your gatherings are often associated with feet still together) to avoid electric this time of year. shock. Keep moving away until you While we naturally focus on the are at least 40 feet from the vehicle. sunny aspects this season brings, we also sometimes hear about preventable Safety First, tragedies involving young Safety Always people and car accidents.

May is Electrical Safety Month This brings me to the topic at hand: safety.

Does your teen or loved ■■ If you come upon a car accident one know what to do in the event of involving a utility pole and downed a collision with a utility pole resultpower lines, keep your distance. A ing in a downed power line? Do your downed power line can energize the loved ones know what to do if they ground up to 35 feet away. While come upon an accident with a downed your natural instinct may be to rush power line? This month, I’d like to to the car to help, instead pause. Do share a few safety tips that I hope you not approach the car or scene of the never have to use — but if you do, they accident. Tell others to stay away. could save your life: While you may be concerned about ■■ If a car collides with a utility pole,

the vehicle may be charged with electricity. Anyone exiting the car could come in contact with thousands of volts of electricity from the downed line. In essence, when you step out of the car, you become part of the electricity’s path to the ground and could be electrocuted.

It’s critical to stay in the vehicle and tell others to do the same until emergency crews have told you it’s safe to exit the car. If the vehicle is on fire or you must exit for other

injuries to those involved, the best action you can take is to alert emergency officials, who will in turn coordinate with the power provider.

For the same reasons described above, never drive over a downed power line or through water that is touching a downed power line.

■■ If you have a downed power line

on your property as a result of a fallen tree, storm or other circumstance, do not go near the power line. Assume that the downed line is

energized and dangerous. Never try to move the power line, even if you think it’s not energized or if you are using a non-conductive material.

We recognize that you may be anxious to clear your property of tree limbs or other debris near the downed line, but please wait until after an electric co-op crew or emergency officials have confirmed that it is safe to do so.

May is a time where we are even more mindful of safety because it is Electrical Safety Month. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, thousands of people in the U.S. are critically injured and electrocuted as a result of electrical fires, accidents and electrocution in their own homes. Many of these accidents are preventable.

We know firsthand how dangerous electricity is because North Carolina’s electric cooperatives work with it all day, every day. For your electric cooperative, safety is more than a catch phrase. We view it as our duty and responsibility to keep co-op employees safe and to help keep our communities safe.

Contact your local electric co-op for additional electrical safety tips, or if you would like to request a safety demonstration at your school or community event. It is no accident that safety is our top priority.

Jeff Clark is CEO for Jones-Onslow EMC in Jacksonville.

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Viewpoints

THIS MONTH’S ISSUE:

Giving DIY a Try This month we’re sharing some pro tips on making your home look great, whether you plan to sell or stay awhile. Most of these are do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, but be warned that even the bestplanned project can go south —c heck out page 18 for proof from our readers. Also, North Carolina’s electric co-ops were on the national stage at a recent annual meeting. Learn more on page 6.

—Scott Gates, editor

Above and Beyond I got the issue that has the “Ode to a Co-op Lineman” (April 2019, page 10), and I have to say it just does not go far enough. I live in a rural area just south of Asheboro, and I am serviced by linemen who go above and beyond.

I recently had a pole light disconnected because of tree work and then a fence installation. About a week or so after the disconnect, the guys who took the line down came by the house as they were in the area and wanted to know if I wanted it reconnected while they were there.

I was having more work done so I declined, but I thought it so “local” that they just stopped by. They treat their customers like neighbors.

In a world where I have had to clean up a mess after a contractor or two, these guys wind up and secure the line to the pole so I have to do nothing. I appreciate them and hope they read this. Just nice people who perform their jobs with pride, with an attitude that they are more a neighbor than a service person.

Linda Fish, Robbins A member of Randolph EMC

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.

Our Youngest Fan We start reading Carolina Country early at our house! I pulled my daughter down to our mailbox yesterday in her new little red wagon and got the mail. Our issue of Carolina Country was in the mail and my daughter, Avery, loved poring over it on our walk. In fact, she cried when I took it away. Haha!

Jessica Wallin, Monroe A member of Union Power Cooperative

Contact us Phone: 919-875-3091 Fax: 919-878-3970

Corrections to our April issue The correct website for Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh (page 19) is marbleskidsmuseum.org.

One of the regions covered in “Hear the Horns, Feel the Beat” (page 36) is Rocky Mount, Tarboro and Princeville, not Princeton.

The source for many of the photos that ran with “Set Sail on the Albemarle Loop,” (pages 38 & 39) is Paula FitzPatrick, not Fitzgerald.

(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800)

Read monthly in more than 700,000 homes

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.

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.

May 2019 | 5

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More Power

NRECA

Curtis Wynn addressed the crowd after being named NRECA board president.

Leading into the Next Generation

NC co-ops were center stage at the national annual meeting Leaders from North Carolina’s electric cooperatives joined thousands of peers from around the country in March for the annual meeting of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). At this year’s meeting in Orlando, sessions focused on how electric co-ops can better serve their communities, leveraging new technology and finding new ways to connect with members.

Co-op leadership Curtis Wynn, president and CEO of Roanoke Electric Cooperative in Aulander, was elected 39th president of the NRECA Board of Directors during the meeting. This is the first time in the organization’s 77-year history that an African American has been elected to serve in this top leadership post.

“Strong leadership is essential to helping NRECA and the entire cooperative family navigate the many opportunities and challenges facing our industry,” said NRECA CEO Jim Matheson. “Curtis is an extremely thoughtful and capable leader, and I’m looking forward to his continued leadership as president.”

During his first address as board president, Wynn discussed areas America’s electric cooperatives should rally around, including a focus on sustainability and efficiency, and creating new opportunities for consumers with greater grid flexibility.

“During my tenure as president, I will be challenging all of us to closely examine the way we view our future, examine our individual cooperative’s place in it, and examine how we can lead our co-ops and our communities into the next generation,” he said.

NC on the national stage In addition to remarks from Wynn, North Carolina was represented in sessions

by NC Youth Tour participant Caitlin Finley (see sidebar).

At the TechAdavntage Conference held in conjunction with the annual meeting, speakers from NC co-ops included: Don Bowman, COO at Wake Electric, who discussed storm recovery efforts as well as new safety trends; Kelly Fritz, manager of Information Systems at Wake Electric, who discussed technical aspects of operating drones for line inspections; and Chuck Richardson, vice president of Engineering for South River EMC, who discussed microgrids.

Multiple sessions addressed cybersecurity, which included Robin Harrell, manager of Technical Services at Roanoke Electric; Tim Peede, IT manager at South River EMC; and Ajaz Sadiq, vice president of Technology Integration for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.

NC YLC Delegate Presents at National Meeting How can rural communities attract and retain younger generations?

This question was posed to a panel of Youth Leadership Caitlin Finley Council (YLC) delegates at NRECA’s annual meeting in Orlando. Among them was Caitlin Finley, North Carolina’s YLC delegate who attended the 2018 Youth Tour on behalf of Lenoir-based Blue Ridge Energy. The YLC members were 2018 Youth Tour participants who were nominated by their peers to serve on the YLC. For the panelists, it turns out a little engagement — including through electric cooperative-sponsored youth programs — can go a long way.

“After participating in the Youth Tour, I really understood that the co-op business model is completely different than other business models, because its more about helping others than helping yourself,” Finley said. “I was blown away by that.”

Internships at electric co-ops, programs like Youth Tour and co-op scholarship programs are all ways to engage young people and foster a sense of community, according to the panelists, which can help draw them back home after college. North Carolina’s electric cooperatives offer a range of community programs, including academic scholarship opportunities, Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships, Bright Ideas Education Grants and the NC Youth Tour.

Finely found the Youth Tour to be inspiring and energizing.

“A lot of my friends at school just want to get away from our hometown — it can dim your fire a little bit. For me, Youth Tour reignited it,” she said. And to fellow high school students unsure of the Youth Tour program, she offers simple advice: “Take the first step.

Apply, and see where it goes.”

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Chicago Doctor Shakes Up Hearing Aid Industry

ADVANCED HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY... For Less Than $200!

The doctor evaluated the high priced hearing aids on the market, broke them down to their base components, and then created his own affordable version, called the MDHearingAid, for less than $200.

Chicago – A local board-certified physician has done it once again with his newest invention of a medical-grade, affordable hearing aid.

This new hearing aid is packed with all the features of traditional hearing aids found at clinics for a mere fraction of the cost. Now most people with hearing loss are able to enjoy crystal clear, natural sound — in a crowd, on the phone, in the wind — without suffering through “whistling” and annoying background noise.

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The doctor knew that many of his patients would benefit but couldn’t afford the expense for these new hearing aids. Generally they are not covered by Medicare and most private health insurance plans.

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Affordable Hearing Aid Technology Using advanced technology, the MDHearingAid adjusts to your listening environment — prioritizing speech and de-emphasizing background noise.

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This doctor designed and approved hearing aid comes with a full year’s supply of long-life batteries. It delivers crisp, clear sound all day long and the soft flexible ear domes are so comfortable you won’t realize you’re wearing them.

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More Power

(Left to right) Jody Keane, Eric Sawyers, Jamie Elliott, Steve Preslar, Russ Flythe, Sammy Clark, Derek Avery, Dennis Kidd, Tommy Brock, Faron Atwood, Timmy Williams, Daniel Purvis, Timmy Williamson, Jerry Gregg, Blake Fleming

NC Co-op Linemen Volunteer to Bring Electricity to Rural Bolivia Thirteen linemen from seven electric cooperatives in North Carolina are joining forces this year to bring firsttime electricity to a remote village in South America.

Through the Brighter World Initiative, co-op volunteers are donating their time and expertise to build infrastructure that will bring new opportunities to the people of Laphía, Bolivia.

The 2019 Brighter World Initiative volunteers are: Blue Ridge Energy Eddie Stephens, crew leader Jerry Gregg Edgecombe-Martin County EMC Sammy Clark Pee Dee Electric Jody Keane Steve Preslar Randolph EMC Dennis Kidd Timmy Williamson

Roanoke Electric Cooperative Jamie Elliott Russ Flythe South River EMC Derek Avery Timmy Williams Surry-Yadkin EMC Tommy Brock Eric Sawyers Alternates Faron Atwood, Blue Ridge Energy Daniel Purvis, South River EMC

They will be joined by Randy White, Job Training & Safety Specialist with North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, who will provide additional support.

“We commend the Brighter World Initiative volunteers for their willingness to work in challenging conditions to help others,” said Nelle Hotchkiss, senior vice president of association services & COO at North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “This project is a true demonstration of the cooperative spirit that will not only change the future for the people of Laphía, but also have a lasting impact on the volunteers themselves.”

At an elevation of 11,600 feet, Laphía is in a mountainous region of Cochabamba, between the capital city of La Paz and the city of Santa Cruz. Residents there live in modest dwellings and farm potatoes and onions. At night, they use kerosene lights, candles and battery-powered lanterns for light. They are some of about 285,000 people in Cochabamba without access to electricity today.

Working together, the volunteers will string poles by hand with wire and equipment that will connect the rural village to the grid, bringing about new educational and economic opportunities. The team will work with a local utility, ELFEC, and also receive assistance from residents to build a total of about five miles of power lines. Once the project is complete, more than 68 buildings will be connected to electricity, including a school.

NRECA International, the international affiliate of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), is coordinating the effort and has been working in developing countries since 1962. Its global commitment has helped provide electricity to more than 110 million people in 43 countries.

BRAZIL PERU Cochabamba BOLIVIA

PARAGUAY CHILE

ARGENTINA

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4/10/19 10:32 AM

More Power More Power

Co-op Leaders Rally in Raleigh to Meet with Legislators In March, 175 representatives from North Carolina’s electric cooperatives gathered in Raleigh to meet with their representatives in the General Assembly and discuss policy issues important to electric co-ops, their members and their communities. More than 80 state legislators participated in the event.

“These meetings give co-op representatives an opportunity to look their legislators in the eye and talk about issues important to folks back home,” said Jay Rouse, director of government affairs for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “Electric co-ops have cultivated relationships with our legislators built on trust.

As a result, legislators look to us as a trusted, local source of information on rural issues.”

Issues addressed included electric co-ops’ support of communities through grant and scholarship programs, as well as new paths forward to ensuring all in North Carolina have access to reliable, high-speed broadband.

House Speaker Tim Moore (R-111) discussed issues with representatives from Rutherford EMC.

Representative Shelly Willingham (D-23) and Senators Erica Smith (D-3) and Don Davis (D-5) met with leaders from Edgecombe-Martin County EMC, Halifax EMC and Roanoke Electric.

2019

There’s nothing finer ...

Categories include: Food & Drink

Travel

BBQ Southern Cookin’ Sweets Winery Craft Beer

Historic Site Festival Getaway Lake Beach Trail

Entertainment Musician/Band Athlete (From or currently playing in NC)

Movie set or filmed in NC Artist or Author

Nothing beats a Carolina morning—but there’s much more to love in our great state. Carolina Country is proud to introduce our first annual Carolina’s Finest Awards showcasing the finest North Carolina has to offer, to be published in our December issue.

We need your help! We’re leaving it up to you, our readers, to pick the best of the best. Visit carolinacountry.com/finest by June 30 and cast your votes in the categories below. Each voter will be entered into a drawing for one of three $100 gift cards.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter, complete online entry form at carolinacountry.com/finest, or mail in your votes to Carolina Country’s Finest, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616, for a chance to win. All contact information will remain confidential. One entry per person, drawn by random; odds of receiving one (1) of the three $100 gift cards depend upon number of entries received. Entries must be completed online at carolinacountry.com/finest by June 30, 2019. Random drawing will take place July 1, 2019.

Shopping Farmers Market Antiquing Made in NC (NC product)

Cast your vote at carolinacountry.com/finest

by June 30 for a chance to win $100!

10 | carolinacountry.com

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4/10/19 4/9/19 10:45 AM 10:01 AM

“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.”

— J. Fitzgerald, VA

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Revival Photograpy

Flip FLIP Your House The right improvements can make an old house feel new again

By Gordon Byrd

Walking into a project house, a fixer-upper, can seem like an overwhelming venture. Wood paneling may cover the walls up to the chair rails.

The shag carpet may have trails like a well-worn path through the front lawn. Drab olive colored appliances squat on once-white, now beige linoleum floors; and brass light fixtures — seemingly caramelized with age — glow on peeling wallpaper.

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Before

after

Revival Photograpy

Hannah Gibson

Revival Photograpy

These are just cosmetics, but they will determine whether a potential buyer is immediately in love — or immediately in disgust.

Hannah Gibson and her husband, Thomas, flip houses in western North Carolina, where the artisan-cottage-look or farmhouse-feel is the hot selling item for the housing market. Their advice, and some diligent legwork, can help a do-it-yourselfer save time and money in home improvement projects.

“Cosmetics sell the house,” Hannah says, smiling. “The ’70s haven’t come back around, and people write off a house because it is ugly, not just because it needs a new roof or foundation.”

Cosmetic transformations

The internet makes what might feel impossible to finish with these cosmetic transformations a doable project.

Countless bloggers and YouTubers now teach step-by-step techniques for removing carpeting and installing clickable wood flooring, or painting a room with contrasting colors on walls.

“Painting is the easiest way to make huge changes, and anyone can paint,” Hannah advises. “With bloggers, you can let someone else do the hard work and paint first.

Then you just look at their photos and decide if that is what you want. And do not be afraid of repainting. It’s not technical.”

Flooring is another simple change that is made easy with how-to videos and new flooring technologies. Sometimes, a homeowner can find beautiful heart pine flooring under their old carpet. Even when there is no hardwood under the carpet, refreshingly simple flooring installations are available for even the novice home improvers, and the variety of colors and patterns are endless.

“The legwork is almost done for you,” Hannah says of learning how to install flooring, with the online resource of free videos of other successful installations. “I have learned so much from YouTube,” she confesses.

Hannah continues with her own well-learned lesson, an old adage applicable to most any construction trade: “Measure twice, and cut once.”

Beyond painting and flooring, furniture can be an

inexpensive transformation. Hannah, a mother of two young children, jokes, “You can have nice furniture when your kids move out. Second-hand couches with slip-cover and dark colors are the best for my family.”

She concludes that the universal appeal is the safest route (see sidebar below). Her final piece of advice when buying a project home is to not be afraid of the appearances, but to “see the bones of the house. The structure needs to be sound.”

The ‘bones’ of a house

When it comes to fixing the structure of a home, like the foundation, roof and subflooring, or removing a wall or chimney — even redesigning bathrooms or kitchens — a homebuyer will need to consult more than YouTube.

Matthew Greene and Kevin Witmore, licensed contractors for Pembroke-based CSR Construction of NC, Inc., specialize in the structural construction and remodeling of homes.

Kevin stands in an open-concept home and expands his arms to show how the large space is made possible.

“These days, most people are building new homes with pre-manufactured trusses that span these open spaces,” he explains.

During the mid-to-late 1900s, homes were built with

Universal Appeal House flipper Hannah Gibson shares how she updates a home while achieving a look with broad appeal:

Paint / “Grays and whites complement each other well and are great classics.”

Fixtures / “Brushed nickel is a timeless classic, but if you want something a little more trendy, copper is very in.”

Flooring / “Hardwood is the best, with a cheaper alternative being composite wood.

For tile, I like grays because they are pretty but can hide dirt.”

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Revival Photograpy

Flippin’ Your Kitchen?

Hannah Gibson

Before

several separate rooms instead of open spaces. The many-roomed home was popular and necessary for any house with a second story. Loadbearing walls divided up rooms on the first floor because the walls held up the ceiling and supported the second floor. A house built at this time would not have had the modern structural material available today.

Revival Photograpy

Hannah Gibson

Before

After

Now, homes can enjoy a wideopen space concept without pillars or load-bearing walls dividing up the space, due to advances in building material technology. Long, strong beams, such as Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL), can stretch across a living room and kitchen ceiling

Get pro tips on a kitchen transformation on page 16.

After

without a load-bearing wall cutting off one room from the other.

Kitchens and bathrooms

Matthew explains that the most common remodel is opening up these spaces and refitting the kitchen.

Older kitchens were built differently. For example, a period kitchen might have made-to-order plywood cabinets with a tile countertop. Solidsurface countertops are “in” and the older tile countertops are “out.”

“It is in people to modernize,” Kevin observes. Kitchen remodels are mainly to modernize and to refit worn-out countertops or sagging cabinet doors.

Now, most cabinets are prefabricated with smaller, set measurements and fit together like blocks. Customized pantries with intricate shelving are another popular remodel that can become pricey. Kevin quips that the ’60s look is out-of-style, but the options today on Pinterest.com and Houzz.com are endless.

Homeowners also are keen on remodeling bathrooms. Kevin reels at a memory of shag carpeting in a

bathroom. “Can you believe they would put that on floors that are always soaked?” he asks in horror.

Besides the look, rotten floors are the most common reason to redo a bathroom. But while CSR is repairing floors from a leaky sink, shower or toilet, they have been asked to change out the bathrooms’ fixtures for new popular designs. Jetted tubs and claw-foot baths are replacing dual purpose bath/showers in nearly every bathroom remodel.

Even though most common remodels are bathrooms and kitchens, the least-expensive remodels are living rooms and bedrooms, according to CSR. Whether a fresh coat of paint or refitting a kitchen’s cabinets and countertops, home improvements can make a dwelling place more functional and habitable. And a happy home is worth every penny.

Gordon Byrd is a veteran who works for UNC Pembroke. He tries to keep things interesting with a little homebuilding, some writing, triathlons and a lot of time with his family and church.

DIY Projects: Cost & Effort $ $$ +

Painting

Flooring

Remodeling (with painting and flooring)

Low Cost/Effort

2 days + $100 = 1 room

2 days + $700 = 1 room

1 month + $2,500 = new bathroom

Medium Cost/ Effort High Cost/ Effort

3 days + $150 = 3 rooms

3 days + $2,100 = 3 rooms

3 months + $7,000 = new kitchen

5 days + $250 = whole house

6 days + $3,200 = whole house

6–9 months +$17,000 = redesigned house

Source: Hannah Gibson; Whole house estimates based on 1,200 square feet

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4/10/19 10:32 AM

Show the Heart of Your Home Some A practical guide to tackling a kitchen renovation Story and photos by Laura Araujo

It’s known as the heart of the home. The contemporary kitchen is the epicenter of domestic activity, a place for cooking, eating and entertaining. Over the decades, the function of the kitchen has transitioned from a utilitarian space into a place for family and friends to gather — compare the dimly lit rooms with smoky wood stoves of pre-electricity days to the open-concept floor plans of modern homes outfitted with high-tech conveniences and oversized islands that are more frequent today.

“Today’s kitchen is an all-inclusive space, not just a place for cooking,” says Elle H-Millard, industry relations manager for the National Kitchen and Bath Association. “It has become an entertainment zone as well as a place for homework and office work.”

As a result, people are investing in their kitchens. And with good reason — a kitchen remodel offers homeowners the opportunity to customize the space to their lifestyle needs and tastes. Plus, updates to the kitchen can provide a great return on investment. A renovated kitchen is of top priority for potential homebuyers, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Whether a few cosmetic changes are in order, or a homeowner is considering a complete kitchen overhaul, this guide offers practical steps for bringing revival to the heart of the home.

Step 1 | Envision the Project

When considering a kitchen update, one of the first decisions a homeowner should make is whether to hire a designer. A certified designer will guide the homeowner through the entire remodel process.

“If you’re looking at a do-it-yourself (DIY) replace and refresh, a designer might not be required. But if you’re looking to move walls, plumbing, HVAC or change the footprint of the space, a designer is advisable,” H-Millard says. “Designers have knowledge about functionality and safety in the kitchen, and their expertise will prevent you from having to redo a project. A certified designer will save you money in the long run.”

If a homeowner chooses not to work with a designer, they

will take on the role of the designer throughout the remodel.

In the early stages of the project, this means the homeowner should think about the functionality of the kitchen and how an upgrade or remodel will meet the needs of those living in the home. Things to consider include: Does the homeowner cook often? If so, what type of cooking do they do — quick meals utilizing the microwave or more gourmet meals that call for upgraded kitchen appliances?

What about baking? Does the homeowner entertain often?

How much storage space is needed for kitchen equipment?

What are the unique needs of the people who will utilize the kitchen? Are there young children for whom safety features are a priority? Are there special needs the homeowner can foresee 10 or 15 years in the future?

“A designer will help you determine your unique lifestyle needs. Surprisingly, this is often overlooked by homeowners,” H-Millard says.

She recommends doing online research to gain inspiration about what design elements the homeowner would enjoy having in the kitchen. A Pinterest board is a useful tool to organize ideas and to help a designer get to know the homeowner’s personality.

Step 2 | Create a Budget and Timeline

Once the homeowner has decided a remodel is in order, they will determine the scope of the project. Depending on a homeowner’s skillset, they may take on DIY projects like removing and reinstalling cabinets, painting, tiling and installing new flooring. Elizabeth McKenna, director of marketing and communications for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, says if a renovation will require a

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.

building permit, moving a wall, or adaptation to plumbing or electrical, it’s best left to professionals. In that case, McKenna recommends visiting nari.org to find a qualified remodeler.

“It is often cheapest in the long run to hire a professional,” McKenna says. “DIY projects can go horribly wrong and cost more money as well as emotional stress and inconvenience to the homeowner.”

The project’s scope will also depend on the budget available. H-Millard says that as a general rule, a complete kitchen remodel will cost twice as much as the car in the homeowner’s driveway. A cosmetic upgrade will be less expensive.

She recommends that a 20 percent contingency fund be included in the overall budget.

“I often see homeowners try to cut corners in order to focus on aesthetic elements,” she says. “Problems hidden behind walls need to be solved before covering them up.”

Once the scope of the project and budget are determined, it’s time to contract trade professionals and vendors. If a designer is used, they will coordinate this process; in a DIY project the homeowner will hire any needed tradespeople. The designer or homeowner should obtain quotes from various professionals and ensure that estimates given are thorough in order to avoid additional costs being tacked on later.

Finally, create a timeline for the remodel. If professionals will be used, the timeline will be dependent on their availability. Even if the homeowner is planning to do most of the work, it’s a good idea to have a plan for the project’s completion.

In scheduling the project, the homeowner should be aware that a kitchen renovation will disrupt their routine and yield a lot of dust.

“A remodel will cause massive destruction in your home.

There may be a dumpster in your driveway and boxes in your garage. This can be annoying and frustrating to the homeowner, so it’s important to take this into account when planning for a project,” H-Millard says.

Step 3 | Execute the Remodel

Once contracts are in place with the needed professionals, work can begin. If the remodel is a DIY project, the homeowner will purchase materials and begin work. If tradespeople are used during the project, the homeowner may need to be available to meet them during daytime hours.

If a designer is used, he or she will ensure materials are ordered and that work stays on schedule. The designer will also oversee the progress to make sure work is being completed as specified. At the conclusion of the remodel, the designer and/or homeowner will walk through the kitchen with the contractor one final time and note any adjustments needed.

At this point, the homeowner’s vision has become a reality. There’s only one thing left to do — invite friends and family over and enjoy a good meal in the heart of the home.

Deciding Between an Upgrade and a Remodel You’ve decided your kitchen needs an upgrade.

But what will be the scope of the renovation?

Will you undertake a complete kitchen overhaul, including possible structural changes?

Or will you do a simpler kitchen upgrade, including new paint, appliances, countertops and fixtures? Here is some data to help you decide.

What is your goal?

70 60 50 40 30

44

42

34

31 21 23

20 10

To improve surfaces, finishes and materials

To modernize

Upgraders

To achieve better functionality and livability

Remodelers

Estimated Average Costs

An upgrade will cost $35,000 on average. Upgraders can recoup 57% of those costs when selling the home.

A remodel will cost $65,000 on average. Remodelers can recoup 62% of those costs when selling the home.

Source: National Association of Realtors® 2017 Remodeling Impact Report

Laura Araujo is an Oklahoma-based freelance writer.

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Rule #1: Never step on the drywall! See story below.

Home Improvement Fails When DIY becomes ‘Oh, my … ‘

In our February and March issues, we asked readers to share photos and stories about do-ityourself (DIY) projects around the house that didn’t quite go as planned. Happens to the best of us. These are a few of our favorites from those of you who can now look back and laugh.

Rule #1

Instant Kitchen Renovation

Never step on the drywall! I was installing attic insulation when I suddenly fell through the ceiling. Luckily, I held the joist and was safe. The hole was fixed by a professional, and I learned from him that one can only walk on the joists — never try the drywall!

While replacing our over-the-stove microwave, I let go of the microwave to rearrange something and it fell forward, hitting my head and smashing our glass top cooktop.

Apparently the holding pin was not installed properly with the old one. So not only did we have a new microwave, but had to purchase a new glass cooktop.

Over dinner drinks that evening, we laughed at the experience. New micro, new cooktop — and a scratched, sore head.

Yuanfan Yang, Durham

Batteries Not Included We were excited to receive a Ring Wi-Fi security doorbell after watching TV ads of its success in keeping away package thieves. While visiting, our son prepared the online tech settings needed and said all we had to do was replace our old doorbell with the new one. Sounded easy!

We live in a two-story home and the semi-labeled breaker box is upstairs. My husband went upstairs to the breaker and told me to keep ringing our old doorbell while he flipped the breaker switches to see which one turned off the electricity to the doorbell. There are 28 different switches which he proceeded to turn off and on while I was continuing to ring the doorbell.

After turning off all 28 switches, I was still “loudly” ringing our doorbell. So he started over and did it all again in case he had missed one. Again we still had ringing bells.

Every clock in the house, appliances and computer screens were all blinking due to the disruption! Eventually I realized the chime box was in the downstairs hall and maybe that would give us a clue or turn-off switch.

Turns out our old hard-wired doorbell was operating off batteries!

Joanne Walker, St Petersburg, Florida A member of Blue Ridge Energy

Jack Stawicki, West Jefferson A member of Blue Ridge Energy

How to Paint a Floor I love doing DIY projects. I decided to paint my bathroom cabinets in a crackle finish, using a technique I saw on TV using Elmer’s glue. My first mistake? I did not take the doors off. To save time, I left them on and started painting.

I painted my base coat, let it dry, and applied a coat of Elmer’s glue on top. While the glue is still wet you paint your second color on top of the wet glue. When it dries the glue will make the top layer of paint crack open, giving you that crackle finish.

Well it sounded easy enough, except for when I added the second coat of paint onto the wet glue, after about four minutes I thought it was cracking … but the paint was actually sliding off. It seriously all fell off the cabinets onto the floor, which ruined my bathroom floor.

This was a major disaster.

Paula Marshall, Franklinton A member of Wake Electric

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Carolina People

A Life in Postcards Walter Pinchbeck rode the rails but found a home in NC

By Gordon Byrd

T

Using the commemorative stamp for the BSA Jamboree on July 21, Walter writes from Irvine Ranch to tell his daughter that he had a cold shave. The same week, he would send her a postcard from Newport Harbor, California. When this postcard is opened, an accordion of color photos spills out, showing the beautiful blue water and sky of the west coast city; a place that must have seemed too distant to imagine for the young girl in rural NC. Most of the postcards were written to his wife and children. Walter wrote the longest postcard to Bertha. The message goes from the coast to the mountains of Northern California. The cardboard map was sent on July 27, 1953, as Walter was beginning his cross-continental return home.

The very next day, he wrote on the back of the Golden Gate Bridge to his son Bud Pinchbeck, a member of the Apollo Boys Choir. From there the postcards show the scenery and tell the story of a father and husband looking forward to coming home.

An adventure, in postcards In one trip to the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) third National Jamboree in Irvine Ranch, California, Walter wrote his family over a dozen postcards, from July to August of 1953.

Gordon Byrd is a veteran who works for UNC Pembroke. He tries to keep things interesting with a little homebuilding, some writing, triathlons and a lot of time with his family and church.

Mary Livermore Library

he late Walter Pinchbeck made an indelible mark on southeastern North Carolina during his life there, although he described his arrival in more humble terms. “I hoboed in here on a freight train in 1931 — liked the place when I got off, and I’ve been here ever since.”

When he jumped off that train, he landed in the Lumbee Indian’s country of blue skies and pine needles: Pembroke. Walter was coming to meet a family he had only known through letters and photos they exchanged in the interwar period. While serving the U.S. Army in the Philippines with Battery C of the 59th Coast Artillery, Pfc. Pinchbeck, a member of the Cree Tribe from Montana, met a soldier from Pembroke in the late 1920s.

After corresponding with his new friend’s family, Walter decided he would come to visit. His transportation was a freight car on an eastbound cargo train in the fall of 1931.

During the 1920s, Walter traveled the West Coast by train as a transient worker, learning countless skills and survival techniques.

In Pembroke, Walter met his future wife, Bertha, a member of the Lumbee Tribe. They would raise five children together. He also put his skills to work leading a group of Boy Walter Pinchbeck’s 1942 Scouts, which was the first photo from the first American Indian troop in “Lumbee Tattler,” Pembroke the country, according to State University’s yearbook Lumbee historian Malinda Maynor Lowry. These boys traveled with Walter to the West Coast, learning skills that would serve them well later in life.

NC Dept. of Natural & Cultural Resources

A leather vest made by Walter, adorned with Boy Scout patches

UNCP Mary Livermore Library

University career Beyond his trips and leadership of the Boy Scouts, Walter worked as the superintendent and night watchman for Pembroke State College, now UNC Pembroke, before retiring in 1969. The physical plant building on campus is named after him, honoring his 28 years of dedicated service.

The university now curates his postcard collection, which displays a personal side to this legendary man. They remind his family of his desire to share with them every gorgeous vista as he travelled home.

In a note to Bertha in late July of 1953, he talks of pretty mountains, salmon steaks, and then signs off by admitting that he is gaining weight on the trip — “Love, Walt.”

carolinacountry.com/extras

See more of the transcontinental postcards Walter sent to his family.

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O

T

W

o n f d p c t

o t o

S T s p d c o o d a i i r

m t M j t

matters MEMBERSHIP

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ENERGY

May 2019

Capital credits refunds coming in May! Money is coming back to members this May thanks to a capital credits retirement of more than $5 million approved by your Board of Directors!

Checks begin mailing on May 6, so be sure to check your mailbox! Members qualifying for a $35 or more refund will be mailed a check

After being used for a period of years as capital to help finance reliability projects, these funds are returned to members.

This process helps reduce the need for loans, which, in turn, helps keep your Checks begin mailing May 6 for members electricity rates lower. It also helps qualifying for a refund of $35 or more. maintain a healthy balance between debt and equity to ensure your coopThose qualifying for less will see it as a credit applied to their electric account in May. erative’s financial health and stability. separate from their electric bill. Those qualifying for less will see it as a credit to their electric account in May. Members new to the cooperative as of 2019 will be eligible for capital credit refunds beginning next year.

The percentage of equity to be retired and refunded to members is determined annually by your Board of Directors based on your cooperative’s financial condition. This year, the percentage is three percent.

As a cooperative, Blue Ridge Energy doesn’t earn profits. Instead, revenues remaining after all expenses are paid each year are considered “margins.” Margins are allocated annually to members and reflect your member equity (ownership) in the cooperative.

Over the history of Blue Ridge Energy, more than $69 million has been returned to members.

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the

perspective From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson

Blue Ridge crew helps “light up” Laphia, Bolivia Electric cooperatives were created in the 1930s to bring electricity to places other utilities wouldn’t serve. Today, we’re still working to light up the dark corners of the world!

I’m proud to say that three Blue Ridge Energy line technicians are part of a North Carolina team who are helping bring electricity to the small Bolivian village of Laphia. Thirteen linemen from seven NC co-ops have volunteered to build five miles of power lines to connect the community, including 68 buildings and a school, to the power grid.

According to village leaders, electricity will create new economic and educational opportunities for the 120 residents of this rural agricultural community and help its younger members remain in the village rather than move to l arger cities.

Blue Ridge Energy line technicians selected for this Page 22

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honor are: Eddie Stephens, Watauga crew leader who was also chosen as crew leader for the entire NC team; Jerry Gregg, Caldwell line tech A; and Faron Atwood, Alleghany crew leader, who will serve as alternate in case a NC crew member cannot attend. The volunteers will stay in modest lodging with running water for the 2½-week trip.

This collaboration, known as the Brighter World Electrification Initiative, is an effort by all 26 electric cooperatives in North Carolina under the BRIGHTER WORLD broader initiative INITIATIVE of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association International.

This organization has brought Photos (top to bottom): electricity to more Blue Ridge volunteers Eddie Stephens, Jerry Gregg, and Faron Atwood; than 160 million Even amidst extreme poverty, beauty finds a home; Laphia village school house, residents and students; people in Laphia Sub Mayor Judith Gonzales greets Stephens; 44 developing Laphia farm house. countries since it began in 1962.

B p

NC Electric Cooperatives

MEMBERSHIP matters

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M

ers

Director election kits mail late May As a cooperative, your Board of Directors is made up of members representing the entire membership. Each year, Blue Ridge members vote on four open seats, one in each of the cooperative’s directorate districts.

This year, director election kits will be sent to members on May 29. Included will be: • biographical information for all candidates; • instructions to vote online or by mail (online saves postage); • and a proxy for members to vote in every district.

Voting online saves postage, which helps us control costs for members.

We encourage you to try the online voting option for director elections!

Voting online or by mail enables you to conveniently be involved in your cooperative by choosing other members to serve as your voice. However, members may still attend and vote for directors during the Annual Meeting.

If you opted to receive the emailed director election kit, it will include a link to vote.

If you receive the kit by regular mail, instructions are included for voting online or by returning the proxy provided in the kit. If voting by mail, the form must be signed by the member with their choices clearly marked and returned in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. All proxy votes are due no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19, 2019.

To ensure the integrity of director elections, Survey and Ballot Systems, an independent election administrator, was approved by the Credentials and Election Committee in December 2018 (committee members’ names are available at BlueRidge Energy.com). This committee is comprised of members from across the cooperative’s service area and is responsible for ensuring director elections are properly conducted, including certifying election results.

Please note: To comply with proper election management procedures, voting forms cannot be given to an employee or accepted at any Blue Ridge office.

Look for more information on the cover wrap of this issue of Carolina Country in your director election kit mailing late May and on our website at BlueRidgeEnergy.com.

Beat rising power costs

Be a champion! Join others in Beat The Peak, a voluntary program to help hold down power costs for all Blue Ridge Energy members. Participants shift or reduce their use of electricity a few hours during peak periods, when the most electricity is being used.

Beat The Peak participants can help keep rates affordable and bills low and even delay the need for new power plants!

BEAT THE

MEMBERSHIP matters

Blue Ridge-0519.indd 27

SIGN UP today for alerts at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BTP.

PEAK Page 23

4/10/19 3:07 PM

BRE’s vegetation management benefits wildlife

Discounted wildlife seed available to members To encourage wildlife habitat and enhance the scenic beauty of cooperative rights of way on members’ property, Blue Ridge Energy partners with the Whitetail Institute to offer members a 20 percent discount on purchases of wildlife seed such as clover, chicory, chufa, winter peas and more.

These types of low growing vegetation are ideal for open corridors and can provide a food source for many species including rabbits, deer, wild turkey and birds. It’s also the perfect option to enhance appearance of rights of way where large trees and shrubs are a threat to power lines and poles.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson

EDITOR Renée R. Whitener

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Susan Simmons

Members with heavily wooded property near cooperative rights of way have an additional incentive and option: Blue Ridge Energy will pay one-half of the cost, up to $500 per acre, to any member who converts woodland to cropland or permanent pasture. Members qualify for this monetary reimbursement only if

they contact Blue Ridge Energy in advance and receive approval prior to the start of clearing the woodland area.

While Blue Ridge Energy members own the rights of way on their property, it’s the responsibility of the cooperative to maintain the poles and lines, as well as to manage vegetation in these areas in order to keep electricity flowing for all of the membership.

Blue Ridge trims and removes trees, as well as applies environmentally safe herbicides to hinder tall vegetation in rights of way. However, for rights of way in pastureland areas where no large trees and shrubs exist, planting wildlife seed offers an alternative vegetation management option.

To order wildlife seed, go to Blue RidgeEnergy.com > Resources > Purchase Discounted Wildlife Seed and type coupon code “Blue Ridge Energy” when prompted to receive the discounted price.

DISTRICT OFFICES

Caldwell (828) 754-9071 Watauga (828) 264-8894 (336) 846-7138 Ashe Alleghany (336) 372-4646 Wilkes (800) 451-5474 PowerLine® (800) 448-2383

(PowerLine® is an automated account information and outage reporting system.)

Toll Free

May is Electrical Safety Month Here are several basic tips to keep in mind when using electricity: •

(800) 451-5474

(for members outside of the service area.)

To report an outage at any time, call one of the numbers listed above.

OFFICE HOURS:

• •

8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday Kiosk available 24/7 + Night deposit Visit us on the web:

BlueRidgeEnergy.com +

•

Unplug it. Appliances, tools and other devices are still connected to electricity when they are plugged in. Turn off AND unplug all portable electric devices when you’re finished using them.

Toss it. Inspect electrical cords often for broken connectors or fraying, and throw away any worn cords to eliminate the possibility of shock, short circuit or fire.

Cover it. Use plug covers in outlets if you have young children. Teach them never to put their fingers in electrical outlets or appliances, and keep cords and electrical devices away from them.

Avoid it. Never go near a power line. If you encounter a downed line, leave the area immediately and notify your cooperative or call 911. Never place ladders, poles or other items near power lines, and don’t drive over downed lines.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Page 24

Blue Ridge-0519.indd 24

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On The House

Brick Wall Mystery, Solved

‘Weep holes’ keep exterior walls dry Story and photo by Hannah McKenzie

Q:

There are gaps between some bricks around the base of my home. They seem to be intentional since they are all at the same height from the ground and the same distance from one another. What are they?

Should I be caulking them shut?

A:

Please put down the caulk and step away!

Those gaps are called “weep holes” — a building code requirement that drains water out of brick exterior walls.

Typically, behind the brick is a 1.5-inch cavity or air space and then the wood structure. The outer surface of the wood wall is usually wrapped with a material like Tyvek® or foam insulation that keeps water droplets draining down and away from the wood and over metal flashing (imagine a continuous miniature children’s sliding board) that directs water to the weep holes.

Despite different material and construction options, the gist is that brick walls built with cavities are designed to get wet and make water flow down and out through weep holes or evaporate.

Weep holes are spaced every two to four bricks in a horizontal run and are located above windows, doors and the ground. Most often, they are open vertical gaps.

Alternatively, there can be cotton rope, plastic tubes, louvers or mesh installed to prevent pests while still letting water escape. It is easy for mortar — the cement‑like mixture between the bricks — to fall into the wall cavity during construction and prevent weep holes from working, which is one of many reasons skilled masons are essential for home construction.

Some homes with brick cavity walls do not have weeps.

Though not ideal, this situation is hard to remedy, and adding weeps is not suggested since they must be tied to flashing. Keeping the grout patched as it cracks over time is key to limiting the amount of moisture inside the cavity. For all houses, be on the lookout for signs of a moisture problem, such as mold, mildew or bricks with efflorescence (crystalline deposits) or spalling (flaking).

Efflorescence is when water moves through brick and evaporates when it reaches the sunshine. Salt dust left behind on the surface is a clue that weeps are not working or that an event has caused a lot of water to build up in the wall.

The author’s son investigates a weep hole on a brick home.

Those gaps are called “weep holes” — a building code requirement that drains water out of brick exterior walls.

Spalling is when moisture has accumulated to a point that the bricks crumble. Freeze/thaw cycles can also contribute. In extreme cases, bricks become so soft that the surface crumbles like soil. A spalling foundation is extremely alarming but solvable.

Events that may cause water to build up inside a wall include: ■■ Blocked or missing weep holes ■■ Irrigation ■■ Excess humidity from a malfunctioning dryer vent or

kitchen/bathroom exhaust fan

■■ Plumbing leaks from pipes, appliances or fixtures ■■ Air conditioning condensation drainage ■■ Damaged roofs, bricks, grout, windows or doors

funneling water into the wall

There are so many tiny details that keep our homes comfortable, healthy and dry. Being aware of how our homes work and noticing problems can help us find solutions before the damage gets out of hand.

Hannah McKenzie is a residential building science consultant at Advanced Energy in Raleigh who specializes in working with nonprofit developers like Habitat for Humanity to make new affordable housing energy efficient.

26 | carolinacountry.com

CC05-EB.indd 26

4/10/19 10:45 AM

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Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center Reidsville, NC

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• • • •

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• • • • • • •

CC05-wk.indd 28

How do Campers Register for Camp?

Youth do NOT have to be a 4-H club member to attend camp. To enroll, contact your county 4-H Agent at the Cooperative Extension Service office.

OR Register Online at www.nc4hcamps.org

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

GET CRAFTY

Egg Carton Bouquet

Flowers are a timeless way to show the mothers in your life that you care on Mother’s Day —this year, take it up a notch and give a bouquet that won’t wilt. Get the kids started on this one, dads, but leave the painting up to them for a special gift from the heart.

You’ll need: ■■ Cardboard egg carton

■■ White glue or hot glue

■■ Washable paint

■■ Drinking straws

■■ Green paper

■■ Craft pom-poms

Cut the egg carton into sections with four cups each (a standard 12-egg carton will give you three flowers). While the kids are painting these, cut leaf shapes out of paper and glue to straws.

Once flowers have dried, glue a pom-pom to the center of each.

Turn the flowers over and affix a straw to the back of each (hot glue works best for this).

Optional: Craft stores sell cardboard flower pots that can turn these into a lovely bouquet ready for display year-round. A block of dry foam will help them stay upright.

Soft-Baked Granola Cups

This tasty afternoon snack can be made with the help of little hands! Find more snack recipes at aldi.us.

14 dates, pitted ½ cup unsalted almonds 1½ cups old-fashioned oats ½ teaspoon iodized salt 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 ½ cups nonfat yogurt 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries ½ cup blueberries ¾ cup raspberries ¾ cup strawberries, quartered

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place the dates, almonds, oats and salt into a food processor (a blender will also work). Pulse the mixture to a fine crumb. Add the vegetable oil and pulse again.

Divide the granola mixture between 12 muffin cups. Firmly pack the granola into the bottom and sides of cups, leaving enough room for the yogurt. Bake for 12–13 minutes.

Meanwhile, rinse the food processor with water and place back on the base.

Place the yogurt and freeze dried-strawberries into the food processor and pulse until smooth.

Remove the granola cups from the oven and let cool completely.

Now it’s time to decorate! Remove the cups and place on a plate. Add the yogurt mixture and decorate with the berries.

30 | carolinacountry.com

CC05-tv.indd 30

4/10/19 2:12 PM

A GOOD READ

Surf Dog’s Beach Safety Tips

For many North Carolina families, springtime means a beach trip may be just around the corner. The highly experienced Surf Dog is here to make sure those trips are both fun and safe. Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative members wrote and illustrated this colorful book — author Kevin McCabe is a surfer with more than 50 years’ experience, and his wife, Kim Mosher, is a nationally known color pencil artist.

Surf Dog covers everything that will make a beach trip safe, and kids and adults alike will benefit from reviewing these tips before hitting the surf. The book covers everything from sunscreen and sandals to rip currents and wildlife (including sharks).

To learn more or order the book (24 pages, paperback $9.95), visit kimmosherdesigns.com or contact Kevin and Kim at kmbythesea@charter.net.

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Firefly Facts

Fireflies (or lightning bugs) love warm, humid evenings, and they’ll likely be lighting up your yard soon. But did you know … zzThey love the dark. Artificial lights may zzSome may never eat. During their adult interfere with firefly activity. Observe them stage, that is, which is only long enough around your home with indoor and outto mate and lay eggs. Larvae can live for door lights on. Try another night with all one to two years. lights off. Do you see more fireflies then? zzThey’re energy efficient. zzLook for the “J.” The males of the Big Bioluminescence (their flashing) is nearly Dipper firefly (Photinus pyralis), common 100% efficient, meaning little energy is in North Carolina, fly in a swooping “J’ wasted to produce their light. An incandespattern when they glow. cent light bulb is only 10% efficient, zzThey aren’t flies. They’re beetles, and emitting 90% of there are roughly 2,000 different species. energy as heat.

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Use a net to catch fireflies and always treat them gently. You can keep them in a jar with a lid punched with air holes and a moist paper towel at the bottom, but release them within 24 hours, preferably at night when they can avoid predators.

Visit firefly.org for more lightning bug facts!

May 2019 | 31 19-280632_NC_CountryMag_PrintAd_DS_20190312.indd 1 3/18/19 11:54 AM

CC05-tv.indd 31

4/10/19 2:12 PM

Carolina Gardens

Climbing spinach

Okra in bloom

High-Climbing Greens

Garden To-Do’s for May

A summertime spinach solution Story and photos by L.A. Jackson

As temperatures rise, backyard gardeners are bidding farewell to growing cool-season veggies such as lettuce, broccoli, spinach … well, wait.

In the case of spinach, maybe not.

Let me explain. Yes, spinach is an early spring vegetable that will bolt and taste worse than bitter in hot weather. And, yes, there are some “heat-resistant” cultivars that can linger into the early building scorch. But if you want a dependable delectable that will deliver tasty leaves through the summer and into the fall — and be a real conversation piece as well — try climbing spinach.

Climbing spinach, also called Malabar spinach and botanically tagged as Basella rubra or B. alba, is unrelated to true spinach (Spinaicia oleracea), but has a similar flavor and thrives when summer is at its sizzling worst.

As advertised, climbing spinach is a vine. A very fast growing, vigorous vine with heights of over 10 feet possible. The one I planted last year quickly scrambled up an 8-foot trellis, spilled over the top onto the ground and then crawled back up, filling in the entire structure to make a pretty living screen eventually dotted with small, light pink flowers that morphed into dark purple berries.

A true heat-seeker, climbing spinach

should be sited in full sun, planted in organically rich, moist but welldraining soil and, of course, given plenty of upward support to roam.

Since bugs don’t know what it is, most don’t bother it. It is rated as a perennial, but this tropical will quickly croak in cold weather, so treat it like an annual outside.

When chewed, the glossy leaves have a slick texture, but with a pleasant, nutty flavor. The youngest leaves tend to be the tastiest. They can be used in cooking, but I prefer them raw in sandwiches and salads. Climbing spinach also has a spinach-like nutritional punch, being a good source of fiber, iron and calcium as well as vitamins A and C. Although native to the India subcontinent region, climbing spinach is not hard to find on this side of the Big Pond. Searching local nurseries, you might even snag one as a plant purchase, but the easily grown seeds can also be bought online from such popular companies as Parks (parkseed.com) and Burpee (burpee.com), with “Red Stem” being one of the more popular cultivars because of its elegant crimson branches.

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

Haven’t cranked up your summer vegetable garden yet? No problem.

Although spring breezes encourage many backyard growers to plant in April, you can wait until May to allow soil temperatures to rise higher.

Since soil is denser than air, it takes longer to warm up, so delaying planting edibles until this month is just fine (and especially beneficial for chill-sensitive crops like eggplant, okra, hot and sweet peppers, southern peas and sweet potatoes).

FF

If established beds of such naturalizing bulbs as daffodils, crocuses, grape hyacinths and snowdrops have been putting on diminishing flower shows the past few springs, chances are they have become overcrowded.

Wait until their foliage dies down to carefully dig up the bulbs and give ‘em more elbow room.

FF

While it is true Japanese beetle traps catch and dispatch Japanese beetles, the fact remains they lure these bothersome pests into your growing grounds. If you insist on using them, place far away from plants susceptible to damage from these bad bugs.

FF

The temperature has warmed up enough to bring houseplants out for a summer vacation. Just be sure to locate them in areas that receive filtered shade most of the day to prevent sunscald.

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83933

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

4/10/19 10:32 AM

Carolina Compass

Gotcha Groove TGIF Summer Concert Series May 24, Morganton 828-438-5252 downtownmorganton.com

Garden Jubilee Plants, yard art May 25–26, Hendersonville 800-828-4244 visithendersonvillenc.org

Art in the Park Juried craftspeople May 25, Blowing Rock 828-295-7851 blowingrock.com

Rummage Sale Benefit for scholarships May 30–June 1, Blowing Rock brwwomensclub@aol.com

PIEDMONT

Art in the Park Juried craftspeople May 25, Blowing Rock

Acoustic Convention Old-time music, competitions May 3–5, Franklinville 336-447-0931 piedmontoldtimesociety.org

May Events MOUNTAINS Savor Blowing Rock Food, wine, live music May 2–5, Blowing Rock 828-295-7851 savorblowingrock.com

Swap Meet Antique farm equipment, demos May 3–4, Morganton 828-438-8987 facebook.com/ ValleyHillsAntiquePowerClub

Gallery Walk First Friday monthly May 3, Southport 910-457-1129 ncbrunswick.com

Master Gardeners Plant Sale

The Extraordinaires & Cruise In

Plein Air Festival

TGIF Concert Series, cars May 3, Morganton 828-438-5252 morgantonfest.org

Workshops, art show & sale May 16–18, Blowing Rock, NC 828-295-9099 blowingrockmuseum.org

Mayfest

Rooted

Inflatables, derby, crafts May 4, Rutherfordton 828-447-1240 rutherfordton.net

TGIF Summer Concert Series May 17, Morganton 828-438-5252 downtownmorganton.com

Gears & Gables

Antique Power Show

Bike ride benefit May 4, Rutherfordton 828-248-3431 rutherfordhousingpartnership.com

Tractor, truck pulls May 17–18, Newton 828-302-5327 foothillsantique.com

Boat Parade & Car Show

Hook, Line & Drinker Festival

May 10–11, Lake Lure 828-625-9983 townoflakelure.com

Vendors, kids’ activities May 18, Sylva 828-586-2155 hooklinedrinkerfest.com

Candid Camera Live

carolinacountry.com/calendar

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

Stage comedy, TV show clips May 18, Franklin 866-273-4615 greatmountainmusic.com

Community Band Concert

MOUNTAINS

77

PIEDMONT

95

COAST

Lawn and covered seating May 19, Waynesville 828-452-3522

Luthier Invitational

Listing Deadlines: Submit Listings Online: For July: May 25 For Aug.: June 25

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

Exhibits, concert May 24–26, Burnsville 706-424-2700 mountainacoustics.com

May 3–4, Clemmons 336-682-6792 teresalowry65@gmail.com

Music, Dance ’n Que Raffle, silent auction May 4, Pineville 704-889-7145 jameskpolk.net

Spring Sing Musical program May 5, Lexington lexingtonchoralsociety.org

Beautiful The Carole King Musical May 7–12, Durham 919-680-2787 dpacnc.com

Bluegrass Festival Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver May 9–11, Denton 336-859-2755 dentonfarmpark.com

Brewers & Music Festival Bands, NC-based beer May 10–11, Huntersville 704-875-3113 ruralhill.com

Garden & Art Tour Tea, local gardens May 11, Wake Forest 919-961-3769 wfgardenclub.org

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Dearly Departed Humorous play May 17–26, Wadesboro 704-694-4950 ansoniatheatre.com

Durham Blues & Brews Festival Food trucks, beer & wine May 18, Durham 919-696-7733 durhambluesandbrewsfestival.com

Circles of Caring Storytelling Mother Earth theme May 18, Charlotte 509-460-9279 ncstoryguild.org

Regional Morgan Horse Show Classes, competitions May 23–25, Raleigh 919-672-3741 southernstatesmorgan.com

Ava Gardner Festival Screening, heritage tour May 31–June 1, Smithfield 919-934-5830 avagardner.org

COAST Healing Vets Weekend Concert, Ride for Rose May 3–4, Washington 805-320-2967 pamlicorose.org

A World of Gardening Plants, speakers, crafts May 4, Hertford 252-482-6585 perquimans.ces.ncsu.edu

Derby Dash Bash Hat contest, games May 4, Greenville 252-752-0153 rhrnc.com

Know Before You Go

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

Members Show

Jeff Little Trio

May 8–June 13, Hertford 410-746-5204 perquimansarts.org

May 18, Oriental 336-408-4993 olfrontporchmusicfestival.org

Food Drive

Plant Sale

Letter carriers do pick-ups May 11, Goldsboro 919-735-3591 nalc.org/community-service/ food-drive

May 18, Shallotte facebook.com/ coastalgardenclub

BBQ Cook-Off & Festival Rides, music May 17–18, Ayden 252-481-5228 aydenbbq.org

Beaufort Music Festival Vendors, food May 17–18, Beaufort 252-342-9801 beaufortmusicfestival.com

Music and Water Festival Sunset paddle, artisans May 17–18, Edenton 252-482-0300 visitedenton.com

North Carolina Potato Festival Rides, street fair May 17–19, Elizabeth City 252-338-4104 ncpotatofestival.com

Parade of Homes May 18–19, Pitt County area 252-756-7915 pitthba.com/event-3245761

Antique Auto Show

Tour of unrestored areas May 18, Wilmington 910-399-9100 battleshipnc.com

Bath Fest Music, art May 18, Bath 252-945-3985 bathfest.com

Concert on the Common May 22, Greenville 252-329-4567 greenvillenc.gov

Memorial Day Celebration Sky diving, music May 25, Bath 252-943-7033 thegreaterbathfoundation.com

Nunsense May 31–June 2, Oriental 252-571-5883 oldtheater.org

5 East Edenton Street, Raleigh 919-814-7000 • ncmuseumofhistory.org NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

SMALL SURPRISES

Lip Sync Challenge Stage performances May 31, Greenville 252-329-4548 greenvillenc.gov

Dash plaques May 18, Morehead City karylk@ec.rr.com

Line Dance Community Day

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

PBS

Bounce houses, music May 4, Greenville 252-258-0333 bit.ly/line-dance-day

Hidden Battleship

Whether by land or water.

Ride the Tide Kayak float, race May 4, Oak Island 910-278-5518 bit.ly/ride-the-tide

Juleps & Jazz Derby attire, auction May 4, Supply 910-612-7912 gfwcsbi.org

From Stage and Screen Albemarle Chorale Concert May 5, Hertford facebook.com/albemarlechorale

Jeff Little Trio May 18, Oriental

More at VISITALAMANCE.COM

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4/11/19 12:42 PM

Carolina Adventures

CAROLINA COUNTRY

adventures

Bear Lovers’ Paradise

NC festival celebrates black bears and blackberries

By Heidi Jernigan Smith | Photos courtesy of the NC Black Bear Festival

A little-known fact sparked an eastern North Carolina festival now five years running: The Albemarle-Pamlico peninsula has not only the world’s largest black bears, but also the greatest global density. Both the state and North American record holder is an 880-pound black bear taken in Vanceboro in 1998

by Coy Parton (Dolly’s cousin).

Tom Harrison founded the NC Black Bear Festival in 2014 to celebrate the region’s black bears, once few and far between due to habitat loss.

“In the past 40 years, North Carolina’s once declining black bear population has rebounded and increased tenfold,” Tom says.

That’s largely due to a successful sanctuary project launched by the state’s Wildlife Resource Commission in 1971. The presence of black bears in Washington County is now so prolific that in 2004, the NC Department of Transportation constructed three black bear overpasses to reduce bear-vehicle collisions on Highway 64 between Roper and Creswell.

NC Black Bear Festival organizers have a lot to celebrate when the event returns to the Plymouth waterfront June 1–2.

Twice the Washington County event has received best-instate honors by the NC Association of Festivals and Events.

The Southeast Festival & Events Association named it “Best Small Festival” in 2018. Attendance has quadrupled in four years, with last year’s attendees coming from 18 states and four countries. And the event’s footprint expanded last year with the addition of a Blackberry Extravaganza, paying homage to one of the black bear’s favorite local foods.

With black bears now occupying about 60 percent of the state’s total land area, the festival is a great venue to learn about the local bear population and the natural environment where they thrive. It’s also NC Black Bear Festival June 1 and 2 | Plymouth | ncbearfest.com a wonderful time

to get your feet wet, enjoy fresh local food, explore the area’s Civil War and maritime history, dig for fossils, and take a sunset river cruise.

Bear-themed fun This year’s festival will feature over 30 educational and bear-themed activities. Early risers can participate in the festival’s 5K run or a group paddle on the Roanoke River.

Those desiring a bit more horsepower can line up for the motorcycle poker run. Mid-morning, Festival Park officially opens with activities ranging from what’s touted as the world’s only mechanical black bear ride, a motorcycle stunt show, airboat rides, a black bear tent theater, a make-yourown bear activity, free children’s fishing event, lazy river tubing, a magic show and more. There will be numerous blackberry eating contests, and each food vendor is required to add a blackberry dish to their festival menu.

State biologists Colleen Olfenbuttel and Chris Turner will be featured presenters at Plymouth’s black bear museum, aptly named Bear-Ology (bear-ology.org). For those who wish to explore species from around the world, a visit to the adjoining God’s Creation Wildlife Museum is a must.

Workshops will be led by renowned wildlife photographers Mark Buckler (bucklerphoto.com) and Neil Jernigan (neiljernigan.com). Afterwards, you’ll have the opportunity to take to the skies to see the expansive Roanoke River Delta by helicopter. The weekend highlight is always the Saturday fireworks show, which begins at 9 p.m.

The festival coincides with black bear breeding season, which runs May through July, peaking in June. Early registrants will have an opportunity starting May 1 to sign up for bear viewing tours May 31–June 2.

Heidi Jernigan Smith is Manager of Marketing & Corporate Communications for Tideland Electric Cooperative in Pantego.

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ADVERTISEMENT

Good News for Americans, Bad News for Pain Drugs Millions are expected to benefit from a new technology that could relieve years of severe joint discomfort; reprograms the body to block slow burning inflammation instead of creating it

By Casey Law, Health News Correspondent NATION- Several of the major drug companies behind popular pain relievers may take a financial hit as manufacturing of a new pill is now complete.

Using a new technology, the pill could be safer and more effective than many store bought brands.

The pill, VeraFlex, was developed in May of this year by a private company in Seattle.

Functioning primarily as an immune modulator, the pill targets the body’s immune system which can decrease pain in the body.

The Science Behind Relief Research shows that the joint stiffness, soreness and discomfort associated with arthritis is caused by inflammation which attacks healthy cartilage and protective tissue.

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Right now, the leading over-the-counter pills are only able to block one of these enzymes!

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Years of Discomfort Relieved in 5 Days “VeraFlex users can generally expect more flexibility in three days...their joint pain alleviated in five days...and in just seven days, a tremendous improvement in overall joint function that may help them move like they did years prior” explains Dr. Liza Leal, developer and spokesperson for VeraFlex.

“It’s an incredibly powerful little pill.

And with the addition of a patented absorption enhancer, it packs an even greater punch. That’s why I’m so excited to be the first to share these results. It’s giving sufferers their life back.”

A Safer, More Effective Avenue to Amazing Relief Its widely accepted through the medical community that inflammatory enzymes are the primary cause of pain and suffering in millions of Americans. It’s why most prescriptions and even nonprescription pills are designed to block them.

However, what most people don’t

know is that even the most advanced ones can’t block both!

And yet, that’s exactly what VeraFlex is designed to do and why it works so well.

“Top pharma companies have struggled to create a drug that blocks COX and LOX; the medical names for the two inflammatory enzymes in the body.

Consider the top seller Celebrex, it only blocks one variation of the COX enzyme” explains Leal.

“And that’s because they have focused on using chemicals instead of natural substances like VeraFlex.”

“Every VeraFlex capsule contains an ultra-high dose of a patented plant extract which has been clinically shown to block both enzymes, bringing relief to every joint that hurts!

“The kind of relief most people have never experienced. I often say two enzymes, twice the relief. People think I’m kidding until they try it.”

Piling on the Clinical Research Remarkably, the key ingredient in VeraFlex is protected by 8 patents that spread from the US into Canada. And as would one guess, it’s backed by an enormous amount of research, including two patient clinical trials.

In the first, 60 participants with rheumatoid arthritis and/or osteoarthritis were randomly placed into four groups.

Two groups were given the patented ingredient in VeraFlex, one was given the drug Celecoxib, and the last group a placebo. The results were monitored at 30, 60, and 90 days.

The data collected by researchers was stunning.

The groups taking the VeraFlex ingredient saw staggering improvements in arthritis symptoms such as flexibility, discomfort and function.

And even more astonishing they experienced a dramatic reduction in pain by the 30-day mark that was even better than Celecoxib, a powerful drug!

A second study was conducted to ensure the data was accurate and again the results participants experienced taking the VeraFlex compound blew away researchers.

This time it beat out the drug Naproxen.

Shockingly, both men and women experienced a reduction in joint stiffness two days faster than when using Naproxen.

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“But when you look at the science it just makes sense. It’s going to change

everything.”

Faster Delivery, Maximum Absorption VeraFlex is mainly comprised of two patented ingredients: Univestin, a powerful immune modulator which blocks the enzymes which cause your joints to hurt and BiAloe, an absorption enhancer (accelerator) that ensures maximum potency.

Research shows that severe joint discomfort arises when the immune system goes haywire and releases COX and LOX into your blood stream, two enzymes that causes tremendous swelling and inflammation around cartilage and protective tissue.

Over time, this inflammation overwhelms the joint and it begins to deteriorate resulting in a daily battle with chronic pain.

Unfortunately, modern day pain pills are only able block only one of these enzymes, resulting in marginal relief and continued suffering.

The Univestin in VeraFlex is one of the only known substances which has been proven successful in blocking both enzymes, resulting in phenomenal relief from the worst kinds of discomfort.

The addition of BiAloe, a unique aloe vera extra, maximizes the delivery of the plant based Univestin extract to every joint in the body because it is proven to improve nutrient absorption for maximum results.

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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. RESULTS MAY VARY.

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Marketplace

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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

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May 2019 | 39

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Carolina Kitchen

Steak & Chicken Kabobs With Orange Marmalade

It’s springtime, and we’re ready to savor warm sunny days and good food with good friends. This simple marinade with a twist for both steak and chicken is sure to please. Remember to soak wooden skewers in water for at least one hour to prevent burning.

2 2 ¼ 2

lbs. sirloin lbs. boneless chicken thighs cup of steak sauce tablespoons Texas Pete hot sauce ¼ cup spicy mustard 4 oranges 1 bag of sweet peppers (optional) Marinade ½ cup orange juice Zest from 1 orange 1 (16-ounce) jar orange marmalade ²⁄₃ cup rice vinegar 2 teaspoons granulated onion 2 teaspoons granulated garlic 2 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon cumin 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper

carolinacountry.com/recipes

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

Unless otherwise noted, recipes on these pages are from Wendy Perry, a culinary adventurist and blogger, who chats about goodness around NC on her blog at WendysHomeEconomics.com.

Cut sirloin and chicken into 1½-inch cubes, trimming fat from chicken.

Combine all marinade ingredients.

Separate half of marinade for beef and half for chicken.

Add steak sauce to beef marinade.

Pour over beef.

Add Texas Pete and spicy mustard to chicken marinade. Pour over chicken.

Refrigerate and marinate at least 4 hours.

Preheat grill or coals to medium high heat.

Drain and skewer meats. Grill over direct heat, turning as needed to lightly char, until beef reaches desired doneness and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Halve oranges. Add whole sweet peppers and orange halves (cut-side down) to grill and cook until lightly charred. Squeeze grilled orange juice over kabobs and serve.

Yield: About 8 servings

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Carolina Kitchen

From Your Kitchen

Mama Perry’s Coconut Pie My grandma made many a pie raising five children in Franklin County long ago … a proper meal wasn’t “fit’n” without dessert! I remember her cracking fresh coconuts and grating them, especially for her cakes, but you don’t need to do all that. This recipe quickly makes two pies, or you can use mini muffin pans for bite-sized treats for snacks and parties.

4 eggs, lightly beaten 1¾ cups sugar ½ cup self-rising flour

2 cups sweet milk (see “What is sweet milk?”)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 10–14 ounces grated coconut (sweet or unsweet) ½ stick butter, melted

What is sweet milk?

Sometimes you might come across a vintage recipe like this one that calls for “sweet” milk. This is nothing but regular white milk. Back in the day, milk was referred to this way to delineate it from the other most frequently used milk, buttermilk. So if you come across an old family recipe that calls for sweet milk, just grab your plain old milk and cook!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients and pour into two 8" pie plates. Bake for about 40 minutes until solid in the center.

Yield: Two 8-inch pies or about 4 dozen bites

Dilled, Grilled Potato Salad This savory, saucy potato salad is a tasty side dish for just about anything! Make these foil packets ahead and stack in the fridge to be ready to hit the grill.

2 heavy-duty foil sheets (or 4 regular sheets, doubled) 2 pounds red potatoes (with skin) 1 medium onion, diced 4 slices uncooked bacon, finely diced ½ cup kosher dill pickle relish 3 tablespoons vinegar or pickle relish juice 3–4 tablespoons bacon drippings or oil 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon celery salt 1 teaspoon black pepper Chopped fresh dill

Sweet Potato Biscuits ¾ cup mashed sweet potato (about 1 potato) ²⁄₃ cup milk 4 tablespoons melted butter 1 tablespoon brown sugar 4 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1½ cups flour Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Combine sweet potato, milk, butter and sugar well.

Mix the remaining dry ingredients separately, then add to the sweet potato mixture in two additions, scraping bowl between each. Incorporate dry ingredients (don’t overmix).

Pour batter onto a very well-floured board and pat until 1½-inches thick.

Add flour as needed to ensure the dough isn’t too sticky.

Cut out biscuits with cutter or small glass and place on greased pan. Bake 10–15 minutes and cool on wire rack.

Yield: About 10–12 biscuits

Recipe courtesy of Jessica Waugh of Oak Island, a member of Brunswick EMC

Heat grill to medium-low.

Coat foil generously with pan spray.

Cut potatoes into ¾-inch cubes and divide among the two foil sheets.

Combine remaining ingredients except dill. Spoon mixture over potatoes. Wrap and seal the packets.

Place onto hot grill over direct heat; cover and cook 10 minutes. Check one packet for doneness — if needed, cook several more minutes.

Remove from grill and let rest 5–10 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh dill.

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.

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Top dre

Yield: 4–6 servings

May 2019 | 41

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Looking for

where

Recipes?

Find them on page 40.

in Carolina Country is this ?

Send your answer by May 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 June issue, will receive $25.

April winner

The April “Where Is This” photo by Renee Gannon features “Pete,” one of three bronze statues dedicated to William Sydney Porter, otherwise known as O. Henry, located in his hometown of Greensboro at the corner of North Elm and Bellemeade Streets. Pete served as the narrator in the story “Memoirs of a Yellow Dog,” and the statue is based on O. Henry’s own dog, Lovey. A few of you picked up on the connection to this photo and the April article “Along the Writer’s Path” (April 2019, page 32), which featured the O. Henry trail.

Correct entries came from all across the state. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Mary Jordan of Pinetown, a Tideland 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.

Carolina

MAY’S FEATURED TRACK

“Humble Heart”

MUSIC

By Jess Ray Singer-songwriter Jess Ray sings about her desire to walk in love in this track from her sophomore album, “Parallels + Meridians.”

Accompanying musicians on the CD include Jacob Early (drums, vocals), Mason Self (drums, perc), Hitoshi Yamaguchi (cello, upright bass), Taylor Leonhardt (vocals) and Everette and Caroline Hardin (strings). “Humble Heart” has familiar elements such as textured acoustics, weepy pedal steel and smooth, subtle harmonies, but the sensibility-driven lyrics venture more deeply into the spaces between people. Jess’ signature alto and brand of “friendly folk” resonates of her heartbreak, hope and joy with real-life authenticity.“

carolinacountry.com/music

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

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Bob Boyd

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Touchston

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.

”

or

Powering and empowering the people and communities we serve.

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4/10/19 2/5/19 10:33 2:34 PM AM

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VOTING for your directors is important and easy Electing the directors who guide your cooperative is an important way you can be involved in Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation. It’s also one of the many advantages of being served by a cooperative.

This month, you’ll be receiving your director election kit, which includes voting instructions, candidate biographical information, and your proxy. Members can vote for Board members in all districts, not just the district in which they live.

If you signed up to receive your kit by email, you’ll receive the same information with a link to vote online.

Any member may choose to attend and vote during the Annual Meeting at 4 p.m., Thursday, June 27.

Convenient ways for you to vote in the 2019 Board of Directors Election:

Online

Mail

You can vote online or you may cast your vote by mail using the provided postagepaid return envelope.

You’ll be eligible to win an HDTV when you vote online or by mail!

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4/10/19 3:08 PM

Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation

2019 Report on Nominees Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation’s Nominating Committee met on March 26, 2019, to review qualifications and nominate Board candidates to present to the membership for election to four open seats on the Board of Directors.

Through the Nominating Committee process, this slate of qualified candidates are presented to the membership for consideration. Members have the opportunity to vote for their choice of candidates in every district and elect those who will serve a three-year term on the Board.

Members have convenient options to vote for directors by Internet or mail, and full details will be included in director election kits being mailed to each member on May 29, 2019. Members may also attend and vote for candidates at the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting is a business meeting format featuring reports and announcement of director election results.

Jeff Beckett Joines David

JB Lawrence

Caldwell District

Watauga District

Christopher Robinson

James Young

Ashe District

Ashe District

Bryan Edwards

The Nominating Committee nominated these five candidates for consideration.

Alleghany District

2019 Director Proxy Committee As part of the governance process for director elections, the Director Proxy Committee was elected at the March Board of Directors meeting.

This year’s committee includes: Kelly Melton (Caldwell District), Joy Coffey (Ashe District), and Mitch Franklin (Alleghany District).

This committee is made up of three directors who are not running for re-election to the Board this year.

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The purpose of this committee is to cast votes as directed by the member on the proxy in the director election kit. This will include those members who designate the Director Proxy Committee to act on their behalf in casting director votes and those members who make no designation on the proxy form for a particular district.

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