2020-03-BRE

March 2020

YOU COULD BE A

WINNER!

PERIODICAL

Blue Ridge-0320 WRAP.indd 1

A different member each month in each of Blue Ridge Energy’s four districts will win a $25 Visa gift card this year!

Turn the page to find out how to enter.

2/7/20 4:06 PM

Help us help you AND enter to win!

Want the chance to win a $25 Visa gift card while also giving us the opportunity to better serve you?

A different member each month in each of Blue Ridge Energy’s four districts will win a $25 Visa gift card throughout 2020*.

Simply update or provide your current email address, so our records are up-to-date. You may be selected at some point to give us feedback on how we’re doing through an email survey. You’ll also be able to receive special or important cooperative updates, as well as information on new services, such as rebates and special rates that may be helpful to you.

Four ways to enter: • Fill out the stitch insert found in the center of this magazine.

Return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.

• Update your information at My Account on BlueRidgeEnergy.com or create your online account for the first time.

*Contest Rules: Only one contest entry and winner per account. Drawings

• Go to BlueRidgeEnergy.com/ EmailUpdate and complete the form there, if you don’t want to create an online account.

will be held monthly. Updating your email address automatically enters you in all monthly drawings. Members who win will not be eligible for future drawings in this contest.

• Complete a form at any of our district offices.

Enter to win today!

Sign up to easily vote for Directors, too While you’re updating your information, you’re invited to sign up for a more efficient way to receive Director Election Kits – on your computer or mobile device! You’ll be able to elect Blue Ridge Directors through an easy-to-use email you’ll receive.

You can still vote for directors at the Annual Membership Meeting or by mailed proxy. Voting online is a

convenient and cost-effective way for all members to have the opportunity to vote and be involved in their cooperative – despite on-the-go schedules!

Simply agree to the Director Election Kit portion on the stitch card in this Carolina Country or go to BlueRidgeEnergy.com/ OnlineVoteSignup.

You’ll still be entered to win the contest if you update your email address, even if you do not agree to have your kit delivered electronically.

If you agree to vote online, you will no longer receive the printed information by mail.

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March 2020

The many benefits of

Beekeeping page 10

Published by

Co-op honors local NASA visionary page 8

Can an electric mower handle your lawn? page 26

PERIODICAL

Blue Ridge Energy members save money with Beat the Peak program—pages 21–24 March covers.indd 3

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ZoysiaFarms Carolina Country fullpg March2020 Dept5494.indd 1 CC03-wk.indd 2

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1/5/20 3:38 PM 2/7/20 2:36 PM

20 3:38 PM

Volume 52, No. 3

16

10

Favorites 4 Viewpoints 6 More Power 26 On the House 28 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

32

10 16 18

How to be a Beekeeper Beekeeping benefactors share the buzz on these prolific pollinators.

Big (Little) Gardens

Growing vegetables in limited spaces.

Lessons from the ‘NC Tomato Man’

Craig LeHoullier has far-reaching influence in the world of tomatoes.

On the Cover Beekeeper Katie Verna (left) holds a smoker while her mentor, Betsey Spencer, shows off a frame of brood and adult bees over an open hive. Learn about the art of beekeeping on page 10. Photo by Randy Berger Photography.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Your Favorite Swimmin’ Spot Where did you go to cool off in the summer when you were a kid? What’s the best place to take a dip now? We want to know! See page 30 for details.

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Viewpoints

NC Co-ops Vote: Make your Voice Heard

By Paul Mott

This year, North Carolina electric co-op voters will have the opportunity to vote for candidates who will represent them in Washington, D.C., and Raleigh. North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are advocating for these voters and their issues through NC Co-ops Vote, a non-partisan effort to encourage the 2.5 million electric co-op members in 93 of the state’s 100 counties to be informed, engaged voters.

As part of this effort, electric co-op employees and members will be monitoring candidates’ positions on co-op issues including broadband, economic development, infrastructure and more. The last few years have seen greater awareness and steps taken to improve the quality of life for co-op members in mostly rural communities.

This progress would not have occurred without rural communities across the country showing up to vote

in the 2016 and 2018 elections. With this increased participation, elected officials took notice of many rural issues. There is still much work to be done and our continued participation in each election will help our priorities receive the proper attention in Congress and at the NC General Assembly. The 2020 election will provide an opportunity to continue to make progress for rural communities.

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives continuously engage with elected officials to advocate for issues important to co-op members. As part of our NC Co-ops Vote program, co-op employees and members will attend campaign events for national and statewide races in their communities. They will present a united front by wearing an NC Co-ops Vote “Yellow Shirt” to provide unity and emphasize the co-op presence.

Last month, Rutherford EMC Mike Hensdill/The Gaston Gazette

Rutherford EMC’s Brad Bridges in his yellow shirt at a candidate forum in Gastonia

employee Brad Bridges represented NC Co-ops Vote at a candidate forum in Gastonia. At this event, Brad had the chance to speak with several candidates and hear about their priorities if elected to office.

“As a co-op member and employee, I stay informed on the issues that impact our community. Last month, I was able to hear firsthand from several candidates for statewide office about how they would serve our state,” Brad said. “While co-op voters may not agree on every single candidate, if we are educated on what each candidate stands for, we can make better decisions at the ballot box.”

During each event, electric co-op members and employees will look for opportunities to ask candidates the “Co-op Question:” “I’m a member of an electric cooperative. What is your plan to encourage energy innovation while maintaining affordable, reliable electricity for residential consumers like me?”

NC Co-ops Vote will engage with candidates from both sides of the aisle and will not endorse any candidates for election. With North Carolina’s primary election taking place March 3, there will be several upcoming opportunities to attend a campaign event with NC Co-ops Vote. Like/ follow NC Co-ops Vote on Facebook and follow us on Twitter using @NCCoopsVote to stay updated on upcoming opportunities and voter information.

Paul Mott is grassroots specialist for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.

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THIS MONTH:

Bees in the Garden Ever dreamed of harvesting honey from your own backyard? Make it a reality with lessons from the pros in this month’s cover story. You’ll also find great gardening tips throughout, as well as news of the latest electric co-op microgrid, on page 6.

—Scott Gates, editor

EV Convert I was encouraged to read in your January edition about the upcoming electric vehicle (EV) charging network that is being developed as a coordinated effort of the NC electric cooperatives (“Tech-Driven Cooperation,” page 4). Supporting this new paradigm of personal transportation is to be applauded.

My wife (the early adopter in our family) recently purchased an EV as both of our existing vehicles were older and of high mileage. She commutes 110 miles per day as a medical professional and needs a safe and reliable automobile.

I rebuffed the proposed purchase as being untested technology and just a new fad. She called my bluff as nothing but fear of change, and in 45 minutes had ordered her new EV online. I was astonished and afraid!

Now that we have driven the car for a few weeks I am even more astonished, but no longer afraid. Electric cars are smooth, quiet, easy, clean and cheap to operate. Plug it in at night, and it’s ready to go in the morning. We can schedule it to charge when demand is low (“super off-peak”) to more efficiently utilize the power grid and to lower our cost of operation.

The future is here, and it is electric vehicles for all.

Thomas N. Dotson, Plymouth A member of Tideland EMC

Absent Doves I was saddened to read two articles in the December 2019 issue that listed doves and quail as few in number for hunting (“The Elusive Dove,” page 5, and “Woodcock Await Upland Hunters,” page 34). In the last year and a half, I’ve only seen two doves at my bird feeders. I love the sound doves make and am always looking for them.

I hope these two species won’t be the next birds hunted to extinction like the Carolina parakeet and passenger pigeon. I would welcome an article about conservation in your wonderful magazine.

Donna Cathcart , Waynesville A member of Haywood EMC

Mom’s Sweet Potato This is a picture of what I think is the biggest sweet potato I’ve ever seen in my life. My mom grew it. At 82 years of age, she has a very bright green thumb!

Curtis Johnson, East Arcadia, a member of Four County 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 Digital Media Tom Siebrasse Advertising tom@carolinacountry.com Joseph P. Brannan Executive Vice President & CEO Nelle Hotchkiss Senior Vice President & COO North Carolina’s electric cooperatives provide reliable, safe and affordable electric service to 1 million homes and businesses. The 26 electric cooperatives are each member-owned, not-for-profit and overseen by a board of directors elected by the membership.

Why Do We Send You Carolina Country Magazine?

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

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

Has your address changed?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Raleigh, NC 27616

(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800)

Read monthly in more than 700,000 homes

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.

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.

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More Power

Agricultural Microgrid in the Works in Hyde County Partnership includes Tideland EMC and Rose Acre Farms North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives are partnering with Hyde County egg producer Rose Acre Farms and its local electric cooperative, Tideland EMC, to develop an agricultural microgrid that will deliver a variety of benefits to the farm and surrounding community, including enhanced environmental sustainability and power grid resiliency.

The project will integrate solar panels, energy storage and other components owned by North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives with resources owned by the farm to create a microgrid that is capable of generating its own electricity during times of power loss. It will also be connected to the main grid to diversify traditional power resources and help improve reliability and resiliency.

“We’ve been pleased to work with Rose Acre Farms to develop this collaborative solution that will contribute to the overall environmental and economic health of our region,” said Paul Spruill, CEO of Tideland EMC. “Rose Acre Farms is Tideland’s largest consumer-member, and we commend their commitment to sustainability and ingenuity that will benefit our entire cooperative.”

Expanding innovation This partnership builds on the success of and lessons learned from other microgrid projects developed by North

Rose Acre Farms

Technical specs The first phase of the project will include the installation of a 2-megawatt (MW) solar array, and a 2-MW battery energy storage system, which allow energy generated by the panels to be stored and dispatched when needed.

The solar production is expected to offset about a third of the energy consumed by the farm. In addition, about 60 percent of the power Rose Acre Farms receives from Tideland EMC comes from emissions-free nuclear power and renewables.

“Rose Acre Farms is continually seeking innovative practices to reduce the carbon footprint of egg production,” said Tony Wesner, Rose Acre Farms Chief Operating Officer. “This partnership with North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives and Tideland EMC will be another positive step into enhancing environmental sustainability, power source efficiency and resiliency. This will not only strengthen our local electric cooperative for our use, but for the use of the local Hyde County community as well.”

Installation of the solar array and battery energy storage system is expected to be completed in the fall of 2020. The second phase of the project will add a microgrid controller that manages existing emergency backup diesel generators and all the other components to evolve the project into a full microgrid.

Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, including microgrids at Ocracoke Island (also located in Hyde County), Butler Farms (another agricultural microgrid), and Heron’s Nest (the state’s first residential microgrid), and will provide additional opportunities to explore microgrid innovation and capabilities.

“This project brings together two of our state’s most significant industries in an innovative effort to make the electric grid more sustainable, flexible and efficient, which results in more affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible power for the farm and for electric co-op members,” said Lee Ragsdale, senior vice president of energy delivery for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.

“It also exemplifies the electric co-ops’ long-standing commitment to supporting North Carolina’s agriculture and agribusiness industries.”

Learn more about the cooperatives’ work with the agricultural community at ncelectriccooperatives.com/agriculture.

—Lisa Crawley, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives carolinacountry.com/extras

Electric co-ops may be the tech experts, but Rose Acre Farms knows eggs. See for yourself and try Aunt Thelma’s Egg Salad recipe.

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More Power

Grants Support NC Agriculture Applications being accepted through March 6

NC Farmers: Report Inadequate Internet Access The North Carolina Broadband Infrastructure Office, with the Friday Institute at NC State University, is conducting a five-minute survey to gather data on internet connectivity from North Carolina farmers. The data will be used to inform research, policy and funding recommendations to assist communities where internet access is inadequate.

Participants without internet access will need to take the online survey from another location, such as a public library. Participants with farm offices that do have internet access should access the survey from that location and are encouraged to take an optional speed test.

“Access to high-speed internet is a critical business need for North Carolina’s farmers, enabling energysaving technology and helping them

remain competitive agribusinesses,” said Mark Suggs, executive vice president and general manager for Farmville-based Pitt & Green EMC. Suggs is among those working with federal policymakers to enable technology for agricultural operations.

“Electric cooperatives have made the issue a priority with our elected officials. Data from the survey of farmers will help drive future policy and funding.”

The survey was developed in part from information gathered during NC Farm Bureau Federation listening sessions conducted with local farmers and agriculture partners.

Take The Short Survey ncbroadband.gov/farmers Deadline: April 30

Applications are now being accepted for the 2020 NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC) grant cycle.

Funds will be awarded in the fall for selected innovative projects, with key objectives to support the agricultural industry, impact rural communities and stimulate economic development.

“The NCTTFC is always interested in job creation in current or former tobacco-dependent regions, and funding projects that have the potential to generate additional income for farmers and those in the industry,” said NCTTFC Chairman Bill Teague.

“Selected projects should expect to start in November of 2020.”

The Commission was established in 2000 by the NC General Assembly to help members of the tobacco community, including farmers, tobacco workers and related businesses. Past projects include fair and farmers market improvements, cost-share grant programs for farmers, training for qualified farm family members in community colleges, researching alternative crops and support of agricultural education programs.

The application deadline is March 6, 2020. Visit tobaccotrustfund.org for more information or call 919-733-2160.

Electric Co-ops Among Innovators at Electrification Conference Charlotte will play host to the Electrification 2020 conference and expo in April, sponsored in part by North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. The event is the second of its kind hosted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), a nonprofit energy industry research and development group.

The international conference will draw together industry leaders, including speakers from North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, to discuss new ways energy technology can be used to create efficiencies and reduce carbon emissions.

“Electrification 2020 is all about beneficial electrification — improving efficiency of the overall energy sector by electrifying processes

and devices formerly powered by fossil fuels,” said Diane Huis, senior vice president of Innovation & Business Development for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “We’re happy to have this year’s event in our own backyard, where we can share some of the ways electric co-ops have been using new technology to better serve their members.”

Visit electrification2020.com for more information on the event, to be held April 6–9 at the Charlotte Convention Center. Discounted conference admission is available for representatives of large commercial or industrial businesses. Contact your electric co-op for more information.

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More Power

Wake Electric Honors Local NASA Leader James E. Webb laid the foundation for the moon landing

By Cynthia M. Currin

The early years Webb was born in Tally Ho in Granville County and grew up in Oxford. His father, J.F. Webb, was Granville County School Superintendent. J.F. and his wife, Sarah, stressed academics, hard work and integrity.

Webb graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1928 with a degree in Education. He returned to Oxford and worked by day as a clerk for local businessman R.G. Lassiter. By night, Webb “studied law” as a law clerk with an Oxford attorney, a foundation he later built on with a law degree from Georgetown University.

In 1930, Webb answered an ad in the New York Times for Marine aviators. He trained to be a Marine biplane pilot in Quantico, Virginia, and re-enlisted during World War II to serve as a major at Cherry Point.

Between 1932 and 1960, Webb climbed to executive-level positions for Sperry Gyroscope Corporation and Kerr-McGee in Brooklyn and Oklahoma. Webb also worked for NC Congressman Edward W. Pou and practiced law in a Washington, D.C., Law Firm. He served as the Director of Bureau of the Budget in 1944 (where he balanced the U.S. budget) and was appointed Under Secretary of State in 1949.

On to NASA In 1961, Webb was invited to the White House by President John F. Kennedy to discuss the position of NASA Administrator. He intended to refuse any such offer. However, after meeting with the president in the Oval Office, Webb suddenly found himself being steered onto the White House Portico — President Kennedy was slapping him on the back, handing him a cigar and congratulating him on his appointment. The Press Corps was there, firing questions at Webb. His wife, Patsy, was surprised to hear the announcement on the radio.

From that fateful meeting, Webb went on to lead and restructure NASA. Its staff grew to 35,000, supporting an additional 400,000 contractors, and Webb successfully increased the moon landing budget from $8 billion to $20 billion (much closer to the Apollo program’s final $25 billion price tag.)

Webb dressed impeccably, was always polite and retained his disarming Southern accent. He refused to use a government limousine due to its cost to taxpayers, instead always hailing a Black Checker Taxi.

He created invaluable partnerships between NASA and universities. His personal agenda promoted science, technology and the Apollo Program to strengthen the United States educationally and economically.

Saving the space program In 1967, three Apollo I astronauts died in a flash fire during launch pad tests at Kennedy Space Center. Webb withstood torrents of criticism and took a major beating from Congress.

He succeeded in saving the space program by setting himself up as the lightning rod, taking full responsibility for the tragedy. Webb worked

NASA

Wake Forest-based Wake Electric recently launched its Webb Technology Contest to award two high school students with an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in June 2020. (members of Wake Electric can visit wemc.com/webb-contest for details and eligibility). The contest is named after former NASA Administrator and visionary James E. Webb — one of North Carolina’s best-kept secrets.

seven days a week for six months after the Apollo fire to get NASA back on track and gain renewed confidence in the space program.

He left NASA in October 1968 — ahead of the first moon landing on July 20, 1969 — so that President Nixon could name his own administrator. But the success of the Apollo XI mission was credited largely to Webb’s dedicated efforts from 1961 through 1968.

Webb was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Johnson in 1969, and went on to serve as a Regent of the Smithsonian Institute. He died on March 27, 1992, at the age of 85. His grave marker at Arlington National Cemetery states simply: “Lt. Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, Public Servant.” NASA’s newest deep-space telescope is named for Webb (see page 28). From rural Granville County to Administrator of NASA, his legacy has touched all our lives and will live on.

Cynthia M. Currin has served as General Counsel to Wake EMC and Central EMC since 1980. Cynthia’s husband, John Webb, is the nephew of former NASA Administrator James E. Webb.

carolinacountry.com/extras

Read the author’s personal account of a visit to James Webb’s study and other memories of her husband’s “Uncle Jim.”

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How to be a

Beekeeper in e n Beekeep g b efactors share the b

By Tara Verna | Photos by Randy Berger Photography unless otherwise noted

uzz on these prolific pollinators

Thousands of honey bees zip and dive around Betsey Spencer’s hatless and jacketless body.

“They’re starting to get a little rambunctious,” the 67-year-old beekeeping mentor says calmly.

“Well, we woke them up, didn’t we?” replies 74-year-old beekeeping mentee Katie Verna.

Katie peers into the open hive to see frames stuffed with pollen, honey and brood. “Gol dang! You girls have been busy!” she exclaims. As bees buzz and brush her bare legs, she fondly chastises them, “Hey, get off my sock!”

When Katie first got involved in beekeeping three years ago, the Creedmoor resident and Wake Electric member took a class through a beekeeping store in nearby Raleigh.

She graduated with her first hive and immediately reached out to a county beekeeping association, which set her up with Betsey, an experienced beekeeper in Franklinton. That’s when Katie’s beekeeping education truly began, fueled by Betsey’s 16 years of hands-on wisdom earned by maintaining as many as 140 hives.

The two share a passion for these prolific pollinators—in fact, we all should. It’s estimated that as much as one-third of the fruits, vegetables and nuts we eat only grow because these crops are pollinated by bees, according to the American Beekeeping Federation.

You like to eat? Then you like bees.

‘Bee’ a beekeeper

So maybe you would like to help feed the world and bump up the pollinator population? Or maybe you’re just in it for the honey (no judgement). Here are the top 10 tips to kick off your beekeeping venture:

1

Ask yourself: “Can I have bees where I live?”

Make sure local regulations allow you to have bees. If you have an acre of land, this should be able to support a hive or two. Honey bees forage up to 5 miles from their home base, so they should do well if you have plenty of flowering plants, water and sunshine within your vicinity.

2

Katie (left) wears a veiled hat while Betsey shows off a frame of bees from an open hive.

4

Find a mentor.

This is where the bulk of your learning will happen. A local beekeeping club should be able to pair you with an experienced keeper who should be willing to dive into your hives with you. An hour with such a person is worth its weight in golden honey.

Make a beeline to learn.

Read some books, or visit some sites like honeybeesuite.com. Try “Simple, Smart Beekeeping” by Kirsten Shoshanna Traynor, or something gorgeous and moving like the memoir “A Book of Bees” by Sue Hubbell. Get inspired by these fascinating creatures. Bee biology, Varroa mites, flowers, beekeeping jargon, pollination—knowledge yields the wherewithal to keep your hives alive.

5

3

6

Take a class.

Local beekeeping stores and clubs often offer classes that run January through March and culminate in your own package of 12,000+ bees for kicking off your first hive.

Go with the flow.

Beekeeping is a process. Put aside grand visions of sharing your vast honey harvest with friends and concentrate on learning. You will lose hives. You will make mistakes. But you will also become a better beekeeper.

Share the bounty.

With the bees. Don’t be greedy; remember that bees need honey, too!

The first year or two, you may need to let them have it all until they are better established. continued on page 12

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Beekeeping Protective Gear & Essential Tools Although experienced beekeeper Betsey Spencer often bypasses protective gear, using solely a smoker, most beginners feel more comfortable with the following items in their arsenal:

Brush: A brush comes in handy to gently remove bees while observing a frame or harvesting honey.

er

Veiled hat: If you don’t have a bee suit with a hood, you’ll want to add a veiled hat to your ensemble.

Gloves: Thick work gloves may be too cumbersome for bee work while thin latex ones may add some mental comfort. If you get stung on your hand, it’s often because you accidentally crushed a bee.

Hive tool: A hive tool is a small crowbar for separating the boxes that make up your beehive, which are often stuck together with beeswax and/or propolis.

Smoker: A smoker (typically filled with lit pine straw) will calm the bees, buying you time to check on them or harvest honey. Fun fact: The smoke makes the bees think there is a forest fire, causing them to gorge on honey in case they need to find a new home in short order.

Long sleeves/ long pants: You can purchase a head-to-toe bee suit that includes a hood/face covering, but you can also just wear long pants and sleeves.

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7

Double up.

Two hives is better than one.

If one hive is failing and the other thriving, you can steal brood or food from the strong hive to supplement the weaker one.

8

Play with your bees.

Learn by observing your new pets. See their pollen baskets, watch their orientation flights, pick out the queen (she can be hard to locate, like a game of “Where’s Waldo?”) and her entourage. Reverence!

9

Keep an eye on your hives.

Inspect your hives every 7–10 days in order to head off disease and maintain a healthy hive. Much more and your interference becomes a detriment to their work.

10

Fixing the plight of the pollinators

By Greta Burroughs Many populations of native bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, hummingbirds and other pollinators are disappearing due to overuse of pesticides, habitat loss due to agriculture and development, and changes in the climate.

Bee Cities are doing their part to make a difference. Their goal is to make the world safer for pollinators—one city and campus at a time.

Bee City USA Phyllis Stiles personally witnessed the decline of honeybees as she tried her hand at beekeeping in Asheville During this time, she also became aware of the vital role native pollinators play in the world.

“A light went on; the pollinators were in trouble and something needed to be done,” Phyllis recalls.

She and some friends came up with a plan and started Bee City USA (beecityusa.org). The project launched in 2012 with Asheville as the inaugural haven for pollinators.

Through the program, affiliate Bee Cities across the country incorporate native flowers, shrubs and trees into their urban landscaping to encourage beneficial insects to make a home among the pollinator gardens.

Visit beecityusa.org/current-bee-cities to find a Bee City near you. Plan a visit and learn all sorts of things about landscaping with pollinators in mind.

Freelance writer Greta Burroughs can usually be found typing madly away at her home in South Carolina, where she resides with her husband and three dogs.

Tara Verna

Accept that stings happen.

Stings are unavoidable when working with bees. Be aware of any allergies you or your family may have, and be ready for a sting. But take heart that honey bees are generally docile.

Plus, you can minimize stings with protective gear, and by working carefully and calmly around bees (most stings occur when keepers unknowingly smash a bee). If stung, you can use an extractor kit to quickly remove venom from the wound. Or, in a pinch, even a small stick can be used to scrape the stinger from the sting site.

Bee Cities

‘Bee’ an advocate

Katie and Betsey work their bees in harmony, ebbing and flowing around one another as they read hive frames like a book, looking for signs of disease, hunger, overcrowding or lack of a queen.

“Used to be, bees took care of themselves,” Betsey explains. “These days, you can’t just be a ‘bee haver,’ you must manage them if you want them to survive.”

Perhaps managing bees isn’t for you—space, money, time and allergies can all get in the way. Luckily, there are plenty of other ways to be there for the bees.

Betsey “reads” a frame to determine the health of the hive and whether her help is needed. She will write notes on the side of the hive in order to track its status.

A bee uses her straw-like proboscis to gather honey spilled during a honey harvest.

continued on page 14

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“You don’t have to be a beekeeper to help bees. In fact, it is just as important to advocate for them,” Betsey says.

Help preserve the bees’ environment and food supply. In the same ways that you look to feed yourself and your family healthy food, people need to grow nutritious food for bees. But we’re not. Farmers grow crops that are cut at 10 percent bloom to maximize protein content for livestock, according to honeybeesuite.com. Herbicides wipe out weeds along highways and drainages. And invasive species may provide forage briefly, but then wipe out other native species that would have provided a longer bloom season.

How to help? Grow your own diverse, pesticide-and-herbicide-free plants that bloom year-round. (Weeds count, too!) Put out shallow water stations with stones for bee landing spots. Also, consider lobbying legislators and educating others to change laws and habits to be more amenable to bees.

Support efforts to educate.

From STEM programs for children and “teaching apiaries” created by beekeeping organizations, to state fair exhibits and 4-H programs, education is key to a sound future for bees.

As famed Senegalese forestry engineer Baba Dioum put it, “In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand and we will understand only what we are taught.”

Buy local honey. There’s no greater win-win than a local honey purchase at a farmer’s market. Support the beekeeper’s efforts and feed your sweet tooth, all in one go!

‘Bee’ amazed

If nothing else, the more you learn about bees, the more respect you will have for this tiny insect. The worker honey bees (females who care for the hive) live 6–8 weeks and often die because their wings wear out. According to honey.com, these ladies fly 55,000 miles to produce one pound of delicious honey filled

Look closely at this worker bee to see the pollen she has stored in her “pockets.”

Some of the fruits of bee labors: beeswax that Katie has rendered, plus honey with and without honeycomb.

Some beekeepers mark their queens to be able to spot them quickly. The health of the queen is the health of the hive so it’s important to keep tabs on her.

with nutrients, antioxidants and the ability to hasten healing and keep coughs at bay.

Given that, it’s the least we can do to be good stewards of the environment on the bees’ behalf.

Tara Verna is a beekeeper and the creative director for Carolina Country magazine.

Katie Verna is her mother-in-law.

Bees mass near the entrance/exit to their hive while Katie (left) and Betsey remain unafraid.

14 | carolinacountry.com

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Big

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Gardens Growing vegetables in limited spaces

Story and photos by L.A. Jackson

An emerald green swath of pretty curly parsley at Bellingrath Gardens near Mobile, Alabama.

Spring is in the air! So, if thoughts of producing oodles of fresh, homegrown edibles have you ready to dig in the dirt, it’s time to roll up those sleeves and start a vegetable garden!

While the physics of time and space dictate that big harvests naturally come from big gardens, for backyard growers who prefer to pass on the challenges of tending mega-plots through the long, hot summer, or who simply don’t have an abundance of planting areas, there are alternative ways to raise impressive passels of veggies — it is simply a matter of making make less do more.

Go to bed

First, for maximum production from limited growing areas, go with beds, not rows — in other words, place young plants or seeds according to their recommended spacing per plant and forget about distances between rows.

Rows of plants looking like tidy lines of soldiers are better for large gardens in order to have paths to walk around, but this isn’t necessary in small beds. Accessibility is, of course, still important, so, while you can stretch ’em as long as Texas, try not to make beds over 4 feet wide — this shortens your reach into the plants and greatly minimizes embarrassing face-flops in the dirt.

Small wonders

Size isn’t everything in gardening, especially when it comes to growing backyard edibles. There are many vegetable selections — often tagged with such labels as “Bush,” “Dwarf” or “Patio,” — that are modest in height and girth, but still quite capable of producing impressive crops.

The most common big veggie that can be found in smaller sizes is the tomato. There are a ton of cultivars available, but, for starters, give “Tiny Tim,” “Bush Beefsteak” or “Early Wonder” a look. Keep in mind, however, that a majority of these slight-in-stature tomato selections are determinate, meaning they produce all the ’maters they are going to yield in a matter of weeks. Standard vine tomatoes, if kept healthy, typically crank out fruit continually over the long growing season.

Want a wider range of veggies in your small garden?

Squash, watermelons, pumpkins, cucumbers, cantaloupes and green beans — all champs at chewing up space in a planting bed — can also be found in compact forms, either as young plants or seeds, at local garden shops in the spring.

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Small watermelons such as “Sugar Baby” can be trained to grow up, not outwards, in a garden.

Grow up

Don’t think you have to stick to Munchkin-sized plants. Typical strong growers such as tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers and squash can’t be allowed to crawl across small growing spaces, but they can be trellised, staked or caged to grow up rather than out.

Even the long, rangy vines of watermelons, pumpkins and cantaloupes can be trained upwards on vertical supports, but to avoid the dreaded drop-and-splat factor, it’s not a bad idea to cradle the developing fruits in supporting burlap, nylon or cloth slings.

Suspension weight and size problems with standard pumpkins are obvious, but there are many cultivars, including “Spookie,” “Jack O’ Lantern” and “Sugar Pie,” that yield smaller, more manageable 6- to 7-pound fruits.

Ditto for big ol’ watermelons, but with so-called “icebox” varieties like the popular “Sugar Baby” and its 8- to 10-pound melons available, it is possible to hang ’em high, too.

Growing vine crops on erect supports has other advantages besides saving space, starting with making harvesting easier. Also, vertical gardening improves fruit shape and, since beneficial air circulates through the foliage easier, can promote healthier plants.

A (literal) bed of cabbage taking center stage in a flower garden.

Beyond the veggie patch

Looking for even more growing ground? Limited-space gardening with edibles doesn’t need to be confined to small vegetable plots — in other words, anywhere you have dirt in your yard is a potential planting site. And many veggies can be easily interplanted in the landscape as complements, rather than complications, to existing ornamentals.

One popular vegetable that bears the double standard of being both productive and pretty is the pepper.

While blocky bell peppers might look a bit clunky in flower beds, there is a wide range of hot peppers that show off long-lasting fruits in many sizes, shapes and sizzling colors on relatively compact plants.

Like bell peppers, common pudgy eggplants probably won’t qualify as eye candy in an ornamental garden, but there are vibrantly colored fruits of cultivars such as “Fairy Tale,” “Prosperosa” and “Neon” that can also add extra visual sass to sunny flower borders.

And okra, which is closely related to the lovely hibiscus, stays true to its family ties with fancy foliage and delicate, hibiscus-like flowers. One particular standout beauty is “Red Burgundy,” an heirloom selection that has been a veggie garden favorite for many years. Its gorgeous (and tasty) scarlet pods never fail to turn heads.

Tennessee Teardrops” hot peppers, “Red Burgundy” okra and spiky rosemary show off in a planting bed.

Other decorative edibles with strong, distinctive profiles such as curly spinach, cabbage, looseleaf lettuce (especially red-tinted varieties like “Red Sails” and “Lolla Rossa”), kale and Swiss chard (look for “Ruby Red” or “Bright Lights”) are low-growing and, for vegetable plants, actually rather good looking. Any of these can be successfully incorporated as accent plants for perennial beds or flower gardens. In addition, root vegetables such as carrots, onions and radishes hide their crops below ground but freely flaunt flowing foliage that can be used to fill in the fronts of border plantings.

Many herbs are also great “doubleduty” plants. Need examples?

Rosemary’s spiky leaves and delightful (as well as edible) bluish-purple flowers make it an appealing addition to any landscape setting. Bronze fennel’s smoky look is a nice touch for container planters, while the rich, dark foliage of purple basil is a horticultural fashion statement waiting to happen.

And curly parsley, with its deep emerald leaves, is an ideal alt-ornamental to line the front of a flower bed.

One word of caution about interplanting vegetables or herbs with other plants: If you spray any pesticides on neighboring ornamentals, make sure the chemicals are cleared for safe use on edible plants as well.

L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine.

March 2020 | 17

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Carolina People

Joining Seed Savers in 1986 (seedsavers.org) took Craig beyond basic gardening. He developed an interest in finding rare varieties of plants and keeping them from becoming extinct.

He grows about 150 to 200 varieties of tomatoes each year, plus eggplants, peppers and other vegetables. His garden grows entirely in containers or straw bales.

“Tomatoes are approaching roses in terms of getting them to succeed everywhere,” he says, “but every disease, [type of] weather, humidity and critter seems to affect tomatoes.”

Lessons from the ‘NC Tomato Man’ Craig LeHoullier has far-reaching influence in the world of tomatoes

By Margaret Buranen

a

As a child, Craig LeHoullier really disliked tomatoes.

But when Craig was about 12, his grandfather offered him a tomato he had grown. That tomato was the seed that grew into a lifelong interest in growing tomatoes and sharing them with other people.

Now gardeners all across the country know Craig LeHoullier of Raleigh as the NC Tomato Man. Craig has written two gardening books (“Epic Tomatoes” and “Growing Vegetables in Straw Bales”), with a third forthcoming, on dwarf tomatoes.

“This is the tomato’s time. No gardeners in history have ever had so many tomato varieties to choose from,” Craig says. “I’m happy to be an ambassador for tomatoes. They offer an incredible diversity of subtle nuances in taste. I’m kind of a foodie [for tomatoes], like people who enjoy different coffees or teas.”

Craig estimates that over the years he has tasted about 4,000 different types of tomatoes. That much sampling has taught him that there is no correlation between a tomato’s taste and color.

He speaks at gardening shows and events, but don’t expect formal lectures.

“I like to go out and have a conversation with fellow gardeners,” he explains. “I share, they share, and I learn from them.”

Craig met his wife, Sue, now a retired nurse, while he was earning his doctorate in chemistry at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. His work for pharmaceutical corporations took them first to Philadelphia, then to Charlotte.

Tomato pro tips Because not all tomato varieties will thrive everywhere, he always advises gardeners to have an open mind. “Enjoy the journey, and don’t get hung up on growing the perfect tomato [or particular varieties].”

Craig suggests gardeners pick 10 varieties of tomatoes to grow. “Five or six [of those] won’t do well, but three or four will be outstanding.”

For NC gardens he recommends: “Cherokee Purple” (which he had the honor of naming), “Red Brandywine” and “Andrew Rahart’s Jumbo Red”; hybrids “Sun Gold,” “Big Beef” and “Lemon Boy”; and dwarf varieties “Sweet Sue” and “Blazing Beauty.”

North Carolina’s range of climate affects how different varieties will grow. For example, plants of a longer maturing variety may take 70 to 80 days to produce tomatoes in Raleigh, but need 80 to 90 days in Asheville.

To keep deer from devouring his garden, Craig uses two water scarecrows. Their motion sensors shoot out bursts of water to scare the animals away. For squirrels he recommends installing bird feeders and a birdbath.

“The birds drop seed that the squirrels eat, and they can get water from the birdbath,” he advises. “Frost cloth covering the plants will prevent the rabbits from eating them.”

Another trick is to pick tomatoes when they are only half-ripe and let them ripen inside. “Animals can smell when tomatoes are ripe and won’t eat them until then,” he explains.

Margaret Buranen writes from her home in Kentucky.

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Building a Brighter Future, Together North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives are working with members to implement energy solutions that support continued access to affordable, low carbon electricity and improve the resilience of our local electric grids.

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matters MEMBERSHIP

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ENERGY

March 2020

Beat The Peak: actions and savings add up!

Members participating in Beat The Peak as well as other cooperative efforts are producing positive results!

alerts, members can plan to take a few simple actions during the peak period: adjust thermostats a few degrees, delay using large appliances such as clothes washers and dryers, and turn off any unnecessary lights.

Blue Ridge Energy members participating in Beat The Peak, combined with the cooperative’s other electric demand reduction programs, are generating power cost Even small actions help. Sign up today using one of the savings over half a million dollars. The amount saved in options below!

2019 totaled nearly $550,000, which is 10 percent more than the program savings from 2018.

• Sign up online at: Since wholesale power cost is the single largest utility expense, efforts to reduce this cost benefits members by helping hold down member rates.

BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BTP

• Text BTP to 70216 to receive text alerts • Download our mobile app and enable

The power of joining together is grownotifications ing! Members are signing up for Beat The Peak alerts by text, phone or email at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BTP. Alerts are sent when extreme temperatures cause energy demand from consumers to reach critically high levels, which are typically a few hours on the coldest winter mornings or hottest summer afternoons.

Beat The Peak is voluntary. By signing up to receive

Blue Ridge-0320.indd 25

2/7/20 4:03 PM

the

perspective From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson

Building for the future I’m pleased to announce that the cooperative’s new corporate headquarters is now complete.

A staff of 75 employees are now in the new location, providing member and customer support for the cooperative’s 77,000 members and some 27,000 customers of the Propane and Fuels business, as well as for RidgeLink, the cooperative’s business-to-business telecommunications subsidiary.

Total cost of the corporate office was $18.5 million and was paid for without debt and will not cause a rate increase.

Before constructing the new building, a cost impact study showed it would be nearly as costly to renovate the over 50-year-old former corporate office, and would likely cause disruption in critical services to members and customers.

The corporate office is the central headquarters for all the cooperative’s services. Some corporate office employees are behind the scenes, supporting line technicians, customer service and all the employees you see in the district offices on a daily basis.

Others provide critical leadership and management services that make Blue Ridge Energy among the best utilities in the nation for its members and customers.

Page 22

Blue Ridge-0320.indd 26

Let me share insight to the people working in our corporate office: Human Resources, Safety and Administrative: employee staffing, training, development, safety compliance and oversight of the office of strategy management.

Accounting and Finance: purchasing, billing and payments, capital credits, financial and consumer records, financial modeling for the cooperative and two subsidiary companies, building management and capital structure oversight for long term electric facility investments.

Engineering and Operations: electric power plant planning and management (including substations and transmission line upgrades), metering, system mapping for over 8,000 miles of power lines and 32 substations, pole attachment coordination and easement oversight. Manages and monitors power flow 24/7, power supply coordination, right-of-way maintenance, and coordination with line technicians and outside personnel for public and system safety.

Member Services, Public Relations, and Community Relations: assists members and customers, including a 13-person contact center that handles over 10,000 monthly calls, emails and chats regarding every aspect of the

cooperative and its Propane and Fuels subsidiary. Also responsible for member and customer communications and engagement as well as news media and government relations. Provides oversight of the Members Foundation, community grants and donations, and grassroots member committees.

Innovative Energy Solutions: marketing and oversight of programs and services that help the cooperative and its members and customers operate efficiently and be prepared for the future, including programs for solar, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency.

IT: Information technology performs its most critical role in grid security and communications between power lines and substations that help improve reliability, outage restoration, and efficient power plant operations.

IT is also critical in protecting member and customer information and systems including payments, account information, as well as support for all employees.

Propane and Fuels and RidgeLink subsidiaries: these two separate, forprofit subsidiary companies are also headquartered at the new corporate office. Without the two subsidiary companies, member rates would be 15 percent higher. Propane and Fuels see "Building" p. 23

MEMBERSHIP matters

2/7/20 4:03 PM

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Proxy Committee and Director Candidate Nomination information Proxy Committee: As part of the director election governance process giving members an option to vote for cooperative directors by mail or Internet, a Director Proxy Committee will be appointed by the Board of Directors at their regular March board meeting.

This committee will be made up of three directors whose terms are not expiring and who are not running for re-election this year to the Board of Directors.

As stated in the cooperative’s Bylaws, the Proxy Committee serves multiple roles for the membership.

First, the committee will cast votes for all members designating their preferences selected on their submitted electronic or paper proxy forms. Secondly, the committee will serve as a proxy for any member wishing to assign their vote for director elections to the committee. Lastly, the committee will cast votes for members who return their proxy but do not make a choice on the voting options.

Director election kits will be mailed, or sent by email to members who have requested to receive this information electronically, on May 27, 2020. The notice of Annual Meeting along with information about board candidates will be part of the director election kit.

Members have convenient options to vote by Internet

or mail and therefore, are not required to attend the Annual Meeting in order to vote for directors. However, members who have not voted by the deadline date of June 17, 2020, or who voted by Internet or mail but wish to change their vote, must attend the Annual Meeting in order to do so. This year's Annual Membership Meeting will be held at the Blue Ridge Energy corporate office on Thursday, June 25, 2020.

Director Candidate Nomination: Members wishing to be considered for nomination to serve on the Board of Directors have two options: the Nominating Committee or Nomination by Petition.

Interested members must first submit a director application packet which is available by contacting Julie O’Dell, chief administrative officer, Blue Ridge Energy, at jodell@blueridgeenergy.com or by calling 1-800-451-5474, ext. 3202.

The completed packet is due by 5 pm, Monday, March 2, when using the Nominating Committee process or by 5 pm, Wednesday, April 1, when using the Nomination by Petition process.

For a complete list of qualifications and requirments to serve as director of the cooperative, please refer to the cooperative’s Bylaws available at BlueRidgeEnergy. com under Company>Board Governance>Corporate Documents or by contacting any Blue Ridge Energy office.

Building the future (continued) provides propane and oil delivery along with propane products such as gas logs, fireplaces, water heaters and more from each of our district office showrooms as well as in Morganton, NC. RidgeLink is helping improve cellular and high speed Internet access through the lighting of dark fiber for businesses providing these services on a retail level.

CEO, Board and Executive Management: Set and oversee strategy to ensure long-term health of the cooperative and the communities we serve; set policy and provide management oversight of all aspects of the cooperative and two subsidiary companies formed to help hold down rates for members.

p. 23

The new corporate office completes our 10-year building/renovation efforts, ensuring that we’re prepared and operating to serve a growing base of members and customers, now and for many decades into the future.

Learn more about the new corporate headquarters at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/corporate.

s

MEMBERSHIP matters

Blue Ridge-0320.indd 27

Page 23

2/7/20 4:03 PM

Lansing Substation complete:

New substation provides improved reliability and capacity to serve members Construction of the new Lansing substation is now complete and the substation is currently energized. The substation will provide improved electric reliability and capacity to serve Blue Ridge Energy members now and as future member growth and power demand requires.

“Owning high voltage transmission lines is rare for a distribution utility, but is necessary to bring electricity to the mountainous service areas of Blue Ridge Energy,” said Alan Merck, chief operating officer. “Member growth and power demand are carefully monitored to determine the optimal time for construction to meet members’ power needs now and in the future.”

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson

EDITOR

Renée R. Whitener

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Susan Simmons

DISTRICT OFFICES Caldwell Watauga Ashe Alleghany Wilkes PowerLine®

(828) 754-9071 (828) 264-8894 (336) 846-7138 (336) 372-4646 (800) 451-5474 (800) 448-2383

Toll Free

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

(for members outside of the service area.)

To report an outage at any time, call PowerLine at (800) 448-2383.

OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday Kiosk available 24/7 Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEnergy.com + This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Page 24

Blue Ridge-0320.indd 24

The substation replaces two other substations that were built over 50 years ago and had served their lifespan: the Warrensville and United Chemi-con substations. The cooperative will be deconstructing the retired substation sites later this year.

The new Lansing substation is part of Blue Ridge Energy’s long range plan that includes converting 44 kV transmission lines to 100 kV. The conversion to 100 kV transmission lines increases reliability, reduces system losses, and increases capacity to meet power demands of members now and for decades into the future based on current growth trends and projections.

The cost for the property, engineering, site development, and substation construction is approximately $3,400,000, an investment which will pay for itself over time with improved operating efficiencies and meter growth.

Blue Ridge Energyʼs engineers continuously monitor, oversee and plan for the cooperative’s electric plant system so that members are provided with the most reliable and lowest cost electric service possible.

Answering the Census helps local communities The 2020 Census is fast approaching. The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade for areas such as: roads, schools, hospitals, housing and human services. It’s important that we all respond to shape the future of our communities. Additionally, individual responses to the 2020 Census are safe, secure, and protected by federal law and can only be used to produce statistics. Learn more at 2020Census.gov.

MEMBERSHIP matters

2/10/20 11:21 AM

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On the House

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Going Electric on Larger Acreage Benefits of battery-powered lawn equipment

By Jonathan Susser

Q:

I’ve seen a lot of electric lawn mowers on the market, but most seem better suited for smaller lawns. Are there battery-powered options available if I have more acreage to maintain?

A:

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With maintaining large lots of land, the most pressing concern is likely having equipment that lasts long enough and has sufficient power to get the job done.

While battery-powered lawn mowers keep arriving and growing in popularity, the majority have been of the walk-behind or robotic variety for smaller acreage.

Battery-powered riding mowers, however, have been around for a few years, and they continue to improve and grow in number. Today, you can find examples that compete with gasoline versions for a variety of uses, with rear engine riding mowers, lawn tractors and zero turn mowers all going electric.

Current residential models can last upwards of 2.5 hours and cover over three acres on a single battery charge.

Charging is easy and uses a standard 120-volt outlet, though it can take several hours. The amount of time needed will ultimately be determined by a number of factors, including the size of the battery, the level of charge of the battery when it’s first plugged in and the ambient temperature.

Depending on the type of battery used by the equipment, manufacturers may recommend that you leave the mower plugged in at all times when it’s not in operation, so be sure to consult the user manual.

Commercial-grade battery-powered riding mowers are also available.

These come in even larger sizes and can run for over seven hours and cover dozens of acres.

The benefits you’ll see with battery-powered riding mowers are mostly the same as you would

experience with battery-powered versions of other lawn equipment: Maintenance: No starting difficulties and no belts, spark plugs or filters means less time maintaining your machine and more time getting work done.

■ Easy

Performance: Batterypowered riding mowers produce significantly less noise and vibration than their gas-powered counterparts.

■ Quiet

Operating Costs: The upfront cost of battery-powered residential riding mowers is in the range of $1,000–$1,500 higher than similar gasoline versions. But with reduced maintenance and fuel costs, they are cheaper to operate.

■ Lower

■ Cleanliness: Battery-powered

riding mowers produce no exhaust or emissions, and there’s zero gasoline to deal with, so they’re cleaner for you and the environment.

As with any larger purchase, it is helpful to do your research. Read reviews, check out frequently asked

questions, compare warranties and watch videos to learn more about the different offerings.

Also, consider your situation. For example, how much ground you need to cover will likely influence what size battery you’ll be looking for. The information to home in on is watt hours, which can be thought of as the “gas tank” of battery-powered equipment. If it’s not listed, the watt hour (Wh) rating of a battery can be obtained by multiplying its voltage and amp hours (Ah); the more watt hours, the longer the runtime.

If you’re in the market for additional equipment to complement your mower, be on the lookout for battery-powered models of trimmers, leaf blowers, chainsaws and more. To save money and space, the batteries of these smaller tools can often be used across products if you buy from the same manufacturer, so keep that in mind as you’re shopping around.

F

RE AP

Y

m pe

Jonathan Susser is a writer and editor for Advanced Energy in Raleigh.

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Tar Heel Tidbits

It’s a Girl!

For the young (and young at heart)

NC Zoo welcomes a baby rhino

North Carolina Zoo

In January, the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, served by Randolph EMC, welcomed a baby girl — a southern white rhinoceros weighing in at 100 pounds. Zookeepers expect her to gain 100 pounds a month in the first year. She could weigh 3,500 to 5,500 pounds when fully grown!

Southern white rhinos were hunted to near extinction by the beginning of the 20th century for their horns, which some mistakenly believe provide medicinal benefits, according to the NC Zoo. Rhino horn is made of keratin, which is the same material that makes up human fingernails and hair. Today, populations in the wild still face significant threats from poaching and habitat loss.

Ha ve a lau gh!

The Zoo’s herd now consists of nine rhinos, including the new female calf (visit nczoo.org for updates on her name), her mom, Kit, and her dad, Stormy.

Q: What do you call a rhinoceros on a school bus?

A: Stuck!

DO YOU KNOW…

That NASA’s newest deep-space telescope is named for an NC native?

NASA NASA

Next year, NASA will replace the Hubble Space Telescope with a new space telescope named after former Granville Country resident and early NASA visionary James E. Webb. Under Webb’s leadership as administrator of NASA, the organization reached new heights in space exploration (see “Wake Electric Honors Local NASA Leader,” page 8).

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (also called JWST or Webb) is planned to be launched from French Guinea in spring of 2021. Once in orbit, Webb will be the most powerful and largest space telescope ever built (with a sunshield the size of a tennis court). Its infrared vision will peer back more than 13.5 billion years to see the first stars and galaxies that formed after the Big Bang. It is only fitting that the telescope is named after NASA pioneer and Tally Ho native James Webb.

Visit jwst.nasa.gov for updates and to learn more.

—Cynthia M. Currin

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Rules Deadline: April 15, 2020 One entry per household Limit text to 200 words or less.

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

If submitting a photo, digital photos should be a minimum of 1200 x 1800 pixels; prints a minimum of 4 x 6 inches. If you would like us to return a photo print, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (we will not return others).

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Carolina Gardens

Showy Garden Spiders Spider daylilies are both tough and pretty Story and photos by L.A. Jackson

I like spiders, but I really don’t have a thing for every Orb Weaver, Wolf, Green Lynx, Jumping or Trapdoor spider that crawls into my yard. I’m fine with the fact that they, as well as their other eight-legged kin, patrol the garden for insects — many of which are plant-chewing pests — just as long as none of these arachnids dare to think I’m the biggest bug of them all. Instead, the alt-spiders I am more partial to have weird names and no legs.

Getting curious?

“Tennessee Flycatcher,” “Jan’s Twister,” “Boney Maroney,” “Radiation Biohazard,” “Lavender Arrowhead,” “Skinwalker,” “Laughing Skies,” “Octopus Hugs” — these are just some of the many odd appellations caught in the web of showoff plants known as spider daylilies. What makes them different from other daylilies? Their flower petals.

According to the American Hemerocallis Society, a spider cultivar is defined as any daylily with blooms that have petals four times or more the length of their width. In other words, besides being pretty, they are long and skinny.

For me, thin is in because I do enjoy the way the finger-like petals

curl inwards and, with the slightest breeze, flex, seemingly for the purpose of drawing curious passersby closer to enjoy their unusual beauty.

Fortunately for gardeners bitten by the looks of spider daylilies, “unusual” isn’t the same as “rare,” because hundreds of cultivars are available.

Like typical daylilies, spiders are tough perennials. They will survive in many conditions, but in order for them to thrive, find a planting site with well-worked, rich garden soil that receives at least six hours of energizing sunlight a day.

While they are becoming established, spider daylilies should be watered regularly with long, thorough soakings. Also, for their first year in the garden, the addition of a balanced, time-release fertilizer at planting time will help them become dependable beauties faster. In following years, a generous application of compost each spring will usually satisfy their annual nutritional needs.

Garden centers in your area that sell daylilies will probably have some spiders, but for larger selections, since now is a good time to order and plant, do an online search for “Carolina daylily nursery,” and you will find a ton of regional sellers. All

Boney Maroney

Lavender Arrowhead

will likely offer spider daylilies for sale online, but also check to see if any of these e-nurseries might be near enough to visit in order to see their pretty spiders yourself up close and pleasantly personal when they begin to bloom in late spring.

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

Garden To-Do’s for March Showy ornamental woodies such as vitex, pomegranate, rose of Sharon, abelia, sweet pepperbush, buddleia and crepe myrtle that flaunt their blossoms in the summertime will put on better bloom displays if they are pruned early this month before new growth begins. This will stimulate increased branching, which, of course, can lead to stronger flower power. Ditto for berry-producing pretties such as holly, nandina and beautyberry.

F

Rose of Sharon

While adding young annuals this spring, provide protection against cutworms.

Knock the bottoms out of paper cups and put one around each new plant, sinking it at least an inch into the soil, to stop these soil-dwelling moth larvae from chewing tender stalks and branches down to nubs.

F

Aphids can also cause problems on new plant growth in the spring. These pinheadsized pests typically gang up to suck the sap from the underside of young leaves, causing them to curl, yellow and wilt. A blast of water or spritz of insecticidal soap will put a stop to their feeding-fest.

32 | carolinacountry.com

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1/22/20 1:04 PM 2/7/20 2:36 PM

Carolina Compass

Florence Flapjack Fundraiser Pancakes, local syrups March 21–22, West Jefferson 828-964-2432 florenceartschool.org

Disney’s Aladdin Jr

Los Mayas de Morganton

The Color Purple

It’s All About the Story Art about musician Billy Strayhorn Through March 22, Hillsborough 919-732-5001 hillsboroughgallery.com

Murder for Two

Soil3 Garden Show

MOUNTAINS

Speakers, food trucks March 14, Shelby info.soil3.com/garden-show-2020

Five Mile Lake Drama about twenty-somethings Through March 1, Boone 828-262-3063 theatreanddance.appstate.edu

5K, 10Mile & Fun Run March 14, Kings Mountain 704-739-9663 kmgatewaytrails.org

Chili Cook-Off March 13, Morganton 828-438-5280 downtownmorganton.com

An American in Paris Romantic musical March 20, Morganton 828-433-7469 commaonline.org

St. Patrick’s Parade & Rail Jam Kids zone, skiing, snowboarding contests March 14, Boone 828-268-6280 joneshouse.org

Tea with Seagrove Potters Tastings, unique teapots March 14, Seagrove 336-879-4145 teawithseagrovepotters.webstarts.com

PIEDMONT

March Events

March 14, Robbins 910-464-3600 bit.ly/fiddlers2020

Musical about being yourself March 27–28, Franklin 828-524-1598 greatmountainmusic.com Guatemalan art exhibit Through March 27, Morganton 828-438-5362 bit.ly/Morganton-AITH

St. Patrick’s Parade & Rail Jam Kids zone, skiing, snowboarding contests March 14, Boone

Highfalls Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention

Comedy-mystery musical March 5–22, Fayetteville 910–323–423 cfrt.org

Carolina Lily Quit Show Raffles, demonstrations March 6–7, Charlotte charlottequiltersguild.org

Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble

Musical about black challenges March 20–22, Durham 919-680-2787 dpacnc.com

Spring Garden Symposium Several speakers March 21, Fayetteville 910-261-1091 bit.ly/ccgardens2020

Bluegrass Show Concessions, several performers March 21, Sandy Ridge 336-932-5664 banjo42gpw@yahoo.com

Brunch Food Truck Rally Cornhole, live music March 22, Huntersville 704-875-3113 ruralhill.net

Karen Peck & New River & The Ball Brothers

March 7, Apex 919-249-1120 bit.ly/apex-jazz

Show benefits charities March 28, Albemarle 704-986-3666 stanlyciviccenter.com

Little Land: Big Play for Families

Artisan & Crafters Expo

Vendors, costumed characters March 7, Fayetteville 910-867-9700 ccpfc.org/littleland

Ella May Wiggins: Singing to be Heard About mill worker’s role in strike March 14, Pineville 704-889-7145 bit.ly/polk-ellamay

March 28, Statesville 650-443-6464 bit.ly/StatesvilleCraftersExpo

COAST Disney’s Frozen, Jr. Elsa, Anna and friends onstage Through March 8, New Bern 252-633-3318 rivertowneplayers.org

carolinacountry.com/calendar

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

MOUNTAINS

77

PIEDMONT

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

95

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

COAST

Soil3 Garden Show Speakers, food trucks March 14, Shelby

34 | carolinacountry.com

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2/10/20 3:39 PM

Carolina Compass

Watson Brass Faculty quintet performs March 1, Oriental 252-617-2125 pamlicomusic.org

Open Studio Demonstrations by artists March 2–31, Hertford 252-426-3041 perquimansarts.org

Brown Bag Gam Lectures Includes lives of female pirates March 5, 12, 19, 25, Beaufort 252-504-7740 ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com

Coastal Consumer Showcase Auction, free samples March 5, Southport 910-457-6964 bit.ly/Southport-CCS

Coastal Home & Garden Show March 7–8, Morehead City bit.ly/home-garden2020

5K & Kids Fun Run Benefits high school grads March 7, Newport goforthegoldCHS@gmail.com bit.ly/GofortheGold5K

Know Before You Go

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

Sensory Saturday: Lucky Sailor Geared for those with special needs March 7, Southport 910-477-5151 bit.ly/ncmaritime2020

Firepower!

Learn about equipment March 7, Wilmington 910-399-9100 battleshipnc.com

Shark Tales Story time, crafts March 11, Beaufort 252-504-7740 maritime@ncdcr.go

The Jungle Book Boy raised by caring wolves March 13–14, Ayden 252-756-4959 facebook.com/ SmilesandFrownsPlayhouse

Georgia On My Mind Musical tribute to Ray Charles March 13, Greenville 252-737-5444 artscomm.ecu.edu/georgia

St Patrick’s Day Festival Petting zoo, beer garden March 14, Emerald Isle 252-354-6350 bit.ly/stpatty2020

Onslow Bridal Expo Wedding vendors, prizes March 14, Jacksonville 910-347-3141 engagedonslow.com

Alcohol and the Irish Program about immigrants March 17, Southport 910-477-5151 bit.ly/ncmaritime2020

Angelina Ballerina: The Musical Family friendly show March 20, Greenville 252-737-5444 artscomm.ecu.edu/angelina/

Old Fashioned Planter’s Day Demos, vintage farm equipment March 27–28, Garland 910-850-1525 grahamagmuseum@gmail.com

1-3 MAY 2020 FREE Admission +Parking

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CherryPointAirshow.com March 2020 | 35

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2/7/20 2:36 PM

CAROLINA COUNTRY

adventures The N.C. Equal Suffrage Association headquarters in Raleigh (foreground). The States’ Rights Defense League office (background) opposed the amendment based on belief it infringed on states’ rights.

North Carolina suffragists

Votes for Women in the Old North State A traveling exhibit commemorates the women’s suffrage movement

By Renee Gannon | Photos courtesy of the State Archives of North Carolina

W

omen in North Carolina have long been politically active. The first occurrence on record dates back to 1774, when a group of 51 women gathered at the home of Penelope Barker for the Edenton Tea Party, sending a scathing letter to King George III of England announcing a boycott of East Indian tea as long as it is taxed by the British.

For almost 150 years following that historic tea boycott, women sought representation, here in North Carolina and across the United States. According to an NC history timeline, those acts of courage, persistence, resistance, and some say defiance, finally came to fruition with the meeting of the Equal Suffrage League of North Carolina in 1914. But it took five more years for the Women’s Suffrage Amendment to make its way through Congress in 1919, then out to the states for ratification. On August 26, 1920, the Women’s Right to Vote officially became the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Today, more than 66 million women cast votes in elections across the country, including almost 3.6 million in North Carolina alone.

To celebrate and educate the 100th anniversary of this momentous occasion, the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (ncdcr.gov) and State Archives of North Carolina (archives.ncdcr.gov) created a 15-month-long traveling exhibit featuring 10 archival documents and other items related to women’s suffrage.

Artifacts include both pro- and anti-suffrage propaganda, political cartoons, a suffragist’s sash and the original copy of the 19th Amendment sent to North Carolina for ratification.

The traveling exhibit, which will run through Spring 2021, is part of a larger She Changed the World education initiative throughout the state. Exhibit stops have been planned through December 2020. Visit ncdcr.gov/ shechangedtheworld for an updated schedule.

Sarah E. Koonts, director of the NC Division of Archives and Records, talks to schoolchildren about the exhibit.

Morganton

Tarboro

Yanceyville

Graham

Asheville

Elizabeth City

Greensboro

Statesville

Laurinburg

Farmville

February 29 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Morganton Public Library 204 South King St. March 6 1–5 p.m.

Alamance Community College Main Building 1247 Jimmie Kerr Rd.

Raleigh

April 3 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Meredith College Carlyle Campbell Library 3800 Hillsborough St.

Gibsonville

April 18 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum Kimbrall Hall 6136 Burlington Rd.

May 16 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Edgecombe County Memorial Library 909 North Main St. June 6 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Pack Memorial Library 67 Haywood St. July 25 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Bennett College Building TBD 900 East Washington St. August 22 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Scotland County Memorial Library 312 West Church St.

September 26 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Gunn Memorial Public Library 161 Main Street East October 1 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Museum of the Albemarle 501 South Water St. November 17 Time TBD Iredell County Public Library 201 North Tradd St. December Time TBD Farmville Community Arts Council

36 | carolinacountry.com

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2/7/20 3:49 PM

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN T HE LIVES OF OT HERS ( AND

Are you aware of a child in need?

HAVE A GOOD T IME TOO !)

Our fraternal organization has made a signiďŹ cant impact on the lives of children, seniors and local communities for 130 years. Over 10,000 children who deserved a second chance in life have been granted that opportunity through the generosity of the men and women of the Moose. These same members take care of seniors who need a helping hand as they enter their twilight years; and last year alone, the Moose contributed over $50 million in community service throughout our nation.

But the Moose is so much more! With nearly 1,500 local lodge homes and 900,000 members across the country, our Fraternity offers the chance to build lifelong friendships and memories through a variety of activities and events.

There’s probably a lodge or chapter near you, so why not check us out to see if we can make a difference in your life as well?

Visit www.mooseintl.org today!

Mooseheart cares for youth whose families are unable, for a wide variety of reasons, to care for them. Visit www.mooseheart.org for more information.

CC03-wk.indd 37

2/7/20 2:36 PM

Marketplace

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STORAGE BUILDINGS HAY BARNS HORSE BARNS GARAGES

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*Custom building shown.

Call for pricing.

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Protective Sleeves: 100% Guaranteed

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BBB A+ rating for 40 years!

Highest Quality Low Prices!

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

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• Prevents Cuts & Scratches • Durable Soft Leather • Adjustable Air-Flow

armchaps.com • 651-492-4830

40

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

38 | carolinacountry.com

CC03-wk.indd 38

2/7/20 3:03 PM

Marketplace

Real Estate

Vacation Rental

Gold Maps

14.5 ACRES W/TIMBER & road frontage for sale or lease Chatham Cty. 912-635-3119

ATLANTIC BEACH OCEANFRONT CONDO, breathtaking view. 1/BD, 1½ /BA, $100.00. 816-931-3366.

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

HURRICANE SURVIVOR! Beautiful contemporary 1+ bedroom house for sale by owners on Ocracoke Island, NC. Very secluded.

See: bit.ly/170-Brughs-Ridge-Rd-Ocracoke-NC

For Sale

TRIANGLE DETECTORS. Large selection of metal detectors and gold prospecting equipment, SALES & RENTALS. Durham 919-949-4007

3 POUND PACKAGES OF HONEYBEES, $120.00 per package. Pickup day March 29th (weather dependent) in Mooresboro NC. mswaf100@gmail.com or 704-4722917

WANTED: SELF STORAGE FACILITIES under 100 units.

We pay cash and can close in 30 days or less. Text Sue: 704-221-1698.

WE BUY NORTH CAROLINA LAND — Cash paid quickly.

Farmland, timberland, hunting land. Any size. No lots in developments. Local buyer, have cash, looking for long term investment, recreation and conservation. For quickest offer and closing: www.nclandbuyers.com or 910-239-8929

HEIRLOOM SEEDS for your garden.Free catalog. Call 828-389-2642 or wright Seedworthy. 31 Wounded Knee Ln. Hayesville, NC 28904 seedworthy@gmail.com Website seedworthy.org A BOOK OF COLLECTED “YOU KNOW YOU’RE FROM CAROLINA COUNTRY IF…” submissions from Carolina Country magazine readers. You know you’re from Carolina country if you say “Laud ham mercy!” 96 pages, illustrated, 4 by 5½ inches. Only $7 per book (includes shipping and tax). Send payment to “You Know,” Carolina Country, PO Box 27306, Raleigh, NC 27611. Or buy with a credit card at our secure online site at carolinacountry.com.

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

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

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

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

A

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

Miscellaneous CASH PAID FOR OLD FISHING LURES—Call Rick Hutton 704-695-4917 PLAY GOSPEL SONGS BY EAR—$12.95. “Learn Gospel Music.” Chording, runs, fills—$12.95. Both $24.

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

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

T

Clogged, Backed—up Septic System…Can anything Restore It? Dear Darryl DEAR DARRYL: My home is about 10 years old, and so is my septic system.

I have always taken pride in keeping my home and property in top shape. In fact, my neighbors and I are always kidding each other about who keeps their home and yard nicest. Lately, however, I have had a horrible smell in my yard, and also in one of my bathrooms, coming from the shower drain. My grass is muddy and all the drains in my home are very slow.

My wife is on my back to make the bathroom stop smelling and as you can imagine, my neighbors are having a field day, kidding me about the mud pit and sewage stench in my yard. It’s humiliating. I called a plumber buddy of mine, who recommended pumping (and maybe even replacing) my septic system. But at the potential cost of thousands of dollars, I hate to explore that option.

I tried the store bought, so called, Septic treatments out there, and they did Nothing to clear up my problem. Is there anything on the market I can pour or flush into my system that will restore it to normal, and keep it maintained?

Clogged and Smelly – Greensboro , NC

DEAR CLOGGED AND SMELLY: As a reader of my column, I am sure you are aware that I have a great deal of experience in this particular field. You will be glad to know that there IS a septic solution that will solve your back-up and effectively restore your entire system from interior piping throughout the septic system and even unclog the drain field as well. SeptiCleanse® Shock and Maintenance Programs deliver your system the fast active bacteria and enzymes needed to liquefy solid waste and free the clogs causing your back-up.

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SeptiCleanse® Shock and Maintenance Programs are designed to work on any septic system regardless of design or age. From modern day systems to sand mounds, and systems installed generations ago, I have personally seen SeptiCleanse unclog and restore these systems in a matter of weeks. I highly recommend that you try it before spending any money on repairs. SeptiCleanse products are available online at www.septicleanse.com or you can order or learn more by calling toll free at 1-888-899-8345. If you use the promo code "NCS10", you can get a free shock treatment, added to your order which normally costs $169.

Make sure to use that code when you call or buy online.

March 2020 | 39

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Carolina Kitchen

Tangerine-Apple Salad With pomegranate vinegar dressing

Where good salads go bad is in the dressing, because bottled dressings often contain a lot of fat, sugar, salt and preservatives. Dressing is easy to make, which lets you control the seasonings. Pomegranate vinegar has a fruity flavor and is available in larger supermarkets. Increase the honey if you prefer a sweeter dressing.

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T t S a

Dressing 2 tablespoons pomegranate vinegar 4 tablespoons grapeseed or vegetable oil 1 tablespoon honey ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste 1 teaspoon grated orange zest (about ½ of a large orange) 2 teaspoons orange juice 1 garlic clove, crushed Salad 4–5 cups salad greens (arugula, spinach, leaf lettuce or a combination) ¼ of a large red onion, thinly sliced 1 medium tangerine, peeled and divided into sections 1 small apple, unpeeled, chopped ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese For the dressing, whisk the vinegar, oil, honey, salt, pepper, orange zest and orange juice in a medium bowl until well combined. Stir in the garlic clove. Set aside.

Put the salad greens and red onion in a large bowl. Add a small amount of dressing, just enough to moisten the salad (you will not need all of the dressing). Toss to coat. Top with tangerine sections, apple and feta. Serve immediately. Pass the remaining dressing at the table for guests to add, if desired.

Notes: Dressing can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to four days. Bring to room temperature before using. Add cooked shrimp or chicken for a heartier salad.

Yield: 4 servings

carolinacountry.com/extras Making your own dressing is healthier and cheaper than store-bought. And easy-peasy with the help of our DIY dressing chart.

8

P a s m

a

p i

Y

Sweet-Spicy Salmon

Honey accents the natural sweetness of salmon, and a little heat makes things interesting. Find Asian chili-garlic sauce in the Asian food sections of supermarkets.

1½ tablespoons honey Olive oil 1 teaspoon Asian 4 salmon filet portions chili-garlic sauce (approximately 1 pound total) 2 tablespoons lime juice Coarsely chopped peanuts, for garnish 2 teaspoons tomato paste Pinch of salt Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, chili-garlic sauce, lime juice, tomato paste and pinch of salt until combined.

Cover the bottom of a baking pan with a little olive oil. Place the salmon filets in the pan, skin side down, and sprinkle lightly with salt.

Spread the honey mixture over the filets.

Bake for 12–15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the filets and how done you like your salmon. Top with peanuts and serve.

Yield: 4 servings

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2/10/20 3:28 PM

Carolina Kitchen

From Your Kitchen

Roasted Carrots

Irish Soda Bread

With tahini-mustard sauce

Tahini, a sesame paste, is popular in Middle Eastern cooking. Find it in the supermarket in the international section, or with the peanut butter.

Stone-ground mustard contains whole mustard seeds, and adds texture and flavor. Make the sauce a few hours ahead and refrigerate it.

8–10 carrots, cut into approximately 2-inch chunks 4 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon cumin ½ teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

2 1 1 2

tablespoons tahini teaspoon honey tablespoon lemon juice teaspoons stone-ground mustard Chopped fresh chives, for garnish (optional)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Put the carrots in a large bowl and toss with the olive oil, garlic powder, cumin, cinnamon and salt. Spread the carrots onto a baking sheet and roast for 15–20 minutes, or until a sharp knife slides in easily.

In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, honey, lemon juice and mustard.

Spread the tahini sauce onto a serving platter or individual plates. Place the carrots on top, and garnish with chopped chives, if desired.

Yield: 4 servings

Though most commonly attributed to Ireland, American Indians were the first people to use pearl-ash (baking soda’s predecessor) to leaven their bread. The Irish version appeared in the late 1830s, when baking soda first appeared in the United Kingdom. Ireland’s financial strife at the time also led to its creation, as it used so few ingredients. A cross marked on the top of the bread was thought to ward off evil and protect the household. This untraditional version (above) is known as “Spotted Dog” thanks to the raisins.

4 1 1 1

cups flour cup sugar teaspoon salt heaping teaspoon baking powder 1 heaping teaspoon baking soda

1 cup cold butter, cut into pieces 1 tablespoon caraway seeds 1½ cups raisins 1¹/₃ cups buttermilk 1 beaten egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Cut in the butter (using a pastry cutter or two forks) until it resembles coarse meal or crumbs. Stir in the caraway seeds and raisins.

Mix the buttermilk and egg in a separate bowl. Stir them into the dry ingredients until just moistened. Don’t over stir, but try to get the dough to come together.

Turn everything onto a well-floured surface and knead lightly until smooth (about 2 minutes). Use well-floured hands as the dough will be sticky. Shape into a ball and place on a greased, flat cookie sheet. Pat down to form a 7-inch round loaf. Cut a 4-inch “X” into the top, about ½ inch deep.

Brush the top with some buttermilk. Bake about 45–50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Cool at least 10 minutes and serve warm with butter.

Store tightly wrapped for 3–4 days or freeze for 2–3 months.

Recipe courtesy of Kevin McCabe, Buxton, a member of Cape Hatteras Electric.

Send Us Your Recipes Unless otherwise noted, recipes on this page are from Debbie Moose (debbiemoose.com), who has authored seven cookbooks and is a former food editor for The News & Observer in Raleigh.

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

March 2020 | 41

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where

N w

in Carolina Country is this ?

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

Online:

carolinacountry.com/where

By mail: Where in Carolina Country?

P.O. Box 27306

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

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

February winner

The February “Where Is This photo” by Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative member Susan Stepputtis features an old mill house and water wheel next to the Hartsfield Clock & Watch Repair shop located on NC Highway 24 (Freedom Way) between Swansboro and Jacksonville, near Hubert in Onslow County. Reader Roy Rogers says the mill house and its water wheel has been there for more than 50 years. Laurie Eudy remembers watching water spilling over the wheel as a kid on the way to soccer matches. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Pam Redfearn of Cedar Point, a Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative 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.

Corey Johnson

Carolina

MUSIC March’S FEATURED TRACK

“Rusty Rails”

By Carolina Blue

This tune about the desire to escape the past was inspired by abandoned railroad tracks in Tim Jones’s and Bobby Powell’s hometown of Brevard. It’s one of 13 tracks on Carolina Blue’s 2019 album, “I Hear Bluegrass Calling.”

Other notable songs include “Dark Mountainside,” “Glory Bound Train,” and “Fried Taters and Onions.”

There’s been a lot of welcome industry buzz about the album (many years in the making), and in early February it won four awards at the National Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America Awards held in Nashville, including Album of the Year and Entertainers of the Year.

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1 carolinacountry.com/music Learn more about Carolina Blue and listen to this featured track, as well as others from NC musicians.

2/7/20 3:23 PM

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month

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winter got its claws on your heating bills?

Winter weather can be a bear on power bills!

Harsh temps force your heating system to work extra hard to keep up with the thermostat setting.

Use these tips to reduce heating costs • Take advantage of saving tools. Usage Tracker is a free tool that shows how much electricity you’re using each day and the impacts of outside temperatures. Find Usage Tracker on “My Account” at BlueRidgeEnergy.com.

• Lower your thermostat. Heating your home accounts for about 42%* of the typical utility bill. Lowering the thermostat by even 1 or 2 degrees will reduce your electricity costs related to heating.

• Find and seal air leaks. This can save you anywhere from 5% to 30%** per year on energy costs.

• Change filters regularly. A dirty filter can slow air flow and make your heating system work harder, which increases electricity use and your bill.

Find more solutions to loosen winter’s grip at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/101. *According to energy.gov

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**According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy

2/7/20 4:06 PM

Together, we’re

STAYING ON TOP of power costs!

Beat The Peak volunteers and Blue Ridge Energy staff efforts saved the cooperative almost $550,000 —

more than half a million dollars —

Peaks typically occur for a few hours on the coldest winter mornings and the hottest summer afternoons, when demand for electricity is at its highest.

last year in wholesale power costs!

The savings increased 10% over the previous year. With the help of new Beat The Peak volunteers and renewed efforts of those already involved, the savings could climb even higher.

The cost of wholesale power tops the list of the cooperative’s expenses.

Holding down this cost helps hold down rates.

You can help by shifting the time you use electricity from peak times of electric use to off-peak times. You could simply turn off an electronic device or run the dishwasher at an off-peak time.

In order for you to know when to shift electricity use, you need to know when peaks may occur. That’s where peak alerts come in.

Join the effort! It’s easy: 1 SIGN UP for peak alerts online, on our mobile app or text “BTP” to 70216.

Receive your choice of text, 2 email or mobile app alerts to be notified about a peak.

Take action to reduce 3 electricity use during peaks: • Delay laundry and chores requiring electricity • Adjust your thermostat a few degrees • Turn off unnecessary lights.

BEAT THE

PEAK

Volunteer today at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BTP. Blue Ridge-0320 WRAP.indd 4

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