2020-04-BRE

April 2020

BEAT THE

PEAK

Together, we’re

STAYING ON TOP of power costs!

Find out how you can help keep rates affordable by joining the Beat The Peak effort.

(See next page.)

PERIODICAL

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Together, we’re

STAYING ON TOP of power costs!

Beat The Peak volunteers and Blue Ridge Energy staff efforts last year saved the cooperative almost $550,000 in wholesale power costs.

Help the savings climb even higher! The more members who participate in Beat The Peak, the more all members benefit.

What is “Beat The Peak”?

Beat The Peak is a voluntary program to help keep rates affordable for all Blue Ridge Energy members. Participants voluntarily shift or reduce their use of electricity during peak periods, when people are using the most electricity all at once.

What are the benefits?

Actions help keep rates as low as possible by holding down the price of the power purchased by your cooperative. It can even delay the need for new power plants!

How does Beat The Peak work?

Once volunteers receive alerts, they take action during the projected peak time to

lower their use of electricity, typically for just a few hours. You could set a thermostat to 78 degrees during summer, turn off unneeded lights, or delay using hot water and running large appliances, like clothes dryers and dishwashers.

How often do peaks occur?

Peaks occur based on weather and electricity usage patterns. These typically occur during the hottest summer afternoons and the coldest winter mornings.

How will I know when a peak will occur?

Sign up to receive a text, email or app notification to be notified in advance of a peak period! You can select how you want to be alerted on BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BTP or through our mobile app.

It’s easy!

Step 1: Sign up for peak alerts at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BTP, on our mobile app or text “BTP” to 70216.

Step 2: Take actions to reduce electricity use during peak periods.

BEAT THE

PEAK

Beat The Peak is a voluntary program that benefits all Blue Ridge Energy members. Please note that members will not see a credit on bills for conserving energy, nor will they be penalized if they choose not to shift their power use during peak times. However, participating in Beat The Peak helps everyone by keeping the cost of wholesale power, rates and bills as low as possible, and may help avoid the need for additional power plants.

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April 2020

Carolina Country

Adventures Starting on page 14

Published by

Power from poultry waste page 6

Should you replace drafty windows? page 29

PERIODICAL

Blue Ridge Energy members: Opt to vote online for director elections—pages 25–28 April covers.indd 3

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When comfort goes beyond

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Volume 52, No. 4

30

14

Favorites 4 Viewpoints 6 More Power 22 Carolina People 29 Energy Sense 33 Call for Submissions 38 Carolina Compass 40 Adventures 42 I Remember 44 Carolina Gardens 46 Marketplace 48 Carolina Kitchen 50 Where is This?

50 Featured Artist

On the Cover A 235,000-gallon tank at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher features three shark species, Shelldon (a rescued green sea turtle) and other sea life found off our coast.

Learn more about the aquarium and more Wilmington-area sights on page 18. Photo courtesy of the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

952.

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14 30 34 36

34

URBAN GETAWAYS

Winston-Salem & Wilmington These two unique cities have a lot to offer over a weekend (without breaking the budget).

A Major Attraction in the Minor League

How Crawdads baseball (and a carousel) came to Hickory.

Going to the Birds

Spot new feathered friends on the NC Birding Trail.

What’s Your ‘Traveler Personality’?

Know your likes and dislikes for the best-ever vacation.

CALL FOR VOTES:

Carolina’s Finest We need your help finding the best of the best! We’re entering our second year of the Carolina’s Finest Awards, with new categories and a new chance to win one of three $100 gift cards. See page 12 for details.

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Viewpoints

Why Drive Electric?

By Steve Hamlin

Whether you get your news from the local paper, a national TV network or a notification on your phone, electric vehicles (EVs) are filling up the headlines.

Electric cooperatives across the state are preparing for more EVs on the road as their popularity and versatility grows. Among them is Piedmont Electric, my cooperative, which offers members a rebate and a discounted rate for charging their vehicles overnight. By charging overnight, they help everyone in the cooperative save (see “Electric Vehicles and the Grid,” January 2020, page 7).

Also, it seems as if every week another car manufacturer is announcing a new electric vehicle option.

Whether you enjoy the luxury of a Tesla Model X, the ruggedness of an electric Ford F-150, or love being an early adopter in your Nissan Leaf, there will be an electric vehicle out there for you. Let’s discuss some of the reasons you might want to own one.

Convenience How would you like to have someone come fill up your car with gas every

night while you sleep? Well, when you own an electric vehicle, you can start every morning with your ride fully charged.

Try not to smile when you pass everyone waiting at the gas pump.

Also, many shopping and dining areas offer premium parking spots for electric vehicles.

Extended range It seems like the car manufacturers have harnessed the Energizer Bunny because the range for electric vehicles keeps going and going and going. The most popular models range from 84 miles to more than 300.

While 84 miles might not sound like a lot, it is more than the average commuter uses in a day and is enough to get you from Raleigh to Greensboro. If you purchase an EV with a 300-mile range, you could drive across much of our beautiful state without recharging!

Low ownership costs EVs have fewer moving parts under the hood than gasoline vehicles so this means no oil changes and less maintenance overall. Also, it means less

parts that could break or wear out.

Some people have worried about the need to replace the batteries powering the car. While batteries will wear out just like anything else, many vehicles come with an extended warranty, which could cover the replacement cost. Check the fine print when you purchase your vehicle.

Also, while prices at the pump fluctuate based on the day of the week, electric prices are much lower and more stable.

Environmentally friendly Speaking of those stable electric prices, powering your vehicle with electricity is better for the environment than powering it with gasoline.

Members of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are blessed with an energy mix that is lower in carbon than much of the nation. We enjoy ready supplies of carbon-free sources like solar, nuclear and hydro power.

Electric vehicles do not put out any exhaust, and if you’ve ever stood next to an electric vehicle you also realize just how quiet it is. EVs cut down on exhaust and noise pollution in our communities.

Tax savings Check with your tax advisor to see if you qualify for any federal or state tax credits for your new EV as well as special EV rates and rebates from your local cooperative.

From sedans to sports cars, family SUVs to heavy duty pickups, there are a lot of great reasons to buy electric and a lot of great options. What are you waiting for?

Steve Hamlin is president and CEO for Piedmont Electric in Hillsborough.

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THIS MONTH:

Carolina Country Adventures A year ago, we set out to find the best things to do on a budget in the big cities of Charlotte and Raleigh. In this month’s travel guide, we turn our attention to Wilmington and Winston-Salem. As you explore these destinations and others in this issue, rest assured you’re never far from an electric co-op. Thank you to North Carolina’s electric cooperatives for sponsoring this travel content, as well as to the travel advertisers throughout.

—Scott Gates, editor

Carbon questions I enjoy the Carolina Country magazine and find the articles engaging, well written and a good slice of North Carolina. Thank you.

One lacuna I would like to see filled, and which is on the minds of North Carolinians as we grapple with climate change, is honest consideration of carbon footprint, alternative fuels such as wind and solar, and tradeoffs between renewables and coal/natural gas-fired energy. It’s time to open the discussion, and your magazine would be an ideal forum to get the issues into the minds of the people. As individuals, we have choices; as a collective, we can have a positive impact on our environment by reducing reliance on coal and natural gas.

Please consider reporting and writing on these issues.

Tim Struttmann, Hurdle Mills A member of Piedmont Electric Editor’s note: Thank you for the suggestion, Tim! These are important topics, and in upcoming issues we will be discussing how North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are committed to delivering low-carbon electricity over a grid that is more efficient, resilient and secure.

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

Lunch with Miss Onie Onie Frances Rogerson, who made a connection with the Sophia-based Jim’s Kids charitable organization in 2002 via a letter that appeared in Carolina Country, made a trip to Raleigh in February to have lunch with our staff. (Left to right) Renee Gannon, Tara Verna, Scott Gates, Warren Kessler, Miss Onie and her nephew, Lindsey Taylor.

Correction to our February issue Apologies to all Downton Abbey fans out there — an eagle-eyed reader spotted the misspelled “Downtown” Abbey Exhibition listing on page 35.

The exhibit of costumes and recreated sets from the Downton Abbey television series runs through April 7 at Biltmore in Asheville.

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

New Poultry Waste Facility to Provide Power to NC Electric Co-ops Pitt & Greene EMC serves the innovative renewable energy project

Renewable resource In addition to buying power generated from the poultry waste, NCEMC is also purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from the facility that can be used to meet poultry waste requirements under the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard adopted in 2007. One REC is created for every 1 megawatt-hour of electricity generated by a renewable energy source.

The majority of RECs must come from in-state renewable energy producers, which helps bolster the development of

Plant emissions enter scrubbers as part of a four-stage control system.

Claire Edwards

Poultry power The Farmville-based Carolina Poultry Power (CPP) project converts turkey waste into electricity and is served by local electric cooperative Pitt & Greene EMC, also based in Farmville. North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC), the power supplier for Pitt & Greene EMC and other electric cooperatives across the state, will purchase electricity generated by the $32 million poultry power facility.

“It’s exciting to see a unique facility like this take shape within a cooperative community,” said Mark Suggs, executive vice president and general manager of Pitt & Greene EMC. “Agriculture is incredibly important to this region, and we’re proud to support this key industry while also encouraging local job creation, economic development and sustainability.”

Carolina Poultry Power is the flagship project of the Farmville-based Power Resource Group. It can process 200 tons per day of poultry waste from local farms into a high-quality fuel that is converted into approximately 165,000 megawatt-hours of electricity and steam energy per year.

“It was truly a pleasure to work with Pitt & Greene EMC on this innovative project,” said Richard Deming, CEO of the Power Resource Group and managing partner of CPP. “The close working relationship and focus from the team was critical in getting interconnection done in a timely manner, and NCEMC was a fantastic partner in navigating complex issues. Partnering with the electric cooperatives has been an excellent experience.”

Claire Edwards

Poultry is the No. 1 agricultural industry in North Carolina, with an annual economic impact of more than $37 billion, according to the NC Poultry Federation. And with such a large flock, chicken and turkey farms are left with an inevitable byproduct: poultry litter. A facility in Pitt County is creating an innovative use for some of this waste, providing power to electric cooperatives in the process.

CPP Director of Operations Peyton Orr checks the water/air tube section of one of three boilers.

renewable energy facilities in our state, providing jobs and strengthening our economy.

A consortium of other utilities, including the Statesvillebased electric cooperative EnergyUnited, Duke Energy, Virginia Electric and Power Company (Dominion North Carolina) and the Fayetteville Public Works Commission, are also purchasing RECs from the project.

“Partnerships like this play a central role in helping us to diversify our power supply resources by incorporating more renewables,” said Mike Burnette, NCEMC’s senior vice president of power supply and chief operating officer. “This is a win-win for North Carolina’s energy and agriculture sectors as we work together to achieve a brighter energy future for our state.”

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

—Lisa Crawley, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives

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More Power

Co-op Educational Grant Program Breaks Record in 2019 North Carolina’s electric cooperatives awarded nearly $720,000 in Bright Ideas grants in 2019, funding 660 projects that will benefit 169,303 students across the state. This is the largest amount of Bright Ideas funding awarded in one year by the state’s electric co-ops.

Since the program began in 1994, the Bright Ideas Education Grant program has provided funding to K–12 teachers across North Carolina to fund creative, hands-on classroom projects.

12.9 MILLION

$

In grants have been awarded to teachers Early College EAST High School

12,000+ Projects sponsored

2.5 MILLION

$

Students inspired

Since the program began in 1994 Students from Early College EAST High School in Havelock were able to design, build and operate urban search and rescue robots, thanks to a Bright Ideas grant from Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative.

Teachers: Apply for a 2020 Grant!

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives begin accepting applications for 2020 Bright Ideas Education grants in April, with an early bird deadline of August 15. Visit ncbrightideas.com for more information.

Co-op Leadership Camp Application Deadline Approaching CCNC

Team events at last year’s Co-op Leadership Camp included a sandcastle-building competition on the banks of White Lake.

Applications for this summer’s Cooperative Leadership Camp are now being accepted from high school students across North Carolina who want to attend as campers. This year’s weeklong overnight camp will be held June 15–19.

The camp is facilitated by the Cooperative Council of North Carolina (CCNC) and supported by its members, including North Carolina’s electric cooperatives.

Hosted annually at the North Carolina FFA Center at White Lake, Cooperative Leadership Camp aims to give rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors a better understanding and appreciation of the cooperative business model and foster leadership qualities, financial responsibility and team building skills. All campers are sponsored to attend by cooperatives or Cooperative Extension 4H Clubs.

Co-op leadership campers are also eligible for the $1,000 Jim Graham college scholarship, which they can apply for during their senior year of high school.

Applications, available at ccnc.coop/co-op-leadership-camp.html, are due April 30.

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Bad to the Bone Full tang stainless steel blade with natural bone handle —now ONLY $79!

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The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion.

The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world.

This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers.

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More Power

Be Counted:

Census 2020 April 1 is National Census Day, and by that day your home should have received an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. The census, conducted every 10 years by mandate of the U.S. Constitution, is hugely important in understanding communities and their needs across the country, big and small.

“It is critical that rural areas are accurately represented in the census, which provides so much more than a count of America’s population,” explained Jay Rouse, director of Government Affairs for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “It determines how many representatives each state gets in Congress, how federal and state legislative districts are drawn, and how communities receive federal and state resources and funding.”

Here are some frequently asked questions, with answers from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Visit 2020census.gov or call 800-923-8282 for more information about the 2020 Census.

Q: Why does my response matter?

A: 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. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location. The list includes highway planning and construction, and programs to support local schools, rural areas, to restore wildlife, to prevent child abuse, to prepare for wildfires, and to provide housing assistance for older adults.

Q: What types of questions are asked?

A: Census questions are easy. You will answer a simple questionnaire about yourself and everyone who is living with you on April 1, 2020. The Census Bureau is bound by federal law to keep responses confidential. Visit 2020census.gov/en/about-questions.html for a full list of questions and why they’re asked.

Q: What questions aren’t asked?

A: If someone claiming to be from the Census Bureau contacts you via email or phone and asks about your social security number, money or donations, anything on behalf of a political party, your citizenship, or your bank or credit card account numbers, it’s a scam, and you should not cooperate.

Q: How can I respond?

A: Everyone living in the United States and its territories is required by law to be counted, and the 2020 Census makes it easy. In mid-March, households began receiving official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond in one of three ways: Online, by phone or by mail.

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ADVERTISEMENT

Texas Grandmother with Leg and Feet Problems Goes from Near Cripple to Walking Her Dog Daily

You don’t have to suffer anymore. Doctors never tell you about these 7 natural herbs, yet millions of people in China have used them for relief of leg and feet problems for 3,000 years. In fact, they are guaranteed to relieve your problems and provide soothing comfort - or you pay nothing.

By Michael Plane — National Health Press Mary Lentz of Plano, Texas suffered for over twenty years from leg and feet problems. Doctors prescribed one prescription drug after another. Then electrical stimulation. Then surgery. But after all these treatments – her legs and feet actually felt worse.

Mary was fed up with suffering. She took matters into her own hands. At wit’s end, she discovered the best herbs for natural relief. She took them, and within just days, her leg and feet problems began to disappear. Now she walks her Golden Retriever Max every day (which she couldn’t do before), works in her garden and regularly plays tennis with friends.

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Leg and feet problems could have been almost like a death sentence for Mary – and a shame for her suffering family. It is a terrible way to live out what should be the best year of your life.

Neuropathy is like a wildfire. It starts with a small flame, but then quickly turns into a raging fire in your feet that never stops. Left alone or treated in a way that doesn’t work, it can lead to constant suffering – or even one of the 86,000 Americans who need a limb amputated each year according to the National Institutes of Health.

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Until now, scientists could not combine all these herbs into one pill without losing their full potency, but finally, they have succeeded.

Dr. Ryan Shelton, M.D. says “This is new and different. It works for people who’ve tried many other things before. It is natural with no side effects. Don’t give up hope for your leg and feet pain, burning, tingling and numbing. This pill is working for countless people after other treatments have failed them.” From word-ofmouth, over 30,000 doses of this Chinese miracle have already been sold in America.

Instead of letting their doctors control their health with no real relief, people are taking this natural approach. They are staying active and independent as they age – and creating a bright future they are excited about, instead of fearing. Now you too can enjoy your best years yet.

Conventional Treatments All Wrong

In America, drugs and other OTC formulas try to superficially suppress the symptoms. This may be going after the problem completely wrong. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes nerve problems are largely caused by stagnant blood circulation. This causes your legs and feet NOT to get enough oxygen-rich, nutrient-rich blood they need to heal. The ingredients in NeuroFlo get this crucial blood flowing to your legs and feet like a fast-running river stream so they can feel better fast.

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gling, zinging, itching or zapping. Improve your balance and coordination. No side effects – safe to take with other medications. Enjoy your favorite activities and hobbies again. Be more active, have more fun, enjoy life more. Don’t risk irreversible damage to your feet and hands. Don’t get worse and wind up in the hospital or a nursing home.

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This is the official nationwide release of NeuroFlo in the United States. And so, the company is offering a special discount supply.

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Carolina Country is proud to offer up our second annual Carolina’s Finest Awards, showcasing the finest North Carolina has to offer.

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URBAN GETAWAY | WINSTON-SALEM

Twin City Sights Old and New in the

Find culture and innovation in Winston-Salem

By Tina Vasquez

Reynolda House

Bookmarks

Visit Winston-Salem

VisitNC.com

Meredith Travel Marketing

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14 | carolinacountry.com

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Dough-Joe’s

Kaleideum

Dough-Joe’s

Kristen Bryant | a/perture Cinema

a/perture Cinema

Kaleideum

Winston-Salem is by no means another sleepy Southern town. It’s the headquarters for Krispy Kreme and Texas Pete, and the home to two colleges and four universities — including Wake Forest University. The bustling city is also making major moves in the biotech industry.

As the newly minted “City of Arts and Innovation,” Winston-Salem is quickly becoming a tech hub and a home for startups. This rapid growth has led to an influx of creative talent, and the city’s eclectic offerings certainly reflect this reality. A long three-day weekend is just enough time to explore the best WinstonSalem has to offer.

Day 1: About town Visit Winston-Salem Meredith Travel Marketing

Northwest of downtown, Reynolda Village is a top place to start the day and get breakfast. Tucked among the village’s many shops is DoughJoe’s, the perfect location for a quick grab-and-go breakfast. While they do offer a rotating selection of baked goods, the real reason people flock to Dough-Joe’s is for their made-to-order donuts. Their classic glazed donuts are the real standout, but the earl grey glaze and apple cider donuts are just as noteworthy. If a more leisurely breakfast is warranted, the Penny Path Cafe & Crepe Shop offers sweet and savory crepes for under $10.

While the nearby Reynolda House Museum of American Art has a permanent collection of art and regularly features new exhibits, the real draw of the museum is to tour the luxurious home and gardens of tobacco tycoon Richard Reynolds, who became enormously wealthy

from the sale of Prince Albert tobacco and Camel cigarettes. Largely designed by his wife Katherine Smith Reynolds, the 60-room “cottage” (complete with an indoor bowling alley) was only considered the family’s country getaway, a respite from busy city life in Winston-Salem proper. If you visit in the spring or summer, the museum has after-hours events with live music and pay-asyou-wish admission.

A tour of Winston-Salem’s more than dozen breweries and taprooms is certainly an option, but heading downtown is the best way to get a true taste of the city. A popular pitstop is one of Winston-Salem’s most popular breweries, Foothills Brewing, which unlike others in the area offers an extensive pub menu. The owners of Foothills have expanded beyond beer and now brew coffee as well. Footnote, located next to Foothills on Fourth Street, offers Foothills coffee and beer, along with cocktails, all of which you can sip as you browse the cafe’s adjoining independent bookstore and literary nonprofit, Bookmarks.

Downtown Winston-Salem spans just a few highly walkable miles, but it packs a lot of punch into a relatively small space. If you have little ones with you, the children’s museum Kaleideum Downtown makes for a

day of family fun. If exploring downtown is more your speed, the best way is to simply start walking down Fourth Street, which cuts through the center of downtown. Here you’ll find places like Design Archives, an emporium for vintage and handmade goods from over 150 local vendors, and a/perture cinema, which offers foreign, indie, documentary and festival films. During the summer, there are also free concerts each Friday at Corpening Plaza, along with Summer on Liberty, a free weekly concert series each Saturday night on Liberty Street.

Just off of Fourth Street and a block from the Benton Convention Center is the downtown arts district, mostly located on Trade Street. During the first Friday of every month, the Downtown Arts District Association sponsors a “gallery hop,” allowing visitors to peruse galleries and studios featuring paintings, sculptures, and pottery from local artists. There’s also plenty of shopping to do on Trade Street, and Body & Soul is certainly worth visiting. Part boutique, gallery and bookshop specializing in African American writers, Body & Soul is a cultural hub in the arts district.

You can’t end a night on Trade Street without having dinner at Sweet Potatoes Restaurant a April 2020 | 15

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VisitNC.com

Winston-Salem institution owned

by Vivián Joiner and Stephanie Tyson, who serve “southern-inspired uptown, down-home cooking” (see “Well, Shut My Mouth!” April 2019, page 24). Spoon molasses onto mini sweet potato biscuits or dip freshly fried pork skins into house-made pimento cheese as you wait for your BBQ shrimp and grits — or better yet, your “Southernly” fried chicken.

Day 2: History awaits

Before there was Winston-Salem, there was Salem, settled by the Moravians who arrived in the 18th century. Old Salem Museums & Gardens is one of America’s most comprehensive history attractions, one where historical Moravian sites have been entirely restored.

But before you step back in time: breakfast.

There is no better time to visit a farmers’ market than the spring, and Saturdays at the Cobblestone Farmers Market in Old Salem are not to be missed. Located just near the Single Brothers Garden, the farmers market offers a bounty of organic fruits and vegetables and delicious food from some of the city’s most popular bakeries, including Camino and To Your Health, which specializes in vegan and gluten-free baking.

Now that you’ve fueled up for the day, it’s time to tour Old Salem.

Technically, you can spend Saturday walking around Old Salem’s Main Street, but it’s worth purchasing an all-in-one ticket to tour the historic

Day 3: Off the beaten path

If you don’t have the time to travel 25 miles north up Highway 52 to spend time on one of Pilot Mountain’s scenic hiking trails, Winston-Salem provides ample opportunity to be outdoors and explore nature. A number of greenways and strollways cut through the city, but the most impressive has to be the Salem Creek Greenway, which runs five miles and ends at picturesque Salem Lake, which is surrounded by its own sevenmile trail. For a shorter walk with equally beautiful views, consider the walking trails at Quarry Park, newly open to the public. The park’s focal point is the overlook pier that extends over the quarry, offering a view of the Winston-Salem skyline.

Nothing calls for a big meal quite like a long walk. Before you head out of town, consider having your

Brandi Rackley Ridge | Quarry Park of Winston-Salem Facebook page

Cobblestone Farmers Market Facebook page

Cobblestone Farmers Market

district, which includes 25 interpreted stops and fully immersive, hands-on demonstrations by tradespeople in period costumes. Of particular importance is Old Salem’s groundbreaking new initiative the Hidden Town Project, an effort to research and reveal the history of enslaved and free Africans and African Americans who once lived in Salem. The Moravian people of Salem enslaved approximately 160 men, women and children, and the Hidden Town Project seeks to track the effects and legacy of enslaved people from the inception of Salem in 1766 through the Jim Crow Era and into the 21st Century.

Quarry Park

Old Salem

final meal at La Perlita Tacos Y Restaurante, located southeast of downtown at 1001 Waughtown Street, an area home to Winston-Salem’s growing Latino population and a place where you will find many thriving immigrant-owned businesses. The restaurant’s house-made tortillas are the best in town and serve as the perfect vehicle for carne asada tacos.

The real standout, however, is a whole rotisserie chicken, complete with tortillas, rice, refried beans and tomatillo salsa for under 10 bucks.

If you’ve got room for dessert, you make the drive to La Princesa Frozen Treats on Clemmonsville Road in less than five minutes. Here you’ll find the usual sweet suspects, like ice cream sundaes and milkshakes, but the real standouts are the choco-flan (a chocolate cake and Mexican custard hybrid) and paletas, fruit-based popsicles that come in a wide range of flavors, including quintessentially Mexican flavor combinations like mango chile.

Tina Vasquez is a Carolina Country contributing editor originally from Los Angeles. She is currently based in Winston-Salem, where she is a journalist and researcher.

carolinacountry.com/extras Check out the online version of this article for links to more information about all of the mentioned sites and locations.

16 | carolinacountry.com

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3/11/20 12:25 PM

12 reasons to love

Orange County, North Carolina There’s so much to do in the Chapel Hill / Orange County area. Where will you start?

1. Guided Tours

featuring Hillsborough’s history and ghosts Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street and UNC campus are awesome ways to learn about the area.

2. Farmers’ Markets

Winding roads and country scenery lead you to local farms and farm events. Take the April Piedmont Farm Tour. Orange County boasts four farmers’ markets, all open year-round with seasonal events.

3. Franklin Street

Sports Illustrated has called Chapel Hill “the best college town in America,” and Franklin Street— named after Benjamin Franklin—is a big reason why.

4. North Carolina Botanical Garden

The largest botanical garden in the Southeast is known for its nature trails, carnivorous plant collections, aquatics, herb gardens, and revolving exhibits of artwork.

NCBG

5. UNC-Chapel Hill

10. The ArtsCenter

is the oldest public university in the U.S. (chartered in 1789) and the only public university in the U.S. that awarded degrees in the 18th century.

Take a tour, and wander past the iconic Old Well.

in Carrboro offers classes in visual, literary, and performing arts, concerts, theater productions, children’s programs, and an art gallery.

6. Jordan, Worthy, Perkins, Ford

11. Burwell School Historic Site

UNC-Chapel Hill

Take a trip down memory lane with all of them—not to mention Dean Smith, Roy Williams, and more—at the free Carolina Basketball Museum.

7. Ackland Art Museum A walk through the Ackland Art Museum on South Columbia Street in Chapel Hill can be an introduction to Peter Paul Rubens, Eugène Delacroix, and Andy Warhol.

Tour what was one of North Carolina’s leading Presbyterian schools for “young ladies” in Hillsborough from 1837 to 1857. Wander down Churton Steet, where you will find a chocolate shop, a wine store, art galleries, a yarn shop, crafted jewelry, great dining, and more.

12. Hillsborough’s Riverwalk

UNC-Chapel Hill

8. Cat’s Cradle

This legendary live music venue is still going strong after 50 years, and it’s a must stop. Catch other venues including Local 506, The Cave, The Kraken, Nash Street Tavern, and more.

Stroll Hillsborough’s Riverwalk, a 1.8-mile greenway along the Eno River, hike Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area or the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail, and wander Brumley Nature Preserve, among other scenic outdoor venues.

9. Last Fridays

On the last Friday of every month, Hillsborough hosts an art walk. Part of the festivities April through September is Last Fridays, a free concert series on the Old Courthouse lawn in downtown from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Steven Whitsitt

Find what you love, or discover something new. Whatever you do here, just do you.

See even more at:

OrangeCountyNC.gov/visitors

CC04-wk.indd 17

VisitChapelHill.org • 888.968.2060

3/10/20 1:03 PM

URBAN GETAWAY | WILMINGTON

Diversions Port City

Soak up the sun over a weekend in Wilmington

By Craig Distl | Photos courtesy of Wilmington and Beaches CVB unless otherwise indicated

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Carolina Beach Boardwalk

Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

18 | carolinacountry.com

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3/10/20 2:50 PM

Surfer’s Special from Celtic Creamery

VisitNC.com

Celtic Creamery Facebook page

epicexcursionsnc.com

Marsh paddleboarding

Fort Fisher

The port city of Wilmington beckons North Carolina travelers with the rare combination of historical significance and contemporary relevance. Throughout this city of 120,000 residents — and extending to adjoining surf communities of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach — vacationers discover an abundance of activities, many of them budget-friendly.

Museums and historic districts tell the tales of swashbuckling pirates, colonial pioneers, Revolutionary patriots, the largest land-sea battle of the Civil War and a shipbuilding industry that propelled our nation to victory in World War II. Modern attractions include the acclaimed Wilmington Riverwalk, a million-gallon wave pool, a nationally recognized aquarium, an emerging culinary scene and sunset cruises along the Intracoastal Waterway.

It’s hard to fully experience the Wilmington area in three days, but here’s an itinerary that hits many of the high notes (without costing your family too many C-notes).

Day 1: Quintessential beach town

Get those toes in the sand at Carolina Beach, a friendly town known for the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, named one of America’s Most Awesome Boardwalks by Budget Travel.

The oceanside boardwalk, renovated and extended a few years ago, has stations to wash your feet as you enter from the beach. It’s the perfect place to take a break from the surf and sand. Test your skeeball skills at the arcade, enjoy the thrill of classic amusement rides or just sway in

the coastal breeze in bench swings stationed along the way.

Foodies rave about two sweet treats in Carolina Beach, one more than 80 years old and another that opened two years ago.

Since 1939, Britt’s Donut Shop on the boardwalk has been producing delectable doughnuts that sell out as fast as they can make ’em. Celtic Creamery, a few blocks away in the downtown district, serves extravelvety Irish ice cream and sundaes sprinkled with warm mini doughnuts.

The owner imported the recipe from McCarthy’s Ice Cream in Ballybunion, Ireland, and even had Joanna McCarthy fly over to oversee the early days in 2018.

A couple miles west of the boardwalk lies Carolina Beach State Park.

This fee-free park has several hiking trails. One of the most popular is the wheelchair-accessible Flytrap Trail, a half-mile loop where folks scan spot the Venus Flytrap in its native habitat. This carnivorous plant is notable because it catches and eats small insects.

Just south of Carolina Beach is Kure Beach, home to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher and the Fort Fisher State Historic Site and Museum.

The aquarium is a jewel of the NC

Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. It has been named a top aquarium in the U.S. multiple times

by Trip Advisor and has more than 2,500 animal residents, including Luna, a beloved albino alligator.

Fort Fisher played a prominent role in the Civil War. The Confederate fort protected trading routes to the port of Wilmington, the last Atlantic Coast port to fall to Federal troops.

An epic land-sea battle for Fort Fisher included the largest Naval bombardment of the 19th century. Historical reenactments take place on site and a new exhibit this year focuses on the life and experiences of African American soldiers at the fort during the Civil War.

Day 2: Back in the port city

Wilmington’s transformation over the last two decades is impressive. It has simultaneously preserved its 230-plus block historic district and naval shipbuilding past, while developing a vibrant city with things like the 1.75mile Riverwalk hugging the city’s edge along the Cape Fear River.

The Wilmington Riverwalk has increased daytime and evening activity with shops, artist galleries, visitor activities and top-notch restaurants.

April 2020 | 19

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Johnnie Mercer’s Pier

A great starting point is the Bob Jenkins Riverfront Visitor Information booth at Market and Water streets. Helpful staffers can direct you to Segway tours, horsedrawn carriage rides, guided walking tours, live music and craft breweries.

Just across the Cape Fear from the riverwalk, take the family on a history adventure at the Battleship North Carolina. The legendary warship, which fought in every major naval offensive in the Pacific Theater of World War II, takes visitors into the daily life of the crew in 1942 by exploring several areas of the ship, including the galley and engine room. The battleship frequently offers kid-friendly programs and events, so check its website for the latest schedule.

A few minutes inland from the battleship is Jungle Rapids, a million-gallon wave pool that offers nearly every water park feature imaginable. Take on as much, or as little, water excitement as you wish at this Taj Mahal of a play

park. Water features operate from June to September, while Jungle Rapids’ indoor portion, with activities like bumper cars, mini bowling, laser tag and a climbing wall, operates year round.

Across the road from Jungle Rapids, don’t miss the weekly Wilmington Farmers Market at Tidal Creek Co-op. Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the market offers fresh seasonal produce, meat, eggs and more from local producers.

A great way to cap off any day in the city is via a scenic sunset cruise on the Cape Fear River or Intracoastal Waterway. Check out options at wilmingtonandbeaches.com.

Day 3: Surf ’s up at Wrightsville Beach

Sooner or later, you have to succumb to “pier pressure,” and there’s no better place to do it than Wrightsville Beach. This laid-back beach town, once a hangout for Jimmy Buffet, is awash in ocean adventure.

Experienced surfers know Wrightsville as the birthplace of NC surfing and one of the best surf towns on the East Coast.

Other fun for thrill seekers includes kite boarding, scuba diving and sailing.

For those seeking softer adventure, Epic Excursions provides stand-up paddleboarding tours through serene marshes. Epic also offers evening cruises, as does La Dee Dah Sunset Cruises.

Kids get the chance to be a swashbuckling pirate for a day with a treasure hunt aboard Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours.

A great free attraction is The Loop, a 2.45-mile paved trail around the core of the island. Easily accessed from the Loop is the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, an old-school beach cottage that tells the story of beach vacations through the years.

Of course, the beach itself beckons.

Enjoy the last day of your getaway soaking up rays, fishing from Johnnie Mercer’s Pier and dining outdoors at the Oceanic Restaurant on the Crystal Pier.

Craig Distl is a Belmont-based freelance writer and proud native of North Carolina.

carolinacountry.com/extras Check out the online version of this article for links to more information about all of the mentioned sites and locations.

Adobe Stock

Battleship North Carolina

Wilmington Riverwalk

Sunset river cruise

20 | carolinacountry.com

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

2/21/20 3:07 PM 3/10/20 1:03 PM

Carolina People

Coastal Inspiration Leads to Wearable History Sonia Humphrey creates custom jewelry with historical artifacts Story and photo by Leah Chester-Davis

On an early Saturday morning at the downtown New Bern Farmers Market, locals and tourists are browsing the numerous tables and displays piled with homegrown and homemade items. Sonia Humphrey, a member of Tideland EMC, extends a friendly greeting to browsers who pause at her space, a lovely display of handcrafted jewelry featuring genuine sea glass, shells and natural elements.

With her welcoming smile and pleasant accent tinged with her New Zealand roots, Sonia shares stories about each piece: where a fragment of sea glass may have been collected, or a brief lesson on the Paua shell, abundant on New Zealand beaches.

“Growing up in New Zealand, we were always around the beaches,” Sonia says. “I remember as a small child searching for shells or sea glass or anything the beaches brought up for me.”

It’s clear the ocean provides inspiration for this trained registered nurse and midwife who turned to jewelry making about 16 years ago.

Gift from the sea An avid sailor, Sonia says her “sea glass hunting continued when living on a boat half of the year. It really gave me the inspiration to start working on my early forms of jewelry. I let nature dictate how I would do it. I’ve never taken a formal class. I think the ocean taught me. It has been a gift.”

Sonia began selling her oceaninspired creations at the New Bern Farmers Market 14 years ago.

Periodically, she and husband, Brian, will travel abroad to collect more materials. Before a three-week transatlantic cruise last fall she did research.

“I use Google maps and look at the desirability of the beaches, whether or not they’ve got a gravelly shelf where the ocean currents would bring sea glass in.”

She prefers ocean-tumbled sea glass rather than machine-tumbled and explains that a mix of gravel with sand provides the ideal conditions.

The sandy beaches of North Carolina don’t offer up lots of sea glass.

Wearable history from New Bern’s past Jim Hodges, the curator of the New Bern Historical Society, admired Sonia’s “exceptionally talented creativity with her jewelry” and approached her two years ago with an ingenious idea for creating one-of-akind items from a local historic site.

Shards of pottery, glass, porcelain and other materials were among the many pieces dating back to the 1750s that were unearthed on an archaeological dig.

When one of the oldest brick structures in Craven County was saved from demolition and relocated to the New Bern Historical Society campus in 1980, archaeologists from the NC Office of Archives and History conducted an investigation. The trove of artifacts sat in a warehouse for many years until the idea was borne to put them to good use.

“When I saw the pieces, they just blew me away,” Sonia says. “It was just a brainwave [clever idea] to do this. I call it wearable history.”

She sells the pieces under what is known as “The Heritage Collection.”

A portion of the sales goes to the New Bern Historical Society. Each piece is numbered (she just finished #197) and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Sonia is one of two jewelers who creates for The Heritage Collection.

The other is Hearne’s Fine Jewelry in New Bern. In addition to the farmers market, Sonia’s Heritage Collection pieces are sold at the Tryon Palace Gift Shop.

“Many people buy and send the pieces to relatives outside New Bern,” Sonia says. “A little bit of history is going everywhere.”

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

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Thank you, lineworkers!

Lineworkers are the first responders who build and maintain the lines that power our lives. Join us in recognizing their tireless efforts on April 13 for National Lineworker Appreciation Day.

Learn more at NCElectricCooperatives.com.

NCECAd-04-2020.indd CC04-wk.indd 24 1

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, e .

matters MEMBERSHIP

d

April 2020

Did you know...you can keep electricity costs low by signing up for “Beat The Peak” today at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BTP, via email at BeatThePeak@myBlueRidgeEnergy.com or text “BTP” to 70216.

Time IS Money It’s true. Time IS money when it comes to when you use electricity each day. Blue Ridge Energy’s Beat The Peak program is helping members join together to keep costs lower for all members simply by lowering your usage during a few key periods.

Peaks occur when the majority of people are using electricity all at once. Power suppliers must generate enough electricity to meet this high usage requirement.

Leveling out these peaks helps control the cost.

Summer peaks typically occur on the hottest afternoons, from 2 - 6 p.m., when people are arriving home and using more air conditioning and large appliances for cooking, washing clothes and dishes. Peaks can also occur on our coldest winter mornings.

What can you do to help? Sign up to receive Beat The Peak alerts by text, email or the Blue Ridge Energy mobile app.

BEAT THE

PEAK

When you receive an alert, take steps to reduce your electricity usage during the specified times. Easy but helpful tips include: •

Raise your thermostat as high as comfortable in summer.

•

Shift the time you wash and dry clothes.

•

Wait to run the dishwasher.

•

Turn off unnecessary lights.

•

Grill outdoors or use the microwave instead of the oven or stove.

•

Postpone hot water use until after the peak.

Every action helps! Keep electricity costs low by signing up today at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BTP, email BeatThePeak@myBlueRidgeEnergy.com or text “BTP” to 70216.

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the

perspective

I e

O d I y t

From Blue Ridge Energy CEO Doug Johnson

T B Th

Lineman Appreciation: at home and abroad Line technicians are invaluable to our goal of reliably serving your energy needs. On April 13, Blue Ridge Energy, along with other electric cooperatives across the country, will celebrate Lineman Appreciation Day to honor the brave men and women working hard to keep your power flowing, no matter the weather or conditions!

Line crews work around the clock, sometimes in difficult and dangerous conditions, to keep power flowing to local communities. Whether they’re restoring power after a major storm or maintaining critical infrastructure to our electric system, line technicians are at the heart of Blue Ridge Energy՚s purpose.

Among all of our line technicians we’ll be honoring here at home in April are two who recently volunteered to travel to Bolivia and work in harsh conditions to put back power lines, poles and other parts of the power delivery system destroyed by the Amazon wildfires.

Line technicians Faron Atwood and Johnny Sloan spent many days working in rough terrain and scorching temperatures with the line technicians from Cooperativa Rural de Electrificacion (CRE), an electric cooperative that Blue Ridge Energy helped develop in the 1960s. CRE is now the largest electric cooperative in the world; but it is an area still struggling in many ways. In fact, two other Blue Ridge

MEMBERSHIP matters

Blue Ridge-0420.indd 26

Energy line technicians traveled last year with fellow North Carolina crews to bring electricity for the first time to the small Bolivian village of Laphia.

On their recent trip, Faron and Johnny were particularly struck by the lack of equipment and technology that Bolivian lineworkers had available to them. In fact, Bolivian line technicians had never seen climbing equipment like ours that was capable of scaling their poles – let alone the many hand tools and drills that are available to our crews at Blue Ridge Energy. Witnessing the lack of equipment and the hardship faced by the Bolivian workers, Faron and Johnny called home to Blue Ridge to ask if they could leave behind their climbing gear and other tools for the Bolivian linemen. Of course our answer was yes! These tools are now making a difference for the Bolivian crews using them to make their work safer and more efficient.

I’m very proud to say that the heart of service exemplified by Faron and Johnny is shared by all our Blue Ridge line technicians. We salute each and every line technician serving the members of Blue Ridge Energy! And, we encourage all of our members to take a moment to share your thanks for the important work they do by using #ThankALineworker on social media or sending us a note to share with the brave crews who power our lives and communities!

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Go green!

Sign up for your director election kit email!

If you prefer email rather than paper, sign up now to receive your cooperative’s Board of Directors election kit electronically and vote online!

On May 27, the Annual Meeting notice and director election kit will be mailed to members.

If you’re signed up to receive the kit electronically, you can quickly and easily vote online by using the link in the email you’ll receive!

To go green and sign up for email, go to BlueRidgeEnergy.com/OnlineVoteSignup.

The deadline to sign up is April 17, 2020.

Be entered to win a $25 Visa gift card when you update your email on your account! When you do this, you can also sign up to receive your director election kit by email. Update your email and sign up for the emailed director election kit today at: BlueRidgeEnergy.com/UpdateEmail.

Those not signed up to receive the kit by email will receive a paper kit in the mail. It will include a proxy and postage-paid return envelope to cast your vote.

Happy Easter

Even when our offices are closed, you can always go to BlueRidgeEnergy. com, day or night, for information and self-service options. Log into “My Account,” to see what customer service options and tools are waiting for you. You can: •

Securely pay your bill 24/7 by

Blue Ridge Energy offices will be closed in observance of the Easter holiday on Friday, April 10, 2020.

check, credit or debit card • Discover ways to lower your bill using your home’s energy footprint • Create a payment arrangement • View your current and past statements + payment history

• • •

Request services Sign up for paperless solutions View our outage map

You can also use our automated telephone options, download our mobile app or make a payment using any of our kiosk locations.

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MEMBERSHIP matters

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Blue Ridge line techs leave more than their hearts in the Amazon Two Blue Ridge line technicians have returned home after helping Bolivian villagers pick up the pieces of a damaged electrical grid, following historic wildfires in the Amazon region. Faron Atwood and Johnny Sloan, among a group of line technicians from sister cooperatives in the United States, contributed to the recovery efforts. pictured: Faron Atwood (left) and Johnny Sloan

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

(800) 451-5474

(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.

highlight of his career. I have a hard time arguing against that. It was a good experience and it humbled us. It really makes you want to do more to help in any way you can.”

After seeing the limited equipment being used by the Bolivian line workers, Atwood and Sloan phoned home to make a special request. They wanted to leave all of their personal equipment with their Bolivian colleagues.

Cooperatives have an extensive working history with the villagers of the rural farming communities in Bolivia and around the world.

Regardless of where you are, The National Rural Electric linemen are linemen. We see the Cooperative Association brotherhood wherever we go.

(NRECA), has been an – Faron Atwood advocate for the introduction of electricity to underdeveloped nations for decades guided by the principles which founded Sloan said their work ethic left them cooperatives in the United States. inspired, but the lack of technology was an eye-opening moment for the Blue Ridge has been a long time American crew. “It really puts things participant in the mission to electrify into perspective. It makes you realize the dark corners of the globe. Atwood how good we have it.” and Sloan joined a growing list of line technicians that have been able to Atwood and Sloan returned home experience the impact electricity can with a new perspective on life and make on the lives of people who have the line technicians living 3,000 miles never used it. away. As a nod to his new colleagues, Atwood added that “regardless of Atwood felt that the experience was where you are, linemen are linemen. life changing, adding that, “An older We see the brotherhood wherever line technician said that it was the we go.”

OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday Kiosk available 24/7 + Night deposit Visit us on the web at BlueRidgeEnergy.com and follow us via our social media channels at

MEMBERSHIP matters

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This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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m

Energy Sense

Curtains can be an affordable strategy to increase comfort and reduce energy use.

The Right Fix for Drafty Windows

Four considerations before a costly replacement

By Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen

Does your home have old, drafty windows that need a remedy? First, prepare yourself for a bit of sticker shock when you get your first bid for replacing windows. To help decide if replacement is indeed the right move, you’ll want to consider a few factors.

Increased Comfort Any chill felt near windows when it’s cold out is likely due to radiant heat loss. When you’re near a cold surface, such as a window, you can feel chilled even if the temperature inside your home is over 70 degrees. Your body is much warmer than the surface of the window, and heat radiates from warm to cold. The inside surface of an inefficient, single-pane window will be much colder on a winter night than that of a double- or triple-pane window.

Window coverings are one unique approach to increasing the comfort level of your home. Curtains and blinds are very effective at reducing radiant heat loss in the winter and can even block some unwanted heat gain in the summer.

Another aspect to comfort is the sun. If you have cold winters but lots of winter sunshine, you might enjoy the comfort and warmth of the sun streaming through your windows on a cold clear day. If that’s the case, you should take this into consideration as you ponder window replacement. Some windows are better at letting the sun’s heat into the home than others.

Appearance and function Since your windows are older, new wood- or vinyl-framed windows can act as an exterior facelift. But keep in mind, if you own an older home with classic wooden windows, vinyl replacements might look out of place.

It’s possible to buy new windows that match the style of some older wooden windows, or you could decide to apply a little elbow grease to get them back into shape. Wooden windows, even if they were built before 1960, can last the life of the home.

Windows can provide ventilation, which sometimes improves comfort more cost-effectively than air conditioning. Windows also need to be cleaned occasionally. If your existing windows don’t provide ventilation or they are hard to clean, replacing them could solve these problems.

Resale value Windows are a major point of interest for most prospective homebuyers, which is why we often hear that window replacement is good for resale value. But a 2019 study by the National Association of Realtors

found that on average across the United States, installing new vinyl windows costs about $22,000 per home but only increased resale value by $16,500. Only 4% of realtors said the new windows helped close the sale, so if resale value is your main objective, the costs could likely outweigh the return on investment.

Energy savings Homeowners often believe the best way to reduce energy use is to replace their windows, but this is rarely true. Companies that sell new windows sometimes advertise greater energy savings than the new windows can actually deliver. The amount of energy you save really depends on the efficiency of your existing windows compared to the efficiency of the replacement windows. An energy auditor can estimate potential savings, but most audits show that there are much more cost-effective efficiency investments than replacing windows.

On average, according to Energy Star®, replacing single-pane windows in a 2,000 square-foot home with Energy Star-certified windows will produce an average savings of $125 to $340 a year, depending on where you live. At this rate, it would take a decade or more to pay off your initial investment.

Replacing old windows can provide a number of benefits, but it’s a costly endeavor. By considering these factors and how long you plan to live in the home, you’ll be able to make the right decision.

This column was co-written by Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen of Collaborative Efficiency.

Visit carolinacountry.com/your-energy for more ideas on energy efficiency.

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Hickory Crawdads

�

A Major

Attraction�

Crawdads’ Carousel

in the Minor League

How Crawdads baseball (and a carousel) came to Hickory

By Lori Grossman

I

n 1992, Don Beaver, his brother, Luther, and his friend, Charles Young, bought a baseball team. Don and Charles played baseball in college, and the three men shared a love for the sport. Hickory used to have a team, the Rebels, but it folded in 1960. Baseball’s comeback started with a phone call.

“Don Beaver was a friend and client of mine,” Charles recalls, who was a lawyer for 46 years and is now retired.

“He called me one day and told me the Gastonia franchise was for sale. He was thinking of buying it and wanted to know if I wanted an interest in it.”

It didn’t take long for Charles to decide. He says he didn’t even ask how much of an interest or how much it would cost.

“I didn’t do it to make money,” he says. “I wanted to be involved because I love baseball.”

At the time, George Shinn — who owned the NBA Charlotte Hornets — also owned the Gastonia team.

“We signed a contract to buy the team in 1992,” Charles says. “Even though we didn’t have a place to play.”

Bringing back baseball

George Murphy had set the wheels in motion. He was the PA announcer for the Rebels from 1946 to 1954 and kept hope alive that baseball would return to Hickory one day. When he campaigned for mayor in the 1980s, one of his campaign promises was bringing baseball back.

Thanks to the Beaver brothers and Charles Young, his dream became a reality. The new team needed a stadium, though, and he got the ball rolling.

“George got the stadium idea going.

Elmer Winkler gave the land,” Charles explains. The stadium is named for a local Pepsi bottler, L.P. Frans. “His family gave $500,000 towards the building of our $4 million stadium.”

Charles was always on the lookout for ways to make a Crawdads game more fan-friendly. The ballpark already offered lots of entertainment choices in addition to the game itself.

In either 2004 or 2005, he attended a minor league game in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he discovered the perfect addition to “the Frans” stadium back home.

A carousel.

“They had what I called a ‘merrygo-round’ out in left field,” Charles recalls. “I went out to look at it and watched the kids riding it. I thought it was cool.”

He tracked down Altoona’s general manager, Todd Parnell, and asked how much a carousel cost and where he could buy one. He returned home and shared the idea with the other owners.

“They weren’t very enthusiastic about the idea at first,” Charles admits. “But they came around and, finally, we bought one.”

The Crawdads’ carousel

Before the carousel could be set up, the ground had to be prepared.

“We had to level out a plot and pour a concrete pad,” Charles explains.

“We had to make sure it was stabilized, then we added a ramp for the disabled.”

Next on the list was “merry-goround” music. The carousel doesn’t have a sound system, so he rigged up a tape deck and searched until he found the right music.

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Hickory Crawdads Hickory Crawdads

Take a Spin

Around the State

usel Village Park

NC Zoo, Asheboro

Charles Young

Freelance writer Lori Grossman currently lives in Texas, but carries memories of North Carolina in her heart.

The hand-painted Endangered Species Carousel opened Spring 2006. nczoo.org | 800-488-0444

City Park, Burlington The Dentzel Menagerie Carousel is more than a century old, and is currently being restored. It is expected to reopen in 2021. burlingtonnc.gov | 336-222-5030 NC Zoo

Carowinds, Charlotte Hand-carved wooden horses and chariots adorn Carowinds Grand Carousel, built in 1923. carowinds.com | 704-588-2600

Village Park, Kannapolis The only double-decker carousel in the state was manufactured in Italy in 1989. kannapolisnc.gov | 704-920-4311

John Chavis Memorial Park, Raleigh John Chavis Memorial Park

The Allan Herschell Carousel was built in 1923 and features a Wurlitzer 146A organ. raleighnc.gov | 919-996-3286

Pullen Park, Raleigh The Gustave A. Dentzel Carousel was built in 1911 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. raleighnc.gov | 919-996-6468

Sunset Park, Rocky Mount The circa 1920 Herschell-Spillman Carousel was renovated to include paintings of local landmarks from the 1920s. rockymountnc.gov | 252-446-0500 Shelby City Park

Shelby City Park, Shelby The park’s wooden Herschell-Spillman Carrousel was built in 1919. cityofshelby.com | 704-484-6476

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Shelby Parks & Recreation

“It isn’t easy to find, but I think it’s a big part of the attraction,” Charles says. “The kids love riding it. My grandchildren do, too.”

The attraction was made by Carousels USA, a San Antonio-based manufacturer that is no longer in business. Keeping the carousel in top form has become a local endeavor.

“We partner with local high schools every few years when the animals need to be repainted,” explains Ashley Salinas, director of Creative Services and Media Relations for the Crawdads. “We send a few animals over to the art programs and they touch up the faded and chipped paint. The most recent work was done by Fred T. Foard High School students in 2018.”

In 2006, Minor League Baseball rated some of the minor league ballparks’ amenities. Noting the Crawdads’ playground and carousel, it flagged the stadium as a trendsetter.

“It was one of the first parks with a working carousel,” it said, “sparking a trend that has taken off in Minor League baseball.”

Here are some other carousels in North Carolina. Call or visit websites for more information.

PHOTO CREDIT PHOTO CREDIT

visitaikensc.com visitaikensc.com AikenSC_Equestrian_4-6875x4-9375.indd 1

O N LY A T A N K A W AY

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Chart your next adventure. NC’s best destinations and events, all online.

32ND ANNUAL MEBANE DOGWOOD FESTIVAL Saturday, April 25 from 10am-7pm Carnival Rides • Food • Car Show • Entertainment • Shopping

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Find your adventure on Learn more at VISITALAMANCE.COM | 800-637-3804

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PREMIUM SEATING ON SALE NOW!

Featuring the Blue Angels • F-22 Raptor Demo Marine Air-Ground Task Force Demo Shockwave Jet Truck + More!

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Your Favorite Swimmin’ Spot Nothing beats a swim on a hot summer day, and everyone tends to have a favorite spot.

What’s yours? A creek behind your grandparent’s barn growing up? A community pool where all the kids hung out? We’d like to know, whether it’s from your past or a place you enjoy today. We will pay $50 for each story or photo that is printed in our July 2020 issue.

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

Send to Online carolinacountry.com/ swimmingspots No emails, please.

Mail Carolina Country Swimming Spots 3400 Sumner Blvd.

Raleigh, NC 27616

3/10/20 1:03 PM

Todd Bush

Going to th

e

Birds Spot new feathered friends on the NC Birding Trail

By Pamela A. Keene

F

Todd Bush

Eastern Screech Owl

rom elegant Snowy Egrets and leggy Great Blue Herons along the coast to stately Bald Eagles and tiny Golden-crowned Kinglets in the mountains, North Carolina can be a birder’s paradise. Through the North Carolina Birding Trail, more than 320 sites attract thousands of novice and die-hard birders each year.

“People encounter more birds every day than any other type of wildlife,” says Curtis Smalling, director of conservation for Audubon North Carolina. “Birds are everywhere, from our own backyards and urban parks to the Appalachian Mountains, the Piedmont and the Carolina Coast. You can enjoy all kinds of birds by checking out our state’s birding trail sites.”

The North Carolina Birding Trail (ncbirdingtrail.org), created to promote bird conservation, education and protection, traverses all three geographic regions.

Researchers have identified which feathered friends are most likely to populate these regions, making it easier to target the locations of species people may want to see.

“The idea of the birding trail is to identify easy-to-access places that have quality habitats for various species of birds,” says Scott Anderson, bird conservation biologist with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and coordinator of the NC Birding Trail. “The birding trail can help encourage people to spend more time outdoors.”

such as safe places to park, trails and sometimes even an interpretive center or educational signage — although some are more rustic, with fewer amenities.

North Carolina’s nearly 470 species of birds tempt casual birdwatchers and die-hard ornithologists alike. You don’t have to be a scientist to become a birdwatcher. As one of the nation’s fastest-growing outdoor activities, birding attracts more than 45 million people each year. Some people set up feeders and create gardens that attract birds to their backyards. Others invest in high-end binoculars and long-range camera lenses, taking long weekends or extended vacations to track rare species.

“No matter your goal, to just enjoy watching the birds in your backyard or to devote your life to tracking endangered species, birding means something different to everyone,” says Ian Davies, eBird project coordinator with Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “Commonly found birds, such as Carolina Chickadees, Mourning Doves or Blue Jays, can be as enjoyable to watch as more exotic species.”

Something forEveryone

Species toSpot

A partnership among six organizations, the birding trail website’s interactive map pinpoints specific facilities and locations, the species of birds most likely to be seen and the types of habitats in the area. Sites designated as part of the birding trail may have some sort of infrastructure,

As a state with varied geography, North Carolina’s bird population is diverse with both yearlong bird residents and migratory species.

“Some birds are indigenous to only one region; others cross between regions; and still others are just passing

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Todd Bush

Get theGear Will Stuart | Courtesy of the Cornell Lab

As Bird Conservation Biologist Scott Anderson puts it, “you really don’t need anything to go birding but your eye and ears, and some curiosity.” But some basic equipment can help: Binoculars – A good, durable pair typically runs around $250, although prices range from $100 to as much as $3,000.

Check out some considerations from the experts at audubon.org/news/how-choose-your-binoculars.

Birding guide – You can pack a regional-specific field guide, or save space and go high-tech by downloading The Cornell Lab’s Merlin Bird ID app (merlin.allaboutbirds.org), which gives a short list of birds with pictures, descriptions and song playback for each; available for iPhone or Android.

Keeping track – Open a free account on The Cornell Lab’s ebird.org to log sightings and print out a bird list for anywhere you visit.

Black-throated Blue Warbler Sandy Selesky | Courtesy of the Cornell Lab

Piping Plover Dorian Anderson | Courtesy of the Cornell Lab

through as they migrant to their summer or winter homes, or they may come here to breed and nest,” Anderson says.

“And remember that the regions do not have hard-and-fast boundaries, so you may sometimes find a mountain species nearer the coast, or birds most often in the piedmont in the mountains, particularly during spring and fall migrations.”

North Carolina’s state bird, the Northern Cardinal, can be found across the state year-round. The flashy red-plumed males and their duller-colored female counterparts make their homes in all three regions of the state. Their distinctive song (that sounds like “cheer, cheer, cheer” or “birdie, birdie, birdie”) often attracts attention before they’re seen.

“Birds have different sounds to communicate with others of their species,” Audubon NC’s Smalling says.

“When you know their songs, you can more easily spot them. You’d be surprised once you become accustomed to listening for them how many more birds you can see.”

Birds common in the mountains include Scarlet Tanagers, Pileated Woodpeckers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Golden-winged Warblers, Bald Eagles, Broadwinged Hawks and Indigo Buntings. The piedmont’s lower elevations attract Eastern Bluebirds, Barred Owls, Blue Grosbeaks, several species of woodpeckers, Prairie Warblers, Summer Tanagers and migrant Virginia Rails.

Coastal birds often seen are Great Egrets, Piping Plovers, Red-shouldered Hawks, Wood Storks, other wading birds and American Oystercatchers.

“Whether you’re spotting songbirds in your backyard or searching for unusual migratory birds or birds of prey at any of North Carolina’s 320-plus sites,” Smalling says, “good birding is never very far away.”

Pamela A. Keene is a freelance journalist who writes for magazines and newspapers across the Southeast and nationally.

The North Carolina Birding Trail is a partnership between the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Audubon North Carolina, North Carolina Sea Grant, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, NC State University Cooperative Extension and the NC Parks and Recreation.

Hooded Merganser

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What kind of traveler are you? Do you seek out adventure at every turn, or do you follow itineraries suggested by travel experts and guidebooks? Do you look for budget lodging or treat yourself with upscale accommodations? Would you rather take one long vacation or several quick trips throughout the year? Or are you blocked about taking a vacation at all and frequently leave unused vacation days on the table?

“Vacationing can be very personal, and, truly, no two people are alike,” says Perry W. Buffington, Ph.D., psychologist and author. “But knowing some of your basic traits when it comes to travel can help you chose a destination and the type of vacation that best matches your style.”

He says that you will most likely approach vacationing the same way you live.

“If you’re a planner at work, you’ll research and stick to a detailed itinerary. If you like spontaneity, you’ll keep things loose, book hotels on the fly and stop along the way if you see something that interests you.”

It’s important to know your preferences before you plan. “If you don’t, your vacation will be like that proverbial square peg/round hole, always struggling to make your trip fit your expectations,” Perry says. “Going

camping or hiking for a week just to satisfy a friend’s idea of a good time can be miserable if you enjoy a resort lifestyle. And if you really want a trip to the beach, but others overrule you and you end up on a cruise in Alaska, you will not be happy.”

There’s a common misconception that going on vacation will be a stress-free escape from your routine.

“This simply isn’t true,” Perry says.

“If you think this way, you will be disappointed. Instead, resolve to be flexible, prepare for glitches that will inevitably happen and embrace changes as a chance to learn. Whether you like spontaneous adventures or have every minute planned, flexibility will help reduce stress.”

Take the quiz

Evan Jordan, Ph.D. and assistant professor at the Department of

Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, has developed an online quiz that can help identify traveler types.

The self-administered, 12-question “Traveler Personality Quiz” at gotripdoctor.com assesses personality types, then matches them with possible destinations.

“The responses separate people into five basic groups based on underlying psychographic personality traits such as extraversion and openness to experience,” Evan says. “They’re pretty straight-forward and can really help in identifying your travel style and possible destinations.”

1

The Relaxer The Relaxer likes a vacation without a lot of decisions to be made.

Relaxers, the least adventurous, enjoy inclusive destinations with numerous

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activities from which to choose.

“Theme parks, cruises and low-impact adventures such as cold drinks by a pool or lake take Relaxers to their happy place,” he says. “Relaxers like being comfortable and being able to predict what their experiences will be. And they often return to the same destination year after year because it’s familiar.”

Relaxers will thrive at destinations like the Outer Banks, Key West, Las Vegas or even New York City. All-inclusive resorts are also appealing because Relaxers like being taken care of.

2

The Daytripper The Daytripper likes familiar destinations with a little bit of adventure and exploration thrown in. They take shorter vacations and may branch out beyond the destination to see what else is out there. “Taking day trips allows them a home base for comfort and the chance to try a few new experiences at their own pace,” Evan says. Domestic destinations include Charlotte, Miami and New Orleans.

Each has a strong set of attractions, but getting away from each city for a day has appeal.

3

The Adapter The Adapter is a bit harder to pin down. Sometimes Adapters like adventure; at other times, they prefer to simply kick back.

“Depending on her travel companions, she is flexible and will often go along with a proposal just to fit in with the group,” Evan says. Asheville, Chicago, Denver and California’s Napa Valley are desirable destinations for The Adapter because of the diversity of things to do and places to see.

4

The Explorer The Explorer likes to be somewhat of a trailblazer and doesn’t mind giving up some comfort to try new things. However, most Explorers first want to check out a destination through a review or website before jumping in.

“Destinations farther from home are appealing because they offer the chance to learn something new,” Evan says. If you’re an Explorer, consider going to Bar Harbor, Maine; Missoula, Montana; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Sitka, Alaska; or Kauai, Hawaii.

5

The Trendsetter Trendsetters are by far the most adventurous and thrive on breaking ground to new destinations so they can share their experiences with family and friends. If a destination becomes popular, they move on to other locales.

“They seek out hidden gems and live on the edge,” Evan says. “They’ll be the first to travel to Homer, Alaska; Lana’i Island, Hawaii; Mooney Falls, Arizona; Nine Mile Canyon, Utah; or Mount Marcy, New York. And unless you’re a Trendsetter, you’ve probably never considered these places.”

Know yourself

Knowing yourself is the first step in experiencing an enjoyable vacation.

“You can take a lot of the guesswork out of planning by being honest with yourself,” Perry says. “And no matter what your style, be ready for some unexpected surprises and a little fun.”

Pamela A. Keene is a freelance journalist who writes for magazines and newspapers across the Southeast and nationally.

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Jamey Price

Carolina Compass

An Evening with Kathy Mattea Country music April 4, Liberty 336-622-3844 thelibertyshowcase.com

5-Mile Yard Sale Various vendors April 11, Carthage 910-638-9006

Jr Livestock Show & Sale April 14–15, Hillsborough 919-245-2050 orange.ces.ncsu.edu

Dobson Spring Folly

Queen’s Cup Steeplechase Races, hat contests April 25, Mineral Springs

Rides, games April 17–18, Dobson 336-356-8962 dobson-nc.com/185/Spring-Folly

April Events MOUNTAINS Edwin McCain Pop music April 3, Morganton 828-433-7469 commaonline.org

A Glimpse of His Last Days Easter drama about Jesus April 3–4, Franklin 828-524-1598 greatmountainmusic.com

Riverdance

Dancing with Caldwell Stars

MerleFest

Dinner, competition April 4, Lenoir 828-754-6262 robinsnestcac.org

Various musical styles April 23–26, Wilkesboro 800-343-7857 merlefest.org

The Easter Hat Parade

Spring Fling

Egg hunt, face painting April 11, Sylva visitdillsboro.org

Vendors, music April 25, Andrews 828-321-3584 visitandrewsnc.com

Cider, Wine & Dine Tasting tours, music April 16–19, Hendersonville 800-828-4244 visithendersonvillenc.org

Trout Derby Several age categories April 4, Blowing Rock 828-295-4636 blowingrock.com

Meteorite or Meteor Wrong Examining rocks April 17, Rosman 828-862-5554 pari.edu

Rosanne Cash Singer-songwriter April 4, Boone 828-262-4046 theschaefercenter.org

RockyFest Music, games April 18, Hiddenite 828-632-1308 rockyfacepark.com

Half Marathon & 5K Scenic WCU course April 4, Cullowhee bit.ly/cullowhee5k

carolinacountry.com/calendar

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

MOUNTAINS

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PIEDMONT

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

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

COAST

The Music of Ray Musical tribute to Ray Charles April 25, Franklin 866-273-4615 greatmountainmusic.com

Greening Up the Mountains Heritage arts festival April 25, Sylva greeningupthemountains.com

PIEDMONT Surry Old Time Fiddlers Convention

Irish, international dancing April 17–19, Durham 919-680-2787 dpacnc.com

HerbFest Vendors, music April 17–18 & 24–26, Wake Forest 919-306-3857 herbfest.net

Celebration of Spring Pottery tour, kiln openings April 18–19, Seagrove 336-707-9124 discoverseagrove.com

Spring Open House Refreshments April 18–19, Asheboro 336-873-7303 lathamspottery.com

Spring Open House Door prizes April 18–20, Seagrove 336-873-8727 kovackpottery.com

Plant and Herb Festival

Music competitions, dance April 3–4, Dobson 336-366-4034 yadkinvalleync.com

Advice, vendors April 18, Concord 704-920-3310 mastergardenscabarrus.org

Firefest

Wood-Fired Kiln Opening

Artists, music April 3–4, Star 910-428-9001 starworksnc.org

King family pieces April 18, Asheboro 336-381-3090 crystalkingpottery.studio

Easter Eggstravaganza

Spring Plant Sale

Hunt, bunny appearance April 4, Asheboro 336-626-1240 asheborocrs.recdesk.com

Advice, pollinators April 18, Fayetteville 910-321-6860 cumberland.ces.ncsu.edu

Art at the Flea

Car & Truck Show

Various media April 4, Henrico 252-586-7978 elizjones989@gmail.com

April 18, Hope Mills 910-423-4956 bit.ly/fb-harvest

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Carolina Compass

Victorian Lawn Party

Military Show

Maypole dance, games April 18, Matthews 704-708-4996 matthewsheritagemuseum.org

Rides, vehicles displayed April 25–26, Denton 336-859-2755 dmvgs.com

Pilot View Vintage Market

Dash 5K & Fun Run

Antiques, food trucks April 18, Pilot Mountain 336-529-4167 yadkinvalleync.com

Fundraiser for schools April 25, Dobson 336-401-2554 maddash5k.itsyourrace.com

Cruise-In

Queen’s Cup Steeplechase

Antique cars, food April 18, Statesville 704-450-7031 priscoupon@yadtel.net

Races, hat contests April 25, Mineral Springs info@queenscup.org queenscup.org

Gardening Symposium

Mad Hatters Tea and Garden Party

Sustainable landscapes April 22, Dobson 336-401-8025 surry.ces.ncsu.edu

Gardens, artists April 25, Wake Forest 919-961-1636 wfgardenclub.org

Stanly County Antique Power Festival

Archaeology Day

Games, old engines April 24–25, Albemarle 704-982-7896

Liberty Antiques Festival Dealers, vendors April 24–25, Staley 800-626-2672 libertyantiquesfestival.com

Wild Foods Weekend Learn about edible plants April 24–26, Reidsville 910-441-8742 daisymaewells@hotmail.com

Brit Floyd — Echoes Pink Floyd musical tribute April 24, Durham 919-680-2787 dpacnc.com

Piedmont Farm Tour Learn about farming April 25–26, various sites 919-542-2402 carolinafarmstewards.org/pft

Piedmont Farm Tour Learn about farming April 25–26, various sites

Native American ancient relics April 25, Warrenton 252-425-9782 ncrelics@gmail.com

COAST Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks Diver’s photo exhibit opens April 1, Hatteras 252-986-0720 graveyardoftheatlanticmuseum.com

Hello, Dolly Musical about matchmaker April 2–4, Jacksonville 910-455-1541 wohsarts.ludus.com

North Carolina Whales Presentations by experts April 3, Beaufort 252-504-7740 ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com

The Jive Aces Swing band April 3, Bolivia ncbrunswick.com

Know Before You Go

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

Special Olympics

Battleship 101

Spring games in Pitt County April 3, Greenville 252-329-4541 bit.ly/sonc-pitt

Tap Morse code, raise flags April 18, Wilmington 910-399-9100 battleshipnc.com

JP Cormier

Cub Scout Day

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist April 4, Bolivia ncbrunswick.com

Salty Dawgs Lecture Series Talks on Outer Banks culture Tuesdays through September, Hatteras 252-986-0720 graveyardoftheatlanticmuseum.com

Spring Day Egg hunt, giant slides April 10, Clinton 910-564-6709 hubbsfarmnc.com/spring-day

Rodanthe Artisan Market Book signings, playground April 10, Rodanthe 252-305-2220 hollowdazesurfdesigns@gmail.com

OBX Bunny Run Pose with Easter Bunny April 11, Morehead City 252-726-5712 obxbunnyrun.com

Home and Garden Tour In Historic District April 11, Washington 252-946-6185 jhicks@wbcchamber.com

Shad Festival Rides, tales, music April 16–19, Grifton 252-414-0428 griftonshadfestival.com

PirateFest Music, sword fighting April 17–18, Greenville 252-561-8400 piratefestnc.com

Rocky Hock Legends Show

Program at battleship April 18, Wilmington 910-399-9101 michelle.robinson@ncdcr.gov

The School of Scandal Comedy about high society April 22–26, Greenville 800-328-2787 theatredance.ecu.edu

Dogwood Festival Rides, music April 23–26, Farmville 252-753-5814 farmvilledogwoodfest.com

Riverbash Crafts, water taxi rides April 24–26, Hertford 252-426-5657 perquimansriverbash.com

Native Journeys Festival Indian music, dance April 25–26, Frisco 252-995-4440 bit.ly/fb-fnam

Brews & Q’s Historical demonstrations April 25, Edenton 252-482-2637 visitedenton.com

Roseboro BloomFest Performers, balloon animals April 25, Roseboro 910-525-4121 roseboronc.com/events

Woodsong Porch & Art Stroll Art, music, tastings April 25, Shallotte 910-398-5136 woodsongporchandartstroll.com

Skits, singers April 17–18, Edenton 252-333-8567 visitedenton.com

Chorale Spring Concert

Brown Bag Gam Series

April 27–May 2, Calabash 716-440-1491 waterwayart.org

Naval support, sea turtles April 17, 23, Beaufort 252-504-7740 ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com

Spring Garden Show Hosted by master gardeners April 18, Edenton 252-482-6585 chowan.ces.ncsu.edu

April 26, Edenton visitedenton.com

Art Show & Sale

Up, Up and Away Chorus performances April 30, New Bern 252-670-0230 facebook.com/ cravencommunitychorus

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CAROLINA COUNTRY

adventures Fire on the Mountain Facebook page

Nick King Photography

Elizabeth Brim, master blacksmith

Fire on the Mountain

Blacksmith festival brings thousands to Spruce Pine

By Denise & Glen Baron

A

festival where artists create right in front of you is one of the most inspiring and educational destinations to attend.

That’s what one can find at the annual Fire On The Mountain Blacksmith Festival in Spruce Pine. Co-sponsored

by Penland School of Crafts, Toe River Arts Council (TRAC), and Spruce Pine Main Street (SPMS), the festival was created to celebrate the art and the history of blacksmithing in Western North Carolina.

Originating in 2007 as a small, local festival called “Hammerin’ on the Toe,” it has since grown to be one of the largest blacksmith festivals on the East Coast. Held on the last weekend in April, thousands gather each year for the free event showcasing the art of blacksmithing.

The blacksmith trade is arguably the foundation of our nation. The making of tools, weapons and building fasteners was essential to all early settlers to our country. Today, with the sun shining, and the ring of hammers on metal filling the air, the exhilaration of those early days is here, yet again.

‘Metal is magic’ Attendees find a variety of tool vendors and blacksmiths displaying and selling their work. At the demonstration tent, talented men and women hammer and bend small blanks of metal with a smile and a focused look, all the while explaining the process to the intrigued crowd

that gathers around. Young and old can’t believe what they see — suddenly their eyes are opened to a real creation process that they had heard of, or read about in a history book, but never experienced.

Some are even fortunate enough to be allowed to participate hands-on with the assistance of an experienced blacksmith.

Rachel Kedinger, a featured demonstrator in 2019, currently creates her own work at Holzman Iron Studio.

“What I enjoy most in this craft is that all things are possible,” Rachel says. “Metal is magic!”

John Rais, the featured Master Blacksmith at the 2019 festival, has operated his studio business since 1998, where he designs and creates unique furniture, sculpture and architectural metal art. He acknowledges that “blacksmithing chose him,” and demonstrated the forging of bronze and fire welding of perforated steel.

Festival happenings One highlight of the festival is the Forge Off contest, which has spirited competitors who are given a rod of iron, one hour and minimal tools. Their challenge is to create the specified object of the year, such as a spoon or hook, for a chance to win a prize. Those wishing to make it a two-day event may attend the Master Blacksmith Demonstration Workshop all day Friday. Each year, SPMS and the TRAC offers an artist exhibition,

free to the public throughout the month of April honoring the work of famous blacksmiths from the southeast and beyond.

Other event draws include colorful bouncy castles for the kids, and food vendors line the street. There’s everything from freshly made funnel cakes to tantalizing fried fish, all stoking appetites amid a day of metalworking.

The festival stretches along a restaurant- and store-filled street next to railroad tracks. The past blends seamlessly with the present and you can’t help but smile while enjoying the ambience of this homey, all-American town. Indeed, the Blacksmith Festival in Spruce Pine will allow you to forget about the fast-paced world for a while. Instead, one can enjoy the atmosphere and exciting world of the past, still alive today.

Rutherford EMC members Denise & Glen Baron are travel writers who live in Bostic.

Fire On The Mountain Blacksmith Festival April 25, Spruce Pine facebook.com/FireOnTheMountainFestival

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Stand Up Straight and Feel Better Discover the Perfect Walker, the better way to walk safely and more naturally It’s a cruel fact of life, as we age, gravity takes over. Our muscles droop, our bodies sag and the weight of the world seems to be planted squarely on our shoulders. We dread taking a fall, so we find ourselves walking less and less- and that only makes matters worse.

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This puts pressure on your back, your neck, your wrists and your hands. Over time, this makes walking uncomfortable and can result in a variety of health issues. That’s all changed with the Perfect Walker. Its upright design and padded elbow rests enable you to distribute your weight across your arms and shoulders, not your hands and wrists. Its unique frame gives you plenty of room to step, and the oversized wheels help you glide across the 24.5” floor. Once you’ve reached your destination you can use the hand brakes to gently slow down, and there’s even a handy seat with a storage compartment. It’s sleek, lightweight design makes it easy to use indoors and out and it folds up for portability and storage.

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3/10/20 1:03 PM

I Remember

Memories and photos from our readers

Like marbles during that time, bean shooters were constantly being traded.

Send Us Your Memories We love sharing photos and memories dear to our readers. Submit your photo, plus roughly 200 words that describe it, online or by mail with a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want it returned (only one entry per household, per month).

Include your name, mailing address, phone number or email address, and the name of your electric co-op. We retain reprint rights, and we’ll pay $50 for those we publish.

Online: carolinacountry.com/contact U.S. Mail: I Remember, Carolina Country, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616

Beanshooter Aficionado In the late 1940s and early 1950s, under the shadow of Mt. Pisgah, us boys made slingshots or beanshooters, which is what we called them. I would spend hours in the woods behind the house looking for that perfect tree branch.

Everyone knew dogwood made the very best, so while laurel was good, dogwood was the beanshooter of choice.

I would find some I liked and would cut them with my old one-handled Barlow pocketknife, which I also carried to school (imagine that).

I would put the future beanshooters behind the wood-burning cookstove to cure out, then whittle and shape them. If the prongs were too wide, I would bend them inward and tie with baling string until they cured. Everyone knew that red innertube rubber was the best because it would stretch further. My dad would get me some from the Enka plant where he worked. The leather for the sling was always a challenge. I did make one mistake and cut the tongue out of my dad’s boot — only one time!

Sometimes I carried two beanshooters just in case one broke. We used rocks for ammo and shot at everything. Fact is, I got my one-handled Barlow with the tip broke off the big blade by trading a good beanshooter. Like marbles during that time, beanshooters were constantly being traded. I have some now that are not finished, and I have two that are, just in case.

So if you see a white-haired, 74-year-old man with a beanshooter in his back pocket, just ignore him, he’s living in another time.

As a boy I climbed Mt. Pisgah every chance I could, Always looking for that perfect dogwood.

At the top of a sapling the forks would be The perfect beanshooter just waiting for me.

With me trusty Barlow I cut out the top And put it behind Mom’s cook stove to cure a lot.

And one thing that had to stand up to a boy’s test Was that red innertube rubber, for it was the best…

From Enka dad found me red rubber to use For it was stronger and stretched further, too.

But for the leather sling it was ready to shoot And I found a sling in the tongue of dad’s boots.

The slingshot was perfect and one of a kind, And so was dad’s belt which tore up my behind.

The perfect slingshot had lost its charm, I felt, For every time I shot it I could feel dad’s belt…

So to Hugh Watts I traded the beanshooter, too For 10 Chinqapins and an agate or two.

So back to the woods to find the perfect one And not dad’s boots again, I ain’t that dumb…

Jack Burris, Statesville, a member of EnergyUnited

A Pup with a Past Many years ago, I married a bachelor preacher in West Jefferson. I was a widow with four children, and I needed help, love and sanity from a saint. The children ranged in age from two to 11 years old. We moved everything from home except our little dog, who stayed to keep grandmother company.

It wasn’t long until we realized the children were in need of a pet to help them make adjustments. My husband knew of a family that had acquired a litter of dogs that had belonged to a family in trouble with the law. The family had hurriedly departed, leaving their dogs behind with neighbors (members of our church).

The children loved one particular puppy with brown spots. They called him Fuzz because of his family’s “run in” with the police. We loved Fuzz. The church loved Fuzz, and the lady dogs loved Fuzz.

Sometime during his dog teen years, Fuzz became acquainted with questionable characters. One of his exploits led him far away from home and church for six months.

One morning, our choir director saw Fuzz with this rough gang of dogs. She got ahold of him and called us to the shopping center to pick him up. He cried and howled, and we cried and howled. For the rest of his life he remained faithful. Now we know that even a dog needs a second chance.

Judy Morris, West Jefferson, a member of Blue Ridge Energy

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breakthrough in natural weight loss to date. It’s a proven pill for men and women who want to cut pounds of belly fat.” — Dr. M. Usman, M.D. “I have reviewed the research and have decided to recommend OxiTrim to overweight people. That’s because OxiTrim doesn’t just reduce weight, it helps maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels, too.” — Dr. Ahmad Alsayes.

110% Money Back Guarantee Amazing feedback from users of OxiTrim has generated a wave of con�idence at the company. So much so that they now offer OxiTrim with a 110% money back guarantee.

The company’s president, Michael Kenneth says, “We’ve seen how well it works. Now we want to remove any risk for those who might think OxiTrim sounds too good to be true.”

Simply take the pill exactly as directed.

You must enjoy fast and impressive weight loss. Otherwise, return the product as directed and you’ll receive 100% of your money back plus an extra 10%.

How To Get OxiTrim Today marks the of�icial nationwide release of OxiTrim in America. And so, the company is offering a special discount supply to every person who calls before inventory runs out.

A Regional Order Hotline has been setup for local readers to call. This gives everyone an equal chance to try OxiTrim.

The Order Hotline is now open. All you have to do is call TOLL FREE 1-888-3121927. Then provide the operator with the special discount approval code: OTD20.

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Initial supplies of OxiTrim are limited.

Those who don’t call soon may have to wait until more inventory is produced.

This could take as long as 6 weeks.

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

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Carolina Gardens

Boggy Native Beauty The cinnamon fern is tough and dependable Story and photos by L.A. Jackson

In a perfect garden, soggy sites where sunlight struggles to shine don’t exist.

Unfortunately, just about the only place “perfect” can be found in this world is under “P” in the dictionary, so gardeners often have to adapt. Part of this adjustment involves growing plants that don’t mind slop and shade.

One such plant high on my list is the cinnamon fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum), a tough, dependable, herbaceous perennial that is native to the eastern U.S. wetlands, where boggy grounds and deep shadows are a fact of plant life.

In the early spring, cinnamon fern earns its name. From the plant’s base, fiddleheads begin to unfurl, straighten and stiffen into slim, erect fronds that soon darken to a pleasant mid-brown hue the color of — well, I’m sure you can guess by now. While these stalks are heading skyward, a second, arching layer of gleaming green leaf fronds develops, unfolds and swirls around the fern’s center, with the contrast creating quite a nice sight in the garden.

Happy cinnamon ferns (which, by the way, are deer-resistant) usually stretch to about three to four feet wide and tall. Very happy cinnamon ferns can actually reach almost six feet high.

The key to strong growth is to simply copy the conditions they prefer in the wild, meaning moist, fertile, acidic soil and shady lairs. This fern can stand some sun, but the more it is exposed, the more moisture it needs.

The cinnamon stick-like fronds are nice to see waving in the garden, but they also have a practical purpose: reproduction. Rather than seeds, they contain spores galore, but this doesn’t necessarily mean a feisty fern ready to spread and overwhelm the garden.

While cinnamon ferns are capable of producing more of their own kind, for the most part, they tend to behave within their allotted growing spaces.

The leafy fronds of a cinnamon fern will turn a pleasant golden brown in the fall and then die back after the first frosts bite. If you want to visually tidy it up as winter sets in, cut spent foliage back to the central crown.

Cinnamon Fern

Cinnamon ferns are commonly found in the backwoods and swamps of our state, but don’t jump into your rubber boots and go looking for free pickins. Be a responsible gardener — respect what exists in nature and do your cinnamon fern hunting at local nurseries or online garden shops this spring.

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

Garden To-Do’s for April Thinking of introducing a youngster to the fun of gardening? One of the best annuals to start with is sunflowers. They quickly grow from seeds or starter plants. And then there’s the matter of heliotropism. While gardens typically evolve slowly over the summer months, which to some young minds translates into “boring,” immature sunflower blooms pull a neat trick off daily by turning towards the sun, following as it arches westward across the sky and then rotating back to the east overnight to greet the next day’s rising sun. After sunflower blossoms fully open, this motion stops, but until then: “Mom, Dad! Wanna see something cool?”

F

With the danger of freezing weather becoming a memory, now is a good time to start planting such tender summer bulbs as gladioli, caladiums and cannas.

F

Consider planting easy-to-grow culinary herbs such as dill, rosemary, basil, chives, thyme, sage or marjoram. Mint can also be tasty, but outside, pot the plants up. They spread quickly in a planting bed.

F

Winged garden buddies will be abundant around bird feeders this month, and since they will also be busy building new homes, lightly scatter short pieces of string, thin strips of newspaper or small bits of cotton around feeder areas to supply additional construction material for their nestassembling activities.

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Carolina Kitchen

Peas and Carrot Fritters With lemon yogurt tzatziki

Spring has us thinking peas and carrots! But not just any peas and carrots. We’re hungry for crispy fritters, with a zesty Greek twist.

2 cups frozen garden peas, thawed and roughly mashed 2 cups grated carrots, about 1-inch pieces 2 cloves garlic, minced 2/₃ cup flour 2 large eggs, lightly beaten ¹/₃ cup sliced scallions (green and white parts) 2 tablespoons oil

Lemon yogurt tzatziki 1 large seedless cucumber 2 cups Greek lemon yogurt 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon minced fresh mint 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill ½ teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper

Combine peas, carrots, garlic, flour, eggs and scallions in a bowl and toss to mix.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, spoon mounds of mixture into the pan and flatten a bit, making sure there is space between each while cooking.

Cook 2–3 minutes, flip, and continue cooking 1–2 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

Drain on paper towels.

For the tzatziki, grate the cucumber. Roll in paper towels and squeeze out as much moisture as possible.

Stir into yogurt and add remaining ingredients.

Serve with hot fritters. The sauce can be refrigerated for 3–4 days.

Yield: Makes about 1½ dozen fritters

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

Spiced Plum Cream Pie Sometimes, a simple pie is all that’s needed to round out Easter lunch or a spring supper… or just to enjoy all by itself. Not a plum fan? You can sub other fruits like summer peaches with the same tasty outcome!

½ teaspoon apple pie spice ½ teaspoon ground ginger 1 tablespoon sugar 1 pie crust (9-inch), unbaked 3 tablespoons cold butter

4 cups plums, pitted and thinly sliced (about 6 plums) 2/₃ cup sugar 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup heavy cream

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Combine spices with 1 tablespoon of sugar.

Dust bottom of crust with 1 teaspoon of sugar-spice mix, pressing into soft dough. Grate cold butter over spiced crust. Cover with plums.

Add remaining spice mix to 2/₃ cup sugar, flour and cream. Whisk to blend well.

Pour over plums and bake on center rack about 35–40 minutes, until center is set. Cool before serving.

Note: If crust edge gets browned before pie is set, cover pie with foil to finish baking.

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Carlina Kitchen

From Your Kitchen

Tara Verna

Honey Baked Ham Salad

Sandy’s Cheesy Potatoes

With wilted caraway slaw salad and rye croutons

Ready for something traditional with a nontraditional twist? Impress your table of Easter guests with this eye-catching ham salad. Or jazz up your leftover ham and skip the boring ham sandwich!

Croutons 4 slices rye bread 2 tablespoons softened butter Slaw 8 cups finely shredded green cabbage 4 cups finely shredded purple cabbage 2 small red onions, cut in thin slivers 3 cups thinly sliced celery Dressing ¾ cup juice from a jar (24 ounces) of bread and butter pickles (We used Mt. Olive Sweet Heat.)

1½ cups preferred oil

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper 2 teaspoons caraway seeds, crushed 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper Ham and toppings About 2 pounds honey baked ham, chopped 1 bunch broccolini florets, blanched and chilled 4 boiled eggs, chopped Drained bread and butter pickles 1 cup honey roasted cashews Pea shoots for garnish, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For the croutons, butter the bread, cube and place on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for at least 5 minutes or until desired crunchiness. Cool.

For the slaw, combine ingredients into a container with a cover. Then place dressing ingredients in a jar and shake. Pour over slaw mixture, cover and shake to coat.

Marinate several hours or overnight, shaking occasionally.

To assemble, spread slaw onto serving platter. Garnish with ham, toppings and croutons.

My mom would always make these potatoes for Easter, and their cheesy goodness pairs perfectly with ham. Plus, leftovers make a stellar complement to eggs for breakfast the morning after!

2 ½ 1 1 12

pounds frozen hash browns cup minced onion can (10¾ ounces) cream of chicken soup pint sour cream ounces shredded cheddar cheese (Reserve 4 ounces for topping) Pepper to taste Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine ingredients and spread into a greased 13- x 9-inch pan. Sprinkle with reserved 4 ounces of cheese. Bake for one hour or until bubbling and browned.

Yield: 8 servings

Recipe courtesy of Tara Verna of Creedmoor

Send Us Your Recipes

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

carolinacountry.com/recipes We take food seriously. Search more than 800 recipes by name or ingredient, with a new recipe featured every week!

Yield: 6–8 servings

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where

in Carolina Country is this ?

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

March winner

The February “Where Is This” photo by Carolina Country’s Renee Gannon features the old Kajun’s Goober Shak at the corner of Grindstone Road, just off Highway 276 in the Jonathan Creek Community of Haywood County, just outside of Waynesville. Many readers remember stopping to purchase hot boiled peanuts, Cajun spices, canned goods, jellies, honey, fresh fruits and vegetables at this now closed roadside stand when visiting the Maggie Valley area.

Bonnie Mercer of Leland remembers “this was an awesome place to stop and browse, and I loved all the homemade products by the locals.” Daniel Houser of Iron Station says the Shak had “the best boiled peanuts cooked over wood!” Entries from all over the state correctly identified the old store and its location. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Cheryl Riener of Clover, S.C., a South River EMC member.

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

carolinaartist

“Suppertime”

By Ronald Ragland The rural North Carolina farm and hunting scenes brought to life in Raleigh artist Ronald Ragland’s paintings have long been featured in the pages of Carolina Country magazine. Many of his paintings draw on personal history, such as this depiction of Ronald’s granddaddy at work on his Oxford farm, with the house he built in the background. His prints have been purchased by the likes of Scotty Moore, who played guitar with Elvis, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

A commercial artist for 40 years, Ronald won local and national awards for his advertising art over the course of his career. He now enjoys what he calls the best award of all: Betty, his wife of 62 years, two sons, a daughter and five grandchildren.

Ragland Prints beagleart.com | 919-876-8747

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N t c r U

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Help your child find their adventure this summer with a North Carolina 4-H Camp.

Three camps located across the state put away the tech and re-connect kids with the outdoors.

Activities include hiking, fishing, swimming, horses, archery, outdoor cooking, adventure trips and more.

Choose your camp at nc4hcamps.org to start your child’s next adventure. All camps American Camping Association accredited.

Youth do not have to be enrolled in 4-H to participate. 6 days, 5-night experiences for ages 8-14; 3 days, 2-night experiences for ages 5-8.

To enroll, contact your county 4-H Agent at the Cooperative Extension office OR register online at nc4hcamps.org NC State University and N.C. A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, genetic information, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sexual identity (including pregnancy) and veteran status. NC State, N.C. A&T, U.S.Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.

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HELPING FUTURE LOCAL LEADERS SOAR Blue Ridge Energy is powering a Brighter Future. This includes providing educational opportunities that launch high school students to new heights as they prepare for college — and for life.

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To learn more, go to BlueRidgeEnergy.com/LTrack today.

Energizing local Schools, too!

The Bright Ideas grant program supports innovative projects that go beyond available school funding. Grants totaling $50,000 are benefitting 41 classrooms and hundreds of local students during the 2019-2020 school year!

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ALWAYS ON Keeping the lights on for 76,000 homes and businesses is challenging.

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During Lineman Appreciation Month, feel free to thank a lineman in person, on social media or through a simple note. Let them know you appreciate how they are always on to keep those lights shining brightly.

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