2020-07-BRE

July 2020

YOU have

the power to Beat The Peak

Do your part to hold down the cost of power for ALL members! Volunteering for Beat The Peak is an easy way to help keep rates affordable.

Turn the page to find out how YOU can join this effort.

PERIODICAL

Blue Ridge-0720 WRAP.indd 1

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YOU can help

HOLD DOWN power costs!

Participate in Beat The Peak, and YOU help keep rates affordable for all Blue Ridge Energy members.

Beat The Peak volunteers reduce electricity use for a few hours, when people are using the most electricity all at once. These peak times typically occur on the hottest afternoons.

Participants receive alerts notifying them of when a peak in electricity use is expected. These alerts are usually issued the day before a peak. Then, they help hold down wholesale power costs by shifting their use of electricity to offpeak times.

Help make a difference: When you receive an alert, reduce electricity use during the projected peak time.

Delay chores, like laundry, that require electricity.

Adjust the thermostat a few degrees.

JOIN today: • SIGN UP for peak alerts online, on our mobile app or text “BTP” to 70216.

• Opt to receive alerts through text, email or mobile app.

Turn off unnecessary lights and electronic devices.

BEAT THE

PEAK

YOU have the power to hold down power costs! Join Beat The Peak today at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BTP.

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July 2020

Your Favorite

Swimmin’ Spots page 10

Published by

NC co-ops drive growth in local economies page 8

How to track energy use at home page 22

PERIODICAL

Blue Ridge Energy continues to help local communities—pages 17–20 July covers.indd 3

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A gemstone 10,000 times rarer than diamonds

B. C.

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O

Volume 52, No. 7

14

10

Favorites 4 Viewpoints 6 More Power 22 On the House 28 NC Outdoors 30 Marketplace 32 Carolina Kitchen 34 Where is This?

34 Carolina Music

24

10 14 24 26

Your Favorite Swimmin’ Spots Reader memories of cool waters on hot summer days.

This Story Is All About Blue Crabs

Rebecca Story makes crabbing a family affair.

Chasing the Flag

Heath Trigg is fulfilling a dream at Heritage Flag Co.

On the Cover Clayton based illustrator Jim Brown (jimbrownillustration.com) depicts a scene that is likely very familiar to many readers, calling to mind hot summer days when folks flocked to their favorite spots to cool off. Read about swimming spot memories starting on page 10.

Crab Pot Christmas in July

These decorations are crafted ‘Down East’ year-round

Carolina Compass on Hold This month, we once again did not include our typical events listings due to ongoing cancellations resulting from COVID-19. We look forward to resuming events listings when appropriate.

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Viewpoints

Growing Our Economy, Together

By Winston Howell

North Carolina has a rich history in manufacturing that dates back to the late 1800s. Since electric co-ops formed across rural North Carolina some 80 years ago, they have been a driving force in continuing that tradition —l ong before “economic development” was even a term.

Although metropolitan areas of the country continue to recruit and successfully land new projects, rural communities are also sharing in the success, and electric co-ops continue efforts to bolster local economies today. Growing our economy in a smart and responsible manner is an initiative that most groups and communities can unite on for the betterment of their citizens. Being environmentally conscious and fiscally responsible are the keys to making sure economic development projects start and end successfully.

Rural North Carolina offers many advantages to companies seeking to benefit from our pro-business environment. Several certified industrial and business parks are only a short drive to major interstates, ports and airports throughout the state. Our community college and university systems are some of the best in the country, and they work closely with new and existing industries to provide specialized instruction for a well-trained workforce. The state’s bountiful natural resources from the mountains to the coast are a bonus for companies that enjoy the pace of rural living, but also appreciate a short drive to suburban and urban hubs such as Raleigh and Charlotte.

Electric co-ops play an integral role in economic development throughout the state and are normally included in the early stages of a request for information from prospective companies. Our

team of economic developers has worked successfully to help bring and grow an array of successful companies to our communities (see page 8 for more information). Attention to detail, transparency, competitive and customized rates, and a true “bootson-the-ground” approach make electric co-ops a valuable ally to companies in our service territories.

We believe in forming lasting partnerships with our member-owners that go beyond just being their electric provider.

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have consistently been among the top performers across the country in providing funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Loans and Grant (REDLG) program to new and existing business to help spur economic growth. The REDLG program has proved to be a critical financial resource, allowing us to partner with businesses and counties to create thousands of jobs across the state.

We also understand that companies expect more than just affordable and reliable power to meet their electric demands. They want to be assured that we are meeting their needs in an environmentally responsible manner.

Our Brighter Future initiative ensures we are doing that by providing more carbon-free generation to all of our member-owners. With more than 60 percent of our current fuel mix coming from carbon-free generation resources, we can proudly say we are working responsibly to provide safe, affordable and reliable power to our members.

Among the many lessons learned over the past several months is a need to be more reliant on local sources to meet our manufacturing needs. The COVID-19 pandemic placed a significant strain on the supply chain for products that were in high demand and manufactured in other countries. The way companies operate will also change as we move out of this pandemic. A focus on telework options will allow companies to gain efficiencies while attracting and retaining employees that enjoy the flexibility of that type of work environment.

As we all transition into a different type of normal operations due to COVID-19, we look forward to working with new and existing business and industry to make North Carolina a better place to live and work.

Winston Howell is CEO of Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Cooperative, based in Tarboro.

Visit ncelectriccooperatives.com/economic for more information about economic development resources from North Carolina’s electric cooperatives.

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THIS MONTH:

Cooling Off If anything makes the heat of summer more bearable, it’s time on the water. In this issue we’re happy to share reader memories of their favorite swimming holes —s ome from days past, some more recent —a s well as a few stories from our coast. Also, don’t miss news on how electric co-ops across the state are helping build local economies, bringing in new investments and new jobs.

—Scott Gates, editor

Glimmers of Hope

Bright spots during the pandemic My day is made when the sun is shining and I can go for a walk or read a book. That can make worries go away, if just for a few minutes.

Marla Bryant, Pinnacle A member of Surry-Yadkin EMC

Jolann and Lucky the chicken My grandchildren, Brayson, Brenlyn and Jolann, enjoyed their time in isolation together in the backyard with their chickens. My husband, Donald, and I are proud to be members of REA for 52 years.

Patsy Lovelace, Morganton A member of Rutherford EMC

My new grandson was born April 23 in Miami, Florida, in the midst of a pandemic such as we have never seen before. His beautiful little face and the bright look in his eyes makes everything all right.

Rosalie Okaty, Rutherfordton A member of Rutherford EMC

Knowing that God is in control gives me hope. I put all my trust in Him and know things will go as he plans.

Mary Newton, Rougemont A member of Piedmont Electric

Morning Energy I love the No-Bake Energy Bites (May 2020, page 33) with a cup of coffee in the mornings. I wouldn’t change a thing about them … perfect.

Susan Wagman, submitted via carolinacountry.com

Published monthly by

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

Why Do We Send You Carolina Country Magazine?

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

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

Has your address changed?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Raleigh, NC 27616

(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800)

Read monthly in more than 700,000 homes

Web: carolinacountry.com Email: editor@carolinacountry.com

Change of Address: carolinacountry.com/address Experiencing a power outage? Please contact your electric co-op directly to ensure prompt service. Visit carolinacountry.com/co-ops to find yours online.

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

All content © Carolina Country unless otherwise indicated.

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More Power

Kari Cobb, a career technology and STEM teacher at Northside High School in Onslow County, was hosted by Jones-Onslow EMC through Kenan Fellows in 2018.

Connecting Teachers with Electric Co-ops Haywood EMC and Tri-County EMC to host Kenan Fellows Two North Carolina electric cooperatives are mentoring local teacher leaders through a continuing partnership with the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership at NC State University.

Haywood EMC will partner with Noal Castater, a career technical education teacher at Waynesville Middle School, for a three-week internship based at their office in Waynesville. Castater has been teaching for 19 years, is National Board certified and is a repeat recipient of Bright Ideas grants from Haywood EMC. “Sponsoring a Kenan Fellow is another way for Haywood EMC to give back to the communities we serve by providing opportunities to educators through a unique program that allows them to gain knowledge, as well as experience the day-to-day workings of an electric utility, which they can in turn pass along their students who one day may become employees of an electric cooperative such as Haywood EMC,” said Haywood EMC CEO and Executive Vice President Tom Batchelor.

Tri-County EMC will partner with Erica Levai, a science teacher at James Kenan High School in Duplin County, who will spend three weeks learning from mentors at the co-op’s office in Dudley. Levai has been teaching for 10 years and said the experience will provide new tools and resources to connect students with relevant experiences in the classroom.

“Tri-County EMC is committed to the educational Year-long Kenan flourish of students in the fellowships communities we serve, and we are thrilled to have Ms. equip teachers Levai join us this summer to help students to expand her knowledge of our electric cooperasee real‑world tive,” said Tri-County EMC relevance in General Manager Mike Davis.

“This partnership with the their lessons.

Kenan Fellows Program is a

Noal Castater

Erica Levai

wonderful opportunity not only for the cooperative and Ms. Levai, but the students as well.”

The year-long Kenan fellowships equip teachers to help students see real-world relevance in their lessons and be prepared for the future through Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education. Both Castater and Levai will partner with mentors and industry experts at their host cooperatives to explore how power is generated and delivered to members and communities. They will also learn about the cooperative business model and how electric co-ops are using innovation to meet and exceed the needs of their members. The educators will integrate these learnings into the lessons they teach students and develop a classroom project that will be implemented during the school year.

Including Castater and Levai, North Carolina electric cooperatives have sponsored and hosted nine Kenan Fellows since 2014.

—Jennifer Heiss, North Carolina Electric Cooperatives

For more information about the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership, visit ncelectriccooperatives.com/kenan.

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More Power

Co-op Website Lists Resources for COVID‑19 Hardships

.

Hurricane Season Expected to be ‘Busy’ Two models have predicted an active hurricane season in the Atlantic basin. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30.

NC State University researchers predict this hurricane season will see 18 to 22 named storms forming in the Atlantic basin, which includes the entire Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The long-term (1951 to 2019) average of named storms is 11, and the short‑term (1995 to 2019) average is 14.

Of those named storms, eight to 11 may grow strong enough to become hurricanes (the historical average is six), with the possibility of three to five storms becoming major hurricanes.

The NC State prediction is slightly higher than that of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which expects 13 to 19 named storms, three to six of which may become major hurricanes.

NOAA

Hurricane Dorian over North Carolina in 2019

An overview of important resources for electric cooperative members and small business owners in need of assistance due to COVID-19 is now available on ncelectriccooperatives.com/covid.

The site includes information on support programs available in North Carolina, including energy, utility and childcare assistance. A “Cooperatives Care” section of the site also details cooperative initiatives throughout the state that aid COVID-19 response.

“As locally based power providers, electric cooperatives have the flexibility to work closely with members to develop tailored efforts to reduce financial burden,” said Nelle Hotchkiss, chief operating officer and senior vice president of Association Services for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.

“We recognize that this is an extremely challenging time for many cooperative

members, and we will continue to provide a wide range of assistance and resources to the people and communities we serve.”

Cooperatives across the state continue to work with members to address specific needs through payment plans, special billing programs and other measures.

Members experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 are encouraged to reach out to their electric cooperative directly regarding their individual circumstances.

Have you seen spotted lanternfly?

See it.

Snap it.

Report it.

If you think you have seen Spotted Lanternfly please contact the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services at: badbug@ncagr.gov

1-800-206-9333

Please visit https://www.ncagr.gov/SLF for more information Steve Troxler, Commissioner of Agriculture

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More Power

NC Co-ops Position for New Economic Development Opportunities Efforts bring jobs and investments to rural communities

B

Emily Williams, Bladen Journal

usinesses and regional economies thrive when communities come together and make critical investments. Electric co-ops have long been a driving force for that growth in North Carolina, leveraging federal, private and public funding to make economic development projects a reality. But to keep pace with today’s market pressures and rapid change, cooperatives must be even more prepared to capture opportunities that bring good jobs and new capital investment into their communities.

“The southeast United States is the ‘Major Leagues’ of competitive economic development,” said Ryan Nance, director of Economic Development for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “Companies decide where they will expand or relocate based on in-depth evaluations of a region’s assets and risk factors. Electric co-ops and local leaders are winning deals because they are making proactive investments that build upon a region’s assets and mitigating risk that impedes industry growth.”

Integra Foods management staff review plans for the Bladenboro plant.

Recent projects Richmond County | Impact Plastics

Bladen County | Integra Foods

Edgecombe County | Corning

Served by Pee Dee Electric

Served by Four County EMC

Served by Edgecombe-Martin County EMC

In April, Pee Dee Electric and Richmond County announced a $3.5 million expansion of Impact Plastics. It will occupy a newly constructed shell building in the Rockingham West Industrial Park.

Pee Dee has invested in five Richmond County shell buildings — all with active businesses ranging from advanced textiles to distribution centers.

Four County EMC and Bladen County recently announced the successful launch of Integra Foods in the Bladenboro Industrial Park. A specialty foods startup, Integra has already created 35 jobs and invested $1.5 million into the project. The company exports its smoked turkey leg products to Japan and other Asian markets.

Construction is now complete for Corning’s new distribution center in Edgecombe County that will employ more than 100 full-time jobs.

The $89 million operation is served

by Edgecombe-Martin County EMC.

d

More to come

NC Electric Cooperatives’ 5-Year Impact $57 million in grants and loans for economic development* * Facilitated by electric co-ops through USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant program

ng in

3

2

6

2

2

4

6

6 2

3

6

2

3

3

3 2

2 3

2

2

2

2

2

2

4

5

3 5

3

Collectively, these competitive projects represent the opportunity for

3

Contributed to projects resulting in

More than

5,000 jobs

More than

$1 BILLION

in new capital investment

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are currently tracking 53 active business recruitment projects.

“Several cooperative-served industrial properties have made the short list of these prospects, and members are directly supporting their local economic development teams to attract these companies,” Nance said.

COMMUNITY

ENERGY

EDUCATION

INDUSTRIAL

More than

More than

new jobs

in new capital investment

7,550

$2.5 BILLION

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YOUR FAVORITE

Swimmin’ Spots Memories of cool waters on hot summer days In March, we asked our readers to share stories and memories of their favorite swimming spots. We received close to 150 submissions, each and every one a gem. Although we are only able to share a few here, we hope they bring you as much joy as they did us.

Jim Brown Illustration

A Special Place

Our Little Mermaid

Boiling Springs Lake is a small community in Brunswick County.

Our family started going there a few years ago. We swim, ride our small pedal boat (and count it as exercise), or simply float on a floatie and relax away our weekly woes. The lakes are spring-fed so the water is clear, with a hint of red due to minerals in the water. As our grandchildren were born, we had more and more people in our group. Our youngest grandchild was born four years ago. She’s a January baby, so by the time summer came, she was ready to go in the water. We call her our Little Mermaid.

We get out of the car, and we barely have time to put some sunscreen on her before she runs into the water.

On September 15, 2018, Hurricane Florence’s rains burst two of the dams at the lakes. Thankfully, Spring Lake (“our” lake) was not damaged. We have held birthday parties there, and we have simply enjoyed the lake water cooling our bodies and minds on many a hot, summer day.

Martha Russ, Shallotte, a member of Brunswick Electric

Woosh! Ahh … the fresh summer breeze.

My special place is Pamlico Beach.

I can feel the soft grass brushing up against my toes.

I can see far out into the light blue skies.

I can taste hushpuppies and freshly cooked barbecue. I can hear the waves slamming into the rocks. I can also smell the fresh summer breeze.

Pamlico Beach is important to me because my family is always having parties there, and sometimes we bring out floats for the river. I like to swim in the river and swim in the hot tub with my cousins.

Pamlico Beach is my special place: I feel happy and safe there.

Paisley Daniels, submitted by her grandmother Donna Parker, Belhaven, a member of Tideland EMC

Paisley (far right) with cousins Annalane and Emory at Pamlico Beach

Off the Paddleboard My favorite swimming spot is Falls Lake in Wake Forest. I like Falls Lake because you can fish for many hours (and if you have any luck, you may catch some fish). I like to fish with my dad and brother. Did you know that the perfect time to fish is at dusk?

Another thing that you can do at Falls Lake is kayaking. I have seen many people kayaking at the lake. I hope Dad will buy me a kayak.

You can also paddleboard. When I was younger, Dad used to take my brother and me paddleboarding, and when I was 4 or 5, Dad started throwing me off the paddleboard, and I would swim back. When I was close, he would hold the paddle out for me.

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Swimming Hole Celebration

Dad’s paddleboard launch

Jim Brown Illustration

Once I grabbed it, he would pull me back to the paddleboard. It was so much fun. I also liked to get on my dad’s shoulders and jump into the lake. Another thing you can do at the lake is ride in boats. I really want to go fishing from a boat, and when I get older I want to ride a wave zoomer and a jet ski.

Marco Ortiz, Wake Forest, a member of Wake Electric

Under My Leaning Tree My favorite swimming spot is a little piece of Heaven on the Pamlico River.

My great-grandfather bought a small farm in Blount’s Creek in the early 1940s. Five generations have enjoyed swimming there. There is a cypress tree growing at the shoreline that has been there as long as I can remember. The tree stands tall but leans. I call it my “leaning tree.” As a small girl, my cousins and I would look for fish and crabs by the cypress knees. As a teenager, I would sit there sunning and contemplating my future. I have enjoyed watching my children play there. As a middle-aged woman, I look forward to returning to my roots there when I retire. The sound of the tide coming in and going out soothes my soul.

Lois Beck, Williamston

Head Down to Creek Town The kids call it Creek Town. To get there, follow the steep footpath through our wooded backyard until you see the warm, sandy beach where the river turns. It’s a great place for sandcastle building. If you came to swim, you’ll have to wade past the “Twin Shark Rocks” with their ovalshaped heads guarding the bank. In the shallow areas, you can shovel sand from the bank and form an island. Upstream there is a mining site where the kids harvest the rich, North Carolina clay to build fairy houses and clay tablets imprinted with crawfish and other artifacts for the Creek Town Nature Museum.

Once, there was a frog hotel — a series of linked pools in a clover shape — but it was washed away in the last heavy rain. Every creek swimming hole has to have a rope swing; ours hangs down from a fallen pine tree. If you hold on tight, you can slide around on the flat, smooth rocks below.

Some days are better for fishing than swimming. On those days, grab your fishing pole and head down to Creek Town for some catfish, crawfish, small bass or sunfish.

When I was 5 years old and my sister was 7, our family had just finished picking the last field of cotton. It was almost noon so Mama suggested we carry our lunch to the swimming hole to celebrate. Daddy led us into the nearby woods and down a steep path into a cavernous creek bed where the air was noticeably cooler. We followed an almost invisible ribbon of clear water flowing through thousands of small pebbles to a low waterfall. Here, it babbled and spilled over a rocky ledge into a bed of boulders forming a 2- to 4-foot deep pool. My sister and I sat on the ledge, dangling our feet and eating lunch as we quietly listened to birds chirping in the towering canopy overhead.

We were mesmerized by the pool’s perpetual movement as the waters rose, overflowed, and merrily continued down the creek bed.

As we examined the fist-sized cupped holes in the boulders, Daddy explained Indians had once ground acorns into flour there. Then we waded into the breathtaking coolness of the swimming hole’s refreshing waters.

Carol Thomas, Wadesboro, a member of Rutherford EMC

Shannon Mills, Wake Forest, a member of Wake Electric

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Clubhouse Under the Falls

A Peaceful Spot Sunburst Swimming Hole in Canton is a quiet, peaceful spot where you can swim or just relax. Bring a picnic lunch, blanket and chairs to enjoy an easy day along the river bank. Never crowded, but always enjoyable. Sit back and listen to the sounds of nature, while families frolic in the water. If adventurous, you can jump off a rock into a deep pool.

When I was a kid, we found a small waterfall on a local creek deep in the woods. My brothers and I got a great idea! We found an old 4- by 8-foot piece of plywood and inserted it at the top of the waterfall, and we used two pieces of wood to hold up the other end of the plywood. We arranged rocks on the edge of the plywood to keep it in place, and lo and behold, water from the creek flowed over the plywood and cascaded off the other end, making a perfect waterfall that completely hid the plywood under

Mary Kay Cox, Four Oaks, a member of South River EMC

Joseph Fariello, Waynesville, a member of Haywood EMC

Makeshift Dam

Memories of the Mud My father’s favorite swimming spot was located in Stone Wall Springs, in the Sandy Cross area, between Pleasant Grove and Green Level.

Getting a swim on an active farm was considered a small luxury. After Poppy enlisted in the U.S. Army and returned home, he said that the memories of the friends and the mud [of that swimming spot] was a comfort to him during his service during the Korean conflict.

Robert Jeffers, Burlington, a member of Piedmont Electric

on muddy, gooey pond clay.

Our senior year, on the last school day, Beth, Jill, Alice and I headed to Fry’s Lake to go swimming with our other classmates. It had the highest metal sliding board I think I had ever seen. I remember climbing to the top and wanting to climb back down, because I was so high up, but the ladder was full of other classmates. I closed my eyes and prayed I wouldn’t die when I hit the water. I survived, but didn’t dare climb up again!

Platforms to jump off of in the middle of the water were so much fun.

Snow cones to eat, wooden boards to sunbathe on, and being with friends made the day perfect!

the cascade of water. Then we would temporarily hold a piece of wood on the plywood to divert the flow so we could climb underneath this new clubhouse without getting wet.

When we removed the piece of wood, we had a full waterfall that hid us underneath the plywood. There was also a natural pool of water formed by the original waterfall that we used as a swimming hole. This made the perfect place for us to play and swim.

We even had fun catching and releasing crawfish that lived in the creek.

Great memories!

When I was a teenager living at home in Wadeville, I had a favorite swimming spot, which was in a creek that ran beside my daddy’s garden. My niece, nephew and I would take rocks, gravel, old logs and sand and dam up a spot deep and wide enough for us to play in. We would help my dad chop the garden. On a really hot day, when we got through chopping, we’d run and jump into the swimming hole. We had on our bathing suits under our work clothes. Oh, what a relief it was in the cold water! I’m 90 years old now and remember those good ol’ days.

Jewel Byrd, Wingate, a member of Union Power Cooperative

Roger Tench, Huntersville, a member of EnergyUnited

Walking on Clouds My favorite swimming spot growing up was Fry’s Lake in Cabarrus County. As a teenager, I thought I was in heaven if I got to go swimming there on a Saturday.

Fry’s Lake had a sand bottom and no chlorine pool water, just water that you could not see through. What fun it was to feel that soft sand sifting through my toes. I felt like I was walking on clouds instead walking

Jewel with her younger niece, Linda Madaris Franklin, and nephew, Tim Madaris

carolinacountry.com/extras Discover more of our readers favorite swimmin’ spots across the state.

12 | carolinacountry.com

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6/10/20 3:03 PM

We’re Bringing Flexy Back

The Stauer Flex gives you vintage style with a throwback price of only $79.

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ust like a good wristwatch movement, fashion is cyclical. And there’s a certain wristwatch trend that was huge in the 1960s and then again in the 1980s, and is ready for its third time in the spotlight. We’re talking, of course, about the flexible stretch watch band.

To purchase a vintage 60s or 80s classic flex watch would stretch anyone’s budget, but you can get ahead of the crowd and secure a brand new version for a much lower price.

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CC07-wk.indd 13

6/9/20 2:10 PM

Rebecca Story

This Story Is All About

Blue Crabs Rebecca Story makes crabbing a family affair

Story and photos by Leah Chester-Davis unless otherwise indicated

Most mornings every week during the blue crab season, Rebecca Story, a member of Albemarle EMC, welcomes the first light of day as she eases her boat into the Yeopim River at Millie Henry’s small fishing center ramp. It’s located down a quiet back road in the Bethel community in Perquimans County.

A lone cypress dripping with Spanish moss stands nearby in the water, a sentinel of sorts, helping mark the fishing center from the long expanse of tree-lined shore. From there, Rebecca heads out to the Albemarle Sound to check about 250 of her 600 crab pots in her daily routine. She likes to be on the water by 6 a.m., heading to an area where white and green buoys, clearly marked with her name and boat registration number, bobble in the expanse of water.

Crabbers must check their pots at least every five days, a legal requirement of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries.

Rebecca has fished waters at the confluence of several other rivers, including the Chowan, since she was three years old, learning on her father Richard Winslow’s boat. Even so, she carefully uses GPS when she sets pots in an area that covers several miles. Her boat is loaded with tools of

the trade: roughly 20-inch x 24-inch wire crab pots, boxes that hold harvested crabs, and bait — she uses either shrimp heads or what she calls fatback or Atlantic menhaden. Some call it bug fish.

It’s physical work, baiting the pots and tossing them overboard, hauling in the catch and dumping the large wire baskets into the boxes she uses to collect each day’s catch, but Rebecca relishes her early mornings out on the water. For Rebecca, the waters along the North Carolina coast represent more than a livelihood, they help compose her life.

Family business

Blue crab season can last much of the year, but is usually at its peak from May through October. Rebecca’s catch of blue crabs — common in the state’s coastal waters, especially in the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds — will be shipped up the eastern seaboard to Ocean City, Maryland. From there the crabs may go to restaurants and

ed has fish a Story e h s e Rebecc c aters sin these w years old. ee was thr

markets in New York City. A few will end up in the fresh seafood market located in her new restaurant, Story’s Seafood Market and Grill in Hertford.

Before the crabs are shipped, they are graded according to size.

Rebecca has a strong sentimentality for all things family. She includes her children, Andrew, age 15, and Lizzy, age 18, in various tasks and jobs in her growing list of enterprises.

Thomas, age 20, works at the Naval Shipyard in Norfolk, but works with her on the boat on Saturdays.

“They can’t say they don’t know how to work, so whatever they do, I’m pretty sure they will be successful,” she says.

Rebecca’s soft-spoken nature belies her busy schedule. In addition to her crabbing business, she also owns a childcare center, and she has plans to expand the restaurant and add an outfitter and supply store for fishers.

She is also involved with activities in her church and community.

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Rebecca Story

Rebecca and her son Andrew

Rebecca includes her children in the crabb ing business. From left: Thomas, Lizzy, Andrew

, Paul, usband h r e h d a an ide of Rebecc in the s s e h tc no crabs. use the de blue a r g to the table

For the table

The seafood market includes the fresh-caught crabs along with other locally caught fish and shrimp from other fishers. It also includes some items, such as Atlantic salmon, which is sourced elsewhere.

The restaurant features typical fried seafood fare along with occasional features such as grilled shrimp and cheese risotto, and steamed crabs.

“Most everything in the restaurant is tied to family,” Rebecca says.

Her husband, Paul, who helps grade crabs after signing off each day from his regular job, developed the egg wash mixture that seafood is dipped in, keeping it light and letting the seafood flavors shine through. The tangy slaw is Mom LaRue’s recipe. Rebecca developed the hushpuppy mix and the recipe for the coconut shrimp. The crab bomb recipe is one she developed for a local festival, where it was a hit.

“We couldn’t keep them, and people started asking if I would make them on the side.”

They are now a popular appetizer on her menu.

While her many inland ventures keep her busy, it’s those solitary mornings out on the water where Rebecca thrives.

“I love it. To me, you’re away from everything,” she explains. “If anything goes wrong, there is nothing you can do about it because even when it’s rough out there it’s peaceful. I always feel like when I’m out there, it’s me and God. And nothing else matters. I love everything about it.”

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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Story’s Seafood Market and Grill facebook.com/storysseafood1 252-426-4000 131 N. Commerce Drive, Hertford

July 2020 | 15

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6/10/20 3:02 PM

RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Driving economic growth and job creation is one way North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives are building a brighter future for rural people and communities, in this decade and beyond.

We’re equally committed to providing new energy services and promoting sustainability through innovative programs that enrich local communities.

NCElectricCooperatives.com/Brighter

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6/2/20 2:56 PM 6/8/20 12:29 PM

JULY 2020

matters MEMBERSHIP

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ENERGY

Assistance is Available Blue Ridge Energy understands the impact COVID-19 has had on many local households and is asking members who are experiencing payment difficulties to contact us for assistance.

“For those who have been able to return to work, now is the time to contact us for a customized payment plan or crisis energy bill assistance available through our In This Together COVID-19 relief fund,” said Renee Whitener, director of public relations. “We want to prevent local residents from being surprised or facing additional financial burdens when disconnects and late fees begin in August.”

While Blue Ridge Energy was already extending the date of waiving disconnects and late fees until August, Gov. Cooper issued Executive Order 142 on May 30 outlining the same timeline. However, Blue Ridge Energy is concerned about those with mounting bills and wants to prevent local families from facing additional financial burdens as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Blue Ridge Energy offers the following resources to help: •

Crisis energy bill assistance from our “In This Together” campaign. To apply, contact your local helping agency listed at: BlueRidgeEnergy.com/relief or call us.

•

Customized payment plans to spread out large balances to avoid late fees and disconnection.

•

FlexPay members who have accumulated large balances are also encouraged to call if a customized payment plan or funds from In This Together can help.

We encourage those who have accumulated a large balance on their account during COVID-19 to call 1-800-451-5474 as soon as possible. Energy specialists will personally assist with the best options and plan.

To learn more about In This Together, visit BlueRidgeEnergy.com/Together.

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the

perspective

Blu be Bu ele su em wo sys

From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson

A Brighter Future for All From the time we were formed by local community members, Blue Ridge Energy has been committed to building a Brighter Future for the people, businesses and communities we serve. Our original mission was to bring electricity and new opportunity to our region, and it has since expanded to include the pursuit of new energy solutions, community enrichment and economic development initiatives that provide us new ways to deliver value to our members.

demand on the electric system. We’re also excited about plans to install a utility-scale solar facility to generate and feed solar energy into the grid for the benefit of our members. Once constructed, this system will produce more than 19 million kWh annually that will help control wholesale power costs to keep rates stable.

In addition to powering our communities, we are also contributing to a Brighter Looking to the decade ahead and Future by empowering those beyond, we remain focused on we serve. Concern for providing you electricity that is community is a hallmark of reliable, affordable and the cooperative difference, environmentally responsible. To and our commitment to achieve this low-cost, low-carbon community support has been amplified by the future, Blue Ridge Energy is working with the state’s other unprecedented circumstances electric cooperatives to reach of the past few months.

Blue Ridge Energy has five Community Solar significant carbon reduction goals, We want to make sure that Gardens throughout its service area. Members can our communities have the targeting a 50 percent drop in participate by subscribing to panels. carbon emissions from our 2005 strength to succeed no matter levels by 2030, and net zero carbon the challenges we face, which emissions by 2050. To meet these sustainability goals is why we continue to offer our “In This Together” while upholding our commitments to reliability and COVID-19 relief fund and invest in education grants, scholarships, Rural Economic Development grants and affordability, our efforts will be focused in areas that loans in partnership with the US Dept. of Agriculture, make the electric grid more flexible, efficient, resilient and capable of supporting new energy solutions and and other efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of our members. Because we are located in and belong to the vitality of our communities. the communities we serve, we understand local needs Our commitment to providing members with the firsthand and remain driven to make a real difference, now and in the years to come. lowest cost electricity possible remains strong as we explore and utilize new technologies such as solar energy, battery storage, smart thermostats and electric To learn more about the ways we are vehicle charging stations to balance supply and ensuring a Brighter Future for all, visit

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BlueRidgeEnergy.com.

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MEMBERSHIP matters

6/9/20 5:41 PM

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o

Blue Ridge Energy Named to Best Employers List Blue Ridge Energy has been named among the best employers in the state, according to Business North Carolina magazine. The electric cooperative and propane and fuels subsidiary were ranked among the top of state employers based on evaluations measuring workplace policies, business philosophy, systems and employee culture.

The list of the Best Employers in North Carolina was created by Business North Carolina magazine, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and NC State Council and Best Companies Group.

Blue Ridge Energy employs approximately 224 electric and propane and fuels employees in

Capital Credits: Allocations vs. Refunds

e

On their July bill, members receive notice of capital credits allocations from the previous year. Please be aware this is NOT a refund: refunds were issued in May. The allocation is one of the first steps in the annual capital credits annual process.

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es

er h

Here’s more about the difference between capital credits allocations and refunds:

Your annual capital credits allocation listed on your July bill • Allocations are based on the amount of electricity a member purchased is NOT a refund, but rather one of the previous fiscal year. This annual allocation amount is added to your the first steps in the annual process. overall membership capital credits balance, which reflects all the years Refunds were issued in May. in which you had service with Blue Ridge Energy.

•

, nd , f o s e,

Refunds occur when your Board of Directors approve a capital credits retirement. This involves refunding a portion of your overall membership capital credits balance. The rotation of these funds over time allows the cooperative to build and maintain power lines, substations, rights of way, and other areas to ensure safe and reliable electric service. It also helps reduce the need for loans, which helps keep costs down for members while still allowing for refunds to the member-owners of Blue Ridge Energy.

Capital credits are a benefit of belonging to a cooperative. This not-forprofit business model is used by thousands of cooperatives to balance debt and equity to help keep member rates low and provide reliable electric service.

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six offices with product showrooms in Lenoir, Boone, West Jefferson, Sparta and Morganton along with corporate headquarters in Lenoir, NC. The electric cooperative serves some 76,000 members in NC and the propane and fuels business serves over 27,000 customers in NC and Virginia.

MEMBERSHIP matters

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6/9/20 5:42 PM

Ideal Plants for Right-of-Way Areas

Plants to consider

Planting new trees can be one of the best ways to accent your property and add beauty to the landscape around your home. Before taking a trip to the plant nursery, it’s important to consider the location of power lines and right-of-way areas. Keep these tips and guidelines in mind to assure that the balance of beauty and electric reliability is maintained for years to come.

What is a Right-of-Way? Blue Ridge Energy is one of the top performers in the nation when it comes to keeping the lights on with a 99.98 percent reliability rating. An important aspect of this rating involves managing the tree and large shrub growths within our power line right-of-ways. It is imperative that these power line “avenues,” ranging from 30 feet (15 feet on each side of the power line) for our distribution power lines to as much as a 250-foot corridor for our large transmission lines, remain clear.

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 one of the numbers listed above.

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

Shadblow Serviceberry American Hornbeam Eastern Redbud Fringetree Flowering Dogwood Crape Myrtle Common Smoketree Chinese Witch Hazel Sourwood Common Winterberry Japanese Red Maple Amur Maple Saucer Magnolia Radiant Crabapple Dwarf Fruit Trees

Amelanchier Canadensis Carpinus Caroliniana Cercis Canadansis Chionanthus Virginicus Cornus Florida Var Rubra Lagerstroemia Indica Cotinus Ooggyria Hammelis Mollis Oxydendrum Euonymus Bungeanus Acer Palmatum Var Atropurpureum Acer Ginnala Magnolia Soulangeana Malus Radiant

Rush Hour Rewards for Nest Owners!

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives and Blue Ridge Energy are partnering with Nest smart home thermostats to offer the Rush Hour Rewards program.

This complements the cooperative’s Beat The Peak effort to control wholesale power costs during high demand periods when peaks in electricity usage are occurring. These efforts benefit all members by helping keep rates lower.

Rush Hour Rewards participants receive a one-time $50 bill credit just for signing up for the program and a bonus incentive for participating throughout the summer!

Upon joining the program, the thermostat adjusts heating and cooling when Blue Ridge Energy calls a Beat The Peak event. This typically occurs on only the hottest summer afternoons, between 2 pm and 7 pm. Controls are limited to no more than four consecutive hours and no more than three days in any given week. Nest owners retain the ability to change their temperature settings at all times.

Visit: BlueRidgeEnergy.com/Nest Google and Google Nest are trademarks of Google LLC This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Page 20

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6/9/20 5:42 PM

Un o 13 pen 8 Y ed ea fo rs! r

Discovered! Unopened Bag of 138-Year-Old Morgan Silver Dollars Coin experts amazed by “Incredible Opportunity”

 Historic Morgan Silver Dollars  Minted in New Orleans  Struck and bagged in 1882  Unopened for 138 years  26.73 grams of 90% fine silver  Hefty 38.1 mm diameter  Certified Brilliant Uncirculated

The Morgan Silver Dollar is the most popular and iconic vintage U.S. coin. They were the Silver Dollars of the Wild West, going on countless untold adventures in dusty saddlebags across the nation. Finding a secret hoard of Morgans doesn’t happen often—and when it does, it’s a big deal.

by NGC

 Certified “Great Southern

Treasury Hoard” pedigree

How big? Here’s numismatist, author and consultant to the Smithsonian® Jeff Garrett: “It’s very rare to find large quantities of Morgan Silver Dollars, especially in bags that have been sealed... to find several thousand Morgan Silver Dollars that are from the U.S. Treasury Hoards, still unopened, is really an incredible opportunity.”

-Jeff Garrett But where did this unique hoard come from? Read on...

Morgans from the New Orleans Mint

In 1859, Nevada’s Comstock Lode was discovered, and soon its rich silver ore made its way across the nation, including to the fabled New Orleans Mint, the only U.S. Mint branch to have served under the U.S. government, the State of Louisiana and the Confederacy.

In 1882, some of that silver was struck into Morgan Silver Dollars, each featuring the iconic “O” mint mark of the New Orleans Mint.

Employees then placed the freshly struck coins into canvas bags...

The U.S. Treasury Hoard

Fast-forward nearly 80 years. In the 1960s, the U.S. government opened its vaults and revealed a massive store of Morgan Silver Dollars—including full, unopened bags of “fresh” 1882-O Morgan Silver Dollars. A number of bags were secured by a child of the Great Depression—a southern gentleman whose upbringing showed him the value of hard assets like silver. He stashed the unopened bags of “fresh” Morgans away, and there they stayed...

 Limit five coins per household Actual size is 38.1 mm

third-party grading service Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), and they agreed to honor the southern gentleman by giving the coins the pedigree of the “Great Southern Treasury Hoard.”

These gorgeous 1882-O Morgans are as bright and new as the day they were struck and bagged 138 years ago. Coins are graded on a 70-point scale, with those graded at least Mint State-60 (MS60) often referred to as “Brilliant Uncirculated” or BU. Of all 1882-O Morgans struck, LESS THAN 1% have earned a Mint State grade. This makes these unopened bags of 1882-O Morgans extremely rare, certified as being in BU condition—nearly unheard of for coins 138 years old.

Don’t Miss This Rare Opportunity—Order Now! Regular 1882-O Morgans sell elsewhere for as much as $133, and that’s without the original brilliant shine these “fresh” 138-yearold coins have, without their special NGC hoard designation, and without their ability to tell their full, complete story from the Comstock Lode all the way to your collection.

Given the limited quantity of coins available from this historic hoard, we must set a strict limit of five coins per household. Call quickly to secure yours today as supplies are sure to sell out quickly!

1882-O Morgan Silver Dollar NGC Certified BU from the Great Southern Treasury Hoard — $99 ea.

The Great Southern Treasury Hoard That is, until another 50 years later, when the man’s family finally decided to sell the coins— still in their unopened bags—which we secured, bag and all! We submitted the coins to respected

FREE SHIPPING on 2 or More!

Limited time only. Product total over $149 before taxes (if any).

Standard domestic shipping only. Not valid on previous purchases.

Call today toll-free for fastest service

1-888-324-9125 Offer Code MSH225-01 Please mention this code when you call

GovMint.com • 14101 Southcross Dr. W., Suite 175, Dept. MSH225-01, Burnsville, MN 55337 GovMint.com® is a retail distributor of coin and currency issues and is not affiliated with the U.S. government. The collectible coin market is unregulated, highly speculative and involves risk. GovMint.com reserves the right to decline to consummate any sale, within its discretion, including due to pricing errors. Prices, facts, figures and populations deemed accurate as of the date of publication but may change significantly over time. All purchases are expressly conditioned upon your acceptance of GovMint.com’s Terms and Conditions (www.govmint.com/terms-conditions or call 1-800-721-0320); to decline, return your purchase pursuant to GovMint.com’s Return Policy. © 2020 GovMint.com. All rights reserved.

CC07-wk.indd 21

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On the House

Keeping Track of Energy Use at Home

900W Gas P

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By Jonathan Susser

Q: A:

Having additional time at home has made me more aware of just how many devices and appliances use electricity. How can I tell how much energy they’re consuming, and what actually makes up my electric bill each month?

It’s great that you want to learn more about how your home uses energy. And as electric co-ops upgrade the power grid and new technologies arrive, it’s becoming easier and easier to do so.

First, what goes into your electric bill each month? As a rough breakdown, the average home spends about 50 percent of its bill on heating and cooling (including water heating).

Lighting and your larger appliances (refrigerator, washer and dryer, dishwasher, etc.) each make up about 10–12 percent, and the rest is filled in by the growing number of electronics and other plug-in devices.

Co-op data You have a few options for tracking the usage in your home. Many co-ops offer apps or web portals that allow you to see how much electricity you are consuming (contact your co-op for information about accessing usage data online). These typically rely on data from a smart meter, which is an advanced electric meter that both records your home’s energy use and transmits it to your co-op.

One benefit of this technology is that it captures fine-grained data unavailable with older meters, enabling you to monitor consumption by month, day or hour. Soon, you may be able to drill down even further and see near real-time changes. So, if you turned on a light or plugged in a fan, that would be reflected a few seconds later in your account.

When exploring your electricity use data, keep an eye out for any days or

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times that stand out, as these irregularities could indicate an issue. Some co-ops offer their own programs in which they can notify members if something seems atypical about their electricity consumption.

Other options If you don’t have a smart meter or want a more customized look, there are home electricity/energy monitoring systems. These are pricier than other solutions and require more advanced setup — you’ll likely need the help of an electrician. They use sensors and other components to connect to your breaker box and can then deliver detailed information online or through an app to help you locate your biggest energy consumers.

If you’re just concerned about particular devices or looking for something simpler, consider smart plugs. These connect to a traditional outlet and can then be used to power a device, which you can control

through an app. Certain models allow you to see how much energy that device is consuming. There are also more basic electricity usage monitors that perform similarly and use display screens to show electricity use.

One last thing to be aware of is idle or phantom loads. Many electronics and appliances consume at least some electricity whenever they are plugged in, even if turned off. Although individual devices may not use a ton of energy, when added up across your home, they can cost you more than $150 each year.

To get around these pests, unplug them when not in use or shut off the power strips they are connected to. You can also try smart plugs or a smart power strip, which has outlets that can cut power to electronics that are not running.

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

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Carolina People

Chasing the Flag

Heath Trigg is fulfilling a dream at Heritage Flag Co. Story by Seth Allen | Photos courtesy of Heritage Flag Co.

B

efore the summer of 2014, small business owner Heath Trigg worked in construction and cabinetry for residential homes across the Sandhills area of North Carolina. Living in Southern Pines, Heath became known for his craft in woodworking cabinets. That summer, two veterans approached Heath with a proposal.

“These guys wanted my help in creating a bar for a brewery they were starting. At the time, we were slammed with construction work and didn’t have the time to devote to a custom job like this,” Heath explains. “They stayed on me about it. I would show up at the office, and there would be craft beer waiting on the doorstep. So, I finally said, give me a budget, and I will get it done.”

Heath knew the guys wanted the bar done with whiskey and wine barrels in which the beer was aged.

“Each piece of wood from each barrel is different,” Heath explains. “The coloring, texture — the result can be extraordinary.”

Upon the opening of the brewery — Southern Pines Brewing Co. — community members were very impressed by the craftsmanship.

The first flag Heath wasn’t done just yet; he and his wife knew that they wanted to create a unique gift for the two veterans.

“It came to me in a dream, an American flag made of whiskey, bourbon and wine barrels.”

That night he grabbed a notebook and sketched out his idea and the materials needed to create the first heritage flag, which is displayed in the taproom of Southern Pines Brewing Co. “When people saw the first flag we made and started asking for more, I told them to go online. The problem was they kept coming back and telling me that it didn’t exist.

No one else was making American flags from whiskey barrels. Today, we actually have a U.S. patent on an American flag made out of whiskey barrels,” he says. “We have a patent on an American flag. How crazy is that?”

An unpredictable series of events led to Heath presenting another flag to a three-star general at the

Pentagon a few months later. During that trip, a private tour of Arlington changed the course of Heath’s life.

Heath’s time at Arlington opened up his eyes to a whole world of sacrifice he hadn’t considered.

“Arlington changed everything for me,” he says. “While I had two very successful businesses at the time, I came home from that trip and told my guys, ‘I’m chasing the flag. If you need to do something else to support your family, now is the time to start looking.’ And I didn’t lose a single guy.”

A new calling The process of acquiring the barrels can be quite daunting.

Heath explains that bourbon takes an average of six years to age but can take up to 20 years.

“Most people don’t realize that bourbon, wine and scotch companies don’t own their barrels. So, we wait until shipments of aged barrels are available and place our order.

Each barrel has its own story, and no two flags are the same.”

Despite the economic downturn, the future for Heritage Flag Company is bright.

“We’re in a completely different landscape than we were two years ago,” Heath says. “This thing went from zero to a million miles an hour, and we’ve spent years chasing our tails to catch up with demand. From here, we will continue to offer great quality flags and improve our process so that we’re around for years to come.”

Seth Allen is the communications specialist at Pee Dee Electric in Wadesboro.

Heritage Flag Company theheritageflag.com | 910- 725-1540 230 S Bennett St., Southern Pines

24 | carolinacountry.com

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Crab Pot

Christmas

in July

These decorations are crafted ‘Down East’ year-round Story and photos by Wendy Perry

Sometimes, we set out to tell a tale with a vision in mind, yet when we arrive at the destination, the story hands us a gift of something different and sends us in a direction unconsidered. On a chilly fall day, I set out on an adventure “Down East” (east of Beaufort in Carteret County) — where doing more with materials at hand is a long tradition — on a quest to learn all about handcrafted crab pot Christmas trees.

I have seen these simple yet beautiful decorations for years, and I was curious to know more. There are dozens of stories about them and how they came to be.

Local fisherman and crab pot maker Nicky Harvey created decorative trees out of the wire traps and was granted a patent in 2004. Don Acree, owner of Fisherman Creations, has since negotiated the right to make and sell them.

More than 10,000 trees are sold each year, and they are shipped across America. From the 1½-foot to the 8-foot tree, there is a size for all. They can be enjoyed as is, or easily decorated with your favorite theme (or college colors), displayed seasonally on your deck, and used indoors or outdoors since their special coating prevents rusting.

The factory

Upon my arrival and warm welcome into the heart of the little Fisherman Creations factory in Smyrna, I was immediately fascinated at the craftsman and craftswomen, busy as bees, making the trees. And they became my story.

I introduced myself and my mission.

It was almost as if they had been waiting for someone to come along and see them and their work, and share all their knowledge of how the trees come

to life. (And explain to me the clicking noise I heard throughout the room!)

I found myself in a brightly lit room among this small coterie of skilled artisans doing what they do best. Multiple stations for each size tree were spaced about the room, where each lady (and gent, Mr. Danny Sparks) were making their trees with simple tools and duct tape-covered fingers — work I’m sure they could do blindfolded.

So the click-click-clicking was coming from specially made jigs as they spun around during the tree making process, the larger ones peddled by foot.

I was most curious about their taped fingertips. As it turns out, the wiring, although coated with a weatherproof PVC material, is harsh on them, so they devised their own protective coverings. While some make their fingertip “gloves” each day, others make and use for them a week at the time. Everyone takes such pride in their work, proud of the fact that there are no factory robots used in making the trees. Just a small group of tree elves, with numb and tingling fingers, making them from Labor Day right up to Christmas each year.

I got a bit tickled when I asked about music — since everyone had ear buds — and what tunes motivate them. Seems this has evolved over the years and has become more personal.

Everybody chimed in on this subject.

In the past, they would have to take turns choosing the music they all worked by, an hour at a time. Not anymore. (Long-timer Mary Smith said: “There is no need to listen to country music, ever!” while some of the others begged to differ.) I was amused at the unique personalities when I asked about music, yet recognized a kindred spirit among them that seemed to make them family.

The creators

On my visit, I met most of the Fisherman Creations “family.”

Marlee is the newcomer (two years in), making the 8-foot trees. There is Melody and Bonnie June, Mary, and retired couple Danny and “Doctor” Barbara Sparks, who have been making trees there since 2003.

Barbara is the tree doctor, and all repairs head to her little corner hospital to be mended and returned to its owner. This could be something as simple as updating lights from incandescent to LEDs or replacing strands.

Mike Wells comes in and cuts the tree pieces during the night and is usually gone by the time the others come to work. Another “old-timer,” Donna, usually comes in during the night to make her trees.

“Housemother” Julie West keeps things rolling — and they speak of her like a real mother. She sets up their

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Danny Sparks at work on a tree

Coastal Carolina Riverwatch Executive Director Lisa Rider with a new tree.

work stations to start the day, keeps the snack station stocked, and sometimes makes sure they get special family meals together, funded by the sale of tree scraps.

Virtually nothing is wasted around there.

“Years ago, our 1½-foot tree was created from scraps from the 2-foot trees, adding a fun size for new buyers,” says Don. “We have little waste from our tree creations.”

Marlee Aguon works on an 8-foot tree.

Wendy Perry, a culinary adventurist and blogger, chats about goodness around NC on her blog at WendysHomeEconomics.com.

Christmas in July Interested in a locally made Crab Pot Christmas Tree? They can be purchased year-round, but from mid-to-end of July, you you can get them on sale from the factory at crabpottrees.com.

CC07-tv.indd 27

Barbara Sparks in her ‘tree hospital’

6/10/20 3:15 PM

NC Outdoors

An Old Favorite for Bass The floating worm isn’t new, but it sure works Story and photos by Mike Zlotnicki

Every bass angler has a “go to” lure, the bait in their tackle box that gets tied on more often than others. For some it’s a spinnerbait, for others a crankbait of some sort, and still others some type of soft plastic offering.

For me, it’s the floating (or trick) worm. It simply checks all the boxes: easy to use, weedless, inexpensive and very effective, even in the hands of the novice angler.

I should note; the “floating worm” does not float. It sinks fairly slowly, and one can vary that with hook size and the use of a barrel swivel. Typically the floating worm is either rigged “wacky” style, with a bare hook piercing the bait in the middle, or Texas style, using an offset worm hook with the point embedded back into the worm.

Technique Fishing the floating worm is easy. One makes a long cast, allows the worm to sink some, and then twitches it back during the retrieve using a low rod tip to just take the slack out of the line and reeling with short turns of the handle. Some people use bright colors so the worm is visible during the retrieve. When the worm disappears, it’s because it is in the maw of a hungry bass. A quick, hard hook set is the next action. I prefer a slower — usually “twitch-twitch-pause” — retrieve. Bass often hit on the pause when the worm sinks. When I feel that dead weight, I set the hook.

The floating worm can be fished using any type of reel, but note that fishing it on a spinning outfit can cause line twist. So, I often use a barrel swivel and a foot-long leader to decrease that irritation.

There are a bunch of straight plastic worms on the market. My two favorites are Zoom and Danny Joe’s Original Floater.

Stephen Carroll of Garner admires a largemouth bass.

Variations Kelly Barefoot of Raleigh is the owner of Catch Outdoors, previously Custom Lures Unlimited (CLU). He started CLU in 2003 and it became Catch Outdoors in 2016 (catchoutdoors.com). In 2010, he purchased the molds and brand for Danny Joe’s Original Floater from Danny Joe Humphrey of Kinston. It’s now one of his two top-selling lure lines. He not only distributes them, he loves using them.

“It’s a great way for anybody to learn how to fish for bass,” Kelly says. “I prefer a 6½ to 7-foot medium spinning rod.

I like lighter lines, 10- to 12-pound test braid line when in heavy cover like in the river and 10- to 12-pound test monofilament in more open water. I usually have one rod rigged Texas style and one rod rigged wacky style. I really like the 1/0 and 2/0 Gamakatsu Wide Gap Weedless Finesse Hook.”

Kelly says he usually does not use a leader and swivel, and that a swivel can make the wacky rig roll in circles.

Ninety percent of his fishing with the floating worm is “sight fishing,” which in this case means watching the lure beneath the surface and setting the hook when it’s no longer visible. His favorite colors include watermelon bubblegum and bedding bluegill. (I find Zoom’s Junebug and Danny Joe’s South Africa Special colors effective, especially in turbid waters.)

If you’ve got some shallow water to cover, give the floating worm a try. Weedless, inexpensive, easy to work and effective is a nice list of attributes for a 30-year-old lure. It has stayed around for a reason.

Mike Zlotnicki is associate editor at Wildlife in North Carolina magazine. He lives in Garner with his wife, three daughters and two German shorthaired pointers.

Danny Joe’s Original Floater in Okeechobee Craw

28 | carolinacountry.com

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Piling on the Clinical Research Remarkably, the key ingredient in VeraFlex is protected by 8 patents and is backed by over 8-million dollar in research. It’s also been studied in two clinical trials.

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

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Consumers who miss out on the current product inventory will have to wait until more becomes available and that could take weeks. They will also not be guaranteed any additional savings. The company advises not to wait. Call 1-800-858-1851 today.

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. RESULTS MAY VARY.

CC07-wk.indd 29

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S

Nothing says summer like the combination of sweet, ripe cantaloupe and creamy coconut. Close your eyes and you might even think you’ve landed on a tropical island. No need to pull out the ice cream freezer for this one. Fun to make as popsicles too!

1 can (13.5 ounce) full-fat coconut milk 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk 1 can (11.6 ounce) sweetened, condensed coconut milk* 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped 2 cups roughly chopped ripe cantaloupe pulp with juice Toasted coconut, optional

1

Put the can of coconut milk in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

Remove coconut fat solids from the chilled can of milk and place in deep mixing bowl for about 20 minutes. (Save the liquid for use in smoothies, muffins, oatmeal or cocktail mixes.)

Whip with mixer until fluffy. Blend in coconut milk, condensed milk and vanilla bean.

Fold in cantaloupe. Pour into loaf pan or bowl and freeze. Garnish with toasted coconut at serving time.

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*

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*You can sub regular condensed milk Yield: Makes about 2 quarts

Savory Bay Crackers With browned butter

Browning the butter releases a whole new depth of toasty, buttery flavor in these crackers. Seasoned with a touch of Old Bay, they keep perfect company with our Seafood Cocktail — and with soups, salads or as a snack. Use one kind of cracker, or a variety like we did.

1 lb. unsalted butter 16 ounces crackers (like saltines, crispy round and club-type) Seasoning mix 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt 1 tablespoon dried parsley

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

3 2 2 ½ ½ 2

tablespoons brown sugar teaspoons garlic powder teaspoons onion powder teaspoon cracked black pepper teaspoon crushed red pepper teaspoons Old Bay seasoning

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

For the browned butter, heat butter over medium heat in a heavy bottomed sauce pan, whisking and watching closely as it melts. Continue heating for about 6–7 minutes until butter smells toasty and has turned golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside. Cool to room temperature.

Combine ingredients for seasoning mix and add to browned butter. Stir to mix well.

Put crackers in a large bowl. Pour seasoned butter over crackers, and gently toss with hands for about two minutes to make sure the crackers are well coated.

Put in a large baking pan (we used a foil, lasagna-sized pan). Toast in oven for about 25 minutes, gently stirring every few minutes. Let cool before storing.

Keep in airtight container up to a week.

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Carolina Kitchen

Spicy Seafood Cocktail

This is one of those recipes where exactness isn’t important — use all of one seafood or whatever combo you like. Go with your favorite vegetables and what’s in season. Whether a light snack, brunch, lunch or supper, this cocktail will cool you off on a hot summer day.

Spicy sauce Seafood mixture 2 quarts favorite Bloody 2 pounds North Carolina Mary mix* or V8 wild-caught shrimp 1 bunch green or red onions, 1 pound bay scallops chopped 6 small lobster tails, 1 bunch radishes, roughly chopped chopped

2 firm avocados, 3 stalks celery, diced cut into small pieces 1–2 tablespoons horseradish

½ cup chopped cilantro 4 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning Garnishes Zest of 1 lemon, lime, ½ pound lump crabmeat orange and juice of ½ each Cilantro (Cut the remaining halves into wedges for guests’ cocktails.)

Cracked black pepper Combine and chill the spicy sauce ingredients. A few minutes before serving, add about four pounds of cooked shellfish of your choice (or use our suggestions above) and gently stir in the avocados and cilantro. Sprinkle with crabmeat and more cilantro. *We used NC’s Bruce Julian Bloody Mary Mix. Yield: 8–12 servings

From Your Kitchen

Grilled Romaine Toss ¼ cup olive oil 3 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed 1 teaspoon dried thyme ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 8 plum tomatoes, quartered 2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced

Grilled Romaine 4 romaine hearts 2 tablespoons olive oil ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper Dressing ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 3 garlic cloves, peeled and halved 2 tablespoons brown sugar ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Add tomatoes and onions; toss to coat. Transfer to a grill wok or basket.* Grill, covered, over medium heat for 8–12 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Set aside.

For the grilled romaine, cut the romaine hearts in half lengthwise, leaving ends intact. Brush with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the romaine halves cut sides down, directly on the grill. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 3–4 minutes on each side or until leaves are slightly charred and wilted.

For the dressing, place the oil, vinegar, garlic and brown sugar in a food processor; cover and process until smooth.

Coarsely chop the romaine; divide among 10 salad plates.

Top with tomato mixture; drizzle with dressing. Sprinkle with cheese if desired. *If you do not have a grill basket, use a disposable foil pan. Poke holes in the bottom with a meat fork to allow any liquid to drain.

Yield: 10 servings

Recipe courtesy of Nicole Thompson of Sanford, a member of Central Electric

Send Us Your Recipes

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.

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.

July 2020 | 33

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where

in Carolina Country is this ?

Send your answer by July 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 August issue, will receive $25.

June winner

The June “Where Is This” photo by Carteret-Craven EC member Rosemary McHenry features The Brock Mill House, located on Market St. in Trenton (NC Highway 58 S within Jones County). According to Rosemary, the mill dates back to the late 1700s; and in 1917, a turbine generator was installed at the mill to provide electricity to the town of Trenton. Many folks reported passing the mill on trips to the Southern Outer Banks. Last year, one reader, John Smith of Kenly, noticed the American flag in poor condition, so he replaced it with a brand-new flag, leaving a note “Courtesy of John W. Smith, U.S. Navy veteran.” We thank you, Mr. Smith, for your service to the country and to this flag.

The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Janie Ferrell of Maysville, a Carteret-Craven EC member.

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

MUSIC

Cory Goble

Carolina

July’S FEATURED TRACK

“What You Wanted”

By the Moore Brothers Jake’s smooth, soulful vocals and brother Isaac’s inventive harmonies weave together to create a rhythmic, hypnotic song about the hurt someone leaves behind when they go. Just released in May, this captivating single follows their debut single, “Too Far Away,” which received two Grammy Nominations in 2019 for Pop Duo of the Year and Pop Song of the Year. “What You Wanted” was written by Jake and produced by both brothers.

Born and raised in Hickory, the Moore Brothers create real music for real people. Their music is about everyday life, romantic love and the challenges it holds.

carolinacountry.com/music Learn more about the Moore Brothers and listen to this featured track, as well as others from NC musicians.

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DLGRC_0

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freedom with

Keep your budget on track and make life easier with FlexPay! Pay as you go

Save energy and money

With FlexPay, you select the payment and schedule that works for you, whether it’s daily, weekly or monthly. Purchase electricity when you want, in the amount

FlexPay participants can use up to 15 percent less electricity as they become more aware of their energy use.

These savings add up over time.

• No deposits

With FlexPay, you’re in control! If your account balance runs low, simply make a payment to recharge your account.

You can be alerted of your balance by your choice of text, email or phone message.

• No extra charges or fees* • No monthly bills • No problem * A basic facilities charge applies to all electric accounts.

Learn more at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/FlexPay

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A HELPING HAND COVID-19 has affected households across our service area, and we want to help. If you or someone you know needs a helping hand with your energy bill, please contact us to ask about the In This Together Relief Fund or other ways we can help.

As a cooperative, we work together to help each other. If you would like to support In This Together, your donation will go to assist those in need during these unprecedented times.

Hundreds of Blue Ridge members have already joined the Relief Fund effort, contributing a special one-time donation and having their monthly bills rounded up through Operation Round Up®.

Whether you need energy bill assistance or want to contribute, In This Together is a great way to join us in the cooperative spirit of helping local people. Here’s how you can support the In This Together Relief Fund or get assistance if needed during this time:

If you’re able to help

IN THIS T GETHER

RELIEF FUND

COVID19

1. Consider a one-time donation to the fund. . Participate in Operation Round 2 Up, where your bill is rounded up each month to the next dollar.

Your small change makes a big difference to help members in need. . Or, join Operation Round Up Plus 3 to donate a bit more each month.

Go to

BlueRidgeEnergy.com/Together

If you need help paying your electric or propane and fuels bill, apply for In This Together funds through the local helping agencies found at be accepted by a Blue Ridge employee or submitted Note: Your proxy cannot at any of our offices.

BlueRidgeEnergy.com/Assistance

You may also call us: 1-800-451-5474

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