2020-09-BRE

September 2020

MUSIC TO

S R A E R U O Y

Rates to remain stable for 2020

Your cooperative has been able to manage costs, in spite of 2020’s challenges. This is the SEVENTH consecutive year with no rate increase!

PERIODICAL

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Focused on YOU

8/10/20 1:52 PM

EVs more attractive than ever With new 2021 models rolling out soon, the benefits of driving electric are growing.

Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf, offer driving ranges of up to 250 miles and are perfect for commuting or zipping around town.

These environmentally friendly vehicles come in all shapes and sizes – from sedans to work trucks – with dramatic increases in range. The 2021 Mustang Mach-E, Ford’s first all-electric crossover, boasts a top range of 300 miles. And, 2021 is shaping up to be the year of the electric truck with pickups expected to be released by Tesla, Rivian and GMC.

These new styles still bring the savings!

Electricity costs less per mile than gas, and with fewer moving parts, electric motors are less susceptible to mechanical issues. Also, there is no need for oil changes, emissions inspections, or trips to the gas station. Lower operating costs and a federal tax credit of up to $7,500* are energizing interest in EVs.

These trucks are offering ranges of up to 500 miles with towing capacities of up to 7 tons. Smaller EVs, like the Chevrolet

Whether you’re looking for savings, more range or new models, EVs are bringing all three in 2021!

Charge locally While most EVs are charged overnight at home, there are more and more public charging stations available. Blue Ridge Energy helped install level 2 chargers in downtown Blowing Rock and West Jefferson, as well as a DC Fast Charger at our Caldwell district office that charges an EV in 30 minutes. Download ChargePoint or PlugShare from your app store to find charging stations wherever you travel.

Visit BlueRidgeEnergy.com/EV today to learn more! *The credit amount will vary based on vehicle model and its battery capacity. For details, visit fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxevb.shtml.

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September 2020

Essential Produce Keeping local markets safe page 10

Published by

Lineworkers receive national honors page 8

Try this cool-season veggie page 26

PERIODICAL

Blue Ridge Energy members: update your information for chance at $25—pages 17–20 September covers.indd 3

8/11/20 3:03 PM

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8/7/20 9:39 AM

Volume 52, No. 9

Randy Berger Photography

14

10

Favorites 4 Viewpoints 6 More Power 22 On the House 26 Carolina Gardens 28 Adventures 30 Marketplace 32 Carolina Kitchen 34 Where is This?

34 Carolina Music

24

10 14 24

Safe, Essential Produce Farmers markets are adapting to serve communities during the pandemic.

A Living Museum, A Lasting Legacy

The pioneering spirit is alive at Hart Square.

The Little Beekeeper Laylah Hunt is generating buzz over her honey and syrups.

On the Cover Lisa Penny, with Penny’s Produce in Willow Spring, sells fresh fruits and vegetables at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh, where she has adapted new safety measures during the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more about how farmers are continuing to serve their communities on page 10. Photo

by Randy Berger Photography.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:

Carolina Country Scenes Our annual photo contest will be here before you know it!

Send in your best to be considered for our January issue.

See page 30 for details.

September 2020 | 3

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8/11/20 4:06 PM

Viewpoints

Protect Your Cyber Health

By Carmen Dietrich

We are certainly living in strange times. Like all of North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives, at Lumbee River EMC we have taken unprecedented steps to protect our members and employees from the spread of COVID-19. It seems the challenges may be far from over, but we are all adapting to the threats the pandemic presents, and learning to cope in the new — if temporary — normal.

In the same way, we must protect ourselves against another type of threat that is unfortunately all the more prominent during the uncertainty of a pandemic: cyber scams and hackers. Although we’d like to think cyber criminals wouldn’t bother reaching into our lives — our communities, businesses and even homes — the threat is, unfortunately, very real. With many in our communities facing financial hardships, more folks working from home than ever, and many turning to mobile banking for the first time, cybercriminals see opportunity.

But there’s good news. Just as we are identifying and implementing ways to protect our health during the pandemic, there are specific, proven ways to protect our “cyber health” while enjoying the conveniences that a more digitally connected life can bring.

Next month, October, is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a national effort to push back against the hackers out there. Recognizing that all personal devices are potentially vulnerable, including our home computers and smartphones, the initiative stresses: “If You Connect It, Protect It.” Here are four basic tips to put into practice today that will go

far in thwarting opportunistic cybercriminals:

1

Use strong passwords You’d be surprised how many people choose “password” as the secret word to protect their digital life, and hackers know it. The best passwords are at least eight characters long and include different types of characters. Try using a memorable verse from your favorite song and adding a few numbers and special characters ($ ! _ &). If you are like most people, remembering all your passwords is a challenge. Keeping passwords in a notebook might be more secure than using the same password for everything, depending on how secure and hidden those notes are from others.

2

Install software updates Your applications (apps) and operating systems will periodically send updates. Install them — they often include protections against the latest security threats. But remember, those updates come from the apps and not from emails or social media notices. An email containing an update may be a scam. Instead of clicking on the link, go to the app’s website to see if there really are updates available.

3

Use “two-factor authentication” That phrase is just a fancy way of describing a technique that adds an extra layer of security to a password.

One example is with online banking.

If you try to connect with your bank on a computer, it may text a code number to your phone that you type in to complete the sign-in process for

your account. These second factors are extra secure because they are tied to 1) something you have, like your phone to receive a passcode, and 2) something you know, like a password or security question. So if given the option, use them!

4

Think before you click Be cautious of any offer or link that comes through the internet, whether by email, social media or a “pop-up window,” or even a phone call instructing you to get online. Don’t click on a link unless you know for certain what it is.

Even emails from friends should be suspect — hackers can impersonate someone you know to send a computer virus through a link or an attachment. If you have any doubt, whether it’s a link to a software update or an attachment to a funny cat video, give the sender a phone call to find out if they really sent it or if it’s a scam.

One more word of caution against scams: None of North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives would ever call their members to obtain account or personal information.

If you ever doubt the identity of someone claiming to represent your electric cooperative, please call your cooperative’s office using the phone number listed on your bill or on the cooperative’s website.

With a little preparation and awareness of what’s out there, we can stand firm against would-be threats.

Whether protecting your physical or cyber health, be safe.

Carmen Dietrich is President and CEO for Lumbee River EMC in Pembroke.

4 | carolinacountry.com

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THIS MONTH:

Safe Travels

(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800)

Fall is upon us, and with it comes an excellent opportunity to get out in cooler weather and explore our state, near and far. In this issue, we hope to inspire a few trips that can happen even in our current reality of social distancing — whether it’s down the street to a local farmers market, into the great outdoors for some fresh air or on an epic drive.

—Scott Gates, editor

Jacob’s Return Seeing the return of “Jacob’s Log” in the August issue was such a treat!! I always enjoyed the wit and wisdom shared by Jacob Brooks in his column.

Congratulations to Jacob on his return to North Carolina and best wishes for a successful legal career.

Thank you to Carolina Country for bringing Jacob back!!

Julia McClure, Sunset Beach A member of Brunswick EMC

Big Question I would like to know and ask of the BBQ restaurants in Lexington: Who is the best BBQ restaurant of them all?

Melissa Bunch, Edenton A member of Albemarle EMC

A Good Team I just wanted to share a picture of a beautiful garden in Surry County grown by a dad and son [David and Jay Campbell, respectively] — all done with a tiller and a hoe. Jay told me he has always been interested in gardening and canning since he was a little boy. And it shows in their hard work. Jay works a full-time job, and his dad is retired. He told me it was a hobby for him and his dad. Everyone asks about their garden, wanting to buy things out of it, but Jay says “No, I’ll give you some.” (He and his daddy never charge anyone for things in the garden.) It’s something they love to do, especially when it comes to the canning part. What a great team — a good daddy and a good son.

Editor’s note: Although our staff have been to several of the barbecue restaurants in Lexington, I’m not sure if we could point to one as better than the rest — they’re all hard to beat, and the restaurants tend to view each other as family. We asked readers to name their favorite barbecue in the state through our second annual Carolina’s Finest Awards, so keep an eye out for that in our December issue.

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.

Annette Burton A member of Surry-Yadkin EMC

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

Raleigh, NC 27616

Read monthly in more than 700,000 homes

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 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616. 919-875-3091.

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

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, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616.

All content © Carolina Country unless otherwise indicated.

September 2020 | 5

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8/11/20 4:08 PM

More Power

Local Co-op Microgrids Recognized as Industry Leaders Two microgrid projects developed by electric cooperatives in North Carolina have been recognized as innovative leaders in the energy industry. One, at Butler Farms in Harnett County, applies the technology at a farm. The other, Heron’s Nest in Brunswick County, is the state’s first residential microgrid.

Battery storage on Butler Farms

Butler Farms microgrid The Butler Farms microgrid (pictured at top) — developed

by South River EMC, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives and Butler Farms, a sustainability-focused hog farm (“From Pork to Power,” July 2018, page 8) — recently received a Top Project of the Year Award in the Environment + Energy Leader Awards program.

The farm’s microgrid integrates renewable biogas, solar generation, energy storage and other components to produce electricity that can be used to power the farm and nearby homes.

“Models like this could help [small farmers] diversify and supplement geographies/townships with alternatives for environmental improvement,” one judge said.

The Environment + Energy Leader Awards What is a microgrid? recognize excellence in A microgrid is made up products and services of several electric grid components, interconnected at that provide companies a specific site. By coordinating with energy and environlocal components, North mental benefits, and in Carolina’s electric cooperatives projects implemented by can achieve increased reliability, companies that improved resilience and environmental environmental or energy benefits, and manage the grid in management and increased new ways. the bottom line.

Homes under construction in Heron’s Nest

Heron’s Nest microgrid In Shallotte, the Heron’s Nest neighborhood was recently recognized as a “Power Player” and presented with the Grid Integration Power Player of the Year award by the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA).

A collaboration between Brunswick Electric and North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives (“Life on a Microgrid,” March 2019, page 12), the residential microgrid utilizes a 62-kilowatt (kW) community solar array, a 255-kilowatt hour battery energy storage system, and components in the homes such as smart thermostats, water heater controllers and 3-kW residential solar panels.

“This year’s Power Players winners showcase innovation in clean energy,” said SEPA President and CEO Julia Hamm.

“They are spearheading the visionary projects, innovative programs, and collaborative partnerships that will accelerate the transition to a clean and modern energy future.”

The Power Players awards recognize those who have demonstrated unique innovation and leadership in efforts to integrate clean energy and distributed energy resources into the grid to help achieve carbon reduction and clean energy goals, and meet the needs of their electricity consumers. carolinacountry.com/extras

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

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8/10/20 12:36 PM

Sacred Stone of the Southwest is on the Brink of Extinction

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26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise

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enturies ago, Persians, Tibetans and Mayans considered turquoise a gemstone of the heavens, believing the striking blue stones were sacred pieces of sky. Today, the rarest and most valuable turquoise is found in the American Southwest–– but the future of the blue beauty is unclear.

On a recent trip to Tucson, we spoke with fourth generation turquoise traders who explained that less than five percent of turquoise mined worldwide can be set into jewelry and only about twenty mines in the Southwest supply gem-quality turquoise.

Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed.

We found a limited supply of C. turquoise from Arizona and snatched it up for our Sedona Turquoise Collection. Inspired by the work of those ancient craftsmen and designed to showcase the exceptional blue stone, each stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, oneof-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99.

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8/7/20 9:39 AM

More Power

NC Electric Cooperatives, CoBank Support Rural COVID-19 Relief Randolph EMC Journeyman Foreman Dennis Kidd was among those honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Brighter World Initiative Volunteers Receive National Honors The volunteer North Carolina co-op lineworkers who traveled to Bolivia last year have received the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Because of their efforts through the Brighter World Initiative in the spring of 2019, the 120 residents of the remote village of Laphía now have power for their homes and school (“Building a Brighter World,” August 2019, page 10).

The award honors the lineworkers for dedicating more than 100 hours of volunteer service to strengthen communities.

“We are proud of these outstanding volunteers for their commitment to service — these honors are truly deserved,” said North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives’ Senior Vice President and COO Nelle Hotchkiss. “Their efforts are a demonstration of the cooperative purpose, and they represent the power of what can happen when we all work together for the common good.”

Since 2003, the President’s Volunteer Service Award has recognized volunteers “We are proud of for using their time and talents to solve some of the toughest challenges facing these outstanding our communities. Led by the Corporation volunteers for for National and Community Service and managed in partnership with Points of their commitment Light, the program honors individuals who to service.” positively impact communities and inspire others to take action.

North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives and CoBank, a national cooperative bank, are partnering to provide $20,000 in support of rural communities impacted by COVID-19.

“The state’s electric cooperatives were founded on a mission of local service, and we’re pleased that we can provide valuable assistance during this time of heightened need,” said Lark James, CFO for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.

The funds will be distributed by the North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF) to community nonprofit organizations in counties served by electric co-ops at the direction of the local boards of several NCCF affiliate foundations, in support of people and families in rural communities who are unemployed or underemployed.

“We’re deeply thankful for this commitment to our state’s rural communities that need our support during these challenging times,” said Jennifer Tolle Whiteside, NCCF CEO and president. “We’re confident our statewide network and local affiliate foundations are excellent stewards of this gift and will ensure every dollar supports the local community.”

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8/11/20 4:09 PM

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A a t w S t

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Farmers markets are adapting to serve communities during the pandemic Story by Leah Chester-Davis | Photos by Randy Berger Photography unless otherwise noted

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8/10/20 12:04 PM

A cadre of volunteers, all wearing masks and matching T-shirts, are directing foot traffic on a sunny Saturday morning in late June at the Davidson Farmers Market. Arrows chalked on the sidewalk also provide direction toward a single entry point to the market. Only those who have pre-ordered and are wearing masks are allowed into the cordoned-off space.

Social distancing reminders and directional guidelines help ensure the traffic flow through the market proceeds in a manner that prevents any congregating.

It’s a stark contrast from the pre-COVID lively market that drew the community together as folks shopped the numerous market stalls and chatted with neighbors and local farmers. This is the first day a small number of farmers are back at the market’s regular site. They plan to use this model for a couple of weeks before reopening the market. For the previous couple of months, farmers at this market had pivoted to a drivethrough model where customers pre-ordered and then drove through a designated area where farmers could simply load the produce, meat or other farm products into their customers’ cars with little contact.

Farmers markets are classified as essential businesses in the state, meaning they could remain open.

Many, however, are overseen or regulated by municipalities, several of which closed markets or went to a drive-through or other model until safety protocols could be in place.

The Carrboro Farmers Market has remained open throughout the

pandemic, quickly implementing safe practices. Early on, the farmers market board turned to an expert for advice.

“We hosted an infectious disease specialist, Dr. Peter Gilligan from UNC, who is also a market regular.

He provided us with a wealth of advice for how to safely operate and stay open,” says Market Manager Maggie Funkhouser.

“What he emphasized is now the script for the state and the country.

Social distancing, keeping your hands

Davidson Farmers Market

The year round, state-run farmers markets in Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte and Asheville have remained open all along, though in early March they made significant modifications. continued on page 12

Maggie Funkhouser

Leah Chester-Davis

Raleigh Farmers Market

clean, not touching your face, sanitizing surfaces a lot and not giving customers a reason to spend as much time at the market as they ordinarily would,” Maggie says. “We canceled all of our events and didn’t offer things like onsite, ready-to-eat foods.

Most things are prepackaged now.

We are not a pre-order market, but we encourage folks to pre-order and pre-pay whenever possible.”

They also reformatted the market and developed a one-way flow pattern. While socializing and milling around is a favored feature of most markets, Carrboro, along with most other markets, now encourage customers to “get in, get out and get home!”

Carrboro Farmers Market

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Raleigh Farmers Market

“We had to drastically limit the number of vendors,” says Amie Newsome, Charlotte Regional Farmers Market manager.

The market spaced booths 36 feet apart during the state’s “Safer at Home Phase 1.” That allowed only 25 percent of their regular number of vendors.

During Phase 2, they spaced vendors 12 feet apart, which brought them to half capacity in terms of vendors.

“We’ve had all the garage doors open for our enclosed buildings so people could enter and exit freely. People aren’t confined. We put up signs and we put markers on the ground to show people how far 6 feet was,” explains Amie. “It has been very challenging on all fronts.”

The Charlotte market offers both regular market shopping and curbside pickup, depending on the vendor. Several of the farmers transitioned to curbside or online stores so people could pre-order.

“This was really new to a lot of the vendors,” Amie says. “This took more time because they were having to not only do their field work, but they would come in at night and have to do all the online stuff, getting prepped for spacing, collecting all the different items for different customers who were requesting curbside pickup. It affected them greatly.”

While both market managers speak to the numerous challenges and difficult decisions they’ve had to work through and continue to face due to COVID-19, they also point out glimmers of hope.

“We really found out how strong the connection of our vendors and customers was because when this went down, people still came to the market and supported these local, small family-owned businesses,” Amie says.

“Even in this difficult time, I’ve really noticed and appreciated the resilience of our farmer, business and customer community,” Maggie says. “It’s really been very encouraging to me — the strong sense of support and resilience that I feel with the farmers I work with. It makes me feel like if we can make it through this, we can make it through anything.”

Raleigh Farmers Market

With more than 250 farmers markets across North Carolina, there’s a good chance you’ll find one just down the road.

A market directory and guide to what fruits and vegetables are in season is available at ncfarmfresh.com.

You can also visit one of the four larger regional farmers markets, operated by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

■ Western NC Farmers Market, Asheville ■ State Farmers Market, Raleigh ■ Charlotte Farmers Market, Charlotte

Carolina Country Contributing Editor Leah Chester-Davis has her own business, Chester-Davis Communications (chester-davis.com), specializing in food, farm and lifestyle brands and organizations.

■ Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers

Market, Colfax (near Greensboro)

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RCK373-01_6.875x9.875_Layout 1 7/20/20 1:12 PM Page 1

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CC09-wk.indd 13

8/7/20 9:39 AM

Carolina People

A Living Museum, A Lasting Legacy The pioneering spirit is alive at Hart Square

By Leah Chester-Davis

When you travel down a road called Hope, in Catawba County, and turn onto a small lane near a mailbox topped with a bright red heart inside a black square, you are on your way to being transported to another century, to a place in Rutherford EMC’s service territory known as Hart Square Village.

The clang of the blacksmith’s shop rings out as tools are forged from iron on a hot anvil. Melodies of a string band float through the air. Tendrils of smoke curl skyward from the fire that’s been built under a black kettle for soap making. Sue Helmken, with the Piedmont Fiber Guild, is chatting with a crowd about the row of pots she is tending. It’s a lesson on how pioneers used different plant material — rosemary, onion skins, beets, walnut hulls — to dye fibers different colors.

The late Dr. Bob Hart and his granddaughter, Rebecca Hart

There are more than 100 log structures at Hart Square.

At the Propst House, which dates to 1792, Carol Robinson is demonstrating how to spin wool on a large spinning wheel and Linda Canipe is settled into a corner of the front porch. She’s dressed in a calico dress and bonnet and hard at work using a large wooden utensil — an early version of a mandoline — to slice a large head of cabbage to make sauerkraut. It’s been her job for 31 of the 34 years that Hart Square has opened on the fourth Saturday in October for its fall festival.

Walk through the village and nearly each of the 100 structures features one or more of the nearly 200 artisans and tradespeople, most in period costumes, bustling with demonstrations of the resourcefulness and ingenuity of early American life.

Potters, broom makers, tinsmiths, bakers using a beehive oven, woodworkers, bookbinders, herbalists, surveyors, hide tanners—it all lends to the aura of stepping back in time with guests becoming part of the pioneer experience.

Hart Square is billed as the world’s largest collection of 18th and 19th century structures. It showcases

elements of life gone by in nearly every building, from the jailhouse, to individual homes, to the chapels, to the schoolhouse, a general store, the cotton gin and more.

“The beds are made, the table is set, the corner cupboard filled, all the tools hanging,” says volunteer Powell Sigmon. “It’s as if the pioneers who inhabited it are gone for the day.”

The beloved Dr. Hart

While Hart Square is no doubt impressive, it’s the story and the person behind it that amazes.

“It all started by accident,” said the late Dr. Bob Hart [interviewed for this article last fall], who was a family physician for 50 years in Hickory.

“You can do a lot in 50 years.”

A conservationist at heart, back in 1967 Dr. Hart purchased land with the idea of establishing a refuge for wildlife and a respite from his busy medical practice. About 20 years later, shortly after he won the Wildlife Conservationist of the Year, he said a friend told him about an old log cabin that would look good on his property.

“So we moved it and put it by one of the ponds.” Before long, he’d added a well and outhouse, then the log

14 | carolinacountry.com

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8/11/20 4:24 PM

Looking toward the future

DeWitt Blackwell, Coke Gunter and Brad Dozier boil peanuts each year for the fall festival.

Linda Erickson of Davidson, member of the Piedmont Fiber Guild

barn that went with the house. “Then you have to have something to put in it,” he added.

Others began letting the doctor know about log structures in the Catawba River Valley region. He took to the sky in his airplane to spot them.

“It was a domino effect,” he said.

Now, more than 100 structures are packed with authentic-to-theera items. The impressive collection represents the life of people’s ancestors and a part of North Carolina history. While it certainly gives a glimpse of life from another era, it’s also a log structure rescue project; without Hart Square many of these structures would already be lost to dilapidation or demolishment. Each piece of each structure was dismantled, numbered, transported and then rebuilt by Dr. Hart and friends.

Dr. Hart passed away in March, although his legacy continues through the Hart Square Foundation, his family and countless friends and volunteers.

Lessons from history

While Hart Square Village is like stepping back in time, it’s clear that the place is about more than old log homes. It’s about people. The world’s largest collection of log structures is indeed impressive, but it’s the stories behind them and the lessons they hold that are remarkable.

The history, the detail, and a commitment to the authentic nature of a structure were important to Dr. Hart and his wife, Becky, and remain so with the Hart Square Foundation.

His interest connecting generations was paramount.

“I’m trying to educate this younger generation so they appreciate what their great grandparents and all have done,” Dr. Hart said.

On the Friday before the 2019 festival, the village teemed with students who were treated to glimpses of life in an 18th and 19th century village. Laura Warren, a teacher at nearby Startown Elementary, brought her students.

“We wanted to come here because of the local heritage,” Laura says.

“Just being able to have a living museum and being able to walk through it and see real examples, for things to be tangible, to put images with facts. It brings North Carolina history alive, not only for those who study it in the fourth grade across the state but for others. This works for any grade level.”

“There is nothing like this anywhere,” says Powell, who, with his wife Virginia, contributed funds to help build the new education center.

“I have been around the world but I’ve never seen a place like this. I think it is a national treasure.”

The Hart Square Foundation is looking toward the future. At the helm of the foundation is Dr. Hart’s granddaughter, Rebecca Hart, who serves as its executive director. Just as her grandfather jumped into collecting and curating log structures that became an entire village, Rebecca and her staff are looking to tap the pioneering spirit of North Carolina’s heritage to offer creative ways to educate and inspire current and future generations. They hosted more than 3,500 school children last year for educational field trips packed with hands-on activities such as blacksmithing, apple cider making, creating cornhusk angels and learning about old-time music.

The education center, designed to be the gateway to Hart Square Village, opened in early 2020 and is used to facilitate year-round educational programming, and host corporate retreats and musical performances, with the hopes to include a craft school to share the trades and crafts of the time period.

Ever-growing circle inspires others

To Rebecca, it’s all part of the ever-growing circle of people and resources that results from a labor of love.

“This is a great place for people to learn. It’s a living, learning library,” she says. “There is something for everyone to connect to at Hart Square, whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, history lover or artist.”

Carolina Country Contributing Editor Leah Chester-Davis has her own business, ChesterDavis Communications (chester-davis.com), specializing in food, farm and lifestyle brands and organizations.

Annual festival

Hart Square plans to hold its 35th Annual Festival October 24, 2020. This year’s tickets sales will be limited to 50 percent capacity; visit hartsquare.com or call 828-528-5029 for updates.

September 2020 | 15

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8/10/20 12:05 PM

BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

From a better driving experience and exciting tech, to reduced emissions and more convenience, electric vehicles have something for everyone.

See how driving electric can fit your life at NCDriveElectric.com.

Providing cooperative members and travelers with solutions for driving electric is one of the many ways North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are creating a Brighter Future for people and communities.

NCElectricCooperatives.com/Brighter

NCECAd-09-2020.indd CC09-wk.indd 16 1

8/6/20 8/7/20 6:45 9:39 PM AM

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ENERGY

matters MEMBERSHIP

September 2020

7 Great Reasons to Drive Electric Whether your priority is saving money, increasing convenience, helping the environment or experiencing the latest technology, electric vehicles (EVs) offer something for everyone.

1. Significant savings. Powering a car with electricity is cheaper than gas, so electric vehicles cost less to run. EVs are becoming increasingly affordable to purchase, and tax incentives and rebates can also help reduce their price tag.

2. Convenience. Imagine never having to go to the gas station again! Most EV drivers charge overnight at home. A growing network of public charging stations also make it increasingly convenient to charge your EV. 3. Less maintenance. EVs tend to have fewer moving parts than gasoline-powered vehicles, they require no oil changes and less maintenance.

4. A better driving experience. Electric vehicles are fun to drive, with faster acceleration and a more responsive feel behind the wheel that offers faster pickup and improved turning power. They are quieter than gasoline-powered cars, and come in an increasing range of models and sleek design options.

Blue Ridge-0920.indd 17

5. Healthier environment. Plug-in electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions, which improves air quality and benefits us all. Even when accounting for generation of the electricity that powers EVs, emissions are lower than those of traditional vehicles.

6. A stronger local economy. Electric vehicles decrease our dependence on foreign oil and encourage local economic development.

Installations of charging stations can help promote tourism and commerce as EV drivers are drawn to the communities surrounding the stations.

7. A more efficient electric grid. By charging overnight, electric vehicles create demand for power at a time when the grid has historically been most underutilized and therefore least efficient. Spreading demand across nighttime hours can help fill demand valleys and create new revenue to keep rates lower for all members.

To learn more about the many benefits of driving electric, visit NCdriveelectric.com/BlueRidgeEnergy.

8/10/20 1:36 PM

W g o

the

perspective From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson

How members benefit from our subsidiaries When your cooperative first diversified in 1998 by adding a propane and heating fuels subsidiary, which we now operate under the shared market name of Blue Ridge Energy, it was to benefit members and keep your bills as low as possible.

That was also the goal when we added a second subsidiary in 2009, RidgeLink, which provides fiber optic infrastructure to cellular broadband, education, health care, government and business sectors.

through their contributions. Last year, Propane and Fuels and RidgeLink donated $50,000 to the Members Foundation to be used for crisis heating assistance and community grants to improve health care, education, elder and youth services, and more.

Our subsidiaries are benefitting members and the customers they serve in several important ways.

Caldwell district’s hearth and home showroom

In addition to providing local jobs to strengthen the economy in our service area, profits earned by the subsidiaries are used to keep your electric bills lower by offsetting operating costs at the cooperative. In 2019, our subsidiary companies produced a combined net benefit of $3.7 million to the cooperative, helping keep member rates stable and as low as possible!

Our subsidiaries also benefit local communities

Our Propane and Fuels subsidiary also leases space to provide showrooms in each of the cooperative’s district offices where you can receive expert advice and purchase products such as fireplaces and gas logs, space heaters, backup power generators, water heaters, outdoor fire tables, patio heaters, custom grills, outdoor furniture and more! During this time of a pandemic, our showrooms are open by appointment only.

As members, it’s important for you to know about your subsidiary companies. We hope you join us in our excitement to pursue continued growth in order to increase subsidiary benefits to you and all members to help keep rates as low as possible and contribute to the local quality of life in our communities.

Board Update During their regular July meeting, your Board of Directors elected the following as officers of the Board: Jeff Joines, President; David Eggers, Vice President; Joy Coffey, Secretary-Treasurer; and Johnny Wishon, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer.

Page 18

Blue Ridge-0920.indd 18

MEMBERSHIP matters

8/10/20 1:36 PM

Fo so

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

Enter to win today!

d

h e.

s

*Contest Rules: Only one contest entry and winner per account. Drawings will be held monthly. Updating your email address automatically enters you in all monthly drawings. Members who win will not be eligible for future drawings in this contest.

Follow us on social media!

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

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

• Complete a form at any of our district offices.

Do you have money waiting?

To help our former members receive refunds due to them through the cooperative’s capital credits retirements, all unclaimed capital credits are listed on our website. To check the list, visit BlueRidgeEnergy.com and click the “Residential” tab. Click the “Money Back to You! Capital Credits” area and scroll to the bottom of the page to find the “Unclaimed Capital Credits” link.

is

n er

Unclaimed capital credits are funds waiting for our former members for whom we don’t have a valid address. This is an important reason to always contact us any time your address changes.

If you are on the list, please contact us Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proof of identity will be necessary to receive the refunds.

ters

Page 19

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8/10/20 1:36 PM

Converting rights-of-way to wildlife habitats

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson

Enhancing the natural beauty of western North Carolina while ensuring reliable electricity for members is why Blue Ridge Energy has made funds available to help convert rightsof-way to wildlife habitats.

honeybees and other pollinators.

Up to $500 per acre is available to members who have cooperative rights-of-way on their property in wooded or other qualifying areas.

The funds are to help offset costs the member would incur to remove trees and plant certain types of grass, low-growing shrubs, wildflowers and other vegetation to attract wildlife such as rabbits, turkeys, birds, deer and

Programs like this not only benefit the environment and improve appearance, they also help ensure reliable electricity for members and give line technicians a safe pathway when working on power lines.

Members qualify for funds only if they contact Blue Ridge Energy’s vegetation management staff and receive approval prior to the start of their project.

Visit BlueRidgeEnergy.com and click on the “Resources” tab for more information.

EDITOR

Reneé R. Whitener

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR

Telephone Town Hall coming soon!

DISTRICT OFFICES

Join us for our Telephone Town Hall on Thursday, October 15, at 6:30 pm. To participate, simply answer the phone when we call at this time.

Susan Simmons 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 Night deposit available.

Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEnergy.com +

Page 20

Blue Ridge-0920.indd 20

You’ll hear Chief Executive Officer Doug Johnson discuss timely updates about your cooperative. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions.

We will call members a few days prior to the event as a reminder of the date, time and how to participate. The primary phone number on member’s accounts will be used, so please contact us today to be sure we have the number you prefer listed on your account!

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

MEMBERSHIP matters

8/10/20 1:36 PM

The World’s First Guardian Angel Coin 1,680-Year-Old Coin From The First Christian Empire

W

e’ve carried angel coins in our pockets for generations.

In 1465, the British Gold Angel served as a good luck charm, with coins received from the hands of monarchs believed to protect against disease and poverty. During the French Revolution, it’s said that the designer of the French “Lucky” Angel coin was saved from execution by divine intervention.

Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have carried one of these coins, but lost his the day before the fateful Battle of Waterloo.

Even sea captains and fighter pilots have carried “guardian” angel coins with them to ensure a safe return.

But the history of Angel coins dates back to ancient times—to the days of the first Christian Empire...

Actual size is approximately 18 mm

Own an Ancient Piece of Christian History The Face of the Roman Empire’s First Christian Capital During Constantine’s reign, coins would feature the patron gods and goddesses of the city in which they were struck. Thus, the obverse of the First Guardian Angel Coin displays a helmeted bust of the goddess Constantinopolis.

Constantine’s Angel of Victory

Constantine was the world’s first Christian emperor, having merged worship of the sun god Sol Invictus with the worship of Christ. During his reign, he moved the empire’s capital to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinopolis.

The city would be the world’s first Christian capital, and remained the capital of the Roman/Byzantine Empire for the next 1,000 years.

To mark the occasion, Constantine minted special coins bearing the Angel of Victory, bearing her scepter and shield while watching from on high. The world’s first Christian Emperor had given the world its very first Guardian Angel coin.

Struck between A.D. 330 and 337, this ancient Bronze Constantinopolis Guardian Angel coin is a genuine, authentic piece of Christian history.

It was struck in the world’s first-ever Christian capital under the world’s first-ever Christian emperor. And now it can be yours!

Reserve Your Coin Today!

Order now and you can claim your very own 1,680-year-old Bronze Angel of Constantine the Great, certified in Extremely Fine (XF) condition by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and sealed in a deluxe holder— for less than $100!

Bronze Angel of Constantine the Great XF – $99 each + s/h

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• Nearly 1,700 Years Old! • Certified Extremely Fine (XF) • Sealed in a Deluxe Holder

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

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1-888-870-6353 Offer Code GAC230-01 Please mention this code when you call.

GovMint.com • 14101 Southcross Dr. W., Suite 175, Dept. GAC230-01 • 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.

CC09-wk.indd 21

8/7/20 9:39 AM

On the House

Get a Jump on Cold Weather Plan now to save money when temperatures drop

By Jonathan Susser

Q:

Winter and its customary high energy bills have a way of sneaking up on me. What are some tips for saving money this year?

A:

Winter is coming, but it doesn’t have to mean huge expenses. Heating systems in general can be big energy hogs, so it makes sense to start there when looking to save.

Here are some no- and low-cost steps to consider.

Thermostat When you’re home, keep your thermostat at as low a temperature as you can tolerate. Try adding a few clothing layers and knocking the temperature down a bit so your heating system doesn’t have to work as hard. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, adjust the temperature depending on your schedule. And make sure the fan setting is on “auto,” not “on.”

For gas, oil, propane, natural gas and electric furnace HVAC systems, you can save up to 10 percent off your monthly heating and cooling bill by turning back your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day.

For HVAC systems equipped with a heat pump and electric resistance furnace, it is best to maintain a constant thermostat temperature in the winter. This will prevent the more energy intensive electric strip heat from coming on to rewarm the home quickly when you return the thermostat to your desired setting.

Filtration Check and replace your heating system’s air filter according to manufacturer specifications. Typically, this will be every one to three months. If you are considering a higher efficiency media filter, consult a heating contractor to ensure it is optimized for your system.

Motors Noisy fans and pumps typically indicate age and inefficiency. The cause could be as simple as a loose bolt in need of adjustment or something more serious, in which case you might benefit from installing a more efficient fan motor or compressor.

Ducts and vents Duct sealing and sealing cracks and holes can be a big help to your wallet. Check the ductwork for proper

connections and any damage, blockages or disconnections.

Just like with water lines, all parts of the ductwork should be leak-free.

Is the insulation (either inside or outside the ductwork) still present? If not, patching holes and fastening in place will help maximize the efficiency of your heating system.

When your system is running, is air coming from each supply register? If not, there may be a hole or disconnection in that duct. Also, make sure all supply registers and return grilles are clean and unblocked. If needed, go over them with a vacuum or rearrange furniture to allow for better air movement and heating system efficiency.

Gas furnace At the gas furnace/air handler, check the exhaust vent condition for fit, damage or blockages, and examine the gas line for kinks and holes. Do you experience any exhaust smells, odors or carbon monoxide alarms when the heat is on? If in doubt, contact a heating contractor for assessment, tune-up and repair.

Heat pump (all-electric) Is the system’s outdoor unit on level ground and free of grass clippings, mulch and plants? Keep any shrubs at least two feet away to maximize the efficiency and airflow around this component.

Does the system run all the time and not provide heat?

Does the outdoor fan not run at all, yet heat still comes out of the system? If either of these scenarios is occurring, you’ll likely need a heating contractor to investigate.

Wrapping up Take notes during your self-assessment. If you end up deciding to have your heating system serviced, your notes will help your contractor better understand what is and isn’t working. The fall can be a great time for a checkup: The weather is less extreme, and it’s often a slower season for contractors, so they may have more availability and lower prices.

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

22 | carolinacountry.com

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Carolina People

The Little Beekeeper Laylah Hunt is generating buzz over her honey and syrups Story and photos by Leah Chester-Davis

T

hirteen-year-old Laylah Hunt knows that a good story is one way to create some buzz for food buyers as they stop by her family’s booth “The Little Beekeeper” at the Flavors of Carolina food show held in Concord each spring.

Hosted by the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and designed to put North Carolina products in front of hundreds of domestic and international buyers, food entrepreneurs get a rare chance to tout their tasty creations.

“It was so interesting because I got to tell my story over and over and I got to meet all kinds of new people,” Laylah says, who very well may have been the youngest businessperson at the event (though being a trailblazer for her age group is nothing new to the curly haired, smiling, outgoing middle school student.)

Her family’s product, The Little Beekeeper, is named for the moniker she earned three years ago when she became the youngest certified beekeeper in the state after completing the introductory beekeeping class taught by the Gaston County Beekeepers Association and passed the certification exam. Laylah got her start when she attended classes on occasion with her Mom, Cindy. When her Dad, Johnnie, signed up for the class the following year, Laylah decided it was time to learn more.

“I begged him to take me with him so I could take the class, too. I took it pretty seriously. I have a whole

notebook filled with notes,” she says. She also gained a mentor, Burton Beasley, who she says makes bee school fun. “He takes it to a whole other level.”

The family’s original intent was beekeeping as a hobby.

“We wanted to help the environment and keep pollinators on our property,” Cindy says.

But the attention Laylah received as The Little Beekeeper resulted in requests for their honey, and it has turned into a full-blown business. The family, members of Rutherford EMC, now has 30 hives with plans to add more.

Laylah has been interviewed by WBTV, the CBS affiliate in Charlotte, and was recognized on the cover of Lake Norman Woman magazine for its 8th Annual Amazing Lake Norman Girls issue.

The Little Beekeeper products — local raw honey and elderberry syrup — are now in 35 stores and can be ordered from the company website, thelittlebeekeeper.com. While Laylah’s major responsibility is checking the hives, she is learning business basics beyond the meet-and-greet sales experience at trade shows.

A self-professed entrepreneur, she has a beeswax lip gloss under development. When she came up with the idea, her parents asked her to find out what ingredients she needed, to shop around for prices, determine types of containers and labels she would need, and to give them a cost analysis. When Laylah participates in trade shows and other events, her parents ensure she hones analytic skills and people skills.

“We are a small family company, and we are trying to teach her about having a good work ethic and to be a good, well-rounded human being,” explains Cindy.

With the product being named for her and the company’s logo an illustration of her likeness, Laylah takes her role seriously, not only as a representative for the company, but as an ambassador for the tiny insect that captivates her interest.

“It’s fascinating to see how they work in perfect harmony,” Laylah says. “You can learn a lot from bees, especially because of how small they are but how big of an impact they have on the world.

Without bees, almost all of our fruits and vegetables would perish. It would be super, super terrible if bees ever went extinct. So that’s like a good little memo that you are never too small to make an impact.”

Carolina Country Contributing Editor Leah Chester-Davis has her own business, Chester-Davis Communications (chester-davis.com), specializing in food, farm and lifestyle brands and organizations.

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Carolina Gardens

Fall for Loose-leaf Lettuce Keep things growing with this cool-season veggie Story and photos by L.A. Jackson

The summer vegetable garden is beginning to wind down, but there are still opportunities with home-grown edibles to be had — it’s time to switch gears and get growing with cool-season vegetables. One of my favorite veggies to crank up this time of year is loose-leaf lettuce, which is easier to grow than the common head lettuce and more nutritious. Plus, it’s very tasty—salads and sandwiches just don’t have the edible oomph without it.

The potted pleasures of ‘Truchas” (left), “Breen” (right) and “Drunken Woman” (background).

September is a good month to start loose-leaf lettuce by seed or plants, but in the upper elevations of our state, go with starter plants early this month to get a good crop and “Black Seeded Simpson” are pretty little plants, so going before any early hard freezes bite. For the rest of the adding them to containers six inches in diameter or larger state, starter plants are also a good idea to be munching on on decks and patios creates feasts for the tummy as well crunchy lettuce as soon as possible. as the eyes.

Although they take longer to mature, seeds do have the Looking for more visual zing? Try “Red Sails,” “Red Oak” advantage of being easy to find. In addition, you will have or “Lollo Rossa,” all popular cultivars that sport frilly folimore cultivar choices to pick from if you go with seeds age dipped in shimmering shades of crimson. rather than starter plants.

Last year, just to grow something different, from One key to success with lettuce seeds is to plant them Johnny’s Selected Seeds (johnnyseeds.com), I tried two properly — they germinate better when kissed by sunlight. eye-catching romaine varieties that are close in looks and In an open, well-worked, heavily amended spot in the taste to the loose-leaf clan: “Truchas,” a dusky delight with vegetable garden, scatter the seeds on top of the ground smooth, dark leaves and the similar, but lighter colored and lightly press them into the soil. Keep the seeds evenly “Breen.” And from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange watered and, when plantlets begin to sprout, thin them out (southernexposure.com), I just couldn’t resist the frizzy to a couple of inches apart. To extend harvest time, pick sass of “Drunken Woman” (although no telling how it got the outer leaves first on mature plants. that name).

While the veggie patch is the typical place to grow L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener Magazine. loose-leaf lettuce, I’ve started turning some into potted Contact L.A. at lajackson1@gmail.com. pleasures. Even common varieties such as “Green Oak”

Garden To-Do’s for September

Daffodils on parade.

F

The beginning of autumn will find garden centers starting to offer seasonal selections of fall-planted, spring-blooming bulbs, and while buying early will get you the best selections, planting early will result in a poor flower show next year. Let the soil cool down so the dormant bulbs won’t be encouraged to start growing too soon. Late October well into November is the best planting time.

Keep your store-bought bulbs in a cool, dark place. The refrigerator makes an ideal “chiller” as long as the bulbs are kept away from ripening fruits, which emit ethylene gas that has detrimental effects on the bulbous sleeping beauties.

F

Indoor plants that have vacationed out on the porch or patio this summer should be returned inside before nighttime temperatures dip into the 50s. While moving them, check their leaves carefully for bugs and (especially) clusters of insect eggs.

F

Herbs from the garden such as chives, oregano, parsley, mint, lemon balm or thyme that have served you well in the kitchen this growing season can be divided, potted up and brought inside to grow on sunny window sills to continue providing fresh zest for winter dishes.

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Tail of the Dragon

CAROLINA COUNTRY

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Ron and Nancy Johnson

Take a Dragon by the Tail Test your skills on a legendary road in Western NC

By Pamela A. Keene

Brace yourself for a big, big ride — 318 curves, switchbacks and turns on 11 miles of blacktop. The Tail of the Dragon challenges motorcycles, sports cars and even minivans to the ride of a lifetime as it winds its way along U.S. 129, into Tennessee from Deal’s Gap at the NC state line.

“It’s one of the greatest motorcycle roads in the United States,” says Ron Johnson, who more than 20 years ago trademarked the name “Tail of the Dragon,” mapped and named all 318 curves, and now runs the Tail of the Dragon T-Shirt Shack store at the south end of the highway. “We’ve seen people come here from around the world — Australia, Asia, all over Europe — who have this ride on their bucket lists. They’re never disappointed.”

With descriptive names like Copperhead Corner, Leo’s Lair, Little Whip, Radar Corner, The Hump aka Gravity Cavity and Guard Rail Cliff, the road defies common sense for adventurers who chase speed and thrills. The posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour, but when the sports car clubs and bike rallies take the road, it’s anybody’s guess.

Florida native Ron and his wife, Nancy, weren’t bikers when they decided to move to his family’s Robbinsville vacation home full time in the early 1990s. As a retired fireman, he was ready for a change of pace and a slower lifestyle.

“Then a biker friend told us about this amazing stretch of road near our house, and he came up to ride it,” he says.

“Within two weeks, Nancy was online and found us bikes. I didn’t know anything about motorcycles, so mine sat in our basement for three weeks before I finally took it out on the road. I learned to handle that cruiser on the Dragon.”

The couple got hooked on biking, riding the Dragon and other winding mountain roads in the area. They also started selling Tail of the Dragon T-shirts under a tent at the Dragon’s scenic overlook.

“We did that for about three years, then a developer built carolinacountry.com/extras

With 318 curves in a mere 11 miles, the Tail of the Dragon needs to be seen to be believed. Watch the video on our website.

an office at the start of the road at Deal’s Gap to sell lots, so we put up a tin shack there. When he closed his office we bought three acres and built our store in 2008.”

An iconic metal dragon — about 12 feet tall and 22 feet long — stands out front. The store sells T-shirts, helmets, beverages and snacks. A large map of the Cherohala Skyway, another legendary drive, adorns one wall. Another wall features stills from movies and photos of actors who have experienced the Dragon. The wall includes photos from “Deliverance,” the dam that Harrison Ford jumped off of in “The Fugitive,” Jodie Foster’s “Nell,” and Robert Redford’s “A Walk in the Woods.”

“A lot of people don’t know this, but in 1971, James Taylor and Dennis Wilson filmed ‘Two-Lane Blacktop’ up here,” Ron says. “It’s the story of two guys in a 1955 Chevy who drive across the country and challenge locals to drag races. It wasn’t very well known, but we have screen shots of the road from the movie.”

There’s even a “Wall of Woe” showing various riders laying down their bikes. (It’s right above the display selling helmets.)

The Dragon has become a renowned destination for road rallies, with sports car clubs and motorcycle groups setting up planned events.

“The best time to come up and experience the Dragon is on a weekday, because unless there’s an event scheduled, you can approach it at your own pace,” Ron says. “Plus there are plenty of pull-offs if you feel like you’re holding everyone else up behind you.”

So, what’s Ron’s single most important piece of advice?

“That’s simple: Just stay in your lane.”

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

Plan your trip tailofthedragon.com | 800-768-7129 (M–F, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.)

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The N.C. Association of Electric Cooperatives and its member cooperatives do not endorse the services and products advertised. Readers are advised to understand fully any agreement or purchase they make. To place a classified ad: carolinacountry.com/classifieds

CAROLINA COUNTRY SCENES

Photo Contest Send us your favorite photo (North Carolina people or scenes) and the story that goes with it. We will pay $50 for each one published in the Carolina Country Scenes section of our January 2021 issue. Judges will select more for our “Photo of the Month” feature throughout 2021, and we’ll pay $50 for each of those.

Rules Deadline: November 15, 2020 One entry per household Digital photos should be a minimum of 1200 by 1800 pixels Prints a minimum of 4 x 6 inches

If you did not take the photo you are submitting, please tell us who did and, to the best of your ability, when it was taken so that we can appropriately recognize the person/organization.

Include your name, electric co-op, We retain reprint and mailing address and email address online rights. Visit carolinacountry.com/photocontest or phone number for full terms and conditions.

If you want your print returned, Payment will be limited to those include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. (We will not return others.) entries appearing in print only, not entries featured solely on carolinacountry.com.

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Carolina Kitchen

Mandarin Orange Upside-Down Cake

This gluten-free cake is the perfect citrus dessert for a savory Asian meal, but it’s also an ideal pairing with a cup of tea or coffee.

6 2 ¾ ¾ ¾

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mandarin oranges, washed cups almond meal cup sugar teaspoon vanilla extract teaspoon butter flavoring Pinch salt eggs, beaten

gluten free

¾ cup butter, melted 1 (15-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry (or fresh) 1⅓ cups sliced or slivered almonds or combination ¾ cup dark brown sugar

Wash whole mandarin oranges and cover with water in a sauce pot. Simmer for 1 hour until tender. Once oranges have cooled, cut in half and remove any seeds.

Purée in food processor, rind and all. This can be done ahead of time.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line bottom of 9-inch springform pan with parchment. Grease sides.

Combine puréed orange, almond meal, sugar, vanilla, butter flavoring and salt.

Stir in slightly beaten eggs.

Pour butter over parchment paper. Scatter with mandarin orange slices and almonds. Pour batter over and spread to sides. Bake about 45–50 minutes.

Remove cake from oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Flip onto cake plate.

Scatter with brown sugar and cover loosely with foil so sugar will melt.

Yield: 8–10 servings

Pork and Shrimp Egg Rolls

These egg rolls originated from a set of Chinese cookbooks gifted to our recipe editor, Wendy Perry, by her aunt. Don’t be intimidated — they are so easy to make. If you want low carb, skip the wrappers. Serve with duck sauce or peach jam mixed with hot pepper jelly.

Cornstarch mix 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon molasses 2–3 tablespoons water Filling 2 tablespoons oil 2 pounds ground pork, cooked and crumbled 4+ tablespoons minced garlic or 2 tablespoons garlic paste 6 cups shredded cabbage

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.

2 cups shredded carrots 2 bunches green onions, chopped 2 stalks celery, finely diced 1–2 pounds small shrimp, cooked 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil 3–4 tablespoons everything bagel mix Wrap and roll 1 package egg roll wrappers 1 egg, beaten + 1 tablespoon water Cooking oil for frying (peanut preferred)

Whisk the cornstarch mix together. Set aside.

Heat oil to medium high in wok or large heavy pot.

Add cooked pork and stir with garlic for a minute. Add cabbage, carrots, onion and celery.

Cook about 3 minutes, stirring until crisp-tender. Throw in the shrimp, sesame oil and everything bagel mix. Give the cornstarch mix a stir and pour it in, stirring to glaze mixture.

Set aside to cool.

To wrap, place wrappers with one corner pointing towards you. Put 2 tablespoons of filling across wrapper. Fold bottom corner over filling; fold 2 sides in; then roll to close.

Brush edges with egg wash to seal. Fry in medium hot oil until crisp brown, about 3 minutes.

Yield: Makes about 2 dozen

32 | carolinacountry.com

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8/11/20 4:34 PM

Carolina Kitchen

Hot and Sour Soup

From Your Kitchen

With rotisserie chicken

Some recipes for this tasty soup can take hours and require hard-tofind ingredients. This simple version takes only 30 minutes from prep to table when using time-saving rotisserie chicken.

1 rotisserie chicken, skinned, deboned and chopped 8 cups chicken broth 1 (8-ounce) carton shiitake (or portabella) mushrooms, sliced thin 1 (8-ounce) can bamboo shoots, drained and sliced thin 1" piece of ginger, peeled and grated 4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce 5 tablespoons rice vinegar 1 tablespoon red pepper paste (located in produce section in tube)

1 tablespoon garlic paste (located in produce section in tube) 1 tablespoon white pepper 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar 3–4 tablespoons soup broth 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 eggs, beaten in bowl 4 green onions, chopped 1 package won ton wrappers, sliced into thin strips and fried about 2 minutes

Heat the chicken in the broth until warm over medium heat. Add mushrooms, bamboo shoots, ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, pastes, pepper and brown sugar. Simmer about 5 minutes for flavors to infuse.

Ladle tablespoons of soup broth into small bowl. Cool, then whisk in cornstarch. Stir slurry into soup. Continue cooking the soup 7–8 minutes until thickened.

Slowly whirl eggs into soup. Remove from heat and serve.

Garnish with chopped green onions and crispy fried wonton wrapper strips.

Yield: About 8 servings

carolinacountry.com/extras It’s so easy to make homemade chicken broth with rotisserie chicken bones. Find out how on our website.

Chinese Chicken Salad

Quick, crisp and refreshing, this salad is always a hit. If you eat it right away, the ramen lends a bit of crunch. Or refrigerate the salad for 2–3 hours before serving and the noodles will soften.

Salad Dressing 1 rotisserie chicken, meat ¼ cup olive oil removed and shredded ¼ cup sesame oil 1 bag (24-ounce) chopped 3 tablespoons rice cabbage with carrots vinegar 4 green onions, sliced 2 tablespoons white 1 (3-ounce) package of sugar chicken-flavored ramen 1 tablespoon soy sauce noodles 1 teaspoon ground 3 tablespoons sesame seeds, black pepper toasted 1 ramen flavor packet 3 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted First, crunch up the ramen package until the noodles are in little pieces. Set aside the flavor packet for the dressing.

To toast the salad’s sesame seeds and almonds, add to a dry skillet and stir constantly over medium-high heat until you notice some browning. Remove from heat.

Toss chicken meat, cabbage, onions, ramen noodles, sesame seeds and almonds together in a large bowl.

For the dressing, whisk the olive and sesame oil, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, pepper and flavor packet together in a small bowl; drizzle over the salad and toss to coat. Refrigerate for 2–3 hours before serving if you like.

Yield: 6 servings

Recipe courtesy of Karen Brois, Raeford, a member of Lumbee River EMC

Send Us Your Recipes

-

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

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, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC, 27616. Or submit your recipe online at: carolinacountry.com/myrecipe.

September 2020 | 33

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Ea

Us an bro po ov qu the or ve ski Dr so

where

in Carolina Country is this ?

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

Online:

carolinacountry.com/where

By mail: Where in Carolina Country?

3400 Sumner Blvd.

Raleigh, NC 27616 Multiple entries from the same person will be disqualified.

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

August winner

The August “Where Is This” photo by Abby Seavert features a painted tobacco barn located at the intersection of Red Hill and Nickens Roads in Cameron. The barn is one of many painted by artist and Cameron native David Ellis. He gathered a group of New York City and Tokyo artists who traveled to Moore County 17 years ago to reinvigorate these old barns with art. Ellis and his team brought a much-needed splash of color to the area in an effort known as the Barnstormer Murals. Farming equipment and tractor trailers were also hit with splashes of color. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Mimi Gannaway of Charlotte, a Union Power member.

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

Carolina

September’S FEATURED TRACK

“Marsh Girl”

MUSIC

By Casey Noel

Shana Leigh Photography

Inspired by the bestselling novel “Where the Crawdads Sing,” Casey penned this haunting musical tribute about a young girl growing up abandoned and alone in North Carolina marshland. Her ethereal voice rings against a backdrop of eerie, swampland sounds to create a sense of both foreboding and hope. It’s one of six tracks on Casey’s new debut EP, “Not Just Pretty Words.” Even though she’s played guitar since she was five years old, Casey’s main passion was competitive ballroom dancing until age 17. She then decided to focus on music, and credits key industry professionals for helping her blossom as a songwriter and singer.

1

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

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The Blue Ridge Energy Leadership Track is designed to help high school students build their college resume and prepare them for the college application process and beyond. It’s free, self-paced and everyone is accepted.

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Podcast offers a closer look Take a deeper dive into stories and information about Blue Ridge Energy through Unplugged, a podcast of conversations designed to provide meaningful content for YOU. Topics focus on energy-related tips and insights, the cooperative, and the local community.

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Tune in for these and other relevant topics Episode 6: “Cutting the Costs” Guest speaker, Director of Innovative Energy Solutions Jason Lingle, shares easy efficiency tips to help you save on summer power bills.

Episode 3: “Lights Out” Learn what happens from the moment you report an outage until the time crews get your lights back on. Guest speaker, Lead System Operator Tony Wheeler, explains.

Episode 4: “Cyber-Terrorism and our Grid” The threat to technology and the electric grid is greater than ever. Are American utilities prepared for an attack?

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