2021-01-EU

W ELCOM E TO OUR EN ERGI ZE D COM M UNIT Y WE’ R E G L A D YOU ’ R E HE R E

PERIODICAL

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WE ARE

ENERGYUNITED Welcome to EnergyUnited, North Carolina’s largest electric cooperative and Your Local Connection to the energy services you need most. Our co-op works day in and day out to provide service while staying true to our four core values: Commitment, Safety, Integrity and Excellence. Whether we're servicing your area with reliable electricity or providing powerful opportunities to the community, we’re constantly looking for ways to keep your Every Day Empowered.

W H AT I S A N E L E C T R I C C O O P E R AT I V E ?

A not-for-profit electric cooperative is a different kind of electric company­—one that is owned and controlled by its members and governed by an elected board of directors that has your best interests in mind.

THE ENERGYUNITED DIFFERENCE

RESTORING POWER

Our cooperative operates with one goal

When severe weather such as storms and

in mind: to improve and strengthen our

hurricanes cause power outages, we restore

community by cooperative means.

power as quickly and safely as possible.

Whether that means working toward a

We understand these outages put life on

safer system, staying connected or offering

hold, so we work to get you back to what

transparent prices, our core values and

matters. If you experience an outage, please

mission inform everything we do.

call 1-800-EUNITED (1-800-386-4833) or log in to My Account to report an outage and sign up for text alerts.

I M P O R TA N T I N F O R M AT I O N FOR NEW MEMBERS Curious to learn more about us? Our New Members web page is a great place to start. There you will find our Service Rules and Regulations (SRR), Corporation Bylaws and our Member Guide.

Visit energyunited.com/new-members to learn more.

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January 2021

The magazine of

Carolina Country

Scenes page 10

Published by

Co-op member receives national honor page 6

Know your thermostat page 22

PERIODICAL

EnergyUnited awards local teachers with Bright Ideas grants—see center pages Jan covers.indd 10

12/11/20 3:56 PM

Wear the Colors of Italy’s Legendary Regatta

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——— Italy

To show exquisite details, necklace shown is not exact size.

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he Regata Storica started in 1489, when the beautiful Caterina Cornaro, wife of the King of Cyprus, renounced her Cypriot throne in favor of Venice. The people of Venice welcomed her with a parade of elaboratelydecorated gondolas, in a rainbow of popping colors. Every year since, the spirit of 1489 is recaptured in those world-famous canals when the famous Regata is repeated.

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The gorgeous colors recall the Regata itself, and the 59 beads of authentic Murano are the only thing as historic and uniquely Venice as those gondolas. Each necklace is handmade by the legendary Murano glassmakers, where the proud Venetian tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, dating back to before the city threw that first famous party for Caterina.

“...businesses on the crowded little island [Murano] also produce high fashion jewelry found on runways and in exclusive social settings around the world”.

F Thanks to the Regata, we’ve visited Venice often and made great contacts, which is how we found and negotiated the best possible price on the highest quality Murano available. Now’s your chance to share in the spirit of this legendary event without needing to break out your passport.

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Enjoy the gorgeous colors of the Cornaro Murano Necklace for 30 days. If it doesn’t pass with flying colors, send it back for a full refund of the item price.

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A c ol l ec tion of impe ccab le d e s i g n & cr af ts m ans hi p f r om I taly.

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Volume 53, No. 1

28

10

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

34 Carolina Music

32

10 24 28

Carolina Country Scenes A gallery of your best photos, submitted through our annual photo contest.

Looking Forward, Through a Lens

Photographer Burk Uzzle has made a career of “being there.”

Better Photos Outdoors

A few tips for both beginners and advanced photographers.

On the Cover “This picture was captured in a sunflower field at Old River Farms in Burgaw in October 2019. The sunflowers were absolutely beautiful, and it was such a nice day.” Photographed

by Stephanie Hines of Wilmington.

Our gallery of your best photos starts on page 10.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:

Picture-Perfect Pets Who doesn’t love a good pet photo? In our April issue, we’ll be sharing the best from our readers. Send us photos of your pets, be they the cutest, ugliest or just plain spoiled.

See page 16 for details.

January 2021 | 3

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Viewpoints

Bridging the Digital Divide

By Maggie Woods

When the pandemic sent me to work from home in March, I was lucky. At home, I had access to high-speed internet that I could afford, a quality laptop provided by my employer, and years of experience working on a computer.

Nearly 40 percent of my fellow North Carolinians, 4 million or so, are not so lucky and don’t have high‑speed internet or a computer at home. The digital divide — between those who have access to the internet and to computers and those who do not — is only increasing due to the pandemic.

The digital divide — between those who have access to the internet and to computers and those who do not — is only increasing due to the pandemic.

There are a lot of reasons why people might not have internet at home. Approximately 246,000 households are considered underserved, meaning about 1 million people of that 4 million either don’t have access to the internet or their internet runs too slowly for them to use it.

But there’s another challenge we must overcome: lack of adoption — people with access to the internet who are not subscribing to it. For some, the price of an internet connection is too expensive. Only about 50% of households making less than $20,000/year subscribe to the internet, compared to 94% of those that make $75,000 or more. Others can’t afford a device like a computer, laptop or tablet, or don’t have the digital skills (or “digital literacy”) needed to use their device effectively. North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have been in the middle of serious efforts to support their members’ access to and adoption of the internet.

My organization, the Institute for Emerging Issues, in partnership with the state’s Broadband Infrastructure Office, has developed a program called BAND-NC to equip counties to meet broadband needs and build more digitally equitable communities. Since July, with support from North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, Roanoke Electric Cooperative, the John M. Belk Endowment and others, we’ve funded 29 projects in 39 counties and hosted virtual workshops to support counties that want to build

digital-inclusion plans. The communities we’re supporting are trying innovative approaches to address the digital divide — from creating parent academies for remote learning (at Edgecombe County Schools), to hiring a “digital navigator” to set up devices for older adults (at Rufty Holmes Senior Center in Rowan County), to developing online digital literacy courses (through Peletah Ministries in Craven County).

We’ve been impressed with the creativity of communities, but we know our work is just scratching the surface. If we can’t find a way to get families high-speed access at an afford‑ able rate, students are going to fall further behind, adults aren’t going to have as many options for work, and health care is going to suffer. We need to solve these challenges.

Here are three things you can do to help: ■ Tell us how the internet is in your area by taking the

North Carolina Broadband survey. You can access the survey online (bit.ly/nc-broadband-survey) or by calling 919-750-0553.

■ Get connected to local device refurbishers: North

Carolina has two organizations that provide free or low-cost computers statewide. They also take computer donations: Kramden Institute kramden.org 919-293-1133

E2D e-2-d.org 704-657-0408

■ Join a local team working to close the digital divide. Visit

our website (iei.ncsu.edu/band-nc) for information on the BAND-NC spring grant cycle and upcoming workshops, and reach out to get connected to others in your region.

We all need to work together to solve the digital divide, and we hope you’ll join us.

Maggie Woods is a policy and program manager at the Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State and runs the BAND-NC program.

She can be reached at mjwoods2@ncsu.edu or 919-513-0803.

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THIS MONTH:

Scenes from Carolina Country Each year we receive hundreds of photos from readers for our annual photo contest. This year, entries neared 700! That’s more than last year and almost twice as many as we received in 2019. Thank you to all who submitted photos. There were so many amazing scenes to choose from, but see some of our favorites starting on page 10.

—Scott Gates, editor

Spoon Lady Love Love the Spoon Lady and her Gang!

We need more groups like hers in downtown A’ville who can sing AND play. She and her group add to Asheville “style.”

Jan Zehr, via carolinacountry.com

Great article. I loved seeing the Spoon Lady at the Roasting Room in Bluffton, South Carolina.

Moravian Cookie Fix We had several readers point out that we did not include contact information with our November cover story on Mrs. Hanes’ Moravian Cookies. There are several ways to get your hands on these famous cookies — visit hanescookies.com or call 888-764-1402 to learn more. carolinacountry.com/extras Our “Orange Superfood” article in the November issue struck a chord.

Carolina Country readers sure do love sweet potatoes!

Deborah, via carolinacountry.com

One of the Finest Thank you for acknowledging Historic New Bern (“Carolina’s Finest Awards,” December 2020, page 12).

I serve as an historic interpreter at Tryon Palace, and it is always a pleasure to welcome visitors into our city, even in these challenging times.

Go online to read the original article and check out two new reader recipes starring our state vegetable: a pound cake and a casserole.

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 Keith Alexander Advertising Keith@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.

Joseph Anderson, New Bern, via carolinacountry.com

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.

Correction to our December issue Jean Forrest Brooks, who submitted the “Tall Man, Taller Corn” memory (page 25) grew up in Efland, not Enfield. Thank you, Jean, for catching that error.

Try our Sweet Potato Pound Cake!

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.

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 ncstormcenter.coop 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.

January 2021 | 5

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C t o a m

A h p w Th “

More Power

CCEC

Carteret-Craven EC Member Honored for Community Work Bob Dobler received the top award in the 2020 #WhoPowersYou contest

S

awdust fills the air and covers the floor of Bob Dobler’s small workshop off of his kitchen nearly every day. It is something his wife, Judy, has become accustomed to since his woodworking hobby has turned into a full-time job.

Bob spends up to six hours a day handcrafting cutting boards that he sells at craft fairs and through local vendors, with all of the proceeds benefiting BackPack Friends. Over the past seven years, his hard work has resulted in donations totaling more than $55,000 — or more than 6,800 backpacks full of food for children that might go hungry over the weekend.

Each week, BackPack Friends (backpackfriends.org), based in Swansboro, distributes more than 600 backpacks of food to children in Carteret, Craven and Onslow counties.

The need has grown exponentially this year due to COVID-19.

Because of this dedication to BackPack Friends, Bob, a member of Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative (CCEC), is this year’s grand prize winner of the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives #WhoPowersYou Contest.

He was honored along with three other #WhoPowersYou contest

winners from across the United States. Winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges, using criteria based on nominees’ positive impact on their local communities.

“Bob’s ability to turn a hobby into so many meals for local children is remarkable,” said CCEC Communications CCEC member Bob Dobler received the Director Lisa Galizia. grand prize for work with BackPack Friends.

“We are proud to have Bob as a co-op member and grateful for his dedication to BackPack Friends and the children it serves.”

Touchstone Energy Cooperatives launched #WhoPowersYou in 2016 to celebrate the power of human connections. The annual contest invites co-op members across the country to nominate local heroes making a positive difference in their communities.

Mary Ann LeRay, a member of Jones-Onslow EMC, was the secondplace winner in last year’s contest for her work with The Filling Station, a nonprofit food pantry in Pollocksville.

— Melissa Glenn, CCEC

Carolina Country Gets National Recognition Carolina Country magazine, distributed to families, farms and businesses across the state on behalf of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, received the 2020 Bronze Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) in the magazine category.

“We’re honored to be recognized for our work and thank the state’s electric co-ops — as well as our engaged readers — for contributing to the success of the magazine,” said Warren Kessler, Publications Director for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.

Carolina Country magazine is the largest circulating publication in the state with more than 700,000 subscribers, and has been published continuously since 1946.

6 | carolinacountry.com

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12/11/20 11:35 AM

All-New

Introducing the new Lively Flip from the makers of Jitterbug®.

TM

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*Monthly fees do not include government taxes or fees and are subject to change. Plans and services may require purchase of a GreatCall device and one-time setup fee of 35. Urgent Response or 9-1-1 calls can be made only when cellular service is available. Urgent Response tracks an approximate location of device when device is turned on and connected to the network. GreatCall does not guarantee an exact location. Urgent Response is only available with the purchase of a Lively Health & Safety Package. GreatCall is not a healthcare provider. Urgent Care is provided by FONEMED® and is not a substitute for dialing 9-1-1. GreatCall is not liable for acts or omissions of any FONEMED employee or contractor. Urgent Care and GreatCall Link are only available with a Preferred or Ultimate Health & Safety Package. Amazon Alexa integration with Lively Flip requires Alexa registration and is subject to Alexa’s Terms of Use. By enabling Alexa on the Lively Flip, you acknowledge that GreatCall is not responsible for Amazon Alexa’s functionality or services. Amazon, Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Car charger will be mailed to customer after the device is activated. GREATCALL, LIVELY, and JITTERBUG are trademarks of Best Buy and its affiliated companies. © 2021 Best Buy. All rights reserved.

DLGRC_020534_R1_20201227_LIVELY_FLIP_CAROLINA_COUNTRY_JAN.indd 1 CC01-wk.indd 7

month 2

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EASY TO ALERT LOVED ONES The GreatCall® Link app keeps all your loved ones informed about your well-being when they download the app to their smartphone. After you press the Urgent Response button for help, they will receive an alert that lets them know you’ve contacted Urgent Response. You can stay active and independent while they feel more connected and reassured.

Buy now and get a FREE Car Charger, a $25 value!

month2

11/18/20 10:32 AM 12/10/20 1:26 PM

2

More Power

NC Electric Cooperatives Recognized for Clean Energy Innovation

W

ake Forest-based Wake Electric received the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster’s 2020 Cleantech Community Award for its work on Eagle Chase, a new residential microgrid in Youngsville that provides added power resilience and reliability for neighborhood residents.

“We are excited to be able to offer a residential community its own microgrid, and provide a resiliency like no other subdivision in the state,” said Wake Electric Vice President of Engineering and Operations Don Bowman. “Through this project, 31 homes are going to have over 36 hours of backup power for both reliability and a local resource when the grid is constrained with capacity.”

Three additional electric co-ops were nominated for awards, which recognize and honor those driving cleantech innovation and deployment.

Burnette

Brunswick Electric was nominated for a Grid Innovation Award for Heron’s Nest, a residential microgrid it has developed in Shallotte that supports sustainability, resiliency and reliability for the neighborhood’s 30-plus homes.

Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative was nominated for a Cleantech Community Award for its customer‑owned generation program, which provides reserve power generation that can be called on to avoid grid interruptions and blackouts.

Roanoke Electric Cooperative was nominated for a Grid Innovation Award for its Upgrade to $ave and community solar programs, both of which help members benefit from energy efficiency and sustainability efforts.

Learn more about the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster and the Cleantech Innovation Awards at researchtrianglecleantech.org.

Co-op Leader Named ‘Cleantech Champion of the Year’ Mike Burnette, senior vice president and COO for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, has been named 2020 Cleantech Champion of the Year.

The award recognizes an individual who exemplifies commitment to supporting the cleantech industry.

“Of all my responsibilities, I have derived the most satisfaction from working with [North Carolina’s electric cooperatives] to innovate clean energy projects that create positive impacts for the environment and their local economies,” Burnette said.

“The reward of improving the quality of life for our members and their communities is without measure.” carolinacountry.com/extras

Mike Burnette discusses the work that led to his award.

The Value of Electricity Electricity remains a good value

$5.30

average cost of a Big Mac® value meal

The cost of powering your home rises slowly when compared to other common expenses. Looking at price increases over the last five years, it’s easy to see electricity remains a good value!

Percent

4.0

3.7%

3.5

3.0%

3.0

2.6%

2.5

$3.87

2.0

average daily cost of power

0.4%

1.5 1.0 0.5 0

Electricity is expressed on a d aily basis using EIA 2018 Average U .S. Monthly Residential Bill of $117. Big Mac® is a registered trademark of McDonald’s Corporation. McDonald’s C orporation does not endorse or sponsor this material. Sources: Economist.com and EIA, 2018 data.

Rent

Medical Care

Education

Electricity

Average Annual Price Increase 2014-2019.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index.

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12/10/20 4:30 PM

How to Be Cut Off From Civilization When it’s you against nature, there’s only one tool you need: the stainless steel River Canyon Bowie Knife—now ONLY $49!

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ou are a man of the wilderness. The only plan you have is to walk up that mountain until you feel like stopping. You tell your friends that it’s nothing personal, but this weekend belongs to you.

You’ve come prepared with your River Canyon Bowie Knife sheathed at your side. This hand-forged, unique knife comes shaving sharp with a perfectly fitted hand-tooled sheath. The broad stainless steel blade shines in harmony with the stunning striped horn, wood and bone handle. When you feel the heft of the knife in your hand, you know that you’re ready for whatever nature throws at you.

This knife boasts a full tang blade, meaning the blade doesn’t stop at the handle, it runs the full length of the knife. According to Gear Patrol, a full tang blade is key, saying “A full tang lends structural strength to the knife, allowing for better leverage ...think one long steel beam versus two.”

With our limited edition River Canyon Bowie Knife you’re getting the best in 21stcentury construction with a classic look inspired by legendary American pioneers.

What you won’t get is the trumped up price tag. We know a thing or two about the hunt–– like how to seek out and capture an BONUS! Call today and you’ll outstanding, collector’s-quality knife that also receive this genuine leather sheath! won’t cut into your bank account.

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12/10/20 1:26 PM

Scenes CAROLINA COUNTRY

A gallery of your best photos

Thanks to everyone who submitted pictures to our annual photo contest! The judges chose from nearly 700 photos of people and places throughout North Carolina.

In addition to these images, we’ll run more in our “Photo of the Month” magazine feature.

And even more selections will appear as the “Photo of the Week” on our website (carolinacountry.com/potw), where there’s a collection of all pictures that have appeared Facebook and there. Our Instagram pages also routinely showcase reader photos.

—The editors

Hide and Screech This Eastern Screech Owl made its home in a hollowed-out tree at the top of my dirt road. Every time we would turn onto our road, we would look for the little owl, hoping to see it carefully watching us go by or taking baths in the rain puddles.

Haley Hodges, Elkin, Surry-Yadkin EMC

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s The Sunflower Seed Job A nosy but ambitious raccoon trying to plot a path to my bird feeder to pilfer its tasty sunflower seeds.

Joel Miller, Hickory, Blue Ridge Energy

y

s

ery ok ing

Riding Down the Aisle I attended a wedding where the groom and groomsmen rode in on horseback. I absolutely had to get that shot.

Joseph Harper, Dudley, Tri-County EMC

January 2021  | 11

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12/10/20 3:47 PM

Peaceful Plank (Upper right) The Pamlico Sound was completely calm that December morning. This coloring only lasted about 10 minutes, but it sure was breathtaking.

Andrea Gruber, Broadway , Central Electric

Magoo and Chuckles (Middle right) Our small horse farm has new residents — two 6-week-old, bottle-fed calves: Magoo (left) and Chuckles (right).

Daniele Summerfield, East Bend, Rutherford EMC

Beneath the Summer Stars Given the current state of the world, everything seems to be out of balance, but looking up at the summer stars that night in Jefferson reminded me of the good that still exists in this world.

Riley Curtis, Waxhaw

New Spin on an Old Well Before the start of classes, it is a tradition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to take a sip from the Old Well in order to get a 4.0 GPA. I captured a unique photo of this iconic landmark using a bicycle with Christmas lights attached to it.

Parker Shoaf, Linwood, EnergyUnited

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Int

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LOoduct W ory P AS rice!

$3

1 25 ea c

h

Actual size is 40.6 mm

This Is the End

The U.S. Silver Dollar Is About to Change...Forever!

E

ach year, millions of collectors and silver stackers around the word secure freshly struck American Eagle Silver Dollars. Minted in one Troy ounce of 99.9% pure U.S. silver, these legal-tender coins are perhaps the most widely collected silver bullion coins in the world... and they’re about to change forever.

Final Release of Original Silver Eagle Design

Since 1986, the design of the “Silver Eagle” has remained unchanged: Adolph A. Weinman’s classic 1916 Walking Liberty design paired with former U.S. Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti’s stunning eagle reverse. But in mid-2021, the U.S. Mint plans to replace the original reverse. This initial release is the FINAL appearance of the U.S. Silver Eagle’s original design! $27 $26 $25 $24 $23 $22 $21 $20 $19 $18 $17 $16 $15 $14

9 9 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01 01 01 202 02 02 02 202 02 02 202 02 02 T 2 OV 2 EC 2 AN EB 2 AR 2 PR 2 AY NE 2 LY 2 UG PT 2 CT 2 C O N D J F M A M JU JU A SE O

Silver Trend Chart: Price per ounce based on monthly averages.

Collectors are Already Going Wild for This “Final” Release!

For any popular coin series, two dates tend to rise to the top of demand: the first and the last. This coin represents not just the final issue of perhaps the world’s most popular silver coin, but also its 35th anniversary — an additional draw for collectors, who are already chomping at the bit, ready to secure as many coins as possible.

And it’s not just about the special anniversary and “last” that has them excited...

Higher Values + Slowed Production = DEMAND!

In the last 12 months, average monthly values of silver bullion have increased nearly 38%! At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the U.S. Mint slowing production of freshly struck Silver Eagles. Add in the final issue of the original design, and you have a trifecta of demand that has buyers around the world ready to pounce.

Timing is Everything This is a strictly limited pre-release offer for one of the world’s most popular silver coins. As the last mintage to feature the original, 35-year-old design, it represents the end of an era at a time when silver values have seen a massive increase.

Once word gets out that these 2021 U.S.

Silver Dollars can already be locked in at such a great price, you’ll be facing far more competition. Call today and secure yours now ahead of the crowd!

Don’t Wait — Call NOW!

Collectors around the world are already standing by, ready to secure these coins.

Don’t wait. Call now to lock in your price, and your 2021 U.S. Silver Dollars will ship directly to your door shortly after their release in mid-January, 2021. Plus, the more you buy, the more you save!

2021 American Eagle Silver Dollar BU 1-4 Coins$32.74 ea. + s/h 5-19 Coins$32.65 ea. + FREE SHIPPING 20-99 Coins- $32.38 ea. + FREE SHIPPING 100-499 Coins- $32.20 ea. + FREE SHIPPING 500+ Coins- $31.25 ea. + FREE SHIPPING

FREE SHIPPING on 5 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

1-888-201-7639 Offer Code LSE301-01 Please mention this code when you call.

GovMint.com • 14101 Southcross Dr. W., Suite 175, Dept. LSE301-01 • 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.

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“Snow Bird” of the Middle Latitudes A dark-eyed Junco finds winter shelter in a Kousa dogwood in Boone.

Elizabeth Morris, Boone, Blue Ridge Energy

The Better the Clouds, the Better the Sunset While at Sunset Beach, many storm clouds gathered due to an impending hurricane. The better the clouds, the better the sunset. I combined the beautiful nuclear sky with a wild and marshy foreground.

Samuel Doejaaren, Matthews

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12/11/20 11:34 AM

Tiny World I love to wander around my yard and find all the hidden worlds that exist if you slow down enough to see them.

This is one tiny example.

Chris Rodermond, Hillsborough, Piedmont Electric

ue

y

Nature’s Prop A few days after a hurricane at Sunset Beach, a tree had washed up on shore. A few men set it upright, giving me an opportunity.

Kim Garner, Carolina Shores, Brunswick Electric January 2021 | 15

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12/9/20 1:10 PM

First-time Flyer

Miss Carolyn Ann Heads Out In Calabash, the shrimp boat Miss Carolyn Ann was heading out for the day. To me, shrimp boats say “North Carolina” because a lot of people and restaurants enjoy those shrimp!

My youngest child, 2-year-old Adelaide, had a fantastic day flying kites for the first time, one in each hand, on “the sandhills” at Jockey’s Ridge State Park.

Mark Head, Sunset Beach, Brunswick Electric

Anne Puetzer, Rolesville, Wake Electric

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Picture-Perfect Pets One perk of spending more time at home is more time with your pets. Right? Well, even if they’re not always the best roommates, we’d like to see pictures of your darling dogs, cats, birds, lizards or whatever other pet companions are out there. Whether they’re cute, not so cute or just plain spoiled, we will pay $50 for each photo published in our April 2021 issue.

Rules

Send to

Deadline: February 15, 2021

Online carolinacountry.com/petpics No emails, please.

One entry per household Digital photos should be a minimum of 1200 x 1800 pixels; prints a minimum of 4 x 6 inches.

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

Mail Carolina Country Picture-Perfect Pets 3400 Sumner Blvd.

Raleigh, NC 27616

Text should not exceed 200 words.

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

16 | carolinacountry.com

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12/11/20 11:49 AM

Carolina Living

Boost your mood and productivity with houseplants.

Breathe Easy

Simple ways to keep your indoor air fresh Americans today are focused on cleaning and sanitization — not to mention the air they breathe — more than ever. Indoor air quality has been a growing concern for some time.

According to a study published in the journal “Science of the Total Environment,” indoor air quality can be worse than the air outdoors. Invisible pollution is added to indoor air through normal activities such as cooking, cleaning and practicing hygiene.

With social distancing measures, people are spending more time at home, so being proactive is even more essential. Consider these steps to help maintain fresher air.

all year long. It includes a filter that captures dust, allergens and other microscopic particles to help keep the air clean and the system running efficiently. Set a reminder, starting with January 2021, to check the filter monthly. At a minimum, it should be changed every three months. During heavy use — such as winter and summer — change it more often. A clean filter helps the system run better and saves energy.

Go green with plants With more people at home, houseplants are a great clean air solution with multiple benefits. According to houseplant specialists The Sill, houseplants boost your mood and productivity, which is essential for anyone spending long hours working at home. The pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum) is highly rated for removing indoor air toxins as well as the snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata), which absorbs toxins through its leaves and produces oxygen. Both plants are attractive and easy to maintain.

Indoor Air purifiers These devices can filter dust, smoke and floating pollen from the air. When choosing one, look for the Energy Star® label so you know it’s energy efficient. You may also see the AHAM Verifide seal, which means that the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers has tested the model.

Change HVAC filters regularly Your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system helps maintain a comfortable indoor environment

Portable air purifier

If you’re looking for a permanent air purifier in your home, LG’s PuriCare 360 is among products available with both certifications already mentioned.

It is also certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

You can also carry portable air purifiers from the car to the office.

Look for a chargeable compact version light enough to carry with one hand. Whether you are looking for permanent or a portable product, you’ll also want to consider costs of the products and their filters, and their noise levels at various settings.

Lower moisture levels Mold and mildew are common culprits that reduce air quality and can trigger asthma and allergies. In your home it’s important to control moisture to prevent mold and mildew growth. When bathing or showering, always use a fan or crack the window.

In moist spaces like basements, be mindful about opening windows, running fans and keeping rooms dry. Be aware of your whole home’s humidity levels and use a dehumidifier when necessary to remove moisture from the air.

—Brandpoint

January 2021 | 17

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12/9/20 12:43 PM

Carolina Living

T r C K b

The Road to Success 4 steps to land your dream job

For some, the new year brings a firm resolution to either find a job or find a better job. It’s important to know that the way you present your accomplishments can make all the difference in attracting hiring managers and recruiters. Here are four steps you can take to stand out and land your next opportunity.

1

Organize!

First, commit to a certain amount of time weekly you will spend on your search. You can block out time on your personal calendar, in a computer folder or on a spreadsheet. Use it to also make notes about jobs, including follow-up steps for any positions you have applied for. It’s important to keep your job hunt information organized and in one place.

2

Network, network, network You’re roughly four times more likely to land a job at a company where you have connections, so now is the time to lean into your community. In addition to talking with people at companies you’d like to work for, chat with friends, relatives and former co-workers, teachers and instructors.

Naturally, you’ll want to use discretion in case the person could tell your present employer about your search.

That said, you’d be surprised what can happen when you share your interest in other job opportunities.

3

Polish all social media LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network on the internet and basic membership is free. Tune up or create your LinkedIn profile to present yourself in a way that helps others learn more about your experience and goals. To make your profile more discoverable to recruiters and get a conversation started, include a profile photo, list your relevant skills and tell your professional story in your summary. Highlight samples of your work in the LinkedIn’s Featured section.

In addition to being able to privately let recruiters know that you’re open to new jobs, you can add an #OpenToWork photo frame on your profile photo. This lets LinkedIn’s broader community of more than 700 million professionals (worldwide) know you are looking.

When your profile comes up in a search or you engage with a post on your feed, professionals beyond your connections will see you are #OpenToWork and can refer you to available jobs.

 Networking and social media can both play an important role in furthering your career.

Many, if not most, hiring managers also check candidates’ profiles on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

If your account is public and you’ve posted anything offensive, potentially risqué, or any references to drugs or alcohol, take it down. Post messages and photos that promote the best part of you and emphasize accomplishments or activities that relate to the job or field you seek.

4

Build your skill set Consider taking a course at the local college or community college or find courses online to brush up on your existing skills and build new ones, from soft skills like communication and problem solving to hard skills like data science. It’s also a good idea to practice job interviewing (virtual or in person) with a friend or relative.

—Brandpoint

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12/9/20 12:44 PM

JANUARY 2021

CONNECT E N E R G Y U N I T E D ' S M O N T H LY M E M B E R N E W S L E T T E R

IN THIS ISSUE MEET OUR BRIGHT IDEAS WINNERS HOW SOPHIA LEEMAN EMPOWERS THE FUTURE WINTER ENERGY SAVINGS TIPS

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business tr ansition p l a n a n n o u n c em en t

A LETTER FROM

O U R C E O H . WAY N E W I L K I N S

EnergyUnited Adopts New Plan to Improve Member Service and Reduce Costs

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As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, EnergyUnited continually analyzes its operations to identify opportunities to improve our service and reduce operational costs wherever possible; however, COVID-19 ultimately helped shape our perspective on this analysis in 2020. Understanding all the changes we have endured in 2020, we once again asked ourselves, “How can we continue to provide excellent service to our members and do so at the lowest possible cost?”

The answer to our question was not an easy one, but it became clear as the result of a nearly yearlong study. This ultimately led the EnergyUnited Board of Directors to approve the adoption of a new service delivery model for our members, one that will better leverage the use of authorized pay agents in the future for in-person payment transactions instead of maintaining cooperative offices for that service.

Our new model was shaped by many different data points – your feedback on independently conducted surveys, guidelines implemented during most of 2020 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a study of the utilization of all available payment options used in recent years. The data told us a compelling story.

Even before the pandemic began, members’ preferences to pay their bill was by bank draft, by mail, online, over the phone or at any of the authorized pay agents; however, members did not want to pay any processing fees either online, over the phone or with our authorized pay agent options. Meanwhile, the walk-in, in-person transactions at our offices were the least utilized and the most expensive to service.

So, we decided to expand member access to the authorized pay agent payment option by waiving all transactional fees. Now, members can pay their bills via bank draft, by mail, online, over the phone, at any of our payment kiosks or drop boxes, or with any of our authorized pay agents without any associated fees.

In March of 2020, we closed all our front offices due to the COVID pandemic. With the expansion of access to authorized pay agents, making it easier to make payments, we have decided to not reopen our front offices. Under this new plan, all EnergyUnited customer care representatives are now available to answer more phone calls, which enables us to respond to your questions and service requests more quickly. Meanwhile, we will also continue to increase our presence in the community by supporting local organizations and causes.

Going forward, we will continue to analyze our operations to identify opportunities to improve our service and reduce operational costs and implement those as warranted.

Our continued ability to deliver safe, convenient service at the lowest possible cost remains top of mind for everyone here at EnergyUnited. As we move forward in 2021, we are excited to implement this new plan and further strengthen your local connection to safe, convenient, reliable and affordable energy services.

H. Wayne Wilkins

12/10/20 1:53 PM

EU RECOGNIZES 40 TEACHERS FOR THEIR

BRIGHT IDEAS We are proud to award over $43,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to 40 teachers this year. Students at schools in Alexander, Cabarrus, Davie, Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell, Rockingham and Rowan counties will enjoy these engaging interactive classroom projects.

This year’s winning projects leverage investments in technology and tools that help facilitate social distancing while finding unique ways to achieve desired educational outcomes.

Since the Bright Ideas grant program began in 1994, EnergyUnited has contributed more than $900,000 to local teachers.

Bright Ideas grant applications are collected each year from April through mid-September, and winning proposals are selected in a competitive evaluation process by a panel of judges. The application process will reopen for interested teachers in April 2021. To find out more information about the Bright Ideas grant program, visit Energyunited.com/bright-ideas.

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S T O : Dana Gillis, The Brawley School Tai McMiller, American Renaissance Elementary Natalie Grant, North Davidson High School Rick Marcy, Discovery Program at the Springs Sarah Bridges, Oak Grove High School Alan Lorne Cook, Statesville High Phillip Haworth, Charles England Elementary Kelly Grant, Churchland Elementary Kelly Hartzell, The North Carolina Leadership Academy Samantha Crews, Douglass Elementary Linda Dearman, Cool Spring Elementary Michael Williams, Crossroads Arts and Science Early College Tracy Skeens, Crossroads Arts and Science Early College Katie Bogle, A L Brown High Shirley Cox, Davis-Townsend Elementary Alesha Spring Roseman, Overton Elementary Corabelle Brindle, Statesville Middle Bleasha A Carroll, Fair Grove Elementary Zachary Richardson, Wittenberg Elementary

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Jenna Shaw, South Davidson High Desirae Balsamo, Hanes Middle Tammy Shelton, Silver Valley Elementary Joseph Higdon, Moorseville High School Robyn H. Owen, Colfax Elementary Sara Webb, Lake Norman Elementary Tori Cardea, West Rowan High Darlene Marotta, Union Grove Elementary Caroline Stalvey, Friedberg Elementary Courtney Frasier, The Brawley School Jennifer DiFiore, North Iredell Middle Kristi Miller, West Rowan High Casey Mancilla, William R Davie Elementary Danny Lough, Central Davie Academy Tim Hamby, Statesville High Justin Bennett, Career Academy and Technical School Royzetta Cokley, The North Carolina Leadership Academy Gina McGee, Konnoak Elementary Jennifer Steele, Pickett Primary April Hendley, Southwood Elementary

12/10/20 1:53 PM

T H E F U T U R E S T O RY

EMPOWERING

HOW SOPHIA LEEMAN EMPOWERS THE FUTURE.

COMMU

How did you hear about EnergyUnited’s EMPOWERING THE FUTURE scholarship program? Counselor, parent, website, email?

I heard about this scholarship program from my high school guidance counselor, Mrs. Smith.

Tell us about the first year of your college experience? I know you could probably say a LOT as it’s been such an interesting year, but maybe share your college name, major, some classes you’re taking and highlights of your first semester.

I am majoring in biomedical engineering at Duke University. This semester, I participated in the Genetics and Genomics focus program at Duke. Another rewarding experience I had was in my engineering design class. My team was tasked with creating an off-the-grid model energy system to power an engineering makerspace at Duke University that would be reproducible for implementation at universities in developing countries. I thought this was fitting considering EnergyUnited was so supportive of my education this year. After teaming up with two other first-year engineering design teams, we were able to design and construct a self-sufficient solar system off the grid to power a makerspace used by Duke students next semester! The best part of my Duke experience, however, has been going on this adventure with my twin sister, Julia. In such crazy times, she is always there with me and that’s really special.

What did getting this scholarship mean to you/your family?

Receiving this support for my education meant the world to my family and me. I am so honored that this company believes in me and has made such a clear commitment to the community. Even beyond the scholarship, I still keep in touch with representatives from EnergyUnited, who are constantly rooting for me this first year at Duke.

If you could give future applicants a piece of advice, what would it be?

I know when applying to scholarships it can be hard to accept that people will choose you out of a large applicant pool just for your true and honest story, and it can get discouraging when applications come back with “unfortunately we were not able to award you the scholarship this year.” However, I think the best advice I can give is to write about what matters to you instead of what you think would matter to the people reviewing your application. I promise the people at EnergyUnited are just that: people. They care about everything that makes you unique and genuinely want to help you succeed.

What are your future goals/career aspirations?

I am still undecided where my journey will take me after college. As a biomedical engineering major, I have so many options! I might go straight into industry working in a variety of fields from genetic engineering to prosthetic development or cancer research. However, I am also still considering furthering my education to obtain my master’s degree or doctorate so that I can fully dive into research, and I still haven’t ruled out medical school. Whatever my journey, I hope my career allows me to continue exploring new innovations and giving back to my community.

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OMMUNITY CONNECTIONS NC GREENPOWER’ S SOLAR+ SCHOOLS PROGRAM NC GreenPower is accepting applications for the 2021 Solar+ Schools program beginning January 2, 2021. Any North Carolina K–12 school may apply for a grant of up to $27,000 toward installation costs. In addition, awardees receive nearly $14,000 in related benefits, such as donated SunPower solar modules, a STEM curriculum and teacher training.

up

with

O P E N YO U R P H O N E C A M E R A A N D S C A N TO W ATC H

SOLAR ANSWERS: I S S O L A R R I G H T F O R YO U ? visit NcGreenPower.org/solar-schools/ to apply.

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EMPOWERING THE FUTURE SCHOLARSHIP.

A P P LY N O W FOR 2021

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12/10/20 1:53 PM

S TA R T T H E Y E A R

WITH A NEW W AY T O P AY BANK DRAFT Automate your payments

P AY O N L I N E O R V I A A P P Download the EnergyUnited app or log in online

P AY B Y P H O N E

Dial 1-800-215-7315 and follow the voice prompts

3 R D - P A R T Y P AY C E N T E R S

Visit EnergyUnited.com/Pay-Electric to find a popular retail location near you

P AY M E N T K I O S K S O R D R O P B O X E S Located at our main offices

Haven’t taken advantage of our various ways to pay? Well now’s your chance! Our offices may be closed but members will enjoy NO associated fees with any of our payment options! Plus, with so many locations, chances are a way to pay is

WINTER ENERGY

S AV I N G S T I P S

closer than you think! To find a full list of convenient ways to pay near you, visit EnergyUnited.com/pay-electric.

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Keeping the heat on at full blast is simply not sustainable—and we mean both for your wallet and the environment. Here’s how you can save some green this season.

1

Every degree of temperature change influences the energy in your home by about 8%— which means if you were setting your thermostat at 72°F but can stand to have it at 69°F, you can reduce your heating costs by around 24%!

2 3 4

Try to remember to lower your thermostat when you leave the house for anything more than several hours. A smart thermostat like Google Nest can do that for you.

Set up a profile on EnergyUnited’s Energy Advisor, our state-of-the-art tool that helps you understand where you could be saving more energy.

Shut the window: A typical window left open overnight in winter will waste enough energy to drive a small car over 35 miles.

These simple tips can make for big savings—for our environment and your finances alike!

Check out our Energy Advisor tool at Energyunited.com/save-money. *Source: Scientific American

12/10/20 1:53 PM

A SMARTER

2021

We often see higher energy bills during the chillier months, and many times it’s due to heating the house during impractical times, or not being as mindful as we should be. One simple fix for this? A smart thermostat! These high-tech devices bring all the function of traditional thermostats while also allowing you to manage and adjust the temperature from your phone (even when you’re out of the house), analyze your energy use, and most importantly, help you save energy and money!

And if that wasn’t cool enough, homes with smart thermostats are free to enroll in our Peak Time Perks program as well!

PEAK TIME PERKS is a program for EnergyUnited electric residential members that rewards you for allowing us to adjust your Google Nest or Honeywell Home smart thermostat during peak periods. When you sign up, you’ll be credited $50 on your electric bill. And for each year after that, an additional $20 will be credited to your account.

Find out more about these programs by visiting EnergyUnited.com/demand-response.

MAKE 2021 THE YEAR OF E-BILLING And why? Not only will signing up help you save time, money and paper but it also comes with some pretty sweet perks.

Sign up during the month of January and earn the chance to win one of three

$100

ike!

Visa® gift cards or bill credits

Log in to My account and update your billing preferences or call 1-800-522-3793 today.

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12/10/20 1:53 PM

NEW YEAR N E W H E A LT H Y

RECIPES

The Recipe Share Cookbook is back for another month of fabulous recipe submissions from our lovely readers (that’s you!). All recipes will be included in the cookbook and photos will be added as space permits.

And if you’re starting 2021 with a resolution to make healthier choices and lose a couple of pounds, we’ve got a great resource for you! Join us for a healthier year by submitting your lean, low-fat, or carb-conscious recipes to EU-communications@energyunited.com.

Please submit your recipes no later than January 20.

If you don’t have access to email, please send a typed version of your recipe with your first and last name to: EnergyUnited: Cookbook Collection P.O. Box 1831 Statesville, NC 28687 P.S: All of these recipes will soon be available on our digital cookbook! Check them out at Energyunited.com/2021-cookbook-collection.

EnergyUnited

@EnergyUnitedEMC

EnergyUnited Electric Cooperative

ENERGYUNITED.COM

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EnergyUnitedEMC

1-800-522-3793

12/10/20 1:53 PM

Carolina Living

2021 Energy Efficiency Calendar There are so many ways you can save energy! Doing this will reduce your family’s monthly bills and it also helps our environment.

Change your energy use habits by following these monthly tips.

Keep this calendar on your fridge to remind family members to be energy efficient throughout the year.

January Turn off ceiling fans when you leave room.

May Decorate your backyard or porch with solar-powered lights.

February Instead of turning up the heat, put on an extra layer of clothing or stay cozy under a blanket.

June Take short showers instead of baths.

September

October

Turn off running water while brushing your teeth.

Unplug energy vampires (devices not in use that use electricity). They include chargers, gaming consoles and cable/satellite boxes.

March Turn off lights when you leave a room.

July Dry heavy linens outside on a clothesline instead of using the dryer.

November Remind family members to use cold water when washing clothes.

April Ask an adult to help you plant a tree to help shade your home in the summer.

August Ask an adult to help you schedule a reminder to change the A/C filter every 60–90 days.

December Decorate your home with energy-saving LED holiday lights.

January 2020 2021 | 19 January

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Carolina Living

Mexican Mushroom-Beef Blend 1 medium yellow onion 8 ounces fresh button or crimini mushrooms 1 pound lean ground beef 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, drained 1 package (1 ounce) reduced sodium taco seasoning mix 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes 1 can (11 ounces) yellow kernel corn, drained

Blends are Friends Cook food once, enjoy it twice

C

ooking a base dish that can be enjoyed today and used for a different meal tomorrow can save you valuable time and extend your grocery budget.

Doing so also brings you comfort to know you’ve planned ahead and made a “double-up” meal.

For example, you can bake fish for tonight’s dinner, and eat fish tacos for tomorrow’s lunch. Or you can make a “blend” or base to create multiple meals. The mushroom-beef blend here makes your beef go further by using mushrooms’ ability to mimic the texture of meat. For additional blend recipes, visit mushroomcouncil.com.

In food processor, pulse onion and mushrooms to coarse texture. Set aside.

In large frying pan, brown ground beef. Drain fat. Set aside.

In same frying pan, heat oil. Add mushroom mixture and sauté 3–4 minutes, or until most moisture has been released. Add black beans and mix.

Add beef, taco seasoning, tomatoes and corn to black bean and Mexican mushroom-beef blend. Mix and cook until heated through.

Yield: 8 cups

—FamilyFeatures.com

Mexican Lasagna Nonstick cooking spray 16 yellow corn tortillas 6 cups Mexican mushroom-beef blend 1 cup shredded, low-fat Mexican cheese blend Sour cream (optional) Chopped cilantro (optional) Salsa (optional) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottom of 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Place four corn tortillas on bottom of dish and layer 2 cups Mexican mushroom-beef blend on top. Repeat layers, ending with tortillas as top layer. Top with cheese. Bake uncovered 25 minutes, or until cheese melts and lasagna is heated through. Top with dollops of sour cream, cilantro and salsa as desired.

Yield: 6–8 servings

Blended Tacos 1 cup sour cream 6 tablespoons cilantro, chopped 2 tablespoons lime juice 8 yellow corn tortillas 2 cups Mexican mushroom-beef blend Optional toppings Diced avocado Shredded lettuce Shredded cheese Salsa

In small bowl, mix sour cream, cilantro and lime juice. Cover and refrigerate.

Warm tortillas in microwave or on stovetop, according to package directions.

Spoon 1/4 cup Mexican mushroom-beef blend into each tortilla. Top with sour cream mixture and avocado, lettuce, cheese and salsa as desired.

Yield: 8 tacos

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12/9/20 12:38 PM

BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives are leading the way to a brighter future for our 2.5 million members and local communities.

Sustainable, Affordable Energy Pursue a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 using new and existing resources to ensure electricity continues to be delivered at the lowest possible cost.

Reliability & Innovation Leverage new technologies and innovation to deliver reliable electricity across resilient, co-op operated electric grids.

Local Community Support Enrich the lives of our local members through continued education initiatives, economic development and community-focused activities.

NCElectricCooperatives.com/Brighter

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11/30/20 12/10/20 12:57 1:26 PM

ecobee

On the House

Know Your Thermostat Make the most of it for comfort and savings

By Jonathan Susser

Q:

Smart thermostats, like this ecobee, can optimize performance on their own.

We’re in the middle of winter, and I want to make sure I am getting the most out of my thermostat. What should I look for to stay comfortable while not breaking the bank?

A:

Thermostats come in a variety of shapes, sizes and functionality levels. To maximize your comfort and energy savings, the first thing to do is identify what kind you have.

While many recommendations apply to all thermostats, some devices can take care of steps for you. For the purposes of this article, we’re going to distinguish between three types: traditional, programmable and smart.

With traditional thermostats, you must manually adjust your home’s temperature at any given time. Programmable thermostats allow users to set temperatures based on a schedule, with Wi-Fi versions granting remote control, usually through a mobile app or online dashboard. Smart thermostats go further and may be able to learn your heating and cooling preferences over time, change temperatures based on occupancy levels, detect temperatures in different parts of your home using sensors or take advantage of voice control, which can be particularly beneficial for people experiencing mobility, vision or dexterity challenges.

(Note: The breakdown above is not universally used, and you may also see any Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat called “smart.”)

Thermostat basics Once you know what type of thermostat you have, there are several things to keep in mind to align with your comfort and energy-saving goals. A general rule of thumb for the winter is to have your thermostat on the lowest temperature you are comfortable with (and lower if no one is home); the U.S. Department of Energy suggests a maximum of 68 degrees. In other words, the difference between the outside temperature and your thermostat setting should be as small as comfortably possible. This will limit how much your heating system runs.

If you have a heat pump, try to avoid bumping the temperature up too much at any one time. Doing so can trigger the AUX heat light and cause the system’s heat strips to energize, which use a lot of energy. Your home also doesn’t heat any faster with a higher setpoint temperature. If possible, stick to as constant a temperature as possible during these colder months.

Smart savings Wi-Fi and smart thermostats give you more convenience and flexibility, so consider investing in the upgrade if your home has a traditional thermostat. Smart thermostats in particular tend to be more forgiving than others because they can optimize performance on their own, and many of their features can more easily promote comfort and energy savings.

If you have one, make sure you are using all it has to offer. For example, the device may be able to automatically move to a more energy-friendly temperature when it detects the home is empty. Smart thermostats can also connect to other smart home devices, such as lights or smart speakers, for additional possibilities.

If you’re in the market for a new thermostat, check for compatibility with your existing heating and cooling system. Do some research, talk with friends and neighbors, and ask your electric cooperative whether the model you have your eye on will meet your needs.

And no matter what kind of thermostat you have, consult the owner’s manual for installation and setup instructions. Online videos can also be a great place for tips and tricks.

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

22 | carolinacountry.com

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Carolina People

“Dr. Alma Cobb Hobbs” by Burk Uzzle

Looking Forward, Through a Lens Photographer Burk Uzzle has made a career of ‘being there’ Story by Bridgette A. Lacy

F

or celebrated North Carolina photographer Burk Uzzle, each and every face is a new frontier.

“It’s a new opportunity, it’s a gorgeous invitation,” says the 82-year-old Wilson resident.

Burk, a self-taught photographer, is recognized for his photos of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Woodstock album cover, along with the landscape of America.

The former Life Magazine photographer describes his work as a “nuanced composition blending American culture, individual psyches of particular places and people, and an atypical way of seeing ourselves, our values and our community.”

“Burk is definitely a national treasure,” said Jethro Waters, the director and filmmaker of “F11 and Be There,” a documentary on Burk released in 2020. It reveals the many lenses of Burk as he comments on social justice, the human condition and the magic of making prints. The filmmaker captures Burk’s philosophy of not assuming who people are and being open enough to capture their light.

Burk started his career selling freelance photographs to local newspapers including The News & Observer. He then

moved to Atlanta to work with freelance photographer Jay Leviton. During a telephone interview with Burk from his home in Wilson, he recalled when an editor from Jet magazine, a weekly that focused on black life, called and wanted “a photo of an interesting young black preacher in Atlanta.”

“I took a photo of Martin Luther King Jr., sitting on a couch,” Burk Photographer remembers. It was his first magazine Burk Uzzle assignment but it wouldn’t be his last.

The documentary photographer took some of the most iconic images of the investigation of King’s murder and his funeral.

Eventually Burk moved to Texas and landed images of a hurricane tearing through Houston in the news section and a feature of a Wyoming sheep farm in the feature section of the same edition of Life Magazine. The editors quickly hired the versatile freelance photographer.

After several years, the agile photographer returned to working for himself.

“I never took assignments,” he says. “I didn’t want editors telling me what photos to take. I would go and take photographs and then shop them around.”

Major magazines around the globe ran his Woodstock music festival photographs. One of his shots graced the album cover. It’s his most famous photograph.

His prints hang in the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh; the Ackland Museum in Chapel Hill and the Nasher Museum in Durham as well as the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Burk moved back to his native North Carolina about 15 years ago. He wanted to live in a mid-size town and discovered Wilson. Locals will recognize his photos of self-taught artist Vollis Simpson and his flying contraptions affectionately known as whirligigs.

Trista Reis Porter, the executive director at the Greenville Museum of Art, says Burk’s work is striking. The museum commissioned Burk to create a 2017 exhibition, “Perceptions and Recognitions: African Americans of Eastern North Carolina,” which featured 25 photographs of the area’s business owners, politicians, dancers, and musicians. It’s a part of the museum’s permanent collection.

“It’s really different from his earlier work,” Trista says.

“He was trained as a documentary photographer. These are more staged portraits. The subjects are members of our black community. It was a big moment for the museum and his career.”

As for Burk’s favorite work? “It’s always the next one I shoot,” he says. “I like looking forward and not back.”

Bridgette A. Lacy (bridgettelacy.com) is a freelance writer and the author of “Sunday Dinner, a Savor the South cookbook” by UNC Press.

carolinacountry.com/extras See a trailer for “F11 and Be There,” a film about Burk’s iconic photography over the past 65+ years.

24 | carolinacountry.com

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Carolina Adventures

Alligator River Wildlife Refuge

Hope Plantation, Windsor

Edenton Tea Party

Elizabeth II Replica

Drive-through History

The Historic Albemarle Tour is a rich cultural resource Story and photos by Donna Campbell Smith

T

he winter months can be a great time for a road trip, when the crowds of summer fade away. A drive through northeast North Carolina carries you through a neat patchwork of fields ready for springtime planting — corn, soybeans, peanuts and tobacco — with acres of woodlands and swamps, edged by black-water creeks and rivers. And you may notice along the way some brown signs indicating a self-guided driving tour rich in history: the Historic Albemarle Highway.

The Historic Albemarle Tour (HAT), the oldest heritage trail in the Southeast, winds through 17 northeast and coastal counties, leading travelers to over 29 sites of historic, cultural and environmental significance. The counties reach north to the Virginia/North Carolina border and south to the Pamlico River; it reaches east to the Outer Banks and west to Interstate 95. The tour includes plantations, museums, historic homes and buildings, maritime museums, lighthouses and 14 wildlife areas that include state parks and refuges.

Coastal history Our history lesson begins in Manteo, which celebrates the state’s first European settlement in the 1500s with Roanoke Island Festival Park (roanokeisland.com), featuring interpretative and interactive displays. Board a replica of the Elizabeth II ship, and visit an American Indian village and an explorer’s camp to experience what life was like in the sixteenth century. A trip to the coast also offers lighthouses and lifesaving stations as well as museums and historic sites.

As colonists later trickled down from Virginia to tame the Carolina wilderness, towns grew up near the rivers — Roanoke, Chowan and Pamlico — and the shores of Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. Visit Edenton, Windsor, Plymouth, Tarboro, Halifax, Williamston, Washington, Aurora and Belhaven to name a few; stepping back to a time when colonial planters and shippers were the backbone to the economy of the colonies.

Eclectic collections Visit some unexpected museums like the Fossil Museum in Aurora (aurorafossilmuseum.org), which houses a collection of marine fossils collected from a local phosphate mine. In downtown Belhaven is Memorial Museum (bit.ly/BelhavenMuseum), which began as the private collection of Eva Blount Way. It is filled with curiosities and antiques from around the world, some dating back 200 years. Elizabeth City is home to The Museum of the Albemarle (museumofthealbemarle.com). Learn the history and culture of the Albemarle region through their collections and historical interpretations.

The great outdoors Wildlife walks at many of these sites add to the experience.

Boardwalks in Plymouth and Columbia offer strolls along the river banks and into wetlands. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (fws.gov/refuge/alligator_river) has 152,000 acres to explore by car, canoe or foot. North Eastern North Carolina is home to black bears, red wolves and alligators. In addition, northeastern North Carolina is home to 145 species of wild birds, 48 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 40 species of mammals.

No matter which route you travel in the region you’ll find something amazing noted by the brown HAT signs.

The Historic Albemarle Trail offers so much you can’t take it all in at once, so plan several trips.

Carolina Country contributing writer Donna Campbell Smith lives in Franklin County.

Learn more about the Historic Albemarle Tour and plan your route at historicalbemarletour.org. If planning indoor stops at museums or towns, call ahead for the latest on hours and accessibility during the pandemic. carolinacountry.com/extras

Get more resources for planning your Historic Albemarle Tour, including a video overview of sites and attractions.

26 | carolinacountry.com

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NC Outdoors

The arced shape of the foliage on the bank frames a variety of flies in this shot, taken on the Roanoke River.

This photo uses some fill flash to eliminate patch shadows.

Better Photos Outdoors

A few tips for both beginners and advanced photographers Story and photos by Mike Zlotnicki

W

ith the advent of inexpensive digital cameras — and especially smartphones with “advanced” cameras — photography has grown much easier for the unschooled masses. I’ve taken photos to support stories for years, but I’m not a professional photographer, by any means. So for this column, I asked two of my outdoors partners, Alex Webb, 68, of Hillsborough and Thomas Harvey, 32, of Cary, who are also excellent photographers, for tips on capturing those “Kodak Moments.”

Alex shot news and sports for years as well as shooting for fun.

Thomas is a self-taught photographer who excels both outdoors and in the studio. They both had the same initial suggestion: Learn to shoot manually.

“Learn to shoot in manual mode,” Alex says. “Knowing how aperture, shutter speed and ISO relate to each other for given situations will allow you to better use other modes on today’s cameras. Shooting college football for a daily newspaper in the days before digital photography taught me very quickly how best to utilize manual settings. Keeping up with the action under changing light conditions was challenging.”

Thomas concurred. “Pay attention to your light source(s) — be it the sun, flash or anything else,” he says.

“Understanding, controlling and manipulating light is key to making excellent photographs. Moreover, you must understand the basic ways in which you can exploit exposure through balancing ISO (your film/sensors’ sensitivity to light), shutter speed — the length of time your film/sensor is exposed — and aperture (measured in stops, the amount of light your lens lets through to your sensor). The best way to see this reciprocal relationship is to shoot in full manual mode.”

Even modern smartphones these days allow for manual exposure, Thomas points out.

Given that learning to shoot manually can’t really be covered in this short space, I also asked for some more general advice for using digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras and phone cameras.

“Early on, I struggled with the proper use of depth of field,” Alex admits, referring to what is in sharp focus in a given frame. “But by using the depth-of-field preview button, I learned to choose an aperture that gave me the results I wanted and could see the results before taking the

shot in case I needed to adjust it.”

Thomas stresses lens focusing.

“While exposure is important, it is nothing without proper focus,” he says.

“Take the time to understand how your camera’s AF system works and apply the correct setting before anything else. Also keep in mind that the lower your f-stop, the higher the likelihood you miss focus as the focal plane narrows. While we all are tempted to shoot wide open all the time, consider using f/8 as a starting point to ensure sharp, in-focus outdoor images.”

Thomas also stresses making photographs “with intention.” He recommends slowing down to think through what you want your final image to be, and let that help you when composing and exposure.

Alex has a simple but valuable tip.

Go wide [focal length] or go long.

Wide lenses give context of the scene, while telephoto lenses bring home details.

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.

carolinacountry.com/extras

Get additional tips and see more examples of great outdoor photography online.

28 | carolinacountry.com

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Carolina Kitchen

C

Eggnog Chess Pie

T g e E

With sliced banana and cream

It seems fittin’ to use up that last bit of holiday eggnog in a good old southern chess pie. ‘Nog and bananas go together like mac and cheese, so partake of pie while toasting toes in front of a cozy fire as you settle into the New Year.

7 cups banana-nut, granola-type cereal 1 stick butter, softened 4 large eggs 1²/₃ cups sugar 2 tablespoons cornmeal 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, melted and slightly cooled

½ cup eggnog 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Pinch of salt 1 ripe banana Whipped cream, optional Grated nutmeg, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To make the crust, roughly crush cereal in a food processor. Combine with butter by hand. Place into a 10-inch pie plate. Refrigerate at least 20 minutes.

For the filling, use a mixer to blend eggs, sugar and cornmeal together. Add butter, eggnog, vinegar, vanilla and salt. Mix until thoroughly combined.

Thinly slice the banana over bottom of crust. Pour the egg mixture over banana. Bake about 40 minutes, until filling is set. Chill. Serve as is or with a dollop of whipped cream and dusting of nutmeg!

Yield: 1 10-inch pie

Roasted Grape and Cheese Crostini

C c

With spiced pecan crumbs

Sometimes we just need “a little something” to nibble on — roasting grapes and serving over warm, softened cheese on crostini is our new favorite! The grapes become nice and “jammy” and oh-so-good with a drizzle of herbed oil, vinegar and honey. No exact measurements needed for this one. ½ pound seedless table grapes, same or mixed variety 2–3 tablespoons neutral oil (We used sunflower oil.)

Sea salt 8–10 ounces Brie, Camembert or other rind cheese Balsamic vinegar Honey Crumbled pecan pralines Fresh thyme, optional Baguette, sliced thin and toasted Preheat oven (or toaster oven) to 400 degrees. Wash and dry grapes. Pull from the vine and place into a roasting dish; drizzle with oil. Scatter with a light dusting of salt. Roast 35–45 minutes, shaking a little along the way. Grapes will shrivel and skins will split as they roast. This can be done ahead of time.

When ready to serve, warm cheese in a 350-degree oven for about 10 minutes, until soft and oozing. Using spatula, move onto serving dish. Place grapes over and around cheese. Drizzle with vinegar and honey. Scatter with pecans and a sprinkle of fresh thyme if desired. Serve with toasted bread.

Yield: Approximately 8 servings

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.

32 | carolinacountry.com

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o W I *

Y

Carolina Kitchen

Creamy Parslied Wild Rice Soup The herbs in this aromatic soup will have your house smelling soooo good! Nice and creamy, yet dairy-free, this soup is vegetarian, but it’s easy enough to throw in some chopped rotisserie chicken if you like.

Enjoy with our roasted grape and brie crostini.

1 head garlic, cloves peeled and minced 3 bay leaves 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning 2 teaspoons dried thyme Salt and cracked black pepper as desired 3–4 large, colorful bell peppers, seeded and quartered Fresh parsley, chopped

Tara Verna

1 cup wild rice blend 4 cups vegetable broth 2 15-ounce cans creamed corn 1 large onion, peeled and chopped 1 10-ounce bag shredded carrots 3 large stalks celery, chopped 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed

From Your Kitchen

Combine all ingredients, minus peppers and parsley, in a slow cooker. Cook on high 2–3 hours, or on low 5–6 hours.* While cooking, toss peppers with oil and roast in 450-degree oven until lightly charred. Roughly chop.

When ready to serve, garnish with peppers and parsley.

If soup is too thick, add more broth to preferred consistency. *Cooking times may vary by slow cooker.

Yield: 6–8 servings

dairy free

Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese Set it and forget it — the convenience factor is huge with this one.

Coupled with the resulting cheesy goodness and the slightly crusty, barely browned top — your family will be craving a repeat!

1 8-ounce box of macaroni, cooked and drained 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk 1½ cups milk 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup shredded, medium cheddar cheese

2 cups shredded, sharp cheddar cheese ¼ cup melted butter 2 eggs, beaten Black pepper to taste Thinly-sliced cheddar cheese

Coat slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Combine all ingredients (except thinly-sliced cheese), stirring well. Pour into crockpot. Place thin slices of cheese on top. Set cooker to low and cook 3½ hours without stirring.

Yield: 6–8 servings

Recipe courtesy of Janice Terry, Albemarle, a member of Union Power Cooperative

Send Us Your Recipes

Contributors whose recipes are published will receive $25. We retain reprint rights for all submissions. Recipes submitted are not necessarily entirely original. Include your name, address, phone number (for questions), and the name of your electric cooperative. Mail to: Carolina Country Kitchen, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC, 27616. Or submit your recipe online at: carolinacountry.com/myrecipe.

Beef-Lima Casserole Each month, we’ll take a fun, nostalgic look at old favorites from our recipe archive. For January, check out “Beef-Lima Casserole” from 1970. See this recipe and stay tuned for more at carolinacountry.com/kitchencorner.

carolinacountry.com/recipes We take food seriously. Search more than 1,000 recipes by name or ingredient, with a new recipe featured every week!

January 2021 | 33

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where

in Carolina Country is this ?

Send your answer by January 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 February issue, will receive $25.

December winner

The December “Where Is This” photo by Wake Electric member Larry Pearlman features Lee’s Grocery Store and Sinclair Station, located on Highway 39 just east of Zebulon in Wake County. Libby Cox wrote that she and her sisters often walked to the store to buy penny candy and visit with her Aunt Annie and Uncle Wade Lee, who owned the store in the 1940s–1950s before the current owners, the Upchurch family. Many readers drive by the landmark to and from the Carolina Mudcats baseball stadium. One reader commented that it is such an inviting place to just sit on the benches and sip on a bottle coke with peanuts, a reminder of simpler times. Today, children shout “I spy a dinosaur” as their family car zips down the road. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Rob Forster of Wake Forest, a Blue Ridge Energy 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

January’S FEATURED TRACK

‘Postcards from Her Forest Boy’

MUSIC

By Daniel Horton

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In this tune about reluctantly letting a girl go, singer-songwriter Daniel’s soft voice showcases heartfelt lyrics. He wrote the song after a mutual break-up phone call with a Texas love who was just too far away (or as he writes, “911 miles away, to be exact”). It’s one of 14 tracks on his new debut album, “Atlas and his Flannel Coat.” His talent for poetic expression and musical phrasing is also evident in “Re: Christmas Song,” “The Singer Sung,” and “The Hennessy Prodigal Interlude.” Daniel’s stage name is Nothing More Cruel and his musical passions are primarily indie-folk. In addition to bright acoustic guitar, the 18-year-old artist from Waxhaw (and Union Power Electric Cooperative member) plays harmonica.

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

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SAVING POWER (AND $) At EnergyUnited, we are committed to helping our members save energy and money, so we’ve identified a couple of ways we can make that happen for you.

Beat the Peak is a free and voluntary program that notifies members via text and/or email when there are forecasts for extreme, or “peak” temperatures.

Peaks occur when the demand (and cost) for electricity is the highest. These alerts encourage you to adjust your energy usage in real time, reducing costs for you and the co-op.

The Peak Time Perks program rewards members for

allowing us to adjust their smart thermostats during

peak periods. When you sign up, you’ll be credited $50

on your electric bill. And for each year after that, an

additional $20 will be credited to your account.

Check out EnergyUnited.com/demand-response to get started.

Or visit EnergyUnited.com/energy-efficiency-tips for other energy saving tips!

E-BILLING WITH ENERGYUNITED Go paperless and receive your bill as an email! Not only is e-billing a reliable and convenient choice, but it’s also a more sustainable one—saving paper and postage. Simply log in to My Account and select Electronic Billing from the left menu or call 1-800-522-3793 and we will gladly sign you up!

For more information on our bylaws, visit EnergyUnited.com/new-members

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POWERFUL COMMUNITIES We wouldn’t be the co-op that we are today without our communities, which is why we are committed to giving back to the communities we serve. Here is a sampling of some of the ways we empower the lives of our members.

E N E R G Y U N I T E D F O U N D AT I O N Since its founding in 1996, the EnergyUnited Foundation has awarded well over $3 million in grants to community organizations and individuals in need—nearly $400,000 in 2019 alone. The Foundation is funded by the generosity of our members by way of Operation Round-Up. This program allows members to “round up” their monthly electric bills to provide assistance to fellow neighbors in need.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS Every year we award our $5,000 Empowering the Future Scholarship to two qualified high school students who plan to attend a college or technical school after graduation.

Our Bright Ideas program has awarded grants to North Carolina teachers for over 25 years to support innovative and creative class projects. We have funded 12,500 school projects for teachers in 19 counties, impacting over 2.5 million students.

We’re fans of friendly competition, and as true North Carolinians we love basketball. So, of course we offer Touchstone Energy Sports Camps! Each year we select two middle school student-athletes to attend basketball camp at prestigious N.C. campuses.

Students should check out our Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. We select two high school students to visit our state capital and tour Washington, D.C., over the summer where they learn about energy cooperatives, American history and the United States government while visiting historic sites.

Visit EnergyUnited.com/giving-back to make a difference and learn more about these programs.

EVERY DAY,

EMPOWERED

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