2021-02-BRE

February 2021

Join others in donating your capital credits to help neighbors in need.

SHARE some

Light Find out how to donate your upcoming capital credits return to help Blue Ridge members in need. See the next page.

PERIODICAL

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SHARE some

Light Operation Round UpÂŽ helps neighbors with crisis heating assistance each winter. While some Blue Ridge members contribute by having their electric bills rounded up each month, others share some light by also donating their capital credits returns.

That support is especially needed now.

Operation Round Up is now providing crisis energy assistance to Blue Ridge members who have lost jobs or income due to the pandemic. Member contributions provided more than $256,000 last year, helping more than 2,250 families.

Please join others in sharing some light and your resources in helping members pay their energy bills this winter. Every penny goes to support those in need.

Learn more and sign up today at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/Share.

Operation

Blue Ridge-0221 WRAP.indd 2

How can I share some light?

You can agree to have your monthly bill rounded up for an average of just 50 cents per month through Operation Round Up.

Let your light shine brighter: Pending Board approval, money will be coming to members in May. This money back, known as capital credits, is a special benefit of being served by this not-for-profit electric cooperative. Last year, that return totaled more than $5 million.

If you are willing to donate your upcoming capital credits return, you may contribute all, or a percentage, of that amount. Please use the insert card in this issue or go to BlueRidgeEnergy.com/Share.

1/8/21 2:48 PM

February 2021

Catch Day of the

page 12

Published by

Why sustainability is important to co-ops page 10

In sync on ice page 32

PERIODICAL

Blue Ridge Energy vegetation management is key to reliability—pages 21–24 Feb covers.indd 3

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familiar with the condition. As many as 25% of those over the age of 50 have some degree of macular degeneration.

The macula is only one small part of the retina, however it is the most sensitive and gives us sharp central vision. When it degenerates, macular degeneration leaves a blind spot right in the center of to recognize faces, read a book, or pass the driver’s vision test.

Nine out of 10 people who have or many patients with macular macular degeneration have the dry form. degeneration and other vision- New research suggests vitamins can help. The British medical journal BMC related conditions, the loss of central visual detail also signals Ophthalmology recently reported that the end to one of the last bastions of independence - driving.

A Wilmington optometrist, Dr. Edward Paul, is using miniaturized telescopes which are mounted in glasses to help people who have lost vision from macular degeneration and other eye conditions.

“Some of my patients consider me the last stop for people who have vision loss” said Dr. Paul, one of only a few doctors in

F

telescopes to help those who have lost vision due to macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other debilitating eye diseases.

Imagine a pair of glasses that can improve your vision enough to change your life. If you’re a low vision patient, you’ve probably not only imagined them, but have been searching for them. Bioptic telescopes may be the breakthrough in optical technology that will give you the independence you’ve been looking for. Patients with vision in the 20/200 range can many times be improved to 20/50.

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness and vision loss in people over 50. Despite this, most adults are not

A scene as it might be viewed by a person with age-related macular degeneration

56% of patients treated with a high-dose combination of vitamins experienced improved vision after six months.

TOZAL Comprehensive Eye Health Formula is now available by prescription from eye doctors. risk factor for developing the disease, heredity, smoking, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure have also degeneration accounts for 90% of new legal blindness in the US. While there is currently no cure, promising research is being done on many fronts. “My job

possible to keep a person functioning” says Dr. Paul. Even if it’s driving.

Doreen Jenkins, 72, of Pocahontas, friend. She wanted to keep her Iowa drivers license and was prescribed bioptic tele lights farther away. Dr. Paul also prescribed microscope glasses for reading newspapers and menus in restaurants.

As Doreen puts it, “my regular glasses didn’t help too much- it was like look ing through a fog. These new telescopic glasses not only allow me to read signs from a farther distance, but makes driving much easier. I’ve also used them to watch television so I don’t have to sit so close. I don’t know why I waited three years to do this; I should have come sooner.”

“Bioptic telescopes can cost over $2,000,” says Dr. Paul, “especially if we build them with an automatic sunglass.” scope is that the lens automatically focuses on whatever you’re looking at,” said Dr. Paul. “It’s like an self-focusing camera, but much more precise.”

To learn more about bioptic telescopes or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Paul, give us a call at 1-910-208-9011. You can also visit our website at:

www.DrEdwardPaul.com For more information or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Paul, call us today: (910) 208-9011

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1/7/21 12:06 PM

Volume 53, No. 2

s

16

rs

ed s

es

s

12

Favorites 4 Viewpoints 6 More Power

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26 Energy Sense 32 Carolina People 36 NC Outdoors

ut

38 Marketplace

es l,

42 Where is This?

40 Carolina Kitchen 42 Featured Photo

28

12 16 28 34

Catch of the Day

Sunburst Trout Farms is among dozens in Western NC serving markets and restaurants.

An Experience on the Half Shell NC’s new Oyster Trail promotes local seafood.

Living with Beavers

Our largest rodent can be an asset, and an issue.

Corn-Shucking Parties And other things you remember.

On the Cover It takes about 18–24 months for a Rainbow Trout from Sunburst Trout Farms of Waynesville to reach maturity. Read more on page 12 about these fresh, sustainably raised fish.

Photo by Revival Creatives.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:

Last Call for Pet Photos!

In our April issue, we’ll be sharing the best pet photos from our readers. Send us photos of your pets, be they the cutest or ugliest (or just plain spoiled), by February 15. See page 38 for details.

February 2021 | 3

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1/8/21 1:52 PM

Viewpoints

Affordability: The Key to a Sustainable Future

By Greg Andress

As we look to the months and years ahead, electric cooperatives and their members in North Carolina have reason to be excited. As you’ve likely read in the pages of this magazine, or heard about from your local electric co-op, electric co-ops statewide are working together to create a brighter future for our rural communities for generations to come.

Our vision involves several prioriin homes, businesses and on farms, through the use of advanced meters ties, including community support, whether it’s as simple as heating and that help us better pinpoint outages, leveraging new technologies to cooling more efficiently with proper thus saving time scouting powerdeliver power across a resilient grid, insulation and a programmable lines for damage after a storm. Other and pursuing sustainable sources thermostat, or a more advanced technologies that allow for more of energy to reduce carbon emisaudit to find ways to save money by centralized control of all aspects of sions over time. switching to electric technologies over the grid help us reallocate resources That last part — sustainability those using fossil fuels. Even in — is critical to ensuring we can this time of social distancing, continue to meet our members’ your electric co-op has If programs and technology expectations in delivering experienced energy specialists reliable power to homes and on staff who can troubleshoot aren’t cost-effective, they businesses far into the future energy issues and give advice simply aren’t sustainable. That (learn more about sustainability over the phone to help members on page 10). But there is a key use energy more efficiently. fact resonates all the more as component to make all aspects As you hear more in the we do business as not-for‑profit coming years about electric of the brighter future initiative truly sustainable: affordability. If co-op efforts to create a cooperatives, owned and programs and technology aren’t brighter future, whether guided by our members. cost-effective, they simply aren’t through deploying advanced sustainable. That fact resonates technologies across the grid all the more as we do business or reducing carbon emissions, as not-for-profit cooperatives, owned you can rest easy knowing we are during times of high demand, ensurand guided by our members. doing it all with your pocketbook in ing electricity is there for all when North Carolina’s electric co-ops mind. In this decade and beyond, they need it without necessarily recognize that how we achieve we will continue our commitment having to generate additional power. sustainability goals matters; our to providing reliable electricity On the consumer side, a focus on members’ top priority continues to at the lowest possible cost while affordability and sustainability means be reliable electricity, delivered at advancing the pursuit of responsible helping you make the most of the the lowest possible cost. We remain sustainability goals. After all, if a electricity you use. Co-ops can send committed to providing just that, plan is not affordable, it’s simply members alerts notifying them of integrating affordability in all decinot sustainable. higher-than-normal usage. Some offer sions made on behalf of our members. different electric rates based on when Greg Andress is executive vice president On the utility side, this means and how power is typically used. And and general manager for Union Power selecting technologies that help us do your electric co-op can offer advice Cooperative in Monroe. our job more efficiently. That could be on all aspects of how power is used

4 | carolinacountry.com

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THIS MONTH:

NC Aquaculture From our coast to mountain lakes and streams, North Carolina is teeming with fresh fish and seafood. Aquaculture —r aising fish and shellfish for food —i s a big contributor to our state’s economy. Learn more about this unique type of farming starting on page 12. Also, don’t miss answers to common questions about co-op sustainability goals on page 10.

—Scott Gates, editor

Meaningful Connection I was so excited to see the article “Carteret-Craven EC Member Honored for Community Work” (January 2021, page 6). We have vacationed for 50+ years at Emerald Isle, starting out in the summers, but now as we are older, we go in December. I was shopping and looking for Christmas gifts there a few years ago and saw a display of these cutting boards that were engraved with names. Mr. Bob Dobler was in the store that day (Elly’s at Emerald Isle).

I was able to order one for each family member (engraved) that year and help support the BackPack Friends program. As several of our family are teachers, this had even more meaning!

Plus, one of the cutting boards already had my nephew and wife’s name engraved on it. I said to myself, “Well, this is it: the perfect Christmas gift.”

Thank you Mr. Dobler, for your helpfulness to me that day, your craft, and service to the community!

God bless you!

Kaylee on the Cover Stephanie Hines shared a photo on Instagram of her and her best friend’s youngest daughter, Kaylee — aka the sunflower gazer on our January cover.

“What an awesome way to end 2020 and start 2021!” Stephanie says. “The picture is one of our favorites, so after a little push and a lot of encouragement from my hubby I entered it into the Carolina Country photo contest … and lo and behold look where we ended up! We’re so excited, and it’s definitely a much-needed boost.”

See more of Stephanie’s work at theowlsnestphotographyandmore.com.

Published monthly by

3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616 919-875-3091 carolinacountry.com Warren Kessler Publications Director Scott Gates, CCC Editor Renee C. Gannon, CCC Senior Associate Editor Karen Olson House Contributing Editor Tara Verna Creative Director Erin Binkley Digital Media 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.

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

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

Should you encounter advertising that does not comply with these standards, please inform Carolina Country at 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616. 919-875-3091.

Patsy Allred, Ramseur, A member of Randolph EMC Editor’s Note: You can still purchase the cutting boards from Elly’s Gifts by calling the store at 252-354-4748.

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

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

Raleigh, NC 27616

(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800)

Read monthly in more than 700,000 homes

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

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

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

All content © Carolina Country unless otherwise indicated.

February 2021 | 5

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More Power

Brunswick Electric CEO Elected to National Board of Directors Wake Electric CEO recognized for years of service Josh Winslow, CEO and general manager of Supply-based Brunswick Electric, has been elected to the Board of Directors for the National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC), an industry-leading information technology company. NISC develops and supports software and hardware solutions for its member-owners, which are primarily utility cooperatives and telecommunications companies across the country.

Winslow’s election to the board fills a vacancy left by Wake Forest-based Wake Electric General Manager and CEO Jim Mangum, who has represented District 1 on the NISC board since 2000. Mangum also served on the board of one of NISC’s predecessor organizations from 1994 to 2000.

“Jim’s contributions to NISC have been many; he has seen us through tremendous growth and has been a strong supporter of both NISC and the cooperative movement,” said NISC President and CEO Dan Wilbanks. “I thank him for his contributions, and I’d also like to welcome Josh to our board. He is joining a great team, and we’re very much looking forward to having him on our Board to help guide NISC’s future.”

Josh Winslow

Jim Mangum

“NISC’s support is critical as its members position themselves to be successful in an industry future that centers on data-driven business operations and management,” Winslow said. “We are just beginning to realize the potential for ways we can leverage meter data to improve operations, finances and member relationships, and I am eager to further the capabilities of all our organizations in these areas and lead together with strategy, vision and integrity as a member of NISC’s board of directors.”

NC Electric Cooperatives Support New Rural Economic Development Foundation North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives have pledged $10,000 in seed capital to help support a new nonprofit foundation established by the NC Economic Development Association (NCEDA). The foundation will provide North Carolina’s economic development community with high-quality research, professional development scholarships and other programs with a focus on underserved, distressed and rural communities and economic developers across the state.

“This new foundation aligns closely with our vision for building a brighter future for rural North Carolina, and we are pleased to support this new

effort to further promote economic development and improved quality of life in rural communities,” said Ryan Nance, director of economic development for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.

NCEDA incorporated the foundation earlier this year under the laws of North Carolina and is now filing an application with the IRS for federal tax-exempt status.

“We are grateful to North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives for stepping forward with this voluntary support,” said Randall Johnson, NCEDA president. “This pledge serves as a reminder of the crucial work we have ahead with

the foundation, which we can only achieve with the type of strong partners that North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives have proven to be.”

The state’s electric co-ops maintain a comprehensive economic development strategy that centers on creating new opportunities for rural North Carolina, and recruiting new businesses and industries to cooperative communities.

—Lisa Crawley, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives

“This new foundation aligns closely with our vision for building a brighter future for rural North Carolina, and we are pleased to support this new effort to further promote economic development and improved quality of life in rural communities.”

6 | carolinacountry.com

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1/11/21 4:22 PM

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1/7/21 12:06 PM

More Power

Current and Future Solar Tech Harnessing the power of the sun Solar energy is one of the fastest-growing forms of energy in the country. These days, solar arrays can be spotted in fields and on rooftops, and North Carolina’s electric cooperatives currently maintain 19 community solar farms around the state, allowing members to subscribe to the energy output from a panel or panels.

Using power from the sun is an ancient practice, although harnessing solar power in the form of photovoltaics to produce electricity is a relatively recent discovery.

Throughout the 1800s, various scientists worked to improve the basic photovoltaic cell that created the basis for the modern photovoltaics in use today.

The space age in the 1950s and 1960s saw a slight increase in production of solar photovoltaics to power spacecraft, and an oil shortage in the 1970s brought more awareness to alternative energies.

Over the last century, the efficiency of solar cells’ ability to generate electricity has been improving. Early solar cells had an efficiency of about 4 percent in the late 1800s, advancing to approximately 11 percent in the 1950s. Modern solar cells have an efficiency of around 15 to 20 percent.

Although photovoltaics are currently the most popular form of solar technology, there are other of solar technology available — some established, some more experimental, listed here:

Concentrating solar power | Uses thousands of mirrors to 1 concentrate solar energy to traditional steam turbines or engines to generate electricity. This type of technology needs to be located on about 500 acres of land to be cost-effective.

Solar heating & cooling | Collects thermal energy to be directly used for water heating, space heating and space cooling across many applications.

Floating photovoltaics (FPV) | More experimental at this point, this technology uses solar panels that are fixed on top of a buoyant structure in a body of water.

While there also may be a huge potential to expand FPV out into the open ocean, the costs of these projects are much higher to install and maintain.

Printable solar cells | Paper thin, these can be used almost anywhere. Instead of silicon that is used in conventional photovoltaic cells, these printable cells break down organic semiconductor polymers into “solar ink” on a plastic film, which can then generate electricity from light. There are still some major issues to solve before the technology can be commercialized, including a lifespan of only six months and an efficiency of 10%.

As these newer forms of solar technology develop and become commercially available, we will likely see many more kinds of solar technology around us.

2 3

4

—Maria Kanevsky, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Tips for Avoiding Solar Scams As the popularity of rooftop solar panels increases, so do solar scams.

Here are a few tips to consider before you install a solar PV system for your home.

• Talk to your electric co-op first.

They can offer guidance and recommendations.

• Get at least three quotes from solar companies, and thoroughly read their reviews.

• Avoid solar companies that use high-pressure tactics.

• Don’t believe unrealistic promises.

• Only sign clear, easy-to-understand contracts.

8 | carolinacountry.com

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12/21/20 2:23 PM 1/7/21 12:06 PM

More Power

Building a Brighter Future

Sustainability and Electric Co-ops 2030 TARGET

50

%

Reduction in carbon emissions from 2005

2050 TARGET

NET-ZERO Carbon emissions

To North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, sustainability means delivering reliable, affordable, low-carbon electricity over a grid that is more efficient, resilient and secure. Electric co-ops are utilizing new and existing resources to reduce our already low-carbon portfolio and work toward two sustainability goals.

Here are some common questions about sustainable power.

Q: What is being done to reach these goals?

A:

The first step in achieving these goals is to continue utilizing carbon-free nuclear power, the largest source of generation for North Carolina’s electric cooperatives. NC co-ops invested in nuclear power in the 1980s, and it will continue to play an important role in the years ahead. Cooperatives are also adding more renewable energy, along with natural gas generation, which can be switched on quickly

Q: Why is sustainability important?

A:

Member needs and expectations form the bedrock of all future planning for electric co-ops, and North Carolinians are telling their co-ops they want reliable electricity, first and foremost, but they also want it to be sustainable and affordable (see page 4 for more about the importance of affordability). Electric co-ops are working together to chart a thoughtful path forward, engaging members to better manage activity on the grid while introducing new technologies to generate, distribute and use energy more efficiently.

when needed (such as when renewable sources aren’t available). And now, the use of sophisticated technology is allowing co-ops to coordinate resources across the grid, making it more efficient and resilient, and providing even more reliable service to members. New energy solutions, like battery storage, microgrids and advanced generation resources still in development, will help co-ops fully achieve these goals.

Q:What does net-zero mean?

A:

“Net-zero” refers to a balance between the amount of carbon that is both produced and removed from the atmosphere. A diverse grid using a variety of generation sources, including natural gas, is key to ensuring reliability while keeping power affordable. If the amount of carbon emissions from power generation can be offset by removing emissions elsewhere — increasing forest land, for example — “net-zero” emissions can be achieved.

CO2 Emissions Drop in 2020 Due to COVID-19 Restrictions Annual U.S. energy-related carbon (CO2) emissions billion metric tons

Last year, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the U.S. energy sector were an estimated 11 percent lower than in 2019, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), compared with a 3-percent drop in emissions the year before.

Much of the recent shift in energy-related CO2 emissions was due to economic and behavioral effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on energy consumption. “[In 2020], U.S. energy consumption was heavily affected by responses to COVID-19, including working from home and other stay-at-home measures, closed or limited operating hours for several types of businesses, and travel restrictions,” EIA said. “In April, when many parts of the country instituted measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, monthly U.S. energy consumption fell to a 30-year low, and emissions fell to a record low.”

7

-11%

6

from 2019

5 4 3 2 1 0

1990

2000

2010

2020

Source: U.S. Energy Administration, Monthly Review and Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) Note: 2020 values are based on data through August and STEO forecast for September through December

10 | carolinacountry.com

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1/7/21 12:06 PM

Catch of the Day

Sunburst Trout Farms is among dozens in Western NC serving markets and restaurants

By Leah Chester-Davis | Photos by Revival Creatives 12  |  carolinacountry.com

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h y

Clear, pure water spills over the Lake Logan Dam high up in the Pisgah National Forest in the western part of the state. It brings a smile to Wes Eason’s face.

“It’s a lovely sight to see that water coming over the top of that because it means the lake is full, which is good,” Wes says.

That pristine water is headed into 24 concrete raceways at Eason’s Sunburst Trout Farms (sunbursttrout.com), where the 6,000-gallon-per-minute water flow creates a desirable environment for the fish, simulating a free-flowing stream and providing plenty of oxygen to keep the fish healthy and happy. That full dam also means the water temperature is cooler, which is best for the fish.

Wes and his brother Ben are the third generation to make a living as trout farmers. The farm, served

by Haywood EMC, was started in 1948 by Eason’s grandfather, Dick Jennings, Jr., as Cashiers Valley Trout Farm — the first commercial trout farm in the Southeast. The location and the water continue to contribute to the success of the farm today.

“Everything above the lake is part of the Pisgah National Forest.

Everything up there is federally

protected, so the water is untouched that enters Lake Logan,” Wes says.

“There are no businesses or industries or agriculture above the lake that can potentially taint the water, so the water is absolutely pure and pristine.”

Calculated freshness An impressive feature of the operation is what they refer to as a flow-through system. They pull water via a pipe from the bottom third of the lake, which is cooler and contains more oxygen. Thanks to gravity, it flows from the lake into and through 20 raceways at the upper end of their property, under the ground into two different ponds, and then to four lower raceways, through a settling pond, and then back into the river. It’s a continuous flow, which means the fish are swimming in the freshest of water.

It takes about 18–24 months from the time juvenile fish, no more than an ounce, are added to the raceways, to the time they are harvested at about 1.5 to 2 pounds. During their

lifetime, all the way up to harvest, the fish are periodically separated and moved from one raceway to another, depending on the size. A screen, adjusted to allow a certain size fish to swim through, holds back larger fish which are then moved to a neighboring raceway, leaving the smaller fish.

Wes (left) and Ben Eason

February 2021 | 13

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This helps prevent the raceways from getting overcrowded as the fish grow, which is a key to maintaining the water quality throughout the process.

A three-person crew harvests fish four days a week. They move the fish with a large dip net to a live haul truck equipped with stainless steel tanks filled with water and supplied with oxygen. They then make the 25-mile trip from the farm to Sunburst Trout’s processing facility in Waynesville.

While the fish are in the tanks a short period, Wes says they could live for a few days in the tanks if they had to.

Every step in the process is designed to ensure a quality, fresh product.

“We build everything around our fresh, rainbow trout fillet,” says Wes. “Fresh fillets are typically swimming in the morning, delivered in the afternoon, often no more than four hours out of the water but never more than 24.”

Crafting something special They also have crafted a line of value-added products. Along with smoked trout fillets, smoked trout dip receives accolades.

“It’s delicious, smoky, decadent and creamy,” Wes says.

Other products include caviar, popular with chefs, and trout jerky.

A rainbow trout burger is their newest product. The company has 23 employees, ships nationwide and serves a wide range of restaurants.

“When you support Sunburst Trout,” Wes says, “you support a product and a family that took the time to craft something special.”

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

carolinacountry.com/extras There may be plenty of fish in the sea, but we’ve got the lowdown on what makes Sunburst Trout exceptional.

Trout Farming in NC Since Wes Eason’s grandfather started the first rainbow trout farm in the Southeast more than 70 years ago, North Carolina’s ranking has grown to second in the United States in commercial trout production, behind Idaho.

The state produces 4 to 5 million pounds annually on 40 commercial trout farms in the western part of the state, with a direct economic value of about $23.5 million. Unfortunately, the pandemic and resulting economic downturn will affect numbers this year, according to Skip Thompson, who specializes in aquaculture with NC Cooperative Extension. Lower demand for trout from resturants is one factor affecting the industry.

“We are not sure of the exact impact yet, but it will be significant,” Skip says. “A rough estimate is 40 percent less.”

14 | carolinacountry.com

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1/7/21 12:06 PM

An Experience on the Half Shell NC’s new Oyster Trail promotes local seafood

By Margaret Buranen

Daniel Pullen

An NC oyster with a small, orange pea crab, indicative of oysters raised in high-quality water (and considered good luck) 16 | carolinacountry.com

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W

hether being farmed fresh in coastal waters or served up at nearby restaurants and markets, oysters have been a sought-after commodity in the state since the late 1800s, according to The North Carolina Coastal Federation (NCCF).

Since May 2020, a new way to experience this bounty has been growing.

Similar to California’s wine trails and Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, the North Carolina Oyster Trail provides travelers with a new cultural and food trail to explore.

Jane Harrison, coastal specialist with NC Sea Grant, says the Trail “connects travelers, foodies, and outdoor adventure lovers to the magic of the North Carolina oyster.”

The Trail is a project of NCCF, NC Sea Grant and the NC Shellfish Growers Association. Its purpose is to

teach people about oysters’ value for eating and protecting the environment.

Oyster farming currently contributes $20 million to the state’s agricultural economy. NC oyster industry members hope to increase that figure to $100 million by 2030.

The Oyster Trail includes restaurants, oyster farms, seafood markets and more. Trail member restaurants must offer at least one type of NC oyster on their menus year-round.

The Oyster Trail’s educational exhibits include the demonstration oyster farm at NCCF’s Wanchese office. The exhibit shows various oyster-raising techniques. “[Oyster farm tours] will really take off when COVID becomes less of a concern,” Jane predicts. “Traveling by boat to see where your food is grown — that’s a special experience.”

From the sea

One of the oyster farmers who will offer boat tours for visitors is Tom Cannon, a Jones-Onslow EMC member. At his Soundside Oyster Farms, he raises Soundside Salt and the saltier Topsail Salt oysters.

Tom’s interest in oysters began with a paper on oyster habitats and coastal restoration that he wrote while studying at Appalachian State University in Boone.

“The power of the oyster to help the environment intrigued me,” he explains. “Ten years later I was still interested, so I went out on a friend’s boat [to see his oyster farm].

Four years later, I’ve got my own farm.”

The best part of oyster farming is “watching something grow, seeing it get better and better and helping it,”

Joe Dunn

Cape Hatteras Oyster Company

Tom Cannon of Soundside Oyster Farms

February 2021 | 17

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Tom says. And while the work can be hard, “you know you’ve accomplished something great on tough days.”

Tom reveals the challenges of oyster farming to include regulatory hurdles and keeping things running in a saltwater environment. “An estuary is a harsh environment for engines and metal parts.”

He buys oyster seed (also known as “spat”) from a nearby oyster nursery.

He places the one-quarter-inch oysters into mesh bags that he puts into steel cages, which float in the waters of Topsail, Stump and Middle Sounds.

As the oysters grow, he sorts and places them into larger mesh bags.

It takes nine to 18 months for the spats to grow large enough for

Three Little Spats Oyster Co.

NC Sea Grant/Vanda Lewis

How an oyster tastes is influenced by the body of water it comes from, the algae it feeds on, the strength of currents and tides, the mineral content of the seafloor, rainfall, temperature and season. harvesting. Tom starts two to three crops annually.

To the table

Although raw oysters might be a bit of an acquired taste, they can be prepared and cooked in all manner of ways, and Tom is quick to point out that they are one of the healthiest proteins you can eat.

“They have vitamins A, B, C and D, and good minerals — iron, calcium and zinc,” he says.

Connoisseurs can pick out differences in flavor based on the waters in which oysters are grown. That variance is termed “merroir.”

Jane Harrison explains merroir as “how local environmental conditions influence the oyster’s flavor profile.

How an oyster tastes is influenced by the body of water it comes from, the algae it feeds on, the strength of currents and tides, the mineral content of the seafloor, rainfall, temperature and season.”

Tideland EMC member Janille Turner and her husband, George, own the Ocracoke Oyster Company — one

of the many restaurants found on the Oyster Trail, and the only oyster restaurant on Ocracoke Island.

Like other oyster restaurant owners, Janille and her husband are hoping the Oyster Trail helps folks discover them and their oysters.

“We get all of our oysters locally, two or three days a week, and they are always fresh,” Janille says. “We shuck all of them here.”

The restaurant’s most popular oyster order is a combo platter with three kinds of baked oysters. Janille says that after trying this dish, “most people order a dozen of whichever type of oysters they liked the most.”

By offering education, entertainment and delicious food, the NC Oyster Trail should become a real asset to NC visitors and residents. And it’s all because of oysters.

“Oysters are the most amazing things — technically speaking,” Tom says. “Created by nature, and the perfect sustainable food.”

Visit ncoysters.org to learn more or call 252-393-8185.

Margaret Buranen writes from her home in Kentucky.

carolinacountry.com/extras From restaurants and shellfish farm tours to seafood markets and festivals, find more than 40 NC Oyster Trail sites on this interactive map.

18 | carolinacountry.com

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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

NCECAd-01-2021-final.indd CC02-wk.indd 20 1

11/30/20 1/7/21 12:57 1:06 PM PM

embership M

02 TWENTY TWENTY ONE

MATTERS

Vegetation management balances power reliabilit y with scenic beaut y

Vegetation management The single major cause of power outages is damage to power lines from trees and limbs during severe weather such as high winds, heavy snow, ice, or lightning.

With more than 8,000 miles of power lines to protect, Blue Ridge Energy works year-round on vegetation management to ensure members have the most reliable electricity possible. While Blue Ridge ranks among the most reliable electric providers, your cooperative has added another method to help achieve reliability in a safe, environmentally friendly manner:aerial tree pruning.

This method utilizes trained helicopter pilots who carefully conduct pruning along rights-of-ways. Trained employee “spotters� are located on ground level and are in constant communication with the pilot.

Used by utilities across the nation for years, aerial tree pruning is approved by the American National Standards Institute. The process is less intrusive to member property and the environment than traditional methods.

As with all vegetation management, members are notified in advance of pruning. Debris is removed from maintained areas, while in non-maintained areas, debris is either left or bush hogged to the ground.

Our vegetation management program combines several growth control methods that balance scenic beauty with safe, reliable electricity. For more information, visit BlueRidgeEnergy.com>Resources>Trees, Rights-of-Ways and Reliability.

Vegetation management occurs in rightsof-way. A right-of-way is a strip of land along either side of power lines. It helps protect the lines and allows line technicians to work safely to build and maintain the power system to ensure members receive reliable electricity.

Blue Ridge-0221.indd 21

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THE

Perspective Giving back: Member s Foundation

From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson

There’s no better feeling than giving back. That’s the tradition of the Blue Ridge Energy Members Foundation and the power of partnership between members and your electric cooperative.

Also contributing up to $50,000 annually to the Foundation from their profits are the cooperative’s Propane and Fuels and RidgeLink subsidiaries.

In its 14th year, the impact of the Members Foundation looks a little different. In normal circumstances, community grants are awarded to improve local quality of life for all ages. With so many members facing hardships in 2020, we temporarily rebranded our Operation Round Up® program to an “In This Together Relief Fund.”

In 2020, 100 percent of Members Foundation funding went to help 2,259 members with crisis heating and electricity assistance during the pandemic. This was a total of $256,313 provided to members in need during a difficult time.

Members also help guide the Foundation. A Foundation Advisory Committee, made up of volunteer members, reviews grant applications annually and makes recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Directors for funding approval.

This would not have been possible if it weren’t for you, our members, and the cooperative’s subsidiaries.

While crisis heating assistance remains a cornerstone of Foundation support, improving quality of life across our service area is being achieved through funding for Foundation grants in the areas of health and wellness, education and youth, environmental enhancement, as well as economic and community development.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you, the members, who generously give to OperaThanks to our members who generously round tion Round Up, as well as those who use our up their monthly electric bills or donate larger propane and fuels services or purchase hearth amounts of their choice to Operation Round Up. and home products from our showrooms.

Some even donate their annual capital credits Working together, your Members Foundation is refunds and you’ll see this year’s opportunity helping improve the quality of life for people in to do so on the cover wrap of this issue of our area and we’re also serving those in need Carolina Country magazine. of a helping hand!

If you would like to join Operation Round Up to help the Members Foundation improve local quality of life and provide crisis heating assistance, please call a local Blue Ridge Energy office or sign up online at: BlueRidgeEnergy.com/operation-round-up.

To learn more about the Blue Ridge Energy Members Foundation visit: BlueRidgeEnergy.com/members-foundation.

Membership MAT TERS

Blue Ridge-0221.indd 22

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Tackling a pandemic and helping our communities

While 2020 was a challenging year for many Blue Ridge Energy members, the Blue Ridge Energy Members Foundation was able to make a tremendous impact due to the generosity of members participating in Operation Round Up® and those who donated to our In This Together Relief Fund.

dge nson

•

2,259 members helped as of December 2020.

• $256,313 in assistance provided.

• We reached out to our members, employees, and board of directors for special In This Together donations and received over $50,000!

•

Thousands of N-95 masks donated to healthcare workers and EMS

•

Food and meals provided to our hospital workers

Page 23 Blue Ridge-0221.indd 23

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Sign up for outage texting!

Use the mobile number listed on your account to text “START” to 70216

At tention Youth!

Scholarship and leadership opportunities are available as part of Blue Ridge Energy’s support of local communities.

To qualify for these opportunities, high school students must join Blue Ridge Energy’s Leadership Track in their freshman or sophomore years, or as early as possible during high school. To join or learn more, visit: BlueRidgeEnergy.com/ LeadershipTrack.

In February, qualifying seniors involved in Blue Ridge Energy’s Leadership Track will be invited to apply for up to eight $4,000 renewable scholarships for students seeking a four-year degree.

Awards are based on leadership performance, resume development and a personal interview.

Additionally, for students in Caldwell County, Blue Ridge Energy helps administer the Charles and Lucille Suddreth scholarship, which awards $800 for a student seeking a vocational degree including the Electrical Lineworker Institute. Financial need and academic performance are the primary criteria and the deadline for applications is April 15. Apply at: BlueRidgeEnergy.com/ scholarships.

Leadership camp opportunities as well as college bound workshops are also available to high school sophomores and juniors in the Blue Ridge Energy Leadership Track. Learn more at: BlueRidgeEnergy.com/LeadershipTrack.

Visit us on the web: BlueRidgeEnergy.com CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Doug Johnson EDITOR Renée R. Whitener PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Jacob Puckett

Membership

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NC Residential Builders License #80213. South Carolina Residential Builders Commission #571. “Renewal by Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are marks of Andersen Corporation. ©2021 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. ©2021 Lead Surge LLC. All rights reserved. *Special Presidents’ Day $200 discount valid during first appointment only. All sales, marketing and installation of windows is conducted by Renewal by Andersen of the Carolinas, an independently owned and operated affiliate operating in NC and SC.

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1/11/21 9:41 AM

Energy Sense

Scott Van Osdol

KitchenAid

Which Kitchen Appliance Should You Upgrade?

Factor energy savings into your final decision

By Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen

Kitchen appliances in need of an upgrade? It’s wise to consider energy use as you look at replacing appliances. Most new appliances use much less energy than they did in the past.

Manufacturers have found innovative ways to reduce appliance energy use without sacrificing performance. The federal government began tightening appliance standards in the 1980s and has continued as technological innovations became more cost-effective.

But if only one upgrade is in the budget, which offers the most bang for your buck?

It may seem like the oldest appliance should go first.

That may make sense if you want the looks and features of a newer oven or dishwasher. But with most appliances, the energy savings you get from a new one will take several years to pay for itself with the energy saved.

The appliance replacement most likely to produce the greatest energy savings is your refrigerator. An older fridge can cost about $20 to run every month. Replacing an old fridge with a new Energy Star®-rated model can cut that down to less than $5 a month. The Energy Star label certifies that the appliance saves energy.

New refrigerators will include an additional label, the Energy Guide label, which shows how much energy it uses annually and compares that to the most and least efficient models available. It’s also possible to measure how much energy your fridge is using with a kWh meter.

Energy auditors use these meters to measure energy use for common household appliances. Sometimes the energy use of an older fridge can be reduced by replacing the seal around the door.

When you’re looking to replace an old fridge, style counts. A top-freezer setup is the most efficient, while a lower‑freezer unit offers medium savings, and a side‑by‑side style is the least energy efficient.

In order to save money on your energy bill, resist the urge to keep the old fridge in the basement or garage — that won’t help you reduce your energy use. An old fridge in an uninsulated garage on a hot summer day can use a lot of energy. Maybe you just need more freezer space. If so, we’d suggest buying the most efficient freezer available. You can find recommendations on energystar.gov.

The Energy Guide label If your current fridge is provides information for in good condition, another comparing the annual appliance you may want to energy use of appliances. consider upgrading is the dishwasher. With most of us spending more time at home these days, chances are you’re using your dishwasher more than you used to. And a new Energy Star-certified dishwasher will save, on average, 3,870 gallons of water over its lifetime (and can use less water than hand-washing).

As with any major purchase, be sure to read customer reviews for any brands and models you’re considering, and look for additional opportunities to save money, like an upcoming Presidents Day appliance sale.

This column was co-written by Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen of Collaborative Efficiency. Visit carolinacountry.com/your-energy for more ideas on energy efficiency.

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1/8/21 1:34 PM

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1/7/21 12:06 PM

USFWS

Living with Beavers Our largest rodent can be an asset, and an issue

By Donna Campbell Smith

Beavers — those plucky sawyers found across all corners of North Carolina — have made quite a comeback over the past century.

T

he valuable fur from our nation’s largest rodent was an important part of NC’s economy well into the 1800s, and as a result of the demand for their pelts, the beaver population was eradicated from the state by 1897.

In response to public demands, North Carolina introduced 29 beavers from Pennsylvania in 1939, released on what is now the Sandhills Game Land in the Piedmont, and their comeback began. Now at least half a million beavers call North Carolina home, according to estimates by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

A bit about beavers

Beavers live in family groups of one pair of adult parents, the kits and yearlings. They are ready to mate by the time they are two or three years old and stay together for life.

The young stay with their colony until they are about 2, and their life expectancy is between 10 to 20 years.

Adult beavers weigh on average between 30 to 50 pounds, although some have been reported to weigh in at 90 pounds. They are two to three feet long, not including their unique flat tail which is 10 to 18 inches long.

They have webbed hind feet, the better to swim. Like other rodents, they have four sharp incisors that keep growing throughout their life.

Keeping busy

Beavers build dams to raise the water level until deep enough for swimming. They build lodges out of sticks and mud for their homes, unless they are residing in deep rivers or lakes where they dig and live in burrows in a high bank with an underwater exit for safe getaways.

“Beavers are truly nature’s engineers and, like people, will manipulate their habitat according to their needs,” says Colleen Olfenbuttel, state black bear and furbearer biologist with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. “The habitats they create can be both beneficial and cause conflicts.”

Beaver dams can produce flooding in unwanted places and result in millions of dollars in property and agricultural damage in North Carolina without management, Colleen explains. But their ponds can be an asset for both people and wildlife. They create new habitat for many other species, and the flooding creates wetlands and

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1/8/21 4:16 PM

Before

After clearing

A beaver kit

Need help with beavers?

Before

After clearing

The North Carolina Beaver Management Assistance Program helps landowners in enrolled counties who have problems with beaver damage. They will make on-site visits, consultations, and offer educational programs and exhibits. Visit bit.ly/nc-beavers for a list of enrolled counties, or contact your county cooperative extension service to see if your county is enrolled in the program.

Beaver dams can produce undesireable effects in unwanted places. Above top left shows a culvert near the train tracks in Wake County dammed by beavers, which caused the tracks to flood. If not addressed, the culvert would have likely collapsed.

Above bottom left shows the before and after effects of beavers on this pasture, road, and timber in Chatham County.

can recharge groundwater. The pond becomes home to fish, waterfowl, raptors, reptiles, mammals, native plants, and insects. The wetlands created by beavers help clean the water of sediments and control erosion.

People can find abundant recreational opportunities around beaver ponds, such as hunting, canoeing and fishing.

Good neighbor or nuisance?

Ask folks who have had beavers for neighbors, and you’ll get mixed reactions. Some enjoy watching them and appreciate the ecosystems created by their dams and ponds.

“We have a little off-channel pond someone built on our property before we bought it. Their little dam made the pond a bit deeper, and it was fun watching them,” says Kim Beall of Franklin County, who enjoyed watching her beaver neighbors.

John Hilpert, also in Franklin County, says beavers built several dams across Tooles Creek at one point. “If quiet, we’d enjoy watching them play. So, they cut some minor

trees like sweet gum — the increase in wildlife and flood control was an excellent tradeoff.”

Others, however, are not so happy with their beaver neighbors. The Foushees in Person County had their beavers removed by licensed trappers because of the flooding they caused.

Judy Spruill of Washington County also had a colony of beavers removed from her farm because of flooding.

Management solutions

If you must rid your property of beavers, there are two ways to do it.

One way is to trap during the regulated trapping season (November 1–March 31) when the beaver’s pelt, meat and castor oil can be used. If you don’t know how to trap, you can hire a licensed trapper or certified Wildlife Control Agent (WCA) who will trap out the beavers. A list of licensed trappers and WCAs can be found at ncwildlife.org/beaver (select “Have a Problem?”). It may take more than one season to completely clear an area of all the beavers, and even if they are removed completely, new beavers may

eventually disperse onto your property.

The second solution is learning to live with beavers and taking advantage of the benefits of a beaver-created wetland or pond. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission has a number of science-based options for resolving beaver damage while still maintaining beavers on your property. Some options include fencing off the area with trees you want preserved or putting wire mesh around individual trees — though not too tightly, or the beaver can still chew on the bark.

Control flooding with water level control devices, typically made from drainage pipes. Designs for these water control devices can be found on the NC Wildlife website.

“Thankfully, we can have the benefits of beavers on the landscape, while also having methods to resolve conflicts when they occur,” Colleen says, “which is a good balance for North Carolina.”

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

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1/8/21 4:07 PM

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Carolina People

In Sync

Synchronized skating takes off with Coach Jannika Lilja

By Lori Grossman

E

ven if you aren’t a figure skating aficionado, you’ve probably watched stars like Michelle Kwan, Tara Lipinski, or current U.S. and World Champ Nathan Chen. There are four competitive skating disciplines: singles, pairs, ice dance and one rarely seen on TV—synchronized skating. Jannika Lilja, a former World Champion “synchro” skater, now lives in Durham and is head coach of the Triangle Formation Synchro team.

Jannika grew up in Finland and started skating when she was 4 years old. Synchro emphasizes the importance of teamwork. A team may consist of anywhere from eight to 20 skaters, and they must perform choreographed routines to music. It takes months of practice to perform every skating move, arm movement and smile in perfect unison.

Her synchro team, Marigold IceUnity, won three consecutive Finnish National titles and the Gold at the 2006 World Championships. After retiring from competition, her love for designing and sewing skating costumes took her to San Francisco, where she earned a degree at the Academy of Art University. She worked as a fashion designer in New York for five years before moving to North Carolina — a place that hasn’t necessarily been known as a skating hotbed.

“I was burning out in New York with all the long work days,” Jannika says. “I wanted to go somewhere that had a bit slower pace of life.”

The synchro life Relocation meant starting a synchro program almost from scratch. Her team, Triangle Formation, merged with an existing one (the Raleigh Rockers), drawing skaters from all over the surrounding area. As a team, they represent the Triangle Figure Skating Club of North Carolina.

Elizabeth O’Neal, a Wake Electric member, has two daughters, Lyric and Aria, who skate on Coach Jannika’s synchro team.

“Jannika is modest and doesn’t toot her own horn. She pours her heart and soul into the skaters,” Elizabeth says.

Skaters must be dedicated to reach their goals, but it’s also fun for Lyric and Aria. “They’ve loved learning not only how to skate synchro, but also making new friends and learning how to work with others,” Elizabeth says.

“They improve their own skills so they can skate better as a team, and they learn to depend on and trust each other. It’s been a joy to watch them grow as skaters and also create lifelong connections with teammates.”

On the map Before the pandemic, the team competed locally and traveled to competitions in Philadelphia; Albany, New York; and Irvine, California. In the post-pandemic future, they hope to compete internationally as well.

Jannika stays busy coaching, choreographing routines, and designing and creating skating costumes.

“Jannika is modest and doesn’t toot her own horn. She pours her heart and soul into the skaters.”

“I’ve always been a multitasker and worked in high stress industries like luxury fashion,” she says. “Having side-to-side projects that challenge different parts of my brain is thrilling and keeps the day interesting for me.

But I am trying to learn how to take it a little easier.”

Jannika and her wife, Ashley, are finding their new home down South a welcome distraction.

“Durham has stolen my heart,” Jannika admits. “I love the fantastic food and restaurants, the unique and friendly people, the walkable streets, all of it. [North Carolina] is truly a breathtaking state.”

One that she’s putting on the synchro skating map.

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

carolinacountry.com/extras Watch Coach Jannika help host the first synchronized skating camp in Raleigh. You can also find a link to their Facebook page, where you can watch videos of Jannika’s team working to perfect their routines.

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1/7/21 1:03 PM

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I Remember

Memories and photos from our readers

Shelvey’s father, Leste r, at the gas pump

Grandma’s Cokes My Grandma Melhorn came to live with my family in North Carolina when I was about 10 years old in 1960. My sister and I had just returned from California, where we lived for three years with my father. My mother, having just remarried, had moved into a new brick home. This home had three bedrooms; however, since we didn’t use the living room, it was kept for guests.

We stayed in the same room with our grandmother and never thought to ask why we didn’t have our own room. My mother worked at a local ice cream sandwich shop, so grandmother watched us during this time. Grandmother, like most older people at this time, received a Social Security check. I had no idea the amount and didn’t know why she received it. Every month she watched the mail around the time it was due. With this check she bought her medicines.

Drug stores delivered then and she would say, “You kids be good and I will order some Cokes for you!” Cokes were then in small glass bottles, in cartons of six. We were thrilled, although the truth of us being good is still out!

Grandma Melhorn was with us for the rest of her life, except a short time in a retirement hospital in Charlotte.

Mary Pittman, Gastonia, A member of Rutherford EMC

My Country Store Childhood My family lived in a big white country store in Vale, North Carolina.

I was born in it; a doctor from a nearby town delivered me. The building consisted of only four large rooms. Three rooms in the back were our family living space and the large room in the front was the store.

We sold everything from plow shears, Wolverine shoes, overalls, soft drinks, nickel cookies, ice cream, sandwich meat, cheese and other groceries. My parents pumped gas for 30 cents a gallon at the two gas pumps out front.

Directly across the dirt road sat a rural post office. Nearby was a grist mill. On the hill was a church we attended every Sunday. I could stand on the porch and see the whole community.

I loved my life in the store. I got to meet and play with all of the children who came with their parents to buy groceries and fuel.

Our friendships have lasted a lifetime of good memories. I attended school with most of the children. We always remember playing at the old store.

My parents had a new house built less than a mile away from the store. I cried when I found out we had to move. I didn’t want to leave the store. We moved into the new house before electricity was hooked up by the power company. I soon came to love this house in a short time because we had so many conveniences, although I will never forget my first home in the community, living in a country store.

Shelvey Pasour, Oak Island, a member of Brunswick Electric

and I horn, my sister Grandma Mel y an m e id s alongs holding hand n re ld other grandchi

Send Us Your Memories We love sharing photos and memories dear to our readers. Submit your photo, plus roughly 200 words that describe it, online or by mail with a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want it returned (only one entry per household, per month). Include your name, mailing address, phone number or email address, and the name of your electric co-op. We retain reprint rights, and we’ll pay $50 for those we publish. Online: carolinacountry.com/contact U.S. Mail: I Remember, Carolina Country, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616

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1/11/21 4:59 PM

Gr an

Laughter Needed

Great Grandmother Bettie R. Smith and Mother Donna R. Gupton

Memories of Mama Smith I remember my great grandmother, Bettie Ruth Smith, known locally as “Mama Smith,” owner of Smith’s Store located at Wards Crossroads in Enfield, North Carolina.

Small in stature but large in reputation, Mama Smith sat behind the counter, dipping snuff and crocheting with tobacco twine while you shopped.

Items were tallied on a handcranked register. Anything from Octogon Soap to a gallon of gas to penny candy could be purchased. Hoop cheese and bologna were cut to order using a butcher knife blade so thin it looked like an ice pick.

Customers consumed Coca-Colas filled with peanuts and discussed the local news. Topics included the weight of the biggest fish caught out of Bellamy’s Lake or the trophy buck displayed on the back of the pickup in the store parking lot.

Sharp as a tack, Mama Smith ran the store until she was in her 90s. On her 100th birthday, she crocheted each family member a snowflake. I asked her how she kept her mind so sharp. She replied, “When I crochet, I just count the stiches like this: One, two, three; Thank you, Jesus! Thank You, Jesus!”

Maybe we all need to take up crocheting.

Sherri G Bryant, Enfield, a member of Halifax EMC

I‘ve been reflecting on the last eight months and thinking about all the other illnesses that have caused public scares during my 72 years on Earth, i.e., various flus, polio, mumps, measles, rubella, smallpox, etc. Except for the flu, they have all but been eradicated. And hopefully soon, COVID-19 will just be a bad memory as well.

In thinking about these diseases, I remembered how Mother must have worried that I would catch one of them. It seemed to my preschool child’s mind back then that there was one disease in particular that Mother worried about, and it was not any of the previously mentioned ones. Instead, Mother seemed to fear that I would catch “company.”

I didn’t know what kind of disease “company” was, or even what its symptoms were, but I thought it must be especially bad because when I would ask Mother if I could go next door to play with my friend, she would often say: “No, you can’t go over there today; they have company.” Not only was “company” a terrible disease, but also a very contagious one because they had it a lot!

Diane Ledford, Gastonia, A member of Rutherford EMC

Corn Shucking and the Queen In our community, we had corn-shucking parties every fall. Our friends would come over and help shuck corn and have refreshments. We always made a game of it, such as the person that found the red ear of corn got to kiss whomever they wished. The corn was stored in the crib to be fed to the animals through the winter, or taken to the mill to be ground for feed.

In the fall of 1961, I was in first grade at Gilkey Elementary School.

Every year at the Gilkey Carnival, a king and queen were chosen.

That year, I would represent my

class. Every penny I collected was considered a vote.

Granny Morgan was hosting a corn shucking. My family went up to help and I tagged along with my empty mason jar. I did not have to say a word; I had two cousins doing all the talking. My little pint jar was starting to sing. Uncles Carl and Frank gave me a nickel. Uncle Hoke turned both his pockets inside out and gave me every cent he had.

I became Queen of Gilkey with the $10 worth of votes, alongside my classmate, Bobby Harris.

Phyllis Edwards, Union Mills, a member of Rutherford EMC

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1/11/21 7:49 PM

NC Outdoors

Marking a Milestone

Plus a great use for venison Story and photos by Mike Zlotnicki

Last December 26 started like any Saturday morning and ended in a most unusual fashion. After breakfast and coffee, I casually asked my oldest daughter, Caroline, 20, if she wanted to go deer hunting in the afternoon.

She had mentioned earlier in the season that she might want to harvest one this year, so a quick text to a friend got us permission to hunt from a ground blind in Chatham County.

At about 4 that afternoon, a nice doe started to cross the oak ridge across the stream from us. Caroline eased forward, shouldered the rifle and waited for a broadside shot. The old Winchester Model 70 .270 Rifle did the job, and the doe fell.

I can’t say I’ve ever seen Caroline so excited.

If one doesn’t hunt, it’s hard to explain the gamut of emotions — pride, jubilation, some remorse and respect for the animal. I did not expect us to see a deer, much less harvest one, and Caroline handled it like a pro, keeping her composure and waiting for the proper moment to shoot.

After the doe fell, we approached it, made sure it had expired, unloaded the rifle and took some pictures, all the while reveling in the moment of her first deer harvest.

Caroline with her doe harvest

And then the work began. We took the doe back to Garner, hung her from the kids’ old swing set, and broke her down using porch light and headlamps for illumination. After a few days on ice, I asked Caroline what she wanted to do with the meat. For most of it, she said, burger and breakfast sausage.

Burger is easy enough. I save fat from beef all year, then grind it, grind the venison, and mix. Bulk breakfast sausage is a little more work, but well worth it. After years of tweaking, I’m sharing my go-to recipe here. (The recipe here is not as spicy as I prefer, but I give a lot of breakfast sausage away to non-hunters and want them to enjoy it, not “tolerate” it.)

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.

Venison Breakfast Sausage 4–5 pounds venison (well-trimmed of fat and connective tissue)* 3 pounds Boston butt 2 tablespoons salt

1 1 ¼ 6

tablespoon black pepper tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes cup dried brown sugar tablespoons rubbed sage

Use the coarse-grind plate of a meat grinder** and run the venison through and then the pork butt. (If you put the metal parts of the grinder in the freezer for a few hours before using, it helps keep fat from sticking to the metal surfaces.)

Mix the seasoning in a bowl.

I season the pork and venison separately; then mix them together.

Make a small patty and fry the sample in a skillet. You may prefer more or less seasoning based on the sample. Run the completed mixture back through the grinder and package in plastic zipper bag or plastic tube freezer bag. * Can also substitute 7–8 pounds of pork

Venison sausage on the plate, awaiting the biscuits

** If you don’t have a dedicated meat grinder, some stand mixers like KitchenAid® and some juicers have meat-grinding components available. I use a ¼ HP grinder from Cabela’s, and it has proven efficient and durable over the years. You don’t have to be a hunter to enjoy what a meat grinder offers, but mine helps me enjoy the hunt even after it’s over.

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Miscellaneous

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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

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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.

38 | carolinacountry.com

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February 2021 | 39

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Carolina Kitchen

C

T l e

4

4

1

Crispy Churro Cake Bites

With chocolate hazelnut dip

Look no further for a fun, finger food dessert to put smiles on faces! Keep cake pieces on hand in a freezer bag to fry in a flash for when you need “just a bite of something sweet.” ½ cup sugar 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1 5.5-ounce bag of hard caramel candies 6 ounces of semisweet chocolate morsels

1

Several heaping tablespoons hazelnut spread (such as Nutella®) 1 Angel food cake (store-bought) 3–4 cups cooking oil (We liked the flavor from coconut oil.)

Combine sugar and cinnamon.

Grind caramel candies in food processor until “dust.”

Heat and stir chocolate in microwave at 30-second intervals until melted, about 1½ minutes.

Stir spread into warm chocolate.

Cut cake into bite-sized cubes.

Heat oil on medium high in 1-quart pot.

Once hot, fry several cubes at the time, stirring constantly with slotted spoon until lightly browned (less than a minute per batch). Drain on paper towels.

While warm, sprinkle cake bites with cinnamon-sugar and caramel candy dust. Serve with a bowl of hazelnut chocolate “dip!”

Store any extra chocolate dip in the refrigerator and reheat at 30-second intervals to soften.

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.

Yield: 10–12 servings

Sweet ’n’ Spicy Chili Vinaigrette With pickle juice

Drizzle this dressing over a simple salad along with our Carnitas Enchiladas Suiza, or put it to work in a shredded cabbage slaw. Need a quick marinade for chicken or shrimp? This is your go-to! Keeps in the fridge for about a month.

2 tablespoons hot sauce (such as Texas Pete) ½ cup pickle juice or favorite vinegar 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon granulated onion 1 teaspoon cumin Pinch of salt and black pepper ²/₃ cup grapeseed or light oil

Put all ingredients into a jar, cover and shake. Best if at room temperature when serving.

Yield: Makes about 1¼ cups

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R a n

4 (

h t s a

w P

c

Y

Carolina Kitchen

Carnitas Enchiladas Suiza

This one needs a bit of planning ahead to cook the pork, but using one large butt yields lots of meat to freeze to make several batches of these easy, creamy enchiladas. Olé!

4–5 pounds pork butt Cooking oil 4–5 cloves garlic, minced 2 medium sweet onions, chopped 1–2 jalapeños, seeded and thinly sliced 1 cup chopped cilantro, divided 1½ teaspoons cumin

From Your Kitchen

2 teaspoons salt 2 16-ounce jars salsa verde 2 7-ounce containers of Mexican crema or sour cream Zest and juice of 1 lime 10 flour or corn tortillas 4 cups shredded Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella

Roast pork butt ahead of time in crockpot until fork tender. Remove and shred when done. Season with salt and pepper. This recipe needs about 1½ pounds cooked pork. Save the rest for future use.

For carnitas, put shredded pork on baking pan and roast at 450 degrees, tossing about, until crispy, about 20 minutes.

(We do this in a toaster oven using the toast feature.)

Lightly coat large skillet with oil and heat over medium-high heat. Sauté garlic, onions and jalapeño about 5 minutes until tender and lightly browned. Stir in half the cilantro, cumin, salt, salsa verde and cream. Heat 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and add zest and juice. Stir enough into pork to moisten.

Spray 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Divide pork in the tortillas, top with a little shredded cheese, roll up and place seam side down.

Pour remaining sauce over and scatter with remaining cheese.

Bake about 20–25 minutes until bubbly. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro and serve hot.

Yield: 10 enchiladas

Homemade Chunky Guacamole

This creamy dip is chock full of fresh ingredients and easy to throw together. You can control your spice level by adjusting the amount of jalapeños. Try it with tortilla chips, pepper slices, on fajitas or as a burger topping.

3 ripe avocados ½ cup sliced cherry tomatoes 2–3 jalapeños (depending on spice level) Juice of 1 lime

½ medium yellow onion, finely diced ½ teaspoon salt or to taste ½ teaspoon pepper ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Slice and pit the avocados. With a knife, score the avocado into cubes and then scoop out with a spoon into a medium mixing bowl.

Slightly mash the avocado with a fork, leaving it somewhat chunky.

Add all remaining ingredients and stir.

Recipe courtesy of Grace Denton, Durham, a member of Piedmont Electric

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.

Skillet Bacon Cornbread Each month, we’ll take a fun, nostalgic look at old favorites from our recipe archive. For February, check out “Skillet Bacon Cornbread” 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!

February 2021 | 41

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where

in Carolina Country is this ?

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

January winner

The January “Where Is This” photo by Senior Associate Editor Renee Gannon features a fading Dr. Pepper mural on the wall of the Old Country Store at Headwaters in Avery County. The store is located on Banner Elk Highway (Highway 194) in the Elk Park/ Heaton Community within the Pisgah National Forest. Many readers who turn onto Beech Mountain Road next to the store recognized the mural. Robert Dishman of West Jefferson remembers delivering Dr. Pepper products to the store before it closed in 2015. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Chris Hayden of Ellerbe, a Pee Dee Electric 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.

scenes

CAROLINA COUNTRY

featured photo

The Stag

I took this shot on a walk in Ski Acres, above Appalachian Ski Mountain.

Submit your photos at carolinacountry.com/photos

CC02-wk.indd 42

Alan Jones, Cary

1/7/21 4:56 PM

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Stay connected with Tune in to the Unplugged podcast this month as we look at costs that impact members’ bills.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY for a new episode each month!

You can also check out these discussions: Episode 9: A Brighter Future From slashing our carbon footprint to our latest solar project, learn how we’re creating a brighter future.

Search “Unplugged by Blue Ridge Energy” on your favorite podcast app.

Click to subscribe, so you won’t miss an episode.

Episode 8: Plug it in! Plug it in!

Should you be shopping for your first EV? Listen to find out!

Episode 7: We’re In This Together Learn the many ways Blue Ridge Energy is lending a helping hand.

Or, listen on BlueRidgeEnergy.com/Unplugged.

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