2021-06-REC

June 2021

The magazine of

See NC by wind or by wave Starting on page 12

Published by

Natural gas: nimble, reliable power page 10

Find ways to save energy outdoors page 26

PERIODICAL

Roanoke Electric’s laundry tips can help you save money —p ages 21–24 June covers.indd 19

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The Best of North

Carolina

Whether you’re looking to explore a state park, visit a museum exhibit, find a fun family outing, or step back in time at an historic site, you’re at the right place!

make it a

STATE cation

F

O

PLEASE VISIT WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

ncdcr.gov/DEAI

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dncr.nc.gov

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Volume 53, No. 6

16

12

Favorites 4 From Our Readers 6 Viewpoints 8 More Power 26 Energy Sense 30 Carolina Bookshelf 32 Carolina Calendar 33 Adventures 36 Carolina Gardens 38 Marketplace 40 Carolina Kitchen 42 Where is This?

42 Featured Photo

12 16 28

28

See NC, From the Air! Change your perspective with an exhilarating airborne experience.

Tubin’ the Tar

Go with the flow on NC’s lazy rivers.

New Life on the Water Tanya Binford’s surprising path to becoming a record-setting sailor.

On the Cover The view from a hot air balloon over Buncombe County. From the mountains to the coast, there are plenty of ways to get a bird’s-eye view of our state — learn more starting on page 12. Photo courtesy of VisitNC.com.

CALL FOR VOTES

Last Call for Carolina’s Finest Get in your votes for the best of the best across North Carolina for a chance to win one of three $100 gift cards. Categories include barbecue, burgers and bakeries. See page 29 for details.

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THIS MONTH:

Carolina Country Adventures Typically, we like to dedicate our April issue to travel. But with pandemic restrictions limiting travel options earlier this year, we saved travel for a summer month. So in this issue we explore a smattering of ways to visit destinations around the state and get some fresh air — some very high up, others closer to the ground. We also continue exploring North Carolina’s electric cooperatives’ Brighter Future initiative on page 10.

(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800) Volume 53, No. 6

Published monthly by

3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616-2950 Warren Kessler Publications Director Scott Gates, CCC Editor Renee C. Gannon, CCC Senior Associate Editor Karen Olson House Contributing Editor

—Scott Gates, editor

Tara Verna Creative Director Keith Alexander Advertising Keith@carolinacountry.com

From Our Readers

Joseph P. Brannan Executive Vice President & CEO

Place Name Peculiarities I was intrigued by Lori Grossman’s article in the May issue about Tar Heel pronunciation quirks (“Say it Like a Tar Heel,” page 24). Here are a few place names she might want to add to her list.

Excepting perhaps affairs of the heart, Concord has been the scene of no recent conquests. So “Conquered” is not your destination if you’re headed to the city near Charlotte. “CON-cord” is the preferred pronunciation.

Next door to Concord is Rowan County. Dan Rowan of TV’s “Laugh-In” notwithstanding, the county’s name is pronounced “Row-ANN.” And Salisbury, the county seat, is pronounced “SAULS-berry.”

In the East, you will find Beaufort County and the coastal town of Beaufort in Carteret County. Both are pronounced “BOW-furt.” Also near the coast is Tyrrell County, pronounced “terrell.”

Ven Carver, Lansing, A member of Blue Ridge Energy

More Tricky Pronunciations Comments via carolinacountry.com

The best is Mebane in Alamance County. It is pronounced meh-ben.

That one got me when I first moved here. Colfax in Guilford County pronounced call-fax by locals.

Mark Schumacher

I live in Shallotte, pronounced Shalloat. Seems easy to me, but I hear from others what sounds like a small onion like veggie, and a friend in SC who called and asked where exactly I lived “because I knew that even you couldn’t misspell Charlotte that bad.”

Allan Richards

We have a community here called Baton (BAY-ton). News anchors, even the old timers, call it Bah-ton … like that thing majorettes twirl. Sometimes I wonder if it’s on purpose, but we cringe when we hear it.

Cindy Day

Correction to our May issue: A few eagle-eyed readers caught an error in our place name pronunciation article; Cullowhee is in Jackson County — there is no Cullowhee County.

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 memberowned, 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.

Subscriptions: Individual subscriptions, $12 per year.

Schools, libraries, $6.

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

Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh, NC, and additional mailing offices. Editorial offices: 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616-2950. 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 27616-2950.

All content © Carolina Country unless otherwise indicated.

Contact us Phone: 919-875-3091 Mail:

3400 Sumner Blvd.

Raleigh, NC 27616-2950

Web:

carolinacountry.com

Email:

editor@carolinacountry.com

Change of address: Please contact your electric co-op or go online to 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.

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Viewpoints

Getting You From Point A to Point B

By Suzy Morgan

Last fall, I was faced with a personal challenge: drive an all-electric Tesla Model 3 the nearly 400 miles roundtrip from Wake Forest to Ocean Isle Beach and back. The car belongs to my electric co-op, Wake Electric, and I was to make the trip to check on repairs being made following Hurricane Isaias. You may have heard of “range anxiety” — feeling nervous about having enough charge in an electric vehicle (EV) to make it from point A to B — and you may have experienced it yourself. I had a full-blown case of it!

But I had no need to worry. That Tesla got me to point B after a fun ride, alerting me of charging stations along my route. Once at my destination, I fully recharged at one of Brunswick EMC’s charging stations to make the trip back home.

Over the past two years, electric cooperatives across North Carolina … our chargers have been installing EV chargers in a vast network across the state, are available for ensuring folks like me (who keep a wary eye on the battery level gauge) all to use, some can rest easy on their all-electric of whom may journeys. In fact, using funds from a variety of sources — including not be able to $700,000 from the NC Department charge at home. of Environmental Quality and $1 million from North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives — more than 100 charge ports have been installed or are planned as part of this network, making crossstate EV entirely travel possible.

Electric co-ops have taken on this project for a few reasons. For one, as electric vehicles become more affordable, you’ll start to see more on the road. Some estimates* project as many as 25–30 percent of U.S. vehicles will be electric by 2030. For many EV owners, charging is available at home, but there was no clear path forward for charging on the road.

Electric co-ops, which serve 93 counties across the state, decided to blaze that path.

Making more chargers available helps make EV ownership a viable option for co-op members, along with all the benefits EVs provide: lower fuel costs, less annual maintenance and zero carbon emissions.

Second, installing chargers in co-op territory — predominantly rural and suburban parts of the state — gives travelers another reason to make a stop. The charger I used on Ocean Isle may make a beach trip possible for an EV owner, who wouldn’t have otherwise been able to visit.

It’s a way of promoting tourism, as well as the economic development that comes with it, in communities served by electric co-ops.

Third, our chargers are available for all to use, some of whom may not be able to charge at home. Wake Electric has installed 16 EV chargers throughout the communities we serve, including at apartments where EV owners wouldn’t otherwise be able to charge at night. This helps level the playing field for EV ownership, removing a barrier that might prevent some from making the switch to an electric vehicle.

So if you’re considering an EV but still a little uneasy at the thought of bridging the distance between chargers, take a look at the North Carolina electric cooperatives’ charging network. Chances are, we’ll get you where you need to go.

Suzy Morgan is board president at Wake Electric in Wake Forest. She was seated as president of the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives at the 2021 Annual Meeting.

Visit ncdriveelectric.com for more information about electric vehicles and to find out how your electric co-op is supporting EV ownership. *Deloitte, “Electric vehicles: Setting a course for 2030,” bit.ly/evs-2030

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More Power

Four County EMC’s Mitchell Keel Retiring Keel dedicated 27 years of service to electric co-ops

F

our County Electric Membership Corporation’s CEO Mitch Keel will retire effective June 30, following a 27-year career serving electric cooperatives.

“Working here at Four County EMC has been the highlight of my career,” Keel said. “We have a great board of directors to work with and very capable employees. They want to move the co-op forward, and that makes a big difference.”

A native of Eastern North Carolina, Keel joined Four County EMC in Burgaw as CEO in 2004. During his time with the co-op, he has focused on innovation and deploying new technology as a means of better serving members and the communities they call home.

Under Keel’s leadership, Four County EMC deployed an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project, allowing two-way communication between the co-op and its meters.

More than 200 miles of fiber optic cable, connecting substations and co-op offices, also improved communication between co-op systems and allowed for faster response times during outages.

Four County EMC and its members weathered several storms during Keel’s tenure, including devastating effects from Hurricane Florence in 2018. Nearly 90 percent of the

Keel (right) at a Poletop Rescue competition for NC electric cooperatives

Keel at a Four County EMC annual meeting

co-op’s members lost power following Florence, and widespread flooding slowed restoration efforts. Building on that experience, the co-op recently enhanced a storm response process that includes partnerships with five strategic locations throughout its service territory – camps and community centers where visiting line crews can rest and recuperate during restoration efforts.

“With the unpredictability of Mother Nature, it’s crucial that we continuously improve our emergency plans to ensure that power is restored to our members as quickly and safely as possible,” Keel said of the initiative.

Keel has served North Carolina’s electric cooperatives on several statewide boards and committees throughout his career, including as president, vice president and secretary- treasurer of the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation Board of Directors.

Prior to joining Four County EMC, Keel was general manager of Lewis County Rural Electric Cooperative in Missouri for 10 years. He also managed electric utility systems for the cities of Kinston and Ayden, and was an electrical engineer for the Greenville Utilities Commission. He is a U.S. Army Veteran and was an honor graduate of the U.S. Army’s electrical engineering school. Keel

also studied electrical engineering at NC State and earned his business degree from Mt. Olive College.

In retirement, Keel and his wife, Cindy, look forward to spending time with their three children and nine grandchildren.

“While we will miss his commitment and leadership, we are in a better position due to his many contributions,” said Four County EMC Board President Franklin Williams. “He has paved the way for the cooperative’s future.”

Don Gatton Named Incoming CEO for Four County EMC Don Gatton, who currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources for Four County EMC, has been named incoming CEO through a unanimous vote by the co-op’s board of directors. Gatton will assume the role July 6 following CEO Mitch Keel’s retirement.

Gatton has served the co-op for a combined 13 years, both as director of Safety, Training and Loss Control and in his current role. From 2016 through 2018, Gatton served as Job Training & Safety Specialist with North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Mount Olive College and a Master of Business Administration from the Florida Institute of Technology.

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More Power

NC State: Hurricane Season Could Be Above Average The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season could see 15 to 18 named storms forming in the Atlantic basin, according to researchers at NC State University. The Atlantic basin includes the entire Atlantic

Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. That number would put the season above average, even given a recent redefining of what “average” means.

This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced its current measure for average, based on the 30-year period between 1991 and 2020, is 14 named storms, with three major hurricanes.

The previous measure for average, between the years 1981–2010, was 12 named storms.

Of the predicted storms this season, seven to nine may become hurricanes, with two to three possibly being major storms.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

Visit ncstormcenter.coop for tips on how to prepare.

Pee Dee Electric CEO Elected to National Board Donnie Spivey, CEO and executive vice-president of Wadesboro-based Pee Dee Electric, was recently elected to represent North Carolina on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Board of Directors. NRECA works on behalf of more than 900 local electric co-ops across the country.

“I am honored to have been selected to represent the electric cooperatives of North Carolina,” Spivey said. “I look forward to serving as a voice for North Carolina on the national level, as well as gaining perspective that I can bring back and apply here at home.”

Spivey began his career at Pee Dee Electric in 1985 as a staff assistant, and was promoted to District Manager in 1993. In 1999, he was promoted to CEO and executive vice-president. He is a past president of the NCEMC board of directors

and currently serves as chair of the Power Supply Committee. In addition, he is a member of the boards of directors of NCAEC and ACES Power Marketing. Spivey also serves as secretary of the Board of Directors of Sandhills Utility Services, Inc., which owns, maintains and operates the electric distribution system on Fort Bragg Army Base.

In 2013, Spivey was appointed

by Governor Pat McCrory to serve on the NC Rural Electrification Authority Board of Directors and currently serves as Chairman of that Board. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Wingate University.

Spivey’s two-year term will begin with the adjournment of the NRECA Board of Directors’ 2022 annual meeting, currently scheduled for March 6, 2022, at which time Roanoke

Donnie Spivey

Electric Cooperative President and CEO Curtis Wynn will step down from his current role on the national board (see “Reflections on Two Years of National Service,” April 2021, page 6).

Has it Been 75 Years Already?

Carolina Farmer first hit mailboxes this month in 1946 A lot happened back in June 1946. The Blue Angels made its first performance in the sunny Florida skies. The BBC began broadcasting for the first time since the start of World War II. And Carolina Farmer—the precursor to Carolina Country magazine—was first mailed out to members of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives. In 1969 we debuted our new name (see “A Look Back at 50 Years of Carolina Country,” January 2019, page 8). Through it all, we’ve taken pleasure in sharing stories about the people and places that make North Carolina home. We’re looking forward to what the next 75 years will bring.

Our first cover featured a peach orchard in Montgomery County.

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More Power

Building a Brighter Future

Nimble and Reliable: Natural Gas Plants Most may be familiar with natural gas as an option, where available, for heating homes and lighting stovetops and fireplaces. But North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are using the resource for a much bigger job: generating power while helping to ensure reliability across the power grid.

The North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC), which supplies power to 25 NC electric co-ops, owns two natural gas plants. The Anson and Hamlet plants, located in Anson and Richmond counties, respectively, use combustion turbines — large jet engines similar to what you’d find on a plane — to quickly ramp up power when it’s needed.

A reliable resource ■ The plants are used as “peaking” units, providing power during times of high demand.

■ Natural gas generation can also be used to supplement

renewable sources of power when not available, such as solar on a cloudy day.

■ Backup batteries provide power to control the turbines

Plant facts ■ Both plants came online in 2007.

should the plants themselves lose power.

■ Each plant has six units; the Hamlet Plant’s sixth unit

was added in 2014.

■ Combined, the plants provide a capacity of

672 megawatts.

■ The plants use a 1:1 mixture of demineralized

water and natural gas for fuel, a mixture that helps reduce emissions.

■ Each plant stores a total 900,000 gallons of water onsite

in two above-ground tanks.

■ The plants are heavily automated, and can be run with

few employees or even started remotely from on offsite control center.

The Anson Plant

Main parts of a natural gas plant (Anson Plant shown)

Combustion turbine units

Fuel tanks

Switchyard

Water tanks

Control building

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See NC

From the Air! Change your perspective with an exhilarating airborne experience

By Renee Gannon and Pamela A. Keene

VisitNC.com

“It feels just like flying in your dreams … an unforgettable, dynamic experience.”

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Thermal Valley

Aerotow hang gliding with Sara Sardano and pilot Craig Pearson at Thermal Valley Hang Gliding

Sometimes you just need to raise your sights for a different perspective. There are plenty of ways to take to the wide open skies above our state — from hot-air ballooning and paragliding to hang gliding where the Wright Brothers launched aviation. Whether in the mountains, Piedmont or along the coast, North Carolina has plenty of options to get a view from above.

Dancing with the wind Aerotow hang gliding and paragliding

VisitNC.com

In the mountains, thermals — rising, heated air — serve as your passage for flight. At Thermal Valley Hang Gliding (thermalvalley.net or 828-292-7473), situated between Morganton and Lenoir, the pilot for the tandem hang-gliding experience knows exactly where those thermal columns push up, leading to an exciting flight.

Owners Craig and Laura Pearson want to share their joy of free flight with the public, and hope some participants catch the flying bug and return for advanced training to become solo pilots. After a 15-minute ground school session on flight expectations, then helmet and safety glasses fittings,

the passenger on this tandem ride slips into a body hammock nestled under the glider’s canopy and above the pilot.

The tandem hang glider is towed into the air behind a light aircraft. At about 1,500 feet, the tow rope is released, freeing the glider to swerve and move up and down with the wind and thermals as fuel.

The 360-degree scenery of the mountains and foothills stretches to a view of the downtown Charlotte skyline on clear days. The quiet is punctured by just the wind and fun chit-chat with the pilot (and a few loud “woo-hoos”). Passengers also learn basic controls of the glider. The flight can range up to a mile high and lasts on average 10–35 minutes, before descending and landing on the runway like an airplane.

Aerotow hang gliding is “a way families can share a memorable experience and walk away with a positive feeling for hang gliding,” Laura says.

And feel the freedom of flight.

Thermals also fuel the fun north of Wilkesboro at the Sky Retreat’s Blue Ridge Paragliding Center (theskyretreat.com or 704-907-6963).

Owners Dima and Merin Sazinas have traveled all over the world as professional ballroom dancers and paragliders, but, thanks to Google Earth, found a home overlooking the Blue Ridge valley where their passion for paragliding (and dancing) could be shared.

Located at 3,300 feet, an engine isn’t needed for flight here, just patience (or “para-waiting,” as Dima quips). For a “butter smooth” safe June 2021 | 13

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tandem flight, a steady south to southwest wind is ideal. But that isn’t a daily occurrence. With the ever-changing weather conditions, Dima and his crew fly just shy of 100 tandem flights a year. He provides a two-week window to interested flyers, then a two-day notice once conditions look good for flight. When conditions are right, the tandem paragliding experience is worth the wait.

Once in the air, Dima and his tandem partner lift to about 3,800 to 4,300 feet. To go higher, he says, will give you a view of just the treetops. At this elevation, gliders go sightseeing at the nearby Cascades waterfall and to the Dark Sky Observatory in Ronda, as well as gain a bird’s eye view of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.

When talking to Dima about paragliding and the freedom it provides, you notice why he has a passion for it. Dima smiles and explains that with every maneuver, the air is your partner, you are “dancing with the wind.”

A view of the Piedmont Hot air ballooning

VisitNC.com

Powered paragliding at Kitty Hawk, Outer Banks

For a quiet, leisurely float above the verdant landscape in Iredell County, check out Big Oh! Balloons in Cleveland (bigohballoons.com or 704-872-7761). For the past 40 years, Big Oh! owners Charles Page and Kristie Darling have been taking folks on hot-air balloon rides to cross an item off their bucket list, celebrate birthdays, become engaged or even get married.

“People have so many fantasies about hot-air ballooning, and many different reasons for wanting to soar,” says Kristie. “Our rides feature smaller baskets — where passengers stand with the pilot during the flight — so the rides can accommodate two to three people for the one-hour journey.”

The couple can also coordinate rides for larger groups.

“Statesville and Iredell County are home to balloon manufacturer FireFly Balloons; we have about a dozen balloon pilots that partner with each other. We’ve had as many

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Sky Retreat

VisitNC.com

Ballooning over Candler

Paragliding near Wilkesboro Kitty Hawk Kites

“During flight you’ll feel like you’re suspended in space, gently supported by a cloud …”

Hang gliding with Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks

as 21 balloons launch at one time for group rides.”

Even if you’re not into taking flight, visit Statesville for the 47th Annual Carolina BalloonFest from Friday, October 15, through Sunday, October 17. That’s when the county celebrates the colorful sport with dozens of hot-air balloonists offering tethered and free-floating rides, plus arts and crafts and entertainment. The event raises funds for charity.

Sailing over the dunes

Hang gliding and parasailing

Coastal North Carolina’s fame as the birthplace of aviation carries on through the Kitty Hawk Kites Flight School, with multiple locations on the Outer Banks. Offering hang gliding

along the same sandy dunes where Wilbur and Orville Wright took their first flight, the school replicates the experience in modern terms.

“We’re not just offering rides, we’re offering full-fledged hang-gliding instruction,” says Wolf Gaidis, flight park manager and lead instructor at the Kitty Hawk Kites Flight School at Jockey’s Ridge. “Everyone does ground school for the first 25 or 30 minutes, then we take them out to the dunes for a couple hours and several attempts at flying a hang glider.”

Harnessed-in students fly solo, launching their hang gliders with the wind in their faces, running along the dunes.

“During flight you’ll feel like you’re suspended in space, gently supported by a cloud — a wow experience — before gently landing on the sand,” Wolf says.

Parasailing is also available, providing a peaceful, bird’s-eye view while being towed by a boat below.

For longer rides at higher altitudes, Kitty Hawk Kites has inland sites for tandem hang gliding, where a student and instructor fly together.

“The gliders are pulled up by an ultralight via a tow rope and when they reach an altitude of around 2,000 feet the instructor releases the glider from tow for a 10- to 15-minute ride back to the ground,” Wolf says. “It feels just like flying in your dreams … an unforgettable, dynamic experience.”

Renee Gannon is the senior associate editor for Carolina Country.

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

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Tu

T a r e h t ’ n i b Go with the flow on NC’s lazy rivers

By Tara Verna

Tara’s daughters, Isabella (background) and Rosalina, tubing the Tar River in 2017.

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Margarita Galvan

Most of the tubing crew (left to right): the Verna’s: Lino, Isabella, Tara, Rosa and Leo. And their cousins, the Galvan’s: Sandro (blue shirt) and Marco.

Birding chirping …t urtles sunning themselves …f eet dangling from a bright orange tube into water the color of sweet tea …k ids laughing and splashing …a cold sip of a drink …t he silvery flip of a speckled perch …j eez it’s hot! ... bouncing off the tube for a quick cool, dip …c lambering awkwardly back on …g azing up into a canopy of kaleidoscopic greenery …o h, look! A heron! Ah, the magic of tubing a lazy river in North Carolina!

Something for everyone

I’ve been tubing down the Tar River in northeastern North Carolina a few times. Each trip has been a welcome respite from stress, the pandemic, daily life — in other words, magic. You’d have to work hard to be unhappy on a lazy river, as it offers something for just about everyone.

My kids found joy in splashing and dunking one another; beaching their tubes on large rocks along the way for a picnic; leaping from said rocks or half-submerged trees to cool off.

Writer Tara Verna, living the life.

I loved watching their antics, feeling the pull of the gentle current and the water flowing over my feet — closing my eyes to drink in the sun and feeling goosebumps while passing under the shade of a towering oak. My sisterin-law took a continuous stream of photos with her phone, tempting fate by holding it over the river, straining to get that “perfect” selfie or action shot.

My husband kept the cooler tube close, indulging in snacks and drinks and sun with a little too much abandon, until his skin was approaching lobster-done.

Great blue heron

Although our trip lasted about three hours and only covered 1.5 miles, the Tar River is actually 215 miles long and averages 3–6 feet deep. It winds its way southeast, from Roxboro through places like Louisburg, Rocky Mount, Tarboro and Greenville.

In the past, it was used as a major route for tar-laden barges as they headed to the sea, hence its “tar” moniker. Today, it’s home to an amazing number of species that rely on this river ecosystem, including bald eagles, osprey, beavers, deer and more.

Son Leo (back) and his cousin Sandro

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tuckshot.com

Loafers Glory Rafting & Tubing

Getting ready to float down the Toe River

Miles of adventure

The Tar River is one of more than 40,000 miles of rivers and streams in North Carolina, so there is certainly plenty to choose from. You can go it alone or rent your equipment from a company like Tar River Life (tarriverlife.com). Most of these companies offer tubing as well as kayaking or canoeing. A few allow children as young as 3, but most encourage ages 5 and up. They’ll typically have you park your car at the end point and bus your group to the start. After you finish, you’ll have a short walk back to your car.

You’ll find something unique about all of them. The Tar River trip offers a high bank at the end and if the water is deep enough, my kids love running and cannon-balling into the river. I love the stone, graffiti-covered wall at the end where we take our “after” shot, imagining we look like a rock band rather than simply drippy, tired and sunburned — but happy.

After coping with the stresses of a pandemic for more than a year, it might be just what the doctor ordered to capture a little vitamin D and downtime on a lazy river. Megan Greer, general manager of Tar River Life, finds her own version of healing in the river.

“As a staff, we tend to take the river for granted,” she says. “But after this past year, it has rekindled our passion to see people enjoy it so much — we feel so much gratitude.”

Tubing rapids on the Tuckasegee River

Tubing tips Leave your keys in your car, or attach a spare in your wheel well with a magnetic clip.

Make a day of it by arriving late morning.

Bring your own rope to tie off of a bank for lunch.

Take your time and be “lazy.”

Rent a cooler tube. You’ll supply the cooler and munchies. But you can attach it to your tube and have a ready supply of drinks (no glass) and sandwiches along the way.

Rent a dry pouch for your phone.

Wear sunscreen and sunglasses.

Keep a set of dry clothes in your car.

Tara Verna is the creative director for Carolina Country.

Plan your trip

With thousands of miles of river to explore across the state, there’s likely a lazy float waiting to be had not far from you. Here are a few outfitters to help get you on the water — call ahead to confirm availability.

MOUNTAINS

Deep Creek Smoky Mountain Tubing, Bryson City bit.ly/deepcreektubing | 828-488-6055 French Broad River Zen Tubing, Asheville zentubing.com | 855-936-8823 Green River Silver Creek Tubing, Saluda silvercreektubing.com | 828-894-2331

Toe River Loafers Glory Rafting & Tubing, Bakersville bit.ly/toerivertubing | 828-688-9290 Tuckasegee River Dillsboro River Company, Sylva bit.ly/tuckasegeetubing | 828-507-2428 Yadkin River North Carolina River Riders, Ronda northcarolinariverriders.com | 336-244-6220 PIEDMONT

New River High Mountain Expeditions, Boone bit.ly/hme-tubing | 828-202-1981

Dan River Dan River Adventures, Stoneville bit.ly/danrivertubing | 336-548-0080

Oconaluftee River Smoky Mountain Tube & Raft, Cherokee cherokeetubeandraft.com | 828-497-4545

Tar River Tar River Life, Bunn tarriverlife.com | 919-496-9237

Cousin Sandro leaps off the Tar River’s banks, at the end of our journey.

carolinacountry.com/extras Watch videos from rivers around the state to get a feel for what tubing has to offer.

18 | carolinacountry.com

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

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he American Eagle Silver Dollar is the most widely secured silver bullion coin on the planet. Also known as the U.S. Silver Eagle, this legal-tender Silver Dollar contains one Troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver backed by a U.S. government guarantee. And if you’ve been watching the markets, you know that in the last year, silver is up, up, UP...

Silver Up 80% In Last Year Take a look at this chart. Since the spring of 2020, silver has gone up more than 80%!

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JUNE21

ROANOKE ELEC TRIC

Flashes Roanoke Electric Cooperative

Curtis Wynn PRESIDENT & CEO

A MESSAGE FOR YOU

Moving forward with the ‘goal of good value’

W

hile the global pandemic gave way to a long-standing period of uncertainty and change, Roanoke Electric has remained committed to its “goal of good value” on several fronts.

Despite many challenges, your co-op is showing signs of emerging stronger and more resilient, marking progress this year on various programs and initiatives.

Most notably, the Roanoke Connect rollout is advancing at a steady pace, approaching the milestone of 1,000 high-speed internet connections to homes and businesses. With these connections, subscribers are benefitting from cost-saving demand-response

tools, such as smart thermostats and water heater controls.

The co-op is also on target to wrap up its deployment of advance meters throughout its service territory. This initiative is helping the co-op maintain stable rates by improving the efficiency and reliability of our electric system.

It’s also worth noting that the co-op’s EV Pilot Program is now gaining traction. So far this year, two member-owners have signed up for the offering. By participating in this program, these EV owners receive the co-op’s discounted rate for power and a free charging station. The first 10 member-owners to sign up also receive

a $1,000 incentive and are enrolled in the co-op’s EV Ambassador Leadership Program.

Most recently, the co-op unveiled its first rapid charging station for electric vehicles in its service territory. The cutting-edge, three-phase power charger has been deployed at the Oasis Travel Center, a truck stop near Exit 168 off I-95.

I am proud of the progress the co-op team is making to provide “good value,” despite the challenges we face at this moment in time. As we look to a brighter future, I am grateful to the entire cooperative family for your support, patience and cooperation.

Update: Annual Meeting and Member-Owner Celebration Roanoke Electric Co-op plans to conduct its Annual Meeting and Member-Owner Celebration virtually this year. Member-owners are invited to join the August 28 meeting by video conference or telephone.

This year, six board members are up for re-election. Member-owners can vote by mail or online, beginning on July 23.

The last day to submit your ballot is Aug. 25, 2021.

The co-op is planning to send out paper ballots and will also be launching a new dedicated website, where you can cast your vote online. An independent firm specializing in cooperative elections will count all the ballots and certify the election results.

Member-owners who register for the meeting will also be entered into a raffle for bill credits, door prizes and gift cards.

Summer savings with Co-op Connections

As travel season gets underway, member-owners are encouraged to take advantage of Co-op Connections’ deals on hotels, condos, flights, cruises, car rentals, and round-trip vacations. To connect to these special savings opportunities, the mobile app is available for download at the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).

Roanoke Electric Cooperative JUNE 2021 21

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E NE

Suds and savings 8 ways to save energy when doing the laundry Major appliances, such as your washer and dryer, account for a significant portion of your home’s energy consumption. There are several easy ways you can save energy (and money) in the laundry room. The Department of Energy recommends these tips:

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Wash with cold water. Switching from warm water to cold water can cut one load’s energy use by more than half. Also, by using a cold-water detergent, you can still achieve that brilliant clean you would normally get from washing in warm water.

Wash full loads when possible.

Your washing machine will use the same amount of energy no matter the size of the clothes load, so fill it up if you can.

Switch loads while the dryer is warm. This allows you to take advantage of the remaining heat from the previous cycle.

Use the high-speed or extended spin cycle in the washer. This setting will remove more moisture before drying, and as a result, reduce drying time and the extra wear on clothing.

Dry heavier cottons separately.

Loads will dry faster and more evenly if you separate heavier cottons like linens and towels from your lightweight clothing.

Use lower heat settings to dry clothing. Regardless of drying time, you will still use less energy on a lower setting.

Make use of the “cool down” cycle. If your dryer has this cycle option, you can save energy. By using this option, the clothes will finish drying with the remaining heat in the dryer.

Use dryer balls. Dryer balls, usually wool or rubber, will help keep clothes separated for faster drying.

They can also help reduce static, so you can eliminate dryer sheets.

To learn more ways to save energy at home, visit energy.gov/ energysaver.

Roanoke Connect update Roanoke Connect’s rollout is moving ahead on schedule. We have connected over 850 homes with broadband internet service. As we move to new areas, we are setting up accounts and requiring a non-refundable prepayment for the first month of service before beginning any work at your location.

è We are finishing up the in the Mapleton area of Hertford County by completing the last of the home installs.

Where we are

Where to next?

è We have finished the broadband home installations in the Conway area of Northampton County.

è Crews are prepping for home installations in the Aulander area to begin in June 2021. We have over 160 orders for service. Have you signed up yet? è Fiber construction is finishing up in the Roduco and Easons area of Gates County. Calls to begin setting up accounts will start this summer.

è Construction has begun in the Windsor and Merry Hill areas of Bertie County. Sign up now at register.roanokeconnect.com to be notified when we are ready to set up new accounts during the third quarter of 2021.

While we strive to meet all deadlines, the weather is unpredictable and could cause a delay in the posted time frames above. We appreciate your patience and look forward to serving you.

22 JUNE 2021 Roanoke Electric Cooperative

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Co-op debuts first rapid charging station for electric vehicles

R

oanoke Electric Co-op unveiled its first rapid charging station for electric vehicles in its service territory on April 13 at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Halifax, N.C. As a means to generate new forms of energy sales, the co-op invested in the cutting edge, threephase power charger, which has been deployed at the Oasis Travel Center a truck stop near Exit 168, off Interstate 95.

Called the EdgeEV70, this type of fast charging station is a rarity in the northeastern region of the state. It can provide EVs a full battery charge in approximately 30 minutes versus four to six hours provided by a lower-phase charging station. EdgeEnergy, a subsidiary of Cincinnati-based Single Phase Power Solutions LLC., manufactured and installed the power source at the truck stop, located at 10401 Route 903 in Halifax.

“On behalf of the region’s EV owners, local businesses that will benefit from increased traffic, and motorists passing through the area, the co-op is thrilled to bring this innovative and—in our region—extremely rare technology to fruition,” said Curtis Wynn, the co-op’s president and chief executive officer.

“Rapid EV charging stations are few and far between in northeastern North Carolina. The ribbon-cutting reflects

our determination to bring more clean energy resources to this part of the state to help retain its beauty and accelerate its economic growth.”

More than 50 community leaders attended the April 13 ceremony, including Cathy Scott, executive director of the Halifax County Economic Development Commission.

She said the new charging station addresses a major concern of EV drivers, who feared running out of power between charging stations along this I-95 corridor. Having this new option so easily accessible for EV drivers is a major step toward advancing economic development and tourism in the region, she told the crowd.

Like other local representatives, Scott expressed gratitude for the co-op’s bold efforts to meet the critical needs of the community it serves. “If you look at Roanoke Electric Cooperative and what they continue to do, from electricity to broadband to vehicle charging, you really are a visionary and a pioneer.”

For more information about the co-op’s special offerings for electric vehicle owners, contact Anita Knight at 252-2092243. For additional information about the charging station, visit sppowersolutions. com or call 877-430-5634.

Looking for a way to get involved in your co-op community?

Are you a member-owner between the ages of 25 to 45? Roanoke Electric Co-op would like you to consider serving on its Young Adult Advisory Board.

The initiative will serve as a springboard for helping the co-op’s younger membership better understand the value of their electric cooperative and its mission to improve the quality of life throughout the community.

To be considered for a seat on the 10-member board, participants must be member-owners and able to meet quarterly.

“As a young adult, I am amazed that our company is taking an interest in what people like me have to say,” said Kira Hall, the co-op’s member services specialist. “Being able to have a voice as a young adult on matters that impact us is something that isn’t always offered in most companies.”

If you are interested in joining Roanoke Electric’s Young Adult Advisory Board, contact the co-op via email at yame@roanokeelectric.com.

Roanoke Electric Cooperative JUNE 2021 23

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Operation RoundUp awards $15,000 in grants to local nonprofits The Roanoke Electric Co-op awarded $15,036.96 in grant funding to support six community programs and services. At its April 21 quarterly meeting, the co-op’s Care Trust Board designated financial assistance for these nonprofits:

è Lincoln Heights Community Center (Roanoke Rapids): Awarded $5,000 to operate the Watch Me Grow! Youth Summer Camp and Wellness Program.

WatchMeGrow is a service that helps childcare centers increase transparency by providing video streaming to the children’s families. Funding will help secure supplies, including cameras for virtual classroom instruction. è Relay for Life Bertie County (Aulander): Awarded $750 to purchase goodie bags, including t-shirts, tote bags, and water bottles to distribute to cancer survivors during this year’s relay. Due to COVID safety precautions, the organization will not host its annual survivor banquet and reception. è Jackson Volunteer Fire Dept. (Jackson): Awarded $4,249.96 to replace two sets of turnout gear for its firefighters. This gear includes heavyweight jackets and pant gear used to protect firefighters in hazardous situations. è Garysburg Volunteer Fire Dept. (Garysburg): Awarded $2,020 for new protective jacket and pant gear for firefighters who recently joined the department. è Hertford-Northampton Smart Start Partnership for Children (Murfreesboro): Awarded $500 to purchase parent brochures and consumable supplies to support its annual School Transition project. Each

ROANOKE ELEC TRIC

Flashes Published monthly for the member-owners of Roanoke Electric Cooperative P.O. Drawer 1326, Ahoskie, NC 27910 Office: 252-209-2236 or 1-800-433-2236 For outages call: 1-800-358-9437 For online bill payment: roanokeelectric.com Statement of Nondiscrimination: Roanoke Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

From left to right: Jason Morris (mayor), James M. Hux (fire chief) and Frank Brennan (solar operation & substation lead technician).

year, the partnership offers activities and provides transitional kits to local children starting childcare, Pre-K or kindergarten. è Blue Jay Recreation Center (Windsor): Awarded $2,517 to purchase a three-row bleacher/double footboards for its grand opening.

Through the Operation RoundUp program, member-owners can round up their electric bills to the next highest dollar each month to help charitable programs and initiatives in the community. Grants are allocated quarterly.

“We are incredibly grateful that our member-owners are able to help support these community endeavors. Many of these nonprofit organizations took a hit last year due to the pandemic,” said Patrice Jordan, the co-op’s coordinator of community relations and engagement. “Your support is making a significant difference for the better.”

Local nonprofits are encouraged to apply for grant funding.

To be considered for the next quarter, applications must be submitted by 5 p.m., June 28, 2021.

For more information, visit roanokeelectric.com/ community/operation-roundup.

Visit us at roanokeelectric.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS Allen Speller

Carolyn Bradley

Chairman

Chester Deloatch

Robert “Nat” Riddick

Columbus Jeffers

Vice Chairman

Delores Amason Secretary-Treasurer

Millard Lee Asst. Secretary-Treasurer

Kenneth Jernigan Darnell Lee Editor: Brittany Tann President and CEO: Curtis Wynn

24 JUNE 2021 Roanoke Electric Cooperative

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5/10/21 8:31 AM

Energy Sense

Three Ways to Save Energy Outdoors Find efficiencies outside

By Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen

It’s summertime, and after far too many months cooped up, many North Carolinians are spending more time out in the yard, in gardens, and on decks and patios. We often use this column to discuss ways to save energy indoors, but there are ways to save outside of your home as well­ — here are three:

1

Outdoor Lighting If you have security lighting, there’s a good chance you can save a little energy. Some security lights can be 500 to 1000 watts. That’s the equivalent of 40 to 80 indoor LED bulbs — quite a lot of energy! Adding timers, motion sensors and light sensors can reduce your bulb energy use. Plus, when you use your lights less often, your neighbors may appreciate a little less light pollution!

Switching to LEDs is another great strategy. Solar lights are also a good way to light walkways, a water feature or your deck — without having to buy any electricity at all.

2

Grilling Using your oven can raise your kitchen’s temperature by up to 10 degrees, increasing the need for running your air conditioner, so grilling outdoors is a great way to save energy. If you like to grill most of your meals, you may want to consider the fuel you use. If natural gas is available, it’s usually much less expensive than propane. Natural gas is also convenient because you don’t have to refill any tanks like you would with propane. On the downside, if you don’t already have gas lines running to your patio or deck, the cost of installing them can be prohibitive.

Other fuel types, like charcoal briquettes or wood, take more preparation and can be fussy to work with, and charcoal grills emit three times as much carbon as gas grills.

Whichever fuel type you choose for your grill, you can save energy by keeping the lid closed during cooking, rather than cooking with the lid off at higher heat.

3

Pumps and maintenance Many of us have one or more pumps that service our yard or reside on our property. Pumps can supply water for a swimming pool, your lawn and garden, or your septic system or well. It’s easy to let maintenance slip, which cuts the pump’s efficiency and shortens its life.

Maintaining pumps involves cleaning the filters or checking oil and belts. If you have multiple pumps and need to hire a professional for assistance, try to do all the maintenance at once to reduce the overall cost. You may also want to consider replacing older pumps with energy efficient Energy Star®-rated ones before they break down. While you’re at it, check for leaks in the water lines, which make your pumps work harder and longer.

Hopefully these ideas will help you enjoy your outdoor living space this summer — and help you save energy!

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.

26 | carolinacountry.com

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FREEDOM. TO BE YOU.

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5/7/21 12:25 PM

New Life on the Water

Tanya Binford

Tanya Binford’s surprising path to becoming a record-setting sailor

By Pamela A. Keene

After a romantic date in 1996 on a sailboat in San Francisco Bay, Tanya Binford was hooked on boating. But it would be a couple of decades before her real on-the-water adventures began.

“I always dreamed of just sailing away after that first time on a sailboat, but my life certainly took a very different turn in 2014.”

Tanya, who never boated growing up, accomplished what less than 2,000 people have done since the mid-1980s, typically with at least one other person on board. She circumnavigated the Great Loop up the Eastern Coast of the United States, becoming the first female to boat the 5,500-mile route solo. Her six-month journey took her from North Carolina, up along the East Coast and through three of the Great Lakes, south along the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico, around Florida, then back up the East Coast.

“Circumnavigating the Eastern United States has become popular since the late 1990s,” says Kim Russo, director of the America’s Great Loop Cruisers Association, based in Summerville, South Carolina. “But what Tanya has done, especially by herself, is a true accomplishment. She must really have a strong sense of adventure to do such an amazing journey.”

Approaching age 50, Tanya was working as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in Tucson when the death of a dear friend caused her to reassess her life.

“I had too many friends and colleagues who had died before retiring and being able to live their dreams,” she says. “I asked myself, would I have any regrets as I lay on my own deathbed?

That was a turning point, and reignited my dream of sailing.”

Enter Annabelle

In 2010, it became necessary for her to see patients virtually, freeing her to live wherever she chose. She took the opportunity to move to Southport, North Carolina, with her son.

“I immediately felt at home in Southport, and within a month I’d bought a house. That was the beginning of my journey. My son and I came here to learn about boats.”

Fast forward to 2014. The deal she’d struck with her employer in Arizona several years before allowed her to take a sabbatical for her extended boat trip. Her goal?

Navigate The Great Loop on her

own boat, Annabelle, a small trawler equipped with a sleeping berth, galley and bathroom.

“It was about right for me, but tight quarters with other people on board,” she says about the 25-foot, 2008 Ranger Tug. She learned about navigation, general boat maintenance and safety on the water. She also connected with other “Loopers” (people who were in process of doing The Great Loop or had completed it). “[I met] so many supportive boaters who were willing to share their experiences — good and bad,” Tanya says.

“Without connecting with these people, some of whom became my friends along the way, I never would have made it.”

The voyage begins

By April 2014, she was ready to depart. Armed with her boating experience, navigation charts, a tentative schedule with reservations at various marinas and plenty of advice from other people, she headed out of Southport, north into the Intercoastal Waterway.

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“The next six months were filled with all kinds of challenges and opportunities,” she says. “I learned how to repair the engine; I survived strong storms and dense fog; and I took plenty of time to enjoy the journey.”

The trip included many one-night stays in marinas or on moorings, but she also had extended overnight stops just because she wanted to get to know more about the communities she passed by.

“I couldn’t imagine being in all these places without learning more about them,” she says. “The thrill of seeing the Statue of Liberty from a boat and cruising the Chicago river through the towering skyscrapers of downtown Chicago can’t be replicated.”

Asked about the challenges, she relayed several stories about negotiating the canals and locks.

“My toughest was in the Erie Canal.

The lockmasters for the most part were helpful, but the pressure on me to manage my own vessel, tie off correctly and hold my own was pretty intense.”

Crossing her wake

In November 2014, almost six months from the day she left, Tanya ‘crossed her wake,’ meaning she had come full circle and returned to Southport.

She had earned the coveted gold flag awarded by the America’s Great Loop Cruisers Association to signify completion of the Loop.

Once home, she wrote the book “Crossing the Wake,” an account of her journey. She returned to work for a few more years, but last November, she retired to embark on her next adventure.

“I’ve sold everything and have my new canal barge waiting for me on the Saone River in France,” she says.

There’s a longing in her voice. “I’d be there already, but with the pandemic I have to be patient. The positive is that the delay allows more time for French lessons. The wait will be so worth it to begin this next stage of my

life, living in France and exploring the canals and rivers there.”

She adds: “I never would have dreamed my life would turn out this way.”

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

The 5,500-mile Great Loop

Visit greatloop.org to see an interactive map of the route followed by Tanya and other Loopers, and to learn more about America’s Great Loop. Her book is available at crossingthewake.com.

2021

Categories include: Nothing could be finer ...

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

We need your help!

We’re leaving it up to you, our readers, to pick the best of the best. Visit carolinacountry.com/finest

by June 30 and cast your votes in the categories below. Each voter will be entered into a drawing for one of three $100 gift cards.

  BBQ

  Main Street/Downtown

  Burger

  Family Friendly Outing

  Bakery

  Public Garden

  Festival

  Iconic NC Landmark

  Weekend Getaway

  Made in NC Product

Vote for your favorites at

carolinacountry.com/finest

by June 30 for a chance to win $100!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter, complete online entry form at carolinacountry.com/finest, or mail in your votes to Carolina Country’s Finest, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616, for a chance to win. All contact information will remain confidential. One entry per person, drawn by random; odds of receiving one (1) of the three $100 gift cards depend upon number of entries received. Entries must be submitted

by June 30, 2021. Random drawing will take place July 1, 2021.

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Carolina Bookshelf

Exploring North Carolina’s Lookout Towers

In the 1920s and 1930s, forestry organizations built dozens of lookout structures in Western North Carolina as the backbone of a firefighting system. Many of these lookouts survive in North Carolina today, and represent some of the best destinations for hikers who want to see the Blue Ridge Mountains’ incredible views. Part hiking guide and part photography collection, this book contains stories and folklore of the fire lookouts and their inhabitants, a detailed guide of hikes to each, and details about the views at the top. In all, it leads hikers to panoramic vistas from 28 historic fire lookout towers as well as eight historical/former fire lookout towers. Lookout towers can be dangerous, and many are not routinely maintained. The book’s author, preservationist Peter J. Barr, based in Asheville, includes a safety reminder to assess structures and risk. Nature photographer Kevin Adams, based in Waynesville, augments Barr’s text throughout with 200 full-color photographs of the towers and the views. 450 pages for both hardcover, $39.95 and softcover, $29.95.

800-283-3572 blairpub.com

North Carolina’s Outer Banks

Written by an experienced insider, the latest edition to Insiders’ Guide to North Carolina’s Outer Banks is a comprehensive source for in-depth travel and relocation.

The updated guide provides tips on lodging, including unique vacation rentals, along with restaurants, events, fun things to do with the kids, nightlife, fishing spots and shopping. Some attractions listings are known favorites, while others wait to be discovered and cost little or are free.

The Outer Banks is a true arts community and the arts and culture section offers details on the many eclectic galleries there. The recreation chapter runs the gamut for outdoor activities, from windsurfing, hang gliding, scuba diving and parasailing to golf, tennis, in-line skating, sightseeing cruises, ATV excursions and beachcombing. There’s also advice on how to live and thrive in the area, covering retirement, real estate, education and health care. The book is written by Kip Tabb, a freelance journalist living on the Outer Banks. Insider Guide Series. 352 pages, softcover, $22.95; e-book, $16.49.

Hiking North Carolina

Keeping social distancing in mind, this newly revised edition of Hiking North Carolina is full of less-visited hikes. You’ll find details of more than 500 hikes across the state. These trails range from national forests and the Appalachian Trail to Piedmont forests, military and state parks, plus wildlife refuges and national seashores at the Outer Banks.

Hikes to NC’s most visited locations include alternate starting points and strategies to escape crowds. Choices include challenging backpack trips, handicapped accessible adventures, waterfall hikes and urban greenway escapes. Easy family walks include close-to-home sections of the Mountains-toSea Trail. Trail info includes difficulty ratings, elevation gains, descriptions and fullcolor photos. The trail finder organizes the options and entries provide trailhead directions with GPS coordinates and GPS compatible maps for hundreds of hikes. Safety and trail etiquette are also covered.

The guide is written by veteran travel author Randy Johnson, based in Banner Elk. 384 pages; softcover, $17.07.

Blue Marlin

New York Times best-selling author Lee Smith brings her storytelling magic to this semi-autobiographical novella that follows the always-curious 13-year-old Jenny. After the discovery of her father’s illicit affair with a mysterious local artist, Jenny is sent off to live with her church-going cousins while her parents attempt to recover their marriage. Then her father proposes a family vacation down to Key West. At the Blue Marlin Motel, Jenny, her beautiful mother, and chastened father share their stay with movie stars in town to film “Operation Petticoat.”

Jenny is a bit of a sleuth, so her observations to uncover the secrets of stars such as Tony Curtis also end up revealing the secrets of her own fractured family. Jenny confronts the frailty of family life while vying for the attention of actor Tony Curtis and a role in his movie. The author delivers wry humor and honesty to her flawed characters with Southern dignity. She lives in Hillsborough. 123 pages, softcover, $15.95; e-book, $13.99.

800-283-3572 blairpub.com

1

randyjohnsonbooks.com

800-843-2665 barnesandnoble.com

carolinacountry.com/bookshelf Find more books about and from NC online.

Prefer to support independent bookstores? You can cross-reference books and local shops where they are sold by visiting indiebound.org.

D

Carolina Bookshelf features select books that relate to North Carolina by setting or topic or that are by NC authors. To submit a book for a possible mention, please mail a copy of the book, along with a description of its topic, purchase information and your contact information, to Carolina Bookshelf, Carolina Country, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC, 27616.

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Carolina Calendar

Vertical Mile Challenge Also half-mile run June 19, Hiddenite

Kayak for the Warriors Kayak/paddle board race June 5, Pine Knoll Shores

U.S. 301 Endless Yard Sale 100 miles of vendor sales June 18–19, Selma

June Events MOUNTAINS

PIEDMONT

Artists in Residence

Are We There Yet

Shows, meet artists at studio Through June, Blowing Rock artistsatedgewood.org brhs.air@gmail.com

Travel photos 1930s–1970s Through June, Raleigh 919-814-7000 ncmuseumofhistory.org

A Very Magical Family Reading

Branching Out

Puppetry, magic tricks June 10, Morganton 828-433-7469 commaonline.org

NC artists nature exhibit Through June, Cary 919-447-4000 theumstead.com

Charity Horse Show

Favorite Photographs

Horses, riders compete June 10–13, Blowing Rock 828-295-4700 brchs.org

Including Allen Thomas Jr.’s works June 1–17, Wilson 252-291-4329 wilsonarts.com

Vertical Mile Challenge

Full Frame Documentary Festival

Also half-mile run June 19, Hiddenite 828-632-1308 rockyfacepark.com

Nearly 100 films online June 2–6, Durham 919-687-4100 fullframefest.org

Weekend of Live Music

Bynum Front Porch Series

Traditional, innovative tunes Jun 19–20, Spruce Pine 828-765-9531 altapassorchard.org

Live music, food truck Fridays through June visitpittsboro.com

A Night of Comedy

Classics to Custom Car Show and Antiques to Chic

Jason Allen King, Tara Brown June 24, Morganton 828-433-7469 commaonline.org

Includes vintage shopping June 5, Sanford 919-718-4659, ext. 1400 kplaudate@downtownsanford.com

Art is in the Air

U.S. 301 Endless Yard Sale

En plein air, downtown June 25–27, Brevard mj@explorebrevard.com facebook.com

100 miles of vendor sales June 18–19, Selma 919-989-8687 johnstoncountync.org

Juneteenth Celebration Music, prayer honoring emancipation June 19, Marshville marshvillesjune19th@gmail.com

Three Little Pigs Triathlon

6 for 60

Swimming, biking, running June 19, Smithfield 919-631-9847 fsseries.com

Battleship anniversary tours June 5–6, Wilmington 910-399-9117 battleshipncfriends.com

100th State Annual Singing Convention

Music in the Brewery

Professional, amateur gospel June 25–27, Benson 919-894-4389 gospelsingingconvention.org

COAST Summerfest Movies At park, for kids Thursdays through June, Shallotte 910-754-4032 townofshallotte.org

First Friday Artwalk Music, artists demonstrations June 4, Elizabeth City 252-338-4104 elizabethcitydowntown@ embarqmail.com

Indie Bookstore Day Giveaways, contests June 5, Elizabeth City 252-335-7243 visitelizabethcity.com

Kayak for the Warriors Kayak/paddle board race June 5, Pine Knoll Shores 252-808-2998 k4tw.org

Country/rock cover band June 11, Elizabeth City 252-599-1099 visitelizabethcity.com

Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament June 11–20, Morehead City 252-247-3575 thebigrock.com director@thebigrock.com

Corolla Cork & Craft Tastings, live music June 16, 23 & 30, Corolla 252-435-2947 visitcurrituck.com

Under the Oaks Art Festival June 22–23, Corolla 252-435-2947 visitcurrituck.com

60th Old Homes Tour Private homes, gardens June 25–26, Beaufort 252-728-5225 beauforthistoricsite.org

Bocce, Beer & Bites Tournament, DJ June 26, Elizabeth City 252-333-1510 visitelizabethcity.com

Know Before You Go Check information from the contacts listed for the most up-todate information. We strive for accuracy, but postponements and cancellations are possible.

carolinacountry.com/calendar See and submit more events online.

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Carolina Adventures

Big Screens Under the Stars Drive-in movies are making a comeback

By Lori Grossman

I

’ll admit: the last time I was at a drive-in movie was back in high school.

And at that age, I was more interested in talking about boys, eating popcorn and enjoying the night air from the back of a pickup than what was playing on the big screen.

For a time, it seemed drive-ins were fading from the landscape, relegated to fond memories. But drive-ins were making a bit of a comeback before the pandemic began, and now, with social distancing still a necessity, most are filling their parking lots. Two in particular — Albemarle’s Eden Drive-In and Henderson’s Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre — were included in Architectural Digest’s list of the 25 most charming drive-in movie theaters left in America.

This isn’t a full list of NC drive-ins, but it’s a start. Check for the latest showtimes with the drive-in of your choice before you go.

The Drive-In at Carraway Village

Sunset Drive-In • Shelby sunsetdriveintheatre.com • 704-434-7782 Plans to be open for the season starting on Memorial Day weekend. Cash only. Outside food is allowed if you clean up, and there is a concessions menu on their website. No grills or pets.

Lexington Cinema and Drive-In

Hounds Drive-In • Kings Mountain houndsdrivein.com • 704-739-4424 Two 50-x-100-foot screens show current releases on Friday and Saturday. Pets must be on a leash. No outside food or drinks, so check out the concession menu on their website. No waiting—26 restrooms!

Badin Road Drive-In • Albemarle badinrddrivein.wordpress.com 704-983-2900 Built in 1948, closed for a time, then re-opened in 1994. Double features Friday and Saturday with current releases on two screens. Cash only. Concession options are listed on their Facebook page.

Triangle Drive-In • Raleigh triangledrive.in • 919-363-4050 Located near Barnes and Noble at Triangle Town Center, this drive-in opened in response to the pandemic. Shows family-friendly films on Friday and Saturday. Tickets and concessions must be ordered online, from food trucks or you can visit the mall’s food court. They plan to remain open throughout the summer.

State Line Movie Time • Tabor City statelinemovietime.com • 910-499-1756 Owner Sherry Barnes dreamed about building this drive-in, then did most of the work herself. It opened in May 2019 and is open every night, year-round. One big screen shows double features. Only cash at the gate.

Bring your own cooler and grill if you pay $10 for a cooler pass when you buy your admission. Leashed pets are welcome.

Lexington

lexingtoncinema.com • 336-237-0029 First-run movies every night, except Monday.

Limited concessions menu on website.

Cost: $15 per vehicle. They show a mix of new and older movies.

Eden Drive-In • Eden edendrivein.wordpress.com • 336-623-9669 Two screens showing double features every Friday and Saturday. You’ll find information about showings on their Facebook page, plus a menu with your favorite drive-in snacks. Good assortment of drinks and ice cream flavors. Go old-school and order a milkshake with your burger.

Chapel Hill

carrawayvillagedrivein.com • 919-441-1685 This one-screen drive-in opened last October. It shows a mixture of current films, Film Fest contenders and productions of iconic musicals. Tickets must be purchased online prior to the show. No outside food or drinks. Food trucks will be onsite for special events (check Facebook page), and a few concession items can be ordered online at bit.ly/cvdi-menu.

Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre Henderson

raleighroaddrivein.com • 919-336-9300 Once known as “The Moon-Glo Drive-In,” it opened in 1949 and is the oldest operating drive-in in the state. Open year-round with showings Thursday through Saturday.

Check out the helpful page for first-time visitors on the website. Order snacks at concession window or online. You’ll be paged or texted to pick up your food.

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

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unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever.

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CC06-wk.indd 35

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5/7/21 12:25 PM

Carolina Gardens

Squash the Vine Borer

Get the jump on these pests to prevent problems Story and photos by L.A. Jackson

As spring matures into summer, vegetable gardeners are starting to have halcyon dreams of the coming harvest — but wait! Down in the squash patch — plants are dying! the offending borers (which can fatten up to about an inch long) and kill them with a needle, if you want, but I personally don’t have the desire to get down on all fours and perform surgery on a plant to dispatch such bothersome bugs.

A better way to stop squash vine borers in their tiny tracks is to start weekly sprayings with insecticidal soap at the bases of young plants. This will discourage adults from laying eggs and smother any that do make it onto the plants.

Another tactic to prevent destructive egg laying by the moths is to cover young squash plants with a lightweight row cover, such as Reemay, to physically keep them from the plants. However, since squash is best pollinated by insects, this barrier should be pulled back when the plants begin producing flowers.

Other good cultural practices to try out include the obvious: Severely infested plants should be yanked

Melissa McMasters

Odds are strong this calamity is the dastardly work of squash vine borers. Scientifically known as Melittia cucurbitae, I call them “#$%#*>!!”

The problem starts with orangecolored, wasp-like intruders with dark wings flitting about squash foliage.

They aren’t actually wasps, but rather squash vine borer moths looking to lay their tiny, rust-brown eggs on the plants’ stems and foliage. When the larvae hatch, they bore into leaf stems, where they then begin chewing the dickens out of them from the inside. This is what causes foliage on your squash and zucchini plants to wilt and die. (Pumpkin planters take note — vine borers can be a big problem for you, too.)

Areas where larvae enter stems can be found in the form of small holes that usually have yellowishbrown yuck around them. You can carefully slit stems at the holes, find

Squash vine borer moth

up and tossed in the trash — do not compost them. Also, rotate squash to other parts of the veggie garden every other growing season. In addition, since immature squash vine borers overwinter in the soil, till the veggie garden in late December and again in early February to expose these little nasties, as well as other hibernating bad bugs, to the frigid cold.

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

Garden To-Do’s for June

Saddleback caterpillar

Seen any weird-looking caterpillars in the garden lately? If so, observe but don’t touch.

Strange as it may seem, there are actually caterpillars that can sting. Bristling with hollow barbs or hairs filled with venom for defense, these caterpillars aren’t aggressive, but they also aren’t something you want to brush up against — they can inflict pain similar to a wasp or hornet attack, and if you are allergic to such stings, you could have even bigger problems.

In our state, two of the strangest looking that pack really mean stings are the puss caterpillar and saddleback caterpillar (see left).

Puss caterpillar

F

If you need to spray insecticides, don’t do it on a windy day. Also, wait until late in the afternoon, when the activity of friendly pollinators such as bees and butterflies is at a minimum.

F

Now that summer heat is upon us, create interest in the water garden by adding tropical water lilies.

F

Run out of space in the garden for ornamental plants? Think about hanging ‘em high. Hanging baskets in semi-shady spots such as porches and entryways will also liven up the landscape. For starters, consider planting any combination of begonias, impatiens, ivy, creeping Jenny, ferns or fuchsias.

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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. All ads must adhere to Carolina Country’s advertising policy, which can be found in our media kit at carolinacountry.com/advertise/MediaKit. 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.

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Carolina Kitchen

Egg Salad à la Linda Linda Miller’s egg salad is legendary among volunteers working at animal rescue events in Raleigh. Here is her recipe, tweaked to use bread-andbutter pickles. You can also use dill or sweet pickle cubes, or a combination.

But no matter which pickles you pick, drain them very well to prevent soggy salad. Serve on sliced bread, in pitas or scooped alongside tomato wedges.

6 ½ ½ ¼

½ ½ ¼ 4

hard-cooked eggs, peeled cup diced celery cup diced red onion cup chopped bread-andbutter pickles, drained well teaspoon black pepper, or to taste teaspoon salt, or to taste cup mayonnaise teaspoons Dijon mustard Chives, chopped (optional)

Slice the hard-cooked eggs into a large bowl. Chop up the eggs or use a pastry blender to cut them up.

Add the celery, onion, pickles, pepper and salt, and combine. Stir in the mayonnaise and mustard.

Cover and refrigerate. Keep cold until serving. Sprinkle with chives. cup

Yield: About 4 cups

Unless otherwise noted, recipes on this page are from Debbie Moose (debbiemoose.com), who has authored seven cookbooks and is a former food editor for The News & Observer in Raleigh.

nd

the

Pimento Cheese Biscuits

The boom in locally made pimento cheese provides lots of options for these biscuits. (Try jalapeño!) When the biscuits are completely cool, they can be put in bags and frozen. Serve as-is with butter, or slice and fill with sausage patties, sliced tomatoes — or it’s hard to go wrong with more pimento cheese!

2 cups flour ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 1 tablespoon baking powder

½ cup chunky 1 teaspoon salt pimento cheese

¾–1 cup milk Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Spray a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and cayenne pepper, if using. Add the pimento cheese and use a pastry blender to cut it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk about ¼ cup at a time until the mixture forms a wet, but not soggy, dough. You may not need a full cup of milk.

Drop by large tablespoons onto the baking pan, placing the biscuits close together. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the tops and bottoms are lightly brown.

Yield: About 8 biscuits

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Carolina Kitchen

From Your Kitchen

Fruity Snack Bars

Granola bars make great travel fuel, but they’re often too sweet or chewy. Make these dairy-free bars any way you like them! Substitute chopped nuts or mini-chocolate chips for the fruit. Pack the bars straight from the freezer and they’ll be thawed when the hungries hit.

2 1 ¼ ¼ ½ ⅓

cups rolled oats cup flour teaspoon salt teaspoon cinnamon cup packed brown sugar cup dried cranberries

⅓ cup dried blueberries ⅓ cup chopped dates 1 package (16-ounce) silken tofu ¼ cup oil ¼ teaspoon vanilla

Spray an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan and a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flour, salt, cinnamon and brown sugar, breaking up any clumps of sugar with a fork or your hands. Stir in the cranberries, blueberries and dates.

In a medium bowl, mash the tofu until no large pieces remain.

Stir in the oil and vanilla.

Add the tofu mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well. The batter will be thick. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan and bake for 20–30 minutes or until lightly brown and cooked through.

When done, remove the pan from the oven and cut into 12 pieces. Place the pieces on the baking sheet and return to the oven for 10–15 minutes, or until the edges are golden. If you prefer a crispier bar, turn off the oven and leave them up to 15 minutes longer.

Let the bars cool completely, then eat immediately or place in airtight bags and freeze.

Yield: 12 bars

Angel Food Cheesecake Cookies

These light, fluffy cookies combine the airy taste of angel food cake with the creamy decadence of cheesecake. A perfect dessert to finish off a summer meal!

1 stick salted butter, room temperature 1 package (8-ounce) cream cheese 1 egg

1 1 1 ½

teaspoon vanilla extract box angel food cake mix teaspoon cinnamon teaspoon nutmeg

Soften cream cheese and butter on counter before beginning.

In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add in the egg and vanilla extract.

Beat in the angel food cake mix, adding slowly in small amounts. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour until slightly firm.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, combine cinnamon and nutmeg. Scoop tablespoons of chilled batter onto ungreased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. If batter sticks, flour your fingertips to make transfer easier. Sprinkle each cookie with a dash of spice mixture if you like.

Bake for 12 minutes. The cookies will be soft. Cool completely and dust with more spice mixture.

Yield: Make 24–36 cookies

Recipe courtesy of Stephanie Carter of Winnabow, a member of Brunswick 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.

Homemade Berry Ice Cream Each month, we take a look back at some old favorites from our recipe archive. For June, check out “Homemade Berry Ice Cream” from 1970.

See this recipe and 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!

June 2021 | 41

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W ea

where

in Carolina Country is this ?

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

May winner

The May “Where Is This” photo by Tideland EMC member Kim Dysinger features the old Boat Works located near the intersection of Trent Road and Highway 55, near Merritt, between Bayboro and Oriental in Pamlico County. This dilapidated building proved to be a bit too obscure for many readers, with wrong answers dotted across the state.

The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Alison Klakowicz of Oriental, a Tideland EMC member.

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

scenes CAROLINA COUNTRY

featured photo

N

Dr. Seuss-Like Flowers Strolling through my backyard in Belhaven after a late spring rain, I was captivated by the Dr. Seuss-like flowers of the mimosa tree.

Submit your photos at carolinacountry.com/photos

CC06-wk.indd 42

Ginny Mason, Bath, a member of Tideland EMC

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