Taking a Lap Among the Pines The Occoneechee Speedway lives on through historic preservation

Taking a Lap

Among the Pines

The Occoneechee Speedway lives on through historic preservation

Photos and story by Anne Puetzer

Growing up in North Carolina, I’ve seen my fair share of NASCAR tracks. But this one was different. The secluded Occoneechee Speedway, tucked in a cedar and pine forest along the Eno River, was an unplanned stop during a family day trip to Hillsborough. When the shady, tranquil walk brought us to an opening in a tall, rusty fence originally intended to keep unticketed on-lookers from catching a glimpse of a race, what we saw completely surprised us all. As we stared down at the dirt track my family reacted:

“Wow!”

“That looks fun!”

And most unexpected, from my teenage son: “Hey, cool! I’m pretty sure this is the race track from [Disney/Pixar’s] ‘Cars 3’!”

A rowdy past

As we sat in the grandstands (well, the younger children happily ran up and down pretending to serve us snacks from the old concession stand nearby) it was easy to imagine the roar of 10,000 fans, and cars racing past at speeds up to 90 mph in large clouds of dust. A few old cars stationed along the track further enthused my children, and again the conversation turned to the movie, “Cars 3” (I’ll come back to that).

Occoneechee Speedway is one of NASCAR’s original tracks — and the only surviving dirt track from its inaugural 1949 season. Drivers raced 100 laps at its first race in 1949, and the track went on to host 31 additional NASCAR races. Richard Petty won the final race at this location on September 15, 1968. He drove a ’68 Plymouth 167 laps with an average speed of 87.6 mph, winning $1,600.

The Eno River is located only a few yards off the far side of the track, opposite the grandstands. A curve at the bottom of the track closely follows a bend in the river. Standing on the bank we had to wonder: could a car spinning out of control end up in the river? Apparently, they did.

From track to trail

Named for the Occaneechi, a tribe of Native American Indians who lived near the location 300 years ago, the 0.9-mile track is seamlessly incorporated into other trails that run along the Eno River in Hillsborough.

The speedway was untouched for many years, but in the 1990s, volunteers from the Historic Speedway Group restored several of the

The Occoneechee Speedway, 1949 Richard Petty won the final race at this location on Sept. 15, 1968. He drove a ’68 Plymouth 167 laps with an average speed of 87.6 mph, winning $1,600.

buildings on site. On September 1, 2002, the Occoneechee Speedway trail opened to the public. It is currently under the care of the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust.

While many abandoned race tracks remain just that — abandoned —  Hillsborough certainly has not forgotten its past. This track is now on the National Register of Historic Places, an honor given to only a handful of other racing venues.

On the screen

After our outing, we watched several videos of races at the Occoneechee Speedway. We were amazed at the transformation — my youngest children had a hard time believing it was the same racetrack.

And much to my teenage son’s delight, he was on the right track, as they say. The fictional Thomasville Speedway, a dirt track in “Cars 3,” was inspired by a combination of both the Occoneechee Speedway and the North Wilkesboro dirt track.

And in paying further homage to our state’s racing roots, Junior Johnson, who raced often at the Occoneechee Speedway, voiced one of the movie’s main characters.

Writer and photographer Anne Puetzer, a member of Wake Electric, lives with her husband and their five children in Wake County.

Find the track

The raceway, not visible from any road, is a short ¼-mile walk from the parking area located at 320 Elizabeth Brady Road in Hillsborough. Visit bit.ly/track-trail for more information, including hours (the site is closed after sunset).

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A smart thermostat can save you 10%1 on

energy use

As a member of South River EMC, you can lower your energy costs and make your home more energy efficient this summer. For a limited time, get a FREE2 ecobee3 lite smart thermostat with FREE professional installation when you enroll in Connect to Save. As a bonus, you will also receive a $50 annual incentive for each year you participate.

Get your FREE smart thermostat today!

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While supplies last. Terms and conditions apply, see site for details. Sales tax may apply. ecobee smart thermostat is a trademark of ecobee.

On-The-Road Rentals

Turn your RV into a money-making machine

Have an idle RV, campervan or travel trailer? A recent study by Go RVing found that most people use their RV only 20 days per year, on average.

In the past year, travelers looking for RV rentals have increased exponentially, thereby boosting the wealth potential of your RV. You could turn your RV into a side hustle, or even a full-time business.

RVing has become a booming industry, with more people enjoying travel by either owning or renting an RV. Since the start of COVID-19, interest in RVing has skyrocketed. More people are checking out of hotels and into RVing as a great way to travel safely and stay self-contained. Rental platforms have experienced a significant uptick in bookings. For example, RV rental platform outdoorsy.com reports its bookings have increased by more than 300% since the pandemic began.

Decide when to rent it out Your region and climate will play a role in deciding the best weeks or months to rent. The more days your RV is available, the more income you can earn — especially during the peak summer months. Find earning potential Income from renting out your RV will vary depending on how long you rent it out, the type of vehicle you own and where you live. According to outdoorsy.com, RV owners listing on its platform, on average, have made up to $36,000 per year for each vehicle listed. RVshare.com has “up to $22,000” for travel trailer rentals and “up to $38,000” for Class C motor home rentals.

Get your RV in great shape Make sure your RV is up to date on all repairs and maintenance and clean it thoroughly. Enhancing its décor will help it get rented.

Find a rental platform The rental process is much easier if you use a good platform. Look for platforms with an easy-to-use portal, necessary insurance, 24/7 customer support, roadside assistance, and a thorough vetting of renters. Take great photos “Stage” your RV with cozy blankets, plants, books or cups of coffee to make the scene more enticing. Use your smartphone to take good photos of your RV and consider doing a quick video tour as well.

Create a checklist for renters You’ll use pre- and post-rental checklists to cover all essentials with your renter. They include your renter doing a thorough pre-rental tour and test drive of the RV to make sure they feel comfortable driving it.

Go the extra mile Being upfront and communicating well with renters will help them have a good experience from beginning to end. Consider providing not only essentials like towels, flatware and coffee, but thoughtful perks like a basket of snacks. Be sure to encourage renters to write a review on your listing page when you thank them for their business.

—Brandpoint

Worthwhile Upgrades

DIY projects that boost your home’s pizzazz

It seems like more than ever before, people are making their homes better places for learning, working and living. Here are some ideas for home upgrades that can increase beauty and resale value. For more inspiration, visit buildroyaldiy.com.

Home office Spending more time at home may mean storage space is at a premium, especially if you’re relying on a makeshift home office. You can add an attractive and functional element with a built-in bookcase or workstation. Consider your materials carefully. For example, a versatile alternative to wood is synthetic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) trim, which you don’t need to sand or prime before painting, saving time and energy. While PVC is slightly more expensive than some wood options, it also requires less maintenance long-term.

Bathroom By updating worn-out items, modernizing fixtures and creating a more functional space, you can expect to recoup up to 50% of a bathroom’s remodeling cost, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. On-trend looks include shiplap. It’s waterproof, mold resistant, lightweight, flexible and works well in spaces with many slants and angles. Entryway A home’s foyer offers the first impression of its interior, teasing the personality of architecture and décor found inside. Whether bold and dramatic, tranquil and serene, or something in-between, the entryway can set the tone for a home’s ambience. Details like decorative molding can create a striking entryway for almost any home style. Exterior Whether you’re sprucing up an outdoor living space or simply want to boost curb appeal, subtle enhancements can make a big impact. For example, board and batten shutters offer an attractive, low-fuss way to highlight your home’s windows. Painting the front door and adding flower boxes to your front porch or window are other ways to freshen up your exterior.

Matching trim style

Trim really helps transform a room. A good rule of thumb is to keep the style of trim consistent with your home style and from room to room. Here are some styles. Craftsman: This style pairs well with simple, tailored doors and minimally ornamented window casings. White, light beige and cream-colored crown moulding can create roomier spaces. Modern: Clean expansiveness lends itself to unadorned window and door casings as well as baseboards. You can use trim merely to protect walls and floors or install trim to create an appealing contrast with wall colors. Colonial: This style calls for interior trim with stately courtliness. Choose wider baseboards, wainscoting and crown moulding to adorn family room floors, walls and ceilings. Cape Cod: This practical design can be accented by subtle interior trim such as transom windows and sidelights that surround multi-paneled entry doors, casings for double-hung windows, picture rails and frame walls. Ranch: Open and informal, this style needs trim that flows from room to room. Many styles work, from simple baseboards to adding doorway casings and more formal trimmed windows and cabinetry in the kitchen.

—FamilyFeatures.com

July 2021

South River EMC Communicator

CREDITS IN EDUCATION

In late 2019, Harnett County schools took their $41,500 capital credit refund and put it into the career and technical education, or CTE, department.

“Harnett County Schools CTE serves students in grades 6-12,” said Justin Wilkinson, director of Career and Technical Education at Harnett County schools. “Program areas include: agricultural, business, career development, family and consumer sciences; health science, marketing and entrepreneurship, trade, and industrial educations.”

Once the school system received its capital credit refund, Superintendent Dr. Aaron Fleming placed the money into the CTE budget, where he knew it would be well spent. The CTE department, in turn, offered grants to teachers to help provide resources and funding for projects that their standard CTE budget would not fund.

“CTE is a pretty special program area when it comes to public education. We receive three different funding sources: federal, state, and local," said Wilkinson.

Teacher William Battle explains alternative food and plant production thanks to his grant.

continued on page C

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

South River EMC offices will be closed Monday, July 5, in celebration of Independence Day.

Cooperative Membership B

Field of Honor

Longer Days, Bright Ideas E

Energy Smarts

MESSAGE FROM CEO CHRIS M. SPEARS

The Power of Cooperative Membership

As a local, not-for-profit cooperative, South River EMC is committed to creating a brighter future for our members and our community. Beyond providing safe, reliable, sustainable and affordable power, our cooperative partners with educators, students and local organizations to support scholarships, grants, community programs and economic development.

Bright Ideas Education Grants Local K-12 teachers bring learning to life each year with help from the cooperative’s Bright Ideas Education Grants. Since 1994, thousands of students in our community have participated in creative projects stemming from $1.4 million in grant funding; $59,952 in 2020 alone. Teachers are encouraged to visit ncbrightideas.com and submit your creative ideas for consideration.

Community Investment South River EMC has a series of scholarships that are offered to help local students offset the cost of a college education. We offer a scholarship to Central Carolina Community College, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Johnston Community College and Sampson Community. Additionally, we offer four scholarships for students heading to a university, as well as two scholarships to line worker school annually. Students selected to attend the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour are also provided with a scholarship.

The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour Each year, South River EMC sends three high school students to Washington, D.C., to represent the Cooperative. As part of the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, these ambassadors join 1,500 students representing electric cooperatives from across the nation. The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour provides an opportunity for students to learn more about the cooperative business model, to meet our elected officials and to learn more about our nation’s Capital.

Operation Round Up Through the generosity of members who round up their monthly bill to the next dollar, Operation Round Up has helped our neighbors and community by contributing $2.4 million to local non-profit organizations, emergency services and educational institutions in our area. We distributed $215,392 to 39 agencies in 2020.

Economic Development By partnering with local and state officials, we are doing our part to support job creation and encourage economic growth. Over the past two years, we have provided zero-interest loans to help increase business opportunities and provide greater safety to our communities. We provided a $1 million loan to Liberty Point One LLC to help with site preparation for a Class A industrial site in Cumberland County. Additionally, we provided a $1 million loan to the Town of Spring Lake for the construction of a new fire station in the Manchester area of Cumberland County. Statewide, North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives have contributed to projects resulting in $1 billion in new capital investment and the creation of over 5,000 jobs.

Our electric co-op is led by members and belongs to the community it serves. Our local focus drives these and other efforts to support our community and deliver value to cooperative members. In this decade and beyond, we will continue our commitment to build a brighter local future by providing reliable electricity at the lowest possible cost, while also advancing the pursuit of responsible sustainability goals and meaningful investments in education, economic development and other community-focused activities. Learn more at sremc.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

CREDITS Continued...

"Federal and state are our largest allotments, but also have very specific guidelines on what funds can be spent on. The Harnett County Schools CTE program is very fortunate to have a local CTE allotment. Many local education agencies across the state do not have this support,” added Wilkinson.

The local funding source allows more flexibility in making purchases such as for permanent structures, or enhancements used to generate funding, which federal and state funds do not cover.

Teachers were able to apply for a grant in the amount of $2,000, with applications limited to one request per teacher. However, Career Development Coordinators from each school could place requests on behalf of the entire school.

"We put an initial cap on each request. We are expanding several program areas across the county, so we might use a larger portion of the funding to aid in these efforts,” said Wilkinson. “An example of this would be helping fund a portion of a barn project to support an animal science program."

The grant application period ran up against the shutdown of schools for COVID, so there were fewer applications at the time than expected.

Another round of grant funding will be offered for CTE programs in the 2021-22 school year when instructors are back in the schools and making full use of labs and shops.

Projects funded thus far include agriculture, video production and editing, construction, biotechnology, career development, program marketing, and campus beautification. Requests ranged from classroom supplies that CTE funds that can't be used to purchase, to upgraded video and presentation equipment.

“So far we have over 500 students impacted by the grant offered from the school’s capital credit refund,” said Wilkinson. “We still have a few unfinished projects that are district and campus wide, so we are very excited to see these come to fruition.” One such project is having concrete poured for Western Harnett High's greenhouse, which will bring it into American Disabilities Act, or ADA, compliance.

Another project is Harnett Central High's proposal, which allows student to compare gas powered and battery engines.

As a not-for-profit cooperative, South River EMC doesn’t technically earn profits. Instead, any revenues over and above the cost of doing business, called margins, are returned to you.

This is done every year, and all Cooperative members are eligible, including residential, agricultural, commercial, and educational institution members. That’s right, any of our members who use electricity receive capital credits.

South River EMC serves 18 schools across three counties and Harnett County students continue to be the beneficiaries of their county's annual capital credit rebates.

Students earned the OSHA-10 Hour Healthcare Certification, thanks to a CTC grant.

Calling Vendors!

The bazaar is back at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Members. The meeting will be held on Thursday, October 14. Vendor spaces are free of charge and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Vendors must be reputable, legitimate businesses that offer a valuable service to our members.

For more information, please contact Julie McLeod at 910.892.8071 or jwmcleod@sremc.com.

Fields of Honor

This Veterans Day, each South River EMC office will be adorned with a field of hundreds of flags to salute the contributions of those who have served in defense of this great nation. Flags will be on display from November 5-14. If you want to recognize a special veteran, sponsorship opportunities will be available. Money raised will be donated to local veteran organizations. Please continue to watch our newsletter, website and social media channels for more information. We hope that you will find time to come by our offices during this week and experience our fields of honor!

Play It Cool

During summer months, run large appliances that emit heat, like dishwashers and clothes dryers, during the evening when it's cooler. This will minimize indoor heat during the day when outdoor temperatures are highest.

LONGER DAYS, BRIGHT IDEAS

Calling all public school educators, this is your chance to receive funding for your new school project.

Budgets provide basic materials, but what about that new manipulative kit you need to teach your students math, or the carpet on which you help your students learn about other countries or letters and words?

Bright Ideas grants can help you make those ideas reality. Since Bright Ideas can be written for any subject and any amount up to $2,500, the options are endless.

The program awards grants to teachers in certified public K-12 schools, who have innovative, classroom-based ideas. Applications for professional development will not be considered.

South River EMC is currently accepting applications for Bright Ideas online at ncbrightideas.com.

Each year, South River EMC awards at least $50,000 in grant funding to teachers in parts of Harnett, Johnston, Sampson and Cumberland counties.

While the application period opened April 1, few teachers have yet to submit their ideas. However, now is the time to start. Outline the idea, research and figure out the details.

If you apply by August 16, you are eligible to win a $100 Visa gift card. But the final application deadline is September 15. South River EMC only accepts applications online at ncbrightideas.com. If you’re interested in learning more about this program, visit sremc.com/ bright-ideas or e-mail sremc@ sremc.com.

Since 1994, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have awarded $13.6 million to fund over 13,000 projects affecting almost 2.7 million students.