More Power

Halifax EMC Solar + Storage Project Marks NC Milestone

Solar power is a growing resource for North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, although reliability of the renewable resource can be limited by, simply put, when the sun shines.

Innovations in energy storage are helping to make solar power available around the clock, and Enfieldbased Halifax Electric Membership Corporation (EMC), partnered with the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC), recently marked a milestone by pairing solar power with battery storage. The 6.9-MWdc Grissom solar energy and battery storage project is the first utility scale “solar + storage” installation to be deployed by North Carolina’s electric cooperatives. At the end of 2020, there were only 73 projects of its kind in the country, according to the Energy Department’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. “This pairing of solar energy with battery storage is important,” said Jimmy Wilkins, vice president of portfolio and resource optimization for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “Solar energy is most abundant during the middle of the day, but demand peaks in the late afternoon hours in the summer and early in the morning during winter. With this project, we are capturing a renewable resource when it’s most abundant, storing it and discharging it exactly when it’s needed —  there’s a lot of potential here.”

The Grissom Solar project was developed by Asheville-based Pine Gate Renewables. It will generate enough energy to power approximately 1,030 homes annually, and NCEMC is buying the power under a long-term contract. In addition to the solar energy, Grissom provides 10 MWh of additional energy storage, expected to be dispatched during peak demand hours, helping to control costs.

“With this project, we are capturing a renewable resource when it’s most “The Grissom project is an important abundant, storing it and discharging it step toward meeting sustainability goals shared by North Carolina’s electric cooperatives,” said Halifax EMC Executive Vice President and exactly when General Manager Charles Guerry. it’s needed.” “Halifax EMC is excited to share new efforts to build a brighter future for our local communities —  through innovation, sustainability, and a continued focus on reliability and meeting member needs.”

Brunswick Electric’s Cypress Creek solar sites utilize Lockheed Martin batteries.

More Solar + Storage for NC Co-ops The pairing of solar panels and energy storage creates a valuable, flexible resource, which North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are taking advantage of. Since late 2017, Supply-based Brunswick Electric has been utilizing 12 solar + storage sites with a capacity of 499 kilowatts (kW) each (smaller than what’s considered “utility scale”), managed by Cypress Creek Renewables. The sites provide Brunswick Electric with a combined 6 MW of power, used during times of peak demand. NCEMC is also developing 10 solar + storage sites with a combined capacity of 18 MW, paired with 2-hour batteries. These sites are planned to come online by the end of 2022.

Renewable Energy Grows to Second-Largest Source of U.S. Power

Last year, renewable energy sources — including wind, hydropower, solar, biomass and geothermal energy — generated about 21% of all the electricity generated in the United States, or a record 834 billion kWh. This put renewable generation surpassing both nuclear (790 billion kWh) and coal (774 billion kWh) for the first time on record, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

“This outcome in 2020 was due mostly to significantly less coal use in U.S. electricity generation and steadily increased use of wind and solar,” EIA said. “In 2020, U.S. electricity generation from coal in all sectors declined 20% from 2019.”

Renewables, including wind power and small-scale solar, increased by 9% during the period. Wind power, currently the most prevalent source of renewable electricity in the country, grew 14% in 2020 from 2019.

In coming years, EIA expects natural gas generation to remain dominant while other sources fluctuate. Coal is expected to rebound as the second-largest source in 2021, while renewables are expected to reclaim the #2 spot in 2022.

Annual U.S. Electricity Generation

(1990–2020)

billion kilowatthours (kWh)

Source: EIA Monthly Energy Review Note: This graph shows electricity net generation in all sectors (electric power, industrial, commercial, and residential) and includes both utility-scale and small-scale (customer-sited, less than 1 megawatt) solar.

Q: What was our main power source 100 years ago?

A: From the time our country was founded to the late 1800s, a typical family relied on wood as its primary source of energy, according to EIA. But the nation’s first commercial central power plant — Thomas Edison’s Pearl Street Station in Manhattan — used coal to create steam beginning in 1882. Several hydropower plants came online in the late 1800s, but coal technology continued to develop and overtook wood as our primary energy source by the turn of the century. “While the overall energy history of the United States is one of significant change as new forms of energy were developed, the three major fossil fuels [petroleum, natural gas and coal] have dominated the U.S. fuel mix for well over 100 years,” EIA said.

Celebrate National Drive Electric Week

National Drive Electric Week is September 25–October 3, which provides an opportunity to learn about electric vehicles (EVs) and determine if an EV is right for you. There are a few ways you can join in:

1Attend an event. Electric co-ops will be hosting events in communities around the state to introduce members to the benefits of driving electric. Find what’s happening near you from Plug-in NC, the statewide program affiliated with Raleigh-based Advanced Energy, at pluginnc.com.

2Plan an event. Nothing going on near you? Host your own event! Download a planning guide from Plug-in NC (bit.ly/plugin-event), or visit driveelectricweek.org.

3Learn more from your electric co-op. Use the opportunity to discuss EVs with your local electric co-op. Many offer incentives for driving electric, and all will be happy to discuss how an EV may make sense for you.

Moving Forward Through Farming

Agriculture is empowering Black youth at Sankofa Farms

By Pamela A. Keene Photos by Randy Berger Photography

Akemm Bell shows off Sankofa Farms peppers.

Self-described farmer, teacher and dreamer Kamal Bell lives his mission of connecting young African American boys to the land every day. But he’s about more than that. He’s an agent of change.

“There’s always been a difficult and troubled relationship between Blacks and farming; I set out to change that,” says Kamal, who was teaching at Lowe’s Grove Middle School in 2016 when he purchased 12 acres in Orange County with funding help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “I also saw that many of our families existed in a food desert, a place where fresh produce was expensive and hard to come by and home gardens didn’t exist.”

From that parcel of land in Cedar Grove grew Sankofa Farms LLC (sankofafarmsllc.com). As a schoolteacher, Kamal realized that connecting his Black students with the land would reap lifelong benefits in new and modern ways.

He invited several of his 7th-grade students out to visit the farm, which at that time was just rough land. Two of them — Kamoni King and Kamron Jackson — came as 12-year-olds and have since watched five acres of the farm morph into productive growing space with greenhouses and beehives.

Growing success

Building what became the farm’s Agricultural Academy took patience for Kamal. He’d invite out several students each year; one or two would stay and others would drop out. Brothers Jamil, 14, and Mikal Ali, 16, joined the academy four years ago because Jamil knew about Kamoni’s involvement. Andre Crooke, 16, and Sijaad James, 18, started the academy in March 2021.

“These students have helped with all aspects of creating the farm — from clearing the land and creating the infrastructure, to building the greenhouses, planting, tending and harvesting the crops,” he says. “They’re out here after school and on weekends, not only learning about farming, but learning leadership and life skills. They’re all on the payroll.”

Devin McAllister, Kamal’s friend from their studies together at NC A&T State University, is marketing director. Catarina Martinez, a student at Duke University, coordinates the farm’s Community Supported Agriculture program that sells fresh produce to consumers.

Additionally, Sankofa’s produce is distributed to retail locations around Orange County through Fight for $15, Duke Medical Root Causes and Table for NC.

“This way, we can help people who might not have regular access to fresh local foods at an affordable price,” Kamal says. “It’s such an accomplishment to be able to serve the community in this way and help address the food availability gap within minority groups.”

During the pandemic, the team completed the infrastructure. They planted their first produce seedlings in 2016, and they’ve been supplying locals with fresh food since October 2018.

(Left to right) student Jamil Ali, Sankofa Farms owner Kamal Bell and son Akemm, and student Mikal Ali.

Amber Bell serves as the farm’s community engagement director. “Giving people access to quality food, empowering these young people to become involved in agriculture and making a significant difference in their lives—that’s what this is all about.”

The farm recently created a lease-ahive program to introduce people to beekeeping and generate funding.

Deeper meaning

Students of the Agricultural Academy proudly refer to themselves as “Sankofites.” The farm’s name (pronounced SAHN-koh-fah) comes from a West African term meaning “to go back and get it,” symbolizing a quest for knowledge and represented by a mythical bird carrying an egg. “I translate it and understand it as ‘to remember your African ancestry as you move forward in life,’” Kamal says.

Crops include kale, tomatoes, cowpeas, peppers, radishes, watermelon, squash and okra. The farm maintains 65 beehives that this year produced 60 pounds of wildflower honey being sold through the Sankofa website.

The Bell family embraces the concept of Sankofa Farms; they live just a couple of miles away. Kamal’s wife, Amber, still teaches 4th grade and serves as the farm’s community engagement director.

“Our sons Kahlil, 7, and Akeem, 4, love to be out on the farm,” Kamal says. “Akeem loves the bees and has his own beekeeping channel on Instagram.”

As evidence of the farm’s success, Kamoni, 18, who graduated from high school this year, is headed off to North Carolina A&T State University to study agriculture. He will continue to be part of the academy, coming back on weekends. Kamron, 18, a certified beekeeper, is helping to develop the farm’s agritourism program, through “Bees in the TRAP” that stands for “Teaching Responsible Apiary Practices.” It teaches the basics of beekeeping.

Kamoni, and the other academy members, have embraced the philosophy of the farm.

“I’m going to build up the concept of the farm and pass it on to family and friends,” he says. “I will try to tell people around the world that land is wealth and wealth is power.”

‘Bigger than farming’

Kamal has an even bigger vision for Sankofa Farms: clearing more land and building more greenhouses where the crops are grown, and working with Amber to create a program for young Black women.

He also says he wants to open a U-pick option, and the farm recently created a lease-a-hive program as a way to introduce more people to beekeeping and generate funding. From leasing a hive on site to supporting a hive virtually, donors receive honey, regular updates about their hive and consultations about beekeeping during the season.

“The joke when I was in college was that I was going to be a poor farmer after I graduated,” says Kamal, who’s now earning his doctorate in Agricultural Extension Education at NC State. “Frankly, where I am right now feels pretty good. But what’s really the most satisfying? Knowing that we’re giving people access to quality food, empowering these young people to become involved in agriculture and making a significant difference in their lives — that’s what this is all about. It’s so much bigger than farming and Sankofa.”

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

carolinacountry.com/extras Witness Kamal’s passion firsthand as he teaches young Black men how to drive their communities forward.

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Kitchen Flops

Likely delicious, less than photogenic

Have you had a recipe come out, well, unsightly? Or maybe downright embarrassing? Make the best of it by sending us photos and stories about those baking and cooking flops that were so bad, they’re good. If you can share the recipe and an example of what it was supposed to look like, we’d appreciate that, too. We will pay $50 for each photo or story published in our December 2021 issue.

RULES

Deadline: September 30, 2021 One entry per household Digital photos should be a minimum of 1200 by 1800 pixels, prints a minimum of 4 x 6 inches. Include your name, electric co-op, mailing address and email address or phone number with your entry. Text should not exceed 200 words. If you would like us to return your photo print, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. (We will not return others.) We retain reprint and online rights. Payment will be limited to those entries appearing in print, not entries featured solely on carolinacountry.com. SEND TO

Online: carolinacountry.com/ kitchenflops No emails, please. Mail: Carolina Country —  Kitchen Flops 3400 Sumner Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27616

carolinacountry.com/extras

Check out the sorghum-syrup-molassesmaking process for yourself!

Mr. Doug readies loaded sorghum for processing by trimming the seed heads, which are sometimes fed to his cattle.

SWEET, SYRUPY GOODNESS

A culinary adventure following sorghum from field to biscuits

Story and photos by Wendy Perry

Before I set out on my latest culinary adventure, this time to the heights of our Blue Ridge Mountains, I needed to understand: Is what I’ve always called “molasses” truly that? Or was it just syrup some of us grew up calling molasses? One thing was (and remains) clear: I love it.

My earliest recollections of this tasty elixir was the jar, always there, on my grandma’s kitchen work table, beside a plate of soft butter and biscuits she’d made that morning. A great uncle had a “molasses cook’n” each fall when I was growing up, and Daddy would always take me there.

As a grownup, with never-ending curiosity for learning about and documenting “old-timey” food preparation methods, I road-tripped out to Western North Carolina to spend a day with one of the few NC farmers — Mr. Doug Harrell — still making sorghum syrup, or what he calls molasses syrup (and what I’ll just call the good stuff), the old way. I had a feeling I’d be putting all of my senses to work on this trip.

OUT IN THE FIELD

Meandering my way down winding back roads of Mitchell County as the sun was peeping through the trees, I was feeling a bit giddy, eager for the day ahead. When I arrived at Harrell Hill Farms on a cooking day last September, I could see the community spirit there at the molasses cookhouse, where family and friends were gathered. Mr. Doug, whose kind, gentle spirit and eagerness to share were immediately apparent on a prior phone call, moseyed over to greet me. He gave me a hug, as if we were longtime friends, this gentleman in his well-broke-in overalls, as comfortable as a second skin.

“Hop in the truck, Wendy,” he exclaimed. “Let’s go to the field!” The sun was just up, and no time to waste. Somehow, our ride — a tattered old truck — got us through a few mud pits along the path, remnants of Hurricane Laura that had skimmed through a few days prior and briefly delayed harvest.

As we came out from the wooded trail into an open field, we were met by a few of his 21 grandchildren, neighborhood youth and some 4-Hers, there to swoop up armfuls of the tall golden-green sorghum. Mr. Doug hopped on his tractor and quickly mowed down rows of stalks, which they loaded into the truck bed.

I took a deep breath of the pure, brisk mountain air, listening to the quiet crunch underfoot of the freshly mown sorghum as it was gathered.

INTO THE MILL

Mr. Doug’s granddaughter, Ashlyn “Lil’ Bit” McDaniel, hopped in the truck with us, and back to the cook shed we went with the first of many loads of sorghum. For hours on end, Lil’ Bit fed stalks into the cane mill, a chug-a-lug contraption from 1903, still doing its duty today. The room filled with the raw aroma of freshcrushed juice being strained and fed into a big repurposed dairy milk vat, where it would cook for hours for the next day’s syrup. I was fascinated to see how what looked like pond scum being extracted came to be liquid deliciousness.

The boiled juice from yesterday’s harvest was slowly released into the maze-like evaporator cooking pan, watched over so carefully by Mr. Doug’s brother, Larry. He’s the expert at this, continually stirring the mixture and skimming off impurities while keeping a close eye on the temperature. As the syrup cooked down and moved through the vats to the perfect temperature (between 232 and 243 degrees), a rich smell arose. The syrup reached the end of the pan, free of impurities and ready to move to the vat for bottling.

Larry carefully moves the finished hot syrup from the evaporator into the cooling and bottling tank. Using the decades-old, seasoned paddle, story author Wendy stirs the hot syrup as it reduces in the evaporator.

OFF TO THE TABLE

Mr. Doug’s daughter, Cyndi, turned a valve on and off, hundreds of times, meticulously bottling each and every jar of syrup. She’d then lower each into a vat of water to cool before boxing them up for local grocers, restaurants and a few family and friends.

It was there, holding my finger under that spigot for a drip, where I got my first taste of the day’s work. It was as good, no, better than any I could remember. I had seen all of the love and community spirit poured into each and every jar. And could taste it, too.

My heart was touched by Mr. Doug’s love of his trade, family and friends, and the legacy he is leaving on this community and land. Was I surprised to learn he was recently ordained as a minister? Or that a 2017 leukemia diagnosis hasn’t slowed him down? Nope. “Wendy, I just want to show folks that no matter what comes our way, we just have to keep on, and let Jesus lead the way,” Mr. Doug said.

Mr. Doug has been a steward of the farm, worked by his family since Hugh Harrell was granted the land in 1796, and his son has recently decided to move from Arizona to continue the family legacy.

I’ll admit: I’m still a tad confused about the whole syrup/ molasses thing. Technically, molasses is derived from sugar cane, and sorghum syrup comes from the sorghum like you’ll find on Harrell Hill Farms. But Mr. Doug calls his “molasses syrup,” since some of his customers call it one thing and some another. So we’ll go with that.

Now, pass me a biscuit, please.

Wendy Perry, a culinary adventurist and blogger, chats about goodness around NC on her blog at WendysHomeEconomics.com.

To buy your own

Harrell Hill Farms sells both sorghum syrup molasses as well as grass-fed beef directly from its farm. Please call or email first to check availability. Harrell Hill Farms 467 Byrd Road, Bakersville, NC 28705 828-467-0280 dougharrell68@gmail.com

Will Kornegay Ripe Revival Market’s Rocky Mount warehouse

Fresh Produce, Delivered

Will Kornegay is closing the gap between food excess and access

By Bridgette A. Lacy | Photos courtesy of Ripe Revival Market

In early 2020, Will Kornegay and his sister, Laura Hearn, were gearing up to expand distribution of locally sourced gummies produced through the company they co-created, Ripe Revival. And then the Covid19 pandemic hit. Retailers were no longer accepting new vendors; but Will saw an opportunity to launch a new project.

That April, he pivoted to sell boxes of meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables — sourced from North Carolina farms in season — for delivery to consumers’ front doors.

He focused his new company, called Ripe Revival Market (riperevivalmarket.com), on three pandemic challenges: consumers who wanted to avoid grocery stores and needed groceries delivered to their homes; Eastern NC farmers and local food distributors who needed new markets for their goods as restaurants, schools and other institutional buyers scaled back their operations; and the rising number of families experiencing food insecurity.

He also created the company’s Community Supported Produce Box, where purchasers receive a box of produce for themselves and a second box is donated to a North Carolina family struggling to access healthy food options.

In an effort to reduce food waste, the community-supported boxes feature 10 to 12 pounds of good but imperfect fruits and vegetables, such as potatoes with blemishes or fruits that are misshapen.

“It helps the farmer because it’s produce they couldn’t sell at a grocery store,” Will says. “It’s perfectly edible, but grocery stores won’t buy it.”

“Forty percent of produce is lost and left in the field every year because it’s considered ugly,” he continues. “At the same time, one in seven families in the U.S. face food insecurity. I want to bridge the gap between excess and access.”

Ripe Revival Market’s delivery area includes homes in Beaufort, Craven, Cumberland, Durham, Edgecombe, Greene, Lenoir, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pitt, Wake, Wayne and Wilson counties.

“We distribute free boxes to families in Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson and Halifax counties,” he says.

Liz Lord, the senior engagement director for the Harrison Family YMCA in Rocky Mount, says families have been grateful and happy to receive fresh produce.

“We serve Nash and Edgecombe counties. A lot of food pantries have canned goods but not fresh, local produce. We deliver Will’s produce boxes to families,” Liz says. “There are a number of families that face transportation issues. They don’t have a vehicle, or gas money. Getting to the food can be a real issue. It’s hard if you live in a mobile home park in the county, or neighborhoods in the city, where they have to walk a tremendous distance. They don’t have a good way to access the supermarket, grocery stores.”

Will, a Rocky Mount native, always wanted to work in agriculture.

“My family didn’t farm, but I loved that lifestyle,” he says.

After graduating from NC State University with a bachelor’s in business administration and a concentration in marketing, he moved to Snow Hill. There he worked for the “Sweet Potato Man” himself, Bobby Ham, president of Ham Farms.

“It was my first job,” Will says. “I was immersed in produce and was able to see a large-scale operation of food production, processing and produce packaging. I gained an appreciation of farming, and began to realize small farmers needed help to utilize 100 percent of the crops.”

As a result, one of Will’s missions has become educating people about ugly produce.

“Just cut that defect out of it, it’s fine to eat,” he says. “It’s okay if it has a small crack or a small hole. That is just something that happens to fresh produce. It might have veins on it. Perfectly edible. We need to change how we look at that.”

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

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NEWSCentral SEPT 2021

Monthly newsletter from Central Electric Membership Corp.

Drug Free Moore County helps those in need

An essential part of the Monthly newsletter from Central Electric Membership Corp. cooperative difference is the power of community. As an electric cooperative founded and operated in Central North Carolina, serving our members and communities goes beyond providing electricity; it extends to doing our part in building a brighter future for all. Powered by donations from our members, Operation Round Up is essential to that mission. Through these donations, the co-op is able to give back to non-profit organizations, including groups such as Drug Free Moore County. The mission of Drug Free Moore County is simple: to be a positive influence in preventing and combatting substance abuse disorder by increasing awareness, providing information and garnering community support towards healthy choices and recovery. Central Electric recently provided a grant of $2,500 to the organization to help purchase, develop and distribute Harm Reduction Kits. The kits will be provided to individuals seeking recovery through the organization’s Peer Support Recovery Groups. “We are very thankful for the grant provided by Operation Round Up,” said Karen Wicker, Drug Free Moore County Executive Director. “Drug addiction is such a terrible and heartbreaking disease. These funds will be used to directly and positively impact the lives of many people who are in dire need of assistance.” To learn more about how Drug Free Moore County is making a positive difference in our community, to make a donation or to become a volunteer and get involved with their mission, visit their website drugfreemoore.org.

Executive Director Karen Wicker accepts a grant for $2,500. The grant will be used to support individuals battling addiction.

SEPT. 6 the Central Electric office will be closed for Labor Day. Crews will be on-call. SEPT. 15 is the deadline for Bright Ideas applications. Central is awarding $15,000 to local educators to help bring creative and innovative projects into their classroom. Apply at NCBrightIdeas.com.

POINT OF VIEW

Powering through the storm

From the desk of CEO & General Manager Eddie Oldham

While we are disappointed to not be able to see our members at the Civic Center, we are excited about the opportunity to bring the co-op to you in your home once again this year.

The past year and a half has been a challenging time for all of us. Not just here in central North Carolina, but across the world. In March 2020, when the pandemic first began, it was almost unthinkable that we would still be sorting through the aftermath in September 2021. But here we are today, 2021 quickly coming to a close soon, and we are still dealing with the impacts of COVID. Despite all of the challenges and uncertainties, as your local, trusted energy cooperative, we have been working hard to be there for you, our members. We understand the importance of community. It is vital to our business model and a core component of what we stand for. Once again this year, we are using a different format for our Annual Meeting of the Members, coming up right around the corner next month. During the planning phase of the meeting, there were still restrictions and future concerns over hosting large events due to the lingering impact of COVID-19. Rather than risk the safety of our members and employees, the decision was made to host a “virtual-only” meeting again this year. While we are disappointed to not be able to see our members at the Civic Center, we are excited about the opportunity to bring the co-op to you in your home once again this year. Each of you are an important part of our co-op community, and the meeting serves as our way to keep you up-to-date on how we are working hard for you, each and every day. Be sure to read through the meeting information included with the magazine this month, and also register your participation in the meeting by submitting either an online or mail-in voting ballot. We look forward to hopefully seeing you again in person next year, and be sure to tune in to the live stream on Oct. 1 at 10 a.m.

If the last two years have taught us anything, is that “being prepared for the unexpected storms” is critical. We at Central Electric are no strangers to difficult situations. Being on the frontlines during a crisis is something we are very used to, as we have responded to countless ice, snow, and major hurricane storms but recently we’ve all been facing an unexpected storm, one that caught us all completely off guard. Even though at certain moments it may still be hard to see, hopefully we are getting ever closer to the full return of normalcy. We all know the old saying that the light at the end of the tunnel could in fact be a freight train coming our way, but I choose to remain hopeful and believe that there is in fact an end in sight, no matter how far away it may sometimes seem at times. When we look back at this moment in time, I hope one thing shines through, how we all came together to get through it. Community is important and that is what the co-op is all about. Your co-op has been here for you from the start, and we’re still here for you today, just as we will be tomorrow.

Energy Advisor

In just a few clicks, our Energy Advisor analyzes energy use and areas for improvement. First, a quick survey gathers information about your home’s size, construction, and energy systems. Energy Advisor instantly produces an accurate, detailed breakdown of annual energy use. With recommendations for energy efficiency upgrades, you can immediately start taking low-cost or no-cost actions to save money on utility bills. __ 23August 2021 Visit the “Energy Advisor” page under the “Energy-efficiency” section at CEMCPower.com to get started.

Students rewarded for classroom efforts

Five outstanding students earned a Visa® gift card for receiving at least one “A” on their recent report cards. The reward is in connection with Central Electric’s “Give us an A” program. Local students from kindergarten to college with a grade of at least one “A” are invited to submit a copy of their most recent report card. Four times each school year, Central Electric will draw from the entries and award a $25 Visa gift card to four winners with at least one “A” and a $50 Visa gift card to one winner with all “A’s.” If you have at least one “A” on your next report card, visit the Education Programs section at CEMCPower.com by Nov. 19 to enter the next random drawing.

Megan Leonard Moncure School Wilson Bradley Tramway Elem. Canessa Gray South Harnett

Cora Stumpf Tramway Elem.

Layla Scott South Harnett

Making a positive difference in the community

Thanks to the Operation Round Up program, $34,000 is being put back into the local communities to provide assistance for worthy projects. Another Choice for Black Children, Inc.: $3,000 to help build a fence for a safe play area for children. Benhaven Elementary School: $1,500 for Paw Squad shirt and incentives to provide to students after-classroom tutoring. Carolina Performing Arts Theater Group: $3,000 to help fund a touring theatrical production for schools in Moore and surrounding counties. Chatham Central High School & JS Waters BETA Clubs: $3,000 to help cover costs to attend the National BETA Club competition in Orlando. Communities in Schools Chatham County: $3,000 to help support a Success Coach for at-risk students at Jordan Mathews High School. Drug Free Moore County: $2,500 to purchase, develop and distribute Harm Reduction Kits to assist individuals seeking recovery from drug addiction. Outreach Mission, Inc.: $3,000 to pay the annual cost of direct support and supplies for families, including food, hygiene items, hotel stays and bus tickets. Salvation Army of Chatham County: $3,000 for the Emergency Financial Assistance program to help individuals with past due housing expenses. Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project: $3,000 to aid low to moderate income members of Central Electric to have their septic system pumped and inspected. Temple Theatre: $3,000 to offer scholarships for the 2021 Summer Conservatory. The Salvation Army of Lee County: $3,000 to establish a health care and housing fund to assist homeless individuals and families with health care expenses and shelter. Western Harnett Lion’s Club: $3,000 to send three to five visually impaired or blind campers to Camp Dogwood for one week.

Students and staff from Benhaven Elementary school in Harnett County accept a grant for $1,500. The funds will be used to help foster student development through a tutoring program.

128 Wilson Road P.O. Box 1107 Sanford, NC 27331

OFFICE HOURS

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CONTACT

Phone: (919) 774-4900 Bill Payment: (866) 488-5011 Eddie Oldham CEO & General Manager

DIRECTORS

Rebecca G. Cogan, President Tommy Dalrymple, Vice President James B. Brooks, Secretary-Treasurer W. Phillip Thompson, Asst. Secretary Frank Comer III, Edith C. Cox, Dr. Nancy G. Holmes, Henry Outz, Tim Priest and Henry Randolph. James Taylor, Editor This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

OUTAGE REPORTING

(877) 766-6769 24-hours a day

(800) 446-7752 Text ‘PWR’ to opt-in and ‘OUT’ to report an outage

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CEMCPower.com

Prepare Now, Update Your Plan

Stay safe and healthy during a disaster

By Derrill Holly

Families always need to be prepared for emergencies, and ongoing concerns triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted several new recommendations for evacuation planning, emergency supply kits and community shelter operations.

“We did a lot of work in 2020 to update our guidance for hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters to include COVID-19 guidance,” says Capt. Renée Funk of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“We recommended a hand sanitizer that’s at least 60% alcohol, disinfectant wipes and two masks for each person,” Funk says. “Those things should be considered permanently added to your go kit, and you need to regularly check for expiration dates for these products.”

Fresh approaches to community shelters implemented and refined in 2020 are also expected to remain in place indefinitely. Instead of large, centralized shelters in schools or other community buildings, the CDC, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and their state and community partners have turned to dispersed sheltering, which is more conducive to social distancing.

Remember, in the event of any emergency or natural disaster, you’ll want to be prepared to shelter in place for several days if necessary. FEMA recommends having an emergency kit stocked with all important supplies in one or two containers that are easy to access.

Visit ready.gov/kit for a full checklist of disaster kit items and additional recommendations.

Derrill Holly writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives.

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