2021-10-PEMC

INSIDE COVER OUR COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES | CENTER PIEDMONT ELECTRIC NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER 2021

Membership Matters

Celebrating our cooperative and our members during National Co-op Month

INSIDE COVER Cooperative principles that put our members first INSIDE BACK COVER Supporting our community by lending a helping hand What it means to be a member, not a customer

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PERIODICAL

BACK COVER

www.pemc.coop | 800.222.3107

9/9/21 3:40 PM

7 cooperative principles Every October when we celebrate National Co-op Month, we revisit the seven cooperative principles that guide every decision we make as we provide reliable, affordable service to our members.

1

VOLUNTARY AND OPEN MEMBERSHIP

2

DEMOCRATIC MEMBER CONTROL

3

MEMBERS’ ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION

4

AUTONOMY AND INDEPENDENCE

5

EDUCATION TRAINING AND INFORMATION

6

COOPERATION AMONG COOPERATIVES

7

CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY

Cooperatives are open to everyone who is able to use its services. Anyone who moves into Piedmont Electric’s service area is allowed membership without discrimination.

Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members. Piedmont Electric members vote for directors from our membership, ensuring that our board is made up of members just like you who live in and understand our community.

As a member-owned organization, any revenue exceeding expenses, called margins, are shared back with those we serve in the form of capital credits. Credits are paid back to members based on their electricity purchases from the cooperative. Since 1975, Piedmont Electric has returned more than $28 million in margins to our members.

A cooperative is a self-governing organization controlled by its members. This allows us to offer services, programs and policies that fit our members’ specific wants and needs.

Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives and employees so they can effectively contribute to the development of the cooperative. Piedmont Electric provides education about energy efficiency, safety and more through our newsletters, social media and emails.

We’re stronger together. We have mutual-aid agreements with other electric cooperatives so that when Piedmont Electric needs extra hands after a major outage, neighboring co-ops assist us. Likewise, we’ll be there to lend a helping hand to other co-ops when they are in need.

Empowering our current and future members ensures a brighter and stronger future for all of us. We show our commitment to our communities by supporting a wide range of youth programs and community programs through Piedmont Electric’s Helping Hand Foundation.

Community Days - Stop by to pick up your member gift!

Our co-op loves to help our community and we want to take time to celebrate. Like last year, we will be giving out gift bags in October at our offices. We invite you to stop by one of our office drive-thrus to pick up a gift bag filled with a color changing cup, a protective face mask and hand sanitizer.

Available during each office location’s business hours. One gift bag per member while supplies last.

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October 2021

The magazine of

Internet interest needed. Visit join.buildpiedmont.com

today!

Co-ops pave pathways to

Progress

page 12

Published by

Consider a co-op career page 9

Is The Country Squire Inn haunted? page 28

PERIODICAL

Piedmont Electric celebrates Co-op Month with member gift bags —p ages 21–24 October covers.indd 16

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North Carolina Arts, History & Nature

Fall in One Place

F

The leaves are changing and a wide range of colorful events are sweeping our state. Autumn is a perfect time to take in everything North Carolina has to offer, from the gorgeous weather to local foods to traditional music.

This fall we’re kicking off a new season with the NC Symphony, spectacular new exhibit openings at our Raleigh Museums and rich arts programming across the state. We invite you to explore everything we have to offer this fall. Find it all in one place at ncdcr.gov/fallinoneplace.

#fallinoneplaceNC NC DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

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O

g a c.

y, s e

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Volume 53, No. 10

28

12

Favorites 4 From Our Readers 6 Viewpoints 8 More Power 26 Energy Sense 30 Carolina People 34 Carolina Calendar 36 Carolina Gardens 38 Marketplace 40 Carolina Kitchen 42 Where is This?

42 Featured Photo

On the Cover Hatteras Village recently completed a village pathway, providing a safe means for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel around town. The pathway was funded in part by Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative .

Learn about more ways electric co‑ops are supporting communities on page 12. Photo

by Daniel Pullen Photography.

30

12 16 28 32

Pathways to Progress

NC electric co-ops are working with local communities to foster economic growth.

Postal Pastime

Stamp collecting opens ‘gateways to the world.’

Steaks & Spirits

The Country Squire Inn is a local haunt in more ways than one.

The Mystery of the Missing ‘Power Saw’ And other things you remember.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Carolina Country Scenes Get your cameras at the ready! Send us your favorite photo of people or scenes from around the state to be considered for our annual photo contest. See page 38 for details.

carolinacountry.com | 3

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THIS MONTH:

Co-ops and Community One of the guiding principles for co-ops is “Commitment to Community,” and North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are finding creative ways to honor that commitment.

By investing in the communities they serve, co-ops are helping to attract and retain businesses, create jobs, and generally support the people that make rural North Carolina a great place to live. Learn more on page 12.

(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800) Volume 53, No. 10

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

—Scott Gates, editor

Karen Olson House Contributing Editor Tara Verna Creative Director

From Our Readers Learning Life Skills As a correctional teacher, I cannot begin to express how wonderful this program is (“Moving Forward Through Farming,” September 2021, page 12)! If some of my current students would have had an opportunity like this years ago, perhaps they would not be in my classroom now.

Besides the obvious benefits of sustaining agriculture and helping to Kamal and Akemm Bell feed the community, this program is offering practical life skills those students will carry with them for life. Kudos to Kamal, Amber and all involved.

You’re making NC and the world a better place!

Ruth-Anne Beaver, submitted via carolinacountry.com

Evening Serenade I just saw your comments in the August issue on Whip-poor-wills (“Silent Nights,” page 4). In May I spent a few nights at Wolf Ford Horse Camp in the Pisgah National Forest. Each night, we had a chorus of Whip-poor-wills for a couple of hours in the evening.

A little later the Barred owls would start up! I believe they are fairly abundant in Western NC. Ted Vahan, Huntersville, a member of EnergyUnited

Good Things My husband and I have been customers of REC for many years. We have always appreciated Carolina Country. But I must say, the September issue was so interesting. With so much negative news going on, this issue was much needed.

Will Kornegay’s idea of the boxes of not-so-perfect produce is such a great idea. Anyone that has raised a garden knows not all the produce looks perfect, but that doesn’t matter. They taste just as good. I wish these boxes were available in our area, I would sign up!

Thank you for your up-to-date news of good things that are going on.

Nancy and Jim Self, Cherryville, members of Rutherford EMC

Edgar Serrano Digital Media Keith Alexander Advertising Keith@carolinacountry.com Joseph P. Brannan Executive Vice President & CEO Nelle Hotchkiss Senior Vice President & COO North Carolina’s electric cooperatives provide reliable, safe and affordable electric service to 1 million homes and businesses. The 26 electric cooperatives are each 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.

Editor’s Note: Visit riperevivalmarket.com to learn more about Will’s produce boxes, or bit.ly/nc-csa for more community supported agriculture in NC. 4 | October 2021

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Viewpoints

Fresh Perspectives from a Virtual Youth Tour

By Sydney Loflin

When my mom asked me about attending the 2021 NC Youth Tour, my first thought was “Please, not another virtual event.” I had heard amazing things about the tour, but I was skeptical about that level of excellence being reflected in a virtual program. After a bit of thought, I decided to apply, and I was accepted to represent my electric co-op, EnergyUnited.

As I sat down in front of my computer for the first day, I nervously logged on to the meeting, preparing myself for another grueling few hours in front of a screen. I had no idea what incredible things that week had in store for me.

When I entered the meeting, I was shocked.

Cameras were on, students were smiling, and people were having real conversations. This was very different from other virtual “I realized I didn’t programs I had attended need to have in the past.

Paul Mott, the Youth Tour a roadmap for coordinator with North Carolina’s my life; I just Electric Cooperatives, started speaking to us, and we all shared needed the fun facts about ourselves. I found out that Mehreen had ridden an courage to take elephant, Abbi had her pilot’s the next step.” license, Ashley trained service dogs, and Forrester had a love of environmental science like I did!

As I looked at my screen, I didn’t see students: I saw motivated individuals who inspired me to become the best version of myself. Every day after we finished our planned activities, we stayed on after just to chat and learn more about each other.

Meeting with our Congressional representatives was a highlight of the week. I expected them to be very serious and perfectly polished, but this was not the case. Each of them shared their own journey to their current job, and it fascinated me how their

goals and aspirations changed as they went through life. As a high schooler, I am constantly asked questions like “What do you want to be when you grow up?” or “What are your plans for the next 10 years?” Speaking with our representatives changed my perspective.

I realized I didn’t need to have a roadmap for my life; I just needed the courage to take the next step.

While meeting with representatives and learning about electric cooperatives was an incredible experience, my greatest takeaway from the week was this: We don’t have to wait to start living our lives or achieving our dreams.

Oftentimes, I wait until the perfect time or circumstances to approach one of my goals. If there is one thing the pandemic has taught me, it’s that our days on this earth are numbered, and we should take advantage of any opportunity we have. Maybe that is declaring a major when you are unsure of what you want to do, overcoming a fear that has held you back, or deciding to apply for a virtual event — even if you’re “all Zoomed out.” Making a small choice today can have an enormous impact tomorrow.

I am grateful for the NC Youth Tour because of the people I met, all I learned, and because it gave me a fresh outlook on my future.

Sydney Loflin grew up in Denton and was selected by her fellow Youth Tourists as North Carolina’s 2021 Youth Leadership Council (YLC) representative. She is dual enrolled in HOPE Academy and Davidson County Community College.

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Citizenship NC Focus Goes Virtual

In June, when summer was in full swing, more than 100 4-H’ers and adults representing 36 4-H programs across the state attended Citizenship North Carolina Focus, which was held virtually this year.

Youth delegates who attend this annual conference are encouraged to develop their leadership and citizenship skills through participation in workshops and group sessions. By gathering to exchange ideas, delegates gain knowledge and learn about the importance of being an active and engaged citizen. This was reflected through this year’s conference theme of Community.

Delegates who attend also have the opportunity to hear dynamic speakers that encourage and promote youth advocacy and youth voice. Through various conference

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sessions and facilitated discussions, delegates learn from leaders across the state and from other conference attendees.

4-H Citizenship North Carolina Focus is sponsored by NC Electric Cooperatives. 4-H is North Carolina’s largest youth development organization, equipping more than 263,000 young people each year with the skills to succeed and improve the world around them.

4-H programs and camps encourage young people to “learn by doing,” helping them to develop into active, contributing citizens.

NC State Extension and the Cooperative Extension Program at N.C. A&T State University coordinate 4-H programs statewide.

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More Power

‘Field of Dreams’ to Provide Hands-on Ag Experience for Fairgoers North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives sponsoring NC State Fair exhibit

NC State Fair

The much-anticipated North Carolina State Fair, not held since 2019, is set to take place October 14–24 at the State Fairgrounds. At this year’s event, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives will sponsor the “Field of Dreams” exhibit.

“We are excited to announce this sponsorship, helping our state’s youth learn about agriculture in a hands-on experience,” said Hailey Rodriguez, communication and community relations specialist for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.

At the annual Field of Dreams exhibit, children are invited to spend time on a miniature farm, where they traverse specialty gardens, making connections between the food they see growing and the food they love to see on their plates. It will also feature a rabbit race, coloring contest, photo booth and more.

NC State Fair

The exhibit is now in its 18th year, and was created to address a gap in understanding as many North Carolinians moved further away from a life centered on farming.

“The fair was founded on educating both farmers and the public about the importance of agriculture, and Field of Dreams is the perfect place to teach children where their food comes from ­— their parents and grandparents always learn a thing or two as well,” said NC State Fair Manager Kent Yelverton. “Without partners like North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, the NC State Fair wouldn’t be the immersive experience that it is today.”

“North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are committed to supporting our state’s youth, and we see this sponsorship as an opportunity to bring a little bit of the farm to those who may not otherwise be able to experience NC agriculture firsthand,” Rodriguez said. “If you’re at the State Fair this year, we encourage you to stop by and explore the exhibit!”

Four Ways to Combat Cyber Threats 1. Periodically change the password for your Wi-Fi router.

2. Use unique codes or phrases to create stronger passwords.

3. Do not click links or open attachments from unknown senders.

4. Update software regularly.

#BeCyberSmart — visit cisa.gov for more cybersecurtity tips and resources.

8 | October 2021

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NC State Fair

More Power

NC Solar+ Schools Served

by Co-ops Grow in 2021 Program helps fund solar on K–12 campuses

South Stanly High School, served by Pee Dee Electric, recently completed its Solar+ Schools array.

Fifteen K-12 schools across North Carolina have been awarded funds through NC GreenPower’s Solar+ Schools grant program for 2021. Each grant will go toward a solar education package that includes a 5-kW solar array.

Two of this year’s schools are located in Dare and Duplin counties, served

by Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative and Four County EMC, respectively.

Seven other schools served by electric co-ops have participated since the program began in 2015, including two 2020 recipients that completed construction this summer, served

by Pee Dee Electric and Union Power Cooperative.

“This year’s response to our Solar+ Schools program was fantastic, especially given the many challenges brought on by COVID-19,” said Vicky McCann, vice president of

NC GreenPower. “We are so excited to work in six new counties, with schools from the central and far western parts of our state, as well as one on the Outer Banks.”

In addition to SunPower solar modules, each Solar+ Schools package includes a STEM curriculum, teacher training, environmental sensors and solar data monitoring. Each school participating in the program has until September 30, 2021, to raise a portion of the funds required.

“We look forward to helping educate younger generations about energy with these solar installations,”

McCann said. “By the end of next year, we will have reached more than 41,600 students across North Carolina.” The Raleigh-based NC GreenPower is administered by Advanced Energy, a nonprofit that focuses on energy efficiency for residential, commercial and industrial markets, and electric transportation.

Applications for 2022 Solar+ Schools grants will be available in January.

Interested in solar at your school? Visit ncgreenpower.org/solar-schools for more information.

Job Seekers: Electric Co-ops Need YOU! October is co-op month, so for those job seekers out there, what better time to consider a career with an electric cooperative? The search for a purposeful career can begin and end at your local electric co-op, because working toward a greater purpose is at the heart of the cooperative business model.

Why work for an electric co-op?

■ Local,

community-focused organizations

■ Dynamic

and exciting technical industry

■ Competitive

wages and retirement security ■ Wide range of skill sets needed, from IT and engineering to communications and finance

To learn more about joining the co-op family, contact your local electric cooperative or visit ncelectriccooperatives.com/careers. carolinacountry.com | 9

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More Power

Building a Brighter Future

The Cooperative Difference at Work North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are democratic organizations, controlled by members like you. This member participation helps co-ops better serve the communities they’re a part of. Here’s how the process works:

1

Member-owners elect board directors.

2

Board defines expectations for your co-op’s general manager (GM/CEO) and provides policies and strategic goals.

CO-OP’S

C TEGI STRA ALS O G

3

GM/CEO creates a business plan based on board’s expectations.

PLAN

CIES

POLI

8

Board reflects on policies and updates them as needed.

FIND

INGS

Member-owners provide input & feedback to board, GM/CEO & staff.

4

GM/CEO delegates responsibilities to staff who help carry out the plan.

CO-OP NEWS

EPORRT T RREPO

7

5

GM/CEO shares results with the board.

Staff develop programs to support the co-op’s member-owners and their communities.

6

GM/CEO collects data from staff about their efforts.

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Source: NRECA

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Pathways to Progress Hatteras Village, nestled on the southern tip of Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks, has a lot to offer. Access between Pamlico Sound and the deep waters off the continental shelf make it ideal for charter and commercial fishing. Its pristine beaches are great for shelling.

And the black-and-white striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in the country.

But there’s one thing the community has been lacking: a safe, dedicated means for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel around town.

“In all of our community meetings over the last 15 years, Hatteras Village sidewalks have been the top priority for everybody in this community,” says Dennis Robinson, Hatteras Village Community Center District chairperson. “They’ve always wanted safety for their children, they’ve

wanted people to come to their business safely and leave safely.”

Funding the project had been a significant hurdle, but between local partnerships — including funding from Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative (CHEC) — and legislation to free up local tax dollars, the project was completed this past summer.

“Hatteras Village finally has its pathway,” Robinson says. “Cape

Hatteras Electric Cooperative was an invaluable partner in making that happen.”

The project is one example of how electric cooperatives are finding new and creative ways to support communities and economic development in parts of North Carolina where resources may otherwise be stretched thin.

“Driving economic growth and job creation is one way our cooperative

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The answer will depend on the need of each unique community, Nance explains, although electric co-ops have been pursuing new economic development projects in two main areas: “site readiness” projects (preparing move-in ready spaces for new business), and community development projects like the Hatteras Village pathway.

Kate Pullen and her dog Walter try out the new Hatteras Village pathway. The pathway is one example of how electric cooperatives are finding new and creative ways to support communities and economic development in parts of North Carolina where resources may otherwise be stretched thin.

Move-in ready sites

Daniel Pullen Photography

NC electric co-ops are working with local communities to foster economic growth

By Scott Gates

Funding growth

Pee Dee Electric provided funds for those site development projects through a U.S. Department of Agriculture resource called the Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant (REDLG) program. The REDLG program provides rural Below top: One of five new shell buildings created by Pee Dee Electric with Richmond County Government.

Below bottom: New businesses in Four County EMC’s service area include Mojotone, a vintage guitar and amplifier manufacturer. Here, an employee assembles an amplifier.

Mojotone

network is building a brighter future for rural people and communities,” says Ryan Nance, director of economic development for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “The affordable, reliable electric service provided by electric cooperatives is a draw for new and growing companies in our communities. But we’re asking ourselves: What else can electric co-ops do to help the counties we serve attract and retain businesses?”

In general, the concept of a site readiness program has evolved over the past two decades, and electric cooperatives in North Carolina have made it a priority in recent years. When considering North Carolina, businesses that take a pass list a lack of suitable buildings or sites as the No. 1 reason for looking elsewhere, according to the North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA), which promotes the state for business investment. Nance serves on its board of directors.

Last January, outgoing NC Commerce Secretary Tony Copeland spelled out the issue of site readiness in no uncertain terms to the NCEDA board.

“If I am to leave one call-to-action for this board, it is that our state needs more ready sites and buildings to compete,” Sec. Copeland said at the time.

Martie Butler, economic developer for Richmond County, spotted this need in her community shortly after accepting the position in 2013. Though led by business-savvy local officials, and despite it being geographically well-positioned and having ample infrastructure, Richmond County lacked high quality, ready-to-go industrial buildings.

Wadesboro-based Pee Dee Electric, which serves portions of Richmond County, stepped up to help meet that need.

In the past decade, the co-op has worked with Richmond County Government to construct five new shell buildings. Recruitment and expansion announcements followed, which have driven employment

growth, economic investment and new tax revenues. The collaboration has added $75 million to Richmond County’s tax books and brought more than 200 new jobs to the region.

“Our joint efforts have resulted in three new companies locating to Richmond County and two existing industries expanding their footprints here,” Butler says. “This would not have been possible without the great partnership we have with Pee Dee Electric and the cooperatives’ economic development resources.”

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“Driving economic growth and job creation is one way our cooperative network is building a brighter future for rural people and communities.”

—Ryan Nance

Halifax EMC, based in Enfield, provided a REDLG loan to enable the purchase of a fire and rescue boat for Lake Gaston.

utilities with grants and zero-interest loans to directly fund local projects that create and retain employment in the communities they serve.

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are national leaders in utilizing REDLG funds. Twenty-one NC co-ops have tapped the program to channel a total of $70 million to projects across the state, supporting the creation of more than 5,000 jobs.

Four County EMC is another NC leader utilizing REDLG funds and participating in local site readiness projects. The Burgaw-based electric co-op has worked extensively with local governments and economic development organizations to create additional, available property for industrial development in Bladen, Columbus, Duplin, Pender and Sampson counties. Development has included coordinating land acquisition and securing funds for, and facilitating, infrastructure development.

“Over the past nine years, Four County EMC has experienced phenomenal growth with business and industry, with $753.57 million in new investments and more than 810 new jobs,” says Four County EMC Director of Economic & Community Development Jimmy Smith. “Over 20 years, 10 new industrial buildings have been built and occupied by companies.”

New businesses in Four County EMC’s service area include Sue Bee Honey, a honey processing plant; Del-Ton, a rifle manufacturer; Mojotone, a vintage guitar and amplifier manufacturer; and Cardinal Foods, a processing,

marketing, and distribution company for fruits and vegetables. An ongoing expansion of Cardinal Foods will create about 50 new jobs and make the company one of the world’s largest sweet potato fry manufacturers.

“The announcement of the Cardinal Foods expansion encompassed many meetings of Wilmington Business Development behind the scenes to bring this project to fruition,” Smith says.

“Site development is all about building public-private partnerships and leveraging the strengths of our communities,” Nance says. “If we’re doing the best we can at this, we’re going to attract more private investment and jobs to our communities — we’re going to be successful.”

Commitment to community

Site readiness projects are making a big impact on employment and investment in communities, but electric co-ops are also leveraging millions in REDLG funds to improve quality of life in other ways. Community development projects include investments in local emergency medical services, health clinics, hospitals, libraries, schools and volunteer fire departments, to name a few.

Halifax EMC, based in Enfield, provided one such REDLG loan to enable the purchase of a fire and rescue boat for Lake Gaston. Long Bridge Volunteer Fire Department received a 10-year, $150,000 zerointerest loan to purchase the boat, which is the lake’s first of that caliber.

The USDA loan secured by Halifax EMC establishes an ongoing resource to be utilized within Halifax and Warren counties. As the funds are repaid, they will be available for re-loan to assist with future projects in communities served by the co-op.

The loan structure is similar to what CHEC used to fund the Hatteras Village pathway. The co-op’s board of directors voted to provide the funding for an environmental assessment to help kickstart the project, but the bulk of funding came through a $360,000 zero-interest REDLG loan. The loan funded more than a third of the construction project.

“This pathway is a major asset for Hatteras Village, connecting pedestrians to marinas, art galleries, gift shops, and local staples like Village Red & White, Lee Robinson General Store and Sticky Bottom Produce,” says CHEC Director of Public Relations & Marketing Laura Ertle.

“We saw the pathway as an opportunity to improve the safety of our local community and support these local businesses — all part of a guiding principle important to all electric co-ops: Commitment to Community.”

Scott Gates is editor of Carolina Country.

Ryan Nance, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, and Lawrence Bivins, NCDEA, contributed to this article.

carolinacountry.com/extras In this video, watch how Hatteras Village and CHEC joined forces to build a muchneeded, safe community pathway.

14 | October 2021

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9/8/21 12:31 PM

Postal Pastime Stamp collecting opens ‘gateways to the world’

By Joan Wenner

While recently doing research for a Civil War history article from a book gifted to me years ago, a stamp, affixed to a tiny part of an envelope, fell out to the floor. Someone had placed it in the book for safekeeping, I supposed.

Upon closer inspection, I could make out the visage of Jefferson Davis on the faded blue 5-cent stamp, with “Confederate States of America” printed above the portrait. I embarked on a quest to authenticate the stamp, checking through a publication I’ve written and reviewed books for — people who know about Civil War stamps, autographs, diaries, documents and so on, and their authentication.

I was determined to find out more about this relic.

Love of stamps

The art of collecting and studying postage stamps is called “philately,” taken from the Greek words philos

(“love”) and ateleia (“that which is tax-free” — in that stamps allow correspondence to arrive at no cost to the receiver). Collecting stamps greatly increased in popularity after the introduction of adhesive postage stamps in 1840 in Great Britain. It became more widespread when the main determinate of the cost of mailing basically became weight, rather than distance, and collection albums and catalogues were made available.

Whether for pleasure or profit, stamp collecting is a journey of discovery. North Carolina has several highly knowledgeable individuals and clubs dedicated to philately. One is the Charlotte Philatelic Society

(charlottestampclub.org), affiliated with the American Philatelic Society.

Randy Scribner of Harrisburg, in Cabarrus County, is a member of the Charlotte group who is a decadeslong stamp collector and dealer (scribworld.com). He explained that while the U.S. stamp market has declined of late, some foreign countries can be an exception.

Randy also spends time enticing young collectors into the field by donating stamps and materials to the local Charlotte club.

“Stamps tell the historical story of our country and society, from the very first stamp of Benjamin Franklin, to present people and events,” he

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explains. Franklin was appointed as the nation’s first postmaster by the Second Continental Congress in 1775.

According to the American Stamp Dealer Association (whose slogan is “We Are the Hobby Builders!”), there are local and worldwide clubs, societies, magazines, newsletters, articles, events and auctions for hobbyists, serious collectors and dealers. In other words, people interested in one thing: stamps! For philatelists, it is all about covers and Cinderellas, errors and oddities, and more. Confused by those terms? Let’s talk through them.

Philatelic-speak

Serious stamp collectors and enthusiasts have long thought up creative ways on how they can source and collect stamps. One strategy involves the use of the “philatelic cover,” or an

envelope loaded with stamps, which is sent through the postal system with the goal of starting a collection or adding to an existing one. When a stamp enters the postal system, it is cancelled, or marked as used. In the 19th century, collectors exchanged mail among themselves and across the oceans in hopes of receiving treasured stamps.

While some collectors prefer unused stamps, some focus on firstday issues (a cover with a stamp that has been cancelled on the very first day it’s authorized for use) and stamps that have been used in the real world, and are willing to pay a premium for them. Sometimes first-day issue covers are historical in nature, or commemorate an important event or major holiday.

Categories include commemorative cancellations and cancellations from unusual places.

Be careful, though: their popularity invites unsavory types to try and pass certain envelopes off as philatelic covers worthy to collect. Experts note to avoid this trap — a legitimate cover should be sealed and empty; likely to be addressed to a well-known dealer; and occasionally the cover will bear special designs, typically on the left side.

Other terms of art include a “Cinderella” stamp, which resembles a postage stamp but was not issued for postage purposes by a government. “Errors” are the result of a major production mistake — perhaps the most well-known is the “Inverted Jenny,” a stamp printed in 1918 featuring an airplane accidentally printed upside-down. “Oddities”

aren’t production mistakes, but something otherwise unusual, such as color proofs or oddly placed cancellation marks.

As for that historical 5-cent stamp that fell into my life, it was authenticated as a Civil War-era stamp, one of 17 Confederate stamps in use during the war. I sent it to Randy Scribner, who offered it as a giveaway in a contest for young stamp collectors.

Does a stamp giveaway pique your interest? Find more information below about the chance to win two stamps from my collection!

Continued on page 18

A chance to

win stamps!

Want to jumpstart a stamp collection?

Enter a random drawing to win two stamps commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day, issued by British Royal Stamps & Collectibles in 2019.

We’ll throw in a few other collectible stamps for good measure. There are two ways to enter: ■ Visit carolinacountry.com/stamps

by October 31.

■ Send a letter with your name, mailing address and telephone number, postmarked by October 31, to: Carolina Country Stamps Sweepstakes 3400 Sumner Blvd.

Raleigh, NC 27616 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. One entry per person, drawn by random; odds of receiving one (1) stamp giveaway package (retail value of approximately $15) depend upon number of entries received. Entries must be received by October 31, 2021.

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How to Start a Stamp Collection October is National Stamp Collecting Month, so what better time to start a collection of your own? There are a few different ways to get into the world of philately.

Start by considering what interests you — is it a particular country or time period? A particular style of artwork?

Knowledgeable dealers can help track down stamps issued by specific countries, or stamps related to specific time periods that helped shape regional or world history. As the National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C., puts it, “Stamps are miniature gateways to the world.”

Stamp care

An essential rule of stamp collecting is that the condition of a stamp is highly important. Keep stamps in a clean, cool and dry place. Humidity and moisture can destroy the value of a collection.

Tools of the trade ■ Stamp tongs (like tweezers) are used to pick up a

stamp without damaging it.

■ A magnifying glass can be used to examine stamps to

appreciate and discover small details.

■ Stamp catalogues will help you identify what’s in

your collection, including information like issue date and printing methods.

■ Albums form the foundation of a collection, and help

collectors organize and protect their stamps.

Stamp types

There are many categories of stamps, but common types are “definitive,” your ordinary stamp used for sending letters; “commemorative,” which mark an event; and “provisional,” which is used as temporary issue.

More resources

There is much to learn about stamp collecting, and part of the fun comes in making connections with fellow collectors.

Interact with other people in the hobby and check out exhibitions and shows. Take advantage of your community’s resources, such as local shops or clubs.

These organizations offer more information on stamp collecting online: ■ American Philatelic Society | stamps.org ■ U.S. Postal Museum |

postalmuseum.si.edu/stamp-collecting

■ American Stamp Dealers Association |

americanstampdealer.com

Joan Wenner, J.D., is a longtime writer residing in Pitt County. She welcomes comments at joan_writer@yahoo.com.

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An exhibition back reveals the genius of the engineering and lets you witness the automatic rotor that enables you to wind the watch with a simple flick of your wrist.

It took three years of development and $26 million in advanced Swiss-built watchmaking machinery to create the Magnificat II. When we took the watch to renowned watchmaker and watch historian George Thomas, he disassembled it and studied the escapement, balance wheel and the rotor. He remarked on the detailed guilloche face, gilt winding crown, and the crocodile-embossed leather band. He was intrigued by the three interior dials for day, date, and 24-hour moon phases. He estimated that this fine timepiece would cost over $2,500. We all smiled and told him that the Stauer price was less than $100. A truly magnificent watch at a truly magnificent price!

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Plug Into a Better Driving Experience DRIVE ELECTRIC

Power your next adventure with an EV. With exciting tech, reduced emissions and more convenience, electric vehicles have something for everyone.

As EV charging options expand statewide, there are more opportunities to escape than ever before. North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are providing cooperative members and travelers solutions for driving electric. See how driving electric can fit your life at NCDriveElectric.com.

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Connection

PIEDMONT ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE MEMBER NEWSLETTER | OCTOBER 2021

How power blinks lead to more reliable service Have you ever noticed your lights quickly blink on and off, even during normal weather conditions? While these power blinks might cause you to worry that there’s an issue with your electricity, the opposite is actually true.

Occasional power blinks mean that our system is working the way that it should.

What causes power blinks?

When a quick rise of electrical current is detected in our power system, it causes a switch, known as a breaker, to open which leads to a power blink. The rise in electrical currents often happens when something comes into contact with a power line like: • A lightning strike • Vehicle accidents • Birds or other animals • Tree & limbs When the breakers open, it prevents electricity from flowing to the area of concern until the breaker closes again, which usually happens in a matter of seconds. If there are still high levels of current when the breaker closes, it will open and close again to try to let the issue resolve.

If the breaker opens a third time, then it locks out and our Piedmont Electric crew goes to the site to further investigate and resolve the issue.

How does this aid in reliability?

Stopping the flow of electricity at the site of the issue prevents damage from low-voltage conditions to our system. Not only does this keep our equipment in good shape so we can provide you with the power you rely on, but it can also help prevent damage to your electronics and appliances as well.

Without breakers, the power would go out and would not be restored until a crew could arrive. The blinks can allow for enough time for the problem to resolve and keep electricity flowing or, if the problem is not resolved, to disconnect power and prevent further damage.

These brief interruptions in power also help to prevent future, more extensive outages, because they help keep our whole system working properly. As a result, we can provide you with safer, more reliable power.

IMPORTANT DATES

October National Co-op Month

October Community Days Visit one of our drive-thrus during the month of October for a gift bag! Available during each office location’s business hours. One gift bag per member.

22 Celebrating our co-op community 23 A penny’s worth of power 24 Bylaws for nomination of directors

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT Free WiFi hotspots available at Gunn Memorial Library Caswell County residents needing a better internet connection can now check out mobile hotspots from the Gunn Memorial Library thanks to a grant from Piedmont Electric’s Helping Hand Foundation. More broadband information on page 22.

The next time you notice a power blink in your home, think of it as a quick reminder that we’re doing our part to better serve our members.

OCTOBER 2021

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PIEDMONT ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Celebrating our co-op community STOP BY OUR DRIVE-THRUS DURING OCTOBER FOR

A FREE GIFT!

Our co-op loves to help our community and we want to take time to celebrate. Like last year, we will be giving out gift bags in October at our offices. We invite you to stop by one of our office drive-thrus to pick up a gift bag filled with a color changing cup, a protective face mask and hand sanitizer.* Celebrating our community through events like this is just one of the ways we follow through on our seventh cooperative principle, Concern for Community.

While we celebrate cooperative month once a year, we support our community all year long. We work every day to show our commitment to strengthening our local communities. We do this through initiatives like our basketball camps, college scholarships, community loan programs, youth tour, Helping Hand Foundation and more. *Available during each office location’s business hours.

One gift bag per member while supplies last.

Free public WiFi available

Piedmont Electric is providing free WiFi hotspots at our Person and Caswell County office parking lots and at the Cherry Grove Ruritan Club parking lot, in partnership with RiverStreet Networks.

Individuals can access the internet from the safety of their vehicles.

The free access name is PEMC-Free-WiFi at both locations. No password is needed.

Locations for free WiFi access: • Person County: 1125 Oxford Road, Roxboro, NC 27573 • Caswell County: 64 Rascoe Dameron Road, Burlington, NC 27217

If you live in Person County, a new high-speed internet solution may be available to you, thanks to the RiverStreet Networks broadband program. Now, your home, business or farm can stay connected with faster, more reliable internet access right in your community. Visit join.buildpiedmont.com or myriverstreet.net/piedmont to enter your address to see if you are eligible for service. If you are, a RiverStreet representative will reach out to you to help sign you up for high-speed internet today.

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In alw wh sa

By to

PERSON COUNTY, SIGN UP FOR INTERNET NOW!

|

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• Cherry Grove Ruritan Club: 7152 Cherry Grove Road, Reidsville, NC 27320

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OCTOBER 2021

9/9/21 3:38 PM

PIEDMONT ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

A penny’s worth of power A hundred years ago, you could exchange a penny for a piece of candy or a small toy. Today, it’s easy to feel like a penny is worth nothing more than maybe a little luck if you find one on the ground.

But the truth is that a penny can go a long way when it comes to your power. Did you know that with just one cent, you can get:

a

1 hour of playing video games on a 100-watt gaming console

ugh

3 hours of keeping your ice cream cold in a 35-watt freezer 3 and a half hours of watching your favorite shows on a 30-watt television 10 hours of reading with a 10-watt LED light bulb

our k ent

20 hours of charging your smartphone with a 5-watt charger Calculated at $.10 cents/kWh

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s. es.

The value of electricity As your electric co-op, you can have peace of mind that we’re not in this to make money. Instead, our goal is to provide you with electricity at a good value. This is driven by our third cooperative principle, which is Members’ Economic Participation.

As a not-for-profit co-op, when we collect more money than we need to operate in a year, we return that excess back to you in the form of capital credits.

In addition to putting more money back in your pockets, we’re always looking for ways to keep costs down for you. That’s why we offer money-saving programs like our smart thermostat savings program, time-of-day rates and load management.

The more we can collectively conserve energy, the more money we all save. Visit pemc.coop/save-energy-money to learn more about all of the money-saving resources available to you.

By working together to save energy, your pennies can add up to something powerful.

Check to see if your friends and family are owed capital credits Visit pemc.coop/capitalcredit to see if someone you know has unclaimed capital credits. After this month, the unclaimed credits from the years 1989 and 1990 will be sent to the state and you’ll no longer be able to see them on our website. Check today to see if someone you know has money waiting for them!

ill ay.

This applies to those whose last mailing address was in North Carolina. For all other states, please refer to the respective state’s Department of State Treasurer.

OCTOBER 2021

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PIEDMONT ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Serving on the Piedmont Electric board of directors Piedmont Electric is your local electric cooperative and we are guided by a board of directors made up of 10 Piedmont Electric members from across our service area. These board members provide guidance, oversite and help craft the strategic direction of the cooperative along with cooperative staff. This process sets us apart from other types of utilities and helps ensure that the local needs of Piedmont Electric members are heard and met. Directors are elected on a three-year rotation and are nominated by a nominating committee and follow the requirements below.

The following is an excerpt from our bylaws pertaining to nominations.

SECTION 4.06. Nominations.

(A) NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE It shall be the duty of the Board to appoint a Nominations Committee consisting of ten (10) persons who are members but are not directors or close relatives of directors, and who are so selected that each of the Cooperative's Directorate Districts and the at large directorate shall have one representative thereon. The Committee shall meet and nominate candidates for each of the Cooperative's Directorate Districts to be elected at the next annual meeting and the at large director if that directorate is to be elected at the next annual meeting. The Committee shall nominate at least one (1) nominee for each such District and may nominate more than one (1) nominee for each such District. The Committee shall show clearly each nominee(s) and the Directorate District for which they are nominated. In addition, the Committee shall nominate each three (3) years at least one (1) candidate and may nominate more than one (1) candidate for the "at large" position. The Committee

shall ensure that all members nominated meet the qualifications to serve as a director set forth in section 4.02. The Committee shall meet as necessary in order to complete its nominations no later than thirty days preceding the deadline for nomination by petition as is set forth in the following subsection to provide the opportunity for any qualified member who desires to be placed on the ballot at the upcoming annual meeting but not nominated by the Committee, to seek nomination by petition as set forth in the following subsection.

(C) PROVIDING NOTICE OF ELECTIONS The Secretary shall communicate to the members through any publication routinely used by the Cooperative for communication with the membership on a monthly basis or by electronic means at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting, the names of all nominees for each such district, showing separately those nominated by the Committee and those nominated by petition, if any.

(D) POSTING OF NOMINATIONS

Once the signatures of the members on any petition and the qualifications to serve of the nominees are verified, the names of all Any fifty (50) or more members of the nominees for each directorate district and Cooperative, acting together, may make the names of each nominee for the at large additional nominations in writing over their directorate, if it is to be elected before the signatures, in like manner listing the nominees upcoming annual meeting, shall be posted at separately with respect to the Directorate the principal office of the Cooperative. The Districts from which they are nominated, on or Posted Notice of all nominees shall show the before January 14 preceding the annual meeting directorate for which each nominee seeks at which such directors are to be elected. Any election as director and may indicate those member nominated by petition as a candidate nominated by the nominations committee and for any Directorate must meet the qualifications those nominated by petition. to serve as a director set forth in section 4.02 Revised 3/18/19 before the nominee’s name may be placed on the ballot for election at the annual meeting.

(B) NOMINATIONS BY PETITION

Interested in serving?

The Nominations Committee selects qualified candidates for the ballot from each directorate district in the next election cycle.

If you are interested in being considered for nomination, first, check the qualifications to serve as a director in Section 4.02 of the bylaws. Piedmont Electric’s bylaws can be found at pemc.coop/bylaws. If you feel you meet these qualifications, email Piedmont.Board@pemc.coop with your name, address and interest in a director position to verify your membership and qualifications and determine if your directorate district is up for election this year. If your district is up for election, you will be provided with contact information for your member of the Nominations Committee. Or, if you are qualified, you can follow the instructions in the bylaws above to be nominated by petition. Again, you should email Piedmont.Board@pemc.coop to verify membership and to learn the particulars of the petition process.

PIEDMONT ELECTRIC CONNECTION Published monthly for the members of Piedmont Electric Cooperative. Piedmont Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Hillsborough and Roxboro Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Caswell Office Hours: Wednesday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

(Subject to change)

Report outages, make payments and access account information by phone 24-hours-a-day by calling 800.222.3107.

Voice instructions will direct you through the system.

2500 NC Highway 86 South PO Drawer 1179 Hillsborough, NC 27278

24

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Stephen B. Hamlin President & General Manager DIRECTORS Bill R. Barber, Chair Randy Kinley, Vice Chair Sam T. Woods, Secretary Richal Vanhook, Treasurer Steven P. Bailey, Stephen C. Long, V. Kay Scurlock-Ferguson, David Poythress, Elizabeth Townsend & Cyrus Vernon

IF YOUR POWER GOES OUT, CALL OR TEXT 800.222.3107 Opt in for text alerts by texting “pemc” to 800.222.3107.

Once you’ve opted in, report an outage by texting “#out” to 800.222.3107 or "#status" for an update on your outage.

Our automated outage reporting system uses your phone number to determine your service location. Update the number connected to your account online through SmartHub, by completing the form on your monthly bill or by calling 800.222.3107.

Please note that it may take up to 24 hours for our system to recognize new cell phone numbers in the text outage alert program.

OCTOBER 2021

9/9/21 3:38 PM

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Energy Sense

Marcela Gara, Resource Media

Which Heat Pump Option is Right for My Home?

By Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen

H

eat pump technology has improved a lot over the past 10 to 20 years, and the systems work double-duty, heating your home during winter and cooling during summer months. There are a few different types of heat pumps, so learning about each can help decide what works best for your home and climate. There are a few main types: air-source — both ducted and “mini-split” systems, and ground-source.

1

Ducted heat pump

If your home has a forced air furnace, a centralized air-source heat pump can work well. A compressor outside your home that looks like an A/C unit is connected to your home’s existing duct system. Like your furnace, the temperature is controlled through one main thermostat. This is a solid solution if your system has quality ductwork that heats and cools every room evenly, which is rare.

Ductwork in most homes is not designed to heat or cool every room evenly. Long supply runs provide little air to some rooms, and it’s typical for some rooms to lack return air registers. Also, ductwork is often leaky, which creates comfort issues. If leaky ducts are located in unheated areas such as crawl spaces or attics, it will increase your heating and cooling costs. Poor ductwork will render any kind of central heating or cooling system much less effective. Some HVAC contractors can repair ductwork problems if the ductwork is accessible.

Heat pumps vary in efficiency, and this is measured in two ways.

The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) rating measures heating efficiency and the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating measures cooling efficiency. The minimum ratings for a new heat pump are HSPF 8.2 and SEER 14. Heat pumps with the Energy Star® rating are significantly more efficient than the minimum standard. The quality of the installation also matters, and some contractors will have more experience and training than others.

Also, newer models of heat pumps can operate effectively in sub-zero weather, but sometimes they do so by switching to electric resistance mode, which is much less efficient. In a colder climate, it may be worth investing in a dual-fuel system, where propane or another fuel provides supplemental heat on extremely cold days.

Peter Stevens The condenser for a mini-split is often mounted on an exterior wall.

An air-source heat pump compressor located outside the home can distribute hot and cold air through your existing duct system.

2

Mini-split heat pump

Ductless mini-splits are an excellent option if you don’t have central air ducts, your ducts are leaking, or you only want the new ductless heat pump to heat or cool one portion of the home. With a mini-split heat pump, tubes connected to the outside compressor carry refrigerant to one or more air handlers, which are mounted high on a wall to distribute air. Thermostats regulate each air handler, providing control of different zones in the home.

In climates that don’t experience extreme cold, a ductless heat pump could supply all the heating and cooling in a small home. They are also often used in combination with a central heating and cooling system.

3

Geothermal (or ground-source) heat pump

Several feet underground, the temperature remains constant year-round — typically between 50 and 70 degrees in North Carolina. Heat is transferred into or out of the ground by pipes buried in a loop 10 feet underground or drilled up to 400 feet into the earth. The pipes carry water to a compressor, which uses a refrigerant to transfer the heat to or from your home’s ducts.

A geothermal heat pump system is extremely energy efficient, since the earth’s temperature is warmer than the outside air in the winter and cooler than the outside air in the summer. But I should note this efficiency comes with a high price tag, which is the initial cost to install the pipe loop or drill the hole for a vertical pipe. For this reason, ground-source systems are relatively rare.

For additional information and guidance on heat pumps, give your electric co-op a call. If you have a qualified energy auditor in your area, an audit could be a great next step, especially if it includes a duct leakage test. Then you’ll be ready to reach out to contractors and request a few quotes.

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

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9/8/21 12:31 PM

Steaks & Spirits The Country Squire is a local haunt in more ways than one

By Emory Rakestraw

It’s a typical night at The Country Squire Restaurant, Inn and Winery. Diners sip martinis and Manhattans when suddenly, from the idle dartboard, darts whiz through the air unprovoked. Speechless patrons are mixed with nonchalant guests partial to the Squire’s haunting legend.

This story recounted by current owner Iris Lennon doesn’t exist on a singular spectrum. Aside from the colorful dinner menu of Korean beef, New York strip and stuffed potatoes, the labyrinth of rooms lend themselves to tales more infamous than the restaurant’s 72-ounce “Kilt Buster” steak.

“Many years ago, one of the waitresses saw a wee girl sitting on the steps,” Iris says. “Years after, four folks came out for dinner. One of the ladies wanted to take a picture. As she was snapping it, her friend turned and the wee girl was standing beside her, wearing exactly what the waitress described years ago.”

Over the years, paranormal investigators have flocked to the Squire, including Port City Paranormal of Wilmington, and Haunted North Carolina Paranormal Research and Investigations. Iris welcomes each, allowing them to explore the multitude of rooms after she locks up for the night. Introduced to the Squire by a group of paranormal investigators, Michael La Chiana has been researching here since 2010 — Iris refers to him as the Squire’s in-house investigator.

Using thermal cameras, audio recorders and a DSLR camera, he has captured a multitude of phenomena.

Michael has recorded a girl’s voice asking the whereabouts of the Squire’s (now deceased) outdoor

cat: “See Hannah Thistle?” There’s a thermal image of a woman floating midair, and a picture of what he believes is a disembodied head poking up from a planter.

Piecemeal history With history that predates the Revolutionary War, the Squire was originally surrounded by 300 acres of family owned land. Today, it’s a seven-acre tract off NC Highway 50 between Kenansville and Warsaw. Michael believes the ghosts are a mix of souls who predate the Squire and others who tagged along with the mixed materials used by original owner Joe West, a former schoolteacher, when the restaurant was built in 1961.

The Country Squire exterior

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a steakhouse but a landmark, one Iris has preserved since Joe’s passing in 1995.

While the eclectic décor remains untouched, Iris has added her native Scotch touch. The Burns Supper, her January event filled with bagpipes and dancing, honors Scottish poet Robert Burns. In her 44 years as employee-turned-owner, she has felt respectful to both guests and ghosts.

“The Squire was Joe’s passion. He’s definitely around here somewhere — he might even be listening to me,” laughs Iris. “I’m like every employee. I’ve heard voices, music and witnessed things that made me say, ‘hmm?’”

Guests range from beachgoers to Duplin County locals.

Iris says while some know of the hauntings, others don’t.

What was Joe’s life work is best summed up by a sign out front, which reads: “Who passes thru this friendly gate comes neither too early, nor stays too late.”

A photo of the farmhouse, with what could be the “wee girl” visible in the lower-left window

Emory Rakestraw is a Wilmington-based freelance journalist. Her love for North Carolina and its history has inspired a wide range of stories — read more of her work at emoryrakestraw.wordpress.com.

“Joe West was a scavenger. He’d go in and anything he could find he would put it in here. The brick, the wood, this whole place is built from different places,” Michael says. “The McGowan Farmhouse dates to 1780 — Joe moved it to the Squire as an addition.”

Today, the McGowan Farmhouse serves as the Tartan Wine Tasting Room and Gift Shop, showcasing the original hardwood flooring. Ask Iris, and she’ll show you the sepia-toned photo of the decrepit farmhouse, wherein the lower-left window sits what appears to be the wee girl’s apparition. From the Jester’s Court to the Pantry Room, an array of makeshift spaces comprise the Squire. Yet the heart and pulse is the original cabin restaurant that Joe built by hand.

“Terry Southerland has worked here since the Squire opened. When Joe West was teaching school, Terry was his student. For the log cabin, Joe hired some of his students and men to cut down the trees,” says Squire employee Jenny Bratcher. “They used crosscut saws, axes and a horse team. Terry was one of the kids, he still comes in and hand-cuts meat to this day.”

Preserving a landmark Inside the cavernous restaurant, daylight seeps through small windows amid a void of time and space. There are candles dripping wax and tables hung by chains that rattle in darkness. In the Wine Cellar Walkway, a bowl of apples sits beneath paranormal certificates, while jester puppets dangle about the Tavern windows. Turn a corner toward Mead Hall, and you’re greeted by a live tree the structure was built around. The 460-seat Squire isn’t just carolinacountry.com | 29

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Carolina People

A Dream Come True ‘Kidpreneur’ Maya matches jewelry for children and dolls

By Tara Verna | Photos by Rachel Kemble

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ith her often sparkly, colorful and animalthemed attire, 10-year-old Maya seems like a typical pre-teen girl at first glance. But strike up a conversation and there’s not much typical about this serious, smart, creative “kidpreneur” who took over her mom’s Etsy shop “Sweet Tea and Sugar” to sell handmade jewelry for dolls and children.

The Wake Electric member lives in Wake Forest with her “Mommom” (mother Rachel Kemble), stepfather Greg Strain and two foster brothers, with her dad and family living nearby. But the inspiration for her current business venture came from Colorado, where her family lived before moving to North Carolina.

“I have a large rock collection that began when I was about two years old,” Maya explains. “My mom says I picked up all the rocks — and pinecones too — and carried them home. As long as they fit in my pockets or bags, and not hers, I could keep them.”

Last year, Maya was gifted a rock tumbler and began using her polished rocks to create matching necklaces for herself and her American Girl dolls.

Resin curing

“I love all things American Girl,” she says happily. “While waiting for the 4-to-6-week rock tumbling process to be done, my Mommom and I researched other fun jewelry ideas which led to experimenting with resin. I love all things colorful and sparkly and both have been fun to work with in resin.”

Maya’s mom lends a hand with the resin.

“Resin can get super-hot if you do it wrong, and Maya only has about 40 minutes to work with the resin after I pour it for her,” Rachel says.

“But she’s getting better at laying out different ideas ahead of time.

And then it’s a race to finish before it starts to harden.”

In addition to rocks and resin, Maya experiments with watercolors and glass bezels. Between the Etsy shop and a couple of local venues, Maya has sold dozens of sets.

When asked about advice she would offer children her age who are inspired by her story, Maya says, “If you try your hardest and have some help, you can make it through.”

In her spare time, Maya takes part in Girl Scouts, hip hop and musical theater class. But her favorite thing in

the world? Cuddling up with her cat Breck and her dog Mars. Maybe she’s a bit more typical after all.

Tara Verna is the creative director for Carolina Country.

Where to find Maya’s jewelry Jewelry pieces range in price from $12 to $25, and she also takes custom orders.

Etsy shop etsy.com/shop/sweetteaandsugarshop Mercantile on Mason 7 West Mason Street, Franklinton apridefulplace.com | 984-295-8511 Sweets & Stems 514 Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina sweetsandstems.com | 984-295-8511 North Raleigh Market 9500 Durant Road, Raleigh Dec. 11 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

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Clogged, Backed—up Septic System…Can anything Restore It? Dear Darryl

DEAR DARRYL: My home is about 10 years old, and so is my septic system.

I have always taken pride in keeping my home and property in top shape. In fact, my neighbors and I are always kidding each other about who keeps their home and yard nicest. Lately, however, I have had a horrible smell in my yard, and also in one of my bathrooms, coming from the shower drain. My grass is muddy and all the drains in my home are very slow.

My wife is on my back to make the bathroom stop smelling and as you can imagine, my neighbors are having a field day, kidding me about the mud pit and sewage stench in my yard. It’s humiliating. I called a plumber buddy of mine, who recommended pumping (and maybe even replacing) my septic system. But at the potential cost of thousands of dollars, I hate to explore that option.

DEAR CLOGGED AND SMELLY: As a reader of my column, I am sure you are aware that I have a great deal of experience in this particular field. You will be glad to know that there IS a septic solution that will solve your back-up and effectively restore your entire system from interior piping throughout the septic system and even unclog the drain field as well. SeptiCleanse® Shock and Maintenance Programs deliver your system the fast active bacteria and enzymes needed to liquefy solid waste and free the clogs causing your back-up.

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SeptiCleanse® Shock and Maintenance Programs are designed to work on any septic system regardless of design or age. From modern day systems to sand mounds, and systems installed generations ago, I I tried the store bought, so called, Septic treatments out there, and they have at personally seen SeptiCleanse unclog and restore these systems did Nothing to clear up my problem. Is there anything on the market I in a matter of weeks. I highly recommend that you try it before can pour or flush into my system that will restore it to normal, and keep spending any money on repairs. SeptiCleanse products are available it maintained? online www.septicleanse.com or you can order or learn more bycalling toll free at 1-888-899-8345. If you use the promo code “NCS12”,you Clogged and Smelly – Greensboro , NC can get a free shock treatment, added to your order which normally costs CC1964_WWM147_Carolina CTRY.qxp_WWM147_CtryWomen_Oct2021 10:04 PMthat Page $169.9/4/21 Make sure to use code1 when you call or buy online.

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9/8/21 1:24 PM

I Remember

Memories and photos from our readers

Daddy’s Helper This photo is of my 4-year-old daughter, Tara, and our first family dog, Maggie. Robin, my wife, snapped the photo. I am somewhere underneath the truck. I am not much of a mechanic, but over the years I have had to spend a good bit of time working on my vehicles.

The day of this photo I was changing the front brake pads. This was something I had done before, but to be sure that I got things back in order, I fixed one side at a time, using the other as a guide. I went back and forth and double checked myself several times, while Tara quietly observed every step I made. Then all the sudden, she blurted out, “Daddy, you did that backwards.” Of course, in my mind I thought, what would a 4-year-old know?

But to make her happy, I went back and checked my work again with the other side. Wouldn’t you know it, Tara was right! I had gotten something reversed. My daughter has grown up at my side enjoying being a part of all my little projects over the years, a ready and willing helper.

She is now 24.

That’s my girl!

Mike Thompson, Morganton A member of Rutherford EMC

My four-year-old, Tara, helps to fix the brake pads on my truck.

The Mystery of the Missing ‘Power Saw’ Every Saturday in 1965 was a big shopping day, with people from all over Burke County coming to town to pay bills, shop and buy that week’s groceries. There was an elderly wiry woman that came to the Morganton Food Store each Saturday, where I worked. She would place all her already-purchased items on the floor and windowsill next to a bin where the store kept empty cardboard boxes before she did her grocery shopping. Back then, we asked customers if they wanted a box or a bag, some bag boys said “poke” for bag.

After the woman was finished with her grocery shopping and checked out, we would call her a taxi cab to take her and all her belongings home. Well, on this particular Saturday, when the taxi arrived, she became overly excited and announced to me that someone had stolen her “power saw.” I was putting all her groceries into a shopping buggy along with her other purchases when the taxi began to honk the horn.

My boss, Mr. Harold Winters, began ushering me toward the door with her groceries when I told him of the missing power saw. For the next several minutes, every available store employee went looking for the missing chain saw to no avail, when all of a sudden, the old woman shouted, “Here it is, I found it!”

I turned to look — she was holding a woman’s parasol.

That was over half a century ago and I still get a big laugh about it!

Tom Brady, Glen Alpine, a member of Rutherford EMC

Coffee Time is Family Time Some of my most wonderful memories involve my Grandma Mickey and my Mama, Betty Cook. From the time I was born, I spent a lot of my life with my Grandma.

Mom and Grandma drank coffee every day, several times a day. When I was four years old, Grandma had cooked country ham, eggs and biscuits for supper. She proceeded to put a big spoonful of sugar on my plate then covered it with red-eyed gravy. Next came the hams and eggs. Then the biscuit. Best dinner ever. AND THEN, I was served coffee! From then on, all my life, I joined them in the coffee klatch!

I’ve been drinking coffee for nearly 62 years. I always think of my grandma and my mom as I savor that delicious brew. This is a generational thing in our family. Whenever two or more are gathered, a pot of hot coffee is on its way. Beginning with my Great Grandma, my Grandma Mickey, my Mom, me and my sister, our children and our children’s children, I can’t think of a better memory that has sustained a family for over six generations. Coffee has been our tie.

Vickie Cook, Franklinville, a member of Randolph Electric

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

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I Remember

Farm Family Portrait I love this old portrait of my grandmother’s family taken by a traveling photographer around 1910.

Grandma’s parents were evidently caught in the middle of their farming workday, as can be seen by their clothing.

My grandmother, Adelia Gertrude Lancaster Hinton, is the blonde, teenaged girl in the middle of the photograph with her hand resting on the back of her I treasure this photograph mother’s chair. I not only as a record of my remember Grandma grandmother’s family but told me that she and her sister, Josie, the also as a realistic portrait other older girl in of a farm family in eastern picture, slipped North Carolina in the early the in the house to put part of the 20th century. big bows in their hair before the picture was taken! A younger sister and an older married one with her new baby complete the portrait. Behind the group is the family’s farmhouse.

My grandmother, Adelia Gertrude Lancaster Hinton (center), and sister Josie (top right) pose with family for a traveling photographer.

No one looks particularly happy, but I think smiling for a picture is somewhat of a modern trend. I treasure this photograph not only as a record of my grandmother’s family but also as a realistic portrait of a farm family in eastern North Carolina in the early part of the 20th century.

Patsy Pridgen, Rocky Mount A member of Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative

Finding the Small Pleasures in Life I remember Christmas when I was young, getting my Barbie styling head and my Barbie and Ken dolls. I let the little girl next door take the styling head home and she wrote all over her face with a black permanent marker. I was devastated. Our toys meant a lot to us back then.

Michelle cherishes he r few but precious Barbies at Ch ristmas.

We didn’t get a lot of toys during the year, so the ones we got at Christmas were special. It was the 1970s, and we didn’t have cell phones, or internet or cable. We had one television in the living room, and we all gathered at night as a family to watch together.

I remember Sunday nights were the Wonderful World of Disney and Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom! That was back before a family gathering meant every kid in a different room watching their own television and every member of the house staring at their phones or iPads or laptops. We had real homework with real books, and spelling counted, and if we did stay the night anywhere, you can bet our parents knew their parents!

This generation may be more in the know, and they sometimes know too much. But I say they are missing out on knowing the small pleasures in life. Slow down, watch television together. Put away the technology for a day and lay in the shade, and learn to make a thick blade of grass into a whistle.

Sit in the dirt and teach the little ones to make pies. I hope there’s still enough of us around to teach them that the best things in life don’t gripe, Skype or type.

Michelle Edwards, Cape Carteret A member of Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative

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Carolina Calendar

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.

Autumn Leaves Festival Food, crafts Oct. 8-10, Mount Airy 336-786-6116 autumnleavesfestival.com

Fall Plant Sale

Pumpkin Patch Extravaganza Saturdays, Sundays through October Maiden

October Events MOUNTAINS Pumpkin Patch Extravaganza Saturdays, Sundays through October Maiden 828-302-4653 redwolffarm.com

Car Show & Fall Bazaar Music, door prizes Oct. 2, Old Fort 281-798-4805 fowler9090@gmail.com

Brushy Mountain Apple Festival Crafts, dancing Oct. 2, North Wilkesboro 336-921-3499 applefestival.net

Trail to Victory

Reenactors tell battle story Oct. 2, Boone 828-264-2120 horninthewest.com

Ash Devine

Americana-folk singer songwriter Oct 9, Spruce Pine 828-765-9531 altapassorchard.org

Highland Highlights Mountain music Oct. 10, Spruce Pine 828-765-9531 altapassorchard.org

Mountain Acoustics Luthier Invitational

Exhibits, music Oct. 16-17, Burnsville 706-424-2700 mountainacoustics.com

One Night in Memphis

Presley, Perkins, Lewis, Cash tribute Oct. 22, Morganton 828-433-7469 commaonline.org

PIEDMONT

Mountain Makers Craft Market Handmade and vintage goods Oct 3, Waynesville mountainmakersmarket.com

High Country Quilters Show Crafts, bake sale Oct. 8–9, Waynesville, 828-926-1535

Mountain Glory Festival

Crafts, children’s activities Oct. 9, Marion 828-652-2215 mountaingloryfestival.com

Mountain High Music, Craft, & Car Show

Clogging, several bands Oct. 9, Franklin 828-524-1598 smokymountainarts.com

Harvest Show

Antique tractors, kids games Oct. 1-2, Butner 919-528-1652 lgaha.com

Oct. 9, Lexington 336-407-2853 lmefford@triad.rr.com

Old Fashion Day Music, kids area Oct. 9, Goldston 919-721-1403

Nosferatu Music, silent film Oct. 9, Hope Mills 910-433-4690 fayettevillesymphony.org

Shaw House Heritage Fair Demos, music Oct. 9, Southern Pines 910-692-2051 moorehistory.com

NC State Fair Oct.14–24, Raleigh 919-821-7400 ncstatefair.org

Autumn Plant & Art Festival Food trucks, music Oct. 23, Wake Forest 919-435-1566 gardenclubwakeforest@gmail.com

Farm Fest Music, BBQ Oct. 23, West End 910-944-7757 mirausa.org/farm-fest

Fun on the Farm Rides, games Oct. 28-30, Denton 336-859-2755 dentonfarmpark.com

Antiques Street Fair

Food, plants Oct. 1-2, Cameron 910-245-3212 www.townofcameron.com

Festival D’Avion

Entertainment, aircraft exhibits Oct. 29–30, Pinehurst 910-215-0861 festivaldavion.com

COAST The North Carolina Seafood Festival

Rides, flounder fling Oct. 1–3, Morehead City 252-726-6273 ncseafoodfestival.org

Jollification

Tour of sites, homes Oct. 2, Hertford 252-426-7567 nbwh1730@embarqmail.com

Frank Vignola Guitar Magic Oct. 2, Oriental 252-617-2125 pamlicomusic.org

Elizabeth City Fall Festival Rides, music Oct. 8-11, Elizabeth City 252-338-4104 visitelizabethcity.com

Arts on the Perquimans Food, juried crafts Oct. 16, Hertford 252-426-1432 perquimansarts.org

River City Rhythm & Brews Music, tastings Oct. 23, Elizabeth City 252-338-6455 visitelizabethcity.com

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Historic Ghost Walk

Theme is an unsolved murder Oct. 29–30, Elizabeth City visitelizabethcity.com

Early Bird Holiday Bazaar

Food, arts and crafts Oct. 30, Cedar Point 252-764-2044 facebook.com/otwayburnsnsdar

Potters’ Pumpkin Patch Saturdays through October Seagrove 336-879-4145 potterspumpkinpatch.com

Uncle Eli’s Quilting Party

Quilters share work, tips Oct. 7, Graham 919-259-8510 facebook.com/uncleelisquiltingparty

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

Elizabeth City Fall Festival Rides, music Oct. 8-11, Elizabeth City

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9/8/21 12:31 PM

Carolina Gardens

Camellias: Long on Beauty

Mix common species to keep the blooms coming Story and photos by L.A. Jackson

O

ctober is the beginning of the camellia blooming season for me, and it will continue until next April. OK, count ‘em on your fingers. That’s right — seven months of camellia flowers.

My enjoyment of such an extended season of blossoms is like a sneaky magic trick: I grow two common camellia species that bloom at different times of the year.

The beauty that starts the parade for me in October is a sasanqua, botanically known as Camellia sasanqua. This native of Japan begins flowering in early autumn and continues to show off until winter arrives in full force at the end of the year.

As cold weather squashes my sasanqua’s displays, it wakes up the other camellias I have, which are japonicas (Camellia japonica — also from Japan). They will shyly open a few blossoms in December, if the winter is mild, but flower production will pick up in mid-to-late January and continue until the bushes bloom themselves out by early April.

Both of these camellias share similarities, especially when it comes to cultivation. First, now is a good time to plant both, and they should be placed in a slightly acidic, wellworked site. Because these pretties are shallow rooted, weekly waterings if the rains don’t come is important to young, developing bushes, especially during their first year in the garden.

A three-inch-thick organic mulch will also help retain ground moisture, but keep this natural covering a few inches away from the trunk.

Since their leaves can get scorched by ol’ Sol (both in the summer and winter), planting camellias in a semishaded spot, such as under a stand of tall pines, is an ideal setup. The next best location would be in an area shielded from the strongest sunrays in the afternoon.

Camellias will benefit from a generous amount of compost mixed into each planting hole. Using a complete commercial fertilizer such as 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 is inviting problems because they can burn the fine roots that are

Why wait until spring? Start enjoying the beauty of a blooming camellia (sasanqua) in autumn.

trying to spread from the plant.

A time-release fertilizer applied in the spring will encourage growth, of course, but camellias really don’t need to be constantly nutrient-pampered.

I can’t tell you when the last time was that I used commercial fertilizer on my camellia combo. Instead, I have applied compost as a mulch in mid-March each spring, and they have consistently performed like champs year after year.

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

Garden To-Do’s for October

Snowy camellia F

Many camellias are at their northernmost range in our state when it comes to being winter hardy, meaning nasty cold spells can cause problems. This is especially true for gardens in western NC. However, some camellias are more cold-tolerant than others.

Finding such varieties can be as easy as asking the friendly staff at your local garden center, but if you want a wide selection, Camellia Forest Nursery (camforest.com) has some of the more extensive offerings of japonicas and sasanquas, as well as other camellia species in the country. Located in Chapel Hill, they are a walk-in shop as well as an e-retailer.

If you plan to expand the veggie patch or any flower beds next year, roll up those sleeves and get to work now. Dig up or rototill the new areas and leave them rough through the winter to allow rains and freezing temperatures to help break up the soil. Mixing in compost, if you have any left over from this growing season, will also be a plus.

F

Thinking about morphing your Halloween pumpkin into a Thanksgiving decoration as well? A pumpkin will retain its color and shape longer if the rind is intact — in other words, no carving. Also, while looking for the perfect pumpkin to preserve from your local pickin’ patch, choose one that has a two- to three-inch stem still attached.

36 | October 2021

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9/9/21 12:42 PM

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WE PAY CASH FOR NC LAND-Local NC family buying farmland/woodsland/rural acreage/hunting land. Cash offers made in one day with 10 day closings. We buy to own long term, so we pay more. Go to www.nclandbuyers.com or 910-239-8929 We guarantee quick, honest, respectful service.

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We pay cash and can close in 30 days or less. Text Sue: 704-221-1698.

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HAZEL KELLER COSMETICS. Made here in NC using natural ingredients since 1964. Look your best with the ultimate in luxurious, yet affordable skincare. 704-3995226, www.kellercosmetics.com

WATCH SELF FILMED DEER AND TURKEY HUNTS www.youtube.com/c/TheCarolinacadmanOutdoors

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We’re depending heavily on your godly desire to biblically verify, every amazing revelation this book reveals. Please, read preview. Encourage others to read it. It’s FREE! Lastly; get counted, by emailing, “Previewed.” to: dayandhourministry@gmail.com.

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Free FREE MATERIALS: SOON CHURCH/GOVERNMENT UNITING. Suppressing “Religious Liberty”, enforcing a “National Sunday Law”. Be informed! Need mailing address only. TBSM, Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com 1-888-211-1715.

To place a classified ad: carolinacountry.com/classifieds

C A R O L I N A C O U N T R Y S C E N E S

Photo Contest Send us your best photo (Carolina people or scenes) and the story that goes with it. We will pay $50 for each one published in the Carolina Country Scenes section of our January 2022 issue. Judges will select more for our “Featured Photos” throughout the year, and we’ll pay $50 for those as well.

Rules Deadline: November 15, 2021 One entry per household Digital photos should be a minimum of 1200 by 1800 pixels, while print photos need to be at least 4 x 6 inches.

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

If you did not take the photo you are submitting, please tell us who did and, to the best of your ability, when it was taken so that we can appropriately recognize the person/organization.

We retain reprint and online rights. Visit carolinacountry.com/photocontest for full terms and conditions.

Payment will be limited to those entries If you want your print returned, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. (We will appearing in print only, not entries featured solely on carolinacountry.com. not return others.)

Send to Online: carolinacountry.com/photocontest No emails, please.

Mail: Carolina Country Photo Contest 3400 Sumner Blvd.

Raleigh, NC 27616

38 | October 2021

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Marketplace 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

C

W S a

Cafeteria Baked Spaghetti

A K&W Copycat

Sadly, many of our beloved K&W Cafeterias have closed, taking their popular baked spaghetti with them.

Here’s our version of this comfort-food favorite to make at home. Cut the recipe in half if you like, but you can freeze any extra.

12 ounces thin spaghetti 1 package (8-ounce) cream cheese with chives 2 tablespoons oil 1 large onion, diced (about 1½ cups) 2 pounds ground meat, meatloaf mix 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoons chili powder 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (we like Velveeta Shreds Cheddar Flavored Cheese) 5 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 cup ketchup 2 teaspoons prepared mustard 1 cup beef broth 1 cup pizza blend shredded cheese Paprika Minced parsley Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain.

While still warm, put pasta into bowl and stir in cream cheese.

Heat oil over medium high heat in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven and sauté onion for 2–3 minutes until tender. Add meat and cook until done. Drain off excess oil.

Reduce heat to a simmer and stir in salt, pepper, chili powder, 1 cup of the shredded cheddar, Worcestershire, ketchup and mustard. Simmer while stirring for about 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in broth and spaghetti. Pour into a 9x13-inch prepared baking dish.

Scatter with cheese blend and remaining cup of cheddar. Bake about 25 minutes until hot and cheese is melted.

Garnish with paprika and parsley.

Yield: 6–8 servings

P

g o l

Unless otherwise noted, recipes on these pages are from Wendy Perry, a culinary adventurist and blogger, who chats about goodness around NC on her blog at WendysHomeEconomics.com.

Menia’s Chocolate Pie With dill pickles

My mama was no cook. Of the handful of dishes she did cook, this was her version of chocolate pie. And when she made chocolate pie, we always had dill pickles with it. Crazy as that sounds, the pairing works, so give it a try!

1 graham cracker pie crust Filling 1 package (5-ounce) cook and serve chocolate pudding mix 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon sugar 2 eggs, separated 2 cups milk Meringue 2 egg whites About half of a jar (7-ounce) of marshmallow cream Dill pickles, optional Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

For the filling, in a saucepan combine pudding mix, vanilla, sugar and egg yolks.

Whisk in the milk and stir. Cook over medium heat to thicken. Stir constantly to prevent sticking and scorching. Once thickened, pour into pie crust.

To make the meringue, whip egg whites until soft peaks form. Add marshmallow cream and whip until firm peaks form. Spread over pie filling and bake in oven for about 5–7 minutes until lightly browned.

Let the pie “set up” before cutting.

Serve with dill pickles (optional, of course!)

Yield: Makes 1 pie

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Carolina Kitchen

Crispy Ranch Garlic Toast

Who doesn’t love garlic bread? Especially with our Cafeteria Baked Spaghetti! You can easily double this spread and keep refrigerated to pop a slice or two into your toaster oven whenever the notion strikes you. ¾ cup whipped butter, softened 2 tablespoons ranch dressing

From Your Kitchen

2 tablespoons mayonnaise (we prefer Duke’s) ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning 8 slices Texas toast bread

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Blend dressing, mayonnaise and seasonings into butter. Spread generously on slices of toast. Place on a baking pan and toast in oven for about 10 minutes until lightly browned … longer if you like yours darker.

Spinach Artichoke Spread

Strong flavors — garlic, lemon, Worcestershire and hot sauce — cut through the often bland cheesy/creaminess of this dish. This is a spread to be reckoned with! Surround it with an assortment of cured meats, sliced vegetables, crackers or toasted baguette slices.

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.

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

Brown Sugar Pound Cake Each month, we’re taking a look back at some old favorites from our recipe archive. For October, check out “Brown Sugar Pound Cake” from 1970. See this recipe and more at carolinacountry.com/kitchencorner.

1 package (10-ounce) frozen chopped spinach, cooked and well drained 1 package (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened 3 cloves garlic, finely minced 1 teaspoon lemon juice 2 tablespoons yellow onions, finely minced 1 teaspoon hot sauce or to taste ½ teaspoon salt or to taste

¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste 1½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce ¼ up sour cream ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded ½ cup four-cheese blend, shredded (save extra to sprinkle on top!)

1 jar (6-ounce) marinated artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped, reserving 1 tablespoon of marinade

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Add frozen spinach to a pan with one cup of water. Bring to a slow boil and cook spinach until thawed. Continue cooking for 2 minutes. Drain and let cool. Squeeze out excess water.

Combine cream cheese, garlic, lemon juice, onions, hot sauce, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and sour cream.

Mix in the cheeses. Fold in the artichoke hearts and spinach, breaking up spinach in small bits. Blend thoroughly.

Pour into an oven-proof dish, sprinkle with extra shredded cheese, and bake for approximately 25 minutes or until brown and bubbling around the edges.

Freezes well for up to three months. May be divided into smaller dishes and frozen before baking. In this case, remove from freezer and let come to room temperature before baking.

Recipe courtesy of Dee Irby of Stella, a member of Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative

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where

in Carolina Country is this ?

Send your answer by October 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 November issue, will receive $25.

September winner

The September “Where Is This” photo by Surry-Yadkin EMC member Jessica Icenhour Roberts features the Whittling Wall on Oak Street in downtown Mount Airy (“Mayberry”).

The brick sculptures created by NC artist Brad Spencer represent local people who helped shape Mount Airy: legendary fiddle player Tommy Jarrell, banjo player Fred Cockerman, and Ralph Epperson, founder of local WPAQ radio station (all shown here); as well as country singer-songwriter Donna Fargo, African American public educator L.H. Jones, businessman Floyd E. “Flip” Rees, who led the town’s revitalization efforts, and the Mill Worker, representing the men and women who toiled in local textile mills. Reader Marcia Smith said of the artwork: “I love the history it reflects as ghosts of our past that still linger in our midst.” The winning entry chosen at random from more than 400 correct submissions came from David Smith of Newton, a Rutherford 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.

E a l F c W a a

scenes CAROLINA COUNTRY

featured photo

S s S c y h

Lower Bald Sunrise On a brisk morning I walked up to “Lower Bald” on Green River Preserve, to catch the sunrise. This lone dead tree provided some foreground to the foggy Green River Valley as the sun crested the mountains to shine a warm glow across an autumn forest.

Submit your photos at carolinacountry.com/photos

* p w P J A L

Brandon Marshall, Cedar Mountain, a member of Haywood EMC

42 | October 2021

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Lending a helping hand Being part of a cooperative means being part of a community. This is just another example of how the cooperative principles set us apart from a traditional utility structure and empowers Piedmont Electric to be a source of strength and stability for our members.

Our Piedmont Electric community is filled with generous members who choose to round up their bills to the nearest dollar each month as a donation to our Helping Hand Foundation. We then combine those pennies to spread assistance and support to members in need.

For example, during the pandemic, the Helping Hand Foundation created a special relief fund for one-time donations and shifted funds to support crisis financial assistance for energy bills. As of August 2021, more than $128,000 was donated by the Helping Hand Foundation to members who needed energy assistance and broadband grants were awarded to The City of Mebane and Caswell County to aid in providing free public WiFi in parts of these communities. We also helped our members by connecting individuals with organizations that could help.

Funds from the Helping Hand Foundation also help support our community focused programs like college scholarships and Bright Ideas grants for local educators.

If you would like to support our community by rounding up your bill, you can sign up by visiting pemc.smarthub.coop or by calling us at 800.222.3107.

If you’re already donating but would like to give more, you can give additional support to the Helping Hand Foundation by doing any of the following:

Setting up a one-time or recurring monthly donation on your bill through the SmartHub app Donating your capital credits money either online or through the mail Donating online through our Pay Now portal Donating by mail by sending a check to our main office in Hillsborough Donating future capital credits through our capital credits beneficiary designation form Donate by calling us at 800.222.3107

For more information about any of these donation methods and to learn more about how the Helping Hand Foundation benefits our members, visit pemc.coop/donate.

When we all come together, the pennies add up and real change is possible.

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You’re a member, not a customer As we celebrate National Co-op Month, it’s important that we recognize the core of our cooperative, which is you, our members.

While companies like wholesale stores refer to their customers as members, it takes on a different meaning for cooperatives like ours. As a Piedmont Electric member, you have a say in the future of your co-op and how we operate.

STEVE HAMLIN

President & General Manager

Each of you is a member-owner, meaning that you get to help make the important decisions.

One way to do this is by voting for fellow community members to serve on our board of directors.

Being part of a community that looks out for each other is a unique experience that you don’t get from a traditional electric utility. We support each other and show up when one of our members needs assistance. Even the people who go to work every day to serve you as a member of our cooperative are more than just employees; they’re also your neighbors and often fellow co-op members.

Companies that serve customers prioritize making money. As a not-for-profit cooperative, we work hard to keep costs low and return any profits back to our members in the form of capital credits. Our top priority is to always provide you with reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible energy.

Thank you for being part of what makes our cooperative so special. We couldn’t do it without you.

www.pemc.coop

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