2022-03-EU

W E LCO ME TO O U R CO-OP PERIODICAL

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WE ARE ENERGYUNITED Welcome to EnergyUnited, North Carolina’s largest electric cooperative and Your Local Connection to the energy services you need most! Our co-op works day in and day out to keep your Every Day Empowered.

SAFETY INTEGRITY

To keep our employees, members and communities safe, we operate

We trust each other, and work together to

with safety protocols to protect the

make the decisions affecting all aspects of our

good of all involved. It’s first on our list

business. It’s a different approach to business,

because it’s the foundation of our co-op

and one that we will always live by.

and our community.

COMMITMENT

E XC E L L E N C E

We are dedicated to our members,

We continually strive to improve our

customers, employees, communities and to

products and services so that we all can

ourselves. We do what we say we will do and

prosper both as individuals and

maintain our tradition of citizenship and service

as a corporation.

with actions that demonstrate care for the people we serve.

W H AT I S A N E L E C T R I C C O O P E R AT I V E ?

A not-for-profit electric cooperative is a different kind of electric company — one that is owned and controlled by its members and governed by an elected board of directors that has your best interests in mind. Learn more about our co-op by signing up for My EnergyHub with the QR code on the right.

RESTORING POWER

C A P I TA L C R E D I T S Because EnergyUnited is a not-for-profit utility, when we make money beyond our operating costs, we return that money to our members in the form of “capital credits.”

keep your lights on. But when Mother Nature has other plans, you can report outages online

Capital credits are allocated to each individual member based on how much the individual paid the cooperative during a particular period.

For more information, visit EnergyUnited. com/capital-credits-check

With a 99.9% reliability rating we work hard to

or by calling 1-800-EUNITED.

99.9 % R E L I A B I L I T Y R AT I N G

EnergyUnited

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@EnergyUnitedEMC

EnergyUnited Electric Cooperative

EnergyUnitedEMC

2/8/22 3:50 PM

March 2022

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A restaurateur comes home page 26

PERIODICAL

EnergyUnited looks back at CEO Wayne Wilkins’ co-op career—see center pages March covers.indd 9

2/10/22 7:45 AM

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Volume 54, No. 3

22

10

Favorites 2 From Our Readers 4 Viewpoints 6 More Power 20 On the House 24 Carolina Gardens 29 Marketplace 30 Carolina Kitchen 32 Where is This?

32 Carolina Creators

On the Cover Add some color (and functionality) to your garden with portable grow bags. Whether you have a lot or a little space to work with, grow bags have their perks. Learn more on page 10.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Espiritu/ Epic Gardening.

10 22 26 28

24

Portable Gardening

Grow bags add space, flexibility for home gardeners.

Shelled Delights

North Carolina peanuts are always a treat.

Where We Come From

A new column from our old friend Jacob Brooks.

Missy and the Chicken House And other things you remember.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

What’s Cooking in Your Kitchen?

We are always on the lookout for great recipes from our readers. And we put our money where our mouth is, offering $25 for those published. See page 31 for details.

carolinacountry.com | 1

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THIS MONTH:

How Your Garden Grows

Kevin Espiritu/Epic Gardening

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or have been putting off starting one of your own, this month we have tips to help put your yard to work. Learn about grow bags on page 10, then flip to the back for some great recipes for your veggies. Also, on page 6 learn more about an exciting way North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are making the power grid more resilient.

(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800) Volume 54, No. 3

Published monthly by

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

—Scott Gates, editor

Tara Verna Creative Director

From Our Readers

Fox at Night 2021 Trail Camera winner by Christopher Austi; Shot with a Canon Rebel camera

Trail Camera Question I enjoyed the January 2022 article about photography (“Capturing Nature’s Beauty,” page 26), but was surprised to read that a Canon Rebel camera was used as a trail camera.

Is there any additional information about how that was done?

Edgar Serrano Digital Media

Throwback Recipe I do not typically care for pimento cheese. A friend shared this with me (“Creamy Swiss Pimento Cheese,” November 2017, page 16; or online at bit.ly/cc-swiss-pc), and I absolutely loved it. A Iittle sweet at first and a small kick of heat right behind the sweet.

Just soooo good!

For all of you out there that don’t like pimento cheese, you gotta try this one!!

Leslie, via 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.

Joe Hightower, Pine Knoll Shores, a member of Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative Editor’s note: We reached out to Christopher Austin, the photographer who utilizes that trail camera, who explained how he built his own device using a Canon Rebel DSLR camera (with a 50mm or 20mm lens). He did so learning from two resources he recommends: The e-book “DSLR Camera Traps” by Emmanuel Rondeau (bit.ly/pro-camera-traps), and wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas (willbl.com), who founded a company that manufactures specialized camera trap equipment (camtraptions.com).

Keith Alexander Advertising Keith@carolinacountry.com

All content © Carolina Country unless otherwise indicated.

Catherine and Susan after surgery

Gift of Life Catherine: What a wonderful, caring, loving gesture to give your kidney to Susan … truly the gift of life (“Journey To Save A Life,” February 2022, page 8). Thanks for sharing your story with all of us. Blessings to you for a wonderful year ahead!

Maureen Moore, communications manager for Statesville-based EnergyUnited

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.

2 | March 2022

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Viewpoints

Cultivating a Culture of Safety

By Dirk Burleson

Electric cooperatives were built on supporting principles, which have created a culture that is the foundation of how we operate today. Business and strategic decisions made by our boards of directors and management staff are based on reliability, member satisfaction and good sound economics.

Through everything we do in “keeping the lights on” for our members, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are also focused on safety. Electricity is inherently dangerous. It is absolutely critical that the cooperative work environment, where expectations are high, integrates safety as a function so that safety performance is a way of work shared by employees.

Safety is more than a priority for us — it is a part of our culture.

Managers set the tone for safety at each co-op.

A truly safe workplace is best accomplished through engagement at all levels.

Continuous engagement allows the manager to gauge the safety pulse of the organization, but most importantly, it demonstrates a commitment to safety that will permeate to all. Building trust and transparency will allow for continuous growth and improvement in safety.

Through leadership, continuous evaluation and setting the bar high, the safety culture of an organization will be evident. This is even more important today, as a younger work force is developed and new leaders emerge at cooperatives across the state. To maintain a consistent culture of safety, it is important to demonstrate expectations to new employees, as well as

“The greatest

measure of safety are the accidents and injuries that never happen.”

training new leaders and future managers. The greatest value here is helping employees integrate into a work environment where safety is a top priority, where decisions are made with safety being the driving influence, and where it’s made clear that individual actions can and do make a difference.

Without individual ownership in safety, there will be gaps and even misalignments, which will allow for subtle shifts away from expected and learned best practices. All employees are responsible for themselves and their actions first. The importance of this behavior was highlighted with the 8 Promises of “I WILL,” which was a safety initiative promoted in 2017.

This safety initiative was not based on rules or compliance, but on individual promises that encompass safety responsibility. Each promise begins with the words of commitment “I WILL.” Safety starts with the individual, and actions result from personal commitment.

With leadership, individual commitment to a safe culture becomes embedded in how we do our jobs each day. It permeates everything we do, creating a safe environment for our employees, and ensuring we provide safe, reliable service to our members.

The rewards of an organization with a strong safety culture can be hard to measure. We have developed metrics and milestones to measure safety, but the greatest measure of safety are the accidents and injuries that never happen.

Dirk Burleson is general manger for Forest City-based Rutherford EMC.

4 | March 2022

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More Power

March

Quick Hits

Worthwhile Waste Consider making a compost pile for spring yard waste. Shred leaves and chip branches to help with decomposition and turn the pile every two weeks.

Protected Peepers Wear eye protection when working with power tools or chemicals (at work and at home), and limit screen time to reduce eye strain.

Spring Forward Remember to change your carbon monoxide and smoke alarm batteries when the clocks change on March 13.

Energy storage will enhance grid resilience, reliability North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives are planning to install utility scale batteries in 10 communities across rural North Carolina.

Utility scale energy storage can help make power grids more resilient and reliable. Thanks to advances in technology, these rechargeable batteries are becoming more affordable with larger Utility-scale batteries at a Minneapolis substation capacities. The batteries being deployed across NC will be sited at electric cooperative substations, adding local energy resources in communities for enhanced grid resilience and reliability for co-op members.

“Energy storage technology enables North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives to enhance reliability and achieve cost savings that will benefit our consumer-members in rural North Carolina, now and in the years to come,” said Amadou Fall, COO at North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “Cooperatives remain committed to innovation that advances our Brighter Future vision for electricity that is increasingly sustainable, affordable and reliable, and supports our goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

Collectively, the 10 energy storage projects — utilizing lithium iron phosphate batteries (a type of lithium-ion battery) — will provide 40 megawatts (MW) of power, and will be charged when demand for electricity is low and discharged during moments of peak demand. This not only enhances electric reliability but is expected to provide cost savings over the lifetime of the batteries. Because cooperatives are not-for-profit, at-cost energy providers, co-op members will benefit from those savings.

Battery installations began in early 2022, with activations anticipated in the summer. The batteries, engineered and constructed by North Carolina-based FlexGen, complement a growing number of distributed energy resources that co-ops are managing to improve reliability, affordability and sustainability across the grid (see “Boosting Reliability Through Grid Management,” August 2021, page 10).

FlexGen

Les Bons Temps March 1 is Mardi Gras—celebrate (and be celebrated) by whipping up a traditional King Cake.

Find our recipe at bit.ly/cc-kingcake.

Electric Cooperatives To Deploy Batteries Across Rural NC

Putting batteries on the map The batteries will be located at sites served by Brunswick Electric, Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative, Central Electric, Four County EMC, Jones-Onslow EMC, Pee Dee Electric, Randolph EMC, South River EMC, Tri-County EMC and Wake Electric.

Battery Energy Storage Sites

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More Power

Granville County Students are ‘Believing in Reading’ with Wake Electric Grant Bright Ideas grants have impacted more than 2.8 million NC students When English teacher Carole Griffin started losing sleep “Once-reluctant readers now ask for more reading time. over the challenges faced by her students, she spent hours There are not enough words to express my gratitude to the researching how she could best support them in improving Bright Ideas program and to the generous North Carolina academic performance. electric co-ops and their members who support this At J.F. Webb High School in Oxford, the majority of life-changing program.” incoming freshman were Now several months not proficient in reading. into the project, Carole “I couldn’t have imagined Carole understood the says the project has been importance of improving transformative. Students the impact that receiving reading scores, but she are on track to achieve their knew that in order to do literacy goals (and best a Bright Ideas grant would that, she first needed to of all, they are enjoying improve reading attitudes. it). Several described the have on my classes.”

To engage her students in experience as “life chang—English teacher Carole Griffin reading, Carole turned to ing,” giving them access to a Bright Ideas grant from books and learning opporWake Electric. Sponsored tunities they would not by electric cooperatives have otherwise. in North Carolina, Bright “I love the book I picked Ideas grants provide and enjoy it because it funding for teachers to teaches you about life. I implement innovative notice I read faster now, classroom projects that and I thought reading was expand student learning. so boring,” says Zaniah, Previously, Carole was one of Carole’s students. limited to only the books “That’s why I never liked available in her school; reading back in elementary however, with a Bright and middle school, but now Ideas grant, she made it I see how important it is to possible for each of her read, and I cannot wait to students to purchase a pick out another book.” book of their choosing.

Don Bowman, vice presTeacher Carole Griffin’s students selected their own “Picking these books ident of engineering and books through her ‘Believing in Reading’ program. made me want to read operations, and assistant because I know it’s somegeneral manager of Wake thing that will be interesting to me,” says Makiya, one of Electric, said the teachers who receive Bright Ideas grants Carole’s students. are truly making a difference.

Carole’s project, “Believing in Reading,” was created to “The Bright Ideas Education Grant program encourages inspire students, encourage them to be more engaged in local teachers to develop innovative classroom ideas that reading and build literacy skills that would propel them can be implemented to enhance the education process and into their futures. Students selected their desired books at develop future leaders,” he says. “Funded by the members the beginning of the school year and dedicate at least 15 that round up their monthly electric bills, this program minutes a day to reading. To enhance the learning expekeeps Wake Electric directly engaged with the communirience for her students, Carole has each reader submit ties that it serves.” a daily vocabulary log and a weekly reading log. These Since 1994, the Bright Ideas education grant program exercises will help students build their metacognition of supported by North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives unknown words and contribute to an increased appreciahas awarded over $14.3 million in support of 13,536 tion for reading. projects that have impacted well over 2.8 million “I couldn’t have imagined the impact that receiving a students statewide.

Bright Ideas grant would have on my classes,” Carole says.

—Hailey Rodriguez, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives carolinacountry.com | 7

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Caring for the Trees That Care for Us

Electric Co-ops and Healthy Trees North Carolina’s electric cooperatives take a thoughtful approach to right-ofway management along power lines, which includes tree trimming to reduce outages during wind and ice storms.

Co-ops follow best practices to keep the health of vegetation and wildlife in mind (see “A Thoughtful Approach to Keeping Lines Clear,” December 2019, page 4).

By Joan Wenner

This year, the Arbor Day Foundation (arborday.org) celebrates 50 years of inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.

Experts agree on the need to share knowledge on protecting trees now for healthy forests in the future, and states, cities, towns, electric utilities and individuals are working diligently to do just that. As the weather warms and you look to spend at least part of your day outdoors on a trail, in a park or in a shaded backyard spot, here are some Arbor Day facts to keep in mind: ■

■

Communities can also recognize their own Arbor Day — fall is a good choice for scheduling plantings. “The generally mild winters allow newly planted trees to become established in advance of the next year’s hot spring and summer weather, improving survival,” according to the NC Forest Service.

The Arbor Day Foundation has extensive information for landowners, including planting advice. Here are a few tips if you plan to plant a tree: ■

An early pioneer, J. Sterling Morton is said to be among many that moved into the Nebraska Territory in the mid-1800s. He and his wife noticed the lack of trees and began planting trees, shrubs and flowers, which led to the founding of Arbor Day (from the Latin arbor, meaning tree).

Nebraska and some other states recognize Arbor Day in April, to correspond with Morton’s birthday.

North Carolina officially recognizes it on the first Friday after March 15 (March 18 this year).

■

Be aware of power lines and plan for future growth when planting: Tall trees such as maple, oak, spruce and pine should be at least 50 feet away from power lines; medium trees (growing 40 feet tall or less) should be at least 20 feet away. Avoid planting any tree within 20 feet of power lines — if it’s unavoidable, stick to varieties that reach a mature height of 15 feet or less.

Before you start digging to plant a tree, call 811 to locate buried utility lines.

Monroe-based Union Power Cooperative, for example, has consistently been named a Tree Line USA utility by the Arbor Day Foundation to recognize a commitment to proper tree pruning, planting and care.

“We work diligently to keep our rights-ofways safe for our members, employees, and communities,” says Union Power Manager of Vegetation Management Wil Ortiz.

■

Choose trees wisely with native species being best for a “natural” framework on your property.

You can also try what is called “food-scaping” by planting garlic, basil, mint and other shade-loving edibles among the trees.

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

Game On! Rising 6th and 7th graders can apply to attend basketball camp this summer Each year, North Carolina’s local electric cooperatives award full scholarships to local middle school students to attend summer collegiate basketball camps.

Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp

Carolina Basketball School

NC State in Raleigh June 19–22

UNC in Chapel Hill June 18–22

Visit ncelectriccooperatives.com/ sports-camps by March 31 to apply!

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2/7/22 12:26 PM

Grow bags add space, flexibility for home gardeners

By Pamela A. Keene Photos by Espiritu/Epic Gardening unless otherwise indicated

10 | March 2022

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As a home gardener, Jeff Hays quickly outgrew the raised garden beds at his home in Garner several years ago, but his love of gardening continued to expand.

“We had a pretty small yard with no more room for additional raised beds, but we did have nooks and crannies for grow bags,” says Jeff, a dentist and self-taught gardener who claims the pastime as his favorite hobby.

“Using the fabric bags, I have been pretty much able to grow crops yearround. Plus they’re portable and really produce much healthier crops.”

These newfangled growing containers typically made of porous fabric offer advantages from portability to crop rotation. Harvesting can be easier, and the bags can be placed just about anywhere.

Why bags are better

NC State Horticultural Extension Agent Hannah Smith fills a grow bag.

“It’s a matter of choice which colors to use,” Hannah says. “The lighter colors reflect the sun and heat more than the darker colors, and some people prefer them. And if the bags get too hot, you can always move them to a place with more shade, but too much heat can affect the roots.”

Grow bag tips

Nestle grow bags among existing landscape plantings, put them around the yard, on a patio or deck, or add them between raised beds. Plant them with flowers to attract pollinators and place them near vegetable crops.

Fill the grow bags with a soil

Hannah Smith

In the past five to seven years, grow bags have gained popularity for home gardeners, improving on their predecessors — empty plastic or burlap bags — because they are more rigid, are available in many sizes and allow for excellent drainage.

“Grow bags make it easy to grow flowers, vegetables and shrubs in small places,” says Hannah Smith, North Carolina State University horticultural extension agent in Pitt County. “The advantages make good sense and can be an excellent alternative for all kinds of urban gardeners with smaller yards. People living in apartments and condominiums can grow fresh tomatoes, peppers, perennials and annuals on their patios or decks to enjoy all season long.

“Another advantage is what we call ‘air-pruning,’ which prevents plants becoming rootbound,” Hannah continues. “When the roots are exposed to the air at the sides of the bags, they actually stop growing in that direction and just make new roots. If they are planted in traditional containers, the roots just turn around and go the other way, circling back on themselves and literally strangling.”

Many brands have handles, plus they come in a range of colors and are UV light-resistant, meaning they will hold up for several years.

mixture of organic matter and well-draining potting soil. “Do not add native soil because it may introduce diseases and pests,” she says.

“Adding composted materials can help as well.”

Using new soil in grow bags each season reduces the risk of soil-borne pests and disease from year to year.

“Crops like tomatoes, okra, beans and greens planted in the same beds each year may result in a build-up of specific diseases and a reduction of nutrients over time,” Hannah says.

“Good gardening practices encourage crop rotation, although when you use grow bags with fresh soil each season, carolinacountry.com | 11

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these problems are minimized.”

Jeff mixes his own soil using compost, commercial potting soil, organic matter and perlite or vermiculite to ensure a growing medium that’s rich in nutrients and resists compaction.

Watering and feeding are different than with traditional plantings.

“I use drip-irrigation emitters on timers, but you can also water regularly by hand,” he says. “Realize that grow bags will dry out more quickly because they are porous, so keep an eye on them between rain showers.”

Nutrients also tend to leach out of the soil faster because the bags drain well.

“You should probably feed these crops more often, based on the needs of the plants,” Jeff says. “That way, you’re setting yourself up for better yields.”

The bags can be emptied, hosed off and cleaned, and stored when not in use.

Jeff and his wife, Jessica, moved into a new home last fall. “We’re looking forward to having much more garden space and plenty of raised beds, but we’re keeping the grow bags as well,” he says. “There are too many advantages to using them to quit.”

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

Learn more about grow bag gardening from these resources:

Quarto Publishing

It’s in the bag

■ NC State Extension has several online

resources, including tips for container and grow bag gardening. Visit ces.ncsu.edu and search the publications section.

■ Nationally syndicated garden expert Joe Lamp’l

has a detailed podcast on grow bags on his website at bit.ly/jg-growbags.

■ Author and gardening guru Kevin Espiritu

offers step-by-step instructions on the ins and outs of grow bag gardening in his book, Grow Bag Gardening. Visit epicgardening.com to learn more.

12 | March 2022

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2/9/22 2:50 PM

Calling All Car Enthusiasts!

2nd Annual Memory Lane Classic Car Show

April 29 & 30, 2022 at 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee, GA 30546 8 a.m.– 4 p.m. each day It’s Fun for the Whole Family with Raffle Prizes, Live Auction, Live Music, Food Vendors, Arts & Crafts and Swap Meet Live Auction Saturday, April 30th at the Eller Holler Stage General Admission $10/Per Person • Children 12 & Under are Free!

Interested in Registering for the Car Show or Being a Vendor? Your Registration Includes 2 Admissions Vehicle and Motorcycle Registration • $30/Vehicle Vendor Registration • $50 for Crafters and $100 for Food Vendors

For More information, Call Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds at 706.896.4191 Traveling From Out of Town? Visit VisitTownsCounty.com for Lodging Options for Your Vacation!

CC1991_IPR187_CarolinaCtry_032022.qxp_IPR187_CarolinaCtry_March22 1/2/22 10:46 PM Page 1

May God give you…For every storm, a rainbow, for every tear, a smile, for every care, a promise, and an answer for each prayer.

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State

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Mail to: The Concorde Collection P.O. Box 8017, Aston, PA 19014

C

THE CONCORDE COLLECTION

©2020 TCC

Name

IPR187

2/7/22 12:26 PM

POWERING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives are leading the way to a brighter future for our 2.5 million members and local communities.

Sustainable, Affordable Energy

Pursuing a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 using new and existing resources to ensure electricity continues to be delivered at the lowest possible cost.

Reliability & Innovation

Leveraging new technologies and innovation to deliver reliable electricity across resilient, co-op operated electric grids.

Local Community Support

Enriching the lives of our local members through continued education initiatives, economic development and communityfocused activities.

NCElectricCooperatives.com/Brighter

CEC CR 33094 Business NC_7.875x10.875.indd 1 CC03_wk.indd 14

1/5/22 4:04 PM 2/7/22 12:16 PM

Carolina Living

A Balanced Landscape Unwanted wildlife may be a boon to your garden

By Katie Jackson

A

s wonderful as it is to have a yard filled with flitting birds and floating butterflies, there are times when uninvited wildlife species crash the party. So what’s a homeowner to do with these unexpected guests?

“You don’t have to invite the entire wild kingdom into your yard,” says David Mizejewski, spokesperson with the National Wildlife Foundation.

“We do, however, need to understand what brings them to our doors.

Nature-based gardening practices are, of course, the main attraction, but when uninvited wildlife guests show up, it can be disconcerting.”

Often these critters are members of the local wildlife community who are drawn to a yard by a bowl of cat food left on the doorstep, or an open compost bin. They also may be homeless because of habitat loss and are looking for food and shelter in wildlife-friendly landscapes or landscapes loaded with yummy fruits, vegetables and foliage.

While they can pose a threat to humans, pets and property, most are more nuisances than dangers and can

be dealt with in a kinder, friendlier manner. In fact, David says, the best defense is to create a natural balance in the landscape that accommodates all the critters in the neighborhood.

Gardening for wildlife requires a change in traditional attitudes toward “pests.”

“Most of the time in home landscapes, the only time you have real problems is when you have created such an unnatural scenario that things get out of balance, without natural checks and balances,” David says.

Creating a garden featuring an array of different plants that support a diversity of wildlife species helps restore that balance. Many native plants are either resistant to or repugnant to wildlife feeding, for example.

“Conventional gardening would say, if you see an insect eating your plant, you should run out and get some insecticide and spray it,” David says. “But if you have a little more information, you may recognize that the insect is a native caterpillar or a moth that is a really important

pollinator — which is also a food source for birds trying to feed their babies — and the native plant it’s eating is adapted to be eaten by that caterpillar so it will not be damaged … why would you want to kill it?”

Compromise can also help, such as designing gardens using natural, flowing lines so that damage from wildlife feeding on plants is not as noticeable.

If the problem becomes too onerous for accommodation or compromise, though, the first line of defense is to use nonlethal and nonpoisonous controls, such as barriers, motion-activated sprinklers and unappealing scents and flavors sprayed on or around plants and areas of the yard. If that doesn’t work, turn to professional, humane wildlife control experts or wildlife conservation groups for help.

Katie Jackson is a freelance journalist and author who has served as Alabama Living magazine’s gardening columnist for more than 20 years.

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Carolina Living

Good Sleep Can Improve Your Health

E W

Tips to set you up for sleep success

D t T

By Pamela A. Keene

H

ow well are you sleeping? Do you toss and turn?

Does it take a long time to fall asleep? Throughout the day, do you feel drowsy? The quantity and quality of sleep can affect your overall health in surprising ways.

“Sleep is vital to good health and wellness, no matter your age,” says Raj Dasgupta, MD, spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “When you think about it, people spend one-third of their lives sleeping. If you live to age 90, that’s 30 years of sleep.”

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends at least seven hours of sleep for adults. However, just being in bed, tossing and turning, doesn’t mean your sleep is effective in helping your organs, brain and body rejuvenate.

“As physicians, we measure the effectiveness of sleep by both quantity and quality,” says Dr. Dasgupta. “If you’re not getting the right amount of sleep to meet your individual needs, and your quality of sleep is poor, meaning your mind and body are not going to the deeper stages of sleep or REM sleep, you are at higher risk for such ailments as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It may sound easy to aim for good sleep but in reality, a number of factors can make it harder than you think.”

Dasgupta says that people having difficulty initiating sleep, maintaining sleep or feeling unrefreshed despite having adequate time to sleep for more than three times a week over three months should strongly consider talking with their physician. Keeping a log or journal of sleep and daytime symptoms can assist with identifying possible causes.

Setting and sticking to a regular bedtime routine includes managing the noise, light levels and temperature of your bedroom, which can help improve your sleep.

Here are other tips from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for improving sleep: ■

Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Get up at the same time every day, even on weekends or during vacations.

■

Set a bedtime that is early enough for you to get at least seven hours of sleep.

■

Don’t go to bed unless you are sleepy.

■

If you don’t fall asleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed.

■

Establish a relaxing bedtime routine.

■

Make your bedroom quiet and relaxing. Keep the room at a comfortable, cool temperature.

■

Limit exposure to bright light in the evenings.

■

Turn off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.

■

Don’t eat a large meal before bedtime. If you are hungry at night, eat a light, healthy snack.

■

Exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy diet.

■

Avoid consuming caffeine in the late afternoon or evening.

■

Avoid consuming alcohol before bedtime.

■

Reduce your fluid intake before bedtime.

“Healthy sleep is as important as proper nutrition and regular exercise for our health and well-being,” says Dr. Dasgupta. “And, since most of us are sleeping about 30 percent of our lives, why not prioritize these sleeping hours to maximize all their benefits?”

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

16 | March 2022

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MARCH 2022

CONNECT E N E R G Y U N I T E D ' S M O N T H LY M E M B E R N E W S L E T T E R

KEEPING COSTS LOW

THROUGH I N N OVAT I O N IN THIS ISSUE TOWN OF CORNELIUS & CHOPLIN’S RESTAURANT

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SPOTLIGHT ON WAYNE WILKINS

LANDSCAPING YOUR YARD

2/9/22 3:54 PM

A LETTER FROM

OUR CEO H . WAY N E W I L K I N S When the electric cooperatives that formed EnergyUnited were founded over 80 years ago, we looked to align ourselves with the seven cooperative principles we still see and know today. And though each individual principle holds a different value for our members, they all share the same core impetus: looking out for our members’ best interests. Although many things have changed over the course of our cooperative’s existence, we have continued to look out for one another, and have searched for innovations to help usher in cost savings and a greener energy future. This month I’d like to turn our focus to the ways in which we strive and succeed at providing members with reliable and low-cost energy with the technologies that power it.

Through initiatives like our Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Field Asset Inventory and Distribution Automation Switching, we’ve increased meter reads to a 99.7% success rate over the past 18 months, added nearly 7.2 million data points to help communicate outages, and put systems in place to help get your lights on sooner. In fact, the grid has evolved and adapted so much within these past several years that we’ve created a full-time position for these shifting and changing technologies: Manager of Grid Modernization.

The team member in this position is responsible for finding ways to evolve practices, implement energy-saving technologies and look for crucial cost savings for our members. Change can sometimes be scary, but we’re finding more and more that with the right tools and technologies in place, we can save you, our members, even more money. And that’s something we are very proud of.

Sincerely,

H. Wayne Wilkins

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$5,000

NOW IS YOUR FINAL CHANCE

TO EMPOWER THE FUTURE

The Empowering the Future Scholarship is open to high school students in our 19-county service area. Two students who are planning to attend a college, university or technical school during the 2022-23 school year will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship. To be eligible, students must receive service from EnergyUnited at home or attend a school that is served by EnergyUnited, and complete an application on our website.

Don’t miss out on your chance to win $5,000! The deadline to enter is March 31, 2022.

Visit EnergyUnited.com/empowering-the-future-scholarship-application/

F I N A L C H A N C E T O A P P LY F O R T O U C H S T O N E E N E R G Y

NC SPORTS CAMP

Each year, one girl and one boy are selected to attend basketball camp at two prestigious North Carolina college campuses. The all-expenses-paid scholarships, sponsored by North Carolina’s 26 Touchstone Energy cooperatives, provide funding for more than 50 middle school students across the state. Young women can apply to attend the Wolfpack Basketball Camp at North Carolina State University, and young men can apply to the Carolina Basketball Camp at the University of North Carolina.

Students must be enrolled in fifth or sixth grade at a qualifying North Carolina school within EnergyUnited’s service area.

The application deadline is March 31, 2022.

Camps are held in June 2022.

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

TOWN OF

CORNELIUS Nestled on the banks of beautiful Lake Norman, the Town of Cornelius offers the perfect opportunity for visitors, newcomers and residents to participate in the lake-living lifestyle of a small town, while enjoying the vitality of a growing and diverse community.

Cornelius, located just outside Charlotte, provides residents with a window on the past and an eye to the future. The lake is home to the land where the Catawba Indians once walked, and the early European settlers made their stand. Today, it is home to gorgeous county parks (Jetton, Ramsey Creek and Blythe Landing) and vibrant retail businesses. New neighborhoods have emerged and families have relocated to the region, making the Town of Cornelius and Lake Norman one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

The town, home to 32,000 residents, boasts 74 miles of shoreline. Residents and guests can take part in the many water activities the lifestyle offers: boat and ski rentals, chartered cruises, watersports, fishing and guides, as well as waterfront dining at Port City Club or Hello, Sailor! Cornelius, home to fine dining, is really becoming renowned for its cocktail destinations and independent breweries.

Three-term Mayor Woody Washam points out that the best is yet to come with the introduction of Charlotte’s Olde Mecklenburg Brewery expanding into downtown Cornelius, and with it, a large outdoor biergarten to cater to residents and patrons in early 2023.

Perhaps the real jewel is a state-of-the-art $25 million Performing and Visual Arts Center, which is slated to open in December 2022. “Our new Cain Center for the Arts will feature a 400-seat theater to showcase live performances, gallery space for visual arts, event spaces, three classrooms, community green space, an outdoor plaza, plus parking and pedestrian access,” states Washam. The Center is already planning and presenting classes and programs for adults and children of all ages.

Visitors and residents can browse VisitLakeNorman.org for more information on dining and entertainment, and newcomers and prospective businesses can find out more about the region at LakeNormanChamber.org. Again, on behalf of our business community and the Town of Cornelius: Welcome to Lake Norman — a great place to live, work and visit!

Information courtesy of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, Visit Lake Norman, and the Town of Cornelius.

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FOOD, FAMILY AND

FRIENDS

CHOPLIN’S RESTAURANT

IN CORNELIUS!

Choplin�s Restaurant opened its doors in 2010, fulfilling Wes Choplin�s lifelong dream of owning a fresh local eatery in his home state of North Carolina. It all started when he was a young boy watching his grandmother in the kitchen, when he quickly realized his passion for cooking. After working in various high-end establishments, Chef Wes, as he is fondly known in the industry, opened Choplin�s Restaurant.

Today, Choplin�s Restaurant is a standard for excellence in the Lake Norman community and surrounding areas, not only as an establishment where you can enjoy a world-class dining experience, but also as a platform to give back to the community. Chef Wes channels his passion for preparing delicious meals not only for his customers, but for those in need. Choplin�s Restaurant works with Watchmen of The Streets throughout the year to feed the homeless, and Chef Wes pursues his own efforts to assist anyone in need. At the height of the pandemic, Chef Wes started a feeding program for kids, preparing over 800 weekly lunches.

We invite you to visit Choplin�s Restaurant at www.choplins.com to find out more about this gem in the community!

Next up, we’re highlighting Taylorsville-area spots! Submit your favorite Taylorsville cafes, bars, restaurants and bakeries no later than MARCH 20 to EU-Communications@EnergyUnited.com.

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A SPOTLIGHT ON

WAY N E WILKINS

As many of you know, our CEO Wayne Wilkins has announced his retirement. After 50 years in the energy cooperative space, including 16 years as CEO of Davidson EMC and 15 years as CEO of EnergyUnited, he sat down with us to discuss his career, his learnings, and his plans for retirement.

Q.

Looking back on your resumé, you’ve had quite the impressive career! What are some things that you felt particularly aided you in your role as CEO? As I look back and ask myself the question of what I would do different, I don’t think I could’ve picked a better business to be in. There are just so many incredible people and facets within this job that have pushed me and grown me as a leader, a friend and even a father. One of the most critical pieces that I would say aided my role as CEO is the employees who came to me with a growth mindset. Seeing them think of an idea and then watching them do it. It’s a very profound experience to watch people that you work with set out to succeed and push others to join them. It’s contagious! Another huge piece is my extended co-op family within the state and nation, including our members! Being able to meet leaders and cooperative boards from across the country provided and prepared me in understanding the very real concerns and interests of our members.

The fact of it is, there have been so many who have helped me in my role, it’s impossible to name just one or two!

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Q.

What are some of the things you will miss most about EnergyUnited?

Working with employees and seeing they are interested in and proud of what they do is something that I will definitely miss. I’ll also really miss my team — I have a really strong leadership team. I will miss my board and their insights; talking with members at the annual meeting; speaking about the difference that EnergyUnited has made in the community, and witnessing it unfold in real time. In the early days I used to be really stressed but relying on my team and listening to EnergyUnited members really helped me ease some of those feelings. It’s amazing what surrounding yourselves with the right people will do for you.

2/9/22 2:02 PM

Q.

Who are some of the people that helped prepare you for this role today? And how did they help?

Former CEO Hugh Kegler, of Davidson EMC, was a very good mentor. He helped put me in a variety of positions that I could learn in. My professional peers have always been a good source of education, and of course I would be remiss in not mentioning the support and care of my family, especially my wife.

As someone who works at an energy company, you don’t get many days that you get to play out in the snow with your kids — because you’re at work! But my kids understood that, and my wife helped them too. She really carried a lot of responsibilities that I couldn’t take on and I’m grateful to her for that.

Q.

How has your role as the CEO of a local cooperative rippled into bigger-picture thinking? Do you find that the work you’ve done through your career has (and continues) to have a large state impact, or even nationwide?

I’ve spent a lot of time volunteering and engaging with energy committees, other cooperative leadership and local legislation. The impact in

“

working together with other folks from across the state (and the nation) to usher in new bills, new technologies and new infrastructures was incredible. Those moments took a lot of hard work and a few sleepless nights but were always well worth it. Progress, especially when it comes to new technologies, takes time. And it can be a large undertaking to try and communicate, especially to members who might be hesitant to that type of thing, but allowing them to feel heard, evaluate the nuance of it and hold a little compassion was a valuable piece. That might seem like a small thing, but it often holds a big impact. When adversity and change face us it really helps us step back to understand the influence of what we do.

Q.

As a father and grandfather, how have you felt that your career shaped your children’s upbringing?

Well, some would describe me as a bit of a “workaholic” and I think for better or worse that has rubbed off on my two sons. They are both very dedicated to their jobs. As a person who went to school and has spent his life in engineering and energy, it’s probably no surprise that one of my sons also decided to walk that path with his career.

My other son works in law enforcement, and though I don’t have a history in that, I have spent my life working with people on a day-to-day basis and solving problems, and that’s exactly what my youngest does too in law enforcement.

The impact in working together with other folks from across the state (and the nation) to usher in new bills, new technologies and new infrastructures was incredible.

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”

2/9/22 2:02 PM

Q. “

Who are some of the people that you will miss the most?

My board and my executive team. They’ve all been so helpful with the freedom to disagree and challenge each other. They hold the power to get things done and search for solutions. Mac Shoaf also really helped me out when he was here.

He was a farmer who had a way of telling you everything without saying anything. He spoke his mind but allowed me the freedom to do it my way. There are many folks that have retired who I will miss, like retired attorney Bob Bowers, Roy McDonald and R.B. Sloan.

Q.

I imagine there have been a few laughs along the way — can you share one of the funniest memories you might have from your tenure?

When you’re with employees and talking about things there are just little silly things that come up. Paul Parts comes to mind. He was a region line manager and a hard knocks kind of guy, but he knew how to build and maintain the line to get things working. And there were many times early on that I would go out to learn and observe with him and would also have quite a few laughs.

Though it’s hard to really put my finger on any specific moment, this career has shown me that there is joy to be found anywhere you look.

It has been a pleasure and honor to serve as President of the Board alongside Wayne during his tenure as CEO. Over the course of his storied career in the energy industry, Wayne was continually committed to supporting member and community service initiatives that positively impacted so many people. EnergyUnited has been successfully positioned as the leading energy services provider in North Carolina thanks to his leadership and dedication. I am incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to serve with Wayne and sincerely appreciate all that he has done on behalf of EnergyUnited members.

”

— Dr. Max Walser

Q.

Do you have a proudest accomplishment?

The consolidation of Crescent and Davidson EMC into EnergyUnited in 1997 was a huge task.

R.B. Sloan and I embarked on this journey to consolidate, and it’s probably where I grew most of my white hair. It was a huge amount of work. We both knew our strengths and we took paths to pull the full power of those strengths. We both had the vision and understanding of why it was beneficial.

It took years to fully transition, to usher in change and to adopt new skills and methods. What I used to hear often was, “Well, we did it this way before…” and in changing you learn to challenge these previous conceptions and work toward a better way. And that continued on with technology implementation, like our smart grid, EV chargers and Advanced Metering Structure. It’s really been an exciting thing to experience and achieve in my career — and I’m really proud of that.

Q.

What are some things that you found surprising when taking on this role?

I wouldn’t really say “surprising” so much as I would say “satisfying” but I’ve always been amazed to watch employees tackle a problem. It’s a very satisfying thing to watch.

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in to that been vider on. I ve e

”

Q.

What would you tell the next CEO of EnergyUnited — any words of encouragement?

Really understand where your employees are coming from. Dig into what the member interests are and know that you’re really here to serve people. This is not a business that you go into for yourself, you have to understand your enduser and what motivates them. Something that I’ve found rewarding is to look ahead, through things like strategic planning and envisioning what something will look like, which allows you to have some good conversations about what could happen and brainstorm about what would happen then. Holding these visions in your mind’s eye can really help keep you on track. I would also say: Understand how technology can improve members' lives and the cooperative as a whole. Learn to embrace change and encourage people to look outside the window to get the bigger picture. There’s enough to keep us all busy.

But keeping an eye on the primary groups and listening to their concerns is number one.

Q.

Any other thoughts you’d like to share?

This has been a tremendous career for me. Being at EnergyUnited for as long as I have obviously demonstrates that I’ve really loved this. I could not have picked a better career than this, but with all that said, I had committed to myself that when I reached 70 I would reevaluate — and I did. My grandkids are such a joy to me and I just can’t enjoy them enough. I’m so excited to spend time with them, to enjoy time at our cabin in Virginia and just find time to enjoy and experience the people that matter most to me in my life.

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LANDSCAPING

YO U R YA R D Leave a Buffer Zone Around Electrical Equipment As spring arrives, EnergyUnited would like to remind members about our rules for planting around power equipment to ensure the vegetation does not affect your power.

In many situations, property owners plant shrubs and plants to screen pad-mounted transformers and cabinets. The cooperative reminds property owners not to plant too close to the underground facilities. Trees with surface roots or deep spreading roots can cause damage to the equipment. Also remember to consider the trees� and shrubs� mature width prior to planting.

EnergyUnited requires a 3' buffer on three sides and 12' buffer in the front of the transformers and cabinets (padlock side of the cabinet). This is necessary to ensure that crews can access the transformer and cabinet for maintenance and/or service restoration.

We appreciate your cooperation in supporting our vegetation management plan.

By working together, we can help control the cost of your electric service, reduce the possibilities of power interruptions to your neighborhood and still enjoy the positive qualities that shrubs and plants contribute to our daily lives.

YARD WORK

MADE EASY

Keeping your gardens looking their best and your lawn perfectly trimmed takes a lot of time and effort. Luckily, smart technology can transform your outdoor space into a smart yard, completing some of the more timeconsuming tasks for you. Sounds pretty great, huh?

Learn more at the QR code below!

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DAVIE COUNTY�S

N E W BUSINESS There’s an exciting new neighbor coming to Davie County: Palltronics, and we’re proud to provide them the energy services they need to power their business!

Palltronics is a smart pallet manufacturer that is bringing 200 new jobs to Mocksville and plans to invest $40 million in upfit, equipment and personal property at the new location in SouthPoint Business Park. Headquartered in Michigan, Palltronics has developed the first fully trackable, long-life shipping pallet made of a durable wood substrate and embedded with technology that allows customers to track shipments in real time. The information gathered by these pallets conveys temperature, humidity, location and other factors that may impact product integrity.

The Mocksville facility is set to be up and running within the next six months and we’re proud to help empower this technology, the company, and the benefits this product will provide to customers nationwide.

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Carolina Living

Electrical Equipment Word Search Did you know cooperatives use a variety of equipment to send electricity to your home? Read the the facts below to learn about the equipment.

Then find and circle each fact’s bolded word in the puzzle.

C T N Z E S V U S X E Y B U Z

Y U H N J G Z S N S L B L H B

F R Z B A L Q C O R E G P U R

S S T Z D F O T I E C V T J I

S O B R K Y W A T M T H G Y Y

B E V S X M K S A R R U I Z Q

U Q N M Z O V W T O I N F L I

R N Z I T G D J S F C P N K U

U S E K L I C I B S M D Z A J

X G B Y Z R H E U N E L T S M

S E F X S E E O S A T K S L F

• Transformers look like large metal cans on top of utility poles or big green boxes on the ground. They reduce the voltage of electricity for safe use in your home.

• Power lines hang overhead or are placed underground to carry electricity from where it’s generated to homes and businesses.

Z W U U E N U W E R E C M H H

P S S I E C K B O T R R B H Z

Z E K J E O O H X P S R G E D

S K C U R T T E K C U B E C R

• Lineworkers use bucket trucks to reach power lines and poles when making repairs and updates to the electrical system.

• Electric meters are placed on the outside of homes to measure the amount of electricity you use.

• Substations are facilities that contain equipment to help control the flow of electricity.

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2/8/22 2:08 PM

Carolina Living

Heart-Healthy Chicken Dishes Help manage cholesterol with cooking swaps

High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for heart disease and stroke, with about 38% of American adults diagnosed with high cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. It can be managed by getting levels regularly tested and making lifestyle changes like eating a heart-healthy diet.

Small changes can make a big impact Chicken Tortilla Soup on heart health. Start with these tips while planning and preparing meals: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken ■ Reduce saturated fat. Select lean cuts

of meat or opt for plant protein, limit processed meats, broil or bake rather than pan-fry meats and remove skin from poultry before cooking.

■ Lower dairy fats. Low-fat, fat-free or

non-dairy milk can be used in many recipes instead of whole milk or half-and-half.

■ Increase fiber and whole grains.

Add high-fiber vegetables to meals, serve fruit instead of juice and try brown rice instead of white.

The recipes here put these tips into practice to help you eat healthy without sacrificing taste. Find more ideas for managing cholesterol and other risk factors at heart.org/cholesterol.

2 2 1 ¼ 1 1 2 ¼ 3 2–4 ¼ ¼

breasts, visible fat discarded, cut into 1/2-inch cubes cups frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed cups fat-free, no-salt-added chicken broth can (14½ ounces) no-salt-added, diced tomatoes, undrained cup finely chopped onion teaspoon sugar teaspoon ancho powder medium garlic cloves, minced teaspoon salt corn tortillas (6 inches each) tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro cup finely chopped avocado medium red bell pepper, cut into matchstick-size strips

In slow cooker, stir chicken, corn, broth, tomatoes, onion, sugar, ancho powder, garlic and salt. Cook, covered, on low 6–8 hours, or on high 3–4 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Take two tortillas and cut into ¼-inchwide strips. On baking sheet, arrange tortilla strips in single layer. Bake 8–10 minutes, or until crisp. Transfer baking sheet to cooling rack. Let strips stand 15 minutes, or until cool. Transfer to airtight container and set aside.

When soup is ready, transfer 1 cup to food processor or blender. Tear remaining tortilla into pieces and stir in. Let mixture stand 1 minute. Process until smooth. Stir mixture into soup. Stir in cilantro.

Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with avocado, bell pepper and reserved tortilla strips.

Yield: 4 servings

—FamilyFeatures.com

Air Fryer Crispy (Un) Fried Chicken ½ cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley ½ teaspoon ground oregano ¼ teaspoon pepper ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) ½–1 cup low-fat buttermilk ½ tablespoon hot pepper sauce (optional) 1/3 cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs 1/3 cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 oz each), visible fat trimmed, flattened to ¼-inch thickness, patted dry with paper towels Nonstick cooking spray

Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees.

In shallow dish or pie pan, whisk flour, parsley, oregano, pepper and cayenne.

In separate shallow dish or pie pan, whisk buttermilk and hot sauce.

In third shallow dish or pie pan, stir panko and Parmesan.

Place these dishes and one large plate in a row. Dip chicken in flour mixture, then buttermilk mixture, then panko mixture, turning to coat at each step and gently shaking off excess. Place chicken on plate. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.

Lightly spray chicken with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange chicken in single layer in air fryer basket, working in batches if needed. Cook 10–15 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in center and coating is golden brown, turning once halfway through and lightly spraying with nonstick cooking spray.

Yield: 4 servings

18 | March 2022

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2/9/22 4:20 PM

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2/7/22 12:16 PM

On the House

All About HVAC Filters Pricier isn’t always better

By Jonathan Susser

Q:

I’ve been buying the same kind of filter for my heating and cooling system for years, but there’s such an assortment available. What’s the difference between the various types?

A:

It certainly can be a little overwhelming to stand in front of a wall of air filters with all of their different labels, colors, numbers and costs. Before diving into some of the details, let’s review the purpose of these important home components.

Most modern central heating and cooling systems are a closed loop. As a very high-level description, when running, they pull air from around your home into a “return” (as air is returning to the system), which goes through an air handler fan to be conditioned. Conditioned air is then sent through supply registers in the floor or ceiling of each room, only to be sucked back into the return once again.

The filter is typically found at the return grille (you may have more than one) to help manage contaminants — think particles and chemicals — in your home’s air. If you didn’t have a filter, dust and debris would enter the return and could damage your heating and cooling equipment.

The main way filters differ is based on how well they can, well, filter.

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) ratings are an industryaccepted metric that measure a filter’s ability to capture particles between 0.3 and 10 microns. To put this in perspective, one inch equals 25,400 microns. Filters with higher

ratings are better at capturing and eliminating particles that would otherwise be circulating in the air. High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, which you may have been hearing more about over the past two years, are considered to be filters with the highest MERV rating of 17-plus.

You might think that a heavierduty filter that captures more contaminants is automatically better.

Some even help clean the air, and they can usually last longer before needing to be replaced. But don’t go running back to the store just yet — there are things to consider.

The air handler fan of your heating and cooling system expects to pull in air from your home at a certain rate. If you currently have a more basic filter and jump straight to one with a high MERV rating, your air would be cleaner, but that filter would also make it more difficult for air to pass, and your fan would have to work harder (using more energy and costing you more money) to push the right amount through. Something similar could happen with basic filters that are clogged, so it is important to check yours every month or so and replace them when they get dirty.

Another consideration with higher MERV filters is their size: They tend to be thicker than more basic filters, to the point that they may not even fit in your return grille. To remedy this, they can be installed further along in the system, such as right before the fan. If you think you want a filter with a high MERV rating, such as 13 or greater, talk with an HVAC contractor to make sure it will work properly.

If you’re worried about the air quality in a particular part of your home, you could try spot filtration for that area rather than changing your whole-home filter.

Finally, keep in mind that even the best filters only work as intended when there’s a good seal around them. If you notice gray dust around your filter, air might be bypassing it, rendering it less effective. You can give it a better fit by using tape or thin magnetic strips along the metal sides of the grille.

Jonathan Susser is a writer and editor for Advanced Energy in Raleigh.

Learn more about MERV ratings and air filters from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at bit.ly/epa-merv.

20 | March 2022

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Shelled Delights Adobe Stock

North Carolina peanuts are always a treat

By Margaret Buranen

For North Carolina’s agricultural economy, peanuts are worth a lot more than, well, peanuts.

North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina collectively grow 90 percent of the “Virginia” type of peanuts (the largest and crunchiest) sold all over the country. They’re available as shelled “cocktail peanuts” and in-shell peanuts, an old-time treat.

Roasted in-shell Virginia peanuts are a staple concession stand item at baseball games and other sporting events. They’re also a great snack at home while watching UNC or NC State basketball games on a cold winter night.

To grow well, peanut plants require sandy soil like that of eastern and southern North Carolina.

Counties with numerous peanut Bertie County Peanuts

Jack Powell, Bertie County Peanuts

farms include Bertie, Wilson, Duplin, Pitt, Edgecombe, Martin, Robeson, Columbus and Halifax.

“North Carolina has approximately 500 peanut growers across the state,” says Ashley Collins, CEO of the North Carolina Peanut Growers Association.

One of those growers is Jack Powell, who grows peanuts with his sons Jon and Jeff. Jack’s grandfather grew peanuts, but it was his father, “Papa Jack,” who started their retail and mail order operation Bertie County Peanuts. Papa Jack would fry peanuts in an old popcorn popper as a treat for farm visitors. Those blister-fried peanuts became the company’s first product. Now Bertie County Peanuts (www.pnuts.net) offers a wide range of treats, and the kitchen where they are prepared is powered by Roanoke Electric Cooperative.

Planting time

Jack plants the Bailey variety of Virginia peanuts. The seeds are raw peanuts. Years ago, farmers saved some from each crop to use for the next year’s crop. Now they buy them. It costs about $100 for the 125 pounds of seed required to plant one acre.

“Peanuts are planted around the first to the fifteenth of May,” Jack

explains. “It takes 150 days to get them to maturity.”

A planting machine with a driver can plant eight rows of peanuts simultaneously. About five or six weeks later, the plants are above ground with yellow flowers blooming. Each flower produces “pegs” that grow down to the ground and continue growing underneath the sandy soil to produce peanuts.

“Peanut plants are like old-fashioned roses, subject to damage from fungi.

You have to spray fungicide three or four times,” Jack says.

Up from the ground

In early September, farmers dig up samples to see if the peanuts are ready for harvesting. That’s determined by the color of the peanut hulls.

“The darker, the better,” Jack explains. “If they’re the color of pancake syrup, the peanuts need two more weeks underground. If they’re light yellow, they need one more month.”

When the peanuts are ready for harvesting, a digging machine unearths the plants. They’re left in the fields for about a week to dry out.

Then a combine blows the peanuts from the dried-out plant leaves and stems. Next, the peanuts are put into

22 | March 2022

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2/9/22 2:57 PM

Virginia Carolinas Peanut Promotions

s

vented trailers to dry for several days.

“You want to get them down to 10 percent moisture,” Jack explains.

Intensive grading (more so than for many crops) by a U.S. Department of Agriculture crew comes next. The graders take samples from each trailer load and rate it for size and quality, amounts of rocks and debris, and other factors. That rating determines the price the grower receives.

Nuts About

NC Peanuts

Onto the table

Margaret Buranen writes from her home in Kentucky.

$94,432,000 ACRES GROWN

106,000 AVERAGE YIELD PER ACRE

4,000 pounds Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Adobe Stock

As far as how peanuts are served, the sky is the limit. Through groceries, retail shops or online ordering, many North Carolina peanut growers offer assorted types of sweet and savory-flavored peanuts. Peanut fanciers can choose from such savory-flavored peanut treats as Cajun style, dill pickle, sea salt and black pepper, and Sriracha ranch.

Chocolate-covered (both milk and dark), honey-roasted, and butterscotch-coated are among the most popular choices for people who prefer peanuts with a sweet taste.

Peanut butter cookies, chocolate peanut butter and peanut brittle, with or without chocolate coating, are also popular.

“Our Triple Treat box, which has blister-fried peanuts, chocolate-covered peanuts and peanut brittle, sells really well,” Jack says.

Like other growers in the state, Bertie County Peanuts has a strong connection to the community, and many of its peanut products are named for Bertie County landmarks or historical connections. Jack’s graphic designer daughter Betsy designs the labels and packaging. In everything they do, their passion for peanuts shines through.

“Peanut growers are an extremely tight-knit family of people,” Ashley Collins says. “They genuinely care about each other, their families and their crops.”

VALUE OF NC’S 2020 CROP

Nutritious nuts Besides good taste, peanuts offer good nutrition. They contain 19 vitamins and minerals, plus fiber and seven grams of protein per ounce—the highest protein content of all commonly consumed nuts.

Visit peanut-institute.com for more information about health research on peanuts.

carolinacountry.com/extras Hungry for peanuts? Check out these two recipes—Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce and Peanut Butter Ramen—courtesy of the experts at Virginia Carolinas Peanut Promotions. carolinacountry.com | 23

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2/9/22 2:56 PM

Carolina Gardens

Seeing Red

Indian pink is a Southern conversation starter Story and photos by L.A. Jackson

W

ith winter loosening its grip on the land, gardeners are getting the itch to grace flower beds with additional ornamentals. One interesting option that could scratch that itch is Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica), which is more than just another pretty plant — it is a conversation piece as well.

For starters, Indian pink is a native beauty, calling the shadowy woodlands of the Southeast home. A deerresistant, herbaceous perennial, it grows up to two feet tall and, when in a happy place, slowly spreads by way of clump expansion and seed scattering.

In the late spring to early summer, it’s showtime, as the blooms begin to shine — and gardeners start to talk.

Rows of pointed, regal red flowers form on Indian pink’s many curved stems, perched atop handsome emerald foliage. They open in a pleasingly slow progression to expose buttery to bright yellow insides.

This flower show (a butterfly and hummingbird magnet, by the way) can continue into the summer if spent blooms are deadheaded.

But, as pleasant as this spectacle is, no pink will be seen.

Solving the conundrum of this phantom color is found in Indian pink’s alternate name, pinkroot, which is also attached to closely related cousins in the genus Spigelia that have pink roots.

Native Americans and early herbalists medicinally tinkered with the roots, but don’t follow in their amateur pharmaceutical footsteps: all parts of this plant can be toxic.

Now that we have established that Indian pink is a plant to admire for the eyes only, to introduce it into your landscape, find a spot in dappled shade, with exposure to morning sun being just fine. To encourage stronger flower shows, plant in an area that has well-worked, organically enriched soil and mulch to prevent this pretty from drying out.

If you add Indian pink to your garden this spring, to help in transitioning through its first summer, do remember to water this newbie during any long stretches of rainless days.

Showtime for Indian pink’s pretty blooms starts in late spring.

While Indian pink is native to the Southeast, don’t go “shopping” for it in the woods because it is an endangered species in North Carolina. If you don’t have any luck at local garden shops, it is an easy online find from e-nurseries, including in-state sources such as Plant Delights Nursery (plantdelights.com) in Raleigh and Growing Wild Nursery (growingwildnursery.com) in Siler City.

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

Garden To-Do’s for March

Pitcher plants on parade at the NC Botanical Garden

F

Indian pink will be just one of many native pretties lighting up the springtime countryside, and if you would like to see more indigenous plants at their flowery best now, plan a visit to the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill (ncbg.unc.edu). Not only do they have native plant displays highlighting our state’s Piedmont, Coastal, Sandhills and Mountain habitats, but this special public garden features other permanent exhibits, including a Native American garden, water gardens, herb garden, carnivorous plant collection and poisonous plant garden. Admission is free.

Does the new growth of your apple, blackberry, hawthorn, cotoneaster, pear, pyracantha or raspberry look burnt? If so, fire blight is probably the culprit. This disease can be controlled in the early spring by using clean pruners to cut the afflicted parts of the limbs off and then tossing them away.

F

What makes for “clean pruners”? Keep blades sanitary by dipping them in a one-part bleach to nine-parts water solution after each cut of limbs affected by blight.

F

One of the most important maintenance chores you can do to keep your grass muncher running longer is to change the engine’s oil at least every two years.

24 | March 2022

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2/9/22 2:42 PM

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2/7/22 12:16 PM

Where We Come From

Bringing Good Food Home to the High Country Chef Garrison Wagoner moved back to Alleghany County to make a difference

Garrison Wagoner in front of the future home of North Flow.

By Jacob Brooks

H

owdy, Carolina Country readers. It’s your pal Jacob Brooks stopping by again. How are y’all?

You say you’re trapped in the Twilight Zone? You say you’re longing for the days of kindness, community and humility? Yeah, me too.

In that case, let me introduce you to a young’un who has big plans and is making a difference up in my old stomping grounds of Alleghany County. Garrison Wagoner is what my Mamaw Carol would call a “pretty good egg.” Garrison and I go way back to the old firehouse at Glade Creek Elementary and the halls of Alleghany High. We even ran into each other a few times up at Appalachian State.

Garrison paired a remarkable talent on the grill with his visionary business mind, and graduated with a degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management in 2015.

From Boone, Garrison headed to Westchester Country Club in New York. (I know! Not bad for a fella from Ennice, North Carolina.) While there, Garrison trained under renowned chefs and learned the ins and outs of creating a first-class dining experience. Approximately two years “on the line” at Westchester honed his culinary skills and abilities as a chef.

“It was a great job, great experience, great money,” he recollects with a deep Appalachian drawl. “I lived there for free, ate there for free — the people there really took care of their employees. And I had no living expenses.” A pause filled the air to deliver the last line coated with a chuckle and smirk: “So that was hard to leave.”

He would have stayed in New York, but his heart kept calling him home. “We hope you make it back to Alleghany one of these days,” wrote his Granny and Grand-Pawpaw in a Christmas card. And when the mountains (and grandparents) call, one must go.

His intuition paid off. Today, Garrison is a successful entrepreneur and restauranteur. As President of G.B. Wagoner Group, his team specializes in institutional catering services and operates Horizon Bistro, which is “in the old Smithey’s building” off Main Street in Sparta.

Garrison is excited to announce the opening of North Flow

Steakhouse and Tavern in April 2022, the name paying homage to the New River.

With App State’s mountain man, Yosef, on the wall, a mountainscape mural painted by local artist Meredith Walker, and hopes for a baby grand piano for light ambiance, the vision for North Flow is a good helpin’ of Blue Ridge Mountains with a dash of Westchester.

Garrison is quick to emphasize his desire to attract clientele from the farms and the golf courses.

“I don’t want people to feel like they’ve got to put on a blazer to come in here. We want everybody to come,” he explains. “When folks want to go out for a nice meal, I want this to be the first spot they consider.”

The menu will feature burgers, sirloin, ribeye and other delicious eats. Other local businesses are in on the fun.

Chilly Water Farms of Sparta will supply the beef.

So, when y’all are out galavantin’ this spring, come on up the mountain and stop in at North Flow Steakhouse (facebook.com/northflowsteaks) and see ol’ Garrison.

(And tell him Jake Brooks sent you. He might just feed you, if’n you pay for it.)

And to Garrison: thanks for leading by example in rural North Carolina. I know your elders said it to you as mine said it to me: “Go far, but don’t ever forget where you come from.”

Your Grand-Pawpaw would be proud.

Jacob Brooks is a lifelong learner. He makes mistakes and drinks his coffee black. He’s currently studying law at UNC. His favorite color is green.

Jacob Brooks, a 2010 Youth Tourist and YLC national spokesperson representing Blue Ridge Energy, documented his Youth Tour and college experiences in “Jacob’s Log.” Jacob returns to Carolina Country to highlight young people making a difference in the communities they call home.

26 | March 2022

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2/8/22 2:08 PM

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I Remember

Memories and photos from our readers

Missy and the Chicken House It is 2004 in the photo, and I’m walking in good company. My 7-year-old granddaughter, Missy, and my dog, Bar-B-Q, pass an old chicken house. Missy had many “why” questions that day. She was curious about the building and asked, “why do we call it a chicken house?” Missy started thinking about it more while we continued to the mailbox, but she remained quiet.

When we were coming back and standing behind the chicken house, Missy looked at me and the building for a moment, then started to talk. She told me: “I should clear the brush away, so when the chickens come back, they won’t be afraid to stay inside.”

The following spring, I cleared away the brush. Then for the next two years when she lived in my home, Missy reminded me many times to check inside the chicken house for any birds that may have moved in!

Charlene Hall, Riegelwood, A member of Four County EMC

The Birthday Cards A One-of-a-Kind Grandmother My Grandmother Young was a real character. Her brother gave her some land, and she made quite a good farm from it. When she wasn’t canning vegetables, Grandmother Young was out with her .22-caliber rifle. She was a crack shot, and it was told that she shot a squirrel out of the top of a tree from over 200 feet away — from her porch. She built rabbit boxes to trap rabbits in the broom straw field next to her house.

Her dog, Popeye, was well known as a good hunting dog, and local hunters would ask to borrow him in exchange for game.

Grandmother loved her chickens, too, and she maintained a large lot behind her house. We often had to hunt for her in the chicken lot when we visited.

When it was necessary to travel to Southport or Wilmington, Grandmother Young would board the mail truck in Winnabow and ride to her destination. When she visited us in Wilmington, she would ride the mail truck to Wilmington, where she would transfer to a city bus for the trip to East Wilmington where we lived. She would get off at the last stop to meet my brother. They would cut through the woods to make it home. We always looked forward to her visits. As soon as she walked in the door, she would open her pocketbook and pull out Mounds candy bars. She would give each one of us half a bar. Most of the time she visited so Daddy could carry her to Johnny Mercer’s pier at Wrightsville Beach to fish. She wore a large brim hat and fished all day until Daddy went to get her. I lost Grandmother Young in 1979, but she will always live in my memories.

Carolyn Willis, Winnabow, a member of Brunswick Electric

When my brother Gene and I were young and living in the Armour community, we looked forward to receiving a birthday card from our Grandmother Louise. Even though Gene was two years older than me, we shared the same birthday. When it was close to our birthday, we checked the mail every day until the cards came from Brooklyn, New York.

We anxiously opened our cards to discover a big old quarter. We were so excited because back then, our Aunt Ruby had a general store and in the late 1950s and early 1960s, we could buy cookies and candies for one penny. If we were patient, we would wait for the cookies to break and ask Aunt Ruby if we could buy the broken ones, that way we would get a discount.

Instead of one cookie, she gave us two broken ones for a penny. Sodas and honeybuns were 10 cents each.

As we got older, Grandmother Louise started sending us one dollar. Oh boy, we felt almost rich! There were so many more goodies we could buy.

Our grandmother is gone now, but we have so many loving memories of her.

Charlene Hall, Riegelwood, A member of Four County EMC

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 selfaddressed, 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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2/9/22 2:32 PM

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Advertising published in Carolina Country is accepted on the premise that the merchandise and services offered are accurately described and willingly sold to customers at the advertised price. All ads must adhere to Carolina Country’s advertising policy, which can be found in our media kit at carolinacountry.com/advertise/MediaKit. The magazine, North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives, Inc., and the member cooperatives do not necessarily endorse the products or services advertised. Advertising that does not conform to these standards or that is deceptive or misleading is never knowingly accepted. Should you encounter advertising that does not comply with these standards, please inform Carolina Country at 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616. 919-875-3091.

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Carolina Kitchen

Carrot-Apple Salad With sorghum dressing

Get out the box grater (use the large holes) for this crunchy salad. The food processor grates the carrot too finely.

Sorghum syrup, which is made from a type of grass and tastes less bitter than molasses, has a richly sweet flavor (see “Sweet, Syrupy Goodness,” September 2021, page 16).

6 tablespoons grapeseed oil or other neutral-flavored vegetable oil 2 tablespoons pomegranate vinegar ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon sorghum syrup 1 tablespoon chopped pecans 4 cups grated carrots 1 cup peeled and chopped apples 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and sorghum syrup until well blended. Stir in the pecans. Set aside.

Put the carrots, apples and chives in a large bowl and toss to combine. If the dressing has separated, stir to recombine, then add enough to moisten the carrot mixture well (you may not need all of it—cover and refrigerate for later use) and toss to coat well. Top with blue cheese and serve.

Yield: 4 servings

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

Greens ‘n’ Grains Bowl

Use your favorite greens in this adaptable dish. Cooked chicken or baked tofu cubes would be hearty additions, or top individual servings with a poached or over-easy fried egg.

4 cups cooked, warm farro or brown rice 9 tablespoons olive oil, divided 4 green onions, with tops, chopped 1½ cups chopped white or cremini mushrooms 8 cups chopped chard, spinach, kale, tatsoi or a combination 1½ tablespoons sherry vinegar 3 teaspoons honey ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 cup chopped red cabbage 1 cup chopped parsley 1 cup chopped avocado Put the warm cooked farro or rice in a large bowl. Set aside.

Heat 4 tablespoons olive oil in a wide sauté pan, then add the onions, mushrooms and greens, and sprinkle lightly with salt. Cook, stirring, until the greens are wilted.

In a small bowl, whisk together the 5 tablespoons olive oil with the sherry vinegar, honey, salt and pepper.

Stir the greens mixture into the grains. Add the red cabbage and parsley. Pour the vinaigrette over and toss gently to combine. Top each serving with chopped avocado.

Yield: 4 servings

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2/7/22 11:25 AM

Carolina Kitchen

Sweet Potato Soup

From Your Kitchen

I’ve made this soup for years, but sometimes even I learn a new trick, as when a friend garnished his version with snack mix. It was great!

Sweet and salty always wins.

3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 cup chopped onions 1 clove chopped garlic ½ teaspoon chopped, fresh ginger 2 pounds sweet potatoes, cooked (see note)

2½ cups chicken broth ½ cup apple cider (see note) 1 teaspoon mild curry powder Salt to taste Snack mix (such as ChexTM Mix) for serving

Place a large pot on medium-low heat and add the butter. When the butter is melted, add the onions and cook slowly, stirring often, until they are light brown, about 10 minutes. Adjust the heat if necessary to prevent burning. When the onions are ready, raise the heat to medium and add the garlic and ginger. Cook briefly, stirring, just until the garlic and ginger are soft.

Add the cooked sweet potatoes to the pot, then add the chicken broth and apple cider. Stir to combine. Remove the pot from the heat and use a stick blender to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, carefully pour the soup into a heat-proof blender container and purée. When the soup is smooth, return the pot to medium-low heat, taste, then add salt. Stir in the curry powder. Add more chicken broth if you prefer a thinner soup.

Simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to be sure the soup doesn’t stick.

Serve warm and pass a bowl of snack mix for garnish.

Note: You can either boil or roast the sweet potatoes as much as a day ahead of time. Roasting gives a more concentrated flavor. You can use apple juice instead of cider, but the soup will be sweeter.

Yield: 6 servings

Jumbo Ginger Cookies

You can’t help but gobble these giant gingers up — a perfect balance of spice and molasses, and the ratio of crisp exterior to soft interior is spot on. The recipe makes a fair amount so you could cut it in half, make the cookies smaller or freeze some for later. If smaller, cut the baking time to 10–12 minutes or until edges are set.

3 4 1 4 2

cups butter cups sugar cup molasses eggs tablespoons, plus 2 teaspoons baking soda

8 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cloves 1 teaspoon ground ginger

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add molasses and eggs; mix well. Combine the baking soda, flour, cinnamon, salt, cloves and ginger; gradually add to creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1–2 hours.

Shape ¼ cups of dough into balls; roll in sugar. Place 4 cookies on a greased baking sheet at a time.

Bake at 350 degrees for 18–20 minutes or until edges are set. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Yield: 3½ dozen

Recipe courtesy of Barbara Humiston, Pinehurst, a member of Randolph EMC

Send Us Your Recipes

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

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.

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2/7/22 11:25 AM

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3400 Sumner Blvd.

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1999

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Multiple entries from the same person will be disqualified. The winner, chosen at random and announced in our April issue, will receive $25.

Last month’s winner The February “Where Is This” photo by Brunswick Electric member David Anderson features the John William Coltrane Mural, located on the back of the old Hamlet Theatre on Main Street, at the corner of Vance and Raleigh Streets, in Hamlet. Artist Scott Nurkin created the mural for the North Carolina Musicians Mural Project, which highlights NC musical trailblazers across the state. The legendary jazz saxophonist Coltrane was born in Hamlet in September 1926. His family soon moved to High Point, where a statue of Coltrane is located downtown. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Beth Meacham of Ellerbe, a Pee Dee Electric member.

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

carolinacreators Great Spangled Fritillary Photo by Tom Jones, Greensboro

“I photographed this beauty in my backyard on one of my wife’s butterfly bushes.”

See more photos at carolinacountry.com/potw

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Tom is a member of Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative.

2/8/22 1:52 PM

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MY ENERGYHUB Paying your EnergyUnited bill shouldn’t be a complex task, and with our My EnergyHub web and mobile app, it won’t be. My EnergyHub has several features that make managing your account as easy as possible. Whether through your desktop, or your smartphone or tablet (Android or iOS), you’ll be able to pay your bill, view your usage and get the latest news. Plus, share your email and you�ll also receive an electronic version of our member newsletter, Connect.

SAVING POWER (AND $) At EnergyUnited, we are committed to helping our members save energy and money, so we’ve identified a couple of ways we can make that happen for you.

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PAPERLESS BILLING WITH ENERGYUNITED Go paperless and receive your bill as an email! Not only is paperless billing a reliable and convenient choice, but it’s also a more sustainable and cost-effective one. When you sign up for paperless billing, we can save more, which means you can do the same! Log in to My EnergyHub and select Paperless Billing or call 1-800-522-3793 to make the switch.

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@EnergyUnitedEMC

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EnergyUnitedEMC

2/8/22 3:50 PM

POWERFUL COMMUNITIES We wouldn’t be the co-op that we are today without our communities, which is why we are committed to giving back to the communities we serve. Here is a sampling of some of the ways we empower our members.

E N E R G Y U N I T E D F O U N D AT I O N Since its founding in 1996, the EnergyUnited Foundation has awarded well over $3 million in grants to community organizations and individuals in need — over $500,000 in 2020 alone. The Foundation is funded by the generosity of our members by way of Operation Round-Up. This program allows members to “round up” their monthly electric bills to provide assistance to fellow neighbors in need.

In 2021, the Foundation celebrated its 25-year anniversary with its first-ever giving campaign to help community members in need.

Interested in participating in Operation Round-Up? Please call us at 1-800-522-3793.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS Our Bright Ideas program has awarded grants to North Carolina teachers for over 25 years to support innovative and creative class projects. We have funded 13,000 school projects for teachers in 19 counties, impacting over 2.7 million students.

Students should check out our Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. We select two high school students to visit our state capital and tour Washington, D.C., over the summer, where they learn about energy cooperatives, American history and the United States government while visiting historic sites.

We’re fans of friendly competition, and as true North Carolinians we love basketball. So, of course we offer Touchstone Energy Sports Camps! Each year we select two middle school student-athletes to attend basketball camp at prestigious N.C. campuses.

Every year we award our $5,000 Empowering the Future Scholarship to two qualified high school seniors who plan to attend a college or technical school after graduation. We also send students to the Cooperative Council of NC Leadership Camp each summer.

Visit EnergyUnited.com/Giving-Back to make a difference and learn more about these programs.

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