Issuu

April 2022

PERIODICAL

2022 Annual Meeting Official Notice

Members of South River Electric Membership Corporation will gather online or via phone Thursday, April 21 at 6 p.m. for the Annual Meeting of Members. Purpose: • The reports of officers, directors and committees. • All other business, which may come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. The Board is made up of nine (9) member directors. In accordance with the bylaws, the directors are elected annually from geographic districts to serve a threeconsecutive-year term. There are two ways in which directors may be elected by a committee on nominations or by petition. Earlier in 2022, the following incumbent directors were nominated by the nominating committee and elected to serve an additional term. • District 4: Jeffery Martin • District 6: Dr. E. Sue Godwin-Baker • District 8: Clifton McNeill, Jr. By Petition: Any 100 members of the Cooperative acting together may make nominations in writing, listing the nominees separately with respect to the particular term and the particular directorate district from which they are nominated, not less than (40) business days prior to the meeting.

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Check Out Our Home Solar Toolkit Are you considering solar power? If so, South River EMC has an informational toolkit designed to simplify complex questions about solar power as a home-energy resource. As members are showing an increased interest in home solar technologies, we want to ensure

we provide information that helps them make informed decisions. The South River EMC Advise Guys are also available to provide assistance and information. Check out our residential solar information page at sremc.com/residential-solar. By visiting our page, you will find information to important questions such as: • What factors should I consider? • How could adding solar impact my electric bill? • What happens on a rainy day or at night? Check it out before making that important decision.

Annual Meeting Details

The South River EMC annual meeting will be held remotely on April 21. We are offering phone-in and live-streaming options.

• The member’s name, as it appears on the account, is located on the cover.

Online/streaming: At 6 p.m., visit Access.live/SREMCAnnualMtg Phone-In: You will call 833-380-0614. Once connected, press *6 to register (necessary in order to receive $10 credit). Your participation in the annual meeting means that you will receive a $10 credit on your next electric bill, as well as being entered in a prize drawing to take place the following week. You must login or call-in and register to receive the bill credit. If you are listening with another member, you must each register separately. Anyone registering on behalf of a company or church must be listed as an authorized person on the account.

• Be sure the information you enter matches account information. Member name, phone number and e-mail address will be used to match attendance to member account. • If you are unsure of any of the required information, check your bill, review your account online or call our member service department at 910.892.8071. • Login and phone-in information can also be found on sremc.com/annual-meeting. • Members must be logged in or call in by 6 p.m. to be eligible for credit and prizes. • Prizes will consist of $4,000 in bill credits, featuring a grand prize of a $1,000 credit.

Meeting live streamed by:

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April 2022

The magazine of

Carolina Country

Adventures Starting on page 12

Published by

NC co-ops and farms partner for success page 4

Know what to ask a home inspector page 20

PERIODICAL

South River EMC is looking for “Bright Ideas” from local educators—see center pages April 22 covers.indd 21

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Favorites 2 From Our Readers 4 Viewpoints 6 More Power 20 Energy Sense 28 Carolina Gardens 29 Marketplace 30 Carolina Kitchen 32 Where is This? 32 Carolina Creators

On the Cover If you’ve ever picked your own apples or stopped to pet the goats at a local farm, guess what? You’re an agritourist. The Ten Acre Garden in Canton is one of scores around the state open to visitors for a hands-on experience. Learn more starting on page 12. Photo courtesy of VisitNC.com.

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22 9:54 AM

12 22 24 26

Adventures in Agritourism

Visit a local farm and learn more about the food on your plate.

On Location

Explore NC sites from the silver screen.

Vacation Fails

Memories of trips gone wrong from our readers.

Must-See Mountain Cheesemakers Yellow Branch is a storied farm along the WNC Cheese Trail.

CALL FOR VOTES

Carolina’s Finest Where can you get the best doughnut in NC? Where are the best holiday lights? We need your help finding the best of the best in these and eight other categories! Tell us your picks for a chance to win one of three $100 gift cards. See page 9 for details.

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THIS MONTH:

Carolina Country Adventures

(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800)

Michael Isom

As we’ve traditionally done each April, this month we’re exploring travel destinations around the state. For those of you feeling the call of the open road, our roundups of local farms, mountain cheesemakers and filming locations across NC should provide a worthy destination. (Just plan ahead so you don’t end up like our list of reader vacation fails on page 24). Also, electric co-ops and farmers in North Carolina are teaming up for success—read more on page 4.

Volume 54, No. 4

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 Jessica Armstrong Graphic Designer

From Our Readers Carolina Adven

Sara Brennan

Save Room for

Sonker

And don’t forg et the milk dip

By Matt Lardie

Look, there on the No, no it’s...sonke table! Is it a pie? Is it a cobb ler? r!

Rockford Genera

l Store

If your first reactio n the heck is a sonker is, “Well, what served with a “milk you aren’t alone. ?” don’t worry, sweet sauce meant dip,” a creamy, Sonker is a desser to be poured over that hails from t the top of the western North desser Carolina, with Sonker varies fromt. a provenance center hill to holler, around Surry Count ed from family to y (home of Mount way to learn family, and the easiest Airy, the setting more about sonker for The Andy Griffith to try some for Show’s fiction is al town of Maybe yourse Surry Sonker Trail, lf: Enter the rry). The closest thing a journey to eight different would be a cobble to a sonker locatio r, but that’s where County, all serving ns across Surry the agreement their ends, and even own takes on this iconic then there are some Anchored Bakery dessert. You can who would chafe try the sweet at potato sonker that description. at The Tilted Shelton Vineya One family’s sonker Ladder in Pilot rds serves an upscal might be made Mountain, served version of sonker with peaches and e piping hot in a at have a pie-like martini glass with crust floating atop restaurant, a perfect their vineyard milk dip alongs ide. Or ventur the filling, while way to end a e up to Mount Airy for meal, especially just down the a stop at Miss road when washed down another househ Angel’s Heavenly Pies, with old might make a glass of desser where her ‘zonka their sonker from sweet t wine. Rockfo (bring your own General Store rd potatoes or apples Long offers Island accent with a batter-like their sonkers to to match wits travelers explor topping that bakes with ing this tiny, histori into the filling. made from fresh Miss Angel) is corner Many sonkers c of Dobson; a fruit grown on are her own farm. was a spiced peach recent version sonker with fresh 34 | Decem vanilla ice cream. ber 2021

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Herbal Observations I am writing you, as many likely will, about comments on page 24 in your March 2022 Carolina Gardens column: “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.” Please consider that the “amateurs” mentioned (Native Americans and early herbalists) spent centuries observing, experimenting with their tools at hand and knowingly risking death to develop the medicinals for their cultures. They passed on and shared their knowledge generously through oral and written methods. I think recognition and an apology is due. Our pharmacology, to this day, still includes many valuable

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.

Sam Dean

More Sonker, Please I’m sending this in regards to the wonderful article I read on the Sonker dessert that is around the Western North Carolina areas (“Save Room for Sonker,” December 2021, page 34). I would like to add one that was missed in your article that is also on that trail: Lorene’s Bakery in Dobson (facebook.com/LorenesBakeryCatering). [Owner/operator] Kristin Johnson makes it at her bakery and lots of other goodies. Call the bakery ahead of time to have one made. Peggy Cox, Tobaccoville A member of Tideland EMC

Keith Alexander Advertising Keith@carolinacountry.com

tures

contributions from these early efforts. A statement on the plant’s toxicity could have been simply stated. Thank you for your time and attention. Lynne Ross of Vale Editor’s note: Thank you for pointing that out, Lynne, and we apologize for the unintended tone of that wording. From our Carolina Gardens columnist, L.A. Jackson: “I’m sorry the term ‘amateur’ came out the way it did [interpreted as meaning ‘unskilled’]. Early herbal research was done mainly through observation as well as trial and error, particularly when it came to ingesting a strange plant or even rubbing it on the skin, compared to how modern pharmaceutical labs can now break down a plant into its simplest chemical compounds before even rudimentary clinical trials begin.” But as Lynne and L.A. put it, Indian pink is for show only: all parts of the plant can be toxic.

Why Do We Send You Carolina Country Magazine? Your cooperative sends you Carolina Country as a convenient, economical way to share with its members information about services, director elections, meetings and management decisions. The magazine also carries legal notices that otherwise would be published in other media at greater cost. Your co-op’s board of directors authorizes a subscription to Carolina Country on behalf of the membership at a cost of less than $5 per year. Subscriptions: Individual subscriptions, $12 per year. Schools, libraries, $6. Carolina Country is available on digital cartridge as a courtesy of volunteer services at the NC Department of Cultural Resources, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Raleigh, NC 888-388-2460. Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh, NC, and additional mailing offices. Editorial offices: 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616-2950. Carolina Country® is a registered trademark of the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 707.4.12.5); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: Send address corrections to Carolina Country, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616-2950. All content © Carolina Country unless otherwise indicated.

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 | April 2022

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Viewpoints

A Bright Future for Co-ops and Agriculture By Donnie Spivey

Electric cooperatives across North Carolina have a long and fruitful history of support and cooperation with our agricultural communities. In fact, electric co-ops in the state were formed by farmers and rural communities banding together, working toward the common goal of improving their quality of life by electrifying homes and businesses throughout the countryside. I am proud to say their extraordinary efforts were tremendously successful! Today, that history of support and cooperation continues. North Carolina’s electric cooperatives work closely with our agricultural communities in a number of different ways. A never-ending focus is placed on farming safety, especially as it relates to electric hazards on and around the farm. Remaining aware of overhead lines when operating large machinery and locating underground lines before digging Co-ops and farms operations are critical safety practices. have a history of Another important mission for electric coopworking together, eratives is working with agricultural businesses to utilizing new assist with their strategies to reduce operating costs. technologies. In recent years, electric co-ops and farms have worked together to transition from incandescent lightbulbs to LED light bulbs in poultry and swine houses, resulting in a significant reduction in the farm power costs by using electricity more efficiently. There are other opportunities to reduce energy use through strategies around the concept of beneficial electrification — the transition to using electric power in place of fossil fuels. Beneficial electrification provides farms with a wide range of advantages, from improved energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions

to cost savings and increased productivity. A perfect example of this is a partnership between my home cooperative, Pee Dee Electric, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, and a local farming operation. The three entities worked together to secure a significant grant from the Beneficial Electrification League for White Rock Farms to replace a large diesel pump with an innovative single-phase electric motor and pump. This project resulted in an improvement in energy efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, lower operating costs, and improved labor productivity on the farm. Other electric cooperatives in the state are working with agricultural businesses to help them meet sustainability goals and improve grid resiliency. For example, South River EMC has partnered with Butler Farms to successfully develop a microgrid designed to improve system reliability and resiliency by seamlessly incorporating renewable energy (biogas and solar), battery storage and emergency backup power into the grid. North Carolina’s electric cooperatives and our agricultural community have a long and rewarding history of working together utilizing innovation and new technologies. Through this cooperative spirit, I am confident our future is even brighter. Donnie Spivey is CEO and executive vice president for Lilesville-based Pee Dee Electric.

4 | April 2022

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April

Quick Hits Don’t Be Fooled While others play pranks on April 1, take the opportunity to up your cybersecurity smarts. Visit cisa.gov for tips to thwart would-be hackers. Baskets of Eggs Easter leave you with a fridge full of hardboiled eggs? Search for crowdpleasing deviled egg recipes at carolinacountry.com/ recipes. Keeping the Lights On North Carolina’s electric cooperatives celebrate our lineworkers in April. If you see them out on the job, give a friendly wave and #ThankALineworker. Safe Grilling Clean your grill to prepare for warm weather cooking. Ditch the potentially hazardous wire brush for a wooden scraper, sponge brush or other alternative.

NC Electric Co-ops Join International Research Initiative Collaborative will help advance low-carbon energy technologies North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives have joined the Low-Carbon Resources Initiative, an international collaborative working to advance economy-wide decarbonization efforts (epri.com/lcri). Jointly led by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Gas Technology Institute, the Initiative brings together industry stakeholders to address the need to accelerate the development and demonstration of new low- and zero-carbon technologies that will be necessary to reach net-zero carbon emissions.

“Global challenges to reducing carbon emissions require global solutions …” “Electric cooperatives in North Carolina are building a brighter future for our state and 2.5 million consumermembers through innovation, community support and a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” said Amadou Fall, COO for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “Because cooperatives belong to those they serve, we are focused on leading innovation and evolving our services to benefit our local members, while also preserving the reliability and affordability of electricity.”

The Initiative targets advancements in low-carbon electric generation technologies and low-carbon energy carriers, such as hydrogen, ammonia, synthetic fuels and biofuels. The worldwide collaborative will: ■

Identify and accelerate fundamental development of promising technologies, focusing on those that can be deployed beyond 2030 to support achievement of a net-zero emissions economy by 2050

■

Demonstrate and assess the performance of key technologies and processes

■

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Neva Espinoza, EPRI vice president of energy supply and low-carbon resources, said the work of the Initiative will shape the future of energy, as the technologies that will be required to meet aggressive sustainability goals are not yet available at the scale or cost that will be needed. “Global challenges to reducing carbon emissions require global solutions, and that strikes at the heart of why the Low-Carbon Resources Initiative was founded,” Espinoza said. “Working together with our 50-plus members, the Initiative is leading the charge by driving innovation that is key to a clean energy future. North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives brings yet another important perspective to the Initiative.”

Now accepting applications for the 2022–23 school year. NC K–12 teachers can apply online at ncbrightideas.com.

6 | April 2022

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NC Electric Cooperatives Celebrate 85th Anniversary Edgecombe-Martin County EMC was the first to flip the switch in 1937 Although many cities and towns in North Carolina enjoyed the benefits of electricity in the early 1900s, the majority of rural communities were left behind. “We didn’t have refrigeration [when I was a small child], and my mother would put butter in a bucket in the summertime and put it down in the well, not quite to the water,” remembered Edgecombe-Martin County EMC member W. Kitchin Benson, who grew up in Battleboro, in a 1984 interview. “When we got an Aladdin [oil] lamp, we thought we had something then.”

A historical marker in front of Edgecombe-Martin County EMC’s headquarters in Tarboro

Only 11 percent of all farms in the United States were receiving central station electric service in 1935, according to that year’s annual

agricultural census. A group of Edgecombe County farmers set out to change that, and in 1936, after years of meetings with local and federal officials, what would later be called Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Membership Corporation was formed. One year later — on April 17, 1937 — the cooperative threw its first switch to energize the homes of 82 members. The historical event made Edgecombe-Martin County EMC the oldest electric cooperative in North Carolina, and one of the oldest in the nation.

Big Questions About Our Brighter Future

Q: A:

What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicle batteries?

The environmental impacts associated with electric vehicle (EV) battery production can be broken down into three stages: raw materials procurement, manufacturing and assembly, and the fuel sources used for driving.

Raw Materials Procurement One concern surrounding EVs involves the materials that lithium-ion batteries are currently made from. These batteries consist of raw materials including lithium, cobalt, and nickel that are used in EVs as well as most consumer electronics. There are legitimate concerns about the impacts of mining and processing these raw materials, which generally occur overseas. Automotive and battery manufacturers are working to source the materials responsibly and have plans to bring sustainable mining operations to the U.S. In addition, lithium-ion battery reuse and recycling industries are poised to take off, which will decrease reliance on new minerals.

Manufacturing and Assembly Manufacturing an EV battery pack is an energy-intensive aspect of EV manufacturing. How energy-intensive that process is depends heavily on the electricity generation mix of the location where the battery is made. Automakers are investing in new battery production facilities in the U.S. that will take advantage of an increasingly carbon-neutral energy mix. Once an EV hits the road, it makes up for the battery manufacturing emissions in just a couple of years.

Fuel Sources for Driving Again, the local energy mix determines how clean driving an EV is. But no matter where in the U.S. you are, driving an EV (which doesn’t use gasoline or motor oil) is cleaner than driving a conventional gas-powered vehicle. Today in North Carolina, your gas-powered car would need to get over 110 miles per gallon to compete with an EV’s emissions footprint. It’s also important to consider the “well-to-wheel” implications and emissions of fueling. In the case of gasoline, that includes everything from fuel extraction to processing and refining, distribution and use. For an EV, the “fuel” that it runs on, locally produced electricity, gets cleaner over time as more carbon-free energy sources are added to the electric grid. —Jacob Bolin & Jonathan Susser, Advanced Energy

8 | April 2022

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More Power

Know What’s Below with NC811 Buried beneath the ground are miles of underground utilities essential to everyday life, but those lines — electric, natural gas, water and fiber optic — can be dangerous. Accidentally hitting one of those buried lines when digging could cost someone their life, depending on the type of underground utility. They are also expensive to repair. Before anyone begins an outdoor project that requires digging, whether that is as simple as installing a mailbox or planting a tree, they need to call or click 811 and request a locate for underground utilities. What is known today as NC811 was founded in 1978 as ULOCO (Underground Utilities Location Request). Today, 811 is recognized nationally as the number to “call before you dig.” Electric cooperatives and other utilities fund the nonprofit organization, making it a free service. Excavators are required by law to report any damages to the affected utility and NC811. In 2014, a state law was passed requiring all owners of underground utilities become a member of the NC811 notification center. Also connected to this new law was the creation of a governor-appointed, 15-person enforcement board — the NC Underground Damage Prevention Review Board. This board reviews complaints against people who have violated the statute and provides the Utilities Commission with

April is National Safe Digging Month Visit nc811.org to learn more about safe digging, or call 811 to schedule a location request.

recommendations for penalties. Fines can reach $2,500, as well as requiring violators to cover all repair costs. “Calling NC811 can save lives, and limit damage and extensive repairs,” said Greg Puckett, executive vice president and general manager of Dobson-based SurryYadkin EMC, who has served on the Underground Damage Prevention Review Board since November 2014. “I’ve been honored to be able to serve on this board on behalf of the electric co-ops.” —Wendy Wood, Surry-Yadkin EMC

2022

Categories are:

Nothing could be finer ... Carolina Country is proud to offer up our fourth annual Carolina’s Finest Awards, showcasing the finest North Carolina has to offer. We need your help! We’re leaving it up to you, our readers, to pick the best of the best. Visit carolinacountry.com/finest by June 30 and cast your votes in the categories to the right. Each voter will be entered into a drawing for one of three $100 gift cards.

  BBQ

  Made in NC Product

  Doughnut Shop

  Main Street/Downtown

  Festival

  NC State Park

  Food Truck

  Sports Mascot

  Holiday Light Display

  Weekend Getaway

Vote for your favorites at

carolinacountry.com/finest by June 30 for a chance to win $100! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter, complete online entry form at carolinacountry.com/finest, or mail in your votes to Carolina Country’s Finest, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616, for a chance to win. All contact information will remain confidential. One entry per person, drawn by random; odds of receiving one (1) of the three $100 gift cards depend upon number of entries received. Entries must be submitted by June 30, 2022. Random drawing will take place July 1, 2022.

y carolinacountry.com | 9

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Best performance by a location.

Get inspired by our short documentaries – each based on a true vacation. Then plan your own trip at visitnc.com

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3/9/22 2:45 PM

SETTING YOUR WATCH TO TAR RIVER TIME

CORNELIUS • DAVIDSON • HUNTERSVILLE

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Unplug and experience a few hours of tranquility and restoration along the scenic Tar River. Each stroke of your paddle brings you closer to Town Common, where you can stretch your legs on the Greenville Greenway, or explore hiking trails at River Park North and Wildwood Park. NC’s Emerald City filled with countless hidden gems. Find yours at VisitGreenvilleNC.com Please enjoy sustainably.

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Asheville: 2 hrs Wilmington: 3.5 hrs

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Plan your getaway visit to the “Yadkin” of the Yadkin Valley. Yadkin County, North Carolina is home to 12 vineyards producing award-winning wines. While you explore the area, visit the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center, Yadkin Memorial Park at Lake Hampton, canoe down the Yadkin River, wind through the countryside along the Yadkin Quilt Trail... memories await you in Yadkin!

VisitYadkin.com 1-877-492-3546

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Adventures in Agritourism Visit a local farm and learn more about the food on your plate By Vanessa Infanzon

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Most people have participated in some form of agritourism without realizing it: Picking strawberries or pumpkins, riding on a wagon, or attending a composting workshop are all forms of agritourism. It means spending time on a working farm, discovering how food makes it to the table and what farmers do to grow fruits and vegetables and raise animals. “It’s an enjoyable family adventure,” says Theresa Lowe, co-owner of Mike’s Farm in Onslow County. “[Visitors] actually get hands-on experience when they go to a farm.” Get your own hands-on experiences by exploring these eight farms in North Carolina:

Fun Frolic Farm

Burnsville, Yancey County | funfrolicfarm.com Fun Frolic Farm produces goat milk soap, lotion, cheese and herbal body products. They also offer educational workshops and interactive farm tours that last between one and two hours. Tour guests may experience the vegetable, herb and medicinal gardens, and meet the baby goats, dairy goats, laying hens and pigs. Most tours also finish with a cheese tasting and a visit to the soap-making studio and farm shop. Farm tours are scheduled by appointment and are for ages 18 and older. The farm welcomes children in private groups and family tours.

Jeter Mountain Farm

Hendersonville, Henderson County | jetermountainfarm.com Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, this 400-acre family farm is open for seasonal u-pick activities and educational programs. Visitors get a behind-the-scenes look at how apple cider donuts are made. Wagon rides to u-pick orchard stops are offered during harvest season, typically July through October (the full harvest calendar is posted on the farm’s website). Depending on the season, visitors choose from apples, blackberries, blueberries, elderberries, peaches, pumpkins, raspberries and sunflowers. Enjoy hard cider and barbecue, both made on site, while listening to live bluegrass music on the weekends.

Mike’s Farm

Beulaville, Onslow County | mikesfarmnc.com Mike’s Farm dates to the 1940s when Mike Lowe’s parents settled in Beulaville to run a small tobacco farm. Today, Mike and his wife, Theresa, bring guests a family-friendly experience through education and delicious food. Pet farm animals, pick strawberries or pumpkins and shop in the NC Products Barn. Mike’s Farm Restaurant specializes in country cooking, and the bakery features apple turnovers, Danish pastries and more.

Millstone Creek Orchards

Brittany Garrett

Ramseur, Randolph County | millstonecreekorchards.com In 2004, this 84-acre family farm opened its doors to the public. The Sweet Retreat Ice Cream Parlor, cider press demonstrations, hayrides and live music keep guests busy year-round. The store supports other local farms by selling meat, honey, eggs and other products. The u-pick experience starts in June with blackberries and blueberries. Peaches make their debut in mid-summer. Zinnias and sunflowers, apples, muscadine and scuppernong grapes, gourds, pumpkins and pecans follow the seasons.

On page 12, top to bottom, left to right: The Ten Acre Garden in Canton; Millstone Creek Orchards in Ramseur; Fun Frolic Farm in Burnsville; Riverbend Farm in Midland; and Mike’s Farm in Beulaville. carolinacountry.com | 13

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Nebedaye Farms

Bernard Singleton

Indian Trail, Union County | nebedayefarms.com Bernard Singleton has created an immersive and multisensory experience at his farm. His work is about healing African American’s ancestral trauma caused by enslavement. Special events celebrate the land and contributions of Black culture to food and farming, and teach about sustainable practices and healthy eating. Events such as Taste of Africa, featuring meals from Senegal and Ghana; and Shuckin’ and Vibin’, a Gullah-style oyster roast, highlight growing and cooking techniques. During the spring and summer, blueberries and blackberries are available for picking.

Perry Lowe Orchards

Perry Lowe, IV

Moravian Falls, Wilkes County | perryloweorchards.com More than 30 varieties of apples are grown at Perry Lowe Orchards, a sixth-generation farm. Weekends, September through November, visitors get a tractor ride around the 100-acre orchard before picking apples. Kids are welcome to play on the jump pad and shoot apples from the apple cannon while parents take in the beautiful view of Grandfather Mountain. Add apple cider donuts and slushies to the menu for the perfect day. The store is open year-round and carries local jams and jellies, old fashioned candies, honey and more.

Riverbend Farm

Jesie Hartsell

Midland, Cabarrus County | riverbendfarm.net Known as the “Pumpkin Patch,” Riverbend Farm opens once a year for the pumpkin-picking season — 2022 will mark its 30th year. Children speed down the Super Silo Slide and Triple Grain Bin Slide, climb aboard an International Harvester Tractor and take photos with a 10-foot cow. Picnic tables and open spaces throughout the farm are perfect for family gatherings. A wagon ride to the pumpkin patch completes a full day at the farm.

The Ten Acre Garden

Canton, Haywood County | facebook.com/TheTenAcreGarden This mountain gem offers seasonal u-pick strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. The farm, located in a fertile river bottom, grows a wide range of vegetables available from April to October. Its on-farm market is stocked with local produce, as well as eggs, jams, jellies, honey and more. Vanessa Infanzon moved to Charlotte for college and never left. When she’s not writing about business or travel, she’s paddle boarding on the Catawba River.

Know Before You Go

Tips for the best farm experience, recommended by the NC Agritourism Networking Association ■ Find a farm near you using the Visit NC

Jeter Mountain Farm

Farms app (visitncfarmstoday.com), which provides details on agritourism opportunities across the state. ■ Once you’ve found a farm, check its website for payment options, reservations and schedule changes. ■ Wear closed-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. The ground may be uneven and muddy.

■ Follow the signs posted about parking and

restricted areas. ■ Touch only the animals included on the

tour or in a designated petting area. ■ Feed the animals when allowed to do so.

(Sharing your lunch with a pig may seem friendly, but it may not be part of its diet.) ■ Leave your pets at home unless the farm

says it’s OK to bring them.

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Carolina Living

Pack Up the Car:

We’re Going Camping Plan an adventure to suit your needs By Pamela A. Keene

Since the start of the pandemic, camping and outdoor pursuits have grown. More than 10 million households camped for the first time in 2020, according to KOA’s annual North American Camping report from that year. The report showed one-third of these new campers considered it a safe way to travel and avoid crowds.

f you want to join in on the fun, learn the lingo to find the right kind of camping for you and set expectations.

Wilderness camping Also known as backpacking, primitive or backcountry camping, hikers take all their equipment, food, water, tents, etc., to an undeveloped designated area. Permits are often required by the managing entity. Tent camping This involves pitching a tent, often on a maintained site in a campground that may include a grill, firepit and picnic table; typically, tent campgrounds offer community washhouses. North Carolina is rich with tent camping spots, many of which are in state parks and offer amenities such as restrooms, showers, and electric and water hookups, as well as varied levels of access from handicap accessible to hike- or canoe-in spots. Search ncparks.gov/find-an-activity/camping to find the perfect spot. Glamping Upscale accommodations in the outdoors feature semipermanent furnished canvas-sided tent-like structures with beds, seating areas and accessories such as lamps and décor, plus access to indoor plumbing. Glamping can include safari tents on platforms, Conestoga wagons, yurts, tipis and treehouses. “Glamping — a way to enjoy overnights outdoors with the comforts of a hotel — is gaining in popularity,” says Nathan Self, who is co-CEO of Georgia-based Timberline Glamping along with his wife, Rebeka. “It is especially popular with people who have never camped before and with older

people who formerly enjoyed tent camping but now find it much more convenient to stay in a tent-like setting without all the set-up and worries about what to bring.” Western North Carolina has several glamping options, but spots can be found in the Piedmont and eastern parts of the state, as well. Visit glampinghub.com/northcarolina to scout out locations. Recreational vehicle camping This form of overnighting involves using a self-propelled motor vehicle, a pull-behind fifth-wheel or a portable unit placed in the bed of a pickup truck. HOA’s report found interest in RVs is at an all-time high and will continue to grow — not only with more people choosing RVs, but campers saying they will increase their trips in the coming year. Frontcountry camping Visitors drive their cars to a site where they can pitch a tent, park a camper or RV, or glamp. Many have electrical hookups. Those with RV spots provide dump sites to offload toilet waste. In addition to our state parks, North Carolina has a wide variety of private and federally managed destinations, including national seashores, historic sites, military parks and the most frequented national park in the country: Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visit recreation.gov to find your next adventure. Pamela A. Keene is a freelance journalist who writes for magazines and newspapers across the Southeast and nationally.

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Carolina Living

A Formula for Healthier Living

D A

Put the ‘triple seven’ rule into practice By Pamela A. Keene

mnemonic or acronym can be an easy way to remember a concept. Take “WWS,” for instance. It stands for “walk, water and sleep,” and fitness experts — including Natasha Weddle, founder of The New Beginnings Center in Nashville — help their clients add these three vital health components into their everyday lives. Natasha suggests taking on the WWS/Triple Sevens gradu“Even if you’re not trying to run a marathon or become a ally and keeping a log or notes on your calendar to keep up. competitive athlete, WWS is a good practice to get into,” “If you’re not walking regularly as exercise, begin with 10 says the former college basketball player. “When you add minutes and increase your time three to five minutes each in Triple Sevens, you have a formula for better health no week,” she says. “The same goes with adding more hydramatter what your fitness level.” tion to your diet. If you’re not consuming plain water but Developed by fitness company Strength Matters, the instead are drinking caffeine or soda, add one 8-ounce formula is straightforward: glass each day for a week or so and omit one non-water beverage. Continue to increase your water consumption ■ Walk: Seven days a week, take 7,000 steps a day. as you reduce your other beverages over several months to work up to seven glasses a day.” ■ Water: Seven days a week, drink seven glasses a day. ■ Sleep:

Seven days a week, sleep seven hours a day.

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

Love Carolina Country? Don’t miss an issue! Subscribe and get Carolina Country in your mailbox every month for just $1 an issue! Co-op Members, check with your electric cooperative to find out if they offer complimentary subscriptions as a benefit of membership.

Yes! Please start my subscription. NAME

MAILING ADDRESS

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PHONE NUMBER (If we have questions)

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Make checks payable to: “Carolina Country.” Mail to: Carolina Country Subscriptions, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616 Or subscribe online at carolinacountry.com/subscribe

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April 2022

South River EMC

Communicator THE 2022 ANNUAL MEETING

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

outh River EMC’s Annual Meeting of Members will take place Thursday, April 21, at 6 p.m. Those who attended the hybrid meeting last October are probably familiar with the process as it is outlined on the cover wrap. For those who are unfamiliar with the process, take some time to get familiar with it before the date of the actual meeting. The login credentials are valid, but will not be active until about one-half hour prior to the meeting.

Doing a run through to participate, also makes sure you have the necessary information to participate in the annual meeting. Here are a few items to consider before participation this year. Calling in advance of the meeting does not register you for credit. If hosting a viewing party, each member must individually log into the meeting to be counted in order to receive the credit, or be entered in the prize drawing.

South River EMC offices will be closed Friday, April 15, in observance of Easter.

Appreciating Lineworkers

Watt Watchers

Updating Your Information

Energy Smarts

F-H

If you get disconnected in some way, call back or login again. Churches and businesses: If you are representing an organization, you must be listed as an authorized representative of the church/business on the account.

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YOU MADE THE A‘s We recognize you.

he following 15 students received at least one A on his or her most recent report card and submitted it for the “Give Us An A“ drawing. Each student selected received a $25 gift card. Sicily Brown Reid Ross Classical High

Phillip Young Alderman Road Elementary Mallory Edwards Mintz Christian Academy Palmer Bullard Harrells Christian Academy Lindsey Kremer Gray's Creek High

Rylan Williams Mac Williams Middle

Sadie Parrish Mintz Christian Academy

Zachary Ziady Triton High

Sarah Bullard Mac Williams Middle

Samuel Medlin Cape Fear Christian Academy

Makyleigh Smith JW Seabrook Elementary

Claire Joyce St. Ann Catholic School

Katelynn Phillips Hobbton Elementary

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Jack Bullard Fayetteville Academy Landon Benalt Ascend Leadership Academy Congratulations to our lucky students! Keep up the hard work, we will have another drawing for all those students who receive A’s in July.

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#THANKALINEMAN

You’ve likely noticed South River EMC’s crews out and about, working on power lines and other electrical equipment in our community. It’s no secret that a lineworker’s job is tough—but it’s a job that’s essential and must be done, often in challenging conditions. Without the exceptional dedication and commitment of these hardworking men and women, we simply would not have the reliable electricity that we need for everyday life. Celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day, April 11, by posting #thankalineman.

IT'S TIME FOR BRIGHT IDEAS

he kick off of the 20222023 Bright Ideas grant application program is

here!

Everyday there are new ideas that can help a child to learn better. These ideas are not often in the school's budget and are where a Bright Ideas grant can prove helpful. Project ideas can come from anywhere, in any subject and amount up to $2,500. The Bright Ideas program awards grants to teachers in certified, public K-12 schools, who have innovative, classroom-based ideas. Since the program’s inception, educators statewide have

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received $14.3 million to fund over 13,536 projects affecting 2.8 million students.

Each year, South River EMC awards at least $50,000 in grant funding to teachers in parts of Harnett, Johnston, Sampson and Cumberland counties. Applications for professional development will not be considered.

South River EMC accepts applications online at ncbrightideas.com.

The application period opens April 1, so there is plenty of time to apply.

If you’re interested in learning more about this program, visit sremc.com or e-mail connections@sremc.com.

Educators with applications in by August 15, are eligible to win a $100 Visa gift card. The final application deadline is September 19.

Begin applying April 1 at ncbrightideas.com.

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PROGRAMS TO SAVE YOU MONEY

att Watchers is a new program offered to members of South River EMC.

Meant to keep rates low for members, participation involves shifting energy use from times of high use. Called a peak, these are the few critical hours when the most people are using the most electricity, all at the same time. This is typically when electricity is priced at its highest, and while it does not impact you at that time you use the electricity, it affects the rates offered by the Cooperative. By participating in Watt Watchers, you agree to shift energy use to off-peak times, which you will be notified of in advance. In doing this, you help to reduce demand costs.

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You will only be expected to change habits for an event.

Now, if you are interested in saving money and you might consider switching and saving. The Switch and Save program is a rate, which outlines specific times at which you should not use energy, and if you do, the cost per kilowatt hour is higher. Every household is different and

every member has to decide what works for their unique situation. Generally, time-of-use rates work best for people who are gone during the day and are flexible with when they use the most energy. This rate is generally not suited for retirees or families who have someone home all day. The super off-peak time is perfect for electric-vehicle charging. One of these options might work for you if you're looking to save money. You can read up on both options at sremc.com. If you have questions about either option, you can email sremc@sremc.com or call 910.892.8071.

www.sremc.com

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HOW UPDATING INFORMATION HELPS

t South River EMC, we constantly strive to improve our operational efficiency in order to provide the most reliable service possible for you. To do this, we rely on data for nearly every aspect of our operations. By making sure we have your most accurate and complete contact information, we can continue to provide the high level of service that you expect and deserve.

Accurate information enables us to improve member service and enhances communication for reporting and repairing outages. It also allows co-op members to receive information about other important programs, events and activities, like our annual meeting. Up-to-date contact information can potentially speed up the power restoration process during an outage. For example, the phone number you provide is linked to your service address to our outage management system.

This means when you call to report an outage, our system recognizes your phone number and matches it with your account location. Accurate information helps our outage management system predict the location and possible cause of an outage, making it easier for crews to correct the problem. While we always do our best to maintain service, we occasionally plan outages for necessary maintenance. In these instances, if possible, we provide advance notification to affected members through automated phone messages, text messages

or email, if we have your updated contact information and communication preferences. Keeping the co-op updated with your information also helps us when there’s a question about energy use or billing. In addition, discrepancies on your account can be taken care of promptly if South River EMC has accurate contact information. Many of you have been Cooperative members for years, and it’s likely that your account information hasn’t changed for some time. However, others have had changes, so please let us know! We want to emphasize that we will never sell this information to any third parties. It is only used by South River EMC to send important information to you. Take a moment to confirm or update your contact information by using the update information form under “additional service options” at sremc.com, or by calling our office at 910.892.8071 and speaking with a member service representative.

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ENERGY smarts Doing research helps you to make the best decision.

When Replacing Heating And Cooling Units During these mild weather months, it might be a good time to get your heating and cooling unit serviced. If your unit is more than 10 years old, it might also be time to begin considering replacements. That’s not to say that heating and cooling units don’t last upward of the standard 10 years, but as units age,

they become less efficient. If you’re in the market for a new unit, make efficiency part of the decision. You more than likely will be looking at heat pumps, so consider those with a higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio, or SEER, rating. The SEER rating is important, because it measures the

cooling efficiency of the unit, therefore, the higher the SEER, the more efficient a system is in cooling your home during a North Carolina summer. The Cooperative offers rebates on the purchase of 17 SEER or greater air source, geothermal, or mini-split heat pumps. For details visit sremc.com/ energy-star-heating-cooling.

Energy Star Certified In Three Steps The following Energy Star appliances are eligible for a rebate from South River EMC: refrigerators, clothes washers, clothes dryers, and dehumidifiers. Energy Star certified appliances typically have a higher purchase cost, however, with appropriate use, the energy-saving appliance is meant to recoup that cost. Appliances that carry the Energy Star logo undergo testing, which proves that the appliance achieves high levels of energy-efficiency

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set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) via a three-step process. First, test. Manufacturers must demonstrate that their product meets Energy Star specifications by testing it through an EPA-recognized laboratory. Second, review. Product test results are reviewed by an EPA-recognized certification body. These are impartial third-party organizations that assess whether a product conforms with program

requirements and is eligible to earn the label. Third, test again. Certified models in each category may be selected for additional “off-the-shelf” testing to ensure the products you purchase meet Energy Star requirements as expected. Purchasing one of the aforementioned appliances with the Energy Star logo could mean savings for you all around. For rebate details, visit sremc.com/ energy-star-appliances.

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ENERGY smarts A Do-It-Yourself Audit Yields Some Results Weatherizing your home helps you save money by saving energy, while also improving the comfort of your home. While a professional home energy assessment is the best way to determine where you can save, you can conduct your own simple walk-through and spot many problems in a house if they exist. It will not be as thorough as a professional one, but it can help you pinpoint some of the easier areas to address. First, make a list of obvious air leaks, or drafts. The potential energy savings from reducing drafts in a home ranges from 10-20 percent per year, and the house is generally much more comfortable afterward. Check indoor for gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring and at junctures of the walls and ceiling. Also check for leaks on the outside of your home, especially in areas where two different building materials meet. Other places to check for leaks include windows, doors, lighting and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets. Don’t forget to check for open fireplace dampers. Caulk holes or penetrations for faucets, pipes, electric outlets, and wiring. Look for cracks and holes in the mortar, foundation, and siding, and look for leaks around windows and doors. Seal them with the appropriate material.

be very large if insulation levels are less than the recommended minimum. When your house was built, the builder likely installed the amount of insulation recommended at that time. That level of insulation might be inadequate now, especially if you have an older home.

Make sure exterior attic vents are not blocked by insulation. You also should seal any openings or penetrations (such as electrical boxes) in the ceiling with flexible caulk and cover the entire attic floor with at least the current recommended amount of insulation.

Check to see if your attic hatch is at least as heavily insulated as the attic, is weather stripped, and closes tightly. In the attic, determine whether openings for items such as pipes, ductwork, and chimneys are sealed. Seal any gaps with an expanding foam caulk or some other permanent sealant. When sealing gaps around chimneys or other heat producing devices, use a non-combustible sealant.

If your basement or crawlspace is unconditioned and open to the exterior, determine whether there is insulation under the living area flooring. In most areas of the country, an R-value of 25 is the recommended minimum level of insulation for basements and crawlspaces. Your water heater, hot water pipes, and furnace ducts (especially if located in unconditioned space, such as an open crawl space) should all be insulated. Learn about rebates offered at sremc. com/insulation-weatherization

Then, there’s insulation- heat loss through the floor, ceiling, and walls in your home could

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ENERGY smarts ADVISE Guys Spring Cleaning And Efficiency Finally, the long cold winter is in the past and spring is in the air! As the seasons change and new growth begins, so do several opportunities and various measures that, when implemented, will help you save money while improving energy efficiency in your home. Let’s first look at a few measures to take for the prime user of electricity, which is the HVAC system. Now is the time to have your HVAC unit serviced in preparation for summer weather. Contact a licensed HVAC company for an annual service visit. They should check freon levels and clean the system properly. Make sure the freon line insulating foam is in good shape or replace it if needed. We also recommend the replacement of return filters. Keep in mind that the less expensive fiberglass type provides maximum air flow and energy efficiency. It is also important to check any outside units. Make sure there is at least two feet of clearance between the unit and any trees, bushes, or shrubs. This may require them being cut back or pruned. Last but not least, don’t forget to check ductwork for leaks.

Duct system joints and trunk lines should be sealed with Mastic sealant to help reduce air infiltration. Studies show that an estimated 30 percent of energy lost in the US is through leaky ductwork! Once you have completed maintenance on the HVAC system, evaluate air infiltration and sealing inside your home. Keeping your home sealed is key to retaining the conditioned air inside. Door weatherstripping is an easy do-ityourself project. Keep in mind that if the door is shut and sunlight penetrates around it, it’s time for maintenance. Also, remember that any penetrations into unconditioned spaces such as attic access doors or around plumbing will need attention and repair. Keeping your home air tight is a great way to save energy and money! As you start your spring cleaning, be sure to add to your list the cleaning of refrigerator coils. This can be done with a fox tail or a vacuum cleaner, depending on the refrigerator model. Check deep freezers for a proper and tight seal and replace any broken seals to reduce energy consumption. Refrigerators should only run about one-third of the time,

South River EMC

Advise Guy Robby Talton therefore, a normal run time is about 20 minutes per hour. If you find your refrigerator running all the time, it is most likely time to replace it with an Energy Star qualified model. South River EMC has rebates on various Energy Star appliances! Look for the Energy Star logo on the energy guide before you purchase it. If you do purchase it, be sure to send in the rebate application for process. Therefore, as you complete your thorough “spring cleaning” this year, take a few extra steps to save energy and money. If you are interested in seeing all of the rebate and programs we offer, please visit sremc.com and check out our energy star rebates. You can find many other ways to save at sremc.com/ advise-guys.

Communicator

PO Box 931 Dunn, NC 28335 910.892.8071 800.338.5530 www.sremc.com

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Carolina Living

Do You Know About Lineworkers? Every April, we celebrate lineworkers and the hard work they do to make sure we have electricity to power our lives.

How much do you know about them? Take the quiz below to find out! (Use the answer key to check your work.) 1. Lineworkers have to wear a lot of gear to do their jobs. A lineworker’s gear can weigh up to

a. 15 pounds

b. 50 pounds

c. 80 pounds

2. Lineworkers maintain and repair electrical lines, but they do not install them (no installation) a. True

b. False (They maintain, repair and install lines.)

3.There are approximately

a. 50,000 4. Lineworkers must wear

a. fire resistant

lineworkers in the United States.

b. 90,000

c. 120,000

clothing to protect them from a possible electric arc while working.

b. extra thick

c. leather or rubber

5. Lineworkers must wear special conductive boots when climbing a steel structure.

a. True

b. False

Answer Key: 1. B 50 pounds 2.B False 3. C 120,000 4. A fire resistant 5. A True

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Carolina Living

Celebratory Passover Desserts

Sweet treats for your Seder

hen celebrating with family, it’s hard to beat passing a light and homemade dessert around the table. These two decadent chocolate desserts don’t contain chametz (leavening, wheat, barley, spelt, rye or oats) and are completely scrumptious options for celebrating Passover. Find more sweet treat recipes for any holiday celebration at culinary.net. —FamilyFeatures.com

Chocolate Coated Strawberry Treats These strawberries are not only fun to make, but will give you that perfect little snack you have been longing for, which can also be perfect for date night, a romantic date or just a picnic in the park with friends. 1¼ baking chocolate chips ½ baking peanut butter chips 3 tablespoons coconut oil, divided 1 pound fresh strawberries Shredded coconut Crushed almonds In saucepan, add baking chocolate chips and two tablespoons of coconut oil. Melt on low to medium heat and whisk until smooth. In a small bowl, add baking peanut butter chips and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Microwave in 30 second intervals until melted. Whisk together until smooth. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip all strawberries into melted chocolate. Then, dip 1/3 in coconut, 1/3 in almonds and 1/3 just chocolate and lay on tray. Drizzle the melted peanut butter over the plain chocolate strawberries. Put in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or until strawberry treats are chilled. Yield: 5 servings

Simple Macaroons Simple to make and easy to eat, this sweet dessert is a crowd favorite. With a fresh kick of lemon zest and crunch of shredded coconut, they are a bite-sized, delicious way to end your meal. Recipe adapted by culinary.net from marthastewart.com 1 2¼ ¼ ¼ 1¼ 5

large egg tablespoons honey teaspoon vanilla extract Grated lemon zest teaspoon salt cups shredded coconut ounces dark chocolate, melted

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In bowl, whisk egg. Add honey, vanilla, lemon zest and salt; whisk. Stir in coconut until completely coated with egg mixture. Using 1½-inch ice cream scoop, make 15 balls, transferring each to parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake macaroons 10–12 minutes, rotating halfway through, until coconut starts to brown on edges. Transfer sheet to wire rack and let cool. Before serving, drizzle with melted chocolate or dip bottom sides of macaroons in melted chocolate to cover bases. Refrigerate 15 minutes to set. Yield: 15 macaroons

Digital Extra

Find a recipe for Apple Matzo Kugel, courtesy of Manischewitz, at carolinacountry.com/extras to add a sweet tradition to your Passover.

18 | April 2022

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This exclusive member offer is only available through April 29th. Enroll today at: ConnectToSaveNC.com 844-577-SAVE (844-577-7283) 1 Offer valid through April 29, 2022. While supplies last. Terms and conditions apply. See site for details. Sales tax may apply. Ecobee smart thermostat is a trademark of ecobee.

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Energy Sense

Five Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector

Assess energy efficiency before buying By Miranda Boutelle

Many factors go into buying a home. For most people, energy efficiency does not top the list, and unfortunately, houses don’t typically come with energy efficiency ratings. It can be difficult for a buyer to know how efficient a home is when viewing the listing online or taking a tour. But a home inspector can help you identify potential energy costs and energyefficiency upgrades. Some homes may already be efficient, while other homes may need improvements. There’s nothing wrong with buying an inefficient home, but you will want to know what you’re getting into and that you can afford the energy costs once you get the keys. Here are five questions to ask your home inspector:

How old is the HVAC system, and how efficient is it? Has it been maintained? The typical lifespan of an HVAC system is 15 to 25 years. As the largest energy user and often the most expensive equipment in the home, you will want to know the energy, maintenance and replacement costs. If the HVAC system is old, consider the cost for a replacement.

How old is the water heater? The lifespan of a storage water heater is about 10 years. The cost to replace a water heater ranges from $400 to $3,600, depending on the unit type and installation costs. If an older water heater is in a finished space or on a second floor, replace it before it fails and potentially causes water damage.

What are the levels and conditions of insulation in the attic, walls and floor? Insulation is one of the easiest and most beneficial energyefficiency upgrades you can make. It isn’t as pretty as new countertops, but it can make a home more comfortable, waste less energy and reduce outdoor noise. To cut down on drafts and make insulation more effective, air seal before insulating. Seal cracks, gaps or holes in the walls, floors, ceiling and framing between heated and unheated spaces. If your new home needs insulation and air sealing, make this your efficiency priority. The sooner you do it, the more energy you will save over time. Recommended insulation levels vary by location. You can find information about insulation and air sealing at energy.gov.

What is the condition of the electrical panel and wiring throughout the home? A panel upgrade or rewiring can be a costly endeavor. An older panel and wiring aren’t inefficient, but they can delay or make some energy-efficiency projects more expensive. In several homes I have worked on, older wiring had to be replaced before insulation could be added. Make sure the panel can accommodate any new appliances you might want to add, such as air conditioning or an electric vehicle charger.

Are there any extras in this home that will increase my utility bills? Any motors in the home or on the property should be assessed, including pumps for wells and septic systems. When it comes to extras, remember life’s luxuries aren’t free. You will want to be able to afford the cost of operating amenities, such as pools, hot tubs and saunas. You can also request the home’s utility bills for the previous two years from the seller or realtor. Your bill will not be the same due to your personal energy habits, but this information will give you an estimate of the home’s energy costs. When buying a home that checks all your boxes, ask your home inspector the right efficiency questions. Understanding the condition of appliances, features and building materials can save you from hidden surprises in your home and on your first utility bills.

This column was written by Miranda Boutelle of the Efficiency Services Group. Visit carolinacountry.com/your-energy for more ideas on energy efficiency.

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Notes from the field:

BERN NOTICE O

n paper, I was in Switzerland to ski the Alps and eat my weight in fondue. According to some, I was actually there to keep an eye out for Karloff, a rival spy who’d been attempting to rip off a Swiss bank. Walking through Bern’s picturesque Old City, passing Einstein’s house,

I noticed that I was being followed by a dark figure in a trench coat. No matter how I zigged and zagged through the old cobblestone streets, I couldn’t shake him. Finally, I turned a corner and quickly ducked into an old watch shop. The place looked like it had been there for ages, as did the shopkeeper. Taking me for a customer, the shopkeeper began giving me the full story on why Swiss-made watches are renowned the world over. In 1971, he said, rules were established mandating that any timepiece bearing the “Swiss-made” hallmark must have its mechanics, casing and final inspection take place in Switzerland. Swiss watches are built to last several lifetimes. I smiled, because I knew only Stauer can build Swiss-made watches without it costing a fortune. Now you can also enjoy the precision and accuracy of a Swiss-made sports watch with a moveable bezel. Introducing the Pride of Bern Watch, a timepiece built to keep pace with the underworld of spies. The first time we offered this watch it sold out in TWO DAYS. Finally back in stock after six months, supplies of this quality Swiss-made timepiece are still limited. Get your hands on it before we run out again!

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AFFORD THE EXTRAORDINARY

3/9/22 3:57 PM

On Location Explore NC sites from the silver screen

The filmin g of “Dirty Lake Lure Dancing ” in resulted in The D Dancing irty Festival.

By Leah Chester-Davis Photos by VisitNC

” “Nights in Rodanthe at y rtl pa was filmed . the Inn at Rodanthe

ouble-takes are on the rise in North Carolina. Imagine driving through the small, picturesque town of Sylva and seeing a large sign welcoming you to Ebbing, Missouri. Turns out the sign was all a part of the production for the movie “Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri.” Or how about seeing people suspended from cables between the Wilmington Convention Center and the Isabel Holmes Bridge (stuntpeople for the blockbuster “Iron Man 3”)? Sylva and Wilmington are just a couple of the many locations across the state used by the film industry, which added more than $416 million to the state last year in terms of payroll, goods purchased, rentals and other services, says Guy Gaster, director of the NC Film Office. The state is noted for a well-trained, skilled film workforce, and many of the state’s locations can play as “Anywhere, U.S.A.,” which is attractive to filmmakers. The true value, however, is much more. These projects help put a spotlight on our state that creates even more interest in terms of exploring various regions, local restaurants and other attractions. The state has had a role in more than 1,000 films. Here are a few film destinations.

Wilmington

This favored port city has plenty to offer and it shows in the credits lists. Among attractions is the city’s Riverwalk and Riverfront Park. “Scream” is one of the latest to film here since the COVID-19 shutdown. The local tourism website (bit.ly/wlm-film) offers ideas for touring film sites

Parts of “T he Hunger G ames.” were film ed in Uptown Charlotte .

including those used for “Sleepy Hollow,” “One Tree Hill” and “Dawson’s Creek.” Scenes from all three plus “The Choice,” the film adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks book, were also filmed at nearby Airlie Gardens.

Outer Banks and other Beach Locations

“Nights in Rodanthe,” another Nicholas Sparks’ adaptation starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane, was filmed in Manteo, at the Inn at Rodanthe (available for rent) and the Rodanthe Pier, and on Ocracoke Island. Sparks’s books seem to keep North Carolina in the spotlight. The film adaptation for “Safe Haven” was filmed in Southport. Some other credits for the coastal town include “Crimes of the Heart,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and “Under the Dome.” Bald Head Island was the stand-in for the Hamptons for “Weekend at Bernie’s.”

Burgaw and Wallace

The new series, “Welcome to Flatch,” which debuted in March on Fox, is creating excitement in the small towns of Burgaw and Wallace. The Pender County Tourism office (visitpender.com) is the site for some scenes, and it offers a free walking tour of various locations for this production and others such as “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “Silver Bullet” and “Under the Dome.”

Charlotte and Concord

Uptown Charlotte, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the U.S. Whitewater Center were all in scenes for “The Hunger Games.” McGlohon Theater and Johnson C. Smith University were scenes in last year’s “The Eyes of Tammy

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Faye” starring Jessica Chastain. The Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord gets credits for “Speedway,” “Days of Thunder,” “Talladega Nights: the Ballad of Ricky Bobby” and “Stroker Ace.”

Burke County

Several scenes of “Last of the Mohicans” were shot in Burke County. Its Tourism Development Authority is planning a 30th Anniversary “Last of the Mohicans” Festival May 12–14 at the Courthouse Plaza in Morganton (bit.ly/lotm-30). Guided tours to film locations at Chimney Rock State Park (in neighboring Rutherford County , Hickory Nut Gap Falls was the backdrop for the dramatic climax) and Lake James are planned, along with an all-day event on May 14. The event coincides with the Catawba Valley Beer Festival on May 14.

Hildebran

The Henry River Mill Village (henryrivermillvillage.com), an abandoned mill village, became District 12 in “The Hunger Games.” Tours are available and travelers can spend the night in a restored mill house.

Lake Lure

Lake Lure attracts for its scenic beauty nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Several movies have been filmed in the area, but “Dirty Dancing” starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey is the one

SAVOR THE SEASONS

that has resulted in an annual Dirty Dancing Festival (dirtydancingfestival.com). Enjoy the beautiful Flowering Bridge if you visit early spring to late fall.

Asheville

The Biltmore Estate claims numerous film credits. “Last of the Mohicans,” “Forrest Gump,” “Patch Adams,” “Ritchie Rich” and “Hannibal” are some notables.

Sylva

Sylva has a charming main street with quaint shops and restaurants and plenty to explore in the town and nearby, particularly for those who love beautiful scenery and the outdoors. The town was featured prominently, becoming a character itself as a sleepy little Missouri town in the critically acclaimed “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” Several of its buildings and others in nearby towns — Maggie Valley, Black Mountain, Cullowhee and Dillsboro — were used. Carolina Country Contributing Editor Leah Chester-Davis (chester-davis.com), loves to explore North Carolina.

Ready to scout out these filming locations and more? Numerous tour itineraries are suggested at visitnc.com (search for “filming destinations”).

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VACATIONS GONE WRONG

Readers share lessons learned from less-than-relaxing getaways

We recently asked readers to share tales of woe from past vacations that didn’t quite go as planned— you know, the kind of thing you hope to be able to one day look back on and laugh. You responded with some doozies, but one common thread ran through the stories: even when things were the bleakest, most could find a silver lining and make the best of it. Here are some of our favorites. Hurricane Honeymoon

On June 22, 1996, my wife and I were married in a simple but elegant ceremony at our local church. After an evening at a local motel, we headed to North Myrtle Beach for a glorious and uninterrupted seven days of fun and sun. Well, lo and behold a fast-moving and “track-changing” hurricane decided to head our way. On Tuesday, our resort started making preparations, and on Wednesday it called a meeting for all guests to attend. They encouraged voluntary evacuation and stated that if we chose to stay they could not guarantee our safety. It was an easy decision for my wife and me. We packed up and got out of there. You see, my wife had lived in Florida and had some past experience with hurricanes, and she had been through a tornado while teaching at a school in Kentucky a few years earlier. Seeing as she came through those unscathed, we did not want to push our luck. To this day, 26 years later, she tells me I still owe her a honeymoon.

The Lost Key

I looked forward to exploring a particular part of Australia for months. During my few days off, I rented a car for my journey to the pristine coastal area of Victoria’s Croajingolong National Park. I started having doubts about the three-hour drive, though, after I left the last point of civilization. Those doubts only grew exponentially when the road abruptly transformed from pavement to gravel. My curiosity and sense of adventure, however, outweighed any lingering questions. This trip better be worth it. Overjoyed at finally arriving, I eagerly walked along the beach, stretching my toes in the white sands and feeling the crisp Tasman Sea

breezes. The gently rolling waves distracted me, and in less than a split second, it was gone: My rental car key had vanished in the beautiful clear blue water. Shocked, I looked around only to see a handful of beachgoers (since this was Christmas Eve)! In the distance was a lighthouse — my only hope for help since this was before cell phones. Reaching the lighthouse, I was elated to meet the “lighthouse family.” The lighthouse proved to be my refuge, and I spent Christmas with the lighthouse family before being rescued the following day by the rental car company. Mary Ellen Muesing, Huntersville A member of EnergyUnited

Kevin Johnson, Mooresville A member of EnergyUnited

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Illustrations by Warren Kessler, Carolina Country

3/11/22 1:53 PM

Don’t Feed the Wildlife

We were limited on funds, and our vacation had to be the week my workplace shut down. We decided to rent a one-room cabin in the Allegheny National Forest. My wife called to reserve a cabin and was told there were no openings the week we required. Two weeks later, we were called and told that miraculously someone had canceled the week we had requested. We couldn’t believe our luck! When we arrived at the cabin we decided to unload prior to heading to the lake. Before we finished it started to rain. It rained continuously for the next three days. Getting to the outhouse became near impossible, especially at night. (We had made the mistake of feeding the raccoons and now had to eat inside for fear of being attacked.) On the third evening, my wife slipped on the steps and got a bad bruise. The next afternoon everyone who was still in the park was told that two escaped convicts were in the area. By evening we were the only ones left. It was still raining the next morning, and now with our lives at risk, we decided to pack it in. Richard Hastings, Youngsville A member of Wake Electric

A Tight Spot

We were five daughters and two parents in an RV in the summer of 1972, on a family trip to the western United States. At the top of Needle’s Eye in South Dakota, described today as “a narrow roadway … sharp turns, and low tunnels” (online at dangerousroads.org), our engineer dad decided we could make it through the tiny and very dark tunnel. After all, he had measured the RV. Yikes! We all ducked down as he drove in, saying quite cheerfully, “Here we go!” We would have made it, except when he measured the width of the RV, he did not include the mirrors. Shattering glass and screaming kids, BUT we emerged on the other side! Susan Shikany, Indian Trail A member of Union Power

Unwelcome Tentmate

I was camping one summer with two of my teenage granddaughters. We were in a 10-person tent. They slept on one side, and I slept on the other. While getting up one night to go to the restroom, I felt a bump under the tent floor. I was surprised, because I knew when we set the tent up that the bump was not there. So I put my hand on the bump and discovered it was breathing. Bumps don’t breathe. To say I was startled would be an understatement. I woke the girls up. They were very frightened. Honestly, I didn’t know what to do. So I just put my hand on the bump and slowly maneuvered it toward the tent opening. I knew it was close to being out from under the tent, so I carefully unzipped the opening — to see a skunk coming out backwards from underneath. The skunk looked around at her surroundings, not seeming one bit concerned, and slowly walked away. We had been skunked, but not sprayed! Vicki Martin, Shelby, a member of Rutherford EMC

Little Sailboat, Big Adventure Several years ago my husband, daughter and I decided on a day trip. We rented a daysailer from Morehead heading to Shackleford Island to picnic and see the wild horses. As we passed the Morehead Harbor buoy left and right, we chose the one on the right. This led us into the sea channel. Seeing marine transport craft, we immediately started working our way out, taking all of the strength we had. Finally the island was in front of us and we got out on the shore to eat our lunch. Mosquitoes decided we were their lunch! The sky suddenly changed, clouds and wind appeared from nowhere. We climbed back on the boat and sought to get out while we could. The powerful wind blew us into the Beaufort Harbor into an empty boat slip next to a yacht. The owner was not pleased as the wind was bumping us into him. The

owner of the boat slip approaching in his fishing boat was even more displeased. We felt quite helpless until a Good Samaritan appeared. Seeing our distress, he towed us back to Morehead. Next time, we will take the ferry! Rebecca Wroten, Supply A member of Brunswick Electric Digital Extra

Read more harrowing tales of vacations gone wrong at carolinacountry.com/extras.

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Carolina Adventures

Must-See Mountain Cheesemakers Yellow Branch is a storied farm along the WNC Cheese Trail Story and photos by Emory Rakestraw

n the early 1980s, Karen Mickler and her husband, Bruce DeGroot, found themselves owning a small farm in Robbinsville. The rolling hillside on the cusp of Fontana Lake seems chiseled within the Smoky Mountains. Named after the creek that flows down the valley, Yellow Branch Farmstead was a place the two envisioned as a sustainable farm and location for Karen’s pottery studio. But the purchase of a Jersey milk cow, Rosebud, took them on a new route. Licensed in 1986, Yellow Branch Pottery & Cheese currently holds the title as the oldest farmstead cheese producer in North Carolina. “We originally started making cheese in 1981, and worked on recipe development for several years. When we decided to get licensed, I went to the University of Wisconsin for two weeks and then to the University of Guelph in Canada to learn more about cheesemaking,” Karen says. “Going to school and seeing it done helped me settle on the recipe and process.” Back-to-the-land As the two purchased more Jersey cows and built Karen’s pottery studio on the farm, the national “back-to-theland” movement had produced artisan cheese trailblazers such as Laura Chenel and her French farmstead techniques; Mary Keehn, who crafted Humboldt Fog cheese; and Allison Hooper of the internationally-recognized Vermont Creamery. Karen and Bruce crafted their signature style embracing garden-grown ingredients to form their Yellow Branch Pepper Cheese and Yellow Branch Basil. Today, Yellow Branch is best known for their buttery and full-bodied Farmstead Cheese, which Karen describes as “not gouda, not cheddar — it’s Yellow Branch.” While today Karen has retired from pottery and scaled back production to three dairy cows (from a peak of six before the pandemic), one can still purchase Yellow

Branch from Earth Fare and French Broad Food Co-op in Asheville, and encounter it on the menu at Asheville’s Homegrown Restaurant. Yet, there’s still a lack of awareness for the diversity and presence of artisan cheesemakers across western North Carolina. Spreading awareness To entice the public and attract hopefuls, the Western North Carolina Cheese Trail, created in 2012, boasts creameries, farms and wineries for visitors and potential cheesemakers, including Yellow Branch. Trail stops count 10 cheesemakers, including Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery, known for cave-aged cheeses that nod to European methods developed long before modernday refrigeration. Round Mountain Creamery is home to 60 Alpine and LaMancha dairy goats that make for an eventful tour. Looking Glass Creameries’ cheese shop in Fairview lends an idyllic afternoon enjoying seasonal, Southern and Farmstead cheese and hard cider. “All of the cheeses on the trail are so unique to the cheesemaker,” says Membership Coordinator Carolyn Frykberg. “Western North Carolina is primarily known as a beer area, so I think it’s really beneficial to spread knowledge about the cheeses produced here and even spark interest in young farmers.” While Yellow Branch was a regional spearhead in the artisan cheese movement, the WNC Cheese Trail is eyeing its own fromage renaissance. Today, visitors can enjoy rolling vistas, the gentleness of cows in the pasture and a farmstead way of life — all in one delicious afternoon. Emory Rakestraw is a Wilmington-based freelance journalist. Read more of her work at emoryrakestraw.wordpress.com.

Digital Extra

Learn more about all the stops along the WNC Cheese Trail at carolinacountry.com/extras.

26 | April 2022

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Carolina Gardens

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Showy peppers don’t have to be hot Story and photos by L.A. Jackson

hen it comes to growing peppers, gardeners who don’t want to scorch their insides refrain from the hot varieties and settle for sweet selections instead. But while hot peppers come in many dazzling shapes and colors, the poster children for sweet peppers are the blocky bell varieties, many of which can be about exciting to the eyes as brown shoes. This doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of sweet peppers beyond bells that not only deliver a yummy yet mild taste, but have the visual bang to doll-up vegetable and even ornamental gardens. Need examples? Below are three of my current favorites: Sweet Banana. The name gives away its color and shape and, yep, this pepper does produce six-inchlong, yellow fruits that resemble small bananas. This would make for a pretty plant as-is, but left on the stems, the fruits continue to mature, changing from yellow to orange and eventually red. Whatever color they

are, these peppers have a no-bite-yetyummy taste that can be a pleasing addition to salads and sandwiches as well as cooked in stir-fries or on pizza. Also, they are a favorite pick of pepper picklers. Cubanelle. Like Sweet Banana, this pepper does a nice color shift as it matures with four- to six-inch, elongated, crinkly fruit starting out green and then gradually brightening to orange and then red. They can be added raw to sandwiches or salads, but their thin skins also make them a great choice for roasting and frying. Home cooks in the know often pass up standard bell peppers at grocery stores for this tastier treat. Mad Hatter. What’s not to like about a pepper called Mad Hatter? An All-American Selections winner, its name, and color — a blazing red — implies that it could be hot, but it’s not. Instead, the weird, knobby, diskshaped fruits (which make them great additions for, say, an extraterrestrial garden) are sweet, with only a hint of heat close to the seeds.

The Mad Hatter pepper might look hot, but it’s not.

Although not as common as bell peppers, these three selections shouldn’t be hard to find. Heck, for the last two years, I bought ’em all as starter plants at big box garden centers. If you are interested in growing such cool peppers from seed, or exploring other varieties of sweet as well as hot peppers, you can find more online from Pepper Joe’s (pepperjoe.com), Johnny’s Selected Seeds (johnnyseeds.com) or Burpee (burpee.com). L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener Magazine. Contact L.A. at lajackson1@gmail.com.

Garden To-Do’s for April Water gardens are shaking off their winter hibernation hiatus and stirring to life. Are you ready to feed their needs? For the best flower displays from water lily and lotus plants, fertilize them about every four weeks. Common granular fertilizer will work, but for better results, ask the folks at your local friendly garden center for specialized water lily/lotus tablets. F

For the best flower displays, fertilize water lilies through the growing season.

Also for your water garden, marginal plants such as aquatic canna, spike rush, cardinal flower, rose mallow, colocasia, dwarf papyrus and sweet flag will put on stronger shows if lightly fertilized every five to six weeks. Caladiums might look gorgeous, but when it comes to their nutrient needs, these pretties are pigs. However, overfertilizing them can lead to root rot. The best way to do more good than harm is to apply a

diluted liquid fertilizer about every three to four weeks, or simply go with a time-release fertilizer. F

A garden is never complete without a bird house. But if you’re planning on putting up any birdie domiciles, shy away from the metal models and opt for traditional wooden ones, instead. They are much better at insulating nesting birds from the heat of the summer sun.

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Real Estate WE PAY CASH FOR NC LAND–Local NC family buying farmland/woodsland/hunting land. Written cash offer in one day with closings in as little as 10 days. We buy to own/ manage/conserve long term. WWW.NCLANDBUYERS.COM 910-239-8929 We guarantee quick, honest, respectful service. WE ALSO PAY TOP DOLLAR FOR HUNTING LEASES. WANTED: SELF STORAGE FACILITIES under 100 units. We pay cash and can close in 30 days or less. Text Sue: 704-221-1698.

Insurance BURIAL INSURANCE PLANS for any budget. No exam, easy qualification. Visit finalexpenseassured.com or call 813-352-2587.

Gold Maps FUN, HOW TO PAN. Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, California. 1-407-282-3594. WWW.GOLDMAPS.COM TRIANGLE DETECTORS. Large selection of metal detectors and gold prospecting equipment, SALES & RENTALS. Durham 919-949-4007

For Sale CEMETERY PLOT WITH MARKER in Wake Forest $4000 Beautiful Pine Forest Memorial Gardens. Includes blank marker with granite base, installation fee, long term care, perpetual care and many other inclusions. nmhoh1943@yahoo.com

Miscellaneous WE BUY OLD DUCK DECOYS, COLLECTIBLES, ANTIQUES, ENTIRE ESTATES & COLLECTIONS–Private NC collector looking for old decoys, and old hunting/ fishing gear. We buy just about anything old EXCEPT china. Text/Email/Call–Vintage cars/trucks, decoys, tools, art, southern furniture, crocks, tractors, etc. 919-801-5383 webuystuff@carolinacollectors.com PAYING CASH FOR OLD VINTAGE POSTCARDS. 704-637-9639 HEARING AIDS TOO EXPENSIVE? Do you qualify for help or low payments? Hearing Aid Helpline 866-479-1519. CASH PAID FOR OLD FISHING LURES–Call Rick Hutton 704-695-4917

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

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.

NURSERY STOCK & SEED GROW HALF DOLLAR SIZE MUSCADINES & BLACKBERRIES, FREE CATALOG. 200 varieties fruit, nut trees, vines & berries. 1-800-733-0324. ISON’S NURSERY, Brooks, Georgia 30205 www.isons.com

Call for specials!

Steel Mobile Home Roofing Leaks? Roof rumble? High energy bill?

EASTERN

DIVISION

STORAGE BUILDINGS HAY BARNS HORSE BARNS GARAGES *Custom building shown. Call for pricing.

Hurricane Upgrade E of I-95 • Fully Insured • #1 Metal • Custom Sizes 4/12 roof pitch • Engineered trusses • Local codes/freight may affect prices

www.nationalbarn.com

1-888-427-BARN (2276)

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3/10/22 5:09 PM

Carolina Kitchen

Enjoy these “Deli Dinners” for nights when you want a prep break and quick suppers. All of our ingredients came right from our grocer’s deli, salad/antipasto bars and produce department, plus a few pantry items. Browse yours, think outside the box, and get creative!

Tex-Mex TacoBellas Over ranch salad

Although this supper is meatless, you can easily add shredded rotisserie chicken to these stuffed mushrooms. Check out available deli and salad bar goodies to make these outsidethe-box “tacos!” 4 medium portabellas for stuffing Fresh cilantro ¾ pound grain salad (we used quinoa with corn) From salad bar (no exact amounts): Small cup of black beans Sliced onions Colored bell peppers, finely diced Pickled jalapeño 2 cups shredded cheese Chopped lettuce Ranch dressing Nuts or seeds (we used pumpkin seeds) Crispy tortilla strips Pico or salsa 1 lime Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray baking dish. Gently remove stem and gills inside mushroom caps. Place (inside down) on microwave safe dish lined with a paper towel. Cook about 2 minutes to remove moisture and soften caps. Place caps into baking dish. Add chopped cilantro to grain salad, then divide with beans into caps. Layer with onions, bell peppers and jalapeño. Cover with cheese and bake 8–10 minutes until hot and cheese is bubbly. While baking, toss lettuce with ranch dressing. Garnish tacobellas with seeds, tortilla strips and pico or salsa. Sprinkle with lime juice and serve over a bed of dressed lettuce. Yield: Makes 2 servings (2 each)

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

Surf & Turf Asian Stir Fry

When a quick and flavorful supper is needed, pull out the wok or big skillet for a speedy stir fry. The grocery store salad bar is your friend for these nights. While the deli slices your beef, grab nearby cooked shrimp and salad bar veggies … in no time you’ll be eating this 20-minute meal. Cooking oil 1 bag shredded slaw mix (cabbage with carrots) 1 large zucchini, sliced in ½-inch half-moon pieces 1 bunch green onions, sliced into 1-inch pieces Salad bar veggies (no exact amounts: sliced bell peppers; sliced mushrooms; broccoli, cut small) 2–3 tablespoons garlic paste ¾ pound thicker sliced rare London broil, torn into bite-sized pieces ¾ pound cooked, shelled and tail-off large shrimp 1 bottle Asian salad dressing (we used NC’s Little Black Dressing Far East Flair) Toasted sesame seeds Heat wok or large bottomed skillet over high heat. Lightly coat with cooking oil. Add all vegetables and salad bar items. Cook, stirring frequently, until crisp tender and larger pieces are getting a light char. Stir in garlic paste, beef, shrimp and dressing just long enough to heat while tossing (1–2 minutes). Be sure not to cook too long or beef and shrimp will become overdone and tough. Remove from heat. Scatter with toasted sesame seeds and serve immediately. Yield: Makes about 4 servings

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3/11/22 1:09 PM

Carolina Kitchen

Toasty Italian Antipasto Melts Served “au jus”

From Your Kitchen

These are so gosh darn g-o-o-d (and creativity is welcome). Meats don’t have to be cooked, but we like to give half of ours a quick crisping to add a little crunch. Serve with little bowls of oil for dipping “au jus” style. All you’ll need is in the deli, salad bar and your pantry for a sandwich worth salivating over! 2 pounds sliced meats (we used a variety of salamis and ham) 2 focaccia breads 1 pound melty cheese (we used dilled Havarti) 1 package (3-ounce) julienned sun-dried tomatoes (located in produce shelf area) From salad bar (no exact amounts): Red onion

Pickled banana peppers Black olives Greens from bar or deli* Oil mixture 1¼ cups olive oil ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning 2 tablespoons garlic paste 1½ teaspoons salt Crushed black pepper Crushed red pepper

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cook half the meat slices in microwave for 2 minutes until crispy and almost burnt. Slice breads in half horizontally. Brush cut sides with oil mixture. Place bottoms onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (If bread is thick, remove some of the “insides” before filling and toast for bread crumbs.) Layer with ½ of the cheese and remaining meats. Top with pieces of the oiled tomatoes, bar toppings and greens. Drizzle with a little of the oil and repeat layers using microwaved meats. End with final layer of cheese. Put top of bread on and tent with foil. Bake for 5 minutes, remove tent and bake 5 minutes more. Cut and serve while hot with individual cups of the oil for dipping “au jus” style.

Strawberry Whipped Wonder

*When shopping, we saw a delicious kale apple salad in the deli so that’s what we used! Think outside the box or just use salad bar greens. The apples were great in these spicy sandwiches!

Line an 8x4-inch loaf pan with foil. Mash 2 cups of strawberries in a large bowl. Stir in condensed milk, juice and 2 cups of Cool Whip. Pour into pan. Top with combined chopped cookies and butter. Press into mixture. Cover and freeze at least 6 hours. To serve, invert onto plate. Remove foil. Drizzle Magic Shell if desired. Frost or dollop with remaining Cool Whip. Top with remaining strawberries, sliced.

Yield: Each makes 4–6 servings.

If you’ve been longing for hot weather, this dessert tastes like summer, chocolate dipped! With its creamy, icy strawberry center, dark cookie crust and billowy topping, it’ll be a wonder if this dessert lasts long! 4 cups fresh strawberries 1 can (14-ounce) sweetened condensed milk ¼ cup lemon juice 1 tub (8-ounce) Cool Whip, thawed and divided

8 Oreo chocolate sandwich cookies, finely chopped 1 tablespoon butter, melted Magic Shell® Chocolate Flavored Topping, optional

Yield: 12 servings

Unl a cu NC

Recipe courtesy of Gustava H. Miller, West Jefferson, a member of Blue Ridge Energy

Send Us Your Recipes Contributors whose recipes are published will receive $25. We retain reprint rights for all submissions. Recipes submitted are not necessarily entirely original. Include your name, address, phone number (for questions), and the name of your electric cooperative. Mail to: Carolina Country Kitchen, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC, 27616. Or submit your recipe online at: carolinacountry.com/myrecipe.

Digital Extra We take food seriously. Visit carolinacountry.com/recipes to search more than 1,000 recipes by name or ingredient, with a new recipe featured every week! carolinacountry.com | 31

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3/10/22 1:41 PM

where

in Carolina Country is this ?

Send your answer by April 6, with your name, address and the name of your electric cooperative. Online:

carolinacountry.com/where

By mail:

Where in Carolina Country? 3400 Sumner Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27616

Sign up for email updates to guess next month’s “Where Is This” ahead of print publication: carolinacountry.com/register Multiple entries from the same person will be disqualified. The winner, chosen at random and announced in our May issue, will receive $25.

Last month’s winner The March “Where Is This” photo by Carolina Country’s Senior Associate Editor Renee Gannon features a blue bear statue with the Cherokee alphabet emblazoned on its body. This Cherokee Alphabet Black Bear is located on Highway 143 at the intersection of Snowbird Road, just outside of Robbinsville in Graham County. The spot is along the Cherohala Skyway, a 43-mile National Scenic Byway and National Forest Scenic Byway (and named for two national forests in the area, the Cherokee and Nantahala). The bear is part of the Cherokee Bears Project, which showcases the works of artists living within the Qualla Boundary. Bears play a large part within the Cherokee culture. Many readers thought this blue bear was part of the bear pack found in the town of Cherokee, but this guy, though related, lives further to the west. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from William Ryan of Havelock, a Carteret-Craven Electric member.

carolinacreators Jereann King Johnson Jereann King Johnson is a textile artist, community activist and founding member of the Heritage Quilters in Warrenton (heritagequilters.net). As part of her work, Jereann mentors Warren County youth, and is working to share the storytelling power of quilting. Growing up in Bainbridge, Georgia, Jereann has known quilts and quilting as far back as she can remember. On cold winter nights, her mother would put a quilt or two, and sometimes even three, on her bed. Back then, quilts were for keeping you warm and didn’t carry the broad artistic value they do today. Jereann still sees their use, however. “They still are utilitarian in the sense that they sustain us,” she says, “and they are for a purpose.”

carolinacountry.com/creators HelloNC, an initiative of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, is proud to bring exciting NC creators to readers of Carolina Country.

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Learn more about Jereann and listen to an interview with her by HelloNC.

3/10/22 1:55 PM

We' Nor Nat Wh stat step you Nor stor to le

We're celebrating 50 years of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources! Whether you're looking to explore a state park, visit a museum event, or step back in time at a historic site, you're in the right place! We help tell North Carolina's story, which is your story too. Join us at www.ncdcr.gov to learn more.

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3/9/22 2:45 PM

Directors For Election: Jeffrey Martin lives in the Spivey’s Corner area of Sampson County. He is a 1976 graduate of Clement School. He worked for his family business, Martin’s Abattoir & Wholesale Meats, Inc., for almost 40 years where his responsibilities included executive management positions such as cattle procurement, cattle and beef transportation and director of operations. He is co-owner of Martin Family Farms LLC, a beef cattle operation located in NC. Martin served on the NC Meat Processors Board of Directors for over 20 years and he is currently serving his third term on the South River EMC Board of Directors. Martin received his Credentialed Cooperative Director certification in 2016 and the National Rural Electric Board Leadership Certificate and the Director Gold Certification. Martin is married to Angela Phillips Martin and has two daughters, Cassie and Karlee. They are members of Clement Baptist Church.

Jeffery Martin

Dr. Sue Godwin-Baker has served on the South River EMC Board of Directors since 2012; serving as board chair since 2017. Dr. Godwin-Baker has completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director Program (five core courses) as well as having successfully completed the Board Leadership Certificate (10 hours) and the Director Gold Credential (three additional courses every two years). During her career, Dr. Godwin-Baker held various teaching and administrative positions in Cumberland, Beaufort, and Harnett counties. She retired from the public school system in 2010. She then wrote and implemented the Master of Education program at Methodist University and retired from MU in 2016. Since retiring, she has taken classes at Fayetteville Technical Community College.

Dr. E. Sue Godwin-Baker

Dr. Godwin-Baker is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville. She has served as deacon, elder, and Stephen Minister. She has served on the Allocation Committee for Cumberland County Partnership for Children. She and her husband, Warren, live in Eastover.

Clifton McNeill lives in the Gray’s Creek Community of Cumberland County. He is a 1967 graduate of Gray’s Creek High School and a 1971 graduate of NC State University where he obtained a bachelor’s of science in Agricultural Engineering. McNeill is retired from the NC Dept. of Transportation Roadside Environmental Unit where he worked as a roadside environmental engineer and a field operations engineer. He has also farmed as a partner in McNeill Farms from 1975-2014 growing tobacco, corn, soybeans, small grain, strawberries, greenhouse tomatoes and other produce. McNeill was elected to the South River EMC Board of Directors in 2013 and has obtained his Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate, Board Leadership Certificate and the Director Gold Certification.

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Clifton McNeill, Jr.

3/10/22 3:53 PM

The Brighter Future Initiative & You South River EMC has joined North Carolina’s 25 other electric cooperatives in expanding efforts to build a brighter future for our members and communities across the state, including over 46,000 members our Cooperative serves in Harnett, Cumberland, Sampson, Johnston and Bladen counties.

We Have Sustainability Goals We are working toward two significant goals in order to deliver low-carbon electricity over a grid that is more efficient, resilient and secure:

2030 TARGET

2050 TARGET

NET ZERO

Reduction in carbon emissions from 2005

Carbon emissions

By coordinating new and existing resources and implementing innovative services for our members, we are creating a modern electric grid that is more flexible, resilient and capable of supporting new energy solutions and the growing needs of local communities.

Grid Operations Are Being Improved North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are developing a “virtual power plant,” coordinating thousands of distributed energy resources across the cooperative network. Coordination of these resources ensures they work together to deliver the most possible value to all cooperative members.

Statewide electric vehicle charging network

Microgrids

Community solar sites

Megawatts of conservation voltage reduction*

THOUSAND demand response devices**

* A way to deliver power more efficiently ** Consumer-based devices, like smart thermostats, that can be coordinated to save energy system-wide

Cooperative Difference Because electric cooperatives are led by members and belong to the communities they serve, co-ops understand local needs and drive innovation to meet those needs—never to make a profit.

40 MILLION

12.9 MILLION

57 MILLION

Loans of up to $2 million at 0% interest

Provided to classrooms through education grant program

Provided for economic development grants and loans

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3/10/22 3:53 PM