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June 2022

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Favorites 2 From Our Readers 4 Viewpoints 6 More Power 20 Energy Sense 24 Carolina Adventures 28 Carolina Gardens 29 Marketplace 30 Carolina Kitchen 32 Where is This?

32 Carolina Creators

On the Cover Among its many programs, ACCESS of Wilmington offers opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to play Miracle League baseball, regardless of their abilities. Learn more on page 10. Photo by J. Greg Photography.

10 14 22 26

26

Breaking Barriers Through Recreation

ACCESS of Wilmington is helping those with disabilities stay active.

Fun on a Nickel

Five simple yet meaningful activities for grandchildren.

Helping Students Learn and Grow

Principal Laurie Strope is inspiring students in Onslow County.

Greenhouse Gardening on a Budget

Keep your garden growing year-round with a greenhouse kit.

CALL FOR VOTES

Carolina’s Finest It’s not too late to cast your votes for a new chance to win one of three $100 gift cards! Visit carolinacountry.com/finest

by June 30 and tell us your picks for the finest North Carolina has to offer. See page 26 for categories.

carolinacountry.com | 1

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THIS MONTH:

Accessible Recreation Warmer weather is creating more opportunities to get outside, whether for a walk around the block or a game with friends. Organizations like ACCESS of Wilmington are making sure everyone has that opportunity, regardless of ability. Read more about how the group is helping people with disabilities of all ages get out and get active. Also, we answer more reader questions about electric vehicles (part of an ongoing conversation about energy tech) on page 7.

(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800) Volume 54, No. 6

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 Rue Reynold Editorial Assistant

—Scott Gates, editor

Tara Verna Creative Director Jessica Armstrong Graphic Designer

From Our Readers

Keith Alexander Advertising Keith@carolinacountry.com

Calendar Question We miss the events in each section for each month. What happened?

Joseph P. Brannan Executive Vice President & CEO Nelle Hotchkiss Senior Vice President & COO

Albert Proskey, Orlando.

A member of Haywood EMC Editor’s note: After putting our Carolina Calendar section on hold during the uncertainty of the pandemic, we’ve found event listing submissions to be slow to bounce back. Although we don’t have enough to bring the section back in our print version, you can find a listing of events by region (or submit your own) at carolinacountry.com/calendar.

Mysterious Sonker Origins I enjoyed the article “Save Room for Sonker” [about the Surry County Sonker Trail] (December 2021, page 34) and clipped it out. Going through recipes that I have printed out, I came across Versunkener Apfelkuchen (German Sunken Apple Cake). I wondered whether “sonker” could have been derived from German.

Susan Ferris, Durham.

A member of Piedmont Electric Editor’s Note: Susan did some searching online and did discover NC’s German connection in that region of the state (more information to that end is available at ncpedia.org/german-settlers). Some speculate its origins are from Scottish or ScotchIrish immigrants (sonkertrail.org/what-is-sonker), but sonker’s verifiable roots remain a mystery.

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.

Moss Maintenance Q: How can I kill weeds in my moss yard without hurting my moss? I dug them out last year, but they came back. They have clover-like leaves and a spindly yellow flower.

Missy Vorus, via carolinacountry.com in response to the article “Go Green With Moss” (August 2010)

A: It’s best to address weed issues early in the season. Many moss gardeners prefer to carefully weed by hand (tedious and time-consuming, though it can be a Zen experience).

Other alternatives are to string-trim or mow weeds down before going to seed, or, if you are willing to use chemicals, apply Weed and Grass Killer (follow manufacturer’s directions). Try this method in a small area first, and don't apply when it has been extremely dry and mosses are already stressed.

“Mossin’” Annie Martin (mountainmoss.com)

Why Do We Send You Carolina Country Magazine?

Your cooperative sends you Carolina Country as a convenient, economical way to share with its members information about services, director elections, meetings and management decisions. The magazine also carries legal notices that otherwise would be published in other media at greater cost.

Your co-op’s board of directors authorizes a subscription to Carolina Country on behalf of the membership at a cost of less than $5 per year.

Subscriptions: Individual subscriptions, $12 per year.

Schools, libraries, $6.

Carolina Country is available on digital cartridge as a courtesy of volunteer services at the NC Department of Cultural Resources, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Raleigh, NC 888-388-2460.

Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh, NC, and additional mailing offices. Editorial offices: 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616-2950. Carolina Country® is a registered trademark of the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 707.4.12.5); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: Send address corrections to Carolina Country, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616-2950.

All content © Carolina Country unless otherwise indicated.

Contact us Phone:

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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.

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Viewpoints

Reliable, Affordable Power Through Cooperation

By Jason Caudle

The electric power grid is sometimes referred to as the most-complicated machine ever built. Nationwide, it’s made up of thousands of power plants and millions of miles of transmission and distribution lines. Here in North Carolina, electric cooperatives maintain more than 100,000 miles of line to ensure affordable, reliable power is available 24/7 to members across 93 counties.

Keeping the power grid in top form is a big job, but through the principle of Cooperation Among Cooperatives, North Carolina’s electric co-ops rely on each other for support — during and after extreme weather events, while deploying innovaTEMA is dedicated tive grid technologies, and in securing infrastructo getting co-ops ture materials. the supplies they Tarheel Electric Membership Association need, when they (TEMA) is one example of that cooperation. TEMA is need them, at the a co-op, formed by electric lowest possible cost. cooperatives in the 1970s, that provides the materials and supplies needed to operate and maintain the electric system. Today, TEMA serves co-ops in North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland. By working together through TEMA, those electric cooperatives can source materials cost-effectively and receive them efficiently.

TEMA’s warehouse in Raleigh has 112,000 square feet of storage space with materials on hand that include grid protective equipment; transformers; hardware like bolts, connectors, splices and sleeves; utility lighting; and grid construction and maintenance materials.

As the world has navigated the uncertainty of the pandemic, TEMA has proven to be an

invaluable resource for ensuring the state’s electric co-ops can maintain reliable service at an affordable cost. Our team at TEMA has worked hard to provide top-notch service, and we’ve kept supply trucks rolling from our warehouse five days a week.

While supply chain issues have impacted businesses worldwide, TEMA has placed even greater emphasis on market forecasts and works closely with electric co-ops to plan ahead. We’ve increased inventory of some critical materials from a 90-day supply to 120- and 180-day supplies to offset longer lead times. We try to keep our crystal ball as clear as possible, and by working closely with our member co-ops, we can plan and stay ready to best serve co-op consumer-members at the end of the line.

So if you see storm clouds on the horizon this summer, rest easy knowing your electric cooperative is supported by a statewide network, including our staff of employees dedicated to getting it the supplies it needs, when it needs them, at the lowest possible cost.

TEMA is owned by the members we serve and relies on cooperation among cooperatives — and we are seeing firsthand that the cooperative model works.

Jason Caudle is the chief operating officer for the Tarheel Electric Membership Association.

4 | June 2022

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Considering solar?

Start by contacting your electric cooperative.

As your local energy partner, electric cooperatives are here to support you in reaching your energy goals. Contact your co-op today for information about energy efficiency, home energy use, and even interconnecting solar at your home.

NCElectricCooperatives.com/Solar

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More Power

June

Quick Hits Purple Power Join the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) in wearing purple in June to support those living with the disease and other forms of dementia.

Safe Eats When picnicking, food should never sit out for more than one hour if temperatures are above 90 degrees.

Protect Your Noggin Always wear a helmet—and make sure children are wearing helmets—when riding a bike. It can save lives.

Sunny Day The first official day of summer is June 21, marking the summer solstice (when the sun travels along its northernmost path in the sky).

NC Co-ops Advance Their Brighter Future Journey Annual Meeting creates opportunity for collaboration In April, nearly 400 electric co-op leaders from across the state are meeting in Raleigh for the 2022 Statewide Annual Meeting.

Joe Brannan, executive vice president and CEO for North Carolina’ Electric Cooperatives, opened the meeting by addressing During a panel discussion, Puckett spoke with leaders the importance of collabfrom Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative, Randolph oration among the state’s EMC and South River EMC. electric co-ops.

“Collaboration is something that is part of who we are. It goes way back to our predecessors and how they built our cooperatives from the ground up,” Brannan said. “And it’s how we’ll continue to advance our Brighter Future journey.”

Sessions included national co-op perspectives from Jeffrey Connor, COO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and Nelle Hotchkiss, COO for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives; and remarks from Greg Puckett, executive vice president and general manager of Surry-Yadkin EMC and board president for the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation.

“As cooperatives, our strength is in our mission of service and in our proficiency in working together,” Puckett said. “Through cooperation — with each other and with our members — we are staying on the leading edge of innovation.”

Who’s Who at the Annual Meeting STATEWIDE LEADERS The following were elected to 2022–2023 board leadership positions: NCEMC (power supply): President Greg Puckett, Surry-Yadkin EMC; Vice President Susan Flythe, Cape Hatteras EC; Secretary-Treasurer Greg Andress, Union Power Cooperative Greg Puckett NCAEC (co-op services): President Tom Batchelor, Haywood EMC; Vice President Richard Midgett, Cape Hatteras EC; Secretary-Treasurer Dirk Burleson, Rutherford EMC

Tom Batchelor

TEMA (material supply): Incoming directors: District I: Greg Andress, Union Power Cooperative; District II: Columbus Jeffers, Roanoke Electric; District III: Larry Fowler, Brunswick EMC

YOUTH LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS The North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives awards three scholarships each year to Youth Tour participants from the past year: • Betsy Kornegay (Brunswick EMC) received the Katie Bunch Memorial Scholarship; • Catherine Lee (Jones-Onslow EMC) received the Gwyn B. Price Memorial Scholarship; and • Sydney Loflin (EnergyUnited) received the Youth Leadership Council Scholarship.

6 | June 2022

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Big Questions About Our Brighter Future Readers responded to our April 2022 Q&A about electric vehicles (page 8) with the following questions:

Q: A:

If EV battery recycling isn’t yet widespread, what are we doing with batteries now?

With this generation of EVs still being relatively young (2010 is generally considered to be their reintroduction), there has not been a ready supply of available batteries to manage. Battery recycling, therefore, is a developing industry still in its infancy. But that is quickly changing.

A substantial amount of funding is going toward developing better, more efficient recycling, with partnerships between automakers and recycling startups. Here in the Southeast, we have companies such as Umicore and LI Industries advancing battery recycling procedures.

Reusing lithium-ion batteries also holds promise. EV batteries are believed to retain approximately 70% capacity at the time they become unsuitable for propelling a car, so they still have much potential — including as on-site energy storage to support electric grids and renewable energy.

Q: A:

Where do EV battery raw materials currently come from?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, between 2016 and 2019, about 90% of the lithium imported to the U.S. came from Argentina and Chile, while cobalt, graphite and nickel arrived from a more diverse array of countries, including Canada, Norway, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mexico. Lithium and nickel had a net import reliance of approximately 50%, while 76% of cobalt and 100% of graphite were imported.

With that overseas reliance in mind, a push is being made to have more domestic production and assembly of batteries (13 U.S. battery gigafactories are planned to be online by 2025), including securing domestic raw materials or reducing the need for materials that can’t be locally sourced. Expanded U.S. recycling practices should also reduce our dependence on imports.

—Jacob Bolin & Jonathan Susser, Advanced Energy carolinacountry.com | 7

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More Power

Carteret County Teacher Inspires Next Generation of Leaders Sirkin has been awarded Bright Ideas Grants impacting 6,300 students Marsha Sirkin, technology teacher at White Oak Elementary School in Cape Carteret, NC, has been impacting the lives of students for nearly 15 years. Since she started teaching, Sirkin has been on a mission to get children back into creating and imagining, and she’s achieving that mission through ingenuity and unwavering dedication, and with support from her local electric co-op’s Bright Ideas grant program.

In 2006, Sirkin, in collaboration with Sarah Weinhold, another teacher at her school, was awarded her first Bright Ideas grant from Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative for the project, “Math for Mimio Boards.” She has received 13 more grants since.

Bright Ideas grants are available from electric cooperatives to teachers throughout the state to enhance student success through hands-on learning. For Sirkin, the grants enabled her to integrate innovative learning experiences in her technology lab.

While her projects have covered diverse subjects and included advanced technologies such as virtual reality headsets, 3D printers and Sparki robots, they all have one thing in common: bringing learning to life for her students.

Her most recent project — “Coding Across the Curriculum!” — allowed her students to build, create and connect technology to their curriculum. Students in pre-kindergarten through second grade learned to code through their sight words and community maps, while third through fifth grade students learned to use JavaScript to design their own programs.

“By providing students a way to explore technology and learn coding skills, the Bright Ideas program is helping teachers, like Mrs. Sirkin, to grow the next generations of the workforce,” said Melissa Glenn, communications specialist for

“I am a first-hand witness of the extraordinary experiences that can happen when everyone gives a little.”

—Technology Teacher Marsha Sirkin

Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative.

“Projects like this provide students the opportunity for hands-on learning and give them the ability to bring their imagination to life.”

Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative has been awarding Bright Ideas grants to innovative educators for nearly 30 years, and Sirkin is one of their most decorated grant recipients.

“I am a first-hand witness of the extraordinary experiences that can happen when everyone gives a little,” Sirkin said. “Literal ‘pocket change’ through Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round-Up

program has funded incredible innovation opportunities for my students.”

Since receiving her first Bright Ideas grant, Sirkin has been awarded more than $9,000 in education grants, impacting more than 6,300 students.

“I have always displayed my presentation grant check proudly for students to see and know that their community believes in them,” said Sirkin. “They know that a simple idea can transform their time in school and be meaningful and fun.”

—Hailey Rodriguez, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives

8 | June 2022

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g n i k Brea

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Andrea Daniels

U.S. Navy veteran Andrea Daniels sought out ACCESS programs such as their Play initiative which opened the door to adventure sports like archery.

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ACCESS of Wilmington

n o i t a e r c e R h g u o r h s T

eene ela A. K

By Pam

Left: ACCESS collaborates with the Wilmington chaper of Wheel Serve NC to offer wheelchair tennis.

Ten years ago, U.S. Navy veteran Andrea Daniels had to learn to walk again.

Complications from routine surgery resulted in Andrea having her left leg amputated above the knee. It took several years to adjust to her new life with a prosthetic leg.

Andrea Daniels

Andrea moved from Chestertown, Maryland, to Wilmington in 2016 to escape the cold weather. She started looking for connections in her new hometown.

“It got to the point that I wondered about my life’s purpose,” Andrea says. “I began to seek out veterans’ groups to connect with and found Project SOAR for veterans with disabilities. This type of sports and recreation program wasn’t even on my radar.”

She got fitted for a swim-leg prosthesis to take part in kayaking and other sports through Project SOAR (Sports, Outreach, Adapted Recreation), an adaptive sports program for veterans with disabilities. Affiliated with ACCESS of Wilmington, SOAR serves veterans of all ages who have physical, intellectual and other limitations.

ACCESS partners with the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s (UNCW) Recreation Therapy program to obtain funding through the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Adapted Sports Grant.

Through ACCESS, Andrea met people with disabilities who participated in other adaptive sports, including surfing, archery and cycling. She found her niche playing wheelchair tennis every Friday morning through the Wilmington chapter of Wheel Serve NC, a collaboration between the Greater Wilmington Tennis Association (GWTA), ACCESS and UNCW Recreation Therapy.

J. Greg Photography

on

Miracle League Baseball is another initiative of ACCESS Wilmington, providing an opportunity to play, regardless of abilities.

Eliminating barriers

In addition to Project SOAR, ACCESS’s initiatives include Miracle League Baseball, ACCESS Fit, ACCESSIBLE Adventures, Play and recreation therapy. Programs at ACCESS are open to the public. The private non-profit began as a Miracle League Baseball facility for Wilmington.

A nationwide endeavor, Miracle League programs, including those across North Carolina, provide opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to play Miracle League baseball, regardless of their abilities.

Through community fundraising over five years, Wilmington’s Miracle Field and Kiwanis Playground at Olsen Park opened in 2013. The 33,000-square-foot adaptive playing field and playground serve as the centerpiece for ACCESS and its programs.

ACCESS expanded in 2015 by adding ACCESS Fit to offer health and wellness activities and group fitness.

The Play initiative opened the door to adventure sports, including archery, cycling, kayaking and surfing for people with disabilities. The organization’s newest Accessible Adventures uses all-terrain mobility equipment, called Terrain Hoppers. They allow access on sand, mud and rough terrain.

“From its beginnings as a Miracle League baseball program in 2008, ACCESS has grown to serve more than 650 children, adults and veterans who otherwise wouldn’t be able to enjoy recreational and adventure activities,” says John Smist, executive director of ACCESS of Wilmington.

“Our mission to eliminate barriers to recreation, sports and fitness for people with disabilities has come to life in so many ways.” carolinacountry.com | 11

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J. Greg Photography

J. Greg Photography

J. Greg Photography

Focusing on inclusion, programs are open to the public through group activities, team sports and one-on-one.

Costs vary depending on the service.

Community support

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

Andrea Daniels

Partnerships with organizations like the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s recreational therapy department, help expand services. UNCW furnishes adaptive equipment, student assistants and facilities volunteers to ACCESS and in return, students gain practical experience as part of their education.

“On so many levels, the community has really gotten behind ACCESS and the services we offer,” John says.

“Businesses and individuals are seeing the benefits of investing in initiatives for all our residents.”

As coordinator of the Greater Wilmington Tennis Association, Candy Pegram saw the need for wheelchair tennis in the community. She was familiar with Wheel Serve NC, a Charlotte-based wheelchair tennis program that operates multiple locations in the state. She coaches wheelchair tennis for the GWTA and Wheel Serve NC, partnering with ACCESS for referrals.

“We have one tournament-level wheelchair player,” Candy says. “All of our players here in Wilmington were at one time able-bodied. Some are playing tennis for the first time. The truth is that Wheel Serve NC is providing a chance for meaningful ways for people with disabilities to recreate, keep active and fit.”

Andrea Daniels can testify to the benefits of ACCESS and what it does for people with disabilities and the community.

“When I first moved to Wilmington, I had no idea I would be able to participate in sports and other activities,” she says. “All of a sudden, I found other alternatively abled people who had the same goals I did. It has made all the difference — it opened my world.”

Andrea Daniels participates in adaptive sports thanks to Project SOAR, an adaptive sports program for veterans with disabilities.

Recreational Resources ACCESS of Wilmington | accessilm.org

Multiple programs and activities for people of all ages with disabilities and their families.

Wheel Serve NC | wheelservenc.com

Statewide non-profit organization that sponsors wheelchair tennis; locations in Charlotte, Cary, Wilmington, Asheville, Piedmont and Sandhills.

Greater Wilmington Tennis Association

wilmingtontennis.com

Wilmington’s Community Tennis Association.

12 | June 2022

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5/11/22 4:13 PM

Introduces

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5/9/22 12:30 PM

R 2

Fun on a

Nickel I

was a child during the 1950s—a time when my brothers and I were mostly spared the troubles of the adult world.

Our parents let us play in the mud, climb trees or read books while lying on an old quilt in the backyard. My Halloween costume was an old sheet with two holes cut out for ghost eyes. A piece of chalk and a sidewalk would be enough to keep me and my neighborhood girlfriends hopscotching all morning. After a bowl of cereal for breakfast, my mother sent us out to play with the instruction to be back for supper.

When my grandchildren began to arrive 17 years ago, those carefree memories of days gone by resurfaced, and I experienced a “second childhood” with my children’s children. I taught young children in elementary school for many years, and that prepared me for the delight of playing and learning with my grandchildren. Now that the grandchildren are older, we love remembering those early days spent cooking together, doing science experiments in the kitchen, producing simple plays in the summer, reading books using flashlights during overnight visits.

That joy inspired me to write “A Grandmother’s Sourcebook,” filled with activities and ideas for grandparents and their grandchildren to share. Below are five entries from the book for your own “fun on a nickel.”

1. Make a concentration game. Choose a dozen or more favorite 4x6 photos of family events. At the copy shop, reduce photo size by 50%, print two of each, then glue to the “suit” side of regular playing cards. Set out all the cards with photo sides down. Play!

2. Teach the children how to offer a strong firm handshake and clearly state their name (as if they are meeting a new person). “Hi, my name is ______.” Then have them help you bake some chocolate chip cookies. Drive to the neighborhood firehouse, meet the firefighters, shake

Y a

5

B

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simple yet meaningful activities for grandchildren

By Cynthia Drake

1 hands and thank them for their service. Finally, offer a tin of homemade cookies.

3. Help the children paint a Van Gogh-style painting.

Find “The Usborne Art Treasury” by Rosie Dickens at the library. Directions are given about using forks and dabs of white paint to recreate Van Gogh’s swirly clouds!

4. A really fun science experiment is creating a crystal. Directions are provided in “Geology Lab for Kids”

by Garret Romaine. Bend a pipe cleaner into a cube shape.

Tie 2 feet of string to the middle of a pencil and to a corner of the pipe cleaner cube. Pour 3 cups of boiling water into a wide-mouth jar. Stir in 9 tablespoons of Borax. Lower the pipe cleaner down into the jar. In the morning there will be a crystal-covered pipe cleaner floating in the jar! If you add food coloring, you’ll create a beautifully colored crystal.

5. On a sunny day, take the children to your local cemetery. Walk through the lanes and stop to read names, dates and quotes. Talk about how these folks were loved by many people. Talk about the circle of life. Your ease will be appreciated by the children. Then read them the wonderful storybook, “City Dog, Country Frog” by Mo Willems. It is a perfect tale of friendship, loss and hope.

Cynthia Drake, author of “A Grandmother’s Sourcebook,” lives in Durham and is a member of Piedmont Electric Cooperative.

Visit agrandmotherssourcebook.com to learn more about “A Grandmother’s Sourcebook,” 10 chapters covering resources and activities to get grandchildren engaged in art, story, poetry, science, service, music, cooking, plays and games.

14 | June 2022

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JUNE 2022

Warm Homes, Warm Hearts is an impactful Year-Round Program!

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f you’re in a position to help your neighbors during these challenging times, consider making a donation to the Warm Homes, Warm Hearts yearround utility assistance program. BEMC will match all donations, up to $50,000 annually, doubling the impact of your generosity.

The funds are administered by Brunswick Family Assistance and the Columbus County Department of Aging, who distribute them to those in need across our service area.

Donations can be made by mail to Warm Homes, Warm Hearts, PO Box 826, Shallotte, NC 28459. Please do not enclose the donation with your electric bill payment.

Because You Want to Know...

Each month we’ll answer a question that has been on a member’s mind, because we bet you might also want to know. Send your questions to brookes.versaggi@bemc.org.

è

Q

I’ve heard your Community Solar Garden panels are sold out.

If it’s true, can I get on a waiting list?

è

BFA’s Stephanie Bowen with a board full of client thank-you’s

“As the cost of living goes up, it is getting harder and harder for folks to make ends meet, and providing a fallback in times of crisis can make all the difference. We use Warm Homes, Warm Hearts donations to help people with their utility bills so that they can get through a tough time and get back on their feet. On behalf of our clients, we are so grateful for the Warm Homes, Warm Hearts program, and the generosity of BEMC members.”

Stephanie Bowen, Executive Director of Brunswick Family Assistance

A

Yes, the 738 solar panels at our Community Solar Gardens on Highway 17 in Bolivia and at the Peacock Substation in Chadbourn are fully subscribed by members.

The cost is $3.50/ month per panel, and participating members receive a bill credit for the amount of energy their panel(s) generate, which will vary monthly. We also offer a full subscription for $537 upfront, with the same bill credit. We are accepting names for a waiting list, please visit bemc.org/ community-solar to be placed on the list.

Power in

numbers

If 1,500 of us reduce our energy usage during a Beat the Peak event we could save more than $100,000 in monthly wholesale power costs.

June 2022 | 15

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• MEMBER SPOTLIGHT •

Time-of-Use Rate Option The Time-of-Use (TOU) rate option offers you a lower rate for electricity when demand on our system is low, balanced with a higher rate when demand on our system is high. You save money by shifting your energy consumption to times when our membership is using less. You’re also helping us reduce peak demand, which reduces our wholesale power costs and benefits us all. Here’s one member household’s experience.

“Around three years ago I saw the Time-of-Use rate option on the website and decided to do some research because I’m always up for new ways to save. I talked with James Green at BEMC about it, and it turns out he had been on it for a while. He told us how he made it work for him and said that if we could be diligent in shifting our usage away from peak times, and adjusted "It sounded like it our thermostat by a few (TOU) might work for me and my wife, degrees during peak, we’d lower our bill. It sounded so we signed up. like it might work for On average, we’ve me and my wife, so we been saving about signed up. On average, 20 percent on our we’ve been saving about 20 percent on our electric electric bill each bill each year ever since. year ever since."

When I first told my neighbors they could hardly believe it, they thought I was kidding them! But it really is working for us. It’s not for everybody, but if you can consistently do some simple but important things, you might save money.

“Start by knowing when rates are the highest, which,

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If B

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Member Dale Hall of Ocean Isle Beach.

in the summer, are weekdays from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Then, install a programmable thermostat, and program it to adjust the temperature by three to four degrees during that timeframe. Next, put a timer on your hot water heater, and set it not to cycle during peak hours as well.

Finally, put off doing laundry and running the dishwasher until after 10 p.m., when rates are the very cheapest. We also put off cooking until after 6 p.m. If it’s discretionary, don’t do it during peak hours, and if you can, do it after 10 p.m. In the winter the highest rates are from 6 a.m. – 9 a.m., so you’ll need to reset your thermostat and water heater timer, and adjust your habits accordingly, but doing laundry and dishes after 10 p.m. is still the same. It just becomes part of your lifestyle, and it’s an option we really enjoy.” Dale Hall

For more information, visit bemc.org/time-of-use, call (800) 842-5871, or stop by any office with questions and to enroll.

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A ho an ho

Considering Home Solar?

We’re Here to Help!

If you’re thinking about pursuing a home solar installation, remember to count on BEMC, your trusted energy partner, to work with you to navigate the process.

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ne of the first steps when considering home solar could be to give us a call, so we can offer our expertise. We can help you decide what’s best for your unique situation and provide you with our specific installation requirements that make sure the grid stays safe and reliable for all co-op members.

We are a leader among North Carolina electric co-ops in rooftopmounted solar, and we’re here to help you make informed decisions that maximize your solar investment. Here are a few frequently asked questions you may find helpful.

rooftop or ground-mounted. Then, gain a deeper understanding of how you use electricity by logging into the free SmartHub app, and look at your usage by the day, week and month. If you think it’s time to talk to a solar company, please consider calling us first. We’ll give you all the information you need about our rates and interconnection requirements, so you can have an informed discussion with them. Solar installers might be missing important facts and details specific to our co-op, and they’ll need that information to give you an accurate financial overview.

Where do I start?

How would I be compensated for my solar generation?

A good place to begin is at bemc.org/home-solar. You’ll find a description and diagram that explain how home solar works, whether

We offer Net Metering. When your home uses more energy than your solar

installation produces, it will draw from the grid and run through your electric meter, just like normal. When your solar installation produces more energy than your home needs, the amount of excess energy will be captured as it passes through your meter and is delivered to the BEMC grid. Your monthly bill will reflect a deduction for the energy you drew from the grid and a credit for what you contributed back; you are responsible for the “net” difference.

While some co-ops pay a wholesale rate for home-generated solar energy, at BEMC we compensate our members for their contributions at the full retail rate – or the same amount we bill you when you draw power from the grid.

It’s important to note that most homes, however, consume the majority, if not all the energy generated by their solar array.

June 2022 | 17

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT:

Cindy Caron

I

was hired in 2006 as a Customer Service Representative in the Call Center, where I learned so much about how the co-op works and the importance of interacting with members.

In 2011, the Data Processing department needed a hand with issuing Capital Credits, and I “caught the bug,” eventually becoming a Member Accounts Specialist. My focus now is on helping members with our Weatherization Loan program, which provides low-interest loans to members for qualifying energy efficiency projects.

It’s really Cindy Caron, Member Accounts Specialist gratifying to spend each day making the loan process as simple as possible for our members. Often they’re experiencing unnecessarily high bills, but aren’t sure how to pay for the improvements that will save them money each month. Sometimes they unexpectedly need a new heat pump or water heater, which can be a shock to a monthly budget. Either way, I handle each unique situation personally, and really enjoy giving them the attention they deserve during what can be a stressful time. I think it’s so important that our members have a specific person they can call directly and talk to – after all, it’s their co-op!

Updating Your Contact Information is Quick, Easy and Important!

Do we have your most recent mobile phone number and email address? If not, please consider emailing info@bemc.org or calling (800) 842-5871 and updating our records. Why is it important? Two reasons: è If the mobile phone you use to report an outage is the one we have associated with your account, it can speed up the restoration process. Our system can automatically locate you. è If we have your email address we can send you periodic emails containing important information and updates.

Thanks for helping us serve you better!

TRUE or FALSE? Keeping the thermostat temperature constant while you’re away saves more energy than setting it higher or lower when you leave and come back.

False: When you leave for the day, set your thermostat a few degrees lower if using heat, and higher if using air conditioning. It requires much less energy to heat your home back up or cool it back down when you get home than it does to keep it at the target temperature all day long. Better yet, invest in a programmable thermostat, so you arrive home to a comfortable temperature and still save energy while you’re away.

CUSTOMER SERVICE ( 800) 842-5871 | OUTAGE REPORTING (800) 682-5309 Shallotte (910) 754-4391 Southport/Oak Island (910) 457-9808 Whiteville (910) 642-5011

P.O. Box 826, Shallotte, NC 28459 www.bemc.org email: newsletter@bemc.org

AUTO BILL PAYMENT 24/7 (866) 934-6830 This institution is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Gore

Larry Fowler

PRESIDENT

S E C R E TA R Y T R E A S U R E R

Frederick Tedder

Calvin Duncan

VICE PRESIDENT

A S S T. S E C R E TA R Y T R E A S U R E R

Deborah Ahlers

Perry Sellers

Moses Herring

Dan Strickland

Glenn Humbert

John Ward

Joshua L. Winslow

Dennis Worley

CEO/G ENER AL MANAGER

AT T O R N E Y

18 | June 2022

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5/10/22 2:36 PM

Bad to the Bone Full tang stainless steel blade with natural bone handle —now ONLY $79!

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he very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature.

If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re looking for.

The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion.

The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world.

This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers.

But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power compact binoculars and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Huntsman Blade.

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed.

Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship.

If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.

Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t last long. We have only 1120 Huntsman Blades for this ad only. Don’t let this beauty slip through your fingers. Call today! BONUS! Call today and

Huntsman Blade $249*

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shown *Discount is only for customers who use Not the offer code versus the listed actual size. original Stauer.com price.

California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product.

• 12” overall length; 6 ¹⁄2” stainless steel full tang blade • Genuine bone handle with brass hand guard & bolsters • Includes genuine leather sheath

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

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4/29/22 10:25 AM 5/9/22 2:52 PM

Energy Sense

What You Need to Know Before Going Solar Mike Teegarden, Pioneer Utility Resources

Work with your co-op to make the right choice

By Miranda Boutelle

W

hen I tell people I work in energy efficiency, one of the first responses I hear is, “Oh, I’m thinking about getting solar installed on my house.” I hear it around campfires, meeting other parents at the park and on the ride to the airport.

Most people don’t realize solar is not energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency is finding ways to use less energy. Solar is generating energy. I can see the association because both are thought of as beneficial to the environment and a way to save money.

My follow-up question is, “What are your motivations for installing solar?”

In my experience, people are motivated by saving money, concern for the environment or both. Focusing first on energy efficiency addresses both motivations.

Here are some considerations if you are interested in installing solar.

Energy consumption Solar systems are sized based on a home’s energy needs.

The larger the system, the higher the cost. Before installing solar, make sure your home is as energy efficient as possible. That means it will use less energy and allow you to install a smaller solar system — which will save money and reduce your home’s environmental impact.

Verify the efficiency of your lighting, HVAC systems and insulation. A fully insulated and air-sealed home uses less energy, and those measures are less expensive than solar panels. Finish these energy efficiency projects before installing solar.

panels. Will the roof need to be replaced before the solar panels need to be replaced?

The best orientation for solar panels is south facing to receive direct light throughout the day. A shaded roof helps keep your home cool in the summertime but reduces solar energy production.

Maintenance and reliability A solar system doesn’t last forever. Lifespans range from 25 to 30 years. As systems degrade over time, they produce less energy. Maintenance and repairs may be needed.

Solar panels only produce power when the sun is shining. If you want solar to power your home at other times, like after dark, you’ll need to invest in battery storage system, which comes at an additional cost.

Affordability Consider your overall out-of-pocket expenses. The expected lifespan of a heating and cooling system is 15 to 25 years. Check the age and condition of your HVAC equipment and consider the expenses of replacement.

If something happens, will you be able to afford to fix or replace it?

Contact your electric co-op As with any other system for your home, I recommend getting bids from three contractors to compare equipment and pricing. Solar contractors often work in several utility service territories and may not be familiar with your co-op’s offerings, rate structures and interconnection agreements.

So before signing an agreement, check with your electric co-op for local information rather than relying on what the contractor says.

Another option may be community-owned solar. Many electric co-ops offer community solar programs. You may have an option to enjoy the benefits of solar without the responsibilities of ownership and maintenance.

Understanding these considerations before installing solar will ensure you meet your money-saving and environmental goals.

Roofing Consider the age, orientation and shade of your roof. It is more difficult — and expensive — to reroof a home with solar

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

20 | June 2022

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5 Countries, 5 Pure Silver Coins!

Your Silver Passport to Travel the World

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The 5 Most Popular Pure Silver Coins on Earth in One Set

ravel the globe, without leaving home—with this set of the world’s five most popular pure silver coins. Newly struck for 2022 in one troy ounce of fine silver, each coin will arrive in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition. Your excursion includes stops in the United States, China, South Africa, Australia and Canada.

We’ve Done the Work for You with this Extraordinary 5-Pc. World Silver Coin Set

Each of these coins is recognized for its breathtaking beauty, and for its stability, even in unstable times, since each coin is backed by its government for weight, purity and legal tender value.

2022 American Silver Eagle: The Silver Eagle is the single most popular coin in the world. 2022 represents the first full year of release of the Silver Eagle’s new Eagles Landing reverse design, introduced midway through last year to honor the coin’s 35th anniversary. Struck in 99.9% fine silver at the U.S. Mint.

2022 South African Krugerrand: The Krugerrand continues to be the best-known, most respected numismatic coin brand in the world. 2022 is the 5th anniversary of the first silver Krugerrand.

Struck in 99.9% fine silver at the South African Mint.

2022 China Silver Panda: Since its first issue, the China Panda coin series has been one of the most widely collected series ever, highlighted by one-year-only designs. This 2022 Panda features its first-ever privy mark honoring the coin’s 40th anniversary. Struck in 99.9% fine silver at the China Mint.

2022 Australia Wedge Tailed Eagle: Introduced in 2014, the Wedge-Tailed Eagle is the first-ever collaboration between U.S. Mint designer John Mercanti and a foreign mint. With a new design for 2022, it’s struck in 99.9% fine silver at the Perth Mint.

GovMint.com • 1300 Corporate Center Curve, Dept. WRD248-03, Eagan, MN 55121

2022 Canada Maple Leaf: Since 1988, the Silver Maple Leaf’s elegant design has made it a highly sought-after bullion coin. The 2022 coin features anti-counterfeit security technology—radial lines and a microengraved maple leaf with the number “22”. Struck in 99.99% fine silver at the Royal Canadian Mint.

Exquisite Designs Struck in Precious Silver

These coins, with stunningly detailed designs and gorgeous finishes that speak to their country of origin, are sure to hold a revered place in your collection. Plus, they provide you with a unique way to stock up on precious fine silver. Here’s a legacy you and your family will enjoy, and cherish. Secure yours now!

SAVE with this World Coin Set

You’ll save both time and money on this world coin set with FREE shipping and a BONUS presentation case.

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®

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5/9/22 12:30 PM

Where We Come From

Helping Students Learn and Grow

Principal Laurie Strope is inspiring students in Onslow County

By Jacob Brooks

H

owdy, Carolina Country readers. Jacob Brooks again. Leadership has been on my mind, so I went lookin’ for some. But this time, I traded the Blue Ridge Mountains for the Outer Banks.

Meet my new friend and 2021–2022 Onslow County Principal of the Year, Mrs. Laurie Strope.

Laurie is no stranger to electric co-ops. In high school, she represented Jones-Onslow EMC on the NC Youth Tour, and like most rising juniors and seniors in rural America, that was the first time Laurie visited Washington, D.C. It was also around that time that her journey as an educator began. A graduate of Southwest Onslow High School, she recalls a specific role model from her high school years. “Dr. Lesly Eason was one of my favorite high school teachers. She taught English & Psychology. She was also the cheerleading coach. I wanted to be like her.”

Equipped with a bachelor’s degree in education from NC State, Laurie’s career began in Johnston County. And, like every educator ever, her servant heart drove her ambition, “I taught for three years and realized my 8th graders had extreme deficits in reading and math. They were behind, and I realized I needed more training.”

Laurie’s commitment to North Carolina’s youth took her back to NC State, where she earned a Master’s in Education with a focus in reading. “I had to craft my skillset in teaching reading skills at the middle school level.

The training was necessary.”

Johnston County was a great start for Laurie, but something was missing. “My sister, Sherri, was having her first baby.” When asked about her relationship with Sherri, love fills Laurie’s voice, “Oh, we’re so close. We’re best friends.

I missed my family and wanted to go home. I couldn’t stand not being there and my sister having a baby.”

And who do we think Laurie called for advice? That’s right, Dr. Lesley Eason. Laurie’s light shines when discussing her mentor: “I called her and said, ‘I’m ready to move back home.’ That very same day a teacher resigned from her school, Dixon Middle. And the rest is history. I followed her from Dixon Middle to Dixon High.”

She didn’t stop there. Laurie sought an Administrative

Principal Strope at Richlands Elementary

Degree, went back to Dixon Middle as an assistant principal, journeyed down the road to Drexler Middle as an assistant principal, made a stop at Hunter’s Creek Middle as an assistant principal, and in 2016 became principal at Richlands Elementary.

Laurie is steadfast in her beliefs. “One thing I do believe is you have to look at the whole child. Each student comes from a different place. Everyone has experienced some sort of trauma: family issues, through COVID, loss of loved ones, etc. There has been a ‘something.’ So, educators take on the responsibility of doing all we can to help each student learn and grow.”

Principal Strope also knows learning must happen outside the classroom. With the motto, “Learn. Serve. Lead.,” as their guide, students engage in community service projects, such as canned food drives and writing cards for nursing homes, all in the name of citizenship. “We just want to grow good people, good citizens, good stewards of our larger community.”

(Amen to that).

Laurie is gearing up for a new adventure. She’s heading to Southwest Elementary where she’ll be taking over as principal. They’ll be blessed to have her.

Principal Strope, thank you for your leadership and commitment to the youth of NC. Our rural communities thrive with leaders like you.

Oh, and the baby mentioned above, her name is Caroline.

And Caroline is now studying for a degree in Elementary Education at East Carolina University.

Jacob Brooks is a human being. He tries to be a better person every day. Faith, hope and love are important to him.

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5/9/22 12:30 PM

Carolina Adventures

July 1–3

North Topsail Beach oceancityjazzfest.com

Ocean City Has All That Jazz Ocean City celebrates pride, integrity and perseverance

By Rue Reynold

I

n a time of segregation and marginalization of people of color — 15 years before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — Ocean City made history as the only African American-owned community with residential beach property in North Carolina, turning a desolate World War II military site into a lively coastal town.

Ocean City Jazz Festival was born of humble beginnings in 2009, a two-hour event featuring two jazz musicians in a 30-by-40-foot tent at the community center. Local leaders created a feast for the 100 people in attendance to celebrate the community’s 60th anniversary.

That one night has blossomed into a weekend event attracting over 1,600 attendees, evolving with the purpose of funding and preserving the foundation of the community.

Craig and Carla Torrey, festival committee co-chairs, strive to bring awareness to the community’s history and raise funds to maintain and preserve aging buildings.

“Ocean City Jazz Festival is a place where people of all backgrounds come together to see old friends and make new ones,” Craig explains.

tastings will be readily available throughout the night with recipes coming from cookbooks that date back to the community’s beginnings.

The festival continues in full swing over the weekend with art, music and food starting at 5 p.m. on July 2 and again on July 3. Get a taste of comfort with community-made dishes or explore the various styles of food trucks that will be taking orders throughout the night.

Attendees would also be able to take part in the festival’s popular silent auction and contests. Visit the art village and booths of visual artists before heading to the stage for the main event.

An event for the history books Attendees can expect a weekend full of laughs and excitement with interactive activities and music that aims straight for the soul.

On Friday, July 1, the Ocean City Jazz Festival will go all-out in its first live attendance in two years with a special kick-off party beginning at 6 p.m.

The evening will start with an unveiling ceremony of Ocean City’s induction into the NC Civil Rights Trail, a special marker acknowledging the community’s role in the Civil Rights Movement. Following the ceremony is an all-white attire event with a jazz pianist. Food and wine

Special thanks Craig and Carla extend their appreciation to supporters of the event, including Jones-Onslow EMC, the NC Arts Council, South Arts, the Town of North Topsail Beach and Only in Onslow, all of which have been invaluable partners for the Ocean City Jazz Festival and community.

Star-studded line-up From pure straight-ahead jazz to smooth easy listening, you can indulge in your soul or dance the night away to performances from notable and Grammy-nominated artists, including Marqueal Jordan, John Brown Little Big Band, Eric Darius, Vincent Ingala, Gerald Veasley, Cyrus Chestnut and Derrick Gardner with the John Brown Quartet.

Rue Reynold is the editorial assistant for Carolina Country.

Digital Extra

Watch clips of past Ocean City Jazz Festival performances at carolinacountry.com/extras.

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5/10/22 3:02 PM

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5/9/22 12:30 PM

Greenhouse

gardening

G

on a budget

reenhouse kits give gardeners the benefits of a greenhouse — more growing space and a longer growing season — for much less money than the cost of a permanent greenhouse. They’re also fairly easy to come by, with options available at stores such as Walmart, Tractor Supply, Lowe’s and Home Depot.

“Greenhouse kits come with lots of different options,” says Jonathan Pritchett, a Home Depot store manager in Raleigh. “The demand for greenhouse kits has just exploded since COVID-19 hit. People had more time, and gardening was something they could do at home. And even a small greenhouse can give them the ability to grow a lot of their own produce.”

Prices for greenhouse kits span a wide range. Home Depot, for example, offers kits from $59 to $14,000. Size, durability of materials used, and extra features included account for the variation in prices.

Perfect placement

A greenhouse kit is definitely not something to buy on impulse. Jonathan advises doing some careful planning before you place your order. First and foremost, he urges homeowners to consider any homeowners association requirements or zoning laws.

Keep your garden growing year-round with a greenhouse kit

By Margaret Buranen

“Placement of the greenhouse is key,” Jonathan emphasizes.

“You want an open spot that will get pretty much all-day sun. Next best would be facing the afternoon sun.”

Choosing a location that is close to a source of water will make watering plants much easier. But if the greenhouse needs to be far from a faucet to get the most sun, buy an extension hose.

Flooring is also an important consideration.

“Most starter kits do not come with flooring. If the greenhouse will sit on dirt, it has to be absolutely level,” Jonathan says. Because dirt floors can attract insects, he also recommends applying a weed barrier around the dirt floor and outside of the greenhouse, which will also discourage rodents.

Some greenhouse kits have side skirts that can be buried to stop weeds. Crushed rock spread on top of a dirt floor will add more protection against weeds and also promotes better drainage. Digging a trench around the outside of the greenhouse is another way to increase drainage.

Other considerations

To protect vulnerable plants on North Carolina’s cold winter nights, a greenhouse needs a source of heat. In western portions of the state, that source might be an

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Get the most from your greenhouse

Dr. Natalie Bumgarner, horticulture extension specialist at the University of Tennessee, offers the following expert advice on greenhouse gardening: Plants best suited for greenhouses M Produce and flowers grown from seed, such as heirloom varieties, that need heating from late winter to late spring.

M Produce grown year-round, especially hydroponically, that needs heating and cooling all year.

M Tropical plants, citrus trees and orchids that requires heating and lighting in all cool-weather seasons.

Greenhouse gadgets M Install a sensor connecting a greenhouse thermometer to your smart phone. While away, you can adjust the fan, heater, vents or mister as needed to protect plants.

M A small mister system tied to a timer or environmental sensor is one of the best ways to keep plants moist and reduce air temperature.

electric heater. But for much of North Carolina, Jonathan says a heat lamp will do the trick.

“A 350- to 500-watt lamp, the kind used in chicken coops, clipped on the frame is all you need,” he explains.

As spring temperatures rise, plants in a greenhouse can become stressed by heat. Jonathan advises making sure that the greenhouse you want has adjustable windows for ventilation. A fan, even a small one, will help keep the afternoon air cooler.

Shelving is sold separately from the greenhouse itself.

The shelving should be the same brand as the greenhouse kit, or a compatible one. (Read the labels to be certain.)

Then the framing hardware will match.

And be sure to weigh your current and future gardening needs when investing in a greenhouse kit.

“For most people, if they have the room and budget, a 10-foot by 10-foot is a great size greenhouse to start with,” Jonathan suggests. “You can pack a lot of different plants into it and add on more sections later. If you go with a 4-foot by 7-foot greenhouse, you may wish very quickly that you had chosen [something a little larger].”

Margaret Buranen writes from her home in Kentucky.

M Metallic shade cloths are more expensive than mesh ones, but work better because they reflect heat. They’re great for late spring or early fall days when midday temperatures shoot up.

Be safe!

Follow instructions provided with the greenhouse kit and always have the recommended number of people on hand to lift and assemble the greenhouse. Make sure pets that might enter the greenhouse have a way out to avoid overheating during summer months.

Digital Extra

Visit carolinacountry.com/extras to download two pamphlets Natalie has written for greenhouse owners: “What Can a Small Greenhouse Do for You?” and “Selecting and Designing Small-scale Greenhouses To Fit Your Needs.”

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Carolina Gardens

Feasts for the Eyes Ornamental sweet potatoes are a visual treat Story and photos by L.A. Jackson

Y

ummy sweet potatoes, which make some of the best pies for any Southern supper table, can be added to the veggie garden this time of year — but hold on. There is also another sweet potato to plant this month. One that is more a feast for the eyes.

The ornamental sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) has been around for a while, but many gardeners are still happily “discovering” it. Like its edible cousin, ornamental sweet potato is a sprawling, crawling vine, but with a delightful dose of visual sass.

True to the “ornamental” tag, this sweet potato’s value come from its colorful looks — and there are many. To prove this point, two of the first cultivars to be introduced were eye-candy opposites: “Margarita” is a flashy pleasure bathed in the glow of neon lime-green, while “Blackie” is a dusky, reddish-purple beauty with foliage shaped like oak leaves.

Since the debut of “Margarita” and “Blackie,” the ornamental sweet potato hit parade has only become more diverse. This includes the Sweet Caroline series developed at NC State University that shows off cultivars in shades such as chartreuse, deep purple, rust red and green. And then there’s the popular “Tricolor” cultivar that can’t decide what hue it wants to be, so it settles for white, green and pink (all on the same plant).

Being a vine, ornamental sweet potato can be used as a colorful groundcover or accent spilling over a fence or raised bed wall. This pretty is also a prime candidate to flow out of planters and window boxes.

Ornamental sweet potatoes are drought tolerant and,

Ornamental sweet potato plays nicely with flowering vinca in a large planter.

true to their tropical America's origin, love our summer heat. Placing them in an area that receives around six hours of sun will help keep their colors vibrant, while mulching cuts down on your watering chore. Adding a small dose of time-release fertilizer properly feeds their nutrient needs though the growing season.

Although the tubers can be dug up in the fall and saved for next spring’s garden, my results have been underwhelming, so I just grow ornamental sweet potatoes as annuals, which is common, since they are relatively inexpensive.

But, can you eat the tubers? For typical ornamental sweet potatoes, if you enjoy bland, the answer is yes. However, there is a spanking brand-new series called Treasure Island to look for locally or online that combines colorful leaves with tastier ‘taters, so if you want to double your pleasure, give ‘em a try!

L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener Magazine.

Contact L.A. at lajackson1@gmail.com.

Garden To-Do’s for June

Seeds can form from the faded flowers of such hybrid daylilies as “Howlin’ Moth.”

F

Daylilies are beginning to flaunt their fabulous blooms displays, but remember to deadhead any flowers that begin to fade. This will prevent seed formation, which takes energy from the plants as they prepare for next year’s flower-fest. So, why not just plant the seeds and have more daylilies? Seeds from hybrid cultivars—the most popular form of daylilies grown today—often produce different offspring compared to their momma plant. If the mad scientist in you just has to know how those daylily seeds would sprout, plant away, but keep in mind it could take a few years for the new daylilies to bloom.

Using paint, a permanent marker or waterproof tape, mark the handle of a garden rake, shovel or hoe in inch increments. This gives you a handy measuring device to use when it comes to correctly establishing row widths as well as planting distances and depths.

F

Pick veggies such as green beans, okra, squash and cucumbers often to encourage them to produce even more delectable edibles deep into the growing season.

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5/9/22 12:30 PM

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5/11/22 4:50 PM

Carolina Kitchen

Linguini with Shrimp and Garlic Garlic and shrimp are a match made in seafood heaven, especially for this quickto-make dish. Don’t drain the pasta, but lift it from the cooking water with tongs and add it to the pan along with some of the water. Chopped fresh asparagus or a few handfuls of fresh spinach would be nice additions.

¼ 1 ¼ 1¼ 8 ½ 1 ½ 3

Olive oil cup chopped onion tablespoon chopped garlic teaspoon crushed dried red pepper pounds shrimp, shelled and deveined ounces linguini cup chopped fresh parsley tablespoon chopped fresh chives teaspoon grated lemon zest tablespoons butter Salt to taste

Cook linguini according to directions, reserving ¼ cup of cooking water.

Place a large, wide sauté pan over medium-high heat and add enough olive oil to cover the bottom thoroughly. When the oil is hot, add the onion, garlic and crushed dried red pepper, sprinkle with salt and cook, stirring, until the onion and garlic are soft, about 2 minutes. Add the shrimp in one layer. Let cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. Using a spatula or tongs, turn over the shrimp and cook 1 minute more.

Add linguini to the pan along with reserved cooking water, parsley, chives, lemon zest, butter and another sprinkle of salt. Reduce the heat to low and stir gently to combine all the ingredients and melt the butter. Taste and add salt if needed. Serve while hot.

Yield: 4 servings

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!

Spinach-Rice Brunch Bake

Using individual ramekins turns this recipe into a pretty side or light main dish for brunch, although you could prepare it in a large baking dish as well. The number of individual servings will depend on the size of your ramekins.

3 ½ 2 5 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 2

cups cooked white rice cup olive oil green onions, with tops, chopped cups fresh spinach, lightly packed teaspoon thyme teaspoon salt teaspoon pepper cup chopped parsley cup shredded Swiss cheese eggs, lightly beaten

Pour the spinach, onions and any liquid remaining in the skillet into the rice and stir to combine. Stir in the thyme, salt and pepper. When the mixture has cooled slightly, stir in the parsley, cheese and eggs.

Spoon the mixture into the ramekins and bake 25 minutes or until they are dry on top, a little brown on the edges, and cooked through. If they begin to brown too much before cooking through, cover them with a sheet of aluminum foil.

Yield: 7–8 servings

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray 7 to 8 ramekins with cooking spray and place on a baking sheet. Put the cooked rice in a large bowl and let it cool to room temperature.

Place a large sauté pan on medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions and cook, stirring, until they begin to soften, a minute or two. Add the spinach and cook, stirring, until the spinach wilts.

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5/11/22 4:34 PM

Carolina Kitchen

Carrot-Zucchini Muffins

A food processor makes quick work of grating the carrots and zucchini.

Tossing the raisins in a little flour before adding to the batter helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking. ½ cup golden raisins 2 cups plus 1 tablespoon flour, divided 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon cardamom

1½ ½ 2 ¾ 6 1 ¾

From Your Kitchen

teaspoons ginger teaspoon cinnamon eggs cup sugar tablespoons vegetable oil cup shredded carrots cup shredded zucchini

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 12-muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.

In a small bowl, toss the raisins with 1 tablespoon flour to lightly coat them.

In a large bowl, stir together 2 cups flour plus the baking soda, baking powder, salt, cardamom, ginger and cinnamon. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar and oil.

Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir just until combined. The batter will be thick. Use a spatula to fold in the carrots, zucchini and raisins.

Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Yield: 12 muffins

Baked Ham Omelet

Fluffier than a quiche, this baked omelet owes its tanginess to its dynamic duo of cheeses. Little bits of ham pump up the savory flavor while the airy eggs lend an overall lightness to the dish.

8 ounces Jack or Muenster 1 cup small curd cheese, shredded cottage cheese 1 cup cooked ham, 6 eggs finely diced ½ teaspoon baking powder ¼ cup butter, melted Dash of Tabasco sauce ¼ cup flour, sifted Salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Melt butter and use half to evenly coat an 8-x-8-inch baking dish.

Sift flour with baking powder.

Beat eggs and season lightly with salt and pepper. Add a few drops of Tabasco sauce and stir in flour, ham, Jack cheese, cottage cheese and remaining butter.

Pour egg mixture into coated dish and bake for 15 minutes.

Reduce heat to 375 degrees and bake for 10–15 minutes longer or until puffed up and light golden brown on top.

Yield: 6 servings

Recipe courtesy of Judy Morton, Wake Forest, a member of Wake Electric

Send Us Your Recipes

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

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

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where

EXTENDED

JUNE

Deadline 15

in Carolina Country is this ?

Send your answer by June 15, 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 July issue, will receive $25.

Last month’s winner The May “Where Is This” photo by Wake Electric member Laurence Pearlman features an old classic neon sign for the Pine View Motel just north of Kenly on US Highway 301, just over the Johnston/Wilson County line and near the Tobacco Farm Life Museum. The motel bar is still open, reports Laurence, but the motel itself hasn’t registered a guest in quite a while. Pine View must have been a popular motel name—answers came in for Spruce Pine, New London and a few other places across the state (and even one or two south of the border). The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Paula Dunham of Linden, a Brunswick Electric member.

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

carolinacreators Keenan Jenkins At the NC School of Science and Mathematics Keenan Jenkins met a roommate with a guitar. The instrument encouraged him to start analyzing music, and he hasn’t put it down since. Keenan, stage name XOXOK, is guided by a wealth of influences who inform his style, which goes from pensive and wandering to pointed and declarative. Artists like Marvin Gaye (specifically “What’s Going On,” the full album, not just the title track), and Frank Ocean all provide structure to Keenan’s own musical search for self. He’s philosophical about the process: “Somewhere in my failure to be them, I will find myself and what makes me unique.”

Digital Extra Come Hear NC, 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 Keenan Jenkins (aka XOXOK) and listen to his 2020 single “All In” at carolinacountry.com/music.

5/10/22 1:06 PM

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THE ROOTS OF AMERICAN MUSIC

RUN DEEP IN NORTH CAROLINA COME HEAR NC FOR NC MUSIC STORIES.

Violet Bell Music at the Museum Series - NC Museum of Art

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ComeHearNC.com • #ComeHearNC

5/9/22 12:30 PM

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