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Town Creek Indian Mound

THIS MONTH: Native American Artifacts

In September 2003, we ran an article on Native American arrowheads by Ron Harris, a member of the Piedmont Archaeology Society, which is still frequently read on our website. This month, we continue to explore the topic of artifacts and archaeological sites around the state (and hear more from Ron, who was interviewed for the story on page 10). Also, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives played a prominent role in a recent international electrification conference — learn more on page 6.

—Scott Gates, editor

From Our Readers

Youth Tour Recognition Thank you for providing Carolina Country magazine on a monthly basis. It is always informative and enjoyable to read. When reading the cover article on the NC Youth Tour there was no mention or listing of who the students were and what communities they represented. Other than the mention of one or two students, it would have been nice to have their achievement recognized.

Thanks again for providing a nice easy read on topics reflecting our local communities.

Mike Finamore, a member of Albemarle EMC

Editor’s note: Excellent point, Mike. We’re proud of all of this year’s Youth Tour participants and have posted the full list, along with their sponsoring electric co-ops, at carolinacountry.com/youthtour22.

Pirate Fan Just wanted everyone involved with the July 2022 publication of this magazine to know I truly enjoyed it! The articles “A Taste of the Pirate’s Life” and “Lady Pirates of the Carolina Coast” were especially interesting (pages 8 and 12, respectively). Thank you so much!

Jan Risk, a member of Tideland EMC

Send Us Your Photos!

Start rounding up your best photos and stories of Carolina people or scenes for our 2022 Carolina Country Scenes photo contest. We’ll pay $50 for those published in our January 2023 issue. Deadline is Nov. 15, 2022. Visit: carolinacountry.com/photocontest

(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800) Volume 54, No. 9 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 Sarah Thompson Editorial Intern Tara Verna Creative Director Jessica Armstrong Graphic Designer Keith Alexander Advertising Keith@carolinacountry.com

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

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives provide reliable, safe and affordable electric service to 1 million homes and businesses. The 26 electric cooperatives are each memberowned, not-for-profit and overseen by a board of directors elected by the membership. Why Do We Send You Carolina Country Magazine? Your cooperative sends you Carolina Country as a convenient, economical way to share with its members information about services, director elections, meetings and management decisions. The magazine also carries legal notices that otherwise would be published in other media at greater cost.

Your co-op’s board of directors authorizes a subscription to Carolina Country on behalf of the membership at a cost of less than $5 per year. Subscriptions: Individual subscriptions, $12 per year. Schools, libraries, $6. Carolina Country is available on digital cartridge as a courtesy of volunteer services at the NC Department of Cultural Resources, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Raleigh, NC 888-388-2460. Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh, NC, and additional mailing offices. Editorial offices: 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616-2950. Carolina Country® is a registered trademark of the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 707.4.12.5); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: Send address corrections to Carolina Country, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616-2950. All content © Carolina Country unless otherwise indicated.

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Phone: 919-875-3091 Mail: 3400 Sumner Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27616-2950 Web: carolinacountry.com Email: editor@carolinacountry.com Change of address: Please contact your electric co-op or go online to carolinacountry.com/address Experiencing a power outage? Please contact your electric co-op directly to ensure prompt service. Visit carolinacountry.com/co-ops to find yours online.

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Advancing Burn Care in North Carolina and Beyond

By Booker T. King, M.D.

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Burns are particularly difficult to treat. Our skin is our largest organ, and it has an equally large job to do. It keeps fluids inside and protects us from infection. When burns break down that barrier, which can happen in a matter of seconds, it opens patients up to the possibility of serious and lifethreatening infection.

For doctors treating burn victims, the first challenge is to save the patient’s life by repairing the burned area — this can take anywhere from months to more than a year. The second challenge is to help the patient heal, physically and mentally, to close to the point they were before the burn. This can take a lifetime. For more than 40 years, the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Health Care in Chapel Hill has been providing that kind of immediate and long-term care to burn patients, saving hundreds of lives and restoring thousands, both children and adults, to health and productivity. And since the Burn Center first opened in 1981, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have offered financial support to help ensure it remains focused on providing the best, most supportive burn care possible.

Through the support of electric co-ops, we’re able to meet the challenges that come with being one of the top five busiest burn centers in the country. Our patients include lineworkers who have been injured on the job, children who

have been burned by household hazards, and others who have experienced major, life-changing trauma that can take years to recover from. One such patient who came to the center in early 2020 was the victim of a random assault that left her with burns over 80% of her body. Through the support She underwent close to 20 operations and difficult physical therapy before being able to return of electric co-ops, home after 11 months in the hospital. She’s now an advocate for burn patients, joining in the we’re able to meet the efforts of our team of physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, psychiatrists, challenges that come case managers and social workers to ensure that when patients leave the Burn Center, they have with being one of the all the support possible. On the research side, the Burn Center is able top five busiest burn to leverage its position as one of the largest and most comprehensive burn centers in the world centers in the country. to the benefit of others in our field. Through electric co-op donations, we were able to fund a research fellow dedicated to clinical research, who is tasked with analyzing vast amounts of data from the Burn Center to better understand effective treatments in burn care. In this way, we are advancing burn care here in North Carolina as well as for others in clinics around the world. Your electric cooperative, as one of the 26 electric co-ops across the state, is a vital partner in the development, growth and support of that work.

Booker King, M.D., is director of the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center in Chapel Hill.

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September Quick Hits

A Grand Day Do something grand for Grandparents’ Day this September 11! Children can connect with grandparents or older adults; Grandparents can share wisdom — and love — with younger generations.

Farm Traffic As farmers prepare for harvest, be aware and prepared to share the road with slow-moving farm vehicles.

School Days Set a consistent bedtime for school-aged children to ensure they’re getting the sleep they need for success during the week.

EV Week Considering going electric? Visit driveelectricweek.org to find in-person and online events to learn about electric vehicles during National Drive Electric Week, Sept. 23–Oct. 2.

NC Co-op Leaders Share Insights at International electrification Conference

Joe Brannan spoke during the Electrification 2022 opening session.

In June, the Electrification 2022 International Conference & Exposition brought together more than 1,500 stakeholders in Charlotte to chart the future of energy. The second semi-annual conference, hosted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), drew innovators from around the world to discuss the path to decarbonization and the role of beneficial electrification in achieving a net-zero carbon economy.

Several representatives from North Carolina’s electric cooperatives spoke at the event, sharing insight into how cooperatives are leading innovation that supports a Brighter Future vision — a shared mission of maintaining affordability and reliability while pursuing sustainability goals, as well as programs and partnerships with members that achieve beneficial outcomes.

At the opening session, Joe Brannan, CEO of North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, emphasized the cooperatives’ focus on members in developing programs and strategies to power a brighter future.

“We are working together toward a shared goal: a decarbonized economy achieved through a variety of solutions at a pace and cost that doesn’t leave anyone behind,” Brannan said. “Our efforts should go beyond not leaving anyone behind to inviting all people and businesses to engage in new energy solutions that benefit them and balance the needs of the grid. We have a tremendous opportunity to innovate and reshape the energy industry from being the backbone — to also being the brains — of our society and economy.”

Other speakers from electric cooperatives shared insights on topics ranging from consumer electrification programs, to grid resilience, to equity in the energy transition.

Travis Bode of Surry-Yadkin EMC and Todd Moore of Pee Dee Electric led a pre-conference workshop on electrification in the agriculture and food industries, sharing details about partnerships with local commercial members that have integrated innovation and new electric technologies.

Marshall Cherry, president and CEO of Roanoke Electric Cooperative, led a workshop on practical approaches to community decarbonization, as well as a panel titled “Equity at Scale: Programs and Partnerships to Advance Solutions for Impacted Communities.”

Jim Musilek, vice president of innovation and business development for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, spoke to audiences on two panels about agricultural electrification and utility programs that accelerate end-use electrification.

Nikki Hensley, innovation and business development analyst for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, was a panelist in a discussion on the environmental and economic benefits of electric vehicles, and ensuring that EV adoption is accessible to all, including underserved communities.

Lee Ragsdale, senior vice president of energy delivery for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, led a panel on grid resilience, and the technology, planning and investment to support it, in a rapidly electrifying society.

“Much is at stake as we take on the global challenge of decarbonizing our economy,” Brannan said in his remarks. “Achieving net-zero energy across the U.S. by 2050 will involve an energy transformation that is unprecedented in speed, scope and scale. Working together, we can succeed in this transition.”

—Olivia Dela Cruz, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives

Alleghany Teacher’s ‘Bright Ideas’ Take Students on Problem-Solving Adventures

At Sparta Elementary in Alleghany County, enthusiasm for learning lights up every corner of the school. Many of the sparks that kindle that enthusiasm emanate from sixth-grade math teacher Cecelia Hampton.

Hampton, who has been teaching for 31 years, believes in making learning interactive and relevant for her students. To put her creative ideas into action, she turned to her local electric cooperative, Blue Ridge Energy, and the Bright Ideas education grant program.

Bright Ideas grants are offered by electric cooperatives in North Carolina to enhance student success and bring creative learning to life.

Hampton won her first Bright Ideas grant in 2004, for a project that paired older and younger students to create a recycling effort using red wiggler worms and lunchroom garbage in order to develop a better understanding of our impact on the environment. Since then, she has won close to $11,000 in Bright Ideas grants for more than a dozen projects covering several subjects, ranging from math and history to science and technology. She said the projects have helped students schoolwide delve deeper into learning and make broader connections.

“I like to think of Blue Ridge Energy and the Bright Ideas program as spreading ‘glitter’ far and wide across our school,” Hampton said. “It has stuck with us and turned up in the most amazing places!”

Her partnership with her local electric co-op has provided new tools for Hampton to innovate the ways her students learn, taking students on interactive experiences through history and setting them up for success as they advance through grade levels. Her most recent project in 2021, “Dive into Digital,” equips students with Wacom electronic drawing tablets and digital scanners to take any paper project and turn it into a digital masterpiece.

“From worms wiggling to Wacom tablets, I have had the privilege of joining in the joy and wonder of learning,” Hampton said. “The Bright Ideas grant program has provided me with the opportunity year after year to furnish my students with quality, hands-on, problemsolving adventures.”

The impact of these projects expands well beyond Hampton’s classroom. As teachers have moved classrooms, and because projects are utilized year after year, the benefits reach schoolwide and are growing every year.

Tasha Rountree, director of community relations for Blue Ridge Energy, says that supporting students and teachers is part of their mission as a community-owned cooperative to power a brighter future, now and for generations to come.

“Mrs. Hampton is the most decorated Bright Ideas teacher in our service area,” Rountree said. “We’re proud to continue Blue Ridge Energy’s 28-year tradition of supporting educators like Mrs. Hampton and investing in the future of our local students through the Bright Ideas program.”

Since 1994, electric cooperatives in North Carolina have supported 14,000 projects statewide, benefiting millions of students. Applications for Bright Ideas grants for the 2022–2023 school year are being accepted now at NCBrightIdeas.com.

“I like to think of Blue Ridge

Energy and the Bright Ideas program as spreading ‘glitter’ far and wide across our school.”

—Math teacher Cecelia Hampton (right), pictured with fellow math teacher Shannon Osborne Cecelia Hampton and her students with “Whiteboard World,” her 2019 Bright Ideas Grant winner.

Connections to the past

Native American Artifacts of North Carolina

These are just a few examples of artifacts that can be found around the state. Visit bit.ly/unc-artifacts to view 3D models of more from UNC’s archaeology program.

By Emory Rakestraw

Carved stone face

Late Woodland Period (A.D. 1550–1700) Montgomery County (Town Creek)

Old Town burnished jar Late Woodland Period (A.D. 1500–1600) Stokes County

Palmer corner-notched spear point

Early Archaic Period (8000–6000 B.C.) Stanly County (Hardaway site) Randolph stemmed spear point

Middle Woodland Period (500 B.C.–A.D. 500) Montgomery County

Stone pipe

Middle Woodland Period (A.D. 300–1000) Jackson County Hardaway-Dalton spear point Late Paleoindian Period (8500–7900 B.C.) Stanly County (Hardaway site)

In 1951, at the age of 10, Ron Harris found his first arrowhead. Featuring a pointed tip, flaked scars and composed of fine-grain rock, he immediately knew what lay in his palm. Today, Ron, who lives in Taylorsville and is a member of EnergyUnited, has a vast collection of Native American artifacts — some discovered, some traded and some significant, like his collection of stone Clovis points dating back 10,000 to 12,000 years, which denote the earliest inhabitants of present-day North Carolina.

“The Clovis is the oldest and earliest prized Native American point. They’re very hard to come by,” Ron says. He has 50 of them.

For someone like Dr. Randolph Daniel Jr., who chairs the anthropology department at East Carolina University in Greenville, these finds by private collectors can link to “diagnostic projectile points” (a variety of pointed tools for different uses). In this way, private collectors and archaeologists can work together. Detailing the locations of finds helps archaeologists discover excavation sites, learning the how and why of early inhabitants.

Found objects

Notable sites

The Hardaway archaeological site, situated in the Uwharrie Mountains outside of Badin, inspired Randy’s Ph.D. dissertation. Hardaway is the oldest excavated site in the state. Artifacts found here indicate occupation that could date to the Paleoindian Period (9,500 – 7,500 B.C.), and the original excavator, the late Dr. Joffre Coe, wove together chronologies of consistent settlement. Randy has re-examined much of the Hardaway material, which serves as a guidebook for identifying similar artifacts across the eastern United States.

“It’s not about what you find, it’s about what you find out,” Randy says. “Everyone has a frame of reference for what an arrowhead or spearhead looks like, other stone tools are less obvious.”

In Gilead, Town Creek Indian Mound was settled as we know it today between the years 1000 to 1150, and has undergone consistent archaeological research for more than half a century. The Pee Dee people flourished there as part of the South Appalachian Mississippian culture, a regional civilization that shared cultural traits including earthen mounds, widespread trading and religious ceremonies.

“These people were living a woodland lifestyle and experimenting with gardening,” explains Rich Thompson, site manager of Town Creek Indian Mound. “We also have jewelry made with shells from the coast, Mica elements from the mountains, and copper, which I was told came from the Great Lakes area.”

It's only natural to wonder how these materials wound up here, and Rich describes it as a highway system composed of waterways. Canoes allowed Native Americans to establish trade routes. While goods were swapped, the rocks

that make up the Uwharrie Mountains were the preferred stone for toolmaking, significant to both Town Creek, Hardaway and beyond. Due to vast Native American settlements throughout North Carolina, objects are still waiting to be unearthed. But with slightly differing goals, there can be friction between archaeologists and private collectors. “The perspective of professional archaeologists is stewardship; for collectors it’s ownership,” Randy says. “The main question is, who owns the past?” He encourages collectors to keep detailed records of their findings, such as numbering artifacts to coincide with GPS points. Both seasoned and novice collectors can benefit from Piedmont Archaeology Society (csasi.org/states/nsc) meetups, which provide opportunities to buy artifacts and form connections. “These meetups are also great for meeting other collectors, and sometimes you can even buddy up with people and they will invite you to go on [pre-approved] excavations,” Ron says. For novices, it’s important to remember objects found on state land belong to the state. Most arti“It’s not about facts that belong to collectors have been found on their privately owned property what you find, or purchased at meetups. If you’re unsure where to start, a tip of advice is to look it’s about what you on riverbanks. “Throughout time, these societies have been set up within a short distance of find out.” fresh, moving water,” Rich explains. For him, the thrill of excavation — for both —Dr. Randolph Daniel Jr. hobbyists and professionals — revolves around one central theme. “If you’re the person in the trench, you could discover an artifact that hasn’t seen the light of day in thousands of years. It’s a connection to the past and a feeling of knowing you’re the next in line to have contact with that artifact. It creates a fellowship.” Emory Rakestraw is a Wilmington-based freelance journalist. Her love for North Carolina and its history has inspired a wide range of stories available at emoryrakestraw.wordpress.com. Digital Extras Learn more about Town Creek Indian Mound in a video from NC Historic Sites at carolinacountry.com/extras.

Coming Home to Make Meaningful Change

Megan Hiner is providing mental health services in northeastern NC

By Jacob Brooks

Megan and her husband, Erik with their dog Macy. Eric helped her realize how her home town made her grow into who she is.

Hey hey, North Cackalacky. I’ve got another servant leader y’all need to meet. She’s just another big-hearted North Carolinian making a difference. Megan, please meet all o’ my friends across rural NC. All o’ my friends across rural NC, please meet Megan.

A pillar of many communities in northeastern North Carolina, Megan Hiner is the proud owner of her own clinic, Mindful Tides, PLLC, where she provides counseling services to folks in need.

Megan and I go back to the Washington Youth Tour in 2009. She had never heard of Alleghany High School or my co-op, Blue Ridge Energy. I had never heard of Camden County High School or her co-op, Albemarle EMC. But, like the other 30 rising seniors on the trip, our small public high schools and local co-ops set us on a path for success.

Megan’s journey took her to Raleigh. She began her undergrad career at Meredith then transferred to NC State. Graduating with a degree in communications, she realized her calling was in the public sector.

“I care about identifying systems that are not working and making structural change,” she says. “I realized I was in an echo-chamber where the same voices were being heard. I wanted to make real, meaningful change for folks on the outside.”

Lead by her convictions, Megan began working for agencies such as Albemarle Hopeline (albemarlehopeline.org), a domestic and sexual violence agency serving Pasquotank, Perquimans, Camden, Currituck, Chowan and Gates counties. In the fall of 2015, she went a little further south to Florida State for a master’s in social work.

“Time spent with Veteran’s Affairs was incredibly rewarding,” she says with sincerity. “I assisted countless veterans struggling with their mental health and housing insecurity. I also worked at a center designed to support housing insecure and truant teenagers.”

“It was great to see people who really deserve and need support, get support. Seeing folks who were once really struggling begin achieving crucial milestones is incredibly powerful. Generally, mental health services are incredibly stigmatized in our world. In reality, we all need support.”

Equipped with her Master of social work, Megan returned to NC and picked up where she left off. She returned to Albemarle Hopeline in the fall of 2017 and quickly started working on her licensure. From there, she took a position working with local health departments in Camden, Currituck, Martin, Pasquotank and Washington counties.

When asked what called her home, a familiar somberness fills the air. “I came back after losing some loved ones in my family. They needed me, so I came home. But I stayed because I was able to find a fantastic community.”

One person specifically in that community was a handsome fella named Erik Alnes. Erik works for the NC Division of Coastal Management, where he manages three different reserve lands on the Outer Banks.

They were married earlier this year! Megan credits Erik’s individual journey for refreshing gratitude in her rural roots.

“I did not really realize what home meant to me until I met my husband,” she explains. “He moved around a lot growing up. His story helped me reflect and be thankful for the strong foundation I was able to build in such a small community.”

Well Megan, it was so great catching up with you. Huge congratulations to you and Erik! Excited to see what y’all will do next.

Jacob Brooks has personally sought therapy in the past. He's battled depression and anxiety. He wishes all y’all well.

Powering

ADVENTURE

From cost savings and convenience to lower emissions and a great driving experience, electric vehicles have something for everyone.

North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives are accelerating access to the benefits of driving electric with an expanding network of more than 100 charging ports in destinations from the mountains to the coast. See how driving electric can power your adventures at NCDriveElectric.com.

embershipM MATTERS

TWENTY TWENTY TWO

Rising Costs lead to Rate Adjustment

Average member will see additional $5 on their monthly bill beginning in October

After nine years with no rate increases, rising wholesale power and materials costs are driving the need for an overall 3.5 percent rate adjustment recently approved by the Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation’s (d/b/a Blue Ridge Energy) Board of Directors after a thorough cost of service study.

Beginning in October, the typical Blue Ridge Energy member using approximately 1,000 kWh monthly will see an additional $5 on their monthly electric bill.

“We’re committed to providing the lowest cost, most reliable electricity to our members so it’s never easy to pass along an increase— we only do so when absolutely necessary,” said Chief Executive Officer Doug Johnson. “We realize it is especially difficult during a time when inflation is impacting every sector in the economy and all households and businesses,” he added. Blue Ridge Energy wants to help members keep their bills as low as possible. Tips and energy efficiency information are available on BlueRidgeEnergy.com, where members will also find programs such as Budget Billing, our “pay as you use” FlexPay option and Usage Tracker, which shows daily electricity usage, helping members make changes if needed to get ahead of high bills.

Increasing energy and material costs to maintain and operate the electric system are major drivers of the need for a rate adjustment, as well as a transmission system upgrade, which is critical to providing members with reliable service and capacity to meet current growth. Energy prices are being impacted by inflation, shortages and delays, global factors and the rising cost of natural gas and other power generation resources. Materials costs have also increased: transformers, conductors and other supplies by 36 percent, with some supplier estimations of an additional 10 to 110 percent increase as compared to last year. Fleet costs for service vehicles have also risen along with fuel.

For information on ways to save and energy efficiency tips, visit BlueRidgeEnergy.com/Save

Look for more details in the Perspective on the next page and on the cover of this magazine.