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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.

Linville Caverns

5 Unique Natural Wonders

NC provides rich adventures for environmental enthusiasts

By Rue Reynold | Photos by Visit NC Merchants Millpond

It’s no secret North Carolina is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes and mountains in the nation, but did you know it's also a place to observe the fruits of evolution and untouched habitats? Here are five unique areas to experience nature in ways you may not have before.

Mountains

Linville Caverns | linvillecaverns.com Linville Caverns is perfect for anyone seeking an underground adventure. Discovered in the early 1800s, this cavern lies in the Blue Ridge Mountains where groundwater shaped an intricate labyrinth over the centuries. See nature in her rawest form with stalactites and stalagmites lining nearly every surface and colors you rarely see. The cavern is also home to an underground stream of blind fish and a seemingly bottomless pool of water recorded to be over 250 feet deep. Elk Knob State Park | bit.ly/ElkKnob Elk Knob is home to a high number of natural communities, including many rare or endangered species of flora and animals. Located in the southern Appalachian range, Elk Knob is an excellent spot for any eco-lover whether you’re drawn to mountains, rivers or forests. The area is covered in rich, sweet soils derived from mineral-raden rocks, and the New River is considered to be one of the oldest rivers in the world.

Piedmont

The Haw River in Saxapahaw | thehaw.org This area holds a rich history as a home to Native American tribes and extends all the way to providing protection to escaped slaves during the Civil War. With territory running through eight NC counties, the Haw River holds incredible biodiversity in every area, including natural heritage habitats and endangered species. What makes this area stand out among others is its easy access to aquatic insect species, so you can see the evolutionary process right before your eyes.

Coast

Pocosin Lakes NWR | bit.ly/pocosinlakes Located in Columbia, this National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) holds one of the largest wetland restoration projects in the country. The area possesses a dense population of black bears and welcomes more than 100,000 birds on its vast acres during the winter. Untouched trails rich in botany lead to upland pine forests and the open water on Pungo Lake, where you can listen to thousands of swans and snow geese take flight. This refuge also conserves a rare wetland called, “Pocosin,” a word of Native American origins meaning, “swamp on a hill.” Merchants Millpond | bit.ly/millpondstatepark Gates County holds one of North Carolina’s rarest ecological communities, having 760 acres of seasoned ecosystems that have evolved over 190 years. Untouched wilderness resides in expansive wetlands and a combination of pine and hardwood forests, including numerous species of reptiles, amphibians and rare plants. One of its greatest wonders is the Lassiter Swamp, an area that possesses the final marks of an ancient bald cypress swamp. It also holds mistletoe that has twisted trees into unimaginable shapes.

Whether it’s exploring the depths of an underground crystal cavern or navigating miles of conservative marshland, you’ll discover a new appreciation for the world we live in and the creatures we share it with.

Rue Reynold is the editorial assistant for Carolina Country.

5 Essential Items to Have When Exercising

Tips to help protect your body during a workout

By Rue Reynold

Cooler weather and beautiful colors are the perfect recipe for outdoor jogs or a window seat at the gym. No matter where your favorite spot lies, remember that your body is top priority and should always be taken care of. Here are five items to bring with you before starting your workout session.

First-aid kit Injuries can happen at any time, so take a small list of items just in case. This kit can include bandages, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic, elastic wraps, pain-numbing spray and hydrogen peroxide to help kill germs.

Non-carbonated drinks While carbonated beverages can give you a quick energy boost, these drinks may hinder your performance and create excess sugar you may not want. Staying hydrated is important, so make sure your water or non-carbonated drink is ready to grab when you need it. Ways to restore electrolytes As you sweat, your body releases electrolytes which can result in muscle cramps and long-lasting fatigue. To help prevent or recover from this, consult your MD for the best option for you, such as electrolyte-rich beverages, foods or salt pills.

Baby wipes Baby wipes can cool you off when you get too hot and can also be used as a quick refresher until you hit the shower.

Source of contact You never know what might happen, so have your phone at your side or locate the nearest place you’ll be able to make a call in the event of an emergency. If you’ll be jogging or hiking alone, be sure to tell someone where you’ll be and when to expect you back.

Whether you’re hiking up a mountain or working on planks in a gym, these five tips can assist you in your exercise success.

Rue Reynold is the editorial assistant for Carolina Country.

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R eal People. Real Power.

Classroom

grant funding

K-12 classroom teachers have until September 15 to submit applications for 2022-2023 Bright Ideas grant funds. Individual awards up to $2,000 per project will announced by November 1.

Read more on page H.

Youth Tour

representatives

Christian Bowser of Plymouth and Amirea Gibbs of Fairfield representated Tideland EMC on the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., this summer. They joined more than 1,800 students from across the country to learn about American history and the electric cooperative business model.