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THIS MONTH: Happy Holidays

The holidays are upon us, and we can count ourselves all blessed to be spending them in North Carolina. We reflect on what makes this season special here in the Tar Heel State on pages 8 and 9, and you can find recipes to keep your Christmas, Hanukkah or other celebrations going strong on page 22. From all of us at Carolina Country, thank you for reading, and we’re looking forward to sharing more great stories in 2023!

—Scott Gates, editor

From Our Readers

Focus on Reliability I just wanted to give you and your team a shout out for the Carolina Country magazine you provide. The article titled “Reliability is Key to a Successful Energy Transition” (November 2022, page 4) was very informative. I also enjoyed all the other articles and information as well. Keep up the great work!

Penny Lynch, Leland A member of Brunswick Electric

Family Christmas Memories

When I was a child, one of the greatest joys of the holidays was sitting in front of my grandmother’s decorated

Christmas tree. The sweet-smelling cedar coming out of the woodland was placed where all the children could see. The gifts were wrapped in big boxes with Santa paper, My family Christmas tree from 1955 and red and green ribbons. I stared at the beauty of the tree, knowing

Santa would leave one present for me.

Dorothy Steele, Lilesville A member of Pee Dee Electric

Calvin Reyes

A Happy, Peaceful Place This note is in reference to an article in your October issue (“Haunting Tales,” page 8). To have the place I called home referred to as a “haunted” little village broke my heart. My dad, Bud Rudisill, was the last person to move from Henry River Mill Village. It was a happy, peaceful place to grow up in.... We might not have had much, but we didn’t know it. Lots of villagers attended church at Henry River Baptist, and many are resting in the cemetery there. It really insulted me to read this story. We never heard of haunts and voices and people hearing things.... It’s a place just full of wonderful memories of growing up, the wonderful people we grew up with, and my wonderful parents, Bud and Hettie Rudisill.

Nadine Rudisill, Hickory A member of Rutherford EMC

Editor’s note: Thank you for writing in about this, Nadine. The village is a beautiful spot that’s currently undergoing preservation efforts to restore it to its former glory. Readers can learn more about these efforts, as well as how to visit the village, at henryrivermillvillage.com.

(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800) Volume 54, No. 12 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 Tara Verna Creative Services Associate 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.

Contact us

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

Preparing Students for Life After High School

By Mindy Thornlow

When I first applied for the Kenan Fellows Program for teacher leadership, I was thinking of how to help my students who just wanted to get out of school and go to work. I felt that the pressures placed on children to be college-bound made them view college education as a one-size-fits-all solution. I am glad that more and more people are recognizing that this limited perspective does not address the needs of all students.

As a child, I saw how my dad and mom worked hard and succeeded. They did this without the benefit of a traditional American college education. My dad had no high school diploma, and my mom held a business degree from another country. While I celebrate all my students who are college-bound, I often feel the need to provide more relevant possibilities for those who are ready to go to work. It’s my job to reach all my students and help them on their respective paths. Fast forward to my Kenan Fellowship, and I can honestly say in almost 17 years as an educator, this was the best team-building professional development I have experienced. The Fellowship taught how to apply newfound knowledge with the young minds in my classroom. Kenan Fellows introduced me to the network of electric cooperatives and how they work during my three-week internship with Asheboro-based Randolph EMC (REMC).

I had one of the best mentors I could have hoped for — Nicole Arnold. Nicole works in the Communications Department and was in my interview during the selection process with Michael Trent, director of Innovative Energy Solutions at REMC. I mentioned in this interview that my main reason for applying for the fellowship was to benefit my students, so I could help them learn about opportunities outside of two-year and four-year college degrees.

Nicole organized a complete schedule that allowed me to experience the whole purpose of a cooperative. REMC staffers taught me so much, including the finance end of things, how to get supplies across the cooperatives, emergency management during crisis, what the line crews do and how to get critical certifications, to name a few. I am excited to get this information out to the students and share with them what could be While I celebrate all in store after high school if they pursue a career with electric cooperatives. my students who As I roll out my curriculum this school year, I are college-bound... plan to show my students how electricity comes into their homes and “makes things happen,” It’s my job to reach as the kids would say. I also want them to see electric cooperatives as a career path over a all my students and wide range of fields. There are various career help them on their possibilities available for those with university or community college educations, and there respective paths. are positions for those students who may not be interested in pursuing a traditional college education at this time. The Kenan Fellowship experience allowed me to be honored and treated as the “best of the best” in the education field. This opportunity would not have happened without my students, and they will be the chief ones to benefit from my fellowship. The Kenan Fellowship has helped me fulfill my goal — to help my students make informed decisions in their upcoming adult life after high school. The Kenan Fellows supercharged my mission to shape these young minds. I am so grateful for this experience.

Mindy Thornlow is a science teacher at Trinity High School in Randolph County and is a 2022-23 Kenan Fellow (kenanfellows.org).

WHY KIDS NEED 4-H CAMP NOW MORE THAN EVER!

WWW.NC4HCAMPS.ORG

4-H CAMP PROMOTES PHYSICAL HEALTH

Combined with activities like swimming, canoeing, horseback riding, hiking and more, youth learn how to enjoy physical activity.

4-H CAMP TEACHES INDEPENDENCE

Children are encouraged to push their boundaries, step out of their comfort zones and grow selfconfidence necessary to become independent.

4-H CAMP CULTIVATES A SENSE OF BELONGING

4-H Camp gives young people the opportunity to be themselves while appreciating others with values, attitudes and abilities different from their own.

4-H CAMP TEACHES RESPONSIBILITY

For many, 4-H camp is a first experience cleaning a cabin or setting a table. It may also be the first time campers work with others to overcome challenges.

4-H CAMP BUILDS AFFINITY FOR NATURE

Far from the digital screens at home, 4-H campers are fully immersed in the natural world.

Learn more about our three 4-H centers.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity provider.

DECEMBEr Quick Hits

Fun Festivities Celebrate the holidays with your community. Check local town calendars to find light festivals, Christmas markets and more.

Merry & Bright As you put up your holiday lights, remember not to overload one outlet or extension cord with plugs.

Blanket your Home Winter officially starts on Dec. 21. Make sure your house is well-insulated to keep the warm air in and cold air out.

Safe Trees Always place live Christmas trees away from heat sources and keep the base filled with water.

Co-op Members in Need Benefit From Energy Efficiency Partnership

Several of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have partnered with Advanced Energy, the Raleigh-based nonprofit energy consulting firm, to establish a program that provides energy efficiency upgrades to reduce home heating and cooling costs for members in need. Supported by federal funding, selected members use the program to connect with energy experts and resources to make upgrades that result in long-term energy savings.

Called the Enhancing Electric Cooperative Rebate Program (EECRP), participating cooperatives were selected based on a variety of factors, including existing home energy rebate programs. While the program may expand in the future, cooperatives participating in the initial wave included Brunswick Electric, Pee Dee Electric, Piedmont Electric Cooperative, Randolph EMC, Roanoke Electric Cooperative and South River EMC.

“Brunswick Electric aims to be more than just an energy provider; we want to be part of the community,” said Brookes Versaggi, communications and member engagement manager at Brunswick Electric. “We’re always proud when we can make a difference in our members’ lives, and we hope for the opportunity to do similar initiatives in the future.”

Since the program’s inception in 2021, 71 cooperative members and their families have received new or upgraded HVAC systems. Heating and air conditioning typically accounts for more than half of total annual energy use in homes, so inefficient systems can lead to higher costs for homeowners.

Beyond HVAC system installations and upgrades, some electric cooperatives were able to fund other efficiency projects using their existing programs. For example, Piedmont Electric’s Helping Hand Foundation funded plumbing and weatherization improvements for participating

Aire Serve Heating & Air Conditioning

A new HVAC system is installed for a Brunswick Electric member. members. Pee Dee Electric gave eligible members a one-time bill credit for the installation of high efficiency heat pumps. Additionally, many homeowners who participated in the program received new smart thermostats “By increasing energy and upgraded insuefficiency in eligible homes, lation from their cooperative. we can help reduce energy Advanced Energy burden and provide safer, worked with the healthier environments for cooperatives to identify members residents who need it most.” with inefficient HVAC systems living in counties classified as economically distressed. “This program expands Advanced Energy’s service to the local community and makes a positive impact through partnerships with electric cooperatives and local HVAC installers,” said Onté Johnson, project manager at Advanced Energy. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (NCDEQ) State Energy Office provides the grants for the energy efficiency upgrades, with funding from the CARES Act in 2021 and the American Rescue Plan in 2022. “This project is an extension of DEQ’s commitment to addressing equity and energy affordability for low-income North Carolinians,” said Beth Schrader, director of the NCDEQ State Energy Office. “By increasing energy efficiency in eligible homes, we can help reduce energy burden and provide safer, healthier environments for residents who need it most.” —Chris Nault, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives

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Electric Co-ops Support NC State Fair’s ‘Field of Dreams’

In October, approximately 20,000 children from across the state visited the Field of Dreams exhibit at the NC State Fair, where they learned about the positive impacts of agriculture in North Carolina. Field of Dreams, a partnership between North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives and the NC Department of Agriculture, highlights the role of the state’s agriculture industry in our everyday lives. The exhibit featured gardens full of dozens of NC-grown crops, helping kids make the connection between the food they see growing and the food they see on their plates.

“There are few organizations out there that have had as big of an impact on rural North Carolina as the network of North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives,” said North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Without their foresight, rural electrification would have been a long time coming, and the progress we have made would have been even more hard wrought. I can’t stress enough the importance of what they have done to help make agriculture a $92.9 billion industry in North Carolina, and we are proud to have them partner with us to educate the next generation on how much agriculture means to this state.”

Field of Dreams, which marked its 18th year in 2022, is staffed by local FFA chapters and 4-H clubs as well as employees from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Sarah Ray, public information officer for the NC State Fair, noted that “since its inception, Field of Dreams has helped educate almost half a million kids on the importance of knowing where their food comes from and the positive impact buying local has on our state.”

It’s beginning to look a lot like Santa

Wayne Lanning exudes Christmas cheer year-round

By Leah Chester-Davis

veryone can sense that jolly ol’ Saint Nick is near. Wayne Lanning never considered playing Santa until about 20 years ago. At the time, he was enjoying holiday festivities in his hometown of Lexington with his wife, Jeanie, and young granddaughter, Haley, when she spotted Santa Claus and started calling her grandpa, Santa. His wife looked at Wayne and acknowledged that he, indeed, looked like Santa and encouraged him to grow out his beard.

As his beard grew, his boss, North Carolina’s renowned artist Bob Timberlake, and co-workers at Bob Timberlake Gallery began saying, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Santa.”

When Wayne’s birthday rolled around, Bob, who Wayne considers not only his employer but a dear friend, gifted Wayne a trip to the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan.

“Bob sent me to Santa school, paid for my flight there and back, my hotel room, my tuition fee, and bought my first suit,” Wayne says. The school stresses the importance of being Santa and helping contribute to the magic of childhood and special memories, the traditions and customs, and how to interact with children and parents. The weeklong school started an adventure that both men seem to relish and share, and they have collected many stories through the years. Wayne, who has worked with Bob Timberlake for 30 years, makes an appearance as Santa every

year at the Timberlake Gallery Open House in Lexington, and the two often enjoy portions of the season together in Blowing Rock.

“He is the epitome of Santa,” Bob says. “He is jovial, happy, outgoing, friendly. He brings joy wherever he goes. We can be in a restaurant in the mountains in July, and little kids can sense his joy and his realism. They can sense he is really Santa Claus. He exudes Christmas to anybody that’s around him — and he does it year-round.”

Wayne loves people and acknowledges he receives comments throughout the year that he looks like Santa but it’s when he dons the Santa suit (he now owns seven) that he feels a transformation take place.

“My whole attitude, everything about me, changes when I put my suit on,” he says. “It seems like a miracle, something happening to you, where you’ll be able to talk to these children and love them. It’s just hard to describe.”

Wayne makes appearances at numerous places every holiday season—working from just before Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, where you’ll find him at Mt. Zion Wesleyan Church in Thomasville.

But it’s the Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem that also holds a special place in his heart. He acknowledges it is his toughest assignment, but the most touching. He tears up thinking about valiant little fighters, who may be quite ill, getting delight out of Santa’s visit. Not only does he take time to visit with children and families, he takes time for photographs with them all.

He often reads the children the classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (more commonly called “The Night Before Christmas”), and joy is added to his appearance when his wife appears by his side as Mrs. Claus.

R evi val C reat i v e

He exudes Christmas to anybody that’s around him—and he does it year-round.”

Revival Creatives

Wayne Lanning (left) with Bob Timberlake

When Wayne walks away from interacting with children, his heart swells when he inevitably hears a young voice declare: “That IS the real Santa Claus!”

Revival Creatives

Carolina Country Contributing Editor Leah Chester-Davis loves to explore North Carolina. Her business, Chester-Davis Communications (chester-davis.com), specializes in food, farm, gardening and lifestyle brands and organizations.

A Carolina Christmas

By Lori Grossman

Red Bird candy puffs. Thin, crunchy, Moravian cookies. And of course — Santa rappelling down Chimney Rock. Here are a few local sights, sounds and shops to make the holidays special. Call or check websites for the latest times and admission requirements.

Speedway Christmas

Concord | charlottemotorspeedway.com 800-455-FANS This is one of the largest drive-through holiday lights displays in the Southeast. And don’t miss the drive-in Christmas movies shown on the Speedway’s 16,000-square-foot TV!

25th Annual Santa on the Chimney

Chimney Rock State Park chimneyrockpark.com | 828-625-9611 This 315-foot-tall rock formation draws over a quarter million visitors each year — including Santa Claus! Watch Santa rappel down Chimney Rock on the first two Saturdays in December.

Christmas Town USA

McAdenville mcAdenville-christmastown.com 704-824-3190 Throughout December, this small town glows with red, green, and white lights and resounds with seasonal music. Drive through or walk.

National Gingerbread House Competition

Asheville | bit.ly/omni-gbread 800-438-5800 No, these aren’t your Nana’s gingerbread houses — they’re amazingly detailed works of art at the annual contest hosted at the Omni Grove Park Inn.

Don McKenzie

House of Morgan Pewter

Kinston | houseofmorganpewter.net 252-526-1605 Stuck for gift ideas? This family-owned company offers over 800 handcrafted pewter items. They have something for everyone, with free shipping on all U.S. orders.

Weaver’s Department Store

weaversdepartmentstore.com 256-650-5999 Weaver’s is based in Alabama, but this store’s website is bliss for any fan of the Andy Griffith Show. Collectibles, food items, clothing and more can all be purchased online.

Mrs. Hanes’ Hand-Made Moravian Cookies

Clemmons | hanescookies.com 888-764-1402 Everyone loves them — even Oprah! Indulge your cookie craving with your choice of six flavors: sugar, chocolate, ginger, lemon, butterscotch and black walnut.

O.P. Taylor’s Toy Store

Brevard | optaylors.com | 828-883-2309 John Taylor is the big kid who owns this store, plus locations in Hendersonville and Greenville, South Carolina. No video games here. Show your kids the toys you loved.

Red Bird Peppermints

Lexington | piedmontcandy.com 336-248-2477 It wouldn’t be an NC Christmas without these yummy candies from Piedmont Candy Company. They’re allergen-free, kosher, non-GMO, and 100% cane sugar.

Freelance writer Lori Grossman currently lives in Texas, but carries memories of North Carolina in her heart.

Digital Extra Visit carolinacountry.com/extras for more details about each listing.

‘Are the stairs becoming too much for you or a loved one?

Stay in the home and neighborhood you love with a Stiltz Homelift.

WHY LIMIT YOURSELF?

Stairlifts were introduced in the 1920s, and not much has changed since. A stairlift has one use: to move you (and only you) between floors, slowly. And it fits in only one place: your staircase. Finally, a stairlift won’t keep up with you as your mobility needs change over time. For example, a stairlift can’t carry a walker or wheelchair.

THE MODERN SOLUTION

A Stiltz Homelift, on the other hand, is an affordable, modern home elevator that is so compact, it fits just about anywhere in your house. It requires no special machine room, no supporting walls, and runs off a standard home electrical outlet. One look at our unique freestanding rail system, and you can tell right away why we’re called “Stiltz”!

A Stiltz Homelift is 100%

safe. The elevator will not operate when the door is open, and sensors stop the lift cab if something is in the way. A battery backup lowers the lift cab in a power outage. The floor lid is safe to walk on, and a key lock prevents unauthorized use.

A Stiltz Homelift is versatile.

Our elevators carry two people, or even a wheelchair. And the small footprint means they fit just about anywhere. Install your homelift through the floor, in a stairwell, up to a landing — even inside a closet!

A Stiltz Homelift is clean

and quiet. Our self-contained electric drive system is very quiet. No messy hydraulics, no noisy vacuum systems, no basement or attic machine rooms required.

A Stiltz Homelift is an extra

pair of hands. Move laundry, suitcases, books, groceries, vacuum cleaners — even the family pet — up and down between floors with our dual remote controls.

IT’S NEVER TOO SOON

Some Stiltz customers need a homelift immediately. But others want to “future-proof” their homes for the day when the stairs become a challenge.

This is a time of year that many families gather

and a good time to make sure your aging loved ones are safe in their homes. If you or a loved one would like to learn about how owning and installing a home elevator is easier and more affordable than ever, please contact Stiltz today.

HOMELIFT SPECIALISTS

Stiltz is one of the world’s leading home elevator manufacturers, so you’ll be in good hands. Your homelift will be installed and maintained by Stiltz trained professionals — expert technicians who truly care about your freedom, mobility and health.

• Affordable • Small Footprint • Full Safety Features • Clean, Quiet Operation • Low Power Consumption • Freestanding Design • Wheelchair Accessible • Carry Laundry or Pets • Fast Installation • Full Warranty

For a FREE brochure or no obligation home visit Call 1-833-240-7013

“Can’t imagine what we’d do without it. I wish we had installed our Stiltz Homelift several years ago!”

– Mr. James, Roanoke VA

embershipM MATTERS

THE Perspective

The impact of rising energy costs

From Blue Ridge CEO Doug Johnson

As we come to the close of 2022 and prepare for the new year, we want to also prepare members for what we’re seeing in the energy industry and how this will impact us all.

Geopolitical activity and issues with Russia and the Ukraine have sent energy prices across the globe skyrocketing to levels we haven’t seen in many years. Fuels used to generate electricity such as natural gas have almost tripled in cost in the past year. This prolonged disruption to world energy markets is leading to predictions that we should expect to see higher prices until the end of next year.

We’re concerned about what this means for our members’ monthly energy bills. The impact from significantly increasing generation fuel costs will likely force us to begin a monthly wholesale power cost adjustment charge (WPCA) on your bill, beginning in February 2023. This is not a rate increase, which would be permanent, but rather a pass-through charge that captures only the additional wholesale power costs being charged by our supplier, Duke Energy Carolinas. Because fuel costs can fluctuate up or down, these charges are best captured through a WPCA that can be adjusted to reflect fuel costs or eliminated if no longer needed.

We are reviewing these cost impact projections as we plan how to help members deal with this cost pressure. Here are a few initiatives underway:

1. Working with our Members Foundation to evaluate providing more member assistance dollars for crisis heating needs.

2. Achieving maximum value from our subsidiaries to keep rates affordable and to help offset some of the wholesale power cost increases.

3. Diligently managing operating costs, which is very challenging considering high inflation and material supply disruptions.

4. Engaging members to help us reduce peak demand for electricity when wholesale power cost is at its highest.

5. Pursuing innovative programs such as electric vehicle overnight charging during off-peak hours when wholesale power cost is lowest and other Distributed

Energy Resources programs to make our grid more efficient.

As your cooperative, we are always focused first and foremost on serving our members with the best care, helping you manage your costs and supporting local communities. That includes keeping you informed. I’ll be updating members here and in other ways to keep you apprised of energy industry impacts and ways we’re working to help lessen these effects to make life better for those we serve.