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Wayne Lanning exudes Christmas spirit year-round and, as his granddaughter pointed out, looks an awful lot like the jolly old elf. So one year his boss, NC artist Bob Timberlake, made it official and sent Wayne to Santa School. Learn more about Wayne on page 8.
Photo by Revival Creatives.
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
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
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, 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
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.
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.
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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.
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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 educa tion. 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 inter view 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 bene fit 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 in store after high school if they pursue a career with electric cooperatives.
As I roll out my curriculum this school year, I plan to show my students how electricity comes into their homes and “makes things happen,” as the kids would say. I also want them to see electric cooperatives as a career path over a wide range of fields. There are various career possibilities available for those with university or community college educations, and there 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).
Combined with activities like swimming, canoeing, horseback riding, hiking and more, youth learn how to enjoy physical activity.
Children are encouraged to push their boundaries, step out of their comfort zones and grow selfconfidence necessary to become independent.
4-H Camp gives young people the opportunity to be themselves while appreciating others with values, attitudes and abilities different from their own.
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.
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.
Youth DO NOT need to be enrolled in 4-H to participate.
Celebrate the holidays with your community. Check local town calendars to find light festivals, Christmas markets and more.
As you put up your holiday lights, remember not to overload one outlet or extension cord with plugs.
Several of North Carolina’s electric coop eratives 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, coopera tives participating in the initial wave included Brunswick Electric, Pee Dee Electric, Piedmont Electric Cooperative, Randolph EMC, Roanoke Electric Cooperative and South River EMC.
increasing energy efficiency in eligible homes, we can help reduce energy burden and provide safer, healthier environments for residents who need it most.”
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 and upgraded insu lation from their cooperative.
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.
Always place live Christmas trees away from heat sources and keep the base filled with water.
“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 exam ple, Piedmont Electric’s Helping Hand Foundation funded plumbing and weath erization improvements for participating
Advanced Energy worked with the cooperatives to identify members 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 part nerships 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 Aire Serve Heating & Air Conditioning A new HVAC system is installed for a Brunswick Electric member.“By
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.”
—Chris Nault, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives
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 contrib ute 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
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.
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
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.
He exudes Christmas to anybody that’s around him — and he does it year - round.”
Revival Creati v e
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!”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Freelance writer Lori Grossman currently lives in Texas, but carries memories of North Carolina in her heart.
Visit carolinacountry.com/extras for more details about each listing.
By Lori Grossman Wayne Lanning (left) with Bob Timberlake Revival Creatives Revival Creatives Don McKenzieStairlifts 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.
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.
Some Stiltz customers need a homelift immediately. But others want to “future-proof” their homes for the day when the stairs become a challenge.
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.
“Can’t imagine what we’d do without it. I wish we had installed our Stiltz Homelift several years ago!”
– Mr. James, Roanoke VA
I don’t know about you, but I consider my four-legged companion as part of the family. Bella is there to greet me with a smile and brings relief after a day of stress at times. She is al ways happy to see me. I love spending time with her, and I can’t imagine life without her. I know others feel this way, too. That’s why during the winter months, we make sure our whole family, including our four-legged members, is cozy — without taking a big “bite” out of our budget.
This month, I’d like to share a few simple ways you can make your home more comfortable this winter, which can ultimately help you save on energy bills.
At the onset of the cold weather season, we replace the HVAC filter for better air quality and to help the unit operate more efficiently. You can also keep your home cozier by caulking and weatherstripping windows and doors. If your home is particularly chilly, you can tape or affix heavy, clear plastic to the inside of your window frames to create an addition al barrier against the cold. Ensure that the plastic is tightly sealed to the frame to help reduce infiltration.
We know winter can be “ruff,” so we set our thermostat at 68 degrees, a “purr-fect” temperature for people and pets. This is especially important for smaller, short hair and senior dogs — not just for warmth, but for their general health. Puppies, kittens and older pets with arthritis or other ailments may have a harder time controlling their body heat and need the additional warmth when it’s chilly out.
Pets that sleep close to the floor can be subject to cold drafts that enter your home through windows and ex terior doors. If your pet’s bed is near a window or door that feels drafty, tightly roll up a towel and place it near the bottom of the door or window to
eliminate the draft. Cutting down on cold drafts helps everyone feel more comfortable during colder months.
If possible, elevate your pet’s bed so it’s not placed directly on a cold floor — an old chair or sofa cushion works well. If you don’t use a dog bed, take some old blankets and create a doughnut shape on the cushion so the dog can snuggle within the blanket. You can do the same for cats but on a smaller scale. Blankets enable pets to nestle into them, even when they aren’t tired, and provide a comfortable place for dogs and cats to curl up.
During the day, open your blinds and curtains to allow sunlight to warm your home. Close window coverings at night for an added layer of insulation.
At Surry-Yadkin EMC, we want to help you save energy and money. Check out our SmartHub app or visit our website at syemc.com for addi tional energy-saving tips.
We can’t control the weather, but we can provide advice to help you save energy and keep your family and furry friends more comfortable during the winter season.
Greg Puckett Executive Vice President & General Manager
By Kasey Martin
The holiday season has arrived and with it comes the pleasure of family traditions. If you and your family have not yet visited one of Elkin’s newest and most charming at tractions, Cypress Trails, then you may want to go ahead and plan on this site becoming one of those joyous customs.
Owners Tara Marciniak and Dr. Brian Suttell purchased the land where the trail resides in the fall of 2020. At the age of 15, Marciniak had a dream of having Cypress Trails — a place that would encourage families to enjoy one another’s company.
“Making meaningful memories together had always been important to the family, though it could be a chal lenge at times with a wheelchair-bound parent,” said Marciniak. She wanted to create an atmosphere like the ones that had left an impression on her and her family during her youth. Enjoying holiday light shows were among their favorite traditions, and she knew if she ever had an opportunity to create her own, she would take it.
That opportunity came years later after meeting Suttell. Current residents
of Radford, Va., the two met when Marciniak was living in Radford, and Suttle was living in Greensboro. The Yadkin Valley area of North Carolina was a perfect halfway meeting spot for them.
The two began a three-year search for land near where they live in Virginia, and Suttell happened to stumble upon the land that has since become Cypress Trails in Elkin — just a few miles from
where the couple met in years prior. “Luckily, (Brian) too, had an entrepre neurial spirit and not only liked the idea of being an owner of a light show, but he also liked the idea of adding live music events to this plan during the summer months,” said Marciniak.
After purchasing the land in 2020, the couple opened their first event, The Cypress Trails Winter Light Show, on Thanksgiving Day in 2021. The light
show includes twinkling themed lights for each of the three trails, an inaugural show which includes singing reindeer, a nautical-themed trail, a wood land-themed trail, and a frozen forest trail with other wintry surprises. Plans will be made yearly to add new themes on the trail so that every year has a fresh and exciting feel to visitors.
In addition to the Christmas lights, other holiday-inspired events have been scheduled throughout the year. For the 2022 fall season, a Halloween-themed event, “Twisted Trails,” was added to the festive offerings. This event had two twinkling, kid-friendly trails, a creepy forest trail, fog machines, Hallow een-themed yard games and other spooky surprises. “The Enchanted For est Festival” and “Firefly Festival” are summer-themed light shows with live music, food trucks, twinkling trails, and more. In 2023, Cypress Trails will add a free Easter Egg and Scavenger Hunt to their spring happenings.
“The most amazing part of Cypress Trails has been not only seeing our own families enjoying each other’s time together at our events but seeing thou
sands of other families pointing out light displays for one another, watching kids dance to singing reindeer, looking at Facebook pictures that guests post, and truly just being even a small part of families’ memories during their holiday seasons and beyond,” said Marciniak.
With new events for the trails also come new, exciting events for the couple. In 2023, Suttle and Marciniak will be getting married following a
proposal at Shelton Vineyard, the same place the two met five years earlier.
Marciniak, the mother of two, lost her husband prior to the couple meeting. She, her two children, and Suttle have all become extremely close and enjoy working collaboratively on Cypress Trails nearly every weekend. “We look forward to continuing to make great memories in North Carolina and to creating lasting memories with those who visit Cypress Trails, as well,” said Marciniak.
Be on the lookout for opportunities to win free tickets on the Cypress Trails Facebook and Instagram pages. Virtual games and drawings take place routine ly — giving potential visitors a chance to visit the property at no cost.
Cypress Trails is located at 157 Inter state Way in Elkin with hours of opera tion varying throughout the season.
For updated hours and a schedule of events, visit cypresstrailsevents. com, Facebook or Instagram. For additional information and questions, you may contact the owners by email, cypresstrailstara@gmail.com, or by phone, 910-574-5396.
Surry-Yadkin EMC offices will be closed Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 in observance of Christmas, and Jan. 2, 2023 in observance of New Year’s.
Surry-Yadkin EMC offices will be closed Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 in observance of Christmas, and Jan. 2, 2023, in observance of New Year’s.
We all have our favorite season. Some people love crisp, cool weather and bundling up under a favorite blanket, while others prefer the warm temperatures summer brings and all fun outdoor activities that go with it.
But there’s one thing we can all agree on: high winter bills are never fun. Surry-Yadkin EMC is here to help you find ways to manage your home energy use and keep winter bills in check.
Here are five tips to help increase your home’s energy efficiency this winter:
1. Mind the thermostat. This is one of the easiest ways to manage your home energy use. We recommend setting your thermostat to 68 degrees (or lower) when you’re home, depending on your comfort level. When you’re sleeping or away for an extended period of time, try setting it as low as your comfort level will allow, but not adjusting it more than 2 to 3 degrees at a time; there’s no need to heat your home when you’re away or sleeping and less active.
2. Button up your home. The Department of Energy estimates that air leaks account for 24% to 40% of the energy used for heating and cooling a home. Caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors is another simple, cost-effective way to increase comfort and save energy. If you can feel drafts while standing near a window or door, it likely needs to be sealed.
3. Use window coverings wisely. Open blinds, drapes or other window coverings during the day to allow natural sunlight in to warm your home. Close them at night to keep the cold, drafty air out. If you feel cold air around windows, consider hanging
curtains or drapes in a thicker ma terial; heavier win dow coverings can make a significant difference in blocking cold outdoor air.
4. Consider your approach to appliance use. When combined, appliances and electronics account for a significant chunk of our home energy use, so assess how efficiently you’re using them. For example, if you’re running the dishwasher or clothes washer, only wash full loads. Look for electronic devices that consume energy even when they’re not in use, like phone chargers or game consoles. Every little bit helps, so unplug them to save energy.
5. Think outside the box. If you’re still feeling chilly at home, think of other ways to warm up — beyond dialing up the thermostat. Add layers of clothing, wear thick socks and bundle up under blankets. You can even add layers to your home! If you have hard-surface flooring, consider purchasing an area rug to block cold air that leaks in through the floor.
If you’re taking steps to save energy but continue to see major increases in your bills, give us a call at 336-3568241 or take advantage of our free home energy audits. Surry-Yadkin EMC’s energy experts can help iden tify areas and other factors impacting your home energy use and recom mend next steps for savings.
Winter months often bring some of the highest energy bills of the year. By being proactive about saving energy, you can increase the comfort of your home and reduce monthly bills. Visit our website at syemc.com for additional energy-saving tips.
Jaye Hall is a journeyman lineman and serves as an energy advisor and auditor for SYEMC.
Greg
As a member of an electric cooperative, you’re part of something bigger. Beyond powering the everyday, we’re committed to building a brighter future through impactful support for education, economic development and energy innovation – always in service to you.
Connect with your local electric cooperative to learn more.
The holidays are a magical time when we come together with our loved ones to share food, gifts and quality time. It’s also the most expensive time of year for many of us. Along with the expense of gifts, meals and travel comes colder weather and darker nights that lead to more electricity use and higher bills. One way to reduce the financial burden of the most wonderful time of year is by implementing efficiency tips to use less energy at home and lower your monthly bills.
If you are hosting guests, your household will consume more electricity than normal. Be prepared with efficiency basics:
■ Have your thermostat programmed at 68 degrees when you are home, and set it lower when you leave the house or go to sleep. If you have a heat pump, maintaining a constant, moderate setting is the most cost-effective practice.
■ Run the clothes washer on cold with full loads.
■ When not in use, turn off lights and the TV; fully shut down computers and gaming systems instead of putting them in sleep or standby mode.
■ Lower the thermostat when guests are over or when cooking food for a long period, when central rooms tend to heat up.
Whether you are making holiday treats or a feast, here are a few tips to help lower energy use in the kitchen:
■ Use the oven light to check food. Every time the oven door is opened, the temperature inside is reduced by up to 25 degrees, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). When possible, make use of a slow cooker, microwave, toaster oven or warming plate, which use less energy than an oven and stovetop. A toaster oven can use up to half the energy of the average electric stove over the same cooking time, according to DOE.
■ Let hot food cool to room temperature before placing it inside the refrigerator. This ensures you don’t increase the temperature inside your fridge and cause it to use more energy to cool down. You can also take some of the stress and expense out of your holiday cooking by asking guests to bring a dish.
If you’re visiting family and friends during the holidays, prepare your home to use less energy while you’re away:
■ Water heating is the second-largest energy expense in your home, accounting for about 18% of your utility bill, according to DOE. Switching your water heater to vacation mode will reduce wasted energy by keeping the water at a lower temperature. If your water heater does not have vacation mode on the dial, you can adjust it to the lowest setting.
■ Set your thermostat to around 55 degrees so you’re not wasting energy to heat the home while you’re away.
■ Instead of leaving lights on all day, consider upgrading a lamp or fixture to a smart lightbulb. This allows you to control lights from afar and set a schedule for the light to go on and off. Another option is to repurpose your holiday light timer for one of your living room lamps.
This year, make the switch to LEDs for all your holiday lighting. LED holiday lights consume 70% less energy than conventional incandescent light strands. For example, it costs 27 cents to light a 6-foot tree for 12 hours a day for 40 days with LEDs compared to $10 for incandescent lights.
Pick up a few light timers so you don’t have to remember to unplug your lights every evening. You can also choose to upgrade to smart holiday lights that offer a wide range of app-controlled options, including time, colors, music and modes.
Lower your energy bills this holiday season with these simple efficiency tips. Happy holidays!
This column was written by Miranda Boutelle of the Efficiency Services Group. Visit carolinacountry.com/your-energy for more ideas on energy efficiency.
Howdy, North Carolina. Dropping by just to visit, sit a spell, and tell a tale. Not a tall one. A reg’larsized one about a fella sitting a few rows behind me in Judge Mark Davis’ Judicial Process class.
One doesn’t encounter a lot of twangs in Van HeckeWettach Hall in Chapel Hill, so when I heard a “flatlander” chime in one day, I introduced myself. Friends, please meet a local Spivey’s Corner boy done good, Dylan Blackburn.
A proud graduate of Midway High School in Sampson County, Dylan speaks fondly of his rural roots: “There’s such a sense of community. It can be homogenous at times, but it’s a tight-knit community. The culture is its own. Ya know, the hollerin’ contest and, of course — ” I prepare my eyes for rolling. “ — Eastern NC barbecue.”
“You could be a little more open-minded there, Dylan,” I reply, knowing Lexington style to be the superior of the two.
“I am. I opened my mind to try it. I found it insufficient.”
We share a few moments of calm reflection for the sake of our friendship.
From high school, Dylan’s journey led to Campbell University, where he double majored in economics and business. After graduation, his experience representing South River EMC on the 2013 NC Youth Tour inspired a move to our nation’s capital.
Our shared interest in models of judicial interpretation led us to enroll in Judicial Process taught by Judge Davis, a grad uate of both UNC School of Law and Duke School of law, who has experience at the Superior Court, Appeals Court and Supreme Court of North Carolina. It’s fair to say we had both an impartial and knowledgeable teacher in Judge Davis.
“Stepping in someone else’s shoes, I’m advocating for an outcome running counter to my preference. In those moments, my ability to empathize and find compassion grows."
“Growing up where I did, I thought a career in Washington, D.C., too distant and unreachable,” he explains. “Youth Tour made D.C. approachable.”
During brief stints working for two North Carolina congressmen, his time spent speaking with constituents stands out.
“I think most folks have preconceived notions of what they’ll experience when calling their elected representatives. People were usually shocked to find someone from Samson County on the other end of the line.”
Dylan’s work in D.C. coincided with trying times for our country. “COVID was horrible. It was such a turbu lent time. Navigating those decisions and trying to serve in times of crisis was extremely tiring and difficult, but it was also rewarding.”
So, from the Capitol rotunda to the rotunda in Van Hecke-Wettach Hall, Dylan continues to serve.
“Obviously we can’t argue our individual opinions,” Dylan reflects on the course. “We must make wellreasoned, legal arguments, but I didn’t expect us to be challenged as much as we were. Stepping in some one else’s shoes, I’m advocating for an outcome running counter to my preference. In those moments, my ability to empathize and find compas sion grows. Exercises like that make us better lawyers and citizens.”
Dylan directs to me, “I mean, you know, you were in there.”
I nod in agreement. We sit in our shared memory as “almost graduates” before the air morphs us back into “still law students.”
“Hey, what’d you get on that paper?” Dylan asks.
I chuckle, “Man, I dropped the class right before the paper was due. Bit off way more than I could chew.” We laugh.
Upon graduation, Dylan will be starting his legal career in Charlotte at K&L Gates. Who knows what chapter he’ll write after that one?
Jacob Brooks made a C in his tort law class. He’ll catch grief from Mamaw Carol when she finds out. The quart jar Papaw Jerry gave him is half full.
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I’m sure most readers have heard of fishing guides. Some may have heard of eco tours. A few may have heard of oyster farming, where these bivalves are grown from justhatched to market-sized in leased water columns.
Now there’s an outfit in Hatteras that’s combining all three. Sticky Bottom Oyster Company (stickybottomoysters.com or 252-256-2222), a member of Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative, is offering a local sound-side eco tour on the way out to their oyster farm, where the process of farming oysters is explained with the opportunity to wet a line. My wife, Renee, and two of my daughters, Olivia and Nicole, and I were lucky enough to be the “test family” for the tours. It was enjoyable and educational.
Sticky Bottom is a three-way partnership between Ricky Jones of Frisco, Todd Ballance of Hatteras, and Gerald Fitch of Reidsville. Todd works on the water full-time: Ricky splits time between piloting the ferry to Ocracoke and tending to the oysters, and Gerald gets in work for
the company when he can.
We met Todd one July morning where a 25-foot Carolina Skiff awaited us. Before setting out, he gave an education in oysters. He explained that just-hatched oysters are called spat, which take seven to nine months to grow into marketable 3-inch oysters.
“The company we buy spat from has brood stock and different types of oysters that have different attributes,” Todd says. “They have temperature-controlled spawning tanks and they can manipulate the temperature to make the oysters spawn. Their oyster are triploids, they’re hybrids and they are sterile. It makes them disease resistant.”
Their oysters grow in bags in floating cages (which have blue caps that they can take off in case a hurricane is imminent, allowing the cages sink
to the bottom to be retrieved after the storm). Oyster cages are in 4- to 8-foot-deep water with six bags of oysters per cage.
At the dock is a large PVC pipe that that rotates and is perforated with three different diameter holes, which cleans the oysters and classifies them by size.
The area has a rich past, evident along a canal on our way out: Todd pointed out where Native American settlements used be, as well as a spot where a porpoise factory once rendered fat into oil.
When we arrived at the oyster lease, Todd noted that the rows of floating cages provide cover for many species of mollusks and finfish — and for those who hunt them. His point was immedi ately illustrated as a cage, winched onto the boat, released tiny crabs, shrimp and fish onto the deck. Watching them get tossed back in the water was kind of sad, as pinfish and sheepshead eagerly awaited an easy meal.
After the trip, I was able to talk to Ricky. (If ever in Frisco, be sure to check out Tavern on 12, where Ricky’s brother Steve serves some great food.)
“We are starting our third year now and still have a lot to learn — there’s a lot of trial and error,” Ricky says. “One of the main interesting things about oysters is that one oyster filters 50 gallons of water per day, so the more aquaculture farming we can get going will just help clean our waters.”
Mike Zlotnicki is associate editor at Wildlife in North Carolina magazine. He lives in Garner with his wife, three daughters and two German shorthaired pointers.
Visit carolinacountry.com/extras for one of Todd Balance’s favorite recipes: Oysters Rockefeller..
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Notice: Classified ads will be discontinued in 2023.
Advertising published in Carolina Country is accepted on the premise that the merchandise and services offered are accurately described and willingly sold to customers at the advertised price. All ads must adhere to Carolina Country’s advertising policy, which can be found in our media kit at carolinacountry.com/advertise/MediaKit. The magazine, North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives, Inc., and the member cooperatives do not necessarily endorse the products or services advertised. Advertising that does not conform to these standards or that is deceptive or misleading is never knowingly accepted. Should you encounter advertising that does not comply with these standards, please inform Carolina Country at 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616. 919-875-3091.
It’s hard to beat a good ol’ cheese ball, a throwback to days gone by when it was a staple at gatherings. Faye Gay was one of my mama’s best friends and has been making this cheese ball for decades. I tweaked only slightly since it’s just that good!
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated (we used triple cheddar blend)
1 jar (4 ounces) diced pimentos, drained
3 tablespoons onion, finely minced
Dash of salt
Dash of cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
²/₃ cup minced nuts*
Combine all ingredients, except for nuts, and make into a ball. Roll in nuts and chill for several hours or overnight. Sit out about 30 minutes before serving to soften.
Serve with crackers and celery sticks. *Use any nuts. We like pistachio for flavor and color too. Yield:
Visit your grocer’s deli for rare London broil sliced thin to make these delicious open-faced appetizers. All the beefy flavor, but easier on the wallet.
1 baguette, sliced about ¹/₃-inch thick on the diagonal 2–3 tablespoons butter, softened 1 package (5.3 ounces) Boursin Cheese (we used garlic), softened 1 cup sprouts
¼ pound thinly sliced rare London Broil (or roast beef)
3 tablespoons pepper jelly, melted ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced Blue cheese crumbles
Spread 1 side of bread pieces with butter. Toast on each side, using the high heat of a cast iron skillet, grill or broiler.
Spread a dollop of the cheese onto toast pieces. Scatter with sprouts, then a piece of the beef. Brush with pepper jelly. Scatter slivers of onion over toasts. Garnish with blue cheese crumbles, poppy seeds and a dusting of freshly ground black pepper.
Best to serve immediately or toast will become soft.
Yield: Makes about 20 pieces
Serving this buttery dip lets you stretch the budget while offering guests a taste of the sea. Look for NC harvested wild-caught shrimp whenever possible (or use crab instead of shrimp if preferred).
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
5 tablespoons butter, softened ¹/₃ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chili sauce
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons Old Bay
1 teaspoon soy sauce Couple shakes of Texas Pete
2 green onions, finely diced
¼ cup green pepper, finely diced ¼ cup celery, finely diced
2 cups (about ½ pound) cooked shrimp, finely chopped
Using mixer, blend together cheese, butter, mayonnaise, sauce, powders, Old Bay, soy sauce and Texas Pete. Once creamy, fold in remaining ingredients.
Chill at least 1 hour before serving for flavors to marry (several hours is best).
Garnish with a dusting of Old Bay.
Set out 30 minutes before serving to soften. Serve with crackers, chips and celery.
Yield: Serves 8–10
Many of us tend to feature a “surf and turf” meal during our Christmas gatherings. This year, still maintain traditions while being mindful of food budgets with these recipes that give tradition a bit of a twist!
Cornbread Shortbread
Little bags of clementines appear in stores come fall and winter — an early sign that the holiday season is upon us. Some remember having them tucked into our stockings with nuts and other fruits back in simpler times. If you like something not quite as sweet as most, you’ll enjoy this shortbread. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Crust
1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix
¾ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
Zest of 1 clementine ½ cup solid coconut oil ¼ cup clementine juice (about 3)
Topping
2 large eggs
¼ cup clementine juice (about 3) ²/₃ cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon baking powder
Powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
For the crust, combine mix, flour, sugar and zest. Cut in oil and add 1 tablespoon of juice at the time until well incorporated. Spread down firmly in the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before baking.
Bake for about 16 minutes and cool.
For the topping, beat all ingredients (except powdered sugar) together until combined. Pour over cooked crust.
Bake until set and lightly browned, about 20 minutes.
Cool. Then dust with powdered sugar and serve.
Yield: Makes about 20 pieces
Visit carolinacountry.com/recipes to search more than 1,000 recipes by name or ingredient.
For Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, traditional foods like these latkes are often fried. The oil used represents the miracle of the oil that burned in the Temple of Jerusalem for eight days instead of just one.
3–4 medium potatoes, grated
1 medium onion, grated
2 eggs
½ cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup oil (canola or olive oil— add more if needed as you fry)
Grate potatoes in food processor or by hand. Place in a bowl and add remaining ingredients (except for oil). Mix well.
Pour oil into a large skillet and heat. Get nice and hot and then lower heat. Using a tablespoon, add dollops of potatoes into the hot oil and flatten a bit. Let fry until edges become brown and crispy. Flip them over and fry on the other side. Latkes should be a golden-brown color and crispy on the outside. It usually takes about 2–3 minutes per side.
Drain on paper towels after frying. Serve with applesauce or sour cream. Yield: 24
Recipe courtesy of Zachary Lane of Durham, and his mother Janet Lane
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
in Carolina Country is this ?
Send your answer by December 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 February issue, will receive $25.
The October “Where Is This” photo by Piedmont Electric member George Jones features the Pisgah Inn, located on Mount Pisgah at Blue Ridge Parkway mile marker 408 near Canton. Known as the “Peak of the Parkway,” the inn first opened in 1919 and has served as a favorite getaway for many travelers over the years. The inn’s observation deck offers 180-degree views of the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Mountains from about 5,000 feet above sea level. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Sharon Plyler of Lincolnton, a Rutherford EMC 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
Raised in Dallas, Texas to Malawi-born parents and now residing in North Carolina, Anjimile knows that appreciation is as important as practice when it comes to music. When composing, Anjimile draws upon a collective musical past, including the African pop beloved by his parents, time in youth choir, influences from ‘80s music and even contemporaries and now label-mates, Big Thief. Lyrically, he delves deeply and thoughtfully into the human condition; his album Giver Taker addressed the conflict between faith and life as a trans person, as well as the hopeful victory of overcoming addiction. Anjimile’s releases include their Reunion EP, and a cover of Beverly Glenn-Copeland’s “Ever New,” and “Stranger,” his debut single on the label 4AD.
carolinacountry.com/music
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.
Learn more about Anjimile and listen to the debut single “Stranger.”
