2023-03-MAR

Watering chores,water bills! Sweating behind a roaring mower! Spraying poison chemicals and digging weeds...

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Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616-2950

Scott Gates, CCC Editor

Warren Kessler Creative Director

Renee C. Gannon, CCC Senior Associate Editor

Rue Reynold Editorial Assistant

Jessica Armstrong Graphic Designer

Tara Verna Creative Services Associate

Keith Alexander Advertising Keith@carolinacountry.com

Joseph P. Brannan Executive Vice President & CEO

Nelle Hotchkiss Senior Vice President & COO

Kristie Aldridge, CCC Vice President

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives provide reliable, safe and affordable electric service to 1 million homes and businesses. The 26 electric cooperatives are each member-owned, notfor-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.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS Home Improvement Wins

We’ve run DIY fails from readers in the past, but we want some success stories! Share photos and stories from home improvement projects that went as (or better than) expected. See page 29 for details.

From Our Readers

Rural Memories Missed

I enjoy Carolina Country very much. However, I am very disappointed that you have not included the “I Remember” section in recent issues. This is the best part of the magazine.

I hope that you will include this section again.

Deana Johnson, Laurinburg

A member of Lumbee River EMC

Editor’s note: Thank you for the feedback, Deana — you’re not alone! We’ve had several readers reach out about this, and trust that we love the I Remember section as much as you. It’s not going anywhere, although we include it in issues as space allows. Find it this month on page 26.

Unsafe DIYers

Check the photos for “Home Improvement Wins” (February 2023, page 2): all three photos demonstrate unsafe work practices: one foot on a step ladder and weight not equally distributed; using a drill without safety glasses; and using a saw without safety glasses. You only get one pair of eyes that are supposed to last for a lifetime!

Robert Cooling, Flat Rock, a member of Union Power Cooperative

Editor’s note: Thank you, Robert. That was certainly an oversight on our part. Electric cooperatives are focused on safety both on the job and for their members at home (“Home Improvement, the Safe Way,” May 2021, page 6). There is still time to enter a “DIY Win” submission for our May issue — you can find details on page 29.

Carolina SNAPSHOTS

THIS MONTH: Your Carolina Garden

Although we’re not clear of winter weather just yet, warmer days this time of year get many North Carolinians out and about in the yard — and eyeing the garden patch. You’ll find articles throughout this issue to help inspire your inner gardener, including helpful tips on page 22 for those of us who aren’t naturally gifted in growing tomatoes (last year my tomatoes were visited by everything from squirrels to hornworms). Also, the first of several planned electric school buses is hitting the road in co-op territory — learn more on page 6.

—Scott Gates, editor

THEME

In Bloom

A Bumbling on a Coneflower

Sally Williard, Winston-Salem

A member of EnergyUnited

B Spring in Iron Duff

Beth Thompson, Waynesville

A member of Haywood EMC

C Butterfly Beauty

James Mogg, Burlington,

A member of Randolph EMC

D Showing Off

Rodney Hendrickson, London, Ky.

E Busy Bee at Work

Cheridon Akers, Thurmond

A member of Surry-Yadkin EMC

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO!

May Theme: Rainy Days

Send us your best shots based on the upcoming theme by March 20 . We’ll pay $25 for those published. Submit high resolution digital photos and find full terms and conditions at carolinacountry.com/snapshots (no emails, please). We retain reprint and online rights for all submissions.

When combined with the

Managing Growth in Sustainable Ways

By Eddie Oldham

In North Carolina, business is booming. Our state is among national leaders in population growth, and we’re a hotspot for new corporate and manufacturing campuses. North Carolina’s 26 electric co-ops serve portions of 93 counties across the state, from the mountains to the sea, and are experiencing this growth firsthand. We are taking a thoughtful approach to managing these changes, to ensure affordable, reliable power is there for all of our members when they need it.

Overall, North Carolina is becoming a popular destination for those looking for a better quality of life, with our tight-knit communities, reliable job market and wealth of natural beauty. Between 2021 and 2022, we ranked 9th in the country for population growth, with those calling North Carolina home growing by 1.3% (Florida was the leader, growing by 1.9%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau).

Last year, North Carolina was named the top state in the nation to do business by Business Facilities magazine, an industry leader that reports on project site selections. By partnering with economic development agencies, electric cooperatives are supporting job creation and businesses seeking to start, expand or relocate to our state.

My electric cooperative, Central Electric, serves more than 23,000 members in (as our name implies) the central part of the state. Our region is among several in North Carolina that has benefited from the recent boom of economic development, with a number of large corporate and industrial projects, both from domestic and overseas companies, drawn to the area due to its open spaces, skilled labor force and proximity to major transportation corridors.

Central Electric, like many of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, has managed

consistent, measured growth over the years with new business and industry being a key driver. The energy needs of commercial and industrial businesses vary significantly from those of residential members, which require us to strategically manage our grid and resources to meet their needs while also keeping electricity reliable and affordable for all of our members.

For example, our co-op recently partnered with our statewide organization to bring online a utility-scale battery project in the southwestern part of our service area. This project is one of 10 substation batteries currently deployed across the state by North Carolina’s electric cooperatives. Adding battery energy storage builds flexibility into the electric grid, enabling cooperatives to deploy renewable generation and distributed energy resources in a way that optimizes their performance. Batteries also improve the efficiency of the grid, providing value to members, and are expected to provide cost savings over their lifetime.

Similar technologies are being deployed directly at industrial and commercial sites, benefiting all co-op members in the process. An agricultural microgrid in development at Rose Acre Farms in Hyde County, for example, has a number of benefits. The microgrid, which integrates solar power and battery storage, supports reliability and environmental sustainability for the egg farm — allowing an existing employer the opportunity to meet its business goals — and is a powerful resource for its local electric co-op, Tideland EMC, enhancing grid resiliency for the surrounding community.

Resources like these build on our generation mix of owned and contracted resources, including natural gas and zero-emissions nuclear energy, and will be vital to meet the increasing needs of our members going forward — ensuring we are well-positioned to support economic growth in the state we call home.

Eddie Oldham is CEO and general manager for Sanford-based Central Electric.

Electric cooperatives are supporting job creation and businesses seeking to start, expand or relocate to our state.

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Randolph EMC Serves NC’s First Electric School Bus

North Carolina’s first electric school bus serving the public school system has arrived in Randolph County and will run on co-op power. The new bus was unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 24 at the Randolph County Board of Education. The project came to life as a collaboration between Randolph EMC and the local community, with discussions between the co-op and Randolph County Schools beginning back in 2019.

The electric bus will serve a route for students at Southwestern Randolph Middle School, where Randolph EMC has installed a DC fast charger and related electrical infrastructure to support the bus. The electric bus will be powered by Randolph EMC and was manufactured at a plant in Randolph County.

Funding for the electric bus came from the NC Volkswagen settlement, and was secured through a collaborative effort between North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, Randolph EMC and the NC Department of Public Instruction. The DC fast charger installed at the school is part of NC Electric Cooperatives’ $1 million investment in rural electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the state. Randolph EMC made significant contributions to the charging infrastructure and other equipment that will power the bus.

“Randolph EMC was founded by several concerned individuals who sought to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians through electrification,” said Michael Trent, director of innovative energy solutions at Randolph EMC. “Today, REMC continues to partner with key organizations to bring value to the community.”

Benefits of the electric bus for Randolph County Schools and the surrounding community include reduced

emissions and noise pollution, lower maintenance costs and a reduction of operating costs over the life of the bus. In addition to these environmental benefits, the electric bus will serve as a case study on electric vehicle technology for Randolph EMC. The co-op plans to analyze how charging the bus will impact the grid and the school system’s electric bill, drawing out key insights and analysis that will inform future applications of electric vehicle technology across North Carolina.

“North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are leaders in innovation and consistently strive to identify and deploy new technologies to better serve our members and build a brighter future for our communities,” said Nikki Lynberg, innovation and business development analyst at North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, who worked with project partners to secure funding for the bus. “It is great to see this project come to life and have an electric bus on the road serving co-op members.”

Through additional funding sources, more than a dozen electric school buses are expected to be operating in electric cooperative served areas throughout the state by the end of next year.

—Chris Nault, North Carolinas’ Electric Cooperatives

(Left to right) Michael Trent, Randolph EMC; Roy Parks, Carolina Thomas; Dr. Stephen Gainey, Randolph County School System; NC DEQ Secretary Elizabeth Biser.

Photos courtesy of Randolph EMC

Wish Upon a Crawdad

Children’s book set amid rural electrification

“The story takes place just as her family is about to get electricity for the first time, thanks to the electric cooperative recently formed by her parents and other families in the rural valley where they live,” Condon said. “She had wished for electricity her whole life, but now that it is on its way, she has her sights set on another wish. A very special wish.”

The book is dedicated to Condon’s mother, whose stories helped to shape the account.

“There are lots of bits and pieces that come from Mom, in one way or another,” he said.

Condon says the story of rural electrification has largely been ignored in literature. He wanted to change that.

A new children’s book is shining a light on a pivotal period in American history: when rural residents banded together to bring electricity to their homes and farms following the Great Depression.

The story’s rural electrification backdrop and fictional Oregon setting are no coincidence. Author Curtis W. Condon grew up in the Beaver State and, for nearly three decades, was a writer and editor at Ruralite, a statewide magazine for electric co-op members in the West — much like Carolina Country magazine is to those in North Carolina.

After retiring in 2017, Condon finally had time to pursue his dream of writing a children’s book, and “Wish Upon a Crawdad” is the result. The fictional tale for middle schoolers was released in May 2022 and follows the exploits of 12-year-old Ruby, who has a jarful of coins, a theory about crawdads and secret ambitions.

“There’s only one other children’s book of this kind — for middle-grade readers — that I know of that’s ever been published with rural electrification at its core, and that was published more than 50 years ago,” he says. “Electric co-ops have a great story to tell … one that deserves to be told and retold. I’m glad I have to opportunity to do that in this book.”

—Penn Lines magazine staff contributed to this article

Bright Ideas Education Grants

By the numbers North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives are funding innovative classroom projects impacting students across the state through the Bright Ideas Education Grant program.

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Author Curtis Condon

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peace Finding

in plants

Gardening can yield surprising health benefits |

By Vanessa Infanzon

Actor and singer Maria Howell still drives by the house in Gastonia where she tended her first garden. Reflecting on digging in the dirt as a 7-year-old with her next door neighbor reminds Maria of how the experience shaped her life.

“She let me grow a cucumber,” Maria says, now a Cabarrus County resident. “I thought it was the most magical thing in the world. I treated it like a pet. The joy of growing something got me at an early age.”

“I’ve always wanted a garden,” she continues. “I’ve always thought that is the epitome of being at peace.”

“I garden because it’s both therapeutic and it makes me feel healthier … there’s something very special about eating food that you actually grew, with love and labor.” – Maria

Howell

Connected to nature

Maria’s thinking is on target, and gardening is now recognized as having very real therapeutic benefits, both mental and physical.

Bobbie Mabe, the horticulture therapist at HopeWay, a mental health clinic in Charlotte, works with clients to help them rebuild or form new connections with nature through gardening.

“We are all innately connected to nature,” Bobbie says. “When we feel less connected, that’s when we feel more symptoms of depression and anxiety, and feel isolation.”

Gardening requires a sense of presence, making it a mindfulness activity. Rather than focusing on worries, Bobbie notices clients planning gardens and placing seeds in the soil. The physical work of building garden beds, carrying tools and weeding burns calories and tones muscles.

Bobbie says it’s OK to get your hands dirty because

contact with microorganisms in the soil decreases cortisol, a stress hormone, and increases serotonin, a chemical thought to stabilize mood.

“If you’re in a space you’re familiar with, garden without gloves,” Bobbie says. “We’re absorbing the healthy microbes in the soil.”

Bobbie recommends first-time gardeners start small and choose plants based on motivation. If you love to cook, plant herbs and vegetables. If flowers blooming make you smile, plants bulbs.

“I am very food motivated so I plant vegetables in my yard,” Bobbie says. “I find a lot of satisfaction eating the romaine lettuce I grew.”

Herbs such as basil and cilantro can flourish in an inside hydroponic garden; the plants grow in water and liquid nutrients, rather than soil. Counter sets may be purchased online for under $100. “You don’t have to build a garden bed outside,” Bobbie explains. “If you’re really interested in food, you’ve got these great organically grown herbs and vegetables, right in your kitchen.”

Love and labor

Although Maria had dreamed of starting a garden from a young age, it was put on hold for decades. At 22, she was cast in the movie “The Color Purple,” and from there, her career as an actor and singer took off. She traveled, playing in bands and acting in movies and television such as “The Blind Side,” “Hidden Figures,” “Hunger Games” and NBC’s “Revolution.”

Currently, she’s in the BET+ series “Sacrifice” and voices Tallulah on HBO Max’s cartoon, “Little Ellen.” Since last August, Maria has been an artist-in-residence at Davidson Day School in Davidson teaching middle school chorus.

Although Maria had a small garden when she lived in Atlanta in the early 2000s, it was the pandemic that prompted her to pursue gardening again. She experimented with growing herbs and vegetables in pots and in a 4-foot-by-4-foot raised garden. Having

the ability to move pots around to see what conditions are best for a particular plant has worked well for Maria.

“Gardening is what kept me sane during the pandemic,” she says. “I was outside more than I was in the house. There’s something special about digging in the dirt.”

Maria’s relied on the website and YouTube channel “Next Level Gardening,” local nurseries and neighbors for advice and tips. Her tools include a hat, kneepad, snippers and gloves. Sometimes she uses seeds and other times, starts with a small plant.

Maria leans into growing what she can cook and eat. She’s grown a small variety of veggies — green beans, cucumbers and hot peppers. This year, cherry tomatoes, rosemary, cilantro, and peppermint will be planted in her garden.

“I garden because it’s both therapeutic and it makes me feel healthier,” she says. “To be able to grow your own food, whether it’s herbs or a fullblown garden — there’s something very special about eating food that you actually grew, with love and labor.”

Vanessa Infanzon moved to Charlotte for college and never left. When she’s not writing about business or travel, she’s paddle boarding on the Catawba River.

grow Know

before you

Check out these resources from North Carolina gardening groups and experts.

Online Garden Club of North Carolina gardenclubofnc.org

National Garden Clubs gardenclub.org

North Carolina Cooperative Extension ncsu.edu

In print

“Grow Great Vegetables in North Carolina”

by Ira Wallace, Timber Press, 252 pages

“Indoor Kitchen Gardening: Turn Your Home Into a Year-round Vegetable Garden”

by Elizabeth Millard Cool Springs Press, 224 pages

“North Carolina Extension Gardener Handbook”

by Kathleen Moore and Lucy Bradley Learn more on page 12

Bobbie Mabe, the horticulture therapist, works with clients to help them rebuild or form new connections with nature through gardening.

Time in the Garden

NC State Professor Lucy Bradley builds community through horticulture

By Margaret Buranen | Photos courtesy of Lucy Bradley

Horticulture wasn’t Lucy Bradley’s first career choice. A native Floridian, Lucy earned a master’s degree in organizational psychology from Purdue University. She and her husband, Robert, moved to Arizona when he was offered a job there. There, she accepted a position that involved getting various community groups to work together for common benefit.

In time she realized what brought the groups together best: gardening. She became a Master Gardener volunteer in Phoenix and started taking horticultural classes, which eventually led to earning a master’s degree in botany and a doctorate in plant biology from Arizona State University.

She switched to a job that included directing the Master Gardeners program. Thirteen years later she moved to North Carolina and joined NC State University, where she serves as Consumer and Community Horticulture Professor and Extension Specialist.

Lucy loves her job. She sees gardens, and talks with Master Gardeners and others who are passionate about gardening. NC’s three distinct regions and different climates also add interest to her work.

“I grow plants that are functional,” she says of her own garden. “What’s edible for the birds and what’s edible for me.”

That includes blueberries, pomegranates and other fruits in her front yard. Lucy is a strong advocate for creating an edible landscape.

“Blueberries, for example, are delicious and healthy,” she says. “The plants have interesting flowers in spring. The birds eat blueberries. In the fall, blueberries have spectacular foliage. They’re working for me year-round.”

She advises beginning gardeners to think about the kind of garden they want before they start digging.

“What do you want your landscape to do for you? A kids’ playground? A habitat for wildlife? A vegetable garden?”

After deciding what you want to do with your yard, “look at your neighbors’ yards. Then plant what thrives in your area. That’s what brings the joy of gardening.”

Gardeners who aim for perfection or who don’t learn which plants will do well in a location usually find gardening frustrating, she explains. They spend time and money on fertilizers and herbicides trying to get unsuitable plants to grow. Time in the garden, as Lucy sees it, should be inspiring and uplifting.

“Gardens are incredibly therapeutic  — to be in beauty,” she says. “Even having a small container garden will make a difference in your life.”

Lucy’s recommended resources

NC State offers a free plant selection toolbox, developed by Kathleen Moore and Rob Ladd. Visit bit.ly/ncsu-plants to learn how to use it.

“North Carolina Extension Gardeners Handbook,” which Lucy co-authored with Kathleen Moore, is available as a free basic online edition at bit.ly/ncsu-handbook, or as a comprehensive 700+ page hardback. The resource for all NC gardeners includes color photos and articles written by NC State experts in horticulture, forestry, entomology and related fields.

To learn more about NC’s Master Gardener program, contact your county extension agent.

Margaret Buranen writes from her home in Kentucky.

IT’S TIME TO SPRING INTO FESTIVAL SEASON. We are ready to welcome you to relish the sites and sounds of our annual events including the return of the Burlington Carousel Festival. While visiting, explore our area and downtowns in unique gift shops, quaint bookstores, clothing boutiques and galleries featuring artisan crafts.

Save The Date:

Mebane Dogwood Festival – April 22, 2023

Burlington Carousel Festival – May 6 & 7, 2023

You’ll find small surprises lead to big memories in Alamance County.

Learn

Every

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SAVOR

THE SEASONS

Powering A Brighter Future

North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives are enhancing reliability and advancing our service to consumer-members with cutting-edge technology as part of our Brighter Future vision.

Learn about our 5 microgrids, 10 battery energy storage systems, 13 solar + storage sites and more.

Scan here to visit

Rewarding Hobbies with Practical Uses

Plus fun projects to help get you started

By Rue Reynold

Sometimes balancing work and fun can be difficult. Maybe you want to try a new hobby to relax, but are afraid you aren’t being productive enough. Your entertainment is just as important, so to make both your relaxing and work sides happy, here are five truly satisfying hobbies that have uses beyond just “fun.”

Knitting or crochet

Knitting and crocheting are both hobbies that blend relaxation and practical use. You can make anything from a doily to a summer blouse to an adorable plushie to a king-sized blanket. The only things you need to get started are yarn, and either knitting needles or a crochet hook, depending on your hobby of choice. Begin with simple projects like doilies or hats for a child or doll, so you can practice and create all in one fell swoop.

Quilting

This classic pastime is a long-time favorite for many sewing enthusiasts because quilts can be used in various ways for both comfort and decorative purposes. While quilts involve a top decorative layer, a cushy middle layer, and a backing layer that holds everything together, you can begin quilting today with only a needle, thread, scissors and a few pieces of old clothing to make the top decorative layer. The middle and backing layers can be added later. Try smaller projects to get started, such as cutting fabric and then sewing it back together until you make a quilt about crib-size.

Candlemaking

You have full control of everything when making candles, from the colors and patterns to size and scent. Add essential oils and dyes for a candle creation you won’t find in stores. Not only are candles great for relaxation

and decoration, you can also use them — if safely attended — should the power go out. Begin with a basic wax candle and add a few drops of essential oil to start getting used to the process.

Soapmaking

Soapmaking is a unique hobby with endless benefits and uses. There is a method to use for every skill level, including absolute beginners and children. You can create unique, organic soaps with natural ingredients or explore your visually creative side with colors, patterns and even shapes. Best of all, you can use every creation at home or gift them to friends and family. Consider making a soap with your loved one’s favorite scents, colors or desired ingredient to create a personalized touch.

Photography or videography

Like quilting, a hobby in photography and videography can be started as soon as today if you have a camera (or smartphone) lying around. Each hobby has limitless possibilities because the subject matter can be anything you like from family to architecture. Create large, framed collages to hang on your walls, personalize postcards or gifts with photos you’ve captured, or replay memories you’ve recorded on video.

Rue Reynold is the editorial assistant for Carolina Country.

Container Tomatoes

Even limited space can yield a tasty crop

By Chase Smoak

Lack the space or time for growing tomatoes in a traditional garden? No worries. These tasty Southern staples can grow in pots and hanging baskets, too.

Follow these tips

■ Use pots that are at least 6–8 inches deep with holes underneath for drainage.

■ For ease of movement, use dollies or platforms with wheels to shift plants around.

■ Use a lightweight potting mix. Packaged mixes are widely available at most garden centers, but be sure to avoid soilless media that lacks the required nutrients.

■ When using a potting mix with added fertilizer, wait 8–10 weeks before adding more nutrients. When it’s time, use a water-soluble fertilizer at its recommended rate.

Choose your variety with care —I recommend these standouts that grow well in containers:

Terenzo. A cherry-type tomato with a trailing growth habit and sweet fruit. Height at maturity is 16–20 inches, making it a great addition to any spot with full sun and easy access.

Lizzano. This tasty tomato plant grows 16–20 inches tall and only 20 inches wide. Lizzano produces a copious amount of fruit, which can be harvested 105 days from seeding or 63 days after transplant. One perk of this variety is its noted resistance to late blight.

Chase Smoak is a Clemson University Cooperative Extension agent who specializes in plant propagation.

Terenzo

All-America Selections

5 To-Dos Before Starting an Aquarium

Get off to a successful start in fishkeeping

By Rue Reynold

Spring is here and decorating your home to reflect the life of the outdoors often involves adding a colorful aquarium. Fishkeeping can be a beautiful and therapeutic hobby, but some time and work are involved beyond just putting fish in a bowl. Before adding an aquarium to your home, check out these suggestions to help you get started.

1 Research, research, research

Fish and plants all have their own specific needs and care requirements. Not all fish can live harmoniously together. For example, goldfish and cichlids shouldn’t be kept in the same tank. Likewise, freshwater fish cannot live in saltwater environments and vice versa. Many fish also often don’t stay the size you first see them in a pet store, so providing a bigger tank from the beginning will save you money, time and potential stress that you may have experienced down the road. A brief search on a smartphone while in the store when a specific fish or plant catches your eye is a quick method, but remember, the more research, the better.

2Choose tanks over bowls

The smaller the tank size, the faster bad bacteria and waste will build up and risk the health of your fish. This means you’ll have to change the water often, which may also affect the good bacteria. If stocking levels are low, a larger tank will often require less frequent maintenance compared to a bowl, and it gives your fish room to stretch their fins.

3Get into a tank routine

Aquariums can be a lot of work, and that’s why a solid plan of action is good to have around. Your water change routine will depend on many factors, including tank size, stocking level of fish and whether you have a bare or planted tank (meaning one with live plants). Keep an eye on your tank and test the waters often so you know how much attention you should give it each week.

4Connect with a community of aquarists

Whether you’re brand new to the fishkeeping hobby or are a seasoned aquarist with flourishing planted tanks, connecting with a community of fishkeeping enthusiasts can open many doors. Learn and get help from experienced aquarists, or find a beautiful aquatic plant you may not find in stores. Aquarium communities are abundant online, but if you’d rather have that in-person connection, check out local fishkeeping clubs in your area.

5Have a backup plan if fishkeeping isn’t for you

Some people flourish in the hobby and others find they don’t like it as much as they thought they would. That’s okay. Packing up and storing or selling equipment can be relieving, but never release your fish into the wild, as this can negatively impact native wildlife and the environment. Instead, ask your local fish stores if they’ll take the fish off your hands — many will do so. You can also list your fish for sale online or at local marketplaces.

Rue Reynold is the editorial assistant for Carolina Country.

Easy Meatless Meals

Nutritious recipes with healthful impacts

Going meatless has benefits for your health and budget. It can help reduce your intake of processed meats, and save you money on substitute ingredients like grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes that are often cheaper than meat. Visit SuccessRice.com for more meatless meal inspiration and recipes.

—Family Features

Mushroom Spinach “Lasagna”

This is a twist on a classic dish that combines traditional flavors with fun textures.

2 bags tri-color quinoa

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

4 cups baby spinach leaves

3 cups tomato sauce

2 cups ricotta cheese

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

11/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Baked Vegetarian Taquitos

Feel full and satisfied with this hearty meal of sweet and spice.

1 bag brown rice

1 cup shredded collard greens, packed

1/4 cup frozen corn

1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

2/3 cup canned pumpkin purée

11/2 tablespoons taco seasoning

8 flour tortillas (6 inches each)

1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons olive oil

Sour cream, for dipping

Salsa, for dipping

Guacamole, for dipping

Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Prepare rice according to package directions; add collard greens and corn to water during last 5 minutes.

Drain rice and vegetables; transfer to saucepan. Stir in black beans, pumpkin purée and taco seasoning.

Spoon 1/3 cup rice mixture into center of one tortilla; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons Monterey Jack cheese. Roll up tightly. Place seam-side down on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas, filling and cheese.

Brush taquitos with olive oil; sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake 10–15 minutes, or until tortillas are crisp and cheese is melted. Serve taquitos with sour cream, salsa and guacamole for dipping. Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Yield: 4 servings

Prepare quinoa according to package directions.

In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onions; sauté 1 minute.

Add mushrooms and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce and keep warm.

In medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.

Place 1 cup tomato sauce in bottom of 2-quart baking dish. Spread half of quinoa evenly over sauce. Top with half of ricotta mixture. Top with 1 cup tomato sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat layers, finishing with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Bake uncovered 30 minutes.

Serve warm.

Yield: 6 servings

Success Rice

Success

Rice

One Look and You’ll Be Hooked

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Sprinkling Energy Savings in the Garden

Save some green outside

By Jonathan Susser

Q:One of my New Year’s resolutions was to start my own garden and take better care of my yard. What are some energy considerations to keep in mind so I don’t get caught off guard on my monthly energy bill?

A:Gardening and planting are great activities to pick up, but it’s also smart to think through their potential energy impacts.

Watering will certainly be a huge part of your new hobbies. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that almost 8 billion gallons of water are used each day in outdoor residential applications — that’s a lot.

To cut back on your own watering, see whether you can deploy drip irrigation. Drip irrigation, which depends on tubing with emitters that slowly drip water into the ground, lets you pinpoint specific plants or areas to receive water. It’s not suited for all situations—sprinkler systems are often better for larger, flatter areas— but this controlled, direct approach applies water more efficiently. Sprinkler systems lose more water through evaporation and runoff.

You may also be able to save water through smart watering systems. According to the EPA, as much as 50% of the water used in residential outdoor settings is wasted through

inefficient irrigation systems and overwatering. Smart watering technologies can base watering schedules on local weather and landscape conditions as well as on moisture levels in your soil. In other words, they help ensure water is delivered where you want it, when you need it.

This equipment relies on a Wi-Fi connection, but the ability to use a smartphone app/computer for programming can be very convenient. Look in particular for models with the EPA WaterSense label, which indicates that the products meet specifications for water efficiency and performance.

Other water management strategies include placing plants with similar water requirements together, watering in the morning (when it’s not as warm and evaporation is slower), and creating compost to improve your garden or landscaping soil. This concoction of organic materials and yard waste can offer numerous benefits, including helping your soil receive and retain water and providing nutrients from local sources, which may get you out of needing to buy fertilizer.

Limiting water consumption will lower not only your water bill but also, potentially, your electric bill. If you get water from a well, your well pump won’t be called on as much to keep your water lines full.

Beyond water, trees and vegetation should be highlighted for their energy contributions, as well. Deciduous trees offer shade in the summer and block heat from entering your home, which reduces the strain on your air conditioning system. In the fall and winter, as they shed their leaves, these trees let more sunlight in, making life easier for your heating system.

Planting on the south or west sides of your home may be your best bet for seeing heating and cooling energy savings. Aim for trees that are native to North Carolina. These are better adapted to our environment and soil conditions (meaning, again, less water needed) and can support other native wildlife.

Jonathan Susser is a content developer for Advanced Energy in Raleigh.

To those who support the

North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center

THANK YOU!

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives hosted their 23rd annual golf tournament and fundraiser in September 2022, raising more than $170,000 for the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospitals. Electric cooperatives, in partnership with more than 80 organizations and individuals, have donated more than $2.6 million to the Burn Center over the years.

Beyond providing the very best in compassionate care, the Burn Center’s mission extends to advancing burn prevention education and outreach, innovative treatment, research, rehabilitation and life-long aftercare. Its success has led to the Burn Center’s recognition as one of the best comprehensive burn centers in the world.

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are grateful to all of the organizations and individuals who contributed to the success of this fundraiser and the Burn Center. With the help of generous donors like these, the Burn Center can continue its groundbreaking work in helping burn patients become burn survivors.

DIAMOND SPONSORS

($12,500 and up)

CoBank | Lee Electrical Construction, Inc

NCEMC | Pike Electric, Inc.

PLATINUM SPONSORS

($10,000–$12,499)

Duke Energy

GOLD SPONSORS ($5,000–$9,999)

Altec Industries | C Phase Services | CFC

Fallen Linemen Foundation | Four County EMC

Meridian Cooperative | River City Construction, Inc.

South River EMC | Southern Power

SILVER SPONSORS

($2,000–$4,999)

ACES Power Marketing | Albemarle EMC | Blue Ridge Energy

Booth & Associates, Inc. | Brunswick EMC | Burns & McDonnell

Carolina Dieletric Co | Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative

Central EMC | Electric Consulting Engineers | EnergyUnited

ERMCO Distribution Transformers | French Broad EMC

Haywood EMC | Jones-Onslow EMC | National Transformer Sales, Inc

Piedmont Electric Cooperative | PowerTech, LLC

RGrid Power | Randolph EMC | Roanoke Electric Cooperative

Sandhills Utility Services, LLC | Sumter Utilities, Inc | Surry-Yadkin EMC

Tideland EMC | Tri-County EMC | Union Power Cooperative

Utility Partners of America | Wake Electric

BRONZE SPONSORS

($1,000–$1,999)

Advanced Energy | Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC

Bellwether Management Solutions | Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative

Chatham Electric Service | Ditch Witch of North Carolina | Enervision, Inc

Federated Rural Electric Insurance | Halifax EMC | Hubbell Utility Solutions

Lumbee River EMC | McCall-Thomas Engineering | Milosoft Utility Solutions

NISC | Pee Dee Electric | Pitt & Green EMC | Rutherford EMC

Stella-Jones | Utility Electrical Consultant

INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS & DONATIONS

($50–$999)

AEP Energy Partners | Atlantic Power Sales | Ensales | Hilti Koppers Utility Services Lekson Associates | Morgan Stanley | SE Energy | SE Power Services

The Okonite Company | University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Womble Bond Dickinson LLP

Homegrown Goodness

ired of losing tomatoes to unwanted garden pests? Worried you’ll need to sacrifice excellent taste for improved yield? Take a deep breath and relax — this year, you can have your tomato and eat it, too. With the help of a few new varieties and fieldproven tactics, you’ll be on your way to growing the best tomato crop yet.

Growing tomatoes can be a challenge, especially if you are new to the game. Even seasoned gardeners are caught off guard from time to time, and that’s OK as long as we learn in the process.

If you want to grow delicious, homegrown tomatoes this year, simply focus your attention on these three stages of gardening: planning, preparing and protecting.

Stage 1: Plan

Planning for a successful tomato harvest starts with choosing the right varieties to grow in your garden.

Many gardeners claim that if you want great flavor, you’ll need to plant heirloom varieties. People selected these landrace tomato plants long ago for traits such as shape, size and taste, so the claim has a basis. In pursuit of a better tasting tomato, however, significant factors like resistance to insects and disease resistance were overlooked.

If you’ve grown heirlooms, you know how challenging the process can be. This bittersweet truth has left many gardeners wondering if old-timey taste is a thing of the past. Well, there’s good news. Consumer demand for resilient, flavorful tomatoes has not fallen on deaf ears. Plant breeders have brought us a number of improved tomato varieties, but with so many options available, how do you make the best choice?

A nonprofit organization called All-America Selections (AAS) may have the answer. The group tests new varieties before they hit the market, and their trial notes will tell you everything you need to know.

How does it work? Professional horticulturists across the country volunteer to grow test plots of new tomato varieties and compare notes on disease resistance, yields and taste alongside established varieties.

“Our judges rate taste and texture first, then everything else second,” says Diane Blazek, executive director of All-America Selections and the National Garden Bureau. “You can have the most prolific, cute, unique new tomato, but if it doesn’t taste good, nobody wants it.”

Stage 2: Prepare

Proper site selection and planting techniques are vital to tomato gardening success.

Your tomato garden needs access to full sun (6 to 8 hours a day) and should have good drainage. Tomato plants hate wet feet and often succumb to root rot when left in waterlogged soils. They do, however, need regular watering throughout the growing season, so select a spot with easy access to water. Irrigating deeply but infrequently strengthens plants and encourages deep, healthy root systems for hot summer days.

Avoid using a place where tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant and other solanaceous crops have been grown within the past three years. Many pests overwinter in the soil adjacent to plants and will terrorize unsuspecting gardeners.

Once you’ve selected the right spot, make sure to test your soil and amend the ground as indicated. Your local NC Cooperative Extension agent can help you arrange a

Your guide to growing delicious homegrown tomatoes | By Chase Smoak

test and interpret the results (find your local county center at bit.ly/county-centers). Tomatoes are nutrient hogs that require a good supply from start to finish, so you’ll likely need to fertilize before and during the growing cycle.

Adequate moisture is necessary for nutrient uptake. Drip irrigation works well and doesn’t soak leaves, which often leads to disease issues.

And don’t forget to deal with weeds. They are an often-overlooked source of tomato pests. After clearing the site of any weeds, spread mulch 3 to 4 inches deep and keep it a palm-width away from the bases of tomato stems.

Planting should only begin after the last frost date for your area. If you’re unsure when it will be safe to plant, reach out to your local cooperative extension office for help.

Stage 3: Protect

Like the rising of the sun, pests — insects and diseases — are to be expected in every garden. The good news: They can be controlled or even avoided using a process known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a commonsense approach to gardening that treads lightly on the environment and minimizes use of garden chemicals.

For starters, get to know your garden and what lives in it. Talk to your local extension agent for a precise understanding of the insects and diseases to watch out for. Remember that beneficial insects like praying mantis and lady beetles naturally keep damaging insects in check. Don’t resort to pesticides at the first sign of something that flies or crawls.

Next, make an evaluation. If you do spot harmful pests or damage on tomatoes, evaluate whether real damage is being done to the landscape. They may be annoying, but small pest populations can often be tolerated. Set thresholds

to guide your treatment decisions. For example: You may decide there’s little benefit to treating a pest problem if there is less than 10% damage to the plant.

If treatment is necessary, use the least toxic measure first. Cultural methods such as proper watering, plant spacing and fertilization can help prevent or reduce the number of pests. Mechanical means are another option that requires the physical removal of pests and can be useful for small populations. For example, hornworms are easily removable by hand-picking, and aphids are often washed away by a good squirt from a water hose.

If these approaches fail, reach out to your local extension agent for advice on pesticides and follow all label directions. Pesticide labels are the law, and many chemicals may be unethical or even illegal to use on fruit-bearing plants. Err on the side of caution.

Enjoy the pursuit

Gardening should be an enjoyable escape from the fastpaced world we live in. It’s an opportunity for us to serve as good stewards of the land, so when the time comes, we pass on something a little better to the next generation. If you really want to experience all that gardening has to offer this summer, focus on using it to produce memories instead of a crop. If you do, you’ll find everything begins to taste a little sweeter along the way.

Here are a few 2022 AAS winning tomato varieties to consider growing this season:

SUNSET TORCH

This AAS regional winner has been shown to thrive in the Southeast growing region. Sunset Torch produces small, striped tomatoes that pack a big punch in the taste department. This plant is a prolific early-season producer capable of providing 250 to 300 tomatoes per plant. AAS trials note that this variety showed high resistance to tomato mosaic virus, verticillium wilt and fusarium wilt.

PURPLE ZEBRA

If you want a tomato that looks just as good as it tastes, search no more. Purple Zebra is a national winner with fruit that is “firm in texture, complex in flavor and has a taste more sweet than acidic.” This variety has high resistance to tomato mosaic virus, verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, and late blight.

CELANO

Another national winner, Celano, is an early-producing, high-yielding grapetype tomato for your patio or garden. According to AAS trial notes, Celano developed fruit much earlier and produced much longer than comparable varieties. Deep-red, oblong tomatoes typically weigh a little over half an ounce and taste sweet. As for disease resistance, this variety has superior tolerance to late blight.

Chase Smoak is a Clemson University Cooperative Extension agent who specializes in plant propagation. He frequently appears on South Carolina Educational Television’s award-winning program “Making It Grow.”

Finally, the Perfect 3-in-1 Chair

The Journey Perfect Sleep Chair® is a reading and TV watching chair, a powerful lift chair, and the absolute best sleep chair! It delivers a personalized comfort solution with its independent back and footrests — reclining to exactly the right degree … raising your feet and legs just where you want them … and supporting your head and shoulders properly — all at the touch of a button. When you

can’t lie down in bed and get a good night’s sleep due to heartburn, hip or back aches, or dozens of other ailments and worries, you would give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in. That’s why we designed the Journey Perfect Sleep Chair — fully loaded with every feature you need and nothing you don’t. It’s an unbelievable way to give your body the rest, relaxation, and therapeutic comfort it deserves.

Overstuffed, biscuitstyle back, generous seat, and oversized armrests cradle your entire body in comfort.

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Powerful lift mechanism tilts the entire chair forward so you can stand up easily without exerting energy.

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BOOST BLOOD FLOW TO YOUR LEGS, FEET, AND HANDS WITH A 95% SUCCESS RATE VERIFIED BY CLINICAL STUDY

A re-discovery from the 1600s is causing a frenzy within the medical system. A weird herb has been shown in six clinical studies (and by thousands of users) to be very effective for leg and feet pain, burning and numbness – with no side effects – at low cost – and with no doctor visit or prescription needed.

This weird herb comes from a 12-foot tall tree that grows in Greece and other countries in Europe. In the old days, people noticed that when their horses who had leg and feet problems ate this herb – it was almost like magic how quickly their problems got much better. They called it the “horse herb”. Then somehow with Europe’s ongoing wars, this herbal secret got lost in time.

“It works for people who’ve tried many other treatments before with little or no success. Other doctors and I are shocked at how effective it is. It has created a lot of excitement” says Dr. Ryan Shelton, M.D.

Its active ingredient has been put into pill form and improved. It is being offered in the United States under the brand name Neuro�lo.

WHY ALL THIS EXCITEMENT?

Researchers have found an herb originally from Greece that has been shown in six placebo-controlled medical studies (543 participants) to be effective and safe. This natural compound strengthens blood vessel walls and reduces swelling to stop the pain and suffering.

95% Reduction in LEG SWELLING, Veri�ied in Clinical Study

Says Dove Medical Press & Development and Therapy

... meaning, discomfort, water retention, leg swelling, tiredness and circulation improved in 95% of test subjects

Poor blood �low in the legs and feet is one of the common problems that develops as we age. Millions of Americans suffer from neuropathy and chronic venous insuf�iciency (CVI), edema, and other leg/ feet problems – millions have these but are undiagnosed.

Today’s treatments don’t work for a high percentage of people – and they have side effects that make them hard to tolerate or that people do not want to risk. This includes prescription drugs, over the counter pain pills, surgery and compression.

HOW IT WORKS

Here’s why you have pain now: Your arteries have weakened. Your arteries can’t carry enough blood, nutrients and oxygen down to your legs and feet. This damages your nerves and causes your burning, tingling and numbness.

The herbs in the pill Neuro�lo strengthen your arteries that carry blood, nutrients and oxygen to your feet and legs. It improves your circulation so oxygenated blood goes to the nerves and repairs them. This makes your nerves grow stronger so your pain fades away and your legs and feet feel much younger again.

Katerina King from Murrieta, California says, “I had hands and feet tingling and snapping and burning feeling. It made my life very uncomfortable. I had a hard time walking, my legs felt like they each weighed 50 pounds. Once I got in my car and my feet felt so heavy I couldn’t even drive the car. With Neuro�lo I have no more tingling, cold or burning painful legs and feet. It went away.”

WHAT DOCTORS ARE SAYING

“Now I �inally have a natural solution I can recommend to my patients who suffer from leg and feet problems and pain. I’m delighted because previous treatments were not effective, but Neuro�lo has worked for every one of my patients with no side effects” says Dr. Eric Wood, N.D.

WORKS IN AMAZING WAY: A prickly plant was used in Europe in the 1600s to revitalize ailing legs. Lost over the centuries, it is now making a comeback as US doctors rediscover its impressive results – sending relief to thousands of users with:

• Burning, Tingling, Numbness

• Swollen, Achy Feet

• Painful Legs & Feet

• Varicose Veins

Harvard trained doctor who has appeared on award winning TV shows.

Now you can get a good night’s sleep - peaceful, restful sleep – with no pain, tingling, zinging, itching or zapping. Improve your balance and coordination. No side effects – safe to take with other medications. Enjoy your favorite activities and hobbies again. Be more active, have more fun, enjoy life more. Don’t risk irreversible damage to your feet and hands. Don’t get worse and wind up in the hospital or a nursing home. Neuro�lo is GUARANTEED to work for you – or you will get full refund with a 90-day unconditional money-back guarantee. It is NOT sold in stores or online. No prescription or doctor visit is required.

50% OFF FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS

This is the of�icial release of NeuroFlo for readers of Carolina Country. Therefore, everyone who calls within the next 10 days will receive 50% OFF their �irst order. A toll-free hotline number has been set up for local readers to call for this 50% OFF savings. The number will be open starting at 7:00 am today and only for the next 10 days.

Swollen legs are a warning sign. They mean blood and fluid is forced out of the blood vessels into the surrounding tissue. This causes non-stop pain. This is where Neuroflo’s active ingredient is such a big help.

Dr. Ryan Shelton, M.D. says “This is new and different. It works for people who’ve tried many other things before. It is natural with no side effects. Don’t give up hope for your leg and feet pain, burning, tingling and numbing. This pill is working for countless people after other treatments have failed them. I highly recommend it.”

“Neuro�lo is a terri�ic choice for people with leg and feet issues. The clinical trials in support of this herb show it is very effective for safe and fast relief,” said Dr. Wood, a

All you have to do is CALL TOLL FREE 1-877-354-5132 and provide the operator with the special 50% OFF discount approval code: NEF158

Important: Due to Neuro�lo’s popularity and recent media exposure on ABC, CBS and FOX NEWS, phone lines are often busy. If you call and do not get through immediately, please be patient and call back. Those who miss the 10 day deadline for 50% OFF will have to pay more for Neuro�lo.

If your tired, achy legs and feet are preventing you from moving easily... Now, a prickly herb has been discovered to….

I Remember

Memories and photos from our readers

Farm Life

My grandfather, Jodie Mann, was a Haywood County landowner and farmer in the early 1900s. He owned land on Highway 110 as well as large tracks of land in the Willis Cove/Hominy area and Worley Cove.

This photo from Spring 1925 was taken on the Highway 110/Center Pigeon property in Canton. Jodie stands far left and his son, Fred (age 10), sits in the tractor seat. Not pictured is his son Thomas Mann (age 14 at the time), my father. The two Ford dealer representatives and the driver are unidentified. The Fordson kerosine-powered tractor pictured was one of the first used in this part of the county. Note the hand crank starter mechanism at the front of the tractor.

Six of Jodie’s seven children would build homes, raise families and farm on property from Jodie’s estate. Thomas and Edith Mann would raise three sons, Troy, Robert (me) and Gary, on this inherited property.

Robert Mann, Cruso, a member of Haywood EMC

Precious Memories

This is the short story of my great grandmother Lola Sawyer Greer. She just passed away at the young age of 100. What I remember most about her is that she never acted her age in the whole 37 years I was blessed to have her in my life. I remember flat footing with her in the living room, playing Rook, her making my pageant clothes for the Little Miss Ashe County Pageant, altering my wedding dress for my wedding and so many more wonderful memories.

Her favorite story that she liked to tell of me from when I was a little girl was how when I would get off the school bus in the afternoons at her house, and if it had rained, I had to jump through every puddle (not missing one) on the way to her house, and how she loved to watch me through the window.

But my favorite story that she ever told me was of my mother when she was a little girl. My mom loved kittens, and my grandmother had some at her house at the time, but my mom was not supposed to mess with them. So when my grandmother came into the kitchen, she saw my mom standing in front of the refrigerator with her arms across it, saying “there are no kittens here.” When she opened it, my mom had hid them inside. Thankfully, they had not been in there but a few minutes and were not harmed.

My grandmother was the definition of love. She loved her family and her family loved her. I miss her dearly, but what helps are all of the precious memories.

Erica Roten, Lansing, a member of Blue Ridge Energy

Grandfather Jodie Mann (far left) and his son, Fred (10), sits in the tractor seat. Canton, 1925.

Great grandmother Lola Sawyer Greer lived to be 100.

Ornamental Edibles

Herbs and veggies can dress up flower beds

Story and photos by L.A. Jackson

Spring will soon be in full swing, and I am sure many green thumbs are starting to itch for time tending to vegetable plants. However, while the thought of a large, well-tended veggie patch brimming with produce is a desirable goal, many backyard growers find they just don’t have the space — nor the desire to tend to — a full-blown vegetable garden.

This doesn’t mean growing your own vegetables is out of the question because, with a little bit of creativity, you can still dabble with veggies by simply incorporating some of the better-looking edibles as ornamentals in your flower beds and perennial borders.

There are many vegetables quite capable of mixing it up and holding their own visually with typical ornamental plants. The one caution for such creative plantings is to make sure that, if you use pesticides, they are cleared for use on edibles.

Hot peppers are my go-to veggies for show because they come in a wide range of colors and shapes, from the multi-hued “Tabasco” to the burning

orange “Habanero” to the scorching red “Carolina Reaper.” Compared to the various snazzy shapes of hot peppers, bell peppers might seem a bit blocky, but such cultivars as the aptly named “Purple Beauty,” “Orange Sun” and “Yellow Belle” can still bring their own version of unexpected color to an ornamental garden.

Also, okra is a cousin to hibiscus ornamentals and flaunts similarly pretty blooms. To add to its floral beauty, plant selections like the heirloom “Red Velvet” or “Burgundy” also show off stunning deep red branches, leaf veins and pods.

Even leaf lettuce can be a foliar floozy when massed in the front of a flower border. Typical cultivars sport bright, eye-catching green leaves, but why not go to the dark side with handsome, red-tinted cultivars such as “Ruby” or “Red Sails?”

Herbs can be ornamental helpers in the landscape, too. The appealing

feathery grace of dill and fennel is obvious, but the bushy, deep green foliage of curly parsley can make for a surprising addition to border edgings. Also, purple basil, especially cultivars like “Purple Ruffles” and “Crimson King,” can poke playful shadows into summer beds slumbering in green. In addition, the pink blossoms of common chives and the white blooms of garlic chives are now being used more and more by sharp gardeners as flower bed fillers.

L.A.’s website of the month: Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (southernexposure.com), a Virginiabased company, is a great source for heirloom vegetable and ornamental seeds suitable for Southeast gardens.

Garden To-Do’s for March

To prune or not to prune? At this time of year, that is the question. For woody ornamentals such as clethera, vitex, beautyberry, pomegranate, abelia, rose of Sharon, crape myrtle and butterfly bush (which flower in the late spring and summer on new branches formed in the current growing season), prune at the beginning of this month. Early bloomers such as Carolina jessamine, spirea, viburnum, deciduous magnolia, flowering quince, forsythia, witch hazel, kerria, mock orange, weigelia and camellia (Camellia japonica) blossom on established branches, so wait until their fancy flower shows are finished before snipping them into shape or down to size.

□ Ground covers and grasses will be waking up this month, but before they begin to grow, correct any pathways around them that have loose or unlevel pavers, bricks or stepping stones to prevent springtime walks through the garden from becoming springtime stumbles.

□ Migratory garden friends on the wing should be returning now, so give them a welcome by cleaning up bird houses and feeders. Also, give the birdbath a good washing.

Prune rose of Sharon selections such as “Bluebird” at the beginning of this month.

L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener Magazine. Contact L.A. at lajackson1@gmail.com.

Burgundy” okra can be an ornamental edible in your yard.

Home Improvement Wins

Home improvement projects can sometimes take

not always for the worse. We want to hear some DIY success stories! Share photos and stories from home improvement projects that went as (or better than) expected. We will pay $50 for each photo or story published in our May 2023 issue.

Rules

Deadline: March 15, 2023

One entry per household

Submit high resolution digital photos online; prints a minimum of 4 x 6 inches.

Include your name, electric co-op, mailing address and email address or phone number with your entry.

Text should not exceed 200 words.

We retain reprint and online rights. Payment will be limited to those entries appearing in print, not entries featured solely on carolinacountry.com

If you would like us to return your photo print, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. (We will not return others.)

Pear Salad

With arugula and smoked gouda

The combination of smoky cheese, sweet pear and honey-mustard dressing gives this salad big flavor. If you don’t like arugula, replace some or all of it with baby spinach. Quickly crush pistachios by putting them in a plastic bag and mashing with a rolling pin.

3 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar (see note)

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons honey

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

1 medium-sized fresh pear

Lemon juice

4 cups fresh baby arugula

½ cup julienne-cut carrots

¼ cup thinly sliced red onion

¹⁄₃ cup julienne-cut or shredded smoked gouda

¹⁄₃ cup coarsely crushed roasted and salted shelled pistachios

Put the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Set aside.

Peel, core and thinly slice the pear. Use your finger to lightly brush each slice with lemon juice to prevent browning.

Place the arugula in a medium-sized serving bowl. Add the carrots and onion, and gently toss with your hands. Arrange the pear slices on top, then add the smoked gouda. Drizzle the dressing lightly on the salad. Sprinkle with the pistachios and serve immediately.

Refrigerate leftover dressing in a covered jar for up to 5 days. Let come to room temperature and shake before using. Note: If you can’t find white balsamic vinegar, substitute white wine vinegar. Do not use regular balsamic.

Yield: 4 side-dish servings

Recipes by Debbie Moose unless otherwise noted. Learn more about Debbie at debbiemoose.com

Roasted Vegetable and Herb Crustless Quiche

Roasting the vegetables helps remove moisture, concentrates the flavor and reduces the chances of a soggy quiche. Going no-crust makes a lighter dish that’s also good for those who are avoiding gluten.

½ cup halved cherry tomatoes

1 cup squash in ½-inch cubes

1 cup zucchini in ½-inch cubes

½ teaspoon thyme

½ teaspoon salt, divided

2 cups milk

4 eggs

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil

4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the tomatoes, squash and zucchini evenly over it. Sprinkle with thyme and ¼ teaspoon salt. Roast for 15–20 minutes, or until the squash and zucchini are lightly brown and the tomatoes are wilted. Let cool to room temperature. These can be prepared a day ahead, covered and refrigerated, then brought to room temperature before making the quiche.

When ready to make the quiche, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, ¼ teaspoon salt, cornstarch and fresh basil until well combined. Stir in the Parmesan and the roasted vegetables.

Coat an 8- or 9-inch pie pan well with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the milk mixture into the pan. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is lightly brown and the center is set. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees if the quiche browns too quickly before the center is cooked. Let cool to room temperature before serving to allow it to firm up.

Yield: 8 servings

From Your Kitchen

Fresh Apple Cookies

Chunky, appley, oaty deliciousness. Bet you could get away with calling a couple of these breakfast! The tart apple offsets the sweet glaze while the oats lend that familiar oatmeal-like flavor.

1 cup plain flour

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

2 cups rolled oats (old fashioned)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon apple pie spice

½ cup softened butter

¾ cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 medium tart apple, peeled, cored and chopped

½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

½ cup powdered sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix flour, salt, baking soda, oats and spices in a bowl and set aside.

Beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and stir until well blended. Stir in chopped apples. Add walnuts if desired.

Drop by rounded tablespoons onto cookie sheet. Bake 9–12 minutes.

Whisk the last three ingredients — powdered sugar, vanilla and milk — together to make a glaze and drizzle over cooled cookies.

Visit

1 tablespoon milk

Submit

Yield: 30 cookies

Recipe courtesy of Melanie Foster of Wilkesboro, a member of Blue Ridge Energy

The Invention of the Year

The world’s most fun-to-drive and portable mobility device

Throughout the ages, there have been many important advances in mobility. Canes, walkers, rollators, and scooters were created to help people with mobility issues get around and retain their independence. Lately, however, there haven’t been any new improvements to these existing products or developments in this field. Until now. Recently, an innovative design engineer who’s developed one of the world’s most popular products created a completely new breakthrough . . . a personal electric vehicle. It’s called the Zinger, and there is nothing out there quite like it.

“What my wife especially loves is it gives her back feelings of safety and independence which has given a real boost to her confidence and happiness! Thank You!”

–Kent C., California

The first thing you’ll notice about the Zinger is its unique look. It doesn’t look like a scooter. Its sleek, lightweight yet durable frame is made with aircraft grade aluminum so it weighs only 47.2 lbs. It features one-touch folding and unfolding – when folded it can be wheeled around like a suitcase and fits easily into a backseat or trunk. Then, there are the steering levers. They enable the Zinger to move forward, backward,

turn on a dime and even pull right up to a table or desk. With its compact yet powerful motor it can go up to 6 miles an hour and its rechargeable battery can go up to 8 miles on a single charge. With its low center of gravity and inflatable tires it can handle rugged terrain and is virtually tip-proof. Think about it, you can take your Zinger almost anywhere, so you don’t have to let mobility issues rule your life.

Why take our word for it? Call now, and find out how you can get a Zinger of your very own.

Call now and receive a utility basket absolutely FREE with your order.

1-888-779-0835

Please mention code 117788 when ordering.

Once in a lifetime, a product comes along that truly moves people. Introducing the future of batterypowered personal transportation . . . The Zinger.

Available in Green, Black and Blue (shown)

The Zinger folds to a mere 10 inches.

March Events

THROUGH MARCH 5

Jagged Little Pill

Broadway musical DPAC, Durham 919-680-2787

THROUGH MARCH 5

Present Laughter

Theater performance

Switchyard Theatre Company, Durham 919-926-9906

THROUGH MARCH 9

Art in the Hall

John David Brown III paintings Morganton City Hall, Morganton 828-438-5362

MARCH 3

First Friday ArtWalk

Artwork, artist demos, live music Elizabeth City 252-338-4104

MARCH 3

First Friday: Open Mic Night

Featuring local musicians Turnage Theatre, Washington 252-946-2504

MARCH 4

North Carolina Rice Festival

Brunswick Town/Ft. Anderson Historic Site, Winnabow 202-355-3695

MARCH 10

Fairytales on Ice

Featuring Beauty & The Beast CoMMA, Morganton 828-433-7469

MARCH 12

Reading and Reception

Author and poet Jaki Shelton Green Hillsborough Gallery of Arts, Hillsborough 919-732-5001

MARCH 12

Bill Leslie: Celtic Carolina

Musician and storyteller Page-Walker Arts & History Center, Cary 919-460-4963

MARCH 16

By Hook or By Crook

Real stories of NC lady pirates NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort 252-504-7740

MARCH 19

Verona Quartet

Chamber music

Ashe Arts Center, West Jefferson 336-846-2787

MARCH 24

Cornbread and Tortillas

Music, dance, stories

Ashe Civic Center, West Jefferson 336-846-2787

MARCH 24–25

Catawba Valley Pottery & Antiques Festival

Hickory Metro Convention Center, Hickory 828-465-0383

MARCH 24–26

Open House Boat Show

Anglers Marine NC 20th anniversary Anglers Marine, Supply 910-755-7900

MARCH 25

Jacob Jolliff Band Bluegrass band

The Old Theater, Oriental 252-617-2125

MARCH 25

Kings Mountain Gateway Trail Runs 5K run, 10 mile run Kings Mountain 704-739-9663

MARCH 25

Rhonda Vincent & The Rage Bluegrass band

Historic Earle Theatre, Mount Airy 336-786-7998

MARCH 31

Doc Perkins

Modern folk & classic country Ghost Harbor Brewing Company, Elizabeth City 252-340-4643

where in Carolina Country is this?

Send your answer by March 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

Multiple entries from the same person will be disqualified. The winner, chosen at random and announced in our May issue, will receive $25.

January’s winner

The January “Where Is This”

Happened to Our School?” mural, located on Main Street at the old Sandlin Theatre in Old Fort, McDowell County. Created by Don Rimx, the mural’s left side

Black students

the closure of their school in 1950. The right side features Albert Joyner Sr., who along with the students, pushed for school integration in the area in 1955. Another 10 years passed before integration. Visit oldforttogether.org for more information about the history behind the mural. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Melissa Lane of Seven Springs, a Tri-County 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

photo by Rutherford EMC member Janet Hiatt features the “What

features

protesting

MARCH 25

Rhonda Vincent & The Rage Bluegrass band Historic Earle Theatre, Mount Airy

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