Kites

Through The Ages

Here are just a few:

Rogallo Kite Festival

Nags Head | June 16–17 252-441-7132

Wright Kite Festival Kill Devil Hills | July 14–15 877-359-8447

Mile High Kite Festival Beech Mountain | Sept. 2–3 828-387-9283

Cape Fear Kite Festival Kure Beach | Nov. 3–5 910-458-8434

Kites with Lights

Nags Head | Nov. 25 877-359-8447

Joan Wenner, J.D. is a longtime boating and general interest topic writer residing in Pitt County. Comments welcome at joan_writer@yahoo.com.

ƒ The first kites may have been constructed by cultures in Malaysia, Indonesia and the South Pacific as fishing instruments made of natural materials like leaves and reeds, according to AKA.

ƒ In 450 B.C., a Chinese philosopher carefully crafted a wooden bird to “fly” on a tethered line. (There is some debate whether this is considered a true kite, and early written accounts point to earlier kite flying in China, in 200 B.C.)

ƒ Kites increased in popularity in the 18th century, and were also utilized by physicists and meteorologists for scientific purposes (including Benjamin Franklin).

ƒ The Wright Brothers (who were said to be very skilled at flying kites), discovered box kites provided enough lift to raise a man off the ground and built a box biplane. The rest, as is often said, is history.

Co-op meets officals to advocate for members

Together with other electric cooperatives across the state, Central Electric recently joined forces to impact legislation that will have a direct effect on our cooperative members. Representatives from NC’s electric cooperatives convened to discuss important matters that affect co-op members. Leaders engaged with both sides of the aisle in the NC General Assembly in order to raise legislators’ awareness of the impact of legislative decisions on electric cooperative members.

Key issues discussed with legislators included increased penalties for attacks on critical infrastructure, continued economic development across NC, protecting our state’s energy portfolio as well as funding to continue innovation in the electric utility industry.

Representatives from your co-op met with state legislators to discuss issues important to electric cooperatives and our members. Thank you to Reps. Robert Reives, John Sauls and Joe Pike, as well as Senators Tom McInnis and Jim Burgin for taking time to speak with us and their efforts to help protect the long-term reliability and affordability of electricity for our members.

Cooperative leaders also urged officials to recognize the unique nature of the electric power industry and carefully consider how their decisions impact the costs of delivering affordable, reliable and safe power to cooperative members.

Keeping electricity affordable and reliable is a top priority for your cooperative as we work to best serve our membership and community. By constantly engaging with our local elected officials, we hope to continue being an advocate for protecting and representing the long-term interests of you, our member-consumers.

MAY 1 is when applications for Central Carolina or Sandhills Community College scholarships are due. Visit CEMCPower.com for more details.

MAY 15 is the deadline for applications for Cooperative Leadership Camp. Find out more information or apply online at CEMCPower.com.

MAY 29 the CEMC office will be closed for Memorial Day. Crews will be on call.