2023-05-REC

May 2023

The magazine of

Catch a Breeze,

Fly a Kite page 10

Published by

Save energy with co-op programs page 6

Have you seen Bigfoot? page 18

PERIODICAL

Roanoke Cooperative: Today, tomorrow, together for its member-owners—pages 11–14 CC05-COV.indd 20

4/11/23 12:55 PM

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340

familiar with the condition. As many as possible to keep a person functioning” says 25% of those over the age of 50 have Dr. Paul. Even if it’s driving. some degree of macular degeneration.

Doreen Jenkins, 72, of Pocahontas, The macula is only one small part of the retina, however it is the most sensitive friend. She wanted to keep her Iowa drivers and gives us sharp central vision. When license and was prescribed bioptic tele it degenerates, macular degeneration leaves a blind spot right in the center of lights farther away. Dr. Paul also prescribed microscope glasses for reading newspapers to recognize faces, read a book, or pass and menus in restaurants. the driver’s vision test.

As Doreen puts it, “my regular glasses Nine out of 10 people who have didn’t help too much- it was like look or many patients with macular macular degeneration have the dry form. ing through a fog. These new telescopic glasses not only allow me to read signs degeneration and other vision- New research suggests vitamins can help. The British medical journal BMC from a farther distance, but makes driving related conditions, the loss of much easier. I’ve also used them to watch central visual detail also signals Ophthalmology recently reported that television so I don’t have to sit so close. I the end to one of the last basdon’t know why I waited three years to do tions of independence - driving. this; I should have come sooner.”

A Wilmington optometrist, Dr. Edward “Bioptic telescopes can cost over Paul, is using miniaturized telescopes $2,000,” says Dr. Paul, “especially if we which are mounted in glasses to help build them with an automatic sunglass.” people who have lost vision from macular degeneration and other eye conditions. scope is that the lens automatically focuses “Some of my patients consider me the on whatever you’re looking at,” said Dr. last stop for people who have vision loss” Paul. “It’s like an self-focusing camera, but said Dr. Paul, one of only a few doctors in A scene as it might be viewed by a person with much more precise.” age-related macular degeneration To learn more about bioptic telescopes telescopes to help those who have lost vior to schedule a consultation with Dr. Paul, sion due to macular degeneration, diabetic 56% of patients treated with a high-dose give us a call at 1-910-208-9011. You can retinopathy, and other debilitating eye combination of vitamins experienced also visit our website at: diseases. improved vision after six months.

Imagine a pair of glasses that can im- TOZAL Comprehensive Eye Health www.LowVisionNC.com prove your vision enough to change your Formula is now available by prescription (910) 208-9011 life. If you’re a low vision patient, you’ve from eye doctors. probably not only imagined them, but have Dr. Edward Paul & been searching for them. Bioptic telescopes risk factor for developing the disease, Dr. Casey Krug may be the breakthrough in optical technol- heredity, smoking, cardiovascular disOffices located in ogy that will give you the independence ease, and high blood pressure have also Wilmington, Asheville, you’ve been looking for. Patients with viand Charlotte sion in the 20/200 range can many times be degeneration accounts for 90% of new improved to 20/50. legal blindness in the US. While there Macular degeneration is the leading is currently no cure, promising research cause of blindness and vision loss in people is being done on many fronts. “My job over 50. Despite this, most adults are not

F

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May 2023

(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800) Volume 55, No. 5

Published monthly by 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616-2950 Scott Gates, CCC Editor Warren Kessler Creative Director

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Renee C. Gannon, CCC Senior Associate Editor Rue Reynold Editorial Assistant

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Jessica Armstrong Graphic Designer Tara Verna Creative Services Associate

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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.

8 10 18

Home Improvement Wins Carolina Country readers get the job done.

Go Fly a Kite

Fair winds blow for North Carolina kite fliers.

Celebrating Bigfoot

The WNC Bigfoot Festival offers big fun.

Favorites 2 From Our Readers

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.

4 Viewpoints

All content © Carolina Country unless otherwise indicated.

16 On the House

Contact us

20 Carolina Gardens

Phone:

919-875-3091

22 Carolina Kitchen

Mail:

3400 Sumner Blvd.

Raleigh, NC 27616-2950

24 Carolina Calendar

Web:

carolinacountry.com

Email:

editor@carolinacountry.com

6 More Power

On the Cover Octopus kites fly overhead at the Cape Fear Kite Festival. Originally held at Wrightsville Beach, the festival now goes airborne at Kure Beach. Learn more about kite flying in NC on page 10. Photo by Bill Russ, courtesy of VisitNC.com.

24 Where is This?

Change of address: Please contact your electric co-op or go online to carolinacountry.com/address

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Experiencing a power outage?

Please contact your electric co-op directly to ensure prompt service.

Visit carolinacountry.com/co-ops to find yours online.

Last chance for nominations in this year’s 10 categories!

Visit carolinacountry.com/finest by May 5 for a chance to win one of three $100 gift cards.

Carolina’s Finest

carolinacountry.com | 1

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From Our Readers

THIS MONTH:

Community Development in Action I am so proud to be a member of Randolph EMC, and I love to brag to my friends about how generous and giving our cooperative is, not only to its members, but to our communities as well! Not only through the educational grants for teachers and scholarships for students, but also through giving to charities. Thank you for your donation to help Robbins Fire Rescue purchase their tanker engine.

Our fire departments cover large fires and emergencies in Moore County, and this will be such a welcome and much needed addition.

Springtime in Carolina Country We typically run home improvement tips in May, as it’s a great time to tackle projects otherwise put off by cold weather. We have an ample share of that in this issue—including DIY success stories from readers on page 8—but we couldn’t resist the opportunity to celebrate spring with a nod to a popular pastime wherever you may live: kite flying. Also, on page 6 we share how electric co-ops are helping members use less energy.

—Scott Gates, editor

Kathleen Causey, Seven Lakes, a member of Randolph EMC Editor’s note: Thank you for writing in about this, Kathleen! That grant was one of two recently made by the co-op to support local fire departments through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant program. North Carolina’s electric co-ops are national leaders in using this program, which provides rural utilities with grants and zero-interest loans to directly fund local projects that create and retain employment in the communities they serve. Twenty-three NC co-ops have tapped the program to channel a total of $83 million to projects across the state, supporting the creation of more than 6,000 jobs.

Sporting Clays Enthusiast “Golf With a Shotgun” (April 2023, page 26) is an excellent article, and a great description of our wonderful sport and how much fun it is!

Doug Parsons via carolinacountry.com

Carolina SNAPSHOTS THEME

Rainy Days A Puddle Jumping

Phillip Stith, Winston-Salem, A member of Carteret-Craven EC B Umbrellas in the Mist

B

Patricia Joynes, Boone, A member of Blue Ridge Energy C Dodging Raindrops

Eric Kozen, Burgaw, A member of Four County EMC D Glistening Bells

Jason-Bauder, Raeford, A member of Lumbee River EMC E Raindrops on My Window

Jody Wolf, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., A member of Blue Ridge Energy

A

C SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO!

July Theme: Patriotic

D

E

Send us your best shots based on this theme by May 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.

2 | May 2023

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Viewpoints

Bright Ideas Grants Foster Success for Students and Teachers

By Elizabeth Babcock

When I first learned about the funding opportunities made possible by North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives’ Bright Ideas education grant program, I wanted to improve our school’s computer lab by purchasing software and online subscriptions that would enhance instruction and support classroom teachers. Funding provided through the program over the years has done that, and so much more. The grant program has been a blessing for our entire school.

Bright Ideas grants funded a project that helped us procure some of the first eBooks in our rural school. Our computer lab has become a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) lab. We now have technology-based learning that goes beyond online games and documents to the ability to create 2D drawings and turn those into 3D prints so students have an actual model to hold, use and share The grant program with others. has been a blessing Bright Ideas grants have helped us fund a variety of for our entire school. other meaningful, hands-on projects. Many of these projects started small, and the grant program has allowed us to build on what we started with so that we can continue to add on to, edit, revise and improve project expectations and reach more students each year. Programmable robots, for example, have been used for countless engaging activities to provide learning opportunities in all subject areas. Students have used these robots for launches, obstacle courses, moving objects, making music, recording messages, creating characters, dancing — and, of course, for fun!

Engineering kits have also been funded by Bright Ideas grants. These are some of our students’ most treasured projects. Students build a crawling robot from scratch, and they are able to make changes to improve the robot design. Students race others and are challenged to see how they can make them the fastest. They also have a weight challenge, where students

solve problems to see how much weight they can get their robot to pull. And through the drawbot project, we learn about artists like Jackson Pollock, and students design a robot that mimics the style of that artist.

Bright Ideas also funded several projects from Osmo that have changed our school. Osmo kits make iPads even more interactive with reflective pieces and stands. There are dozens of interactive apps and activities that cover concepts in all areas of our kindergarten through fifth grade curriculum. (Osmos are also a parent night favorite, and some of the teachers love the Words games so much that we catch them playing with them during breaks!)

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Osmo project is the difference it’s made for one particular student. She struggled to make connections and engage in her regular classroom setting, but with the support of Osmo, she is now able to connect and learn in her classroom.

Our goal with our students is to motivate and encourage them to be successful and productive members of society who think critically and solve problems. Like hundreds of schools across the state, we couldn’t do this without the support of the Bright Ideas education grant program.

Elizabeth Babcock is instructional technology facilitator at LaFayette Elementary School, served by South River EMC.

Applications for Bright Ideas education grants are now being accepted. Visit ncbrightideas.com to learn more.

4 | May 2023

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More Power

for the well pump, for example, turn it off, and see what energy use looks like the next day.

Data can also be used to set high use alerts, or for tracking energy use for members using a pay-as-you-go prepaid energy feature.

Blue Ridge Energy's Usage Tracker tool

Co-op Programs Help Members Save Energy As member-owned, not-for-profit utilities, keeping costs low for members is a priority for North Carolina’s electric cooperatives and their boards of directors. Helping members use energy more efficiently is one way co-ops across the state are achieving this, using a range of resources including home energy audits, energy use data and, in some cases, energy efficiency loan programs.

“Using less energy in your own home is one way to immediately reduce costs,” said Chris Powell, coordinator of public relations for Albemarle EMC. Energy audits Powell conducts 75 to 100 free energy audits a year for Albemarle EMC members, typically following unusually high bills. During an audit, Powell inspects the house with an eye for how it’s using energy. He starts by checking the heating and cooling system, going straight to the thermostat.

“The heating and air system is a home’s largest user of energy, typically followed by the water heater,” Powell explains. “We encounter a lot of heat pumps that are underperforming or are just running on backup heat.”

Following an audit, Powell provides members with a report listing his

findings, along with recommended fixes, including if an appliance needs to be serviced.

Energy use tracker Another tool available to co-op members is energy use data. Member service representatives can typically access it, and it is often available for members to explore online. Using graphs, a home’s energy use can be compared with high and low temperatures over the course of a day or month. In many cases, any energy use anomalies will stand out, especially to a trained eye.

“Looking for that correlation between temperature and usage is the first step in diagnosing a problem,” said Jon Jacob, energy solutions manager for Blue Ridge Energy. His co-op’s Usage Tracker tool shows members daily home energy use data, along with daily temperatures.

“Heating and cooling systems are often the reason for higher than usual bills, but in some cases devices like water heaters or well pumps may be running constantly due to an otherwise unseen issue.”

Even a leaky faucet or damaged pipe can create problems, causing a well pump to run constantly. If data show a steady source of unknown use, Jacob can test things out with a member. They can find the breaker

Energy efficiency loans Although not all electric co-ops offer energy efficiency loan programs, some use the tool to help members improve their home’s energy use. Roanoke Cooperative, for example, makes cost effective upgrades to member-owners’ dwellings with little to no upfront costs through its Upgrade to Save program — costs are repaid over time on monthly electric bills. The co-op works with certified contractors and quality control inspectors while overseeing projects to ensure improvements are installed correctly.

To date, more than 1,700 member-owners have participated in the program with average savings of more than $70 per month. In addition, its Roanoke SolarShare program provides health and safety repairs to economically disadvantaged member-owners. Health and safety upgrades made through the program total more than $160,000 in grant funds.

“I believe that Upgrade to Save is one of the most important programs at Roanoke Cooperative,” said Roanoke Cooperative Coordinator of Community Development Susan Williams. “It provides much-needed energy efficiency upgrades to member-owners that may not be able to afford them otherwise.”

—Scott Gates, Carolina Country staff Digital Extras

Visit carolinacountry.com/extras to learn how you can conduct your own home energy audit.

What you can do Interested in making your home more energy efficient? Contact your electric cooperative to learn more about services available in your area.

6 | May 2023

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

WINS Carolina Country readers get the job done

In recent years we’ve heard some unfortunate—though sometimes comical—stories from readers about when things went wrong. Vacation fails, recipe fails, and yes, home improvement fails (May 2019, page 18). We’re well overdue to celebrate some successes!

Thank you to all who took the time to share beloved projects. There’s a lot of good work being done out there—check out a few of our favorites.

BEFORE

BEACH HOUSE OVERHAUL

FAMILY LIBRARY

My husband and I are currently remodeling my grandparents’ house at Holden Beach. One room at a time.

We love spending the time together doing these projects and seeing the before and after. This is one of the rooms we’ve completed.

When we bought our house, our upstairs landing had a big closet with wire shelving and bifold doors. My darling husband had a different vision. He replaced the shelves with handmade wooden ones, painted the walls and took off the doors to create the Pelman Family Library!

Traci Smith, China Grove, a member of Brunswick Electric

Amy Pelman, Wake Forest, a member of Wake Electric

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A

BEFORE

RUSTIC RECYCLING

NEW LIFE FOR AN OLD SHED

We added a master suite to our home. We tore down a more than 100-year-old barn and used the tin for the ceiling in the bedroom, the door for the closet, the light from the barn above my vanity, and pecky cypress boards from the subfloor for the bathroom door. The walls and floors were rough-cut pine boards that I hand-sanded and routed to fit together. I used cedar shakes to make a shower wall.

It could not have come out any better if a pro had done it, and I am so proud of the finished product!

In summer of 1999, we purchased a property with a burned-out house used for storage. Within walking distance of the Intracoastal and a short drive to Holden Beach, it was a dream come true.

Over 20 years, the house was rebuilt in stages, thanks in part to friends and family. We gutted out the interior, added doors and windows and stuccoed the outside.

After retirement, we moved in full time. It was tight quarters in our 700-square-foot house! We hired a contractor to add on 720 square feet, including a living room, bedroom, walk-in closets and bathroom. All of the masonry work was done by my husband.

We have also renovated the kitchen and added an enclosed sun porch. So much time and patience, but well worth taking a scrap of nothing and turning it into a beautiful home.

Dyanna Myers, Elloree, S.C., a member of Haywood EMC

Rebecca Wroten, Supply, a member of Brunswick Electric

A GLIDER FROM THE PAST I fell in love with this glider style over 20 years ago at a campground in Myrtle Beach. Never seen another until I came across plans to buy in a magazine. It was a great project during the winter months. I added extra support to the seats, and modified the legs due to the lay of the land. I spend a lot of spare time relaxing in this glider.

Dan Savage, Statesville, a member of EnergyUnited Digital Extra Visit caroliancountry.com/extras to see more inspiring DIY wins.

AV INSTALL We upgraded the location of the TV from the built-in shelf area to on top of the mantle. With the assistance of my father, we ran power from the attic inside the wall to have a seamless look with no hanging cords, and then added some shelves in the old space to balance the look.

Daniel Houser, Iron Station, a member of Rutherford EMC

carolinacountry.com | 9

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Kite

Go fly a

A

s the outdoors beckons, the age-old popular pastime of kite flying and the art of making them emerges. Where there’s wind, there are colorful kites able to fly. It is an activity almost anyone can do (and if you tell someone to “go fly a kite,” you won't be punished). Plus being in and enjoying the fresh air is something that virtual reality and avatars so far can’t match.

From the simple to the highly intricate, kites can be seen all around North Carolina — pretty much yearround, though more so from April (officially National Kite Flying Month) through October — and are a sight to behold at organized festivals or gatherings at many state and local parks.

Kite basics

The American Kitefliers Association (AKA) says for adults and kids to build a successful kite, focus on creating a structure that is both strong enough and light enough to fly in a variety of wind conditions, while also paying attention to attributes like balance, bridling, wind speed and turbulence.

Some kites will fly better than others in particular wind conditions, which is why there are a variety of designs. At beaches, for instance, the air above the land gets heated faster and starts rising with signs of low pressure created, according to the association.

The best weather for kite flying is a good clear wind coming from behind— light breezes (4–10 miles per hour) are ideal. High-altitude

meadow winds are desireable, too.

North Carolina has an abundance of kite-friendly conditions at its beaches, mountains and Piedmont areas, perfect for everyone to hone their kite flying skills.

Get airborne

Kites for children of different ages can be made or kite kits purchased (see kittyhawk.com for some examples).

AKA’s publication “Kiting” offers kit plans, and its website (kite.org) lists more than a dozen plans and instructions for free. For example, there is a simple paper butterfly kite, and a trash bag kite that couldn’t be easier. All you need are “two sticks, a bag, string and scissors, and you have a kite!”

North Carolina offers several kite flying festivals throughout the year, so find one near you and take to the skies.

Kitty Hawk Kites

Fair winds blow for North Carolina kite fliers

By Joan Wenner 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.

Kites

through the ages

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

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.

10 | May 2023

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ROANOKE COOPER ATIVE

MAY23

Flashes Roanoke Electric Cooperative is now Roanoke Cooperative

You will begin to see the “green ball” logo replaced with the new logo on all things related to RC.

The co-op announces a new identity, including a new name and logo, to share its commitment to being more than an electricity provider.

You may ask, “Why the change?”

As a trusted energy provider, Roanoke Cooperative (RC) will continue to provide reliable, at-cost electrical service.

Shortening to a new name is the co-op’s way of letting member-owners know that it is more than just your electricity provider. The co-op has significantly expanded its offerings, and will continue to do so, to meet the ever-changing needs of those we serve. In addition to electricity, RC will offer you exciting new products and services. The first of those, as most of you are aware, is our highspeed broadband internet service.

Roanoke Cooperative’s new logo, a change from the “green ball” with white energized lines, presents a bold “R” sitting firmly on the horizon with its right side shaped like a lightning bolt as a nod to electricity and stretching into the distance, indicating a commitment to progress. The color patterns behind the “R” represent a bright future, while the horizon’s curved hills represent agriculture in northeastern North Carolina.

RC’s new tagline—“Today, Tomorrow, Together.”—distills the brand’s commitment to a three-word declaration to you. “Today” declares the co-op’s continuing presence in member-owners’ lives. “Tomorrow” expresses that there will be progress and growth moving forward. “Together” affirms that the shared Roanoke experience remains; that the co-op will always have your back.

Soon, you will see the new logo and tagline on RC’s trucks, website,

For years, Roanoke Cooperative has expanded services to keep pace with changing times: è In 2016, the cooperative launched è The cooperative manages a telecommunications company a solar operation and to bring its member-owners maintenance business to high-speed Internet access. maintain reliability for many of the utility-scale solar projects è In 2020, following pilots located throughout the state. of other technologies, the cooperative’s broadband è Other progressive programs subsidiary committed to and initiatives from Roanoke deploying a world-class network Cooperative include “behind by delivering fiber connectivity the meter” data management, to all member-owners. electric vehicle home charging, heat pump and weatherization è Roanoke Cooperative installations, residential solar established the Sustainable programs, smart thermostats, Forestry and Land Retention water heater control Project to increase the income installations, and much more. and asset value of family-owned forestland and encourage è The cooperative’s current Vision forest health, land retention, 2025 includes work to add more and the opportunity to create publicly accessible, fast electric intergenerational wealth. vehicle chargers, support school systems in adding more electric è The cooperative operates the school buses to their fleets, Roanoke Center to provide launch solar-plus battery and members with flexible office battery storage projects systemspace, a physical place wide, and engage agricultural to meet, and access to consumers to electrify more of technology-based community their applied use of energy. development solutions. member-owner communications, and many other places. Roanoke Cooperative looks forward to providing you with exciting programs and services

beyond electricity—Today, Tomorrow, Together.

For more information, visit roanokecooperative.com.

Roanoke Cooperative MAY 2023 11

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STATE OF THE BUSINESS

Roanoke Connect Bringing high-speed internet to northeastern North Carolina Roanoke Cooperative (RC) views broadband connectivity as a catalyst, enabling rural prosperity through modern communications between our rural households, schools, businesses, healthcare centers, and the rest of the world.

Since 2020, Roanoke Cooperative’s broadband subsidiary has committed to a long-term project to install more reliable high-speed internet technology to subscribers in Bertie, Chowan, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton and Perquimans counties. Each new broadband connection reaches speeds up to 940 Mbps and uses a fiber-optic cable, which can send data as fast as 70% of the speed of light.

One of the region’s fastestgrowing internet providers The large nationally known internet companies have not offered broadband internet to the more remote areas in our area due to the prohibitive costs of service delivery. To ensure success in the initial stages, we will build a network that will serve the greatest number of homes and businesses to add as many subscribers as possible.

To date, Roanoke Cooperative’s broadband subsidiary has installed 350 miles of fiber optic cable to serve our member-owners. In that time, we have brought internet service to more than 2,500 member-owners who are now broadband subscribers. Our mission is to have universal access to broadband

connectivity available to all memberowners of Roanoke Cooperative before the end of 2025.

Progress Highlights

As of Jan. 1, 2023, over 350 miles of fiber have been constructed and over 40% of Roanoke Connect’s locations currently passed are using the service.

All substations have high-speed connectivity which increases reliability and enhances the grid. è Most of the fiber construction completed in 2022 was in grantfunded areas, i.e., the southern end of Bertie County, southeastern end of Roanoke Rapids, and some of Gates County. We have services in other areas using a former technology (fixed wireless), but our change in technology will ensure everyone has access to fiber eventually. è Roanoke Cooperative’s broadband subsidiary has kicked off 2023 with a ramped-up schedule to serve almost 70% of Roanoke Cooperative’s membership by the end of the year.

There are 20-plus construction crews in the region preparing to deploy as much as 25 miles of fiber per week.

è Connections are currently underway in Gates and Northampton Counties, and work will be in the western end of Hertford County soon. This current year is anticipated to be a remarkably busy year as memberowners should see a lot of activity throughout most of the electric cooperative’s service territory.

Through RC’s broadband subsidiary, the co-op can can utilize broadband connectivity as part of its smart-grid modernization. This modernization will provide social and economic benefits for member-owners, ensure reliable power and operational excellence, and help the co-op control energy costs and implement innovative load management controls and programs. We are committed to meeting the demand in unserved and underserved locations for high-speed internet services, which are essential to community development, economic growth and prosperity and educational attainment.

For more information roanokeconnect.com (800) 433-2236 info@roanokeconnect.com

12 MAY 2023 Roanoke Cooperative

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Co-op Leaders Advocate for Members at Rally in Raleigh This spring, Roanoke Cooperative staff and board members joined more than 150 representatives from all 26 of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives to convene in Raleigh to meet with legislators and discuss policy issues important to electric co-ops, their members, and their communities. More than 100 state senators and representatives participated in the event.

The annual Rally in Raleigh shines a light on the priorities of electric cooperative members,” said Paul Mott, government affairs specialist for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.

“Cooperatives are led by the people that we serve, and we engage with legislative leaders and local officials to share the perspectives of our members and updates about the cooperatives’ work to power a Brighter Future in our state.”

Co–op leaders demonstrated the cooperatives’ voluntary pursuit of innovative energy solutions by sharing examples of innovation that maintain

Representatives from Halifax EMC and Roanoke Cooperative, along with North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives’ Paul Meyer, met with NC Sen. Bobby Hanig.

reliability, affordability, and sustainability of the electric grid while also providing access to new energy opportunities.

Examples included microgrids, energy storage projects, smart thermostat programs, and cooperative capabilities for actively managing these distributed energy resources.

Cooperative participants also discussed recent achievements in rural economic development, including providing $83 million in grants and loans to support more than 100 projects statewide, leading to $1 billion in capital investments and more than 6,000 new jobs. These achievements were paired

with a request for legislators to provide additional support for programs that assist counties in advancing smaller economic development sites toward market-readiness.

“This event provides a valuable opportunity to meet with legislators to discuss achievements made by electric co-ops and the communities they serve, as well as to champion issues important to rural North Carolina,” Mott said.

“These conversations are ongoing, and will continue next month when leaders from North Carolina’s electric co-ops meet with elected officials in Washington, D.C.”

May is Military Appreciation Month May is Military Appreciation Month, and we hope you will join Roanoke Cooperative (RC) in recognizing the sacrifices veterans have made to our great country— and the many contributions they continue to make to our wonderful community. Veterans, we salute you!

Service. Mission. Country.

These three words describe our nation’s veterans. They also succinctly describe a core co-op ethos. While veterans are innately motivated to serve, in a similar vein, electric co-ops are guided by foundational principles that put their community first. Afterall, electric co-ops like RC were founded to bring electricity to rural areas where there was none. In doing so, they powered local economies and helped them to thrive. This close connection to an essential mission is why there are so many veterans in the utility industry and why they are such a great fit for electric co-ops.

Today’s veterans are highly skilled because everyone who joins the military is either trained in a tech career field or exposed to advanced technology during their years of service. Many veterans have skills in advanced disciplines such as engineering, electronics or mechanics, which are all beneficial for the utility industry. RC is proud to employ veterans, and we are especially grateful for their contributions to the co-op and to our community.

MEMORIAL DAY MAY 29, 2023

Let us remember those who fought for our country.

Roanoke Cooperative offices will be closed on Monday, May 29, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Normal business operations will resume on Tuesday, May 30.

Roanoke Cooperative MAY 2023 13

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Roanoke Cooperative (RC) offers a giving program to philanthropic organizations conducting the majority of its activity in the co-op’s service territory: Hertford, Bertie, Gates, Northampton, Halifax, Chowan, and Perquimans counties. The purpose of the donation requested must be focused on:

Hurricane Preparedness

è Education and youth development, è Workforce development, or è Community development Organizations may request support in the form of monetary funds, goods, services, employee volunteers, promotional gifts branded with a cooperative logo, or other types of requests, as long as it fits in with the aforementioned guidelines.

All requests must be submitted using the online Donation Request form and must be received by the application deadlines outlined above in order to be considered.

2023 Meeting and Donation Request Application—quarterly deadlines 1st quarter: January 31 2nd quarter: May 9 3rd quarter: August 8 4th quarter: November 7 Visit roanokecooperative.com for complete details, rules, requirements and the online application form.

Be ready for hurricane season.

Take action TODAY to be better prepared for when the worst happens. Understand your risk from hurricanes and begin preseason preparations now. Make sure you understand how to interpret forecasts and alerts, and know what to do before, during, and after a storm. If you live in hurricane-prone areas, you are encouraged to prepare before hurricane season begins on June 1.

The best time to prepare is before hurricane season begins.

Avoid having to rush through potentially life-saving preparations by waiting until it is too late. Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.

NOAA’s National Weather Service

2nd Quarter Philanthropic Giving Donation Requests due May 9

To report outages: è Call 1-800-358-9437. è Text “OUTAGE” to 352667.

To make a payment: è Use our automated system at 252-209-2236.

Sunday, May 14

è Download our mobile app by texting “Roanoke” to 252-479-7929. è Text “PAY” to 352667.

Visit us at roanokecooperative.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS Allen Speller

Marva Bond

Chairman

Carolyn Bradley

Published monthly for the member-owners of Roanoke Cooperative

Robert “Nat” Riddick

Columbus Jeffers

P.O. Drawer 1326, Ahoskie, NC 27910

Delores Amason

Office: 252-209-2236 or 1-800-433-2236

Secretary-Treasurer

For outages call: 1-800-358-9437 For online bill payment: roanokeelectric.com Statement of Nondiscrimination: Roanoke Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Vice Chairman

Kenneth Jernigan Asst. Secretary-Treasurer

Darnell Lee Cynthia Vaughan President and CEO: Marshall Cherry Editor: Angela Perez

14 MAY 2023 Roanoke Cooperative

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Savor Life’s Sweet Moments.

Relish the sites and sounds of summertime in Alamance County. While visiting, explore our area and downtowns to linger over coffee, shop in unique gift shops & boutiques and enjoy a new dining experience.

Save The Date:

Slice of Summer - June 10 | July 3rd in the Park - July 3 Burlington Sock Puppets Baseball Musical Chairs Countywide Outdoor Concert Series

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

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Learn more at VISITALAMANCE.COM or call 800-637-3804

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On the House

‘The Ceiling Is the Roof’ for Home Upgrades Roof work can lead to other energy savings

By Jonathan Susser

Q:

I’ll be replacing my damaged roof soon and was wondering if I might be able to knock out other home improvement projects at the same time. How might I go about doing this?

A:

Although Michael Jordan’s “ceiling is the roof” comment left some scratching their heads, home roof projects do present opportunities for additional enhancements — some might even say the sky is the limit. One perspective we like to promote is the home-as-a-system approach. It’s the idea that all of the systems in our homes interact with one another to influence our whole experience. Change or update one, and others will likely be affected, which can impact things like comfort, safety, health, durability and energy efficiency.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Solution Center (bit.ly/doe-basc) offers a framework for whole-home and smaller-scale improvement projects to help maximize their features and benefits. They recommend proactively keeping these six steps in mind: Step 1: Ensure your home can accommodate the

proposed improvement.

Step 2: Ensure your home meets ventilation standards

for fresh air.

Step 3: Ensure moisture protection.

Step 4: Ensure any air leaks or drafts are blocked.

Step 5: Improve comfort and reduce energy costs by

adding insulation where appropriate.

Step 6: Upgrade equipment and appliances that might be newly accessible.

So, how does this relate to getting a new roof? Roof work can represent a great opportunity to group additional upgrades together for the surrounding area, which could become easier to access. For example, to help keep heat inside your home in the winter and outside in the summer, you might want to include radiant barriers or air seal and further insulate the attic space, which could reduce drafts, lower energy usage and enhance comfort.

You could also look at upgrading your ventilation system and HVAC equipment. If changes were made to air sealing and insulation, make sure any combustion appliances are appropriately tested to work safely and efficiently; repair or replace if needed.

Indoor moisture prevention can be strengthened by confirming that your gutters and downspouts are clear, in good shape and taking water away from your home.

Adjustments to landscape grading could be considered as well to help stop outdoor moisture from entering your home.

Overall, the measures you pursue will depend on your particular home, setup and needs. Getting a home energy assessment prior to your roof replacement can be an extremely valuable way to help navigate the possibilities available to you. Reach out to your local co-op or nearby contractors with certifications from the Building Performance Institute (bpihomeowner.org) for guidance.

Hopefully this information gives you ideas to think through. With a little more planning and strategy, repairs and upgrades can be more satisfying and less stressful than before.

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

16 | May 2023

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Considering home solar?

Connect with your local energy experts.

Get answers to questions like “What’s the impact to my energy bill? How do I get started?” From home solar to energy efficiency, your electric cooperative is here to help you reach your home energy goals.

NCElectricCooperatives.com/Solar

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Deborah Brown

Deborah Brown

Carolina Adventures

Mount Ida overlooks downtown Marion.

Donna Campbell Smith

Donna Campbell Smith

The author with a Bigfoot enthusiast.

The SheSquatchers tell stories of Bigfoot sightings.

Donna Campbell Smith

Celebrating Bigfoot The WNC Bigfoot Festival offers big fun

By Donna Campbell Smith

The seat of McDowell County, Marion, is located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and edged by the Pisgah National Forest. Some say Bigfoot lives in those mountains. John Bruner is one of the folks who believes, and it was his idea to organize a festival celebrating Bigfoot. The first annual festival was held in 2018 and tens of thousands of folks flocked to the town to take part in the festivities.

The two-day event had to be canceled in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic. John brought it back in 2022, and not even the predicted rain put a damper on the fun. Festival goers fall into several categories: those who believe, those who have encountered one and know, and others who are skeptics but are open to the possibility.

Of course, none of those categories are required to take part in the festival.

Come because it’s just good family fun.

This year’s Western North Carolina Bigfoot Festival (marionbigfootfestival.com) will be held in Marion on May 26 and 27. The festival will start Friday night with an Education Expo featuring Bigfoot expert speakers and ending with a question-and-answer session. Saturday

the downtown streets will be closed to vehicles. A shuttle service will bring festival goers to the main streets that will be lined with hundreds of vendors selling everything Bigfoot related one could imagine. Of course, there will be food vendors as well as the local eateries. The main stage, set up in front of the courthouse, will offer all day entertainment including live music, story tellers, and the annual Bigfoot Calling Contest. A play area with bouncy houses will entertain the children. Attendees can have their picture taken with the big hairy man and one may even sing a song while he plays a guitar.

Dr. Tim Mounce, best-selling author of creature-filled children’s books (squatching.com) and podcast host of “All Things — Unexplained,” was a vendor for the first time at the 2022 festival.

“I had such a great time at the WNC Bigfoot Festival in Marion, North Carolina!” he says. “As a vendor, I was able to meet so many amazing people and hear so many wonderful stories.

As a participant, I was lucky enough to have fun exploring this gem of a mountain town and the surrounding area.”

Dr. Tony Blevins was also a first-time festival goer last year. His own audio encounter with what he believes was a Bigfoot has ignited a keen interest in the cryptid. (“I heard him yell. Over and over,” he says of his experience that occurred while on a run.) His personal thought on Bigfoot is that it is a North American wood ape. Retired, he describes himself as an adventure seeker and cryptology enthusiast. Tony says the best part of the festival for him was meeting people and listening to their stories.

Plan your visit with enough extra time to follow Tim’s example and explore Marion and the surrounding area. Enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountains and all of its attractions including Pisgah National Forest, which offers mile-high peaks, waterfalls and some of the most beautiful vistas in the state. Nearby Lake James State Park has boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, camping and picnicking.

Donna Campbell Smith has authored several books, including “My Neighbors from the Woods,” a novel about Bigfoot. Learn more at donnacampbellsmithwrites.com.

18 | May 2023

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Carolina Gardens

Compact Cannas Enjoy the blooms on a smaller scale Story and photos by L.A. Jackson

I

n flower and foliage, canna lilies (Canna sp.) can make big statements in the landscape, but maybe too big at times. Some cannas grow upwards of 6 feet or more, and in a grouped setting, they are awesome, bordering on formidable.

Heck, I’ve even seen expansive stands of such cannas large enough to hide my truck behind.

For backyard growers not thrilled about gardening in the shadows of such biggies, there’s another way to go. Along with big, bodacious creations, dwarf cannas have also been a goal for many plant breeders.

Cannas that restrain themselves to 3 feet in height or less aren’t particularly new to the gardening world, but, to me, it sure seems like more and more of these compact cuties are showing up in garden shops these days. They are becoming ordinary enough that even big box retail stores with nursery centers have gotten in on the fun.

When the cultivar “South Pacific Scarlet” (26 to 32 inches tall) was honored as an All-America Selections

(AAS) winner in 2013, it helped shine a light on the possibilities of petite cannas. This was reinforced when little sister “South Pacific Orange” also became an AAS winner in 2018.

Awards aside, the advantages of compact cannas are obvious, particularly if you have limited garden space.

Since they will play nicer among other small ornamentals, it is easier to fit them into the flower garden. Dwarf cannas are also prime candidates for potted plantings to help doll up a deck, patio or gazebo.

Growing cannas in containers makes them seasonally mobile, meaning they can be moved to a sheltered place during the winter.

This is important in upper elevations of Western North Carolina, where the cold months have a frostier bite.

In other parts of our state, compact cannas are usually hardy enough to

Look down on “South Pacific Scarlet” canna lily’s beauty—in a good way.

weather typical winters in the garden, but do add a few inches of protective mulch in autumn, just in case.

Like their big brothers, gardengrown dwarf cannas put on their best bloom displays under full sun tucked in beds heavily amended with organic matter. Also, don’t let these pretties dry out — they need at least an inch of water weekly in the summer. And when it comes to nutrients, compact cannas are little piggies, requiring gobs of compost or light applications of 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer every six weeks through the growing season for peak performance.

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

.A.’s website of the month: L Sandy Mush Herb Nursery (sandymushherbs.com) in Leicester, NC, specializes in herbs (of course), native plants and perennials, but also has an exceptionally large selection of scented geraniums. Ordering is by mail or telephone only.

Garden To-Do’s for May

A black swallowtail caterpillar enjoying a fennel feast.

Enjoy home-grown dill, fennel and parsley? You should still be able to find established plants now, so prepare a garden bed and have at it. Then, fill up another bed further away with the same herbal helpers. The reason for this repetition is their foliage often attracts big, fat green caterpillars with black stripes and yellow dots. These are immature black swallowtail butterflies, so instead of using insecticides on such beauties-to-be, if you find any on “your” plants, simply move them to the second bed containing “their” plants so they can bulk up and eventually flit away as pretty butterflies.

□ Haven’t plunked down any peanuts, pumpkins, okra or sweet potatoes in the veggie garden yet? It shows what a sharp backyard grower you are. These edible delectables are heat seekers, and they really shouldn’t be planted until May, when the soil has turned into a warm, growth-encouraging planting patch.

□ Your fine-feathered garden friends will be working overtime with spring activities this month, so don’t forget to clean the birdbath and refill it with fresh water at least once a week.

20 | May 2023

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Carolina Kitchen

Grilled Korean Ribeye Steak Sandwiches With spicy gochu mayo

Hello May! Time to fire up those backyard grills and soak up longer evenings outside.

With a tasty charred steak sandwich in hand, slathered in spicy mayo, what could be better?

Make extras to freeze —we guarantee you’ll want these again soon!

4 boneless ribeye steaks, ¼-inch 4 baguette rolls, split and buttered Marinade ½ cup tamari or soy sauce ¼ cup mirin (rice wine) 3 tablespoons sesame oil ¼ cup brown sugar 3 tablespoons sesame seeds 1 piece of ginger (1-inch) peeled and zested 1 heaping tablespoon garlic paste Freshly ground black pepper Sauce ½ cup mayonnaise 1 heaping tablespoon gochujang sauce Toppings 1 big bunch scallions, trimmed Shredded lettuce Thinly sliced seedless cucumber (slice with vegetable peeler) Combine marinade ingredients and pour over steaks in a zippered bag. Marinate, turning occasionally for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. Reserve marinade.

Combine the mayonnaise and gochujang for the spicy mayo sauce and set aside.

Prepare hot grill. Place steaks over high heat and sear until lightly charred on each side to desired doneness, or cook in an oven or stovetop in a hot cast iron skillet.

For the toppings, dip scallions in marinade and cook alongside steaks until wilted and lightly charred. Cut up and toss with lettuce. Slice cucumber.

Lightly toast rolls. Place steaks on rolls and top with gochu mayo, lettuce/scallions and cucumber.

Yield: Makes 4 sandwiches

Marinated Asian Carrot Salad Bright and crisp, this sweet and tangy salad makes a perky side dish not only for our Grilled Korean Ribeye Sandwiches, but for just about anything. You can even use on pork, chicken or fish sandwiches. Best served cold.

Dressing ¹/₃ cup grapeseed oil ¹/₃ cup rice wine vinegar ¼ cup honey 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons sesame oil 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon tamari or soy sauce 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger (optional) Zest of 1 lime Juice of half a lime 1 heaping tablespoon garlic paste Recipes by Wendy Perry unless otherwise noted. Learn more about Wendy at WendysHomeEconomics.com.

Salad 1 bag (10-ounce) shredded carrots 1 large daikon radish, peeled and shredded 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 1 cup cilantro, loosely packed and chopped Toasted sesame seeds or “everything” seasoning Whisk together all dressing ingredients.

Combine carrots, radish and onion in a large mixing bowl. Toss with dressing.

Refrigerate several hours or overnight. At serving time, stir in cilantro and sesame seeds or seasoning.

Yield: 6 servings

Digital Extra Visit carolinacountry.com/recipes to search more than 1,000 recipes by name or ingredient.

From Your Kitchen Maple-Walnut Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

Move oatmeal to the back burner — try quinoa, a stellar source of protein and fiber. Coupled with nuts and berries, this light, healthy bowl smacks of cinnamon and syrup. Yum! 1 cup prepared quinoa ¼ cup plain almond milk or water 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 pinch sea salt ½ tablespoon ground flax seeds 1 tablespoon butter ¼ cup blackberries (or other fruit)

Recipe courtesy of Dori Grassau of Indian Trail, a member of Union Power Cooperative.

Add your quinoa to a small saucepan with almond milk or water. Then mix in remainder of ingredients and heat until warm.

Consider batch cooking the quinoa ahead of time for a week’s worth of breakfasts (¼ cup dry quinoa per morning).

Yield: 1 serving

Submit your recipe online at: carolinacountry.com/myrecipe.

22 | May 2023

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May Events MAY 13

Bath Fest Street fair, music Bonner's Point, Bath MAY 19–20

19

Albemarle Rockfish Festival

$

Edenton Marina, Edenton

Da

Beaufort Music Festival Gallants Channel, Beaufort 252-342-9801

99 Unlimited Talk & Text month*

Data plan required*.

MAY 19–20

Albemarle Rockfish Festival Edenton Marina, Edenton

19

$

19

MAY 19–21

Clear Living Waters

19

$

99 Unlimited Talk & Text month

*

Unlimited $North99 Carolina Potato Festival Talk & Text month1

Downtown Waterfront, Elizabeth City Data plan required1.

252-338-4104

Art exhibition and sale

19

1

MAY 6–7

Burlington Carousel Festival

Downtown Wake Forest 919-570-0350

Arboretum at Tanglewood Park, Clemmons 336-682-6792

Burlington City Park 336-222-5030

Elkin Municipal Park, Elkin 336-526-1111

MAY 7

MAY 20–21

BBQ Festival on the Neuse

An English Spring

Ole Gilliam Mill Crank Up

MAY 5

Fried Apple Pie Festival

Howl at the Moon Party

Alleghany County Fairgrounds, Sparta 336-372-5473

New wine release Marked Tree Vineyard, Flat Rock 828-513-3773 MAY 5–6

Antiques Street Fair Cameron 910-245-3212

MAY 6

Get Your Rear in Gear—Raleigh 5K WakeMed Soccer Park, Raleigh

1730 Newbold-White House Opening Tours and gift shop Historic Site, Hertford 252-426-7567

Ole Gilliam Mill Park, Sanford 301-670-1596

MAY 12

Memorial Park, Blowing Rock 828-295-4636

Music, food, yarn spinning I-26 West NC Welcome Center, Mars Hill 828-689-4257

month2

Unlim Talk &

Yadkin Valley Wine Festival

Concert of English composers and poets First United Methodist Church, Elizabeth City

20th Annual Tourism Day

$

month 828-295-4636

Plant Sale

Downtown Kinston 252-523-2500

1999

Unlimited Rock $Park Ave., 99Blowing Talk & Text

MAY 5–6

Art exhibition Hillsborough Gallery of Arts 919-732-5001

Data plan required

Art in the Park

HerbFest 2023

Connecting Visions

Unlim Talk &

month2

MAY 20

THROUGH MAY 7

THROUGH MAY 21

1999 $19

$

MAY 21

Concert in the Park

MAY 28

Artists in Residence at Edgewood Edgewood Cottage, Blowing Rock 828-295-4636

Visit carolinacountry.com/calendar for more information about each event, including links to the most current information, or to submit your own event.

where in Carolina Country is this?

Send your answer by May 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 June issue, will receive $25.

Have a roadside gem you’d like to share? Submit a photo, plus a brief description and general location information, at carolinacountry.com/where.

March’s winner The March “Where Is This” photo by Carolina Country’s Renee Gannon features the old Jackson Springs Hotel located off Highway 73 and Hotel Street in the Jackson Springs community of Moore County. Opened in 1890, visitors came for the natural mineral springs. Reader Staci Mills said the water won second best medicinal water at the World’s Fair in St. Louis in 1904. The hotel, noted reader Velta Zegel, once hosted Annie Oakley when she participated in the shoots at the old Gun Club, in what is now part of nearby Pinehurst. After a fire in 1932, the hotel never recovered. Many in the area refer to it as the “Old Yellow Building.” The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from John Honeycutt of Pinebluff, a Pee Dee Electric member.

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