2025-02-CEMC

February 2025

The magazine of

Veterans’

Best Friends page 10

Published by

Lineworkers complete training programs page 7

Is your fireplace letting in the cold? page 19

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February 2025

(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800) Volume 57, No. 2

Published monthly by 3400 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

10

Tara Verna Creative Services Associate Donna Natosi Digital Strategist 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.

10 20 24

Canines for Service, Friends for Life A Wilmington nonprofit is transforming lives, one dog at a time.

Documenting History

Preserving the legacy of NC’s Rosenwald Schools.

Safe Haven for Freedom The Freedmen’s Colony on Roanoke Island.

Favorites 2 From Our Readers

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.

4 Viewpoints

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.

19 Energy Sense

All content © Carolina Country unless otherwise indicated.

Contact us Phone:

919-875-3091

Mail:

3400 Sumner Blvd.

Raleigh, NC 27616-2950

Web:

carolinacountry.com

Social: 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.

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On the Cover

6 More Power 26 Adventures 28 Carolina Gardens 30 Carolina Kitchen 32 Carolina Calendar

Army and Air Force veteran Jeff with his service dog Carter, a yellow Labrador retriever trained by the team at Canines for Service in Wilmington. Learn about the work the nonprofit is doing to support veterans in need on page 10. Photo by Randy Berger Photography.

32 Where is This?

Connect with Carolina Country Want sneak peaks at articles, first shots at contests and access to exclusive digital content? Visit carolinacountry.com/signup to join our email newsletter list.

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From Our Readers

THIS MONTH:

Cattle Conundrum The nice photo on the cover of the January issue has caused a rousing, but good-natured debate among a few of us. Many Google searches later, we are still unsure whether these are cows or yaks or some sort of a hybrid bovine-ox. The submitter of the image says “cows.” Surely, there is a more concise identification. We would love one.

Milton Bland, Simpson, a member of Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative Editor’s note: Everyone seems to love our January cover models, which are Highland cattle most commonly found in Scotland. They also thrive on several farms in Western NC, so keep your eyes peeled when traveling in parts west! Here’s another reader who’s met them across the pond…

Serving Those Who Served As someone who has a history of owning some less-than-obedient dogs, I’m always impressed by the truly well-trained ones out there. This month’s cover story on Canines for Service highlights a nonprofit helping dogs go above and beyond as service animals assisting U.S. military veterans. We’re also recognizing Black History Month with two stories about how African Americans made strides toward equality following the Civil War and into the early 1900s. Also, well-deserved congratulations go out to lineworkers who’ve recently completed intensive training programs—see that list on page 7.

—Scott Gates, editor

‘Haylin Coo’ I loved the photo on the cover of your January 2025 issue. On a tour of the Scottish Highlands, I was introduced to the ‘Haylin coo,’ Scottish pronunciation of Highland cow. I found them both charming and cute. I enjoyed reading that the ones in your photo were considered pets that loved to play in the snow with the Perryman family children.

Thanks From a Fellow Reader I just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the many wonderful reader photos in the January edition. Those two fellas on the front gave me a good laugh, so cute. And the touching story of Mr. Hussey and his girls (page 11)—you don't find many folks like that anymore. Thanks to everyone for sharing.

Diana Alberti, Newport

Mary Smith, Havelock, a member of Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative

CarolinaSNAPSHOTS

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Love A Louann Fields, Rockingham A member of Pee Dee Electric B Joshua Bell, Mount Olive A member of Tri-County EMC C Luther Rogers, Rowland A member of Lumbee River EMC

A

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C

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Submit your photo!

April theme: Mailboxes (Deadline Feb. 20) May theme: Dogs (Deadline March 20) June theme: Reflections (Deadline April 20) Send us your best shots based on an upcoming theme— 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 | February 2025

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Viewpoints

Honing the Key to Reliable Service

By Farris Leonard

Providing reliable service is a fundamental part of your electric cooperative’s mission, though it’s a complex task. Technology is used to monitor demand, predict future power needs, and even isolate or reroute power to minimize outage time and assure quality of service for each member, from homes and schools to hospitals and farms or even complex manufacturing plants.

Though even with this advanced technology, the key to reliable service still comes down to the people who build, operate and maintain the complex power system. Lineworkers are professionals who, through years of training and on-the-job experience, learn how to construct and maintain the power system daily.

A lineworker’s training never truly ends. Their career journey is one of progressive knowledge, skill demonstration and time in a multistep process. Electric co-ops With a skilled workforce, have an apprenticeship we can be confident program that is lengthy and demanding, which in maintaining the includes comprehension and skills testing. reliability and quality Evaluation is performed of service you expect. by the co-op, and while the length of time varies, it typically takes a lineworker six to eight years to complete the process and become a "journeyman."

North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives’ Job Training & Safety (JT&S) team provides supplemental training and an opportunity to earn an associate degree in Line Technology in partnership with Nash Community College in Rocky Mount. This facility provides a training environment where 20 to 25 lineworkers spend a week away from home to focus on learning and practicing critical skills. There are 12 different courses, or "schools," each dedicated to specific tasks based on the students’ experience and apprenticeship level. (Learn about recent graduates of these programs on page 7.)

We utilize instructors from electric co-ops, demonstrating a key cooperative principle “Cooperation Among Cooperatives.” These instructors ensure instruction that is consistent and relevant to current, real-world field operations. The demand for this training has been high, with 29 schools being held in the last two years and 29 schools scheduled for 2025. This equates to more than 700 instructional seats being filled each year.

Our schools are always incorporating new technologies to enhance the training experience for the students. This includes providing safe and state-of-the-art energized training, expanding the training field, and incorporating virtual reality into select training sessions.

The JT&S team has provided a training guide for the cooperatives that is registered with the North Carolina Community College System. It creates a roadmap of progression and minimum training standards to create consistency across the state. Upon completing 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, required schooling and task completion, the lineworker will receive a journeyman designation that is recognized not only by the state of North Carolina, but nationally.

Your electric cooperative takes training seriously, diligently investing in the people who serve you. With a skilled workforce, we can be confident in maintaining the reliability and quality of service you expect, while equipping lineworkers with the know-how needed to come home safe.

Farris Leonard is director of Job Training & Safety Field Services for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.

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DIAMOND SPONSORS ($12,500 and up)

CoBank | Lee Electrical Construction, Inc. North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives

To those who support the

North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center

THANK YOU! North Carolina’s electric cooperatives hosted their 24th annual golf tournament and fundraiser in September 2024, donating more than $170,000 to the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospitals.

Electric cooperatives, in partnership with more than 70 organizations and individuals, have contributed $2.95 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.

PLATINUM SPONSORS ($10,000–$12,499)

Duke Energy | Utility Lines Construction GOLD SPONSORS ($5,000–$9,999)

C Phase Services | Carolina Dielectric Maint. & Testing Carolina Power and Signalization | CFC Four County EMC | Fallen Lineman Foundation Pike Electric, LLC | River City Construction, Inc. South River EMC | Southern Power Company SILVER SPONSORS ($2,000–$4,999)

ACES | Albemarle EMC | Altec Industries | Blue Ridge Energy Booth & Associates, Inc. | Brunswick Electric | Central Electric ECE Power | Edgecombe-Martin County EMC | ElectriCom EnergyUnited | ERMCO, Inc. | French Broad EMC Halifax EMC | Haywood EMC | Jones-Onslow EMC Lewis Tree Service | McCall-Thomas Engineering Co, Inc. Meridian Cooperative | NTS | Pee Dee EMC | Piedmont Electric PowerSecure | R. W. Chapman Co | Randolph EMC Randolph EMC’s Board of Directors | RGrid Power Roanoke Cooperative | Sandhills Utility Services, LLC Sumter Utilities, Inc. | Surry-Yadkin EMC | TEMA | Tideland EMC Tri-County EMC | Union Power Cooperative | Wake Electric BRONZE SPONSORS ($1,000–$1,999)

AiDash | Cape Hatteras EC | Carteret-Craven EC | Enervision EV Revolution | Federated Insurance | Joe Brannan | Lekson Associates Lumbee River EMC | Milsoft Utility Solutions | NISC | Pitt & Greene EMC Rutherford EMC | Stella-Jones | Substation Design Corp.

INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS & DONATIONS ($50–$999)

Advanced Energy | Ditch Witch of NC | Hubbell Utility Solutions Jansen Energy LLC | SE Energy | Solar Flare Power Corporation | Terry Berge

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More Power

February

Quick Hits NC Abe Abraham Lincoln was born Feb. 12—but was it in Western NC? Visit carolinacountry.com/lincoln and decide for yourself.

Helping Hand Check in on elderly neighbors and family members to make sure they’re keeping warm, and their sidewalks and driveways are clear of snow and ice.

Clear Views Make sure you have an ice scraper handy in your car, and top off washer fluid with a de-icer or all-season formula.

Sweet Treats Treat your sweetie for Valentine’s Day with a homemade breakfast or dessert.

Search hundreds of recipes at carolinacountry.com/recipes.

NC Co-ops Support 30 Years of Bright Ideas This past year marked a memorable milestone for a long-standing community initiative of North Carolina's electric cooperatives — the Bright Ideas education grant program (ncbrightideas.com) celebrated 30 years.

Commitment to community is at the root of the cooperatives’ foundation, and that includes investing in education and the students that represent the future of the state. In 2024, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives awarded more than $784,000 in Bright Ideas education grants, supporting 706 innovative learning projects.

“These grants allow the cooperatives to help with the education of so many children through our winning teachers’ innovative classroom projects,” said Wendy Wood, manager of communications and community relations at Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation.

“While some projects may involve SINCE 1994:

$

16.5

MILLION in grants awarded

N a

one classroom, many involve multiple classes across a grade level, and some even have schoolwide impact.

Our staff looks forward to presenting the checks to our winning teachers each year and seeing the faces of the students light up with smiles.”

From sustainability gardens to elephant DNA testing to a full-scale apiary, these grants have helped North Carolina students explore their curriculum in new and exciting ways for 30 years.

“The idea that I’ve been able to build this over three years now — and this is my third time winning — I can make it bigger and bigger,” said Whitney Williams, a teacher at Grady A. Brown Elementary in Hillsborough and 2024 Bright Ideas winner from Piedmont Electric Cooperative.

“Every time I’m awarded another grant, it energizes me to do more.”

15.4

—Josh Conner, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives

THOUSAND projects sponsored

3.8

MILLION students inspired

S w w L e C c c

i i S t s

c a L F C s

c o f o e s i a l S w c c c t T t L

t a a

l c r h a l

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More Power

NC Co-op Lineworkers Gain Knowledge and Skills at Nash Community College Since 2021, 36 electric cooperative lineworkers have completed advanced education work in Nash Community College’s Electric Lineman Technology program. Three earned associate degrees in Electric Line Construction Technology after completing 66 credit hours, and 33 earned advanced certificates after completing 17 college-level credits.

The Nash Community College program was initiated in 1998 and offers curriculum certificates for completing college-level credits.

Students benefit from consistent training and teamwork as they train with students from sister cooperatives during each week’s class.

“The mission of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives is to provide safe, reliable and affordable power to members,” said Farris Leonard, director of Job Training & Safety Field Services for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “It takes highly trained and skilled lineworkers to achieve this goal.”

The program includes courses with both classroom content and practical hands-on objectives. The specially designed training field, built by the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives, allows for a training environment for individuals to increase their skills for application when they return to their individual cooperatives. They learn skills such as overhead line construction, underground line construction and the National Electrical Safety Code. In addition to classes in line work and energy management, students can take additional courses through the community college system toward an associate degree, such as writing, math, critical thinking, computers and communication.

Twenty-five co-op lineworkers have gone on to earn associates degrees since the Electric Lineman Technology program began.

The program is supported entirely by the state’s electric cooperatives but is also attended by lineworkers from Duke Energy and municipal electric systems.

“This training program is highly valued for lineworkers who are looking to advance their careers,” Leonard said. “It’s an invaluable resource for electric co-op employees and helps ensure lineworkers across the state are adept at critical skills and adhering to the latest safety protocols.”

A DVA N C E D C E R T I F I C AT E R EC I P I E N T S

Albemarle EMC Ken Winslow (2022)

Pitt & Greene EMC Joshua Dixon (2024)

Brunswick EMC Jonathan Long (2023) Phillip Marlowe (2024) Bryan Gore (2024)

Randolph EMC Christopher Smith (2024)

Central EMC Timothy Baldwin (2024) Cameron Bennett (2024) Edgecombe-Martin County EMC Alton Lewis (2021) Halifax EMC Cody Pleasant (2021) Branden Edwards (2021) Lumbee River EMC Joshua Oxendine (2021) Christopher Taylor (2024) Pee Dee EMC Jesse Puckett (2021) John Chewning (2024) John Thomas (2024) Piedmont EMC Kevin Long (2024) Sam Snead (2024) Stephen Poole (2024)

Roanoke Cooperative Robbie Stallings (2021) Joshua White (2024) Rutherford EMC Matthew Harshman (2021) Sandhills Utility Services Jared Stine (2024) Lawrence Casper (2024) South River EMC Seth Lambert (2024) Surry-Yadkin EMC Nick Newman (2021) Tideland EMC Robert Shively (2021) Gregory “Cole” Bennett (2023) Austin Roscoe (2023) William Sawyer (2023) Adam Fyle (2024) Michael Baldwin (2024) Tri-County EMC James Cozine (2021)

A S S O C I AT E D EG R E E R EC I P I E N T S

Rutherford EMC Matthew Harshman (2021)

Carteret-Craven EC Justin Williford (2023)

Surry-Yadkin EMC Nick Newman (2024)

carolinacountry.com | 7

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More Power

Co-op Scholarship Winners Reunite at Wolfpack Game Women’s basketball camp participants were honored on the court

to attend the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp. Along Stepping out on the hardwood floor of a college arena to with the women’s basketball camp, North Carolina’s cheers and applause raining down from the crowd is a electric cooperatives also partner with the UNC men’s dream come true for many young athletes. basketball team to send middle school students to their That dream became a reality for a group of middle annual Carolina Basketball School schoolers from across North each summer.

Carolina at Reynolds Coliseum, “The camp challenged These scholarships cover all where last summer they were pracexpenses at the overnight camps, ticing and playing alongside the her to grow, not only in which provide a glimpse into life Wolfpack Women’s basketball team. her basketball skills, but on a college campus, and what it On Dec. 8, these Touchstone takes to be a Division I athlete.

Energy Sports Camp Scholarship in her character as well.”

Sharing the court with playwinners — who were selected by ers and coaches of this caliber North Carolina’s electric cooperatives to attend the NC State Women’s basketball camp this provides lessons and knowledge that these studentpast summer — came together for a reunion and a moment athletes can bring back to their teams and communities.

“The experience taught my daughter that hard work pays of recognition. off and has offered her a firsthand glimpse at what she “The basketball camp was a wonderful experience for my daughter, allowing her to go on campus and interact directly could achieve in the future if she continues to work hard for her dreams,” Williams added. “I am so thankful as a with Coach Wes Moore and the NC State women’s basketparent and an educator that the cooperatives afforded her ball team,” said Emily Williams, parent of a 2024 camp scholarship winner and teacher at Yadkin Early College High this amazing opportunity. It was an experience that she will never forget.”

School. “The camp challenged her to grow, not only in her basketball skills, but in her character as well.”

—Josh Conner, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives For 22 years, North Carolina’s 26 not-for-profit electric cooperatives have awarded scholarships to young women

Students: Apply Now for Basketball Camp!

Rising sixth and seventh graders can now apply for a Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarship to attend basketball camp in June.

Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp NC State University Raleigh

Carolina Basketball School The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Visit ncelectriccooperatives.com/sports-camps to apply by March 31.

*

8 | February 2025

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It was love at first sight when Air Force and Army veteran Jeff recently met his new service dog Carter.

CANINES SERVICE

I

b ( w a b n t s

FOR

Friends for Life

A Wilmington nonprofit is transforming lives, one dog at a time.

C f C o c r

By Rue Reynold | Photos by Randy Berger

10 | February 2025

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“

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role at Canines for Service is witnessing the moment a client is finally paired with their service dog.”

I

magine being in a situation where someone invades your personal space, leaving you frozen, jittery or panicked.

Now imagine your four-legged companion sensing your discomfort and stepping in to create distance or even guide you away.

This is just one example of how highly trained service dogs, like those provided by Canines for Service in Wilmington, help better the lives of the veterans they serve.

It began with an idea and a desire for canines to be seen as more than just companions. Canines for Service (caninesforservice.org) was founded in 1996, a nonprofit where dogs were not only friends, but healers, protectors and life-changers. What started as a small initiative blossomed into North Carolina’s longest-running, internationally accredited service dog provider, dedicated to transforming the lives of veterans through expertly trained service dogs.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my role at Canines for Service is witnessing the moment a client is finally paired with their service dog,” says Development Coordinator Mary McArthur. “With an average wait time of nearly two years, the journey can often feel long and challenging, but the placement ceremony is a powerful reminder of why we do this work.”

Mary McArthur, Canines for Service

FROM PUPS TO LIFE-CHANGERS

Service animals assist individuals with physical, mental or emotional disabilities by performing tasks that increase independence and safety at home and in public. For example, mobility assistance dogs can turn on lights, open refrigerators or position themselves to support transitions into chairs or beds. Emotional support animals comfort through companionship, while therapy animals visit health care facilities, assist with physical therapy or help keep patients safe. While both emotional and therapy animals are important, they are not trained to do specific lifeassisting tasks like service animals, nor do they have the same public access rights.

The journey of a service dog at Canines for Service begins with an excited eight-week-old puppy from a lineage of service companions, specially bred for their potential to serve. These pups live in foster homes to socialize and learn basic commands and etiquette. Once they reach eight months, they move to the nonprofit’s facility for up to 2,000 hours of specialized training. They master essential skills such as item retrieval, switching on and off lights and identifying anxious behaviors before moving on to specific tasks their future handlers will need. Trainers work with patience, love and purpose, shaping the dogs into dependable partners. carolinacountry.com | 11

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Development Coordinator Mary McArthur raises funds for the nonprofit and sometimes fosters growing pups.

For veterans, these dogs are more than helpers — they’re lifelines. For someone suffering from nightmares, the service dog may gently wake them by applying calming pressure or turning on lights if touch isn’t welcome.

Veterans who have experienced personal violation in the military may rely on their dogs to create personal space or guide them out of overwhelming situations. Some service dogs even learn to respond to medication reminders or signs of distress.

The training is intense, but the results are more than worth it.

MEETING A GROWING NEED

A shining example of the organization’s work is veteran Jeff and his service dog, Carter, one of Canines for Service’s most recent placements. It was love at first sight when the two met as Jeff proclaimed, “You are my new best friend, so you’re stuck with me for life!” He wasn’t kidding. The two bonded quickly, far beyond service duties, with Carter having an acute sense of awareness to take Jeff out of uncomfortable situations or helping to retrieve items due to numbness in Jeff’s hands. Carter also knows a thing or two about deep pressure therapy, which provides amazing relief to tight muscles.

Canines for Service also offers a helping hand to those wanting to brighten someone’s day with their own companion. Its Canines for Therapy program provides training opportunities for personal pets to become therapy animals to give comfort in hospitals and care facilities.

The need for service dogs is greater than ever with Canines for Service seeing a 57% increase in applications between 2023 and 2024. While six specialized dogs were placed from 2023–2024 and another eight are projected to be placed by June 30 of this year, limited funding, resources and volunteers create challenges in meeting demand. Determined to provide service dogs and support at no cost, including travel and lodging expenses, the nonprofit relies heavily on donations, grants and community support to continue this life-changing work.

The magic of Canines for Service lies in its stories of transformation — where struggles are met with unconditional love, and hope takes the shape of four paws and a wagging tail. As Mary puts it: “Seeing the pure joy and relief on our clients’ faces when they meet their service dog for the first time is truly unforgettable.”

Rue Reynold is the editorial assistant for Carolina Country magazine.

12 | February 2025

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P

The team at Canines for Service

PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF SERVICE ANIMALS Service animals play a vital role in supporting individuals with physical, mental or emotional disabilities, but misuse of service animal claims can create challenges for those who truly rely on them.

Here’s how you can help: Beware of red flags: Î Service animals are trained to assist, not to disrupt. Î While service animals are not legally required to wear vests or carry certificates, if someone claims to have a service animal and continuously emphasizes an ID, it could be a red flag.

If you suspect a potentially fraudulent service animal: Î Do not confront the owner. Î Politely ask to speak to a store manager and explain the situation to them.

Business owners can visit bit.ly/ada-service to learn more about the rights and independence of those with assistance animals, as well as associated rights as a business.

Advocating for legitimate service animals ensures fair treatment for all. Visit canine.org to learn more about service dog identification and service animal masquerading.

Source: Canine Companions

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1/10/25 3:50 PM

NEWS

Central

FEB. 2025

Monthly newsletter from Central Electric Membership Corp.

Why does your bill go up during the winter?

Monthly newsletter from Central Electric Membership Corp.

You sometimes probably wonder why your electricity bill goes up and down, and is higher at certain times of the year. If you’re paying close attention, you may have noticed that the spikes generally occur during the cold winter months and warm summer months. That’s because your heating and cooling system is working harder during these months to keep the inside of your home comfortable. Typically our highest energy use periods of the year will occur in January through March and then again June through September.

In the chart above, the blue line represents the low temperature and the red bar represents daily energy usage for a typical member. You will notice

that as it gets colder and the low temperature goes down (drop in the blue line), energy use goes up (taller red bars). The same goes for when temperatures rise (climb in the blue line), energy use goes down (shorter red bars). When there is a larger difference between the outside air temperature and the temperature you have the inside of your home set at, you use more energy to maintain the comfortable setting you like.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions about your monthly bill or energy use. You can also scan the QR code to learn more and for ways you can help save energy.

Energy efficiency tip We recommend setting your thermostat to 68 degrees, or as low as you can comfortably stand it. A programmable thermostat is also a great upgrade because it allows you to customize your heating schedule to save money.

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POINT OF VIEW

The power behind the switch From the desk of CEO & General Manager Eddie Oldham

Central Electric was built by the community we serve, and our priority is ensuring you have access to electricity that is both dependable and affordable—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

Most of us rely on electricity—directly or indirectly— at nearly every moment of our lives. It’s so abundant and accessible that we rarely stop to think about what powers everything around us. With a simple flip of a switch, electricity lights our homes, runs our appliances, keeps us connected, and supports our quality of life. It’s no longer just the “light bill.”

Electricity powers so much more.

impacted the availability and cost of reliable base load power generation, leading to today’s lack of capacity and increasing cost issues.

At Central Electric, we know electricity isn’t just a commodity—it’s a necessity. As demand for power increases across homes, businesses, schools and even the transportation sector, we remain committed to ensuring you have access to reliable, affordable electricity. This commitment drives everything we do.

Advanced Technologies: Central Electric is investing in tools to help us operate more efficiently.

Looking to the future, the challenges of providing power are evolving. U.S. electricity demand is projected to rise to record highs in the coming years, and the demand is expected to double by 2050.

Meanwhile, the supply of electricity is shrinking as always-available power plants are prematurely retired.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has already warned that 19 states face potential rolling blackouts during periods of high demand in the next five years.

Innovating for Tomorrow: Rising electricity demand calls for collaboration and forward-thinking solutions to ensure affordable solutions for our communities.

So, how did we get here, how do we address these challenges and what are we doing at Central Electric to protect our members?

Over the next several months, we will dive into factors that impact the reliability and affordability of the service we provide to you. Some of these are within our control, such as proactive right-of-way trimming and system maintenance. Others are outside of our control, such as trees that fall from outside the rightof-way in our tree dense area, and policy decisions over the last two decades that have severely

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February 2025

In the coming months, we will cover and take a dive into several topics, including: The Energy Mix: We’ll explore the diverse mix of energy resources that generate your electricity.

Grid Resilience: Tree trimming and proactive maintenance are key to keeping power lines clear and improving system reliability.

Planning for the Future: As the energy landscape changes, conversations with elected officials whose decisions affect energy policy are paramount.

Central Electric was built by the community we serve, and we remain dedicated to powering the lives of local families and businesses. As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, our priority is ensuring you have electricity that is both dependable and affordable— today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

Thank you for trusting us to power your lives. In the months ahead, I look forward to sharing more about the challenges we continue to face, as well as how we are actively working to keep the lights on and protect our members into the future.

NEWS CENTRAL

1/10/25 3:13 PM

Making a positive difference in the community Thanks to the Operation Round Up® program, over $40,000 is being put back into the local communities to provide assistance for worthy projects.

Always Faithful Ranch – $3,000 for their horsemanship mentorship program.

Central Carolina Community College Foundation – $3,000 for the James French Dreamkeeper Fund.

CORA Food Pantry – $3,000 to support the Choice Food Pantry.

Floyd L. Knight School – $2,224 for classroom equipment for students with special needs.

Friend to Friend – $2,000 for assistance to help clients move out of the domestic violence shelter.

Friends of the Wren Memorial Library – $3,000 for their bilingual book collection and inclusive programming.

Members of The Salvation Army of Lee County accept a grant for $3,000. The funds will be used to support their food pantry. Scan the QR code to learn more about the ORU program.

Life Springs Dream Center – $3,000 for rehabilitation services.

Spectrum of Victory – $1,600 for telehealth technology for mental health counseling.

Project Point Five – $2,500 to support at-risk youth.

The Salvation Army of Lee County – $3,000 for their food pantry.

Helping Hands Clinic – $3,000 for their dental referral program.

Railroad House Historical Association – $3,000 for display enhancements.

Lee County HS – $3,000 for the Guidance Department.

Southern Lee High School – $3,000 for their FFA Chapter.

Western Harnett Lions Club – $3,000 to send campers to Camp Dogwood for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Thinking about making energy-efficient upgrades to your home? We can help!

Central Electric partners with ElecTel Cooperative Federal Credit Union to allow you to finance more energy efficiency upgrades than ever before including heat pumps, insulation upgrades, energy efficient doors and windows, and water heaters. Rebates are also available for energy-efficient heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and High Efficiency Residential Option (HERO) built homes.

Scan this QR code or visit the “Member Services” tab at CEMCPower.com to learn more about energy-efficient loans, rebates and other tools available to our members.

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February 2025 February 2025

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NEWS CENTRAL NEWS CENTRAL

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TESC Basketball Scholarship Program Central EMC annually awards two Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships to local students in Chatham, Harnett, Lee, Moore or Randolph counties.

Usually a young man is selected to attend the Carolina Basketball School at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and one young lady wins a scholarship to attend the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp at N.C. State University in Raleigh.

At camp, students work directly with the staff to learn basketball skills, leadership and teamwork. To be eligible to apply, students must be in the sixth or seventh grade during the upcoming school year, have permission from a parent or guardian to attend the overnight camp and must provide their own transportation if selected to attend. Scan the QR code or visit CEMCPower.com for more information or to apply by March 31.

Considering whether purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle is right for you? Be sure to visit our EV section at CEMCPower.com before making any decisions. We have a lot of information available to help you decide if it is right for you and your family.

Scan this QR Code with your phone’s camera to check out our EV resources at CEMCPower.com.

Eddie Oldham CEO & General Manager 128 Wilson Road P.O. Box 1107 Sanford, NC 27331 OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CONTACT Phone: (919) 774-4900 Bill Payment: (866) 488-5011

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February 2025

Central-0225.indd 18

DIRECTORS Rebecca G. Cogan, President Tommy Dalrymple, Vice President James B. Brooks, Secretary-Treasurer W. Phillip Thompson, Asst. Secretary Charles E. Cameron, Sr., Dr. Nancy G. Holmes, Henry Outz, Tim Priest and Henry Randolph.

OUTAGE REPORTING (877) 766-6769 24-hours a day (919) 774-4900 Text ‘PWR’ to opt-in and ‘OUT’ to report an outage FOLLOW US

Conni Tucker, Editor

CEMCPower.com

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

@cemcpower NEWS CENTRAL

1/10/25 3:13 PM

Energy Sense

Fireplace Efficiency Maximize warmth and minimize waste

By Miranda Boutelle

When I was a little girl growing up in North Carolina, I remember my dad telling me that some nights were too cold to have a fire. That always seemed crazy to me, but like many other things he said, he was right.

A heat pump heated our home.

We had an open fireplace that was more suited for ambiance than creating heat. When you have a fire, warm air rises and draws the smoke out through the chimney. This also draws the warm air out of the house.

This invisible force is called the stack effect.

The impact is exacerbated in drafty homes. When the warm air escapes through the chimney, it is replaced by cool air leaking in through gaps and cracks in the home. The greater the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the greater the stack effect, hence Dad’s rule of no fires on the coldest nights.

Wood fireplaces are not an efficient option to heat your home. Most of the heat goes out of the chimney. If you enjoy the comforting ambiance and curling up in front of the fireplace during the colder months, here are some tips to efficiently operate a fireplace in your home.

Because it is out of sight, it can be easy to forget to close the chimney damper. The damper should be open when you have a fire going or when any hot ashes are in the fireplace to ensure smoke and carbon monoxide 19 | February 2025

CC02_JA.indd 19 WEST CENTRAL EAST

don’t come into your home. Once the fire and all ashes are fully extinguished, close the damper. Leaving the damper open allows warm air to escape, wasting energy. It’s like leaving a window open when your heating system is turned on in the winter.

If your damper doesn’t close properly or your chimney doesn’t have one, purchase a product designed for the task. There are a variety of chimney plug sizes and styles available, including inflatable options designed to fit snugly in place. While you are at the hardware store, pick up some caulking and weatherstripping to seal air leaks around windows, doors and pipes along exterior walls.

Fireplaces with gas logs are required to be installed with a mechanism that always keeps the damper open. This safety feature allows gases from the pilot light to escape. Glass doors can reduce the impact of air leakage in the winter and summer months. Consider installing glass doors on open fireplaces and keep them closed to minimize drafts.

Sealed combustion gas fireplaces are fully enclosed systems that draw the air needed for combustion from the outside. When properly installed, you get the benefit of the warmth of the fire without the worry of heat loss from drafts. If you have gas logs and enjoy the ease of a gas fireplace, consider upgrading to a sealed combustion unit.

Turning the pilot light off in the summer can reduce wasted gas.

If you plan to turn the pilot light off, follow the instructions in the owner’s manual to avoid any potential safety issues.

Woodstoves and pellet stoves are additional options that provide more heat than wood or gas fireplaces.

Federal tax credits are available for high-efficiency biomass stoves.

A credit of 30% of the project cost — including the cost of installation up to a maximum of $2,000 — is available for products purchased and installed between Jan. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2032. The unit must have a thermal efficiency rating of 75% or more. Visit energystar.gov for more information.

If you have a woodstove, fireplace or any fuel-burning appliance in your home, be sure to install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can be harmful or even deadly if not detected.

Use my dad’s sage advice and these tips to keep your home warm while gathering your loved ones around a glowing fire during the winter season.

This column was written by Miranda Boutelle of the Efficiency Services Group.

Visit CarolinaCountry.com/your-energy for more ideas on energy efficiency.

carolinacountry.com | 19

1/10/25 3:55 PM

William F. Credle.

Documenting

History Preserving the legacy of NC’s Rosenwald Schools

By Pamela A. Keene

I This page and opposite: Scenes from Rosenwald Schools from around the state, likely taken in the late 1920s and early ’30s.

n the early 1900s, white children in 15 Southern states attended brick-and-mortar schools, but African American children received their education in fields, churches or ramshackle buildings.

A partnership between educator and reformer Booker T. Washington and Chicago Philanthropist Julius Rosenwald changed all that.

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William F. Credle.

Between 1917 and 1932, the Rosenwald Foundation brought education to African American children in many forms, from oneroom wood-frame schoolhouses to two-story multiroom schools.

Rosenwald, a German-Jewish immigrant and president of Sears, Roebuck and Company, and Washington, a former slave who put himself through school to become a teacher, shared a vision to bring education to African American children.

Rosenwald created the Rosenwald Foundation that provided seed money to build community schools for African American children across the South. Washington, then president of the Tuskegee Institute, championed equality for African Americans through education.

Between 1917 and 1932, the Rosenwald Foundation brought education to African American children in many forms, from one-room wood-frame schoolhouses to two-story multiroom schools. Out of more than 5,300 Rosenwald Schools across the south, North Carolina’s original number totaled 813 — the greatest number in any state.

One hundred years later, a statewide research project is

seeking out these schools as a way to capture history.

“In North Carolina, we’ve undertaken an initiative to locate, document and map as many as possible, those still in use in some capacity, some still standing but vacant, and those that have fallen into severe repair,” says Sarah Woodard, survey and National Register branch supervisor for the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

“This current county-by-county project builds on decades of documentation work; it has documented records in 35 countries and confirmed the locations of nearly 200 Rosenwald sites so far.”

Of those located, almost 50 have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“However, many Rosenwald Schools have completely disappeared, and it’s nearly impossible to pinpoint where they were,” Sarah says. “In these cases, we’re doing our best, turning to local records, old maps and other resources.” carolinacountry.com | 21

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Courtesy of the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office/DNCR

The Castalia Rosenwald School Museum in Nash County

GRASSROOTS EDUCATION

Here’s how the Rosenwald Foundation school program worked. The foundation typically provided an average of $2,000 to a town as a grant, requiring a match from the local school board as well as funds raised by the Black community.

“Each community received plans to build the schools, but it was up to them to come up with the materials and the labor,” Sarah explains. “Sometimes the county might supply the lumber, and in other situations members of the community would cut the wood from nearby forests to obtain the lumber. It varied quite a bit.”

The SHPO’s documentation initiative began in the 1980s; by 2002 the program expanded to add historic Rosenwald Schools to the National Register of Historic Places. Some of the buildings are still in use as community centers, training facilities or schools. Others are noted only by a historical marker.

The North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office and the NC African American Heritage Commission, both part of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, are working together on the documentation project. Other groups involved include the Conservation Trust for North Carolina and the National Trust Southern Office.

RENEWED EFFORTS

Last November, the NC African American Heritage Commission hosted the two-day Celebrating & Connecting: A Convening of North Carolina Rosenwald Schools in Raleigh, the first such conference since 2015.

More than 120 people attended, from historians, community leaders, state officials and advocates.

Miranda Clinton, coordinator of the Convening for the African American Heritage Commission, sums up the event: “Attendees heard about our new digitized archives to better support our initiative, and they were able to network with other people in the state as we continue this important work. By being able to tell people about all the preservation and financial resources available to them, we

From our archives Visit carolinacountry.com/rosenwald to learn about efforts to restore the Russell Rosenwald School in Durham County, including video interviews with former students, in an article from the September 2014 issue of Carolina Country.

hope to preserve, document and archive as many of North Carolina’s 813 Rosenwald Schools as possible before the buildings and the stories are lost.”

“The convening marshaled many people and resources involved in the Rosenwald Schools project in one place,” says John Horan, oral historian with the State Archives of North Carolina. “A lot of conversations took place to continue to build a bigger community and determine what will be happening moving forward. That’s powerful.”

As a historian who has studied school integration in North Carolina, John explains how delving into the history before the story helps illuminate the present.

“The Rosenwald Schools were a marked improvement on what the African American children had before,” he says. “They still were not as good as what white students had. Nonetheless, the Rosenwald Fund, coupled with contributions from the various communities, created schools that allowed for a major investment in their children’s education. It’s crucial that we study and remember what happened 100 years ago to sort out how we arrived where we are today.”

Pamela A. Keene is a freelance writer and photographer based in Atlanta.

22 | February 2025

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Freedom SAFE

HAVEN FOR

THE FREEDMEN’S COLONY ON ROANOKE ISLAND

By Donna Campbell Smith

In the beginning of the Civil War, the people of the Outer Banks and Roanoke Island were somewhat indifferent to the conflict. They wanted to go on with life as they knew it. Even though some were slave owners, they did not support the Confederacy like those living on the mainland.

That all changed on February 7, 1862, when the Northern Army, commanded by General Ambrose Burnside, took control of Roanoke Island.

The federal government declared the slaves on the island emancipated. Initially, the freed slaves were considered contraband. As the war progressed, the word “contraband” was replaced with “freedmen” by the military. The word quickly spread throughout the state that Roanoke Island was a safe haven.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Hundreds of slaves arrived from the mainland seeking freedom. The federal government seized local land on the north side of the island to make room for the increased population, which eventually reached almost 4,000 men, women and children. The able-bodied men were recruited to join the Army. Some freedmen acted as spies, scouts and guides for the Union.

In the beginning, they took shelter wherever they could find it — abandoned Confederate barracks and other unused shacks. It was quickly apparent these people needed housing, food and medical care.

Major General John G. Foster called on the Army Chaplain, Rev. Horace James, to oversee settling the freed slaves on the unoccupied lands. Rev. James distributed

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Opposite page and right: Engravings on the "First Light of Freedom" monument at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Above: Early schools in the colony would have been similar to this Freedmen's School in New Bern (c. 1868).

tools and equipment and provided training for “living as a free and independent community.” Each family was allotted one acre of land where they could build a cabin and had room for a garden. Rev. James reported the freed slaves worked night and day, singing as they worked.

By 1864 over 550 homes had been built for the 3,901 freed slaves. Schools, churches, and sawmills were constructed, and a community was born. One of the churches, Haven Creek Church, still stands today as Haven Creek Missionary Baptist Church, located at 611 Sir Walter Raleigh Street in Manteo.

A former slave woman, Martha Culling, opened the community’s first school. It is not known where she came from or her life outside of teaching at the school she organized. In March 1864, Samual Nickerson opened another school. Martha assisted Samual at the Cypress Chapel School at one of the old Confederate barracks, which had room for more students. Later more teachers arrived.

Children and adults learned to read and write, which they were not allowed to do while slaves.

AFTER THE WAR Sadly, at the end of the war, the U.S. government ordered that all of the land that had been confiscated to build the colony be returned to the original owners. Food rations were reduced, workers were never paid the wages that were owed to them or given the rights they had been promised. The population was reduced by half, as many left the island to start new lives elsewhere. Only a few families stayed on Roanoke Island. By 1887 the colony was dissolved.

Descendants of the freedmen still live on Roanoke Island today. Much of what we know about the Freedmen’s Colony is attributed to their work in preserving that history.

Joan Collins, as a descendent of one of the colony families, explains what the work to preserve the history of the Freedmens’ Colony has meant to her.

“As a descendent of those who lived on the Freedmen’s Colony, I am pleased that this story is being told,” Joan says. “It is an important part of the history of Roanoke Island and the Outer Banks, which unfortunately often is overlooked despite the area’s historical significance.

The ties this story has to the historic all-Black Pea Island Lifesaving Station is also a powerful symbol of what can be achieved through determination and perseverance.”

The Pea Island Cookhouse Museum in Manteo, open for special events and by appointment, houses a collection of information about the Freedmen’s Colony. Visitors to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (nps.gov/fora) will find a monument that briefly tells the story of the origin of the colony, as well as the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, which shares the story through interpretive signs and metal cutout silhouettes of dancing figures, signifying the joy of reaching freedom.

“Stories such as these stand as a testament to the power of hope and the relentless pursuit of freedom,” Joan says.

“My connection to this history inspires me to honor those who sought freedom and to continue their fight for equality and justice.”

Donna Campbell Smith is a Carolina Country contributing writer who lives in Franklin County.

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Beaufort Business Association

Carolina Adventures

Ruth King

Beaufort Business Association

Beaufort Mardi Gras Carnival Weekend (also top right)

Gloucester Mardi Gras

New Orleans Fun Along the NC Coast Coastal communities celebrate Mardi Gras with all the pageantry

By Renee C. Gannon

The purple, gold and green flow throughout Beaufort, Gloucester and Oak Island each year in celebration of Mardi Gras. These local events feature parades, carnivals, Cajun food and of course, music. Mardi Gras — March 4 this year — is held just before the start of Lent, a period of fasting preceding Easter. Parades, parties and carnivals typically ramp up weeks before Ash Wednesday, with the last day of celebration held the day before, known as Fat Tuesday (or in French, “Mardi Gras”).

Gloucester The 32nd Annual Gloucester Mardi Gras, Eastern NC’s longest-running Mardi Gras festival, will be held on Feb. 15 starting around 11 a.m. at the Gloucester Community Club on Pigott Road. Located outside of Beaufort, the community models its kid-friendly celebration after FEB. 15

Gloucester Mardi Gras bit.ly/fb-gmg unknowntongues.com FEB. 22

Oak Island by the Sea Mardi Gras Parade and Festival oakislandnc.gov/events MARCH 1–2

Beaufort Mardi Gras Carnival Weekend visitbeaufortnc.com Tickets required for some events; check websites for more information.

the rural Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana. Folks come together to make gumbo and other Louisianastyle dishes, create masks, enjoy a kids’ King and Queen march, as well as a “Fool’s Procession” people’s parade for all that’s full of costumes, bead tossing, dancing and live Cajun music. The local Unknown Tongues, a Cajun zydeco band, kicks it up a notch at 3 p.m.

Festival co-founders Bryan and Barbara Blake, who are also members of Unknown Tongues, started the event as a way to give back to the community. A portion of all proceeds and cash donations goes toward a scholarship fund for local high school seniors.

“It means a lot to the community to have a free, grassroots space to have fun, eat great food, meet new friends and celebrate community; locals and nonlocals keep coming back year after year,” Barbara says. “Many people help chop ingredients for the gumbo the Friday eve before and stir the roux. Most food ingredients are donated by community members, and all the seafood is local.”

Beaufort What started more than 10 years ago as the “World’s Shortest Parade” in downtown Beaufort has grown into a two-day event: the Beaufort Mardi Gras Carnival Weekend.

“The parade started just to get people downtown,” explains Nelson

Owens, executive director of the Beaufort Business Association. “Now we have more than 5,000 people attend, with many coming from across the state, even from South Carolina and Virginia.”

The fun kicks off with a street carnival and parade on Saturday morning, March 1. Visitors enjoy Louisiana-inspired food, music, kids’ activities, stilt walkers, jugglers, unicyclists, and more at the carnival before the parade begins at 3 p.m.

The parade, complete with the Mardi Gras King and Queen, starts at Front Street at Live Oak, onto Turner Street to the Carteret-Craven Courthouse.

The Cajun Cookoff will be at the Beaufort Historic Grounds on Turner Street. Saturday evening features the Masquerade Ball. The weekend winds down at the Sinners Remorse Brunch on Sunday morning.

Oak Island Further south from the Crystal Coast at the southern tip of the NC coastline, fun is also to be had at the Oak Island Mardi Gras by the Sea Parade and Festival. The event kicks off with a Mardi Gras parade beginning on Keziah Street at 11 a.m., which ends at Middleton Park Complex on Dolphin Drive, where the fun continues with food, a crafts market, a kids' zone and music from the local Old Man Mafia band.

Renee C. Gannon is the senior associate editor of Carolina Country.

26 | February 2025

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Carolina Gardens

African Violet Ailments Troubleshoot these common issues Story and photos by L.A. Jackson

African violets are just the right perky houseplants to comfort avid gardeners through the dead-of-winter blues. But while these potted pretties are dependable performers, they can have problems. Here are some of the more common African violet ailments and what to do about them.

Bloomless beauties: They are starving for nutrients!

Regular waterings that include diluted doses (usually about one-quarter strength) of an African violetformulated fertilizer will help sustain a bloom party.

Bloomless beauties (part two): Warmth and humidity are also keys to bountiful blossom displays. For warmth, place African violets in a room where temperatures are between 65–75 degrees. Humidity will be improved by setting the pots in shallow trays of pebbles partially filled with water, meaning the tops of the rocks should be dry.

Dot, dot, dot: No, not Morse code but rather spots on leaves, which can be caused by either cold water or chlorine. Pour water directly into the soil, not on the leaves, and let it warm up to room temperature before using.

Having water sit out overnight allows chlorine — common in city water — to dissipate. Using room-temperature rainwater helps dash the dots, too. .A.’s website of the month: L North Carolina Native Plant Society (ncwildflower.org).

Need help choosing the right native plants for your garden this spring? The NCNPS can ably assist. This website also has information on their eight chapters across the state, as well as an events calendar.

Proper care produces pretty African violets.

Dot, dot, dot (part two): Too much exposure to sunlight will also besmirch the leaves with dark spots. If the sun is your African violets’ primary light source, it should only be indirect or filtered through a sheer screen.

The bends: Fertilizer salts that build up on the rims of pots can chemically burn leaves touching the residue and cause them to curl. To beat such bends, occasionally wipe the pot rims with a wet cloth.

The bends (part two): If your African violets’ leaves are drooping, it’s time for a drink. Not for you, but rather for your thirsty plants. Strong sunlight can also cause the foliage to curl.

Rot in a pot: Root rot is the result of too much soil muck. Only irrigate when the top of the dirt feels dry and don’t set pots in saucers that can trap water. Also, when you repot, use a loose, well-draining commercial African violet soil mix.

Tilt: When symmetry goes sideways on an African violet, it is usually the result of one side of the plant being exposed to its primary light source too long. Rotating the pot a quarter turn every two weeks will take care of this out-of-kilter condition.

L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener Magazine.

Contact L.A. at lajackson1@gmail.com

Garden To-Do’s for February Lenten rose hellebores (Helleborus x hybridus) are winter-hardy wonders prodigiously producing displays of cute, colorful flowers that can last deep into the new spring. Even after their blossoms fade, these hellebores refuse to go away because they remain handsome 12-to 18-inch-high clumps of evergreen foliage through the whole year. They are tough beauties, too, being deerresistant and performing well in areas of dry shade. As a bonus, happy hellebores readily reseed and establish ever-expanding green mounds of pretty plants.

Lenten rose, a winter wonder

□ Large, showy ornamental grasses such as miscanthus,

□ Keep the bird bath free of ice if a deep freeze settles

pampas, and pennisetum should be cut back before new growth begins. And if your beauties have become untidy brutes with neighboring plants, now is a good time to divide large clumps of these grasses.

in, and continue to wash and refill it at least once a week. Speaking of refills, the bird feeder should also remain well-stocked with seed and suet.

28 | February 2025

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Smart homeowners around the world have scrapped their old furnaces and air conditioners and replaced them with a WaterFurnace geothermal comfort system. That’s because geothermal comfort systems use the free, renewable energy found in your own backyard to save up to 70% on heating, cooling and hot water. You won’t need that old inefficient furnace or that unsightly outdoor air conditioner because a WaterFurnace system provides complete comfort for your home with a single unit. And because the system doesn’t burn fossil fuels, there are no fumes or carbon monoxide concerns. Make the smart switch to geothermal. Contact your local WaterFurnace dealer today to learn more.

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visit waterfurnace.com/MainStreet 1. ENERGY STAR rated units qualify for 30% through 2032, 26% through 2033 and 22% through 2034 WaterFurnace is a registered trademark of WaterFurnace International, Inc. ©2024 WaterFurnace International Inc.

Advertising published in Carolina Country is accepted on the premise that the merchandise and services offered are accurately described and willingly sold to customers at the advertised price. All ads must adhere to Carolina Country’s advertising policy, which can be found in our media kit at carolinacountry.com/advertise/MediaKit.

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1/10/25 3:50 PM

Carolina Kitchen gluten free

vegan

dairy free

Oatmeal Raisin Edible Cookie Dough

Warm Fireside Butterscotch Milk

Are you always tempted to nibble on cookie dough when making a batch? No more sneaking.

This eggless mixture is safe to enjoy raw… just pinch and eat!

Snuggle up with your sweeties with mugs of this caramelly, buttery deliciousness.

½ cup solid coconut oil or softened plant-based butter ²/₃ cup brown sugar substitute (we used Swerve) 2 tablespoons almond milk 2 teaspoons vanilla extract ½ teaspoon almond extract

1 stick salted butter 6 tablespoons dark brown sugar 2 tablespoon sorghum molasses 2–3 ice cubes 1 cup heavy cream 6 cups milk (we used unsweetened almond milk) 1 teaspoon kosher salt Whipped cream or marshmallows Cinnamon

2 cups almond flour 1 cup gluten-free whole grain rolled oats ¹/₃ cup sunflower seeds ½ cup raisins 2 teaspoons cinnamon ½ teaspoon salt

Using a mixer, cream oil or butter with brown sugar. Blend in milk and extracts. Add remaining ingredients and continue mixing until well combined.

Store mixture in refrigerator up to a week. Or, freeze in balls to enjoy up to several months.

Note: Be sure to choose gluten-free and dairy-free ingredients. If you prefer “regular” dough, simply sub regular dairy, brown sugar and flour. If using wheat flour, be sure to heat in oven or microwave to 160 degrees before consuming to kill any potential bacteria.

Yield: About 3 cups

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

Recipes by Culinary Adventurist Wendy Perry (WendyPerry.com), home economist, blogger and NC food artisan, unless otherwise noted.

Heat butter with sugar in a heavy, mediumsized saucepan over medium heat, stirring continually until butter is melted. Add molasses and continue stirring until syrup is browned and smells toasty, 4–5 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in a few ice cubes. Whisk in cream, milk and salt. Put back on burner over medium-low heat and slowly warm. Heating too fast will cause the milk to separate.

Top with whipped cream or marshmallows and a dusting of cinnamon.

Yield: About 7 cups

From Your Kitchen Chicken Flatbreads

You simply cannot purchase a packaged flatbread half as soft and fresh as these homemade ones.

Pile them high with chicken, spinach and a lemony yogurt sauce!

1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided 3 tablespoons Mediterranean seasoning (we used basil, thyme and parsley), divided 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full fat), divided

1 teaspoon lemon juice 1½ teaspoon sugar, divided 1½ teaspoon salt, divided 2 cups flour ¾ teaspoon baking soda ¼ cup water 1 bag baby spinach or salad mix

Coat thighs in 1 tablespoon olive oil, rub with 2 tablespoons seasoning and marinate overnight.

The next day, sauté or grill thighs until done, then slice thinly against the grain. Set aside.

Mix ½ cup yogurt, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon seasoning, ½ teaspoon sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt in a bowl.

Keep cold.

For the flatbreads, mix together flour, soda, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon

Recipe courtesy of Jessi Waugh of Pine Knoll Shores, a member of Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative

salt. Then add ½ cup yogurt, ¼ cup water, and 1 tablespoon olive oil, stirring until combined. Knead dough one minute until soft, then divide into 2-inch balls. Allow the dough to rest 20–30 minutes. Then roll the balls out into ¼-inch thick rounds and heat 30 seconds per side in a lightly greased, very hot pan.

Place the yogurt sauce, chicken and greens into the flatbreads. Eat! Yield: 6–8 servings

Submit your recipe online at: carolinacountry.com/myrecipe. Contributors whose recipes are published will receive $25.

30 | February 2025

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February Events

FEB. 15

Chili Cook-Off Stroll Main Street, Waynesville FEB. 20–23

Mixtape! Best of the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s Flat Rock Playhouse, Flat Rock 828-693-0731 FEB. 22

Beach to Boardwalk Wilmington Marathon Various locations, Wilmington 910-297-4973

Mardi Gras by the Sea Festival and Parade Bruce Harris

FEB. 6–8

North Carolina Jazz Festival Hotel Ballast, Wilmington, 910-399-6536

Middleton Park, Oak Island 910-278-5518 FEB. 22–23

Winter Reds 2025 DEC. 11 – FEB. 15

FEB. 1

FEB. 6

Winter Show

Dogfish Tournament

Art exhibition, food, beverages GreenHill Center for North Carolina Art, Greensboro 336-333-7460

Johnnie Mercer’s Fishing Pier, Wrightsville Beach 910-256-2743

Jon Lehrer Dance Company

JAN. 7 – FEB. 9

Carolina Chocolate Festival

Moving Heaven and Earth Art exhibition Hillsborough Gallery of Arts 919-732-5001 JAN. 19 – MARCH. 16

Dome Sweet Home Luxury domes open to public Stock + Grain Assembly, High Point 336-884-7862 JAN. 30 – FEB. 2

Ice Fest Maggie Valley Festival Grounds 828-944-0761

FEB. 1–2

Crystal Coast Civic Center, Morehead City 252-286-5001

CoMMA Performing Arts Center, Morganton, 828-433-7469 FEB. 7–8

Helen’s History Hop Theater performance Hayti Heritage Center, Durham 919-926-9906 FEB. 14

FEB. 2

Sweetheart Market

Frosty 5K Hot chocolate, treats Haywood Community College, Clyde 828-627-2821

Alice Cooper Legendary rock star Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, Greensboro 336-333-6500

Darnell Farms, Bryson 828-488-2376

Karla Harris Quartet Old Theater, Oriental 252-617-2125

Red wine tastings Participating wineries, Yadkin County 336-679-2200

Carolina Coastal Railroaders Train Show Riverfront Convention Center, New Bern 252-670-3383 FEB. 25

Robert Cray Band Soulful blues and rock performance CoMMA Performing Arts Center, Morganton, 828-433-7469 FEB. 27 – MARCH 1

Carolina Jazz Festival Various locations, Chapel Hill 919-962-1039

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 Feb. 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 April 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.

December’s winner The December “Where Is This” photo by Carteret-Craven Electric member Sue Hickey features the Bake, Bottle & Brew Shop and Willy Nilly Warehouse in Swansboro, during the annual Swansboro by Candlelight event. Sue adds that the hot chocolate and sweets were abundant, with all shops open and families enjoying the night. This shop lit up the night on Front Street, along the Intracoastal Waterway. A reader commented: “Many fond memories are made each year at Swansboro’s annual Christmas Flotilla where local businesses decorate for the Christmas season and families gather by the waterfront to watch decorated boats parade past with Christmas music playing.” The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Craig Williams of Emerald Isle, a Carteret-Craven Electric member.

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