Keith Alexander Advertising Keith@carolinacountry.com
Joseph P. Brannan Executive Vice President & CEO
Kristie Aldridge, CCC Senior Vice President & COO
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives provide reliable, safe and affordable electric service to 1 million homes and businesses. The 26 electric cooperatives are each 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 $6 per year.
Subscriptions: Individual subscriptions, $12 per year. Schools, libraries, $6.
Carolina Country is available on digital cartridge as a courtesy of volunteer services at the NC Department of Cultural Resources, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Raleigh, NC 888-388-2460.
Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh, NC, and additional mailing offices. Editorial offices: 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616-2950. Carolina Country® is a registered trademark of the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives, Inc.
POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 707.4.12.5); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: Send address corrections to Carolina Country, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616-2950.
Change of address: Please contact your electric co-op or go online to carolinacountry.com/address
Experiencing a power outage?
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Carolina Voices
What’s the greatest sports moment ever?
A Winning Museum
Native sluggers are memorialized at the NC Baseball Museum.
T-ball: A rite of childhood passage.
Walter “Buck” Leonard, from Rocky Mount, was a first baseman for the Homestead Grays from 1937 to 1945, when Black players could only be part of what was called the “Negro League.” Leonard was a homerun leader in the league. He’s one of seven players from NC inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Learn about others on page 16. Photo courtesy of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Our “I Remember” section is always a reader favorite, and we’d love to hear your stories! Submit a photo and 200 words that describe it — we pay $50 for those we publish. Visit carolinacountry.com/contact for details.
From Our Readers
A Father’s Homecoming
My dad worked as a pipe fitter at Southern Railway in Spencer, North Carolina. When he was laid off from his job in Spencer, he commuted to Atlanta for a while to continue to provide for our family. He would leave every Sunday via the train and return on Friday afternoon via train. My mother would take me every Friday to greet him at the Salisbury Train Depot, and they would let us go right out to the track. I remember so well watching for the light of the train and hearing that whistle; my daddy was home.
Lucy Buchanan, Indian Trail
A member of Union Power Cooperative
THIS MONTH
For the Love of the Game
You can’t beat a good game, from T-ball to pro sports, whether you’re on the field or just watching the action. We cover a lot in this issue, including readers’ memories of the best sports moment (I’m an Auburn fan — it was the winning touchdown of the 2013 Iron Bowl, although some may disagree). Also, don’t miss NC State Women’s Basketball Coach Wes Moore’s thoughts on electric co-op sponsored sports camps on page 4.
—Scott Gates, editor
Home Sweet Nest
Brunswick Electric recently replaced the utility poles by the Twin Lakes in Sunset Beach. Ospreys built a nest on top of one of the poles last year and returned to it this year. Thank you to the crew for thoughtfully placing the new pole next to the old pole and leaving the nest intact. Bird lovers were happy to see the ospreys return to the nest after the crew departed.
Susan Silk, Sunset Beach, a member of Brunswick Electric
Carolina SNAPSHOTS
THEME Reflections
A Betty McIntyre, Rockingham
A member of Pee Dee Electric
B Kenneth Vaughn, Raleigh
A member of Wake Electric
C Joyce McBriarty, Leland
A member of Brunswick Electric
D Leslie Chism, Maxton
A member of Lumbee River EMC
E Diana Wiggins, Hobbsville
A member of Roanoke Cooperative
Submit your photo!
Aug theme: Cats (Deadline June 20)
Sept. theme: Fairs & Festivals (Deadline July 20)
Oct. theme: So creepy (Deadline Aug. 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.
Coaching for the Future
By Wes Moore
As a college head coach for more than 35 years, I’ve been blessed to coach a lot of great players. ACC Championships and the recent trip to the NCAA Final Four has been rewarding, but seeing girls grow into successful young women makes me most proud. Having two first-round picks in the WNBA this year was a special moment as well.
The NC State Wolfpack Women’s Basketball program has enjoyed a great relationship with North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives for more than 20 years. Their sports camp scholarship program has made it possible for more than 25 middle school girls to attend our basketball camp each year. The experience of being an overnight camper not only maximizes the basketball experience but also gives them a glimpse into life on a college campus.
We can help young girls from across the state attend our camp and discover their true potential on and off the court.
While I admit we’re not going to make an individual a great player in just a few days of camp, I do believe we can lay a foundation and a spark that will fuel future growth in the game of basketball and in life. Our coaches and players work with them on the fundamentals of the game, but also share their journeys and experiences that brought them success at a high level here at State.
Students: Learn More
Rising sixth and seventh graders are attending basketball camps this month. Mark your calendars to apply for a 2026 sports camp scholarship between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2026!
Because of this partnership with North Carolina’s 26 electric co-ops, we can help young girls from across the state attend our camp and discover their true potential on and off the court. We’ve had many success stories of former campers making and excelling on their middle and high school teams. We’ve even had many alumni campers receive college scholarships and perform at the highest level in Division I programs. Then, once the ball stops bouncing, these young ladies often return to their communities as strong, educated leaders.
We’re excited to welcome a new class of extraordinary students to our camp this summer. Athletic skill and potential are not bound by where you live, what school you attend, or your family background. Thanks to North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, we can help girls from all over the state attend our camp and discover their true potential in basketball and in life.
Wes Moore is NC State University’s head women’s basketball coach and one of the top head coaches in NCAA women’s basketball.
Visit NCElectricCooperatives.com/sports-camps to learn more.
June Quick Hits
Love You, Dad
Father’s Day is June 15!
Remember to show the fathers in your life how much they’re loved.
Thunderstorm Safety
Head indoors when you hear thunder; lightning can strike as far as 25 miles away from its parent thunderstorm.
Safe Social Media
Wait until you get home to post vacation photos. Sharing photos while out of town can make a wider audience aware of your travel plans, while alerting potential criminals to an unguarded home.
Move Over, Please
It’s NC law: Safely move one lane away from any law enforcement, emergency vehicles and utility vehicles on the side of the highway.
Two nC Co-ops Support Amazon.com Projects
Amazon.com is expanding its footprint in North Carolina with several distribution facilities in development, two of which are being facilitated with support from electric co-ops. Four County EMC contributed to site development at a Wilmington fulfillment center, and Jones-Onslow EMC (JOEMC) has invested in and will serve a Jacksonville site.
In March, representatives from Four County EMC gathered with community and business leaders in Pender Commerce Park to celebrate the groundbreaking of what will be Amazon’s largest and most technologically advanced fulfillment center in North Carolina. It is expected to open by early 2027 and will feature state-ofthe-art, AI-driven robotics technology while bringing more than 1,000 jobs to the region.
A decade ago, Four County EMC provided Pender County with a $2 million zero-interest loan to support the development of Acme Smoked Fish, Pender Commerce Park’s first anchor tenant. That foundational investment helped establish the commerce park as a regional hub for major industries.
“We congratulate Wilmington Business Development CEO Scott
Satterfield and his team for their tireless work in bringing Amazon’s robotic fulfillment center to Pender Commerce Park,” said Jimmy Smith, director of Economic and Community Development at Four County EMC.
Amazon’s last-mile distribution facility in Jacksonville is under construction at the Jacksonville Business Park, which JOEMC has supported through feasibility studies, due diligence work and grant funding. The facility is expected to create an estimated 200 jobs.
“Jones-Onslow EMC is proud to power Amazon’s new facility, supporting job growth in our community and improving access to everyday goods for local consumers,” said JOEMC Vice President of Power System Reliability Optimization and Control Aaron Spencer.
Amazon’s fulfillment center in Pender County Wilmington
Co-op Leaders Engage Members of Congress
In April, more than 100 leaders representing North Carolina’s electric cooperatives joined 2,000 others from around the country at NRECA’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. The group engaged key congressional leaders to advocate for smart energy policies on Capitol Hill.
NC co-ops met with 13 members of Congress — 11 representatives, as well as Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd — and three members of congressional staffs. Co-op leaders addressed several key issues during meetings, including:
■ Meeting growing demand with reliable, affordable power;
■ Supporting programs for electric co-ops and rural America, including FEMA Public Assistance, Elective Pay energy tax credits, DOE infrastructure programs, and the RUS Electric Loan Program; and
■ Advancing smart energy policies, including reforming environmental permitting, protecting hydroelectric power and defending against wildfires.
Joe Brannan, CEO for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, joined other G&T cooperative leaders in a meeting with members of the National Energy Dominance Council, a task force created by the White House to
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis joined Sen. Ted Budd in meeting with NC co-op leaders.
find ways to champion domestic energy production. Discussions focused on energy reliability and collaboration to meet rapidly growing demand.
“Changing administrations always bring a wave of uncertainty and new policy ideas that directly impact how electric cooperatives serve their members,” said Sharla Wells, vice president of External Affairs for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “These face-to-face meetings between elected officials and leaders from co-ops serving communities in their districts are invaluable, and will have long-reaching influence on policy decisions to come.”
Most anyone you ask has a sports memory that’s near and dear to them, whether it was a game they saw or played in. We asked readers to share theirs, and here are some of our favorites.
Winning Baskets
A few years ago I had the pleasure of witnessing the best show of sportsmanship ever. I was at a girls’ basketball game in Elizabeth City. Near the end of the game, the other team put in a player who obviously wanted to play and be a part of the team but lacked skill. Her teammates quickly passed the ball to her and blocked our team so she could get a shot. Well, she missed. Her teammates caught the rebound and stepped up their encouragement to her. Our girls quickly caught on to what was happening and also began encouraging her.
The girl shot again … and missed. Our girls got the rebound but passed it to this young lady. She went to shoot again but before she did, one of our girls repositioned her so she could hopefully make the basket. This time, she made it, and the gym went wild — BOTH sides were cheering.
At this point, time out was called; we had a young lady who was very similar in skill to the young lady on the other team that our coach put in. We had possession of the ball, and our girls began doing the same thing for the young lady on our team. First attempt, yep, she missed. We caught the rebound, our ladies stepped up the encouragement, and the other team did the same for our young lady. Second attempt, basket missed again. We had seconds left in the game. The ball was given to our girl again and on the third attempt — BASKET MADE!!! Again, the gym went wild. There were cheers all around, as well as many of us in the bleachers with tears in our eyes. I’ve seen many great sports moments, but this particular one tops them all.
Gerri White, Hertford, a member of Albemarle EMC
World Series Triumph
I’m a transplant to the area (military and work), but even after almost half my life, I’m loyal to the Minnesota teams I grew up with. They’re much maligned for a lack of recent championship runs, but the situation was l different when I was 7 years old in 1991.
That fall, the Twins and the Atlanta Braves played what’s remembered as one of the greatest World Series in baseball history. The legendary Kirby Puckett’s walk-off homer in the 11th inning of game six set up the next night’s game seven triumph for the home team.
The call for that hit, “And we’ll see you tomorrow night!” is in the pantheon of sports announcements.
Even if that’s the last Minnesota championship run I see in my lifetime, it’s worth it for that fist-pumping, hanky-waving epic walk off in the fall classic’s penultimate matchup that cemented the underdogs’ hope in another chance at glory that would not go unfulfilled.
Patrick McLoughlin, Winnabow A member of Brunswick Electric
Saving the Flag
In my 83 years of life, I have seen a lot of sporting events. I have seen high school, college and professional games. I have watched baseball games decided in the last inning by a walk-off hit or home run; basketball games decided by a buzzer beater; football games decided by a field goal in overtime.
All of these were great sports moments, but the one moment that will always stand out in my mind as the greatest occurred on April 25, 1976. It was not a game-changing event but a lifetime event for our country.
On that day, in Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, two protesters ran onto left-center field and tried to set fire to an American flag after the start of the fourth inning. Rick Monday, the Cubs center fielder, ran to the flag and grabbed it up preventing the destruction of the flag. This act by Rick Monday was one of the greatest sports moments ever. It did not change the outcome of the game, but it did change the view of sports enthusiasts, who now have more respect for the American Flag and for an athlete who had the courage to show respect for the flag, his country and baseball.
Thomas Childrey, Burlington A member of Brunswick Electric
A Homerun to Remember
On this spring day, in my 83rd year, my thoughts turn to years playing baseball. Good memories of making the hook-slide into second base, dust in the teeth, the sweet burn of the slide through uniform pants and stirrup socks, the slap-tag of the gloved ball by the fielder.
Playing in youth Babe Ruth League, I was a pitcher and was on the mound one afternoon. Coach Pearson had put me in as starting pitcher, a righthander with a pretty good fastball. Sometimes I did not have the best control of it, but I kept hearing Coach hollering from the dugout, “Throw hard, Jimmy! Just throw hard!”
I had walked a couple of batters, many of my pitches going inside. Coach finally came out, put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Alright now, Jimmy. You’re throwing too
Treasured UNC Keepsake
My most memorable sports moment took place in 1957 when the North Carolina Tarheels claimed the NCAA National Championship. It might seem unlikely that a 12-year-old girl would be so captivated by a basketball game, but in my high school, basketball reigned supreme.
Watching a college game on our 12-inch Motorola blackand-white television was an exciting event! The win over South Carolina in the ACC tournament was thrilling, but the unforgettable moment came when UNC defeated Kansas for the NCAA Championship. It was an incredible 54-53 victory after three overtimes. The names Lennie Rosenbluth (UNC) and Wilt Chamberlain (Kansas) are etched in my memory, as well as the legendary UNC coach, Frank McGuire.
The Tarheel players were each awarded watches for their part in the championship win, and Coach McGuire received a new Carolina Blue and white Cadillac! I felt like part of the celebration when I received an 8x10 photo in the mail. I don’t quite remember how I knew to send 50 cents in an envelope to get the picture, but I was incredibly proud of it. It’s a treasured keepsake to this day.
Judy Lee, Newton Grove, a member of South River EMC
many balls on the inside. Move your right foot to the left on the pitching rubber, about the width of your foot. You’ll get them over the plate.”
Well, I did, and it worked! I even started getting some strikeouts.
In later years, playing in a men’s league, I had improved as a hitter and was playing shortstop. When I came up to bat, I was making contact with the ball but kept pulling them foul. Remembering that pitching adjustment, I gave up the 34-inch Micky Mantle model bat for a heavier 36-inch bat with a fat handle. With that bat I hit my one-and-only homerun, over the centerfield fence.
All these years later I can still feel the satisfying pop of that homerun. It feeds my soul even yet.
Rev. James Cockerham, Nebo A member of Rutherford EMC
SEPTEMBER’S QUESTION: What’s your most embarrassing moment?
Submit your answer (up to 300 words) for a chance to be in an upcoming issue. We retain reprint rights, and we’ll pay $50 for those we publish in the print version of the magazine.
Deadline: July 15
Online: carolinacountry.com/voices
Mail:
Carolina Country —Carolina Voices 3400 Sumner Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27616
— Gene H.
Tactical Meets Practical
Switzerland is synonymous with expensive, big-name luxury watches like Rolex®, Piaget® and Patek Philippe® that sell for thousands, but the Stauer Swiss Tactical Watch delivers Swiss precision for a fraction of the cost. Inspired by military timepieces like the American A-11, it combines rugged performance, simplicity, and legendary craftsmanship — built for action, not display cases.
Precision Takes Time
Swiss excellence demands patience. Each Stauer Swiss Tactical takes nearly nine months to complete, and this is a limited edition of 4,900. Crafted by master watchmakers, some of whom have worked with the other prestigious brands, this is your chance to own a rare, precision-engineered tactical watch without the inflated luxury price tag.
Why Pay for a Name?
Big brands charge more for status. Stauer delivers the same quality and precision with high-contrast markers for instant readability, a shock-resistant case to withstand hard knocks and Swiss-made movement for impeccable timing.
Limited Offer – Act Now
Don’t miss this rare combination of Swiss craftsmanship and unbeatable value. Only 4,900 available — once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Why pay more when you can own precision, heritage, and adventure for less? Order now — time is running out.
Watch Specifications:
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• 44 mm diameter case. Date window at 3 o’clock
• Water-resistant to 3 ATM. Fits wrists up to 8 ¼”
Stauer Swiss Tactical Watch
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
Museum of Coastal Carolina
Does talking with a pirate, experiencing a hurricane through virtual reality, feeding creatures in a touch tank and exploring the most dynamic ocean floor diorama in North Carolina sound like fun? That’s just a start at the Museum of Coastal Carolina. It has 16,000 square feet of something special for everyone in the family. Stuart Ingram and his wife, Louise, founded the museum and later founded the Ingram Planetarium. Jim
Museum of Coastal Carolina opened in 1991, as an educational and fun tribute to our coastal environment.
It's a magical place, designed to inspire curiosity. We have three saltwater aquariums, and a live touch tank, which is the highlight of a lot of vacations. We have traditional dioramas, including one called the Ocean Reef, that is spectacular, and puts you on the ocean floor. We have an exhibit in conjunction with the National Children’s Museum that includes characters from Nickelodeon and teaches kids how to be action heroes for the environment.
Hoffman is executive director of both, and on this page, he’ll tell us more about the museum, and on the next page, about the planetarium.
“Stuart Ingram was surf fishing near his vacation home in Ocean Isle Beach and had a bucket full of different types of fish for his efforts. A young boy peered in and asked, ‘Hey Mr., what type of fish is that?' The questions kept coming, and hours later, the seed of the idea for the museum was planted. The
And we have daily programming in our Hayden O’Neill Lecture Hall, including Sea Tales, where we read a book and then do an associated craft.
Our virtual reality program offerings include hurricane and sea turtle experiences. We want everything we do to be social, so after a brief orientation, we give the headset to the youngest member of the group first. Then they get to tell the others what it’s like before they try it, which they love!
Three years ago, we started doing a Pirate Week, and the first year we had a pirate named Captain Jack in full regalia
with archival stuff on display. A young man, maybe 5 years old came in, and his jaw dropped. Sparrow challenged him to a duel with foam swords, the young man held his own and defeated Sparrow! He’s never forgotten that and comes back every year.
One of the greatest compliments we get is when grandparents bring their grandkids here for an hour or two and tell us that they had as much fun as their grandkids! And grandparents tell us all the time that we’re their grandkid’s favorite place to go. And when you visit the museum, you can visit the planetarium for $5. Come visit us, the schedule and programming can be found at museumplanetarium.org. It’s fun, and we’re going to sneak up on you and teach you something!”
Museum of Coastal Carolina 21 E 2nd Street Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
Museumplanetarium.org
• SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY GRANTS •
Ingram Planetarium
Stuart Ingram, founder of the Museum of Coastal Carolina, had been an airman in World War II, learning to navigate his aircraft by looking at the stars. An ongoing fascination with the night sky, and a desire to share his knowledge, culminated in the opening of Ingram Planetarium in 2002. Jim Hoffman, executive director of the museum and the planetarium, tells us about the planetarium.
“Ingram wanted the planetarium to continue the museum’s tradition of learning that is science-based, fun and interactive, this time with a focus on the broader natural universe. Located in Sunset Beach, just four miles away from the museum, it features an 85-seat domed theater that is 40-feet wide and has an amazing audio system. You’re immersed in the sound and action of what’s playing.
black hole. It’s essentially entertainment, but it provides an introduction to the planetarium.
Our Paul Dennis Science Hall, which is free to visit, has a dozen exhibits related to physical science, including one on black holes that was produced in part by the Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City. It’s interactive, allowing you to gather matter as if your hand is a black hole, and has graphics that teach you things like ‘spaghettification’, which is a real term for what happens if you’re drawn into a black hole. Our virtual reality program features a Mission to Mars, and there are also NASA related streams that you can manipulate.
Most of the films have a space or physical science theme, including a daily 11 a.m. animated children’s show that runs about 45 minutes. However, in season on weekend evenings, we do laser shows. We started with Pink Floyd, and still do Floyd Fridays, and last year our Taylor Swift shows were sold out. You can lean back in your chair, and the lasers are backed by a star field or the Milky Way or a
The grant we received from BEMC supports our vertical flyer exhibit. You manipulate paper cones by cutting, folding, whatever you can think of, to see if you can get them to hover in an air stream. You change your design to get it to fly better and have fun while learning. That’s the point of attending the shows and interacting with the exhibits –you leave a little more curious, and smarter, about our place in the universe, and that feels good. Come see us and catch the feeling!”
Ingram Planetarium
7625 High Market St, Sunset Beach, NC 28468 Museumplanetarium.org
The Ocean Isle Museum Foundation supports the museum and the planetarium. Their Elevate Access campaign is raising funds to install an elevator in the museum, to provide access to the programming on the building’s second floor. Donate at museumandplanetarium.org
Black Hole
Kids enjoying the vertical flyer exhibit
Time-of-Use is Now Off-Peak Advantage!
A new name for the rate option that could save you money!
Off-Peak Advantage, formerly called the Time-of-Use rate option, offers you a lower rate for electricity when demand on our system is low, balanced with a higher rate when demand on our system is high. You save money by shifting your energy consumption to times when our membership is using less. You’re also helping us reduce peak demand, which reduces our wholesale power costs and benefits us all.
Brunswick Electric Member
Quenton Palma: “I’m an electrician, but you don’t have to be to save money with the Off-Peak Advantage option. My wife and I have four children, ages 12, 10, and 7-year-old twins, and with some planning and initial patience it’s worked well for us. Since signing up last August, our savings have averaged $80 per month.
One of the reasons we signed up for Off-Peak Advantage was to charge our EV as cheaply as possible, and the super-off-peak rate from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. is significantly lower than even the off-peak rate, which is perfect. Then
we added a programmable thermostat to our HVAC system, and we set it to adjust the temperature by a few degrees during peak times. It’s easier than you’d think to get used to a warmer or cooler house than you’d been accustomed to.
In the summer, we save by cooking outside, which we all love anyway. Running the dishwasher before we go to bed has become a habit. And we do our laundry on the weekends, because shifting to save doesn’t apply to weekends or most holidays.
Being on Off-Peak Advantage makes us more aware of what in our home uses the most electricity, which
makes us smarter energy consumers. We’re really happy with the savings, and it’s nice to know that we’re being environmentally conscious as well. And it’s important to note that everyone who is on Off-Peak Advantage is helping to reduce wholesale power costs for us all. If you can do a little planning and get everyone in your house on board, we highly recommend it.”
For More Information:
Visit bemc.org/off-peak-advantage, call 800-842-5871, or stop by any BEMC office.
Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month
Take advantage of the warmer weather to reduce home energy use. Avoid using your oven and use a grill instead. Not only will cooking outdoors eliminate the electricity used to power the stove, but it will also avoid raising the temperature inside your home, reducing the need for additional air conditioning. You can also avoid using the oven with tasty no-bake recipes. Get creative in the kitchen and explore new ways to save energy!
Source: energy.gov
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT:
Matthew Smith
Matthew has been a Data Analyst for BEMC for more than two years. Fun Fact: He was an Army Medical Services Platoon leader for seven years, and while deployed in the Baltics, he was interviewed on Armed Forces Network News to report on a joint training exercise that he co-led, and that involved seven different countries’ militaries.
è What do you enjoy doing during your time off? I’m a programmer at heart and have a home-lab so I can experiment with different tools to try to get things to run. I also like to paint Warhammer 40k miniatures, as well as play the tabletop game with them. It’s challenging and so much fun. I’ve gotten my super-smart six-year-old son Oliver into it, he’s picked out his army that he wants to paint and is learning a lot. Warhammer also has a huge library of books, and I’m about halfway through the Horus Heresy series.
Every Friday night we get our two dogs, a tray of snacks for Oliver, and watch an old Disney movie or something else that Oliver and my wife, Jennifer, are excited to watch. It’s a great way to end the week. Sandy is our three-year-old boxer mix, and Lily is our eight-year-old French bulldog mix. They get along great. Oliver’s known Lily his whole life, but Sandy is the more protective one. Without prompting, whenever Oliver’s out playing in the yard, she’ll follow him out and plop down in the middle and just watch over things. She’s not big on playing fetch, she has a job to do!
We just spent a week in Florida. It was great to relax and unplug, and we made a side trip to Cocoa Beach to watch the SpaceX space shuttle launch. Ollie thought it was the coolest thing ever. Jennifer is an avid mid- to long-distance runner. I’m a big gym goer but am on a bit of a hiatus while recovering from an injury.
è What’s the best thing about living here? I’ve lived e verywhere – overseas, up and down both coasts, the Midwest, Texas, but the people here are the best, they are just so nice. Recently I left my wallet on top of my car as I drove away from a gas station. Soon after I got a call from the Leland police that someone had turned it in, with cash and everything intact. That’s just one example, and it makes for a great place to live.
Updating Your Contact Information Is Quick, Easy and Important!
Do we have your most recent mobile phone number and email address? If not, please consider emailing info@bemc.org or calling 800-842-5871 and updating our records.
Why is it important? Two reasons:
1 If the mobile phone you use to report an outage is the one we have associated with your account, it can speed up the restoration process. Our system can automatically locate you.
2
If we have your email address, we can send you periodic emails containing important information and updates.
Thanks for helping us serve you better!
Matthew Smith with Lily and Sandy
Efficiency Tips for New Homes
From cutting edge to tried-and-true
By Miranda Boutelle
Prioritizing energy efficiency when building a new home can create future savings and make living more comfortable. It might cost a little more up front but will pay off in the long run.
Let’s explore two approaches: Following an energy efficiency certification plan or adding energy efficient designs and equipment to your construction project.
There are several efficiency certifications available for newconstruction homes that may qualify for discounted homeowner’s insurance, tax credits and other incentives.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification ensures the home uses less energy while prioritizing sustainable resources and healthy indoor air quality. LEED-certified homes use 20% to 30% less energy than the average home — with some homes saving up to 60% — and can cost the same as non-LEED homes with proper planning, according to the U.S. Green Building Council.
Passive House certification requires the home to be so efficient it needs little to no heating and cooling equipment while remaining comfortable for its occupants. To achieve up to 90% less energy use than the average home, the certification focuses on maximizing the efficiency of the building envelope (all components that separate the indoors from the outdoors) including proper insulation levels, air sealing and high-efficiency windows.
Energy Star® NextGen Certification for New Homes recognizes houses that are 20% more efficient than the average home and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% to 80%.
Although various certifications are available, you don’t have to follow a set guide. Consider adding these
energy efficiency principles to your new home build.
Advanced framing techniques maximize the amount of insulated area and save on material costs in wood-framed homes. This technique can save up to $500 for a 1,200-square-foot home and $1,000 for a 2,400-square-foot home on material costs, between 3% to 5% on labor costs and up to 5% on annual heating and cooling costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Choose a contractor who is familiar with these techniques, and check with your local building officials to ensure compliance with local codes.
The importance of a home’s orientation is often overlooked. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, homes oriented to the path of the sun use less energy for heating and cooling to reduce energy bills and improve comfort.
If you are building or buying a new home that doesn’t allow options for orientation or framing, you might
be able to request higher insulation levels in the attic. Increasing the insulation levels likely won’t cost much more for materials and labor, but it can help you use less energy and save money in the long run.
Heating and cooling equipment should be properly sized using energy modeling tools that calculate the home’s heating and cooling needs. Investing in a more efficient building envelope that is well insulated and air sealed can reduce the home’s heating and cooling load, making it possible to have a smaller, less expensive heating and cooling system. This saves money on equipment costs and lowers energy use.
Optimizing the efficiency of a new home requires a whole-house approach. Analyze all systems and how they work together to ensure maximum efficiency for a safe and comfortable home.
This column was written by Miranda Boutelle of the Efficiency Services Group. Visit CarolinaCountry.com/your-energy for more ideas on energy efficiency.
Mark Gilliland
A WINNING MUSEUM
Native sluggers are memorialized at the NC
Baseball Museum
If you’re a baseball fan, you’ve heard of Jim “Catfish” Hunter, Gaylord Perry and Enos Slaughter. What do they have in common? All three are native North Carolinians and—in addition to Luke Appling, Rick Ferrell, Buck Leonard and Hoyt Wilhelm—all make up the NC natives who are members of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame (see sidebar).
Although Wilson has never had a major league team, it’s been home to the North Carolina Baseball Museum since it opened in 2004. Located down the third base line at historic Fleming Stadium, this place is a mecca for any baseball fan. All levels of our nation’s pastime are represented here, from little league and college to professional women’s teams, from the Negro leagues to minor leagues.
Perhaps the most famous baseball player of all hit his first professional home run in North Carolina.
“In 1914, 19-year-old George Herman Ruth was signed by the then minor league Baltimore Orioles,” explains museum curator Marshall Lamm. “He joined the team during spring training in Fayetteville. The Orioles trained at a ball field at the Cape Fear Fairgrounds. It was on the fairground’s field that Ruth made his professional debut on March 7. That outing is famous for Ruth hitting his first home run.”
And it was on that trip to Fayetteville that many say Ruth gained his famous nickname. The Orioles stayed at the Hotel Lafayette, where young George enjoyed riding in the elevator. He followed Orioles manager Jack Dunn around so much that team veterans called him “Dunn’s baby,” later shortened to “Baby” or “Babe.”
Unlike the “Babe,” not all players become legends. Some are what Marshall calls “one-gamers.” A part of the museum honors those players, too. One is Herb Cobb.
“He was born in Pinetops in 1904,” Marshall says. “He played for the Milwaukee Brewers, then a farm team for the St. Louis Browns. Cobb got his call in mid-April 1929 to join the Browns for a series against the Detroit Tigers.
“Cobb’s only appearance in the ‘bigs’ came on April 21. All four Browns pitchers got shelled by Detroit’s hitters including their starting pitcher, Winston-Salem native, General Crowder.”
Herb Cobb came in to pitch the 8th inning, with the Tigers already leading 12–3.
“He was clearly nervous,” Marshall says. “Cobb faced the bottom of the order … he gave up four runs, three hits, suffered two balks, and gave up a homer to Detroit’s pitcher.”
Cobb was sent back to Milwaukee. Years later, his great-grandson visited the museum and brought a picture of Herb Cobb to add to the display.
BUCK LEONARD 1st Baseman, from Rocky Mount
Player photos courtesy of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
By Lori Grossman
Far from being “one-gamers,” Kannapolis brothers Kyle and Corey Seager have played a total of 22 seasons in the major leagues. Kyle has retired, but Corey, shortstop for the Texas Rangers, is the only player to ever win World Series MVP honors in both leagues.
From Buck Leonard to the Seagers, North Carolina’s baseball legacy lives on. Play ball!
All levels of our nation’s pastime are represented here, from little league and college to professional women’s teams, from the Negro leagues to minor leagues.”
Learn More About the Greats
Check out these resources to learn more about hall-of-famers from North Carolina.
North Carolina Baseball Museum
300 Stadium St., Wilson
Located at Historic Fleming Stadium (home of the Wilson Tobs), the museum showcases exhibits and memorabilia from across the history of baseball as it relates to North Carolina. Visit ncbaseballmuseum.com to learn more or plan a visit.
NC Sports Hall of Fame
5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh
Explore this Raleigh museum or visit ncshof.org to take a virtual tour of the hall of fame, which preserves the legacy of the state’s most talented athletes across sports.
National Baseball Hall of Fame
25 Main St., Cooperstown, New York
Visit bit.ly/NCbball for more information on the seven NC natives inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
Freelance writer Lori Grossman currently lives in Texas, but carries memories of North Carolina in her heart.
RICK FERRELL Catcher, from Durham
SMELL
T-BALL : A RITE OF CHILDHOOD PASSAGE AND CORN DOGS the STOP
BY JOE HOBBY
I drove by our community ballpark the other day and saw that the All-Star baseball games were well underway. It’s hard to believe that the little league baseball season has already come and gone. It seemed like just yesterday when I saw what seemed to be thousands of parents and grandparents crowded around baseball diamonds to encourage their future major league players. Please don’t question me — I’m sure most parents at the ballpark will tell you their child is going to make it to the big leagues. Triple A at the very least.
It seems to me that all ballparks have one thing in common: the bigger the field, the more serious the game becomes. That’s why my favorite game is the one with the smallest field: T-ball. Hands down, it’s the best game to watch in the world.
I like T-ball because most kids don’t even know the rules, nor do they care. It’s wonderful, organized chaos with colorful uniforms and imitation leather gloves. The coaches try their best to coach, but the parents, most of whom never played baseball in their lives, are screaming instructions at their kids like they're managing the New York Yankees in the World Series.
“Run, Jacob, Run!” … “No, no! Go back, Jacob, go back!” … “Keep your foot on the base.” … “Touch him with the ball!”
I don’t think you hear comments like that in the major leagues. And you certainly won’t hear: “Pay attention!” … “Put your hat back on!” … “Pull up your pants!” … “Quit throwing rocks!” … “Do you have to potty?”
I’ve seen an umpire stop a game because several players from both teams had to go to the bathroom. Forget T-ball, that was pee-ball.
When you watch a T-ball game, you’ll quickly notice that there are about two or three kids on each team who
understand what’s going on. The rest of them would probably rather be home playing Nintendo, especially if they’re playing in the outfield.
All three of my boys began their T-ball careers in the outfield, specifically right field. The old saying, “he was out in left field” would be more accurate if it was, “he was out in right field.” For those of you not well versed in this culture, right field is T-ball purgatory. You play right field because balls are rarely hit in that direction, making it the perfect place for players who are too young or uninterested in the game. But playing right field is as boring as a lecture on microeconomics. So you can see kids entertaining themselves by looking for bugs, throwing dirt, and in extreme cases, lying on the ground with their gloves over their faces. My youngest son Brad had a unique habit of counting all the people in the bleachers, which was quite a feat because he could only count to 10. On the rare occasion when a ball is hit into right field, the right fielder never makes the play alone. He will almost always get help from the first baseman, second baseman, center fielder, and probably the left fielder. They usually end up in a scrum, fighting over the ball like dogs over hamburger meat. When one of them finally comes up with it, the runner is rounding third.
I videotaped Brad’s first T-ball game years ago and watched it the other day. It’s amazing how totally uninterested he was. That’s because the only reason he was “playing” was because his friends were out there. He undoubtedly got more enjoyment running around the ballpark than he did playing in right purgatory. So when he was in the game, he often carried his outfield shenanigans to the infield, sometimes bringing play to a complete halt. He particularly enjoyed harassing his first and second base teammates. He would duck-walk between the bases, turn his hat backwards and get right in their faces until the
coaches physically put him back in his proper spot.
A lot of parents would have been embarrassed with their child’s on-field behavior, but I found it quite entertaining. That’s because Brad was my third son to play T-ball. I’m a slow learner, but after two kids, I finally came to a realization about my boys being baseball stars. It wasn't gonna happen. Now I see T-ball for what it’s supposed to be — a way for kids to have fun, and for parents to judge their children's interest in the sport going forward.
I also had the foresight to record a post first-game interview with my son on video. Here’s a partial transcript:
“Brad, did you have fun playing T-ball?
“Yes sir.”
“Did you hit the ball?”
“Yes sir.”
“Did you catch the ball when it came to the outfield?”
“Yes sir.”
“Oh, I must have missed it. When did you do that?”
“When you wasn’t looking.”
And with that, he looked over his shoulder and made what he considered to be the most important statement concerning the game.
“Dad! I’ve gotta go now. If I’m not back in the dugout I’m gonna miss my treat!”
Interview over.
Hopefully, other parents can learn this lesson faster than I did. It’s just a game — treat it that way.
Take time to enjoy the moments that will vanish all too fast. It’s T-ball, a rite of childhood passage. Take time to stop and smell the corn dogs.
Joe Hobby is a comedian and a syndicated columnist who wrote for Jay Leno for many years. Find more of his stories on his blog (mylifeasahobby.blogspot.com) and follow him on Facebook @Joe Hobby Comedian-Writer.
Celebrating Ground Steak
A humble sandwich, now revered as a part of culinary history
By Renee C. Gannon
Born out of necessity during the Great Depression, ground steak sandwiches cemented a foothold in the northwestern Piedmont area of North Carolina as families and local diners across the Yadkin Valley kept it as a staple meal for almost 100 years.
Travis Frye knows firsthand the power of ground steak. As tourism coordinator for the town of Dobson and Surry County Tourism Development Authority, and a native to the area, he remembers his great-grandmother Vera Love preparing it.
“I would walk onto the front porch and could hear the ground steak sizzling on the skillet, the delicious smell emanating from its simple ingredients,” he says. “I just assumed everyone ate ground steak, only to find out later … that this was a very local dish. It became so popular as this melt-in-your mouth cousin to the hamburger that … it is still served in local restaurants with each having their own unique stories and recipes.”
Ground Steak Trail
It is believed that ground steak got its start in the early 1930s at the old Canteen Restaurant in Mount Airy before spreading to diners in nearby Pilot Mountain, Elkin and Dobson. Cooks with limited resources would stretch the ground beef supply by boiling or browning the meat, adding flour and water (or milk) and seasoning with salt and pepper, then placing the tender, loose-meat patty on a bun with slaw and sometimes mayonnaise and a tomato slice. (Local tip: Don’t confuse it with a sloppy joe)
Things have evolved over the years with ground steak, now served as an entrée with sides and even mixed in egg
groundsteaktrail.org or yadkinvalleync.com
336-356-2110
omelets for breakfast. But the core recipe remains.
“It was an affordable sandwich for blue collar workers in the local textile factories, be it from home or a local diner,” Travis explains. “Now it’s a multi-generational meal.”
Today, 16 restaurants across Surry County serve the dish, each with a different flavor twist. Freddy Hiatt, owner of the Dairy Center in Mount Airy, adds a little extra black pepper to his ground steak.
“We make about 150 sandwiches a day, still with mayo, slaw and a slice of tomato,” says Freddy. He also offers his homemade chili as a topper, a highly recommended addition.
Travis believes ground steak is still served in restaurants because of its culinary history in the region.
“It makes us unique; it creates memories, conversations, stories; and at least for me, reminds one of home and those who have impacted your life. Each place on the trail has a story to tell.”
Ground Steak Festival
That story culminates on June 14 with the annual North Carolina Ground Steak Festival, held in downtown Dobson in the historic courthouse square. Central Café and the Rock Ruritan Club will serve ground steak sandwiches during the day, while visitors enjoy local arts and crafts, bluegrass and old-time string music, games and other activities during the day.
“If you really want to discover Dobson and the history of Surry County, look no further than the Ground Steak Festival. We really want to share the story of Surry County, through culinary, music and craft,” Travis says. “After that first bite of a ground steak sandwich, we hope people come back for more.”
Renee C. Gannon is the senior associate editor of Carolina Country.
Ground steak sandwich at Cousin Gary’s
Dairy Center’s Freddy Hiatt starts the process of creating ground steak.
Digital Extras
Watch Dairy Center’s Freddy Hiatt walk through the making of a ground steak sandwich.
SURRY GROUND STEAK TRAIL & THE NC GROUND STEAK FESTIVAL
Renee Gannon
Renee Gannon
Rachel Gannon
Summer Farmers Market Tempura
With dipping sauce
Everybody loves light and crispy tempura! Side burner on your grill? That’s perfect for frying outside. Or your stovetop works. Use a few veggies, or a variety like we did… whatever suits!
Sauce
1 cup broth (we used vegetable)
3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons mirin
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
Batter (use cold ingredients)
2 eggs, beaten well
1¾ cups cold seltzer water
1½ cups cold cake flour
Cooking oil (peanut or vegetable)
8 ounces mushrooms
8 ounces okra
1 small sweet potato, peeled cut into ½-inch slices
2 bunches green onions, trimmed and cut into 3-inch pieces
From Your Kitchen
Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Wings
It is said that bacon makes everything better —100% in this case. Just take care that it doesn’t burn!
36 Toothpicks
3 dozen chicken wings (could include drumettes) Salt and pepper to taste
18 slices of bacon, cut in half for smaller pieces
Vegetable oil (for the grill)
½ cup honey-chipotole barbecue sauce
1 jalapeño pepper, minced and seeded
Guacamole, for serving Lime wedges, for serving
Prepare grill for indirect heat. Soak toothpicks in room temperature water for 20 minutes.
Pat chicken dry; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
1 large zucchini, cut into sticks
1 bunch broccolini, trimmed
Handful of fresh green beans
Handful of sliced carrots
1 cup each cubed watermelon and cantaloupe
For the sauce, warm the broth. Add the other ingredients. Set aside.
Heat the cooking oil to 350 degrees. As oil heats, create the batter by combining the eggs with water. Remove foam with spoon and discard. Gently add in flour, stirring as little as possible. A few lumps are ok. Sit in a bowl of ice to chill. Dip vegetables and fruits into cold batter, coating lightly. Place into oil and fry, uncrowded, until lightly golden and crispy (2–3 minutes). Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a rack to drain.
Yield: About 4 servings
Wrap each piece snugly with bacon, securing firmly with the soaked toothpick.
Oil the surface of the grill. Grill chicken over direct heat for 4–6 minutes or until bacon is lightly browned— turn the chicken frequently so that it browns evenly. Move chicken to the other side of the grill.
Cover and cook for 20–30 minutes or until the chicken is done, basting with barbecue sauce twice during the last 5 minutes. Sprinkle with jalapeño slices. Serve with guacamole and lime slices.
Yield: 6 servings
Submit your recipe online at: carolinacountry.com/myrecipe. Contributors whose recipes are published will receive $25.
Enjoy your shindig with this simple, makeahead side made for snacking. Prepare ingredients a day ahead and stir together at serving time for guests to “walk and talk” while feasting.
10–12 ears of fresh corn (6–8 cups)
6 tablespoons Mexican table cream
6 tablespoons mayonnaise (we use Duke’s)
1 bunch green onions, chopped (1 cup)
²/₃ cup cilantro, loosely packed
3–4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 tablespoons juice and zest of 1 lime
2 tablespoons juice and zest of 1 orange
1 tablespoon chili powder, divided 1 cup cotija cheese, crumbled and divided Salt and pepper to taste
Shuck and wash corn. Lightly roast on the grill or on gas stove burners. Cool and cut corn from cobs into mixing bowl.
While the corn is cooking, mix the cream with mayonnaise. Set aside.
At serving time, combine onions, cilantro, garlic, zest with juice and 2 teaspoons of chili powder with corn. Stir in crema mixture. Fold in ¾ cup of the cheese. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.
Spoon into cups. Garnish with chili powder, plus the remainder of cheese and cilantro.
We used fun 4-ounce ice cream cups for serving.
Yield: Serves 6–8
Recipes by Culinary Adventurist Wendy Perry (WendyPerry.com), home economist, blogger and NC food artisan, unless otherwise noted.
Digital Extra
Visit carolinacountry.com/recipes to search more than 1,000 recipes by name or ingredient.
Recipe courtesy of Nicole Thompson of Sanford, a member of Central Electric
Walking Mexican Street Corn
June Events
JUNE 21–22
Battle of Ramsour’s Mill Living History Weekend Reenactments, demonstrations, tours, crafts Battleground Park, Lincolnton 828-777-8707
MAY 31–JUNE 28
Juneberry Jams Festival
Music, food, guest speakers, games Juneberry Ridge, Norwood 704-474-7398
JUNE 5–8
NC Trail Days 2025
Themed hikes, paddle excursions, bike rides, live music
Yadkin Valley Heritage & Trails Visitor Center, Elkin 336-835-3607
Historic Jockey’s
Ridge State Park Festival
Drone light show, live music, games Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head 202-352-1742
JUNE 6–7
Keli Wagner Lady Angler Big Rock Tournament Downtown Morehead City 252-247-3575
JUNE 6–8 Ocrafolk Festival
Berkley Manor Grounds, Ocracoke Island 252-921-0260
Over There & On the Homefront World War II living history exhibits Cedarock Park, Burlington 336-229-2410
JUNE 6–15
Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament Sportfishing tournament series Downtown Morehead City 252-247-3575
JUNE 7
Classics to Customs Car Show Downtown Sanford 919-499-0276
The Great Trent River Raft Race Union Point Park, New Bern 252-637-3111
April’s winner
JUNE 20
Helping Hands Concert Series
Performances by John Oates & Jim Lauderdale
Hayes Auditorium, Banner Elk 828-898-5398
JUNE 20–21
301 Endless Yard Sale
Various town along US-301, Smithfield 919-989-8687
Carolina Summer Show
Musical variety show
Old Rock School Auditorium, Valdese 855-222-2849
JUNE 22
Bee Jublilee Bees, honey, education, food Granville County Expo Center, Oxford
JUNE 13
Grandfather by Night: Twilight Hike
Guided after hours hike Grandfather Mountain, Linville
JUNE 14
Special Olympics
Motorcycle Ride
Benefit ride for Special Olympics NC Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Fayetteville
JUNE 14–15
June Bloom Lavender Festival Sunshine Lavender Farm, Hurdle Mills 919-414-4982
JUNE 26–28
Tarzan the Musical Snow Camp Outdoor Theatre, Snow Camp 336-534-0321
JUNE 27–28
High Country Quilt Show
Bake sale, basket raffle
First Baptist Church, Maggie Valley 828-926-1535
JUNE 27–28
Old Homes Tour & More Private homes, gardens, artists’ studios Beaufort Historic Site 252-728-5225
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 June 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 August 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
The April “Where Is This” photo by Brunswick Electric member Hailey Cumbie features Woody’s Grocery, located on Holden Beach Road (Highway 130) in Civietown near Shallotte in Brunswick County. Opened in 1932, readers from across the state recognized this landmark as the “welcoming sign” to Holden Beach, the place to stop for snacks, drinks, a fishing license and bait for a day at the beach. Woody Fulford inherited the store from his father in 1954, and it remained open until 2014 when he passed. Nick Payne remembered asking Woody if he had worms for fishing about 20 years ago. “We ain’t got no worms, haven’t had any in years,” replied Woody. “We got potted meat if you want to try it.” Nick replied that potted meat wouldn’t stick on a hook. And Woody informed Nick: “Well, you won’t have to worry about cleaning any fish!” The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Doug Dodson of Mebane, a Brunswick Electric member.
Grand Canyon, Bryce & Zion 8-Day
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Enjoy complete sightseeing with more visits, extra features, and local guides. Caravan includes all activities listed in the tour itinerary. Caravan does not sell any optional activities which can add hundreds of dollars to your tour price. Your free time is scheduled in great settings where there is no need to buy additional expensive activities.
Our 73rd year of excellence. Caravan has operated fully guided tours of superb value under the same family management and ownership since 1952.
“Brilliant, Affordable Pricing” Arthur
Frommer, Travel Editor
Grand Canyon
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