Welcome to Central Electric!
At Central Electric, you’re more than a customer. You’re a member and owner of this cooperative. We welcome the opportunity to serve you with excellence, while safely providing the most reliable electric service possible at a competitive and fair rate. Welcome to our cooperative family.
Central Electric is a not-for-profit electric provider formed and owned by its members, the people who use its services. Our unique business model puts members like you first and gives you a voice in how your cooperative is run. Members elect the cooperative’s board of directors.
One of the benefits members receive is capital credits, or money back, as the cooperative’s financial condition permits.
Learn more about capital credits on the next page and at the Member Services section on our website.
Be sure to look for your News Central newsletter in the Carolina Country magazine each month to learn about energy savings, community outreach and issues that are important to your cooperative. Your New Member Guide
Eddie Oldham CEO and General Manager
View our current rates, bylaws and service rules at the Your Co-Op section on our website.
Discover the services, savings opportunities, community initiatives, and resources that help you stay informed, connected, and supported.
Helping You Save
Central Electric is your trusted energy advisor. We offer a variety of programs and services to help you save energy and money, including loans and rebates.
• Heat Pump Rebate: purchase an energy-efficient heat pump.
• Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate: purchase an energy efficient heat pump water heater.
• Water Heater Maintenance: get water heater repairs for just $1 a month.
• Comfort Loan: receive low-interest financing for high-energy efficient heat pumps, insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors, and water heaters.
• HERO Rebate: purchase a High Efficiency Residential Option (HERO) built home.
• Energy Advisor: get a detailed breakdown of your home’s energy use based on info you provide, along with actions you can take to reduce power bills.
To learn more about each of the programs and services as well as for exact details on the loans and rebates, visit the Member Services section on our website
Money Back to You
Capital credits are your share of excess revenues, called margins. Central Electric has returned millions of dollars in capital credits to members throughout the years.
Learn about capital credits on our website
Central tracks your electric use and how much you pay for it.
At year-end, Central calculates excess revenues (margins).
Central allocates margins (capital credits) to members based on their electric use.
Central’s board of directors vote to retire, or pay, capital credits if financial conditions permit.
Central notifies you of how and when you’ll receive your capital credits.
Where would we be without our firefighters?
As long as they’re here taking care of us, we’ll be here taking care of them. We’re Civic, a modern financial partner for today’s local government community. Learn more at civicfcu.org.
(ISSN
3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616-2950
Scott Gates, CCC Editor
Renee C. Gannon, CCC Senior Associate Editor
Rue Reynold Editorial Assistant
Jessica Armstrong Graphic Designer
Tara Verna Creative Services Associate
Donna Natosi Digital Strategist
Dan Tomkiewicz Advertising Dan@carolinacountry.com
Joseph P. Brannan Executive Vice President & CEO
Kristie Aldridge, CCC
Senior Vice President & COO
Warren Kessler Director of Brand Strategy
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.
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.
Strength Through Glass
A veteran’s journey toward healing
As Western North Carolina-based artist Kristen Muñoz sifted through rubble left by Hurricane Helene, she saw an opportunity to engage local students with art — and forgiveness. Read more on page 12. Photo by Oscar Molina. 10
From the
Fragments
Students create glass art to cope after Hurricane Helene
How Black Stories Shape American History
Honoring Black contributions to culture, science and political change
Our “I Remember” section is an ongoing reader favorite. Send us cherished memories and photos for a chance to see them in a future issue. Learn more on page 27.
From Our Readers
Lineworkers in Action
Thank you so much for publishing the 1995 article about my Aunt Elizabeth Bryant in the new edition of your magazine. This is a perfect story to begin the New Year — our Union Power linemen are wonderful — always ready to help even when it is a unique situation!
Edwina Eubanks, Monroe
A member of Union Power Cooperative
Editor’s note: Thank you for your suggestion, Edwina! For those of you who missed it, you can find the article at carolinacountry.com/an-angel-and-theowls, along with related stories about lineworkers in action.
EV Considerations
Another consideration for EV ownership (“EV Ownership Benefits,” January 2026, page 15) is the NC Division of Motor Vehicles’ vehicle registration/renewal costs for electric and certain hybrid vehicles.
Jack Whitehead, Belhaven, a member of Tideland EMC
Editor’s note: Good point, Jack. Upon their annual registration renewal, EV owners are required to pay a fee of $214.50 in addition to their vehicle registration fee (drivers of plug-in hybrid vehicles pay a lesser fee of $107), fees that have increased since the state introduced them in January 2024 to recoup lost gas-tax revenue.
Correction to our January Issue
In trying to fit as many photo contest winners as possible, “Magical, Practical Marigolds” by Janis Harless (page 18) was subjected to an unfortunate crop. Here’s the full photo, and all winning entries can be found at carolinacountry.com in full form.
THIS MONTH: Art With Meaning
As I’ve experienced while helping my young children navigate a crowded gift shop, glass art is often seen as fragile — as delicate as it is beautiful. But in this issue, we’re sharing two stories about glass art as a source of strength — in one case helping veterans heal, in another helping students process losses from Hurricane Helene. Also, throughout this year we’re excited to be sharing stories that highlight North Carolina’s unique contributions to American history in recognizing our 250th anniversary. Watch for the America 250 logo tagging related content in this and future issues.
—Scott Gates, editor
Carolina SNAPSHOTS
THEME
So Sweet
A Kayla Fahey, Fayetteville
A member of Lumbee River EMC
B Jeanne Kitchin, Dunn
A member of South River EMC
C Adahlae Simmons, Albemarle
A member of Albemarle EMC
Submit your photo!
April theme: First Car (Deadline Feb. 20)
May theme: Flowers (Deadline March 20)
June theme: Insects (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.
Building on a History of Safety
By Becky Alston
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have a long history of training employees to work safely in their communities on behalf of their members. In fact, what has now grown to be a family of organizations serving electric co-ops across the state started with a job training and safety program in 1943. In those early days of rural electrification, it was recognized that safety had to be made a priority, and it had to be taught in a mindful, consistent way.
NC LINEWORKERS EARN ASSOCIATE DEGREES
In 2025, two NC co-op lineworkers earned associate degrees in Electric Line Construction Technology from Nash Community College. Twenty-seven co-op lineworkers have gone on to earn associate degrees since the program began.
That dedication to safety has evolved to today’s comprehensive, sophisticated approach spearheaded by North Carolina’s Electric Cooperative’s Job Training & Safety (JT&S) team. Our team works closely with each electric co-op to provide training that enhances and builds the skills of lineworkers across the state. The training is taught by a diverse group of instructors, including experienced lineworkers, engineers, operations personnel, outside vendors who specialize in specific equipment and tools, and members of the JT&S team. These instructors ensure instruction is consistent and relevant to the current, real-world field operations. There are 29 schools scheduled for 2026, with capacity for roughly 645 seats.
Emerging technologies have been incorporated into training at the schools
to enhance hands-on learning. A Timpson training unit allows portions of the training yard to be energized, giving workers the opportunity to train in real-world scenarios (“New Lineworker Training Unit Creates Realistic Experience,” August 2022). This unit is currently used during the overhead line construction (bucket) classes and a workshop on effective cover-up, where lineworkers learn how to insulate energized components in their work area. The Timpson unit may also soon be used on the underground training field.
The JT&S team also partners with Nash Community College to provide lineworkers with the opportunity to further their education by pursuing an associate degree in Electric Lineman Technology. In addition to completing the required JT&S training schools, participants must complete additional coursework either online or in person (see sidebar).
A training guide developed by JT&S for the cooperatives is registered with the North Carolina Community College System and creates a road map 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 cooperatives take 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.
Becky Alston is director of Job Training & Safety Field Services for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.
Jones-Onslow EMC
Timmy Hall Tideland EMC Adam Fyle
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February Quick Hits
Wear Red
Red isn’t just for Valentine’s Day. National Wear Red Day is Feb. 6, spreading awareness of women’s cardiovascular health. Learn more at goredforwomen.org
Heart Healthy
February is American Heart Month—know your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and see your doctor regularly.
Kitchen Safety
Burn Awareness Week is Feb. 1–7. Stay in the kitchen when using the stove, and never use water on a kitchen fire. Find more tips at ameriburn.org
(Local) Groundhog Day
Did you know we have our own official groundhog in NC? Watch for Snerd’s prediction out of Garner on Feb. 2.
Co-op basketball Camp Scholarship
Winners recognized on the Court
Walking onto the hardwood of a college arena, surrounded by bright lights and a buzzing crowd, is an unforgettable experience for any young athlete.
For a group of North Carolina middle schoolers, that experience came to life at Reynolds Coliseum, the same court where they spent time last summer practicing and playing alongside the Wolfpack women’s basketball team.
On Dec. 7, these sports camp scholarship winners — selected by North Carolina’s electric cooperatives to attend the NC State women’s basketball camp this past summer — came together for a reunion and a moment of recognition.
“My daughter’s experience at the NC State women’s basketball camp was amazing,” said Amy Augustine, parent of a 2025 camp scholarship winner. “It really opened her eyes to what life after high school could be and gave her an
even bigger goal to reach for.”
For 23 years, North Carolina’s 26 not-for-profit electric cooperatives have awarded scholarships to young women to attend the Wolfpack women’s basketball camp. North Carolina’s electric cooperatives also partner with the UNC men’s basketball team to send middle school students to their annual Carolina Basketball School each summer.
“We are very grateful that our local electric co-op provides an experience like this for kids in our area, especially for girls. It is very hard to find basketball camps here,” Augustine said. “Camps like this help build skills and show our kids that if they work hard, they can continue to grow.”
Applications for both basketball camps are open from Jan. 1 to March 31. Visit NCElectricCooperatives.com/ All-Stars to learn more and apply.
—Josh Conner, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives
North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives Announces
New CEO
Amadou Fall will succeed Joe Brannan upon his retirement in April
North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, the family of three organizations that serves the state’s network of 26 electric distribution cooperatives, has named Amadou Fall as its new executive vice president and CEO, effective April 8, 2026. Fall has served as chief operating officer of the cooperatives’ generation and transmission organization, North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC) since January of 2021.
Fall will succeed Joe Brannan, who has led all three organizations since May of 2012.
“North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have benefited from strong leadership under Joe Brannan for almost 14 years,” said Susan Flythe, NCEMC board president and EVP and general manager for Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative. “It was important to the search committee that our next leader build on the successes of the last decade, and after a comprehensive, national search, we have found that leader in Amadou Fall. Amadou was selected for the vision, experience and collaborative leadership style he brings to the state’s electric cooperatives during a time of unprecedented industry change.”
Throughout his career, Fall has led complex energy projects, spanning generation planning to the implementation of distributed energy resources. Since joining North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, Fall has overseen
ELECTRICITY 101
Q: What is the third prong of a plug for?
A: Murphy should know better — modifying an electrical plug is never a good idea (see opposite page). In the United States, standard 120-volt plugs have either two or three prongs. Larger appliances or those with metal casings have a third "ground" prong, which is important for ensuring safe operation of the device in the case of an electrical fault,
NCEMC’s power portfolio, advanced the deployment of distributed energy resources and guided NCEMC’s capabilities as a distribution operator, coordinating and managing more than 600 MWs of distributed energy resources across electric cooperative distribution systems.
“North Carolina co-ops are national leaders in energy innovation, reliability and affordability because they put the needs of people and the communities they serve first,” Fall said. “I look forward to continuing to work with each of the state’s 26 electric cooperatives and our exceptional team of employees, leading together through industry changes on our path to a brighter future.”
Prior to joining North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives as COO, Fall was CEO of the National Renewables Cooperative Organization, a role he held after his time in leadership roles with ACES Power, where he managed regulatory, scheduling and transmission services for the portfolios of ACES members and customers. He has extensive experience in diverse energy portfolio management, risk management, transmission modeling and congestion analysis and renewable energy.
Brannan, who has served member cooperatives and their communities through various roles for more than two decades, will continue in his role and support an effective transition until his previously announced April retirement.
according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The third prong provides a safe path for stray electricity to reach the ground.
As for the other prongs, one vertical prong is electrically “hot;” the other prong is neutral. When a device is plugged into an outlet and switched on, an electrical current will flow between the prongs, completing a circuit and powering the device.
Joe Brannan
Amadou Fall
From the Classroom to Co-op Colleagues
Two NC co-op employees share a bond that shaped their futures
Rooted in the communities they serve, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are built on relationships — neighbors serving neighbors and building stronger communities.
For two cooperative employees, that idea of connection is deeply personal. Long before they both found careers at their local electric co-ops, Conni Tucker and Jacob Puckett shared a classroom — not as colleagues, but as teacher and student. Tucker once taught Puckett high school English, years before the two would reunite as storytellers serving their communities in communications roles.
Tucker previously worked for the N.C. Department of Commerce and Wake County Economic Development in marketing and research. A move to Mount Airy, however, presented a new opportunity when she was asked about stepping into a teaching role. Teaching high schoolers wasn’t part of her original plan, but it became a meaningful chapter in her career.
“It was a great job and a great place to be,” Tucker said. “It gave me the opportunity to teach so many great students, and it gave me the privilege of teaching Jacob.”
That connection extended beyond a single school year. Tucker taught Puckett for three years, an experience that left a lasting impression.
“Conni was one of my favorite teachers of all time,” Puckett said. “That wasn’t just my opinion. It was shared by many students who had her as a teacher. The way I began learning how to write took root in her classroom, and a big part of why I pursued a career in communications is because of Conni.”
After graduating from Appalachian State University, Puckett’s path led him to Blue Ridge Energy, where he began putting the communications skills he first developed in Tucker’s classroom to work.
Years later, a familiar name and face caught his eye while scrolling through social media — this time, in a cooperative hard hat.
“I saw a hard hat and a bucket truck and thought, ‘There’s no way, it’s too small of a world,’” Puckett said. “So I did what anyone would do and went to LinkedIn. When I saw the update that she was working at an electric cooperative, I reached out and gave her the co-op welcome.”
Tucker joined Central Electric as a communications specialist, blending her experience in economic development, community engagement and teaching into a career change that allowed her to connect with members and tell the cooperative’s story.
Having a familiar face in the industry made that transition both easier and more meaningful.
“I’m just so proud of Jacob and the work he’s doing at Blue Ridge and in his community,” Tucker said. “If you’ve ever been a teacher, that’s what teaching is all about, paying it forward and making the world a better place through the students you teach. It’s not what you do; it’s what you empower them to do.”
Now, as colleagues on their respective communications teams, they share a common goal: connecting with members and highlighting the work happening in the communities they serve.
“I grew up in a cooperative household. My dad has worked at Surry-Yadkin EMC for nearly 40 years, and I knew just how impactful co-ops are in their communities,” Puckett said. “I love this job because I get to do that every single day—sharing the stories of people who are really making a difference.”
—Josh Conner, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives
Long before they both found careers at their local electric co-ops, Conni Tucker and Jacob Puckett shared a classroom — not as colleagues, but as teacher and student.
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Strength
through
glass
A veteran’s journey toward healing
By Vanessa Infanzon
On Thursday mornings, David Seligman, a retired captain from the U.S. Army, arrives at the North Carolina Glass Center (NCGC) in Asheville’s River Arts District by 7 a.m. to light the furnace and gather tools.
Since 2020, when David attended his first glass blowing class at the center, he’s found a supportive community and an outlet for the depression and post-traumatic stress disorder he faces each day.
“In the first few years, when I was doing this, I was in a really bad mental health place,” David says. “This provided me with a creative outlet that I truly didn’t know I needed. It’s saved me in a lot of ways.”
David grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1996 after
graduating high school. He studied natural resource conservation and management at the University of Kentucky in Lexington and graduated in 2002. In 2003, David joined the Army again, finishing three deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq before medical retirement in 2015. Soon after, he and his wife of 25 years and two children moved to south Asheville.
“I was not doing well,” he says. “Things were getting very dark for me. I had tried a couple of different things, and I just started looking at the arts.”
Glass artist and veteran David Seligman with his award-winning sculpture, “Hitting the Nail on the Head.”
North Carolina Glass Center
David Seligman
Healing arts
In 2020, NCGC’s six-week veterans program captured David’s attention. Unfortunately, halfway into the session, the classes were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. David was hooked on glass blowing and once businesses began to open, he contacted the center to see if he could restart the veterans program.
“It’s kind of evolved since then into a weekly thing here,” David says. “Whatever I sell on the [gift shop] shelves goes to the veterans program.”
David runs the program with Joe Nicholson, a glass artist and the center’s studio manager. Veterans can coordinate with the center for free studio time.
NCGC Executive Director Candace Reilly and David are pursuing funding sources to expand the current program. They envision an eight-week healing arts program with a therapist available for the veterans. Combat trauma training, a program to process each part of a veteran’s military career from basic training to discharge, is another element they hope to include with additional resources.
Overcoming challenges
Glass art isn’t for everyone: It takes a long time to learn, and glass doesn’t always cooperate, David says. Like most newcomers, David started with a paperweight to learn how to manipulate the glass. A year of practicing yielded a cup that didn’t look like it was melting.
The studio’s heat may also be uncomfortable for veterans. For those with patience, it can be a rewarding endeavor. Glass artists are continually adjusting the speed of the work and the heat to fit the piece they’re making.
“There is a level of challenge that they want and that they’re accepting,” David says. “It takes a lot of persistence.”
When David isn’t making cups, flowers and vases to support the veterans program, he creates award-winning conceptual sculptures. "Hitting the Nail on the Head" won first place at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in May 2025 at the Newfields in Indianapolis, Indiana. The two-inch by four-inch work showcases bent and straight nails, all made of glass.
“I made a conceptual piece that represents a brain injury,” he says. “I was thinking, ‘How many times can you hit a nail on the head before it breaks?’”
Another work, “Spilled Milk,” a cup with milk pouring out, symbolizes David’s memories of returning from deployment and being unable to handle the usual stress and mess of family life. David’s mind associated chaos with someone dying.
“After I had the awareness, I realized I was literally crying over spilled milk,” he says. “I was able to get that sadness out. It made me feel a lot better.”
Vanessa Infanzon moved to Charlotte for college and never left. When she’s not writing about business or travel, she’s paddle boarding on the Catawba River.
David Seligman
David Seligman
HEALING FROM THE FRAGMENTS
Students create glass art to cope after Hurricane Helene
By Vanessa Infanzon
Much of Kristen Muñoz’s glass work from her business, Moon Girl Glass, was destroyed in Asheville’s River Arts District during Hurricane Helene in September 2024. She collected the broken pieces from her booth and brought them to her home studio in Marshall.
In the aftermath, Kristen, a member of French Broad EMC, checked on community members and helped to gather essential supplies for other towns. As a mom to two teenagers, she worried most about how the teens were processing the experience.
Practice of forgiveness
On Oct. 16, 2024, just two weeks after the storm, Kristen invited several teens to her studio to participate in a forgiveness ceremony. After smashing glass pieces, the 13 students worked with molds to make hearts. At a time when the
About the Artist
teens felt helpless, this empowered them to feel part of something, Kristen says.
Raven Anderson, Kristen’s 18-yearold daughter, recruited other teens to attend and assist with the molds and glass blowing. “The art was therapeutic, allowing people to express their emotions,” she says.
Kristen incorporated the glass making process with the Hawaiian tradition of Ho'oponopono. The four steps — smashing the glass, cleaning the glass, setting the mold and putting the creation into the kiln — were paired with these four phrases: I'm sorry, please forgive me, thank you and I love you.
“I told the teens they could use the process of breaking the already broken glass and cleaning it as a spiritual practice of forgiveness,” Kristen explains in a Facebook post. “Any past mistakes that have caused pain could be alchemized and transmuted through the act of forgiveness.”
In 1999, Kristen Muñoz started glassblowing in Austin, Texas, with a group of artists doing flamework, the technique of forming objects from rods and tubes. She became an apprentice but moved to Western North Carolina in 2000 to escape the Texas heat. Kristen took stained glass, flameworking, blacksmithing and hot glass classes at Penland School of Craft in Bakersville. She fell in love with traditional glassblowing and has been a self-employed artist, giving demonstrations, teaching classes and creating unique pieces such as bowls, chandeliers, hummingbird feeders, ornaments and pendant lights. Her studio in Marshall, Moon Girl Glass (moongirlglass.com), is on the Blue Ridge Craft Trails.
Moon Girl Glass’ booth in Asheville’s River Arts District before and after Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
Moon Girl Glass
Before after
Etched in glass
At the same time, Madison Early College High School in Marshall had been closed due to the storm, complicating teachers Erin Long and Julie Young’s plans for their project-based learning program. Each year for the past 10 years, students in the American Literature classes selected a community project to plan and execute. Although the class knew they wanted to support the arts community, with so many barriers in place after the storm, they were having trouble launching an idea.
News about Kristen’s glass project reached the teachers, and they met at the studio to discuss the possibility of the students partnering with Moon Girl Glass.
“[Kristen] talked to us about her vision of trying to help our community heal and teach the kids how to do art with glass,” says Julie, also a member of French Broad EMC.
The opportunity ignited the students: They interviewed Kristen for a podcast. They designed a website, From the Fragments: Stories in Glass (bit.ly/from-fragments) and some connected their personal narratives they wrote for class to the art they created at Kristen’s studio in March.
“When my class went to Kristen Muñoz’s studio, I was immediately drawn to the
bumblebee mold,” wrote Evyn Kinney, a student involved with the From the Fragments project, in her personal narrative. “Green is my favorite color, so I filled the body with green glass, with hints of blue. I filled the wings with multicolored glass, so it was a rainbow. I figured this was fitting as rainbows represent new beginnings, and Hurricane Helene definitely provided that for our community.”
Julie envisions the next group of students continuing From the Fragments this academic year with Kristen. Younger students have already expressed interest after seeing the art hanging in the classroom windows and hearing about the field trip to the glass studio. A group of new students can market the glass, sell it and use the proceeds to fund projects focused on rebuilding the community.
“Even with all the destruction that came with the disaster, there was still beauty and strength,” Evyn says. “I am proud of all that my community has accomplished over the past several months and hope that we can get back to being the strong resilient people that we once were.”
Vanessa Infanzon moved to Charlotte for college and never left. When she’s not writing about business or travel, she’s paddle boarding on the Catawba River.
Kristen Muñoz shows teens how to express emotions via glassblowing and transforming broken glass into beautiful new creations.
Kristen Muñoz
Kristen Muñoz Moon Girl Glass Moon Girl Glass
NewsCentral
FEBRUARY 2026
Thank
POINT OF VIEW:
What Makes Co-ops Different?
EDDIE OLDHAM, CEO & GENERAL MANAGER
you for being part of the cooperative family. Here’s to 85 years of progress—and many more to come.”
This month, we continue our new FAQ series, “Your Questions Answered,” by exploring some of the most common questions we hear from you, our members, offering insight into what makes your cooperative unique and how we serve you beyond keeping the lights on.
This month’s question: What makes an electric cooperative different from other utilities?
The short answer is ownership.
Central Electric isn’t owned by investors—it’s owned by you, our members. That means every decision we make is guided by what’s best for the people we serve, not by profits. This member-focused approach is what sets cooperatives apart from
85TH ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY
other types of utilities and businesses.
Electric cooperatives were born out of necessity in the 1930s when rural communities were left in the dark because investor-owned utilities didn’t see a profit in serving them. Neighbors came together to form co-ops, pooling resources to bring electricity to areas that had been overlooked. That spirit of cooperation still drives us today.
In 1941, Central Electric Membership Corporation was born, and our business model was built on seven cooperative principles that guide everything we do:
ɏ Voluntary and Open Membership
ɏ Democratic Member Control
ɏ Members’ Economic Participation
ɏ Autonomy and Independence
ɏ Education, Training, and Information
ɏ Cooperation Among Cooperatives
ɏ Concern for Community.
This year is especially meaningful because Central Electric is celebrating 85 years of service, and we’re saying thank you with an 85th Anniversary
Giveaway! Each month in 2026, 85 members will be randomly selected to receive a $50 bill credit. No entry is required; all active members are automatically included in the drawing.
During our annual meeting month in October, all member names go back in the hat for another chance to win. This time, 85 winners will receive a $100 bill credit!
Winners will be notified by letter and posted monthly on our 85th Anniversary landing page. You’ll also find a QR code in the box at the bottom of this page that will take you directly to the page.
It’s our way of celebrating 85 years of power and progress, and showing appreciation for the members who make it all possible.
Thank you for being part of the cooperative family. Here’s to 85 years of progress—and many more to come!
Until next time,
Each month in 2026, 85 members will be randomly selected to receive a $50 bill credit. No entry is required— all active members are automatically included.
Winners will be notified by letter and posted monthly on our 85th Anniversary web page at CEMCpower.com. Scan the QR code to go directly to the page and see if you’re a winner!
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 over the course of a billing period. 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
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. appliances.
you have the inside of your home set at, you use more energy to maintain the comfortable setting you like.
This same data is also available personalized for your specific account, which you can access by logging into your account through our online member services portal at CEMCpower.com or scanning the QR code to the right.
As you can see, there is a direct relationship between the low temperature and the amount of energy our home uses to keep it warm inside. When is it colder outside, your heating system must work harder and consumes more electricity in order to compensate for the difference in the temperatures outside and inside your home.
If you have any questions about your monthly bill or energy use, you can always give us a call at 919-7744900. We are always happy to answer your questions and recommend ways to save energy.
ɏ Central Carolina Community College Foundation - $3,000 for their Dreamkeeper Fund.
ɏ Chatham Charter School PTA$3,000 to support outdoor play, including active play graphics.
ɏ CORA Food Pantry - $3,000 for their Food Choice Pantry.
ɏ El Refugio - $3,000 to provide reliable student transportation for Summer Literacy Camp.
ɏ Friends of Wren Memorial Library - $3,000 for Early Literacy Kits and community engagement through inclusive programming.
Members of the CORA Food Pantry accept a grant for $3,000. The funds will be used to support their Food Choice Pantry. Scan the QR code to learn more about the Operation Round Up ® program.
ɏ Quiltmaker Cafe - $3,000 to support their “Pay What You Can” community restaurant.
ɏ The Salvation Army of Lee County - $3,000 to support their community kitchen.
ɏ Union Taylors Community Center - $1,500 for building improvements.
ɏ United Way of Chatham County - $3,000 to support the “A Week to Grow” Summer Camp for youth in the Chatham Success Network.
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 the QR code or visit the Loans and Rebates page under the Member Services tab at CEMCPower.com to learn more about energy-efficient loans, rebates and other tools available to our members.
Central Electric annually awards two Cooperative All-Stars Basketball 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 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 AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Before making any decisions, scan the QR code below or visit the Electric Vehicles page at CEMCpower.com. There, you’ll find helpful information about the different types of vehicles—hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric models—and how each works.
128 Wilson Road Sanford, NC 27331
OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CONTACT
Phone: (919) 774-4900
Bill Payment: (866) 488-5011
Plus, you’ll find helpful information about rebates and tax credits, a charging station map, and more. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of electric vehicles will help you decide if one is right for you and your family.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Eddie Oldham , CEO & General Manager
DIRECTO RS
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 , Henry Randolph, and Bianka Stumpf.
Conni Tucker, Editor
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
CEMCPower.com @cemcpower @cemcpower
CAN
MAKE THE BIGGEST SPLASH IN THEIR SUMMER? Only in The Northern Outer Banks Only in The Northern Outer Banks will memories be filled with Corolla Wild Horses roaming free on pristine beaches, historic maritime attractions, luxurious accommodations and abundant laidback family fun. Plan your perfect vacation!
Should I Upgrade My Appliance?
Factor in energy cost savings
By Miranda Boutelle
Buying a new appliance can feel daunting. Before you hand over your hard-earned money, here’s how to choose an appliance that will help you save money over time.
When shopping, keep in mind that not all new appliances are high efficiency, and not all old appliances are inefficient. The less efficient your current appliance, the more you will save with an upgrade. The yellow EnergyGuide label on new appliances shows the yearly energy cost, kilowatt-hour electricity use and Energy Star® logo, if certified.
Let’s look at some appliance examples to see how the costs and savings stack up.
Refrigerators
Refrigerators have seen major efficiency improvements over the years. New refrigerators use up to 73% less energy than 1970s models and about a third less than 20-year-old models.
If you purchase a new model and intend to keep your old appliance, be sure to weigh the additional energy costs. Maximize efficiency and keep your food safe by setting your refrigerator to 37 degrees and your freezer to 0 degrees.
Clothes washers and dryers
New Energy Star-certified clothes washers and dryers are also more efficient than older models. Use the Energy Star Product Finder at energystar.gov to compare products. Integrated Modified Energy Factor measures the washer’s energy efficiency. A higher number is better. Integrated Water Factor measures water efficiency. A lower number is better.
I recently bought a new washing machine when my old front-load machine died. I was considering a top-load
machine. When I compared Energy Star-certified top loaders to front loaders, I changed my mind. Energy Starcertified front loaders use about 50% less energy and water than top-load agitator washers and about 25% less energy and water than top-load impeller washers that don’t have an agitator.
Then I had to make the decision about buying the matching dryer. My dryer was functional but had features I didn’t like. The new matching Energy Star-certified dryer cost nearly $700. With an estimated savings of $46 per year, the dryer would take 15 years for the savings to cover the price. That’s a long time, and to me not worth the cost.
To improve your washer and dryer efficiency, wash in cold water, don’t over dry clothes and clean your lint trap between every load.
Televisions
Just like the light bulbs in your home, LED televisions offer increased efficiency. Energy Star-certified televisions are 34% more efficient than conventional models. If you have a working LED television, swapping to an Energy Star model is more efficient but may not make up for the cost of a new TV. Instead, check the efficiency settings on your TV or buy a smart power strip that turns off other connected devices when not in use.
Whatever appliance you are upgrading or replacing, make an informed decision by comparing the cost of operation and shopping Energy Star models to help lower your electric bill.
This column was written by Miranda Boutelle of the Efficiency Services Group. Visit CarolinaCountry.com/your-energy for more ideas on energy efficiency.
- J.P. Morgan
American culture is a rich tapestry shaped by the voices, labor, creativity and resilience of many communities, with African Americans playing a role since its very foundation from the nation’s earliest days. Black stories are woven throughout the American story itself, adding depth, rhythm and brilliance — having a profound influence on shaping our shared culture, values and progress. America’s story is still being written, and Black voices — past and present — continue to enrich, strengthen and move it forward.
Last year, Governor Josh Stein marked Black History Month with a proclamation at the North Carolina Executive Mansion.
“Black History Month serves as our reminder that progress never comes easily, but it is necessary,” he said. These words echoed the larger national message that honoring Black stories is essential to understanding the work still ahead.
Visit BlackHistoryMonth.gov, ASALH.org and AAHC.NC.gov to learn more about Black History Month and the incredible people who have and continue to contribute to the rich cultural, historical and innovative fabric of our nation.
E HOW
BY RUE REYNOLD
BLACK STORI S SHAPE AMERICAN
HISTORY
Honoring Black contributions to culture, science and political change
CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS
Much of what the world recognizes as American culture carries the imprint of ethnic creativity. Music offers one of the clearest examples. Born from Black communities in the South, blues and jazz laid the groundwork for rock, soul and popular modern music. Artists with roots in North Carolina— like Nina Simone, whose expressive blend of jazz, blues and activism helped shape 20th-century American music— illustrate how local stories can echo worldwide. Born in Tryon, Simone’s early piano talent blossomed before she became a global cultural icon. Hip-hop also emerged as a global cultural force rooted in storytelling and social commentary. Language reflects this influence as well, with expressions and rhythms shaped by the community’s speech patterns becoming part of everyday American communication. Food traditions tell a similar story. Southern cuisine, barbecue and comfort foods reflect African
roots blended with regional American ingredients. Visual art and literature— from the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and ’30s to contemporary works— have also helped define how America sees itself and how it is seen by the world. Figures like Maya Angelou, who made her home in Winston-Salem while writing and teaching at Wake Forest University, show how North Carolina has been a vessel for voices that shape national culture and conversation.
POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE
The Black community has driven many of the most important movements toward justice and equality in American history. Leaders like Frederick Douglass challenged the nation’s conscience during the abolitionist movement. At the same time, organizers and activists during the civil rights era pushed for laws such as the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. These efforts were not just about addressing injustice
North Carolina's Nina Simone is among those who helped shape 20th-century American music.
Philippe Gras/Alamy
for one community— they reshaped national policy and expanded democratic ideals. Time and again, Black activism has compelled the country to move closer to the values and principles it holds.
North Carolina itself played a pivotal role in civil rights history. The Greensboro sit-ins of 1960, led by four North Carolina A&T students, including Joseph McNeil, sparked a wave of non-violent protests that helped desegregate lunch counters across the South and energized the broader civil rights movement. These student activists demonstrated how localized resistance could propel national change, showing that ordinary citizens could confront structural injustice with bravery and moral clarity.
“There are a lot of civil rights stories that must be told,” International Civil Rights Center & Museum CEO John Swaine told Carolina Country (“The Lunch Counter that Sparked a Movement,” April 2017). “But there’s so much more to do.”
North Carolina itself is home to the largest number of four-year Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)in the nation— institutions steeped in tradition, activism and innovation that continue to educate future leaders.
INNOVATION AND INGENUITY
African Americans have shaped modern life through innovations that support everyday routines in quiet yet profound ways. Garrett Morgan improved the traffic signal, helping make roads safer and influencing systems still in use today. Marie Van Brittan Brown co-developed the first home security system, laying the foundations for modern home safety technology. Dr. Patricia Bath transformed eye care by pioneering laser cataract surgery, restoring sight to millions worldwide.
In science and technology, mathematician Katherine Johnson’s precise calculations were critical to
spaceflight navigation and helped advance satellite systems that later supported GPS technology. Gladys West co-created GPS by developing accurate mathematical models of the Earth, making the system reliable and functional.
Across many sectors, Black North Carolinians have also contributed significantly. Business leaders like John Merrick built influential institutions such as the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company— one of the most successful Black-owned businesses of its time, supporting economic empowerment within Black communities.
Across agriculture, education, medicine and business, Black innovators have strengthened the nation’s infrastructure and economy. Many of these contributions are embedded in daily life, often unnoticed but essential.
‘A CENTURY OF COMMEMORATIONS’
The 2026 Black History Month theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” marks 100 years since Black History became a nationally organized observance. From Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s creation of Negro History Week to the establishment of Black History Month, these commemorations have shaped how African American history is taught, preserved and understood. When schools, media and public conversations include these narratives, the American story becomes fuller and more accurate. Inclusion helps people see themselves reflected in the nation’s past and better understand how interconnected American identity truly is.
By honoring Black stories not only as history but as living, evolving contributions, we make space for future voices to shape what America becomes— ensuring that the story ahead is as rich, just and powerful as the legacy behind it.
Rue Reynold is the editorial assistant for Carolina Country magazine.
NC AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL EVENTS
Jan. 30–31
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CELEBRATION
Honoring African American history, culture, art, music & community traditions
North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh 919-814-7000
Feb. 6, 13 & 20
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
WALKING TOURS
Guided walking tours exploring local Black history, heritage & community stories
Taylor Street Park, Wake Forest 919-435-9516
Feb. 7
BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT CHAVIS PARK
Cultural programming, history & family-friendly activities honoring Black heritage
John Chavis Community Center, Raleigh 919-996-6590
Feb. 8
MELANATED SMALL BIZ FEST
Marketplace spotlighting Black-owned businesses, creatives, food vendors & entrepreneurs
Venue at 8470, Charlotte
Feb. 21
BLACK HIS/HER-STORY CARNIVAL
Outdoor event celebrating Black history with performances & vendors
Historic Northside of Downtown Wilmington Info@WilmingtoNColor.com
Feb. 26–28
UNC CAROLINA JAZZ FESTIVAL
Multi-day jazz celebration
Various locations, Chapel Hill 919-962-1039
Reenacting and Reaffirming Freedom
Reliving history at Moores Creek Battlefield
By Lori Grossman | Photos courtesy of the National Park Service
When we learn about the American Revolutionary War in school, we always hear about the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill and Valley Forge. Most people haven’t heard of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, although it was the site of the first decisive Patriot victory on Feb. 27, 1776 — right in Pender County. Now, it’s remembered, commemorated and reenacted. On the 250th anniversary of the battle, Wilmington reenactor Luis Cruz plans to be at the National Battlefield to bring history to life.
“For me, it means connection; a connection to history, to the community I am visiting, to my family and to the values that shaped our country,” Luis says.
The elementary school assistant principal in New Hanover County credits his son, who is now a Marine, with inspiring him to become a reenactor.
“My son was five years old at the time,” he recalls. “We had some family friends who were in the 6th North Carolina Historical Reenactment Society and were going to the Moores Creek Battlefield reenactment. My son went along for some fun.
“When he came back, he said, ‘Dad! You got to try this. It was awesome!’ So the next year … I went. I’ve been hooked ever since.”
Luis joined the 6th NC in 2006 and went to the Moores Creek reenactment. He’s now the unit commander. It’s one of the oldest reenactment groups in the state.
“The 6th NC has been around since the Bicentennial,” Luis says. “We are a nonprofit organization based out of Charlotte. The members all hail from across the state — literally from the coast to the mountains.”
Reenactors portray anyone connected with a battle, from Patriot officers and soldiers to British Loyalist forces.
250th Anniversary of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge Feb. 26, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
40 Patriots Hall Dr., Currie, NC 910-283-5591 or nps.gov/mocr
You might play a fife or drum, or, if you’re portraying a Loyalist Scottish Highlander (who made their last broadsword charge during the battle), the bagpipes. Women often accompanied their husbands and carried out essential tasks such as cooking and washing clothes.
For the 250th Moores Creek Bridge reenactment, Luis will portray either Richard Caswell [commander of Patriot forces at Moores Creek] or Colonel James Moore [who maneuvered Loyalist troops into engaging with Patriots]. So the clothing Cruz wears is important. As the old saying goes, “clothes make the man.” Even the smallest details are important for an accurate portrayal.
“Because I portray an officer, I portray a gentleman,” he explains. “I’m educated. I may have land or perhaps a business. In keeping with that social status, I have to have finer clothing than the average soldier. So I’ll use a finer wool for my clothes. I’ll use silk and perhaps some printed materials. My buttons are fancier or cloth-covered. My hat also fits my status as a gentleman.”
Likewise, the kind of firearm he carries must be correct to the time, place and situation.
“I use a 1763 model French Charleville,” he says. “These were issued to the Continental Army and were favored over the British model by American soldiers.”
Luis sees his role as a reenactor as a way to serve his country and honor the resilience of past generations.
“It’s a reminder that freedom and sacrifice aren’t just words in a book; they were lived experiences,” Luis says. “Being part of that story, even in a small one-weekend-amonth kind of way, means everything.”
Freelance writer Lori Grossman currently lives in Texas but carries memories of North Carolina in her heart.
Luis Cruz (right) with fellow reenactors.
I Remember
Memories and photos from our readers
school, though. We did most of our courting on my family’s front porch swing. He could easily walk to my house in five minutes.
We were engaged in the 11th grade. He made payments on my rings with money he made driving a school bus. We graduated in May 1957 and were married in December 1957. He had a job making $45 a week. Things were much cheaper then. Our rent was $25 a month and groceries around $10 a week.
We were married for 65 years [before he passed in late 2023], and were blessed with four children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Elaine Brown, Pinetops
A member of Edgecombe-Martin County EMC
Flirtatious Grandma
Grandma was a notorious flirt. When I was young, our home church was in the Hopewell community of Rowland. We lived right down the road from the church and our paternal grandparents lived right next door.
When my grandparents became elderly, they didn’t go to church anymore. My Grandpa had a hearing problem and was almost deaf, and Grandma couldn’t walk well enough to get up the church steps. The men in the church (mostly) would make a point to stop by Grandma and Grandpa’s house to greet them — especially Grandma. She was an outrageous and notorious flirt! Grandpa never minded though.
One Sunday, Daddy brought the church bulletin to their house and he dropped me off. Sitting inside their screened front porch, where I had happily shelled beans and peas with Grandma, she suddenly exclaimed, “Where are my Mens?” Grandma was Lumbee Native American and that was how she pronounced it. Soon, Grandma’s “Mens” began to show up one by one, and Grandma’s gold front tooth and her beautiful smile greeted each and every one with a hug, a kiss on the cheek and a flirtatious wink. She was the happiest I’d ever seen and this remains a very precious memory.
Kathryn Ransom, Maxton, a member of Lumbee River EMC
Elmer Hunt
A Father’s Hard Work Philosophy
Recently, my brother and I found Dad’s old lineman’s belt and climbing (gaff) hooks hanging in his storage building. As I looked at the worn and faded leather, its lines spoke of a man standing on a utility pole with iron legs with hooks dug in for hours, building a new powerline. Out of this cracked leather came forth pictures of a lineman working around the clock on downed powerlines due to ice storms, hurricane damage, tornado-ridden places to restore the power grid. From excessive heat to extreme cold, the lineman labored on.
My dad, Paul Jones, went to work for Randolph Electric in the early 1950s when he was discharged from the Air Force after the Korean War, and worked for them for over 34 years. His lineman’s belt is a testimony to his hard work to provide for mom and his six children. He did whatever it took to provide for us, whether the circumstances were favorable or unfavorable. From being a lineman, to service, to running an underground crew in his later years, he did what it took.
I wish that I could tell him again, “Thanks Dad! You set forth an example of hard work and provided well.”
Allen Jones, Seagrove, a member of Randolph EMC
Send Us Your Memories We love sharing photos and memories dear to our readers. Submit your photo, plus roughly 200 words that describe it, online or by mail with a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want it returned (only one entry per household, per month). Include your name, mailing address, phone number or email address, and the name of your electric co-op. We retain reprint rights, and we’ll pay $50 for those we publish. Online: carolinacountry.com/contact U.S. Mail: I Remember, Carolina Country, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616
Taming Forsythias
Which pruning technique fits your taste?
Story and photos by L.A. Jackson
Forsythia (Forsythia sp.) signals the coming spring, as its early, bright flowers herald the blissful fact that, yes, warmer weather is on the way. Also called “yellow bells,” these popular shrubs grow readily in Carolina gardens — but sometimes, perhaps too readily.
By “readily,” I mean that established plants can, depending on the cultivar, add 2 to 4 feet of new limb per year on each branch. So, if you want to prevent your forsythias from becoming bullies to nearby plants, pruning is necessary every few years. To minimize the loss of future flowers, this deed is best done right after the current bloom parade fades. But how you want them to look in your garden will determine how you prune them.
First, if your goal is to treat forsythias like boxwoods and shape them into pyramids, ’57 Chevys, or large-than-life renditions of family pets, using a hedge trimmer is the way to go.
Myself, I’m not a big fan of pruning forsythias into something they ain’t. In my humble opinion, these shrubs look best — and more natural — when they are allowed to mature into their typical flowing, cascading shapes. However, any forsythia that is allowed to grow with its flow still needs to be pruned occasionally. This is best done with hand pruners or loppers, and the instructions are simple: Just cut the longest intruding stems off at intersecting branch joints tucked away inside the bush.
If your forsythia has turned into a large, sprawling botanical beast, it can be tamed by cutting all the limbs back to about a foot from the ground. Sure, this will definitely curb its flower power for a while, but remember forsythia is a fast grower, meaning it should come roaring back in a lovely way in just a few years.
Forsythia
But if pruning has never been your favorite garden chore, minimize such maintenance by planting compact forsythias like ‘Show Off,’ a cultivar that only stretches to about 6 feet tall and wide. Ditto for ‘Sunrise.’ Want even smaller? Try ‘Gold Tide,’ or ‘Show Off Sugar Baby’ — they both grow to a modest 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
There are, of course, other cultivars available that restrain themselves in size, so check with your local, friendly garden center to see what they might have to offer. As an obvious alternative, try e-nurseries online.
L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener Magazine. Contact L.A. at lajackson1@gmail.com
L.A.’s website of the month: Want bunches of woody ornamentals for your landscape? Have little money but plenty of patience? The Virginia Department of Forestry Seedling Store (buyvatrees.com) specializes in selling tree and shrub bare-root seedlings. Sure, the plants are small, but the prices are right.
Garden To-Do’s for February
Did you leave your ornamental grasses untrimmed so they could add visual interest to the winter garden this year? Well, now is the time to cut back such pretties as miscanthus, muhly grass, sea oats, pennisetum and pampas grass to get them ready for the new growing season. (Quick Tip: A hedge trimmer is great for the job.) Prune them to just a few inches above the ground, and if in the middle of all the snipping and clipping, you find yourself in possession of some rather attractive seed heads, bring ‘em inside for use in dried arrangements.
In the Piedmont and Coastal areas of North Carolina, it is time to wake up the veggie patch for a new planting season. Such hardy cool-season goodies as carrots, Irish potatoes, vining peas, cabbage, broccoli, collards, mustard greens, kale, lettuce and onions can be planted this month. Gardeners in the western areas of our state will probably do better holding off on getting in on such fun until March.
□ Look after your garden friends on the wing by making sure the bird bath stays free of ice, and continue to wash and refill it at least every week or two. Also, keep bird feeders stocked with seed and suet.
Miscanthus Grass
LEAVE A LEGACY
The Enduring Gift of Gold
Leave a legacy for future generations, nothing embodies this sentiment quite like the enduring gift of gold from American Gold Reserve. With its intrinsic value and historical significance, gold represents stability and prosperity across generations, making it a cherished asset to pass down. Secure your family’s future with a gift that stands the test of time, ensuringa legacy of financial security and enduring value.
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Homemade Butter Salt and Lemon Pepper Potato Chips
Crispy, salty and zingy with lemon pepper, these homemade chips taste like something you’d buy at a gourmet snack shop — but they’re surprisingly easy to make at home.
4 medium-large russet potatoes
4–6 cups peanut oil
(or any high-smoke-point oil)
Butter popcorn salt
Salt-free lemon pepper seasoning (we used Mrs. Dash)
Wash and peel potatoes (or don’t peel).
Using a mandolin or very sharp knife, slice very thin (¹⁄₁₆"). Soak in ice water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and dry very well in a kitchen towel or paper towels. Dry slices = crispy chips!
From Your Kitchen
Grandma’s Caramel Cake
With caramel frosting
This recipe originally ran in our February 1990 edition. Buttery, rich and indulgent, this Southern staple with its cooked, caramelized frosting makes a fine valentine for the one you love.
½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups cake flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Frosting
2 cups brown sugar
¾ cup whipping cream
½ cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon baking powder
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter and sugar until light. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Sift and add dry ingredients,
In a deep skillet or heavy pot, heat 2–3 inches of oil to 350 degrees. Gently add potatoes in small batches, moving about to keep separated. Fry until golden and crisp for 3–4 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, remove to wire basket or onto paper towels. Shake on seasoning immediately while hot.
Can be stored up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Yield: 4–6 servings
alternating with milk and vanilla. Pour into two greased and floured 8-inch cake pans and bake for 20 minutes. Cool.
For the frosting, cook the sugar, cream and butter together in a saucepan until the mixture reaches 235–240 degrees. Remove from heat and mix in vanilla and baking powder. Cool for 20 minutes and then beat until thick enough to spread. Frost the cakes.
Yield: 10–14 slices
Instead of classic Crab Rangoon, we put the creamy filling on top of meaty North Carolina oysters and crowned them with a crispy pork and sesame crunch!
24 fresh NC oysters, shucked (we got ours from A’Nets Katch in Knightdale)
4 ounces vegetable cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons green onion, minced and divided
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sugar
Salt and pepper
½ cup pork rind crumbs, crushed
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Rock salt
Chili crisp hot sauce
Cr eam together cheese, half the onion, sauces, garlic, sugar, salt and pepper until smooth.
Combine pork rind crumbs with butter, seasoning and sesame seeds.
Heat grill to high (or oven to 400 degrees). Put a layer of rock salt on a grill-safe pan. Nest oysters into the salt. Divide cream cheese mixture on top of the oysters and top generously with the crumb mixture.
Grill oysters with lid closed over high heat for 6–8 minutes until topping melts and crumbs are golden.
Garnish with remaining onion and top with a bit of chili crisp. Serve while warm.
Yield: 24 oysters
Culinary Adventurist Wendy Perry (WendyPerry.com) is a home economist, blogger and NC food artisan, unless otherwise noted.
Digital Extra
Submit your recipe online at: carolinacountry.com/myrecipe. Contributors whose recipes are published will receive $25.
Visit carolinacountry.com/recipes to search more than 1,000 recipes by name or ingredient.
Recipe by Annette Pittman of Norwood.
Grilled Oysters Rangoon With crispy pork rind and sesame crackle
February Events
JAN. 29 – FEB. 1
Ice Fest Weekend
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds
828-944-0761
JAN. 30–31
African American Cultural Celebration
North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh | 919-814-7000
FEB. 1
The Regulatory Movement & Revolution in NC Backcountry Historical account leading up to the America Revolution
Chatham County Historical Museum 919-542-6222
FEB. 4–6
Southern Farm Show
NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh 704-494-7544
FEB. 5–7
North Carolina Jazz Festival Hotel Ballast, Wilmington 910-399-6536
FEB. 6, 13 & 20
Black History Month
Walking Tours
Taylor Street Park, Wake Forest 919-435-9516
FEB. 7
Dogfish Tournament
Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier, Wrightsville Beach 910-256-2743
Cheers for Chocolate Festival
Holly Mill Mall, Burlington 366-229-9969
Black History Month at Chavis Park
Cultural programming, history, family-friendly activities
John Chavis Community Center, Raleigh | 919-996-6590
December’s winner
FEB. 14
Beaverdam Crafters Guild
Craft Show
Every second Saturday in 2026 Beaverdam Community Center, Canton 270-872-9532
FEB. 15
Mardi Gras Parade and Queen’s Ball Downtown Asheville
FEB. 21
Black His/Her-Story Carnival
Historic Northside of Downtown Wilmington
Cupid’s Undie Run
Motorco Music Hall, Durham 800-323-7938
FEB. 21–28
First in Freedom
FEB. 7–8
Carolina Chocolate Festival
Crystal Coast Civic Center, Morehead City | 252-515-0228
FEB. 8
Melanated Small Biz Fest Venue at 8470, Charlotte
FEB. 13
“Love Your Local Small Business” Networking Event
The Dupree House, Smithfield 984-285-5877
FEB. 13–15
Bluegrass First Class Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Asheville | 828-275-8650
Various locations, Southeastern NC 910-283-5591
FEB. 26–28
UNC Carolina Jazz Festival Various locations, Chapel Hill 919-962-1039
FEB. 27–28
Boone Docs Film Festival
Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, Boone | 828-865-3000
FEB. 27–MARCH 1
The Winter Ramble Music, food, drinks Various locations, Henderson 704-466-3744
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 March 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 December Where Is This photo by Union Power Cooperative member Bettina Vernon features a green dinosaur on Lancaster Avenue in downtown Monroe, at the appropriately named High Octane Coffee Creamery & Eatery. The coffee shop preserved the green Sinclair dinosaur mascot, “Dino,” as well as other original symbols and structures when renovating the old gas station. According to Sinclair Oil, Dino has been around since the 1930s, when a marketing campaign included different dinosaurs, with the Apatosaurus becoming the favorite. Readers noted that quite a few Sinclair Oil green dinosaurs still roam across the state. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Trisha Autry of Marshville, a Union Power Cooperative member.
It’s cold out there, and this time of year your home’s heating system is working overtime to keep things comfortable and warm inside. Small actions to make your home more energy efficient can lead to big savings. Your local electric cooperative is ready to show you how.
Contact your electric co-op to discover energy saving tips and tools. We’re here to help you and your family manage energy use and save, this season and all year long.
Community Commitment
As a cooperative, Central believes in giving back to improve the quality of life in our communities.
• Operation Round Up® helps neighbors in need through grants to local nonprofit organizations for worthy projects in our community.
• Bright Ideas educational grants award approximately $15,000 each year for local teachers’ innovative classroom projects.
• College Scholarships provide up to $10,000 in local scholarships each year to full-time students attending Central Carolina or Sandhills community colleges, or a four-year university.
• Cooperative All-Stars Sports Camp scholarships sponsor two middle school students to attend sports camps each summer.
• Cooperative Leadership Camp helps high schoolers develop leadership skills and prepare for college.
• Electric Cooperative Youth Tour participants visit our nation’s capital to learn about electric cooperatives, American history,
Learn more about all the ways we’re creating a brighter future at the Community section of our website
As your trusted energy advisor, we offer information and resources about solar energy and electric vehicles (EVs), including special rates for both.
Before adding solar panels or purchasing an electric vehicle (EV), visit the Solar and EV section on our website to learn more.
Convenient Services for You
Whether it’s paying your bill on the go or texting us if your power’s out, Central Electric provides convenient ways for you to connect with us. Learn more at the Member Services section of our website.
Mobile App and Account Portal
• Pay your bill quickly, easily and securely 24/7.
• Track your electric use and view billing history.
• Sign up for alerts and reminders.
• Sign up using “My Account” on our website and download the free mobile app by searching “Central EMC” in your mobile App Store.
Account Options
• F lexPay: Use and buy electricity on an as needed basis. No deposit or late payment fees.
• Automatic Payment Draft: Have monthly bills automatically drafted hassle free from your checking or savings accounts.
• E-bill: Receive your monthly bill each month, hassle and fee free, via email rather than traditional mail.
128 Wilson Road Sanford, NC 27332
cemcpower.com
Outage Texting
• Enroll for outage notification by texting “PWR” to 919-774-4900.
• Text “OUT” to 919-774-4900 to quickly report an outage.
• Enroll and/or report at cemcpower.com/outages
Office Hours
Mon–Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Contact Phone: 919-774-4900
Bill Payment: 866-488-5011
Outage Reporting 877-766-6769 | Available 24/7
Live Chat
Questions? Use our live chat feature at cemcpower.com and connect directly with a co-op rep.