(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800) Volume 56, No. 9 Published monthly by 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616-2950
Scott Gates, CCC Editor
Warren Kessler Creative Director
Renee C. Gannon, CCC Senior Associate Editor
Rue Reynold Editorial Assistant
Jessica Armstrong Graphic Designer
Tara Verna Creative Services Associate
Donna Natosi Digital Strategist
Keith Alexander Advertising Keith@carolinacountry.com
Joseph P. Brannan
Executive Vice President & CEO Nelle Hotchkiss Senior Vice President & COO
Kristie Aldridge, CCC Vice President
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives provide reliable, safe and affordable electric service to 1 million homes and businesses. The 26 electric cooperatives are each member-owned, notfor-profit and overseen by a board of directors elected by the membership.
Why Do We Send You Carolina Country Magazine?
Your cooperative sends you Carolina Country as a convenient, economical way to share with its members information about services, director elections, meetings and management decisions. The magazine also carries legal notices that otherwise would be published in other media at greater cost.
Your co-op’s board of directors authorizes a subscription to Carolina Country on behalf of the membership at a cost of less than $5 per year.
Subscriptions: Individual subscriptions, $12 per year. Schools, libraries, $6.
Carolina Country is available on digital cartridge as a courtesy of volunteer services at the NC Department of Cultural Resources, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Raleigh, NC 888-388-2460.
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.
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Please contact your electric co-op directly to ensure prompt service. Visit carolinacountry.com/co-ops to find yours online.
10
16
26
30
Feeding the Multitudes
Rev. Joyner’s Conetoe Family Life Center is changing lives.
Secrets by the Sea
A special spot draws kindred spirits to Bird Island.
Staples of the Community
Dozens of NC diners have kept the griddle hot for more than 50 years.
Stay Safe on the Water
‘The best life jacket is the one you wear,’ and other boating safety tips. 10
Favorites
On the Cover
Rev. Richard Joyner holds collards ready for planting at the Conetoe Family Life Center in Edgecombe County. Learn more about the work the center is doing for surrounding communities on page 10. Photo by Randy Berger Photography.
Do you have a favorite holiday tradition? Visit carolinacountry.com/voices to submit your answer (roughly 200 words) and any related photos by Oct. 15 for a chance to be in our December issue.
Randy Berger Photography
From Our Readers
Safety Oversight
The kayak safety tips with “Paddler’s Paradise” (June 2024, page 26) gave me cause to pause. Eh-hem, SAFETY! Tip No. 1 should have read WEAR A PFD (personal flotation device), whether you think you need one or not. There are 100 reasons why you should, and make sure it is Coast Guard-approved, please.
Bill Swink, Granite Falls, a member of Blue Ridge Energy
In the article “Paddler’s Paradise,” the section with Kayak Safety Tips omits several very important tips. [For one,] a life jacket is required by law to have on board and easily within reach. It’s safest to wear it when on the water and required for kids 13 and under. … Get outside and enjoy paddling, but be prepared and have fun.
Suzy Lawrence, Chapel Hill
Editor’s note: Bill and Suzy suggested several other safety tips that we don’t have room to print here, so we decided to correct those omissions by giving boating safety a proper spotlight. Read more about how to stay safe on the water on page 30.
THIS MONTH:
Healthful Food
It’s easy for most of us to take for granted: those fresh-picked squash, tomatoes, pears, apples and more to be found at farm stands, farmers markets and grocery stores this time of year. But access to fresh, local food isn’t a guarantee, and many North Carolina communities are lacking. Rev. Richard Joyner is among those looking to change that. Find out how on page 10. Also, learn how the Bright Ideas education grant program got its start 30 years ago on page 4.
—Scott Gates, editor
READER POLL
Ready for Pumpkin Spice?
Fall colors are still a ways off, but pumpkin spice is already permeating all manner of drinks, candles, soaps, lotions, desserts — the list goes on. Is all that pumpkin spice exciting, or nauseating? Scan the QR code to answer our current social media poll, and follow us on Facebook or Instagram to participate in future polls!
Carolina SNAPSHOTS
THEME
School Days
A Catching the Bus
Mae Spivey, Sanford
A member of Central Electric
B Preschool Graduation
Kimberly Farmer, Dobson
A member of Surry-Yadkin EMC
C College Bound
Walt Easterling, Rockingham
A member of Pee Dee Electric
D Ready to Get Back
Aanya Singh, Wake Forest
A member of Wake Electric
E Go Yellow Jackets!
Casey Hicks, Danbury
A member of EnergyUnited
Submit your photo!
NOVEMBER THEME:
High-Fashion Pets
Send us your best shots based on the upcoming month’s theme by Sept. 20 — we’ll pay $25 for those published. Submit high resolution digital photos and find full terms and conditions at carolinacountry.com/snapshots (no emails, please). We retain reprint and online rights for all submissions.
A Legacy of Bright Ideas
By Judy Gore
In 1994, as the newly promoted Manager of Customer Service for Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC), I was given a challenge by David Batten, our general manager. He asked that I create a program that would further engage and develop our communities. We believed that the strength of our communities is based on the strength of the connections we have with each other. Companies and communities are interdependent, and our expectations and successes are intertwined. I loved this assignment.
Nearly $16 million in grants, supporting more than 14,700 projects and benefiting close to four million students
One day I was on an after-work excursion to our local Kmart in Whiteville. I was waiting in line at the checkout, observing a teacher as she counted out the supplies she needed for a class project. In conversation, I learned she was using her own money to pay for them. She was upbeat and very willing to do so, because she wanted her students to have fun and learn at the same time. But she also shared that buying supplies for nontraditional projects was the norm for teachers. And thus was born the Bright Ideas education grant program; we would award grants to K–12 teachers to pay for these projects instead.
We presented this idea to our school superintendents, and were given the okay to share it with principals and teachers. The excitement was high! Here was our opportunity to enhance the learning possibilities of our children while engaging BEMC, teachers, students, parents and the community. We saw this program not only as an opportunity, but also as our responsibility as a driving force in our communities.
The first year was a test run with five teachers winning grants for exceptional projects that were beyond the norm and that benefited students. North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives noted the program’s success, and quickly
adopted it, developing a statewide program for all North Carolina co-ops that brings learning to life in classrooms across the state and supports projects that may otherwise not be funded.
Fast forward 30 years and Bright Ideas has become the flagship community program across the statewide network of cooperatives. To date, North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives have collectively awarded nearly $16 million in grants, supporting more than 14,700 projects and benefiting close to four million students statewide. Grants are available to K–12 educators in all 100 North Carolina counties, and funding is awarded for projects across a variety of curriculum areas including art, history, math, reading, science, technology and more.
The cooperative difference benefits our members and service territories in so many ways, not the least of which is the way we work together to make the places we live better. One idea can be spread very quickly by those who have our members’ best interests in mind.
Judy Gore was vice president of Customer Service when she retired in 2016, after 40 years at BEMC.
Hamlin Retires After 25 Years of Service to Piedmont Electric Cooperative
Jordan Overbee selected to lead the electric co-op
In July, Piedmont Electric Cooperative’s Steve Hamlin retired from his role as president and general manager after eight years in the position and nearly three decades with the Hillsborough-based electric cooperative.
His journey with the co-op began as the accounting manager, quickly rising to chief financial officer (CFO) within his first year. Steve held the CFO position for two decades before stepping into the president and general manager role.
In addition to leading the co-op through technical advancements including outage notifications, electric vehicle infrastructure and smart meter deployment, Hamlin noted being particularly proud of several other major achievements: the establishment of the Piedmont Electric Helping Hand Foundation, the successful implementation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program, and the expansion of shared services with other co-ops.
“These initiatives have not only benefited members but also resulted in significant cost savings,” Hamlin said. “I’m also incredibly proud that our employees have maintained a commendable safety record with no major injuries.”
“Steve’s leadership and dedication have left an enduring mark on Piedmont Electric and the broader community, establishing a robust foundation for further growth and success,” said Piedmont Electric Board Chair Randy Kinley.
Jordan Overbee was selected to succeed Hamlin as the co-op’s new president and general manager. Overbee joins Piedmont Electric from Supply-based Brunswick EMC, where he served as vice president of engineering and operations.
“We knew how important it was to get this right for our members and for our employees,” Kinley said. “The board wanted to find someone who could ensure Piedmont Electric continues to provide exceptional service, and we believe that Jordan is the right person to lead our co-op in fulfilling that mission.”
With over 15 years of experience in the electric industry, including roles at Progress Energy, Wake Electric, and Pike Engineering, Overbee brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new position. He highlighted that his experience with both investor-owned utilities and member-centric cooperatives has helped him hone a servant leadership style.
Become an EV Expert
“Realizing what you can do for someone else on a daily basis, I believe that’s what will make Piedmont successful for our members,” Overbee explained. He emphasized the importance of every employee understanding their role from the perspective of a member, ensuring exceptional service.
Overbee affirmed that the co-op’s long-term priorities will remain focused on member satisfaction, reliability, cost and safety. He also shared his eagerness to connect with Piedmont Electric’s members and employees, and identify strengths and opportunities for improvement in the short term.
“I’m excited to meet everybody and to have the opportunity to lead a great organization,” Overbee said. “Being there for the member and knowing that you’re providing such an important service is what excites me and is why I come to work.”
If you’re considering an electric vehicle (EV), options are growing, with a lot to consider — but your timing couldn’t be better! Visit DriveElectricWeek.org and find in-person and online events to learn about EVs during National Drive Electric Week, Sept. 27 through Oct. 6
Jordan Overbee (left) with Steve Hamlin
Piedmont Electric Cooperative
Students Make Lasting Connections at Cooperative Leadership Camp
In June, the Cooperative Council of North Carolina (CCNC) hosted the five-day overnight Cooperative Leadership Camp at Camp Monroe in Laurel Hill. Campers worked (and played) hard all week to learn the importance and benefits of the cooperative movement with hands-on workshops led by cooperative businesses across the state focusing on the Cooperative Principles.
Sectors represented at the camp included electric co-ops, telecommunications, food, marketing, insurance, credit unions, worker-owner and agriculture. Those that hosted workshops at this year’s Cooperative Leadership Camp included Pee Dee Electric, AgCarolina Farm Credit, Tilde Language Justice Cooperative, Star Communications and Coastal Federal Credit Union.
The camp allows student attendees the opportunity to work together to create a successful cooperative business, including forming a board, holding a member meeting and producing a commemorative T-shirt. Campers also made connections with peers and co-op mentors while engaging in fun camp activities, including zip-lining, kayaking, swimming, paddleboarding and highropes climbing.
“I have learned to listen and learn from others’ ideas so I can collaborate with other people easier,” said camper
Emma Rodriguez, sponsored by Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative.
“The Cooperative Council of NC is so thankful to this year’s sponsor co-ops, without which the camp would not be possible,” said CCNC Executive Director Sara Coats. “One of the greatest things I love about camp is seeing all of the different students come together and work together. We’re honored to help mold future leaders through hosting the Cooperative Leadership Camp for more than seven generations.”
Marshall Cherry, president and CEO of Roanoke Cooperative, attended the camp in 1987 as a rising high school senior, and sees it as a valuable opportunity to both learn about the cooperative business model and make lasting connections with peers from different parts of the state.
“It was quite an experience. Some of the things I picked up there, being a native North Carolinian, included learning so much about the diversity of cultures right here in our very own state,” Cherry said. “By the time the week ended, I did not want to leave. I had made some friends for life.”
To learn more about the camp, visit ccnc.coop/cooperative-leadership-camp where you will find a video to hear from CEOs, cooperative leaders, and other supporters as they discuss the lasting impact camp has had on them and others.
Make Your Voice Heard This November!
Electric co-ops across the nation are dedicated to making our voices heard at the polls. Plan to vote this November to support issues important to our communities.
Register to Vote in North Carolina by Oct. 11 to make your voice heard on Election Day. Absentee voting by mail begins Sept. 6 and Early Voting runs from Oct. 17 through Nov. 2
The general election is on Nov. 5
To learn more about registering to vote, visit ncsbe.gov. Voter registration applications are also available at the following locations:
Public libraries, public high schools and college admissions offices
NC State Board of Elections
County Boards of Elections
Pee Dee Electric lineworkers Kenny Simmons (left) and Garrett Butler with campers.
Pee Dee Electric
South River
EMC Members
are Sisters in Public Service
Reagan and Emma Williford cultivate future careers through the YLA
In 2021, a determined high school student from Newton Grove named Reagan Williford embarked on a journey with the Youth Legislative Assembly (YLA) that would profoundly shape her student experience. Reagan’s involvement, spanning several years in high school, was pivotal to her leadership development and opened up public-service opportunities in the North Carolina General Assembly.
Reagan’s initial foray into YLA was met with nervous anticipation. Excited by what she experienced in her first year, Reagan pursued a leadership position for the following year’s program. Student leaders chose her to serve as a program clerk in the leadership team: a role that set the foundation for further responsibilities. Encouraged by her peers, Reagan campaigned for and was elected speaker of the house for the 2023 YLA session. During her tenure, Reagan played a crucial role in planning the 2023 session, coordinating conference calls and leadership team selections throughout the summer. Reagan also met monthly with student leaders during the academic year, where she assisted her peers in learning the legislative process.
YLA not only allowed Reagan to refine her leadership skills and public speaking prowess — skills that proved invaluable during her college and scholarship interviews — but also paved the way for further opportunities. Her engagement led to her experience paging for the North Carolina House of Representatives under Representative Larry Strickland, and later interning in Representative Howard Penny’s office.
“Reagan had a chance to put to work the skills she learned during YLA while working in my office as an intern. I truly think that because of her knowledge of YLA, it gave Reagan a better understanding of what was going on,” said Rep. Penny. “Reagan’s background with YLA provided her with a unique perspective and a solid foundation, which significantly contributed to her effective performance and insightful contributions in our office.”
Apply for the 2025 YLA!
For more information about the YLA or to apply, please contact program coordinator Erica Gallion at 919-301-1372 or erica.gallion@ncleg.gov. Visit bit.ly/yla2025 for an online application.
Reagan attributes not only her legislative knowledge and leadership capabilities, but also the lasting friendships and supportive network to her time with YLA. Now a student at UNC-Chapel Hill, Reagan frequently meets other YLA alumni, fostering a sense of community and familiarity on campus.
Reagan’s enthusiasm for YLA inspired her sister, Emma, to participate. Emma started as a page during a one-day YLA event for community college students and quickly escalated her involvement. Energized by her initial experience, Emma served as a delegate in the 2023 session and soon sought greater responsibility. Emma was chosen to serve as clerk for the 2024 session and will advance to co-chair of the Agriculture Committee for the 2025 session. Additionally, her YLA experience was instrumental in landing her an internship at Johnston Community College, bolstering her confidence and professionalism needed for her interview.
This summer, Emma served as a house page in the office of Representative Howard Penny, applying her YLA experiences directly within the General Assembly. Representative Penny appreciated having Emma in his office, observing her firsthand understanding of legislative operations.
“Seeing Emma in action as a page gives me every confidence she will excel in her new role as committee co-chair,” Rep. Penny said.
Representative Penny praised students in YLA for their exemplary character and leadership.
“It would not surprise me to see students from this program sitting on the floor of the North Carolina House or North Carolina Senate as legislators in the future,” he said.
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FAMILY LIFE CENTER IS CHANGING LIVES
By
REV. JOYNER’S CONETOE
Debbie Moose
Photos by Randy Berger Photography
(Left to right) Rev. Joyner, Cecio Cardenas and Fe Viva pack fresh produce for distribution to locals in need.
The sandy Edgecombe County soil around Conetoe once sustained a number of small family farms, many Black-owned, which provided fresh vegetables and economic opportunity for the rural community.
Today, Conetoe (kuh-NEE-tuh), is in a food desert — the nearest grocery stores are about a 10-mile drive to Tarboro or Pinetops. The county ranks near the bottom of North Carolina counties in population health.
The Rev. Richard Joyner saw the health issues when he became pastor of Conetoe Missionary Baptist Church in 1986. During his first year, he held funeral after funeral as a high number of his parishioners died of possibly preventable illnesses related to diet, such as obesity and type-2 diabetes. On top of that, many area farmers had abandoned farming, and with it went jobs, self-sufficiency and easy access to fresh produce.
In response, Rev. Joyner started the Conetoe Family Life Center (CFLC) in 2009. Today, the center farms without chemicals on 25 acres it owns, plus other acreage it leases from area farmers. Most of the produce is packed in giveaway boxes and distributed through churches and other organizations in Edgecombe, Nash and Wilson counties.
FOOD FOR HEALTH
To try to show that a healthier diet means healthier people, the center began working with East Carolina University in 2022 on an ongoing program called Food as Medicine.
the conviction in Rev. Joyner’s voice when it comes to growing crops to keep communities healthy. Preach!
The program has been following 20 to 30 members of the community, providing the means for healthy eating then checking blood sugar and other vitals weekly to monitor changes. ECU organizers say they’ve seen improvements in blood sugar levels and blood pressure among many participants.
Also, an apprenticeship program helps train the next generation of farmers. Conetoe Family Life Center collaborates with NC State University, NC A&T State University, Edgecombe Community College and local high schools on the approximately two-year program. Participants earn college credit while learning about
Participants in the center's summer camp program harvest peppers.
farming from the preparing the soil and cultivation to farm management and handling equipment, explains Evelyn Powell, CFLC executive director.
“Our goal with the program is to create educated farmers, and to inspire young people in the depressed area to find purpose in the land and spread that purpose to bring together the larger community,” Evelyn says.
All those activities make the center’s headquarters a busy place. On any given day, volunteers are filling food boxes in the packing shed, tractors are heading into the fields, construction crews are working on a professional kitchen to host cooking classes and rent out for catering, and academic tutoring is going on for 5- to 15-year-olds.
Even the younger kids spend time in the fields, learning where food comes from, during the center’s summer camp.
“There’s something about watching a 5-year-old plant something and watching it grow,” says Rev. Joyner, who was named a 2015 “Top 10 CNN Hero” for his work. “Then they want to eat what they grow, even if they’ve never seen it before. If kids grow it, they will eat it.”
PUTTING LAND TO USE
The land the center owns had been in the Vines family for 100 years and had fallen out of production before CFLC bought it. Many of the farms leased are Black-owned and are now back in use, including one that belongs to a 78-year-old volunteer who also repairs the center’s tractors,
who grew up as part of a Pitt County sharecropping family. Volunteers keep things going, packing squash, sweet potatoes, collards or whatever’s in season into about 500 food boxes a week during spring, summer and fall. The center purchases some food from the NC Food Bank, but most of what they pack is grown there. Volunteers also do light farming work or tutoring, plus create recipe cards for anyone not familiar with a particular vegetable in the box. The center partners with other organizations for delivery.
And the center plans to take the farm to the people. Rev. Joyner wants to provide assistance and materials to build raised garden beds at 80 area churches, and donate plants and seed, giving members direct access to healthy vegetables.
Rev. Joyner’s goal is to bring families together around healthful, sustaining food, a topic that he preaches about from the pulpit, too, with the goal of reaching the whole person — not just their spirituality.
“Part of what we ask with the boxes is that the family sits down together to have dinner from it,” Rev. Joyner says. “Some people can’t remember the last time they all sat at the table and had dinner together, plugging into the abundance around us.”
Debbie Moose (debbiemoose.com) has authored seven cookbooks and is a former food editor for The News & Observer in Raleigh.
CFLC Executive Director Evelyn Powell works with the apprenticeship program to inspire young people to find purpose in the land, and spread that purpose and passion to the community.
PARTNERSHIPS POWER THROUGH
Rev. Richard Joyner and his team at the Conetoe Family Life Center aren’t alone in their efforts to provide Eastern North Carolina communities in need with reliable access to fresh produce. Among the organizations pitching in is Ripe Revival and its nonprofit arm, Ripe for Revival, first covered by Carolina Country in 2021 (“Fresh Produce, Delivered,” September 2021, page 18).
CEO Will Kornegay launched the project with his sister, Laura Hearn, just before the Covid-19 pandemic began. In April 2020, the organization adapted to pandemic restrictions and began selling produce for delivery to consumers’ doorsteps, sourced from local farmers’ excess crops.
The nonprofit expands on that idea with mobile food markets, dispatching a fleet of buses and trailers to communities that don’t otherwise have access to fresh produce. The markets are equipped with shelving,
refrigeration, freezers and mobile cooking carts, offering produce, dairy, proteins and eggs available through a pay-whatyou-can model.
In June, an additional market hit the road sponsored in part by more than $100,000 in grants from the Coastal Credit Union Foundation.
“The mobile market is a wonderful resource for the community, and we know that there’s a strong correlation between food insecurity and financial vulnerability,” says Coastal Credit Union president and CEO Tyler Grodi. “By teaming up, our goal is to help address both.”
Members of North Carolina electric cooperatives can visit the Coastal Credit Union-sponsored market at several Triangle-area events this fall and receive a free voucher toward food purchases.
A list of event dates and locations is at carolinacountry.com/extras.
This year, Ripe for Revival plans to hold more than 1,000 mobile market events across 23 counties — distributing nearly 3 million servings to families in need. Visit ripeforrevival.com for more information about the nonprofit and its programs.
—Scott Gates, Carolina Country
Ripe for Revival
Secrets by theSea
A special spot draws kindred spirits to Bird Island
By Pamela A. Keene
Tucked among the white sand dunes on Bird Island, a lone mailbox has held secrets of the heart for almost 50 years. People have trekked from around the globe to visit the Kindred Spirit Mailbox and share their innermost feelings on the worn journals that lie within.
Growing up near Sunset Beach, Lynn Nesmith barely remembers when her father Frank Nesmith put up the mailbox.
“It was just another one of his fun ventures that we didn’t think much about at the time,” she says. “Dad and his friend, Claudia Sailor, thought it would be a good, quiet place for people to come to just sit and reflect, maybe write down their thoughts, because it was so peaceful and remote. They put a journal inside and left the box open to see what would happen.”
In the first few years, no one was keeping count, but maybe a dozen people visited, mostly locals who heard about it from other neighbors.
But soon, things picked up, even though the nearest place to park was more than a mile away.
“There were no signs, and you had to wade through Mad Inlet,” she says. “I went down there the other day, and about 10 or so people were standing around waiting for their turn to journal. It’s not like that every day, but particularly in the spring and summer, it’s pretty busy.”
During the high season, a notebook can be filled in a day or two.
“People have been respectful of a lone mailbox filled with writings from strangers from around the world,” she says. “They pick up a journal and sometimes just stare off for a bit, or they may flip through a few pages before adding their own thoughts, a few pages or just a word or two.”
She’s seen notes from couples who came to Bird Island to become engaged by the mailbox. Notes from someone
mailbox more about the
Notebooks that have been filled over the past 20 years are archived at the William Madison Randall Library at UNC-Wilmington, where they are available to the public for viewing. Interested in visiting the mailbox yourself? You can find it along the beach about 1.5 miles southwest from the public beach access at 40th Street in Sunset Beach. It’s a remote spot, so be prepared for a long walk along the beach and carry plenty of water. Visit thekindredspirit.net to learn more about the mailbox (and more on how to get there).
Digital Extras
“Hopefully everybody that comes to this place will find some happiness from being here,” Frank said in a video at the mailbox in 2018. Visit carolinacountry.com/extras to watch the full recording.
whose spouse has died, parents who have lost children, individuals seeking hope for relief from hard times are punctuated by happy messages about the birth of a child, finding a soul mate or expressing gratitude for a friend or mentor.
For nearly half a century, Kindred Spirit mailbox has remained stalwart, through hurricanes, high winds, rising tides and shifting sands. Although the first metal mailbox has been replaced more than a dozen times, and the placement of the mailbox has changed on the whims of Mother Nature, the sturdy wooden mount is original.
“In the early days, the mailbox often washed away during hurricanes,” Lynn says. “It took some searching along the beach, but we always found the old post amid the dunes of Bird Island.”
Lynn now lives in Seagrove, Florida. A few Sunset Beach locals maintain the two benches and the mailbox and retrieve journals that are filled.
“Until Daddy was 90 years old, he walked or rode his threewheel bike to Bird Island almost every day,” Lynn says.
Frank passed away in July 2020 at the age of 93. Lynn returns to Sunset Beach every few months to keep connected to her father’s legacy, often reflecting on her childhood and lessons about the stars, the wonders of nature and the influence her father had in her life. She remembers that on one of his last visits to Bird Island, he explained how they came up with the concept of the Kindred Spirit saying: “We’re all kindred spirits, and the reflections people have shared here are proof that it’s never a waste of time to be on this earth.”
“Daddy had no idea what he was doing when he planted that first mailbox on a deserted stretch of sand,” Lynn says. “It’s been a gift for anyone who has been here or will come here. It’s a powerful place.”
Pamela A. Keene is a freelance journalist who writes for magazines and newspapers across the Southeast and nationally.
NC’s Brunswick Islands
NC’s Brunswick Islands
The late Frank Nesmith with the mailbox he put up almost 50 years ago.
Lynn Nesmith
SmartHub holds key info for members
Dear Valued Members,
When you want to research more about a topic, where do you go? When I was growing up, it meant a trip to the encyclopedia on the bookshelf. Now, most often that choice is to visit the internet, whether that be on a computer at your home or local library, on the phone in your pocket or on a tablet in your bag.
At Surry-Yadkin EMC, we are always looking for ways to improve our communications and make sure our member-owners are in the know on what affects them. That could include what is using the most energy in your home, ways to save energy, what decisions your board of directors are making, what payment options are available, how we are advocating for your best interest when it comes to public policy, what the cause of an outage was, and how you can stay safe around electricity, just to name a few examples.
Information can be found in a couple of places. One of those is our public-facing website, syemc.com The other place is through our
member-only site, syemc. smarthub.coop
With these continued communications improvements in mind, we want to share some exciting news about our SmartHub member portal with you. Information that is privy to only our member-owners, such as board meeting minutes and the member information request form, can now be found in a special Cooperative Documents tab through the SmartHub portal and app. We wanted to make sure our member-owners have easy access to information about the cooperative they own.
If you don’t already have SmartHub, it is easy to create an account, and once you do, you will be able to access a lot of information about your account and the cooperative. You will be able to research your Bill & Pay information as well as pay bills online. Also, with the addition of Bidgely a few months ago, you can visit the Usage tab and look back at what energy you are using, build your home profile so you can get a
Elections begin Sept. 17
Director elections for the 2024 Annual Meeting will begin this month, with the virtual annual meeting scheduled for late October.
This year will be the 83rd Annual Meeting and it will be streamed online on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. on the Surry-Yadkin EMC YouTube channel. In addition, the recording of the meeting will be available on the Surry-Yadkin EMC website the following morning.
The election of directors will be handled as it has in recent years. Member-owners will receive ballot packages from Survey & Ballot Systems, a third-party election platform, via postal mail and/or email
beginning Sept. 17. The package will include biography information on all director candidates, a ballot which can be filled out and mailed back, and information on how to vote online. Member-owners also will be able to vote via the SmartHub member portal and app.
The election period will remain open until 5 p.m., Oct. 21.
Each member-owner who returns a ballot will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win bill credits, ranging from $50 to $300. Board election results and prize drawing winners will be announced during the streaming of the meeting.
Local youth participate in college sports camps
Three local students were chosen to participate in college basketball camps courtesy of Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships provided through Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation and North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. Attending the University of North Carolina’s Carolina Basketball School were Myles Moore, left, a rising sixth-grader at Mount Airy Middle School, and Weston Boles, center, a rising sixth-grader at Pilot Mountain Middle School. Attending North Carolina State University’s Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp was Aylabelle Williams, a rising sixth-grader at Starmount Middle School. The Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships are provided to rising sixth- and seventh-graders each year, with applications accepted between late January and the end of March.
Are you ready to go electric?
Each year, one week is dedicated to promoting and educating the public about electric vehicles, both plug-in hybrid and fully electric. National Drive Electric Week, which is observed Sept. 27-Oct. 6 this year, was founded in 2011 through a partnership between Plug In America, the Sierra Club and the Electric Vehicle Association.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are powered solely by electricity through an electric motor, or by an electric motor in conjunction with an internal combustion engine if they are a plug-in hybrid EV, according to Plug-In NC. Other hybrid vehicles which aren’t plug-in EVs use regenerative braking to charge the battery in the car and offset the use of fuel to power an internal combustion engine.
Believe it or not, according to the National Drive Electric Week website, there are more than 40 EV models on the market, some of which can go up to 400 miles on a single charge. So if you think you are ready to make the switch from gas/diesel to an EV/plug-in hybrid, how do you determine which type of EV is right for you?
The Battery EV (BEV) only has an electric motor and a large battery pack, so they are fueled only by the electric energy stored in the battery. This means lower operating costs due to cheaper fuel and maintenance expenses — no stops at the gas station, no tailpipe emissions, no oil changes. In addition, certain models are eligible for up to a $7,500 federal tax credit upon purchase. Driving a BEV means you will need to find a place to charge up when the battery gets low, either by plugging up at home or at a public charging station, such as the ones on Surry-Yadkin EMC’s charging network. Distance ranges for BEVs on a single charge are typically 150-400 miles, depending on
Info
From page 19
more accurate aggregated data report of what appliances in your home may be using the most energy, and get tips for ways to save energy, which will help you save money on your monthly bill.
SmartHub also allows you to report outages and contact us if needed. Under the Settings tab, you can opt to receive emails from the cooperative about important information like outages and when system maintenance is being performed and might affect your power. You also can sign up to receive text alerts when an outage is planned for maintenance or when an outage occurs for another
the model and the terrain.
The Plug-in Hybrid EV (PHEV) includes an electric motor, a smaller battery pack and an internal combustion engine, and it uses electricity and gas fuel to operate. Battery charges range from 30-60 miles per charge, which allows drivers to do much of their local driving on the electric motor, but allows for gas for the longer trips. There are still reduced costs compared to a traditionally fueled vehicle, because it requires less fuel and needs maintenance like oil changes less often. Just as with the BEV, the PHEV can be charged at home or at a public charging station, and certain models qualify for up to a $7,500 federal tax credit.
Be sure you do your research before making a purchase. We encourage you to find an EV owner and talk to them about the pros and cons of EV driving from their perspective. They can tell you the good, the bad and the ugly about owning an EV, so you aren’t caught off guard after making the investment. National Drive Electric Week features several opportunities to get an up-close look at EVs without the pressure to purchase. You can find events being held by visiting driveelectricweek.org/events-list .
Surry-Yadkin EMC offers a special EV rider for member-owners who own an EV. This rider is available to EV owners on the Residential Time-of-Day rate. It allows them to charge their vehicles during the night (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) at a lower cost for the first 400kWh, then all other kWh for the month are at the standard TOD rate.
For more information on EVs, you can visit syemc.com/electric-vehicles. Other resources include driveelectricweek.org and pluginnc.com .
reason such as a storm.
During our annual board elections, which will be Sept. 17 through Oct. 21 this year, you can cast your ballot from your SmartHub account. All member-owners who submit a ballot are entered into a drawing for a variety of bill credits, ranging from $50 to $300.
If you have questions about SmartHub, please reach out to us at 336356-8241. We are looking out for you.
Cooperatively yours,
Wendy Wood Manager of Communications & Community Relations
Board of Directors
Karoline Overby,
Eddie
Brenda
David
Board
Stephen
Stephen
David
Alvin
Greg Puckett,
Wendy Wood, Editor
Buyer Beware
Sound too good to be true? It probably is.
By Jonathan Susser
Q:
I’ve been seeing ads for products and services that will apparently help me save on my energy bills. Are these legit? Are there any that I should be wary of?
A:Our On the House column generally focuses on tools and strategies that can improve homes and lives, whether it be through savings, comfort or convenience. But it’s also worth discussing offers that may be too good to be true or that at least require additional consideration. Here are several.
Household Power Savers/Electricity-Saving Boxes
We’ll start with a genuinely bogus example: There are “black-box” devices that claim to save energy just by being plugged into a wall. They use scientific-sounding marketing language to state that they can cut your energy bill by 30%, 40% — in some cases even 90%. From our testing and research, they don’t appear to do anything at all.
Insulating Exterior Paint
What if your home’s exterior paint could help you save energy? That’s the idea behind insulating paint, sometimes referred to as radiant barrier paint (not to be confused with other radiant barriers used in attics) — that it can reflect enough heat that your cooling system won’t need to work as hard. The technology was originally invented by NASA to protect its space shuttles. The commercialized paint versions are still relatively young, but most of the research to date suggests that they don’t live up to the hype.
Duct Cleaning
It makes sense to want to keep the ducts of your heating and cooling system clean — cleaner ducts = cleaner air to breathe. Unfortunately, there can be many reasons this service doesn’t pan out as hoped.
In fact, if not done properly and carefully, it can 1) damage or rip open ducts, allowing conditioned air to leak out or dust and contaminants to leak in, and 2) dislodge or pull apart duct materials that can become airborne and breathable.
When metal ductwork with insulation on the outside is used, duct cleaning can be valuable, so long as the joints and connections are sealed to Energy Star® standards when complete. Without air sealing after duct cleaning, the problem will keep coming back.
General Energy Efficiency Improvements
Energy efficiency improvements, many of which we’ve discussed in this column, can provide a number of benefits, saving energy while also boosting comfort, convenience, and home integrity and durability. But claims about savings in particular can be exaggerated, and an upgrade that saved a lot for one person may not for you, as many factors can play a role.
Windows
Getting new windows can enhance your home’s appearance, comfort and energy efficiency, but the energy savings you see will usually not cover the expense. Instead, consider if you can repair your windows and incorporate energy-efficiency steps along the way, such as sealing air leaks, or adding window coverings or treatments like storm windows.
Home Solar
Any sound bites about solar power totally eliminating your energy bills should immediately raise suspicions. While rooftop solar can provide many advantages, similar to other proven technologies, it is an investment (see “Renewables on the Roof,” May 2022, page 8) that requires significant consideration and research, as well as proper installation and maintenance. Reach out to your electric co-op for more information if you’re considering home solar.
With new products coming out every day and more incentives on the horizon to help us benefit from energyefficient technologies, people will likely continue to try to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners. Before committing your money to anything with grand statements, check with your local electric co-op, friends or neighbors, and do some online digging to ensure you won’t regret your purchase later.
Jonathan Susser is a content developer for Advanced Energy in Raleigh.
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STAPLES OF THE
Dozens of NC diners have kept the griddle hot for more than 50 years
By Vanessa Infanzon
Storied
In 1996, when Stephanie Winebarger was 14, she accepted a dishwashing position at Glenn’s Restaurant in Wilkesboro. As she gained experience, Stephanie worked in the diner’s ice cream parlor and eventually waited tables. Although Stephanie moved away, she returned to town for the restaurant’s anniversary celebrations.
“I came back home for the 50th anniversary,” Stephanie says. “People told all kinds of stories about coming here as a child to get ice cream, having their first dates here. It’s the first place they think of to come when they come back to town.”
Glenn Johnson opened the diner in 1963 as a Tastee Freeze, a national franchise, on a busy corner near the Tyson Food plant. After 40 years, Glenn dropped the franchise and changed the name to Glenn’s Restaurant. Over the years, celebrities have been known to stop by the diner. In 2001, while headlining at MerleFest, Dolly Parton ordered a cheeseburger and left an autographed photo. Actor Zach Galifianakis stops in a few times a year when he’s visiting his hometown in Wilkes County.
Establishments
Dozens of diners throughout the state have been in business for 50 years or more. Some have changed names, owners or even locations, but all have stories about how they came to be and what keeps them still running. Here’s our list of 22 NC diners that have passed their golden anniversaries, listed by the year each was established.
The Dixie Grill Dairy Center
Sara Brennan Wilmington and Beaches CVB
Marolyn Johnson, Glenn’s wife, took over the restaurant’s operation when he died in 2011. Stephanie bought Glenn’s Restaurant in 2018 — a chance to return home and continue the nostalgia the restaurant represents to her and so many others.
“We’re a staple in the community,” Stephanie says. “You can always count on us being there.”
The diner provides consistency and dependability for customers living alone. A meal at Glenn’s Restaurant means seeing friends and feeling like part of a family. Stephanie has been known to do a well-check when a regular customer hasn’t come in at their usual time.
“We do everything within our power to be here to support our community,” she says, “because they are here to support us.”
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.
“ We do everything within our power to be here to support our community... because they are here to support us.”
The Soda Shop Winnie’s Tavern
50s Café Joey’s Pancake House
Owner of Glenn's Restaurant, Stephanie Winebarger Glenn’s Restaurant
TDA
Glenn’s Restaurant
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SAFE STAY ON THE WATER
Wear a life jacket, and other boating safety tips
By Scott Gates
BE COMMITTED TO SAFETY
Get serious about safety and take the “Wear It” pledge from the National Safe Boating Council. Make it official and log your commitment at safeboatingcampaign.com/wear-it-pledge.
“I will always wear my life jacket while boating or fishing, and encourage others to do the same. I’ll regularly inspect my life jacket and keep it in good condition. I pledge to boat safely and responsibly — and to have fun!”
On any given weekend, thousands of North Carolinians are taking to our picturesque waterways to fish, sail, water ski, tube, kayak or canoe — whether along thousands of miles of shorelines and tidal inlets, in rivers or in lakes. Chances are, wherever you are in North Carolina, you’re not far from a spot to put a boat in the water.
Unfortunately, all that water access comes with its share of risk and inevitable boating accidents, some of which can prove fatal.
North Carolina ranked No. 5 in reported boating incidents last year (with 155 incidents), according to recreational boating data from the U.S. Coast Guard, and No. 9 in boating deaths (with 20 reported deaths).
“The most frequent event in fatal incidents involved events where people ended up in the water,” explains Capt. Amy Beach, inspections and compliance director with the U.S. Coast Guard, which serves as the nation’s recreational boating safety coordinator. “A fall overboard, capsizing and cases where a person voluntarily departed a vessel accounted for over half of fatal incidents.”
Drowning accounted for 75 percent of deaths, and 87 percent of those victims were not wearing life jackets. The data make no secret of the simplest life-saving strategy for recreational boaters: wear a life jacket.
“Wearing a life jacket is the best choice you can make when recreating on the water,” says Peg Phillips, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. She likens wearing a life jacket to wearing a seat belt in a car, ensuring safety in any unforeseen accident. “Nobody plans to end up in the water unexpectedly.”
Boaters should ensure everyone on board has a life jacket, and North Carolina law requires children younger than 13 years of age to wear a life vest when aboard an operating recreational vessel. Ensure additional safety by following the National Safe Boating Council’s Boating Safety Seven:
1 WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET. The best life jacket is the one you wear (see sidebar for more on choosing the right style and fit).
2 TAKE A BOATING SAFETY CLASS. In North Carolina, any person born in or after 1988 must complete a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating education course before operating any vessel propelled by a motor of 10 horsepower or greater. Visit ncwildlife.org/education for a list of in-person and online boating courses.
3 CARRY ALL REQUIRED SAFETY GEAR, including a float plan, boater education certificate, a marine fire extinguisher, and a horn, whistle or bell. Visit ncwildlife.org/boating/laws-safety for a full list.
4 USE YOUR ENGINE CUT-OFF SWITCH. A 2021 federal law requires the operator of a boat with an installed engine cut-off switch to use its link, a coiled bungee cord or lanyard clipped onto the boat operator. This ensures the engine is switched off should the operator fall or go overboard.
5 FILE A FLOAT PLAN, which details your plans for the trip and who will be onboard, and leave it with a reliable person on shore or back at home. A printable plan is available at bit.ly/floatplan-pdf from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
6 BE AWARE OF WEATHER AND WATER CONDITIONS. Check weather.gov or local news sources for the latest forecasts.
7 BOAT SOBER AND BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS. Alcohol is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating-related deaths, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. A BUI in North Carolina can result in $250 to $1,000 in fines and up to 60 days in jail.
For additional safety tips and information on boat registration, boating access areas and laws and safety, visit the NC Wildlife Resource Commission’s boating safety page at ncwildlife.org/boating. For more on federal and state safety requirements, download the U.S. Coast Guard’s boating safety app — search for “United States Coast Guard” in the App Store or on Google Play.
Scott Gates is the senior editor of Carolina Country.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT JACKET FOR THE JOB
Early life jackets were made of blocks of wood or cork, used by fishermen and seamen on the North Atlantic, and one of the first modern lifejackets was a cork vest designed in 1854. Obviously, design has improved dramatically since those early days, and life jackets continue to evolve. Here are a few things to know before choosing a life jacket that’s right for your plans on the water, courtesy of the National Safe Boating Council.
All life jackets that are U.S. Coast Guard-approved have an approval number. Look for it to ensure your life jacket meets the law requirements and is safe.
You may see a label on the inside of new life jackets with a performance level icon, with numbers measured in newtons. (You can continue to use older life jackets without this label as long as they are in good condition and appropriate for the activity.) Lower-level numbers offer more mobility and comfort, for near-shore or calm water activities. Higher-level numbers, which offer greater flotation and stability in the water, are designed for offshore activities and allow a longer time in the water before rescue.
SUSPENDER INFLATABLE
Life jackets that use inflatable technologies are lightweight, cool and comfortable. These are not for children, and not recommended for weak swimmers or high-impact activities like water skiing. When the suspender-style is inflated, it’s in place and ready to keep the wearer afloat.
BELT-PACK INFLATABLE
Belt-style inflatable life jackets must be worn in front of the user (where a belt buckle would be). Once inflated, it needs to be manually placed over the head. Both styles of inflatable can be inflated either manually or automatically (when immersed in water).
INHERENTLY BUOYANT
Inherently buoyant, lighter-weight life jackets come in a variety of colors and styles. Multiple buckles and clasps keep them secure after impact with the water.
CHILD JACKETS
A variety of child-approved life jacket styles are available — some with cartoon characters or other high-visibility schemes — and many include safety features such as straps for pulling children from the water and head support. Never buy a life jacket for a child to “grow into.”
PET JACKETS
Don’t forget your four-legged friends! Pet life jackets are available with a handle on top to easily pull your pet out of the water, if needed.
I Remember
Memories and photos from our readers
My Grandma
My early childhood was enriched when my Grandma came to live with us. My family consisted of my mother, three older sisters and myself. My father died when I was only one year old. My grandfather died a short time later.
My Grandma became a comfort to all of us. She and I were inseparable, like “two peas in a pod.” We shared a bedroom upstairs and at night we would look at the moon and count the stars. When it was bedtime, she would take down the bun on top of her head and brush her long silver hair. I still have her hair pins in my jewelry box. She would rock me to sleep singing “Rock of Ages.”
My Grandma died when I was only eight, but still now as a grandma myself, I cherish those fond memories.
Geneva Brock, Lexington, a member of EnergyUnited
We Didn’t Need Tickets to Enjoy the Show
“I’ll take you to the Grand Ole Opry,” he said.
“You’ll enjoy it,” he said.
“We’ll have a ball,” he said.
“You’ll be glad you went,” he said.
In 1971, my brother Grady and his wife, Bonnie, their daughter Rita, my husband Dean, and I piled into Grady’s 1955 Chevrolet and took off for Nashville, Tenn. There were six of us in the car and we rode for over five hours without stopping for anything. No bathroom breaks, no snacks or drinks, and no stretching our legs, just being crammed in his Chevy with no extra space anywhere.
When we got to Nashville, we walked around trying to see all we could. This picture shows Bonnie, Rita and me (in the middle) walking along a street in downtown Nashville.
When the time came for the Opry ticket office to open, we got in line. Having stood in line for over 20 minutes, you can imagine how disappointed we were to find out the tickets were all sold out! Well, we were not going to give up easily. Even though it started sprinkling rain, we picked out a window that was low enough for us to see into the building and that’s how we spent the next two and half hours. The sprinkling turned into a downpour of rain, but we didn’t budge from our positions where we took turns peering into the window of the old Ryman Auditorium trying to see as much of the show as we could. Every now and then we’d look at each other and laugh as hard as we could. We did look funny standing there with rain running down our faces
and our clothes soaked through and through. You know, Grady was right. He did take us to the Grand Ole Opry. Never mind that we didn’t get in, saw little of the show and were soaked to the skin from the rain. We did enjoy it, in fact, I don’t know of another trip that was more fun than this one. We did have a ball and I’ve been glad we went ever since. Today we still laugh about the trip and realize that any time spent with my brother Grady is a good time to remember.
Carol Winebarger, Traphill, a member of Surry-Yadkin Electric
I'm in the middle between Bonnie and Rita.
Grandma and me in 1936
Looking Out for Each Other
Reflecting back on memories from this trip with my mom, so many emotions emerge. I am now very close to the age she was in this photo taken about 20 years ago. I am so grateful we were able to enjoy this visit together, and that I had the opportunity to learn more about her childhood and culture where she was born in Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Her mother made her take sewing lessons when she was a young girl. At the time, she was not happy about it, but recognizes now how God used that skill in her life to bless her and so many others in countless ways.
During my childhood years, our family budget was tight. Aside from working in the hosiery mill, mama took on sewing jobs for the public. She designed and created beautiful, appliqued tops for me from the fabric scraps. As a child, I spent hours turning the pages of my Girl Scout handbook, excitedly completed assignments, enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment earning new badges. I don’t know who was prouder, me or my mom, as she hand-stitched my badges on my sash! She sewed my high school cheerleading uniforms, altered my wedding dress and countless other projects.
Recently, mom began relying on me to get her groceries, run errands, appointments and to take care of issues that arise. She decided it was time to give up her license. These days she still enjoys cooking, daily chores, knitting,
Little Girl Lost, Found
One day, about 20-plus years ago, my husband and I were shopping in the Wilmington Independence Mall. I told him I was going to Sears to use the ladies’ room. I started walking toward Sears. As I approached the entrance, I saw a little girl walking around in circles saying, “Mommy, Mommy.” I went through the doors, but a force that I believe was the Holy Spirit told me to go back, and I did. The little girl, who appeared to be about three years old, was still walking in circles calling her mommy.
I walked to her and asked if she lost her mommy. She looked up at me with her big beautiful brown eyes but did not answer. I extended my hand and she grabbed it. I saw two female employees in Sears. I explained the situation and told them I was going to walk the little girl around the store to see if we could find her mother.
After walking around and not finding her mother, I took her back to the young ladies and informed them that we did not find anyone who looked like her mother. I still had to use the ladies’ room so I attempted to leave her in their care, but the little girl grabbed my leg and would not let go. I had to take her to the restroom with me. When we returned, a security guard was waiting for me. I told the little girl to go with the nice man, but she grabbed my leg again and would not let go.
I then took her to the Sears office. An officer told me
Sudoku and sewing. Though sometimes I catch myself “mothering” her.
We are navigating this new territory together. For me it’s a balancing act of providing assistance when needed and backing off, respecting her independence. Like a new dance, we try to flow through this season without stepping on each other’s toes too much. In the meantime, I just want to hold her hand and assure her I am here for her.
Maria Craig, Harrisburg A member of Union Power Cooperative
that someone had reported a missing child and was on the way to Sears. I had to wait with my little friend because every time I moved, she latched on to me. The officer told me that usually lost children will attach themselves to the first person who is nice to them.
I saw a panic-stricken woman with disheveled hair walking very fast. I bent down, pointed to the woman and asked the little girl, “Do you know that lady?” My little friend looked and her face lit up with a big smile as she dropped my hand and ran toward that lady. The lady simultaneously started running. When they met, it was like a scene from a movie. The mommy picked the little girl up and hugged her really tight. The officer and I looked at each other and smiled. No words were spoken. We were both satisfied that the frantic lady was the mommy.
Charlene Hall, Riegelwood
A
member of Four County Electric
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
Bodacious Autumn Blooms
Punch up fall landscapes with Tatarian aster
Story and photos by L.A. Jackson
I am a big fan of the bright yellows, rich reds, sizzling oranges that will soon begin to shine on my trees and shrubs as autumn settles in across the land. However, just for fun and to offset these blazing colors, I often resort to the cooling purple hues of late blooming asters.
One aster that has been dependable in a big way for me in the fall is Tatarian aster (Aster tataricus). And I do mean big — this bodacious herbaceous perennial can easily top out at over 6 feet in the garden!
Tatarian aster is native to Asia but has had a long presence in the States. In fact, Thomas Jefferson liked this imported biggie so much that he featured it in his gardens at Monticello.
As cooler temperatures settle in for the season, Tatarian aster launches its galaxy of 1-inch, bluish-purple stars with yellow centers. These flowers are not only pretty, but they are pretty persistent, lasting for weeks. They are also welcomed fly-ins for nectar-hungry bees and butterflies still on the wing as the growing season winds down.
The straight species of Tatarian aster is, as mentioned, a big plant. So, if flower bed perennials taller than yourself make you flinch (or if you simply lack garden space), try
L.A.’s website of the month: Camellia Forest Nursery (camforest.com). As its name suggests, this Chapel Hill nursery is a prime e-shop for a wide variety of camellia species and cultivars.
the cultivar “Jindai,” which restrains itself to around 3- to 4-feet high but still has comparable flower power to turn heads in the fall.
Jindai is a popular cultivar, and it will most likely be the Tatarian aster you will find for sale at garden centers this fall (probably in full bloom). If your search locally comes up empty, Jindai is an easy online find, but because of physical impracticality of shipping mature plants, bet the farm what you will get is a nubby little number that takes at least a year to settle in and start flaunting flowers.
Tatarian aster is a deer-resistant toughie that can grow in most types of soil, but it will perform better in rich garden dirt. Also, for riots of blooms your neighbors will talk about, give this aster sun, sun and more sun.
A happy Tatarian aster will spread by way of underground rhizomes — sometimes to the point of overstepping its allotted space, so dividing it about every two to three years in the spring will help keep its wandering ways in check.
L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener Magazine. Contact L.A. at lajackson1@gmail.com
Garden To-Do’s for September
How did your garden grow this year? If your vegetables and ornamentals put on quite a show, maybe it’s time to take some of the better showoffs to the next level. The NC State Fair in Raleigh is next month (Oct. 17–27), meaning you have time to get your plants in shape to enter in the Fair’s Flower and Garden Exhibits’ competitions, which include contests for best vegetables, fruits, cut flowers, houseplants, floral arrangements, bonsai and much more. So, if you think you have blue ribbon quality plants, check out the Flower and Garden categories and rules at ncstatefair.org
□ Continue to patrol the rose bed. In particular, watch for any signs of black spot and snip off infected leaves. Since black spot is a soil-borne disease that can overwinter in the garden, also rake up and dispose of fallen flowers and foliage at least once a week now.
□ Christmas isn’t here yet, but it’s around the proverbial corner. This means many garden centers are probably having sales on handyman helpers such as lawn mowers, tillers, weed eaters, hedge trimmers, and other such outdoor equipment in order to make room for holiday merchandise.
Is there a blue ribbon winner in your garden?
“Jindai” is a popular Tatarian aster cultivar.
Discovering North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Jerry Barker has long championed North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) and led its development for many years. In Discovering North Carolina’s Mountainsto-Sea Trail, he draws on that experience to take readers on a unique journey along the trail’s full route, sharing the rich history and stories that live on each segment. Connecting the trail to the Indigenous history of western North Carolina, the long military presence near the Carolina coast, and more, Barker offers a new way to understand and appreciate not only the natural beauty of North Carolina but also its people and history. Dedicated long-distance hikers and day-trippers alike will value and enjoy this armchair guide, which places prominent natural features of the trail in context, and introduces hikers to nearby attractions, cultural heritage sites and trail towns. Includes abundant illustrations with over 50 color photographs and maps for each of the MST’s 19 segments. Paperback, 288 pages, $28; e-book, $14.99 (prices may vary by retailer).
mountainstoseatrail.org
Old-Time Conversations
Disillusioned with business at age 50, the author found himself irresistibly drawn to the joy and sense of community that music had first brought to his youth. Inspired by this rediscovered passion, he embarked on a remarkable 12-year odyssey, capturing the stories of artisans, performers and teachers of traditional music across North America now preserved in this volume. These interviewees who represent the heart and soul of old-time music include instrument builders Bart Reiter, Patrick “Doc” Huff, Pete Ross, Zachary Hoyt, Bill Rickard, and William Seeders Mosheim; old-time performers Rayna Gellert, David Holt, James “Sparky” Rucker, Clare Milliner, Mac Benford, Sheila Kay Adams, Paul Brown and John McCutcheon; and historians and authors Dwight Diller, Bill Malone, Don Flemons, and Tim Brooks. Paperback, 287 pages, $29.95; e-book, $19.99. mcfarlandbooks.com
Becoming the Lost Colony
Headlines declare after each new hint of evidence that the “Lost Colony” — the English colonists left on Roanoke Island in 1587, including Virginia Dare — has been found. None of these claims pass muster as the historical, archaeological and literary evidence presented here demonstrate. This book analyzes several hypotheses and demonstrates why none have been shown to be more probable than any of the others. The authors recount the history of the English expeditions in the 1580s and the original searches for the colonists from 1590 until the 1620s. The archaeological evidence gathered from the 19th through the 21st centuries is presented. The book then examines how the disappearance of the colonists has been portrayed in pseudoscience, fiction and popular culture from the beginnings until the present day. In the end, readers will have all the data they need to judge new claims concerning the fate of The Lost Colony. Paperback, 220 pages, $29.95; e-book, $19.99 (prices may vary by retailer).
mcfarlandbooks.com
The Forest That Fire Made
Longleaf pine forests are an iconic forest of the Southeastern United States. Although these forests were often called “pine barrens” by early explorers and colonists, they were far from barren. Frequent and low-intensity surface fires are fueled by the unique plant diversity of the forest itself and serve as the catalyst that perpetuates the ecosystem on which many rare species depend. With this guide, authors John McGuire, Carol Denhof and Byron Levan reveal the forest’s unique characteristics by shining a light on its inhabitants, the ecological processes that are necessary for their survival, and how we as humans play a role in shaping this ecosystem. Covering a wide range of topics, such as the anatomy of the longleaf tree, its history (and revival), and the surrounding fauna and flora, the authors provide the general reader with a thorough understanding of a forest that used to stretch as far as the eye could see. Paperback, 360 pages, $34.95 (prices may vary by retailer).
ugapress.org
Digital Extras
Visit carolinacountry.com/bookshelf to find more books about and from NC.
Carolina Bookshelf features select books that relate to North Carolina by setting or topic or that are by NC authors. To submit a book for a possible mention, please mail a copy of the book, along with a description of its topic, purchase information and your contact information, to Carolina Bookshelf, Carolina Country, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC, 27616.
CAROLINA COUNTRY SCENES
Photo Contest
Send us your best photos of Carolina people or scenes! We’ll pay $50 for those published in the Carolina Country Scenes section of our January 2025 issue.
Rules
Deadline: Nov. 15, 2024
One entry per household
Submit high resolution digital photos online; print photos need to be at least 5 x 7 inches.
Include your name, electric co-op, mailing address and email address or phone number
If you want your print returned, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. (We will not return others.)
Send to
If you did not take the photo you are submitting, please tell us who did so that we can appropriately recognize the photographer.
We retain reprint and online rights for all submissions.
Payment will be limited to those entries appearing in print only, not entries featured solely on carolinacountry.com
Find the full terms and conditions at carolinacountry.com/photocontest
Snickerdoodle Cookie
Ice Cream Sandwiches With peanut butter Lunch Lady School
For many of us, a rectangle of school cafeteria pizza first introduced us to this saucy, cheesy goodness! Pizza Day was the “bomb.” Take a stroll down memory lane with this one, made with a few shortcuts for a quick nostalgic school night supper.
½ pound ground Italian sausage
½ pound ground beef or pork
Salt and pepper
2 packages (1-pound each) pizza dough (usually found in deli case) Olive oil
3 tablespoons cornmeal
1 jar (24 ounces) favorite pasta sauce
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Cook and crumble the ground meats. Drain and season with salt and pepper.
When ready to cook pizza, preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Brush a half-sheet pan (18 x 13 inches) lightly with oil and dust with cornmeal. Using fingertips, spread the dough thinly onto the pan. Brush crust with oil and prick all over with a fork. Bake 10–12 minutes. Check for air bubbles and poke down if needed.
Spread partially baked crust to edges with sauce. Scatter crumbled meat to edges, then top with cheese.
Continue baking for about 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Cut into 8 rectangular pieces and enjoy!
Yield: 8 slices
From Your Kitchen
Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Mayonnaise on chicken?! Trust us, all that extra fat lends flavor and moisture resulting in tender cutlets of chicken that carry a panko crunch.
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon herbs de provence
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
Salt/pepper
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Seasoned panko
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Slice your chicken in half to create four thin cutlets. Marinate in the olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, herbs de provence and basil while you mix up the mayonnaise and shredded parmesan.
Place the marinated chicken on a greased or lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the cutlets with salt and pepper. Spoon the mayonnaise/parmesan mixture on top of each cutlet evenly. Sprinkle seasoned panko liberally on top. And drizzle a little olive oil over each panko-topped cutlet for extra crunch!
Bake in your preheated oven for 30–35 minutes until your panko is light brown. Serve immediately to maintain that crispiness.
Yield: 4 servings
How many of you remember snickerdoodle cookies on your lunch trays? And crisscrossed peanut butter cookies? We combined the two and sealed the deal with vanilla ice cream in between. Not overly sweet, these cookies pair well with tea too.
½ cup crunchy peanut butter
½ cup salted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons cream of tartar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ gallon vanilla ice cream
Cookie Topping
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine topping ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
Using a mixer, cream together peanut butter, butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla. Once well blended, add flour, cream of tartar and baking powder.
Cover and chill for at least one hour.
Roll heaping tablespoons into balls, then roll each in the topping mixture. Place 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking pan and mash with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
Bake 10–12 minutes. Remove and cool on a wire rack.
Once cool, spoon slightly softened ice cream onto half of the cookies and top with the others. Sprinkle ice cream with cinnamon sugar. Wrap in wax paper and freeze immediately to firm ice cream before serving.
Yield: About 16 large 2-inch cookies (8 sandwiches) or more if smaller ones are preferred
Digital Extra Visit carolinacountry.com/recipes to search more than 1,000 recipes by name or ingredient.
Recipe courtesy of Penny Daniels of Asheboro, a member of Randolph EMC
Recipes by Culinary Adventurist Wendy Perry (WendyPerry.com), home economist, blogger and NC food artisan, unless noted.
September Events
SEPT. 13–15
3rd Annual Balloon Festival Cedarock Park, Burlington 336-932-8387
AUG. 30–SEPT. 2
North Carolina Apple Festival Main Street, Hendersonville 828-697-4557
Treasures of the Earth Gem, mineral and jewelry show NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh 804-642-2011
SEPT. 1
Bear Town Exchange Downtown Farmer’s Market, New Bern 315-430-7951
SEPT. 7
Piedmont Triad Water Lantern Festival Lake Reidsville, Reidsville 435-554-0134
SEPT. 13
Liberty Mountain Revolutionary Drama Joy Theatre, Kings Mountain 704-730-9408
Men Who Cook Annual Cookoff ENC Regional Skills Center, Jacksonville 910-219-7992
SEPT. 14–15
Grovewood Village Studio Tour Grovewood Village, Asheville 828-214-7768
July’s winner
SEPT. 21
Spirit of Nahunta Harvest Day Antique tractor show, shop, Christmas tree show Nahunta Friends Meeting, Pikeville
SEPT. 26
A Wild Night for Wildlife The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage, Asheville 828-633-6364
SEPT. 27
Electric Avenue: The 80’s MTV Experience CoMMA Performing Arts Center, Morganton 828-433-7469
SEPT. 20
Lions, Tigers and Bears at the Animal Park Animal Park at the Conservators Center, Burlington 336-421-0883
SEPT. 20–OCT. 26
Tweetsie Railroad’s Ghost Train Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock 877-893-3874
SEPT. 21
Grand Farm Tour of Sampson County Various locations, Clinton 910-592-7161
Local History Dinner Foscoe Grandfather Community Center, Foscoe 828-963-5038
SEPT. 28
Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival Downtown Elkin 336-469-2860
Tour of Hertford Homes Various locations, Hertford 252-426-7567
ZenFest Yoga Festival Catawba Farms, Newton 704-451-1760
Visit carolinacountry.com/calendar for more information about each event, including links to the most current information, or to submit your own event.
Multiple entries from the same person will be disqualified. The winner, chosen at random and announced in our November 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 where in Carolina Country is this?
Send your answer by Sept. 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
The July “Where Is This” photo by Brunswick Electric member David Anderson features the downtown Waxhaw Rail Bridge in Union County, which connects Main and Providence Streets. This historic overhead wooden bridge was originally built in 1888 for pedestrians and soon automobiles to safely cross over the Seaboard Coastline railroad tracks. In 1940, the town designated the bridge as pedestrian only. The town of Waxhaw and CSX renovated the bridge in 2007. Reader Rob Bush commented that his grandparents were married on the bridge. Others noted that young and old enjoy feeling the bridge rumble under their feet as a train travels below. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Randy Ferguson of Monroe, a Union Power Cooperative member.
moonshine & motorsports
music
with special guests
Jim Lauderdale and the Kruger Brothers
Here for You.
When severe weather rolls in, you can count on your electric cooperative to be ready. We’re building a stronger, smarter and more resilient power grid for improved service, no matter the weather.
Dedicated crews, proactive planning, advanced technology and an unwavering commitment to our members — rest assured that when storms strike, we’re here for you.
