Tear out this card and bring it to the Annual Meeting to register!
Meeting Details:
è Thursday, October 10, 2024
è Lumbee River EMC Headquarters 6090 NC HWY 711, Pembroke, NC 28372
è Drive-thru registration and voting: 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
è Everyone who registers at the annual meeting receives a registration gift!
Safety and Operations Guidelines
for LREMC’s 84th Annual Meeting of the Members
è Be sure to have your picture ID with you before arriving at the LREMC Headquarters meeting location.
è This is a drive-thru event. All members will remain in their cars at all times.
è Follow the directions given by traffic control personnel (wearing traffic vests).
è All vehicles are to remain in “park” while the vehicle is in the registration/voting area.
è Again, follow the directions of traffic control personnel when leaving the event.
Registration Gifts
Everyone who registers at the annual meeting receives a free hat, stacking bowls and wooden cooking utensils, as well as grand prizes of $2,000 and $1,500 light bill credits!
*** NOTICE***
IN ORDER TO REGISTER, ALL MEMBERS MUST PROVIDE VALID PROOF OF ID. PERSONS REGISTERING BY RESOLUTION MUST ALSO PROVIDE A NOTARIZED MEMBER VOTING DOCUMENT.
Map to LREMC Office
***NOTA***
PARA REGISTRARSE, TODOS LOS MIEMBROS DEBEN MOSTRAR INDENTIFICACIÓN VALIDA. LAS PERSONAS QUE DECEAN VOTAR POR RESOLUCIÓN (NEGOCIÓS O IGLESIAS) DEBEN TENER UN DOCUMENTO NOTARIZADO PARA LA RESOLUCIÓN.
LUMBEE RIVER ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION
6090 NC HWY 711, Pembroke, NC 28372
84th reunión anual de miembros se llevara acabo El Jueves, 10 de Octubre, 2024.
El registro y la votación desde el automóvil se llevarán a cabo ambos días de 7:00 a.m. a 6:30 p.m. La reunión de negocios comenzará a las 7:30 p.m.
Cada miembro que se registre obtendra un regalo.
Hands-on Ag Innovation
UK delegates visit Edgecombe County page 8 Fight back against cybercrime page 20
Easy | Our easy-to-use Jitterbug® phones feature large screens, simple menus, powerful speakers and Urgent Response buttons. The Jitterbug® Flip2 has big buttons and one-touch speed dialing while the Jitterbug® Smart4 has voice typing, video chat and internet access.
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(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800) Volume 56, No. 10 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.
POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 707.4.12.5); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: Send address corrections to Carolina Country, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616-2950.
Change of address: Please contact your electric co-op or go online to carolinacountry.com/address
Experiencing a power outage?
Please contact your electric co-op directly to ensure prompt service. Visit carolinacountry.com/co-ops to find yours online.
From Box to Bowl
A co-op partnership puts farm tech in the hands of Duplin County students.
Crack Down on Cybercrime
How to secure connected devices on your home network.
Carolina Voices
What was your favorite Halloween costume?
All About Ava
The Ava Gardner Museum and Festival captures classic Hollywood.
Favorites On the Cover
Katlyn Foy, an agricultural instructor at James Sprunt Community College, with a bumper crop of greens (holding mustard greens, a wall of collards to her left). The community college, in partnership with Four County EMC, is immersing students in hands-on agriculture with a self-contained hydroponic farm. Learn more on page 10. Photo by SP Murray (sp-murray.com).
Country Scenes
Send us your favorite photo of people or scenes from around the state by Nov. 15 to be considered for our annual photo contest! Learn more on page 8.
From Our Readers
Inspired Art
Youngsville Academy art teacher and Wake Electric member Bridget Flynn shared issues of Carolina Country magazine with students to provide some artistic inspiration. Sixth grader Aoife Linn used watercolor to recreate a photo of Emerald Isle submitted by Ashton Allgood, a member of Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative (July 2024, page 2).
Correction to our September Issue
The Conetoe Family Life Center works with ECU Health (not East Carolina University) on its Food is Medicine program, which brings fresh produce and health screenings to communities with limited access to healthcare and nutritional resources (“Feeding the Multitudes,” page 11). Visit bit.ly/ecu-food to learn more about Food is Medicine events.
Reader Poll Results
THIS MONTH:
Teaching Tech
Rural North Carolina is full of surprises. Some I’ve come to expect, like a breathtaking sunrise over rolling cropland, or an award-worthy batch of roadside boiled peanuts. But rural landscapes of quiet woodlands and old tobacco barns are hiding another surprise: innovation is everywhere. I traveled to Duplin County to explore one example of rural innovation at James Sprunt Community College — learn more on page 10. Also, cybercrime is on the rise, but let’s fight back. Learn how to do so at home on page 20.
—Scott Gates, editor
Remembering Doc
When I got my very first job as a 15-year-old I was a waitress at The Gateway Restaurant in Boone. Doc Watson would sit on a bench [between the restaurant and the theater next door] with a little tin cup as he played music on his guitar. That bench and Doc Watson now sit [across the street] next to the Mast General Store, where it was Hunt’s Department Store when Doc Watson was growing up (see “Where in Carolina Country is this?,” page 32).
Eula Kirby, Lenoir, a member of Blue Ridge Energy
We’re now deep into pumpkin spice season (with the flavor and scent seemingly everywhere), and in late August we asked our social media followers how they feel about that. Is all that pumpkin spice exciting or nauseating? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@carolinacountrymagazine) to participate in future polls.
I love pumpkin spice in some things and all the fall colors but let me enjoy the rest of the summer!
Ginger Carawan
I’m not ready and it’s overrated. I like peppermint, caramel apple and apple flavors.
Heather Augustine
Not a fan of putting pumpkin spice in everything, but you do you. But what is it with overdoing every seasonal theme? Let me go on record that I don’t care to hear Christmas music beginning in October either!
Sheila Sullivan Willis
I like Pumpkin spice, but not this early and not in EVERYTHING.
Randy Wagner
Exciting! I love it, and fall is my favorite season. I buy everything I see in the stores that says pumpkin spice!! It brings me happiness and joy!!!
Jamie Simmons Mozart
I love the smell of pumpkin spices, they make me all warm and cozy.
Diana Gorman
A Crash Course in the Cooperative Difference
By Maya Fitch
When I first applied for the NC Youth Tour sponsored by our electric cooperative, Surry-Yadkin EMC, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Upon arriving in Raleigh to meet everyone before the drive to Washington, D.C., I was surprised to find that there were nearly 50 participants, most of us from little-known rural towns all over North Carolina. Many of us gave speeches on what we had learned about electric cooperatives from our local co-ops. After we delivered our speeches, I was proud to be selected by my peers as our state’s representative for the national Youth Leadership Council (YLC).
When we arrived in D.C., I knew very little about the impact of electric cooperatives outside of local community initiatives that my cooperative has — such as assisting those in need with funds through the Operation Round Up program. On Youth Tour, we visited national landmarks and met with the offices of various North Carolina legislators who emphasized the importance of electric co-ops in ensuring that the voices of smaller rural communities can still be heard on a national level.
Electric co-ops ensure that the voices of smaller rural communities can still be heard on a national level.
At the All-State Youth Night, it was truly eye-opening to see just how prevalent co-ops are in our country. With around one to four representatives from each co-op in the state and almost 50 total participants, North Carolina was far from being the largest group present. I was surrounded by people from faraway states like Montana and Texas, and amazed to meet attendees from Washington state, California and Hawai’i. We mingled in the crowd for hours to trade state pins, constantly asking “What state are you?” or “Do you have Alaska?” (the rarest pin to find, as there was only one representative who traveled from Alaska). The room was raucous and chaotic with thousands of teenagers, but the opportunity to
meet so many people from all over the country (and represent our state with an awesome group cheer) was an unforgettable experience.
As the Youth Leadership Council’s delegate for North Carolina, I will partner with SurryYadkin EMC in the coming months to support initiatives that benefit our local community and continue learning about the importance of cooperative businesses. As NC’s representative, I attend monthly video conferences with other states’ YLC delegates to discuss our engagement with our local co-ops and support each other with ideas to make the most positive difference in each of our communities. In the spring of 2025, I will attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s annual meeting in Atlanta, as well as the statewide North Carolina meeting in Raleigh, to gain further insight into the larger-scale matters relating to electric co-ops and their vital role in our state and country.
High school students
Contact your electric co-op now for more information about applying for the 2025 Youth Tour!
Maya Fitch, a 2024 Youth Tour participant sponsored by Surry-Yadkin EMC, is a senior at Salem Academy in Winston-Salem.
Power:
Safe, Steady and Emissions-Free
The two-unit 2,258-megawatt Catawba Nuclear Station is located on the Catawba River in York County, S.C.
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives invested early in nuclear power, and in the nearly 40 years since, it’s proved to be a key part of our mission to provide members with affordable, reliable power. Here’s what has made nuclear power pay off as a sound investment:
NUCLEAR POWER IS SUSTAINABLE
Nuclear power plants emit nothing but water vapor, making them a carbon-free generation source. They also produce more electricity on less land than any other clean-air source.
NUCLEAR POWER IS SAFE
Nuclear plants have strong federal oversight, including permanent onsite inspectors. Multiple systems, protocols and design features keep the plant safe, including a large, expertly trained onsite security force and advanced cybersecurity measures.
Did you know?
■ Uranium, used to power the reactors, is an abundant metal available at a very stable price.
■ One pellet of fuel, about the size of your fingertip, contains the same amount of energy as 1 ton of coal or 149 gallons of oil.
■ Nuclear energy generates nearly 20% of the 4.18 trillion kilowatt-hours of U.S. electricity generation.
NUCLEAR POWER IS RELIABLE
The Catawba plant is the workhorse of the co-op generation fleet, providing steady “baseload” power 24/7 at a very low cost. It can run 18 months at a time without having to be refueled.
■ More than half of the electricity NC electric co-ops provide to members is from nuclear energy, most of which is generated at the Catawba Nuclear Station in York County, South Carolina, operated by Duke Energy.
■ The volume of fuel used across the entire U.S. nuclear fleet for almost five decades, if stacked end to end, would cover an area the size of a football field to a depth of less than 10 yards.
Booming Energy Jobs
North Carolina had the third-fastest rate of energy job growth from 2022 to 2023 (at 6.9%), led by Alabama (9.6%) and Utah (7.8%), according to the U.S. Department of Energy. All told, the nation’s energy workforce added 250,000 jobs in 2023 for a total of 8.35 million energy jobs. More than half of those (56%) were “clean energy” jobs, or those involving technology that does not produce greenhouse gas emissions. Visit careers.electric.coop to search for electric co-op jobs nationwide.
Source: 2024 U.S. Energy and Employment Report
Bees and Bright Ideas
Onslow County teacher used grants to build multi-use pollination center
Every fall, there’s a buzz across the state as educators and students return to the classroom. For Brandon Dillman and students at White Oak High School in Onslow County, that buzz is a bit louder — literally.
Since 2018, Dillman, who currently serves as K–12 Science Coordinator for Onslow County Schools, and his students have been educating youth on the importance of honeybees and other pollinators through a collection of beehives. This apiary has helped to educate not only the students and faculty of White Oak High School, but also members of the Onslow County community and beyond. Dillman says it wouldn’t be possible without support from local groups, including Jacksonville-based Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation, which has helped fund components of the apiary through Bright Ideas grants.
North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives have collectively awarded nearly $16 million in Bright Ideas grants across the state since 1994. These grants have funded 14,700 projects and impacted more than 3.5 million students.
Dillman’s most recent grant from Jones-Onslow EMC funded a 50-inch touchscreen that serves as a comprehensive data hub. This hub allows students to record and track essential information pertaining to the honeybee colonies.
“This cutting-edge technology will enable us to actively collaborate and share valuable insights with neighboring schools and organizations, fostering a collaborative network dedicated to honeybee education and conservation,” Dillman explained.
The data hub is paired with an observation unit that Dillman created, which allows local community members and classes to observe the beehives and beekeepers in action. The team calls it their “Honeybee Education Center.”
“It allows them to be immersed in it. It gives them tools to go off into the future, and … they’re learning skills that can carry them forward.”
Taking the information students learn in their textbooks and applying it to real-life lessons is what Dillman says education is all about.
“It allows them to be immersed in it,” he said. “It gives them tools to go off into the future, and even if they don’t have their own bee colonies, they’re learning skills that can carry them forward.”
A multi-year grant winner, Dillman has used each of his awards to build upon the hives and pollination gardens.
“These grants have supported aspects of this whole thing, so without them, we may have never started this project,” Dillman said.
With the project now benefiting students from elementary to high school, Jones-Onslow EMC says projects like the apiary show the impact that local educators are making in their community.
Digital Extras
Watch Brandon Dillman’s students suit up and get hands-on experience with beekeeping at carolinacountry.com/extras
“Brandon is a shining example of what the Bright Ideas program is all about. He has gone above and beyond with his grant proposals, creating projects that will have a lasting impact for years,” said Krystal Phillips, communications and community relations director at Jones-Onslow EMC.
“From the start, Brandon wasn’t just thinking about a one-time project—he wanted to make a real difference for his students. With projects like his bee sanctuary and pollinator gardens, he’s teaching valuable life skills that his students will carry with them.”
—Josh Conner, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives
Josh Conner
Poultry Education Nonprofit Hosts UK Delegation
Edgecombe-Martin County EMC funds educational tool
In August, a dignitary delegation from the United Kingdom hosted by the U.S. Department of State visited Edgecombe County for something the region uniquely excels at: poultry farming and education.
The delegation visited the NC Center for Poultry Education in Pinetops, an educational nonprofit organization sited on a commercial, family-owned poultry farm owned by S & N Enterprises LLC and served by Tarborobased Edgecombe-Martin County EMC. The Center operates in collaboration with Perdue Farms, Hog Slat, the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, NC State University, the University of Mount Olive and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The centerpiece for presentations during the international visit was a Promethean ActivPanel interactive display, made possible with funds donated by EdgecombeMartin County EMC and a matching grant from North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives ($2,000 and $5,000 donations, respectively).
“Our co-op was made aware of the Center’s need for a smart board to better deliver educational and informational outreach,” said Edgecombe-Martin County EMC CEO Winston Howell. “We were determined to meet their need in time for the international delegation visit, and we worked with North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives to quickly make funds available. The Center provides invaluable support to FFA, 4-H, and other educational
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
Online: carolinacountry.com/photocontest No emails, please. Mail:
agricultural programs, and Edgecombe-Martin County EMC was happy to assist its efforts in this way.”
One current focus of the Center is to counter misinformation about the poultry industry that influences consumer behavior and impacts agricultural production. In hosting the delegation from the United Kingdom, it was tasked with addressing misinformation about animal agriculture in the United States.
“The visit was a success, and we had great conversation with the delegates about our nation’s agricultural system. The support we received from Edgecombe-Martin County EMC ensured we could put our best foot forward and present materials in a dynamic, engaging way,” said Steven Brake, CEO of the NC Center for Poultry Education. “By improving education at various levels — from primary and secondary to university, extension and professional levels — consumers will make more informed choices, ensuring the industry’s sustainability in the long run.”
FROM BOX TO BOWL
A CO-OP PARTNERSHIP PUTS FARM TECH IN THE HANDS OF DUPLIN COUNTY STUDENTS
BY SCOTT GATES
It’s cool and quiet in the narrow room, dark but for a glowing vertical matrix of red and blue LEDs. Their light merges to cast a purple glow on walls of leafy cabbage and collards. Katlyn Foy, an agricultural instructor at James Sprunt Community College, walks along the crops, motioning to the back of the room.
“The water tank is there, connected to the irrigation system, and back in the corner is what we call ‘the brain’ — that controls everything, from water flow and light to the nutrient mix,” she explains. “It’s constantly monitoring and adjusting.
There are a lot of moving parts, and it all works together.”
Katlyn is in what looks like a 40-foot freight container on a back corner of James Sprunt's West Park Campus in Warsaw. From the outside, the container is fairly unassuming, aside from an eye-catching paint job declaring “Box to Bowl: Fresh greens growing inside.” On the inside, however, it’s a futuristic, hyperefficient hydroponic farm, growing the equivalent of two acres of crops in half the time.
Four County EMC and James Sprunt, along with support from North
Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, Duplin County and the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund, partnered on the container farm to offer students a hands-on introduction to agricultural and crop management.
“A large portion of our members work in the agriculture field, and we saw this partnership as an opportunity to introduce technology that could benefit an industry that is very important to eastern North Carolina,” said Greg Sager, vice president of member services at Burgaw-based Four County EMC.
Katlyn Foy (center) with continuing education students at James Sprunt Community College.
SP Murray
CONTAINER TECH
James Sprunt's farm is one of more than 600 similar containers designed by Freight Farms, growing crops in all manner of external conditions across five continents — from the Canadian wilderness to the Middle Eastern desert. The farms aren’t meant to replace traditional agriculture, but to offer fresh food access 365 days a year to areas that might not otherwise have it.
There’s also the educational component of such a system, which in the case of James Sprunt's farm, is engaging students with both hands-on agricultural experience and cuttingedge farm tech.
There are inherent benefits to hydroponic farming, or growing crops without soil, in a controlled environment like the James Sprunt container, explains Kara Gravinese, innovation and business development analyst for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.
Nutrients are automatically added to water as needed, and that water is recycled from grow beds as well as condensation from the container’s HVAC system. The container is designed to use around 5 gallons of water a day, or 99% less water than traditional agriculture.
“We’re still assessing the data, but in a high-humidity region like eastern North Carolina, we’re hopeful it will actually be ‘water positive,’ generating more water than it uses,” Kara says.
Depending on operating settings ranging from eco mode to
performance mode, the container farm can produce a yield of crops in around 5 to 6 weeks, from seed to harvest.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to investigate hydroponic technology, including how we can grow food with less resources like land and water, while making more efficient use of labor hours,” Kara says. “Students are also learning business management, gaining an understanding of the economics of running a financially viable farm, and learning how to
continued on page 12
(Left to right) Four County EMC CEO Don Gatton with Kristen Hole, Greg Sager and Katlyn Foy
This futuristic, hyper efficient hydroponic farm grows the equivalent of 2 acres of crops in half the time.
Josh Conner SP Murray
analyze and adapt to data trends. Those are all valuable skill sets.”
Kara and her team are working with Four County EMC and James Sprunt to interpret data from the farm and find areas to optimize energy consumption and improve efficiencies, both for Katlyn and her students, and for Freight Farms units across the globe.
“Katlyn’s students are learning advanced technical skills for the management of hydroponic farms, and we’re learning right along with them,” Kara says.
BOX BENEFITS
The controlled nature of the farm presents opportunities, as well as its own set of challenges. Challenges largely relate to maintaining a clean environment without the use of any chemicals. The crops grow pesticideand herbicide-free, and Katlyn keeps the floor and other components clean with a hydrogen peroxide mixture.
She also ensures anyone working or visiting the container makes cleanliness a priority. That includes taking care not to track in any outside soil, which could introduce the plants to disease or pests. Seeds are sorted before planting to ensure they’re free of outside organic matter or, worse, any sign of pests — like dreaded aphids.
“Thankfully we haven’t had a pest issue, but I have heard from some
container farms that have had aphid infestations,” she says. Then again, she explains, controlling pests in a box can be a lot more straight-forward than in open cropland. “With aphids, you can close the container and raise the temperature to 120 degrees. That kills the insects, and the plants are fine.”
The container is also free of growing seasons, allowing students to experiment with a variety of crops year-round.
“In here we can grow whatever we want, when we want,” Katlyn says on a July afternoon. “Right now I’m growing collards and cabbage, and those are winter crops — I’d normally plant those in August in a greenhouse.”
This flexibility can be invaluable to local or regional restaurants, which may crave access to crops that are out of season or otherwise hard to come by. Kara points to one example of this kind of “premium product” being grown by a hydroponic farm in New Jersey.
“Oishii is a company growing a prized variety of Japanese strawberries in a hydroponic environment,” she says. “These berries are typically found in the foothills of the Japanese Alps, but they’re growing them right in Jersey City, year-round.”
During the fall semester, 90 students across several classes have been able to utilize the James Sprunt container farm for hands-on experience, gaining a better understanding of everything
from starting seeds and transplanting, to promoting healthy growth through the right balance of nutrients. And at harvest time, it’s all hands on deck. A recent harvest yielded 330 pounds of produce, all of which is donated to local charities.
“This curriculum equips these students, who are the future of agriculture in our state, with the knowledge to adapt and pivot while remaining within the agricultural sector,” said Kristen Hole, innovative electrification specialist at Four County EMC.
Katlyn credits support from Four County EMC with making the project feasible, in turn better equipping local community college students for the future.
“Without the support of local cooperatives, students would not be able to learn about agriculture in the capacity that they are right now. I try to do what I can to get students set for the workforce, or to prepare them for university — your education is something no one can ever take from you,” she says. “Even if you don’t go into agriculture, it’s important to learn about and understand. Without it, the world wouldn’t work.”
Scott Gates is editor for Carolina Country magazine. Josh Conner, communications specialist for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, contributed to this article.
Grow plugs are placed into the nursery to receive nutrient rich water and special LED lights.
James Sprunt students utilize the container farm for hands-on experience.
HOW VEGETABLES GROW INSIDE THIS METAL BOX
After placing seeds into ‘grow plugs,’ the seedlings will be moved into the nursery area where they will germinate & start their lives! Here they will be provided with nutrient rich water and special LED lights for 2–3 weeks.
There is enough room to grow up to 4,600 seedlings in the nursery area!
WHAT’S IN THE GROW PLUG?
• Coconut husk and peat moss
• It holds its shape better than traditional soil.
varies
The sturdy seedlings will be transplanted into the cultivation area — this is where they will grow to their full maturity.
The mature seedlings will be placed in plant panels among 4 different grow walls & spaced according to by crop variety/size into 5 grow channels.
HOW MUCH WILL IT GROW?
• There is enough room to grow close to 8,000 crops in the cultivation area!
1 2 3
Produce will then be packaged and distributed throughout the school & community! NURSERY GROWING
After the crops grow in the cultivation area for 3–4 weeks , it’s time to harvest.
Lumbee River EMC Announces Capital Credits Retirement
Great organizations are recognized for operational efficiency and delivering outstanding value. We strive for this every day at Lumbee River EMC. LREMC employees and management team work hard to provide exceptional service while offering meaningful value to you, our members. Each year, the Board of Directors decides how much excess capital is no longer needed to build and maintain the electric grid. That amount is then retired and distributed to you.
We are pleased to announce that the LREMC Board of Directors approved the retirement and distribution of $3 million in Capital Credits for 2024. We are paying the year 2004 for $833,915 and the year 2017 for $2,166,085. Checks will be mailed out to our memberowners on Oct. 1, 2024, approximately 10 days before
the annual meeting, for your portion of capital credits related to these calendar years.
Capital Credits are crucial to cooperative members as they represent a tangible benefit of their membership and engagement in the cooperative. This system encourages loyalty among members and reflects the cooperative's principle of equitable distribution. Capital Credits return financial value to the members over time, enhancing their sense of ownership and investment in the cooperative's success. These credits exemplify the Cooperative's commitment to shared prosperity and community-driven economic empowerment.
The capital credit allocations and refunds for Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation members are issued in accordance with the bylaws of the Cooperative.
Member ownership is the true cooperative difference!
HOW DO CAPITAL CREDITS WORK?
Because electric co-ops operate at cost, excess revenues are returned to you in the form of capital credits.
Lumbee River EMC tracks how much electricity each member uses and purchases throughout the year.
Each year, after expenses are paid, Lumbee River EMC calculates margins (leftover funds) and allocates each member’s share to their account.
Lumbee River EMC uses the margins for a time to pay down debt and to invest in plant advancements and improvments.
When financially feasible, Lumbee River EMC retires (returns) capital credits to members.
Construction Insights Lunch & Learn
Lumbee River EMC (LREMC) hosted a Construction Insights Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at the North Center (Raeford/ Fayetteville Office). Multiple construction companies gained
valuable information about the Builder’s Guide LREMC has to offer.
The insights provided to the companies focused on aid with construction costs, energy programs, and RIVR Tech. The workshop encouraged
Fall Maintenance Tips for your HVAC
As the seasons change and temperatures drop, preparing your HVAC system is crucial to ensure it operates efficiently and effectively. Here are some essential steps for fall HVAC maintenance and information about financing options for necessary upgrades or repairs.
First, with the evenings and early mornings growing colder, it’s the perfect time to review and adjust your thermostat settings. If you have a programmable thermostat, configure it to reflect the new seasonal temperatures. Proper programming helps prevent your HVAC system from overworking, which can occur if your thermostat is set too high. By programming the thermostat to align with your schedule—such as setting it lower when you’re away and warming up just before you return—you can optimize energy use and prevent unnecessary strain on your system. This not only prolongs the life of your HVAC system but also helps manage your utility costs.
Regularly changing your air filter is another key maintenance task. It is recommended that the air filter be replaced every month or every other month. The filter plays a dual role: it prevents dust and debris from entering your HVAC system and helps maintain indoor air quality by trapping allergens, pollen, and odors. A clogged or dirty filter restricts airflow, forcing your HVAC system to work harder and potentially increasing your energy bill. Keeping the air filter clean ensures optimal performance and efficiency. Drafty windows can lead to significant heat loss, ranging from 25% to 30%. To minimize this, weatherstrip your windows. Start by inspecting them for any visible gaps
questions and discussions about what builders need from LREMC.
“We want to grow with you, and we hope that you want to grow with us to build lasting relationships,” said President & CEO Jon T. Locklear.
or holes and seal these areas. Effective weatherstripping helps retain warm air within your home and reduces the burden on your HVAC system, leading to lower energy costs.
Preparing your HVAC system for fall also involves maintaining the outdoor condenser unit. Clear away any debris that may have accumulated around it, such as leaves or dirt. Keeping the area around the condenser clean ensures proper airflow and helps the system operate more efficiently.
The most crucial step in fall HVAC maintenance is scheduling a professional tune-up. It is advisable to have your HVAC system serviced twice a year—once in the fall and once in the spring. A tune-up helps ensure that your system is in peak condition for the upcoming seasons and addresses minor issues before they escalate into major problems.
Financing options can make the process more manageable for those considering HVAC upgrades or repairs. Elect Tel offers loan programs to help homeowners invest in their home’s comfort and efficiency. Whether you need to replace an aging system or make essential repairs, ElectTel’s financing options provide flexibility and affordability. For more details on how to apply for an Elect Tel loan and to explore available plans, visit electel.org or call 1-800-849-5600.
Powering Communities with Purpose
Being an electric cooperative, our key role is contributing meaningfully to the communities we serve. Communities help create unity between many different people, which can assist in forming strong relationships. Our cooperative strives to power our communities literally and figuratively. We continually strive to power our communities with a purpose because our communities are our purpose.
More than 30,000 cooperatives across the U.S. are celebrating National Co-op Month this October. It is a time to reflect on all the aspects that set cooperatives apart from other types of businesses, but more importantly, it is a time to celebrate the power of co-op membership.
Our community is important to all who work at the cooperative, from employees to vice presidents. The cohesive goal that we all focus on is building our local community up and fully committing to providing it with the necessary resources. We feel this way because we live in the same community as you. Our co-op will continue to
be dedicated to supporting scholarships, developmental projects, and additional programs.
These principles are a framework to help all co-ops navigate challenges and opportunities while remaining true to our purpose:
Democratic Member Control: Members make crucial decisions about how the cooperative runs. Co-ops are created by the members, for the members.
Concern for Community: All cooperatives work for the greater good of the local communities they serve. Co-ops give back to their communities to help them thrive and grow.
Autonomy and Independence: Co-ops are independent and can operate on its own, which ultimately benefits the members.
As we celebrate National Co-op Month this October, we will continue to emphasize the impact and importance of our community as it continues to grow and thrive.
LREMC Marie Hussey Presents at the NISC MIC 24
Nearly 1,000 Member organizations descended upon the most magical place on Earth, Walt Disney World, for a week of dynamic learning in September. Marie Hussey, vice president of Human Resources, presented in Orlando, Florida, alongside Amy Gietzen, professional services team lead with National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC), at the Member Information Conference (MIC). Their presentation discussed iVUE Connect Benefit Enrollment and how other organizations can use the service to offer better employee resources. Hussey spoke about her real-world experience and the lessons she learned. She shared the benefits of the platform from an employee perspective.
MIC, NISC’s premier learning event, has brought members, staff, partners and friends together for decades. NISC strives to provide great value as the cooperative’s technology partner. The MIC is an excellent opportunity to unveil the newest technologies and share best practices to ensure NISC solutions are implemented to their greatest potential.
Forgive Because He Forgave
DEVOTION: COLOSSIANS 3:13-14
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Forgiveness, at times, seems to be difficult for us in society when we have felt wronged by others. Our natural reaction, is to seek vindication or revenge towards the individual we feel have harmed us. Here in the text we see that the author Paul, was encouraging us to forgive and to love one another in response to the grievance. Culture, has been one of my top priorities at LREMC since taking over as CEO. Heart work is Hard work, guiding our organization towards forgiveness
P.O. Box 4210
Published monthly by Lumbee River EMC
Pembroke, NC 28372
910-843-4131 | 1-800-683-5571 lumbeeriver.com
Business Hours: Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
CEO
and love has been a journey. If we as human beings would practice forgiveness and love versus retaliation, we could create an environment with less pain and sorrow. Our goal at LREMC is to love one another and to provide for our Members with the most efficient and timely service we can provide. Thanks for allowing us to serve you and God bless.
Jon T. Locklear President and CEO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rory Eddings, Chairman 910-850-8469
Roger Oxendine, Vice Chairman 910-628-6238
Elaine O. Chavis, Secretary 910-474-4367
Kirk Lowery, Treasurer 910-369-1008
Ron Anderson, 910-827-2136
Sharon McNeill Burnette, 910-843-2065
Sherry Carter, 910-843-2247
Rhonda Goins Dial, 910-827-1086
Ronald G. Hammonds, 910-734-2991
James Hardin, 910-424-4603
Tony Hunt, 910-374-6910
Eric Locklear, 910-225-0768
Mary Beth Locklear, 910-258-4697
STAFF
Jon T. Locklear, President & CEO
Ruby Clark Quick, Vice President of Member Service and Community Relations Mahala Treish, Communications Specialist
Jon T. Locklear, President &
Smart Storage
Pair storage with energy savings in your attic
By Miranda Boutelle
One hiding spot for energy savings in homes is also a common location for storing holiday decorations and infrequently used sentimental items: the attic.
Using your attic for storage is tempting but, if not done properly, can be problematic when trying to maximize your home’s energy efficiency. Let’s explore how you can improve insulation levels and properly store items in your attic.
Attic insulation is one of the best low-cost ways to make your home efficient. People often associate insulation with keeping your home warmer in the winter, but it also provides benefits in the summer. Insulation reduces heat transfer from the attic to the house, which lowers energy bills for air conditioning and makes your home more comfortable.
Attic insulation is measured in R-value, which is a measurement of how well a material resists the flow of heat. For attic insulation, thicker is better (the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power). The recommended R-value is typically between R-38 and R-60, depending on regional climate. North Carolina building code requires at least R-38 for ceilings and in the attic. In most homes, the ceiling joists are buried in insulation to achieve the recommended R-value.
The problem with attic storage is it typically doesn’t offer enough space for the recommended R-value. Often, plywood or boards are placed directly on top of the ceiling joists, which isn’t enough space for the insulation. Insulation can get compacted by people moving items in or out, reducing the effective R-value.
Ideally, the attic would not be used for storage so it can be properly insulated, but that’s not feasible for everyone.
Here are some strategies for maintaining attic storage and recommended insulation levels.
The best location for attic storage is over an unconditioned area of your home, such as the garage. You don’t need insulation in attic spaces over a garage or unconditioned area because you are not heating or cooling the space below. This makes it the perfect spot to tuck away items for storage.
If that isn’t an option, consider minimizing the number of stored items or the storage area’s footprint. A great way to do this is by building an attic storage platform. A raised platform allows the space underneath it to be fully insulated. These platforms are available in ready-to-install kits, or you can buy materials and build them yourself.
Allow enough space underneath the platform to achieve the proper R-value. Use lumber to build a frame perpendicular to the existing joists and cover it with plywood or oriented strand board. Once your storage area is set up, add insulation inside the platform to bring the R-value up to the proper level.
Your attic might also have trusses that allow you to build shelves and maximize space by storing items vertically. Always wear a dust mask or respirator when working in the attic. Don’t forget to weatherstrip the attic hatch to ensure a tight seal (see “Batten Down the Hatch,” October 2023, page 20). Take a look around your attic to see if you can find any hidden opportunities for energy savings.
This column was written by Miranda Boutelle of the Efficiency Services Group. Visit CarolinaCountry.com/your-energy for more ideas on energy efficiency.
By Ryan Newlon
Crack Down on CYBERCRIME
How to secure connected devices on your home network
Every day, we are integrating more smart devices into our home networks, often without a second thought. From smart light bulbs to connected kitchen appliances, our homes are becoming increasingly interconnected. While controlling our environments with a smartphone can open up a world of convenience and efficiency, it also brings a host of security concerns that must be considered.
“October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and while we should always be vigilant of the latest cyber threats and risks, this is a great time of year to consider simple steps we can take to make our digital lives more secure,” says Brian Burnett, director of cybersecurity for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.
When you bring new connected devices into your home, it’s crucial to understand what you’re adding to your network and how to do so securely. If you connect devices without understanding the implications, you could be opening the door to potential problems. Remember, manufacturers typically prioritize functionality and profit over security. They deliver the basics of what you need, leaving you responsible for securing the rest.
To help you navigate this complex landscape, here are a few tips to help you secure connected devices on your home network.
Secure your router (or modem). Your router comes with a default ID assigned by the manufacturer. Consider changing the router name to one that is unique to you. You should also change the router’s default password to a stronger one that is at least 12 characters long and includes letters, numbers and symbols. Speaking of passwords ...
Be smart about passwords. Remember to change default login passwords on all devices, and use strong, unique passwords for every device and online account. Avoid reusing passwords, and if you have trouble remembering them, enlist the help of a password manager. These services automate passwords, creating and saving passwords that are complex, random and secure. Some are free, some are available for a low subscription fee, so research which one might be best for you and your family.
Know what you’re connecting to your home network. Understand the purpose of each device on your network. If possible, keep your most critical devices on a separate network from your smart home gadgets to minimize risk. Many routers allow you to create a secondary (guest) network, which can be used to separate your smart devices from other connected electronics, like your laptop. This will prevent a hacker who finds their way in through, say, a smart doorbell account (it’s been done) from accessing every other device on your network.
Cyber threats don’t stop at our front door, which is why electric cooperatives are deeply committed to staying on top of the latest cybersecurity practices. “ “
Set devices to update automatically. Most device manufacturers roll out updates to resolve bugs and enhance functionality. You should be able to select an “automatic update” option to ensure your devices include the latest security patches and features.
Feeling overwhelmed? Find a cyber buddy. Connect with a family member, friend or even a neighbor in your community who is tech-savvy. You can also check to see if your Internet Service Provider (ISP) offers support.
Taking steps toward better cybersecurity habits is about ownership, vigilance and proactive measures. With so much technology at our fingertips, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Remember: it’s a journey, so if you find managing multiple devices cumbersome, consider simplifying your digital surroundings. Being proactive now can prevent cyber issues down the line.
“Cyber threats don’t stop at our front door, which is why electric cooperatives are deeply committed to staying on top of the latest cybersecurity practices,” Brian says. “North Carolina’s electric co-ops support each other in these efforts, and we belong to a national network of hundreds of co-ops, all working together to learn about the latest risks and share our experiences.”
Staying informed in this digital age can turn challenges into stepping stones that increase our overall security. Together, we can secure our digital lives and support each other through the complexities of the modern age. Let’s take these steps together and build a safer digital future for everyone.
Ryan Newlon is principal, cybersecurity for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Is Your Identity Secure?
Take steps to protect yourself from a recent data breach
In August, a Florida-based background check company called National Public Data acknowledged that the personal information of nearly 3 million Americans had been stolen in a cyberattack. What’s worse, much of that data had been offered for sale on the “dark web,” including names, email addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers and mailing addresses. With access to this information, a criminal could commit fraud like opening credit accounts in someone else’s name, collecting unemployment insurance, or accessing Social Security benefits.
Was your information a part of this breach? Take these steps to be sure.
See if your name was part of the breach. Never enter your full social security number on a site that claims to help with this. A reputable cybersecurity firm, Pentester, offers a search tool at npd.pentester.com that only requires your name, state and birth year.
If your name isn’t on the list, still consider using an identify theft protection service to make sure your information stays secure.
If your name is on the list, don’t panic, but do take action.
Strongly consider placing a credit freeze with each of the three credit bureaus. (Yes, you’ll have to place a freeze with each separately.) This will prevent each bureau from sharing your credit report with others, which is a necessary step when doing things like buying a car or opening a credit card. You can unfreeze your accounts at any point if you need to make such a transaction. Place a freeze online or contact each by phone: Equifax | equifax.com | 1-800-525-6285
Experian | experian.com | 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion | transunion.com | 1-800-680-7289
If you have not done so already, visit ssa.gov/myaccount to create a personal “my Social Security” account with the U.S. Social Security Administration. This ensures no one else will create an account with your information, and allows you to check for any suspicious activity and manage Social Security benefits.
If you think someone has gotten into your accounts or has your personal information, visit IdentityTheft.gov There, you’ll find more steps to take to find out if your identity has been misused, and how to report and recover from identity theft.
— Scott Gates, Carolina
Country
Introducing
world’s lightest mobility scooter with anti-tip technology
Like millions of older Americans, I struggle with mobility. For years, I watched my quality of life slip away, as I was forced to stay home while friends and family took part in activities I’d once enjoyed. I thought I’d made some progress when I got a mobility scooter, but then I realized how hard it was to transport. Taking it apart and putting it back together was like doing a jigsaw puzzle. Once I had it disassembled, I had to try to put all of the pieces in the trunk of a car, go to wherever I was going, and repeat the process in reverse. Travel scooters were easier to transport, but they were uncomfortable and scary to drive, I always felt like I was ready to tip over. Then I found the So Lite® Scooter. Now there’s nothing that can hold me back.
I took my grandkids to the beach and the park last week and I couldn ride all over the park. My scooter stayed charged for 10 hours! I really did enjoy going where ever I wanted to go and I felt so self sufficient that I had to cry of joy!!!!
- Lennette Robinson
Years of work by innovative engineers have resulted in a scooter that’s designed with seniors in mind. They created Electronic Stability Control (ESC) that makes it virtually impossible to tip over. If you try to turn too quickly, the scooter automatically slows down to prevent it from tipping over. The battery provides powerful energy at a fraction of the weight of most batteries. With its rugged yet lightweight aluminum frame, the So Lite® Scooter is the most portable scooter
Why a So Lite® Scooter is better:
• Latest “No-Tip” Technology
• Lightweight yet durable
• Folds and locks in seconds
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ever—but it can hold up to 275 pounds—yet weighs only 40.8 pounds without the battery! What’s more, it easily folds up for storage in a car seat, trunk or even on an airplane. It folds in seconds without tools and is safe and reliable. Best of all, it’s designed with your safety in mind, from the newest technology and superior craftsmanship. Why spend another day letting your lack of mobility ruin your quality of life? Call now and find out how you can get a So Lite® Scooter of your very own.
CAROLINA VOICES
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE
HALLOWEEN COSTUME?
There’s a certain satisfaction in pulling together that perfect Halloween costume, or helping kids or grandkids transform into superheroes, royalty or (in one reader’s case) a kindly grandma. We asked readers to share their favorite costumes and can only say: bravo. We hope you enjoy these as much as we do.
All for One and One for All
Ask me my favorite holiday, and I will respond “Halloween.” Always has been. I love getting dressed up and sometimes start planning my costume shortly after the new year. We often celebrate in the neighborhood with pizza while handing out treats to the ghouls and goblins making their rounds. Attached is a picture of my husband, mom and me as the three musketeers!
Margaret Matthews, Emerald Isle
A member of Carteret-Craven
Electric Cooperative
Candy for Grandma
Being an old lady was my favorite Halloween costume because my mom spray-painted my hair gray, and my grandpa made me a walker out of pvc pipe. My grandma gave me her glasses and curlers, also. That Halloween was SO fun because I got lots of candy, and I was in the newspaper! In conclusion, my favorite Halloween costume was an old lady.
Brooklynn Carter (age 10), Sanford A member of Central Electric
Christmas in October
My favorite Halloween costume was a homemade gingerbread house. My youngest son, who was 4 years old at the time (2021), LOVED gingerbread houses (or “candy houses,” as he called them). Ever since the previous Christmas, he was hooked. He loved to draw them, color pictures of them, build them out of blocks or Playdough, and occasionally Graham crackers and whipped topping with sprinkles and berries. He even requested a gingerbread house birthday cake that year. So it seemed an obvious choice when he asked to be, not a gingerbread man, but a gingerbread house for Halloween. I worked my crafty hands and with his specific candy requests we created the perfect costume. We had the best time wishing people “Merry Christmas” as we trick-or-treated around the neighborhood. He was glowing (literally) as the house was equipped with lights, as well as his sweet smile! We did, however, realize that his arms weren't long enough to get the candy from one hand to his bag — I'm no architect — but it didn't stop him from filling up his candy bag with the help of big brother and friends.
It was a costume we still talk about each year with smiles. And sometimes it makes its way down from the attic with our Christmas decorations and the sweet memories circle around again.
Mary Beth Barts, Newport A member of Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative
A Family Legacy of Haunting
I sure do remember my favorite Halloween costume: It was October 2004. My family has always loved Halloween, and helped Pleasant Grove and Albertson VFD with their trails. I was about 8 years old when they started helping Glenwood Farms with their haunted house. I hate to admit it, but I was a little scared of all the horror stuff, but they talked me into hiding in a big 152-quart cooler, and I would pop out and scare people. Needless to say, I was hooked.
For Halloween in 2004, William, my brother, was dressed as Leatherface [from “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre”] so I wanted to be Leatherface, too. The picture shows me in the middle with William on the left and Daddy on the right. Notice my plastic chainsaw — I was one happy little boy. I will always remember this as one of the best times of my life. I was with my daddy and brother, and I had on my favorite Halloween costume.
I met my future wife, Laramie, at Glenwood Farms when we were 13, and we continued to help Glenwood Farms each year until they closed. The next year or so Daddy had the opportunity to purchase an old farmhouse. We all decided we would open our own haunted house, so now my family owns and operates a successful haunted house named Marr Branch. You can see my favorite costume has a lot of meaning to me as we continue Marr Branch Haunted House (marrbranchhauntedhouse.com).
Jon-Blaney Jones, Mount Olive, a member of Tri-County EMC
Souped Up
My favorite Halloween costume is one I made my grandson (who is now 20), when he was three years old. I always made my grandchildren costumes every year, and when I asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween (thinking he would say a ninja or something like that) he said, “a can of chicken noodles soup.” Okay, so I made him a costume that year and won first place.
Mary Park, Littleton A member of Halifax EMC
DECEMBER’S QUESTION: What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
Submit your answer (roughly 200 words) and any related photos for a chance to be in an upcoming issue. We retain reprint rights, and we’ll pay $50 for those we publish in the print version of the magazine.
Deadline: Oct. 31
Online: carolinacountry.com/voices
No emails, please.
Mail:
AVA GARDNER FESTIVAL
The celebration of Ava Gardner’s life runs Friday, Oct. 4– 6 at the Ava Gardner Museum in downtown Smithfield, 325 E. Market Street. The event will include tours, talks and screenings of Ava’s films. Call 919-934-5830 or visit avagardnerfestival.com for more information.
Ava
THE AVA GARDNER MUSEUM AND FESTIVAL CAPTURES CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD
BY RENEE C. GANNON
lthough no one believes me, I have always been a country girl and still have a country girl's values," Ava Gardner (1922–1990) wrote in her autobiography, “Ava: My Story.”
“Because I was promoted as a sort of a siren and played all those sexy broads, people made the mistake of thinking I was like that off the screen. They couldn’t have been more wrong.”
Born in the small Johnston County community of Grabtown, just outside of Smithfield, Ava Gardner lived that iconic Hollywood star life, but never forgot her roots. Named as one of the top 25 female legends by the American Film Institute, her tobacco farm upbringing served her well in the rough and tumble world of movie
making, taking off with her breakout role as femme fatale Kitty Collins in the 1946 film “The Killers.” Many of her hit movies had a connection to home, including when she played Julie LaVerne in the 1951 film “Showboat,” which is based on North Carolina author Edna Ferber’s 1926 novel. Her role as Maria Vargas in the 1954 film “The Barefoot Contessa” almost mirrored her own life, as a peasant girl discovered for stardom.
Ava never forgot where she came from, often visiting family and friends throughout Johnston County. Her community most certainly never forgot Ava.
THE AVA GARDNER MUSEUM AND FESTIVAL
Dr. Thomas Banks became a lifelong friend of the soonto-be legend from what started as a joke by his 12-year-old self and ended in a kiss on the cheek from college student Ava. That fateful day, according to Ava Gardner Museum
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHNSTON COUNTY CVB
history, young Tommy shouted out “Hey, Girlfriend!” to Ava while she stood around with friends. She surprised him by chasing the young man down and planting one on him in front of his friends, a moment that would never be forgotten. Over the years, he watched as Ava began her film career and stardom. He collected newspaper articles and saved autographed photos, letters and memorabilia that she would send through their lifelong correspondence.
Thomas’ wife, Lorraine, joined him in adding to his collection and also became friends with Ava. The couple even visited her in London, where the discussion of donating their vast memorabilia collection for an exhibit about “the hometown girl makes good” began. Ava Gardner agreed with Thomas and Lorraine’s plans to exhibit the ever-growing collection.
The quest to showcase Ava in her home state of North Carolina took off in the early 1970s, when Doris Cannon, a writer for the Smithfield Herald, began a campaign to honor Ava Gardner in Smithfield. The team formed when Thomas contacted the newspaper looking for Ava photos for his collection.
A temporary exhibit honoring Ava opened in 1979, with a more permanent home for the collection found in 1981 at the old Brogden School Teacherage building, where Ava had attended school (and where Thomas Banks and Ava first met). In 1985, Ava visited the family farm in Grabtown. She and her sisters drove to the Teacherage building, hoping to visit the exhibit, but the building was not yet open, and she declined to bother someone to unlock the door, noting “I know what’s in there, I lived it.”
Thomas passed in 1989. His wife scattered some of his ashes at the Teacherage in honor of all his hard work to create the Ava Gardner Museum. In 1990, Lorraine agreed to donate the Banks collection to the city of Smithfield with the opening of the permanent museum. Finally, in October 2000, a renovated 6,400-square-foot building in downtown Smithfield opened as the Ava Gardner Museum. In 2007, the annual Ava Gardner Festival began on the first weekend of October to commemorate the museum’s opening.
Each year, the festival showcases exhibits, heritage tours, guest speakers and film screenings of Ava Gardner’s movies. For 2024, new exhibits will feature additional movie costumes, and a showcase called “Archiving Ava,” which will display some of Ava’s person belongings and keepsakes she kept from her 44-year Hollywood career. This year’s festival includes the showing of “Pandora and the Flying Dutchman” at the local amphitheater and “Mogambo” at the Howell Theater, as well as a discussion at the museum theater with Film Historian Rob Davis on 100 years of filmmaking. On the festival’s final day, the museum will present the premiere of the “Ava Gardner Centennial Documentary Short.”
The museum’s memorabilia collection continues to grow, with film scripts and posters, lobby cards, Gardner family and personal artifacts, portraits, costumes
and other items honoring the life and career of one of Hollywood’s greatest stars. In 2022, the Ava Gardner Mural on the side of the museum was unveiled, created by Greensboro graffiti artist/muralist Brian Lewis, aka JEKS (see his Andy Griffith mural in our August 2024 issue, page 28).
The mural overlooks a rose garden — yellow roses were a particular favorite of Ava’s. After their divorce, her third husband, Frank Sinatra, sent her a bouquet of yellow roses every year on her birthday. Although he didn’t attend her funeral in 1990, he did send one final bouquet, along with a note that read, “All my love, Francis.”
Ava’s gravesite is located just two miles from the museum in Sunset Memorial Park, not far from the tobacco farm she once called home.
Renee C. Gannon is the senior associate editor of Carolina Country.
The Ava Gardner Mural created by JEKS
e Gold Rush of 2024
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Glimmering 24k gold in a tungsten setting
A h, my dear compatriots, allow me to share a tale of intrigue and fortune. Picture this: a venture into the heart of a South American goldmine, where the earth yields its treasures to the daring and the cunning. With every step as we follow Diego, our mining master, the air thickens with anticipation, the scent of wealth mingling with the thrill of the unknown.
ere, amidst the darkness, lies the prize we seek — veins of gold, glimmering like stars in the night sky.
Now picture this: a ring, not just any ring, mind you, but a masterpiece crafted to adorn the fingers of the discerning. Crafted with meticulous care, each piece encasing ribbons of 24 karat gold in a Tungsten setting, whispering tales of luxury and prestige.
Meticulously crafted and amazingly comfortable, you will not find anything like this in a jewelry store. As gold prices skyrocket, we have been able to craft this and hold the price under $100 making it exclusively available with only 495 reserved for this ad. And of course we offer a 30 day no questions asked guarantee.
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Yanacocha Gold Mine, located near Lima, Peru, is the largest gold mine in South America and the fourth largest in the world.
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• Whole Size 8 -14
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AFFORD THE EXTRAORDINARY
Crispy Topped Sheet Pan Fish
With glazed sweet potato fries
Sheet pan suppers: there’s no quicker, easier way to get a healthy, yummy meal on the table.
This version of “fish and chips” checks that box and is family-friendly, too.
Crumb topping
1 bag (2-ounce) pork rinds
1½ cups parmesan cheese, grated
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon seafood seasoning (we used Old Bay)
1 tablespoon dried dill weed
Fish
2 pounds (or so) thick boneless white fish fillets (we used cod)
Salt and pepper
¾ cup mayonnaise
Potatoes
3 medium sweet potatoes, washed and cut into ½-inch wedges
¹/₃ cup oil
1 tablespoon favorite seasoning blend (we used Italian)
Cumin
Brown sugar
Salt
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking pan with foil.
Combine all topping ingredients and pulse in a food processor into fine crumbs. Place fish pieces onto a plate and top with salt, pepper, mayonnaise and crumbs. Set aside.
Toss sweet potatoes with oil, seasoning and a sprinkling of cumin. Scatter in a single layer on the pan and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven.
Turn wedges and lightly dust with salt and sugar. Nestle fish pieces among potatoes and return pan to oven. Continue baking 15–18 minutes or until the fish is done and the crumbs are browned. Serve immediately.
Note: The topping is best made and used at the time of cooking.
Yield: 4–6 servings
Digital Extra
Visit carolinacountry.com/recipes to search more than 1,000 recipes by name or ingredient.
From Your Kitchen
Pistachio Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
The salty tang of seasonal nuts meets the bright flavor of cranberries and the two invite oats and cinnamon along for the ride. No complaints about this union!
1 cup butter, softened
1¹/₃ cups light brown sugar, packed
¾ cups sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup dried cranberries
2 cups oats, quick
¾ cups shelled pistachios, chopped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and sugars; add eggs and vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, cinnamon and baking soda. Slowly add this dry mixture to your creamed ingredients to make the cookie dough.
In another bowl, combine cranberries, oats and pistachios. Stir.
Slowly add the cranberry mixture to the cookie dough until the cranberries, oatmeal and pistachios are evenly distributed throughout. The dough may seem dry (this is okay).
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper.
Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool on rack.
Yield: 4 dozen cookies
Red cabbage’s deep hue reveals a more nutritious choice than its green counterpart, thanks to more Vitamin E, C and beta carotene. And its earthy taste delivers big flavor in this pickled slaw, the perfect topper for hot dogs and more. Plus, it’s extra pretty with splashy yellow pineapple mixed in!
1 small head of red cabbage, shredded
1 medium red onion, cut into thin slivers
3–4 green onions, chopped
2–3 celery sticks, diced
1 can (8-ounce) crushed pineapple in juice
1 can (8-ounce) pineapple tidbits in juice
Salt and pepper to your taste
½ cup sweet pickle juice
¹/₃ cup light oil
Toss all ingredients together, putting aside a few tidbits of green onion for garnish. Let the slaw marinate for several hours or overnight before serving. Keeps up to about 10 days in the refrigerator.
Yield: 8 servings
Recipe courtesy of Pam Rowell of Indian Trail, a member of Union Power
Marinated Red Cabbage and Pineapple Slaw
October Events
OCT. 19–20
Woolly Worm Festival Historic Banner Elk School, Banner Elk 828-898-5605
OCT. 4–5
Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival Oriental Village, Oriental 502-345-4771
Valley Hills Antique Power Club Tractor Show Catawba Meadows Park, Morganton 828-413-1055
Antiques Street Fair Historic Downtown Cameron 910-245-3212
OCT. 4–6
Ava Gardner Festival
Film screenings, food, exhibits Ava Gardner Museum, Smithfield 919-934-5839
OCT. 5
Autumn Fest Clay Street, Mebane 919-304-3737
OCT. 5–NOV. 24 (weekends)
Carolina Renaissance Festival 16445 Poplar Tent Rd, Huntersville 704-896-5555
OCT. 5–27
Pumpkin Extravaganza Red Wolf Farm, Maiden 828-999-8099
Celtic Festival Fort Defiance, Lenoir 828-758-1671
OCT. 18–19
Historic Hertford Ghost Walk Downtown Hertford 252-426-5657
OCT. 19
AACA Auto Show Big Rock Landing Deck, Morehead City 919-413-2138
OCT. 12
StreetFest and Fireworks Downtown Sanford 919-718-4659
Bill’s Creek Music Festival
Bill’s Creek Community Center, Lake Lure 828-375-7480
NC Grape Festival
Lu Mil Vineyard, Elizabethtown 910-866-5819
Dismal Day
Dismal Swamp State Park, Camden 252-771-8333
Liver Mush Festival Uptown, Shelby 704-484-4750
OCT. 26
Fall Festival
Camp Albemarle, Newport 252-726-4848
The Barbecue Festival Uptown Lexington 336-956-1880
Blowing Rock Halloween Festival Main Street, Blowing Rock 828-295-5222
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 Oct. 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 December 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 August “Where Is This” photo by Carolina Country’s Renee Gannon features music legend Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson sitting on a bench with his favorite Gallagher guitar at the corner of King and Depot Streets in downtown Boone. The late Grammy-winning musician was born down the road in Deep Gap. He started MerleFest in nearby Wilkesboro in memory of his son, Merle, and the annual festival still welcomes top musicians from across the country. The bronze “Man of the People” statue, created by the artist Alex Hallmark, serves as a perfect spot to grab a selfie with Doc. In the winter, the statue often sports a scarf around his neck. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Terri Burris of Statesville, an EnergyUnited member.
Todd Bush
NORTH AMERICA’S
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✓ Top-of-the-line installation and service, all included at one low, affordable price
You’ll agree – there just isn’t a better, more affordable walk-in tub on the market.
Powering a Brighter Future
North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives are leading the way to a brighter future for 2.5 million cooperative members and communities through:
Reliability & Innovation
Leveraging new technologies and innovation to deliver reliable electricity across resilient, co‑op operated electric grids.
Affordability & Sustainability
Upholding our commitment to provide electricity to members at the lowest possible cost while working toward net zero carbon emissions at a responsible pace.
Local Community Support
Enriching the lives of our local members through continued education initiatives, economic development and community focused activities.
The 84th Annual Meeting of the Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation will be held at Lumbee River EMC’s Headquarters Office on Thursday, October 10, 2024. Drivethru registration and voting will be held 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The business meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2024, and can be viewed on Facebook Live. It will be available for later viewing on our website at lumbeeriver.com
The meeting will include:
1. Reports of officers, directors and committees.
2. Election of four directors of the cooperative.
3. Any other business, which may be properly conducted. In connection with the election scheduled for this meeting, the report of the Nominating Committee and nominations by petition, as required by the Bylaws of the Cooperative, are printed in this notice.
2023 ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING MINUTES
The annual meeting minutes can be viewed at lumbeeriver.com. If you object to these minutes, please submit your objection to the Cooperative Headquarters on or before October 3, 2024.
THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The Nominating Committee for the 84th Annual Meeting of Members of Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation met on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at the Cooperative Office in Pembroke, NC, with the following members present:
Roy “Lee” Chavis Jr.
Willlie Earl Chavis
Mitch Fields
Kristy Locklear
David Emanuel
Carrie McMillian
Derrick Maynor
Wendy Locklear
Shirl Rising
Chocajuana Oxendine
Daphne Dudley
Irma Wilson
After hearing the duties of the Committee, the group selected Kristy Locklear as Chairperson and Chocajuana Oxendine as Secretary. Upon a motion duly made and carried, the following persons were selected as nominees, and the Chairperson was directed to place their names into nomination for election at the Annual Meeting of Members on October 10, 2024.
District 3
Eric “Fuller” Locklear
Saddletree Road, Lumberton
Ronnie Revels
Sequoia Drive, Lumberton
District 4
Rhonda Goins Dial Hwy 72 West, Pembroke
THE C&E COMMITTEE
District 6
Sherry Carter
Brewer Drive, Red Springs
Deborah McMillan Evans
Blue Springs Road, Red Springs
Kirk Lowery
South Hilltop Road, Red Springs
The 2024 C&E Committee met on Monday, August 19, 2024, and reviewed a petition submitted by Ray Scott. The committee approved the petition along with other nominations for candidacy.
STATEMENT FOR OPEN FORUM COMMENTS
For purposes of the 84th Annual Member Meeting, any matters to be raised during the open forum must be submitted in writing to the Cooperative Headquarters on or before Thursday, October 3, 2024. Such comments will be made available to the membership on the Cooperative’s website.
All businesses, churches, clubs and other organizations served by LREMC must provide a notarized member voting document or other notarized document executed by, or on behalf of, the business, church, club or organization. The cooperative reserves the right to accept or reject, and not give effect to, any document as provided for in the cooperative’s bylaws (article IV, 4.09).
MEMBER VOTING DOCUMENT
If you are to be the representative of your business, church, club or organization at the 84th Annual Meeting on October 10, 2024, it will be necessary for you to bring a notarized statement of resolution from the organization authorizing you to be its registered delegate. The document must be signed by an official of the organization and notarized by a Notary Public not an employee of the cooperative.
Representatives of a separate legal entity such as a corporation, partnership, church or sole proprietorship will be permitted to register for that entity, as follows:
A. Corporations (including non-profit corporations) or LLCs: The representative should be an officer, director or manager, and/or should present credentials authorizing registration on behalf of the corporation or LLC.
B. Partnership: The representative should be a partner in the partnership, and/or should present credentials authorizing registration on the partnership’s behalf.
C. Church: The representative must have a known association with the church, as the pastor, deacon, etc., and/or should present credentials authorizing registration on the church’s behalf.
D. Other Legal Entity: The entity (e.g., body politic, Federal Agency, or political subdivision) shall present evidence of its separate legal existence. The representative shall present appropriate credentials authorizing registration.
Note Regarding Sole Proprietorships and Assumed Names: Members that are conducting business as sole proprietors or otherwise under an assumed name are required to maintain their account in their personal capacities.
A sample Member Voting Document can be obtained at any Lumbee River EMC office through Wednesday, October 9, 2024, downloaded at the Lumbee River EMC website at lumbeeriver.com or you can call 910-843-4131 to request a copy by mail. Forms will not be available at the Annual Meeting.
Each registered member will receive registration gifts.
2024 Director Candidates
DISTRICT 3
ERIC “FULLER” LOCKLEAR
Address: Saddletree Road, Pembroke On LREMC’s Line: 16 years
Board of Director: 10 years
Occupation: Restaurant Owner Organizations/Memberships: Member of Bethel Hill Church, President of Saddletree Community Center, and LREMC Board of Director
DISTRICT 3
RONNIE REVELS
Address: Sequoia Drive, Lumberton On LREMC’s Line: 19 Years
Occupation: Business Owner- Revels Insurance Agency and Delivery Organizations/Memberships: Member of Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, Member of St. Pauls Chamber of Commerce, and Member of Lumberton Chamber of Commerce
DISTRICT 4
RHONDA GOINS DIAL
Address: Hwy 72 West, Pembroke On LREMC’s Line: 24 years
Board of Director: 3 years
Occupation: Early Intervention Service Coordinator Supervisor Organizations/Memberships: Member & Treasure for Thompson Community Baptist Church, Member of the Robeson County Partnership for Children Board, and Member of the Kiwanis Pembroke Club
DISTRICT 4
RAY SCOTT
Address: Union Chapel Road, Pembroke On LREMC’s Line: 28 years
Occupation: Scott’s Tire Inc., Owner Organizations/Memberships: Member of Mission Church
DISTRICT 6
SHERRY CARTER
Address: Brewer Drive, Red Springs On LREMC’s Line: 45 years
Address: Blue Springs Road, Red Springs On LREMC’s Line: 9 years
Occupation: Childcare Professional/ Business Owner
Organizations/Memberships: Hoke County Civic League, Kingdom of Glory Ministries, Inc (Pastor), and NC-Licensed Childcare Early Education through NCDCDEE
DISTRICT 6
KIRK LOWERY
Address: South Hilltop Road, Red Springs On LREMC’s Line: 30 years
Board of Director: 3 years
Occupation: AT&T Digital Tech Organizations/Memberships: Raeford/Hoke Chamber of Commerce Board, Hoke County Community Foundation Board, and Hoke County Board of Adjustment
