Co-ops support community growth page 7 Cold floor? Fix it with more than socks. page 15
NC 4-H Camps offer a 6 day, 5 night residential camping experience completely TECH free starting at $545/week!
Activities include horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, team building and high ropes, swimming, arts & crafts, talent show and more.
We offer three unique and beautiful facilities in convenient locations across the state.
All camps are owned and operated by NC State University and are American Camp Association accredited, adhering to the highest standards for safety and quality.
(ISSN 0008-6746) (USPS 832800) Volume 57, No. 3
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.
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Glorious Gourds
A local crop makes for an unexpected canvas.
Carolina Voices
Why do you love the North Carolina mountains?
Spring Garden Shows Bloom in North Carolina
Three events spark inspiration this spring.
The Folk School in Cherokee County is one of many spots around the state where you’ll find artisans working wonders with an unusual medium: gourds. Learn more about how it’s done on page 8. Photo courtesy of the John C. Campbell Folk School.
Voices
Unforgettable things can happen in games on the field, court or rink, and whether it was a game you watched or played in, we’d like to hear about your most memorable sports moment. Learn more on page 17.
THIS MONTH: Carolina Gardens
As March days begin to give us hints of spring, many begin planning for the coming season’s plantings, whether for colorful landscaping or for a tasty harvest (or so I’m told by those with a greener thumb than mine). This year, consider saving a patch for gourds, which can make for fine fall décor or a natural canvas for inspired artists. Learn more on page 8. Also, we asked readers what they love about the NC mountains — get inspired to go find a mountain view on page 16.
—Scott Gates, editor
From Our Readers
Community Culture
The story on the Rosenwald Schools (“Documenting History,” February 2025, page 20) was very informative. [February was] Black History Month, and I appreciate the effort to highlight the history and culture of all members of our co-op. Thanks for publishing this story.
Loneese Powell, Columbus County, a member of Brunswick Electric
Family Connections
Our family has enjoyed reading Carolina Country magazine since the late 1960s! As a small child, I partially learned to read with it. Family members that moved away made sure to get a subscription to continue their collection. What a gift it is to now be able to revisit past issues digitally [on carolinacountry.com]! I value the print edition, but sometimes the mail journey is not kind to it, or someone “borrows” it permanently. Always nice to have a backup!
Charles Hill, Clarkton, a member of Four County EMC
Carolina SNAPSHOTS
A C D B
Mule Memories
I could not resist the charm of the picture and story of Wayne Hussey’s mules Mabel and Jane (January 2025, page 11). I am reminded of our Virginia mule team Grace and Glory, driven and beloved by my late husband Eddie Shelton to farm work, school trips, church rides, wedding celebrations and even that final funeral caisson, including his own last October. Yes, times have changed, but anyone who has been blessed with the mule experience will always smile at the memory. Keep those lines in your hands, Mr. Hussey.
Rebecca Shelton, Fredericksburg (Va.), a member of Northern Neck Electric Cooperative Serving Veterans
Your February cover brought me to tears.
Florence Wilson, Wake Forest, a member of Wake Electric
THEME Farm Animals
A Juan Carlos Garcia, Boone
A member of Blue Ridge Energy
B Jodi Rhodes, Clemmons
A member of Brunswick Electric
C Jana Elliott, Pilot Mountain
A member of Surry-Yadkin EMC
D Vickie Sealock, Mars Hill
A member of French Broad Electric
Submit your photo!
May theme: Dogs (Deadline March 20)
June theme: Reflections (Deadline April 20)
July theme: Selfies (Deadline May 20)
Send us your best shots based on an upcoming theme — we’ll pay $25 for those published. Submit high resolution digital photos and find full terms and conditions at carolinacountry.com/snapshots (no emails, please). We retain reprint and online rights for all submissions.
Preserving Our State’s Beauty
By Khalil Porter
An open field, or even the treeless span of ground maintained under your electric co-op’s power lines, may not look like critical habitat. But for thousands of species of pollinators in North Carolina, it’s just that. The flowering shrubs and plants found in grassy areas throughout the state are essential for ensuring biodiversity and maintaining food webs. Most crops, including fruits, vegetables and nuts, depend on pollinators for healthy yields.
Despite the seeming abundance of the moths, bees, butterflies and other insects that keep plants pollinated, many of our state’s pollinators are at risk. Habitat loss and pesticide use are among factors working against them, reducing numbers and making natural habitat scarce.
Digital Extras
Visit carolinacountry.com/extras to learn more about supporting pollinators — as well as the fascinating life cycle of the monarch butterfly — from the NC Wildlife Federation.
North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives maintain thousands of miles of lines, and as such have a unique opportunity to support pollinators with all that open natural space. By planting native grasses and low-growing plants in rights-of-way, co-ops are saving on maintenance costs and reducing reliance on herbicides, protecting pollinators from harmful chemicals. Increasing habitats through these practices can boost populations of threatened or endangered species, as well as those on the brink like monarch butterflies.
Monarchs are an iconic, migratory species known for their bold orange and black wings, although pesticide use, urban development and a changing climate have reduced monarch populations by more than 80% in the last two decades. Monarchs are under consideration to be listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, an evaluation that will continue in coming months.
North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives are supporting efforts to rebuild monarch populations, with environmental stewardship as a
core pillar of our mission. We are a part of the NC Pollinator Conservation Alliance’s energy committee, which shares ideas about creating pollinator habitat in utility rights-of-way and on solar farms. For one, we’ve made a transmission line right-of-way near the Hamlet power plant a Pollinator Pitstop along the state’s “Butterfly Highway,” a statewide conservation restoration initiative of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF). Anyone can join the effort by converting part of a yard, or even a simple container garden, into a pitstop — visit ncwf.org/habitat/butterfly-highway to learn more. How else can we all contribute to supporting pollinators? When selecting plants for gardens and community spaces, choose native, pollinatorfriendly options, and reduce pesticide and herbicide use to create safer environments for pollinators. Support conservation organizations, like the Conservation Trust for North Carolina (ctnc.org) and Conservation Legacy (conservationlegacy.org), both of which have partnered with North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives to preserve our state’s beauty and instill environmental responsibility in the next generation.
Supporting conservation efforts and North Carolina’s pollinators through initiatives like these is simply the right thing to do — for the environment, for our communities and for future generations.
Khalil Porter is manager of environmental affairs for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.
The best walk-in tub just got better with breakthrough technology! Presenting the all new Safe Step Walk-In Tub featuring MicroSoothe. ® An air system so revolutionary, it oxygenates, softens and exfoliates skin, turning your bath into a spa-like experience. Constructed and built right here in America for safety and durability from the ground up, and with more standard features than any other tub.
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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.
Mar C h Quick Hits
Spring Forward
Daylight saving time begins March 9, a practice that was first put into place in WWI to conserve fuel and power.
Safety Check
Don’t just adjust clocks this month, use it as a reminder to check and change batteries in CO2 and smoke detectors around the house.
Ounce of Prevention
Keep children and pets safe in your home; Poison Prevention Week (March 16–22) reminds us that some household hazards are stored in plain sight.
Stormproof Roof
Ahead of spring and summer rains, make a visual inspection of your roof. Call a roofer if you spot rotting eaves or missing/broken shingles.
NC Electric Cooperatives Join DOE Grid Management Program
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently named North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives among the first utilities to participate in its Utility and Grid Operator Technical Assistance program. The program, managed by DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and Grid Deployment Office, seeks to equip utilities and grid operators with the expertise and resources needed to accelerate grid deployment and meet growing energy demand.
is powered by Wake Electric. “We’ll be able to apply lessons learned across currently deployed microgrids as well as future projects on electric cooperative systems.”
The program offers three tracks: Key Assist, Interconnection Assistance and rolling technical assistance. North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives is participating in the Key Assist track, which provides utilities with up to $1 million of technical assistance to navigate complex grid integration challenges.
“Funding through the program will be invested in improving microgrid support of the cooperative members and the electrical grid, utilizing the Eagle Chase residential microgrid in Youngsville as a testbed,” said Erik Hall, director of energy services & technology for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. The microgrid
Additional electric co-ops participating in the Key Assist program are Vermont Electric Cooperative and Golden Valley Electric Association (Alaska), as well as Puget Sound Energy and a Guam-based municipal utility.
“These utilities represent a diverse cross-section of the American grid, encompassing both rural and urban landscapes, and serving millions of customers,” said EERE Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Jeff Marootian. “This groundbreaking program, powered by collaboration, will accelerate grid deployment and the integration solutions needed to deliver more affordable, equitable and reliable electricity to communities throughout the country.”
The Eagle Chase residential microgrid will serve as a program testbed.
NC Co-ops Drive Rural Growth in 2024
REDLG funding supported critical services across the state
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are powering progress across the communities they serve, investing in resources and services that create lasting benefits for their members. That commitment continued in 2024, as co-ops were awarded nearly $10.8 million in funding for 17 projects from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program.
The figure reflects a continued trend of success for the co-ops’ utilization of the REDLG program. Over the past five years, North Carolina electric co-ops have received more than $39 million through 78 awards. Funding from 2024 will help finance industrial shell buildings in rural areas and provide first responders with top-of-the-line equipment.
“Cooperatives are rooted in the communities they serve, and through the REDLG program, they are playing a key part in helping these rural areas prosper,” said Ann Fitts, community development specialist and REDLG program lead for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “They know the needs of their members, and through these awards, they’ve been able to help deliver resources that directly impact the lives of many.”
REDLG awards provide zerointerest pass-through loans to rural cooperative utilities to fund local projects that create and retain jobs, boost economic growth and improve quality of life in rural America.
Through the funding, co-ops have helped emergency services, such as fire departments, EMS and police departments, strengthen their capabilities by purchasing new fire trucks and patrol cars and improving emergency service facilities. These enhancements have not only supported the staff working hard to serve their communities, but also
improved response times, and in some cases, helped lower homeowners insurance rates for local residents.
REDLG funding has also supported employment growth in rural North Carolina by financing the construction of industrial buildings where businesses can relocate or expand their operations. These opportunities help create jobs, increase the tax base and attract investments in co-op communities.
“Being able to deliver funding from the REDLG program to our community partners is exciting because it directly supports the growth and vitality of our rural communities,” said Tasha Rountree, director of community relations and economic development at Blue Ridge Energy. “By empowering local businesses, organizations and first responders, we’re investing in a brighter, more prosperous future for the people we serve.”
—Josh Conner, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives
The Collettsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department received REDLG funding via Blue Ridge Energy to purchase a new truck in 2023.
gloriousgourds
A North Carolina crop makes for an unexpected canvas
By Margaret Buranen
Judi Fleming, president of the North Carolina Gourd Society, fell in love with gourds after realizing the wide variety of art she could create with them.
aAbout 30 years ago, Summerfield artist Judi Fleming found herself with free time between two errands. Since she was too far away to return home, she decided to visit a local event: a gourd festival. Judi never made it to her second errand.
“I was hooked,” she confesses. “I will do art in any medium, and you can do anything with gourds — painting, sculpture, musical instruments, basket weaving. That’s why I like gourds so much!”
Noting that art supplies aren’t cheap, she adds, “With gourds you can grow your own canvas. It’s very inexpensive art.”
Gourds are grown for food, but only the smaller, ornamental varieties. Besides food and art, gourds are also utilitarian. They can be crafted into bowls, dippers, banjos and other musical instruments. Small egg-shaped gourds can even be put in chicken coops to encourage young hens to lay or to direct hens to nesting boxes.
Growing gourds
Gourds range in size from an inch or two in diameter to giant African varieties that are 80 inches in diameter. The main types you’ll find are ornamental gourds; bottle gourds — large, inedible hardshell varieties; snake gourds, which can be made into instruments like didgeridoos; and luffa or loofah, which can be peeled and used as sponges.
Judi says there is only one gourd variety that is native to the U.S., the colorful Cucurbita types sold in supermarkets alongside squash and often used for fall décor. The many other varieties were all brought here as seeds by settlers from various countries.
“All gourds grow on vines, and some vines can grow as tall as 100 feet on trellises. You need space to grow gourds, and it’s a lot of work,” Judi explains.
Gourd vines can be left on the ground instead of being attached to a trellis. The disadvantage is that each gourd will develop a flat side where it rests on the ground. Artists who want perfectly round gourds need those grown on trellises.
Artistic demand
Before gourds can be used for art they must be allowed to dry out. The only thing required for that process is time. And if you ever come across a seemingly old pile of moldy gourds, those aren’t trash, they’re treasure. The mold that forms on the outside of the gourd helps to draw out the inside moisture, Judi explains.
“When you shake a gourd and hear the seeds inside rattle, then you know it is completely dry. You scrub off the mold, let the outside dry and then it’s ready for art.”
The larger the gourd, the longer it will take to dry out.
The smallest gourds will dry in 40 days. Middle sized ones take about 100 days to grow and three months to dry. Large gourds take approximately 140 days to reach maturity and up to two years to dry.
Since there are more gourd artists than gourd growers, a market exists for pre-dried gourds. Gourd growers who want to reach these buyers often sell their ready-for-art gourds at festivals and fairs.
Recently retired from her government job, Judi donates some of her gourd art to benefit Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network in Stokesdale. She can’t keep up with demand for her gourd birdhouses.
“They’re designed to be used by North Carolina’s most common songbirds,” she notes.
While established gourd artists sell their work through their own websites or at arts and crafts shows, art galleries offer a select high-end market for some artists. Judi says the record price for a gourd work of art is $35,000. The North Carolina artist uses semi-precious and precious stones in her art.
Endless possibilities
For those interested in meeting gourd growers, artists and general enthusiasts, North Carolina has several resources. The North Carolina Gourd Society, of which Judi serves as president, was established in Cary in 1937 as the first gourd society in the country and the “alpha” chapter of the American Gourd Society.
The society hosts the annual North Carolina Gourd Arts and Crafts Festival, which in 2025 will be held Sept. 6–7 at the state fairgrounds in Raleigh. (This year’s theme is “Happy Holidays” — visit ncgourdsociety.org for the latest information and vendor applications.)
Another event, the Gourd Gathering (gourdgathering.org), will be held May 28–June 1 in Waynesville. Judi notes that it will have 94 classes, mostly instructive, not competitive. Other classes can be found year-round, including at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Cherokee County (folkschool.org). As The Folk School affirms: “With gourds, possibilities are as endless as your imagination.”
Margaret Buranen writes for Carolina Country from her home in Kentucky.
John C. Campbell Folk School
Alston Sykes
John C. Campbell Folk School
Declutter Your Life
Five spring cleaning tips to soothe body and soul
By Rue Reynold
Spring is here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to refresh, renew and reorganize. While many people associate spring cleaning with scrubbing floors and sorting closets, it can also be a chance to declutter your mind and simplify your life. Here’s how you can embrace the spirit of spring cleaning to create more space for joy and clarity.
Sort out your physical space
A tidy home often leads to a clearer mind. Begin by assessing your living space and identifying areas that could use attention. Create a game plan by dividing your home into zones and tackle one area at a time. Start with something manageable like a bedroom closet, then move on to larger spaces like the kitchen. Organizing your belongings into categories such as items to keep, donate or discard can also help you make decisions. Consider digitizing important documents to reduce paper clutter and make room for the things that truly matter.
Refresh your digital life
Our digital spaces are just as important as our physical ones, so tidying up your devices can be just as rewarding. Begin by organizing your files, consolidating digital folders and removing unused applications. Unsubscribe from newsletters or notifications that no longer serve you and consider establishing device-free zones or designated times for a digital detox, which can improve productivity and reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Clear your mind
Mental clutter can be as draining as a physical mess, so try to focus on things that encourage relaxation. Journaling can help organize your thoughts and release pent-up
emotions, while meditation allows you to center yourself and regain awareness in the midst of chaos. Prioritizing tasks with to-do lists or time-blocks can also create a sense of control and clarity, leaving more room for peace and creativity.
Simplify your schedule
Letting go of obligations that don’t align with your goals can free up valuable time and peace of mind. Learning to say no is essential to protect your time from unnecessary demands, and planning ahead with a schedule that includes downtime can ensure you maintain a healthy balance.
Foster positive relationships
Use the inviting warmth of spring to reconnect and strengthen the bonds with friends and family you haven’t spoken to in a while. Expressing gratitude to those who bring positivity into your life fosters deeper, more fulfilling connections. At the same time, don’t forget to set boundaries with relationships that drain your energy, which could hamper the foundation for your emotional well-being.
Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up — it’s a process that can transform your physical space, mental clarity and overall well-being. By taking time to declutter both your life and your mind, you’ll step into the season feeling refreshed and ready to embrace the opportunities ahead. Happy cleaning!
Rue Reynold is the editorial assistant for Carolina Country magazine.
Make a Positive Impact by Planting a Tree
Five tips to properly plant a tree in your own yard
North Carolina designated its Arbor Day as the first Friday following March 15, marking it as a time for North Carolinians to “beautify and conserve the state’s resources by planting young trees and shrubs.” Consider these tips to celebrate Arbor Day in your own way, and plant a tree in your yard.
Choose the right tree and location
Larger shade trees help cool homes in warmer climates, evergreens provide privacy, and fruit trees offer a grocery store right in your backyard. Consider your available space along with conditions that will impact the tree itself, such as soil, sun exposure, drainage and more. When planting near utility lines, contact your electric cooperative with questions about planting distance from utility equipment and right-of-ways.
Dig safely
Before digging, remember that proper tree placement requires factoring in underground utility lines, overhead power lines and proximity to sidewalks, driveways and homes. Dial 811, the national call-before-you-dig number, to locate underground utilities. Also consider contacting
an arborist or tree care professional to make sure you’ve weighed all the important factors.
Break ground
Dig a hole that’s roughly 2 to 3 times wider than the root ball of your tree and equally as deep as the root ball. Be sure the trunk flare (where the trunk expands at the base of the tree) is partially visible when planted.
Add mulch
Mulch helps maintain moisture and improve soil conditions while controlling weed growth. Place a 2- to 3-inch layer in a 3-foot radius around the base of the tree without touching the trunk itself.
Keep soil moist
Keeping the soil moist typically means watering just once per week, barring rain, but may require more frequency during especially hot weather.
Visit eLivingToday.com to find more tips for giving back to Mother Earth.
—Family Features
Co-op
South River EMC Communicator
March 2025
Meeting Emergency Needs
Diapers are one of many costs associated with children.
And while not the most expensive, they can become a large chunk of any family’s budget in the early years.
Residents in Sampson County have an option if their budget doesn’t include all the necessary diapers, Life Line of Sampson.
“Our Executive Director, Celey Cumbo, worked as a volunteer with Life Line Pregnancy Center in Wilmington, for over 10 years,” said Brandi Elkin, head of donor development and marketing. “She started out teaching classes at the center and eventually became more involved with client care for men and women facing pregnancy decisions.”
A native of Clinton, Cumbo felt called to return and set up a pregnancy center in her home community, and it began as a partnership with the center in Wilmington in August 2019.
“We began in a mobile RV unit, and became independent in June 2020,” said Elkin. “Diaper assistance has been part of our program since day one.”
Now, on average, they serve between 65 and 70 families per month through their emergency needs program, and that's a lot of diapers continued on page B
March 9 marks the start of Daylight Saving Time. Make sure to spring your clocks forward.
South River EMC earns this award based on data modeled by the ACSI® in 2024. Award criteria are determined by the ACSI based on customers rating their satisfaction with South River EMC in a survey independent of the syndicated ACSI Energy Utility Study. For more about the ACSI, visit theacsi.org/ badges. ACSI and its logo are registered trademarks of the American Customer Satisfaction Index LLC.
and wipes. They recently applied for and received an Operation Round Up grant for their emergency needs program.
“Up until we received the generous grant from South River EMC, our emergency needs (diaper)program, solely relied on donations from community members and local churches,” said Elkin. “We are very blessed to have loyal and faithful donators that deliver diapers and wipes to our center regularly.”
But, as you can imagine, even with generous donations the needs for such a program might not always be met, so Life Line of Sampson County decided to apply for the grant to bridge the gap between donations and the increased demand they were seeing.
”We are extremely grateful to receive this grant, it was truly an answer to prayers,” she said. “We were facing challenges – running out of larger size diapers on a regular basis; we do advertise our needs through social media, but that is still no guarantee."
Elkin continued to explain that a lack of resources in rural areas like theirs make for a tremendous need for supplies like this, particularly as word has spread about the programs offered at Life Line of Sampson County.
“Life Line Sampson offers more than material assistance,
our mission is to offer life, love and support to men and women facing pregnancy decisions,” said Elkin. “We offer pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, options education, an education program for parents, support groups, and community assistance referrals –all free of charge. Our clients also utilize our emergency needs program, which includes the diapers and wipes.”
The center, located at 109 W Main St Suite A, Clinton. is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and donations can be dropped off at any time during those hours.
They also accept donations of wipes, gently used baby clothes and baby toiletries.
"Word of mouth is our most effective method of sharing information," said Elkin. "Yes, our clients, who receive services, also participate in the emergency needs program, but being a client is not a requirement to participate in the program. It is open to
anyone in the community in need of diapers and wipes."
Interested in donating, but not in the area? They have shopping lists on Amazon and at Walmart and you can have the items shipped directly to the center.
Elkin expressed her appreciation to members participating in Operation Round Up saying, "Thank you for your incredible generosity! A few cents from each of you adds up and has a tremendous impact for organizations like Life Line Sampson.
"For us specifically, your pennies help us provide life, love and support to families in our community by providing diapers to families in need – families that are extremely grateful for this assistance. Your generosity is making a difference!"
Wish to learn more about services at Life Line Sampson? Visit lifelinesampson.com or call 910.828.2785.
Last Chance To Apply For Camp
Parents and students, your window is closing to apply for Touchstone Energy basketball camp.
South River EMC is offering a chance for current fifth and sixth graders to apply for the camps offered at NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill.
The camps give boys and girls a unique experience to attend basketball camp on one of two of the state’s largest college campuses.
Students statewide are encouraged to apply for one of 50 all-expenses-paid scholarships to attend the Carolina Basketball Camp at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill June 25-28 and the Wolfpack Women’s
Basketball Academy at North Carolina State University in Raleigh June 15-18.
The overnight camps are held in the summer, and campers work closely with coaches and players to develop fundamental skills, helping them perform and excel both on and off the court.
Campers must:
X Be a rising sixth or seventh grader. This means the student should currently be in fifth or sixth grade.
X Attend a school in the Cooperative service area.
X Have permission from a parent or guardian to attend. An information sheet must be signed.
2025 Annual Meeting
As a member of South River EMC, you will be able to register for the Annual Meeting with our member service reps. or via an online form beginning April 21 at 8 a.m. You must be registered by the beginning of the meeting on Thursday, April 24, at 6 p.m.
X Provide their own transportation to and from camp.
Winners will attend the camps courtesy of South River EMC. The Cooperative funds one scholarship to each camp.
Applications are scored on academics, extracurricular activities and an essay that must accompany the application.
The application period runs from Jan. 2 to March 31. Eligible students interested in the scholarship can contact the Cooperative at 910.892.8071 or visit sremc.com/ basketball-camps
Be Ready for Storm Season
Preparedness is the best defense
Spring is on our doorstep and like many of you, we're looking forward to more opportunities to be outdoors and enjoy warmer weather.
Springtime brings many of our favorite activities like cooking out with family and friends, working in the garden and simply slowing down a bit to enjoy life.
Unfortunately, spring and summer can also create the perfect conditions for severe storms.
South River EMC crews are always prepared and
standing by to respond should power outages occur in our area. When severe storms cause power disruptions, our line crews take all necessary precautions before they get to work on any downed lines.
We encourage you to practice safety and preparedness
to protect your family during storms and outages.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends the items below as a starting point for storm and disaster preparedness, but you can visit ready.gov for additional resources.
Staying In The Know
Communication styles might change and we retire old email addresses for new, maybe you decided to get rid of that landline.
Whatever the case, if there has been a change to any of the contact information you have provided to South River EMC in particular, we encourage you to let us know!
You can call and update information or complete the update information form on sremc.com
Why should you update your information? Because we want to keep you as informed as you want.
For example, if we are doing work in your area that may impact electric service, we attempt to notify you, even if it is just to leave a message. If we don’t have a current number on file, you cannot be notified and therefore prepared.
Also, in the case of the Annual Meeting, your phone number or email address is used for contact to attend the annual meeting.
• Stock your pantry with a three-day supply of non-perishable food, including canned goods, energy bars, peanut butter, powdered milk, instant coffee, water and other essentials.
continued on page E
• Confirm that you have adequate sanitation and hygiene supplies including towelettes, soap and hand sanitizer.
• Ensure your First Aid kit is stocked with pain relievers, bandages and other medical essentials, and make sure prescriptions are current.
• Set aside basic household items you will need, including flashlights, batteries, a manual can opener and portable, battery-powered radio or TV.
• Organize emergency supplies so they are easily accessible in one location.
In the event of a prolonged power outage, turn off major appliances, TVs, computers and other sensitive electronics. This
will help avert damage from potential power surges and will also help prevent overloading circuits during power restoration. That said, do leave one light on so you will know when power is restored. If you plan to use a portable generator, make sure it’s rated to handle the amount of power you need, and always review manufacturer’s instructions to operate it safely.
Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for storm and emergency information, and check our social media pages and web site for updates.
Severe storms can occasionally bring down power lines. If you see a downed line, always assume it’s energized and never
approach it. If flooding occurs, never walk through areas where power lines could be submerged.
Advance planning for severe storms or other emergencies can reduce stress and anxiety caused by the weather event and lessen the impact of the storm’s effects.
Sign up for NOAA emergency alerts and warnings and follow us for information. If you experience an outage, please don’t report it on Facebook. Call 910.892.8071, report via your South River EMC app, or text #out to 888.338.5530.
We can never predict Mother Nature’s plans. At South River EMC, we recommend that you make a plan today, because storm preparedness is always the best defense.
Congratulations To Those Students With A's!
Many students have been working hard to maintain their grades over the first semester.
South River EMC's "Give Us An A" program awarded 15 students for achieving at least one A in the recent grading period.
They must submit a copy of that report card with either their parent's or their, South River EMC account number, mailing address and daytime telephone number.
Congratulations to the following students:
Marlon Guerrier
Cumberland International Early College High School
Garrett Barefoot Meadow School
Tamir McDougald Alderman Road Elementary
Jaysin Coptsias Mac Williams Middle
Annabelle Hall Stedman Elementary
Landon Foley
Freedom Christian Academy
Claire Joyce St. Ann Catholic School
Richardo Centeno-Trochez Sampson Middle
Kaylen Sykes Pine Forest High
Marcus Potts Alderman Road Elementary
Abigail Ridgell Cross Creek Early College
Perry Honeycutt Midway Elementary
Michael Belprez Northwood Temple Academy
Nevaeh Douglas Pine Forest High
Amber Olson East Carolina University
Drawings are held for Give Us An A in February and July, so check back for the next drawing.
The High Efficiency Home
The high efficiency residential option, or HERO, home is a home built 30 percent more efficient than homes built to code.
With slightly better insulation, fenestration, air sealing, equipment, and lighting packages to
deliver such savings, South River EMC offers several rebates. There are two ways to receive HERO home certification, a straightforward, but inflexible approach, or a more flexible, but still pretty detailed approach.
To learn more about the HERO home option, visit energycodes. gov. To learn more about the rebates offered by South River EMC, visit sremc.com/ hero-program
It's Important To Have An Efficient HVAC System
We are in a time of changing temperatures, from freezing, to sunny and 75 degrees.
Because of that, it's a great time to get your heating and cooling unit serviced, or maybe even replaced.
By replacing your current heating and cooling system with a higher rated seasonal energy efficiency ratio, or SEER rating, you could save.
SEER measures the cooling efficiency of the unit, and the
Perfect Time To Weatherize
It's the time for improvement, weatherizing and insulating can make a difference in the comfort of your home, as well as the cost of heating and cooling your home. Now, not everyone is able to handle all the work of weatherizing a home, be it for budgetary or physical reasons. That’s where
Community Action can help.
In having Community Action perform the weatherization package, you could make your home more comfortable, use a little less energy, and be eligible for a rebate.
With half of your energy costs going to heating and cooling the
higher the SEER, the more efficient the system.
If you're considering a new unit, check out South River EMC's rebates at sremc.com/ energy-star-heating-cooling
weatherization package is for making single family or manufactured low-income homes comfortable.
For details on the rebate visit sremc.com/weatherization
Is It Time For An Efficient Upgrade?
If you have a pool pump, it might be time to evaluate it. How old is the pump, and what type of pump is it?
If it is a single-speed pump, it might be time to replace it. Single-speed pumps have one setting, typically the highest, to perform all tasks. In most cases,
these higher settings are not appropriate for all tasks pumps are responsible for doing.
Too much water and too high a speed can make the pump inefficient and costs more to run overall.
When it comes to replacing, do so with a variable or two-speed
Heating Your Water Efficiently
When selecting a new water heater for your home, choose a system that provides enough hot water for your family, but does so efficiently.
First is the conventional storage water heater, which offers a storage tank of hot water for everyday use. However, it heats that water throughout the day, at times when it may not be needed right away.
Tankless or demand-type water heaters heat water directly without the use of a storage tank. This type of water heater is great for gas water heating, but can be a high energy user for electric.
Heat pump water heaters move heat from one place to another instead of generating it directly for providing hot water, making it more efficient.
pump. With the ability to set specific water and energy use levels, they are much more efficient, as well as being eligible for a rebate.
For information on the rebate offered by South River EMC, visit sremc.com/pool-pumps
ENERGY SMARTS
Solar water heaters use the sun's heat to provide hot water and also save money on energy bills.
There are many types and brands of water heaters, find the one that works best for your home.
For rebate information visit sremc.com/energy-efficientwater-heating
Need To Replace Windows?
There are roughly 10 signs that your windows might need to be replaced.
Increased Energy Bills
Noticed a spike in your energy bills? If so, your windows could be part of the reason. Older or poorly insulated windows allow heat to escape in the winter and cool air to leak out in the summer, forcing your HVAC system to work harder, increasing energy costs.
Difficulty Opening and Closing
Windows should open and close with ease, so if you’re struggling with windows that stick or refuse to open smoothly, this is a sign. Stiff or sticky windows often result from warped frames, balance issues, or even the accumulation of dirt and debris over time.
Noticeable Drafts
Feeling drafts around your windows, even with them tightly closed? This is a sign of seal failure, which leads to uneven indoor temperatures and discomfort in your home. Drafty windows compromise efficiency, making it harder to maintain a consistent temperature and can cause your HVAC system to wear out faster.
Condensation Between Panes
Condensation or fogging between windowpanes indicates a failed seal, allowing moisture to get trapped inside. This not only
reduces clarity but also impacts insulation, leading to higher energy costs. It may also signal that your windows are no longer effectively regulating temperature, causing drafts or cold spots in your home.
Visible Damage
Cracked glass, decaying window frames, and signs of warping are all major indicators that your windows are no longer in good condition. It is crucial to notice any damage to frames or glass promptly, as even small cracks can lead to increased energy costs, reduced insulation, and further deterioration if unaddressed.
Excessive Outside Noise
Are you hearing more noise from outside than usual? This could be a sign that your windows aren’t providing sufficient insulation. Windows are designed to block external noise, but over time, their soundproofing capabilities can diminish. Poor-quality or aging windows may allow traffic sounds, or other outdoor noise to seep inside.
Water Leaks During Rain
Water leaking through your windows during rainstorms is a clear sign that they no longer properly seal. This can lead to water damage, mold, and even structural issues inside your home. Moisture seeping in from poor window
seals can cause long-term problems that are costly to repair.
Faded Furniture and Floors
Noticed that your furniture or floors are fading? It could be due to UV rays penetrating your windows. Older windows often lack adequate UV protection, allowing harmful rays to damage the interior of your home over time. This can result in faded upholstery, carpets, and even hardwood floors.
Outdated Appearance
Windows plays a crucial role in the overall look of your home. If your windows are old, worn, or simply outdated, they can detract from your home’s curb appeal. Replacing them with modern replacement windows is an excellent way to elevate your home’s aesthetic and add value.
Single-Pane Windows
If your home has single-pane windows, it’s time to upgrade. Single-pane windows are far less efficient than double-pane options, which are designed to provide better insulation and reduce energy consumption.
If you find some of these problems with some of your windows, remember South River EMC offers a $200 rebate on window replacements. For details visit sremc.com/energy-starwindows.
Electronics Efficiency Fill-in-the-Blank
You can help save energy at home by using electronic devices more efficiently. Read the energy-saving tips below and fill in the blanks with the correct word that completes the efficiency tip.
Psst! Check your work in the answer key below.
1. Use a(n) with an on/off switch when powering multiple electronics to easily manage energy use.
A. power strip B. extension cord C. remote control
2. For devices that require use rechargeable ones, which are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
A. power cords B. lights C. batteries
3. Unplug electronic devices that consume energy even when they’re not in use, like .
A. lamps B. ceiling fans C. phone chargers
4. Use the sleep or power management mode on your to save on energy costs.
A. computer B. refrigerator C. oven
Navigating Nature’s Highways
Seeing
the world on monarchs’ wings
By Rue Reynold
With wings as vivid as a sunset, a creature glides effortlessly over golden fields and green meadows. The warm air lifts it higher, guiding its travel across vast landscapes. Below, wildflowers sway, offering sweet nectar and soft petals as a resting place during its journey. Though delicate in appearance, the monarch butterfly is a traveler of incredible endurance, embodying transformation, perseverance and the interconnectedness of nature.
A lifelong voyage
The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is one of North America’s most recognized and admired insects. Its bright orange wings — lined with black veins and white spots — serve as both a striking display of beauty and a warning to predators that it is toxic. But what makes monarchs truly remarkable is their annual migration: a journey spanning thousands of miles, completed over multiple generations. Each year, the first three generations of monarchs live only four to six weeks, continuing the northward journey from Mexico to southern Canada or northern America. The fourth generation is known as the “super generation” and lives up to eight months, long enough to make the incredible return flight to the
forests of central Mexico where the cycle begins again.
From meadows to mountains Monarch butterflies thrive in open fields, meadows and gardens where milkweed grows. It is their sole egg-laying site and the only food source for their caterpillars. After metamorphosis inside a chrysalis, adult butterflies emerge, ready to travel.
In the fall, millions of monarchs travel south to seek refuge in the oyamel fir forests of central Mexico. They cluster together in massive numbers, creating breathtaking displays of orange and black. As spring arrives, they begin their journey north, stopping to lay eggs along the way so the next generations can continue the migration.
Despite their resilience, monarch populations are in decline due to habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use. Conservation efforts, such as North Carolina Wildlife Federation’s Butterfly Highway (see page 4) and habitat restoration programs by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, aim to provide safe spaces for monarchs by planting milkweed and protecting overwintering sites. These initiatives help ensure that future generations of monarchs can complete their epic journey.
Monarch Butterfly Facts
1. Monarchs migrate up to 3,000 miles each year.
2. No single monarch completes the journey — each generation instinctively continues where the last left off.
3. Monarchs navigate using the sun as a compass, even on cloudy days.
4. Feeding on milkweed makes monarch butterflies toxic to predators.
5. Help monarchs by planting native milkweed, but avoid invasive tropical varieties!
Folklore and mythology
Butterflies worldwide have long been the symbols of rebirth, change and metamorphosis. However, in Mexico, monarchs arrive just in time for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), bringing both beauty and comfort because they are believed to carry the spirits of loved ones returning home.
More than just a butterfly, the monarch represents endurance and the deep connections between nature and culture. By protecting their habitats, we ensure these winged wonders continue to grace our skies for generations to come. To learn more about monarch butterflies, visit ncwf.org/blog/monarch
Rue Reynold is the editorial assistant for Carolina Country magazine.
Better Winter Wardrobe Options for Your Home
Stay warm with more than just socks
By Jonathan Susser
A:Q:I experienced some less-than-pleasant conditions at home this winter, including cold floors and dry air. Any suggestions for addressing them? Could they indicate larger problems?
Simple solutions certainly exist for these common winter occurrences: slippers or socks for cold floors and humidifiers for dry air. But these steps (no pun intended) only mask the symptoms and don’t tackle their root cause. Humidifiers can even introduce problems of their own, as too much moisture can attract pests and lead to condensation, staining and unwelcome microbial growth.
The culprit behind your discomfort is likely air leakage. Air leaks allow warm air from your home to escape, and they bring in drier, cold air from outside. Gaps and cracks in your floors or ceilings (e.g., from wiring, plumbing, an attic access, HVAC vents), drafty windows or doors, and leaky ductwork can all contribute.
Therefore, a more durable, long-term approach would be to manage these air leaks and keep heated air inside and cold air out. Here are specific areas to assess.
Ducts and vents
Have your ductwork checked for proper or airtight connections and any holes, damage, obstructions or disconnections. Ideally, all parts of your ductwork are leak-free, like your plumbing pipes, but a typical house loses around 20% to 30% of the air that travels through its ducts because of the above complications, according to EnergyStar®
If you notice air not coming from a particular supply register (make sure all of these are clean and unblocked), it could indicate an issue with that duct (or maybe you’ll find a long-lost toy). A home energy or heating and cooling contractor can work to seal your ducts, though it is also a task you may be able to do yourself.
In addition to checking for gaps in your ductwork, see if the insulation (either inside or outside) is still present. If it’s not, consider patching holes and fastening in place to help maximize the efficiency of your heating system.
Around the attic
Another valuable area to examine for unintended openings is between your attic and living space. You may have to maneuver around insulation in your attic to locate holes, though dirty insulation may signal that one is close by. Everything that comes through the ceiling (e.g., wiring, plumbing, venting, piping and ducting) is likely to have a gap, crack or hole around it that lets warm, comfortable air pass through. Holes above cabinets or around showers may be easier to spot.
After air sealing, go back and make sure the insulation is consistent throughout the space, including the attic access door. Aim for at least 13 inches of insulation everywhere. At this point, adding blown-in insulation will be more effective than using batts.
Floors
The suggestions for above your living space (attic) apply to below it as well. Floors in existing homes are traditionally insulated with fiberglass batts between the floor joists. In addition to air sealing caps, cracks and holes in this area, fixing insulation that has fallen to gravity and gone missing can improve the effectiveness of your floor’s thermal blanket.
If your comfort problems persist, you could consider closing your crawlspace with insulation attached to the foundation walls. This is a major undertaking and entails much more than just shutting your crawlspace vents, but it can greatly enhance your living environment.
The ideas discussed in this article should help in any and all parts of your home. Along with improving your comfort, they’ll likely save you in energy and pest management, too.
Jonathan Susser is a content developer for Advanced Energy in Raleigh.
WHY DO YOU LOVE
THE
NC MOUNTAINS?
There’s something about the mountains of Western North Carolina — be it the unending layers of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the mysteries of shaded hollers or the warmth of WNC towns— that cause folks to wax poetic. As the region continues to recover from the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Helene, we asked readers to reflect on why we love the mountains.
Resilience and Selflessness
The love of a place, of a specific region, becomes indelible when a connection is forged in childhood. From my earliest memories, the NC mountains have been an almost magical refuge. Feeling the piercing cold around my little girl ankles and bare feet in a clear spring-fed stream, I peer under stones to discover quiet friends — salamanders, crawdads, snails. My hand reaches to press on a bed of green moss, soft and firm, found on the overhanging rock. Breathing in the smell of wet leaves, I look up at the hills surrounding me and have the sensation of being enveloped in a warm and safe paternal hug. As a child, this is what I experienced — this physical grounding created a core understanding that we are part of this beautiful world, that we belong.
As an adult, the connection to the land and people of Western NC remains. After my family emerged from an
inner room of our Piedmont home where, sheltering from the storm on the last Friday in September 2024, we gradually realized our communication with loved ones in the mountains was disrupted. Images then began filtering through our computer screens of unimaginable destruction. The safe feeling I had always experienced in the valleys of our beautiful mountains was shattered. Through the heartbreak, my love grew as I saw the good people of Western NC and surrounding areas band together to help one another, mourn loss, and start the work of healing and repair. We experienced how love for place, love for the NC mountains, can allow service to rise over despair. This resilience and selflessness of the mountain community and friends, this of all things is the reason I love the NC mountains.
Jessica M. Benton Lobdell, Hillsborough A member of Piedmont Electric Cooperative
Photo by Barbara Gomez, Riverview, Fla. A member of Haywood EMC
Respite From Our Worries
In just a two-hour ride, I can escape the familiar.
The NC mountains have been a gift to me from an early age. My first recollections of sleeping in a tent, eating dinner over a campfire, and singing under the stars were from summer camp and later as a camp counselor. From that time until now, I have run to the hills for recreation, restoration and reassurance.
While at UNC-Greensboro, I grew deep friendships on mountain retreats. Since then, I’ve witnessed the exchange of vows in this breathtaking setting, lounged on cabin vacations, and made memories at the Biltmore Estate with family home for the holidays, and out-of-town guests.
Each of us needs a respite from our weights and worries. That’s why I love a winding road trip to the NC mountains. There, I can reflect and regain a sense of the bigness of the world and all it has to offer while healing under the safe covering of fragrant evergreens and starlit heavens. Each visit to the NC mountains leaves me stronger, which explains so much about the determined, resilient people who call them home.
Catherine Plough, Monroe A member of Union Power Cooperative
Rocky Mountain Transplant I grew up in Denver, Colorado, in the shadow of the rugged Rocky Mountains.
When I first moved to Athens, Georgia, a friend asked me if I wanted to go to the mountains. I was unaware there were mountains near Athens.
As we drove into the Blue Ridge Mountains, I actually chuckled and told him that those were not mountains. Where was the timberline?
We became hiking partners and best friends and spent almost every weekend over 20 years hiking all over these beautiful mountains. I have found these mountains to be so friendly, green and welcoming. I especially love that in the winter, the tops of the mountains have bare trees that look like long eyelashes — so much more lovely than the rocky crags out west.
Sadly, my friend is gone now, but upon retirement I packed up and moved here to live in paradise.
Diane
Winstanley, Hayesville
A member of Blue Ridge Mountain EMC
JUNE’S QUESTION: What’s the
sports moment ever?
Whether it was a big game you were in, or one you watched, we want to hear about it! Tall tales excepted.
Submit your answer (up to 300 words) for a chance to be in an upcoming issue. We retain reprint rights, and we’ll pay $50 for those we publish in the print version of the magazine.
Deadline: April 15
Online: carolinacountry.com/voices Mail:
Carolina Country —Carolina Voices 3400 Sumner Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27616
SAVOR THE SEASONS in
Spring Garden Shows Bloom in North Carolina
By Tara Verna
North Carolina’s colder-than-normal winter included a January storm that swept freezing temperatures and snow into our region. So it stands to reason that residents may be more than a little eager to take part in an upcoming spring home and garden show. Here’s a sampling from across the state.
Mountains Garden Jubilee
May 24–25, Hendersonville bit.ly/hgj2025
Garden Jubilee, one of the largest gardening shows in Western North Carolina, offers nearly 200 plant and craft vendors, transforming Hendersonville’s historic downtown into a garden wonderland for an estimated 200,000 attendees.
Local and regional nurseries, orchards and crafters will offer a wide variety of plants and handmade delights, and gardening experts will be on hand to share the latest gardening tips and techniques.
Others Garden Shows of Note
Growing in the Mountains
Spring Plant Sale
May 2–4, Asheville
bit.ly/gitm2025
Official Fairgrounds Southern
Ideal Home Show
April 11–13 | Sept. 12–14, Raleigh
Cost: $12
bit.ly/raleigh-ihs
Azalea Garden Tour
April 4–6, Wilmington
Cost: $50
bit.ly/AGTWilmington
Piedmont
Hillsborough Garden Tour
May 3, Hillsborough Cost: $40 in advance bit.ly/hgc2025
The Hillsborough Garden Club celebrates “100 Years of Gardening Together” on its 2025 garden tour which meanders through 10 cultivated private gardens as well as 3 public ones. A few of the highlights include:
n An undeveloped lot turned into a certified wildlife habitat;
n A serene garden of deer-resistant, shade-loving plants and a canopy of mature pines and magnolia trees;
n A four-acre woodland preserve with nearly a dozen garden rooms including a permaculture ecosystem that provides edibles and medicinal plants; and
n The public NC Botanical Garden’s Wonder Garden, where children can build with natural blocks, dig in the dirt and write notes to the fairies.
Coast
Coastal Home and Garden Show
March 1–2, Morehead City Cost: $5 bit.ly/fb-coastal2025
This is one of the larger shows around with 12,000-square-feet of exhibits, so if you’re looking for inspiration, you should be able to find it here. Pick up ideas for outdoor living, gardening and landscaping, sunrooms and yard décor, even new ways to eliminate pests. Plus, you can pick up swimming pool or hot tub tips, the latest in yard tools and equipment, hardscape and landscape ideas with custom built outdoor kitchens and grills and the newest in renovation ideas and supplies.
Remodeling? Professionals will be on hand to share the latest trends in color and style designs. Redesign your bathroom, kitchen or turn your backyard into a tropical oasis.
Tara Verna is the creative services associate for Carolina Country.
Home featured in the Hillsborough Garden Tour
Catawba rhododendron
Butterfly weed attracts monarch butterflies.
Tammy Dorfman
Daylilies, Decoded
Delight in the details of container labels
Story and photos by L.A. Jackson
“Pretty” is the defining factor many gardeners rely on when it comes to buying daylilies. But beyond this desirable quality, much like the shadows and whispers lurking in an irresistible mystery novel, there are strange codes often found on container labels and online descriptions that, to the knowing, can help determine what makes a pretty daylily perfect for a particular garden scheme. Here’s how to crack the code and shop like a pro:
EE — Extra Early A bloom period indicator, EE defines daylilies that are the first to flower in the spring. This eager starter is followed by E (Early), EM (Early Midseason), M (Midseason), LM (Late Midseason), L (Late) and VL (Very Late) daylilies. Obviously, selecting a wide range of these time travelers can extend the pleasure of a daylily garden for months.
RE — Rebloom. Such daylilies have a fabulous first flush of flowers, and then do it again with a second or continuing show. For the best displays, they need a little help in the form of deadheading, additional fertilizer and regular waterings when the rains don’t come.
EV — Evergreen. These daylilies remain stubbornly in foliage through typical North Carolina winters. One step down, an SEV selection is semi-evergreen, meaning it might retain its leaves in a mild winter but probably won’t if temperatures turn abominably cold. And no matter what the winter is like, a DOR (Dormant) daylily will lose its foliage after the first autumn frosts. It is a good idea to mark the locations of SEV and DOR daylilies before the growing season winds down so they won’t be dug up during the planting frenzy to come the following spring.
FR — Fragrant. Some daylilies are sweetly scented in perfumed pleasures that can range from a slightest of slight lovely smells to obvious olfactory awakenings. Daylilies that are deemed to be intensely aromatic are occasionally tagged VFR — (Very Fragrant).
TET — Tetraploid. There are two types of daylilies, tetraploids and diploids (DIP), with tetraploids having twice the sets of chromosomes
versus diploids. Without wading deep into DNA gobbledygook, TET cultivars tend to have larger flowers with brighter colors supported on stronger stems. This doesn’t mean diploids are visual wimps: among their ranks are some of the prettiest pinks, as well as many of the more popular spider and double-flowered daylilies.
L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener Magazine. Contact L.A. at lajackson1@gmail.com.,
L.A.’s website of the month: The Living Seed Company (livingseedcompany.com), a family-run, e-garden store in Weaverville with a wide variety of open-pollinated organic and heirloom seeds for vegetable and ornamental gardeners.
Garden To-Do’s for March
Night-blooming daylilies? You bet. They even have their own special codes! NOC is for Nocturnal daylilies, a delightfully strange group that blooms late in the day and persists through the night. Some Nocturnal daylilies flaunt their flowers well into the new dawn, meaning they remain enjoyable sights to see as you stroll in the garden with your morning coffee. Extended (EXT) represents a large group that opens like regular daylilies — in the morning — but stay in bloom for 16 hours or more, way past normal daylilies’ bedtime at sunset.
□ If you are anxious to get your spring veggie patch growing, this month is a good time to plant asparagus, carrots, cabbage, Swiss chard, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, potatoes, turnips, spinach, rutabagas and/or radishes in gardens across the state.
□ For dependable, extended service, change the oil in your lawn mower about every two years. It’s an easy chore, but if you aren’t mechanically inclined, your local, friendly small engine repair shop can do the deed.
Smart homeowners around the world have scrapped their old furnaces and air conditioners and replaced them with a WaterFurnace geothermal comfort system. That’s because geothermal comfort systems use the free, renewable energy found in your own backyard to save up to 70% on heating, cooling and hot water. You won’t need that old inefficient furnace or that unsightly outdoor air conditioner because a WaterFurnace system provides complete comfort for your home with a single unit. And because the system doesn’t burn fossil fuels, there are no fumes or carbon monoxide concerns. Make the smart switch to geothermal. Contact your local WaterFurnace dealer today to learn more.
Patient-Pleasing Meatloaf
With ‘Dang Good’ sauce
This may be the best meatloaf you’ve ever had! Found in a recipe box decades ago when I was managing a hospital kitchen, it was always a patient and staff favorite. If you like a little “crust” on your meatloaf, ditch the loaf pan for as much surface area as possible.
2 pounds meatloaf mix (or 80/20 ground beef)
1½ cups breadcrumbs*
1 large onion, finely chopped
¾ cup ketchup
2 eggs
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
4 tablespoons water
1 can (15-ounce) tomato sauce
1 sauce can of water
¼ cup yellow mustard
3 tablespoons each brown sugar and molasses
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
Combine all meatloaf ingredients in a bowl (meat through salt) and mix well. Place into an oiled baking dish and form into a loaf, making indentions to puddle sauce. Combine baking soda and water and brush loaf to make it extra crusty. Let stand 20 minutes before baking.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine sauce ingredients (tomato sauce through vinegar) and lightly drizzle most of the sauce over the loaf, enough to pool around it. Reduce remainder on a low simmer as extra for cooked loaf.
Bake 40–50 minutes until the interior reaches 165 degrees. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serve with reduced sauce.
*Crumb options: cracker or stale breadcrumbs, panko, packaged stuffing mix or crushed pork rind
Yield: 6 servings
From Your Kitchen
Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup
Upon arrival in America, Irish immigrants found corned beef a reliable substitute for the salted pork they were accustomed to. Cabbage made for an affordable accompaniment. Here’s a fun twist on these Irish-American staples. Serve with cornbread if you like.
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups beef (or chicken) broth
2 cans (12-ounce) corned beef, chopped
3 medium potatoes, cubed
2 cups cabbage, chopped
¼ teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces pasta, such as macaroni
1 can (16-ounce) diced tomatoes Salt to taste
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped, optional
Heat oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots and celery. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring.
Add garlic and cook until fragrant, stirring frequently (about 30 seconds).
Pour broth into the pot and add corned beef, potatoes, cabbage and pepper.
Submit your recipe online at: carolinacountry.com/myrecipe. Contributors whose recipes are published will receive $25.
This cheesy side pairs with just about anything. Serve it with a simple supper, or let it hold its own with more elaborate meals, too.
1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets 4–6 cloves garlic
Olive or avocado oil
Salt and pepper
1 carton/can (16-ounce) half-and-half or evaporated milk
2 cups Swiss cheese, grated
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 cup canned fried onions
Paprika, optional
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss florets and garlic with oil. Spread onto sheet pan. Dust with salt and pepper. Roast for 30 minutes, turning once, until slightly fork-tender. Remove and put into a sprayed baking dish. Mash garlic cloves with a fork. Reduce oven heat to 350 degrees.
Heat cream or milk with mashed garlic in a saucepan until it just starts to boil. Remove from heat and add cheese, butter and mustard, stirring until the cheese melts. Add salt and pepper if needed.
Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower.
Bake about 20–25 minutes until bubbly. Scatter with the fried onions and bake 5–7 minutes more until browned. Serve immediately while warm.
Yield: 6 servings
Cook until potatoes are not quite done. Add noodles and tomatoes. Cook until noodles are done. Add more broth if a thinner soup is desired. Salt to taste and sprinkle parsley on top.
Yield: 6 servings
Recipe courtesy of Nina Dunnavant of Bonlee, a member of Central EMC
Cauliflower au Gratin With crispy onion topping
March Events
MARCH 1–2
Camellia Show
Competition, exhibits, demonstrations, Q&A Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Fayetteville, 910-308-7478
JAN. 19–MARCH. 16
Dome Sweet Home
Luxury domes open to public Stock + Grain Assembly, High Point 336-884-7862
FEB. 27–MARCH 1
Carolina Jazz Festival
Various locations, Chapel Hill 919-962-1039
MARCH 1–2
Sky Valley Zip Tour
Sky Valley Zip Tours, Blowing Rock 828-264-0002
Mardi Gras on Middle Lane Downtown, Beaufort 252-528-8640
Winter Reds
Red wine tastings
Participating wineries, Yadkin County 336-679-2200
St. Patrick’s Day Festival Emerald Plantation Shopping Center, Emerald Island 252-354-3424
MARCH 23
Duo Baldo
Musical comedy team Old Theater, Oriental 252-617-2125
MARCH 29
Spring Festival Downtown, Vass 910-245-4677
MARCH 29
No Man’s Land Film Fest
All-women adventure film festival The Appalachian Theatre, Boone 828-865-3000
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 March 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 May 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 January “Where Is This” photo by Hunter Villano features the iconic Dairy Queen (DQ), built in 1947 on Wilkinson Boulevard in Charlotte. Readers recognized the ice cream shop as a favorite from childhood, high school dating and into adulthood. Some noted that the art deco-laden DQ is the oldest in the state and the third oldest in the Southeast. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from Julie King of Rich Square.
Local Power, Lasting Promise
A promise between neighbors still means something.
It means being there in storms and sunshine, lending a hand when it’s needed most. It means supporting the community and local people — from students to teachers to business owners.
It means providing reliable, affordable power, now and for generations to come. That’s our promise to you.
