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CAROLINA COUNTRY(ISSN 0008-6746)Read monthly in morethan 366,000 homesF MemberAudit Bureau of CirculationsVolume 29. No. 8, August 1997Carolina Country is published by the North Carolina Association of ElectricCooperatives, Inc, Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh, N.C., and additional mailingoffices. Editorial offices: 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh. N.C. 27616. Phone: (800 6628835, ext. 3110. Carolina Country is a registered trademark of the North CarolinaAssociation of Electric Cooperatives, Inc.Postmaster: Send form 3579 to P.O. Box 27306, Raleigh, N.C. 27611.Individual subscriptions, S8 per year.To change address, send magazine mailing label to your electric cooperative.Official Publication ofNorth Carolina's Electric Cooperatives(800) 662-8835North Carolina's electric cooperatives provide reliable, safe and affordableelectric service to 700,000 homes, farms and businesses in North Carolina.The 28 electric cooperatives are each member-owned, not-for-profit andoverseen by a board of directors elected by the membership.EditorMichael E.C. Gery, ext. 3062Assistant EditorKim Whorton, exl. 3134Graphic Designer/ArtistLeisha R. Letterman, ext. 3090Contributing EditorOwen Bishop, ext. 3034Printed on recycled paper jOpfimTED’wiTH' ISOYINKAdvertising published in Carolina Country is accepted on the premise that the merchandiseand services offered are accurately described and willingly sold to customers at the adver tised price. The magazine. North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives, Inc., and themember cooperatives do not necessarily endorse the products or services advertised.Advertising that does not conform to these standards or that is deceptive or misleading isnever knowingly accepted. Should you encounter advertising that does not comply with thesestandards, please inform Carolina Country at P.O. Box 27306, Raleigh, NC 27611. (9191 713-1310.Carolina Country is available on cassette tape as a courtesy of volunteer services at theN.C. Department of Cultural Resources, Library for the Blind and PhysicallyHandicapped. Raleigh, N.C. 800) 662-7726.Editorial InternCarol Clayton, ext. 3178Subscriptionslenny Lloyd, ext. 3091Business/Advertising ManagerMonica Russell, ext. 3110Advertising Saleslennifer Boedart Hoey, ext. 3077Do you receive Carolina Country? Has your address changed?Carolina Country magazine is available monthly to members of North Carolina'selectric cooperatives. If you are a member of one of these cooperatives but donot receive Carolina Country, you may request a subscription by calling MemberServices at the office of your cooperative. If your address has changed, pleaseinform your cooperative.“I have major back problems, and have truall types of mattresses, including the mostexpensive ivaterbed. Select Comfort gave n.the best night’s sleep I have bad in yea,—James C., Moss Point, 1SELECT COMFORT' sleepsystems comfortably contourto your body, properly supportck andancl spyour backspine, andreduce pressure points.“After three hacksurgeries.] thought Iwould uerer again have a goodnight's sleep. Thanks to Select Comfort.I can now look forward to going to bed.’’PatentedAir ChamberDesign!Metal coil mattress can create uncomfort, ipressure points amprovide unevensupport over timeFor a FREE VIDEO and Brochure, call n v,,1-800-831-1211Why Back Pain Sufferers r-—.Sleep Better On Air!—Dcii'id1). I.ucasi'Hle. OH\es!Please rush me a FREEVideo and Brochure.m}The SELECT COMFORTsleep system. It’s notjust a better mattress,blit a better way tosleep. Even back painsnflerers can sleepmore comfortably!The .Mattress with TasyPush Button Pirniness Control!4 Carolina Country Sepiember\991The Select Comlbn Sleep System doesn’trely on springs or w;iter, but on a cushionof air. Air gently contours to your body’sshtipe, and tests show it helps properl}'support t'oiir back and spine.t.'\tidressStare-dty/.ip. PhonE TRY IT FOR 90 MGHTS!We re so sure you’ll sleep better on air,you can take up to three months todecide, or your monc}' back. You’ve gotto sleep on it to believe it!SELECT COMFORI’Mail to: Select Comfort Direct Corporati61 OS 'JVciirt n l.anc Nt rrh. Minneapolis, MN SS'j

rOURNO THFSM GOOD 0 ' SOYSfAND CiRl}.„. YOU%l WANT TNIS VIDFOiANDirs YOUAS FOR JUSTplus shipping and handling.THM FIRST S-SP/SODS IDFO RISR-FRFM,Your first video includes One Armed Banditsand Repo Man.Keep it forever for just 4.95 (plu.s shippingand handling).Future videos in series sent every 4-6 weeks.Examine each video risk-free for 10 days.Mail To:SBND THtSCOUPONTODAY!rC-tV All videos are commercial-free. Keep only the 2-e]’)isode t ideosyou want for just 9.98 an episode(plus shipping and liandling). No minimum purchase reciuirement, no riskcancel anv time.video librar)'. Dept. 9WD, P.O. Box 1112.Terre Haute. IN 4'’811Visit us on t)ic web at h(tp:/Avww.colunibia housc.com Send me the first 2-episodc videocussellc lor ju.st h.95 plusTHE DliKES OF HAZZARD: The Collector's Editiou.shippini’ and handling aiui enter my suhscriplion H)Also, send me future 2-episode videocassettes in the scries for just S19 9S jilusS3-T9 shipping anti handling under the terms described in this announcement. If I do not clioose to keep my introducutry shipment. I willreturn it within 10 days for a full refund or lor credit to my charge account with no further obligation. Available on N ILS only,DEPT. 9 S'DCheck method of payment:ul My check is enclosed for 1.9S plus 3- 9 shipping and handling (total is H.S i) plus applicable sales tax made payable to(Columbia House Video Librar).Or, forsouped-upservice,use yourcredit cardand call,toll-free:1-800538-7766,Dept.9WDf\\ f Hill me later.IA\, Z] (Charge this and any future series purchases to m) credit card:I—IAMEXUVISA'-JMasteK'ard Diners (dub Discover1W HL.\C - Date;Acet. No;/. Phone No,: (Signature:J Mr.J Mrs,J MissAge(sH)Name (Please iVint)Apt No.\ddres/ipCilvNOTE All applications are subject to review. Columbia House reserves the right to request additional information, to reject any application, or to cancel anymembership Canadian residents will be serviced from Toronto: offer may vary,APPLICABLE SALES TAX ADDED TO ALL ORDERS. 1979 through 1985 Warner Bros. Inc. All Rights Reserved.The re-tv name and logo are trademarks of The Columbia House Company. 1997, The Columbia House Company

CommentaryMail;Phone:RO, Box 27306Fax:Raleigh, NC 27611E-mail:(919) 878-3970Carolina,country@ncemcs.com(800) 662-8835, ext. 3062Website:www.ncemcs.comThe core values of small communitiesby Travis Dflv/sWe keep hearing that Northcan find someone who needs a ride there or can offer toCarolina is growing, and I knowdrive. While this familiarity is the best thing in the worldit’s true. Our population is risingwhen you need a lift or a shoulder to cry on, it sometimesin many areas of the state, andgrows into disagreement. But in a small town or rural county,overall our economy is strong.you sooner or later settle that disagreement face to face,North Carolina is a good place toand everyone involved ends up stronger because of it.raise a family, attend school andThat’s why it’s called a tight-knit community.do business.But ours is still a rural state.Small towns, farms and openlust because many of us have faith in small town val ues, however, does not mean we reject the idea of growth.In fact, we are among the first to speak out in favor of eco country define almost all of east nomic justice for all, fair treatment from government andern and western North Carolina. Most of us need a car orbusiness, and real progress in education. Rural areas tootruck to get from home to work. Many of us travel long dis often are neglected when it comes to sharing the wealth,tances every day. And when we need to go to a city - forbecause our numbers appear small. But when you consid business, research, major health care, or for special shop er everything, you must realize that rural places benefitping and events - it’s usually a big deal.the whole state as much as city institutions benefit coun Maybe one of the reasons North Carolina is a goodtry people. As manager of a rural electric cooperative -theplace to live and work is that we hold on to our rural val smallest cooperative in the state—I can tell you that theues. How often do you hear city residents complain aboutcore of a cooperative is similar to the core of a small town.the stress of urban life? They look forward to vacations orWe understand where we came from, who all we serve,a few days when they can get away and enjoy some peaceand what we must do to keep up with the times. We help outand quiet, fresh air, pure water and maybe a slower paceone another.of conversation.We respond toThat’s how life is on Harkers Island. Small town, coun the needs oftry values formed this place, and I don’t know of manyour members.people who would want it otherwise. We welcome peopleAnd most of all,from cities who visit here and stay here, and most of themwe listen to ourcome because they like this place as it is. We all knowneighbors, andthat things change, and most of the time we have torespect them,change right along. But we’ll do our best to keep thatno matter whosmall-town core.they are.uWhat’s in that core? The main thing is an understand ing of your neighbors. You can’t help but see the samevs:people on a regular basis, even ifyou just pass one another on theroad. And eventually you begin tocare about them, ask how they’redoing, and wish them well. You findyourself working together at theschool or the church, or you readabout one another in the localpaper. When Harkers Island peopleneed to go to Raleigh, usually theyHelping out one anotheron Harkers Island.Travis Dflv/s is manager of Harkers IslandElectric Membership Corporation, serving1,200 members on Harkers Island.6 Carolina CountrySeptember] 997

How are we doing?Our Augustmature stories'Education in North Carolina:low Are We Doing?"] drew commentsli om all sides of the issue. Threeallers described the article "How STEEL BUILDINGS*DISCOVER THE ADVANTAGESOF STEElMASnR'SW%mM BElealthy Are North Carolina Schools?"s "propaganda” from the Governor’s ffice. One of those callers did notfentify himself. Another said hejould write us a letter. The third, Patuevara of Davidson County, saidanyone can use statistics to makelemselves look good."We also received the followingtters on the subject. Easy Finanting Available! 100% Open and Usable Spa e! Maintenante-free Durability Do-it-Yourself Construition1 have just finished the August'97 edition of Carolina Country andsh to express my appreciation. Theatured articles on education are theSave on Se/ecf S&es:25x36 30x48- 45x82 50x1203St i have read. I now fully understandov. im Hunt's Excellent Schools Act,e advances that North Carolina isaking in the various educationalmponents and many other phasesour state's educational efforts.]urd C. SandzeniTEElInlOSTERPROUDLY MADE IN USA & CANADAI 'lehurstYour articles on “Education in3rth Carolina” were very encouraging,jwever, there was one aspect of theiucation picture which was not mentned. Home education in Northrolina has risen dramatically during2 past decade with over 14,000me-schooling families in the stateday. Research shows that homeucated children, on average scoreor above the 80th percentile onindardizedlievement tests.idy Rogersntoninformationcorning home eduon in Northolina, contactI'j N.C. Divisionojlon-PuhlicE ication, 530htf! Cningtonsi Raleigh, NC 04-1198.If you own land, you may qualify for 100% financing. We26 floorplans priced from the 60’s that include wellallowance, backfill, fine grading, trash removal andstraw. To find out more about moving into your newone of our toll free numbers:’iCharlotte'1-100-541 91139 Greensboro-800-896-7922 “We are pledged to the letter and spirit ofU.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing op{H rymi.tyWe encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which ifu ’pre no housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or na'dorial orcjiuvI’o

More Power to YouConsumers can help planfuture electric co-op serviceOver the next few months, about 31,900 members of NorthCarolina's electric cooperatives will be asked to help plan thefuture of their electric service. In an increasingly competitiveleague, cooperatives must continuously sharpen their focus andimprove services in order to provide the best possible electricservice at the most economical price. As member-owners, it isnatural for co-op consumers to be involved.Most consumers (about 27,000) will receive in the mail asurvey about their household electricity usage. An additional4,900 will be called by telephone.All information will be kept confidential. The informationwill not be given to other agencies or used to sell goods andservices. Anyone who is surveyed may choose not to respond,but cooperatives encourage full responses so that futureservice decisions can be based on as much consumer helpas possible.Members who receive the four-page mail survey will begiven the name of a contact person at their electric cooperativewho can help. Completed surveys are returnable by a postagepaid envelope.Households were not chosen by name. They were chosenfrom a scientific random sample.Participation in any of the surveys this fall will help yourcooperative: Plan for an adequate power supply at thelowest possible cost. Provide the services members need and want. Forecast the need for future power supplyand facilities. Maintain financial stability.NC Care urges citizens to be“Consumers for Affordable,Reliable Electricity”With deregulation in the minds of state andfederal legislators and regulators, residential usersand small businesses must be prepared to protecttheir interests. While deregulation of utilities willprobably help large industrial customers, it couldmean confusion and cost shifting to smaller electriccustomers.NC Care (North Carolina Consumers forAffordable, Reliable Electricity) was formed recent ly to help residential and small business cus tomers educate themselves about deregulationand become involved in the decision makingNew Hampshire consumersstand by their local utilitywhen consumers in New Hampshire were offered an oppor tunity to choose their power supplier as part of a deregulationpilot program, many of them elected to make no change at all.Ignoring an avalanche of marketing come-ons from suppli ers in various states, one-third of the eligible consumers stuckwith their local utility and continued paying the usual rates.One of them was Kate Champley of Concord, N. H., whosaid her telephone "rang off the hook during dinner with callsfrom different electric suppliers trying to convince me to switchjust like long-distance companies do. I have had more thanenough of that.”The large majority who stayed with their local utility whether they shopped around for power or not - did so for onemain reason: local service.lane Harlow of Lebanon, N. H., expressed the sentiment ofmany who stood pat: "Why should I go with a new company?I’ve had good experience with my power company - they’venever failed me."8 Carolina Countryprocess. Large industries already are well organizedto promote deregulation of electric power in NorthCarolina. Although the industry groups’ request tothe state Utilities Commission to change regulationsrelating to the generation and sale of electricitywas denied on the basis of insufficient evidence ofneed or experience in other states, the discussionis far from over.NC Care was organized by Mary Horne Odomof Scotland County. She is a former state representa tive and state senator, and served on the statelegislative committee of the American Associationof Retired Persons."Our legislators have shown good sense inputting the issue of deregulation of electricity intoa study commission," she said. "Everyone will havean opportunity to examine this complex issue andmake reasonable and prudent decisions abouthow to best manage this very essential service.”Interested citizens are invited to join NC Care.Contact NC Care at Box 7, Wagram, NC 28396. Phone:(910) 369-2362. Fax: (910) 369-4702.September \997

Useful LifeExpectancyof 'Electric Appliance- in Yearsn uuDishwasherForced Air Furnace/Heat Pump23 45 6 7 8 910 II 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20How Long Things LastAre you thinking about buying anew range for your home, but it seemslike so much money to spend? Relaxand take another approach: ConsiderTRIMMER onhow long the appliance will last, whichIis 17 to 19 years. Then, take the priceand divide it by the number of yearsthe range will last (let’s say 18), Itseems like a bargain now, right?The National Association of HomeBuilders (NAHB) surveyed experts invarious fields and came up with figuresthat show, on average, how long justabout anything and everything aroundyour home should last, NAHB got infor mation from trade associations, manu facturers, installers, and repair peopleto calculate the life expectancy of(dozens of items used in a home. These experts often qualified their answers,loting variations in life expectancy due0 several factors.These factors include changingastes (did you keep your avacado-col)red range for 18 years?), proper instalation and maintenance (very imporant), changing technology (causing theonsumerto buy a new item before the'Id one is worn out), weather condilons and quality of a product.Shown above are some items thathould be of interest to member-conumers of electric co-ops. For a copy ofie report, call NAHB in Washington, C,, at (202) 822-0254,Rolls light as a feather on two BIG WHEELS! TRIMS far easier, better, more precisely than hand held trimmers. Plus, MOWS everything from wholelawns (even wet!) to tough waist-high grass andweeds with ease! Rocks, roots, stumps, etc. do it no harm becausethe “DR ” has no steel blade to bend or dull. Perfect for ALL mowing and trimmingai'ound smaller properties, vacation homes, etc.and for fmish-up mowing and trimming afterriding mowers on larger parcels. A delightfor anyone to use!Why Do ItTheHARD WAY!/\W ASo, WHYHASSLEwith hand-heldtrimmers or withsmall-wheelsTM mowers?Too.Patentedfieegl(8oo' MADEIN USAEASY Electric Starting Models YES! Please rush FREE DETAILS of the Revolutionary DR jI TRIMMER/MOWER"' including prices and specifications for'I Manual and Electric-Starting Models and ''Off-Season'' Savings!I now in effect.!I NamePlease call or mail coupon I Addressat right TODAY for FREE I City.StateZipDETAILS of the Revolutionary T): COUNTRY HOAffi PRODUCTS , Dept. 3095Meigs Road. P.O. Box 25. Vergennes. VT 05491DR TRIMMER/MOWER !.JSeptemf?er 1997 CAROLINA COUNTRV 9

Do Today’s EiEcmic Heat PumpsHeat Better Or Cool Better?Today’s high-efficiency electric heat pumps aren’t justwarmer than ever, they alsocool your home to the maxand cost less to buy andinstall. So call your coopera tive today When you learnCooperative Memberall the reasons electric heat pumps are your mostMrs. Carolyn Slack“No hot spots in summer, nocold spots in winter —just aeconomical heating and cooling choice,nice, even temperature allyear long. ”it’ll give you a nice, warm feeling insideNorth Carolina’sElectric CooperativesEnergy To Get Things Done ''Seiving 1.6 million consumers in 93 North Carolina counties.

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Six small towns share what works for themWhat’s good for Mars Hill maybe good for West JeffersonIText and photos by Elizabeth Huntern the half century that Dale Baldwin has done busi Ashe Federal Bank can convert it into its corporateness in West lefferson, he’s seen downtown revital headquarters.ization projects "get started and fizzle out." But hethinks his town is onto something different this time."I can’t put my finger on why, exactly, but so farDale Baldwin, Danna Little and Vivian ShatleyMiller are part of the self-appointed RevitalizationCommittee for West Jefferson, a mountain town ofeverything is falling into line," says Baldwin, who is aabout 1,100 people. Among other things, the commit West lefferson town councilman as well as proprietortee is interested in blending the town’s historicalof the Hallmark Shop downtown. Across Jeffersoncharacter with its contemporary business needs.Avenue from his shop is Danna Little at work in her hair“We cofTje fromtowns so snoallwe can hangocip ‘Welcome’and ‘HornyBack’ signs onthe same post’’Lee Roy Ledford,BakersvilleWhen the West Jefferson committee told Ashesalon, one of twoFederal bank officials that they wanted to give thedowntown businessestown an early 20th century look, the bank’s presidentowned by this youngand CEO Jim Todd Jiked the idea and agreed to makemother of three. Andhis headquarters the revitalization’s flagship project.then there’s Vivian"The success or failure of downtown renewal lies inShatley Miller in herhow committed we local busines

CAROLINA COUNTRY (ISSN 0008-6746) Read monthly in more than 366,000 homes . Volume 29. No. 8, August 1997 . Official Publication of North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives (800) 662-8835 . F Member . Audit Bureau of Circulations . Carolina Country is published by the North Carolina Association of Electric