For brightening my life

When I was a child in rural Bladen County, I studied and did loads of homework by the light of kerosene lamps. We heated bath water on the wood stove, and chipped ice from a block in the old ice box. A few lucky neighbors had gasoline-powered generators — the old “Delco Plant” — that provided electric lights which dimmed every few minutes when the generator started up. But Four County EMC changed all that.
Electric stoves, refrigerators and Maytag wringer-washers were luxuries we cherished. Due to heavy defense production at that time, long waiting lists existed for most all electrical appliances. Imagine the joy of an electric iron for all those starched shirt collars, the aroma of coffee from an electric percolator, and music from a radio whose batteries never died!

When I think back to the day that an unknown man on horseback came through the neighborhood soliciting right of way for power lines, there was no way I could have imagined the impact it would have on our daily lives. Air conditioning, televisions, microwaves and computers opened up an entirely different view of life as we knew it.

After more than 50 years as a member of Four County EMC, I am more thankful than ever for the services of our cooperative. The refund of capital credits and the “Round-up” billing program are prime examples of community involvement. But at the top of the list is excellent service during storms and power outages. When needs arise, the co-ops are there!

Edna Wray Nunnery
Benson
Four County EMC, Elizabethtown

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