Sammy in the garden

Sammy is checking out a giant pumpkin in his great-great Aunt Syble’s backyard garden. Aunt Syble grows many fruits, herbs and vegetables on her small corner lot in Fayetteville, including pumpkins, figs, cucumbers and tomatoes. She also has backyard chickens that provide fresh eggs year-round. Her bountiful organic harvests are always shared with co-workers, family and church members.

Sammy is only 2, but he loves to water the plants, feed the chickens and pick ripe veggies. He walks into the yard with a loud greeting: “Hi, chickens!” I love seeing generations of our family stay connected to their Carolina Country roots, no matter the age.

LaToya Richie Williams, Fayetteville, South River EMC and Lumbee River EMC

Carolina Country as dog food

My new rescue dog ate my homework. Oh wait, that’s not quite right. My new rescue dog ate (or actually chewed) the recipe page from the October issue of Carolina Country that I had torn out of the issue, as I usually do. I had planned to try several of them, especially as one of my daughters loves just about anything with pumpkin in it. Would it be possible to get a copy of the recipes? I am a member of Tideland Electric, with a cottage in Fairfield, Hyde County, on the last piece of property once owned by my grandfather, Hertford Jones.

Marge Libertini, Manchester, Md.

A smart 8-year-old

My 8-year-old, Macy, was reading the magazine and wanted me to let you know that the scene in “Where Is This” [October 2015] is Henry River, where they filmed “Hunger Games.” We have been there to see the site.

M.C. Hartley, Seagrove, Randolph Electric

Big Wind in North Carolina

It constantly amazes me that ratepayers continue to fund expensive wind power with tax dollars [“More Power to You,” September 2015]. Look at the facts in the article: Iberdrola Renewables intends to cover 22,000 acres of farmland with 104 wind turbines that produce only 208 megawatts of electricity. Cheaper coal-fired power plants produce 1,600 mw at a fraction of the cost and, with new technologies, very low emissions. Not only that, the tax rebates and credits required to make these turbines competitive are going to a Spanish company. All of this to produce 10 permanent jobs. It does not sound like such a good deal to me.

David Beerbower, Blowing Rock, Blue Ridge Electric

From Carolina country

I love love — not like love — the Carolina Country, especially the stories. I really enjoyed the October 2015 issue’s “Where Life Takes Us.” I really want you to bring back “you know you are in Carolina country if…” I am waiting to give you my list. Please bring it back! It brought so many good memories and laughter.
Clara Gilmore, Laurinburg, Lumbee River EMC

Editor’s Note: Ms. Gilmore refers to the series — written by readers — that included these. The section was called “You Know You’re From Carolina Country If…”

• …You like your fellers with a little bit of Momma’s raisin’ in ‘em ‘cause Momma taught ‘em right.
• …You know the difference between 4-wheelerin’ and muddin’ and you’ve done both.
• …When you are acting wild, people ask if you were raised in a barn.
• …You know that if it thunders in the winter you only have a week before it is going to snow.
• …“I use ta could” is a sentence that can and will be used in the workplace and everywhere.
• …If you are at work and it starts to rain, it’s OK, because you know the neighbors will get your clothes off the line.
• …You know the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption, and that you don’t “have” them, you “pitch” them.

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