When you hear the words “tobacco leaves” the first images that come to mind most likely don’t include anything remotely beautiful or refined. It’s not surprising considering how tobacco is traditionally used – to say nothing of its value as a cash crop in North Carolina’s economy for generations.
What is surprising is how Artisan Leaf, a company in Wilson, transforms ordinary tobacco leaves into extraordinary objects of obsession. One look at the exquisite creations this small but mighty four-man company produces in its production facility located in the city’s historic downtown digs will tell you why.
Artisan Leaf isn’t merely the name of the company. It also happens to be the brand name of the product the company manufactures and uses in the fabrication process it has become famous for. A meticulous, labor of love honed and perfected to make possible the magnificent walls, ceilings, floors, tables and other home furnishings you will find here and nowhere else. All of which makes Artisan Leaf worthy of a visit whether you’re in the market for one-of-a-kind home furnishings or you just want to see for yourself what remarkable, home-grown craftmanship looks like up close and personal. Visit www.artisanleaf.com to learn more.
Joel and Kerri Mills know it’s the thought that counts. That has been the backbone of the couple’s leather goods company, Choice Cuts Industries. From their workshop in the public power community of Huntersville, the Millses design and create watchbands, bags, wallets, dog collars, journals, and more.
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Inspiration comes from his own family, too. Another one of Marcus’s volunteer endeavors is coaching youth baseball. He fell into it when his son, Zachary, who’s now 11, started playing ball at age 4. “After Zach wanted to take on baseball and devote time to it, it easily developed into a passion for me.” Marcus and his wife also have a daughter, almost-8-year-old Evelyn. They like to get the whole family involved in giving back, and haven’t let the pandemic stop that spirit. “Because of Covid, we’ve switched it up. Since we can’t go to many places to volunteer as a family, we’ve been donating to Goodwill and Salvation Army.” The Freeman family has made almost 6 trips since March, with the kids helping purge closets and choose what puzzles and games to donate. “But it wasn’t just about house cleaning. It’s about still trying to find a way to give back.”
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no it’s Captain Public Power! The Captain has been helping the City of New Bern Department of Public Utilities electric department spread the word about the value of public power, energy savings tips, and much more since 2017. No one knows Captain Public Power’s real identity, of course, but it’s said that the superhero has never been seen in the same room with city employee Lester Fonville. An Electric Meter Technician, Fonville has been with the city for over 20 years. His primary job consists of trouble shooting, reprogramming, installing, and testing commercial electric meters, but the smiles from his neighbors and the community are what motivates him.
The public power community of New Bern, North Carolina is not only an enchanting haven for boating enthusiasts and history buffs, but the City reflects a distinct architectural heritage like nowhere else. Situated where the Neuse and Trent rivers meet, this port city was named in honor of the founding patron’s home city of Bern, Switzerland, and is the second oldest European-settled colonial city in the state.
Public Power Week is October 4 – 10, 2020
Sleep on it. Run dishwashers, washers, and dryers overnight to avoid peak usage times.
Along with that irresistible sweet taste, honey is known for its health benefits — stir a teaspoonful into hot tea to soothe a sore throat, or combat seasonal allergies with the most local harvest possible. Around here, a great option is the NC Bee Exchange. The small-batch operation in the Stanly County public power community of Albemarle offers fresh, raw honey, as well as herbal-infused varieties like ginger and lavender.
“Honey has been the same for thousands of years, from ancient times to today,” says owner Peter Henkenjohann. “It’s a very untouched natural food source.” Henkenjohann and his wife stumbled into beekeeping a few years ago when they wanted a homemade sweetener for their daily cups of tea. They set up a few hives in their backyard, and it quickly became a beloved hobby.
Three years ago, the Henkenjohanns scaled up their beekeeping and started NC Bee Exchange. Along with jars of honey by the half-pound, pound, and two-pound jar, they also offer beeswax candles, balms, and more. “We’re trying to utilize as much from the bees as we can,” Henkenjohann says. Stock your pantry at 
Over the years, Lori has played around with different mediums, including acrylic on canvas. A decade ago, she even created custom colorful pet portraits for a Raleigh boutique. “Pets are fun to do,” she says, because you almost always have a happy customer — and “I like seeing the pet pictures that people send me.”
Online shopping. Go ahead, have some retail therapy! Most small businesses have shoppable websites. If not, try placing orders by phone, or buy a gift card to use in a few months.