April 5, 2017
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Vol. 39 No. 16
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This 1995 file photo from the Jamestown News shows traffic islands at the intersection of East Main Street and Guilford Road. Town Hall is on the left.
Road widening, curbing project is 20 years old By CAROL BROOKS Editor
(Photo/Norma B. Dennis)
Alice brings Wonderland to country club
Members of the Sedgefield Woman’s Club Spring Garden Party program committee carried out the event’s theme – Alice in Wonderland – with cute attire and headwear. Left to right, Teka Bryan, Brenda Keany, Sara Collins and Becki Arrington stand in front of the entrance to the “rabbit hole” leading to Wonderland, a.k.a. the ballroom at the Sedgefield Country Club. See story and more pictures on page A3.
It was 20 years ago today … wait, that’s from a Beatles song. But it was 20 years ago that Jamestown’s Main Street Improvement Project changed the landscape of the town, especially downtown. Crews from Larco Construction of WinstonSalem began work in midDecember 1996 on widening the street from Wade Street to Teague Avenue.
Each new traffic lane increased to 12 feet wide. New curbs and gutters were added along with a storm drainage system. Curbing was first installed in the late 1940s. According to the March 19, 1997, Jamestown News, the project cost $1.2 million, paid for by the state. The Town of Jamestown paid for the brick sidewalks. Two of the three major intersections in town were changed, with the most drastic change being the
alignment of Ragsdale and Dillon roads. Motorists at the time had a zigzag trip to cross Main Street in front of the library. For safety, a traffic light was also added. The entrance to the library was moved further up Ragsdale Road from the original location. “There’s been a demand for a stoplight at that intersection for years,” Town Manager John Frezell told the Jamestown News in 1997. “During busy times it is impossible to make a See ROAD, page A5
Riverwalk rezoning continues at Planning Board By CAROL BROOKS Editor Residents of Riverwalk Townhomes on Dillon Road were not pleased to learn that the owner of nearby property was asking for it to be rezoned to Conditional Zoning Multi Family Residential (CZ-MFR). They voiced their concerns at the March Planning Board meeting to the extent that Board members asked to con-
tinue the discussion at the April 10 meeting. The property in question, 3511 RI and 3511 Z Dillon Road, was part of the original Riverwalk project planned in 2000. Rather than townhomes, this 1.5-acre site was to be condominiums but was never developed. The property was rezoned as part of the 2009 Land Development Ordinance to Single Family Residential (SFR) since it was believed this parcel
would be taken by NCDOT for the Jamestown Bypass project. Now the property owner wants to sell the land. He does not have any plans for development but believes the zoning should be comparable to the rest of the Riverwalk Townhomes zoning. “It should have been zoned in 2009 like the rest of Riverwalk” said Rich Glover, of Jamestown Engineering Group, who is representing the seller, at the March Planning Board meeting. “This is
really just to correct the zoning.” Residents met with the property owner on March 29 for further clarification on the purpose of the rezoning case. Also on the Planning Board’s agenda is a public hearing to consider initial zoning for portions of the right-of-way of High Point Road located near 6115 Jamestown Parkway. This is the portion of the road that was closed when East Main Street
was rerouted. Koury Corporation plans to develop this property. The Board will also hear about possible updates to the town’s Land Development Ordinance. Due to anticipated larger attendance, the Planning Board will meet in the Civic Center at Town Hall April 10 at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Carol Brooks can be reached at 336-841-4933 or jamestown news@northstate.net.
Sit back and enjoy. It’s Beer Month! By CAROL BROOKS Editor Whether you like your beer in a goblet, snifter, Weizen, pilsner, mug, flute, pint, tulip, stang or stein, you are no doubt celebrating that April is N.C. Beer Month. This is the fifth year for N.C. Beer Month, according to ncbeermonth.com. The site states that “More than 100 breweries – from the mountains to the coast – are participating, ranging from veteran, award-winning brewhouses to newcomers on the scene eager to make a name for their with smartphone
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batches.” Check out the site for more information on events. The earliest known alcoholic beverage is a 9,000-year-old Chinese concoction made from rice, honey and fruit, according to history.com. The site goes on to state that full-scale beer production began in Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq) 3,900-5,000 years ago.
Today, craft breweries are a growing part of American commerce. Over the past few years, craft breweries have increased from only 1,596 in 2009 to 5,234 in 2016, according to The Brewers Association, which estimates more than 2,000 craft breweries are in the planning stages. Small and independent breweries accounted for 99 percent of the 5,234. “Four Southern states – Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Texas – each saw a net increase of more than 35 breweries in 2016,” according to The Brewers Association. North Carolina alone has 203 breweries, boosting the economy and tourism. “North Carolina’s standing as a craft beer mecca
attracts travelers who are passionate about everything from pale ales to stouts,” said Wit Tuttel, executive director of Visit North Carolina. “Their experiences in tasting rooms, pubs and restaurants are an extension of the authenticity found in local culture and traditions in agriculture. Our craft breweries produce 800,000 barrels a year and every bit of it comes with a distinct sense of place.” “As a nation, the U.S. now has more beer styles (150+) and brands (20,000+) to choose from than any other market in the world,” according to craftbeer.com. Craft Beer notes that the annual production of these small breweries is 6 million
barrels of beer or less. The Brewers Association states that these brewers tend to be very involved in their communities through philanthropy, beer donations, volunteerism and sponsorships. Jamestown does not presently have a brewery but Town Planner Matthew Johnson believes the time is coming and has suggested a change to the town’s Land Development Ordinance to allow the business within town limits. Several breweries operate in nearby Greensboro and High Point. Potent Potables in Jamestown sells a large variety of over 600 unique beers on tap, bottled or in cans. Owners Steve and Abby
Easter Holiday Closings
Kim plan to feature N.C. craft beers during April. Our State magazine recently announced the launch of BEER NC app. A press release states that the app features every brewery in the state and is constantly updated. The app is available on the Google and iTunes app stores. So whether you like a ale, pale ale, stout, lager, pilsner, porter or any of the many types of beer, April is the month to go out and try a new variety – and celebrate N.C. Beer Month.
Carol Brooks can be reached at 336-841-4933 or jamestownnews@north state.net.
• The Town of Jamestown will be closed Friday, April 14, in observance of the Easter holiday. There will be no garbage pickup on that date. • The Jamestown News will be closed on Friday, April 14. All submissions for the Wednesday, April 19, edition must be in our office by noon on Thursday, April 13. • The Jamestown Public Library will be closed April 14 through 16. The library will reopen on Monday, April 17.