Northwest Observer / March 26 - April 1, 2020

March 26 - April 1, 2020

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bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996

County issues stay-at-home order Effective March 27, people are told to leave their homes only for essential reasons to prevent further spread of COVID-19

however, as of March 24, there are 16 cases of COVID-19 in the county, as well as increasing evidence of cases in neighboring counties, including a significant and increasing number of suspected cases of community transmission and likely further significant increases in transmission,” the 13-page proclamation states. “Widespread testing of COVID-19 is not yet available but is expected to increase in the coming days. This Declaration and Order is necessary to slow the rate of spread.”

by PATTI STOKES NW GUILFORD – As northwest community members were sinking deeper into their second week of social distancing, on Wednesday afternoon Guilford County and the cities of High Point and Greensboro issued a joint stay-at-home order, effective March 27 at 5 p.m.

The order mandates that people “stay at their place of residence except that they may leave to provide or receive certain essential services or engage in certain essential activities and work for essential businesses and governmental services; exempting individuals living without shelter.”

Leaving the home for essential activities is permitted; in short, those activities are defined as: Adobe Stock photo

A countywide stay-at-home order was issued Wednesday afternoon and will take effect March 27.

All non-essential business operations, gatherings of individuals and travel will also be restricted.

“Initially, there was a connec-

IN THIS ISSUE Realtors adjust to social distancing ..........2 Business is booming at Bi-Rite ...................3 News in brief.................................................4 Stokesdale Town Council meeting ............6 Crime/Incident Report ................................8 Calendar Events ........................................ 10

tion and correlation between positive results and out-of-county travel or contact with someone known or believed to have been positive;

Youth Sync ............................................. 11 Spring sports season likely over ............12 Student Profiles .......................................... 14 Letters/Opinions ......................................... 18 Grins and Gripes ......................................... 19 Classifieds ...................................................20 Index of Advertisers ............................... 23 NWO On The Go! ............................... 24

• For health and safety – i.e., to visit a health care professional for medical

...continued on p. 16

Social distancing changes rules of home buying Realtors are pushing open doors with their elbows, embracing online open houses and taking other precautions `so we minimize what we touch’

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“We’re not touching the doorknob,” said Cox, an agent with Keller Williams Greensboro North who has started opening doors with her elbow. “We ask the buyer not to touch anything as they walk through the house.”

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NW GUILFORD – Before she shows a house to a prospective buyer, Realtor Jan Cox makes arrangements with the seller to turn on lights, open closet doors and leave an entry door cracked.

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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020

Social distancing due to the spread of COVID-19 has changed the rules of home buying – from showing houses to filling out paperwork to closing transactions.

In interviews earlier this week, real estate agents in northwest Guilford said they’re following common-sense precautions. As actual showings have slowed, they’re increasing their reliance on technology, such as 360-degree tours of properties, to show listings to prospective buyers.

“If someone wants to see a home, we can send them a video,” said Maureena Shepherd, an Oak Ridgebased agent for Allen Tate. “We’ve switched to doing open houses online.”

She and her colleagues at Maureena Shepherd & Associates use their phones to record walk-throughs of their listings. In the case where a prospective buyer wants to see a house, Shepherd uses FaceTime to give a room-by-room tour.

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“When you pass by a closet that’s of interest to the buyer, you open the closet and go through it shelf by shelf,” she said.

On a more practical basis, agents said they’re traveling to listings separately from prospective buyers. Once they arrive at properties, some are wearing disposable gloves and booties and sharing hand sanitizers and wipes with clients.

“Everyone is taking precautions,” confirmed Nicole Gillespie, an agent for RE/MAX Realty Consultants in Greensboro.

Betty Smith, president of Smith Marketing based in Summerfield, said she emails prospective buyers as much information as possible about listings before visiting houses. She provides residential property disclosures with details such as the age of the roof, the condition of plumbing and electrical wiring and dues for homeowners associations.

“We’re trying to narrow listings down before we go out,” said Smith, adding that once they’re inside a house “we’re keeping our distance from each other.”

Smith said she asks homeowners to turn on lights and open closet doors before showings “so we minimize what we touch.”

Phillip Stone, a Realtor in Stokesdale, said a house inspector told him recently he wouldn’t allow buyers to accompany him on inspections.

“It’s going to get more intense,” said Stone, who owns A New Dawn Realty with his mother, Dawn Stone. They are doing as much paperwork for contracts online as possible, he said.

People selling their houses are calling their listing agents to ask for advice. They’re balancing the need for showings to sell their homes against the

risks of contracting coronavirus from prospective buyers, according to Cox, of Keller Williams.

“I tell them they don’t need to worry about people coming into their houses just to look,” said Cox, explaining that potential buyers are worried about catching COVID-19 when they visit listings. “If they’re looking, they are serious buyers.”

“We are still experiencing everything that’s out there in the market, just on a limited basis,” said Smith, of Smith Marketing. Once the risks of COVID-19 pass, she said homebuyers are going to want to resume visiting houses.

“My clients are seeing fewer homes because they think it’s the responsible thing to do,” she said. “But if they had their druthers, they’d be looking at everything, just to be sure. They want to

see a property physically.”

Meanwhile, precautions are taking hold. As an example, social distancing is also showing up during closings, according to Cox. Some closing attorneys are allowing only buyers into their offices to sign closing documents, Cox said, adding that she dealt with a lawyer who imposed an additional requirement.

“Everyone has to bring their own ink pen,” she said.

Editor’s note: Shortly before going to press with this issue Guilford County and the cities of High Point and Greensboro declared a stay-at-home order that restricts people to leaving their homes for essential services only. The added restrictions will likely further impact how realtors are buying and showing homes.

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Photos of bread- and meat-filled shelves were continuously posted, as were those of large boxes of 1,000-sheet rolls of toilet paper.

Wrenn said he worries about the elderly people in the community and wants to do want he can to make sure they have what they need. He’s also opening the store to them and those shopping for them, from 8 to 9 a.m., an hour before it opens to other customers.

Besides fresh meat – which the Bi-Rite has in abundance – other top sellers have been the usual staple items like milk, eggs and flour. Any kind of cleaning products are also in high demand – and of course, toilet paper. On the day we spoke with him, he expected to get gallons of hand

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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020

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NEWS in brief www.nwobserver.com /northwestobserver @mynwobserver @northwestobserver

OUR TEAM Patti Stokes, editor/publisher Laura Reneer, marketing manager Kelli Jessup, publisher’s assistant Rene Collins, administrative assistant Yvonne Truhon, graphic designer

 CORRECTION

OOPS! An article in the March 19-25 issue of the Northwest Observer misstated the capacity of two turn lanes planned for the entrance of Revolution Academy on N.C. 150 at Deboe Road in Summerfield. The righthand turn lane will provide 100 feet for storage of vehicles entering the school, Bobby Norris, district engineer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, told the Summerfield Town Council March 10. The left-hand turn lane will provide a minimum of 350 feet for the storage of vehicles.

Leon Stokes, IT director Lucy Smith, finance manager Linda Schatz, distribution Chris Burritt, staff writer; Helen Ledford, Meredith Barkley, Lily Pierce and Annette Joyce, contributing writers

HOW TO REACH US

Town seeks resident input OAK RIDGE – The Town of Oak Ridge would like input on its proposed development plans for recreational use and open space at the Whitaker property and the town’s

Concealed-carry handgun permits delayed, pistol purchase permits will be mailed GUILFORD COUNTY – Guilford County Sheriff Danny Rogers announced via a press release March 25 that the sheriff’s department is temporarily suspending the issuance and processing of new concealed-carry handgun (CCH) permits.

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Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant application. To offer input, go to www.surveymonkey.com /r/Whitaker_Property and fill out a survey by Tuesday, April 7.

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During the temporary period that the processing of new CCH permits is suspended, the Sheriff’s Office will continue to process all renewal applications for CCH permits that are presently due to expire.

County residents can complete the renewal application online, print the completed application, sign it before a Notary Public, and mail the signed and notarized application to the Sheriff’s Office. If the renewal is approved, the Sheriff’s Office will mail the renewed permit to the applicant.

For county residents who have already submitted a new CCH Permit application and been fingerprinted at the Sheriff’s Office, the processing of their CCH Permit applications will be completed as soon as possible.

Pistol Purchase Permits will still be issued, but they will be mailed to the applicants since the Sheriff’s Office is temporarily suspending in-person pickup.

Those wanting a permit were advised to follow online instructions; if the application is approved, the pistol purchase permit will be mailed to the confirmed address provided on the initial application, the press release said.

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Summerfield Fire District’s top priority is to keep the community we love safe pandemic, -19 COVID the of e We want the very best for the people of Summerfield and becaus this, the we have changed some of the things about our procedures. Even as I’m writing us, we will be need you if that situation is evolving, but I want all of Summerfield to rest assured there. t 29 and our Unfortunately, our Stop, Drop and Roll 5K has been postponed until Augus Disease Control annual Easter egg hunt has been canceled. We are following the Centers for continuing to and Prevention guidelines to keep our members and our community safe while operate. need for water for On a separate note, there has been a lot of talk in our community about the res in Summerfield, fire protection. We are fortunate not to run that many working structure fi e the very best but it does happen – and when it happens, we need to be prepared to provid service to protect life and property. us under fire New home construction and furnishings are extremely dangerous to all of short window to conditions. Houses burn quicker and hotter than in the past, giving you a very and a lot of water get out of your house safely when it catches on fire. It takes a lot of personnel on the scene, as quickly as possible, to save lives and property. have a huge This is why having more positive pressure water sources in our community can be a to have impact in an emergency situation. A positive pressure water source doesn’t have at Summerfield hydrant; rather, it can be a water storage tank with a pump like the one we put more resources to Elementary School. More positive pressure water sources would allow us source) to draft (personnel and apparatus) on the fireground instead of at a pond (static water water, thereby giving us the best chance for saving lives and property. to continue to Most of us often look at how we can do things better. As fire chief, I’m going be the very to strive look at ways we can make this community and our firefighters safer and of men and women best. The people in this community deserve that, and so do the great group who serve this community. me personally to If you ever have any questions about fire protection, please come by and see get the correct information.

– Chris Johnson, Summerfield Fire Chief

STOKESDALE town council

March 12 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by CHRIS BURRITT glaries, a residential burglary, a motor vehicle breaking and entering and a theft, he said.

Mayor John Flynt called the monthly meeting to order, with council members Jimmy Landreth, Derek Foy and Jim Rigsbee present. Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks Jr. was absent.

Stokesdale resident Bruce Angel offered the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Due to the absence of Hooks and Rev. Alan Mears of Bethel United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge, Flynt recommended postponing until the April meeting a discussion of a proposal for volunteer services in the area. Separately, Landreth requested the period for public comments be placed as an earlier agenda item.

 4  0 to adopt the meeting agenda (with two changes) and approve minutes of the Jan. 21 special meeting and the Feb. 13 regular meeting.

The District 1 office is coordinating with Rockingham County law enforcement after receiving a complaint about speeding on Ellisboro Road; a large section of the road is located in Rockingham County, Gordon said.

Lock your vehicle doors, Gordon urged, and put belongings out of view as the weather warms and “more of our criminals come out of hibernation.”

Fire Department. Chief Todd Gauldin said Stokesdale Fire Department responded to 52 calls in February; 29 were fire-related and 33 were medical/rescue-related.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Gauldin advised homeowners to check their smoke detector batteries or, depending upon their age, replace the detectors.

Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Eric Gordon reported the District 1 sheriff’s office responded to 59 calls in Stokesdale in February. The office is continuing its investigation of two commercial bur-

The fire department’s annual barbecue will be held Saturday, March 28, at the fire station on U.S. 158, but there will be no dining inside the station this year, only takeout.

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WHAT they voted on, and HOW they voted: Mayor John Flynt and council members Jimmy Landreth, Derek Foy and Jim Rigsbee voted on the following items during the March 12 meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks was absent.

 4  0: Adopt the amended meeting agenda and approve minutes of the Jan. 21 special meeting and Feb. 13 regular meeting

 4  0: Appoint Rebecca Hedenskog and Elizabeth Privette to the Events Committee  4  0: Approve the rezoning of about 3.9 acres at 7883 Eversfield Road

from agricultural to RS-30

 4  0: Approve an ordinance to close Friddlewood Drive  4  0: Approve several budget amendments  4  0: Appoint Terry Hedenskog to the Planning Board  4  0: Approve the hiring of engineering firm Hazen & Sawyer to provide

on-call modeling and testing of the town’s water system

 4  0: Approve spending of $6,000 on updated software and equipment for water-system data  3  1: Approve (Flynt opposed)a budget amendment transferring $80,000 from the town’s reserve

 3  1: Reactivate (Landreth opposed) the Property Committee  4  0: Instruct the Planning Board to update the town’s 20-year-old land

use plan

 4  0: Instruct Town Attorney Tom Medlin to review proposed changes to

the town’s development ordinance.

“We’re going to err on the side of safety because of the coronavirus,” Gauldin said.

“It was a tough decision, because it was something we have never done since we’ve had the barbecues.”

Gauldin explained that if someone with COVID-19 entered the fire station, the facility would have to be closed and tested. If the virus were found, the station would be cleaned, personnel would be quarantined and fire trucks would be relocated until the facility was determined to be safe.

“It’s kinda hard to find somewhere to put five trucks that big if you had to

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abandon that building,” he said.

REPORTS Park survey. Landreth presented results of a survey the town mailed to 1,500 homes in January asking residents to rank their preferences for town park improvements and new features.

Survey responses totaled 605. Topping the list of respondents’ preferences were nature trails, benches, a farmers market and playground equipment.

The town will include the survey results in its state grant application for funding park improvements, Landreth said.

Events Committee. Town Clerk and Finance Officer Alisa Houk said fliers promoting the farmers market in the town park will be distributed around town and available at Town Hall.

The committee is seeking ideas for how to celebrate the town’s 160th anniversary Sept. 19, Houk said, noting when the town was founded in 1860, it was called Green Pond.

 4  0 to appoint Rebecca

Hedenskog and Elizabeth Privette to the committee.

Administration. Houk showed the new “Welcome to Stokesdale” banner; 20 of the banners will be hung along U.S. 158 in the downtown business district.

Houk said she contacted five accounting firms seeking proposals to perform the town’s annual audit and two have responded so far. Winston-Salem-based Cannon & Co. said it no longer performs governmental audits. Gibson & Co., also based in Winston-Salem, submitted a proposal; the firm performed the town of Summerfield’s audit last fiscal year.

Houk said fiber-optic lines for telephone and internet service have been installed in Town Hall.

Finance. As of Feb. 27, Stokesdale had assets of $2.87 million in its general

fund, according to the balance sheet for the month. The water enterprise account had assets of $1.52 million.

Houk praised Deputy Clerk Priscilla Hunsucker for “working very hard” to help her collect past-due water bills. Over the past three years, collection efforts by the two employees have helped reduce bad debt from more than $100,000 to $1,635, according to Houk.

PUBLIC COMMENTS  Mark Nadel noted the meeting agenda listed the council’s plan to discuss “new staffing opportunities” in a closed session. He said council members should talk about hiring new personnel in open session rather than behind closed doors.

Mayor Flynt said state law requires the council discuss personnel matters in closed session, but any decision to take action would be done in open session.

PUBLIC HEARING

At the recommendation of Town Planner Oliver Bass and the town’s Plan-

ning Board, the council voted unanimously to rezone approximately 3.9 acres at 7883 Eversfield Road from agricultural to RS-30 (residential, single-family).

“Our request does jibe with the land use plan,” said Bill Greco of Land Solutions, a Greensboro-based land surveying and design firm representing property owner Jessica Lawson.

No one spoke in opposition to the rezoning request.

OLD BUSINESS  4  0 to approve an ordinance to

close Friddlewood Drive, at the request of Keystone Group Inc. and Pine Needle LNG Co., which own the property on each side of the road.

The council held a public hearing in October for citizen input on the proposed road closing; a month earlier, the council had adopted a resolution of intent to close the road.

 4  0 to approve budget amendments that increased or decreased several line-item expenses so the budget remains in balance.

NEW BUSINESS  4  0 to appoint Terry Hedenskog

to the Planning Board.

 4  0 to approve the hiring of

engineering firm Hazen & Sawyer to provide on-call modeling and testing of the town’s water system at a cost of $34,400.

The on-call services are one of four tasks in Hazen & Sawyer’s proposal for providing a water system master plan for Stokesdale. Last month, the council approved spending $15,550 on a task to detect existing water pressure deficiencies and recommend improvements.

 4  0 to spend $6,000 on updat-

ed software and equipment for watersystem data using a wireless network.

 3  1 (Flynt opposed) to ap-

prove a budget amendment transferring $80,000 from the town’s reserve to cover a possible shortfall in general fund revenue in the current budget.

...continued on p. 9

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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020

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CRIME / INCIDENT report

District 1 Sheriff’s Office

has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest/northern Guilford County ...

The District 1 office, one of three district offices in Guilford County, encompasses Oak Ridge, Summerfield, Stokesdale, Colfax and northwest and northern Greensboro. It is bounded by Rockingham County on the north, runs east along U.S. 29 South, west along Forsyth County and south along the Greensboro city limits.

ASSAULT March 17 | A 28-year-old male in the 8400 block of U.S. 158 in Stokesdale reported a male of unknown age assaulted a 31-year-old female.

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY March 20 | A resident of the 5000 block of Laurinda Drive in northwest Greensboro (near U.S. 220 and Battleground Avenue) reported a 55-year-old male

known offender attempted to enter her home unlawfully through the garage door; the suspect was arrested for attempted first-degree burglary.

DRUGS March 21 | In the 8400 block of Linville Road in Oak Ridge, an 18-year-old male and two 19-year-old males were arrested for possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance (Xanax) with intent to sell and possession of a Schedule VI

controlled substance (marijuana) with intent to sell and also cited for possession of drug paraphernalia; the 18-year-old male was also charged with maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances and cited for an improper traffic signal; one of the 19-year-old males was also charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine).

FRAUD March 20 | A resident of the 8500 block of Fulp Road in Stokesdale (off Belews Creek Road) reported an unknown suspect made a transaction on her Visa card between March 18 at 12:14 p.m. and March 19 at 11:59 p.m.

THEFT March 19 | A resident of the 8200 block of E. Harrell Road in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect entered his two outbuildings by prying open the side door of one and opening an unlocked window in the other between March 18 at 5:30 p.m. and March 19 at 5 p.m.; the stolen items, worth $660 altogether,

include a silver Shop-Vac, four air wrenches, a blue HP-5 generator, and miscellaneous hand tools in a bag.

TRESPASSING March 23 | A resident of the 6900 block of Toscana Trace in Summerfield (off N.C. 150) reported a group of suspects entered the locked pool area beside The Vineyards at Summerfield’s clubhouse and went swimming; the investigation is ongoing.

VANDALISM March 19 | A resident of the 7000 block of Ellison Road in Stokesdale (off U.S. 158) reported a known male suspect of unknown age threw a rock at the windshield of her vehicle, causing $2,000 worth of damage.

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TOWN COUNCIL

how to spend money related to town property.

 4  0 to request the Planning Board update the

...continued from p. 7

town’s 20-year-old land use plan.

Later, during citizens’ comments, Kathryn Bunthoff said she wanted “to push back on the notion” that the Planning Board, which is appointed by the council, should be given authority to update the land use plan.

She recommended broader community involvement.

“Looking at the current financials, it still appears that total expenses in the general fund will amount to $530,000, which is well over budget,” Foy said when explaining his vote.

Flynt countered that the council could wait until June 30, the end of the fiscal year, to decide whether a budget amendment to transfer money was needed.

“I’d like to see where the revenues come in,” he said.

 3  1 (Landreth opposed) to reactivate the Prop-

erty Committee. In recent years, it has consisted of a single council member responsible for soliciting bids for routine property services, repairs and supplies and overseeing maintenance of Town Hall and park properties. It has been inactive since its sole member, former councilman Frank Bruno, lost his reelection bid last November.

Foy recommended Landreth head up the committee and Rigsbee co-chair it.

Even then, Landreth voted against the proposal after saying he’d prefer council members first decide

CLOSED SESSION

The council entered a closed session at about 8:20 p.m. for two stated purposes, both citing N.C. general statutes: to discuss a contractual agreement and discuss new staffing opportunities.

After arguing could be heard from the conference room where they were meeting, Mayor Flynt emerged and told Houk, “I just resigned.”

Flynt then gave the clerk his key to Town Hall and left the building.

“The Planning Board members are not elected by citizens in our community and they are not professionals in public planning,” Bunthoff said.

Landreth, Foy and Rigsbee came out of closed session and reconvened the public meeting after Medlin confirmed they had a quorum, and therefore could conduct business.

The board “is often focused on determining what is allowed or what is permitted or what is OK,” she continued. “But they are not primarily invested in what our plan is as a community and what is a vision for the future.”  4  0 to instruct Town Attorney Tom Medlin to review proposed changes to the town’s development ordinance. Afterwards, the Planning Board would hold a public hearing for input before passing on their recommendations to the council. In turn, the council would hold another public hearing before deciding whether to adopt changes to the ordinance.

After tabling discussion of proposals by lawn care and landscaping companies to provide maintenance of town property, the three council members offered no further comments and adjourned the meeting.

Note: On March 13, the day after the council meeting, Flynt told the Northwest Observer he went to the Bank of Oak Ridge and withdrew his authority to sign town checks.

Six days later, Flynt told the Northwest Observer he had changed his mind and would not be submitting an official letter of resignation. (See related article in our March 19-25 issue.)

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SATURDAY, MARCH 28

 Blood Drives | Due to an unprecedented number

of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak, healthy individuals are urgently needed to give blood in the days and weeks ahead to help patients counting on lifesaving blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma throughout this pandemic.

American Red Cross blood drives will be held March 26, 2 to 7 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, 1715 N.C. 68 N. in Oak Ridge, and March 30, 2 to 7 p.m. at Morehead United Methodist Church, 3214 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro. Walk-ins okay, but appointments recommended.

To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org, select “Donate Blood,” then “Find a Blood Drive,” enter zip code (27310 for Central Baptist Church and 27410 for Morehead UMC) and select from the list to see available

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 Food Pantry | Good Samaritan Ministry’s food

pantry will open March 28, 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Stokesdale Business Center, 8500 Ellisboro Road in Stokesdale. Because of concerns over COVID-19 and the need to maintain social distancing, cars will be directed to enter the parking lot and drive by the entrance area to the pantry. The usual check-in procedure will be followed, and boxes of food will be placed in cars without recipients getting out.

Thank you for following the instructions of those directing traffic, and for not parking at the back of the building. The clothing closet will not be open this month.  Annual BBQ Sale | Stokesdale Fire Department,

8401 U.S. 158 in downtown Stokesdale, will hold its annual BBQ sale this Saturday, March 28, 11 a.m.7 p.m. (unless sold out). As a precaution due to the coronavirus, only drive-thru/takeout will be offered

this year (no walkups, please – thank you for your cooperation). $8 per plate, $8 per pound, $2 for small takeout slaw. To pre-order by the pound, please call (336) 643-0790.

MONDAY through FRIDAY, 11 a.m. to 12 noon  Satellite Meal Sites | Guilford County Schools is

hosting satellite meal sites throughout the county Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 12 noon, for children 0 to 18 years of age to pick up a free breakfast and lunch. Locations in our readership area include Northwest Guilford High School on Northwest School Road, Greensboro; Oak Ridge Commons shopping center in Oak Ridge; Allerton Place Apartments on Pleasant Ridge Road in northwest Greensboro; and the mobile home park at 172 Turfwood Circle in Stokesdale.

CANCELLATIONS  Because of steps being taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, many previously scheduled events this month and next month have been cancelled or postponed. Before heading out, we advise confirming your meeting or event is still on schedule.

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Welcome to

Academy, churches join forces to end hunger

Photos courtesy of ORMA

Cadets from Oak Ridge Military Academy and volunteers from Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church, Moravia Moravian Church and Summerfield Peace United Methodist Church pack food into boxes provided by Rise Against Hunger on March 7.

NW GUILFORD COUNTY – On Saturday, March 7, 64 Oak Ridge Military Academy cadets joined forces with three dozen volunteers from Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church, Moravia Moravian Church and Summerfield Peace United Methodist Church to fight hunger.

Organized and held before the burgeoning threat of COVID-19 caused schools to be closed and group activities curtailed, this community service project was organized by Rise Against Hunger, an international hunger relief organization that distributes food and aid that changes lives in the world’s most vulnerable regions.

Held at the academy, this was the

fourth year for this day-long collaborative effort. With all hands on deck and smiles on every face, academy and church volunteers collectively packed enough meals to feed over 40,000 people.

school programs. ORMA encourages academic excellence, rewards selfdiscipline and develops leadership

Rise Against Hunger’s mission is to mobilize the necessary resources to end hunger by 2030. Since the organization’s inception in 2005, over 500 million meals have been provided.

Distributing primarily rice and soy, this service provides not only nutrition, but hopes and dreams to families in crisis.

If you are interested in hosting a community service project, Rise Against Hunger is happy to partner with groups of any size. For more info

potential.

The academy plans to host this event again on March 6, 2021.

want to help or learn more? about Rise Against Hunger, visit www.riseagainsthunger.org. For more info about Oak Ridge Military Academy, visit www.oakridgemilitary.com.

DOWNSIZE NOT DOWNGRADE!

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Student-athletes react to spring sports season being further suspended Following Gov. Cooper’s announcement Monday that schools will be closed until May 15, the NCHSAA announces spring sports season will be further suspended through at least May 18

by MEREDITH BARKLEY NORTHERN/NW GUILFORD – High school athletes are coming to terms with the COVID-19-shortened spring season. And while most understand the necessity, they’re nevertheless very disappointed.

“I don’t think anything like this has happened, ever,” said senior Trevor Phelps, a Northwest Guilford tennis player. “It’s like the universe has it out for the Class of 2020.”

Northwest junior Katie Keller, who plays lacrosse, said more than anything she was shocked when she heard the spring sports season was suspended.

“I hadn’t expected the season to come to an abrupt end like that,” she said.

Courtesy photo

Northern Guilford baseball players (front row, L-R) Brett Wargowsky and CJ Thousand, (back row) Hank Dodson and Ben Kaiser pose recently at a local field before an informal practice. Many student-athletes are practicing in small groups while keeping a distance, in hopes their team sport will resume this season before time runs out.

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CJ Thousand, a Northern Guilford senior baseball player, called it “a bad situation,” but said “people need to be safe. I think everyone is staying hopeful that we’re still going to have graduation. But I don’t

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know what’s going to happen.”

He’s not alone.

This past Monday the NC High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), which had announced a few weeks ago the spring sports season would be suspended through April 6, extended suspension of athletic competition and other sports activities “until at least May 18.” That came after Gov. Roy Cooper announced public schools would remain closed until May 15.

Still, the NCHSAA’s statement reflected the uncertainty of the times.

It held out the possibility of “resumption of spring sports competition and the possibility of holding the state basketball championships” and said the organization’s leadership would “use the next few weeks to weigh our future decisions.” Those decisions, it said, would rely heavily on guidance from the governor, government leaders and public health and safety organizations.

“While we remain hopeful that we will be able to resume competition, particularly for our senior studentathletes, we also recognize the need to protect the health and safety of our students, coaches and the communities we serve,” the statement read.

Hank Dodson, a Northern Guilford senior baseball player, and a swarm of other athletes near and far, may find some encouragement in those words.

“I’ve been trying to stay optimistic and have hope the season will come back,” he said. Before the season was suspended the Nighthawks had gotten off to a respectable 3-1 start and he hoped the team could “make a nice little run in the post season.”

Most students, though, seem resigned to the possibility the season may be over.

“It’s going to be tough missing out on my junior season,” said Ben Kizer, also a Northern baseball player. “But I feel more for the guys (for whom) this is going to be their last year to play.”

Still, he and others are working out

and practicing in small groups as best they can in case the season returns.

“I have some weights at home, and a jump rope,” said Brett Wargowsky, another Northern senior baseball player. “I just want to get back out there as soon as possible.”

Teammates in most sports are trying to meet for informal practices to stay in shape. But some parents are beginning to worry and insist on keeping their sons and daughters home, said Izzy Parrett, a Northwest sophomore lacrosse player.

“Some (players) are trying to get together, but we’re still trying to keep that 6-feet distance,” she said.

Said Phelps: “Pretty much everyone I know is hunkering down. I think parents don’t want them to get sick and spread it.”

For some, like Hayden Summers, a Northwest senior baseball player, the possibility of losing his senior season is disappointing, but he’s got more baseball ahead. He said he committed to UNC his sophomore year, but has been hoping to be drafted this year by a Major League Baseball team. With MLB considering canceling the draft this year because of COVID-19’s likely impact on the season, though, he’s not sure where that leaves him.

“With everything that’s going on this year, no one knows,” Summers said. “Obviously it’s a little disappointing. But at the end of the day I just have to keep my head down, so to speak, and work, and the future will take care of itself.”

Students in Guilford County started online classes Monday, which has helped occupy part of their day. But those classes may take some getting used to.

“I just miss the guidance from teachers,” Phelps said of the classroom atmosphere. “Doing worksheets online is not the same as being there in class.”

Quipped Thousand: “I never thought I’d miss school so much. I want to play some baseball.”

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Student Profiles brought to you by

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olmstedorthodontics.com STUDENT PROFILES Thanks to the coaches and teachers at Northern and Northwest High Schools for their student recommendations and input, which make it possible to recognize these talented, dedicated students for their accomplishments in academics, athletics and cultural arts.

Although the high school spring sports season has been suspended through at least May 18 due to COVID-19, the Northwest Observer will continue shining a spotlight on some of the outstanding student-athletes whose coaches recommended at the beginning of the season that they be recognized for their accomplishments and commitment to their sport.

NORTHWEST GUILFORD Reagan Palombo, soccer

by MEREDITH BARKLEY Northwest Guilford soccer player Reagan Palombo has her sights set on a career in sports.

She said it won’t likely be soccer, though. She’s aiming instead for the NFL, where she hopes to land a front office job. Her No. 1 team to work for would be the Los Angeles Rams.

“That’s been my team all my life,” Palombo said. She grew up watching

14

pro football with her dad, who coaches men’s basketball at Guilford College.

football, she, her dad and brothers often head outside to play the game.

“So I just kind of grew up around it,” she said. “Football is a lot of my life.”

She draws inspiration from older sister Kylee, a sophomore at UNCWilmington who does social media for the university’s men’s basketball team and hopes to one day do the same for an NBA team.

“She loves it,” Palombo said.

Next year she hopes to head off to Elon University, which she said has a program that offers internships with NFL teams.

“My dad’s a huge football fan,” she said. “Ever since I was young, Sunday has been for football.”

“I want to major in sports management and see where it goes from there,” said Palombo, who serves on the student council at Northwest.

She’s even attended some pro games, including Rams games.

During the spring season, though, soccer typically occupies much of her

time. She started playing at age 2, and by age 4 was on a club team. For the Vikings, she has played both defense and offense; she prefers the offense.

“I like to score goals,” she said.

Palombo describes herself as being very competitive and said soccer gives her a good outlet for her competitive side. Plus, it’s “really fun.”

She was named the Metro 4A Conference defensive player of the year last season and has been all conference the past two seasons.

Her favorite class at Northwest: astronomy. She said she likes her teacher, Steve Russillo, and has learned a lot about the planets and outer space.

“It’s just cool to me how small we are compared to everything else, and how big outer space is,” she said.

Does she know all the Rams players?

“Oh yeah!” she said.

Her favorite player: Todd Gurley.

She called him “the best running back in the league” and “a really good and humble person.”

Palombo has already dipped her toes into football waters. The past two seasons she has taken pictures and handled social media for the Northwest Vikings’ football team. And on Sundays when they’re not watching

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020

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Mea Clark, softball

by MEREDITH BARKLEY Mea Clark’s life outside the classroom revolves around softball.

Clark, a Northern Guilford senior, normally catches for the Nighthawks Monday through Friday during spring season. But weekends she’s on the road. As part of a Georgia-based travel team – Mojo-Lewis Sports Club – she plays throughout the Southeast during the school year and as far away as California over the summer.

those failures and work hard to make yourself a better player.”

Why Austin Peay?

“I just liked the atmosphere,” she said. “I knew as soon as I got there it was where I wanted to go.”

It’s a big commitment. Take one early season weekend, for example.

“It was a challenge at first,” Clark said. “But once I figured out how to do things it was kind of easy for me. It was nice to branch out of my comfort zone.”

Despite the travel and time commitment, she said she loves it.

“It’s just fun,” Clark said of the sport.

“It’s just a fast-paced game. It’s more mental than physical. It challenges you.”

Take hitting, she said.

“You fail more than you succeed,” said Clark, noting that most batters get hits in less than half their trips to the plate. “You have to learn to come off

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Clark said she had played for another club team before, “but I wasn’t getting the looks” from college coaches.

With Mojo-Lewis, she got the looks, and the college offer she was hoping for.

“This Mojo team really opened the doors for me,” she said.

Teams, she said, usually play seven or eight games during weekend tournaments.

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“I’m very excited,” said Clark, who is considering studying elementary education.

“So I basically play every single day of the week,” Clark said. “I drive six hours (to Georgia) for practice on weekends.”

“This weekend I play in Georgia,” Clark said of her spring schedule when we spoke to her a few weeks ago, before the spring sports schedule was suspended. “I leave (home) Friday night, play Saturday and Sunday, and (return in time to) go to school on Monday.”

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Among her post-season accolades, she said, have been all conference, all district, team MVP and the Nighthawk Award for Leadership. She said she has committed to play at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, next year.

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During times away from softball, she has volunteered at Northern Guilford Elementary through the high school’s Reading Buddies program, and with the Miracle League, which brings baseball to children with disabilities.

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She said she stays in shape with high-intensity CrossFit workouts.

“It’s a challenge,” she said of the intensity level. “It’s kind of preparing me for what I’ll face in college. And I really enjoy lifting weights and working out.”

That sums it up, she said.

“School, softball and the gym.

That’s me.”

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COUNTY ISSUES STAY-AT-HOME ORDER ...continued from p. 1

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• For necessary supplies and services for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others.

• For outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with social distancing requirements. However, playgrounds may increase spread of COVID-19, and therefore shall be closed, the proclamation noted.

• For certain types of work, including healthcare and public health operations, human services operations, essential governmental functions, and essential infrastructure.

• To take care of a family member, friend, or pet in another household, and to transport family members, friends, or pets.

In response to the announcement, Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider issued a statement saying, “I know many of you are already staying at home, but I also know that this new set of restrictions may still be unsettling. It’s certainly been unsettling for my family. As new restrictions seem to appear nearly every day, we all wonder what’s coming next, how many new cases of COVID-19 there will be, and how long this will go on. But I also know that Oak Ridge residents are independent, self-reliant, and well-informed. We pride ourselves on our love for our community, and on doing what is right both for ourselves and for our neighbors, especially the elderly, sick, and home-bound.

“I’m confident we will rise to this new challenge by remaining calm and continuing to live our lives with as much normalcy as possible, while taking all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19,”

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Schneider continued. “Let’s resist the urge to hoard, buying only what we need, while continuing to support our local businesses and each other.

We will make it through this crisis, together.

“As we learn more about what this new action means, we will continue to update you. Right now, we are awaiting the release of the text of the new order, including a full list of businesses that will be allowed to remain open,” Schneider concluded.

In another press release issued by Cone Health, CEO Terry Akin said he strongly applauds the decision by the cities of Greensboro and High Point, and Guilford County, to order residents to stay at home. National experts and Cone Health epidemiologists say it will reduce and slow the spread of COVID-19 and lessen the chances of a flood of critically ill people seeking medical care all at once.

“My heartfelt thanks to Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughn, High Point Mayor Jay Wagner, and Guilford Board of Commissioners Chair Jeff Phillips, along with our other and city and county leaders, for taking this crucial stand,” Akin said. “We have a window of opportunity to actually minimize the spread of this virus. Today’s action will save lives and reduce COVID-19 cases.”

To read the proclamation in its entirety, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/ home/showdocument?id=45284.

...continued from p. 3

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

David Wrenn, owner of Bi-Rite on U.S. 158 in downtown Stokesdale, opens the door for a customer on March 25. The store, fully stocked with fresh meat and staples, has seen record sales in the last few weeks.

sanitizer the following day, a product that will surely create even more lines outside the door.

“We’re outsourcing whatever we can find,” Wrenn said. “I’ve got toilet paper coming from five or six different places. We’re buying fresh foods that suppliers would normally be delivering to restaurants, but so many of them are closed now.”

Because of the store’s popularity, Wrenn said during hours of operation they have to lock the door at intervals and only let certain numbers in at a time.

“I hate doing that, turning people away,” he said. “It’s killing me. You don’t want to turn anyone away.”

In the meantime, he said he’s rising earlier and he and his staff are putting in even longer days than usual to meet customer demand.

“I’m going to do what I can do

to get what people want,” he said.

“That’s been my philosophy from the start. They want prime meat and prime chicken. Certified Angus beef. I want to get good-quality products.”

As for the somber atmosphere that’s become typical in retail outlets recently, Wrenn said it’s not like that at Bi-Rite.

“It’s a party atmosphere. Everyone is so appreciative and we’ve heard people say things like, ‘I’ve been to five stores and can’t find any hamburger; I’ve been to five stores and I can’t find any chicken.’ Our problem is we can’t keep up with the demand. Employees are working long hours and standing a few hours at one time in one place at the register or the meat counter. A few employees aren’t at work because their families won’t let them. It’s taking a toll on all the employees – but 99 percent of the customers are very positive and very appreciative.”

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LETTERS/OPINIONS Submit your letters (maximum 350 words)

online: nwobserver.com e-mail : editor@nwobserver.com Include your name, daytime phone number and name of community.

Letters from the same writer will be published no more than every 30 days.

When ‘normal’ isn’t normal anymore It’s mind-boggling how so much paper would become such a hot comof what we know as “normal” has modity in the midst of it? changed just within the last week.

And how about grocery store emFollowing the March 17 announceployees? On the front lines of the one ment that restaurants and bars would place everyone is still frequenting out be closed the following day except of necessity, they’ve joined the ranks of for takeout and delivery, Gov. Cooper medical caregivers and first responders announced this past Monday as our unsung heroes. that school closures will be With all the ominous extended to May 15. Online news, fears and unknowns, classroom instruction began there are always those who on Monday, and so we move look for reasons to smile and forward with teachers comways to serve. In going formitted to using new tools to ward, we encourage you to teach and students hopefully let us know when you come adjusting to new ways of upon them – news is rarely Patti Stokes learning. either all good or all bad, and publisher/editor

The closure of hair and nail salons as of Wednesday, along with many other businesses considered “non-essential,” is another reminder that little about our normal routines is the same right now.

Even public and privately owned playgrounds, normally echoing the laughter of kids and parents, are silent as of Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Many companies have already experienced a drastic reduction in business that’s resulted in painful cutbacks and layoffs (although it’s worth noting that depending upon their service or manufacturing capability, some have seen an uptick in business).

Grocery store shelves normally overflowing have often been depleted – and while it’s no surprise the supply of hand sanitizers vanished almost instantaneously as news of the virus spread, who would have anticipated that toilet

18

we want to do our part to keep a proper balance in reporting and sharing it on the local front.

ing adjustments to keep our business on healthy ground, and I’m grateful to them for their positive attitudes (one long-term staff member even volunteered to donate some hours if necessary, reflecting her commitment to what we do and our ability to keep doing it).

I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to thank our advertisers who, in the midst of all the present turmoil, continue to rely on our community newspaper to deliver their message to you – when possible, would you thank them for the role they play in allowing us to be here for you?

Wash your hands often, take physical distancing seriously, for your

“Emergency physicians (and other healthcare workers) are working tirelessly to protect as many people as possible. You too can do your part: stay home and save lives,” said William Jaquis, M.D., FACEP, president of American College of Emergency Physicians. “This is the only way to slow the virus and the best strategy to prevent our health system from becoming overwhelmed.”

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On a personal/professional note, I’ve been asked if the virus has affected our business, and if we’ll still be able to keep publishing our paper.

Far be it from me to predict the future, but at least for the short-run, we’re still on solid ground. As expected, we’ve lost some advertising – which we hope and believe will be temporary – and we are braced to lose more if the impact of the Coronavirus in our area worsens. We’ve weathered many storms in our 23 years of business, not the least of which includes the Great Recession, and we’re hopeful we’ll weather this one as we remain committed to connecting our readers to each other and to their community.

Like so many employees in all kinds of businesses, my staff has been mak-

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020

sake and that of others you come in contact with – and between our weekly issues in print, please follow us at Facebook.com/NorthwestObserver to stay connected to your community.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

GRINS and GRIPES

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community?

Share your thoughts in

40

words or less

online: nwobserver.com e-mail: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com Grins & Gripes are published based on available space and editor’s discretion.

GRINS to...  Customers who do not panic and overbuy, hoarding supplies like sanitizers or face masks, milk or bread.

Thanks for leaving essential supplies for neighbors – or even better, sharing with those less fortunate in these dangerous times.  Mrs. Medley from Northwest Middle for sending out positive, happy and encouraging emails to students to help keep them calm during all the chaos!  David Wrenn and his staff at Bi-Rite for their continued friendliness during this pandemic. Also, thank you for keeping the cost of products the same without gouging your customers when you could have done so. We appreciate our local Bi-Rite.

 NWO writer Chris Burritt. Have read your many articles over the last several issues, and am impressed by your output. Thanks for all you do to bring the local news to your readers – your efforts are appreciated!  The staff at Veterinary Hospital of Oak Ridge for being amazing during the past weeks with our very sick dog, Ruby. They were so nice and caring when she was sick and had to be sent to the Rainbow Bridge.

GRIPES to...

A+

Granite starting at $29.95/sq. ft. installed

Quartz starting at $45/sq. ft. installed Locally owned and operated

Visit our showroom for FREE estimates!

Greensboro: 312 Dougherty St • (336) 574-2755 www.prostoneusa.com

Recommendations from the ADA and NC Dental Board have encouraged

postponing all elective dental procedures.

“In order for dentistry to do its part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the ADA recommends dentists nationwide postpone elective procedures for the next three weeks. Concentrating on emergency dental care will allow us to care for our emergency patients.”

 Summerfield Town Council member Teresa Pegram for the language she used at the town’s recent budget meeting. There were children watching and listening. For shame.

 All the doctors, health care workers and EMTs, police and fire personnel, pharmacists, couriers and delivery staff, media like NWO and TV reporters who work tirelessly to protect us or the sick and elderly, and inform worried housebound citizens.

 Those who grab merchandise and stockpile excessively in these times, thinking only of themselves. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Leave some toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Artificial shortages can be caused by unnecessary hoarding!

 Lowes Foods in Oak Ridge for at least trying to limit the number of certain items people can purchase at one time. Unfortunately, you cannot control people’s behavior no matter how hard you try.

 Oak Ridge for locking park bathrooms at 4:30 p.m. Where do moms wash their kids’ hands to help prevent germs spread from play equipment?

Peeing in the park woods now until this changes will be happening!

 Kim Graham and staff at CVS pharmacy in Summerfield. Y’all have handled the overload of prescriptions this year from the flu season and now, coronavirus, in a very professional manner. Thanks for trying to please everyone.

Editor’s note: The above gripe was submitted March 20; as of March 25 at 5 p.m., the park playground is closed to the public, per an amended Guilford County State of Emergency Declaration. The park’s picnic shelters and

...continued on p. 23

FEATURED ON

Our office will remain open to serve any urgent dental needs that arise during this time. We have thorough infection control and cleaning procedures in place to make your visit safe. Thinking of everyone in our community and beyond during this difficult time.

- Drs. Ben and Jenny Weston

Providing care for adults and children for over 10 years

(336) 643-1440 Healthy Smiles. Happy Patients.

6161-A Lake Brandt Rd. Summerfield

Learn more about our care at SummerfieldDentist.com

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020

19

 AUTO SALES & SERVICE

 EMPLOYMENT

 HOME SERVICES

1999 FORD EXPEDITION, Eddie Bauer edition, red with tan interior, third-row seat, 5.4 V8, 4WD. Very good condition. 179K mi., $4,850 obo. (336) 668-2626.

STAFF POSITIONS open in childcare center.

Lead teacher and assistant teacher positions available. Call (336) 643-5930 for info.

ELECTRICAL

 PUBLIC NOTICE

THE EUROPEAN AUTO SERVICE PROS

DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS, many previously scheduled events, yard sales and fundraisers in our area have been postponed or cancelled. We will keep you posted in future issues as to if/when they are rescheduled.

Service that is more than just a Repair

www.EuroHaus.pro•336.891.3876 6716 US Hwy 158•Stokesdale

Just 1/4 mile off I-73

Place online at

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

NEED HELP? Call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 Mon - Fri • 9am -12:30pm

INDEX Auto Sales & Service ............20 Business Opportunity..............20 Employment ........................20 Public Notice............................20 Save the Date..........................20 Home Services .............. 20-22 Misc. for Sale ..................... 22 Misc. Wanted ..................... 22 Pets & Animal Services ....... 22 Real Estate ......................... 22

20 20

KNIGHT IMPORT SPECIALTY SERVICE. European Auto Service & Repair, 4559 US Highway 220, Summerfield (across from Food Lion). Specializing in factory-scheduled maintenance and repairs. BMW, Audi, Volvo, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Mini and Porsche.

32 years experience. (336) 337-0669.

 SAVE THE DATE STOKESDALE FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL BBQ SALE. Sat., March 28, 11am-7pm (unless sold out). Drive-thru/ takeout only this year as a precaution due to Coronavirus. No walkups, please. Thank you for your cooperation. $8 per plate, $8 per pound, $2 per small takeout slaw.

To pre-order by the pound, please call (336) 643-0790.

 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY  HOME SERVICES ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITY. Business needs a strong salesperson to learn unique internet marketing business, selling automotive and industrial equipment. Learn the business from owner with possibility of owning business. Excellent for someone semi-retired with sales background looking for a challenge. All sales are inside, handling quotes from website leads. Office located in Reidsville. Please call Buddy Turner, (336) 314-0454, or send email to wbtm1m@yahoo.com.

 EMPLOYMENT BILL'S PIZZA PUB. Energetic & responsible individuals wanted. We are looking to hire daytime hosts, as well as nighttime cooks, servers and hosts, immediately.

We will keep you busy and work with your goals. Come work with a company who has been serving this area for 50 years! If you would like to work for a company which values you, please apply in person today: 1431 NC Hwy 68, Oak Ridge.

MARCH MARCH26 26- -APRIL APRIL1,1,2020 2020

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING A-ACTION AIR. A/C Spring checkup, $49.99.

Call (336) 382-3750 or (336) 268-6768.

CLEANING THE CLEANING TECHNICIAN INC. For a one-time clean or bi-weekly, I can fit your schedule. Licensed, bonded and insured. Call Lisa, (336) 207-0770.

MAIDS OF HONOR HOME CLEANING. $25 off! Locally owned, bonded staff. 40 yrs. in service. BBB A+ rating. (336) 708-2407.

CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Will fit to your budget. Pet taxi/pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, (336) 231-1838.

CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING Gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. windowcleaningnc.com (336) 595-2873.

STEPHANIE'S CLEANING SERVICE. 10 years exp. (336) 423-2239.

The Observer • Totally local since 1996 TheNorthwest Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Need an electrician? Call BLACKMON ELECTRICAL, INC. Free est. Comm. & res.

Licensed & insured. Call (336) 430-5018.

Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? Call Coble Electric LLC at (336) 209-1486.

BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC. Got Power? Residential, commercial and solar electrical services. (336) 298-4192.

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES

OLD SCHOOL

HOME REPAIR /IMPROVEMENTS “No Job Too Small”

Wood Rot Repairs • Bathroom Remodeling Painting • Decks and much more! • Insured

Contact us for a free estimate!

(336) 669-7252

oldschoolsjhr@triad.rr.com

FIX YOUR MOWER! Service and repairs. Spring specials. "We do it right." Free pickup & delivery. Call Rick, (336) 501-8681.

APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707.

GARY’S HANDYMAN HOME SERVICES “Providing value for the home-ownership experience.” Gary Gellert, serving NC’s Piedmont Triad area. Garygellert@gmail.com, (336) 423-8223.

GREENERTIMES SMALL ENGINE Sales & Service Center. All types sold and repaired; comm./res. 9428 NC Hwy. 65, Stokesdale.

(336) 548-9286 or (336) 312-3844.

CLOCK DOCTOR. Free house calls for sick clocks. (336) 643-9931 or (336) 392-4124.

L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE "We get you mowing!" Comm./res., all models.

2103 Oak Ridge Rd., Oak Ridge. Call (336) 298-4314, LandTsmallengineservice.com.

PLACE YOUR AD: nwobserver.com

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

GRADING / HAULING

ALL-SEASON STUMP GRINDING. Owner Alan Winfree. Free est. Call (336) 382-9875.

DELIMA LAWNCARE. 24 hours/7 days a week. Free estimates, licensed/insured.

Mowing, pruning, mulch/pine straw and much more. Commercial and residential. delimalawncare@live.com. (336) 669-5210.

PAINTING & DRYWALL

FAY'S LAWNCARE & LANDSCAPING Complete tree removal & trimming. Storm damage clean-up. Landscaping & hardscaping. Insured. Taylor, (336) 458-6491.

(336) 931-0600

E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, demolition, lot clearing, excavating, bobcat work, etc. (336) 451-1282.

ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt, available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035.

DTW GRADING & HAULING, INC. Offering complete bobcat services and hauling.

Fill dirt, asphalt millings, stone and more.

Daniel Wilson, (336) 339-0212.

BRAD'S BOBCAT & HAULING SVCS. LLC. Debris removal, grading, gravel/dirt, driveways, concrete work. (336) 362-3647.

PLACE YOUR AD: nwobserver.com GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150.

H&L GRADING, LLC. No job too tough or too small. Call us first!

We are a full-service grading company that specializes in residential projects. Owner/ operator Timmy Hart has more than 30 years of grading and equipment experience.

Fully licensed and insured. Land clearing, debris removal, driveways, French drains and much more. (336) 543-7867.

GUTTERS / SIDING / WINDOWS WILSON SEAMLESS GUTTERS, new construction, repairs, replacement, leaf guards. Free estimates. (336) 420-0200.

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING SOUTHERN CUTZ LAWN CARE, offering complete lawn maintenance services & bush hogging. Nathan Adkins, (336) 430-6086.

COLFAX LAWNCARE. Core aeration & seeding. Fertilizing, mowing, trimming, pine needles. Complete lawn care maintenance. Res./comm. Fully insured. Serving the triad for 28 years. (336) 362-5860.

LAWN MOWING & CARE. Professional, experienced, dependable. Please call Steve, (336) 264-9082.

HENLEY LAWN & HOME SERVICE LLC. A premier provider of lawn care and landscaping. Call today to schedule a free estimate. (336) 601-6420.

AQUA SYSTEMS IRRIGATION. Quality irrigation systems. NC licensed contractor.

We service all systems. Free estimates.

(336) 644-1174.

AFFORDABLE LANDSCAPING for all your landscaping needs, including irrigation, installation and repair. Call Joe at J. Gibson Landscaping, an Americanowned and operated small business. Built on capitalism, not socialism. In God we trust. (336) 419-7236.

CAROLINA STUMP & TREE SERVICE Complete tree service, $1 million liability, workman’s comp. Rick & Judy, (336) 643-9332. www.carolinaStumpAndTreeServices.com.

GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maint. (336) 655-6490.

EXTERIOR GREENSCAPES. Lawn maintenance service. Please call for a free estimate.

(336) 682-1456.

Your business should be here!

Place your classified ad online at

www.nwobserver.com

HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES. Free est. Call (336) 669-5448.

WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC. Lawn maint., landscaping. Irrigation/ landscape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape lighting. 26 years exp. (336) 399-7764.

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. (336) 643-9157.

STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. Free est. Lic./Ins. 40+ years experience.

All phases of tree work. Lots & natural area thinning and cleanup. Large shrubbery jobs, chipping. Oak Ridge. Call (336) 643-1119. Hire a local with references.

Like us on Facebook and keep up with all the northwest-area news!

ORTIZ LANDSCAPING, complete lawn care. Trimming, cleaning, planting & mulch, gutter cleaning, patios & pavers, waterfalls, retaining walls, sidewalks, stonework. Residential and commercial. (336) 280-8981.

MASONRY SOUTHERN STYLE concrete & landscapes.

How about a new patio or fire pit? We can help with all of your outdoor living and entertainment spaces! Fire pits, driveways & sidewalks, patios and more! Give us a call at (336) 399-6619 for all your concrete and landscape needs.

MASONRY CONCEPTS, brick, block, stone concrete & repairs. Free est. (336) 988-1022, www.masonryconceptsgso.com.

COLONIAL MASONRY. 40 yrs. exp. Specializing in outdoor living spaces; dry-stack natural stone and flagstone. Let us help you plan your patio, fire pit, fireplace, kitchen – or anything else you would like! Call (336) 949-9019. www.colonialmasonry.com.

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, out buildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc.

Call (336) 706-8470.

WILSON SEPTIC PUMPING & REPAIR. Family owned since 1972. Mention you saw this ad in the NWObserver for a discount.

(336) 643-6427.

The Northwest Observer • Totally The Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal sincesince 19961996

BEK Paint Co. Residential & Commercial David & Judy Long, owners

BEKPaintCompany.com • References Available • Licensed & Insured • All Work Guaranteed

PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR, 40 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. Average BDRM walls $100. Insured. Call Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186.

STILL PERFECTION PAINTING. Reliable, skilled, affordable. Painting, pressure washing, handyman services. Scott Still, (336) 462-3683, stillperfectionpainting.com.

LAWSON'S PAINTING. Custom decks, pressure washing, boat docks, block fill, wood repair, stain work, textured ceilings, sheetrock repair. Call (336) 253-9089.

Tell our readers how you can help.

Call or email Laura for advertising info (336) 644-7035, ext. 11 advertising@nwobserver.com

PLUMBING WEBSTER & SONS PLUMBING, Inc. (336) 992-2503. Licensed, insured, bonded.

24/7 service. Plumbing, drain cleaning, well pumps. Give us a call, we do it all! Go to www.webstersplumbing.com for more info.

FREEMAN PLUMBING – new construction, remodel and repair. For ALL your plumbing needs! (336) 580-4525.

continued on p. 22

MARCH2626 - APRIL1,1,2020 2020 MARCH - APRIL

21 21

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 MISC. FOR SALE

 REAL ESTATE

BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR. No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic./ Ins. Cleanliness in your home is our #1 priority. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924.

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Sr. disc., 41 yrs. exp. (336) 362-6343.

SEASONED FIREWOOD. $80/pickup truck load, delivered & stacked. (336) 253-7615.

LAND FOR SALE

4 CEMETERY PLOTS for sale in the Fountain Section of Westminster Gardens, 3601 Whitehurst Rd., Greensboro. Worth $20,000; will take $15,000 plus transfer fee.

Please call (336) 643-7077.

Gorgeous property! Nothing else like it!

PRESSURE WASHING PRESSURE WASHING, gutter & window cleaning. Fully insured. Crystal Clear, www. windowcleaningnc.com or (336) 595-2873.

CUTTING EDGE PRESSURE WASHING. Affordable, dependable. Please call anytime for free estimate. (336) 706-0103.

HOUSE WASHING, roof cleaning, driveway cleaning. Let us do the dirty work for you.

MartinsPressureWashing.com

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

Services TM Construction , INC

BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS

Bathroom and kitchen

RENOVATION WORKS, INC. New construction, remodeling, additions, kitchen, bath and decks. We are a locally owned, full-service design and build company, A+ accredited with the BBB. Visit www.myrenovationworks.com or call (336) 427-7391 to start your next project.

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION 30 years experience. Specializing in room additions, kitchens & baths, garages, vinyl siding and windows, painting, ceramic tile, laminate, hardwood and linoleum floors, and remodeling of all kinds. No job too small. Free est. Call (336) 362-7469.

AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350.

ROOFING

(336) 644-8615 office (336) 508-5242 cell

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION 30 years experience. Residential shingle & metal roofing. Free est. (336) 362-7469.

Licensed & insured

PREMIER ROOFING, LOCALLY OWNED. Catering to all your roofing needs. Call (336) 430-9507 for free assessments.

NC Gen. Contractor #72797

DOUGLAS CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING, LLC. Custom Builder, sunrooms, garages, additions, kitchens baths. Licensed & Insured, BBB A+ accredited.

Free est. Visit www.douglascr.com or call (336) 413-5050.

Place your classified ad online at

www.nwobserver.com

JLB REMODELING, INC. Remodeling and additions. Fully insured.

NC GC license #69997. Free est. Call (336) 681-2902 or visit www.jlbremodeling.com.

ORTIZ REMODELING – Total restoration & home improvement. Drywall, painting, kitchen cabinets, interior trim & more. Free estimates. (336) 280-8981.

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. We finance.

Free Estimates. Since 1979. Please call (336) 362-6343.

MARCH MARCH26 26- -APRIL APRIL1,1,2020 2020

nwobserver.com

Call (336) 430-9507 anytime.

N. MYRTLE BEACH vacation, 7/5-7/10, N.C., vacation, 7/25-8/1 $600. Sandcastle Village II. Please call (336) 549-1198 or (336) 643-7442.

Locally owned & operated

Gated access with 24/7 camera surveillance 6705 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale • (336) 643-9963 (affiliated with Stokesdale Storage)

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

We Help Everyone!

SELLERS & BUYERS

 MISC. WANTED FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, ATVs, generators, power washers, go-carts, mini-bikes, golf carts, 4-wheelers, etc. (336) 689-4167. $$$ – WILL PAY CASH for your junk / wrecked vehicle. For quote, call (336) 552-0328.

(336) 643-4248

www.ANewDawnRealty.com HOMES FOR SALE

 PETS & ANIMAL SVCS.

Need something? submit your ad at

pond. 4 acres up to 23 acres. You choose.

$600. Shorecrest Villas II. NEW BERN,

Ready for a NEW family member?

PREMIER CONSTRUCTION for all your remodeling/renovation needs. (336) 430-9507.

22 22

 MISC. SERVICES

WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING LLC. Bonded & Insured. Follow us on Facebook. Call or text (336) 339-6845.

classifieds

Wooded, open and water. Creeks and

VACATION PROPERTIES

CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC. Residential roofing, rubber flat roofs, roof coating, metal roofs. 30 years experience.

Call (336) 643-8191 or (336) 268-1908.

Find it here in the

LOTS, LAND, ACREAGE

Visit adoptshelterpets.org to see animals at the Guilford County Animal Shelter in need of a loving home.

The Observer • Totally local since 1996 TheNorthwest Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

123 Dream Lane Real estate showcase ads in the NWO get noticed! Include a photo and description of your listing, Realtor photo, logo and contact info – all for only $85!

Place your real estate showcase today (336) 644-7035, ext. 11 advertising@nwobserver.com

index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS

Please support

our advertisers,

and tell them where you saw their ad.

Without their partnership, the Northwest Observer could not be free to you, our readers!

ACCOUNTING

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Carlotta Lytton, CPA ..........................10

Old School Home Repair ...................20

Kimberly Thacker Accounting............10

ProStone, Inc. ....................................19

Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC.....10

Stokesdale Heating & Air.....................4

AUTOMOTIVE SALES / SERVICE

INSURANCE

EuroHaus ..........................................20

Gladwell Insurance ..............................2

Piedmont Truck Tire Inc..................... 17 Tire Max ..............................................7 Vestal Buick / GMC ............................18

BUILDING / REMODELING TM Construction Services ..................22

CHILDREN’S SERVICES Guardian Ad Litem ............................ 12 Parents as Teachers Guilford County . 14

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS Summerfield Fire Department .............5

DENTISTRY Summerfield Family Dentistry ............19

ENTERTAINMENT The Wright Stuff ................................10

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES BEK Paint Company ..........................21 Carpets by Direct ............................... 13 Eanes Heating & Air ............................8

LEGAL SERVICES Barbour & Williams Law ......................2 Scott Tippett – Hagan Barrett Law ....15

MEDICAL CARE LeBauer HealthCare ............................9 Wake Forest Baptist Health ............... 16

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES Rymack Storage ................................22

ORTHODONTIC CARE Olmsted Orthodontics ....................... 14

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital ...............10

GRINS AND GRIPES ...continued from p. 19

athletic fields are also closed for public use, although walking trails are still open; the town of Oak Ridge urged park users to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer often and continue social distancing by remaining 6 or more feet apart.

Town Clerk Sandra Smith said the decision to have restrooms only open at Oak Ridge Town Park from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily was another step to reduce overall exposure. “We made this announcement on the town website, town and park Facebook pages, Nextdoor.com, and posted the information on the restroom doors in an effort to notify as many people as possible,” she told the Northwest Obserer. “None of the decisions affecting the park – including canceling shelter and field reservations, closing athletic fields and playgrounds, and shortening the hours that restrooms are open – have been made lightly.”

 Hoarders. Get just what you need, please.

The only critical items in short supply are medical supplies to combat this horrible disease. Please think about others.

Outside the

REAL ESTATE

The following reader-submitted gripe expresses an opinion about a national topic, and has been separated as a courtesy to those who do not want to read others’ opinions on nonlocal topics in a local newspaper.

GrowinGreen Inc. ................................3

Ramilya Siegel, Keller Williams .......... 11

Nature’s Select .................................. 12

YOUTH SPORTS / CAMPS

New Garden Landscaping & Nursery..15

Oak Ridge Youth Association ..............3

is here!

 Summerfield Mayor BJ Barnes, talking about wasting money. While on council, your wife voted to spend $100,000 for an unusable 1-acre lot (with a creek in the middle of it!) for a sheriff substation while you were sheriff.

Northwest Animal Hospital ..................3

Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX ....................6

At Home

 Those who don’t understand that “Limit 2” means two, not “three, maybe they won’t notice,” and not “Er, uh, sorry, I didn’t see the sign.” Unless you run a soup kitchen, please leave some for the rest of us.

King’s Crossing Animal Hospital ........10

A New Dawn Realty ..........................22

Spring 2020

…

Look for it online year-round at nwobserver.com

 The 2020 Census, which is more concerned with my ethnicity and the gender of my spouse than my citizenship. Truly is sad.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020

23

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

Postal Patron

PAID

Oak Ridge, NC Permit No. 22

PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 • (336) 644-7035

ECRWSS

r at the Old Mill of Guilford Corola Schroeder, (left) a faithful voluntee her daughter, Barbara and s, on N.C . 68 in Oak Ridge for over 32 year y when the Northwest Frida y ever Stevens, look forward to taking a break l news. Stevens began volunteering Observer is delivered to peruse the loca young and began working there at the mill with her mother when she was with wearing many hats, including full-time a few years ago. She is credited milling and “fixing things.”

touch with the happenings at Kaylee Johnson of Summerfield kept in K-Love’s annual cruise to the home while enjoying Christian music radio ary.

Caribbean with her parents in late Janu

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