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Happy 105th birthday to Hazel Weeks
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Photo courtesy of Betty Stantliff Hazel Weeks, the oldest resident at Countryside Village Retirement Community in Stokesdale, celebrated her 105th birthday on Aug. 28.
8004 Linville Road, Suite E-3, Oak Ridge (336) 643-4623 barbourwilliams.com 6 SEPT. 2 - 15, 2021 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 ...continued on p. 8
8004 Linville Road, Suite E-3, Oak Ridge (336) 643-4623 barbourwilliams.com • Probate & Estate Administration • Estate Planning (Wills & Trusts)
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Tracy Williams, attorney
Hazel Weeks has lived through both world wars and all the wars that have followed, 18 presidents, huge upturns and downturns in the nation’s economy Barbour & Williams Law Barbour & Williams Law – and two pandemics STOKESDALE – “My mother spent her life caring for others,” said Summerfield resident Betty Stantliff, daughter of Hazel Weeks, who turned 105 on Aug. 28. “She worked hard supporting her family, caring for her dad, and later, her grandchildren. Her determination and faith have served her well and have supported her through these last more difficult years. She is 105 years loved.” When we interviewed her five years ago for her 100th birthday, we asked Weeks about her secret to such a long life. Her answer was simple: “The Lord.” Stantliff added a little more to her mother’s response. “Clean living. No cussing, no drinkTracy Williams, attorney ing, no smoking,” said Stantliff, which elicited a chuckle from her mom. The third of seven children, Weeks was born outside southeast Greensboro on Aug. 28, 1916. At the time, World War I was underway and most everyone was focused on the battles taking place in Europe. During her lifetime, Weeks has experienced enormous change in the world. She recalls living with no electricity or phone service, cooking on a wood stove and the use of horse-drawn wagons as the primary mode of transportation. She’s lived through both world wars and all the wars that have followed, the Great Depression and the Great Recession. She’s also seen 18 United States presidents in office. Weeks was a young teenager when the Great Depression hit in 1929. “We lived on a farm and had chickens and cows and a garden. We had plenty of food,” she said. “People who lived in the towns and cities nearly starved to death.” To supplement what the family raised on the farm, Weeks’ father was able to find work with the Work Progress Administration (WPA), a work-relief program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Depression; the program was responsible for building many of the bridges, public parks and parkways that still stand today. For his work, Weeks’ father would be “paid a dollar or two a week,” which was enough to “get a little coffee and sugar,” she said. Having made it through the Depression, the United States was poised to jump into World War II. On Oct. 27, 1942, Weeks found herself personally impacted by that war when she and her husband, Alton, were married in Abilene, Texas. Within the week, Alton, who was a master sergeant in the United States Army, was sent
Ordinary peOPLE, Extraordinary impact
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall
by ANNETTE JOYCE OAK RIDGE – As Oak Ridge’s most enthusiastic cheerleader and dedicated community volunteer, Randy Floss is a super-charged dynamo. Whether it’s organizing the activities, sponsors and volunteers for RidgeFest, the annual three-day extravaganza that takes place at Oak Ridge Town Park, serving as president of his neighborhood’s HOA, or helping a friend paint his house, this man stays busy as he lends a helping hand wherever he can.
Floss and his wife, Vicky, moved to Oak Ridge in 2005 after his retirement from a large corporation. Originally from a small town outside of Buffalo, New York, Floss relished connecting with the community that he grew up in and was eager to make those connections in his new hometown.
Immediately after settling in, he became involved with Oak Ridge United Methodist Church and the local American Cancer Society chapter. But having a self-described “Type A” personality, he found he still had time, energy and a desire to do more. Within 18 months, he and Vicky opened Bistro 150 in Oak Ridge Commons shopping center and created one of the town’s most popular gathering places.
Floss thrives on interacting with others and for him, Bistro 150 was not only a labor of love, but gave him the opportunity to meet members of the community and make new friends.
Even though he sold the restaurant in 2016, Floss continues to support the Bistro as both a customer and friend to co-owner Jennifer Mun.
Mun uses words like “biggest heart” and “amazing” to describe Floss, who she said has helped her in numerous ways since she and her husband purchased the business five years ago.
When Mun decided to open the Oak Ridge Room, a meeting room and small event venue next door to the Bistro, Floss was immediately on board. He volunteered to paint and decorate the room, helped spread the word about its opening and offered to handle bookings for it. He continues to do that as well as to book musicians for Bistro 150’s live music nights.
During his time as owner of the Bistro, Floss spearheaded the creation of the Classic Car Cruise-in at the shopping center and still enjoys managing that event, which is held the third Tuesday of each month, April through October.
said Mickey Tingen, owner of Domino’s Pizza in Oak Ridge. “He’s been a mentor and friend and he’s somebody I trust when it comes to running a business or doing a task. “I’ve gotten to know Randy really, really well,” Tingen continued. “He doesn’t do things for the notoriety or to be the guy in charge. It’s to make his surroundings better.” That’s what Floss had in mind when he joined Merchants of Oak Ridge in 2006 and immediately took on leadership roles as a board member and later, as president of the organization. It was under his leadership that RidgeFest evolved from a small country fair and has grown to be a much-anticipated festival with carnival rides, games, concessions, live music and one of the area’s most spectacular fireworks displays. Most recently, Floss joined Oak Ridge Lions Club and took over organization of the club’s largest fundraiser, the annual Tom Brown Memorial Golf Tournament. To enhance this year’s tournament, Floss planned a 25th anniversary celebration, which was supposed to take place after the tournament in May but was postponed due to COVID. Floss is especially busy these days simultaneously working on RidgeFest, which is scheduled for Sept. 9-11, and the Tom Brown Memorial Golf Tournament 25th anniversary celebration scheduled for Sept. 30. “I just like to see everyone out enjoying themselves and making their own connections to the he still had time, energy and a desire to do more. community,” he said.
Randy Floss, retired and busier than ever
‘He’s the busiest retired person I know,’ says a close friend of the very active community volunteer
Thanks to Tire Max for sponsoring this monthly feature in which we recognize “ordinary” people in our readership area who make an extraordinary impact on others. To nominate an “ordinary” person for this feature, email editor@nwobserver.com with their name, a detailed description of how they positively impact others, and your contact info.
Stokesdale Summerfield Madison High Point High Point Eden
