Northwest Observer l Aug. 8-14, 2019 by pscommunications

Aug. 8 - 14, 2019

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Tales from under the tent Vendors at Oak Ridge’s farmers market are motivated by childhood hobbies, family recipes, a dog rescue and the illness of an infant by CHRIS BURRITT

Akasha Santos and Devon May are new vendors at From the Earth farmers market in Oak Ridge, selling jewelry made from dried ﬂowers to recognize the cancer ﬁght of Santos’ 15-month-old daughter, Rue.

OAK RIDGE – George Page was riding his bicycle home from his job at a grocery store in Lincolnton, North Carolina, when he spotted a swarm of bees in a tree at his house. He helped catch the swarm, starting a lifelong fascination with beekeeping.

Sixty years later, Page, 75, is one of about three dozen vendors who gather Thursday evenings at Oak Ridge’s From the Earth Farmers market. Tales of how they got started are as rich and plentiful as the yellow squash and sunflowers, jewelry and jam they sell from folding tables under tents. “They have wonderful stories,” said Laurie Brackett, the organizer of the market that draws several hundred people Photos by Chris Burritt/NWO weekly to a vacant lot next to Finley Miller of Summerﬁ eld makes Finley’s the Village Quality Mart conveFizzies bath bombs in lavender, peach mango nience gas station on N.C. 68 and other ﬂavors. She sells her products just south of N.C. 150. every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at From the Since starting in early May, Earth farmers market in Oak Ridge and on ...continued on p. 10 her Facebook page.

Former councilman has another day in court After attorneys present oral arguments in the Todd Rotruck vs. Guilford County Board of Elections and Janelle Robinson case on Aug. 6, a decision by an N.C. Court of Appeals’ three-judge panel is pending by PATTI STOKES SUMMERFIELD – Former Summer-

field Town Councilman Todd Rotruck maintains that he moved from his Greensboro home to Summerfield in the fall of 2016, and lived Todd Rotruck there for about 12 months before temporarily moving back to the home in Greensboro that he and his family still owned and had kept furnished. But whether Rotruck,

elected to Summerfield Town Council in November 2017, lived in Summerfield in April 2018, 30 days prior to the May 8, 2018, primary, has been at the center of much debate and several lawsuits since the Guilford County Board of Elections unanimously upheld a voter registration challenge filed by Janelle Robinson a few months earlier. The BOE voted that Rotruck had not established permanent residency in Summerfield 30 days prior to the May 2018 primary election – a requirement to be an eligible Sum-

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IN THIS ISSUE News in brief .............................. 2 ‘Crazy’ water system? .............. 3 Your Questions .......................... 4 Oak Ridge Town Council ......... 6 Bits & Pieces ............................... 8 MLB’s Pitch Hit & Run winner... 12 Crime/Incident Report ........... 14 Calendar Events ...................... 15 Grins and Gripes ..................... 16 Classifieds ................................ 19 Index of Advertisers ................ 23

NEWS in brief

Preview: Aug. 8 Stokesdale Town Council meeting by PATTI STOKES

STOKESDALE – A representative from Republic Services will make a presentation at Stokesdale Town Council’s Aug. 8 meeting to address the company’s recent increases for monthly waste collection service and to offer a suggestion as to how those increases might be offset. Tony Krasienko, Republic’s municipal sales manager, wrote in a letter to the town council dated May 30 that the company planned to raise the monthly charge for solid waste collection by 4.96 percent, effective July 1, based on the February 2019 Consumer Price Index. Additionally, Krasienko wrote, due to the rising cost of recy-

cling processing fees it had become necessary to raise the cost of the recycling service by $3.96 per household.

To offset these price increases, Krasienko suggests the Town consider switching to an every-other-week rather than weekly recycling schedule. “This would result in a savings to customers without loss of a service,” he wrote, noting that Stokesdale is the only town Republic works with in the City of Greensboro and surrounding areas that still is on a weekly recycling schedule.

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In other business, the council is expected to discuss Planning Board rules, procedures and administrative duties, revisions to the Town’s park

rules, and review the Town’s current Budget vs. Actual financial statements for FY 2018-19 and FY 201920 to date.

Oak Ridge’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail Committee selected its new logo from 148 entries submitted by 15 designers from around the world who were reached through crowdsourcing, an online solicitation for designs. MST Committee co-chair Bill Royal said the committee created a detailed description of the logo it wanted and paid the crowdsourcing company $499 to run the contest and compensate the winning designer, who went by the online name of Vampire (the real name wasn’t disclosed). Royal presented the logo to the Oak Ridge Town Council last week, drawing praise from council members. It resembles the town seal, with a trail winding between the Old Mill of Guilford and Oak Ridge Military Academy’s Alumni Hall. The committee plans to place the logo along trails in town and on T-shirts, baseball caps and other merchandise, Royal said.

Preview: Aug. 13 Summerﬁeld Town Council meeting by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – A rezoning request by the developer of Henson Village, a proposed 86-acre shopping center on N.C. 150 at I-73, will be heard by Summerfield Town Council at its meeting next Tuesday, Aug. 13. Blue Ridge Companies is seeking the rezoning of three parcels totaling 6.7 acres from agricultural and residential to conditional use general business. If rezoned, the tract would match the zoning of 79 surrounding acres, allowing the developer to cre-

ate a master plan for the combined 86 acres.

The town’s Zoning Board voted 5-0 to recommend approving the request during its June 24 meeting. The Town Council will take the board’s recommendation into consideration when making the final decision on whether to approve the request.

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Proposed water system is ‘crazy,’ P&Z board member says by CHRIS BURRITT OAK RIDGE – Oak Ridge Planning and Zoning Board member Patti Paslaru recently questioned whether the town could establish a municipal water system without eventually requiring taxpayers to help pay for running it. A system proposed by Mayor Spencer Sullivan in May would initially require developers of new subdivisions with 30 or more lots to build community wells to standards imposed by Oak Ridge. The developers would be required to deed the wells to the town, which would oversee the operation and maintenance of the wells, Town Manager Bill Bruce told the P&Z Board at its meeting July 25. “How does the town think that we are going to be able to sustain these wells that aren’t able to be sustained by the developers?” Paslaru asked Bruce. “But we’re going to join them together and make a system. I mean, this is like crazy.” “Those are questions the Town Council will have to address,” said Bruce, who updated the P&Z Board on a proposal for operating the system being devel-

oped by Envirolink, which operates community wells in some Oak Ridge neighborhoods. If the council decides to proceed with a water system, it would require changing the town’s development ordinance to mandate that developers build wells to acceptable standards and deed them to the town, Bruce said. The P&Z Board would review the proposed ordinance changes by town staff and offer recommendations for how the council should proceed. Paslaru expressed skepticism about how the system would operate without costing taxpayers. “Sooner or later you’re going to have to build a tower or something to hook them (individual community wells) together,” she said. “Somebody is going to have to pay for that.” The town may eventually connect community wells, with costs of the improvements covered by fees paid by water customers, Bruce said. Reiterating Sullivan’s explanation of the proposed system, Bruce said homeowners who currently get water from community or individual wells would not be required to

tap into a municipal system. As proposed, the town would contract with a water system operator, such as Envirolink, to operate and maintain its system. Some other residents, including council member Doug Nodine and John Jenkins, chair of the town’s Finance Committee, have also criticized the proposal. The system wouldn’t provide water to existing homeowners, nor would it create new sources of water for fighting fires or improve distribution to existing subdivisions, Nodine said in May. Jenkins said a water system serving only new subdivisions would depend upon future residential development rather than benefiting all water users. In a message explaining his proposal in May, Sullivan said creating a municipal water system “is a reasonable approach for the town to consider, so it can begin taking responsibility for providing a safe, reliable and plentiful water supply for our citizens.” The message is posted on the town’s website, and copies of it are available at Town Hall.

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AUG. 8 - 14, 2019

your QUESTIONS Is the new bridge on Bunch Road likely to be completed by the time school starts on Aug. 26, as NCDOT announced when traffic was detoured around this area in early June? I drove

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OUR TEAM Patti Stokes, editor/publisher Laura Reneer, marketing manager

down to the bridge last week and it didn’t look like it could be completed within the next four weeks.

Kelli Jessup, publisher’s assistant Yvonne Truhon, graphic designer Leon Stokes, IT director Lucy Smith, finance manager Linda Schatz, distribution manager Chris Burritt, staff writer; Helen Ledford, Meredith Barkley, Lily Pierce and Annette Joyce, contributing writers

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A portion of Bunch Road has been closed since early June while a bridge is being repaired. The new bridge under construction on Bunch Road between Brookbank and Northwest School roads is still on schedule to be completed by the time school starts on Aug. 26, a district engineer with NCDOT says.

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As of June 11, drivers traveling on Bunch Road between Brookbank and Northwest School roads have been detoured while the road is closed to through traffic for a bridge between the two roads to be replaced. Bobby Norris, district engineer with NCDOT’s Division 7 office, told us the contractor placed all of the cored slabs (bridge deck) on July 30 and had them already grouted the next day.

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NEWS in brief

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Before the Zoning Board vote, town planner Chris York said the proposed development “appears to have overall consistency” with the town’s comprehensive plan and meets the requirements of the town’s development ordinance. The rezoning application provides a description of the development envisioned by Blue Ridge: “a walkable, ‘village-type’ shopping area including several retail buildings, commercial and medical office buildings, and other outparcels for meeting specific development requests such as restaurants.” During a public hearing at the Zoning Board’s meeting in June, no residents spoke in opposition to the rezoning request. Jim Grdich, Blue Ridge’s director of developer, told the board the company, led by CEO David Couch, was listening to residents’ comments and suggestions in an effort to incorporate community input into the planning of Henson Village. As part of its rezoning application, Blue Ridge agreed “to make every effort” to preserve mature trees and stands of trees in the development, York told the Zoning Board. No tree removal would occur before the town has approved a comprehensive master site plan and a tree conservation plan, he said. York also recommended that setbacks – or the distance between roads and the development – should be deepened to allow for planting and preservation of shade trees. “Building facades should be varied by depth, surface treatment and separations to avoid a ‘strip development’ appearance,” York’s report said. Looking at an earlier plan for Henson Village, Zoning Board Chairman Dick Feulner said he hoped the new master plan would place fewer parking spots near N.C. 150. In terms

of minimizing the view of cars parked along the road, he urged Blue Ridge “to find a way to make it Summerfield and not Friendly Shopping Center” in Greensboro. Sidewalks in the center will allow people to walk among stores, rather than drive, landscape architect Doug Stimmel, representing Blue Ridge, told the board. Henson Village will also connect with area trails to create a meeting place for walkers and cyclists, said Stimmel, CEO of Stimmel Associates, a landscape architect hired by Blue Ridge to design the center. Henson Village will be developed in phases “over a number of years,” he noted. During a June 13 open house at Town Hall for residents to learn about the project, Couch said he envisions Henson Village as an updated version of Oak Ridge Commons in Oak Ridge and the Palladium in High Point, two shopping centers that Blue Ridge was involved in developing. If the council approves the request, Couch said Blue Ridge will create a master plan for the combined 86 acres. It will be developed in stages, with plans for the first phase possibly completed by year’s end and plans for the second phase completed in the first quarter of 2020. In other business, the council is expected to discuss recommended revisions to the Unified Development Ordinance, signage for the Summerfield Historic District and applicants for a contracted town attorney.

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WHAT they voted on, and HOW they voted:

OAK RIDGE town council

Aug. 1 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by CHRIS BURRITT Mayor Spencer Sullivan called the monthly meeting to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and council members George McClellan and Doug Nodine present. Ann Schneider was absent. Rev. Marcia Isley, pastor of St. James AME Church, offered the invocation.

REPORTS Public safety: Sheriff’s Office. First Lt. Jeremy Fuller with the sheriff’s District 1 office reported the office responded to 64 calls for service in Oak Ridge last month. A property theft and a shoplifting incident were the two most serious crimes.

Fire Department. Asst. Chief Sam Anders reported Oak Ridge Fire Department responded to 61 calls in July; 32 were medical in nature and the others were fire- or service-related. Firefighters obtained 233 hours of training.

PUBLIC HEARINGS Rezoning: 52.6 acres. The council

considered the rezoning of 52.6 acres on the south side of N.C. 150 west of East Harrell Road. The property is owned by Mayor Sullivan, his wife and three of her relatives. To avoid a conflict of interest, the mayor recused himself and sat in the audience during a public hearing for residents to offer their viewpoints and council members to follow with discussion. Chris Rohrer, president of Land Solutions, the Greensboro-based land surveying and design firm working with the property owners and developer Kevan Combs, said the request conforms to the town’s land use plan. No one spoke in opposition to the rezoning request. Kinneman, McClellan and Nodine voted 3-0 in favor of rezoning the property from agricultural to RS-40 residential. “I’d like to vote against it just to aggravate Spencer, but I don’t think I can,” joked Nodine. The unanimous vote didn’t count,

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(Mayor Spencer Sullivan, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and council members George McClellan and Doug Nodine voted on the following issues at the Aug. 1 meeting; council member Ann Schneider was absent.)

 4  0: Approve meeting agenda and minutes from July 11 regular meeting

 3  0: Approve rezoning of 52.6 acres on N.C. 150 west of East Harrell

Road. The vote didn’t stand because the “yes” votes didn’t represent at least twothirds of the five council members, as required for the first hearing of a rezoning request (Mayor Spencer Sullivan recused himself from voting because he is one of the property owners).

 4  0: Approve rezoning of 25.4 acres on N.C. 150 between Bridgehead and Union Grove roads from AG to RS-40 for a residential subdivision

 4  0: Approve resolution endorsing NCDOT’s plan for improvements at three major intersections, including N.C. 68 and 150

 4  0: Approve resolution to accept the dedication of nearly 44 acres

along the Haw River to accommodate construction of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail

however. Since the council was discussing the rezoning case for the first time, Town Attorney Michael Thomas explained it was required by state law to pass the request by a two-thirds majority vote of the five council members. The three favorable votes represented 60 percent (rather than the required 66.66 percent) of the five-member council, Thomas explained. The case will be placed on the agenda of the council’s Sept. 5 meeting for a second vote. Rezoning: 25.4 acres. During a public hearing for a request to rezone 25.4 acres of agriculturally-zoned land

William Boland and Jennifer Barrow, who live with their families on Bridgehead, objected to the developer’s plan for routing traffic in the new subdivision. As proposed, the driveways of about five houses and a street serving another 10 houses would connect to Bridgehead.

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The property is bounded by Bridgehead Road on the west and Union Grove Road on the east. The road dead-ends at several houses built many years ago.

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on N.C. 150 for a subdivision of about 20 houses, two neighboring residents expressed traffic and safety concerns.

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With the construction of houses in the Reserve at Oak Ridge neighborhood, traffic has already increased in recent years and building of more houses would worsen congestion, Boland said. Mark Smith, who developed the Reserve subdivision, is planning the new neighborhood, Planning Director Sean Taylor noted. The 25.4 acres is owned by Jeffrey Swisher and his sister, Paula Richards, who plan to sell the tract to the developer. Bridgehead is a relatively narrow road, requiring motorists to pull to the shoulder when they encounter vehicles driven by construction workers in the Reserve, Barrow said. She encouraged the developer to design the subdivision so that more driveways would connect to Union Grove Road. Land Solutions’ Rohrer said he “will look” into the possibility of shifting driveways onto Union Grove Road after McClellan asked him to evaluate that option. Mayor Sullivan said he believes the developer “is taking a very careful approach.”

 4  0 to approve the rezoning

request.

Sullivan said town staff will ask North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to evaluate possible improvements to Bridgehead to accommodate increasing traffic.

MANAGER’S REPORT Appointments. At the recommendation of Town Manager Bill Bruce, the council approved the reappointment of Larry Stafford to the town’s Planning and Zoning Board. Final approval of the appointment is required by the Guilford County Board of Commissioners since Stafford represents an extraterritorial jurisdiction outside of the town limits. The council also approved the reappointment of Town Clerk Sandra Smith as the town’s representative on

the Triad Municipal ABC Board; the appointment is pending the board’s final approval.

off the adjacent Whitaker property because it’s under lease to Anders and his parents for farming.

Tracy Street was reappointed to the town’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Intersection improvements.

 4  0 to approve a resolution en-

dorsing NCDOT’s plan for new signals and pedestrian crosswalks at N.C. 68 and 150 and building roundabouts at two other intersections.

The council had delayed its vote on the resolution last month at the request of Nodine, who told fellow council members he wanted to understand the basis for NCDOT’s analysis that traffic would overwhelm a proposed roundabout at N.C. 68 and 150. Based on that analysis, the agency abandoned the traffic circle proposal for Oak Ridge’s busiest intersection and instead recommended new signals and pedestrian crossings. Nodine said he had reviewed the state’s projections for traffic growth on N.C. 68. Even if congestion at the 68/150 intersection weren’t as severe as NCDOT predicted, “we would still have a very difficult intersection” for motorists traveling on a roundabout, Nodine concluded.

Accept 44 acres for MST.

 4  0 to approve a resolution for the town to accept the dedication of nearly 44 acres to accommodate the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST). The property consists of the floodplain of the Haw River, wetlands and upland areas that the developer of the Riverside neighborhood, which is northwest of Oak Ridge, dedicated for open space. Accepting the land dedication required a vote by Town Council, Bruce explained in an earlier memo to council members.

Stay on the sidewalk. Bruce reminded people using the new sidewalk on N.C. 150 west of Linville Road to stay

 Patti Dmuchowski told the council “a majority” of motorists, including truck drivers, are not obeying the 35 mph speed limit on N.C. 68 through Oak Ridge’s commercial district. At the request of the council, which sought to slow down traffic, NCDOT lowered the speed limit through the town’s commercial district last December from 45 mph. Installing “rumble strips,” or grooved pavement on the highway, would warn drivers they’re approaching the 35 mph

speed zone, Dmuchowski suggested.  Mayor Pro Tem Kinneman asked Bruce to contact the sheriff’s office about placing electronic speed limit warning signs on N.C. 68 to alert motorists of the upcoming 35 mph speed zone, as it had done earlier this year. Another possibility would be placing permanent speed limit warning signs along the highway, Kinneman said.

FINANCE REPORT

Finance Officer Sam Anders reported the town’s fund balance decreased by $400,000 for two main reasons: a payment of $277,200 was made on

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and one which people seem to enjoy, so he eagerly agreed to use it as a way to help those touched by leukemia.

BITS & PIECES

Stand-up comedian raising money for leukemia patients, research this Saturday, Aug. 10 OAK RIDGE – For a minimum donation of $10 per person, community members are invited to attend a fundraiser this Saturday, Aug. 10, at The Oak Ridge Room in Oak Ridge Commons shopping center. Oak Ridge resident Jim Roberts, a stand-up comedian, will entertain the crowd from 8 until about 9:30 p.m. while raising money for leu-

kemia research and leukemia patient treatments and support services. “I’ve had several people in my life with leukemia,” Roberts told the Northwest Observer. “My good friend’s wife is a survivor. They saw my standup routine and said, ‘let’s do this as a fundraiser.’” Roberts said stand-up comedy has become a hobby of his

Three reasons to advertise in the NWO: The NWO is personally relevant to our readers, so they actually read it. We’re all over northwest Guilford County, covering everything from the town meeting rooms to the hometown parade. (And we’ve been doing it since 1996!)

Prior to Roberts’ perforJim Roberts mance, there will be a cocktail hour and opportunity for folks to mingle while footage from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk is playing in the background. The annual walk, which takes place at various locations throughout the country, funds life-saving treatments for leukemia patients, provides patient support services and supports cancer research. “We want to address the issue (of leukemia), but at the same time it will be comedy,” Roberts noted. He added that “a lot of people have helped out with this fundraiser,” including Bistro 150 owner Jennifer Mun, who generously donated use of The Oak

Ridge Room for the evening. Proceeds from ticket sales, snacks sold during the evening and all the tips made on bar sales will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk; locally, the walk that brings together those touched by cancer will be held Saturday, Oct. 5, at Country Park in Greensboro.

want to go? Join your friends and community members and enjoy an evening of stand-up comedy performed by Jim Roberts this Saturday, Aug. 10, at The Oak Ridge Room, 2205 Oak Ridge Road (beside Bistro 150 in Oak Ridge Commons shopping center). Cocktail hour with drinks and snacks for purchase begins at 7 p.m. and the show will be from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets available at the door, but space is limited so advance ticket purchase is recommended. To purchase tickets online (for minimum donation of $10 per ticket), visit: pages.lightthenight.org/ nc/triad19/jimrobertslive.

The NWO is hand-delivered to every home in the 27310, 27357 and 27358 zip codes and available throughout the area for free pickup, so you know exactly who you’re reaching. Our readers are always connected. We bring the hometown news to over 26,600 readers in print each week, and to over 13,400 community members who follow our Facebook page. Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

AUG. 8 - 14, 2019

Even before its completion, the half-mile-long sidewalk on N.C. 150 in Oak Ridge has attracted cyclists, walkers and runners. As workers wrap up the project, Monica Maliga has enjoyed jogging on the sidewalk this summer during a visit with relatives. She likes that it’s far removed from the road. “You deﬁnitely feel safe,” Maliga said one morning earlier this week. The Town Council voted last November to spend $316,155 to build the sidewalk from the Oak Ridge Swim Club to Chalet Drive, an entrance to the Willard Oaks subdivision.

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Amazon will top roster of dozens of employers who will be onsite Thursday, Aug. 15

GREENSBORO – Online retailer Amazon. com will be the featured employer at the August Job Fair hosted by Triad Goodwill on Thursday, Aug. 15, from 12 to 4 p.m. at Greensboro Christian Church on 3232 Yanceyville St. in Greensboro. Amazon.com will be present to meet with job seekers to talk about the application process for their incoming fulfillment

center in Guilford County. The online retail giant will be seeking 1,000 employees for the plant which will be located on 7941 National Service Road in Kernersville. In addition to Amazon, Triad Goodwill will feature other employers including UPS, Mountaire Farms, Greensboro Fire Department, BPR Properties, KDH Defense Systems, Box Board Products, Rhino Sports & Entertainment, Sodexo, Source Receivables Management and more. For more information or to sign up for free job training or computer classes, contact Triad Goodwill’s Greensboro Career Center at (336) 544-5305.

(Photo top right) Michelle Wallace, Stokesdale Elementary media specialist, enjoys spending time with students who came to the school’s media center on the morning of July 30 for the second of three open sessions she held this summer from 10 a.m. to noon. Wallace said she planned activities for the children who came to the “summer reading adventures,” offered snacks, “put the Legos out and did a little bit of everything.” Students could also Photos by Patti Stokes/NWO check out books while there. (Photo near right, back row, L-R): Ava Kuecker, 9, Jacob Delveaux, 10, and Elliott Bunthoff, 11; (front row, L-R) Ruth Bunthoff, 8, media specialist Michelle Wallace, Colette Delveaux, 7, and Ezra Bunthoff, 10.

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TALES FROM UNDER THE TENT

Photos by Chris Burritt/NWO

“It’s like we’re a big family,’’ said Linda Morphis, owner of Ms. Linda’s Old Fashioned Pimento and Cheese, (far left) standing beside vegetable grower Charles Southard of A&L Log Cabin Farm in Stokesdale. (Below) After 20 years of working for a caterer, Evelyn Ruth started her business, It’s A Cake Walk, in March. She sells cookies, fudge and other goodies at From the Earth Farmers market in Oak Ridge.

...continued from p. 1

the market has attracted roughly 25 to 40 vendors weekly, according to Barbara Engel, a volunteer who helps run the event. Organizers plan to run the market through the end of October or early November, depending upon the weather. Vendors pay a one-time registration fee of $15 to participate in the market, plus a weekly fee of $10 if they sell food and $5 if they sell arts and crafts, Engel said. There’s no charge for people visiting the market. Brackett, a member of the Oak Ridge Garden Club, has secured vendors committed to using natural ingredients in baked goods, cheeses, syrups and fermented foods. Craftsmen agreed to use organic – not manmade – materials in jewelry, clothing and medicinal products such as essential oils, she said. Page turned his childhood fascination with bees into his vocation. As the owner of American Bee Supply LLC in Kernersville, he sells beekeeping equipment and supplies while harvesting honey from about 75 hives and selling it at local farmers markets and festivals. Page began selling the second week of the Oak Ridge market. He

said he’s continued to come back because he’s recorded good sales despite rain and heat that hurt attendance some weeks. “We enjoy coming here,” said Steve Herring, who owns a local Pet Wants franchise with his wife, Donya. “Everyone is inviting.” The Herrings were among the festival’s original vendors. They sell dog and cat foods made from fresh, natural ingredients as well as anti-itch sprays, paw wax and other items. A scholarship to play football at Elon University brought Herring to the Triad. He and his wife are from Shelby, North Carolina. They settled in Greensboro to start their family. Six years ago, they rescued a poorly treated dog named Solomon. They bought the Pet Wants franchise after struggling to find the type of dog food they wanted for Solomon in big-box

stores, Herring said. Linda Morphis brought her mother’s recipe for pimento cheese from Mississippi to Greensboro. She moved here 22 years ago to be near her two sons, Jody and Emmett Morphis, who used her pimento cheese in hamburgers they made in their two restaurants, Fincastles and Emma Key’s Flat-Top Grill. Emma Key was the name of Morphis’ mother.

“She was a great cook back home and I picked things up,” said Morphis, owner of Ms. Linda’s Old Fashioned Pimento and Cheese. The pimento cheese recipe “has

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Photos by Chris Burritt/NWO

(Left) From the Earth farmers market vendors Stephen and Donya Herring bought a local Pet Wants franchise after struggling to ﬁnd fresh, natural food for Solomon, a dog they rescued six years ago. (Right) Threeyear-old Evie Sanborn of Summerﬁeld selects zinnias for her mother, Dana, from Rosie’s Flower Garden, a vendor at From the Earth Farmers market in Oak Ridge.

been handed down, plus I did my own little take on it.” Morphis said she’s “done very well” at the market, helped by repeat customers, and she’s become friends with the other vendors who pitch in to help one another. On a recent Thursday, a sudden storm brought heavy rain and wind that blew over tents and sent vendors scrambling to help one another, she said. “It’s like we’re a big family,” Morphis said. The market’s youngest vendor, Finley Miller, 13, sells Finley’s Fizzies bath bombs, which are fragrant, soothing balls that dissolve in the bath. Three years ago, Miller said she was looking online for “something that I could do” since she was too young to drive and work a regular job. The idea of making bath bombs at home “rang a bell,” said the Northwest Middle School eighth-grader. She initially sold on the Facebook page of her mother, Jen Miller. A few months ago, her mother learned about plans for the farmers market and encouraged her daughter to sign up as a vendor. “It’s been a good thing to do over

the summer,” said Miller, explaining that she recently created her own Facebook page for selling her products. She prepares for the Thursday market by making bath bombs with fragrances such as cucumber melon and peach mango on the kitchen counter in her house. “It drives my mom crazy,” she said, smiling. From underneath a multi-colored umbrella, Evelyn Ruth sells cookies, fudge and chocolate-covered peanuts along with gluten-free chocolate. Her snickerdoodle cookies are named the Granny Godwin Cookie, honoring the recipe handed down by her grandmother, Ola Hawkins of Stokesdale. Ruth started her business, It’s a Cake Walk, in March after having worked for a caterer for 20 years. “It’s my dream,” she said. “There’s been a learning curve, but I love it.” Among the food vendors who’ve participated in the market over the summer is the Table Food Truck, a ministry of First Christian Church in Kernersville. The menu ranges from burgers to tacos to fried Brussels sprouts, and for every meal sold the group feeds at least two needy people.

preneur, selling essential oils, balms and other Doterra products for the first time at the Oak Ridge market. “It’s been fun,” she said, adding she may expand to other farmers markets.

Her experience at the Oak Ridge Market has also motivated Richards to dream about possibly opening an art studio in downtown Reidsville. Jason Davis, a physical education

...continued on p. 13

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AUG. 8 - 14, 2019

Rising NWHS freshman wins MLB’s Pitch Hit & Run title

In his fourth year of participating in three age groups, Sylas Boris, 14, claimed the title in the 13/14 division by MEREDITH BARKLEY In his last year of eligibility for Major League Baseball’s nationwide youth competition, Sylas Boris brought home the big prize. Boris, 14, a rising freshman at Northwest Guilford High, beat out an estimated 50,000 other 13- and 14-year-olds from across the United States and Canada last month to win MLB’s Pitch Hit & Run title. His parents – Scott and Susanne – and his two brothers and two sisters were there for it all. “I knew I had a chance, but I knew it was going to be hard,” Boris told the Northwest Observer last week. “It was

Photos courtesy of MLB

Sylas Boris, 14, competes in MLB’s Pitch Hit & Run competition in Cleveland July 6. Shown at far right, Boris poses with the trophy he won after claiming the competition title in the 13/14 division. really fun. I’ll never be able to do something like that again.” The competition was held July 6 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, home of the Cleveland Indians. It was the final round of a four-stage process that began in May at about 4,200 local sites and attracted at least 500,000 boys and girls ages 7 to 14.

different age groups. He made it to the second round – the sectionals – in 2015. The next year he placed third in the third round – the team championships at the Atlanta Braves’ stadium. In 2017 he won the team championships there.

As the name implies, participants were assessed on how well they pitched and hit the ball and ran bases during the competition.

But only three winners in each age group from all 30 pro ball parks throughout the majors are picked to compete in the finals. This year Boris was one of those three. (He had to skip last year because of shoulder surgery.)

For hitting, they had three opportunities to hit the ball off a tee toward straightaway center field. They were judged on the distance and accuracy of their best hit. Boris’ best hit sailed 270 feet.

“He’s a real perfectionist,” said Jeff Guerrie, Boris’ hitting and fielding coach at NC Baseball For the run part, participants were Academy on Pleasant Ridge Road. “There aren’t “I’m just proud of him for having graded on how fast they could make too many kids his age who are self-motivated straight As all these years and doing it home from second base. Boris did like he is.” all these sports,” said mom Susanne ...continued on p. 17 It was Boris’ fourth year participating in three Boris. “It’s a huge accomplishment.”

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For the pitching part, participants had six tries to hit the strike zone. Boris hit it four times.

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Back to School wish list

Pantone 2965 C Xcel, a Operation C100, M76, Y32, K32 R0, G58, B99 Stokesdale-based nonH205, S100, B39 profit that offers afterone 1665 C Pantone 347 C M68, Y96, K0 C84, M15, Y78, K2 school tutoring and , G115, B33 R0, G161, B96 S87, B95 H156, S100, B63 enrichment programs CAVIAR DREAMS BOLD in kindergarten through for youth CENTURY GOTHIC BOLD eighth grade, is in need of the following supplies for the upcoming school year. PS Communications, publisher of the Northwest Observer, has offered to collect donated supplies at our office located at 1616 N.C. 68 North in Oak Ridge – or, we will arrange for you to drop off your items at a more convenient location if needed. Please email patti@nwobserver.com between now and the beginning of the new school year on Aug. 26 if you are willing to

TALES FROM UNDER THE TENT ...continued from p. 11

one 254 C M100, Y0, K0 , G39, B143 , S73, B57

donate any of the following items: Colored pencils; construction paper; colored copier paper; colored card stock; dry-erase markers and erasers for whiteboards; pencil tip and regular erasers; 3-ring binder pencil pouches; glue sticks; washable paint; pipe cleaners; craft sticks; pencils; adult scissors; glue gun with glue sticks; AA and AAA batteries; neodymium disc magnets – ½-inch to ¾-inch diameter; and $5 restaurant gift cards to Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Subway, etc., for “Student of the Week.”

teacher, and his wife Elizabeth, an accountant, started a side business growing flowers in the backyard of their Reidsville home. On a recent Thursday, they sold sunflowers, zinnias and cosmos at the Oak Ridge market. The couple started their business, Rosie’s Flower Garden, after reading an article about flower farms in “Our State” magazine. They began selling in Oak Ridge at the recommendation of Donna Claeys, owner of the Garden Outlet in Summerfield with her husband, Glenn. Donna uses Jason and Elizabeth’s flowers in some of her arrangements. Akasha Santos and Devon May were new vendors at the Oak Ridge market last month. Their business, The Bug and the Bear Gifts and Goods, sells jewelry created by using dried flowers enclosed in clear resin.

Santos began making the jewelry after her 15-month-old daughter, Rue, was diagnosed with a highly treatable form of cancer. Making jewelry from home provided Santos with flexibility to care for Rue and take her to doctor’s appointments. Rue is named for the herb with a delicate yellow flower. “I wanted to make jewelry that would represent her,” Santos said.

want to go? Look for signs for From the Earth Farmers market, which is held every Thursday from 4-8 p.m. on the vacant lot next to the Village Quality Mart convenience gas station on N.C. 68 just south of N.C. 150. For more info, visit the market’s Facebook page at FarmersMarketOakRidgeNC.

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AUG. 8 - 14, 2019

Increase in smash-and-grabs linked to Felony Lane Gang, say police

Citizens are once again urged to lock their vehicles and keep their valuables out of sight

GUILFORD COUNTY – Det. Master Corporal R.D. Seals of the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office recently reached out to citizens via NextDoor.com to warn them of an increase in smash-and-grab incidents throughout the county.

“Over the past months we, along with surrounding agencies, have seen an increase in smash-and-grab break-ins of vehicles parked at gyms, golf courses and parks throughout the region,” Seals wrote. “The offenders are targeting mainly purses and wallets being left in plain sight, which typically results in subjects attempting to withdraw money using stolen debit cards or checks in other states within days. “This activity is linked to a well-

known criminal element known as the Felony Lane Gang. More information on the group is here: www.cbs17.com/ news/investigators/felony-lane-ganghits-north-carolina/,” Seals continued. “We have watched multiple videos of these subjects pulling into parking lots, peering into windows and bypassing vehicles where they do not see anything of value. They then see a purse left behind and they leap at the opportunity to smash out the window and take it.

“Please take precautions if you are visiting local parks, gyms and golf courses,” Seals urged. “If you do not need to have it with you, leave it at home. If you must leave valuables behind in your vehicle, hide the purse in the trunk before you leave home and retrieve it after leaving your destination. As always, if you see suspicious activity, please call Guilford Metro Communications at 911 or the nonemergency line at (336) 373-2222.”

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

COMMUNICATING THREATS

ASSAULT Aug. 6 | A resident of Idol Cox Drive in Colfax reported being punched in the face by his sibling.

BURGLARY July 31 | A resident in the 8500 block of Belews Creek Road reported that sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. someone forcibly entered her home and stole numerous items including a safe, cash, jewelry, antique coins and personal information with a total estimated value of $2,445. Editor’s note: The owner of the above home that was burglarized contacted us and asked that we publish this request: “I am asking the home invaders of the home on Belews Creek Road to please return the documentation taken during the invasion. The documentation is of no value to you but has personal importance to me. I would be appreciative.” Aug. 5 | A resident in the 5000 block of Summer Haven Drive in Summerfield reported that sometime between

AUG. 8 - 14, 2019

4 and 6:30 p.m. unknown suspect(s) forcibly entered her home and stole a

July 31 | A resident of Stafford Mill Road in Oak Ridge reported that around 4:30 a.m. a known person

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threatened to harm her.

DRUGS July 31 | A resident of the 8700 block of Warner Road in Oak Ridge was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia; the 30-year-old male was also cited for an altered registration plate and driving with a revoked license. Aug. 2 | Vice and Narcotics officers with Guilford County Sheriff’s Office intercepted packages containing 512 grams of cocaine in various forms at the FedEx Ship Center on Old Oak Ridge in northwest Greensboro. The drugs had a street value of $51,200. Aug. 5 | During a traffic stop on Pleasant Ridge Road in Summerfield, a 21-year-old male resident of Willow Ridge Drive in Summerfield was charged with failure to maintain lane, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

THEFT Aug. 5 | Disney Construction Company reported that sometime over the previous weekend someone stole two doors and three windows off a house under construction in the 8800 block of Belews Ridge Road in Stokesdale.

mark your

calendar

EVERY TUESDAY, beginning Aug. 20  Farmers Market | The Town of Stokesdale invites

area farmers, craftspeople, bakers and others interested in selling their fresh produce or handmade items to set up a table/tent at Stokesdale Town Park, 8325 Angel Pardue Road, beginning Tuesday, Aug. 20, 4 to 7 p.m., and continuing every Tuesday through October. Those interested in participating are asked to email Stokesdale@stokesdale.org or call Stokesdale Town Hall at (336) 643-4011.

RSVP NOW

Oak Ridge is sponsoring a free community movie night Aug. 9 at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. Food vendors, free concessions and fun begin at 6:30 p.m.; the movie, “How to Train Your Dragon 3,” will start at dark. Bring lawn chairs and friends! More info: (336) 298-4194 or amyloflin@thesummitchurch.net.

SATURDAY, AUG. 10  Yard/Bake Sale | Senior Resources of Guilford will

hold a yard/bake sale fundraiser Aug. 10, 7 a.m. to noon at Dorothy Bardolph Human Services Center, 1401 Benjamin Parkway, Greensboro. Proceeds will benefit Senior Resources’ programs, including Meals on Wheels, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, and more. Vendor space available. More info: caregiver@ senior-resources-guilford.org or (336) 884-7983.  Comedy for a Cause | The community is invited to a

comers Club invites residents new to the Greensboro and surrounding areas or residents in a new life situation to a “garden party” at Paul J. Ciener Botanical Gardens, 215 S. Main St. in Kernersville on Aug. 22, 10 a.m. to noon. Details and RSVP for the meeting, lunch and garden tour at greensboronewcomersclub.com or Facebook.com/GreensboroNewcomersClub. More info or to RSVP: greensboroncnewcomersclub@gmail.com.

stand-up comedy routine performed by Jim Roberts to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Aug. 10 at The Oak Ridge Room, 225 Oak Ridge Road (next to Bistro 150 in Oak Ridge Commons). Doors open at 7 p.m. and show begins at 8 p.m. To reserve a seat, visit pages.lightthenight.org/nc/triad19/jimrobertslive and make a minimum donation of $10. Tickets available at the door, but seating is limited. Snacks, wine and beer available for purchase. More info: (336) 671-8613.

FRIDAY, AUG. 9

MONDAY, AUG. 12

 Community Movie Night | The Summit Church

 Blood Drive | Oak Ridge United Methodist Church

 Newcomers Club Garden Party | Greensboro New-

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events online 1TV 150 Channels w/locals $40 A MONTH 1TV 225 Channels w/locals $50 A MONTH

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will host a blood drive Aug. 12, 2 to 6:30 p.m. at 2424 Oak Ridge Road. All blood types, especially Type O, are needed. Appointments recommended but walk-ins processed quickly. More info: Bob Yarbrough, (336) 643-8348 or bobyarb@gmail.com.  NW Guilford Woman’s Club | NW Guilford Woman’s

Club will meet Aug. 12, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at The Oak Ridge Room, 225 Oak Ridge Road (next to Bistro 150 in Oak Ridge Commons). Join us and consider becoming part of “a small club that makes a big difference” in northwest Guilford County. More info: Terri Johnson, (336) 671-8613 or terri.johnson@allentate.com.

TUESDAY, AUG. 13  Town Council | Summerfield Town Council will

meet Aug. 13, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. See News Briefs in this issue for meeting preview, or visit summerfieldgov.com for meeting agenda.

THURSDAY, AUG. 15  Senior Luncheon | Senior Resources of Guilford

invites area residents 55+ to a senior luncheon Aug. 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Summerfield Peace United Methodist Church, 2334 Scalesville Road. Linda Jenkins with Operation Christmas Child will be the guest speaker. More info and to RSVP: Marsha McDaniel, (336) 373-4816, ext. 265, or ruraloutreach@senior-resources-guilford.org.

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AUG. 8 - 14, 2019

GRINS and GRIPES

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community? Share your thoughts in

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...

 The wonderful people in the Sonshine Room at Summerfield Peace United Methodist Church for giving time, prayers and kindness to everyone who comes to the food pantry. And welcome to the new pastor – she gave me hope when I had none.  Our neighbor down the road for a stunning display of orange day lilies across their front fence every summer. We always look forward to this tradition on Beeson in Oak Ridge. About gone now, but they’ll be back next year.

 The Guilford County sheriff for reporting pot busts at $50 per gram. Over $1,400 per ounce – things are expensive these days.  The Oak Ridge woman and heroic Good Samaritan who came upon a single-car accident on Oak Ridge Road Aug. 3, found a driver who was nonresponsive and remained with the driver until the paramedics arrived.

GRIPES to...  Stokesdale Council member Frank Bruno for the many no-bid projects he has started. If you don’t get bids, you

are probably getting overcharged – like with the $24,400 trees! Editor’s note: Because it is our understanding that projects have been let out for bid and the entire town council, not just Bruno, votes on which contractor will be awarded a project, we reached out to Councilman Frank Bruno to give him an opportunity to respond to this Gripe, which was directed solely at him. Below is his response: “All projects that require a bid are put out for bidding. Case in point: the recent bid for the water tank cleaning, repair and painting. Council members Tim Jones and Bill Jones wanted to accept the first quote we received because that company had worked on the water system in the past. We then put it out for bids and saved the town over $70,000. Also, all contracts are put out for bid and then voted on by the council. I am not sure what the reader means by a ‘no-bid’ project. “As far as the tree removal, I have already said in the past that if a situation like this occurs in the future I would

handle it differently. This was an emergency situation and needed to be handled immediately for the safety of our citizens. The cost is not the issue, just the fact that it should have gone to council before hiring the company that did the work. As far as the work is concerned, the company did an excellent job, showed up the next day and had the park cleaned up in just a few days. If you compare the price they charged for the work that was completed, it was a fair price. “I would also like to urge readers to get the facts before rushing to judgment. I am always available to meet and talk with any citizen if they have questions.”  The pizza place that advertises by wrapping their circular around a rock and throwing it in driveways. Advertise without littering.  Those who drive impaired with their children in the vehicle. This is child abuse! Please become a responsible adult and leave your child in the safe care of someone else before making selfish decisions.

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Stokesdale

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Summerfield

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Madison

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Outside the

TOWN COUNCIL

…

The following reader-submitted gripes express opinions about state and national topics, and have been separated out of a courtesy to those who do not want to read others’ opinions on national political and other non-local topics in a local newspaper.  The Northwest Observer for separating all the political Grins and Gripes except the one praising N.C. Republican representatives and Trump. #biased Editor’s note: I made a mistake when culling through the Grins and Gripes last week. All the grins and gripes, regardless of what topic they are on, come to the same email address. According to a policy we adopted over a year ago, however, the above-referenced grin should have been pulled out of the regular Grins and Gripes section and placed with the other

grins and gripes in an “Outside the Lines” subsection so that those who don’t wish to read grins and gripes on non-local topics can easily avoid them. For what it is worth, no bias was intended, it was just an oversight. I explained this to the reader, but she wanted to make sure I was publicly chastised for making this mistake, so here you have it – I acknowledge this mistake, I take full responsibility for this mistake, and I apologize not only for this mistake, but for others that I will surely and unintentionally make in the future. #IAmHuman, #HumansMakeMistakes, Patti Stokes, NWO editor/publisher

PITCH, HIT, RUN

School, hopes to play those sports at Northwest. But baseball, he said, is his favorite. He’s been playing it since age 3. He began working out at the NC Baseball Academy when he was 7 and has been on the academy’s travel team since he was 8.

...continued from p. 12 it in 7.5 seconds. “He caught our eye at the team championship and we knew he had a shot at winning it overall,” wrote Pitch Hit and Run representative Bennett Mayfield in an email. Boris, who played football, basketball and baseball at Kernodle Middle

 The Northwest Observer. Isn’t it time you stopped publishing national political gripes? I think local gripes are much more interesting. Political gripes are getting sooooo boring and endless.

“He brings a tremendous work ethic to the game,” said Scott Bankhead, who founded the academy and is Boris’ pitching coach. “He’s committed to being the best baseball player he can be.”

...continued from p. 7

the $1.62 million loan for the 58-acre Whitaker tract the town purchased last year; and $84,693 was spent on the first phase of the sidewalk nearing completion on N.C. 150. The fund balance totaled nearly $3.2 million as of July 31. Of that, $1.17 million was unassigned to town projects and expenses.

COMMUNITY UPDATES Historic Preservation Commission. Chair Debbie Schoenfeld thanked everyone who donated to St. James AME Church after rot was discovered in the wall of the historic church on N.C. 150 while volunteers were painting the exterior of the building last month. To date all but $660 of the $2,165 cost of replacing the rotten section of the fellowship hall has been raised. Those wishing to contribute toward the repair bill can mail checks to the church at P.O. Box 461, Oak Ridge, NC 27310. Earlier in the meeting, Rev. Isley, the church’s pastor, thanked the community for helping pay for repairs and painting the exterior of the church. Special Events. Chair Patti Dmuchowski said the committee is preparing for the

town’s first holiday parade Saturday, Nov. 23. Parade sponsor packets are being compiled and registration will open Sept. 1 for those wanting to participate in the parade. Donations for a veterans’ memorial planned for Town Park have climbed to $4,715, Dmuchowski said.

Oak Ridge Youth Association. President Tom Collins said volunteers are installing new signs and door locks at the concession stand at Oak Ridge Elementary School. Some of the association’s teams play on fields at the school. Parks and Recreation. Surveys seeking input on development of the town’s master plan for Town Park have been distributed by mail and email, Vice Chair Phyllis Anders said. The advisory board set a 30-day deadline for returning the survey. Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Co-chair Bill Royal unveiled the committee’s new logo to be placed on trails around town and on merchandise such as caps and T-shirts. The logo resembles the town seal with a trail winding between the Old Mill of Guilford and Oak Ridge Military Academy’s Alumni Hall. (See logo in News Briefs.) After council members’ closing comments, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

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YOUR QUESTIONS

said Sharpe, adding the company can’t release the estimated cost for the project because it’s still underway.

I’ve noticed orange “pipeline construction ahead’’ signs

The Belews Creek power station plans to use natural gas to generate electricity to reduce its reliance upon coal, according to a fact sheet on Duke Energy’s website. The Charlottebased utility owns Piedmont Natural Gas.

Piedmont Natural Gas is running a pipeline from Stokesdale to Duke Energy’s Belews Creek Steam Station on Belews Lake in Stokes County. Using natural gas to generate electricity will reduce the facility’s reliance on coal, reducing environmentally harmful byproducts such as sulfur dioxide and mercury, a Duke Energy representative said.

A coal ash spill at the utility’s Dan River Steam Station near Eden in 2014 dumped tons of toxic waste into the Dan River. In the aftermath of the accident, the company faced federal charges and fines. The spill also prompted North Carolina’s legislature to pass a law requiring all coal ash storage ponds to be closed by 2029.

Duke Energy said the $117 million upgrade of the Belews Creek facility is part of its effort to reduce carbon emissions by 40 percent from 2005 levels by the year 2030. Using gas instead of coal reduces environmentally harmful byproducts such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and mercury,

the utility said. The two Belews Creek generating units will be able to produce electricity using either – or a combination of – coal or natural gas, with the first unit becoming operational in the first quarter of 2020 and the second a year later.

Council and continue to represent the people who voted for him.

said he and his wife and two daughters were living in their Summerfield home, was further proof of discrepancies in Rotruck’s claim that he lived there during the time he stated he was a Summerfield resident, Payne told the three judges.

...continued from p. 4

on N.C. 68 north of Stokesdale and a lot of workers and earthmoving equipment.

What are they doing? We checked with Piedmont Natural Gas and spokeswoman Jennifer Sharpe said the utility is running a gas pipeline from Stokesdale to Duke Energy’s Belews Creek Steam Station, which is located on Belews Lake in Stokes County. The project started in April and is slated for completion in November,

ROTRUCK

...continued from p. 1

merfield voter in that election – and ordered that his voter registration be changed from Summerfield to Greensboro. That decision led to Rotruck being declared ineligible to hold office in Summerfield and his seat on the council being declared vacant. Marsh Prause, Rotruck’s attorney, told an N.C. Court of Appeals’ threejudge panel in Raleigh on Aug. 6 that Rotruck temporarily moved away from Summerfield while his house was undergoing major renovations – but had every intention of moving back. The BOE did not follow proper procedure when making its decision to change Rotruck’s voter registration from Summerfield to Greensboro, Prause said. “What effectively happened is that Mr. Rotruck was forced to prove

AUG. 8 - 14, 2019

(to the BOE) that he had moved to Summerfield, when what should have happened is that the challenger should have been required to offer affirmative proof that he left Summerfield after he moved there and that he left with no intention of returning,” Prause argued. “There is no dispute that Mr. Rotruck moved away from Summerfield,” Prause continued. “But there is no evidence that when Mr. Rotruck left Summerfield temporarily that he did not intend to return.” The BOE was tasked with assessing residency, but documents presented by the challenger were fundamentally mismatched, argued Prause, who requested the three-judge panel vote to remand the case to Guilford County Superior Court, with instructions for the court to reverse the Board of Elections’ decision so that Rotruck can resume his seat on Summerfield Town

Photos by Chris Burritt/NWO

Guilford County Attorney Mark Payne argued that Robinson, the voter registration challenger, had presented the BOE with affirmative proof that Rotruck had not established permanent residency in Summerfield and that proof led to the BOE’s decision in April 2018. “What evidence was brought forth?” Payne asked. “Frankly, there was a lot.” “After he moved to Summerfield he voted in Greensboro,” Payne said. And when Rotruck was asked if he moved to Summerfield knowing he would have to move back out, Payne said Rotruck answered more than once, “That is correct.” Duke Energy meter readings, which indicated almost zero electricity was used during a period when Rotruck

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

And, according to Rotruck’s testimony before the BOE in April 2018, Payne said Rotruck acknowledged he did not live in his Summerfield home in January 2018, nor did he live there at the time of the April 2018 hearing – nor would he live there prior to the May 8, 2018 primary election. “And as of January of this year (2019), he still hasn’t moved back to his Strawberry Road address,” Payne said. At the conclusion of the attorneys’ oral arguments, the three-panel judge did not indicate when they would render a decision on Rotruck’s appeal.

AUTO SALES & SERVICE

PUBLIC NOTICE CONT.

SAVE THE DATE

PECHE AUTOMOTIVE, LLC. ASE Master Mechanic. Brakes, tune-ups, inspections, general maintenance. Most makes and models. 511 E. Bodenhamer St., Kernersville. (336) 904-0052.

Town Council: Sept. 5, 2019, at 7pm, Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road.

MUSIC IN THE PARK (every second Saturday), Saturday, August 10, 6:30-8pm, at the Oak Ridge Town Park amphitheater, 6231 Lisa Drive (located just past the playground), featuring The Tyler Millard Band. Free admission, but donations will be taken to pay the band. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Hot dogs and hamburgers available, or bring a picnic.

SAM'S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 347-7470. EUROPEAN AUTO SERVICE & REPAIR We specialize in factory-scheduled maintenance and repairs. Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo, Mini and Porsche. 32 years experience. Knight Import Specialty Service, 4559 US Highway 220, Summerfield (across from Food Lion). (336) 337-0669.

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

INDEX

Auto Sales & Service ................... 19 Employment ............................... 19 Public Notice .............................. 19 Save the Date ............................. 19 Home Services ....................... 20-21 Misc. Services......................... 21-22 Misc. Wanted .............................. 22 Pets & Animal Services ................ 22 Real Estate.................................. 22

EMPLOYMENT ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE. Help wanted. Call (336) 643-9157. COOK, ASSISTANTS, TEACHERS AND SUB POSITIONS open in child care center. Call (336) 643-5930 for information. VENDORS WANTED. Stokesdale Marketplace is accepting new vendors. Booths are available now. Come pick your spot! 341 Ram Loop, Stokesdale, or call (336) 949-9269. We are growing fast.

INGWe? can help! HIRnwobserver .com PUBLIC NOTICE TOWN OF OAK RIDGE PUBLIC HEARING Oak Ridge Town Council and Oak Ridge Planning & Zoning Board will hold separate public hearings to consider requests to amend the Town of Oak Ridge Code of Ordinances. The Planning & Zoning Board and Town Council may also consider requests for subdivisions and other matters. Any decision of the Oak Ridge Planning & Zoning Board is forwarded as a recommendation to Oak Ridge Town Council. Planning & Zoning Board: Aug. 22, 2019, at 7pm, Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road.

PUBLIC HEARINGS: REZONING CASE # RZ-19-01: CU-GB (Conditional Use-General Business) to Amended CU-GB (Amended Conditional Use-General Business). Located on the south side of Oak Ridge Road, approximately 350 feet east of the intersection with NC 68 in Oak Ridge Township. Being Guilford County Tax Parcels 0166219, 0166213, and 0166212, consisting of approximately 1.93 acres. Located in the Greensboro (GW-III) Watershed, Historic District Overlay Zone and Scenic Corridor Overlay Zone. Owned by Oak Ridge Foundation Inc. REZONING CASE # RZ-19-04: PI (Public and Institutional) to CU-PI (Conditional Use-Public and Institutional). Located on the south and north side of Oak Ridge Road at the intersection with NC 68 in Oak Ridge Township. Being Guilford County Tax Par Parcels 0162858 and 0166211, consisting of approximately 69.9 acres. Located in the Greensboro (GW-III) Watershed, Historic District Overlay Zone and Scenic Corridor Overlay Zone. Owned by Oak Ridge Foundation Inc. TEXT AMENDMENT. Amendments proposed to Chapter 30 of the Oak Ridge Code of Ordinances to ensure compliance with state statutes, to amend portions of the Utilities standards in the subdivision ordinance and to amend Conditional Use Districts ordinance. Proposed amendments include but are not exclusive of Article I- Definitions; Article VII- Zoning; Article VIII- Subdivisions; full text of the proposed revisions are available at Town Hall. All citizens will be given an opportunity to be heard at these meetings. Ron Simpson, Planning & Zoning Board Chair Spencer Sullivan, Mayor

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LIVE MUSIC WEDNESDAYS AT GRAY GABLES. On August 21, The Second Glance Band will be performing live at Gray Gables! Doors will open at 5:30pm, and music will be from 6:30-9:30pm. Food and beverages will be available on-site for purchase. Come out and enjoy some good music, fun yard games, and great local company! For more information call (336) 643-0005 or visit our event page at https://www.facebook.com/ events/2296883437219548. WANT TO GET HEALTHY? "The NEXT 56 Days" is offering a FREE intro meeting on Thursday, August 22, at Summerfield Peace UMC, 2334 Scalesville Road in Summerfield! Registration is 5:30-6pm. For more info, call Daniel at (336) 485-8218 or email daniel56days@ gmail.com. HorseFriends VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION & SIDEWALKER TRAINING, Sat., August 17 or 24, from 8:30-10:30am. (Come early at 8am for fellowship, coffee and donuts!) Address: 5920 Khaki Place, Summerfield. Call (336) 420-4588 or (336) 6015577 for more info. horsefriendsnc.org. STOKESDALE COMMUNITY CHOIR resumes on Monday, Aug. 26, at 9:30am. To join, call Sondra, (336) 453-8017. Ridgewood TRY-A-TRI FOR HOSPICE, Saturday, August 31. For more info, visit www.TriforHospice.org. Ad sponsored by Downtown Bicycle Works. 100% of registration fee goes to Hospice & Palliative Care Greensboro.

continued on p. 20

AUG. 8 - 14, 2019

HOME SERVICES AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING A-ACTION AIR. Repair and service. Checkup special $39.95. Call (336) 382-3750.

CLEANING MAIDS OF HONOR HOME CLEANING $25 off! Locally owned, bonded staff. 40 years in service. BBB A+ rating. (336) 708-2407. AMERICAN MAID. All your housecleaning needs. Weekly/biweekly/as needed. Call for your free estimate. (336) 409-4554. MAID-2-SHINE Excellent service, 15 years exp. Free estimates, excellent references. (336) 338-0223. CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING Gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. windowcleaningnc.com (336) 595-2873.

DECORATING EXPERIENCED INTERIOR DECORATOR & personal furniture shopper will help you with style, color, shopping & furniture placement. E-mail appeninc@gmail.com or call Ann Appenzeller, (336) 314-1411.

ELECTRICAL BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC. Got Power? Residential, commercial and solar electrical services. (336) 298-4192. Need an electrician? Call BLACKMON ELECTRICAL, INC. Free est. Comm. & res. Licensed & insured. Call (336) 430-5018.

FLOORING MONTERO'S HARDWOOD FLOORING Installation of hardwood, laminate & tile; hardwood sanding & finishing. Commercial & residential. Insured, 17 yrs. exp. Free est., exc. references. Call (336) 215-8842 or visit Monteros-hardwood-flooring.com.

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

20 20

AUG. - 14, 2019 AUG.8 8 - 14, 2019

HOME SERVICES

OLD SCHOOL

HOME REPAIR /IMPROVEMENTS “No Job Too Small”

HOME SERVICES

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

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

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

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

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

(336) 669-7252

oldschoolsjhr@triad.rr.com

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.

The Northwest Observer 22 years and counting! Want to reach our readers? Call (336) 644-7035 or email

FAY'S LAWNCARE & LANDSCAPING Complete tree removal & trimming. Storm damage clean-up. Landscaping & hardscaping. Insured. Taylor, (336) 458-6491. ORTIZ LANDSCAPING, complete lawn care. Trimming, cleaning, planting & mulch, gutter cleaning, patios & pavers, waterfalls, retaining walls, sidewalks, stonework. Residential and commercial. (336) 280-8981.

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.

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING

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.

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

SOUTHERN CUTS LAWN CARE, complete lawn maintenance services. 13 years experience. Nathan Adkins, (336) 430-6086.

MOWER DECKS WELDED & REPAIRED. Pickup and delivery available. Call or text Morris at (336) 880-7498.

AQUA SYSTEMS IRRIGATION Quality irrigation systems. NC licensed contractor. We service all systems. Free est. (336) 644-1174.

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

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

FIX YOUR MOWER. Free pickup & delivery. Call Rick, (336) 501-8681.

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.

GRADING / HAULING H&L GRADING, LLC. No job to tough or to 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, drive ways, french drains and much more. (336) 543-7867. GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150.

advertising@nwobserver.com for more information.

ATCHISON LAWN CARE. Dependable. Honest. Local. Call (336) 486-9837. HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES. Free est. Call, (336) 669-5448. 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. ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Bobcat work and more. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. Call Joe at 643-9157.

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STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. Free est. Lic/Ins. 40 yrs. exp. Lots & natural area thinning and cleanup. Large shrubbery jobs, chipping. Oak Ridge, (336) 643-1119. DELIMA LAWNCARE. 24 hours/7 days a week. Free estimates, licensed/insured. Commercial & Residential. (336) 669-5210. STOKESDALE LAWN. Mowing & weedeating. $45 minimum. (336) 423-2692. ALL-SEASON STUMP GRINDING. Owner Alan Winfree. Free est. Call (336) 382-9875.

MASONRY COLONIAL MASONRY, MADISON NC 40 years experience. Call (828) 312-0090 or visit us online at www.colonialmasonry.com.

HOME SERVICES

MASONRY CONCEPTS, brick, block, stone MASONR

PAINTING – INTERIOR & EXTERIOR 32 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. No job too small. Insured. Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186.

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.

BEST PRICES IN TOWN! Shingle and metal roofing. Top-notch quality. Res./comm., licensed & insured. Financing available. Belews Creek Construction, (336) 362-6343.

concrete & repairs. Free est. (336) 988-1022, www.masonryconceptsgso.com. 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.

MISC. SERVICES & PRODUCTS GRILLS, FIRE PITS, gas logs, heaters, gas inserts, tankless water heaters. General home repairs. Call Don Hill, (336) 643-7183. ON EAGLE'S WINGS residential home design/drafting. Call Patti, (336) 605-0519.

Tell our readers how you can help.

CARLOS & SON PAINTING, interior and exterior. 24 hours/7 days a week. Free estimates, licensed/insured. (336) 669-5210. STILL PERFECTION PAINTING. Reliable, skilled, affordable. Painting, pressure washing, handyman services. Scott Still, (336) 462-3683, stillperfectionpainting.com.

PLUMBING FREEMAN PLUMBING - new construction, remodel and repair. For ALL your plumbing needs! (336) 580-4525. BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic. & insured. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924. 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.

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. 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.

Services TM Construction , INC

BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS

PAINTING & DRYWALL

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

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

(336) 931-0600

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

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

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

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION PREMIER CONSTRUCTION for all your remodeling/renovation needs. (336) 430-9507. BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Sr. disc., 39 years exp. (336) 362-6343. 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.

FURNITURE! Due to moving, lots of quality furniture available. By appointment only. Please call (336) 681-7752. FRIDGE AND FREEZER, $100 each. Call (336) 509-7325.

Got stuff? Sell it here in the

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Bathroom and kitchen

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

MISC. FOR SALE

Licensed & insured NC Gen. Contractor #72797

ROOFING CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC. Residential roofing, rubber flat roofs, roof coating, metal roofs. 30 years experience. Call (336) 643-8191 or (336) 268-1908. RED RHINO ROOFING, based in Oak Ridge, NC. Storm damage specialist experienced with all types of roofing. BBB accredited A and listed with Angie’s List. Call (336) 944-6118, or visit redrhinoroofing.com. KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION 30 years experience. Residential shingle & metal roofing. Free est. (336) 362-7469. PREMIER ROOFING, LOCALLY OWNED. Catering to all your roofing needs. Call (336) 430-9507 for free assessments.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

MISC. SERVICES ERRANDS AND MORE, LLC. Corporate and busy families - we are here to run your errands and lighten your stress! House sitting, along with appointment scheduling, waiting for deliveries, repairmen or installation! Senior care services including companionship and transportation. Insured & bonded. Call (336) 202-2420, or email us at errandsandmore64@gmail.com.

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

Gated access with 24/7 available here camera surveillance We carry moving & shipping supplies

(336) 643-9963 • 8207 B & G Court, Stokesdale

continued on p. 22

AUG. 8 - 14, 2019

MISC. SERVICES

PETS & ANIMAL SVCS.

REAL ESTATE

PIANO LESSONS, all ages and levels, Summerfield area. Patti, (336) 298-4181.

PET SITTING

45 +/- ACRES AVAILABLE in southern

HOMES FOR SALE

FAT RABBIT FURNITURE REFURBISHING Call today for ALL of your furniture needs! Check us out on Google to see our work as well as our rating and reviews. You can reach us at (336) 816-3641 or email us at fatrabbit1369@gmail.com. HEY ATHLETES! Want to do some extra conditioning before the fall sports season starts? Join me, Chris Jessup, at Proehlific Park, two or three mornings a week (based on your needs) at 6am (the best rise early and get after it!), 7am, 8am or 9am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. You do your part, I'll do mine, and together we'll work to get you ahead of the competition. For inquiries and pricing for one-on-one and small group strength & conditioning training sessions, email cjessup.fit@gmail.com.

MISC. WANTED FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, golf carts, ATVs, generators, power washers, chain saws, mini-bikes, gocarts, and most grills. (336) 689-4167. WILL PAY CASH FOR reasonably-priced golf cart needing repair. (336) 689-4167. $$$ – WILL PAY CASH for your junk or wrecked vehicle. For quote, call (336) 552-0328.

PETS & ANIMAL SVCS. PET SITTING WALKS & WAGS Loving, reliable pet sitting in your home. Excellent references available. Call Susan Thompson, (336) 613-0450.

AUG. - 14, 2019 AUG.8 8 - 14, 2019

WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING. Registered & Insured. Follow me on Facebook. Call or text, (336) 339-6845.

EVENTS HorseFriends VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION & SIDEWALKER TRAINING, Sat., August 17 or 24, from 8:30-10:30am. (Come early at 8am for fellowship, coffee and donuts!) Address: 5920 Khaki Place, Summerfield. Call (336) 420-4588 or (336) 6015577 for more info. horsefriendsnc.org.

REAL ESTATE HOME FOR RENT 2BR, 2BA, newly remodeled mobile home in clean, quiet MHP. All appliances incl. $550/mo. (336) 908-6553.

Rockingham County. Gorgeous property, call (336) 430-9507.

TOWNHOMES IN OAK RIDGE!

1.36-ACRE HOME SITE in Gwynedd, off Bunch Road. $85,000. (336) 643-7071.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

We Help Everyone! SELLERS & BUYERS

(336) 643-4248

www.ANewDawnRealty.com

Twin townhomes starting at $274,900. Within Oak Ridge town core. Units are pre-selling now. Seize the opportunity to pick your floor plan and options! Starting at $274,900

Nancy J. Hess

nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

HOMES FOR SALE SIMPLICITY AND STYLE!

EAGLE RIDGE

LAND FOR SALE SUMMERFIELD, AWESOME LOCATION. Fantastic piece of property with open & wooded acreage, creek on back of property. Magnificent estate/horse farm site. Call (336) 430-9507 anytime! NORTHERN SCHOOLS, wooded 1.5+/- acre lot. No HOA, no dues. Approved for 4BR septic. Priced to sell. Call (336) 430-9507. ACREAGE, Summerfield address in Southern Rockingham County. 15 mins. to Greensboro airport area. 5 to 25 acre tracts. Gorgeous trees, creeks, pond and gentle terrain. No HOA or dues. Paved road frontage. Call (336) 430-9507 anytime.

3807 Eagle Downs Way Artfully designed home with popular open plan. Current yet classic architectural elements. Spacious dining room, bedrooms with en suites. Incredible gathering area in the designer kitchen / keeping room/ great room combination. Designer colors for selected countertops and tiles. A must-see master bath and closet. Enjoy the beautiful private view from back porch. $669,000

Jake Letterman (336) 338-0136

TheThe Northwest Observer • Totally local local since since 19961996 Northwest Observer • Totally

Otey Construction does it again! Every time a builder builds a house it gets better. This one is top-notch! Dramatic master plus second bedroom on the main level. More bonus space upstairs for the ultimate in flexibility. Stone fireplace on the covered porch. Three-car garage. Offered at $739,000

Nancy J. Hess

nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS

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and tell them where you saw their ad. Without their support, the Northwest Observer could not be free to you, our readers! ACCOUNTING

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC....... 2

ProStone Inc. ..................................... 17

AUTOMOTIVE SALES & SERVICE

Stokesdale Heating & Air................... 14

Piedmont Truck Tires, Inc. ................... 9 Tire Max Total Car Care .................... 16

Stokesdale Storage ............................ 21

INSURANCE

BANK

Justin Fulp, Farm Bureau Insurance ... 15

First Citizens Bank ............................... 3

LEGAL SERVICES

BUILDING / REMODELING

Barbour & Williams Law ...................... 4

TM Construction Services .................. 21

MEDICAL CARE

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

LeBauer Healthcare .......................... 10

Guardian Ad Litem Program ............. 12

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS

CHURCH

Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital ............... 15

Oak Ridge United Methodist Church ... 7

DENTIST

Northwest Animal Hospital .................. 6

could make a

great fit

Westergaard Kennels......................... 12

Summerfield Family Dentistry ............ 15

REAL ESTATE

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Jake Letterman, BHHS Yost & Little .. 22

BEK Paint Company .......................... 21 Budget Blinds .................................... 15 Carpets by Direct ................................. 5 Eanes Heating & Air .......................... 13 Nature’s Select ...................................11 Old School Home Repair ................... 20

our readers and your business

A New Dawn Realty .......................... 22 Nancy Hess, BHHS Yost & Little ........ 22 Nicole Gillespie, Re/Max ...................... 6 Ramilya Siegel, Keller Williams .......... 17

RETAIL Cass Jewelers ...................................... 2

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

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Oak Ridge, NC Permit No. 22

PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 â&#x20AC;˘ (336) 644-7035

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Dr. Johns H20 First Citizens Bank Friddle & Company

High Point Pediatric Dentistry Phoenix Academy

...and to these advertisers who have renewed their partnership with us: Don Mills Builders

| since 2014

LeBauer Healthcare

| since 2011

Disney Custom Homes

| since 2009

Ray Bullins Construction

| since 2015

Eanes Heating & Air

| since 2014

Smith Marketing

| since 2005

R&K Custom Homes

| since 2011

Johnson & Lee

| since 2011

RS Dezern Construction

| since 2018

Naylor Custom Homes

| since 2015

Walraven Signature Homes

| since 2017

Lansink Custom Homes

| since 2017

Westergaard Kennels

| since 2008

...and welcome back: Cass Jewelers

The Northwest Observer is delivered to you free each week thanks to the advertising of these businesses, churches and organizations, and all those that advertise with us each year. Come with us to more than 13,500 homes each week.