Northwest Observer l Oct. 31-Nov. 6, 2019

Oct. 31 - Nov. 6, 2019

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Town responds to what it describes as ‘inaccurate, misleading’ statements A statement released

by Town Manager Scott Whitaker and endorsed by three of five council members defended Summerfield’s financial and other policies

by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – A statement released by the Town of Summerfield last Friday challenged statements by Voices for Summerfield candidates earlier in the week that the Town Council and town staff spend taxpayer dollars unwisely and favor high-

density development.

“While citizens certainly have freedom of speech, some information was inaccurate, misleading, and undermines public trust,” according to the statement posted on Summerfield’s website Friday, Oct. 25.

Though the candidate slate responsible for the mailer was not named in the statement, it referred to a mailing

by Voices for Summerfield that made “disparaging claims related to your local government.”

A posting of the town’s statement on the Northwest Observer’s Facebook page – along with other social media sites – generated tit-for-tat

comments by voters supporting the two slates of Town Council candidates. Much of the disagreement headed into the election next Tuesday, Nov. 5, stems from issues that have remained contentious since Summerfield’s election in 2017.

Incumbent councilmen John O’Day and Reece Walker are running for reelection as part of the Summerfield Proud coalition, along with mayoral candidate BJ Barnes and council candidates Lynne Williams DeVaney and Tim Sessoms, a former Summerfield mayor.

On the other side, Voices for Sum-

...continued on p. 2

How residents play, where they live up for grabs in election Endorsements by Oak Ridge’s mayor and ORYA president signal divergent views about future of Town Park, housing density

by CHRIS BURRITT OAK RIDGE – Mayor Spencer Sullivan has endorsed incumbent George McClellan and newcomer Martha

Pittman for Oak Ridge Town Council.

The other three candidates – Van Tanner, Mike Stone and incumbent Doug Nodine – have been openly endorsed

by Summerfield resident Tom Collins. As Oak Ridge Youth Association (ORYA) president, Collins serves on the town’s Parks and Recreation Commission.

The two groups of candidates illustrate two major choices facing voters in the election next Tuesday, Nov. 5. The first revolves around the development of Town Park and the other centers on

the density of housing in Oak Ridge.

The five candidates are vying for three seats. The election may hinge on voter turnout in an off-year election that historically attracts fewer voters than elections with state and U.S. races.

Tanner is betting on young voters.

If his push for construction of more athletic fields and creation of more recreational opportunities for families using Town Park resonates with young

...continued on p. 9

Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, Nov. 3 Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed this Saturday night, Nov. 2.

IN THIS ISSUE News in Brief................................. 4 Discord emerges in Stokesdale ....... 5 Judge may rule on lawsuit .............. 6 Tears in autumn ............................. 8 OR Presbyterian marks 25 years ... 10 Crime/Incident Report .................. 12 Kids Around Town photo page ....... 14 Calendar Events .......................... 15 Great Pumpkin Event photos .... 16-17 Business Notes ........................... 18 High School Sports Highlights ....... 18 Student Profiles ........................... 22 Grins and Gripes .......................... 24 Classifieds .................................. 27 Index of Advertisers ..................... 31 NWO on the Go! .......................... 32

Early Voting ends Friday, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m.; the polls are open Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

TOWN RESPONDS ...continued from p. 1

merfield is composed of candidates rallying around opposition by some residents three years ago to a proposal to amend the town’s zoning rules to allow higher-density planned development on large tracts of land. Danny Nelson is running with the Voices for Summerfield group for mayor while Sean Dwyer, Priscilla Olinick, Rich Schlobohm and Dana Luther are running for council seats.

“This is the final opportunity we have to make a difference and protect the things that we love about our town,” the Voices for Summerfield candidates warned in a 12-page mailing last week.

Among the assertions the Voices group made is that more than 625 acres of land in downtown Summerfield would be zoned for two units per acre under the town’s draft UDO (unified development ordinance). In fact, town staff’s latest estimate for the acreage is 326.

The mailer said the town treats its fund balance, or surplus, as “some piggy bank that Council raids or intends to raid EVERY YEAR!” It recommended voters contact Voices for Summerfield candidate Dana Luther with questions about the town’s finances. But back in 2009, while serving as the town’s

finance officer, Luther recommended dipping into the fund balance to build Summerfield Athletic Park.

“I feel the allegations being thrown around by Voices for Summerfield could have dire consequences for the town,” Jane Doggett, chair of the town’s Trails and Open Space Committee, said in a Northwest Observer Facebook post.

She said she appreciated the “town manager under the direction of the majority of council clarifying the issues for us citizens.”

Calling Whitaker “the campaign manager for Summerfield Proud,” Don Wendelken posted on the newspaper’s Facebook page that “town employees should not interfere with political campaigns. Candidates can rebut or buy ads to counter allegations.”

Wendelken is the administrator for Summerfield Scoop, a Facebook page that endorses the Voices for Summerfield candidates.

Whitaker said he wrote the statement last week at the direction of three of five council members: O’Day, Walker, and Mayor Pro Tem Dena Barnes, who is not seeking reelection. Dena Barnes is married to mayoral candidate BJ Barnes. Mayor Gail Dunham and council member Teresa Pegram didn’t support the statement, according to the town manager.

“The statement was the right thing

to do,” Whitaker said in an email earlier this week. “You won’t find me going back and forth on social media concerning this election, and I’m not involved beyond setting the record straight when town work is misrepresented.”

Dunham, Pegram and Todd Rotruck were elected to the Town Council in 2017 after they had voiced opposition to planned development. Dunham isn’t seeking reelection while Pegram has two more years of her four-year term to serve.

Rotruck was removed from office in 2018 after the Guilford County Board of Elections determined he had not established permanent residency in Summerfield. He recently ended his legal fight to regain his council seat after the Town of Summerfield had incurred more than $100,000 in legal expenses on Rotruckrelated litigation.

In recent weeks, Summerfield Proud supporters have highlighted Voices for Summerfield candidates’ support of Rotruck and Dunham and the discord surrounding the councilman’s removal from office and the mayor’s nearly two-year tenure. Under her leadership, council meetings have sometimes erupted in shouting and bickering with Dunham and Pegram typically at odds with Barnes, O’Day and Walker.

“Those candidates are not on the ballot and we are not them,” Voices for

Summerfield posted on its Facebook page earlier this week, referring to Dunham and Rotruck. Both Dunham and Rotruck have openly endorsed the Voices slate, and last month Dunham emailed a community update to select Summerfield citizens in which she encouraged them to vote for the Voices for Summerfield candidates.

The Summerfield Proud candidates countered on their Facebook page, urging voters to oppose candidates who “felt the need to protect Gail, Teresa and Todd at all cost.”

In their mailer, Voices for Summerfield cited “exploding” costs for town staff salaries and benefits that if left unchecked may result in a property tax increase. “We do not support overstaffing,” the candidates said. “We do not support wasteful spending.”

Staff salaries “are in line with market rates and even lower in some instances,” the town said in its statement. “Increases are merit-based and the town makes no excuse for offering longevity pay to hardworking employees who dedicate their waking hours to local government.

Benefits costs have absolutely increased regarding healthcare.”

The Voices for Summerfield candidates have also criticized as “deficit spending” the Town Council’s practice of using money in the town’s reserve funds for capital projects; year-to-year

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operating expenses continue to be covered by annual revenue.

Tapping the town’s surplus for onetime expenditures “has been the historical and documented norm” in Summerfield, the town’s statement noted.

Speaking during a Voices for Summerfield candidates’ forum last Wednesday, Oct. 23, Luther cited “ the excessive spending, the continuous deficit spending” by the council as motivating her to run for the council.

“Thumbs up to Dana Luther for her great accounting skills and accurate budget analysis,” the Voices for Summerfield mailer said. “No number is too big or small for her.”

A decade ago, while serving as the town’s finance officer, Luther and Town Manager Michael Brandt proposed an annual budget that also reduced the fund balance in the same way as the council that Luther is criticizing now.

In 2009, at the recommendation of Brandt and Luther, the council adopted

the upcoming year’s budget with fund balance transfers of $1.62 million for construction of Summerfield Athletic Park.

“Much like personal or business savings, the purpose of these funds is to provide needed funding for large capital projects,” according to the budget message by Brandt and Luther in May 2009.

Last week’s mailer by the Voices for Summerfield candidates described fund balance differently, saying it should be “treated as an emergency fund, for the most part, and not some piggy bank…”

In their mailer, the Voices for Summerfield candidates provided a history of planned development in Summerfield, noting that O’Day introduced a motion in October 2016 to amend the town’s development ordinance to allow higher-density, mixed-used construction. Walker seconded the motion.

O’Day and Walker said in interviews earlier this month they voted for the resolution in accordance with parliamentary rules requiring a motion and a second before an issue can be discussed by the council. After public opposition, the council tabled the PD issue and appointed a committee to review and recommend updates to the town’s UDO, a set of regulations governing commercial and residential development. The committee forwarded its recommendations to the Zoning Board in May 2018. The draft UDO being finalized by the board recommends

zoning that would allow two units per acre in downtown Summerfield.

“Is this your way of trying to sneak the public water system into Summerfield?” the Voices for Summerfield candidates said. According to their view, town leaders willing to revive discussions about a possible water system to aid firefighting actually favor the system as a means to extend water to builders of high-density development.

The UDO “is not a manual for large-scale, high-density development and commercialization,” according to the town’s statement. It added that Voices for Summerfield is using old maps and incorrect representations of existing and proposed zoning districts to circulate “inaccurate information.”

“Legal review and multiple public hearings are planned before the future Council will adopt the UDO,” the town said.

Watch video coverage of your town’s candidates’ forum: www.Facebook.com/NorthwestObserver

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

Vote early Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, or on Election Day GUILFORD COUNTY – Early Voting for the upcoming Nov. 5 election continues Thursday and Friday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Citizens can vote at any early voting site in Guilford County; the closest early voting site in the northwest Guilford County area is at Bur-Mil Park Clubhouse, 5834 Bur-Mil Club Road off U.S. 220.

Registered voters wishing to vote after Nov. 1 will need to vote in their assigned precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

In Summerfield, 10 candidates are vying for seats on the town council.

BJ Barnes and Danny Nelson are running for mayor, which is a two-year term; Dana Luther and Tim Sessoms

HOW TO REACH US email: info • celebrations • photos communitynews • realestatenews calendarevents • grinsandgripes opinions • editor • questions ... @ nwobserver.com

Watch complete video coverage of your town’s candidates’ forum!

Rich Schlobohm.

In Oak Ridge, five candidates are running for three open seats, all fouryear terms: incumbents Doug Nodine and George McClellan, and Martha Pittman, Mike Stone and Van Tanner.

are running to fill the remaining twoyear term for Todd Rotruck, whose seat was vacated in April 2018; and six other candidates are running for three open seats, all four-year terms: incumbents John O’Day and Reece Walker, and newcomers Sean Dwyer, Priscilla Olinick, Lynne Williams DeVaney and

And in Stokesdale, seven candidates are running for three open seats, all four-year terms: incumbents Tim Jones and Frank Bruno, and Mark Nadel, Jim Rigsbee, Derek Foy, Randy Braswell and Jimmy Landreth. Mark Jordahl’s name will also appear on the ballot, but Jordahl informed the Northwest Observer earlier this month that he had withdrawn from the race, citing work demands.

Find more voter information at www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/ board-of-elections.

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OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2019

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Discord over tree cutting emerges in Stokesdale election The Nov. 5 election pits present and past council members against each other over – among other things – spending of $24,400 for tree removal at Town Park

by CHRIS BURRITT STOKESDALE – Tropical Storm Michael swept through Stokesdale almost 13 months ago, leaving in its aftermath 15 leaning/downed trees in Town Park.

How Councilman Frank Bruno authorized the cleanup has emerged as a contentious issue in the town’s election next Tuesday, Nov. 5.

“The voters will speak,” said former mayor Randy Braswell, who is running for a council seat. “They know about this tree deal.”

Bruno, who is seeking reelection, has publicly acknowledged he erred in authorizing a tree service last fall to remove the trees before getting a quote for the work and without consulting with other council members. During a town council meeting several months ago he explained that while Mayor John Flynt and Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks were driving around the town assessing the damage from the storm, he learned of the leaning/downed trees at the walking trail and considered them a safety hazard to those in the park, so took immediate action. The vendor selected for the tree work is a member of Bruno’s business networking group, as are six other vendors that were selected to do work for the town in the last year.

Bruno, who heads up the Town’s Property Committee, said earlier this week he’s not concerned that Braswell is raising the issue ahead of the election.

Braswell “is preaching to the people who are going to vote for him anyway,” Bruno said in an interview during a meet-and-greet gathering for Stokesdale candidates this past Tuesday night, Oct. 29.

Bruno and Braswell are among seven candidates seeking three seats on Town Council. The others are newcomers Jimmy Landreth, Derek Foy, Jim Rigsbee and Mark Nadel, and Tim Jones, an incumbent who has often also criticized Bruno for authorizing a company to cut/clear the leaning and downed trees in the park without consulting others, and for hiring several vendors to provide services to the town who are members of his business networking group.

During a forum Oct. 21, the moderator asked the candidates whether they believed council members had engaged in quid pro quo, a Latin phrase for doing a favor for a favor.

Bruno, who is a Prudential Financial Planning Services advisor, belongs to the same business networking group as Beaver Outdoor Solutions. The company was one of three tree services he said he called for quotes to remove the trees in the park behind Town Hall. One of the companies didn’t call back and another said it would be busy for several months with other jobs, Bruno said. Beaver was ultimately hired to do the work.

In hindsight, Bruno said he should have called an emergency meeting of the council to authorize spending for the tree removal.

“I did it more for public safety” because children were playing near the fallen trees, he said.

...continued on p. 31

MARTHAPITTMAN MARTHAPITTMAN MARTHAPITTMAN

OAKRIDGE RIDGETOWN TOWNCOUNCIL COUNCIL OAK OAK RIDGE TOWN COUNCIL Remaining faithful to our rural heritage Remaining faithful our rural heritage Remaining faithful faithfultoto toour ourrural ruralheritage heritage whileforging forging connections connections toour our future. future. while while forging while forgingconnections connectionstoto to our ourfuture. future.

ASAS AA MEMBER OFOF THE OAK RIDGE TOWN COUNCIL, I WILL: MEMBER THE OAK RIDGE TOWN COUNCIL, WILL: AS A MEMBER OF THE OAK RIDGE TOWN COUNCIL, III WILL: • Listen and respond to all Oak Ridge residents’ questions and concerns.

AS A MEMBER OF THE OAK RIDGE TOWN COUNCIL, WILL: • Listen and respond to all Oak Ridge residents’ questions and concerns.

• Listen and respond to all Oak Ridge residents’ questions and concerns.

•• Listen and respond to all Oak as Ridge residents’ questions concerns.

Use my 20 years of experience as a CPA CPA to ensure sound scal policy.

• Use my 20 years ofof experience a aCPA toto ensure sound fiand scal policy.

• Use my 20 years experience as ensure sound fifiscal policy.

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• Plan citizens.

• Planforforthe thefuture futureofofOak OakRidge Ridgetotoensure ensurelivability livabilityand andsafety safetyforforour our citizens.

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• Protect rural and historical character of our town through strict but fair • Protect • Protectthe therural ruraland andhistorical historicalcharacter characterofofour ourtown townthrough throughstrict strictbut butfair fair •enforcement Protect the of rural and historical character of our town through strict but fair enforcement of existing guidelines. enforcement ofexisting existingguidelines. guidelines. enforcement of existing guidelines.

• Encourage the preservation of open space and natural areas.

• Encourage the preservation ofof open space and natural areas.

• Encourage the preservation open space and natural areas.

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• Do the work necessary to make informed and common-sense decisions.

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• Do the work necessary to make informed and common-sense decisions.

ONAAAPERSONAL PERSONALNOTE: NOTE: ON ON PERSONAL NOTE: ON A PERSONAL NOTE: • 19-year resident of Oak Ridge, married Benny Pittman, mother three, • 19-year resident of Oak Ridge, married to to Benny Pittman, mother of of three, • 19-year resident of Oak Ridge, married to Benny Pittman, mother of three, • 19-year resident of Oak Ridge, married to Benny Pittman, mother of three, and proud Grandma. and proud Grandma. and proud Grandma. and proud Grandma.

Co-chair, Oak Ridge Mountains to Sea Trail Committee.

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• Active volunteer serving through Kiwanis Club projects, as club advisor • Active asas club advisor • Activevolunteer volunteerserving servingthrough throughKiwanis KiwanisClub Clubprojects, projects, club advisor •toActive volunteer serving through Kiwanis Club projects, as club advisor to the NWHS Key Club, and other community events. tothe theNWHS NWHSKey KeyClub, Club,and andother othercommunity communityevents. events. to the NWHS Key Club, and other community events.

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OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2019

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Judge may rule on lawsuit against Summerfield this week

by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – North Carolina Superior Court Judge Martin McGee may rule later this week on a lawsuit filed by three Summerfield residents – one of whom has since withdrawn his name from the suit – arguing the town unlawfully spent taxpayer money for the legal defense of council member Dianne Laughlin.

McGee heard arguments this past Monday, Oct. 28, in the case in which the Town of Summerfield is seeking dismissal of the suit filed by Summerfield residents Dwayne Crawford and Don Wendelken. The third plaintiff, mayoral candidate Danny Nelson, withdrew from the suit Monday, according to his lawyer, Gavin Reardon.

McGee told those at the hearing he wants to issue a ruling by the end of the week, said Reardon and Summerfield Town Manager Scott Whitaker, who attended the hearing in the Guilford County Courthouse in Greensboro.

The three residents sued the Town, Mayor Pro Tem Dena Barnes and council members Laughlin, John O’Day and Reece Walker in May after Laughlin was appointed to the seat previously held by Councilman Todd Rotruck. The four council members voted in favor of the Town paying to defend Laughlin; council member Teresa Pegram was not named in the lawsuit because she opposed the decision to use taxpayers’ money to defend Laughlin, believing Laughlin should use personal funds for her defense.

Rotruck was removed from office in April 2018, just four months after being sworn in, after the Guilford County Board of Elections unanimously voted he hadn’t established permanent residency in Summerfield. Later in the

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

year, Superior Court Judge John Craig issued an order affirming the election board’s decision.

Rotruck appealed Craig’s ruling and as his appeal was awaiting a hearing by the North Carolina Court of Appeals, he filed another lawsuit in January of this year naming Laughlin as the defendant. Although he did not make any allegations of personal wrongdoing on Laughlin’s part, he sought relief in the nature of “quo warranto,” a legal action used to resolve a dispute over whether a person has the legal right to hold the public office that he or she occupies.

In the suit, Rotruck asked the court to direct the Summerfield Town Council to remove Laughlin from public office and allow him to take his seat back on the council until his appeal of the earlier ruling was heard by the state Court of Appeals.

Superior Court Judge David Hall heard Rotruck’s suit against Laughlin in February, but made no decision; he said doing so would put the parties involved at risk of inconsistent judgments. He confirmed the suit could be re-opened if the state Court of Appeals overturned the earlier ruling

by Craig. In early September a threejudge panel with the Court of Appeals released its findings that the Guilford County Board of Elections (BOE) had committed no errors of law when ordering that Rotruck’s voter registration be changed from his property address in Summerfield to his home address on Lewiston Road in Greensboro, which ultimately led to his seat on Summerfield Town Council being declared vacant.

In Monday’s hearing, lawyers for Summerfield and the council mem-

...continued on p. 13

BJ Barnes Lynne Williams DeVaney

John O’Day Reece Walker Tim Sessoms

PAID FOR BY COMMITTEE TO ELECT BJ BARNES

There is one team running for Summerfield Town Council that will serve our town with

DIGNITY, HONOR & INTEGRITY A team that has proven service to our town, our county, our state and our nation.

A team committed to bring civility and professionalism back to our town meetings.

A team that has not sued our town or supported anyone who has.

A team NOT FOR high density, forced water system or an increase in taxes.

A team that HAS NOT colluded with people who have cost our town over $132,000 in legal fees.

A team dedicated to YOU and OUR TOWN.

Summerfield Proud –– a team you can count on BJ Barnes, Lynne Williams DeVaney, John O’Day, Reece Walker and Tim Sessoms.

Please vote Nov. 5. Our town’s future depends on it.

Pre-Election Meet & Greet Sunday, Nov. 3, 2 - 4:30 pm

Tire Max | 4420 US Highway 220 N, Summerfield Summerfield Proud would like to invite you to join us for fun and food.

Stay for a minute, or for the whole time. Hope to see you there!

When trees shed leaves, and tears in autumn

by HELEN LEDFORD Hers had been a sheltered life. Born and raised on a small farm, she had married young, had a small son, and a husband who eventually moved his family to a large city. They lived in a four-room rented house, and things went well until his company downsized and he lost his job; the next several months were especially difficult. Despite their financial hardships, they were ecstatic when they learned a second baby was expected.

For the mother-to be, in her early 20s, it was a troubled pregnancy from the beginning. To supplement the family’s income the expectant dad, a Korean War veteran, joined the National Guard, which took him away from home most weekends. The young mother’s doctor suggested bed rest, but assured the couple the baby would be okay – despite signs that all was not well. An occasional overnight hospital stay with treatment brought encouragement that the fetus was intact and healthy.

It was, however, a “summer

of discontent,” for there was a precocious, lively 3-year-old son to be cared for. He was bewildered and often sad, not comprehending why Mommy could not “come outside and play.” The family had joined a local church, whose membership welcomed them with open arms and offered friendship, spiritual comfort and food. A kind neighbor offered to watch over the toddler during the day, as family members from the mother’s hometown found it inconvenient to visit often because of distance and job schedules.

The long, hot months dragged on, with the mother able to be up one day, feeling fine, and the next, having to lie in bed. The child growing inside her kicked and moved about normally, with great exuberance. With anxiety and

some doubt, the young couple prayed with each passing calendar month that a healthy, well-developed wee one would be birthed without incident.

Summer struggled into fall, and soon November came – the month of Thanksgiving. She had not sewn a layette for the new infant as she had for her first, and there was no mention of choosing a name. Doctors congratulated her for making it into the sev-

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enth month of pregnancy, and so the couple waited, trusting in professional medical opinions.

On a chilly, nippy Sunday morning the family dressed for church but at the last minute, because of a nagging, peculiar lumbar back pain, she decided to stay home.

After pouring herself a cup of coffee, she rested comfortably with her back against the old-fashioned oil circulator heater in the center of the house.

The warmth felt wonderful, and so that position was kept until the noisy arrival of her son and spouse was heard at the front door.

Arising suddenly, a sharp pain in the lower abdomen caused her knees to buckle, and the realization came that labor had begun! A frantic

trip to the hospital ensued, all while contractions came faster and harder. As medical personnel wheeled her inside the emergency room doors, she could not see, hear nor fathom anything but relentless, searing shards of pain.

Suddenly, in an agonizing second, a tiny new life entered the world on a gurney in the wide hospital corridor.

The rest of the day was a blur, with half-sleep, distant, muffled conversation surrounding her; through the fog she heard the deep voice of the attending physician saying, “His lungs were not fully developed.” The tired new mother saw to her left a machine with a tiny coffin-like stainless steel apparatus that hummed quietly, rocking gently back and forth. The doctor explained matter-of-factly that they were keeping the baby alive in that metal box.

Sometime later, a darkhaired nurse brought a cup of red medicine. The exhausted mother drank it, as directed.

The kind lady in her white hospital garb spoke softly, and

...continued on p. 26

compassionate

personal caring

I had no idea I would ever find a realtor with as much caring and knowledge.

Carolyn absolutely knows the market!

– Isabel F.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

responsive

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1692-J NC Hwy 68 N, Oak Ridge • (336) 643-8984 nwanimalhospitalnc.com

ENDORSEMENTS ...continued from p. 1

parents, he may gain support from voters who might traditionally stay at home, according to Collins.

“Imagine if we actually had champions for Oak Ridge families sitting on the Town Council!!!” Collins said in an Oct. 18 email to voters. He estimated that a candidate would be elected with 500 votes. “That’s just a fraction of the young families we have in Oak Ridge,” he said.

In a post on his Facebook page earlier this week, Sullivan said that “Oak Ridge Town Councils, both past and present, have always unanimously supported the Oak Ridge Youth Association.” Earlier this month, Sullivan disputed Tanner’s statement that ORYA was suffering from “abuse” due to criticism of the candidate’s involvement with the organization.

Tanner aligned himself with ORYA in January, joining the board of directors and serving as director of community relations before announcing his candidacy for Town Council in April.

Saying the council spends too little on youth sports, Tanner pushed for construction of additional playing fields and the use of the historic Redmon house on Town Park property as a place for volunteers to meet and to store equipment.

Sullivan told Tanner during the council’s meeting in April that a survey of residents and other users of Town Park will guide the council’s decision making next year on how to develop the park.

Construction of more athletic fields is likely, depending upon the availability of money to build them, the mayor said in an interview earlier this week.

Speaking during a forum Oct. 17, all five of the Town Council candidates supported improvements to Town Park.

Trails for hiking and riding horses, tennis courts and a splash park were among suggestions. “Families come in

all shapes and sizes,” McClellan said.

Sullivan said he endorsed McClellan and Pittman because of their support for a “balanced” mix of improvements.

“George and Martha are committed to providing recreational facilities for all citizens, not just a special group,” he said. The mayor also said McClellan and Pittman support moderately priced housing in Oak Ridge, as recommended by the town’s land use plan.

McClellan and Pittman favor the allowance of construction of two units per acre in the town core, while Tanner, Stone and Nodine recommend no more than one house per acre, as allowed elsewhere in the town.

Oak Ridge’s land use plan “creates options for small, less expensive housing that would fit empty nesters and young families who can’t afford a McMansion,” Sullivan said in the interview.

The mayor, who isn’t seeking reelection, said he and his wife, Linda, haven’t been able to find a new house in Oak Ridge that’s small and affordable enough as they prepare to downsize.

“There is a tremendous demand for this lower cost, smaller housing,” Sullivan said. “For some of the candidates to come out and say we’ve got to get rid of this is counterproductive and flies in the face of what is happening right here in Oak Ridge.”

During the candidates’ forum, Nodine said he would like for Town Council to adopt “a new zoning ordinance that would allow maybe one house per two acres or one house per four acres as a standard.”

Allowing construction of higherdensity housing in the town core, such as townhomes and duplexes, hurts property values for existing homeowners, according to Tanner. “We moved here because we expected a certain style of living,” he said during the candidates’ forum.

Stone agreed, saying “we should be focused on how to keep Oak Ridge Oak Ridge. And Oak Ridge is rural.”

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Doug Nodine remains committed to our community by providing leadership that will maintain our heritage while developing a strong plan for our town’s future.”

–Randy Floss, Chairman, RidgeFest, & former Bistro owner

Councilman Nodine has worked hard to ensure Oak Ridge is a destination for young families.”

–Tom Collins,

President, Oak Ridge Youth Association

Doug Nodine has the smarts to understand good public policy and its effect on residents/businesses and does not follow crowd thinking.”

My wife Cathy and I have lived in Oak Ridge for the past 16 years. I have a background in city planning and am a small business owner of 30 years.

My volunteer service to the Town of Oak Ridge includes: ■ Oak Ridge Lions Club member since 2004 ■ Planning & Zoning Board member since 2006 and chairman since 2010 ■ Preservation Oak Ridge chairman since 2007 ■ Town Council member since 2015

Thank you for your consideration of my candidacy.

Please vote on Nov. 5!

–Jerry Cooke,

Former Council Member & Oak Ridge Business Leader

DOUG

NODINE for Oak Ridge Town Council

Paid for by Committee to Elect Doug Nodine

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2019

9

Oak Ridge Presbyterian celebrates 25 years Sunday, Nov. 3 Founding pastor Dr. Rob Evans will preach at the 10 a.m. service, which will include special music and recognition of the founding members and members who have died; a reception will follow.

by MEREDITH BARKLEY One late summer day 25 years ago as Ruth Sturm headed out Oak Ridge Road to her daughters’ piano lessons

she noticed a sign for something called Northwest Guilford New Church Development Presbyterian Church USA. A mouthful.

Sturm and her family had recently moved to Oak Ridge from Michigan for her husband’s job. They liked the Presbyterian style of worship, but there wasn’t one nearby. So she jotted down the phone number, called one Sunday morning and went.

Among those greeting her, she recalled, was a guy named Rob. Seemed nice enough. She found an aisle seat for worship.

E l e c t George

McClellan

Oak Ridge Town Council

Paid for by Committee to Elect George McClellan

Election Day r be Novem th 5

Courtesy photo

Ali Mitchell, Alicia McCartney, Ashton Brown, Chelsea Ridenhour, Grace Mitchell, Jordan Mitchell and Zeb Mims stand by a flower-covered cross at Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church on an Easter Sunday morning several years ago. All of the young people in the photo are now adults, many with children of their own. At least four of them are expected to attend the church’s 25th anniversary service Nov. 3.

The church was chartered in 1994 with 99 members.

“It was kind of chaotic,” Sturm said of the preservice shuffling about in the refurbished fertilizer warehouse where services were then conducted.

Moments later she felt something brush her. She looked up to see Rob pulling on his pastoral robe and heading down the aisle. Rob turned out to be the Rev. Dr. Robert C. Evans III, organizing pastor of what on Dec. 4 of that year (1994) would be chartered as Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church.

That afternoon church member Frances Jackson showed up at Sturm’s door with a loaf of homemade bread.

“It was wonderful,” Sturm recalled

I love Oak Ridge and am committed to making it an even better place to live for all residents. I believe in small, efficient town government and in keeping property taxes low. I deeply appreciate the support you have shown by electing me to two terms on the Town Council, and hope I have earned your vote to continue serving.

Fiscal Responsibility • Public Safety Recreational Opportunities Balance Preservation and Growth Visit us on Facebook at

Councilman George McClellan 10

OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2019

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

of the unexpected gift. She now lives in Sedgefield, but still drives to Oak Ridge for the church service on Sundays.

“It would be hard to leave,” said Sturm, a charter member.

This Sunday, Nov. 3, the church, located at 2614 Oak Ridge Road, celebrates 25 years and its legacy of service to the community and expanding congregation. The 10 a.m. service will include special music, a sermon

by Evans, who led the church until

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Courtesy photo

Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church members of all ages pose for a photo in 2017 after volunteering on the Fall Day of Service, one of several community service projects the congregation participates in. Several of the people in the photo are wearing a T-shirt that reads “Worship & Love & Learn & Serve Together.”

April 2004, recognition of the founding members and a reception – and, in observance of All Saints Day, recognition of members who have died.

Shirley Bear, also a charter member, talked of the church community’s “feeling of friendliness and love for each other.”

Those attending will receive a church history and timeline as well as a booklet with 25 stories from 25 members.

“Our passing the peace lasts about five minutes because we’re all running around and hugging each other,” Bear said.

“We have come together as a wonderful community of growing faith,” said JP Mitchell, a charter member who has helped lead the congregation.

“I have a deep and almost consuming love for Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church.”

The beginnings of what became Oak Ridge Presbyterian date to 1991 when Salem Presbytery, which oversees the region’s Presbyterian churches, determined a need for a new church in high-growth Northwest Guilford. Lead-

...continued on p. 25

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Former Town Council member & former vice-chairman Planning and Zoning Active volunteer for Oak Ridge Military Academy, RidgeFest and Oak Ridge Commons Cruise-In Member of Preservation Oak Ridge U.S. Air Force Veteran and Eagle Scout Operates a large manufacturing company with 200+ employees Worked to implement the only TAX DECREASE in the town’s history

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Bring a fresh business perspective to town leadership. Enlist the Finance Committee to provide oversight to town expenditures.

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OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2019

11

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THEFT

Oct. 21 | Sheriff’s deputies responded to Wesley Long Hospital at 10:54 p.m. and found that a father had deserted his 27-year-old autistic son, who had been transported to the hospital from the 6000 block of Beckenham Way in Oak Ridge (near Stafford Mill Road) by deputies earlier in the day; the 42-year-old father was arrested in the 5700 block of Spotswood Drive in Summerfield (near U.S. 220) for child abandonment.

Oct. 24 | A resident of the 600 block of S. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax reported an unknown suspect entered her garage sometime between 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and stole a small, gray toolbox; the combined value of the tools inside the box was estimated at $120.

DRUGS Oct. 23 | At 12:09 a.m. in the 7900 block of N.C. 68 N in Stokesdale, sheriff’s deputies discovered two known offenders in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, Xanax and ecstasy. The drugs, along with a change purse, cash, a notebook and a scale, were deemed evidence the offenders planned to sell and deliver the narcotics. A 29-year-old female was arrested at 1:03 a.m. for using a vehicle/property as a dwelling for a controlled substance, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, probation violation and failure to appear in court; information about the other offender was not available at the time of this report.

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OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2019

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Oct. 24 | A resident of the 800 block of S. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax reported he caught an unknown suspect on camera at 4:29 p.m. stealing a new set of orange/black CRAFTSMAN hedge clippers from his front porch; the clippers were valued at $250.

Oct. 26 | A resident of the 7100 block of Holly Glen Drive in Stokesdale (near Culp Home Fashions) reported an unknown suspect stole several handguns and firearms from his unlocked truck between Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. and Oct. 26 at 11:42 a.m.; the combined value of the black Beretta 21A-22LR, black KelTec PF9, silver North American Arms NAA-22LR, black Remington 783 rifle, black Ruger LCP, black T/C Compass, black Taurus Judge and two black rifle cases was estimated at $2,367.

Oct. 26 | Sheriff’s deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle call at 7:39 a.m. in the 7200 block of Summerfield

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Road and discovered the vehicle, a 2011 GMC Sierra truck valued at $7,000, had been reported to the Hillsborough Police Department on Oct. 25 as missing. A 26-year-old male was arrested at 10:45 a.m. in the same block for larceny of a motor vehicle, several burglary counts, larceny of a firearm, possession of stolen goods and other charges.

Oct. 28 | A resident of the 6900 block of Summerfield Road reported an unknown suspect forced entry into her residence through a window sometime between 9 a.m. and 10:09 p.m. that day and stole electronics and cash; the combined value of her black Samsung

JUDGE MAY RULE ...continued from p. 6

bers argued for the dismissal of the suit by Crawford and Wendelken on the grounds that the suit replicates Rotruck’s suit against Laughlin.

“It’s all the same subject matter,” Summerfield Town Attorney Bill Hill said to the council in September, explaining the town’s position in the case. “You don’t get two bites at the apple.”

The town also argued that Rotruck’s suit against Laughlin “was not a valid quo warranto action,” Hill said in September. He told the council that Rotruck didn’t have “a legitimate argument of being denied a legal right.”

tablet (in a brown case with a butterfly design), gray iPhone 5 and $10 to $15 in cash was estimated at $260.

Family-Focused No Cluster Housing

Oct. 28 | Another resident of the 6900 block of Summerfield Road reported an unknown suspect stole several items belonging to different family members from an unlocked vehicle between Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 28 at 8:45 p.m.; the combined value of a pink bracelet with multicolored rubies, two silver bracelets, a small, light-brown handbag, another brown handbag with flowers and $500 cash was estimated at $4,426; a passport, an I.D. card and a BB&T checkbook were also stolen.

In court Monday, Reardon disagreed with Summerfield’s position.

The latest suit isn’t “a do over of a prior action,” he said in an interview after the hearing.

“The statute is very simple: it says that you can’t spend public funds for the defense of a quo warranto action,” Reardon said. “Obviously, Mrs. Laughlin was entitled to a defense, but she had to pay for it herself.”

Judge McGee may decide to dismiss the suit or say it’s not dismissed, Reardon said. Or the judge may decide to remand the case to Judge Hall since he handled the quo warranto action.

“They are all tied together,” Reardon said. “It may make sense to have just one judge consider it.”

TIME TO VOTE!

Watch video coverage of your town’s candidates’ forum at www.Facebook.com/NorthwestObserver

Then be sure to take your informed opinions to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 5, 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Open - Village Appeal Open - Village Appeal

ü

Þ Stop cluster housing • Minimum 1 house per acre (RS 40)

ü

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Family - Focused Oak Ridge Family - Focused Oak Ridge

Þ Provide activities for the whole family: Splash park, skate-park, basketball, tennis, pickle ball, Frisbee golf, support Oak Ridge Youth Association

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2019

13

Photo courtesy of Lor en Germeroth

Kids

Photo by Michell

sd e Wallace/Stoke

ale Elementary

n w o T d Aroun Friends of Stokesdale ho sted a pumpkin painting patch Oct. 26 to help the non-profit raise funds for future projects. North west Guilford High School art teacher and Sto kesdale resident Beth Herrick led the painting process, assisted by a team of high school stude nt volunteers.

Amber, Greyson and Gentry Buchanan pose as cat, mouse and cheese shortly before being deemed one of the winners of the Tractor & Treat family costume contest.

14

OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2019

The EuroHaus booth was a popular stop for pictu res at Summerfield Farm’s fifth annual Tractor & Treat on Oct. 23. Businesses from around the Triad set up displays where hund reds of families came to trick-or-treat. No display was more creative than Rapunzel sitting in her castle atop the EuroHaus car.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Photos by Kelli Jessup/NWO

m cond row, third fro her Patti Stokes (se lis enub em El r/p le ito da ed es r ve ok de class at St ra -g Nor thwest Obser ird th ’s nd lla t questions with Ms. Ro he kids asked grea “T . ay left) enjoyed visiting D d or W a ational Learn talk with, and they tary on Oct . 16, N ry polite and fun to ve re we , books with er ap sp w favorite childhood y m about the local ne of e on em th when I read . listened attentively Truth,’” Stokes said tain Bears and The ns re Be he ‘T al, or am

mark your

baked goods and more.

calendar

PURCHASE BY NOV. 1

 Christmas at Maple Glade | Raffle tickets are on sale

now for a chance to win a private tour and dinner for four on Dec. 5 at historic Maple Glade on the campus of Oak Ridge Military Academy; visit oakridgenc.com for details.

Proceeds go toward restoring historic campus buildings.

More info: Debbie Shoenfeld, (336) 643-2504.  Holiday Display | Businesses, clubs, churches, families and individuals can purchase a lighted wire tree or star to be displayed in Oak Ridge Town Park Nov. 23Dec. 31 with a sign featuring their name and logo. An assembly workshop will take place Nov. 12, 6 to 8 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road.

REGISTER BY NOV. 15

 Thanksgiving/Christmas Parade | Businesses, church-

es, organizations and individuals are invited to enter their float, vehicle, horse, dog, band, etc., in the Town of Oak Ridge’s first Thanksgiving Parade, Saturday, Nov. 23, at 3:30 p.m. Register at oakridgenc.com by Nov. 15.

THURSDAY, OCT. 31

 Sweets and Treats | From the Earth Farmers Market

invites the community to a fun night Oct. 31, 4 p.m. to dusk beside the Quality Mart/Shell gas station on N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge. Don your costumes and bring the kids to get treats while parents shop for fresh produce, 6716 US Hwy 158 Stokesdale

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Just 1/4 mile off I-73

158

boxes per vehicle of personal documents for shredding.

No business waste or furniture.  Trunk-or-Treat | Stokesdale United Methodist Church will host a trunk-or-treat Oct. 31, 6 to 7:30 p.m.  Fall Bazaar | Gideon Grove United Methodist Church at 8305 Loyola Drive. Enjoy candy, hotdogs, drinks and will host a fall bazaar Nov. 2, 8 a.m. to 12 noon at 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road. Enjoy ham and sausage hayrides. More info: (336) 643-4850. biscuits, baked goods, homemade crafts, a raffle for  Trunk-or-Treat | Summerfield First Baptist Church, 2300 Scalesville Road in Summerfield, will host a trunk- a handmade quilt and more. More info: Laura Harrell, or-treat Oct. 31, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy candy, hotdogs and (336) 643-6042.  Breakfast Benefit | A home-style breakfast will be drinks. Bring a canned food item to support the local held at Bethel United Methodist Church, 8424 Haw River food bank. More info: (336) 643-6383.

Road in Oak Ridge, to raise funds for northwest Guilford  Halloween Funtacular | Central Baptist Church, 1715 County native Rick Bolling, 57. Rick was diagnosed with N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge, will host a fun family night in glioblastoma multiforme, a grade IV brain tumor, last their Family Life Center Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy games, November; he has since been undergoing chemo and treats and plenty of candy. More info: (336) 643-7684. radiation therapy, but has become immune to the chemo FRIDAY, NOV. 1 & SATURDAY, NOV. 2 treatments. Donations to help Rick and his family with  Craft Show | Kernersville Community House will expenses related to his cancer will be taken at the door. host a craft show Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Nov. 2,  Persimmon Festival | The 12th annual Persimmon 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 405 Salisbury St. Enjoy handmade Festival will be held Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the gifts, home décor, jewelry, yard art, pottery, holiday historic Stafford Farm, 558 North Bunker Hill Road in decorations, baked goods and more. Raffle proceeds Colfax (park at Shady Grove Church). Admission fee of will benefit Trellis Supportive Care. More info: Mary at $10 for ages 12 and older contributes to the mainte(336) 993-2260 or 2csanyi2@gmail.com. nance and upkeep of the historic farm and buildings.

More info: www.colfaxpersimmonfest.com.

SATURDAY, NOV. 2  Recycle/E-cycle | The Town of Oak Ridge, in part-

nership with Guilford County Environmental Services, will host a recycle/e-cycle event Nov. 2, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oak Ridge Elementary School, 2050 Oak Ridge Road in Oak Ridge. Accepted items: tires, appliances and electronics (computers, televisions, microwaves, electronic games and toys, cell phones), and up to five

TUESDAY, NOV. 5

 Merchants Association | Summerfield Merchants Association invites business professionals who live in or operate a business in Summerfield to join them for networking and a business meeting Nov. 5, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Polo Farms Clubhouse, 6500 Polo Farms Drive. Learn more at SummerfieldMerchant.com.

Keep your furry friend in style Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are grooming days for all dogs. Cats welcome too!

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Merchants of Oak R View more photos from this event at

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Saturday, Oak Ridge

Photos by Patti Stokes/NWO Page Design by Kelli Jessup/NWO

Ridge’s 15th annual

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After holding Rockingham’s Cougars (2-7, 1-4) to -25 rushing yards in the 26-3 win, the Nighthawks are now 6-3 overall and 3-2 in the 2A/3A Mid State Athletic Conference; that puts them in fourth place in the eight-team conference.

In addition to senior middle linebacker Anderson’s play, Trey Ruff, a senior defensive lineman, had eight tackles, four for losses, and one sack.

Offensively, junior quarterback Will Lenard threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns; senior Chuck Conaway had four catches for 87 yards and a touchdown, and senior Nyles Mosley

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

had 16 carries for 99 yards and a touchdown. “I thought we played well on both sides the past couple weeks,� Westberg said.

That gives him hope heading into this Friday’s home matchup against struggling Morehead. The Panthers are 3-6 overall and 1-4 in the conference, having lost four of their last five games, including their last two. “It’s our last home game. Senior Night,� Westberg said. “I’m excited for our seniors. Hope they go out with a win.�

A win, he said, should ensure his Nighthawks will make it to the post season, and closing out the regular season with a win at tough Western Alamance (7-2, 4-1) on Nov. 8 would ensure a good seed.

But, Westberg said: “We’ve got to take care of business this week first before we start looking at them.�

Northern Guilford MEN’S SOCCER Northern Guilford men’s soccer, which has slugged through its conference schedule so far undefeated, is looking for a high seed in the state playoffs, several home games and a deep post season run.

“I’ve been proud of my team,” said third-year coach Aaron King. “For the past month or so we’ve shown a lot of heart.”

The Nighthawks are 18-3-1 overall and 13-0 in the Mid State 3A Conference. Two of their losses have been to nearby rival Northwest Guilford (18-2-2), currently ranked by MaxPreps.com as the No. 1 team in the state. The other loss was to Williams High in Burlington, which at 18-2 is also among the state’s top teams.

State playoff seeds will be announced Nov. 4 and the first playoff games are Nov. 6.

King said he expects a third or fourth seed in the East. The higher seed plays at home.

In 2017, his first year coaching the Nighthawks, King’s team made it to the third round of the six-round playoffs.

Last year, his team made it to the fourth round.

The 12-year-old high school has had a strong soccer program almost from the beginning, winning its conference most years and making playoff runs. It’s never made it past the fourth (quarter final) round.

While the Nighthawks’ defense has been strong all year (they’ve only given up nine goals all season), King wishes this year’s team were better at scoring; in his first two seasons at Northern his teams averaged about 100 goals; this year’s team has scored only 77 so far.

“We graduated four all-region guys,” he said of last year’s squad. He said it’s been challenging to fill that void.

Top scorers this year have been Josh Auger, a senior, with 18 goals and eight assists so far, and Nic Hasler and JT Buckley with 11 goals each. Hasler has 10 assists so far and Buckley has eight.

The Nighthawks were scheduled to wrap up the regular season Wednesday evening at home against Western Alamance (15-4-2, 11-2).

Northern Guilford CROSS COUNTRY Northern Guilford continued its

treet, Oakdominance of 3A Mid-State Conference cross country last week, winning

rivate lotboth the boys and girls conference + bonus -

title meets.

The boys have won the meet for 10 years in a row and the girls for

10 of the last 11 years, Coach Thanh Ngo confirmed in an email.

girls, Northern had seven of the top 10.

Jack Dingman won the boys race, covering the three-mile course in 17:44.06 and earning him his second conference male runner of the year award. Alyssa Hernandez won the girls race in 20:16.79 and earned the conference female runner of the year award.

Other top finishers for the boys were Mateo De Lisa, second; Ernesto Barrios-Zavala, third; Logan Dingman, seventh; Will Fredericks, eighth; Hazen Harvell, 10th, and Jaxon Taborst, 11th.

The Nighthawks will compete in the regionals on Saturday for a chance at the state championships next weekend.

For the girls, other top finishers were Emma Fredericks, second; Katie Howell, fourth; Kierston Kohler, fifth; Emma Hardiman, sixth; Hope Rackers, ninth, and Samantha Poole, 10th.

For the regionals, Northern will compete as a team. The top 25 percent

In the boys race, Northern took seven of the top 11 finishes. For the

...continued on p. 20

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19

Northwest Guilford MEN’S SOCCER

SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS ...continued from p. 19

of the team advance to the states. The top seven individuals in each race that aren’t on any of the qualifying teams also advance to the states, Ngo wrote.

Northern Guilford VOLLEYBALL Northern Guilford’s volleyball season ended last week in the first round of the NCHSAA Volleyball State Championship.

The 18th-seeded Nighthawks lost 3-0 to No. 15 seed West Carteret (14-8).

Northern finished the season with a 14-11 overall record. They were tied for third in the Mid-State 3A Conference at 9-5.

Courtesy photo

Northwest Guilford’s men’s soccer team recently won the Metro 4A Conference for the fourth consecutive year and is ranked No. 1 in the state

by MaxPreps.com, a website specializing in American high school sports.

Northwest Guilford men’s soccer is riding high these days.

The Vikings (18-2-2, 8-0) won the Metro 4A Conference and are rated No. 1 in the state by MaxPreps.com.

They’re expecting another No. 1 seed in the post season West Regionals in early November.

“It’s very similar so far as last year,” Coach Jason Allred said of the regular season.

But last year didn’t turn out well.

Northwest also entered the regionals as the top seed, falling in the second round to Independence. Since they had a first-round bye, it was their first game in the tournament.

20

reflect the game. We usually dominated in every statistical category. We just fail to finish.”

For example, he said, during a game against rival Northern Guilford earlier in the season, his team outshot the Nighthawks 12-to-1, but only won 1-0.

“That’s been our biggest area of concern,” Allred said. “We create a lot of chances. It’s just the mental focus right in front of the goal.”

Northwest’s leading scorers this season have been seniors Mason Quinlan with 12 goals and David Cake with nine.

The Vikings close out the regular season Saturday at home against Ronald Reagan (7-12-2).

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“We’re hoping we can redeem ourselves this year,” Allred said. “I feel like if we can get that first win in the post season it’ll take a lot of the pressure off the team and we’ll be set for a deep run.”

The Vikings have made it to the state tournament fourth round – the quarter finals – three times before, but never any further.

“We’d like to change that this year,” Allred said.

One concern he noted is his team’s inability to score consistently. The regular season has lots of narrow Viking wins – many of them by slim 1-0 margins.

But, said Allred: “The score does not

Northwest Guilford Vikings dropped their third Metro 4A Conference football game of the season last Friday, falling 34-20 to crosscounty rival Ragsdale.

The Tigers jumped on the visiting Vikings early, taking a 20-7 lead into the second quarter. The Vikings nearly matched Ragsdale (4-5, 2-0) point for point the rest of the way,

OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2019

but couldn’t dig themselves out of that first-quarter hole.

We’ll “try to go back to the drawing board, try to fix some mistakes and keep going,” Coach Kevin Wallace said, noting that misreads and dropped passes continue to be a problem.

Injuries have also plagued the Vikings (2-7, 0-3), who finished the game without a senior on the field. Four starters are out with season-ending injuries.

“They were really good players for us,” Wallace said. “When you don’t

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

have a deep team and have starters (out) like that (it’s) pretty hard.”

Northwest’s junior varsity season is over, so Wallace will have talented freshmen and sophomores he can call on to fill gaps in his thin ranks.

“We’re going to get them some playing time,” he said. “We’ll be back. We’ve got some good kids coming up. We’ll learn from this year and move forward.”

Northwest closes out the season the next two weeks against teams that are also struggling. They visit conference

against them,” Wallace said. “We’ve got two winnable games and we’re going to do everything it takes to win those games.”

foe High Point Central (0-9, 0-2) on Friday and nonconference Asheboro (1-8), a 3A team, Nov. 8.

“I think we’ve got a good shot

Northwest Guilford TENNIS Northwest Guilford’s tennis standout Elizabeth Weidl won her first round match in the NCHSAA Women’s Tennis Individual Championship on Oct. 25, but cramped up midway through her second round match and lost.

Weidl, a senior who won the MidWest 4A Regionals and was one of four No. 1 seeds in the state tournament, defeated Pine Forest’s Kelcie

Farmer 6-2, 7-6 (9-7) in the first round. Against Sasha DeGroff of Broughton, Weidl defeated her opponent 6-3 in the first match of the second round, and was up 3-0 in the second match when she cramped up, Coach Bill Davidson wrote in a text message.

“She refused to quit, but lost 6-3, 3-6, 1-6,” he wrote.

Northwest Guilford VOLLEYBALL Northwest Guilford, a No. 2 seed from the west in the NCHSAA Volleyball State Championship, advanced to the third round after defeating No. 15 seed Lake Norman 3-1 on Tuesday.

The Vikings, which had a first-round bye, will face No. 10 seed Grimsley on Thursday.

Northwest Guilford’s girls cross country team won the Metro 4A Conference meet at Kernersville’s Ivey Redmon Park last week, placing six runners among the top 10.

Senior Paris Stankewich won the meet, clocking 20:39.66 for the three-mile course. She was also named conference’s female runner of the year. She and eight others were named to the all-conference team.

The Vikings boys team placed third in the meet. Two were named to the all-conference team.

For the girls, in addition to Stanke-

Northwest is now 24-2 overall and 8-0 in the Metro 4A Conference. Grimsley finished second in the conference with a 16-9 record overall, 6-2 in the conference.

Both of Grimsley’s regular season conference losses were to Northwest.

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wich, Sydney Partyka finished second; Haley Irwin, third; Eleanor Long, fifth; and Olivia Smith, seventh. They were all-conference selections as well as Evyn Dean, who finished 13th, Sidney Tsui, 14th, and Ally Petty, 15th.

For the boys, Avery Hurst turned in the best Viking time. He finished the course in 17:40.03 for fifth place. Ethan Long of Page won the race in 16:34.25.

Hurst was named to the all-conference team along with Tyler Schmid, who finished 12th.

The Vikings will be at the regionals at Ivey Redmon Park this weekend hoping to advance to the state meet.

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OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2019

21

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STUDENT PROFILES compiled by MEREDITH BARKLEY 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.

NORTHWEST GUILFORD Kimberly Brown, tennis Northwest Guilford junior Kimberly Brown has played tennis since middle school and holds the No. 4 court for the Vikings.

“As I started playing a lot more I really enjoyed it,” Brown said, noting she found an “interesting dynamic” in tennis.

“While you may be battling a singles opponent all by yourself,” she continued, “you’re still part of this really big team.

It’s great because we really get to know each other a lot.”

She talked of that “amazing feeling” when teammates offer encouraging words during competition.

“That’s what makes me want to come back each year,” Brown said.

Besides staying busy with tennis, Brown volunteers at the Greensboro Science Center and is part of a team that builds robots and competes with other

22

teams from all around the world.

“Each year we have a real-world problem” to solve, Brown said of her robotics team, 1533 Triple Strange, and the teams they compete against. This year teams were tasked with building a robot to transport cargo.

Tennis coach Bill Davidson acknowledged Brown stays busy and is “into a lot of things.” He said on the tennis team she’s a leader and has worked hard to develop her tennis play.

She’s worked just as hard on her robotics team. That team, which is made up of students from several Guilford County high schools, did well in state competitions the past couple years and advanced to world competitions in Houston, Texas.

“It was amazing,” Brown said of the competitions. “We learned a lot throughout the season. It really showed me how to work in the real world with other people working toward the same goal.

“I’ve always loved technology,” she continued. “Robots seem to be the next step. It can really be applied in any way.”

It’s perhaps no surprise that her favorite subject in school is science, but

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she also enjoys history.

“I took a world history class last year and learned so many things I had no clue about,” Brown said. “It was really eye-opening for me.”

She’s already thinking about career paths, and her work with 1533 Triple Strange will likely play a big part, she said.

“I have truly found a passion with technology and robots,” Brown said. “I’d just love to bring my experience and all the things I’ve learned to college and after college as well.”

NORTHWEST GUILFORD Sofia Saldarriaga, field hockey The first group Sofia Saldarriaga met when she arrived from Colombia in August was Northwest Guilford’s field hockey team.

Turned out to be just the right medicine for Saldarriaga, who described having trouble fitting in back home.

The sophomore, who will be at Northwest until January when she’ll return to Colombia, had never played the sport. She said volleyball is her game, but she didn’t arrive in time to join that team at Northwest.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Her cousin, senior Val Orozco, plays field hockey, and convinced her to give it a try.

“She said ‘Grab a pair of shoes.

We’re going to practice,’” Saldarriaga recalled.

Her reply: a firm “No.” But Orozco was insistent, so Saldarriaga reluctantly went along.

She’s happy she did, finding it all to be “pretty nice,” she said.

“There are amazing girls on the team,” Saldarriaga said. “We’re not like a team, but a really big family.”

And field hockey? Turned out to be great fun, she discovered.

“I picked it (the stick) up, touched the ball and fell in love with it,” she said.

Back home, Saldarriaga said she had been dealing with bullying and selfesteem issues. Feeling a need to “get away” for a while, she decided to spend a few months with Orozco and her family in Greensboro.

“I had problems fitting in my whole life,” Saldarriaga said. “They (her teammates) are so nice to me.”

That’s no surprise to Coach Charlotte Kirwan.

“The girls have always been super welcoming and super friendly to everyone,” she said.

And Saldarriaga?

“She’s great,” the coach said. “She’s so much fun. She brings a lot of bubbly energy.”

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olmstedorthodontics.com NORTHWEST GUILFORD Riley Williams, golf It’s been a trying year for Northwest Guilford’s Riley Williams.

The senior golfer broke her arm in January while snowboarding at Appalachian Ski Mountain. It took months and bone graft surgery to repair. But she was cleared to take up her clubs again on July 31 – just in time for the Aug. 1 start of the fall sports season.

“This year has been a struggle for sure,” said Williams, who has played for Northwest since her freshman year. She’s now among the team’s top golfers.

But she brings something more to the team than low scores, said Coach Matthew Younts.

“She’s been a great leader and she’s done a great job of leading by example for the younger players,” he said. “I think she’s done a tremendous job in being patient (while her injury healed) and coming back.”

The Vikings girls golf team has three seniors, three sophomores and one freshman.

Golf is a sport Williams embraced early, after attending summer camp at nearby Precision Golf School when she

was 8 years old.

“It turned into lessons and classes and falling in love with golf,” Williams said, noting that her father also enjoys playing golf. “I like that it’s competitive and that it’s all based on your own score, even though you’re part of a team.”

She’s also found it a social game, which is appealing, she said.

Away from school, Williams finds time to serve meals to the homeless at Greensboro Urban Ministries and volunteers through Oak Ridge United Methodist Church packing backpacks with food for needy kids.

“It really just makes me happy and grateful for what I have and to give back to the community,” she said.

Next year she plans to head off to college to study something medicinerelated, perhaps nursing or physical therapy, she said. Physical therapy is personally appealing because she experienced the benefits this year as she healed from

her snowboarding mishap.

“I’ve had an injury, so I feel I can connect with them (patients) on a deeper level,” Williams said.

it and really liked it.”

NORTHWEST GUILFORD

“I followed along with the trend,” she said.

Grayson Fidishun, field hockey For Northwest Guilford’s Grayson Fidishun, before field hockey there was ice hockey.

In fact, her love for ice hockey prompted her to consider field hockey when she arrived at Northwest as a freshman.

“I like the competitive spirit of field hockey,” said Fidishun, a senior. “It relates to ice hockey for me and I figured the skills were about the same. So I tried

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In her family, ice hockey is popular.

Both her father and brother played in college.

Fidishun has played ice hockey since she was 5 years old. She now plays for a Carolina Junior Hurricanes all-girls team.

The Junior Hurricanes are a Raleighbased nonprofit affiliated with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes.

At Northwest, field hockey is as close as she can get to ice hockey. She’s taken to it.

“I love the people on the team,” Fidishun said of her field hockey teammates.

“It’s how I make friends. It keeps me in shape and it’s fun.”

She was a team captain the past two years.

Fidishun hopes to play both ice hockey and field hockey at the University of Maine next fall.

“She’s totally into all things sportsrelated,” said Northwest field hockey coach Charlotte Kirwan. “She’s very dedicated. She’s always working hard.

She’s been so fun to have and to coach the past four years.”

Besides playing hockey, Fidishun also works part-time as a waitress at Villa Rosa Italian Restaurant and Grill in Greensboro and plays lacrosse for Northwest in the spring.

OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2019

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Grins & Gripes are published based on available space and editor’s discretion.

As promised last week, there are no Grins or Gripes for or about candidates in this week’s issue. Please take your informed opinions to the polls and vote early or on Election Day, Nov. 5. By the way, Early Voting ends Friday, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m. Polls will be open Tuesday, Nov. 5, 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

GRINS to…

OAK RIDGE

24

GRINS and GRIPES

 People who walk their kids to school. You are saving gas, the environment and the time 0f the car riders waiting in line. One less car contributing to traffic. Too bad there are no sidewalks to make it safer.  Town of Oak Ridge for the great dog park in Town Park! The only thing to make it better would be lights for evening use after we fall back next month. Thanks again from my baby, Bailey. Woof, woof!  The Town of Summerfield staff for presenting the facts and dispelling the disinformation being peddled by some in our town.  All running for office in our town election. It takes courage and effort and we appreciate you for asserting an interest in our community. Whether we agree with your platform or not, it is apparent you care for Oak Ridge!  Lucas, who works at the Verizon store in Oak Ridge, next to Domino’s.

He is very helpful and knowledgeable.  The Northwest Observer – I look forward to each new issue. I appreciate your coverage of our community and can tell a lot of “heart-work” goes into all you do. What you do

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

makes a difference.  The northwest community for your continued support of the Keep it Local Art Show in Oak Ridge. We wouldn’t be able to do it without you!  The Woodliefs and others who helped to organize and those who participated in the inaugural Riverside Neighborhood Spooktacular. Our children enjoyed it, as did the parents.  Terri Johnson and the Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club for adopting a portion of N.C. 150 and hosting their first day maintaining it on Monday.

GRIPES to…

 Summerfield Farms for their lack of planning and coordinating with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department to have a deputy sheriff direct traffic at the entrance to the Tractor & Treat Event on Oct. 23. A traffic hazard was created. (See editor’s note after next Gripe.)  Summerfield Farms for your lack of organization during the event on Oct. 23. School buses cannot change the routes because of your events. My students were 45 minutes late getting home. Next year, try the weekend!!

Editor’s note: We reached out to Summerfield Farms to give them a chance to respond to the above two gripes and received this from their staff: “We are humbled by the public’s overwhelming support of Tractor & Treat. All of us at Summerfield Farms work tirelessly to ensure that all guests and the community have a positive experience. Our

...continued on p. 26

OR PRESBYTERIAN ...continued from p. 11

ers and members from six Greensboro Presbyterian churches – First Presbyterian, St. Paul, Westminster, Starmount, Guilford Park and Fellowship – set about forming a new congregation.

“The original session was made up of members from other area Presbyterian churches,” said Danny Amos, who was on that first session and had attended Fellowship.

A year later the Presbytery bought a six-acre tract along Oak Ridge Road for $205,000 – half of which came from First Presbyterian and the rest from the presbytery’s church development fund. The late Liz Tice, a local real estate agent who became a member, helped find the land.

That same year Evans was called to get the new church up and running.

“He was really good at organizing

the church,” Amos said. “He had a lot of enthusiasm.”

From there, development was quick. On June 20, 1993, the church, as yet unnamed, had its first worship service at nearby Oak Ridge Military Academy’s Linville Chapel.

On Aug. 29, 33 adults plus a number of youth and children joined.

On Nov. 13, Michael Breedlove became the first infant baptized there.

And on Dec. 3 the church conducted its first worship service on its property – in that renovated metal building that had been a fertilizer warehouse.

A year later, on Dec. 4, 1994, the church was chartered as Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church. Membership had swelled to 99. It now stands at about 325.

“It really did grow very quickly,” Amos said.

The next year a building committee began developing plans for the main

church structure. In February 1997 church members launched a campaign to raise money for building construction. On Aug. 19, it broke ground on a general purpose building, and on July 5, 1998 started worshiping there.

Over the next several years the church’s children, youth and music programs took hold and grew. Cub Scout, Girl Scout and Boy Scout units were formed.

“When we have the children’s sermon and there are anywhere from 12 to 20 kids coming up, it’s my barometer of a healthy growing congregation,” Mitchell said. “There are churches out there that are dying.”

Early on the church began its legacy of community service – working with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, a backpack ministry, Pathways and Greensboro Urban Ministries, raising a community garden and participating in Share the Harvest, taking part in the CROP Walk and making mission trips to

places like Mexico and West Virginia.

This wasn’t going to be a sleepy country church.

“I think there’s a real commitment in the church to ministry inside the walls, but also outside the walls – to get out into the community and serve,” said Rev. Marti Hazelrigg, who has pastored the church since 2014. “That’s really important to a lot of our members.”

At this milestone in their history, church members say they’re pleased with what they’ve accomplished and are looking forward to where else “the Spirit” will lead.

“I’m proud of the way our church has developed,” Mitchell said. “We’re bursting at the seams, but we make it work. I’d rather be bursting at the seams than walk into an almost empty building.”

Said Hazelrigg: “We are grateful for what those first members did. We give God glory for that and are excited for what God will do in the future.”

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GRINS & GRIPES ...continued from p. 24

intent is to offer a safe and fun gathering for all families and our community to celebrate fall. Our continued commitment and promise to all is that we will fully analyze all issues so we can make the event better in the future.

Thank you to those offering feedback, and those offering gratitude.”  The person last week who congratulated Bella Luna Italian Restaurant for the number of Irish flags it is flying. Really? Bella Luna is an “Italian

restaurant” – have you checked what the Italian flag looks like?  The stupid, inconsiderate drivers who continue to text and drive. Grow up before you kill someone. I wish I could take your driving privileges away.  Shannon Burcham for telling me about the Grins and Gripes section. It’s like the fascinating dumpster fire you can’t look away from. I read it each week now.  The deputy who parked on the sidewalk and blocked the handicapped ramp at the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office. Very unprofessional.

AUTUMN TEARS ...continued from p. 8

in a thick accent said, “Now you have a little angel in heaven.” The shiny oblong enclosure stopped moving...

By now, some readers may have correctly surmised that the “she” and “he” in this piece were me and my husband Jack. The year was 1960, long before sonograms, 3-D images of babies in the womb, and simple tests to discover the sex of an expected baby.

Though my husband did, I never saw nor held the child I carried in my belly for several months. I had some unexpected complications that kept me from the simple little service in the Babyland section of Guilford Memorial Park in Greensboro. Friends and relatives attended in the bright sunlight of autumn with myriads of colored leaves fallen to the ground. My best friend stayed with me and held my hand during that sad, long-ago hour.

At home afterward, things did not seem real to me. I frequently felt my abdomen, expecting that familiar little kick. On cold nights I often left my bed, walking from room to room while peering into the darkness outside, thinking I heard my baby cry and worried that he was cold in his small

resting place. Hurt was raw and fresh, but I survived by the grace of God. After several miscarriages, we welcomed our precious daughter, who was perfect in every way.

I still cherish the faded baby book the funeral home issued as a record that I once had a small blessing who breathed on this earth for only threeand-a-half hours. Shortly after his birth, while leafing through a magazine, I found a short, poignant poem by an unknown author. I clipped it and pasted it in Jack James Ledford’s book of remembrance.

“I, who never kissed your head, Now lay these ashes in their bed.

All I could do, I have done, Now, goodbye, my newborn son…”

Whenever I hear or read about a friend or acquaintance who has lost a premature baby, or suffered the loss of a stillborn child, my heart hurts for them and I understand and feel their pain.

Writer’s note: About 450,000 babies are born each year prematurely. Stillbirth affects about 1 in 100 pregnancies, and each year about 24,000 babies are stillborn in the United States.

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32 years experience. (336) 337-0669.

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 ................... 27 Employment ............................... 27 Save the Date ............................. 27 Yard Sale ................................... 27 Home Services ...................... 27-29 Misc. for Sale ............................. 29 Misc. Services ............................. 29 Misc. Wanted .............................. 29 Pets & Animal Services ................ 29 Real Estate............................. 29-30

HOME SERVICES AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING A-ACTION AIR. Will your furnance work when it's time? Call (336) 382-3750.

EMPLOYMENT

CLEANING

POLLO PIZZA PASTA Italian restaurant is now hiring cashier and dining room attendant / busboy. Please apply in person at 602 Hickory Ridge Road, Greensboro, NC, on Hwy 68 behind Taco Bell near Hwy 40.

OLGA'S HOUSEKEEPING SERVICE If it needs to be done, I'll do it. If it needs to be clean, I'll clean it. You will be satisfied. References provided. (336) 289-0008.

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE. Help wanted. Call (336) 643-9157.

SAVE THE DATE Something going on?

Place your Save the Date ad at

CRAFT SHOW at The Garden Outlet in Summerfield, Saturday, Nov. 2, 9am-3pm.

Handmade crafts only, food trucks, lots of fun. 5124 U.S. 220 N, Summerfield, NC 27358. Located behind Gastown.

MAID-2-SHINE. Excellent service, 15 years experience. Free estimates, excellent references. (336) 338-0223.

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

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.

•Weekly/bi-weekly/monthly •Deep/move-in, move-out •Post-construction/airscrubber •Odor remediation

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 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.

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

OLD SCHOOL

HOME REPAIR /IMPROVEMENTS “No Job Too Small”

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

Gideon Grove UMC will hold their annual FALL BAZAAR, Saturday, November 2, from 8am-12n, at the church, 2865 Gideon Grove Church Rd., Stokesdale. Ham and sausage biscuits will be served for breakfast. There will be baked goods, crafts, a handmade quilt raffle and many other exciting things to see. Please contact Laura Harrell at (336) 643-6042 for more inforinfor mation.

AMERICAN MAID. All your housecleaning needs. Weekly/biweekly/as needed. Call for your free estimate. (336) 409-4554.

Glencoe UM Church BRUNSWICK STEW, Sat., Nov. 9, 9am-1pm. 601 Glencoe Church Loop, Summerfield. $6 per quart.

Bazaar, baked goods and raffles of works by local artists.

INDUSTRIAL & HOUSE cleaning. Weekly, biweekly, move-in, and move-out. Dusting, bathrooms, vacuum, mopping, changing beds and more. Call Magic Maids LLC , Patti (336) 932-0245.

Focus on what matters most We’ll handle the rest 336.897.0928 maidright.com/greensboro

Contact us for a free estimate!

(336) 669-7252

oldschoolsjhr@triad.rr.com

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

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

FIX YOUR MOWER. Free pickup & delivery.

Call Rick, (336) 501-8681.

continued on p. 28

OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2019

27

HOME SERVICES

HOME SERVICES

HOME SERVICES

HOME SERVICES

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.

ECO-FRIENDLY LAND CLEARING and drainage. Serving the Triad and surrounding areas. ncforestrymulching.com or call (336) 362-6181. Forestry mulching/drainage work. Insured and professional! Check out our Facebook and Google reviews!

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

MASONRY

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.

The Northwest Observer 22 years and counting!

Want to reach our readers?

Call (336) 644-7035 or email advertising@nwobserver.com for more information.

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

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

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.

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

GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150.

APEX EXCAVATING & CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, LLC. We offer a variety of services including: lot clearing, forestry mulching, bush hogging, tree and stump removal, driveways (gravel or concrete), drainage, retaining walls, patios and walkways.

We also do new construction prep– footers, basements and utilities. Locally owned and operated. Fully insured and free estimates.

Call Aaron, (440) 812-1262.

28 28

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

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

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.

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.

ORTIZ LANDSCAPING, complete lawn care. Trimming, cleaning, planting & mulch, gutter cleaning, patios & pavers, waterfalls, retaining walls, sidewalks, stonework. Residential and commercial. (336) 280-8981. www.EAGLEHARDSCAPES.com. Founded in 1981. Patios, outdoor kitchens, landscape design, all your rock needs, pool decks, fountains, room additions, rock walls, retaining walls and more! Please visit our website.

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.

Commercial & Residential. (336) 669-5210.

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

OCT. 3131 - NOV. 6, 6, 2019 OCT. - NOV. 2019

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.

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.

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

LAWN CARE AND HOME SERVICES. Free estimates. (336) 601-6420.

www.masonryconceptsgso.com.

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

How about a new patio or fire pit? We can

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 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.

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

DERAS LAWN CARE Grass cutting, pine needles, trimming, leaf blowing. (336) 423-2239.

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

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

The Northwest Observer 22 years and still counting!!

Thanks for your continued support.

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

SOUTHERN STYLE concrete & landscapes. 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. HOME 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.

JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, out buildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc.

Call (336) 706-8470.

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

CARLOS & SON PAINTING, interior and exterior. 24 hours/7 days a week. Free estimates, licensed/insured. (336) 669-5210.

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

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

HOME SERVICES

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

(336) 931-0600

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

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.

PRESSURE WASHING PRESSURE WASHING and gutter cleaning. Save $50+ with our fall specials! Visit MartinsPressureWashing.com or call (919) 931-0856.

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

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

HOME SERVICES

HOME SERVICES

MISC. WANTED

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

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

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

FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Sr. disc., 39 years exp. (336) 362-6343.

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

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

Tell our readers about your service!

Call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 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.

Tell our readers how you can help.

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

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION

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

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

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

mowers, tillers, ATVs, generators, power washers, chain saws, mini-bikes, go-carts, most gas & metal items, etc. (336) 689-4167.

PETS & ANIMAL SVCS. DACHSHUND PUPPY. Stunningly beautiful chocolate dapple smooth coat baby boy ready to join a loving, caring family.

Born 08/12/2019, sired by an AKC Champion. Top quality imported bloodlines.

13,500 copies every week!

Shouldn't your business be here?

Call (336) 644-7035 for info.

Comes with AKC reg, vet. certificate, written health guarantee. Price $2,500.

Prospective homes expected to undergo interview. Contact miniwieners@gmail.

MISC. SERVICES

com for photos and puppy application.

FREE PICK-UP of unwanted lawn mowers and any gas items, metal, electrical, air conditioners, tools, etc. (336) 689-4167.

WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING

MISC. FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE

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

Registered & insured. Follow me on Facebook. Call or text (336) 339-6845.

HOMES FOR RENT PROPERTY FOR RENT. 7307 Shadyside

OLD LOG TOBACCO BARN. Includes stone foundation. $1,500. (336) 573-9409.

Dr. Summerfield. Clean older home. Up-

GOLF CART. Lifted club car, like new tires, great condition, front winch, standing gun rack, back flip seat, runs great, garage kept, great condition. 2 yr. old Trojan batteries.

Price is $4,200. Call (561) 704-6179.

$995/month. Deposit required. (336) 688-

SEASONED FIREWOOD, delivered and stacked, 1/2 cord, $80. Call (336) 686-6373.

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.

ROOFING

PERSIMMON PULP & more. At The Old Mill on Saturdays, or call (336) 816-3441.

BEST PRICES IN TOWN! Shingle and metal roofing. Top-notch quality. Res./comm., licensed & insured. Financing available.

Belews Creek Construction, (336) 362-6343.

MISC. WANTED

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.

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.

Couple in search of 4-5+ ACRES in the NW area and close to PTI Airport for residential and small horse farm use. Email information to kalong721@gmail.com. $$$ – WILL PAY CASH for your junk / wrecked vehicle. For quote, call (336) 552-0328.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

stairs 3 bedrooms, bath, & kitchen. Downstairs 2 bedrooms, bath & kitchen. Rent is 1773 or (336) 996-4649. Ask for John.

2 BR, 2 BA HOME in Stokesdale on 1 acre for rent. Move-in ready. $850/mo, $850 deposit. (336) 317-3773.

OAK RIDGE, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, all appliances, no yard work, private. $800/mo.

(336) 669-5233.

thanks

our advertisers for

making each weekly issue possible!

continued on p. 30

OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2019

29

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

HOMES FOR SALE

HOMES FOR SALE

HOMES FOR SALE

HOMES FOR SALE

SUMMERFIELD CONVENIENCE!

FULLY REMODELED MOBILE HOME in

TOWNHOMES IN OAK RIDGE!

OPEN HOUSE: Sun, Nov. 3 • 3-5 pm

Oak Ridge on 1-acre cul-de-sac. All new interior with master bathroom walk-in tiled shower, new kitchen cabinets, new stainless steel appliances, new flooring throughout. 2 BR, 2 BA. Guilford County schools.

Amazing deal that will not last for $150,000.

1- 4 pm Open Sunday

Why pay rent when you can own?. A must 4 BR/3 BA in Summerfield. Excellent condition with master on the main and additional bedrooms upstairs. 2.5-car garage, patio grilling area and fenced level yard. All superbly maintained. Close to Bur-Mil Park and lakeside trails.

Offered at $425,000

see. Call (561) 254-4387.

Have something to sell?

Place an ad online at

2187 Meadow Run Drive

Freshly painted, new S/S appliances, one owner, breathtaking views from backyard!

Twin townhomes starting at $275,900.

Within Oak Ridge town core. Units are pre-selling now. Seize the opportunity to pick your floor plan and options!

Starting at $275,900

$349,900

For superior marketing, call Ramilya Siegel

Nancy J. Hess

Nancy J. Hess

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

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

LAND FOR SALE

CRS, GRI, SRES, Chairman’s Circle Award

( 336 ) 215.9856 rsiegel@kw.com

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

LARGE TRACTS. 4 to 23-acre tracts; open

BUILD IN THE NOLES AT IRVING PARK!

SIMPLICITY AND STYLE!

& wooded; creeks & pond. Only 6 parcels remain, so hurry, these will not last and never be duplicated! (336) 430-9507 anytime.

23 ACRES bound by 2 creeks, beautiful

3807 Eagle Downs Way

hardwoods and some open land. Summer Summerfield address, Rockingham Cty. taxes. Very private & serene. (336) 430-9507 anytime.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! 20 acres off Lake Brandt Road, south of NC 150. Developers & individuals, don’t let this unique tract go by! (336) 430-9507 anytime.

Thinking about moving back to town? Perfect opportunity for new construction. No specific builder or timeline required. Right in the heart of Irving Park 27408. Cleared and ready to go.

Offered at $150,000

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Nancy J. Hess

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

We Help Everyone!

SELLERS & BUYERS

(336) 643-4248

www.ANewDawnRealty.com

30

OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2019

REACH OUT TO

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

IN S OUR DER 26,000 REA

special-focus section.

The 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

To reserve your space in the third issue of each month, email advertising@nwobserver.com, or call (336) 644-7035, ext. 11.

index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS

Please support our advertisers, and tell them where you saw their ad!

ACCOUNTING

Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC...... 11

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Fidelity Bank, Stokesdale ...................... 3

MaidRight Cleaning............................ 27 New Garden Landscaping .................. 12 Old School Home Repair .................... 27 ProStone, Inc. ....................................... 9 Stokesdale Heating & Air...................... 6 Triad Electric & Electronic Security ...... 12

CANDIDATES

INSURANCE

AUTOMOTIVE SALES / SERVICE

EuroHaus ........................................... 15

BANK

BJ Barnes / Summerfield Proud ............ 7 Doug Nodine, Oak Ridge ..................... 9 George McClellan, Oak Ridge ............ 10 Martha Pittman, Oak Ridge ................. 5 Mike Stone, Oak Ridge ....................... 11 Van Tanner, Oak Ridge ...................... 13

CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Guardian Ad Litem Program .............. 23

CHURCH

Central Baptist Church........................ 19

Justin Fulp, Farm Bureau Insurance .... 15 Triad Insurance / Blue Store .................. 2

LEGAL SERVICES

Barbour & Williams Law ..................... 21

MEDICAL CARE

LeBauer Healthcare ........................... 26

ORTHODONTIC CARE

Olmsted Orthodontics ........................ 23

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS

High Point Pediatric Dentistry ............. 20 Summerfield Family Dentistry ............. 15

Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital ................ 15 King’s Crossing Animal Hospital ........... 4 Northwest Animal Hospital ................... 8 Westergaard Kennels.......................... 10

EVENTS

REAL ESTATE

HEALTH & FITNESS

A New Dawn Realty ...........................30 Carolyn Cudd, Allen Tate ...................... 8 Dede Cunningham, Keller Williams ....30 Jake Letterman, BHHS Yost & Little ...30 Nancy Hess, BHHS Yost & Little .........30 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX ................... 24

DENTISTRY

Brews & Barrels for Belle ..................... 18 Oak Ridge Farmers Market ................ 24 Aetna ........................................... Insert Chris Jessup, Personal Trainer ............. 22

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

BEK Paint Company ........................... 29 Budget Blinds ..................................... 15 Dr. Johns H2O .............................. Insert Hedgecock Builders Supply ................ 25

on the

RETAIL

Gordon’s Menswear.............................. 6

SERVICES FOR SENIORS

Senior Resources of Guilford............... 21

GO? so is NWO!

e-edition online at www.nwobserver.com

read our

DISCORD EMERGES

members in a timely manner.

...continued from p. 5

“I’m the only one who is running now so I’m getting the brunt of it,” Bruno said, referring to Braswell’s criticism of his hiring Beaver Outdoor Solutions.

During the candidates’ forum Braswell expressed his disagreement with Bruno’s decision, saying, “I do believe we have a council member, possibly council members, who are engaged in something for something. It needs to be investigated.”

In response to the question about quid pro quo at the candidates’ forum, Foy said he didn’t believe current council members had engaged in the practice.

Rigsbee said he wasn’t aware of favoritism between council members and vendors. If it did happen, he said, he would have expected authorities to have investigated.

Referring to Bruno, he added, “I think that person needs to man up and resign.”

Bruno said he told Braswell he should report his claims to the State Bureau of Investigation if he believes the law was broken. Quoting Socrates, a Greek philosopher, Bruno said, “When debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the losers.”

If it were his decision alone, Councilman Tim Jones said he would call for an outside investigation.

“Certainly if there is nothing wrong, then no action would be taken against anybody,” said Jones. “If there is, the problem would be solved.”

Braswell said he learned about the tree cutting expenditures earlier this year from Tim Jones and Bill Jones, who resigned from the council last May when he moved from Stokesdale to Kernersville.

During their years of serving together on the council, Braswell and Bill Jones were almost always publicly aligned on town-related issues. Bill Jones and Tim Jones were also often aligned on issues, leading to clashes with Mayor John Flynt, Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks – who aren’t up for reelection – and Bruno on issues such as the town’s vendor and spending policies and financial reports they claimed weren’t provided to council

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

“I am absolutely against anybody on Town Council taking any profit, benefit or anything from a business doing business with this town,” Rigsbee said.

Landreth said he couldn’t form an opinion on whether quid pro quo had occurred.

“I’d like to hope that it wasn’t” going on, Landreth said. “I don’t know that I believe it wasn’t. I think it should be looked into.”

“I don’t see anything wrong with doing business with somebody you know,” he added. “But I think it should be out there. There should be several bids. We give too much leeway to the council on these issues.”

Nadel said he’s against quid pro quo practices, but added that he doesn’t believe it’s occurred among council members and the town’s vendors.

“Most people have a tendency to network with one another,” Nadel said. “We all have contacts in various areas of our life whether they be in the church, whether they be at the local restaurant or the local bar or with somebody whom you work.

“That is what is being misconstrued as quid pro quo,” he said. “Networking, my friends, is just the way the world goes around.”

OCT. 31 - NOV. 6, 2019

31

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

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

PAID

Oak Ridge, NC Permit No. 22 ECRWSS

DeVaney Dentistry team me mbers (L-R) Shasta Darrow, Valarie Yoemans, Maria Swift and Michelle Phillips took a quick break from taking care of their pa to catch up on local news tients in the Northwest Observer . They found the DeVaney ad particularly impressive!

Dentistry

and their children of JacksonScott and Lori Miller of Stokesdale ota for a long weekend vacation. ville, Florida, converged in Minnes tt’s grandmother who recently During their trip, they visited Sco Mall of America (where they turned 101 years old, went to the the L.L. Bean store), saw the posed in front of the boot outside against the second-place Clevefirst- place Minnesota Twins win laughs while reading the Grins and land Indians, and shared lots of r (a family tradition).

Gripes in the Northwest Observe Robin Brueckmann of Summerfield took a recent trip to Masai Mara, Kenya. Masai Mara is known for its exceptional populations of lions, leopards, cheetahs and elephants, and for the annual migration of wildebeests, zebras, Thomson’s gazelles and other antelopes to and from the Serengeti, known as the Great Migration.

Lions and tigers and the Northwest Observer, oh my!

Where do you take your Northwest Observer?

Email your photo to photos@nwobserver.com