Northwest Observer l Dec. 19, 2019 - Jan. 8, 2020

Dec. 19, 2019 - Jan. 8, 2020

bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996

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Summerfield family displaced by fire, overwhelmed by love

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Wading through thick smoke, Kelly and Shane Tysinger and their two children escaped from their burning house. The children looked back and cried when they saw flames shooting through the roof.

Kelly described her family’s tragedy in a letter to the Summerfield community. It was posted on Summerfield Fire District’s Facebook page last Saturday, Dec. 14, two days after the early-morning fire gutted the

I was a happy person before. It doesn’t change who I am just because tragedy happened.’’

Kelly Tysinger, whose home was badly damaged by fire Dec. 12 Tysingers’ house on Strawberry Road.

Flames or heat passing through cracks in the chimney may have

Jolly holidays and a happy news year

caused the fire, Summerfield Fire Chief Chris Johnson said, citing his conversation with Guilford County fire investigators. Flames climbed from the basement into the attic where the parents had hidden Christmas gifts for their children, ages 7 and 8.

A smoke detector awakened the Tysingers, who were sleeping behind closed doors.

“If they didn’t have smoke detectors and didn’t close their bedroom

...continued on p. 2

Christmases past: Part 2

by ANNETTE JOYCE At this cherished time of year, we often hear stories from others about past Christmases – in fact, it seems Christmas memories are the favorite ones of all! Last week we shared some of the holiday memories we gathered from our readers and this week we’re back with more. We hope you enjoy them and that you make more wonderful memories this Christmas season.  Madeline Swaney of Summerfield has vivid memories of the Christmas she received one of her most cherished gifts.

“In the predawn hours of Christmas, I was awakened by the undeni-

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We’ll be back in print Jan. 9 IN THIS ISSUE Case dismissed ............................. 3 Your Questions .............................. 4 Summerfield Council Meeting......... 6 Stokesdale Council Meeting ........... 8 Revisiting childhood Christmases .12

able sound of reindeer hooves on our rooftop! I crawled out of my toddler bed and crept into the living room.

Pausing behind a chair, I peeped around to see if Santa was still there,” she wrote.

“Oh, how I wanted to take her back to bed with me, but I didn’t dare.

I knew that if my brothers did not see her under the tree, they would tease me by saying that Santa had not brought me anything that year.

“Under the tree, amid presents and boy toys, stood a beautiful ballerina doll. As I approached her, I marveled at how Santa Claus’ elves had made an exact replica of the doll I’d seen in Woolworth’s! I carefully picked her up and examined her. She wore her hair in a perfect bun, pearl earrings hung gracefully on either side of her pretty face, and she wore a pale pink tutu with matching tights and satin ballet slippers!

“Leaving her beneath the tree, I returned to bed, carrying with me the smell of new plastic mingled with fresh cedar. I continue to carry the treasure of that sensory memory with me always.”  When the Christmas decorations came out at Vickie Jones’ childhood home, so did the baking supplies. A resident of Summerfield, Jones has lots

...continued on p. 10

NWO Business & Real Estate .......13 Bi Rite plans a move ....................14 Business Briefs ............................16 Real Estate Q&A ..........................22 I-73 spurs industrial park .............24 Crime/Incident Report ..................26 Calendar Events ..........................28 Student Profiles ...........................30 Grins and Gripes ..........................32 Letters/Opinions...........................34 Classifieds ..................................36 Index of Advertisers .....................39

FIRE

...continued from p. 1

doors, it could have been a different outcome for them,” Johnson said in an interview.

The family escaped the house safely, although the fire severely damaged their home.

gems in

An outpouring of gift cards, cash and other donations has helped the Tysingers with basic needs and new Christmas gifts.

“You take for granted things like underwear, a toothbrush and a hairbrush until everything you own and love smells of smoke,” Kelly said. “I’ve cried often in the past 48 hours, almost all of it from overwhelming love.”

Staff and parents at Summerfield Elementary School have comforted the children and helped secure items for them. Summerfield Fire Department’s Station No. 9 on Summerfield Road is a drop-off location for donations.

“Any time there is a fire, it’s bad,” Johnson said. “But coming at Christmas, it is worse. The community has come together to help this family out.”

In her letter, Kelly thanked the elementary school, Daystar Church, Summerfield First Baptist Church, emergency responders and “the outpouring of love and support we are receiving from strangers and friends.

Forgive us for any oversight we may make in not mentioning everyone who has helped, as there have been so many,” she said.

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NEWS in brief

Case dismissed

Courtesy photo

Kelly and Shane Tysinger and their two children are grateful to have escaped a fire that badly damaged their home on Strawberry Road in Summerfield on the morning of Dec. 12. Flames or heat passing through cracks in the chimney may have caused the fire, Summerfield Fire Chief Chris Johnson said.

More than a dozen agencies, including the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office and EMS and local fire departments, responded to the fire early the morning of Thursday, Dec. 12. Summerfield firefighters initially saw smoke and fire in the basement and then in the attic.

“Once it got air, it grew quickly,” Johnson said.

After the parents saw flames through the smoke, they called for their children “to get up and get out,”

SUMMERFIELD – Guilford County Superior Court Judge David Hall dismissed a suit on Dec. 17 that had been filed last May by Summerfield residents Dwayne Crawford, Don Wendelken and Danny Nelson (Nelson, a candidate for mayor in the November election, withdrew from the suit in October). In their suit, the three men claimed the Town of Summerfield and four council members unlawfully

spent taxpayer money for the legal defense of Dianne Laughlin, who was appointed in October 2018 to fill Todd Rotuck’s seat on the council.

Rotruck was sworn into office Dec. 12, 2017; he served on the council only four months before a voter registration challenge brought forth by Summerfield resident Janelle Robinson

...continued on p. 29

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“I ran to the end of the driveway and watched as dark, thick smoke rolled out of every hole it could escape through, forming an eerie mushroom cloud over my home,” said Kelly, who joined her family sitting in their car to stay warm. “We decided it was best to get the children somewhere they felt safe.”

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After the new Summerfield council members were sworn in at the December meeting and took their seats at the council table, I noticed five baby chicks appeared in front of Teresa Pegram, and then a pink duck. What was their significance?

The December meeting, when the newly elected council members are sworn in and seated, is called by several different names, Pegram said.

“Some call it the ‘change-over meeting,’ the ‘switch-over meeting,’ or the ‘pecking order meeting,’” she explained. Each of the five yellow chicks represents Pegram’s five fellow council members who were all sworn into office Dec. 10 (Pegram is the only council member who is not beginning a new term on the council).

“I have been called several names in the past couple of years. One of the names was a duck,” she continued.

Seeing herself as “different” from the other four council members and Mayor BJ Barnes, who all ran together in the Nov. 5 election on the “Summerfield Proud” slate, Pegram predicts she will often be casting the “lone vote,” so went in search of a duck to represent herself.

“As I was shopping for a duck, I came across this pink duck with a tiara email your questions to: questions@nwobserver.com or submit at nwobserver.com

DEC. 19, 2019 - JAN. 8, 2020

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

The five baby chicks Summerfield Town Councilwoman Teresa Pegram placed in front of her at the Dec. 10 meeting represent her five fellow council members; the pink duck represents Pegram, who said she has been called many names in recent years, including a “duck.”

and wand at Walmart. I thought it was too cute. I planned on giving it to one of my daycare kids after the meeting.”

Pegram said she did gift the pink duck to the child the day after the meeting – “and she loved it!”

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SUMMERFIELD town council Tuesday, Dec. 10 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by CHRIS BURRITT Mayor Gail Dunham called the monthly meeting to order. Mayor Pro Tem Dena Barnes and council members John O’Day, Dianne Laughlin, Teresa Pegram and Reece Walker were present.

More than 60 people attended the meeting in Summerfield Community Center, many of whom came for the swearing-in of new and reelected council members.

Rev. Cecil Donahue, pastor of Center United Methodist Church, offered the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Town Attorney Robert Hornik was present at his first Summerfield Town Council meeting since being hired in November.

CONSENT AGENDA  4  1 (Pegram opposed) to approve the consent agenda, which consisted of two items: approval of the meeting agenda and approval of the Nov. 12 council meeting minutes.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Holiday schedule. Town Manager Scott Whitaker said Town Hall will be closed the week of Christmas (Dec. 23-27) and Wednesday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day. Dewey’s holiday store. Dunham said Summerfield Peace United Methodist Church is operating a Dewey’s holiday store in the retail center across from Food Lion on U.S. 220. For store hours and other information,

WHAT they voted on, and HOW they voted: Mayor Pro Tem Tim Sessoms and council members John O’Day, Lynne Williams DeVaney, Teresa Pegram and Reece Walker voted on the following issues during the Dec. 10 meeting. Mayor BJ Barnes was present, but in Summerfield the mayor votes only to break a tie vote.

 4  1: Approve (Pegram opposed) the adoption of parliamentary proce-

dures for council meetings based upon a condensed version of Robert’s Rules of Order.

 4  1: Approve (Pegram opposed) reduction in length of time for resi-

dents to speak during the public comments period of council meetings (from five to three minutes.

 4  1: Approve (Pegram opposed) the election of Sessoms as mayor pro tem.

 5  0: Approve the selection of DeVaney as the authorized council member to sign town-issued checks.

 4  1: Approve (Pegram opposed) the selection of O’Day to replace

Dena Barnes as the Town’s representative on the Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.

 5  0: Approve the process for the town’s Zoning Board and council to complete their work on updates to the UDO (Unified Development Ordinance).

 4  1: Approve (Pegram opposed) a resolution to request the state legis-

lature reallocate $3.4 million left over from $3.6 million budgeted for a proposed water system for northwest Guilford County (about $170,000 was used for a water system feasibility study).

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Fire District. Asst. Chief Jenna Daniels reported that Summerfield Fire District responded to 110 calls in November; of those, there were 31 fire-related calls, 60 EMS-related calls and 19 other calls.

Firefighters also installed 13 child safety seats last month.

Daniels then spoke about some of the differences in fires in newer construction homes and furnishings versus those constructed and furnished years ago.

I-beams, gusset plates and open floor plans,” Daniels said, noting also that modern furnishings “burn hotter and faster, leaving less time for occupants to escape and for firefighters to stop the flames.”

Due to the conditions, occupants have three or four minutes to escape from a burning house, compared to 17 minutes about 30 years ago, Daniels said.

While fires are possible in houses of all ages, she said, a fire in a newly constructed home “creates the perfect storm.”

Sheriff’s Office. First Lt. Jeremy Fuller reported Guilford County Sheriff’s District 1 office fielded 131 calls for service in Summerfield in November; of those, deputies responded to a burglary and two thefts of property, he said, noting the three cases are under investigation.

“Fires in modern homes are more dangerous due to lightweight building materials, engineered wooden

Fuller urged residents to make arrangements to retrieve holiday packages delivered to their houses quickly

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versus leaving them out in the open for “porch pirates” to steal.

COMMITTEE REPORTS Historical. Chair Gary Brown said he and fellow committee member Bruce Petersen plan to meet with Whitaker to discuss how to proceed with evaluating options for using the town-owned Martin House on N.C. 150 across from Town Hall.

Trails and Open Space. Chair Jane Doggett said the committee is continuing efforts to create a system of trails in Summerfield, and that they will eventually provide an economic boost to the community.

Founders’ Day. Whitaker said the town is seeking residents to serve on the committee. Anyone interested can call Town Hall at (336) 643-8655 or visit www.summerfieldnc.gov and click on the “Committees & Boards” tab.

‘CLEAN’ AUDIT REPORT

The town’s auditor gave the town a “clean (audit) opinion” for the fiscal year ended June 30. “All the i’s were dotted and all the t’s were crossed,” Gibson & Co. manager Craig Hopkins told the council, referring to the financial information provided by Finance Officer Dee Hall and Whitaker. “It couldn’t get any better,” he said.

BUSINESS FROM MANAGER  5  0 to revise the town’s holiday

schedule for Jan. 1 and July 4 to align with the state’s schedule for those two days. Previously, when New Year’s Day or the Fourth of July fell on Saturday or Sunday, the town observed the holiday the following Monday or on the day decided by the town manager.

Lawsuit update. Whitaker reported that earlier in the day Superior Court Judge David Hall heard a lawsuit by Summerfield residents Dwayne Crawford and Don Wendelken, who claimed the Town unlawfully spent taxpayer money for the legal defense of council member Laughlin (in the suit filed last

NEXT MEETING Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020 • 6:30pm Summerfield Community Center 5404 Centerfield Road

CONTACT YOUR TOWN (336) 643-8655 clerk@summerfieldnc.gov www.summerfieldnc.gov year by former council member Todd Rotruck).

The judge made no immediate decision in the case, Whitaker said.

The third plaintiff, Danny Nelson, was a mayoral candidate in the Nov. 5 election; he withdrew from the suit in October.

ber. (See related article on p. 23 of the Dec. 12-18 issue.)

NEW BUSINESS  4  1 (Pegram opposed) to adopt

parliamentary procedures for council meetings based upon a condensed version of Robert’s Rules of Order. The condensed rules were prepared by UNC School of Government associate professor Trey Allen for municipal governments.

 4  1 (Pegram opposed) to reduce from five minutes to three minutes the length of time for residents to speak during the public comments period of council meetings.  4  1 (Pegram opposed) to elect

 5  0 to select DeVaney as the

authorized council member to sign checks issued by the town.

 4  1 (Pegram opposed) to select O’Day to replace Dena Barnes as the Town’s representative on the Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.

 5  0 to approve the process for the town’s Zoning Board and council to complete their work on updates to the UDO (Unified Development Ordinance), a set of rules that regulates residential and commercial development in Summerfield.  4  1 (Pegram opposed) to request

Sessoms as mayor pro tem.

The three residents sued the Town of Summerfield and council members Laughlin, Barnes, O’Day and Walker after Laughlin had been appointed October 2018 to serve the remainder of Todd Rotruck’s four-year term, which ended in November. The four council members voted in favor of the town paying for Laughlin’s defense (Pegram opposed).

...continued on p. 34

Wishing our patients and their families a wonderfu l holiday season!

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

OUTGOING, INCOMING COUNCIL MEMBERS

The council expressed its appreciation to Mayor Dunham, Mayor Pro Tem Barnes and Laughlin for their service and the three, who didn’t seek reelection in the November election, were each presented with a plaque.

Following a recess, retired Guilford County Chief District Court Judge Lawrence McSwain swore in newly elected Mayor BJ Barnes and council members Lynne Williams DeVaney and Tim Sessoms, as well as O’Day and Walker, who were reelected in Novem-

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DEC. 19, 2019 - JAN. 8, 2020

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STOKESDALE town council

Dec. 12 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by PATTI STOKES Mayor John Flynt called the monthly meeting in Stokesdale Town Hall to order at 7 p.m.; following an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, a second public comment period was added before the meeting agenda was adopted.

Sheriff’s Office. The District 1 office responded to 59 calls for service in Stokesdale last month. Residents were advised to arrange for packages delivered to their homes not to be left out, and to call the sheriff’s office if they see any suspicious activity.

Fire Dept. Chief Todd Gauldin reported the department ran 66 calls in November; 25 were fire-related and 41 were medical in nature.

On a safety note, Gauldin advised residents not to place live or artificial Christmas trees near heaters, wood stoves, etc., to keep live trees watered, not to overload outlets, and to unplug Christmas lights at night.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Budget Officer Kim Thacker reported the Town has total assets of $2,918,689 in the general fund account, $827,020 in the water enterprise account, and $764,073 in the water-sewer fund account.

COMMITTEE REPORTS Events Committee. Councilman Frank Bruno thanked the Bethany Community School band, Stokesdale Methodist Church choir, Pastor David Bailey of Crossroads Community Church, Stokesdale Fire Department and Events Committee members for all they did to make the Christmas tree lighting event on Nov. 30 such a success.

Bruno also announced the Christmas parade was coming up on Dec. 14 and the Events Committee will begin meeting again Jan. 6 to plan several events for next year, including farmers’ markets in the park, a 9/11 ceremony in September and the Christmas tree lighting and parade next December.

CITIZEN COMMENTS  Terry Hedenskog introduced himself as president of the Stokesdale Parks and Recreation Association and said he would like to develop a stronger relationship with the Town. Basketball season is underway and he invited council members to attend some games on Saturdays.

AUDIT REPORT

Rex Rouse of Rouse, Rouse, Rouse

& Gardner based in Eden presented the annual audit report. As of the fiscal year ending June 30, the Town’s total assets exceeded liabilities by $9,746,844; the Town has no outstanding debt. The unassigned (not committed to a budget item) fund balance was $2,944,548, or 694 percent of total general fund expenses for the fiscal year.

Capital assets total $2,145,050 and consist of land, buildings, improvements other than buildings, equipment and furniture.

It was noted in the audit report that there are six major subdivisions under development in Stokesdale and there was a significant increase in water customers and infrastructure extensions over the last fiscal year.

The Town’s general fund actual expenses exceeded budgeted expenses by $56,306, Rouse noted.

The utilities franchise tax for the 2018-19 fiscal year provided $445,600, or 71.3 percent of the Town’s annual revenue last fiscal year; beer and wine tax provided $26,000.

Actual operating expenses for the fiscal year were $424,495, compared to $371,884 budgeted, Rouse noted.

About $23,000 of the unbudgeted expenses was in the Parks and Recreation category, $20,000 additional for capital outlay and about $6,500 additional in the library and education category.

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Councilman Tim Jones confirmed the Town had $56,399 more in actual expenses than budgeted and asked of Rouse, “What percentage are we allowed to go over?”

“Not anything,” Rouse responded, advising the Council to always authorize every expense in the budget before the money is spent.

Regarding a $75,000 expense the Town incurred to repair a water line after damage from a hurricane in the fall of 2018, Flynt said, “We filed a report with FEMA in December 2018 requesting the reimbursement. They kept telling us it was on the way. We thought it was coming by June 30, but it didn’t (it arrived in September)…

When you start talking about budgeting for an emergency, there isn’t any way you can plan for that.”

“But you understand the importance in going forward?” Rouse asked.

“Yes,” Flynt responded. “That’s my fault and no one else’s.”

RECOGNITION

Bruno and Jones, who did not win their bids for re-election in the Nov. 5 election, were recognized for their service to the Town.

SWEARING IN

Newly elected council members Derek Foy, Jim Rigsbee and Jimmy Lan-

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serve as a model to other towns,” Rouse said. “You have no long-term debt, no bonds and you levy no property tax.”

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dreth were sworn into office by Guilford County Superior Court Judge Stuart Albright; Councilman Thearon Hooks was elected mayor pro tem by his fellow council members and sworn in.

RESOLUTION

Flynt acknowledged N.C. Rep. John Faircloth and Sebastian King, a candidate for the state senate, for their work to put a proposal before the state legislature requesting the remainder of $3.6 million budgeted for a regional water authority be reallocated to the towns of Stokesdale, Oak Ridge and Summerfield to each pursue their own water-related goals.

After the towns and unincorporated northwest Guilford County participated in a water feasibility study, “The numbers didn’t work for any of the towns, especially for us who had a water system already,” Flynt explained.

If Stokesdale were to receive $1.13 million back from the state as requested, it will use it to expand and improve its water system.

 5  0 to approve the resolution.

When Flynt invited him to speak, Sebastian King said the money previously allocated by the General Assembly is “sitting on the sidelines.”

“A (regional) water authority would cost $50 or $60 million. I knew the towns couldn’t afford it,” he said.

“Plus, people wanted to keep their wells.”

He explained the next step is for all three towns’ resolutions to go to Raleigh, where the legislature will vote on whether to reallocate the money as requested.

Staff benefits. Because her personal insurance through ObamaCare is projected to double in cost in 2020, Town Clerk/Finance Officer Alisa Houk has requested that in lieu of a raise, the Town pay her insurance premium with a new company. Houk has found health benefits for $531.51 per month, beginning Jan. 1. The deputy clerk, the Town’s

only other full-time employee, was also offered insurance, but is covered under her husband’s policy so has declined.

Councilman Foy said he didn’t agree with providing the insurance as a benefit instead of a raise, and the council agreed to still consider a merit raise for Houk next year since she has assumed many more responsibilities since she began working with the Town.

 5  0 to approve paying for Houk’s insurance coverage, effective Jan. 1.

Park survey. Flynt said several years ago the Town applied for a matching fund park grant and received $250,000. The Town, which spent more than $250,000 on the park, is now considering more park additions and wants to pursue another grant.

“Anytime you get 50 cents on the dollar, I think it’s a good thing,” Flynt said.

Before applying for the grant, the Town must conduct a park survey.

There will be 15 items on the survey for citizens to consider and prioritize.

“We have been talking about an amphitheater and a basketball court, but we’ll let people decide,” Flynt said, noting Councilman Bruno had been working on the survey and grant application; PARTF (NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund) will award $4 million in grant monies this summer and the Town will seek $100,000 of that.

Foy asked about doing a web-based survey, but was told PARTF highly recommends the survey be mailed.

The council discussed a question on the survey about household income, and agreed to leave it but citizens are not required to answer.

 5  0 to approve the concept of

applying for a park grant; the Town will first mail out a survey to about 1,500 households with the cost of postage and handling not to exceed $1,500.

 5  0 to consider any expense under $250 as an expense (not neces-

sary to capitalize it) and add a fourth category for Equipment and Assets to include any items/supplies costing between $250 to $2,000.

COUNCIL COMMENTS  Councilman Jim Rigsbee thanked everyone for coming, for their support of him in the November election, and said he hoped for “some good positive energy going forward.”  Foy also thanked his supporters and said while campaigning he learned a lot about citizens’ concerns and priorities for the Town.

Citizens expressed a desire to make downtown improvements that will attract more consumers to businesses, they want more community events, and many were disappointed in a previous council’s decision to vote down the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, he said. Park improvements, security, enforcing the Town’s ordinances and expanding the Town’s water system were also important to citizens. While some are eager

to maintain a $0 property tax rate, others wouldn’t mind a modest property tax, Foy noted, and then added prohibiting tractor trailers from using their air brakes while driving through the scenic corridor was another priority.  Councilman Jimmy Landreth said he favored keeping a three-minute period for citizen comments near both the beginning and end of each monthly meeting.

“Stokesdale is a model town as far as government goes,” he said.

“We have no tax, a park, a town hall and money in the bank. We can’t do everything at one time, but we can do a little this year and next year.”  Hooks reminded everyone of the upcoming Christmas parade and said the weekly farmers market would return to the park earlier next year.  Flynt said the Town would receive a report from Hazen & Sawyer, the engineer firm that conducted a water study for the Town, in early January.

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9

CHRISTMASES PAST ...continued from p. 1

of fond memories of hours spent in the kitchen with her mother and older brother making ice box fruit cookies.

“These were a no-bake cookie created with graham crackers and lots of candied cherries, pecans and marshmallows,” she explained. “My mom would cut them into bars, wrap them in wax paper and freeze them.”

On Christmas, her family, laden down with the sweet treats, would head off to Walnut Cove to her grandparents’ home, where they would gather with all

the aunts, uncles and cousins. Everyone was always happy to get a block of the fruit cookies, she said.  Ben Walraven’s favorite Christmas memories center around visiting his grandparents’ home on Christmas Day. “I grew up on a family farm in Michigan with a lot of relatives living nearby,” the Oak Ridge resident said.

“In the afternoon of Christmas Day, all of my dad’s brothers and their kids gathered in Ma and Poppy’s basement for an afternoon of family card games and eating lots of food; every family brought their favorite dish, and there was general mayhem with all the kids.

“By about 8 o’clock the kids were worn out and my grandparents were ready for their normal peace and quiet.

To this day, thinking about those Christmas celebrations makes me appreciate the blessing of having a strong, loving family to help me grow up.”  Marcia Wall of Oak Ridge remembers the Christmas she discovered that Santa really does exist. It was 1959, Wall was 8 years old and her family was living in a rental home while their new home was being completed.

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the three youngsters lay awake listening for his arrival.

“We had left a glass of tea and some cookies in case Santa was hungry,” Wall chuckled. “I listened really hard and to this day I can still hear the ice rattle in the glass when Santa drank his tea.”  “Many parents can identify with the experience of toddlers helping decorate a Christmas tree,” wrote William Edwards, an Oak Ridge resident. “It’s a reminder of pure innocence and bonding and is humbling, humorous and definitely memorable.”

One of his favorite memories involves his young daughter doing this exact thing.

“As a cute, diaper-laden toddler, my daughter watched curiously as I hung colorful orbs on the tree branches, not really comprehending the idea of individual placement and mixing colors,” he described.

“She wanted to help, so naturally I handed her one of the less valuable and unbreakable ornaments for her to hang on the tree. She did that, and proud of her initial accomplishment, quickly turned in full smile to receive another, and another. She was helping Daddy and it was fun!

“With her limited reach, her six identical ornaments were adorably hung side-by-side on the easiest and most convenient place… a 2-foot-long strand of lights at the bottom of the tree. There they were…all six, lined up in order, perfect for her wide-eyed inspection.”  At the age of 6, William Royal, an Oak Ridge resident who is currently in his junior year at UNC-Chapel Hill, was dealing with costochondritis, a painful inflammation of the cartilage in the rib cage that is sometimes associated with growth spurts.

“We had to regularly go to Brenner Children’s Hospital to get ice treat-

ments to reduce the inflammation levels,” Royal said.

On Christmas Eve the pain was so bad that Royal asked his mom to take him for a treatment. The two headed for the hospital, leaving their “decorated, brightly lit house in Oak Ridge” and Royal’s dad napping on the couch. It was after midnight before they returned.

“As I headed through the kitchen to go to bed, I loudly pointed out to my parents that I could see the toys and games Santa had left on the couches in our dark living room,” Royal said. “I remember being thoroughly amazed that Santa had come during the period I was at the hospital, and that he had successfully eluded my sleeping dad!

“How could he have snuck in and so perfectly arranged our presents without waking him up? Obviously, Santa was highly skilled at entering houses, and so it confirmed my high opinion of his talents and abilities.

“Looking back 14 years later, and knowing a little more about what Santa is, I now realize the significance of this memory and the dedication of my mom and dad to provide a nice experience for me,” he continued. “I hope I get to keep the magic and spirit of Christmas alive for my kids the same way my parents did for me all those years ago.”  Donree Howerton of Oak Ridge remembers childhood Christmases when the family gathered at her grandparents’ home in Walnut Cove.

 When Judy Osborne pulls out the ceramic Christmas tree that once belonged to her favorite aunt, Margaret, Osborne’s mind drifts back to Christmases spent in upstate New York where she grew up.

“Every year, we would go to my Aunt Margaret and Uncle Johnny’s house before midnight mass,” the northwest Greensboro resident said.

“My aunt was a great cook and we would always have a good meal.”

“Granddaddy would always give all of us kids a 50-cent piece,” she said.

“That was special.”

About 30 or 40 relatives would show up for the buffet and Johnny’s famous eggnog. “The kids would have the non-spiked eggnog,” she remembered. “When you turned 18, you got to partake of the ‘spiked’ version.”

As for her favorite gift, Howerton said it was a watch she received when she was a little girl. Although she can’t recall how old she was at the time, she does remember that she was just learning how to tell time. She still has that watch.

After the meal and eggnog, everyone would go as a group to church and then return to the house for dessert and more socializing. Although most of the women and children headed home soon afterward, Osborne said the guys would stay up all

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night and play pinochle.

“My mom was always afraid that my dad wouldn’t make it home before my sister and I woke up,” Osborne recalled.  One of 15-year-old Nate Folsom’s favorite traditions involves decorating the Christmas tree.

“Our tree symbolizes the reason for the season, and that’s Jesus,” he said.

“We always have a Christmas nail ornament as a reminder of Jesus’ death and resurrection.”

Folsom, who lives in northwest Greensboro, added that a laptop computer which he received about five years ago has been one of his favorite gifts.

“It’s really helped out with my schoolwork,” he said.  Colfax residents Mark Masters and his wife, Carol, have developed a tradi-

...continued on p. 35

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11

Revisiting childhood Christmases

by HELEN LEDFORD

Once again, it’s time to dust off some of my well-worn Christmas DVDs and lose myself in holiday nostalgia.

Seems everybody but me is watching honey-sweet Hallmark channel tearjerkers. Strangely enough, I prefer escaping to dated, but tried and true oldies that reside in our family archives.

One such made-for-TV movie propels me back to my childhood elementary school days. Starring Jason Robards and Mildred Natwick, “The House Without a Christmas Tree” was widely acclaimed upon its 1972 release, winning an Emmy and other prestigious awards. The main character, Addie (with whom I strongly identify), and I were both 10 years old in 1946, the year depicted. I had pigtails like Addie’s, loved drawing and painting, and the movie’s schoolroom scenes propel me backward to much simpler and less complicated days.

upon which they are to start singing (ah, the memories!).

Each year, my class members and I voted on who would be our “grade parents.” Most often, our choice just happened to be folks who owned stores in town. We figured, in our little devious minds, to get good “stuff” all through the year – especially at the Yuletide season! Usually, their tissue-paper wrapped surprises were coloring books and crayons, and treats included cookies, lollipops and all the red or green Kool-Aid we could drink!

A reckless, giddy holiday spirit invaded all students, from those in lower grades to high schoolage! There was sort of a happy, ”devil-may-care” attitude in the air (even around faculty members!).

Though we could not be slack in our school work, ample time was set aside for creating room decor with construction paper, often consisting of lop-sided wreaths and Santas with cotton beards and eyes made of black-eyed peas.

We were cautioned not to be “scissor happy” and waste paper, glue, crayons and such – school budgets had minimal resources. In first grade I recall painstakingly

I can almost smell the chalk dust as rows of kids in vintage desks wait for their teacher to lead them in the song, “Oh Christmas Tree.” However, Addie must first blow into her pitch pipe to find the correct note

...continued on p. 33

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68

Bi Rite Moving Owner David Wrenn (left) said he has no plans to retire any time soon, and shows no signs of slowing down. Wrenn plans to build a new, bigger grocery store near Bi Rite’s current location next year.

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Commercial development

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The opening of Interstate 73 spurs plans for a 300-acre industrial park in southern Rockingham County (blue areas on map above). Installed earlier this year, the water line that will serve the industrial park also reaches Collybrooke, a subdivision of roughly $275,000 houses being developed by D.R. Horton Homes and Blue Ridge Cos., owned by Summerfield developer David Couch.

Map by Yvonne Truhon/NWO

68

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

16 Business/Real Estate Briefs Oak Ridge Diner opens, Domino’s debuts new offerings.

22 Real Estate Q&A

Readers ask about land being cleared in two Stokesdale locations.

After half a century, Stokesdale’s Bi Rite is moving Owner David Wrenn plans to build a new, bigger grocery store near the original location for selling pimento cheese, filet mignon and socks by the dozen

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Now he’s getting ready to move the downtown Stokesdale landmark, a throwback to the 1960s when his wife’s grandfather opened the store and gave Wrenn a job in 1978. Now the owner of Bi Rite Galaxy, Wrenn plans to build a bigger store about onetenth of a mile from the store’s current location at N.C. 158 and 65 (Belews Creek Road).

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

Bi Rite owner David Wrenn pulls a shopping cart into the grocery store where he started working 41 years ago.

“I need the space,” Wrenn said in an interview earlier this week, sitting in the employees’ break area consisting of two chairs and a scuffed folding table flanked by stacks of hot dog buns waiting to be put on the shelves.

The future Bi Rite on Ellisboro Road and N.C. 65 will contain 36,000 square feet of selling space – almost five times the 7,500 square feet he’s got now. Wrenn owns roughly seven acres that’s now home to a used car lot and a closed, deteriorating saw mill.

Both will be demolished to make way for the new store, he said.

Anyone who’s ever shopped at

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Bi Rite – or driven past it – knows that products for sale aren’t just displayed inside the store. On a recent afternoon, Wrenn had stacked plastic sledding pans in the parking lot. The front of the store was crowded with bags of ice melt, firewood, landscaping mulch – and dozens of pairs of socks.

Wrenn said he buys 500 pairs of the socks at a time, and sells them in about a month.

“We are a grocery store, but we have socks,” he said.

The store also carries hammers

All of Wrenn’s six children (ages 25 to 39) have worked in the store over the years. At present, three of them – Jennifer, Mary Ashley and Matt – are among 35 employees.

Wrenn said he has no plans to retire any time soon, and shows no signs of slowing down. Last weekend, he opened the door for customers and carried their groceries to their cars.

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

“It’s what I think needs to be done,” he said. “Sometimes customers come back because we are friendly.”

Lauren Hopper, one of Bi Rite’s 35 employees, laughs with owner David Wrenn during a pause at the checkout counter.

and screwdrivers, coconuts, feed for rabbits, horses and chickens and jars of pickled eggs and sausages suspended in pink liquid. White bread sells for $1.29 a loaf, and a seven-ounce box of corn flakes cost $1.

After four decades, Wrenn, 66, knows his customers. Seven-pound cans of pork and beans and other vegetables sold in large quantities appeal to groups making Brunswick stew and other foods to raise money, he said.

During the summer, traffic to Belews Creek streams past Bi Rite, boosting demand for “steak and charcoal,” Wrenn said. During the rest of the year, the store caters mostly to regular customers, such as Jean Akers.

“This is my food store,” she said,

Wrenn said he wants to start building the new store early next year. “I’d like to be in before next Thanksgiving,” he said.

Customer Cindy Martin said she believes the new store will attract customers who don’t shop at Bi Rite now, partly because of its appearance.

“We’re going to have a modern store,” said Mandy McGee, a retired Stokesdale Elementary School teacher who manages Bi Rite’s deli. “But our people and our customer service and the things that we do are going to be the same.”

pushing a cart with eggs, milk and hamburger meat. “If anything is wrong, you can bring it back and they will make it right.”

Night crawler fishing worms, selling for $2.99 a carton, share a refrigerated case with jars of elderberry syrup selling for $21. Butchers and deli workers in the back of the store prepare filet mignon from Mexico selling for $9.99 a pound and cartons of freshly prepared pimento cheese, chicken salad, banana pudding and another dessert called lemon delight.

This past weekend, some shoppers stocked up on meats and cheese sold from the back of a tractor trailer in the parking lot. Wrenn also operates a hot dog stand in the parking lot.

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15

such as country style steak. The most expensive meal on the menu is $10.95.

BUSINESS briefs

“Nobody needs to go broke to eat out,” said DuMond, previously a bartender at Bert’s and Reel Seafood.

Lacklen opened Reel Seafood in 2013 after he had operated Bert’s Seafood with his former wife, Mary. Lacklen is no longer part owner of Reel Seafood.

Oak Ridge Diner now open for breakfast and lunch Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

Hendrix was a chef at Bert’s and

Oak Ridge Diner owners (L-R) Brad Hendrix, Darold DuMond and Drew Lacklen

OAK RIDGE – For decades, pizzerias have borrowed one another’s concepts to draw more customers. Mom-andPop eateries added delivery to compete with the big national chains, which broadened their menus with sandwiches, salads and desserts to compete with local restaurants.

Now Domino’s Pizza is rolling out the “pizza theater” across the U.S., in-

“As the day progresses, we are going to become a little more upscale at a friendly price,” DuMond said.

cluding in Oak Ridge. Franchisee Mickey Tingen recently relocated his store to Oak Ridge Marketplace, across N.C. 68 from his previous location behind the Quality Mart convenience store.

“We’ve added two dining occasions that didn’t exist in the other location – dine-in and the pickup

...continued on p. 35

“This is city in the country,” said Hendrix, the diner’s chef who learned to make biscuits growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi, and serves them at Oak Ridge Diner with sausage and gravy, omelets and eggs and country ham.

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When they start serving dinner, the trio plans to promote daily specials on a chalkboard as they did at Bert’s and Reel Seafood.

Oak Ridge Domino’s offers ‘pizza theater’ with seats, TV

OAK RIDGE – Three veterans of popular Greensboro restaurants Bert’s Seafood Grille and Reel Seafood Grill have opened Oak Ridge Diner.

The restaurant in Oak Ridge Commons serves breakfast and lunch and plans to add a dinner menu before the end of the year, said Darold DuMond, owner of Oak Ridge Diner with Drew Lacklen and Brad Hendrix. It took over space formerly occupied by the Kobe Japanese restaurant.

Reel Seafood before teaming up with Lacklen and DuMond to open Oak Ridge Diner last month.

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With a strong economy and reasonable interest rates, in 2020 the company looks to exceed this year’s number of pre-sale homes, which were at a historic high

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As 2019 draws to a close, Matt Walraven, who along with his wife Danielle owns Walraven Signature Homes, reflects on his company’s prospects for the year ahead.

“We’re expecting 2020 to be at least as good as 2019, and probably better. This year we had the most pre-sale custom homes in our history,” Walraven said. “A strong economy with reasonable interest rates created a very favorable custom-home building market.

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“Clients approached us very early in the year, so by midsummer our work schedule was quite full. That was very exciting,” he said. “Well over half of our homebuyers were looking to build a custom home in the $400-500K range, while the remaining built in the $600,000+ price range.”

As for 2020, Walraven said the

E hous were begin often they budg

Danielle and Matt Walraven, owners of Walraven Signature Homes, seek to fulfill homeowners’ dreams while offering their full attention and flexibility throughout the building process. company already has more presales in the lineup and will very likely exceed 2019 sales.

“The customers we are working with are confident in the economy and don’t seem too worried about the prospects of increasing mortgage rates,” he said. “We do encounter some buyers who are surprised at the cost per square

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of today’s custom-built homes. They us they’ve built their previous home for a ess – but that was 5 to 10 years ago.”

Because of this, there are times the me buyer must reassess how large a se they want and prioritize the features t important in their custom build.

Even so, Walraven said as the custom se begins to take shape, clients who e fiscally more conservative at the nning of the construction process n find themselves adding back features thought were beyond their needs and get.

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Walraven Signature Homes builds homes throughout the Triad area, with strong customer demand in northwest Guilford County and a growing demand in Alamance County. The company focuses on developments near good school districts and areas that are thriving in a healthy economic climate. You’ll find their homes being built in communities like Knight’s Landing, Canter Cove, Linville Ridge, Wolf Ridge and The Reserve at Owls Roost in Oak Ridge, and Dawn Acres and Shiloh in Stokesdale.

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REAL ESTATE Q&A

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Clearing is underway for Boone Meadows, a new development near the intersection of Ellisboro and Gideon Grove Church roads in Stokesdale.

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

A nine-lot subdivision is being developed on this property off N.C. 68 and Lester Road in Stokesdale. Homes will be in the $225,000 to $250,000 price range.

What’s being built on the land off N.C. 68 in Stokesdale, at Lester Road? I see earth-moving

machines there and it looks like they’re clearing the land.

Stokesdale resident and mayor, John Flynt, owns this property and told us it consists of nine+ acres that have been cleared for a small subdivision. Steve

Aheron has purchased two of the lots and plans to start building houses on them when weather permits.

Flynt said homes in the nine-lot subdivision will be 1,600 to 1,800 square feet and in the $225,000 to $250,000 price range.

“I was trying to help bring some affordable housing to Stokesdale on 1+ acre lots with city water,” Flynt said.

The subdivision, Caroline Manor, is named after Flynt’s new granddaughter.

There’s a lot of clearing taking place near the intersection of Ellisboro and Gideon Grove Church roads in Stokesdale. What’s going on at this location?

According to Greensboro developer Will Berry, the site you’re referring to is being cleared for Boone Meadows; the new community will connect to Boone Landing, located behind the site, with entrances and exits coming off Oak Level Church Road.

Trees are being cleared and dirt is being moved around to level the 26-acre tract and make it suitable for building. The “giant pit” was created as soil was transferred from different areas on the site; as the reader has observed, it has since been filled.

Berry said the community will have 28 lots with houses ranging from 2,400 to 3,000 square feet. Granville Homes of Greensboro will build the homes in the development; a price range has not been established yet, Berry noted.

Clearing will likely continue for the next few months.

“We’ll be progressing as weather permits and we hope to have the roads completed by the spring,” he said.

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Commercial development

knocking on Stokesdale’s door

The opening of Interstate 73 spurs plans for 300-acre industrial park in southern Rockingham County

This is going to be a long-term project that’s going to spur a lot of commercial and residential growth.”

by CHRIS BURRITT ROCKINGHAM COUNTY – Fire hydrants have sprouted along Sylvania Road like bright yellow light bulbs, signaling commercial development poised to transform 300 acres just north of Stokesdale.

The tract assembled by Greensboro developer Roy Carroll is located near

Stokesdale Mayor John Flynt the V-shaped juncture of N.C. 68 and Interstate 73 (U.S. 220), about two miles north of Stokesdale. The opening of the interstate through northwestern Guilford County last year put the proposed industrial park a roughly 10-minute drive from Piedmont Triad

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Above is one of several fire hydrants on Sylvania Road at N.C. 65 which are ready to hook up to a water line that will serve a proposed 300-acre industrial park at N.C. 68 and I-73/U.S. 220, just north of Stokesdale.

International Airport. lead to a fireside den. Spacious great room has coffered ceilings. Generous master suite on main w/sitting area boasts bath finished in slate & stone. Cavernous basement has in-law suite w/full kitchen, BR/BA, LR & storm shelter. Theater room up. Generator & irrigation installed. Listed under tax value. $689,000 BUYER INCENTIVE $10k closing costs & $5k realtor bonus with acceptable offer by end of year.

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Given its proximity to the airport, the park may prove attractive to distribution companies reliant on air shipments as well as manufacturers tied to aerospace. The park’s development promises to increase traffic across northwestern Guilford County, stirring debate over whether the area should try to tap the growth or continue to withstand development pressures.

“This is going to be a long-term project that’s going to spur a lot of commercial and residential growth,” Stokesdale Mayor John Flynt said in a recent interview. Companies in

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

the industrial park are going to hire workers, possibly creating demand for subdivisions along Highways 68 and 65 between the town limits and the industrial park.

Flynt said he believes Rockingham County will benefit more than northwestern Guilford County, where zoning regulations in Stokesdale, Summerfield and Oak Ridge limit commercial development and the density of housing.

Installed earlier this year, the water line that will serve the industrial park also reaches Collybrooke, a subdivision of roughly $275,000 houses being

developed by D.R. Horton Homes and Blue Ridge Cos., owned by Summerfield developer David Couch.

The installation of sewer lines over the next 18 months will increase the density of housing from roughly one house per acre in the subdivision, according to Leigh Cochram, Rockingham County’s director of economic development and tourism.

“We want to encourage more residential development,” Cockram said in an interview last week. The opening of I-73 “has changed the game for Rockingham County. We are now connected to the Piedmont Triad by an interstate.”

The installation of sewer lines will

also serve the industrial park where developer Roy Carroll envisions building as much as 2.5 million square feet of space. Individual buildings may range from 100,000 to one million square feet, similar to parks located along Interstates 40 and 85 around Greensboro that cater to speculative as well as specific tenants.

“We are continuing to work with our engineers on potential layouts for sites,” said Al Leonard, senior vice president for the Greensboro-based Carroll Cos. He added in a recent email that the start of a speculative building is possible once infrastructure such as sewer services is complete.

“We have had interest from several parties who like the location being 10 minutes down an interstate from the airport,” Leonard said. Prospective tenants would possibly benefit from state economic incentives that are more lucrative in Rockingham County than in Guilford County, he noted.

Rockingham ranks among North Carolina’s most economically distressed counties, based upon factors such as the unemployment rate and median household income. As a result, it’s designated as Tier 1 in a three-tier ranking by the state Department of Commerce. Guilford County is ranked as Tier 2, making state incentives to new and expanding businesses less attractive than in Tier 1 counties.

As long as public water and sewer services remain generally unavailable in northwestern Guilford County, Leonard said, “it will be challenging for large-scale industrial development” to make inroads in the area.

Even so, increasing development in southern Rockingham County promises to increase traffic not just on I-73 but also on U.S. 220 through Summerfield and on N.C. 68 through Stokesdale and Oak Ridge. Projects such as Henson Village, a shopping center at the I-73 and N.C. 150

interchange in Summerfield proposed

by Blue Ridge Cos., hinge partly on an increasing flow of motorists who would patronize businesses in the area.

Controlling traffic and development were campaign issues in the Nov. 5 election in the three northwestern Guilford towns where debate is ongoing.

Summerfield “is going to grow whether you like it or not,” Lawrence McSwain, retired Chief District Court Judge for Guilford County, told those attending the Town Council meeting Dec. 10 after swearing in newly elected council members. “If you plan, you can make the growth make sense.”

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DEC. 19, 2019 - JAN. 8, 2020

25

CRIME / INCIDENT report

District 1 Sheriff’s Office has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest/northern Guilford County ...

ASSAULT Dec. 13 | A 30-year-old male in the 8500 block of Hudson James Road in Summerfield (off U.S. 158) sustained minor injuries to the right eye after reportedly being assaulted by a known suspect.

Dec. 15 | A 31-year-old male in the

3000 block of Pleasant Ridge Road in Summerfield reported at 4:29 a.m. that a known suspect struck and pushed multiple people in the residence; a 40-year-old female, a 19-year-old female, a 21-year-old male, a 20-yearold male and a female minor were also listed in the report; EMS treatment was provided for minor injuries.

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Dec. 10 | A 51-year-old male and known offender was arrested at about 3:45 p.m. in the 2000 block of Oak Ridge Road in Oak Ridge for driving while impaired.

Dec. 6 | A resident of the 5700 block of Falkirk Drive in northwest Greensboro (near Northwest High School) reported on Dec. 11 that an unknown suspect stole a package which had been delivered to his home between Dec. 5 and Dec. 6; the package contained black Giuseppe Zanotti boots worth about $355. The victim filed a report with the online store and had the items re-sent.

Dec. 11 | A 59-year-old male was arrested at 1:16 a.m. in the 8600 block of Belews Creek Road in Stokesdale for driving while impaired.

Dec. 15 | A 44-year-old male was arrested at 5:41 a.m. in the 100 block of I-73 S in Greensboro for driving while impaired; he was also cited for driving with a revoked license.

DRUGS Dec. 12 | A 30-year-old male and known offender was arrested at 10:34 p.m. in the 8600 block of U.S. 158 in Stokesdale for possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine) and also cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, driving with a revoked license and having an expired vehicle registration.

STATUTORY RAPE/ INDECENT LIBERTIES Dec. 17 | After receiving reports of a former Northern Guilford Middle School teacher having an inappropriate relationship with a student, an investigation resulted in the arrest of Carly Smith, 41, of Greensboro. Smith is charged with Statutory Rape, Statutory Sex Offense, Indecent Liberties with a Student by a Teacher and Indecent Liberties with a Child.

Dec. 9 | At 11:32 a.m., an employee of the ABC store in Oak Ridge Commons reported a known offender walked out with two bottles of Crown Royal Black that had a combined value of $105; a warrant was taken out for the offender’s arrest.

Dec. 11 | An employee of Diamond Surface Inc. on Fleming Road in northwest Greensboro reported an unknown suspect cut the chain lock on the gate to the business, entered the business building and stole several power tools between Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 10 a.m.; the combined value of two red/black Honda trash pumps (2- and 3-inch discharges), a red/black Predator generator, a silver Clutch socket set, several silver Clutch wrenches and a red/black half-inch Milwaukee impact wrench was estimated at $2,850.

WEAPONS Dec. 13 | A 47-year-old male was arrested at 3:42 a.m. in the 9100 block of U.S. 158 in Stokesdale for carrying a weapon without a concealed carry permit and being intoxicated and disruptive.

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7506 Summerfield Road Main number: (336) 641-2300 Report non-emergency crime-related incidents by calling: (336) 373-2222 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., M-F www.guilfordcountync.gov/ our-county/sheriff-s-office

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w w w. F r i d d l e A n d C o m p a n y. c o m V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E T O V I E W H O M E S F O R S A L E A N D AVA I L A B L E LO T S

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store this Christmas season: Morehead United Methodist Church, 3214 Horse Pen Creek Road in Greensboro, is operating a store until Dec. 20 which is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Moravia Moravian Church of Oak Ridge is operating a store in Oak Ridge Marketplace off N.C. 68 N NOW THROUGH DEC. 22 until Dec. 24; it is open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to  Christmas Store | The 32nd annual Kernersville 6 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m. Summerfield Peace Arts & Crafts Guild’s Christmas store is open through UMC is operating a store in Summerfield Shops off Dec. 22, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and U.S. 220 N until Dec. 24; it is open Monday-Saturday, Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m., at 117-A E. Bodenhamer St.; the 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 12 noon to 4 p.m. store features handmade items by the guild’s memNorthwest High School’s Band Boosters is operating a bers. More info: Kathryn Boglovits, (336) 497-7411, store at 3722-A Battleground Ave. in Greensboro (next or kathryn.boglovits@yahoo.com. to Big Lots) which is open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 12 noon to 7 p.m.

calendar

NOW THROUGH DEC. 20, 24

 Dewey’s Bakery | Three local churches and a school

THURSDAY, DEC. 19

organization are operating a Dewey’s Bakery holiday

 Basketball Fundraiser | Stokesdale Elementary

School will host a parents vs. teachers basketball game Dec. 19 to raise money for the fifth grade trip to Washington, D.C., next spring. The game will be played at 7 p.m. at Northwest High School, 5240 Northwest School Road in Greensboro. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Concessions will be available, and several vendors will be selling jewelry, desserts, etc. Tickets cost $2 for students and $3 for adults (pay at the door). More info: Brandy Barnes, (336) 508-8877, or brandybarnes83@gmail.com.

MONDAY, DEC. 23  Blood Drive | Summerfield Fire District will hold a

winter blood drive Dec. 23 at Station 9, 7400 Summerfield Road, from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Donors will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt. Walk-ins welcome, but appointments recommended. Schedule your appointment by visiting redcrossblood.org.

Jolly holidays and a happy news year from all of us at PS Communications!

We’ll be back in print Jan. 9 OLD SCHOOL

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FIRE

NEWS in brief

...continued from p. 3

...continued from p. 3

resulted in the Guilford County Board of Elections ruling he had not established permanent residency in Summerfield; he was subsequently deemed ineligible to serve on the council, and his seat was declared vacant.

The seat remained vacant for six months, until Laughlin was appointed to serve through the next municipal election. Three months after her appointment, Rotruck filed a lawsuit requesting the court direct Summerfield Town Council to remove Laughlin from public office and allow him to take his

The love from strangers, family and friends has been amazing. Summerfield is its own community and we take care of each other.’’

seat back on the council.

Judge Hall’s ruling this week to dismiss the suit brings closure to the long string of lawsuits filed against the Town of Summerfield and the majority of its council members since Rotruck lost his council seat in April 2018.

To date, the Town of Summerfield has spent $145,662 to defend itself in lawsuits relating to Rotruck, with November and December invoices from Nelson Mullins, the firm hired to represent the Town in the lawsuits, expected to arrive within the next few weeks.

Christmas Eve Services

Kelly Tysinger They drove to the home of friends who welcomed them “with open arms,” Kelly said. “Everyone needs that person or family that you can call at 1 a.m. and they will still answer.”

Before returning to his family’s burning home, Shane hugged his wife in “that kind of embrace where no words are needed,” Kelly said. After firefighters contained the blaze, one of them retrieved a family picture from the debris and a Christmas elf standing on the fireplace shelf, she said.

“Through all of this, God has shown us what overwhelming love is,” Kelly said. “It’s the kind of love that brings you and your husband to tears and strangers to show kindness to strangers.”

read the NWO online:

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Join us in celebrating the birth of our Savior Tuesday, Dec. 24

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5 pm: Contemporary, in Family Life Center 7 pm: Traditional, in Sanctuary

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DEC. 19, 2019 - JAN. 8, 2020

29

Student Profiles brought to you by

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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.

NORTHERN GUILFORD Angelina Bagnoli, basketball Angelina Bagnoli may not start for Northern Guilford’s girls basketball team, but she sees lots of action.

In fact, as a junior last year she was in all 28 games.

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Bagnoli, a 5-foot-8 senior guard, has been playing the game since elementary school. At Northern she played junior varsity basketball her freshman and much of her sophomore year before being pulled up to play at the varsity level near the end of 10th grade.

Become an

Student P rofiles

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new section

“She’s every coach’s dream and every teammate’s dream,” said Asst.

Coach Josh Evans. “She competes and plays hard. She comes off the bench and makes a difference for us. Everybody loves Angelina.”

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ORD “Very,” Josh Josh and It’s a twin han dy thing, folk said. whe Jesse Auge s. r, soccer soccer teamn their Northern Guilfor Having live When the d together y see tea d goes up aga they know mmates mistakes all their live inst foes. making eac they’re not s, But it can anyone and h other bet ter tha nearly as Still, they n vocal. find ways – even disc also be a bit confusi have a kind of get ting communica oncerting ng points acr of unspok their – to teamm tion that oss. like when en not even teammate the twins ates, longtime “converse” s can boa “We’re pre field. For st. on the all the wor tty direct with other,” said “We’ve bee ld, it look they’re in each s like Jesse, who n a heated pla ying togeth long that back. “Bu plays cen dispute. But nothing of er so it’s a lot t we’ ter it’s the kind, easier for understand teammates. re not like that with say the twin are seniors us to where we ” s, who and team the ball and wan co-captain The twin how we wan t to direct s.

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“I’ve always loved sports and exercising,” Bagnoli continued. She used to run cross country at Northern, and basketball gives her a way to keep running. On days when the team isn’t practicing, she said she usually goes to the gym to work out.

For her, exercise is a much-needed release and a way to drain away builtup tension.

“It’s like an escape,” Bagnoli said.

“If something’s going wrong, I can always get away and exercise. It’s like a mental break.”

Her favorite classroom subjects are Spanish and anatomy. Of the two,

she likes anatomy most and figures it’ll help prepare her for the career she hopes to pursue.

“I love learning about the body and how things work,” Bagnoli said. “I want to be a physical therapist. I really like learning how to help people in the rehabilitation process after injuries and after surgery.”

Bagnoli is a member of Northern’s Beta Club, National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. She said each club expects its members to volunteer, and she has tutored fellow students, volunteered in poorer communities, done highway cleanup and volunteered at a Christmas store that serves the poor.

She said she likes “just knowing that I’m helping someone who needs it, even if they don’t know it’s me.”

student profile sponsor

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“I really like coming to practice and being around the people,” she said of her coaches and teammates. “They are amazing. It’s always a good time.

Each week during the school year, the NWO profiles students who excel in sports, cultural arts and academics, thanks to the businesses and churches that make this feature possible.

Contact us to learn more about sponsoring our student profile feature advertising@nwobserver.com | (336) 644-7035, ext. 11

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Student Profiles brought to you by

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NORTHERN GUILFORD Max Benfield, wrestling As Max Benfield well knows, it takes a lot of discipline to keep weight under control for high school wrestling.

Temptations are numerous: Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas goodies, pizza outings, snacks while watching television and movies, etc. But come in overweight for a match and you won’t be wrestling.

Benfield wrestles for Northern Guilford at 132 pounds and has been at it long enough to know how to sidestep temptation.

“I’ve learned how to do that and do it the right way,” said the senior, who hopes to finish out his high school career with 100 wins. “It all comes with experience.”

Having wrestled since the fourth grade, Benfield said he has had a winning record all through high school and made it to the state tournament the past two years. His best finish was just shy of placing. This year he aims to go further.

Along the way he’s learned quite a few things about nutrition. It all fascinates him, and he’s considering studying nutrition or sports science in college.

“With wrestling I’ve had to watch what I’m eating and pay attention to how different foods affect what I’m doing,” he said, adding, “Pursuing some-

Next-level training at Proehli�ic Park

sports-speci�ic preparation for athletes ages 16 and up morning or evening training sessions available 2 or 3 days a week thing in nutrition (in college) would be pretty cool.”

Like his father, Matthew Benfield, who wrestled at Appalachian State and is now an assistant coach for the Nighthawks, Benfield has discovered a lot to like about the sport.

“I like the fact that you only depend on yourself,” Benfield said. “You’re not focused on what others are doing.

Also, wrestling is the ultimate domination of someone. There’s no other sport like that.”

At Northern, his favorite subject is history. He said he likes the ideas he’s exposed to and “how society and culture have changed throughout history.”

When he’s not at school or wrestling, Benfield likes spending time outdoors hiking, fishing and playing water sports.

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GRINS and GRIPES

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

GRINS to...  Everyone in Oak Ridge and the surrounding areas who came out and supported Oak Ridge Military Academy by visiting the Town’s Historic Preservation Commission’s Christmas at Maple Glade event.

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 Families who stand against drug users and dealers. Love and drugs don’t mix; users will quit when they are ready. To family members who choose not to aid a user’s habit, thank you – you are doing the right thing!  Northern Guilford High School lacrosse coach Anthony Meley and his family for providing love, support and a home to Chase Henderson after his mother’s sudden death. What an inspiration all of you were to read about in last week’s paper!  Oak Ridge’s Special Events Committee and many volunteers for putting on a fabulous parade and Light Up the Night event on Dec. 7. What a wonderful day it was!  The incredible person who paid for my lunch at Bill’s Pizza on Sunday, Nov. 24. You made my year! I will pay it forward!  NWO’s Patti Stokes for reporting my comments at the last Oak Ridge Town Council meeting so accurately.

As Oak Ridge Military Academy’s headmaster, I sincerely appreciate your good and accurate work.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

 Stokesdale’s Special Events Committee for organizing a great Christmas parade on Dec. 14. So nice to see all the businesses, church groups and others who participated in the parade, and all the community members who came downtown to watch it!

GRIPES to...  Our neighbors in Oak Ridge who put up their Christmas sale signs on state roadways, right of ways or within Town limits. It is against the Town’s ordinance.  The guy in the pickup who stopped on Price Mill Road Dec. 12 and threw chunks of deer carcass into a drainage ditch when he thought no one was looking. I saw you! No decent, respectful hunter would do this.  Aqua North Carolina. Accidentally overpaid my bill online by $1,000.

Now 60 days later and two phone calls, I still do not have a refund check. Monopolies = poor customer service.  The person (delivery driver?) who griped about the reader complaining about delivery drivers. Some people are not able to physically go shopping so they buy online. If the delivery drivers can’t or won’t do their job, we will complain and should.  The poor service Stokesdale gets from FedEx ground delivery. They

are the worst for losing packages, scanning delivered when not delivered, and then delivering a week later – and leaving a small package in the newspaper box. Complaints to FedEx do nothing.  ORMA cadets being allowed (by headmaster) to solicit in the N.C. 68/150 intersection. Seems it’s OK to “break the law” when it’s approved by the headmaster. Are those the lessons being taught to the cadets, Mr. Trunchbull?

Community ordinances matter.  Those students at Northwest Guilford High School who throw their trash on the ground for someone else to pick up. It looks horrible.

It’s sad you have no pride in school property and zero respect for our planet.  Summerfield Town Council member Teresa Pegram for complaining about which chair you sit in at council meetings.

Editor’s note: Councilwoman Pegram has indicated there is a physical issue relating to this request, although she declined to elaborate.

CHRISTMASES PAST ...continued from p. 12

creating a rather crude cardboard elephant, complete with a sandpaper “saddle.” It was handy for striking matches to start fires in our kitchen range and woodburning heaters, and Mama bragged on that lowly, handmade offering – not much to look at, but certainly useful!

Back then the real meaning of Christmas was instilled in all youngsters – unlike today, when the name of Jesus and many traditional carols are strictly forbidden in public schools. There were “chapel” programs with carols, manger scenes, recitations, Christmas poems – and of course, a visit from jolly Old Saint Nick!

Some of the best times were when cold weather caused the ball field to freeze over.

There, at recess time, we slid, glided and chased each other over the icy surface.

Hard falls, skinned knees and sore backsides resulted, but who cared! Winter vacation was almost upon us, with freedom from homework for two whole weeks!

I was 9 when I learned the painful truth about Santa Claus. Having been taken to visit him in department stores a few times, I had come from those encounters starryeyed with wonder. In the fourth grade, sometime before school dismissed for Christmas break, a discussion arose con-

DeVaney Dentistry wishes you a

cerning Old Saint Nick. Like me, many of my classmates were still innocent believers.

As our teacher carefully danced around that controversial subject, the son of an illustrious citizen piped up and loudly declared, “There’s no real Santa – it’s just mothers and daddies!” At that moment, my Christmas-colored bubble was burst forever! Admittedly, I had wondered how my lard-bellied friend had squeezed down through our wood heater stove pipe (we had no fireplace!).

A highlight of Christmas was traveling to Danville, Virginia, which was 13 miles from our farm home. There we enjoyed festive street decorations and cheery sounds of seasonal music wafting through the brightly adorned store interiors. Larger stores had cash registers, but when purchasing items your money was placed in a small metal box that was then sent by moving pulleys to an office high upstairs. There your change was returned in the same manner. Fascinated, I never tired of watching with wonder at this marvelous, magical process!

Many long-buried memories surface during this season of the year. Once, when Mama had given me a couple of hardearned dollars to shop for inexpensive “little nothing”’ remembrances for friends, we headed to the F.W. Woolworth store. I felt grown-up wandering from counter to counter, discovering endless and somewhat worthless treasures that fit my small-child “budget.”

Finding a display of fake watches (a dime apiece!) with glued-on faces, I selected two for special friends. I handed them over the counter to a smiling store clerk, along with one of my dollars. Later, back home, I was mortified when I found an extra watch had accidentally dropped into my small purse! As I told Mama, I was frantic and drowning in tears, certain the Danville police would be hunting me down! My mother was very understanding, soothed my fears, and assured me the store would surely not miss a 10-cent piece of merchandise. I wore that junky little watch, reminding myself that, though innocent, I might have been accused of stealing!

And so with happy spirits we once again will send and receive cards with joyous greetings depicting the season of Noel. For many of us fortunate enough, there will be laughter and gift exchanges; there will also be reminiscing about past Christmas celebrations and friends we may never see again. Empty places at some dinner tables may evoke a bit of sadness, but everlasting peace from the Christ child overshadows any and all of this chaotic world’s cares and concerns.

Merry Christmas!

Writer’s note: “House Without a Christmas Tree” and other “Addie” books by Gail Rock are available by perusing book sites online.

Merry Christmas

DeVaney dentistry at Oak Ridge

and Happy New Year Dr. Matt DeVaney | Dr. Sam Bartlett Now accepting new patients.

Call today for an appointment.

(336) 643-5515 | 1580 Hwy 68 N, Oak Ridge | drdevaney.com The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

DEC. 19, 2019 - JAN. 8, 2020

33

LETTERS/OPINIONS Submit your editorials (maximum 350 words) online: nwobserver.com e-mail: editor@nwobserver.com mail: Opinions, PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310

Include your name, a daytime phone number where you can be reached and name of community in which you live.

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

Character more important than income level Last week’s editorial by Melanie Martinez really hit me hard. She wrote as though she was speaking on behalf of all Summerfield citizens. According to her, individuals should live elsewhere until they have “established a good work ethic, a solid income, great credit history, money in the bank, etc.”

When my husband and I first came to Summerfield 20 years ago, I can assure you we did not meet Martinez’s

criteria. My husband worked in construction and I was a teacher at Northwest Middle School. As I think about many of my Summerfield neighbors, I am reminded of their value to this community. None of these important details include how much money they have in the bank or what their credit score is.

Many of them will most likely never be able to afford a $300k+ house, but I hope they are still welcomed and valued

Happy

Holidays Tracy Williams, attorney

from all of us at

Barbour & Williams Law 8004 Linville Road, Suite E-3, Oak Ridge

(336) 643-4623 • barbourwilliams.com • Estate Planning (Wills & Trusts) Trust Administration • Corporate Work • Real Estate Matters

Probate & Estate Administration

34

DEC. 19, 2019 - JAN. 8, 2020

as a member of our community.

I am thankful for the off-duty firefighter who climbed on my neighbors’ roof when a tree crushed the back half of her house last year.

I’m thankful for the veteran and nurse across the street who open their home to foster children.

I’m thankful to have a sheriff’s deputy living just down the street.

I am thankful for the teachers who live here so when my kids need help with homework I have several neighbors to turn to.

I’m thankful for the pastor who lives behind me so if I want someone to pray

with me I only have to walk across the yard.

I am thankful for the daycare workers who offer local options for childcare.

I am thankful for the farmers who are teaching me how to garden and can my summer’s harvest.

I care about a person’s character more than what’s in their bank account and on their credit score. I am sorry to those of you who might have felt unwelcome by last week’s editorial, as I did. If you love this town and want to help make it be the best ever, then I am glad you are here.

Janelle Robinson, SUMMERFIELD

Jolly holidays and a happy news year from all of us at PS Communications!

We’ll be back in print Jan. 9 In the meantime, stay connected with us on Facebook! facebook.com/NorthwestObserver

TOWN COUNCIL ...continued from p. 7

the state legislature divide among Summerfield, Oak Ridge and Stokesdale $3.4 million left over from the study of a proposed water system for northwest Guilford County. (See related article on p. 2 of our Dec. 12-18 issue.)

In his opening comments, Mayor Barnes said the council will “begin fresh, together building a town responsive to the needs of our citizens.” He said he won’t tolerate vulgarity, personal attacks and shouting by council members and people in the audience that, he said, would be “an embarrassment to our town.”

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

(See article on p. 23 of our Dec. 12-18 issue for details of these discussions.)

MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORTS, UPDATES Strategic planning session. The council decided to start its annual strategic planning session at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. It will be held in the offices of the Piedmont Triad Regional Council in Kernersville.

COUNCIL COMMENTS Merchants Association. Barnes suggested the council set aside time during its monthly meetings to hear from a representative of the Summerfield Merchants Association.

With no additional comments, the meeting was adjourned at 9:19 p.m.

BUSINESS NEWS

...continued from p. 16

CHRISTMASES PAST ...continued from p. 11

tion of hanging and filling stockings for their family when they gather for Christmas. That includes seven adults and eight grandkids.

As the time approaches to give out the stockings and gifts, PoPo (that’s what the grandkids call Masters) disappears to don his flamboyant Christmas jacket, bright Christmas tie and flashing lighted necklace. When he reappears, he has been magically transformed into “Mr. Christmas.”

“We have a great time,” Masters said. “All the grandkids love it and enjoy helping ‘Mr. Christmas’ pass out the gifts.”

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

Domino’s franchisee Mickey Tingen recently relocated his Oak Ridge store to Oak Ridge Marketplace, where a pick-up window, TV and inside seating for 20 people are offered.

window,” Tingen said in an interview earlier this week. “Before we offered only carryout and delivery.”

The new store contains 1,700 square feet (about 200 square feet more than the old location) with seating for up to 20 people. “It’s a much more retail-friendly experience,” Tingen said.

“Everything is open – you can come in and watch your pizza being made or watch TV while you wait,” he said.

The restaurant occupies the southern end of the strip shopping center, creating the opportunity for the

2020 nu 12th an

al edition

pickup window. It appeals to customers who place orders online and on their phones and get their pizzas without getting out of their cars, Tingen said.

Tingen, a resident of Oak Ridge, operates eight Domino’s in four Triad counties. He opened the Oak Ridge location in 2002 and incorporated the “pizza theater” concept in his new store as part of nationwide efforts by Domino’s to freshen its look, he said.

One year, when she was in the third or fourth grade, she noticed a huge box sitting in the room when they were making cookies.

“I told Grandma I hoped that box was for my present,” Yeager said.

To her surprise, as the family gathered to exchange gifts, there sat that big box with her name on it.

“I picked the box up and it was so light, I thought all I got was an empty box,” she chuckled. “I was happy to discover that wasn’t the case. There was a giant teddy bear tucked away inside.”

Merry Christmas and thanks to our community for allowing us to serve you!

Domino’s operates more than 16,500 restaurants globally that generated 2018 sales of $13.5 billion, according to financial information posted on the company’s website.

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 When Nina Yeager of Greensboro recalls her favorite Christmas, she goes back to when she was a little girl growing up in Ohio.

“Around Christmas, my brother and I would always go to our grandparents,” she said. “The first thing we’d do is go out into the woods with Grandpa to cut down the Christmas tree. Then, we’d come back to the house and make Christmas cookies with Grandma.”

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36 36

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For a one-time clean or bi-weekly, I can fit your schedule. Licensed, bonded and insured. Call Lisa, (336) 207-0770. $25 off! MAIDS OF HONOR HOME CLEANING. Locally owned, bonded staff. 40 years NOW HIRING. Manufacturing positions.

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

ELECTRICAL Call BLACKMON ELECTRICAL, INC. Free est. Comm. & res. Licensed & insured. Call (336) 430-5018.

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIX YOUR MOWER. Free pickup & delivery.

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OLD SCHOOL HOME REPAIR. Please see display ad on page 28.

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.

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

complete lawn maintenance services & bush hogging. Nathan Adkins, (336) 430-6086.

MASONRY SOUTHERN STYLE concrete & landscapes.

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

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, www.masonryconceptsgso.com.

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

STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. FREE EST. Lic/Ins. 40+ yrs experience. All phases of tree work. Lots & natural area thinning and cleanup. Large shrubbery jobs, chipping. Oak Ridge. Please call (336) 643-1119.

(336) 643-6427.

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

Commercial & Residential. (336) 669-5210.

PAINTING & DRYWALL

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

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

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JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, out buildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc. Call (336) 706-8470.

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

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

continued on p. 38

DEC.19, 19,2019 2019- JAN. - JAN.8,8,2020 2020 DEC.

37 37

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 MISC. SERVICES

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

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

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

BOAT and RV STORAGE. $40/month; with 3 month minimum. 701 Brigham Rd. Located near Pleasant Ridge Road and Hwy. 68. (336) 663-3051.

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.

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

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

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

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

BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed.

Lic. & insured. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924.

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

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

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.

38 38

(336) 427-7391 to start your next project.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

TM

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

DEC. DEC.19, 19,2019 2019- -JAN. JAN.8,8,2020 2020

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION ROOFING. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. Financing available as low as $59 per month. Free Estimates. In business since 1979. (336) 362-6343.

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

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

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for just $4 per line Deadline is the Monday prior to each issue  MISC. SERVICES NEW IK MASSAGE STUDIO open in Summerfield serving the Triad. Offering most styles of table massage and bodywork.

Most popular massages include Swedish Massage. New customers promotion $10 off. For appointments call Irma Castaneda at (336) 740-0182 or for more information please visit us online at www.ikmassage. massagetherapy.com.

NEW PILATES STUDIO open in Colfax.

Privates, duets, & classes available. Contact Ruth Edwards at (336) 688-8039, or visit Reignitepilates.weebly.com.

FAT RABBIT REFURBISHING LLC. Give us a call today! We offer in-house repairs for business & residential, delivery and pickup. We can paint, stain and/or repair items from your antique furniture to that dining room table that’s all scratched up from years of use. Call for your free estimate! (336) 816-3641.

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Locally owned & operated

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

 MISC. FOR SALE H & L Grading, FIREWOOD FOR SALE. $250 per dump truck load delivered locally.

(336) 543-7867.

MID-CENTURY modern, medium cherry trestle, double drop-leaf table with four chairs. Very good condition. Great for family starting out or for extra seating. $175, obo. Antique oak sideboard, restored to original with hardware; great house, bar, or workshop piece. $250, obo. For pictures and dimensions, please send an email to jrumbley@triad.rr.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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AKC GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPPIES. Pedigree from the Netherlands, Czechoslovakia, USA and Germany. More info: www.SeaDogPuppies.com or please call (336) 560-6222 (ask about pups).

REAL ESTATE HOME FOR RENT

in Summerfield, Oak Ridge and Stokesdale every week. Plus, it’s available for free online and at local restaurants, grocery stores, post offices and more.

We’ll help you reach northwest Guilford County!

2 BED, 2 BATH, duplex in Oak Ridge. $800/month. For info call (336) 549-0501.

LAND FOR SALE LAND, LAND, LAND. Northern Guilford County and Southern Rockingham County.

All shapes and sizes available. Individuals, builders and developers, we've got what you need. (336) 430-9507 anytime.

HOME FOR SALE WATERFRONT HOME

6805 Fegan Road, Summerfield

Exceptional waterfront custom-built home is delightfully bright w/spectacular views inside & out plus upper and lower decks! Chef’s kitchen adjoins oversized breakfast room, shares 2-sided FP with great room.

Fabulous master BR on main w/tray ceiling overlooks pond. Master BA w/jetted tub; separate shower has dual heads & European hand wands w/pulsating spray.

Private WC includes bidet, double sinks & heat lamps.

Spacious upstairs bedrooms. $639,000

Nicole E. Gillespie, SPS REALTOR®/Broker

RE/MAX Realty Consultants 336.210.3895 cell www.NicoleGillespieRealty.com

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

index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS

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

ACCOUNTING

By the Book Accounting ....................... 2 Kimberly Thacker Accounting............. 28 Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC...... 28

AUTOMOTIVE SALES / SERVICE

EuroHaus ........................................... 36 Piedmont Truck Tire Inc...................... 32 Tire Max ............................................. 12 Vestal Buick / GMC ............................. 15

BUILDERS / REMODELING

Builders MD........................................ 14 Disney Custom Homes ....................... 18 Don Mills Builders ............................... 19 Friddle & Company............................. 27 Johnson & Lee LLC............................. 20 Lansink Custom Homes...................... 22 Naylor Custom Homes ....................... 21 R&K Custom Homes .......................... 23 Ray Bullins Construction ..................... 18 RS Dezern Construction ..................... 22 TM Construction Services ...................38 Walraven Signature Homes ................ 18

FUNERAL SERVICES Forbis & Dick Stokesdale ...................... 2

HEALTH & FITNESS Chris Jessup, Personal Trainer ............. 31

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES BEK Paint Company ........................... 37 Budget Blinds ..................................... 28 Eanes Heating & Air ........................... 25 MaidRight Cleaning............................ 36 New Garden Landscaping & Nursery ... 4 Old School Home Repair .................... 28 ProStone, Inc. ..................................... 16 Rymack Storage ................................. 38 Stokesdale Heating & Air...................... 9

LEGAL SERVICES Barbour & Williams Law .....................34

MEDICAL CARE LeBauer Healthcare ........................... 26

ORTHODONTIC CARE Olmsted Orthodontics ........................30

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Oak Ridge Chiropractic ...................... 35

Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital ................ 28 Northwest Animal Hospital ................... 8 Westergaard Kennels............................ 8

CHURCHES

REAL ESTATE

Guardian Ad Litem ............................. 31

Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church ............ 6 Oak Ridge United Methodist Church .. 29 Pathways Church ................................ 11 World Bible School ............................. 16 Summerfield Fire Department .............. 5

A New Dawn Realty ............................. 2 Berkshire Hathaway Yost & Little ........ 17 Carolyn Cudd, Allen Tate .................... 15 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX .............24, 39 Ramilya Siegel, Keller Williams ............. 3 Smith Marketing – Allen Tate ............. 18

DENTISTRY

RETAIL

COMMUNITY NEWS

DeVaney Dentistry .............................. 33 High Point Pediatric Dentistry ............. 29 Summerfield Family Dentistry ............... 7

NWO is on the GO: The Northwest Observer • Totally since 1996 The Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal since 1996

Cass Jewelers ..................................... 10 Moravia Moravian Dewey’s Store.......... 3 Old Mill of Guilford ............................. 10

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Postal Patron

Oak Ridge, NC Permit No. 22

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

ECRWSS

from all of us at publisher of the Northwest Observer (Back row, L to R) Yvonne Truhon, page layout; Rene Collins, admin assistant; Chris Burritt, staff writer; Meredith Barkley, contributing writer; Laura Reneer, marketing manager; Leon Stokes, IT director; (front row) Patti Stokes, publisher/editor; Lucy Smith, finance manager; Lily Pierce, contributing writer; Kelli Jessup, publisher’s assistant. Not pictured: Annette Joyce, Kristin Kubly and Helen Ledford, contributing writers; Linda Schatz, distribution manager.

We’ll be taking a 2-week break ...but look for us back in print on Jan. 9

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