Northwest Observer / February 6 - February 12, 2020

Feb. 6 - 12, 2020

bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996

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Water and meeting space are town’s ‘big’ priorities Summerfield Town Council decides to explore two initiatives – providing water for fighting fires and creating new town meeting space – during its strategic planning retreat

by CHRIS BURRITT “Let’s build something that is going to last,” Summerfield Mayor BJ Barnes (right) said at the council’s strategic planning retreat Feb. 1, during a discussion about possibly building a new town hall or meeting place. Mayor Pro Tem Tim Sessoms (left) concurred with the decision to evaluate possible sites. | Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

Lovsteories

SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield Town Council plans to evaluate options for supplying water for fire protection and building a new town hall or meeting space as priorities for the next few years.

to warm your heart

With February being “heart” month, we thought it appropriate to share a series of stories of the heart that have withstood the test of time and many challenges along the way. We kick off our series this month with a story about J.C. and Jo Ann Williams, who were teenagers when they married 69 years ago.

by ANNETTE JOYCE When asked how he and his wife, Jo Ann, got together, J.C. Williams jokingly replies, “she ran after me.”

Jo Ann, 85, has a different spin on the story, saying their relationship went to a new level the time her future husband hitchhiked back to Summerfield from his cousin’s wedding at Camp Lejeune to see her.

“Mama gave me money for the bus, but I thought I’d save it to date,” J.C., 87, said as he took over telling the

story. “That day the Korean War broke out and everything was going east. It took more than 11 hours to get back to Summerfield.”

It’s that kind of perseverance that has been a mainstay of the Williamses’ 69-year marriage.

The two Oak Ridge residents started dating when Jo Ann was 15 and J.C. was 17. The couple got to know

...continued on p. 22

The initiatives emerged from a daylong strategic retreat last Saturday, Feb. 1, when council members explored more than a dozen topics ranging from parks and trails to zoning and minimum housing standards. The council took no votes and made no final decisions, but instead decided to pursue projects based upon consensus of its members.

Councilmen John O’Day and Reece Walker agreed to study whether erecting water tanks would be the best way to increase the supply of water for fighting fires.

Town Manager Scott Whitaker

...continued on p. 26

IN THIS ISSUE News in brief................................2 Your Questions ............................4 Email excludes mayor ...............4 Napper for School Board ...........6 Pets & Critters ..............................7 Dog about town ..........................8 Tigers prowl into GSC .................9 Pet Adoptions............................ 10 Thoughts from an old diary...... 12 Bits & Pieces .............................. 14 Calendar Events ....................... 15 Crime/Incident Report ............. 18 Youth Sync................................. 19 Student Profiles .........................20 Grins and Gripes ......................24 Classifieds .................................28 NWO on the Go! .......................32

NEWS in brief

Preview: Feb. 6 Stokesdale Town Council workshop

by PATTI STOKES

first Thursday of each month to allow for more review and discussion of items before they subsequently come up for a vote at a regular council meeting.

STOKESDALE – Stokesdale Town Council will begin holding monthly workshops effective this Thursday, Feb. 6. At the council’s regular meeting last month, the group of elected officials agreed to start holding the workshops the

Although there will not be a designated period for citizen comments, nor will the council be voting on

any items at the workshops, Mayor John Flynt encouraged citizens to attend, saying the less formal meetings may be “more information-friendly.”

For its first workshop this Thursday, the council has a long list of discussion topics that include: • park survey results and grant • Ordinance Review Committee recommendations • lawn and landscaping maintenance for Town Hall/Town Park • General Fund year-to-date spending and spending outlook for remainder of fiscal year.

• attorney access policy • updated water specifications • Task 1 of Hazen & Sawyer hydraulic model study • ordering year-round banners for downtown

• request from Department of Environmental Quality to waive fees for tap and meter connection to connect business dwelling on corner of U.S. 158 and N.C. 68 formerly known as Bill’s Auto Sales due to contamination of well • giving finance officer and budget officer authority to move money in budget line items within a department during the same budget year • revisit possible change in IT vendors • advertising for part-time deputy clerk • trash/recycle service

want to go?

The workshop this Thursday, Feb. 6, will begin at 7 p.m. and be held at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road.

Deadline for park survey: Friday, Feb. 14

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STOKESDALE – The town of Stokesdale mailed out 1,500 park surveys last month and to date has received about 500 responses. By most measurements, a 33 percent response rate is good – but the town would like even more.

Citizens receiving the survey were asked to rank their preferences for new facilities at Town Park, which is located on 25 acres behind Town Hall at 8325 Angel Pardue Road. The results of the survey will guide town leaders over the new few years in deciding which improvements to pursue, hopefully with the help of state and federal grants.

The survey lists 15 possible park features, including an amphitheater, a dog park, basketball courts, a camping area, rock climbing, tennis courts, grilling stations and a splash area.

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Respondents are asked to rank how they feel about the recreational options from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly

agree), and are asked for their opinions about whether the town park should be further developed as an active park, a passive park, a combination of both, or left in its natural state.

How park improvements and added features would be paid for is another question on the survey. Among the options aside from applying for grants are tapping the town’s general fund, charging usage fees and seeking private and corporate donations.

want to respond?

Stokesdale residents are asked to return their park survey no later than Friday, Feb. 14. If you live within the town of Stokesdale limits and did not receive a survey, email deputyclerk@ stokesdale.org and request a copy, stop by Stokesdale Town Hall during business hours, or call Town Hall at (336) 643-4011.

Preview: Feb. 6 Oak Ridge Town Council meeting

by CHRIS BURRITT OAK RIDGE – During its monthly meeting this Thursday, Feb. 6, Oak Ridge Town Council will consider instructing the town’s Parks and Recreation (P&R) Advisory Board to investigate the feasibility of establishing horse trails on the Whitaker property.

Horse enthusiasts have urged council members to incorporate equestrian trails in planning for parks and recreational activities on the 58 acres on Linville Road the town purchased from Frank Whitaker Jr. in 2018. The development of the town’s master parks and recreation plan late last year didn’t envision horse trails, leaving council members reluctant to endorse or oppose the idea without further research.

The council may ask the P&R board for a recommendation by June 30 after the board investigates costs of horse trails and whether they would be compatible with other park uses, such as walking trails and open space, according to a draft of the council’s directive to the P&R board.

The council also wants to understand possible safety risks of horseback riding in the park and how those risks might be limited.

Horse enthusiasts will have the opportunity to express their views during Thursday’s meeting. The council has scheduled a public hearing as part of its consideration of the parks and recreation master plan that will guide spending on new trails, playing fields and other improvements in Town Park and on the Whitaker property over the next decade.

The council will consider hiring consulting firm McGill Associates,

which developed the parks and recreation master plan, for additional work.

At a cost not to exceed $19,350, McGill has proposed to prepare a master plan for the Whitaker property that complies with the requirements of a North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant; with McGill’s help, the town plans to apply for a PARTF matching grant for up to $500,000.

Separately, the council plans to consider hiring engineering firm Freese & Nichols to assist town staff in developing a request for proposals for a contractor to operate a proposed municipal water system. The contractor would assist the town in evaluating whether to proceed with a system that would initially serve new subdivisions only, with 30 or more lots.

The council also plans to discuss options for video recording its monthly meetings.

In other business, the council will receive updates from the town’s finance officer, the sheriff’s office, the fire department and 11 committees and organizations.

As always, residents will have two opportunities to offer comments, one before the monthly financial and community updates and the other immediately following them. Those periods for public comments are in addition to the public hearing for the parks and recreation master plan.

want to go?

Oak Ridge Town Council will meet at 7 p.m. this Thursday, Feb. 6, at Town Hall, 8135 Linville Road.

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Is a roundabout still being considered at the N.C. 150 and 68 intersection in Oak Ridge, and at two other intersections in town? If so, when will these changes be made?

Oak Ridge Town Council voted 4-0 last August to approve a resolution endorsing NCDOT’s plan for new signals and pedestrian crosswalks at Oak Ridge’s main intersection (N.C. 68 and 150) and building roundabouts at the Linville Road and N.C. 68 intersection and the Marketplace Drive and N.C. 150 intersection (between Oak Ridge Marketplace and Oak Ridge Commons shopping center).

The council had delayed its vote on the resolution presented in July at the request of Councilman Nodine, who said he wanted more time to review NCDOT’s analysis that traffic would overwhelm a proposed roundabout at N.C. 68 and 150. Based on that analysis, the agency abandoned the traffic circle proposal for Oak Ridge’s busiest intersection and instead recommended new signals and pedestrian crossings.

Even if congestion at the 68/150 intersection weren’t as severe as NCDOT predicted, “we would still have a very difficult intersection” for motorists traveling on a roundabout, Nodine concluded after reviewing the state’s projections for traffic growth on N.C. 68.

As for when the intersection improvements will get underway, “The project is on track to begin construction by Spring 2022,” Oak Ridge Town Manager Bill Bruce confirmed last week, adding, “The roundabouts at Marketplace/150 and Linville/68 are part of the project.”

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Town manager’s email excluding Dunham sparks debate

by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – An email from Town Manager Scott Whitaker last September briefed town council members about plans by organizers of Revolution Academy to build a public charter school on N.C. 150 adjoining the Henson Farms subdivision.

According to his Sept. 19 email, Whitaker asked council members to keep the information confidential, based upon a request by the property owners that the town not “divulge the potential sale and use prematurely” because plans were still in flux. He also said he didn’t copy then-Mayor Gail Dunham in his email.

trust that she will keep it confidential and her neighborhood is beginning to ask questions about vehicles and activity on the back side of Henson Farms.”

Dunham didn’t reply to a telephone message seeking comment before the press deadline for this issue. Whitaker didn’t reply to email requests for comment earlier this week.

Council member Teresa Pegram said she disagrees with Whitaker’s reasoning that the mayor isn’t a council member. In Summerfield, the mayor is elected separately from council members. The mayor doesn’t vote on issues except in the case of breaking a tie among members.

Whitaker’s email came to light earlier this week, sparking debate about his responsibilities as Summerfield’s manager to balance the need to guard confidential and sensitive information while informing council members and the public about town business.

“Gail was considered part of the council, just like BJ is considered part of the council,” Pegram said in an interview earlier this week, referring to Dunham’s successor, BJ Barnes. “If Scott doesn’t give the mayors information, how can they be prepared?”

His email also reflects the sometimes tense, distrustful relationship between himself and Dunham, who ended her two-year term in December.

She lives in Henson Farms.

“I have intentionally not copied Gail given that she isn’t a council member,” Whitaker wrote in the email. “Ideally, I’d of course let her know, but I do not

Pegram gave a copy of Whitaker’s email to the Northwest Observer.

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edged the “tough, fine line” Whitaker sometimes walks and said, “Overall, I think Scott is doing a good job” in distributing information.

In his email last September, Whitaker explained that he and town planner Chris York had known about the proposed charter school “for some time” because the town’s Planning Department “naturally fields early development- and property-related questions.”

“We respect the confidential nature of such interactions,” said Whitaker, explaining that such information usually becomes public when developers file paperwork with town staff or

NEWS in brief

petition the town’s Zoning Board to consider their project.

“In this case, we don’t have an application or fee yet, but there have been enough hints, inquiries, and nearby activity that I feel like the public will put the pieces together any day now and I want you to hear about it from me directly,” Whitaker told council members.

Plans for Revolution Academy were still preliminary last fall, according to Whitaker. “For something as impactful as a school, several pieces have to come together before it would come to fruition,” he said.

“You might have some strong

...continued from p. 3

Preview: Feb. 11 Summerfield Town Council meeting

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield Town Council wants the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to end state maintenance of a short dead-end road so the town can prevent people from dumping trash illegally.

The council plans to consider adopting a resolution during its meeting next Tuesday, Feb. 11, seeking the state’s abandonment of SR-5074 Remnant Road. Less than a fifth of a mile long, the road was part of Brookbank Road before Brookbank was relocated during construction of the N.C. 150 interchange at Interstate 73.

NCDOT District Engineer Bobby Norris recommended the road be abandoned, requiring a resolution from the council concurring with the recommendation. Once state maintenance ends, town staff can block access to the road to prevent dumping, according to

Town Manager Scott Whitaker.

There are no houses along the stretch recommended for abandonment. The road provides access to property owned by the town, making it useful to no one other than town staff, Whitaker told the council during its strategic planning retreat last Saturday, Feb. 1.

Whitaker also plans to brief the council on the town’s request for proposals from contractors to create a master plan for parks, trails and open space over the next 12 years.

The town will accept proposals until 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7. The council plans to consider hiring a contractor during its Tuesday meeting, assuming the town receives a proposal that meets specifications within the $40,000 earmarked for the plan.

In other business, the council will

...continued on p. 31

thoughts about a school in that location,” the manager told council members, “but there are processes in place to test the feasibility of whether or not a use is suitable for a specific location.

An initial inquiry ‘steps’ through different agency processes to look at use, traffic, environmental, etc.”

ried the development might threaten their water supply and snarl traffic. Bob Jones, president of Henson Farms’ homeowners association, said residents learned about the proposed school in school in a newspaper article (published in the Nov. 14-20, 2019 Northwest Observer).

Plans for the school have been widely known since November when the Northwest Observer published its first of several articles about the project.

The board’s vote was the final decision on the site plan. Building the school on the property doesn’t require a zoning change – and thus the council’s approval – because its residential and agricultural classifications allow for construction of elementary and secondary schools, according to town planner York.

In a 4-1 vote last month, the town’s Zoning Board adopted the site plan for Revolution Academy’s nearly 29-acre campus on N.C. 150 after Henson Farms residents said they were wor-

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Summerfield independent candidate seeks school board seat Deborah Napper must get 1,857 signatures by the March 3 primary to be certified as a candidate in the Nov. 3 general election

by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – If she’s elected to the Guilford County Board of Education, Deborah Napper said she will be a communicator and consensus builder. But first, the registered nurse and mother of a Summerfield Elementary School student must qualify for the ballot in the November election.

Napper, 36, is running as an independent, meaning she’s unaffiliated with any of the five political parties recognized in North Carolina: Consti-

tution, Democratic, Green, Libertarian and Republican. As a result, she isn’t allowed to participate in the March 3 primary and must collect Deborah Napper at least 1,857 Courtesy photo signatures by that date to be certified as a candidate in the Nov. 3 general election, according to Chris Duffey, deputy director of the county’s Board of Elections.

If she is certified, Napper would run against Republican Michelle Bardsley, the only other candidate seeking the District 5 school board seat. The district covers parts of Greensboro and northern Guilford County, including a portion of Summerfield.

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After representing District 5 the last four years (and District 3 before the school board’s district lines were redrawn in 2016), Democrat Darlene Garrett said in December that she wouldn’t seek reelection. In interviews with reporters, she cited her lack of communication with Superintendent Sharon Contreras as the basis for her decision.

An emergency room nurse, Napper said she’s accustomed to communicating with patients, their families, doctors and hospital staff under stressful conditions. She views that as preparation for serving on the school board and dealing with conflicting interests.

“Our job as nurses is to listen to people and be that advocate for everyone,” she said. “Our job is to expedite communication at a level that everyone can understand.”

One of Napper’s two daughters, 9-year-old Sabrina, attends Summerfield Elementary School where Napper and her husband, Will, participate in the PTA and other activities. Her other daughter is Victoria, 3, and her stepdaughter Hannah is 15.

Napper said she’s motivated “to do something outside of Summerfield Elementary. It is a very fortunate school because we have a lot of parental involvement. We have a fantastic PTA that is supportive of the students.

“Not every school has the same resources and level of parental involvement,” she added, explaining she would seek ways to get parents more involved in schools countywide and improve transparency between school officials and parents.

“I want to make sure the schools that (my children) attend and plan to attend are well kept, not just for them but for all of the students in Guilford County,” she said.

When Napper decided last year to run for the school board, she said she didn’t realize that as an unaffiliated candidate she’d be required to gather signatures to qualify for the November election.

She and her husband have been “unaffiliated for as long as I can remember,” she said. “We like to keep our options open. I don’t think the school board should be involved with partisan politics.”

Napper said she’s required to collect signatures representing four percent of registered voters in District 5.

She said she’s gotten about a quarter of the signatures she needs.

She’s soliciting support on Facebook and Twitter and canvassing neighborhoods with the help of her husband and other supporters. Some business owners haven’t allowed her to seek signatures from customers.

“Politics has become so contentious that they just don’t want you there,” she said. “They don’t want their fingers in politics.”

want to add your signature?

Call Deborah Napper at (336) 402-9449, email her at dontsleeponit@yahoo.com or send a message via her Facebook page, “Deborah Napper for GCS District 5.”

February 2020 a monthly feature of the Northwest Observer

Meet Jack Jack!

A cute, funny and loudmouthed Jerusalem donkey, Jack Jack loves apples, his goat friends, protecting his domain in Stokesdale and his family, the Broadstreets.

Nicki (L) and Frankie we re adopted by the Ogden family in March 2019. Nicki, a str ay from Fayetteville, and Frankie, turne d in by his owner due to health issues, have bo nded with one another as well as with the Ogde ns. “Nicki and Frankie have been absolute tre asures for our family,” the Ogdens sai d. “Life is so much richer with pets.”

Sumatran tiger brothers Rocky and Jaggar made their public debut at the Greensboro Science Center on Jan. 30.

Read more about these stripy siblings on p. 9.

Photo courtesy of Greensboro Science Center

Waylon lives in Oak Ridge with his owne rs, Tripp and Tucker Jolly. He is a 2-year-old German shepherd that loves chasing squirrels, playing with the water ho se, and lying on the front porch waiting for packages to be delivered!

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Dog about town A dog once abandoned in a park is now a constant companion for her owner and regular customer at area businesses

by ANNETTE JOYCE As she calmly walks into the bank lobby, Cleo, in her sleek fur coat, stirs up quite a commotion. Tellers scramble to be the one who reaches her first, and the manager comes out of her office with a big smile and a hearty hello.

It’s easy to see this lady is a favored visitor at Fidelity Bank in Stokesdale.

Cleo isn’t your typical banking customer, however.

She’s not making a deposit, nor does she need a loan. In fact, she doesn’t even have any money. Cleo is a dog who visits the bank with her owner, Mark Yonjof, whenever he needs to take care of his banking business. In the process,

“She said she had to get rid of them,” Mark said. “We were looking for a dog and decided to take the puppy home.”

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Cleo strikes a pose while visiting her friends at Fidelity Bank in Stokesdale.

Cleo was then about 6 weeks old, and quickly became enamored with the couple’s other dog, Fergie. The two became inseparable until Fergie passed away about two years ago.

she’s won the hearts of staff and is met with a warm welcome and an abundance of delicious doggie treats.

A mixed breed, Cleo is a little over 7 years old and spends her days with Yonjof, who owns Atlantic Outdoors, a gun and outdoor shop just a few doors down from Fidelity Bank on U.S. 158 in downtown Stokesdale. When Yonjof’s at his business, you’ll find this quiet little girl curled up in one of her beds or interacting with customers.

When Yonjof heads to the post office or the bank, she eagerly trots along with him.

Longer outings include trips to Lowe’s Home Improvement in Mayodan or the barbershop when Yonjof needs a haircut.

Basically, wherever Yonjof goes, Cleo’s usually right beside him.

Without her canine best friend, Cleo couldn’t stand being left behind at home.

“She would stand in the door, stare me down and just wouldn’t let me go,” Yonjof said.

“She doesn’t go far from Mark,” said Shannon Robertson, Fidelity Bank’s manager. “It seems her goal is to hang with him all day.”

Although Cleo is now quite the pampered pup, she got a rocky start before Yonjof and his wife, Mary, literally scooped her up and gave her a home.

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Feeling he had no choice, Yonjof started bringing Cleo with him to his store. Ironically, while she is okay with most things, one thing she doesn’t like is guns.

“She picked a funny master,” Yonjof said, smiling affectionately at his tan-colored canine as she sat surrounded by an array of firearms.

Although Cleo has never been on a leash, she walks obediently by Yonjof’s side without any coaching and stays close, even on their treks to

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Tigers on view at Greensboro Science Center Photo courtesy of Greensboro Science Center

Two-year-old Sumatran tiger brothers Rocky and Jaggar are the newest residents of the Greensboro Science Center.

The arrival of Rocky and Jaggar, 2-year-old Sumatran tiger brothers, is the most recent cause for celebration at the Greensboro Science Center (GSC).

Transferred from Florida’s Jacksonville Zoo, the tigers arrived at GSC on Jan. 10.

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Mark Yonjof’s dog, Cleo, spends her days at Yonjof’s gun and outdoor shop in Stokesdale.

the bank, which take them alongside the busy highway.

Yonjof didn’t train her to do this. In fact, except for a couple of their previous dogs that their daughter trained years ago, none of their dogs have ever received any sort of training.

“We usually have two dogs at a time and the older dog has always

trained the younger one,” Yonjof said.

The couple will probably bring another dog into their home this spring.

With a canine companion to keep her company, Yonjof doesn’t know if Cleo will tag along with him quite as often – but one thing’s for sure: there will be some grief for Yonjof to endure if Cleo doesn’t make her regular appearances around town.

Before moving into the public viewing area, the pair was housed behind the scenes in order to get to know their keepers and adjust to their new surroundings.

During that time, they were also able to explore their exhibit space for short periods of time under close supervision of GSC staff. Last week, animal care staff determined the two

were ready to meet the public.

“It has been so much fun to work with the tiger brothers over the last couple of weeks,” said Carolyn Mikulskis, GSC’s lead keeper for tigers.

“Getting to know their personalities has been amazing and I am so excited for all of our guests to get to see them!

They are full of energy and are going to be an amazing addition.

“With the boys only being 2 years old, we are going to get to watch them grow and mature here at GSC. They are only about 180 pounds right now and could grow up to 310 pounds,” she added.

With the extensive renovations

...continued on p. 21

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“I found an injured wild bird – who should I call?” (page 61)

Pet Adoptions Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network “We are new to the area and want to take our kids to the zoo!” (page 52)

“Where is the animal shelter?” (page 60)

“I’m looking for animal books – where’s the nearest public library?” (page 54)

“Can I take my dog with me to Oak Ridge Town Park?”

TITAN Titan, a 19-year-old paint gelding, has been in our program for a few months and is the sweetest, most well-behaved horse. He is only pasture-sound, so he cannot be ridden, but would be the perfect companion. Titan stands great for the farrier, loves apples and enjoys rolling in the mud! To learn more or apply to adopt Titan, please visit www.reddogfarm.com.

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Find the answer to these questions and more in the northwest FINDER. It’s jam-packed with valuable information for northwest Guilford County residents.

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ALYN Some things get better with age, and Alyn the cat is one of them.

At 12 years old, this handsome cat is just hitting his stride. Alyn’s hobbies include bird watching and adding exotic species to his life list, as well as watching National Geographic nature films. Alyn has been neutered, so he’s ready to go home with you today! Please ask for Alyn by ID#A019537.

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Wilma, a 12-week-old domestic short-haired cat, came to us from the animal shelter after being picked up as a stray. Her foster mom is working on getting her more comfortable around other animals and with being handled. Wilma likes attention, plays with the other cats in her foster home, is getting used to the dog, and is starting to sleep on her foster’s lap. She will be available for adoption in a few weeks, after she has been spayed. To learn more or apply to adopt Wilma, please visit www.reddogfarm.com.

For more info or to apply to adopt Wilma, Titan or other animals in need of loving homes, visit www.reddogfarm.com

(page 39)

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WILMA

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“What’s up, Doc?” If you’ve always wanted an excuse to coin that phrase, here’s your chance! Doc is is a neutered male, black and white pit bull terrier, about 9 years old. Like any 9-year-old, he enjoys binge-watching “Bugs Bunny” cartoons on Netflix and playing video games. Please visit the shelter and ask for Doc by ID#A019326.

Guilford County Animal Shelter

4525 W. Wendover Ave., Greensboro • Mon-Sat 12-6pm (closed Tues), Sun 1-5pm To check animals’ availability, call (336) 641-3400 or visit

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Thoughts from a must�, decades-old diar�

by HELEN LEDFORD

Unearthed from its longtime resting place, one of my oldest possessions is a worn, black volume with dry, cracked covers. A gift from a favorite sister for Christmas 1948, it is partially a family history, but mostly juvenile ramblings. I was an almost 13-yearold caught between childhood and facing the brand-new world of being a teen. Most of my early inscriptions, written with a No. 2 yellow pencil, are now smudged and no longer legible (which may be providential).

As I revisit those long-forgotten journal entries, many of them are extremely laughable but also strangely sobering…

It is duly noted that on Jan. 1, 1949, the first day of my entries, my sister Ethel fell down the stairs of our farm house. She was a little bruised, somewhat shaken, but okay. And so, I discreetly drew an unbecoming cartoon of the event, depicting her airborne, upside-down legs and arms askew and quite un-ladylike. For some reason I felt a great need to take it to school and present it to her then boyfriend, George.

The next day’s entry simply stated, “My sister threatened to kill me.”

Harry S. Truman’s second inauguration as 33rd president of the United States was big news on Jan. 20 of that special year.

Carolyn Bason, a pretty young debutante (the local banker’s daughter), rode in the historic inaugural parade. Since there was no television at that time, I proudly wrote that “Our whole class listened to the big event on a portable radio!”

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And an important entry was that my sister was going to cut my hair.

Up until then, my crowning glory was so long that I could actually sit on my pigtails. At the sight of the chopped-off swatches of brown softness, I was a little sad. But then one day I was able to tell my diary, “Whee! I’m getting a Toni home permanent!”

Interestingly enough, the aforementioned, much celebrated young lady would later go on to marry the son of colorful Gov. Huey Long of Louisiana, and served in our nation’s capital as a busy politician’s wife (Sen. Russell Long) for 35 years. It is still remembered that Carolyn put our sleepy little town “on the map!”

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After that auspicious occasion occurred, I thought I was really grown up and strutted my curls around, with hair bow attached, or even a rose picked from my mama’s flower garden. I coveted my friends’ approval, and certainly, the attention of boys!

scrawled, “wash day again!” Usually that mundane task was executed three times a week, for with our large family, dirty clothing accumulated at a rapid pace.

With that memory, I drew a cartoon of the ancient, battered, barreltype and vibrating appliance, in use with muffler attached. (As I recall, all of our neighbors knew when Mama was washing our laundry, for the racket from that loud motor was noisy enough to wake the dead!).

Being on the verge of puberty, I was like other awakening young girls, caught up in imagined romance, fashion, hair styles, movie stars, etc. Therefore, many of my writings included what I wore to school. Almost daily,

Young males’ names, and especially one in particular, appeared almost daily on my sacred pages, for I was caught up in the throes of childish dalliances and my first real love! “Puppy love,” as it was called by adults, was real and painful to blossoming teenagers – both male and female.

My first heartthrob was blonde, freckle-faced and tall. He gave me a school photo, and I slept with it under my pillow for a couple of years. When he was absent from school, it provoked great sadness and a real pain in my heart.

If I saw one of my “boyfriends” away from school and he smiled or waved, I drooled into my diary while writing silly, juvenile phrases known only to myself.

We acquired our first car in 1949,

a fact that altered the content of the little black book filled with my daily personal info. In those years that followed the end of WWll, many folks were buying vehicles and enjoying not having to “catch” rides or rely on the Trailways bus service! Trips to visit relatives in other towns became more frequent, and riding rather than walking to town was a blessing.

Folks reading this may be very surprised to know that during the late ‘40s one could buy a home for less than $8,000, a new car for $1,500, and a gallon of gasoline for 17 cents!

However, the minimum wage was only 70 cents per hour.

Our family’s lives centered around work, church and school, and usually those “doings” found their way into my secret record of “heart-thoughts.”

Now they are random pencil smudges, readable only with a strong magnifying glass.

One half-forgotten entry in my memoir is of four very handsome

young male singers who visited our school while traveling the world sharing their wonderful talents. This little farm girl was so impressed with their romantic lifestyle and musical abilities that I confided in my diary I would like to run away from home and join them in their travel jaunts.

In another entry, I wrote about visiting a church (not my own) with some of my girlfriends, just to run into cute boys from school. It was a time when “sunback” dresses were popular – a bare-shouldered design often worn with a small jacket. Mama admonished me to keep my jacket on, but when a friend took hers off, so did I. We thought we were cool, but if my mother had known, she would have had a cow! Such innocent times, compared to today!

A number of pages are purposely torn from the keeper of my heartthoughts so long ago – probably a good thing, as they most likely would have been incriminating.

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Tyrey sworn in as district court judge

Photo courtesy of Kelly Tyrey

Guilford County District Court Judge Marc Tyrey stands with his daughter, Campbell (far left), wife, Kelly, and son, Gray, after taking the oath of office Jan. 17 at an official public ceremony at High Point Courthouse. Tyrey was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper last December to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Chief District Court Judge Tom Jarrell last fall.

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Stokesdale resident Marc Tyrey was sworn in Dec. 27 as district court judge for the 18th Judicial District, which serves Guilford County. An official public ceremony was held Jan. 17 at the High Point Courthouse. Tyrey fills the vacancy created by the passing of Chief District Court Judge Tom Jarrell last fall.

In a letter Tyrey submitted to be considered as a candidate for district court judge, he wrote, “I have learned that the most effective judges exhibit a calm, thoughtful, patient and respectful temperament, and I believe that my interactions within and outside the courthouse are indicative of those characteristics.”

When announcing Tyrey’s appointment in December, Gov. Roy Cooper said, “Marc has been an integral part of the Guilford County legal community for more than 20 years, and I ap-

preciate his commitment to continue serving.”

Tyrey received his law degree from Campbell University in 1997 and briefly practiced law in a small firm in Wilson, North Carolina, before returning to Guilford County the following year to serve as an assistant district attorney. He took up private law practice again in 2001 and in 2010 started Tyrey Law, which he owned and managed until his district court judge appointment in December.

Besides being involved with his law practice, Tyrey taught a business law course at Guilford College for 10 years.

He is an active member of the High Point and Greensboro Bar Associations and volunteers as a youth sports coach and with Habitat for Humanity.

Tyrey lives in Stokesdale with his wife, Kelly, daughter, Campbell, and son, Gray.

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THURSDAY, FEB. 6

 Town Council | Oak Ridge Town Council will hold

its regular monthly council meeting Feb. 6, starting at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. There will be two designated periods for citizen comments during the meeting. More info and an agenda can be found at oakridgenc.com.  Town Council | Stokesdale Town Council will

hold a monthly workshop Feb. 6, beginning 7 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road.

No votes will be taken at this meeting; the public is invited to attend, although there will not be a

MONDAY, FEB. 10  Blood Drive | Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, 2424 Oak Ridge Road, will host a blood drive Feb. 10, 2 to 6:30 p.m. All blood types are needed. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. More info: Bob Yarbrough at (336) 643-8348 or bobyarb@gmail.com. Make an appointment at www.oakridgeumc.org/events.

TUESDAY, FEB. 11, & THURSDAY, FEB. 13  Senior Program | Senior Resources of Guilford

County will host a monthly program and lunch for senior citizens (age 60 plus) Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stokesdale United Methodist Church, 8305 Loyola Drive, and Feb. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Shady Grove Wesleyan Church, 119 N. Bunker

On the

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THURSDAY, FEB. 13  Merchants Association | Merchants of Oak

Ridge invites business professionals focused on doing business in Oak Ridge to join them for networking and a business meeting Feb. 13, 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. Learn more at merchantsofoakridge.com.  Town Council | Stokesdale Town Council will hold its next meeting Feb. 13, starting at 7 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. There will be a designated period for citizen comments during the meeting. More info: (336) 643-4011 or stokesdale@stokesdale.org.

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, CPA, PC

Individual & Corporate Tax Returns Specializing in Payroll & Accounting for Small Businesses 7805 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale clyttoncpa@bellsouth.net

Hill Road in Colfax. This month’s program is “Fun & Games with Connie,” which will feature bingo, trivia and other games. RSVP by calling Marsha McDaniel at (336) 373-4816, ext. 265. (You do not have to be a church member to attend this program).

phone: (336) 644-7033 fax: (336) 644-7038

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Dr. MacDonald joined Forsyth Pediatrics’ Kernersville office in 2003 and helped open the Oak Ridge practice in 2006. Dr. Kearns, who grew up in northwest Guilford County and graduated from Northwest High School, joined the practice in 2012.

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Michaels, who has worked as a physician assistant for 11 years, has degrees from both UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University.

Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MondayFriday, Forsyth Pediatrics in Oak Ridge provides a full range of services including sick and well care, sports physicals, laboratory services and immunizations.

An early-morning walk-in clinic is available for established patients and the practice also offers same-day appointments and phone consultations.

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Sheriff’s Citizen Academy Weekly classes will be held Thursdays, Feb. 27-April 16, and combined with four Saturday labs

Guilford County Sheriff’s Office will offer its annual two-month Citizen Academy on Thursday evenings beginning Feb. 27, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the sheriff’s office, 400 W. Washington St. in downtown Greensboro. Four Saturday labs will also be held, with dates and locations to be announced.

The classes will give citizens an opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the internal operations of the county sheriff’s office. Topics include gun violence, gang awareness, crisis intervention training, a K-9 class demonstration, patrol car review and more.

To learn more and/or obtain an application, contact Master Corporal J. Page, (336) 641-3378 or jpage0@guilfordcountync.gov, or visit the Guilford County sheriff’s website and click on “Citizen’s Academy” under Quick Links on the lower right side of the page.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

CRIME / INCIDENT report

District 1 Sheriff’s Office

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

ALCOHOL Jan. 28 | A 48-year-old male known offender was cited in the 9000 block of U.S. 158/Branson Road in Stokesdale for driving with an open container of alcohol.

ASSAULT Feb. 2 | A 46-year-old female in the 1600 block of N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge reported she was in a physical argument with a male of unknown age; no injuries were sustained.

THEFT Jan. 28 | A manager of Food Lion in Summerfield reported an unknown suspect was recorded on video footage at about 12:20 p.m. stealing three Rug Doctor carpet cleaning products.

Jan. 28 | An employee of Lowes Foods in Oak Ridge reported that around 3 p.m. an unknown suspect stole three bottles of baby formula with a combined value of $96 by concealing them in his coat.

Jan. 29 | An employee of DWS Steel Structures in Stokesdale reported that sometime during the night between Jan. 28 and Jan. 29, an unknown suspect stole a red equipment trailer with a red/black Lincoln welder on it; the two pieces of equipment have a combined value of about $2,100.

Jan. 29 | A resident of the 7100 block of Summerfield Road reported an unknown suspect entered her unlocked vehicle sometime between Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 30 at 7 a.m. and stole a black Dell laptop, a multicolored Dell backpack and $13 cash, with a combined value of $613.

Feb. 1 | An incident occurred at Outof-Doors Mart in Colfax in which an unknown suspect stole a weedeater from the store, along with a pillow and blanket; a gray Rockwood camper and a gray Forest River camper that were parked at the business were also vandalized.

Feb. 2 | The owner of Garden Outlet in Summerfield reported an unknown suspect pried open the door of a shed sometime between Feb. 1 at 5:30 p.m. and Feb. 2 at 8 a.m. and stole $1,596 worth of items including an orange/ white Stihl Kombi powerhead, an orange/white Stihl pruner attachment, an orange/white hedge attachment, 2-cycle HP oil, an orange/white Stihl chainsaw, an orange/white Stihl blower and orange/white Stihl shears.

Feb. 2 | A resident of the 8300 block of Creeks Edge Court in Oak Ridge (off N.C. 68 N) reported an unknown suspect entered his unlocked garage around 1:40 a.m. and stole $420 worth of items including a red Skil sander, a Stanley ratchet set, an orange Black & Decker jigsaw, an orange Black & Decker power drill, drill bits, a Porter air compressor, a blue/black hatchet and black/red Sidi motorcycle boots.

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Welcome to

A weekly section in the Northwest Observer focused on our local youth and the adults who positively impact them.

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Northern Guilford has ‘awesome night’ in wrestling For the first time in school’s 13-year history, wrestling team advances to third round of state championships

by MEREDITH BARKLEY After defeating Cleveland High and Union Pines in the first and second round of the state championships this past week, Northern Guilford advanced to the third round Tuesday night. The Nighthawks are now set to match up against Chapel Hill on Thursday.

“This is the first time in our high school history that our Nighthawk wrestling team has advanced to the third round,” Coach Justin Harty said of the 3A NCHSAA State Dual Team Championships. He called it an “awesome night” for Northern wrestling.

The Nighthawks (46-3) won 75-6 over Cleveland High (8-2) in the first round, then took down Union Pines (27-5) 46-19 in the second. Chapel Hill is 22-5 on the season.

Leading up to the state tournament, Northern won the Mid State 3A regular season and last weekend’s conference tournament, scoring 235.5 points. That bested tournament

second place finisher Person (168) by more than 60 points.

“We had a really amazing conference tournament,” Harty said. Six wrestlers were conference champs, three were runners-up and five placed third. Ten were named to the All Conference team.

“We placed everybody in the top three, which is a pretty amazing feat,” Harty said.

Senior Heath Gonyer, undefeated at 138 pounds, was voted conference lower weight wrestler of the year. Harty was voted conference coach of the year and the team won the conference sportsmanship award.

In addition to Gonyer’s impressive record (51-0 through last weekend), conference champs were Cohen Beane (44-5), a freshman wrestling at 113 pounds; Garrett Benfield (42-5), a freshman wrestling at 126 pounds; Max Benfield (45-5), a senior at 132 pounds; Cameron Kluttz (41-8), a senior at 182 pounds and Jacob Barlow (50-1), a senior at 220 pounds.

Runners-up were Kory Paschal (47-5), a junior at 106 pounds;

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...continued on p. 22

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FEB. 6 - 12, 2020

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

NORTHWEST GUILFORD Nathan Vescio, Northwest Horizons webmaster Nathan Vescio’s path to Northwest Guilford’s studentproduced newspaper began with freshman English teacher Monica Clark.

“She thought it would be good for me,” said the senior

and co-editor in chief of Northwest Horizons. “She was right – it was.”

Vescio, a self-described introvert, said he and his family moved to the northwest Guilford area from Green Bay, Wisconsin, just before his freshman year.

“I didn’t know anybody and I didn’t have any friends, so it was kind of hard for me,” he recalled.

Clark thought joining the school newspaper staff would be a good way for Vescio to meet people, and it would require him to interact with them when

Besides that, he said: “I’ve always kinds of enjoyed writing and I thought this would be a good chance to learn a different type of writing.”

As the school newspaper’s webmaster, Vescio oversees northwesthorizons.com. One of his goals is to use the online platform to tell often overlooked stories.

“When I was in middle school and growing up, the same group of people got their stories told,” Vescio said. “But other people do really cool and interesting things and they never get their stories told.”

While he does some writing, these days Vescio spends much of his time editing copy for the newspaper’s online version and mentoring younger staffers as they learn about news writing.

“What I really enjoy is coaching some of the other people on the staff,” he said. “When they get to experiment with the format, they become really strong writers. I love watching that happen.”

Besides working on the newspaper staff, Vescio participates in the school’s chess club and in orchestra. Chess, he said, is a good mental challenge, and playing violin in the orchestra is a “kind of relaxing thing to do.”

Away from school, he’s part of the Walker Street Fiddlers, a local band that plays Irish and traditional music.

While Vescio has enjoyed his school newspaper experience and may write for a college newspaper, he doubts journalism will be his career. He hasn’t decided what he’ll study in college, but is drawn to the sciences.

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NORTHERN GUILFORD Roxy Mulrooney, orchestra Roxy Mulrooney first picked up the cello as a sixth-grader and fell in love.

“I just thought it had the coolest sound,” said Mulrooney, a junior, of her earliest experience with the instrument.

She is now first chair in the cello section of Northern Guilford’s intermediate orchestra. Directed by Sandra Rathbone, the orchestra is practicing for its spring concert, which will feature music from animated movies like Disney’s “Brave” and “Zootopia,” Mulrooney said.

“She gives us a good mix of different movies,” she said of Rathbone. “I love the music we play, because once you practice it and fix all the mistakes, it just makes something beautiful.”

“Roxy is an amazing cellist and student,” Rathbone said. “Her enthusiasm, dedication and motivation is such a driving force in the intermediate orchestra class. She is my wonderful helper and I am glad to have her in orchestra.”

When she’s not in class or rehearsing, you might find Mulrooney at Tumblebees practicing with her competitive rock climbing team or playing her ukulele with the Northern’s ukulele club.

Of rock climbing, she said: “It’s one sport I’ve found I’m really good at and I like to improve. It combines both a physical and a mental challenge.”

Her rock climbing team competes around the state. Her favorite kind of climbing: bouldering.

“It’s harder to climb, but it’s closer to the ground so you don’t need a rope,” Mulrooney said.

Of playing the ukulele, she said she got the instrument from her grandmother and has been focused on improving at playing it.

She also enjoys running, and in the fall she competes on the school’s cross country team.

“I’ve done it since freshman year,” Mulrooney said. “I just love the people you get to meet at cross country. I’m not the best at running, but I still like it.”

Besides orchestra, Mulrooney’s favorite class at Northern is history.

“I just love seeing how the past happened and how people interacted,” leading up to the present, she said.

Her college plans aren’t set yet, but she thinks she’ll probably attend a school somewhere in the North Carolina mountains and study science or history.

TIGERS AT NSC ...continued from p. 9 of both the tiger holding facility and exhibit space, the brothers’ new home has been through a lot of change over the past two years.

The original holding facility was completely rebuilt to support a breeding pair of tigers, which allows GSC to actively participate in the Sumatran tiger Species Survival Plan (SSP) in the future.

The new building features four individual rooms that can be combined as needed to form larger rooms. This allows for a future denning space as

well as a separate area for mom and cubs if a breeding recommendation is received from the SSP. In addition, the exhibit space has taken on a fresh, new look. Waterfalls, bridges, rocks, scratching posts, climbing structures, shade structures and a cave have recently been added.

Animal care staff hope that, along with providing guests with a more aesthetically pleasing view, these changes will more importantly provide the animals with plenty of mental and physical stimulation.

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FEB. 6 - 12, 2020

21

WRESTLING

at 195 pounds, and Noah Lampkin (25-8), a freshman at 285 pounds.

All conference champs and runners-up were named to All Conference and third place finisher Kreuger was also named All Conference after receiving one of four at-large bids as voted by conference coaches.

“We’ve not been beaten by anyone in 3A,” Harty said as his team heads deeper into the playoffs. “We’re taking it one match at a time.”

...continued from p. 19 Zac White (26-4), a senior at 145 pounds, and Owen Elwomger (44-5), a senior at 170 pounds. Third place finishers were James Poole (30-24), a freshman at 120 pounds; Tyler Kreuger (18-8), a sophomore at 152 pounds; Chase Crews (27-20), a freshman at 160 pounds; Conner Lachesky (15-6), a sophomore

Wrestling: NORTHWEST Guilford

by MEREDITH BARKLEY

The All Conference team has yet to be announced, but two Northwest wrestlers were undefeated during the season and five won 40 or more matches.

Conference-winning Northwest Guilford wrestlers made it to the second round of the 4A state championships Tuesday before bowing out at home to West Forsyth.

“It’s a pretty tough tournament,” Coach Ron Bare said. “You’ve got the best teams in the state.”

The defending 4A state champion Vikings, hosting the first two rounds, edged Mallard Creek (21-8) 32-31 before losing to West Forsyth (16-5) 32-22.

Northwest finished the season as Metro 4A Conference champs with an undefeated 4-0 record, 35-2 overall. While there’s no end-of-season conference tournament, the Vikings participated in the Guilford County individual’s tournament last weekend, placing second to Southeast Guilford.

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“We had a good season,” Bare said. “We wrestled well. We had some young kids who came along and helped us out and older kids who did well. So, no complaints.”

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Student P rofiles

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Undefeated Vikings were James Joplin (46-0 through last weekend), a junior wrestling at 126 pounds, and Riley Edwards (47-0), a junior at 132 pounds. Others winning at least 40 matches were Will Gibson (41-7), a freshman at 106 pounds; Lake Price (40-5), a senior at 138 pounds, and Marcus Harnarain (45-8), a junior at 285 pounds.

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SEPT. 26

- OCT. 2,

2019

The No

olmsted orthodon tics.com

each other through J.C.’s sister, who was good friends with Jo Ann. “I thought he was pretty handsome with his thick head of black hair,” she said, smiling.

In September 1950, J.C. gave then 16-year-old Jo Ann a diamond ring and asked her to marry him.

Three days before Christmas, the couple, without their parents’ knowledge, slipped away to Cheraw, South Carolina, and tied the knot.

When they got back, they had to deal with their parents.

“His parents didn’t like it at all,” Jo Ann recalled.

Photo courtesy of J.C. and Jo Ann Williams

J.C. Williams proposed to his wife, Jo Ann, when she was 16; the couple eloped three months after that, and Jo Ann completed high school a year and a half later as a married woman.

Although J.C. had a job with Sears, his parents wanted him to finish college. A junior at Summerfield High School, Jo Ann still had a year and a half left before graduation. J.C. still laughs about having to sign her report cards.

Even so, the newlyweds had a plan. They had found a small apartment they could afford and were preparing to move in. Unfortunately,

two weeks after their elopement they were involved in a car accident in which J.C.’s back was broken, and he was unable to work for the next few months.

With the apartment no longer an option, they settled in with Jo Ann’s parents. In March of that year, J.C. was able to return to work and the couple moved into Jo Ann’s grandpar-

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...continued from p. 1

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LOVE STORY

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church, participating in Silver Sneakers and volunteering in the gift shop at Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center.

As far as the really bad times go, they’ve endured the loss of their son, Mark, who died in 2006 at the age of 52, were scammed out of their life savings and have and still are dealing with some major health issues.

Through it all, their marriage has remained solid.

When asked what makes a successful marriage, they both answer in unison: “commitment.” They’re talking about commitment to both one another and to God.

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Oak Ridge residents J.C. and Jo Ann Williams have been married for over 69 years.

The couple says “commitment” is what enables a marriage to endure the test of time.

ents’ home. They paid $5 a month for rent and lived in the two front rooms of the big house.

Times were financially tough back then and Jo Ann recalls J.C. having to ask her dad for 17 cents to buy a loaf of bread. But although they didn’t have a lot, they were content with what they had.

Both admit they didn’t know much about being married, so they learned as they went. Jo Ann said she was naïve when it came to homemaking skills and admits she probably wasn’t the best cook.

lasting, happy marriage: “Remember that the honeymoon won’t last forever, and be committed to the vows you took. You’re making the decision to stay together, no matter what happens.”

have a love story to share?

If you know of someone in the community (including yourself) who has an extraordinary love story, please email editor@nwobserver.com and tell us more so we can consider sharing it in this series.

J.C. says they have dealt with many things that would send a lot of people to divorce court, but that was never a consideration for these two high school sweethearts.

He offers this advice for a long-

On their first anniversary, the couple moved into their own home after family and friends provided the manual labor needed to complete their two-bedroom, one-bath ranch house. When they went to get a mortgage, they discovered they weren’t old enough to have it in their names and had to wait until Jo Ann turned 21.

When asked about the most difficult thing about marrying so young, Jo Ann said “in the beginning, there wasn’t anything hard about it.” The couple just did what they had to do and moved on.

She described a dinner she prepared for her new husband early in their marriage.

In the nearly 70 years of their marriage, they’ve done a lot of moving on as life has brought both good times and bad.

“J.C. liked liver, so I bought him some,” she recalled. “I put it in the pan, and it kept getting bigger and bigger. I didn’t know you were supposed to pound it. I stuck a fork in it and blood shot out all over the place.

That was the last time I cooked liver.”

The fruits of their long marriage include two children, five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

They eventually built a larger home and have had some wonderful vacations. These days, their lives are filled with family, serving with their

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FEB. 6 - 12, 2020

23

ery

GRINS and GRIPES

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community?

Share your thoughts in

40

words or less

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

 IN RESPONSE

Oak Ridge resident Rita Lewandowski is leading efforts to have the town of Oak Ridge consider incorporating a horse trail into its master plan for park property. After a gripe about the trail

was published last week, in which the griper criticized Lewandowski and other trail supporters for their efforts to allow a horse trail on park property, she asked to respond.

“We are currently raising funds to

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pay for the trail,” Lewandowski wrote in an email to the Northwest Observer. “Our initial goal was $20,000 and we have raised more than half that in the last three months. Our goal will, of course, change once we have contractors’ more definite figures about the cost of the project, but we have not and do not plan to ask the town to funnel any money into the horse trail or arena that we are campaigning for. Our goal is to lessen the impact on our fellow taxpayers. We also have a volunteer crew willing to build the actual trail at no cost, and help maintain it once built.”

Those with questions or concerns about the horse trail are invited to contact Lewandowski directly at rmel9287@gmail.com.

GRINS to...  The 40-year engineer from Henson Farms for attempting to provide valuable information to the Summerfield Planning and Zoning Board. We appreciate your efforts.  Dr. Dudak and her staff at Veterinary Hospital of Oak Ridge – especially Holly and Beth – for their kindness, compassion and guidance through a heartbreaking decision to put down our dog. We are so grateful for you.  Eric Bedal with Vulcan Materials Company for giving Congressman Mark Walker a tour of the quarry this past Veterans Day, Nov. 11. (And sorry for the belated grin!)  The house with all the beautiful Christmas balls off I-73 South near mile marker 115. I sure appreciated seeing them at 4:45 a.m. on my way to work.  Dillon’s Tree Service. Fair pricing, friendly, prompt and excellent job.

They cleaned everything so well when leaving you would never know they were there!

 Edgefield Plant & Stone. Over the winter break they were closed on a nice day, but we didn’t know. They still sold us the rocks we needed “because it was a perfect day for yardwork.”

Thank you!  The friendly and helpful workers at the Old Mill. It is nice to always see a smiling face when I enter the historic mill, and I appreciate your hard work and dedication.  The folks involved in getting the mural on the building in downtown Stokesdale. I know it’s been up for a while, but I enjoy seeing it and it adds something special to the downtown area.  Odyssey Dental staff on Summerfield Road. Very professional, warm and kind, with state-of-the-art equipment.  Rockingham County commissioners for approving a Dollar General on busy, growing U.S. 158. The very small, angry group against it did not speak for most of us who recognize the area’s growth and the need for timesaving convenience.  Oak Ridge Swim Club. Thank you for removing the old oil/fat container from the parking lot so soon after I brought it to your attention so that people walking past the property don’t continue to overflow it with trash.  The people picking up trash on Northwest School Road on Feb. 1!

Wish it could also be done on Bunch, Alcorn and Old Oak Ridge roads.  Kristin at Olmsted Orthodontics for always having a smile on her face and being so friendly to each patient she interacts with. They are blessed to have her.

GRIPES to...  Those wanting a horse trail in Oak Ridge Town Park. How many horse owners are in Oak Ridge? Why not do something to benefit most, or all, Oak Ridge citizens, not just a

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community?

Share your thoughts in

words or less

email: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com online: nwobserver.com Grins & Gripes are published based on available space and editor’s discretion. select few or out-of-towners?  Councilmen Doug Nodine and Jim Kinneman for objecting to accepting state money to fund surveillance cameras in our park. The audacity of you to consider turning down state funding for a project that Oak Ridge residents absolutely want and need!  The person griping about labs running free on Lemons Road. There are numerous dogs running free there sometimes – that’s part of living in the country. The only thing those labs will do to your kids is lick them to death.  Happy Tails for selling a puppy with a potentially fatal medical condition that we found out about just two days after purchase, and then not even taking responsibility for it after repeated phone calls. We are furious and heartbroken.

Editor’s note: We are in the process of doing our journalistic duty by researching these and other claims we’ve received regarding Happy Tails, and could use your help – if you have had either a very positive or a very negative

experience with Happy Tails, please email editor@nwobserver.com.  Whoever decided to install a caution turn arrow to oncoming traffic at the N.C. 150 and Lake Brandt Road intersection, for the Lake Brandt Road traffic. Drivers turning left cannot see approaching traffic coming uphill both ways, causing accidents or near accidents.  Oak Ridge Town Council members who think we should spend $200,000 to repair an old house because you like old houses. That’s ridiculous, and $200,000 is more than my house cost.

Give us a tax cut instead!  Second Amendment advocates who would rather put guns in the hands of the mentally ill versus modifying the current laws. It doesn’t mean we want to take your guns – I own guns, but not a 30+ round clip.  People criticizing those wanting a horse trail in Oak Ridge, especially when they’re willing to raise money and volunteer time to make it happen. Isn’t

it at least worth considering if they’re willing to contribute money and effort?  Stokesdale Town Council for allowing another used car lot. Please change the water tower sign to “Welcome to Stokesdale – Used Car Lot Capital of North Carolina.”

Editor’s note: Based on the town of Stokesdale’s current ordinances, a new and/or used car sale business is one of many types of business permitted in certain locations within the town limits, including within the town’s commercial district – and the market is apparently a healthy one for car sale businesses. If you’re interested in the town prohibiting any type of business that is currently allowed, we suggest you contact the town council and Planning Board and ask them to consider changing the town’s ordinance. Or, perhaps they could add more requirements to enhance the exterior aesthetics for all businesses that locate in the town’s commercial

Outside the The following reader-submitted GRIPE expresses an opinion about a national political topic, and has been separated as a courtesy to those who are disturbed by encountering others’ opinions on national topics in a local newspaper.

district. Regardless, there is a process that must be followed and again, it must be done through ordinance amendments rather than the council picking out a single business and voting to prohibit it.  The griper in NWO’s Jan. 16 issue (regarding robbery at McDonald’s).

Give up your MBA, $100K+ per year salary, and check weapons at the door of the local McD’s for minimum wage, since you’re obviously better at this. Or, just go eat elsewhere!  Area custom builders who won’t build more houses in the $300k-$400k price point within the Northern and Northwest school districts. Not everyone can afford a half-million-dollar home.  Town of Stokesdale. I’m all about feeding the birds, but using plastic milk jugs and soda bottles as bird feeders in front of Town Hall isn’t very classy. I bet they would eat at the back of the park, too!

…  Donald Trump and Fox Network for hijacking the most iconic, unifying sporting event for Americans (Super Bowl) by airing the Hannity interview during pre-game, where Trump insulted and lied about other politicians.

Honesty and integrity should matter.

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25

COUNCIL RETREAT

legislature to reallocate $3.4 million left over from a feasibility study for a possible regional water system in northwest Guilford County. Each of the three towns is seeking roughly $1.1 million for their own water projects.

Those funds “would give us a start” in erecting water tanks, council member Lynne Williams DeVaney said during the retreat. If the town decides to put up tanks, O’Day and Walker said they’d draw water from Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO wells, not through water Summerfield Town Councilman Reece Walker (right) said erecting water tanks around town would lines. give firefighters quicker access to water during fires. Council members Lynne Williams DeVaney (far The prospect of left) and John O’Day (center) agreed the council should evaluate possible water tank sites. supplying water for fire on whether the town may want to Summerfield Fire District, which states protection emerged as an issue during erect water tanks in six areas, such as that taxes collected by Guilford County the Nov. 5 election. The five-member the Henson Forest subdivision and the pay for fire protection services and fire Voices for Summerfield slate of candicommercial intersection of N.C. 150 district personnel in the town. dates said extending water lines would and Lake Brandt Road, as proposed by create the opportunity for developers to Barnes told Pegram that increasa 2016 water system study The Wooing taxes to boost the water supply for tap the lines for new subdivisions and fire safety would penalize Summerfield ten Company conducted for the town. may eventually serve as the foundation residents who don’t need additional Summerfield, along with Oak Ridge for a municipal water system that would fire protection. The discussion focused and Stokesdale, has asked the state encourage development and imperil the

...continued from p. 1

was instructed to evaluate sites for a possible new town hall or meeting space.

“The big things are water and space,” O’Day said as the council wrapped up its 8 ½-hour meeting held in the Kernersville offices of the Piedmont Triad Regional Council.

The retreat lacked the rancor of last year’s gathering during which disagreements pitted then-Mayor Gail Dunham and council member Teresa Pegram against other council members. Since taking over as mayor in December, BJ Barnes has banned bickering and sought Pegram’s views during meetings in an effort to build consensus.

During Saturday’s retreat, Pegram disagreed with other council members who shared the viewpoint that Summerfield needs to explore ways to provide water for fighting fires. Pegram cited the town’s 1999 service agreement with

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e, security cameras Future of Redmon hous ting debated during CIP mee

Town Park would cost historic farmhouse at another $160,000 $200,000. It would cost in the park and to install security cameras property slated for on the adjacent Whitaker the park’s expansion. the spendCouncil members discussed during a work session ing recommendations to debate leading 23, Jan. Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO last Thursday, the Redmon house a over whether turning called meeting to develop and installing Council’s Jan. 23 special said horse into a community center During Oak Ridge Town Jim Kinneman (center) investments. plan, Mayor Pro Tem should be

by CHRIS BURRITT 5-year capital spending cameras would be worthwhile the Whitaker property the at an equestrian trail on views about Board. Shown in photo for capital improve- enthusiasts’ proposal of OAK RIDGE – Differing Recreation Advisory The estimated costs house and instalby the town’s Parks and Officer Sam Anders. council decides Finance reviewed the as right, at restoration of the Redmon refined and be McClellan ments will in Town Park town staff se- left is Councilman George Redlation of security cameras certain projects and the 1,000-square-foot pointed whether Oak Ridge Town Coun- to pursue in Bruce Bill week last groups for emerged cures bids, Town Manager “I don’t think old is necessarily mon house is big enough spending plans. provide guidance Mayor Pro cil’s discussion of capital ...continued on p. 9 out. Even so, the estimates reason to preserve,” a about recommend spend to plans questioning A list of spending priorities for the council, which Tem Jim Kinneman said, and Recreation Admajor projects. ed by the town’s Parks $500,000 annually on that renovating the visory Board estimated

According to rough would estimates, the town restore spend $200,000 to at the Redmon house and Oak Ridge Town Park system $160,000 for a security es for two park properti

IN THIS ISSUE .................... 2

News in brief ................... gets OK.......... 3 Charter school site plan ................. 4 Your Questions ................... property .... 5 Spending plan for Whitaker meeting..... 6 Summerfield Town Council ............... 8 Calendar Events ................... ................ 9 Business Notes ...................

Basketball ....11 Youth Sync: High School ............... 12 NWHS musicians dominate ............... 14 ................... le Profi Student ..................... 15 Welcome, Coach Evans .... 16 ...................

Crime/Incident Report ............ 18 Grins and Gripes ................... .....................20 Classifieds ................... ............. 24 NWO on the Go!...................

committee Creating citizens’ agenda on annual retreat s retreat Other items on council’ projects, agenda include park ways to meeting space and fighting fires provide water for

by CHRIS BURRITT

plans to Summerfield Town Council and SUMMERFIELD – The to help council members create a citizens’ committee future of the town. town staff guide the is on d Tomorrow Committee Establishing the Summerfiel retreat annual strategic planning the agenda of the council’s for 8 a.m. to Feb. 1. It is scheduled this coming Saturday,

Regional Council of the Piedmont Triad 5 p.m. at the offices in Kernersville. to at 1398 Carrollton Crossing he will ask council members Mayor BJ Barnes said and he to serve on the committee somerecommend two residents and represent the broad, hopes they will be diverse of Summerfield. interests conflicting times Barnes said come ready to work,” “Everybody knows to council strategic plantown first the be of the retreat. It will Dunham as who succeeded Gail ning retreat for Barnes, event won’t be said this Saturday’s mayor last month. He members of the discord among council characterized by the past two years.

...continued on p. 2

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Summerfield Town Council member Teresa Pegram suggested the town may want to sell some of its property to offset the cost of building a new town hall or meeting space.

town’s rural character.

“We’re talking about water for fire safety, not water for municipal use,” O’Day told Pegram. “None of this requires underground lines.”

O’Day referenced an opening statement Barnes made in December just moments after being sworn in as mayor, in which he declared that “any (water) system needed for development of any property should be at the cost of the developer.” In his statement Barnes also said it is the council’s responsibility to partner with the fire department to make sure the department has the water resources it needs to fight fires.

“This is a public safety issue and since lives may be involved, we want to make sure they are protected,” the mayor said.

Whitaker introduced discussion of possible new meeting space or a new town hall by explaining deficiencies with the current space. He described Town Hall at N.C. 150 and Summerfield Road as “a beautiful historic building”

that lacks a kitchen area for town staff, requiring them to wash coffee cups and dishes in the bathroom sink upstairs. The meeting room downstairs is too small for the council to hold its monthly meetings, so the town rents space in Summerfield Community Center on Centerfield Road for regular monthly council meetings as well as Planning and Zoning Board meetings and other meetings and events.

Preparing for meetings at the community center, town staff and council members set up and take down tables and chairs and audio equipment. After meetings, audience members help put everything away.

“I think we’ve matured as a town beyond that,” Whitaker said. “Where do we want our town home to be for decades?”

He told council members he’s seeking “really solid direction” from them on how to evaluate possible sites.

Creating meeting space is a more critical need than building a new town hall; however; considering both options would make sense, he noted.

Barnes said he and DeVaney recently toured the town halls in Oak Ridge and Stokesdale, reinforcing his view that meeting in Summerfield Community Center doesn’t reflect well on the county’s third most populous municipality with relatively high household incomes.

“The only thing we are missing is the green shag carpet and green appliances in the kitchen,” Barnes said, referring to the 1970s decor of the community center.

“We can look and act more professional.”

Council members didn’t discuss possible costs. If the council commits to new space, Barnes said he would favor building a new town hall and using the present town hall for another purpose. DeVaney said she prefers “an all-in-one space” for a new town hall and meeting place.

Pegram questioned spending for new space, saying that she likes “our Town Hall and the way we run our meetings. We’re saving our citizens money. We’re not using their money to have them sit out there in cushioned seats.

“I don’t see spending millions of dollars,” she said, adding that more people watch broadcasts of council meetings on the town’s Facebook page than attend meetings.

Barnes said Summerfield would pursue state and federal grants to defray costs. If the council decides to build new space, Pegram suggested the town may want to sell some of its property to help pay for it.

The council discussed possible locations, focusing on two tracts owned

by Summerfield. The first site consists of 13 acres across Summerfield Road from Town Hall. It is also bounded by N.C. 150 and U.S. 220.

The second tract, located on Centerfield Road adjacent to the community park, contains about 28 acres that the town bought from Ron and Linda Vandergrift in 2016.

Last month, the town decided to evaluate whether to accept an offer by Summerfield Community Center Inc. to deed nearly 17 acres containing the community center and a portion of the community park.

If the town takes ownership of the property, it wouldn’t contain “quite enough space” for construction of a new town hall and parking because it would crowd existing structures such as the veterans’ memorial, Whitaker said.

“To me, there’s just not a big enough footprint because of what’s already built there,’’ he said.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

“Where do we want our town home to be for decades?” Town Manager Scott Whitaker asked Summerfield Town Council members at the council’s annual strategic retreat Feb. 1, during a discussion about possibly building a new town hall or meeting space. The council instructed Whitaker to gather information about possible sites.

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FEB. 6 - 12, 2020

27

 AUTO SALES & SERVICE

 PRESCHOOLS

 HOME SERVICES

MOUNT PISGAH WEEKDAY SCHOOL open house. Join us on Wednesday mornings in February between 9:30 & 11:30 a.m. to tour the preschool and register for the 2020-2021 school year.

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

•Weekly/bi-weekly/monthly

THE EUROPEAN AUTO SERVICE PROS

Service that is more than just a Repair

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

Just 1/4 mile off I-73 SAM'S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 347-7470.

Place online at

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

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

INDEX Auto Sales & Service ............28 Consignment Sale ...............28 Employment .......................28 Preschools ...........................28 Save the Date......................28 Home Services ............. 28-30 Misc. for Sale .................... 30 Misc. Services .................... 30 Misc. Wanted ..................... 30 Pets & Animal Services ....... 30 Real Estate .....................30-31

28 28

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

32 years experience. (336) 337-0669.

 CONSIGNMENT SALE TRINITY TOTS TO TEENS Spring Consignment Sale! March 13, 9am-7pm, & March 14, 8am-1pm. Trinity Evangelical Covenant Church, 5200 W. Friendly Ave, Greensboro. For more information visit trinitytotstoteens.wordpress.com.

 EMPLOYMENT DEPENDABLE staff needed for childcare center. Teacher & assistant positions available. Childcare credential/experience preferred but not required. (336) 643-5930.

BOOTH RENTAL, full or part-time available, at newly remodeled La Salon. Ask about FREE rent. (336) 286-2006.

BILL'S PIZZA PUB, Oak Ridge. Energetic & responsible individuals wanted. If you would like to work for a company who values you, please apply in person today! We are looking to hire daytime hosts, as well as nighttime cooks, servers and hosts, immediately. We will keep you busy and work with your goals. Come work with a company who has been serving this area for 50 years!

 SAVE THE DATE CAROLINA STRIKERS 11U BASEBALL is looking to add 2 players. Open tryouts Mondays and Fridays @ 6pm. JBE Sports, 490 K Fork Rd., Madison, NC. Jan. thru Feb. (336) 331 2049.

LIVIAH LEMONS GRIFFIN turns 100 years YOUNG on February 16, 2020. Her family will host a celebration February 15, 2-4 pm at Gideon Grove United Methodist Church, 2865 Gideon Grove Church Rd., Stokesdale. Light refreshments will be served. No presents required – she would enjoy your visit much more than a present!

Learn more about the OAK RIDGE HISTORIC HERITAGE GRANTS! Up to $2,000 available to preserve historic properties in Oak Ridge. Visit www.oakridgenc.com or attend an info session on February 27 at 7pm, Oak Ridge Town Hall. Application deadline is March 30.

KIDS CONSIGNMENT SALE. Friday, February 28, 9am-8pm, & Saturday, February 29, 8am-1pm, (some items 50% off on Saturday), St. Paul's Catholic Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro. www.stpaulskidssale.com.

 HOME SERVICES AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

•Deep/move-in, move-out •Post-construction/airscrubber •Odor remediation

Focus on what matters most We’ll handle the rest 336.897.0928 maidright.com/greensboro $25 off! MAIDS OF HONOR HOME CLEANING. Locally owned, bonded staff. 40 years in service. BBB A+ rating. (336) 708-2407.

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

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

ELECTRICAL 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.

A-ACTION AIR. Will your furnace work when it's time? Call (336) 382-3750.

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

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

CLEANING

FLOORING

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

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

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

FEB. 6 - 12, TheObserver Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 The2020 Northwest • Totally local since 1996

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES

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

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

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

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

PAINTING & DRYWALL

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

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.

Old School Home Repair. See display ad on page 15.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING 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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

BEK Paint Co.

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

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

Place your classified ad online at

www.nwobserver.com

SOUTHERN STYLE concrete & landscapes.

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

Residential & Commercial David & Judy Long, owners

(336) 931-0600

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

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

Carlos & Son

PAINTING

Residential • Commercial Licensed & Insured

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS

FREE ESTIMATES

Owner: Carlos Ruiz Cell: 336.669.5210 carlospainting14@live.com

WARREN'S DRYER/VENT CLEANING. Prevent dryer fires. Clothes dry faster.

Save on energy. Bonded, insured, and licensed. Call (336) 207-2338.

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

(336) 643-6427.

ON EAGLE'S WINGS residential home design/drafting. Call Patti, (336) 605-0519.

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

The Northwest Observer • Totally since 1996 The Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal since 1996

continued on p. 30

FEB.6 6 - 12,2020 2020 FEB. - 12,

29 29

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 MISC. FOR SALE

 REAL ESTATE

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

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

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

FOR SALE. Bassett swivel chairs, high end art work (several pictures), lamps & shades, glass top end (1) and sofa tables. Other items. All in excellent condition. $1,500. Call (336) 643-3899.

LAND FOR SALE

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

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

PRESSURE WASHING HOUSE SOFT WASHING, roof soft washing, driveway pressure washing. Let us do the dirty work for you. Serving the Triad.

(919) 931-0856. MartinsPressureWashing.com.

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

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

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

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.

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.

30 30

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.

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

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

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

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

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

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. Financing available. Free Estimates. Since 1979.

(336) 362-6343.

 MISC. FOR SALE SABRE RIDING MOWER by John Deere, 14.4 HP, runs good, $475. Troy-Bilt 2 cy. gas power leaf blower, like new, $150. Homelite weed eater, good cond., $75. 22 in. push gas mower, 4 HP, $50, plus other items. Call (336) 644-1524 or (336) 340-1147.

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

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

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

(336) 543-7867.

 MISC. SERVICES

LOTS, LAND, ACREAGE Gorgeous property! Nothing else like it!

Wooded, open and water. Creeks and pond. 4 acres up to 23 acres. You choose.

Call (336) 430-9507 anytime.

Got stuff? Need stuff?

Place an ad online at

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

FAT RABBIT FURNITURE REFURBISHING. Repairs, restoration and more!

Please call (336) 816-3641.

 MISC. WANTED $$$ – WILL PAY CASH for your junk / wrecked vehicle. For quote, call (336) 552-0328.

Call for Buyer or Seller Representation

Gil Vaughan, REALTOR®/Broker (336) 337-4780 JustCallGil.com gilvaughan@gmail.com

FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, ATVs, generators, power washers, chain saws, mini-bikes, go-carts, grills & metal items, etc. (336) 689-4167.

 PETS & ANIMAL SVCS.

We Help Everyone!

SELLERS & BUYERS

KRISTIN'S PET SITTING/DOG WALKING Professional, insured and experienced.

Call (336) 337-8172.

DOBERMAN PINSCHER pups. $900, AKC. Text (336) 404-3983.

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

We

critters

Check out our Pets & Critters section in the first issue of every month

FEB. 6 - 12, TheObserver Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 The2020 Northwest • Totally local since 1996

(336) 643-4248

www.ANewDawnRealty.com

HOMES FOR RENT 3 BR, 2 BA HOME for rent. Refrigerator, stove included. Well water. Large yard. $875 per month. Off Ellisboro Rd., just inside Rockingham Co. Deposit and first month's rent required. (336) 707-6652.

TOWNHOUSE, 2BR/2BA with loft; fantastic location near Saint Paul on Horse Pen Creek Road, $1,100. Please call (336) 392-1454.

 REAL ESTATE

 REAL ESTATE

HOMES FOR SALE

HOMES FOR SALE

TOWNHOMES IN OAK RIDGE!

OPEN HOUSE: Sun, Feb 9 • 2-4pm

2- 4 pm Open Sunday Twin townhomes starting at $275,900 within Oak Ridge town core. Move-in ready units available in spring 2020 or seize the opportunity to pick your floor plan and options!

Agent on site Sunday 2-4pm

Nancy J. Hess

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

8730 Drummond Estates Drive New home minutes from Oak Ridge!

Amazing kitchen with center island, granite countertop and breakfast area. Spacious great room and large master suite. $6,000 in FREE options PLUS $2,020 in closing costs paid by preferred lender. 312,695

For results, call Kim Wilson

kwilson@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 662-7805

Ramilya Siegel CRS, GRI, SRES, Chairman’s Circle Award

( 336 ) 215.9856

rsiegel@kw.com

BETTER THAN NEW!

read our (FREE) e-edition online NEWS in brief

...continued from p. 5 .com at nwobserver

HOMES FOR SALE consider reappointing Scott Henson to the Zoning Board and will hear reports  REAL ESTATE from Summerfield Fire District and the Guilford County HOMES FOR SALESheriff’s Office.

Representatives of the town’s Finance, Historical, Trails and Open Space and Founders’ Day committees are also scheduled to provide updates on their groups’ recent activities.

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

and tell them where you saw their ad!

We’ll help you reach ACCOUNTING HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES Guilford County! 15 Carlotta Lytton, CPA........................... 15 Oldnorthwest School Home Repair ....................

Kimberly Thacker Accounting............. 15 Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC........ 4

ProStone, Inc. ..................................... 12 Stokesdale Heating & Air...................... 6

AUTOMOTIVE SALES / SERVICE

INSURANCE

(336) 644-7035, ext. 11 advertising@nwobserver.com

Place your classified, submit a Grin or a Gripe, comment on an ar�cle, view your Community Calendar, link to our Facebook page, view our media brochure, and be in-the-know about all things totally local.

For display ads, contact advertising@nwobserver.com

LEGAL SERVICES

Barbour & Williams Law ....................... 3

Place CARE your real MEDICAL

estate

Guardian Ad Litem ............................. 18 Parents as Teachers Guilford County .... 8

CHURCH

ORTHODONTIC CARE

Oak Ridge United Methodist Church .... 2 High Point Pediatric Dentistry ............. 27 Summerfield Family Dentistry ............. 21

HAIR CARE

Great Clips ......................................... 16

HEALTH & FITNESS

Check out nwobserver.com

Gladwell Insurance ............................. 23

LeBauer Healthcare ............................. 5 ad today Novant – Forsyth Pediatrics ................ 16 (336) 644-7035, ext. 1119 Wake Forest Baptist Health ................

Oak Ridge Physical Therapy ............... 17 advertising@nwobserver.com

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

DENTISTRY Place your real estate showcase today

in Summerfield, Oak RidgeRoad. and Center, 5404 Centerfield Stokesdale every week. Plus, it’s available for free online and at local restaurants, grocery stores, post offices and more.

Please support our advertisers,

Destination Arts.................................. 16

Nancy J. Hess

want to go?

The Northwest Observer Summerfield Town Council will hold reaches over 12,000 its monthly meeting Tuesday, Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m. at mailboxes Summerfield Community

index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS

ART / DANCE / KARATE

Occupied less than one year. Tons of upgrades including new back yard oasis.

Upscale hardscape, sod, irrigation, fire pit and extended patio. Pool-approved site!

Inside has open living space and fourth bedroom option upstairs and down!

Offered at $629,500

Selling or renting?

Residents will have two opportuni-

EuroHaus ........................................... 28 Piedmont Truck Tires, Inc. .................. 14 Prestige Car Wash .............................. 17

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

ties to speak during the meeting, for up to three minutes each period; one period is specifically intended for comments about the town’s proposed budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, while comments during the other period are not limited to a specific topic.

Chris Jessup, Personal Trainer ............. 20 Oak Ridge Youth Association ............. 21 YMCA of Greensboro ......................... 25

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

BEK Paint Company ........................... 29 Budget Blinds ..................................... 15 Carlos & Son Painting......................... 29 Carpets by Direct ................................ 13 Maidright Cleaning ............................. 28

Olmsted Orthodontics ........................ 16 Reynolds Orthodontics ....................... 20

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS

Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital .................. 9 Northwest Animal Hospital ................... 8

REAL ESTATE

A New Dawn Realty ...........................30 Gil Vaughan, Keller Williams ...............30 Maureena Shepherd, Allan Tate ......... 17 Nancy Hess, Berkshire Hathaway ....... 31 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX ................... 11 Ramilya Siegel, Keller Williams ........... 31

RESTAURANT

Rio Grande Mexican Kitchen.............. 17

RETAIL / ART

Blissful Studios & Gallery .................... 24

The Northwest Observer • Totally 1996 The Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal sincesince 1996

FEB.6 -612, - 12,2020 2020 FEB.

31 31

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

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

PAID

Oak Ridge, NC Permit No. 22 ECRWSS

Cheryl Morgan (left) and Alicia Ford recently took a break from serving customers at Oak Ridge Diner (in Oak Ridge Commons shopping center) to peruse the local news.

(L to R) Kylie, Brantley and Kate Pegram of Stokesdal e enjoyed relaxing and reading the Northwest Observer while traveling to Florida.

Where do you take your Northwest Observer?

Email your photo to photos@nwobserver.com