Northwest Observer / April 9-15, 2020 by pscommunications

April 9 - 15, 2020

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Churches celebrate Easter in a COVID-19 world by ANNETTE JOYCE Barring the weather not cooperating, for the last 35 years Dr. James Webster has joined his congregation and visitors in Oak Ridge First Baptist Church’s cemetery every Easter morning to watch the sun rise and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

This sign at Union Grove Baptist Church in Oak Ridge sums up the impact of COVID-19 on local churches, which are encouraging everyone to pray for those in our community and our country.

Often the service was followed by a breakfast in the fellowship hall. Last year, First Baptist joined its neighbor across N.C. 150, Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, in a joint

Coping with COVID-19 As part of our series on how people are coping with COVID-19 and social distancing, for this issue we talked with a funeral director, a town clerk who’s keeping it “normal,” a municipal sales manager for a waste collection company, and a family who found a way to make their 4-year-old’s birthday special despite having to cancel her party.

by PATTI STOKES

Todd Harmon, Forbis & Dick STOKESDALE – Safety and well-being of staff and family members are one of the considerations Todd Harmon, manager and funeral director for Forbis & Dick in Stokesdale, says funeral homes are always mindful of, but all the

sunrise service which was so well-received that plans were in the works for another combined service this Easter. Because of COVID-19 and Gov. Roy Cooper’s ban on mass gatherings, however, that won’t be happening. Neither will any of the other services and activities that normally accompany Easter, leaving not only First Baptist, but all area churches, scrambling to determine how they will celebrate their most sacred season.

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IN THIS ISSUE

more so these days. “Every funeral home operates under universal precautions when handling a deceased person,” Harmon said. “In most every funeral home, the embalming room is probably the cleanest place anywhere, with constant cleaning and disinfecting done on a routine basis. With the virus going around, we have additional precautions and guidelines we are following should we get into that situation (with someone who has died from contracting COVID-19). “On the other side is the family, who I feel is limited by the governor’s orders and more so, restricted by the county’s orders. We can basically do private graveside services, limited to 10 people present,” Harmon said. “Most

...continued on p. 7

Towns finalizing PARTF applications .2 Homeowners file suit over runoff ......3 Your Questions ....................................4 Obituary ..............................................7 Before bright lights in Oak Ridge....10 Crime/Incident Report ....................14 Calendar Events ...............................14 NWO Kids’ Korner .............................15 Around Town Photos ........................16 Grins and Gripes ..............................18 Classifieds .........................................20 Index of Advertisers .........................23 NWO On The Go! / Staycation .......24

Oak Ridge, Stokesdale ﬁnalize applications for park grants by CHRIS BURRITT NW GUILFORD – Oak Ridge leaders may spend $1.95 million over the next three years to extend the town park to the 58-acre Whitaker property it purchased in 2018; grading the site would come first, followed by building a trail, playing fields, a playground, a picnic shelter and restrooms. In Stokesdale, leaders want to add an amphitheater, basketball courts and a dog park in the town’s park, at a cost of $115,278. Both towns are finalizing applications for state grants to defray costs of the improvements. Oak Ridge is seeking a matching grant of $450,000 from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), while Stokesdale is seeking $57,639 to split costs for its park projects. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state agency extended the deadline for North Carolina municipalities to submit applications, from May 1 to June 1. The extension gives Oak Ridge and Stokesdale extra time to finalize their submissions after getting

feedback from technical reviews of their draft applications to ensure they comply with PARTF rules. “We hope the grant funding remains in place,” Stokesdale Mayor John Flynt said in an interview earlier this week; Flynt’s concerns are based on projections for lower state tax receipts as a result of business closings and increased unemployment due to the coronavirus. Town leaders would decide whether to proceed with any of the park projects if grant funds aren’t available, Flynt noted. Stokesdale and Oak Ridge face another possibility in the stiff competition for PARTF funds: they may get some grant money, but far less than they’re requesting. In that event, the Oak Ridge Town Council would decide whether to apply for a grant next year and how it would scale back development of the Whitaker property, Mayor Ann Schneider said in an interview. The Oak Ridge council met April 2 via Zoom

and voted unanimously to seek $450,000 from PARTF, which limits grants to a maximum of $500,000. If the town were to get the full $450,000, it would be responsible for the remaining $1.5 million it has estimated for Whitaker property improvements, according to Town Manager Bill Bruce. Grading and preparing the 58-acre tract on Linville Road would cost an estimated $304,600. Among various expenses, Bruce estimated costs for two lighted multipurpose fields at $400,000, an 8-foot-wide asphalt trail at $288,000, a playground at $120,000 and a picnic shelter at $75,000. A building with restrooms would run $250,000. Stokesdale estimates building an amphitheater would cost $59,416, according to a tally of major expenses in the draft of the town’s PARTF application. Six basketball goals on a 90-by-50-foot concrete slab would run $31,651, while a dog park, with mulch on the ground and surrounded by a 6-foot-tall chain-link fence, would cost $9,175.

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Summerfield homeowners file suit over storm water runoff Town of Summerfield, owners of three buildings, HOA, developer and engineer are named in lawsuit by two couples who live on Tannery Road by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – An unresolved dispute over storm water runoff from three commercial buildings on Summerfield Road has resulted in a lawsuit asking for the town of Summerfield and other parties to pay for a remedy. The suit by Tannery Road neighbors Ronald and Jennifer Ray and Leonard and Marianna Simpson said a storm water detention pond constructed last year for Odyssey Dental of Summerfield has failed to stop flooding. The homeowners are seeking a jury verdict requiring the defendants to pay for another remedy, such as underground pipes to divert runoff from the dental practice, the historic Hoskins House and the District 1 sheriff’s office, according to the suit filed in Guilford County Superior Court last month. Flooding preceded construction of the dental practice last year, according to the Rays. In recent months, Summerfield Town Council and the town’s Zoning Board have discussed the problem, which also emerged as an issue in the council election Nov. 5. The five Voices for Summerfield candidates, who were not elected, cited the storm water runoff as an example of how commercial development can damage residential areas and decrease property values in Summerfield’s town core. The lawsuit names six parties as defendants: town of Summerfield, which reviewed plans for developing the property; Guilford County, which owns

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the building that houses the District 1 sheriff’s office; Smile House LLC, the owner of the dental practice’s property; Hoskins Property LLC, which owns the Hoskins House; Hoskins House Owners Association Inc., the owner of a parcel fronting Summerfield Road (the association’s manager, Paul Milam, developed the cluster of commercial buildings across from Summerfield Elementary School); and Fleming Engineering, which designed the detention pond. In the event that runoff were to fill the pond, water would go through an overflow release pipe into a basin of rocks which is supposed to slow the flow of water onto the homeowners’ property. The pond and pipe “have been inadequate in creating relief from the damages” sustained by the property owners, according to the suit which seeks at least $25,000 in compensatory damages for the homeowners.

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The town “was controlling and approving the development,” Fitzgerald said in an interview earlier this week. “It’s our concern that they were actively involved in it.”

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According to the lawsuit, Summerfield followed Fleming’s recommendation to approve construction of a detention pond, after “ignoring advice from Freese and Nichols” (the town’s contract engineering firm) for other possible remedies to prevent storm water flooding. Summerfield Town Manager Scott Whitaker countered, saying the town “was not involved with Fleming

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Are there any plans in the near future for the North Carolina Department of Transportation to pave the remaining portion of Adano Road (off Angel-Pardue Road, in Angels Glen) in Stokesdale? According to Bobby Norris, a district engineer with NCDOT, the department has tried many times to get the rest of Adano Road paved but has not been able to obtain a right of way from one or more of the property owners along the unpaved portion of the road, as required by NCDOT’s secondary road construction program.

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I read that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking over the licensing of Happytail Puppies LLC’s retail operation on N.C. 150 in Oak Ridge. How is that going to work, and what is the timeline? At this point, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) is saying more about plans by the USDA than the federal agency is. Happytail applied for a federal license in May 2019, but it didn’t complete the licensing process, Andre Bell, a spokesman for the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,

said in a recent email; he added the agency has no other specifics to share about the company.

N.C. 150 into compliance with federal animal welfare regulations, Shore wrote in her report.

The state’s agriculture department provided more information about the licensing of Happytail’s facility on N.C. 150 last month when it released findings of its unannounced Feb. 14 investigation of the retail operation.

“During that time, they are allowed to sell retail only (face-to-face at the location),” Shore said. “The facility is not allowed to ship/deliver a puppy until the license is issued.”

In its report, the state agency said USDA plans to take over licensing of the facility. The report by state inspector Christie Shore provides a timeline for the handoff of responsibilities between the state and federal agencies. A federal inspector visited the facility in late February. After determining that it was selling puppies from out-of-state breeders, the inspector began “the pre-application process (for Happytail) to be licensed by the USDA as a dog breeder,” according to Shore. Happytail has 90 days from the start of the process to bring its facility on

The state inspector wrote in her report that she first visited Happytail in May 2019 when she learned “that they had applied with USDA for a license; therefore, I do not move forward with the licensing from NCDA.” Shore said she determined last August that USDA hadn’t yet contacted Happytail, prompting her to leave a voicemail with a federal inspector saying she was trying to figure out whether the state or federal agency should be licensing the dog retailer. After not hearing back from USDA, Shore said she arranged to visit the N.C. 150 facility last September with

Guilford County Animal Control officers. Over the next two months, Shore said she worked with Happytail owner Sonya Mackovic to establish the state’s licensing of its facility. As part of the process, Shore inspected the operations, prompting Mackovic to fix problems required for state licensing, which occurred late last year. Mackovic didn’t reply to a telephone voicemail or text two weeks ago seeking comment for this follow-up. Shore said the USDA inspector left her a voicemail in November in response to her call in August. It took until Feb. 14 – another three months and a week – for the two inspectors to talk on the phone, according to Shore. The federal inspector “stated that she had been out of work due to an injury and after that was in a supervisory position for a while that put her behind,” Shore said. Shore said she explained that

Happytail was bringing in puppies from out-of-state breeders. As a result, USDA should license the N.C. 150 operation, not the state, according to Shore. The USDA inspector said she would put Happytail “on her priority list and would make it out there soon,” Shore said. The state inspector told her federal counterpart that she was investigating a complaint against Happytail. The complaint led to the surprise investigation of the N.C. 150 facility in mid-February. The state’s investigation found overcrowded cages and the inconsistent dispensing of medicine to dogs. Despite the problems, the state’s agriculture department cited no violations by Happytail. According to agency spokeswoman Heather Overton, the dogs in the facility were under the care of a veterinarian and Mackovic had agreed to fix the problems found by the inspector.

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CELEBRATING EASTER IN COVID-19 WORLD ...continued from p. 1

In recent weeks First Baptist, like many other local churches, has been offering services through various social media outlets. “We’re doing almost everything online,” Webster said. As for finalizing alternate plans for celebrating Easter, when we spoke with him late last week he said at this point, the church is just “going day by day.” Traditionally, Easter service at Central Baptist Church in Oak Ridge includes communion. While the church

is using technology to connect with its members in new ways, early on its leadership team had hopes of having a “drive-up” service that allowed communion. “We were planning to have our service and communion in the parking lot of the Oak Ridge Commons shopping center and invite the entire town to join us,” said Roy Carter, the church’s senior pastor. “However, after doing research to insure we would be in keeping with the county’s restrictions and the governor’s executive orders,

we found we would not be able to hold this service because drive-up services are considered a mass gathering under the interpretation of the Guilford County attorney.” In lieu of the drive-up service, Carter said Easter services will be offered on Facebook and the church still plans to offer communion. Individual communion kits have been ordered and, provided they arrive in time, will be distributed to church members prior to Easter Sunday. “If our kits don’t arrive in time, we will ask folks to prepare the communion elements in their homes prior to beginning communion,” Carter said. For Crossroads Community Church in Stokesdale, “Easter is important because it is the celebration of the Resurrection, of course,” said David Bailey, pastor of the church. “For Crossroads, Easter is also significant because we had our first church service at the Longhouse on Easter (2003), and at our current building, Connection Point (2010).”

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Since the ban on mass gatherings went into effect a few weeks ago, Crossroads has been streaming its services live on Facebook. Bailey and his wife, Lisa, have conversations with their congregation on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. At this point, plans are to live stream their Easter Sunday service. Bethel United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge began its observance of Holy Week online last week, on Palm Sunday. Pastor Alan Mears said the church has several events planned to commemorate Easter. Maundy Thursday will be observed with an online love feast and, hopefully, some special music to go along with the message. On Saturday, Mears, along with his wife and children, will invite children to join them on Facebook for a simple Easter craft. As another way to include the kids, the church will have a children’s wor-

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ship service prior to the regular Easter Sunday service. “We’re also inviting all the kids to ‘Chalk the Walk,’” Mears added. “We’re asking them to go to the end of their driveways and, using sidewalk chalk, draw a picture or write a message about Easter as a reminder to neighbors of what Easter is all about.” Bethel is also part of Good Samaritan Ministries of Stokesdale, an ecumenical Christian outreach ministry of several area churches that provides various benevolent services including a food pantry and clothing pantry. Traditionally, the organization hosts the annual Crosswalk, in which participants carry a 125-pound cross about three miles down U.S. 158 through Stokesdale to commemorate the trek that Christ took to Calvary, where he was crucified. “It’s a visual reminder of the pain and suffering that Christ endured for us,” said Mears, who is vice president of Good Samaritan Ministries. While this year’s walk was cancelled due to the pandemic, the group came up with a way to bring people together in remembrance of Jesus’ death and resurrection – the journey will take place on Facebook through the group’s “Virtual Stations of the Cross,” where local pastors and volunteers are recording scripture and explanations from 14 stations. Participants can follow along as Jesus makes the painful pilgrimage to his crucifixion by going to Facebook.com/ stokesdalegoodsamaritans at noon on Friday, April 10.

want to know more? In lieu of face-to-face gatherings this week, many area churches will be commemorating the Easter season via their website, Facebook page and other social media outlets. Visit them online for details.

COPING WITH COVID-19

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

Todd Harmon, manager and funeral director for Forbis & Dick in Stokesdale, says many families aren’t getting the emotional closure they would normally get because funerals, like other gatherings, are currently limited to 10 people.

...continued from p. 1

families are more than 10 people, so it gives a family an opportunity to gather at a minimal level, but I feel like they’re left in limbo.

“When someone dies we usually have gatherings, and family members and friends come and offer comfort – so, in this situation you don’t get to share (your grief) with folks. And, it extends the time that you’re going to be in places like the grocery store with people saying things like, ‘Oh, I saw that ______ died and I hate I couldn’t be there.’”

“Most folks we’ve had services for over the last three or four weeks are planning an additional service down the road. So, while they have taken care of the deceased, their emotions and thoughts are still in limbo. The closure process has really not happened yet.” There are ways to create a memorial service after a traditional burial, as folks often do with a cremation service, which doesn’t have the typical time stress of burial within a few days after death, Harmon noted.

Still, being separated from friends and loved ones in the days immediately following a loved one’s death is “bad all the way around,” he noted.

OBITUARY James Washington (JW) Payne, 78, died March 29. He is survived by his wife, Jewel Payne; daughters, Darla (Grant) Page, Debra (Bill) Jordan; sons, Frank (Stacy) Payne, Randall (Shawn) Payne, 10 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild; sister, Peggy Deathridge; brother, Kim (Brenda) Payne. Services will be held at a later date. Donations can be made in his honor to the Stokesdale Fire Department.

Unlike in Guilford County, where gatherings have been limited to no more than 10 people, in Rockingham County that number was initially 50 (with the same 6-feet-apart requirement). At a funeral overseen by Forbis & Dick a few

...continued on p. 8

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COPING WITH COVID-19 ...continued from p. 7

weeks ago in Rockingham County, Harmon said the minister set up a PA system and people were parked in their cars along the driveway to the cemetery. “So, while they were able to hear and be there, they just didn’t have the togetherness. But the family appreciated that folks came out to support them,” he said.

Lance Heater, Summerfield town clerk

least, on workdays). I circled back to him recently to make sure there hadn’t been any menu modifications because of all the coronavirus craziness, and was happy to find there has been nary a one, except for a brief time when he couldn’t find any no-salt beans. And what’s in this lunch, you might ask? It includes a combination of green peas, cherry tomatoes, white beans, broccoli, blueberries, strawberries, and a side of nosalt kidney beans and sweet potato. Barring any interruptions, Heater eats his lunch somewhere between 12 noon and 12:05 p.m. every workday.

In the midst of all that isn’t normal right now, I wanted to share something on a lighter note that is normal – Summerfield town clerk Lance Heater’s lunch. When I stopped by Summerfield Town Hall one day last August, I was intrigued by Heater’s culinary concoction and asked if I could take this picture of him sitting at his desk, poised to dig in. True to his easygoing spirit, he graciously consented.

Thanks for keeping it normal, Lance Heater!

Republic Services Residents’ adherence to Guilford County’s stay-at-home order has had an impact most wouldn’t consider: more people at home throughout the day means more residential solid waste is being generated – an average of about 3.5 additional pounds per home, per week, according to Tony

Later, I was further intrigued when I learned Heater eats the same concoction every day (at

Krasienko, Republic Services’ municipal sales manager. “We also know when you’re stuck at home and trying to abide by the stay-at-home restrictions, everyone looks for those little projects. They start cleaning out closets or doing a little extra work around the house. It’s easy to come up with 10 to 20 pounds extra in your cart, and that’s how we come up with that average 3.5 extra pounds per week,” Krasienko said. “That comes out to about 7.35 tons of extra waste per week (per route). That doesn’t sound like a lot, but if it’s just one extra trip to the landfill or transfer station per day, that can add an extra hour or hour and a half to a driver’s day.” Comparing the increased residential waste in recent weeks to what the company experiences during the Christmas season, Krasienko said, “A lot of our customers that we work with, it’s almost like Christmas every week over the last few weeks.” In response, Republic has put a temporary hold on yard debris and bulk (white goods) pickup. That, combined with a drop in collections at commercial locations like restaurants and other businesses that have either temporarily closed or are operating on a reduced schedule, has allowed the company to reallocate some of its resources to residential collection. “Out of anything, if we can provide people with some sense of ‘normal’ – to know that every week their trash is going to be picked up, and every other week their recyclables are going to be picked up – that gives them something they can rely on,” Krasienko said. Although Republic requires customers to place all their solid waste into the 95-gallon cart they’ve

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As for recyclables, Republic has been able to get them to the recycling facility in Greensboro – should a worker at the facility become infected with COVID-19, however, the plant would have to be shut down and sanitized. For that reason, Republic has asked the local towns it contracts with for temporary permission to take recyclables to the landfill if necessary. Fortunately, Krasienko said it hasn’t been so far.

Happy Birthday, Emmy Holbrook!

make her birthday really special,” Lauren Holbrook said after the drive-by birthday parade. “Kids don’t really know what’s going on right now – it’s kind of scary for some, and they can’t understand why they can’t play with friends,” said Emmy’s father, Mark Holbrook. “It was really nice to see friends and neighbors step up and help her have a great birthday.” Finley and Tucker Holbrook agreed the bear hunt and drive-by parade were a great way to celebrate their little sister’s birthday in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing restrictions. “She really likes the Bear Hunt song and it was really nice for all of our neighbors to do this for her. We can’t really do anything, so we had to make do with what we had – and we did that times 50!” Tucker said.

Emmy Holbrook of the Abingdon subdivision in Summerfield turned 4 on April 2, but due to social distancing her birthday party had to Delane Williams, a be cancelled. So, Mom second cousin to Emmy, Lauren got creative comes to the Holbrook – she encouraged home each weekday to neighbors to put take care of Emmy while bears in their her parents are at work. windows so Emmy “Besides missing and others could enjoy out on all the hugging a “bear hunt” through and having all of your the neighborhood friends at a party, I can’t while out walking, then imagine it being any invited people to drive better,” Williams said. “I by the family’s house appreciate the Summerthat day between 5 field Fire Department and 5:30 p.m. and wish (which drove by earlier in Emmy a happy birthday the day to wish Emmy a (from a distance). A happy birthday), and all stream of well-wishers the friends and family happily complied, many Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO members who gave this decorating their vehicles Emmy Holbrook, 4, of Sum4-year-old her best birthwith birthday balloons, merﬁeld didn’t have the day ever!” honking their horns birthday celebration she was and waving homemade envisioning, but thanks to (See video with the “Happy Birthday” signs. some creativity on the part Holbrook family and of her family, friends and Gabby, a neighbor and “It’s really so humneighbors, it may have been honorary family member, bling to see a lot of the best one yet. dancing to the “Going people we know well, on a Bear Hunt” song at Facebook.com/ and some people we didn’t know in NorthwestObserver). our neighborhood to pull together and

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

APRIL 9 - 15, 2020

Before bright lights came to Oak Ridge by HELEN LEDFORD I was once a newcomer to this community, though many assume Oak Ridge is my hometown. When my family and I moved here from Greensboro in 1969, my daughter was only 3 years old. We quickly adjusted to life in a rental house on N.C. 68 across from the military academy. I’ve never forgotten the day my little one hurried inside, breathlessly screaming, “Mommy, Mommy, come quick – there’s a whole field full of Gomer Pyles!” Seems the cadets, in full dress uniform, were marching with the band in preparation for an important upcoming event. At that time there was no stop light at the main intersection and day-today life was much slower paced before Oak Ridge evolved from a rural farming community with sprawling tobacco fields into an incorporated town. My husband, Jack, and I were both

raised on farms and had worked in tobacco most of our lives. After my marriage I had decided that I would not stain my hands with tobacco gum ever again. However, the first summer after our move to “the Ridge,” I accepted an offer from the Alvin Redmon family to work in their tobacco harvest on Linville Road. With their modern, automatic tobacco stringer, manual labor was cut into a fraction of the hours once spent using old, backbreaking methods! When I pass the Redmon house today, I still often think of the mouthwatering meals Miss Bertha served the workers. She was a gracious hostess and often serenaded us on the piano with her rousing rendition of “Jesus Is Coming Soon!” Many who have arrived in Oak Ridge over the last decade or two cannot imagine life without Oak Ridge Commons’ numerous stores and restau-

Essential Garden Needs Fruit Trees & Shrubs Veggie Starts & Seeds Seed Starting Supplies Flowering Plants Evergreens Soils & Fertilizers Pest & Weed Control

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rants. Those born and raised here, and those like myself who have been here for decades, marvel at the countless changes. I often think with nostalgia of that pretty pasture with prancing horses, where now there’s a bank, a farm supply store and a variety of other businesses. And the former Josie’s Bou-

tique located next to the Sherwin Williams paint store on N.C. 150 was once the home of Treva and Grace Redmon. According to Gaye Gardner, the still attractive, modest bungalow was built by the father of her husband, Bill; she and Bill lived there as newlyweds and until after their first child, Robin, was born.

Who will be the VOICE for this child? Over 250 children in Guilford County will go to court alone. Learn how to be an advocate for an abused or neglected child by becoming a Guardian Ad Litem.

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Scotsman Charlie Parnell purchased the mill in 1977 and after later marrying his sweet wife, Heidi, the couple ran it together until they died six months apart in 2007. The Parnells were two of our area’s most memorable characters, and loved by all. At one time folks could climb to the very top of the mill and peer out over the surrounding scenery. Once I and another kindergarten teacher led a group of young students up those steep steps. We only attempted that once, as she and I were not wearing slacks and halfway up, the wind took our skirts almost over our heads. Our little darlings were obviously amused, not only getting a good look at our undergarments, but at our red faces! (That may be at least partially why Charlie closed off the upper floor to visitors not long afterward.) The sprawling academy grounds were not always home to the present Bonner Field House. When that area and additional acreage close to N.C. 68 was not yet well developed, blackberry bushes sprang up and produced numerous quarts of delicious fruit. In the ‘70s, since nobody else seemed interested in plucking any of the bounty, my small girl-child and I gathered and put to use much that the leafy, thorny vines offered. Later, the soccer field was improved and the berry garden was no more. According to records and word-of-mouth, the first

school at Oak Ridge was somewhere in the vicinity of where the Oak Ridge Swim Club is presently located. It was a simple one-room log edifice, with a well nearby. Later, a larger, two-room school was built, standing (as related to us by a now-deceased elder citizen of our town) in close proximity to where the existing school was erected so long ago. There were also a few other similar schools scattered about near our small crossroads at the time.

Whether you are a believer in ghosts or not, a spooky legend is still handed down by area citizens. They declare that Mrs. Johnson, the first principal of Oak Ridge Elementary, occasionally prowls its hallowed, almost 100-year-old halls! Oak Ridge native Richard Watkins remembers when members of the elite DuPonts, one of the wealthiest families in America, made a yearly trip to our humble village, and the rabbit hunts hosted by prominent local sportsmen. The aristocratic Delaware DuPonts, famous for their successful businesses that produced gunpowder, chemicals and automobiles, heartily participated in lessening the bunny population here. One of Richard’s

most pleasant boyhood memories is of big pots of rabbit stew everyone enjoyed afterward! Over time I have interviewed for the Northwest Observer many of our town’s outstanding people, some of whom have long since passed away. Each one was a walking history book of the times, happenings and culture of this unique place in which we live and offered priceless stories and yarns about folks who contributed much to the making of Oak Ridge as it is today. If you are not familiar with the “Old Oak Ridge, NC” Facebook site created by Bud Blaylock, who grew up here, check it out! It is a good way to find facts, discover interesting trivia, vintage photos and simply get acquainted with our rich past and heritage. One of the latest and great classic photos posted on the page was submitted by Sam Cook and is from the early 1920s. In it, a large group of Oak Ridge Military Academy cadets in stylish period uniforms pose in front of, around and on top of what was known as the “Cadet Shop” where uniforms were sold. That particular building also doubled as a post office, barbershop and music room. As we continue to live, grow, work and play here, each of us is daily adding to the history of this beloved “Ridge,” said to be the highest ridge in the county. Looking back, it’s evident that “we’ve come a long way, baby!”

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

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CRIME / INCIDENT report

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District 1 Sheriff’s Office

has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest/northern Guilford County ... ASSAULT April 5 | A 24-year-old male in the 1700 block of Oak Ridge Road reported a known suspect headbutted him in the nose during an altercation.

BREAKING & ENTERING March 29 | A 42-year-old male was arrested in the 8200 block of E. Harrell Road in Oak Ridge for breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and obtaining property by false pretenses.

DRUGS March 31 | A 49-year-old male was arrested in the 6900 block of Summerfield Road for possession of a Schedule I controlled substance (Psilocybin mushrooms).

$500 each, from an outbuilding between April 4 at 6 p.m. and April 6 at 12:37 p.m.

VANDALISM March 31 | New Garden Friends School on New Garden Road in Greensboro reported an unknown suspect damaged two school buses between March 30 at 1 p.m. and March 31 at 9 a.m. March 31 | The town of Stokesdale reported an unknown suspect drove on the soccer field at Stokesdale Community Park and did several donuts in their vehicle on March 30 at 11:30 p.m.; the damage was estimated at $5,000; the suspect’s vehicle and license plate number were recorded by security cameras.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 10 & MONDAY, APRIL 13  Blood Drives | Due to an unprecedented number of blood

drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak, healthy individuals are urgently needed to give blood in the days and weeks ahead to help patients counting on life-saving blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma throughout this pandemic. American Red Cross blood drives will be held April 10, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Proehlific Park, 4517 Jessup Grove Road in northwest Greensboro; April 13, 2 to 6:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, 2424 Oak Ridge Road; and April 13, 2:30 to 7 p.m. at Liberty Wesleyan Church, 15303 U.S. 158 in Summerfield. Walk-ins are okay, but appointments are recommended. To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org, select “Donate Blood,” then “Find a Blood Drive,” enter ZIP code (27410 for Proehlific Park, 27310 for Oak Ridge UMC, 27358 for Liberty Wesleyan Church) and select from list to see available times, or call 1-800-REDCROSS. For Oak Ridge UMC, an appointment can also be made by calling Bob Yarbrough, (336) 643-8348, or visiting oakridgeumc.org/events. Because of health concerns with COVID-19, extra precautions will be taken to keep blood donors safe.

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APRIL 9 - 15, 2020

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Can you help Sparky find his way back to his local fire station?

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Why are Dalmatians considered firehouse dogs? Dalmatians have shared the barns and the hunt courses with horses for centuries, so when fire apparatus was horse-drawn, nearly every firehouse had its resident Dalmatian to help direct the horses, keep the horses company and guard the firehouse. The horses are gone from fire houses today, but the Dalmatians aren’t! Firehouse dogs nearly always were called “Sparky” so this name was the obvious choice for NFPA’s fire prevention mascot, Sparky the Fire Dog.

Thank you to Oak Ridge Youth Association for making this week’s maze possible

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AROUND TOWN

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

 A Republic Services driver collects residential waste in Summerfield’s Hillsdale Lake neighborhood on the morning of April 8. Since a stay-at-home order was issued in Guilford County on March 25, more people staying at home has resulted in a significant increase in the amount of residential waste collected. Due to the increase, Republic Services, which contracts with the towns of Summerfield and Stokesdale, has put a temporary hold on yard waste and white goods pickup.

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Photo courtesy of the Stone family

 The Stone family of Stokesdale – (L to R) Phillip Stone, Savannah and Carter Stone, Dawn Stone (Phillip’s mother), Casey Stone, and Dawn’s dog, Sallie Mae – posted this photo on A New Dawn Realty’s Facebook page April 6, along with this message: “We challenge you... with everything that is going on in the world today, take a moment if you can to be a light. We spent this evening going down half of Stanley Road in Stokesdale and collected multiple bags of trash together as a family. Minimal trafﬁc and such satisfaction with every piece collected. Do what you can with any extra time you are given and let’s make the world a better place!”

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Photo courtesy of Amanda Cummings

Andrew, Amy and Audrey Purcell of N.C. 150 West in Summerﬁeld displayed this colorful sign to offer encouragement to passers-by during the stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Image courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recently called on everyone around the world to fast and pray again for relief from COVID-19 (a previous fast for relief from COVID-19 was held March 29). This global fast will take place on Good Friday, April 10. “Let us prayerfully plead… that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized,” Nelson urges.

Photo courtesy of Caroline Raper

 Center United Methodist Church on Lake Brandt Road is participating in the “bear hunts” throughout the community (based on the award-winning children’s book, “Going on a Bear Hunt”) while also celebrating our COVID-19 warriors.

Photo courtesy of Julia Denton

 Trotter Ridge II neighbors in Summerﬁeld have recently been spreading cheer with “bear hunts,” and this week they added chalk art in celebration of the Easter season.

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APRIL 9 - 15, 2020

GRINS and GRIPES

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

words or less

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

GRINS to...  (The person last week griping about) “The geniuses who locked Oak Ridge Town Park bathrooms.” Good for them. Yes, we’re still allowed to go to the park, but nothing was said about bathrooms being available. Too much risk. Play and go home to wash your hands.

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 Summerfield Food Lion store manager Suzanna Williams for strictly enforcing limits on all essential items. This enables products to be stretched to more customers. No discrimination there – rules apply no matter your status, race, age or occupation. Kudos!  Northwest Observer for running a doctor’s office ad that states they are accepting new patients – right below a griper who complained about doctor’s offices not accepting new patients. Classic!  Teachers everywhere. Now that we are having to teach at home, we truly realize how underappreciated you are. God bless all educators!  Taylor Austin, director of youth at Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church, for meeting with our youth multiple times each week via Zoom. We appreciate you being insightful, supportive, entertaining, funny and just what the youth need during these crazy times.  The ladies of Sandy’s Beauty Shop for always remembering our community’s shut-ins – caroling at Christmas, then sweet Easter baskets left on the doorstep (in keeping with social distancing) means the world to people.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

You are appreciated!  Summerfield Town Council for realizing what the residents of Summerfield need. I truly appreciate the community park during social distancing.  The lady at the door of Lowes Foods who was sanitizing the carts and asked me if I had toilet paper. She was so kind and went to her car and gave me two rolls. Love...  Brady Young and the Bank of Oak Ridge for taking exceptional care of your local small business owners and helping us navigate the CARES Act and PPP. We are so fortunate to have such a great community bank!

GRIPES to...  Owners of the house on Stafford Mill Road which has yet to be cleaned and cleared of all the yard debris and logs and is still an eyesore! Editor’s note: After we reached out to him about this gripe, Oak Ridge Town Planning Director Sean Taylor, who also serves as the town’s enforcement officer, said he would drive by this property to determine if the owners need to be contacted again about the yard debris. For future reference, Taylor can be reached directly by email at staylor@oakridgenc.com or by phone at (336) 644-7009.  The person complaining about kids smoking pot in front of a tobacco store. Your threat of “calling the police next time” is empty and useless. If you had any courage, you would have called the police the first time.

 Sheriff Rogers for suspending new concealed-carry handgun permits. The right of self-defense is an unalienable right. Just because a state of emergency is declared doesn’t mean that laws are put on delay. Just another reason to support constitutional carry. Editor’s note: The North Carolina House passed a “constitutional carry” bill in 2017 (H.B. 746), but it has yet to receive a vote in the state Senate. The bill seeks “to protect a person’s right to carry a concealed handgun without a permit and to purchase a handgun without a pistol purchase permit.”  Tobacco stores that sell vapes to underage kids. Does making money mean more to you than the safety of our teenagers? I hope you get shut down for this atrocity!  WalMart on Battleground for increasing the price of Aquafina water by $2 for a case of 32. Who would ever think a multi-billion-dollar company like this would take advantage of COVID-19?

Awful, surprising and disappointing.  The people partying out on Belews Lake. Social distancing can’t be practiced on boats!

Join us for Easter worship

 The young woman walking her small black dog without a leash on the Lake Brandt walking trail. There is a leash law for a reason! Especially now that dogs can contract COVID-19, even dogs must social distance!

Join us on Facebook Live this Sunday

Editor’s note: We’re not aware of any evidence that dogs can contract COVID-19; however, based on information from local vets we’ve spoken with, what is uncertain is whether dogs who are petted by humans infected with COVID-19 might, when petted by someone else, spread the virus through their fur.  The person griping about CVS not having things advertised as BOGO. People still can’t get everyday essentials and you’re complaining about BOGOs? You probably don’t even need two of whatever it is you couldn’t get.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

APRIL 9 - 15, 2020

 AUTO SALES & SERVICE

 HOME SERVICES

KNIGHT IMPORT SPECIALTY SERVICE.

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

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.

A-ACTION AIR. A/C Spring checkup, $49.99. Call (336) 382-3750 or (336) 268-6768.

CLEANING CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING Gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. windowcleaningnc.com (336) 595-2873. CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Will ﬁt to your budget. Pet taxi/pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, (336) 231-1838.

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DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

ELECTRICAL

 EMPLOYMENT STAFF POSITIONS open in childcare center.

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

Lead teacher and assistant teacher positions available. Call (336) 643-5930 for info.

 SAVE THE DATE Fire and Rescue Company, Inc., will be

Auto Sales & Service ............20 Employment ........................20 Save the Date......................20

held Monday, June 8, 2020, at 7:30pm. The purpose of the meeting will be the election of corporate officers and directors, the presentation of the annual performance and financial reports for the fiscal year ending June 8, 2020, and other business of the corporation. Anyone interested in filing to run for a position will need to contact Gale Long, administrative assistant, to obtain

Home Services .............. 20-22

and ﬁle the appropriate forms. The ﬁling

Misc. for Sale ..................... 22

May 8, 2020. Anyone desiring to vote at the

Misc. Services ..................... 22

period opens April 8, 2020, and closes meeting must be a registered voter in the Oak Ridge Fire District and be listed on the

Misc. Wanted ..................... 22

voter registration rolls as maintained by the

Pets & Animal Services ....... 22

tive as of May 8, 2020. Gale may be con-

Real Estate ......................... 22

NC 27310, or by phone at (336) 643-3783.

20 20

APRIL APRIL99--15, 15,2020 2020

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.

The ANNUAL MEETING of the Oak Ridge

INDEX

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.

Guilford County Board of Elections eﬀectacted at 8325 Linville Road, Oak Ridge,

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

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

The • Totally local since 1996 TheNorthwest NorthwestObserver Observer • Totally local since 1996

 HOME SERVICES

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APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707. 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. GREENERTIMES SMALL ENGINE Sales & Service Center. All types sold and repaired; comm./res. 9428 NC Hwy. 65, Stokesdale. (336) 548-9286 or (336) 312-3844.

GRADING / HAULING 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. E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, demolition, lot clearing, excavating, bobcat work, etc. (336) 451-1282. ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt, available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035. DTW GRADING & HAULING, INC. Offering complete bobcat services and hauling. Fill dirt, asphalt millings, stone and more. Daniel Wilson, (336) 339-0212.

 HOME SERVICES

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

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

MASONRY

COX POOL SERVICE. Openings, closings, routine maintenance, weekly service. No contracts, free estimates! (336) 327-5122.

GUTTERS / SIDING / WINDOWS

EXTERIOR GREENSCAPES. Lawn maintenance service. Please call for a free estimate. (336) 682-1456.

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

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING 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. COLFAX LAWNCARE. Core aeration & seeding. Fertilizing, mowing, trimming, pine needles. Complete lawn care maintenance. Res./comm. Fully insured. Serving the triad for 28 years. (336) 362-5860. ALL-SEASON STUMP GRINDING. Owner Alan Winfree. Free est. Call (336) 382-9875.

HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES. Free est. Call (336) 669-5448. 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. STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. Free est. Lic./Ins. 40+ years experience. All phases of tree work. Lots & natural area thinning and cleanup. Large shrubbery jobs, chipping. Oak Ridge. Call (336) 643-1119. Hire a local with references. 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.

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

CAROLINA STUMP & TREE SERVICE Complete tree service, $1 million liability, workman’s comp. Rick & Judy, (336) 643-9332. www.carolinaStumpAndTreeServices.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. SOUTHERN STYLE concrete & landscapes. How about a new patio or fire pit? We can help with all of your outdoor living and entertainment spaces! Fire pits, driveways & sidewalks, patios and more! Give us a call at (336) 399-6619 for all your concrete and landscape needs.

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS WILSON SEPTIC PUMPING & REPAIR. Family owned since 1972. Mention you saw this ad in the NWObserver for a discount. (336) 643-6427. JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, out buildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc. Call (336) 706-8470.

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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.

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

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PAINTING & DRYWALL

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

(336) 931-0600

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

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

Over 13,750 of your neighbors keep up with the local news on Facebook. Check us out! facebook.com/northwestobserver LAWSON'S PAINTING. Custom decks, pressure washing, boat docks, block ﬁll, wood repair, stain work, textured ceilings, sheetrock repair. Call (336) 253-9089. PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR, 40 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. Average BDRM walls $100. Insured. Call Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186.

PLUMBING FREEMAN PLUMBING – new construction, remodel and repair. For ALL your plumbing needs! (336) 580-4525. BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR. No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic./ Ins. Cleanliness in your home is our #1 priority. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924.

continued on p. 22

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

APRIL99- 15, - 15,2020 2020 APRIL

21 21

 HOME SERVICES

 MISC. FOR SALE

 PETS & ANIMAL SVCS.

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.

JLB REMODELING, INC. Remodeling and additions. Fully insured. NC GC license #69997. Free est. Call (336) 681-2902 or visit www.jlbremodeling.com.

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

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

PRESSURE WASHING CUTTING EDGE PRESSURE WASHING. Aﬀordable, dependable. Please call anytime for free estimate. (336) 706-0103.

ORTIZ REMODELING – Total restoration & home improvement. Drywall, painting, kitchen cabinets, interior trim & more. Free estimates. (336) 280-8981. PREMIER CONSTRUCTION for all your remodeling/renovation needs. (336) 430-9507.

HOUSE SOFT WASHING, roof soft washing, pressure washing. Check out our 5- star reviews online! Please visit our website, MartinsPressureWashing.com.

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, rooﬁng, rotted wood. Sr. disc., 41 yrs. exp. (336) 362-6343.

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

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.

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.

Construction Services, INC

BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS

Feature walls

(336) 644-8615 office (336) 508-5242 cell Licensed & insured NC Gen. Contractor #72797

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.

22 22

APRIL APRIL99--15, 15,2020 2020

 MISC. SERVICES

We LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

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

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

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ROOFING BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. We fi nance. Free Estimates. Since 1979. Please call (336) 362-6343. CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC. Residential roofing, rubber flat roofs, roof coating, metal roofs. 30 years experience. Call (336) 643-8191 or (336) 268-1908. 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.

critters

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

 MISC. WANTED FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, ATVs, generators, power washers, go-carts, mini-bikes, golf carts, 4-wheelers, etc. (336) 689-4167. $$$ – WILL PAY CASH for your junk / wrecked vehicle. For quote, call (336) 552-0328.

 REAL ESTATE LAND FOR SALE LAND. Large tracts. Rockingham County and Summerﬁeld. Want social distancing?! Only three 10-acre tracts left. If 10 acres isn’t enough, one 25-acre parcel remains. Perfect for a mini-estate, laying hens, and a garden too. Hurry, this land won’t last! Call (336) 430-9507 anytime.

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Carlotta Lytton, CPA .......................... 14 Kimberly Thacker Accounting............ 14 Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC..... 14

AUTOMOTIVE SALES / SERVICE EuroHaus ..........................................20 Piedmont Truck Tires Inc. ....................9 Tire Max ..............................................2

BUILDING / REMODELING TM Construction Services ..................22 Walraven Signature Homes .......... 12-13

CHILDREN’S SERVICES Guardian Ad Litem ............................10

CHURCHES Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church .........19 Oak Ridge United Methodist Church ...6

DENTISTRY

Summerfield Family Dentistry ............ 14

GROCERY STORE Southern Foods ...................................3

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES BEK Paint Company ..........................21 Eanes Heating & Air .......................... 11 GrowinGreen Inc. .............................. 17

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HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES Nature’s Select ....................................8 New Garden Landscaping & Nursery..10 Old School Home Repair ...................20 ProStone, Inc. ....................................23 Stokesdale Heating & Air...................19 Stokesdale Storage ............................22

INSURANCE Gladwell Insurance ............................19

LEGAL SERVICES

Barbour & Williams Law .................... 16 Scott Tippett – Hagan Barrett Law ......4

MEDICAL CARE LeBauer HealthCare ............................5 Wake Forest Baptist Health ...............18

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS

Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital ............... 14 Northwest Animal Hospital ..................7

REAL ESTATE A New Dawn Realty ..........................22 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX ....................8 Ramilya Siegel, Keller Williams .......... 17

YOUTH SPORTS / CAMPS Oak Ridge Youth Association ............15 YMCA of Greensboro ..........................7

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FEATURED ON

RUNOFF SUIT

tives of the defendants declined to discuss the lawsuit or didn’t reply to requests for comments earlier this week.

regarding design of the erosion control device. This was not the town’s project and there haven’t been any contracts to that effect.” In an email, Whitaker emphasized the town “did not decide against our engineer’s recommendation.”

The homeowners are seeking a verdict that would require the defendants to stop the flooding, possibly by using one of the recommendations by Freese and Nichols, Fitzgerald said.

...continued from p. 3

Summerfield hasn’t owned property on the site or constructed any improvements on it, he noted, adding, “The town’s role has been one of reviewing development plans at different stages.” Construction of the dental practice spurred the most recent storm water complaints, according to Whitaker. “The town investigated the matter and was trying to facilitate a remedy involving the other property owners, the HOA, engineers and neighbors,” he said. “At least two potential remedies were proposed and estimated to some degree, but some neighbors engaged legal counsel during the process before a solution could be reached.” Other than Whitaker, representa-

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Among the possibilities proposed by the engineer were rain barrels or underground retention of runoff, according to a March 7, 2019, memo from the engineering firm to Whitaker and his staff. In its memo, the engineer said drainage from the parking lot for the sheriff’s office and the Hoskins House could be handled by the installation of a storm water detention device to retain the peak flow of water. Once it leaves the parking lot, the flow of water across the homeowners’ property isn’t controlled by a ditch or channel, the memo said. As a result, “it appears that the runoff is already overwhelming the ability of the downstream property to convey the runoff” to a drain inlet near Tannery Road. Running underground pipes would carry runoff from the commercial properties past the Tannery Road houses, Fitzgerald said. In another possible remedy, cutting a swale across the property would channel the flooding past the houses and the yards, he said.

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ECRWSS

Alex Kate and Reese Bell smile big with their beautiful chalk creation on Palm Sunday. Their art was inspired by a challenge from their church, Lutheran Church in Kernersville, to post a message on Twitter with the word “Hosanna.” Alex Kate and Reese also wanted to share their message with our readers.

who now Catherine Caillat, a native Melbournian e to hom back trip resides in Summerﬁeld, took a e, ther le Whi . ralia visit family in Melbourne, Aust s thing on ted she read the NWO to keep upda hometown. happening across the ocean in her new

In late February during an intense practice, these Guilford College cheerleaders took a break to catch up on what’s going on locally in the Northwest Observer!

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