Grins and Gripes

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

 Darlene Garrett, District 5, one of the few GCS board members who comes into meetings without an agenda, with an open mind, and strives for integrity. She truly cares about all stakeholders in our schools – students, parents and educators.  Green Ridge Landscape’s Criss Harrell. My yard always looks great, and now my new fire pit and walkway look great as well – my husband and I have really enjoyed them.  Patti Stokes and the Northwest Observer for the wonderful article in the Oct. 15-28 edition about the women of Liberty Wesleyan Church’s participation in this year’s virtual Women’s Only 5K Walk & Run. We appreciate the kind coverage.  All the people who don’t use Asian people as pawns for their own success.  The driver of the white pick-up who slowed down just enough to save my puppy when we were walking along N.C. 150 and a sports car with a loud muffler roared by and spooked him. I will be eternally grateful.  Patti Stokes (NWO editor) for her professional, well-spoken and educated response to the reaction of the “Chinese disease” controversy. Thank you for all the good work you do in this community. Maybe someday other readers will understand the word “context.”  Dr. Wallace and staff at Kings Crossing Animal Hospital. They always go above and beyond for each of our animals, and show utmost compassion when a pet is passing. Thanks to all – we appreciate the wonderful service!  The lady at the Stokesdale Post Office standing at the copy machine putting stamps on envelopes. Thank you so much for your help and your contribution. It enabled me to get the copies I needed.  Dr. Chandler, principal at Stokesdale Elementary, for her dedication, organization and kind heart during these trying, unknown times. She has been so wonderful to her staff and community and we are lucky to have her as our leader.  Jane at Guilford County Elections for all her help ensuring I received the absentee information I needed to vote. I always got clear, concise information for absentee voting and confirmation my ballot was received.  Residents of the house on Haw River Road for your wonderful Halloween decorations on the front porch. I love your Pennywise the Clown, which brought a big smile to my face!  The Northwest Observer for donating bags of new school supplies to my school. As a teacher, I am very appreciative.  The Early Voting process in Oak Ridge, and congratulations to the poll workers on how well it went when I voted there. They have every step under control. Go vote – you will be safe.

 Those who think it’s OK to say “Chinese virus.” I’m Asian, not Chinese, and I and others have been victims of verbal and physical assault after being blamed for creating the virus. That is racist and not OK.  The free corn maze experience on Horse Pen Creek Road in the dark, while it was raining – kinda scary!  Those who think “Chinese disease” is the proper term for COVID-19. Nobody calls 2009 H1N1 flu the “United States flu” or “Mexico flu,” even though the outbreak occurred in Mexico and United States.  Guilford County Schools – in an effort to make everyone happy, the system has completely ruined another school year. The squeaky wheel and a numerical minority once again get the grease.  The person complaining, and rightly so, about someone defacing and stealing your Trump signs. Please don’t use “Democrat” when saying this. I’m a registered Democrat, but would never deface or steal a sign.  Those who name the pandemic after Wuhan or China, which leads to discrimination and stigmatization, breaks solidarity, and only inflames animosity. For these reasons, WHO established their best practice to abandon associating places to a disease and this pandemic is named COVID-19.  The person who said Northerners should assimilate to Southern culture. As a Yankee who has lived here for the last 15 years, I am curious… how does one “assimilate into Southern culture?” I will need specific examples.  Those who treat Linville Road like a race track. Please slow down around neighborhood roads/houses and the park before you seriously injure or kill someone.  Those who refer to the virus as the “Chinese virus,” which doesn’t help Americans fighting the COVID virus. It is sad that some people are so arrogant and think this way.  Summerfield resident Melanie Harless for her view about people who would like to live in Summerfield. Rest assured, us meager people do not want to live in a neighborhood with the noble if you all have that attitude. Bless you.  Oak Ridge Fire Department for not cooking enough BBQ. We got up there a little after 9 o’clock and were told they had already sold out.  The reader who submitted 12 gripes (in one day) about the “Chinese virus,” wanted to know why I hadn’t published them (we didn’t publish a paper last week), and then insinuated I (Patti Stokes, NWO editor) am a racist.  The griper wishing “Northerners” would assimilate to Southern culture. We are the only reason y’all have running water. Bless your heart!  All the people throwing trash out your car window. You do realize there is a fine up to $1,000 for littering in North Carolina? I’m considering cameras to catch license plates – consider yourself warned.  The Oak Ridge Town Council member who feels he does not need to wear his face mask at the post office.  Those who reference the pandemic as the “Chinese virus.” Our community is already being hit hard by COVID-19. Spreading hate won’t help. “United we stand, divided we fall.” An ethnicity is not a virus. We have to stop dividing ourselves.  Our neighbor on Bunch Road who burns outside almost every night. We can’t even enjoy our screened porch due to the constant smoke. Please be considerate of your neighbors and stop.  The Democrat at the voting place who tried to give me information. I explained I was Republican and was not interested and he said he shouldn’t have let me take the good parking space. It was not your parking space! ...continued on p. 26

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