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I remember when…

I remember a time, in the long past, when a group of citizens banned together because they were terrified of Summerfield losing its rural feel after a large land owner had decided to sell his beautiful horse farm and have it developed into large, expensive homes.

How would a small farm community handle the influx of people, citizens asked. Our schools would be overcrowded. Our roads would become congested. We definitely would not have enough water.

How could they force out the family that had been running that business?

We marched down to our governing body and begged them to turn down this development, concerned that our way of life would be ruined.

The developer promised it would be a beautiful development that would enhance Summerfield as a wonderful place to live. He wanted to raise his family here (and he did). The subdivision – Henson Farms – was approved, and as a citizen commented on the Town of Summerfield’s Facebook page, it was built out legally.

More people came to Summerfield after that to live in more new and beautiful subdivisions – Henson Forest, Armfield and the Vineyards among them.

Wonderful, talented people and families have moved into Summerfield over the years, and the town has changed. It is no longer a sleepy farming community, and it will change more as it continues to develop.

Let’s hope we don’t repeat the past by pushing misinformation and fear mongering as we navigate our way through our next phase. Beth Kaplan SUMMERFIELD

Thank You To Our Fall 2020 Soccer Sponsors!

Ramilya Siegel 336-215-9856

ORYA.ORG

Town of Oak Ridge

Editor’s note: Regarding the “Chinese disease” reference in a reader’s Grin that was published several weeks ago, I believe the subsequent Grins and Gripes have run their course and as of this issue, we will Outside the The following reader-submitted GRIPES express opinions about state and/or national topics, and have been separated from the other grins and gripes as a courtesy to those who do not want to read others’ opinions on state and/or national political and other non-local topics in a local newspaper. GRIPES to...  Mass immigration, both legal and

WALTER, McMATH

...continued from p. 18 engineers, artists, and more.

“We want kids to take the work ethic they learn from being a musician and apply it to their passion,” he said. “If we take ‘as great as possible’ and they apply that to what they love, then they will be successful.”

McMath said in his application he also described how “incredible” the Northwest community is, and credited the parents’ support for contributing greatly to the school’s music culture.

Although McMath had been nominated for the music educator award before, he hadn’t made it past the initial round.

“This time I thought, ‘how cool would it be if I could be a semi-finalist?’” he said. “We didn’t hear anything for months, and then Donny (Walter) texted me and gave me a ‘secret congratulations.’

“Donny and I have worked together for years, done concerts together and not be publishing more Grins and Gripes about it. And please, to the individuals who submit multiple gripes over a period of days on the same topic, stop. It only serves to

waste your time and mine. illegal. Toxic for our economy, detrimental to American culture and identity, and funded by the corporate Dems and big businesses who profit at the expense of the American people. Pat Buchanan was right.  President Obama for commending “young people who are marching, protesting, and fired up.” Most people call it rioting, looting and arson. For genuine peaceful protest, recall the Tea

Party. What a difference. had festivals together, and it’s been a great professional and personal relationship,” McMath said. “To be semi-finalists together is super exciting. And, we’re from the same school and the only representatives from North Carolina!”

For his award application, Walter said he shared his commitment to finding a place for as many students as possible to fit in the middle and high school orchestras; he also described his efforts to grow student leaders and steps he took last spring to adapt to remote instruction.

Of the Northwest community, Walter said, “It is fantastic! We have wonderful students, great parents, and I couldn’t ask for better faculty and staff to work with. It’s wonderful to be here.”

Walter is married and has two children. He is a member of UNC-G’s Sinfonia Orchestra, where he plays bass and cello, and he chairs the orchestra section of the N.C. Music Educators Association. Besides music, he enjoys playing disc golf, and he and his children have black belts from Allen’s Taekwondo in Greensboro.