Northwest Observer / April 1-14, 2021 by pscommunications

April 1 - 14, 2021

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‘Screaming’ Ready, set, go… to the Oak bulldog stars on Ridge Easter Horse Show America’s Funniest Home Videos After taking top prize in last week’s televised contest, Duke moves on to the ﬁnals

IN THIS ISSUE

News in brief............................................ 5 Your Questions........................................ 4 Stokesdale Town Council meeting ..... 6 Bits & Pieces .......................................... 10 HorseFriends working for future ......... 14 Pet Adoptions ....................................... 18 NWO Kids’ Korner ............................19, 31 Community Calendar.........................23 Student Proﬁles .....................................24 Rocket Academy Photo courtesy of Andrew Heltsey

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Making a comeback after an 8-year hiatus, the show takes place this Friday and Saturday, April 2-3 by ANNETTE JOYCE Duke’s reaction to getting his nails trimmed has earned his family both fame and fortune.

by CHRIS BURRITT OAK RIDGE – Duke barks like a normal dog – except when Jess Gervasi pulls out the nail clippers. “He screams like a girl” when getting his nails trimmed, Gervasi said. And she and her husband, Nick, have the video to prove it. In fact, viewers of America’s

...continued on p. 33

After months of hard work and preparation, the Oak Ridge Easter

Horse Show returns to the area this Friday and Saturday, April 2 and 3, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. The show will take place at Steeple Hill Farm in Summerfield. Having debuted 75 years ago, the Easter weekend horse show, which was last held in 2012, has deep roots in the community’s history. Since

...continued on p. 16

Residents favor more trails, open space, parks A survey by consultant WithersRavenel found support for spending to improve Summerﬁeld’s parks and recreational facilities

by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield residents who responded to an online survey last year indicated they would like town leaders to set aside more acreage for parks and open space that would be

...continued on p. 2

Liam G. poses with his model rocket while waiting for his turn to launch at the Pack 130 Rocket Academy at Oak Ridge Town Park on March 20.

............................28 Heartbreaker for NWHS boys soccer .29 High school sports highlights .............30 Grins and Gripes ..................................32 Classiﬁeds .............................................35 Index of Advertisers .............................39

Beware! April 1, aka April Fools’ Day, is time for practical jokes and hoaxes. Fun fact: The day is not a public holiday except in Odessa, Ukraine, where April 1 is an official city holiday, according to Wikipedia.

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APRIL 1 - 14, 2021

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connected by trails and greenways. Those recommendations highlighted a presentation last month by WithersRavenel, a civil and environmental engineering firm hired by the town last year to develop a 12-year plan for developing parks and recreational facilities and open space in Summerfield. The blueprint will guide the town’s Trails and Open Space Committee and the Town Council in setting priorities for spending on parks, recreation and open space based upon the town’s comprehensive plan. Adopted by the council in 2010, the •comprehensive Totally localplan since 1996 the encourages

construction of sidewalks, bikeways and trails, and preservation of the town’s rural character and open spaces, while promoting improvements to parks and recreational facilities in Summerfield. Last month’s presentation was based upon research by WithersRavenel last year consisting of interviews of town leaders and an online survey of residents. The consultant shared results of the survey during a Zoom presentation for the general public March 23. Next it plans to present its findings to the Town Council April 13, followed by delivery of the final plan to the town May 11. The survey of residents provided “a confirmation of things we think we know about parks, trails and open space,” Town Manager Scott Whitaker said during last month’s presentation. He said he was pleased by participation in the survey, even though it drew responses from only 384 respondents, or 3.3 percent of the town’s estimated population of 11,573. Such a response rate is “typical,” added Brian Starkey, WithersRavenel’s director of parks and recreation.

Based on survey results, residents are pleased with Summerfield’s parks and recreational facilities, helping explain the single-digit response rate, according to Starkey. “When it’s good news, there’s less motivation for people to participate,” he said. Interviews of elected officials and other town leaders by WithersRavenel found that they’re “satisfied overall” with Summerfield’s investments in parks and recreation. They consist of 78-acre Summerfield Community Park, with a lake and pier, amphitheater and trails, while 28-acre Summerfield Athletic Park contains four playing fields. The parks offer three playgrounds and three picnic shelters. Both parks would benefit from greater connectivity to surrounding areas, which is an improvement sought by town leaders, the consultant said. They also supported construction of more athletic parks, a dog park and preservation of more open space to maintain the town’s culture. WithersRavenel laid out a timetable, with construction of trails and dedication of open space spanning 12 years of improvements. Projects would also include construction of playgrounds and a dog park in the first three years, a splash pad, sports courts and athletic fields in years four through eight, and bike lanes, sidewalks and improvements to road shoulders in the final four years. Summerfield is already moving ahead with projects reflecting recommendations by WithersRavenel. As part of construction of the new town hall on U.S. 220 and N.C. 150, it may extend trails to the site from elsewhere in Summerfield, according to Whitaker. Equestrian and hiking trails are planned for Bandera Farms, a 115-acre tract on Bunch Road at Interstate 73 that will also contain a section of the proposed Piedmont Greenway from Greensboro to Winston-Salem. The town plans to apply for a matching grant from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to begin development of

Bandera Farms, Whitaker said. When Summerfield takes ownership of Bandera Farms from the Piedmont Land Conservancy, it will comply with standards of the National Recreation and Park Association recommending municipalities offer 12 acres of park land per 1,000 residents, according to WithersRavenel. However, the town will still fall short of the association’s recommendation for one park per 1,300 residents, the consultant noted. WithersRavenel also found that Summerfield trails Oak Ridge in park spending from its operating budget, capital improvement plan and revenue from parks and other fees. Summerfield taxes its citizens 2.75 cents per $100 property value while Oak Ridge’s tax rate is 8 cents per $100 property value. If Summerfield leaders commit to spending more, respondents to the online survey suggested they invest in more sidewalks, trails and greenways. Their wish list also includes more parks and open space, playgrounds, sports courts and a splash pad, according to WithersRavenel. Residents would also like the town to offer nature, family and fitness programs, trail activities and additional events. Eighty-eight percent of respondents said they travel outside of Summerfield to use parks and recreational facilities not offered by the town. A big majority of respondents favor the town acquiring land for trails, open space and passive and athletic parks. Instead of raising taxes, they’d prefer for the town to rely upon grants, bonds and development impact fees to pay for improvements, according to the survey.

want to learn more? WithersRavenel’s presentation can be viewed at www.summerfieldnc.gov through April 6. Click on the “Parks & Rec & Events” tab on the homepage, and from there select “Parks, Trails, & Open Space Master Plan” from the list of items on the left. There, you’ll also be able to ask questions The feedback Northwest Observer and provide on the plan.

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I’m wondering whatever happened to plans by the airport to turn undeveloped land on Inman Road (northwest Greensboro) into a new service center and parking lot for rental car companies. There’s been no work there for many months.

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APRIL 1 - 14, 2021

We checked with Kevin Baker, executive director of Piedmont Triad Airport Authority, for an update. The project has been delayed indefinitely, he said in an email earlier this week, citing the negative impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the rental car industry. “We were preparing to start work on this last spring, just as COVID hit,” Baker said. “The rental companies were obviously hit hard, and we felt that the fiscally responsible move was to delay the project.” The plan calls for the relocation of the rental car service center from its location near the airport terminal to 57 acres of old farmland on Inman Road. Overgrown with blackberries and briars, the tract contains a pond that the authority plans to drain and fill with dirt to accommodate the service center and parking for about 2,360 vehicles, according to the authority’s 2019 proposal.

Baker said the authority plans to reevaluate the project over the next six to 12 months “and maybe beyond, as the industry hopefully begins to rebound, and we are able to more accurately predict future demands and storage needs.” In mid-2019, crews cut trails through the property to allow for soil tests and other preliminary work. Since then, the authority has posted “No Trespassing” signs along the site, located on the southern side of Inman Road across from Cornerstone Baptist Church and a rear entrance to the Cardinal subdivision. A field across from the church once used by youth soccer teams is now overgrown. The northeastern end of the tract is less than a quarter mile from the stoplight at Inman and Fleming roads, a hub of commercial development with Food Lion, CVS, McDonald’s and other businesses.

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NEWS in brief

Oak Ridge seeks $450,000 grant for Whitaker property by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – For the second time, Oak Ridge is seeking a $450,000 matching state grant to defray costs for expanding Town Park to the Whitaker property. The Town Council voted unanimously during a special called meeting this past Monday, March 29, to apply for the grant from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF). It also approved the site plan for the Whitaker property. The state agency turned down Oak Ridge’s grant application last year, favoring municipalities across the state that had previously been denied funding, according to Town Manager Bill Bruce.

This time, Oak Ridge leaders hope applying a second time works in their favor. Bruce told the council the town is pursuing the same projects in the new application. The submission also contains letters of support from local civic groups.

ORTHOPAEDICS & SPORTS MEDICINE

If Oak Ridge wins funding, it would be required to match every dollar it gets from the state. The grant would help cover costs for turning the Whitaker property into an extension of Town Park. In February, Oak Ridge’s council earmarked $855,000 in the fiscal year starting July 1 for the start of improvements.

Town clerk tenders resignation Council votes unanimously to accept resignation and authorize severance package by PATTI STOKES STOKESDALE – Stokesdale Town Council voted unanimously to accept Town Clerk Alisa Houk’s resignation after she tendered it during a special called closed session meeting March 22. The resignation was effective immediately, but Houk agreed to temporarily remain accessible for questions to help ensure continuity of operations at Town Hall. Houk was sworn in as the town’s deputy clerk in March 2017. One year later she was appointed interim finance officer and interim town clerk after then town clerk and finance officer Kim Hemric resigned. Four months later, in July 2018, the council voted 3-2 to remove the

“interim” from Houk’s title and hire her for town clerk and finance officer after advertising the full-time position and receiving over 50 applications. Then counAlisa Houk cil members Bill Jones and Tim Jones said they thought Houk had done a good job under the circumstances, but Bill Jones said he believed the council needed to hire a town clerk with experience in municipal government, and Tim Jones said he had suggested several times Stokesdale hire a non-auditing CPA as finance officer.

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In October of last year, the council voted 4-1 to hire Kimberly Thacker as the town’s finance officer after she had been

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APRIL 1 - 14, 2021

STOKESDALE town council

March 11 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by PATTI STOKES After meeting virtually only for the last several months due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions, Stokesdale Town Council met in person March 11. Citizens were allowed to attend the meeting in Town Hall, or could watch via Zoom or the town’s YouTube channel; new audio/visual equipment, purchased with funds made available via the federal CARES Act, was used for the first time since being recently installed. Mayor John Flynt called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. with Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks, council members Derek Foy, Jimmy Landreth, Jim Rigsbee, Town Clerk Alisa Houk, Deputy Clerk Priscilla Hunsucker, Finance Officer Kim Thacker present, along with about 20 citizens. Town Planner Oliver Bass and Attorney Tom Medlin

participated remotely. After adding one agenda item and replacing another, the meeting agenda was adopted. Brian Cox, sales engineer with Audio & Light based in Greensboro, was on hand to test the new sound system at Town Hall, and noted the microphones would be much more sensitive to sound than the older ones were.

Meeting minutes. Councilman Foy noted the Feb. 11, 2021 meeting minutes reflect the council voted to go into closed session but it had not voted to do so, and a correction was needed.

 5  0 to rescind the above-referenced vote in the Feb. 11, 2021 meeting minutes. Councilman Rigsbee said the December 2020 and January 2021

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WHAT they voted on, and HOW they voted: Mayor John Flynt, Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks and council members Derek Foy, Jimmy Landreth, Jim Rigsbee voted on the following issues during the March 11, 2021 council meeting…

 5  0: Rescind a vote to go into closed session that was reflected in the Feb. 11 meeting minutes  5  0: Rescind the council’s vote on Feb. 11 and revert an approved rezoning back to AG, credit the petitioners for rezoning fees and apply them to the cost of the Planning Board’s site plan review  5  0: Have Gauldin Plumbing replace a toilet sensor in the park’s restrooms, at a cost of $459  3  2: Appoint (Hooks, Flynt opposed) Randy Braswell to the Planning Board

 2  3: Revise (Foy and Flynt in favor) the policy on adding an agenda item during a meeting to read that no vote would be taken on the item unless the issue is “time-sensitive”  3  2: Revise (Rigsbee and Flynt opposed) the above policy to read “there will be no vote taken on this agenda item” (deleting “unless the item is time-sensitive”)  5  0: Request the town attorney draft a letter to county commissioners saying Stokesdale wants to be part of the conversation about any annexation in close proximity to the town limits before commissioners vote on it meeting minutes had still not been submitted for council approval, and asked when they would be completed. “I’m working on them,” Town Clerk Alisa Houk responded. “I can’t give you a definite date … It’s been a very busy couple of weeks. I hope to have them done by April. “I think it’s important that they are done by April,” Foy said.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Houk said 607 water customers were billed in February and 268,310 gallons of water were used from Jan. 20 to Feb. 11. Estimates are being obtained for the cost of switching out about 107 manual meters located along the most dangerous roadside stops with newer electronic ones so the meter reader doesn’t have to get out of the car to read them. The town’s water operator, Gary

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Matchunis, submitted weekly/monthly results from bacteria testing and none was detected in the water lines. Also, the nineyear asbestos testing results were negative. Boone Meadows has just been approved by the state to start construction and North Ridge will soon begin Phase 5. Houk and Mayor Flynt attended a fact-finding Zoom meeting in February with Hazen & Sawyer and Courtney Driver, director of Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Utilities, in which they discussed the town’s future water needs as it continues to grow. The SunTrust account has been closed and moved to Fidelity Bank. The town received nine bids for routine landscaping and lawn maintenance of town property. The Hazard Mitigation Plan for Guilford County is being updated for the

...continued on p. 8

Ordinary peOPLE,

Extraordinary impact “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall

by ANNETTE JOYCE

OAK RIDGE – “A small club making a big difference.” That’s the motto of the Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club (NGWC). As president of the organization, Terri Johnson inspires the group to continually search for unique ways to make the community a better place. A chapter of an international organization, NGWC was established in February 2017. Johnson, who was a founding member, is serving her third term as president. She became interested in the group because of its focus on helping other people and giving back to the community. “NGWC’s mission is to find needs within our northwest Guilford community and help to fulfill those needs through volunteering our time, donating and fundraising,” Johnson said. As a former assistant teacher at Oak Ridge Elementary School and now a Realtor with Maureena Shepherd and Associates Allen Tate team, Johnson is accustomed to helping other people reach their goals. NGWC gives her the opportunity to do the same, but in a different capacity. Johnson enjoys sharing the many things the club has accomplished in its short history and that the group has persevered through COVID. For instance, the ladies have adopted a portion

of N.C. 150 and four times a year the group picks up trash along this section. They’ve collected donations for both the Summerfield Christmas Store, sponsored by Summerfield Peace United Methodist Church, and Stokesdale’s Good Samaritan Ministries’ food pantry. The group also volunteers to serve food for Greensboro Urban Ministry and has furnished a chili meal for the homeless. They’ve sought to brighten the day for senior citizens and veterans by sending Valentine and birthday cards. They’ve also volunteered to help with veterans’ memorial services. While the group hasn’t yet put together any large fundraisers, they did hold a Bunco Night in which all the proceeds went to Camp Carefree in Stokesdale. This also gave the women an opportunity to come together socially, have some fun and invite other women who might be interested in the group.

She’s also at the forefront when it comes to bringing projects to fruition. “I just enjoy being able to help other people. It comes from my heart,” Johnson said. “But it’s not just me. There are 20 other members who are helping to make this club successful and (allow us) to do the projects that we do.”

Although modest about her own contributions, Johnson’s sweet smile and encouraging personality are well suited to her leadership role with the club. She sees herself as the person who can take other people’s ideas and put the wheels in motion.

Residents of Oak Ridge, Johnson and her husband, Phil, have been married 29 years. They have two sons, Matt, 28, and Drew, 26. When she’s not working or seeking to help other people, Johnson enjoys hiking with Millie, her overly energetic German shorthaired pointer puppy.

“A lot of ladies will mention ideas, and I get the ball rolling and figure out how we can make it happen,” Johnson said. “I’m good at organization and consistent in keeping in touch with everybody to keep the club cohesive.”

Johnson invites anyone who is interested in learning more about NGWC to contact her at (336) 671-8613 or terri.johnson@allentate.com. The group meets at varied locations within Oak Ridge the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m.

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Thanks to Tire Max for sponsoring this monthly feature in which we recognize “ordinary” people in our readership area who make an extraordinary impact on others. To nominate an “ordinary” person for this feature, email editor@nwobserver.com with their name, a detailed description of how they positively impact others, and your contact info.

TOWN COUNCIL ...continued from p. 6

first time since 2015. Republic Services notified the town it would begin replacing customers’ smaller recycle carts with 96-gallon carts in mid-March, in preparation for transitioning to an every-other-week recycle schedule in May.

COMMITTEE REPORTS Events. Councilman Derek Foy said a Christmas tree lighting is planned for Saturday, Dec. 4, and the annual Christmas Parade will return to its traditional format Saturday, Dec. 11. The committee is also planning a Spring Cleaning Community Day on Saturday, May 1, and will invite residents to help clean up trash along the town’s roadsides. More details will be announced at the April council meeting. Property. Councilman Jim Rigsbee noted bids for landscaping and lawn maintenance of town property would be reviewed later in the meeting.

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Stokesdale Parks & Rec Association’s soccer teams will soon start playing on fields in the town park. Councilman Jimmy Landreth said one toilet in the concession stand building is not flushing automatically.

 Kathryn Bunthoff referenced an incident in March 2016, when then mayor Randy Braswell contacted the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation and requested Stokesdale be removed from the Mountains-to-Sea Trail map.

FINANCE REPORT

“I was stunned that a councilman or mayor could unilaterally remove such a community-focused project from public consideration without a vote by council,” Bunthoff said. “He acted swiftly on a narrow vision of what he and a small but vocal group of Stokesdale residents believed this town is and should be.

Finance Officer Kim Thacker noted interest rates have dropped significantly, which affects the town’s investments revenue stream. A Budget vs. Actual report was presented and included all council-approved budget amendments for the fiscal year to date. Thacker noted three deposits for utility franchise fees, the town’s largest revenue source, have not yet been received for this fiscal year – one was due to arrive March 15, with the other two on June 15 and September 15. $50,000 has been transferred into a new account for capital reserves. Accounts receivables from water customers total $36,702.17, including inactive accounts.

CITIZEN COMMENTS  Planning Board member Mark Nadel referenced an agenda item indicating the council would be voting on a new Planning Board member later in the meeting and said he wanted to verify the process for board appointees to move from an alternate to a full voting member. “As I understand, when someone is appointed, it is as an alternate and from there, they can move up,” Nadel said, noting a major consideration for transitioning to a full voting member is attendance and participation in meetings. Flynt said another consideration is completion of the required training classes. Foy said he wasn’t aware of any process for an alternate moving up, but from his perspective it should depend on who is most qualified. Houk noted there is a Planning Board policy and procedure manual in Town Hall that covers this issue.  Former council member William Jones said although he lives in Kernersville, he still owns property in Stokesdale and considers himself qualified to speak. He then expressed concern about the water system and what he said was Mayor Flynt “overstepping his boundaries again” when he agreed for Stokesdale to supply water to a subdivision in Forsyth County without first consulting other council members. “That reminds me of ‘the tree business.’” Jones said. “The mayor signed an agreement (with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities) and at least three other council members didn’t know… It’s very dangerous to allow the mayor to do whatever he wants without consideration of the council. A public hearing would have been better … you need to let the public let you know what they think about you selling water outside of the county.” In response to Jones’ comments, Flynt said, “I would address that but we’ve talked about it before.”

“Mr. Braswell’s decision decidedly shaped land use and community development in our town,” Bunthoff continued. “He didn’t feel like people were for it, and he certainly wasn’t for it. It didn’t fit his vision of Stokesdale, and that was more or less the end of it… “In 2019 Mr. Braswell ran for town council with a slogan, “Make Stokesdale great again” – a slogan lacking in both originality and clarity,” Bunthoff said. “But Mr. Braswell had already chosen not to make Stokesdale great again by refusing to take advantage or our town’s railway history to encourage economic development and improve quality of life.” Bunthoff said she could not take it lightly that Braswell now wants to serve on the town’s Planning Board. “As a resident who sees the importance of wise decisions, with an eye to the future instead of impulsive decisions with an eye fixed on the past, I am here speaking for the future of our town and ask that its decisions be taken into more careful consideration than was the case with Mr. Braswell’s refusal of the trail on behalf of our entire town,” she said.

REZONING CASE 20-12. After voting to reconsider a rezoning approved at the Feb. 11 council meeting, the council discussed whether to waive the rezoning fees and allow applicants Jackson and Gina Gonzalez to revert back to their original AG zoning for a 3.78-acre tract and submit a site plan to the Planning Board. It was explained the original decision was based on miscommunication between the couple and the town planner.

 5  0 to rescind the council’s vote on Feb. 11, revert the zoning back to AG, credit the Gonzalezes for rezoning fees and apply them to the cost of Planning Board’s site plan review. The change allows the couple to have their primary residence and a single-wide mobile home on a 2-acre lot, and a separate 1.8-acre tract with a house.

Sealed bids. The town received nine bids from vendors for providing routine lawn maintenance of town properties. As each sealed bid was opened, Houk announced the vendor’s name and their bid amount. Council then agreed to have the Property Committee review the three lowest bids, ranging from $25,200 to $27,480 (annual cost), then make a recommendation on

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which company to contract with. Foy pointed out the bids came in at 15 to 40% below what the town currently pays for landscaping and lawn maintenance.

Major subdivision. Landreth said he had been struggling with the town’s definition of a “major subdivision.” The issue came to the forefront when the Stokesdale-based homebuilding company, Johnson and Lee, submitted an application for a waiver last fall, which Flynt insisted automatically changed their development from a minor to a major subdivision. “Any variance is giving a property owner special treatment. And sometimes when you get that special treatment you give up something,” Flynt said. “You need to make a conscious decision before you ask for a waiver, knowing you may lose some things and gain some things.” Foy argued a waiver isn’t necessarily special treatment, and could only be granted under special circumstances. Foy and Flynt then debated the merits of the Planning Board’s waiver, which Foy said had been granted for safety reasons. Landreth then asked what specifically made a minor subdivision change to a major subdivision. Town Planner Oliver Bass said at the county level, a minor subdivision can be approved by staff; if a waiver is requested, the county’s Technical Review Committee (TRC) reviews it. Granting a waiver such as the one for the duplexes on Notees Lane in Stokesdale would technically change it to a major subdivision, Bass said (because the number of homes increased from four to seven). In Stokesdale, a waiver for a minor subdivision goes before the Planning Board, which is equivalent to the county’s TRC. Council members discussed at length the logic – or illogic – of what forces a change in the subdivision’s category, and whether granting a waiver is equal to granting a special privilege (Flynt maintained that it is and Foy argued it is not). “We’ve approved several minor

subdivisions with waivers and you didn’t have this nonsense,” Foy said. “Why does a waiver (such as the one granted for duplexes on Notees Lane) make a minor subdivision a major subdivision? “I don’t think it’s a special privilege,” Foy continued. “It’s a benefit for the community of Stokesdale. Why would you want to have those three driveways coming out onto Haw River Road?” Flynt responded he thought it was unsafe to have seven duplexes on a minor road where two fire trucks couldn’t pass.

“They’ve been putting fires out on every pig path in Stokesdale for years,” Landreth said. Arguing that the town’s ordinance was based on Guilford County’s, Flynt said “I hate to see us go rogue and our ordinances be different from anyone else’s.” After further discussion and input from citizens in attendance, Bill Greco of Land Solutions, who worked with Johnson and Lee on its site plan for the duplexes on Notees Lane, said “Ordinances evolve over time. Housekeeping is necessary sometimes and this is one of those times. My clients are landowners and Stokesdale citizens and the ordinance is there to provide a framework for the safe development of the town.”

to know when a property was rezoned.” When Landreth said he had voted for the change, but hadn’t intended to enforce property owners to connect to the town’s water system, Flynt responded, “We don’t have mandatory connection. Jimmy, I hope if we do that we’ll be tarred and feathered and run out of town.” Greco maintained that everyone makes mistakes, and this was an example of that. “The language needs clarifying to accurately reflect the intention of the council,” he said, noting he had submitted a suggested text amendment to the town’s development ordinance which would correct this issue.

“When we talk about lawsuits, about setting the town up for a problem, you’ve got one right here,” Greco added. At this, Flynt said the town needs to rewrite its development ordinance. “It was simple, cheap and quick to adopt the ordinance of Guilford County (when the town incorporated), but we have things that don’t apply,” he said, then added, “But it won’t be a cheap fix. I think we need a full-time planner…”

Planning Board application. Council considered whether to appoint former

...continued on p. 12

SMILE. Spring is here!

RS-30 policy. Rigsbee noted that last September the council amended its policy to require all RS-30 development Going above and beyond all CDC recommendations to ensure your safety moving forward hook onto the town’s water system – but, they didn’t discuss how to handle subdivisions already approved but not built out. Quality dental care for the entire family “I think we need to add some language to this amendment so previously (336) 643-1440 approved developments can proceed 6161-A Lake Brandt as originally approved,” Rigsbee said, Rd. citing Dawn Acres as an example of a Healthy Smiles. Happy Patients. subdivision approved over six years ago but not yet fully developed. Learn more about our care at SummerfieldDentist.com Flynt said he felt it made sense to abide by the rules in place at the time the property is developed, adding, ThetoNorthwest APRIL 1 - 14, 2021 9 “You’re going have to be aObserver historian • Totally local since 1996

Call today to make your appointment!

BITS & PIECES  BUSINESS NEWS

Bank of Oak Ridge branches into High Point Bank of Oak Ridge, headquartered on Fogleman Road in Oak Ridge, recently opened a new full-service branch in High Point to serve new and existing clients. Located in the Shoppes on Eastchester (2513 Eastchester Drive), the branch features a state-ofthe-art facility complete with the latest in innovative technologies. Sonia

Torres serves as branch manager and vice president. Sonia Torres Take a virBranch tual tour of the manager, VP new High Point branch at www.switch.bankofoakridge. com.

NC Parks & Recreation Trust Fund Grant Application Thursday,April 8, 6:30pm

(location TBD; details onTown calendar & Facebook) This will be a public meeting to receive citizen input related to Bandera Farms and an application for a NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant. This is a multijurisdictional project and if awarded, the Town of Summereld would use funds for the development of Bandera Farms involving the Piedmont Greenway, purposebuilt equestrian trails, a destination playground, etc. The proposed master plan and budget will be available for public inspection. If you have questions about the project, please contact the Town. We urge citizens to attend and share their input!

Check the website and Facebook page for potential updates. w w w. s u m m e r f i e l d n c . g o v 336-643-8655

APRIL 1 - 14, 2021

U.S. 220 in Summerfield and at the intersection of N.C. 68 and 150 in Oak Ridge.

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY NEWS

Scouts raise funds by raising American ﬂags NORTHWEST GUILFORD – Scouts of Troop 600 have come up with a unique fundraising idea – for an annual subscription of $60 for the first year ($40 in subsequent years), they’ll place a 3’ x 5’ American Flag on a 7-foot pole at the curbside in front of homes during the following patriotic days: Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Patriot Day and Veterans Day. According to the group’s website, the fundraiser supports the efforts of Troop 600 in helping young people become great servant leaders in our community.

Bank of Oak Ridge also operates branches on New Garden Road and Lake Jeanette Road in Greensboro, on

Subscribe to the flag raising program online at www.scoutdude.com/ flags-of-nw-fundraiser. Questions about

the program may be directed to flagsovernw@gmail.com. Troop 600B is an all-male troop of servant leaders that meets and camps year-round. Meetings are held at Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church, 2614 Oak Ridge Road. The troop is open to youth ages 11 through 17. For more info about the troop, visit www.scoutdude.com or email troop600b@yahoo.com.

Two Northwest Guilford seniors raising money for leukemia by CHRIS BURRITT NW GREENSBORO – Northwest Guilford High School seniors Caroline Howard and Hishi Ulak are trying to raise $25,000 for the fight against blood cancers after the deaths of math teacher Jeff Sasser and Ulak’s grandfather. The students formed Team Hope in an effort to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Triad Students of the Year Campaign, a sevenweek leadership development program. They’re soliciting tax-deductible donations by the end of the campaign April 8. They’re also seeking corporate sponsors to buy a program book ad for

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the group’s virtual gala April 10. They’re accepting donations on their personal fundraising page: events.lls.org/nc/triadsoy21/nwguilford. All contributions go toward blood cancer research, services and support and patient advocacy. Howard said she was inspired by Sasser, her seventh-grade math teacher at Northwest Middle School. He died last August after battling nonHodgkin’s lymphoma. Recalling his teaching skills, humor and love of singer Johnny Cash, Howard credited him for her love of math.

...continued on p. 34

In memory of Andy Gossett Jan. 21, 1986 – March 16, 2020

The community is invited to a memorial service on April 10, 2 p.m. at Calvary Church, 1665 Pleasant Ridge Road, Greensboro. Please wear masks.

After being diagnosed with gallbladder cancer in October 2019, Andy Gossett, who grew up in Oak Ridge, passed away March 16, 2020 at age 34. Andy leaves behind a wife, two young sons, his parents, twin sister, older brother and countless friends and extended family members who he deeply touched throughout his life’s journey. The following reflections contributed by just a few of them offer some brief insights into Andy’s personality and spirit, and why he is so deeply missed. “Andy always had a positive attitude, a fun sense of humor and a strong will/desire to be the best at everything he did,” Andy’s parents, David and Lisa Gossett, wrote. “The word ‘quit’ was not in his vocabulary. Even though he told people he struggled in primary school, he excelled throughout the rest of his school years. Along the way he competed with his church Bible Quiz team, memorizing entire Bible chapters. He won three out of four awards in varsity football at Northwest Guilford High School, including MVP and Outstanding Senior for his graduating class. “Andy worked hard, but also loved to have fun, hang out with his friends and play music with the band ‘Decibel.’ He had an opportunity to play football at Guilford College, but chose to attend N.C. State and pursue a career in engineering. He told us that from his first day in college until his last he always sat in the front row – he didn’t want to miss anything and wanted to learn everything! “Andy graduated from N.C. State with a double major in electrical and computer engineering, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. While working with Cisco, he completed his master’s and graduated in the top of his class. He traveled to many parts of the world and had opportunities to advance in his career, but what he loved most was his family and being a husband and father to his two precious sons. “On Oct. 16, 2019, Andy was diagnosed with Stage 4 terminal cancer. He passed exactly five months afterward, but he never stopped fighting! Even when his body could no longer function, he still sat up in the bed and talked to us. He was the strongest willed, yet gentle spirited, dedicated and most humble person I’ve ever known. “During his short life, Andy succeeded at being the best – the best grandson, brother, husband, dad, and we were blessed to call him our son.” “I knew Andy since elementary school, but our lives crossed more just after high school. I was a bit overweight and still a pretty shy kid. Andy and I started a running program together. We’d meet up in my neighborhood, which was a near perfect 1-mile loop with some decent hills. Most weeks we would run six miles a day, five days a week. Having a running buddy really helped me stick with it, and push myself on days I didn’t feel like it. To pass the time, we’d chat about different things. Andy was much bigger into science subjects like physics, and understood many of those concepts that I glazed over in high school. When I would ask Andy a physics-related question, I just tried to keep up during his (often very long) answers. Usually by the time he finished, we had completed our 6-mile runs, and the distraction helped the time fly by (most days).” “That winter/spring I lost over 40 pounds, which was life-changing in many ways. It boosted my social confidence, which helped me eventually return to college. That confidence also led me to meeting Lindsay (my wife), which radically altered my life. “After I moved to Chicago, Andy and I lost touch, until he got sick. But I wonder how many of the best things in my life would have happened if not for my running days with Andy.” Alex Basto “Andy was a kind and generous friend, and one of the nicest people you could ever meet. He always seemed to have a positive attitude. I remember this ridiculous video we made for science class using Ninja Turtle action figures. We couldn’t stop cracking up the whole time we were making it. So, when I think of Andy, I will always picture him laughing (he had a great laugh, too), and I like to think that he would approve of being remembered that way.” Justin Holoman

“There are people in your life who you will always remember for making the world a better place. My cousin Andy’s gentleness, faithfulness, generosity, and great courage (even until his last breath) were examples of his Godly character, which was expressed in his love for his family and friends. “Hardly a time went by that I didn’t hug him and tell him how proud I was of him. The saying is so true, ‘A cousin is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.’ “Although we may never understand his untimely death, which has left such a hole in our hearts, I pray his Godly legacy and character will live on through the lives of his precious sons and all who loved him.” Kristin Marsh “Andy was one of the most cordial and considerate people I knew growing up. He was friendly, always smiling, and treated everyone with respect. If someone had a different opinion on something, Andy would listen and try to understand where that person was coming from. In our group of friends, Andy was that guy who could brighten any of our days. With Andy, it was never about him. Even up to the last time I visited him, he wanted to talk about how I was doing, or sports or old times, but never about him. Of all the memories, the thing that always comes back to me about Andy was his passion and dedication to everything in his life. He gave everything his all, from sports, to playing and writing music, to his education and job, to being a great son, brother, husband, father, and friend.” Jason Presnell “With so many great memories of Andy, I don’t even know where to start. Between playing together in a band, spending weekends in a sweaty gym for wrestling tournaments, and traveling in Europe, we had some good times. But my fondest memories of Andy come from when we roomed together in college, which was when he became like a brother to me. We would turn pretty much anything into a competition, but I knew he always had my back. He was a gentle giant, always putting others before himself. I cherish the time I was able to spend with him and miss him dearly.” Bennett Noell

“Andy and I became friends in third grade at Oak Ridge Elementary. As kids, we’d go back and forth to each other’s homes, where we’d play sports, laser tag, or video games all night, convince each other that we’d spotted ghosts in the woods, or draw elaborate pictures of dinosaurs eating our classmates. “By high school, Andy was an exceptional math student and a varsity wrestler and football player. Despite his many accomplishments, he was humble, friendly, curious, and willing to help anyone. He was also one of the first of our friends to get a driver’s license, so I remember tasting ‘freedom’ together as 16-year-olds, cruising down Bryan Boulevard in his white Dodge Intrepid as we blared the latest alternative rock tunes, belting the lyrics at the top of our lungs. We had our own ambitions for radio stardom in those days, and we spent countless hours writing and playing music together in our high school rock band. “We shared many formative adventures together, including a post-college backpacking trip through Europe, and a post-high school road trip where he bravely attempted (but failed) the King Kong Challenge: to eat the equivalent of two large pizzas in 30 minutes. “Andy had a strong work ethic, most likely formed during the summers he spent building houses with his dad’s construction company. We worked together at a grocery store one summer where, night after night, Andy made the rest of us look bad because he could stock more shelves than three or more ‘normal’ people. That work ethic propelled him to the top of his engineering class at N.C. State, through his master’s program, and into prestigious roles at Cisco and other tech firms, where he was adored by his colleagues. “He is gone far too soon, but I’m grateful for Andy’s friendship and the impact he had on me over the past 25+ years. My heart goes out to his wife, their two sweet boys, and the Gossett family.” Andrew Pelehach “He was the perfect brother… forever my twin.”

Ali (twin sister)

TOWN COUNCIL ...continued from p. 9

council member and mayor Randy Braswell to the Planning Board. Foy said when considering such an appointment, he looks for experience, familiarity with the town’s ordinances, and “a strong stewardship to others,” and then motioned to appoint Braswell as an alternate on the board; Landreth seconded.

 3  2 (Hooks, Flynt opposed) to

appoint Randy Braswell to the Planning Board.

 5  0 to have Gauldin Plumbing replace a toilet sensor in the park’s restrooms, at a cost of $459.

Agenda policy. Houk requested a revision to the written policy for adding agenda items during a meeting, which included that no vote on such an agenda item would be taken unless the issue is time-sensitive. Council then discussed what constituted “time-sensitive” and Landreth, not satisfied with the explanation,

said he wouldn’t vote for the revision with that clause included.

 2  3 (Foy and Flynt in favor) to revise the policy on adding an agenda item during a meeting to read that no vote would be taken on the item unless the issue is “time-sensitive.”

 3  2 (Rigsbee and Flynt opposed) to revise the policy to read “there will be no vote taken on this agenda item” (deleting “unless the item is time-sensitive”). Annexation. Flynt said the town of Summerfield is considering extending its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) for two miles, which could have an impact on Stokesdale, specifically with properties on the west side of U.S. 220. “We have the same interests as Summerfield does in some of those areas,” Flynt said.

 5  0 to request (at Flynt’s sug-

gestion) the town attorney draft a letter to county commissioners saying Stokesdale would like to be part of the conversation about any annexation that would

be close to the town limits of Stokesdale before commissioners vote on it. About two and a half hours into the meeting, Foy said that after being contacted by Stokesdale resident and builder Commie Johnson about a letter the town clerk had drafted to the town attorney in January, he asked that this item be added to the meeting agenda for discussion. Johnson then addressed the council and spoke about the letter, which he had obtained through a Public Records Request. The letter contained allegations that Johnson had previously circumvented town water system procedures when connecting duplexes his company built on Notees Lane to the town’s water system. The issue came up after the town’s Planning Board granted Johnson’s company a waiver last November to allow driveways for three more duplexes under construction be accessed from Notees Lane versus Haw River Road. Flynt filed an appeal to the board’s decision weeks later, claiming the board had made egregious errors

when granting the waiver. See our March 18-31 issue’s front cover for more on Johnson’s comments and the subsequent public apology offered by Town Clerk Alisa Houk and the mayor for the letter they sent to the town attorney.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

William Jones said his first six of almost eight years on the council had gone fairly smoothly, but the last two years he served had taken a nosedive. He and then council member Tim Jones were denied access to financial documents and they were in the dark about what was being spent, Jones said, adding he also believes a lot of records are missing from Town Hall. “This is the worst run town in the state of North Carolina – I guarantee you!” Jones said. After Flynt read the announcements, the council voted 4-1 (Foy opposed) to recess at 10:30 p.m. and go into closed session. No decisions were made after the council reconvened and the meeting was adjourned.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

April 2021 a monthly feature of the Northwest Observer

Milly, a 12-year-old chocolate Labrador from Summerfield, loves to spend her time outdoors on warm days watching the neighbors pass by and getting an occasional rub behind the ears. However, for Milly, the real highlight of each and every day is greeting Teresa and Haley, the mail carriers, who always have a treat ready for her. Milly knows the time of day the mail should arrive, but if she forgets, she hears the mail truck from several streets away. It takes this aging dog a few minutes to get herself up and outside, but just in case she doesn’t get to the mailbox in time, Teresa and Haley often pull in the driveway to meet Milly halfway or leave her a treat in the mailbox. So you see, Milly doesn’t get bills or solicitations, just the very best kind of mail – treats!

On March 18, the Greensboro Science Center (GSC) welcomed 14 Caribbean flamingos from the Fort Worth Zoo and a serval from Moody Gardens. The 12 male and two female flamingos join six males who came to the GSC from Riverbanks Zoo last month. The female serval, named Kira, was originally confiscated by Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Ruger, of Summer fie ld, was happy to lend a hand “cutting” up al l the branches that fell during the ice storn in Fe br uary. Pictured here, she is taking a qu ick break to sit in the shade and chomp on her favorite stick find of the da y!

Seely, Coca and Ava, of Greensboro, enjoy lou nging on the couch while their “m om,” Lilly Nolta, enjoyed a day off work.

your pet or animal photos, and so do our readers! email them to: photos@nwobserver.com

Thanks to the advertisers who made this section possible.

HorseFriends working to secure its future Fundraisers such as a ‘Sweet Spring Gala’ on Friday, April 9, are hoped to help ﬁll ﬁnancial gaps by ANNETTE JOYCE Lisa Bunch became involved with HorseFriends of North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Program about 16 years ago. At the time, her 10-year-old son, Simon, was dealing with multiple mental issues including Asperger’s syndrome and bipolar disorder, and his counselor mentioned HorseFriends might be helpful in improving his condition. Simon’s growth through the program was phenomenal. In fact, over time he moved from being a participant in the program to becoming a volunteer and helping others. “Watching my son grow up in the

program was such a blessing. He gained confidence in himself as he learned to ride, and the smile on his face after winning a ribbon in a horse show was priceless,” said Bunch, who lives in Stokesdale. “Simon worked hard and eventually became a volunteer as a sidewalker.” A faith-based organization, HorseFriends works with individuals – most, but not all of whom are children – who have special needs such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury. Through equine therapy and educational programs, the organization has been extremely successful in developing confidence, physical and emotional strength and a sense of joy shared by its participants and volunteers. Located at Still Water Farms in Summerfield, HorseFriends offers classes in which participants, with the help of

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Grace takes a ride on Tucker, while volunteer Rebecca (left) and HorseFriends’ operations director, Mandy Crews (right), walk alongside for safety. volunteers, spend time riding trained therapeutic horses and engaging in activities such as dropping balls into buckets and grabbing rings – activities that further enhance the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding. The main thing that sets HorseFriends apart from other such organizations is that its services are absolutely free. The program currently has a full slate of participants and a list of kids

waiting eagerly to join the program. Limited funding is hindering its ability to handle everyone who is interested, and also brings into question the organization’s future. HorseFriends relies on grants, donations and fundraisers to keep its program going. “Because of COVID and donations being down, we are having to do whatever it takes to keep the doors open,”

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Zachary prepares to go for a ride on Jet, one of the trained therapeutic horses at HorseFriends.

said Bunch, fundraising director for HorseFriends. Doing “whatever it takes” means more frequent fundraisers and looking at completely different types of events. The group recently held an Easter Egg Hunt as a fundraiser and volunteers and staff plan to assist at this weekend’s Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show.

Colonnade’s large, two-level room. Weather permitting, the Gala will spread out into the adjoining garden and fountain area. During the evening, attendees will enjoy tasty hors d’oeuvres, sweet treats, beer and wine selections while being treated to dance performances by the Greensboro Ballet and Dance Project.

Bunch and her team are also working on their first Sweet Spring Gala, which takes place Friday, April 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Colonnade at Revolution Mill in Greensboro. HorseFriends is partnering with Pepper Moon Catering and Revolution Mill for “a deliciously sweet evening of music, dance performance” and both a live and silent auction – all to benefit the group’s free therapeutic riding program.

According to Bunch, local bakeries have been very generous with their support. As a result, attendees will have the opportunity to bid on some tasty sweets.

“This is completely unlike anything we’ve done before,” Bunch said. “We wanted to have something fun and cultural.” The event takes place in The

“We have 20 cakes and sweet confections for our silent auction,” Bunch said. “Winners will be able to take them home that night.” There’s also a live auction which features an array of exciting items including artwork from Greensboro artists Mary Beth Boone, Linda Spitsen and Laura Pollak. And there’s a collection of Kate Spade accessories, a handsome cooler/beverage cart and a special weekend getaway to

Oak Island, North Carolina. Tickets for the event are $75 per person and are limited due to COVID restrictions. Masks will be required and social distancing encouraged. Bunch is extremely excited about the Gala and looks forward to a good turnout and a fun evening for everyone. As planning for this event winds down, she’s already turning her attention to the next big fundraiser – the third annual Boots and Buckles Benefit scheduled to take place Oct. 8 at Summerfield Farms.

want to go? HorseFriends Sweet Spring Gala Friday, April 9 | 6-9 p.m. The Colonnade at Revolution Mill 900 Revolution Mill Drive, Greensboro Tickets – $75 Purchase online at horsefriendsnc.org (Tickets are limited due to COVID) HorseFriends is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

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EASTER HORSE SHOW ...continued from p. 1

going on hiatus in 2013, there has been talk of reviving the show, but plans were never cemented. That all changed in August 2019, when Oak Ridge native Isaac Bennett found himself with a lot of time on his hands after being involved in an auto accident. Wanting to put that time to good use, Bennett decided to tackle the revitalization of the Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show. Bennett, 31, has a long personal history with the show and his family’s involvement goes even further back. His great grandfather, Major Meadows, was part of the show’s beginning and his grandmother, Nancy Mooney, was a long-time volunteer. “Ever since I can remember, I was attending and helping any way that I could at the show,” Bennett said. His fond memories of past horse shows include winning the Mutton Busting contest in which he managed to stay on a sheep longer than his competitors. “The horse show was something I looked forward to every year,” Bennett said. “Everyone was happy and enjoying themselves. There just aren’t any words to describe the feelings I have for the horse show. “The Oak Ridge community has always been good to my family and bringing back the horse show is a way

for me to pay that back,” he added. Bennett started his quest to revive the show by simply talking to people and sharing his plans. Before long, he had brought together a group of like-minded people to form the Oak Ridge Horse Show Association (ORHSA), a non-profit focused on revitalizing the horse show and dividing its profits among worthy causes within the community. “We’ve got a solid board of directors. Just a heck of a team,” Bennett said. “It really takes someone with passion to make this happen and these people have gone to great lengths.” Bennett said preparations started in 2019 when the group secured Steeple Hill Farm as the show site. After owner Renee Weidel offered to donate the use of her facility, board members began preparing the farm for the show that was still over a year away. During this time, they also had to raise enough money to pay for all the upfront expenses. “It takes a lot of money to put this show on,” Bennett said. The group has been creative in raising funds. Using social media, they set up a GoFundMe page and reached out to the community via Facebook. They sold “support eggs” – paper Easter eggs that individuals could purchase as a donation ranging from $1 to $100. While Bennett is grateful for all donations, he expresses special appreciation for all the small businesses that

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be funnel cakes, cotton candy and candied apples on the menu.

With the show quickly approaching, the group has spent the past few weeks making sure the show grounds are ready to dazzle.

From the start, ORHSA has been focused on making sure the family event is not only fun, but COVID safe. Bennett was very happy with the easing of the state restrictions but still wanted to go above and beyond to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

“We’ve been doing a lot of bushhogging, mowing grass, washing fences and putting up arena panels,” said Richard Isley, an ORHSA member and owner of Equine Event Planning in Stokesdale. Both Isley and Bennett are committed to doing everything possible to make sure this weekend’s show leaves the best impression. “My thing is that you have to have a great first show to have a good second show,” Isley said. “You’ve got to put everything you’ve got into that first show.” The group has a full lineup of events for this year’s comeback. During the day, the Piedmont Horseman’s Association will host a number of riding competitions for both youth and adults. As riders compete for points in two show rings, a third ring will feature the popular Mutton Busting and Calf Scramble for youngsters. The Draft Horse Pull takes place on Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m. As evening closes in, the Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association (SEBRA) sanctioned bull riding and barrel racing begins. Along with the competitions and contests, the horse show will have an ample selection of vendors and food trucks. Hot dogs, hamburgers, Philly cheese steak sandwiches, barbeque, tacos and pizza are only a sample of available edibles. And to satisfy the sweet tooth, there will

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When he first started talking about the horse show, Bennett said he received lots of warnings to steer clear. “I had so many people say, ‘you’re beating a dead horse’; ‘the Oak Ridge Horse Show is not coming back’; and, ‘you’re going to embarrass yourself,’” said Bennett, who refused to listen to the naysayers. “If everything turns out the way it’s looking, this will be the best horse show we’ve ever had.”

want to go? Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show Friday and Saturday, April 2-3 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Steeple Hill Farm 7000 Belford Road, Summerfield Purchase tickets at www.oakridgehorseshow.org (Due to COVID restrictions, only a limited number of tickets will be available)

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“Dove Medical Supply (based in Summerfield) is doing all the COVID screening,” Bennett said. “They’re supplying about 20 people to do temperature checks and questionnaires. Every single person will be given an American-made mask and a gift bag.”

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

and their families

Full-service medicine, surgery and dentistry Surgical and therapeutic laser

Wendy Camp, DVM

1692-J NC Hwy 68 N, Oak Ridge • (336) 643-8984 www.nw-animal-hospital.com

2021 ORHSA

Easter Horse Show & Rodeo Schedule of Events Friday, April 2 7 am

Gates Open for ORHSA Easter Horse Show

8:45 am

Prayer and Presentation of Colors

9 am

Over Fences Division (Jumper) Classes – Main (Primary) Arena Judge: Brooke Maiello Other Divisions (Flat) Classes – Grass (Secondary) Arena Judge: Kate McAlinn

12 pm

Mutton Busting – Arena C

7 pm

Rodeo – Arena C SEBRA Bulls & Barrels Rodeo featuring MINI BULL RIDING MUTTON BUSTING with Coors “MAN IN THE CAN” Keith Isley (Professional Rodeo Clown) halftime performance Rodeo produced by True Grit Rodeo Co.

Saturday, April 3 7 am

Gates Open for ORHSA Easter Horse Show

8:45 am

Prayer and Presentation of Colors

9 am

Other Divisions (Flat) Classes – Main (Primary) Arena Judge: Brooke Maiello Open Driving Division (Carriage) Classes – Grass (Secondary) Arena Judge: Mary Ann Boyden

12 pm

Mutton Busting – Arena C

2 pm

Draft Horse Pull – Arena C Rodeo

7 pm

Rodeo – Arena C SEBRA Bulls & Barrels Rodeo featuring MINI BULL RIDING and MUTTON BUSTING CHAMPIONSHIP with Coors “MAN IN THE CAN” Keith Isley (Professional Rodeo Clown) halftime performance Rodeo produced by True Grit Rodeo Co.

We offer one guarantee: 100% customer satisfaction

Pet Adoptions Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network CHADWICK Chadwick is a lively 8-month-old male chinchilla who is just waiting to ﬁnd his perfect active family! Still a very young boy, Chadwick has lots of energy. To learn more about him, or if you’re interested in adopting him for an adoption fee of $100, please start by ﬁlling out an adoption application online at www.reddogfarm.com.

MASON Mason, a 17-year-old Saddlebred horse, came to us with an eye ulcer that was not healing with treatment and resulted in his eye needing to be removed. Since his eye removal, Mason has become a great pasture companion. He is not ridable, and needs to ﬁnd a family who will understand this. He gets along great with other horses in the herd and enjoys making everyone laugh. His adoption fee is $800. If you are interested in adopting Mason, please begin the process by ﬁlling out an application online at www.reddogfarm.com.

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

Guilford County Animal Shelter

Piedmont Truck Tires &

SINCLAIR Sinclair is an 11-year-old neutered male, black/tan-and-white domestic medium hair. Despite his age, he’s no dinosaur (unlike the Sinclair Oil Company logo), and he has years of love to give his “fur-ever” family. Naturally, Sinclair enjoys reading works by Upton Sinclair (“The Jungle”) and Sinclair Lewis (“Babbitt”). Please ask for Sinclair by ID#A025626.

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This sweet girl doesn’t live up to her cold name – Ice is timid but friendly and is treat motivated. She came to the shelter as an owner surrender through no fault of her own. Ice would do well in a quiet home where she could relax and be a perfect couch buddy. Ice is a 7-year-old, 45-pound brown-and-white Welsh Corgi–Pembroke mix. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are famous as the preferred breed of Queen Elizabeth II, so if you are a fan of “The Crown,” how about giving this sweet girl the royal treatment and a loving home? You can “command” a visit with Ice using ID#A025595.

Guilford County Animal Shelter

4525 W. Wendover Ave., Greensboro • Mon-Sat 12-6pm (closed Tues), Sun 1-5pm

APRIL 1 - 14, 2021

check animals’ availability, call (336) 641-3400 or visit The Northwest Observer • Totally localTosince 1996

www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/animal-services/animal-shelter

r e n r o K ’ s Kid Springtime Brings New Life Grass begins to grow and turn green, flowers bloom and... lots of animals give birth!

Have you ever wondered why so many animals have babies in the spring? Well, the warmer weather makes it much easier for animals to find food to feed their babies and it also makes it much easier for tiny baby animals to survive.

Match the

Mama & Baby

Draw a line from the name of the mama to the name of the baby for each animal. Check your answers on pg. 36.

SHEEP

KIT

HORSE

CALF

BEAR

POULT

GOAT

LAMB

COW

CYGNET

DEER

PIGLET DUCKLING

PIG TURKEY

PUP

KANGAROO

KID BUNNY

TURTLE SWAN

CUB

DUCK

FAWN

BEAVER

FOAL

RABBIT

JOEY

OTTER

HATCHLING

Thank you to Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital for making this week’s Kids’ Korner possible

If you need a trusted veterinarian, look no further. Our skilled, experienced and loving team treats

your pets like the valued family members they are.

Visit our website at bel-airevet.com to learn more about our team. Serving the NW Triad area since 1991

(336) 665-1286

Dr. Julie Packard

• Full-service animal hospital • Boarding & grooming

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Doug Smith, operations m agement in Oak Ridge, overs ity’s day-to-day operations an fied unless customers are hap there are problems with the c service, he wants to know ab

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Novant Health Forsyth Pediatrics Oak Ridge Deepa Nayak, MD • Chase Michaels, MHS-PAC Steve Kearns, MD • Laurie MacDonald, MD When it comes to your child’s care, you can trust our expert pediatricians. From prevention services to same-day sick visits, we’re here every step of the way. (336) 644-0994 • nhforsythpediatricsoakridge.org

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NEWS in brief ...continued from p. 5 serving as a contracted budget officer. Councilman Derek Foy, who motioned to hire Thacker as an employee, said the decision to remove the finance officer’s responsibilities from Houk’s plate would free up valuable time and enable her to do other things, such as get caught up on finalizing town council meeting minutes which were several months behind. “Alisa (Houk) serves as town clerk, finance officer and budget officer, and she’s overworked,” Foy said. With the vote, Houk’s title was subsequently shortened to town clerk. During her four-year tenure with the town, Houk served under two very different makeups of town council members. Since Derek Foy, Jim Rigsbee and Jimmy Landreth were sworn into office December 2019, they have often been at odds with Mayor John Flynt and Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks over issues ranging from financial accounting and spending policies to adherence to the budget

and the importance of providing council meeting minutes to the public in a timely manner. In public meetings, Houk often appeared frustrated by the conflicts between her five bosses, as well as their expectations of her and feedback on her job performance. Since Stokesdale does not have a town administrator or manager who is responsible for directing town staff, all five town council members share equally in the task. In a separate vote on March 22, the council unanimously approved the authorization of a severance package that provides Houk with a lump sum of $11,000 (roughly three months’ salary); coverage of monthly healthcare premiums through Dec. 31; and payment of up to $3,000 for professional outplacement assistance including developing a resume and career coaching. Council members declined to comment on Houk’s resignation for this article.

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

(336) 643-4623

barbourwilliams.com • Probate & Estate Administration • Estate Planning (Wills & Trusts)

• Trust Administration • Corporate Work • Real Estate Matters

Preview: April 1 Oak Ridge Town Council meeting by CHRIS BURRITT

Malbec Court and Nebbiolo Court.

OAK RIDGE – Oak Ridge Town Council will consider hiring Davis-MartinPowell & Associates, a High Pointbased engineering and surveying firm, to assist town staff in selecting a contractor for two Mountains-to-Sea Trail projects.

Separately, the council will consider scheduling a public hearing to gather views about a request by Bernard and Anna Walraven to close about 250 feet of Linville Ridge Road and reconstruct the cul-desac in the Linville Ridge subdivision.

The town plans to build a sidewalk along Pepper and Haw River roads connecting two sections of the trail northwest of Oak Ridge, while building a parking area on Linville Road.

The Walravens and the Linville Ridge HOA own all properties surrounding the current cul-de-sac, according to a staff report. The new cul-de-sac would still provide access to the HOA’s common area.

Davis-Martin-Powell offered to perform bidding, procurement, construction administration and other services for the projects for $31,810. If the council approves hiring the firm, the town may be able to seek bids for the work in late April, followed by the selection of a contractor at the council’s July 1 meeting, Town Manager Bill Bruce told the council in a March 26 memo.

The council will also consider approving the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board’s recommendation for naming of the Whitaker property, slated for development as an extension of Town Park.

And, the council will consider appointing Debbie Shoenfeld, Ron Simpson, Stephanie Ferrell and Miles Foy to the Conservation Easement Committee. Suite E-3, Oak Ridge

Barbour & Williams Law

8004 Linville Road, In other business, the council will consider a request by the homeowners association in the Arbor Run subdivibarbourwilliams.com sion to reduce the speed limits in the Attendance at Thursday’s meetneighborhood to 25 mph. ing will be limited, due to COVID-19 Since the Apple Grove portion of public gathering restrictions. For the subdivision is located in Oak Ridge, information about viewing the meetthe council is required to approve ordiing on the town’s YouTube channances concurring with the HOA’s nel and submitting comments, visit request, Town Clerk Sandra Smith told www.oakridgenc.com. Instructions the council in a March 26 memo. can be viewed on the homepage and The lower speed limit would apply on the meeting agenda posted on the to Apple Grove Road, Carignan Court, Town Council tab on the homepage.

(336) 643-4623

want to participate?

WE’LL BE BACK IN PRINT APRIL 15

Tracy Williams, attorney

APRIL 1 - 14, 2021

Tracy Williams, attorney

for DISPLAY ADVERTISING info, call (336) 644-7035, ext. 11, or email advertising@nwobserver.com

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

mark your

calendar

SECOND SATURDAY EVERY MONTH  Music in the Park | It’s back! The Town of Oak

Ridge will sponsor Music in the Park the second Saturday of every month through Oct. 9, beginning Saturday, April 10, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Town Park amphitheater, 6231 Lisa Drive. This month’s performance will be by the Tyler Millard Band (blues and folk music). Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Picnics encouraged, but no alcohol allowed. Frozen treats available for purchase. Event is free, but donations for the band are appreciated. More info: (336) 644-7009.

SUNDAY, APRIL 4  Drive-thru Easter egg hunt | Bethel United Meth-

odist Church, 8424 Haw River Road in Oak Ridge, will host a drive-thru Easter egg hunt with pit stops for children to find goodies and learn about the Christian Easter story on April 4, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. More info: (336) 643-0509.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7  Hotdog drive-thru | Gideon Grove United Meth-

odist Church, 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road in Stokesdale, will host a free hotdog drive-thru April 7, 5 to 6 p.m. More info: (336) 643-6042.

THURSDAY, APRIL 8  Town Council meeting | Stokesdale Town Council

THURSDAY, APRIL 1

will meet April 8, starting at 7 p.m. Limited in-person attendance allowed or view the meeting via Zoom. Visit www.stokesdale.org for more info.

 Town Council meeting | Oak Ridge Town Council

will meet April 1, starting at 7 p.m. Meetings can be viewed live on the town’s Facebook page or YouTube channel. Visit www.oakridgenc.com for a complete meeting agenda, and read a meeting preview in this issue’s News Briefs.

FRIDAY, APRIL 9  Sweet Spring Gala | HorseFriends of NC will host

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3  Easter Horse Show | Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show

will be held April 2-3, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at Steeple Hill

your events

, CPA, PC

online

Individual & Corporate Tax Returns Specializing in Payroll & Accounting for Small Businesses

phone: (336) 644-7033

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a Sweet Spring Gala on April 9, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Colonnade at Revolution Mill, 900 Revolution Mill Drive in Greensboro. The event will include heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, fantastic live auction items and performances by professional dancers. Tickets are

submit

Carlotta Lytton 7805 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale

Farms, 7000 Belford Road, Summerfield. For details, see article in this week’s issue and ad on p. 17.

fax: (336) 644-7038

limited and cost $75 per person. All proceeds go to HorseFriends. Face masks required. Learn more and purchase tickets at horsefriendsnc.org.

MONDAY, APRIL 12  Blood drive | Morehead United Methodist Church,

3214 Horse Pen Creek Road in northwest Greensboro, will host a blood drive April 12, 2:30 to 7 p.m. To schedule an appointment, visit redcross.org and enter sponsor code Morehead UMC or call (336) 288-9399. Walk-ins welcome. Masks required.  Special Called Zoning Board meeting | Town

of Summerfield’s Zoning Board will hold a virtual public hearing on the Unified Development Ordinance via Zoom on April 12 starting at 7 p.m. Visit summerfieldnc.gov and click on the calendar event, or call (336) 643-8655, for info on how to access the meeting by phone or computer.

TUESDAY, APRIL 13  Town Council meeting | Summerfield Town Council

will meet April 13, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5604 Centerfield Road; the meeting will be recorded live on the Town of Summerfield’s Facebook page. Those wishing to speak during the Public Comments portion of the meeting are asked to call Lance Heater, Summerfield’s town clerk, at (336) 643-8655 or email clerk@summerfieldnc.gov in advance.

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Events will appear on our online community calendar and will be considered for print publishing in the Northwest Observer

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“No Job Too Small” Wood Rot Repairs • Bathroom Remodeling • Painting Decks and much more! • Insured On the left side, click

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8400 Hwy 158 • PO Box 469 Stokesdale, NC 27357 kim@kimberlythacker.com

(336) 644-2741 office (336) 644-2743 fax

APRIL 1 - 14, 2021

Youth

welcome to ... Sync A regular section in the Northwest Observer focused on our local youth and the adults who positively impact them.

The Triad’s Expert Making smiles...inside and out! Call or text: 336-274-7649

Summerfield and Greensboro

Dr. Mark Reynolds is an expert when it comes to new smiles! He has created them for more than 20 years and is the Triad’s only Diamond Invisalign provider, placing him among the country’s top 1% of providers. Trust your smile–in braces or in aligners–to the area’s expert! Call today for a free exam.

STUDENT PROFILES 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.

by MEREDITH BARKLEY

NORTHERN GUILFORD Brady Mercer, senior Sport: football / lacrosse The pandemic has complicated life in many ways. No news there. But tagging along for a day with folks like Northern Guilford’s Brady Mercer makes it all seem head-scratchingly surreal. The senior plays both football and lacrosse. And during this COVIDadjusted season when most high school sports are packed into one semester, the two overlap. So, during the week Mercer has been up by 5:30 a.m. for football practice. After that he attends class, and then, there’s lacrosse. On practice days he’s usually home by 6:30 p.m., but on game days he doesn’t make it home until around 9 p.m.

APRIL 1 - 14, 2021

“It’s a pretty busy time,” Mercer said. “But I’m having fun with both of them.” Football began Feb. 8 and finishes in April. Lacrosse season began in January and wraps up later this month – once lacrosse season is over, some sanity will return. “Then I’ll just be focused on football,” Mercer said. Until then, he acknowledged: “It’s a big commitment. You need to have the desire to do it and the will to do it.” He does. He has been a lacrosse starter since his freshman year at Northern and also plays club lacrosse. He has been a football starter since his sophomore year. He’s hoping to play one of the two sports in college.

according to MaxPreps.com. He said he’s drawn to “the family aspect of” the football team. “We’re all brothers.” And he really likes the group of receivers he’s part of. “We’re really a close-knit group and we’re always having fun when we’re going out and competing,” Mercer said. “I feel like our group is probably the closest on the team.” Mercer’s favorite class is AP Literature, taught by Holly Weaver. “I’m not a big literature guy, but she’s made me more engaged in the class,” he said.

NORTHERN GUILFORD Conley Stone, junior Sport: lacrosse Northern Guilford boys lacrosse has done well this year and junior defender Conley Stone has a hunch why.

“I’m looking for something that suits me best, whether it’s football or lacrosse,” said Mercer, a football wide receiver and punt returner. He figures he’s played football “pretty much my whole life.”

“We’re all basically a family,” said Stone, a junior who leads the team in ground balls. “We’ve just all gotten along so well.”

Last season he caught 22 passes for 268 yards and fielded 25 punts,

He’s played the game since age 7 or 8, starting with recreation leagues, then

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

club ball and high school. He was initially attracted to the sport when watching his older brother play. “I’ve really enjoyed it a lot, and I continue to play travel lacrosse,” said Stone, who plays year-round. His position: long stick midfielder, which is mostly defensive, he said. “When I was young, I couldn’t catch or throw at all, so they put me on defense,” said Stone, a Northern team captain. And that’s where he stayed. As defensive midfielder, he said he has the opportunity to go from defense to offense – “and that’s what I like about it the most – the versatility.” While he has scored several goals, he said he enjoys assisting his teammates more. Like most lacrosse players, he’s hooked on the sport’s fast pace. “I used to play football,” he said. “But you have to stop between plays. In lacrosse, it’s fast and it’s exciting. I like the intensity. It’s so fun.” At school, he also participates in Campus Life, a Christian ministry which works with middle school students, he said. “I’m a leader there,” Stone said. “It’s one of my favorite things to do.” In middle school, he was one of those students Campus Life served and he enjoys being on the other end. “It’s important for me to help others find their faith and be accepted and loved,” he said.

SUMMER FUN AT THE Y! Make it a summer to remember at the Y! From group exercise classes, swim lessons, fitness programs, sports camps, and youth and adult sports leagues, the Y has something for everyone. PLUS, our summer day camp keeps kids engaged all summer long! Y camps feature fun, character-building activities like STEM games, sports, swimming and more!

Special member rate for summer camp — limited spots still available! Spears YMCA: 3216 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro • 336.387.9622 • ymcagreensboro.org

about 4-foot-11.

Stone would like to play college lacrosse, but is not far along in that process, he said. He could see himself following the example set by his coach, Anthony Meley, who played in college, settled into a career and returned to the sport as a coach.

she witnessed during a church trip to Washington, D.C.; her dismay was reinforced by her school nurse mom’s personal experiences. So, her youth adviser at Guilford Park Presbyterian Church had a thought.

Next year she heads to Meredith College to play lacrosse and study biology. She hopes that leads to dental school and a career that gives her the opportunity to continue serving others.

“He’s helped people who hadn’t played lacrosse get into lacrosse, and that’s something I’d want to do,” said Stone, who plans to study business and hopes to end up in sales.

“‘Ava, you seem pretty passionate about this,’” Spradley remembers the conversation going. “‘Why don’t you start a project?’ And that’s what I did.”

“I love helping people,” she said. “It’s always been my dream to be a dentist. I love everything about it, and I really enjoy going to the dentist.”

“I can’t wait to play attack,” she said. “It’ll be a great place for me to be.”

In her freshman year she launched Healthy Hands and Hearts, and began collecting toiletries which she loaded into gallon-sized plastic bags and gave to local social workers for distribution.

Spradley grew up playing soccer and it wasn’t until eighth grade that she began playing recreation league lacrosse; she soon graduated to travel ball.

Jacob Perry, senior Sport: football

The bags included shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and a hair comb.

“I just picked it up really fast,” she said. “I worked hard at it.”

NORTHERN GUILFORD Ava Spradley, senior Sport: lacrosse Northern Guilford’s Ava Spradley, a senior who has led the girls lacrosse team in several categories including scoring, was dismayed by the poverty

“I feel really great about it,” Spradley said. She expressed appreciation to all the people who were willing to support her in her efforts, noting most of her support has come from church members and her family, who contributed missing items. Donations increase

when she preaches on the project during youth-led services, she said.

By freshman year she was a starting midfielder. By sophomore year she was a team leader and an all-conference and all-area selectee. She has led the team in scoring ever since. Spradley figures she’ll likely be moved to attack in college, largely because of her size – she’s

“They usually play taller people at midfield,” she said. A short midfielder, she said, would have trouble matching up. She’s excited about the switch, though.

NORTHWEST GUILFORD

Northwest Guilford’s Jacob Perry moved a couple places to the left on the football team’s offensive line this year, and he’s happy about it.

...continued on p. 26

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(336) 643-5515 | 1580 Hwy 68 N, Oak Ridge | drdevaney.com The 6-foot-5, 255-pound senior had been the team’s center. But graduation last year created a vacancy at left tackle and he was picked to fill it. “I feel like I’m more fit to play that position,” Perry said. “But I could play anywhere (on the line) if need be.” He likes the challenge the change has presented. “I’m still kind of learning it,” he said. “I like how it’s different from center. It gives me something to work toward, to be better at.” At left tackle, he’s “protector of the left side,” he said. “I just need to make sure no one comes around the outside.” Perry said he’s played football “ever since you’re allowed to play,” and started in the first or second grade with flag football before switching to tackle.

in college will be, but his favorite subject at Northwest has been American history. “I just like learning about our history and all the things that have happened to make it the way it is,” he said. “I do think we are in some parts straying away from what we have built up.” His favorite college team is Michigan (he and his family moved from there two years ago), and his favorite NFL team is Tampa Bay – his father, Ron, is from that area and is also a fan.

NORTHWEST GUILFORD Dewayne Johnson, senior Sport: football Northwest Guilford’s Dewayne Johnson found a love for football while playing with a flag team during middle

“You have to push yourself to be the best you can,” he said. “You learn how to be a leader, learn how to be a teammate.” Perry also played basketball until his sophomore year, when he said an eye injury led him to give it up. “I was more likely to get another eye injury in basketball,” he explained. He expects to play football in college, but has yet to decide where. The schools that have shown the most interest are Ferrum College in Virginia and Guilford College. “I’m still weighing my options,” Perry said. “I’m going to wait until after the season to make my decision.” He has yet to decide what his major

APRIL 1 - 14, 2021

school. “After that I said, ‘This is something I want to do every day,’” recalled the senior cornerback. “Every day out there I just fall in love with it even more.” He likes the opportunity that playing football presents to meet and get to know new people. He likes knowing he can talk over life’s issues with his coaches. He likes the drills and the way they help clear his mind. And he likes seeing the benefit of those long hours of practice when game time arrives.

“It’s like all this isn’t for nothing,” said Johnson, a 6-foot-3, 181-pounder. “It’s what keeps me going, keeps my confidence up.” Last year he had 25 tackles and four interceptions, the second most on the team according to MaxPreps.com. A couple colleges have shown some interest in him, he said, but he has yet to decide where he’ll go. “I’m going to play the season and see how far that goes,” he said. “And after the season I’ll make my decision.” He knows what he wants to study, though: sports management. He said he wants to “just to be in that environment, to help people get to where they want to be,” and he enjoys it so much he wants to be involved in sports the rest of his life. UNC-Chapel Hill is his mother’s favorite school and several years back it became his too, he said. “One time in the eighth grade I took a trip there and fell in love with everything I saw,” Johnson said. “It’s my dream school.” His favorite class at Northwest is math. “I just like numbers,” Johnson said. “If someone shows me how to do it, I can do it. Any other subject, it’s going to take a while. But math has always clicked for me, ever since I was a little kid.” During his downtime he enjoys playing video games. His favorite? Madden, an NFL game – of course! He’s all about football.

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NORTHWEST GUILFORD Riley McCall, senior Sport: lacrosse During January and February, Northwest Guilford’s Riley McCall played four games some weeks, made 6 a.m. basketball practices and 5:15 p.m. lacrosse practices, and filled the rest of her day with school – fitting in the occasional “power nap.” “That was really hard,” the 5-foot-11 senior said. “They were long days, but it was worth it.” Blame that hectic period on a COVID-altered high school athletics schedule that crammed most sports into one semester as state sports officials sought to protect participants and limit spread of the virus. McCall, a basketball forward and lacrosse defender, played both sports all four years. But it’s lacrosse that she will pursue at the next level. She plans to play next year at North Greenville University, a Southern Baptist Conference-affiliated school in South Carolina, which she chose for its Christian foundation and mission opportunities. The faculty and staff there will help “build my faith and help me eventually find where I need to go,” she wrote in a text message.

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Locally owned & operated in the northwest area | order online at Dominos.com McCall first played lacrosse as a sixth grader, picking it up again in her freshman year. “I always loved lacrosse,” she said. And she particularly loved defense. “Goals and stuff like that weren’t my priority.” Last year’s pandemic-truncated season – the team got in only two games – whetted her appetite. “When the season was cut short, I realized how much I missed being with the team,” she said. She hopes to eventually coach youngsters in the sport’s fundamentals. Elementary and middle school kids are eager to learn, and learning the sport is fun, she noted. McCall developed an interest in biology through a class taught by Meredith Kersting, who, she said, had a knack for explaining sometimes difficult material. “I loved that class,” McCall said. “I turned into a little nerd.” She hopes to eventually become a

genetics counselor, helping people deal with chromosomal abnormalities that affect their quality of life. “Helping others has always been a big thing for me,” said McCall, who is a student leader at Westover Church and has been on mission trips to Jamaica, Washington, D.C., and Wilmington.

NORTHWEST GUILFORD Duncan Glover, senior Sport: lacrosse Northwest Guilford’s Duncan Glover, who led the school’s men’s lacrosse team in scoring this year, could see himself playing in college and beyond. But, said the 6-foot-2 senior attack midfielder, all that’s a bit up in the air at the moment.

“I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet,” he said.

since,” he said. He likes the “fast-paced style of the game,” he said. “It just amps me up.”

He is pretty sure, though, of what he’ll study: computer science/information technology.

And he gets a charge out of knowing his mom, Becca, is there watching it all.

“I’ve always been fascinated by computers,” said Glover, a team captain. He’d like to focus on “ethical hacking.” That, he hopes, would lead to a job thwarting the nation’s cyber adversaries, perhaps as part of the military. “It’s almost like playing defense against another hacker,” he said. “I think that would be a cool career to go into.” For the moment, though, he’s in the midst of charting the next few years and hopes lacrosse will be a big part of it. Glover, who also once played baseball, began with recreation league lacrosse as a youngster. That led to travel ball, and before long he’d given up baseball. “When I switched, it (lacrosse) just kind of took over and I haven’t stopped

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“A lot of times when I score a goal, I point to her and I love to see a smile on her face,” Glover said. He has offers to play at Catawba and Guilford colleges, but thinks he may enroll first at a community college, then transfer to finish a four-year degree. He’s not sure how lacrosse fits into those plans; his older brother, Griffen, is a Vikings assistant coach and plays for an adult league. Glover sees that as an option if the college game doesn’t work out. Another activity he hopes to fit into his life: mission work. He and other athletes spent parts of two summers in Guatemala working with local residents of the country. “It was one of the greatest experiences of my life,” Glover said. “It was eye-opening.”

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Photos by Patti Stokes/NWO

Oak Ridge Elementary School principals, ﬁfth grade student representatives, and employees of Vulcan Materials and Samet Corp. pose in front of a 7-ton rock that was delivered and placed near the school’s main entrance on March 26. The “spirit rock” is the ﬁfth graders’ parting gift to their school.

Cub Scout Pack 130 hosted a Rocket Academy at Oak Ridge Town Park March 20, along with its sister Pack 465 and volunteers from Troop 465. The STEM event showcased ﬁve activity stations where participants learned about and experimented with ﬁve different means of propulsion.

Rocket Academy makes learning fun while launching imagination

That’s one big rock! Fifth graders welcome 7-ton spirit rock to its new home by PATTI STOKES OAK RIDGE –Oak Ridge Elementary School’s fifth grade class wanted to leave behind a unique gift to the school this year. After exploring several ideas of what to give, they narrowed them down to the top six, then put it to a vote. The winner? A “spirit rock.” Parents next contacted Vulcan Materials, and the company readily agreed to donate a large rock from its quarry in Stokesdale, and even invited fifth grade representatives to visit their quarry and pick out the perfect rock. Vulcan then partnered with Samet Corp. to coordinate the rock’s delivery and placement on March 26. As fifth graders watched the rock being lifted from the crane and lowered onto the ground in its designated spot beside the driveway near the school’s main entrance, they held up handmade signs thanking Vulcan and Samet while enthusiastically chanting,

Cub Scout Pack 130 hosts STEM event at Oak Ridge Town Park story contributed by ANDREW HELTSEY “Move that rock!” The “spirit rock” will be painted periodically with messages of inspiration, advertisements of upcoming school events, and possibly even used as a fundraiser by renting space to parents and supporters to place a message for students. Just how much does the rock weigh, you might ask? Seven tons. Yeah, that rock is here to stay. Just through its Stokesdale plant, Vulcan has donated seven or eight rocks to local schools in the last five years. “We love to be a part of the community and to interact with the schools and the kids, and to give back,” said Jennifer Hansell, sales representative for Vulcan. “It’s so exciting to see the kids so excited, and for us to be able to leave a legacy at the school.”

OAK RIDGE – Imaginations soared on Saturday, March 20, as Cub Scout Pack 130 hosted a Rocket Academy at Oak Ridge Town Park; the pack was joined by sister Pack 465 and volunteers from Troops 465 and 139. The event is part of a growing body of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum available throughout the Scouting BSA programs. “Hands-on events like the Rocket Academy make STEM learning fun by engaging boys and girls in science with fun activities and experiences,” said Clay Johnson, Pack 130 cubmaster. “If we can provide our youth with these experiences now, it can open a world of interests, hobbies, and even career possibilities in the future.” The Rocket Academy consisted of five different learning stations where youth could participate in experiments surrounding various methods of propulsion. Rockets were created and launched from straws and compressed air, chemical reactions with vinegar and baking soda, and even Alka-Seltzer and film canisters. These culminated in the main attraction, where participants were able to create and launch an actual model rocket of their own. Interested in learning more about BSA Scouting for boys and girls? Contact Clay Johnson at 130cubmaster@gmail.com.

Boys soccer team makes it to Final Four before falling to Myers Park For the second consecutive year, Northwest Vikings lose by a goal in semiﬁnals; coach ejected early in game after protesting opponents taunting his players during a required break by MEREDITH BARKLEY NORTHWEST GUILFORD – Northwest Guilford’s boys soccer season ended with a close Final Four loss to Myers Park last week following a game in which the Vikings’ coach was ejected and a grievance filed against one of the officials. “I feel for the players,” said Coach Jason Allred, who had to sit out most of the game. “All I wanted was for them to have an opportunity to compete in a fair match.” Allred’s second-seeded Vikings (12-3) lost 1-0 to top-seeded Myers Park (12-1-1), which then lost 3-0 in the state title game to eighth-seeded Cardinal Gibbons (14-2-1). According to Allred, during a required face mask breathing break halfway through the first half a Myers Park player

Courtesy photo

Northwest Guilford’s boys soccer team celebrates after winning their last game of the regular season March 9 and clinching their fifth consecutive conference championship. The Vikings went on to win their first three state playoff games before falling to Myers Park March 23 in the semifinals. came to their bench to taunt his players. Allred tried to get game officials’ attention and to protest, but his efforts cost him two yellow flags. In soccer math, that equals a red flag, which means ejection. Northwest, he said, filed a grievance with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), sending along supporting video. A favorable ruling, though, won’t change the outcome, he said. “It was one of those nights where all

to their grievances but gave no indication whether penalties would be levied. “I don’t think it will proceed any further,” Allred wrote. The Vikings advanced to the semifinals again this season despite having graduated nine starters last year. Looking ahead, the team will lose three senior starters but return several key players including six sophomore starters. “I think we’ll be once again very competitive,” Allred said.

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the cards were stacked against us,” said Allred, whose team lost by a goal in the semifinals for the second year in a row. A NCHSAA spokesman confirmed last Thursday the organization had been in contact with Northwest about the matter, which he said had been resolved. He gave no further details. In a text message, though, Allred wrote that Northwest and NCHSAA officials had a conference call on Friday during which folks with the state organization listened

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High school sports highlights by MEREDITH BARKLEY Football season is winding down, playoffs are looming and Northwest Guilford and Northern Guilford remain in the postseason chatter after lopsided wins last Friday.

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“I feel like if we handle business, we’ll be okay,” Wallace said. The conference gets one automatic bid. At the moment, that looks like Grimsley (4-0). “We’re hoping we can get an atlarge bid,” Wallace said.

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“Defensively, we’ve been playing really well,” Vikings head coach Kevin Wallace said after the game. And the Vikings offense has found running room behind an athletic line averaging 275 pounds, he noted. The Vikings wrap up conference play this Friday at home against High Point Central (1-1). They had been scheduled to finish the season April 9 at nonconference Cherokee, but that was canceled.

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Northwest looks set for its first winning season since 2016. “We thought going into this season we were going to have a good year,” Wallace said. “We had a lot of guys coming back.” Northern walloped Rockingham County 40-7 at home and looks to wrap up the regular season with a packed schedule – three games in a week and a half. The Nighthawks will finish April 9 at home against Western Alamance (5-0). “It is an awful lot,” Coach Erik

The Northwest Observer •Westberg Totally local 1996 said ofsince the season-ending

schedule made necessary when COVIDrelated issues forced Person to reschedule the earlier game. “We’ve got to just deal with it. We’ll find a way.” Northern’s home win over Rockingham County (2-2) preserved the Nighthawks’ chance to win the conference despite their earlier loss to Eastern Alamance (3-0). But factors beyond Northern’s control must fall into place. The conference’s current undefeated teams – Western Alamance and Eastern – meet on Saturday, and Western would have to win. If that happens and Northern (3-1) defeats Western at home April 9 in the head-to-head match-up, the Nighthawks would win the title (Eastern won’t have played enough games to qualify). All of this assumes, of course, that Northern manages to avoid another loss. That won’t be easy. The Nighthawks were scheduled to play Person (2-2) at home Wednesday in a makeup game, then travel to Morehead (1-3) April 5 in a game rescheduled from Friday, before hosting Western four days later.

BOYS SOCCER Ninth-seeded Northern Guilford boys soccer team (12-2) lost 1-0 in the state playoffs’ first round to eighthseeded Terry Sanford (11-1). Sanford Bulldogs’ offense, Nighthawks Coach Aaron King said, centered on junior midfielder Davis Molnar, who at 6-foot-6 towered over the field, giving them the advantage during throw-ins. The Bulldogs’ lone score, in fact, came off Molnar’s header during one of those throw-ins, King said. “That was frustrating,” he said. “I guess they found what worked for them.” Also a problem, he said, was the Nighthawks’ failure to mount a successful offense.

...continued on p. 34

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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...  Helen Ledford. Your recent story about calendars made me smile. I could never do without my large grid calendar, where my life seems to be recorded. I, too, still use the “medieval” method of pen and pencil. Keep the stories coming!  The person we made happy by continuing to fly our Trump flag (as well as many others). Glad we made you smile; it makes us smile every single day. Enjoy.  Those running the COVID vaccine

clinic at Four Seasons Town Centre. I’ve had my experiences with governmentrun programs, with most leaving a lot to be desired. The people at the clinic were the most professional I’ve had the pleasure to encounter.  Down 420 Lane, for the colorful sign and fun atmosphere their place of business has. Keep eschewing the normality that others want you to bow to. Be proud of who you are, not ashamed of who you aren’t.  Owners of Triad Mulch in Kernersville. They went out of their way to help us out recently when our keys were locked inside

the truck while it was running. They put a whole new meaning to “we deliver.”  Oak Ridge Physical Therapy. Andy and all the staff are fantastic! Maegan, thanks for helping me get up and going after having a knee replacement.  Dr. Scotten and all the lovely ladies at South East Community Animal Hospital, who doted on Charley during his last minutes on this earth. Your empathy and compassion are clear, heartfelt, and genuine. Thank you.  Neighbors (in northwest Guilford County) still displaying your Trump flags and such. Your patriotism makes me smile. Never give in!  Helen Ledford for another amusing walk down Memory Lane! My grandpa also used to call it the green apple twostep, and I haven’t heard that phrase in many years. Thanks for the smile and the memories!

GRIPES to...  Irresponsible dog owners using Oak Ridge Town Park. Despite multiple signs

posted to clean up after your pets, and stations with supplies, the park is littered with dog feces. Don’t want to pick up after your dog? Leave it at home.  Stokesdale Mayor Flynt. The next time he throws a fit and quits, the council should immediately accept his resignation and change the locks!  Northwest Observer for not separating the Trump yard sign gripe (March 18-31 issue) to Outside the Lines. Editor’s note: The lines are sometimes gray and murky, and I’ll just keep doing my best to stay in the middle. I would add that it is wise to read Grins and Gripes with a grain of salt, regardless of whether they’re “local” or “outside the lines,” as taking them too seriously can elevate your blood pressure.  The mail carrier in Stokesdale who constantly smokes while she’s on the job. Our mail/packages always smell so badly! I can’t imagine this is something the USPS allows.  People who use clothing donation

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sites as dumping grounds for anything they want to discard. Not only is it disrespectful of the charities, it’s pure laziness on the part of the dumpers.

Outside the … The following reader-submitted GRIPE expresses an opinion about state and/ or national topics, and has 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...  Last issue’s Outside the Lines griper who called paying off business debts of BIPOC farmers “racist.” The American Rescue Plan Act offers aid long denied to Black and minority farmers. It’s about equity, not favoritism or “reverse discrimination.” Get the facts!

‘SCREAMING’ BULLDOG STARS ON AFHV

brother, Jake, was screaming while playing a video game.

...continued from p. 1

Funniest Home Videos found the bulldog’s howling so hilarious that they voted him the winner of this past Sunday’s televised contest. The prize was $10,000. And there’s more: Duke’s video has been named one of the show’s three funniest of the entire season, putting him in the finals in coming weeks with a chance to win $100,000. Gervasi said she’s “in disbelief” because she never imagined her family’s dog would become a national celebrity. She shot the video in February to show Dr. Julie Packard, of Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital, that the sedative she had prescribed to calm Duke during nail trimming wasn’t working well anymore. The minute-long video filmed in the family’s Oak Ridge home is definitely effective in making that point. “May I have your paw, please?” Gervais asks Duke as her husband holds the

75-pound dog. He resists, twisting on top of a fuzzy white bed and pulling back his paw. Duke ignores a treat meant to distract him from the pedicure. He finally gives in, seeming to relax, but not without opening his mouth and emitting a raggedy scream, over and over. “He needs to go to the vet for this,” Gervasi tells her husband on the video. “I can’t do this every day.” The family has owned Duke since he was 11 weeks old. He’s 8 now. When they started taking him to the vet for a nail trimming, the staff had to sedate him. As a result, Dr. Packard prescribed medicine to ease his anxiety so the couple could trim his nails at home, according to Gervasi. The scream sounds so much like a human that the couple’s 17-year-old son, Nicholas, once ran out of his bedroom because he thought his younger

Gervasi said Duke isn’t suffering pain during his nail clipping. He’s “just vocal,” she said. In February, Gervasi shared the video with her sister, Kali Reb in Pennsylvania, and her reaction was immediate. “Please, please, please, you’ve got to send this to America’s Funniest Home Videos,” the sister said. “Everyone I show it to is laughing hysterically.” Gervasi said she resisted, but finally gave in to her sister’s urging. She thought the video might wind up as a quick clip on the show, but nothing more. A week after submitting the video, Gervasi got a text from the show, followed by a phone call informing her that Duke’s performance had been named one of the three funniest. The couple filmed their dog remotely for the show. The prize money is going to help pay for their older son’s college expenses in the fall.

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Eighth-seeded Northwest (9-6) lost 16-12 in the third round to fifth-seeded Hough. “It was a pretty tight game,” said Coach Dan Tichy. “It was back and forth most of the time. We just came up short.” The season’s success, he said, was a “testament” to the players and coaches who make it all happen despite the pandemic.

...continued from p. 30

Girls lacrosse

LACROSSE Boys lacrosse Northern’s third-seeded lacrosse team (12-1) lost 13-7 in the third round of state playoffs to 10thseeded Weddington, ending an undefeated season one win short of the Final Four. “We came out flat,” Coach Anthony Meley said of his team’s playoff loss. “They scored four goals in a row. We just made some errors that we hadn’t made all year.” It was the Nighthawks’ first loss since the May 2019 playoffs. The 2020 season was halted early because of COVID with the Nighthawks sitting at 4-0.

Fourth-seeded Northwest bowed out in the third round of state playoffs, losing to top-seeded Weddington 15-4. Coach Kristin Herndon blamed “small error after small error” that kept widening the score. “They played hard and left it all on the field,” she said of her team. “As a coach, there’s not much more you can ask than that.” Northern’s 10th-seeded girls lost 23-4 in the second round to 15th-seeded Charlotte Catholic. Coach Ashlynn Park said the game spotlighted areas where the team needs improvement. But she also was encouraged by the play of underclassmen. “The girls worked so hard,” she said of her team, which finished second in the conference. “We didn’t think we’d make it into the playoffs.”

STUDENTS RAISE FUNDS ...continued from p. 10 She wants to be a doctor. “His diagnosis taught me that patients are not merely a set of numbers but are instead integral parts of the community, as Mr. Sasser has been sorely missed throughout the school and beyond,” she said in a recent email. Ulak said her grandfather, Gopal Prashad Shrestha, “was the most vivacious person I knew. He would get up early to go on his morning walks in Nepal and lived his days with efficiency and kindness.” In the spring of 2018, he suffered a stroke, leaving the left side of his body paralyzed. He died several months later. “I was heartbroken; my family was heartbroken,” Ulak said. “Raising money to end not only blood cancers, but the heartbreak of several families, has kept me going, along with the memory of my grandfather,” she said.

want to help?

NEWtoward Donations LocaHoward tion and Ulak’s fundraising efforts in for Kethe rnLeukemia ersville& Lymphoma Society can be made at events.lls.org/nc/triadsoy21/nwguilford. Quick Lube no appointmen t needed for oil chang es & state inspections

Hometown Auto Service Center

Hometown Auto Service Center www.beamertire.com

245 East Parris Avenue High Point, NC 27262

(336) 882-7043

4430 W. Wendover Ave. Greensboro, NC 27407

www.beamertire.com (336) 663-7351

245 East Parris Avenue High1 -Point, 34 APRIL 14, 2021NC 27262 (336) 882-7043

4430 W. Wendover Ave. Greensboro, 27407 The Northwest Observer • NC Totally local since 1996 (336) 663-7351

507 Cinema Ct. Kernersville, NC 27284

(336) 515-3381

507 Cinema Ct. Kernersville, NC 27284 (336) 515-3381

 AUTO SALES & SERVICE

 EMPLOYMENT PART-TIME MORNING OR AFTERNOON SITTER needed for two children in Summerfield. Monday-Thursday with flexibility. Must have clean driving record and reliable transportation. Please send information to info@orchiro.com. PART-TIME TOW TRUCK DRIVER. Local, Summerfield area. Preferably a retiree with some truck driving experience. Call for details: (336) 382-8040.

Place online at

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

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

CHOICE TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE. Oil changes, inspections, alignments and general automotive repairs. 1080 US Hwy 66 S, Kernersville, NC. (336) 992-9002. 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. SAM'S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 965-7955.

 EMPLOYMENT

PT COOK/CHEF needed for evenings (weekday and weekend) and Sunday morning/early afternoon shifts. Talent for creating unique culinary dishes for daily dinner specials a plus. Positive attitude, dependability, care of cooking space and insistence on cleanliness, and experience working in busy environment are a must. Experience as chef desired, but will consider training. Send resume including last two years’ work/ restaurant experience, along with professional references, to Claizure1@gmail.com or call (336) 643-6359 between 2:30 and 4:30, Monday thru Friday afternoons.

STAFF POSITIONS open in child care center. Child care credentials preferred but not required. (336) 643-5930.

INDEX Auto Sales & Service ........ 35 Employment .................... 35 Save the Date.................. 35 Yard Sales ....................... 36 Home Services ........... 36-38 Misc. Services .................. 38 Misc. For Sale .................. 38 Misc. Wanted .................. 38 Pets & Animal Services .... 38 Real Estate ...................... 38

SYNERGISTIC STAFFING is now HIRING for all positions. We are a light industrial, temp-hire staﬃng agency. We have 8- and 12-hour shifts available, as well as day and night hours. Please contact us for more info! (336) 291-1013.

NOW HIRING: Knitters and Creelers. Located in Stokesdale, NC. Give us a call at (336) 643-7751 for more information.

EXPERIENCED SEAMSTRESS wanted to sew, sew pillows, overlock and serge. This is a work-from-home position. Email response only: joe@oakridgesamplecompany.com.

CELEBRATION AT DOWN 420 LANE at 8500 US 158, Stokesdale. On April 20, we will be celebrating 420 Day from 10am7pm. Chris Kelly and Biggie from Rock 92.3 will be with us from 4-6pm. There will be games, a raﬄe and many specials.

MT. PISGAH WEEKDAY SCHOOL. NOW ENROLLING & HIRING teaching positions for Fall 2021. For more info, contact mpws@mtpisgahgso.org.

 SAVE THE DATE

FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT FARMERS MARKET will be open April 27 through Oct. 26, 4-7pm. Located at Stokesdale UMC, 8305 Loyola Dr., Stokesdale.

 EMPLOYMENT

YOUTH/SPORTS WRITER (PT) 5 to 10 hours per week

Northwest Observer has been fortunate to have Meredith Barkley on our editorial team for the past few years, and we appreciate him coming out of retirement to write part-time for us after he had ended a long career with Greensboro News & Record. Meredith is ready to again put a period after his writing career and we’re looking for someone to take his place. The ideal person would be a skilled writer with a broad knowledge of sports, and one who enjoys relating to young people. In addition to sports, our youth/sports writer records the accomplishments of students in diverse areas such as cultural arts, academics and community service. We prefer someone who has experience writing for a newspaper, and attention to details, accuracy and meeting deadlines are critical. Our youth/sports writer works an average of 5 to 10 hours a week, on a very flexible schedule (while occasionally being available to cover a sports game or youth event on a late afternoon, evening or Saturday). We offer our writers a competitive hourly pay rate. Having skills with sports photography is definitely a plus (but finding a professional WRITER is our top priority). If interested in this position, please send resume including professional writing experience, writing samples and references to patti@nwobserver.com.

continued on p. 36

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

APRIL APRIL1 -114, - 14,2021 2021

35 35

YARD SALES

HOME SERVICES

YARD SALE to benefit The Pregnancy Network. Saturday, April 3, 730am-noon. 7922 Daltonshire Dr., Oak Ridge. Home decor, furniture, appliances, baby items, toys and more! Rain date is April 10.

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

FLOORING

GRADING / HAULING

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.

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.

MULTI-FRIENDS CRAFT & YARD SALE. Sat., April 3, 9am. 4606 Joseph Hoskins Road, Summerfield.

PAOLA CLEANING SERVICE. Residential & commercial. Insured. (336) 669-5210. CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING Gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. windowcleaningnc.com (336) 595-2873

HOME SERVICES

DECORATING

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

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.

A-ACTION AIR. Air conditioning checkup, $49.95. Call (336) 268-6768 or (336) 382-3750.

CLEANING 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. MAGIC MAIDS LLC. I have good references. 10 years experience. Insured and bonded. Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, one-time, move-in or move-out. Call Patty, (336) 932-0245. THE CLEANING TECHNICIAN LLC. With the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be a little overwhelmed. I would like to offer my cleaning services at a discount. Licensed, bonded, and insured. Call Lisa, (336) 207-0770. ANNASARAH'S CLEANING. Excellent references. Trustworthy. Family owned business. Free estimates. (336) 543-3941.

BLISSFUL ART & FRAMING. SHOP LOCAL! Framing, gifts, graphic design. 4533 Hwy. 220 N., Summerfield. (336) 298-4502.

Your business should be here! Place your classified ad online at

www.nwobserver.com

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

Need an electrician? Call BLACKMON ELECTRICAL, INC. Free est. Comm. & res. Licensed & insured. Call (336) 430-5018. Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? Call Coble Electric LLC at (336) 209-1486.

ANSWER KEY from Kids’ Korner on pg. 19 SHEEP – LAMB HORSE – FOAL BEAR – CUB GOAT – KID COW – CALF DEER – FAWN PIG – PIGLET TURKEY – POULT

36 APRIL - 14, 2021 36 APRIL 1 -114, 2021

KANGAROO – JOEY TURTLE – HATCHLING SWAN – CYGNET DUCK – DUCKLING BEAVER – KIT RABBIT – BUNNY OTTER – PUP

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES 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. OLD SCHOOL HOME REPAIR See display ad on page 23. AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350. 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. SMALL ENGINE AND MOWER REPAIR is back at a new location. Welding available. Call or text Morris at (336) 880-7498. FIX YOUR MOWER! Service and repairs. Spring specials. "We do it right." Free pickup & delivery. Call Rick, (336) 501-8681.

WE’LL BE BACK IN PRINT THURSDAY, APRIL 15 Place your CLASSIFIED AD online: nwobserver.com, or call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10

The Northwest Totally local since 1996 The Observer Northwest• Observer • Totally local since 1996

E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, demolition, lot clearing, excavating, bobcat work, etc. (336) 451-1282. TRACTOR WORK. Garden prep., loader work, brush hogging, core aeration, finish grading, mowing, etc. Please call or text (336) 908-0890. ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt, available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035. DTW GRADING & HAULING, INC. Offering a sum of aggregates, including but not limited to: fill dirt, stone, asphalt millings, and crushed concrete. We also offer full bobcat services. Driveways, minor clearing, drainage solutions and snow removal. Daniel Wilson, (336) 339-0212. BRAD'S BOBCAT & HAULING SVCS. LLC. Debris removal, grading, gravel/dirt, driveways, concrete work. (336) 362-3647. GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150.

GUTTERS / SIDING / WINDOWS WILSON SEAMLESS GUTTERS, new construction, repairs, replacement, leaf guards. Free estimates. (336) 420-0200. S&M SEAMLESS GUTTERS. Install new gutters. Repair and clean old gutters. Free estimates. Fully insured. (336) 587-8223 or (336) 709-5944.

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

 HOME SERVICES

LAWN ACADEMY. Lawns starting at $27. Mowing, aeration, fertilizer and seeding. Mosquito control. Fully insured. (336) 579-2277. www.lawnacademync.com.

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

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS

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

EXTERIOR GREENSCAPES. Lawn maintenance service. Call for a free estimate (336) 682-1456. PECHES LANDSCAPING & LAWNCARE. Tree service, brush cutting & clearing, mulching, landscaping & lawncare, deck, fence and retainer wall building, land clearing, wood chipping and snow removal.. Call John, (336) 451-6941, or call Brad, (336) 453-6180.

Residential & Commercial Mowing • Trimming • Overseeding Fertilizing • Plugging Pine needle distribution • HOA

(336) 362-5860 www.colfaxlawncare.com DELIMA LAWNCARE. Commercial & Residential. Free estimates. (336) 669-5210. D S L DRAIN SYSTEMS & LANDSCAPING. Complete lawn service & drain systems. Mowing, pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, fertilization, trimming and more. Also providing drain systems solutions. (336) 362-4354. 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. CAROLINA STUMP & TREE SERVICE Complete tree service, $1 million liability, workman’s comp. Rick & Judy, (336) 643-9332. www.carolinastumpandtreeservices.com.

HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES. Free est. Call (336) 669-5448.

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

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

PAINTING & DRYWALL

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

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

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.

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

MASONRY

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

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

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.

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

NEW PHASE CONCRETE. Here for all your decorative concrete needs. Specializing in decorative stamp, stained, epoxy and all other concrete poured ﬁnishes as well. Also oﬀering refurbishment of existing stamped concrete. Make your existing stamped look like new again! (336) 399-1474 or (336) 595-4654.

Wilson Ain’t God Good

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

Your company should be here! Place your classiﬁed ad online at

www.nwobserver.com

PLUMBING

Septic Pumping & Repair Family owned & operated since 1972

(336) 643-6427

Tank pumping, repairs, clogs, advice – ALL WITH A SMILE! Discounts: mention this ad, veteran, senior citizen, cookies & milk Find us on Google, neighborhood.com, FB

BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR. No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic./ Ins. Cleanliness in your home is our #1 priority. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924. 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.

TheObserver Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 The Northwest • Totally local since 1996

PRESSURE WASHING HOUSE and ROOF SOFT WASHING. Martin's Pressure Washing. (919) 931-0856. PRESSURE WASHING, gutter & window cleaning. Fully insured. Crystal Clear, www. windowcleaningnc.com or (336) 595-2873. CUTTING EDGE PRESSURE WASHING Aﬀordable, dependable. Please call anytime for free estimate. (336) 706-0103.

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

Of The Triad

The Bathroom of Your Dreams in as Little as a Day

(336) 497-0765 NCGC License #84330

www.BathPlanetTriad.com PAINTING, DECKS AND MORE. Call Premier Construction for free estimates. (336) 430-9507. AMERICAN BUILDER CONSTRUCTION INC. Repairs & remodeling, kitchens/baths, additions, decks, attics, basements. Licensed & insured. Short wait list. NC General Contractors. (336) 225-7478. BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, rooﬁng, rotted wood. Sr. disc., 41 yrs. exp. (336) 362-6343. 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.

continued on p. 38

APRIL 1 - 14, 2021 APRIL 1 - 14, 2021

37 37

 HOME SERVICES

 MISC. WANTED

 REAL ESTATE

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION. N.C. General Contractor with 30 years experience. Specializing in new homes, room additions, kitchens & baths, garages, decks, vinyl siding and windows, painting, tile, laminate and vinyl plank, and remodeling of all kinds. Quality for the Right Price. Free est. Call (336) 362-7469.

PREMIER ROOFING. Commercial/residential. Providing service for all of your rooﬁng needs. Locally owned. Please call (336) 430-9507 for free assessments.

YARN NEEDED to make children's hats for Samaritan's Purse Shoebox Ministry. Call Beth, (336) 644-8155.

HOMES FOR SALE

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.

Services TM Construction , INC

BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS

Bathroom and kitchen

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

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

ROOFING BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Lifetime shingle and metal rooﬁng. We ﬁ nance. Free Estimates. Since 1979. Please call (336) 362-6343.

 MISC. SERVICES

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

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

Place an ad:

 PETS & ANIMAL SVCS. WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING LLC. Certiﬁed, bonded & insured. (336) 339-6845. wendycollinspetsitting.com.

3105 Wynnewood Drive, Greensboro 4 bedrooms, 6 baths, 5,000 sq. ft. in Noles at Irving Park. Former Parade Home with distinct flair both dramatic & relaxed! Spacious open floor plan with expansive great room–kitchen–casual dining area. Multi-function rooms support the needs of an active household. $924,000

Nancy J. Hess

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

 MISC. FOR SALE A & L LOG CABIN FARMS will be opening on April 1 for the season. We will have vegetable plants to start with, including cabbage, broccoli and cauliﬂower. Call or text (336) 509-7314. BRAND-NEW LA-Z-BOY rocker-recliner for sale. Light tan. $900. Negotiable. Please call (336) 423-8030. SEASONED FIREWOOD, delivered & stacked, 1/2 cord, $80. Call (336) 686-6373. PRIDE 3-WHEEL ELECTRIC SCOOTER. For seniors or handicapped. Used, like new. Swivel folding seat, built-in charger, new batteries, non-marking tires. Good up to 250 lbs. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use. $340. Please call (336) 643-0282. SEASONED FIREWOOD. $80/pickup truck load delivered & stacked. (336) 253-7615.

RED RHINO ROOFING, based in Oak Ridge, NC. Storm damage specialist experienced with all types of rooﬁng. BBB accredited A, and listed with Angie's List. Call (336) 944- 6118, or visit redrhinorooﬁng.com.

 MISC. WANTED

CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC. 40 + years experience. (336) 643-8191.

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

38 APRIL - 14, 2021 38 APRIL 1 -114, 2021

FABRIC NEEDED for Sew to Sow Ministry to make dresses for girls in Kenya. Cotton fabrics work best, any amount. Also need buttons, ribbon, lace trimming, elastic and thread. Call Beth, (336) 644-8155.

Got stuﬀ? Need stuﬀ? LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

BEAUTIFUL HOME IN IRVING PARK

FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, generators, power washers, go-carts, mini-bikes, 4-wheelers, grills, most electrical, metal items, etc. (336) 689-4167.

 REAL ESTATE LAND FOR SALE

NEW CONSTRUCTION

BEAUTIFUL WOODED 4+ ACRE HOMESITE. (336) 430-9507. BEAUTIFULLY LAYING 15.5 ACRES. Perked for four bedrooms in Mayodan oﬀ of Rt. 770. Ten minutes from Walmart and 30 minutes to Greensboro. 800 feet of road frontage. $130,000. Call Derl, (336) 215-7759. 2 TRACTS OF LAND, 10 acres and 15 acres. Call (336) 430-9507. LAND FOR SALE. 25+ acres. Gorgeous wooded tract. Has 2 creeks. Quiet & serene. Possible owner ﬁnancing. (336) 430-9507.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

2400 Dawning Court, Greensboro 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms New construction by Brian Disney Homes in one of the most popular new neighborhoods! Call us today to schedule a viewing. $664,900

Nancy J. Hess

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

We Help Everyone! SELLERS & BUYERS

SELLING OR RENTING? We can help you reach ALL of northwest Guilford County! Place your ad online at

(336) 643-4248

www.ANewDawnRealty.com

The Northwest Totally local since 1996 The Observer Northwest• Observer • Totally local since 1996

index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS

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

Carlotta Lytton, CPA............................23 Kimberly Thacker Accounting .............23 Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC.......14

ART / DANCE / MUSIC

Destination Arts...................................20

AUTOMOTIVE SALES / SERVICE

Beamer Tire & Auto ............................34 EuroHaus ..................................... 25, 35 Piedmont Truck Tires...........................18 Prestige Car Wash ...............................21 Tire Max................................................7

BANK

Bank of Oak Ridge ................................2

BUILDING / REMODELING

Bath Planet .........................................37 TM Construction Services ....................38

CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Guardian Ad Litem ..............................39

DENTAL SERVICES

DeVaney Dentistry ...............................26 Magnolia Shores Family Dental ...........30 Summerfield Family Dentistry ................9

EVENTS

Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show .............17 Town of Oak Ridge Music in the Park ....3 Town of Summerfield ..........................10

GROCERIES / SUPPLIES

Southern Foods ...................................15

HAIR CARE

Great Clips ..........................................20

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Elvis Mendoza In-Home Massage........23

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

BEK Paint Company ..............................8 Colfax Lawn Care ................................37 Eanes Heating & Air ............................32

Coming Spring

New Garden Landscaping & Nursery ..30 Old School Home Repair.....................23 Stokesdale Heating & Air.......................6 Stokesdale Storage ..............................38 Wilson Septic & Pumping ....................37

April 29

2021 edition

IN MEMORIAM

Andy Gossett, Jan. 21, 1986 - March 16, 2020.11

LEGAL SERVICES

Barbour & Williams Law ........................4 Scott Tippett – Hagan Barrett Law ......22

MEDICAL / PT

LeBauer HealthCare............................33 Northwest Oral and Maxillofacial Surg.27 Novant – Forsyth Pediatrics .................20 Oak Ridge Physical Therapy ................21 Wake Forest Baptist Health ...................5 WF / Family Medicine – Summerfield...14

MUSIC LESSONS / INSTRUMENTS

Moore Music Company .......................31

LAST CALL to reserve your ad space!

ORTHODONTIC CARE

Olmsted Orthodontics .........................20 Reynolds Orthodontics ........................24

nication published by pscommu

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS

Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital .................19 Northwest Animal Hospital..................16

REAL ESTATE

A New Dawn Realty ............................38 Nancy Hess, Berkshire Hathaway ........38 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX ....................16 Ramilya Siegel, Keller Williams ............29 The Fitzsimmons Group – Allen Tate ...12

RESTAURANTS

Domino’s Pizza ....................................27 Ridge Shrimp & Oyster ........................21 Rio Grande Mexican Kitchen...............21

YOUTH SPORTS / CAMPS

Oak Ridge Youth Association ..............29 YMCA of Greensboro ..........................25

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.

The |Northwest Observer (336) 412-7580 volunteerforgal.org

Home-grown stories about everything from maintaining and improving your home, to housing trends, history and humor of life in northwest Guilford County

In print every spring and fall and online year-round at nwobserver.com Contact us at advertising@nwobserver.com or (336) 644-7035, ext. 11, to secure your spot

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APRIL 1 - 14, 2021

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Northwest Observer / April 1-14, 2021

Articles inside

Classifi eds

Heartbreaker for NWHS boys soccer

Your Questions

High school sports highlights

Stokesdale Town Council meeting

Community Calendar

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