Grins and Gripes

April 20 | The owner of a farm located in the 1800 block of N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge reported her Massey Ferguson farm tractor, front end loader and bush hog had been stolen sometime between April 16-20. Estimated value of the stolen items is $21,000. April 25 | A Stokesdale resident reported her purse was stolen from her car around 6 p.m. on April 24 while the car was parked in Kings Crossing Shopping Center off N.C. 68 in Stokesdale. April 27 | An employee of Stokesdale Church of God, 9081 U.S. 158 in Stokesdale, reported a catalytic converter with an estimated value of $1,000 had been stolen from the church bus sometime between April 19-25. April 27 | Oak Ridge Methodist Church, 2424 Oak Ridge Road in Oak Ridge, reported two catalytic converters with a total estimated value of $3,000 were stolen from two church buses.

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community? Share your thoughts in 40 words or less

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

„ Those who take action when others are in need, instead of superficial statements like, “Let me know if there’s something I can do.” Most will not ask for help. Better: “What day is convenient to deliver a meal to you?” „ Doreen at CVS in Oak Ridge for outstanding customer service. She is always friendly and took extra time to ensure I got the best possible price for my prescription. „ The man in the white F-150 who stopped at the corner of Southard Road and U.S. 158 to move the car ramp off the road. That was very kind, and my family thanks you for looking out for everyone’s safety! „ The de facto democracy of “speeding.” Everyone on N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge last Saturday morning was travelling at 50-something (in a 35 mph zone) – because it’s the right speed. We’d all get ticketed for 20 mph over!

GRIPES to...

„ Residents of the home in the 7700 block of Summerfield Road. It is a “community hazard” to neighbors, with debris, unkept yard, piles of garbage, junk furniture in yard and on front porch ... and sheds with rats and snake infestations. „ To whoever keeps doing donuts in every intersection in the area. It’s nice that you can drive in circles, but no one cares. Grow up, kid. „ Greensboro Country Club Farm Course. It’s bad enough that high school teams can’t use your range before matches, but now you don’t allow parents to watch their children compete? Is this Augusta?? „ The Town of Stokesdale for allowing the mass demolition of trees for a new swamp-front community of 56 homes on Coldwater Road. „ Food Lion in Summerfield. There is still a mask mandate in North Carolina and management should be enforcing this. „ The number of multi-axle trucks rumbling by my home near Summerfield Town Hall each weekday, which is likely in the high hundreds. Is there any way to re-route large trucks (semis, dump trucks, etc.) somewhere besides Oak Ridge Road/N.C. 150? „ The land developer on Coldwater Road who is ripping down acres of God’s country for the love of the almighty dollar. I’m sure Satan is proud of his “all mighty” accomplishments.

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Carolina Beach/Wilmington area again, safely and somewhat normally. Nothing terribly exciting, just something comforting, normal and without worrying.” Jane Doggett, Summerfield

“It’s so hard to imagine it, but I would love to get together with people I care about, people I have missed, and have a party with lots of fun and reminiscing and affection.” Vicki White-Lawrence, Stokesdale

“I would first say a prayer of thanks to the Lord and then host a mask burning party!” Caroline Ruch, Oak Ridge

“Travel.”

Sandra Smith, Oak Ridge

“I want to spend an entire day seeing as many movies in theaters as I can, while eating as much popcorn and drinking as “Well, we’ve just done the thing we most wanted, and that was to hug our daughter. It had been over a year. I think another thing I would enjoy is going out to a special place to eat. Also going to church is something we will enjoy doing!!” Betty Compton, Stokesdale

“(Go on) another river cruise. Of course, seeing my siblings and extended family is at the top of the list, along with going to football games in the fall.” Diana Macklin, Oak Ridge

“To be social again. With all that entails!”

Danny Yanusz, Oak Ridge

“Go to Israel.”

Mamie Brown, Summerfield

“I plan to take (my grandson) Wilson and some of his friends to their favorite restaurant, Bravo! We may eat and sit and enjoy each other’s company for hours without masks. Wilson and I have missed being with friends most of all and want to catch up. We also want to go to the beach.”

Phyllis Anders, Oak Ridge

“Have a big party!” Val Kepley, Oak Ridge

“Travel and stay in a hotel with a really good breakfast buffet.” Kelly Joyce, Stokesdale

“The first thing I want to do is totally ditch the mask thing. My wife and I both had our vaccinations and are pretty much acting normal again – except for wearing masks. We wear them in stores and even outdoors when high-density crowds are common.” Ben Walraven, Oak Ridge

“Would love to take a cruise.” Todd Harmon, Stokesdale

“Go to church and hug everybody – twice!”

Peggy Nelson, Colfax “Masks have helped stop the spread of COVID, but smiles are contagious too and I plan to catch and share as many as possible. We also hope to visit family we haven’t seen in way too long and try to rebook a trip to Thailand that we had planned for last summer.” Patricia Annunziato, Summerfield

“Running around totally maskless and hugging my friends more are top of the list!”

Terri Hawkins, Summerfield

“My twins, Harper and Caden, graduate from Northwest this year. My husband’s parents – who are 101 and 96 and live in Arizona – his sister Susan and my mom will be able to travel here to attend graduation because we are all vaccinated! We have not seen any of them in a year and a half.” Stephanie Brady, Summerfield

“Fill the church to capacity and be able to hug friends!” Madeline Swaney, Summerfield

Virtual Care from Your Home

All LeBauer HealthCare practices are now offering virtual care appointments with your provider through a video visit! appointments with your provider through a video visit!

To control the spread of COVID-19, we are scheduling virtual visits as an alternative to in-person office visits. Connect with the healthcare provider that you know and trust from the comfort of home. Virtual appointments are billed to your insurance just like your regular office visits. To schedule a virtual visit, please call your provider’s office today! please call your provider’s office today!

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