Northwest Observer / Oct. 21 - Nov. 3, 2021 by pscommunications

Oct. 21 - Nov. 3, 2021

bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996 www.nwobserver.com

Summerﬁeld council mulls revisions to new zoning rules

Photo courtesy of Countryside Village Retirement Community

John (left) and Beulah Marvin prove you’re never too old to have a little fun. After recently acquiring motorized scooters, the couple – he’s 98 and she’s 99 – enjoyed going for a spin around Countryside Village Retirement Community in Stokesdale, where they live independently. On Oct. 30, the Marvins will celebrate their 78th wedding anniversary.

Mayor BJ Barnes expresses concerns about possible legal challenges if lowdensity regulations block the availability of moderately priced housing by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Three and a half months after revising Summerfield’s zoning regulations, the Town Council is considering

Planning Board recommendations to tighten density rules for housing. The proposed changes drew concern from Mayor BJ Barnes, who asked Town Attorney Bob Hornik whether Summerfield might be vulnerable to lawsuits claiming housing discrimination. Barnes suggested the possibility of retaining an independent consultant to evaluate the town’s zoning rules and recommend changes to lessen legal risks.

...continued on p. 31

Council approves rezoning of 153 acres for residential development by PATTI STOKES

STOKESDALE – Developer Kevan Combs hit a slight bump in the road at Stokesdale Planning Board’s Sept. 23 meeting when the board considered his request to rezone 152.68 acres at 8301 Angel-Pardue Road for single-family residential use. After holding a public hearing to gain citizen input, board members

debated whether the rezoning from AG (agricultural) to C-PD-R (conditional-use Planned DevelopmentResidential) was appropriate for this property, with concerns largely centering on the amount of traffic the development would bring to Angel-Pardue Road, and from the development onto U.S. 158. Planning staff acknowledged the request was

IN THIS ISSUE News in brief .............................................................2 Your Questions .........................................................4 Oak Ridge Town Council meeting .......................6 Summerﬁeld Town Council meeting ....................8 Stokesdale Town Council meeting.....................10 NWO Business/Real Estate ................................... 15 Real Estate Q&A .................................................... 16 A new direction: Career changers .................... 18

inconsistent with Stokesdale’s Future Land Use Plan, which recommends the PD-R zoning not be used outside the Town Core limits.

...continued on p. 14

Businesses battle shortages ...............................22 Real Estate News/Briefs .................................. 24 NWO Kids’ Korner ..............................................26 NWHS Homecoming photos..............................27 Community Calendar ......................................... 28 Crime/Incident Report .......................................... 31 Grins and Gripes .....................................................32 Classiﬁeds .............................................................35 Index of Advertisers ......................................39 NWO On The Go ........................... 40

NEWS in brief

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

New face of Summerﬁeld Community Center

finish strong start here

Development of park to get underway after securing loan

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OCT. 21 - NOV. 3, 2021

Nearly $100,000 in renovations of Summerfield Community Center, which is now owned by the town of Summerfield, were almost complete by the Town Council’s monthly meeting Oct. 12. From left, council members Reece Walker and John O’Day talk to rezoning applicant Reid Holt Martin in the kitchen, which has new cabinets and countertop, but no appliances yet. The contractor was still completing a final punch list of improvements, such as touch-up painting, according to Town Manager Scott Whitaker. Fresh paint on the brown paneling and the installation of new flooring and ceiling lights updated the circa-1970s décor of the building, which also got a new roof. There is no firm date for when citizens can start renting the facility, but Whitaker told the Northwest Observer last month that once the renovation project is complete, the calendar will be opened for rentals.

The Northwest Observer

The town plans to borrow $2.75 million and draw from cash reserves by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Oak Ridge officials are in the process of arranging a loan to start work on the first phase of Heritage Farm Park, with an estimated price tag of $3.63 million. A projection prepared by finance officer Sam Anders shows that capital spending by the town is going to reduce reserves for the next six years. Payments on the $2.75 million loan would contribute to the decline. In fact, the biggest drop in the fund balance is projected for the current fiscal •year Totally local since – before Oak Ridge1996 has borrowed

any money for Heritage Farm Park. Anders estimated that reserves will sink $1.07 million to $2.74 million in the fiscal year ending next June 30. The decline reflects capital expenses of nearly $1.3 million, including $855,000 the council appropriated for beginning the park development. Another $255,600 is earmarked for repaying the loan for the property on which the park is being built. Oak Ridge leaders had hoped to defray development costs with a matching state grant for as much as $450,000. However, for a second consecutive year, the town failed to win a grant from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. As a result, the town is relying upon a mix of borrowing and cash reserves for the project.

Last month, the town’s Finance Committee recommended the town borrow for the park development, reflecting “the town’s strong financial position and the availability of very attractive borrowing rates and terms,” Paul Benz, the committee’s vice chairman, told the council during its meeting Oct. 7. “The conclusion of the committee

was that the town has the capacity to service the debt associated with the project while still maintaining a healthy fund balance,” Benz said. The council followed the committee’s recommendation, voting unanimously during a special called meeting Oct. 5 to start lining up financing and a general contract for the park’s development.

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Photo courtesy of George McClellan

Hiking on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in Oak Ridge is going to become safer by the end of this year when workers will ﬁnish building a gravel sidewalk along Haw River and Pepper roads. The crew recently completed the stretch of sidewalk along Haw River Road and has begun extending the sidewalk along Pepper Road. The sidewalk will connect two sections of the MST northwest of town.

Vote early now through Oct. 30, or on Election Day, Nov. 2 NW GUILFORD COUNTY – Early voting for the Nov. 2 municipal election is open now through Oct. 30 at four locations in Guilford County: Old County Courthouse (Blue Room) first floor, room 108, 301 W. Market St.; Bur-Mil Club, 5834 BurMil Club Road, Greensboro; Charlotte Hawkins Brown Kimball Hall, 6136 Burlington Road, Gibsonville; and Jamestown Town Hall, 301 E. Main St., Jamestown. During the early voting period, voters can vote at any of the early voting sites, regardless of their assigned precinct. Citizens who are not registered to vote may register at early voting sites during the early voting period, provided they are a U.S. citizen, are 18 years of age or will be by the election, and can provide proof

they have lived in Guilford County for at least 30 days prior to the election. After registering, the newly registered voter can immediately vote at that same site. See p. 2 of our special Election publication, an insert to this week’s Northwest Observer, for a list of documents acceptable for voter registration. Voters voting on Election Day, Nov. 2, must do so at their assigned precinct. Polls will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more info on your local town council candidates, early voting dates/ times of day and other municipal election-related info, see our special Election publication inside this issue. Also, visit www.guilfordcountync.gov/ The Northwest Observer • our-county/board-of-elections.

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OCT. 21 - NOV. 3, 2021

your QUESTIONS The town of Oak Ridge hopes to have a design recommendation and cost estimates for renovating this house it owns at the corner of Lisa Drive and Linville Road within the next few months.

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OUR TEAM Patti Stokes, editor/publisher Laura Reneer, marketing manager Kelli Jessup, publisher’s assistant Rene Collins, administrative assistant Yvonne Truhon, graphic designer Leon Stokes, IT director Lucy Smith, finance manager Linda Schatz and Tom McCoy, distribution Chris Burritt, staff writer; Helen Ledford, Meredith Barkley, Lily Pierce and Annette Joyce, contributing writers

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Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

What’s the status of the white house the town of Oak Ridge owns on Linville Road?

Town Manager Bill Bruce told us a town committee has been working with an architect on plans to renovate the house as a small meeting/event space.

I remember there was talk about restoring it and I believe the inside has been gutted, but I haven’t seen any activity there in a while and wondered what the plans are for making it usable.

“Work is ongoing, and we hope to have a design recommendation and cost estimates for Town Council’s review in the next few months,” Bruce said.

Does the town of Oak Ridge have any plans to put blinking lights at the pedestrian crosswalk on N.C. 150 at Oak Ridge Plantation?

Plantation, although Town Manager Bill Bruce told us this could change as Heritage Farm Park develops and pedestrian traffic increases.

It’s very rare that a driver will stop and let someone cross.

Bruce added that the town annually reviews potential new projects during Capital Improvement Plan and Budget development, and he encourages citizens to reach out to council members and staff with any requests.

The town has no plans at this time to install blinking cross-walk lights at the pedestrian crossing at Oak Ridge

Citizens may call Town Hall M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (336) 644-7009, or visit www.oakridgenc.com for town council member contact info.

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OAK RIDGE town council

Oct. 7 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by CHRIS BURRITT Mayor Ann Schneider called the monthly meeting in Oak Ridge Town Hall to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and council members George McClellan and Martha Pittman present. Councilman Doug Nodine was absent. Travis Cole, impact director at Summit Church, offered the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

PROCLAMATIONS

Volunteers. Schneider thanked the Summit Church – Oak Ridge for organizing Big Serve earlier this month when about 300 members of the church’s Oak Ridge congregation performed landscaping and other projects at 12 locations, including Oak Ridge Town Hall, Town Park and Northwest Guilford High and Middle schools. Schneider also praised Oak Ridge Garden Club for its care of gardens at Town Park, Oak Ridge Elementary School, Oak Ridge Military Academy and Old Mill of Guilford. “We are refreshing all of those gardens,” club President Barbara Engel said later in the meeting. “Hopefully they will start looking beautiful by next spring.”

PUBLIC SAFETY

WHAT they voted on, and HOW they voted: Mayor Ann Schneider, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and council members George McClellan and Martha Pittman voted on the following items during the Oct. 7 council meeting. Councilman Doug Nodine was absent.

Sheriff’s Office. Det. Chris Malloy reported the sheriff’s District 1 office responded to 70 calls for service in Oak Ridge in September, including one breaking and entering of a motor vehicle and two larcenies.

 4  0: Eliminate the fee for the rental of portable pitching mounds during weekend tournaments at Town Park

Oak Ridge Fire Department. Assistant Chief Sam Anders said he and other firefighters enjoyed their participation in Heritage Day Sept. 25. As a safety tip, Anders urged motorists to avoid driving through water and to look out for fallen trees during heavy rain.

The waiver covers weekend tournaments, not single-day events such as private school games and parties, the manager added.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Portable pitching mound rental

 4  0 to eliminate the fee for

the rental of portable pitching mounds during weekend tournaments at Town Park. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommended dropping the daily fee of $12.50 per mound as Town Park is losing tournaments to venues that don’t charge for renting mounds, according to Town Manager Bill Bruce. Eliminating the fee puts “us on even footing with our competitors,” Bruce told the council in an Oct. 1 memo.

 4  0: Authorize Town Attorney Michael Thomas to pursue legal steps requiring Ricky Wayne Jones to cease using two parcels on West Harrell Road for the storage of automotive vehicles

PARTF grant update. Bruce reviewed the council’s earlier decision to start development of Heritage Farm Park, even though Oak Ridge failed to win a matching grant from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF). Photo courtesy of Town of Oak Ridge The council voted About 300 members of the Summit Church – Oak unanimously during a Ridge participated in the church’s Big Serve project special called meeting earlier this month. Oct. 5 to start lining up Hosting tournaments generates revenue financing and a general contractor for for the town and sales for local busithe estimated $3.63 million project. A nesses, he noted. week and a half earlier, town leaders

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had learned Oak Ridge’s PARTF grant application had fallen short for the second consecutive year. “The fact that we didn’t get the PARTF grant didn’t slow us down,” said Councilman Jim Kinneman, echoing remarks by other council members that Heritage Farm Park is a worthy longterm investment. The council anticipates borrowing about $2.75 million after appropriating $855,000 in this fiscal year’s budget for expanding Town Park.

article in News Briefs.)

Enforcement action for zoning violations

Special Events Committee. Chair Patti Dmuchowski reported fundraising for the veterans’ site slated for Heritage Farm Park is going well and donations to the project totaled $20,839 as of September.

 4  0 to authorize Town Attor-

ney Michael Thomas to pursue legal steps requiring Ricky Wayne Jones to cease using two parcels on West Harrell Road for the storage of automotive vehicles. Civil penalties for the violation of the town’s zoning ordinance exceed $30,000, according to Bruce. Thomas plans to pursue enforcement in North Carolina Superior Court, seeking an injunction requiring Jones to obey zoning regulations and a judgment allowing the town to collect penalties. If the court rules in favor of Oak Ridge, the town could waive the penalties, Thomas said. Jones hasn’t responded to notification efforts by the town and the sheriff’s office, Bruce said. “It’s unfortunate that we have to go in this direction,” Schneider said. But “in order for our ordinances to have teeth and to keep this from happening in other areas, we have to uphold our ordinances.”

Historic Preservation Commission. Chair Debbie Shoenfeld reported the commission is pulling together final photos and articles for a book about historical properties in Oak Ridge. Mountains-to-Sea Trail Committee. Co-chairs Bill Royal and Anne Steele reported construction of a sidewalk along Haw River and Pepper roads has begun. When completed, the sidewalk will connect two sections of the Headwaters Trail northwest of town.

COUNCIL COMMENTS  Councilman George McClellan thanked the Finance Committee and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for their efforts to begin development of Heritage Farm Park. He also commended the Mountains-to-Sea Trail Committee for their commitment to developing the trail and connecting two sections with the new sidewalk.  Kinneman urged motorists to stop when they see flashing caution lights at the pedestrian crossing on Linville Road at Town Hall and Town Park.  “What a glorious September we had in Oak Ridge,” Council member Martha Pittman said, citing RidgeFest, Heritage Day and other activities and the volunteers who made them successful.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

 Schneider said she’s impressed by volunteerism in Oak Ridge.

Finance Committee. Vice Chair Paul Benz reported the committee reviewed options for the town to borrow funds for the development of Heritage Farm Park. The committee concluded that Oak Ridge would be able to repay a loan while maintaining a healthy fund balance. (See related

The mayor and Pittman then encouraged residents to bring any complaints, concerns and feedback about the council’s actions directly to council members. (Council member phone numbers, email addresses and mailing addresses can be found online at www.oakridgenc.com – click on “Town Council” about halfway down the lefthand side of the homepage – or call Northwest Observer • Town HallThe at (336) 644-7009.)

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. Co-chair John Garrett reported the board appointed Selby Chipman, a member of Scouts BSA Troop 219G, as teen advisor to the board.

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OCT. 21 - NOV. 3, 2021

SUMMERFIELD town council

Oct. 12 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS annual Christmas tree lighting has been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 20.

Mayor Pro Tem Tim Sessoms and council members Lynne W. DeVaney, Teresa W. Perryman, John O’Day and Reece Walker voted on the following items during the Oct. 12 council meeting. Mayor BJ Barnes was present, but in Summerfield the mayor votes only to break a tie.

PUBLIC SAFETY

 4  1: Rezone (Perryman opposed) nearly 4.5 acres at 6212 Lake

as reported by CHRIS BURRITT Mayor BJ Barnes called the monthly meeting in Summerfield Community Center to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Tim Sessoms and council members Lynne W. DeVaney, Teresa W. Perryman, John O’Day and Reece Walker present.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Summerfield Fire District. The district reported it responded to 118 calls for service in September; they included 23 fire-related calls, 69 EMS-related calls and 26 other calls. Firefighters installed 14 child safety seats.

Christmas tree lighting. Town Manager Scott Whitaker said the town’s

District 1 sheriff’s office. No report was provided for September.

Sessoms offered the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

WHAT they voted on, and HOW they voted:

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Brandt Road from single family residential (RS-30) to conditional zoning industrial (CZ-IND)

 5  0: Rezone nearly six acres at 7200 Summerfield Road from light industrial (LI) to neighborhood business district (NB)

 5  0: Rezone roughly 4.8 acres at 2854 Fleming Road from agricultural district (AG) to conditional zoning – rural residential (CZ-RR)  5  0: Table consideration of proposed changes to the UDO (unified development ordinance)

 5  0: Renew the town’s solid waste and recycling franchise contract with Republic Services of North Carolina  5  0: Appoint Mark Brown to the Founders’ Day Committee for a term ending July 2023.  5  0: Unseal minutes of the council’s closed sessions  5  0: Table plans for scheduling a special called meeting for discussion about establishing a water system to improve fire protection

COMMITTEE REPORT

(Above left) At SMA’s Oct. 5 meeting, Greensboro Performing Arts owners Suzanne and Garland Vandergrift shared their business story, a lot of laughter and some great food. During the meeting, which was held at GPA’s new Summerfield campus on Summerfield Road, we heard from three Summerfield Town Council candidates and SMA President Terry Helms (above right) discussed upcoming community events the SMA will be involved in.

Historical. Chair Mark Brown reported the Journal of the American Revolution recently published an article researched and written by committee member Bruce Petersen; the article shed new light on the Race to the Dan, a strategic retreat by American General Nathanael Greene across the Dan River from North Carolina. The move allowed the army to regroup and gather new supplies before fighting British forces in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in March 1781. The article also examined the Bugle Boy skirmish in present-day Summerfield that resulted in the death of American bugler James Gillies.

Thanks to SMA members Suzanne and Garland Vandergrift, owners of

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Greensboro Performing Arts for hosting our Oct. 5 meeting

OCT. 21 - NOV. 3, 2021

The Northwest Observer

 Dwayne Crawford urged Summerfield Fire District to report incidents, especially related to fires, during its monthly activity report to the council. The district’s practice of reporting the number of firerelated and EMS-related calls doesn’t •specify Totally local since 1996 whether firefighters actually ex-

tinguished a fire, as opposed to responding to a false alarm, Crawford said. Crawford is seeking more specific information as the council is exploring the possibility of establishing a water system for fighting fires. “If we are going to buy water, we need to know what we’re paying for,” he said. He also asked for historical information; as an example, he wants to know whether the first tankers that responded to structure fires in recent years provided enough water to extinguish blazes or whether shuttling of water by other tankers was required. Later in the meeting, Walker, employed as a Summerfield fireman, suggested to Crawford that he talk to Fire Chief Chris Johnson. Barnes said he’s less concerned about the number of incidents than about making sure the district is adequately prepared to fight fires and respond to emergencies.  Gail Dunham, who is running for mayor in the Nov. 2 election, reiterated her con-

cern that the council adopted last-minute changes to the UDO (unified development ordinance) during its June 8 meeting without holding a public hearing to seek residents’ views about the proposed changes. “I still have questions I haven’t had answered,” she said.  Perryman, who is seeking reelection to the council, said she’s against high density development and establishment of a water system in the town.  Diane Harris said she’s displeased with “the lack of maintenance” of U.S. 220 by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). When workers recently cut the overgrown grass, they created a mess by mowing litter, she said. “We want our community to look nice,” Harris said. “I have pride in my community.”  Brian Johnson endorsed John Doggett, a candidate for a seat on the council. Johnson works with Doggett at Landmark Construction, which promoted Doggett to the position of director of continuous improvement about a year and a half ago. Doggett’s promotion “speaks volumes” about his leadership, Johnson said. “He listens, he evaluates and he gets things done.”  Lexie Cline, Doggett’s daughter, endorsed her father, saying his lifetime of hard work would translate to his service on the council.

 John Doggett said he favors maintaining Summerfield’s rural character and open spaces while providing more affordable housing in the town. He also supports the establishment of a water system for fire suppression.  Mayor Pro Tem Tim Sessoms, who is running for mayor in the Nov. 2 election, said he backs “slow, steady development” in Summerfield and encourages the growth of small businesses in the town. “We want to keep going forward in a positive manner,” he said.  Don Wendelken complained about a bump in the road at the intersection of Summerfield and Pleasant Ridge roads. Whitaker said NCDOT has informed him it plans to repair the road after the project was delayed earlier this year.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Rezoning requests. The council approved three rezoning requests after hearing from applicants and residents during public hearings. (See related articles on p. 24.) In all three cases*, the council followed the recommendations of its Planning and Zoning Board.  4  1 (Perryman opposed) to approve the rezoning of nearly 4.5 acres at 6212 Lake Brandt Road at the request of Pete Bryant. He plans to expand his two companies, Southern Exposure Landscape Management and Southern Lights Outdoor Lighting &

Audio, on the property.  5  0 to approve rezoning of nearly six acres at 7200 Summerfield Road to expand Greensboro Performing Arts, owned by Garland and Suzanne Vandergrift.

the Founders’ Day Committee for a term ending July 2023.

Unsealing of closed session minutes

 5  0 to approve Reid Holt Mar-

 5  0 to unseal minutes of the council’s closed sessions, following the annual review of the minutes by Town Attorney Bob Hornik to determine which information can be released to the public.

UDO text amendment

Water-for-fire suppression meeting

tin’s request to rezone roughly 4.8 acres at 2854 Fleming Road to create a maximum of two residential lots.

 5  0 to table consideration of

proposed changes to the UDO. (See related article on FC.) Following a public hearing, the council discussed ways to encourage construction of more moderately priced housing. The council decided to schedule a joint meeting with the Planning Board to address specific issues related to amending development rules via a text amendment to the UDO.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Garbage services contract

 5  0 to renew the town’s solid

waste and recycling franchise contract with Republic Services of North Carolina. The new, two-year contract will go into effect Jan. 1, 2022, and will increase the current charge for waste and recycling pickup by 4.5%. That translates to a quarterly increase of $2.34 to $54.18 per household, according to Whitaker.

Committee appointment

 5  0 to appoint Mark Brown to

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

 5  0 to table plans for scheduling a special called meeting for the council to discuss establishing a water system to improve fire protection. Bandera Farms Park PARTF grant Whitaker discussed last month’s decision by the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) to award Summerfield a $500,000 matching grant for development of Bandera Farms Park. The 115-acre tract on Bunch Road at Interstate 73 is slated for development as a horseback riding and hiking preserve. (See related article on p. 1 of our Oct. 7-20 issue.)

CLOSED SESSION

The council recessed the meeting and went into closed session to discuss a legal matter. After reconvening, it took no action. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned about 10:30 p.m.

OCT. 21 - NOV. 3, 2021

STOKESDALE town council

Oct. 14 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by PATTI STOKES Mayor John Flynt called the monthly meeting to order at 7 p.m. Following an invocation and pledge of allegiance, the meeting agenda was adopted and minutes from the July 8, 2021 council meeting were approved.

PUBLIC SAFETY Stokesdale Fire Dept. Deputy Chief

gems in

Randy Southard reported the department responded to 78 calls in September; one was a building fire, two were for other types of fires, two were alarm checks, 29 were service-related/good intent calls and 43 were for medical emergencies. Safety Tips: Residents were encouraged

to change their smoke detector batteries (an easy way to remember this is to do it every fall and spring when the time changes) and to have an escape plan and pre-determined place to meet should a home/building need to be evacuated.

out before putting them in the trash.

ADMIN REPORT

Dale Martin, interim town clerk, gave an update on items relating to the town’s municipal water system: 12 new water meters were sold in September; 16 applications for transfers of service; 43 new meters were placed on hold for builders and 643 water customers were billed. Additionally, Town Hall received 89 8-1-1 calls, and fire alarms and fire extinguishers in Town Hall were serviced.

Southard also advised people to limit the use of extension cords. “We find people use extension cords rather than finding a permanent solution – extension cords aren’t meant for permanent use,” he said. And, with cooler temperatures, fireplaces will be used more; Southard reminded everyone to make sure ashes are completely

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Mayor John Flynt, Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks, and council members Jim Rigsbee, Derek Foy and Jimmy Landreth voted on the following items at the Oct. 14 town council meeting…

 5  0: Allocate $5,000 for the Events Committee to cover expenses related to the annual Christmas parade, scheduled for Dec. 11, 2 p.m.

 5  0: Approve the rezoning of a 1.12-acre tract at 7709 N.C. 68 N,

and condition on the request that it be used exclusively for accessory parking for Tire Max.

 4  1: Approve (Flynt opposed) a conditional use rezoning request for 152.68 acres on Angel Pardue Road.  5  0: Replace 50 water meters at locations determined to be dangerous for Yates Construction employees to have to leave their vehicle to read the meters, at a total cost of $13,200.  5  0: Hire Price Mill to install Christmas banners downtown around

mid-November and to take them down after the holidays, for a total of $1,000.

 4  1: Request (Foy opposed) Republic Services resume weekly recycling pickup at $1.50 per month (per residence), effective ASAP, until the contract with the company expires June 2022. including Friends of Stokesdale, which hosted a town council candidate open house there, HOA groups, and a developer who hosted an open house to address any questions and concerns about a proposed subdivision on Angel Pardue Road. Martin said several annual reports were filed last month as required, and she and Deputy Clerk Priscilla Hunsucker have been clearing out library books from one of the extra rooms in Town Hall to make space for a new town clerk. (The council hopes to hire a permanent town clerk later this month. Martin, a retired clerk with the Town of Kernersville, was hired last March as a part-time, interim town clerk and has agreed to remain while mentoring a permanent town clerk and working on improving administrative functions). Anyone interested in free library books is encouraged to stop by Town Hall during business hours.

COMMITTEES/BOARDS  The Planning Board will meet Oct. 28.

Events. Councilman Derek Foy reminded everyone the annual Christmas parade is scheduled for Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. The format of the parade changed last year

due to Covid, but Foy said it will be a “normal, conventional parade” this year, with announcers to highlight parade participants as they pass by the fire station. Crossroads Church will serve hot dogs, and there will also be food trucks.

 5  0 to allocate $5,000 for the Events Committee to cover paraderelated expenses.

158 Bypass. Mayor Flynt referenced a letter the town received from the North Carolina Dept. of Transportation, dated Sept. 15, regarding the 158 Bypass from Walkertown/ Reidsville Road to Stokesdale/U.S. 220. Flynt said a few years ago DOT had indicated priorities had changed and the department didn’t anticipate the bypass through Stokesdale coming to fruition – however, the recent letter states the department continues its studies of the bypass and over the next several months will be identifying and documenting environmental resources (i.e., streams and wetlands) on properties within the town’s limits to avoid or reduce impacts from the bypass. Flynt said DOT’s letter will be posted on the town’s website.

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www.piedmonttrucktires.com OCT. 21 - NOV. 3, 2021

STOKESDALE TOWN COUNCIL ...continued from p. 11 Secondly, Magyar said candidates were placing political signs where they weren’t permitted.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Town Finance Officer Kim Thacker gave an update on the checking account balances and CDARS for the general fund and the water enterprise fund. A payment of $362,737.50 was deposited into the general fund last month, which is half of what the town will receive from the American Rescue Plan. Thacker confirmed financial transactions have been recorded for the town’s purchase last month of 9.8 acres on Athens Road that adjoins the town park.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Conditional rezoning, N.C. 68N. Rezone property at 7709 N.C. 68 N (west side of N.C. 68) from AG (Agricultural) and RS-30 (single-family Residential) to CZ-HB (Conditional Rezoning – Highway Business). Town Planner Oliver Bass presented the rezoning request for a 1.12-acre tract adjacent to Tire Max. The proposed conditional use would be exclusively for accessory parking for Tire Max. The Planning Board voted 5-0 to recommend approving the request, and staff also recommends approval, Bass said.  5  0 to approve the rezoning request. Conditional rezoning, Angel Pardue Road. Bass presented a request to rezone 152.68 acres on Angel Pardue Road from AG (Agricultural) to CZ-PD-R (Conditional Use, Planned Unit Development – Residential). The condition the developer placed on his request limits the use to single-family residential uses (no neighborhood business or office) and the

CITIZEN COMMENTS

 Mike Crawford, a candidate for mayor in the Nov. 2 election, thanked everyone who has supported him in his campaign. “I look forward to being your next mayor and I’m ready to hit the ground running,” Crawford said.  Brian Magyar of Dorsett Downs said he was concerned about possible erosion at his property line which may result from adjacent property on Angel Pardue Road being developed and said he was interested in hearing the developer’s plans for preventing this.

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maximum number of lots to 140. Bass said the Planning Board voted 2-3 to recommend approving the rezoning request; staff recommends approving the request. (See related article on front cover for details.)

 4  1 (Flynt opposed, based on concern about small lots) to approve the conditional use rezoning request for 152.68 acres on Angel Pardue Road.

Automated water meters. Foy said there were several points in the town that are not safe for Yates Construction employees to have to get out of their vehicle and read the water meters. He initially proposed replacing 30 old meters with new electronic meters that can be read as an employee drives by, at a cost of $264 each. After discussion, council agreed to replace 50 meters from funds in this fiscal year’s budget.

 5  0 to replace 50 old water meters with new electronic water meters, at a total cost of $13,200.  5  0 Hire Price Mill to install

Christmas banners downtown around midNovember and to take them down after the holidays, for a total cost of $1,000.

presented two options: resume every-week recycling, extend Republic’s contract with the town to June 2023 and increase the permonth charge for waste/recycling pickup by $.93 (from $18.80/month, per residence, to $19.73/month); or, keep the contract end date at June 2022 and the price will increase by $1.50/month (from $18.80/month to $20.30/month). Flynt said the town was getting more complaints about Republic’s service, and he hadn’t seen any improvement. Councilman Jimmy Landreth asked how many complaints the town had received, and how many customers wanted to have their recycling picked up every week. Flynt noted that customers could request an extra container if needed. Foy commended Rigsbee for readdressing the issue of every-week recycling. “I believe they’re really struggling right now (i.e., labor shortages, truck shortages). Their contract with the town expires June 30, 2022. It’s well known we’re struggling with Republic. How would paying more right now be perceived?” Foy asked.  4  1 (Foy opposed) to approve Rigsbee’s motion to request Republic Services resume weekly recycling pickup at an additional cost of $1.50/month (per residence), effective ASAP, until the contract with the company expires June 2022.

Republic Waste. Council discussed customer dissatisfaction with having switched from an every-week to an everyother-week recycling schedule earlier this year. Councilman Jim Rigsbee noted that Jorge Fernandez, the company’s general manager, had attended last month’s CLOSED SESSION council meeting and said every-otherCouncil went into closed session at Quick week recycling is not working for Lube the no 9:40 p.m. to discuss the qualifications of orinoil chaappointment needed company or for customers Stokesdale. town clerk candidates and reconvened fnges & Rigsbee state inspections at 10:05 p.m., then adjourned. After consulting with Fernandez,

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The Town of Stokesdale’s Events Committee proudly presents

2021 Stokesdale Christmas Parade

Saturday, Dec. 11, 2 pm

COVID required us to think differently last year in having the Cruise-Thru, but we are thrilled to have our traditional parade return to downtown Stokesdale in 2021.

Pre-parade festivities will include hot dog, donut, and hot chocolate serving stations, food trucks and live music. SPONSORSHIPS NEEDED: Our sponsors play a critical role in making this such a successful annual event.

PARADE ENTRIES NEEDED: Our participants are what make our parade great! Local organizations and businesses as well as family and friend groups are encouraged to join. Get creative! Last year’s National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Cruise-Thru station was quite the hit! Entry forms are available on the town’s website under Events. Deadline for entry is Dec. 1, 2021. Please secure your spot early.

For more information on sponsorships and parade entries, contact Town Hall at stokesdale@stokesdale.org or 336.643.4011 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

OCT. 21 - NOV. 3, 2021

COUNCIL APPROVES REZONING After reviewing the rezoning request, Town Planner Oliver Bass and Guilford County’s Technical Review Committee, however, recommended approving the rezoning. Planners recognized the PD-R allows flexible design for protecting environmentally sensitive land and based on the developer’s conditions, the overall density would not exceed one dwelling unit per acre. A second public hearing was held at Stokesdale Town Council’s Oct. 14 meeting, when the council ultimately voted 4-1 to approve the rezoning request.

...continued from p. 9

lots could be as small as 5,000 square feet. Bill Greco of Land Solutions, a land planning company based in northwest Greensboro, worked with Combs in designing the proposed PD-R, which he noted the developer used successfully in the Angel’s Glen subdivision. The average lot sizes in the proposed development will be 20,000 square feet, Greco said, with areas designated for offsite septic and common use.

When submitting his rezoning application, Combs placed two conditions on his request – one, that the planned development would only be for residential use, and two, that there would be a maximum of 140 lots.

Greco acknowledged that concerns about traffic had been brought up consistently and introduced John Davenport of Davenport Engineering in WinstonSalem, who assured the council that Angel Pardue Road is sufficient to handled the additional traffic this development would bring.

At the town council’s meeting, Mayor John Flynt expressed concern that while the overall density would not exceed one dwelling unit per acre, some

Davenport provided a letter from Bobby Norris, a district engineer with N.C. Department of Transportation, that confirmed the DOT accepted

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his firm’s recommendations to paint a double yellow line on Angel Pardue Road, which is 20 feet wide, to enhance safety. The engineer also said he had conducted a traffic study for NCDOT in August 2020 to address traffic conditions at Stokesdale Elementary School and U.S. 158 and that DOT had accepted his recommendations to install a traffic signal at U.S. 158 and Athens Road. Additionally, the terminus of Angel Pardue Road at U.S. 158 would be restriped to allow a turn lane. While the recommendations were approved, they have not yet been funded, Davenport noted. He recommended remarking Angel Pardue Road at this location to provide a left turn lane and enhance the traffic flow, which would be “one step toward the ultimate solution, and Combs agreed to make that change an added condition of his rezoning request. An Angel’s Glen resident argued that Angel Pardue Road could not handle the additional amount of traffic

“When I look at what Mr. Combs and Land Solutions has done in other areas, if you guys continue along this line and keep with your vision of open space and ruralness, I can say, ‘It’s okay to have you in my back yard,’” Wurz said. Combs confirmed he was willing to offer an additional condition that he would be responsible for new striping/turn lane from the intersection of U.S. 158 and Angel Pardue south to the intersection of Angel Pardue and Adano Road, per DOT specifications. After further discussion, Flynt voted to oppose the rezoning request based on concerns about the potential for small lots, but Combs received approval from the other four council members.

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Stokesdale resident and former Planning Board member Robert Wurz, who lives in Dorsett Downs, which is adjacent to the proposed development, countered, “If the land is going to be developed, which we know it will be, this is a good way to do it.”

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Businesses battle shortages

Suppliers and shippers haven’t yet recovered from pandemic disruptions, forcing northwest Guilford businesses to adapt Estate Q&A 16 Real What is planned for the lot across from Ontex? What are the plans for the vacant lot next to Tire Max in Stokesdale?

New Direction 18 APandemic spurs dental hygienist to switch gears, start business

Estate News 24 Real Summerfield council approves three rezoning requests

Briefs 25 Business One door closes, another opens

Photo courtesy of Carroll Industrial Development

REAL ESTATE Q&A

Located adjacent to I-73 and N.C. 65, this 25-acre site (shown at bottom of photo on left), which is part of South Rockingham Industrial Park, has been cleared for a 176,000-square-foot spec building that will accommodate such services as warehousing, distribution, light packaging and light assembly. Greensboro-based Carroll Industrial Development is pre-leasing space in the building, which it hopes to have completed by April 2022. At the top of the photo, Ontex Global Manufacturing hopes to begin operations in its 250,000-square-foot building by January 2022; it will be the ﬁrst facility to open in the 300-acre industrial park.

Do you know what is planned for the lot across from the new Ontex Global Manufacturing building at N.C. 65 and I-73/U.S. 220? They’re clearing the land and a sign advertising “Available Space” is out front, but there is nothing to indicate what is planned there.

The site you’re referring to is part of South Rockingham Industrial Park, which is owned and being developed by Carroll Industrial Development based in Greensboro. The 25-acre site that is being cleared will be home to a 176,000-square-foot building, the company’s first spec building in the industrial park. Evan Stone, the developer’s VP of Industrial Business Development, is charged with leasing the space and said it will be at an ideal location for warehousing, distribution, light packaging and light assembly. The building, which is adjacent to I-73/ U.S. 220, will feature 44 docks, 34-foot ceilings, parking space for 140 cars and 16 trailers. Stone said the company is currently pre-leasing with an estimated construction

completion date of April 2022. South Rockingham Industrial Park encompasses 282 acres. It extends along I-73 between N.C. 65 and N.C. 68 in southern Rockingham County, and is about 13 miles north of Piedmont Triad International Airport. Belgium-based Ontex Global Manufacturing will be the first facility to open in the industrial park. The company manufactures a range of personal care and disposable hygiene products; it hoped to begin operations in its new 250,000-square-foot manufacturing plant last spring, but pandemic-related challenges pushed the construction completion date to early 2022.

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This vacant lot adjacent to Tire Max on the west side of N.C. 68 in Stokesdale was recently rezoned and will be used for additional parking.

What are the plans for the vacant lot next to Tire Max on N.C. 68 in Stokesdale? Some time ago an old house was removed and the lot was cleared, and last month I noticed a public hearing sign was posted there.

Max Gardner, owner of Tire Max, recently received approval to rezone the vacant lot beside his business on the west side of N.C. 68 in Stokesdale from AG (Agricultural) and

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RS-30 (single-family Residential) to CZ/ HB (conditional zoning/highway business). According to Stokesdale’s zoning ordinances, “the highway business district is primarily intended to accommodate those retail service and distributive uses which are typically located along thoroughfares. The district is established to provide locations for establishments which require high visibility and good road access, or which cater primarily to passing motorists.” Gardner plans to use the vacant lot for additional parking space for his adjacent Tire Max store.

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Kim Fruitt, RDH/AHA Certiﬁed BLS Instructor, left her career as a dental hygienist to start her own company, CPR Innovation.

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Pandemic spurs dental hygienist to switch gears, start business We’ve all heard of people leaving lifelong careers to chase a dream and head down a different path. Maybe we’ve even considered it ourselves. The pandemic has further fueled that desire, as untold numbers of people have become even more motivated to add balance to their lives and embark on new career paths. This month we continue our new series on people who have made major career changes after spending many years in one occupation.

by ANNETTE JOYCE SUMMERFIELD – In March 2020, Kim Fruitt was working as a dental hygienist

at Civils Dentistry in Greensboro, where she had happily been for 19 years. “I had a wonderful boss, co-workers and patients. So why would I ever leave?” she reflected. Even so, she had toyed with the idea of running her own business. “I had wished from time to time that I could be my own boss, but at the time, I felt the only path to that goal would be dental school,” she said. “While I love dentistry, I was not sure I wanted to run a practice, manage staff and overhead, and respond to midnight dental emergencies.” Then, in the spring of 2020 the

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pandemic hit with full force and Fruitt’s world was turned upside-down. “The U.S. labor board rated dental hygiene as the No. 1 riskiest career for contracting COVID, even above respiratory therapist,” Fruitt said. “I was uncertain I would be able to continue my hygiene career, since I have an asthmatic child and often assist my grandparents, who are nearly 90. “Additionally, (my husband and I) made the difficult decision to homeschool one of our children and chose distance learning for the other. This further prompted me to reevaluate my priorities and focus on my family,” she added. With COVID cases in Guilford County on the rise, Fruitt decided to take a break from her job and left the practice about two weeks before it went into mandatory shutdown. That was mid-March, and the practice remained closed until May. The

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“I guess you could say this pandemic prompted a lot of soul searching,” she said. “I wanted things to return to ‘normal’ as much as the next person, but since we knew so little about the virus at the time, I wasn’t sure which way to turn.” As she thought about the most satisfying aspects of her job, Fruitt realized she enjoyed teaching her patients about good oral hygiene. As somewhat of a “clean freak,” she also enjoyed promoting safety and infection control. “My family, friends and even previous co-workers always joked that I was the captain of infection control and I was the safety police,” Fruitt said. As a medical professional, Fruitt was required to be certified in CPR and had participated in many team classes at her dental office which were led by an outside instructor. Thinking that becoming an instructor might be a “good fit” for her, she did some research and spoke with the person who had been her instructor. In July 2020, Fruitt trained to become an American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) instructor. Next,

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One of the best parts about building a custom home is that you get to incorporate all the home features that are specific to you and your family and sometimes those features are one-of-a-kind. We recently spoke with lo custom home builders to find out about some of the more unusual feature their clients are requesting, and here’s a sampling of what we discovered…

For people and pets Kathy Dumas, who co-owns R&K Custom Homes along with her husband, Rich, said R&K has been adding more secret hideaways and safe rooms to its custom homes. Dumas referenced a recent home in which the buyers asked for a storage room which would be accessed through a hidden entryway in a builtin bookcase.

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“The buyers were out of the country during their build and thought we forgot their request,” Dumas said. “The bookcase was so perfectly constructed they could not locate it. Once we showed them, they couldn’t believe how easily it rolled open. You just need to be able to find it. It’s Photos courtesy of R&K Custom Homes definitely hidden!” A hidden door (above) to one of the bookcases in this home ofﬁce was one of the more unique In another home, R&K features R&K Custom Homes incorporated into added a built-in bookcase which pivots open to reveal a their homeowners’ custom home. (Below) A dedicated shower in this home built by R&K Custom hidden space underneath a Homes makes dog bathing and grooming a breeze. staircase.

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“It’s a great spot for a small safe,” she said. Along with hidden spaces, R&K clients are looking for features for their pets. “We’re getting lots of requests for dog showers, dog gates and crates,” Dumas said.

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She added that more buyers of custom homes are wanting to equip their bathrooms with bidets and bidet sprays.

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Photo courtesy of Walraven Signature Homes

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Outlets for cars – and toilets

As owners of Walraven Signature Homes, att and Danielle Walraven have installed eir share of “unusual” features. At the moent, their company is experiencing what ikely to be the start of a new trend – the stallation of electric car charging stations. But perhaps one of the most unique re-

quests came from a couple who was having their house remodeled and asked that a GFI electrical outlet be placed near the toilet so they could plug in a heated toilet seat. To help with those late-night trips to the bathroom, the toilet seat included a night light.

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OCT. 21 - NOV. 3, 2021

Suppliers and shippers haven’t yet recovered from pandemic disruptions, forcing northwest Guilford businesses to adapt by CHRIS BURRITT

NW GUILFORD/GREENSBORO – As she prepares for the busy Christmas season, Pineapple Porch owner Tammy Cobb is still awaiting delivery of ornaments, wreaths and garland for her home décor stores in Oak Ridge and Summerfield. She plans to close her Stokesdale store later this month, easing her merchandise shortage.

WE PROMOTE PRODUCTS MADE IN AMERICA

Businesses battle shortage of workers, ﬂagstone, canned corn

The Northwest Observer

“I was going to struggle to fill up three stores,” said Cobb, echoing other small business owners grappling with disruptions to the global supply chain and U.S. labor market trickling down to northwestern Guilford County. Shortages of appliances, air conditioning units and building materials are rolling across the homebuilding sector. Contractors are paying more for supplies, as are restaurant owners grappling with shortages of straws and napkins and landscapers scrambling to buy flagstone and other materials for outdoor projects. “Between the land costs, labor rates and commodity prices, there’s not a line item that has not gone up a minimum of 15%,” said Matt Walraven, who owns Walraven Signature Homes with his wife, Danielle. The owners of Oak Ridge’s L&T Small Engine Service and Bistro 150 are working harder than ever as the labor pinch that worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic persists. In Stokesdale, not only does Bi-Rite owner David Wrenn want to increase his deli staff, but he also wants suppliers to speed up the •delivery Totallyoflocal since 1996 big cans of corn and other

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

Hiring reliable mechanics has been “an absolute nightmare” for L&T Small Engine Service, said Justin Wright, who owns the Oak Ridge business with his parents. ingredients for making soups and stews. “Now we’re in the soup season and some of those products are just starting to trickle in,” Wrenn said one afternoon earlier this week. As he greeted customers entering his store, he explained his suppliers are filling only about 70% of his frozen food orders. Shortages and delayed shipments reflect the lingering consequences of shutdowns and curtailed operations of factories and ocean ports overseas and in the U.S. Some workers displaced by the disruptions have failed to return to jobs across many industries, including transportation. The shortage of dock workers and truck drivers has contributed to record-setting backups of cargo ships at major U.S. ports. Last week, President Biden announced the Port of Los Angeles would begin operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ease backlogs of merchandise. Cobb figures the holiday décor late

...continued on p. 34

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she purchased the materials, equipment and mannequins needed to run her business and opened CPR Innovation. She taught her first course about a year ago and has been hooked ever since. “Becoming a BLS instructor has allowed me to combine my love of teaching, which was my favorite part of hygiene, with my passion for safety,” Fruitt said. “I am now training medical professionals in Basic Life Support and helping them to maintain valid CPR certification, to save lives. There is no time like a pandemic to be the infection control police, and my students seem to appreciate the extra effort to protect their health.” Fruitt has also realized her dream of owning her own business and in the process has become a one-woman show – she holds just about every position needed, including instructor, marketing director, accountant and inventory controller.

She admits to missing her former patients and the camaraderie of working with a team. “This is just me. Flying solo is awesome, but a bit lonely,” she said. However, nothing beats the thrill of teaching and having successfully prepared her students for a potential lifesaving event. “I really like that I’m teaching people lifesaving skills. I leave smiling every time,” she said. “My favorite thing is when someone comes up after class and says, ‘that’s the best course I’ve ever taken.’” Fruitt also enjoys having more time with her family. She and her husband, Tony, have two teenagers, Kristen, 16, and Ryan, 13. “My husband and children have been so supportive, and it’s made all the difference,” she said. Believing she’s in the right place and doing the right thing, Fruitt encourages anyone else who’s thinking about making a career change to go for it. Her recommendation? Find an idea that’s going to work for you and your lifestyle and “get serious about it.”

REAL ESTATE NEWS/BRIEFS

Summerfield council approves three rezoning requests by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – During its Oct. 12 meeting, Summerfield Town Council approved rezoning requests by three property owners, including two who are expanding their businesses. The council voted 4-1 to approve the rezoning of nearly 4.5 acres at 6212 Lake Brandt Road for the expansion of Southern Exposure Landscape Management and Southern Lights Outdoor Lighting & Audio, which are owned by Pete Bryant. Council member Teresa W. Perryman voted against the request to rezone the property from single family residential (RS-30) to conditional zoning industrial (CZ-IND). In an interview after the meeting, she said she

understood the concerns of some adjacent property owners. Lewis Nash, of Center Grove Court, told the council he doesn’t want to look at piles of rocks and mulch and landscaping equipment from his yard. Bryant said he plans to comply with zoning requirements to create a buffer of trees and other plantings between his property and homeowners. “We need space to be able to grow,” said Bryant, explaining he plans to create a showcase of his patios, fireplaces and other outdoor projects on the property. He added he intends to be a good neighbor and plans to make his property attractive. In the second case, the council voted unanimously to rezone nearly six acres

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at 7200 Summerfield Road from light industrial (LI) to neighborhood business district (NB) at the request of Garland and Suzanne Vandergrift, owners of Greensboro Performing Arts. They’re converting the former church buildings on the property into a studio for dance, music and arts. “I want to put my business right here in Summerfield,” Garland said. The couple already operates a studio in the Cardinal Crossing shopping center at Inman and Fleming roads

in northwestern Greensboro. In the other case, the council voted unanimously to rezone roughly 4.8 acres at 2854 Fleming Road from agricultural district (AG) to conditional zoning – rural residential (CZ-RR). Owner Reid Holt Martin plans to create two residential building lots on the tract, which features a creek lined by oak trees. Martin said he hopes two families will buy the lots and build houses on them. “Kids need a creek,” he told the council.

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Susan Laws, who along with Tammy Cobb operates Pineapple Porch in Oak Ridge, showcases some of the boutique’s offerings. After closing its store on N.C. 150 several months ago, Cobb said she’s happy to be settling into a new location off N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge. OAK RIDGE – Pineapple Porch has returned to Oak Ridge. The boutique, which specializes in home décor, accessories and gift items, has established its new home at 1692 N.C. 68, Suite H, in the retail/office center located behind the Quality Mart convenience store/Shell station. Pineapple Porch originally opened in Oak Ridge in May 2020, but after discovering the small house the boutique occupied on N.C. 150 had foundation problems, it relocated to Hillsdale Village shopping center in Summerfield this past June. “We’re very happy to be back in Oak Ridge,” said Tammy Cobb, co-owner of Pineapple Porch. “Everyone has

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been so welcoming.” While the Summerfield location will remain open, Cobb announced last week the sister store which opened a year ago in downtown Stokesdale will close this month. Cobb says she believes clients will be better served in Oak Ridge because of its more central location. The space occupied by Pineapple Porch in downtown Stokesdale won’t remain vacant for very long, Cobb noted. 119 on North Stokesdale, a fashion boutique which is scheduled to open this month, also plans to open Oh Baby by 119, a boutique offering baby clothing, accessoThe Northwest Observer • ries and toys.

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OCT. 21 - NOV. 3, 2021

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(Left) Northwest Guilford High School seniors Max Hines and Ava Overmyer were pronounced homecoming king and queen during halftime of the Vikings’ homecoming game on Oct. 15. (Right) Northwest Vikings fans enthusiastically cheered their team on at the homecoming game, when Northwest defeated Ragsdale 51-6. The Vikings are now 4-4 for the season. Northern Guilford, 8-0, will face Western Guilford this Friday, Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m. at home for Northern’s homecoming game.

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olmstedorthodontics.com We are OPEN and accepting new patients The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

OCT. 21 - NOV. 3, 2021

mark your

calendar

NOW THROUGH OCT. 30

z Early voting | Early voting for Oak Ridge, Summer-

field and Stokesdale town council members is open now through Saturday, Oct. 30, at four sites in Guilford County. The closest early voting site to residents of northwest Guilford County is at the Bur-Mil Club off U.S. 220 in northwest Greensboro. See our Election publication inside this issue for more details on the candidates, early voting dates/times, and more.

nonprofit focused on child education and character development, is offering a free afterschool program for K-5th graders, Monday to Friday, 2:30 to 6 p.m., at two locations: Oak Springs Baptist Church, 9070 U.S. 158 in Stokesdale; and Stokesdale United Methodist Church, 8305 Loyola Drive. Twenty-five slots are available at each location. Snacks provided. Learn more and register at operationxcel.org.

RSVP BY OCT. 29 z Veterans appreciation dinner | First Baptist

Church at 2300 Scalesville Road in Summerfield will host a dinner for veterans and their spouses Nov. 6, starting at 6 p.m. Chaplain Colonel Alan F. Pomaville will be the guest speaker. RSVP by Oct. 29 at

www.summerfieldfbc.com/event-registrations, or call (336) 643-6383.

EVERY THURSDAY MORNING z Walk/run | Walkers and runners are invited to meet

in the parking lot near Bistro 150 in Oak Ridge Commons on Thursday mornings at 7:25 a.m. before leaving to walk/run through and around Oak Ridge Town Park for about an hour. Participants are encouraged (but not required) to make a donation each week, with the money going to someone in the community who is in need (we’re currently donating to an employee of an Oak Ridge business who is undergoing treatment for cancer). More info: patti@nwobserver.com.

NOW THROUGH OCT. 31 z Pumpkin patch | The pumpkin patch is open at

Center United Methodist Church, 6142 Lake Brandt Road in northwest Greensboro from 1 to 7 p.m. on weekdays and much of the day on weekends. All proceeds support the youth group.

OCT. 22-23, 29-30 z Halloween Terror Trail | Oak Ridge Youth Associa-

tion is once again sponsoring an annual Halloween Terror Trail Oct. 22-23 and Oct. 29-30, 7 to 10 p.m. each night at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. Admission costs $5 or the donation of three canned goods. More info: teenleadershipteam@orya.org.

SATURDAY, OCT. 23 z Church yard sale | Stokesdale United Method-

Oct. 23, 8 a.m. to 12 noon. More info: Pat Gentry, (336) 312-1585. z Fall festival | Guilford College United Methodist Church,1205 Fleming Road in northwest Greensboro, will host a fall festival Oct. 23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be crafters, homemade baked goods, a pumpkin patch and Brunswick stew for sale. Call (336) 292-5833 to place your stew order.

MONDAY, OCT. 25 z Lions Club | Oak Ridge Lions Club, a nonprofit that helps people who are sight or hearing-impaired and donates time and funds to many community projects, will meet Oct. 25 at the Oak Ridge Room, 2205 Oak Ridge Road (next to Bistro 150). Come at 6 p.m. to socialize and if you would like, order dinner or a beverage – the business meeting runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. More info: Frank Kelleher, president, (336) 327-7786 or frankxk95@gmail.com.

THURSDAY, OCT. 28 z Drying & preserving flowers | Paul J. Ciener Botani-

cal Garden, 215 S. Main St. in Kernersville, will host a Lunch & Learn program on drying and preserving flowers Oct. 28, noon to 1 p.m. Adrienne Roethling, the Garden’s director, will discuss preserving your dying flowers to enhance fall and winter decorations. Bring your questions or submit them to info@pjcbg.org. Bring lunch; the Garden will provide drinks. Advance registration is required. Call (336) 996-7888 or visit pauljcienerbotanicalgarden.org to sign up.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

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SATURDAY, OCT. 30 z Food pantry | Good Samaritan

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z Drive-thru trunk or treat | Stokes-

dale United Methodist Church at 8305 Loyola Drive will host a drivethru trunk or treat Oct. 31, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Bring the kids for Halloween treats. More info: Sarah McKinney, (336) 609-2359. z Trunk or treat | First Baptist Church at 2300 Scalesville Road in Summerfield invites kids up to fifth grade and their families to trunk or treat on Oct. 31, 4:30 to 6 p.m. There will also

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Ministries’ food pantry in Stokesdale will open for those in need of food on Oct. 30, 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Stokesdale Business Center, 8500 Ellisboro Road. To make a financial donation or request emergency assistance, contact Terri Johnson, (336) 643-5887 or terrij1957@yahoo.com. z Fun run & costume contest | Triad’s Be the Match will host a fun run and costume contest Oct. 30, starting at 5 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive (but use the Linville Road entrance). Registration starts at 4 p.m. and is free for kids age 6 and under, $15 for kids ages 7 to 17 and $25 for adults. There will also be a food truck, a silent auction, face painting, vendors, games and prizes. More info: Amy Nelson, (336) 317-9495 or anelson7577@att.net. z Great Pumpkin Event | Merchants of Oak Ridge will host its annual Great Pumpkin Event for kids of all ages on Oct. 30, 2 to 4 p.m. at Oak Ridge Commons (corner of N.C. 68 and 150 in Oak Ridge). Don your costumes and trick-or-treat with Merchants of Oak Ridge business and nonprofit members who will be set up along the shopping center’s walkway. Live music, a costume parade, (human) costume contest and pet costume contest will be part of the afternoon’s offerings. See more details in ad on p. 29.

10/1/21 12:33 PM

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

be a free hot dog supper. Please bring a canned food item to donate. z Trunk or treat | Moravia Moravian Church at 2920 Oak Ridge Road will host a trunk or treat Oct. 31, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will also be games, S’mores and a costume contest. More info: Michele Richardson, (336) 601-8508.

TUESDAY, NOV. 2 z Merchants Association | Summer-

field Merchants Association (SMA) invites business professionals who live in or operate a business in Summerfield to the next meeting Nov. 2, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Eurohaus, 6716 U.S. 158 in Stokesdale. As a nonprofit, SMA promotes awareness of local businesses and finds ways to collectively give back to the community. To RSVP, visit summerfieldmerchant.com.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 3 z Hotdog drive-thru | Gideon Grove

United Methodist Church at 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road in Stokesdale will host a free hotdog drivethru Nov. 3, 5 to 6 p.m. More info: (336) 643-6042. z Friends of Stokesdale meeting | Friends of Stokesdale, a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing downtown Stokesdale and preserving the town’s history, will meet Nov. 3, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. Current projects include trying to bring the train depot back to Stokesdale. More info: Vicki White-Lawrence, (336) 324-7267 or vwhitelawrence@gmail.com.

THURSDAY, NOV. 4 z Town Council meeting | Oak Ridge

Town Council will meet Nov. 4, beginning 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. The meeting will be livestreamed on the town’s YouTube channel and later uploaded to its Facebook page. Visit www.oakridgenc.com for a meeting agenda. More info: (336) 644-7009.

COUNCIL

particularly right or particularly wrong and could be done better,” Hornik said.

...continued from p. 1

“I still think that someone out there under the right circumstances could challenge our ordinance and say that we’re trying to exclude people,” he added.

“I think many on this board have an issue…about affordable housing and whether or not we’re being inclusive or we’re trying to exclude people,” Barnes said during the council’s meeting Oct. 12. “This is all about basically making sure we do what’s legal.”

Speaking during a public hearing to gain citizen input on the proposed text amendment to the UDO, Summerfield resident Don Wendelken said he believes some citizens would object to a third party recommending changes to the town’s zoning rules. Summerfield resident Beth Kaplan said the proposed change to the UDO would effectively “keep density low and home prices high.” Council member John O’Day said he was concerned that amending the UDO as proposed by the Planning Board may increase costs to developers, making housing more expensive. As an example, in the open space residential and open space mixed use zoning districts, at least 15% of land dedicated for open space must be suitable for building.

State law prevents municipalities from adopting zoning rules that deprive people of “modest or ordinary means” from being able to afford to live in a community, Hornik said. Federal courts have found that, even if zoning rules aren’t intended to discriminate, they can be open to legal challenges if their impact proves discriminatory, he added. “If affordability is a concern that we have and we’re having a tough time grappling with it here internally, then having someone from the outside take a look at it is probably a good idea to show us whether we’re doing anything

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District 1 Sheriff’s Ofﬁce

has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest/northern Guilford County ... ASSAULT

Oct. 8 | A 35-year-old male was arrested in the 6700 block of Brookbank Road in Summerfield for assault on a female after the woman reported she had a physical altercation with him during an alcoholrelated incident. Oct. 12 | A resident of the 8300 block of W. Harrell Road in Oak Ridge reported a known suspect pointed a handgun at her. Oct. 12 | A 64-year-old female was arrested in the 7600 block of N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge for two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and also seconddegree trespassing.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE

DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED

Tracy Williams, attorney

comp plan, which was adopted in 2010, recommends regulations that encourage construction of more affordable housing. Couch is seeking lower density zoning as he plans to develop roughly 1,000 acres of his property around Summerfield Farms and elsewhere in town. The proposed text amendment “further creates an optics that we might be trying to exclude certain people with certain incomes in this town,” Couch said. The council voted unanimously to table its discussion of the text amendment to the (UDO), and then agreed to set up a joint work session with the Planning Board to hash out possible changes to the UDO that were adopted by the council June 8. “There are lots of questions,” Councilman Reece Walker said.

CRIME / INCIDENT report

Oct. 5 | Officers responded at 5 a.m. to a citizen in the 4500 block of Peeples Road in Oak Ridge (off N.C. 68 N) who had attempted to commit suicide.

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Don’t FALL behind!

The UDO encourages moderately priced housing by allowing two houses per acre in Summerfield’s town core, noted Planning Board Chair Dick Feulner; he also said it offers developers and builders a density bonus in some zoning districts, allowing construction of more units in a development. While the UDO allows developers to use utility easements to meet open space requirements, in its recent recommendations the board has suggested eliminating easements in calculating open space. Developer David Couch told the council the Planning Board’s proposed text amendment would remove from the UDO “some baby steps” that were taken to make zoning rules compliant with Summerfield’s comprehensive plan. Among its goals, the

Oct. 7 | A 61-year-old male was arrested in the 7700 block of N.C. 68 N in Stokesdale for driving while impaired and also cited for having a fictitious license plate. Oct. 16 | A 41-year-old male was arrested at 3 a.m. in the 5100 block of U.S. 220 N in Summerfield for

driving while impaired. Oct. 16 | A 28-year-old male was arrested in the 7900 block of N.C. 68 N in Stokesdale for driving while impaired.

FALSE PRETENSES

Oct. 16 | A 31-year-old male was arrested in the 8200 block of Clintwood Drive in Stokesdale (near U.S. 220 N) for obtaining property by false pretenses.

THEFT

Oct. 5 | A resident of the 6800 block of Brookbank Road in Summerfield reported an unknown suspect stole a black utility trailer worth $1,200 sometime between Sept. 18 and Oct. 5. Oct. 5 | A resident of the 8400 block of Haw River Road in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect stole a catalytic convertor valued at $1,500 from his vehicle. Oct. 10 | A citizen at Oak Ridge Town Park reported an unknown suspect broke a window of her vehicle and stole her gray/ pink purse containing banking cards, identifying documents and over $1,000 cash.

VEHICLE TOWED

Oct. 10 | Police officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle at 3 a.m. in the 7900 block of U.S. 158 in Stokesdale.

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Karen Corbett, Sarah St. Cyr and Sharon Dyrkazcs plant ﬂowers at Oak Ridge Elementary School earlier this month. Club members care for four community gardens around town – at the school, Oak Ridge Military Academy, the Old Mill of Guilford and two trailheads in Town Park. “Hopefully they will start looking beautiful by next spring,’’ club President Barbara Engel told the Oak Ridge Town Council during its Oct. 7 meeting. The club holds two community workdays a year – in the fall and the spring – to freshen the gardens with new ﬂowers. About 20 of the club’s 30 members turned out for the recent workday, drawing praise from Mayor Ann Schneider, who belongs to the club and participated in the workday.

GRINS to...

2019 Freeway Dr. Reidsville, North Carolina (336) 349-2981

Photo courtesy of Rachel Rees

GRINS to Oak Ridge Garden Club! (L to R) Oak Ridge Garden Club members

The Northwest Observer

 Stokesdale firefighters who came to Stokesdale Elementary and taught the students about fire safety. Thank you for protecting our community.  Jason Woods of Bank of Oak Ridge for being the best Hi Lo dealer in town during Oak Ridge Lions Club’s recent celebration. Could there possibly be a future in Vegas?  Stokesdale’s Terri Johnson and Good Samaritan Ministries for helping a struggling family of seven help catch •up Totally local since 1996 on some of our past due bills that

accumulated while my husband was laid off due to COVID. God bless you!  The Summit Church-Oak Ridge members who participated in the church’s Big Serve project at Oak Ridge Town Hall, Town Park and Northwest Middle and High schools earlier this month.  Kyle Anders for leaving a patch of wild flowers and milk weed for the monarchs at the Heritage Park property off N.C. 150. For the first time in 19 years, I had monarchs in my garden!

GRIPES to...

 Republic Services for another whole

neighborhood in Stokesdale being missed for trash pick-up, and to the town for not doing anything about it. Complaints are falling on deaf ears as usual. Editor’s note: At Stokesdale Town Council’s Oct. 14 meeting, the council discussed the issues with customers being skipped and problems with recycling pickup having changed from every week to every other week. See Stokesdale Town Council meeting coverage beginning on p. 10 of this issue for details of that discussion.  Oak Ridge Elementary parent driving the white van who disregards car rider rules and skips the line every day, as well as countless other parents who enter Autumn Gate to do this. What example are you setting for your children?  ORYA for “stacking” a U-10 rec soccer team. 10-year-old youth soccer teams don’t need to win every game 10-1. How about a reshuffle of the teams every year? This isn’t the 1976 Yankees in the Bad News Bears league. Editor’s note: We reached out to ORYA president Tom Collins to ask how the soccer teams are formed and why some players stay together year after year, and Collins responded: “One of the things that distinguishes ORYA is that we allow coaches and friends to stay together throughout the years. As a local recreational league, this is a great piece of our program. Sometimes those teams are strong, sometimes they aren’t, but the friendships, bonds and memories will last a lifetime. “Let’s all remember ‘why gripe, when you can volunteer and make a difference?’”  People who throw trash along Oak Ridge roads. Why? Please keep your trash in your car and dispose of it properly in a trash can. Trash near Bojangles’ is horrible.  The mother at Oak Ridge Town Park who allowed her children to pick the petals off the flowers near the amphitheater. Park employees work hard to make our park beautiful.

What was she thinking?  Whoever is taking care of Oak Ridge Marketplace (Tractor Supply, BB&T/ Truist/SunTrust), and to all those who litter there. It’s a shame how littered it’s gotten since Jerry Cooke retired.  The ORE parents who are running late and close to the tardy bell, so improperly cut through our neighborhood, sneak up Autumn Gate, or drive around waiting cars. Please drive cautiously in all lanes.  The school bus driver on Ashton Park Drive Oct. 19, 4 p.m. Going about double the 25mph speed limit, he laid on his horn without slowing down. My kids barely made it off the edge of the road with their bicycles.  Staff at Oak Ridge Town Park for using blue chemicals on the soccer fields. This stuff is all over my children, our soccer gear, my car, and now my furniture. I pray it is not cancer-causing chemicals. Editor’s note: We reached out to Terry Lannon, Oak Ridge parks and recreation director, for more information about the “blue chemicals” the reader is concerned about and here is the response he provided: “The blue one sees is a tracking dye... it’s purely glorified food coloring and causes no harmful side effects. When we do spray applications, we use the dye to serve as a marker to visually show us we have achieved total product coverage of the area being treated. The application your reader inquired about was for our fall fungicide application. This product is watered in and, at that point, becomes benign to problems due to dermal exposure. “We take great care to ensure the safety of our park users. All three of our groundskeepers are state-certified spray technicians and closely follow all directions for product use. We routinely notify ORYA prior to us putting out spray applications, since we know the evening dew could potentially make the dye an issue in the evenings. On a side note, this product requires a second application which will be done at the Northwest Observer end of theThe month.”

OPERATION

HOMEWORK

FREE Afterschool Program Rising K-5th graders

Monday - Friday, 2:30 - 6pm

Now enrolling at

operationxcel.org 25 slots at each site for social distancing Oak Springs Baptist Church, 9070 Highway 158, Stokesdale (Free transportation from Stokesdale Elementary)

Stokesdale United Methodist Church, 8305 Loyola Drive, Stokesdale (Free transportation from Huntsville Elementary)

Snack provided

Operation Homework engages students in homework help, tutoring, and enrichment activities to advance their understanding in reading math, science, and social skills. We also strive to provide students with opportunities to develop character, learn valuable life skills, make new friends, and discover new interests. As a three-stranded program, your youth will eXcel to new levels, academically, socially, and emotionally.

www.operationxcel.org • Totally local since 1996

OCT. 21 - NOV. 3, 2021

BATTLING SHORTAGES ...continued from p. 22

in arriving to her stores may be ensnarled in the shipping delay, possibly waiting to be unloaded from a ship or awaiting pickup from a U.S. warehouse by a tractor-trailer truck. “I’m still waiting on half of my orders,” she said in an interview earlier this week. Her fall merchandise also arrived late, and she’s putting it on sale to avoid storing it until the autumn season rolls around next year. A landscaper for 41 years, John Futrell, owner of Common Ground, and his two long-time employees stayed busy even before the pandemic. They’re even busier now as more people began working from home and decided to spend on patios, waterfalls and other outdoor improvements. “I’ve never been busier,” Futrell said. “Everybody I know in the landscape construction business is busy.” Futrell is currently building a patio, a retaining wall and steps at a house in the Cardinal subdivision in northwestern Greensboro. He lined up the job about three months ago, his typical backlog of work during the pandemic. Like other contractors, Futrell anticipates the materials he’ll need for upcoming jobs. He finds out when rock yards are going to get deliveries. “You’ve got to anticipate and be there when the truck comes in,” he said. “If you don’t jump on it, you can forget about it.” In Oak Ridge, L&T Small Engine Service is enduring a backlog of its own. The repair of mowers and other lawn equipment can take several weeks, depending

partly on the arrival of replacement parts. An even bigger problem is the shortage of mechanics, according to Justin Wright, who owns the business with his parents, Laura and Tom Wright. “If you are worth $20 an hour, I will pay you $20 an hour,” Wright said one recent afternoon, taking a break from repairing machinery. One of his three mechanics is leaving this week, putting the repair shop back in the labor crunch that intensified over the past year and a half. “It’s the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, trying to find somebody who wants a job for more than two weeks just to get a paycheck,” said Wright, adding that the trickle of applicants who responded to Indeed and other online advertising has stopped. “I can’t get people to show up on time or not be lazy or sketchy. It’s been an absolute nightmare.” He said he needs five full-time mechanics to keep up with demand for repairs that doubled at the onset of the pandemic. “We could be making money hand over fist if I had enough people here to turn the wrenches,” he said. For Jennifer Mun, owner of Bistro 150 in Oak Ridge Commons, her inability to hire enough workers has increased her responsibilities. The restaurant has four employees, three fewer than Mun said she wants. As a result, she works seven days, 70 hours a week “cleaning the bathrooms, running the cash register, cooking and you name it. I don’t have a choice.” Mun shares the view of some other business owners that pandemic-related federal benefits, combined with state unemployment benefits, have prompted

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

“I’ve never been busier,” said landscaper John Futrell, owner of Common Ground. Shown in photo, Futrell is building a patio and retaining wall in the Cardinal subdivision in northwestern Greensboro with Aquilla West. some people to stay out of the workforce. Some of that aid is disappearing. A government program known as Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation that paid $300 weekly on top of state and other federal benefits ended last month. Even so, Mun said, it feels as though “people want to stay at home. There are plenty of jobs.”

Thieves are targeting valuable metal under your car –

WE CAN HELP!

Catalytic converters contain trace amounts of precious metals, including platinum, palladium and rhodium. With a recent rise in the price of precious metals, catalytic converters have become valuable.

To help deter a thief and assist the police in returning stolen property, Tire Max is offering to etch the VIN numbers into catalytic converters on the buses and vans of

churches and non-profits FOR FREE at their STOKESDALE LOCATION.

Call 336.441.8066 for details or to schedule an appointment Stokesdale

7705 Highway 68 N (336) 441-8066

Summerfield

4420 US Highway 220N (336) 793-5391

Madison

706 Burton Street (336) 548-6674

High Point

619 Greensboro Road (336) 885-4321

High Point

2410 Eastchester Dr (336) 841-6553

Churches and non-profits are invited to come to the Stokesdale location to have the

 AUTO SALES & SERVICE

 EMPLOYMENT

 HOMECARE AVAILABLE

SAM'S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 965-7955.

Are you a LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER looking to join a practice? Integrative Psychological Medicine is in need of a LSW. Please send resume to Integrativepmed@gmail.com.

SENIOR CAREGIVER. Night hours. References available. Please contact Pam, (336) 601-0605.

CHOICE TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE. Oil changes, inspections, alignments and general automotive repairs. 1080 US Hwy 66 S, Kernersville, NC. (336) 992-9002.

PART-TIME Morning or Afternoon NANNY 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 or call (336) 549-4115. STAFF/JOB positions open in childcare center. Call for info. (336) 643-5930.

Place online at

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

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

KNIGHT IMPORT SPECIALTY SERVICE. European Auto Service & Repair. Specializing in factory-scheduled maintenance and repairs. BMW, Audi, Volvo, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Mini, and Porsche. 32 years experience. 4559 US Hwy. 220, Summerﬁeld (across from Food Lion). (336) 337-0669.

SELLING YOUR CAR? Place your ad: nwobserver.com

 EMPLOYMENT

INDEX Auto Sales & Service ........ 35 Employment .................... 35 Homecare Available......... 35 Save the Date.................. 35 Estate Sale ...................... 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

SERVICE TECHNICIAN. No experience needed. Will train. 40+ hours per week. Every other Saturday. No phone calls please. We ask that you apply in person: M & M Tire and Auto, 5570 Spotswood Circle, Summerﬁeld, NC. MR. APPLIANCE of Greensboro is now hiring appliance repair technicians. Must have great customer service skills. Experience preferred, but willing to train the right candidate. Paid vacations. Company vehicle. No nights or weekends required. $500 sign-on bonus. If interested, text or call Daniel at (252) 363-1510. SUBWAY at OAK RIDGE. Under new management. Now hiring. Pay rate up to $13/hour. Please apply online or in store. restaurants.subway.com.

NOBLE ACADEMY seeks to hire a bus driver to transport students from WinstonSalem and Kernersville to Noble Academy and back while ensuring the safety of the student passengers when in a school vehicle. This position is also responsible for the safe operation of a school bus and for meeting established bus schedules. Contact Francisco Guijoza at (336) 282-7044 or fguijoza@nobleknights.org. LOCAL HOMESCHOOL CO-OP is looking for teachers for the spring semester. Our classes meet on Thursdays and are divided into grades K-2nd, 3rd-5th, and 6th-12th. We are searching for art, P.E., and robotics instructors beginning in January. If there is another extracurricular class that you would like to teach as well, please reach out to us. Instructors must have a reliable mode of transportation and pass a background check. Please contact us at nlhg.reidsville@gmaill.com. STOKESDALE & SUMMERFIELD areas. Part-time custodian positions are available for late afternoon/early evenings. Competitive pay and beneﬁts. Apply online at http://smoworks.com/careers, or call (336) 294-7665. Thanks! CARDINAL MILLWORK & SUPPLY. Now hiring full-time warehouse help to assist in loading and unloading building materials. Also hiring full-time drivers. Hours are 7am-4pm for both positions. Email chris@cardinalmillwork.com, or apply at 7620 West Market St., Greensboro. (336) 665-9811.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local1996 since 1996 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since

 SAVE THE DATE BRUNSWICK STEW. Saturday, Oct. 23. Gideon Grove UMC, 2865 Gideon Grove Church Rd., Stokesdale. $8 per quart. Pick-up is 12:30-2pm. Call (336) 298-7691 and leave message to place order. WE’RE BACK! Fall festival at Guilford College United Methodist Church, 1205 Fleming Rd., Greensboro. Sat., October 23, 9am-3pm. Professional crafters and homemade baked goods. Pumpkin Patch by the church youth and Brunswick stew by the Boy Scouts. If you are interested in the Brunswick stew, you will need to order ahead by calling the church at (336) 292-5833. The 23rd Annual KEEP IT LOCAL Art and Pottery Show will be virtual again this year! Twelve local artists working in clay, fiber, metal, and more will be featured. Please follow this link to join us and knock out your holiday shopping all in one place with artists you love! bit.ly/3kn1Ds0. "TRUNK OR TREAT." Sunday, Oct. 31, 4:30-6pm. First Baptist Church Summerfield, 2300 Scalesville Rd., Summerfield. For children through fifth grade and their families. Free hot dog supper! Bring a canned food item to stock the Food Pantry. See you soon. God bless!

Something going on? We’ll help get the word out!

Place your Save the Date classiﬁed ad online at www.nwobserver.com.

 ESTATE SALE AUCTION. Saturday, October 30, 10am. 640 Saddlebred Loop, Stokesdale. (Rain date will be 11/06). Estate of Chauncy Russell (deceased). Furniture, tools, collectibles, etc. Auctioneer, Steve Bartlett. NCAL #9195172. Forest Brook Lane, Reidsville, NC 27320. (336) 637-4179. bartauction@gmail.com|BartAuction.com.

continued on p. 36

OCT. 2121 - NOV. 3, 3, 2021 OCT. - NOV. 2021

35 35

YARD SALES

HOME SERVICES

MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE. Fri., Oct. 22 & Sat., Oct. 23, 8am-2pm. 8303 Banager Road, Oak Ridge. Quality goods. Furniture, home and decor, seasonal, books, kitchen, stylish clothing and shoes, and much more.

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.

MCGEE'S HANDYMAN SERVICES. Water-damaged wood replacement, bathroom remodel, decks and much more. Call (336) 423-1259.

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, drive ways, french drains and much more. Call Bobby Lipstreu, (336) 543-7867.

GIANT GARAGE SALE. Saturday, Oct. 23, 7am-noon. 10273 NC Hwy. 65, Stokesdale. Lots of stuff! YARD SALE. Saturday, Oct. 23, 8am-1pm. 6767 Brookbank Road, Summerfield. Children's books and games, miscellanous.

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

CLEANING ANNASARAH'S CLEANING. Excellent references. Trustworthy. Family owned business. Free estimates. (336) 543-3941. MAID-2- SHINE. Excellent ser vice, 15 years experience. Free estimates, excellent references. (336) 338-0223 PAOLA CLEANING SERVICE. Residential & commercial. Insured. (336) 669-5210

ELECTRICAL Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? Call Coble Electric LLC at (336) 209-1486. CKH ELECTRIC, LLC. Give us a call for your next residential, commercial, or industrial project. Free estimates, licensed, insured, & BBB accredited. (336) 944-4820. BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC. Got Power? Residential, commercial and solar electrical services. (336) 298-4192.

FLOORING 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.

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES

CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING Gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. windowcleaningnc.com (336) 595-2873 CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Will fit to your budget. Pet taxi/pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, (336) 231-1838. THE CLEANING TECHNICIAN LLC. Back in business. Spring cleaning time is here. I would like to offer my cleaning services. I do detailed cleaning. I also offer carpet cleaning and floor steaming. Licensed, bonded, insured, and vaccinated. Call Lisa, (336) 207-0770.

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

36 OCT. OCT. - NOV.3,3,2021 2021 2121 - NOV.

“No Job Too Small”

APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707. LOW-COST GARAGE DOORS. Repair and sales. 35 years exp. (336) 207-1003. 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. AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350.

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.

Wood Rot Repairs • Bathroom Remodeling Painting • Decks and much more! • Insured

GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150.

(336) 669-7252

T'S HOME REPAIR SERVICES. Minor repairs & small jobs. Free estimates. Call (336) 404-4480. 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.

ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt, available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035.

GRADING / HAULING

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

oldschoolsjhr@triad.rr.com

E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, demolition, lot clearing, excavating, bobcat work, etc. (336) 451-1282.

Place your

classified ad

online at

for just $4 per line Deadline is the Monday prior to each issue

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since The Northwest Observer • Totally local1996 since 1996

WILSON

Seamless Gutters

Installation, repair, replacement, Leaf Guard

Stokesdale

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 PLANTS DIRECT. Leyland Cypress, Little Gem Magnolias & Green Giant Arborvitae, 7 & 15 gal.; Southern Maple, 15 gal.; Loropetalum Ruby & Kings Gold Cypress, 3 gal. Free delivery. Hole digging also available. For pricing and details please call Paul at (352) 231-4550 or text (336) 848-2653. WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC. Lawn maint., landscaping. Irrigation/ landscape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape lighting. 26 years exp. (336) 399-7764.

 HOME SERVICES

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

MASONRY

PAINTING & DRYWALL

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.

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

The Bathroom of Your Dreams in as Little as a Day

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

NCGC License #84330

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. INTEGRITY TREE SERVICE, LLC. Tree removal, risk assessment, tree pruning, dead wood removal. Competitive pricing. Fully insured. Owner-operated. Call for free estimate, (336) 210-8310. COLFAX LAWNCARE. Core aeration & seeding. Fertilizing, mowing, trimming, pine needles. Complete lawn care maintenance. Res./comm. Fully insured. Serving the Triad for 33 years. (336) 362-5860. EXTERIOR GREENSCAPES. Lawn maintenance service. Call for a free estimate (336) 682-1456. DELIMA LAWNCARE. Commercial & Residential. Free estimates. (336) 669-5210. 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. GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maint. (336) 655-6490. HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES. Free est. Call (336) 669-5448.

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.

CONCRETE COATINGS Flake Epoxy Systems Garage Floor and Concrete Resurfacing Decorative Concrete Overlays Eric Sauls, Owner ● (336) 970-3543 Call for your free estimate 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.

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS COX POOL SERVICE. Openings, closings, routine maintenance, weekly service. No contracts, free estimates! (336) 327-5122. ON EAGLE'S WINGS residential home design/drafting. Call Patti, (336) 605-0519. JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, outbuildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc. Also can haul mulch. Call (336) 706-8470.

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

www.nwobserver.com

PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR, 40 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. Average BDRM walls $100. Insured. Call Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186. STILL PERFECTION PAINTING. Reliable, skilled, aﬀordable. Painting, pressure washing, handyman services. Scott Still, (336) 462-3683, stillperfectionpainting.com.

PLUMBING SIGNATURE PLUMBING. Local, experienced, clean, and work is guaranteed. Please call (336) 279-6196. 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. BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR. No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic./ Ins. Cleanliness in your home is our #1 priority. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924.

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

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION PAINTING, DECKS AND MORE. Call Premier Construction for free estimates. (336) 430-9507.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local1996 since 1996 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since

 HOME SERVICES

Of The Triad

(336) 497-0765 www.BathPlanetTriad.com AMERICAN BUILDER CONSTRUCTION. Repairs & remodeling, kitchens/baths, additions, decks, attics, basements. Licensed & insured. Short wait list. NC General Contractors. (336) 225-7478.

Offer a home service? Place your ad:

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. KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION, LLC. 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. Please call (336) 362-7469. JLB REMODELING, INC. Remodeling and additions. Fully insured. NC GC license #69997. Free est. Call (336) 681-2902 or visit www.jlbremodeling.com.

continued on p. 38

OCT. 2121 - NOV. 3, 2021 OCT. - NOV. 3, 2021

 HOME SERVICES

Construction Services, INC

BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS

Bathroom and kitchen

(336) 644-8615 office (336) 508-5242 cell Licensed & insured

NC Gen. Contractor #72797

 MISC. SERVICES

 MISC. WANTED

 REAL ESTATE

YOGA CLASSES in Summerﬁeld. Kids & adults. Beginner friendly. Please see YOGALANE.COM for info. (336) 298-1119.

JIGSAW PUZZLES! I buy vintage wooden puzzles. Will pay cash for 1950s and older jigsaws. Price depends on size, completeness and condition. (909) 815-6325.

HOMES FOR SALE

IDOL INSURANCE. Serving Rockingham and northern Guilford County for more than 100 years. Homeowner, automobile, and commercial. 116 East Murphy St., Madison, NC. (336) 548-6818.

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

ROOFING DUSTIN CLINARD ROOFING. Shingles, metal, and leak repairs. Call (336) 268-1908. CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC. 40 + years experience. (336) 643-8191. PREMIER ROOFING. Commercial/residential. Providing service for all of your roofing needs. Locally owned. Please call (336) 430-9507 for free assessments. BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. We fi nance. Free Estimates. Since 1979. Please call (336) 362-6343.

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

tmcsi.net

locally owned & operated 6705 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale

(336) 643-9963

YOUNG FARMER looking for vacant pasture and barn to rent for my small pig herd consisting of 10 purebred Berkshire sows. Experienced, responsible, and ambitious. Have a history of leaving things better than we found them. References available. (336) 908-3728.

(affiliated with Stokesdale Storage)

 PETS & ANIMAL SVCS.

PORTABLE WELDING SERVICE. Welding & fabrication services. Call (336) 908-6906

Use SEAL N HEAL® to seal wounds on dogs & cats, with a bitter taste to prevent gnawing and allow healing. Find it at Tractor Supply ®. www.ﬂeabeacon.com.

Got stuﬀ? Need stuﬀ? Place your ad today:

www.nwobserver.com

 MISC. FOR SALE PERSIMMON PULP, pudding, and more. Call (336) 816-3441.

DeDe Cunningham REALTOR®/Broker NC Licensed Contractor

(336) 509-1923 dedesrealestategroup.com dedecunningham@kw.com

LOT FOR SALE

LAKEFRONT HOMESITE

HOMES FOR SALE HOME FOR SALE. 3 BR, 2 BA. 1.5 acres. Being sold as is. Appraisals available. Text for appointment. (336) 643-9600.

Please let us know!

38 OCT. - NOV.3,3,2021 2021 38 OCT. 2121 - NOV.

5217 Harley Stafford Drive, Oak Ridge Immaculate custom home features 5 BR/4.5 BA & 3-car garage. Sealed crawl, generator ready, Energy Star Certified. Amazing master suite and abundant storage. $664,900

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since The Northwest Observer • Totally local1996 since 1996

342 Crows Nest Drive, Stokesdale

Buy and hold or build now – bring your own builder! Belews Landing lakefront lot in the gated section of Crows Nest at Belews Landing. Enjoy life on the lake with private cove views.

Now only $179,950 – call for details!

DeDe Cunningham REALTOR®/Broker NC Licensed Contractor

(336) 509-1923 dedesrealestategroup.com dedecunningham@kw.com

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Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC 32 Years Experience

Individual, Corporate, Partnership & Payroll Tax Electronic Tax Filing  Estate Planning  Bookkeeping & Compilations

Oak Ridge Business Center

8004 Linville Rd, Suite G, Oak Ridge

ACCOUNTING

By the Book Accounting ..................... 10 Carlotta Lytton, CPA........................... 28 Kimberly Thacker Accounting............. 28 Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC...... 39

AUTOMOTIVE SALES / SERVICE

Beamer Tire & Auto ........................... 12 EuroHaus ........................................... 35 Piedmont Truck Tires .......................... 11 TAMCO .............................................. 14 Tire Max ............................................. 34

BANK / LENDING

NFM Lending ..................................... 14

BUILDING / REMODELING

Bath Planet ........................................ 37 Disney Construction Company............ 21 Don Mills Builders ............................... 17 Johnson & Lee LLC............................. 20 Old School Home Repair .................... 36 R&K Custom Homes .......................... 23 Ray Bullins Construction ..................... 19 TM Construction Services ...................38 Walraven Signature Homes ................ 19

FUNERAL SERVICES

Forbis & Dick Funeral Services ............ 10

FRAMING / RETAIL

Blissful Studios & Gallery .................... 28

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Elvis Mendoza In-Home Massage....... 28

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Operation Xcel ................................... 33

EVENTS

7101 US 158, Stokesdale NEW SYSTEM INSTALLATION • SERVICE • REPAIR

Ask about special financing

Subject to credit approval, see store for details

LEGAL SERVICES

Barbour & Williams Law ..................... 31

MEDICAL CARE

Olmsted Orthodontics ........................ 27

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS

Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital ................ 28 Northwest Animal Hospital ................. 18

Be the Match 5K .................................. 7 Great Pumpkin Event.......................... 29 Haw River St. Park – Park in the Dark ... 4 Midkiff Adoption 5K ........................... 12 Stokesdale Christmas Parade.............. 13 YMCA of GSO – Turkey Trot ................. 6

REAL ESTATE

EVENT VENUE

YOUTH SPORTS / PROGRAMS

The Gardens at Gray Gables ................ 9

Tested for every weather extreme

BEK Paint Company ............................. 4 Carpets by Direct ................................ 22 CharCo Concrete Coatings ................. 37 Eanes Heating and A/C ...................... 13 New Garden Landscaping & Nursery...16 Rymack Storage ................................. 38 Scott’s Tractor, Reidsville .................... 32 Stokesdale Heating & Air.................... 39 Wilson Seamless Gutters .................... 36

ORTHODONTIC CARE

Summerfield Family Dentistry ............. 27

HOT. RAIN. COLD.

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

DENTAL SERVICES

CHILDREN’S SERVICES

www.samanderscpa.com

Southern Foods .................................... 3

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

Summerfield Merchants Association..... 8

info@samanderscpa.com

GROCERIES / SUPPLIES

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist ....... 2 Atrium Health WF Baptist, S’field ....... 18 Health Team Advantage ...................... 5 LeBauer HealthCare........................... 24 Murphy Wainer Orthopedics ...............30 UNCG Adult Cognition Lab .................. 4

BUSINESS ORGANIZATION

(336) 643-7577 or 1-800-467-8299

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.

A New Dawn Realty ........................... 10 DeDe Cunningham, Keller Williams ....38 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX ................... 26 Smith Marketing, Allen Tate ............... 19 The Fitzsimmons Group, Allen Tate .... 25

Northwest Oak RidgeThe Youth Association Observer ............. 16 •

(336) 412-7580 | volunteerforgal.org

Totally local since 1996

OCT. 21 - NOV. 3, 2021

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Postal Patron PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 • (336) 644-7035

PAID

Oak Ridge, NC Permit No. 22 ECRWSS

Stokesdale took a break from building Members of Girl Scout Troop 2469 from ages 4-12 camped with their families a fort to catch up on the local news. Girls skills while playing in the woods at and spent the weekend learning outdoor Jordan Lake State Park.

Sadie and Ellie Burwood of Summerfield smile for a quick photo while working on the Kids’ Korner during their recent camping trip to Smokemont in the Grea t Smoky Mountains.

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