Northwest Observer / Feb. 17 - March 2, 2022 by pscommunications

Feb. 17 - March 2, 2022

bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since November1996

Happy 99th, Payne Stafford!

IN THIS ISSUE

Photos by Patti Stokes/NWO

Lifetime resident Payne Stafford comes out the front door of his home on N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge on Feb. 15 to surprise visitors and a procession of fire engines parading by. One of the fire engines nearest to Stafford’s heart was one he helped build in 1953 (above, center photo), stored in his service station until the fire department later expanded, and maintained for 21 years afterward.

by PATTI STOKES Payne Stafford got lots of surprises on Feb. 15, which marked his 99th birthday. The lifetime Oak Ridge resident, veteran and longtime volunteer with Oak Ridge Fire Department enjoyed visits with friends and family members, received over 160 birthday cards – including some handmade by children in Oak Ridge United Methodist’s Weekday School (shown in photo, above right) – and was treated to a procession of fire engines parading past his

home on N.C. 68 with horns honking and lights flashing. Among the more modern fire engines that rolled by was one very near and dear to Stafford – a model he helped build in 1953 and maintained for 21 years afterward. “We’ve been working on it pretty steady, trying to get it back up and running 100%,” said Jesse Hopper, an engineer with Oak Ridge Fire Department, when he circled back from the parade to meet Stafford in person for the

...continued on p. 37

Summerfield council advances exploration of water lines Engineering firm Freese and Nichols hired by the town to determine feasibility of running water lines from outside of Summerfield by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield Town Council is moving ahead to determine the feasibility of bringing water from outside of town, initially for fire protection and eventually for residential and business use.

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The council voted unanimously during its Feb. 8 meeting to hire Freese and Nichols, the town’s engineering firm, to evaluate bringing water to Summerfield from the city of Greensboro and Rockingham County. During the council’s strategic planning retreat last month, Mayor Tim Sessoms and some other council members said the town should prepare for running water lines for drinking, not just for fighting fires. Councilman John O’Day reiterated the point during last week’s council meeting.

...continued on p. 2

COVID fund spending rules eased........3 Your Questions ..........................................4 Summerfield Town Council meeting .....6 Oak Ridge Town Council meeting ........8 Snow days and Jersey cows.................10 Stokesdale Town Council meeting ......12 Welcome to our new advertiser ...........16 NWO Business/Real Estate .....................17 Business/Real Estate Briefs.....................18 Field trip to South Carolina Summmerfield leaders, others visit two planned developments in Beaufort County, South Carolina. Below, a small house in Habersham. | Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

...20 Funeral director completes 30 years ..26 NWO Kids’ Korner ....................................30 Youth Sync: 100 school days done .....31 ‘Coach J’ honored by NWHS

...33 Community Calendar ...........................38 Crime/Incident Report ...........................39 Grins and Gripes .....................................40 Editorials/Opinions .................................41 Classifieds ................................................43 Index of Advertisers ................................47 NWO On The Go ......................................48

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The Northwest Observer

Hiring Freese and Nichols to conduct the feasibility study doesn’t mean the council has decided to run water lines, O’Day noted. In its Jan. 5 letter to Town Manager Scott Whitaker, the engineering firm said further analysis would be required if Summerfield decides to run water lines. The council agreed to pay Freese and Nichols as much as $29,470 for the feasibility study, with the initial draft due to the town within 60 days. The study will estimate construction costs and specifics such as the location, size and length of lines, according to the engineering firm. Until recently, the council’s public discussions have focused on improving Summerfield Fire District’s capability to fight fires with the installation of overhead and underground tanks for storing water. An influx of $2.4 million in state and federal funds helped shift discussions by town leaders to the possibility of laying lines and buying water from outside of Summerfield to accommodate eventual demand for drinking water, along with fire protection. “It would be irresponsible for us to put in water for fire protection and 10, 15, 20 years from now we have to come back and put in a bigger water line,” Sessoms said during the strategic planning retreat. Summerfield has two financial sources it could tap for water projects: a state appropriation of $1.1 million and $1.33 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds. The possibility of piping water into Summerfield follows sharp debate over •the Totally local since 1996David past year about developer

...continued from p. 1 Couch’s proposal to extend water and sewer lines from the city of Greensboro to his property in Summerfield. Earlier this month, Couch unveiled details about his plans for developing Summerfield Farms and other parcels totaling 973 acres. Couch, CEO of Blue Ridge Cos., is returning with a more specific proposal after last August withdrawing his request for a text amendment to the town’s unified development ordinance. He proposed the amendment in negotiations with town leaders to create a master planned village district for which he would seek higher-density housing. The proposal met opposition during public meetings last year, largely because Couch wasn’t disclosing the projected density and mix of single-family and multi-family houses, including townhouses and apartments. Couch’s new proposal indicates the estimated density of his development, among other specifics. During last week’s strategic planning retreat, O’Day said higher-density residential development would require sewage lines, not just water lines under consideration by town officials. At present, houses and businesses in Summerfield rely upon septic fields. “Water and sewer together can bring higher density,” O’Day said. Walker, who works as a Summerfield fireman, said his first priority is providing water for fire suppression. However, if the council opts to bring in water from outside of Summerfield, it should invest in lines and other infrastructure sufficient not only for fighting fires but also serving current homeowners and businesses and new development, according to Walker, Sessoms and some other council members. Councilman John Doggett said town leaders should stop discussing water in terms of fire suppression because many in Summerfield believe that an investment in water would eventually serve the town’s overall water needs. “Let’s start talking about it in a genuine way,” Whitaker said. “We’re talking about general water.”

Rules eased on spending COVID-19 relief funds Leaders in Oak Ridge, Summerﬁeld and Stokesdale say $3.7 million in federal dollars may help pay for parks, other capital projects

ARP funds at an upcoming meeting, and may decide to use them to make improvements to the town’s water system or to the town’s park.

by CHRIS BURRITT

The federal government is dispensing ARP funds in two identical payments, the first in 2021 and the second later this year. For Oak Ridge, that means a total payment of nearly $1.66 million, $1.33 million for Summerfield and roughly $720,000 for Stokesdale, according to town officials. The payout is based on the size of municipalities’ budgets.

In Summerfield, spending options include development of Bandera Farms Park, construction of the new town hall or “any other approved item in the budget,” Dee Hall, the town’s finance officer, wrote in a recent email.

Late last year, leaders in the three northwestern Guilford towns were leaning toward spending ARP funds on water projects. While that’s still a possibility, Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider said “towns can now spend all of their ARP money on a pretty broad definition of general government services, including capital projects.”

In a blog post last month, Kara Millonzi, a professor in the school, said the

NW GUILFORD – The towns of Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale have gained greater flexibility in spending federal COVID-19 relief funds. Officials in the three towns learned last month that they can spend a combined $3.7 million on a wider variety of capital projects than originally allowed by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. In coming weeks, leaders in the towns plan to discuss how they can spend the money to develop parks and, in Summerfield’s case, build a new town hall. As previously written, ARP regulations limited spending by limitedservice governments – such as the three in northwestern Guilford County – to water, sewer and broadband projects.

Nationally “a lot of small municipalities were struggling to find permissible uses under the original rules,” Stokesdale Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy said in a recent interview. “Towns like ours now have a lot more options.”

Local leaders are relying partly on the interpretation of ARP regulations by the UNC School of Government in Chapel Hill.

U.S. Treasury Department’s latest rule provides examples of general government services – such as maintenance or building of infrastructure – that suggests “the definition of general government services is very broad and encompasses both capital and operational expenses.” “U.S. Treasury emphasizes the need for local governments to continue to provide services to its citizens,” Millonzi said. “So, it makes sense to interpret this authority to allow expenditures for any government program, service, activity, or capital project that benefits its citizens, including all public enterprise operations.”

Oak Ridge Town Council discussed spending options during its Feb. 9 meeting to plan expenditures on capital improvements. It voted unanimously to spend all of its ARP funds on construction of Heritage Farm Park; the decision allows the town to borrow less for the project from Truist Financial, which agreed to finance as much as $3.25 million. Foy said Stokesdale Town Council will discuss how to spend the town’s

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Is there any update on the Starbucks in Oak Ridge? The vacant property slated for a Starbucks in Oak Ridge is located at 1684 N.C. 68, next to the Quality Mart convenience gas station, just south of the stoplight at N.C. 150 and 68. Last summer, the approximately one-acre tract served as the location of a farmers market. The property is owned by the Cooke family, developers of the Oak Ridge Commons shopping center, through a company called Twilight Outparcel LLC. Last June, Philip Cooke said Twilight Outparcel and Blue Ridge Cos., led by developer David Couch, were negotiating with Starbucks to develop the property. Starbucks would operate the store, he said. In the past several months when we periodically reached out to Cooke

he said negotiations with Starbucks were moving forward, but slowly. When we contacted him a few weeks ago he wrote in a text, “We are optimistic it’s moving in a positive direction, and all involved are working hard to get this project across the finish line.”

I’ve heard a charter high school is planned for Summerfield – can you tell me if there’s any truth to that? We’ve confirmed that National Heritage Academies, a charter school management company that helped start Summerfield Charter Academy and Greensboro Academy, is seeking the rezoning of Summerfield property for construction of a high school.

A rezoning application and sketch plan for Summerfield Prep High School filed with the town of Summerfield last month identifies the location as 37.2 acres on U.S. 220 North at Winfree Road. That’s across the highway from Summerfield Charter Academy. The town’s Planning Board is scheduled to review and discuss the rezoning request during its meeting Feb. 28. “We continue to be encouraged by the community’s excitement around the addition of a high school experience for our Summerfield families,” Leah Nixon, spokeswoman for Grand Rapids, Michigan-based National Heritage Academy, wrote in an email dated Feb. 2. “While rezoning paperwork was submitted this past week, we currently are awaiting approval. With that feedback we can proceed with next steps, such as identifying construction schedules.”

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SUMMERFIELD town council

Feb. 8 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by CHRIS BURRITT Summerﬁeld Town Council meeting

Mayor Tim Sessoms called the monthly meeting in Summerfield Community Center to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney and council members John O’Day, Janelle Robinson, Reece Walker and John Doggett present. Sessoms offered the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC SAFETY Summerfield Fire District. The fire department reported it ran 170 calls in

January, which included 43 fire-related calls, 85 EMS-related calls and 42 other calls. Firefighters installed nine child safety seats last month. On a safety note, the department urged homeowners to test their smoke alarms once a month, install new batteries twice a year and replace their alarms after 10 years of use.

Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s District 1 office said it responded to 76 calls for

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WHAT they voted on, and HOW they voted: Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney and council members John O’Day, Janelle Robinson, Reece Walker and John Doggett voted on the following issues during the council’s Feb. 8 meeting. Mayor Tim Sessoms was present, but in Summerfield the mayor votes only to break a tie.

 5  0: Approve a text amendment to the town’s development regulations to allow developers to build quadplexes with as many as 10 bedrooms  5  0: Change the town’s schedule of fees it charges for reviewing and processing rezoning applications

 5  0: Hire engineering firm Freese and Nichols to prepare a study assessing the feasibility of running water lines in Summerfield  5  0: Increase Whitaker’s pay by $1,150 a month for an annual salary of $128,400

 5  0: Retain Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough to represent the town in a lawsuit filed by former council member Teresa Perryman and former mayoral candidate Danny Nelson

service in Summerfield in January; 22 were for burglar alarms being set off, eight were reports of suspicious vehicles and two were acts of vandalism.

PRESENTATION

N.C. Representatives John Faircloth (R-District 62) and Jon Hardister (R-District 59) announced that

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The Northwest Observer

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

(Far left) N.C. Representatives John Faircloth (Dist. 62) and (far right) Jon Hardister (Dist. 59) present a $50,000 check for a small town development grant to Summerﬁeld Town Council members at their Feb. 8 meeting; the towns of Oak Ridge and Stokesdale are also receiving $50,000 grants, which come from federal COVID-19 relief funds. Council members shown in photo, L to R, are: John O’Day, Janelle Robinson, Reece Walker, Mayor Tim Sessoms, Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney •and Totally local since 1996 John Doggett.

Summerfield has been awarded a $50,000 small town development grant from federal funds earmarked for COVID-19 relief. They presented a ceremonial check to the council. Pandemic relief “is pouring out of Washington,” Faircloth said. “On the one hand, that sounds good, but it can be very dangerous down the road, on the other hand.” Faircloth and Hardister said they believe municipalities will spend the money responsibly. “We can’t really send that money back to the federal government, so we want to spend it in the most effective way possible,” Hardister said. “There are no strings attached on the money.”

PUBLIC COMMENTS  Regina Burch said she and her husband, Michael, recently moved to Summerfield from Raleigh where, she said, planned development led to increased congestion in their neighborhood. Traffic sometimes backed up 20 vehicles deep at a stop sign in front

of their house, Burch said.

Summerfield Road to Interstate 73.

She applauded Summerfield’s lowerdensity residential zoning regulations. If the proposed development of the Villages at Summerfield Farms wins the council’s approval, she said, “I hope it won’t add a whole lot of traffic. We couldn’t even get out of our driveway in Raleigh.”

Less than a week after Couch provided details of his plans, Sessoms, O’Day and Walker clarified what they described as a lack of understanding and misinformation about the town’s responsibility to consider the property owner’s proposal.

UPDATE: Villages of Summerfield Farms

“Let me be very clear, the town of Summerfield (and) the town council did not reach out to Mr. Couch and say, ‘hey, how about bringing us a planned development to consider?’” Sessoms said.

Some council members and Town Manager Scott Whitaker provided an update about Summerfield Farms owner David Couch’s plans for expanding residential and commercial development on 973 acres he owns in Summerfield. Whitaker said Couch submitted his application for a text amendment to Summerfield’s unified development ordinance (UDO). He is seeking to create a new zoning district because current development regulations don’t accommodate his higher-density plans to build houses, townhomes, duplexes and apartments in 11 villages from

“This has been brought to us,” Walker confirmed. O’Day added that considering development plans “is a legal obligation that we have as a town and elected body. It is not an option.” Residents will get the chance to express their views in public hearings before the Planning Board and the council. Though not legally required, the town plans to schedule a community meeting for Couch to share his

plans with residents and answer their questions, according to Sessoms. If the council amends the UDO and rezones Couch’s property, he and town leaders would negotiate a development agreement regulating the design and construction of his project, Whitaker said. “This is not cause for argument (and) vitriol,” Sessoms said. “It’s an opportunity for us to consider something.” Sessoms said some council members and town staff accepted Couch’s invitation to visit two planned developments in and near the town of Port Royal in Beaufort County, South Carolina, to learn about higher-density development methods he’s planning in Summerfield. (See related article on p. 22.)

‘PERFECT’ ANNUAL AUDIT  5  0 to approve the town’s

audit for the fiscal year that ended last June 30, after Wade Greene, the town’s auditor, reported Summerfield’s finances were in “excellent shape.” The

...continued on p. 36

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OAK RIDGE town council

Feb. 3 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by CHRIS BURRITT

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 issues during the Feb. 3 meeting. Councilman Doug Nodine was absent.

 5  0: Approve a request to rezone a 1.55-acre lot at 2201 Oak Ridge

Road (N.C. 150) to allow professional office use in a house on the property

 5  0: Postpone until the council’s March 3 meeting a public hearing to consider a text amendment to Oak Ridge’s code of ordinances  5  0: Reappoint Debbie Shoenfeld to the Historic Preservation Commission

 5  0: Appoint Paul Kress and Edyie Bryant to the Finance Committee as full members and Danielle Walraven and Rich Spiker as alternates

 5  0: Declare a used Sand Pro mower used for maintenance of Town Park as surplus property

 5  0: Authorize the budget transfer of $47,500 from the town’s unrestricted fund to the category for consulting services  5  0: Authorize a budget transfer of $1,767 to cover higher insurance

costs for town staff through June 30 put it to good use.”

The town plans to spend the grant on development of Heritage Farm Park, according to Town Manager Bill Bruce. Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

(L to R) N.C. Representatives Jon Hardister (District 59) and John Faircloth (District 62) present a $50,000 check to Oak Ridge Town Council members during the council’s Feb. 3 meeting. The payment is a grant from the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund; the towns of Summerﬁeld and Stokesdale have also been awarded $50,000 grants, made possible from federal COVID relief funds. Council members shown in photo, L to R, are: George McClellan, Mayor Ann Schneider, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and Martha Pittman. OAK RIDGE – Mayor Ann Schneider called the monthly meeting in Town Hall to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and council members George McClellan and Martha Pittman present. Councilman Doug Nodine was absent. Rep. John Faircloth (R-District 62) offered the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

PRESENTATION

Faircloth and Rep. Jon Hardister (R-District 59) announced the state’s Small Town Development

FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

Grant program awarded Oak Ridge $50,000; the money comes from COVID-19 relief funds distributed by the U.S. government. Faircloth told attendees that federal relief funds will eventually dry up. “I hope people don’t get too spoiled because it’s not always going to be that way,” he said. The grant comes with “no strings attached,” Hardister said. “You can spend this money any way you see fit.” Thanking the legislators for the grant, Schneider said, “we will certainly

PUBLIC SAFETY

at Station 15, 8325 Linville Road; the phone number is (336) 643-3783.

Sheriff’s Office. The District 1 sheriff’s office didn’t provide a January incident report for Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge Fire Department. Lt. Mike Ritchey reported the department responded to 95 calls in January, including 41 medical-related calls, 14 service calls and 10 false alarms. Firefighters obtained 680 hours of training.

PUBLIC HEARINGS  5  0 to approve a request to

The department is selling reflective address signs for $15 each as part of efforts to help first responders locate houses in emergencies, Ritchey said. The signs can be ordered and picked up

Applicants Nelson and Ruth Kerley plan to use a single-level brick house on the property for a professional office. In an interview after the council’s vote, the Kerleys, who own the property, declined

rezone a 1.55-acre lot at 2201 Oak Ridge Road (N.C. 150) from RS-30 (single-family residential) to CZ-LO (conditional zoning – limited office.)

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to discuss their plans. During a public hearing, Land Solutions President Bill Greco, representing the applicants, said the couple is aware they must preserve trees, a requirement of historic district design standards. In response to a question by McClellan, Greco said the driveway from N.C. 150 to the property will remain in the same location, and about eight parking spaces will be added.

 5  0 to postpone until the coun-

cil’s March 3 meeting a public hearing to consider a text amendment to Oak Ridge’s code of ordinances. The council decided to delay discussion to give the Planning and Zoning Board an opportunity to weigh in on the issue and make a recommendation to the council. The board was originally scheduled to consider the text amendment during its Jan. 27 meeting but has continued its discussion until Feb. 24, prompting the council to delay its consideration by a month. The text amendment seeks to ensure the town’s ordinances are in compliance with state law. If approved, it would clarify that violations of a municipal ordinance may be a misdemeanor or infraction only if the town specifies the violations in that way.

MANAGER’S REPORT Board reappointment

 5  0 to reappoint Debbie

Shoenfeld to the Historic Preservation Commission.

 5  0 to appoint Paul Kress and

Edyie Bryant as full members of the Finance Committee and Danielle Walraven and Rich Spiker as alternates.

 5  0 to declare a used Sand Pro

mower as surplus property after the council voted last month to authorize the purchase of new equipment for the maintenance of Town Park.

Heritage Farm Park update. Bruce provided an update on development of Heritage Farm Park after the emergence of three new sources of funds that will defray costs for the estimated $3.63 million project. In addition to the $50,000 state grant announced earlier in the meeting, Bruce reported the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund awarded Oak Ridge a $490,000 matching grant. Third, an easing of restrictions on how municipalities can spend federal COVID19 relief funds through the American Rescue Plan Act means Oak Ridge can spend its $1.66 million appropriation on the park. (See related article on p. 3.) Heritage Farm park is being developed on 62 acres bordering N.C. 150 and abutting Town Hall on Linville Road. Bruce said efforts to find water on the tract took longer than expected; the town hopes to hire a general contractor for the project by late spring,

enabling construction to get underway during the summer.

N.C. 68/150 improvements update. Bruce said the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is continuing to acquire property for right of ways for improvements along N.C. 68 and N.C. 150. The state agency hopes to let the contract to a general contractor by September, with construction starting in the spring of 2023, according to Bruce. “You can expect to see some congestion and slow traffic for a two-year period as the project is completed,” he said. “Drivers will be able to use N.C. 68 and 150 during that time, but just be patient and be prepared for some delays.” Voluntary annexations. Oak Ridge has begun accepting applications from property owners seeking voluntary annexation into the town, Bruce said. Application files that weren’t among property annexed last year will be processed this year along with new applications, he said. The application deadline is April 15. The town plans to publicize the voluntary annexation program by mailing letters to some property owners, including holders of larger tracts, the town manager said. Annexation opportunities will also be publicized via social media, the Northwest Observer and word of mouth. McClellan asked why the town isn’t

planning to mail letters to every property owner eligible for voluntary annexation, saying, “It is important that we have equity.” “Sending a letter to every eligible property owner would be too time and labor intensive for our staff,” Bruce said. “We are trying to use the best methods that we know to notify as many people as possible with the resources that we have.” During last year’s application period, town staff sent about 100 letters to the owners of more than 1,000 parcels eligible for voluntary annexation, Bruce said. The letters targeted owners of five acres or more and were part of outreach efforts that led to “good results,” he said. Property owners can find the voluntary annexation form under the Planning & Zoning tab on the homepage of the town’s website, www.oakridgenc.com.

Budget amendment

 5  0 to authorize the transfer of

$47,500 from the town’s unrestricted fund to the budget category for consulting services. The transfer reflects total anticipated consulting-related spending of $87,500 in the fiscal year ending June 30. The additional spending covers projects started last fiscal year that carried into the current fiscal year, according to a Feb. 2 memo from Bruce. They include consulting services by Hill Studio for the creation of a “village

... continued on p. 42

SPRING INTO FUN!

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FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

SNOW DAYS, AND JERSEY

SCHOOL CANCELLATION COWS

by HELEN LEDFORD

followed Mama (with milk bucket in hand) to the stable. During winters of long ago, news Usually, Mama milked of local school cancellations was only our Jersey beauty quietly, available through one source other and alone. But on cold, snowy than word of mouth. In order to hear mornings she was followed the exciting, official announcement, by her younger children – we had to arise early, joining Mama to the Jersey’s dismay, for and other siblings around our batterywe were a chattering, laughpowered radio. There were few phones ing and cajoling bunch! Our in our rural area at that time, and resident bovine was not too many homes (like ours) had not yet impressed with us as we acquired electricity! Naturally, when watched our mother while the voice of authority (from radio stashe wiped the full udders tion WBTM, or WDVA across the state with a clean cloth. That line in Danville, Virginia) made the four-footed female was coveted proclamation, there were loud accustomed to having screams of joy! Mama to herself, and she On snow days, Mama didn’t have showed her dissatisfaction by to coax us out of bed when the feath“walling” her eyes at us and ery flakes started drifting down! Our giving a little stomp. Before bare feet hit the cold floor early, and long, though, Mama’s strong there was much noisy chatter as we hands were coaxing warm streams of rich liquid from the “aristocratic” spigdressed, for school being called off meant we had a whole day to play! So, ots of our lady cow. After all, ancesQuick Lube no try of the beautiful, high-volume milk after a hefty, hot breakfast of sausage that our family owned over or ham, eggs and buttered biscuits, we producers or oil chaappointment needed

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the morning’s dregs of sweet Jersey abundance. Mama obliged by directing squirts of the frothy goodness into their greedy little pink mouths and on their sleek, furry faces.

decades lies deep in England’s lovely British Channel of Jersey! Snow days meant playtime, but we weren’t allowed to shirk our chores. My brother Bill, sisters Jewell and Ethel, and I bundled up like Eskimos and made sure the chickens and pigs were fed. We cut dried corn stalks, using the large old handmade iron corn chopper for the hungry mule in the adjoining stall. The heavy blade was sharp, and we were cautioned to be extra careful, as carelessness could cause injury and even the loss of a finger – or worse! Traipsing through the snow back into the cow stall, we might see our mother finishing up her milking. Two or three barn cats sometimes gathered to beg for a delicious taste of

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

The large stable smelled of hay, mice, must and animals, but was a safe and fun place for us to play when snow covered the ground. Climbing to the hayloft was an adventure – on the first-level floor there was an opening we could crawl through to get to the very top of the decades-old, weathered log structure. There we rolled and hid in the hay and piles of straw. Often, the fat cats (well-fed on mice) joined us to scamper and scurry, hunting for residents of mouse nests. We also let our mule out of his stall and the large animal immediately began to cavort happily and kick up his hooves in the blanket of white that now covered every rooftop, field and tree. Later, we put the mule (with some protests and stubborn whinnies) back into his rural stable “apartment,” fed him and the Jersey cow, and raced to the house. We counted on Mama having a big pot of soup bubbling on the stove, and she always did! It was cozy in the kitchen, and there we warmed our wet feet while devouring bowls of soup and crackling corn bread!

Though it was mid-winter, there was much activity on our farm. School would often be out for a week. Older brothers and sisters who lived away still went to their jobs, if the snow did not prevent them getting there. Two older brothers still living at home found many pastimes in spite of the inclement weather. They worked in the smoke house shelling corn in the corn sheller for the animals, or sawed and cut wood to keep heaters fed. They also spent hours fashioning new hoe and ax handles by the warmth of our wood heaters while outside, a snow storm might be raging. During one long winter, my brothers made a snow and ice scraper, put together with large and heavy hand-sawed pieces of wood attached together in a V-shape. That piece of handmade equipment, powered by mule brawn, kept our road to the mailbox clear for years. It also kept paths opened around our farmhouse, and little hills scraped with enough ice left for us “young ‘uns” to ride our old metal dishpan, which we called our “sled”! It would be fun to go back just for a day to those old, memory-worthy days when we jumped (for entertainment) out of the hayloft’s small door. There was about a 12-foot drop to the ground, but we maneuvered it well, summer and winter. The cow and mule stalls are intact to this day, though they have not been used

for many, many years. Once in a while I find my thoughts wandering back to all the pretty, cream-colored Jersey cows that supplied our milk and butter. As I recall, they were each basically docile and good-natured, as their breed has always been known to be. One particular incident comes to mind that occurred when I was very young. I loved to go with Mama to move the cow to fresh grazing places in summertime. On this particular day, we walked down to a different place near a small brook which led to a creek. There were some high bushes growing along the trickling water. Mama had a long chain hooked to the Jersey’s halter, the other end wrapped several times around her hand. All of a sudden, a portion of the bushes began to shake violently, and our usually quiet and obedient animal took off bawling loudly! She half-dragged my mother with her, all the while the heavy chain taking skin from Mama’s hand. I was scared and the cow was hysterical, but we all somehow got back to our house. We never discovered what it was that frightened our cow, but after this incident she refused to go near that spot! Hence, in our family, the high growth there was dubbed the “Booger Bushes” .... *Writer’s note: According to statistics, Jersey cows can produce as many as six gallons of butterfat milk per day.

ELECT PHIL BYRD

FOR GUILFORD COUNTY SHERIFF We need a Sheriff:

Who understands the duties and responsibilities of an elected Sheriff. We need a Sheriff with the knowledge, integrity, and experience to successfully lead a staff of 673 members, oversee an operational budget of $70 million dollars, and the responsibility of two major jail complexes. The current leadership has failed the employees and citizens of Guilford County.

Why Phil Byrd?

I served 30 years, over half of my life, as a Guilford County Deputy Sheriff. I developed my education, experience, and leadership from the ground up. I began my career as a Detention Officer, working through the ranks of the Sheriff’s Office. I served as a Detective Sergeant for 9 years, Operations Lieutenant for 3 years, and 10 years as a Captain, commanding 4 separate divisions before my retirement in 2014. I continued my sworn status until December 2018. There are few qualifications to place your name on a ballot for Sheriff. It is up you, the voter, to make sure the candidate possesses the qualifications to lead the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office.

Qualifications:

John Wesley College, B.A. Management & Christian Ethics ● University of Louisville, Advanced Certificate Police Science & Administration ● 22 years N.C. Certified Law Enforcement Instructor ● 15 Years N.C. Certified Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor ● 22 years supervisory and command level experience ● Lifelong resident of Guilford County

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I will put the law-abiding citizen first. I will hold myself accountable to you. I will work tirelessly to provide the safety your communities deserve. I will place emphasis on making our schools safer for students and staff by building proposals with “facts and dollars” and garnering support from local government and school leaders. Not only will I identify the problems, I will deliver plans to solve the problems. I will promote and build the morale of officers. I will be fiscally responsible with your tax dollars. I will earn the loyalty & respect from my staff based on supportive leadership and my wiliness to lead by example.

Experience matters more than ever! PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT PHIL BYRD SHERIFF

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

on hold last month for new homes under construction and six meters were purchased; 655 water bills were mailed out.

STOKESDALE town council

Feb. 10 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by PATTI STOKES Mayor Mike Crawford called the council’s monthly meeting to order at 7 p.m. Following an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, the agenda was approved after adding one discussion item.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Stokesdale Fire Chief Todd Gauldin reported the department responded to 113 calls in January: 18 were firerelated; one was medical-related; and 44 were “other,” including some related to winter weather incidents, Gauldin explained. On a safety note, Gauldin reminded everyone with fire extinguishers to know where they are kept so they can be accessed quickly if

needed, and to keep them charged. Gauldin also said small fire extinguishers sold at retail outlets are suitable for small, isolated fires that can be quickly brought under control, but in the case of a large fire, call 911.

 3  2 (Tim Jones and Mayor Crawford opposed) to approve April 14, 2021 closed session meeting minutes; Jones and Crawford weren’t on the council last April, so voted “nay” because they couldn’t confirm whether the meeting minutes were accurate.  5  0 to approve Jan. 13, 2022 regular council meeting minutes. ADMINISTRATIVE

Interim deputy clerk Dale Martin reported 51 water meters were placed

Martin said, per council’s instructions, 30 disconnect letters were mailed out last month for accounts 60 or more days past due. Ten of those accounts have since been paid up to date and five have been partially paid. After working with Spectrum, the phones now ring at all three desks, Martin said (her desk and the two deputy clerks’ desks). Blaney Electric has been contacted again about making repairs to exterior lighting at Town Hall. Stokesdale Heating & A/C has honored its quote from Oct. 11 for replacing two HVAC systems in Town Hall and the new units have been ordered. The county’s planning department provided five large maps of all streets in Stokesdale; three of the maps are at Town Hall. The 2021 Water Supply Plan has been completed and submitted to the state. Martin said she and the deputy clerks planned a file workday on Feb. 11 to organize all the files at Town Hall.

Property Committee. Councilman Jim Rigsbee said Stokesdale Parks and Recreation would be painting the soccer fields at Town Park in preparation for the upcoming soccer season.

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Finance officer Kim Thacker confirmed that health insurance coverage on the town’s two full-time employees went into effect Jan. 1.

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Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy said Stokesdale, Oak Ridge and Summerfield have each been awarded $50,000 small town development grants by the state from COVID relief funds. Due to a budget staff member forgetting to fill in the code for Stokesdale, the town’s check wasn’t issued, but it should arrive sometime in June The Northwest Observer •orTotally local July, Foy said.since 1996

Proudly serving the Triad since

FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

1963

CITIZEN COMMENTS  Former mayor John Flynt said he was glad to see representatives from North Carolina Department of Transportation were on the agenda to speak. He said he understood NCDOT was considering directing transfer trucks to the stretch of N.C. 65 from the former Bi-Rite site down to N.C. 68 and N.C. 65 to divert truck traffic off of N.C. 68 and downtown on 158; along with this, the speed limit would be increased from 35 mph to 55 mph. “That area is almost exclusively residential. I live on that road, at the intersection of Ellisboro Road and Belews Creek Road, and for a long time that was considered one of the most dangerous intersections in Guilford County,” Flynt said. “Seventy-five percent of traffic on that road goes in excess of 35 mph and it’s not uncommon for people to do 55 and 65 mph – so if you increase the limit to 55 mph on that road and you put all the truck traffic there, it’s going to be unsafe to live on that road.” Flynt added that allowing twin trailers on this stretch would make it even more dangerous. Mayor Crawford said he could personally confirm the Ellisboro Road and Belews Creek Road intersection is a very dangerous one. “In 2009 it cost me a Tahoe,” he said. “A lady took my Tahoe out with a little Toyota. I was lucky.”  Sandra Dunagan, a resident of Wendy Gayle Drive, said she understood Flynt’s concerns, but questioned where the trucks will go. “They say it’s going to be too expensive to create another road. Either way you go, it will be congested,” Dunagan said. “I don’t know how you (NCDOT) will solve it. Just widening the road, what good is it? What good will it do to put in a divider?” Councilman Jim Rigsbee, who retired last fall from the State Highway Patrol, said twin trailers will never be allowed on N.C. 68 north

of I-73 (from the airport all the way to N.C. 68/U.S. 158), but they are allowed to come up through N.C. 68 and N.C. 65.

from jake braking, but an ordinance like that would be a town ordinance and would need the sheriff’s department to enforce it.

 Eileen Thiery said she was bothered by what she perceived as NCDOT’s “cavalier attitude” about the people who live on N.C. 65. “There are a lot of older people there who have owned their houses for generations – how will they get out of their driveways, and even live their life? … We have people who barely know what a signal on a car is – so now we’re going to have a turnaround when I come out (of Springdale) to go south. You’re infringing on people’s rights. I know roads are important, but I think people are, too. I don’t see the big need for this right now. I guess DOT doesn’t realize we have roads that need to be repaired before we worry about making things bigger.”

 Stokesdale resident Danny O’Connor spoke about the condition of Northwest High School and the mobile units on campus. “When we moved here my son was in middle school and I got involved. I went to the high school one day to look at an issue – and I was disgusted,” O’Connor said. “Things were broken; doors wouldn’t all lock. I basically put my money where my mouth was and started working on things that weren’t being taken care of.” O’Connor encouraged the town to support the PTSO’s “Mobile Makeover” program to renovate the 24 “temporary” classrooms on campus that have been there for over 20 years. “They (mobile classrooms) have major issues – mold on the ceilings, heat not working, bathrooms overflowing, raccoons living underneath …” O’Connor said. “I don’t think the towns have really stepped up and investigated what they can do, and what may be within their power… I think we need to get some focus on what’s going on in these schools, cause we’re going to be adding new developments and new houses and there are going to be a lot of kids coming in.”

 Mark Nadel said he was concerned about how the council had appointed Planning Board members at the January meeting and thought they had not followed the town’s process for how members should be appointed. Nadel urged the council to “use the process and act consistently and fairly,” and then offered council members a copy of the Planning Board’s rules and procedures.  Mary Carroll, who lives on N.C. 68, asked the council if they could do anything to get truck drivers to stop the noisy habit of engine braking in front of her house, and if anything could be done to stop her from being harassed by people wanting to buy her house. “I don’t want to move and I have no plans to move,” Carroll said. Councilman Jimmy Landreth said the council doesn’t have any control over the roads, and he gets the same letters and phone calls with inquiries about buying his home. Rigsbee said the town could pass a noise ordinance to address the noise

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Presentation by NCDOT Wright Archer, division engineer with NCDOT, Brian Ketner, project engineer, and Bobby Norris, district engineer, gave a presentation on three road projects in Stokesdale: NCDOT’s project R-5823 – N.C. 65/68 project status; R-2577C, which is the U.S. 158 widening and Stokesdale Bypass; and safety concerns at the intersection of U.S. 158 Angel-Pardue Road and Athens Road. Regarding R-5823, Ketner said NCDOT conducted a traffic study in 2018 on N.C. 68/65 from N.C. 65

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...continued on p. 14

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

STOKESDALE TOWN COUNCIL ...continued from p. 13 January 2021, Ketner said. And, while NCDOT was reviewing maps and preparing for a public meeting last fall, the agency was asked to consider roundabouts at a few key intersections – Belews Creek Road and N.C. 68 and the re-aligned N.C. 68 and 65 intersections.

South to U.S. 220; the study was completed in March 2019, but after the opening of I-73 the traffic in this area had significantly decreased and the agency determined a multi-lane facility was not warranted in the design year of 2040 as originally predicted. According to NCDOT statistics, traffic volumes on N.C. 68 in 2015 were at 15,000 vehicles/day; in 2017 that number decreased to 10,000 vehicles/day; and in 2019 it further decreased to 8,500 vehicles/day.

“NCDOT’s district engineer in Rockingham County told us there were several developments that could severely change the traffic in those areas,” Ketner said, noting the agency is working with various agencies and Rockingham County to understand how these future developments will impact the area, and where people moving into the area will live, work and drive each day.

In response, NCDOT reevaluated specific areas within Stokesdale where a number of crashes had occurred, including the Ellisboro Road and N.C. 65 (Belews Creek Road) intersection and the Lemons Loop/N.C. 68 intersection, to look for ways to improve safety.

After obtaining a new traffic model, evaluating the current design and making revisions as needed, Ketner said NCDOT plans to meet with

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local officials for input, and then hold a public meeting for citizen input. Revisions will be made as necessary, Ketner assured those attending the meeting. The initial schedule for constructing the road improvements is the summer of 2024, but Ketner said due to the likely increase in traffic numbers NCDOT will need to gather more information on the traffic model, which will push the timeline back. “There will be a lot of property that will be impacted, and a lot of utilities involved,” Ketner said.

R-2577C – Stokesdale Bypass Ketner confirmed that Part C of the U.S. 158 widening project, which includes a bypass through Stokesdale, has not yet been funded. In the event it is funded, “Alternative 3 – the northern alternative – is locked in,” Ketner said. “But we’re at least 20 years away from this becoming a true funded project,” he emphasized.

U.S. 158/Angel Pardue Road/Athens Road NCDOT district engineer Bobby Norris said the agency has received a lot of complaints about traffic at Stokesdale Elementary and two alternatives have been proposed to address the concerns, each “having its own issues.” Norris said Guilford County Schools has do decide which alternative it wants to go with because onsite improvements will be needed before NCDOT can do its part. Almost $50,000 in public access funds are available to the school to help offset the cost of making improvements.

Circling back to the discussion about road improvements in some of the town’s major intersections, Councilman Foy asked Ketner about the traffic volume that NCDOT feels necessitates a multi-lane road, to which Ketner said it’s around 14,500 to 16,000 vehicles a day – but noted The Northwest Observer •there Totally local since 1996 are a lot of variables.

When asked specifically about a proposed traffic pattern for the Springdale Meadows subdivision on N.C. 68, Ketner said, “It’s called a ‘super street.’ If you are coming out of Springdale and you want to go south, you would want to go right, go about 800 feet and then go left … ‘the right way to turn left’ is the term used. “We don’t want to take people’s property. We don’t want to move folks. We are trying to do what is right by the traveling public,” Ketner added. When residents posed questions about NCDOT’s process of decision making, he emphasized that no decisions have been made, and the agency is currently undertaking “value engineering” to minimize the negative impact of road changes on residents. Nancy McCoy asked if a traffic signal for residents coming out of Springdale Meadows wouldn’t be a better alternative and Norris said traffic signals can fix one problem and create another, then assured her that NCDOT is looking at all alternatives. John Flynt, who spoke earlier in the meeting, asked if NCDOT was aware of the industrial park under construction near Stokesdale and the 2,900 homes that Rockingham County projects are on the horizon. “There will be a significant amount of traffic,” Flynt said. “I can’t believe N.C. 68 will continue to decline on traffic counts.” “That’s why we requested a new (traffic) forecast,” Norris responded, adding that Guilford County is booming, and in the last six months alone 10 industrial sites have gotten underway. Rigsbee said Stokesdale Elementary will probably be doubling its enrollment in the next 10 years and Foy said he was disheartened to hear that Guilford County Schools (GCS) will have to take responsibility in addressing some of the traffic concerns at the school. “Northwest High School is the lowest funded school in Guilford County; Stokesdale is the sixth lowest funded.

 5  0 to spend up to $2,000

So, to hear we have to have GCS on board – they’re not quick to fund us out here. Sometimes I wonder if they know we even exist out here.”

Republic Services

 5  0 Council reviewed proposals for franchise agreements with Republic Services and GFL before voting unanimously to enter into an agreement with GFL after Republic’s agreement expires this spring. See article in our March 3, 2022 issue for details on this discussion.

gems in

with Audio & Light for an HDMI cable, labor and connection so the town’s laptop and TV will connect, enabling citizens to view and participate in meetings via Zoom.

PARTF Grant. Foy said municipalities may apply for up to $500,000 in matching grant funds from the state’s Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF). The town received a PARTF grant in 2008 and applied for a second grant in 2020 but didn’t receive it.

Foy said he reached out to a person in Raleigh for more information about the grant process and to learn why Stokesdale scored so low in 2020 (the town came in last place). He encouraged the town to adopt a park master plan, form a Parks & Rec Advisory Board, and then apply for a PARTF grant for this year by the application deadline date of May 2.

allocate up to $3,500 for site plan preparation; the money is in the current budget and will come from Capital Investments.

Jimmy Landreth and Foy to a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and

revised records retention schedule.

 5  0 to appoint Councilman

 5  0 to approve a budget amendment to increase the amount pulled from Undesignated Funds by $30,000 and increase Town Hall Repairs & Maintenance Expense by the same amount.  5  0 to approve the state’s

...continued on p. 37

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WELCOME to our new advertiser Thank you to the businesses, organizations and individuals who advertise in the Northwest Observer and make it possible to provide this community resource at no charge to our readers.

Superior Outdoor Spaces Owner: Dave Kiddy Superior Outdoor Spaces is a locally owned family business established in October 2019. Owner Dave Kiddy and his son and business partner, Jeff, have a combined 30 years of residential construction and project management experience. “Jeff worked for an outdoor living space builder in Winston-Salem that went out of business,” Dave said. “Superior Outdoor Spaces was formed to fill the void that was left in WinstonSalem, and we expanded our service area to cover the entire Triad and surrounding areas.” The company specializes in decks, screened porches, sunrooms, pavilions, pergolas, patios, fire pits, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens and more. While most contractors offer either carpentry or hardscape services, Superior Outdoor Spaces gives its customers the benefit of offering both services.

“who will treat your backyard as if it were their own,” Dave said. On a personal note, Dave and his wife, Cindy, live in Oak Ridge and have three adult married children and six grandchildren. Dave is a longtime member of Merchants of Oak Ridge and chairs the association’s high school Scholarship Committee. Superior Outdoor Spaces is also a member of the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce and other business groups in the Triad. In their spare time, Dave and Cindy enjoy family gatherings and supporting their grandchildren’s sporting events. On a side note, Dave said that before his knees went bad, he was a single digit handicap golfer and served as a past president of the Jamestown Golf Association. He also invests in real estate and owns several residential rental properties across the Triad.

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email: communitynews@nwobserver.com 16

FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

Randy Gene Wilson

Nov. 19, 1957–Feb. 4, 2022 Randy Gene Wilson, 64, of Stokesdale passed away Friday, Feb. 4, after a short illness. His death leaves a huge hole in the hearts of his family and friends, who said they were always entertained by his stories and hilarious sense of humor. Randy was born in Ashatabula, Ohio. In recent years, he earned the nickname “the Iceman” as the owner of the bright red and cheerfully decorated Shaved ParadICE food truck, popular at festivals and other events in northwestern Guilford County. Diana Dean was Randy’s longtime partner and soulmate, and their relationship spanned 48 years. Randy had three daughters whom he loved deeply, Kasey Wilson (Shannon), Stephanie Kendall (Aaron) and Amber Redmon (Donnie); as well as many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. “Randy always had a happy heart and wanted to bring a smile to everyone’s face,” reads the program Diana wrote for his upcoming celebration of life service on Feb. 26. “He loved being around children (with whom) he readily joked yet always found time to listen to.” An outpouring of condolences and memories followed a post about Randy’s death on the Northwest Observer’s Facebook page. “We loved seeing him at the Oak Ridge Military Academy farmers

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

market Thursday evenings,” wrote Catherine Henry. “He was always so sweet to my kids.” During warm months, Randy would playfully toss snowballs at children and invite them into the trailer to shave ice, Diana told the Northwest Observer. He didn’t tell them they needed to put a cup in the opening of the machine, which resulted in ice spewing all over them.

“We loved kids,” Diana said. “They made us smile.” The couple met when they were teenagers in 1974 in Alderson, West Virginia, where Randy lived and Diana visited during summers. “He was my first love,” she said. At 17, Randy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and spent 12 years in the service. He reunited with Diana in 2007 and they lived together in Stokesdale starting in 2014. A celebration of life service for Randy will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at Stokesdale United Methodist Church at 8305 Loyola Drive in Stokesdale. The family says that masks are mandated and appreciated. Anyone wishing to speak at the service is asked to email Diana Dean at deandianal@yahoo.com. In lieu of flowers, a link has been set up where donations can be made to Saving Grace K9s in Randy’s memory: www.facebook.com/ donate/493596965490673/. The nonprofit trains dogs for North Carolina’s combat veterans.

South Carolina field trip Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

In the foreground, Summerﬁeld Mayor Tim Sessoms takes photos in Habersham, a planned development in Beaufort County, South Carolina, where the stairs to second-level apartments are located on the side of buildings and parking for residents is located in the rear

briefs 18 Business MOR presents donations to community organizations

Estate briefs 18 Real Allen Tate Realtors announces second Oak Ridge office

Harmon 26 Todd Funeral director

completes 30 years of service, 20 years in Stokesdale

Murray 28 Kevin Lessons from the

Jumping Bean after a decade of coffee

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Allen Tate Realtors announces second Oak Ridge office OAK RIDGE – Allen Tate Companies announces the opening of its second office in Oak Ridge, located at 1616 N.C. 68 North. The office is home to Maureena Shepherd & Associates, an award-winning Allen Tate real estate team with 32 years of combined real estate experience. The Maureena Shepherd & Associates team includes agents Maureena Shepherd, Michele Davis, Terri Johnson and Salem Marso, as well as administrative staff. The office serves clients in Oak Ridge, Stokesdale, Summerfield, Colfax, Kernersville, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and surrounding areas. The traditional office design is

...continued on p. 28

FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

Merchants of Oak Ridge, a nonprofit with business professionals serving the community of Oak Ridge, presented donation checks to each of the following organizations at the association’s first meeting of the new year on Jan. 18: (L to R) Toys for Tots, represented by Oak Ridge resident Ryan Lowe, TFT’s Triad coordinator; Oak Ridge Youth Association, represented by Tom Collins, president; Guilford Backpack Ministry, represented by Wendy Kesselring and Beth Waterfield; Oak Ridge Military Academy, represented by Dr. Steve Wilson, president; and Oak Ridge Fire Department (not shown in photo). The donations came from proceeds from the annual RidgeFest held in Oak Ridge Town Park last September; the three-day event comes together each year through a partnership between the Merchants of Oak Ridge and the town of Oak Ridge.

Courtesy photo

Maureena Shepherd & Associates/Allen Tate has moved to 1616 N.C. 68 North, making this the second Allen Tate ofﬁce operating in Oak Ridge.

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A field trip to South Carolina Summerfield leaders accompany Summerfield Farms owner David Couch to two planned communities for a look at design and building techniques the developer wants to emulate on his 973 acres in Summerfield by CHRIS BURRITT BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. – One morning last week, Mayor Tim Sessoms and other Summerfield leaders walked along narrow streets under a canopy of Spanish moss in Newpoint, a planned development in coastal South Carolina. The Summerfield contingent, led by developer David Couch, paused at a broad lawn overlooking the marshes of the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s one of several green spaces in the neighborhood of houses on both sides of $1 million. Chatting over his white picket fence, homeowner Larry White explained what he likes most about the Ladys Island community of Newpoint.

“We are impressed that they developed this property with a scalpel, not a bulldozer,” White said. That’s the message Couch is trying to convey to Summerfield council members and town staff who are preparing to evaluate the latest version of the developer’s plans for the residential and commercial expansion of Summerfield Farms and several other tracts from Summerfield Road to Interstate 73. Couch, CEO of Blue Ridge Cos., said he wants to break from the pattern of cul-de-sac neighborhoods with houses on one-acre lots that dominate Summerfield’s residential landscape. Instead, he envisions a range of options – big and small houses, townhomes and apartments – in 11 villages, dotted by a mix of small businesses such as restaurants and coffee houses. Planning for residential and commercial development follows the rolling contours of the property, resulting in the preservation of fields, woods and other green spaces, according to Couch’s proposal. A network of trails

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Summerfield town council and staff members walk under a canopy of live oaks in Port Royal, South Carolina, an example of preservation of natural surroundings that developer David Couch said he wants to mimic in his proposed expansion of Summerfield Farms. Accompanied by Couch, Victor Dover of design firm Dover, Kohl and Partners, and developer Vince Graham, the Summerfield council and staff members were touring two planned developments in coastal South Carolina on Feb. 9 to look at examples of design and building features Couch envisions incorporating into the nearly 1,000acre development he is proposing in Summerfield.

would run from village to village and connect to public greenways outside of the development. The trade-off – higher residential density in exchange for less expensive housing options and more green space for homeowners and the public – has been the focus of presentations and artistic renderings by Couch and his designer, Victor Dover, over the past year. Couch recently invited Summerfield leaders to fly on his plane from Greensboro to South Carolina to visit two planned developments that already put into place what he and Dover are proposing in Summerfield. “We have consulted with our attorney and our town manager and there’s no problem with that,” Sessoms said during the council’s Feb. 8 meeting,

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referring to the trips. “We’re going to go and take pictures… and share those with everyone.” For the mayor, the trip shed light on the pros and cons of Couch’s proposal.

“There were many things we saw that a growing number of our citizens would likely enjoy and appreciate, such as neighborhood shops, quaint, locally owned restaurants, live music venues, community parks and lots of trails that provide connectivity,” Sessoms said earlier this week. On the other hand, he said,

“In the end if there is approval, it’s not like this development is going to spring up like a mushroom tomorrow,” Hornik said during the council’s meeting last week. “If this is approved at all, it is going to be a long-term development. It’s not going to be 3,000 homes that show up in the next year.” Over the past week and a half, three field trips to Beaufort County, South Carolina, have given Summerfield council members and town staff a first-hand view of what Couch is proposing for nearly 1,000 acres in Summerfield. “If you build the houses a little bit closer together, you can be more generous with the public spaces,”

Dover said last week on the Summerfield group’s walk through Newpoint. He pointed out several green spaces, including a play yard called the Ramble and the wide grassy area overlooking the marshes of the Intracoastal Waterway. Developers preserved the green space instead of building houses abutting the marshland, a nod to greater public access. People walking on the grass can look across the water and see church steeples in historic Beaufort. Narrow streets meander around trees and other natural areas in a layout intended to slow traffic. Garages

...continued on p. 22

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

Summerﬁeld leaders pass in front of a small house in Habersham, a planned development in Beaufort County, South Carolina, with a range of houses from estate homes to apartments.

Couch’s “very large, mixed-use development” would require the extension of water and sewer services to his project. Construction of apartments is “something many of our residents have said they do not want. These are all things we will have to carefully consider as we try to balance the desire for more diverse housing options against the impact of such a large-scale development on our community.”

“New plans for the Villages of Summerfield Farms show just how massive and life-changing this proposal would be for Summerfield,” according to a Feb. 6 post on the Facebook page of Stand Up For Summerfield. “Apartments likely lower home values and certainly impact all current residents of Summerfield, making us more urban than rural.”

Opposition to Couch’s proposal resurfaced earlier this month after he provided more details. Over the next 25 years or more, he envisions 3,796 homes – big and small houses, townhomes and apartments – being built on the 973 acres, resulting in a density of 3.9 units per acre. By contrast, Summerfield’s zoning regulations require an overall gross density of one unit per acre for single-family houses on lots with minimums of 30,000 and 40,000 square feet.

A Feb. 6 post on the Facebook page of Keep Summerfield Rural asked, “How will our small, limited services town handle this rapid growth? We aren’t equipped to handle something on this massive scale.” Citing Couch’s plans, Town Attorney Bob Hornik said construction would occur over two decades.

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FIELD TRIP TO S.C. ...continued from p. 21 are at the back of houses, reducing the number of drives cutting across sidewalks and vehicles parked in front of houses.

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Vince Graham, one of Newpoint’s developers, accompanied the Summerfield group and suggested a different way to think about the layout of Newpoint, far denser than the typical Summerfield subdivision.

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“It is a form of interior design gone outside,” said Graham, describing houses facing one another as the walls of an “outdoor room.” The street and sidewalks between the houses represent the floor and the canopy of live oak trees serves as the roof.

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“It encourages community,” said Couch, an idea he wants to emulate in his Summerfield development. Later in the day, the group visited Habersham, with a blend of estate houses, smaller houses, cottages, townhomes, condominiums, apartments and two-level buildings with businesses downstairs and living quarters upstairs. At noon, the commercial district was busy, patronized by homeowners – walking and driving golf carts to eat lunch in restaurants. Few vehicles were parked on the neighborhood streets, partly because residents park behind their homes.

Parking in the rear of apartments enabled developers to put stairs to the second level on the side of the buildwww.piedmonttrucktires.com ings, running from the back toward the front. The design eliminated the clutter of stairways in the front of some tradiFEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022 The Northwest Observer •tional Totally local since 1996 apartment buildings. 11 locations open M-F 7:30-5:30 Emergency roadside 24/7/365 • Shuttle service within 8 miles

The width of condominiums varies in an effort to avoid cookie-cutter design of buildings, which feature different colors for shutters and varied styles of entry ways. “It gives you a much better view than a drawing,” said John O’Day, a Summerfield council member who visited the South Carolina communities earlier this week. So far, all council members except for Lynne Williams DeVaney have gone on the trips. Town Manager Scott Whitaker, Town Attorney Hornik and Brad Rentz, town planner and enforcement officer, have also traveled to Beaufort County. The town’s Planning Board plans to consider Couch’s latest request during its March 28 meeting, followed by the council’s consideration April 12. Residents will be able to offer their views during public hearings at both meetings. Though not legally required, the town plans to schedule a community meeting for Couch to share his plans with Summerfield residents and answer questions, according to Sessoms. Last week, Couch submitted an application seeking a text amendment to Summerfield’s development rules that would create a new zoning district for his project. If the council approves the amendment and approves the rezoning of Couch’s property, the town would negotiate a development agreement with Couch to regulate design and construction of the project. If the council approves his development plans, Couch told reporters earlier this month he’d resume discussions with Guilford County and the city of Greensboro about extending water and sewer lines to his project. If the parties reach an agreement, Couch said laying water and sewer lines would take two or three years. After that, construction of the first houses in the Villages of Summerfield Farms could begin, he said.

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As the owners of Smith Marketing, Betty Smith (center) and her sons Jason (left) and Jeff have been providing professional expertise to home buyers and sellers for over 20 years.

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“The new homes market in the Triad is like nothing any of us have ever seen before,” said Jason Smith, vice president of Smith Marketing. “We are experiencing record low

inventory levels, potential rising interest rates and a cost of construction/ land development that is climbing,” he continued. “While there are many other economic and global factors that come into play, those are the direct challenges we face on a daily basis.” With such a low inventory, brokers looking for new home opportunities for their buyer clients are facing an uphill battle. As a result, Smith said several volume home builders are entering the market to attract some of these buyers. “It is not uncommon to see the volume builders now offering homes in the $500,000s and $600,000s,” he said. “With a few occasional exceptions, the custom home builders are pretty much starting in the

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Funeral director completes 30 years of service, 20 years in Stokesdale Inspired by the compassion of a former senator and funeral home owner, Todd Harmon was drawn to the funeral business at an early age by ANNETTE JOYCE This month marks a major milestone for funeral home manager/director Todd Harmon. Not only has he been in the funeral industry for 30 years, but 20 of those years have been spent managing Forbis and Dick Funeral Service’s Stokesdale Chapel. Harmon’s interest in becoming a funeral director was piqued early on by a family relationship with J. Ollie Harris, the late North Carolina senator and founder of the Harris Funeral Home in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. As a youngster, Harmon said he was in awe of the “big man.” When Harmon’s family moved away and would return for

funerals, he always appreciated the welcome they received. “I was so impressed by Ollie,” Harmon said. “We were treated like family and never had to worry about anything. There was so much compassion and caring.” During his senior year at Mount Airy High School, Harmon had every intention of attending Atlanta Mortuary College. In his final semester, though, he decided Atlanta wasn’t the place he wanted to be. “I ended up at High Point College, got a business degree and went to work for Wachovia,” he said. “Even so, I still had this idea that I wanted to be a funeral director.” Fate stepped in when Harmon saw a classified ad seeking an insurance

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Through 20 years of service to the Stokesdale community and beyond, Todd Harmon has become the face of Forbis and Dick Funeral Service – Stokesdale Chapel. salesperson who was willing to get their funeral director’s license. He applied, and in 1992 went to work with Forbis and Dick selling pre-need plans. In 1998, he

became an at-need director for the company’s Guilford chapel. Four years later, Harmon took over as manager of the funeral home in

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Stokesdale and moved into the apartment above the business. He still chuckles at the different reactions of his children, Andrew, who was 14 at the time, and Allison, who was 9. “When I told them we were going to be living above the funeral home, Andrew said, ‘Oh, Dad!’ and Allison said, ‘Oh, cool!’” he recalled. “Allison was much more excited than Andrew, but they both got used to living there.” As the manager of the Stokesdale chapel, Harmon handles every aspect of the business, with the exception of embalming. He’s the one families talk with when planning the services for their loved ones, and he does everything from writing the obits and ordering caskets, urns and flower arrangements to leading funeral processions and seeing that graves are properly marked and opened. One of the things Harmon said he learned when he was young carried over into his professional life. His grandmother, “Memaw Cloninger,” died when he was about 13. He described her as “a simple lady, who dressed plainly.” Unfortunately, the funeral home wasn’t aware of this and completely changed her look. “She was overly made up and had this big bouffant hair style and fancy clothes,” Harmon said. “I remember standing at the casket with my mother and asking her, ‘Who is that?’ I didn’t recognize her.” When his other grandmother, “Nanny Beam,” died, Harmon said she was recognizable, but was wearing a pumpkin orange lipstick that she never would have chosen. Because of these two instances, Harmon said he learned to be very careful to make sure loved ones are as close to their natural look as possible. Over the years, Harmon has witnessed some of the most heartbreaking moments a family can endure. One of the most difficult parts of his job involves the loss of a child, or especially for a young child, the loss of a parent. COVID has also given families an extra burden to bear by making it difficult for people to gather together to say goodbye to their friends and loved ones. Harmon said not having closure has prolonged the sadness that comes with the loss. Still, even during the sad times,

families often have moments of lightheartedness. Harmon remembers walking a family into the church for a very formal service and hearing muffled laughter. After the service, he had to know what was so funny. “Someone had volunteered a family member to sing ‘Amazing Grace’ and it was a hot mess,” Harmon said. “The family just wasn’t able to hold in their laughter.” Harmon said he also deals with the misconceptions people have about the burial process. He recently had to convince an acquaintance the funeral home does not chop off a person’s feet so the blood can be drained from the body. When he moved into the community in 2002, Harmon said he was overwhelmed with the welcome he received and the trust he was given by so many people. “We’ve been very blessed with a strong business, and I’ve enjoyed the friendships I’ve developed over the years,” he said. Harmon believes in supporting the community in as many ways as possible, and Forbis and Dick stands by that commitment to be a good community citizen. The funeral home has been part of the Stokesdale Christmas tree lighting and the Christmas parade for several years. Harmon has served on the town’s Veterans Monument Committee, is a member of Northwest Guilford Kiwanis and supports Camp Carefree. Forbis and Dick’s contributions extend outside of Stokesdale as well, and the company supports community events including the Oak Ridge Horse Show, RidgeFest and Canine Capers. When he’s not in “‘funeral director’ mode,” Harmon’s sense of humor often shines through and he’s been known to go to great lengths to help a cause he believes in. For example, while selling tickets for a Kiwanis Chicken Bingo fundraiser at the annual RidgeFest in Oak Ridge several years ago, he dressed up in a bright yellow chicken costume, walked around and convinced a lot of people to buy tickets. Although he moved out of the apartment above the funeral home in Stokesdale a few years ago, Harmon values his deep connection to the community and the opportunity his profession gives him The Northwest • to serve families during difficultObserver times.

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NEW OAK RIDGE OFFICE equipped with the latest wireless technology and features a conference room, agent workroom and lobby. “Our team has always excelled at understanding our clients’ needs and building lasting relationships. Additionally, we have a high level of commitment to supporting our community beyond the real estate transaction. We sell homes and we serve hearts,” said Marso, broker-in-charge for the new Allen Tate office on N.C. 68. “Our new office is the perfect space to serve both our clients and our community.” Maureena Shepherd & Associates

...continued from p. 18

supports events and organizations including Muffins for Moms, Donuts for Dads, Cookies and Cocoa with Santa, Oak Ridge Youth Association, Oak Ridge Elementary, Stokesdale Elementary, Peck Elementary, North Carolina Leadership Academy, Northwest High School, Greensboro Velo Club, MIB Agents, Veterans Administration Hospital, Moses Cone Health Women’s & Children’s Center, and Brenner Children’s Hospital.

team onto the upper level of the building in January and our company was able to work out a lease agreement for two of the offices upstairs, plus shared common space including a conference room and kitchen. Keeping our company based in this beautiful, unique office setting while sharing it with an energetic, motivated team of Realtors dedicated to

Lessons from the Jumping Bean

Allen Tate also operates an office in Oak Ridge Commons, 2215 Oak Ridge Road. Lori Yager will serve as branch leader for both Oak Ridge offices.

We’ve moved – sort of! OAK RIDGE – L&P Properties, former owner of 6.14 acres of commercial property at 1616 N.C. 68 N, announces the sale of its property in Oak Ridge as of December 2021. Although the property has a new owner, longtime tenant PS Communications, publisher of the Northwest Observer, continues to lease office space on the upper level of the main building on the property. “Since my company began leasing the property in early 2013, we always had far more space than we needed,” said Patti Stokes, PS Communications owner. “I often referred to it as ‘my beautiful luxury.’ Then, when COVID surfaced in the spring of 2020, some of

our staff started working from home, further reducing the amount of office space we needed for our business to operate out of. The time seemed right for my husband and I, who owned the property, to put it on the market and make plans for my business to downsize its office space. “As we were working with potential buyers and preparing to relocate our office, we were very happy when Maureena Shepherd and her husband approached us last fall about buying the property. Maureena, a very successful Realtor with Allen Tate Realtors and manager of Maureena Shepherd & Associates, moved her real estate

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community service is a win-win for all of us at PS Communications,” Stokes said. PS Communications’ office at 1616 N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge is staffed part-time; drop-in hours are Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. Call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10, if you’d like to meet with a staff member at a time outside of these hours.

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – Over 10 years as owner of the Jumping Bean, Kevin Murray said he’s never had a difficult encounter with a customer that a smile or apology didn’t resolve. “I’ve literally not had a bad day at work,” Murray said in an interview earlier this week as he prepares to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his drive-through kiosk. Quick conversations with Murray, who sticks his head out the window to serve hot and cold beverages and pastries, are free. All day long Tuesday, March 1, Murray is going to give away free coffee, smoothies, lattes and other drinks as “thank you and give back” to customers for 10 years of support. Murray opened for business March 1, 2012, after selling industrial grades of paper and working in a warehouse for three years. He described himself as “the most overqualified forklift driver in America.” When he bought the rolling coffee hut, Murray also bought equipment for a business he didn’t understand well. “I never had a latte until I bought a •$5,000 Totallycoffee localpot,” since 1996 he said.

Kevin Murray, owner of The Jumping Bean Coffee DriveThru on Summerfield Road in Summerfield, will celebrate 10 years of being in business on March 1. “I’ve literally not had a bad day at work,” Murray said as he reflects on the last decade and the hundreds of friends he’s made along the way. Over the last 10 years, Murray said he’s cultivated repeat customers from all walks of life. “Friends I’ve made here are really the only friends I’ve got,” he said. His fans followed him last summer when he and his wife, Lisa, relocated the business from Summerfield Square shopping center to the parking lot of Greensboro Performing Arts at 7200 Summerfield Road. Relocating also brought new customers, higher sales and a shady, more relaxed location with room for patio tables and chairs. “When my kids are in town, they always want to visit the Bean,’’ said Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider, who buys cappuccino there five days a week. In warm weather, she and her dog, Luna, sit outside to visit with friends. Brandi Neal, who runs Summerfield Feed Mill with her uncle Steve Neal and aunt Arlene Neal, likes the new location because it shortens her drive for the iced coffee she buys six mornings a week. “Kevin is a very good guy, and his staff is great,” Brandi said. “They memorized my drink so they have it ready when I drive up.”

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r Kids’ Korne February is Black History Month and is dedicated to exploring the stories and accomplishments of African Americans throughout U.S. history. We hope you learn something new about a few amazing African American leaders who persevered through great adversity.

Can you match these African American leaders to their legacies? 1.

The first woman and first African American to earn a master’s degree at University of Hawaii. She was also the first female and African American chemistry professor at University of Hawaii. She is credited with developing the most effective treatment for leprosy during the 20th century.

Often referred to as the “father of African American art,” he was most known for painting murals and creating illustrations that addressed social issues involving race and segregation in the United States. He was also very involved with the Harlem Artists Guild which helped many young African American artists enter the public realm.

This incredible tennis player was barred for many years from national events because of her race. After much lobbying, she became the first African American to compete in the U.S. National Championships. In 1956 she was the first Black player to win the Grand Slam tournament and in 1957 she was the first Black player to win the Wimbledon.

Max Robinson

In 1978, he became the first Black person to anchor the nightly news network.

A U.S. author, photographer, film director and musician who documented the everyday lives of African Americans at a time when few people outside the Black community were familiar with their lives.

She was an important leader in the fight to end slavery. Her stories and speeches helped people to understand how immoral slavery was. She was in the very first group of women inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.

ROBINSON

GIBSON

TRUTH

EQUALITY

JUSTICE

PARKS

DOUGLAS

BALL

VALUE

FREEDOM

ABOLISH

Sojourner Truth

Aaron Douglas

Alice Ball

Althea Gibson

1. Alice Ball 2. Aaron Douglas 3. Althea Gibson 4. Max Robinson 5. Gordon Parks 6. Sojourner Truth

FEBRUARY

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Youth

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100 days of school completed, 75 more to go Stokesdale Elementary students and staff celebrated the ﬁrst 100 days of the 2021-22 school year on Feb. 4 by doing projects involving the number “100,” and dressing up as 100-year-olds. Public schools in the Guilford County Schools system following the traditional calendar are scheduled to end the school year on Friday, June 3, for a total of 175 instructional days.

Lindsay Harrell, a ﬁrst-grade teacher at Stokesdale Elementary School, poses with some of her students who dressed up on Feb. 4 to celebrate the 100th day of school.

(L to R) Stokesdale Elementary ﬁrst-grade teacher Rachel Francisco; principal Allison Bennett; and ﬁrst-grade teachers Lindsay Harrell and Sally Wiener dress up as 100-year-old grannies to celebrate the 100th day of school on Feb. 4.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Photos courtesy of Lindsay Harrell

Mason Harrell, a kindergartner in Jennifer Lovelace’s class at Stokesdale Elementary School, shows off his 100th-day-of-school project on Feb. 4.

FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

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Lessons gained from annual Girl Scout cookie sales

by PATTI STOKES

Isaac Depner, 8, a member of Pack 103, and his dad couldn’t resist stopping by to load up on cookies Feb. 11 as they were passing by Oak Ridge United Methodist Church (ORUMC) on N.C. 150 in Oak Ridge. Members of Girl Scout Troop 12475, which regularly meets at ORUMC, captured Isaac’s attention with the cookie table they had set up in the parking lot, where they sold a variety of cookies for $5 per box as part of the Girl Scouts’ annual cookie sale program. It was a beautiful day for outdoor cookie sales and the steady stream of customers helped Kathryn Murray, 8, exceed her goal of selling 100 boxes of cookies this year, while Aleyna Aydogdu, 12, said she was well on her way to reaching her 200-box goal and Anastasia Soto, 13, also moved closer to reaching her 400-box goal. Calculating what customers owe, handling money, keeping up with inventory, and getting more comfortable approaching people about buying cookies are some of the things the girls said they have learned through selling Girl Scout cookies. “Cookie Mom” Laura Soto, who is in her 20th season with the Girl Scout cookie program, said as the girls get older they also learn more about budgeting through determining how many cookies they have

FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

Photos by Patti Stokes/NWO

 (L to R): “Cookie Mom” Laura Soto is on hand to support Aleyna Aydogdu, 12; Kathryn Murray, 8; and Anastasia Soto, 13, as they sell Girl Scout cookies Feb. 11 at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church (ORUMC) as part of the Girl Scouts annual cookie sale program. The girls are members of Troop 12475, which regularly meets at ORUMC. (Photo, above) Isaac Depner, 8, a member of Pack 103, and his father load up on their favorite Girl Scout cookies at the table Troop 12475 members set up Feb. 11 at ORUMC. to sell to support the projects they want to participate in; in recent years, they’ve also learned about how to process online sales and respond to customers who place their orders electronically. “It has changed a lot, but certain things are exactly the same,” Soto said. “Learning how to make change, learning how to be polite to your customers – those things have stayed the same since I was a Brownie.” Look for Girl Scouts selling cookies at various locations in our area through the end of this month.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Longtime high school softball, volleyball and basketball coach Darlene Joyner received a fitting tribute Feb. 11 during a court-naming ceremony at halftime of Northwest Guilford High School’s boys basketball game. A NWHS graduate, Joyner earned a degree from Guilford College, where she is a member of the Guilford College Athletic Hall of Fame; she is also a member of the Guilford County Athletic Hall of Fame. After college she returned to her high school alma mater, where she taught and coached female athletes for the next 33 years until her retirement in 2019. During her high school coaching career, Joyner’s varsity girls basketball teams won three West Region 4A basketball championships and back-to-back 4A state championships in 2017 and 2018; the softball team she coached won the 3A state championship in 1996 and in 2015 her volleyball team won the West Regional 4A volleyball state championship. Joyner was selected by the NCHSAA as the Toby Webb Female statewide coach of the year for the 2015-16 school year. During the court-naming ceremony Feb. 11, NWHS assistant principal John Hughes spoke of the friendship he developed with Joyner during his time as a teacher and coach at the high school, which carried over into the years he served as the school’s athletic director. Hughes said two things about Joyner stood out to him above all others: her unwavering commitment to excellence and her commitment to family.

Erin Clayton Bobbitt (left) gives her former volleyball and basketball coach, Darlene Joyner, a hug after Bobbitt spoke at the Feb. 11 court-naming ceremony about the lasting impact Joyner had on the athletes she coached in high school.

“She took that and instilled that in these girls – every season. She was literally their second mother,” Hughes said, “and that’s what it is all about. She was tremendous at winning, but she was also the best at building relationships with these girls… I am so blessed to have her as a friend.” Erin Clayton Bobbitt played volleyball and basketball under Joyner and was among the many former athletes who attended the court-naming ceremony in their former coach’s honor. Bobbitt’s heartfelt speech during the ceremony centered on the lasting impact “Coach J” had on her athletes. “…The first thing high school athletes learn under Coach Darlene Joyner Coach J is that there waves to friends, former are no shortcuts on the athletes she coached, and family members who road to success,” Bobbitt attended a court-naming said. “Instead, she invited us ceremony in her honor to come and offer our contribuon Feb. 11. tions on the altar of discipline and consistency to find out how far we could go. In her gym, teenage girls built foundations of discipline, leadership, focus, sacrifice and resiliency. In this gym, on this floor, under her coaching, teenage girls became women – women with character and grit. On this floor she taught us how to buy success with sweat and tears. We didn’t know it was happening at the time. We had no idea that the real prize – the only one that would actually stand the test of time – was the one she was burning into our character. “Coach J, the massive team of women that you created lives on,” Bobbitt continued. “They are a team of women who don’t look for shortcuts or shy away from pain, discipline and sacrifice, and you have played a part in every one of our victories, successes and achievements. This floor is not memorializing something that was. This floor is memorializing a ripple effect that you sent out into this world that continues on and cannot be quantified on this side of eternity.” Visit Facebook.com/NorthwestObserver to read some of the comments people offered about Coach Joyner Article and photos by Patti Stokes/NWO

Youth Sync

Northern Guilford Middle School’s PTSA plans Bingo fundraiser on March 5 Proceeds will be used to renovate the school’s STEM lab

SUMMERFIELD – Tickets are on sale now for Northern Guilford Middle School’s “Bags & Swag” Bingo fundraiser on March 5, from 5 to 10 p.m. at Summerfield Farms in Summerfield. Check in from 5 to 7 p.m. for a buffet breakfast-for-dinner and adult beverages. The theme of the event is “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” so “dressy casual” attire is suggested. Bingo will start promptly at 7 p.m. and will include 20 games of bingo, each with a new designer bag as the prize for a single winner. Eighteen of the 20 bags have been donated by businesses

FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

or individuals in the community and the other two were purchased by the PTSA. This community event will be limited to 300 people; tickets are $45 per person and includes dinner, one drink ticket and 20 games of bingo. Additional drink tickets will be sold for $5 each and there will be a Tiffany Blue Mimosa specialty cocktail available for two drink tickets. Several raffle prizes have been donated by businesses and individuals in the area, with raffle tickets sold at the event for $5 per ticket or three tickets for $10. Proceeds from the event will be used to renovate Northern Guilford Middle School’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) lab. Check out NGMS’s PTSA Facebook page for video updates about the event.

The Northwest Observer

want to go?

Purchase tickets – or make a donation – at www.ngms-ptsa.square.site. The fundraiser will be held Saturday, March 5, from 5 to 10 p.m. at Summerfield Farms, 3203 Pleasant Ridge Road in Summerfield.

Walker earns Eagle rank Aidan Walker, a member of Boy Scout Troop 139 in Oak Ridge, recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Aidan is a senior at Northwest Guilford High School and Aidan Walker plans to attend university in the fall to major in chemistry and continue his growth in faith, music and community service. For his Eagle Scout service project, Aidan organized and led volunteers to conduct a refurbishment project at the historic AI Methodist Memorial Cemetery on N.C. 68, which is managed by Oak Ridge United Methodist Church. The project included installing granite row markers and designing and installing a kiosk to hold a cemetery map and visitors’ log. Aidan would like to thank his Eagle advisor, Scott Johnson, his project beneficiary, Steve Kingsbury (Board of Trustees chair), family, friends and fel•low Totally local since 1996 Scouts for their support.

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SUMMERFIELD TOWN COUNCIL ...continued from p. 7 town had reserves of nearly $7 million in the general fund, enough money to cover the town’s operating expenses for the next five years, he said. Greene, of Whiteville, North Carolina, praised the performance of Finance Director Dee Hall, saying “the audit is perfect.” Mayor Sessoms said Hall has produced flawless audits for the past five years, drawing applause from council members, staff and the audience.

MANAGER’S REPORT UDO text amendment

 5  0 to approve a text amend-

ment to the town’s unified development ordinance (UDO) to allow developers to build quadplexes with as many as 10 bedrooms. That number of bedrooms is two more than earlier recommended by the Planning Board. At its meeting last month, the council remanded that

section of the text amendment to the board, asking for an explanation of the board’s recommendation. Town staff reviewed the board’s Zoom meetings during which members indicated they favored eight bedrooms instead of 10 bedrooms to reduce the number of cars parked at quadplexes, buildings that contain four dwelling units. Last week, the council voted to increase the maximum number of bedrooms to 10, giving developers greater flexibility, while relying upon Guilford County to determine the exact number of bedrooms based upon how much sewage the soil can handle.

Planning/development fees

 5  0 to change the town’s schedule of fees it charges for reviewing and processing rezoning applications.

The council concurred with Whitaker’s recommendation to continue charging $1,000 for staff’s initial review

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For later, labor-intensive duties such as site plan reviews by staff and outside engineering studies, the council decided the town will negotiate fees as part of development agreements for larger projects. Whitaker said town staff would negotiate development agreements with developers to ensure the town recoups expenses for its services. Other fees for services such as site plan reviews would help the town cover its costs, he said. The council revisited the topic in recent months after Couch asked the town last summer to reduce its rezoning application fee as he planned to develop nearly 1,000 acres. Imposing the peracre charges made the review of large properties too expensive, he said. Under the previous schedule for rezoning requests of more than five acres, Summerfield charged an application fee of $1,000 for the first acre and another $200 for each additional acre. That would amount to about $195,400 for reviewing and processing a rezoning application for Couch if he were to proceed with his development plans.

COUNCIL BUSINESS Water study

 5  0 to hire engineering firm

Freese and Nichols to prepare a study assessing the feasibility of running water lines to improve the town’s capability for firefighting and, eventually, provide drinking water for residents and businesses. (See related article on FC.) The study will evaluate bringing water to Summerfield from the city of Greensboro and Rockingham County, according to Freese and Nichols. The council agreed to pay the engineering firm as much as $29,470 to prepare the study.

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of rezoning applications while eliminating additional per-acre charges early in the review process. The revised fee will also cover costs for mailing notifications to nearby property owners about rezoning requests.

The Northwest Observer

Mobile Makeover update. Sessoms raised the possibility of town council members in Summerfield and Oak •Ridge Totally local since 1996 and the merchants associations

in the two towns working together to raise money for the Mobile Makeover project at Northwest Guilford High School. Since local governments can’t donate money to public school systems, Kristen Law, representing NWHS’ Parent, Teacher, Student Organization (PTSO), encouraged council members to seek donations through their network of connections. Law said high school students are preparing to canvas neighborhoods to seek donations for the project. So far, the PTSO has secured commitments from 16 businesses and the nonprofit Oak Ridge Youth Association for refurbishing 17 of the 24 mobile classrooms. The group is trying to line up sponsors for the remaining seven classrooms, at a renovation cost of about $15,000 per trailer, according to Law.

CLOSED SESSION

The council recessed the meeting and went into closed session to discuss legal and personnel matters. After reconvening, it voted on two issues.

MANAGER PAY RAISE  5  0 to increase Whitaker’s pay

by $1,150 a month for an annual salary of $128,400. Sessoms said Whitaker met goals set by the council last year, resulting in a pay raise that puts him at the median pay for managers of towns with populations of 10,000 to 15,000. Previously, his pay had ranked in the lower third, Sessoms said.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION  5  0 to retain Nelson Mullins

Riley & Scarborough to represent the town in a lawsuit filed by former council member Teresa Perryman and former mayoral candidate Danny Nelson related to the removal of council member Todd Rotruck from office in 2018. Over the past two years, Finance Director Hall said, the town has incurred legal expenses of $241,554 to defend itself in lawsuits, with $214,642 related to litigation involving Todd Rotruck. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

PAYNE STAFFORD ...continued from p. 1

first time. “I’m going to tell you the truth, though – we had it torn down to the block and Sam (assistant fire chief Sam Anders) called me last week and said, ‘We’re doing this drive-by for Payne’ and asked, ‘You reckon we can get the old truck running?’ We worked Wednesday, Saturday and Monday and put the whole thing back together and finished it last night. I was so afraid it wasn’t going to run right.’” To Stafford’s delight, the old red truck glistened in the sun and purred like a kitten as it drove by, rekindling many memories from long ago in the process. “You people sure are wonderful – that’s all there is to it!” Stafford said of the love and attention he received on his birthday. Look for an upcoming article about Stafford and his memories of growing up in Oak Ridge, volunteering with the fire department, serving in World Word II, and living a humble but very full and rich life.

TOWN COUNCIL ...continued from p. 15  4  1 (Jones opposed) to allow spouses of town staff who are covered by health insurance to be eligible for coverage under the plan, provided they pay 100% of the coverage.

 5  0 to approve Foy’s motion that domestic partners not be covered under the plan.  5  0 to schedule budget workshops on March 3,

April 7 and May 5, all at 7 p.m.

 5  0 to release March 12, 2020 closed session min-

utes, unredacted.

Agenda deadlines. Council discussed the cutoff time for adding items to already publicized meeting agendas; currently, if an item is added after the agenda has been circulated to the public, it can be discussed but not voted on. Jones said adding an agenda item at a later date still doesn’t mean it will be approved – council can vote whether to add it to the agenda, and council could still decide whether it wanted to vote on the agenda item.

looking into a secondary source for its water supply. “Are there issues with our current water source?” she asked. Crawford and Jones said they had met with leaders in Rockingham County as part of a long-range planning process. “There is no immediate problem,” Jones said. Landreth added, “We’re looking at all possibilities,” and Rigsbee said the town council has no intention of leaving WinstonSalem, which has supplied the town with water since its municipal water system was installed in 2003. “They’ve been a good partner with us,” Rigsbee said.

COUNCIL COMMENTS  Foy said earlier in the meeting, during Citizen Comments, a citizen had alleged the council didn’t follow the town’s policies when appointing Planning Board members. “I didn’t feel it was appropriate to rebut his comments at that time. I do disagree with his statement about that,” Foy said.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

 “It’s the council’s responsibility to appoint Planning Board members and from time to time it’s in a state of flux. We try to get a cross section of the community on it,” Jones said.

 Beatriz Abella said she had watched the council meeting last month on YouTube and wondered why the town is

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:40 p.m.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

mark your

calendar

FEB. 18, 25 & MORE

 Cookie Booths | Local Girl Scout troops will be

selling cookies at various locations in Oak Ridge and northwest Guilford County through the end of February, including at Rio Grande in Oak Ridge on Feb. 18 and Feb. 25. Cookies are $5/box. More dates, locations and info: www.girlscoutsp2p.org; search “Cookies.”

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 23  Preservation Oak Ridge meeting | Preservation

Oak Ridge, a nonprofit committed to preserving historic structures in Oak Ridge, invites community members to its monthly meeting Feb. 23, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the historic Ai Church, 1306 N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge. More info: www.preservationoakridge.org or (336) 644-1777.

SATURDAY, FEB. 26  Food pantry | Good Samaritan Ministries in Stokes-

dale will provide food to those in need on Feb. 26, 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Stokesdale Business Center, 8500 ElTax & Consulting Services For Individuals & Businesses

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MONDAY, FEB. 28  Lions Club | Oak Ridge Lions Club, a nonprofit that

focuses on helping people who are sight- or hearingimpaired and on community service, will meet Feb. 28 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 – the business meeting runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. More info: Frank Kelleher, president, (336) 327-7786 or frankxk95@gmail.com.  Historic grant info session | Oak Ridge Historic Pres-

ervation Commission will host an information session about applying for an Oak Ridge historic heritage grant on Feb. 28, starting at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. More info: www.oakridgenc.com or call Town Hall, (336) 644-7009.

TUESDAY, MARCH 1

ness professionals with networking opportunities, and finds ways to serve the community. Learn more at www.summerfieldmerchant.com, or email info@summerfieldmerchant.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2  Hotdog drive-thru | Gideon Grove United Meth-

odist Church at 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road in Stokesdale will host a free hotdog drive-thru March 2, 5 to 6 p.m. More info: (336) 643-6042.  Friends of Stokesdale meeting | Friends of

Stokesdale, a nonprofit committed to preserving Stokesdale’s downtown charm, invites those with similar interests to its monthly meeting March 2, 7 to 8 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. For more info, visit the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/friendsofstokesdale or call Joe Thacker, president, at (336) 708-0334.

THURSDAY, MARCH 3  Town Council meeting | Oak Ridge Town Council

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CRIME / INCIDENT report

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has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest/northern Guilford County ... ASSAULT Feb. 2 | A 30-year-old female was arrested for simple assault and injury to personal property and a 36-yearold male was arrested for assault on a female at 2:53 a.m. in the 7700 block of Crabtree Valley Court in northwest Greensboro (off N.C. 150 W). Feb. 2 | Law enforcement officers responded to an assault incident involving a physical altercation at 1 p.m. in the 1500 block of Curfman Road in northwest Greensboro (near Lake Brandt Road). Feb. 3 | Officers responded to an assault incident involving personal weapons at 6:10 p.m. in the 7900 block of Thoroughbred Drive in Summerfield (near Scalesville Road). Feb. 4 | Officers responded to an assault incident involving a physical altercation at 9:38 p.m. in the 6200 block of Tether Court in Summerfield (near the intersection of N.C. 150 W and Lake Brandt Road). Feb. 5 | A 41-year-old male was arrested at 11:38 p.m. in the 2200 block of Scalesville Road in Summerfield for assault with a deadly weapon, assault intending to inflict serious injury – strangulation, two counts of assault on a female, kidnapping and first-degree burglary.

Colfax reported an unknown suspect used a stolen credit card to purchase four orange Norton gas saws with silver diamond blades, worth $3,500 altogether.

INJURED ANIMAL Feb. 3 | Officers responded to a report of an injured deer in the 8000 block of Linville Road/N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge. Feb. 6 | Officers responded to a report of an injured animal in the 1700 block of Scalesville Road in Summerfield. Feb. 12 | Officers responded to a report of an injured animal in the 8000 block of Witty Road in Summerfield.

OVERDOSE Feb. 7 | Officers responded to a report of a drug overdose at 7 p.m. in the 4300 block of Menfro Place in northwest Greensboro (near Pleasant Ridge Road). Feb. 9 | Officers responded to a report of a drug overdose at 5:18 a.m. in the 8300 block of Spotswood Road in Summerfield (off U.S. 158).

RECOVERY OF FOUND/ STOLEN PROPERTY

Feb. 6 | Officers discovered a Ruger LC9 handgun with an extended magazine, seven 9mm bullets and a gun holster in the 3500 block of Edgefield Road in northwest Greensboro.

Feb. 12 | Officers responded to an assault incident involving alcohol and personal weapons at 9:26 p.m. in the 3400 block of Edgefield Road in northwest Greensboro.

Feb. 13 | During a traffic stop in the 7500 block of Shadyside Drive in Summerfield (near the intersection of Pleasant Ridge Road and Summerfield Road), officers recovered a black Kaufman trailer worth $2,000 that had been stolen.

Feb. 4 | An employee of M & N Construction Supply on Norcross Road in

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Feb. 1 | Officers recovered a red/ white trailer worth $8,000 that had been stolen from EPES Transport System on Edgefield Court in northwest Greensboro.

Feb. 11 | A resident of the 7700 block of Eversfield Road in Summerfield (off Oak Ridge Road) reported at 2:40 a.m. a known suspect pointed a handgun at her.

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WakeHealth.edu Family Medicine—Summerfield 4431 US Highway 220 North Summerfield, NC 27358 336-643-7711

Pediatrics—Greensboro 802 Green Valley Road Suite 210 Greensboro, NC 27408 336-510-5510

Adult Urgent Care—Pisgah Church Brenner Children’s Urgent Care—Pisgah Church 2005 Pisgah Church Road Greensboro, NC 27455 336-716-9150

The Northwest Observer ...continued on p. 41 • Totally local since 1996

FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

GRINS and GRIPES

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community? Share your thoughts in online: nwobserver.com

words or less

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

 Oak Ridge Fire Department for coming to our home and finding the problem when our carbon monoxide detector went off on a very cold night. You are loved and appreciated!  The lady, originally from Chicago, who paid for my manicure/pedicure at LA Nails of Oak Ridge – what a fantastic birthday surprise! I passed the kindness on with flowers for an injured friend.

 The folks who have supported Hundred Acre Farm and their products since the beginning. Thank you for supporting local small businesses!  Ms. Cox at Northwest Middle School for supporting students at AllDistrict Band. Only six GCS schools, including NWMS, Northern and Kernodle, had students attend. We are so blessed to have Ms. Cox at NWMS. She is caring and makes band fun.  The lady who was ahead of my husband and me in the drive-thru at Zaxby’s on New Garden on Feb. 6 who

paid for our lunch. We don’t know who you are, but your kindness was appreciated. We will pay it forward.  The many Food Lion customers making our jobs easier, helping bring carts in when the weather is icy, turning prices up for scanning, and letting a special needs child ring up your groceries. So proud to serve you all!  The two fathers who happily offered to take our girl to the DaddyDaughter dance at Oak Ridge when her own daddy had an unexpected emergency. Thank you, MB and BB – we are truly blessed!  The Jumping Bean in Summerfield, for marking 10 years of serving delicious coffee, treats, and wide smiles to those in Summerfield and far beyond. We love you and your team, Kevin, and are so glad to have you in our community!  Kelly Neal for helping out with the giant slides! The neighborhood will miss you.  The Chinese community for the

generous food drive for the Guilford Backpack Ministry.

 David Couch for his proposed plans to ruin the charm of Summerfield with his development plan. We moved here to get away from what you want to build. I see a boycott of your businesses is in order.  The driver of the dark gray SUV who turned down Autumn Gate during ORE drop-off, saw a line, took a radical U-turn and destroyed the grass on both sides of the street. We should start a Walmart-esque “Parents of ORE” website.  Those who gripe because the store shelves are empty. Why do we have them open seven days a week? Close them on Sundays so employees can have time to go to church.  ORES PTO members for disingenuously “encouraging adherence to Guilford County mask mandates”

Choose your nearest location, and stop in today to experience the Tire Max difference! Stokesdale

7705 Highway 68 N (336) 642-3580

High Point

619 Greensboro Road (336) 827-9112

FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Summerfield

4420 US Highway 220N (336) 810-8250

High Point

2410 Eastchester Dr (336) 842-0212

Madison

706 Burton Street (336) 642-3460

Eden

406 N. Bridge Street (336) 864-6606

at the Daddy/Daughter dance but not setting the example by wearing masks during the event.  David Couch. So willing to risk some of his millions to develop affordable housing to prevent Summerfield from getting sued. I wonder if he has an affordable apartment in Irving Park?

Outside the

…

The following reader-submitted GRIPE has been separated from the other grins and gripes as a courtesy to those who do not want to read opinions on nonlocal topics in a local newspaper.

GRIPES to...

 The griper who blamed without evidence the president for empty shelves and inflation, ignoring the global nature of pandemic-related trade disruptions and production shortfalls. Educate yourself before parroting what you hear from politically motivated pundits and showmen.

It’s HERE... 2022

LETTERS/OPINIONS

Submit your letters (maximum 350 words) online: nwobserver.com e-mail: editor@nwobserver.com Include your name, daytime phone number and name of community. Letters from the same writer will be published no more than every 30 days.

Council is obligated to consider citizens’ requests Over the past week many citizens have reached out through email, text and phone concerning the text amendment filed last Tuesday with the town of Summerfield. This text amendment is once again a request for a special zoning district. To keep citizens up to speed, I want to explain the steps that will take place before our council eventually votes on the text amendment. First, any citizen can file a request for our Planning Board to consider. It is the board’s responsibility to review the request, hold a public hearing to get citizen input, and then make a recommendation to the town council. The council then has the responsibility to consider the Planning Board’s recommendation, independently review and discuss the request, hold another public hearing, and then ultimately vote on whether to approve the request. What developer/property owner David Couch did last week by formally submitting his request to our staff was merely the first step in the process.

by published

Look for it in mailboxes and newspaper racks throughout northwest Guilford County this week!

I want to emphasize that neither our staff nor our town council went out seeking this text amendment request to consider. Staff and

council must, however, fulfill our legal responsibility to hear an idea or request from any citizen – in this case, David Couch. Mr. Couch invited us to visit a planned development with features similar to those he is proposing, and after discussion and input from our town attorney, and consulting with other mayors, we accepted his invitation to help us better understand this project. I also discussed this last month in our town council meeting so our citizens were aware of our plans. This trip was for informational purposes only, and the only thing Mr. Couch supplied was transportation. As we move forward in the process, I assure you we will be transparent and seek input from all citizens. We are considering at least one, and possibly two public informational meetings so citizens can both offer their input as well as ask questions. Please be patient throughout this process. We are hearing you, your input is valuable to us and it will make a difference in our eventual vote. Tim Sessoms, mayor SUMMERFIELD

stay connected to your neighbors

/NorthwestObserver

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

CRIME/INCIDENTS ...continued from p. 39

THEFT Jan. 31 | A resident of the 200 block of N. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax reported an unknown suspect stole a blue/brown Smith & Wesson revolver worth $300 from his vehicle. Feb. 7 | An employee of AAA Self Storage on Pleasant Ridge Road in northwest Greensboro reported between Feb. 6 and Feb. 7 a known suspect stole a customer’s Microsoft Surface Pro tablet worth $800 and also damaged his red 2016 Toyota Corolla. Feb. 8 | An employee of The Garden Outlet on U.S. 220 N in Summerfield reported between Feb. 5 and Feb. 8 an unknown suspect shoplifted a brass vase worth $5,000. Feb. 13 | A resident of the 6000 block of Armfield Court in Summerfield (off Brookbank Road) reported an unknown suspect caused about $1,200 worth of damage to his back door and his alarm system by breaking into the residence, then stole $4,000 cash from a safe.

VANDALISM

Feb. 10 | An employee of Summerfield Town Hall reported an unknown suspect damaged items on the property including some of the bushes and other landscaping, a fence, a concrete wheel stop and a railroad tie; the damage was estimated at $1,750.

District 1 Sheriff’s Office 7504 Summerfield Road Main number: (336) 641-2300 For non-emergency incidents: (336) 373-2222 • 8 a.m.–5 p.m., M-F

https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/ our-county/sheriff-s-office

emergency:

dial 911

FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

OAK RIDGE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING ...continued from p. 9

feel” design guidebook and architectural services for the historic Redmon house, as well as the development of Veterans Honor Green construction plans by Revington Reeves. In addition, Bruce said, consulting expenses have exceeded the $40,000 in this year’s budget because of unbudgeted projects initiated by the council, such as hiring Wooten Co. to prepare a water-for-firefighting study.

PUBLIC COMMENTS  Matthew Schneider, husband of the town’s mayor, Ann Schneider, urged the council to continue resisting Guilford County’s COVID-related indoor mandates, the latest of which took effect Jan. 13. A week earlier, the mayors of Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale said a majority of their town council members opposed the reinstatement of the mandate and declined to support an emergency declaration by Commission Chairman Skip Alston. A Jan. 13 vote by the commission put the mandate back in place countywide. Schneider, associate dean of the School of Humanities and Behavioral

Sciences and professor of English at High Point University, commended the Oak Ridge town council for “standing up for science and liberty and resisting propaganda and overreaction.” “I urge this council to continue to resist the county’s hysterical and superstitious mask mandates which do nothing to slow the spread of this disease,” Schneider said. “Masks are good for spreading fear to children and cowing adults into abject submission, which is apparently what the county commissioners want.” Mandating the wearing of masks “helps to rob our children of the experience of a normal, happy childhood,” Schneider continued. It worsens anxiety among children, interferes with their education and socialization and contributes to a rising number of suicide attempts by teens, he added.  Danny O’Connor urged the council to support Northwest Guilford High School PTSO’s Mobile Makeover project, which seeks to refurbish 24 mobile classrooms on the school’s campus. After visiting the classrooms, O’Connor said he was “appalled” by their condition, which shows the “dire need” for improvements. “The schools are great, but it’s because of the teachers and the administration that are in the individual

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.

FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

Later in the meeting, council members spoke to O’Connor’s concerns.

FINANCIAL UPDATE  5  0 to authorize a budget transfer of $1,767 to cover higher insurance costs for town staff through June 30.

COMMUNITY UPDATES Planning and Zoning Board. The board reported Jason Streck was recently elected as chairman and Nancy Stoudemire as vice chair. Mountains-to-Sea Trail Committee. Pittman said the committee is evaluating the next locations for extending the trail northwest of town. Conservation Easement Committee. Chair Stephanie Farrell said the committee heard presentations from representatives of Piedmont Land Conservancy and Preservation North Carolina to help the group gain a better understanding of the conservation easement process. The committee is preparing materials to post on the town’s website that will explain the process, Farrell said. An open house is also being planned for residents to learn more about conservation easements.

Special Events Committee. Chair Patti Dmuchowski reported the committee is preparing to sell engraved sidewalk bricks as part of fundraising for the Veterans Honor Green in Heritage Farm Park. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The board reported it discussed a strategy recommended by Parks and Recreation Director Terry Lannon to deter possible after-hours criminal activity and vandalism at Town Park.

Oak Ridge Elementary School. Principal Penny Loschin reported that students and staff are engaged in several projects, including collecting coats for needy children and celebrating Black History Month. Oak Ridge Youth Association. Randy Collins, ORYA’s community relations director, said registration is underway for the spring season for baseball, softball and lacrosse.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Mayor Schneider, Mayor Pro Tem Kinneman and council members Pittman and McClellan spoke about the poor conditions of some school buildings countywide, including the mobile classrooms at Northwest Guilford High School.  “As a town, we are not able to contribute to a school,” Schneider said. Instead, town leaders are sharing information about the Mobile Makeover activities. Schneider and McClellan praised the efforts of the high school’s PTSO (Parent, Teacher, Student, Organization) for initiating the Mobile Makeover project. The mayor described them as “a group of enterprising PTSO moms… doing what the county ought to be doing.”  McClellan said the PTSO is “the hero.” “It is disturbing that local business people are paying the bills for something that rightly belongs to the county,” the mayor said.  Pittman said she plans to use her position as “a bully pulpit” to advocate for the Mobile Makeover project and for improvements to schools countywide.

John Browning and John Garrett were reelected as board co-chairs.

 Kinneman added that “we all belong to organizations that can help out.”

Residents were reminded that dogs in Town Park and Heritage Farm Park must be on leashes.

“No student should have to learn inside of a dilapidated trailer; nor should any teacher have to teach under such conditions,” McClellan said. “I believe the school board has no credibility. The blame must go squarely on them.”

Historic Preservation Commission. The commission reported it’s preparing to meet with a graphic designer as it continues working on a book about The Northwest Observer •historic Totallyproperties local since 1996 in Oak Ridge.

(336) 412-7580 | volunteerforgal.org

schools, and the students,” he said.

With no further council comments, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

 AUTO SALES & SERVICE

 EMPLOYMENT

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

The TOWN OF OAK RIDGE is accepting applications for a part-time Parks & Recreation groundskeeper. Up to 25 hrs./wk. $13/hr. Very ﬂexible schedule required, including weekends. Applicants must have clean NCDL and ability to pass background check. Candidates should submit an application (can be found online at www.oakridgenc.com under the "Employment" tab) to tlannon@oakridgenc.com or at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road (M-F, 8:30am-4:30pm).

RIDGE SHRIMP & OYSTER in Oak Ridge is hiring cooks, servers and dishwashers. Please stop in between 3-5pm, Tuesday thru Sunday, or email info@ridgeshrimpandoyster.com.

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.

JOIN OUR TEAM. Texturing, twisting, extrusion, spinning, quality testing. We value your experience and knowledge to help us fill in our flexible, part-time weekend coverage or scheduled, fulltime positions at our Greensboro facility. Small crews; clean, temperaturecontrolled, friendly work environment. If you are interested, please send your resumé/contact info to us at HRNC@hempblack.com.

Place online at

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

NEED HELP?

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

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

 CHILDCARE AVAILABLE MT. PISGAH WEEKDAY SCHOOL. Open enrollment for 2022/2023 school year. Toddler-PreK. mpws@mtpisgahgso.org.

INDEX Auto Sales & Service ........ 43 Childcare Available .......... 43 Employment .................... 43 Estate Sale ...................... 43 Yard Sale......................... 43 Save The Date................. 44 Consignment Sales .......... 44 Home Services ...........44-46 Misc. Services .................. 46 Misc. For Sale .................. 46 Misc. Wanted .................. 46 Real Estate ...................... 46

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.

LAND SURVEYING CREW MEMBER position available. Previous experience is preferred but not required. Career opportunity. Please call to set up interview, (336) 275-8084, or visit www.hughcreedassociates.com. EXPERIENCED SEAMSTRESS needed to sew high-end pillows. Work from home position. Send contact info to joe@oakridgesamplecompany.com. 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.

for community updates!

facebook/northwestobserver

 EMPLOYMENT

 ESTATE SALE

YOUTH PROGRAM director/teacher. Parttime, 10 hours per week. Peace United Church of Christ. Send letter of interest and resumé to Reverendtom65@gmail.com.

ESTATE SALE. Saturday, February 19, 7:30am-2pm. 7405 Whitaker Ct, Summerﬁeld. Furniture, tools, equipment, household goods.

TRUCK DRIVER for AM Transport Group in Greensboro. National loads vary MonSun. Valid CDL or willing to obtain at own expense. Pay 45-50 cpm. Contact us at HR.AMTransport@gmail.com. MT. PISGAH WEEKDAY SCHOOL is looking for substitute teachers for the current school year and Fall 2022. mpws@mtpisgahgso.org.

HIRING? nwobserver.com

CARSON DELLOSA EDUCATION is hiring full-time and/or part-time seasonal assembly associates to assist with the assembly of our product. Candidates must be 16 years of age and be able to lift up to 40 pounds. Potential to earn a $250 gift card for referring a friend. Interested applicants should contact Angela Goas at (336) 808-3225 between 7:30am and 4:00pm, Monday-Friday.

The Northwest Observer • Totally The Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal sincesince 19961996

 YARD SALE DOUBLE YARD SALE! Saturday, Feb. 19, 8am-noon. 5169 Carlson Dairy Rd., Summerfield. Make an offer on it! Furniture, grill, fridge, tools, kids' stuff. 5740 Bunch Rd., Oak Ridge. Furniture, appliances, clothes, tools, kitchen, electronics, any & everything else.

continued on p. 44

FEB. 1717 - MARCH 2, 2, 2022 FEB. - MARCH 2022

43 43

SAVE THE DATE/ CONSIGNMENT SALE

CONSIGNMENT SALE

HOME SERVICES

KIDS CONSIGNMENT SALE. Fri., Mar. 4, 9am-8pm; Sat., Mar. 5, 8am-1pm. Some items 50% off on Sat. St. Paul's Catholic Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road, GSO, www.stpaulskidssale.com.

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.

LOW-COST GARAGE DOORS. Repair and sales. 35 years exp. (336) 207-1003.

HOME SERVICES AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING A-ACTION AIR. Heating checkup, $69.95. Call (336) 268-6768 or (336) 382-3750.

CLEANING

trinitytotstoteens.wordpress.com

Spring Sale Friday, Mar. 11

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. ANNASARAH'S CLEANING. Excellent references. Trustworthy. Family owned business. Free estimates. (336) 543-3941.

Saturday, Mar. 12 8 am - 1 pm

THE CLEANING TECHNICIAN LLC. Back in business. Spring cleaning is just around the corner. I would like to offer my cleaning services. I do detailed cleaning. Licensed, bonded, insured and vaccinated. Call Lisa, (336) 207-0770.

Want to declutter and make some cash?

KC CLEANING & PAINTING. Deep, basic, move-in/out clean; interior paint and decks. Free estimates. 20 yrs. exp. (336) 604 -3249.

9 am - 7 pm

• Consignors can earn up to 70% of sales • Sale proceeds benefit Trinity Preschool • Unsold items are donated to Freedom House

Facebook & InstagramTrinity Tots to Teens

Trinity Covenant Church 5200 W. Friendly Ave., GSO Trinity Tots to Teens

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 CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING Gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. windowcleaningnc.com.(336) 595-2873.

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

44 FEB. FEB. - MARCH 2022 1717 - MARCH 2, 2, 2022

ELECTRICAL CKH ELECTRIC, LLC. Give us a call for your next residential, commercial, or industrial project. Free estimates. Licensed, insured, and BBB accredited. (336) 414-4899. BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC. Residential, commercial and solar electrical services. (336) 298-4192. Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? It's portable generator season. Call Coble Electric LLC at (336) 209-1486.

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.

“No Job Too Small” Wood Rot Repairs • Bathroom Remodeling Painting • Decks and much more! • Insured

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 FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, generators, power washers, 4-wheelers, ATVs, golf carts, tools, electrical and metal items, etc. (336) 689-4167. AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350. CLOCK SERVICE. Free house calls for sick clocks. 8103 Windspray Dr., Summerfield. (336) 643-9931. 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. APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707. MCGEE'S HANDYMAN SERVICES. Water damaged wood replacement, bath room remodel, decks and much more. Call (336) 4231259.

TheThe Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal sincesince 19961996 Northwest Observer • Totally

(336) 669-7252

oldschoolsjhr@triad.rr.com

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

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

www.nwobserver.com

 HOME SERVICES

H&L GRADING, LLC. No job too tough or too small. Call us ﬁrst! We are a full service grading company that specializes in residential projects. Owner/Operator Timmy Hart has more than 30 years of grading and equipment experience. Fully licensed and insured. Land clearing, debris removal, driveways, French drains and much more. Call Bobby Lipstreu, (336) 543-7867.

SOUTHERN CUTZ LAWN CARE, oﬀering complete lawn maintenance services & bush hogging. Nathan Adkins, (336) 430-6086.

SOUTHERN STYLE Concrete & Landscape. 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.

BEK Paint Co.

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS

GUTTERS / SIDING / WINDOWS

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

• References Available • Licensed & Insured • All Work Guaranteed

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.

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.

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. (336) 643-9157. STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. FREE est. 40+ years experience. Lots & natural area thinning & cleanup, large shrubbery jobs. Seasoned ﬁrewood delivered. Oak Ridge. (336) 643-1119.

MASONRY

CM STUMP GRINDING, LLC. Family owned and operated. Commercial/residential. Free quotes! (336) 317-4600. 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.

JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, outbuildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc. Also can haul mulch. Call (336) 706-8470.

PAINTING & DRYWALL

working in NW Guilford County since 1999

Residential • Commercial • Licensed & Insured

Available 7 days/week

emergencies, parties, preparing for guests, etc.

Owner: Carlos Ruiz

The Northwest Observer

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.

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

336.669.5210 ● carlospainting14@live.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 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. 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.

Residential & Commercial David & Judy Long, owners

(336) 931-0600

BEKPaintCompany.com

PLUMBING 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. SIGNATURE PLUMBING. Local, experienced, clean, and work is guaranteed. Please call (336) 279-6196.

PRESSURE WASHING

FREE ESTIMATES

Keeping you connected since 1996!

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING

 HOME SERVICES

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

PRESSURE WASHING, gutter & window cleaning. Fully insured. Crystal Clear, www. windowcleaningnc.com or (336) 595-2873.

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION ORTIZ REMODELING – Total restoration & home improvement. Drywall, painting, kitchen cabinets, interior trim & more. Free estimates. (336) 280-8981. PAINTING, DECKS AND MORE. Call Premier Construction for free estimates. (336) 430-9507.

continued on p. 46

WE’LL BE BACK IN PRINT MARCH 3 To place a DISPLAY AD in our next issue, contact Laura:

(336) 644-7035, ext. 11 | advertising@nwobserver.com

The Northwest Observer • Totally 1996 The Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal sincesince 1996

FEB. 1717 - MARCH 2, 2, 2022 FEB. - MARCH 2022

 HOME SERVICES

Of The Triad

The Bathroom of Your Dreams in as Little as a Day

 HOME SERVICES

 MISC. FOR SALE

JLB REMODELING, INC. Remodeling and additions. Fully insured. NC GC license #69997. Free est. Call (336) 681-2902 or visit www.jlbremodeling.com.

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

SEASONED FIREWOOD. Any size load delivered or you pick up. Steve Newman Tree Service. Call (336) 643-1119.

(336) 497-0765

Services TM Construction , INC

NCGC License #84330

BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS

www.BathPlanetTriad.com

Bathroom and kitchen

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

AMERICAN BUILDER CONSTRUCTION. Repairs & remodeling, kitchens/baths, additions, decks, attics, basements. Licensed & insured. Short wait list. NC general contractors. (336) 225-7478.

NC Gen. Contractor #72797

tmcsi.net

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.

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.

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

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46 FEB. - MARCH 2022 46 FEB. 1717 - MARCH 2, 2, 2022

$$$ – WILL PAY CASH for your junk / wrecked vehicle. For quote, call (336) 552-0328. YARN NEEDED to make children's hats for Samaritan's Purse Shoebox Ministry. Call Beth, (336) 644-8155. FABRIC NEEDED for Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox Ministry to make dresses and skirts for girls. Cotton fabrics work best, any amount. Also need buttons, ribbon, lace trimming, elastic and thread. Call Beth, (336) 644-8155.

LAND FOR SALE

locally owned & operated 6705 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale

Didn’t get your NWO?

FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, generators, power washers, 4-wheelers, ATVs, golf carts, tools, electrical and metal items, etc. (336) 689-4167.

 REAL ESTATE

ROOFING DUSTIN CLINARD ROOFING. Shingles, metal, and leak repairs. Call (336) 268-1908

 MISC. WANTED

(336) 643-9963 (affiliated with Stokesdale Storage)

 MISC. FOR SALE HONDA GX390 portable generator, Craftsman 46” riding mower/steel cart, weed eater, chainsaws, Husqvarna blowers, power/yard tools, tools, outdoor table/4chairs, gas grill. (336) 643-5818. FOR SALE. 264-gal. totes, food grade plastic, $200 ea.; 59-gal. closed head drums, food grade plastic, $40 ea. At Stoneﬁeld Cellars Winery. Thur.-Sat., 12-6pm. (336) 644-9908. SEASONED FIREWOOD, delivered and stacked, 1/2 cord, $90. Call (336) 686-6373. SEASONED FIREWOOD. $80/pickup truck load, delivered & stacked. (336) 253-7615.

TheThe Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal sincesince 19961996 Northwest Observer • Totally

HOMESITE. 6108 Gwynedd Rd, Summerﬁeld. 1.3 acres. Perked for 4 BD. Stunning home presentation. Info on site. $85,000. (336) 643-7071.

LAND WANTED WANTED: LAND. We buy land! Any shape, size, location considered. Cash money! Please call (336) 430-9507 anytime.

SELLING or RENTING?

We can help you reach ALL of northwest Guilford County! Call (336) 644-7035, ext. 11, or place your ad online at

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By the Book Accounting ...................... 15 Carlotta Lytton, CPA............................38 Kimberly Thacker Accounting..............38 Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC......... 8

AUTOMOTIVE SALES / SERVICE

Beamer Tire & Auto ............................ 10 EuroHaus ........................................3, 43 Piedmont Truck Tires........................... 22 Tire Max..............................................40

BANK / LENDING

NFM Lending ........................................ 4

BUILDING / REMODELING

Bath Planet ......................................... 46 Disney Construction Company............. 25 Don Mills Builders ................................ 19 Johnson & Lee, LLC............................. 24 Old School Home Repair.....................44 R&K Custom Homes ...........................29 Ray Bullins Construction ...................... 23 Superior Outdoor Spaces..................... 21 TM Construction Services ....................46 Walraven Signature Homes ................. 23

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Elvis Mendoza In-Home Massage........38

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

BEK Paint Company ............................ 45 Carlos & Son Painting.......................... 45 Carpets by Direct ................................. 27 CharCo Concrete Coatings .................. 45 New Garden Landscaping & Nursery ..20 Rymack Storage .................................. 46 Stokesdale Heating & Air..................... 14 Wilson Seamless Gutters ..................... 45

INSURANCE

LEGAL SERVICES

Barbour & Williams Law ........................ 2

MEDICAL / HEARING / PT

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS

DENTAL SERVICES

Summerfield Family Dentistry .............. 31

EVENTS

Trinity Covenant Preschool Sale ...........44

EVENT VENUE

The Gardens at Gray Gables ...............38

IT’S TIME to reserve your ad space!

Gladwell Insurance Agency ................. 12

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Merchants of Oak Ridge .....................34 Oak Ridge Lions Club ..........................34 Summerfield Merchants Association...... 6

edition

Southern Foods ................................... 37

ORTHODONTIC CARE

The Jumping Bean ................................ 3

2022

GROCERIES / SUPPLIES

COFFEE

Guardian Ad Litem .............................. 42

Spring

Forbis & Dick Stokesdale ............... 13, 15

CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Phil Byrd for Sheriff .............................. 11

March 31

FUNERAL SERVICES

Aim Hearing & Audiology...................... 2 Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist ..... 39 Atrium Health WFB, Summerfield .......36 Health Team Advantage ....................... 5 LeBauer HealthCare.............................. 7

CANDIDATES

Coming

Olmsted Orthodontics ......................... 32 Northwest Animal Hospital .................. 28

REAL ESTATE

A New Dawn Realty ............................ 15 Carolina Real Estate Pathways............. 26 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX ....................30 Smith Marketing – Allen Tate Realtors. 23

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

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

YOUTH SPORTS / PROGRAMS

Oak Ridge Youth Association .............. 32 The Northwest Observer9 • YMCA of Greensboro ............................

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FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

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Nate Feeney, Stokesdale resident and 30-year native of northwest Guilford County, is currently in Bangkok, Thailand. While Nate is experiencing many new “tastes” in Thailand, his “taste of home” comes from reading the Northwest Observer. Nate is pictured here kneeling down beside a jackfruit tree, commonly found throughout Thailand. Jackfruits grow directly in a tree’s trunk, not on the branches, and can weigh up to 85 pounds. The taste of a jackfruit is similar to a mixture of banana, pineapple and mango. It is used in many Thai dishes and jackfruit honey tea is very popular!

Paul and Jacki Bourgeois smile big in Nigril, Jamaica, where they celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary. Like most northwest Guilford County residents, Paul and Jacki know the best celebrations include the Northwest Observer!

Going near or far? Be sure to pack up your Northwest Observer and send us your NWO on the go photos! Email your high-res photo to : photos@nwobserver.com