Economic development, park expansion and an influx of pandemic relief money topped the news in Summerfield, Oak Ridge and Stokesdale last year. Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of some of the key local issues we covered…
Boom Supersonic, a startup aviation company, selected Piedmont Triad International Airport as the location for a $500 million factory to manufacture passenger jets traveling faster than sound.
Construction on 65 acres along Interstate 73 is slated to start later this year, with production of planes commencing in 2024. The Denverbased company said it will create more than 2,400 jobs over the next decade.
An open house of dilapidated mobile classrooms at Northwest Guilford High School bolstered efforts by the school’s Parent,
Boom’s founder and CEO Blake Scholl speaks to reporters during a ceremony at PTI Airport in Greensboro on Dec. 13 (2022). “We have our work cut out for us,” he told reporters, referring to the company’s timeline for teaming up with three companies to produce the engine to power a passenger jet fl ying faster than the speed of sound. Boom plans to start production in 2024, followed by the rollout of the jet in 2026 and its first fl ight a year later. The company hopes to win Federal Aviation Administration certification of the plane in 2029.
Teacher, Student Organization (PTSO) to line up sponsors to refurbish the trailers.
The “Mobile Makeover”
project proved successful, with then-PTSO President Melissa Stallings and other volunteers
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Preview: Oak Ridge Town Council meeting, Jan. 5
The council’s deliberations follow its decision in October to seek a consultant to advance planning for the construction of infrastructure of Oak Ridge’s municipal water system. The council also instructed town staff to secure a letter of commitment from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities to supply water to Oak Ridge.
Erecting an elevated tank supplied by water from a neighboring municipality was the recommendation of the town’s Water Advisory Committee. Earlier, a study by consultant Wooten Co. also raised a second possibility –tapping groundwater in Oak Ridge to supply 30,000-gallon above-ground tanks around town.
In other business, the council has scheduled a public hearing related to a rezoning request for 26.7 acres on N.C. 68 south of Linville Road. Property owner William Clayton is seeking rezoning of the property from CU-TC-R (conditional use – town core – residential) to CZ-AG (conditional zoning – agricultural).
In an interview earlier this week, Clayton said he plans to build a home for his family on the property.
In September 2021, the Oak Ridge resident bought the wooded property, which contains a roughly three-acre pond, from the Israel Family Limited Partnership, according to the deed filed online with Guilford County.
Earlier, the Israel family had agreed
to sell the land to developer Paul Milam. He proposed to build as many as 48 townhouses and twin homes aimed at people 55 years and older. Milam abandoned the project in 2019.
Separately, the council plans to consider matching private donations to the Veterans Honor Green which were made during the final three months of 2022. Starting last year, the council committed to an annual funding match of $34,000 toward the veterans’ site planned for Heritage Farm Park.
With the town’s fourth-quarter match, fundraising totals about $150,000, according to Patti Dmuchowski, chair of the town’s Special Events Committee, which is spearheading efforts to develop the veterans’ site.
In addition, the council plans to consider adopting a resolution proclaiming 2023 as the “Year of the Trail,” as designated by the state legislature.
Boosted by “thousands of hours of volunteer labor,” Oak Ridge has invested about $500,000 in trails, such as the Headwaters Trail, part of the statewide Mountains-to-Sea Trail, according to the resolution to be read by Mayor Ann Schneider.
The council also plans to consider reappointing Tammy Gardner to the Planning and Zoning Board, representing the town’s northern extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), as well as Stuart Mease and Jim Harton to the Finance Committee.
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In his latest proposal, landowner David Couch is betting Summerfield’s Planning Board and Town Council will be open to fewer apartments
by CHRIS BURRITTSUMMERFIELD – Will Summerfield leaders be more receptive to landowner David Couch’s proposal to build about 600 apartments – half the number the Town Council rejected last year?
Couch, owner of Summerfield Farms, is preparing to find out when he returns to the town’s Planning Board on Thursday, Jan. 26. Town staff is relocating the board’s meeting from Summerfield Community Center to Summerfield First Baptist Church in anticipation of a big turnout and a large number of speakers during a public hearing on Couch’s proposal.
The board will forward its recommendation to the Town Council for a final decision on whether to approve Couch’s request for a text amendment to Summerfield’s development rules. Last April, the council voted 4-1 to deny the developer’s request, reflecting council member Janelle Robinson’s belief that “the overwhelming majority of you don’t want apartments and high density.”
During remarks before the council’s vote last April, Couch didn’t sway opposition, even though he made a last-ditch effort by offering to cut the number of apartments by half. Since then, he’s twice repeated the concession – in his new text amendment application last May and in a Dec. 20 letter to Summerfield’s council members.
Couch wants to transform his 973 acres that span across town into the Villages of Summerfield Farms, a collection of 11 neighborhoods
with small businesses and a mix of housing such as apartments, duplexes, cottages, traditional single-family houses and luxury homes.
“We have not changed our overall vision for this strategically located grouping of development sites,” Couch wrote last month to Summerfield council members. “But we have revised the text amendment in response to listening to Town Council, the Planning Board, and to Summerfield residents.”
Without identifying the locations, Couch said he would build apartments in two places. That’s down from four sites in his previous application, which proposed complexes at three corners of the Interstate 73 and N.C. 150 interchange and a fourth between Summerfield and Pleasant Ridge roads.
After conducting a mailing in November to about 4,800 Summerfield property owners who were asked to take an online survey, Couch said respondents in the “Let’s Talk Summerfield” survey expressed “overwhelming support for careful and managed growth. The responses received verify that we are on the right track with the revisions we have made and confirm what we have already learned.”
The survey has collected more than a third of the goal of 1,000 responses, according to Misty McCall, executive director of development for Villages of Summerfield Farms. She urged others to complete the survey at the link letstalksummerfield.com.
In his letter to Summerfield’s council last month, Couch addressed criticism by individuals and groups such as Stand Up For Summerfield. On its Facebook page, the group has urged the council to reject Couch’s request for the creation of a new zoning district in the town’s unified development ordinance (UDO).
Opponents are “asking that our current UDO be upheld and no
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I heard the county school board recently turned down requests by some Northern Guilford High School (NGHS) parents to restrict two sexually graphic books in the school’s library.
I remember the debate last spring about one of the books, “Salvage the Bones.” What’s the deal with the second book?
We checked with the Guilford County Board of Education and you are correct. “Salvage the Bones” and “Life is Funny” remain as reading options for NGHS students despite objections by some parents that the books are pornographic and inappropriate for teenagers.
The board voted in late November to retain “Salvage the Bones” as an option on the school’s AP English reading list. In a second vote Dec. 8, the board decided to keep “Life is Funny” in the school’s library.
The two votes by the board represented a third failure by parents to limit the availability of the two books to students. First, an advisory committee at the school and, second, a school district-wide committee decided the books don’t meet standards for removal – which would include that they are
“educationally unsuitable,” “pervasively vulgar” and inappropriate for the age, maturity or grade level of students.
Parents objected to sexually graphic scenes in the two coming-ofage novels. Jesmyn Ward’s “Salvage the Bones” depicts a poor Black teenage girl in rural Mississippi in the days before and after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. In “Life is Funny,” author E.R. Frank tells interconnected stories about teens growing up in Brooklyn.
After reading a sexually graphic scene from “Life is Funny” marked with vulgarity, NGHS parent Jim Morris asked the board whether “you would watch this as a movie with your 14-year-old or read it out loud? Stories can be told and understood without going into such graphic detail.”
Morris recommended Northern
Guilford create an opt-in list for “all questionable materials in the media center,” with such books kept in a separate area. At the start of the school year, parents would be required to sign an opt-in form giving their minor children access to the materials.
“I’m not here to argue, fight, start a lawsuit or ban books,” he said. “I’m here to help come to an agreement on protecting minors, protecting parents’ rights and working with the school on this situation.”
Some board members pushed back during the two meetings.
“Life is Funny” is about “lived experiences; sex and sexual contact is lived experiences in teenagers,” District 5 school board member Deborah Napper, who represents NGHS, said during the Dec. 8 meeting.
District 1 board member Dianne Bellamy Small added, “We can’t hide life.”
Submit your questions about topics relevant to the northwest area online: nwobserver.com email: questions@ nwobserver.com
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Stokesdale Town Council will hold a special called meeting Thursday, Jan. 5, to present proposed town park improvements and seek
by PATTI STOKESSTOKESDALE – Citizens are invited to attend Stokesdale Town Council’s special called meeting on Thursday, Jan. 5, at 7 p.m. for a presentation of proposed town park improvements and a chance to ask questions and offer feedback on the proposed improvements.
Since the Town Park Improvement Committee (TPIC) was formed last July, committee members have met monthly to review responses to a park survey the town conducted in February 2020, and based on that, to develop a plan for how to move forward while getting the most “bang for the buck” out of
the portion of COVID relief funding the council allocated in this fiscal year’s budget for park improvements.
According to TPIC chair Tee Stephenson, the public forum on Jan. 5 will include a PowerPoint presentation that offers background information on the 2020 park survey and the citizen responses which committee members have used to prioritize proposed new park features and improvements.
“Part of the reason for the forum is that we recognize it has been three years since the survey was completed – public opinion changes, and the population has changed tremendously in the last three years,” Stephenson said in an interview this week. “This is an opportunity for citizens to review what we’re doing, as well as to say, ‘Hey, let’s do this … or let’s incorporate this into the plan.’ We’re trying to make the most efficient use of the funds, and we want to make sure –as much as possible – that we please as many people as possible before moving
forward, because once the wheels are in motion, it’s too late.”
The town was awarded $724,000 in COVID relief funds in 2021, half of which the council voted to allocate for park improvements and new features in this fiscal year ending June 30. Additionally, this past September the town received a $50,000 small town development grant from the state, bringing the total allocated for park improvements this fiscal year to $412,000. With that, the TPIC is focusing on four projects:
• Playground equipment. The committee proposes spending about $95,000 on playground equipment geared to children ages 5 to 12, which will complement what is currently available for younger children.
• Basketball courts. The cost estimate for six outdoor basketball courts, fencing and landscaping is $150,000.
• Amphitheater. The biggest ticket item by far is an amphitheater, at an estimated cost of $420,000 (not including landscaping; for this, the committee hopes to get civic involvement from nonprofit groups, businesses and individual volunteers). While the amphitheater cost wouldn’t be entirely covered in this fiscal year’s budget, the committee hopes the council will allocate more funds for park improvements in the FY 2023/24 budget.
• Nature trails. An additional $60,000 would be used for nature trails that will allow for hiking, walking and exercising on non-paved surfaces and provide a natural, scenic view.
After receiving citizen input at the public forum, mayor pro tem Derek Foy, who serves on the TPIC, hopes to present a formal request to the council at its Jan. 12 meeting to release requests for proposals and for qualifications for the playground equipment and basketball court projects.
“From there, we’ll work on preparing proposal requests for the amphitheater,”
...continued from p. 5
Stephenson said. “We want it to be a desirable destination venue where the elementary school can have events, the town can host music in the park events, and more. We want it to be the best it can be,” he emphasized.
“This money came from federal funds and if we don’t use it, we have to return it – so, we want to make the most efficient and the wisest use of this money, to benefit the most people as possible,” Stephenson said.
Attend the meeting and public forum on Jan. 5, 7 p.m., in person at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road, or view it on the Town of Stokesdale’s YouTube channel. Questions or comments may be directed to Tee Stephenson at tstephenson3@nc.rr.com or to deputy clerk Robbie Wagoner at deputyclerk@stokesdale.org.
In other business, a closed session is scheduled for the end of the special called meeting. According to the meeting agenda, the purpose is to “consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee; or, to hear or investigate a complaint, charge, or grievance by or against an individual public officer or employee.”
...continued from p. 3
apartments be permitted in Summerfield,” the group said on its Facebook post last May, its latest post.
In his letter to Summerfield’s council last month, Couch referenced the criticism and clarified what he called misinformation about the process that would ultimately allow him to develop his property.
As a first step, Couch is asking the council to amend the UDO to create a new zoning district, OSM-V, or open space mixed use – village. In exchange for higher-density housing, Couch has proposed preserving pastures, fields and other scenic views on his property, including Summerfield Farms.
Higher-density housing would require the extension of water and sewer services to the project, according to Couch. Villages of Summerfield Farms homeowners – not other Summerfield residents –would pay for the additional utilities, he said.
If the council approves the text amendment, Couch would be required to gain approval for rezoning of his property and negotiate a
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development agreement with Summerfield that would govern design and construction of his project. The process would trigger public hearings before the Planning Board and the council.
Couch also addressed a concern among some residents that he’d develop his property quickly, leading to pressure on schools and roads and threatening Summerfield’s rural character.
In his application, Couch said he’d build one apartment complex at a time. He added that he wouldn’t build apartments “immediately adjacent” to traditional subdivisions of single-family detached houses. Duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes wouldn’t fall under that restriction.
“Development of each area would then require detailed site planning and approvals with a 20- or more-year buildout,” he added in his letter to council members.
Summerfield’s Planning Board will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, to hear landowner David Couch’s text amendment request. The meeting will be held in Summerfield First Baptist Church’s community life center, 2300 Scalesville Road.
Reprinted from our Oct. 19, 2012, issue
Memories of an older Oak Ridge linger in the minds of those born and bred here, and to them, our rich history is especially dear.
Oak Ridge Military Academy, in its pastoral setting for 160 years, is a great source of pride. And bragging rights are surely in order for the beautiful Old Mill of Guilford, in use for more than two centuries. Older residents, not totally thumbs-down on progress, nevertheless are prone to reminisce about “how it used to be,” and wish for the uncomplicated life of earlier days.
Traffic congestion on Highway 68 at one time was unheard of – there was no need of a traffic light. Farmers carried their grain to the old mill via horse and wagon. Cars were so scarce on the area’s main country roads that children with roller skates could whiz up and down on the asphalt pavement without a care.
According to resident Richard Watkins, it was once safe to lie down, ear to the road, and listen for the vibrations of an approaching car. Folks might see only two vehicles in a day, and one of those was the mailman’s!
A popular “watering hole” in close proximity to the military school was Carolina Lake, long since gone, as are many fields where prolific crops once grew.
We’ve come a long way since the first one-room school was erected on a plot of land near the present Oak Ridge Swim Club. Incredibly, that acreage was purchased in 1902 by Guilford County from Mr. John Benbow for the large sum of $20!
Social life here once centered totally around church and school activities. Families flocked to Oak Ridge Elementary Halloween carnivals, and Christmas programs which emphasized a Biblical theme.
Impromptu performances by
traveling country musicians – who later claimed fame in Nashville – resounded in the old school auditorium. Proceeds from performances of Bill and Charlie Monroe, Grandpa Jones and others were kept in the desk drawer of the principal – a simple bookkeeping system.
e Easter Horse Show was initially begun to raise money for the Methodist Church building fund. Eventually, the late Buster Linville would oversee the directing of horse show monies toward a new school gym.
Always a favorite was the footstompin’ Old Time Fiddler’s Convention on Easter Monday night, ably coordinated by Mr. Herb Redmon
(now deceased), bringing pickers and fiddlers from near and far. Musicians vied for cash prizes as the competition lasted till way past midnight.
The grandstand at the elementary school playground, demolished several years ago, is recalled fondly as a community icon. It was built originally by Mr. Lan Blaylock at the corner of Beeson Road and Highway 150 West. Later, the rambling edifice was moved to the school for student and neighborhood ball games.
Lan’s son, our own Mr. Jack Blaylock, furthered the esteem of this, his birthplace, when he entered professional baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the late ‘40s.
It is a known fact that, long before she became a glamorous screen idol, Ava Gardner was a visitor to our town. She had become a close friend of Jay Barefoot, a Stokesdale girl, who
10-month-old Kuper of Summerfield loves going on walks and exploring Bur-Mil Park with his owners, Samer and Kelly Tadros. The couple describes Kuper as fun-loving and a dog who finds joy in everything he does!
Karin, Dan and Cristina Young of Oak Ridge say their beloved dog, Teddy, is full of life, always eager to please and loves everyone.
Rylee, River and Jake smile at owners Packie and Beverly Watkins as they enjoy the sunshine on their back porch in Stokesdale.
According to MerriamWebster, dressage is defined as: “the execution by a trained horse of precision movements in response to barely perceptible signals from its rider”
by ANNETTE JOYCE
While growing up in a Chicago suburb, Jody Morse dreamed of owning a horse.
“I was a ‘horse-crazy’ girl and rode horses for a year or two, but stopped when I was about 10 years old,” she said, explaining that her parents just couldn’t afford the riding lessons.
After she grew up, Morse married
Michael Doyle and the two of them opened a dental practice in Chicago. During her 26 years there, she transformed into a city girl and put horse riding behind her.
That changed in 2005, when she and Michael purchased a farm in Stokesdale. Morse said she wasn’t keen on the purchase at first, but she was all in after her husband mentioned that she could have a horse.
Along with the farm, the couple purchased a dental practice in Kernersville, where they both worked fulltime. Nonetheless, they still devoted hours to getting their farm, which they named Centric Farm, up and going and working with the two horses they had acquired.
“The horses were completely inappropriate for inexperienced people
such as ourselves,” said Morse, adding that Michael got thrown early on, shattered his wrist and was out of work for several months.
At that point, Morse, now 52,
hired a trainer, sold the horses and with the trainer’s help found a horse that was more suited to her level of experience. The trainer was involved with dressage and encouraged Morse
to take up the sport.
The International Equestrian Federation defines dressage as “the highest expression of horse training.” For the person who knows little about horses, it can be difficult to explain and sometimes even to understand what’s going on, especially from a novice’s perspective.
In the sport of competitive dressage, the rider and horse move while following a specific pattern and performing certain movements at different points in the arena. It’s a very strenuous sport for both horse and rider, and showcases their athletic ability, discipline and talent.
Morse’s current trainer, Jean DeVenny, who also manages Morse’s horse farm, likens it to ice skating.
“It’s a very technical sport which requires the rider and horse to move uidly,” DeVenny explained. “ e rider becomes a partner with the horse as they learn to communicate in a di erent language and move in harmony.”
Competitions are offered at levels ranging from amateur to what’s known as Grand Prix. From there, competitors
can move on to compete in the highest levels of competition – the World Equestrian Games and the Olympics.
Morse started her dressage career with Mai, a gorgeous white Norwegian Fjord horse. The two teamed up until 2019, when Morse finally realized that if she wanted to compete on a higher level, she needed to find another equine partner.
“I didn’t want to give Mai up,” said Morse, noting that she leases the 19-year-old horse to a friend who competes in dressage, but she doesn’t plan to ever sell her.
“Mai has taken care of me, and I will continue to take care of her,” she said.
For the last two years, Morse has been working with Borealis Blume – B.B. for short – a sport pony who was named Horse of the Year 2022 in its division by the North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association.
Although Morse enjoys dressage, competing in the sport hasn’t come easy for her.
“I didn’t want to compete, and I even cried before my rst competition,” she admitted.
Over the years, she’s calmed
her nerves and competes in a large show about once a month during the competition season, which runs from March to November. Most take place in central North Carolina and Virginia.
This past November, Morse and B.B. were invited to participate in the 2022 U.S. Dressage Finals, a national competition that showcases the best teams in the country.
Morse was both excited and nervous to compete in her first national event, which was held in Lexington, Kentucky, in unexpectedly frigid weather – we’re talking snow, icy cold temperatures, and frozen water.
“It was crazy, but it was fun,” Morse said, smiling. “We fell about in the middle of the pack, but it was my first nationals, and I was very proud.”
Morse has even more accolades to add to her accomplishments this
year. Based on her cumulative scores, she placed ninth in the nation for riders over 50 years old, and second in the nation for the National Dressage Pony Cup, which “showcases the exceptional talent, training and commitment of ponies and small horses, their owners, breeders, trainers and riders in the art and sport of dressage.”
Morse has moved through three of the various levels of dressage – Introductory, Training and Level 1 – and is set on reaching Level 2.
“My goal is to get to the next level and just to continue the journey,” she said. “You do the best you can every time you walk into that arena and hope for the best.”
Meet Marshmallow, an approximately 1-year-old lop rabbit mix who has the cutest fluffy chest and gorgeous soft, white fur. Marshmallow was surrendered by an owner because she did not get along with the other house rabbit – with that in mind, her ideal home is one where she will be the only rabbit. She loves people and longs to be the center of attention. If you are interested in adopting Marshmallow, fill out an application online at www.reddogfarm.com.
Alleghany, a 2-year-old male German shepherd, is looking to start the new year by finding a family of his own. He is a smart boy with an active mind who would love having an active family to include him in all of their adventures. Housebreaking, crate training, walking on a leash and having dog friends are no problem for this young man! However, families with cats are better suited for another companion. If you are looking for an active, intelligent dog to add to your family, visit www.reddogfarm.com and fill out an application.
If you are interested in learning more about Red Dog Farm or any of our other adoptable animals, please visit www.reddogfarm.com.
We’ve eaten and partied our way through the holidays and now it’s time to cut back on the calories. But that doesn’t mean you need to give up your dumplings. An 8-year-old domestic shorthair, Dumpling weighs in at 6 pounds, so he’s on the small side, but he has tons of love to give to his new “fur”-ever family. Dumpling enjoys watching swashbuckling adventure movies, perfect for chilly winter evenings. Please ask for him by ID# GCAS-A-6589.
Are you looking for more hugs and love in the new year? Well, you need look no further than this sweet girl. Hugs is a 6-yearold, 50-pound pit bull terrier, but don’t let her age fool you. She is very active and loves playing outdoors (but not with cats). These dogs are intelligent, agile and willing to work; maybe you and Hugs will find a shared affinity for dog agility courses. Resolve to ask for Hugs by ID# GCAS-A-4439.
980 Guilford College Road, Greensboro • Walk-in adoptions: Tues-Sun, 12-4pm To check animals’ availability or make surrender appointments, call (336) 641-3400 or visit www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/animal-services
Sheets Pet Clinic, a full-service vet clinic in Greensboro, provides a low-cost spay/neuter service, rescue rates to animal nonprofits, and hosts a cat adoption program. With an evergrowing population of homeless cats, the clinic seeks foster homes for cats, volunteers to help care for them, donations to cover the cost of their food and care, and adopters willing to provide a forever home. For more info, visit Facebook.com/SheetsPetClinic or email Sarah Hodges, cat adoption coordinator, at petadoptions@sheetspetclinic.com.
Moon jellies are named for their moon-like bell. They are 95 percent water and they do not have blood, eyes, bones, or even a brain!
for sponsoring this issue’s Kids’ Korner
• Moon jellies are mostly found in warm and tropical waters, near sea coasts. While this is their preference, they are capable of withstanding temperatures as low as 21°F and as high as 88°F. They have also been found in both inshore seas and oceans and in brackish waters, exhibi�ng salt contents as low as 0.6%.
• They do not possess a brain, heart, blood, head, eyes or ears. These jellyfish have only one opening, which serves as both its mouth and its anus. At 95% water, moon jellies are basically a floa�ng mouth and diges�ve system! They do have senses and are able to smell, taste, sense both dark and light, up and down, and can remain balanced in the water.
• Moon jellies are carnivorous, and feed primarily on mollusks, ro�fers, nematodes, diatoms, fish larvae, tunicate larvae, crustaceans, protozoans and several other small planktons. Moon jellies run their tentacles along their prey, shocking the prey and allowing the jellyfish to then move the prey into their mouths. Addi�onally, the moon jellyfish is coated with a s�cky mucus that collects prey.
• Moon jellies are considered the least dangerous jellyfish to humans because they do not have a strong enough s�nging power to penetrate through the human skin. If a human does brush up against one, he may feel a very minor s�nging sensa�on.
• Despite their short lifespan of about six months to a year in the wild, there is no shortage of moon jellies in the world!
...continued from p. 1
Through its Mobile Makeover project, Northwest High School’s PTSO raised almost $500,000 in cash and in-kind donations last spring from local individuals and businesses to refurbish the interior and exterior of 23 mobile classrooms that have been on the school’s campus for over two decades.
raising almost $500,000 in monetary and in-kind donations from local businesses and individuals.
In August, students returned to classes in 23 units free of bathroom mold, stained, shabby carpet, marred walls, rotten decking
and other decay.
The classroom trailers have become permanent fixtures on the school’s campus, even though they had been installed a quarter of a century earlier as a temporary solution to student overcrowding.
The Summerfield Town Council hired engineering firm Freese and Nichols to determine the feasibility of bringing in water from a nearby municipality, initially for fire protection and eventually for residential and business use.
The engineering firm’s evaluation put a price tag of $24 million to $27 million on running lines to Summerfield from Greensboro or Reidsville.
In December, Town Manager Scott Whitaker told the council he had spoken to water officials in both municipalities, resulting in difficult, unpromising prospects to buy water from them. As a next step, Whitaker said he planned to speak to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County and Madison, a town in Rockingham County, as potential water suppliers.
Operators of Summerfield’s two kindergarten-through-eighthgrade charter schools revealed plans for high schools to accommodate demand by older students.
National Heritage Academies won rezoning approval to build a high school across U.S. 220 North from its Summer eld Charter Academy.
Meanwhile, Mary Catherine Sauer, then principal of Revolution Academy, told parents that school leaders were evaluating whether to start a charter high school in the area, building upon the popularity of Revolution’s K-8 school on N.C. 150 in Summerfield.
...continued on p. 18
Summerfield resident Kevin Pusch uses his skills, passions and resources to help others
by ANNETTE JOYCEKevin Pusch’s life has been marked by a wide range of experiences that have taken him all over the world. He grew up in Connecticut, where he began working for a small company at the age of 12; later, he worked in the apparel industry and then for Disney. He served in the U.S. Navy before traveling all over the world installing textile machines. He established his own company in California, then later sold it and retired at the age of 48.
It was at this point that Pusch and his wife, Dianne, moved to Summerfield in 2006 along with their two daughters, and he became a stay-at-home dad while Dianne commuted weekly to her job out-of-state.
A workaholic by nature, Pusch, 63, decided to spend his free time helping others and soon began volunteering.
“Both my wife and I have been successful, and we want to give back to the community,” he said.
The couple decided to focus on two causes they were passionate about – but ever the overachiever, Pusch chose three.
dedicated to the rehabilitation, fostering and adoption of animals of all sizes.
Lauren Riehle, RDFRN’s executive director, said Pusch was instrumental in setting up the organization’s farm in Stokesdale in 2019.
“He started out baling hay for us, moved to farm maintenance and now he’s our general handyman,” Riehle said. “There’s really nothing he can’t do.”
She emphasized that Pusch is willing to help in any way that he can – that includes picking up and delivering animals and, not too long ago, chasing down a rogue llama. While Pusch can laugh about the llama hunt now, he said it took them nearly three months to catch the cunning escape artist.
Once the loose llama was captured, Pusch made sure it would be contained by building an 8-foot fenced enclosure that it hasn’t been able to jump out of.
After settling into the Summerfield community, it didn’t take long before Pusch became friends with Oak Ridge resident Randy Floss (also an active community volunteer). The two came up with the idea of hosting a cruise-in at Oak Ridge Commons during the summer months. An avid collector of classic muscle cars, Pusch wanted to share his love of vintage cars with others and felt a cruise-in would be a great way to bring the community together. After nearly 13 successful years, Pusch can still be found at the shopping center on cruise-in days, making sure the event is running smoothly.
Since retiring at age 48, Summerfield resident Kevin Pusch has spent much of his free time focused on giving back to others.
Service Organizations (USO).
“The USO did a lot of good things for me, and I want others to have that experience,” he said.
Pusch also helps with fundraisers and donates to Racing for Heroes, a non-profit within the racing community that works with veterans suffering from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
When asked what motivates him to volunteer, Pusch said he just likes helping others.
Pusch gets great satisfaction in finding even the simplest ways to give of himself, like helping someone change a tire or giving a person hay to feed their animals when they can’t afford it.
One of the first causes Pusch selected was Red Dog Farm Rescue Network (RDFRN), a local nonprofit
Having served in the U.S. Navy for eight years, Pusch has a special place in his heart for the military and he financially supports the United
“People always ask ‘what do I owe you?’ I say, ‘nothing, just pay it forward,’” he said.
That basically sums it up – paying his good fortune forward is all the reward he needs.
“Never
– Cheryl Koevoet, author
Since 2002, Great Clips in Oak Ridge has provided local residents with quality, affordable hair care along with convenient daytime, evening and weekend operating hours to fit within their busy schedules.
Owned by Greensboro native Richard White, the family hair salon specializes in haircuts for adults and children of all ages, along with perms and updos for special occasions such as weddings, holiday parties and proms.
Manager Becky Keaton, who has been with Great Clips for 12 years, oversees the store’s daily operations, and the franchise is run by White’s niece and vice president of operations, Courtney Lowrance.
The professional stylists at Great Clips in Oak Ridge offer a wealth of experience in haircuts and styling and strive to offer their clients the most up-to-date styles while making sure those styles can be easily managed.
Great Clips is founded on the belief that great results can be provided at a reasonable price. Along with offering everyday low prices, twice a year the salon gives its customers an opportunity to take advantage of even more savings with its “Great Haircut Sale.”
Great Clips is open seven days a week. No appointments are required, but the salon has a free mobile app that
OAK
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Photo by Annette Joyce (NWO) The staff at Great Clips in Oak Ridge Commons: (front, L to R), Brittany, Becky (manager) and Danielle (assistant manager); (back, L to R), Eunice, Jana, Windy (receptionist) and Fatemeh. offers an online check-in service which allows customers to add their names to a waitlist before they arrive.
An active business participant in the community, Great Clips supports local schools, churches and charitable events that impact
area youth.
“Thanks to our loyal customers, we’ve had a great year and we just want to express our gratitude to those who have continued to support our business,” Lowrance said. “We look forward to seeing all of you in the new year.”
Deepa Nayak, MD • Steve Kearns, MD Laurie MacDonald, MD • Lauren Miller Jones, FNP
Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge
Kernersville Office: (336) 993-8333
Walkertown Office: (336) 564-4101
Many property owners expressed surprise and, in some cases, shock after Guilford County’s reappraisal of residential property values led to increases of 35.09% in Stokesdale,
A 4-1 vote by Summerfield’s Town Council halted landowner David Couch’s proposal for the Villages of Summerfield Farms, a planned commercial-and-residential development on 973 acres spanning the town.
24.25% in Oak Ridge and 23.48% in Summerfield.
Countywide, property values jumped 27.09% in the five years since the previous reappraisal, spurred by higher selling prices during the housing shortage in recent years, according to Ben Chavis, the county’s tax director.
File photo
Summerfield landowner/developer David Couch, owner of Summerfield Farms, announced last February his plans to develop 973 acres with a mix of commercial and residential uses, including almost 1,200 apartments. On Jan. 26, Couch will go before Summerfield’s Planning Board to present an amended development proposal.
The vote denied Couch’s application for a text amendment to Summerfield’s development rules, a first step in winning the council’s approval for higher-density development. Later this
Voters in Guilford County approved a $1.7 billion school bond referendum,
month, the developer plans to present to the town’s Planning Board an amended proposal – which halves to about 600 the number of apartments he wants to build.
overcoming opposition that questioned the competence of Guilford County Schools (GCS) to spend the money wisely.
File photo
Summerfield Town Council’s offer to purchase the historic Laughlin school campus on Summerfield Road for $2.2 million was accepted by the Guilford County School Board in October. The sale is contingent upon a decision by the Guilford County Commissioners, which have the first right to buy the property.
earmark any of the $300 million raised in a 2020 bond sale for repair of northwest-area schools. However, Northwest Guilford Middle School made the list of nine construction projects to be planned and designed from the $1.7 billion bond sale.
The middle school will be rebuilt on a new site, according to GCS officials. Eventually, plans call for Northwest Guilford High School to be expanded onto the campus that will be vacated by the middle school.
Summerfield Town Council voted 3-2 against proceeding with the development of a new town hall after estimated costs climbed to nearly $4.8 million, exceeding the original budget of $3.5 million.
Some local opponents also pointed out the county’s school board didn’t
Oak Ridge Business Center
8004 Linville Rd, Suite G, Oak Ridge (336) 643-7577 or 1-800-467-8299 info@samanderscpa.com
The council shifted its focus to the
historic Laughlin school as a possible site for a new town hall. In October, the county’s Board of Education accepted Summerfield’s $2.2 million offer for the nearly 11 acres occupied by three buildings. The sale is contingent upon whether the county’s Board of Commissioners decides to buy the property.
A fire caused extensive damage to the Carolina Marina store at Belews Lake in Stokesdale. The store reopened after completion of repairs and restocking of merchandise.
No one was injured by the blaze, which caused smoke and water damage and melted merchandise, according to Dan Kasper, the marina’s director of member services. Adjacent buildings weren’t damaged.
Oak Ridge Town Council appropriated $455,000 in its current fiscal year budget to renovate and expand the historic Redmon house at the corner of Linville Road and Lisa Drive in Oak Ridge. The house, which has been renamed “Farmhouse Community Center,” will be used for events, community gatherings and meetings.
A proposal to renovate and expand the historic Redmon house on the edge of Oak Ridge Town Park sparked debate as the Town Council weighed whether to appropriate $455,000 for the project.
The debate centered on spending several hundred thousand dollars to refurbish the simple structure –renamed Farmhouse Community Center – into a gathering place for weddings, clubs and other groups.
The council decided to appropriate $455,000 for the project in the town’s current fiscal year budget, which started July 1. The receipt of $305,000 in federal pandemic relief funds and a state grant of $75,000 will help cover costs of the renovation
GFL Environmental took over garbage and recycling pickup in Stokesdale July 1, replacing Republic Services, which drew complaints from customers and town leaders before and after its contract ended.
Some customers expressed frustration that Republic Services took days, even weeks, to pick up cans after its contract with Stokesdale expired June 30.
After commending Republic Services for its “well-thought-out” exit plan, Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy expressed his disappointment with the company’s actual performance.
GFL Environmental representatives said they’ve been able to manage some of the problems, such as labor shortages, that hampered Republic Services in Stokesdale.
The county’s Board of Commissioners awarded nearly $14.5 million
and expansion project.
In hopes of drawing bigger crowds to Music in the Park, Oak Ridge’s Town Council voted to allow the sale of beer and wine, add food trucks and sign up sponsors to help pay for more expensive bands at its seasonal, monthly music events.
The changes will apply to four of the six monthly concerts in the Town Park amphitheater, starting the second Saturday in April 2023. The two other concerts will continue to feature less expensive bands, such as local bands that performed this past season.
Consultant Wooten Co. recommended two options for Oak Ridge to establish a more reliable source of water that would initially aid firefighters and eventually serve homeowners and businesses.
One option envisions Oak Ridge tapping groundwater to fill tanks scattered around town or to supply a 250,000-gallon tank erected behind Oak Ridge Fire Department on Linville Road. In the second option, the town would pipe in water from Forsyth County.
Oak Ridge is exploring long-term alternatives as part of its establishment of a municipal water system.
In December, Honeycutt Reserve, a subdivision under development on Bunch Road, became the system’s first customer.
in federal COVID-19 relief to Summerfield, Oak Ridge and Stokesdale.
For Summerfield, its receipt of $7.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds designated $5.5 million
for water infrastructure and another $2.3 million for the development of Bandera Farms Park. In Oak Ridge, total funding of $3.57 million put $3.265 million toward development of its water system and another
A contractor drilled a well that, finally, produced enough water to irrigate athletic fields and supply bathrooms that are going to be built as part of Heritage Farm Park.
The transformation of 62 acres
$305,000 toward renovation and expansion of the Redmon house.
Stokesdale plans to expand and improve its municipal water system with its $3.113 million in federal relief funds.
behind Town Park on Linville Road into a park is scheduled to begin later this year.
In December, the Town Council instructed Sam Anders, the town’s finance officer, to negotiate borrowing as much as $3 million to finance development of Oak Ridge’s biggest capital project.
File photo
The Headwaters Trail, a 2.2mile footpath that is part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) running through Oak Ridge, was dedicated in October. The trail is Oak Ridge MST Committee’s first project, and volunteers are already at work on another section of the MST in Oak Ridge.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the Headwaters Trail, the first
...continued on p. 20
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project of Oak Ridge’s Mountains-toSea Trail Committee.
The 2.2-mile footpath, located northwest of Oak Ridge, represents a short section of the entire Mountainsto-Sea Trail, which runs 1,175 miles
from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks.
Oak Ridge volunteers have already begun work on another section of the trail, situated east of N.C. 68 and 150.
Just days after 14-year-old Aliyah Thornhill was fatally struck by a vehicle while trick-or-treating Halloween evening on Haw River Road in Oak Ridge, parents, elected officials and others called for safety measures, such as flashing caution signs, to avert future tragedies.
“Any change and improvement is worth asking for,” Brooke Tilley, the mother of Noah Chambers, told
Stokesdale Town Council put four projects at the top of its list of improvements for Town Park, based upon a committee’s recommendation.
The Town Park Improvement Committee has met weekly since last
the Oak Ridge Town Council. On Halloween night three years earlier, Tilley’s 11-year-old son died after being struck by a vehicle on the same stretch of road where Thornhill was hit.
The proximity of the two fatalities may warrant safety measures by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, according to Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider.
summer to evaluate possible improvements to the park, located behind Town Hall on Angel Pardue Road. It recommended the addition of playground equipment and construction of an amphitheater, nature trails and basketball courts. The projects reflect the preferences of respondents in a park survey conducted by the town in 2020.
THURSDAY, JAN.
Town Council meeting | Oak Ridge Town Council will hold its first meeting of 2023 on Jan. 5, starting at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. Attend in person or watch the meeting on the town’s YouTube channel. Visit www.oakridgenc.com for more info or a meeting agenda (and see p. 2). More info: (336) 644-7009.
Special called council meeting | Stokesdale Town Council will hold a special called meeting to host a public forum for citizen input and discussion of planned improvements to the Town Park on Jan. 5, starting at 7 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. More info: (336) 643-4011.
“Pink Out” fundraiser | Northwest High School’s girls basketball team will host a “Pink Out” event to raise awareness of breast cancer and raise funds for cancer research on Jan. 6, starting at 6 p.m. at 5240 Northwest School Road in northwest Greensboro. All attendees are encouraged to wear pink. Proceeds will go towards the Coaches
vs. Cancer program. More info: Paige Henline, (336) 254-2430.
Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club | Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club (NGWC) is a nonprofit whose members share a commitment to community service. The group will meet Jan. 9, starting at 7 p.m., in the Oak Ridge Room (adjacent to the Bistro in Oak Ridge Commons shopping center). To learn more about NGWC or to attend the meeting as a guest, contact Tiffany Hansen, president, at (336) 404-8038 or tiffanykhansen96@gmail.com.
Senior programs | Senior Resources of Guilford County will sponsor a senior program including activities and a take-home lunch on Jan. 10, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, at Center UMC (6142 Lake Brandt Road in northern Greensboro) and Shady Grove Wesleyan Church (119 N. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax); on Jan. 12 at Stokesdale United Methodist Church (8305 Loyola Drive); and on Jan. 19 at Summerfield First Baptist Church (2300 Scalesville Road). To learn more and/or RSVP at Center UMC, contact the church at (336) 6437765; for the others, contact Marsha McDaniel, (336) 373-4816, ext. 265.
Town Council meeting | Summerfield Town Council will meet Jan. 10, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Town’s Facebook page. Visit www.summerfieldnc.gov for a meeting agenda. More info: (336) 643-8655.
Town Council meeting | Stokesdale Town Council will meet Jan. 12, starting at 7 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. Citizens may attend in person, or view the meeting on the town’s YouTube channel. Visit www.stokesdale.org for a meeting agenda. More info: (336) 643-4011.
Community choir practice | Stokesdale Community Choir resumes practice on Jan. 16, 9:30-11:30 a.m., at Gideon Grove United Methodist Church, 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road, Stokesdale. To join or for more info, contact Sondra, (336) 453-8017.
Kiwanis Club | Kiwanis Club of Northwest Guilford, a nonprofit committed to projects focused on children in our community, will meet Jan. 17, starting at 12 noon at Bill’s Pizza, 1431 N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge. More info: nwgkiwanis@gmail.com.
5 - 18, 2023
On Saturday, Dec. 10, the Northwest Middle School
Dr. Mark Reynolds and Dr. Robert Stoner announce the creation of Reynolds & Stoner Orthodontics. Both doctors are committed to excellent clinical results and a fabulous patient experience. Call or text our office to schedule a FREE consultation with either of these smile-makers in our private practice.
Twelve Academic Team finished fourth out of 14 middle schools in the state Twelve competition at Atkins High in Winston-Salem. Twelve is an academic competition where groups of students answer 12 questions from 12 different academic categories. Northwest was the highest-scoring traditional public middle school in the competition.
Shown in photo, team members, L to R: (front, kneeling) Rachel Rhee and Sam Priddy; (middle row) Iman Ismail, E. Nydia Vega Rigall, Ze Gao, Jacob Mungas, Elsie King and Aryan Khowala; (back row) Coach David Groce, Sean Lee, Ishan Mahapatra, Sophie Menser and Alex Chen.
SUMMERFIELD – Jake Wunner, son of Stephen and Sarah Wunner of Summerfield, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Jake is a member of Oak Ridge Troop 600 and serves as assistant senior patrol leader.
For his Eagle project, Jake led the cleaning, painting and flipping of the concession stand at Oak Ridge Elementary
School, offering a more inviting atmosphere for children and adults to play on the sports fields. Ten volunteers worked for three workdays to complete the project.
Jake is a junior at Bishop McGuinness High School, where he plays cornerback on the football team, participates on the fencing team, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Dec. 20 | Officers responded at 1 a.m. to an alcohol-related domestic incident in the 2800 block of Oak Ridge Road in Oak Ridge.
Dec. 21 | Officers responded at 2 a.m. to the report of an assault involving alcohol and a physical altercation in the 7600 block of Keating Drive in Oak Ridge (near N.C. 68 N); a 25-year-old male was subsequently arrested for assault on a female and a 25-year-old female was arrested for simple assault.
Dec. 27 | Officers responded to a report of communicated threats in the Food Lion parking lot in Stokesdale.
Dec. 30 | Officers responded to a report of communicated threats at Food Lion in Summerfield.
Jan. 2 | A 47-year-old female was arrested in the 1900 block of Cedar View Drive in northern Greensboro (near Plainfield Road) for simple assault and resisting/delaying/obstructing a police officer.
Dec. 29 | Officers conducted a death investigation in the 8200 block of Caffey Drive in Colfax (near Pleasant Ridge Road).
Dec. 26 | driver’s side window of a vehicle to help a citizen who had overdosed on drugs while parked at Summerfield Elementary School.
Dec. 21 |
ply Company in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect shoplifted a Carhartt sweatshirt, a purple flex basket and other items unknown at the time of reporting.
of ribs, worth a total of $300.
extortion investigation involving a $100 Sephora gift card in the 5400 block of Deerview Court in northwest Greensboro (off Pleasant Ridge Road).
Dec. 22 | A resident of the 7100 block of Lentz Court in Summerfield (off Brookbank Road) reported that between Dec. 20-22 an unknown suspect used her personal identification information to make purchases totaling $160.96.
Dec. 29 | A resident of the 1800 block of Cude Road in Colfax reported being the victim of extortion in the amount of $10,000; the incident took place between Nov. 15 and Dec. 29.
Dec. 29 | A resident of the 7500 block of Bartonshire Court in Oak Ridge (near N.C. 68 N) reported that between Dec. 28-29 an unknown suspect fraudulently used one of her bank cards.
Dec. 30 | A resident of the 7200 block of Northmoor Trace in northern Greensboro (off Plainfield Road) reported that between Dec. 29-30 an unknown suspect fraudulently spent $32,430.
Dec. 27 | A construction worker in the 7700 block of Alcorn Road in northwest Greensboro reported that between Nov. 27 and Dec. 27 an unknown suspect stole a skid steer worth $25,000.
Dec. 29 | A manager at Food Lion in Summerfield reported at 1:55 p.m. an unknown suspect shoplifted 15 packs
Dec. 21 | Officers discovered a vehicle with the back window broken out at Eagle Family Medicine off N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge.
Dec. 21 | Officers discovered a wrecked vehicle in the 1400 block of N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge.
Dec. 22 | Officers responded to a report of a vehicle blocking a lane of traffic at 1:48 a.m. in the 7700 block of N.C. 68 N in Stokesdale.
Griper (last issue) about speeders on Hwy. 150 from Williard Road to Oak Ridge Elementary. Amen!
All the parents who didn’t buy the hype and didn’t give their kids a COVID-19 shot.
Sandy and all the ladies at Sandy’s Beauty Shop. Let there be no doubt…
truly, there are angels among us.
The neighbor (in Summerfield) who helped us when our dogs were missing a few days before Christmas. Definitely a Christmas miracle! Words can’t express how thankful we are.
Stokesdale Fire Department and firemen for giving me and my grandson a tour of the firehouse on a cold day. My grandson said he’s thinking about being a fireman (or a storm chaser).
The family on Haw Meadows Drive in Oak Ridge for putting up the amazing Christmas lights display. Our family went out many times to sit and watch the lights. Thank you for taking the time to do that!
The young man who runs all over Oak Ridge morning, noon and night. I admire your dedication (however, please wear reflective clothing and/or a headlamp – you are very hard to see after the sun goes down).
Everyone who decorated their homes and yards for Christmas.
NCDOT. In the spirit of diversity and inclusion, why is “NC Law Prohibits Driving When Impaired” only in English on the Amber Alert signs along the interstates?
well-being.” It would be “better a millstone be fixed about your neck and you be cast into the sea.” You will not escape God’s judgment.
Griper complaining about Greensboro Science Center’s menorah lights (Winter Wonderlights show). Jesus was Jewish, and He was brown –keep talking like that, you look like a clown. You say you love all, yet act like this. Go back home, and mind your own biz.
People who run their thermostats at 80 degrees so their kids can wear shorts and T-shirts while barefoot. You’re one of the reasons for Duke Energy blackouts!
Educators who believe “childhood innocence… is detrimental to children’s
Drivers exceeding posted speed limits on N.C. 150, Williard Road to Oak Ridge Elementary. I see this almost every day. I’m often tailgated, honked at and even passed within the double yellow lines. More enforcement will improve safety.
began her teaching career near Smithfield and lived for a time in a boarding house owned by Ava’s mother. But it was young local swains enrolled at N.C. State who introduced the future Mrs. Frank Sinatra to this fair region (another Oak Ridge claim to fame).
A nostalgic stroll includes pausing at the brick facade on the corner of the academy’s playing field. Behind it lies the grave of a fondly remembered friend – a three-legged pooch belonging to the late Lanier Donnell.
“Dino” thought himself a “soldier dog,” sauntering at will to the academy and falling into step with the cadets marching in dress uniform. e cream-colored mascot strutted to every drumbeat, and howled importantly when Taps was played at ceremonies.
At Dino’s demise, he was afforded a full military funeral and interred with honors in earth familiar to his threelegged self.
The little brick post office in the shadow of the CVS building has been replaced by an impressive larger facility on Linville Road. We have acquired a shopping center, a large town hall, and an impressive park – facilities which brighten our night sky.
Conveniences are ours we once did not have, yet what Oak Ridge has aspired to be, and has become, will always be tied to its simple beginnings. As in the Peter, Paul and Mary song of the ‘60s, we know “the times, they are a-changing ...”
Oak Ridge and Summerfield are two towns in northwest Guilford County that are following two very different financial paths. The tax rate (per $100 of assessed value) is 8 cents in Oak Ridge and 2.75 cents in Summerfield. Oak Ridge’s local property taxes are nearly three times those of Summerfield. Why?
The reason can be found in the accumulation of non-prudent fiscal decisions.
An example of such is the Farmhouse Community Center project in Oak Ridge. At 1,800 square feet, the unoccupied structure was too small to qualify as an historic building, so the purpose was changed to that of a community center. When the consulting, planning and bid processing fees are added to the renovation, driveway, parking, sidewalk and landscaping fees, total cost of this project – including annual operating expenses – will likely exceed $1 million in its first 10 years.
Proponents of this project will argue that a grant from Guilford County will
partially offset this cost. However, this grant money could have been used to offset other budgeted expenses like developing Heritage Park (compare how Summerfield is spending its grant money with that of Oak Ridge). The thinking behind the Farmhouse Community Center is an example of a non-prudent fiscal decision.
The two paths that Oak Ridge and Summerfield are on may not seem like that big of a deal right now, but their differences will become more obvious over time. Consider what potential homebuyers will think in the next few years, when the average Oak Ridge portion of your annual property tax bill exceeds $1,000 while Summerfield’s is at $344 (figures based on current tax rate differences)? Which town do you think will be most attractive to prospective buyers?
For those of us who moved away from the places where they grew up because local property taxes reached five-figure ranges, please plan to vote for prudent local government officials.
Michael Smith, OAK RIDGE
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STOKESDALE COMMUNITY CHOIR resumes practice Mon., Jan. 16, 9:30-11:30am. Gideon Grove UMC, 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road, Stokesdale. To join, contact Sondra, (336) 453-8017
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NORTHWEST OBSERVER is seeking a reliable delivery person with an excellent driving record and a strong back/knees to sort our community newspapers in containers for direct mail (by carrier route), then load and deliver them to three area post offices every other Thursday morning. Usual schedule every other Thursday is 6:45am to about 1:30pm; after getting the papers to the post offices you’ll also drive throughout the northwest area to place newspapers in our boxes and racks, so will be in and out of our company vehicle multiple times. Must be very dependable, able to sort, lift and load about 90 containers of newspapers while preparing them for direct mail to homes, and able to work and drive in various weather conditions. Starting pay is $18/hour (typically two Thursdays a month, for a total of about 13 to 14 hours). Interested applicants may email patti@nwobserver.com (preferred) or call (336) 644-7035 to schedule an interview.
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CLOCK SERVICE. Free house calls for sick clocks. 8103 Windspray Dr., Summerfield. (336) 643-9931.
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
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
GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150
E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, demolition, lot clearing, excavating, bobcat work, etc. (336) 451-1282.
S&M SEAMLESS GUTTERS. Install new gutters. Repair and clean old gutters. Free estimates. Fully insured. (336) 587-8223 or (336) 709-5944
INTEGRITY TREE SERVICE, LLC Tree removal, risk assessment, tree pruning, dead wood removal. Affordable/competitive pricing. Fully insured. Owner-operated. Call for free estimate, (336) 210-8310
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
WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC
Lawn maint., landscaping. Irrigation/landscape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape lighting. 26 years exp. (336) 399-7764
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. Fully insured. Topping, pruning and removal. Natural area thinning and cleanup. Oak Ridge. (336) 643-1119
DILLON TREE SERVICE. Certified arborists. BBB accredited. Fully insured. Familyowned. Tree removal and trimming. Available for emergency removals 24/7. Free estimates. (336) 996-6156. www.dillontreeservice.com. info@dillontreeservice.com.
DSL DRAIN SYSTEMS & LANDSCAPING (336) 362-4354
Owner: JC Ruiz ● 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
STRAIGHT EDGE LAWN CARE. Free estimates. Please call (336) 306-0274
SOUTHERN CUTZ LAWN CARE. Offering complete lawn maintenance services, landscaping, bush hogging, privacy fence installation/repair/staining, and stump grinding. Nathan Adkins, (336) 430-6086
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GUZMAN
Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maint. (336) 655-6490
HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES Free est. Call (336) 669-5448
Flake Epoxy Systems Garage Floor and Concrete Resurfacing Decorative Concrete Overlays Stamped Concrete Rejuvenation
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.
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SOUTHERN STYLE Concrete, LLC & Outdoor Living can design any concrete project you need, from stamped patios, sidewalks, driveways, basketball courts and fire pits. Our workers are experienced craftsmen who can customize any project to exceed your expectations. Call us at (336) 399-6619
PEARMAN QUARRY LCID. Inert debris landfill. Yard waste, concrete, etc. Mulch and fill dirt available. (336) 803-2195 or (336) 558-7673
ON EAGLE'S WINGS residential home design/drafting. Call Patti, (336) 605-0519
JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, outbuildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc. Also can haul mulch. Call (336) 706-8470
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.
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 JAN. 5 - 18, 2023 29 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 JAN. 5 - 18, 2023 29
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
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
Tim Welborn at (336) 399-6619
HOUSE and ROOF SOFT WASHING Martin's Pressure Washing. (919) 931-0856
PRESSURE WASHING, gutter & window cleaning. Fully insured. Crystal Clear, www. windowcleaningnc.com or (336) 595-2873
Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Sr. disc., 41 yrs. exp. (336) 362-6343
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
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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.
BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS
(336) 644-8615 office (336) 508-5242 cell
Licensed & insured NC Gen. Contractor #72797 tmcsi.net
AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350
Repairs & remodeling, kitchens/baths, additions, decks, attics, basements. Licensed & insured. Short wait list. NC general contractors. (336) 225-7478
BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. We finance.
PREMIER ROOFING. Commercial/residential. Providing service for all of your roofing needs. Locally owned. Please call (336) 430-9507 for free assessments.
DUSTIN CLINARD ROOFING. Shingles, metal, and leak repairs. Call (336) 268-1908
WELDING AND TRAILER REPAIR Call Tim, (336) 402-3869.
BOAT N RV STORAGE. $70/$100 monthly. Located on Brigham Rd., Greensboro, near Pleasant Ridge Road. Call (336) 663-3051
PIANO LESSONS, all ages and levels, Summerfield area. Patti, (336) 298-4181
PORTABLE WELDING SERVICE. Welding & fabrication services. Call (336) 908-6906.
SEASONED FIREWOOD. $90/pickup truck load, delivered & stacked. (336) 253-7615
SEASONED FIREWOOD. Any size load delivered or you pick up. Steve Newman Tree Service. Call (336) 643-1119 Got stuff? Need stuff? Visit www.nwobserver.com
$$$ – WILL PAY CASH for your junk / wrecked vehicle. For quote, call (336) 552-0328
WANTED to buy: Male Lab puppy. Please call Steve, (336) 643-1119
Use SEAL N HEAL® to seal wounds on dogs & cats; has a bitter taste to prevent gnawing, allow healing. Available at Tractor Supply®. www.fleabeacon.com
Kimberly Thacker Accounting 21 Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC 18
Beamer Tire & Auto 10 EuroHaus 20, 28 Prestige Car Wash ........................................... 17 Tire Max 15
Old School Home Repair 21 Superior Outdoor Spaces 5 TM Construction Services............................ 30
CHILDREN’S SERVICES
Guardian Ad Litem 26
Village Roofs, Inc. 31
Wilson Seamless Gutters 29
INSURANCE
Employee Benefits Marketplace 21
LEGAL SERVICES
Barbour & Williams Law 20
MEDICAL / HEARING / PT
Aim Hearing & Audiology 4
LeBauer HealthCare 6
Northwest Pediatrics 12 Novant Health 3
Novant – Forsyth Pediatrics 17
Oak Ridge Physical Therapy 16
ORTHODONTIC CARE
COMING SOON! 1- to 3-acre lots in Rockingham County, Reidsville area. Modular homes allowed. Call (336) 314-3773 anytime.
MADISON PROPER, 8-10 acres zoned for multi-family. Water/sewer hookups at property. Great property for apartments, investor or builder. Call (336) 430-9507 anytime.
DENTAL SERVICES
DeVaney Dentistry 23 Magnolia Shores Family Dental 24 Summerfield Family Dentistry 2
EVENTS
ORHSA Brunswick Stew Sale 11 TAWCMM – The Intensive 2023 7
GROCERIES / SUPPLIES
Southern Foods 14
HAIR CARE
Great Clips 16
HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES
5 Star Roofing 30 BEK Paint Company 30
Carlos & Son Painting 29
CharCo Concrete Coatings 29 DeLima Lawn Care 29 K&J Homes Services 8
Southern Style Concrete & Landscaping 30
Olmsted Orthodontics 17 Reynolds Orthodontics 22
PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS
Bel-aire Veterinary Hospital 10 Northwest Animal Hospital 11
REAL ESTATE
A New Dawn Realty 31 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX 19 Ramilya Siegel, Keller Williams 2
RESTAURANTS
Bistro 150 17 Ridge Shrimp & Oyster 16 Rio Grande Kitchen & Cantina 16
RETAIL
Blissful Studios & Gallery 21
Golden Antiques & Treasures 5 Poppy & Pine 25
SCIENCE CTR. / ZOOLOGICAL PARK
Greensboro Science Center 13
VACATION RENTAL on Smith Mountain Lake, VA. Only a 2-hour drive from Greensboro! Sleeps 10. Allows dogs. Has fenced yard. Visit vavacationrentals.com, listing #73, Dream Come True, to see pics & get rates and contact info. Due to cancellations, rare openings for June 2023. Weekly only in summer months. 3-night minimum in other months.
Stokesdale Heating & Air ............................. 12 Stokesdale Storage 31
YOUTH SPORTS / CAMPS
Oak Ridge Youth Association 23
To place a DISPLAY AD in our next issue, contact Laura: (336) 644-7035, ext. 11 | advertising@nwobserver.com
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 JAN. 5 - 18, 2023 31 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 JAN. 5 - 18, 2023 31
Postal Patron
PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 • (336) 644-7035
PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 • (336) 644-7035
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U.S. POSTAGE PAID Oak Ridge, NC Permit No. 22
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ECRWSS
ECRWSS
The Stokesdale UMC choir took a quick break from singing to read the latest Northwest Observer while at the Lake Junaluska Choir weekend. Shown in photo (front row, L to R): John Brown, Catherine Brown, Karen Landreth, August Hower- ton, Beth Kasai, Randy Southard and Jean Attaway; (back row, L to R) Robin Howerton, Donna Friddle, Cindy Byrne, Kathy Hanko and Todd Thomas. Not pictured: Jeff Fink.
(L-R) Shelby Kline, a volunteer with Triad Honor Flight, holds the Northwest Observer while (back row, L to R) Summerfield Town Council member Reece Walker, veteran J.C. Dye of Summerfield, Oak Ridge Fire Dept. chief Ken Gibson, Robin Keller McGraw and veteran Robert Keller take in the local news while on a stop in Washington, D.C. The group of veterans and volunteers were among those who traveled to our nation’s capital on Oct. 12 to visit war memorials that honor veterans’ service and sacrifices as well as those of their family members, friends and comrades.
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