Northwest Observer / June 1-14, 2023

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IN THIS ISSUE

Heritage Farm Park is getting underway

Completion of the 62-acre park in Oak Ridge is slated for late next summer, adding two new multipurpose fields, a playground and the Veterans Honor Green to the heart of town

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – The transformation of 62 acres of rolling fields and woods into Oak Ridge’s long-awaited new park is getting ready to start.

The arrival of survey crews and the mobilization of earth-moving equipment

...continued on p. 34

“Keep out’’ signs signal the start of construction of Heritage Farm Park, which is expected to take 15 months to complete. The construction zone occupies a portion of the 62 acres slated for the park. The remaining open fields and woods will stay undeveloped.

Volunteers with the recently formed Summerfield Stage Company, which is bringing local theater to northwest Guilford County, participated in Summerfield Founders’ Day parade on May 20. Shown in photo, (L to R) Nicole Weintraub, board member; Amy Alvino, co-artistic director and co-founder (with Elyse Rodriguez, who is not shown); Emily Ennis, volunteer and cast member from the nonprofit’s December production of “Holiday Cabaret”; and board members Colton Widener and Rachael Rysz. See article on p. 10.

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

Summerfield Stage Company

Preview: Oak Ridge Town Council meeting, June 1

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Oak Ridge Town Council plans to consider adopting next fiscal year’s budget that will fund construction of Heritage Farm Park and the erection of an elevated water storage tank.

The draft budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 leaves unchanged the property tax rate of 8 cents per $100 of property valuation. It projects revenue and spending of $6.43 million.

In a separate capital project ordinance, the town plans to appropriate $5.36 million for the development of the 62-acre Heritage Park. Another $2.92 million is earmarked for constructing the water tank, along

New Summerfield town hall not ‘most pressing priority’

most pressing priority. The ‘what, where, and when’ remain outstanding, so the budget does not reflect an investment in that direction.”

with engineering of the tank and a future 3.5-mile water line from Forsyth County to Oak Ridge.

Before voting on the proposed budget, the council plans to hold a public hearing to gather residents’ feedback on the spending plan.

In other business, the council will consider approving a master plan for the entrance to Town Park at Linville Road and Lisa Drive. The improvements are intended to complement the town’s plan to restore and expand the historic Redmon house into the Farmhouse Community Center.

Town Manager Bill Bruce will provide an update on two projects:

by CHRIS BURRITT

Whitaker presented Summerfield’s draft budget during a special called council meeting this past Tuesday, May 30. The council plans to consider approval of the spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1 during its regular meeting June 13.

SUMMERFIELD

– After the town of Summerfield offered to buy the historic Laughlin school for its new town hall, the project “lost momentum” amid cost and funding complications and the potential de-annexation of landowner David Couch’s 973 acres, according to Town Manager Scott Whitaker.

As a result, Whitaker wrote in the message for next fiscal year’s budget, “a replacement town hall is not the

Last year, the town offered to buy the historic school from Guilford County Schools for $2.2 million. The district plans to cease operating the facility as a professional development center, spurring the town to offer to buy and renovate the property for a new town hall.

“But facility renovation costs and the complexity of the county

The proposal to acquire and renovate the historic Laughlin school ‘lost momentum,’ the town manager said in next fiscal year’s budget message

Summerfield seeks to advance de-annexation talks

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Seeking to make progress in negotiations between Summerfield leaders and landowner David Couch, Mayor Tim Sessoms said the Town Council, the Planning Board and town staff plan to address possibly conflicting language in the unified development ordinance (UDO).

Summerfield’s efforts are intended to “address several concerns with our UDO” raised by Couch, Sessoms wrote in a de-annexation update earlier this week.

As currently written, the town’s

development rules don’t allow apartments, which Couch wants to build as part of the development of his 973 acres.

Even though they would like additional information from Couch regarding his UDO concerns, Sessoms said town leaders plan to engage “in an additional show of good faith.”

“We will be asking our council, staff and Planning Board to research and begin to clear up any conflicts in the language of the document to make it clearer and possible for some things to move forward,” the mayor said.

Stokesdale’s FY2023/24 budget available for review

A public hearing is set for June 8

by PATTI STOKES

STOKESDALE – The Town of Stokesdale’s draft budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 is available for citizen review at Town Hall during operating hours, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, or online at www. stokesdale.org (Select “Departments,” then “Finance”). The town council plans to vote on the draft budget following a public hearing at its meeting on Thursday, June 8.

Stokesdale has two financial accounts, each with its own budget;

the draft operating budget for the general fund account is $446,000 and for the water enterprise account, $752,000, for a combined proposed budget of $1,198,000.

e town does not charge a property tax, nor is one proposed for next scal year.

The largest source of revenue in the town’s general fund account comes from “state collected revenues” (formerly “utilities franchise tax”), and is projected to

Utilities relocation begins for highway, intersection improvements

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Removal of some trees and vegetation in the right of ways has begun, marking the start of state plans to improve traffic flow and safety in Oak Ridge’s commercial district.

Duke Energy contractors have begun relocating utilities at the N.C. 68/150 intersection, as well as at N.C. 68 and

Linville Road and at N.C. 150 between the Oak Ridge Commons and Oak Ridge Marketplace shopping centers.

“This activity is accompanied by some tree and vegetation removal…. within the new utility easements and/ or right-of-way of the redesigned roadway,” according to a recent post on

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your QUESTIONS

Anyone wishing to clear and maintain a cemetery on private property is encouraged to reach out to the property owner and ask permission to do so.

As an Oak Ridge resident for several years, I remember a while back driving on Farmsworth Road off N.C. 150 and seeing what I believe may be the GrahamHolt cemetery. It is now overgrown and can’t be seen from the road.

Does anyone know the cemetery’s history, and is there a group that can care for it?

Sandra Smith, Oak Ridge’s town clerk and assistant town manager, confirmed the cemetery you are asking about is on privately owned property that was purchased by the current owners in 1988.

According to N.C. General Statute 14-149,

While recently driving in Oak Ridge, I noticed that a lot of the bamboo cut down and dug up last year at the corner of Oak Ridge and Linville roads is coming back.

What’s going to happen to the bamboo now?

We also saw that the bamboo is making a big comeback, and every week it seems to grow taller and spread wider. We spoke to Sam Anders, who purchased the property last year and has plans to construct a new building there for his accounting practice.

“It’s going to be an ongoing process,” Anders said in a recent interview. “We’re going to be digging it up

which addresses the disturbance, desecration or relocation of grave sites, there is nothing to prohibit the “ordinary maintenance and care of a cemetery by the owner, caretaker, or other person acting to facilitate cemetery operations by keeping the cemetery free from accumulated debris or other signs of neglect” (in the aforementioned case, the property owner’s permission must, of course, be obtained first).

There is not a group in Oak Ridge responsible for maintaining graveyards, so Smith recommended that anyone interested in cleaning up and maintaining this graveyard reach out to the property owners and ask their permission to do so.

“It may be as simple as asking, ‘Would you mind if I clean up your cemetery?’” she said.

and spraying it.”

For anyone who’s ever tried it, removing bamboo is a daunting task.

“As tempting as it may be to plant (the bamboo) for its striking growth form and ability to form an almost impenetrable living privacy fence, this plant should be avoided at all costs since it rarely remains contained within desirable boundaries,” according to an invasive species leaflet from the North Carolina Forest Commission, published in 2010 and posted online. “An established stand… can take several years of hard work to completely eradicate.”

Last fall, in his first attempt to rid the bamboo, Anders hired a contractor to cut down and haul away the stubborn trees

Adobe Stock photo

Summerfield Founders’ Day May 19-20

Reynolds & Stoner Orthodontics pulled out all the stops again this year and was awarded “Most Creative” in the Founders’ Day Parade on May 20.

Northwest Guilford Farmers Market was awarded “Best Overall” in the Founders’ Day Parade on May 20.

Best 4K9 owner Phil Ray and his wife enjoyed participating in the Founders’ Day parade with one of their beloved dogs. Donkeys, mini cows and horses – all accompanied by their humans, of course – also represented the animal kingdom in the parade.

Kids wearing First Baptist Church Summerfield’s “WE Summerfield” T-shirts stand waiting for Founders’ Day parade participants to toss out candy.

Photos by Teri Quintal Photography

The job of a parade organizer isn’t over when the morning parade ends, as Summerfield resident and volunteer Mark Brown proved here. Shown in photo, Brown is loading items into a golf cart at the conclusion of Founders’ Day.

WELCOME to our new advertisers

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.

NewHope Medical Group

Owners/managers: Chase and Ashley Michaels

After practicing corporate medicine, Chase and Ashley Michaels decided several months ago to step out on their own and create a family medicine practice based on a partnership between them and their patients, with a personalized approach to healthcare that best meets their individual needs.

“We wanted a more hometown feel to our medicine practice model,” Chase said.

NewHope Medical Group, which is

set to open in Kernersville on June 5, will provide medical care for people of all ages, from newborn to geriatric patients.

“We take a team approach where the patient, family and provider work together to make the best healthcare plan focusing on the overall wellbeing of you and your loved ones,” the couple said. “We use a comprehensive approach that incorporates traditional and holistic medicine models.”

Chase and Ashley said one of the most rewarding aspects of their jobs is “treating patients with compassion

and watching God heal them.”

On a personal note: The couple and their two children, Ella, 9, and Connor, 6, attend Mercy Hill Church. Ashley grew up in Summerfield and Chase grew up in Morganton, just east of Asheville. After marrying, they settled in the northwest Guilford area.

In her spare time, Ashley enjoys exercising and going to her favorite place, Baden Lake. Chase enjoys

playing golf, hunting, fishing with his kids, and anything related to lake life.

J.P. Grading and Clearing

Owner: Jackson Prillaman

Jackson Prillaman has been involved in grading and land clearing work since he was 18, and said it has always been a passion of his.

“I found a way to make it work and started my own company when I was 20,” he said. “I never thought it would grow into what it is now, and I’m even in the process of starting a second company. There are not many days in a year I am not on a machine helping

See ad on p. 3

the guys out. I am very hands on and invested in my work.”

J.P. Grading and Clearing offers grading and land clearing for development and other building projects, dirt work, tree work, concrete work, drainage and hauling.

“I love the process of turning a customer’s vision into reality, and in the most affordable way possible,” Prillaman said. “The assurance that my work will hold up for the long haul is

very important to me. Building lasting relationships goes hand-in-hand with that.”

Figuring out the most cost-effective way to provide his services to customers without cutting corners or affecting quality is one of the biggest challenges Prillaman said he faces in his work.

As for the most rewarding part of his work, he said it is “seeing customers thrilled with the outcome of work and knowing we exceeded their expectations.”

As a way of giving back, J.P. Grading and Clearing offers discounts to all veterans. On a personal note: Prillaman grew

up in High Point. After graduating from high school his family moved an hour away and he moved to Walkertown, where he still lives.

“My family supports me in everything I do and believes in me 100%,” he said.

In his spare time, Prillaman said he enjoys being at the lake, hunting, fishing, and hanging out with family and friends.

Ace Handyman Services Greensboro West & Kernersville

Kendra Keever, owner / Dana Kappus, office manager

Every homeowner has a list of home repair, maintenance and improvement projects that need to get done, but with today’s busy lifestyles, who has the time or patience to do it all yourself – even if you know how? Enter Ace Handyman Services, a locally owned and independently operated franchise that Kendra Keever launched last year in Greensboro and Kernersville.

Ace Handyman Services offers an extensive array of both interior and exterior home services, from bathroom and kitchen repair to painting and even furniture assembly (and much in between).

“We’re a trusted ally for everything home,” Keever said. “We offer support that improves people’s lives and we believe in leaving our community better than we found it.”

Keever said one of the greatest rewards of her job is “helping people

who don’t have the ability to help themselves.”

Believing in giving back to the community, Keever and her crew with Ace Handyman Services recently partnered with Keller Williams Realty to participate in Red Day, the realty company’s annual day of service. Together, they cleaned, repaired and beautified Camp Carefree in Stokesdale, a nonprofit which provides a free one-week camp experience to children with serious health issues.

On a personal note: Keever said she enjoys spending her free time with family and friends.

Interesting fact: “Our craftsmen have the knowledge and ability to perform 1,162 different handyman jobs,” Keever said.

It’s show time!

Summerfield Stage Company is bringing live community theater to northwest Guilford County

by PATTI STOKES

NW GUILFORD – Elyse Rodriguez and Amy Alvino are “beyond excited” about sharing their love for live theater with residents of northwest Guilford County. For more than a year and a half, the co-founders of Summerfield Stage Company have been laying the groundwork for their community theater program, and in recent months they’ve offered some insight as to what’s on the horizon with two performances at Village Beverage Co. in Summerfield. Next in the lineup is a murder mystery dinner fundraiser, planned for June 30.

The two women forged a friendship years ago when they were students at

Elon University. Rodriguez, a native New Yorker, was attracted to the university because it had a “really good theater program” – and, she said, she fell in love with the campus on her first visit there.

A native of Greensboro, Alvino developed a love for acting as a young girl and performed in several local theater productions, including with the now-defunct Livestock Players Musical Theatre group. She also took theatre classes at Weaver Academy.

“That really set me up to go to college and pursue a degree in theater,”

she said. She ended up majoring in corporate communications with double minors in acting and music.

After college, Alvino lived for a while in New York, where she pursued musical theater and performed in some off-Broadway productions.

“I had some success, but it was

never lucrative enough to pay the bills,” she said.

Life happened, and although the friends stayed in touch, they at times lived on opposite sides of the country … but then Rodriguez, who had thoroughly enjoyed her college classes in ... continued on p. 31

...AND CONGRATS TO OUR PARADE ENTRY WINNERS :

✯ Most Creative: Reynolds & Stoner Orthodontics

✯ Most Patriotic: Clark Powers’ family M1078 Army truck

✯ Best Overall: Northwest Guilford Farmers & Specialty Market

Thank you sponsors, volunteers, vendors, fire department, and parade entrants for another successful event for our community.

Photo courtesy of Summerfield Stage Company Cast members and Summerfield Stage Company volunteers enjoy a moment “backstage” after their performance of “A Little Bit of Bloomin’ Luck!” at Village Beverage Co. in Summerfield in March.

Elyse Rodriguez Amy Alvino

Finley Roper, described by his owners as a “goofball and one who brings joy to all he meets,” lives in The Vineyards in Summerfield and loves long walks, meeting new people, and hanging out in his mom’s flower beds.

While out running errands, PS Communications’ graphic designer, Yvonne Truhon, quickly snapped this shot of a gosling with two adult geese. The father presumably had something to say about the intrusion, as he hissed Truhon back to her car!

Gidget Peri”Wink”le Dellosa is the ruler of the roost and head greeter at Gal-vanized, a local art shop in Stokesdale. As a rescue, not much is known about Gidget, but she appears to be a Yorkie mix and is about 4 years old. Look closly at her photo to see the cutest underbite!

10-year-old

Summerfield sisters, Tallulah and Jypsy, love stalking squirrels in their backyard and getting spoiled by neighbors.

‘Boonies’ offer love, loyalty and ‘hearts of gold’

The ‘super mutts’ from Guam are adoptable through the Boonie Flight Project

by ANNETTE JOYCE

Summerfield resident Mary Doggett is working to raise awareness of the Boonie Flight Project, an organization that seeks to adopt out dogs known as “boonies” from Guam, a U.S. territory south of Japan.

Known as “super mutts,” boonies have reportedly descended from dogs brought over in World War II, abandoned pets, and from the closed dog racing track on the island. They are described as “a lovely random mix of: German shepherds, beagles, labs, Dobermans, greyhounds, corgis, chihuahuas and many other breeds.”

Doggett knows firsthand the rewards

of opening a heart to one of these very loyal canines. She adopted her first boonie, Maple Lou, about two years ago after reading an article about their plight. Having exploded to a population of nearly 75,000, these strays are wary of humans and roam the streets and countryside looking for food. There’s no TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) program on the island, so the dogs breed faster than volunteers are able to catch them. With an approximate human population of just over 150,000, Guam doesn’t have enough people to take the boonies in and there’s a severe shortage of foster homes. Plus, the island’s only animal shelter was severely damaged May 23-24 by Typhoon Mawar, which reached sustained winds of 150 mph and was the largest storm to hit the island in decades.

Before the Boonie Flight Project was formed in 2021, transporting the

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO Sisters Mary Doggett (left) and Beth Kaplan, with adopted Boonie dogs Maple Lou and Winnie Sue.

animals to the U.S. was cost prohibitive. According to the organization’s website, estimates for a single adult dog range from $2,000-$4,000, depending on its size and weight.

The Boonie Flight Project provides an economical solution to getting the dogs off the island by putting two puppies in a crate, making it much less expensive than sending the larger adult dogs. Doggett said that lowers the cost to between $500 and $750 when the dogs are flown to designated, dog-friendly airports.

Maple Lou was a young puppy when she came to Doggett. The flight to the Raleigh-Durham airport took nearly a week and the pup lost about eight pounds during the trip. Even so, Maple’s adjustment to her new home was relatively easy.

After going through the process of adopting one boonie, Doggett felt compelled to adopt a second one when she learned about Winnie Sue.

However, Winnie’s situation was completely different from Maple’s. When the volunteers found Winnie, her head was stuck in a plastic pickle jar, which had prevented her from eating or drinking. Around 4 years old, the distressed dog had been like that for some time and was severely emaciated and dehydrated.

Fortunately, volunteers were able to remove the jar from Winnie’s head relatively easily.

Not surprisingly, Winnie steered as far away from humans as was possible. Once the veterinarian gave the go-ahead, she went into foster care and

began to acclimate to people and the comforts of a caring home.

When Doggett learned about Winnie, she quickly applied to adopt her. Once Winnie was deemed ready, she was soon on her way to join Doggett, Maple Lou, and Doggett’s other dog, Ruby May, an Australian shepherd.

Winnie arrived at the airport last August, and Doggett said her transition since then has been more challenging than Maple Lou’s.

“When we picked her up, she was as far back in the crate as she could go,” Doggett said. “She dug out of her kennel that first day and we had to use two leashes whenever we took her anywhere.”

As with any rescue, Doggett said patience has been the key to making Winnie feel at home and become part of the 13-dog pack that lives on the Doggett family farm property. Maple Lou has played a significant role in teaching Winnie how to behave and get along with other dogs, and Doggett said Winnie has come a long way since she was first found in Guam. While she’s still a bit skittish and takes a while to warm up to strangers, her sweet personality comes through, and Doggett is thrilled with her progress – so much so that she plans to rescue more of these dogs.

She’s also encouraging others she knows to do the same. She was instrumental in her brother, John Doggett, and his wife recently adopting their own boonie, Hammie.

Often asked why she doesn’t rescue dogs already here in the U.S., Doggett

responds that she’d like to see every animal saved, but believes the boonies have a more difficult time being rescued.

“These are the most loyal dogs you can imagine,” she said. “I think they deserve a chance.”

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Summerfield Town

members John

hold the ribbon for Mayor Tim Sessoms to cut during the ribbon cutting ceremony which signified the opening of Summerfield’s Paw Park on Saturday, May 6. The 1+-acre dog park is near the amphitheater in Summerfield Community Park, at the end of Medearis Street (just off Summerfield Road), and is open from dawn to dusk. The dog park has separate areas for smaller dogs up to 25 pounds and larger dogs 25 pounds and above. Both areas are equipped with benches, tunnels and water fountains and also offer both shaded and grassy areas. In addition, there are logs and hoops for the smaller dogs and hurdles and weaving poles for the large dogs. First-time dog park users are asked to register at www.summerfieldnc.gov/spp.

GSC shares passing of beloved giant anteater, Eury

GREENSBORO – The Greensboro Science Center (GSC) recently shared the passing of Eury, its beloved giant anteater, on May 10. Eury came to the GSC in 2008 with the Animal Discovery zoo expansion and in June would have turned 23, which was beyond his life expectancy. GSC staff said Eury had been under palliative veterinary care, including acupuncture to alleviate pain due to chronic arthritis, for some time.

As a geriatric animal, the GSC

veterinary team and animal staff had been monitoring Eury’s quality of life for several years. Unfortunately, his health quickly declined earlier this month and the team made the difficult decision to compassionately euthanize him on May 10.

“Nearing his final days, Eury the anteater drew global attention via TikTok by simply exhibiting his gentle ‘old man’ antics and innate charm,” said Glenn Dobrogosz, the GSC’s CEO. “He served as an ambassador for all anteaters, creating

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO Summerfield residents Mamie and Mark Brown attended the opening of Summerfield’s Paw Park on May 6 – along with their two dogs, of course, both of which are rescues. The Browns were told Ellie (left) is a shih tzu, but they believe she may be more Maltese; Rosie (right) is a mix of Boston terrier and possibly some chihuahua.

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Council

Doggett (far left) and Jeff Davis (far right)

“Eury single-handedly wowed guests of all ages, including a city council member who was still on the fence during our 2009 bond campaign,” Dobrogosz continued. “This interaction

BEAUTIFUL

Eury, a beloved giant anteater who resided at Greensboro Science Center, passed away May 10; he would have turned 23 this month.

led to support for our $20 million bond and the successful growth of the GSC. Eury will be missed by all.”

A press release sent out after Eury’s passing stated, “If you ask any of the GSC’s animal care staff, they would tell you that he was ... such a unique animal to work with. Some of Eury’s favorite things were stinky shoes, sunbathing, painting with his food, and showers.”

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In round 2 later this year, Anders plans to undergo a multi-step approach to remove the bamboo on his approximately 4.6 acres across Lisa Drive from Oak Ridge Town Park.

Earth-moving equipment will try again to dig up the roots in other areas accessible by machinery, Anders said. Next, the bamboo roots and rhizomes, which also grow underground, will be separated from the dirt and hauled away.

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO Resurgent growth of bamboo frames a car traveling west on Linville Road in Oak Ridge, past property where owner Sam Anders plans to try once again to kill the pesky plants.

Pesticide will be used to kill bamboo growing next to structures, such as the historic Moore house, and in other areas inaccessible by machinery, according to Anders. Removing bamboo growing near the stream on the southwestern corner of the property is going to be complicated from an environmental point of view, he said.

After cutting the bamboo close to the ground, workers will use a brush to apply a pesticide paste to bamboo stubs individually.

Anders said a man asked for permission to dig up some of the bamboo to plant along a lake on his property, to which he responded, “Do you know what you’re getting into?”

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and scrape the roots out of the ground.

Widow’s 50th anniversary gift to late husband benefits working canines

by ANNETTE JOYCE

Bruce and Laurie Bowman would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. Even though Bruce unfortunately passed away about a year ago, Laurie wanted to do something special to commemorate the event and honor her husband.

The best way to do this, she decided, was to fulfill his wish to purchase equipment for police dogs.

“My husband was a Vietnam veteran and when he was in Vietnam, he was a noncommissioned officer in charge of sentry dog training,” Laurie said. “He always had a special place in his heart for military and police dogs. Before he died, he mentioned how he wanted to raise funds to buy Kevlar vests for the police dogs.”

After doing some research, Laurie soon found out how expensive quality canine equipment was (one Kevlar

vest alone can cost $1,400, she said), so she decided to seek help from others to raise the needed funds for purchasing the equipment.

She also expanded the scope of her husband’s vision.

“Instead of just Kevlar vests for police dogs, I want to supply needed

According to its website, Project Paws Alive provides lifesaving K9 equipment such as bullet and stab protective vests, first aid kits, vehicle heat alarms, cooling vests, and pet oxygen mask kits to law enforcement, fire, search and rescue, EMS, and military nationwide.

Stokesdale resident Laurie Bowman hopes to raise $2,000 by June 30 to contribute to the nonprofit.

safety equipment to police, military or search-and-rescue dogs everywhere,” she said.

Hoping to help on a local level, Laurie first reached out to law enforcement agencies in Guilford and Rockingham counties. When she didn’t hear back from them, she assumed they

Photo courtesy of Laurie Bowman Laurie Bowman (left) is raising funds to purchase safety equipment for working canines on lifesaving missions in memory of her late husband, Bruce.

Adobe Stock photo

were well equipped and she dug deeper to find out where funds were needed.

Through her research, she found Project Paws Alive (PPAK9), a nonprofit that reportedly relies solely on donations and sponsors “to provide lifesaving K9 equipment such as bullet and stab protective vests, first aid kits, vehicle heat alarms, cooling vests, and pet oxygen mask kits to law enforcement, fire, search and rescue, EMS, and military nationwide.”

“This equipment is good quality and goes where it is needed throughout the country,” the Stokesdale resident said. “Although some government agencies allocate funds for this equipment, it may not be enough for what is needed for the dogs, or the quality may not be as good.”

With no background in fundraising, Laurie considered many possibilities for how to proceed. After speaking with the people at PPAK9, she chose to set up a fundraiser on her Facebook page and also direct people to make donations through the organization’s website.

“These dogs put their lives on the line to protect us, whether it is in the military, police work, searching for survivors after a catastrophe or searching for a missing family member,” Laurie said.

She is urging others to make a donation to help cover the cost of needed equipment for the canines that will be “as good as what their human counterparts would get. I know Bruce would be so honored and happy that we can do this for these animals, since his life was saved numerous times by his dogs in Vietnam.”

With a deadline of June 30, Laurie has so far raised about $900, almost half her fundraising goal of $2,000.

An Ordinary Dog

by LAURIE BOWMAN

I’m just an ordinary dog, I love to eat and play

But when they strap me with this vest, It’s quite a different day.

I have a certain job to do, That’s unlike any other, To find the drugs, the child, the bomb

To save my human brother.

I may be walking gingerly, With bullets whizzing past. Sometimes I have to take it slow, Sometimes I must work fast.

I’m just an ordinary dog, To help those who are in trouble. I may be looking for someone Alive, amongst the rubble.

And at the end of one long day, My handler at my side, We both can finally lay to rest With such a sense of pride.

I’m just an ordinary dog, Our battle here is won. Through all our blood and sweat and tears

Our job has been well done.

want to help?

Donations can be made at www.facebook.com/laurie.bowman.102, or at ppak9.org. Checks made payable to Project Paws Alive can be mailed to Project Paws Alive, 2095 Hwy 211 NW, Suite 2-F, Box 273, Braselton, GA 30517.

To be included as part of Laurie’s fundraiser, please specify the donation is in memory of Bruce Bowman.

Pets

Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network

OLLIE

Meet Ollie, an almost 5-year-old Australian shepherd/husky mix. This fellow is one of the best dogs you will ever meet! He has never met a stranger and is great with people and other dogs. Because of this, he would love to have a dog sibling or active family who takes their dog on adventures. He does show a lot of interest in wildlife, so he sometimes needs reminders on leash manners when temptations are scurrying around. For this reason, homes without cats are preferred. Other than that, Ollie is housebroken, crate trained and has manners and basic obedience, so this boy is ready to find one lucky forever family!

ROCCO and SAMMI

Rocco and Sammi, 2-year-old Jersey cows, are a sweet couple who came to us through animal control. They will love to be fed treats all day, but watch out for their horns which may hit you by accident! These two are looking for their new home where they can be someone’s pets for the rest of their lives!

If you are interested in learning more about Rocco and Sammi, Ollie or any of our other adoptable animals, please visit www.reddogfarm.com to fill out an adoption application.

Guilford County Animal Resource Center

BEAU

If Beau Brummell, the arbiter of British men’s fashion during the Regency (c. 1795-1837), were to come back as a cat, this quietly handsome guy would be that cat. Shy and laid-back, but very cuddly once he gets to know you, Beau is a 10-pound neutered domestic shorthair with neat white paws and a stylish grey tabby coat. At age 4 1/2 , Beau has years of love to give to his new “fur”ever family. Although good with other cats and dogs, he prefers the company of adult humans. Ask for Beau by ID# GCAS-A-8326.

ANTHONY

Meet Anthony, a 52-pound neutered male boxer mix. This 6 1/2 -year-old guy is shy, but he enjoys walking (a good thing, since he also enjoys treats!), and knows some commands such as “sit.” His hobbies include watching sports and movies about sports; his favorite sport is (you guessed it!) boxing. Please ask for Anthony by ID# GCAS-A-7547.

Guilford County Animal Resource Center

980 Guilford College Road, Greensboro • Walk-in adoptions: Wed-Sun, 12-4pm

To check animals’ availability or make surrender appointments, call (336) 641-3400 or visit www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/animal-services

& Kids’ Korner

maned wolf WORD SEARCH

Unlike others wolf species, half of the maned wolf’s diet is fruits and vegetables! One of its favorites is a small, tomato-like berry called lobeira, also known as “Wolf Apples”.

AWESOME ANIMALS

Maned Wolf did you know?

• Although the maned wolf appears to have many similarities to both the fox and the wolf, it is not part of either family. Maned wolves are unique and have their own lineage, related mainly to other extinct dogs also called “canids”, and are the only member of their genus.

• The maned wolf is found in South America, primarily in Brazil, but there are also populations in Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. They prefer open habitats such as grasslands, shrubby areas and woodlands with an open canopy.

• The maned wolf has very long legs, which is thought to be an adaptation that allows these animals to see above the tall grass where they often hunt.

• If you were hoping for a gross fact about maned wolves, you’re in luck! They are famous for having some of the most pungent, putrid-smelling urine; many claim it is as powerful as a skunk’s defense spray.

• When threatened, the maned wolf’s thick mane hairs stand erect, making these animals appear much larger than they actually are.

• The maned wolf is primarily nocturnal. It hunts alone, usually between sundown and midnight.

• They don’t howl, but rather have a vocalization called a roar-bark, which is a long-distance call used to tell other maned wolves to keep away.

Novant Health

Forsyth Pediatrics Oak Ridge

Deepa Nayak, MD • Steve Kearns, MD

Laurie MacDonald, MD • Lauren Miller Jones, FNP

When it comes to your child’s care, you can trust our expert pediatricians. From prevention services to same-day sick visits, we’re here every step of the way.

(336) 644-0994 • nhforsythpedskernersville.org

2205 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge

Kernersville Office: (336) 993-8333

Union Cross Office/After-hours: (336) 515-7420

Walkertown Office: (336) 564-4101

Oak Ridge Commons

A surprisingly uncommon experience in the heart of Oak

Enjoy one of our classic dishes or try a daily special... it’s all DELICIOUS!

Live music from 6-9pm every Fri. & Sat. 336.643.6359|Bistro150.com

One of our customer favorites, chicken salad on a croissant served with a side of your choice!

Enjoy

Family fun, community camaraderie and old-fashioned good times – there’s no better way to experience this than at the monthly Oak Ridge Commons Cruise-In.

Sponsored by shopping center owner, JPC Monroe, this favorite summertime event attracts dozens of cars which – weather permitting – start rolling in around 4:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month and hang around until dusk.

“We have a broad spectrum of cars,” said Oak Ridge resident Randy Floss, who got the event started more than a decade ago. “Everything from classics to muscle cars, Corvettes and exotics such as Lamborghinis, Ferraris and McLarens.”

Kevin Pusch, an avid car enthusiast and owner of eight classic cars himself, helps coordinate the event and enjoys not only the cars, but the nostalgic atmosphere surrounding it.

“The show brings back fond memories of childhood,” the Summerfi eld resident said. “People like to relive the good times and these cars remind them of those.”

“It’s fun to see parents walking together with their kids and talking about the cars they used to drive,” Floss added. “After they’ve looked at the cars, they can just hang out, listen to music and spend some time together.”

Live outdoor entertainment adds to the enjoyment of the cruise-in and Floss likes to bring in local musicians such as Kris Ferris, who is known to be a crowd pleaser, and husband-and-wife duo Robert and Elizabeth Spencer, aka “Mood Swingz.” Floss said these artists play a variety of music, includ-

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Oak Ridge, at the corner of NC Highways 68 and 150

ing classic hits which appeal to most car enthusiasts.

EuroHaus, “the European auto pros,” is also a sponsor of the event and takes part in a raffl e that gives participating car owners the chance to win some cool merchandise. Dave’s Detailing, a mobile car detailing service, also provides a bucket fi lled with car cleaning items to be raffl ed off.

The cruise-in is open to anyone who wants to show off their car and connect with other car enthusiasts. Pusch encourages participants to “just show up” and he’ll direct them to a parking spot.

Oak Ridge Commons parking lot during the monthly Classic Car Cruise-In.

want to go?

Join the fun at Oak Ridge Commons on the third Tuesday of each month, now through October. Next cruise-in is Tuesday, June 20, 4:30 p.m. to (around) 8 p.m. – weather dependent.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Pusch Hot rods, classics and customs populate the

mark your calendar

REGISTER for CHILDREN’S BUSINESS FAIR

 Children’s business fair | Young entrepreneurs ages 6 to 14 are invited to set up shop for a children’s business fair on Saturday, June 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. Register at www. childrensbusinessfair.org/stokesdale. And community members, you’re encouraged to come out and support these kids! More info: learn@beaconacademync.org.

EVERY WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY

 NW Guilford Farmers & Specialty Market | A combined Oak Ridge/Summerfield farmers market is open Wednesday evenings from 4 p.m. to dusk and Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Greensboro Performing Arts, 7200 Summerfield Road. More info: Nicki Wagoner, (336) 817-7765 or fromtheearthfm@ gmail.com.

EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT

 GriefShare | Oak Ridge First Baptist Church at 2445 Oak Ridge Road is hosting a GriefShare session every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Each week, this

support group watches a video seminar about moving through the grieving process, followed by a discussion of the material presented in the video. Learn more at www.griefshare.org. To register, visit www.griefshare.org/ groups/166856.

THURSDAY, JUNE 1

 Town Council meeting | Oak Ridge Town Council will meet June 1, starting at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. Attend in person or watch the meeting livestreamed on the town’s YouTube channel. Visit www.oakridgenc.com for more info or a meeting agenda.

FRIDAY, JUNE 2

 Movie in the Park | The Summit Church in Oak Ridge is sponsoring a movie night June 2 in Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. Admission and concessions are free, courtesy of the church. Food trucks will be onsite with food for sale beginning at 6:30 p.m., games start at 7 p.m. and the movie “High School Musical” begins at dark. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. More info: www.thesummitchurch.net.

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

 Gem, mineral & jewelry show | The Greensboro Gem & Mineral Club, a nonprofit promoting interest and knowledge of gemstones, fossils, etc., will sponsor its 10th annual gem, mineral & jewelry show on June 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Piedmont Triad Farmers

Market, 2914 Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax. The first 100 kids age 12 and under will receive a free mini geode. Admission and parking are free. Visit www.ggmc-rockhounds.com to learn more, or contact Ed Deckert, edeckert1@icloud.com.

 Community hike | Summerfield Trails & Open Space Committee will host a community hike to celebrate North Carolina’s Year of the Trail on June 3 at Summerfield Community Park, 5404 Centerfield Road. Committee members and those interested in participating will meet in the parking lot at 10 a.m. and a guided hike of the trails throughout the park will begin at 10:15 a.m. This hike is family- and pet- (on leash) friendly. A free bamboo hiking stick will be given to the first 50 participants. More info: nealandave@hotmail.com.

TUESDAY, JUNE 6

 Kiwanis Club | Kiwanis Club of Northwest Guilford, a nonprofit that engages in projects focused on children in our community, will meet June 6, starting at 12 noon at Bill’s Pizza, 1431 N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge. More info: nwgkiwanis@gmail.com.

 SMA meeting | Summerfield Merchants Association (SMA), which focuses on supporting local businesses, nonprofits and the Summerfield community, invites business professionals who live in or operate a business in Summerfield to its next monthly meeting on

CALENDAR EVENTS

...continued from p. 22

June 6; social and networking time starts at 6:15 p.m. and the business meeting will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Learn more about SMA or RSVP to attend the meeting as a guest at www.summerfieldmerchant.com.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7

 Community meal | Gideon Grove United Methodist Church at 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road in Stokesdale will host a free hot dog dinner June 7, 5 to 6 p.m. More info: (336) 643-6042.

 Preservation Oak Ridge | Preservation Oak Ridge, a nonprofit committed to preserving historic structures in Oak Ridge, will meet June 7, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the historic Ai Church, 1306 N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge. More info: www.preserveoakridge.org or call (336) 644-1777.

 Friends of Stokesdale meeting | Friends of Stokesdale, a nonprofit committed to preserving Stokesdale’s history and downtown charm, invites those with similar interests to its monthly meeting June 7, 7 to 8 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. For more info, visit www.facebook.com/friendsofstokesdale or call Joe Thacker, president, at (336) 708-0334.

JUNE 7, 8, 13 & 15

 Senior programs | Senior Resources of Guilford County will sponsor a program for senior citizens including activities and a take-home lunch on June 7, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, at Oak Ridge First Baptist Church, 2445 Oak Ridge Road; on June 8 at Stokesdale United Methodist Church (8305 Loyola Drive); on June 13 at Center UMC (6142 Lake Brandt Road in

Wesleyan Church (119 N. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax); and on June 15 at Summerfield First Baptist Church (2300 Scalesville Road). To learn more and/or RSVP at Center UMC, contact the church at (336) 643-7765; for the others, call (336) 373-4816, ext. 265.

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

 Town Council meeting | Stokesdale Town Council will meet June 8, starting at 7 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. Citizens may attend in person, or virtually via Zoom. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the town’s YouTube channel. Visit www.stokesdale.org for a meeting agenda.

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

 Family Fun Day | Friends of Stokesdale invites the community to its first Family Fun Day on June 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Park, 8329 Angel Pardue Road. The cost is $5, which includes food, music and games for kids of all ages. Learn more at www.facebook.com/friendsofstokesdale. See ad on p. 14.

 Music in the Park | The Town of Oak Ridge will host a Music in the Park event June 10 at Oak Ridge Town Park Amphitheater, 6231 Lisa Drive. Radio Revolver will be playing classic rock and dance music from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket; several food trucks will be onsite and a beverage garden with beer/ wine for sale will be provided by SouthEnd Brewing Co. and Oak Ridge Craft & Vine. The event is free, but donations for the band are appreciated. In case of inclement weather, this event will be held in the Family Life Center at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, 2424 Oak Ridge Road (no alcohol if moved to the church). See ad on p. 17.

MONDAY, JUNE 12

NW Guilford Woman’s Club | In lieu of its regular

monthly meeting, Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club (NGWC), a nonprofit whose members share a commitment to community service, will meet June 12 at 6 p.m. in the cemetery parking lot across from Oak Ridge United Methodist Church for a quarterly Adopt-AHighway litter cleanup along a stretch of N.C. 150 (Oak Ridge Road). Afterward, participants are invited to enjoy socializing and having dinner together at Bistro 150 in Oak Ridge Commons. To learn more about NGWC or to participate in the highway cleanup and social time afterward, contact Tiffany Hansen, president, at (336) 404-8038 or tiffanykhansen96@gmail.com.

TUESDAY, JUNE 13

 Town Council meeting | Summerfield Town Council will meet June 13, 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.

SATURDAY,

JUNE 17

 Lions Club Meet & Greet | Oak Ridge Lions Club invites the community to a Meet & Greet event June 17, 1 to 3 p.m. at Fox Garden (the home of Danny and Linda Yanusz) in Oak Ridge. Food, beverages and dessert will be provided by Lions Club members, and Soggy Bottom Band will perform live music. Please RSVP to danny.yanusz@gmail.com by Saturday, June 10.

 Music in the Park | The Town of Summerfield will host a Music in the Park event June 17 at Summerfield Community Park Amphitheater, 5404 Centerfield Road. Special Occasion Band will be playing beach music, oldies and Top 40 songs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket; Taco Bros food truck and Kona Ice will be selling refreshments. Parking is available at Summerfield Community Park or Medearis Street parking lot.

Saturday, June 17, 6:30p – 9:00p

Summerfield Community Park Amphitheater (5404 Centerfield Rd.)

Special Occasion Band

brought to you by:

free concert ...

beach, oldies, top 40

Taco Bros. food truck and Kona Ice on site! Free parking at 5404 Centerfield Rd., Medearis St. Trailhead, and Summerfield Elementary. Bring blankets, chairs, and friends!

www.summerfieldnc.gov

Check the town’s Facebook page for weather updates. .. . and our next music events : July 15 and August 19

(L to R): Bella Noel (secretary), Emmett Cavey (director), Victor Vlad (president), Luke Monday (VP) and Nina Kuhn (photographer)

Just Keep Smiling!

At Reynolds & Stoner Orthodontics, we believe everyone should just keep smiling! We love seeing our patients gain confidence that a great smile can provide. Call or text our office to schedule a FREE consultation for braces or Invisalign with either of our doctors in our private practice. You too can Just Keep Smiling!

Brown honored with BSA’s Elbert K. Fretwell Outstanding Educator Award

Catherine Ann Brown, a teacher at Northwest Guilford High School (NWHS) and a Scouts

Reynolds & Stoner

BSA Troop volunteer, received the Boy Scouts of America (BSA)

Elbert K. Fretwell

Outstanding Educator Award at the Old North State Council Volunteer Recognition Banquet on March 16.

Established in 2016, the Elbert K. Fretwell Outstanding Educator Award recognizes the valuable contributions educators make in the lives of young people.

An educator for 31 years, Brown began teaching at NWHS in 2006. She currently chairs the math department and teaches AP Statistics and AP Calculus.

“Before school, after school and all points in between, Mrs. Brown is there for her students and is widely known as an educator with exceptional character who models the tenets of the Scout Law, Motto and Oath in the classroom and the community,” said Scott Bennett, a NWHS colleague and past Fretwell award

EAGLE Scouts

recipient. “Mrs. Brown has long made her classroom a comfortable space for learning and practicing rigorous math. Honest and open, she helps students become their better selves, overcome adversity and practice stamina and grit.”

Jacob Binder, a sophomore at NWHS, added, ““Mrs. Brown manages to make complex subjects easier to understand. She’s always there to offer help if you’re confused and makes every effort to help her students succeed.”

“Eager to help everyone, Mrs. Brown always keeps the door open for her students,” NWHS senior Swetha Anand said. “Whether it is tutoring or even posting additional videos and website resources, she always provides the tools students need to ace the class.”

As a scouting volunteer, Brown serves as committee chair, a merit badge counselor and trainer for Troop 600, a Scout unit for young men located in Oak Ridge. In addition, she provides support to Troop 219, a Scout unit for young women. Her sons, Jeb and Smith, are Eagle Scouts.

To learn more about Scouts BSA Troop 600, visit scoutdude.com. Troops 600 and 219 meet Mondays at Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Todd Holland earns Eagle Scout rank

Todd Holland, a member of Scouts BSA Troop 600 based in Oak Ridge, recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

For his Eagle Scout service project, Todd led five Scouts in the construction of a garden shed at the Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church community garden. The shed will provide dry and

secure storage for tools and supplies for volunteers at the garden.

Todd, 16, lives in Oak Ridge and is the son of Stephen and Jennifer Holland. He is a freshman at Northwest High School and a member of the Tsoiotsi Tsogalii Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, the honor society of the Boy Scouts of America.

Catherine Brown

Todd Holland

Ordinary people, Extraordinary

by ANNETTE JOYCE

Ever had a teacher who made a lifetime positive impact on you? For many former Summerfield Elementary School students, that teacher is David Layton.

Before landing in Summerfield, Layton, a physical education teacher, had planned to spend his career working with middle and high school students.

That changed in 1994, when Summerfield Elementary’s principal – who was also Layton’s former teacher and basketball coach – asked him to fill in for two months. Fortunately for the Summerfield community, Layton not only agreed to come on board temporarily, but ended up teaching PE at the school for 30 more years.

Working with younger students has fulfilled his purpose in teaching, Layton said, adding that he feels his job has been to get them interested in being active, having fun and being healthy.

Along the way, he has captured the imaginations of countless kids and given them opportunities to shine, regardless of their athletic abilities.

“I want to allow the kids to do what they do best, so I offer activities where they can feel included and important,” he said.

To do this, Layton has often tapped into his creative side. For instance, during a lesson on winter sports, he turned off the heat in the school’s gym and he created a Winter Wonderland, where the kids had snowball fights and went sledding. He also

cleared trails in the nearby community park where he could take his students hiking – and he invented a game called “Capture the Chicken,” which is an all-time student favorite.

Then, there’s the legendary campout that Layton has hosted each fall; it started several years ago when a small group of students and their parents pitched about 25 tents around the gym. The group later moved to Summerfield Community Park, and this year over 100 tents popped up with about 400 people in attendance.

As a former student of Layton’s and now a firstgrade teacher at Summerfield Elementary, Sierra Walker can testify to the impact Layton has on his students as well as his colleagues.

“The kids are able to do so many things that aren’t being offered (at other schools). He’s always thinking outside the box,” she said. “He puts a positive spin on everything and is so encouraging.”

Sierra’s husband, Reece Walker, also shares many fond memories of having Layton as a teacher.

“He was always positive and only had two rules –‘do the right thing and do what I ask,’” Walker said. “Even as a kid, it was obvious to me that he went above and beyond.”

Besides giving so much to his students, Layton also gives back to the community. He’s a big fan of Summerfield Fire Department and supports the department in any way he can. He and his wife, Helle, also support Red Dog Farm, a local animal

rescue, and have fostered and helped find homes for nearly 100 dogs. They also helped found Hope Chapel in Greensboro, where they remain active and lead a community Bible study.

The couple has two children, Jonathan, 22, and Christina, 20.

Sadly for many people, Layton is retiring at the end of this school year. He said he will miss his students and colleagues, but is looking forward to having more time to play golf and spend on his woodworking. Maybe he’ll even take up some new hobbies.

“I’m a blessed man,” he said as he reflects on his career in education. “When people ask how I’m doing, I say ‘a lot better than I deserve.’”

“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” – Kahlil Gibran

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

PE teacher has positively impacted thousands of students for a lifetime

David Layton, Summerfield Elementary’s PE teacher, is retiring at the end of this school year.

Photo courtesy of Summerfield Elementary

involvement and potential (federal pandemic relief) funding created more questions than answers,” said Whitaker. He added that the potential de-annexation of Couch’s property has drawn the attention of town leaders to fight “a serious threat to the town boundaries and control.”

The property tax rate remains unchanged at 2.75 cents per $100 of property valuation. In April, Whitaker and finance officer Dee Hall recommended that the council consider increasing the property tax rate by 0.75 cents to cover higher operating costs.

Instead, after some council members opposed raising the rate and the Finance Committee recommended cutting some expenses, the final budget draft leaves the rate unchanged. The budget proposes drawing $68,882 from the town’s reserves “to avoid the tax increase originally proposed,” according

to Whitaker’s executive summary.

The proposed budget totals $4.73 million, more than double this fiscal year’s budget of $2.24 million due to several capital projects. Anticipated revenues, $2.13 million in grants and $1 million from the town’s fund balance are projected to cover total expenditures.

Funded by grants and federal pandemic relief, the development of Bandera Farms Park is estimated to cost $1.5 million, nearly half of capital expenditures totaling $3.04 million.

The budget also appropriates $750,000 for development of the southern route of the Atlantic and Yadkin (A&Y) Greenway and $350,000 for engineering of an elevated water storage tank and about two miles of distribution lines. Another $250,000 is earmarked for replacement of the bridge crossing the lake at Summerfield Community Park.

O.R. TOWN COUNCIL PREVIEW ...continued

construction of Heritage Farm Park and N.C. 68/150 improvements by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (see related article on p. 3).

The council will also consider reappointing Caroline Ruch to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Separately, the council will consider amending the town’s code of ordinances to reduce from two to one the number of extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) members on the Planning and Zoning Board.

Earlier, the board voted unanimously to recommend that the council approve

from p. 2

the text amendment. The recommendation is based on a population decrease in the ETJ due to voluntary annexations from the outlying area into the town limits.

The Canine Capers Committee plans to distribute financial gifts to various animal rescue groups.

want to attend/watch?

The 7 p.m. meeting at Town Hall this Thursday, June 1, is open to the public. The meeting will be livestreamed on the town’s YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.oakridgenc.com.

STOKESDALE BUDGET HEARING ...continued

total $295,000 next fiscal year.

Thanks to rising interest rates on invesments, the town projects it will earn $77,000 next fiscal year in interest from its CDARs, a significant increase over interest earnings in the current fiscal year.

Expenses in the general fund are projected to total $621,759.85 next fiscal year, and will be offset by a projected $175,759 reimbursement from the water enterprise account for shared administrative, office space and other related expenses.

The town is set to receive the second disbursement of $725,475 from the American Rescue Plan in

from p. 3

August and also expects to receive $3,113,038 next fiscal year from Guilford County’s American Rescue Plan funds.

want to go?

A public hearing for the proposed FY2023/24 budget will be held during Stokesdale Town Council’s meeting on June 8, beginning at 7 p.m., in Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. Following the public hearing, the council is expected to vote on the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. For more info, visit www.stokesdale.org.

WORLD CHAMPIONS

Two competitive all-star cheerleading teams – Sr. Elite and Lady Lux – with Cheer Extreme in Kernersville won in their divisions of the Cheerleading Worlds championship held in Orlando, Florida, April 23-24. Of the combined 91 team members and alternates who competed, several are from the northwest Guilford area.

“This is a huge accomplishment,” said Courtney Smith-Pope, owner of Cheer Extreme, which is in its 30th season of offering competitive all-star cheerleading programs. “We have really put Kernersville on the map – the teams we compete against are from really large cities, and it’s especially impressive that we were able to be this competitive with our size. It’s a true, feel-good ‘Rudy’ kind of story and took a lot of grit.”

Over 600 teams compete in the World Championships, from all over the world.

“We went in this year with the goal of being the whole package and perfect in all aspects. But, the thing that made the difference with these teams is that they were best friends from the beginning and have had such a great bond all season,” Smith-Pope said.

When asked if she knew her teams were going to come home as world champions, she responded, “You know, I really did. This Senior Elite team decided that luck wasn’t really working out and they needed to bond and have a stronger backing. They started a Bible study group together, and focused on Corinthians 16:13… I remember standing in the arena which holds about 14,000 people, and thinking, ‘This has to work out. They’re so close, so connected, and they have made this about something bigger than themselves.’ They had practiced and trained so effectively. They were already having a strong competitive year, but they stepped on the gas and stayed humble and worked harder.”

Photos courtesy of Cheer Extreme

Peace of mind all summer

ASSAULT/DOMESTIC INCIDENT

May 18 | Law enforcement officers responded to a reported verbal domestic incident in the 5800 block of Stanley Huff Road in Summerfield.

May 20 | Officers responded to a reported family disorder involving a shotgun in the 8100 block of Leabourne Road in Colfax.

May 20 | Officers responded to a reported assault involving a physical altercation in the 8300 block of Case Ridge Drive in Oak Ridge (off N.C. 68 N).

May 21 | Officers responded to a reported assault involving a physical altercation in the 4100 block of Brynwood Drive in Colfax (off Leabourne Road).

COMMUNICATING THREATS

May 17 | A resident of the 7000 block of Ellison Road in Stokesdale (off U.S. 158) reported a known suspect implied he had a weapon and threatened him; an 18-year-old male was arrested for communicating threats and resisting/delaying/obstructing a police officer.

May 22 | A female resident in the 7900 block of Lester Road in Stokesdale (off N.C. 65) reported a known suspect threatened her with a handgun.

FRAUD

May 15 | A resident of the 6400 block of Ashton Park Drive in Oak Ridge (near N.C. 68 N) reported an unknown suspect fraudulently used her identification info.

May 18 | A resident of the 8400 block of Stafford Mill Road in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect fraudulently used her identification info.

May 25 | A resident of the 1700 block of Scalesville Road in Summerfield reported an unknown suspect fraudulently used his identification info.

INJURED ANIMAL

May 23 | Officers responded to a report of an injured animal in the 7900 block of

Alcorn Road in Oak Ridge.

THEFT

May 15 | An employee of Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change in Oak Ridge reported that between May 13 and May 15 an unknown suspect entered the business through a window and stole $300 cash from the safe.

May 16 | A resident of the 2500 block of Oak Ridge Road in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect cut a lock to gain entry into her home and stole about $5,000 worth of items including several pieces of jewelry, an antique coin collection, a Ruger LCR .38 revolver and a safe.

May 16 | An employee of Rio Grande in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect left the restaurant without paying the $36.43 bill.

May 19 | A resident of the 5600 block of Whispering Pines Drive in Summerfield (near U.S. 220 N) reported that between May 13 and May 15 an unknown suspect entered his unlocked vehicle and stole a black/purple TaylorMade golf bag containing several golf clubs, worth about $1,500 altogether.

May 24 | An employee of CVS Pharmacy in Summerfield reported an unknown suspect shoplifted over $1,600 worth of over-the-counter allergy medications.

May 27 | A 51-year-old male was arrested in the 7700 block of Draper Drive in Summerfield (off Oak Ridge Road) for common law robbery and robbery with firearms or other dangerous weapons.

VANDALISM

May 15 | A resident of the 8800 block of Boylston Road in Colfax reported an unknown suspect used a blunt object to cause $200 worth of damage to his vehicle’s windshield.

May 18 | A resident of the 8500 block of Belews Creek Road in Stokesdale reported an unknown suspect did $500 worth of damage to her vehicle.

voice and diction, decided to get her master’s in speech pathology and moved to Greensboro to attend UNCG.

Meanwhile Alvino, who had been living in California, returned to the area and settled in Summerfield. Knowing Rodriguez was involved in community theater in the Triad area, one day she brought up the need for a community theater program that didn’t require 25to 35-minute drives each way just to get to rehearsals.

“We are both moms and have fulltime jobs, but I still wanted to be involved in theater,” Alvino said.

Rodriguez was immediately on board.

“We were like, if we could just find something in the northwest area, we could engage a lot more people in community theater,” she said.

After brainstorming, the two friends devised a plan for what they wanted and how to get there, and then got to work on marketing it.

Of course, there was the issue of how

to get the start-up money they needed to launch their program… and where performances would be held.

Taking one step at a time, the Elon alums approached Elon Law School, which agreed to take them on as a pro bono case and helped with writing bylaws and getting set up as a nonprofit theater company. Next, they tapped into their network of professionals to build a board of directors.

A GoFundMe page was established after Summerfield Stage Company’s nonprofit status was approved a year ago, and plans are now fully underway for the inaugural 2023-2024 season. Alvino and Rodriguez envision it including a variety of full-scale plays and musicals as well as a series of smaller theatrical events throughout the year. A permanent location for performances hasn’t yet been secured, but for now, at least, they see benefits to performing in different venues.

“If we can find places within the northwest area to perform, it’s a win-win

to have a different backdrop for whatever show we’re performing,” Rodriguez said. “And whatever venue we choose, it kind of showcases them, too, and helps us engage the entire community and not just bring people to one location.”

On their GoFundMe page, Alvino and Rodriguez wrote, “We look forward to bringing professional quality, inclusive and enriching theatre to the community and hope you will join in building the future of Summerfield Stage Company. We both share a passion for this project as we saw a need for live theatre in our community. We share the same vision for creating a lasting community and look forward to serving the mission for years to come.”

Summerfield Stage Company’s first show for the 2023-2024 season will be a performance of “Ichabod: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” a new Helen Hayes Award-nominated musical with music by Matthew Conner and book by Stephen Gregory Smith. Visit the theater company on Facebook for details about this performance and others to follow.

want to attend/ donate/more info?

Funding needs for Summerfield Stage Company’s inaugural season include (but are not limited to) show royalties, production staff, set construction, props, costumes, etc.

Two fundraisers are planned in June – first, a yard sale on Saturday, June 10, at 5408 White Blossom Drive in Summerfield. Have an item of value to donate for this sale? Email summerfieldstage@gmail.com. Also, a murder mystery dinner fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, June 30.

For more info about Summerfield Stage Company, the yard sale on June 10, murder mystery dinner fundraiser on June 30, or the inaugural season, visit Facebook.com/SummerfieldStage or email summerfieldstage@gmail.com. To make a donation, visit www.gofundme.com/f/summerfieldstage-company-kickstarter-campaign.

GRINS and GRIPES

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community?

Share your thoughts in 40 words or less

online: nwobserver.com

email: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com

Grins & Gripes are published based on available space and editor’s discretion.

GRINS to...

 Summerfield Fire Department for quickly investigating a report of debris burning, and to the Sheriff’s Department for promptly authorizing them

to extinguish the fire due to prohibited materials being burned.

 The gentleman who walks on Athens Road. We always look forward to seeing your big smile along with

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a wave and thumbs up. You are an inspiration!

 Sarah at the Verizon store in Oak Ridge for her exceptional customer service and her help in replacing and setting up my new cell phone. We need more caring individuals like her in retail sales.

 Patti Stokes and the NWO for the investigation that led to improvements to the parking area of the A&Y Greenway at Strawberry Road. Those of us who park there appreciate it. Editor’s note: I appreciate the grin, but I don’t deserve too much credit for this one – I personally use this parking lot but had stopped doing so because the dip had become so deep that the bottom of my car was scraping on the edge. I kept meaning to bring it to someone’s attention, but hadn’t done so until a reader submitted a gripe about the parking lot. All it took was one email from me to Summerfield Town Manager Scott Whitaker asking who the Greensboro City or Guilford County Parks & Rec contact was, and he immediately reached out to someone with the county about it. Now as

it turns out, that person directed us to Greensboro City Parks & Rec Dept., since the parking lot falls in the city’s jurisdiction (who knew?). Whitaker then emailed the appropriate person with the city, and the next week I was approaching the greenway and saw three workers there repairing the parking lot.

So, the grin actually goes to Scott Whitaker for quickly responding to my initial email and then reaching out to the right person to take care of the problem – and to that person for following through – and to the reader who prompted me to get the ball rolling in the first place. But I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say, “You’re welcome!”

 Bill Goebel for taking the high road amid all the bashing and slanderous comments by Michael Logan and his supporters. Keep your head high knowing that you are indeed the true representative for District 3 on the school board.

 Summerfield staff, Founders’ Day Committee members, sponsors and all the volunteers involved with this year’s Founders’ Day. Another great day in

the books for our community!

 The two guys on N.C. 150 Sunday, May 21, around 2 p.m., that were provocatively dancing while displaying a snake they caught. I haven’t been so thoroughly entertained in a long time –so thank you.

 The nice lady who bought the sheriff’s deputy’s lunch at Oak Ridge Bagel and Deli last week. Your support and generosity are greatly appreciated!

 Bobby, Timmy and their crew at H & L Grading for their work on my driveway and yard. I highly recommend them!

 The staff at Summerfield Food Lion and the gentleman at the Fleming Road ABC store who happily gathered boxes for us, as we needed them to help clean out my father’s house after his death. You are great neighbors!

 Summerfield resident (and former mayor) Mark Brown for all his hard work on this year’s Founders’ Day parade – we so enjoyed watching this

parade with our kids (who also enjoyed trying to catch all the treats that parade participants tossed out)!

 Dillon Tree Service. Always professional, efficient, and a pleasure to do business with. I cannot recommend them highly enough. I’ve used them several times, and I always feel like I get better work than I expect.

 The young man and lady working at Sherwin Williams in Oak Ridge last Saturday. You were both extremely helpful and we can’t thank you enough. We repainted our master bedroom and it looks fantastic! Thanks for the advice.

 The NWHS softball student section for being a great supporter of our team and being there for the conference championship. Always be loud and proud!

GRIPES to...

After publishing a gripe in our last issue about Oak Ridge moving its April Music in the Park to inside Oak Ridge United Methodist Church’s Family Life Center

due to inclement weather, the town’s deputy clerk, Ashley Royal, offered this explanation:

“While we never like or want to move a MITP event to Oak Ridge United Methodist Church’s Family Life Center, inclement weather forced us to for our April event,” Royal wrote in an email to the Northwest Observer. “It is our experience in working with bands that they will not commit to a makeup date based upon their already scheduled bookings. The Town is required to pay our bands regardless of the weather, so we are grateful that for the first time we have an indoor option this season. We are also cognizant of our vendor and volunteers’ time and understand that they cannot commit to two different dates for one MITP event.”

 Greensboro Police, City of Greensboro and mayor for not stopping the traffic melee on Lawndale/Target parking lot Saturday evening, May 20, stating they are short-staffed. These issues have gone on for months. Do

Virtual Care from Your Home

your jobs, protect and serve us, not quit!

 To the driver of the vehicle named “White Lightning.” Your road rage is concerning. Get some self-control before you hurt someone.

 Michael Logan for masquerading in the Summerfield Founders’ Day parade as the school board rep for District 3. You are not the representative and it’s time for you to accept it. Shame on you for your grandstanding.

 NorthStar Medical for making us feel as though we are just a number to them. It is no longer the homey family environment it once was.

 Oak Ridge Town Council for approving plans to destroy the natural beauty in Oak Ridge in exchange for a gaudy water tower and more unneeded fields. Too bad we can’t buy back nature once it’s gone.

 The person complaining about the one speed bump at Oak Ridge Commons… why don’t you go a different way?

HERITAGE FARM PARK

...continued from p. 1

will signal that the project’s contractor, Greensboro-based Bar Construction Co., is commencing work. Town Manager Bill Bruce said the project is on schedule for getting underway this Thursday, June 1.

Development is slated for the northwestern section of the property, which will be off limits to visitors during construction; it’s expected to take 15 months, according to a post last week on Oak Ridge’s Facebook page. The temporary parking lot on Scoggins Road will be closed.

A groundbreaking ceremony planned for this past Wednesday was canceled due to the recent rain. It has been rescheduled for Wednesday, June 7, at 1 p.m. As before, parking will be available at Oak Ridge Town Hall.

The start of construction drew criticism on the town’s Facebook page from some opponents of the project.

$5.36 million. To pay for it, Oak Ridge borrowed $3 million from Truist Financial, applied $1.66 million from a federal pandemic relief grant and another $490,000 from a state grant, and plans to draw $213,998 from the town’s reserves, according to the budget ordinance for the project.

Town leaders have been planning the expansion of Town Park over the past five years after acquiring about 60 acres from Oak Ridge residents Frank and Claudia Whitaker. Later, the town bought another two acres, giving it ownership of the land behind Town Hall on Linville Road and fronting N.C. 150 adjacent to Oak Ridge Swim Club.

The town’s longer-than-expected search for adequate groundwater on the property delayed the project, initially slated to start last year. After an unsuccessful search for a sufficient supply of water, a contractor drilled a new well last summer and found an adequate source of water to irrigate fields and supply restrooms.

Among improvements, the council has approved plans for two lighted multipurpose fields, a playground, a picnic shelter, a restroom building and parking, according to the site plan. The Veterans Honor Green is also planned for the area, as well as courts for tennis, pickleball and basketball to come in later years.

A 1.2-mile-long trail that circles the property is already popular with walkers. Some sections follow the gently rutted paths where Kyle Anders drives his tractor, thanks to a lease agreement he made with the town when it purchased the land in 2018.

For a rental fee of $1 a year, the father and son grow and harvest hay in an arrangement that provides maintenance of the property at no cost to the town while preserving the scenic views.

In an interview last year, Sam

Anders said he estimated the park’s development will take about 12 or 13 acres of the property, leaving about 36 acres for farming. The rest of the property is wooded or otherwise unsuitable for farming, he said.

UTILITIES RELOCATION BEGINS ...continued

Oak Ridge’s Facebook page.

The town said it anticipates that all utilities will be relocated by this fall. However, actual road improvements by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) which were tentatively supposed to start this fall may be delayed until next spring, Town Manager Bill Bruce said in an email earlier this week.

Once underway, construction is expected to take about two years, Bruce said. Plans call for the installation of two roundabouts – one at N.C. 68 and Linville Road and the other at N.C. 150 and Marketplace Drive – as well as stoplight and other improvements at the 68/150 intersection.

Plans also call for the removal of slip lanes at three corners of the intersection after NCDOT determined that doing so will force motorists to drive all the way to the stoplight before turning right, as opposed to skirting the corner.

“When motorists believe they have ‘free-flow’ conditions, they tend not to look for potential hazards in their path, such as pedestrians,” NCDOT said

when it released its study of the intersection a few years ago.

e slip lane at the northern corner of the intersection, in front of Oak Ridge Military Academy, is the only one that will remain, allowing drivers to head north on N.C. 68 without coming to a complete stop when there is no oncoming tra c.

Remaking the major intersections has been debated in Oak Ridge since 2019 when NCDOT started evaluating options for improving traffic flow and safety.

State highway planners abandoned the idea of replacing the stoplights at the N.C. 68 and 150 intersection with a roundabout. An analysis by NCDOT predicted that rush-hour traffic would overwhelm the roundabout, leading to long backups of motorists.

In a reply, Mayor Ann Schneider said “if the town hadn’t purchased this land to preserve most of it as open space, with some recreational amenities, it likely would have been developed as a neighborhood at some point.

Preserving scenic views is also part of the plan. During their strategic planning meeting last fall, Town Council members reiterated their commitment to preserving as farmland or open fields the central portion of the tract. Doing so will maintain the long, soothing view from Highway 150 across the property to the back of Town Hall and other buildings fronting Linville Road.

The price tag for the project is

For about 15 years, Anders and his son, Sam, have farmed the Heritage Farms property, where they have grown and harvested hay and soybeans for the beef cattle they raise in Oak Ridge.

“So sad that we are doing this,” Craig Marshall posted. “We already have a great park across the street. Oak Ridge is slowly becoming the city many of us left. Goodbye small-town charm. Hello Starbucks and more stressed out ca einated soccer moms from outside of Oak Ridge.”

“Doesn’t this preserve Oak Ridge’s small-town feel more than additional residential development would do?” the mayor asked.

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DECORATING

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

ELECTRICAL

Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? Call Coble Electric, LLC at (336) 209-1486

CKH ELECTRIC, LLC. Give us a call for your next residential, commercial, or industrial project. Free estimates. Licensed, insured, and BBB accredited. (336) 414-4899

BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC

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FLOORING / TILE

MONTERO'S HARDWOOD FLOORING

 HOME SERVICES

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

A-ACTION AIR. Air conditioning check-up, $79.95. (336) 268-6768 or (336) 382-3750

CLEANING

CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING

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CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Quality cleaning/ budget friendly. 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

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

PAOLA CLEANING SERVICE. Residential & commercial. Insured. (336) 669-5210

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

APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707

GARY’S HANDYMAN HOME SERVICES

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

CLOCK SERVICE. Free house calls for sick clocks. 8103 Windspray Dr., Summerfield. (336) 643-9931

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See display ad on page 22.

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licensed general contractors

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L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE

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GENERAL HANDYMAN. Repairs, installations, assemblies, etc. Light electrical and plumbing. Yard work and power washing. Insured. No job too small. Give Gordon a call, (336) 253-7700

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Owner Jackson Prillaman

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 HOME SERVICES

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Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt, available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035

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GUTTERS / SIDING / WINDOWS

WILSON Seamless Gutters

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S&M SEAMLESS GUTTERS. Install new gutters. Repair and clean old gutters. Free estimates. Fully insured. (336) 587-8223 (336) 709-5944

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STRAIGHT EDGE LAWN CARE. Free estimates. Please call (336) 306-0274

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HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES

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REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

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BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION

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KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION, LLC.

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We DISASSEMBLE and RECONSTRUCT old log buildings, cabins and tobacco barns. If you have a log structure and don’t want it, we will remove it for you! If you want to relocate it, we can do that too! We also construct pole barns/buildings. Call (336) 430-9507 anytime.

ROOFING

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continued on p. 38

 HOME SERVICES

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

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 MISC. SERVICES &

LOCALLY

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We carry moving & shipping supplies

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The Northwest Observer Keeping you connected since 1996!

 MISC. WANTED

Wanted: FARM EQUIPMENT to buy. All kinds. Please call (336) 430-9507

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

FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, generators, power washers, 4-wheelers, mini-bikes, golf carts, bikes, other gas-powered items, tools, air conditioners, computers, most metal items, etc. (336) 689-4167

Roofing, Gutters, Leaf Guards

Oak Ridge Based. Free Quotes.

(336) 310-4133

WWW.VILLAGEROOFS.COM

CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC.

40 + years experience. (336) 643-8191

 MISC. SERVICES

BOAT N RV STORAGE. $70/$100 monthly. Located on Brigham Rd., Greensboro, near Pleasant Ridge Road. Call (336) 663-3051

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

WELDING AND TRAILER REPAIR

Call Tim, (336) 402-3869

 MISC. FOR SALE

SPLIT FIREWOOD. $100 per truck bed load, or will price per your desired amount of wood. Please call Mark, (336) 577-5395

For sale: Set of BOSE 901 speakers and equalizer. $250, negotiable. Excellent condition. Also, Ryobi 40-volt battery mower, two batteries and charger. $225, like new. Call (336) 327-4042

SEASONED FIREWOOD. $90/pickup truck load, delivered & stacked. (336) 253-7615

CUSTOM FRAME BUSINESS for sale. I have been at this location for 18 yrs. Great visibility on 220N, Summerfield. Equipment, mats, moulding, everything you need to step into business. Call (336) 404-9639

WANTED: PETS & CRITTERS photos and stories!

Send your high-res photos to photos@nwobserver.com; send stories to editor@nwobserver.com.

 PETS/ANIMAL SVCS.

 PETS/ANIMAL SVCS.

PEYTON'S PET SITTING. Daytime, dropin and overnight care provided by a CPRcertified veterinary student. Booking now for Aug.-Dec. peytonspetcare@gmail.com

 REAL ESTATE HOMES FOR RENT

HOUSE FOR RENT IN STOKESDALE

4BD, 2 full BA. Just fully remodeled. Hardwoods, granite counter tops, new cabinets, tiled bathrooms, crown throughout. Stainless steel appliances included. W/D hookup. $2,000 per mo. $2,000 dep. Available 5/30. (336) 451-7435

2BD/1BA DUPLEX in Oak Ridge. Appliances included. W/D hookup. Available May 5. $1,200/mo. $1,200 dep. (336) 312-0305.

Selling? Renting?

nwobserver.com

LAND FOR SALE

SUMMERFIELD LAND FOR SALE. Large lots and tracts of land for sale. If you’re looking for land or a great building site, call now, (336) 430-9507

LAND WANTED

Single family WANTING TO PURCHASE land in NW Guilford or Rockingham County for personal home. We are NOT a developer or realtor! Looking for 10 to 100 acres. Please call Brian at (336) 416-6506

AKC CHOCOLATE LABS. Labrador retriever puppies for sale in Browns Summit, NC. Females and males. We have seven available. Puppies are whelped in our home and raised with constant interaction. We leverage ENS (early neurological stimulation) for optimal health and development. Pups come with dewclaws removed, dewormed and first vaccines. Full AKC registration. Dam and sire have champion bloodlines. Parents are DNA tested and OFA certified hips and elbows. Set to go home June 17. Reserving a puppy requires a $250 non-refundable deposit with balance due in cash at time of pickup. $1,000. Contact Matt, (336) 212-3806 or mattrose535@hotmail.com

WANTED: LAND. Any size or shape. Vacant or with dwellings. Matters not. We pay CASH! Quick closings! Call (336) 430-9507.

Postal Patron

Postal Patron

Shane, Kelly, Addison and Carter Tysinger pose with the Northwest Observer at Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg, Austria, which was one of the most important filming locations for “The Sound of Music.” The palace and perfect lakeview backdrop served as the primary filming location for all of the lake terrace scenes of the Von Trapp family home, including the scenes in which Maria and the kids fall off the boat into the lake, and when the Captain and Uncle Max are drinking pink lemonade on the terrace.

Valery, Bill and Wilson Kepley took a moment to catch up on events happening back home before heading over to kiss the Blarney Stone in Ireland, hoping its magical properties would grant them the “gift of the gab,” also known as the gift of eloquence and persuasion