Northwest Observer / June 29 - July 5, 2023

Coming soon to a park near you

Expanded playground equipment, outdoor pickleball courts and basketball courts are on the horizon for Stokesdale Town Park, with nature trails to follow

by PATTI STOKES

STOKESDALE – Tee Stephenson is excited about what’s on the horizon for Stokesdale Town Park at Martin’s Meadow. As chair of Stokesdale’s Town Park and Improvement

Committee, he’s led the initiative to assess what features citizens want added to the town park, located behind Town Hall on Angel Pardue Road, and how to best allocate $725,475 the town received from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and an additional $50,000 state grant.

Soon after Stokesdale Town Council voted to create the Town Park Improvement Committee last July, Stephenson and fellow committee members Deanna Ragan, (council members) Jimmy Landreth and Derek Foy began meeting weekly. They share enthusiasm for the opportunity to

on p. 10

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO Neighbors reported hearing an explosion that left this house on Rhondan Road in Summerfield badly damaged last Saturday night. See story on p. 2

Rendering courtesy of the Town of Stokesdale

Two outdoor pickleball courts and basketball courts with six goals will be installed at Stokesdale Town Park this fall, along with playground equipment geared toward kids ages 5 to 12. The cost of these and other park improvements on the horizon will be covered by ARPA funds and a state grant.

Fire badly damages unoccupied Summerfield house

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – A fire last Saturday night, June 24, badly damaged a house in downtown Summerfield and prompted an investigation after neighbors reported hearing an explosion.

Melvin Stone, the owner of the single-level house at 4911 Rhondan Road, wasn’t home when firefighters responded to the blaze at about 10:36 p.m., Summerfield Fire District Chief Chris Johnson said.

Crews “found a house that had heavy fire and smoke showing,” Johnson said in an email earlier this week. “Neighbors told me the house exploded. We found evidence of that by windows and doors (being) blown out.”

The house wasn’t served by propane or natural gas, ruling out those sources as possible causes for the explosion, according to the chief.

An investigation by the Guilford County and the state Fire Marshal’s offices and the federal Bureau of

Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) identified the cause of the fire as an accumulation of methane gas in the house’s septic system, according to Johnson.

The gas “found an ignition source and caught on fire (exploded),” initially in the kitchen area and then in the bathroom, the chief said.

Johnson said he also “heard bangs, which I initially thought was ammo going off, but (it) could have been the siding. The type of old siding on that house will make a popping sound as well when heated up.”

After the first alarm, a second was sounded “due to Summerfield not having water and needing more water for a wellinvolved fire,” the chief said. Tankers hauled water from a hydrant on Battleground Avenue.

Crews “fought the fire as a defensive operation,” Johnson said, meaning that firefighters stayed outside until the blaze was suppressed enough to allow for safe entry.

All three Summerfield fire stations responded to the blaze, as did the fire departments in Greensboro, the county, Oak Ridge, Stokesdale and Colfax. Other agencies included the county Sheriff’s Office and EMS, fire investigators from Charlotte and ATF’s K9 unit.

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

The owner of this single-level house on Rhondan Road in Summerfield was not at home when firefighters arrived at about 10:36 p.m. on June 24 to find the house engulfed in heavy fire and smoke.

Boom Supersonic’s factory taking shape at PTI

The first of two final assembly lines at Boom Supersonic’s aircraft facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport is slated for completion next summer

The $500 million project is at the center of economic development efforts at Piedmont Triad International Airport

by CHRIS BURRITT

NW GREENSBORO – Boom Supersonic’s factory is rising at Piedmont Triad International (PTI) Airport, putting the $500 million project on track for completion of its first airplane assembly line next summer. During last week’s air show in Paris, France, Boom announced it had signed

Oak Ridge gets $140,000 in unexpected county funds

OAK RIDGE – Guilford County has appropriated $140,000 for two Oak Ridge projects –construction of a Heritage Farm Park playground that’s

by CHRIS BURRITT

Budget, $50,000 matching funds for ballpark approved

by PATTI STOKES

STOKESDALE – “It’s a lot of money, but it was well-examined,” Stokesdale’s mayor pro tem Derek Foy said after the council voted unanimously to approve

the FY2023-24 budget at a special called meeting on June 21.

Prior to approving the budget, the council had held four budget

agreements with three companies to supply wings, the fuselage, wing box and tail assembly for Ovation, the passenger airplane that will fly faster than the speed of sound. Final assembly of the plane is planned for two assembly lines on Boom’s 65-acre campus at PTI.

“We’re putting those pieces together like a world-class jigsaw puzzle,” Boom President Kathy Savitt told Winston-Salem public radio station WFDD 88.5 in an interview last week. She and others monitor the progress of the Greensboro factory by viewing realtime cameras at the company’s headquarters in Denver, Colorado.

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

The town plans to spend half the money on a disabledaccessible playground, the rest on parking lot security cameras

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Earlier this week, we spotted a car in the parking lot of the store at Pleasant Ridge and Carlson Dairy roads. As it turned out, the car belonged to Jiten Oza, a Summerfield resident who bought the store earlier this month.

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In an interview, Oza said his family owns more than a dozen gasoline convenience stores in the Triad –including the Quick Shop (formerly Belco) on N.C. 150 near Lake Brandt Road. Over the years, Oza said he developed a friendship with Harold “Shorty” Wilson and told him he’d like to buy his store if it became available.

After Wilson’s death on Aug. 6 of

Jiten Oza, the new owner of the former

corner of Pleasant Ridge and Carlson

last year, Pam Fox, one of his daughters and the executor of the family’s estate, listed the property for sale with Keller Williams Realty One Realtors Mike Carter and Andrea Blake. They contacted more than 20 prospective buyers on a list provided by Fox.

The property went under contract to Oza around March 1, and the transaction entered a period of due diligence by

the potential buyer. The property sold June 13, according to the deed on file with the Guilford County Clerk of Courts.

“I am so excited,” Oza said. “It was my dream to purchase this business.”

He declined to say how much he paid for the one-acre tract that contains the store and a mobile home next door. An employee in one of Oza’s stores is now living in the house.

Keller Williams listed the property’s sale price at $2 million when it went on the market late last year.

After remodeling and restocking the space, Oza said he plans to reopen the store in about two months with a new name: Shorty’s. As a condition of the sale, the store would no longer carry the Wilson’s name, at the insistence of the family. Oza said Fox was pleased by the new name.

As much as he wanted to expand the store and possibly add prepared food, Oza said the lack of municipal water and sewer services prevents him from taking those steps.

Also, Oza said the location of the water well on the property prevents him from adding more gasoline pumps.

“During busy times, two pumps are not enough,” he said.

I recently drove past the closed Wilson’s Grocery store and noticed the two “For Sale” signs are gone. Did someone buy the property?

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

Wilson’s Grocery store and gas station at the

Dairy roads in Summerfield, says he is remodeling the store and hopes to re-open as “Shorty’s” within the next two months.

Patti Stokes, editor/publisher

Carlo Gagliardo, marketing manager

Kelli Jessup, publisher’s assistant

Rene Collins, administrative assistant

Yvonne Truhon, graphic designer

Leon Stokes, IT director

Lucy Smith, finance manager

Chris Bennett, Tom McCoy, distribution

Chris Burritt, staff writer; Lily Pierce and Annette Joyce, contributing writers

BUDGET APPROVED

...continued from p. 3

workshops. It also held a public hearing to gain citizen input at the June 8 council meeting, but the hearing was continued after the council decided to consider a funding request from Stokesdale Parks & Recreation (SP&R), a nonprofit that owns Stokesdale Community Park on Capri Drive in Stokesdale, before finalizing the budget.

Councilman Tim Jones expressed his reservations about the budget being expanded next fiscal year because of “free money” – i.e., grant money, which he said the government printed and spun into the economy, resulting in high inflation.

“My concern is that when next year rolls around, we won’t be able to back up to a reasonable budget level because we’ve gotten addicted to spending this amount of money versus previous budgets,” Jones said.

“I agree about the ‘free money,’” Foy responded. “There is no doubt that is a direct correlation with inflation, which is hitting us all. But this is money we have, and I think there is a good plan for how to use it… In my opinion, there is no fluff in this budget.”

Councilman Jim Rigsbee concurred.

“We have been fortunate to have some money, regardless of how it was generated, and we’re making good use of it,” Rigsbee said. “Subtracting grant money, we’re right in line with where we were the last few years. I’m pleased with the budget.”

Councilman Jimmy Landreth also agreed, noting the town does a good job without charging a property tax, and could be a model for other towns.

“It would be easy to run this town if we had a tax,” Landreth said. “It’s not hard to take other people’s money out of their pocket and then do something with it –but we don’t do that. We’ve had meetings and we’ve been open and transparent. I think we’ve done a good job.”

Thanks to rising interest rates, the town’s investment earnings are projected to top $85,000 next fiscal year, a significant increase over previous years.

 4  0 (in two separate votes) to approve the general fund and water enterprise budgets for FY2023-24.

After the votes, council resumed discussion of Stokesdale Parks & Rec.’s $50,000 request. (See our June 15-28 issue for details of Jordan Balmforth’s presentation to the town council at its June 8 meeting.)

“The request isn’t just for us to give them a check,” Foy emphasized. “They must raise $25,000 first and show evidence that the money is tied to this project. We have the grant money to do it. If the town owned and operated those ballfields, the cost to maintain them, pick up the trash, etc., at a minimum would be $40,000 to $50,000 – not to mention that we wouldn’t do as good a job as SP&R has done.”

Supporting Foy’s comments, Landreth said, “SP&R is a great organization. This town would have spent a lot of money over the years and this is a great situation. SP&R is a big part of the town. I’m all for it.”

 4  0 to participate in a fundraising campaign with SP&R by matching $2 for every $1 raised by the nonprofit, specific to this fundraising initiative, up to $50,000. The motion stipulated that Town money only be used to pay for new lighting and poles associated with lighting the community park for baseball and softball games; that the fundraising campaign must conclude by June 1, 2024, to align with the town’s fiscal budget; and that SP&R provide evidence that funds raised during this period be specific to this fundraising initiative.

 4  0 to approve a 3% cost-ofliving raise for all staff members who haven’t gotten a promotion within the last few weeks (which excludes newly promoted clerk Robbie Wagoner), effective July 1. The raise had already been factored into the proposed budget for next fiscal year.

Preview: Oak Ridge Town Council meeting, June 29

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Oak Ridge Town Council plans to consider amending the town’s budget for next fiscal year to apply an appropriation of $140,000 from Guilford County.

The county’s budget adopted by the Board of Commissioners June 15 allocated $70,000 for security cameras for town parking lots and another $70,000 for a Heritage Farm Park playground accessible to children with disabilities. (See related article on p. 3.)

Oak Ridge’s council adopted its budget for next fiscal year before the adoption of the county’s budget. As

a result, the Town Council needs to amend its budget to apply the county funds.

Both the county and town budgets for the 2023-24 fiscal year go into effect this coming Saturday, July 1.

“While we are awaiting contract details from the county, there is some urgency in budgeting this funding so that it can be applied to the playground design, which is currently in process,” Town Manager Bill Bruce wrote in a June 23 memo to the council.

The additional $70,000 will increase the town’s spending on the

STOKESDALE town council

June 8 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

as reported by PATTI STOKES

... continued from our June 15-28 issue

After a 5-minute recess, the town council reconvened at about 8:40 p.m. Job description. Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy presented the council with a town administrator/clerk job description which he had created based on research that interim town clerk Dale Martin and deputy clerk Robbie Wagoner had done.

Referencing North Carolina General Statute 160A-146, which includes a provision for how a town council in a council/mayor form of government can create new staff positions “… in order to promote orderly and efficient administration of city (or town) affairs…,” Foy noted the town currently has five employees (three

part-time and two full-time), each being “individual contributors.”

“Comparing this to a business, if a private company had individual contributors reporting to a board without a leader, it wouldn’t make much sense,” Foy said. “We need a leader at Town Hall to manage the business of the town and provide direction on a day-to-day basis.”

The job description Foy presented

Peace of mind all summer Tested for even the hottest days

Stokesdale Town Council members unanimously voted at the June 8 council meeting to promote Deputy Town Clerk Robbie Wagoner to town clerk, effective July 1. Afterward – and perhaps only half-jokingly – Councilman Jimmy Landreth told Wagoner, “Now, we’ve bought you some shoes, we’re sending you to school, and we expect you to stay a while.” He then added, “I’m sure that whatever happens, you’ll handle it well.”

included a “Primary Tasks” list with 22 responsibilities of the town administrator/clerk, which Foy emphasized he felt was a needed position for the town.

“In my opinion, this is an organizational need,” he said. “…We’re just a little discombobulated right now. Are we structured to be the best? In my opinion, no.”

Councilman Jim Rigsbee asked if state statute would dictate any of the town administrator’s responsibilities, to which Foy said no, but state statute does dictate many of the responsibilities of a town manager.

The town administrator/clerk would have an advisory role with regard to hiring and firing other staff members, but ultimately that responsibility would remain with the five town council members, Foy explained.

Rigsbee agreed it would benefit the town to have a clear chain of command within Town Hall to help oversee the staff.

No motion was made, or action taken on the job description, although the position was discussed during a closed session later in the meeting, and council voted on it after reconvening into open session. Engineering services. Foy explained that earlier this year the town had put out an RFQ (request for qualifications) for general engineering services for its municipal water system. One firm,

Hazen & Sawyer, responded.

Foy then motioned to accept Hazen & Sawyer’s qualifications and to enter into negotiations with the firm for the town’s general engineering needs.

Aaron Babson with Hazen & Sawyer explained that to satisfy requirements for the Dept. of Water Infrastructure grant the town received in the amount of $400,000, the town must go through the RFQ process and the money must be used for engineering services.

 4  0 to approve Foy’s motion. Finance officer training. Finance Officer Kim Thacker requested funding approval for a two-part webinar for finance officers, but noted she had already missed the first part because she hadn’t had approval to cover the cost of registering.

Thacker said she preferred in-person instruction, but this course was only offered virtually.

After discussion, council encouraged Thacker to search for other municipal finance courses that are offered in-person, with the assurance that next fiscal year’s budget could be amended to cover the cost.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

No one wished to speak during this designated period for citizen comments.

Robbie Wagoner

Campers learn how to do hands-only CPR.

Summerfield Fire District

Fire Flow teaches campers about how a fire reacts to the environment and what influences a fire’s behavior.

Guilford County EMS teaches about the role EMS has and lets campers see their heart rates on the monitor.

Don’t forget to test your smoke alarms each month!

Campers learned about the PPE firefighters have to wear and got to try on the gear.

Volunteers Needed

2023 Fire Camp participants

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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.

Bill Goebel / Goebel for Common Ground/Guilford County Schools

What led you to want to serve on Guilford County’s Board of Education?

“Being part of a very large family (eight siblings and 66 first cousins) helped me understand the need for family and community support. After becoming a parent myself, I realized that many youth don’t get that support. I’ve been serving youth for 32 years – 16 years as a small group leader for high school teens and 16 years with Boy Scouts at local, regional and national levels. I also founded the non-profit organization, Youth of North Carolina, along with my wife Dori, in 2017 to serve our area youth.”

What services do you provide as an elected official, business owner and nonprofit member/volunteer?

“I serve as the School Board’s District 3 representative. I am also owner of MPACT Solutions, which provides

continuing education focusing on the manufacturing industry; I am an area president of FocusCFO, which provides fractional CFO support to local small businesses; I co-host an international podcast (www.commonground.show) which promotes unity via real conversations and discussions; and I am co-founder, along with my wife, Dori, and board chair of Youth of North Carolina, which provides training, support and advocacy for area youth and youthserving organizations.”

What is your philosophy on serving your constituents and customers?

“Keep the main thing the main thing.

Zachary Hines, son of Curtis and Sara Hines (Stokesdale) and Northwest Guilford High School alumni, graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point on May 27 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering. Upon graduation, he commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army and will be serving with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

The customer always comes first.” Is there a particular challenge that is common to your various jobs and roles in nonprofits?

“Seeking common ground with those who have no desire to find that common ground is quite challenging. It can also be difficult to navigate the ever-evolving climate of our culture while holding true to the Biblical principles that guide my life.” What are some of the most rewarding parts of your various jobs/roles?

“Helping people reach their full potential and building bridges to find a way to work cooperatively to build a better community, country and world.”

Would you elaborate on your roles in Youth of North Carolina, and any other nonprofits you are involved with?

“Youth of North Carolina, in particular, provides annual resiliency summits and other events which educate people to identify and prevent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). I’m also a board member of Prevent Child Abuse NC and a member of Chief Justice Paul Newby’s ACEs-Informed Courts’ advisory board.”

On a personal note: “I grew up in the town of Parma, just outside of Cleveland,

Ohio, and came to North Carolina in 1990 for a job opportunity. I have eight siblings and 66 first cousins along with countless other relatives! I have been married to the love of my life, Dori, for 29 years and we have three children. My greatest sources of support are my family and my church family.”

What do you enjoy doing in your downtime? “We love exploring North Carolina, from the mountains to the coast, in our RV.”

Can you share anything else about yourself that our readers might find interesting?

“I’m an Eagle Scout, Silver Beaver recipient, Silver Antelope recipient, and Order of the Arrow Vigil with Boy Scouts of America. I once ran a marathon in 2 hours and 56 minutes. I’m very proud of my wife and youngest daughter, who both donated kidneys.”

Bill Goebel / Goebel for Common Ground / Guilford County Schools

See display ad on p. 21

Bill Goebel

COMING SOON ...

...continued from p. 1

offer citizens something they have been wanting without reducing the town’s general funds.

One of the committee’s first orders of business was to review a survey the town conducted in 2020 to gain citizen input on features they wanted in the town park.

Over the last year committee members have also had one-on-one discussions with citizens and youth group representatives. Earlier this year the committee held a public forum to present its plans for outdoor pickleball and basketball courts, playground equipment and nature trails. About 20 citizens attended, and all responded favorably.

Additionally, Stephenson reported the committee’s progress at monthly council meetings.

Expanding the park’s playground equipment to offer more for kids ages 5 to 12 was a major focus of the committee from the beginning.

“My thing was getting the children to use something other than their thumbs – and to promote upper body strength,” Stephenson said.

After thorough research and receiving multiple bids, the committee presented its recommendation to the council this past spring to contract with Greensboro-based Backyard Paradise. The recommendation was approved and the equipment was ordered in May. Stephenson hopes it will be installed by mid- to late September.

In light of pickleball being the fastest-growing sport in the country, the committee added two outdoor pickleball courts to its plans for outdoor basketball courts.

Last month Stephenson and Foy stopped at Bur-Mil Park in northwest Greensboro on the way back from checking out basketball court surfaces at Wake Forest University.

“It was a drizzly day, but all the pickleball courts were in use,” Stephenson said. “They had converted some tennis courts and constructed 10 new

pickleball courts about a year ago and there is usually a waiting line, which gave us confidence.”

Stephenson is particularly proud of the “superior” surface material the pickleball courts will have, which he notes is the same material the U.S. Pickleball Association uses and is more forgiving than concrete or asphalt-based surfaces, which should help with injury prevention. The basketball courts will have a very similar surface material.

At the committee’s recommendation, the town recently entered into a contract with Stokesdale-based CJ Builders to oversee construction of the courts and surface material installation.

“I would love to see the courts full and get good use,” Stephenson said. “I think it will set us apart from some of the other towns in our area, that we were able to pull this off and really do something that the public is wanting.”

In 2021 the town purchased 9.8 acres adjacent to its park, and the committee is now turning its attention

to developing nature trails to complement the paved walking trail that circles the park’s outer edge.

“We don’t have park maintenance staff, and we are very cognizant that the nature trails need to be self-sustaining, as much as possible,” Stephenson said, adding that he hopes youth and civic groups will volunteer to help maintain the trails.

“Compared to any governmental organization, I think we’ve made good progress,” Stephenson said of the committee’s work. “We are being very prudent in trying to get a good value for the dollars that we have and making very wise use of ARPA funds.”

So far, about half of the ARPA and grant funds the town designated for park improvements have been committed. That means more projects are on the horizon, and Stephenson said he’ll stay busy for the foreseeable future.

“I’ll be out there every day once construction starts. I enjoy seeing the progress and I’m very interested in making sure things are done properly,” he said.

WELCOME TO ... TO YOUR HEALTH

We invite our readers to enjoy and learn from our summer series of healthcare and wellness articles. On the following pages, readers will find the first two stories in this new series, which cover the pros and cons of using zero turn lawnmowers, and embracing the senior years with an active physical and social lifestyle.

Want to sponsor our To Your Health section in the Northwest Observer’s July 5, 19, Aug. 3 or 17 issues?

Email Carlo Gagliardo at advertising@nwobserver.com, or call (336) 644-7035, ext. 11.

Fast, nimble and dangerous

For zero turn lawn mowers, the advantages of speed and maneuverability also raise the risk of sliding out of control

by

CHRIS BURRITT

NW GUILFORD – Ben Weston would like to take those few seconds back four summers ago, the instant before an accident on a zero turn lawn mower almost ruined his dentistry career and, even worse, could have left him dead.

Riding mower accidents lead to thousands of injuries and several dozen deaths in the U.S. annually, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Weston’s accident illustrates how unexpectedly and quickly mishaps can occur.

As he mowed along the roadside in his Summerfield neighborhood, one of the mower’s front wheels slipped into a rut. The mower pivoted abruptly, propelled by the powerful engine down an embankment and then over a sheer

six-foot drop into a creek bed. As the mower flipped and fell on top of Weston, he sank into the mud, possibly saving his life but not before shattering his left forearm.

“If the nerve had been severed, my career would have ended right then and there,” said Weston, who operates Summerfield Family Dentistry with his wife, Jenny. The accident in August 2019 put him out of work for one year, three months.

In hindsight, Weston realizes he was “getting comfy and careless” when mowing. His equipment was in the repair shop that day, so he had borrowed a neighbor’s zero turn mower, which he wasn’t familiar with.

Zero turn mowers have become increasingly popular among commercial lawn services and residential users because their maneuverability around trees and other obstacles can reduce mowing time by half compared to traditional lawn tractors, according to

“I could have died in 500 ways,” Weston said. “The fact that I came out alive… makes me walk around and click my heels together every day.”

Co. in Reidsville.

More than 17,000 injuries and 80 fatalities were associated with riding mowers and lawn tractors in the U.S. between 2015 and 2017, according to Sawinery, an independent website for woodworking and lawn care professionals, citing the Consumer Product

Safety Commission (CPSC). The statistics don’t break out accidents on zero turns.

Zero turn mowers are growing in popularity among commercial lawn services and residential users because their maneuverability around trees and other obstacles can reduce mowing

Adobe Stock photo

Scott Cook, owner of Scott’s Tractor & Equipment

TO YOUR HEALTH

time by half compared to traditional lawn tractors, according to Scott Cook, owner of Scott’s Tractor & Equipment Co. in Reidsville.

With names such as “Bad Boy” and “Big Dog,” zero turn mowers have a macho appeal for some buyers.

“Your neighbor’s got one, and you’ve got to have one,” Cook said. “It’s like when four-wheel-drive trucks came out in the 1980s.”

Zero turn mowers ride lower to the ground than traditional lawn tractors, giving them a lower center of gravity that lessens the odds of turning over, Cook explained. A bigger risk is breaking, or losing, traction.

“Once you break traction, there’s really no correction for it,” he said. “When you break traction and start sliding, your automatic reaction is to try to correct it. So you’re probably going to reverse your wheels. But spinning the wheels backwards increases the problem.”

Some accidents occur when the ground gives way near ponds and lakes, Cook noted. Recently, his repair shop fixed a zero turn mower that had run into a pond. When the mower lost traction, the operator “just rode it into the water and swam out,” he said.

Fifteen years ago, a zero-turn operator in the Bethany community in southern Rockingham County died after being trapped under the water by his mower, Cook said. The machine turned over in a farm pond.

After his close call, Weston is especially cautious when he mows the 4 ½ acres around his Summerfield home.

“I stay on flat earth,” he said. “A lot of hazards are located on tricky slopes.”

He also follows another safety rule generally recommended by mower manufacturers.

“In the owner’s manual, it says stay one full mower deck away from any hazard, such as a ditch, curb or tree,” Weston said.

But beyond that, he recommends taking even greater precautions.

“Stay a good six feet away from hazards and thank yourself later,” he said. “You can go back later with a push mower and a weed eater. You are already saving so much time with a zero turn, don’t feel like you’ve got to save even more by taking risks.”

Zero turns are the mowers of choice for commercial lawn services and increasingly for homeowners such as Montgomery Kaufman.

“You can mow faster and turn quicker,” said Kaufman, who zips across his lawn in northwestern Greensboro on an orange Bad Boy mower with a cutting width of 54 inches.

He ignores manufacturers’ safety recommendations against mowing on a slope of greater than 15%. The roadside ditch in front of his house is steeper. Once he got stuck in the wet grass, requiring a friend to pull him out with a chain hooked to a pickup truck.

Now Kaufman cuts when the grass is dry. He mows in a see-saw fashion, going back and forth on both sides of the ditch to maintain his momentum.

The design of zero turn mowers makes such maneuverability possible. The machine derives its name from its ability to stop and turn around on the same spot.

That’s possible because each of the two treaded rear wheels is controlled independently by motors. The operator uses two handles on either side of the mower to control each wheel.

Pushing the handles forward causes the mower to go forward. Pulling them back makes the machine go backwards. Pushing one handle further ahead than the other – or pulling it further back –causes the mower to go left or right.

By contrast, traditional riding mowers rely on a steering wheel. Turning around requires the machine to travel in a circle, taking more time and traveling over areas already mowed.

Figuring out how to operate a zero turn mower is like learning to ride a bicycle, except that residential models of the machines can weigh as much as 800 pounds and commercial versions twice as much. In addition, unlike bicycles and traditional riding lawn mowers, zero turns don’t have brakes to stop them.

Instead, slowing and stopping a

zero turn requires pulling the handles back together to a resting point for the machine.

Gauging the precise movement of the two front wheels is difficult. They pivot on casters so their rotation can alter the direction of the mower. They are slick and smaller than the rear tires so they provide little or no traction.

Peril looms in these maneuvers.

“Zero-turn mowers can flip over when going too fast, taking a turn too sharp, or changing directions too quickly,” according to Sawinery. “To keep this from happening, always slow down when you approach uneven terrains.”

Manufacturers recommend that operators study the owners’ manuals for their mowers and watch videos demonstrating how to use them safely. Even

then, first-time users of zero turns may want to practice in an open area. In some ways, controlling the machine is counter intuitive, or at the least, requires a different way of thinking.

As an example, an operator who pushes the handles forward, as though he’s depressing a brake, will actually go forward.

The process of slowing and then stopping a zero turn typically requires a few seconds, enough time for the mower to start sliding down a slope. Stopping the slide is difficult, partly because of the weight of the mower.

“Once you lose control, you’re just along for the ride,” said Jim O’Hara, who uses a zero turn for mowing more

than 20 yards in northwestern Guilford County.

Galileo Vasquez, the owner of Kernersville-based Galo Lawn Service, mows slopes with the more powerful, heavier of his two zero turns for the extra traction.

Recently mowing a hillside in northwestern Greensboro, Vasquez said he also avoids mowing inclines when the grass is wet.

In Oak Ridge, the parks and recreation crew mows the Town Park athletic fields and other grassy areas with two zero turn mowers. About 15 years ago, a part-time employee mowed too close to the pond and the front of the mower went into the water, according to Terry Lannon, the town’s parks and recreation director.

Now, the mower with knobbier tires is used to cut around the pond.

“It gets a better grip,” Lannon said.

TO YOUR HEALTH

Young at heart, and aging well

Seniors weigh in on how being active, engaging with others and squeezing the joy out of life helps them stay mentally and physically fit

by

While some people look at their “golden years” as a time to slow down and take a backseat to the rest of the world, others enjoy the freedom to do more of the things they love, or to do them more often. For this article, we spoke with a couple of readers who are growing older on their own terms – and loving it.

‘Age is just a number’

Sally Bolin spends her days teaching multiple yoga classes and participating in fitness classes including cycling, cardio, strength and line dancing. Most nights you’ll find her dancing – line, Latin, swing or shag – or hosting game nights at her home or out with her girlfriends at a concert or local event. All

this, and she still manages to find time for her sweet dog, Cooper, her book club, church activities, traveling and an occasional date here and there.

Just weeks away from her 70th birthday, this fun-loving firecracker manages to squeeze every bit of joy she can out of life and believes it’s her purpose to help others – regardless of their age – do the same thing.

Since moving to Kernersville from Utah in 1994, Bolin has been involved with the Kernersville YMCA, where she taught classes for many years. She still shows up at the facility twice a day, five days a week, to take fitness classes.

That’s where she “accidentally” ended up becoming a yoga instructor.

“At the time, I was teaching a cycle

class and taking yoga,” Bolin explained. “One day in yoga class, the instructor said he was leaving and told me he had informed (management) that I would be taking over the class.”

Always up for a challenge, Bolin decided to give it a shot. She began teaching while earning her various yoga instructor certifications. That was 23 years ago. These days she teaches numerous classes in her in-home studio and a couple of weekly classes at Fitness One Training in Kernersville.

Bolin’s love of fitness not only keeps her in good physical condition, but it also boosts her energy level and mental outlook.

“My neurosurgeon told me that I

...continued on p. 18

ANNETTE JOYCE

“Age is just a number. I know everyone says that, but I really believe it,” Bolin said. “I’m always challenging myself, and others, to feel better and improve their minds and bodies.”

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TO YOUR HEALTH

YOUNG AT HEART, AGING WELL ...continued

might be coming up on 70 years old, but I have the mind and body of a 50-year-old,” Bolin said.

Yep, this vivacious lady does have a neurosurgeon – and a few other surgeons as well. Although Bolin is in excellent physical condition, she has endured a number of medical procedures, the most recent being rotator cuff surgery. Just one of those surgeries might have put a less determined person out of commission for weeks, but not Bolin, who has refused to let them interfere with her active lifestyle any more than necessary.

Rather than bemoaning what she can’t do, Bolin concentrates on what she can do during her recovery. For instance, after her last surgery – and with her arm in a sling – she modified her exercise routine so she could continue to cycle

and lead her yoga classes.

from p. 15

“After surgery, so many people are not motivated to do anything. I wanted to keep going and be with other people,” Bolin said. “Part of it was the social aspect, which helps you heal quicker, especially if you can follow your routine. You’ve just got to keep moving even if it’s just walking and interacting with other people.”

Connecting with other people is a high priority in Bolin’s quest to stay active and young at heart.

“Life isn’t just about us, it’s about others too,” she said.

Bolin also doesn’t wait for others to initiate activities, or for opportunities to come to her. She’s often the one putting the social agenda together. Trips to China, South Africa, England, France and Ireland have happened because she did the research, found some great deals and invited her friends along for some amazing adventures.

Seven months ago, Bolin added another focus to her life when she became a first-time grandmother to her grandson, Kole. The baby and his parents live in Utah, and Bolin plans to travel there as frequently as she can.

Remaining relevant

Change is difficult for many people, and especially seniors. Not for Candy Viers, though. At 74, she welcomes change and the opportunities it brings. Formerly a Summerfield resident, Viers recently moved into a 55+ active adult community in Greensboro.

“I’ve always looked forward to change,” Viers said. “I’m spontaneous and I like to try lots of different things.”

After the pandemic surfaced, Viers retired from her lifelong career as a dental hygienist.

“I’d probably still be working if it wasn’t for the pandemic. My job was considered one of the most dangerous jobs at the time,” she said.

The fact that Viers’s daughter, Shelli Cottingham, an interior designer and owner of DECORgeous, had been urging Viers to come work with her made the move even more appealing.

Using her creative and organizational skills to help Cottingham grow her business makes Viers happy. It also gives her a sense of relevance, something she believes is extremely important for anyone who wants to age well.

By relevance, Viers means staying

Photos courtesy of Sally Bolin  At nearly 70 years old, Sally Bolin enjoys life to the fullest.  Bolin is always up for a challenge and doesn’t let age keep her from trying new things.

engaged in life, having a purpose and not becoming invisible. She emphasizes that it’s up to each individual to do that for themselves.

Besides her work, Viers has numerous other avenues to remain relevant – a primary one being to stay connected to other people. Surprisingly, social media is high on her list of ways to accomplish that.

“Social media is a lifeline for seniors to keep in touch,” she said. “(By opening) your mind to the tech side of stuff, you can be in tune with family and friends.”

Thanks to social media, Viers has been able to stay in touch with 26 of her high school friends from Chattanooga, Tennessee. And when she makes a trip back home, there’s always an in-person gathering.

Staying in touch with family and other friend groups is also made easier through the use of social media. But as much as she enjoys its ease and convenience, Viers seeks ways to connect with others in person. On that note, she’s excited about the

opportunities her new community offers and has already made several new friends. Being part of an active community suits her perfectly, and she’s enjoying the birthday parties, wine socials and lunches that are common occurrences.

“I’m having to step up my game,” she joked.

Viers doesn’t believe in making vague plans to get together one day; rather, she is intentional about making them happen.

“If you don’t get it on the calendar, you won’t get it done,” she said. “(You also need to remember) the phone works both ways and the road runs both ways.”

Having a purpose in life is also vital, she said.

Adding that you can have multiple purposes, she mentions two of her own. One is “trying to juggle all the balls to keep everyone connected.” Another is “my dog, Ziggy. He is dependent on me for his walk.”

As yet another way to stay relevant, Viers touts trying new things and doing what you love. A talented artist who loves to draw and paint, she finds time for those hobbies whenever she can. She’s also looking at other ways to expand her artistic endeavors.

At one time, Viers loved to write and published about a dozen romance novels. But over time it became a chore rather than a pleasure, so she stopped writing.

“You have to realize that your time is important, so if you’re doing something out of habit and not out of joy, then let it go,” Viers advised. “Do the stuff you love.”

Currently, Viers is checking into volunteer opportunities and after getting fully settled into her new home, she plans to use some of her free time to help others.

Have a “Young at heart, and aging well” story to share for our To Your Health series? Email annettejoyce@triad.rr.com.

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Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO For Candy Viers, 74, aging well means staying relevant, embracing life and engaging with other people.

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PREVIEW: OR TC MEETING, JUNE 29

playground to $350,000, according to Bruce.

In other business, the council plans to consider approving the sale of alcohol at future Music in the Park concerts. Starting this season, the town has sold sponsorships to four of its six scheduled Music in the Park events, which has made it financially feasible to bring in more widely known bands; coupled with this, the sale of beer and wine and securing food trucks at the sponsored events have helped draw crowds of over 1,000 people.

Two of the four sponsored concerts have already occurred, on May 13 and June 10. The final two are Aug. 12 and Oct. 14.

The first unsponsored concert took place April 22, leaving the final unsponsored concert July 8.

...continued from p. 5

Separately, the town manager plans to provide an update on two projects – the start of construction of Heritage Farm Park and the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s plans for upgrading traffic flow and safety on N.C. 68 and 150 in Oak Ridge’s commercial district.

In a closed session, the council plans to discuss a personnel matter. The meeting agenda posted on the town’s website doesn’t provide particulars about the matter.

want to attend/watch?

The 7 p.m. meeting at Town Hall this Thursday, June 29, is open to the public. The meeting will be livestreamed on the town’s YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.oakridgenc.com.

STOKESDALE TC MEETING

...continued

CLOSED SESSION

Council recessed the open meeting and went into a closed session at 9:14 p.m. to discuss a personnel issue.

After reconvening into open session at 10:20 p.m., Foy motioned to promote deputy clerk Robbie Wagoner to town clerk, with a salary of $57,000, effective July 1, at which time all staff will report directly to Wagoner.

“Robbie has been with us a year now and has done a tremendous job,” Foy said. To Wagoner, he said, “There is a lot of admiration from anyone who has met you, Robbie. I know staff will be very happy for you, as am I.”

 4  0 to promote Wagoner to the full-time town clerk position, and to move part-time interim town clerk Dale Martin to the part-time deputy clerk position, both effective July 1.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

 Rigsbee congratulated Wagoner on his promotion.

 Foy wished all the fathers a Happy Father’s Day, and again congratulated Wagoner.

 Councilman Jimmy Landreth said he appreciated the town’s good staff and over the last two years each of them had made his job on the council “very pleasant.”

To Wagoner, he said, “You have been a breath of fresh air … Now, we’ve bought you some shoes, we’re sending you to school, and we expect you to stay a while. I’m sure that whatever happens, you’ll handle it well.”

 Of his vote to approve promoting Wagoner, Jones said, “This was an easy decision for me.”

Following announcements, the meeting was adjourned at 10:28 p.m.

Bill’s Bulletin

School News from Bill Goebel, your District 3 School Board Representative

A Message of Transparency

Hello District 3 community,

I am Bill Goebel, your newly appointed school board member in Guilford County, and I write this article with the utmost transparency and a deep desire to keep you informed and updated about the incredible happenings within our school district. To that effect, I will be writing to you monthly in the Northwest Observer. It is my sincere belief that open communication fosters trust and collaboration, which are vital in ensuring the success of our students and the overall growth of our community.

First and foremost, I want to share an extraordinary experience that I recently had the privilege of being a part of. I had the honor of attending and representing District 3 at 27 high school graduation ceremonies, witnessing the remarkable achievements of our 5,500 student graduates. These ceremonies were not just celebrations of academic milestones; they were also symbols of resilience, determination, and the indomitable spirit of our young leaders.

Let's delve into the impressive statistics that highlight the accomplishments of our graduates. To begin, a staggering $184,000,000 in scholarships was awarded to our students, averaging an impressive $30,000 per student. This remarkable figure reflects the hard work, dedication, and outstanding academic abilities of our graduates, opening doors to higher education and empowering them to pursue their dreams.

Furthermore, our graduates have demonstrated their commitment to service and community. Collectively, they dedicated over 85,000 service hours’ worth over $2.7 million to various causes, touching the lives of countless individuals and organizations in need. These selfless acts of kindness and the empathy they embody make me immensely proud of our students. They have proven that they possess not only academic excellence but also a deep understanding of the importance of giving back to society.

As your representative, I want to assure you that your investment in education has not gone unnoticed. With a firm belief in the power of recognizing achievements and fostering a sense of pride, we’ve made it a priority to ensure that each graduation ceremony was a memorable and meaningful experience for students, parents, grandparents and relatives.

It is crucial to acknowledge that these graduates faced unique challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. They endured disruptions to their education, missed social interactions, and the uncertainties that clouded their future plans. However, their unwavering determination and resilience shone through with a graduation rate in excess of 91% (one of the highest in the state), proving that they are capable of overcoming adversity and embracing the opportunities that lie ahead.

Moving forward, I am committed to serving as your advocate, making sure that your voices are heard, and your concerns are addressed. I believe transparency is the key to effective governance, and I will work tirelessly to keep you informed about the decisions, initiatives, and developments that impact our district.

Together, let us continue to build a stronger educational community in District 3. I am excited about the future, and I invite you all to join me in this journey of growth, progress, and empowerment. Your support, involvement, and collaboration will be pivotal in shaping the educational experiences of our students and ensuring a brighter future for all.

With gratitude and unwavering dedication,

Goebel

Goebel

bill@goebelforcommonground.com goebelforcommonground.com

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Fishing Derby, June 17

Let’s see that SUMMER SMILE

TOWN’S WINDFALL

...continued from p. 3

Fifty eager kids ages 6-12, plus parents, siblings, members of Sportman’s Wildlife Club, and town staff, came out to Summerfield Community Park lake, fished and supported the Town of Summerfield’s annual Fishing Derby Saturday morning, June 17. The event was sponsored by NC Wildlife Commission.

BOOM SUPERSONIC

...continued from p. 3

Since the start of construction six months ago, crews have poured the concrete floor and erected steel trusses and beams for the assembly plant. Visible from I-73, the project is surrounded by earth moving and road construction to accommodate not only Boom but also Marshall Aerospace’s recently announced aircraft maintenance facility and other future economic development at the airport.

Boom said it is building its PTI campus in sections, starting with the roughly 150,000-square-foot final assembly line and office space of 24,000 square feet.

The first assembly line is designed to produce as many as 33 aircraft a year, with a second that will allow for the doubling of production, Boom CEO Blake Scholl said during a press conference at the Paris Air Show.

The company projects the PTI facility will create more than 2,400 jobs by 2032. Earlier this week, the careers page on Boom’s website showed no job postings for Greensboro, but several engineering positions in Centennial, a Denver suburb.

for more information

To track job opportunities at Boom Supersonic at Piedmont Triad International Airport, visit https://boomsupersonic.com/careers.

accessible to disabled children and security cameras in town parking lots.

The allocation is part of the county’s budget for the fiscal year that starts this coming Saturday, July 1. The county’s Board of Commissioners approved the spending plan two weeks ago. That’s six months after a conversation between newly elected District 3 commissioner Pat Tillman and Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider and Councilman George McClellan raised the prospect of county funding to the town.

The money “is just a godsend to our town,” Schneider said in an interview earlier this week. While she and other town leaders were hopeful the county’s appropriation would materialize, they were pleasantly surprised to learn it actually did, she said.

“I don’t think any of us had high expectations that it would be funded,” the mayor said. “But I did put a lot of effort into making sure the funding request showed the benefit both to Oak Ridge and the county as a whole.”

During their meeting in January, Schneider and McClellan provided an

update on Oak Ridge’s projects and priorities to acquaint Tillman with activities in the town. Three months later, the commissioner told Schneider he was going to explore whether any of the town’s initiatives would be suitable for county funding, according to the mayor.

Last month, Commissioner Chairman Skip Alston asked the town to provide a written request for funds. Schneider said she believes the commission, as a whole, embraced the town’s two proposed projects – parking lot security cameras and a new playground meeting federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines – because of their countywide impact.

Setting up security cameras in Town Park parking lots will help the sheriff’s office combat smash-and-grab car break-ins, a countywide problem, according to Schneider. The ADAaccessible playground will have countywide appeal, she added.

During its meeting this Thursday, June 29, the council plans to consider amending its budget for next fiscal year to allocate $70,000 in additional funding for the playground and $70,000 for security cameras.

Photos courtesy of Town of Summerfi eld

CRIME / INCIDENT report

District 1 Sheriff ’s Offi ce

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

ASSAULT

June 15 | A 55-year-old female was arrested in the 2500 block of Quaker Village Road in northern Greensboro (off Lake Brandt Road) for simple assault.

June 15 | A 38-year-old male was arrested in the 4000 block of Sourgum Court in northwest Greensboro (near Old Oak Ridge Road) for assault on a female.

June 18 | Law enforcement officers responded to a reported assault in the 700 block of Lakedale Road in Colfax (off Adkins Road).

June 23 | A citizen in the 1600 block of Trosper Road in northwest Greensboro (off Lake Brandt Road) reported a known suspect threatened him with a weapon.

June 24 | Officers responded to a reported assault at Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Colfax.

June 25 | A 46-year-old female in the 5500 block of Tanyard Court in Oak Ridge (near Oak Ridge Road) was arrested for simple assault.

DRUGS

June 11 | Officers conducted a death investigation after a person died of a drug overdose in the 7100 block of Pleasant Oaks Road in northwest Greensboro (off Pleasant Ridge Road).

June 13 | Officers responded to a report of a heroin/fentanyl overdose at Oak Ridge Commons.

June 17 | After responding to a report of suspicious activity at Food Lion in Summerfield, officers seized 0.4 grams of cocaine from a citizen.

June 20 | Officers seized a marijuana pipe during a traffic stop in the 4300 block of U.S. 220 N and Strawberry Road in Summerfield.

June 21 | Officers seized 4 grams of THC oil and a piece of drug paraphernalia from a citizen at Richardson Taylor Preserve in northern Greensboro.

FOUND/LOST PROPERTY

June 13 | A citizen reported she lost a red/black wallet containing her driver’s license, EBT card and banking cards at Food Lion in Stokesdale.

June 18 | Officers responded to a report of a credit card found at Oak Ridge Town Park.

FRAUD

June 13 | A resident of the 6200 block of Bradford Place Court in Summerfield (near N.C. 150 W) reported an unknown suspect defrauded her of $7,752.

June 15 | A resident of the 2000 block of Beeson Road in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect defrauded him of $1,500.

June 21 | A resident of the 7700 block of Alcorn Road in Oak Ridge reported that between June 5 and June 21 an unknown suspect defrauded him of $381.18.

June 23 | A resident of the 8300 block of Brittains Field Road in Oak Ridge (off Stafford Mill Road) reported that between June 18 and June 23 an unknown suspect forged a check in the amount of $4,500.

June 23 | A resident of the

mark your calendar

EVERY WEDNESDAY &

SATURDAY

 NW Guilford Farmers & Specialty Market | A 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.

EVERY SUNDAY through JULY 30

 Vacation Bible School | Awaken Church invites kids to Vacation Bible School every Sunday

evening, 6 to 7:30 p.m., now through July 30. The VBS is being held at Central Baptist Church, 1715 N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge. For more info, visit www.awaken-church.org.

THURSDAY, JUNE 29

 Town Council meeting | Oak Ridge Town Council will meet June 29, one week earlier than the usual first-Thursday-of-the-month schedule to avoid conflicts over the week of July 4. As always, the meeting will start at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. For more info or a meeting agenda, visit www.oakridgenc.com.

JUNE 30, JULY 1-2

 Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show | The 78th annual Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show originally scheduled for Easter Weekend was postponed due to inclement weather and instead will be held June 30-July 2 at Hardin Farm and Stables, 8201 Millrun Road in Stokesdale. New to the show this year is a Ranch/Working Western division to showcase a horse and rider’s ability to work with cattle. There will also be rodeos, open classes and more. See the detailed schedule and purchase tickets at www.oakridgehorseshow.com.

FRIDAY, JUNE 30

 Murder mystery fundraiser | Summerfield Stage

Company invites the community to a fun-filled murder mystery fundraiser June 30, starting at 7 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. Light refreshments will be provided. Suggested donation is $10 per person. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the event, which is limited to about 40 guests, will last approximately one hour. Visit www.facebook.com/summerfieldstage to learn more.

SATURDAY, JULY 1

 July 4th celebration | Central Baptist Church at 1715 N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge invites the community to an Independence Day celebration on July 1, starting at 2 p.m. There will be a patriotic band concert, Revolutionary-period fife and drum corps and free hot dogs and apple pie while supplies last. Seating is limited, so make reservations by calling (336) 643-7684 (open M-Th, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). (See ad on page 26.)

TUESDAY, JULY 4

 Kids’ bike parade | Town of Oak Ridge invites kids and their families to participate in a bike parade July 4, 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. The kids will decorate their rides (bikes, wagons, strollers, etc. – anything without a motor) under shelter #1 by the main playground, then they’ll parade around the front loop

of the park in honor of Independence Day. There will be other kids’ activities as well, including face-painting and treats; also, Oak Ridge Lions Club will be selling hot dogs and drinks later in the morning. Don’t forget to wear red, white and blue! More info: (336) 644-7009. (See ad on this page.)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5

 Preservation Oak Ridge | Preservation Oak Ridge, a nonprofit committed to preserving historic structures in Oak Ridge, will meet July 5, 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 | Friends of Stokesdale, a nonprofit committed to preserving Stokesdale’s history and downtown charm, invites those with similar interests to its monthly meeting July 5, 7 to 8 p.m. at Stokesdale

Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. For more info, visit the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ friendsofstokesdale or call Joe Thacker, president, at (336) 708-0334.

SATURDAY, JULY 8

 Music in the Park | The Town of Oak Ridge will host a Music in the Park event July 8 at Oak Ridge Town Park Amphitheater, 6231 Lisa Drive. The Ghosts of Liberty will play Americana folk-rock music from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Barefoot Modern will play indie/alternative music from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. There will be no food trucks or alcohol for sale at this event, but the town’s concession stand will be open. The event is free, but donations for the bands 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.

CRIME/INCIDENTS

...continued from p. 23

6100 block of Bascom Drive in Summerfield (near Brookbank Road) reported an unknown suspect defrauded him of $2,050.29 worth of frequent flier miles.

THEFT

June 12 | An employee of Bi-Rite in Stokesdale reported an unknown suspect shoplifted two steaks priced at $50 combined.

June 15 | Officers responded to a reported theft of a pink jewelry bag containing a pair of diamond stud earrings worth $800 at Summerfield Farms between June 10 and June 15.

June 15 | The owner of Happytail Puppies on N.C. 150 in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect stole a yellow/black DEWALT pressure washer worth $800.

Tuesday, July 4, 10am – 12pm • Oak Ridge Town Park Shelter 1 (near amphitheater)

11am

Food available for purchase from the Oak Ridge Lions Club hotdog cart Questions?

June 16 | An employee of Gentry’s Garage in Summerfield reported that between June 13 and June 16 an unknown suspect stole three catalytic converters worth $2,400 altogether.

June 16 | Two citizens at Richardson Taylor Preserve in northern Greensboro reported that between 12:30 and 4 p.m. an unknown suspect smashed their vehicle windows and stole money, clothing, camping and fishing supplies and more.

June 19 | A resident of the 1800 block of Cude Road in Colfax reported that between June 18 and June 19 an unknown suspect entered her unlocked vehicle and stole a car seat, a portable DVD player and a GPS system, worth $555 altogether.

TRESPASSING

June 13 | A 45-year-old male was arrested in the 7900 block of Lester Road in Stokesdale (off N.C. 65) for second-degree trespassing.

10am Decorate bikes, wagons, scooters, strollers – anything without a motor! Bring decorations or use ours. Facepainting too! Don’t forget to dress in red, white, & blue!

Parade in the Town Park (Parents can join or just watch)

GRINS and GRIPES

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community?

PLAY LIKE A PRO

GRINS to...

 The Oak Ridge Elementary student who found my keys at Oak Ridge Town Park and gave them to a teacher. I searched for a couple of days before I finally went to Town Hall and discovered my keys had been found!

Oak Ridge Youth Association leaders, coaches, and volunteers who gave us a great season of baseball this past spring! Thanks for your commitment to having fun, teaching teamwork and sportsmanship, and learning. Great program!

 NorthStar Medical Group in Stokesdale. Ben Mann is the most personable and easy-to-talk-to medical provider that I have ever spoken with.

 Sarah Tibbetts, Summerfield’s town clerk, for providing such an amazing service each and every day. Summerfield is certainly lucky to have an employee as outgoing and dedicated as her. Keep up the great work, Sarah!

Brooks Home & Farm on N.C. 68 in Stokesdale – the best thing to happen in town since moving here 15 years ago. The peaches and strawberries are delicious, and other produce is added when available. More convenient than

The Quality Mart Shell gas station in Oak Ridge for turning down the volume on the ear-splitting and grating “music” that emanated from the speakers just feet from your head. The lowered volume is much more appropriate. I’m coming back!

Sam, our Brookbank Road mail carrier, who took our broken “tin man,” repaired it and gave him a red heart and a smile! Everyone at Childrens Choice says, “Thank You Sam!”

 Dr. Wendy Camp (Northwest Animal Hospital) for working our 4-year-old Lab in on a full day of scheduled surgeries after Magnolia ate a ham bone and her stomach swelled from bone fragments –and for Dr. Camp’s tender care and great communication!

 The staff at Carolina Priority Care in Oak Ridge for their compassionate response when I walked into their clinic after a severe allergic reaction to another bee sting (my third in the last year!).

GRIPES to...

 PTI Airport for removing the departures and arrivals parking meters. I gladly put several quarters in them to park. Price has increased to $2 and there is no option for people with only cash. Not everyone has plastic!

 The folks on Whitaker Drive who put their goats in the front yard. I don’t have anything against the goats, but did you have to put them on the road frontage? Won’t help real estate values.

 Azaleas and Peonies. Instead of relying on personal gardening experience to

critique which plants were not included, why not consult horticultural professionals actually living in Oak Ridge for guidance before you ask for random species with very different cultural requirements?

 Whoever put June 15 is Flag Day in the last issue of the Northwest Observer. It’s the 14th.

Editor’s note: I apologize for not catching the mistake in the photo caption that was submitted to us, and as editor I accept responsibility for all errors in this paper, whether they were made by me, one of our writers or one of our readers. (P.S. Just so this mistake doesn’t undermine the reason we ran the photo and caption in our last issue… Grins to the Guilford Battle Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution for recognizing National Flag Day – which always falls on June 14 – and to Camping World/RV along I-40 in Colfax for the huge American flag that flies over its property for passersby to see every day!) – Patti Stokes, Northwest Observer editor

 All the “Karens” who have nothing better to do than complain about Kit Kats, gas prices, leaf blowers, kids

riding their bikes and dogs relieving themselves. Might I suggest bird watching as a better hobby?

 People who keep horses (and other animals) outside without any shelter from the beating sun.

 The fragile individual who was offended by a candy display at Lowes Foods. Sounds like you’re the racist. Youth of every color need support and we should build children up, not tear them down. Find something else to worry about.

 The Town of Oak Ridge for not properly maintaining the “Welcome to Oak Ridge” sign at Pepper Road and N.C. 150. Half-dead shrubs and kneehigh weeds aren’t very welcoming.

NORTHWEST

 Snap Fitness’s owners for not maintaining the facility as it was under the previous owners, who kept it clean and all equipment in good condition.

 The driver of the black pickup who

Outside the

let your dog ride unrestrained in the back of your truck before dropping it off at Beacon Suites Pet Resort in Stokesdale last week. “But I’m a careful driver.” Famous last words.

The following reader-submitted GRINS and GRIPES express opinions about state and/or national topics, and have been separated from the other Grins and Gripes as a courtesy to those who do not want to read others’ opinions on state and/or national political and other non-local topics in a local newspaper.

GRINS to...

 The UK Independence Party’s excellent solution for illegal immigration –ship them to the Falklands to make a life for themselves. That’s how Brits

Loving care for pets and their families

cultivated the islands and built a civilized society – and they want to be British, right? Brilliant!

GRIPES to...

 People who use the words “free” and “freedom” when describing this country. You are about as “free” as the fish in my aquarium. You think otherwise, you’re just in denial, or oblivious to reality, or both.

Editor’s note: The fact that this gripe was published runs contrary to the reader’s statement. I used my freedom to choose whether to publish it, while he used his freedom to publicly express an opinion which I strongly disagree with.

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DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

NEED HELP?

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

 AUTO SALES & SERVICES

 EMPLOYMENT

WEBSTER & SONS PLUMBING. Hiring experienced service plumbers. Vacation and holiday pay. Truck provided. Please call (336) 992-2503

(336) 891-3876

EUROHAUSAUTO.PRO

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

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

KNIGHT IMPORT SPECIALTY SERVICE

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

 EDUCATIONAL SERVICE

GUILFORD COUNTY elementary school teacher available for tutoring during the summer. 1st-4th grade math; 1st-8th grade reading. Caleb Morgan, (336) 280-1561

 EMPLOYMENT

Work at the WYNDHAM Championship Tournament. Sedgefield Country Club is currently seeking service staff, bartenders, cooks and food runners for the dates of Thursday, Aug. 3, through Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. If interested, please email your resume or relevant work experience and contact information directly to aayers@sedgefieldcc.com

LOCAL PRESCHOOL seeking qualified and experienced preschool teacher to bring your passion for teaching and working with young children to join our team as the lead teacher in our five day pre-K class. Please email Lindsay Villaran @ orpcschool@gmail.com

EDWARDS & MILLS PLUMBING in Greensboro is hiring helpers and plumbers. Please contact us at (336) 299-6309, or come by 107 South Walnut Circle, Greensboro, to fill out an application.

Hiring? www.nwobserver.com

 YARD SALE

HUGE YARD SALE. Fri., July 7, and Sat., July 8, 8am-2pm. 4005 Windspray Loop, Summerfield. Great stuff ! Rain dates Sat., July 8, and Sun., July 9.

 HOME SERVICES

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

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

CLEANING

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

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

CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING

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

Your business should be here!

Place your classified ad online at www.nwobserver.com

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

 HOME SERVICES

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

BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC

Residential, commercial and solar electrical services. (336) 298-4192

The Northwest Observer covering local matters since 1996!

FLOORING / TILE

MONTERO'S HARDWOOD FLOORING

Installation of hardwood, laminate & tile; hardwood sanding & finishing. Commercial & residential. Insured, 17 yrs. exp. Free est., exc. references. Call (336) 215-8842 or visit Monteros-hardwood-flooring.com.

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES handyman

336.554.5007

L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE

“We get you mowing!” Comm./res., all models. Oak Ridge, NC. Please call (336) 298-4314 Ltsmeng16@gmail.com

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

AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIR

Why move when you can improve?

construction well pumps ● plumbing ● foundations sagging floors...and much more!

licensed general contractors

One call fixes all!

(336) 643-1184

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

GARY’S HANDYMAN HOME SERVICES

“Providing value for the home-ownership experience.” Gary Gellert, serving NC’s Piedmont Triad area. Garygellert@gmail.com, (336) 423-8223.

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

 HOME SERVICES

BRAD'S BOBCAT & HAULING SVCS

LLC Debris removal, grading, gravel/dirt, driveways, concrete work. (336) 362-3647

EXCAVATION, GRADING and LAND

CLEARING. New driveways or ponds. Drainage. Please call Douglas Construction, (336) 413-5050

ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING

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

Grading ● Hauling

Land Clearing

Concrete ● Gravel Driveways

Tree/Brush Removal

Drainage ● Demolition

Residential & Commercial

Owner Jackson Prillaman

Call or text for free estimate

336-905-0665

Fully licensed and insured

 HOME SERVICES

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING

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

ORTIZ LANDSCAPING, complete lawn care. Trimming, cleaning, planting & mulch, gutter cleaning, patios & pavers, waterfalls, retaining walls, sidewalks, stonework. Residential and commercial. (336) 280-8981

 HOME SERVICES

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

COLFAX LAWNCARE. Core aeration & seeding. Fertilizing, mowing, trimming. Complete lawn care/maintenance. Res./comm. Fully insured. Serving the Triad for 34 years. (336) 362-5860

Join 15,000+ neighbors –follow us on Facebook for community updates! facebook.com/northwestobserver

Contact

(336) 669-7252 oldschoolsjhr@triad.rr.com

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

Place your classified ad online at www.nwobserver.com

GRADING / HAULING

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

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, portable sawmill and much more. We also do custom roughcut lumber. Call owner/operator Bobby Lipstreu, (336) 543-7867

GUTTERS / SIDING / WINDOWS

WILSON Seamless Gutters

Installation, repair, replacement, Leaf Guard

Stokesdale

336-420-0200

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

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.

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

Your HOME SERVICES company should be here!

ad online at www.nwobserver.com

GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE

Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maint. (336) 655-6490

R C LAWN CARE. Res./comm. lawn service. Fully insured. Call/text (336) 231-9599

HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES. Free est. Call (336) 669-5448

AQUA SYSTEMS IRRIGATION. Quality irrigation systems. NC licensed contractor. We service all systems. Free est. (336) 644-1174

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

MASONRY CONCRETE COATINGS

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

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

continued on p. 30

 HOME SERVICES

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.

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS

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

The Northwest Observer

Keeping you connected since 1996!

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

Certified Mold Inspections

Certified Mold Remediation

Crawl Space Vapor Barriers

Crawl Space Cleaning Insulation/Foam Board Sealing Basement Moisture Issues

locally based in Stokesdale ● (336) 937-4983 northstarmoisture@gmail.com www.northstarmoisture.com

PAINTING &

DRYWALL

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

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.

 HOME SERVICES

BEK Paint Co.

Residential & Commercial

David & Judy Long, owners (336) 931-0600

BEKPaintCompany.com

• References Available

• Licensed & Insured

• All Work Guaranteed

PLUMBING

BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic./ Ins. Cleanliness in your home is our #1 priority. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924

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.

POOLS

COX POOL SERVICE. Openings, closings, routine maintenance, weekly service. No contracts; free estimates! (336) 327-5122

Your HOME SERVICES company should be here! Place your ad online: nwobserver.com

PRESSURE WASHING

CUTTING EDGE PRESSURE WASHING

Affordable. Dependable. Call anytime for free estimate. (336) 706-0103

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

HOUSE and ROOF SOFT WASHING

Martin's Pressure Washing. (919) 931-0856

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

AMERICAN BUILDER CONSTRUCTION, INC. Remodeling/repairs/decks. Any size job. Short wait. (336) 225-7478

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Sr. disc., 41 yrs. exp. (336) 362-6343

ROOFING

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

Place your ad online: nwobserver.com

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

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.

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

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.

DUSTIN CLINARD ROOFING. Shingles, metal, and leak repairs. Certified for 50year non-prorated shingle warranties. Call (336) 268-1908

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

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. We finance. Free estimates. Since 1979. (336) 362-6343

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AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350

Roofing, Gutters, Leaf Guards Oak Ridge Based. Free Quotes. WWW.VILLAGEROOFS.COM

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

 MISC. SERVICES

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

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

 MISC. FOR SALE

SLOT MACHINE. Perfect for rec room. Good working order. $99. (336) 662-8496

2 HOMESTRETCH dark brown leather, power wall-saver recliners. Like new. $1,600 for both. (336) 643-0783

 MISC. WANTED

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

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

 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

AKC LAB PUPPIES. 2 blonde males. Both parents on site. Will be wormed and given 1st shot. $200 non-refundable cash deposit and remaining $500 at pickup on June 24. Contact Renee’, (336) 549-0705

 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

 REAL ESTATE HOMES FOR SALE UNDER CONTRACT!

6101 Bar Court, Oak Ridge

Just listed in Williard Oaks! Move-in former Parade of Homes entry with numerous custom features. $669,900

LAND FOR RENT

LAND FOR LEASE. Approximately 40 acres for hay/cows. In Rockingham County near Guilford County line. Evaluate/make offer. (336) 549-7779. Please leave message.

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

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

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

Tom and Sue Madison of Oak Ridge traveled to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in March to visit their son. While there, they took a scenic sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge in the Tetons National Park and enjoyed the Northwest Observer with the accommodating horses.

Jason and Noelle Graves of Oak Ridge celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary with their two sons, Tucker and Beckett, by their side at The Crane Resort in St. Philip, Barbados. Celebrations continued throughout the trip with good food, great views and readings of the Northwest Observer.

Northwest-area veterans, their guardians and volunteers enjoyed a break to read the Northwest Observer during their one-day trip to Washington, D.C., on May 3 with Triad Flight of Honor.