Northwest Observer / July 6-19,2023

IN THIS ISSUE

Oak Ridge Special Events Committee member Amy Carrickhoff (left) and Mayor Ann Schneider (right) walk behind Evelyn Braden (forefront), a member of Scouts BSA Troop 219G, as they lead a long line of participants around Oak Ridge Town Park during the town’s first annual July 4 Kids Bike Parade. About 400 kids and adults attended the event on Tuesday morning. “It was a wonderful day,” Schneider said. “There was so much generosity of spirit from everyone who donated decorations, food and treats. Parents really loved all of that, plus the simple fun of celebrating Independence Day with a kids’ parade. People talked to me about the sense of community they felt, even if they didn’t live here in Oak Ridge. And we’re already being asked if we’ll do it again next year, to which the answer is a resounding ‘Yes!’ ” See more on p. 25.

Verizon service activated on Oak Ridge tower

Improvements are targeted for the N.C. 68/150 corridor; some customers said their service is still poor by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Verizon said last week its cell phone service has gone live on the new communications tower at Oak Ridge Military Academy. Even so, some customers said their service hasn’t improved.

Phillip Moore lives a mile from the tower, but said he noticed “no

difference” in his service. “I guess you have to be in the shopping center to use it,” he wrote in a post on the Northwest Observer’s Facebook page last week.

On the other hand, some customers were excited by a noticeable improvement in service.

“Yesssss,” Shelby Kline posted on Facebook. “I was in Oak Ridge Commons yesterday, and my phone with Verizon service was able to actually send a text message from the parking lot.”

The examples of continued poor and improved service reflect

the boundaries of the signal from the cell phone tower, according to Verizon spokesman Andrew Testa. It’s aimed at the commercial district around N.C. 68 and 150 and nearby residential areas around Case Ridge Road, Marion Gibson Way and Zack Road, Testa wrote in an email earlier this week.

The site provides Verizon’s 4G LTE and 5G Ultra Wideband service, its fastest and highest-capacity 5G service, he said. He urged customers to make sure their phones are updated ...continued on p. 22

Photo courtesy of Mike Matzinger

‘A Wonderful Day!’

Art or advertising in Summerfield?

That’s the question lawyers for the town of Summerfield and shopping center owner Kotis Properties are arguing in Guilford County Superior Court

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Kotis Properties, owner of Summerfield Square shopping center, is taking the town of Summerfield to court, arguing that the town’s sign ordinance violates the company’s constitutional right to free speech.

The dispute in Guilford County Superior Court centers on the storefront of Clouds, a vaping store in the shopping center on U.S. 220. The façade above the door identifies the business, with the word “Clouds” written against a wavy background painted in different shades

of red and blue that apparently represents vaping smoke.

In court papers, Greensboro-based Kotis said the background represents art, while the town said the flurry of colors is part of the sign and, therefore, advertises the business. As a result, the combination of the word “Clouds” and the painting constitutes a commercial message and thus exceeds the amount of wall space for signs allowed by Summerfield’s development ordinance, according to the town.

This past Monday, July 3, Superior Court Judge Stephanie Reese denied the town’s request for a dismissal of

35

the case. According to Kotis lawyer Chuck Winfree, he and town attorney Bob Hornik have entered discussions to settle the case, prompting the judge to continue the hearing to late August.

That schedule will give Summerfield Town Council the opportunity to consider a proposed settlement, Winfree wrote in an email earlier this week. The council’s next regular meeting is Aug. 8. (The council will not meet in July.)

In an email, Summerfield Town Manager Scott Whitaker wrote that he expects the council to consider the proposed settlement during a closed

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO Kotis Properties and the Town of Summerfield went to court on July 3 over whether the sign above Clouds’ storefront in Summerfield Square on U.S. 220 is in violation of the town’s development ordinance as the Board of Adjustment ruled last August that it is.

session, followed by a possible motion to resolve the dispute in an open-session vote.

A court-approved settlement between the two sides “may resolve the matter,” said Winfree, who declined to share terms he’s discussed with Summefield’s lawyer.

The case stems from a ruling by Summerfield’s Board of Adjustment last August, which affirmed town staff’s decision that the background painting – not just the word “Clouds” – constitutes a sign supporting the business.

“Painting the area of the wall supporting the Clouds sign to appear like vapor clouds is a clear conversion of the wall to a sign to support the business,” Brad Rentz, the town’s planning manager, told the Board of Adjustment last summer.

Kotis disagreed, saying “the paint

around the sign is a work of art and does not exhibit a commercial message,” according to a court filing last October by Winfree, a Greensboro lawyer.

Art that doesn’t convey a commercial message is exempt from regulation by the town’s ordinance, the filing said, noting that with the painted section excluded, the sign complies with size requirements of the ordinance.

The plaintiff listed in court papers is WAW Properties LLC, the owner of Summerfield Square and an affiliate of Kotis Properties, which manages the shopping center.

Kotis is asking the judge to invalidate Summerfield’s notices of violation and related penalties, Winfree said. If the court sides with Kotis, the company wants the town to reimburse its legal fees.

LAND IN OAK RIDGE

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SPR

gets $25,000

fundraising campaign underway

The nonprofit will use the funds to pay for facility upgrades at its ballpark on Capri Drive

by PATTI STOKES

STOKESDALE – Stokesdale Parks and Recreation, a 501(c)(3) that owns Stokesdale Community Park on Capri Drive, is asking for the community’s help in raising $25,000 – and the nonprofit has set its sights on raising that amount by the end of this month. SPR president

Jordan Balmforth presented the association’s need for “critical facility updates” to Stokesdale Town Council members during a budget workshop this spring, and again at their June 12 council meeting.

During his presentations, Balmforth shared some of the nonprofit’s history, along with details about how registration fees, concession sales and business sponsorships have been used to pay for facility upgrades in the past, as well as to maintain its community ballpark and run its youth baseball, softball, soccer and basketball programs.

Balmforth told the council the dated

light fixtures on the ballfields are no longer repairable, and the decaying light poles are dangerously leaning over. Replacing the fixtures with new LEDS and installing new light poles will cost over $100,000, far more than SPR has in available funds.

On behalf of SRA, Balmforth requested the town contribute up to $50,000 toward the facility upgrades. SPR has already budgeted $25,000 and he said the nonprofit would raise the other $25,000 needed to match the town’s contribution. After deliberating, the town council agreed to the request, saying it considered it a wise investment in the community’s youth. For its part of the match, the town will draw from the $725,475 it received in American Rescue Plan funds, which it has slated for park improvements.

want to help?

Donations can be made at GoFundMe.com – type “Stokesdale Ball Fields” in the Search bar.

For more about SRA, visit www.stokesdaleparksandrec.com. Questions may be directed to board@ stokesdaleparksandrec.com.

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FY2022-23

I read that Oak Ridge recently contracted with a large accounting firm for its FY 2022-2023 audit, and will pay about $23,000 for the annual audit plus several thousand dollars for preparing required financial documents. As I recall, that’s a lot more than in years past – can you explain why the town is paying

services this year? And out of curiosity, what are the towns of Summerfield and Stokesdale paying for these services?

The Town of Oak Ridge recently contracted with FORVIS to perform its annual audit for $23,040, plus $6,000 for writing the financial statements.

There are a couple of reasons Oak Ridge’s cost for these services increased so significantly this year, Town Manager Bill Bruce told us.

“We have a lot of projects going on and a significant amount of capital investments,” Bruce explained. “We set up two additional funds last year (in addition to the general fund) – specifically the Water Enterprise Fund and the Capital Project Fund for the Heritage Farm Park project. Also, the $3M loan with associated paperwork, and a significant amount of grant compliance (PARTF, ARPA, SCIF, etc.) plays into it as well… Generally, I think our books are more complex than (those of) Summerfield and Stokesdale.”

Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider added that the volume and variety of capital projects the town is undertaking, with associated multiple state grants to help fund them, were the

Adobe Stock photo

The town of Oak Ridge will pay almost three times the amount Summerfield and Stokesdale will pay this year for its

audit and preparation of financial documents. Town representatives say they wanted to work with a larger firm that has specialized accountants, mainly due to the volume of capital projects the town is undertaking and multiple state grants associated with them.

June 29 / MEETING

as reported by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Mayor Ann Schneider called the monthly meeting to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and council members George McClellan, Martha Pittman and Spencer Sullivan present.

John Jenkins, chair of the town’s Finance Committee, offered the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

AGENDA

 5  0 to approve the meeting agenda and minutes of the June 1 meeting, the June 8 and June 15 special called meetings and the June 15 closed session.

APPRECIATION

Finance Committee chair. Schneider

HIGHLIGHTS

presented a certificate of appreciation to Finance Committee chair John Jenkins. In 2002, Jenkins recommended the town create a committee of residents to review its annual budget and went on to serve as the committee’s chair for 21 years until his retirement last month.

Council members gave Jenkins a standing ovation as Schneider thanked him for his “long and dedicated service” to Oak Ridge.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Oak Ridge Fire Department. Assistant fire chief Sam Anders encouraged residents to pay attention to daily reports of air quality. When conditions register “code orange,” people with respiratory

conditions should avoid going outside, he said. Outdoor burning is also banned under these conditions.

In the event that storms knock down utility lines, Anders urged people to avoid touching the lines and the risk of being electrocuted. Motorists and others should not move orange cones and yellow tape placed by emergency crews warning of blocked roads or other unsafe conditions, he emphasized.

Due to rising costs, the department plans to rebid for contractors to build the proposed fire training tower, Anders noted. A second maker of training towers is now doing business in North Carolina, raising the prospect for more competitive bidding, he said.

of the meeting (the council held its July meeting a week earlier than usual to avoid conflicts with the week of the Fourth of July).

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

MANAGER’S REPORT Budget amendment

 5  0 to amend the town’s budget for the new fiscal year to incorporate a $140,000 appropriation from Guilford County which the town learned about recently.

The council allocated $70,000 for additional spending on the disabledaccessible playground planned for Heritage Farm Park and another $70,000 for security cameras for town parking lots, including Town Park.

Schneider and McClellan thanked the county Board of Commissioners, which appropriated the money to Oak Ridge in its budget for the fiscal year that started July 1.

The department didn’t present an activity report for June because the month had not yet ended at the time

Closed session minutes

 5  0 to approve the unsealing of closed session minutes from council

“We’re trying to get the best bang for our buck given the inflationary cycle we’re in,” Anders said.

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO Oak Ridge Town Council presented John Jenkins (forefront) with a certificate of appreciation for his service at the council’s June 29 meeting in Town Hall. Jenkins recently retired as chair of Oak Ridge’s Finance Committee after serving in that role for 21 years.

WHAT they voted on, and HOW they voted:

Mayor Ann Schneider, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and council members George McClellan, Martha Pittman and Spencer Sullivan voted on the following items during the June 29 town council meeting.

 5  0: Approve the meeting agenda and minutes of the June 1 meeting, the June 8 and June 15 special called meetings and the June 15 closed session

 5  0: Amend Oak Ridge’s budget for the new fiscal year to incorporate a $140,000 appropriation from Guilford County

 5  0: Approve the unsealing of closed session minutes from council meetings on July 7 and Aug. 4, 2022, and this past Feb. 22

 5  0: Authorize the town’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to sell beer and wine at all Music in the Park concerts starting next year

 5  0: Increase the annual salary of Town Manager Bill Bruce by 5.8% to $112,000

meetings on July 7 and Aug. 4, 2022, and this past Feb. 22.

Heritage Farm Park update. Barr Construction Co. has begun clearing vegetation in preparation for grading for Heritage Farm Park, starting with two multipurpose fields, Town Manager Bill Bruce reported.

He reminded walkers and others that the project is “an active construction site” and urged people to obey signs to keep off the property.

N.C. 68/150 road work. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has informed town staff that it got three competitive bids from contractors to perform road improvements on N.C. 68 and 150.

The project is scheduled to start in March 2024 and take two years to complete, according to Bruce.

NEW BUSINESS

During this year’s concert series, the sale of alcoholic beverages is being allowed at four concerts with more widely known bands, along with financial sponsors and additional food trucks. The two Music in the Park events featuring local bands do not permit alcohol sales.

Starting this year, the dual format drew two distinct audiences – crowds totaling 1,000 and more for the two sponsored events in May and June, according to John Garrett, co-chair of the P&R board. April’s event with local bands drew 75 to 100 people.

This season, all six events are being held in the Town Park amphitheater. Starting next year, the concerts with local bands will move to the Farmhouse Community Center, at the entrance to Town Park at Linville Road and Lisa Drive.

The council’s vote doesn’t require that alcohol be sold at sponsored events, Kinneman pointed out, noting that decision will rest with the town’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

So far, the events selling alcohol have been well managed and gone well, Pittman said.

FINANCIAL UPDATE.

“Everything financially is going well,” finance officer Sam Anders said. He didn’t provide the town’s financial report for June since the month hadn’t ended at the time of the meeting.

Anders also presented to the town a denim jacket emblazoned with the Oak Ridge Horse Show logo.

“This is a piece of Oak Ridge history,” said Anders, explaining the

jacket was a gift from longtime Oak Ridge resident Ted Wright, who gave it to Anders before he moved to a retirement community in Greensboro.

The jacket is in nearly new condition because Wright only wore it once a year for the horse show, Anders said.

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Historic Preservation Commission. Denise Sacks, an alternate on the Historic Preservation Commission, reported the committee responsible for a book about historic properties in Oak Ridge is reviewing profiles of individual properties.

Planning and Zoning Board. Sean Taylor, the town’s planning director, reported the board recently approved a site plan for the Confident Kids Pediatric Dentistry practice. The 4,317-square-foot building will be located on an approximately oneacre tract at N.C. 68 and Quiet Place, behind Starbucks.

5

0 to authorize the town’s Parks and Recreation (P&R) Advisory Board to sell beer and wine at all Music in the Park concerts, starting next year.

Later in the meeting, Phyllis Anders, a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, said shifting the venue for smaller events will help introduce people to the renovation and expansion of the historic Redmon house into the community center.

“It will give everyone a sight of what can happen at the farmhouse,” she said.

Special Events Committee. Committee member Courtenay Harton reported the committee hopes to reach its $250,000 fundraising goal for the Veterans Honor Green by the end of July. As of the end of June, giving had reached $200,000.

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Co-Chair John Garrett reported the board has gotten “really good feedback” from the Music in the Park sponsors, which are:

Maureena Shepherd & Associates (Allen Tate), Oak Ridge Commons, Domino’s Oak Ridge, Tire Max and Phoenix Edge.

Water Advisory Committee. Chair Jim Harton reported the committee reviewed the first draft of an agreement between the town and WinstonSalem/Forsyth County Utilities for

supplying water from Kernersville to Oak Ridge. Not yet funded, a line will eventually carry water along N.C. 150 between the two towns.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

„ Jim Harton announced he plans to run for Town Council in the Nov. 7 election. Aside from chairing the Water Advisory Committee, he serves on the Finance Committee and the boards of Oak Ridge Fire Department and Preservation Oak Ridge.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

„ Sullivan said he doesn’t plan to run for a council seat in the November election. After serving as a council member and later, as the town’s mayor, he began serving on the council again in April 2022 when the council elected him to complete the term of Doug Nodine, who had

resigned due to poor health.

„ Pittman said she plans to seek re-election in the November election.

„ McClellan said he also plans to seek re-election in the fall.

(Three seats are up for grabs in the November election – the ones currently held by Sullivan, Pittman and McClellan.)

“It takes courage and commitment to run for council,” the mayor said, adding her congratulations to Pittman and McClellan for seeking re-election.

NEXT MEETING

Thursday, Aug. 3 • 7pm Oak Ridge Town Hall

CONTACT YOUR TOWN

(336) 644-7009

ssmith@oakridgenc.com www.oakridgenc.com

„ Kinneman and Schneider thanked Sullivan for his service to Oak Ridge. Kinneman added he hopes Sullivan will remain active on the Water Advisory Committee.

„ Sullivan and Schneider congratulated Harton for running for a council seat.

CLOSED SESSION

 5  0 to increase the annual salary of Town Manager Bill Bruce by 5.8% to $112,000.

The council’s vote followed a closed session of about 15 minutes for consideration of the pay raise.

“Thank you for your continued commitment to our town,” Schneider told Bruce. “You are an outstanding manager for us.”

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

Music in the Park COMMUNITY BAND NIGHT

Saturday, July 8

Oak Ridge Town Park Amphitheater

In case of inclement weather, events will be held in the Family Life Center at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church.

The town concession trailer will be open selling hamburgers, hot dogs, and a new item, sausage with grilled onions and peppers!

Noalcoholwillbesoldatthisevent.

Admission is free

(Donations to the bands accepted)

Sponsored by Town of Oak Ridge and Oak Ridge Parks & Recreation Advisory Board

The Ghosts of Liberty Americana folk rock | 6-7:30pm

Featuring two great, local bands

Barefoot Modern Pop/alternative/indie | 8-9:30pm

Ordinary people, Extraordinary impact

by ANNETTE JOYCE

“I think you need to give back to the community. That’s how my parents raised me and it’s just something I have to do,” Tim Frazier said.

A lifelong resident of northwest Guilford County, Frazier has established himself as a successful homebuilder, contributed thousands of hours as a volunteer fireman, is an avid supporter of Northwest High School (NWHS)’s athletics program and is widely known as an all-around nice guy.

Frazier, who volunteers as an assistant chief for Oak Ridge Fire Department, grew up in a family of firefighters.

“My grandfather, father and two brothers were all firemen,” he said. “My mother and sisters were members of the fire department’s Ladies Auxiliary. When I was younger, I couldn’t wait to become a fireman.”

Just before turning 16, Frazier officially joined his family at Colfax Fire Department. That was 46 years ago, and he has no plans to give up firefighting any time soon.

“Tim has dedicated countless hours of his time to many of the fire department’s projects and activities. The department benefits from this, as does the community,” said Ken Gibson, Oak Ridge Fire Department chief. “His construction knowledge is insurmountable to all, especially on structure fires.”

Besides handling the typical responsibilities of a volunteer fireman, Frazier has made himself indispensable as the department’s chief cook of its much-sought-after BBQ, which is sold annually as a fundraiser. He jokes that he’s the one who makes and

guards the recipe for the “secret sauce.”

“(Tim) is known for entering the department with a whistle and friendly smile – and he can cook a mean pig!” Gibson said. “It will be a bittersweet day when he decides to retire from the fire service.”

In addition to volunteering with the fire department, Frazier has long been involved with Northwest High School. A 1979 graduate of the school, he played football and basketball for his alma mater – and drove a school bus. His late wife, Debbie, and their son, Parker, were also NWHS graduates, and Parker was an assistant football coach at the school from 2010 to 2020.

“That school means a lot to me, and it’s been good to a lot of people,” Frazier said. “I want to do what I can to help.”

Frazier and Debbie became involved in Northwest’s Football Boosters Club when their son started playing on the school’s football team. It wasn’t long before they realized some major facility improvements were needed, including a new concession stand and fieldhouse.

Frazier played a lead role in forming Viking Vision, a nonprofit organization originally dedicated to raising funds for building a new fieldhouse. Ironically, Guilford County Schools budgeted to replace the fieldhouse before Viking Vision was able to raise the money for that purpose – so, the nonprofit’s goals changed.

Over the years, Frazier has put together numerous golf tournaments and reverse raffles and sold countless numbers of raffle tickets to bring in money for other improvements to the school’s athletic facilities. As the owner of Tim Frazier Builders, he also volun-

teered his skills and resources to build a new concession stand at the school’s football stadium.

“Our goal is to support as many boys’ and girls’ sports as we can,” said Frazier, who currently serves as vice president of Viking Visions.

To date, the nonprofit has provided funding to purchase weights for the fieldhouse, batting cages for the baseball and softball teams, constructed a storage building for equipment and has taken care of the various ballfields on the school’s campus.

For the last 20 years, Frazier has also volunteered to help maintain the ballfields by seeding, fertilizing and mowing. Just as with all his other volunteering, he doesn’t see it as a job – it’s just his way of giving back.

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

Thanks 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.

For Tim Frazier, volunteering is just a way to give back

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Tim Frazier, a lifelong northwest Guilford County resident, has volunteered as a firefighter for 46 years and has supported Northwest High School’s athletics program for over 20 years – and he has no plans to stop any time soon.

Jake is a 6-year-old Yorkie who loves his toys and is always ready to play. His family said Jake is both adored and spoiled. Jakes loves to spend his days at “Camp Meme” with his Meme, Pop-Pop, brother and sister.

Owner Laura Collins shared this photo of her pup, Zoe, hanging out in her favorite spot on the couch.

Oliver, a rescue from Seattle, Washington, is temporarily residing with his “grandma” Shannon Barber near Belews Creek. Oliver loves to sit on the screened porch where he enjoys watching birds, deer and other woodland

Summerfield residents

Teri and Doug Quintel adopted Abby, a 11/2-year-old LabradorAustralian shepherd mix. Abby loves water – so much, in fact, she has even been caught sleeping in the bathtub! The Quintals said Abby has brought a lot of joy not only to them, but also to their neighbors!

Penney, a 4 1/2-month-old rescue, sometimes gets confused as to whether you sleep on or under the bed.

Round and round the barrels they go

Stokesdale teen spends countless hours with her horse, Two, as the pair works on their barrel racing skills

by ANNETTE JOYCE

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of racing into an arena astride nearly a thousand pounds of muscle and maneuvering around an obstacle course all in a matter of seconds. Just ask 13-year-old Jordan Smith, who has spent the last four years barrel racing.

“It’s really exciting and gets my adrenaline pumping,” the long-legged teenager said.

The premise of barrel racing is simple – the horse and rider run a cloverleaf pattern around three preset

barrels as fast as they possibly can without upsetting the barrels. To make this happen, it takes being completely in sync with your horse and spending countless hours of practicing together.

Jordan has been around horses all her life, starting as an infant when her mom, Amy Smith, would take her to the barn to tend to Amy’s horse, Dinky.

By the time she was 5, Jordan was riding Dinky on her own. Back then, the pair was into English-style riding and competing, which includes events like jumping and dressage. For various reasons, Jordan later switched to Western style riding and took up barrel racing.

Fortunately, the Smiths found two experts in the sport, Dee and Kim Joyce, owners of Destiny Hill Farms, who were located just a few miles from the Smiths’ Stokesdale farm.

In the beginning, Jordan and Dinky walked the pattern, slowly progressing to a trot while Jordan gained confidence. Gradually, the horse and rider began working on their speed.

Along the way, Jordan discovered that Dinky wasn’t really happy with the new style of riding.

“He prefers the English style,” she said. “Whenever we would go fast, he would start bucking.”

Around the two-year mark, Jordan

and Dinky began competing. That’s when the horse’s rebellious side really began to show. At her first state competition, Jordan got banged up when she slipped off Dinky before reaching the first barrel.

“He decided ‘I’m not gonna do this today’ and turned in the opposite direction,” recalls Jordan, who was left on the ground as her horse sauntered around the arena.

Determined, Jordan said she

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Stokesdale teenager Jordan Smith with horses Dinky (left) and Two.

continued barrel racing with Dinky as long as she safely could.

“Dinky taught me a lot, but he got to be unsafe, and we had gone as far as we could,” she said. “I needed a horse that loved what he was doing.”

She found that with Two, a 12-year-old beauty who enjoys nothing more than racing around the

barrels and giving it his all. In fact, Jordan got her fastest qualified time of 16.503 seconds riding Two at the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Youth and Teen World Championship held in Perry, Georgia.

Jordan spends countless hours working to improve her performance. Along with taking one to two lessons a week, she rides anywhere from three to five times a week and often sets up barrels in the farm arena to practice.

Like most people, Jordan enjoys winning. But she said there are other

benefits to barrel racing – including belonging to a community of people with similar likes, many of whom have become her friends.

“Yes, it’s fun to win, but we want to get better,” Jordan said. “We’re not competing against the other riders as much as we’re competing against what we’ve done in the past.”

Of course, owning a horse isn’t just about riding – there’s lots of work to do as well. It’s her job to muck out the stalls, the arena, the horse trailer and the track that runs around the family farm’s fenced pasture, and to scrub out the water trough. While her mom takes the morning shift, Jordan is responsible for feeding, watering and putting out hay at night.

So, what does the future hold for this horseloving girl?

“I hope to get better and better. Maybe one day I can break the world record,” she said flashing her dazzling smile. “I would love to do that!”

Photo by Carlea Fitzgerald Photography

Jordan Smith fearlessly races her horse Two around a barrel.

Adoptable Pets

Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network

ICE CREAM

Meet Ice Cream, a 6-month-old leopard gecko who joined our program with her sister, Sprinkles, because their owner was moving. Leopard geckos make great pets and are relatively easy to take care of. Their diet consists of insects, and Ice Cream mostly eats meal worms. Like most reptiles, geckos are cold blooded, meaning they cannot regulate their internal temperature like we can and rely on heated light to keep warm. Ice Cream is currently living in a 10-gallon tank, but will likely need to upgrade to a 20-gallon tank as she grows.

GILLY

Meet Gilly, a 1-year-old female Anatolian shepherd who is 100% sweet, always has your back, loves a friend (dog or human) and gives big hugs when you need them. Gilly came to us after being rescued from a horrible situation; her original family decided they no longer wanted her and made some poor choices about how to re-home her. Fortunately, a kind veterinarian and Good Samaritan stepped in to save her, and Gilly made her way to Red Dog Farm where she was given time to decompress. She is an amazing dog who is now looking for a best friend to spend her days with. Although Gilly’s breed is known for being working guard dogs, she prefers more of the farm manager role and is ever watchful of her “flock” (human or animal). We are looking for a farm/house manager home for her or a home with a job as opposed to a guard dog role.

If you are interested adopting Ice Cream, Gilly or any of our other adoptable animals, please visit www.reddogfarm.com

Guilford County Animal Resource Center

BLUE JAY

It’s an odd thing to come across a cat with a bird’s name, but here he is: Meet Blue Jay, a neutered male domestic shorthair. At 11 pounds, he’s a perfect size for cuddling, and while he’s not good with small children or other cats, this 4-year-old guy has years of love to give to an empty-nester or anyone else who wants some feline company. True to his name, Blue Jay’s favorite hobby is ... birdwatching! Ask for him by ID# GCAS-A-10032.

LIBERTY

July is the perfect month to adopt a dog named Liberty! An American Staffordshire terrier mix, this girl is playful, good with kids, energetic and toy motivated. (Her favorite movie is “Toy Story.) At only 2 1/2 years old, Liberty has years of love to share with a family where she would be the only pet. Liberty is spayed, so she’s ready to go to her new family any day. Please ask for Liberty by ID# GCAS-A-6649.

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

The beautiful colors and patterns we see on a butter y’s wings come from tiny scales that cover their wings. These scales are made of a special material called chitin.

Find the10differences

for sponsoring this issue’s Kids’ Korner

AWESOME ANIMALS

Butterflies did you know?

• Butterflies eat a liquid diet. Butterflies have a long, tube-like tongue called a proboscis which they uncurl and use like a straw to suck up nectar and fruit juices.

• No bathroom cleanup needed. Many adult butterflies never excrete waste – they use up all they eat for energy.

• Rest assured, butterflies are not nosy! In fact, they don’t have noses. Instead, they taste and smell food using their legs and feet.

• A short and sweet life. The average lifespan of an adult butterfly is roughly three to four weeks.

• A butterfly’s favorite season is... summer. Butterflies cannot fly if their body temperature is less than 86 degrees.

• All ready for Halloween! Butterflies have their skeletons – called the exoskeleton – on the outside of their bodies. This protects them and keeps water inside their bodies so they don’t dry out.

• Butterflies don’t lack variety. There are about 17,500 species of butterflies in the world!

Check out these common North Carolina butterflies

Oak Ridge Commons

A surprisingly uncommon experience in the heart of Oak

Olmsted Orthodontics: building confidence, one smile at a

Since opening in Oak Ridge Commons in 2014, Olmsted Orthodontics has created beautiful smiles for patients from 7 to 80 years old in northwest Guilford County and beyond.

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A Summerfield native and Northwest Guilford High School alumnus, Dr. Matt Olmsted earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University, where he was a four-year letterman for the varsity swim team. After graduating from dental school and receiving his master’s degree in orthodontics from UNC-Chapel Hill, he spent two years in a fellowship program gaining valuable experience working with the popular Invisalign aligners.

Dr. Olmsted has since made his mark as one of the most experienced orthodontists in North Carolina to work with the aligners. He teaches as a clinical assistant professor in UNC-Chapel Hill’s Department of Orthodontics and stays current on the latest orthodontic research and advances.

Well respected in his field, Dr. Olmsted was elected by his colleagues in 2019 to

serve as president of the North Carolina Association of Orthodontists, which has more than 350 members throughout the state.

“We want to give our patients an exceptional experience every time they visit,” Dr. Olmsted said. “They are our guests and we are their home for orthodontic care and more confident smiles.

“We greatly value the one-on-one, face-to-face relationships with our patients and their families,” he added. “We are proud to cultivate those relationships by treating their brothers and sisters and even parents and their children.”

Among Dr. Olmsted’s many local patients is a three-generation family group consisting of a daughter, mother and grandmother.

Staying up to date on the latest technology is a priority at Olmsted Orthodontics.

“We believe strongly in being able to offer our patients the most cutting-edge diagnostic software and treatment planning,” Dr. Olmsted said. “We also believe

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time

in making things as convenient as possible and continue to provide video conference capabilities and virtual visits.”

When he isn’t providing orthodontic care, Dr. Olmsted enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife, Câline, a former All American women’s lacrosse player at Duke and a current private lacrosse coach, have been married 12 years and have a son, William, 8, and daughter, Catherine, 6. Visits to the Greensboro Science Center, Greensboro Children’s Museum and parks in Oak Ridge and Summerfield rank high on the family’s list of favorite things to do.

(336) 441-7007

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Kernersville Office: (336) 993-8333

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

Walkertown Office: (336) 564-4101

Dr. Matt Olmsted

mark your calendar

SATURDAY, JULY 8

z Community Fun Day | Liberty Wesleyan Church, at 15303 U.S. 158 in Summerfield, will host a community fun day July 8, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Church members will be serving free hotdogs from 12 noon to 1 p.m. and Sweet Oasis Frozen Treats will be onsite. There will also be inflatables, games and music. More info: office@libertywesleyan.com.

z 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 not be 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. See ad on p. 9.

JULY 10-13

z Soccer camp | Rising K-8th graders are invited to participate in a soccer camp Monday, July 10, through Thursday, July 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day at Northern Guilford High School, 7101 Spencer Dixon Road in northwest Greensboro. For $125, campers will receive individualized instruction, coaching and evaluations plus a camp T-shirt. Register at https://nghsabc.memberhub.com/store/items/842050. More info: northernsoccercamp@gmail.com.

JULY 11, 13 & 20

z Senior programs | Senior Resources of Guilford County will sponsor a senior program including activities and a take-home lunch from 10:45 a.m. to 12 noon on July 11 at Center UMC (6142 Lake Brandt Road in northern Greensboro) and from 10:30 a.m.

to 12 noon at Shady Grove Wesleyan Church (119 N. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax); on July 13, 10:30 a.m. to noon at Stokesdale United Methodist Church (8305 Loyola Drive); and on July 20, 10:30 a.m. to noon 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.

TUESDAY, JULY 11

z Town Council meeting | Summerfield Town Council has cancelled its regular monthly meeting on July 11. The council will hold its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 8. Stay up-to-date on town happenings at www.summerfieldnc.gov and on Facebook.com/TownofSummerfield.

THURSDAY, JULY 13

z Town Council meeting | Stokesdale Town Council will meet July 13, starting at 7 p.m., at Stokesdale

‘Just go with the flow’

sat in a circle of chairs and began sharing their experiences caring for their parents and spouses who are declining due to age and illness.

by CHRIS BURRITT NW GUILFORD/GREENSBORO –

Three women and two men recently

A daughter explained her fright when she saw her elderly mother zipping across the lawn on a riding mower, reliving the days when she could safely cut the yard.

A wife described the daily battle of

helping her wheelchair-bound husband take a shower when he weighs more than she does. Due to his fluctuating blood pressure, he is prone to fainting when he stands up.

A son explained that he and his brother and sister are close to “hyperventilating” over the costs of the assisted living facility in Greensboro where their parents live. The expenses spiral higher as residents move to more advanced care.

“You learn to adapt and just to go with the flow,” said Denise Pender, her husband’s caregiver for nearly 20 years. She and the four others gathered in Greensboro in May, as part of a caregivers’ support group sponsored by Well-Spring Solutions, affiliated with the Well-Spring Life Plan Community in Greensboro.

Meeting three times a month in Greensboro and High Point, the group offers a glimpse of the challenges facing caregivers. As much as possible, Jodi Kolada, Well-Spring Support’s director of caregiver support, recommended that caregivers respect the wishes of their loved ones and consult with them on decisions.

“In some fashion, they want to help; they want to do; they want to feel meaningful; they want to feel value,” Kolada said. “Even when you tell them that what they’re doing is not safe, you don’t want them to feel you’re treating them like a child. So it’s a tough balance.”

As they shared their struggles and misgivings about the care they were providing, Kolada urged the caregivers to try to look after themselves as well

For relatives caring for aging and ill loved ones, the challenges are demanding and ever changing

Adobe Stock photo

Providing healthcare for someone you love can be demanding and stressful. Through the process, health professionals advise caregivers to find ways to nurture themselves as well as their loved ones.

TO YOUR HEALTH

as their loved ones.

“Over the course of the next hour and a half, your mind is probably going to wander and ask what you have to do tomorrow and what groceries you need on the way home,” Kolada told the group. “But right now we’re in the moment and we want to be mindful that we’re here together to share, listen and connect.”

A resource guide from AuthoraCare Hospice in Greensboro explains the “distressing, anxiety-provoking situations” faced by caregivers.

“Perhaps you’re watching someone you love decline and wondering how you can help,” the AuthoraCare guide said. “Maybe you’re juggling a hectic schedule, coping with financial uncertainty or family conflict. Perhaps you worry about coping after your loved one passes away.”

AuthoraCare offers these tips for caregivers to ease stress.

• Exercise, even if it’s just a brief, short walk.

• Ask for help on chores ranging from mowing the lawn to picking up groceries.

• Grab time for yourself. Take a nap when your loved one is sleeping, talk to a friend or play with a pet.

• Get regular sleep as much as possible.

• Realize you can’t be the perfect caregiver and that pressuring yourself to get everything right heightens stress.

• If your loved one is living in a facility, share concerns with staff regularly. If you’re participating in your loved one’s care, arrange a schedule with staff that gives you time to rest and recharge.

The Most Trusted Hearing Care Experts in The Triad

As the health of loved ones declines, caregivers face four common decisions about how they’re going to deal with end-of-life issues, according to “Hard Choices for Loving People,” a book by healthcare chaplain Hank Dunn.

Those issues revolve around four questions: whether resuscitation will be attempted; whether a feeding tube will be used; whether the patient will remain at home or be transferred to a hospital; and whether treatment shifts from cure to comfort measures offered by hospice.

generations are the first to be faced with making such difficult choices about potentially life-prolonging medical treatments,” Dunn wrote. “Modern medical developments like ventilators, feeding tubes and cardiopulmonary resuscitation have improved the odds for surviving an accident, heart attack, or stroke.”

Medical advances create another topic of discussion.

“It is very important that all seriously ill patients and their families discuss the use of life-prolonging medical procedures,” Dunn advised.

For Summerfield caregiver Colleen Figueroa, watching the decline of her patients in their homes is most difficult. She finds it hard – if not impossible – to follow a basic guideline for professional caregivers.

“Today’s

TO YOUR HEALTH

‘GO WITH THE FLOW’ ...continued from p. 21

Over the past three decades, Figueroa said she’s often been the only one with patients as they die. She values those moments and she believes patients and their loved ones do, too.

“Nobody should have to go by themselves,” she said.

where to go for help

People caring for adult loved ones with chronic illnesses such as dementia can attend the support groups sponsored by Well-Spring Solutions. For information, visit www.well-springsolutions.org.

Other caregiving resources, including tips for caring for loved ones and yourself, can be found at:

Caregivers Alliance: www.caregiver.org

AARP Caregiving Resource Center: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/

Alzheimer’s Association: www.alz.org

Caregiver Magazine: www.caregiver.com

main reasons the town decided this year to work with a larger accounting firm that employs a team of specialized accountants.

She noted that as a bonus, the selected firm’s size and level of professionalism will ensure the audit is not submitted late, as one neighboring town experienced when working with a smaller accounting firm.

“We will also get a different set of eyes on our financials every year, because the people who meet with our finance officer every year won’t be the same people,” Schneider added.

As for what neighboring towns are paying for their audit and preparation of financial documents, Stokesdale Finance Officer Kimberly Thacker confirmed the town of Stokesdale recently contracted with West Jefferson-based accounting firm C. Randolph, CPA to perform its FY2022-23 audit, at a cost of $7,125 for the audit, $3,000 for preparing required financial statements and $500 for all other “nonattest services,” for a total of $10,625. Stokesdale has two funds – a general

fund for operating costs and a water enterprise fund for its municipal water system.

Summerfield Finance Officer Dee Hall said the town of Summerfield also contracted with C. Randolph, CPA this year, and will pay $6,700 for performing its annual audit for the FY2022-23, $3,000 for preparing financial statements, and $500 to do its AFIR (Annual Financial Information Report), for a total of $10,200.

“I’m thrilled (with our selection),” Hall said. She (C. Randolph) comes highly recommended, and for the first time, I don’t have to do the AFIR, which I do not love doing. I feel like I won the lottery!”

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with the latest software.

“You want to make sure you are on the right plan,” Testa said, recommending that customers check their My Verizon app, visit a Verizon store or contact the carrier’s customer service at *611.

Sarah Boggs, manager of Oak Ridge’s Verizon store, said she’s noticed improved service in the commercial district – including inside the Verizon store on Marketplace Drive.

For users with continued poor service, she recommended they turn off their phones, wait about a minute and then turn them back on. Calling Verizon’s customer service for technical help would be a next step, she added.

A lack of good service in Oak Ridge has plagued Verizon for several years.

For some users, last week’s activation is especially welcome in light of service worsening in the half year since Charlotte-based Communications Tower Group erected the 180-tower, disguised as a pine tree. It sits down a slope behind the military school’s gymnasium and is enclosed by a locked fence.

Other comments on the newspaper’s Facebook page last week offered mixed reviews.

“There is no noticeable difference yet,” Oak Ridge resident Tiffany Hansen wrote. “We used to have great Verizon service in Oak Ridge, but now it is terrible.”

“My service has been much better the last couple of days!” Crystal Caudle wrote.

Ashley Michaels, PA-C and Chase Michaels, PA-C

“They tell you not to bring your personal feelings to the job,” Figueroa said. “But you can’t. When they hurt, I hurt.”

Robert Max (Bob) Williams April 1, 1934–June 29, 2023

SUMMERFIELD – Bob Williams, born on April 1, 1934, loved joking about being an “April Fool.” He graduated from Greensboro (Grimsley) High School, where he loved playing football and earned the nickname “Hoss,” and later played football at Guilford College under Coach (and longtime friend) Herb Appenzeller, before serving in the U.S. Navy.

Bob married Sheila Vincent in 1960 and eventually opened three restaurants in downtown Greensboro. His years working on Elm Street fostered a desire to preserve the buildings and history in the downtown district where he grew up. He started a newspaper, the “Hamburger Square Post,” which focused on downtown happenings, and conceptualized the “Old Greensborough” project which focused on revitalizing the downtown district (for his work on revitalizing Old Greensborough, he received the “key to the city” from Mayor Jim Melvin).

Wanting to ring in the Bicentennial in 1976 in grand fashion, Bob conceptualized the Fun Fourth Festival and with the help of volunteers, brought the first festival to life. He was very proud that it continues today.

After retirement, Bob brought his passion for community service to Summerfield. He went door-to-door to garner support for incorporating the town of Summerfield, then volunteered on several town committees before being elected to the Town Council, eventually serving as mayor pro tem.

Bob was involved with renovating the historic Brittain Building that now serves as Summerfield Town Hall, and with creating Summerfield Community Park and Summerfield Athletic Park. For many years he also coordinated the annual Summerfield Founders’ Day parade.

Halloween was Bob’s absolute favorite time of year, and in the early 1970s he began hosting a Halloween Haunted Trail at his Summerfield home that welcomed thousands of attendees. The event later moved to one of his buildings on Elm Street, where “The Haunted Hotel” was born, and then to Summerfield Community Park as the “Petrified Woods.” His children carry on their father’s 52-year tradition by hosting an annual Halloween event for family and friends.

At 88, Bob started “Summerfield Goodfellows,” a gentleman’s coffee club for senior citizens. Besides enjoying fellowship, the group is currently working on several public safety projects.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Sheila, his four children, Kimberly Jackson (David), Lori Williams, Robert Max (Rob) Williams Jr., Thomas (Vince) Williams and his faithful canine friend, Molly. His pride and joy were his nine grandchildren, Parker, Reece (Sierra), Hunter, Greyson, Paxton, Krista, Brenna, Max III and Gage. He also adored his three great-grandsons, Anderson, Tucker and Kamren.

A funeral will be held at Center United Methodist Church on Thursday, July 6, at 11 a.m. The family will greet guests beginning at 10 a.m. in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s honor to Center United Methodist Church, 6142 Lake Brandt Road, Greensboro 27455, or Senior Resources of Guilford, 1401 Benjamin Parkway, Greensboro 27408.

Bob’s four children shared the following memories and thoughts about him....

“We spent our summers working in downtown Greensboro on various projects for Dad. We carried chairs, repaired windows, and even stripped the original O’Henry Hotel of all its heavy cherry doors and copper fire extinguishers before it was to be demolished. It seemed pointless to me to carry those old doors, but Dad soon used all of them to wrap a 1,600-squarefoot restaurant dining room in wainscoting. It was beautiful! He was a creative thinker, and a great father who taught us the meaning of a good work ethic.

“I specifically remember one day at the restaurant, watching him go table to table, talking and laughing with his guests. I thought to myself ‘I want to have my own business one day.’ I didn’t know what it would be or what owning a business was really about, but I just knew I wanted to enjoy customers the way he did.

“Soon after Dad’s passing, we came together to reminisce, laugh, and sometimes cry about all the wonderful things he brought

to our lives. As children, we did not see that our upbringing was any different than others. But looking back at it today we realize how extraordinary and unique it was.”

Vince Williams, son

“Although my father did many amazing things for Greensboro and Summerfield, I think his greatest accomplishment was being a wonderful dad.

“When we were telling ghost stories at our slumber parties, Dad would either climb a ladder and tap on the window, or cut the power so that we had no lights, which would send us screaming into the other room.

“Movie posters lined the hallways of our basement that led to a home theater (before they were a thing) with a popcorn machine, theater seats and a film projector in a room behind them. Pulling a re-purposed car hood latch in a hall closet caused a panel to pop open, allowing access to a hidden room Dad built. There you could pick a film from a large selection and Dad would load it onto the projector for us. My favorite was ‘House on Haunted Hill.’ It had a scene that terrified me, and Dad would always stay with me through that scary part.

“It never ceased to amaze me how Dad could make something from nothing or saw value in things that others didn’t. That has been of great value to me in my business. He taught me many things, but I have to laugh because as I approach my 60s, the struggle to hold a flashlight steady is still present.”

Lori Williams, daughter

“I may have tested some boundaries a time or two… Dad taught me many lessons in my life, the most important of which were respect and responsibility.”

Rob Williams, son

“Dad always had a side hustle – like penny machines or trading cigars to officers to get leave to go and see Mom. He once opened a ‘flea market’ on Asheboro Street in downtown Greensboro which ran much like today’s antique malls. During this time, he started buying up property in downtown Greensboro. He was a visionary, and his vision was to

make downtown Greensboro a place that people wanted to come back to – much like he remembered from his childhood and much like it is today.

“Halloween was his obsession. Once he bought a lot of items from a hospital auction that included theater seats, obstetrical tables, a hearse, coffins and a human skeleton the family lovingly named “Irving” – yes, we had a skeleton in our closet! It sounds bizarre today, but back then, I guess the hospital thought it was OK to just sell these things.

“While thinking about what to do with these items, he started renovating our basement into a movie theater where he delighted his kids and neighbors with movies for years.

“Dad thought it was great fun to take his kids to school in a hearse, or to dress up like the ‘Munsters’ and take the kids trick or treating in the hearse. He once even took Irving (the skeleton) to my class at Summerfield Elementary for show-and-tell (then-principal Jesse Joyce thought it was a hoot!)!

“Dad was an absolute pit bull when he felt passionate about something, and while it sometimes aggravated people, everyone knew he always held the best interest of others in the highest regard. His dream was to leave Summerfield citizens with a town they could be proud of.”

Kim Williams Jackson, daughter

Summerfield resident Bob Williams, 89, passed away June 29. Shown with Bob in picture is his wife of 63 years, Sheila, and his faithful friend, Molly.

ORYA.ORG TO REGISTER overcome and only something Messi Now!

Help support ORYA softball coach

Daryn Glasgo in his battle against cancer

Daryn was recently diagnosed with rectal cancer and this news has shocked all of us. This cancer has been incredibly aggressive, but so is his tenacity and attitude towards beating all odds. Daryn's family is heavily involved with ORYA and Daryn has coached his daughter and her softball teammates for the last five years.

ORYA wants to rally around the Glasgo family. Please consider giving at https://www.gofundme.com/f/glasgo-team-fights-cancer. Contributions will help with the cost of surgeries, doctors’ visits, scans, radiation and chemo treatments, rehabilitation and life’s essential needs.

Registration is open for 2023 football cheer

We would love for you to join us for the 2023 fall sideline cheer season at ORYA Vikings Cheerleading! We will have a parent interest meeting on July 14 if you would like to get information, ask questions and meet our coaches. Stay up to date with the program on our website and Facebook or contact us at cheer@gmail.com.

McDonald’s Oak Ridge, 8000 Marketplace Drive

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Oak Ridge Youth Association thanks McDonald's for sponsoring this page proud sponsor of Oak Ridge Youth Association athletes

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Summerfield and Greensboro

Just Keep Smiling! Reynolds & Stoner

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!

July 4th kids bike parade

Oak Ridge Town Park, Oak Ridge | 10 a.m. to noon

“Oak Ridge’s first 4th of July kids bike parade was an overwhelming success, and I was amazed at the community spirit that showed up in full force for the event!

“Thank you to Oak Ridge BSA Troop 219G, To the Moon & Back frozen treats for free ice cream, Oak Ridge Lions Club for providing free hot dogs, chips and drinks for the kids, Bob Rents for the wonderful face painting, and to all the kids and families who participated!

“This event will definitely be added to the Special Events Committee’s calendar of events for 2024!”

 To The Moon and Back frozen treats co-owner Cheryl Albrecht (left) and her sidekick scooped up countless cups of frozen treats, which they gave away to everyone who attended the July 4th bike parade.

 Bob Rents owners Mike and Tiffany Hansen and their helpers offered free face painting and tattoos to kids who attended the bike parade. Courtesy photos (and thanks to everyone who shared their photos with us)!

– Patti Dmuchowski, chair Oak Ridge Special Events Committee

 Cute kids decked out in red, white and blue were in abundance at the bike parade.  Oak Ridge Lions Club members Frank Kelleher (left) and Jim Haase (right) enjoyed cooking lots of hot dogs for their club to give away to kids who participated in the July 4th bike parade.

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ON SUNDAYS IN JULY!

CALENDAR EVENTS

...continued from p. 18

Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. Citizens may attend in person, or view the meeting on the town’s YouTube channel. Visit www.stokesdale.org for a meeting agenda.

SATURDAY, JULY 15

z Music in the Park | The Town of Summerfield will host a Music in the Park event July 15, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Summerfield Community Park, 5404 Centerfield Road. The Holiday Band will be playing beach music, oldies and Top 40 songs and West Coast Wanderer and Kona Ice will be selling refreshments. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Parking available at Summerfield Community Park or Medearis Street parking lot. See ad on p. 18.

TUESDAY, JULY 18

z Kiwanis Club | Kiwanis Club of

Northwest Guilford, a nonprofit that engages in projects focused on children in our community, will meet July 18, starting at 12 noon at Bill’s Pizza, 1431 N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge. More info: nwgkiwanis@gmail.com.

z Cruise-In | JPC Monroe will sponsor a parade of muscle cars, classic cars and more July 18, about 4:30 p.m. to dusk at Oak Ridge Commons Shopping Center (weather permitting). The cruise-in is complemented by live music and car-related raffle prizes. To participate, just show up and you will be directed to a parking spot.

z Northwest Guilford VFW | Northwest Guilford VFW invites veterans and individuals who have served overseas in a conflict to join VFW Post #7999 for their monthly meeting July 18, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. More info: Andy Schlosser, (336) 456-2199, or Rick Dunlap, (336) 601-0941.

/

District 1 Sheriff’s Office

ASSAULT

June 27 | Law enforcement officers responded to a reported assault in the 7600 block of N.C. 68 N in Stokesdale.

FRAUD

June 26 | A resident of the 4900 block of Rhondan Road in Summerfield (off Summerfield Road) reported that between March 1 and June 15 an unknown suspect defrauded him of $60,000.

June 28 | A resident of the 5400 block of Broadleaf Road in Summerfield (near Fleming Road) reported an unknown suspect defrauded him of $2,000.

June 28 | A resident of the 3500 block of Windswept Drive in Summerfield (off Strawberry Road) reported an unknown suspect fraudulently used her ID info.

June 29 | A 40-year-old female was arrested in the 5800 block of Old Oak

Ridge Road/Oak Ridge Meadows Drive in northwest Greensboro for common law forgery, common law robbery, larceny and several counts of failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge.

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

June 26 | A resident of the 9000 block of Mt. Carmel Road in Stokesdale (off Belews Creek Road) reported suspicious activity involving damage to the home’s front door and a bedroom door.

THEFT

June 26 | Officers responded to a report that an unknown suspect stole 250 gallons of water from the water system in Oak Ridge Commons.

July 2 | A 42-year-old male was arrested in the 400 block of N.C. 68 N/ Cornerstone Drive in northwest Greensboro for larceny of a firearm.

GRINS and GRIPES

GRINS to...

„ Town of Stokesdale for plans to provide your community with new options at your town park (basketball and pickleball).

„ Dr. Bream and his staff at Bream Medical in Stokesdale for being so friendly and caring. Love them!

„ Robbie Wagoner, for your welldeserved promotion from Stokesdale’s deputy town clerk to town clerk. You have been such a great addition to town staff (along with Dale Martin and Priscilla Hunsucker), and are always friendly, professional and willing to help.

„ The community of Oak Ridge for their participation in our first Kids Fourth of July bike parade. Special thanks to Bob Rents, To The Moon and Back frozen treats and Oak Ridge Lions Club for their contributions!

„ Oak Ridge’s Special Events Committee for being so close to your

fundraising goal for Veterans Honor Green in Heritage Farm Park, even after the goal increased due to rising construction costs. Your hard work has paid off!

„ Matt Moorefield, for restoring the vacant storefronts in the building across from Stokesdale Fire Department and attracting new businesses to downtown.

GRIPES to...

„ The person complaining about the goats on Whitaker Drive. The owners may be working on their backyard and had to relocate them to the front. I live on this road; was thinking about getting some myself so I won’t have to mow.

„ Bi-Rite for not having a diaper changing station in the bathroom. It was pouring rain out and I couldn’t go to my car as an alternative, so ended up having to change my baby’s diaper on the bathroom floor.

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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

Hiring? We can help! Place your classified ad online at www.nwobserver.com

 PUBLIC NOTICE

STOKESDALE FIRE DISTRICT INC. will hold its annual meeting on Tues., July 25, at 7:30pm, at the fire station located at 8401 US Hwy 158. We will present the Annual Report (financial and operational) and hold the election of four board members. Current vehicle registration may be required for proof of voter eligibility if vehicle tax is the only tax paid in the Stokesdale Fire District.

 HOME SERVICES

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

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

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

CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING

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

Your HOME SERVICES 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

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

BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC

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

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

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

AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIR

Why move when you can improve? licensed general contractors

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

One call fixes all!

(336) 643-1184

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

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

handyman ● painting ● kitchen & bath residential & commercial ● free estimates

336.554.5007

kjhomeservices4u@gmail.com ● kjhomeservicesnc.com

„ HOME SERVICES

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

OLD SCHOOL HOME REPAIR

See display ad on page 18.

GRADING / HAULING

„ HOME SERVICES

ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING

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

GUTTERS / SIDING / WINDOWS

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

WILSON Seamless Gutters

Installation, repair, replacement, Leaf Guard

Stokesdale

336-420-0200

„ HOME SERVICES

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

SOUTHERN CUTZ LAWN CARE. Offering complete lawn maintenance services, 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

„ HOME SERVICES

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.

MASONRY

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.

Call or text for free estimate 336-905-0665

Fully licensed and insured

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

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

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

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING

DSL DRAIN SYSTEMS & LANDSCAPING (336) 362-4354

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

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

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.

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

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

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS

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

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

682-1456

Place your ad online: nwobserver.com

Fully insured. Serving the Triad for 34 years. (336) 362-5860

continued on p. 30

 HOME SERVICES

PEARMAN QUARRY LCID. Inert debris landfill. Yard waste, concrete, etc. Mulch and fill dirt available. (336) 803-2195 or (336) 558-7673

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

 HOME SERVICES

PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR , 40 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. Average BDRM walls $100. Insured. Call Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186

PLUMBING

WEBSTER & SONS PLUMBING, Inc. (336) 992-2503. Licensed, insured, bonded. 24/7 service. Plumbing, drain cleaning, well pumps. Give us a call, we do it all! Go to www.webstersplumbing.com for more info.

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

POOLS

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

 HOME SERVICES

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.

TMConstruction Services, INC

BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS

Screened porches | Sunrooms | Eze-Breeze ® (336) 644-8615 office (336) 508-5242 cell

 HOME SERVICES

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

ROOFING

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

DUSTIN CLINARD ROOFING. Shingles, metal, and leak repairs. 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

We DISASSEMBLE and RECONSTRUCT

working in NW Guilford County since 1999

•

Commercial • Licensed & Insured

PRESSURE WASHING

HOUSE and ROOF SOFT WASHING

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

FREE ESTIMATES

BEK Paint Co.

Residential & Commercial

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

BEKPaintCompany.com

• References Available

• Licensed & Insured

• All Work Guaranteed

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

PLACE YOUR AD: nwobserver.com

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.

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION

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.

Tell

Don't delay; place your Classified ad today: (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 www.nwobserver.com

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

Roofing, Gutters, Leaf Guards Oak Ridge Based. Free Quotes.

(336) 310-4133

WWW.VILLAGEROOFS.COM

 MISC. SERVICES &

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

Gated access with

in with your neighbors at facebook.com/northwestobserver

facebook.com/NorthwestObserver Get. Be. Connected.Stay. What’s going on around town?

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

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.

(336) 643-9963 • 8207 B & G Court, Stokesdale

„ MISC. SERVICES

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

WELDING AND TRAILER REPAIR

Call Tim, (336) 402-3869

„ MISC. FOR SALE

CONCEPT 2 INDOOR ROWER, Model D. Like-new condition, manuals included. One owner. $500. Call (336) 608-9967

BLUEBERRIES! You pick or pre-picked. Heritage Blueberry Farm, Darla Drive in Summerfield. (336) 908-3644

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

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

„ 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

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

index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS

„ 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

„ 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

Postal Patron

Postal Patron PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310

Oak Ridge resident Jim Kinneman and his wife, Carol (not pictured), enjoyed a hike up to Fort Amsterdam in Sint Maarten (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands), overlooking the harbor. What a beautiful place to stop and catch up on the local news!

Amid a peaceful Rhone River cruise between Lyon and Avi gnon, France, visiting famous Beaujolais and Chateauneuf-duPape vineyards and taking a cooking class at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, Summerfield resident John Nash and his two daughters, Shelley Nash (Greensboro) and Karen Gainey (Summerfield) took a moment to read the

Thanks to his hometown newspaper and his Grasshopper’s hat, Joe Posch of Summerfield said he didn’t get homesick while traveling to Shanghai, China, on business.

Oak Ridge residents Todd (far left) and Julie (far right) Black, along with their daughter, Anna, traveled to Vienna, Austria, in April to visit their son, Aaron, and daughter-in-law, Lauren. Aaron and Lauren enjoyed reading about the recent local events happening back in the States.