Northwest Observer / Aug. 3-16, 2023

IN THIS ISSUE

Opponents say a casino in southwestern Rockingham County would worsen crime, drugs and sex trafficking while endangering the rural community and hurting economic development

by CHRIS BURRITT

MADISON – Baptist preacher Steve Griffith said casinos are “magnets for everything that’s wrong in this world.”

Casinos operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, giving “no relief from the lights, from the cars, from the action,” said Camp Carefree board member Rhonda Rodenbough. “We don’t want action.”

“This is not the right growth,” county resident Clark Erskine added. “This is not the right time; this is not the right location.”

These voices of opposition to a possible casino on U.S. 220 in Rockingham County rose from the packed pews of Ellisboro Baptist Church in Madison this past Tuesday evening, Aug. 1. More than a dozen speakers

unfurled a long list of social ills they said would accompany legalized gaming while criticizing gambling as the wrong industry for the southwestern corner of the county.

...continued on p. 34

Softball camp participant Ryleigh Matthews works on her sliding skills at Stokesdale Community Park this summer. Owned, maintained and operated by the nonprofit Stokesdale Parks and Recreation, the park has a special place in residents’ hearts, from those who remember seeing volunteers cutting the diamond grass with push mowers to the youngsters who play there now. The entire community is investing in the long-term viability of a park that was in dire need of an overhaul. See story on p. 26.

Photo courtesy of Brooke Ernst

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

At right, Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page talks to Camp Carefree property manager Chis Rodenbough. During an Aug. 1 community meeting, both expressed opposition to a possible casino on U.S. 220

‘We don’t want to be Las Vegas’

Preview: Oak Ridge Town Council meeting, Aug. 3

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Oak Ridge Town Council plans to consider approving a $350,000 proposal for the design and installation of the new playground at Heritage Farm Park.

Over the past month, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board reviewed proposals from four playground manufacturing and installation contractors. The board recommended the council approve the hiring of Pittsboro, North Carolina-based Barrs Recreation, according to a July 28 memo by Town Manager Bill Bruce.

The town instructed bidders to incorporate a farm theme and accessibility for disabled children in their proposals for the playground. The board favored Barrs due to its “creative design, inclusive elements, elements for older children, and its supplemental warranty that offers 100% free replacement cost on all warrantied products,” Bruce said.

Barrs Recreation is not affiliated with Greensboro-based BAR Construction Co., the general contractor building the new park on 62 acres at Scoggins and Linville roads behind Town Hall.

Bruce also plans to provide an update on construction of the park. Grading for the parking lot and athletic fields started last month.

In other business, the council plans to consider approving a plan for landscaping the entrance to Town Park, at

OOPS! The photo to the right, which ran on the front cover of our July 6-19 issue, was mistakenly credited to Mike Matzinger, who contributed other photos of the July 4 bike parade in Oak Ridge Town Park. This photo, however, should have been credited to Oak Ridge Town Councilman George McClellan.

an estimated cost of $139,810.

Over the summer, town leaders collaborated with Hill Studio, a Roanoke, Virginia-based design firm, to revise the firm’s initial plan for landscaping around the historic Redmon house at Linville Road and Lisa Drive. Some council members said they want fewer shrubs and flowers than proposed by Hill Studio, as well as more varieties such as those that might have been planted by tenant farmers who lived in the house.

The revised plan calls for the planting of magnolia trees, camellia bushes and coneflowers, among numerous varieties. The plan lists the biggest expenses as sidewalks and a parking lot to accommodate visitors to the house, slated for renovation and expansion as the Farmhouse Community Center.

Separately, the council plans to consider approving a proposal for the Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC) to update Oak Ridge’s development ordinance.

Despite periodic updates, “the bulk of the ordinance is over 30 years old,” Bruce wrote in a memo that requested approval of PTRC’s proposal at a cost of $79,500. The agency would “reorganize, streamline, and modernize the Development Ordinance to reflect building trends and best practices in planning and zoning, as well as to improve functionality and user-friendliness,” he said.

The update would also incorporate

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

the town’s village core design guidelines into a proposed overlay zone, according to Bruce.

The council also plans to consider matching Veterans Honor Green donations that totaled $22,400 from April through June.

The council would provide the matching $22,400 from a stateawarded Small Town Development Grant. The second-quarter total would bring to $229,732.24 the amount raised for the veterans’ honor site planned for Heritage Farm Park, according to a July 14 memo from Sandra Smith,

assistant town manager and town clerk.

Separately, the council plans to consider appointing Denise Sacks as a full member of the Historic Preservation Commission. It also plans to consider reappointing and staggering the terms of Water Advisory Committee members Erin English, Francis Disney, Brian Hall and Phil McNamara.

want to attend/watch?

The 7 p.m. meeting at Town Hall this Thursday, Aug. 3, is open to the public. The meeting will be livestreamed on the town’s YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.oakridgenc.com.

And they’re off and running

Filing season for November municipal elections

closed July 21, with 19 candidates in the race for open seats in Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale

by PATTI STOKES

NW GUILFORD – The filing period for mayor and town council candidates in Summerfield, Oak Ridge and Stokesdale closed Friday, July 21, at noon. The following citizens have filed to run in the Nov. 7 municipal elections:

OAK RIDGE

Five candidates have filed for the three open seats on Oak Ridge Town Council. The candidates include current council members George McClellan and Martha Pittman, along with former ...continued on p. 10

Peace of mind all summer

This gated driveway at 7691 Deboe Road in Summerfield leads to a 53-acre estate purchased in June by California technology executive Kirsten Wolberg and her husband, Mark Wolberg. They also purchased an adjacent house at 7686 Deboe Road, giving them ownership of the land surrounding the cul-de-sac at the end of the mile-long road off N.C. 150.

The purchase by the Wolberg Family Living Trust totaled $4.85 million, according to listing agent Deesha Hugosson, of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Yost & Little Realty in Greensboro. In an interview earlier this week, she said she doesn’t know the couple’s plans for the property.

The estate is served by two driveways – one for the 5-bedroom, 6.5-bath house with a gymnasium, steam room, pool and other amenities. The other driveway winds to a more rustic setting with a seven-stall barn, a horse-jumping arena and fenced pastures and a cottage. The adjacent house is more modest at 4,100 square feet.

Quinton Kocher,

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

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What’s going on with GreenGo Buggies?

I read a few months ago that the company was moving to a new location in Summerfield, but just recently, the sign in front of the former location on U.S. 220 says they moved to Stokesdale.

We also noticed the sign saying GreenGo Buggies has moved to Stokesdale. Earlier this week, we stopped by the new location at 2370 U.S. 220 in southern Rockingham County and talked to owners Brian and Nikki Price.

The couple had planned to remain in their previous location in the former Purguson’s Western Wear store until they were able to construct a new building on property they purchased a few months ago at 7620 Deboe Road in Summerfield.

That plan changed after the owner of the former Purgason’s building asked the Prices if they’d agree to an early termination of their lease on the property, Brian told us.

He and Nikki went along with the request, he said. This past spring, the couple bought the building that had housed Snatchers Garage several miles down the road, off U.S. 220 North. Last month, they opened GreenGo Buggies in that location.

Initially, the couple thought they’d operate in the Stokesdale location temporarily until they could construct their new building on Deboe Road. However, Brian said the business has gotten off to such an unexpectedly strong start that the couple is

email your questions to: questions @nwobserver.com or submit at nwobserver.com

considering whether to operate from two locations.

“So far, this has proven to be fantastic,” Brian said, noting the visibility of the business fronting U.S. 220 has drawn customers. “I had not expected the volume of traffic coming in here.”

While the couple hasn’t made any final decisions on how to proceed, Brian said they may continue their current operations in the Stokesdale location: assembling street-legal, customized golf carts and selling carts and trailers on the property.

At the same time, the new Summerfield location would provide light service, as well as sales, he said.

“Our heart is in Summerfield,” Brian said. “I definitely want to get back in Summerfield in some form or fashion.”

A potential wildcard is whether a rezoning request is approved that would allow a casino to be built on nearly 193 acres abutting the GreenGo Buggies property to the south, Brian noted.

“This is all up in the air,” he said. “Who knows what’s going to happen in a year?”

FABULOUS HOME IN OAK RIDGE

8884 Cravenwood Drive, Oak Ridge

Located in amazing Riverside @ Oak Ridge. Enjoy neighborhood swimming pool & tennis court. Ranch style floor plan features primary & secondary BRs on main level, amazing kitchen w/dream pantry, formal dining room, office/4th BR, comfortable fireside den and well-appointed screened porch. Over-sized recreational/hobby space on upper floor, intricate moldings throughout and expansive attic. Custom built by Brian Disney Construction in 2015.

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO GreenGo Buggies, formerly located at the corner of Auburn Road and U.S. 220 in Summerfield, has moved to 2370 U.S. 220 North in Stokesdale. Owners Brian and Nikki Price said business at their new location has been great and they may end up dividing their operations between the new location and property they recently purchased on Deboe Road in Summerfield.

Patti Stokes

Ordinary people, Extraordinary impact

by ANNETTE JOYCE

You’d have to be the Energizer Bunny to keep up with Barb Engel, who finds ways to make a positive difference everywhere she ventures.

Just about everything Engel, 76, does is guided by her incredible love for people.

“I’m a very social person. I love people and I need to have something to do,” she said.

Add in her passion for history, making new friends and being involved in the community and Engel manages to have “something to do” all the time.

Engel began her quest to make a difference as soon as she and her husband, Frank, moved to Oak Ridge about 21 years ago. Although both were retired, the couple opened a gift boutique, Sensibly Chic, in Oak Ridge Commons Shopping Center.

By the time she sold the shop five years later, Engel had endeared herself to her customers and the community at large.

“The people who were my customers are now my friends,” she said.

Retired for the second time, Engel turned her attention to other areas. Her love for history led her to become involved with Oak Ridge’s Historic Preservation Commission, where she enjoys “helping preserve what we have left of our historic area.”

She’s also a member of the town’s Special Events

Committee, which organizes several of the town’s most popular events – Light Up the Night, Veterans and Memorial Day commemorations and most recently, the 4th of July Kids’ Parade.

And… she’s involved in fundraising for the Veterans Honor Green, which will be built in the town’s Heritage Farm Park.

But her volunteerism doesn’t stop there. Engel recently joined Oak Ridge’s Heritage Day Committee and is enjoying finding vendors for the September event.

A long-time member of the Greensboro Newcomers Club, Engel gets a lot of satisfaction from being able to help new people acclimate to the local community. Having moved a lot because of her husband’s career, she knows firsthand what it’s like to settle into a new place.

“I left all of my friends behind, and I just felt alienated,” she said. “It’s a good feeling to make (the moving process) easier for others.”

Along with attending monthly meetings and socials, Engel participates in many of the club’s “interest groups,” which include everything from lunch groups to card games. When she became hooked on Mah Jongg, a Chinese tile game, Engel couldn’t find people who knew how to play so she started her own group and taught everyone the game.

An avid gardener, Engel enjoys working in the various gardens at her home. As a member of Oak Ridge Garden Club, she happily shares her knowledge and expertise with other members. And whenever the group gets together to clean up the community gardens, Engel is usually on hand to help.

Engel is a member of Union Grove Baptist Church, where she serves as assistant clerk of the congregation and works with the committee that handles church funerals. She most recently joined the Guilford Battle chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and is extremely excited about becoming more involved.

Residents of Oak Ridge, Engel and her husband will celebrate their 57th anniversary this month. The couple has two sons and three grandchildren.

“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.

“IlovepeopleandIneedtohave somethingtodo.”– Barb Engel

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Oak Ridge resident Barb Engel

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For more information and pricing on obituaries, celebration of life stories and graduation, birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary and other announcements, call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 info@nwobserver.com

IN MEMORY OF Michael Watson Hunnicutt

July 11, 1952 – July 6, 2023

Just shy of his 71st birthday, Michael Watson Hunnicutt met face to face with his Creator and Savior on July 6. His last days were spent at home surrounded by family with a picturesque view of Crystal Lake – exactly what he wished for.

He was “born groovy, 70 years later still groovy.” Mike was known as husband, son, brother, dad, granddaddy, favorite uncle, old man, “Magic Mike” on WQFS, sweetie, honey, friend, counselor, assistant scoutmaster, coach and Gillicuddy. After residing in Stokesdale, NC for 36 years, he and his wife, Janet, have made Greensboro home for the last 6 years— with Mike as the self-appointed mayor of Crystal Lake.

Mike leaves behind his beloved wife of 43 years, Janet Hunnicutt, and his sons whom he loved very dearly – Adam (wife Christin), Casey, and Elliot (wife Amber). He had a very special relationship with each of his grandchildren: Madison, Levi, and Olive. His family was his backbone and his greatest joy.

Born to Evelyn and Jasper Hunnicutt on July 11, 1952, Mike was the first of four boys –followed by Younce, Donald, and David. Native to North Carolina, he grew up in Miami, but returned to his home state where he set down roots and married Janet on October 11, 1980. He faithfully served as an elder at Gate City Vineyard for over 20 years. Mike was a strong man of faith and had a steadfast trust in the Lord – which was deeply evident during his 10-year battle with cancer.

In Stokesdale, he filled several roles as assistant scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 110, basketball coach and T-ball coach. He was a

part of the High Places climbing and repelling team. After 38 years of service, Mike retired from Bellsouth (AT&T). His early retirement days were filled with a reignited love for photography. Mike also loved music and was a community DJ for WQFS Guilford College for 5 years. Many people considered Mike to be an encyclopedia of music history for the 60’s and 70’s era – particularly The Beatles, Blues and Southern Rock.

Mike lived his last years to the fullest. Besides being forever smitten with Janet, he loved his sons fiercely and was crazy about his daughters-in-love and grandchildren, making it an absolute priority to spend precious time with the people he loved, and his sweet dog, Maggie May. Never giving up on his passions, Mike continued traveling extensively with Janet to every music festival and concert possible. It’s fitting that Santana’s “In Search of Mona Lisa,” the last record he listened to, still sits on the turntable reminding us of him and his love for music.

Michael Hunnicutt’s celebration of life service will be on Saturday, August 5, at 2pm at Gate City Vineyard Church, 204 S. Westgate Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407. We invite you to wear your favorite band shirts, tie-dye or other groovy attire. The service will be live broadcast on Gate City Vineyard’s Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting our friend/blues musician, Mike Zito, who has come off the road to savor the last days he has with his precious wife Laura, who has battled cancer and is now in Hospice care. Make donations in memory of Mike Hunnicutt to the GoFundMe Laura Zito Cancer Support Fundraiser by MICHAEL ZITO: Laura Zito Cancer Support (www.gofundme.com).

F L A S H F L A S H

S A L E S A L E

B U Y 1 W I N D O W

G E T 1 W I N D O W

D o n ' t P a y A n y t h i n g F o r 2

Y e a r s W i t h O u r F i n a n c i n g !

Batter up!

Three generations represented in adult softball league’s coed team lineup

by KELLEN HOLTZMAN

OAK RIDGE – A promise is a promise.

Lindsey and Justin Stewart pledged to their children, Ryan and Kenzie, that they would revive a coed adult softball team when the kids were old enough to join.

When Ryan hit the magic number, Lindsey paid a visit to Oak Ridge Parks and Recreation Director Terry Lannon. She and Justin had participated for several years in an Oak Ridge adult softball league that ran its course, and the couple sought to get the old slowpitch band back together.

“I went to Terry’s office and said, ‘Terry, our son’s 16,’” Lindsey said. “‘It’s time to start it again.’”

Patti O’Neil gets set to take a swing last Friday in adult coed softball action at Oak Ridge Town Park.

Lannon and the Town of Oak Ridge did just that, and this summer, Lindsey’s and Justin’s L J Custom Homes team went back into action,

Lindsey Stewart, on playing with her husband, son and mother-in-law in an adult coed softball league

with most of the same faces from the squad they fielded a decade or so ago. And while Kenzie still isn’t quite old enough to sign up, Justin’s mother, Patti O’Neil, is playing, giving the L J Custom Homes’ roster an ever-sorare, three-generational flair.

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“A lot of the residents here in town approached me about it,” Lannon said, “and after we went and offered it, we got six teams pretty quick. We decided to run a summer league, since there was no conflict with [Oak Ridge Youth Association] in needing field space.”

The new league got underway in mid-June, plays once a week on Friday evenings and will wrap up its season later this month.

On Friday at Oak Ridge Town Park, L J Custom Homes squared off against the Kernersville Swingers, a team whose players have been around the bases a few times. The Oak Ridge outfit donned gray L J Custom Homes shirts, while the visitors sported an assortment of mismatched, colorful jerseys representing other competitive adult softball teams – a sure indication that the Swingers boasted some serious, seasoned talent.

Nationwide, the popularity of adult softball leagues has waned in many areas following its heyday from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. Lannon himself represents the adult slowpitch softball player of yesteryear. He used to play league ball three nights

We want to win. We’re out here to win, but we’re out here to have fun too. And not get hurt. That’s the biggest thing. I told Terry we cannot get hurt. We have jobs!”

(Forefront) Brent Carrickhoff, Oak Ridge Parks and Recreation (P&R) groundskeeper, looks on from the scorer’s table as P&R Director Terry Lannon takes a lineup cue last Friday from adult softball player Lindsey Stewart.

Photos by Kellen Holtzman/NWO

per week and played in tournaments another couple of weekends a month, before finally hanging up his cleats when he turned 60.

“We ran some really successful leagues here in the past,” Lannon said of the town’s Parks and Recreation department. “We had upwards of 12 coed teams playing in the spring or the fall. We had a men’s program that had between six and eight teams every season.”

Lannon said the adult softball leagues went by the wayside as Oak Ridge Youth Association’s programs grew along with their need for more field time, but after being approached last year about a coed league, he decided to start back up with that.

Lannon filled in as scorekeeper last Friday as L J Custom Homes did its best to keep up with a superior opponent. Despite their eventual loss, the home team had its shining moments –like when the 16-year-old Ryan Stewart swiftly and effortlessly flew around the bases to plate a run. The Swingers had some ringers that could really knock the cover off the ball, with accurate and strong arms defensively to boot.

Lindsey Stewart played right field

and second base while Ryan slotted in at left field and shortstop, and Justin took the rubber.

Justin pitched to his mom, Patti, who set up shop behind the plate as catcher.

“Most people my age are not as dumb as I am,” the 71-year-old mother and grandmother quipped, “but I still refuse to grow up. I don’t want to grow up, so softball, I figure I can do.”

The exercise is a bonus, she said, although the biggest bonus was just the chance to play with family, especially grandson Ryan, who is a competitive ice hockey player away from the summer softball diamond. He inherited his hockey prowess from his dad, a southern California native (Lindsey hails from Buffalo, New York).

Lindsey’s explanation of her team’s approach to softball might also strike a chord with adult recreational sport participants at large, particularly the ones over 40 (and even some in their 70s, like Patti).

“We want to win,” Lindsey said. “We’re out here to win, but we’re out here to have fun, too. And not get hurt. That’s the biggest thing. I told Terry we cannot get hurt. We have jobs!”

Photo by Kellen Holtzman/NWO

Justin Stewart throws a pitch in an adult coed softball game at Oak Ridge Town Park last Friday evening. Justin’s mother, Patti O’Neil, was catcher.

council and Planning Board member Mike Stone, and newcomers Jim Harton and Michael Greeson.

Current council member Spencer Sullivan did not file for re-election this November when his term expires.

Oak Ridge Town Council has five members, each serving staggered four-year terms (with two elected in one municipal election and three elected in the next municipal election). Ann Schneider, who currently serves as mayor, and Jim Kinneman, who serves as mayor pro tem, are midway through their four-year terms, with their seats open in November 2025.

Oak Ridge’s mayor is elected from

among the town council members; although the mayor serves at the pleasure of the council and can be voted in – or out – at any time, the council traditionally votes for its mayor every two years in December, following the previous month’s election.

SUMMERFIELD

Summerfield has five council members who serve staggered fouryear terms and a mayor, who is elected separately by the citizens for a two-year term. Mayor Tim Sessoms has filed for re-election; newcomer Linda Wendelken has also filed for the mayor’s seat.

Summerfield’s mayor does not vote on matters that come before the

council except in the case of a tie vote.

Council members Lynne Williams DeVaney, who serves as mayor pro tem, Jeff Davis and Reece Walker have all filed to run for another four-year term. Joining the incumbents on the ballot for the three open seats will be Heath Clay, Christopher Conner, Greg Fox, Jonathan L. Hamilton and Teresa Winfree Perryman.

Council members John Doggett and Janelle Robinson are midway through their two-year terms, with their seats opening in November 2025.

STOKESDALE

Stokesdale’s Town Council has five members, including the mayor, who is elected separately by the citizens and votes on all matters that come before

the council. All council members serve staggered four-year terms.

Council members Derek Foy, who serves as mayor pro tem, Jim Rigsbee and Jimmy Landreth have all filed for re-election in November; Mark Nadel, a former Planning Board member and candidate for Town Council, has also joined the race for one of the three open seats.

Mayor Mike Crawford and council member Tim Jones are midway through their council terms, with their seats opening in November 2025.

For info about registering to vote, polling locations and more, visit www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/ board-of-elections. Early Voting information for the 2023 election cycle will be posted closer to voting dates in October and November.

The Robinson family of Summerfield shared this photo of Clara, a miniature Hereford, which was taken less than 24 hours after she was born.

Dexter, a 2-year-old Australian Silky, loves to go on walks at the park with all his friends and play with his favorite toy, Shaun the Sheep.

The common whitetail or long-tailed skimmer (Plathemis lydia) is a familiar sight across much of North America. In addition to their gossamer-winged beauty, dragonflies prey on mosquitoes and other small flying insects. Northwest Observer’s page layout designer, Yvonne Truhon, captured this photo of a dragonfly resting on a redbud leaf as she was preparing to leave home and head to the office in Oak Ridge.

18-year-old Chihuahua who loves his naps! He has been with his family since he was just 6 weeks old.

Turtle painted with red nail polish safely returned to habitat

by ANNETTE JOYCE

Nancy Goldfinch and her husband, Edward Wentz, were out for a walk in their Oak Ridge neighborhood earlier this summer when they noticed an Eastern box turtle crossing the road. As they went to move the reptile from the middle of the street, they were shocked to see its shell had been painted bright red.

“We thought it was probably red paint,” Nancy said. “It turns out he’d been painted with red nail polish, which was worse than paint.”

Nancy knew a special kind of expertise would be needed to save the turtle, so she looked for local wildlife rehabilitators online and found Mark and Carole Bloom, a husband-and-wife team who has spent the last four years as rehabbers for reptiles, amphibians and small animals – working mostly with Eastern box turtles, black rat snakes and squirrels.

The Blooms, who live in Summerfield, arrived within 30 minutes of when Nancy contacted them and the unfortunate turtle soon began his journey to recovery.

Prior to picking up “V” – the name the Blooms gave the turtle because of a mark on his head – the couple had never seen a turtle painted with nail polish.

“Other turtles have been brought

to us painted with acrylic paint and we cleaned them with Dawn (dishwashing detergent) and water,” Carole said. “This was our first case like this.”

difficult to remove,” Mark noted. “You have to be extremely careful that the turtle is not injured (in the process).”

Carole first did research to find a chemical that would be strong enough for the task but not toxic to the turtle. She then worked on one small area of the shell for about 15 minutes a day, allowing a day for the turtle to rest and recover before begin ning the painstaking removal process again. It took nearly six weeks before V’s shell was mostly polish-free and back to normal.

Most people aren’t aware of the serious harm that’s caused when a turtle’s shell is covered with paint – or in this case, with nail polish. In fact, most people are completely unaware of the vital nature of the reptile’s shell. As Carole

explained, “turtles are their shells. They don’t just live in them.”

Similar to the role human skin plays, a turtle’s shell covers and protects its inside muscles and organs.

six weeks, but thanks to two local wildlife rehabilitators, one Eastern box turtle gets a second chance at life

Photo courtesy of Nancy Goldfinch Wildlife rehabbers Carole (left) and Mark Bloom return a rehabilitated box turtle, “V,” to his original home.

“A turtle’s shell is made up of keratin, just like our fingernails,” Carole said. “Turtles feel through their shells.”

can’t do if the shell is covered with paint.

“Like a lot of reptiles, they need UV light to metabolize vitamin D, which allows for strong bone growth,” Mark said. “Without that, they could get Metabolic Bone

Disease, (a potentially fatal condition).”

There’s also danger from the fumes of the paint. According to a June 2020 blog from the Wildlife Center of Virginia, “fumes from paints can be damaging to a turtle’s lungs and sinuses.”

In addition, painting a turtle’s shell makes it a target for predators. Eastern box turtles aren’t equipped to actively defend themselves. Their only defense comes from their camouflage, so cover that up – especially with shiny, red polish – and they’re likely to be noticed no matter where they hide.

After this incident, Nancy wanted to let others know the serious consequences that people can cause when

they interfere with nature.

“Please don’t interfere with wildlife,” she urged. “I know it seemed a harmless thing to do and was probably a fun project for some kids to paint the turtle, but it is really harmful to the turtle.”

Thankfully, people like the Blooms make it possible for wildlife that has been tampered with or injured to be rehabilitated and placed back into the wild. And that’s just what happened with V a couple of weeks ago, when the couple returned to Oak Ridge and released him back into his original habitat.

That was the final, and perhaps most important, step to the turtle’s recovery – returning him to his home.

“Turtles don’t do well when you relocate them outside of their territory,” Mark said. “They have to go back to their home for their best chance of survival.”

Carole had one last word of advice to share.

“If you come across any reptile (or any animal) in the wild, leave it alone,” she said. “If it’s injured or ill, contact a wildlife rehabber.”

Locate a wildlife rehabber in your area at www.ncwildlife.org/injured-wildlife.

Oak Ridge residents Nancy Goldfinch and Edward Wentz recently found this Eastern box turtle, which had been painted with red nail polish (above). It took nearly six weeks for two local wildlife rehabilitators to clean the nail polish from the turtle’s shell.

Turtles also soak up the sun’s ultraviolet light through their shells, which they

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Meet Storm, a 4-year-old husky mix. This handsome fellow was dealt a rough hand after his loving owner passed away and he was left without a family of his own. He is the perfect roommate with wonderful house manners, leash manners and loves hanging out with other dogs and people. This boy deserves another chance at being a part of a family – could you grant him that wish?

PEARL and CEASAR

Meet Pearl, a 9-year-old cockatiel, and her boyfriend, Ceasar, a 10-year-old black-capped Conure. This fantastic duo is living proof that love has no limits. Pearl is shy at first, but gains confidence as she gets to know you. Ceasar is sweet but very protective of Pearl. He loves head rubs but won’t hesitate to show you when he is annoyed.

If you are interested in adopting Storm, Pearl and Ceasar, or any of our other adoptable pets, please visit www.reddogfarm.com and fill out an application.

Guilford County Animal Resource Center

PRINCESS PEACH

Princess Peach is an elegant, adventurous, and beautiful dog (just like the character in the Mario Brothers movies). All this 8-yearold mixed-breed girl yearns for is head pats, belly rubs, cuddles and long walks. Peach is very adaptable, fully housebroken and crate trained. This princess is also smart and knows several commands including sit, paw, stay, come and crate. Princess Peach would love to live as an only dog in her “castle” and may need some slow introductions to dog friends, but she is eager to meet them if they are nice to her. She is currently being fostered and would love to meet her future family! To meet Princess Peach, contact Kendelle Federico at (336)-266-4138 via text or email kfederico@guilfordcountync.gov.

MIRANDA

If you’re a Shakespeare fan, this is the cat for you! Named for the exiled Duke of Milan and magician Prospero’s daughter in The Tempest, this Miranda is a beautiful domestic longhair. Only 8 years old, Miranda has lots of love to give her new family. Since she is declawed, she will need to be an indoor-only cat. Like Shakespeare’s Miranda, she is shy and would do best as the only animal in the home. Please rescue Miranda from her exile; ask for her by ID# GCAS-A-9015.

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

AWESOME ANIMALS

Pygmy hippopotamus did you know?

Finish the drawing

• The common hippo’s relative. The pygmy hippopotamus is a smaller version of the closely related, and more well-known, common hippopotamus. It is only half as tall and weighs less than 1/4 as much as the common hippopotamus.

• Veggies, please! Pygmy hippos are herbivores, mostly eating leaves, ferns, herbs and fallen fruits. They hide in dense forests, in bushes in the swamps and near streams throughout the day, and then come out at night to find food.

• Feed me here, there or anywhere! A pygmy hippo calf can nurse from its mother on land or underwater.

• I’d rather be alone. While common hippos are often seen in pods as large as 50, pygmy hippos are solitary animals, who spend the majority of their lives alone.

• Not much to say. Pygmy hippos emit sounds including a low grunt and a high-pitched squeak, but often go months without making a sound.

On May 24, the Greensboro Science Center celebrated the birth of Huckleberry, the first pygmy hippo born at the center. Visit Huckleberry while at the Science Center and follow the Center’s social media pages for frequent updates!

The pygmy hippopotamus’ skin is covered in a special f luid that gives it a shiny appearance and protects it from sunburn!

LIVING WELL IN NORTHWEST GUILFORD COUNTY

Hypertension (high blood pressure) – the silent killer

by ANNETTE JOYCE

I remember sitting in my office one day about 25 years ago and feeling a little strange – sort of dizzy with a bit of a headache. A co-worker suggested it might be my blood pressure. Just as a precaution, I drove to the local fire department to have my blood pressure checked and soon learned my blood pressure was high enough that a trip to the doctor was in order.

I probably had dealt with the condition way before then, but wasn’t aware I had a problem. Since then, I’ve

regularly taken medication to control my blood pressure. I try to eat right (which doesn’t come easy), maintain a consistent exercise routine and avoid stress as much as possible.

With the exception of a couple of high-stress occurrences

Hypertension affects more than one-third of all American adults, and more younger people – including children –are being diagnosed with it. Factors such as genetics, age, gender and race are outside of our control, but a healthy diet, regular exercise, limiting alcohol consumption and not smoking can go a long way in preventing hypertension, or at least keeping it under control.

120mmHg, can exceed 300mmHg.

over the years, my blood pressure has remained consistent and under control. Although my family has a history of high blood pressure and heart issues, until my long-ago incident I wasn’t too concerned and probably would have ignored the warning signs. Unfortunately, too many people do ignore the signs – until they find themselves in critical condition.

What is high blood pressure?

“Put simply, hypertension is a measure of the amount of pressure that is being put on the arteries as they carry blood throughout the body,” said Dr. John Bream, founder of Bream Medical in Stokesdale. “Our arteries are designed to endure shortterm stressors; for example, when we do heavy lifting our systolic blood pressure, which should be less than

“When our blood pressure remains elevated for long periods of time, this creates chronic stress on our arteries and leads to poor outcomes such as stroke, heart attacks, and kidney disease,” Bream said. “But it can also lead to vision issues, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral vascular disease.”

A normal blood pressure reading is 120/80 or lower. According to a January 2021 report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “your blood pressure is considered high (stage 1) if it reads 130/80. Stage 2 high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If you get a blood pressure reading of 180/110 or higher more than once, seek medical treatment right away. A reading this high is considered ‘hypertensive crisis.’”

Readings between 120/80

Adobe Stock photo

and 129/89 are considered prehypertension, Bream noted, and those with readings in this range are advised to take extra precautions and regularly monitor their blood pressure.

Who gets it and when?

“Hypertension, more commonly referred to as high blood pressure, is one of the most common ailments in America,” Bream said. “It is estimated that hypertension afflicts almost half of all Americans and was a primary or contributing cause of death in almost 700,000 people in 2021.

“Left untreated, hypertension most prominently increases the risks of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease, but because there are arteries that supply every organ of the body, it can affect every organ system,” he explained.

The 2021 FDA report revealed the number of people dealing with this condition is alarmingly high and growing. Even more disconcerting, hypertension is increasingly becoming a problem for younger people, including children.

“Approximately one in three – more than 100 million – American adults have high blood pressure. But

Stokesdale resident Randy Stewart began dealing with high blood pressure at an early age.

“I was about 20 years old and had no idea my blood pressure was high until I got turned down to go into the service,” Stewart, now 73, said.

Back then, Stewart’s family physician put him on supplements – niacin and fish oil – and he lost a little weight, which brought his blood pressure into a healthier range. For the next 25 years he had no issues – until an annual physical revealed his blood pressure was again elevated.

At that point, Stewart was placed on medication which he takes twice a day. He said he “feels fine” and is diligent about taking his medication – but admitted he might miss a dose here and there.

“If I do miss a pill and then check my blood pressure, it’s higher than it should be,” he said.

Causes

While genetics, age, gender and race are among the factors out of our control, lack of physical activity, an unhealthy diet (especially one high in sodium), being overweight, having sleep apnea, high cholesterol, diabetes, stress, and smoking and tobacco use put everyone at greater risk for hypertension.

Back in 2015, Dina Smith experienced how stress can have a direct effect on blood pressure. At the time, she was under tremendous stress after her mother and 6-month-old grandchild passed away and her daughter moved out-of-state, all within a threeday period.

Smith, now 58, lives in northwest Greensboro and said she had never had a problem with high blood pressure before those incidents, but the stress of dealing with overwhelming grief apparently took its toll.

It was while she was being prepped for surgery that a nurse discovered Smith’s blood pressure was elevated.

“The pre-op nurse told me that my blood pressure was ‘off the charts,’” she said. “I was placed on medication for a short term. After a few weeks, my blood pressure went down, I had the surgery and I was fine.”

Fortunately, she’s had no problems since then. Recently she donated blood and her pressure was 120/82.

What to do?

One of the worst things about high blood pressure is that most people don’t realize it’s elevated until something bad happens – which is why it’s known as the “silent killer.” The good news is that high blood pressure is treatable and the first step is to identify that it exists.

Besides running his practice, Dr. Bream works as an emergency physician and deals with this issue from all angles.

“In the ER, I see someone almost every day with symptomatic high blood pressure who was unaware of being afflicted with it until it was found on an ER visit for headache, vision changes, chest pain, or trouble breathing,” he said. “In the clinic setting, we see patients every day and start intervening on their blood pressure before it gets to the point where an ER visit is required.”

While high blood pressure is treatable, Bream stresses the importance of prevention.

“A healthier lifestyle – weight loss, smoking cessation, decreasing alcohol use, decreasing salt intake and exercise can all help to improve and prevent issues with blood pressure,” he said.

“However, for some people, lifestyle changes alone are insufficient to treat the blood pressure and medication is required. As I tell my patients, most things in medicine are 80% what you can do for you and 20% what the doctor and medications can do for you.”

only half of those people have their condition under control,” the report cited. “Many people develop high blood pressure when they are in their late 30s or early 40s, and it occurs more frequently as people age. However, because of the obesity epidemic, more and more children are also developing high blood pressure.”

CRIME / INCIDENT report

District 1 Sheriff’s Office

County ...

July 23 | Officers responded to a report of a disorderly person in the 8300 block of Hunting Court in Stokesdale (off N.C. 65).

July 25 | Officers responded to a reported physical altercation in the 7600 block of Strawberry Road in Summerfield.

DEATH INVESTIGATION

ASSAULT/ALTERCATIONS

July 19 | Officers responded to a reported aggravated assault involving scissors used as a weapon in the 3600 block of Oak Ridge Road in Summerfield; a 39-year-old male was subsequently arrested for assault on a female.

July 19 | Officers responded to a reported physical altercation in the 8900 block of Osage Road in Stokesdale (near N.C. 65).

July 22 | A 29-year-old female was arrested in the 2500 block of Brandt

Forest Court in northern Greensboro (off Lake Brandt Road) for simple assault, assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism and resisting/delaying/ obstructing a police officer.

July 22 | An Amazon delivery driver reported an incident involving a handgun in the 8000 block of Pate Drive in Oak Ridge (near E. Harrell Road).

July 22 | Officers responded to a reported physical altercation in the 3000 block of Pleasant Ridge Road in Summerfield.

July 23 | Officers conducted a death investigation in the 8500 block of Julina Drive in Oak Ridge (off Haw River Road).

July 24 | Officers conducted a death investigation in the 7700 block of Honkers Hollow Court in Stokesdale (near N.C. 68 N).

July 27 | Officers conducted a death investigation in the 6200 block of Tether Court in Summerfield (off N.C. 150 W).

DRUGS

July 25 | Officers responded to a drug overdose involving opiates in the 800 block of N.C. 150 W in northern Greensboro.

FRAUD

July 19 | A resident of the 7300 block of Strawberry Road in Summerfield reported that between Jan. 22 and July 19 an unknown suspect defrauded her of $521.05.

July 29 | A resident of the 500 block of James Doak Parkway in northern

Greensboro (off Lake Brandt Road) reported that between July 26 and July 29 an unknown suspect defrauded him of $3,000.

THEFT

July 17, 19 | On July 17, an employee of Dollar General on Belews Creek Road in Stokesdale reported an unknown suspect shoplifted a toothbrush and food items, worth $27 altogether; on July 19, it was reported an unknown suspect shoplifted a 12-oz. can of beer worth $3.

July 18 | An employee of PICK N GO gas station in Stokesdale reported an unknown suspect got $23.18 worth of gas without paying.

July 19 | An employee of Circle K gas station in Colfax reported an unknown suspect shoplifted four lottery tickets, worth $32 altogether.

July 19 | A 29-year-old male was arrested in the 8300 block of Belews Creek Road in Stokesdale for shoplifting.

July 27 | A resident of the 8300 block of Deep Valley Road in Summerfield (near I-73 N) reported that between July 24 and July 27 an unknown suspect stole a pistol and a revolver worth $600 together.

July 28 | An employee of Food Lion in Stokesdale reported a customer attempted to shoplift $827.37 worth of groceries.

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

A winning catch

In the final hour of competition, a Stokesdale fisherman and his crew caught the winning tuna and netted $7,000 in prize money in a tournament on North Carolina’s coast

by CHRIS BURRITT

STOKESDALE – Fishing for tuna, Stokesdale’s Travis Cantrell and his crew weren’t sure what they had hooked an hour before the end of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City, North Carolina.

“We fought it for a good 15 minutes and got it really close to the boat,” Cantrell recalled. “Then it took off again, straight down to the bottom. That’s always scary because a lot of times that’s when you lose your fish.”

The crew of Reel Priority, a 47-foot Viking sport fishing boat, managed to catch the fish. It weighed 52.8 pounds, edging out another catch just slightly lighter, on the final day of the tournament in mid-June.

... continued on p. 32

Photo courtesy of Travis Cantrell

Travis Cantrell (third from right, holding tuna) and his Reel Priority crew members celebrate after catching a 52.8-pound tuna on June 17 in the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City, North Carolina.

Dance with us thisfall

Oak Ridge Commons

A surprisingly uncommon experience in the heart of Oak

Ridge Shrimp & Oyster

Where seafood specialties are the catch of the day

Ridge Shrimp & Oyster opened in Oak Ridge Commons a little over two years ago. Besides the challenges common to most new businesses, the pandemic brought additional challenges. Still, the restaurant has not only survived but is thriving – mainly thanks to owners Brad Hendrix and Drew Lacklen having the experience and perseverance to adapt to whatever comes their way.

The two co-owners/friends, who have worked side by side for over four decades, have over 80 years of restaurant experience between them and worked together at the former Bert’s Seafood Grille in Greensboro, and later at Reel Seafood Grill in northwest Greensboro.

Both restaurants were co-owned and managed by Lacklen, with Hendrix preparing the food. Their roles are very similar at Ridge Shrimp & Oyster, although Hendrix now also does menu planning and most of the food and supply shopping.

The restaurant’s staff includes Hendrix’s daughter and other servers who worked at the pair’s previous restaurants. Hendrix describes the crew as more of a family, and is deeply appreciative of their loyalty – the same type of loyalty he and Lacklen have been earning among their customers.

As its name implies, Ridge Shrimp & Oyster offers a huge selection of shrimp and oysters, prepared raw, fried and

steamed. The restaurant’s menu as calamari, crab dip and crab cakes. “Flounder Sesame,” the restaurant’s grilled orange BBQ mahi-mahi, which Hendrix is also known to periodically seasonal flair.

“The farmer’s market is filled gies,” he said. “We’re always thinking rate those to provide our customers Right now, that “something different” salmon with cucumber dill sauce blue cheese remoulade. The marinated remains a popular choice.

SHOP • DINE • ENJOY

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

Ridge Shrimp and Oyster staff members (front, L to R) Drew Lacklen (co-owner), Cindy Skipworth, Cheryl White, Lynne Dardanell, James Ingold, Michael Jackson; (back, L to R), Ted House, Jody Wade, Beth Carney, Brad Hendrix (co-owner) and Brett Garrison.

But seafood isn’t the only thing on the menu –the family-friendly restaurant offers both steaks and burgers, and a kids’ menu.

Ridge Shrimp & Oyster has also become known for its scrumptious desserts, including coconut cream pie, apple dumpling with ice cream and Key lime pie.

Everything the restaurant offers is made fresh in its “scratch” kitchen, Hendrix notes.

also includes appetizers such cakes. Seafood entrees include restaurant’s most popular dish, and which runs a close second. periodically add new dishes with a with lots of fresh fruits and vegthinking about how we can incorpocustomers with something different.” different” includes blackened and potato-crusted grouper with marinated tomato cucumber salad

“We make everything from scratch, from our main dishes right down to our pie crusts, sauces and dressings,” he said.

Along with delicious food, Ridge Shrimp & Oyster boasts an ample selection of beer and wine.

Expressing gratitude for the community’s support since the restaurant opened, Hendrix said, “We really appreciate our customers who have become regulars. And if you haven’t been in, we invite you to give us a try. We don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”

Ridge Shrimp & Oyster is open Tuesday-Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m.

www.ridgeshrimpandoyster.com

Deepa Nayak, MD • Steve Kearns, MD Laurie MacDonald, MD • Lauren Miller Jones, FNP

Kernersville Office: (336) 993-8333

Walkertown Office: (336) 564-4101

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Chipman awarded one of five national Scouting scholarships

Alex Jones earns Eagle Scout rank

SUMMERFIELD – Alex Jones, a member of Scouts BSA Troop 600 based in Oak Ridge, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

For his Eagle Scout service project, Alex led six Scouts from his troop in building two wheelchair accessible picnic tables, a bench, and a large bird house for Countryside Village Nursing Home in Stokesdale where his grandmother resides.

Alex, 15, is a member of the Tsoiotsi Tsogalii Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, the honor society of the Boy Scouts of America.

As a freshman, Alex lettered in cross country and swimming at Northern Guilford High School last year and enjoys playing the tenor saxophone in band.

A resident of Summerfield, Alex is the

son of Neala and David Jones. He is a rising sophomore at Northern Guilford High School.

For more info about Scouts BSA Troop 600, visit www.scoutdude.com. Troop 600 meets Monday evenings at Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church.

OAK RIDGE –Selby Chipman, a member of the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts from the Old North State Council’s Troop 219 in Oak Ridge, has been awarded the National Eagle Scout Association’s prestigious Lawrence S. and Mabel Cooke Scholarship for 2023.

As one of five national recipients of the $25,000 scholarship established by Lawrence S. Cooke in memory of his late wife, Mabel Cooke, Chipman was selected from among thousands of applicants for her outstanding history of Scouting, community involvement and academic accomplishments. Also, she is one of 10 female Eagle Scouts

chosen to participate in the Women of Character Event as part of Boy Scouts of America’s National Jamboree at Summit Bechtel Reserve in July 2023.

“Selby’s commitment and dedication to living out the tenets of the Scout Oath and Law as a servant leader are making the lives of those around her better,” said Scoutmaster and fellow Eagle Scout Mike Matzinger. “We are proud of her and her accomplishments and are glad to see her recognized at a national level.”

Since 2022, Chipman has served as an assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 219. Both SCUBA and lifeguard certified, she helped chaperone her troop’s first trip to Florida National High Adventure Sea Base. In addition, she is the first female Eagle Scout to serve on staff at Camp Alpine at

Selby Chipman

Coming this fall

Dear readers,

According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, about 23% of the population in our northwest Guilford County readership area is between the ages of 5 to 18. From kindergartners to high school seniors, this vibrant population segment is involved in scores of activities, from sports to music to theater, academic studies, Scouting, community service, clubs and more. And it’s not unusual for them to be involved in two or more of these activities simultaneously.

As a small, independently owned community newspaper that covers three separate, independently governed towns, giving our youthful population the attention they deserve – even just to skim the surface – can be overwhelming, and adding a staff writer dedicated to youth coverage has been financially daunting to consider.

So, I admit to shortchanging our youth and taking the stance that if I/we can’t do it well or do it comprehensively, we just won’t do it. But before I let go of the reins at PS Communications, I have some unfinished business and it’s time to tackle it. That leads me to the new publication we’re launching in September, “Youth Link.”

Before I go on, I want to be very upfront – we could easily fill up every page in Youth Link with stories and photos relating to kids who participate in organized sports. But I also want to shine a light on kids who participate in dance. And gymnastics. And who play instruments, and who sing and who are creative and who are artistic, perform in plays, volunteer and take on leadership roles in their schools and churches … and the list goes on and on.

The biggest challenge I already know we’ll have is the limitations of time and space.

So that leads me to this – I recently decided to bring on a fulltime writer whose time will mostly be dedicated to youth coverage. That was a big, bold decision for me, because frankly, we operate at a slim profit margin and I couldn’t find a professional-level writer who would work weekdays, evenings and weekends and cover a wide range of topics, take professional-level pictures, create videos, etc. etc. – and do it for free.

So why am I telling you all this?

Because in the last almost 27 years, everything we’ve provided to residents of

northwest Guilford County has been at no charge – thanks to our advertisers –and to do more, I have to ask for your support.

So here goes.

First. If you benefit from the information, stories, pictures, videos we create and place online, the questions we answer about your community, calendar events we freely publish for your churches and nonprofits, the local history we document and of course, the Grins and Gripes¸ we’d appreciate you sharing that with local business owners and managers who could benefit from advertising in the Northwest Observer, Youth Link, or any of our other special-focus publications. Your recommendations can go a long way in assuring them we produce well-done publications that are widely read and valued by the residents of northwest Guilford County.

And if you own or manage a business that could benefit from increasing your visibility in our readership area, please consider advertising with us. We’re not asking for charity – we’ll do our part to keep producing quality publications and bring your business in front of over 25,000 readers who receive them either in their mailboxes, online, or in our newspaper boxes and racks – and they don’t just receive them, they read them! And by connecting you to our readers, we’ll help you grow your customer base.

Thanks to our readers for reading our publications and to our advertisers, for making it possible to keep local community journalism alive and connect community members of all ages.

Patti Stokes, president PS Communications

welcome to ... Youth Sync

A regular section in the Northwest Observer focused on our local youth and the adults who positively impact them.

Just Keep Smiling!

Call or text: 336-274-7649

Summerfield and Greensboro

CHIPMAN

...continued from p. 22

Kandersteg International Scout Center in Switzerland. Chipman is a Brotherhood Member of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s national honor society, and she continues to be active in Sea Scout Ship 3 and Venturing Crew 1922.

Reynolds & Stoner ORTHODONTICS

As a Scout, Chipman was a founding member and senior patrol leader for Troop 219. For her Eagle Scout Project, she led a group of volunteers in the design and construction of a nature observation platform along the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

An Oak Ridge resident, Chipman is an honors college student and fourth-generation engineering major at The University of Missouri. She is pursuing a dual major in biological and biomedical engineering and participates in medical research as a Discovery Fellow.

Scouts BSA Troop 219 for girls meets Monday evenings at Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church. For more information, visit www.troop219g.com.

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!

The Vikings open the regular season 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, at home against Williams High of Burlington. See video at Facebook.com/ NorthwestObserver (posted Wednesday, July 26).

Fall sports practices began this week for high schools around the state, including Northwest Guilford High. The Vikings are coming off a 10-3 season in 2022 and welcoming new head coach Chris Rusiewicz (shown in photo at right). Rusiewicz, who formerly coached at both Guilford College and Greensboro College among other stops, said of joining Northwest, “I was recruiting Northwest for 10 years in Guilford County as a head coach and one of the things I always thought about Northwest was they had quality students academically. They had quality people. And I always thought they were big, strong and physical up front on both sides of the ball.”

Photos by Kellen Holtzman/NWO

Help Stokesdale get new light poles

The Town Council of Stokesdale has unanimously voted to collaborate with Stokesdale Parks & Recreation (501c3) to raise funds to replace the decaying light poles and irreparable light fixtures with brand new light poles and modern LEDs at the baseball and softball fields where our kids play!

For every $1 donated, the town has graciously agreed to contribute matching grant money 2:1. For example, a $100 donation will multiply into $300 raised thanks to the town's 2:1 match. We are grateful for any and all donations from as many members of the community as possible, especially from those who enjoyed playing baseball and softball on these same fields in their own youth. Please consider participating to help us reach our goal of $25,000 (total $75,000 with $50,000 town match) in order for these crucial park upgrades to be completed for the current and future generations of our wonderful community.

https://gofund.me/f1ff7826

Preserving Stokesdale’s hidden gem

Stokesdale Community Park, owned, maintained and operated by Stokesdale Parks & Recreation, Inc., will undergo major facility upgrades thanks to a successful fundraising campaign and a matching contribution from the town

by KELLEN HOLTZMAN

STOKESDALE – Stokesdale native and Town Councilman Jimmy Landreth remembers the days of walking to baseball practice at Stokesdale Community Park as a youth and seeing volunteers cutting the diamond grass with push mowers.

Time has brought much change to the town, but one thing that has remained constant is the fondness Stokesdale residents have for this community park, nestled in the woods off Capri Drive (and not to be confused with the townowned and maintained park, Martin’s Meadow, behind Stokesdale Town Hall on Angel Pardue Road).

Stokesdale Community Park is owned, maintained and operated by the nonprofit Stokesdale Parks and Recreation (SP&R). A recent partnership between the nonprofit and the town council helps

illustrate how the entire community is investing in the long-term viability of a park that was in dire need of an overhaul.

“A lot has happened to kind of

the next 50 years or

said Jordan Balmforth, president of SP&R’s all-volunteer board of directors.

Earlier this year Balmforth attended one of the town council’s budget planning meetings, where he outlined the need for new light poles, LED lighting and other facility upgrades to Stokesdale Community Park. He requested the town contribute $50,000 to match the $25,000 SP&R had already set aside and an additional $25,000 it plans to raise, which will cover the costs of what he

described as critical facility updates totaling over $100,000.

Balmforth went before the council again at its regularly-scheduled meeting in June and provided follow-up information. Before finalizing its budget for FY 2023-24, Stokesdale Town Council unanimously

voted to allocate $50,000 it had received in federal grant money and designated for park improvements to go towards replacing worn, wooden light poles at the community parks’ baseball and softball fields along with the installation or reinstallation of new LED lights.

set it up for

more,”

Photo courtesy of Brooke Ernst Kjersti Balmforth (far right), Revolution Academy’s assistant softball coach, works with Jordan Wear (holding bat) and Addison Chambers at a hitting station at Stokesdale Park this summer.

In an interview last Thursday before departing for a family vacation, Balmforth said SP&R was already close to reaching its fundraising goal to match the town’s contribution.

“It’s a great place and I hope it stays that way,” Landreth said of the community park. “I’m just glad the town is able to help them out with their project because they definitely need some lighting. I think Jordan (Balmforth) said it was getting to the point where it was going to become unsafe. We don’t want that. In my opinion it’s money well spent.”

Balmforth is grateful for the town’s assistance and said he never had a

doubt the citizens would do their part, especially since they had already done something similar last year, raising $33,000 in one day for a sorelyneeded playground.

“It kind of gave us the idea that if we could do that in one day and put a playground up,” Balmforth said, “we could raise [$25,000] for the poles easy.”

Stokesdale Community Park has recently undergone other major facility upgrades. The support of area businesses and volunteers has made possible bathroom upgrades, new batting cages, and fresh, red dirt that will make for improved infield

playing surfaces. In some cases, businesses have provided their services at a reduced price while other locals have volunteered their labor, including efforts to spread the new dirt around the field.

That’s the kind of work it takes, just as in the era when townspeople were push-mowing the outfield grass.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said Stokesdale Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy. “You’ve got a community-driven program and ball field that serves the community, and that stands alone from the town government… I think more folks across the spectrum have skin in the game to see that organization succeed because without that field, there’s really no place to play in Stokesdale.”

As a kid growing up in Summerfield, Foy played on the ball fields in Stokesdale Community Park. Now residents of Stokesdale, his son, Marshall, was able to call the park his home diamond.

Landreth’s sons J.P., Kevin and Brian all played there, too, and that’s one of the things the councilman likes best about Stokesdale: he never feels too far removed from old memories that are not only passed down but added to from generation to generation.

“They’re doing a great job, too, putting all this together,” Landreth said of SP&R. “That’s what it has always taken – people in the community. One of the things that makes Stokesdale a great town is community involvement like that. The government has already taken over athletics in a lot of places and Stokesdale’s just not one of them. I hope they can continue on and keep politics out of it.”

“It’s an organized effort,” Balmforth added, “but there’s a lot of unasked-for goodness where people are just doing this because they know how the [recreation] program is run… It truly is a communal effort.”

…That’s what it has always taken – people in the community. One of the things that makes Stokesdale a great town is community involvement like that.”

– Jimmy Landreth, Stokesdale Town Council member

Photo courtesy of Brooke Ernst Softball camp participants do a base-running drill at Stokesdale Community Park. Pictured from front to back are Raegan Coleman, Emmalyn Balmforth, Lucy Moser and Tiffany McArthur.

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z Farmers’ Day | Friends of Stokesdale invites local farmers to participate in the 2nd annual Farmers’ Day on Saturday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stokesdale United Methodist Church, 8305 Loyola Drive. Farmers will be displaying their equipment and sharing their knowledge of Stokesdale’s farming history. Owners of small items from the early 1900s are encouraged to bring them for display. Equipment on tracks or hard, spiked wheels that may damage the turf must be trailered. There will once again be a Little Mr. and Miss Farmers’ Day contest for children ages infant to 7 years old. To learn more or participate, call (336) 552-0704, email friendsofstokesdale@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/friendsofstokesdale.

EVERY WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY

z 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.

THURSDAY, AUG. 3

z Town Council meeting | Oak Ridge Town Council will meet Aug. 3, starting at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. Attend in person or watch the meeting in real time or at a later time on the town’s YouTube channel (a link to the recorded meeting will also be posted on the town’s Facebook page). Visit www.oakridgenc.com for a meeting agenda, and see meeting preview on p. 2.

AUG. 4, 11 & 18

z Public fire extinguisher class | Sign up now for one of Oak Ridge Fire & Rescue’s free training sessions offered on Friday Aug. 4, 11 and 18 from 5 to 7 p.m.to learn about the proper techniques of putting out fires with an extinguisher and how to protect your home in the event of an emergency. Limited to 25 participants per class. Sign up by calling Oak Ridge Fire Station #15, (336) 643-3783. See display ad on p. 9.

SATURDAY, AUG. 5

z 5K fundraiser | There will be a 5K fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank Aug. 5, starting at

8:30 a.m. at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. All ages are welcome to participate. Non-perishable food items will be collected for donation. More info: information@orya.org.

AUG. 8, 10 & 17

z Senior programs | Senior Resources of Guilford County will sponsor a senior program including activities and a take-home lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Aug. 8 at Shady Grove Wesleyan Church (119 N. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax); on Aug. 10 at Stokesdale United Methodist Church (8305 Loyola Drive); and on Aug. 17 at Summerfield First Baptist Church (2300 Scalesville Road). To learn more and/or RSVP, call (336) 373-4816, ext. 265.

TUESDAY, AUG. 8

z Town Council meeting | Summerfield Town Council will meet Aug. 8, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Town’s Facebook page. Visit www.summerfieldnc.gov for more info or a meeting agenda.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9

z Musical auditions | Summerfield Stage Company will hold auditions for the musical “Ichabod: The

Legend of Sleepy Hollow” Aug. 9, 7 to 10 p.m. at Destination Arts Summerfield, 4446 U.S. 220 N. To learn about the characters you will be auditioning for, the show dates and more, visit www.facebook.com/ summerfieldstage. More info: summerfieldstage@ gmail.com.

THURSDAY, AUG. 10

z Town Council meeting | Stokesdale Town Council will meet Aug. 10, starting at 7 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. Citizens may attend in person, and the meeting will also be livestreamed on the town’s YouTube channel. Visit www.stokesdale.org for a meeting agenda.

FRIDAY, AUG. 11

z Community movie night | The Summit Church in Oak Ridge will sponsor a movie night Aug. 11 at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. Food trucks will be on site at 6:30 p.m., games start at 7 p.m. and the movie “Super Mario Brothers” begins at dark. Admission and concessions are free. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. More info: www.thesummitchurch.net. See display ad on p. 13

SATURDAY, AUG. 12

z Music in the Park | The Town of Oak Ridge will host a Music in the Park event Aug. 12 at Oak

Ridge Town Park Amphitheater, 6231 Lisa Drive. The Plaids will perform pop and rock music from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. There will be several food trucks on site along with face painting and a beverage garden provided by Brown Truck Brewery and Oak Ridge Craft & Vine. The event is free, but donations for the band are appreciated. In case of inclement weather, this event will be held in the Family Life Center at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, 2424 Oak Ridge Road (no alcohol if moved to the church). See display ad on p. 30.

MONDAY, AUG. 14

z Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club | Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club (NGWC), a nonprofit with members including women from all walks of life who share a commitment to community service, will hold its monthly meeting Aug. 14, starting at 7 p.m. To learn more about NGWC or to attend the meeting as a guest, contact Tiffany Hansen, president, at (336) 404-8038 or tiffanykhansen96@gmail.com.

z Music for Missions | Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, 2424 Oak Ridge Road, invites the community to a Music for Missions event Aug. 14, starting at 7 p.m. Singers and instrumentalists will perform music from Broadway musicals and classic repertoire,

and children will also sing songs from Vacation Bible School. Donations are requested to fund three teams going to build stoves and install water filters for families in Guatemala.

TUESDAY, AUG. 15

z Kiwanis Club | Kiwanis Club of Northwest Guilford, a nonprofit that engages in projects focused on children in our community, will meet Aug. 15, starting at 12 noon at Bill’s Pizza, 1431 N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge. More info: nwgkiwanis@gmail.com.

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 Aug. 15, 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.

THURSDAY, AUG. 17

z Cruise-In | JPC Monroe will sponsor a parade of muscle cars, classic cars and more on Aug. 17, 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.

Music park

Oak

Town Park Amphitheater

Delighted

„ All the workers involved with the Lumos project to upgrade our town’s communication infrastructure. They’ve been working under very tough conditions with the weather, poor air quality and torrential rain, and this project will benefit the townspeople and local businesses.

„ Women who wear sports bras and tight shorts while doing yard work. You be you, girl! Good job for keeping your yard up, having the confidence to wear what is comfortable while doing a tough job, and keeping northwest Guilford beautiful.

„ Everyone on the road in Oak Ridge and parts of Greensboro during the early afternoon, the weekend of July 21. Thank you for dealing with me while I was learning to drive with my instructor.

„ Sandy Moskel, owner of Sandy’s Beauty Shop on N.C. 150, who just celebrated her 70th birthday and is still doing hair after 52 years!

„ The Town of Stokesdale for agreeing to use tax dollars to match donations to the nonprofit Stokesdale Parks & Recreation for new ballfield lighting and poles. It is, however, our money anyway.

„ Courtney, Trina, Rebecca, April, Gail and all the lovely ladies at Oak Ridge S.E.C.U. who adored dear Charley, the Australian shepherd of former renown. Your heartfelt and

artistic tribute to him is a treasure. Thank you… and Woof! Woof!

„ Mr. Jacob Luck, theatre teacher at Northwest Guilford Middle School, for directing and making the GCS Summer Art Institutes Production of “High School Musical JR” such a wonderful experience and show.

„ Joyce at Truist bank for the encouraging messages she writes on the bank envelopes.

„ The two women in the neighborhood wearing sports bras and tight shorts when doing lawn work. Your hard work and dedication to being healthy and fit is an inspiration to all!

„ District 3 School Board representative Bill Goebel for his full-page School News Bulletin in the last issue. I appreciate his efforts to communicate, to find common ground, and to focus on success for all students.

„ Rep. Jon Hardister for including Guilford County in HB 9, the latest attempt to rewrite the rules regarding school board vacancies. Let Bob Goebel, a conservative Republican, finish out Pat Tillman’s term. Keep the focus on what’s best for all students.

„ The lady following me in a Lexus, flipping me off as I turned onto Linville Road from Haw River Road around 5 p.m. on July 25. Didn’t you like my conservative bumper sticker? Guess you’re just another “Liberal in a Lexus.”

This event is FREE thanks to our generous sponsors!

In case of inclement weather, this event will be held in the Family Life Center at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church. (No beer or wine served)

Food trucks available and a beverage garden will be provided by Brown Truck Brewery and Oak Ridge Craft & Vine (No outside food or alcohol)

Our newest popular Gripe, which appeared in the July 20 – Aug. 2 issue, elicited several responses… read on, and enjoy. (P.S. wish readers responded this much to our detailed town council coverage for Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale, which our writers spend hours on!)

„ The gripe about women working in sports bra and tight shorts. How rude to complain without giving the neighborhood so us men can see for ourselves!

Editor’s note: Actually, the reader did give the neighborhood but 1) the Gripe far exceeded our word count and needed to be condensed, which is partially why I left it out and 2) although I knew many people would be curious about what neighborhood this was, I got to thinking that directing people there might result in a long line of cars and distracted drivers, creating the same dangers as the reader’s husband apparently experienced when he almost ran off the road looking at these two women – but told her he just had something in his eye, to which she

responded, “I’m not dumb.” (While her story was entertaining, you see why the Gripe had to be condensed to get it into 40 words?) And besides, it was fun to leave you wondering about what neighborhood the reader was talking about.

„ The griper whose female neighbors do yard work in “tight shorts and a sports bra.” Keep your eyes on the road and you won’t be distracted. In this heat, we’ll do our yard work in whatever is most comfortable for us!

„ The person complaining about women doing lawn work and maintaining their properties in athletic wear. Do you ask your male neighbors to put on a shirt when they’re out working or exercising? No!

„ The person complaining about ladies doing yard work in sports bras and tight shorts. Why not tell us the neighborhood this is happening in so others, like myself, can come and… help! (See editor’s note above.)

„ The griper complaining about ladies gardening in sports bras and shorts. I

say, let’s keep America beautiful. Keep up the good work ladies, and keep plucking those weeds! As for others, just watch your driving!

„ To the griper who complained about women in her neighborhood wearing workout clothes, while doing yardwork. Could you identify the specific neighborhood? (See editor’s note above.)

„ The gripe about women’s clothes: you say you’re distracted, yet continue to look; keep your eyes to yourself and you’re off the hook. It isn’t that hard, in case you still struggle; I’ll dumb it down: stop staring, Creep!

Outside the …

The following reader-submitted 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.

GRIPES to...

„ The breathtakingly stupid Biden administration that is slow-walking us into World War III. Last year their spokeswoman (Jen Psaki) characterized the supply of cluster bombs to Ukraine as a “war crime.” A year later, that’s what they do....

„ Sen. Phil Berger, who refuses to answer policy questions from his constituents. I’ve called numerous times and can’t get a follow-up response. If he doesn’t work for us, who does he work for?

„ Inefficient and incapable electric vehicles, which Biden is trying to force on us. Ford loses $4.5 billion on them, and Volkswagen slashes production at its Emden EV plant due to “customer reluctance.” What a joke – and a dead end.

A WINNING CATCH ...continued from p. 19

“We came in one boat after them with our tuna, to steal the lead,” Cantrell said in a recent interview back home in Stokesdale.

The fishermen won $7,000 in prize money and wound up with enough tuna to pack their freezers back home in Guilford and Forsyth counties. For the past seven years, Cantrell has owned Priority One Auto Sales in Stokesdale and recently opened another car lot in Newport near the North Carolina coast. He also operates a charter fishing business, Reel Priority Charters, in Atlantic Beach.

On the final morning of the 64th annual tournament, Reel Priority headed out into the ocean. About 70 miles out in about 1,500 feet of water, a crewman in the tuna tower –the highest perch on the boat –spotted a dark spot in the distance.

It turned out to be a wall of seaweed, several hundred feet wide and teeming with sea life – and other fishermen.

“It was a very, very good spot,” Cantrell said. “We probably passed 10 or 12 boats fishing that spot. We had dolphin chasing all of our rigs.”

As the crew tended a half dozen or

more rods, the tuna hit a plug on one of the lines. The artificial lure is coneshaped with a skirt of plastic strands that flash and attract fish.

Once they reeled in the fish and used a gaff to lift it into the boat, Cantrell realized the catch was probably going to be a contender in the tournament’s tuna division. On their roughly three-hour ride back to Morehead City, the crew checked the tournament’s app on their phones to see whether any other boats had brought in tunas.

No one brought in a tuna larger than theirs, giving Reel Priority a victory in its second year in the competition.

“We got really lucky at the very end of the tournament,” Cantrell said.

The crew refrained from partaking in a ritual common among catchers of big fish – cutting out a sliver of the tail and eating it raw.

“In a tournament you don’t do that,” Cantrell said. “You need all the extra weight you can get.”

A guide to better recycling

My family pays great attention to what goes and doesn’t go in the recycling bin. I thought most people knew what my family knows and that recycling is easy. I was wrong! I noticed this after one of my friends asked if a candy wrapper could be recycled. None of the people sitting at my table knew. I realized then that I should take the opportunity to inform people how to properly dispose of waste.

Each city has guidelines for what can be recycled. To learn what materials you can recycle in your community, I’ve provided website links at the end of this editorial. For example, the City of Greensboro accepts paper, cardboard, certain metal, food/drink cans or containers, plastic bottles, tubs and jugs. All recyclables must be clean, dry and loose in your recycling bin (i.e., no food waste left in containers, no used pizza boxes, etc.).

Some towns and cities also have specific guidelines for what cannot be recycled. Many no longer allow glass, and residents have to find other options for recycling glass waste.

Some cities don’t allow certain plastics. You can see what type of plastic a container is by looking on the bottom. For example, on the bottom of a milk jug you will see a recycling symbol with the number 2. That means you can only recycle a milk jug if your city allows the number 2 plastics.

It’s important to follow your town or city’s recycling rules, because if waste collected by recycling companies can’t be recycled, it gets sent to landfills with

all the rest of the trash. This means more waste will end up in landfills. It also means your efforts to recycle were wasted.

Another problem with putting nonrecyclables in your recycling bin is what happens at the recycling facility. Recyclables are sorted based on the material they are made of, and machines made for specific materials are used in the recycling process. If something other than that specific material ends up in the machine, it can damage it.

Proper recycling is not only beneficial to you and your community but also to the environment and local recycling facilities. So next time you go to throw away a plastic bottle, first familiarize yourself with your town’s recycling guidelines to make sure it will be accepted.

Here are those helpful links: Greensboro: www.greensboro-nc.gov/ departments/field-operations/recycle Oak Ridge: www.oakridgenc.com/ waste-recycling

Summerfield: www.summerfieldnc.gov/ solid-waste

Stokesdale: www.stokesdale.org/ residents/general_information/ waste_-_recycling.php

Jenna Wunner OAK RIDGE

Jenna Wunner is a Scout in Troop 219G and wrote this editorial for her Communications merit badge.

Settling in and getting to know the area

by KELLEN HOLTZMAN

Friday, Aug. 4, will mark my second full week as PS Communications’ associate editor/community journalist. As “the new guy” and a native of Warren County (about 90 miles east of Reidsville, near Kerr Lake), I’m only beginning to get to know this neck of Guilford County.

I think of myself as a curious and watchful fellow, and I plan to keep our readers abreast of my impressions as I settle in. Hopefully, viewing our coverage area through the lens of a newcomer will be interesting, if not useful.

So far, I already sense the level of community engagement in the Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale communities. Despite modern development, these don’t feel like bedroom suburbs to me, rather they’re towns with rich history where residents want to not only live but to preserve as places that can stand on their own and endure the challenges that inevitably come with growth and change.

Places where you know your neighbors.

Over the weekend, while driving through a Summerfield subdivision, the driver in the vehicle I met on a neighborhood street gave me a wave from behind their steering wheel. When I got out of my truck, I suggested to a resident that the person must have thought I was someone else. She replied, “We wave at everyone here. Are you from the South?”

“Yes, I am,” I said.

“Then you should know that,” she politely told me.

Hey, fair enough. From now on, I’ll start waving too.

Other observations I’ve made:

Sometimes, the level of devotion from a pubic body, school or private entity to sports and recreation is evident by how well-kept or ornamented its

facilities and grounds are. From what I’ve seen in limited visits (I haven’t been everywhere yet!), the playing surfaces on the Northwest Guilford High School and Oak Ridge Town Park ball fields are top notch. You don’t get that in every community.

The same can be said of the devotion Stokesdale residents have put forth in caring for Summerfield Community Park, which is owned and maintained by Stokesdale Parks & Recreation Association, a nonprofit that’s run entirely by volunteers.

On that note, thank you to Stokesdale Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy and Town Councilman Jimmy Landreth for setting aside some time to offer me perspective on the significance of Stokesdale’s hidden gem of a park.

As a former resident of Williamsburg, Virginia, I did not expect this area of the state to remind me so much of the Commonwealth’s Historic Triangle. Oak Ridge is within 32 miles or less of North Carolina versions of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown, as well as the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. Patriot pride is evident in these parts, especially in Summerfield, which incorporates its Revolutionary War history into its town seal and logo. The spirit of independence here is also palpable.

Thanks to all who have reached out to welcome me – I look forward to getting to know you and your communities as I continue to settle into my new home base.

Associate editor Kellen Holtzman can be reached at kellen@nwobserver.com.

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‘NOT LAS VEGAS’

...continued from p. 1

Some speakers expressed worry over the prospect of gamblers driving past the entrance to Camp Carefree, which serves special-needs children, on the way to a casino proposed for nearly 193 acres of farmland about six miles north of Summerfield and Stokesdale.

“We don’t want to be Las Vegas,” said Chis Rodenbough, the camp’s property manager and Rhonda’s husband. “We aren’t asking anybody to do anything other than respect what’s going on in our own neighborhood.”

Speakers warned of increasing traffic, crime and drug and sex trafficking if the county’s Board of Commissioners approves a request for the rezoning of the property to accommo date gambling operations. After the county’s Planning Board recommended last month that the rezoning request be denied, the decision moves to the commissioners, who may make a final decision during their Aug. 21 meeting.

“Nothing good will come from establishing a casino in Rockingham County or in the state,” said Rock ingham County Sheriff Sam Page, the only elected local or state official to attend the meeting. Quoting the Scrip tures, he reminded the audience that

part of their anti-casino efforts.

“the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”

“I’ve seen the destruction, I’ve seen what it does to families, I’ve seen what it does to communities,” Page said. “Public safety has to be considered on the front end of these conversations and discussions with the state and local officials.”

If these ills come to pass, they could hurt the recruitment of companies, such as aerospace suppliers to Honda Aircraft Co. and Boom Supersonic at Piedmont Triad International Airport, according to Robert Knight. He lives in Stokes County but has family ties to Rockingham.

disclose how they might use the property. The request by NC Development Holdings, linked by state filings to Baltimore-based gaming developer The Cordish Cos., seeks a straight rezoning from residential agricultural (AG) to highway commercial (HC).

Unlike a conditional rezoning, a straight rezoning imposes no restrictions on permitted uses of the property, according to Matthew Johnson, a planner who spoke during the meeting.

“We’ve been given little or no description of what the intended purpose would be, although this is not required,” Knight said. “However, transparency would be the neighborly thing to do since 29 of the surrounding parcels are residential or residential/agricultural.”

At times, the meeting took on an evangelical fervor that energized opponents to flood elected officials with emails and phone calls and put out hundreds of yard signs opposing what Rhonda Rodenbough described as “a money-making scheme” for an outside company.

“All we hear about this casino is how much money it’s going to generate (but) at what cost?” asked Griffith, the pastor of Osborne Baptist Church in Eden.

dealer from King, North Carolina, said he believes the state General Assembly is going to pass legislation allowing for development of a casino in Rockingham County.

“I can tell you right now this casino legislation for the state of North Carolina is going fast,” James said, putting a momentary damper on enthusiasm among opponents during the nearly 1 ½-hour meeting. “It’s going to pass.”

In Raleigh, legislation being drafted by Republican leaders in the state General Assembly would allow for the development of three casinos in Rockingham, Anson and Nash counties by a single gaming company, according to a draft of the bill obtained by WRAL News in Raleigh. A possible fourth casino could be run by the Lumbee Tribe in southeastern North Carolina, state Speaker of the House Tim Moore, R-District 111, said.

At present, casinos are allowed only on Indian reservations in the state.

Acknowledging that opponents are facing political donations and lobbying by gambling companies, former U.S. representative and Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Walker said “this is still winnable.”

Widespread, vocal opposition is “the only leverage you have,” he told the audience.

The draft bill instructs North Carolina’s secretary of administration to start taking proposals by Sept. 1 from companies with 10 years of experience in the commercial gaming industry, according to WRAL. The company selected to operate the casinos would be required to spend at least $1.5 billion in private money – or at least $500 million at each location – and propose to add at least 5,250 jobs.

COMING SEPTEMBER!

Some speakers complained about a lack of public discussion among commissioners and other leaders in Rockingham County and legislators in Raleigh.

At the county level, the rezoning process doesn’t require applicants to

Despite such objections to gambling, Stephen James, a professional poker

The company would be penalized for failing to reach targets for investment and job creation, WRAL said. The casinos would pay a 22.5% excise tax on gross gaming revenue.

“Casinos are monuments that exploit the poor,” he said. “They don’t build all those extravagant buildings because everybody wins. They build them because almost everybody loses. And the people who lose the most are the people who can least afford to lose.”

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO Opponents distributed several hundred yard signs such as this one during a meeting on Aug. 1 as

“I don’t think these precision manufacturing facilities will want a bunch of workers that have been up gambling all weekend,” Knight said.

Call (336) 644-7035,

AUTO SALES & SERVICES

„ YARD SALES

YARD SALE. Fri., Aug. 4, and Sat., Aug. 5; 7am-1pm. 8419 W. Harrell Rd., Oak Ridge. Tools, household, toys, chairs, antiques, women's and men’s clothing and lots more.

(336) 891-3876

EUROHAUSAUTO.PRO

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

2021 CORVETTE . Removable top, 2,000 miles. Loaded. $98,000. (336) 643-5939

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

„ EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY. The Town of Stokesdale will be accepting applications for the position of Deputy Town Clerk until 4:30pm, Thursday, August 10. For more information, please visit www.stokesdale.org or call (336) 643-4011

„ SAVE THE DATE

STOKESDALE COMMUNITY CHOIR resumes practice Monday, August 28, 9:30-11:30am at Gideon Grove UMC, 2865 Gideon Grove Ch. Rd., Stokesdale. Contact Sondra at (336) 453-8017 to join.

„ HOME SERVICES

ELECTRICAL

BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC

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

your

YARD SALE. Sat., Aug. 5, 7am-noon. 1500 Brown Rd., Summerfield. Household, yard equipment, tools & more. It's got to go!

MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE. Sat., Aug. 5, 8am-1pm. 3117 Oak Ridge Rd., Summerfield. Furniture, houseware, women's plus size clothing, back inversion table & more.

GARAGE and MOVING SALE. Saturday, Aug. 5; rain date Sun., Aug 6. 8am-2pm. 7790 Newhaven Dr., Oak Ridge. Furniture, artwork, glassware, lamps, toys, garden tools and more.

„ HOME SERVICES

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

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

CLEANING

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

CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Quality cleaning/ budget friendly. Pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, (336) 231-1838

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE

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

continued on p. 36

„ HOME SERVICES

OLD SCHOOL HOME REPAIR

See display ad on page 28.

APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance

A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707

„ HOME SERVICES

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

GUTTERS / SIDING / WINDOWS

336.554.5007

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

GRADING / HAULING

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

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING

336-905-0665

Fully licensed

BRAD'S BOBCAT & HAULING SVCS, LLC Debris removal, grading, gravel/dirt, driveways, concrete work. (336) 362-3647

ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING

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

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

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„ HOME SERVICES

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

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

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

GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE

„ HOME SERVICES

HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES

Free est. Call (336) 669-5448

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.

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

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.

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

Your HOME SERVICES company should be here! call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 to place your classified ad

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.

GOSSETT'S LAWNCARE. Complete lawn care/maintenance. Res./comm. Fully insured. In business for 33 yrs. (336) 451-5216

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

DeLima Lawn

Available

Owner: JC Ruiz ● 336.669.5210

FREE ESTIMATES

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

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

„ HOME SERVICES

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

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

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

HOME SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDER. Oak Ridge and surrounding area. Will run errands and do light housekeeping. M,W,F. Call (336) 707-4946; ask for Katrena.

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

PAINTING & DRYWALL

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

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

„ HOME SERVICES

„ HOME SERVICES

PRESSURE WASHING

CUTTING EDGE PRESSURE WASHING

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

Residential • Commercial • Licensed & Insured

Available 7 days/week emergencies, parties, preparing for guests, etc. Ask us about PRESSURE WASHING

Owner: Carlos Ruiz 336.669.5210 ● carlospainting14@live.com

ESTIMATES

STILL PERFECTION PAINTING. Reliable, skilled, affordable. Painting, pressure washing, handyman services. Scott Still, (336) 462-3683, stillperfectionpainting.com.

PLUMBING

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

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

POOLS

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

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

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

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.

„ HOME SERVICES

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

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION

Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Senior discount. 41 years exp. (336) 215-6122 or (336) 362-6343

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

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

ROOFING

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

„ HOME SERVICES

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION .

Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. We finance. Free estimates. Since 1979. (336) 215-6122 or (336) 362-6343

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

Check in with your neighbors: www.facebook.com/northwestobserver

„ MISC. SERVICES &

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

Gated access with 24/7 camera surveillance

We carry moving & shipping supplies

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

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

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

„ MISC. WANTED

FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, generators, power washers, 4-wheelers, mini-bikes, golf carts, bikes, and other gas-powered items. (336) 491-1565

$$$ – 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.

„ PETS/ANIMAL SVCS.

GOLDEN SHEEPADOODLES. Reserve your puppy today! Six weeks old. Will be ready to go to their fur-ever home Aug. 5. Please call (336) 906-6691 to schedule a meeting to see these beautiful babies!

„ REAL ESTATE HOME FOR SALE

OPEN HOUSE: Sun., Aug. 3 • 2-4pm

8169

BEAUTIFUL! Found by a group of kind neighbors off Strawberry Rd., Summerfield; a starved & scared little puppy. LOOK at him NOW! Neutered, vaccinated, loving, spirited, funny, 6-month-old husky/ shepherd mix. Good w/ other dogs, small & large. Working on training. Must have a fenced yard. Great dog looking for adventurous family! (336) 549-6017 or naturespirit63@aol.com

Use HAPPY JACK® KENNEL DIP ® as an area spray to control deer ticks, fleas, stable flies, & mosquitoes where they breed. Biodegradable. At Tractor Supply ® www.happyjackinc.com

MEET THE BUILDER – NEW ENERGY STAR home. Enjoy the benefits of this healthy, eco-friendly, energy-efficient 4BR/4BA, 3,100-sq.-ft. home with 2 main-level BRs, open floor plan, 4 extra rooms upstairs, covered porch and composite deck. NW Guilford County schools. $689,500

GIL VAUGHAN

Realtor ®/Broker • (336) 337-4780

LAND FOR SALE

SUMMERFIELD LAND FOR SALE. Large lots and tracts of land for sale. If you’re looking for land or a great

Sanfords Creek Dr., Colfax

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Opponents said gambling would siphon spending that would otherwise go to local businesses.

“We need to come up with a way to increase revenue and become a contributing factor to the financial success of our community and our state,” said Whitney Shelton, a lifelong county resident.

“That can be done through factories, wellness clinics, grocery stores, any form of employment that will attract jobs and citizens to move here and work… not by wasting our money at a casino,” Shelton said.

Some speakers warned that gambling would cast a shadow over the safety of children, not only those with chronic illnesses who attend Camp Carefree but also those attending Huntsville Elementary School in Madison and others living

near the casino site.

“There is no amount of revenue that can replace the way our children live their lives,” parent Clark Erskine said.

The tract slated for the casino abuts the 37-year-old Camp Carefree, run by a largely volunteer nonprofit organization that offers free summer camp to children with chronic illnesses. It also serves well siblings of ill children, and children with a parent who is seriously ill.

The camp “is not an amusement park,” said Rodenbough, the board member. It “has been a good, controlled environment in our community. It is a simple country camp where (children) play, they ride horses, they swim, they canoe, they fish, they do outdoor things that they wouldn’t otherwise get the opportunity to do.”

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our

and tell them where you saw their ad!

‘NOT LAS VEGAS’ ...continued from p. 34

Nancy Barrett, who enjoyed recent travels to Hawaii, American Samoa, Western Samoa, Tahiti and Moorea, gave the Northwest Observer rave reviews for being a favorite vacation read!

Debra and Joe Cimbala enjoy reading the Northwest Observer both at Stonehenge in Oak Ridge and at Stonehenge in England, where they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to Great Britain and Ireland. Stonehenge, in Southern England, is a very popular tourist site comprised of roughly 100 massive upright stones placed in a circular layout and believed to be about 5,000 years old.

Colton and Connor Reece from Oak Ridge enjoyed read- ing the Northwest Observer while in Cherokee, North Car- olina where Connor was competing at the USA Wrestling Southeast Regional Championship. There is no better way to celebrate a victory than with your hometown newspaper!