Northwest Observer / Sept. 21 - Oct. 4, 2023

IN THIS ISSUE

Town leaders

by CHRIS BURRITT

legislation

Earlier this week, state Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger delayed a vote in the legislature that would de-annex nearly 1,000 acres owned by Summerfield Farms owner David Couch. It was an encouraging development – but possibly only a pause – for de-annexation opponents mobilizing a last-ditch effort in the week and a half since Berger informed Mayor Tim Sessoms he planned to advance de-annexation legislation.

`The bomb dropped,’’ opposition leader Priscilla Olinick told the Town Council during its Sept. 12 meeting, a day after Berger’s letter chastised town leaders for missing the “opportunity’’ for serious ...continued on p. 48

Get ready, Summerfield, the cyclists are coming (on Oct. 3)!

Cycle NC will host its 24th annual Mountains-to-Coast tour Oct. 1-7, with a planned rest stop in Summerfield on the morning of Oct. 3

NC/SUMMERFIELD – About 850 bicyclists representing 41 states plus the District of Columbia, Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, England and Australia are registered to ride in Cycle NC’s 24th annual Mountains-to-Coast tour, which begins Oct. 1 in Banner Elk and will end Oct. 7 in Emerald Isle. Cyclists can register to participate in the entire tour or just a segment of it. The youngest cyclist registered to ride for the entire week is 10 years old, while the oldest participants are 86 years old.

As in previous years, participants this year will experience numerous instances of North Carolina’s unique topography including mountains, ample farmland, several lakes, creeks and winding rivers. Over the course of the week, riders will bike an average of 65 miles per day. Overnight stays are planned in several towns along the route as cyclists make their way to the finish. Additionally, three to

Photo courtesy of Cycle NC About 850 cyclists participating in the annual Mountains-to-Coast tour will pass through Summerfield on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

scramble to appease landowner David Couch and convince state Sen. Phil Berger to remove nearly 1,000 acres from de-annexation

SUMMERFIELD – Town leaders haven’t lost their de-annexation fight, at least not yet.

Casino bill dead for now

by CHRIS BURRITT

STOKESDALE – Republican leaders in Raleigh are giving up this legislative session on a gambling bill, offering relief to opponents in Rockingham County where one of four casinos was planned.

GOP leaders weren’t able to muster enough support for the bill to expand gambling statewide, even if it were attached to the passage of the state budget or other legislation, according to state Sen. Phil Berger.

“It’s my belief that the emotions got the better of the discussion, and it was just time for us to get the other things taken care of,’’ Berger told reporters in Raleigh this past Tuesday, Sept. 19.

Berger represents Rockingham County where county commissioners last month voted to rezone nearly 193 acres on U.S. 220 to accommodate gambling as part of a tourism district.

A few miles north of Stokesdale and Summerfield, the tract adjoins Camp Carefree, a nonprofit that offers free summer camps for children with chronic illnesses. Camp supporters worried that round-the-clock gambling would jeopardize the children’s safety and serenity.

“We certainly feel great relief right now,’’ Camp Carefree board member Rhonda Rodenbough said in an interview earlier this week. Noting that Berger may pursue a gambling bill as early as next year’s legislation session, she added that “this was a huge wakeup call’’ for opponents.

Rodenbough expressed her appreciation for “all the support, not just from the people who live in Rockingham County, but from Stokesdale and Summerfield and all the surrounding people.’’

“I do think this situation was going to affect us all,’’ she added. “It didn't matter where that county line was. It was going to interrupt the livelihoods and the lifestyles of everybody around us.’’

four rest stops are scheduled daily to break up the ride and allow riders an opportunity to take a break from pedaling.

The cyclists are scheduled to come through Summerfield on Tuesday, Oct. 3, as they travel a 74-mile route from Winston-Salem to Mebane. They’ll pause for a rest stop at Greensboro Performing Arts and The Jumping Bean (in GPA’s parking lot), 7200 Summerfield Road, in Summerfield. Community members are encouraged to come out and cheer them on as they pass through the town

(from about 8:30 a.m. to late morning/ early afternoon).

Hosted by North Carolina Amateur Sports (NCAS), Cycle North Carolina was developed to promote North Carolina’s scenic beauty, heritage tourism, visitor attractions, historic sites, state parks, fitness, healthy lifestyles and the benefits of bicycling to individuals and our state. During the past 23 years, Cycle North Carolina has stopped overnight in more than 100 North Carolina towns and visited over 800 North Carolina communities.

For more information, visit www. ncsports.org. For more info on Cycle North Carolina, visit www.cyclenorthcarolina.org.

Michael Logan takes school board’s District 3 seat

His appointment follows the resignation of sitting board member Bill Goebel

by CHRIS BURRITT

GREENSBORO –

Michael Logan ascended quickly to the Guilford County Board of Education this past Tuesday, Sept. 19, ending a nine-month fight for the District 3 seat.

Swearing in Logan took fewer than five minutes at the start of the board meeting, drawing cheers from supporters of the Republican from northwestern Guilford County. Starting last December, the Democrat-controlled board refused several times to seat Logan, even though he had the backing of the local Republican Party and GOP lawmakers in Raleigh who oversaw the enactment of two laws designed to ensure Logan’s appointment.

Just hours before the board meeting, Bill Goebel notified board Chair Deena Hayes in a letter that he was resigning from the District 3 seat. The Greensboro resident said he didn’t want the possibility of further litigation over what he called his “lawful appointment’’ to “further distract the Board, the staff and the public from the important job of educating our children.’’

District 3 represents Summerfield, Oak Ridge, Stokesdale and parts of Greensboro.

Months of controversy over the disputed District 3 school board seat emerged during the Summerfield and Oak Ridge town council meetings in recent weeks as local Republicans reiterated their grievances against the Democrat-controlled board. Among them were Chris Meadows, chair of the county’s Republican executive board, who congratulated Logan after his appointment.

“After 9 months of orchestrated obstructions from the Democrat-majority Board, the rightful and duly nominated person has finally been seated to the Board of Education District 3,’’ Meadows said in a statement the morning after Logan was sworn in. “The voters and residents of District 3 now have lawful representation.’’

Meadows reiterated that the local GOP has followed the law in filling the vacancy since last December when District 3 representative Pat Tillman, a Republican, joined the county Board of Commissioners.

Last April, the school board named Goebel to fill the Republican vacancy on the board after finding a loophole in a state law enacted by the General Assembly to specify requirements for the board to follow the recommendation of the local GOP.

Maria Adams, a local GOP volunteer, said she witnessed during the April meeting “a despicable set of actions’’ by some board members, board attorney Jill Wilson and Goebel.

Filling the District 3 seat has “been hijacked by politicians that don’t even live here,’’ Adams said during the Summerfield council’s meeting this past Tuesday, Sept. 12.

...continued on p. 48

NCDOT TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING APROPOSAL TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO N.C. 65 AND N.C. 68 INTERSECTIONS NEAR STOKESDALE IN GUILFORD AND ROCKINGHAM COUNTIES

STIP Project No. R-5823

STOKESDALE - The public is invited to a meeting with the N.C. Department of Transportation on Sept. 25 to discuss proposed improvements to intersections along N.C. 65 and N.C. 68 in Guilford and Rockingham counties.

Project details, including maps can be found on the NCDOT project web page:

https://publicinput.com/NC65-NC68ImprovementsGuilford. The information will be presented at the meeting allowing for one-on-one discussions with engineers. There will not be a formal presentation.

The meeting will be held Sept. 25 at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road, Stokesdale. The public is invited to attend at any time between 5 and 7 p.m.

People may also submit comments by phone at 984205-6615 (project code 4912), email at US274IntersectionImprovements@publicinput.com, or mail at the address shown below by Oct. 9, 2023

By Mail: Chris Smitherman NCDOT Highway Division 7

Project Delivery Team Lead

P. O. BOX 14996 Greensboro, NC 27415

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled people who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Alecia Hardy, Environmental Analysis Unit, at 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1598, 919-707-6072 or ext-arhardy@ncdot.gov as early as possible so arrangements can be made.

Those who do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior by calling 1-800-481-6494.

Aquellas personas no hablan inglés, o tienen limitaciones para leer, hablar o entender inglés, podrían recibir servicios de interpretación si los solicitan llamando al 1-800-4816494.

Michael Logan

OUR TEAM

Patti Stokes, editor/publisher

Carlo Gagliardo, marketing manager

Kelli Jessup, publisher’s assistant

Rene Collins, administrative assistant

Yvonne Truhon, graphic designer

Leon Stokes, IT director

Lucy Smith, finance manager

Chris Bennett, Tom McCoy, distribution

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

HOW TO REACH US

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We contacted Ben Chavis, Guilford County’s tax director, who assigned assistant tax director Jim Roland and other staff to research the question.

The tax department tracked down the amount that Couch paid last year in property taxes to the town of Summerfield and property taxes to the Summerfield Fire District. The tabulation is based on 41 parcels identified in de-annexation legislation introduced in the state General Assembly.

Couch paid a total of $5,855.43 in taxes to Summerfield, based on a valuation of 2.75 cents per $100 of property valuation, according to the county’s Tax Department. He paid $27,893.07 to the fire district at a valuation of 13.1 cents per $100 of property valuation.

Taxes on one of the most-visible tracts – the nearly 95-acre Summerfield Farms property at 3203 Pleasant Ridge Road – totaled $225.61 to the

town and $1,074.72 to the fire district. The payment reflects that the property is designated as agriculture/ horticulture, according to county records.

By contrast, the commercial designation of the site of Couch’s proposed Sanders Village mixed-use development on N.C. 150 resulted in higher tax payments even though it’s less than half the size of the Summerfield Farms property.

Adobe Stock photo Should nearly 1,000 acres be de-annexed from the Town of Summerfield as proposed, the town would lose about $5,855.43 in annual property taxes, based on what was collected in 2022. Summerfield Fire District could lose as much as $27,893.07 in annual property taxes.

The town collected taxes of $1,024.07 on the 43.1-acre tract at 3727 Oak Ridge Road (N.C. 150) and the fire department collected $4,878.31, according to the tax department.

Higher taxes for commercial property reflects that once developed, the value of Couch’s property currently zoned agriculture will increase “exponentially,’’ according to Summerfield Town Manager Scott Whitaker.

If de-annexation occurs, the town won’t collect those increasing tax revenues, he noted.

Whether Couch would continue to pay taxes to the fire district depends

upon the de-annexation ordinance that he negotiates with the county, according to assistant tax director Roland. If de-annexed from Summerfield, Couch’s property would fall under the jurisdiction of the county.

As proposed in the legislation, de-annexation of the Summerfield property would occur Sept. 30. As a result, Couch would be responsible for paying taxes to the town for July, August and September, the first three months of the fiscal year, Roland said.

After the de-annexation, Couch would continue to pay property taxes to the county, he added.

If the state legislature de-annexes David Couch’s nearly 1,000 acres in Summerfield, how much will the town lose in property tax revenues?

Oak Ridge Heritage Day

Saturday, Sept. 30 10am-4pm

Oak Ridge Town Park

Redmon Field beside Shelter 2 (on Linville Road across from Scoggins Road)

Plans for this FREE event include:

• Revolutionary & Civil War re-enactors with interactive displays

• Live music and clogging demonstrations

• Food trucks

• Games & kids’ activities

• Cannon firing at 11am, 1pm and 3pm

• Tractor-pulled rides

• Gem mining

• Farm animal petting zoo

• Interactive demos

• Pound cake baking contest (see www.oakridgenc.com for rules, time & entry forms)

• Displays - Fire Dept., Horse Show, Town committees, civic groups, etc.

• Exhibits of household goods, farm items, tobacco equipment, etc.

• Blacksmithing & outdoor cooking demos

• Meet our military vets

• Characters in period dress

• ALSO THIS YEAR! Vendors selling arts & crafts, homemade items, foods, and vintage/antique/re-purposed items

A blast from the past!

For info, vendor forms and rules, visit Oak Ridge Town Park’s Facebook page, www.oakridgenc.com or call Town Hall at 336-644-7009

OAK RIDGE town council

Sept.

7 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

as reported by CHRIS BURRITT

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

Oak Ridge resident and Garden Club member Dorothy Clement offered the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

AGENDA

 5  0 to approve the meeting agenda, as well as Aug. 3 meeting minutes and Aug. 10 special called meeting minutes.

PROCLAMATIONS

Schneider declared Sept. 30 as Arbor Day in Oak Ridge while the council proclaimed Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Oak Ridge Fire Department. Firefighter James Moretz reported the department responded to 83 calls for service last month; 32 were medicalrelated, two were for vehicle fires and one was for a structure fire. Personnel obtained 741 hours of training.

Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s District 1 office did not provide an August incident report with Oak Ridge calls for service.

MANAGER’S REPORT Engagement letter

 5  0 to approve the town’s annual engagement letter with finance officer Sam Anders. The $110 hourly rate for the contract through June 24, 2024, is unchanged from last year, Town Manager Bill Bruce noted.

Bruce, Schneider and McClellan praised the work of Anders, who owns an Oak Ridge accounting firm, and his

staff in handling Oak Ridge’s financial matters, including preparation of monthly and annual statements.

Conservation easement fund

 5  0 to approve moving $20,000 from the town’s general fund to the restricted fund earmarked for the Conserving Oak Ridge through Easements grant fund.

The council established the fund in 2022 to help property owners offset the legal and other costs of protecting open space and historic properties with easements. Since none of the $20,000 set aside for grants in last fiscal year’s budget was spent, town staff requested the money be appropriated this fiscal year.

Another $20,000 is budgeted this fiscal year, boosting the fund to $40,000, according to Bruce.

``It is a long-term process to convince owners of such properties to go forward with an easement,’’ Schneider said. ``We are working with several residents in our community to do just that.’’

PUBLIC COMMENTS

„ Mary Elizabeth Beal, an Oak Ridgebased interior designer, urged residents to consider donating money toward the repair of roof-to-basement leaks at Maple Glade, the historic house on the campus of Oak Ridge Military Academy (ORMA).

The interior of the house ``is in good shape for now,’’ but is threatened by leaks during rain, Beal said. She also chairs the Historical Preservation Committee of the Guilford Battle chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

The DAR will seek donations this coming Saturday, Sept. 23, during the

WHAT they voted on, and HOW they voted:

Mayor Ann Schneider, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and council members George McClellan, Martha Pittman and Spencer Sullivan voted on the following items during the council’s Sept. 7 meeting..

 5  0: Approve the meeting agenda, as well as minutes of the Aug. 3 meeting and the Aug. 10 special called meeting

 5  0: Approve the town’s annual engagement letter with finance officer Sam Anders

 5  0: Approve moving $20,000 from the town’s general fund to the restricted fund earmarked for the Conserving Oak Ridge through Easements grant fund

academy’s Bridge to the Ridge event, which will include a car and motorcycle show, live music, games and a parade and drill team performance during the school’s homecoming.

The organization also plans to seek donations Saturday, Sept. 30, during Heritage Day in Town Park, Beal said.

„ Barbara Engel urged people to participate in ORMA’s Bridge to the Ridge activities.

„ Chuck Salmon asked town leaders to take steps to preserve and protect trees from pruning by utility crews. He said he was disappointed that a big oak tree near Scoggins Road had been cut down as part of construction of Heritage Farm Park.

Later in the meeting, Kinneman and Schneider explained that as much as town leaders wanted to keep the oak, an evaluation by the town’s Tree Board found the tree was unhealthy and needed to be removed.

``We do take trees very seriously here,’’ the mayor said.

„ Chris Meadows, chair of the county’s Republican Party, and Maria Adams, a party volunteer, criticized the Board of Education’s appointment of Bill Goebel as the District 3 representative.

„ Later, Michael Logan, who is the Republican Party’s nominee for the District 3 seat, said he anticipated the

school board would name him as Goebel’s replacement during its Sept. 19 meeting.

„ Goebel told council members he’d be glad to discuss the controversy surrounding his appointment last April, but preferred to do so after the meeting. (See related article on p. 3)

„ Mike Stone, board president of Preservation Oak Ridge Foundation, urged people to join the nonprofit at an annual cost of $50 for individuals and $100 for families and businesses. Funds will help preserve and maintain historic properties, including the Ai church at the corner of N.C. 68 and Alcorn Road.

„ Nancy Stoudemire, a parent with two children in Guilford County Schools, urged leaders to put aside partisan disputes and focus on students.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Anders reported that some financial institutions including Bank of Oak Ridge are seeking the town’s deposits with offers of higher interest rates.

``It’s nice to have the banks wanting to solicit deposits,’’ he said.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Chair Anne Steele said volunteers working on the Headwaters Trail cleared limbs and a

...continued on p. 43

Sept. 12/ MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

as reported by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Mayor Tim Sessoms called the monthly meeting in Summerfield Community Center to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney and council members Jeff Davis, Janelle Robinson, Reece Walker and John Doggett present.

DeVaney offered the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Sessoms said he’s seeking a meeting with state Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger after the Rockingham County Republican notified the town in a letter that he plans to proceed with legislation de-annexing nearly 1,000 acres in Summerfield.

The mayor said he wants to help Berger “understand more of our case and our side of things” with regard to the town’s efforts to prevent the

de-annexation requested by Summerfield Farms owner David Couch. (See related article on FC).

CONSENT AGENDA

 5  0 to amend the meeting agenda to remove from discussion a contract for engineering and construction planning and administration for Bandera Farms Park. A closed session was also added to the agenda.

 5  0 to approve the Aug. 8 open and closed session meeting minutes.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Town-sponsored events. Town Manager Scott Whitaker said the town is hosting three events for families in the next few weeks: on Sept. 29, a free Movie in the Park on the soccer field at Summerfield Athletic Park (on U.S. 220) at dusk (around 7:30 p.m.); on Oct. 6 another Movie in the Park, this one at Summerfield Community Park (on Centerfield Road), with music and dancers at 6:30 p.m. and the movie starting around dusk; and on Oct. 7, the annual Touch-a-Truck at Summerfield Athletic Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Summerfield Fire District. The department responded to 146 calls in August, including 25 fire-related calls, 62 EMS-related calls and 59 other calls. Firefighters installed 24 child safety seats.

Sheriff’s Office. The District 1 office responded to 254 calls for service in Summerfield last month, 23 of which resulted in case reports.

Deputies responded to an attempted break-in of a tobacco and vape shop on U.S. 220 during the early morning of Aug. 30; the incident is under investigation.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

„ Summerfield residents Maria Adams, Joe Plante and Elena Wachendorfer, and Greensboro resident Susan Tysinger expressed their dissatisfac-

WHAT they voted on, and HOW they voted:

Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams

DeVaney and council members

Jeff Davis, Janelle Robinson, Reece Walker and John Doggett voted on the following items during the council’s Sept. 12 meeting. Mayor Tim Sessoms was present, but in Summerfield the mayor votes only to break a tie.

 5  0: Amend the meeting agenda to remove from discussion a Bandera Farms Park contract and to add a closed session

 5  0: Approve the Aug. 8 open and closed session meeting minutes

 5  0: Accept the Finance Committee’s recommendations for updating the five-year capital improvement plan

 5  0: Authorize town staff to sign contracts authorizing Guilford County to distribute federal pandemic relief funds to Summerfield

 5  0: Reappoint Clark Doggett to the Planning Board

 5  0: Authorize the $150,000 purchase of 1.86 acres at 7804 Summerfield Road that abuts the northern Gordon tract already owned by the town

tion with the county school board’s appointment of Bill Goebel as the District 3 representative.

“Our school board is a mess,’’ said Tysinger, echoing views of other local Republicans upset that the board refused to seat the county Republican

• Gate opens 6:30pm, movie 7:30pm.

• Free parking. Bring a blanket, invite friends! (Sorry, but no dogs.)

Summerfield Fire District

Saturday,

Sparky’s

To

Car Seat Safety Message

How do I know my baby is safely restrained in the car seat? In 3 simple steps!

Check that your child fits the type of car seat being used. You can check the manual or stickers on the side of the car seat to determine the maximum height and weight recommended for your specific car seat.

Enjoy

All 5K participants will receive a short-sleeved t-shirt and a finisher medal! All proceeds go to the Summerfield Firefighters Charitable Corporation.

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

Check that your child is facing the right direction. It is recommended that children stay rear-facing as long as possible - until they reach the maximum height and weight limits suggested by the car seat manufacturer, regardless of age.

*Note: Did you know it is safer to be rear-facing in the event of a motor vehicle accident than forward-facing even if their legs touch the back of the seat? This is because their head, neck, and spine are better protected in the rear-facing position.

Check that the restraints are properly fastened.

• for rear-facing – ensure the shoulder straps are at or below the shoulder blade of the child.

• for forward-facing – ensure the shoulder straps are at or just above the shoulder blade of the child.

• The crotch buckle should be close to the child’s groin area, but not underneath them.

• Ensure that straps are tightened and all loose webbing is removed. Check each hip strap to ensure they are snug against the child’s hips. You should not be able to pinch any webbing on the shoulder strap at the collarbone.

• The chest clip should be fastened and resting on the child’s chest at the armpit level. A chest clip that is too low or too high can cause serious internal injuries.

*keep in mind that as your child grows you will need to adjust the straps.

SILVER SPONSORS

SUMMERFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

...continued from p. 8

Party’s nominee, Michael Logan, to replace Pat Tillman (R) as District 3 representative.

„ Later, Goebel, who lives in Greensboro, told council members he’d be glad to discuss the school board dispute with them after the meeting.

„ Summerfield Town Council candidate Heath Clay suggested the town use federal pandemic relief grants for a purpose other than establishing a municipal water system.

„ Later in the meeting finance officer Dee Hall explained the county’s Board

of Commissioners awarded the federal funds to the town specifically for development of the water system, so the town can’t spend the money for other purposes.

„ “We do not need a tank for water,’’ commented Teresa Perryman, who is also seeking a council seat in the Nov. 7 election.

„ Summerfield residents “do not want water, they do not want sewer, they want it rural,’’ said mayoral candidate Linda Wendelken, explaining she’s talked to hundreds of residents recently during door-to-door campaigning.

Celebrating 40 Years

 

„ Several residents urged town leaders to continue fighting de-annexation efforts in the state legislature. Priscilla Olinick asked the council to provide more information so opponents can organize their efforts.

“Let’s fight, let’s go!’’ she said.

„ In council members’ responses to public comments, Sessoms said town leaders “have worked very hard’’ to preserve Summerfield’s rural character.

„ Robinson noted that town leaders have never discussed or proposed bringing sewage treatment services to Summerfield.

„ Walker said town leaders have shared all the information they’ve got about the de-annexation legislation.

“We’re not holding any of that back,’’ he said.

Later, Walker explained the proposed municipal water system would initially supply water for firefighting, and upgrading the system to provide drinking water would be possible later, at a higher cost.

PUBLIC HEARING

 5  0 to approve a text amendment to the town’s development ordinance regarding sign regulations

During the public comment period, Jane Doggett said, “it sounds like you are outlawing painted signs.’’

Sharing Doggett’s concern, DeVaney asked how the text amendment would affect historic signs, such as the writing on the side of the Gordon Hardware building.

Such signs would be “essentially grandfathered in’’ and can remain, according to Town Attorney Bob Hornik. He added that art is allowed on signs as long as it doesn’t convey a commercial message.

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The Northwest Observer

• Totally local since 1996

MANAGER’S REPORT

Capital spending update

 5  0 to accept the Finance Committee’s recommendations for updating the five-year capital improvement plan.

Major projects, such as spending $6.6 million in federal funds for development of the water system, remain unchanged. However, the council removed from the plan construction of a new building or renovating an existing one, such as the historic Laughlin school, for a new town hall.

“The Finance Committee questioned if there is sufficient political support to either build a new town hall or upfit another facility as a dedicated town hall with meeting space,’’ according to a report by Whitaker. Street plan. The council instructed town staff to return to the Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) the draft of a map showing existing and proposed

major streets in Summerfield.

The MPO is updating its thoroughfare and collector street plan and asked Summerfield to accept the roadway map for the town. According to Walker, the proposed map requires revisions because it is missing some Summerfield roads.

Water system, Bandera Farms

Park contracts

 5  0 to authorize town staff to sign contracts authorizing the county to distribute federal pandemic relief funds to Summerfield. Funding totals $5.5 million for development of the water system and $2.3 million for Bandera Farms Park.

Board reappointment

 5  0 to reappoint Clark Doggett to the Planning Board.

Legal fees. Hall reported legal fees related to various lawsuits stemming from Todd Rotruck’s removal from the council in 2018 totaled $343,358.99

as of Aug. 31.

Historic properties update. Whitaker reported the sale of the historic Martin house to Lauren Cox is expected to close “very soon,’’ after problems related to water runoff collection on the property were resolved.

The potential buyer of the Gordon Hardware building is proposing to operate a business related to “antique sales,’’ Whitaker said, without providing additional details.

COUNCIL BUSINESS

Proclamation. Sessoms proclaimed Sept.17-23 as Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Week.

CLOSED SESSION

The council entered closed session to discuss next steps in the town’s de-annexation fight as well as the purchase of property. About half an hour later, the council reconvened to open session and took action regarding the property purchase.

PROPERTY PURCHASE

 5  0 to authorize the $150,000 purchase of 1.86 acres at 7804 Summerfield Road that abuts the northern Gordon tract already owned by the town. The transaction fills in the town’s ownership of the property along Summerfield Road, Sessoms said.

The mayor said that while the council was in closed session, he had been informed a bill de-annexing Couch’s property had been introduced in the legislature earlier in the day.

“It’s a dark night for Summerfield,’’ Sessoms said as the council voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:23 p.m.

NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, Oct. 10 • 6:30pm

Visit website for details

CONTACT YOUR TOWN (336) 643-8655

clerk@summerfieldnc.gov

www.summerfieldnc.gov

Touch-a-Truck

Hope on the horizon

Northwest Observer writer shares her journey with a genetic disease called Friedreich's Ataxia and a recently approved drug that offers hope

By LILY PIERCE

It all started with a little clumsiness.

As a child, I took dance class, played soccer and enjoyed recess as much as schoolwork.

Lily Pierce

When I entered middle school, puberty began to work its magic,

giving me plenty of “fluff” rolls and pimples. I also became clumsier, which seemed like a normal part of adolescence.

Over the next year, my coordination grew worse, and I began staggering when I walked. I struggled to go upstairs with my arms full of textbooks because I needed to hold the handrail. What was initially written off as nothing became unusual and concerning.

We looked under every rock to find a solution – a reason why. I even got an MRI scan of my brain in seventh grade. No one could pinpoint what was happening to me.

By age 16, my staggering was more noticeable; I walked like I’d had too

many drinks – just what a teenager needs on top of the regular insecurities that come with that age!

When my parents booked me for three days of medical testing at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, I didn't want to go because investigating it only made it more real.

Doctors conducted a genetic test, and the results answered all our questions from the last few years. I was diagnosed with a genetic disease called Friedreich's Ataxia, with no medical treatment (yet).

Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) causes progressive damage to the spinal cord, peripheral nerves and brain, resulting in uncoordinated muscle movements, poor balance, difficulty walking, fatigue, changes in speech and swallowing, heart issues and a shortened lifespan.

FA tends to develop in children/ teens and gradually worsens over time. Although rare, it’s the most common

form of hereditary ataxia in the United States, affecting about one in every 50,000 people.

Since there was no treatment, knowing I had FA didn’t change anything. I continued to hang out with my friends and act like a typical teenager.

From then up to my first couple years of college, I walked unassisted, drove my car and even lived away from home. Despite my diagnosis, I was young and living it up!

Looming quietly in the background, however, was my ever-worsening disease.

In 2013, I met my current physical trainer, who lived in the same apartment complex as me. One day, as I staggered from machine to machine in the gym, he approached me and introduced himself as a trainer, gave me his phone number and assured me he could help me. I guess he noticed my walking and, although he didn’t know what disability I had, he was intrigued by the potential challenge.

After mulling it over for a few days, I gave him a call and set up an appointment.

We started working out three days a week, which is still our schedule. Though exercise cannot stop my disease progression, it has transformed my life - but more on that later.

By 2014, my walking was so bad that I was plagued by relentless selfconsciousness. Everywhere I went, everyone who looked at me, I was wondering, ”Are they judging me? Are they laughing at me?”

I strongly resisted visible signs of disability; the stigma is brutal. As miserable as it was to live in a mindset of fear and shame, I refused to use a mobility aid (a walker, cane, wheelchair, etc.).

Things reached a breaking point after I fell a couple times in public. I

...continued on p. 14

Call g e t a h o u s e f u l o f w i n d o w s !

Hope on the horizon ...continued

finally decided using a walker at age 20 couldn’t possibly be more humiliating than lying on the floor, in a store or restaurant, helpless.

The change in my psyche did not happen overnight. But as time passed – as I went to class, hung out with friends and ran errands using my walker, as the burden of my constant anxiety grew lighter and lighter –something amazing happened. I had

from p. 14

an epiphany.

I realized I could embrace who I am instead of trying to hide it. I can be a stylish, cool, beautiful young lady… with a disability.

Over the next couple years, my confidence blossomed. I didn't worry about judgment using a walker. I began to view mobility aids the way they should be seen: tools that make life easier.

By 2016, walking around all day even with a walker became exhausting and impractical. I was ready to transition to using a wheelchair fulltime (I had only used it occasionally beforehand).

The wheelchair turned out to be my ticket to freedom. It empowered me to go anywhere, do anything…

Well, as long as there weren't stairs!

Skipping forward to the present day, I still use a wheelchair – sometimes manual, sometimes electric. I

graduated from college with an English degree and work part-time for the Northwest Observer. I teach and occasionally preach at my church, Gideon Grove United Methodist Church in Stokesdale.

I don’t drive anymore, but my social life hasn’t suffered, thankfully!

I've gained so much wisdom on my disability journey and hopefully inspired people along the way. How we face our struggles can shine a light

Sandra Smith,

Northwest Observer office manager and huge doglover Rene Collins shared these photos of her new puppy, Jenks. Jenks is an AussieDoodle and Collins reports she is totally in love with this energetic pup who makes her feel like she has a toddler in the house again.

(Below) Jenks is pictured with her brother, Belle’s Beaux, who belongs to Summerfield resident Brenda Otey. Collins and Otey plan to get the siblings together often!

Sept. 10 was the final day to experience the Cole Family Monarch Conservation Center & Butterfly House at the Greensboro Science Center for the 2023 season. In recent days the Science Center’s butterfly technicians have been tagging all of their remaining monarch butterflies for release.

Christopher Witt’s daughter fell in love with this wandering hen who showed up in her family’s yard one afternoon. The Witts were able to quickly find the hen’s home and returned her to the coop!

Photo courtesy of the Greensboro Science Center.

assistant town manager/town clerk of Oak Ridge, spent some time with one of the baby goats at Camp Carefree this summer.

My 1+-year old exuberant, water-loving lab is a bundle of energy

By ANNETTE JOYCE

Meet Ricky, my black Labrador retriever. He’s named after professional golfer Ricky Fowler because of his eagerness to retrieve the golf balls that my husband, Kelly, hits in the yard.

Ricky joined our family about a year ago, a few months after we lost our much-loved retriever, Charlie. By the time he came to us, Ricky was about 5 months old and had received some solid basic training, but he was still a “handful.”

I have to admit, those first few months with Ricky were not easy. He made a meal out of all kinds of things that weren’t intended for consumption, including the scraps of a moving blanket and some stuffed dog toys. For that, we had to take him to an emergency vet. Surgery, several days at the vet, an infection and a few thousand dollars later, he returned home. This was followed by a few months of digestive disorders that required us to limit our travels and stay close by.

Along the way, my precious pup also got banned from doggie daycare. Turns out his adolescent hormones were much more than the other dogs and the daycare workers wanted to handle.

In Ricky’s previous home, he was surrounded by a large pack of dogs that roughhoused together all the time. Although we had a hound, she was almost 16 and had little tolerance for the antics of an energetic, playful puppy.

Bottom line, Ricky was lonely.

So, like a doting mother, I set out to find friends and activities to keep Ricky active and burn up some of his energy. We started with nosework, an odor detection dog sport that I had thoroughly enjoyed with Charlie. We’ve been doing that now for months and Ricky loves it, but there’s no interaction with other dogs.

Ricky needed friends!

Happily, over the last several months he has developed some great “friendships.” There’s the big lovable Lab mix, Cooper, who is about the same age and outweighs Ricky by about 20 pounds. The two chase and wrestle each other to the point of exhaustion.

Ricky loves visiting our neighbor’s horse barn and playing with their sweet standard poodles, Clifford and Charcoal. But he sometimes gets too rough with Clifford, who is 9, and Charcoal intervenes, which normally results in a bit of a fight. That’s when Ricky turns his attention to the two horses, hoping they’ll provide some companionship and want to romp with him around the pasture (that hasn’t happened yet, but he’s not

Photo courtesy of Best Friends Bed and Biscuit Ricky is the most excited when he’s in or near water.

Finally, there’s Wynn and Boone, his two golden retriever buddies who he especially enjoys spending time with in the swimming pool.

About once a week, the water-loving canines get together at Best Friends Bed and Biscuit in Summerfield for some swimming. There, they enjoy splashing, diving and racing around the pool, which definitely tires them out – at least for a few hours.

Water seems to be the thing that Ricky gets the most excited about.

Well, except for food.

We have a creek that runs along our property, and Ricky sneaks off to it whenever he can. There’s an actual “swimming hole” that he can paddle around in, but he’s just as happy running up and down the creek splashing water everywhere.

When it comes to water, he’ll make do with whatever is available. A small pool with a hose supplying a constant supply of water? He’ll spend hours trying to “dig” all the liquid out.

A mud puddle? Within a few minutes, he’s happily covered in the goopy mess.

So far, we haven’t tried a large-sized pool with a group of dogs, but we’ve got that on the calendar. Triad Golden Retriever Rescue is hosting its annual fundraiser on Oct. 1 at the Ridgewood Swim and Tennis Club, giving

Boone

well-behaved dogs the chance to splash around for an afternoon of fun. Not only do the dogs have a great time at this event, but all the proceeds help the rescue find much-needed homes for their adoptable dogs.

I’m looking forward to it, and I know Ricky will have a great afternoon. Hope to see you and your pup there!

Want to go?

Triad Golden Retriever Rescue

2023 Pup Splash

Sunday, Oct. 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. Ridgewood Swim and Tennis Club

808 James Doak Parkway, Greensboro $10 donation requested https://givebutter.com/ pupsplash2023#

Full-service animal hospital

Photo courtesy of Best Friends Bed and Biscuit

(front), Ricky and Wynn enjoy swimming together in the pool at Best Friends Bed and Biscuit in Summerfield.

Adoptable Pets

Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue

SULLY

Network

Sully is a 5 1/2-year-old goofy, sweet and large boy (80+ pounds currently) looking for a forever home. He loves being in the vicinity of his people and being part of a family. Unfortunately, this big guy’s previous owner passed away and he hasn’t had a permanent place to land. Although he needs to continue learning some boundaries, he is a quick learner who is highly food motivated, responds well to correction and is polite on leash. While he is good with dogs, cats are not recommended unless closely monitored. He is crate trained (although not his favorite), housebroken and has good manners.

FINN

Meet Finn! He was adopted as a kitten but his family wasn’t able to keep him because he was bothering another submissive cat in their home. He would do best with a submissive male cat or with dominant female cats, or would be fine as an only cat. He is generally quiet, low-maintenance and a little aloof. He has lived with dogs his whole life and does fine with them. He is neutered, current on vaccines, microchipped and had a dental cleaning last year. He has been very well cared for and is looking for an indoor only home.

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

for others. I believe this is “the reason why."

For 25 years, FARA (Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance) has worked to raise awareness and funds that support clinical drug trials to find a treatment or cure for FA. I’ve participated in two of them.

In fall 2019, we learned one experimental treatment showed statisticallysignificant results. Those taking the placebo continued to gradually get worse, but many of those taking the medicine didn’t progress as fast, or remained stable; and some participants actually improved.

When the news was announced at the annual scientific symposium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the room erupted in applause and tears of joy.

Our hope was soon deflated when the FDA rejected the drug, instructing us to conduct more studies to further prove its efficacy.

The FA community then petitioned the FDA to reconsider. Amazingly, our efforts were successful, and the medicine was approved this past February.

I obtained the medicine (Skyclarys) in August. It felt surreal – in the best possible way! At age 16, I was diagnosed with an untreatable rare disease. At age 30, I am taking the

first FDA-approved medicine for it.

Though the fight to find other treatments and eventually a cure is in full force, it’s an indescribable relief to have something as we wait for more progress.

Leanne Hayes, a Stokesdale resident with FA who is also taking this medicine, commented, “I have a love/ hate relationship with it.” She’s experienced positive and negative side effects, but she’s thankful a treatment is available.

She added, “Nothing about FA is ever easy, is it? I imagine God has a plan; we just have to be patient.”

I'm eager to see what happens and praying for maximum benefits. Meanwhile, I'll continue to exercise, perhaps the best thing I could do for my body.

Though my poor balance and dexterity is inevitable, giving up on myself isn’t!

I keep my muscles strong, which helps with the tasks of daily life. Exercise is great for my mental health; it gives me a clear mind (sluggishness, be gone!) and boosts my mood (shoutout to adrenaline and endorphins).

I'll also keep volunteering, working, and of course, spending time with loved ones. My disability doesn't prevent me from having a full life!

& Kids’ Korner

The moray eel has a second jaw that allows it to move prey from its mouth to its throat to be swallowed!

for sponsoring this issue’s Kids’ Korner

AWESOME ANIMALS

Moray eel did you know?

• Big or small? The smallest moray eel is the Snyder’s moray, which only measures about 4.5 inches. The largest moray eel is the slender giant moray, which has measured as large as 13 feet.

• Open & Shut. Morays constantly open and shut their mouths. This is not an intimidation technique to ward off predators, but rather allows them to breathe and pump rich oxygen into their gills.

Find the differences 10

• What would I do without you? Morays like to let cleaner shrimps brush their teeth. The little crabs feed on the leftovers they find between the teeth of the moray, and the moray would never think of eating its little helpers as they also remove parasites and dirt.

• “I smell you...” Morays have terribleeyesight, but they make up for it with their immpeccable sense of smell. Because of this keen sense, they’re able to tell when prey is approaching and simply snap their jaw open as it floats by.

• Show your true colors. One of the most commonly known morays, the green moray, does not actually have a green body. The body is blue, but covered in yellow slime, which makes it appear green. The slime protects the moray from sharp cliff edges.

A cleaner shrimp gathering food from between a morey’s teeth.

A green moray eel swimming in the coral.

WELCOME to our new advertiser

Thank you to the businesses, organizations and individuals who advertise in the Northwest Observer and make it possible to provide this community resource at no charge to our readers.

Triad Direct Primary Care

Owner/primary physician: Dr. Alli Wolfe

Coming this November

What led you to open up your own practice?

I always wanted to have more of a say in how I practiced medicine, but Covid was the catalyst for me opening up my own practice. Direct primary care is a model that allows me

to do just that. It cuts out the middle man of insurance and allows me to work with my patients as a team in deciding what is best for them by providing optimized health care that is personal and relational – the way medicine was meant to be practiced.

You plan to open your practice in November – would you tell us more about what will make it unique and what medical services you’ll be providing?

Triad DPC is a monthly membership-based model where patients receive all the primary care they need. Our patients enjoy unlimited office

visits with no co-pays for routine, preventive and chronic care, prescription medications at wholesale cost, significant discounts on labs and imaging studies, and direct communication with their doctor via phone, text and e-mail. I will also have an IV bar available to members and the general public in the future.

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of being a doctor?

Having the honor to walk alongside people and have relationships with them that allow us to be a team to help optimize their healthcare, and daily trying to follow in the footsteps of the Great Physician. As a physician, there is no reward greater than this. On a personal note, would you tell us a little more about yourself?

I grew up in Troy, Texas. My husband and I have four children and we moved to North Carolina in 2019 so my husband could work for his family's business.

In my downtime, I enjoy running, hiking, traveling, taking care of animals, church and gardening. How about some “little-known facts” about you?

I've lived in four different countries, I was pre-accepted to vet school, but chose medicine instead. I have my master’s in speech language pathology, I raised show hogs for 8+ years and I was riding horses before I was 4 years old. See

Dr. Alli Wolfe

Photo courtesy of Dr. Alli Wolfe

24 Board, staff, debate scenic corridor restrictions

N.C. 150

one of the most

Planning Board and staff are discussing whether the 3,000-foot-wide scenic corridor overlay district, which is intended to protect views such as this one and others that run along Interstate 73, U.S. 220 and N.C. 150, is so broad that it infringes upon the rights of Summerfield property owners to develop their land.

22 U.K.’s Marshall Aerospace breaks ground at PTI

26 Choosing a builder for your custom home

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

The above photo shows the approximately 25 acres on N.C. 150, just west of what’s known as ``the dry bridge’’ over the abandoned railroad bed near the Gray Gables event center; the view across the landscape from

is

treasured scenic vistas in Summerfield. The town’s

U.K.’s Marshall Aerospace breaks ground at PTI

The airport’s newest tenant plans to invest $50 million and hire 240 workers

by CHRIS BURRITT

NW GREENSBORO – Piedmont

Triad International (PTI) Airport broke out its supply of shiny ceremonial shovels again, this time for

the groundbreaking of U.K.-based Marshall Aerospace’s new U.S. operations.

The airport has established “a reputation for being quick,’’ said Paul Mengert, the airport authority’s chairman. He joined other airport leaders, elected officials and Marshall Aerospace executives for the ceremony at the airport last Friday, Sept. 15.

Quality Craftsmanship

Construction of Marshall USA’s $50 million facility is getting underway a day after Boom Supersonic “topped out’’ its jet-assembly factory along Interstate 73, Mengert said. Topping out refers to the milestone of erecting the final structural beam or similar component that completes a building’s framework.

Boom Supersonic broke ground on its $500 million operations last January. This past July, Honda Aircraft Co. selected PTI Airport for a $55.7 million expansion of its HondaJet operations.

PTI is “the right place for Marshall USA,’’ Marshall Aerospace Managing Director Neil McManus said during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Dating back to 1909, Cambridge, England-based Marshall Aerospace specializes in the maintenance, repair, overhaul and engineering support for military aircraft. Its PTI operations will serve U.S.-based fleets of Hercules C-130 tactical transport aircraft.

Marshall USA plans to create 240 jobs and Honda plans to bolster its workforce by 280 positions on top of Boom Supersonic’s projected 2,400 jobs.

Over the past decade, employment at PTI has more than doubled to 8,600 jobs, according to Mengert.

“We believe Marshall’s decision to join our campus helps establish us as one of the foremost aerospace campuses not just in North Carolina but in the United States,’’ PTI’s board chairman said.

Photo courtesy of Marshall Aerospace Officials standing under one of PTI’s covered parking lots at the airport’s terminal prepare to dig dirt during the groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 15 for the airport’s newest tenant, Marshall Aerospace.

Is Summerfield’s scenic corridor too wide?

regulations. Then, it instructed town staff to evaluate possible amendments to the scenic corridor section of the unified development ordinance (UDO).

NorthRidge, 7810 Backridge Drive, STK

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – In one of its de-annexation concessions offered to landowner David Couch earlier this week, Summerfield Town Council pledged to eliminate scenic corridor restrictions on property that Couch wants to develop.

The move earlier this week renewed debate over whether the 3,000-footwide scenic corridor overlay district protecting the views along Interstate 73, U.S. 220 and N.C. 150 is so broad that it infringes upon the rights of Summerfield property owners to develop their land.

As he sought to build apartments along I-73, Couch told the council last December that, by one interpretation, the owner of property in the scenic corridor overlay district couldn’t cut down a single tree. He described the situation as “a slippery slope’’ that may represent the taking of property by government.

“If I can’t remove a tree, I can’t grade the property,’’ Couch said. “If I can’t grade the property, I can’t build a building.’’

Town Attorney Bob Hornik offered a similar assessment as the council discussed possible changes to the

Staff presented recommendations to the Planning Board last month, including the possibility of narrowing the width of the corridor from 1,500 feet to 750 feet on either side of the right of ways.

Currently, the total width of 3,000 feet is so wide that it stretches from U.S. 220 to Summerfield Road, creating unintended consequences for some property owners who live inside of the corridor, according to Town Manager Scott Whitaker.

As an example, town staff rejected the request of a Rhondan Road homeowner to build a carport using metal, a material forbidden by scenic corridor rules – even though the carport wouldn’t have been visible to U.S. 220 motorists.

“How do you balance what we regulate in the scenic corridor with the property rights of these folks who may want to put houses or some other type of development there?’’ Town Manager Scott Whitaker told the board last month. “That’s at the core of your discussion.’’

The board postponed a vote on a text amendment proposing changes in the scenic corridor overlay. Instead, it requested staff to incorporate suggestions from board members and return in the next few months with revised recommendations. Once the board

Respecting property rights versus protecting open views defines the town’s debate over scenic corridor width along Interstate 73, U.S. 220 and N.C. 150

signs off on a revised text amendment, it goes to the council for final consideration and approval.

Some of the regulations are “very unfair’’ to property owners, board member Clark Doggett said, adding that if the town wants to preserve scenic views, it should buy the land.

The discussion focused on two types of “view sheds” in the scenic corridor. A wooded view shed is predominantly a forested area with a variety of vegetation, while an open view consists of undeveloped or vacant parcels that create scenic vistas for motorists, according to a draft of scenic corridor revisions.

Board members expressed concerns with some of the specific changes recommended by town staff. As an example, Kathy Rooney said a proposed no-cut zone along the road’s right of way should be halved from 100 feet to 50 feet.

Deeper into the property, a survey of trees at least 12 inches in diameter would be required before the cutting of any trees, according to the proposed changes. At least four in 10 of those trees would have to be preserved or replaced in a subdivision or site plan.

The proposal doesn’t specify the size of replacement trees, raising the possibility that a developer could replace mature trees with saplings, board member Clint Babcock said.

As an illustration, planning manager Brad Rentz showed an aerial of the approximately 25 acres on N.C. 150, just west of what’s known as “the dry bridge’’ over the abandoned

railroad bed near the Gray Gables event center.

The pasture land is owned by the living trust of Jimmy and Sue Beeson, who reside in a Medearis Street house on the property. The tract abuts another 26 acres owned by Summerfield. It contains the Paw Park and connects to the community park.

All combined, the view across the landscape from N.C. 150 is one of the most popular scenic vistas in Summerfield, according to Whitaker.

If the property were developed, the town’s UDO lacks specific regulations except for requiring the construction of berms and other barriers to block the development from view, according to Whitaker.

Depending upon how the development is laid out, he said, impeding an open view with manmade barriers may have “exactly the opposite effect of what we’re talking about.’’

Board member Trudy Whitacre said she likes the idea of requiring property owners and developers to negotiate specifics of projects with town staff, an idea raised by Whitaker.

“I think you have to have flexibility,’’ she said.

Mitch Bullins (center) with his parents, Lisa and Ray Bullins, at Ray Bullins Construction Co.,

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

At right, Town Manager Scott Whitaker discusses possible changes to Summerfield scenic corridor regulations at last month’s Planning Board meeting while Ron Collier, a board alternate, listens.

Builders we talked with stress the importance of compatibility, trust and communication

By ANNETTE JOYCE

Building a custom house should be a time of excitement and anticipation for your new home, which will show off your style and provide a comfortable place for you and your family to live and grow for years to come.

Finding a good builder who is compatible with your vision, needs and personality is the key to making this

experience a positive one.

“I tell people to find a builder they trust and one whose abilities they feel confident about,” said Casey Johnson, owner of CJ Builders, Inc. “You’re pretty much married to that person for six to eight months, so make sure you’re able to get along.”

Kathy Dumas, who along with her husband, Rich, owns R&K Custom

An

association

summerfieldmerchant.com and select “Calendar of Events,” then October 3

Homes, agrees.

“Find a builder you feel you have a connection with,” she advised. “You’re going to be working together for awhile and you want to be comfortable and know you can trust him/her.”

Before you settle on “the one,” do your research. A good place to start is with the Greensboro Builders Association (GBA), the industry organization that represents local builders and related service providers. You can find a list of builders and contact information by visiting www.greensborobuilders.org.

Word-of-mouth is also an excellent way to learn more about local builders. If you know people who have recently had custom homes built, ask them lots of questions about what kind of experience they had throughout the building process, as well as the pros and cons

Adobe Stock photo

of working with their builder. And of course, an important question to ask them is, “If you were building another custom home, would you choose the same builder?”

Also, get a firsthand look at the builder’s work. GBA offers a Parade of Homes tour twice a year. The fall Parade takes place Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29. Most custom homebuilders are onsite, which offers the opportunity

...continued on p. 49

FABULOUS HOME IN 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.

What does it take to have a GOOD custom home building experience?

Being involved in your custom homebuilding process can be – and should be – exciting and fun. As a homeowner, you’re advised to find a builder who is not only competent but compatible with your personality, committed to your vision and willing to patiently guide you from the very beginning to the finish line of the building process.

You dream i t

...let us build it

Rich and Kathy Dumas began building in the Triad in 1992. Since then, R&K has become a respected, multi-gold award-winning home builder. Having built over 500 homes ranging in price from the $500,000s to $2 million, our wide range of construction and design types separates our company from the others. We’ll walk you through every detail as we show you our passion for not just crafting homes, but building memories. Our challenge to produce the best never ceases.

Rich and Kathy Dumas, owners

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Oak Ridge Commons

A surprisingly uncommon experience in the heart of Oak

Celebrating 15 years and three locations

“From the moment you walk in the door, you know you are in good hands. Everyone greets you with a smile and is always on time for your appointments. The therapists are very professional and respectful of your level of care and tolerance. Oak Ridge Physical Therapy is a friendly place to recuperate, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has such a need.”

– Gail H. (former patient at ORPT in Oak Ridge)

WE’RE EXPANDING!

Oak Ridge Physical Therapy (ORPT) launched its practice in Oak Ridge 15 years ago, and has since opened offices in Summerfield and Eden. Owner Andy Michels says all of the physical therapy practice’s services are offered in a family

One of our customer favorites, seared ahi tuna with rice and veggies.

Commons

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

and God-honoring environment, and he’s very grateful for the continued growth of its patient base – in fact, that patient base has grown so much that the practice’s office in Oak Ridge Commons Shopping Center is expanding into the former dry cleaner’s space next door and adding 1,200 more square feet.

“We’re glad to have more space to ‘keep the main thing, the main thing’ – providing physical therapy for orthopedic and sports injuries, and for people with balance or vestibular difficulties,” Michels said. “That is part of the “Big 3” – WHAT we do, WHO we are, and WHERE we are!”

Some of the things that have contributed

to ORPT’s success are:

• No doctor referral is required.

• Start physical therapy within three days of contacting one of the three offices.

• ORPT accepts almost all insurances, including Medicare.

For more information, visit OakRidgePT.com.

Novant Health

Forsyth Pediatrics Oak Ridge

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

(336) 644-0994 • nhforsythpedskernersville.org

2205 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge

Kernersville Office: (336) 993-8333

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

Walkertown Office: (336) 564-4101

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

mark your calendar

REGISTER NOW

z Golf Fore Kids tournament l Northwest Guilford Kiwanis Club will host its 14th annual Golf Fore Kids tournament on Saturday, Oct. 7, starting at 9 a.m. at Pine Knolls Golf Club, 1100 Quail Hollow Road in Kernersville. All proceeds will benefit local children’s charities. For more info and to enter, contact Mark Masters, nwgkiwanis@gmail.com.

REGISTER NOW

z Nighthawks Race Against Hunger l Northern Guilford High School PTSA at 7101 Spencer Dixon Road in northwest Greensboro will host the 4th annual Nighthawks Race Against Hunger on Sunday, Oct. 8. This year, most of the proceeds will go to the PTSA, but some proceeds and all food items collected will go to Guilford Backpack Ministry. A 1-mile fun run/walk begins at 1 p.m. and the 5K begins at 1:30 p.m. There will be raffle prizes and awards for individuals and teams. Participants are encouraged to bring non-perishable, non-glass food items for donation. To see the list of requested food items and to register, visit www.runsignup.com and type “Nighthawks Race Against Hunger 2023” in the search bar. More info: nghs5k@yahoo.com.

EVERY WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY

z NW Guilford Farmers & Specialty Market l A farmers market remains open Wednesday evenings from 4 p.m. to dusk and Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., now through early October, at Greensboro Performing Arts, 7200 Summerfield Road. More info: fromtheearthfm@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 23

z Bridge to the Ridge l Oak Ridge Military Academy at 2317 Oak Ridge Road will host two “Bridge to the Ridge” walking tours of the campus on Sept. 23 at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Learn about the significance of structures like Alumni Hall, Maple Glade, Oakhurst, Linville Chapel and more. Tours will start in front of Alumni Hall and last about one hour. The tours are free, but space is limited; register by calling Town Hall at (336) 644-7009, or email info@oakridgenc.com.

z Dinner & a show l Morehead United Methodist Church at 3214 Horse Pen Creek Road in northwest Greensboro will host a spaghetti dinner, talent show and auction on Sept. 23. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m. Donations for missions are appreciated. For more info, email office@moreheadumc.com.

SUNDAY,

SEPT. 24

z Community Fun Day l Gideon Grove United Methodist Church at 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road in Stokesdale will host the 2nd annual Community Fun Day Sept. 24, 12 noon to 4 p.m. There will be a bounce house, hot dogs on the fire pit, music performed by Hubert Lawson & the Bluegrass Country Boys, a magic show at 1 p.m., kids’ games and a cornhole tournament for the adults, door prizes and more. Visit www.facebook.com/ gideongroveumc to learn more.

MONDAY, SEPT. 25

z Lions Club l Oak Ridge Lions Club will meet Sept. 25 at the Oak Ridge Room, 2205 Oak Ridge Road (next to Bistro 150). Come at 6 p.m. to socialize and order dinner or a beverage if you would like; the business meeting runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. More info: Jim Kinneman, (336) 207-7166 or james.kinneman@gmail.com.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 28

z ORTC special hours l Oak Ridge Town Council members will be available to answer citizen questions and comments Sept. 28, 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the conference room of Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road, and also via Zoom. For more visit, www.oakridgenc.com and click on this event in the meetings calendar for info to access the Zoom call.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 29

z Movie in the Park l Town of Summerfield will host a free Movie in the Park event featuring “Minions: The Rise of Gru” on Sept. 29 at Summerfield Athletic Park, 5200 U.S. 220 N. Music begins at 6:30 p.m. and the movie begins at 7:30 p.m. (dusk). Kona Ice will be onsite selling shaved ice. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 30

z Fall bazaar l Liberty Wesleyan Church at 15303 U.S. 158 in Summerfield will host a fall bazaar Sept. 30, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be crafts, a silent auction, a yard sale, a bake sale, breakfast and lunch. More info: (336) 643-6968.

z Food pantry l Good Samaritan Ministries’ food pantry in Stokesdale will open for those in need of food on Sept. 30, 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Stokesdale Business Center, 8500 Ellisboro Road. To receive assistance or to make a donation to the ministry, contact Terri Johnson, (336) 643-5887 or terrij1957@yahoo.com.

z Stop, Drop and Roll l Summerfield Fire District will host its 7th annual Stop, Drop and Roll 5K walk/run fundraiser and the popular Sparky’s Dash for kids on Sept. 30 at Summerfield Fire Department, 7400 Summerfield Road. Both races begin at 9 a.m. 5K participants will receive a finisher’s medal and a T-shirt. All participants can enjoy a free bowl of chili after the race. This year, the

proceeds will go to Summerfield Firefighters Charitable Corporation. To find the link to register, visit www. facebook.com/summerfieldfiredistrict.

z Heritage Day l Oak Ridge Heritage Day will take place Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Redmon Field at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive (on Linville Road across from Scoggins Road). This free event will include Revolutionary and Civil War reenactors with interactive displays, live music and clogging, food, games, displays of vintage farming items, cannon firings, farm animals, gem mining, characters in period dress, craft vendors and more. There will also be an “Old Fashioned Pound Cake” baking contest. Visit www.oakridgenc. com to see entry forms for the baking contest and for vendors or to learn more about Heritage Day. More info: (336) 644-7009.

TUESDAY, OCT. 3

z Kiwanis Club l Kiwanis Club of Northwest Guilford, a nonprofit that engages in projects focused on children in our community, will meet Oct. 3, starting at 12 noon at Bill’s Pizza, 1431 N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge. More info: nwgkiwanis@gmail.com.

z SMA meeting l Summerfield Merchants Association (SMA), which focuses on supporting local businesses, nonprofits and the Summerfield community, invites professionals who live in Summerfield or represent a business or nonprofit based in Summerfield to a meeting Oct. 3, 6:15 to 8 p.m. Learn more about SMA or RSVP to attend the meeting at www.summerfieldmerchant.com.

z Friends of Stokesdale meeting l Friends of Stokesdale, a nonprofit committed to preserving Stokesdale’s history and downtown charm, invites those with similar interests to their monthly meeting Oct. 3, 7 to 8 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. For more info, visit the group’s Facebook page at www.

facebook.com/friendsofstokesdale or call Joe Thacker, president, at (336) 708-0334.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4

z Senior program l Senior Resources of Guilford County will sponsor a senior program including activities and a take-home lunch on Oct. 4, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at Oak Ridge First Baptist Church, 2445 Oak Ridge Road. To learn more and/or RSVP, contact (336) 373-4816 ext 265.

z Community meal l Gideon Grove United Methodist Church at 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road in Stokesdale will host a free community meal Oct. 4, 5 to 7 p.m. Visit www.facebook.com/gideongroveumc to learn more.

z Preservation Oak Ridge meeting l Preservation Oak Ridge, a nonprofit committed to preserving historic structures in Oak Ridge, will meet Oct. 4, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the historic Ai Church, 1306 N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge. More info: (336) 644-1777.

THURSDAY, OCT. 5

z Town Council meeting l Oak Ridge Town Council will meet Oct. 5, 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 more info or a meeting agenda.

FRIDAY, OCT. 6

z Movie in the Park l Town of Summerfield will host a free Movie in the Park event (movie still TBD) on Oct. 6 at Summerfield Community Park Amphitheater, 5404 Centerfield Road. Music begins at 6:30 p.m. and dancers from Bella Ballerina Greensboro will perform. The movie begins at 7:30 p.m. (dusk). Kona Ice will be onsite selling shaved ice. Bring a blanket or ...continued on p. 43

Join us for a Lawn Party at the Charles Benbow House

Efforts are underway to repair and restore the historic Maple Glade building on the campus of Oak Ridge Military Academy

2030 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge

Sunday, Oct. 15 | 4-7 pm

rain date: Sunday, Oct. 22 | 4-7 pm

Purchase tickets today!

Tickets include:

House tours 4-5 pm ● Beer, wine, so drinks & snacks

Featuring e Bathtub of the South Band

Discounted advance tickets: $20

Visit Town Hall or call 336.644.7009 (cash, check or credit card)

Full price tickets at the door: $25 (cash or check)

Sponsored by Maureena Shepherd & Associates

Adults 21 and over only. Sorry, no ADA access. Wear comfortable shoes (no heels). Bring blankets or chairs Park at Oak Ridge Elementary or State Employees Credit Union. No on-site parking. Questions? Call Town Hall at 336.644.7009 or visit oakridgenc.com

Oak

OAK RIDGE – Maple Glade will be one of the many stars of Oak Ridge Military Academy’s upcoming “Bridge to the Ridge” event on Saturday, Sept. 23. As part of the many activities open to the public on the academy’s historic campus, tours of Maple Glade will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The public will also be invited to donate to the restoration of the wooden structure, which was constructed in 1905 and is suffering from extensive water damage.

Caroline Ruch, former vice chair of the Town of Oak Ridge’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), is a long-time advocate for Maple Glade and has worked with the academy to organize the interior tours. They will be the first public tours offered since

2019, when Ruch and the HPC partnered with the academy to organize Christmas at Maple Glade.

“This Saturday’s tours offer a great opportunity to view this historic home and its elegant interior, which features seven beautifully crafted original fireplaces. It’s truly a piece of art from a bygone era, inside and outside,” Ruch said.

Tours of Maple Glade are free and will be led by Ruch and ORMA alumna Julia Wood.

...continued on p. 42

Photo courtesy of Caroline Ruch

Ridge Military Academy’s Maple Glade, constructed in 1905, is suffering from extensive water damage. Efforts are underway to raise funds to restore the building that has served as home to several academy presidents and as administrative offices.

Ordinary people, Extraordinary impact

Whether

by ANNETTE JOYCE

A lifelong resident of Summerfield, Mark Brown has worked tirelessly to make his community and the surrounding northwest area a better place to live.

At age 20, Brown began his career with the National Guard and three years later joined the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department, where he served for 30 years before retiring. He returned to the department part-time three years later and worked another 12 years.

During his last five years of full-time employment, Brown was a lieutenant in District 1, where he made it a point to connect with the community by attending town council meetings to be more informed about what was going on and to be better acquainted with the people he served.

“At that time I was able to create my own job, and I decided to involve law enforcement in the towns,” Brown said. “It was much more personal when (the department) divided into districts. By attending the local council meetings, I was able to see so many ways that we could get involved.”

Along the way, Brown learned a lot about local government and decided to put his knowledge to use. In 1999, he ran for Summerfield Town Council and was elected. He went on to serve on the town council for 16 years – 10 of those years as mayor.

During the time Brown served as mayor, Summerfield had its share of challenges. While working to find solutions that were in the best interest of the

community as a whole, he also took time to participate in some of the community events he personally enjoyed most, with one of his favorites being the annual two-day Founders’ Day celebration and Founders’ Day parade.

In 1997, Brown helped organize the town’s first Founders’ Day celebration. As a member of the sheriff’s department, he helped designate the parade route, put out road closure signs, and set up detours on the morning of the parade. He was especially intrigued with all the moving parts that had to come together to make the parade happen.

“I love these little parades so much!” Brown said.

In fact, Brown loves small-town parades so much that for years he volunteered with Stokesdale’s Christmas Parade Committee and was an integral part of that annual parade as well.

As a member of Summerfield Founders’ Day Committee, Brown has been at the forefront organizing of the parade. He said putting it together is a lot easier than it once was (the committee now relies on emails to communicate with parade participants rather than trying to track each one down by phone). For Brown, one thing that hasn’t changed is the excitement of seeing all the floats, firetrucks, cars and parade participants start rolling in on parade day.

With his passion for history, Brown has also found a perfect place on Summerfield’s Historical Committee, and enjoys uncovering new historical facts as well as sharing what he knows about the town’s

history with others. His face lights up when he starts talking about “breaking new ground” on such historical figures as the Bugler Boy or one of the local historical churches.

“I’ve always absorbed information about this town, seen things and questioned things,” Brown said. “I feel like our unofficial historians have passed away and now it’s my time to step up and share.”

At 72, Brown is as committed as ever to making a difference in the town that he loves.

Brown and his wife, Mamie, enjoy spending time with their two adult sons, Alan and Adam Brown, as well as their two daughter-in-laws and their two grandsons, Finley, 4, and Quinton, 2.

“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.

in the front seat or behind the scenes, Mark Brown is here to serve

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Among the ways Summerfield native Mark Brown has served his community are as a town council member and mayor, Founders’ Day Committee member and parade organizer and Historical Committee member/chair.

STUDENT PROFILES

Thanks to the coaches and teachers at Northern and Northwest High Schools for their student recommendations and input, which make it possible to recognize these talented, dedicated students for their accomplishments in academics, athletics and cultural arts.

NORTHWEST GUILFORD

Addy Hulbert, senior cheerleading

What’s one of your earliest memories of cheerleading? My sister teaching me how to do a backhand spring on my mom and dad’s bed, and constantly being thrown and flipped around like I was her baby doll. What’s one of your favorite memories

of cheerleading? Winning the Cheerleading Summit in 2022 with Cheer Extreme C4.

Is there a particular cheerleader you have looked up to? Yes, when I was younger I looked up to my sister.

Do you have a “coach-ism” to share –i.e., a favorite saying, or advice?

Something our coaches stress over and over is that we have a legacy to uphold. As five-time state champions, the pressure to keep the streak going increases every year.

Who has helped you the most to develop your cheer skills? Darnell Harris. He pushed me to be my best

and made me a more versatile athlete – but on top of that, he made me fall in love with the sport of cheerleading all over again.

How do you get hyped up before a game or performance? [It] starts the day before. I have lots of superstitions. On the day of competition, I feed off my teammates’ and coaches’ energy to get into the right mindset. I also will rely on my humor sometimes to brush things off and laugh to lighten the mood.

Are you involved in any other extracurricular activities? Competitive cheerleading.

Favorite subject in high school? Science.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Hang out with friends or go shopping!

What’s something about you that

not everyone knows? I wear hair ties around my ankles – two on the right and one on the left, because I believe they’re lucky.

What are your plans for after you graduate high school? Attend a four-year university, specifically UNC Chapel Hill.

NORTHWEST GUILFORD

Avery Reitmeier, junior marching band

What is your role in Northwest High School’s marching band? I am in the color guard and I spin saber,

...continued on p.36

EAGLE Scouts

Jackson Wellons earns Eagle Scout award

SUMMERFIELD – Jackson Wellons, 16, a member of Troop 103 sponsored by Summerfield First Baptist Church, recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout. For his Eagle project, Jackson designed and constructed player benches for Spencer Love Tennis Center this past March.

“In total, the volunteers and I put in over 100 hours of work in planning time, construction and development of the benches,” Jackson said. “I appreciate the help I got from members of Troop 103 and my community.”

When asked if he wanted to thank anyone who had helped him along his Scouting journey, Jackson named several people.

“I would like to thank my Scoutmaster, Mr. Patrick Smith, my Eagle Scout coaches, Mr. Daniel and Mr. Stewart, my Senior Patrol leader, Hunter Spradling, my mom and dad, my grandparents, and so many more,” he said. “I could not have done anything without these people. I am so proud that in our world today, so many people could still come together to help our community.”

“I loved my time in Troop 103, and one of my favorite trips was our Wilmington, North Carolina, beach trip that I led last November,” Jackson added. “I also really enjoyed getting to help lead some amazing young people and watch them grow, as I did, into more knowledgeable and caring members of our community.”

Jackson is the son of Scott and Lynette Wellons of Summerfield and a student at Northern Guilford High School.

That’s one big melon! Westen Claeys, 2 ½, enjoys a late-season treat: a tasty chunk from a 51-pound watermelon at Summerfield Feed Mill. Co-owner Steve Neal said a customer recently dropped off the melon for others to enjoy. It’s a cross between Crimson Sweet, Jubilee and Florida Giant varieties, possibly explaining its size, Neal said. ``Watermelon is my favorite,’’ said Westen, the son of Landen and Amanda Claeys, of Summerfield.

PHOTO courtesy of Lynnette Wellons

Photo courtesy of Revolution Academy Revolution Academy’s volleyball team celebrates after recently winning the Millennium Charter Volleyball Middle School Jamboree in Mount Airy, North Carolina, for the second year in a row. Revolution Academy is a K-8 public charter school located at 3800 Oak Ridge Road in Summerfield.

Photos by Chris Burritt/NWO

welcome to ... youth link

A regular section in the Northwest Observer focused on the youthful matters of northwest Guilford County

Matthew J. Olmsted, DDS MS Oak Ridge Commons Shopping Center

We are OPEN and accepting new patients

REITMEIER...continued from p. 34

rifle and flag; I also have a leadership role in the band program.

What’s one of your earliest memories of being involved in band? Going to Spin Club in sixth grade. It’s an after-school club that was led by Mrs. Rickerts and high schoolers on the color guard team who wanted to help get people interested in joining the band program.

What are some of your favorite memories from being in band? Our competitions during the fall. I love the bus rides with my friends and enjoying the cool weather while we watch other bands in the stadiums.

Is there something particularly memorable that your band instructor has said? While Mr. McMath was talking to us about how lucky we are to be in such a great band program, he said “the only things you are guaranteed in life are paying taxes and dying.” He is very good at using little quotes like this to show us not to take this experience for granted.

Who has helped you the most to develop your band skills? Our coaches, Taylor Meredith and Jordan Williams, have helped me develop my skills the most. They’re always present to give critiques and provide some tough love when it's needed. They spend so

much of their time with our team that they have definitely helped everyone’s skills to grow!

How do you get hyped up before a performance? Before a performance the color guard really feeds off of each other's positive energies to get the whole group ready. It is a tradition for the color guard to get in a circle together before every performance and do a few fun things like the “Hokey Pokey” and listen to some last-minute encouragement from our coaches and captain.

What’s the best part about being a band member? Feeling like you are a part of something much bigger than yourself. The whole band is one big family that comes together to make an amazing show every year. While I might not personally know every member, band is how I’ve made some of my closest friends.

Are you involved in any other extracurricular activities? I play the viola in zero-period orchestra at Northwest.

What’s your favorite subject in high school? So far this year it is physics.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Hanging out with my friends, watching “Gilmore Girls,” and reading.

What’s something about you that not everyone knows? I’ve been to four countries outside of the United States

but have never been anywhere on the west coast.

Do you have plans yet for after high school? I would like to go on to college, but I am not yet sure where I would like to go.

NORTHERN GUILFORD Mason Whitt, senior football

What position(s) do you play on Northern Guilford’s football team? Right tackle, defensive line.

What’s one of your earliest memories of playing football? I started playing in fifth grade and remember sitting the bench the whole year but falling in love with it anyway.

What’s one of your favorite memories of playing football? Beating Page my sophomore year, on the last drive of the game, and then celebrating afterward with my teammates.

the NFL for 12 seasons and retired at the end of the 2022 regular season).

Do you have a “coach-ism” to share – i.e., something that one of your coaches has stressed over and over?

“We have to play as one team and play together to win.”

Who has helped you the most to develop your football skills? Coach Westberg (Northern head football coach).

How do you get hyped up before a football game? The normal things like listen to music… I get anxious before every game no matter who we play, but as soon as I step out onto the field and the band is playing and everyone is there, all that goes away and I’m ready to play.

Do you play any other sports? No. Favorite subject in high school? Science, especially biology.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Fish and hang out with friends. What’s something about you that not everyone knows? I lived in England for a year.

Do you know yet what you hope to do after you graduate high school?

I haven’t decided if I am going to play in college or go to college without playing sports. I plan to make my decision after the season.

Who is your favorite football player (amateur or pro), and why? J.J. Watt, because in his prime, he was one of the best ever and the most exciting D-Lineman to watch (Watt played in ...student profiles continued on p.38

ORYA would like to thank Hayco Construction for helping us renovate the concession stand and picnic shelter at Oak Ridge Elementary School. What a great project to finish before school started again!

All of our local sports programs are volunteer run. Whether playing in Oak Ridge, Summerfield or Stokesdale, our youth associations allow parents to be part of something they will cherish forever.

What can I do after registering my kid for a sport?

• Volunteer to be a COACH, ASSISTANT COACH or TEAM MANAGER

• Ask the sports director(s) if the program needs any ROLES filled

• Be a SPONSOR and help enlist new sponsors!

• Plan a team PARTY or other event

• Get to KNOW THE FAMILIES on your team

• Identify things that can be improved and be PART OF THE SOLUTION

Things to remember before the seasons begin:

• These are KIDS playing KIDS

• Today's opponent may be tomorrow's TEAMMATE

• RESPECT your REFEREES, UMPIRES and OFFICIALS at all times!

• DON'T coach from the SIDELINES

• RESPECT the FACILITIES. Help keep them clean.

• MODEL sportsmanship for our kids

• SUPPORT your coaches and program Leaders

NORTHERN GUILFORD Jaxson Kemp, sophomore football

What position do you play on Northern Guilford’s football team? Quarterback.

What’s one of your earliest memories of playing football? Playing flag football with my good friends at the YMCA in first grade, and with my dad in our basement when I was about 4 or so.

What’s one of your favorite memories of playing football? Scoring against Grimsley on a QB run my freshman year to help keep us in the game. Who is your favorite football player

(amateur or pro), and why? Ben Roethlisberger, because he was a great QB on my favorite NFL team.

Do you have a “coach-ism” to share – i.e., something that one of your coaches has stressed over and over?

Yes – “nobody on the field can be selfish and it takes a whole team to win, not just one person.”

Who has helped you the most to develop your football skills? My parents. My dad helped develop my skills on the field and my mom has always walked me through the mental aspects of sports.

How do you get hyped up before a football game? I put my headphones on and play my pre-game playlist and get in the “zone.”

Do you play any other sports? Track and field.

Favorite subject in high school? History.

What do you like to do in your spare

time? Spend time with friends and family. What’s something about you that most people wouldn’t know? I like to cut our grass at home and won’t even let my dad do it because I don’t want the lines to get messed up.

Do you know yet what you hope to do after you graduate high school? I hope to play college football.

NORTHWEST GUILFORD

Ryan Debow, junior football

What is your role on the football team? I play defensive back and running back, and am one of the leaders of the defense.

What’s one of your earliest memories of playing football? Flag football was really when I started loving the game and I’ve had a passion for it ever since. What’s one of your favorite memories of playing football? Forming friendships with all of my teammates.

Who is your favorite football player (amateur or pro), and why? Justin Jefferson, just because of his swag and his confidence, even though he plays receiver. (Justin Jefferson played college football for LSU and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft).

Do you have a “coach-ism” to share – i.e., something that one of your coaches has stressed over and over? One of the things Coach Rusiewicz says is, “Encourage your teammates.” If they make a bad play, don’t discourage them, just pick them up.

How do you get hyped up before a football game? I listen to music. (Rap/ NBA YoungBoy).

Do you play any other sports? Basketball, and track and field.

Favorite subject in high school? Math. What do you like to do in your spare time? Hang out with friends and relax.

What’s something about you that not everyone knows? I’m really a funny person once you get to know me.

Do you know yet what you hope to do after you graduate high school? I want to get a college degree and play football at the next level.

NORTHWEST GUILFORD

Tanner Ballou, senior football

What is your role on the football team and what position do you play? My role is to be the best teammate I can be every day. I play quarterback.

What’s one of your earliest memories of playing football? Playing safety in first grade and catching an interception. What’s one of your favorite memories of playing football? Beating Watauga in the second round of the playoffs my junior year.

Who is your favorite football player (amateur or pro), and why? Tom Brady, because he inspires me to get better every day even if you’ve accomplished many things already.

Do you have a “coach-ism” to share – i.e., something that one of your coaches has stressed over and over? Not really, but we do have a player on the team who does an awesome job at coaching impressions.

Who has helped you the most to develop your football skills? My dad (Brian Debow). He gives me a perspective from being a dad and a coach. ...continued on p.40

BALLOU...continued from p. 38

Who has helped you the most to develop your football skills? My dad.

How do you get hyped up before a football game? I usually stay calm before games, but when I see the huge crowd and everyone there supporting the team, that hypes me up.

Do you play any other sports? I play golf and basketball.

Favorite subject in high school? History.

What do you like doing in your spare time? I like to spend time with my family and friends and I love to golf.

What’s something about you that not everyone knows? I love old music.

Do you know yet what you hope to do after you graduate high school? Play football in college.

welcome to ... youth link

Meet Northern Guilford High School’s student leaders

Maddie Casolino is serving as student body president and Jordan Howell is senior class president

By KELLEN HOLTZMAN

The combination of cheerleading and student government might not be the first partnership that comes to mind when it comes to high school synergy, but for Northern Guilford High 2023-24 student body president and senior Madison “Maddie” Casolino, it makes all the sense in the

world. She’s a Northern cheer captain and veteran of student government since middle school. Prior to being elected in the spring as Northern’s student body president, she also served as the school’s sophomore and junior class president.

“I like thatI’m breaking the stereotype,” Maddie said. “We actually have a lot of cheerleaders involved at the school.”

Maddie’s fellow cheerleaders Leah Green and Xyla Jones are sophomore class president and vice president, respectively.

Outside of cheering with the

Nighthawks, Maddie also participates in competitive cheer with Greensboro AllStar Cheerleading and works at Strive Performance and Fitness Center in Greensboro.

She believes her background in cheerleading influenced her desire to get involved with student government.

“I’ve always wanted to be more of a leader on the team,” she said. “I kind of grew up doing student council because I’ve done it since middle school. So just being involved in that and seeing upperclassmen and how they ran things, it kind of inspired me to do it.”

Prior to the start of her senior year, Maddie completed a paid summer internship with The Greensboro Center for Pediatric Dentistry, and wants to pursue the study of orthodontics in college.

As for Northern news, Maddie said one of the changes she’d like to oversee

Maddie Casolino

welcome to ... youth link

A regular section in the Northwest Observer focused on the youthful matters of northwest Guilford County as student body president is bringing back pep rallies, along with reincorporating the Nighthawk mascot costume, which has been on the shelf in recent years. Pep rallies would also mean getting the band and cheerleaders involved along with student athletes.

Maddie, who revealed the theme for October’s Homecoming to be “Hollywood,” said representing and relaying the students’ desires is a key part of student government. She knows what it’s like to be a class president, and she’s enjoying the opportunity to advocate for the entire student body.

“I think it’s very comforting to know that we have a say,” she said. “And I think it’s comforting to the student body because we’ve always asked for their input in the past, and they know that we’re going to go to them [for input].”

Jordan Howell

Jordan Howell, Northern Guilford High’s senior class president, is a rookie when it comes to student government leadership, but what better time than senior year for some on-the-job training that could have a lasting personal impact?

Jordan told the Northwest Observer he has always been interested in managing and he figured running for senior class president would provide a good stepping stone into leadership.

“I was talking to a few people, especially [student body president Madison Casolino] and I think it was just something I really wanted to be a part of,”

Jordan said, “I also knew a lot of people, so I thought I could win.”

Indeed, Jordan emerged victorious and now has an extra role in addition to his two jobs outside of school, with Habitat for Humanity and as a grocery stocker at The Fresh Market.

In his spare times he enjoys woodworking, and he’s embracing the responsibility that comes with being a class president.

“As class president you manage the Instagram account, and as a senior, you actually plan homecoming; each class president’s job varies. The junior [class president] plans prom,” he explained.

Being class president this year is exciting, he said, “because it’s also my senior year, so just having some type of control over what we can do this year and being able to have a fun time while also being in the student government

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doing things in a serious manner that need to be done.”

Jordan isn’t on a Nighthawks sports team, but as a student who roots on his classmates from the stands, he has an outside perspective on school spirit.

Facilitating the enthusiasm and traditions that go along with being a Northern Nighthawk is a key part of being senior class president, especially since the seniors know they have only one more go-around at cheering their hearts out as high school students.

“I feel like we have a lot of spirit at the school,” Jordan said, “and a lot of people participate in the student section and come out and support the team at football games, and all of the other sports events. We’re very hype and rowdy, and we do take these games seriously. I think at Northern we have a sense of community and family.”

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This beautiful wooden entrance door accented by multi-colored stained glass is one of the many unique features found throughout the interior of Maple Glade on Oak Ridge Military Academy’s campus. Tours of the building will be offered at the “Bridge to the Ridge” event this Saturday, Sept. 23.

Just outside Maple Glade, the Greensboro Battle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will be seeking donations to help the academy raise funds for the building’s restoration. The DAR chapter’s Preservation Committee, led by Mary Elizabeth

Beale, seeks to raise $10,000 in donations, which they will use to apply for a matching grant of $10,000 in additional funding from the National DAR. All funds raised will support the academy’s Maple Glade restoration project.

Tucked away in a glade of maple trees for which it is named, Maple Glade is the stately white home located on the west side of Alumni Hall on ORMA’s campus. The home was constructed for J. Allen Holt, co-principal of the academy, then called the Oak Ridge Institute. Its grand Neoclassical design includes two-story Doric columns, a large wrap-around porch, and several leaded- and stained-glass windows.

Maple Glade has since served as the home of the school’s president as well as academic offices. Its front steps and expansive front lawn

have traditionally been the site of the school’s graduation ceremonies. The house is a key building in the Oak Ridge Historic District and is included on the National Register of Historic Places.

Want to go?

“Bridge to the Ridge” will take place on Oak Ridge Military Academy’s campus, 2317 Oak Ridge Road, on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities include a car and bike show, live music, a parade, lawn games, a vendor fair and more. There will also be walking tours of the campus at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and tours of Maple Glade throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more info, visit www.oakridgemilitary.com/ bridge-to-the-ridge.

Photo courtesy of Caroline Ruch

tree that fell on the bridge and caused minor damage following a late August storm.

Special Events Committee. Chair Patti Dmuchowski said the committee was waiting for bids for construction of Heritage Farm Park. The committee continues to collect donations from activities including the sale of brick pavers, ornaments and T-shirts, she said.

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Co-chair John Garrett reported the board finalized plans for the canopy for the farm-themed playground at Heritage Farm Park. Water Advisory Committee. Chair Jim Harton reported consultant Wooten Group is preparing designs for the water tank and lines planned as part of Oak Ridge’s municipal water system. Historic Preservation Commission. Member Courtenay Harton reported the commission named Denise Sacks as vice chair following the resignation of Caroline Ruch. Harton thanked Ruch for her years of service to the commission and said ``her presence is already missed.’’ Oak Ridge Elementary School. Pittman said she met new assistant principal Terran Harris on a recent visit to the school and described her as ``very energetic’’ and a ``good addition to our community and school.’’

COUNCIL COMMENTS

„ Sullivan said staff and committee volunteers are focused on several large construction projects, including Heritage Farm Park.

``There’s a lot that’s going to be completed next year,’’ he said.

„ As Oak Ridge prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Pittman praised the town’s ``impressive collection of tools,’’ such as the conservation easements program, to preserve the town’s history and rural character.

„ ``This town runs on our committees,’’ said Kinneman, thanking the town’s volunteers and staff for their efforts. McClellan added that ``citizen volunteers’’ are responsible for the town’s successes.

„ Schneider offered prayers for the recovery of Yvonne Truhon, who has been the Northwest Observer’s page layout designer and copy editor for almost 25 years; Truhon was recently diagnosed with advanced cancer and is undergoing chemo treatments.

Schneider endorsed McClellan and Pittman for reelection in the Nov. 7 election and Jim Harton, a newcomer seeking the seat that will be vacated by Sullivan, who is not running for reelection.

With no further council comments, the meeting was adjourned at about 8:25 p.m.

lawn chair to sit on.

SATURDAY, OCT 7

z 5K fundraiser I Oak Ridge First Baptist Church will host the Dr. James A. Webster Memorial Race Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. The entry fee is $25 per individual, $40 per couple and $150 per group of 10. Run or walk to raise money for Each Child Counts, a nonprofit that helps kids who have been affected by war and/or poverty. Visit www.eachchildcounts.com to learn more about the organization. For more info about the fundraiser or to register to participate, call the church office at (336) 643-5201.

z Farmers’ Day l Friends of Stokesdale invites local farmers to participate in its 2nd annual Farmers’ Day 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. To learn more or participate, call (336) 552-0704, email friendsofstokesdale@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/friendsofstokesdale.

z Touch-A-Truck l The Town of Summerfield invites the community to this hands-on family event Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Summerfield Athletic Park, 5200 U.S. 220 N. There will be a wide variety of vehicles for children to view, climb on and ask questions about, including public service, emergency, military, construction and more. Trained operators will answer questions and explain how these vehicles are used in the community. Vulcan Materials will provide free hot dogs, chips and drinks and Kona Ice will be onsite selling shaved ice. More info: Cheryl Gore, (336) 643-8655 or cgore@summerfieldnc.gov. See display ad on p. 11.

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Local pastor and Scout dad returns to the place of his call

Saturday, Oct. 7

9am Shotgun Start

Pine Knolls Golf Club - Kernersville

FORE Kids Tournament GOLFERS WANTED

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE • $75 per player / $300 per 4-player team Single players and ladies welcome!

Breakfast biscuits ● 50/50 drawing ● Marshmallow drive Raffle prizes ● FREE drink cart ● Snack Boxes ● Fried chicken lunch Hospitality tent ● Putting contest ● Goody bags

Thanks to our sponsors:

Rio Grande Kitchen & Cantina • Loflin Concrete, Inc. • Lowes Foods

Pepsi Ventures • Northwest Observer • Edward Jones

Coca-Cola Bottling Consolidated • J.P. Monroe • Forbis & Dick

By REV. DR. ED MCKINNEY, guest writer

My son, Isaac, and I went with a contingent from Boy Scout Troop 600 this summer on a 14-day trip out to Northern New Mexico. This is the home of Philmont Scout Ranch, which has hosted backpacking expeditions since 1938.

In 1990, at age 17, I went to Philmont with Boy Scout Troop 944 based out of Kernersville Moravian Church. Just prior to leaving, I received a phone call from my pastor, Rev. Dr. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., asking if I had considered ordained ministry as a vocation. Before that phone call, I had no idea about my future career plans, so I appreciated his nudge.

While on the trail through the wilderness of New Mexico, I felt God confirm Rev. Fairbanks’s call with hints from my Scoutmaster, my tent mate, a double rainbow, and a hailstorm. God gets your attention when God wants it!

My return to Philmont 33 years later was to spend time with Isaac, reminisce about my childhood, and re-visit my call to ministry. All three motivations produced “goosebump” moments that grounded my identity as a father, a Scout even at 50 years old, and a pastor.

Isaac proved to be an excellent pacesetter, leader, and self-sufficient. The

crew of seven Scouts and four adults decided that responsibilities on the trail, like pacesetter and navi-“guesser,” would be rotated among the Scouts. When it was Isaac’s turn on Day 3, we walked at a steady pace of 2.2 miles per hour. This pace kept us all together and reduced our time on the trail because we didn’t stop as often for rest breaks.

The night of Day 3, the Scouts voted unanimously to have Isaac set the pace the remainder of the trek. The navi-guesser position continued to rotate among the Scouts as we used a compass and a map (no Siri or Google Maps at Philmont) to navigate through the wilderness. We only took a significant wrong turn once, but we learned our lesson and never did it again. Through it all, Isaac never complained, quietly showed exemplary Scouting behavior, and was prepared for anything without help from his dad, who was having a hard enough time trekking through the hills.

Troop 600 sent two crews out to Philmont. The younger Scouts took Trek 12-15, a “rugged” 61-mile, 12-day trek, while Isaac’s and my crew took Trek 12-32, a “super strenuous” 84-mile, 12-day trek. My friend, Jay, reminded me regularly that my hike was “super strenuous,” as listed in the “Philmont Itinerary Guidebook.”

Activities we did in 2023 that I also did in 1990 included: branding our hats and belts with the “Bar P Crazy S” cattle brand, drinking root beer at Ponil Ranch, and hiking Baldy Mountain. Hiking Baldy was the most reminiscent because we hiked through snowbanks in July and climbed the rocky Baldy

Stokesdale United Methodist Church’s ‘Pastor Ed’ hikes through the wilderness with his son after his first trek 33 years ago as a 17-year-old

Photo courtesy of Pastor Dr. Ed McKinney

Thirty-three years after his first journey to Philmont Scout Ranch as a 17-year-old Scout, Stokesdale UMC Pastor Ed McKinney returned for a second backpacking expedition through northern New Mexico with his son, Isaac, and other members and supporters of Boy Scout Troop 600. Shown in photo, front row, L to R: Jack Eckard, Isaac McKinney, John Gunter, a Philmont Scout Ranch ranger, Tate Hodgin, Stewart Chipman and Nate Wallace; back row, L to R: Kyler Morris, Michelle Wallace, Ray Wallace, Chris Chipman and Pastor Ed McKinney.

summit which ascended to 12,400 feet above sea level. The ultimate throwback was the adventure coming down. While most people ease their way down the mountain, avoiding slipping on the rocky terrain, I reenacted my teenage years by slaloming down the mountain as if I was on a pair of snow skis. This made the other adults very nervous. My Advil and knee brace did their jobs. Another highlight from then and now is the evening programming at the staffed camps. During evening campfires, the staff sang rock/folk tunes to tell the story of life in the Old West, like America’s “Horse with No Name” or Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold.” In 2023, the staff at Rich Cabins sang songs that embody the Rich family’s 1883 migration from Austria to New Mexico. One song, “Murder in the City” by the Avett Brothers, explains the love that binds families together and includes this line: "Always remember there was nothing worth sharing/ Like the love that let us share our name.” Goosebumps!

I spiritually prepared for this trip to confirm the call to ordained ministry that I heard 33 years ago. Richard Rohr’s books, “Immortal Diamond” and “Falling Upward,” gave me the tools and the language to talk about how a 50-year-old experiences life

STOKESDALE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Reflecting

Sunday School for all ages: 10am

Worship: Sundays,11am & streaming on Facebook Word & Table: Tuesdays,12pm

We discuss Scripture and share in Holy Communion.

As a Lighthouse Congregation, Stokesdale UMC is committed to remain a part of The United Methodist Church and serve those who have lost their church homes through disaffiliation or closure. We welcome and are equipped to serve all people who are seeking a place of worship.

verses a 17-year-old.

Rohr explains there are two halves of life. As we grow, it is important to have a healthy ego, and a sense of selfidentity. Boy Scouts gave me the structure and boundaries to identify who I was at 17. This made me receptive to God’s call. In my life’s second half, my middle-age years taught me that there is more to life than “Be Prepared.” Some things we just can’t prepare for, like death of family members and car accidents. Rohr concludes, "In the second half of life, your ego is the container that holds you all together,” so now its strength empowers us to deal with life’s challenges.

Going back to Philmont gave me opportunities to reexamine my call after 25 years of ordained ministry. I appreciated the rugged terrain, beautiful flowers, teamwork, youth leadership, and the risks of hiking in the wilderness with 50 pounds of food, water, shelter and clothing strapped to your back.

I wish I had more time to journal and reflect on the trail. Honestly, any time that I wasn’t hiking, I was sleeping because 5 a.m. comes early when you’re exhausted from hiking 12 miles the day before. Thank you to my family, Stokesdale UMC, and BSA Troop 600 for giving me this opportunity.

For more information call 336-643-4850 or email Sharon at admin@stokesdaleumc.org

8305 Loyola Dr., Stokesdale, NC visit www.stokesdaleumc.org or @StokesdaleUMC

GRINS and GRIPES

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community?

Share your thoughts in 40 words or less

email: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com

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

GRINS to...

„ NWHS counselor Morgan Kaplan for being an advocate for kids. You listened to our concern, helped us reason through it, and helped make a decision in the best interest of our student. Thank you!

„ Ben Willer, young rugby player and enthusiast. Wales is the citadel of rugby, but be sure to see “The Scarlets” (Llanelli RFC), who exemplify the most fluid and fast form of the game. And learn to say Iechyd Da (cheers)!

„ Those who responded to the wife whose husband was “distracted” by skimpy gardening attire. I hope it has shown the original griper not to blame the women in this situation, but rather have a “come-to-Jesus” talk with her man.

„ Kelli Jessup, Northwest Observer’s ad designer, for always doing a great job and reminding us when ads are due again (before we have an empty space), as well as suggesting ways to better promote our company in ads. You rock!

„ The residents of Trotter Ridge who cleaned up the neighborhood entrance and signage areas earlier this month. This was long overdue and so appreciated. Maintaining that property affects all of us and the perception of our neighborhood.

„ Jonathan at McDonald’s in Oak Ridge, for being super friendly and having a great attitude.

„ Oak Ridge Fire Department. Back in June, they responded to a call about my grandmother having a potentially deadly allergic reaction to yellow jacket stings. They were the first on the scene and extremely professional and caring!

„ The guardian angels who stopped and got our family member, who suffers from dementia, home safely when she wandered away and was walking along N.C. 68. God sent you along at the right time – thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

„ Whoever is doing the graphics, music and lights at the NWHS football

games. I feel like I’m at an NFL game. Way to go!

„ Whoever put up this display (below) that appeared at Oak Ridge Town Park on Sept. 11 (9/11). It popped up last year, too.

Northwest Observer, and for your example of resilience. The Northwest community supports you.

„ Our neighbors along BenbowMerrill Road for patiently dealing with the construction of our new driveway earlier this month.

„ The drive-thru workers at Starbucks in Oak Ridge. While working outside, I have overheard them take many orders and they are the friendliest, most kind drive-thru workers. Love to hear it!

GRIPES to...

„ The Steven Tanger Center for deciding to refuse U.S. currency as payment for all their products and services. You know what? I refuse to patronize such establishments. Cash = privacy + freedom. Just Say No to Plastic.

„ Kim, at CVS Pharmacy in Summerfield. I appreciate you taking the time to help me with my prescriptions, especially when it was past closing time for lunch.

„ Denise Puglise, the kindest piano teacher in town. You always brighten up our day!

„ The fifth grade safety patrol students at Stokesdale Elementary. Thank you (and your parents) for getting up early and ensuring our kids get to class safely from the car rider line.

„ Ms. Thompson at Oak Ridge Elementary School, for making the first week of fourth grade fun and educational!

„ The police patrolling around our local schools. I’ve seen them patrolling every school in the area. Thank you for your service, and for keeping our children safe.

„ Jaxson Franklin’s parents. Thank you for sharing your story in the last

„ N.C. Sen. Phil Berger, who did not ask the Town of Summerfield for their

wish list because his supporter, a large landowner/developer, is in a battle with the town. Lost my vote for Phil Berger.

„ Whoever owns the vacant bank (former SunTrust) building/property at the corner of U.S. 220 and N.C. 150. The weeds are out of control and it’s a real eyesore for the area!

„ Rockingham County commissioners for approving the rezoning request that clears the way for a casino. As public servants, they should represent the voters’ wishes. Remember their names and vote in the primary and general elections in 2024.

„ People who bring down neighborhood property values by letting the outside of their house look like Hee-Haw.

„ The left turn light at N.C. 150 East to U.S. 220 southbound. The left turn arrow never turns green, only flashes yellow. If more than three cars are coming the other way, the light turns

red before you can turn.

„ Greensboro’s short-sightedness in allowing for housing developments everywhere – absolutely everywhere – regardless of infrastructure and any thought to those affected, i.e., schools and surrounding neighbors.

„ The NWHS librarian and administrators for charging students $10 to use the library. It was built with tax dollars, and public schools should not charge students to use their facilities, especially when studying and doing homework.

Editor’s note: We thought it was odd that NWHS would be charging students to use the library, so we checked with principal Ashley Young, who offered this response: “We do not charge students to use the library. Students can visit the library every day during WIN, as well as during classes. Students who wish to join our ‘Friends of the Library’ club donate $10.”

„ Parents who allow their boys to race their 4-wheeler/dirt bike down Pate Drive and E. Harrell Road while popping wheelies, and not wearing helmets. This is dangerous for the kids, as well as drivers in the area!

„ The Department of Transportation for imposing a new and confusing traffic pattern at Northern Guilford High School. It has resulted in chaos, blocked traffic all the way up N.C. 150, and people recklessly using turn lanes for thru traffic. So dangerous!

„ Sen. Phil Berger for proposing to give away taxpayers’ money to Stokesdale and Oak Ridge, and possibly, Summerfield. Why not give it back to all the people of North Carolina who paid the taxes that created the apparent excess?

„ Oak Ridge leaders who voted to pour so much work and money into the “historic” house on Lisa Drive/ Linville Road. There is a school a short

distance away that could use that money for protecting the students/ teachers!

„ The Griper who needs a definition of a “Patriot.” A Patriot supports the previous and soon-to-be-next President of the USA, regardless of others’ illegal and criminal behavior. BTW, it’s a BMW!

„ O.R. Swim Club for not properly maintaining its property on Linville Road (i.e., weeds encroaching the sidewalk and low tree branches). Volunteers have maintained it for years, now it is time to do your part.

„ All the low-lifes who dump your fast-food trash on Perry Quarry Road. Keep your trash to yourself and keep our own clean!

„ Sen. Phil Berger and his cohorts for trying to ramrod the casino approval through as part of the state budget bill. The people do not want a casino! You lost a vote in the next election.

Logan...continued from p. 3 Bomb...continued from p. 1

Goebel spoke during the Oak Ridge and Summerfield meetings, telling council members he’d be happy to talk about the controversy after the meetings.

“I’m all about the kids,’’ he told Oak Ridge’s council.

Meadows called the naming of Goebel “a backroom deal done in a secret meeting’’ that excluded Republican school board members. He said that’s a violation of the state’s open meetings law.

Logan expressed confidence during Oak Ridge’s meeting that he was going to join the board as “the appointed representative for District 3 from the Republican Party. I do hope you come out to the next school board meeting for the swearing in.’’

A law enacted last month represented the General Assembly’s second attempt to force the school board to appoint Logan at this past Tuesday’s meeting.

Earlier, Chuck Winfree, Goebel’s attorney, said the new law is unconstitutional. He told the school board that Goebel would continue serving as the District 3 representative unless a judge ordered his removal.

Last week, the board voted along party lines to hire the Poyner Spruill law firm to provide an opinion on the legality of the new law. Local GOP leaders criticized the step as wasting taxpayer money and prolonging uncertainty over the District 3 seat.

In his resignation letter, Goebel cited “litigation, dubious legislation, and unprecedented invective directed at me, the Board, its staff and attorneys. I am certain that the legislature has overstepped its lawful authority in shortening my term in office.’’

Instead of pursuing litigation, Goebel said he resigned to end the distraction over the disputed seat.

negotiations with Couch over development plans proposing Summerfield’s first apartments.

Citing the town’s failure to provide water for fire protection and its “restrictive housing and land use policies,’’ Berger said de-annexation of Couch’s land would ease Triad’s “housing crunch.’’ The property would fall under Guilford County’s less-restrictive zoning regulations.

Berger, a Rockingham County Republican, softened his stance earlier this week after Summerfield’s council voted unanimously during an emergency meeting to reverse its opposition to Couch’s plans to extend water and sewer services to his 973 acres, stretching from Summerfield Road to Interstate 73.

“It looks like folks in Summerfield are doing the right thing,’’ Berger told reporters in Raleigh this past Tuesday, Sept. 19. “I’m hopeful that what’s going to happen is we’re going to get a resolution… by the town of Summerfield and the developer and we won’t have to take any action.’’

One of three resolutions passed by the council pledged its “advocacy’’ for Couch to bring water and sewer services to his proposed Villages of Summerfield Farms. According to Couch, property owners in the development would pay for the utilities, not other Summerfield taxpayers.

In the second resolution, the council pledged to reconsider Couch’s application to amend the town’s development rules to create a new zoning district that would accommodate higher-density development. The council would then consider rezoning the property to the new zoning classification.

The third resolution pledged to remove scenic corridor overlay restrictions within the new zoning district that impose limitations, such as the removal of some trees, on Couch’s development plans.

Twice since 2022, the council

rebuffed these requests by Couch, who sought to amend Summerfield’s unified development ordinance so that he can build a range of houses – from hundreds of apartments to $2 million estate homes – in the proposed Villages of Summerfield Farms.

As the council reversed its opposition earlier this week, it scheduled a special called joint meeting of the Planning Board and town council and public hearings on Thursday, Oct. 5, 5:30 p.m., at First Baptist Church Summerfield (2300 Scalesville Road). The purpose is to consider adding an OSM-V (Open Space Multi-Family Village) district to the town’s UDO.

“This is a good faith effort by the town and the Town Council,’’ Sessoms said after the council emerged from this past Monday’s nearly 1 ¾-hour closed session with lawyers and lobbyists for Summerfield and Couch.

Couch is considering the council’s offer, but he isn’t convinced the council will stick by its pledges, according to Pat Ryan, a spokesman for the developer. He explained that designers of the Villages of Summerfield Farms won’t be able to prepare detailed planning documents for the Oct. 5 meeting.

Instead, preparation of those documents will take several months, Ryan said in an interview earlier this week.

“Can David trust that the past few days will be how the town keeps operating for the coming months, or will the town just go back to the way things have been’’ in recent years?, Ryan said. “That’s the question that hasn’t been answered.’’

The outcome of the town’s Nov. 7 election may sway the council’s collective view of development in Summerfield. Mayoral candidate Linda Wendelken and council candidates Teresa Perryman, Heath Clay and Jon Hamilton have expressed their opposition to higher-density development as a threat to the town’s rural character.

Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams Devaney is seeking reelection and said last month that she’s “against de-annexation.’’ However, the threat

of a de-annexation vote in the legislature led DeVaney and other council members to seek to accommodate Couch.

“What we have just done is in an effort to work with Mr. Couch’s team for the preservation of our town,’’ Sessoms said. “This has been a very long and arduous process. We will continue to work.’’

The town’s move drew a range of reactions. “TOTAL CAPITULATION!!’’ read a headline in Keep Summerfield Rural,’ a Facebook page opposed to Couch’s plans.

Kevin Murray, owner of the Jumping Bean coffee outlet, commended the mayor and the council for “doing the only thing possible to save this town, in my opinion.’’

“I hope that’s enough,’’ Murray said in a post on the Northwest Observer’s Facebook page. “The reality is that when the state legislature got involved, the battle was lost.’’

Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider said on the newspaper’s Facebook page that “the state should have never meddled in (Summerfield’s) zoning decisions.’’

“In doing so, there was no incentive for Mr. Couch to work constructively with the town,’’ Schneider said. “Given the threat that the town now faces from the state, I applaud the Town Council’s dedication to keeping Summerfield intact through these significant actions.’’

A supporter of Couch’s plans, Summerfield resident Kevin Kenjarski said while encouraged that “town leaders have finally stopped flaming the fire of divisiveness…I find it hard to believe that they will now negotiate in good faith resulting in Summerfield being less restrictive and more inclusive.’’

“I am convinced that state government involvement will be necessary,’’ Kenjarski said, “because present and past Summerfield town leaders have not had a good track record of properly representing the housing needs of its citizens.’’

to meet them in person and see their work up close at the same time.

Your prospective builder should also be willing to take you to one of the homes they’ve built in the area, or that they have under construction.

room), and meeting the agreed-upon deadlines for making all the selections you’ll need to make about fixtures, paint colors, floor coverings, appliances, etc.

Upgrades and changes can quickly add to your cost, so it’s vital to keep them in check lest you go over budget.

Johnson said that today’s homeowners get a lot of grand ideas from sources such as social media, Pinterest and HGTV, but in too many cases those ideas aren’t within established budgets. He advises homeowners to come to terms with that and make decisions about whether their wishes are worth what they will cost.

Dumas said. “Second guessing yourself causes a lot of change orders and can totally ruin the flow of the home. It can also easily get very frustrating, expensive and cause serious time delays. Make selections early so you aren’t stressed trying to get things done.”

Remember that as a homeowner, you have an equal responsibility in making sure the process moves along smoothly by being clear about your expectations from the beginning, establishing the budget you’re working within (and letting your builder know upfront if it is firm, or has any wiggle

“We qualify the buyer as much as they qualify us,” Dumas said. “With today’s prices still fluctuating, we want to be sure that we are not putting someone in over their heads with a build. It can sometimes be very difficult to keep buyers under control with upgrades, and stressing over finances is not fun.”

Another issue Johnson said he faces occurs when buyers get bogged down by the opinions of so many others.

“I tell my clients, ‘Don’t worry about what other people think. Build your home to suit your needs and personality,’” Johnson said. ‘“You’re the one who is going to live there.’”

The same holds true for trusting your gut when it comes to making decisions about such items as fixtures, flooring and paint colors.

“Be prepared for your new build. Know what you want and trust your first instinct when making selections,”

Above everything else, the custom homebuilders we spoke with advised homeowners to keep the lines of communication open.

“Always be honest with your builder and tell them exactly what you want,” Dumas said. “That allows the builder to know fully what you expect, and you can trust that they have only your best interests in mind.”

Remember that building a home doesn’t have to be filled with stress and anxiety. Do your due diligence, make your selections in a timely matter and rely on your builder for professional expertise. As Johnson said, “you can make it as much fun as you want to make it.”

“One of the first things I do is take a client through one of the homes I’m building or one that I’ve recently finished,” Johnson said. “I want them to see the quality they can expect.”

“Building your home should be a fun process,” she added. “We want happy buyers.”

THE VIEW FROM HERE

So much has happened behind the scenes since we published our last issue a month ago, and it’s been a vivid reminder of how quickly life can change.

As some of you noticed, there was no Northwest Observer two weeks ago. It was the first time in our almost 27-year history that we skipped a scheduled issue, but the sudden absence of Yvonne Truhon, our longtime graphic artist, page designer and copy editor, simply made it impossible for us to get it pulled together and to the printer.

On Labor Day Monday, Yvonne and I had planned to begin the production phase of what was to be our Sept. 7 issue. We always start with a blank canvas, and while I’m gathering content, editing and writing, she drops in all the scheduled advertisements. Then, I begin sending her the photos, captions, edited articles, calendar events, etc. for that issue and she places them on the pages I’ve designated for them –and over the next three days we work like two draft horses, focused and in sync until we’ve adjusted, tweaked, and uploaded the last page to the printer.

Throughout the layout process we’re constantly problem solving –in some ways it’s like doing a jigsaw puzzle, and when I’m not bogged down with my own writing, I enjoy the process of seeing all the content, photos, captions, etc. fit together. Yvonne does too, and over the last 25 years we’ve joked about the nerdy satisfaction we take in the gritty work that goes on behind the scenes.

While spending some very long days together, we’ve consoled each other through sad chapters in our lives as well as celebrated the joys. Yvonne and her husband have no children, so she’s especially enjoyed walking with me through my son and daughter’s elementary, middle and high school years, their college graduations, ventures out into the world, marriages, and in more recent years, the arrival of my four grandchildren.

When my daughter, Kelli, joined our team here at PS Communications four years ago as an ad designer, Yvonne agreed to share all her knowledge about design and design software – and as she did so, she took great pride in seeing Kelli evolve as a talented and creative graphic designer and valuable member of our team.

Back to Labor Day Monday, when Yvonne texted to say she was going to the urgent care practice because she hadn’t been feeling well. Several hours later, she was admitted to the hospital.

After multiple medical tests over the next four days, doctors confirmed she has metastasized ovarian cancer.

She had her first chemo treatment a week ago. The immediate effects weren’t too bad – she even told me she thought she’d come into the office on Monday to help get this issue started – “there’s only so much reading and Spelling Bee gaming and resting a person can do,” she texted.

By this past Saturday, though, she felt miserable and has struggled mightily since then.

As I’ve processed the personal impact of Yvonne’s diagnosis, I’ve had to also process the impact on our business – she has been such a vital member of our team and although Kelli and I were able to get this issue

through production, it was not without some very, very long hours at our computers and some help from friends who pitched in to care for Kelli’s three young children while she worked (and another dear friend who brought us meals).

We have no idea how long Yvonne will be sidelined, but at least for the short-term, we’re having to press on without her. While our team pulls together and makes adjustments, I’m also processing through what the next few months and beyond may look like.

Yvonne is a “one-of-a-kind,” and with plans to retire having been on the horizon for both of us for the last year+ (she’s one year younger than me, and we’re both “seasoned” senior citizens), I see this as yet another sign that it’s time for me to move forward with my plan to step away from the Northwest Observer. The demands of the multiple roles and responsibilities I’ve taken on over the years have become increasingly difficult to keep up with, and besides wanting more time to focus on being a good friend and encourager to my teammate while she’s down, there are other things I want to do in life that are tugging at me...

For those of you who have reached out to our team to offer your concern, encouragement, and even your help –I can’t express how much it has meant to us and to Yvonne.

I’ll continue to keep you posted as we navigate through this situation and look beyond it. And in the meantime, please know that your kindness and your prayers for our team are so very deeply appreciated.

Patti Stokes, NWO publisher/editor

P.S. Please also know that if you see more grammatical errors and typos in this issue, it’s because Yvonne, who is also my copy editor, wasn’t here to check behind me. I hope I don’t make her cringe.

Submit your letters (maximum 350 words)

email: editor@nwobserver.com

Include name, daytime phone number and name of community. Letters from same writer will be published no more than every 30 days.

Time to move on

For those who did not hear the news, Bill Goebel resigned from the Guilford County Board of Education this past Tuesday as District 3 representative, and Michael Logan was seated in his place at the BOE’s Tuesday evening meeting. Over the last several months this had been a long, hard-fought struggle for our district, our county and even our state.

Now, it’s time to move on and focus on the children of our community. Education is the equalizer. There is much to be improved and we need to work together.

The following Bible passage, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, comes to mind with an emphasis on healing:

There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Joe Plante

SUMMERFIELD (District 3)

Patti Stokes

Place online at

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

NEED HELP?

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

AUTO SALES & SERVICES

„ EMPLOYMENT

JOEY'S BURGER BAR now hiring. Apply at www.joeysburgerbar.com.

„ YARD SALES

YARD SALE. Saturday, September 30, 7am-2pm. Liberty Wesleyan Church, 15303 US Hwy. 158E, Summerfield.

(336) 891-3876

EUROHAUSAUTO.PRO

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

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

K NIGHT 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

PILATES REFORMER TRAINER. Must be licensed. Needed 2 days a week for in-home training. Located in Summerfield. Email leeat@mac.com

GROUP LEADER needed. P/T position for afterschool program at Revolution Academy in Summerfield. M-F, 3-6pm. Starting at $14/hr. Call (336) 669-5590

The TOWN of OAK RIDGE is currently accepting applications for a part-time Parks & Recreation groundskeeper. Up to 25 hrs./wk.; $15/hr. Very flexible schedule required, including weekends. Applicants must have clean NCDL and be able to pass background check. Candidates should submit an application (which can be found at www.oakridgenc.com under the "Our Town" tab) to tlannon@oakridgenc.com or at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road (M-F, 8:30am-4:30pm).

LOCAL PRESCHOOL seeking an engaging and enthusiastic Pre-K assistant teacher for our church preschool. Fourday position: M-Th, 8:45am-1:15pm. To apply, please contact Lindsay Villaran at orpcschool@gmail.com

„ HOMECARE AVAILABLE

SENIOR HELPERS. Homecare for seniors and others including companion, personal needs, transitional, chronic disease, VA, respite, post-surgery assistance. Can provide house chores as part of service at no extra charge. Knowing your loved one is happy, safe, and cared for is your priority and ours too! Locally owned and operated. Call (336) 893-0300

the Northwest Observer covering local matters since 1996!

„ EVENTS /SAVE THE DATE

Join us for COMMUNITY FUN DAY at Gideon Grove UMC on Sunday, Sept. 24, 12-4pm. 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road, Stokesdale. Free family fun for all ages! Bounce house, bluegrass by Hubert Lawson and the Country Boys, hot dogs on the firepit, outdoor games, Magic by Tony, and wrapping up with the annual Crazy Cornhole Tourney! All are invited!

LIBERTY WESLEYAN CHURCH FALL

BAZAAR. Saturday, Sept. 30, 7am-2pm. 15303 US Hwy. 158E, Summerfield. Breakfast & lunch served. Silent auction. Craft and bake sale. Yard sale.

NORTHWEST GUILFORD CLASS of 1967, 56th reunion picnic. Saturday, Oct. 21, 11am-4pm. Bur-mil Park, 5834 BurMil Club Rd., Greensboro. Shelter #1. Please contact Rose Beeson ASAP @ nwhsclassof67@gmail.com. Looking forward to seeing our classmates!

NEIGHBORHOOD YARD SALE. Saturday, September 30, 8am-1pm. Elmhurst Estates, Joseph Hoskins Rd. Summerfield.

“MORE THAN A YARD SALE” by Mt. Pisgah Church Women. Saturday, Oct. 7, 7am-1pm. 2600 Pisgah Church Road, Greensboro. Select Schiffman’s items, family clothing, linens, jewelry, household goods, holiday items, tools, sports equipment and so much more!

„ HOME SERVICES

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

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

CLEANING

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

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

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

CRYSTAL CLE AR 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.

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

continued on p. 52

„ HOME SERVICES

ELECTRICAL

Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? It's portable generator season. Call Coble Electric, LLC at (336) 209-1486

BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC

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

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

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

APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance

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

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

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

„ HOME SERVICES

AFFORDABLE

HOME

REPAIR

“No Job Too Small” „

Wood Rot Repairs on door jambs & window sills

Bathroom Remodeling • Decks and much more! • Insured

Contact us for a free estimate!

(336) 669-7252

oldschoolsjhr@triad.rr.com

„ HOME SERVICES

HILL

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

Why move when you can improve? licensed general contractors

One call fixes all!

(336) 643-1184

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

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 rough-cut lumber. Call owner/operator Bobby Lipstreu, (336) 543-7867.

GUTTERS /

handyman ● painting ● kitchen & bath

residential & commercial

● free estimates

336.554.5007

kjhomeservices4u@gmail.com

● kjhomeservicesnc.com

GRADING / HAULING

GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150

E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, demolition, lot clearing, excavating, bobcat work, etc. (336) 451-1282

Grading ● Hauling

Land Clearing Concrete ● Gravel Driveways

Tree/Brush Removal Drainage ● Demolition

Residential & Commercial

Owner Jackson Prillaman

Call or text for free estimate

336-905-0665

Fully licensed and insured

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

LAWNCARE /

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

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.

Call (336) 669-5448

WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC

Lawn maint., landscaping. Irrigation/landscape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape lighting. 26 years exp. (336) 399-7764

MEDLIN'S LANDSCAPING. Res./comm. lawn service. Fully insured. Call/text (336) 817-3036.

DeLima Lawn Care, LLC

Available 7 days/week

Owner: JC Ruiz ● 336.669.5210

FREE ESTIMATES

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE

Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. (336) 643-9157

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

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.

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.

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

„ HOME SERVICES

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

GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE

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

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

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

MASONRY

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

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.

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

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS

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

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

„ HOME SERVICES

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.

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

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

PAINTING & DRYWALL

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

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

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

„ HOME SERVICES

WEBSTER & SONS PLUMBING, Inc

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

POOLS

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

PRESSURE WASHING

HOUSE and ROOF SOFT WASHING Martin's Pressure Washing. (919) 931-0856

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

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

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.

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.

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

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION, LLC

„ HOME SERVICES

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

PLUMBING

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

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.

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

ROOFING

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.

(336) 310-4133 Call

WWW.VILLAGEROOFS.COM

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

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

„ MISC. SERVICES

WELDING AND TRAILER REPAIR Call Tim, (336) 402-3869

continued on p. 54

„ HOME SERVICES

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

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

„ MISC. FOR SALE

HAY for sale, round bales. $40 per bale. (336) 430-9507.

CUB CADET LTX 1046 lawn tractor. 46" deck, Kohler 22 HP, 200 hrs. With accessories: twin bagger, core aerator, dethatcher. Good shape. Moving out of state. $750, OBO (301) 461-1652 or (301) 461-1630

ELECTRIC RECLINER. Green fabric. Practically brand new, gently used. German motor. $180. Oak Ridge. (301) 461-1630

the Northwest Observer Community news since 1996!

„ 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) 689-4167

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

YARN NEEDED to make children's hats for homeless shelter. Call Beth, (336) 644-8155

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

„ REAL ESTATE

LAND FOR SALE

SUMMER FIELD AREA , Rockingham County taxes. Large homesites. Bring your own builder, build when you’re ready. NO HOA!!!! Call (336) 314-3773. Anytime!

LAND WANTED

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

index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS

Please support our advertisers, and tell them where you saw their ad!

Troop 600 went to Philmont Scout Ranch this summer and enjoyed catching up on the news back home while on the highest peak, Baldy Mountain, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico. The mountain range has an elevation of 12,441 feet.

The Trogdon family took a break to read their hometown newspaper together while on a family vacation this past June at Disney World.

(L-R) Quinton, Ren (12), Raven (17), and Rolondo Enoch of Stokesdale visited the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii, where they took the opportunity to learn more about this historic event and caught up on the current history in the making in the Northwest Observer.