Firefighters and others from northwestern Guilford County aid western North Carolinas communities after last month’s devastating floods by CHRIS BURRITT
NW GUILFORD – While helping the Nebo Volunteer Fire Department in hard-hit McDowell County, Summerfield firefighters Zack Hardy and Colton Ide responded to a call about a woman running low on supplies. The mother with a young child “was almost in tears, just happy that somebody had showed up to check on her,” Hardy said.
“For me, that one moment explained why we were up there, helping people who are hurting and are going to be hurting for a long time,” Hardy said. “When you have the ability to help, you almost feel an obligation.”
From firefighters traveling to western North Carolina to churches and businesses collecting donations, northwest Guilford has stepped up. Oak Ridge Military Academy sent nine cadets to the flooded community of Vilas, near Boone, joining other volunteers, first responders, relief organizations and governmental agencies in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
“Every little thing we do brings
Summerfield Fire District’s Crew 1, consisting of (photo on left, L to R) Greg Ebel, Colton Ide, Zack Hardy and Shane Taylor, departed around 5 a.m. on Sept. 29 on a five-day deployment to assist Nebo Volunteer Fire Department in McDowell County with relief efforts for victims of flooding from Hurricane Helene. A second crew from Summerfield, consisting of (photo on right, L to R) Reece Walker, James Torbett, Chris Gibson and Chase Loye, left for a five-day deployment on the morning of Oct. 4.
a little bit more hope,” said Chadd Landress, an Oak Ridge volunteer fireman and 30-year veteran of disaster recoveries, including Helene. “At first, it’s overwhelming; it’s chaos. It’s that shock and awe at the beginning. Then they start to feel like they can get through this. They’re not alone.”
So far, Summerfield’s fire department has deployed two groups of four firefighters to assist volunteer firefighters in Nebo, at the request of the Office of the State Fire Marshal. While the fire departments in Oak Ridge and Stokesdale haven’t
by CHRIS BURRITT
OAK RIDGE – An infestation of caterpillars that devoured the grass in Heritage Farm Park’s two new multipurpose fields didn’t prove deadly, after all.
A few weeks ago, Oak Ridge’s parks and recreation staff noticed the rapid spreading of brown patches on the turf. The discovery led to fears that an especially destructive variety of caterpillars known as army worms would severely
The turf on Heritage Farm Park’s two new multipurpose fields has bounced back after being treated a few weeks ago for an infestation of a destructive variety of caterpillars known as army worms. That’s great news for those especially anxious for the opening of the fields next spring.
damage, or possibly kill, the turf.
That scenario didn’t happen. Spraying of an insecticide took care of the caterpillars. The turf has bounced back and now shows widespread growth of green grass.
“The good thing is they didn’t eat the roots,” Mayor Jim Kinneman said in an interview earlier this week.
Noting that the turf has “recovered from the army worm infestation,” deputy town clerk Ashley Royal said Oak Ridge anticipates the opening of the fields next spring, as originally planned.
One-stop early voting begins Oct. 17 and ends Nov. 2; Election Day is Tuesday, Nov.
by PATTI STOKES
NW GUILFORD – Early voting for the Nov. 5 election begins Thursday, Oct. 17, and will run through Saturday, Nov. 2. Voters are required to present a valid photo identification when voting in person. If you do not have a valid photo ID card, you may obtain one from Guilford County’s Board of Elections before the election, through the end of the early voting period.
Individuals who are not registered to vote in a county by the deadline may register at early voting sites during the early voting period. After registering, the newly registered voter can immediately vote at the same site. This process is called “same-day registration.”
Twenty-eight early voting sites will be open throughout Guilford County from
5
Oct. 17 to Nov. 2. Those in northwestern and northern Guilford County include: Bur-Mil Club, 5834 Bur-Mill Club Rd., Greensboro; Leonard Recreation Center, 6324 Ballinger Rd., Greensboro; Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Rd., Oak Ridge; Northern Guilford Middle School, 616 Simpson-Calhoun Rd., Greensboro; Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel-Pardue Rd., Stokesdale; Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Rd., Summerfield.
Voters must vote in their assigned polling place on Election Day.
For more election-related information, including a list of all early voting locations and hours, photo ID information, and a sample ballot, visit www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/ board-of-elections.
BOE District 3 rep Michael Logan denies opponent Bill Goebel’s claim that he “helped plan and participated in” the events of Jan. 6, 2021
by PATTI STOKES
NW GUILFORD – Michael Logan, District 3 Board of Education (BOE) member, and Bill Goebel have been at odds since the BOE was charged with filling the remainder of Pat Tillman’s
term after Tillman was elected to the county’s Board of Commissioners in November 2022. Logan, the Guilford County GOP’s nominee to serve the rest of Tillman’s term, was denied the seat by the Democrat-majority BOE three times in the months that followed. After much wrangling, a house bill intended to clarify the appointment process instead created a loophole which the BOE used to dismiss the GOP’s nominee, and instead they voted to appoint Goebel in April 2023. Goebel served on the BOE until his resignation on Sept. 19, 2023. Logan
Zoning recommended by the planning staff excludes apartments; however, the developer can seek multi-family rezoning later by
CHRIS BURRITT
GREENSBORO – The Guilford County Planning and Development Board may make a recommendation next week for the zoning of developer David Couch’s nearly 150 acres at N.C. 150 and Interstate 73.
In earlier meetings, the board failed to agree on how to recommend zoning the land. A special meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday, Oct. 23, for the board to consider the planning staff’s recommendation to assign two conditional zonings to the property.
In what may be a temporary victory for opponents of multi-family housing on Couch’s property, neither of the two zoning districts allows apartments. Earlier this month, Couch agreed to remove multi-family housing as an option for the N.C. 150 tract where he envisions building the Saunders Village retail and commercial center.
The board’s recommendation to the county’s Board of Commissioners will be a first step, with commissioners having final approval for the zoning of Couch’s property. Then, the developer can apply for the county’s rezoning of the entirety of the nearly 1,000 acres de-annexed from Summerfield by the state legislature this past June.
Rezoning of the property is one of the requirements for Couch to proceed with the Villages of Summerfield Farms, a residential, commercial and retail development that envisions preserving green space traversed by public walking trails.
Except for the N.C. 150/I-73 tracts, the planning board voted in August to zone all of Couch’s land stretching from Summerfield Road to the interstate. The board concurred with staff’s recommendation to zone the property, anchored by Summerfield Farms, as a mix of residential and agricultural.
The board’s vote left unresolved zoning of the N.C. 150/I-73 property, which is divided into three tracts. For the largest one, staff proposed conditional zoning–general business (CZ-GB) for the triangular tract bounded by I-73 to the west, N.C. 150 to the south and
on p. 17 ...continued on p. 8
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It’s been months since Summerfield Town Council meetings have been livestreamed, which gave citizens the opportunity to watch the meetings without attending in person.
Does
the town plan to resume broadcasting the meetings at some point?
That topic actually came up during the council’s meeting Oct. 8. Mayor Tim Sessoms said he’s fielded “a ton of phone calls” from residents unhappy that livestreaming of council meetings on the town’s Facebook page stopped.
“We should get back to that,” Sessoms said. The practice ended this past spring as town staff was preparing to resign. In an interview, interim Town Manager Dana Luther said she and acting clerk Jeff Bacon don’t know how to set up the recording equipment.
Based on the council’s decision about how to proceed, the task may fall on Charles “Twig” Rollins, who took charge as town manager this past Sunday, Oct. 13.
“It’s a service that we’re missing and we should be providing,” said councilman Heath Clay at the Oct. 8 meeting. He suggested the council consider turning Summerfield Community Center – the location of most council meetings – into permanent meeting space. That would allow the permanent installation of recording equipment in the
Summerfield Town Council meetings have not been livestreamed since late last spring. The council is discussing resuming broadcasting the meetings for remote viewing, but has given no timeline for when that will happen.
community center for livestreaming of council, committee and board meetings, according to Clay. At present, meetings are held at both the community center and Town Hall. Clay also proposed ending the
option to rent the community center for family gatherings and other events in order to dedicate the space for town meetings. (See more on this discussion on p. 27.)
Dr. Steve Luking has:
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• Served as Chief of Staff and Hospital Board Chair at Annie Penn Hospital
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I will work to restore solid funding (NC is currently ranked 48th in the country), demand competitive pay and professional respect for educators, and stop vouchers for the wealthy.
HEALTHCARE ACCESS & AFFORDABILITY
I will continue to advocate for women’s healthcare rights, science-based policies, medical debt relief, and patient-centered laws.
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I will promote smart growth in our communities while rejecting campaign donation influences.
INTEGRITY IN GOVERNANCE
I will actually listen to public opinions and concerns.
To learn more, please visit www.SteveLuking4NC.org Paid for by SteveLuking4NC
Bring your pet to King’s Crossing wearing a costume before 10/31 and be entered for a giveaway
The Town of Summerfield spent $195,391.50 in attorney fees in the three months spanning April through June of this year; of that, $130,100 was paid to the new town attorney.
I’ve not seen reports in recent months about how much the town of Summerfield is spending on legal fees, and am concerned about the amount we are racking up. What is the latest on those expenses?
Individuals and organizations, including the Northwest Observer, have filed public records requests (PRR) seeking that information from Summerfield. Recently, the administrator of the Summerfield Strong Facebook page shared its recently filled PRR.
According to the information provided by the town, eight law firms charged – or were paid by – Summerfield a total of $195,391.50 in the three months spanning April through June. Here’s the breakdown:
• $21,975 to Ramseur Maultsby, which represented Summerfield in mediation with outgoing Town Manager Scott Whitaker.
• $19,937.50 to Maynard Nexsen, representing Summerfield in its NAACP legal fight.
• $6,584 to the Brough Law Firm. One of its lawyers, Bob Hornik, served as Summerfield’s attorney until April.
• $6,525 to Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough, representing the town in litigation related to the ouster of Todd Rotruck from the Town Council.
• $5,000 to Elliot Morgan Parsonage, which lists employment law and civil rights among its expertise.
• $4,520 to Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, which describes its specialty as workplace law.
• $750 to Womble Bond Dickinson, hired by Summerfield for help in land use planning related to its unsuccessful de-annexation fight.
• $130,100 to Jim Hoffman, who started as town attorney in April.
• Honoring Veterans by Delivering VA Reform
• Saluting & Supporting Our Brave Troops
• Fully Equipping Law Enforcement & First Responders
• Fighting to Secure the Southern Border
• Working for a Strong Economy & Lower Inflation
EARLY VOTING OCTOBER 17TH – NOVEMBER 2ND ELECTION DAY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH
was sworn into office that same evening at the BOE’s meeting.
Following his resignation, Goebel worked to garner enough signatures to get on this November’s ballot as an unaffiliated candidate.
Tensions between the two candidates have been palpable in the last 1 ½ years. They escalated during the Public Comments period of Stokesdale Town Council’s Oct. 10 meeting, when Goebel stated that Logan had “participated and planned an attendance on the demonstration of the Jan. 6, 2021 Washington, D.C. (storming of the U.S. Capitol).”
Logan strongly denies Goebel’s claim.
“My opponent accused me of planning and participating in negative activities that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021,” Logan wrote in a response to the Northwest Observer’s question about his involvement. “I neither planned nor
attended the events that day. As a 26-year GCS educator, I was in my classroom, administering a test to students. Desperation is dangerous and he (Goebel) is dangerously close to answering for his lies.”
In an email to the Northwest Observer this week, Goebel maintains that Logan was both involved in planning and participated in the Jan. 6, 2021 incident. As evidence, he provided an email from the county’s Republican Party chair, David Gleeson, dated Dec. 31, 2020; Logan was one of 15 people on the “To” list of the email, which gave details about a chartered bus trip of “American Patriots” for an assembly in Washington, D.C. Participants were advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring snacks and drinks for the bus ride, plan to be in the city for a few hours, and then stop for dinner on the way home. No mention was made of any plans to storm the Capitol or engage in any forceful or violent behavior.
Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO
OAK RIDGE – After three years of fundraising, Oak Ridge plans a grand opening of the Veterans Honor Green in Heritage Farm Park Nov. 11, coinciding with a Veterans Day observance. Six monuments honor the branches of the U.S. military, creating the centerpiece of the first phase of the veterans’ site. In the second phase, a path will lead to a reflective area in the pine grove behind the exhibit.
The budget for the two phases totals $280,500.
Early in their efforts to recognize Oak Ridge’s veterans, volunteers decided they didn’t want to create a memorial to the fallen. Instead, they
A grand opening for Veterans Honor Green in Oak Ridge’s Heritage Farm Park is planned for Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
envisioned a site honoring deceased, retired and active military personnel, as well as their families, according to Patti Dmuchowski, spearheading the project as chair of Oak Ridge’s Special Events Committee.
The grand opening of the Veterans Honor Green will coincide with a Veterans Day ceremony beginning 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11 (rain or shine). The ceremony will be held at Heritage Farm Park, 8515 Scoggins Road in Oak Ridge. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair. See ad on p. 45 for more details and a list of major contributors to the Honor Green.
Renovation and expansion of the historic Redmon house at Oak Ridge’s Town Park is progressing, with town leaders projecting completion of the $650,000 Farmhouse Community Center project early next year. They envision a similar timetable for landscaping at the park’s entrance at Linville Road and Lisa Drive and the construction of two sidewalks and a parking area at the community center.
Our children are the most vulnerable citizens in our community and deserve our utmost protection. When considering political candidates who impact our children, we must prioritize experience, ethics, and trustworthiness. Moderate and conservative parents, grandparents, and concerned citizens have come together to present factual information and public sentiment regarding the candidates running for the Guilford County Board of Education (“School Board”) in District 3, which includes Stokesdale, Oak Ridge, parts of Summerfield, Kernersville, and Greensboro.
• 26 years of experience as a Guilford County Schools (“GCS”) educator, including teaching automotive technology and serving as Department head at Southern Guilford High School
• Prioritizes scholastics and career/college preparation and is committed to fostering a robust, high-quality education for all students
• Strongly supports parental rights and parental involvement
• Committed to school safety and student resource officers (SROs) in every school
• Highly responsive to phone calls and emails with complete transparency and common-sense solutions
• Resides near Northwest Middle and High schools, where his children attended and graduated
• Active in our school system by attending school functions, PTA meetings, celebrations, graduations, and athletic events
• Engages with our community by speaking at town council meetings, attending and sponsoring community events, and conversing with citizens throughout the district
• Advocates for higher income for teachers and support staff
• Endorsed by Carolina Teachers Association, Make Education Great Again, NC Asian-American Coalition, Guilford County Commissioner Pat Tillman, and Stokesdale Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy
• Attorney from New Jersey who recently moved to North Carolina
• Appointed to legal counsel from 2019-2021 for the East Windsor Regional School Board located in New Jersey
• Committed to an educational system that addresses the whole child
• Testified to School Board members that Bill Goebel urged Mr. Coates to drop out of the race and stated that Goebel contacted the Democrat Party to pressure Mr. Coates to quit
• Declared at a School Board meeting during during the public comments period that “Bill Goebel doesn’t deserve anyone’s votes.”
• Participated in a secret meeting with the GCS Democrat School Board Chair and attorney, making a “back-room deal” with Democrat School Board members for the District 3 Board seat.
• Named in a lawsuit for violating NC Open Meetings law
• Disregarded School Board policy 7720 by campaigning on public school grounds
• Quoted in the Greensboro News & Record as saying, “I feel that I’m better suited to be on the school board than someone who knows how to change tires,” Goebel said, referring to Logan’s background as an automotive instructor
• Claims to be a “champion for public education”; however, enrolled his children in private schools
• Endorsed by a left-wing affiliate organization that features a “Pronoun Guide,” advising teachers to use made-up pronouns like “ze,” “zim,” “Zir” and “Zirself” when referring to students
Residents in the Northwest and Northern area of Guilford County express their gratitude to Mr. Logan for his unwavering commitment to public education. As both a GCS teacher and a School Board member, Mr. Logan has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, a proactive approach to addressing concerns, and a track record of implementing effective solutions. His ethical conduct, compassionate nature, friendliness, and approachability have earned him the respect and admiration of the community.
We enthusiastically support the re-election of Michael Logan as our School Board representative.
Please note the following information: The facts stated above are sourced from local news outlets, candidate websites, School Board meetings, and other reliable origins. Any opinions expressed on this page represent the views of local community members who are not paid associates of any candidate or political action.
Paid for by Conservative Women of Guilford County
in music,” Alvino noted, adding that auditions for “Little Women” presented a good challenge – there was an overwhelming amount of interest. “We have people with years of professional training involved in the show.”
PATTI STOKES
It’s been two years since Amy Alvino and Elyse Rodriguez, founders of the Summerfield Stage Company, introduced live community theater to northwest Guilford County, and they’re thrilled with how far they’ve come.
“It’s been exciting to watch our theater group grow, including our production staff, since our first show, ‘Ichabod,’” Alvino shared. As the duo took a break to discuss their upcoming production, “Little Women, the Broadway Musical,” they reflected on their journey.
“For this show, we’ve attracted people from nearby towns like Stokesdale and Madison/Mayodan, even those with no prior community theater experience,” Alvino said. “It just shows there’s a real need for community theater in this area.”
As Summerfield Stage expands its reach, it continues to draw in a broader range of talent.
“We’ve got people with doctorates
Now entering its second season, “Little Women” marks the company’s second musical and the first to feature live musicians. “It’s like music to our ears,” Alvino said with a smile.
For this production, Alvino is focused on the show’s overall production, while Rodriguez handles the choreography.
“Amy runs her own business and is great at organizing,” Rodriguez said. “I’m more of the creative type, so choreography suits me.”
Balancing the demands of the theater with their full-time jobs and personal lives can be a challenge. Alvino, for example, is a mother of two young children, ages 4 and 1. Both women acknowledge it’s much different from their college days, when they could fully immerse themselves in theater.
“In college, I could throw myself into it completely,” Rodriguez reflected.
Despite their busy schedules, both agree that launching a community theater has been incredibly rewarding.
“’Little Women’ is such a beautiful show,” Alvino said. “I got really emotional watching a rehearsal – it reminded me why we started this in the first place. I believe the arts have a place everywhere, and we’re offering something unique.”
“We had this idea over three years ago, and now it’s happening!” Rodriguez added.
Looking ahead, their main goal is to find a permanent space for rehearsals and performances.
“We’d love to have a place to call home,” they said. They’re also hoping to increase participation from actors
Summerfield Stage Company will present “Little Women, the Broadway Musical” Oct. 18-20 and Oct. 2426. Shown in photo: (bottom left) Sydnee Steele as Beth; (top left) Katie Pelikan as Jo; (top right) Alicia Reid as Meg; (bottom right) Laura Strader as Amy: and (center) Heather Sykes as Marmee.
and volunteers, as well as raise more funds to pay musicians and support their future plans.
“Little Women, the Broadway Musical” will run from Oct. 18-20 and Oct. 24-26. Performances are at the historic Ai Church Community Building at 1306 NC 68 in Oak Ridge. Tickets are available online at https://summerfieldstage.ludus.com.
“Come see the show, check out what we’re doing, and help spread the word about how great it is!” Alvino and Rodriguez urged.
John Blust served a term in the N.C. Senate and nine terms in N.C. House District 62. He grew up and lives in Northwest Guilford County where he learned the values of faith, family, freedom, individual responsibility, hard work, and initiative. He is a constitutional, common-sense, conservative who believes in limited government.
Education
• Standout student and athlete at Western Guilford High School
• B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration at UNC Chapel Hill
• Law Degree at UNC Chapel Hill School of Law
• Passed Certified Public Accountant exam
• Passed bar exam
Military Service
• Left home to join the army the day after turning 18
• Earned the rank of Captain – Field Artillery Branch
• Earned Airborne Wings at US Army Airborne School
• Class leader of Officer Basic Course in field artillery
• Served 18 months in the elite 82nd Airborne Division
• While serving as a Fire Direction Officer on the Demilitarized Zone in Korea, John was cited by superiors for “executing one of the most challenging assignments in the battalion flawlessly.”
Professional Service
As an accountant and an attorney, John has assisted countless clients with tax problems, wills, trusts, estates, and planning financial affairs to reduce taxes. He has also helped many clients start or expand businesses or work out financial problems.
• Got state spending under control and closed $3 billion budget gap
• Lowered personal and business income tax rates
• Significant regulatory reform
• Extensive government ethics reform to fight corruption
• Comprehensive lobbying reforms
• Increased number of charter schools and school choice
• Photo ID to vote and other election integrity measures
• Education reform to end DEI, CRT, and indoctrination in schools
• Improve school safety and safety of community
• Protect the Second Amendment
• Protecting babies born alive
• Texas-like law to empower North Carolina law enforcement to arrest and deport those illegally here
• Harden North Carolina’s electrical grid
• Stop China from buying our land
• Worked to provide $273,000,000 for Hurricane Helene relief to western North Carolina
These following are previoulsly published quotes about John Blust during his 20 years of service in the North Carolina Senate and North Carolina House that indicate the reputation he earned while serving in office.
“John Blust is a man of character and integrity. You can count on him to keep his word. I am proud to have him representing me in Raleigh.”
– Congressman Howard Coble
“John Blust is the most honest forthright person I have ever known in politics. He is a tireless advocate for Guilford County.”
– Joe Bostic, former Chairman of the Guilford County Commissioners
“John Blust is the conscience of the Senate.”
– Virginia Foxx, then NC Senator, now Congressman
“Over his last two years, Blust has made a name for himself in the Senate as a tireless voice for integrity and openness.”
– Greensboro News & Record
“John Blust is a stand up guy. He is a fighter who will always stand up for his constituents. Honor, integrity, and work ethic are not just words to John., they are a way of life.”
– BJ Barnes, then Guilford County Sheriff
“Sen. John Blust of Greensboro, a disarmingly candid, Mr. Smith goes to Raleigh sort of legislator.”
– Raleigh News & Observer
“Blust, a Greensboro resident shows uncommon integrity. He has been a refreshing voice in the N.C. Senate, where he regularly challenges standard operating procedures.”
– High Point Enterprise
“A hardworking tenacious representative.”
– Greensboro News & Record
“Blust is one of the most conscientious and hard-working elected officials I have ever met and I have met quite a few.”
– John Hammer, Rhinoceros Times Editor
“A Republican of character…a devout conservative whose truest allegiance is to the rule of law, not to any party or clique.”
– Author Corban Addison
“Blust, a Greensboro attorney and accountant, is an exceptionally conscientious legislator who has served in the House and Senate…He is a fervent advocate of more responsible fiscal management in Raleigh and has pushed relentlessly for zero-based budgeting, among other reforms.’
– Greensboro News & Record
• Class leader of Officer Basic Class in Field Artillery at the United States Army Field Artillery School at For Sill, Oklahoma.
• Earned airborne wings at United States Army Airborne School, Ft. Benning, GeorgiaVolunteered for duty in the 2nd Infantry Division along the Demilitarized Zone in the Republic of Koreathe toughest duty assignment for new artillery officers.
• Assigned to a nuclear capable field artillery battalion - trusted with, and trained to employ, tactical nuclear weapons.
• Served for 18 months in the 82nd Airborne Division –“America’s Guard of Honor.”
"Brilliant performance. A totally involved and dedicated officer. Unequalled in the Battalion by his peers."
– Major Charles T. Homer, Executive Officer, 2/17th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division
''1st Lt. Blust is the best lieutenant in my command ... John is intelligent, long on common sense, uncommonly articulate and always willing to assist others. His willingness to work late hours to study every conceivable nuance of his job contributed to his brilliant performance ...”
– Colonel Harry F. Eng, Commander,2/17th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division
“Outstanding performance of duty by a first-rate officer. In a cadre of 40 officers I directly supervised, John Blust was my point man on tough projects ... Ready for command. Keep in the command track. Promote to Major as soon as possible ... Displays sound judgment and continuously seeks self-improvement. Truly outstanding. Exhibits all of the characteristics of professional ethics to the highest degree."
-Colonel John P. Dooley, United States Army Field Artillery School
Owner: Dr. Timari Schweizer
Confident Kids Pediatric Dentistry opened in Oak Ridge on Sept. 3 after Dr. Timari Schweizer, “Dr. Tim,” spent two years thoughtfully designing the office to accommodate the needs of children, from the colors, to activities, and even the size of the doors!
Prior to opening, Dr. Tim spent six years working with children in the dental setting. She completed a pediatric dental residency at Children’s Hospital of Colorado and received an Ivy-League degree in dentistry as well as a master’s in public health from the University of Pennsylvania.
Confident Kids takes a family approach to preventing cavities and introduces innovative strategies to lower the risk of dental disease and achieve healthy smiles for life. The office also provides restorative therapies, including sealants, fillings, white and silver crowns, space maintainers and more. Treatment can be completed with the use of laughing gas or sedation as needed. Additionally, Dr. Tim provides services for patients under general anesthesia in the safety of a surgical center, when indicated.
Mission statement: We believe everyone deserves to have confidence in their smile. Together we aspire not just to heal and prevent dental disease, but to empower patients and families with the knowledge and skills to support a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Challenges: With so many new sounds and sensations, dentistry can be difficult for kiddos. Our job is to
help acclimate them to the dental environment with compassion, patience and support.
Rewards: Helping kiddos smile and overcome challenges, and getting a child to laugh when they arrive nervous or just “too cool” (my silly jokes are “cringe” per my teenage niece).
Charitable causes: As part of our core values, we believe in helping our community. Working with Guilford County’s Partnership for Children, for every new patient, we donate the cost of shipping Dolly Parton Imagination Library’s books to a child in Guilford County. Partnering with Tess Oral Health, we’ve donated over 8,000 toothbrushes to families in western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. And for October, we’re also giving back for Breast Cancer Awareness.
On a personal note: Growing up in rural Oregon, we didn’t have much, but I was blessed to have a family full of love and a community that supported me and my dreams of college and dental school. My husband and I settled in Oak Ridge because it reminded me so much of my home town and we felt it would be an amazing environment to raise our daughters. North Carolina has the beauty of the mountains I hold dear and of the beaches my husband had growing up on Long Island, New York, so it is the best of both worlds for us.
Downtime: I spend every free second with my girls. Kids grow up so fast, and I don’t want to ever regret not getting in one more story time, song
“Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don’t live in the world all of your own.” – Albert Schweitzer
by ANNETTE JOYCE
Explore Oak Ridge, Christmas at Maple Glade and the grand opening ceremony of Oak Ridge’s Heritage Farm Park are just a few events that have been made better, and in some cases, even possible, thanks to the contributions of Oak Ridge resident Caroline Ruch.
A native of Shelby, North Carolina, Ruch describes herself as a “real Southern gal” who grew up immersed in the art of hospitality. She attributes her passion for creating memorable events to her mother, whom she says excelled at turning even the simplest gatherings into special occasions.
“There was always some type of family gathering — dinners, baby showers, bridal showers,” Ruch recalled.
After moving to Oak Ridge in 1995, Ruch wasted no time getting involved in her neighborhood homeowners’ association. She began organizing holiday parties, Easter egg hunts, block parties, and various activities for families and children. It was through her involvement in these events that she met Ann Schneider, a neighbor who was then serving on Oak Ridge’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC).
Ruch’s appreciation for historic homes and her desire to contribute to the town’s preservation efforts led her to join the HPC in 2015. She eventually became vice-chair, helping to steer efforts to preserve Oak Ridge’s rich history. One of her proudest achievements was the successful execu-
tion of “Explore Oak Ridge” in 2017. The event, which gave attendees the opportunity to tour the Oak Ridge Military Academy (ORMA) campus and several of the town’s historic homes and sites, was a first-of-its-kind for the town. Despite initial skepticism from some who doubted she could get permission to close a stretch of N.C. 150 for pedestrians, Ruch made it happen, working alongside a dedicated team of volunteers.
“Every project she has been a part of has benefited from her involvement.”
– Ann Schneider, Oak Ridge Town Council member, on Caroline Ruch
During “Explore Oak Ridge,” Ruch got her first closeup view of Maple Glade, which for decades served as home of the ORMA president. Struck by the house’s beauty but distressed by its condition, she resolved to help restore it. She soon proposed the idea of hosting an open house event, “Christmas at Maple Glade,” to showcase the historic property.
Though the house lacked furniture and needed significant repairs and cleaning, Ruch remained undeterred. With her signature perseverance, she rallied sponsors, recruited volunteers, and even arranged for a kitchen remodel. After hundreds of hours of hard work, Maple Glade was transformed for the holidays, allowing visitors to enjoy the stately
home while raising funds for its restoration.
by Annette Joyce/NWO
Although Ruch has since stepped down from the HPC, her commitment to preserving historical properties remains strong. She recently joined Guilford Battle Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, sparking the organization’s interest in helping to preserve Maple Glade. Ruch also continues to serve on the town’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and Special Events Committee, contributing to popular initiatives like Music in the Park and the creation of the Veterans Honor Green in Heritage Farm Park.
“Caroline has an eye for beauty and good design — she can make anything more beautiful, even on a tight budget,” said Schneider, now a member of Oak Ridge Town Council. “She has a magic touch that makes people want to donate their time and talents to the projects she’s involved with. Oak Ridge is fortunate to have Caroline as a resident and volunteer.”
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.
Rich and Kathy Dumas began building in the Triad in 1992. Since Rich and Kathy Dumas began R&K in 1992, it has become a respected, multi-gold award-winning company. Having built over 500 homes ranging in price from the $500,000s to $2 million, R&K’s wide range of construction and design types separates them from the others. Rich & Kathy walk you through every detail as they show you their passion for not just crafting homes, but building memories. R&K’s challenge to produce the best never ceases.
by CHRIS BURRITT
NW GREENSBORO – A successful test flight last week by Denver-based startup Boom Supersonic produced the fastest speed yet in the development of the passenger jet that will be assembled at Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI).
In its fifth test since March, Boom’s demonstrator aircraft reached the speed of Mach 0.69, moving closer to the company’s goal of breaking the sound barrier at Mach 1 later this year, according to a company statement. By indicated air speed, the flight reached 428 knots, or nearly 493 miles per hour. On average, commercial planes cruise at around 550 mph.
...continued from p. 3
Deboe Road to the east.
While excluding multi-family housing, the district allows a wide range of business uses including a hotel, convenience store, daycare, shooting range, nursing home and business, medical and government offices, according to the county’s permitted use schedule.
The other two tracts are located south of N.C. 150 on the eastern and
It was also the highest and longest flight, reaching maximum altitude of 17,800 feet in its approximately 50 minutes over the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California.
It marked the halfway point in the 10 test flights planned by Boom, which is checking the performance and handling qualities of the demonstrator aircraft.
The company plans to accelerate Greensboro hiring over the next year as it ramps up testing of different steps in assembling the plane, founder and CEO Blake Scholl told reporters this past June, when he participated in an event at PTI marking completion of the exterior of its $450 million factory.
western sides of I-73. Staff recommended conditional zoning–limited office (CZ-LO) for the property. While excluding such uses as landfills and lodges, it allows single-family houses, professional and medical offices and schools.
The special meeting of the county’s Planning and Development Board is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the N.C. Cooperative Extension’s agricultural center at 3309 Burlington Road in Greensboro.
Casey Johnson and his father, Commie Johnson, established CJ Builders in 2005. Since then, the company has constructed top-tier residences across the northwest Guilford region, earning acclaim for their superior craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail, and commitment to realizing their clients’ new home wants and needs.
As the business has grown, changes have been made to uphold the principles that have made CJ Builders a strong and enduring company. Earlier this year, Commie retired to explore new endeavors (although he still likes to pick up a hammer and join Casey in the field) and Josh Marshall, a trusted
friend and longstanding business associate of Casey’s, stepped in to assume Commie’s role.
A Stokesdale resident, Josh is a Realtor and president/owner of Triad Homes Realty in Greensboro. He is responsible for handling CJ Builders’ administrative details and developing new business.
“I’m really excited about what Josh has brought to the company,” Casey said. “With him focusing on the administrative side, I’m free to do what I like best, which is being on the construction site doing hands-on work. Plus, it gives me the opportunity to make sure things are done to
the homebuyers’ liking.”
CJ Builders also opened an office earlier this year at 7251 U.S. Highway 158 in Stokesdale, which gives the company a convenient place to meet with clients and prospective clients.
“We’re able to focus completely on the client and their plans, without any unwanted distractions,” Casey said. “Plus, it’s a more comfortable environment.”
While changes have been made, one very important thing remains the same – CJ Builders’ commitment to top-notch customer service. For both Casey and Josh, that means carefully listening to what their homebuyers want and ensuring their desires are being met.
It also means maintaining an excellent level of communication.
“I strive to be super responsive and always get back to my customers as quickly as possible,” Casey said. “That’s a really big deal for me.”
Along with new home construction, Casey is establishing himself as a successful developer. CJ Builders was part of the development team that
recently sold out the Belews Ridge community in Stokesdale and the prestigious Pemberly Estates in Oak Ridge.
The company is also involved with Honeycutt Reserve in Oak Ridge and is working on plans to develop new communities in Stokesdale.
supplied crews, some individuals in the two departments have helped as members of other organizations, according to chiefs Ken Gibson in Oak Ridge and Stokesdale’s Todd Gauldin.
Summerfield’s firemen performed a variety of duties: distributing water and food to survivors, conducting welfare checks to determine whether people are OK and search for and recovery of people who are missing. They also fought a house fire, relieving Nebo volunteers exhausted by recovery efforts.
“They’re there to do whatever the emergency operations center and the fire department need – looking for people, mopping floors, cutting and removing trees from houses,” Summerfield Fire Chief Chris Johnson said. “They’re not just helping with Helene recovery.”
The late September storm socked North Carolina’s foothills and mountains with unprecedented fury. It dumped as much as two feet of rain, unleashing landslides and flooding that wiped out communities such as Lake Lure and Chimney Rock and washed out many roads and bridges.
As of this past weekend, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services had verified 93 Helene-related deaths, a tally based on autopsies. That’s fewer than the 121 reported by individual counties where the official cause of death hadn’t been confirmed, the Asheville Citizen-Times newspaper reported.
At its peak, more than one million homes and businesses reportedly lost electricity. Like other infrastructure damage, repairing and replacing washed-out municipal water and sewage systems will take weeks and months, and longer.
“I watched the news and read the articles before I was deployed, but it didn’t even touch a candle to what I saw,” said Stokesdale fireman Wyatt Wallace, who traveled to Fairview as a National Guard reservist.
The devastated Buncombe County community reportedly lost 13 residents, including 11 members of the same family, due to landslides.
Days later, Wallace saw widespread damage due to landslides.
“The only way I could begin to describe it is that it was as if God took his arm and just chopped off a mountain, just took the land and leveled it,” he said.
President Biden declared 27 counties as a major disaster area, opening the spigot of federal aid. More than 160,000 people have registered for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has dispatched more than 1,000 staff to the state and has paid more than $96 million to western North Carolina disaster survivors, according to Gov. Roy Cooper’s office. FEMA is housing about 4,600 households in hotels.
A task force led by the North Carolina National Guard has deployed about 3,500 soldiers and airmen from 12 states to western North Carolina. The U.S. Army sent two 101st Airborne Division units, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is helping assess water and wastewater plants and dams.
By comparison, local efforts are small but contributing to the recovery.
Oak Ridge Military Academy Athletic Director Gary Holbrook took players and other students with the boys’ basketball team to the Vilas community, as part of recovery work organized by Samaritan’s Purse. For two days, they removed sheetrock and shoveled mud from houses damaged by flooding.
“It’s always a good thing to help people in need,” said 18-year-old Joel Deigna, a senior on the team. Added
teammate Cam Anderson, 17, “I wish we could have done more. But for the time we were there, I’m pretty pleased with what we did.”
Oak Ridge fireman Landress took part in two Helene missions. First, he helped with the recovery in eastern Tennessee. Then based at the airport in Hickory, he joined a helicopter deployment that set up temporary internet communications in hard-hit areas, allowing first responders to report community needs back to a command post.
“We established points of contact for the community and for the delivery of medical and other supplies,” Landress said.
As Summerfield firefighters were wrapping up their second deployment in Nebo last week, FEMA set up a disaster recovery center in the nearby McDowell County city of Marion.
Three days after the storm, four Summerfield firefighters traveled about 130 miles in a fully equipped engine, or truck, to Nebo’s fire station. It served as a base for other firefighters and electrical linesmen and, for the Summerfield crew, it was home for
Photo courtesy of Summerfield Fire District
One of several pictures crews with Summerfield Fire District took while assisting hard-hit Nebo Volunteer Fire Department in McDowell County, this captures some of the devastation flooding from Hurricane Helene caused last month in western North Carolina.
five days where they ate, slept and dispatched for missions.
While there they fought a mobile home fire, assisted elderly people dependent upon oxygen tanks and, traveling in an all-terrain vehicle, delivered food and water to a community that had lost its bridge, which was its connection to the rest of the county, according to firefighter Hardy.
They also helped distribute supplies in a drivethrough line at the fire station where water, diapers and other items were pouring in from agencies and individuals who ignored emergency warnings to avoid traveling on western North Carolina roads.
Wallace, the Stokesdale fireman, also assisted with the distribution of water from tanks and MREs
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Confident Kids Pediatric Dentistry is now open for business in Oak Ridge and is setting the stage for more than just healthy smiles. Ivy League graduate and mother of two, Dr. Timari Schweizer, lovingly referred to as "Dr. Tim," designed the office herself, building a space for kids to feel welcome. Per Dr. Tim: "I'm honored to serve the families in the area. We're here raising our own kiddos and understand the difference in having someone who is local and who's presence is lasting. I'm in my thirties, but I'd hope to be the same dentist your child sees from diapers to cap and gown."
Dr. Tim and her team of smile makers partnered with manufacturers to provide more than 8,500 toothbrushes to families in western NC impacted by Hurricane Helene. For every new patient seen, the office donates shipping for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library books to reach a child in Guilford County.
We are in-network with Aetna, Ameritas, Cigna, Delta Dental, Humana, Principal, Sunlife, United Healthcare & MORE. We also have in-house plans for families without insurance, providing quality care at an affordable price.
...continued from p. 21
(meals ready to eat) in Fairview. The devastation was so unexpected and “the water situation so dire that a lot of people improvised water-storage containers,” he said.
They included cat litter containers, plastic tubs, plastic gallon storage bags and “pretty much any container you could imagine holding water” before the arrival of five-gallon buckets, according to Wallace.
“People weren’t prepared for this biblical flood and they had no water,” he said.
The firefighters also performed welfare checks and took part in search and recovery missions looking for survivors, as well as victims. Once the initial wave of aid passes, Summerfield’s Hardy said the recovery is going to take years.
“This is a marathon, not a sprint or short-term event,” he
said. “For some areas up there, it’s going to be years before they are back to what would be considered normal. And then there are some areas that will never be the same.”
Amid the devastation, victims were generous to their helpers, according to firefighters.
“At least a hundred times a day people would thank us for our service and thank us for being there,” Wallace said.
When Nebo residents realized that numerous first responders were showering at the fire station, two women “obviously dealing with their own storm damage showed up and donated towels,” Hardy said. The storm dropped three trees on a volunteer fireman’s house who helped others before looking after his home.
“There was a resiliency in this bad thing that had happened,” Hardy said. “Everybody was working together to start the rebuilding process.”
After historic flooding hit western North Carolina last month, Richard Isley of Hardin Farms in Stokesdale, along with about a dozen neighbors and friends, quickly organized to support affected farmers. Within days, they had donated and transported 1,200 square bales of hay to the mountains and plan to bale another 50 acres of hay to donate.
to do that,” he said.
“It started through a friend, Mike Rumley, who had connected to various locations,” Isley told the Northwest Observer. “Hay had been delivered to the western N.C. Agricultural Center, but people who lost their vehicles couldn’t get there to pick it up.”
“We knew it was needed up there and if we could get it there, we wanted
Tractor trailers were too big to get to some of the more hard-to-reach farms, so the group transported it in trucks with gooseneck trailers, Isley said. For the most remote farms, large round bales were cut into smaller ones and then transported in off-road vehicles.
Some people have offered the group money to help cover the transporting costs, but Isley said the best way to help at this point is to reach out to either the N.C. Cooperative Extension offices in Guilford County or in Rockingham County.
To safeguard students’ Constitutional rights and adhere to a federal preliminary injunction, Republican School Board members Michael Logan, Crissy Pratt, and Linda Welborn voted against a GCS Policy aligning with Joe Biden’s unconstitutional changes to Title IX regulations.
Six Democrat School Board members, including Deborah Napper, voted yes to adopting the policy, ignoring a federal preliminary injunction that halts the U.S. Department of Education from enforcing the 2024 Title IX regulations on the children and schools of Moms for Liberty members.
With over 1,500 pages of regulations, the U.S. Department of Education has redefined the fundamental framework of Title IX without congressional authorization by expanding the definition of "sex" to include not just biological sex, but also “sex stereotypes, sex-related characteristics (including intersex traits), pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity.”
The new Title IX regulations are unconstitutional, erase women and girls, eliminate due process, compel speech, and strip parents of their fundamental right to direct the upbringing of their child, including decisions regarding their education, medical care, morality, and religion.
The decision made by Guilford County Schools Democrat Board members has raised concerns about the potential impact on free speech and the possibility of female students being compelled to share bathrooms and locker rooms with male students.
A federal court issued an opinion halting the Biden Department of Education’s Title IX changes in a lawsuit brought by Southeastern Legal Foundation (SLF) on behalf of their clients Moms for Liberty in challenging the Department of Education’s blatant disregard for the First Amendment rights of K-12 and college students.
As the parties explained in the briefing before the court, this will have devastating consequences for free speech. The court agreed, ruling that the new rule is so vague that students will be forced to self-censor rather than risk punishment. The order prohibits the Biden Department of Education from enforcing the new rule against the children of Moms for Liberty members.
Please join us to learn about Moms for Liberty, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting for America's survival by unifying, educating, and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government.
RSVP is required to attend the Moms for Liberty-Guilford meeting. See right for details about an upcoming interest meeting on Oct. 22.
Please join us to learn about Moms for Liberty, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting for the survival of America by unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government. Gain valuable insights into the constitutional issues surrounding Joe Biden's Title IX regulations enforced by the Department of Education. Discover effective strategies to advocate for your children’s rights.
Tuesday, Oct. 22 6:30 PM; doors open at 6:00
as reported by CHRIS BURRITT
SUMMERFIELD – Mayor Tim Sessoms called the monthly meeting to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney and council members Janelle Robinson, John Doggett, Jonathan Hamilton and Heath Clay present.
5 0 to adopt the consent agenda after adding the consideration of appointments to the History and Founders’ Day committees.
The council also approved opensession minutes for the Aug. 13 and Sept. 10 meetings and closed-session minutes for Feb. 13, March 12
and April 9 meetings.
A resolution recognized and appointed Charles “Twig” Rollins as the new town manager, starting this past Sunday, Oct. 13. A second resolution named him as Summerfield’s representative on the Piedmont Triad Regional Council and the Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, which manages federally required transportation planning.
Recycling kudos. DeVaney thanked staff for helping with the town’s
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recycling event last month and estimated 500-600 people participated. Movie in the Park. The town will show the movie “Despicable Me – 4” Saturday, Oct. 26, at Summerfield Athletic Park, starting at 6:30 p.m. Farmers market. The Northwest Guilford Farmers and Specialty Market will continue through the end of October, with vendors gathering Wednesdays from 4-6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. The market is located in the front lawn of Greensboro Performing Arts at 7200 Summerfield Road.
Touch a Truck. The town will host its annual Touch a Truck event at Summerfield Athletic Park on U.S. 220 on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Think tank? DeVaney proposed the council consider creating a “think tank” as a way to gather residents’ suggestions on how Summerfield can raise money, possibly from creating a foundation to fund projects. She urged residents to share their thoughts with Rollins.
“And remember, this is not a gripe tank; this is a think tank,”
DeVaney said.
“So it’s all positive and uniting our community together so we can get the things that we’re passionate about done.”
De-annexation fight thanks. DeVaney said she and other citizens continue to visit North Carolina towns where their councils supported Summerfield’s de-annexation fight.
In remembrance. Longtime Summerfield resident and Planning Board member Trudy Whitacre died Saturday, Oct. 5, after a sudden illness. She was 80.
“It’s a big loss, not only for their family, of course, but for our town,” Sessoms said. “Trudy was a very unique and special, feisty, musical, science
teacher and just a wonderful, wonderful person. She will be greatly missed.”
Later in the meeting, Beth Kaplan remembered Whitacre as “sweet, compassionate, funny and strong” and the baker of “an amazing cookie.”
“If you’ve ever gotten the chance to meet Trudy, you would’ve been enveloped by her unending optimism,” Kaplan said. “You would’ve been amazed by her ability to educate and her love of learning. You would’ve been enthralled by her ability to communicate and connect with everyone.”
Voting site. Interim Town Manager Dana Luther said some town meetings typically held in Summerfield Community Center will be required to meet elsewhere because the center will serve as an early voting site Oct. 17-Nov. 2 and as an assigned voting site on Election Day, Nov. 5.
Summerfield Fire District. The district responded to 147 calls in September, including 28 fire-related calls, 60 EMSrelated calls and 59 other calls. Staff installed 11 child safety seats.
Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s District 1 office reported responding to 258 calls for service in Summerfield last month, resulting in 18 formal cases.
Cheri Pickett and Maria Adams urged voters to support Republican Michael Logan as the District 3 representative on the Guilford County Board of Education.
Kathy Sterling asked voters to support Michele Morrow as the Republican running for North Carolina superintendent of public instruction.
Republican Paul Schumacher asked voters to support him against Michael Garrett, a Democrat seeking re-election to District 27 in the state Senate.
5 0 to adopt the town’s budget for the fiscal year that started July 1. The town had operated under
“an interim budget” until the council’s vote, after the previous staff had failed to advertise a public hearing for the budget, according to Luther. That lapse nullified the council’s earlier vote to adopt the spending plan.
During last week’s public hearing, Don Wendelken reminded council members that they’re spending taxpayers’ money.
The budget includes Bandera Farms Park as a major project that Rollins will review for possible cost cuts and additional grant funding, Luther noted.
New auditor
5
0 to hire Tony Brewer, of Lexington, as the town’s new auditor. He’s charging a fee of $8,000 for auditing Summerfield’s finances from last fiscal year, with a possible reduction of $2,000 if staff prepares the audited financial statements, Luther said. The town would pay him an additional $2,000 for the audit of each major program.
Revised personnel policies 4 1 (DeVaney opposed) to revise the town’s personnel policies, based on the recommendations of Luther and Rollins. Hiring new staff is going to be one of the new manager’s priorities.
Among the policy changes, the council voted to reduce from $333.34 to $208.33 its monthly contribution to the health savings accounts of regular, full-time employees. On an annual basis, the lower amount totals just shy of $2,500. That covers the annual in-network medical insurance deductible for individual employees.
At present, “the HSA is covering their deductible and then some,” Luther said.
The reduced amount in the taxexempt health savings account “is very generous,” Robinson said.
“I don’t know anybody else who gets that,” said DeVaney, an employee of Guilford County Schools. “I have to pay for everything.”
Summerfield will continue to
pay for medical insurance benefits at no cost to staff. For the average employee, that amounts to about $800 a month, according to Luther.
Possible budget amendment. Luther alerted the council that it may need to adjust the town’s budget to accommodate expected higher spending by the Parks and Recreation Department before the end of the fiscal year.
“I couldn’t have done it without them,” said Luther, referring to the town’s new parks and recreation staff, who she and some council members praised for their efforts. Luther said staff completed a long list of fixes and improvements including painting, repairing the irrigation system at Summerfield Athletic Park and servicing of septic systems.
Water system flipflop
0 to revise plans for the municipal water system and return to the council’s original plan to run water lines 12 inches in diameter.
Earlier this year, it opted for 8-inch lines, a move expected to reduce costs for pipes and leave more money to run
the lines farther on Summerfield Road and N.C. 150.
In total, the town has gotten $6.6 million in state and federal funds for establishing a water system, initially proposed for fire protection and later, at a much higher cost, for drinking water.
Clay recently recommended a return to 12-inch lines, partly because staying with 8-inch lines would result in additional costs to accommodate future expansion of the system, according to the town’s contracted engineer firm, Freese and Nichols.
As now proposed, the lines would run from an elevated water tank on the northern Gordon property, at Summerfield Road and N.C. 150, and travel down Summerfield Road to fire station No. 9 and Revolution Academy on N.C. 150.
Reiterating his original position, Sessoms said running 12-inch lines would be required for Summerfield’s system to get potable water from another municipality. DeVaney concurred, saying the town may need to provide drinking water, possibly decades from now.
DeVaney emphasized that she and many others in Summerfield want to
stay on wells. Establishing a municipal water system wouldn’t require well users to tap into the system, according to Clay.
The council’s vote also kept the size of the elevated water storage tank at 150,000 gallons, down from the original proposal of 320,000 gallons. If the system expands, the town will need another tank, for a total capacity of 750,000 gallons, Clay said.
Sessoms pointed out that the de-annexation of developer David Couch’s nearly 1,000 acres from Summerfield will ease pressure on the town because Couch will take care of water for his development.
Rabies vaccination clinic
5
0 to instruct town staff to arrange to host a rabies vaccination clinic in conjunction with Guilford County Animal Control. Hamilton suggested the town host the clinic for cats and dogs in November.
Ending community center rental?
Clay revived Summerfield’s on-again-off-again pursuit of turning the community center into a dedicated site for council and other town meetings. While the council took no action and agreed to seek public feedback on the idea, Clay raised the prospect of ending the rental of the building at 5404 Centerfield Road for family gatherings and other events.
The space would still be available as an elections polling place and a meeting place for some local groups, such as the VFW and Grange, and senior-citizen programs, Clay said. Otherwise, he added, “we would take this space basically out of service for all of the general public coming in” for rental activities.
Hamilton expressed reservations about restricting the public’s use of the building. Based upon the feedback he’s gotten from citizens, he said he doesn’t like the idea of “telling the community they can’t use the community center. (It serves as) “a hub for gathering and fosters this sense of community. It’s a tradition.”
Equipping the meeting room
Councilman Heath Clay removes chairs from Summerfield Community Center’s main room after the Town Council’s Oct. 8 meeting. During the meeting, Clay proposed ending the rental of the building at 5404 Centerfield Road for family gatherings and other events and using it exclusively for meeting space. As a bonus, that would end a long community center chore for staff and council members: setting up tables and chairs for meetings and breaking them down afterwards. | Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO
with a permanent place for council and committee members to sit and installing audio visual equipment for livestreaming meetings would cost far less than building a new town hall, Clay said. Investing in the community center would improve transparency and allow people who don’t attend council and board meetings to view them remotely, he said. (See related info in “Questions You Have Asked.”)
Bandera Farms house rental 4 1 (Doggett opposed) to continue renting a house on the Bandera Farms Park property for a monthly rent of $500 for another year.
Doggett estimated that $1,300 a month would be more reasonable for the rent. Owned by the town and rented by a Summerfield firefighter, the lease on the house at 5448 Bunch Road expires at the end of March 2025.
Council members debated whether to increase the rent by a percentage, such as 10%, instead of raising it by several hundred dollars a month.
A renter paying more may demand improvements, such as painting, Sessoms noted.
“It’s our attempt to help with affordable housing in Summerfield,” Robinson said.
“I don’t think we want to open that can of worms,” the mayor said.
Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway update. After learning that Luther had been employed by the town more than a decade ago, Hamilton asked for her insight about the early stages of the greenway.
While familiar with discussions regarding construction of the U.S. 220 pedestrian tunnel, Luther said she wasn’t familiar with discussions about the greenway which took place after she had left the town’s employment.
Helene relief. Doggett suggested the town show its support for Tropical Storm Helene relief efforts in western North Carolina. While municipalities aren’t allowed by state law to make financial donations, staff plans to post on the town’s website and Facebook information such as a list of organizations collecting donations.
Community input. Hamilton suggested the town explore ways to
...continued on p. 55
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
as reported by PATTI
Mayor Mike Crawford opened the monthly council meeting at 7 p.m. The opening prayer was offered by Councilman Tim Jones and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Fire department. Town administrator/clerk Robbie Wagoner read a report from Stokesdale Fire Chief Todd Gauldin. The fire department responded to 86 calls in September; 36 were medical-related, 16 were firerelated and 34 were miscellaneous. Sheriff’s office. Wagoner also read a report provided by Sgt. Ryan Seals with the District 1 sheriff’s office. It responded to 165 calls in Stokesdale in September, which generated 11 case reports but “no significant
incidents or trends,” Seals reported.
Wagoner read a water system report prepared by Priscilla Hunsucker, the town’s water system customer service manager. He also provided updates on the Coldwater Road and Belews Creek Road water line extension project, which is about 50% complete, and the Ellisboro Road water line extension project (a construction agreement was approved later in the meeting).
Wagoner also provided details on several administrative activities that occurred within the last month and that are scheduled for the coming weeks. Among other noted items, Stokesdale Town Hall will be an Early
Voting site Oct. 17 through Nov. 2.
Councilman Jones asked that Wagoner note in the meeting minutes that Guilford County’s Board of Elections “commandeered” the meeting room in Stokesdale Town Hall for early voting, and Councilman Derek Foy later asked if the use of the word “commandeered” was necessary. The decision to use Town Hall as an early voting site was made by the State Board of Elections, and the town was notified of the decision last spring.
Property. Councilman Jim Rigsbee held up one of the signs that will be installed in Stokesdale Town Park to reflect new park hours (5:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset), with a warning that violators will be prosecuted.
Rigsbee said people continue to park in the grassy area near the basketball and pickleball courts, and he favored blocking off the area from public access versus paving it.
Wagoner said a foul odor coming from a restroom in the back of the park had been detected a few days earlier; Hunsucker covered the drain trap in the restroom, which helped, but didn’t eliminate the odor. Councilman Jones and Councilman Jimmy Landreth advised staff to pour water into the drain to clear the pipes.
Park Improvement Committee. Chair Tee Stephenson said the committee has received quotes for paving the grassy area beside the basketball and pickleball courts, and is discussing the feasibility of paving the area while considering other options for solving the parking issue.
Town Finance Officer Kim Thacker highlighted September financial activities; as of Sept. 30, the town has $3,610,077 in total assets and liabilities in the general fund account and $2,648,116 in its water enterprise account.
The town’s annual audit for FY 2023-24 is in progress; however, the auditor, Cindy Randolph, lives in
western North Carolina, and although she is fine, her county is not. Audits are due Oct. 31, but municipalities have an automatic extension until Nov. 30, Thacker noted.
Molly Byrd thanked everyone who attended Friends of Stokesdale’s third annual Farmers’ Day on Oct. 5.
“Crowning of Mister and Ms. Farmer was the highlight of the day,” Byrd said. FOS meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7 p.m. at Stokesdale United Methodist Church. Follow them on Facebook for more info.
Athens Road resident Hollie Reed spoke for over 15 minutes about her frustrations over the Stokesdale Elementary principal, Guilford County Schools and DOT not addressing traffic on Athens Road and the surrounding roads during morning and afternoon peak school-traffic hours.
She said neighbors’ mailboxes have been knocked down by drivers backed up on Athens Road and she also expressed safety concerns for those at the Athens Road, Angel Pardue Road and U.S. 158 intersection, especially with 18-wheelers driving in that area during peak school-traffic hours.
Reed said she put out orange barrels and cardboard signs before the new school year to prevent drivers from going on the shoulder of Athens Road.
“That’s what it took to get attention,” she said, then urged the council not to wait for a proposed traffic signal to be installed before taking action.
“This has been building up, and gotten worse… Why is the school (system) digging their heels in when they have a $2 billion bond? I want them to use it on the car rider line and expand the parking there,” she said, then thanked District 3 Board of Education representative Michael Logan for his efforts to help resolve the school traffic issues.
Foy told Reed a meeting of DOT and GCS representatives to discuss the traffic situation at Stokesdale
Elementary has been scheduled.
Dena Keesee, also a resident of Athens Road, echoed Reed’s frustrations.
“I’ve been in this neighborhood for 30 years and have never seen such chaos,” she said, noting that drivers en route to the school have torn up her yard and made it difficult to turn left out of her driveway.
“Something has to be done, and I don’t want to hear any more passing the buck,” she told the council, urging members to “come over here at 7 a.m. and see what it’s like.”
Speeding on Athens Road is also concerning, Keesee added.
“Whose responsibility is it to keep us from getting killed? Every single day people are speeding on Athens Road. I’m asking you to be proactive and do something!” she said.
Mayor Crawford advised Reed and Keesee to contact the county commissioners, since “they control the purse strings,” and Councilman Rigsbee encouraged them to contact Guilford County School Board members and chair Deena Hayes, as well as GCS superintendent Dr. Whitney Oakley. Alvin Robinson of McLeansville is a Constitution Party candidate for N.C. Senate 26, running against Sen. Phil Berger and Steve Luking. He introduced himself as a “Biblical Constitutional conservative,” and said he served 19 years with the Greensboro Fire Department and also served as a part-time deputy with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office. He and his wife operate a small poultry and pork farm and homeschool their children, he added.
“Berger is a concern and has been known to overstep his boundaries,” he said. “Luking will not work to protect the rights of Stokesdale citizens,” he added, saying Luking advocates for
more gun control and continuing “to allow unborn children to be murdered.”
Robinson said he believes in limited, transparent government and will uphold citizens’ “God-given rights.” He invited people to learn more about him at www.AlvinRobinson4NCSenate.com.
Summerfield resident Maria Adams said she chairs the Guilford County chapter of Moms for Liberty (M4L), which works to help parents with school-related issues at all levels of government. She spoke about “a very unsettling situation with Title IX,” which Congress enacted in 1972 to ensure women have equal rights to education.
Key changes to Title IX under President Biden’s administration took effect Aug. 1 and include clarifications about “protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and parenting status.”
“(President) Joe Biden’s administration has changed ‘sex’ from biological to things like gender identity, and schools are forced to adopt these regulations and policies,” Adams said, noting that M4L sued the Department of Education and was issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the DOE from enforcing these changes in schools attended by children of M4L members.
“Our goal is to make sure we have at least one parent at every school,” Adams said, adding that District 3 BOE member Michael Logan and the two other Republican board members voted against moving forward with the Title IX changes, but the Democratmajority board voted to proceed.
M4L will hold an interest meeting at The Difference Church (Jessup Grove Road in northwest Greensboro) on Oct. 22. For more info, visit momsforliberty.org or email moms4libertyguilford@gmail.com.
In closing, Adams referenced the BOE’s controversial appointment of
Bill Goebel as the District 3 representative in April 2023 rather than the Guilford County Republican Party’s nominee, Michael Logan.
“It took a legislative action to get him (Goebel) off the board,” Adams said. “He finally vacated the seat, but on his way out (in his letter of resignation) he said, “I feel I’m better suited to be on the school board than someone who knows how to change tires…” (referencing Logan’s background as an automotive instructor with Guilford County Schools).
District 3 BOE member Michael Logan invited citizens to attend Guilford County Schools’ public school choice showcase on Oct. 16 at Greensboro Coliseum.
“The academies and specialty programs are one of GCS’s positives,” Logan said, noting that parents must sign up for the specialty schools
...continued from p. 31
before the 2025-2026 school year.
Rigsbee said Michael Fox, chairman of NC Board of Transportation, lives in the area and suggested contacting him about the traffic concerns at Stokesdale Elementary.
Bill Goebel, candidate for the BOE’s District 3 representative, said he worked with Sen. Berger through Goebel’s involvement with the Boy Scouts, and that Berger told him he would be a “good candidate for the school board.”
Referencing Maria Adams’s earlier statements, Goebel denied having a secret meeting with BOE representatives last year before being appointed to serve the remainder of Pat Tillman’s term (after Tillman was elected to the Board of County Commissioners).
Goebel said he met with David Gleeson (chairman of Guilford
County Republican Party) and was told Logan was the party’s candidate, but that “he had said some stupid things on Facebook and they were looking for another candidate.” Goebel said he volunteered to be considered as the Republicans’ alternate if the Democrats would not appoint Logan, and received the support of then NC Rep. Jon Hardister and then NC Rep. John Faircloth.
“The idea of a secret meeting is a bunch of hooey,” Goebel said. “… The Republicans screwed up and she (BOE chair Deena Hayes, with BOE attorney Jill Wilson’s help) found a loophole, then asked if I would serve.”
Goebel added that Adams “neglected to mention several things,” including that during Logan’s teaching career some of his social media posts were perceived by some co-workers and students as being “overly bigoted,” and that Logan had “participated and planned an attendance on the demonstration of the Jan. 6, 2021 Washington, D.C. (storming of the U.S. Capitol).” Note: See Logan’s response to Goebel’s claim on p. 3.
None of Goebel’s opponents for BOE have his qualifications and experience as a businessman, he said, adding that if the council needs to reach Sen. Berger, “I can get to Phil Berger.”
Reinvest money in CDARS. Foy recommended moving $600,000 from the town’s “cash-heavy” water enterprise account into a CDAR with the Bank of Oak Ridge for 24 months at 3.5% interest (versus the .05% interest it is drawing in a money market account).
Christmas Parade. Foy requested the council allocate $4,500 again this year to cover Christmas parade expenses.
5 0 to approve Foy’s request, with Councilmen Landreth and Foy overseeing disbursement of the funds. Ellisboro Road waterline extension. Town Attorney Chuck Winfree noted the contract with Yates Construction states the project must be finished in 365 days, starting one month after approval.
5 0 to authorize Mayor Crawford to execute the contract with Yates Construction, for $194,660. Wagoner was appointed as the town’s contact for project communications.
Athletic field lighting. Foy said the town received five bids for poles and lighting the park’s athletic fields, ranging from $302,471 to $429,943. Reynolda Electric out of Rural Hall was the lowest bidder; the council met with owner Ron Overby at Town Hall in a special called meeting Oct. 2 to ask questions and discuss options for the project.
Foy recommended the option that includes steel poles (rather than wooden), and comes with a 25-year warranty, for $410,662; Duke Energy will upgrade the voltage to 480 volts.
Deputy clerk Priscilla Hunsucker called some of the high schools that worked with Reynolda Electric to get references and make sure the recommended option would best serve the town’s needs.
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
5 0 to approve Foy’s recommendation and possibly break the $600,000 into six $100,000 CDs.
5 0 to approve Mayor Crawford’s motion to take an additional $200,000 out of the water enterprise account and place it in a 12-month CD at 3.75% interest (leaving $500,000 in the account).
Foy then motioned to approve Reynolda Electric’s bid and instruct the town attorney to draft a contract for the scope of work and authorize the mayor to sign and execute it for the Town of Stokesdale. The project will be paid for by federal American Rescue Plan funds.
After a lengthy discussion, the council decided to continue the motion to the November meeting, at which time it hopes to have Duke Energy’s estimate of costs to upgrade the lighting voltage.
Nicole E. Gillespie SPS
RE/MAX Realty Consultants
RE/MAX Realty Consultants
Thank you to Nicole Gillespie for sponsoring this issue’s reader photo page
Thank you to Nicole Gillespie for sponsoring this issue’s reader photo page
Going near or far? Be sure to pack up your
Going near or far? Be sure to pack up your Northwest Observer and send us your NWO on the go photos!
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book to read and she cruised back with the latest copy of the Northwest Observer. It’s never too early to start reading the local news!
book to read and she cruised back with the latest copy of the Northwest Observer. It’s never too early to start reading the local news!
During a recent trip to Costa Rica, Caroline and Hudson Reinking enjoyed taking a bit of Summerfield with them to the Arenal Volcano.
Northwest Guilford students took a break from cheering the Vikings to victory against R.J. Reynolds on Sept. 6 to catch up on the latest happenings around town.
reported
by
CHRIS BURRITT
OAK RIDGE – Mayor Jim Kinneman called the monthly meeting to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Mike Stone and council members Ann Schneider and Michael Greeson present. Councilman Jim Harton was absent.
Oak Ridge resident Austin Goldman offered the invocation. Members of Girl Scout Troop 12475, which meets at Oak Ridge Methodist Church, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4 0 to approve the meeting agenda after deciding to continue a new business item until the council’s Nov. 7 meeting. The agenda item pertains to the council’s deliberations about whether to require the recording of all committee and other public meetings conducted by the town.
Stone suggested the council delay
consideration of the issue until next month to give Harton a voice in the discussion.
“It’s only right to give him the same opportunity as the other council members to be present and address this issue,” Stone said.
Separately, the council took no action on another agenda item: an Arbor Day proclamation. It also approved minutes of the Sept. 5 regular meeting.
Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s District 1 office reported it responded to 161 calls in Oak Ridge in September, resulting in seven case reports.
The Sept. 21 theft of an allterrain vehicle from the 8100 block of Brittains Field Road remains under investigation.
Oak Ridge Girl Scout Troop 12475 led the Pledge of Allegiance at the Oct. 3 council meeting, as part of earning the Scouts’ democracy badge.
Later in the month, deputies took a report of employee theft from the Village Store at 1690 N.C. 68. An investigation resulted in the arrest of a 37-year-old woman charged with 13 counts of felony embezzlement by an employee.
Oak Ridge Fire Department. Assistant Chief Sam Anders reported the department is preparing for the possible deployment of staff and equipment to assist Tropical Storm Helene recovery efforts in western North Carolina, pending county and state emergency management officials’ assessment of how local fire departments can assist.
Oak Ridge’s department hasn’t decided when to hold its annual BBQ sale because of the demolition of the building where the meat was previously cooked, Anders said. Located behind Station No. 15 on Linville Road, the building made way for construction of the department’s firetraining facility.
As a safety tip, Anders urged people who plan to burn yard debris to go online first to obtain a free burn permit from the N.C. Forest Service. The agency passes along the permits to local fire departments, which helps
prevent confusion over whether smoke is rising from an actual fire instead of a burn pile, Anders explained. He recommended that people burn “hot fires,” instead of trying to burn wet leaves and debris that causes heavy smoke, possibly exacerbating respiratory problems for nearby residents.
John Browning said his church, Oak Ridge Methodist, is serving as a drop-off location for donations to Helene’s victims in western North Carolina. Items can be dropped off during church hours Sunday morning, as well as 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
“The worst of times always brings out the best in people,” said Browning, urging people to visit the church’s website for details about items needed by victims.
Ben Walraven, Special Events Committee vice chair, and Finance Committee member John Jenkins
urged the council to refrain from requiring committees to record their meetings.
Special Events and Finance are two of Oak Ridge’s committees not required by state statute to record public deliberations. Before the council resumes discussions about the topic next month, Jenkins suggested it ask committee chairs to poll members for their views on recording meetings.
Some committee members would refuse to continue serving if meetings are audio or video recorded, according to Walraven. Jenkins said he’d resign if the requirement were imposed.
“Compelled audio taping” would also discourage potential committee members from volunteering, Walraven said.
Generally, Special Events Committee members who oppose audio or video recording believe the step would discourage their participation in discussions, he said.
Walraven cautioned the loss of volunteers would possibly shift committee responsibilities to town
staff or jeopardize some of the numerous events organized by the committee. Among them are Light Up the Night and Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances.
“To me, this idea of taping meetings feels like a solution looking for a problem that doesn’t exist,” said Walraven, adding that his committee follows openmeeting rules, such as giving advance notice of meetings and filing timely minutes. Also, meetings are open to the public.
“I want to second what this gentleman just said,” Jenkins said, referring to Walraven. Committees take minutes that are later available for the council’s review and pubic view, he said.
“I will not serve on a committee that is being recorded,” Jenkins said.
Committee appointments
4 0 to appoint Clay Flynt as the ETJ (extraterritorial jurisdictional) representative on the town’s Planning and Zoning Board. Ty Lindsay was appointed as an alternate to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
Heritage Farm Park caterpillar infestation. Bruce reported an infestation of caterpillars believed to be an especially destructive variety known as
army worms has devoured the grass in Heritage Farm Park’s two new multipurpose fields.
Late last month, the town’s parks and recreation staff noticed blotches of brown on the fields and discovered caterpillars “have caused some damage on the turf,” Bruce said.
Greeson asked the manager whether the opening of the fields may be delayed until 2026 because
Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
...continued from p. 35 of the infestation.
“Our intention is to open the fields in the spring of 2025,” Bruce answered.
However, the brown patches have grown rapidly, and the severity of the damage isn’t clear. After learning about the problem from staff last week, the park’s contractor, BAR Construction Co. of Greensboro, arranged treatment of the fields to kill the caterpillars, Bruce said.
Greeson also asked Town Attorney Michael Thomas whether the town could “have some penalties added
to the project” since its contracted completion date of the new park passed in August.
Discussion of possible penalties is a legal matter and should be addressed by the council in closed session to protect the town’s interests, according to Thomas. Later in the meeting, the council concurred with Stone’s recommendation that the council discuss the topic in closed session during next month’s meeting.
3 1 (Stone opposed) to approve finance officer Sam Anders’
Our next meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 6:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. RSVP on our website. For more info about SMA: email info@summerfieldmerchant.com visit www.summerfieldmerchant.com or Facebook.com/SummerfieldMerchantsAssociation An association of professionals supporting each other and our community
request for a budget amendment related to the renovation and expansion of the historic Redmon house into the Farmhouse Community Center.
Since the project is still underway, funding is spanning two fiscal budget years, Anders said. Thus, the council needs to transfer funds that had been earmarked in last year’s budget into the current budget, which took effect July 1.
The council budgeted $650,000 for the project and spent $153,967 last fiscal year. Completing the work this fiscal year will require an additional $305,000 in federal pandemic relief funds and $191,033 in town funds, for a total of $496,033, according to Anders.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Vice Chair John Browning reported that contractors have completed the installation of security cameras at the town parks. The “tweaking and fine tuning” of the equipment remains to be done before the cameras are operational, he said.
Historic Preservation Commission.
Thanks to Andy Michels (left), owner of Oak Ridge Physical Therapy, and Elizabeth Hildreth, one of the physical therapists at the practice’s Summerfield location, for graciously hosting our Oct. 4 meeting. Welcome to our newest members, Bethany Community School, Highlands Mortgage and The Gardens at Gray Gables!
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
Chair Debbie Shoenfeld reported the committee plans to resume discussions with developer Phillip Cooke about his plans to demolish the historic white house at 2204 N.C. 150 (Oak Ridge Road) as part of the commercial development of the property. The discussions were planned for the commission’s meeting this past Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Special Events Committee. Vice Chair Ben Walraven reported the construction of the Veterans Honor Green’s first phase is nearly complete, with the grand opening planned for Nov. 11 in conjunction with the town’s Veterans Day observance.
Tree Board. John Browning reported that Jimmy Holt, the state Forest Service’s ranger in Guilford County, explained to board members how to measure the height and other dimensions of trees.
The board is preparing to measure entries in the town’s Treasure Tree program, according to Browning, who serves as the Parks and Recreation board’s liaison on the Tree Board.
Greeson congratulated Oak Ridge Military Academy’s men’s basketball team for winning the CAA4SC State championship earlier this year and suggested the council honor the team during its November or December meeting.
Separately, Greeson said members of the team are helping Samaritan’s Purse with cleanup efforts in western North Carolina.
Stone said he also plans to assist with Helene recovery efforts.
Schneider, who serves on North Carolina League of Municipalities’s board of directors, said the League “has gone into high gear” helping storm-damaged towns in recovery efforts, along with state and federal agencies. In addition, the league is preparing to aid towns with damage claims, she said.
Kinneman advised people who want to help with Helene’s recovery to arrange their volunteer efforts with relief organizations.
“Too many people are going out there without coordinating it,” he said. “Make sure there is some place for you to go and that you’re not going to make things worse.”
Kinneman asked staff whether Oak Ridge can donate to relief efforts. As a participant in the state’s mutual aid agreement, Bruce said emergency management agencies may ask the town to help.
“We stand at the ready if we are needed,” Bruce said. Thomas noted that cash donations from municipalities are “a dicey matter. The better path is to coordinate with private and other governmental agencies.”
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Northwest Guilford defeated Page High School 45-12 in the Vikings’ homecoming game on Oct. 4. Senior Kaylen Valentine was crowned homecoming queen and Thomas Vernon was crowned homecoming king during the game’s halftime. Northwest took on Northern Guilford at home Oct. 11 and lost to the Nighthawks 10-17. The Vikings are now 5-2 (2-2 in conference play). They’ll play Ragsdale (2-5, 0-4) on Oct. 18 and Southeast Guilford (4-3, 2-2) on Oct. 25 in away games before their last home game of the regular season on Nov. 1, when they’ll host
As the current District 3 Board of Education representative, I am uniquely equipped and experienced to serve our community.
Partnering with you, I will continue to:
• Empathize with your concerns
• Communicate responsively and transparently
• Advocate for you and your children
• Prioritize scholastics and career/college prep
• Bolster positive outcomes
• Advance school safety
With a career spanning 26 years as a Career and Technical high school educator in Guilford County School, I have always prioritized the needs of our students and parents.
“As parents, we seek leaders who embody the values of honesty, integrity, and reliability. Michael Logan is a shining example of these principles. Michael has demonstrated a commitment to transparency, ethical decision-making, and a steadfast dedication to our students’ success. I am grateful for his current service on our Board of Education and encourage other District 3 residents to vote for Michael Logan to continue serving as our school board representative.”
– Derek Foy, Stokesdale Mayor Pro Tem
“From Michael’s experience as a teacher, he deeply understands the requirements and challenges of the classroom setting. He is dedicated to implementing a comprehensive curriculum that will equip students with the essential skills to make meaningful and productive contributions to society. Michael prioritizes the safety and well-being of students and teachers. Michael is committed to upholding transparency in school operations, aiming to keep parents and taxpayers informed about all financial matters.”
– Joe Plante, Mentor to NCSU Chemical/Biomolecular Engineering students and former Scout Leader
Call or text: 336-274-7649
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Northern Guilford dealt a tough blow to Southwest Guilford Oct. 4, defeating the Cowboys 63-0 in the Nighthawks’ homecoming game.
Senior Fabianna Salazar, escorted by her father, was crowned homecoming queen during the game’s halftime.
Northern traveled to Northwest Oct. 11 and defeated the Vikings 17-10. The Nighthawks, now 7-0, will host Page (3-4, 3-1) on Oct. 18 before playing their final two games of the regular season away, at Western Guilford (4-3, 1-3) on Oct. 25 and at Grimsley (7-0) on Nov. 1.
1. Businessperson with 25+ years’ experience managing companies.
2. An educator for 17 years who continues to teach.
3. Eagle Scout, Boy Scout Leader for 20 years and still in Scouting.
4. Church Youth Group leader for 18 years and still involved with youth.
5. Appointed by Chief Justice of NC Supreme Court to statewide Trauma Informed Courts Task Force.
6. Started, with my wife, a non-profit to support youth.
7. Co-host of worldwide podcast called the Common Ground Show with Rev. Odell Cleveland.
8. Serve on Board of Positive Childhood Experiences of NC as Finance Chair.
9. Advisor Board of SBTDC that operates in partnership with U.S. Small Business Administration.
10. Endorsed by Guilford County Association of Educators, Simkins PAC and Youth of NC.
Fossas are excellent climbers. They have a long tail that helps them balance on tree branches, and f lexible ankle joints that allow them to climb down trees headfirst!
Thank you to Greensboro Science Center for sponsoring this issue’s Kids’ Korner
Fossas, which reside in Madagascar, are the largest carnivores in the forest. Their primary food source is lemurs. Fossas will also eat birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, rodents, fish, wild pigs and lizards.
It may look very cat-like and sport a long monkey-like tail, but the fossa’s closest relatives are members of the mongoose and civet families. The fossa is the only animal in the group called cryptoprocta.
High school students mobilize for Hurricane Helene victims in western North Carolina
by PATTI STOKES
Henry Badger, an 18-year-old senior at Northern Guilford, was moved to action after learning about the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, both through news reports and personal accounts from family in Ashe County. His church, Mercy Hill, quickly organized a donation drive for essential supplies needed by victims of the historic flooding, but Henry felt compelled to do even more to help.
“My best friend, Jaxson Moore (also a Northern Guilford student), and I run a landscaping business together (TUF Landscaping) and we had trucks, trailers, chainsaws, etc., so I decided, ‘We can put this stuff to use.’”
On Sunday, the two young men and their mothers took to Facebook and Instagram to gather essential supplies for those affected by the hurricane. Almost immediately, donations began pouring in, and within 48 hours their garages were full.
“It was awesome to see how much the community donated in just
(Back row, L to R) Thomas Hooks, with friends and TUF Landscaping co-owners Jaxson Moore and Henry Badger, stand with friends and family members after loading up a box truck with donations they gathered for victims of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.
48 hours,” Henry said.
Henry’s family has close ties to Billy Tesh, owner of Pest Management Inc., and they initially planned to combine the donations they had collected with those collected through Tesh’s company. Together, they aimed to take two box trucks
loaded with supplies to the mountains. With so many donations, however, they ended up taking four trucks and trailers.
After arriving in West Jefferson, the group’s first stop was at a church, where they were directed to area elementary schools set up as shelters.
If anybody ever needs help, I love to do that.”
Henry Badger, 18
Once their donations had been dropped off, they stayed to help clear fallen trees from roads and driveways and assist residents with cleanup efforts.
“There were enough people there who needed help,” Henry said.
Later, they joined Henry’s aunt, who was volunteering at the airport sorting incoming donations.
“We left at 8 in the morning and got home around midnight. We were tired, but it was an awesome day!” Henry said.
When asked if he plans to return to the mountains to help, Henry immediately responded, “Yes! I feel like what we did and the donations we took made a huge impact and once you see how messed up it is there, you want to go back and help. We’ll definitely go back in the future, because it’s going to be like that for a long time.”
WEDNESDAYS & SATURDAYS (ends Oct. 30)
z Farmers & Specialty Market | Northwest Guilford farmers market will be open on Saturdays, Oct. 19 and 26, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Greensboro Performing Arts, 7200 Summerfield Road, and on Wednesdays, Oct. 23 and 30. The market will close for the season on Oct. 30, but customers can purchase online after that at northwestguilfordfarmersmarket.com. More info: Nicki, (336) 817-7765 or fromtheearthfm@gmail.com.
18- 20, 25-26
z “Little Women” | Summerfield Stage Company will present “Little Women: the Broadway Musical” at the historic Ai Church, 1306 N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge. More info: www.facebook.com/ summerfieldstage and see article on p. 10.
z Halloween Terror Trail | Oak Ridge Youth Association will host its annual Halloween Terror Trail Oct. 18-19 and Oct. 25-26, 7 to 10 p.m. every night at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. Admission is $5 or a donation of three canned goods. More info: information@orya.org.
z Fall market | Palestine Methodist Church at 2954 Ellisboro Road in
Stokesdale will host a fall market on Friday, Oct. 25, 5 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 26, 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon, with canned goods, baked goods, crafts, etc. Breakfast biscuits, coffee, etc., will also be offered for sale on Saturday.
z Boston butt fundraiser | Oak Ridge Horse Easter Show Association will sponsor a Boston butt fundraiser with all proceeds going to help the victims of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. Butts cost $45 each. Call (336) 202-4470 to order by Nov. 1; pickup will be Nov. 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hardin Farms, 8201 Millrun Road in Stokesdale. See display ad on p. 35.
SATURDAY, Oct. 19
z Touch-a-Truck | National Association of Women in Construction will sponsor a Touch-a-Truck event Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Piedmont Triad Farmers Market, 2914 Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax. Adults and kids will get to see construction trucks, fire trucks, cranes and more. Admission is $5 per person or $20 for a group of 4 or more; proceeds will go to the Piedmont chapter of NAWIC. More info: w ww.nawicpiedmont.org, or call Dawn at (336) 430-0580.
SUNDAY, Oct. 20
z Fall festival | Summerfield Peace UMC at 2334 Scalesville Road in Summerfield will host a fall festival Oct. 20, 4 to 6 p.m. Kids of all ages are invited to enjoy treats and play games. There will also be chicken dinners for sale. More info: w ww.facebook.com/ SummerfieldPeaceUMC.
SATURDAY, Oct. 26
z Food pantry | Good Samaritan Ministries’ food pantry in Stokesdale will open for those in need of food on Oct. 26, 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Gideon Grove UMC, 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road. More info: contact Terri at (336) 643-5887 or terrij1957@yahoo.com.
z Great Pumpkin Event | Merchants of Oak Ridge will sponsor the 19th annual Great Pumpkin Event on Oct. 26, 2 to 4 p.m. at Oak Ridge Commons, 2205 Oak Ridge Road. Enjoy live music, hay rides, performances by Destination Arts students, trick-or-treating in the shopping center, costume contests for humans and pets, and more. More info: www.facebook.com/merchantsofoakridge. and see display ad on p. 46.
z Movie in the Park | Town of Summerfield will host a free Movie in the Park featuring “Despicable Me 4” on Oct. 26 at Summerfield Athletic Park, 5200 U.S. 220 N. The movie begins at 7 p.m. (dusk). Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. There will be free popcorn, and Kona Ice will be onsite selling shaved ice. See display ad on p. 36.
z Fall arts & crafts extravaganza | Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church at 2614 Oak Ridge Road will host a fall arts &
crafts extravaganza Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with more than 30 vendors.
MONDAY, Oct. 28
z Lions Club | Oak Ridge Lions Club will meet Oct. 28 at Bistro 150, 2205 Oak Ridge Road, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. More info: Jim Kinneman, (336) 2077166 or james.kinneman@gmail.com.
SATURDAY, Nov. 2
z Arts & Craft Show | An artists’ and craft show featuring over 40 vendors with homemade items will be held in Oak Ridge Town Park on Linville Road (across from the fire department) on Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. See display ad below.
TUESDAY, Nov. 5 & 19
z Kiwanis Club | Kiwanis Club of Northwest Guilford will meet Nov. 5 and 19, starting at 12 noon at Bill’s Pizza, 1431 N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge. More info: nwgkiwanis@gmail.com.
z Summerfield Merchants Assoc. | SMA invites business and nonprofit professionals to its next meeting Nov. 5, 6:15 to 8 p.m. Learn more about SMA or RSVP to attend the meeting as a guest at www.summerfieldmerchant.com.
z Friends of Stokesdale | Friends of Stokesdale, a nonprofit committed ...continued on p. 47
PLATINUM DONORS
Benbow Family
Lowery Family
Stewart Family
Anna & Bernard Walraven
GOLDDONORS
SK Honor Run
Barbara & Thad Lowery
Alan & Maureena Shepherd
Rio Grande, Oak Ridge
Matthew & Danielle Walraven
T ingen Family
SILVERDONORS
Freddy & P atti Dmuchowski
Amy & Brian Hall
Ramilya Siegel
Merchants of Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge Physic al Therapy
Beeson Barn Jam:
Caroline & Ben Ruch; Brian & Jennifer Barker; Todd & Ellen Dean
Saturday, Oct. 26 • 2-4pm
Oak Ridge Commons Shopping Center
Trick or treating with local merchants ● Music ● Live performance by Destination Arts
Oak Ridge Fire Department ● Hayride provided by Bank of Oak Ridge
Costume Contest
Register
...continued from p. 44
to preserving Stokesdale’s history and downtown charm, will meet Nov. 5, 7 to 8 p.m. at Stokesdale UMC, 8305 Loyola Drive. More info: w ww.facebook.com/friendsofstokesdale.
NOV. 6, 12, 14 & 21
z Senior programs | Senior Resources of Guilford County will sponsor a senior program including activities and a take-home lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Nov. 6 at Oak Ridge First Baptist Church, 2445 Oak Ridge Road; on Nov. 12 at Shady Grove Wesleyan Church (119 N. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax); on Nov. 14 at Stokesdale UMC (8305 Loyola Drive); and on Nov. 21 at Summerfield First Baptist Church (2300 Scalesville Road). More info and RSVP: (336) 373-4816, ext. 265.
z Coffee & conversation | Town of Summerfield, in cooperation with Guilford County’s Senior Resources Program, is hosting “Summerfield Senior Men Coffee & Conversation” for men over 60 on the first and third Thursday of each month, 9 to 10:30 a.m., at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. More info: ww w.summerfieldnc.gov.
THURSDAY, Nov. 7
z Santa’s Helpers | The P.O.W.E.R. of Play foundation will sponsor a fundraiser to buy Christmas gifts for Triad-area children in need on Nov. 7, 6:30 to 10 p.m. at GIA, 1941 New Garden Road, Suite 208, in Greensboro. Enjoy live auctions, music, cocktails and more.
Tickets cost $100; dress code is cocktail attire. Email Natasha Hilburn at foundation@proehlificpark.com, or visit power-of-play-foundation.square.site.
z Oak Ridge Town Council | ORTC will meet Nov. 7, starting at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. Attend in person or view the meeting on the town’s YouTube channel. More info: visit w ww.oakridgenc.com.
FRIDAY, Nov. 8
z Veterans’ breakfast | Bethel Methodist Church at 8424 Haw River Road in Oak Ridge invites local veterans to a monthly event for coffee, breakfast and fellowship Nov. 8, starting at 8:30 a.m. More info: Larry McDonald, (336) 215-3141.
SATURDAY, Nov. 9
z Touch-A-Truck | Town of Summerfield invites the community to this annual hands-on family event Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Summerfield Athletic Park, 5200 U.S. 220 N. Children will be able to view, climb on and ask questions about a wide variety of vehicles, including those used for public service, emergency, military, construction and more. Vulcan Materials will again provide free hot dogs, chips and drinks and Kona Ice will be onsite selling shaved ice. More info: (336) 643-8655 and see display ad below.
MONDAY, Nov. 11
z Veterans Day ceremony | Town of Oak Ridge will hold a Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11, starting at 10 a.m., at Heritage Farm Park, 8515 Scoggins Road. The ceremony will include the grand opening of the
Veterans Honor Green. Bring a chair. Refreshments will be served afterward. More info: (336) 644-7009 and see display ad on p. 45.
z Veterans Day ceremony | A Veterans Day ceremony will be held at the Stokesdale Veterans Monument at 6826 U.S. 158 on Nov. 11, 2 to 3 p.m. In case of rain, the ceremony will be held at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. More info: (336) 643-4011.
z NWG Woman’s Club | Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club will meet Nov. 11, starting at 7 p.m. More info: Tiffany Hansen at (336) 404-8038 or tiffanykhansen96@gmail.com.
TUESDAY, Nov. 12
z Summerfield Town Council | Summerfield TC will meet Nov. 12, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. More info: www.summerfieldnc.gov.
THURSDAY, Nov. 14
z Stokesdale Town Council | Stokesdale TC will meet Nov. 14, starting at 7 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. Citizens may attend in person, or view the meeting on the town’s YouTube channel. More info: ww w.stokesdale.org.
TUESDAY, Nov. 19
z Northwest Guilford VFW | Northwest Guilford VFW invites veterans and individuals who have served overseas in a conflict to VFW Post #7999’s monthly meeting Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. More info: Rick Dunlap, (336) 601-0941.
Saturday, Nov. 9 10:00am – 1:00pm
Climb aboard your favorite commercial vehicle as you learn all about the different types of trucks, vans and buses! This event gives kids a chance to explore, ask questions and experience the trucks that they see on the road every day, up close and personally!
Share your thoughts in 40 words or less
email: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com
Grins & Gripes are published based on available space and editor’s discretion.
NOTE: To view candidaterelated grins, gripes and endorsement letters, visit w ww.nwobserver.com – select the “Candidates: Pros & Cons” tab at top of homepage.
graciously paid for my haircut. What a kind gesture!
Summerfield Fire Dept. crews 1 and 2 deployed to Nebo Volunteer Fire Dept. in McDowell County to assist with search and rescue efforts in western North Carolina. Many thanks to them and all those helping people devastated by Hurricane Helene.
under contract, flooded from the tropical storm in August, two days before we were scheduled to close.
The gentleman who was out walking and stopped to help my husband when he fell in our North Grove neighborhood. Your kindness is certainly appreciated!
Sue Vaughn, who found my credit card and immediately called me to retrieve it. I am so grateful! It’s folks like this who make our community such a great place to live!
Northwest Observer for continuing the Grins & Gripes! I’ve loved reading them with my 17-year-old dog since she was a puppy; to her they’re the “Barks & Growls.” Thank y’all for the smiles & laughs.
western NC with food, water and supplies. Michael, Michelle, David and the rest of the Bi-Rite team could not have been more helpful.
The homeowner in Stonehenge (Oak Ridge) who put up such a shabby-looking privacy fence. You don’t have a straight line anywhere. This is a nice neighborhood, not a shanty town.
People who place their political signs at the entrance to our subdivision. You can display them in your yard, but you don’t have the right to speak for everyone.
Oak Ridge Elementary School teachers who ensure the car rider line is safe and efficient. Thank you for what you do to keep our students safe. This Mama appreciates you!
A local builder, Rich Dumas, president of R & K Custom Homes. I wasn’t aware that Great Clips doesn’t accept Discover card payments and he most
Vulcan Materials in Stokesdale for donating 100 tons of crushed stone to Stokesdale Elementary. Thank you, on behalf of Stokesdale Elementary PTO and staff, for improving our playground area for the kids to enjoy – you rock!
Nicole Gillespie, Realtor with Re/MAX, for going way above and beyond to help us when the basement in my mother’s home, which was
Editor’s note: Glad you and your dog have enjoyed them all these years! And I promise as long as the Northwest Observer is under my watch, there will be Grins & Gripes (I once left them out of the paper because we had so many news stories and not enough room to fit them all, and boy, did I ever get lots of “growls” – will never do that again!).
Northwest Observer reporter Chris Burritt for using CNN as a source to say that Ryan Routh “once supported” Donald Trump. The evidence behind that claim is as weak as weak can get: A single post on X by a known criminal.
Summit Church for all the painting and yard work you did at Summerfield Elementary. The entire school family appreciates all you do for us! Thanks, also, for the teacher lunches and snacks throughout the year. Blessings!
Bi-Rite of Stokesdale. What a blessing to have them in our community! We made multiple trips to
Editor’s note: CNN was one of several media sources that reported Ryan Routh, a former Greensboro resident, had previously shared on social media that he once voted for Trump. According to FactCheck.org, “The political views that Routh (who allegedly attempted to assassinate Donald Trump last month) expressed on social media were varied. He reportedly wrote on his now-suspended X account in 2020 that he had voted for Trump in 2016, but had become disappointed with the former president.” North Carolina vot-
ing records showed no party affiliation for Routh, though he did vote in the Democratic Party primary last March.
The teacher at Northwest Guilford High School who removed a student from homecoming court for innocent words said in private. What happened to free speech?
The homeowner on Lockland Drive (Oak Ridge) who has floodlights on all night long, every night. Ever heard of motion-activated?
Labcorp for stating testing delays were due to limited staffing. Is that a reasonable response, or a reflection of your company’s failures? Hire more associates and pay them better!
The oil change/inspection business in Oak Ridge, across from Oak Ridge Commons, that advertises “10-minute oil changes.” Took me 44 minutes for an oil change and inspection, and there were at least three employees there and all other bays were empty.
Summerfield for decimating the productive History Committee through inept “transition leadership.” The “backbone” of this valuable community asset that represented many years of research and documentary experience has been lost by a failure to discuss updating committee tenure guidelines.
Oak Ridge Town Council members Stone, Greeson and Mayor Kinneman for trying to limit other councilmembers’ involvement and proposing that we surveil citizen committees. Bad ideas!
Crosswalks in Oak Ridge that are either in 45mph zones without lights or with lights that don’t function properly. Oak Ridge Military Academy and Elementary School are huge safety issues! Pedestrians have the right of way? Not in Oak Ridge.
Those putting up political signs that have not read N.C. Statute 136-32. Signs being placed on private property or right of way without owner’s permission is unlawful and taking down your opponent’s sign is also unlawful.
The driver of the white Chevy truck with no muffler and broken rear suspension cruising around Oak Ridge and Stokesdale using the throttle like a light switch.
The Town of Stokesdale for not mowing the grass around the corner of U.S. 158 and Angel Pardue Road, which leads to the town park and a large housing development.
Editor’s note: We reached out to Stokesdale’s town administrator/clerk, Robbie Wagoner, about this and received this response: “Thank you so much for sharing this concern and allowing me to respond. I understand how important it is for our residents to take pride in the appearance of our community. The area mentioned is in the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s right of way, so they handle the grass maintenance there. However, I will reach out to them personally to request more frequent attention to that area.”
Maria Adams disputed Bill Goebel’s claim that he didn’t have a secret meeting with the Democrat chair of the BOE before being appointed to serve on the board in April 2023.
“I have stated facts,” she said. “Goebel had a secret meeting – that was recorded and Goebel told me himself… There is a long process on how to pick a nominee and it is determined by the Executive Committee of the nominee’s party. And that whole group of people decided Mr. Logan was the candidate.”
After a 30-minute closed session, the council came back into open session at 10:37 p.m. Attorney Winfree was asked to speak about the council’s discussion in closed session, which was about legal action the town is taking in response to theft of water from its fire hydrants; before he could do so, however, the council decided to continue the discussion to the Nov. 14 meeting.
“Once that case is settled, the public will know not to steal water from our fire hydrants,” Foy said.
“Remember to vote – that’s all we can do,” Rigsbee said.
Foy thanked the citizens who spoke earlier in the meeting, confirmed that DOT and GCS reps are discussing the issue at Stokesdale Elementary, and added, “I’m glad to see the lighting project at the park is moving forward and hopefully will be installed by the spring season.”
Landreth urged everyone to keep those affected by the recent hurricanes in their prayers and said one of his sons has been in Asheville for the last week and “it’s worse than what’s being reported in the media.”
Regarding the intersection at Athens Road, U.S. 158 and Angel Pardue Road, Landreth agreed it “is bad” and said, “I think if the principal could do something about it, she would. I feel for the residents affected by it.”
Jones thanked the candidates who attended the meeting and spoke, then urged drivers to be especially careful and on the lookout for trick-or-treaters on Halloween. After also encouraging citizens to get out and vote, he then advised everyone to prepare for an emergency and have a few days’ worth of food and water on hand.
Crawford said his son-in-law is in western North Carolina and “it is overwhelming.”
The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m.
has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest/northern Guilford County ...
Sept. 20 | Law enforcement officers responded to a reported physical altercation in the 3000 block of Pleasant Ridge Road in Summerfield.
Sept. 21 | Officers responded to a reported domestic incident at Countryside Manor in Stokesdale.
Sept. 28 | A 24-year-old female was cited in the 1400 block of Scalesville Road in Summerfield for cyberstalking.
Oct. 1 | Officers responded to a report of communicated threats in the 5200 block of Creed Drive in Summerfield (near Bunch Road).
Oct. 1 | Officers responded to a reported physical altercation and communicated threats in the 3900 block of Lewiston Road in northwest Greensboro.
Oct. 6 | A 26-year-old female was arrested in the 5800 block of Old Oak Ridge Road in northwest Greensboro for assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and assault in the presence of a minor.
Sept. 30 | Officers conducted a death investigation in the 8600 block of Haw River Road in Oak Ridge.
Oct. 10 | Officers conducted a death investigation in the 3500 block of Edgefield Road in northwest Greensboro.
Sept. 12 | A resident of the 3400 block of Quarter Horse Court in Summerfield (off Strawberry Road) reported an unknown suspect defrauded him of $540.
Sept. 16 | A resident of the 3200 block of Minglewood Trail
in Summerfield (near Oak Ridge Road) reported an unknown suspect defrauded her of $1,236.24.
Sept. 18 | A 30-year-old male was arrested in the 5200 block of U.S. 220 N/Winfree Road in Summerfield for obtaining an ID using false information.
Sept. 25 | A resident of the 1400 block of Bethan Drive in Summerfield (near Scalesville Road) reported an unknown suspect fraudulently used her ID info.
Sept. 26 | An employee of Walgreens in Summerfield reported an unknown suspect fraudulently used another person’s ID info to obtain a prescription of Alprazolam pills.
Sept. 30 | A resident of the 8500 block of Hudson James Road in Summerfield (off U.S. 158) reported an unknown suspect defrauded her of $900.
Oct. 4 | A 45-year-old female was arrested in the 6800 block of Brookbank Road in Summerfield for credit card fraud.
Oct. 8 | An employee at a business in Oak Ridge Commons reported a known suspect fraudulently used his ID info.
Sept. 28 | Officers responded to a missing person report in the 5500 block of Spotswood Circle in Summerfield (near U.S. 158).
Sept. 29 | A stolen vehicle was recovered in the 7100 block of Ellison Road in Stokesdale (off U.S. 158).
Oct. 5 | A resident of the 7600 block of N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge reported he lost a GLOCK firearm.
KNIGHT IMPORT SPECIALTY SERVICE
European Auto Service & Repair. Specializing in factory-scheduled maintenance and repairs. BMW, Audi, Volvo, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Mini, and Porsche. 32 years experience. 4559 US Hwy. 220, Summerfield (across from Food Lion). (336) 337-0669
CHOICE TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE. Oil changes, inspections, alignments and general automotive repairs. 1080 US Hwy 66 S, Kernersville, NC. (336) 992-9002
FORBIS and DICK FUNERAL SERVICE, Stokesdale Chapel has an opening for a part-time Funeral Assistant. Must be a professional people person with ability to lift 100 lbs. Suit and tie attire is required. Flexible schedule with availability during the day, nights and weekends. Please email resume to rwhetstone@forbisanddick.com
WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING LLC is hiring part-time team members for multiple mini-shifts. Please see our current openings and fill out an application at www.wendycollinspetsitting.com
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE. Positions open for crew members. Experience preferred but willing to train the right person. Tasks include mowing using various commercial mowing equipment, edging, trimming, weeding, blowing. We work all year. Dormant-season tasks include leaf cleanup, mulching, landscape installation, etc. Primarily servicing high-end residential properties. You must take pride in your work! License not necessary, but must have transportation to and from shop. Summer hours average 45-48 hrs., dormant-season average 35-42 hrs. Paid overtime. Pay dependent on experience. $15-18/hr. Text Jim at (336) 588-9456 to set up interview.
FORBIS and DICK FUNERAL SERVICE, Stokesdale Chapel has an opening for a part-time Administrative Assistant. Must have a “can do,” positive attitude, be friendly and professional. Skills must include experience with MS Office, including Excel, Outlook, and Publisher; QuickBooks and Photoshop. Varied schedule with some weekend hours required. Please email resume to
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
FALL MARKET. Mark your calendar and save the dates. Fri., Oct. 25, 5-7pm, and Sat., Oct. 26, 7:30am-noon. Palestine Methodist Church, 2954 Ellisboro Road, Stokesdale. Canned goods, baked goods, crafts, yard sale items, etc. Breakfast biscuits, coffee, juice, etc., will be available Saturday morning. Something for everyone! Hope to see you there.
FALL ARTS & CRAFTS EXTRAVAGANZA with 30+ vendors. Saturday, October 26, 9am-2pm. Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church, 2614 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge.
Come on out to the 26th annual KEEP IT LOCAL Art and Pottery Show on Saturday, October 26, from 10am-3pm (rain date Oct. 27). 2409 Oak Ridge Rd., Oak Ridge. 25 artists will be showing their works including pottery, jewelry, paintings, fabric arts, and much more. Bring 5 cans of food or $5 to participate in the Art Hunt benefiting the local food bank and hurricane victims. We will have a wonderful band playing and lots of community fun, so save the date! Any questions please call (336) 337-6493
BOSTON BUTT FUNDRAISER by Oak Ridge Horse Show Association. $45 each. Call to order by Nov. 1. Pickup will be Sat., Nov. 23, from 10am-2pm at Hardin Farms, 8201 Millrun Rd., Stokesdale. All proceeds donated to Hurricane Helene victims in western North Carolina.
MULTIPLE FAMILIES YARD SALE. Saturday, October 19. 7am-2pm. 3305 Annry Drive, Summerfield, off Strawberry Road.
GARAGE SALE. Sat., Oct. 26, 8am-noon, 5913 Billet Road, Oak Ridge. Fabulous finds at multi-family garage sale. Items from a rented booth, housewares, kitchen items, lamps, wicker table, collectibles, and lots of treasures!
AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING
A-ACTION AIR. A/C check-up, $79.95. (336) 268-6768 or (336) 382-3750
HVAC MAINTENANCE/REPAIR. Affordable. Dependable. Flat rates. (336) 706-0103
MELY'S DOMESTIC SERVICES. Cleaning, babysitting, caregiving. Basically, anything needed in a household. Trustworthy and reliable. 20+ years experience. References available. (530) 513-4828
Check in with your neighbors: www.facebook.com/northwestobserver
PAOLA CLEANING SERVICE. Residential, commercial & new construction. Insured. (336) 669-5210
CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING
Gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. windowcleaningnc.com. (336) 595-2873
CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Quality cleaning/ budget friendly. Pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, (336) 231-1838
MAID-2-SHINE. Excellent service, 15 years experience. Free estimates, excellent references. (336) 338-0223
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
BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC
Residential & commercial electrical services. Generac home standby generator sales and service. (336) 298-4192
Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? Call Coble Electric, LLC at (336) 209-1486
CKH ELECTRIC, LLC. Give us a call for your next residential, commercial, or industrial project. Free estimates. Licensed, insured, and BBB accredited. (336) 944-4820
MONTERO'S HARDWOOD FLOORING
Installation of hardwood, laminate, carpet & tile; hardwood sanding & finishing. Commercial & residential. Insured, 20 yrs. exp. Free est., excellent references. Visit our new showroom at 605 N. Main St., Kernersville, or Monteros-hardwood-flooring.com, or call (336) 215-8842
GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES
L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE
“We get you mowing!” Comm./res., all models. Oak Ridge, NC. Please call (336) 298-4314 Ltsmeng16@gmail.com
GENERAL HANDYMAN. Repairs, installations, assemblies, etc. Light electrical and plumbing. Landscape lighting installation. Insured. No job too small. Give Gordon a call, (336) 253-7700.
New decks, repairs/replacement, wood rot repairs, bathroom remodeling and other home repairs. “No job too small.” (336) 669-7252 See our display ad on p. 25 of this issue (Neighborhood Marketplace).
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
APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707.
sagging floors...and much more!
EXTERIOR GREENSCAPES. Lawn maintenance service. Call for a free estimate (336) 682-1456
AQUA SYSTEMS IRRIGATION. Quality irrigation systems. NC licensed contractor. We service all systems. Free est. (336) 644-1174
BAJA LAWNCARE. We do all aspects of lawncare – mowing, trimming, seeding, fertilizing and everything else that's needed to make yards green and beautiful! (336) 215-6319 See our display ad on p. 25 of this issue (Neighborhood Marketplace).
maxappliancenc.com maxappliancenc@gmail.com 336.840.5393
ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING
Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt, available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035
GRADING CONSULTANT, Bobby Lipstreu, former owner of H&L Grading. I can match your project to appropriate local contractor. I also provide custom rough-cut cutting with a portable sawmill. (336) 543-7867
GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150
E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, demolition, lot clearing, excavating, bobcat work, etc. (336) 451-1282
GUTTER CLEANING. Affordable. Dependable. Call anytime for free est. (336) 706-0103
ALLPRO SEAMLESS GUTTERS. Installation of 5” and 6” seamless gutters, downspouts and leaf protection. Insured, free estimates. (336) 362-2099. See our display ad on p. 25 of this issue (Neighborhood Marketplace).
LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING
BRADY LANDSCAPES. BBB accredited A+. A full-service landscape contracting co. Seasonal color, mulch & pine needles. Shrubbery bed installation & renovation. 40 years exp. Fully insured. FREE EST. (336) 621-2383. www.bradylandscapes.com.
AUGUSTA GREEN LANDSCAPES. Weekly maintenance, aeration, seeding, fertilizing, pruning, mulching, pine needles, design/ installation and more! 15+ years experience. Free quotes. (336) 708-6150
GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE
Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maint. (336) 655-6490
HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES
Free estimates. Call (336) 669-5448
SOUTHERN LAWNS. Mowing, maintenance, hardscaping and more. Free estimates. ashtonachase@gmail.com. (336) 279-6591
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
ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE
Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. (336) 643-9157
DSL DRAIN SYSTEMS & LANDSCAPING (336) 362-4354
CM STUMP GRINDING, LLC. Family owned and operated. Commercial/residential. Free quotes! (336) 317-4600
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
STEVE NEWMAN, TREE SERVICE. FREE EST. 40+ yrs.
around
NEW PHASE CONCRETE. Here for all your concrete needs including pouring driveways, patios, garage slabs, pool decks, etc. Specializing in decorative stamp, stained, epoxy and all other concrete 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; drystack natural stone and flagstone. Let us help you plan your patio, fire pit, fireplace, kitchen – or anything else you would like! Small jobs welcome. (828) 312-0090 www.colonialmasonry.com.
JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, outbuildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc. Also can haul mulch. Call (336) 706-8470
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
PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR , 40 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. Average BDRM walls $100. Insured. Call Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186.
PRESSURE WASHING, gutter & window cleaning. Fully insured. Crystal Clear, www. windowcleaningnc.com or (336) 595-2873
POWER WASHING/SOFT WASHING, window cleaning. Affordable. Dependable. Free estimates. (336) 706-0103
NEW CONSTRUCTION of buildings, pole barns and barndominiums. (336) 430-9507
ROOFING
DUSTIN CLINARD ROOFING. Certified 50-year non-prorated shingle warranty. Certified commercial roof systems and coatings. Offers commercial maintenance as well as shingle, metal and leak repairs. Free estimates. (336) 268-1908
CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC 40 + years experience. (336) 643-8191
& Judy Long, owners
PAINTING. Custom decks,
washing, boat docks, block fill,
repair. Call (336) 253-9089
STILL PERFECTION PAINTING. Reliable, skilled, affordable. Painting, pressure washing, handyman services. Scott Still, (336) 462-3683, stillperfectionpainting.com.
WHITE OAK FINE CARPENTRY. Remodel, custom cabinetry and home repair. Follow us on social media. (336) 497-7835
KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION, LLC
&
in NW Guilford County since 1999 The Northwest Observer since 1996!
Carlos Ruiz 336.669.5210 ● carlospainting14@live.com
BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic./ Ins. Cleanliness in your home is our #1 priority. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924
WEBSTER & SONS PLUMBING, Inc (336) 992-2503. Licensed, insured, bonded. 24/7 service. Plumbing, drain cleaning, well pumps. Give us a call, we do it all! Go to www.webstersplumbing.com for more info.
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.
BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION
Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Senior discount. 44 years exp. (336) 362-6343
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.
PREMIER CONSTRUCTION ROOFING All your roofing needs. Residential or commercial. Call (336) 430-9507.
BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing Free estimates. Since 1979. (336) 362-6343
PORTABLE WELDING SERVICE. Welding & fabrication services. Call (336) 908-6906
PIANO LESSONS, all ages and levels, Summerfield area. Patti, (336) 298-4181
Tell our readers about your service!
Your ad will reach every mailbox with an Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale mailing address. Call today for more information: (336) 644-7035, ext. 10, or email advertising@nwobserver.com.
KIMBERLY THACKER. Accounting & Tax Services for individuals and businesses. Intuit QuickBooks ProAdvisor. See our display ad on p. 25 of this issue (Neighborhood Marketplace).&
643-9963 • 8207 B & G Court, Stokesdale
WELDING AND TRAILER REPAIR
Call Tim, (336) 402-3869
6705 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale (336) 643-9963
(affiliated with Stokesdale Storage)
Follow us on Facebook and keep up with all the northwest-area news!
PERSIMMON PULP & more. At the Old Mill on Saturdays in November or call (336) 816-3441
TWO OFFSET PRINTING PRESSES and 30'' paper cutter. Oak Ridge area. Retiring. (336) 993-5399
SEASONED FIREWOOD, delivered and stacked, 1/2 cord, $100. Call (336) 686-6373
ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR. One owner, good condition. $1,200, negotiable. (336) 580-3805.
KNIGHT'S PUMPKIN PATCH. Located at 14809 Hwy. 158, Summerfield. We've got pumpkins, mums, pansies and deer corn. (336) 708-0485.
FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, generators, power washers, 4-wheelers, mini-bikes, golf carts, go-carts and other gas-powered items. (336) 491-1565
Wanted: FARM EQUIPMENT and LOG STRUCTURES to buy. (336) 430-9507
$$$ – 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
WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING LLC. Certified, bonded & insured. Your Summerfield pet sitter since 2018 (limited Stokesdale and limited Greensboro, small portions of 27455 and 27410). Wendycollinspetsitting.com. (336) 339-6845
REAL ESTATE
LAND FOR SALE
SUMMERFIELD. Only six 1+ acre homesites! Restricted but no HOA. Call (336) 314-3773 anytime!
FINISHED CORNER LOT. Located on Stafford Mill Rd., Oak Ridge. (336) 209-1296
...continued from p. 50
Sept. 17 | A 44-year-old male was arrested in the 4800 block of Jessup Grove Road in northwest Greensboro for larceny of a motor vehicle, identity theft, possessing stolen goods and resisting/obstructing a police officer.
Sept. 18 | A resident of the 7100 block of U.S. 158 in Stokesdale reported an unknown suspect stole two diesel batteries.
Sept. 19 | An employee of Food Lion in Summerfield reported an unknown suspect shoplifted six packages of steak.
Sept. 21 | A resident of the 8100 block of Brittains Field Road in Oak Ridge (off N.C. 68 N) reported his vehicle had been stolen.
Sept. 23 | An employee of The Village Store convenience/gas station in Oak Ridge reported a known suspect stole $1,325.35 from the business.
Sept. 23 | A resident of the 6000 block of Reynolda Trace in northern Greensboro (off Plainfield
Road) reported an unknown suspect stole two wicker chairs.
Sept. 26, Oct. 10 | An employee of Tractor Supply in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect shoplifted a trailer winch; on Oct. 10, an employee also reported an unknown suspect shoplifted two hats.
Sept. 26 | An employee of Lowes Foods in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect shoplifted several alcoholic beverages, candy, dog food, snacks and battery-powered lights.
Sept. 27 | A resident of the 7700 block of Tannery Road in Summerfield (near U.S. 220 N) reported a known suspect stole her golf cart.
stuff? Need stuff? www.nwobserver.com
Oct. 5 | A 31-year-old female was arrested in the 8100 block of Baywood Drive in Stokesdale (near N.C. 68 N) for larceny.
District 1 Sheriff’s Office 7504 Summerfield Road
Main number: (336) 641-2300 For non-emergency incidents: (336) 373-2222 • 8 a.m.–5 p.m., M-F https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/ our-county/sheriff-s-office
from p. 13
OCT. 17 - NOV. 20, 2024 or peek-a-boo while I still have the chance.
Would you share some “little known facts” about yourself? Confident Kids features art donated by kiddos on our art wall as well as throughout the office. I did the interior design of the office myself, as well as the practice’s logo. I also wrote and illustrated a children’s book, set for publication in 2025. After graduating from Johns
Hopkins University with honors, I worked as a janitor at a lumber mill before going to dental school. I have won several karaoke competitions and have absolutely no dance moves.
See display ad on p. 21
OCT. 17 - NOV. 20, 2024 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
gather more feedback from residents. While supporting the idea, Robinson said she’d like for the new town manager to weigh in on steps to encourage community feedback, preferably after the holidays.
Calling a special meeting of the
ACCOUNTING
Kimberly Thacker Accounting 25
Anders & Barrow CPAs, PC 3
ART/DANCE/MUSIC
Destination Arts 29, BC
AUTOMOTIVE SALES / SERVICE
EuroHaus 51
Oak Ridge Auto and Trailer Sales 5
Prestige Car Wash 29
Tire Max 14
BUILDING / REMODELING
CJ Builders 17
Disney Construction Company 20
Don Mills Builders 19
Old School Home Repair 25
R&K Custom Homes 16
TM Construction Services 53
Walraven Signature Homes ..................... 17
CANDIDATES / SUPPORTERS
Bill Goebel, Board of Education 26, 41
Conservative Women of GC 9
John Blust, NC House 62 11, 12
Michael Logan, Board of Education 39
Margie Benbow, NC House 62 4, 15, 22
Moms For Liberty 23
council to gather input would be worth the risk of low attendance, Hamilton said.
Board appointments. The council decided to delay by a month making an appointment to the History Committee and another to the
Founders’ Day Committee to give council members more time to review applications. Sessoms said he’d like the public to have the opportunity to weigh in on the applicants before the council votes on them.
The council went into closed session to discuss undisclosed
matters, citing state laws that protect the attorney-client privilege and pertain to employment matters such as those related to candidates’ qualifications.
After emerging from the roughly half-hour session, the council took no action. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:17 p.m.
Steve Luking, NC House 62 6 Virginia Foxx for U.S. Congress 7 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Summerfield Merchants Association 36
SERVICES Confident Kids 21 Summerfield Family Dentistry 2, 43
Blood Drive (Nov. 21) 3
butt fundraiser 35 Fall in the Park (Nov. 2) 44 Great Pumpkin Event (Oct. 26) 46 Movie in the Park (Nov. 2) 24 Touch-a-Truck (Nov. 9) 47 Veterans Day Ceremony (Nov. 11) 45 FUNERAL SERVICES
Carlos & Son Painting 53 Carpets by Direct 13
DeLima Lawncare, LLC 52
Martins Pressure Washing 53
Max Appliance Repair & Service 52
Nature’s Select 10
New Garden Landscaping 35 Rymack Storage 54
S&M Seamless Gutters 52 Scott’s Tractor and Equipment 31
Stokesdale Heating
A New Dawn Realty 25, 54 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX 33, 50 Ramilya Siegel, Keller Williams 10 Smith Marketing, Allen Tate 18
Bistro 150 25, 29 Gusto Pizzeria 28
