Northwest Observer | January 25-31, 2018 by pscommunications

Jan. 25 - 31, 2018

bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996

www.nwobserver.com

Theory, practice reflects improved safety with mini-roundabouts by KEVIN SPRADLIN SUMMERFIELD – Between 7:30 and 8 a.m. Tuesday at the intersection of N.C. 150 and Summerfield Road, numerous vehicles rolled through from all four directions. Parents and children on their way to school. School buses. An ambulance responding to an emergency. Tractor-trailers. But the half-hour of observation shows that the most dangerous aspect during those 30 minutes was not the intersection itself but seemingly impatient drivers eager to turn left onto Summerfield Road from N.C. 150 as or after the light turned red. From

any of the four directions, the largest number of vehicles backed up at any one point was eight. That was on N.C. 150 headed east towards U.S. 220. The most consistent back-up seemed to occur on N.C. 150 headed west, from U.S. 220. The intersection is at the center of a Town of Summerfield redevelopment plan that aims to manage an increase in vehicular traffic along with a planned increase in pedestrian traffic – if, that is, plans to renovate the Gordon Hardware building and make it into a town meeting space comes to fruition. A concept of a plan made public dur-

Photo by Kevin Spradlin/NWO

Drivers approach the main intersection in Summerfield while leaving U.S. 220 and heading west on N.C. 150.

ing a Jan. 16 special-call council meeting at Community Lutheran Church indicated the cost could be between $250,000 and $300,000. The mast arm traffic signal would be removed and replaced with a mini-roundabout. To be sure, Jay Clapp, of Ramey

...continued on p. 4

STOKESDALE – Someone’s fun in the snow often means headaches for someone else. Last week’s snowfall gave owners of four-wheelers or all-terrain vehicles a chance to take them out for winter joy rides, but the damage they left led to some head-shaking. At Stokesdale Town Park, someone left tracks across the Town’s two soccer fields, tearing up an area on

the one closest to Town Hall by doing doughnuts. Someone also did a doughnut around one of the volleyball nets leaving ruts in the sand, and tracks were left in the snow beyond the fields close to the woods. “It looks like they just went around the (locked) gate,” Mayor John Flynt said. “We’re concerned about it. It would be hard to prove who did it.” Flynt said there was minimal damage, but said “no trespassing” signs may need to be posted.

News in Brief.................................3 Private email accounts okay.....6 Sign? Or art?................................8 Town selects new manager........9 “Robo Strong”............................ 11

Winter joy rides damage property by STEVE MANN

IN THIS ISSUE

Student Profiles.......................... 13

The Town spent about $20,000 to rejuvenate the soccer fields in 2016, cleaning out weeds, adding sand, elevating the pitch and sprigging with several types of Bermuda grasses well-suited for athletic fields. The fields were closed in late May 2016 after the end of the recreation soccer season and reopened in March 2017. In Oak Ridge, someone left ruts on land at the intersection of Oak

...continued on p. 5

Stokesdale Town Council......... 14 Mercy Hill Church...................... 18 Community Calendar............... 21 Pot likker, Southern elixir...........22 Grins & Gripes............................24 Letters/Opinions........................25 Crime/Incident Report..............26 Classifieds.................................. 27 Index of Advertisers.................. 31 NWO on the Go!........................32

Trusted Care. Close to Home. New location at Horse Pen Creek Road now open. Our newest location will offer primary care for the entire family as well as sports medicine. You and your family can count on exceptional care and the convenience of same-day appointments, on-site lab and X-ray services and access to your electronic medical records through the MyChart patient portal. LeBauer Healthcare at Horse Pen Creek Rd. 4443 Jessup Grove Rd. (336) 663-4600

lebauer.com From conditioned athlete to weekend warrior, we have all of your Sports Medicine needs covered. Non-surgical, Musculoskeletal Medicine for athletes and non-athletes alike. Services offered include, but are not limited to: • On-site X-ray Services • Diagnostic Musculoskeletal ultrasonography • Joint injections • Ultrasound-guided injections • Osteopathic manipulative medicine • Platelet rich plasma therapy • Biomechanics assessment • Orthotics • Therapeutic and rehabilitative exercise programs • Concussion management and treatment

Dr. Zachary Smith

LeBauer Healthcare at Elam Sports Medicine 336-547-1792

Dr. Michael Rigby LeBauer Healthcare at Horse Pen Creek Sports Medicine 336-663-4600

NEWS in brief

Council retreat set for Saturday, Jan. 27 SUMMERFIELD – As of our printer deadline on Wednesday, there was no official agenda available for Summerfield Town Council’s annual retreat, scheduled Saturday, Jan. 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Summerfield Farms. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to talk about. Mayor Gail Dunham, Mayor Pro Tem Dena Barnes, council members John O’Day, Reece Walker, Teresa Pegram and Todd Rotruck – as well as Town Manager Scott Whitaker – will likely all weigh in on the town’s ongoing proj-

ects. Those projects include the possible renovation of the Gordon Hardware building into a town meeting space, details of which were revealed during a Jan. 16 public meeting with a price tag of $3.7 million, and possible upgrades to the intersection of N.C. 150 and Summerfield Road. There, a mini-roundabout has been proposed, and if that comes to fruition, could cost between $250,000 and $350,000.

336-288-6643

The meeting is open to the public, though there is no scheduled period for public comments.

Round-table discussion on water system set for Thursday, Jan. 25 STOKESDALE – What is being described by Mayor John Flynt as a round-table discussion about Stokesdale’s public water system will be held Thursday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 8325 Angel-Pardue Road. The public is encouraged to attend. Besides the town council, Flynt said those scheduled to participate include Gene Robertson of Yates Construction Co., which serves as the town’s utilities contractor; Bill Merritt, president

of Meritech Inc., the town’s licensed water-system operator; R.J. Mosley of McGill Associates, the engineering firm hired by Stokesdale to represent the town’s interests during a feasibility study regarding a proposed regional water authority; and Gary Matchunis, Stokesdale’s part-time water technician. The council is also expected to review a contract for a new town attorney and a proposal by Sentry Watch to upgrade the security system at Town Hall.

Council seeks technology advice … again STOKESDALE – The Stokesdale Town Council will once again seek an assessment of its website and email needs that it requested from its IT source almost three months ago but didn’t receive.

Hemric told the council, saying she was getting bouncebacks from several council members and staff was having trouble sending and receiving emails with large attachments.

Town Administrator Kim Hemric told the town council last October the staff had been unable to upload new information to the website for several weeks, and changes to information already on the website were almost impossible.

During the Jan. 11 monthly meeting council members Tim Jones and Frank Bruno were authorized to contact Tech Authority, the town’s IT resource, and spend up to $300 for a written assessment of the town’s website and email needs. The council approved that request Oct. 4, but what was received was a proposal about a web-hosting site Tech Authority recommended.

“We’re at an impasse with our website right now,” Hemric reported in October. Email problems the Town had previously experienced also resurfaced,

336-288-6643

www.carpetsbydirect.com

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

MINI-ROUNDABOUTS ...continued from p. 1

www.nwobserver.com /northwestobserver @mynwobserver @northwestobserver

OUR TEAM Patti Stokes, editor/publisher Laura Reneer, marketing manager Mary Gant, admin/editorial assistant Jorge Maturino, art director Yvonne Truhon, page layout Leon Stokes, IT director Lucy Smith, finance manager Linda Schatz, distribution manager Steven Mann and Kevin Spradlin, staff writers Marc Pruitt, Helen Ledford, Nora Murray and Annette Joyce, contributing writers

HOW TO REACH US email: info • celebrations • photos communitynews • realestatenews calendarevents • grinsandgripes opinions • editor • questions ... @ nwobserver.com phone: (336) 644-7035 fax: (336) 644-7006 office: 1616 NC 68 N, Oak Ridge mail: PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 hours: M-F 9am-2pm (or by appt.)

WANT TO ADVERTISE? Contact us at (336) 644-7035, ext. 11 display: advertising@nwobserver.com classified: classifieds@nwobserver.com Independently owned & published by

Kemp and Associates, and town officials together have emphasized this is an idea only – a concept. It might never happen. Clapp said the idea of a mini-roundabout came in conjunction with discussions with emergency services representatives, town officials and colleagues. N.C. Department of Transportation officials have been briefed on the concept, but an initial formal discussion with town officials is expected in the coming weeks, according to an NCDOT representative. Clapp spoke this week with the Northwest Observer about the theoretical safety enhancements that a miniroundabout brings. He said motorists and pedestrians alike benefit from safety improvements. The presence of a mini-roundabout compels drivers to slow down, he said. This decreases the severity of any motor vehicle crash. Cynthia Mumby is the director of the Office of Governmental and Community Relations for Harford County, Maryland. Mumby’s information goes beyond the theoretical and provides real-world experience with mini-roundabouts. Harford County has 27 roundabouts on county roadways, including two mini-roundabouts. Planning for two more mini-roundabouts is in progress, Mumby said. In August 2012, the county opened its first mini-roundabout at the intersection of MacPhail and Tollgate roads. The area is urban in nature in that it is in close proximity to a highway, a hospital and a major shopping center. Between 2008 and 2011, motorists and passengers traversing that intersection suffered from eight accidents that resulted in three injuries – including one serious injury. In the year after the mini-roundabout opened, there were two accidents resulting in only one minor injury.

Mumby said, “but it was the type.” The data from Harford County’s practical application supports Clapp’s theoretical data. Mumby said before the mini-roundabout was constructed, about 85 percent of vehicles traveled through the intersection at 38 mph. Afterwards, it was 15 mph. Instead of accidents that featured collisions between vehicles at 90-degree angles, Mumby said any accidents were “more of a sideswipe.” Mumby said residents requested county officials place a mini-roundabout there to improve safety at MacPhail and Tollgate.. As in Harford County, pedestrian safety in Summerfield would also be enhanced with the installation of “mountable islands” that are placed midway through a road crossing. Pedestrians, then, need to cross only one direction at a time – equivalent to roughly 12 feet or so – instead of trying to cross double the distance while watching for two directions of traffic.

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

“The study clearly said, mini-roundabouts work,” Jenks said, but that “if you have a high pedestrian area, you have to go back to the traditional intersection.” Studies by Dr. Wei Zhang, one of the most preeminent experts on mini-roundabouts in the United States, suggest otherwise. Zhang noted that mini-roundabouts feature crosswalks that are one full car length away from the intersection and that pedestrian safety is actually increased. Clapp noted that should the town proceed with the development of the Gordon Hardware building into a meeting space, much of the projected pedestrian traffic increase will take place after peak volume hours on N.C. 150.

Estate planning and administration, including wills, trusts, and probate Corporate and business general counsel services Tax planning, advice, and preparation • Real estate • Civil litigation

“We didn’t see a dramatic reduction in (the) number” of accidents,

Summerfield resident and businessman Patrick Jenks, who owns Gray Gables on N.C. 150, is not sold on the idea, though, based on studies he said he has read on mini-roundabouts. He agrees they significantly assist the flow of vehicular traffic and increase motorist safety. Pedestrians, however, face an increase in danger, Jenks said.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Scott K. Tippett Admitted in GA, NC and US Tax Court DRC Certified Mediator – Superior Court

(336) 643-0044 • skt@sktlaw.com 445 Dolley Madison Road, Suite 208, Greensboro

Protecting you, your family, and your business since 1987

www.tippettlawfirm.com

WINTER JOY RIDES

...continued from p. 1

Ridge and East Harrell roads that is farmed by Richard Isley. “They were just disrespectful,” said Isley, who discovered the damage Friday and reported it to the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office. He estimated the damage at $500. “We had finished planting around Thanksgiving, but because of the cold weather nothing has germinated and popped,” he said. “It killed the seedlings out there. “It’s a mess, is what it boils down to. It doesn’t look ugly, but when you’re doing hay that’s a problem.” And at Bethany Community School in Summerfield, about $5,000 worth

of damage to the lawn and an athletic field that had been graded and seeded in the last several months occurred between 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, and 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, according to the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office. Vicky Bethel, the principal of the charter school for grades 6-9, said “no trespassing” signs were posted on gates to the school, but the vehicles accessed the school grounds off U.S. 158. “I don’t think there was anything malicious about it,” she said. “People see a lot of snow and don’t think about the ground underneath. We filed a report with the sheriff’s office because we may have to regrade and reseed.”

Westergaard Kennels alive and thriving

Do you SUFFER from...        

Knee Pain Lower Back Pain Shoulder Pain Neuropathy Joint Pain Osteoarthritis Neck Pain Tennis Elbow

Find out if Regenerative Medicine is right for you!

File photo

Westergaard Kennels will celebrate its 30th birthday this May. Owner Craig Westergaard said dividing 18 acres of his miniature horse farm into three buildable residential lots does not impact the kennel business located on his property – in fact, last year the kennel underwent a “game-changing” transformation which entailed a complete remodel and the extension of covered dog runs along the entire length of both sides of the kennel building.

In last week’s issue we answered a question in our Business & Real Estate section about what is being built on Bunch Road in Oak Ridge, beside Westergaard Kennels. The answer apparently created alarm when some people speculated that the owner of Westergaard Kennels is selling all of his property and the kennel is going out of business. That is far from true, Craig Westergaard said. In 2016 Westergaard received ap-

proval from the Town of Oak Ridge to separate 18 acres of his miniature horse farm into three buildable lots. What is being built beside Westergaard Kennels is a single-family home on one of those three lots. Westergaard Kennels is still very much in business, and plans to be in business at its location off Bunch Road for many years to come, Bryan Hall, Westergaard’s partner, confirmed.

Rege Regerative medicine is now available locally and can effectively reduce and even eliminate your pain without surgery or addictive medications. Regenerative medicine uses amniotic tissue cells to regenerate and repair tissues in your body that are damaged due to injury, age, disease, and defects. Stem cells have the power to go to these damaged areas, generate new cells and rebuild the area.

CALL NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT IN ONE OF OUR UPCOMING SEMINARS! 336-310-6933 - www.americastem.com

Tuesday, Jan. 30, 6:30 PM

Stem Cell Lecture at Hampton Inn 150 Clayton Forest Dr., Kernersville LIMITED SEATING...PLEASE RSVP OR CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION ON UPCOMING SEMINAR DATES

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

Law supports elected officials’ use of private email accounts by KEVIN SPRADLIN NORTH CAROLINA – Public officials in North Carolina have a legal right to use a private email account to conduct official business. Any official business conducted by the public official through that email account, however, could become a public record. N.C. General Statute 132-1 notes that “the public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people.”

At the Summerfield Town Council’s public meeting on Jan. 9, the mayor and Town Council members were discussing revisions to the Continuity of Operations Plan. Town Manager Scott Whitaker explained that most of the changes were to update contact information for newly elected officials, and made mention that there was a second page that reflected Dunham’s desire to use a personal email account (MayorGail@yahoo.com) rather than the one initially noted, which was a town-issued Summerfieldgov.com account.

Kerstin Martin, dental hygienist Kerstin has been with DeVaney Dentistry since 2017. She moved from Williamsburg, Virginia, to High Point 5 years ago to attend Dental Hygiene school at GTCC. Kerstin has a passion for building relationships with her patients and helping them achieve the best oral health possible. Kerstin lives with her husband Michael and puppy Mason in High Point. They love spending their free time traveling and with their family and friends.

1580 Hwy 68 N, Oak Ridge

(336) 643-5515

Learn more about us at drdevaney.com 6

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

Councilman Reece Walker asked Dunham if there was still an issue with her Summerfieldgov.com account, to which Dunham replied, “Yes. I definitely prefer the MayorGail@yahoo(.com). I have ready access to it, and I haven’t had any problems.” Walker then suggested to Dunham that emails to her town-issued account could be automatically forwarded to her personal account, but Dunham rejected that idea. “I don’t have Outlook,” she said. “I really don’t want to get into technical things… I definitely prefer that my business email for Summerfield is MayorGail@yahoo.com.” Walker then expressed concern about what the process might be when someone submits a public records request that includes a request for some of her emails. “Will you be filling that (request)?” he asked of Dunham. “Yeah,” Dunham said. “That’s where I’m getting most of my email now. I just prefer all my Summerfield (e)mail go to MayorGail@yahoo.com. I have more access to it.” Bill Stone, of Stone PC Works! in Greensboro, is the consultant hired by the town to assist with information technology-related issues. In a phone interview on Jan. 12, Stone said Dunham had setbacks in trying to access emails on her home computer, initially because she had no email client on it. Dunham’s home computer, Stone said, was running Windows 7 as its operating system and the email program it was running, Windows Live Mail, was no longer supported by Microsoft. Stone labeled Windows Live Mail as “problematic,” and said he “suggested to her to avoid that.” Stone then suggested Dunham download Mozilla Thunderbird – a free

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

email client that operates much like Outlook. “We got the Thunderbird client set up, we tested it (and) it was functioning,” Stone said of Dunham’s home computer. “She used that for a period of time. I can only guess that she didn’t care for it.” Reached by phone and email on Jan. 12, Dunham declined to go into details about the specifics on why she decided to use her Yahoo email account to conduct official business. “I’m not going to detail that,” Dunham said. “I don’t have to detail that.” Dunham then said emails seemed to be delayed in sending and receiving from Thunderbird. “I spent days trying to make it work,” she said. But that was available to her only on her home computer, whereas her Yahoo account gives her “efficient, better access” to people’s comments and concerns in a more timely and convenient manner, Dunham said. Dunham insisted that her Yahoo email account is “not necessarily a private email” and, besides that, “the Summerfield server isn’t that great.” “Believe me,” Dunham said, noting her home phone number is readily available, “I am as public a person as possible.” During the phone interview as well as in a follow-up email, Dunham stressed that elected officials in Summerfield have often used an email account other than the town-issued one to conduct official business, whether triad.rr.com, AOL, BellSouth “and possibly other servers.” Dunham is right. Among others, former Summerfield Mayor Mark Brown regularly used his BellSouth email account to conduct public

...continued on p. 26

A sign, or a work of art? by STEVE MANN STOKESDALE – A nine-month disagreement over whether brick structures at the entrance to Northwest Meadows subdivision violate the Stokesdale Development Ordinance may come down to whether they are signs or works of art. The structures on either side of the intersection of Eversfield Road and Kingsley Place have two brick columns – one about 8 feet tall and the other about 15 feet – and are connected by a wall about 3 feet high. Last April Oliver Bass, Stokesdale’s town planner, explained in an email to developer Keystone Group Inc. the town’s concern about the structures and their compliance with Sections 4-10.5 and 6-1.5 of the ordinance. The email also noted the Planning Board didn’t approve a sign plan, and no building permit had been issued. A notice of violation was sent in July to Scott Wallace, Keystone’s president, giving him until Aug. 15 to correct the violation to avoid further action and 15 days to file an appeal to the Board of Adjustment. A letter from Wallace dated Aug. 4 confirmed the receipt of Bass’ letter but denied there was any permanent signage at that location and asked that the notice of violation be dropped. But in October, former town attorney

Katy Gregg wrote that because Keystone had failed to appeal the decision and had not complied with the ordinance, the town was seeking legal remedies that could include the structures’ removal. Mayor John Flynt said he isn’t sure the structures are signs because there is no language on the brick columns. He said he considers them decorative art features but admitted they would be in violation of the maximum sign height of 6 feet. Bass said he considered them signs because a March letter between the Keystone Group and Wells Engineering PLLC attached to Keystone’s sign permit application refers to the structures as signs at least five times. Because of that letter and the structures’ location, Bass said he interpreted that the intent was for them to serve as entrance signs. That meant they required a sign permit, which Keystone didn’t request until after they were built. Because the structures didn’t comply with the ordinance, the permit was denied. And even if they weren’t signs, Bass noted, structures that size would require a building permit. Flynt said Section 6-1.3 of the development ordinance addresses exemptions from the sign ordinance, including works of art with no commercial message. “I could almost believe that’s what

Photo by Steve Mann

The structures on either side of the Northwest Meadows entrance have two brick columns that would violate Stokesdale’s height limit for signs of 6 feet. If they are considered works of art, they could be exempt. they have,” he said. Council member Bill Jones said the structures are illegal because they weren’t on the site plans approved by the Planning Board and were built without the proper permits. Wallace said he had tried to contact the previous council without success. Town Attorney Brian Pearce said the council could consider the letter by Keystone a notice of appeal or look at remedy provisions of the ordinance and

enforce one of those. Council member Frank Bruno made a motion to consider Wallace’s August letter a notice of appeal. Flynt added an amendment waiving any fines or penalties until a hearing, and Tim Jones asked that Keystone pay the $200 appeal fee. The motion passed 3-2, with Bill Jones and Tim Jones voting nay. A similar structure was built in the subdivision’s common area near the intersection of Eversfield and Treeline roads.

NO JOINING FEE IN JANUARY – SAVE UP TO $75

JOIN TODAY!

8 Area YMCA Locations • SpearsYMCA.org 8

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

ONE MEMBERSHIP. ALL LOCATIONS.

Oak Ridge selects new manager Photo by Kevin Spradlin/NWO

Bill Bruce reacts to the first congratulatory words from Mayor Spencer Sullivan and members of the Oak Ridge Town Council on Jan. 23 after they voted to approve the terms of his employment contract. Bruce will assume his new responsibilities as town manager Feb. 1.

by KEVIN SPRADLIN OAK RIDGE – Oak Ridge’s search for a new town manager attracted 35 candidates from across the country. It turns out the best candidate was already in the building. Bill Bruce, currently the town’s planning director, will assume the role of town manager effective Feb. 1. Bruce and Town Clerk Sandra Smith have been serving as interim co-managers since former Town Manager Bruce Oakley resigned in September 2017. Bruce’s promotion became official on Jan. 23 when the council met in closed session to approve the terms of a two-year contract, which Bruce signed shortly afterwards. He will make an annual salary of $80,000. The 41-year-old native of Cumberland, Maryland, earned his undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and obtained a master’s in city planning from Georgia Tech. He has been serving town residents as planning director for a little more than three and one-half years. Prior to that, he worked for eight years as a contract employee with the Town of Oak Ridge, also as a planner. Bruce was one of three finalists for the town manager’s position, all from North Carolina, interviewed during a closed session at Town Hall earlier this month. “We spent a good bit of time

debating which of the three would be the best for Oak Ridge,” said Mayor Spencer Sullivan.

It was literally all you wanted for Christmas.

And Santa let you down. 336.447.7550 bestoralsurgery.com

We’ll fix you up; just give us a call today!

Bruce said he tried to put his best foot forward. It worked. “Bill is absolutely the best candidate for our town. He is the best fit,” Sullivan said. Councilman George McClellan echoed Sullivan’s sentiments, noting Bruce’s background in planning will help the town face some of its most difficult challenges – balancing commercial and residential growth with the desire to remain a rural community – in the years to come. McClellan said Bruce has the right type of personality to deal with people with a variety of backgrounds and approaches to business. Bruce, though, said it is simply a matter of implementing the town’s land-use plan. It is an exciting time for the Town of Oak Ridge, Bruce said after signing his employment contract. The Mountains-toSea Trail is under development and attracting attention from stakeholders from within and outside the town. He also highlighted efforts to improve walkability in the town and a streetscape project that is expected to make some aesthetic improvements in the town core. “There’s a lot to work on and to look forward to in the next couple years,” Bruce said. One of Bruce’s first tasks will be to hire his successor as planning director.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

sponsored by Kernersville 224 Broad St. • (336) 992-2520

Greensboro 5314 W. Friendly Ave. • (336) 855-8900

www.mbsmiles.com

Michael Garrett, Summerfield Elementary’s art teacher, shared these sea turtle mosaics created by his fourth- and fifth-grade students. “This project combined art, science, and environmental awareness into one awesome sculpture,” Garrett said. “Students learned about the sea turtles that call our North Carolina beaches home. The sculptures are made out of a variety of recycled and re-purposed materials, such as plastic bottle caps, cardboard boxes, and colorful beads – and each turtle is as unique as the artist who made it!”

Welcome to

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

youth / school NEWS

‘Robo Strong’ ‘Pink Out’ game on Jan. 30 to support breast cancer awareness will once again take on personal meaning for Northern Guilford Nighthawks by MARC PRUITT “I heard the news today. It came out of nowhere” – from the song “Maybe Tonight, Maybe Tomorrow” by Wideawake. No one fights alone. That phrase will ring true for the girls’ basketball team at Northern Guilford on

Kim Furlough

Kassie Robakiewicz

Tuesday, Jan. 30, when they host their 11th annual “Pink Out” game to support breast cancer awareness. This year, much like it was during the 2015-16 season, the “Pink Out” game will be personal for the Nighthawks after learning of the breast cancer diagnosis for teammate Kassie Robakiewicz’s mother, Kim, in December. According to BreastCancer.org, one in eight women will develop invasive

Who will be the voice for this child? Over 250 children in Guilford County will go to court alone. Learn how to be an advocate for an abused or neglected child by becoming a Guardian Ad Litem.

(336) 412-7580 | volunteerforgal.org

breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. It is estimated that more than 300,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Coach Kim Furlough was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly before the start of practice for the 2015-16 season. Furlough didn’t miss a single game or practice following her diagnosis and surgery, and reports that all is well. “I’m all clear,” she said. “No more treatment for me. Like I’ve told Kassie, I’m here. I’m living proof.” Robakiewicz, now a senior captain, was a sophomore when Furlough was stricken. “The girls were there for me during my process, which was very important and meaningful to me,” Furlough said. “Kassie was a big part of that. She actually got me a book about surviving breast cancer and shared a cool story about a lady she met who went through it. And now, I’ll do everything I can to help her and her mom through it.” “My pride is left for dead, as my world gets shaken. The thoughts inside my head, so hard to control…” Robakiewicz found out about her mom’s diagnosis in mid-December. “She said she didn’t know how to tell me and my two brothers the news,” Robakiewicz said. “Then one day it

was just me and her sitting on a couch and she let me know what was going on. I was floored. She said she didn’t know too much at that point about treatment. The immediate reaction is ‘oh my gosh, this is so bad.’

“The word cancer…it scares you, and that’s what hurts the most – the fear of the unknown. But I’ve made peace with the situation now and I know everything’s going to be just fine.” “They say the road to heaven might lead us back through hell But we’re holding on for more than stories to tell…” Mere days after Kim Robakiewicz learned of her diagnosis, Northern was playing its first-round game of the HAECO Invitational. Kassie had been closing in on scoring 1,000 career points this season and drained a 3-pointer early in the game for her 1,002nd career point. Officials stopped the game to recognize the milestone and Kassie was presented the ball. She ran across the court to her mother and gave the ball to her, a moment her teammates knew was just as remarkable as it was emotional. “That was a great accomplishment for her and then to share that moment

...continued on p. 23

Welcoming new patients Hours

Monday- Friday 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Existing patient walk-ins welcome Accepting most insurance plans Flu shots now available

Kip Corrington, md Patients of all ages

Ashley Michaels, pa-c Marsha White, agnp-c Patients of all ages Patients ages 13+

Northwest Family Medicine (336) 643-3378 • 7607-B Hwy 68 N, Oak Ridge

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

Stokesdale Elementary PTA

would like to thank the following individuals, families and companies for supporting our fundraising efforts in 2017! We look forward to putting your support into action during 2018! GOLD SPONSORS Land Solutions of North Carolina Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossing Animal Hospital Rio Grande of Oak Ridge Stokesdale Parks and Recreation Tire Max Lindsay Real Estate Holdings Olmsted Orthodontics Vulcan Materials Co. Carpet Super Mart Bi-Rite Loflin Materials Northwest Observer High Point Pediatric Dentistry Budget Blinds of Kernersville

BRONZE SPONSORS Rigby Bolen Mason and Gracie Howle Morris and Morris DDS Griffin Holmberg and Family Bryson Kivett Pearl Lough Aryanna Sarmiento Jack Gibson Colton and Sydney Owen Marshall Foy Jack Stewart Alexa Williams Payton and Bailey Goodykoontz Chase and Chloe Powell Kate and Kara Michel Emmalyn and Clayton Davis Jack Barraclough Eli Gann Zachary Beeson

SILVER SPONSORS Bassett Furniture Bonnie Hannon, Allen Tate Realtors, Oak Ridge Culp Home Fashions Boneyard Archery Ryleigh Richardson and Family Grady Jones and Family The Wolschon Family Cole and Julia Rigsbee and Family Makena, Evan and Lisa Newton The Hoffmann Family Autumn Fite and Family The Rusher Family Anna and Lauren Jones and Family

Max Kehoe Xander Stoltz Bryson Schmid Weston Bennett Caleb and Nicholas Trogdon Payton Dunn Logan Cox Oakley and Lincoln Stiff Hannah Hartzell Olivia Kelley The Bunthoff Family Paisley Vernon Jeric Jefferson Bryce and Lance Chapman

Student profiles brought to you this week by:

Now open! LeBauer Healthcare at Horse Pen Creek 4443 Jessup Grove Road Greensboro, NC 27410 (336) 663-4600

lebauer.com

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

NORTHWEST GUILFORD Rachel Abele, swimming by MARC PRUITT Enduring 5 a.m. swimming practices three to four times every week is grueling enough. Going through those practices and swim meets for Northwest Guilford with nagging pain in both knees, both elbows and your right shoulder makes them even more taxing.

This is the reality for Rachel Abele, a sophomore on Northwest Guilford’s swim team. Specializing in the freestyle events, Rachel competes in the 100 and 200 free, the 200 individual medley, as well as the 400 free relay team. She said she started feeling pain in her knees about a year ago. It wasn’t until the fall, shortly before the high school swim season began, that she went to the doctor. “I have patellofemoral in both of my knees, tendonitis in both of my elbows, and tendonitis in my right shoulder,” Rachel said. “Other than rest, ice and ibuprofen, there’s not much that can be done.” The pain from patellofemoral,

Student profiles brought to you this week by:

which occurs because of overuse, is felt in the front of the knee and wears down the cartilage under the knee cap. “The pain is just something I have to deal with when I’m competing and practicing,” Rachel said. “I’ve learned to push through the pain and try to block it out when I’m swimming. I am planning on taking a little time off after the season is over to hopefully ease some of the wear and tear.” That will mean missing those earlymorning workouts for her club team, STAR Aquatics, which she wakes up at 4 a.m. to attend. “I actually prefer the morning workouts because there are less people there and things aren’t quite as hectic,” Rachel said. “On Saturdays, we practice at 8 (a.m.), so I get to sleep in a little bit. But I’ll take about a month off and see where I am with things before I start back. I’d like to take enough time and really prepare for the summer season with my summer

team, Cardinal Swim & Tennis.” Rachel is also involved with Interact Club at Northwest and serves as the manager and statistician for an area rugby team, which is comprised of students from Northwest, Northern Guilford and Grimsley. “My brother played (on the rugby team) all four years he was at Northwest and my dad took over as coach after his freshman year,” Rachel said. “It’s a lot of fun to help out.”

On a side note, we asked Rachel Abele these three questions…

Q: What are the best books you’ve read? A: “The ‘Divergent’ series by Veronica Roth” Q: Who’s the best teacher you’ve had? A: “Mr. David Rogers, history teacher at Kernodle Middle School” Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be? A: “Invisibility”

Hiding your smile? We can help! Matthew J. Olmsted, DDS MS Oak Ridge Commons Shopping Center 2205 Oak Ridge Road, Suite CC (336) 441-7007

olmstedorthodontics.com The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

STOKESDALE town council

Jan. 11 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by STEVE MANN Mayor John Flynt called the monthly council meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Present were Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks and council members Bill Jones, Tim Jones and Frank Bruno; Town Administrator/Finance Officer Kim Hemric; Budget Officer Philip Pulliam; Town Planner Oliver Bass; Deputy Clerk Alisa Houk; Town Attorney Brian Pearce; and about 32 citizens. Bruno gave the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting agenda was approved after adding a period for council comments and a review of the town attorney access policy. The council approved the Dec. 14 meeting minutes, but Hemric explained minutes from the monthly October and November council meetings were not

complete and even though she had been coming in early and working weekends it was difficult to catch up. “It is a challenge being understaffed,” she said, referring to a second deputy clerk position that has been open since Diana Marcus’ last day on Oct. 20. Tim Jones said he thought the Nov. 15 and Nov. 29 closed-session minutes dealing with suspicious activity involving Hemric’s office should be approved together since they are related. Hemric said the Nov. 29 closed-session minutes had not been sent to the town attorney for review and the draft Nov. 15 closed-session minutes needed to be amended to reflect changes the attorney recommended.  5  0 to continue approval of the Nov. 15 closed-session minutes to the Feb. 8 council meeting, at which time the

A LITTLE ICE NEVER STOPS US.

www.trane.com

Ask about special financing

Subject to credit approval, see store for details

7101 US 158, Stokesdale • (336) 643-7397 NEW SYSTEM INSTALLATION • SERVICE • REPAIR

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

Nov. 29 closed-session minutes will also be approved.

NEW BUSINESS Public Safety: District 1. Sgt. Eric League of the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office reported the sheriff’s department responded to 7,659 calls for service in District 1 last year; of that number, 1,062 calls came from Stokesdale and 76 were crime-related. Overall, crime throughout the district declined 8 percent last year, League noted. There were 70 calls for service from Stokesdale in December, with car breakins in the Dollar General parking lot and stolen catalytic converters from car dealerships the most notable crimes.

date this fiscal year is about $89,063, of which $63,907 is from the quarterly utilities franchise tax distribution received Dec. 15. Expenses total about $117,804 and of that, payroll expenses account for about $34,668. Financial Report: Water Enterprise. Income for the water enterprise account was about $254,841, led by about $209,638 in water sales. Total expenses to date are about $205,076, of which water purchase totaled about $109,054 and salaries totaled about $34,064. Trash Pickup. Officials from Republic Services announced the trash pickup day for Stokesdale will change to Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 5, as part of efforts to improve service. (See “Trash pickup in Stokesdale to get new routes, day next month” on p. 3 of our Jan. 18-24 issue.)

Public Safety: Fire Department. Todd Gauldin, chief of Stokesdale Fire Department, said the department responded to 36 medical-related and 28 firePhoto by Steve Mann/NWO related calls in December. The department responded to 852 calls for service during the fiscal year ending June 30. With an average annual increase of 4 percent, Gauldin said the fire department is on pace to respond to 900 calls this fiscal year. A LUCAS device – a portable CPR machine that provides mechanical chest The structures on either side of the entrance to compressions for cardiac-arNorthwest Meadows subdivision have two brick rest patients – has been used columns – one about 8 feet tall and the other several times since it went into about 15 – and are connected by a wall about service in October, Gauldin 3 feet high. The disagreement about whether noted. Stokesdale is one of just they are signs that violate the Stokesdale Develtwo departments in 19 districts opment Ordinance or works of art built without in Guilford County with the the proper permits continues. device. On a safety note, Gauldin advised Ordinance Violation. Pearce provided residents to use the correct fuel for an update on a disagreement that has alternative heat sources; clear the area lasted about nine months between the around the heat source; use alternative town and the developer of Northwest heat sources or generators in well-venMeadows subdivision over whether tilated areas; and make sure fireplaces a brick structure at the subdivision’s that haven’t been used in a while are entrance violates the Stokesdale Developclean and operational. ment Ordinance. For more, see article Financial Report: General Fund. Pulliam said total income in the general fund to

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

entitled “Town, developer disagree about what constitutes a sign” in this issue.

PUBLIC HEARINGS Easement Close. The council heard a request from Billy Moore of Carter Farm Road to close a portion of a 10-foot easement running horizontally across lots 1 through 4 of the Josie Mattie Neal subdivision. Moore wants to build houses requiring septic tanks on the back part of the lots, but the property doesn’t perk. However, he’s not allowed to cross the easement with septic lines.

 5  0 to waive the town’s rights

to the easement with the applicant’s understanding the action will have no effect on third parties who claim rights to that easement. Special-Use Permit. The public hearing was for a request for a special-use permit to establish a landscape and horticultural business in an AG (agricultural) zoning district. The site, consisting of just over 4 acres, is the back portion of about 9 acres recently purchased on Cogan Lane by Leonard Kerns. Kerns’ residence is on the front 4.105 acres. Bass said the business would be allowed in the AG district with a special-use permit; were Kerns to sell the property, the special-use permit and any conditions attached to it would remain with the property. If someone wanted to use the property for a different kind of business, the owner would have to request a special-use permit for it. Kerns, who said he has owned a small landscaping business for about 20 years, said the area will be enclosed by a 5-foot retaining wall topped with vegetation and won’t be visible to any surrounding residents. He said he plans to put up sheds to store his equipment, storage containers and areas for mulch, compost and fuel, and trailers for pine needles and straw, and there would be no retail sales at the location. Kerns said he would maintain the private access road off Prince Edward Road just as the previous owner had, and said the agreement is recorded with the register of deeds.

Seven of the nine sworn in for the quasi-judicial hearing said they had more questions and concerns rather than opposition to the request. Several speakers said the business could negatively affect their property values. Flynt pointed out the quasi-judicial hearing is a finding of fact, and an expert would need to testify about the business’ potential effect on property values. James Burkhead and Richard Carraway said they considered the specialuse permit “spot zoning.” They also expressed concerns about potential runoff of chemicals or fertilizer into a nearby creek and pond. Robert Burkhead III said he wondered whether neighbors had been notified about the hearing. Bass said notice was sent to all adjacent property owners, a sign was posted along Cogan Lane and there was a notice in the daily newspaper, as required by law. Doris Dimaria said she is concerned about the noise and damage to the road from additional traffic and trucks. “You don’t want to wake up in the morning and hear backhoes or trucks or look at a wall,” she said. “You bought that to be your home, your sanctuary, and that’s no longer going to be the case.” Several speakers, including Robert Burkhead, said they think conditions should be attached to the special-use permit. Francis Disney, who is developing the North Ridge subdivision behind the property, and Nancy Stephenson expressed concerns about buffers. At Flynt’s request, Kerns agreed to ask for a continuance until Feb. 8 and in the interim meet with neighbors to discuss their concerns and possible conditions for the special-use permit.

 5  0 to continue the hearing until the Feb. 8 council meeting.

CONTINUED BUSINESS Job Description, Task Report. Bruno said he and Hemric are working on a job description and task report for the town administrator’s position. Hemric was promoted to town administrator in Au-

gust 2016, but although it has frequently been brought up at town council meetings she does not yet have a job description outlining her responsibilities and level of authority. Internet, Website. Tim Jones said he has contacted a web hosting company about the town’s website and email problems, but felt before any decisions are made the council should have a written assessment of needs from Tech Authority, the town’s IT resource. The council approved that request Oct. 4, but what was received was a proposal about a web-hosting site Tech Authority recommended.

 5  0 for Jones or Bruno to

contact Tech Authority and spend up to $300 for a written assessment of the town’s website and email needs. Insurance, Bonding. Bruno said he expects to know by the next meeting whether the town has the insurance and bonding coverage it should have. Public Records/Files. Hooks said former council member Vicki White-Lawrence is finishing up a project she had started before Flynt asked them to work on organizing the town’s files. Once WhiteLawrence has finished, she and Hooks will decide what needs to be done next. Use of Town Hall. Bruno said he researched the policies of seven or eight different towns regarding citizen use of town hall facilities. Some municipalities don’t rent their facilities, and some limit rentals to nonprofits, he said (although he noted he couldn’t find any stated criteria for determining what was a non-

profit). The average rental fee of those he contacted was about $75 for four hours. Discussion on this item was continued. Closed Session. The council voted 5-0 to go into closed session at 9:43 p.m. under N.C. General Statute 143-318.11 (5) to discuss an employment contract. Attorney’s Resignation. When the council reconvened at 10:36 p.m., Flynt said the council had accepted Pearce’s resignation. (See “Town attorney resigns, replaced” on p. 2 of our Jan. 18-24 issue.) Security System. The council also voted 5-0 to continue a discussion on the town’s security system to the special meeting on Jan. 25, at which time it hopes to have a formal contract from Sentry Watch. Bill Jones noted the council didn’t get competing bids and Flynt responded Sentry Watch currently handles the Town’s security system. Access to Attorney. The council voted 5-0 to continue this agenda item, which relates to council members’ direct access to the town attorney, to the special meeting on Jan. 25.

COMMITTEE/ADMIN REPORTS Property. Bill Jones said he winterized the irrigation systems at the town park and the soccer fields. Hemric noted a second shelter for the park had been discussed last year and Jones said there had been some miscommunication about that – the original suggestion was for a place near the playground for parents to sit and watch their

...continued on p. 20

Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC 30 Years Experience

Individual, Corporate, Partnership & Payroll Tax Electronic Tax Filing  Estate Planning  Bookkeeping & Compilations

Oak Ridge Business Center

8004 Linville Rd, Suite G, Oak Ridge

(336) 643-7577 or 1-800-467-8299 info@samanderscpa.com

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

www.samanderscpa.com

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

We are the only authorized Stainmaster Flooring Center in Guilford County

Family owned since 1977

•• ••

ATING R B

d Joyce Mobley, Arthur Jordan an am te r te sis d cot," Hannah. Brother an t, with store "mas ar M r pe Su t pe ar co-owners of C

Your total flooring source

•••

CEL E

Celebrating with anniversary savings throughout our store

•

Y E A RS

••

•

••

••• ••

••

•

4114 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro | (336) 292-0724 www.CarpetSuperMart.com

Mercy Hill: One church, three locations Since launching in 2012, Mercy Hill’s explosive growth has prompted the launching of two satellite campuses in Greensboro; the newest campus opens Sunday, Jan. 28, on Edgefield Road in northwest Greensboro.

As lead pastor Andrew Hopper reflects on the goals set for Mercy Hill Church when it launched in September 2012, he can’t help but smile. Although those goals seemed ambitious at the time, they’ve long since been revised to make them much more “God-sized” and “bold and audacious.” And the bolder the goals have become, the more the church has stretched to meet them.

Photo by Jenna Jordan/Mercy Hill

there are many great churches in the Triad, but there aren’t a ton of them compared to the population.

A team of volunteers stands outside each of Mercy Hill’s campuses prior to worship services to welcome those attending.

“And, we fell in love with the area,” he added. “Many of us (on the launch team) were in our 20s and raising our kids. We felt this was a place we would love to call home.” Within a few months of the launch team settling in, Mercy Hill Church leased space at the Bur-Mil Club just off U.S. 220 in northern Greensboro.

In September 2016 Mercy Hill launched its first satellite campus on Clifton Road in Greensboro.

can put something in their home, it will help them and they will invite friends and families. We want to have a long-term “As people come to Christ, as Hopper and his team at Mercy Hill presence in the northwest Guilford Counpeople are baptized, as members are are quick to point out, though, that ty community, and our hope is people will given the gospel and fueled for misdespite Mercy Hill’s growth, “it’s not all say (of the Edgefield campus) ‘Hey, sion and sent out as missionaries to the about seating capacity, it’s about send- it’s that church right by Northwest High city of Greensboro, it will spread like ing capacity. School. People know that area. wildfire and it will be contagious in this “We are called to live a ‘sent life’ “We want the Mercy Hill family to city,” Hopper said in his first sermon at – here and across the world,” Hopfocus on taking the gospel to where they “God has exceeded everything we Bur-Mil on Sept. 9, 2012, adding, “I am per said, citing that core belief as the could have imagined,” Hopper said. live, work, and go to school, so each believing a lot of things for Mercy Hill church’s “DNA statement.” campus will strive to focus on reaching its Hopper and his family moved to the Church. I believe outrageous things for “And that means new campuses, Mercy Hill Church.” particular community,” Hopper continGreensboro area in May 2012 as part planting new churches and going out of a team of 30 people who came from ued. “So, whether you are going or sendAnd outrageous things have hapto the nations,” Hopper explained. Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham. pened. By the church’s second anniing, we want to pray for Edgefield that “There are thousands of unreached Hopper had spent five years at the Sum- versary, 1,000 people were attending people groups across the world. If we’re it would be a place where witnesses to mit in various capacities, including serv- Sunday services at three worship times. Jesus Christ are raised up, equipped, and growing but we’re not sending people ing as a campus pastor under his friend With the church’s growth came the out, then we’re failing.” sent out to their community for the glory and mentor JD Greear, while earning his need for more space, which led to its of God – and if you are going, go with all “But in John’s gospel, that doesn’t master of divinity degree from Southrelocation to an office park off Region- necessarily only mean sending to the of the strength that God provides.” eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. al Road in northwest Greensboro. nations,” Hopper noted. Leaving behind jobs, friends and WANT TO GO? By October 2015, the church’s gos“We are to be on the family, the launch team focused on pel-centered message filled with “straight Mercy Hill will celebrate the openone mission: to plant a church in the mission of God every day, ing of its Edgefield campus, located at talk,” along with engaging kids, youth Greensboro area as part of the Summit and college-age ministries and uplifting all day – we are here with 3530 Edgefield Road, Greensboro, on Network’s goal to plant 1,000 churches style of music worship, had attracted so a purpose, and that is to Sunday, Jan. 28, with services at across the world over the next 40 years. many people of varied ages, races and share the gospel with our 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. For more info, from all walks of life that Mercy Hill was “We knew we wanted to be in the visit www.mercyhillgso.com. deeds and our words.” ranked the 11th fastest-growing church Carolinas and we chose Greensboro Services are also held at Mercy Hill’s in the United States by Outreach 100, a On Sunday, Jan. 28, Mercy Hill because most of our team was from Regional Road campus at 6:30 p.m. on collaboration between Outreach magaChurch will launch its Edgefield campus. the South and the Triad region was a zine and LifeWay Research. place we understood,” Hopper said. “The campus model for Mercy Hill is Thursdays and 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and “We also felt there was a need here … 5 p.m. on Sundays, and at the Clifton In response to the growth, Hopper that we follow where people are coming said at the time, “We praise God – and from,” Hopper said. “If we have hundreds Road campus, at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. we pray for more.” of people coming from this area and we on Sundays.

At the end of 2017 – a little more than five years after the church was launched – Mercy Hill celebrated the formation of 101 community groups, 612 baptisms, 1,565 people regularly connected, 30 community partnerships, 15,000 hours of local service, the planting of six domestic churches and over 200 people sent out on mission.

IT’S HERE Look for it in your mailbox, available for free pickup at 70+ rack locations and online at nwobserver.com

sary AnniverION EDIT

Keep it handy, use it often Thank you to all our local advertisers for making this happen. Our 10th annual edition is jam-packed with valuable info and answers for northwest Guilford County residents.

TOWN COUNCIL ...continued from p. 15

kids, and Tim Jones had brought in a drawing of a metal building like a garage. Bill Jones said he thought the council wanted a wooden structure, so he got information for one that costs about $15,000 for the materials and another $10,000 or $12,000 to install. He noted the structure doesn’t need to be that big, however, and one similar to the size of a gazebo would work. The council appropriated $50,000 in the budget for fiscal year 2017-18 for park projects. Administrative. Hemric said the average daily water cost for the most recent billing was $533.03, down from $678.54 the previous cycle. The town purchased 2,546,042 gallons from Winston-Salem last month. Hemric said there were 43 N.C. 811 locates over the last several weeks, reflecting a construction slowdown during the winter months. The Department of Transportation has not yet authorized repair of the depression/sinkhole found Nov. 13 in Dawn Acres Phase 2, Hemric reported. She then noted it would be nice if

NEXT MEETINGS o co Sand ur tesy i O’R of eilly

Thursdays, Jan. 25 & Feb. 8 • 7pm Stokesdale Town Hall

(336) 643-4011 stokesdale@stokesdale.org www.stokesdale.org

COUNCIL COMMENTS Hooks said the town has some challenging issues and he hopes the council can work through them. Tim Jones thanked the two citizens who remained after the closed session, and thanked Pearce for his service. Bruno, who represents the council at Piedmont Triad Regional Council meetings, said officials from other small towns are amazed Stokesdale can operate without a property tax. It’s easy, he said – “Don’t spend money on stuff you don’t need.” Bill Jones thanked Pearce for representing the town after the Berger law firm terminated its contract in October. He said he is disappointed Pearce is leaving and more disappointed the town will be paying more for its legal advice. “I hope we can continue to be a town without a tax,” he said. Flynt said each of the two public hearings earlier in the meeting were unusual. “You try to give people ample time to talk about their case,” he said. “I thought we had some discussion, and sometimes those things will work out among the people by themselves.” The meeting adjourned at 10:55 p.m.

Now offering doggy daycare

hed by

Annivers

EDITION

ary

| Co lfax | Sto kesd ale pub | lis

Oak Ridg e|

nort hwe st G reen sbo ro

phot

CONTACT YOUR TOWN

audios of the council meetings could be uploaded to the town’s website, which would allow the staff to streamline the meeting coverage. The hydrant at the entrance to Oak Springs Missionary Baptist Church’s cemetery on U.S. 158 has been repaired and staff is waiting on the final report from the insurance adjuster, Hemric said.

Sum merf ield

Mondays–Fridays

Westergaard Kennels DOG BOARDING

Celebrating 29 years of caring for your dogs 5719 Bunch Road, Oak Ridge (336) 643-5169 • jingletail@mac.com

www.westbengoldens.com

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

The right Realtor for you To me, honesty and integrity are always in style

mark your

calendar

LAST CALL!

Tanya Hill

Realtor/Broker • (336) 965-6053 tanyahillrealtor.com

zz Youth Soccer | Oak Ridge Youth Association’s reg-

istration deadline for spring soccer is Friday, Jan. 26, at midnight. To register, visit www.ksasoccer.com and select “Online Registrations” on the left-hand side of the homepage. Be sure to choose Oak Ridge as your practice site! More info: email Tom Collins, ORYA soccer director, at tom@orya.org.

THURSDAY, JAN. 25

20% off dental cleanings during Feb. 2018

zz Town Council Meeting | Stokesdale Town Council

will hold a special meeting Jan. 25, 7 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. The meeting agenda includes a roundtable discussion about the town’s municipal water system.

SATURDAY, JAN. 27

zz Town Council Retreat | Summerfield Town Council (336) 665-1286 www.bel-airevet.com

Serving the NW Triad area since 1991

will hold its annual retreat Jan. 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Summerfield Farms, 3203 Pleasant Ridge Road in Summerfield. The public is invited to attend, but since the retreat is intended as a council strategy session there will not be a period for public comments. zz Food Pantry/Clothing Closet | Good Samaritan

Storage Buildings • Garages • Carports • Gazebos Huge Selection, Best Quality, Best Prices • Rent-to-own • 90 days same as cash to qualified buyers (336) 548-2735 3130 US 220, Madison

www.houseofstarsinc.com

Ministries, a non-profit organization made up of several area churches, will open its food and clothing pantry to those in need on Jan. 27, 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the Stokesdale Business Center (behind Forbis & Dick Funeral Home), 8500 Ellisboro Road. Donations of new and gently used clothes and linens (as well as small household items) are gladly accepted. Either bring your items to 8500 Ellisboro Road, Stokesdale, when you visit the food pantry or clothes closet or contact Carolyn Joyner at (336) 643-4360 or Loretta Davies at (336) 298-7332.

Carlotta Lytton

, CPA, PC

Individual & Corporate Tax Returns Specializing in Payroll & Accounting for Small Businesses 7805 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale clyttoncpa@bellsouth.net

phone: (336) 644-7033 fax: (336) 644-7038

 your events submit

online at nwobserver.com

Your event will appear on our online community calendar and will be considered for print publishing in the Northwest Observer

Visit our homepage and click “community calendar”

SUNDAY, JAN. 28

zz Open House | Greensboro Montessori School, 2856

g Spaces into Elegant Transformin Places

• Any budget • Any style • Holiday decor placement and removal eleganttransformationsbymarcie.com

Certified Interior Decorator

Call (336) 904-8711 for your free consultation

Horse Pen Creek Road in Greensboro, will host an open house Jan. 28, 1 to 3 p.m. to offer a glimpse of what happens on the school’s 10-acre campus on any given day. Explore classrooms, meet the educators, talk to alumni and watch current students independently engage in their work. Please register to attend at www.thegms.org. More info: (336) 668-0119 or rhea.egbert@thegms.org.

20% OFF dental packages Oral screening, anesthesia, cleaning and more • Valid Feb. 2018

THURSDAY, FEB. 1

Dr. Julie Dudak

will meet Thursday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. More info and agenda: www.oakridgenc.com.

M - F, 7:30 - 5:30 • Sat, 8 -1

zz Town Council Meeting | Oak Ridge Town Council

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

1726 Oak Ridge Road (336) 644-8789

vhor.vet | follow us on

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

Pot likker – the Southern culture elixir that satisfies by HELEN LEDFORD I still remember the wonderful taste of the hot broth created from my Mama’s cooked garden greens. It was in our versatile old cast-iron pot in which something delicious simmered on the stove daily. Some folks prefer collards, but I never created a taste for them – hands down, my vote was exclusively for turnip greens. However, if someone wanted to share a bowl of the “green soup” left in the bottom of the pot after cooking collards, I would never refuse. Pot likker was a culinary and divine treat for me as a little girl, and I still adore it. Not realizing its nutritional value then, I just greedily guzzled it down with crumbled cornbread and a

sprinkling of chopped green onion tops with a spritz of vinegar. Delicious! A recent segment on the popular weekend television production “Sunday Morning” particularly intrigued me. Featured was a North Carolina native, Vivian Howard, who once was an intern on the show. An accomplished New York chef, she later returned to her home state and has since, along with her husband, Benny, opened restaurants in Wilmington and Kinston. The content of Ms. Howard’s television offering was a discourse on the merits of pot likker and its origin and popularity among dyed-in-the-wool Southerners. In fact, Howard stated that her mother drank the heady brew almost daily from a dainty teacup.

Serving the northwest community

BARBOUR & WILLIAMS 8004 Linville Rd, Suite E-3, Oak Ridge

(336) 643-4623

 Administration of estates and trusts  Wills, trusts and estate planning

Bill Barbour, Tracy Williams

 Guardianships

Attorneys

 Small business start-ups  Contracts

barbourwilliams.com

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

Ms. Howard even features pot likker on one of her restaurant’s menus. It’s true that as much as 50 to 60 percent of vegetables’ nutritional value is contained in the hot, savory, leftover broth that is often simply dumped. And to think that as a child I only loved how it tickled my palate and warmed my belly! In our kitchen at home, the prerequisite to cooking freshly picked greens was washing them thoroughly. It was also extremely essential to “look” every leaf as they were doused in salt water. This procedure foiled minute insects clinging tenaciously but discreetly to the frills and folds of the crisp green leaves. Three or four dunkings was best to make sure those pesky little varmints didn’t become part of the main dish! Then it was time to hunker the washed greens down into the iron pot of boiling water in which a ham hock, a generous slab of fatback or a piece of “streaked meat” had been simmering for a couple of hours. Most experienced cooks know that greens shrink as they cook, therefore it took a generous amount of them to feed our family. (I never knew why the term was applied, but a large amount of the garden greenery has always

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

been called a “mess.”) A strangely pungent but pleasant smell emerged as the pot of greens evolved slowly into a soft, wonderful state. And so, as their rich, smoked pork-flavored goodness was served, a steaming, liquid treasure remained – pot likker! Genuine Southerners believe pot likker can only be fully enjoyed accompanied with a hefty serving of warmfrom-the-oven cornbread. Some time ago, I learned of a nationwide debate instigated by the late Huey Long, onetime governor of Louisiana. In 1931, a controversy arose between Gov. Long and Julian Harris, an editor of the Atlanta Constitution. Subject of the disagreement was how best to enjoy pot likker to the fullest. It seems Harris’ preferred manner of guzzling “greens soup” was to crumble the cornbread into one’s bowl. The colorful governor insisted the proper way was to dunk. A nationwide media frenzy ensued and the good-natured debate ended (unresolved) after 21 days!

1 cup diced bacon 2 tsp. red chili flakes 2 tsp. sugar 2 cups water, vegetable or chicken stock Fry bacon until crispy; add ham hock, garlic and onion. Sauté until onion is transparent. Add chili flakes, sugar and greens. Sauté briefly, then add liquid, cover, and cook over low heat until greens are tender (you may need to add more water or stock). Season to taste. Enjoy the greens with your favorite garnish – and don’t forget to drink the pot likker!

“Maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow. We’ll win this fight and bury this sorrow. We’re so alive Still holding on. Not ready to die so we’ll live strong.”

want to go? Northern Guilford varsity girls’ basketball team will play its annual Pink Out game on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 6 p.m. at Northern Guilford High School, 7101 Spencer Dixon Road, Greensboro. “Compassionate, Comprehensive “Compassionate, State-of-the-art Care” Comprehensive

compassionate

“Compassionate, Comprehensive State-of-the-art Care”

State-of-the-art Care”

personal caring

Karen Nasisse, Karen Nasisse, DVM

responsive

DVM

Karen Nasisse, DVM

Ph 336-643-8984 Ph 336-643-8984 Fax 336-643-8987

Ph 336-643-8984 Fax 336-643-8987

Fax 336-643-8987 1692 NC 68N, Suite J, 27310

1692 NC 68N, Suite J, 27310

20% OFF DENTAL CLEANING during Feb. 2018 Karen Nasisse, DVM • Jessica Young, DVM 1692-J NC Hwy 68 N, Oak Ridge • (336) 643-8984 northwestanimalhospitalnc.com

1692 NC 68N, Suite J, 27310

“Compassionate, Comprehensive State-of-the-art Care” “Compassionate,

“Compassionate, Comprehensive State-of-the-art Care”

Comprehensive Care” KarenState-of-the-art Nasisse, DVM

Karen Nasisse, DVM

Ph 336-643-8984 Fax 336-643-8987 1692 NC 68N, Suite J, 27310

Karen Nasisse, DVM

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Has an appointment

1 clove garlic

“I’ve talked about it with my mom and I don’t think I’ll be emotionally able to play that night,” Robakiewicz said. “I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving her. I know my coaches and teammates understand that. I know they’ll have my back and be thinking about her, too.”

Ph 336-643-8984 Fax 336-643-8987 1692 NC 68N, Suite J, 27310

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

“Compass Compreh State-of-the

Karen Nasi

Ph 33 Fax 33 1692 NC 68N, Su

“Compass Compreh State-of-the

Karen Nasi

Ph 33 Fax 33 1692 NC 68N, Su

Has an appointment

1 Spanish onion, julienned

Northern has already raised more than $3,000 this season for breast cancer charities through playing in the Coaches vs. Cancer game this fall. They hope to raise more during the Pink Out game on Jan. 30 by sending the players and cheerleaders into the stands and selling the T-shirts, which are also avail-

For Kassie, that will mean winning the game against Person on Jan. 30 without her. The game happens to fall on the same day as her mother’s surgery.

_____________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ Date Time Date Time _________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

1 smoked ham hock

“I’m staring down the unknown, but one thing’s for certain. You could break my body, but never break my soul…”

“The girls love Kassie and have rallied around her through this,” Furlough said. “And Kim has been such a big part of our program, we’re ready to do whatever we can to help them.”

_________________________________ Time

2 pounds greens of your choice

with her mom was so emotional, knowing what she was going through,” teammate Elissa Cunane said. “We’re a family. We’re here for them and for whatever they need and will rally around them and help keep them strong.” For Kassie, she knew her moment in the spotlight was meant to be shared. “I knew I wanted to do that,” she said. “I think it just meant something a little more. It was an emotional time as she was just starting to tell other people about her diagnosis. It was a special moment to be able to share with her.” It was also the first game the Nighthawks wore special shirts they had printed up, with the pink ribbon representing breast cancer awareness and the words “Robo Strong” on the front.

_________________________________ Date

“UPTOWN” POT LIKKER

...continued from p. 11

_________________________________ Time

Those not familiar with slurping the subject of this article may pronounce it as “liquor” – nope, it’s just plain ole “likker.” And don’t throw it out – it’s the best part!

able to purchase via the team’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ NorthernGuilfordGirlsBasketball/).

_________________________________ Date

There are some claims that pot likker is a healing substance with its valuable trove of vitamins A, B, C, iron, potassium, and vitamin K, which aids in blood clotting. Some declare the virtues of the liquid as a cure for arthritis, colic, colds, fatigue, and valuable as a strong immune booster. It has also been extolled (but not proven) as a factor in promoting weight control and slowing hair loss.

ROBO STRONG

__________________ Time

The origin of pot likker dates back to slavery times when plantation masters and mistresses wanted cooked greens for their dinner tables. Their slave cooks then had goodly amounts of healthy liquid after draining the vegetables, which was used to supplement their own families’ diets. These plucky ladies who performed unglamorous work unknowingly developed the roots of African-American eating that we so enjoy today.

all in Love with these Granville Homes

GRINS and GRIPES Starting in the Mid

$200,000s

Tyburn Ct.

5711 Oakhurst Downs Dr. Northwest School District & County Taxes

8408 Exmoor Tr.

Reserve your home today and receive a refrigerator 7105 Lambert Lake Rd. up to hurst Downs Dr.

7107 Lambert Lake Rd.

in value. Stop by any of these homes on

Sunday, February 12 from 2-4p.m. Now building on&lots 3, 4 and 14 for a complimentary rose

* Limited to first two homes sold.

register to be entered into a drawing to win a romantic dinner for two at Green Valley Grill. Jan Cox • 336.382.1849 Deborah Smart Jan Cox

(336) 580-9006

Smart REALTOR • 336.580.9006 (336) 382-1849

deborah@goteamsmart.com

gcoxj11@gmail.com

Each Keller Williams office is independently owned and operated.

Pet Dental Health Month

20% OFF dental services + free dental consultation Valid February 2018

King’s Crossing

Animal Hospital 7607 Hwy 68 N, Suite E Oak Ridge

(336) 644-7606

Full-service small animal hospital • Preventive care • General medicine • Hospitalization • Medical boarding • Laser surgery • Laser therapy • Digital radiography • Ultrasound • Lab services

kingscrossinganimalhospital.com

Share your thoughts in online: nwobserver.com

40 words or less

e-mail: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com

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

$2,000.00

® REALTOR Deborah

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community?

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

GRINS to... Dwayne for giving me a lift home after my car skidded off N.C. 68 during last Wednesday’s snowfall. Truly the embodiment of the kindness of strangers. Summerfield Town Manager Scott Whitaker for being a light inside the storm of Summerfield politics. Stay strong, Summerfield employees! Ted Southern for his dedication to the Stokesdale community. He and his store will be missed! Grins also to the Northwest Observer and writer Steve Mann for the well-deserved tribute in last week’s issue. The beautiful snow day! I was enjoying the serene tranquility of fresh snow on the lake and felt so thankful to live in such a wonderful town. Then, it dawned on me, I haven’t seen the mailman! #dontsweatthesmallstuff. NCDOT for clearing the roads in my small neighborhood so quickly. I truly appreciate the long hours the road crews worked during this recent snowstorm. The gentlemen at Tiremax on N.C. 68 in Stokesdale for graciously taking the time to patch a tire just before closing on a Friday. Whoever plowed our subdivision streets just off N.C. 65. That has only happened one other time in the years we’ve lived here. It makes a huge difference and is greatly appreciated! Our neighbor, Zach, who stopped and offered to plow the 8-plus inches

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

of snow off our driveway after a long day of work. We have the best neighbors on Belford Road (in Summerfield)! Dwayne Eldridge, arborist, and family for comprehensive tree work at our home in River Oaks and for the professional follow-up! NCDOT for their tireless efforts to keep our streets clean. With this latest snow storm, scrapers were on our rural street twice on Friday and twice on Saturday They are greatly appreciated! Our wonderful neighbor who plowed our neighborhood street and private driveways after last week’s snowstorm. It was a wonderful feeling to come home and see our neighbor hard at work serving those in his community. My neighbors for helping me shovel my driveway and for driving the kids to school when the bus was late. Didn’t have to ask either of them. I have the best neighbors!

GRIPES to...

The person driving during last Wednesday’s snowstorm and slick roads. I hope you arrived at your destination safely after you tailgated me and gave me an inappropriate gesture when I made a left turn not fast enough for your satisfaction. Brainwashed Trump haters who can’t see that he has done more good in 11 months than Obama could do in a lifetime – i.e., 88 percent get tax cut and millions getting raises and bonuses. The Town of Oak Ridge for not

scraping the town hall parking lot when they have staff and equipment to do so. Teachers who text out homework assignments to students on snow days. My kids can’t have a normal snow day of rest or sledding because they are doing homework. That is why they give make-up snow days.

People who leave their animals outside in extremely cold weather. Shame on you! Bring them inside!

7581 Fintry Drive Greensboro Exceptional home in like-new condition, one owner, full walkout basement, gourmet kitchen with all the bells and whistles, beautiful homesite, Northwest school district, superb location. $389,900

Whoever drove their ATVs, golf carts and dirt bikes on the soccer fields in Stokesdale Town Park. Have some respect. It costs a lot of money to keep those fields in playing condition.

Gail Dunham for being the most manipulative mayor Summerfield has ever seen. Your job is to work with a whole council body. Twenty-two more months before the voters will right this wrong.

Snobbery. Whether looking down on oil change facilities, fitness gyms or door-to-door salespeople, snobbery is alive and well in Oak Ridge. Pride is the devil’s favorite sin, don’t you know?

Republic Services for poor service and poor business planning. The northwest area of Guilford County is the fastest-growing part of the county and you could not figure that out? Now you want to alter your contract?

The party that controls all three branches of government but can’t keep that government open. You’re shaming this country and your cruel immigration policies breaking up families will be remembered in November.

Ramilya Siegel CRS, GRI, ABR, CDPE Realtor®

ramilya.siegel@allentate.com

(336) 215-9856

/RamilyaSiegel

Your friend in real estate

LETTERS/OPINIONS Submit your editorials (maximum 350 words) online: nwobserver.com e-mail : editor@nwobserver.com mail: Opinions, PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 Include your name, a daytime phone number where you can be reached and name of community in which you live. Letters from the same writer will be published no more than every 30 days.

Town needs to replace Republic Once more Republic Services is asking Stokesdale residents to pay the price of multiple trash pickup days because of Republic’s, at best, poor business planning. For the past year Republic has offered multiple excuses as to why they cannot honor the contract that they entered into with the Town of Stokesdale. Weather delays are one thing, but lack of equipment and personnel are signs of a poorly run business and are not legitimate reasons as to why they are constantly late in picking up the

garbage according to the contract they signed with the Town of Stokesdale. There was never this volume of problems when Waste Industries had the contract for garbage service for the Town of Stokesdale. I am calling on Stokesdale’s town council to terminate the contract for garbage service with Republic Services due to the company’s inability to meet their contractual responsibilities and to find a more reputable garbage service provider. Donald W. Rhoney, STOKESDALE

A+

Visit our showroom for FREE estimates!

(336) 574-2755 Greensboro: 312 Dougherty Street prostoneusa.com

Granite

Quartz

$29/sq. ft.

$45/sq. ft.

starting at

installed

starting at

installed

Locally owned and operated

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

FEATURED ON

FREE SINK

with purchase (restrictions apply)

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

PRIVATE EMAIL

...continued from p. 6

business. And Brown was hardly the first public official in northwest Guilford County to use a personal email account to conduct official business. Stokesdale Mayor John Flynt and Councilman Tim Jones both use private email accounts as their primary email addresses, as does Oak Ridge’s Mayor Spencer Sullivan and council members Jim Kinneman, Ann Schneider, George McClellan and Doug Nodine. Frayda S. Bluestein is a professor at the UNC School of Government and a public records expert. Bluestein said state law does not make a distinction between public and private emails. That means if a public official conducts public business with a private

CRIME / INCIDENT report

email account, those emails could be considered public records. Bluestein said she is not aware of any government agency or jurisdiction that might require the use of government email accounts, but “even if there is an official ‘requirement’ to use the governmental account, in practice, this would (be) difficult to enforce.” Bluestein said a request for public records that includes officials’ emails from private email accounts are handled through the same process as any other public records request. Incidentally, Dunham appears to use a second private email address – gadunham@aol.com – to conduct town business as mayor.

District 1 Sheriff’s Office has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest Guilford County ...

ASSAULT

Jan. 16 | A Summerfield father reported to authorities that his son had been assaulted early on the morning of Jan. 16 by a known person. The alleged victim did not require medical treatment. The family was advised of its rights to pursue a criminal summons. Jan. 18 | A Sydney Court resident in Summerfield alleged that she was the victim of an assault. According to police, a known suspect allegedly pushed the victim in the throat and chest area. The victim did not require medical attention and refused to pursue charges related to this incident.

FRAUD

Jan. 16 | An official from the Bank of Oak Ridge in Summerfield contacted law enforcement after noticing that two suspects attempted to cash multiple printed checks from a Greensboro business. The total attempted to be unlawfully obtained was more than $1,000.

Did you know? You can disinherit your kids, but you can’t disinherit your spouse, absent a contract. Call Susan before the second wedding.

Jan. 21 | Lowes Foods in Oak Ridge

was the apparent victim of fraud when an unknown person allegedly passed $150 in counterfeit money in exchange for a $100 Visa gift card and a roll of tape totaling $108.07.

TRAFFIC

Jan. 19 | A Belews Creek Road resident was pulled over by sheriff’s deputies for a traffic stop shortly before 10:30 a.m. in the 8000 block of U.S. 158 in Stokesdale. The driver was allegedly found to be operating a motor vehicle with a fictitious registration plate, operating without insurance and carrying an expired license. The driver was given a court date of Feb. 22. The vehicle was impounded.

District 1 Sheriff’s Office

7506 Summerfield Road Main number: (336) 641-2300 Report non-emergency crime-related incidents by calling:

(336) 373-2222

8 a.m. - 5 p.m., M-F www.guilfordcountysheriff.com

SUMMERFIELD (336) 298-7196 Estate Planning

Estate Settlement

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

8004 Linville Road

Trust Beneficiary Suite A-1, Oak Ridge Representation

Sunday school • 9am & 10:30am Sunday traditional service • 9am Contemporary service • 10:30am AWANA • 5pm Evening worship • 6pm Wednesday activities • 6:30pm

THE LAW OFFICE OF

SUSAN P. GREESON, P.L.L.C.

Learn more at greesonlegal.com 26

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

Christian Life Center Susan P. Greeson p.l.l.c

2300 Scalesville Rd, Summerfield • (336) 643-6383 • www.summerfieldfbc.com

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

AUTO SALES & SERVICE EUROPEAN AUTO SERVICE & REPAIR We specialize in factory-scheduled maintenance and repairs. Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo, Mini, Porsche, and Lexus. 32 years experience. Knight Import Specialty Service, 4559 US Highway 220, Summerfield (across from Food Lion). (336) 337-0669.

DONATIONS ACCEPTED

Place online at

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

NEED HELP? Call (336) 644-7035 ext. 10 Mon - Fri • 9am -2pm

INDEX Auto Sales & Service .................. 27 Donations Accepted ................... 27 Employment ............................... 27 Home Care Available ................. 27 Preschool ................................... 27 Save the Date ............................ 27 Home Services ....................... 27-29 Misc. Services.............................. 29 Misc. for Sale ............................. 29 Misc. Wanted ............................. 29 Pets & Animal Services ................ 29 Real Estate ................................. 30

DOVE MEDICAL SUPPLY, 7301 Summerfield Road, Summerfield, is accepting donations of winter coats, gloves, hats, socks, blankets, scarves, protein/food bars, and individually wrapped snacks. For more info,visit www.mydovestore.com or (336) 441-8900.

EMPLOYMENT

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

Quality Mart #49, located at 1690 Hwy. 68 in Oak Ridge, is seeking experienced, dependable, and customer service-focused FULLTIME & PART-TIME CASHIERS for 1st & 2nd shifts! Competitive salary and excellent benefits, including 401(k) and profit sharing! Interested candidates should apply online at www.QOCNC.com. STAFF POSITION available Monday-Friday in local childcare center. Experience preferred but not required. (336) 643-5930.

EMPLOYMENT

PRESCHOOL

Outstanding CNAs & NURSES needed FT & PT. Countryside Manor. Apply in person, 7700 U.S. Hwy. 158, Stokesdale. (336) 643-6301.

Kernersville MORAVIAN CHURCH PRESCHOOL is now offering Montessori-style classes for children ages 2 through 5 years. Classes run 9am-12pm or 9am-2pm Monday-Friday. Come register at our winter open house on February 1 from 5:307:30pm. Call (336) 993-2379. Please visit preschool.kernersvillemoravian.org.

F/T GENERAL SERVICE AUTOMOTIVE position – oil/lube tech, tire changes, etc. Competitive pay DOE. Apply in person only – no phone calls please. M&M Tire & Auto, 5570 Spotswood Circle, Summerfield. POLLO PIZZA PASTA ITALIAN RESTAURANT is now hiring a busboy/dining room attendant and a cashier. Apply in person after 2pm at 602 Hickory Ridge Road, Suite 100, Greensboro, NC 27409, on Highway 68 behind Taco Bell. EXPERIENCED SMALL ENGINE MECHANIC, Oak Ridge, NC. Contact Tom, (336) 202-3256.

SAVE THE DATE

Something

going on

Tell northwest Guilford County Place your Save the Date online at

HIRING? We can help!

Reach all of northwest Guilford county in a publication people actually read! Place your employment classified online at www.nwobserver.com, or call Mary, 644-7035, ext. 11.

KIDS CONSIGNMENT SALE, Friday, Feb. 23, 9am-8pm; Saturday, Feb. 24, 8am-1pm (some items 50% off on Sat.), St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road, GSO, www.stpaulskidssale.com.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

MAIDS OF HONOR HOME CLEANING $25 off! Locally owned, bonded staff. 40 years in service. BBB A+ rating. (336) 708-2407. CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Will fit to your budget. Pet taxi/pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, (336) 231-1838.

Place your

classified ad

online at

for just $4 per line Deadline is the Monday before each Friday’s issue CastleWorks WINDOW CLEANING Includes gutters, pressure washing, chandeliers and other high ladder work. Fully insured and bonded, free estimates. (336) 609-0677. www.castleworkswindowcleaning.com. MAID-2-SHINE. Excellent service, 15 years exp. Free estimates., excellent references. (336) 338-0223. AMERICAN MAID New to your area. Two years experience. All your basic housecleaning needs. Call for your free estimate. (336) 409-4554. A CLEANER LIVING residential cleaning “When details matter and only the best will do!” 17 years experience. For a quote or appointment, call (336) 497-4250.

... continued on p. 28

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

HOME SERVICES

CLEANING

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.

GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE

MASONRY

THE CLEANING TECHNICIAN INC. New year is here, why not take some time for yourself? Let us do a detailed cleaning to start the new year off right. Licensed, bonded and insured. Lisa, (336) 207-0770. HOME CLEANING. Afford. rates, ref. avail., 10 years exp. Elizabeth, (336) 453-8592. Shouldn’t your business be here?

ELECTRICAL BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC Got Power? Residential, commercial and solar electrical services. (336) 298-4192.

FLOORING MONTERO’S HARDWOOD FLOORING Installation of hardwood, laminate & tile; hardwood sanding & finishing. Commercial & residential. Insured, 17 yrs. exp. Free est., excellent references. Monteros-hardwood-flooring.com. Call (336) 215-8842. It’s A CARPET thing! Repairs, restretch, replace. (336) 643-6500.

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES

OLD SCHOOL HOME REPAIR/ IMPROVEMENT

“No Job Too Small”

Jerry & Lisa Potkay, Owners • Oak Ridge, NC Accredited A+ Rating, BBB of Central NC

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

RECEIVE 10% off

Any Home Interior Repair or Improvement booked in Jan/Feb 2018

988-1022, www.masonryconceptsgso.com.

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Bobcat work and more. Free estimates. Licensed & insured.

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

AREA STUMP DUMP. Yard waste, concrete, etc. Fill dirt avail. (336) 602-5820. FAY’S LAWNCARE & LANDSCAPING

ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035. PEARMAN QUARRY HAULING Fill dirt, gravel, sand rock, mulch & more. Joel Richardson, (336) 803-2195. BRAD’S BOBCAT & HAULING SVCS. LLC Debris removal, grading, gravel/dirt, driveways, concrete work. (336) 362-3647.

Fall lawn care, seeding & aerating. Tree work. Pine needles & mulch. Reasonable and honest. Call Taylor, (336) 458-6491. WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC. Lawn maint., landscaping, irrigation/landscape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape lighting. 26 yrs exp. (336) 399-7764. TRACTOR FOR HIRE – Bush hogging, grading, brush/tree removal. (336) 207-6632.

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

CAROLINA STUMP & TREE SERVICE

The Northwest Observer 21 years and counting! Want to reach our readers? Call (336) 644-7035 or email advertising@nwobserver.com for more information.

9332, carolinaStumpAndTreeServices.com.

Complete tree service, $1 million liability, workman’s comp. Rick & Judy, (336) 643-

STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. Free est. Lic./Ins. 30 yrs. exp. Bucket truck/chipper, total cleanup. Selective thinning & lot clearing. 24-hr. ER svc. OR, NC. (336) 643-1119.

SOUTHERN STYLE concrete & landscapes. How about a new patio or fire pit? We can help with all of your outdoor living and entertainment spaces! Fire pits, driveways & sidewalks, patios and more! Give us a call at (336) 399-6619 for all your concrete and landscape needs.

The Northwest Observer 21 years . . . and counting!

MISC. SERVICES & PRODUCTS GAS LOGS, WOOD STOVES & INSERTS Fireplaces, sold, serviced and repaired. Call Don Hill, (336) 643-7183.

PAINTING & DRYWALL CARLOS & SON PAINTING, interior & exterior. Free est., lic./ins. (336) 669-5210. PAINTING – INTERIOR & EXTERIOR 32 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. No job too small. Insured. Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186. CINDY’S PAINTING – Interior painting, wallpaper removal. References & free estimates available. (336) 708-9155.

BEK Paint Co. Residential & Commercial David & Judy Long, owners

(336) 931-0600

BEKPaintCompany.com

LAWN CARE / LANDSCAPING

ALL-SEASON STUMP GRINDING. Owner Alan Winfree. Free est. Call (336) 382-9875.

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

BRAD’S BOBCAT. Mulch, landscaping, pine

Call Joe at (336) 643-9157.

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

MASONRY CONCEPTS, brick, block, stone, concrete & repairs. Free estimates. (336)

GRADING / HAULING

GREENERTIMES SMALL ENGINE Sales & Service Center. All types sold and repaired; comm./res. 9428 NC Hwy. 65, Stokesdale. (336) 548-9286 or (336) 312-3844.

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

ing, complete lawn maint. (336) 655-6490.

needles and straw. (336) 362-3647. L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE “We get you mowing!” Commercial, residential, all models. 2103 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge. (336) 298-4314.

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

Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree prun-

Get. Be. Stay. Connected.

facebook.com/NorthwestObserver

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

• References Available • Licensed & Insured • All Work Guaranteed

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

HOME SERVICES

MISC. SERVICES

MISC. WANTED

PLUMBING

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.

SAM’S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of

FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, any and all gas items, tillers, gocarts & golf carts, ATVs, generators, power washers, chain saws. (336) 689-4167.

HAMMERSMITH WOODWORKING INC. Carpentry, custom cabinetry, built-ins, exterior repairs. ASP - Helping Hand. Over 30 years exp. Call Carlton, (336) 404-3002.

Locally owned & operated

BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic. & insured. 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.

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

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION 30 years experience. Specializing in room additions, kitchens & baths, garages, vinyl siding and windows, painting, ceramic tile, laminate, hardwood and linoleum floors, and remodeling of all kinds. No job too small. Free est. Call (336) 362-7469.

BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS

Screened porches | Sunrooms | Patios

(336) 644-8615 office (336) 508-5242 cell Licensed & insured NC Gen. Contractor #72797

PREMIER CONSTRUCTION. Providing all of your home maintenance needs, remodeling and new construction. (336) 430-9507. JLB REMODELING, INC. Remodeling and additions. Fully insured.

CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC Residential roofing, rubber flat roofs, roof coating, metal roofs. 30 years experience. Now accepting all major credit cards. Call (336) 643-8191 or (336) 580-3245. A.L. CORMAN ROOFING INC. Res. roofing specialist serving Guilford Cty. area since 1983. BBB 25+ years w/ A+ rating. cormanroofinginc.com, (336) 621-6962. KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION 30 years experience. Residential shingle & metal roofing. Free est. (336) 362-7469. PREMIER ROOFING CONSTRUCTION Insurance specialist, free inspections, res./ comm., BBB A rating. (336) 430-9507.

NC GC license #69997. Free est. Call (336) 681-2902 or visit www.jlbremodeling.com. BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, siding, dock work, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Sr. disc., 38 years exp. (336) 362-6343. ORTIZ REMODELING – Total restoration & home improvement. Drywall, painting, kitchen cabinets, interior trim & more. Free estimates. (336) 280-8981.

$$$ – WILL PAY CASH up to $200 for your junk or wrecked vehicle. (336) 552-0328.

Gated access with 24/7 camera surveillance 6705 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale • (336) 643-9963 (affiliated with Stokesdale Storage)

MISC. FOR SALE SEASONED FIREWOOD, delivered and stacked, 1/2 cord, $80. Call (336) 686-6373. SPLIT & SEASONED FIREWOOD. Deliv-

ROOFING

Construction Services, INC

body work. 45 years exp. (336) 347-7470.

MISC. SERVICES ERIE INSURANCE – IN KERNERSVILLE Long Insurance Services, (336) 992-5664. COMPUTER REPAIRS – ITBASICS.COM Inside Mailboxes & More, Oak Ridge Commons. (336) 643-0068. MOBILE SMALL ENGINE MOWER and trailer service and repair (336) 501-8681.

ery available. (336) 643-9332.

PETS & ANIMAL SVCS. If you’ve found a pet and need help finding the owner, let us know!

PET SITTING / BOARDING KPS – KELLY’S PET SERVICES Professional in-your-home PET SITTING. Insured & bonded. Member Pet Sitters International. Openings currently available for Oak Ridge only. Call (336) 706-6706, email kpsforyourpets@gmail.com, www.facebook. com/kpspets, or @kpspets on Instagram.

w w w. n w o b s e r v e r. c o m

... continued on p. 30

Jam-packed with valuable info for northwest Guilford County residents

Keep it handy, use it often

of esy y ourt to c i O’Reill Sand

In print e ve and onli ry January ne at nwob year-round server.co m

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

pho

ield merf Sum

sboro reen est G orthw n | ge k Rid | Oa sdale Stoke | x a lf by | Co hed publis

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

REAL ESTATE

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

HOMES FOR SALE

OAK RIDGE COMMERCIAL OFFICE Approximately 1,000 sq. ft., 2BA, $1,250/mo.

BE IN BY SPRING!

OPEN HOUSE Sun, Jan 28 • 2- 4pm

(336) 669-5233.

HOMES FOR RENT OAK RIDGE, 1-rm. furn. apt., LR/BR, bath, kitchenette area, $600/mo. (336) 669-5233. 7564 Haw Meadows Drive Arbor Run Subdivision

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Hard to find 4 BR/3 BA home with 3 BR on the main level. New paint, carpet and granite counter tops. Screened-in porch, deck, fire pit and fabulous rear yard. Northwest School district. $494,500

We Help Everyone! SELLERS & BUYERS

DeDe Cunningham REALTOR®/Broker NC Licensed Contractor

3905 Eagle Downs Way, Summerfield New quality construction on approximately 1-ac. lot in popular Eagle Ridge! 3,979 SQ FT, 4 BR, 4.5 BA, covered front porch, 2-story foyer, formal dining room, large great room with fireplace, kitchen with gas range, custom cabinets & granite countertops. $680,000

5603 FEATHER CT., EAGLE RIDGE

Built by Otey Construction, this 4000+ sq. ft. new home is perfect in every way. Open floor plan, chevronpatterned hardwoods, reclaimed wood accents, vintage-inspired hardware, shiplap accent walls. This must-see home is offered at $665,000. NW Schools

Nancy J. Hess

Jake Letterman

nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

(336) 338-0136

(336) 509-1923 dedesrealestategroup.com dedecunningham@kw.com

(336) 643-4248

Did you receive your northwest FINDER? visit www.nwobserver.com

www.ANewDawnRealty.com

SUMMERFIELD ESTATE ON 6.41 AC.

Potential office park! 6.14-acre wooded site zoned for business/office use in the commercial core area of Oak Ridge. 1/8 mile south of the N.C. 68 and 150 intersection, with turn lanes from both directions on N.C. 68. 1/4-mile commercial driveway leads to 4,400-square-foot main house/office building which is complemented by guest house, outbuildings and tennis court plus large landscaped island with gazebo/picnic area and pasture. Established tenant is willing to stay in place. Offered at $918,000. Visit www.berkshirehathawayhs. com/nancy-hess-real-estate-agent and select “My Listings” for photos and more details.

Nancy J. Hess

nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

123 Dream Lane

Potent ial office park! 6.14-acre wooded site zoned for business/office use in the commercial core area of Oak Ridge. 1/8 mile south of the N.C. 68 and 150 intersection, with turn lanes from both directions on N.C. 68. 1/4-mile commercial driveway leads to 4,400-square-foot main house/office building which is complemented by guest house, outbuildings and tennis court plus large landscaped island with gazebo/picnic area and pasture. Established tenant is willing to stay in place. Offered at $918,000. Visit www.berkshirehathawayhs. com/nancy-hess-real-estate-agent and select “My Listings” for photos and more details.

Real estate showcase ads in the NWO get noticed! Include a photo and description of your listing, Realtor photo, logo and contact info – all for only $80!

Custom built former Parade Home with 4-car garage! End of cul-de-sac, huge kitchen, 2 laundries, 2 tankless H2O, 2 BR on main, 2 bonus rooms, theatre room, great mudroom, private setting. Must-see house for $699,000.

Nancy J. Hess

nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

Place your real estate showcase today (336) 644-7035, ext. 11 advertising@nwobserver.com

Want to be a part of our next NWO Real Estate section? Nancy J. Hess

nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

Reserve your ad space today

t 1t7okesdalebepnlaefnits onfsion

(336) 644-7035, ext. 11 advertising@nwobserver.com

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

S zes expa reali million 0 1 $

fs Brie ess usin

B 14

riefs te B Esta eal

R 18

te Esta ns eal io

R 24 Transact

index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS

Please support our advertisers,

HEALTH & FITNESS YMCA of Greensboro ......................... 8

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

and tell them where you saw their ad!

BEK Paint Company .......................... 28 Carpet Supermart .........................16-17 Carpets by Direct ................................ 3 Elegant Transformations by Marcie ... 21 House of Stars .................................. 21 New Garden Landscaping & Nursery .. 25 Old School Home Repair .................. 28 ProStone ........................................... 25 Stokesdale Heating & Air .................. 14 Rymack Storage ............................... 29

ACCOUNTING

CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Carlotta Lytton, CPA, PA .................. 21 Samuel Anders, CPA, MSA, PC ......... 15

Guardian Ad Litem ............................11

LEGAL SERVICES

CHURCHES

AUTOMOTIVE Vestal Buick GMC, Inc. ....................... 9

BUILDERS KW Builder by Design ....................... 24 TM Construction Services ................. 29

Mercy Hill Church ............................. 19

Barbour & Williams Law .................... 22 Scott Tippett Law ............................... 4 The Law Offices of Susan Greeson ... 26

Summerfield First Baptist Church ...... 26

MEDICAL CARE / PRODUCTS

DENTIST

Dove Medical Supply .......................... 7 LeBauer Healthcare .......................2,13 Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery .. 9

DeVaney Dentistry .............................. 6

Northwest Pediatrics ..........................11 Novant Health/NW Family Medicine ... 5 Physical Medicine of the Carolinas....... 5

ORTHODONTIC CARE Mitchell, Bartlett & Bell Orthodontics .. 10 Olmsted Orthodontics ....................... 13

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital .............. 21 King’s Crossing Animal Hospital ....... 24 Northwest Animal Hospital ............... 23 Veterinary Hospital of Oak Ridge....... 21 Westerguard Kennels ........................ 20

REAL ESTATE A New Dawn Realty .......................... 30 Dede Cunningham, Keller Williams .. 30 Jake Letterman, Berkshire Hathaway 30 Nancy Hess, BHHS Yost & Little ....... 30 Ramilya Siegel, Allen Tate ................ 25 Tanya Hill ......................................... 21

SCHOOL Stokesdale Elementary PTA ............... 12

Advertise in a relevant, widely-read publication

direct-mailed to

11,400+ homes

1,900 copies

free pickup

online 24/7

12,700+

members

Laura Reneer, marketing manager (336) 644-7035, ext. 11 advertising@nwobserver.com

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

JAN. 25 - 31, 2018

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Postal Patron

Oak Ridge, NC Permit No. 22

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

ECRWSS

Email your photo to photos@ om nwobserver.c  Pack 130 braved the rainy weather forecast for their fall Scout campout at Woodfield campground. Outdoor activities such as target shooting, fire safety and starting techniques, archery, campfire cooking and leisure reading of the Northwest Observer were enjoyed greatly!

 (From left) Soﬁa and Savannah from Oak Ridge visited Notre Dame University to watch their football team play against NC State. Nothing like some good home reading from their Northwest Observer!

 The Calvary Triad Church mission team takes a break with their NW Observer. (From left) front row: Ken Smith, Jason Bramblett, Georg e Palmer, Ken Dimock, Robert Erps; middle row: Jerry Potkay, Doug Moser, David Hicks, Armando Najarro; back row: Daniel Easter, Darrell Pickett.

 While on a cruise to the western e Caribbean, Rebecca Rhodes- Moore mad a stop in Honduras for a good read.