March 25 - 31, 2016
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MTS Trail, Part 2:
‘No’ for Stokesdale, ‘Go’ for Oak Ridge Mayor Randy Braswell says he acted in his town’s best interest when he asked that Stokesdale be taken off the MTS Trail map; Oak Ridge begins the process of mapping out trail route in its town by PATTI STOKES STOKESDALE/OAK RIDGE – As word circulates that Stokesdale Mayor Randy Braswell contacted Kate Dixon, executive director of Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea (FMTS) Trail, and Carol Tingley, deputy director of N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, to ask that Stokesdale be taken off the MTS Trail map, reactions have been mixed. Some people have said they were, at the very least, surprised
at the mayor’s action. Others have said they were frustrated and dismayed by it. Yet there are some who said the mayor acted appropriately, and that Oak Ridge, which is taking steps to bring the trail through its town, is welcome to it.
from Stokesdale, ROADS founder Pam Lemmons and Stokesdale town council member Frank Bruno.
Kate Dixon has worked for FMTS Trail for the last eight years. In the organization’s history, she can’t remember another town asking to be taken off the trail route.
Before Braswell’s call, Dixon said Oak Ridge had indicated they would be interested in having the trail come through their town if Stokesdale decided they didn’t want it.
“Towns are usually incredibly excited to be on the route,” Dixon said. “It’s a first for me in eight years. It’s always hard to know how deep that runs. Is there really widespread opposition? I don’t know how to know that.”
County Commissioner Justin Conrad, whose district includes Stokesdale, said he was approached
Dixon confirmed there have been trail supporters in Stokesdale over the years – among them, Sue Lukens, who has since moved away
Joyner to retire from teaching, coaching volleyball After 31 years, Darlene Joyner is retiring from coaching volleyball and teaching health and P.E. at Northwest High School; she will stay on as head coach of varsity girls basketball. Read Joyner’s story on p. 15
“Because of the nice downtown area, we thought it would be a great place for the trail,” Dixon said. “But, we don’t want to push it on anyone.”
...continued on p. 5
IN THIS ISSUE
News in Brief ......................................2 Your Questions ..................................4 Stokesdale Town Council ................6 Youth/School Briefs ........................10 Student artist gallery ......................12 Cadet prepares for last drill ..........13 Student Profiles ...............................14 Coach Profile: Darlene Joyner .......15 Crime/Incident Report ...................18 Business Notes ................................21 Bits & Pieces ....................................21 Community Calendar ................... 22 Letters/Opinions ............................ 24 Grins & Gripes .................................26 Classifieds .......................................27 Index of Advertisers .......................31
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NEWS in brief
Stokesdale ranked No. 2 ‘most affordable’ town NORTH CAROLINA – Financial website SmartAsset recently released its 2016 list of the most affordable towns in North Carolina, and Stokesdale is ranked No. 2, following closely behind No. 1 Knightdale in Wake County. The website bases its rankings on an affordability index derived from
NORTH CAROLINA – Throughout the state, hundreds of sexual predators are using the internet to target and solicit children – requesting nude pictures or to meet for sex. To help locate and prosecute these sexual deviants, Gov. Pat McCrory secured $1.6 million in state grants in his recent budget. State legislators earmarked $600,000 for the 2015-16 fiscal year and $1 million for 2016-17. Grants will pay for salaries and training of investigators and forensic analysts, and for technology to locate and rescue children.
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Indian Trails, Lewisville, Trinity, Holly Springs, Harrisburg, Gibsonville, King and Cherryville also made the Top 10 list of most affordable towns in the state.
Grants to combat internet crimes against children
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factors including average home closing costs, annual property taxes, average mortgage payment, cost of homeowners insurance and median income.
Priority for the grants is being given to veterans who have received specialized training through HERO, Human Exploitation Rescue Operative, a national organization of wounded veterans committed to finding and arresting child predators. “We must protect the state’s children from sexual predators,” McCrory said. “Arming wounded warriors and law enforcement officers with needed tools and training will help find and prosecute abusers.”
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“The training is highly technical and specialized and the equipment is expensive, but these grants are an important step in preventing sexual predators from reaching our children,” said David Huffman, commission director. The State Bureau of Investigation, the lead agency in this effort, has 14 agents assigned to the North Carolina chapter of Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, ICAC, (pronounced eye-cack). “That small number of agents isn’t nearly enough to investigate the massive number of leads referred to the SBI,” said Special Agent in Charge Alan Flora who oversees the SBI Computer Crimes Unit. “As the number of tips to the SBI increases, the number of SBI agents and local Task Force officers has remained about the same.” Last year, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline, (http://www.missingkids.com/ cybertipline) sent more than 2,200 tips on potential cases of child exploitation to the SBI.Five years ago, the number was 683.
...continued on p. 7
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MARCH 25 - 31, 2016
Submit your questions about topics relevant to the northwest area
online: nwobserver.com e-mail: questions@ nwobserver.com I’d like to get my concealed carry permit. I took the required class, but that was about three years ago. There’s no expiration date on the certificate I received for completing the class. Do I need to take the class again? In North Carolina, before applying for a concealed carry permit, you are required to take the North Carolina Original Firearms Safety Training Course, an eighthour class with range time. Before being given a certificate, you must pass a written exam and meet certain range shooting requirements. According to Captain Tony Caliendo of the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, the certificate you receive from successfully completing the class is good indefinitely. “There is nothing in the North Carolina statutes that puts an expiration date on the certificate,” said Caliendo. “However, if you’ve taken the course in the distant past, I recommend that you go back through it and familiarize yourself if you haven’t stayed engaged.” I’m a lifelong resident of Summerfield, currently residing in a neighborhood off Strawberry Road, just south of N.C. 150. It’s clear to me that Strawberry Road and N.C. 150 between U.S. 220 and Lake Brandt Road are in desperate need of resurfacing and or repainting of white and yellow lines. I have a teenage daughter who frequently comments to me “Dad, at night
and when it’s raining, it’s very hard to see any lines in the road.” I would invite a DOT official to make the drive up Strawberry Road from 220 to N.C. 150 at nighttime and while it’s raining. I’m sure you’ll see what I mean. Are there any plans to resurface and or re-line this section of road? Bobby Norris, NCDOT district engineer, said he checked this year’s resurfacing schedule and Strawberry Road is not on the list to be resurfaced in 2016. However, Norris said he and Brad Wall, DOT division maintenance engineer, will check the condition of the pavement to see if it is deteriorated enough for resurfacing. “In the meantime, I will have our traffic services group take a look at the striping to try and address this issue,” Norris said. I have seen a “Welcome to Oak Ridge” sign, and was wondering if Summerfield has a “Welcome to Summerfield” sign posted anywhere? I think the corner of Strawberry Road and 220N would be a
nice location for one. The road crew has done a great job improving the looks of this intersection. Oak Ridge has three “Welcome to Oak Ridge” signs, which you see as you approach the town limits from Summerfield, Greensboro and Kernersville. One sign is on N.C. 150/ Oak Ridge Road, one is on N.C. 68 at Peeples Road, and the other is near the Forsyth County line on N.C. 150. Stokesdale does not have any welcome signs, and neither does Summerfield – yet. However, the Summerfield Town Council did discuss welcome signs last June, after Town Manager Scott Whitaker asked them to consider locations for monument-style welcome signs to be put in place after construction on U.S. 220 has been completed. The council agreed on placing signs at these three locations: the northern interchange of U.S. 220 and I-73; the southern location of U.S. 220 and Strawberry Road; and a smaller sign (not necessarily a welcome sign) near U.S. 220 and N.C. 150.
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MTS TRAIL
be asked to develop a more detailed plan as to where they want it to go – the state doesn’t do that; that all falls to the town.”
...continued from p. 1 several months ago by Braswell and Tim Jones, who was a candidate for town council at the time and has since been elected. “They weren’t thrilled about the trail (coming through Stokesdale), and had a petition with about 360 signatures on it. They expressed a lot of concerns with private property issues and where the trail was penciled in,” Conrad said. “I reached out to county staff, and we took those concerns to the MTS Trail folks. Then we asked Oak Ridge, ‘Are you guys interested?’ They were very receptive to using the Cascades Park and the historic part of Oak Ridge as part of a trail route.” Dixon said that after getting the call from Braswell a few weeks ago, FMTS Trail began developing a new connecting route to take the trail through Oak Ridge instead of Stokesdale. Since then, she has met with Town of Oak Ridge staff members to discuss route possibilities and issues like camping accommodations for hikers. “Our goal is to get the new trail map up on our website within a couple of weeks. Most hikers come through the trail in the spring or fall and we want to get that to them,” Dixon said, adding, “I really like the Stokesdale route, but I also feel this route through Oak Ridge is wonderful, and will work as well for hikers. “What is important is that the trail connects at either end; they (Oak Ridge) need to know that Forsyth County is open to connecting it at their end; Oak Ridge will
Regarding the threat of using eminent domain, which was one of the 10 bullet items on the “Redress of Grievance Petition” which was circulated in Stokesdale last fall in opposition to the trail, Dixon said the state’s Parks and Recreation Department does not use eminent domain. “One, they don’t want to use it,” she said. “Also, they know if eminent domain is used in one place, it scares everybody. Their stance is, if a landowner is opposed to having the trail come on their property, we look for another way around … or we wait. Eventually, that land will change hands.” At the local government level, Dixon said the only time she can recall eminent domain being used has been in Raleigh, with the Neuse River Greenway, a 26-mile trail along the Neuse River. “Raleigh started working on it in the ‘70s and gradually acquired land over a period of 40 years. Around 2010 or so, in that entire stretch, three tracts of needed land had not been acquired and they (the City of Raleigh) used eminent domain. But it was a 40-year process … the landowners sold their land, but it wasn’t a big, contentious issue,” Dixon said. “That is the only time in eight years … we’ve got about 150 new miles of trails coming in place right now. Using eminent domain is just not typical at all, and not the way that this happens.” Jane Doggett chairs Summerfield’s Trails and Open Space Committee, which is currently focused on identifying
open space within the town and extending the A&Y Greenway through Summerfield; the greenway segment would eventually become part of the MTS Trail. Doggett says her committee has heard all of the same objections that were included on the petition circulated in Stokesdale. “But there are statistics out there proving that trails improve property value,” Doggett said. “And studies have been done that prove it is extremely hard to steal a television while on a bicycle … there are lots of ways to mitigate the concern about crime – like putting up a fence. But truly, your average criminal isn’t going to walk five miles, or even a mile – they want to get away quickly. “Almost 100 percent, trails are an advantage to a community, with very little downside to them. Right now we have an extremely positive environment for getting the trail done.” Oak Ridge’s Mayor Spencer Sullivan said that though discussions about bringing the MTS Trail through his town are in the very early stages, he and the town’s
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“We talked about how we could use the Haw River Basin – we have right of ways and easements on the map for the Haw River Basin, so there is a lot already in place that we could use as part of the trail,” Sullivan said. “Also, we are focusing on how we can connect the trail to the town core, park and up to Cascades Park – it would leave there and go on to be the western part of the trail. “We talked about a lot of options – how we could do this while staying on public rights of way and established easements, and we also talked about a lot of the help and partnerships we could form with the state, which would fund a lot of this,” Sullivan said. “There are already grants in place, and more coming. Obviously there will be some maintenance – I don’t envision any of the trails that would be put in (Oak Ridge) would be paved, so, there would be minimal maintenance.” We’ll stay on this trail and continue with more articles in future issues …
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5
STOKESDALE town council
March 10 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by PATTI STOKES Mayor Randy Braswell called the monthly meeting to order at 7 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Bill Jones, council members Frank Bruno, Tim Jones and Vicki White-Lawrence, the town attorney, town clerk, deputy clerk, finance officer and water system administrator were present, as were about 10 citizens.
change the audit company from time to time. Bill Jones said that has been considered in the past, but after learning Cannon & Company has two or three employees reviewing the Town’s financials each year, he was less inclined to feel changing accounting firms was necessary.
Municipal records. Continuing last month’s discussion about the state’s amendments to municipal records retention and disposition policies, which address both organization and discarding of municipal records, the council voted unanimously to approve and abide by those policy amendments which date back to September 2012 and January 2015.
Town Attorney Bill Trevorrow said if the Town did change auditors, they would likely pay more in the first year, since the new firm would have a lot of homework to do to get up to speed.
Annual audit contract. Braswell motioned to renew the contract with Cannon & Company to perform the Town’s annual audit, at a cost of $10,400, pending review to ensure the wording of last year’s contract hasn’t changed. Tim Jones said in the interest of due diligence, he felt the Town should
Tim Jones asked if the council had ever priced another accounting firm performing the annual audit and Braswell said he thought the council had issued Requests for Proposals sometime after he and Bill Jones first came on the council (in December 2011); staff could be asked to pull those proposals “after things calm down a little.”
4 1 to renew the annual audit
contract with Cannon & Company (Tim Jones against). Facility use agreement. Stokesdale
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Petty cash. Tim Jones said he had spoken with the new finance officer and town clerk about petty cash, and learned the town does not have a petty cash policy. “Instead of us creating something, my thought was for them to present something to us at our May meeting that would cover a weekly reconciliation,” Jones said. Council agreed (no vote was needed).
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5 0 to approve application for the use of one athletic field, for the days and times requested, from March 18 to June 4. Stokesdale Parks and Rec will turn usage hours in on the honor system and the town clerk will bill the association monthly at an hourly rate of $15.
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Tim Jones asked how Stokesdale Parks and Rec was invoiced and Braswell said they had not been invoiced in the past. Bill Jones suggested the association turn in their hours “on the honor system” and in turn receive a monthly bill.
Drop box. Tim Jones said he felt a drop box was needed at Town Hall, so did some research on drop box options and places to install a box. Drop box prices range from about $800 to $2,500 and more, and Jones said he thought the $800 box would be adequate.
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Parks and Rec has requested use of one athletic field at the town park during the spring soccer season, on weeknights from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The association has not paid for facility usage in the past, rather had previously agreed to help with the cost and labor involved in maintaining the field; this season the association will pay the resident rate of $15/hour, based on 60 percent of the participants living within the town limits.
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Committee procedures and administration. Tim Jones said the town’s receipt of several applications for its Land Use Plan Committee had highlighted the
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fact that there did not seem to be any written committee policies. “I asked (former town clerk) Carolyn (Joyner) for minutes of the Land Use Plan Committee meetings from back in 2007 and she said there weren’t any… I feel these committees should be keeping some minimal level of minutes; we don’t have a policy or procedure that I’m aware of. I want to keep it as simple as possible, but I don’t want to see it happen again where a committee is making plans for every acre of Stokesdale …,” (Tim) Jones said. “Also, how many people should be on these committees, and how often should they meet?” he asked. “I would like to see a cross-section of the community serve on these committees. We just seem to get a core group of people who volunteer – if it were possible, I’d like to see us broaden that, get business owners and landowners represented; we’re not doing a very good job of that as a town. It’s important that we do that – otherwise, we just wind up with a group of people who are already in agreement before they get there.” Council discussed the lack of written committee policies, committee goals, and expectations, and how to move forward.
5 0 to delay appointing any
new committee members for a period of 60 days, during which time Bruno will write up committee guidelines and send the proposed guidelines to council members so they can prepare to discuss them during the April council meeting; he will also schedule committee applicant interviews. For more on this discussion, see News Briefs. MTS Trail. In response to Stokesdale resident Natalie Wurtz’s comments during the Citizen Comments section earlier in the meeting, Braswell explained he had recently met with someone in Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department and County Commissioner Justin Conrad.
...continued on p. 8
Committee appointments on Rezoning hearing set for April 13 hold until guidelines established ...continued from p. 2
The applicant for the rezoning, LD Rambling Road LLC, which was formed in December, is represented by Greensboro-based Attorney Marc Isaacson. Representatives of the company agreed to meet with concerned property owners on March 23 at 6 p.m. to present their development plan and to discuss neighbors’ concerns. The rezoning case, which will go before the Guilford County Planning Board, was initially scheduled for March 9; at the request of property owners and the consent of the developers, it has been re-scheduled for April 13. Look for a follow-up on the March 23 meeting between the developer and neighboring property owners in next week’s issue.
The council agreed that committees should have defined expectations, and should keep attendance and meeting minutes. Regarding a representative cross-section of community members, Councilman Frank Bruno said, “A crosssection would be great, but we’ve been working on that for four years.” As for waiting up to 120 days before making appointments to the Land Use Plan Committee, Councilman Bill Jones said one reason for reactivating the committee was that the land use plan had not been updated in several years, and there had been at least one rezoning (the Dawn Acres golf course property) in which the town planner
After further discussion, Bruno volunteered to draft a set of committee guidelines and expectations and send it to the rest of the council so they could prepare to discuss/approve it at the April council meeting. Bruno also volunteered to schedule interviews with committee applicants over the coming weeks, with the goal being to have a list of recommended members to appoint to the Land Use Committee at the June council meeting.
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Property owners argue that the zoning change would be inconsistent with the neighborhood, as existing homes are on average lot sizes of 1.874 acres. Additionally, they have concerns about the impact of up to 50 new homes that would be accessed by Rambling Road, a two-lane
Based on a preliminary review of the rezoning request, Guilford County planning staff is recommending approval.
“I’m curious as to why we’re telling citizens we don’t want them to serve,” Bruno said. “You’ve got citizens who want to serve and you’re saying, ‘We like your application, now we want to hold your application.’ I think that sends a bad message to the citizens.”
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NORTHWEST GREENSBORO – Property owners in and near an 82-home neighborhood in northwest Greensboro are opposing a request to rezone 70.37 acres at the end of Rambling Road. The developer is requesting the property’s current zoning of RS-40 (residential, minimum lot sizes of 40,000 square feet, or .92 acres) be changed to CZ-RS-30, which would allow houses to be built on 30,000-square-foot, or .69-acre lots; the developer placed a condition on the zoning that there would be no more than 50 houses built on the property.
residential street off Alcorn Road, on traffic, safety, health and water quality, and potential home value depreciation; the owners have hired Greensborobased attorney Don Vaughn to represent them in opposing the rezoning request.
“We at least need to get the land use plan changed so we’re expanding that area out far enough to allow for development. It’s not good for us to be going against the recommendation of our planner,” Bill Jones said. “Are we going to wait four months before we even start a process that may take six or eight more months to do? … I don’t have any problem with keeping minutes, but we do have seven applicants and that’s the most applications I remember getting for any committee.”
Time ________________________________________________________ Has an appointment
Neighbors oppose a requested zoning change for 70.37 acres at end of Rambling Road, off Alcorn Road
“I don’t know how many people should be on these committees,” Tim Jones said. “Also, I would like to see a cross-section of people on these committees, especially the Land Use Plan Committee. We’re not doing a good job of getting business owners and property owners involved – I think it’s important that we do that.”
had to recommend against it because, according to the plan, the rezoning wasn’t consistent with the town core boundaries.
_________________________________ Time
LD Rambling Road LLC is requesting to rezone 70.37 acres at the end of Rambling Road in northwest Greensboro from RS-40 to CZ-RS-30.
STOKESDALE – The Town of Stokesdale is hitting the pause button on committee appointments for at least 60 days. At the March 10 town council meeting, council member Tim Jones suggested the council postpone committee appointments for 90 to 120 days while it develops committee guidelines, goals, expectations, and seeks a greater cross-section of the community to serve on all of its committees.
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NEWS in brief
TOWN COUNCIL
See more on this discussion in last week’s and this week’s Northwest Observer articles about the MTS Trail.
...continued from p. 6
“My question to them was about the maps of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and any trail coming through Stokesdale,” Braswell said. “I showed him (Conrad) – and he agreed – that those maps showed that (MTS) trail being on the highway and on private property. Those maps have been posted on the internet and in different publications, and those maps have to disappear with that trail marked on these highways (U.S. 158, N.C. 65, etc.).
“It has been no secret that my intention was to steer the trail away from Stokesdale and either straight north to Rockingham County, or to Oak Ridge. They have the want, No. 1, and the infrastructure, No. 2, and it seems like the financial will to make it happen,” Braswell said.
Water system. Council scheduled a workshop on March 15 to set fees for construction inspections.
5 0 to approve a certification form for
Northwest Meadows Phase II, off Eversfield Road, and authorize the mayor to sign off on the waterline extension to Phase II. Tim Jones said the town has a “chunk” of money in delinquent water bills, which at one time was $100,000. “I can’t see going into another budget year without us figuring out how much money is owed,” Jones said before asking for a printout of all water bills that are 90 or more days delinquent. Braswell said after Bruno, Bill Jones and himself were elected in November 2011, they insisted on serving on the Finance Committee. For the last few years the council has been working with an attorney to collect on delinquent bills, and it has been a “work in progress,” Braswell said. “We have worked on our policies and upped our deposits significantly to protect the town for the short-term. What we do have to do is get on top of it so they (water system customers) don’t run away from it.”
An updated water system accounts receivable report will be available soon, Braswell said, after which the council can go through the list of delinquent accounts and check off those it should write off at this point. He also noted the Town’s former town clerk and finance officer, Carolyn Joyner, communicated regularly with the attorney who was hired to collect on the delinquent accounts. Pressing the issue further, Tim Jones said he was very concerned about what was owed to the town and wanted to deal with it before the next budget year. “We felt concerned five years ago also, and we took action,” Braswell said. “I think Mr. Trevorrow will agree we have spent many hours as far as the legal approach to that. We inherited that (list of delinquent accounts) and the three of us jumped on it and did the best we can. I’d like to see it cleaned up by the end of my term (two more years).” Braswell also said he did not want to ask any more of the new staff at this time, and then added that the town attorney was working on an ordinance that will protect the town in the future. “We have to protect the people on the water system who are paying their bill,” he said. Tim Jones did not seem satisfied with Braswell’s
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answer, but let the issue die after being reminded there would be a budget meeting the following day at 2:30 p.m. Public records request. A public records’ FOI (Freedom of Information) request has been received and Bruno said he would check into this. Community Day. Bruno said the semiannual event is “on track” for May 7 and he is trying to coordinate a Red Cross blood drive for the same day.
COUNCIL COMMENTS NEXT MEETING Thursday, April 14 • 7pm Stokesdale Town Hall
CONTACT YOUR TOWN (336) 643-4011 stokesdale@stokesdale.org www.stokesdale.org
COMMITTEE REPORTS Property. Bill Jones said the committee has gotten estimates for fertilizer and will be writing a work order. The cost will be within the committee’s budget of $2,000. Library. Bruno said that since recently upgrading the computers at Town Hall and installing a secure password system for employees to access the wireless internet, there is no longer an open wireless network for Town Hall and library visitors. “We are getting complaints,” he said, explaining the Town needs to purchase a separate, inexpensive router so that citizens wishing to access the wireless network can do so. It was agreed that this will be done as soon as all the kinks in the town’s new network system have been worked out. Economic Development Committee. Tim Jones said he thought this committee had already been eliminated, but he noticed it was still on the committee list.
5 0 to remove the Economic Development Committee from the Town’s list of committees.
Tim Jones next asked if there was any reason to keep the Budget & Finance Committee, saying that every committee was one that staff had to keep up with. He motioned to remove this committee also, but Braswell and Bruno pointed out that council members all serve on this committee and it is a vital one. Since Jones had not been appointed to the committee, the council unanimously approved his appointment to serve on it.
Safety Committee. Braswell said this committee has been working hard, but will “probably be quiet for about 30 days or so” while the new staff continues to settle in.
FINANCE REPORT Finance Officer Philip Pulliam presented the financials for the month. A budget meeting for fiscal year 20162017 was on the schedule for the following day.
Tim Jones said NCDOT had workers picking up trash along roadsides earlier in the day, then thanked the new staff members for the good job they were doing, and Braswell and Bill Jones for organizing the mayors’ luncheon on March 8. Bill Jones also thanked the town’s four new staff members, noting deputy clerk Diana Marcus had been a big help with the mayors’ luncheon. Besides Stokesdale, seven towns were represented at the luncheon, where representatives discussed trying to get county commissioners to change the sales tax distribution method back to per capita. “It’s an uphill battle, but other towns are interested,” Jones said. If the method of sales tax distribution were changed, Stokesdale could get as much as $970,000 back in sales tax revenue. “We could do a lot with that money, even if we only get a fourth of it,” Jones said. He then thanked Braswell for all
the time he had spent helping the new staff members get settled in. White-Lawrence commended the new staff “for jumping in there,” reminded them that council members were available to help when needed, and thanked those who worked on planning Carolyn Joyner’s retirement party on Feb. 29. Bruno welcomed the new staff, and said they had put up with a lot while the new computer system was being installed. He also said that canned food for Good Samaritan Ministries will be collected on Community Day. Braswell said he couldn’t brag enough on the new staff, thanked the Northwest Observer for its coverage of the town, and thanked Bill Jones for the time he put into compiling packets for county commissioners with information about the sales tax distribution issue. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE Town Clerk Kim Hemric said she had received warm welcomes from the community and a couple of key people in neighboring towns had offered their support. Her main projects are working on codification of the town’s development ordinance with Municode and getting up to speed with the water system software. “It requires daily data entry, troubleshooting and phone time,” Hemric said. Now that the town has more team members, Hemric said she feels it is important to create an employee handbook. In day-to-day working behind the scenes, she said staff members are each other’s sounding board, and they are working together as a team to answer council’s and citizens’ questions. “I have heard good things about the Town of Stokesdale and consider it an honor to work here,” Hemric said. Braswell told the town’s four employees, who were all present, that they had done a good job and “uncovered a lot.”
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Welcome to
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Northern Guilford sophomore Christina Cano (center) tries to dribble through two Northwest Guilford defenders on March 18. Northwest defeated Northern in that matchup, 3-1.
A weekly section in the Northwest Observer focused on our local youth and the adults who positively impact them.
youth / school NEWS
Northwest girls soccer team defeats Northern, 3-1
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Northwest High School’s Rachel Rouse scored the game’s first goal on March 18, but Northern tied it up early in the second half. Madisyn Spagnola and Maddie Lawson scored two more
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mentals that they work on in practice.
goals for Northwest later in the second half to put the game away. Beth Ann Alcorn, Northwest’s firstyear girls head soccer coach, credited her team for starting to implement the funda-
“For the most part, my team was disciplined and executed the little things well,” Alcorn said. “There were a couple of times when we did not have that discipline and allowed Northern to
have chances at scoring. I have been preaching to the girls that every second counts when playing soccer, and all it takes is one breakdown, one mistake or one time of lacking discipline to allow all your hard work to go down the drain.”
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Northwest girls lacrosse falls to East Forsyth
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Coach says team is young, will work on playing smarter Northwest High School girls lacrosse team (3-3, 1-2) suffered a tough loss on March 18 to rival East Forsyth. Ahead 9-6 in the second half, Northwest appeared to have the win within its grasp. East Forsyth, however, ran off four unanswered goals in the final four minutes of the contest and won the game 10-9.
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“It’s tough,” said head girls lacrosse coach Kaitlin Brown. “We’re a young team, and we have to be smarter. Our skills are there, but we have to know when to hold the ball, when to pressure the ball, when to pass the ball and when not to pass the ball. Right now, that is what we’re lacking.” Sophomore Maya Flake acknowledged everyone on the team needs to step up their game. “Winning is a team effort,” she said. “We can’t win unless the whole team is working together and connecting on defense.”
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Sophomore Maya Flake (left) challenges an East Forsyth player for control of a loose ball in the teams’ lacrosse game on March 18. East Forsyth scored the win, 10-9.
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Northwest High School’s We the People team (aka, the “peeps”), consisting of 33 students enrolled in a Constitution-based class, won first runner-up in the state WTP competition on March 18. Their knowledge and teamwork earned them a wild card spot to the national competition in Washington, DC, on April 23-25. Look for upcoming info about fundraisers for the team’s trip to Washington, which will include a dinner and silent auction on April 9.
...more Youth/School News on p. 20
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student artist gallery “Food for Thought” Senior Sharon Slakter is in the AP studio art: 2D Design class at Northwest High School. “My piece is constructed of cut paint samples, which creates a colorful, vibrant atmosphere,” Sharon says. “I chose to depict the beauty of choosing to eat right and be healthy, which is a challenge for most teenagers. I think that by respecting your body, you can feel beautiful outside and in.” “White Stone” Senior Noah McCormick is in the AP studio art class at Northwest High School. “I was inspired to create this piece because of the beauty found between my mother and grandmother; as my grandmother fell ill, they reflected upon the everlasting love they had for one another,” Noah says.
Caroline Farrell is a senior in AP art at Northern Guildford High School, where she has taken art all four years, participates in Visual Arts Club and serves as secretary of the National Art Honor Society. “My concentration for AP art includes well known landmarks scattered around downtown Greensboro. The art technique I use for my pieces is a wax batik process on watercolor paper,” Caroline says. “Art is very important to me, so I hope to keep studying art in college, wherever I go.”
The road to nationals ORMA cadet to compete for third consecutive year at National JROTC Drill Competition by LAURA PULLINS/ORMA Pacavira Manuel was a shy, scrawny boy who weighed no more than 100 pounds when he came to Oak Ridge Military Academy six years ago from his home of Luanda, Angola. Despite his size, “Pakito” (as the kids like to call him), quickly found his niche among the spinning rifles and carefully executed movements of the academy’s drill team. The sport initially proved to be more challenging than Manuel expected. In fact, he didn’t compete the first two years he was on the team because he simply wasn’t good enough. It wasn’t for a lack of trying, though. ORMA’s drill team instructor, 1st Sgt. Sallie McCullough, fondly remembers how dedicated Manuel was from the very beginning.
solo or team exhibition. During his first year at nationals, Manuel competed as a solo armed exhibitioner; out of the 80 other competitors, he scored ninth in the masters level division and 13th place overall. During last year’s national championship, Manuel and another teammate competed in the dual armed exhibition event and scored ninth place overall. As he prepares for his final drill competition, Manuel hopes the last six years of hard work and practice will have paid off.
Photo courtesy of ORMA
Pacavira Manuel (center, front) prepares for the National JROTC Drill Competition in Daytona, Florida, which will be his last competition before graduating from the academy in May.
start choreographing the routines. Now having finished the regular season of his senior year, Manuel is preparing for his last solo exhibition of his high school career – the national championships.
The National High School Drill Team Championship is the most famous JROTC drill and ceremony competition in the world. The finest schools from across the nation will travel to Daytona, Florida to compete against each other in the categories of inspection, regulation, color guard and
“My goal for nationals is to score in the top five and if I don’t, then I’ll just keep practicing to be the best that I can be,” he said. “Who knows, maybe someday I’ll be the world drill champion!” In the meantime, Manuel is preparing to graduate from ORMA this May and will attend High Point University this fall. Want to watch? Unfortunately, the National High School Drill Team Championships isn’t televised. However, Manuel’s final ranking will be posted on the school’s Facebook page, www.facebook. com/OakRidgeMilitaryAcademy/, as well as a video of his performance.
“The first day of practice he asked me where to purchase a drill team weapon, and once it arrived in the mail you never saw him without it,” McCullough said. Despite the cuts and bruises along the way, Manuel stuck with it and became one of the best armed exhibitioners Oak Ridge Military Academy has ever seen. During his six years on the team, Manuel has won 10 first place trophies for solo armed exhibition and he’s helped his team win 15 first place overall trophies. In 2012, he was named drill team commander and took it upon himself to
After coming to Oak Ridge Military Academy six years ago from his home of Luanda, Angola, Pacavira Manuel found his place on the academy’s drill team.
Friday, May 13 (6p–10p) & Saturday, May 14 (10a–4p) this year’s event is back at 7300–7400 Summerfield Road near fire station #9 with Saturday’s parade along Summerfield Road
currently seeking vendors, sponsors, & parade entrants sponsor deadline: April 1 • vendor deadline: April 13 • parade deadline: May 5 application forms and more info available at www.summerfieldgov.com ph: 336-643-8655 | email: foundersday@summerfieldgov.com
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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
Chorus
ANISHA KHANNA, junior Hometown: “I have lived in New York, Indiana and here in Greensboro now.” Toughest class: AP Physics Plans after high school: Attending a seven-year medicine program or becoming a biology major at UNC-Chapel Hill Extracurricular activities: Reading, listening to music, singing and more singing Most admired singer: “Sia, because of
her message that looks and outward beauty shouldn’t be required to be successful in the music industry.” Favorite sports team: Carolina Tar Heels Favorite food: Pasta and Thai Favorite musicians: Adele, Sia, Beyoncé Favorite movie: Any Harry Potter movie Any siblings? A younger brother Best vacation ever: “Going to visit my extended family in India again.” Years lived in the Northwest area: Six Dream job: Anything in the medical field Interesting/fun fact about yourself: “I am a first-generation American. My
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MARCH 25 - 31, 2016
family is from India and I speak fluent Hindi.” Nickname: “Nish Nish” Pre-performance ritual: “To work out nerves before a performance, I press with all my strength against a wall. It works.” Chorus teacher James Ward’s comments on Anisha: “When Anisha was a freshman, I immediately observed her natural musicality. She has a passion for choral music that shows in her live performance expression and her commitment during rehearsal. I am proud to have had the opportunity to teach her.”
NORTHERN
Lacrosse
COLLIN MCPARTLAN, junior
Position/role on the team: Captain and starting defenseman Hometown: Summerfield Toughest class: AP Chemistry Plans after high school: “Hope to attend my dream college, Johns Hopkins University” Extracurricular activities: Cross country and Beta Club Most admired person: “My dad” Favorite sports team: Boston Bruins (of the National Hockey League) Favorite food: Chicken Alfredo Favorite band: Shinedown (American hard rock band) Favorite movie: “The Longest Yard” Best vacation ever: Skiing in Utah Years lived in the Northern area: 17 Dream job: Athletic trainer Interesting/fun fact about yourself: “I’m scared of snakes.” One thing you would change about school: More time in between classes Nickname: “McPartland” Pre-performance ritual: Listen to music
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Head Coach Anthony Meley’s comments on Collin: “Collin is the anchor of our defense. He is a second-year starter and a true leader on our defense. I look to Collin when I need something done. There’s a reason he was named team captain this year.”
NORTHERN
Lacrosse
MICHAEL MELEY, junior
Position/role on the team: Captain and starting attackman Hometown: Born in High Point, live in Summerfield Toughest class: Chemistry Plans after high school: Attend Syracuse and then become a lawyer Extracurricular activities: Basketball Most admired person: Dad Favorite sports team: New York Giants Favorite food: Spaghetti Favorite band/musician: Wiz Khalifa Favorite movie: “Straight Outta Compton” Any siblings? Two brothers, a step-sister and a step-brother Best vacation ever: Cruise to the Caribbean Years lived in the Northern area: Whole life Dream job: Lawyer Interesting/fun fact about yourself: “I hate spiders.” One thing you would change about school: Use of cellphones in school Nickname: “Mikey” Pre-performance ritual: Listen to music Head Coach Anthony Meley’s comments on Michael: “Michael is a second-year starter for us at attack. He’s one of the top attackmen in the state. He’s a smart, shifty player who sees the field and is a great student of the game.”
A regular feature of Youth Sync that introduces our readers to some of the teachers, coaches, volunteers, administrators and other staff members who are positively impacting our youth in northwest Guilford County.
Meet Coach Darlene Joyner A Northwest High School alumna, Joyner has taught and coached at her alma mater since 1987. Last week, NWHS athletic director John Hughes announced that Joyner will retire from teaching health and P.E. and from coaching volleyball at the end of this year; she will, however, stay on as the girls head basketball coach.
Hometown: Summerfield College alma mater: Guilford College How long have you coached at Northwest High School? Since 1987 Sport(s) played in high school and/or college: Volleyball, basketball and track in high school and volleyball and basketball at Guilford College What is your favorite sport to watch? “I love watching a variety of sports, including high school and college volleyball and basketball. I loved watching my kids play soccer, and I love watching Olympic gymnastics.” Most admired athlete/coach, and why? “My most admired athlete is Michael Jordan. I loved watching him play basketball at Carolina, even though I am a Duke fan. His athleticism, grace, coordination and the way he played above the rim was so entertaining. In my opinion, he is still the greatest athlete of all time. “As for a coach, the legendary John Wooden. I attended some of his clinics and have read a lot of his books; he set quite the example. His character, wisdom and commitment to the teacher-coach model are an inspiration to all coaches.” Favorite athletic team(s): Northwest Guilford High School teams (of course) How do you like to spend your free time? “I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling and photography.” What’s something most people don’t
know about you? “I enjoy decorating and event planning.” If your teams had one motto, what would it be? “Tradition never graduates.” Over the past two years, your basketball team has recorded 58 wins with only two losses. What does that record mean to you and your seniors? “The past two seasons in basketball have been unique and special. It has been exciting to be a part of this historical record and it’s a tribute to the success of these young ladies in this program. They have dedicated a lot of personal time to training and developing their individual fundamentals on a daily basis for the past four years. They practiced and played basketball year-round, trying to develop into the players and team that they demonstrated on the Northwest court these past two years. They made personal sacrifices and showed a strong commitment to their training to strive to be the best. Their record is a testament to their hard work, dedication, commitment and passion for the game of basketball.” This year you’ve experienced coaching your teams in both the volleyball and basketball state championships. What did you enjoy most about those experiences? “I have been very blessed here at Northwest to have had the opportunity to coach some of the best student-athletes in the state in volleyball and basketball. “We traditionally get to the third or fourth round of the state playoffs in volleyball every year. We always seem to lose to one of the powerhouse Charlotte schools in that fourth round every year in a very competitive match. I am very proud of these girls for being the first volleyball team in the history of the school to get to the state championship round. I loved talking to all the alumni and hearing the
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frontlines to the sidelines excitement in their voices about Northwest finally advancing to the finals. It was as if this team was representing all the alumni and they all finally made it to the big dance. “Basketball is a little different, in the fact that this group of seniors advanced to the final four games for the first time in the history of the school last year. We returned a lot of seasoned players from last year’s team, and they set their goals this year to do better than last year. We added some young talent to mix with the returning players, which was just the right combination of talent that we needed to pursue those goals. It was impressive to watch this team play every game this season; they played like they were on a mission. I loved watching the team get excited to play every opponent in the playoffs and celebrate their victory, while never losing sight of the final mission to get to the state final. To finally see a Northwest basketball team on that championship floor was a very proud moment. These girls are champions in every aspect of the word.” You recently decided to retire from teaching and from coaching volleyball. Why now? “First of all, I love teaching and coaching. I am and will always be a proud Viking. “I think there comes a time in everyone’s life when their passion changes and they can’t find enough time to do what they really love. For me, that is spending
P ho t o by L.A
From the
an
Darlene Joyner Northwest Guilford teacher, girls volleyball and basketball coach
more time with family. I recently became a new grandmother of two of the most precious grandchildren in the world. I want to be available for them if they need me or just to hang out with them at any time of the day. I want to be able to have lunch with my daughters. I want to travel and take trips with my husband in any season. I want to have time to work out and remodel my home. “So why now? I’ve had a great job doing exactly what I loved to do at the best school for 31 years. I love coaching volleyball, and I love my volleyball girls. For me, giving up volleyball was a timing issue.” Why continue to coach basketball? “I was presented with the opportunity to continue to coach basketball in November, and I got excited about the opportunity. I can still enjoy time with my family and coach basketball in November. Coaching is a passion, and I am thrilled to have an opportunity to do two things that I really love – spend time with my family and coach.”
Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC 28 Years Experience
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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
www.samanderscpa.com
MARCH 25 - 31, 2016
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CRIME / INCIDENT report The District 1 Sheriff’s Office has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest Guilford County.
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SUMMERFIELD – While residents were sleeping in the wee hours of the morning on Sunday, March 20, someone was wide awake – and rummaging through their vehicles. Five residents in the Wilson Farms neighborhood off N.C. 150 woke up to find that their vehicles, all of which had been unlocked, had been broken into sometime during the night. Miscellaneous items including sunglasses, jewelry and book bags were stolen. The sheriff’s department urges residents to always remove valuables and lock their vehicles.
BREAKING & ENTERING March 17 | A resident of Brynwood Drive in Colfax reported an unknown person broke the driver’s side window of his truck, which was parked in his driveway, sometime between 10 p.m. on March 16 and 7 a.m. on March 17. The suspect stole an air compressor, miter saw, framing gun, trim nail gun and air gun, with a total value of $550; additionally, damage to the window was estimated at $150.
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March 17 | A resident of Polo Farms Drive in Summerfield reported being the victim of credit card fraud after the resident’s card was used to withdraw $600 from an ATM in Concord, North Carolina.
MISCELLANEOUS March 17 | A resident of Moutline Drive was the victim of cyberbullying when an unknown individual sent inappropriate messages to her via Twitter; the Twitter account was closed after the messages were sent.
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March 18 | A resident of Cedar Spring Drive in Colfax reported that sometime between 6:30 p.m. on March 17 and 7:15 a.m. on March 18, an unknown suspect entered two unlocked vehicles
parked in her driveway and stole a pair of Oakley sunglasses and two GPS systems with a total value of $362.
DRUGS/ALCOHOL March 1 | The manager of Uptown Charlie’s on Church Street in northern Greensboro reported an intoxicated patron causing a disturbance at the business. The offender was arrested and charged with being intoxicated and disruptive. He was also found to be in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. March 19 | A traffic stop was made on N.C. 68 for erratic driving. The driver was subsequently arrested for DWI.
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
March 14 | A resident of Bunch Road in Oak Ridge reported her 2016 Toyota Camry had been stolen by a known person of the same address sometime between March 13 at 11 p.m. and March 14 at 12 a.m.; it was discovered the key to the vehicle had been taken from a place where the resident had hidden it. The State Highway Patrol recovered the vehicle on March 14 after it had been wrecked and totaled; the car’s estimated value was $23,070. March 16 | A site superintendent for Lane Construction reported that sometime between Dec. 1, 2015, and March 16, someone stole the New York registration trailer tag, AD22721, from the company’s flatbed trailer. The trailer was parked at a construction site near 2149 Fleming Road between the dates of the incident. March 18 | An employee of Hertz Rental Car near Piedmont Triad International Airport reported someone stole a white 2015 Chrysler 200 off the company’s lot.
District 1 Sheriff’s Office 7506 Summerfield Road (336) 641-2300 Monday - Friday www.guilfordcountysheriff.com
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YOUTH NEWS
...continued from p. 11 Photo courtesy of GCS
Northwest Middle School students read to Fairview Elementary students on March 15. For the last couple of months, under the direction of teacher Carol True, sixth-graders at the middle school had been collecting books for the Title 1 elementary school in High Point. Twenty-five NWMS students traveled to the elementary school last week to present the books, and enjoyed staying and reading to their younger counterparts.
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MARCH 25 - 31, 2016
Photo courtesy of Angie Linn
Northern Elementary students and teachers Barbara Farrell, Amy Pugh and Karen Shelton celebrate after Northern’s team won the Elementary Battle of the Books all-day competition held at UNCG on March 19. To prepare for the competition, the students read 18 books. As district EBOB champs, the Northern Elementary team will compete at the regional championships on May 4; this is the first time a GCS elementary school team will participate in this regional event.
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
BUSINESS notes Welcome to our new advertiser!
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THE BED GALLERY The Bed Gallery is celebrating 20 years at our Battleground Avenue location. Known as the oldest mattress store in Greensboro, our exceptional customer service and great deals on merchandise have kept our customers returning for two decades. While high-quality mattresses are our main focus, we also offer a wide variety of other furniture pieces for the bedroom and other spaces in your home.
When you walk through the doors of our family-owned business, you’ll enjoy the relaxed, hassle-free atmosphere. We provide you with information on our products, pricing, warranties and other options, allowing you to decide what works best for your family. Many of our customers have been with us since we opened, and now their families rely on us for their mattress and furniture needs.
Dr. Bray offers psychological assessment and therapy services at our Brassfield office. She helps adolescents and adults with many difficulties, including mood and anxiety disorders, emotion regulation, interpersonal issues, stress management, and ADHD.
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selling mattress, which is manufactured in North Carolina. We also purchase products directly from other local manuLocally owned • Your complete home furnishing store See ad on p. 5 facturers, so we pass the “middle man” 3741-F Battleground Ave., Greensboro (336) 546-7622
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Do you ever wonder how much rainfall you received from a spring thunderstorm or snowfall during a winter storm? If so, an important volunteer weather observing program needs your help! The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow network, or CoCoRaHS, is looking for new volunteers across North Carolina, which became the 21st state to establish the CoCoRaHS program in 2007. Volunteers may obtain an official rain gauge through the CoCoRaHS website (http://www.cocorahs.org) for about $30 plus shipping. Besides the need for an official 4-inch plastic rain gauge, volunteers are required to take a simple training module online and use
the CoCoRaHS website to submit their reports. Observations are immediately available on maps and reports for the public to view. By providing high-quality, accurate measurements, the observers are able to supplement existing networks and provide useful results to scientists, resource managers, decision makers and other users. “North Carolina has one of the most complex climates in the U.S.,” said Dr. Ryan Boyles, state climatologist and director of the State Climate Office, based at North Carolina State University. “Data gathered from CoCoRaHS volunteers are very important in better understanding local weather and climate patterns.”
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
MARCH 25 - 31, 2016
21
mark your Individual & Small Business Bookkeeping & Payroll Individual & Corporate Tax Returns 8400 Hwy 158 • PO Box 469 Stokesdale, NC 27357 kim.thacker@att.net
(336) 644-2741 office (336) 644-2743 fax (336) 508-4671 cell
calendar
.COM
REGISTER/RSVP NOW 5K Color Run| Register now for the Viking Nation 5K Color Run to be held Saturday, April 23, and hosted by NWGMS PTSO and NWHS. Registration includes a race bib, color packet and T-shirt for those who register before April 9. The event will begin at Northern Middle at 9 a.m. The untimed 5K color run is open to everyone in the community. Throughout the course participants will experience color splash zones where they’ll be doused in color! All proceeds will go to the two schools. Please be sure to indicate which school you would like your donation to go to.
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Stop, Drop & Roll 5K and Chili Cookoff | Summerfield Fire District will host its first annual 5K and chili cookoff at Station 9, 7400 Summerfield Road, on April 2. 5K starts at 9 a.m.; chili cookoff from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Registration deadline is 9 a.m. on April 1. See more details on ad on p. 19, or visit www.summerfieldfire.com to register for both events.
Boating Course | Greensboro Power Squadron will offer America’s Boating Course at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, at Leonard Recreation Center, 6324 Ballinger Road, Greensboro. The $45 fee includes class materials and lunch. To pre-register: call Karen, (336) 549-1990.
High end or low end, we have something for everyone’s budget
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Fast-Pitch Softball | Oak Ridge Youth Associa-
Keep it handy
Use it often The FINDER is jam-packed with valuable information for northwest Guilford County residents.
tion is accepting registrations for spring fast-pitch softball. Register online at www.orya.org through March 31.
Fun Run/Walk | Oak Ridge Military Academy will host a 5K fun run/walk at 11 a.m. on April 16 at Oak Ridge Town Park. Register at www.active.com (search for ORMA’s JROTC event). Registration fee of $24 includes a T-shirt. More info or to sponsor: (336) 643-4431, ext. 221, or sai@ormila.com, or (336) 643-4131, ext. 220, or smccullough@ormila.com.
Fun Run | Register now for a 1-mile fun run or
IN PRINT every year ONLINE year-round at nwobserver.com
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MARCH 25 - 31, 2016
To contact us, call (336) 992-9500
certified 5K (with timed chips), hosted by Northern Middle School on April 22 as part of its annual “Fuel up to play” event. Register online at www.jonesracingcompany.com/fuel-up-to-play-60/.
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
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
By the Book
Accounting & Tax Preparation Service Accounting Bookkeeping Payroll Tax preparation Notary public Copy center
Anne Garner, EA
8304-C Hwy 158, Stokesdale (336) 441-8325 • annegarner605@gmail.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 26 Ask a Master Gardener | Come out to AB Seed
Complimentary consultations
Garden Center, 2914 Sandy Ridge Road, Colfax on March 26 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., when Guilford County Extension master gardener volunteers will be available to answer your gardening questions. More info: www.ncstategardening.org/extension_master_ gardener/index.php.
New patients accepted daily
(336) 644-1112
MONDAY, MARCH 28 Stokesdale Choir | The Stokesdale Senior
Arkansas
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Tuesday, March 29 • 4 - 5 pm
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To place an order, call (870) 578-9773
Dr. Rod C. Brown
summerfieldchiro.com 7092 Summerfield Road, Suite 1
Adult Community Choir invites those with a love for music to join their practices every Monday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. More info: Sondra Beene, (336) 453-8017.
Make sure your pets are covered with flea and tick prevention.
Holy Week and Easter-related community events are posted at www.nwobserver.com (select “Community Calendar” on left-hand side of homepage).
Dr. Julie Dudak
1726 Oak Ridge Road (336) 644-8789 M - F, 7:30 - 5:30 • Sat, 8 -1
vhor.vet | follow us on
Spring 2016 edition
Coming April 1 Decluttering your home
Do-it-yourself projects gone wrong
Bathroom and kitchen trends
Not your typical abode
Old house, new life
Downtown Stokesdale, past and present
Can you identify these northwest-area landmarks?
Look for it in next week’s issue of the Northwest Observer, and online at nwobserver.com and facebook.com/northwestobserver The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
MARCH 25 - 31, 2016
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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.
Think before buying that Easter bunny With Easter soon upon us, many parents are tempted to buy one of those cute baby Easter bunnies that appear in all the pet stores. Unless the child is older than 12 and is very responsible, a toy stuffed bunny will make a much better gift. Rabbits are fragile creatures. They have a lighter bone structure than dogs or cats and their spine is easily broken if dropped. Baby bunnies are cute and cuddly and tolerate handling, but babyhood doesn’t last long. In two short months, puberty turns that baby rabbit into Bugs Bunny. Often, the bunny no longer tolerates being held. Powerful hind legs can scratch and sharp teeth can bite. Un-neutered males spray and mark their territory, just like dogs. Unspayed females are territorial and may attack little hands that enter the cage. Thumper must be spayed or neutered to eliminate these undesirable behaviors. Every summer humane shelters receive a large influx of former Easter rabbits as they reach adolescence. Last year, hundreds of rabbits were surrendered at animal shelters across this state. Unlike wild rabbits, pet rabbits released into the wild cannot fend for
themselves. Thumper won’t survive for more than a day or two on his own. Rabbits live 10 to 12 years. Will your child still care for the rabbit after the novelty wears off? Or will Thumper spend this summer abandoned in a backyard hutch? Like dogs, rabbits are social animals and need daily interactions with their human owners. Though most people mistakenly want a baby rabbit, older rabbits make the best pets. They are more tolerant of children and have reached their affectionate adult personality. Rabbits make great pets, provided you accept them on their own terms. They need a safe and loving environment in your home – not in an outdoor hutch. Save a life and don’t buy an Easter bunny. If you must have a rabbit, rescue one from your local animal shelter, from House Rabbit Society, or from another rabbit rescue group. A listing of available rabbits near you can be found at www.petfinder.org or via the House Rabbit Society website at www.rabbit.org. Mariko Deal, OAK RIDGE
Dream destroyers My dream for the future of our town has been destroyed by the mayor and two council members! Over eight years ago, a relative of mine started an organization with a mission to bring life back into the downtown Stokesdale area. Revitalizing Our Ancestors Dreams in
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Stokesdale (ROADS) had two visions on how to achieve their goal, one of which was to bring the Mountains-to-Sea Trail through the area. This would connect our downtown just as the railroad did at the start of our town’s history. After eight years in the making, I
moved less than one block from downtown Stokesdale, excited about its possibilities. I woke up one day last week to find out that the mayor took it into his own hands to destroy my dream. My dream for the future was to live in this community, where my family has for decades, and for it to be, as the mayor once stated (when running for office and sharing his vision), a “strong community.” The mayor and two council members destroyed any possibility for our com-
munity to have safe walkways for me to walk my dog. They destroyed safety for the 4-year-old who lives near me to make her way a few houses away to see her new best friend. They didn’t listen to so many citizens on how the MTS Trail would help build a “strong community” connected by walkways and trails. They destroyed my dreams for the future of our community. They destroyed the very vision the mayor set out for our community to be when he took office. Stevra Hudson, STOKESDALE
Trails are a no-brainer I wanted to share that we have been enjoying bike paths, greenways and Rails-to-Trails’ systems for years. When traveling, we take our bikes and seek out those trails. Many states have lots of really nice trails. We often wonder why North Carolina, with its pleasant weather, has so few trails. It is a real quality of life issue.
There are so many benefits to the communities that have these trails. They bring people together with healthy activities. They give cyclists a safe off-road place to ride. They are good for local businesses … and much more. Looking at it from a community-wide perspective, it seems like a no-brainer. Scott Hechel, NW GREENSBORO
Happiest, smartest, snobbiest and most boring Oak Ridge continues to receive unexpected honors. As you may shudder to recall, a few months ago our town was named the fifth most boring place in North Carolina. Now I learn that I live in the happiest and fifth smartest town in the state. Woohoo! Party on, baby!
ranked the 10th snobbiest town in the state. I’m not sure how to take that news. On the one hand, after all these years I’m finally hanging out with the cool kids, actually living in the same town with them.
Happiest? Why, yes, I do feel happy here most of the time. In fact, when my wife and I were house hunting a few years ago, our realtor noted that the Oak Ridge Town Council was known for being lowkey and focused on cooperation rather than battles. Dare we say, happy?
So, once again, I’m asking that the Oak Ridge Town Council do whatever it takes to make us No. 1. Presently, I drive a dented 2005 Ford Focus. I’m pretty sure that car, along with the rusty pickup trucks some of my neighbors drive, may be bringing our snobbery rating down. The ORTC should undertake a massive and immediate fundraising effort to make sure all Oak Ridge residents are driving fancy new cars. I’m willing to be a test case. It would only be proper.
Fifth smartest? Aw shucks, all that book-learning and schooling done paid off. Oak Ridge – No. 1 happiest and No. 5 smartest. The endorphins are kicking in and the synapses are firing. But then I learn that Oak Ridge is
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
On the other hand, 10th is, well, 10th is not first.
Jeff Paschal, OAK RIDGE
Public Safety Committee members were mistreated The following is a condensed version of a letter that former Public Safety Committee member Teresa Pegram read at the Summerfield Town Council meeting on March 8 during the Citizen Comments’ section of the meeting; it is published here at Pegram’s request. I’m here to express disappointment at how the mayor, town council, and town manager have treated people who volunteer to serve the citizens of Summerfield on the Public Safety Committee. Two years ago, I joined this committee. I’ve worked to return the committee into compliance with committee ordinance. I brought in Don Campbell with the Emergency Management System. I redesigned the town generator operations manual. Council removed a valued committee member for exercising his right to freedom of speech. The manager, however, wrote a letter to the Northwest Observer in November 2013, insulting a Summerfield private citizen because she disagreed with him. I guess respect for freedom of speech depends on who you are. After receiving an email from the manager on March 3, which stated there would be consideration of making the committee inactive or disbanding the committee during tonight’s meeting, I had a two-and-a-half hour conversation
with him the following day. He spoke of “ongoing frustration that exists within the committee” and “relationships suffering externally with all three emergency service organizations.” The committee is only aware of the “frustration” from the Summerfield Fire District. We’ve never been informed of any “frustration” from other agencies. The manager has provided no examples of these accusations. I reached out to all council members to find a way to keep this important town committee active. With council’s approval to keep the committee inactive or disbanding on the agenda, it is clear the council has chosen to take action without any outreach to discuss any “issues” with committee members. If someone offers an alternative idea, they are dismissed. Why would anyone want to volunteer to serve this town when a handful of people can disrespect you and toss you out like trash? Why are only the wishes of certain people respected and diversity of opinion not allowed? I cannot be on a committee where I feel my contribution isn’t valued and appreciated. I cannot be on a committee that is not properly informed by town leadership. I hereby resign from the Public Safety Committee. Teresa Pegram, SUMMERFIELD
Our town’s loss, Oak Ridge’s gain I was greatly dismayed when I read that Stokesdale Mayor Randy Braswell took it upon himself to tell NC Division of Parks and Recreation to remove Stokesdale from the Mountains-to-Sea Trail map. It was disappointing enough that the threesome of Braswell, Bill Jones and Tim Jones voted to dissolve the trail committee in December, but asking to remove the town all together is most
disheartening – mostly because there was a lot of interest from the citizens of Stokesdale about this trail inclusion. Yes, there was opposition, but there was just as much support at the informational meeting this past October, when Kate Dixon from Friends of the Mountainsto-Sea Trail presented truths and rumors about the trail. Mayor Braswell cited the reason for removing Stokesdale (from the
trail’s map) was because of the 300 signatures that were gathered on a petition – a petition that contained inaccurate information. Tim Jones circulated that petition before the town had all of the facts and before the informational meeting.
little something to put us on the map, a little something for Stokesdale to proudly claim. But our mayor, the man who promised to make Stokesdale a destination, swept it out from under us (in a shrouded manner, too, might I add).
This issue illustrates exactly what is wrong with Stokesdale: there is no progress in this charming little town. The Stokesdale of today is the same as it was 20 years ago. Come back in another 20 years and it’ll look the same, just a bit more dilapidated. The town will still be fighting about who is going to fertilize the soccer fields.
Oak Ridge was wise enough to see the opportunity for what it is and jumped at it, so the citizens of Stokesdale will travel to Oak Ridge to enjoy what could have been ours. This is why Stokesdale continues to be a punch line to our neighboring communities: because it just can’t see a good thing when it comes along due to being terrified of change; albeit positive change.
The trail coming through Stokesdale would have been a nice little gem, a
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Mary Nero, STOKESDALE
Don’t forget, it’s the maximum word count for your editorial
Mayor, council stopped progress I hate to see that Stokesdale has given up such a great opportunity! I am considering opening up a business there, and had hoped it was a town with an open heart and mind for growth. Who doesn’t want their town to flourish? Last week’s article (in the Northwest Observer) is disheartening. Who wouldn’t want a trail in their area, especially one paid for by grants and federal funding already earmarked for such use? Now Oak Ridge gets that money. It’s my understanding the recently passed bond provides money for the MTS Trail. Didn’t that bond pass in Stokesdale? Doesn’t that confirm the community supported the trail? Yet the town’s mayor spoke for everyone before that vote, based on a petition which included lies and scare tactics, signed by a small percent of Stokesdale citizens. Oak Ridge already has a wonderful trail in their park that will get even better. While in Stokesdale I visit Oak Ridge’s park (opposed to Stokesdale’s park), and as a parent of a little one as well as a run-
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
ner I appreciate the sidewalks, connectivity and community surrounding the park, post office and town hall. If only Oak Ridge had a quaint “downtown” area. Why would Stokesdale not want such? Yes, Stokesdale has a town hall and a park, but they’re not connected to downtown. I recently ran from downtown Stokesdale to the town hall, around the park and back; I had to run on the side of the road, and it was difficult to safely make a connection between the two. A trail could have provided muchneeded connections as well as funding to provide sidewalks or a path to safely cross between the two areas. Walking promotes community as well as the health and wellbeing of its townspeople, but it seems a few have ruined it for the many by letting their politics and personal views interfere with what is best for their constituents. It’s frustrating to see a few people get in the way of forward progress. Perhaps Stokesdale is not where I should be looking to start a business. Jade Tolles, STOKESDALE
MARCH 25 - 31, 2016
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GRINS and GRIPES
Look beyond the ordinary
Delighted or dismayed by something in your community? Share your thoughts in online: nwobserver.com
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Grins & Gripes are published based on available space and editor’s discretion.
GRINS to...
Mitchel Sommers and the entire staff of Community Theatre of GSO, for your commitment to providing a diverse and inclusive program. “...Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Snap Fitness/Oak Ridge for providing such a healthy snack to our teachers at Oak Ridge Elementary School! They loved the veggies, fruit and cheese. The man who was picking up trash with a grabber and a kitchen garbage can along Lewiston Road near Fleming Road. You deserve our thanks! Stokesdale, for saying no to the terrors of a greenway. Many lesser communities have been ruined by the perils of a bike path. But, wait, what about the roads? People can still get in... Time to build a wall! Hurry! Patti Stokes for honest feedback to the editorial accusations in last week’s issue against Chris Johnson and the Summerfield Fire Department! And kudos to the fire department for doing a great job. Summerfield’s Rio Grande staff, especially the waiters and waitresses, for always having a smile on their faces and making everyone feel welcomed. Montero’s Hardwood Flooring for completing water damage repair and for flooring on our home’s second floor. Ricardo provided excellent service, is efficient, and at the most reasonable price. Thank you for my beautiful wood floors. It pays to go local!
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
GRIPES to...
The person on Brookbank Road who insists on running a leaf blower from 5 p.m. until dark. Is the road construction noise not enough that you have to ruin the evenings also? Whoever re-configured the car rider line at Northern Middle. It makes no sense that I have to pick up my sixth-grader and eighth-grader in different places. It’s now worse than Northwest High School, and that is saying something! The impetuous town councilman who decided to remove candidate signs at Oak Ridge Commons before asking if they were allowed to be there. The game playing and immaturity will be remembered. (Stokesdale) Mayor Braswell, Bill and Tim Jones for poor leadership. As Summerfield extends the A&Y Trail and Rockingham County moves to build 20 miles of greenway at Belews Lake, you push the MTS Trail to Oak Ridge. “Today is Yesterday’s Tomorrow.” Those who don’t park in marked parking spaces at the Hillsdale Village shopping center on weekend evenings. Quit parking next to the curb, which creates gridlock near the restaurants. You, too, can walk a bit like the rest of us. Drivers who fail to turn on headlights, especially when it’s raining or foggy. You all have them in your vehicles – use them. Same goes for blinkers. Both are there to assist and for the safety of other drivers. Summerfield Elementary parents who violate the posted state sign. There is an accident waiting to happen!
Place online at
DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue
NEED HELP? Call (336) 644-7035 ext. 10 Mon - Fri • 9am -2pm
EMPLOYMENT
SAVE THE DATE
YARD SALES
HOME IMPROVEMENT PROFESSIONAL needed for established local company, Old School Home Repair & Improvements. 5+ years experience in home repair – carpentry, painting, tiling, etc. Must be dependable & detail-oriented. References required. To apply, email oldschoolsjhr@triad.rr.com (email was incorrect in last week’s ad – please try again with this corrected email. Sorry for the confusion!). No phone calls please.
GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT, Thursday, March 31, 6-9pm, Golden Antiques & Treasures, 341 Ram Loop, Stokesdale. Additional vendors!
COMMUNITY YARD SALE, Sat., April 9, 8am, Golden Antiques & Treasures, 341 Ram Loop, Stokesdale. $10/space; call (336) 949-4958 to reserve your spot.
SUMMER READING TEACHER. Operation Xcel, an after-school and summer enrichment program, is seeking a certified K-5 reading teacher to work an 8-week summer camp, June 20th - August 12th. Summer teachers work Monday - Thursday, 9:00am-1:00pm. If interested please submit a resume and cover letter to Kelli at kjessup@operationxcel.org.
GEARS & STEERS BIKE RIDE for Hospice, Sunday, April 10, 8am, Summerfield Farms. 25-, 40-, or 62-mile routes to choose from. Visit www.rideforhospicenc.com for info.
Hiring? We can help! Place your ad at www.nwobserver.com. PARKER’S RESTAURANT NOW HIRING kitchen help. Apply in person, 6903 US Hwy. 158, Stokesdale, NC 27357. HAIRSTYLIST W/ CLIENTÈLE needed. Call (336) 643-7799, ask for Melda.
INDEX Employment ................................ 27 Homecare Available ................... 27 Save the Date ............................. 27 Summer Camps ......................... 27 Yard Sales .................................. 27 Home Services ....................... 27-29 Misc. Services.............................. 29 Misc. for Sale ........................ 29-30 Misc. Wanted ............................. 30 Pets & Animal Services ............... 30 Real Estate .................................. 30
TUTORS NEEDED. Operation Xcel, an after-school and summer enrichment program, is seeking after-school tutors at both our Stokesdale (K-5) and High Point (6-8) locations. Tutors work daily from 2-6pm during the school year with longer hours during the summer. If interested please submit a resume and cover letter to Kelli at kjessup@operationxcel.org.
HOMECARE AVAILABLE CAREGIVER / CARE COORDINATOR available. A few hours or 24/7 care offered. Call Susan, (336) 880-2594. EXPERIENCED CAREGIVER AVAILABLE for senior citizen in the northwest area. Available for weekend hours. References available upon request. Call Pam, (336) 601-8241.
Summerfield Fire Dept. STOP, DROP AND ROLL 5K and chili cook-off, Sat., April 2, 5K starts at 9am, chili cook-off 10am-1pm, Summerfield Fire Department, 7400 Summerfield Road. See display ad on page 19 for more details.
Something
?
going on
Tell northwest Guilford County Place your Save the Date online at
SUMMER CAMPS FREE SUMMER CAMP. Operation Xcel, an after-school and summer enrichment program, is offering its annual 3 Steps Ahead Summer Camp from June 20th - August 12th. Camp runs daily from 9am - 4pm with extended hours available. Students attend three academic classes each morning and then participate in hands-on enrichment and field trips each afternoon; breakfast and lunch are provided. This camp is available to the community at no charge. Enrollment is now open. If interested please email Kelli at kjessup@operationxcel.org.
Tell our readers about your
Summer Camp opportunities! Classifieds are only $4/line and
HOME SERVICES CLEANING 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 GLIMMER – Maid Cleaning Premier cleaning service with Amazon Local. Call (336) 441-8388, Maid2Glimmer.com. FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, any and all gas items, tillers, gocarts, ATVs, generators, power washers, grills, chain saws, etc. (336) 689-4167. MAID-2-SHINE. Serving NW area for 10 years. Homes, offices, move in/out. Detail oriented, prof, bonded, exc. ref. 338-0223. CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING, gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. www.windowcleaningnc.com. 595-2873. Cleaning Solutions CARPET CLEANING We clean the dirt out of your carpet, not the money out of your pockets! Starting at $20 per area, $60 minimum. Call David, (336) 989-4318, Thecleaningsolutions.org. CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Will clean to fit your budget. Pet taxi/pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, 231-1838. ANA’S HOUSECLEANING. Good references, free est., 25 years exp. 309-0747.
FLOORING It’s a CARPET thing! Repairs, restretch, replace. (336) 643-6500.
can be placed online at www.nwobserver.com.
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
...continued on p. 28 MARCH 25 - 31, 2016
27
HOME SERVICES
HOME SERVICES
HOME SERVICES
HOME SERVICES
FLOORING
GRADING / HAULING
MONTERO’S HARDWOOD FLOORING Installation of hardwood, laminate & tile; hardwood sanding & finishing. Commercial & residential. Insured, 17 yrs. exp. Free estimates. Monteros-hardwood-flooring.com. Call (336) 215-8842.
GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. 362-1150.
CAROLINA STUMP & TREE SERVICE Complete tree service, $1 million liability, workman’s comp. Rick & Judy, 643-9332. CarolinaStumpAndTreeServices.com.
THE GARDEN OUTLET Call us or come by for all your garden and lawn needs. We offer landscaping/maintenance, full florist, bulk materials, and plants. (336) 643-0898.
GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES
ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt available. Zane Anthony, 362-4035.
LAWN EQUIPMENT SERVICE Located in Oak Ridge. Free pick up and delivery. Tune up, preventive or rebuild on all lawn service/yard equipment. Commercial or residential. Call or text Rick, (336) 501-8681.
BRAD’S BOBCAT & HAULING SRVS. LLC Debris removal, grading, gravel/dirt, driveways. (336) 362-3647.
Fill dirt, gravel, sand rock, mulch & more.
HOUSE & YARD HOME MAINTENANCE. “Anything to improve your home and property.” Jeff Ziglar, 456-9992 / 643-9609.
TLC LAWN CARE Affordable mowing, seeding, aeration, fertilization and weed control. (336) 681-0097.
GENERAL HOME REPAIR, bathroom repair, small/odd jobs. 644-8710, 708-0522.
FAY’S LAWNCARE & LANDSCAPING Spring clean up of trees and leaves. Bed reconstruction, pine needles & mulch Reasonable & honest. Taylor, (336) 464-5215.
MOWER TUNE-UP and mower deck repair. Free pick up and delivery within 5 miles of Oak Ridge. Call (336) 880-7498.
HOME REPAIR, LLC
“No Job Too Small” (336) 669-7252 oldschoolsjhr@triad.rr.com
BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics 2014
28
Professional, Honest, Reliable
Home Improvement & Repairs Bathroom Remodeling | Additions | Decks
Let us introduce you to our readers. Call Laura, (336) 644-7035 for more info. AREA STUMP DUMP. Yard waste, concrete, etc. Fill dirt available. 602-5820. AQUA SYSTEMS IRRIGATION. Quality irrigation systems. NC licensed contractor. We service all systems. Free est. (336) 644-1174. MOW WERKS Mowing Services. Accepting new clients. (336) 298-8023, mowwerks.com.
OLD SCHOOL
Lisa & Jerry Potkay, Oak Ridge
Your business should be here!
MARCH 25 - 31, 2016
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. 643-1119. GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maintenance. 655-6490.
ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Bobcat work and more. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. Call Joe at 643-9157. ALL-SEASON STUMP GRINDING. Owner Alan Winfree. Free est. Call 382-9875.
Need help? Email classifieds@nwobserver.com
Joel Richardson, (336) 803-2195.
LAWN CARE / LANDSCAPING
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.
BRAD’S BOBCAT & HAULING SVCS LLC. Mulching, landscaping, pine needles/straw, gravel, concrete work. (336) 362-3647.
PEARMAN QUARRY HAULING
APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr Appliance. A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707.
JLB REMODELING, INC. Home repair, maintenance & handyman service. Licensed & insured. Competitive rates. Call 681-2902 or www.jlbremodeling.com.
TRACTOR FOR HIRE Bush hogging, grading, brush/tree removal, food plots and more! (336) 207-6632.
Get. Be. Stay. Connected.
facebook.com/NorthwestObserver COLFAX LAWNCARE Complete lawn care & maintenance. Mowing, trimming, fertilizing, pine needles. HOA & annual agrmts Res./comm., fully insured. 27 years serving the Triad. (336) 362-5860. MY GROUNDSKEEPER. Landscaping and lawn care, shrubs, mulch, cut low limbs, garage & building clean out. Timothy, 643-5154. A-LIST LAWN CARE Call for a free estimate. Licensed & insured. (336) 609-7013. GLI LANDSCAPING - Design, installation, maintenance, walls. (336) 908-9654. WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC. Complete lawn care & landscaping. NC lic. irrigation contractor. 20 years exp. Hardscaping, fertilization & weed control. (336) 399-7764. ORTIZ LANDSCAPING – Complete lawn care. Trimming, cleaning, planting & mulch, gutter cleaning, patios & pavers, waterfalls, retaining walls, sidewalks, stonework. Residential and commercial. (336) 280-8981.
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
MASONRY MASONRY CONCEPTS, brick, block, stone, concrete & repairs. Free estimates. (336) 988-1022, www.masonryconceptsgso.com. 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.
Fireplaces and firepits
8605 Triad Dr, Colfax (336) 996-4918 marshallstone.com
MISC. SERVICES & PRODUCTS ON EAGLE’S WINGS residential home design/drafting. Call Patti, (336) 605-0519. GRILLS, FIRE PITS, tankless water heaters. General home repairs. Call Don Hill, (336) 643-7183.
HOME SERVICES
HOME SERVICES
HOME SERVICES
MISC. SERVICES
JDB PLUMBING. Repair, remodel, well pump. Lic/Ins. Accepts all major credit cards. Office 656-0019, cell 382-6905.
ORTIZ REMODELING – Total restoration & home improvement. Drywall, painting, kitchen cabinets, interior trim & more. Free estimates. (336) 280-8981.
THE GARDEN OUTLET Propane tank refill station. 20 lbs., $10.99; 30 lbs., $16.50; 40 lbs., $22.99; 100 lbs., $55.99. Give us a call at (336) 643-0898.
BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic/Ins. Call Mark for savings. 337-7924.
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC.
POWER WASHING
FIVE STAR PAINTING Licensed & insured professional painters. “Five Star Quality Without the Five Star Price.” Please call (336) 790-8319, or visit www.fivestarpainting.com/greensboro. STILL PERFECTION PAINTING Reliable, skilled, affordable. Painting, pressure washing, handyman services. Scott Still, 462-3683 or stillperfectionpainting.com.
BEK Paint Co. Residential & Commercial David & Judy Long, owners
(336) 931-0600
BEKPaintCompany.com • References Available • Licensed & Insured • All Work Guaranteed
PRESSURE WASHING, gutter & window cleaning. Call Crystal Clear. Fully insured. www.windowcleaningnc.com. 595-2873.
CINDY’S PAINTING – Interior painting, wallpaper removal. References & free estimates available. (336) 708-9155.
PLUMBING WEBSTER & SONS PLUMBING, Inc. (336) 992-2503. Licensed, insured, bonded. 24/7 service. Plumbing, drain cleaning, well pumps. Give us a call, we do it all! Go to www.webstersplumbing.com for more info.
COMPUTER REPAIRS – ITBASICS.COM Inside Mailboxes & More, Oak Ridge Commons. (336) 643-0068. Tell our readers about your service! Classifieds are just $4/line per issue.
31 yrs exp • Workmanship guarantee • Insurance specialists
REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION OAK RIDGE SOLUTIONS. General Installation/restoration. Flooring, painting, pressure washing, sheet rock, roofing, plumbing, windows, bathrooms. Call/text (336) 500-3916. BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, siding, dock work, windows, roofing specials, rotted wood. Sr. disc., 35 years exp. 362-6343.
Services TM Construction
(336) 644-1580
FREE Estimates Insured & Dependable
KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION 30 years experience. Specializing in room additions, 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 644-1943 or cell 362-7469.
We can help you reach 25,000+ readers, all in northwest Guilford County!
, INC
BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS
Roof replacements and repairs
644-8615 office 508-5242 cell Licensed & insured NC Gen. Contractor #72797
PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR 32 years exp. Sheetrock repair. No job too small. Insured. Call Brad Rogers, 314-3186.
Roof Replacements / Repairs Siding & Windows Custom Decks / Porches General Home Repairs Remodeling / Painting
Tc. GicEes, In ARerv -Tction S OCoNnstru
PAINTING & DRYWALL
ON-TARGET
WILL PICK UP most appliances, metal and elec. items, for a small fee. (336) 689-4167.
JLB REMODELING, INC. Remodeling and additions. Fully insured. NC GC license #69997. Free estimates. Call 681-2902 or www.jlbremodeling.com. RENOVATION WORKS INC. New construction, remodeling, additions, kitchen and bath, decks & patios. We are a full-service design and build company. Call us for a free competitive quote on roofing and replacement windows. We are a certified 203k contractor and are A+ accredited with the BBB. Call (336) 427-7391 or visit www.myrenovationworks.com.
ROOFING RED RHINO ROOFING, based in Oak Ridge, NC. Storm damage specialist experienced with all types of roofing. BBB accredited A and listed with Angie’s List. Call (336) 944-6118, or visit redrhinoroofing.com. CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC Residential roofing, rubber flat roofs, roof coating, metal roofs. 30 years experience. Now accepting all major credit cards. Call 643-8191 or 580-3245. A.L. CORMAN ROOFING INC. Res. roofing specialist serving Guilford Cty. area since 1983. Member BBB 25+ years w/ A+ rating. cormanroofinginc.com, 621-6962.
MISC. FOR SALE I make unique PERSONALIZED NEEDLEWORK – gifts for births, wedding, holidays, etc. Kellypaigecrafts.weebly.com. FIBERGLASS TRUCK BED COVER for long-bed Ford Super-duty 2004-2007, $400 OBO. Call (336) 707-7277. ELECTRIC LIFT CHAIR, $125. Lamps, $40 for pair; end tables, $50 for pair. Call (336) 423-8030. SEASONED OAK FIREWOOD, $80/pickup load, delivered & stacked. (336) 253-7615. ALL NEW MATTRESS SETS. Still in plastic, w/ warranty. Twin, $99; Full, $109; Queen, $129; King, $191. Can deliver, layaway available. Mattress Outlet. 992-0025. SEASONED FIREWOOD, delivered and stacked. 1/2 cord, $80. Call 686-6373.
Got stuff? Sell it here in the
NWO classifieds submit your ad at
MISC. SERVICES SAM’S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 347-7470.
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
www.nwobserver.com ...continued on p. 30
MARCH 25 - 31, 2016
29
MISC. FOR SALE
PETS & ANIMAL SVCS.
REAL ESTATE
WAREHOUSE MALL, INC. NOW OPEN! Antiques, collectibles, vintage toys. New vendors welcome. 305 E. Bodenhamer Drive, Kernersville. Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm, Sunday, 1-6pm.
LOST & FOUND PETS
HOME FOR RENT – OAK RIDGE, 3BR, 2BA, 1,611 sq. ft., renovated home in
SWIM & TENNIS NEIGHBORHOOD
Weatherstone. FP, tankless water heater, 2-car garage, storage building & fenced yard, yard maint. incl. No pets. $1,500/mo. (336) 215-7958.
MISC. WANTED
1,100+ sq. ft., 3BR, 2BA RANCH, vaulted
FABRIC NEEDED for Sew to Sow Ministry to make dresses for girls in Kenya. Cotton fabrics work best, any amount. Also need buttons, ribbon, lace trimming, elastic and thread. Call Beth, (336) 644-8155. $$$ – WILL PAY CASH up to $200 for your junk or wrecked vehicle. 552-0328. CASH for riding mowers needing repair, or free removal if unwanted, including go-carts, tillers, any gas equip., generators, power washer, ATVs, grills, etc. (336) 689-4167.
ceiling in master BR, liv. rm. & kitchen. Located in Cedar Hollow sub., Stokesdale. No pets. $900/mo. (336) 382-6804. FOUND DOG, running loose in River Oaks in Oak Ridge on Saturday, March 19. Black, appears to be part Chow and does not have a collar or a microchip. If you are missing this dog, he has been taken to the Guilford County Animal Shelter, (336) 297-5020.
REAL ESTATE
Selling or renting? Tell our readers about your property!
(336) 644-7035, ext. 10.
VACATION PROPERTY
two electric covered boat lifts, electric golf
grooming experience
7251 US Hwy 158 Ste. B, Stokesdale
Leslie Livengood • (336) 441-2266 PET SITTING KPS – KELLY’S PET SERVICES Professional in-home pet sitting. Bonded & insured. Member Pet Sitters International. Pet sitting while you are away, daily walks or runs, play, pet taxi, and more! KPS gives a portion of profits to animal charities. Call, email, or Facebook message for a free consultation: (336) 706-6706, kpsforyourpets@ gmail.com, www.facebook.com/kpspets, www.petsit.com/kps.
MARCH 25 - 31, 2016
nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820
at www.nwobserver.com or by calling
GROOMING
10+ years
Nancy J. Hess
and can be placed online
2014 PARK MODEL at Belews Lake, beau-
Basic baths to designer clips
702 Chestnut Hill Court, Greensboro Wonderful fenced yard, quiet street and 22x15 screened porch in Ridgewood. 4BR/3.5BA home with 3-car garage, built-ins and hardwoods. Northern schools. 3,700+ square feet in immaculate condition. A mustsee house offered at $464,500. Pool optional.
Classifieds are only $4/line per issue,
PETS & ANIMAL SVCS.
30
REAL ESTATE
NC’S 1ST CERTIFIED GREEN SUBDIVISION
tiful décor w/ loft. 20’ from water’s edge, cart, canoe and paddle boat. $179,500.
We Help Everyone! SELLERS & BUYERS
(336) 643-4248
www.ANewDawnRealty.com COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE in Oak Ridge. Mini suites to full suites; 100 to 1,000 sq. ft. available. For info, call (336) 643-7577.
HOMES FOR RENT STOKESDALE, 3BR, 2.5BA, 2,200 sq. ft., 2-car garage, Angels Glen Sub. $2,000/ month. Call (336) 501-2430. STOKESDALE, quiet, recently remodeled 1,600-sq.-foot home for rent. 3BR, 1.5BA, $1,000 month. (336) 908-4824. QUAINT OLDER 2BR HOUSE, Summerfield. Exc. n’hood. $625/mo. (336) 643-1058.
(336) 644-6418 or 601-5759. OCEANFRONT WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH town house rental, 3BR, 3BA, just remodeled! See online at www.vrbo.com/821762. Walk to restaurants, pier, park, tennis, volleyball. NW Greensboro owner/operator.
LAND FOR SALE
Sanfords Creek, Colfax Isn’t it TIME for you to ENJOY a HEALTHY, ENERGY EFFICIENT, COMFORTABLE, SUSTAINABLE and ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY HOME that will save you $1000’s over a standard-built home? Bring your plan or pick one of ours. NW Schools & County Taxes. $350k-$450K
1.5-ACRE BUILDING LOT with existing well and septic tank. Excellent building site. 8204 Cogan Lane in Stokesdale. $59,900. (336) 382-2553.
Want to be a part of our next NWO Real Estate section? Reserve your ad space today (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 advertising@nwobserver.com
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
GIL VAUGHAN
Realtor ® /Broker • (336) 337-4780
display advertiser index
Support our advertisers, and tell them where you saw their ad – without them, the Northwest Observer could not be free to our readers! A/C & HEATING Stokesdale Heating & Air.......................9
ACCOUNTING By the Book Accounting .....................23 Carlotta Lytton, CPA, PA ....................22 Kimberly Thacker Accounting .............22 Samuel Anders, CPA, MSA, PC ...........15
Every week the NWO fills mailboxes and hits the streets – and is posted online at nwobserver.com and shared with over 10,300 community members on Facebook
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Northwest Animal Hospital ....................7
Piedmont Truck Tires, Inc. ..................10
Veterinary Hospital at Oak Ridge.........23
Summerfield Family Chiropractic ........23
BEK Paint Company ...........................29 Budget Blinds .....................................22 Furniture Medic ..................................29 Marshall Stone ...................................28 New Garden Landscape & Nursery ....21 New Garden Select ............................ 11 Old School Home Repair ....................28 ProStone, Inc. .......................................6
CHURCHES
LEGAL SERVICES
Faith Baptist Tabernacle .......................4 First Baptist Church, Summerfield .......14 Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church .......... 11 Oak Ridge United Methodist Church ....2
MEDICAL
BUILDING & REMODELING On-Target Construction Service ..........29 TM Construction Service ....................29
CHIROPRACTIC CARE
EVENTS
Attorney Bill Barbour ..........................26
LeBauer Healthcare ...........................21 Northwest Family Medicine ................ 11
Summerfield Founders’ Day ...............13 SFFD Stop, Drop & Roll 5K .................19
ORTHODONTIC CARE
HAIR CARE / NAILS / TANNING
PET SERVICES
POSH Hair Studio ...............................22
Bark-N-Barber ....................................30
Mitchell & Bartlett Orthodontics .........12
Over 11,000 copies directly mailed to every home with an Oak Ridge, Stokesdale or Summerfield zip code
Westergaard Kennels...........................18
REAL ESTATE / MORTGAGE A New Dawn Realty ...........................30 Ann Powell, Allen Tate ........................26 David Nishan, McLean Mortgage .......18 Gil Vaughan, Keller Williams ...............30 Nancy Hess, Berkshire Hathaway .......30 Ramilya Siegel, Allen Tate ....................5 Smith Marketing, Inc. .........................20
RETAIL Arkansas Pondstockers .......................23 Bi-Rite Food Center ..............................3 Carpets By Direct, Inc. ..........................8 Carpet Super Mart .........................16-17 Maisy Daisy Florist ..............................22 The Bed Gallery ...................................5
Almost 2,200 copies distributed for free pickup at more than 75 locations throughout northwest Guilford County
Want to come along with us? For advertising information, contact Laura Reneer or Annette Joyce | (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 | advertising@nwobserver.com
The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
MARCH 25 - 31, 2016
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