December 31, 2020

75 cents

Inside:

• See Opinion/Forum pages on A4 & A5 •

Volume 47, Number 15

W I N S TO N - S A L E M , N . C .

• See Sports on page B1•

THURSDAY, December 31, 2020

2020: A year for the record books!

What can be said about 2020?

It has been a year of firsts. Just imagine the year 1918 riddled with the Spanish Flu, but branded with modern day technology. And there you have it, 2020.

2020 started out as most years, with high hopes of new beginnings and resolutions. The 20th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast brought the charge to “cling to King’s dream.”

We had no idea how much that would be tested during the year. Late in January, it soon took a strange turn with the death of Kobe Bryant. The helicopter crash that killed Bryant, his daughter and eight others shocked the world.

February arrived with rumblings of the novel coronavirus and the celebration of Black History Month.

The second month of the year would prove to have the last of in-person events and gatherings.

The 2020 election primaries introduced March of 2020. We saw those who were vying for the community’s support to represent its people. There were not many surprises in the local races, but COVID-19 was beginning to make a name for itself.

Panic buying left us with empty shelves and scarce provisions. Toilet paper became rare and expensive and masks turned out to be the newest wardrobe additions. On top of that, sports began to disappear from our TV screens and those in their senior year of school began to realize it wasn’t going to be a traditional senior year with its usual celebrations and festivities In April, words like stay-at-home order and quarantine made their way into everyday conversations and a new normal became inevitable.

With many businesses

closed, people began to feel the economic weight of the virus. The federal government issued stimulus checks to help boost the economy, yet Downtown WinstonSalem began to look like a ghost town and schools moved to online platforms.

Early in May, the city’s beloved Mayor Pro Tempe Vivian Burke died, leaving an empty seat on the city council. Only a few weeks later, another WinstonSalem giant, Larry Womble, passed away.

We started to see more drive-through and drive-up events, as businesses and organizations pivoted to

adhere to CDC guidelines but remain operational.

Before the end of May, America saw the murder of George Floyd and began to hear the horrid details of the deaths of Ahmad Arbery and Breonna Taylor. Despite the pandemic, people went to the streets in protests and launched some of the most aggressive anti-racist movements in modern history.

Because of the racial backdrop, June brought a new resurgence of Juneteenth celebrations, while many Black people questioned their place in a society that considered

their lives expendable. The hashtag #saytheirname permeated social media and news articles around the country.

COVID and racial tensions nearly canceled the July 4th holiday, as “blackout days” surfaced as a way to protest racial injustices by withholding Black dollars. “Buy Black” became a plea when many Black flea markets popped up all over town, highlighting businesses owned and operated by African Americans.

August brought the hard decisions of whether going back to school and

universities would return in-person or virtually.

In Forsyth County, Superintendent Hairston and the school board chose Plan C, which was a hybrid of virtual and in-person classes. COVID numbers were steadily rising. We also saw local community leaders form “peace walks” in order to curtail the uptick in gun violence.

In addition, Ronnie Long (a story The Chronicle has been reporting for nearly 18 months) was freed after spending 44 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

In September, President

Donald Trump held a rally at Smith Reynolds Airport, with opposition for his job as commanderin-chief, but mainly for his distain and disregard of the seriousness of COVID and wearing face coverings. Winston-Salem also mourned the loss of the “community’s coach,” Coach Art Blevins.

In October, we celebrated the 103rd birthday of Virginia Newell. In her Chronicle interview, she rallied for the “Get Out and Vote” campaign. All things Election 2020 took over our news and political analysis. Residents turned out in record numbers for early voting, amid the confusion of mail-in and absentee ballots.

And lo and behold, Trump contracted the coronavirus.

He continued to downplay its severity while receiving the best care available (but not so available for others.)

The November 3rd Election Day came and went with no clear winner for days. The winner may not have been clear on the national stage, but Forsyth County sent out a clarion call that Joe Biden was our candidate of choice.

The Trump Administration launched a slew of lawsuits claiming the election was rigged and the presidency was stolen from him.

Yet, Thanksgiving came with a COVID warning, asking families to have limited celebrations and the number of coronavirus cases and deaths rose to record numbers.

December rolled in with more record-breaking days for COVID, but soon the Pfizer vaccine was approved and was being administered to frontline workers and the elderly. Yet news of a more resistant and contagious strand of the virus had government and health officials cautioning families to have Christmas via virtual avenues in hopes of avoiding even more disturbing numbers going into the 2021.

2020 came with a threeprong pitchfork: COVID, racial injustice, and the general election. To put it mildly, it has been a year for the record books!

Let’s remain hopeful that 2021 comes with less drama.

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THE CHRONICLE

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D ecember 31, 2020

T he C hronicle

Vision board kits inspire next generation

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE

The quote, “A goal without a plan is just a wish,” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, has always resonated with Lakesha Holiday. That quote, along with the desire to see the next generation succeed, inspired her to create her own vision board kits named Keybox.

“Keybox is a tangible supplemental resource that is a vision board kit that allows Generation Z to create a plan of action for their short- and longterm goals,” said Holiday.

“Data has proven when Submitted photo you are able to not only Keybox enables parents the ability to interact with their children while working on create a plan of action for their vision boards. your goals, but create a visual representation of to tap into the market of it’s an interactive activity www.lakeshaholiday.com. what those goals look like, reaching more males and they can do with their She is available for vision board parties and while you are more likely to African American males in child,” she said. supplies last is offering a Having her product particular.” accomplish them.”

Holiday has enjoyed used by the school special surprise inside of The Keybox comes fully loaded with the the positive feedback from system as a supplemental every Keybox. items needed to create the customers who have resource is the next dream your vision board, such purchased her Keybox. for Holiday. With many as glue, markers, glitter That has fueled her to districts going virtual and more. Holiday created continue reaching out to during the pandemic, she feels Keybox would assist Keybox in November of many kids with focusing 2016 because she wanted on their schoolwork. to show the youth how to “Unfortunately, I focus on their dreams. have been reading some “I always saw adults statistics concerning how trying to push young many students are failing people to set goals, but I across the nation due to never really saw anyone the pandemic and the teaching children what challenges that virtual it took to maintain your learning can present,” she goals,” she said. “I just felt went on to say. “I would like if you outwardly set a love to see it used as a Lakesha Holiday has algoal for yourself and you resource have not done the work to ways had a passion for supplemental helping others. to possibly be an aid in maintain your success, it which students can couple will be short-lived. it with virtual tutoring and “With Keybox, it helps other needs of academic the masses to get the word to create a foundation of improvement.” who you need to become out about setting goals.

Holiday feels she “They enjoy the fact inwardly, to outwardly is doing what she has that it’s something they accomplish what it is you desire in the short term or can continually add to,” been placed on this earth the long term. The vision she said about what her to do. Assisting others board component came customers enjoy most with the pursuit of their from the fact that, it’s about Keybox. “I always dreams brings her great just a fun and interactive tell my participants or those satisfaction, she said.

“I come from a visual piece that I feel is I have the opportunity important when it comes to work with, that these legacy of educators in my to goal setting. The main vision boards kits are not immediate family,” she focus is to help create that something to complete stated. “I really believe that foundation of who is it that in one sitting, or to be a part of my God-given I need to become inwardly, completed in a couple of purpose is to be a light in so that I’m able to not only weeks, because you should the field of education and maintain, but to nurture always be adding to what it not sit back and talk about and sustain the success of is you want to accomplish. the changes that need to Holiday brought up an be made, but instead offer my goal.” example of how one of her solutions on how those According to Holiday, her Keyboxes are marketed customers continued to add changes can be made.

“All of us know what it for everyone, but thus far to her Keybox over time. means to accomplish goals, The young lady wanted she has seen her biggest customer base from young to improve her grades in but one mistake that I made African American girls. school, so she would add that I don’t want other Her hope is to attract more her progress reports and young children to make is young men, in hopes of report cards to the Keybox that goal accomplishing inspiring them to set goals as a reminder to focus on was something that has to her grades. This is exactly be done after you graduate at a young age as well.

“If I can be transparent how Holiday wanted the high school. I believe that and honest, I really desire young people to use their if we start to nurture those good habits and those to start doing the vision Keybox. decision-making skills The parents of the board parties with more who have early, it can eliminate African American males children and just males in general, received Keyboxes have some of the unnecessary because they have goals been very pleased with the pressure you face after too,” she continued. “I newfound focus of their high school. To know that I am offering a solution to just feel when they think children, Holiday said. help Generation Z do that “Parents have been vision board parties, they think it’s more of a pleasantly surprised by makes me feel fulfilled.

For more information girly or female type of the product and pleasantly activity, but I would like surprised with the fact that about Keybox please visit

Kwanzaa celebration goes virtual

BY TEVIN STINSON THE CHRONICLE

Throughout the week people have been coming together virtually to celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

For over a decade Triad Cultural Arts (TCA) has hosted the annual citywide event at a different location every night of the celebration, but due to the pandemic, organizers were forced to make changes.

Using Zoom and live feed to Facebook, TCA was able to continue the local tradition and celebration of Kwanzaa.

Celebrated each year from Dec. 26 – Jan. 1, Kwanzaa, which means “first fruits of harvest” in the African language Kiswahili, is an African American celebration that focuses on the traditional

African values of family, community, responsibility, commerce, and selfimprovement. Each day of Kwanzaa is represented by a principle or theme that serves as the focus for the celebration that day. Dr. Maulana Karenga introduced Kwanzaa in 1966.

Local festivities began on Saturday, Dec. 26, where the focus was Umoja, which means unity. The keynote speaker was Rev. Kenneth Pettigrew, chief operating officer for the Winston-Salem Urban League.

On Sunday the focus was Kujichagulia, which means “self-determination.”

Annette Scippio, who represents the East Ward on the Winston-Salem City Council, was the speaker.

See Kwanzaa on A7

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T he C hronicle

D ecember 31, 2020

A3

Authoring Action Rings in New Year with Renaissance Authors, Monthly Forums and JUST US. Fresh programming, bright outlook

A

uthoring Action is an arts and education

organization that provides

tools to empower youth for their personal success in any career,

calling and life path. Our students

are authors of their own lives once

they have learned to think analytically, present confidently and express themselves dynamically through creative writing, speech, filmmaking and design.

The Authoring Action year for teens begins with the 5 Week Summer

Intensive - June 28-July 31st, 2021, and runs throughout the school year, meeting twice weekly after school.

Year-long commitment required.

Applications open:

authoringaction.org/apply

"A

WHAT IF? What if a poem can become an architectural design? What if an essay can become a start-up business? What if a monologue could become a graduate degree? What if visual design could make you the next senator? What if a phrase could become a future?

What if one word can change the world?

rt must do something..."

A tenet Authoring Action lives by, and starting in January you

can engage with us as we engage you with some of our greatest hits in the first of our monthly forums. Jan. 26.

More information on how to participate coming soon via

authoringaction.com/events

Educator Workshops -

Renaissance Authors FORUM SERIES

authoringactiontraining.org

On January 5th & 6th, Authoring Action is offering an Educator Workshop to train WSFCS teachers to take the

Authoring Action creative writing process into the classroom. Thanks to

a grant from the WFU Translational Science Institute for Community Engaged Research, we are able to offer

this workshop free to WSFCS teachers.

Please check out authoringactiontraining.org/ workshops2/#schedule-a-workshop to join us for this or other workshop opportunities.

Re nais sance Au thors defined as

1. Breakers of new ground.

2. Masters of multiple expressions.

3. Triple and Quadruple Threats 4. Landmark Individuals

Applications are now OPEN for THE JUST US SPRING INTENSIVE Starting with Orientation February 17th Monday/Wednesday Sessions 4:00-6:30pm.

Winter/Spring JUST US program is now accepting referrals.

This program is primarily for teens at risk of entering the Juvenile Justice system, who may have behavioral issues, adverse home situations, or have academic challenges.

Six years and counting, Authoring Action has had great success with teens learning the signature creative writing process, developing and co-directing short films in collaboration with professional filmmakers and presented at a formal screening at a/perture Cinema in downtown Winston-Salem.

For information on how to refer/apply: authoring action.org/apply.

All referrals must fill out the on-line application. Upon review of the teen’s application the Authoring Action leadership team will schedule an interview via Zoom.

A4

D ecember 31, 2020

T he C hronicle

OPINION

James Taylor Jr. Publisher Bridget Elam

Managing Editor

Judie Holcomb-Pack

Associate Editor

Timothy Ramsey

Sports Editor/Religion

Tevin Stinson

Senior Reporter

Shayna Smith

Advertising Manager

Deanna Taylor

Office Manager

Paulette L. Moore

Administrative Assistant

Our Mission The Chronicle is dedicated to serving the residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County by giving voice to the voiceless, speaking truth to power, standing for integrity and encouraging open communication and lively debate throughout the community

Black voters should see themselves in congressional staff

BY DR. LASHONDA BRENSON

As the new Congress prepares to take office and members of the U.S. House and Senate make key staff hires, it’s time for careful scrutiny of the diversity reflected within the ranks of congressional staff. This is particularly true following an election in which Black voters were critical to its outcome.

More than 70 civil rights groups, including African American Mayors Association, Black Futures Lab, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), and NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), have formally called on new members of Congress to increase the numbers of staff of color within the mid-level and senior ranks of congressional offices.

Our advocacy is particularly important right now, in the period between Election Day and the formal start of the new Congress when most key staff are hired.

While we saw marginal improvement in senior staff diversity after the election in 2018, the lack of diversity among senior congressional staff of both parties is longstanding.

The data is sobering, if not surprising.

Dr. LaShonda Brenson is the Senior Fellow for Diversity and Inclusion at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

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Push is on to increase African Americans’ confidence in COVID vaccine Stacy Brown Guest Columnist Former President Barack Obama has vowed to take the new COVID-19 vaccination on live television. Dr. Ebony Hilton, a physician in the critical care and anesthesiology department at the University of Virginia Health, is also publicly taking the vaccine and documenting how she’s coping on YouTube.

On Day 1 of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, Queens, New York, critical care nurse Sandra Lindsay received the first dose of the two-shot vaccine at about 9:20 a.m. EST on Monday, Dec. 14.

What Obama, Dr. Hilton, and Lindsay all have in common is that they are African American.

Intentional or not, the rollout has featured prominent Black people.

The mistrust in medicine and science in the Black community remains palpable for lots of well-founded reasons.

“Truth and transparency are going to start with me,” Dr. Hilton declared. “I want you to see me in real-time as I

undergo this process, and as my body adapts as I have this medicine in my body.”

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker, an African American, also urged Black people to get vaccinated. Baker praised Meharry Medical College President Dr. James Hildreth, one of the world’s leading immunologists, and an African American who sat on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s panel that approved the rollout of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine. “There was an African American doctor that was in charge of the vaccine,” Baker said during a video call.

“I felt more comfortable that he and other African Americans were on the boards to come up with the vaccine. And he guaranteed that it wouldn’t be another Tuskegee kind of experiment. And he urged Black Americans to use the vaccine.”

Because of the Tuskegee experiment, the notorious 40-year study that began in 1932, where U.S. Public Health officials misled African Americans about their health status. The study’s participants were infected with syphilis, and health officials withheld treatment like penicillin, leaving some to die.

“The Tuskegee Experiment ended ten years before I was born, and we still have heavy metal laced water in Flint, Michigan, we still have not fixed,” Dr. Hilton offered.

However, she offered optimism about the new coronavirus vaccine.

“So, join me, and I’ll be as open and honest as possible. We have one time to do this right and I’m hoping it’s this time.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s foremost infectious disease physician, also championed the work of Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, an African American scientist, whom Dr. Fauci said was at the forefront of the development of the vaccine.

“So, the first thing you might want to say to my African American brothers and sisters is that the vaccine that you’re going to be taking was developed by an African American woman. And that is just a fact,” Dr. Fauci remarked.

More than 300,000 Americans have died and nearly 17 million have contracted the coronavirus.

Some reports indicate that as many as 25% of COVID-19 victims are African American.

However, that hasn’t stopped the skepticism about the vaccine among many Black people.

“We saw early on that vaccine acceptance and willingness to enroll in vaccine clinical trials were going to be a major challenge,” Dr. Reed Tuckson, a former public health commissioner in Washington, D.C. and the leader of the Black Coalition Against COVID-19, a D.C.based effort to spread information about the virus and potential vaccines to Black Americans, told NBC News.

Over the past several months, the coalition has worked with several Washington community organizations, historically Black colleges and universities, and community leaders, to share information about COVID-19 prevention.

They also drafted a public “Love Letter to Black America” that calls for people to be open to vaccines when they are available.

“The African American community needs to understand that 2020 is not 1930 or 1940,” Tuckson said. “There were no African American physicians or scientists or health policy leaders in the past. Today is a different situation.”

Stacy M. Brown is the NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent.

Reach him at @ StacyBrownMedia.

Americans need the stimulus package, but is $600 enough?

Dr. James B. Ewers Jr.

Guest Columnist The American people have been in an economic slump for several months.

Stores have lost revenue and workers have been displaced or had to accept reduced hours. Businesses have closed and may not ever open again.

Clearly, COVID-19 has caused immeasurable harm to our way of living.

Some basic necessities are in short supply and communities are in crisis because they cannot get what they so desperately need. Terms like food insecurity have become a part of our lexicon.

We are down and need a hand to help us.

That hand is the federal government. Some months ago, we the people received

stimulus checks of $1200 and unemployment benefits. Businesses were able to hang on and pay their employees. Now those funds have run out.

They are gone!

During recent weeks, Congress feuded over another stimulus package.

These talks were spirited and full of vitriol. Just days ago they did agree on a $900 billion stimulus package. Included in this package would be a $600 check for most Americans.

The president said he wouldn’t sign this bill and wanted a stimulus payment of $2000 instead for each American. We were all on pins and needles waiting for the final decision.

While Americans are teetering on collapse, Trump was playing golf in Mar-a-Lago. Finally, on Dec. 27, he signed the stimulus package and Americans can look forward to their $600 check. How far will that stretch for those who are

facing hunger or eviction?

Any stimulus provides some welcome relief from this economic pothole America finds itself.

Nancy Pelosi said, “On Monday, I will bring the House back to session where we will hold a recorded vote on a stand-alone bill to increase economic impact payments to $2000. To vote against this bill is to deny the financial hardship that families face and to deny them the relief they need.”

Well, the House of Representatives will pass it and the Senate will reject it.

Unfortunately, that refrain has been the case for many years now. As a result, we are at a standstill.

Common ground has been hard to reach. This crossroads of indifference has stifled us and made us stumble along with no direction. We are ships passing in the night with no port of call.

Bring on Biden and

Harris! The optics for hope are much better with them.

We will have a chance with them. We had no chance with him.

Looking forward, the vaccine will help to keep us healthy. Our families will be reunited. Bless our brothers and sisters who passed away in 2020. The economy will rebound, and our citizens will return to work. An American shoutout to our first responders and to our military.

It is with hope and optimism that I look forward to 2021.

James B. Ewers Jr. is a former tennis champion at Atkins High School and played college tennis at Johnson C. Smith University where he was all-conference for four years. He is a retired college administrator and can be reached at overtimefergie.2020@ yahoo.com.

T he C hronicle

FORUM

D ecember 31, 2020

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We will sit at the children’s table Oscar H. Blayton Guest Columnist Joe Biden continues to assure the world that America is ready to take its place at the head of the table and lead the nations of the world. But this hubristic assertion makes one wonder if the soon to be 46th president of the United States has been dozing for the past 47 months.

The people who voted Donald Trump into office in 2016 and tried to give him a second term in 2020 are still running amuck in the “U.S. of A.” and they are getting more unruly by the hour. It does not take a great deal of scholarly research to realize that very

few nations would be willing to follow the lead of the United States going forward.

It is too easy and too simplistic to blame Donald Trump for all the ill that befell the global community during America’s delinquency during the past four years. And no one, other than the smug self-satisfied proponents of the myth of American exceptionalism, is buying the argument that “this is not who we are.” For four years, we have made it very clear that this is exactly who we are as a country – “greedy,” “ruthless,” “unempathetic,” “uncharitable,” “hateful” and “narcissistic.” These are just a few words that come to mind when describing the American character that has been laid bare by Trumpism.

Not only is America not deserving of sitting at the head of the world table, it will have to sit at the children’s table, along with the other anti-democratic republics led by autocrats. And if this country tries to use bullying tactics to bend other nations to its will, it will suffer the same humiliation that met the French government when it assumed it could return to Vietnam in 1945 and resume colonial control after abandoning the Vietnamese to the cruelties of the invading Japanese in the early days of World War II. Under Trump, America abandoned the rest of the world when it came to working to solve global warming, poverty, human rights, the worldwide refugee crisis and many more problems facing humanity.

No one will willingly fol-

low a fraud and a hypocrite. And every disgusting characteristic Donald Trump exhibited during his term in office reflects those of a large swath of the American public that supported him with their votes. Even now, freedomloving Americans hold their collective breath while Republicans try to lock in their hateful agenda by maintaining control of the U.S. Senate.

Those Republicans slavishly following Trump have made it clear that they do not care about American values to which we claim to aspire. Nor do they care about the U.S. Constitution or the American people it was designed to protect.

The nations watching us from the far shores of the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans and our neighbors

to the north and south are keenly aware of the weakness of our character and our moral bankruptcy.

We have squandered our good name on a cruel buffoon intent on bullying his way across the world stage with a huge economy and the largest military on earth to back him up.

We did not denounce him soon enough when he was clearly in the wrong. We overlooked his lies and his evil ways for months on end while they were in plain view.

It is often said that you show people who you are by what you do, not by what you say. No matter what Joe Biden says, the world has had ample opportunity to witness the harm America is capable of inflicting on our fellow man.

We can strut and preen

in a self-congratulatory promenade celebrating the ousting of Trump, but we will still have to sit at the children’s table because it is clear that Trump was merely a boil that rose and erupted when the pus of white supremacy and other evils was allowed to fester beneath the skin of America’s body politic.

We have lanced the boil, but we now know that the corruption that gave rise to Trump is still in America’s bloodstream and we must work diligently to find the cure. Until we find that cure, we will be relegated to the children’s table.

Oscar H. Blayton is a former Marine Corps combat pilot and human rights activist who practices law in Virginia.

One world: the wisdom of wholeness ROBERT C. KOEHLER

Guest Columnist “We won’t be in a position to make permanent progressive changes until the bad governments are changed permanently into good governments. And all governments are bad governments now and will remain bad governments until we have a global humanity.”

The words are those of Mark Haywood, in an email to me last week about my column, “Embracing Ecological Realism.” I think the words nail it. And I would add that “global humanity” includes a connection to Planet Earth, to life itself.

And my intention is to put these words in a political context that is free - so I pray - of cynicism.

The irony is that this is ancient wisdom. We used to know this, once upon a time. Then we got civilized and became conquerors. We are now at the end, or nearly so, of this dark, bloody path. And while global humanity’s next step is uncertain - we must plunge into a new way of

being - the wisdom of our fathers and mothers can guide us. For instance, an Ojibway friend of mine gave me a sheet of paper entitled ‘Twelve Principles of Indian Philosophy.’

The very first principle on that sheet read as follows: Wholeness …

These are the words of Rupert Ross, in his book “Returning to the Teachings.” He continues: “The principle of wholeness thus requires looking for, and responding to, complex interconnections, not single acts of separate individuals. Anything short of that is seen as a naïve response destined to ultimate failure.”

If we don’t look at the world - every person, every living being, every flowing river, every handful of earth - with a sense of wholeness and wonder, with a sense of its connection to the larger ecostructure of the planet, which includes ourselves, whatever we do is likely to come back to haunt, if not us, then our children. This applies, most significantly, to political actions and government policy. If we go to war, war comes back to us. If we exploit, deforest and poison the planet … I think we know what happens.

This is not us-vs.-them politics, left vs. right. And it is certainly not some sort of idealism. This is reality: ecological realism. And the outreach of this column is to politicians who do not want to be failures.

Of course, there are “interests” that are going to come into conflict, especially considering our long history of short-term winning, also known as profit. In this country, as well as much of our divided world, short-term gain is often all that matters and nothing else exists. This flawed thinking is at the core of our social infrastructure. But much to the surprise of many corporate leaders, a deeper wisdom is also present at the core.

And it’s showing itself.

The residents of Grant Township, Pennsylvania, for instance, have managed to stave off the construction by the state gas company, Pennsylvania General Energy Company, of what are called fracking waste injection wells in their community. Five years ago, the residents, by a large majority, passed a Rights of Nature law, which, my God, “recognizes the rights of local ecosystems” to thrive, to exist. The law asserts that nature isn’t simply proper-

ty to be used (or used up) in any way the “owner” sees fit.

The gas company has sued the township several times over this infringement of its right to pollute, but the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has recognized the law and revoked the company’s permit to build its wells in the township.

“This decision is soooooo delicious,” township supervisor Judy Wanchisn told Rolling Stone after a legal victory in March. “I am hopeful that the haters and naysayers will take note, and that communities will be inspired with what’s just happened and run with it. Fights like ours should mushroom all around Pennsylvania.”

One fascinatingly strange facet of this issue is that it had to be settled in a court battle, with Nature the defendant, pitting her interests against the plaintiff, as though the two were separate entities. As awareness of the “rights of nature” grows across global humanity, I have no doubt that the wisdom of this awareness will start infiltrating our judicial, social and economic infrastructure as well, and

begin undoing the shortterm, dangerous thinking behind it. This is the return of pragmatic wholeness to human consciousness.

For instance: “The idea of a value-based economic structure is far more realistic than many of our present business models, which are short-sighted in the extreme,” Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee writes at The Guardian.” We need to explore ways that businesses can serve humanity in its deepest sense, rather than creating a poverty of spirit as well as an ecological wasteland - develop an awareness that the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the energy we use, are not just commodities to be consumed, but part of the living fabric of a sacred Earth. Then we are making a real relationship with our environment.

With this return must come, of course, an awareness and an acknowledgement of our history of defying this wisdom and the harm that it has caused.

What we have done to the planet in the last few hundred years, we have also done to its human protectors.

“Indigenous American oppression is often cast as an object of the past,” writes Maria Fong at the

Tufts University Sustainability blog, “but like global warming, their struggle is ongoing, part of the past, present, and future. As we fight against climate change, keep in mind the colonial history of resource extraction and exploitation. The same Enlightenment ideals that inspired the industrial revolution, warming our planet, also led to brutal conquest of Indigenous people.”

Moving beyond the misnamed Enlightenment is, of course, an immensely complex shift. But the wisdom is there. It’s available to those who seek it, even president-elects. Of course, when politicians do not seek this wisdom - and it’s questionable to what extent Joe Biden is doing so - the wisdom must flow upward, from global humanity. Don’t let cynical despair stop you from participating in this flow. We have a world to save.

Robert C. Koehler (koehlercw@gmail.com), syndicated by PeaceVoice, is a Chicago awardwinning journalist and editor. He is the author of “ Grows Strong at the Wound.”

Governor Roy Cooper signs order allowing mixed cocktails to go Algenon Cash Guest Columnist

Governor Cooper just can’t seem to win for losing these days. The North Carolina Democratic governor is popular with ordinary citizens, but not so much within the bar and restaurant community. The industry blames him for a wide range of woes since being placed under restrictions enacted in March to curb the spread of the nov-

el coronavirus.

Cooper has implemented a spiderweb of restrictions that guide the industry on when and how they can serve customers. To some degree these mandates have not favored the private bar industry, where they don’t serve food to help offset lost alcohol sales, and they don’t fall under Department of Health and Human Services oversight - which further places them at odds with the governor’s approach to managing the pandemic.

Eating and drinking establishments have been ravaged the past 10

months with 17% of the entire industry, or 110,000 businesses, closed permanently, 2.3 million service industry employees remain unemployed, and here locally 52% of bars and restaurants have seen a drop of over 50% in sales in the past six months, according to a survey conducted by Triad Food & Beverage Coalition.

Cooper recently signed an order allowing mixed cocktails to go with the intent of giving a boost to bars, restaurants, and other retail hospitality businesses. Guests can purchase one mixed beverage to go or for delivery us-

ing a proprietary or third party service. Of course the cocktail to go must be properly sealed as not to violate state laws regulating open containers.

The order was met with mixed fanfare, with some arguing it won’t be helpful and others embracing the olive branch that may allow a small bump in sales. Lawmakers from both parties had no objection, but I’m sure they will seek to examine the measure closely when the upcoming legislative session kicks off.

I predict the order may benefit craft cocktail bars and specialty restaurants

more so than neighborhood bars and casual restaurants – but that’s okay.

The executive action is not a cure-all, but moreover just another tool that operators can add to their toolbox as they navigate an unprecedented environment.

Restaurant operators have been told to “pivot” and many have closed temporarily, reduced staff, increased marketing, altered operating hours, and attempted to incorporate curbside pick-up, delivery and online sales. But the pandemic has been ongoing for 10 months and operators have exhausted

www.wschronicle.com

capital and creativity, not to mention patience.

We now have a vaccine and effective therapeutics providing a light at the end of the tunnel – but realistically it will take until next summer or fall before there is widespread distribution.

Congress must act to save restaurants now.

Algenon Cash is a nationally recognized speaker and the managing director of Wharton Gladden & Company, a consulting firm. Reach him at acash@whartongladden. com.

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D ecember 31, 2020

T he C hronicle

BUSTA’S FAMILY OF THE WEEK

‘Reunited and it feels so good!’ A sweet family reunion.

BY BUSTA BROWN FOR THE CHRONICLE

“There’s one perfect fit, and sugar, this one is it. We both are so excited ‘cause we’re reunited. Hey, hey.”

I choose these lyrics to the Peaches and Herb’s classic “Reunited” because it’s fitting for the beautiful story of radio legend Jim Starr and his high school sweetheart, Vivian White.

“When I first saw Jim, we were attending James B. Dudley Senior High School in Greensboro and he was new in town.

All the girls would go to Washington Street School to check out the fellas,” Vivian White said, while blushing and giggling.

“I saw this extremely handsome young man standing in his yard and one of my girlfriends asked who is that? I said, I don’t know, but I want him. We met, started talking and our chemistry was perfect. He would walk me to school every day while holding my hand and carrying my books. We really enjoyed each other’s company. He graduated before I did, but he still would walk me home every day and we never stopped making googly eyes at each other,” she said, then turned and softly looked into Jim’s eyes.

I watched Jim as Vivian was speaking and his eyes never left his sweetheart. He had the look of the song that goes, “You’re just too good to be true. I can’t take my eyes off of you.”

Vivian and Jim’s love grew into something too many of us had only read about in a romance novels, heard in love songs, or seen in a movie. They were inseparable. Shortly after Jim graduated from James B. Dudley High School, he received some bad news.

“His mom got sick and he

had to go take care of her.

He said, I promise I’ll be back,” said Vivian.

That was in 1966. Jim traveled to Patterson, New Jersey, to see his mother, but that didn’t stop the two lovebirds from talking every day. Jim’s mother regained her health and he enrolled at Willian Patterson University, where he received a degree in communications.

Patterson, New Jersey, became his new home, but it wasn’t long before the legendary radio personality’s career took off. Jim was living his childhood dream. His radio career was thriving, but the traveling that came with it made it tough to maintain commination and a solid relationship. He worked for radio stations in Alabama, Maryland and Tennessee.

“I hadn’t heard from him in a while, so my sister and I tried to find him, but it was hard because he traveled so much,” said Vivian. The two eventually lost contact and began building separate lives.

Vivian was a single mother of one and grandmother of two. She eventually got married, and so did Jim. “I felt an emptiness, Busta, because it wasn’t true love. After my 8-year marriage, I struggled with relationships, because I couldn’t find that chemistry with anyone else the way I connected to my sweetheart Vivian,” said Jim, as the two smiled at each other like teenagers.

Vivian and her husband of 20 years divorced as well. “No one could fill up my heart the way Jim does, so I never stopped thinking about him. I still had love in my heart for Jim. I spent so many nights wondering what he was doing,” she said.

Nearly 50 years later, the reuniting began.

Submitted photo

Vivian White, Jim Starr, their daughter Lareese White, and granddaughters Zoe and Lorenza.

“When I returned to North Carolina, I told my friend I needed to find Vivian, so he did some research on Facebook. He sent me a picture and then asked me, ‘Is this her?’ I said, ‘Yes!’ She’s still gorgeous,” said Jim and then Vivian blushed and laughed.

While still laughing and blushing, Vivian boasted, “It felt wonderful to know I’m still gorgeous to Jim.” He wrote Vivian a letter, requesting that she contact him. She called and invited him over for dinner. “When I pulled up to her place, I was too nervous to get out of the car. My friend said, ‘You came this far, so you have to go for it.’ I got out of the car and walked to her door and just stood there for a few minutes. Then I rang the doorbell and when she opened the door, she looked exactly the same.

Absolutely gorgeous! Her beauty and presence still make me nervous, and she’s the only woman that does that to me,” he boasted.

Vivian’s eyes were locked on her man, yet I could tell she was anxiously waiting to share her story as well. “When I saw Jim, I almost passed out and tears came down my eyes. I grabbed him and gave him a big hug and kiss. I said, ‘You kept your promise and came back to me.’ But I didn’t know it would be a half century later,” she joked.

Over 50 years later, the high school sweethearts were finally reunited. The lyrics of the Peaches and Herb classic continued to run rapidly in my head: “I spent the evening with the radio, regret the moment that I let you go. I know now that I love, and ‘cause I need your touch. Hey, hey.”

Vivian said it seemed as if time had frozen the day Jim left, “… and I was so excited to just touch his face again. It was a wonderful moment. And I haven’t’ calmed down yet. I’m still excited by my man.”

There was another

reason Vivian and her sister went to New Jersey searching for Jim years ago. It would change Jim’s life forever. After the two lovebirds talked for hours, her doorbell rang. Lareese White and her daughters Zoe and Lorenza walked into the house. “When I walked into the house and saw him sitting on the couch, I knew it was him.

It was like looking into a mirror, because I look just like my dad,” said Lareese. Vivian said Lareese has always known about her father, but because she lost contact with Jim, the two had never met. “This has been overwhelming.

So, the day mom invited him over for dinner, I was fashionably late, because I wanted him to already be here,” joked Lareese. “I started crying of course, ‘cause I look at this man that had no clue who I was.

It was a mixture of joy and pain. After I got past the initial meeting, it became one of the most beautiful moments in my 50 years of living,” said Lareese.

“I always wanted to have a family, so when I saw my daughter for the first time, I was in tears. It was the greatest gift God and Vivian could have ever given me. I call Lareese Baby Starr now, and Vivian calls her and my two granddaughters the Starrlets. They’re the loves of my life. Sitting here between my two loves is amazing. It’s the greatest joy,” said Jim Starr.

“My mom and dad are always so lovey-dovey, like two teenagers. It’s sweet to see how much they truly love each other,” said Lareese.

Jim, Lareese and his granddaughters have developed a wonderful relationship. He visits nearly every day, and they enjoy making dinner together.

“She cooks for Jim all the time. She spoils him,” said Vivian with a cute little grin.

So, what’s next? “This is our first holiday and we’re looking forward to bringing in the New Year together. After COVID is under control, we’re going to plan our wedding date, because we want to share that moment with all of our family members. There are so many people that are very happy for us,” said Vivian. After a 50-year separation, the power of love continues to prevail.

I sat there in awe of how happy they are and the lyrics from The O’Jays classic, “Family Reunion” came to mind: “It’s so nice to see all folks you love together. Sittin’ and talkin’ ‘bout all the things that’s been going down. It’s been a long, long time since we had a chance to get together. A family reunion.”

My phenomenal Family of the Week, Jim Starr, his future wife Vivian White, and their daughter Lareese White.

T he C hronicle

D ecember 31, 2020

A7

Local nonprofit lifts spirits during holiday season

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE

Bags of Love is in its infancy as a nonprofit, but they are already making a tangible impact on the community. Last weekend they supplied those in need with a hearty meal and supplies needed to make it through the winter months.

Chris Graves, CEO of Bags of Love, says their mission is to provide essential items to those in need in Guilford County and surrounding areas.

Graves said because he was not able to have the event he envisioned on Thanksgiving, he wanted to make sure he had all his ducks in a row for Christmas.

“While I was trying to get a lot of things covered, we found out that we really didn’t have enough time to get it done exactly the way we wanted to, so what I did was I started planning for Christmas,” said Graves.

For the Christmas event, Bags of Love targeted known areas of need in Greensboro and High Point to deliver their meals. Graves stated he knew transportation would be an issue for many in their target area, so he wanted to remove that barrier by delivering the meals to them. Their goal was to deliver 250 meals to those in need.

“What we try to do is target those who stand on the street corner first,” Graves said. “What we found is many of those individuals do not typically like to go to shelters for whatever reason. So, during the holidays when a lot of people are focusing on going to shelters to deliver food, these people are getting missed.”

According to Graves, the idea to start the nonprofit manifested out of an email that came from

Photo by Timothy Ramsey

Chris Graves is the CEO of Bags of Love nonprofit. his church.

“This kind of just happened upon me one day; I woke up one morning and I had an email from the church that I had been serving with and the email was inviting everyone to get involved with the community,” he said. “I looked down the list of things to do and one of the things was to create essential items’ bags to pass out to the homeless and instantly I wanted to do that.

“They were like this is something for you to do and I was looking for someone to team up with.

They said they didn’t do that, and I was down for a few minutes and then I started praying about it. I didn’t have the resources to do it on any type of level that will truly be beneficial, and I believe that God spoke and told me that the community is the resource. That was July 15, and our birthday is July 29, so it was a very quick turnaround and since then

I’ve been amazed at all the volunteers and donations.”

Graves said he targeted the homeless and needy because he feels many in that population are overlooked and ignored.

“It’s really easy to see someone standing on the street when you are in your car and look the other way as they are standing there, or to assume that they’re going to get into a fancy car when they leave, or to assume they are lazy,” Graves went on to say.

“What we found is many of these individuals truly need help for one reason or another, whether it be mental instability, or whether it be falling down on hard times, or even health issues.

“It’s very important for us to show them that someone is concerned about their well-being.

It’s important for us to show them that where they are is not always where they have to always be.

We believe in providing the most basic needs and

Ronnie Long receives best Christmas present ever from Gov. Cooper

BY TEVIN STINSON THE CHRONICLE

For the first time in more than 40 years, Ronnie Long celebrated the holidays as a free man.

And just a few days before Christmas, Long, who spent 44 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, received the gift he’s been waiting years for, an official pardon from Gov. Roy Cooper.

The announcement of Long’s pardon came on Thursday Dec. 17. The pardon makes him eligible to file a claim under a North Carolina law that allows compensation to persons wrongly convicted of felonies. Long was one of five men who received pardons. The other men were: Teddy Isbell, Damian Mills, Kenneth Kagonyera and Larry Williams.

In a statement released after he signed the pardons, Cooper said, “We must continue to work to reform our justice system and acknowledge when people have been wrongly convicted. I have carefully reviewed the facts in each of these cases and, while I cannot give these men back the time they served, I am granting them Pardons of Innocence in the hope that they might be better able to move forward in their lives.”

Long was released from prison in August after the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that due process rights were violated

and sent the case back to district court. Instead of a retrial, the State of North Carolina decided to no longer contest Long’s conviction.

When he was only 19 years old, Long, who is Black, was charged with the assault and rape of a white woman in her home on April 25, 1976. According to police reports, the victim was the widow of a top executive at Cannon Mills, a major textile company and employer in the area. The victim described her attacker as a “yellow-looking African American,” wearing a leather jacket, a toboggan, and gloves. She told police her attacker came through an open window before pressing a knife against her neck and ripping her clothes off.

After she was unable to pick her attacker out of a lineup, two weeks after the assault, investigators with the Concord Police Department took the victim to the courthouse and told her that her attacker may or may not be in the courtroom, and asked her to identify anyone who looked “familiar.”

Long was in the courtroom to settle a minor trespassing charge, but as soon as he stood up wearing a leather jacket, the victim identified him as her attacker. She later picked Long’s photo out of a lineup where he was the only person wearing a leather jacket.

Despite having an alibi

that placed him elsewhere at the time of the assault and no physical evidence connecting him to the crime, on Oct. 1, 1976, Long was sentenced to serve 80 years in prison.

In his opening arguments, Jamie Lau, executive director of the Duke Law Wrongful Convictions Clinic, who has been working on Long’s case since 2016, said the Concord Police Department deliberately suppressed evidence that proved Long’s innocence and pointed to another suspect. Lau said the Concord Police Department’s efforts to frame Long included the creation of a false police report and testifying falsely about the evidence they found at the crime scene.

“Suppressing the evidence prevented Long from presenting affirmative exculpatory evidence demonstrating that someone else was the assailant, not Mr. Long,” Lau continued. “A suspect hair was collected from the scene, fingerprints were collected from the scene, matches were collected from the scene. They were all tested and none of them were similar to Long.

There were 43 fingerprints collected that didn’t match Long or the victim, pointing to someone else.”

After receiving word from Lau that he had been granted a pardon, Long raised his arms in the air and shouted “It’s over.”

encouraging them to get those other needs taken care of.”

One of the ways Bags of Love encourages the people they help is to include a list of resources inside of every bag they give away.

“It has places that they can get help for drug addiction, or where they can get free or reducedprice medications, places that are targeted to getting people off of the streets and into homes,” he said about the list of resources they include in every bag of love. “We give them that as well as the bag as an effort to give them the boost they need to seek out those resources.”

Graves and his executive board came up with the name “Bags of Love” for the nonprofit, because they feel that’s exactly what they are.

“There is food in the bags, there is sanitary items in the bags, there’s clothing in the bags, but for us it’s so much more than essential items, it’s an extension of love,” said Graves. “Our foundational scripture is Matthew 25:35. This is God talking to his people saying, as little as you have done unto the least of these, so have you done unto me, and he tells us that’s what love looks like.

“These bags are so much more than tissue, hats and snacks; it’s us extending the love of Christ to someone who may or may not know him.”

For Graves, who is a minister, 2020 has been a year that allowed him to slow down and survey his path in life.

“Prior to this year, lots of my time was spent serving, but lots of my time was spent serving Christians, doing different

things within the church,” he said. “2020 allowed me to sit down and realize that what I’ve been doing is great, but there’s so much more outside of the four walls outside the church that need to be done, so it showed me that while I am young and able, I need to be out and helping somebody who actually

needs help.”

Graves commended his volunteers on their efforts to get the nonprofit off the ground. He says one of their slogans is “From 2 to 102, Bags of Love can use you.”

“We have space for anybody who wants to help,” he said.

To get the nonprofit moving in the right direction, Graves has reached out to the community for likeminded people to connect with Sylvia Hicks for their Thanksgiving and Christmas events.

“I just have a passion

people happy, because there was a time when I didn’t have and I didn’t necessarily have the help, so for me to be able to do the things that would have been helpful to me back in the day, is probably one of the greatest feelings I can have.”

Graves has many things on his agenda he wants to pursue with Bags of Love. He says they have plans to grow beyond what they are doing, even if it only means they expand the number of people they help.

Kwanzaa

the children where they are.

Bishop Fulton said he believes that the “faithbased community” is out of touch with the younger generation and the only way to fix that is by getting out of the four walls of the church and getting out in the streets.

“That’s challenging to say, but it’s the truth,” Fulton continued.

“Because in most of our churches, we don’t have juveniles that are in the streets. So we’re going to have to leave our places of worship ... it’s going to take us not expecting these youth to come to our churches or houses of worship, but for us to leave the four walls and go to these schools to volunteer and mentor.”

When asked what the WSPD is doing to stop the violence, Assistant Chief William Penn said the department realizes that this is a problem they can’t arrest their way out of, so they have taken great strides to increase transparency and community outreach.

“Hopefully you’ve seen more of the police department involved in things traditionally we haven’t been a part of, so the book bag giveaways, the Operation Sweet Reads truck where we read books and give out ice cream ... the Explorer Program, you see us more in the schools serving as mentors,” Penn said. “We recognize that we have to go where our juveniles are and let them know that we care about them. ... we’ve had to be intentional in getting out working with the community and getting

outside of this blue uniform so that we can earn that trust with the community.”

Panelists discussed what should be done for over an hour before taking questions from the audience who were watching virtually via Zoom and Facebook Live. Before wrapping up the conversation, Judge Denise Hartsfield gave a charge to the community Ujamaa, which means “cooperative economics,” was the theme of the day on Tuesday. The guest speaker was James H. Sills, president of M&F Bank.

Sponsors also hosted a speed vendor fair where local business owners had the opportunity to discuss their products and services.

On Wednesday the theme was Nia, which means “purpose.” Local legend Mutter Evans was the special guest. Evans is the former owner of WAAA radio. During the event, Evans played music and interviewed local musicians.

Today (Thursday, Dec. 24), the theme is Kuumba or “creativity.”

To celebrate, children can pick up craft packets at the Malloy Jordan Heritage Center, 111 Highland Ave. Friday the focus will be Imani which means “faith.” The guest speaker will be Kellie Easton, founder of Action4Equity.

Festivities are scheduled to begin nightly at 6 p.m. The virtual celebration can be viewed via Zoom or by visiting Triad Cultural Arts’ Facebook page.

For more information, visit www.triadculturalarts. org or call 336-757-8556.

From page A2

To celebrate Ujima or “collective work and responsibility,” on Monday organizers held a town hall where panelists discussed the recent rise in the number of violent crimes committed by teenagers.

Triad Cultural Arts, Inc. and the Big 4 Alumni Association hosted a virtual open forum where individuals from all walks of life came together to discuss ways to stop the rise in violent crime, more specifically crimes involving young people.

The theme of the community conversation was Maintaining Our Community: Stemming the Tide of Youth Violence.

Panelists included Bishop Todd Fulton, pastor of Mt. Moriah Outreach Center, Dr. Jesse Pratt, area superintendent with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, William Penn, assistant chief of the Winston-Salem Police Department, Frankie Gist, community activist and founder of the nonprofit Hope Dealers, and Jamisena Campbell, local activist and grandmother of a victim of senseless gun violence.

To jumpstart the conversation, moderator Dr. Kia Scott-Hood asked panelists: what role do the different entities and organizations within the community play in ensuring the safety of our young people? And although the panelists come from different walks of life, they all agreed that to make a difference we must get out of our own comfort zones and meet

for helping the community and I just get involved in any way I can to try to help and serve the greater good,” said Hicks. “When you go out the people are so appreciative and grateful for all the things we do, it’s just a feel-good thing.

“For me, I think I get my greatest joy is to see

Bags of Love made 250 plates to deliver to the needy.

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D ecember 31, 2020

T he C hronicle

CSEM, Forsyth Tech joint study reveals high cost of transportation challenges

BY JOHN RAILEY

Groundbreaking research by WinstonSalem State University’s Center for the Study of Economic Mobility (CSEM), initiated

by Forsyth Technical Community College (FTCC), reveals that transportation challenges are taking a heavy toll on the college’s student productivity. The college, which works hard at economic mobility, is adversely impacted by urban sprawl and the transportation costs that come with it, just are so many other institutions and individuals here and nationwide. The CSEM study, done in partnership with Forsyth Tech, is helping lead the way to beneficial change for Forsyth Tech and other institutions.

Mike Massoglia, director of grant writing and development at Forsyth Tech, noted, “From helping us put together a student survey, to providing a thorough and provocative analysis of the results, CSEM has been a critically important partner. What struck us most about the report was the potential impact of transportation barriers on Forsyth Tech’s bottom line, let alone on the lives and economic mobility of our students: more than $1 million in lost state revenue from the thousands of credit-hours not taken.

Stacy Waters-Bailey, Forsyth Tech’s executive director of student support services, said, “We are, of course, very excited about the study and getting the results.” She serves on a task force made up of administrators, faculty and staff that will consider ways of applying the data into the new year.

The data confirm stories they had heard from the students, she said, and the students added much more as they answered survey questions.

“You realize that the impact of transportation in Winston-Salem is much wider and more ingrained than we’d even imagined,” Waters-Bailey said.

“CSEM’s report provided the initial data the college needed to better understand and lay a foundation for further analysis which will help make an impact for students and the community.”

Earlier CSEM research on riders who use WinstonSalem Transportation Authority (WSTA) buses to get to work helped encourage The WinstonSalem Foundation to set up a grant program aimed at finding innovative solutions to transportation problems.

Forsyth Tech won one of the grants to study its transportation challenges and commissioned CSEM for the research.

“Students tell us that in some cases, they miss classes offered for their major, take fewer credits,

and have less access to professors than desired due to transportation challenges,” CSEM Research Manager Zach Blizard and CSEM Director Craig Richardson write in their commissioned report: A Study of Forsyth Technical Community College Students: How Do Transportation Challenges Impact Their Educational Experience?

Among the internal study’s key findings due to their transportation challenges of getting to campus: *Approximately 64% of responding students state that they have been late to class at least once. *Around 10% of responding students state that they have had to drop at least one class. *Around 57% of responding students state that they would do more school-related activities, such as homework, studying, or attending a study group, with time saved from quicker commutes. *Tuition impact on the institution and state due to students’ transportation challenges: Between $405,156 to $633,688 in foregone tuition revenue from current FTCC students. *Between $671,232 to $1,039,680 in foregone tuition revenue from prospective FTCC students. (Assuming a semester includes 12 credit hours and that a single class is worth 3,

the results suggest that prospective Forsyth Tech students missed out on taking between 1,777 and 2,796 classes during the 2018-19 year because of transportation challenges). *Around 60% of responding bus riding students know at least one person who would attend Forsyth Tech if the bus schedule better fit his/her needs.

Waters-Bailey said there may also be ancillary costs, such as students not reaching their full potential and earning a living wage, which may mean the full costs are higher than the study estimate.

Some 1,001 Forsyth Tech students participated in the survey and 788 of those students fully completed it.

Amy Braswell, Belinda Brewster-Clémence and Mike Massoglia of Forsyth Tech helped in creating the survey design, implementing the survey questions, and coding the data for CSEM analysis.

“The results of the survey suggest that transportation has a sizeable impact on FTCC’s students, especially those without personal vehicles, such as students who rely on the public bus or taxis/ Ubers,” CSEM authors Blizard and Richardson write.

“Considering a community college education can enhance one’s economic mobility, these peoples’ upward mobility, then, is being affected.”

Blizard and Richardson reported that “The vast majority of responding students (83.5%) use a personal vehicle to commute to campus.

Around 9.3% ride with a family member/friend, 2.8% use a public bus, and 1.1% use a taxi\Uber\Lyft.

There are only 27 students in our entire sample that commute to campus using a public bus.” This indicates some potential future opportunities if the bus system and class schedules better intersect with each other.

Although busriding students face the most challenges, the study indicated all the responding students were adversely impacted, albeit in varying degrees, by factors ranging from traffic jams to long walks across campus.

Blizard and Richardson write that “Based on the findings, FTCC should strongly consider innovative approaches to student transportation. Efforts to reduce commute times, enhance transportation efficiency, and scheduling consistency will have sizeable impacts by reducing the frequencies of dropped classes and late class arrivals.

Additionally, students will have greater flexibility to visit teachers during office hours and also speed up the rate at which they can finally graduate.”

They write that solutions might include:

*Trams/golf carts/vans that take students from the parking lot to the heart of campus. *FTCC student buses that link up the various campus locations with regular schedules. *For local students with demonstrated transportation issues, provide webinar options for in-class only courses. *Design course locations and times to optimize course times and locations so that travel times and distances for students are minimized on average. *Schedule class times around existing city bus schedules or work with the Transit Authority to modify bus schedules to better serve FTCC students’ needs to get to class on time.

Waters-Bailey said options the task force are already looking at include a campus bus loop and working with WSTA on more direct routes to its campuses. “We want to be a good partner,” she said. “We want to help our students, but we also want to help the community as well.”

Forsyth Tech, a crucial institution, showed its community leadership once again by leading the way on the transportation study.

John Railey, raileyjb@ gmail.com, is the writer in residence for CSEM, www. wssu.edu/csem.

Hoops 4 L.Y.F.E. switches gears amid pandemic

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE

Nearly everyone has had to make concessions and adjustments due to the pandemic. Brittany Ward, founder and executive director of Hoops 4 L.Y.F.E. (H4L), has had to change her after-school program into a virtual mentoring program due to COVID-19. Her plans are to expand to assist more children.

Since the month of March, Ward says her organization had to transition their program to accommodate the kids. She says that was the turning point for H4L and that allowed them to become a remote site where children can attend their virtual classes, along with receiving educational assistance.

“In March we launched our virtual learning program, which allows youth to have assistance with turning in assignments in a safe space,” said Ward. “We have Internet access, we have laptops available, and healthy meals with breakfast, lunch and snack.

“We have tutors that will sit with kids throughout the school day to assist with classroom assignments.”

H4L’s original space did not allow for proper social distancing, so Ward had to look for an appropriate space to allow for her new venture. She connected with Christ Beloved Community Church as the new location for her program.

Ward says the switch from a traditional afterschool program to a virtual learning program was “a switch on the fly.”

“We are still learning daily of different ways of logging in and dealing with technology and being tech savvy,” she said. “We went through a period where Zoom was getting hacked and other technology fails, so that aspect was kind of tedious, but as long as you have tech savvy people to maneuver through it, it’s cool.”

Along with the educational components of the program, Ward saw fit to educate the kids in

the program about healthy eating habits that could assist with preventing possible COVID-19 infection. She says they have introduced the kids to items such as flaxseed oil, alkaline water, elderberry and sea moss.

The COVID-19 restrictions have also limited the number of kids in the program. Ward normally has 25 to 30 kids in her program, but is only allowed 10 with the space she currently has at the church.

“We are servicing less kids, but it’s more work,” she continued. “The hours have changed, and we went from two and a half hours in the afternoon, to holding it from 8:30 to 2:30. That significant change is the difference in the program.”

Ward says she has noticed the difficulty the kids in her program have had from transitioning to virtual learning from in person. She said the kids were used to the constant social interaction with their peers, so without that the kids are having trouble with social withdrawal.

For Ward, she is happy that she can service the ten kids in her program. She says there was a waiting list of 40 other kids that she couldn’t accommodate due to the limited space.

“Not being able to provide services to the other kids is really playing a major part on us wanting to expand the program in another space to service more kids and families in our community,” Ward said. “I am proud, but we can do better by adding a second and third location to assist more kids.”

Ward said she appreciates the teachers that have bent over backwards to assist the kids in her program.

Sometimes the schedules for her program do not always align with the respective school’s schedule, so she wanted to thank the teachers for making accommodations for her kids.

The volunteers have played a pivotal role in the program, said Ward. She has brought in licensed teachers during the summer months, along

with professionals to teach classes in sewing and cooking.

Ward has spoken to the parents in the program about maintaining it through the remainder of the year. She says even when in-person learning is available, she will keep her program open as an option for parents.

“We like to get feedback and see if the parents feel it is ideal for their kids to continue to remain remote,” she said. “Our parents have already spoken about their satisfaction with our virtual learning program and I believe this is a new program that is here to stay.”

H4L adheres to strict COVID-19 prevention protocols. Each child has their own table to work from and all parties maintain proper social distance guidelines as well. Ward stated she does not accept kids who are in the WinstonSalem/Forsyth County School System, because of the possible exposure they may have had. The program has not had any positive COVID-19 cases since they began in March.

“I really believe that this is a model program and we should have a lot more of them,” Ward said about her program.

Ward wanted to thank Christ Beloved, Greater

Faith Deliverance, and Camel City CrossFit for their support, along with the Winston-Salem Foundation and The Black Philanthropy Initiative for their contributions as well.

She also wanted to thank the owners of Bib’s for their food donations to the

program.

Ward says she is always looking for volunteers to assist the kids in the program. For more information about Hoops 4 L.Y.F.E.’s virtual program, please connect with them on all social media platforms.

Also Religion, Community News, For Seniors Only and Classifieds Timothy Ramsey Sports Columnist

2020 year in review 2020 was a unique year as it pertains to sports. Due to the pandemic, games were canceled, seasons postponed, and athletes across all levels of sports had to question was playing worth the risk of possibly contracting the virus and putting others in jeopardy.

As we close out the year, I wanted to look back on the year of sports, because I don’t think we will ever see another year like this.

The conclusion to the 2019 college football season was settled in early January. The LSU Tigers and the Clemson Tigers played one of the most highly anticipated games in recent memory. LSU, led by future No. 1 overall draft pick Joe Burrow, overwhelmed Clemson in route to a dominating 4225 victory.

The death of Kobe Bryant on January 26 shook the world. The basketball legend was killed in a helicopter accident with his daughter and several others. Bryant was idolized for his work on and off the court and was headed into the next phase of his life following retirement.

The Super Bowl in February was a great game between two great teams. The Kansas City Chiefs and their highoctane offense faced off against the San Francisco 49ers and their dominant defense. The 49ers were outplaying the Chiefs for most of the game, holding a 20-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for the Niners, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes went to work. The Chiefs’ offense, which had been rather stagnant all game, woke up and stormed back into the game. Kansas City scored 21 unanswered points to pull away in the fourth quarter to win the big game. Mahomes cemented himself as the best quarterback in the game.

Novak Djokovic and Sofia Kenin were the champions of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year. This was the 17th Grand Slam title for Djokovic and his record 8th Australian Open Championship. For Kenin, this was her first Grand Slam title and was named the WTA Player of the Year for 2020.

There were All-Star games from the NBA and NHL that followed in February. This was around the time the pandemic started to affect more and more people and sporting events began to be canceled and postponed. The coronavirus was spreading and people were starting to take notice.

The NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA and all college spring sports were either canceled or postponed, which was an unexpected result at the beginning of the year. Many around the world of sports started to wonder if sports would return in 2020 at all due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases and deaths around the nation. The most disappointing cancellation was the Summer Olympics, because all the athletes See Review on B3

THURSDAY, December 31, 2020

East Forsyth’s Lyles signs to play for Chanticleers

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE

Ty Lyles had a high school career that you really only see in the movies.

Multiple state championships and more accolades than you can count. In less than a month, Lyles will head to Conway, South Carolina, and enroll in Coastal Carolina University.

Lyles had several offers from different schools, but chose Coastal because it seemed to be the best fit for him.

“It is a good environment, and the coaching staff was loyal throughout the whole process and the people on the team are good people, so I felt it was a good fit for me,” Lyles said about his decision to attend Coastal Carolina.

Lyles will head to Coastal as a quarterback prospect. With his stellar high school career and playing on one of the toughest levels in the state, Lyles has the resume and confidence to compete for the starting job early on in his college career.

As a senior, Lyles was looking forward to the opportunity to three-peat as state champions, along with enjoying the recruiting period. Unfortunately for Lyles and many other seniors around the country, his experience of going on recruiting trips and the possibility for a third championship was ruined due to COVID-19.

“It did mess up my senior year because I am not going to be able to play this year since they are playing in the spring and I will be gone in January,” he said.

“It messed the way I work out, it messed up school, it really just messed up my entire lifestyle to be honest.”

According to Lyles, he will be one of the first signees from the 2021 recruiting class to head to Coastal. He is eager to get

East Forsyth quarterback Ty Lyles has committed to play for Coastal Carolina next season. terback position.

“My JV season was a season that I really just learned how to play football at the next level, even though I was talented,” he continued. “One of my favorite games, as I remember sophomore year, against Page, I guess you could say was my breakout game. I had three touchdowns and 250 yards in the win.”

Lyles credits the Eagles’ coaching staff for assisting him with his progression as a quarterback during his time at East Forsyth.

“The coaching staff pushed me a lot,” he said.

Lyles says his teammates really stepped up by helping him through the dayto-day rigors of being the quarterback of the team.

He says they would routinely give him encouraging words not only on the field, but in the classroom as well.

Coastal Carolina is having a once-in-a-lifetime season in 2020, going undefeated through the regular season. The Chanticleers came up short in the Cure Bowl against Liberty in overtime. However. Lyles said he talks to the coaching staff several times a week, staying abreast of how the team is

Lyles will be leaving a great legacy at East Forsyth that included two state championships. an early start to his collegiate career to show what he is made of.

Lyles has showed tremendous growth since he stepped onto the East Forsyth campus as a freshman.

He feels his time on the JV football team allowed him to grow and learn the quar-

“They obviously saw that I had talent coming in freshman year, but they wanted me to get better and not stay at a standstill and keep producing so I could play at the next level.”

As one of the younger players on the varsity team his sophomore season,

doing, along with ways to prepare him for next season.

Another reason Lyles decided to go with Coastal is due to the similar style of offense he ran with the Eagles. He feels that is best suited for his skillset being

www.wschronicle.com

a dual threat quarterback that can throw and run.

“It’s similar to our offense, but it’s a little bit of a difference,” Lyles continued. “It’s more of a spread option type of offense, but I am used to that. I am more comfortable in the shotgun, but when I have to get under center, I will. I just feel more comfortable in the shotgun, running option plays that give me options to do what I have to do, instead of just one play and if it doesn’t work, it’s not going to get anywhere.”

Lyles is humble enough to realize that even though he enjoyed a lot of success on the high school level, playing Division I football is a totally different monster.

“Honestly, I feel like I can work on getting my body in better shape so I cannot be injury-prone in the future,” Lyles continued. “I feel like I can also work on the mental aspect of the game to come in more focused so I can know where to go before the play is called, knowing the plays and understanding my teammates.”

Lyles says his mother, Shaunta Lyles-Dixon, liked Coastal a lot during the recruitment process, but he was still contemplating other schools at the time. Once he made up his mind, he says his mother backed his decision 100 percent.

“When I told her I wanted to go to Coastal, she was right on board with it,” he continued.

“She told me she was going to go wherever my heart took me, so when I chose Coastal, she actually was happy for me.”

For Lyles-Dixon, seeing her son move on to the next level is a bittersweet moment. She says she enjoyed watching the brotherhood her son had with his teammates at East

Submitted photo

Forsyth. She had a similar feeling about Coastal, which was one of the reasons the school was attractive to her as well.

“It was just a family atmosphere there,” she said.

“When we went down there to visit, all the coaches already knew about Ty and talked to him like he was already a part of the program. The head coach was also spiritual, and he talked about God and that’s one of our number one things, having a relationship with God. “It just seemed like it was the perfect fit when we went down there, like it was family from the first time we went there.”

Lyles-Dixon stated it will be difficult when the family drops Ty off at Coastal next month. She has been preparing for the moment, but knows it will still be hard to say goodbye.

“It’s going to be hard and I am already thinking about it,” she stated. “I’m actually about to talk to my husband about staying the weekend just in case he needs to call or needs anything that weekend. I have been going through a lot of emotions and sometimes I tear up or just stare at him.

My emotions are all over the place at this point and I am going to miss him, but as long as he stays focused and does what he needs to do, I am happy for him.”

It was disappointing for Lyles not to have the opportunity to play for a third championship with the Eagles. However, he is pleased with the legacy he has left at East Forsyth.

“I am happy with the legacy I am leaving at East, but I feel like my senior year I could have done more,” he said confidently.

“I definitely think we could have brought a third ring to the school and hopefully a third MVP.”

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D ecember 31, 2020

The C hronicle

RELIGION

Trust and follow God

Elder Richard Wayne Wood Sunday School Lesson

Called to Proclaim Scriptures: Luke 4:14-22 By the end of this lesson, we will: *Comprehend the meaning of Jesus’ inaugural sermon in Nazareth; *Sense the impact of Jesus’ pronouncement at Nazareth; *Align our faith response with Jesus’ call and mission.

Background: “Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee” (verse 14a). Prior to returning to Nazareth, Jesus was baptized and The Holy Spirit identified Him: “ This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (2 Peter 1:17). He went into the wilderness fasting for forty days and was tempted three times by Satan. Weakened in the body from fasting, yet strengthened by the Spirit and ministering angels, Jesus is prepared for ministry.

Lesson: Jesus ministered in Jerusalem and Judea and news of him spread as he taught in synagogues. The synagogues served as places of worship and instructions (verses 14-15). Nazareth was Jesus’ hometown so the people would recognize him as a regular attendee. He was also accustomed to teaching on The Sabbath and so did “As was His custom.” Jesus was handed The Book of Isaiah to read from and chose to use passage 61:1-2 to explain both himself and the nature of salvation that God is bringing through Him (verse 17). He declared “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me” because “He has anointed me to …” He then reminds them of God’s target audience for the Good News: the poor, brokenhearted, imprisoned, blind, and oppressed. The promise in the text said that the Messiah would arrive and do everything foretold in ancient prophecy (verse 18).

“The acceptable year of the Lord” is interpreted as the “Year of Jubilee,” which took place every 50 years in Jewish culture, at which time the Israelites were to free slaves, cancel debts, and restore land to its original owner (Leviticus 25:8-19). Jesus made clear that His intention as Messiah was to change peoples’ lives not only spiritually, but also sociologically and economically. Jesus stopped His reading of Isaiah mid-sentence because His work was primarily one of redemption and the rest of that passage pertains to the second coming (verse 19).

Rabbis would customarily stand respectfully to read the scriptures and sit humbly to teach. Jesus sat to a captive audience wanting to hear Him teach, but what He said next was totally unexpected. Jesus told them what was written in Isaiah has now become reality. “… this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” This was an unambiguous claim that He was The Messiah (verse 21).

The people responded favorably; his gracious words impressed them. They understood His meaning, but they soon began to question His right to make claim to be The Messiah. “And they said Is not this Joseph’s son?” They could only see The Son of Joseph not The Son of God (verse 22). (The UMI Annual Commentary 2020-2021, The MacArthur Study Bible, The New Interpreter’s Study Bible, The Modern Life Study Bible, The Oxford Bible Commentary).

For Your Consideration: It was the Spirit of the Lord that enabled Jesus to accomplish God’s work. Do you believe the Spirit can empower you for the Lord’s work?

Application: God’s work is never accomplished entirely by people in leadership positions at church or in ministry. God has empowered all of us with His Spirit.

But are we carrying out His assignments as His emissaries to the world or are we waiting for someone else to do the work?

When I initially wrote this devotion, it was a play on the idea of 20/20 being perfect vision. As the year 2020 unfolded, it became obvious that no one on earth could have predicted what we were going to experience this year. Only God knew what was going to happen.

The message of this devotion is even more appropriate as we approach the end of this year. Trust that God can bring us through such a difficult time with a good purpose.

Back in January, as we started the year 2020, we were hearing the analogy about 20/20 being perfect vision. After all, 20/20 is considered perfect vision

my future triumphs, too.

Even better: He knows how I am going to use the gifts that He gave me.

He knows how I am going to grow in the faith.

He knows my heart. He knows if I am going to use the tools for success that He gave me. He knows the people He has placed in my path – to help me and

that God will equip us for the path He knows we will be taking.

Keep in mind that the persons you and I are today are not the same as we will be when God is finished with us. That is why His vision is much clearer than we could ever imagine. God sees into the future with perfect clarity.

Here are some key points to God’s vision for your life: *Look to God for your purpose in life. He has a vision of what He wants you to be and He will equip you for that vision. God knows what is best and paves the way for that to happen. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails”

to the eye doctor. It should come as no surprise that God has perfect vision.

Not only can He see the minutest detail, but more important, He can see into the future. From before I was even born He knows what is going to happen in my life. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16).

God knows every struggle I will face and how it turns out. He knows

for me to help.

He doesn’t let us know the future as doing so will allow us to try and alter it for our own purposes and to fit our own vision.

We want to “play God” to control the future instead of trusting Him with it.

As a result, we experience life in “real time” and rely on God to help us through the difficult times. In addition, we think we know our limitations. We may be asked to do something that we don’t think we are capable of doing. We forget

(Proverbs 19:21). *See your future through the “lens of faith.” A popular Bible verse is, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Without faith you will rely only on your own limited abilities and narrow vision. *Your growing faith will help you become the person God intended you to be. Trust God. You have a bigger future than you could ever imagine. “Now faith is being sure of what

BY BRUCE BOYER

Bruce Boyer

Submitted photo

we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). *Jesus understood that God has a clear vision for each and every person of His creation.

He wants you to be saved, healed, set free, equipped, empowered, and serving.

He will make this happen in your life, if you let it.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6), Where do you start? Embark on seeking a God-enabled future by focusing on Jesus.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured

the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

Trust God God’s direction and seek to live God’s perfect 20/20 vision for your life. He is in charge.

Bruce Boyer is the author of two devotional books and writes a weekly devotional. A library of his stories is posted on https://christianfaithstories.org/.

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RELIGION CALENDAR

*Please call ahead to make sure your event is still happening. We will post cancellations/postponements announcements when received.

Thursdays and Saturdays Free Meals Christ Rescue Temple Church, 1500 North Dunleith Ave., will serve hot meals as part of the People Helping People Feeding Program. Meals will be served every Thursday and Saturday from noon until 1 p.m. at the church’s location. For more information, call 336-7229841.

NOW Zoom services New Birth Worship Center (NBWC) in East Bend has gone virtual. Please join Dr. James L. E. Hunt, Senior Pastor on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. on Zoom webinar. The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84789021891 or Dial-In: 1 301 715 8592 ID Mtg. #: 84789021891.

In addition, Sunday School is taught by Deacon James Henry at 9 a.m. via telephone conference call #: 1 917 900 1022 ID#: 868433#.

All are welcome to join us for Zoom (virtual) Bible Study on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Our Pastor, Dr. Hunt, will be the teacher. The Zoom Link: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/89195349778 or Dial-In Mtg #: 1 301 715 8592 ID#: 89195349778#.

For additional information, please call 336-6993583 or visitwww.newbirthworshipcenter.org or visit our Facebook page.

Dec. 31 First Waughtown Baptist Church Live Stream – Watch Night Service FWBC will livestream the Watch Night service on Facebook Live, https://www.facebook.com/FirstWaughtown/ and the First Waughtown website, https:// www.firstwaughtown.org at 11 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 31. The service will feature a message by Pastor Bishop, selections from the Music Ministry, youth presentations, and some much-needed good news from 2020.

Jan. 1-3, 2021 Revival New Hope AME Zion Church of 7000 Shallowford Rd. in Lewisville, N.C. will bring a 3-day Spiritual Revival on January 1-3. On Jan 1, Rev. Sharon McKinney, pastor of Smith Grove AME Zion Church will speak at 6:30 p.m. Jan 2, Rev. Michael A. Frencher Jr., pastor of Center Grove AME Zion Church will speak at 3 p.m.

Jan. 3, Rev. Dairl L. Scott Jr., pastor of Wall Memorial AME Zion Church will speak at 3 p.m. Join us in the parking lot, on Zoom, conference call or Facebook for three powerful days. Rev. Dairl L. Scott Sr. is senior pastor. For more information, contact us at 336-945-9083.

Jan. 3 First Waughtown Baptist Church Live Stream On Sunday, January 3, Dr. Bishop will deliver the morning message and lead in partaking of the Lord’s

Supper. Everyone is encouraged to have their elements prepared. Please join us at 10 a.m. on Facebook Live, https://www.facebook.com/FirstWaughtown/ or the First Waughtown website, https://www.firstwaughtown.org and click on MEDIA. Jan. 9 GriefCare St. Paul United Methodist Church sponsors “GriefCare”, a support group for persons experiencing grief due to the death of someone close to them. The sessions feature biblical teaching on grief and recovery topics.

The sessions are designed to give encouragement and support to persons on their journey from “Mourning to Joy”. Sessions are free; each is self-contained, meaning one does not have to attend the sessions in sequence.

“Lessons Of Grief—Part 1” is the topic on Saturday, January 9 at 10 a.m. For information about how to participate in this virtual GriefCare session, please call 336723-4531 before January 9.

How to submit items to the Religion calendar: The deadline is Sunday at 11:59 p.m. to have all calendar items submitted for that week’s paper. Send your calendar items to news@wschronicle.com. You can also drop them off, Monday through Friday before 5 p.m., or mail your items to Winston-Salem Chronicle, 1300 E. Fifth St., Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101; or send them via our website, www.wschronicle.com.

T he C hronicle

D ecember 31, 2020

Review

Community Calendar Please call ahead to make sure your event is still happening. We will post cancellations/postponements announcements when received.

NOW – Volunteer Center of the Triad The Volunteer Center of the Triad is responding to COVID-19 by bringing the volunteer community together. We have designated a portion of our website www.volunteercentertriad.org to assist our non-profit community as their needs arise around the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you are interested in volunteering, visit www. volunteercentertriad.org, click COVID-19 Response and search volunteer opportunities available.

NOW - Dec. 31 – Scholarship drive Atkins High School Alumni and Friends, the Atkins Class of 1969 cordially invites you to participate in our scholarship drive for Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy, formerly Atkins High School.

You can do so by purchasing a large, 50 X 68-inch, beautiful, high quality Atkins High School afghan for only $79. All proceeds go towards the scholarship. If you are interested and willing to help, please call Ms. Shelia Smith at (336) 671-8836 or (336) 893-5326, or email us at Atkinsclassof1969@ gmail.com. Thank you, in advance, for your support.

Jan. 5, 2021 – Teacher grant application deadline Applications are currently being accepted for the 2021 Forsyth County Teacher Grants, awarded

by The Winston-Salem Foundation for professional development to PK-12th grade educators

in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 5 p.m. An advisory committee of professional educators will review applications; applicants will be notified of funding decisions by late February 2021. For more information or to apply, visit wsfoundation.org/fctg.

Jan. 15, 2021 – Application deadline The city of WinstonSalem is accepting grant applications through Jan. 15 from non-profit organizations for programs that address social justice and anti-poverty initiatives.

The City Council recently set aside $1 million for such programs and tasked the Community Investments Review Committee to determine how the money should be allocated. An online application form is posted at CityofWS. org/2813.

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, 2021.

Jan. 18, 2021 – Day of Service The Volunteer Center & Truist Bank present Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service virtually, featuring: service projects, Nonprofit Fair & children’s activities.

The MLK Day of Service, Monday, January 18, from 1 - 2:30 p.m. will be broadcasted live on various outlets and will include many activities and opportunities to engage in community, learn about the volunteer needs of our nonprofit partners and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King

through service. For other opportunities to serve, volunteer, partner, or be an advocate for/with The Volunteer Center throughout the month of January 2021 and beyond, visit www. volunteercentertriad.org How to submit items to the community calendar: We appreciate your community news. Here’s how you can help us to process your news more efficiently: *Please give us complete information about the event, such as the sponsor and address, date, time and place of the event and contact information so that the public can contact someone for more information if needed. *Please submit items in document form in an email or Word or PDF attachment. *Submit photos as attachments to emails as jpegs at least 4 inches wide by 6 inches deep rather than sent on documents. Please send captions with photos. *Please do not send jpeg fliers only, since we cannot transfer the information on them into documents.

The deadline is Sunday at 11:59 p.m. to have all calendar items submitted for that week’s paper.

Send your calendar items to news@wschronicle.com. You can also drop them off, Monday through Friday before 5 p.m., or mail your items to Winston-Salem Chronicle, 1300 E. Fifth St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101; or send them via our website, www. wschronicle.com.

From page B1

have been training for four years for this opportunity and to see it taken away because of COVID-19 was heartbreaking.

Virtual meetings became the norm. Even the NFL Draft in April was a virtual draft with all the college prospects holding draft parties at their homes with family and friends.

As the summer months rolled around, there were rumors circulating about the return of the NBA, NHL and MLB. All the major sport leagues were able to figure out a way to return to play.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Los Angeles Dodgers all persevered through the postponements to win titles this year in their respective leagues. At a time when the country was split and divided due to the fight against social injustice, the election and the virus, it was good to have

sports to watch to give us a break from our everyday lives.

The NHL successfully returned in late July and easily finished their regular season and playoffs with little to no problems.

The NBA returned to a “bubble” in the state of Florida to finish their regular season and playoffs with relative ease.

The same could not be said for Major League Baseball. Instead of separating their players, the league decided to allow their teams to stay at their locations to finish playing the season. There were many cases of COVID-19 with several teams early on. There was a question as to whether MLB would finish the season, but in the end they did.

It was up in the air as to what the NFL and fall college sports were going to do. It looks as though professional and college football will finish their seasons. It is still up in the air if college basketball will finally conclude in

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March.

The one positive from the college football season is that the players will not have to use a year of eligibility. Many college players were able to gain valuable experience and still can retain the status quo on their eligibility.

It was good to see sports such as tennis, boxing and golf return in August. Although many of the sports have returned, the lack of fans in the stands is still somewhat of a letdown. I know from personal experience how fulfilling it can be to witness your favorite sports team win a big game while you are in the stands. That seems to be the price we fans must pay in order to have sports.

This seems to be the new norm that we are going to have to deal with to have our favorite sports to watch on television. Who knows when we will return to normal? But in the meantime, I will take what we have as it pertains to sports.

National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa spreads cheer to schools and rec center SUBMITTED PHOTO

Members of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc-Beta Lambda, embraced the holiday spirit on Dec. 4 by distributing gifts to teachers and students in Winston-Salem.

Phi Delta Kappa, a professional organization of teachers, is dedicated to promoting the academic achievement of young people across the globe. The organization’s first stop was to the Rupert Bell Neighborhood Recreation Center. The goal was to distribute books to students at the recreation center’s tutoring site. Cathy Talbert, an administrative assistant for the Winston-Salem Urban League, warmly welcomed the members and helped to facilitate the matching of book to reader.

The next stop was to Ashley Elementary, where members presented Principal Joanell Gatling with teacher appreciation gifts for the staff. Principal Gatling expressed gratitude at the outpouring of support for the faculty at Ashley Elementary, noting that the gifts would be well received.

Finally, the members of Phi Delta Kappa, stopped by Parkland High School with more gifts for the teachers there.

Parkland Assistant Principal Roshanda

Submitted photo

Pictured left to right: Miss NSPDK Val Edwards, President Donna Mickens, and Administrative Assistant for the Urban League, Cathy Talbert.

McCrimmon thanked the members for their spirit of generosity.

The members of Phi Delta Kappa, along with President Donna Mickens, hope to continue spreading gifts of literacy and appreciation well into the new year.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE WINSTON-SALEM CITY COUNCIL ON PETITIONS FOR ZONING CHANGES

Hickory Construction Company, Hickory, NC is seeking subcontractors for Selective Demolition, concrete, unit masonry, metal fabrications, thermal and moisture protection, doors & windows, finishes, specialties, casework, simulated stone countertops, metal building systems, fire suppression, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, communications, electronic safety and security, for all divisions of work on Tuesday January 19, 2021 prior to the 1:00 PM bid opening.

Having qualified as Fiduciary of the Estate of Sophia L. Wilson (20 E 1941), also known as Sophia Lorraine Wilson, deceased June 6, 2020, Forsyth County, North Carolina, this is to Notify all persons, firms, and corporation having claims against the Estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before March 22, 2021 this Notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons indebted to the said decedent or estate shall please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 17th day of December, 2020.

Ethel Wilson Fiduciary for Sophia L. Wilson, deceased 715 Haywood Street Winston-Salem, NC 27105 The Chronicle December 17, 24, 31, 2020 and January 7, 2021 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Fiduciary of the Estate of Deborah Lynn Swaim (20 E 2094), deceased September 5, 2020, Forsyth County, North Carolina, this is to Notify all persons, firms, and corporation having claims against the Estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before March 15, 2021 this Notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons indebted to the said decedent or estate shall please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 10th day of December, 2020.

Margaret M. Overby Fiduciary for Deborah Lynn Swaim, deceased 6490 Balmoral Hill Rd. Rural Hall, NC 27045 The Chronicle December 10, 17, 24, 31, 2020 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Fiduciary of the Estate of Gloria Palmer Roseboro (20 E 2078), also known as Gloria P. Roseboro, Gloria Roseboro, deceased May 22, 2020, Forsyth County, North Carolina, this is to Notify all persons, firms, and corporation having claims against the Estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before March 22, 2021 this Notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery.

All persons indebted to the said decedent or estate shall please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 17th day of December, 2020.

Whitnei D. Johnson Fiduciary for Gloria Palmer Roseboro, deceased 225 Castlerock Drive Sanford, NC 27332 The Chronicle December 17, 24, 31, 2020 and January 7, 2021 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Fiduciary of the Estate of Jessie Mae Amaker (20 E 5163), deceased September 13, 2020 Forsyth County, North Carolina, this is to Notify all persons, firms, and corporation having claims against the Estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before March 26, 2021 this Notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons indebted to the said decedent or estate shall please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 14th day of December, 2020.

Larry Amaker Fiduciary for Jessie Mae Amaker, deceased 1220 E. 17th St. Winston-Salem, NC 27105 The Chronicle December 24, 31, 2020 and January 7, 14, 2021

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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to the requirements of Article 19 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes of North Carolina, that the City Council of the City of Winston-Salem will hold a virtual public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on January 4, 2021, on the following proposed amendments to the Official Zoning Map of the City of Winston-Salem, North Carolina: 1. Zoning petition of Nizam Humayun, to amend and change from RS9 to LB-L (Food or Drug Store; Retail Store; Offices; Services, A; and Combined Use): the zoning classification and Official Zoning Map of the property located north of the intersection at Old Greensboro Road and Harvest Drive; property consists of ¹ 0.59 acres and is PIN 6846-82-7512 as shown on the Forsyth County Tax Maps (Zoning Docket W-3448).

2. Site Plan Amendment of Wachovia Bank, N.A. for changes related to secure access on a site previously approved for Services, A in a GO-S zoning district: the zoning classification and Official Zoning Map of the property located at the northwest corner of Sunnynoll Court and Silas Creek Parkway; property consists of Âą8.65 acres and is PIN 6817-82-3532 as shown on the Forsyth County Tax Maps and on a site plan on file in the office of the CityCounty Planning Board (Zoning Docket W-3455).

3. Site Plan Amendment of Jonathan M. Brown and Torina D. Brown for a building expansion and improvements for vehicular circulation on a site previously approved for Services, A in a LB-S zoning district: the zoning classification and Official Zoning Map of the property located on the north side of Waughtown Street, between Reynolds Forest Drive and Salem Lake Road; property consists of Âą 1.26 acres and is PIN 6844-88-0446 as shown on the Forsyth County Tax Maps (Zoning Docket W-3456).

4. An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services staff modifying Section 12.2 of the Unified Development Ordinances, pertaining to traffic impact standards. (UDO-CC6).

The project architect is Adams + Associates, Mooresville, NC. The work will include the above divisions of work as per the Contract Documents. Drawings and specifications will be available for examination thru Hickory Construction Company by Bill Herold thru iSqFt. Contact for Hickory Construction is Bill Herold, 828-322-9234 or email bherold@hickory-construction.com The Chronicle December 31, 2020 and January 7, 2021

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5. An ordinance amendment proposed by Planning and Development Services staff to modify Section 4.1.6 of the Unified Development Ordinances, pertaining to bonus density for affordable housing, and Section 6.1.5, pertaining to alternative parking compliance for multifamily development near transit (UDO-CC7).

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During the public hearing, the City Council may hear other proposals to amend the zoning of the above-described property or any portion thereof. At the end of the public hearing, the City Council may continue the matter, deny the proposed rezoning, in whole or in part, grant the proposed rezoning, in whole or in part, or rezone the above-described property or any portion thereof to some other zoning classification.

Prior to the hearing, all persons interested may obtain any additional information on these proposals which is in the possession of the City-County Planning Board by inquiring in the office of the City-County Planning Board in the Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building on weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00Â p.m.

Written comments will be accepted on the public hearing items until 7:00 p.m. January 5, 2021. Written comments may be sent to the City Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 2511 Winston-Salem 27102, or by email to sandrark@cityofws.org.

All requests for appropriate and necessary auxiliary aids and services must be made, within a reasonable time prior to the hearing, to Angela Carmon at 747-7404 or to T.D.D. 727-8319.

BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL Sandra Keeney, Clerk to the City Counci of the City of Winston-Salem The Chronicle December 24, 31, 2020

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6. Public Hearing on Resolution Accepting a Conservation Easement from Duarte and Castro, LLC for Property Restricted from Development Under the Paired-Parcel Provisions of the Salem Lake Watershed Ordinance.(Within City’s ETJ; closest to the East Ward) All parties in interest and citizens are invited to attend said hearing (virtually) at which time they shall have an opportunity to be heard in favor of or in opposition to the foregoing proposed changes. If you would like to speak during the public hearing, please visit www.cityofws.org/ccvirtual.

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T he C hronicle

D ecember 31, 2020

B5

AgingWell Series offers healthy Considering osteoarthritis surgery? living tips, cooking demonstration, patient’s BMI is over 25.

Turmeric is a good adEvery pound lost helps. junct and has little to no easy fitness demos – all for seniors! More than 32.5 mil- Every pound gained in- side effects. Same with

BY NOVANT HEALTH

BY DEB BURCOMBE

There has never been a better time for all of us to look at ways that we can stay healthy. This is especially true during the pandemic as older adults can often be at a higher risk for more serious symptoms from the COVID virus.

So how can older adults, and those who love them, stay connected and learn about ways to stay healthy - all from the safety and comfort of home? By joining the FREE monthly AgingWell Series!

This series is sponsored by the Wake Forest Baptist Health, Sticht Center for Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention, and is presented from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month via Zoom.

The AgingWell Series is a one-hour, on-line program that not only provides valuable information on different healthy living tips, but also features an “EatingWell” segment each month hosted by local chefs from area restaurants who provide cooking demonstrations of some of their most popular dishes. In addition to the cooking programs, the series also features a monthly “MovingWell” segment that demonstrates different types of physical activities that are effective, safe, fun and can all be done at home!

The January 12 presentation will feature Jamy Ard, M.D., professor, Epidemiology and Prevention at Wake Forest Baptist Health. Dr. Ard will be leading the discussion on “How to Keep Your Healthy New Year’s Resolution During a Pandemic.”

January’s AgingWell participants will also be treated to a cooking demonstration

by Chef Michael Millan, co-owner and executive chef of Mojito Latin Soul Food located on Trade Street in downtown Winston-Salem. Chef Michael, along with his wife and business partner Michelle, will be showing how to create some of their specialty Cuban dishes.

Presenting on safe exercise activities

Dr. Jamy Ard

Submitted photo

that you can do in your home to stay fit will be Tim Gribble and Daryl Pobanz, trainers with a local YMCA and certified group exercise instructors and personal trainers with the American Fitness Association of America. Tim and Daryl will be demonstrating different exercises that can be easily done from the comfort of your home.

While it is FREE to participate in the AgingWell Series, we ask that anyone who wants to participate please e-mail us at: AgingWellSeries@WakeHealth.edu and you will be sent the link to join the meeting.

It is important to register so that you will receive: 1) the recipes from the cooking demonstrations, 2) detailed instructions on the exercises, 3) tips for keeping your new year’s resolutions during a pandemic, 4) AND you will be entered in the monthly door prize drawing!

So mark your calendar now for January 12, 5:30 p.m.,for a lively hour of education, information, and fun – just for seniors!

lion American adults have osteoarthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That’s the condition that’s treated most often by Dr. Slade Moore of Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Kernersville. Moore recently addressed several questions about joint pain to help people better understand this condition.

Where do people feel pain from osteoarthritis?

If the problem is in the hip joint, they may feel it in the front of their leg or the groin area, or sometimes the buttocks. Knee arthritis can vary, but the pain is usually felt in the front of the knee. Hand osteoarthritis usually affects the first two joints – those at the end of the fingers.

Osteoarthritis is typically more of a deep ache that can radiate from where it originates, but it doesn’t radiate far. People with osteoarthritis can feel a change in their condition when there’s a change in the weather.

What are the first non-surgical options you might take before surgery?

That depends on the severity. Low-impact aerobics is a good place to start. And weight loss if a

creases the stress on the hip or knee by four to six pounds.

Exercise is also a big one. Too many people have let their exercise habits go since the COVID-19 pandemic. Those with osteoarthritis have had flareups because they’re less active and may have put on weight. The best and simplest thing you can do is get out and walk.

Anti-inflammatories can help, too – ibuprofen, Aleve, Celebrex. But they can have side effects.

People with high blood pressure, kidney disease or a history of ulcers should be careful. Tylenol is not an anti-inflammatory, but it can help. There’s also a topical anti-inflammatory called Voltaren, available over the counter, that can help – especially with joints closer to the skin.

We can also try cortisone injections, but they need to be used judiciously. One every two years would be about right in many cases, and they should not be given if symptoms are mild. Studies show that cortisone injections can actually worsen arthritis if given when a patient’s condition is mild.

What’s your advice about supplements?

fish oil. Studies haven’t shown glucosamine to be effective relief for osteoarthritis.

When is surgery appropriate?

When your bad days outnumber your good days. Surgery is not intended for mild or moderate cases.

Whether or not you choose surgery also depends on your age and goals. If you’re in your 80s and mostly sedentary, you may not want to have knee surgery. There are risks associated with it, and patients should discuss the pros and cons with a doctor.

A decision about surgery also depends on what joint needs to be replaced.

It’s counterintuitive, but a hip replacement is much easier than a knee replacement. Most people can walk with a cane two weeks after having a hip replaced. Knees are still healing up to 18 months after surgery. There’s more rehab involved with a knee, and it’s more intense.

We hope some of your questions have been answered and you find the suggestions helpful. For more information, visit www.novanthealth.org.

January Senior Events Calendar: *Classes and activities at The Shepherd’s Center, 1700 Ebert St., have been cancelled until further notice. Transportation for some medical visits including cancer treatments is still being arranged. Call 336-748-0217 for information or visit www.shepherdscenter.org.

Below are the calendar items that are being held via online meetings: *Open Mic, hosted by Winston-Salem Writers, (first Tuesday of each month), is being held on Jan. 5 at 6:45 p.m. via Zoom. This event offers beginning and experienced writers an opportunity to read five minutes of their work to a friendly audience. To participate in the Zoom Open Mic, visit www.wswriters.org and click on the January newsletter or email Judie Holcomb-Pack at judiehp@triad.rr.com to get the link to Zoom. *Aging Well series presented by Wake Forest Baptist Sticht Center for Healthy

Senior apartment community ‘decks the halls’ and the doors for the holidays

BY JUDIE HOLCOMB-PACK THE CHRONICLE

Driving around neighborhoods to enjoy the holiday decorations and lights is a tradition for many families during the holiday season. Often homeowners begin decorating at Thanksgiving with hundreds of lights strung across rooftops and porches that put smiles on the faces of Duke Energy stockholders.

But what happens when you live in an apartment building and don’t have a yard to decorate or a roof to plant Santa and his reindeer? You get creative, as was shown at Hunt Park Senior Apartments when the management held a holiday door-

Aging & Alzheimer’s Prevention, (the second Tuesday of each month) will be held on Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m. virtually online. To register and to receive the link to access the program, email agingwellseries@wakehealth.edu . *AARP meeting (second Tuesday except July and August), will be held Jan. 12 at noon via conference call. Email Geneva Herbert at evaleejr2@gmail.com for more information. Open to all seniors age 50 and above with an AARP membership. *Adult Children of Aging Parents meeting, (third Tuesday), will be held Jan. 19 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. via Zoom. All are welcome, but the focus will be on the needs of adult children who are caring for their aging parents. For more information and to get the Zoom link, visit www. http://acapwinston-salem.org/.

If you have an item for the Seniors Calendar, please email news@wschronicle. com and put Seniors Calendar in the subject line. Items must be submitted by the 20th of the preceding month for the next month’s issue.

Affordable Senior Communities

w/ Rental Assistance & Section 8 Assistance Available Income Restrictions Apply Spring Hill

Wachovia Hill 100 S. Spruce Street

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Cherry Hill Apartments 840 West 14th Street 336.723.7524 24 hour on-call maintenance and laundry room

Alder’s Point 590 Mock St. 336.725.9021 Garden space, community room, computer lab, resident activities, laundry room, 24 hour on-call maintenance, exercise room, and beauty salon

Azalea Terrace Photo by Judie Holcomb-Pack

Regional Manager Wayne Stepnoski congratulates Cheryl Hodge on her winning door design. decorating contest.

There were 38 doors (out of 60 apartments) with some form of decoration, from simple wreaths to garland with twinkling See Door on B6

100 Azalea Terrace Ct. 336.723.3633 Community room, computer lab, resident activities, laundry room, and 24 hour on-call maintenance

618 N. Spring St. 336.251.1060 24 hour on-call maintenance and laundry room

St. Peter’s Heritage Place 3727 Old Lexington Rd. 336.771.9028 Community room, computer lab, resident activities, laundry room, and 24 hour on-call maintenance

Country Village 201 Park Ridge Cir. 336.765.4354 Community room, computer lab, resident activities, laundry room, 24 hour on-call maintenance, pool tables, and hot tub

Assembly Terrace 3731 University Pkwy. 336.759.9798 Garden space, community room, computer lab, resident activities, laundry room, and 24 hour on-call maintenance

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B6

D ecember 31, 2020

The C hronicle

Piedmont Plus Senior Games/SilverArts will continue in 2021 with adjustments

BY CHUCK VESTAL

Plans are being made to safely host the 2021 Piedmont Plus Senior Games /SilverArts. No one can predict what the status of the pandemic will be in April, but we stand ready to host the Games, albeit with some changes. However, we are also prepared to scale back as necessary.

It is our intent to be

forth by state regulations and it is not possible to limit these capacities.

The games normally take place in April and May. To afford more time to become healthier, our first athletics event is scheduled to take place in May, 30 days later than usual. We are moving forward with plans to host competitions in a manner which allows us to have

WILL be at each “court” for each individual competition, as well as staff and tournament personnel. To keep the number of attendees as low as possible, we are minimizing the use of volunteers normally used as scorers.

In addition to scheduling different age groups at a variety of times to minimize attendance, we are looking to move events

Submitted photo

Shuffleboard 2020 medal winners, left to right – Doug Jackson, Mabel Jackson, M. C. Davis, Ronald Kleinlein, Joe Volk, Helen Kleinlein, Barry Edgerton, Ronnie Nations good stewards of these programs by following the guidelines as set forth by the CDC, the state, and each venue which hosts our events. For example, the changes we have already made include elimination of the larger events such as the Games Kickoff which is usually held in January at the Hanes Hosiery Recreation Center and the Opening Ceremony hosted by Calvary Baptist Church, normally scheduled for the first Friday in April. Both will exceed the capacities as set

fewer athletes and artists together at one time. For example, as opposed to having all cornhole players come together at one time, we will have a specific group of ladies or men show up from 9 a.m.

– 10:30 a.m. and continue to schedule participating groups by ages in an effort to keep capacities low.

Masks WILL be worn at all times by participants, staff and tournament personnel. Social distancing WILL be practiced at each event. Hand sanitizer

outdoors where possible.

We are currently looking for options to move pickleball and swimming outdoors.

In case the pandemic does not allow for in-person competition, we will offer virtual skills challenge opportunities. This is a process already established last fall by the N.C. Senior Games in conjunction with the local game coordinators.

As for SilverArts, the downtown Central Library will allow for set-up of

our display this year. The take-in for the arts will be scheduled in ten-minute increments, as opposed to having several artists show up at once, to minimize attendance. Our visual, heritage and literary arts will be on display for the entire month of April! Unfortunately, we will not be permitted to have an awards reception this year due to the attendance which it draws. The awards/medals will be distributed when artists return for pick up.

The process to pick up the art will also be by appointment similar to the load-in.

There will not be a “live” performing arts event in 2021. Rather, arrangements are being made to have the performers record their talent in the auditorium of Forsyth Tech’s West Campus. Competitors will be judged based on their recorded performance. If all comes together as planned, our 2021 performing arts event will then be available to watch on the senior page on the weplay.ws website, social media, as well as on a regular schedule available at TV13.

For more details, including deadlines, qualifications and registration forms for the 2021 N.C. Senior Games/SilverArts, visit our website at https:// www.cityofws.org/2395/ Piedmont-Plus-SeniorGames-and-SilverArt or the Piedmont Plus Senior Games and SilverArts FaceBook page. Please call 336-727-2325 or email chuckv@cityofws. org if you have questions.

This year’s events will look and feel differently, but the spirit of the games will be strong!

Chuck Vestal is the adult recreation program supervisor for Recreation and Parks.

Door

From page B5

lights. Debra Hogg, the community manager, invited Melody Archie to judge the doors, so there wouldn’t be any hint of favoritism. After walking the hallways to view the vari-

handmade.

“I loved the ones who put their own sayings on their doors,” said Archie.

“It was a reflection to me as to their beliefs, their values. You could tell they put a lot of themselves into the door design.”

After much contemplation, three winners

Photo by Judie Holcomb-Pack

Rosemary Graham stands with her winning door decorated with ornaments she made from soda cans. ous decorations, she was relieved she didn’t have to choose the winners.

Archie was happy to be invited to judge. “I didn’t come in with any expectations – I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “It [door designs] surprised me – each one put their own spin on it.”

For some residents, they didn’t stop at just their doors. Some extended decorations down the hallway, displaying garland and Christmas cards.

Others added whimsical accents, such as a teddy bear in a Santa hat, a Santa table holding a bowl of candy (to tempt the judge perhaps?), poinsettias, and various holiday door mats.

There was also a mixture of store-bought decorations and those that were

were chosen to receive gift cards: Cheryl Hodge, Rosemary Graham, and Patty Durfee.

Wayne Stepnoski, regional manager who happened to be in town for the judging, joined in congratulating the winners. He said he always enjoys his visits to this senior apartment community. “Every time I come here, I am greeted by so many nice people.”

The door decorating contest comes on the heels of the printing of the first cookbook compiled of recipes submitted by residents. These older adults are not letting a pandemic keep them from finding safe ways to create community and build social connections.

Beauty Flourishes Here

I United Methodist Retirement Community

N OUR FULLY EQUIPPED STUDIO, artist Steven loves to share

his experience and guidance with fellow residents as they tap into

their creative spirits. At Arbor Acres, our residents celebrate the endless

variations and possibilities of beauty. What is beautiful to you?

www.arboracres.org 1240 Arbor Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104 336 -724-7921