February 3, 2022

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Volume 48, Number 22

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

THURSDAY, Febuary 3, 2022

Fire at Winston Weaver Co. forces thousands to evacuate

BY TEVIN STINSON THE CHRONICLE

Fears of an explosion forced local firefighters and thousands of residents to evacuate the area on Monday night, after a fire broke out at the Winston Weaver Company fertilizer plant located on Cherry Street.

At about 7 p.m., the Winston-Salem Fire Department received calls of a fire at the plant located at 4440 Cherry Street.

More than 150 firefighters responded to the fire, according to the WSFD Chief Trey Mayo.

After battling the fire for nearly two hours, no progress had been made to douse the flames. “We were not making any satisfactory progress so we File photo decided to abandon that Flames from the fire at the Winston Weaver Company fertilizer plant has been burning for three days. Everyone firefighting operation due within a one-mile radius of the plant was asked to evacuate. to the risk of the products plant in Texas that took the used social media, media be an “irritant” and doesn’t 65 parts per million,” on site,” said Mayo while lives of 15 people and de- outlets, and reverse 911 cause any severe illness Mayo continued. “But we addressing the press on stroyed 150 buildings, had calls to inform residents. or death. Still, Mayo and do encourage folks who Tuesday morning. about 240 tons of ammo- First responders also trav- other officials encouraged have asthma, chronic obAt the time that the nium nitrate inside. eled through neighbor- those who suffer from re- structive pulmonary disfire erupted, an estimated Around the same time hoods using loudspeak- spiratory diseases and ill- ease … to stay indoors.

5,000 tons of finished fer- firefighters moved out of ers to let people know to nesses to stay indoors.

And we’re asking people tilizer and 600 tons of am- the area, everyone within evacuate.

“The threshold for im- who live in parts of the city monium nitrate was inside a one-mile radius of the According to a hazard- mediate danger to life and where the haze and smoke the plant. To put that in fertilizer plant was asked ous materials expert, the health is 100 parts per mil- is in the air not to do outperspective, in 2013, an to evacuate. WSFD and impact of burning ammo- lion of nitric oxide and door exercise today.” explosion at a fertilizer the city of Winston-Salem nium nitrate would only we’re measuring at about Mayor Allen Joines

thanked Chief Trey Mayo and the Winston-Salem Police Department for their work to keep citizens safe.

“On behalf of all our citizens, I want to thank Chief Mayo and his team for keeping this under control and taking the action needed to protect our citizens,” Joines said. “Those men and women put their lives on the line last night as they were battling that fire.”

Mayor Pro Tem Denise “DD” Adams, who represents the North Ward where the plant is located, said around the time the fire was reported, she heard the sirens and a few minutes later a loud explosive sound and about an hour later she heard it again. “In my mind I said I feel like that might be the fertilizer plant,” recalled Adams.

Winston Weaver Company, Inc. was founded in 1929 in Norfolk, Virginia, by A.W. Weaver. The Winston-Salem plant was built in 1939 and opened for business in 1940. The company produces specialty fertilizer and plant food.

Atkins’ girls jump to 3A, battle for first place conference crown When Louis Lowery took the reins of the girls’ basketball program at Atkins High School in 2012, he had his work cut out for him. Before he arrived, the team had lost 96 games in a row and were bottom feeders in the Northwest 1A. In just two years Lowery turned things around.

The 2014 squad posted a 17-5 record, the best in school history at the time.

“When I got here I had to rebuild a program that was 0-96 and we just kept building and getting better,” Lowery said. “It took about three years to start

turning things around. The problem was we weren’t getting players that were ready to play, so the process was all about development.”

Coming into the 20212022 season, Lowery and Atkins faced their biggest challenge yet, moving up to 3A. And they have faced it head on. Despite starting the season 0-4, the Camels have won nine of the last 10, and they’re battling for first place in the conference.

Lowery said at the beginning of the season they were plagued by injuries, but it made the team stronger. “We had a lot of players on the injury list and then we had a couple of players who had concussions, so we didn’t have our full team,” Lowery said.

“But I think in the long run it made our team better because some of the other players had to step up.”

The Camels are led by junior Layla Tillery, who leads the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Coming into the season, Tillery, who is averaging 13 points, 7 rebounds, three steals and nearly two blocks per game, said coming into

Photo by Tevin Stinson

Head Coach Louis Lowery talks to his team during the game against Eastern Guilford. the season her goal was to season,” Tillery added. the conference. Velidiazwin, the individual stats “After a slow start, we got Pedroza, who recently just come with it. “That to know each other better, returned from an ankle wasn’t my goal coming then we started playing to- injury, scored the first nine points for the Camels and into the season. My goal gether.”

That chemistry was finished with 16 points. was to help my team at After the game Veldileast win the conference,” on full display on Tuesday, Feb. 2, when Atkins az-Pedroza said she knew Tillery said.

When asked about the took on Eastern Guilford. she was going to have struggles early in the sea- From the tip to the final a good game when she son, Tillery said the team buzzer, the Camels were walked into the gym. “I has great chemistry and clicking on all cylinders. felt the energy coming in,” that’s what has helped Propelled by some tough she smiled.

Tillery, Aaryn Gabriel, them get over that rough defense and some sharp shooting from junior Amy and Talia Edmond also had start.

“Our team chemistry Veldiaz-Pedroza, Atkins stellar games for the Camhas definitely developed defeated the Wildcats 54- els. Atkins has five more since the beginning of the 37 and improved to 8-1 in games in the regular sea-

son, including three more games this week, before gearing up for the conference tournament and state playoffs. They will face off against a talented Ben L. Smith team at home today (Thursday, Feb. 3), Northern Guilford on Friday and Southern Guilford at home, on Saturday.

Heading into this tough stretch of games, Lowery and his team seem confident that they will get the job done and reach their goal of being crowned conference champs. Lowery said whether he’s coaching 1A, 2A, or 3A, the preparation is still the same.

“We were beating 4A schools when we were 1A, so moving from 2A to 3A was just a thing,” Lowery explained. “As a coach I kinda know what to look for and you always prepare for the best. We want to keep it going … we believe we can win it so each game, that’s how we approach it.”

Senior Keyonna Wilson-Rhodie said if they play their game, they will reach their goal. “We just have to play our best game and we’ll come out on top.”

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BY TEVIN STINSON THE CHRONICLE

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F ebuaray 3, 2022

The C hronicle

United Way highlights target areas for Black History Month

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE

A few years ago, the United Way of Forsyth County unveiled their plan to help revitalize several neighborhoods in the eastern portion of the city with several community partners. Their initiative, “Place Matters,” has a goal to positively impact the community by attacking issues plaguing these selected areas, such as under/unemployment, education, housing and healthy living.

For Black History Month, the United Way is highlighting certain residents that inhabit their target neighborhoods. The first individual who was selected to be interviewed was Ms. Barbara “Bob” Frost

their porch last year. Frost is adamant about staying in her neighborhood and has no plans on leaving.

“This is my home,” she said in an interview with Regina Craven, director of strategic communications and public relations with the United Way of Forsyth County. “I wanted this home. I am not going anywhere.

“We live where we can afford. When you come inside, my home is clean. When you walk on the porch, that’s not where we live. A lot of people look at people on the outside and don’t know what’s on the inside.”

In 2016, the City of Winston-Salem did some small renovations to her home.

Last year, Habitat for Humanity, a partner

Winston.

“Being new with the United Way and not even knowing we did this type of work, it brings me pride being from Winston and seeing we are doing these things,” she said. “It brings me pride as a Black person knowing that we are helping other Black people in the neighborhoods and they are not forgotten about.

“I think people tend to shy away from knowing that there is violence and drugs in some places and you just don’t talk

about it, you kind of just go around it. But knowing that we are involved in it and trying to make that impact and Ms. Frost can’t even articulate how United Way is helping, but she knows we are here. Those things make me proud.”

For Frost, her hope is that the neighborhood returns to its glory days of neighbors looking out for one another and a cease in the violence and crime.

When you get vaccinated, everyone wins.

Our school kids stay in class.

Local restaurants and businesses stay open… and their employees keep bringing home a paycheck.

Our first responders stay safe.

Our doctors and nurses stay on their jobs.

And if you catch the virus it can help you avoid serious illness.

Photo by Regina Craven

Barbara Frost has seen all of the negative changes in the Bowen Park neighborhood over the past few decades. of the Bowen Park neighborhood.

Frost was the eighth of 11 children.

She has three children and one stepchild and raised them all in Bowen Park. She attended Kimberley Park Elementary and Paisley Middle School. She dropped out of high school to take care of her first child, but returned to get her GED in 1997. Frost eventually went back to school to obtain her nursing assistant license.

As a resident of her current home for the past 41 years, Frost has seen a lot of changes in the neighborhood. She says it used to be a neighborhood where children could play in the yard, people spoke to each other, and everyone looked out for one another.

People used to be able to sit on the porch and enjoy the ambiance of the neighborhood, but now the area is filled with violence and drugs. She mentioned that a neighbor was shot while sitting on

of the United Way, came in and made her home wheelchair accessible after she had several surgeries.

Craven has not been with the United Way for very long, however, she is from Winston-Salem and says some of the areas in the Place Matters neighborhoods have been trending downward for years.

“It’s the thing that you see now and it’s not a surprise,” Craven said about how some of the neighborhoods have made a turn for the worse. “And even when I was interviewing her (Frost) and asking her what was the timeframe where she saw a change, she didn’t even remember a change either, she just knows that it’s different from what it was back in the day and I kind of feel the same way.”

Frost and other people in the neighborhood like her make revitalizing these areas all the more worthwhile. Craven is proud to be a part of the change in East

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including musical interludes. The evening will be moderated by PBS NewsHour’s Jeffrey Brown.

February 16 7:30 p.m. facetoface.wfu.edu

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T he C hronicle

Febuaray 3, 2022

—— — celebrating —— —

BLACK HISTORY MONTH TOGETHER At Food Lion we embrace and support diversity every day. Throughout the year, we honor the accomplishments of the African American community and the monumental achievements they’ve made that benefit our neighbors and families today. Join us in celebrating and learning about African American culture, literature, inventions, movements of love and equality, medical and scientific advancements and so much more.

community Nourishing a Sense of Belonging foodlion.com

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The 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

Gregg Penn

Graphic Designer

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

Tributes pour in remembering former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst As a lawyer, Cheslie Kryst worked pro bono for low-level drug offenders, founded White Collar Glam, a fashion blog dedicated to helping women dress professionally for office jobs, and modeled for Express’s retail company.

Kryst, who won the 2019 Miss USA pageant and worked as a correspondent for the entertainment news television show “Extra,” reportedly committed suicide on January 30.

Authorities said the beauty queen, 30, jumped to her death from her 29th floor New York apartment.

“In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie,” the Kryst family wrote in a statement.

“Her great light was one that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength. She cared, she loved, she laughed, and she shined.”

The statement continued: “Cheslie embodied love and served others, whether through her work as an attorney fighting for social justice, as Miss USA, and as a host on EXTRA. But most importantly, as a daughter, sister, friend, mentor, and colleague - we know her impact will live on.”

Tributes poured in through social media and other outlets for the beauty queen, who famously wore her crown atop her naturally curly hair.

“Such incredibly sad news,” Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, tweeted. “Depression creates deep despair and an overwhelming illusion that there’s no way forward in life,” King advised. “Remember, looking good and doing good doesn’t equal feeling and thinking good.”

Officials at Miss Universe also tweeted their devastation.

“We are devastated to learn about the loss of Miss USA 2019, Cheslie Kryst. She was one of the brightest, warmest, and most kind people we have ever had the privilege of knowing,” pageant officials tweeted.

“Our entire community mourns her loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family right now.”

The 68th Miss USA, Kryst was born in Jackson, Michigan, to Rodney Kryst and April Simpkins. She was raised by her mother and stepfather, David Simpkins, and Kryst had four brothers and one sister.

In 2013, Kryst won the 1L Trial Bar Competition Finals and graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and human resource management. A track and field star, Kryst turned her attention to law and beauty pageants. She began work at the Poyner Spruill firm as an attorney in civil litigation.

In 2016, she earned fourth runner-up at the Miss North Carolina USA pageant. In 2018, she finished in the top 10 in the Miss North Carolina USA competition, but earned her law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. She won the Miss North Carolina USA title a year later and then became a correspondent for EXTRA. “She was sunshine personified,” stated CBS journalist and Kryst friend Nathaniel Burleson.

For assistance, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

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RIP

Cheslie Kryst 1991-2022 What will be the significance of having an African American woman on the Supreme Court?

Dr. James B. Ewers Jr.

Guest Columnist

If you live long enough, you will see a lot. Things that you thought would never come to fruition.

When you are young, events that occur don’t have as much impact upon your psych. Maybe it is because we lack the maturity to understand them.

For example, segregation happened when I was a child. In fact, I am a product of it. I went to segregated schools. I can’t honestly say that I understood the ramifications of it. There were reasons why we as children did not feel the sting of segregation.

First and foremost, we felt love and had love in the East Winston section of Winston-Salem. We had good teachers and received a good education. Our parents inspired us each day to achieve. Our faith leaders gave us a spiritual underpinning that never left us.

Leaving home and going to college was a defining moment for me.

My eyes saw the social

injustices of the 60s. The civil rights movement was prominent during this part of my life. I understood more fully the hate that racism brought. The physical and emotional pain were on full display. Men and women were killed because they wanted a better life for us. The sacrifices they made were the moral ingredients that changed laws and gave us hope.

America became familiar with the names Rosa Parks, Barbara Jordan, Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse Jackson and Adam Clayton Powell.

There were many others in this fight for freedom.

If you were around and socially conscious during the 60s and 70s, you knew what was happening in this country. Many of us attended rallies and volunteered when we could.

During this era, the Supreme Court was made up of nine white men. I always thought that was the way it would always be. I was never so happy to be wrong. Thurgood Marshall was the first African American male to sit on the Supreme Court of the United States of America. He served from October 1967 until October 1991. He argued as a lawyer before the Supreme Court in the case, Brown v. Board of Educa-

tion of Topeka. The court ruled that state laws establishing racial segregation were unconstitutional.

Justice Thurgood Marshall was a role model for men and women of color who wanted to pursue a career in law. I believe many of my attorney friends were influenced by him in some way.

Now, America is gearing up for another first on the U.S. Supreme Court. If all goes well, we will have the first African American woman on the nation’s highest court.

During the presidential campaign, then candidate Joe Biden promised if elected, he would nominate an African American woman. He is now keeping his promise.

The stage is set. Last week, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer announced his retirement at the White House.

He said, “I enormously appreciate the privilege of serving as part of the federal judicial system, nearly 14 years as a Court of Appeals judge and nearly 28 years as a member of the Supreme Court. He added that the work has been challenging and meaningful.

This will be a defining moment in the presidency of Joe Biden. Some will

say his pathway is clear.

I will say that I am cautiously optimistic. I heard someone say once that it’s not over until it’s over.

Excitement and anticipation loom large regarding the President’s choice.

Who will it be?

President Biden said, “The person that I nominate will be someone with extraordinary qualifications, character, experience and integrity. And that person will be the first Black woman ever nominated to the United States Supreme Court.”

February is Black History Month and a Black woman will be nominated for the Supreme Court.

Sometimes life brings about such compelling moments that you are left speechless.

This is one of those moments.

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

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T he C hronicle

Febuaray 3, 2022

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Nathan Ross Freeman’s play ‘The Other Way Around’ to premiere Feb. 18 Opening night will coincide with Leo Rucker Day art exhibit

BY JUDIE HOLCOMB-PACK THE CHRONICLE

This year’s Black History Month will mark several firsts in the local theatre scene: “The Other Way Around” premiere by 40+ Stage Company, the first time a play by a Black playwright will be performed by 40+ Stage, and the first time a Black director will lead the cast of 40+. In addition, a Black artist has designed the play’s marketing poster and will have an exhibit of his work during the run of the show.

And all this attests to the incredible and variety of talent that can be found here in Winston-Salem. “The Other Way Around” will feature local actors Corliss Sellers (Simone), Gary Waddell (Edmund), Love’ Lemon (Vicky) and Jordan Googe (Joe).

Bringing this romantic and dramatic play to opening night at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts Blackbox Theatre didn’t happen overnight. In fact, it almost didn’t happen this way at all.

In a recent interview with Nathan Ross Freeman, local writer, actor, screenwriter and playwright, Freeman says that he had planned to write a screenplay that broke the stereotypical depiction of a Black family as a single mother with children, and to show instead the more realistic successful, educated Black couple in a long-time marriage that is so often overlooked on the big screen. He wanted the main couple in his film to be educated artists who were approaching their 30th

wedding anniversary.

Freeman said he was an admirer of Neil Simon and always wanted to write a play that artistically tackled this character-driven genre. He also wanted to write characters that showed different sides to their personalities, such as the educator who did tagging graffiti on the side, and the artist wife who traveled the world with her friends.

After writing the first scenes of the screenplay, Freeman used crowdsource to fund the production of the film’s trailer.

He asked Leo Rucker, a local artist, to design the poster to depict the film to use as an original piece of art as a gift to encourage donors to support the project. After completing the trailer, Rucker determined that the concept wasn’t going to work as a film and in 2015 he put it aside and didn’t pick it up again until 2019.

As the pandemic began to sweep the country, artists everywhere had to pull in, lock down, and pivot their focus to new ways to continue their work. Freeman used this time to revisit “The Other Way Around” and he decided it would work well as a stage play. As the play came together, Freeman reached out to Leo Rucker to see if he could use the original poster design in the play’s marketing.

Sometimes the stars just seem to align at the right time. For its 2021-2022 season, 40+ Stage Company wanted to feature more local playwrights in their productions and “The Other Way Around” was chosen to be produced in February, which just happened to coincide with Black History Month. Working with The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, Leo Rucker was invited to have an exhibit of his work to hang in the Arboreal Gallery of the Milton Rhodes Arts Center and to have a Leo Rucker Day on Feb. 18, the opening night of “The Other Way Around.”

Continuing with the original intent of the poster as a gift with donation, a reception will be held from 6-7:15 p.m. on Feb. 18 where Freeman and Rucker will be on hand to discuss their collaboration

and to autograph and sell posters, the proceeds of which will be divided between Rucker and 40+ Stage Company. A Q&A will also be held after the Feb. 20 Sunday afternoon matinee. Posters will also be available in the gallery gift shop and Rucker’s art will hang in the gallery during the run of the show.

“The Other Way Around” features a husband and wife in a near 30-year marriage. Per the playbill, “This spirited, passionate, intense couple has managed through three decades to keep their relationship fresh and fun, but not without drama. … This is a poignant, funny, moving drama unabashedly honest about two very memorable people and the lessons their love and their lives hold for all of us.” Performances will be held at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts on Feb. 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 20 and 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at www.intothearts.org and click on “Events” and “Campus Events.” Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for seniors and $12 for students.

For more information about 40+ Stage Company and its upcoming season, visit www. 40PlusStage.com.

Following CDC guidelines, the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County requires attendees to all their venues to be fully vaccinated, show proof of vaccination, and wear a mask during the duration of the event.

African American roots are deep in traditional music traditional music. The seeds of the heritage of the musicians who have come before are harvested in the new young musicians who are nurturing the music, expanding audiences, developing their own sounds, and providing enrichment, education, and entertainment for the world.

To learn more, visit www.birthplaceofcountrymusic. org.

BY DAVID BONNER WINSHIP

Music, like leaves on a tree, draws strength and sustenance from the branches, trunk, and ultimately, the roots from whence it springs. The roots of American traditional music, whether old-time, bluegrass, or Americana, stem from their connections to Africa, as well as northern Europe. The tunes, influences, and place of the banjo, with its origins in Africa, and its heritage with enslaved populations of the South and their descendants, have begun to be reclaimed. Additionally, the blues music of the Mississippi Delta and Piedmont regions provide an important soundtrack to roots music.

The songs of the blues, including the fields, the trains, and the prisons, provide foundations and groundwork for traditional songs now being revived and reinterpreted.

These influences in recordings made in the twentieth century have found receptive respondents in musicians of the twenty-first century.

From the early days of recorded music, Black artists have been important and influential singers, song writers, and musicians. If it were not for Lesley Riddle, we would not have had the tunes to go along with the song collection of A. P. Carter and The Carter Family. If it had not been for Black Mississippi blues singers of the railroads, we would not have had the singing style of Jimmie Rodgers. If we did not have the influence of Arnold Schultz, we would not have had the sound of Bill Monroe and the beginnings of bluegrass music.

Had it not been for traditional Piedmont musicians like Joe Thompson, we would not have had the Carolina Chocolate Drops. If it had not been for Carl Martin, Ted Bogan, and Howard Armstrong, the heritage of Black string band musicians would have not continued through the folk era of the 1960s. If not for Elizabeth Cotton, we would not have had “Freight Train” nor Dale Jett carrying on the family tradition of The Carter Family, because she showed him how to play left-handed.

These influences are bearing fruit in the twenty-first century. Perhaps most notable, though by no means only, of the strong, powerful and talented African American musicians are those who emerged from the Black Banjo Gathering in 2005 at Appalachian State University. The Carolina Chocolate Drops grew from that gathering, which was the first meeting of Rhiannon Giddens, Dom Flemons, and Justin Robinson.

Dom Flemons has carried forth spreading traditional music interpretations as “The American Songster,” re-

Photo by Jonathan McCoy

Dom Flemons (on guitar) with unidentified musicians at 2010 Rhythm and Roots Reunion, Bristol, Tennessee. leasing albums, winning awards and educating the public of the rich and influential history of African Americans, such as his record, “Black Cowboys.” His music reflects old-time music, including the originals of Black banjo music from the Carolinas, like Sid Hemphill, Henry Thomas, and Peg Leg Howell.

Rhiannon Giddens has pioneered multiple avenues since her days with the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Among them are the awarded “Songs of Our Native Daughters,” a collaborative effort of banjo-picking women including former Chocolate Drop Layla McCalla, Allison Russell, and Amythyst Kiah. The album explores and highlights the lives and legacies of their Black experience. Russell has recently released her first solo album, “Outside Child,” which has received three Grammy nominations this year. Kiah’s 2021 album “Wary + Strange,” is a clash between her old-time/roots music and her early-influenced alt-rock. It includes her award-winning “Black Myself,” a song which Billboard Magazine described as “Blistering … A must-listen about living in the land of white privilege.”

Tray Wellington is a contemporary banjo player who received the International Bluegrass Music Association’s 2019 Momentum Instrumentalist Award, as well as the Momentum Band as a member of Cane Mill Road. Along with fronting the Tray Wellington Band, he has recently begun his career as communications manager for Pinecone, the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music.

Black roots run deep in the fertile soil of American

Black-owned publishing company to award 73 scholarships for first-time women authors ATLANTA - PRNewswire - Phillis Wheatley became the first African American woman to publish a book 248 years ago. The Bestsellers Academy wants the world to celebrate that.

The Bestsellers Academy has announced the launch of its Girl Share Your Story! scholarship which provides 73 scholarships for Black women who have a desire to write and publish a book. This initiative commemorates Phillis Wheatley, the first African American woman to publish a book in 1773.

Black women authors are getting their voices heard and stories told thanks to the Bestsellers Academy. In response to the historic underrepresentation of Black female authors, the Bestsellers Academy has pledged its support to assist women in sharing their stories with the world. Recipients will receive writing, coaching, and marketing support to self-publish a book.

"Black women have a perspective that has not been sufficiently captured in the canon of literature that exists today. The top five publishing houses are led by white executives who have often overlooked talented writers whose skin color and cultural background they assume will not generate sufficient profits for their bottom line. This misconception causes many promising voices to be silenced," said Chantel Henry, co-owner of the Bestsellers Academy.

The Girl Share Your Story! scholarship fund is valued at over $300,000 and is open to women who identify as Black and presently reside in the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom. Deadline to apply is April 10, 2022. Applications are available at Mystory.

GirlShareYourStory.com or www.thebestsellersacademy.com.

David Bonner Winship is a member of Winston-Salem Writers, a resident of Bristol, Tennessee, and works with the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Virginia, on educational projects. He is the host of the weekly show Vinyl Reflections on Emory & Henry College radio station WEHCFM.com, where he features songs from among the hundreds of vinyl albums in his collection. Reach him at dbwinship@gmail.com.

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59 grants awarded to support the work of artists in a 5-county Triad region SUBMITTED ARTICLE

Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County and ArtsGreensboro are proud to announce Artist Support Grants totaling $84,500 were awarded to 59 artists in Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, and Randolph counties to support professional and artistic development.

The grants are funded by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, as part of a statewide initiative to support artists. Included in the list of grantees are seven filmmakers supported by the Elliot Bowles Memorial Fund of the North Carolina Arts Foundation.

“Over the last couple of months, Arts Council has worked closely with ArtsGreensboro to focus on supporting individual artists across Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford and Randolph counties,” said Chase Law, president and CEO of Arts Council.

“Through this process, 265 applicants submitted requests for the Artist Support Grant, which demonstrates the ongoing need to provide financially for artists during the pandemic and beyond. Thanks to the North Carolina Arts Council and Elliot Bowles Memorial Fund of the North Carolina Arts Foundation, we are fortunate to be able to support 59 artists through this offering. By working with ArtsGreensboro, we are furthering our mission to serve artists across Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.”

“I am pleased we had such a rich and diverse group of Artist Support applicants. The creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship of the final grantees are remarkable,” commented Laura Way, ArtsGreensboro president/ CEO. “Our five-county

region had more applicants and awardees than anywhere else in the state of North Carolina - a testament to the commitment and tenacity of our artists to live, work, and create in our region. The Artist Support Grants are the bedrock to our ability to support artists. We thank our funders, supporters, colleagues, and the North Carolina Arts Council for making the grant program possible.”

More than 250 applications were received, with awards ranging from $400 to $2,000 in the following disciplines: visual arts and crafts, literature, film, dance, music, performing arts, and spoken word.

Grantee Alberto Gonzalez of Randolph County states, “I am very excited to have received the Artist Support Grant, which will improve the production of my company, AV Creative Studios. Without the financial support, I would not be able to fund for myself in these strange and tough times. This grant will allow me to bring my vision to life: launching my photo work line to promote my art in various mediums and exploring my craft as an evolving artist. I am grateful for the opportunity given.”

Grantees by county: DAVIDSON COUNTY: Hope Holmes DAVIE COUNTY: Beth Andrews Amanda Bury Christina Tyler FORSYTH COUNTY: Dyadrik Borges Tim Bowman Jessica Buchanan Charmaine Cadeau Janelle Di Lizio Anita Justice Janice Lancaster Jamera McQueenSmith Barbara Mellin Preetam Nayak William Scheidt

Tonya Sheffield Jessica Singerman Victoria Vassar Chris Yon and Taryn Griggs GUILFORD COUNTY: Marilynn Barr Andrew Bowen Dakota Bracey Ashley Virginia Buffa Adam Carlin Bradley Caviness Steven M. Cozart Colin Cutler Duane Cyrus Anna Luisa Daigneault Micah Daw Lawrence Feir Robin Gee Angela L. Gunter Ron Harris Krystal Hart Tamra Hunt Korinn Annette Jefferies Maia Kamil Steven Landish Elliot Miley Elijah Miller Zithobile Nxumalo Kelley O’Brien Derek Palacio Katie Wall Podracky Constance Reynolds Jenna Rice Alexis Rodriguez Karl Ronnevik Watricia Shuler Julia Ridley Smith Ann Tilley Angela Tripp April Whiting Daron Whitmore Antoine Williams RANDOLPH COUNTY: Cara Bevan Alberto Gonzalez Chris Thompson The lead arts councils, ArtsGreensboro and Arts Council of WinstonSalem & Forsyth County, administered the grant process and conducted a review panel to determine awardees. More information about these grant recipients can be found on ArtsGreensboro and Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County’s websites.

ATTENTION SMALL, WOMEN- AND MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES

Funding, Finance and the Future of Transportation Infrastructure Webinar: Part 2 FEB. 8, 2022 | 1 – 4 P.M.

Join local leaders as they share what the federal infrastructure bill and state budget mean for your business.

SPEAKERS

State Senator Natalie Murdock

Representative Zack Hawkins

Beau Mills Metro Mayors Coalition

Ebony Pittman NCDOT

Tunya Smith NCDOT

Tammie Hall NCDOA

OTHERS INVITED! Included is a roundtable discussion with subject matter experts: Tammie Hall, Joni Robbins and Lisa Wilson

SCAN TO REGISTER or contact the NCDOT Business Opportunity and Workforce Development Office at 984-236-1234 or bowd@ncdot.gov.

Building Spaces

to Dream.

Schools are incredible spaces. They’re where our students go to learn, build futures and better their dreams. Which is why the North Carolina Education Lottery is proud to support schools by providing millions of dollars for school construction projects across our state. In our most recent year alone, more than $215 million dollars of the funds raised by the Lottery went towards construction projects designed to build more opportunities for our students to learn and grow. Because every student deserves space to dream.

Visit NCLottery.com to learn more.

MUST BE 18 TO PLAY. Problem Gambling Helpline: 877-718-5543.

T he C hronicle

CHRONICLE’S BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

Come into Achieving Your Wellness and leave feeling amazing!

Febuaray 3, 2022

A7

What’s Happening NOW in City Government

BY BUSTA BROWN FOR THE CHRONICLE

“I walked this journey.

I suffered with depression, being overweight, losing weight and then gaining it back. I wasn’t happy with my body and couldn’t look at myself in the mirror.

But I learned to shift that mindset, and now I created a place where I can share that same mindset and success with others,” shared wellness and fitness coach Jacqueline Morgan.

She’s no stranger to giving back. Jacqueline is a mom, wife, grandmother, and business mentor to upand-coming entrepreneurs.

“I’ve been sharing my heart and expertise for a long time. So, I created a center to be an approach to nutrition, fitness, motivation, and more,” she said.

Jacqueline Morgan is speaking of Achieving Your Wellness Fitness and Nutrition. They have everything you need to get you in shape mentally and physically. “We have healthy smoothies with different flavors that provide all the nutrients your body needs. We have boosted teas that help with energy and focus. They provide vitamins and antioxidants.

We have plenty of supplements that provide support for greater wellness.

We have personal training classes such as an intro to yoga, Zumba, and extreme hip-hop step to help with cardio. When you’re starting your weight loss, cardio is good because it helps keep your heart rate up.”

I look forward to stopping by Achieving Your Wellness Fitness and Nutrition to check out their Wi-Fi area, a spot where you can relax while sipping on some of their boosted teas or smoothies, and listen to some music or motivational speakers.

“They say the real work of wellness starts from the shoulders up, so listening to motivational speakers in our Wi-Fi area will give that extra boost,” said Jacqueline. It’s also the perfect spot to meet and chat with new people in between your workouts.

When new clients come to Achieving Your Wellness Fitness and Nutrition, they first receive an assessment. “We put them on a scale and take their numbers, because a lot of people don’t know where they are until we break down their numbers.

That’s how I started this journey myself. A friend of mine put me on a scale and we looked at all of my numbers and it told me that my metabolic age was 70.

At the time I was only 45!

What that meant is that my metabolic numbers made me older and that I needed work. It was because of the weight I was carrying, the lack of fitness, and the medical conditions I had, which were high blood pressure, and even getting winded when I walked up the stairs.

“Obesity is a national epidemic and a major contributor to the leading causes of heart attacks, heart failure, strokes and diabetes, etc., which can be changed by what we’re putting in our bodies and exercise. This was my

Celebrate

Black History Month VIRTUAL EVENTS Showing on WSTV and YouTube: Showcase of Song Saturday, Feb. 19 at 1 p.m.

Submitted photo

Jacqueline Morgan, wellness and fitness coach for Achieving Your Wellness Fitness and Nutrition. journey and testimony, and I’m now healthy and at peace with who I am. I can look at myself in the mirror now, so I’m here to assist others to do the same.

“When you come into my space, you will leave feeling different. At Achieving Your Wellness Fitness and Nutrition, we understand when people say they don’t have time, feeling too lazy to work out, too busy, or can’t afford it. I’ve used all of those excuses. I’ve walked that journey. I realized it started with me and knowing my WHY. You have to know your WHY. Mine was I wanted to be around to live as long as I can. I want to live my dreams and enjoy my family. Our body is the vehicle to make that happen. It’s like a car; if it runs out of gas, it can’t get us anywhere. So, when you come to my space, we’ll make sure we provide you everything you need to keep you fit both mentally and physically,” said the mother of four and wife of 26 years.

Some things seem easier said than done. So, I asked Jacqueline Morgan how they will help us change a closed mindset, so we can take that first step toward success. “We must work on ourselves, so we offer a buddy system. I find out what you need personally to be successful, and we will provide you with the necessary tools to get you there.

If you’re thinking about eating something that’s unhealthy, text me and say, talk me out of eating this. And I’ll call you right away. Anything we can do to help you win is our goal. I’ve been there, so I know it’s hard. That’s why I started this business.

“I’ll make your journey fun and exciting, which makes it easier to win. Don’t look at it as a diet, look at it as a fun and exciting lifestyle that you will learn to live and walk in. We’ll take small steps and get you there,” shared Jacqueline.

I agree 100% when she said we have control over a lot of our illnesses. It’s all about having a growth mindset, an open mindset.

Michael Jordan said, “I can expect failure. Everybody fails. But I can’t accept not trying.” Give Achieving Your Wellness Fitness and Nutrition a try and let them take you on a journey toward a better and healthier you. You deserve it!

Before we ended our interview. I asked Jacqueline how I can get rid of this mid-section of mine.

“As most of us know, it’s the sugar that causes the mid-section to grow. It’s 80% of what you put in your mouth and 20% fitness. So, our smoothies, teas and other supplements will satisfy your taste buds, while helping get rid of that body fat. They’re also good for diabetics.

Let’s not forget, we have people that want to lose weight or maintain. So, I tapped into all of the products and tools to provide that as well.”

Achieving Your Wellness Fitness and Nutrition has had a soft opening, so March 12 will be their Grand Opening, with a fun and exciting twist leading up to the big day. “Joy Nelson, who is the founder of Lead Girls, will be the host and Allan Younger from Forsyth Tech’s Small Business Center will spearhead the ribbon cutting.

“Leading up to the grand opening, I’m doing something called the Jumping to The Grand. Every day on my Facebook and Instagram platforms, I’ll be jumping rope. I love jump rope because it improves your legs, brain, heart and mood. Beginning Feb. 12 until March 12, I’ll be Jump Roping to The Grand, doing 300-500 jumps a day. I hope to get some folks to join me, so

by March 12, when they come to Achieving Your Wellness Fitness and Nutrition, they’ll already have seen some results. When they come by and see what we have to offer, they’re not going to leave,” shared the excited wellness and fitness coach.

The center will also have a mirror for you to look at yourself while speaking affirmations into your spirit. I always say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. He gives me the strength of who I’m supposed to be.”

Congratulations to Achieving Your Wellness Fitness and Nutrition, The Chronicle’s Business of the Month, located at 4015 Old Hollow Road, Kernersville. If you’d like more information, or want to join Jacqueline Morgan and Jump to The Grand, call 336-422-6144, send a message to info@mywellnessachieved.com, or visit mywellnessachieved.com/

Fire, Police and Recreation Black History Month Program Sunday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m.

Go to CityofWS.org/video

PLUS • Special Facebook posts each week during February on historic markers featuring local African American history.

• Encore presentations on WSTV Digital Media of programs on local African American history.

• Daily events at the William R. Anderson, Jr. Community Center

Calling All Athletes and Artists “50 and Better”

SIGN UP NOW

FOR THE 2022 PIEDMONT PLUS SENIOR GAMES & SILVER ARTS 53 Athletic & Skill Events

Registration: Early Bird – March 21 / Final - March 31

31 Silver Arts Events

Registration: Early Bird – March 21 / Final – March 31

Events that cannot be held safely in person will be held virtually. State, CDC & venue guidelines strictly enforced and masks required at all times.

Register at Torch.NCSeniorGames.org More information at WePLAY.ws

NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED Winston-Salem Arts, Culture and Entertainment Memorial Walk of Fame

• Music • Visual Arts • Dance • Motion Pictures • Theater • Television • Writing • Radio NOMINATION DEADLINE: Feb. 25, 2022 Nominations will be reviewed by the Memorial Walk of Fame Nominating Committee.

More information and nomination forms are available at CityofWS.org/WalkofFame.

Applications for local pandemic recovery grants are now being accepted.

CityofWS.org/RecoveryGrants

The City of Winston-Salem does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, national origin, religion or disability in its employment opportunities, programs, services or activities.

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Mayor: Allen Joines City Council: Denise D. Adams, Mayor Pro Tempore, North Ward; Barbara Hanes Burke, Northeast Ward; Robert C. Clark, West Ward; John C. Larson, South Ward; Jeff MacIntosh, Northwest Ward; Kevin Mundy, Southwest Ward; Annette Scippio, East Ward; James Taylor, Jr., Southeast Ward City Manager: Lee Garrity

FIND US ON

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F ebuaray 3, 2022

The C hronicle

NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH, 2022 A Proclamation

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Each February, National Black History Month serves as both a celebration and a powerful reminder that Black history is American history, Black culture is American culture, and Black stories are essential to the ongoing story of America - our faults, our struggles, our progress, and our aspirations. Shining a light on Black history today is as important to understanding ourselves and growing stronger as a Nation as it has ever been. That is why it is essential that we take time to celebrate the immeasurable contributions of Black Americans, honor the legacies and achievements of generations past, reckon with centuries of injustice, and confront those injustices that still fester today.

Our Nation was founded on an idea: that all of us are created equal and deserve to be treated with equal dignity throughout our lives. It is a promise we have never fully lived up to, but one that we have never, ever walked away from. The long shadows of slavery, Jim Crow, and redlining - and the blight of systemic racism that still diminishes our Nation today - hold America back from reaching our full promise and potential. But by facing those tragedies openly and honestly and working together as one people to deliver on America's promise of equity and dignity for all, we become a stronger Nation

- a more perfect version of ourselves.

Across the generations, countless Black Americans have demonstrated profound moral courage and resilience to help shape our Nation for the better. Today, Black Americans lead industries and movements for change, serve our communities and our Nation at every level, and advance every field across the board, including arts and sciences, business and law, health and education, and many more. In the face of wounds and obstacles older than our Nation itself, Black Americans can be seen in every part of our society today, strengthening and uplifting all of America.

Vice President Harris and I are deeply committed to advancing equity, racial justice, and opportunity for Black Americans as we continue striving to realize America's founding promise. That began by building a Federal Government that looks like America: including the first Black Secretary of Defense, the first Black woman to head the Office of Management and Budget, the first Black man to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, the first Black woman to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development in more than 40 years, the first Black chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, a Black Ambassador representing America at the United Nations, and the first Black and South Asian Vice President in our history. We have been proud to appoint accom-

plished Black Americans to serve in a vast array of roles across our Administration. I am prouder still to have already nominated eight Black women to serve as Federal appellate judges - matching in just one year the total number of Black women who have ever served on Federal appeals courts.

My Administration has worked hard to reverse decades of underinvestment in Black communities, schools, and businesses.

Both the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are making historic investments in Black America - from vaccine shots in arms to checks in families' pockets and tax cuts for working families with children to a landmark $5.8 billion investment in and support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

And in my first year in office, the American Res-

cue Plan provided the full Child Tax Credit to the lower income families of more than 26 million children - who are disproportionately Black - and put us on a path to cut Black child poverty in half.

As the Infrastructure Law continues to be implemented, we will expand on that progress. Lead service lines that have contaminated the water of too many homes and schools in Black communities will be removed and replaced. We will deliver high-speed Internet to every community so that no Black family is left behind in the 21st century economy. Historic investments in public transportation will help more people in more neighborhoods get to where good jobs actually are quickly and safely. We will reconnect Black neighborhoods cut off from opportunity by highways that were built to brush them aside. Long-

New children’s book, ‘Just Like Your Daddy,’ changes narrative of Black fathers Nationwide (BlackNews.com) - Tiffany Parker, an author and a mother of three from Birmingham, Alabama, has released an innovative children’s book, ”Just Like Your Daddy,” to shift the narrative of Black fathers.

“Just Like Your Daddy” is an expressive story filled with daily affirma-

searching for bedtime stories for her son. Since she couldn’t find many stories with characters that resembled her son, she decided to create one.

“Things are spoken over us as children, good or bad, and can follow us all the way into adulthood.

I believe we have the power as parents to break any

Submitted photo

Tiffany Parker tions that are meant to uplift children of all ages.

The book was designed to empower parents and celebrate the relationship of a Black father and son. Oftentimes, especially in the Black community, hearing the phrase “You’re just like your daddy,” is derogatory. “I wanted to take something that is typically negative and make it positive,” says Parker.

“Just Like Your Daddy” encourages parents to celebrate that great Black dads do exist.

Parker came up with the idea for the book while

There are amazing dads out there that will never get enough recognition.

I hope my book helps to change that, one page at a time,” says Parker.

Tiffany Parker is a bestselling author, HR professional, entrepreneur, wife, and mom of three. One of her goals is to create children’s books so that Black

cycles we want with our own kids,” says Parker.

“Just Like Your Daddy” features kids of color with a wonderfully active dad in a positive light. It emphasizes that Black dads are dope and love to embrace fatherhood. Celebrating the Black fatherson relationship is something Parker is passionate about.

“The world will already tell us that Black fathers are not around. Being a product of a great dad myself, I can say, that’s just not true. This is why representation matters.

girls and boys can see themselves reflected in the pages. Tiffany wants to be a part of changing the narratives around stereotypes in the Black community, one page at a time. She hopes her book inspires and affirms to all little kids that they can do amazing things and are perfect just as they are. She is passionate about fulfilling her purpose by encouraging parents to speak life into their children every chance they get.

“Just Like Your Daddy” can be purchased on Amazon.

For more informa-

tion, visit the official website at GraceAndCoKids. com and follow her on Instagram @GraceandCoKids.

standing environmental injustices that have hit Black communities the hardest will be remediated. We will deliver major investments in Black entrepreneurs and small businesses - including making the Minority Business Development Agency permanent and seeding it with a record $110 million in new resources to help level the playing field for Black businesses.

But this is only the start. To fulfill America's promise for all, we will work tirelessly in the year ahead to deliver on my Build Back Better agenda, bringing down the costs that families face on child care, housing, education, health care, prescription drugs, and so much more. We will continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic with equity at the center of our response. We will not rest until we have protected the foundation of

our democracy: the sacred right to vote. And we will fight to keep dismantling all of those structural inequities that have served as barriers for Black families for generations.

As we celebrate National Black History Month, let us all recommit ourselves to reach for that founding promise. Let us continue to fight for the equity, opportunity, and dignity to which every Black American is due in equal measure. Let us carry forward the work to build an America that is, in the beautiful words of the poet Amanda Gorman, "Bruised, but whole - benevolent, but bold, fierce, and free."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2022 as National Black History Month. I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-sixth.

JR.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN

THURSDAY, Febuary 3 , 2022

Also Religion, Community News, and Classifieds Timothy Ramsey Sports Columnist

Fed up with the Baseball Hall of Fame This has long been my thought, but it is confirmed now: the majority of Major League Baseball Hall of Fame voters are a bunch of clowns. I say that because neither Barry Bonds nor Roger Clemens made it into the HOF as this was their last year on the ballot. But David Ortiz did make it.

This is due to a rule change that was made in July of 2014. That year, the Baseball Hall of Fame changed its rules for inductions. Before that change, players on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) ballot receiving at least 5% of the vote could stay on the ballot for up to 15 years if they never dipped below 5%.

I honestly thought that the BBWAA would punish players like Bonds, Clemens and Sosa by making them wait until their final year on the ballot to finally elect them, but I was wrong. Yes, I know the probability of them using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) is very high, but let’s not act like there are hall of famers right now that don’t have a sketchy past.

The hypocrisy to single out PED users is baffling to me. There are plenty of hall of famers that played in eras filled with scandal, that were questionable, and that were not “clean.” Did the BBWAA forget about the hall of famers that played in a segregated era, or the era of amphetamines, or those that were drunkards, racists or abusers?

It just seems that there is a targeted attack from the BBWAA, current hall of famers, and even former players. Why is the steroid era the only era that is under attack?

And if we are being real, Bonds and possibly Clemens were both hall of famers before people suspected they were taking PEDs. Even though my favorite player during that era was Ken Griffey Jr., I had to respect what Barry Bonds was doing. He was a true five-tool player that could do it all on the field. His trophy case is filled with not only MVP awards, but also with Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards as well.

I think the fact that he was not very cordial with the media really hurt Bonds in his quest to overcome his alleged PED use.

The man has a case to be in the conversation as the greatest player of all time.

He has seven MVP awards and no one else has more than three, 14-time MLB All-Star, 12-time Silver Slugger, 8-time Gold Glove winner, and 762 home runs (most all-time).

Bonds wasn’t a creation of a PED. With or without the “juice,” Bonds would have been a Hall of Famer. Bonds supposedly started using around the year 2000. Prior to that year, he had already accumulated 494 HR and 1,405 RBI. I am not a doctor, but I don’t think PEDs allow you to put up those kinds of numbers; otherwise, everyone would do it.

I feel a similar way to the career Clemens had.

See Baseball on B6

New sports academy will stress academics while building skills

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE

With youth sports becoming more and more about winning, some parents prefer to have their children learn the game they love in an environment that is less stressful. If you like the sound of that, then the Kernersville Shooting Stars Youth Basketball Academy (SSYBA) might be the place for you.

SSYBA is a community-based organization that develops character building skills, as well as the enhancement of basketball FUN-damentals for all youth in Kernersville and the surrounding areas. SSYBA focuses on a positive, structured and FUN-filled environment for youth to learn and build on character as well as their basketball skills.

Andrea Maine, founder of SSYBA, has a deep love for basketball and helping kids learn the game, so it seemed like a perfect fit to open the academy for kids in the Triad.

“The blueprint for the organization was established when I was at Sergeants Major Academy in 2006, El Paso, Texas, and one of the reasons I decided to come up with the program was because a lot of the youth that I would encounter were interested in being a basketball player, but their parents were either single parents or dual military, dual working, or the kids were from underprivileged neighborhoods,” said Maine.

“So, I said ‘why not put something together where we would help to stabilize some of these kids that don’t have the stabilization to be an athlete and be successful in the classroom because there is no time to commit from the parents.’”

Maine recalled a story of a young man on her son’s youth sports team that also influenced her decision to start the academy.

“Another reason was I met a kid on one of my son’s basketball teams and the kid never played,” she said. “He would just sit at the end of the bench and I think they were seventh graders and he was okay with just sitting on the end of the bench as long as his name was on the list as being a part of the team.

“That did something to me. I said we had grown beyond teaching kids the fundamentals and teaching them good sportsmanship and being a part of a team. Everything is so competi-

Submitted photo

Andrea Maine, founder of Shooting Stars Youth Basketball Academy, aims to bring something different to kids in the Triad area. tive now and I think that takes away from what basketball is all about.”

Maine says the formula was very successful in Texas and they had over 100 kids participate.

She feels because we are in the midst of the pandemic, this would be one way to make the kids feel normal again without a lot of pressure on them.

Learning the game of basketball is important, but Maine says the kids in the academy must maintain their academic standing if they wish to play.

“I just want to start this academy here to bring kids up the proper way,” she continued.

“Teaching them the fundamentals of basketball, but helping them remember that to be a basketball player you have to be on your A-game in the classroom because you are a student first.

“In the academy, that’s what we will stress.

We will have mentors as well as coaches in the academy. We want the kids to have fun but at the same time, we want to stress the studentfirst philosophy.”

Outside of basketball, SSYBA will require their kids to participate in community service.

They will have three different age divisions, serving kids from kindergarten to sixth grade.

The kids will also have to maintain a 2.5 GPA in school and for those who have not met that standard, tutors will be provided for them.

The length of the academy is for six months.

During that time, the kids in the academy will play other kids in the academy, instead of traveling around to play other organizations.

“I don’t want to stress competition in this organization because that’s not what it’s all about,” Maine said. “Six months for stability and six months so that they can get an opportunity to go out into the community to do something and six months because you have to establish a foundation and you have to build upon that foundation.”

Maine has always loved the game of basketball and began playing the game in elementary school. She grew up in an underprivileged neighborhood and wants to give other young people who are growing up like her the opportunity to play the sport she loves.

For more information on SSYBA, you can visit www.kvilleshootingstars.com or email them at kvilleshootingstars@yahoo.com.

Maine is looking for the academy to start on April 15 and run through Oct. 15.

Local basketball coaches share what they wished parents knew (part 1)

BY KP BRABHAM SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

This informative article is split into several parts to avoid losing the valuable insight provided by our local coaches. I was completely shocked about how much they had to share and know it benefits us the most to have it all versus a quote here and there.

The truth is, we as parents often find ourselves struggling with the transition when it’s time for our kids to leave one level of school for the next. We’re thinking about which school to attend, what time is drop-off or the bus pick-up, who are the teachers, is there a standard mode of dress (SMOD), and if this new school will prepare my kids for their future. Then we factor in for middle and high school that now there’s a grade point average (GPA) component on the report cards and the idea of school sports tryouts.

The answers to most of our questions are usually given during open house and within the first few weeks of school. However, basketball can start later on in the school year, leaving parents with several unanswered questions on how to get involved. I sat with a few local high school boys’ basketball coaches and found out they had quite a bit of information they wanted parents to know.

First up is Coach Marlon Brim of Atkins Academic and Technology High School.

Coach Brim brings 10 years of coaching experience from Parkland High School, two years from Carver High School, and is closing out his seventh year at Atkins, all schools located in Winston-Salem. He agreed with my thoughts that most student-athletes by the time they enter high school look forward to playing ball on that next level. But many parents, he explained, miss the legwork it

takes to help prepare their kids for the next level. Coach Brim emphasized the importance of skill work, basketball training, getting in the gym for workouts, and definitely playing for an amateur athletic union (AAU) team/organization.

“To incoming student-athlete parents, my staff and I ask for 100% commitment, to be all in with the schedule and any changes. It’s vital for studentathletes to get the full experience of high school basketball, which includes academics and practices aside from games,” Brim explained. “When my staff hosts preseason workouts, parents who are only 50-60 percent committed put the student-athlete behind on skill sets and our weightlifting schedule that’s four to five days per week. It can become frustrating for us if parents are not communicating about family conflicts with our schedule or if transportation is needed. We know 9th-graders don’t drive, so getting to and from school is a parenting necessity. If there’s an issue, or parents have to be at work, we need to know about it immediately so we can help,” affirmed Coach Brim. “Coaches are 100% committed so we can give a ride if we need to.”

Atkins is a magnet school whose student population relies on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WSFCS) magnet bus route and parent transportation. With the struggles WSFCS has had with the shortage of bus drivers, parents are met with many transportation challenges that may force sports to the backburner. Yet, Coach Brim has been steadfast in building a program at Atkins that includes student-athletes from all over Forsyth County. All middle schools have the opportunity to feed into Atkins, but Coach Brim identifies himself as a ‘gym rat’ and takes time to go watch any student-athlete enrolling into Atkins. Brim expressed that he enjoys watching AAU games that occur outside of Atkins basketball and encourages others to do so to see what’s happening on that circuit to help student-athletes improve, be better, and evaluate the different levels of talent.

Coach Brim also has eight years of AAU coaching experience at the onset of Winston-Salem’s own Chris Paul’s CP3 youth basketball program. “I really enjoyed it a lot, saw a bunch of great top competition, great players, and coaches. With the CP3 program,

we were able to recruit the best talent every summer, the atmosphere was intense, and we traveled a lot to Las Vegas, Florida, D.C., and many other states.” But for public high school basketball, the likes of the CP3 program are not in view. “Coaches are not allowed to recruit players to attend the school they’re coaching at, although we do have good talent coming through all our high schools. AAU is totally different from high school from the way the game is played, how physical the games are, the atmosphere of AAU games, because parents and fans will sit right on top of you in the stands, and it can become a wild and crazy atmosphere when you have some of the best talent in the country playing.

“Coaches make the best from the best they get during tryouts. Also, in North Carolina, our public high schools are allowed 24 games of play versus 60-80 AAU games. Now that number of games is not all that great on a kid’s body.

The Nike league plays X amount of games in a weekend, but other AAU teams that are not shoe-affiliated are playing every weekend. You can’t do that on the high school level in the state of North Carolina, just the set amount of games plus the playoffs and state championships.”

However, an AAU season or an unspecified number of games for our local charter and private schools match up. The charter and private schools in addition to more games, travel more, and they operate within a shorter dead period (when no sporting event can take place) set by the state and county. “Private and charter schools can offer more than public can, that’s an advantage they have, more freedom to work out and develop kids, play more games, where we’re See Coaches on B2

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Febuaray 3, 2022

Coaches From page B1

restricted. But, studentathletes want to play with their friends, they want to participate in the big-time public school rivalries that lack in charter and public settings, and parents hope for the strong academic component to complete the picture. All parents can’t afford private school tuition. But if a kid has a high skill set, it doesn’t matter if they attend public or private school, they can be successful. Private schools look for that, kids pretty much who are developed and kids who can play at a higher level. It’s a parental choice. I like public over private because of the rivalries across the state. Private schools are getting there, but in Winston-Salem, you have a lot of rivalries, which make for a great atmosphere in the gym. You can’t find that same atmosphere in private schools.”

At Atkins, the former principal, Mr. Joseph Childers, who’s no longer with us, branded Atkins with academic excellence. Brim added, “At Atkins, academics are first, and without it, you can’t play college basketball. We know working hard in the classroom carries over into athletics. At Atkins, yes the academics will be challenging, and our student-athletes plan to succeed. My staff and I allow time for the players to spend with teachers, attend study hall, and meet with their teachers. Whatever it takes! We have kids with high GPAs who do extra to make sure everything is on point. With all our kids, as coaches, we make sure we’re in the circle of their academic process. We

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want to be in the know of their academic standing.

We want teachers to come to us with issues, tutoring, etc. We want to be involved. Parents have to know and understand we are included.”

After the team is rostered, Brim explained how the number one question parents want to be answered is the debate over playing time. Once the program is rostered, Brim and his staff host a parent meeting to highlight critical points, discuss effective communication via parent meetings and their Groupme app. Brim stated he, among most coaches worldwide, asks his parents for at least a 24-hour waiting period for conversation after a win or a loss. “For middle school parents, it is challenging to transition and there are a lot of moving parts. We have varsity parents to help 9th-grade parents to make adjustments smoother. We also meet with the 9th-grade team as a separate group to help parents understand the process, schedule, to make it easier and smoother,” stated Brim. Added to the uncertainty of it all, Brim shared that “middle school parents have to help their kid understand they’re coming in to work hard, to get better every year. Everyone has to know the expectation of the program. Parents and players have to know some play 9th grade, on Junior Varsity (JV) or are good enough to play varsity as a 9th grader. It’s good to have a discussion to figure out what your kid’s goals are, but note there’s no guarantee to make any team.

“In middle school, there are about 10 to 12 games for the season, so parents definitely have to get their kid in another set-

ting to stay active.” Brim added, “Some parents don’t see the bigger picture of what all it takes to get that scholarship to play ball on the college level. We all want the best for our kids, we all want our kids to be successful. You have to let things play out. Some parents jump the gun on that, they want it right away. When kids leave schools for another school, sometimes they get it and sometimes not. It’s not just at Atkins, but the other high schools in Winston-Salem too. A lot of schools have this issue. If it doesn’t work at one school, they’ll jump from school to school.

And that’s a recent case of not getting something instantly or thought something was promised, but it doesn’t work out, then parents are moving them somewhere else. But kids and parents have to learn to work through it in order to be great. Parents have to be willing to allow the coach and the school to do the best for their kids. Sometimes you have to let things play out to let it be successful. Trust the process. The process isn’t an instant gratification scenario, but our world today has us acclimated to instant gratification. Look at Stetson Bennett IV, the University of Georgia’s quarterback.

He went from a walk-on to a national championship. He stuck through the process where kids would have gone into the transfer portal when things didn’t necessarily work out. But he stayed with it and led the University of Georgia to that national championship. Sometimes you have to sit back and let your kids get coached and work hard at whatever it is to reach goals and a lot of parents just don’t do that.”

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Febuaray 3, 2022

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Spiritually Speaking: Are you a card-carrying Christian?

Elder Richard Wayne Wood

BY JAMES WASHINGTON THE DALLAS WEEKLY/NNPA

Sunday School Lesson

Nathan Condemns David

Scriptures: 2 Samuel 12:1-9, 13-15 By the end of this lesson, we will: *Explore how sin’s consequences extend beyond the individual and bring hurt to God and others; *Address sin and the injustices that occur as a result; *Admit our sins, ask God’s forgiveness, and make godly choices.

Background: 1 and 2 Samuel have four predominant theological themes. The first is the Davidic Covenant. The second theme is the sovereignty of God. The third, the work of the Holy Spirit empowering men for God’s assigned tasks. Fourth theme is to demonstrate the personal and national effects of sin. The lesson this week deals with David’s sins, their seriousness and the personal and national effects. Nathan, whose name means “He Gave,” was God’s gift to David who aimed to follow the Lord in every part of life. He is best known for the parable in the lesson, but is also the one who revealed God’s promise to establish David’s dynasty forever and God’s choice of David’s heir to construct the temple that David was not allowed to build.

Lesson: God Reveals (2 Samuel 12:1-7). “And the Lord sent Nathan unto David…” God Himself judges David because of the seriousness of his sins, murder and adultery, and because David is king and God’s authority is above that of the king and from Him nothing can be concealed. Nathan uses a parable choosing a shepherd for David’s familiarity. The parable is presented as a legal case with the intent to get David to pass verdict on himself unknowingly. Verses 1-4 present the characters who represent the actual sin. The rich man represented David, the poor man represented Isiah, and the ewe lamb, Bathsheba. Nathan stresses the poor man’s attachment to his lamb – “It did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.” (verse 3). David was a man after God’s own heart and as such had an affinity for justice shown in verse where he unwittingly condemns himself to death – “… as the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die” (verse 5). Moreover, for David the fourfold demand for restitution for stealing a sheep alludes to the subsequent death of four of his sons: Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah and Bathsheba’s first son (verse 6).

God Reforms (verses 7-9). “That man is you! Thus said the Lord, the God of Israel …” David has been ungrateful to the Lord who gave him everything. “Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight?” David’s violations in Nathan’s rebuke divinely affirms his guilt. God’s reform is thorough.

God Redeems (verses 13-15). “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord…” (verse 13).

Without arguing, David frankly and immediately admits his guilt. “And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away thy sin; you shall not die.” Although David was forgiven for his sin of adultery and murder, he still suffered the consequences of his sin. “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme …” – there was a death penalty – that God passed on because of His reputation among those who opposed Him. David’s sin had to be judged and the judgment would begin with the death of Bathsheba’s first born. Note that the wording of the judgment hinted at the adultery – “the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David” (verse 15) David was repentant over his sin with Bathsheba; read Psalm 32 and 51.

(The UMI Annual Commentary 2021-2022, The Jewish Study Bible, The MacArthur Study Bible, The Modern Life Study Bible and The Oxford Bible Commentary).

For Your Consideration: If God were to reveal your sins to the public, what could you stand to lose?

Friendships? Respect? Livelihood? David begged God to spare the life of Bathsheba’s first son. Why do you think God allowed the child to die anyway?

Application: The Lord is ready to forgive and even delights in pardoning repentant sinners. A repentant sinner’s honest prayer should include humility, admission, and acceptance of the need for God’s redeeming power.

“Against thee, thee only, have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speaks, and be clear when thou judgest.” (Psalm 51:4).

MEMBER

Just how hard is it to be a card-carrying Christian these days? Republicans, Democrats, the NAACP, the ACLU all carry cards and encourage likeminded people to become card-carrying members.

You can get a card for just about any group or organization.

Now when it comes to being a spiritual cardcarrying man or woman of faith, the results can be devastating; someone scream, “Incoming!” for there is indeed an artillery barrage headed our way.

Scripture suggests that, historically, life was no easy task for those early practitioners of the Christian faith. Crucifixion, becoming lion food for fun and games, beheadings and, at a minimum, being labeled an outcast, were normal expectations for those who believed and then lived according to the Word of God. Is today so different?

Once one takes up the standard of this revolutionary thinking, once you commit, once you decide to live humbly and mercifully in love and forgiveness, isn’t it interesting the kind of attention you attract?

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for

someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” - 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV).

Looking around the world today, it would be naïve not to recognize that religious persecution is still a critical component of man’s inhumanity to man. Real and fake news will show you that people all over the world are being annihilated for the God they worship. We sometimes take for granted the religious freedom we have in this country and I believe that has lulled us into a false belief that being a Christian is easy. Well it’s not. It’s empowering. It’s enlightening. It’s eternal.

But it is not easy.

The good news is we are not alone and never have been. Living for God is probably the best real-

ity check. Its reward is an inner understanding of the workings of the universe that affords one the idea that physical life is temporary while the spiritual is eternal. Many of us believe in life after physical death. The faithful have some insight into this. Life as we know it can be cruel.

We have come to think that eternal life is just the opposite. Rationalizing the difference is where and when faith resides. Is it any wonder then that belief in a deity that invites humility, demands love and recognizes mercy is cause for ruthless and radical reaction among those who would live otherwise? Is it any wonder that love for Christ Jesus invites the wrath of Lucifer in all of his forms? That spiritual card we carry as Christians indeed needs to be worn as a red badge of courage, because courage is what it’s going to take to withstand the ridicule and

violence of this world, as well as the scorn of those who would tempt you with the weaknesses of your passions. And lastly, courage is a prerequisite for the certainty of death that will befall all of us.

If life after death is a fact that most can agree upon, then I believe it stands to reason that our membership card is most assuredly a ticket into a kingdom of blood and faith preserved for believers; the same believers who are shunned and persecuted and murdered today and yesterday in the name of God. I continue to be moved by the acts of faith in the Bible where mere acknowledgement of one’s beliefs in the Son of God invites certain death.

This is not ancient history; not if you profess Jesus is still Lord.

May God bless and keep you always.

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RELIGION CALENDAR

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.

Each Sunday Worship services Green Street United Methodist Church, 639 S. Green St., Winston-Salem, invites you to join online worship services on Sundays at 11 a.m., or in-person services at 8:45 a.m. The 11 a.m. service, which is available via Facebook and YouTube, is a celebration of the diversity of the human family, a no-frills service that is thoughtful, personal, and deeply spiritual. The 8:45 a.m. service is a quiet, contemplative space including prayer, scripture, preaching, and communion; masks and social dis-

tancing will be in effect in the sanctuary. Join us at www. greenstreetumc.org, on YouTube, or on Facebook.

Each Sunday Sunday service Transformation Ministries will have service every Sunday at 10 a.m. We are located at 4880 Burnette Drive. Masks are required.

Dairl L. Scott Sr. is the pastor. For further contact 336-945-9083 or 336-945-5618.

Feb. 6 First Waughtown Baptist Church (FWBC) Online Dr. Dennis W. Bishop, Senior Pastor of First Waughtown Baptist Church (FWBC) will deliver the message for in-person worship service Sunday, February 6.

Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. for screening prior to the 10 a.m. service. Completed waiver forms and masks that cover the nose and mouth are required. The form

can be submitted electronically on the FWBC website – www.firstwaughtown.org – click on RE-ENTRY 2022.

Also, printed copies will be available in the lobby prior to service. Other in-person protocols and information about 6 p.m. virtual Sunday School are accessible via the FWBC homepage RE-ENTRY link. Persons who prefer to worship virtually are invited to visit the following platforms: YouTube, https://www.youtube.com (First Waughtown); Facebook, https://www.facebook. com/FirstWaughtown/; and the First Waughtown website, https://www.firstwaughtown.org.

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.

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Community Calendar Every Wednesday Marketing workshop HUSTLE Winston-Salem is hosting Marketing Outside the Box: PRoven PR for PRofits. According to Forbes, without publicity and a well-known reputation, a business may have a hard time growing and thriving in its respective industry. A steady stream of efficient marketing strategies can help build an audience that equates to more profit. This is where public relations can help build, promote and manage brand reputation. Join this Marketing Outside the Box series to learn proven PR tactics to increase your profits! Join us every Wednesday 12:30-1:30 p.m. Register by going to www.hustlews.org/eventsprograms. Contact hustlewsinfo@gmail.com.

Feb. 4 Netflix star to visit two Forsyth County libraries The Forsyth County Public Library is bringing Brittany Wagner, an athletic academic counselor and star of the Netflix series, “Last Chance U,” to Winston-Salem for two events on Friday, Feb. 4. Wagner will be at the Paddison Memorial Branch in Kernersville for a meet-andgreet on Friday, Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., Wagner will give a talk at Central Library. People can buy copies of her book, “Next Chance You” at the Central Library talk.

Feb. 6 & 20 Navigating Jim Crow exhibit Navigating Jim Crow: Green Book and Oasis Spaces in North Carolina is a self-guided exhibit

presented by Mount Tabor United Methodist Church in partnership with the NC African American Heritage Commission, a division of the NC Division of Natural and Cultural Resources, and the WinstonSalem Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The church is located at 3543 Robinhood Road. Exhibit dates and times are: Feb. 6, 1-4 p.m.

Feb. 20, 1-4 p.m.

Feb. 7 Auditions The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem will hold auditions for Out of Order, by Ray Cooney, from 6:30-8:30 pm on Monday, February 7, at 419 N. Spruce Street in WinstonSalem. No appointment is necessary, and everyone is welcome to audition.

Auditions will consist of reading from slides. Actors should bring their calendars to the audition, so they can advise of any conflicts with the rehearsal schedule. Rehearsals will begin the week of February 21. For further information, please visit www.

LTofWS.org.

Feb. 8-Mar. 22 Caregiver classes Registration is now underway for a virtual Powerful Tools for Caregivers class. This course is for anyone caring for a loved one who is frail or ill. Classes will take place

by Zoom on Tuesdays, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., February 8-March 22. There is no charge, but donations are accepted to help cover cost of workbook. Registration is required. To register or get information, contact Carol Ann Harris

at The Shepherd’s Center of Greater Winston-Salem, 336-748-0217, charris@ shepherdscenter.org. Class size is limited.

Feb. 28 Medicare workshop The Shepherd’s Center of Greater Winston-Salem is offering a virtual workshop for individuals turning 65 (as well as those who already have Medicare) to learn about the different insurance options available, including “Original Medicare,” Medicare prescription drug programs, Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage plans. The session will be held on Monday, February 28, 2022 from 3-4:30 p.m. through computer and telephone access.

The session is provided at no cost. Because space is limited, reservations are required. Contact the Shepherd’s Center at 336748-0217 or Info@shepherdscenter.org for more information or to reserve a seat.

March 1 Poetry contest The annual NC State Poetry Contest is a free literary competition open to all North Carolina residents (including out-ofstate and international students who are enrolled in North Carolina universities). It remains one of the largest free-to-enter poetry contests in the South.

This year’s guest judge is award-winning poet Michael Prior and features a grand prize of $500.

The postmark deadline is March 1, 2022. For more information, visit go.ncsu. edu/poetrycontest.

ZSR Foundation announces $2M partnership SUBMITTED ARTICLE

The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR) has announced a $2 million partnership with The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (Mellon Foundation) to expand and continue its Inclusive Public Art initiative across North Carolina.

The partnership – which includes $1 million from both ZSR and the Mellon Foundation – aims to support commemorative and artist commissions specifically focused on underrepresented narratives and communities.

ZSR’s first cohort of Inclusive Public Art projects, comprised of 10 organizations across North Carolina, diversified the voices in the decision-making processes about art in public places and centered community engagement. Mellon Foundation funding will support a second cohort of ZSR’s Inclusive Public Art projects across the state.

“In keeping with the Foundation’s core values, this initiative uses art to share and celebrate the contributions and

Baseball From page B1

“Rocket” was one of the best pitchers of my era of baseball. He has seven Cy Young awards and no one else in history has more than five. Once again, if using PEDs guaranteed seven Cy Young awards, I am sure every pitcher would sign up for that career.

Clemens was an MVP, 11-time All-Star, 2-time World Series champ, 7-time ERA champ, and has over 350 wins. I am not sure when Clemens was accused of starting his alleged PED use; however, if he was using, I am sure he wasn’t the only pitcher.

Why didn’t they put up the gaudy numbers like Clemens if PEDs work so well?

I am not saying they don’t help at all, but I don’t think PEDs give you better hand-eye coordination, God-given talent, or hitting and pitching accuracy.

If you let these writers tell it, PEDs are the end-all, be-all and that is just not the case, I don’t think.

achievements of individuals and groups in North Carolina whose history and stories have not been told or widely shared,” said ZSR President Noah Reynolds. “When we embrace the multitude of people and perspectives that have shaped our state, everyone benefits.”

Though ZSR selected 10 grantees for its first cohort, it received more than 80 letters of intent indicating the numerous untold or under-told stories that could be depicted through art.

“Hearing new voices and seeing new stories, as told through transformative new art in our public spaces, begin to change our understanding of our country’s complex history,” said Elizabeth Alexander, president of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. “The Inclusive Public Art projects are vital to expanding both that multivocality and those more manifold insights into who we are.”

ZSR expects to launch a Letter of Intent process for its second cohort of Inclusive Public Art projects in February.

Details will be posted on ZSR’s website.

I guess I should have guessed that the BBWAA wouldn’t have let Bonds and Clemens into the hall since they still have not let Pete Rose into the hall.

Rose admittedly did bet on baseball and received a lifetime ban, but once again was what he did any worse than the sins of those players that came before him? Plus, Rose is the all-time hits leader and gave it his all every time he stepped on the field, which is why they nicknamed him “Charlie Hustle.”

I saved my final point for last. With all of the allegations against Bonds and Clemens, neither one of them failed a drug test, if I’m not mistaken. Big Papi, on the other hand, can’t say that. He was reported as one of the players who turned in a positive sample in 2003 when MLB did a confidential survey testing of players when it was trying to understand the scope of PED usage in the sport.

What makes Ortiz’ alleged use any different from Bonds, Clemens or

any other great player that was accused of using?

That is where I call BS on the part of the BBWAA because it seems they are being very hypocritical about their own standards. It’s like they use their sense of morality against who they don’t like, and on the other hand, they forget about the transgressions of the players they do like.

There are 397 voters of the MLB Hall of Fame and I think changes need to be made on who votes.

A player needs 75% of the votes to be inducted. I think if maybe some former and current players were included in the voting, things would be different for Bonds, Clemens and others.

Baseball can continue to play this holier than thou role when it fits them, but it would be in their best interest to do the right thing and let these great players into the HOF. Or they can continue to lag behind football and basketball because they are stuck in tradition - selective tradition.

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LEGAL NOTICES

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

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE FORSYTH COUNTY DISTRICT COURT DIVISION FILE NO: 19 JT 127

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE FORSYTH COUNTY DISTRICT COURT DIVISION FILE NO: 20 JA 205

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to the requirements of Article 6 of Chapter 160D 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 February 7, 2022, on the following proposed amendments to the Official Zoning Map of the City of Winston-Salem, North Carolina: 1. Site Plan Amendment of Ujima Community Development Corporation to remove a community center and install additional residential units: property is located on the north side of Barbara Jane Avenue, west of Chandler Street and Galaxy Court; property consists of ± 8.5 acre(s) and is PIN 6845-39-1678 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-3514).

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.

If you have questions regarding public hearing participation, please call (336)7272224.

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 5:00 p.m.

Written comments will be accepted on the public hearing items until February 6, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. 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 Council of the City of Winston-Salem The Chronicle January 27, and February 3, 2022 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having qualified as Fiduciary of the Estate of Betty Love Taylor (22 E 117), also known as Betty L. Taylor, deceased January 4, 2022, 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 May 2, 2022 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 24th day of January, 2022.

Billy W. Miller Jr. Fiduciary for Betty Love Taylor, deceased 106 Wolf Hill Drive Mooresville, NC 28117 The Chronicle January 27, and February 3, 10, 17, 2022 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Adminstrator of the Estate of Joseph Renard Dobson (21 E 1994), also known as Joseph R. Dobson, Joe Dobson, deceased February 14, 2021, 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 May 2, 2022 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 27th day of January, 2022.

Angela A. Dobson Administrator for Joseph Renard Dobson, deceased 2820 Raleigh Ave. Winston-Salem, NC 27107 The Chronicle January 27, and February 3, 10, 17, 2022

IN THE MATTER OF: NATALIE JONES DOB: 11-13-2010 NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION TO: RONALD LEE JONES, Father of the minor Natalie Jones, a female child born 11/13/2010 in Forsyth County, NC. TAKE NOTICE that a Motion to Terminate Parental Rights seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action. The above-mentioned minor child was adjudicated to be a neglected and dependent child on July 31, 2019. The nature of the relief being sought is the permanent and irrevocable termination of your parental rights pursuant to the Motion to Terminate Parental Rights filed by the Forsyth County Department of Social Services on October 6, 2021 with respect to the above-referenced the minor child pursuant to N.C.G.S. 7B-1102.

YOU ARE REQUIRED to file an answer to the Motion to Terminate Parental Rights within thirty (30) days after the date of this notice. If you fail to make a defense to the Motion to Terminate Parental Rights on or before February 28, 2022 or fail to attend the hearing on the Motion for Termination, the Movant (Forsyth County Department of Social Services) will request the Court to terminate your parental rights in and to the minor child Natalie Jones.

If you are indigent and not already represented by an attorney, you may be entitled to a court-appointed attorney. An attorney can be appointed upon a request, subject to the Court’s review, at the termination of parental rights hearing after this publication notice has run for one day a week for three consecutive weeks in the WinstonSalem Chronicle.

The termination of parental rights hearing regarding the parental rights of Ronald Jones is scheduled on March 25, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 4-J of the Hall of Justice in Winston-Salem, North Carolina or as soon thereafter as the Court can hear the said case.

This the 27th day of January 2022 By: Melissa Starr Livesay, Assistant County Attorney, Forsyth County Attorney’s Office 741 Highland Avenue Winston-Salem, NC 27101 The Chronicle January 27, and February 3, 10, 2022

M/WBE BID NOTICES Land at Lansing Ridge Subdivision (21 Lots) Forsyth Economic Ventures, Inc. (FEV) will receive proposals from individuals and entities interested in purchasing 21 lots in the Lansing Ridge Subdivision.

The land listed for sale is located at the 100 block of Lasley Court and the 4500 block of Lasley Drive, Winston-Salem, in the State of North Carolina, County of Forsyth and is described as all of lots 1, 11, 13 through 26 and 29 through 33, all inclusive, as more particularly described and shown on the plat entitled “Lansing Ridge”, as recorded in plat book 41, page 95, at the Forsyth County Registry.

IN THE MATTER OF: PRINCESS WILLIAMS DOB: 10-12-2020

Therapeutic Recreation Intern Summer 2022

TO: Any Unknown and Unnamed Man who may be the Father of the minor child Princess Williams, a female child born on October 12, 2020 in Forsyth County, North Carolina.

Community Recreation Intern Summer 2022

TAKE NOTICE that on June 9, 2021, the Court adjudicated this minor child neglected pursuant to NCGS §7B-101 (15) and a Juvenile Petition filed by the Forsyth County Department of Social Services on December 18, 2021. This minor child is under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court, and during this proceeding the Juvenile Court may: remove custody of this child from you; order you to pay child support; require you to participate in medical, psychiatric, psychological, or other treatment or counseling; and/or order medical, psychiatric, psychological, or other treatment or counseling for the child and require you to pay for the same.

YOU ARE REQUIRED to file an answer with the Clerk of Court of Forsyth County, North Carolina on or before MARCH 16, 2022. If you fail to make a defense within 40 days of the first publication of this notice or fail to attend the hearing on the date and time noticed below, then the Forsyth County Department of Social Services will seek relief against you to include the permanent loss of your rights to the care, custody, and control of this child, up to and including the permanent, irrevocable termination of your parental rights to this child.

If you are indigent and not already represented by an attorney, you may be entitled to a court-appointed attorney. An attorney can be appointed upon a request, subject to the Court’s review, at the hearing indicated below and after this publication notice has run for one day a week for three consecutive weeks in the Winston-Salem Chronicle.

The next scheduled hearing for this child will be on February 16, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. in Courtroom 4-J of the Hall of Justice in Winston-Salem, North Carolina or as soon thereafter as the Court can hear the said case. You can also contact the Clerk of Court for Forsyth County regarding future hearing dates.

This the 3rd day of February 2022.

By: Melissa Starr Livesay, Assistant County Attorney, Forsyth County Attorney’s Office 741 Highland Avenue Winston-Salem, NC 27101 The Chronicle January 27, and February 3, 10, 2022

REAL ESTATE CHERRY HILL APARTMENTS

A Community for Seniors

Is now accepting applications for One (1) bedroom apartments: • Section 8 Assistance • Handicap Accessibility • Rent based on income

• Equal Housing • On-Site Laundry Facility • 24-Hour Emergency • Maintenance • Near Bus Route Apply at:

840 W. 14th Street Winston-Salem, NC 27105 Call 336-723-7524

The Property will be sold “as-is.” FEV makes no representations regarding the physical or environmental condition of the Property. Respondents bear the sole responsibility for undertaking and independent review and analysis of the Property.

ST. PETER'S HERITAGE PLACE APARTMENTS 3727 Old Lexington Road Winston Salem, NC 27107

Please submit letters to the attention of Nancy Thomas, Chief Financial Officer, Forsyth Economic Ventures, Inc., 500 W. 4th Street, Suite 300, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 or emailed to nthomas@haws.org. no later than 1:00 PM on February 28, 2022.

The Chronicle February 3, 10, 17, 2022

The City of Winston-Salem is looking to fill the positions for

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

Be advised that this request for offers is not an offer to sell. FEV reserves the right to reject all offers. FEV further reserves the right to enter into negotiations with a respondent (or multiple respondents) without such negotiations resulting in the entering into of a purchase agreement or contract.

All responses must be made through a Letter of Intent directed to FEV (as described below). Response must include the proposed purchase price for all parcels and must further detail the proposed use of the parcels. Reponses proposing to develop affordable homeownership opportunities will be given preference.

EMPLOYMENT

Managed by Community Management Corp Equal Housing Opportunity

A Community For Seniors 62 and older One bedroom units conveniently Located in Winston Salem.

Handicap Accessible Units and Rental Assistance Available.

For More Information Call 336-771-9028 NC Relay: 1-800-735-2962 Equal Housing Opportunity Managed by Community Management Corporation Spring/Wachovia Hill Apartments Managed by Community Management Corp.

1 Bedroom Units conveniently located in Winston Salem, 62 yrs of age or older Handicapped and/or disabled. Section 8 assistance available. Income restrictions apply. Call 336-251-1060. 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. on Mon and Fri, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Wed. Equal Housing Opportunity

Building Inspector – 3682 Please visit: www.cityofws.org for job description and application process.

Accountant in Winston-Salem, NC - Perform the month-end financial close process incl. prep. & posting of journal entries, prep. of month end accruals & prep. of general ledger account reconciliations.

Requires: Masters deg. & skills gained via edu/exp/training. Mail resume to: Inmar, Inc., 635 Vine St, Winston-Salem NC 27101, Attn: Abby Panz.

Manager, Software Engineering in Winston-Salem, NC -Ensure the dvlpmt, delivery, & support of software solutions in the Supply Chain lines of business. This position is 100% Remote. Reqs. Bachelors deg. & 2 yrs. exp. Mail resume to: Inmar, Inc., 635 Vine St. Winston-Salem NC 27101 Attn: Abby Panz.

National General Management Corp dba National General Insurance in WinstonSalem, NC seeks Sr. Software Developer.

Resp for analysis, dsgn, code, test, doc &supp of new soft app &enhance to exist app. Reqs: BA in any field &7yrs of exp in Soft Dev, Soft Prog, or Comp Prog occ.

Reqs 7yrs of exp in Enterprise Apps (ERPCRM) like Siebel CRM, &at least 3yrs of post-BA prog exp in the follow: Dev exp in Siebel Tools Admin, Configure, Workflows, Biz Srvs, WebServices, eScript, XML, XSLT, Int Objs, VBC, EAI &EIM; Siebel int use EAI, Web Srvs; Work w/Siebel Innovation pack; Obj-orient prog &SOLID dsgn principles; HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, &JQuery, SOAP &Restful Web Srvs (WCF, Web API) SQL Serv 2012&above, Transact SQL, stored procedures, triggers, DTS packages; Entity Framework &ORM frameworks; apply dsgn &arch patterns; TFS 2013&higher; End-to-end SDLC project; Work w/Agile/Scrum methods; Code review &eval, utilize reqs &est.; mentor jr devs &learn new techs &enhance exist skills; Adapt &respond in rapid evol bus environment; Provide solutions at project lvl.

Pos is 100% remote. Telecom permitted.

Apply at https://careers.nationalgeneral.com Req. 2022-0256. Must have legal authority to work in the US. Psychiatrist for Forsyth Medical Center (Novant Health Psychiatry - Forsyth) in Winston-Salem, NC: Provide psychiatric service during inpatient admission; patient eval., medication mgmt.; collab. w/ nursing & therapy staff for care & discharge planning; & participation in treatment team. Reqs. Medical deg. & 1) 4 yr. residency in Psychiatry, OR 2) 3 yr. residency in Psychiatry & 1 yr. fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry or comp. Mail CVs to: Novant Health, 108 Providence Rd. Charlotte, NC 28207, Attn: HR. An Equal Opportunity Employer, incl. disabled & vets.

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