Inside High Point - Oct 2025

OCTOBER 2025 INSIDE HIGH POINT

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

HP PUBLIC LIBRARY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

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PUBLIC SERVICES EMPLOYEES HONORED AT APWA CONFERENCE

5

STREETS & STORMWATER TEAM TAKES SECOND PLACE AT SPOOKY HOOPLA

6-7

GROWING HEALTHY IN HIGH POINT THROUGH GROWDEGA

8-9

BIG SWEEP RESULTS

10-11

HP THEATRE UPCOMING EVENTS

12-16

HP LIBRARY EVENT UPDATES

17-19

PARKS & REC UPDATES

20-21

HALLOWEEN AT CITY HALL

22-23

PROMOTIONS & NEW HIRES

CITY COUNCIL

CYRIL JEFFERSON MAYOR

BRITT MOORE

AMANDA COOK MEMBER AT LARGE

Cyril.Jefferson@highpointnc.gov

MEMBER AT LARGE, MAYOR PRO TEM Britt.Moore@highpointnc.gov

VICKIE MCKIVER

TYRONE JOHNSON

MONICA PETERS

Vickie.McKiver@highpointnc.gov

Tyrone.Johnson@highpintnc.gov

Monica.Peters@highpointnc.gov

PATRICK HARMAN

TIM ANDREW

MICHAEL HOLMES

Patrick.Harman@highpointnc.gov

Tim.Andrew@highpointnc.gov

Michael.Holmes@highpointnc.gov

WARD 1

WARD 4

WARD 2

WARD 5

Amanda.Cook@highpointnc.gov

WARD 3

WARD 6

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HIGH POINT PUBLIC LIBRARY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD At the North Carolina Library Association (NCLA) All-Conference reception on Thursday, October 16, High Point Public Library Assistant Director Lorrie Russell was presented with the North Carolina Library Association Distinguished Service award.

The award recognizes members who have made significant contributions to the profession, noting that “her leadership has strengthened the association’s structure, programming and mentoring efforts, benefiting both new and experienced library professionals across the state.”

Specifically, the award notes "Her leadership has strengthened the association's structure, programming, and mentoring efforts, benefiting both new and experienced library professionals across the state...As she approaches retirement, Lorrie continues to mentor others, champion intellectual freedom, and works toward ensuring that all libraries in North Carolina are stronger and better positioned for the future."

In response to receiving the award, Lorrie Russell shared, “It was a great honor to receive this award. I truly enjoyed my time serving NCLA. I look forward to continuing to serve in my retirement.”

As she approaches retirement, Russell continues to mentor others, champion intellectual freedom, and help ensure that libraries across North Carolina remain strong and well-positioned for the future.

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PUBLIC SERVICES EMPLOYEES HONORED AT APWA CONFERENCE

This month, two members of the CoHP Cemetery staff were recognized at the American Public Works Association Conference in Hickory, NC, for completing the Roads Scholar Certification Program. The Roads Scholar Program, offered through the North Carolina Local Technical Assistance Program at ITRE, provides professional development for local government personnel working in roadway and maintenance operations.

Participants expand their knowledge of road maintenance practices while strengthening both technical and managerial skills. To earn certification, individuals must successfully complete seven specialized training courses.

Please join us in congratulating Deanna Pendry and Cody Swaim on this accomplishment and for their ongoing dedication to professional growth and service to the City of High Point.

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STREETS & STORMWATER TEAM TAKES SECOND PLACE AT SPOOKY HOOPLA! On Saturday, October 18, the City of High Point Streets and Stormwater crews showed up — and showed out — at the Parks & Recreation “Saturday at Spooky Hoopla” fall festival. Their festive display, complete with department equipment decked out in Halloween spirit, earned them Second Place in the event competition!

A special shoutout goes to Cody Hunt (Stormwater) and Jamison Paugh (Streets) for transporting, decorating, and staffing the equipment on site.

Their creativity and enthusiasm made the display a highlight of the event and helped showcase the important work Public Services does in our community every day.

Thank you to everyone involved for representing Public Services with pride, teamwork and a little spooky fun!

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GROWING HEALTHY IN HIGH POINT THROUGH GROWDEGA

Many of High Point’s neighborhoods are considered food deserts, or areas where one would have to travel over a mile to receive fresh, healthy foods. This distance may be extremely cumbersome to those who have to take public transportation or walk these distances to provide for their families.

Because of the difficulties, many families rely on unhealthy, processed foods from general and corner stores.

We believe there is a better way. We introduced the Growdega, Growing High Point’s mobile grocery store, to fight the nutritional problems related to food deserts.

We take our store, stock it with fresh fruits and vegetables, and provide access that many areas are lacking. We aim to provide the freedom of choice while still supporting those who may rely on SNAP or EBTs by being able to double your money when you use these resources.

Together, we hope that nutrition and access to food increases.

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GROWING HEALTHY IN HIGH POINT THROUGH GROWDEGA

WEEKLY SCHEDULE MONDAY YWCA (bi-monthly) 3:30 – 5:30 pm 155 W Westwood Ave TUESDAY Guilford County Public Health 12:30 – 2:30 pm 501 E Green Drive

Newgate Apartments with POP Club (bi-monthly) 3 – 3:45 pm 605 Granby Ave​​ Laurelwood Park Apartments with POP Club (bi-monthly) 4 – 4:45pm 1300 Burton Ave WEDNESDAY Community Clinic of High Point 1:30 – 5 pm 624 Quaker Lane

THURSDAY Hayworth Cancer Center 10 am – Noon 302 W Westwood Ave​​

Brentwood Crossing with POP Club (bi-monthly) 3 – 4 pm 308 Brentwood St Cecil Brockman Youth Academic Center with POP Club (bimonthly) 4:15 – 5 pm 1301 Camden Ave FRIDAY Greater First United Baptist Church 11:30 am – 12:30 pm 1409 Deep River Road

Saturday: *The Farmer's Market Season returned on April 26th, 2025* 8:30 am – 1 pm High Point Public Library Farmer's Market 901 N Main St Sunday: No Stops

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE BIG SWEEP DRAWING!

PATRICIA MOORE

DEANNA PENDRY

CORTNEY MCINTOSH

RJ LASSITER

MIKE GIDDERON

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SCAN TO PURCHASE TICKETS! 10

UPCOMING EVENTS

SCAN TO PURCHASE TICKETS! 11

HIGH POINT FARMERS MARKET HOSTS UNCLE CHEESECAKE FOR COOKING DEMONSTRATION On Saturday, Oct. 4, Uncle Cheesecake visited the High Point Farmers Market to do a French Toast Cooking Demonstration!

He held a social media contest to select his panel of taste-testers, but he had plenty left for Farmers Market attendees to sample, too! All had a fun time, and the lingering aromas of maple syrup and butter permeated the air around the library!

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HIGH POINT FARMERS MARKET HOSTS THE PEPPER BLAST CHILI COOK-OFF: CHP FIRE VS. CHP POLICE On Saturday, Oct. 11, the Farmers Market hosted the second year of the Pepper Blast Chili Cook-Off between CHP Fire and CHP Police.

There were three entries per department: Fire Dept.

DB’s 7 Pepper Chili, prepared by Darrell Barham Bradley’s Chili, prepared by Bradley White (first-place winner in 2024) Kaitlyn’s Spicy Deer Chili, prepared by Kaitlyn Pendell Police Dept.

Mawmaw’s Chili, prepared by Dusty Brackett (second-place winner in 2024) Cozy Crockpot White Chicken Chili, prepared by Rachel Juren Grandpa Kris Family Chili, prepared by Charles & Jordyn Swift

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HIGH POINT FARMERS MARKET HOSTS THE PEPPER BLAST CHILI COOK-OFF: CHP FIRE VS. CHP POLICE First Place Cozy Crockpot White Chicken Chili, prepared by Rachel Juren Second Place DB’s 7 Pepper Chili, prepared by Darrell Barham Third Place Bradley’s Chili, prepared by Bradley White (first-place winner in 2024)

People’s Choice DB’s 7 Pepper Chili, prepared by Darrell Barham, with 27 votes Thanks to our judges in the contest: Jeff Blank, retired High Point Police Lieutenant, Alice Owens, Operations Director for YWCA of High Point & Damon Tobin, retired High Point Fire Dept. Battalion Chief Thanks also to the Farmers Market attendees who sampled and voted for the People’s Choice Award.

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HIGH POINT PUBLIC LIBRARY HOSTS A FREEDOM TO READ PANEL DISCUSSION On Friday, Oct. 10, High Point Public Library hosted a panel of experts and community members to speak on the importance of the library’s mission to provide equal access to all information for all people.

The panel was comprised of: Damarius Johnson – Author, Community Outreach Manager, Bookmarks of Winston-Salem Dr. Kayli Reyna - Librarian, Professor of Information, Library, and Research Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Elizabeth Ellis - Chair, North Carolina Library Association (NCLA)’s Library Advocacy and Legislation Section Cynthia Hall - High Point Public Library Board of Trustees member Brian Hart - Director of Special Projects and Initiatives, Every Library Moderator – Marcellaus Joiner, High Point Public Library Heritage Research Center Manager

The panel discussion was the library’s culminating event for Banned Books Week, an annual event that highlights the value of free and open access to information.

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HYDE & EEK AT THE HIGH POINT PUBLIC LIBRARY

On Tuesday, Oct. 22, families joined us in their spookiest, silliest, and creative costumes for a frightfully fun time at our Hyde and EEK event!

Children received a Halloween basket provided by the library and embarked on a spooky scavenger-style egg hunt throughout Arts and Education Plaza and the Rotary Club of High Point Sensory Garden at the High Point Public Library.

Hidden among the flowers and spooky decorations were glow-in-the-dark eggs waiting to be discovered! Once children filled their baskets with eggs, they were able to trade in their buckets for a bag of treats, prizes, and goodies to take home.

Families and kids of all ages enjoyed a safe, festive, active, and not-too-scary Halloween activity. All to the tune of spooky, eerie songs played by Tracy Thornton, a fantastic local steel drummer.

We are thankful to our amazing community partners for helping to make this event such a success: Guilford E-Learning, Carolina Core, Get Ready GuilfordBasics, Reading Connections, High Point Police Department, High Point Storm Water, and High Point Parks and Recreation.

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HONORING EXCELLENCE: TENNIS DIRECTOR JOINS THE BLACK TENNIS HALL OF FAME Please join us in congratulating Junius (“Junie”) Chatman, Jr., our Director of Tennis, on his induction into the prestigious Black Tennis Hall of Fame.

Junie started playing tennis at age 11 at the Byrd Park Tennis Courts in Richmond, Virginia. He played on one of the first National Junior Tennis League teams created by the legendary Arthur Ashe, also a Richmond native, and won the team national championships at Forest Hills, New York in 1969. After playing awardwinning high school tennis, Junie was the first black to receive a full tennis scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he won four ACC tennis championships.

Professionally Junie played on tour for five years, competing against players including Vitas Gerulaitis, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. He achieved a career high as one of the Top 200 players in the world in singles and Top 100 in the world in doubles before coaching became a passion; Junie moved on to coach over 65 nationally ranked junior players. In 2015, he was selected by the U.S. Tennis Association as one of the Top 50 Black Coaches and Tennis Pros to attend high performance professional training with that organization.

An employee with the City of High Point since 2005, Junie was recognized as a thirty-year member of the Professional Tennis Registry in 2019 and was truly honored by his recent induction into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame, Class of 2025, in his hometown of Richmond. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Junie!

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ASPIRE PARTICIPANTS ENJOY A FUN-FILLED DAY AT THE CAROLINA CLASSIC FAIR

ASPIRE staff took 19 program participants to the Carolina Classic Fair, an annual tradition that everyone loves! We hear the weather was great, the rides were fun, a few prizes were won, and the food was delicious - in other words, everything a day at the fair should be. A good time was had by all!

For more information on ASPIRE (Adaptive Sports, Programs and Inclusive Recreation) and the programs offered by High Point Parks & Recreation for people with developmental and physical disabilities, please visit www.highpointnc.gov/pr or call 336.883.3477.

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CITY DEPARTMENTS SHINE AT 2025 SPOOKY HOOPLA

High Point Parks & Recreation sends a big “thank you” to our City of High Point colleagues who decorated trunks and trucks to support our 2025 “Spooky Hoopla!” We had a record community turnout, and it was wonderful to see the City so well-represented.

Animal Control, First-place winner in the City “Truck-or-Treat” competition” Street Maintenance, Second-place winner in the City “Truck-or-Treat” competition Electric Utilities, Third-place winner in the City “Truck-or-Treat” competition Fire Department IT Department Police Dept./ S.W.A.T. Roy B. Culler, Jr. Senior Center Stormwater Department

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HALLOWEEN AT CITY HALL

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HALLOWEEN AT CITY HALL

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Promotions CHRISTOPHER WHALEY Inspections Administrator to Inspections Services Director DOUGLAS SPRINGER Sanitation Supervisor to Assistant Solid Waste Collection Superintendent MARTY LAWSON Water Plant Operator III to Water Plant Supervisor

New Hires HALEIDA ROJAS- VALERIO Accountant I

HUBERT ELDER Park Ranger I

DANIELLE WYNTER Crime Scene Technician I

IAN BRIDGERS Customer Service Manager

DUSTIN BEVAN Fleet Parts Specialist I

KAITLYN KENNEY Library Associate

FREDDY WARD Motor Equipment Operator I

KIM GRIFFIN Motor Equipment Operator I 22

New Hires Megan Cruz Police Records Support I

STEVE TAYLOR Sanitation Equipment Operator I

PAMELA COLLINS-SAEAD Transit Operator I

SUMMER MARCH Library Associate

PHILLIP CRAVER Transportation Planner

THOMAS ANDREWS Public Services Manager

ROXANNE FUENTES Library Associate

THOMAS CLAMP Police Officer II

SHANIA MCINTYRE Police Information Tech I

TIERRA TODD Telecommunicator Trainee

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INSIDE HIGH POINT BROUGHT TO YOU BY: CITY OF HIGH POINT COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

HAVE A SUBMISSION FOR NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE? EMAIL THEM TO PIO@HIGHPOINTNC.GOV.