It Takes a Village: Positive Notes from Around Our Community!

It Takes a Village

Village of Clemmons Community Cleanups

Showing Strong Public Participation

Since 2008, the Village of Clemmons Stormwater Department has offered community cleanups for volunteers to participate in order to help beautify the Village. The Fall Cleanup typically consists of high school students fulfilling their community service requirements, while making a difference in their community. In the spring, the Village hosts a large community cleanup, where local businesses help sponsor and/or provide door prizes for the volunteers who participate. Over the years, it has been great to see the local support from everyone involved, wanting to be part of having a cleaner community. Unfortunately, in March of 2020, COVID halted all in-person events, but the Village of Clemmons Stormwater Department was able to offer independent cleanup opportunities to anyone who wanted to participate. These events offered Crosby Scholar hours to those who needed it, and kept the event as safe as possible while following all health guidelines. It was as simple as signing up online and either requesting or being assigned a roadway to clean, then cleanup supplies were dropped off to their households, or a neutral location if they lived outside of the corporate limits of Clemmons. Village Staff picked up all trash bags and pick up all cleanup supplies after the volunteers were finished with their cleanup. Three independent cleanups were offered this past year: fall 2020, spring 2021 and fall of 2021. These cleanups resulted in 748 participants with 592 bags of trash collected. These numbers are both wonderful and a little sad – that close to 600 bags of trash had to be picked up from our roadways. However, it does mean close to 600 bags of trash did not enter our waterways. This trash would pollute our water or cause potential flooding from clogged or blocked storm drains. Clean water is everyone’s responsibility, and this event proved that if we all work together, we will have a cleaner tomorrow. Village of Clemmons is looking forward to April 2022, to have our in-person cleanup event again. More information on this event will be listed at a later date on the Village of Clemmons webpage.

Clemmons Food Pantry

Nourishing Our Neighbors!

Serving Forsyth County and surrounding areas, the Clemmons Food Pantry (a local, non-profit organization) is proud to fight hunger by providing supplemental groceries to all neighbors in need. Even here, in the world’s greatest food-producing nation, children and adults face poverty and hunger in every county across America. Sadly, North Carolina is near the top among states with food-insecure households – meaning members of the home don’t have access to enough healthy and nutritious food to support an active and healthy lifestyle, and that usually includes children. This often forces tough choices – buy medicine, utilities or food – and many times that means missing a meal or two. But, the combination of charity and government assistance programs can help bridge the meal gap – and more than half of food-insecure households participate in at least one of the major federal food assistance programs including SNAP and the National School Lunch Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Thanks to groups such as the Clemmons Food Pantry, which has extended assistance to more than 130,000 people – solely through volunteers – help is available to our friends and neighbors who need it! For more details visit clemmonsfoodpantry.org.

BY MARTIE EMORY

Jerry Long YMCA

Changing Lives

Just as the YMCA has always done in challenging times, the Jerry Long YMCA “learned to pivot” as they say, during the past year or so, serving between 37 and 66 youth on a weekly basis for Summer Exploration Academy, and serving another 110 to 146 youth weekly during Summer Resident Camp at YMCA Camp Hanes. The YMCA of Northwest North Carolina also created an E-learning academy, with nine locations available to students of all ages. More than 67,000 meals were served to local residents at the Winston Lake and Fulton YMCA branches, and the YMCA also hosted 17 blood drives, according to Rosemary Suess, VP of Operations for the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina. An effort they are also most proud of is Bright Beginnings – a beloved program that allows a group of community volunteers to take local children in need back-to-school shopping – one-on-one – for clothes and supplies they need to start the school year off on a positive note! Each year, the YMCA works with local elementary schools to identify students who are most in need. You can learn more about Bright Beginnings at ymcanwnc.org/community/bright-beginnings, donate online to this life-changing effort, or contribute back-to-school items directly to any YMCA branch.

Southwest Elementary Fundraiser

Wild, Wild Southwest Wins Big!

Hats off to Southwest Elementary’s Wild, Wild Southwest campaign, which tripled its original goal ($20,000) and achieved $63,816, making it the largest fundraiser in the school’s history! Principal Summer Jackson and assistant principal Justin Marckel, even successfully completed a slime slip-n-slide challenge, while students ran in a color fun run to complete the week. More than 70% of the student body participated in this homegrown, PTAsponsored annual campaign, and money raised goes directly back into the school. Fun additions to the school day will now include sun shades added to the playgrounds and an outside classroom. Anne Rudert, PTA Wild, Wild Southwest Fundraiser Chair, and Leslie Hege, PTA President, were key leaders of the effort and applaud what the school community has accomplished. “The event is a huge success because the entire Southwest family comes together,” said Anne. “The energy from the administration, staff, parents and students, makes Wild, Wild Southwest something we look forward to each year! We also have several business partners who help us take it up a notch with challenge gifts.” Leslie notes the success of the fundraiser also leans heavily on the opening pep rally and getting the kids excited about winning prizes, but also raising money for their school. “This helps families to get onboard, too,” she adds. “After the stress of the past 18 months, we were fortunate to be able to do these normal things again this year!”

Clemmons Branch Library

Where New Adventures Await!

Readers rejoice! The new Clemmons Branch Library facility officially opened to the public on June 17, 2021. Located at 6365 James Street, the new branch boasts a very spacious 20,000-squarefeet, with areas of interest perfect for the entire family – and self-checkout stations and online library search catalog computers located in both the adult and children’s areas. Available meeting spaces for the community include a large auditorium, a smaller conference room and three study rooms outfitted with collaborative technology elements, as well as a Create Space and the Clemmons Reading Room. The lobby area includes a large display case with rotating monthly displays, and the new library’s beautiful courtyard has already hosted outdoor library programs and story time for children. Both in-person and virtual programs are available, and a drive-up outside book return offers convenience for avid readers as well! If you are also interested in joining The Friends of the Clemmons Library, call the branch at 336.703.2920. The group holds a book sale to fund year-round programs for all ages, and funds a subscription to the Junior Library Guild. There’s no doubt it really does take a village to get projects like the new library accomplished, and the Village of Clemmons was an integral partner in the fruition of the new library, even negotiating to buy the property that houses the library.

West Forsyth High School

“One West” Camaraderie

As he began work at West Forsyth High School last spring, Principal Kevin Spainhour quickly realized the deep connection between the school and community. “Since we are located in the Village of Clemmons, we wanted our students to see this campus and themselves as an integral part of our larger community,” he said. “And, of course, the saying ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ is also part of our thought process in promoting a sense of being connected around our campus.” Calling the West campus the Village became a natural fit, and they adopted a school-wide theme of One West (1West). The WS/FCS communications department assisted with the design of a new branding logo for One West – building off the high expectations that have existed at West for years, while also embracing the changes the school community is experiencing as a result of the pandemic, and fostering a “we are all in this together” atmosphere!

Clemmons Elementary School

Positive Partnerships

Parents at Clemmons Elementary school are raving about the school’s “Tribe” program, where every single student is assigned a group, or “tribe,” which they are part of the entire time they attend the school. Each tribe is composed of students with every grade, with several teachers as leaders, and with the goal of building camaraderie and good citizenship! Students receive “chips” for positive behavior, and both kids and teachers have the chance to nominate other students for special recognition. Each tribe meets monthly for what they call “chatter sessions” – where they discuss issues and events, and when a student gets a chip for a positive gesture or interaction, they place their chip in the tribe’s special tube in front of the school. Monthly winners receive a key, which unlocks a treasure chest, and the program has taught the young students the importance of teamwork and being part of a positive group effort!

Morgan Elementary School

Achieving Excellence!

Last August, the Morgan Elementary School PTA was awarded the National School of Excellence Award for their exceptional work on developing strong family-school partnerships. The award was given to only 300 schools nationwide, and Morgan Elementary was one of 10 schools to receive the designation in North Carolina. This exciting endeavor had been a two-year process – including the challenges of a pandemic year – and PTA leadership surveyed parents to determine what they felt were the school’s top needs. An increase in prominent male figures throughout the school was a top concern, and besides the traditional Sweetheart Dance encouraging dads and other male figures to come out and dance with their daughters, the PTA also introduced the national program All Pro Dads. Two fathers of current students lead the program, encouraging other dads and father figures to join students for breakfast and a variety of motivational events – and yes, more dads are chairing PTA committees! Morgan Elementary truly prides itself on recognizing the strategic relationship between parents and staff, and both groups know to totally lean on each other for support. For the 2020-2021 year, the school focused on communication, especially the need to reach all families when virtual learning was the norm and many families spoke Spanish as their first language. The PTA has a Spanish Community and bilingual individuals to help translate communication from the school going home on a daily and weekly basis, and the use of a special technique for the principal to use during her weekly phone calls, where parents can receive a message at the beginning of the call noting there will also be a translation available. The “new normal” has spurred increased communication on many levels, and current PTA president Lindsay Dunst sees a strong start for 2022!

A Place of Nostalgia

BY DENISE HEIDEL, PHOTOS BY PHOTO ARTISTRY BY MELINDA

If there was ever a secret hidden in plain sight, it’s The Barn on Country Club. A place that is a true celebration of yesteryear, The Barn on Country Club specializes in curating antiques and vintage furniture, as well as collectibles. The store is a labor of love for Renee Floyd and her significant other, Mark Nyswonger. After opening in 2016, the Barn on Country Club has taken a great deal of pride in providing a great variety of unique finds at various price points.

“We take pride in offering our customers a friendly environment,” said Renee. “We believe in old school customer service and know that those who have a love for ‘old soul’ décor appreciate our carefully curated and ever-changing inventory. The store is always changing! We specialize in bringing in hard-to-find treasures that our customers cherish.”

Renee continued, “We also love to see our customers give old furniture new life through paint and creative reinvention. While we know some may struggle with the idea of putting paint on an antique dresser, we feel that with the right, highquality paint, and a little extra care, customers can breathe new life in a piece that may otherwise be discarded. So if paint is what it takes to keep an old piece of furniture in service, then I’m on board. Plus, we are always happy to guide our customers. We have in-house creative expertise who can guide our customers to see the potential in an old piece of furniture.” “Not only do we have painted pieces in stock, but we offer a painting service for those who want our help. We’ll work on a piece found in the store or a customer’s existing piece. Our creative team is masterful at adding signature touches and personality that will be enjoyed for years to come.”

“Additionally, if we don’t have exactly what our customers need, Mark is an excellent craftsman and can build madeto-order farm tables and bench seating. His work has been in demand since we opened, and our customers appreciate the care that goes into creating their oneof-a-kind piece.”

Besides furniture, The Barn on Country Club boasts a variety of curiosities that are just waiting to be discovered. Renee shared, “Most people are surprised at how much space we have. We hear it all the time – ‘Wow! This place just keeps going!’ We know the types of nostalgic memorabilia that people crave. We have something for anyone – from vintage records to rustic tobacco baskets to old neon signs!”

Renee is the principal buyer for the store, and she spends countless hours perusing auction sites, estate sales, and more. “I have been fortunate to find great pieces that simply need a little love and TLC. With a little care, they are given a new purpose for many more years of enjoyment!“

“Also,” Renee continued, “We offer our customers personal consultations. When they find something they love but aren’t sure how to make it work…. Or when they need to find a special and unique piece…. We offer our in-house design expertise and guidance.”

The Barn on Country Club is also fullservice, providing delivery services to their customers. “I’ve even been known to load up a piece on my own box truck and deliver myself,” Renee smiled!

This is a destination antique lovers will want to take time to savor and peruse. With so much to discover, The Barn on Country Club promises shoppers something to remind them of treasured memories of generations past.

The Barn on Country Club is located at 4886 Country Club Road in WinstonSalem. Call 336.661.8400 or visit online at TheBarnOnCountryClub.com. Also, be sure to look for them on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram!

Jodie Brim Creative

Jodie Brim, Owner

SHOWCASING THE STORY BEHIND THE BRAND.

Five Things You May Not Know About Habitat for Humanity

BY DEBBIE LINVILLE

Habitat for Humanity’s vision is a world where everyone has a safe, healthy, and affordable place to live. For nine Forsyth County families, ringing in 2022 not only marks the beginning of the New Year, but an exciting new chapter in their lives. For these families, many of whom are first generation homeowners, the keys to their new homes symbolize newly realized stability and an opportunity to create beautiful memories.

I can paint the walls any color I want and plant a garden. I’ve always wanted a home of my own since I was a child. It really is a dream come true.” -Nancy, Habitat Forsyth’s newest homeowner

While you may already know a little about Habitat for Humanity, you may still have some questions. Below are the top five questions that people have about Habitat for Humanity.

1. DO THEY GIVE AWAY FREE HOMES?

The answer to this is really simple: no.

Habitat for Humanity does not give away homes but does provide tools to families for a stronger, more stable, and self-reliant future through their homeownership program.

A large part of the program is the required 400 hours of “sweat equity,” working alongside volunteers and other future homeowners building homes, helping out in the ReStores, and completing a series of financial literacy, personal development, and home maintenance/repair workshops.

In Forsyth County, the typical 3-bedroom apartment can cost renters between $900$1,200 per month while a mortgage serviced through Habitat Forsyth costs homeowners between $350-$500 per month, including insurance and taxes. This not only helps families save money each month, but also helps families create generational wealth.

2. BESIDES BUILDING HOMES, WHAT ELSE DOES HABITAT DO?

Habitat’s philosophy of a “hand-up, not a hand-out” is realized at every turn.

The same financial management, personal development, and home repair workshops that are offered to those in the homeownership program are also offered for free to the public.

Critical repairs (e.g., making a home more ADA compliant, repairing a leaky roof) are performed on owner occupied homes, even if they were not purchased through Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat just recently celebrated 2 years of offering youth programs. Through their Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) and Youth Culinary Arts Program, the goal is to remove barriers to success for youth ages 11-17 and help them realize their full potential through community-based education, mentoring, and enrichment programs.

3. I HAVE NEVER BUILT A HOME BEFORE, BUT I WANT TO VOLUNTEER. HOW DO I GET STARTED?

We have great news for you! No experience is needed to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. If it is building you want to do, the construction team leads new groups of volunteers daily and loves teaching them new skills (construction volunteers must be 16 or older).

Volunteers can also positively impact the local community in numerous ways in the ReStores. From customer service roles to merchandising on the sales floor, there are many opportunities geared toward individual interests and skills. If your time is limited and you want to help Habitat for Humanity, additional funding is always needed to help more families access safe, healthy, and affordable housing solutions and there are myriad options to financially support Habitat. One such opportunity is The Hammer Society: Women Who Build, where members collectively sponsor and build a local family’s home and gather for quarterly networking and volunteering events to connect with likeminded women.

4. HOW IS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RELATED TO THE HABITAT RESTORE?

Easy! The Habitat ReStores are owned and operated by Habitat for Humanity. The four ReStores in Forsyth County help fund the work of Habitat in our local community while offering sustainable solutions for those looking to divest themselves of gently used household items, those who might be shopping on a budget, or those committed to only purchasing secondhand items. Each ReStore is unique and inventory changes daily.

Whether you are a homeowner, contractor, do-it-yourselfer, or treasure hunter, a plethora of items well below retail await!

5. HOW ARE PRICES DETERMINED AT THE RESTORE?

Believe it or not, quite a bit goes into determining the price of an item before it hits the floor. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers evaluate each item as it comes in and set prices based on comparison to mainstream retail shops and second-hand sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. When an item first reaches the sales floor, it is already marked 25%-75% below retail and then using their color coded discount system, donated items are discounted even deeper on the 1st and 15th of each month.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County or to get involved, visit Habitatforsyth.org or call 336-765-8854.

Habitat For Humanity