Northwest Observer / April 16 - 22, 2020

April 16 - 22, 2020

www.nwobserver.com

bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996

Towns of Summerfield, Oak Ridge consider contributing to Bandera purchase Bandera Farms, Inc. (GuilfordFarms County)

by CHRIS BURRITT

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The Piedmont Land Conservancy (PLC) has entered a contract to purchase 113 acres at the northern corner of Bunch Road and I-73 in Summerfield from Bandera Farms Inc. The PLC is asking Oak Ridge, Summerfield, Guilford County and the city of Greensboro to contribute to the purchase price of $575,000 and will also seek grant funding and donations. If the nonprofit is able to raise the money to buy the property, it plans to create a recreational area consisting of trails for hikers and possibly mountain bikers and horseback riders, according to Palmer McIntyre, PLC’s conservation planner.

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SUMMERFIELD – The Piedmont Land Conservancy (PLC) is asking Summerfield for $100,000 and Oak Ridge for $50,000 to help purchase 113 acres on Bunch Road for development as a public recreation area.

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The PLC agreed earlier this year to purchase the tract from Bandera Farms Inc., an entity representing heirs of Dr. Joe Henson, a deceased Greensboro docCT CHAL MERS tor who bought the property in the early 1970s. The purchase price of $575,000 is TER E BELG RAVE down from the asking price of $785,000, according to Palmer McIntyre, PLC’s

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Map courtesy of Piedmont Land Conservancy

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...continued on p. 20 Feet 1,000

Coping with COVID-19 0

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Property Boundary (approx. 114 acres)

As part of our continuing series on how individuals, businesses and nonprofits have been impacted by social distancing restrictions imposed by the county and state due to COVID-19, for this issue we talked with the president of Oak Ridge Military Academy, a Summerfield-based travel agent and the town clerks in Stokesdale.

by PATTI STOKES

ORMA finishes academic year from a distance OAK RIDGE – “We’re not closed, we’ve gone to distance learning,” emphasizes Dr. Steve Wilson, Oak

P.O. Box 4025 Greensboro, NC 27404-4025 (336) 691-0088 www.piedmontland.org

IN THIS ISSUE Town may partner on school’s water tank . 2 News in brief ................................................. 3 Around Town photo page ........................... 7 Obituary ........................................................ 9 Crime/Incident Report .............................. 10 NWO Business & Real Estate ..................... 11 Realtors respond to restrictions ............... 12 Business Briefs ............................................. 14 Student Profile ............................................. 23 NWO Kids’ Korner ....................................... 24 Youth/School News .................................... 25 Grins and Gripes ........................................ 26 Classifieds ................................................... 28 Index of Advertisers ................................... 31

Map created October 9, 2018 by Mindy Mock

Ridge Military Academy’s president. The private military school, which has 75 day students and boarding students combined, was forced to transition to distance learning earlier this month after a complaint was filed with the county about it remaining open, Wilson said.

The forced transition came despite the academy making major adjustments in response to the coronavirusrelated restrictions, he noted.

“When this COVID-19 thing first started out, (boarding) schools were told to close. Us and two other military academies – Camden Military Academy in South Carolina and Missouri Military Academy in Missouri – were the only three military schools to stay open. My thinking was that we fell under the um-

...continued on p. 6

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APRIL 16 - 22, 2020

Town explores tapping charter school’s water tank

by CHRIS BURRITT

the buildings, she said.

SUMMERFIELD – Town leaders are exploring the possibility of piggybacking onto Revolution Academy’s water tank to create a new source of water for fighting fires.

Town Council member Reece Walker, who is employed with Summerfield Fire Department, said the tank would need to be enlarged by at least 30,000 gallons to qualify as a new water point by Insurance Services Office, which assigns fire ratings to fire departments and their surrounding communities. Insurance companies use the ratings to determine home insurance rates.

The proposed charter school on N.C. 150 plans to build a tank holding about 10,000 gallons of water to supply the sprinkler system inside of the buildings on its campus. Summerfield could pay the extra cost for increasing the size of the tank to create a water point for fire trucks to draw water, Town Manager Scott Whitaker told council members in an email earlier this month.

Adding tanks to supply water for fire protection emerged as a priority during the Town Council’s annual strategic planning retreat in February. Council members discussed putting a tank along N.C. 150 to serve the Henson Forest neighborhood, which is about 2 miles west of the future charter school.

Revolution Academy’s campus abuts the Henson Farms subdivision, creating the possibility that the town could tap into the school’s water tank. The school plans to open in December, putting it in “a quick timeframe” to complete the facility, including installing the tank, said Mary Catherine Sauer, the school’s principal.

“We are trying to work out the details” with Summerfield, Sauer said in an interview earlier this week. She said she supports enlarging the tank, with the town’s financial support, because it would improve fire protection in the area.

At the same time, determining costs and the exact size of the tank remain unresolved issues, Sauer said. School officials wouldn’t want a tank so big that it would detract from the appearance of

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Walker said he’d prefer a tank holding 50,000 to 100,000 gallons of water for fighting fires and favors exploring the idea of how Summerfield could pay for expanding Revolution Academy’s tank.

The councilman said he wouldn’t want to use money from the town’s general fund to pay for a larger tank and would favor investing in the project only if Summerfield could use its share of $3.4 million in state appropriations left over from a feasibility study for a possible regional water system in northwest Guilford County.

Summerfield, along with Oak Ridge and Stokesdale, has asked the state legislature to reallocate the money, giving each town roughly $1.1 million to meet their individual water needs.

In his email earlier this month, Whitaker asked council members to tell him what they think about the idea of Summerfield paying for a larger tank and whether they’d authorize him to spend “some exploratory money” (possibly $1,500 to $2,500) to determine costs for enlarging the tank.

“The fire suppression plans required of the school are complete and we’re asking them to consider letting us add to their project,” Whitaker said. “Given that, I think we owe the school a fairly quick response as to the town’s seriousness about this idea.”

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The former Women’s Hospital on Green Valley Road (shown above) has been converted to a 116-bed facility to care for severely ill COVID-19 patients. According to Doug Allred, Cone Health’s external communications manager, 10 to 15 severely ill COVID-19 patients were transferred to the facility on April 13, the first day it opened.

Effective April 20, Wesley Long Hospital on N. Elam Avenue will transition to a hospital for patients with symptoms or a diagnosis of COVID-19.

Wesley Long Hospital and the former Women’s Hospital have transitioned to coronavirusfocused facilities GUILFORD COUNTY – In anticipation of a potential increase in patients critically ill with COVID-19, Wesley Long Hospital on N. Elam Avenue and the former Cone Health Women’s Hospital on Green Valley Road in Greensboro have been temporarily converted to coronavirus-focused facilities.

On April 13 the former Women’s Hospital (now called the “Green Valley campus”) opened to severely ill COVID-19 patients who were transferred from other sites or admitted directly by their physician. The 116-bed site does not have an emergency department.

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Effective April 20, Wesley Long Hospital will transition to a hospital for patients with symptoms or a diagnosis of COVID-19.

People who need evaluation for COVID-19 symptoms are asked to access a virtual visit or call their physician for care and advice.

“By continuing to strengthen our communities’ efforts to stay at home and practice social distancing, we have a chance to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our region and across the state. This would limit sickness and save lives, and help to avoid overwhelming our hospitals, physicians, nurses and other caregivers,” said Terry Akin, CEO, Cone Health. “That said, we are proactively realigning our hospital capacity and staffing to care for larger numbers of infected patients in the days and weeks ahead.”

...continued on p. 4

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

APRIL 16 - 22, 2020

3

NEWS in brief

...continued from p. 3

www.nwobserver.com /northwestobserver @mynwobserver @northwestobserver

OUR TEAM Patti Stokes, editor/publisher Laura Reneer, marketing manager Kelli Jessup, publisher’s assistant Rene Collins, administrative assistant Yvonne Truhon, graphic designer Leon Stokes, IT director Lucy Smith, finance manager Linda Schatz, distribution Chris Burritt, staff writer; Helen Ledford, Meredith Barkley, Lily Pierce and Annette Joyce, contributing writers

HOW TO REACH US email: info • celebrations • photos communitynews • realestatenews calendarevents • grinsandgripes opinions • editor • questions ... @ nwobserver.com phone: (336) 644-7035 fax: (336) 644-7006 office: 1616 NC 68 N, Oak Ridge mail: PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 hours: M-Th 9am-noon (or by appt.)

WANT TO ADVERTISE? Contact us at (336) 644-7035, ext. 11 display: advertising@nwobserver.com classified: classifieds@nwobserver.com Independently owned & published by

Residents needing evaluation for severe COVID-19 symptoms should go to the Wesley Long Hospital Emergency Department.

The emergency department at Wesley Long Hospital will remain open, but individuals requiring care for conditions other than COVID-19 may be transferred to Moses Cone Hospital for treatment.

Individuals who think they have symptoms of COVID-19 should call their

physician or other caregiver, or make a virtual visit. Virtual care options include on-demand video calls, e-visits and scheduled video visits.

Cone Health reminds its communities of the critical importance of staying at home, frequent hand washing, covering coughs and social distancing.

Realtor associations criticize stay-at-home rules as harmful

GUILFORD COUNTY – Stay-at-home regulations that limit face-to-face interaction among real estate agents and buyers and sellers in Guilford County have hurt the economy and increased COVID-19 safety risks, Realtor and homebuilder groups in Greensboro and High Point said.

The countywide restrictions on real estate services “are negatively impacting Guilford County both in Covid-19 safety and in the effect on the local economy,” according to the draft of a letter the groups sent to elected officials in the county earlier this week.

The restrictions have crimped sales activity, according to the letter from the Greensboro Regional Realtors Association, the Greensboro Builders Association, the High Point Regional Association of Realtors and other groups.

Showings of houses listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in the Triad have dropped 66 percent since COVID-19 safety recommendations and orders have gone in effect, according to

the letter. MLS sales in the Triad have tumbled 31 percent as sales in Guilford County have slumped 33 percent.

The letter asks leaders to relax, if not eliminate the rules when they decide whether to end, extend or alter the stay-at-home order set to expire this Thursday, April 16.

The county restrictions list real estate agencies among “essential businesses” that are allowed to continue operating as long they take precautionary steps amid the COVID-19 pandemic, such as recommending that customers remain at least six feet apart.

However, the county imposed rules specific to the real estate business that, according to Realtors, have discouraged sales by limiting the ability of prospective buyers to visit houses. Open houses, house tours and other activities that typically involve “human interaction and/or viewing the interior of residences or other structures shall be conducted remotely (online, phone, fax, email, etc.),” according to the regulations.

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Putting limitations on a business classified as essential “has led to ill-informed, eager buyers (entering) the homes of anxious sellers without their Realtors and without following the (stay-at-home) safety rules,” the letter said.

It said real estate companies are seeking rules that “allow brokers to visit properties, with appropriate safety precautions without causing confusion in the market and putting our county at an unnecessary economic disadvantage” to surrounding counties where real estate brokerages don’t face the same restrictions.

“Remember, any agent, buyer or seller who does not want to conduct in-person visits – or shouldn’t because of being in a higher risk category – does not have to conduct them,” the letter said.

“Allowing Realtors to give citizens the help they need is not a requirement, it is merely permission.”

Gas prices drop further, demands reach 50-year lows GREENSBORO/NW GUILFORD – Greensboro-area gas prices have fallen 2.7 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $1.66/gallon on April 13, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 586 stations. Gas prices in Greensboro are 39.1 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 101.1 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the lowest-priced gas in the Greensboro area April 13 was $1.29/gallon (compared to $1.15 in the state) while the

...continued on p. 31

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APRIL 16 - 22, 2020

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“If a cadet left campus – for example, one went to a funeral and one had surgery – they weren’t allowed to come back,” Wilson said. “The only transition we had was with the teachers who live off campus, and they were monitored daily,” Wilson said.

...continued from p. 1

brella of nursing centers, where for the cadets, this was their home,” Wilson explained.

As part of the changes the school instituted, day students were given an option to either learn at home or board at the school, but they could not transition back and forth.

Spring break was cancelled to accelerate the academic program for the semester. By teachers meeting with the students Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to almost 5 p.m., the academy planned to finish the academic semester by May 1, almost three weeks early.

Social distancing was put into practice in the classroom, where normally there are up to 10 students, Wilson said.

When dining in the mess hall, students kept at least one seat between them.

“The Summit Church Oak Ridge was incredible about bringing things like snacks and toiletries to the kids.

Parents sent things, too. The response of the parents and this church, I can’t say enough nice things about them.”

File photo/NWO

After a complaint about the school remaining open was filed with the county, Oak Ridge Military Academy transitioned to distance learning last week.

The school’s resident nurse checked students and staff every day for symptoms of the virus and generated a daily “sick” report, including temperatures, Wilson said.

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APRIL 16 - 22, 2020

tuting this program,” he confirmed, adding that although it was never needed, had a cadet tested positive for COVID-19, an empty dorm had been prepared to allow for the student to be isolated.

“We also had an excellent fitness program in place, which I thought would help them ward off the virus,” the academy president said.

“Everybody was on top of everything, and we did everything I thought we could do. We didn’t have any cases (of COVID-19).

We didn’t allow any visitors.

During this time, cadets weren’t allowed to leave the campus. They couldn’t have any food deliveries brought in. Any packages they had delivered were all inspected.

It was a lockdown as much as we could do. Our goal was to keep the students safe and finish out their academic requirements for the semester.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Parents were “overwhelmingly in favor of the plan we had in place,” Wilson noted, but attorneys with the governor’s office insisted the school was not practicing social distancing and mandated they cease and desist from classroom teaching.

Of the academy’s 75 students, 15 come from either other states or other countries, so getting them all home quickly was a logistical challenge.

The campus was cleared by Sunday, April 5.

“We had a good plan in place and it was accomplishing everything we wanted it to,” Wilson said. “Nobody was sick. Now, here I am sending them home to Florida and California – are they safer there? I don’t think so.”

Since implementing Plan B – distance learning – teachers have been connecting with their students via Zoom and Skype.

Graduation has tentatively been moved to the first weekend in June.

“That’s what we’re planning on.

Who knows what we’ll be doing,” Wilson said.

A few days before all the students left campus, Wilson said he met with them.

“That meeting was hard, because some of them were crying… It breaks my heart to come up here every day and see the campus empty,” he said.

... continued on p. 8

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Photo courtesy of Rick Dunlap

Photo courtesy of Lyn

Janelle Robinson of Summerfield provided personally made masks to veterans of VFW Post 7999 for protection during the national pandemic.

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tary School, said r at Stokesdale Elemen he ac te de ra -g fth fi a . Since many Lynn Moses, away from the school ile m a t ou ab is on this sign the street she lives she created and hung , sis ba lar gu re a on em. by it of her students pass w much she misses th ho ow kn s nt de stu r let he Moses told us. on her front porch to nches and bunches!” bu em th iss m do y all “I re

Photo courtesy of Tina Page

Gracey Lunsford used some of her spare “stayat-home” time to paint the front door of Mike and Tina Page’s Summerfield house for Easter.

Photo courtesy of Tom Maurer

Mallory Maurer and her father Tom created this 3D chalk art on their driveway for neighborhood walkers and joggers to observe as they passed by.

Photo courtesy of Tonya Doss

Keeping you connected in print weekly and 24/7 at Facebook.com/NorthwestObserver

Mike Bledsoe (“Linus”), Michael Bledsoe and Jody Jessup (“Snoopy” and “Woodstock”) of Summerfield spread some Easter cheer by dressing up as Charlie Brown characters and driving through local neighborhoods and Countryside Village in Stokesdale while waving from their truck. “They loved it!

Waving and smiling back made my day,” Michael said.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

APRIL 16 - 22, 2020

7

COPING

she’s poised to have to move them again if necessary.

...continued from p. 6

Summerfield resident Jessica Younginer, an independent contractor with Gifted Travel Network, has been helping people with their travel plans for years. Business has been good, but near the end of this past February her activity level surged – unfortunately, it just wasn’t for the right reasons.

Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, instead of planning her clients’ trips, she found herself unplanning them.

Airlines seemed slow to respond at first, but Younginer said the major airlines like Delta, United and American are “finally coming around and extending travel dates,” in many Jessica Younginer cases to December 2021. It’s not certain as to whether they’ll offer refunds versus extensions, but she noted a lot of people have a sizable sum of money tied up in their international airfare and they may prefer to get their money back.

“For me, it was mostly when it (the pandemic) hit Italy. I had several families scheduled to go there for spring break in mid-March,” she said.

“I started getting all these calls and emails from people asking, ‘what do we do, what do we do?’”

For Younginer, the effects of the travel bans and cancellations hit home. Last year she and the other Top 10 agents in her 350-agent travel network won a 7-night trip to France.

Their trip was planned for mid-March, but of course, it was cancelled.

After the Italian government imposed a national quarantine on March 9, Younginer said she moved into high gear to get her clients’ travel plans scheduled for a later date. With all the uncertainties still remaining,

“We found out three days before we were to leave, when President Trump put down a ban on international travel.

We were so heartbroken,” she said.

Jessica Younginer, travel agent ‘We’re just in a wait-and-see mode’

Before this pandemic, Younger said most of her clients declined to pur-

FIRST TREATMENT

chase travel insurance because of the cost. Under the present circumstances, the only recourse many of them have, then, is to accept a credit.

“I’ve told people, during this time I’m not selling any trips without insurance,” she said.

If there is a silver lining in all this for her profession, Younginer said it may be that people will place more value on working with a travel agent to book their trips.

“Over the last several weeks I’ve sometimes sat on hold for five or six hours a day trying to cancel or reschedule plans,” she said. “We work on commission, so we’re basically working hard to lose money. Hopefully, my clients will realize I’ve done all the calls and all the work for them, and I know the questions to ask so when I finally get somebody on the other end, I’m ready

to go – I hope it lets consumers know how valuable a travel agent is.”

As for those who have plans to travel in May and June, Younginer is hesitant to predict what will happen between now and then. She’s encouraging those who do have to reschedule to go ahead and pick out new dates – “because airfare is really cheap right now.”

And although she hates the word “deal,” she also tells her clients “you’re getting a lot for your money” if they book trips now for a later date, since many hotels and cruise lines are offering things like upgrades and food and beverage credits.

“After all this, going forward will be in baby steps,” she said. “We may see a lot more travel within our country and just shift the balance.” She adds, “It will be interesting to see how the airlines handle this when this is all over … are they going to seat people 6 feet apart? We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Town clerks Alisa Houk, Priscilla Hunsucker STOKESDALE – Since social distancing restrictions were put into effect last month, Alisa Houk, Stokesdale’s town clerk/finance officer, said Town Hall has been very quiet.

Shaking her head in agreement, Deputy Clerk Priscilla Hunsucker added, “It’s been too quiet.” Typically the first one to greet visitors to Town Hall, she said she misses “seeing the

people in Stokesdale and having them come in and interact on a day-to-day basis.”

Since Stokesdale has its own municipal water system, the two say there’s typically a steady flow of customers who prefer to stop by and pay their water bill in person – and people also come to Town Hall to check out library books.

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APRIL 16 - 22, 2020

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

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public meeting on May 14, Houk said she hopes they can still meet in person and livestream the meeting.

Alisa Houk

Priscilla Hunsucker

“I miss the customers… but at the same time I’m very busy in the back and it has helped me catch up on some paperwork and reports,” Houk said. “I have a couple water reports that are always due the first of April and the first of June – and they’re both done!”

As for the usual meetings, Houk noted the five council members can’t legally discuss business together without it being an open public meeting.

Although there have been no pressing decisions to make this month, they normally would have been meeting to work on the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. For now, communication about the budget is being done via email.

If the council can’t hold an open

Of anything else they’ve observed that’s different in the community, Houk said, “We’re used to seeing individuals walking and running in the park, and maybe a mom strolling with her baby or with her child on a bike.

But since this has happened, we’ve seen more family interaction. It’s been enjoyable to see moms and dads and all the children riding bikes and walking, or kicking a ball on the soccer field – seeing families doing things together instead of all being separated.”

On a practical note, water customers are encouraged to still pay their water bill on time if possible.

“If you can make your payment, we encourage you to do so and not fall behind. If you are having difficulty, though, it’s okay,” Houk said. “We’re not going to disconnect you. But, water customers will still be responsible for eventually paying what they owe.”

As for a message to the community, Hunsucker smiled widely and said, “We miss you!”

OBITUARY Helen “Peggy” Tesh, age 94, of Summerfield, passed away April 7. Mrs. Tesh graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne University in 1948 and attended grad school at UNC-G. She taught kindergarten and first grade for 30 years in three Greensboro Schools: Wiley, Murphey and Sternberger.

Mrs. Tesh moved to Summerfield in 1958. She was a faithful member of Center United Methodist Church on Lake Brandt Road in Summerfield, where she taught Sunday School and chaired many committees. She also

sang in the choir and performed many beautiful soprano solos.

Mrs. Tesh is survived by her children, Jane Tesh of Mt. Airy, Martha Tesh Friesen and husband Larry of League City, Texas, and Joseph Tesh and wife Mary of Summerfield; grandchildren Tiffany Valent of Burien, Washington, and Steven Tesh and wife Krystl of Oak Ridge; and great-grandchildren Elizabeth and Camden. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Tesh was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Tesh.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Clyde E. Tesh Scholarship Fund in care of Center United Methodist Church, 6142 Lake Brandt Road, Greensboro, NC 27455.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

APRIL 16 - 22, 2020

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text messages.

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April 11 | A resident of the 5900 block of W. Friendly AvResearchDon’t before Research before donate. click on you links in donate. emails or textsyou you didn’t expect. enue in northwest Greensboro Don’t let anyone rush Don’t you letinto anyone making rusha you donation. into making Get a donation. Get reported an unknown suspect tips on donating wisely tips on atdonating ftc.gov/charity. at ftc.gov/charity.

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THEFT April 7 | The owner of Summerfield Eye Care reported an unknown suspect broke in through a window at the front of the business and stole some eye drop samples and a showroom mirror, worth $49 altogether, between April 6 at 5:30 p.m. and April 7 at 11 a.m.

April 11 | The owner of a farm in the 5300 block of Bunch Road in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect stole a yellow auger and a black battery charger, with a combined worth of $850, between April 5 at 7 p.m. and April 11 at 12 noon.

Research before you Don’t anyone rush you intodonate. making a donation. Get tips onletdonating wisely at ftc.gov/charity. tips onletdonating at ftc.gov/charity.

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Greensboro Realtors Association, Greensboro Homebuilders Association and several other related trade associations sent a letter to Guilford County commissioners April 15 asking that some of the restrictions on showing houses for sale be lifted.

As the county’s stay-at-home order is currently written, Realtor agencies are considered “essential businesses,” but Realtors are prevented from showing houses to prospective buyers, except online.

Realtors respond to county restrictions on showing houses

14 Coming Soon

Nonna Teresa Eatery Italian restaurant in Oak Ridge Commons will open for take-out and delivery at the end of this month.

“This has led to ill-informed, eager buyers (entering) the homes of anxious sellers without their Realtors and without following the SAH safety rules. They are scheduling these showings directly with the sellers,” the letter states. “… The current restrictions on services are negatively impacting Guilford County both in Covid-19 safety, and in the effect on the local economy as unprofessional transactions further harm our citizens due to unnecessary reductions in sales prices, equity, reduced tax base and inadvertent legal problems.”

See News Briefs in this issue for more details about the letter, and see article on p. 12 for the reactions of several local Realtors to the county’s current restrictions on showing houses.

14 Job openings

Tractor Supply is beginning its largest hiring drive ever; the company plans to hire both full- and part-time employees.

18 Ask the Builder Local builders share how they are being affected by the coronavirus.

Realtors eager for easing of COVID-19 restrictions Regulations on buying and selling are crimping sales activity, frustrating real estate agents headed into the typically busy spring season

rus has claimed 108 lives. On March 25 Guilford County issued a stay-at-home order that went into effect March 27.

That same day Gov. Roy Cooper issued a statewide stay-at-home order which went into effect the following Monday, “April and May are huge March 30. Parts of the county’s order months in our business,” are more restrictive than the state’s orAndrea Wilhelm, owner of der, and in those cases county residents

by CHRIS BURRITT must follow the more restrictive compoThe Art of Southern Realty nents of the order.

NW GUILFORD – Northwest Guilin Greensboro, said in an Even before the county’s restricford real estate agents are hoping interview earlier this week. tions took effect March 27, the spread COVID-19 restrictions that have ham“And it’s all pretty much of COVID-19 was crimping what had pered sales activity are going to end been a strong housing market, fueled this week. come to a halt.” by historically low mortgage rates and For the past three weeks, Guilford tight inventory. As potential homebuyCounty’s “stay-at-home” order aimed As of April 14, Guilford County ers worried about getting sick or posat slowing the spread of the coronavirus had 10 documented deaths related to sibly losing their jobs due to the closing has prevented Realtors from showing COVID-19 among 137 diagnosed cases and scaling back of businesses, sales houses to prospective buyers, except of the virus, according to a tally by the activity began slowing in March. online. The restrictions are set to expire North Carolina Department of Health The slowdown has continued into and Human Services. Statewide, the vithis Thursday, April 16, raising hopes April, as the county restrictions have complicated the process of buying and selling houses.

In Guilford County, real estate agencies are considered among “essential businesses” that are allowed to 8004 Linville Road, Suite E-3, Oak Ridge continue operating as long as they take precautionary steps amid the COVID-19 pandemic, such as requiring customers barbourwilliams.com to abide by the U.S. Centers for Disease 5503 Effieham Street, OakControl’s recommendation that people Ridge should remain at least six feet apart. among real estate agents that the Guilford County Board of Commissioners will ease rules as the market enters its typically busy spring season.

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specific to the real estate business that, according to Realtors, have discouraged sales by limiting the ability of prospective buyers to visit houses.

The Multiple Listing Service, a database showing information about properties for sale, isn’t yet showing the number of sales and houses under contract since the start of April, according to Phillip Stone, a Stokesdale Realtor who owns A New Dawn Realty with his mother, Dawn.

When the information is available, he said, he believes it will show that regulations to minimize the spread of the virus “have greatly impacted our industry because we can’t actively show houses.”

Open houses, house tours and other activities that typically involve “human interaction and/or viewing the interior of residences or other structures shall be conducted remotely (online, phone, fax, email, etc.),” according to the regulations.

The “stay-at-home” order bars professional photographers hired by real estate agents from taking interior photographs and videos of houses for sale, leaving homeowners to provide images for the marketing of their houses. Typically, the owners lack the expertise to produce high-quality videos for their listings on Realtors’ websites, according to Nicole Gillespie, an agent for RE/MAX Realty Consultants in Greensboro.

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“If I don’t have a professional to produce a virtual tour, I can’t send it to a potential buyer,” Gillespie said.

“My hands are tied.”

Appraisers and inspectors can continue to conduct business, according to the regulations. Once a buyer puts a house under contract to buy or lease, he/she can walk through the property as many as two times with an agent.

Such restrictions aren’t in place in surrounding counties such as Forsyth and Rockingham, compounding frustration for real estate agents for whom business has continued to flourish outside of Guilford County.

“We have buyers who have to move and we have sellers who have to sell,” Keller Williams agent DeDe Cunningham said. “And Guilford County officials have compromised their ability by basically handcuffing real estate agents.”

A Forsyth County house listed by Cunningham went under contract to a buyer earlier this week. She said she’s received multiple offerings for a listing in Rockingham County.

Cunningham said she also recently completed three pre-sales in the Farm in Oak Ridge, a new development on N.C. 150 at Bridgehead Road, after buyers had already met with builders who are going to construct their houses. The parties completed the transactions remotely.

“All county officials are doing is causing a lot of stress and undue delays for buyers and sellers who are in the middle of a necessary move,” Cunningham said. “I’m concerned about servicing my individual buyers who need to find houses right now and my sellers who need to sell but can’t show their houses.”

The regulations have forced real estate agents to adapt, increasing their reliance on technology, such as 360-degree tours of properties and showings by owners using Zoom or FaceTime on their phones to give walkthroughs of their houses. Realtors are also putting more houses under contract to buyers who’ve not visited the property.

Such “sight-unseen” transactions require agents who represent buyers to trust sellers’ agents to be truthful about the listings, according to Gillespie. As an example, a video tour of a house doesn’t reveal that it smells of cigarette smoke or pets.

“We can’t tell that from the pictures,” she said. “That’s where relationships between agents have to come into play.”

Realtors are preparing for the possibility that the county commissioners will extend the restrictions instead of relaxing them. Wilhelm, of The Art

of Southern Realty, said she’s putting some of her new listings under contract as “coming soon,” meaning that other agents can preview the houses before they actually go on the market, preferably after restrictions are lifted.

In that case, the listings aren’t shown as for sale, sparing owners the hassle of trying to sell their houses remotely.

That said, Wilhelm said she expects her clients with “coming soon” listings to resort to virtual tours by May 1 even if restrictions remain in place.

“We’re predicting the summer is going to be busy,” she said. Sales activity “is getting pushed out a couple of months.”

“We’ve been blessed to have stayed as busy as we have been, but it’s definitely been a blow,” said Jason Smith, senior vice president of Smith Marketing Inc.,

VIRTUAL HOME TOURS AVAILABLE Looking to buy or sell? Home sales continue by way of virtual tours.

Check out these northwest Guilford County homes and more at nicolegillespierealty.com.

le 8209 Angels Glen Ct., Stokesda

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20 BusinHome Fashions y Award 19 MOR holds Culp n cutting ainabilit Sust receives efforts for recycling

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Summerfield erects several historic district signs.

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Stokes unveils banners to be displayed throughout town’s t. business distric

which he owns with his mother, Betty, and brother Jeff. They also favor a relaxation of the regulations. “We’re missing a lot of showings that we’d normally get” to prospective buyers represented by agents from different firms, Smith said.

Not all Realtors favor rolling back the restrictions.

“I think you have to err on the side of safety,” said Nancy Hess, an agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Yost & Little Realty.

Hess said she believes the county commissioners should extend the regulations. Or, she said, she’d support amending the regulations to allow agents to show vacant houses – but not ones that are occupied. She said she’s unwilling to risk the health of her clients by showing a house where an occupant may be sick with the virus.

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APRIL 16 - 22, 2020

13

BUSINESS briefs

Coming soon: Nonna Teresa Eatery OAK RIDGE – Michael Assante set his sights on opening an Italian restaurant in Oak Ridge soon after learning of Bella Luna’s closing in Oak Ridge Commons shopping center several months ago. Were the current stay-at-home restrictions not in effect, he might already be open – still, he sees the delay as an opportunity to get some of the new restaurant’s kinks worked out before opening the doors to what he hopes will be a surge of new diners who will eventually become regular customers as well as friends.

Assante was born in the U.S., but as a young child moved with his parents to Italy to get his education and learn an appreciation for his parents’ culture. He was 16 when he returned to the U.S. in 1999 and began working for his older

brother, who owns an Elizabeth’s Pizza restaurant in Winston-Salem.

“I learned everything from him, and I liked the restaurant business,” he said.

Ten years later, Assante, his older brother and a cousin opened Village Pizza on Belews Creek Road in Stokesdale, which has successfully operated there ever since.

After deciding to open his own restaurant in Oak Ridge, Assante said he named it after his mother, who has a passion for cooking and taught him a lot about cooking Italian food.

Under the guidance of head chef Daniel Tobar, the restaurant’s menu will include several Italian classic dishes like chicken marsala, piccata, lasagna, spaghetti and baked ziti – and, as a nod to Assante’s southern Italian roots, several

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

(L-R) Daniel Tobar, Keyla and Michael Assante stand inside Nonna Teresa Eatery Italian restaurant in Oak Ridge Commons shopping center, at the intersection of N.C. 150 and 68 in Oak Ridge on April 14. They plan to open for take-out and delivery by the end of this month, and for sit-down dining when the current stay-at-home restrictions on restaurants have been lifted. seafood dishes including lobster and shrimp. Nonna Teresa’s has applied for a full ABC license to allow the restaurant to also sell beer, wine and liquor.

Nonna Teresa Eatery is set to open for to-go orders and delivery by the end of this month and for dine-in customers as soon as the restrictions on restaurants have been lifted.

“I’m very sad for this situation here and all over the world. But, I think opening for to-go only at first can be a benefit to us because it will give us a chance to learn the kitchen and the menu and get used to a new place,” Assante said.

Assante and his wife, Keyla, live in Walkertown with their son, who is 13, and their daughter, who is 12.

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A company spokesperson said the retailer, which is based in Brentwood, Tennessee, continues “to implement numerous measures to promote social distancing in our stores and provide

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personal protective equipment to team members.”

Tractor Supply is also embarking on the company’s most ambitious hiring drive ever, with plans to immediately fill more than 5,000 full-time and part-time team member positions across its nearly 1,900 stores in 49 states and eight distribution centers. The company says the job opportunities represent existing and new positions with a focus on increased customer service and safety in stores. To learn more, visit www.TractorSupply.jobs.

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Quality.

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CUSTOM BUILD “My wife and I never had a house built before, but we decided to build our retirement home. Many of our friends warned us about the stress and frustration that they experienced when they built their own houses. I can tell you we never went through these issues because of Johnson and Lee’s communication They are honest people who do and the quality of their workmanship. edible schedulers who always show what they say they will do and are incr ly. Everything is done so professionup and consistently work methodical t you will be completely amazed. ally and with such craftsmanship tha expectations. We are fortunate we Our house significantly exceeded our found Johnson & Lee to build it.”

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When you hear the name “Disney Construction Co.,” husband-and-wife team Francis and Patti Disney and their son, Mark, hope “quality, experience and detail” are among the first three things you’ll think of.

Since Francis and Patti went into business for themselves in 1982, Disney Construction Co. has built more than 500 homes across the Triad and Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. More importantly, the company has established a time-tested reputation of excellence in quality home building that continues to attract buyers who want to work with a builder they can trust and who they know will be personally committed to their vision for a new home.

Just as when they founded the company nearly 40 years ago, the Disneys remain committed to the belief that craftsmanship is paramount to the construction of their homes.

“Our hope is to gain your family’s confidence by giving you the opportunity to see our craftsmanship and dedication to our customers,” Patti said.

“We pride ourselves on providing our homebuyers with hands-on, personal attention.”

It’s this philosophy that has made Disney Construction Co. one of the most trusted and respected builders in the northwest Guilford County area and beyond. And, their well-earned reputation has brought recognition from both inside and outside the building industry.

Most recently, the company received the Triad Business Journal’s 2019 Family Business Award; it has also been past recipient of Greater Greensboro Builders Association’s Builder Member of the Year and the Eugene Gulledge Award for Distinguished Service – all recognitions that reflect the company’s commitment to its customers and the communities it serves.

Mark Disney joined his parents’ company about nine years ago. Since then he has been honored to serve as past president of the Greater Greensboro Builders Association and was one of the Triad Business Journal’s 2018 “Forty Under Forty.”

Brought t

Photos courtesy of Disney Construction Co.

d-wife team Francis (left) and Patti Disney launched Disney Construction Co. in 1982; their ght) joined them in the business about nine years ago.

Based on their unique skills and contributions, Francis, Patti and Mark have divided up the company’s day-to-day operations to give their customers the optimal homebuilding experience. Francis and Mark primarily focus on overseeing the construction of the homes while Patti handles the bookkeeping and communicates with customers throughout the homebuilding process.

Although they are at the helm of the company, the Disneys know a successful construction business depends on a partnership between subcontractors, sales representatives and suppliers to turn truckloads of building supplies into a beautiful home.

Because of this, they’ve found some of the best folks in the industry to partner with and have held on tightly.

“Over the years, we have developed strong relationships with most of our subcontractors and suppliers.

In fact, they’re more like our extended family,” Patti said.

“We rely on these partners to help us provide our customers with personal attention and walk the homebuyer through the process of building their custom home. In the end, our partners take as much pride in the finished home as we do.”

As a custom home builder, Disney Construction Co. offers the flexibility of choosing from a long list of allowances, making it easy to individualize homes based on the unique wants and needs of each homebuyer. Homeowners also value the personal attention they receive throughout the building process, and knowing they can be as involved as they want to be in it.

“We’re there along the way to assist the homeowner in every aspect of the project,” Patti emphasized.

With the experience Francis and Patti have gained over the years and the youthful energy and leadership provided by Mark and his wife, Jennifer, the family business is well-positioned to stand on solid ground for generations to come.

When only the best will do Custom home building isn’t just our job, it’s our passion. With attention to detail at every step of the way, we’ll strive to make your home building process smooth and stress-free.

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Ask the

BUILDER

compiled by CHRIS BURRITT/NWO

What impact is COVID-19 having on your business, and how are you adapting?

Ray Bullins Construction Co. Naylor Custom Homes “As of right now, we haven’t had any hiccups and we’ve decided to continue doing business as close to normal as possible. We are Ray Bullins conscious of safety and are adhering to the Home Builders Association guidelines for dealing with the virus.

“I’ve heard the number of trade workers has decreased, but we haven’t experienced it yet. If that happens, it could cause us to adjust our schedules as to when homes would be completed.

“So far, our phone continues to ring, and people are moving forward and taking advantage of the low interest rates. Overall, the market is still strong in our area.”

“We’re working every day just as hard as we always have, but that’s going to start slowing down as we finish up different projects. Even though we’ve got Scott Naylor several spec homes ready to go, right now they’re on hold because Realtors aren’t able to show them. We had some other spec homes in the pipeline that we’re putting off starting.”

more ‘prestigious’ occupations. Our young people are building up student debt for degrees they may never use when their God-given talents may be elsewhere – possibly in construction.

What we’re going through now is revealing the importance of our industry’s trade.”

Johnson and Lee

Disney Construction Co.

Patti Disney

“We are so grateful to be in an industry that’s considered to be an essential business. The trades will always be necessary but are so often overlooked for

Commie Johnson

“Our business is still going very well. We started three spec homes last week. That might be smart, and it might not be. Once things settle down, we expect sales to take off again.

“The biggest adjustment we’ve had to make is in how we deal with getting permits and handling real estate closings. In Guilford County,

everything is being handled online.

I recently closed on a lot and didn’t even have to go into the attorney’s office.”

Don Mills Builders “We’re still working and selling homes. In fact, I’ve sold two houses since this started. I think once this is over, we’re going to get an influx of Don Mills people moving from the big cities to the South. When it all settles down and the dust clears, if you’re a builder, you better have a house for sale.

“With manufacturers not being able to work, there’s a possibility we could see a shortage of building materials. That could cause problems, but hopefully we’ll be back to normal before that happens.”

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BANDERA FARMS

Tate Realtors in Greensboro.

...continued from p. 1

conservation planner.

The nonprofit organization is also asking Guilford County and the city of Greensboro to contribute money toward buying the land, part of what’s known as Bandera Farms. McIntyre wouldn’t disclose how much PLC is seeking from the two municipalities.

The parties set Nov. 30 as the closing date for the transaction. If the sale takes place, the property, which is located in Summerfield, would become a recreation area with trails for hikers and runners and possibly mountain bikers and horseback riders, McIntyre said.

PLC was initially interested in acquiring an easement on a portion of the property for the proposed Piedmont Greenway, a 19-mile trail planned from Greensboro to Winston-Salem through Summerfield, Oak Ridge and Kernersville.

As PLC’s staff looked at property last year, they decided to pursue the entire tract, not just the easement for the Piedmont Greenway. Efforts to sell the tract for residential development have been hampered by its limited access to Bunch Road, steep terrain and its location in the flood zone along Reedy Fork Creek, according to listing agent Diane Thompson, of Allen

McIntyre plans to present PLC’s plans for the property and ask for $50,000 from Oak Ridge during its town council meeting May 7, according to Oak Ridge Town Manager Bill Bruce.

“Being part of the preservation of Bandera Farms is something I wouldn’t want to pass us by,” Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider said in an interview earlier this week, noting she is in favor of providing an additional recreational opportunity for town residents.

Bruce told council members in an email earlier this month he had confirmed with PLC that horse trails “would be an acceptable use on the property.”

In recent months, a group of equestrian enthusiasts has pushed for the construction of a horse trail on the Whitaker property on Linville Road where the council plans to expand Town Park. The proposal is under review by the council and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

“Many questions still need to be resolved, including long-term ownership, development costs, maintenance and management,” Bruce said, referring to the development of the property. “But these discussions are currently taking place.”

In Summerfield, a majority of council members supports contributing $100,000 for buying the property, Town Manager Scott Whitaker said in an email earlier this week. “The property would likely be deeded to the town given that it’s in Summerfield’s boundaries,” he said.

PLC has applied for state funds to help match local contributions, McIntrye said in an email earlier this week. The group is also seeking private donations.

“Our first step is acquisition,” she said. “Then we will seek funding for development of the trails.”

Trails would probably open a year or two after PLC bought the property, McIntyre said in an interview last month. Deciding whether to allow horseback riding will depend upon the potential impact of horses on water quality, since the property is located in the drinking water shed for the city of Greensboro, she said.

In an interview last month, Bonnie Gallo, one of Henson’s children, described the proposed use of the property as “perfect” because she believes northwest Guilford County needs a recreational area.

Virtual Care from Your Home All LeBauer HealthCare practices are now offering virtual care appointments with your provider through a video visit!

To control the spread of COVID-19, we are scheduling virtual visits as an alternative to in-person office visits. Connect with the healthcare provider that you know and trust from the comfort of home. Virtual appointments are billed to your insurance just like your regular office visits. To schedule a virtual visit, please call your provider’s office today!

lebauer.com 20

APRIL 16 - 22, 2020

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Making your Vision a Reality 1102 Hayes Farm Drive, Lot 37 Farm at Lake Brandt, Summerfield l l l l l

l l

Under construction now, listing soon 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, 3 car garage 4,506 square feet, 0.92 acres Master and guest suites on first floor 2 bedroom suites on second floor plus rec room and expansive office or flex space Screened porch with flat back yard Upper $700s

8307 Wolf Ridge Trail, Lot 28 Wolf Ridge, Oak Ridge l l l l l

l l

“

To say that we are pleased with our house is an understatement. It goes beyond anything we could have ever dreamed, and we are so grateful to you both. You both have amazing gifts, and we feel thankful and humbled to have been blessed by your talents put to use.

Under construction now, listing soon 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 car garage 4,402 square feet, 0.919 acres Master and guest suites on first floor 2 bedroom suites on second floor plus bonus, media and office Screened porch with flat back yard Upper $700s

FRIDDLE COMPANY and

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336-908-0966

w w w. F r i d d l e A n d C o m p a n y. c o m V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E T O V I E W H O M E S F O R S A L E A N D AVA I L A B L E LO T S

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Student Profiles brought to you by

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www.EuroHaus.pro • 336.891.3876 STUDENT PROFILE Thanks to the coaches and teachers at Northern and Northwest High Schools for their student recommendations and input, which make it possible to recognize these talented, dedicated students for their accomplishments in academics, athletics and cultural arts.

NORTHERN GUILFORD Makalah Mitchell, softball

by MEREDITH BARKLEY Hoping to catch the eye of college softball coaches, Makalah Mitchell found her way to the right stage.

The Northern Guilford senior not only played outfield for the Nighthawks, but spent weekends traveling to tournaments throughout the Southeast with Georgia-

based Mojo-Lewis, which bills itself as a “highly competitive instructional fastpitch softball program.”

“There are several teams closer by, but that team is the one that got me the exposure and my scholarship,” Mitchell said. “The talent level is way higher.”

Most of those on this year’s 18-player squad at Northern have already committed to NCAA Division 1 schools. Mitchell has committed to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

“I’m so excited,” she said. “It’s just a perfect fit for me.”

The team, she said, is “so welcoming” and the city is “beautiful.”

As for her senior softball season at

Northern, though, it’s all but lost – a victim of the coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19.

“I’m really just disappointed it was ripped away from us so fast,” Mitchell said.

“I don’t think we reached our full potential as a team. We were becoming pretty close, especially with the underclassmen.”

According to Gov. Roy Cooper’s orders, school will remain closed until at least mid-May, which not only interferes with prom but has seniors wondering how graduation will be handled.

“I’m just so sad,” Mitchell said. “I don’t know any other way to say it. I’m just angry it was our class. We worked so hard all four years. We were waiting for these moments and now they’re gone.”

In the faint hope the sports season will resume later this spring, Mitchell said she and other athletes are trying to keep in shape. She follows the workout routine sent her by UAB and she also exercises on her own.

Per government guidelines to reduce the virus’ spread, she said she’s been staying close to home.

“I haven’t been out in a really long time,” Mitchell said, adding, “I’m afraid to go out.”

Besides exercising, her days are taken up with class work – and spending time with family, which she admits has been “very relaxing.”

Mitchell has picked up her share of awards during the 10 years she’s been playing softball: all conference, academic all conference, team MVP and all district awards among them. Last summer her Mojo team placed ninth among over 70 teams in a major national tournament in Huntington Beach, California, and she was named to the all tournament team.

At UAB Mitchell plans to major in exercise science, which she hopes will help her achieve her ultimate goal: to be accepted into the college’s nursing program.

Over 250 children in Guilford County will go to court alone Become a Guardian Ad Litem and advocate for an abused or neglected child

(336) 412-7580 | volunteerforgal.org

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

APRIL 16 - 22, 2020

23

Color by Number- color the numbers according to the code to complete the picture

r e n r o K ’ s d Ki or local kids local fun f

Thank you to the Town of Summerfield for making this week’s color by number possible

keeping you connected and informed facebook > Town of Summerfield, NC website > www.summerfieldnc.gov email > clerk@summerfieldnc.gov phone > 336-643-8655

Welcome to

A weekly section in the Northwest Observer focused on our local youth and the adults who positively impact them.

youth / school NEWS

High School seniors honored with yard signs Order signs now for Northwest Guilford and Northern Guilford Class of 2020 members

at-home orders have been lifted.

Order your free senior yard sign now by visiting www.nwhsptso.org.

NW GUILFORD – Since so many end-of-schoolyear activities have been either canceled or are on hold due to the current stay-at-home order, many area high schools have come up with a way to do something special for the Class of 2020.

Northern Guilford High School’s PTSA has also organized a yard sign program for its seniors, and many are already visible throughout the Summerfield and northern Guilford area. The cost for each sign is $15 – to order your yard sign, which is being produced by The OG Print Shop, 400 W. Main St. in Mayodan, call (336) 949-4913 or (336) 944-7245, email theogprintshop@gmail.com or message on Facebook.

Northwest Guilford High School’s PTSO is purchasing a yard sign for each of its seniors to let everyone know a Northwest High School senior lives at the residence where the sign will be displayed. The free yard signs, designed by NWHS senior Sarah Lamb, will be distributed as soon as the county and state stay-

On the

Call before you go or once you arrive to pick up the sign and they will bring it out to the car.

go ? So’s the NWO ! Read our e-edition online at nwobserver.com (Pssst – reading our e-edition is free!)

Heller receives Eagle rank Carter Heller, 15, of Troop 175 in Greensboro, received Eagle Scout rank on Dec. 20.

SIGN UP AT ORYA.ORG

FALL FOOTBALL

Carter is the son of Gerard and Jami Heller of Oak Ridge. For his Eagle Project, Carter refurbished a deck at Muir’s Chapel United Methodist Church.

FLAG / 8U / 10U / 12U The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

APRIL 16 - 22, 2020

25

GRINS and GRIPES

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community?

Share your thoughts in

40

words or less

online: nwobserver.com e-mail: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com Grins & Gripes are published based on available space and editor’s discretion.

GRINS to...  Old Mill of Guilford on N.C. 68 for staying open and having plenty of flour, eggs, butter, jams and other necessities for us during this crisis. I love having a trusted source and appreciate the curbside service!  The entire staff at Lowes Foods in Oak Ridge. During this pandemic you continue to give exceptional service

and are most courteous! Also, using the Lowes Foods To Go option has been a most positive experience.  Northwest Observer for the special kids’ activity pages – they are appreciated. And as always, thanks for bringing the news to the “Wild West” of Guilford County!  Northwest Observer for including a Kids’ Korner section during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adults enjoy the activities, too!

Editor’s note: We appreciate the feedback on our new Kids’ Korner feature and give credit to our staff member, Kelli Jessup, who creates it each week.

We’ve been talking about adding this feature for quite some time, and even though we didn’t have any sponsors lined up we decided to launch it earlier than planned so kids of all ages would hopefully have something extra to look forward to when the paper arrives each week. Special thanks also to the businesses and nonprofits who jumped on board (especially during these difficult economic times) – and on short notice – and agreed to sponsor a Kids’ Korner page to help us offset the costs associated with creating and making space for it!  Summerfield firefighters/paramedics who confirmed my husband was having a heart attack and raced him to the hospital on Feb. 5. This wasn’t the first time they saved his life. We can’t

thank you enough. Stay safe.  The employees at the Food Lion in Summerfield. The shopping to-go service is deeply appreciated!  The newspapers and broadcast media who provide us with vital information during good times and bad.

Thanks for continuing your good work.  Independent thinkers who are now de facto home schoolers and are realizing how much better they can do than the government school monopoly – which is mostly a babysitting and cafeteria service. Our sons won 100% scholarships to Carolina and MIT.  Helen Ledford’s story, “Before bright lights came to Oak Ridge,” and all the Oak Ridge natives out there who remember when Oak Ridge Commons was a beautiful open field!  The folks at Tractor Supply and the ABC store in Oak Ridge who are always friendly and helpful and are a

Even in this unsettling time,

There’s still so much to

CELEBRATE

We’ve got 26,000 readers ready to cheer you on in all life’s big events Let’s CELEBRATE together!

Interested in a celebratation ad?

Call or email Laura for details.

(336) 644-7035, ext. 11 advertising@nwobserver.com

26

APRIL 16 - 22, 2020

Engagements | Graduations| Birthdays | Anniversaries | Birth Announcements | Weddings

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

good example of why we love living here.  Summerfield Fire Department for being there on a Sunday to cut away the rings on my swollen finger. You are much appreciated!  The Northwest Observer staff. Your paper is free to us, but it’s not free to produce. Thanks for getting out and beating the bushes and continuing to bring us the local news each week, especially during this pandemic.  Dr. Fuller and staff at Kings Crossing Animal Hospital for taking such good care of our Shiloh girl and us, too. So grateful for them!  Our neighbor in Stable Ridge (Summerfield). Your painted rocks have spread joy to us as they magically appear by our mailboxes. A ray of sunshine!

GRIPES to...

Road. Instead of Grins and Gripes and anonymous letters to our house, why don’t you drop by one day and get the actual facts – i.e., DWIs?

required to sanitize their work stations on an ongoing basis, to keep their distance from customers and to take other necessary sanitary precautions.

“They just tend to touch things when they come in the store and that’s not good for them or others,” the manager pointed out.

 People who take their frustrations out on essential retail staff for things like being out of products or having to wait in line. You really can see someone’s character by how they treat retail workers. It’s a pandemic, folks, go home!

Customers are advised to get in and out of the store as quickly as possible, to follow the one-way-in and one-way-out store traffic flow that has been instituted, and when in the grocery aisles, adhere to the onedirection only signs.

 Whoever stole the yellow table and chairs from the front porch of Sandy’s Beauty Shop on N.C. 150. The women who work there have already lost weeks of income.

 Whoever stole the yellow table and chairs off the front porch of Sandy’s Beauty Shop on Tuesday. It’s heartbreaking to think someone would do that!

One manager we spoke with also advised people against bringing their young children to the grocery store with them, especially if the children are allowed to freely walk around.

 Grocery store associates who aren’t following CDC guidelines and wearing masks and gloves to protect employees as well as the public from COVID-19. I only see plexiglass at the registers.

 The shopper at Stokesdale Food Lion last Wednesday who picked up every bag of seedless grapes before choosing – and wasn’t even wearing a mask! Can’t we accept a few overripe grapes right now instead of putting our germs all over them?

Editor’s note: Earlier this month the CDC recommended everyone wear cloth face coverings in stores. However, the recommendation is voluntary and three grocery stores we contacted were not requiring employees who have shown no symptoms of having COVID-19 to wear masks, nor are customers required to wear masks.

 The lady who is so concerned about our stone mailbox on Strawberry

Grocery store employees at all the stores we contacted are, however,

 The person griping about boaters.

Social distancing is possible when 98% of boaters are immediate families.

Lakes are open because they’re essential. Nothing wrong with catching fish to fry to help your family to survive while enjoying the lake views!

Outside the

…

The following reader-submitted GRIPE expresses an opinion about a state or national topic, and has been separated as a courtesy to those who do not want to read others’ opinions on state and/or national political or other non-local topics in a local newspaper.

 Government greed. As most of us lose our income, the State Employees’ Association of North Carolina is demanding 50% more money for the privilege of continued work. Capitalism cannot forcibly rob you, but the state employs universal extortion named “taxation.”

Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC 32 Years Experience

Individual, Corporate, Partnership & Payroll Tax Electronic Tax Filing  Estate Planning  Bookkeeping & Compilations

Oak Ridge Business Center

8004 Linville Rd, Suite G, Oak Ridge

Nature’s Select

(336) 643-7577 or 1-800-467-8299

SM

info@samanderscpa.com

www.samanderscpa.com

Biological Lawn, Shrub and Tree Care

Working with nature to enhance and enrich your soil for a healthy, beautiful lawn and landscape.

FREE ESTIMATES

distant but

not disconnected 2.27.20

MySelectLawn.com (336) 544-4554

Stay

/NorthwestObserver

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

APRIL 16 - 22, 2020

27

 AUTO SALES & SERVICE

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

SAM'S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 347-7470.

FLOORING

GARY’S HANDYMAN HOME SERVICES “Providing value for the home-ownership experience.” Gary Gellert, serving NC’s Piedmont Triad area. Garygellert@gmail.com, (336) 423-8223.

KNIGHT IMPORT SPECIALTY SERVICE. European Auto Service & Repair, 4559 US Highway 220, Summerfield (across from Food Lion). Specializing in factory-scheduled maintenance and repairs. BMW, Audi, Volvo, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Mini and Porsche.

32 years experience. (336) 337-0669.

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING A-ACTION AIR. A/C Spring checkup, $49.99.

Call (336) 382-3750 or (336) 268-6768.

CLOCK DOCTOR. Free house calls for sick clocks. (336) 643-9931 or (336) 392-4124.

CLEANING

L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE "We get you mowing!" Comm./res., all models.

2103 Oak Ridge Rd., Oak Ridge. Call (336) 298-4314, LandTsmallengineservice.com.

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

THE CLEANING TECHNICIAN INC. For a one-time clean or bi-weekly, I can fit your schedule. Licensed, bonded and insured. Call Lisa, (336) 207-0770.

NEED HELP?

MAID-2-SHINE. Excellent service, 15 years experience. Free estimates, excellent references. (336) 338-0223.

Call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 Mon - Fri • 9am -12:30pm

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES GREENERTIMES SMALL ENGINE Sales & Service Center. All types sold and repaired; comm./res. 9428 NC Hwy. 65, Stokesdale.

(336) 548-9286 or (336) 312-3844.

 HOME SERVICES

Place online at

MONTERO'S HARDWOOD FLOORING Installation of hardwood, laminate & tile; hardwood sanding & finishing. Commercial & residential. Insured, 17 yrs. exp. Free est., exc. references. Call (336) 215-8842 or visit Monteros-hardwood-flooring.com.

CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING Gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. windowcleaningnc.com (336) 595-2873.

FIX YOUR MOWER! Service and repairs. Spring specials. "We do it right." Free pickup & delivery. Call Rick, (336) 501-8681.

OLD SCHOOL HOME REPAIR See display ad on page 10.

APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707.

GRADING / HAULING BRAD'S BOBCAT & HAULING SVCS. LLC. Debris removal, grading, gravel/dirt, driveways, concrete work. (336) 362-3647.

GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150.

H&L GRADING, LLC. No job too tough or too small. Call us first!

We are a full-service grading company that specializes in residential projects. Owner/ operator Timmy Hart has more than 30 years of grading and equipment experience.

Fully licensed and insured. Land clearing, debris removal, driveways, French drains and much more. (336) 543-7867.

E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, demolition, lot clearing, excavating, bobcat work, etc. (336) 451-1282.

ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt, available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035.

DECORATING

INDEX Auto Sales & Service ........ 28

EXPERIENCED INTERIOR DECORATOR & personal furniture shopper will help you with style, color, shopping & furniture placement. E-mail appeninc@gmail.com or call Ann Appenzeller, (336) 314-1411.

Home Services ........... 28-30

ELECTRICAL

Misc. for Sale .................. 30

Need an electrician? Call BLACKMON ELECTRICAL, INC. Free est. Comm. & res.

Licensed & insured. Call (336) 430-5018.

Misc. Services .................. 30 Misc. Wanted .................. 30 Pets & Animal Services .... 30 Real Estate ...................... 30

Follow us on Facebook for updates! facebook/northwestobserver

APRIL APRIL16 16--22, 22,2020 2020

Please let us know!

Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? Call Coble Electric LLC at (336) 209-1486.

BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC. Got Power? Residential, commercial and solar electrical services. (336) 298-4192.

28 28

Didn’t get your NWO?

Direct-mailing the NWO is one of our largest expenses, and one of our most important commitments to our readers!

The • Totally local since 1996 TheNorthwest NorthwestObserver Observer • Totally local since 1996

If you live in zip code 27310, 27357 or 27358 and didn’t receive your copy on Thursday/Friday, please email info@nwobserver.com.

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

DTW GRADING & HAULING, INC. Offering complete bobcat services and hauling.

Fill dirt, asphalt millings, stone and more.

Daniel Wilson, (336) 339-0212.

CAROLINA STUMP & TREE SERVICE Complete tree service, $1 million liability, workman’s comp. Rick & Judy, (336) 643-9332. www.carolinaStumpAndTreeServices.com.

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS

PLUMBING

COX POOL SERVICE. Openings, closings, routine maintenance, weekly service. No contracts, free estimates! (336) 327-5122.

GUTTERS / SIDING / WINDOWS

GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maint. (336) 655-6490.

ON EAGLE'S WINGS residential home design/drafting. Call Patti, (336) 605-0519.

WEBSTER & SONS PLUMBING, Inc. (336) 992-2503. Licensed, insured, bonded.

24/7 service. Plumbing, drain cleaning, well pumps. Give us a call, we do it all! Go to www.webstersplumbing.com for more info.

EXTERIOR GREENSCAPES. Lawn maintenance service. Please call for a free estimate.

(336) 682-1456.

WILSON SEPTIC PUMPING & REPAIR. Family owned since 1972. Mention you saw this ad in the NWObserver for a discount.

(336) 643-6427.

WILSON SEAMLESS GUTTERS, new construction, repairs, replacement, leaf guards. Free estimates. (336) 420-0200.

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING DELIMA LAWNCARE. 24 hours/7 days a week. Free estimates, licensed/insured.

Mowing, pruning, mulch/pine straw and much more. Commercial and residential. delimalawncare@live.com. (336) 669-5210.

FAY'S LAWNCARE & LANDSCAPING Complete tree removal & trimming. Storm damage clean-up. Landscaping & hardscaping. Insured. Taylor, (336) 458-6491.

ORTIZ LANDSCAPING, complete lawn care. Trimming, cleaning, planting & mulch, gutter cleaning, patios & pavers, waterfalls, retaining walls, sidewalks, stonework. Residential and commercial. (336) 280-8981.

SOUTHERN CUTZ LAWN CARE, offering complete lawn maintenance services & bush hogging. Nathan Adkins, (336) 430-6086.

COLFAX LAWNCARE. Core aeration & seeding. Fertilizing, mowing, trimming, pine needles. Complete lawn care maintenance. Res./comm. Fully insured. Serving the triad for 28 years. (336) 362-5860.

ALL-SEASON STUMP GRINDING. Owner Alan Winfree. Free est. Call (336) 382-9875.

AQUA SYSTEMS IRRIGATION. Quality irrigation systems. NC licensed contractor.

We service all systems. Free estimates.

(336) 644-1174.

AFFORDABLE LANDSCAPING for all your landscaping needs, including irrigation, installation and repair. Call Joe at J. Gibson Landscaping, an Americanowned and operated small business. Built on capitalism, not socialism. In God we trust. (336) 419-7236.

HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES. Free est. Call (336) 669-5448.

PAINTING & DRYWALL

WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC. Lawn maint., landscaping. Irrigation/ landscape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape lighting. 26 years exp. (336) 399-7764.

PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR, 40 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. Average BDRM walls $100. Insured. Call Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186.

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. (336) 643-9157.

STILL PERFECTION PAINTING. Reliable, skilled, affordable. Painting, pressure washing, handyman services. Scott Still, (336) 462-3683, stillperfectionpainting.com.

STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. Free est. Lic./Ins. 40+ years experience.

All phases of tree work. Lots & natural area thinning and cleanup. Large shrubbery jobs, chipping. Oak Ridge. Call (336) 643-1119. Hire a local with references.

Your business should be here! www.nwobserver.com

MASONRY SOUTHERN STYLE concrete & landscapes.

How about a new patio or fire pit? We can help with all of your outdoor living and entertainment spaces! Fire pits, driveways & sidewalks, patios and more! Give us a call at (336) 399-6619 for all your concrete and landscape needs.

MASONRY CONCEPTS, brick, block, stone concrete & repairs. Free est. (336) 988-1022, www.masonryconceptsgso.com.

COLONIAL MASONRY. 40 yrs. exp. Specializing in outdoor living spaces; dry-stack natural stone and flagstone. Let us help you plan your patio, fire pit, fireplace, kitchen – or anything else you would like! Call (336) 949-9019. www.colonialmasonry.com.

BEK Paint Co. Residential & Commercial David & Judy Long, owners

(336) 931-0600

BEKPaintCompany.com • References Available • Licensed & Insured • All Work Guaranteed

LAWSON'S PAINTING. Custom decks, pressure washing, boat docks, block fill, wood repair, stain work, textured ceilings, sheetrock repair. Call (336) 253-9089.

Carlos & Son

PAINTING

Residential • Commercial Licensed & Insured

FREE ESTIMATES

Owner: Carlos Ruiz Cell: 336.669.5210 carlospainting14@live.com

The Northwest Observer • Totally 1996 The Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal sincesince 1996

FREEMAN PLUMBING – new construction, remodel and repair. For ALL your plumbing needs! (336) 580-4525.

BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR. No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic./ Ins. Cleanliness in your home is our #1 priority. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924.

PRESSURE WASHING PRESSURE WASHING, gutter & window cleaning. Fully insured. Crystal Clear, www. windowcleaningnc.com or (336) 595-2873.

CUTTING EDGE PRESSURE WASHING. Affordable, dependable. Please call anytime for free estimate. (336) 706-0103.

HOUSE SOFT WASHING, roof soft washing, pressure washing. Check out our 5- star reviews online! Please visit our website, MartinsPressureWashing.com.

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION RENOVATION WORKS, INC. New construction, remodeling, additions, kitchen, bath and decks. We are a locally owned, full-service design and build company, A+ accredited with the BBB. Visit www.myrenovationworks.com or call (336) 427-7391 to start your next project.

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION 30 years experience. Specializing in room additions, kitchens & baths, garages, vinyl siding and windows, painting, ceramic tile, laminate, hardwood and linoleum floors, and remodeling of all kinds. No job too small. Free est. Call (336) 362-7469.

AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350.

continued on p. 30

APRIL1616 - 22,2020 2020 APRIL - 22,

29 29

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 MISC. WANTED

 PETS & ANIMAL SVCS.

DOUGLAS CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING, LLC. Custom Builder, sunrooms, garages, additions, kitchens, baths.

Licensed & Insured, BBB A+ accredited.

Free est. Visit www.douglascr.com or call (336) 413-5050.

ROOFING

$$$ – WILL PAY CASH for your junk / wrecked vehicle. For quote, call (336) 552-0328.

HORSE BOARDING. Private, Oak Ridge.

Run-in, trails, exerciser available. Supply own feed/share hay costs. $250/month.

Serious inquiries only! (336) 215-9447.

JLB REMODELING, INC. Remodeling and additions. Fully insured.

NC GC license #69997. Free est. Call (336) 681-2902 or visit www.jlbremodeling.com.

ORTIZ REMODELING – Total restoration & home improvement. Drywall, painting, kitchen cabinets, interior trim & more. Free estimates. (336) 280-8981.

PREMIER CONSTRUCTION for all your remodeling/renovation needs. (336) 430-9507.

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Sr. disc., 41 yrs. exp. (336) 362-6343.

“How do I find my local public schools?” p. 62 “Who are my elected representatives?” p. 46

PREMIER ROOFING, LOCALLY OWNED. Catering to all your roofing needs. Call (336) 430-9507 for free assessments.

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. We finance.

Free Estimates. Since 1979. Please call (336) 362-6343.

CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC. Residential roofing, rubber flat roofs, roof coating, metal roofs. 30 years experience.

Call (336) 643-8191 or (336) 268-1908.

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION 30 years experience. Residential shingle & metal roofing. Free est. (336) 362-7469.

APRIL APRIL16 16--22, 22,2020 2020

Got stuff?

Got stuff?

Sell it here in the Sell it here in the

classifieds classifieds submit your ad at submit your ad at

 MISC. FOR SALE SEASONED FIREWOOD. $80/pickup truck load, delivered & stacked. (336) 253-7615.

“Where do I register to vote?” p. 55

WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING LLC. Bonded & Insured. Follow us on Facebook. Call or text (336) 339-6845.

Ready for a new family member?

Visit adoptshelterpets.org to see animals in need of a loving home.

 REAL ESTATE LAND FOR SALE LAND. Large tracts. Rockingham County and Summerfield. Want social distancing?!

Only three 10-acre tracts left. If 10 acres isn’t enough, one 25-acre parcel remains.

Perfect for a mini-estate, laying hens, and a garden too. Hurry, this land won’t last!

Call (336) 430-9507 anytime.

“Where can I find a doctor or urgentcare facility?” p. 73

020

12 th annual

edition

“Where can I borrow books for my kids?” p. 54

Keep it handy, use it often 30 30

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ACCOUNTING

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

By the Book Accounting ................... 32

BEK Paint Company .........................29

Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC.... 27

Carlos & Son Painting.......................29

AUTOMOTIVE SALES / SERVICE EuroHaus .........................................23 Vestal Buick GMC Inc. ........................ 3

GrowinGreen Inc. ............................... 8 Nature’s Select ................................. 27 New Garden Landscaping & Nursery.14 Old School Home Repair .................. 10

BUILDING / REMODELING

ProStone, Inc. ..................................... 3

Disney Custom Homes ..................... 15

Stokesdale Heating & Air.................... 6

Don Mills Builders .............................22 Friddle & Company........................... 21 Johnson & Lee, LLC.......................... 16

LEGAL SERVICES Barbour & Williams Law ................... 12

Lansink Custom Homes.................... 18

MEDICAL CARE / SUPPLIES

Naylor Custom Homes ..................... 17

Dove Medical Supply .......................... 5

R&K Custom Homes ........................ 19

LeBauer HealthCare .........................20

Ray Bullins Construction ................... 18

Wake Forest Baptist Health ................ 9

RS Dezern Construction ................... 15

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS

Walraven Signature Homes .............. 15

Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital .............. 10

CHILDREN’S SERVICES Guardian Ad Litem ...........................23

COMMUNITY RESOURCES Town of Summerfield ....................... 24

Northwest Animal Hospital ................. 8

REAL ESTATE A New Dawn Realty ......................... 32 DeDe Cunningham, Keller Williams ...12 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX ................. 13

FUNERAL SERVICES

Ramilya Siegel, Keller Williams ........... 4

Forbis & Dick Funeral Services .......... 32

Smith Marketing, Allen Tate ............. 15

GROCERY STORE

YOUTH SPORTS / CAMPS

Southern Foods .................................. 2

Oak Ridge Youth Association ...........25

NEWS in brief

tion will actually not have a near-term impact on gasoline prices – not even one bit,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

most expensive was $2.39/gallon.

“Establishing a floor on ultra-low oil prices will hopefully keep U.S. oil production online instead of bankrupting producers. The aim is exactly that – keep production online – which will keep prices affordable going forward, instead of ultra-low prices shutting down oil production, leading to a slingshot in gas prices years from now. Going back to gas prices, I expect prices to continue moderating for now, as gasoline demand appears to remain near 50-year lows.”

...continued from p. 4

The national average price of gas is down 42.3 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands $1.03 per gallon lower than a year ago.

“As expected, and for the seventh straight week, the national average moved considerably lower, as well as gas prices in every state as retail prices continue to play catch-up to the dramatic decline in market prices in recent weeks. And good news for consumers – contrary to popular belief, an OPEC deal over the weekend to cut oil produc-

For more information, visit: http:// FuelInsights.GasBuddy.com.

Education Recovery Task Force SOUTHERN U.S. – Leaders from 16 states including North Carolina will serve on a new regional Education Recovery Task Force to help states determine the best strategies for re-opening K-12 public schools, providing each student with the support they need, and planning for a possible COVID-19 resurgence and future emergencies, the Southern Regional Education Board announced today.

The SREB Education Recovery Task Force will be co-chaired by Virginia State Superintendent of Public Instruction James F. Lane and SREB President Stephen L. Pruitt and will convene its first meeting next week.

“How schools re-open is much more important than how they closed. We must ensure each student has every opportunity to learn, and that the crisis doesn’t hinder states’ improvement in education and strengthening of the workforce,” said Pruitt, who served as the state education commissioner in Kentucky prior to becoming SREB president.

The task force will collaborate on a playbook for states, school districts and individual schools as they consider how to re-open schools when states deem it safe. The task force also will address key issues in the 16 SREB states, from Texas to Delaware, including:

Plans for the task force emerged from SREB’s frequent consultation with state K-12 education chiefs as the health crisis has unfolded. Members will be appointed by next week and will include state education chiefs or their appointees – including educators who work on the front lines.

• Students’ academic growth and any possible learning loss

“States will benefit from the task force’s collective expertise as each state strives to make the best proactive decisions for our students, now and for the coming school year,” said Lane, a former county school superintendent who became Virginia’s state superintendent of public instruction in 2018.

• Access to broadband and the use of technology

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

• Equity and opportunity for students during and after the crisis • Using federal stimulus funds effectively and managing state budget priorities

want to learn more?

For more info about the Southern Regional Education Board and North Carolina’s representation on the board, visit www.sreb.org/state-north-carolina

APRIL 16 - 22, 2020

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