Northwest Observer / Oct. 15 - 28, 2020

Oct. 15 - 28, 2020

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bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996

IN THIS ISSUE Towns fail to get park grants ........2 2 Vote absentee, early or Nov. 3

.........................................................4 4 6 Oak Ridge Town Council.............6 10 Carver creates art from stump ..10 Stokesdale Town Council ........... 11 Virtual 5K raises funds ................. 14 16 New advertiser introductions .....16 NWO Business & Real Estate ....... 17 18, 29 Real estate news/briefs ........18, Townhouses gain foothold .........20 NWO Kids’ Korner ........................21 Q&A: Summerfield Farms Village 22 Youth/Educator news..................34 Community Calendar.................36 BBQ: The secret’s in the sauce...37 Crime/Incident Report................38 Grins and Gripes .........................40 Letter to the editor .......................42 Classifieds ....................................43 Index of Advertisers ....................47

Triad veterans to be honored with one last mission Incorporated a few months ago, Triad Honor Flight’s mission is to send veterans on a day trip to Washington, D.C., where they’ll visit memorials dedicated to the honor of those who have served our country in the armed forces

Photo courtesy of Paul Mackenzie

Veterans participating in a past Triad Honor flight watch the “Changing of the Guard” ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

by PATTI STOKES

Huber isn’t daunted by the task – in fact, she’s at the helm of It’s been said it takes a village to raise a child – Oak Ridge resident Alison Huber might Triad Honor Flight, a newly formed, add it takes an army to raise over $110,000 (by independently incorporated hub of National Honor Flight, whose misMay 5) to send a group of veterans to Washsion is to send America’s veterans ington, D.C., for a day they’ll never forget.

to Washington, D.C., for a day to visit the memorials dedicated to honor their service and the service of their comrades, family members and friends.

...continued on p. 8

Town council seeking details about Summerfield Farms plan Summerfield leaders set meeting with developer David Couch, Greensboro and county officials

by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield Town Council is seeking more information from developer David Couch about his proposal to expand Summerfield Farms with water and sewer services from the city of Greensboro.

The council voted 4-1 during its meeting this past Tuesday, Oct. 13, to authorize Mayor BJ Barnes and Town Manager Scott Whitaker to meet with Couch and city of

Greensboro and Guilford County officials. During the meeting scheduled for this Friday, officials of the three municipalities plan to learn more from Couch about his proposed residential and commercial development of 650 acres around Summerfield Farms.

“This is just a meeting to see if this is something that Greensboro, the county and Summerfield are willing to consider,” Barnes said. If any of the three municipalities balk at the proposal, it “may fall flat.”

Couch, CEO of Blue Ridge Cos., last month presented a general plan to build a range of housing and commercial

...continued on p. 32

Towns fall short in bid for matching park grants

Oak Ridge leaders are regrouping and say they will try again next year for a matching $450,000 PARTF grant; Stokesdale will also try again for a $50,000 matching grant

Trust Fund (PARTF).

Earlier this year, the town applied for a $450,000 grant as part of its decision to spend as much as $1.95 million over the next three years on the 58-acre Whitaker property. Spending the full amount hinged on whether the town was awarded the grant.

Oak Ridge’s application scored the 10th highest among 66 applications, Bruce told the council. Even so, he said, “the competition for limited resources was simply too strong,” as judging favored municipalities previously denied funding.

by CHRIS BURRITT & PATTI STOKES OAK RIDGE/STOKESDALE – Oak Ridge town leaders plan to revisit their spending plan for extending Town Park onto the 58-acre Whitaker property the Town purchased in 2018, after failing to win state funding to help defray costs.

Town Manager Bill Bruce told the Town Council Oct. 1 that Oak Ridge “just barely missed the boat” in receiving a matching grant from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

Oak Ridge had hoped to be awarded a $450,000 PARTF grant to offset the cost of extending Town Park onto the 58-acre Whitacre property the town purchased in 2018; the tree-lined property abuts Oak Ridge Town Hall on Linville Road and has frontage on N.C. 150 (shown in photo), immediately west of Oak Ridge Swim Club. Town leaders in both Oak Ridge and Stokesdale learned last month that their towns had not been awarded a state grant this year and say they will likely re-apply next year.

“We’ve got a great shot at it next year,” Mayor Ann Schneider told fellow council members.

If the council decides to apply for the PARTF grant next year, Bruce recommended town leaders hold another round of public meetings to gain input from residents and seek endorsements

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The current fiscal year’s budget, which began July 1, earmarked $900,000 to start development of the property, including grading and installation of utilities followed by the construction of parking and restrooms.

The site plan envisions a 1.2-mile trail circling the property with two lighted multi-purpose fields, a playground, picnic shelters and, later, tennis courts, a basketball court and a veterans memorial.

As town leaders regroup, they plan to schedule a special called meeting to discuss how to proceed with Whitaker property improvements and whether to re-apply for the grant next year.

“Yes, I was very disappointed that we didn’t get the PARTF grant, but I am not discouraged,” council member Martha Pittman said. “I feel like we can work together and find a way to bring this project online.”

Until last Thursday’s council meeting, Stokesdale’s fiscal year budget for 2020-21 included an additional $55,000 for park improvements which, based on a majority vote of the council, was contingent upon the town getting the matching PARTF grant it applied for last spring – if it didn’t, the budgeted expense for extra park improvements was to be transferred back to the general fund.

Like Oak Ridge, Stokesdale also learned last month it was not awarded a PARTF grant. Consequently, at its

In an interview this week, Mayor John Flynt said if the decision were up to him, he would have moved forward on building a basketball court and an amphitheater in the town park this fiscal year, which he estimated would cost about $100,000.

“I don’t think we should have to wait until we get a grant to spend more money on the park,” he said. “We’ve got $4 million in the bank and I don’t understand why we can’t do some things for people rather than just accumulate money in the bank.”

In an email to the Northwest Observer, Councilman Derek Foy wrote that park improvements are desirable but not necessary, and he’s reluctant to approve significant expenses for new park features this year.

“I’m looking forward to doing park improvements when the timing is right,” Foy said. “Because the town’s expenses were over $100k (25%) more than our revenue last fiscal year, I believe it’s most financially prudent to narrow our scope to only the most strategic and time-sensitive investments for the park this fiscal year… if we do anything at all.

An example of this type of investment would be acquiring land to expand the park.

“In the future, I would like to see an amphitheater and nature trails at town park,” Foy continued. “These mirror the suggestions we got from our citizen survey. I’ve heard that no first-time applicants were awarded grants this year, so we’ll give it another try next year.”

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Meanwhile, she said, she wants council members to discuss ways to provide greater access to the Whitaker property, possibly by building a walking trail.

meeting last week the council voted unanimously to amend the town’s operating budget and transfer the $55,000 line item expense from the Capital Outlay account back to the general fund.

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NEWS in brief www.nwobserver.com /northwestobserver @mynwobserver @northwestobserver

OUR TEAM

Vote absentee, in person Oct. 15-31, or on Election Day Absentee mail-in ballot requests must be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 27; early voting is Oct. 15-31

Rene Collins, administrative assistant

GUILFORD COUNTY – Registered voters in Guilford County wishing to apply for an absentee mail-in ballot may submit their completed and signed absentee request form no later than 5 p.m. on Oct. 27.

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REQUEST YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT

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Requests for absentee ballots may be made online at: www.vote.org/absentee-ballot/north-carolina/; by mail to: Absentee Department, Guilford County Board of Elections, PO Box 3427, Greensboro, NC 27402; or in person at the Board of Election’s Greensboro Office: 301 W. Market Street, 1st floor, Greensboro, or High Point Office: 325 E. Russell Ave., High Point.

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RETURN YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT Absentee mail-in ballots will be counted only if they are postmarked on or before Election Day and received by mail no later than 5 p.m., three days after Election Day.

At this same site, you’ll also be able to confirm your voting precinct, as well as your voter history, details and what county commissioner, school board and other jurisdictions you’re in.

EARLY VOTING Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election will be held Oct. 15-31 at 25 locations in Guilford County, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 17 and 24, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 31; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, Oct. 18 and 25.

In northwest Guilford County, early voting will be offered at Bur-Mil Club, 5834 Bur-Mil Club Road in Greensboro (off U.S. 220); Leonard Recreation Center, 6324 Ballinger Road in Greensboro; GTCC-Cameron Campus, 7908 Leabourne Road in Colfax (off N.C. 68); and Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville

SAMPLE BALLOT (AND MORE) To review a sample ballot before you head to the polls, visit the State Board of Elections’ Voter Search page at https/vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/ and complete a Voter Search form. Once submitted, your registered voter name should appear and after clicking on this you’ll have the option to review a sample ballot.

Visit www.guilfordcountync.gov/ourcounty/board-of-elections/ for more early voting sites and related information.

SAME-DAY REGISTRATION Individuals who are not registered to vote may register at early voting sites during the early voting period. After registering, the newly registered voter can immediately vote at that same site. This process is called “same-day registration.”

VOTE ON ELECTION DAY Registered voters opting to vote on Election Day must vote in person at their assigned precinct. Polls will be open on Election Day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

OTHER ELECTION INFO For all other election-related information, visit www.guilfordelections.org.

... more News Briefs on p. 15

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QUESTIONS ABOUT ABSENTEE BALLOTS For questions about absentee mail-in ballots, visit www.guilfordcountync.gov/ our-county/board-of-elections/ absentee-voting-information; email absentee@guilfordcountync.gov; or call (336) 641-6876 or (336) 641-6874.

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OAK RIDGE town council

Oct. 1 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by CHRIS BURRITT Oak Ridge Fire Department. Firefighter Cole Wyatt reported the department responded to 27 fire-related and 25 emergency medical calls in September; they included a building fire and four motor vehicle crashes. Firefighters obtained 610 hours of training.

Mayor Ann Schneider called the monthly meeting to order with Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and council members George McClellan, Doug Nodine and Martha Pittman present. It was the first time the council has met in Town Hall since March, when statewide COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings went into effect.

PUBLIC HEARINGS Belews Lake rezoning

Attendance at the in-person meeting was limited to 25, and town staff livestreamed and recorded proceedings on equipment recently installed in the council chambers.

 5  0 to rezone 35.6 acres in the northwestern corner of the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction from agricultural to RS-40 (residential) as part of developer RS Parker Homes’ plan for a subdivision on Belews Lake. (See related article on p. 18.) Aside from the developer, no one spoke during the public hearing.

PUBLIC SAFETY Sheriff’ Office. First Lt. Jeremy Fuller reported the sheriff’s District 1 office handled 114 calls in Oak Ridge in September. Deputies responded to the theft of pallets from Lowes Foods, the theft of a purse from a car and the possible larceny of a vehicle, he said.

Text amendment

 5  0 to amend the town’s zoning ordinance to eliminate four zoning districts – highway business, corporate park, light industrial and heavy industrial – as part of efforts to restrict businesses that detract from the desire

Fuller said officers have stepped up ticketing of speeding drivers on the stretch of N.C. 68 where the speed limit is posted 35mph.

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WHAT they voted on, and HOW they voted: Mayor Ann Schneider, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and council members George McClellan, Doug Nodine and Martha Pittman voted on the following items during the Oct. 1 town council meeting:

 5  0: Rezone 35.6 acres in the northwestern corner of the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction to RS-40.  5  0: Change the town’s zoning ordinance to eliminate four zoning

districts.

 5  0: Authorize town staff to spend as much as $8,000 to upgrade video and audio recording equipment in Town Hall’s conference room.

to create a “village feel” in the commercial business district. (See related article on p. 29.) No one spoke during the public hearing.

MANAGER’S REPORT Conference room recording equipment

 5  0 to authorize town staff to spend as much as $8,000 to upgrade equipment in Town Hall’s conference room for presentations and recording and livestreaming of meetings.

The federal government gave Guilford County $97.3 million in COVID-19 relief. In turn, the county is distributing funds to municipalities for virusrelated spending through the end of

the year. Town Manager Bill Bruce said he believes the expense for a 75-inch monitor, camera, microphone and personal computer will qualify for reimbursement as a coronavirus-related expense, although he noted town staff doesn’t know with “100 percent certainty” that spending on conference room technology will qualify for reimbursement.

“I’m making the worst-case assumption that we are not reimbursed for this project, even though I am hopeful that it is reimbursable,” he said, adding that “we’ve received an indication from the county that it is so.”

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TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS

Ann Schneider

Jim Kinneman

mayor

mayor pro tem

George McClellan

Martha Pittman

needed improvement in our conference room,” the manager said.

The technology is similar to equipment recently installed in the council chambers that allows for livestreaming of meetings. The feature will accommodate committee members and others who’d prefer to participate in town meetings remotely, even as public gathering restrictions ease, Bruce said.

Parks grant The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund did not award Oak Ridge a $450,000 matching

Doug Nodine

grant from this year’s funding, so town leaders will revisit proposed spending for extending Town Park onto the Whitaker property. (See related article on p. 2.)

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Oak Ridge Elementary School.

Smith read an email from the school’s principal, Penny Loschin, stating that kindergartners planned to return Monday, Oct. 5, on a voluntary basis, as the resumption of in-person classes gets underway.

“Things will look and feel different in regards to classroom settings,” Loschin wrote, after teachers and staff reorganized space to meet virusrelated public gathering restrictions.

Mountains-to-Sea Trail Committee.

A report from co-chair Bill Royal said that starting this month, volunteers are preparing to construct a 25-foot bridge across the Haw River as part of development of the trail northwest of town.

Special Events Committee. Chair Patti Dmuchowski said the committee is finalizing plans for three levels of fundraising for the proposed veterans’ memorial on the Whitaker property.

The group plans to kick off efforts to raise money during an open house at

Town Hall Nov. 10, she said.

COUNCIL COMMENTS McClellan said he would like the town to hold the Christmas parade again this year, with participants wearing masks, practicing social distancing and taking other precautions.

Kinneman urged people to wear face masks, wash their hands often and practice social distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19, especially now that schools are reopening.

Pittman urged motorists to stop for pedestrians using the lighted crosswalk on Linville Road between Town Park and Town Hall.

Schneider called the resumption of in-person council meetings “a step toward normalcy” amid virus-related restrictions. She urged residents to vote in the Nov. 3 election.

With no further council comments, the meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m.

Planning and Zoning Board. Town Clerk Sandra Smith read a report from the board, which approved a site plan for a 25,600-square-foot indoor dog training facility. As proposed by owner Melissa Tiedmann, it would be located on approximately six acres on West Harrell Road.

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TRIAD VETERANS TO BE HONORED WITH TRIP TO D.C.

...continued from p. 1

Although Triad Honor Flight was only incorporated this year, about 1,300 local World War II veterans flew from Greensboro to D.C. from 2009 to 2011 on honor flights organized by Rotary District 7690.

“We are very excited to now be including all veterans to include WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War and all those who served in between,” Huber wrote on Triad Honor Flight’s website.

Her passion for the honor flight program was ignited after accompanying her father, an Army veteran who served in intelligence during the Cold War. Her brother escorted their father on that flight in 2018, and Huber said she surprised her father by flying into D.C. and meeting them there.

“We had the best day ever,” Huber said. “After going on this experience, I came back and said, ‘we need to start considering bringing this to the Triad.’ So, I started doing research and found we had already done that, but only for World War II veterans.”

Among the local veterans who inspired her to get the ball rolling again on honor flights were fellow church members Paynie Stafford, a World War II veteran who had never been on an honor flight, and Mac Abbitt, a Navy veteran.

“Paynie is 97, and I thought, ‘if we don’t get this going soon, we’re not going to have the Paynie Staffords of the world anymore,’” Huber recalled.

In the last few months she’s been presenting to as many organizations as she can get in front of, from Rotary clubs to the local American Legion, VFWs, the Lions Club, Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club and more.

A typical day trip for an honor flight costs a total of $110,000 for all participants, which includes flight expenses, food and ground transportation. Acting on faith, Huber and her team have already scheduled their first flight for May 5, 2021. The flight will leave out of Greensboro at 7:30 a.m. The plane holds 186 people, and Huber hopes to have 90 to 95 veterans and an equal number of “guardians” or escorts.

Once the group lands, there will be four buses carrying members of the group, with police escorts, through D.C. They’ll visit several memorials, including the World War II memorial, Korean War memorial, Lincoln memorial, Air Force memorial and other memorials depending upon which ones are open.

They’ll have lunch in between, and will also attend a Changing of the Guard ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery.

Applications for the May 5 flight are already being accepted for guardians and for veterans 65 and older.

All veterans fly for free, and guardians are asked to pay for their own trip expenses if possible.

Triad Honor Flights seek to serve veterans aged 65 and over in Guilford, Forsyth, Alamance, Rock-

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That first flight is scheduled to leave to come back at 6:30 p.m. the same day, and Huber said they should arrive home around 8 p.m. “with hopefully a huge ‘Welcome Home’ party.”

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“We are forever grateful for the sacrifices of our veterans. We can give back in a small way with honoring them on one last mission – taking them to see the memorials in Washington, D.C. It is a trip that will impact them and the guardians alike. We are so excited to see the Triad involved in this worthy cause,” a statement on Triad Honor Flight’s website reads.

Triad Honor Flights is also selling “Thank You Veterans” yard signs for $20 each at specific locations. “Selling 43 signs puts one more veteran on a flight,” Huber said. Anyone interested in selling the signs at their business or organization is asked to email Alison.Huber@t-mobile.com.

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Woodcarver creates work of art from rotting tree Photos courtesy of David Nierle, article by PATTI STOKES/NWO STOKESDALE – When David Nierle bought the old firehouse just off Main Street in Stokesdale a few years ago for storage space, he got more than a piece of history. Beside the firehouse was the stump of a rotting white oak tree that stood 7 feet tall.

“The tree was supposed to have been cut down, but whoever was cutting it decided that’s as far as they were going to go with it,” Nierle said.

“It was rotten and would have eventually fallen down.”

After contemplating what to with the stump, Nierle came up with a unique way to pay tribute to the firemen who had once come and gone on the property he now owned.

Using the internet, he searched for a woodcarver to create a life-size wooden statue of a fireman. And that search led him to Dwayne “Woodchuck” Hodges, who lives in Boones Mill, Virginia.

The 7-foot wooden statue on David Nierle’s property off Main Street in downtown Stokesdale pays tribute to the firemen who once worked out of the old firehouse.

It was all in a day’s work to Hodges, who has carved everything from a wooden tiger to totem poles, a life-size horse, which had to be pieced together – and on Joseph Martin Highway in Martinsville, Virginia, a 12-foot statue depicting Jesus “knocking on the door.”

“Other than the metal, this (fireman) was a really fun job, and the first fullsize fireman I had done,” Hodges said.

As for Nierle’s vision, he said he commissioned the wooden statue not only because he had a tree stump, but “because this building was a firehouse and I’m trying to preserve something of it…This is a thank you and a little bit of a memorial for all the firemen over the years.”

Dwayne “Woodchuck” Hodges gets to work last month on a 7-foot statue of a fireman; the statue can be seen on the old fire station property off Main Street in Stokesdale.

After reading about some of the work Hodges is known for, Nierle got in touch and asked him to come take a look at the stump on his property.

Hodges, who has been creating chainsaw artwork and signs out of wood for 30 years, agreed to work with Nierle’s vision and, referencing pictures of a Stokesdale fireman wearing a helmet and full gear, he got to work last month.

It took about 4 ½ days, from start to the final coat of urethane and touchup work, before his fireman statue was completed – and not without a few challenges along the way.

“The tree was full of metal, rocks and glass – we hit more nails and more barbed wire than any other tree I’ve ever done,” Hodges told the Northwest Observer. “We joked that I carved more metal than wood in that project.”

He also ran into a big rock that ran about 5 feet up the stump, and some glass.

While creating this statue, wood carving artist Dwayne Hodges faced a few challenges, including barbed wire, nails, glass and a massive rock inside the stump he was working with.

STOKESDALE town council

Oct. 8 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by PATTI STOKES Stokesdale Town Council held its regular monthly council meeting in person last Thursday for the first time since March, when social distancing restrictions went into effect due to COVID-19.

The council had also gathered in person the previous week for a special called meeting on Oct. 1; the group remained in closed session for most of that meeting and took no action after reconvening.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

On behalf of the Events Committee, Mark Nadal said committee members have been meeting weekly and, due to social distancing guidelines about mass gatherings outdoors, they are developing a “whole new plan” as an alternative to the Christmas parade.

Eileen Thiery said she appreciated the e-cycle event the town of Summerfield held two summers ago and wondered if Stokesdale might consider having a similar event in the spring, when social distancing restrictions have hopefully loosened.

Johnny Reynolds, who has applied for a special use permit for an LCID (land-clearing and inert debris) landfill on 19.8 acres he owns on Pearman Quarry Road, said there is a lot of need for the landfill in this area and it will be monitored by the state as part of the state’s forestry management program.

Since the council is now meeting in person, he asked that a public hearing for the permit be scheduled.

Council agreed to schedule the public hearing for its Nov. 12 meeting.

Eric Goodykoontz, treasurer of Stokesdale Elementary’s PTA, said the organization wanted to build a partnership with the town council and “not just come when we are asking for money, but come more often to meetings and

let you know what we’re doing.”

Goodykoontz shared some of the monetary contributions the PTA made to Stokesdale Elementary just in the last two years, which have included $2,200 for audiovisual equipment; $6,800 for classroom materials; $10,000 for classroom technology; $500 for school beautification; $4,000 for playground equipment; $1,100 for performing arts; $900 for a school security program; $1,900 for teachers; $1,000 for a movie projector and an $800 license to show movies; and additional money toward $22,000 of smartboards last year.

Since September, food trucks have been at the school every Thursday, 5 to 7 p.m. to encourage residents to come out, see each other and enjoy a meal.

The PTA does not get any proceeds from the weekly food truck sales – however, it will hold its first major fundraiser of the year on Thursday, Oct. 29, when it will once again sell BBQ chicken meals by Port-A-Pit Chicken.

Councilman Jim Rigsbee suggested the council consider partnering with the PTA to host a Movie Night in the Park next spring.

WHAT they voted on, and HOW they voted: Mayor John Flynt, Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks and council members Derek Foy, Jimmy Landreth and Jim Rigsbee voted on the following issues during the Oct. 8 monthly council meeting…

 4  1: Hire (Flynt opposed) Kimberly Thacker, a licensed accountant

and owner of Kimberly Thacker Accounting & Tax Services in Stokesdale, as the town’s finance officer.

 4  1: Cancel (Landreth opposed) the town’s annual Christmas parade and tree lighting due to the governor’s orders regarding mass outdoor gatherings.  5  0: Decrease Capital Outlay (expense) by $55,000, which had been designated for park improvements, and decrease Reserves (savings) by the same amount.

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Town finance officer Councilman Derek Foy said the council had met in closed session last week to discuss offering Kimberly Thacker, who has been serving as the town’s accountant for about a year, the part-time position of town finance/budget officer.

“Kim has done a tremendous job in the last year as the town accountant and has an impeccable reputation,” he said. “Alisa (Houk) serves as town clerk, finance officer and budget officer, and she’s overworked.”

...continued on p. 12

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OCT. 15 - 28, 2020

11

TOWN COUNCIL

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

...continued from p. 11

Stokesdale Town Council members held their regular monthly council meeting Oct. 8 in person for the first time since March, when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic.

Hiring Thacker as finance officer would save the town money because it wouldn’t be paying Houk overtime as it had last year, and the town would be getting an experienced accountant to oversee its finances, Foy said.

“It’s hard for me to believe we’re going to be saving money,” Flynt responded, adding he was concerned about Thacker working from remote versus from Town Hall – because she owns an accounting business, he feared if he had a question relating to the town’s finances he would have to call her and set up an appointment after 5 p.m.

Flynt also said Thacker should have to fill out a time sheet each week just like other employees do, and asked about how financial files would be maintained at Town Hall.

“If she needs something from a file, what’s she going to do, call Alisa and have her be her gopher?” Flynt asked,

adding that he felt Houk had done a good job in her various roles, which have included attending 19 or more (virtual) council meetings since May. “If we’re going to hire someone, why don’t we hire someone to listen to the meetings and write up the notes?” he asked.

Council debated another of Flynt’s concerns, which regarded separation of duties – i.e., the same person signing checks and reconciling the bank statement. Foy said Houk had been doing both in the time he has served on the council, and the town’s auditor had not

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expressed concerns.

“The spirit of this is to free up Alisa’s time,” Foy maintained.

Rigsbee said he supported the idea of getting someone to listen to the meeting recordings and take notes and Houk said she was checking into software that would do that.

Town Attorney Tom Medlin confirmed Thacker would need to account for her time and complete a time sheet each week as other employees do.

As for Flynt’s concerns about Thacker not being accessible during business hours, Foy said if there were a question during the business day, he was certain “she would carve out time for us and return phone calls.”

Addressing another of Flynt’s concerns, Foy confirmed that Thacker will be expected to attend monthly council meetings.

OCT. 15 - 28, 2020

 4  1 (Flynt opposed) to hire Kim Thacker as the town’s finance/budget officer, effective Oct. 20. Thacker will work an average of 20 hours per week, at a salary of $45,000.

NEW BUSINESS Christmas Parade

Foy, who serves on the town’s Events Committee, said there would be no parade this year, but the committee is using October “as a brainstorming opportunity.”

“We want to offer the best bang for the community and the kids, while also doing it safely,” he said. “We’re going to get to something, we just don’t know what it is.”

When Flynt asked why the position had not been advertised, Foy answered, “We have an accountant with over a year’s experience with us, and she does a great job working with the town…We need somebody to get our finances under control and Kim is the person to do that.”

Town Attorney Tom Medlin confirmed Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order for Phase 3 of social distancing restrictions states that mass gatherings of more than 50 people outdoors, including for festivals and parades, are still prohibited.

“Kim can do the job – my concerns are access and the fact that she will be working remotely,” Flynt said.

Whatever event the committee comes up with will likely take place on Saturday, Dec. 12, which is the day the parade would have been held.

After further discussion, the town attorney was given direction to send Thacker a letter of engagement, with details about the expectations of her position as the town’s finance officer.

It was agreed that Thacker must be routinely available to council members

12

during business hours when questions and needs arise, including during tax season, which is the busiest time of year for her business.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

The Events Committee is meeting every Wednesday in October at 6 p.m. and will continue to work on ideas for an event to replace the parade.

 4  1 (Councilman Jimmy Landreth opposed) to cancel the Christmas

parade scheduled for Dec. 12 and the annual town tree lighting event, due to the governor’s orders.

“My grandkids will never forgive me if I vote to cancel the parade,” Landreth said with a laugh as he cast his vote in opposition.

recommendations are.

After Medlin said the town couldn’t allocate funds when it doesn’t have a specific project in mind, Foy said he was satisfied it wasn’t necessary.

Suspend Hazen & Sawyer’s tasks 2, 3 Landreth proposed suspending two tasks Hazen & Sawyer had been directed earlier this year to complete, until the council can meet with firm representatives in person.

Earmark funds for future projects At Foy’s request, council discussed whether the town should earmark revenue from water system impact fees in the Capital Reserves line item of the Water Enterprise account to specific projects.

“I have nothing in mind. I’m just doing it because an auditor may ask for a CIP (Capital Improvement Plan),” Foy said.

Flynt suggested waiting until after the special called meeting coming up on Oct. 20 with water engineering firm Hazen & Sawyer to see what their

Houk explained Hazen & Sawyer was hired to assess the town’s water system and determine if it could support all the new developments on the horizon or if the water system would need to be expanded to support the future growth.

Rigsbee said firm representatives haven’t wanted to meet in person because they have “had issues in their company (relating to COVID-19) and are trying to limit their exposure.”

Normally they only use Microsoft Team for virtual meetings, Rigsbee said, but

they’ve agreed to meet with the council on Oct. 20 via Zoom.

Rigsbee acknowledged Landreth wanted to have the meeting in person and make it open to the public so they can view maps of where future development is planned, and said he agreed a public discussion on water was overdue.

“Let’s get Hazen & Sawyer’s information, and then we can discuss it further,” Rigsbee said. The special called meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6:45 p.m. via Zoom.

Flynt said the town has a “ton” of homes on the horizon and developers “knocking on the door all the time … if we’re going to double the water customers in the next three or four years, we need to plan.”

Budget amendment Because the town did not get a matching PARTF grant (Parks and Recreation Trust Fund) this year and $55,000 had been earmarked in the Capital Outlay expense line item for

park improvements, a decision was made to return the money to savings.

 5  0 to decrease Capital Outlay (expense) by $55,000 and decrease Undesignated Funds (revenue) by the same amount to keep the budget in balance.

COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks said the upcoming Nov. 3 election had prompted several calls to Town Hall, some from people who said their names had been dropped from the registered voter list. Council agreed to help if they could, but to refer voters to the Board of Elections when possible.

Rigsbee said it was great to be meeting in person again.

Foy echoed Rigsbee’s statement, then said he is optimistic the town will “have a unique Christmas event this year.”

Landreth said former Councilman Bobby Richardson’s son, Scott, had just passed away at age 60.

The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.

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Women of Liberty Wesleyan Church among thousands participating in virtual 5K Cone Health’s 28th annual Women’s Only 5K Walk & Run, held each year during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, raised more than $34,000 Story and photos by PATTI STOKES/NWO SUMMERFIELD – Five years ago, Rhonda Dalton participated in her first Cone Health’s annual Women’s Only 5K Walk and Run, held each October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Along with a friend’s teenage daughter, Howell Pierce, they walked in honor of their beloved church member, Jennie Joyce, who was battling breast cancer for the third time.

After they participated again in 2017, Dalton decided to organize a group from their church, Liberty Wesleyan, in Summerfield to form “Team Jennie” and walk in Jennie’s honor the next year.

“She was here with us then,” Dalton said. “She came (to the event) in a wheelchair and got to wait for us at the finish line.”

(Left) Rhonda Dalton and Howell Pierce have participated in the Women’s Only 5K for the last five years. Dalton has organized “Team Jennie” the last three years in memory of Jennie Joyce, who died after three bouts with breast cancer, and in honor of two other church members diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Sunday morning after that walk, “Team Jennie” participants wore their pink Women’s Only T-shirts to church and presented Jennie with a signed and framed team picture, along with one pink rose from each of them.

One of those walkers was Evvie Rierson, Jennie Joyce’s younger sister.

Admitting the walk is “kind of a sad time” because it’s another reminder her sister is no longer living, Evvie said, “It’s also a happy time for the survivors.”

With this year’s walk being virtual due to COVID-19, the 32 participants from Liberty Wesleyan recruited a team of men from the church to map their 3.1-mile route, which began and ended at the church, and to provide support along the way. Other ladies from the church volunteered to provide refreshments and moral support.

Participants in the 2020 Women’s Only Virtual 5K Walk & Run came from 13 states and raised $34,367.40. The money goes to help local women detect and battle breast cancer.

Liberty Wesleyan member Mary Todd (left) is undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer; Tanna Janes is now cancer-free after undergoing radiation treatment last year.

“We told her, ‘we’ll always be Team Jennie,’” Dalton said.

Jennie died the following month, and in the two years since, women from the church have continued to participate in the Women’s Only event in her memory. Last October they also walked in honor of their pastor’s wife, Tanna Janes, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was undergoing radiation treatment (she’s now cancer-free). And this year they also walked in honor of a third church member, Mary Todd, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing radiation treatment.

“You don’t think every year you’re going to add another lady to our walk,” Dalton said, then added it was touching to see how so many church members of all ages came together to participate in the walk on the morning of Oct. 3.

Liberty Wesleyan men were recruited to help map the walking route and provide support along the way to 32 ladies who participated virtually in this year’s Women’s Only 5K.

NEWS in brief ...continued from p. 4

Early-morning house fire claims life of Summerfield woman

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – An early-morning fire at 6803 Fegan Road on Oct. 6 claimed the life of Carla Harvey, 59, who lived in the Summerfield residence.

Firefighters dispatched to the twostory house in the Lochmere subdivision southeast of Strawberry Road and N.C. 150 found the structure engulfed in flames, Summerfield Fire District

Chief Chris Johnson said. According to the county and state marshal’s office, the cause of the fire could not be confirmed due to the extensive damage of the home.

The death was the first fire-related fatality in Summerfield in about 12 years, when a person died in a blaze in the trailer park on Summerfield Road, Johnson said in an interview.

...continued on p. 35

Photo courtesy of Summerfield Fire Department

An early-morning fire on Oct. 6 resulted in a total loss of this home on Fegan Road in Summerfield, and the life of the woman who lived there.

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15

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Susan Daly launched Daly Floral Designs in 2016 while continuing to work part-time in retail. She began dedicating herself full-time to her business in January 2019.

Daly Floral Designs is a full-service florist, and after only being in business a few years, Susan is very proud to have been voted the No. 2 florist in Guilford County in 2019, right under Clemmons Florist.

One of the things that makes Daly Floral Designs unique is that Susan grows many of her own seasonal flowers.

“My floral designs usually have something that I have grown in them,” she said. “Therefore, I say that each arrangement has a small piece of me in it.”

She added, “Daly Floral Designs provides excellent customer service and goes above what other florists will do. I also refuse to have a wire service.”

Susan is married to John Daly and the couple has two children, Alicia and Eric. Most of Susan’s time is spent in the garden or in her business, and she also enjoys swimming.

Susan grew up on a 150-acre farm in upstate New York. There, her family had a vegetable stand where she sold her gladiolus.

“You could probably say that gardening and floristry are in my blood,” Susan said.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

She continues to keep up with the latest trends in the floral world and will soon be a certified florist.

See ad on p. 36

Rep. John Faircloth John Faircloth was born in Greensboro and raised by his maternal grandparents. He remembers the frequent Sunday afternoon trips in his grandfather’s old DeSoto sedan to visit the “kinfolks” in Stokesdale and Oak Ridge.

John attended Aycock Junior John Faircloth High and Greensboro Senior High (different names now, but he said the buildings look the same). His favorite subjects in high school were “a cute little blond named Linda and a 1940 Ford with a big Oldsmobile motor.” Despite these two distractions, he said he graduated with fair grades and “a too-heavy throttle in that Ford.” Shortly thereafter, an unplanned meeting on West Market Street between John and a grumpy police officer resulted in his driver’s license being taken away for a year.

Since he couldn’t drive, and with his next birthday making him eligible for the active military draft, John decided to join the Army. After basic training he was assigned to Fort Gordon, Georgia.

He and Linda corresponded regularly and made plans to marry.

Unable to find a job after being

...continued on p. 39

20

Townhouses gradually gaining a foothold in northwest Guilford 18 Real Estate News/Briefs

Oak Ridge Town Council approves rezoning for portion of Belews Lake subdivision

19 Up in Smoke

Samet Corporation is developing a 65-acre tract south of Oak Ridge for as many as three buildings

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

Construction of new townhomes in Oak Ridge’s Village Woods signals rising demand in northwestern Guilford County for smaller houses requiring less maintenance. “It is people right-sizing for where they are in their life,” said Gail Ramsburg, a Smith Marketing real estate agent selling in the Oak Ridge development.

22 Q&A: Summerfield Farms Village We answer readers’ questions about developer David Couch’s proposed development in Summerfield Farms

29 Real Estate News/Briefs

Council changes zoning rules to promote ‘village feel’ Pineapple Porch opens second location

REAL ESTATE NEWS/BRIEFS

Council approves rezoning for portion of Belews Lake subdivision Twenty-five of the subdivision’s lots will be in Oak Ridge’s extraterritorial district; remaining lots will be in the town of Stokesdale and in Forsyth County

by CHRIS BURRITT OAK RIDGE – Plans for a subdivision in the northwestern corner of Guilford County advanced after the Oak Ridge Town Council approved the developer’s request to rezone the tract from agricultural to RS-40 (Residential).

RS Parker Homes, the developer representing heirs of Mary Leight, the property’s owner, is preparing to ask

the Stokesdale Town Council and the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners to rezone the portions of the land located in their jurisdictions.

Construction of the 127-acre subdivision may start next spring if rezoning of the property is approved, Greg Garrett, a RS Parker Homes partner, said in an interview last week.

He estimated that houses will range in price from the high $300,000s to $800,000, or higher, for homes built along Belews Lake.

The wooded tract is south of the U.S. 158 bridge crossing the lake, which narrows to a cove where RS Parker plans to create more than 50 lots, according to Garrett. The waterfront property is located in Forsyth County while another 35.6 acres, where the

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

A contractor spreads grass seed on a new lot in Bentridge Forest, a subdivision that abuts a proposed 127acre residential development on Belews Lake. Portions of the property are in Oak Ridge’s extraterritorial district, Stokesdale’s town limits and Forsyth County. developer plans 25 lots, is located in Oak Ridge’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Rezoning the property for RS-40, or roughly one lot per acre, represents “the highest and best use” of the land for Leight’s heirs, who are selling it, Garrett said during a public hearing for the rezoning request at Oak Ridge

Town Council’s meeting Oct. 1.

The developer said he spoke to more than half of nearby property owners.

“Generally the sentiment was, ‘we’d love there to not be any change, but we know it is coming,”’ said Garrett, referring to increasing residential devel-

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opment in the rural area dotted by old barns and gravel roads.

The subdivision would have access to internet service and connect to Stokesdale’s municipal water system, Garrett said. Houses would rely upon private septic systems.

No one spoke in opposition to the rezoning request during the public hearing. Oak Ridge’s Planning and Zoning Board, which reviewed the request last month, recommended its approval by a 7-0 vote; by unanimous vote, the council approved the rezoning.

The main entrance for the development is planned for Happy Hill Road while extending Bentridge Forest Drive, a residential street, will provide another entrance, Garrett said. Nearby, the Shiloh subdivision is under develop-

ment on Happy Hill Road.

Oak Ridge Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and council member Martha Pittman asked Garrett whether RS Parker Homes is planning to build public trails in the development. Though there are no plans for trails, he told the council there’s “certainly some opportunity for it” on the property.

“We want to make sure it is a bug in your ear,” said Kinneman, explaining that town leaders are seeking to establish trails throughout Oak Ridge.

As an example, volunteers are building a section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail starting in the Cascades Preserve, a 130-acre wooded tract that is part of Guilford County’s park system; the Preserve is located near Oak Ridge’s town limits and the proposed subdivision.

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Amid burning piles of trees and brush, a bulldozer grades the site for a 220,000-square-foot building for distribution and light industrial and assembly on N.C. 68 and Interstate 73. Samet Corporation is developing the 65-acre tract south of Oak Ridge for as many as three buildings, according to Brian Hall, director of development for the Greensboro-based company.

Burning of the debris has been permitted by D.H. Griffin, the site contractor, Hall said. After grading, construction is slated to start later this year or early in 2021, with the first building ready for occupancy next summer, Hall said.

One or more tenants may occupy the space, which is located at the southbound I-73 exit ramp onto N.C. 68 and convenient to the highway and I-40.

“That particular piece (of land) has really great access for industrial traffic,” Hall said in an interview last week. “Access to the interstate is everything.”

Download Greensboro Parade of Homes app to map your tour!

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Townhouses gradually gaining foothold in northwest Guilford Summerfield Farms’ proposal reignites the debate over higher density as aging empty nesters, others who can’t afford or don’t want to keep big houses opt for smaller homes

by CHRIS BURRITT NW GUILFORD – When she moved to Oak Ridge earlier this year, Karen Wilson sought the security of a safe neighborhood for herself and her two children.

Retired school teacher Evie Derrickson wanted to be close to her three grandchildren.

As they prepare to move into their new home, former Oak Ridge Mayor Spencer Sullivan and his wife, Linda, look forward to the end of decades of mowing and yard maintenance.

After living in traditional homes, all of these people have opted for townhouses, a tiny but growing sliver of northwestern Guilford County’s housing market.

Demand is generally outpacing the supply of smaller homes, according to real estate agents.

Photo courtesy of Karen Wilson

Karen Wilson bought the first townhouse in Oak Ridge’s Autumn Ridge off Zack Road, where she likes the quality of the home and security for herself and two children, Ava, 14, and Lock,7.

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OCT. 15 - 28, 2020

and every other way,” said Keller Williams agent DeDe Cunningham, who has sold two townhouses in Autumn Ridge, the Oak Ridge development where Wilson and Derrickson bought the first two units.

“You are getting people who love the northwest Guilford area and want to stay here or move here.”

Demand for smaller houses on smaller lots clashes with traditional zoning regulations in Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale that favor construction of single-family homes on roughly one-acre parcels. The lot sizes reflect the necessity of setting aside enough land to accommodate private wells and septic systems.

At the same time, some homeowners worry that denser housing will diminish their property values, threaten their water supply and congest schools and roads.

Disagreement over the issue flared during northwest Guilford town council elec-

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A proposal last month by developer David Couch to extend water and sewer lines from the city of Greensboro to Summerfield Farms drew opposition from several residents who spoke during the Town Council’s meeting this past Tuesday, Oct. 13. (See related article on front cover.)

Couch, CEO of Blue Ridge Cos., wants to negotiate a development agreement with the Summerfield council that would allow him to develop 650 acres around Summerfield Farms on Pleasant Ridge Road. He wants to build a range of housing – apartments, townhouses and single-family houses from $250,000 to $1 million and higher – while building public trails and preserving several large areas as open space.

Couch’s proposal for a mix of residential and commercial properties qualifies the project as planned development (PD), according to Summerfield Town Manager

...continued on p. 30

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21

Q & A:

Summerfield Farms Village Last month, developer David Couch presented Summerfield Town Council his proposal to extend water and sewer lines from the city of Greensboro to Summerfield Farms, which he owns and where he wants to develop 650 acres.

The property cuts a wide swath through the heart of town, running west from Pleasant Ridge Road, spanning Brookbank Road and ending at I-73.

Couch, CEO of Blue Ridge Cos., said he wants to negotiate a development agreement with the council to allow for construction of a range of housing – from apartments to townhouses to homes costing $1 million and more.

He told the council he would install fire hydrants and build public trails in his development, referred to as Summerfield Farms Village, while preserving several large areas of the rolling landscape

of pastures and woods.

He’s talking to officials in Greensboro about extending water and sewer lines to the property. He’s also proposing that Guilford County create a special tax district that would charge property owners in his development – not Summerfield taxpayers – for water and sewer services.

The following are some of the questions readers have posed about Couch’s proposal, and responses we obtained...

Does Couch’s proposal for building a mix of housing at different prices – along with businesses – on his property qualify as planned development (PD)?

The issue split Summerfield residents when it first surfaced in early 2017, with some favoring denser, more affordable housing while others saying such development would decrease property values, overcrowd schools and roads and damage Summerfield’s rural character.

“The short answer is ‘yes,’” Summerfield Town Manager Scott Whitaker said, referring to Couch’s proposal as an example of planned development. In an email last week, the manager explained that Summerfield “doesn’t have a specific zoning district to allow what Mr. Couch desires to develop,” prompting the developer to seek to negotiate the agreement with the town for planned development.

Chris York, Summerfield’s town planner, described the PD procedure as “a zoning mechanism that encourages a comprehensive and flexible approach to development.”

It allows a proposed development to deviate from the minimum requirements in the base zoning district, such as the number of parking spaces or the extent of landscaping, according to York.

The concept is “based on the expectation that the entire development will be planned comprehensively and will maintain a minimum level of quality that surpasses what would otherwise be established through a strict application of the minimum base zoning district and development standards,” the planner said in an email.

In exchange for flexibility in developing property, the developer is required to submit a detailed master plan and a document of binding terms and conditions “describing the rights and responsibilities of the developer regarding how the development will be built and maintained,” York said. The documents are part of the amendment of the zoning map establishing the PD district.

... continued on p. 26

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DEVELOPMENT Q&A ...continued from p. 22

What public schools would children in this proposed development attend?

The property Couch proposes developing currently falls within the Summerfield Elementary, Northern Middle and Northern High school districts.

If Couch wins approval to move ahead with his development,

would he continue raising cattle, operating a store and hosting weddings, music and other events in Summerfield Farms?

Couch told us the expansion of Summerfield Farms would build upon those activities.

In an email earlier this week, he wrote that “Maintaining the cattle operations preserves the agricultural heritage of this land,” which he began acquiring in 1998.

The events would continue in the main barn and other farm buildings “I’ve spent the last 22 years renovating and

have now made available to the community for their enjoyment,” Couch said.

Future commercial development would occur in the vicinity of the events venue and store, he said. “It only makes sense that they be located, designed and incorporated appropriately in a village-style fashion,” he said.

Are apartments planned for this development?

Couch said he doesn’t plan to build conventional apartments, but instead may construct townhouses, twin homes and condominiums as rental options.

“Three- and four-story apartments would not be in keeping with what I’ve got planned here,” he said.

A variety of people are seeking less-expensive housing in Summerfield, according to Couch.

“I receive multiple calls each month from ‘over 55ers,’ families who are facing separation, younger people who work in our town, firefighters, law enforcement members, teachers, horse trainers, chefs, artists, young professionals and others who desire moderately priced homes and/or rental options,” he said.

Some retirees want to downsize into smaller houses so they can remain in Summerfield, and parents facing challenges such as divorce want more

affordable options so their children can continue attending highly rated schools in northwestern Guilford County, he added.

“I plan to follow the designers’ leads on how we offer those options in a village-style manner that is appropriately located and scaled,” Couch said.

“When done in this manner, this badly needed housing option can be offered in our town, without any negative impact or loss of value to anyone currently residing in Summerfield.

“In keeping with good and fair town planning principles, and as stated in our comprehensive plan, these options should be considered in any serious master plan for this land, and the town,” Couch said.

Would this development mark the first time Greensboro has sold water and sewer services to another municipality?

It would not be the first time, according to David Parrish, Greensboro’s manager. “We routinely sell water to a small portion of Burlington and to Jamestown when their demand is high,” he said.

Greensboro also treats wastewater

from a small section of Burlington’s service area while providing wastewater service in parts of Pleasant Garden as the result of Greensboro’s previous water and sewer agreement with Guilford County, Parrish said.

On an emergency basis, Greensboro can sell water to Reidsville and High Point while buying water from those two towns, he said. The city also has plans to provide water and sewer services to the Guilford-Randolph “megasite” near Liberty if economic recruiters are successful in securing a major manufacturing company to set up operations there.

Could Greensboro seek to annex Couch’s property in exchange for running water and sewer lines there?

The answer is no, according to both Parrish and Whitaker.

“The city can’t annex into another local government,” the Greensboro manager said.

“As long as any property is part of incorporated Summerfield, Greensboro cannot annex it,” Whitaker confirmed.

“This notion is rumor.”

We’ll continue our Q&A on this topic in our Oct. 29 issue. Have a question?

Email it to patti@nwobserver.com.

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Council changes zoning rules to promote ‘village feel’

by CHRIS BURRITT OAK RIDGE – Oak Ridge Town Council eliminated four zoning districts, including heavy industrial, to align the town’s zoning rules with its goal of creating a “village feel” in the commercial business district.

The council voted unanimously during its Oct. 1 meeting to adopt a text amendment to the town’s zoning ordinance. The change also eliminated the highway business, corporate park and light industrial districts and removed language from the remaining districts detracting from the town’s village feel.

“The overall goal was to start making our ordinance more in line with the vision of the town,” Planning Director Sean Taylor told the council. When Oak Ridge incorporated 21 years ago, it adopted Guilford County’s zoning ordinance which allows uses such as heavy industry that don’t reflect the town’s development goals, he said.

“I’m all for the village feel and increasing the walkability and whatever we can do to

continue to develop the commercial core of our town,” Mayor Ann Schneider said after the council held a public hearing to gather input on the proposed text amendment. No one spoke for or against the change.

A Sept. 25 memo from Taylor to Town Manager Bill Bruce explained the reasoning for the elimination of the four zoning districts.

The highway business district shares characteristics of the general business district, which remains. Parcels currently zoned as highway business are grandfathered under that designation, which would transfer to new owners if the property is sold, Taylor said.

The other three districts don’t conform to the town’s land use plan and the “overall goal of creating a village feel for Oak Ridge,” Taylor said.

He added that a new business which previously would have sought highway zoning can now apply for general business zoning, limited business or neighborhood business.

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29

TOWNHOUSES ...continued from p. 20

Scott Whitaker. A proposed PD amendment to the town’s zoning ordinance sparked a divisive debate in 2016 over housing density in Summerfield. The issue resurfaced during the council’s election last year and is rising again as opponents of Couch’s proposal are expressing their concerns to elected officials in Summerfield, Greensboro and the county.

“I’m certain that anything I propose may be referred to (and already has been) as ‘PD’ by some residents in an effort to keep anything new and innovative from being approved here,” Couch said in an email earlier this week.

People are seeking less-expensive housing to buy or rent “so they can either afford to live here, remain in Summerfield after retirement, or keep their kids” in highly ranked northwest Guilford schools, he said. “All of us are aware that a very large majority of us lived in a rental option at some time or another in our lifetimes.”

For now, townhouses are a scarce – but growing – option in northwest Guilford. The inventory of townhouses for sale in Oak Ridge and Summerfield totaled six in the second quarter, up from two a year earlier, according to the Greensboro Regional Realtors Association (GRRA).

The average sales price was $305,674, or 101.8% of the listing price.

The average sales price for singlefamily houses in Oak Ridge and Summerfield totaled $433,043 in the three months ended June 30, or 98.7 percent of the listing price, GRRA said. The supply of houses totaled 161.

Selling prices that top $300,000 defy the stereotype that townhouses “bring in the wrong kind of neighbors,” said Keller Williams’ Cunningham. “It’s a lifestyle that people are seeking.”

“The stereotype is that people want to downsize when they’re older,” Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider said.

“But some people want to do it when they’re younger. People don’t always want that great big house.”

In the second quarter, no townhomes were on the market in Stokesdale, where zoning rules prohibit that type of housing, Mayor John Flynt said.

“There is a need,” Flynt said, explaining that townhouses would attract two primary groups, elderly people seeking to downsize and young couples wanting starter homes.

“If they were available, they’d be snapped up in a heartbeat,” the mayor said.

In Oak Ridge, all but two of Autumn Ridge’s 22 townhouses – 14 are completed while eight are under construction – have been sold, according to listing agent Nancy Hess, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Yost & Little Realty.

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Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

Demand is outpacing supply in Autumn Ridge, where all but two of the 22 townhouses (including eight under construction) have been sold, listing agent Nancy Hess said.

Located on Zack Road behind Oak Ridge Military Academy, Autumn Ridge is in the town core residential area, a zoning district that allows two units per acre.

Outside of the district, roughly one house per acre is standard in Oak Ridge.

The density is dictated by the practicality of placing private wells and septic tanks far enough apart to meet state environmental regulations. Heirs selling their families’ property to developers are seeking top dollar for their inheritances, putting upward pressure on sale prices, according to real estate agents.

In Autumn Ridge, the townhouses are selling from the low $300,000s to nearly $324,000, creating “a sweet spot” for buyers who are downsizing from larger homes but don’t want to forego amenities such as granite countertops and hardwood floors featured in Autumn Ridge’s units, Hess said.

“Downsizing is a relief,” said Derrickson, the retired school teacher who moved from High Point to Autumn Ridge in March. She wanted to be closer to her two daughters and three grandchildren who live in Oak Ridge.

“It’s the same story for most of my neighbors,” she said. “We’re empty nesters or widowed or single. We are tired of mowing and mulching and painting and fixing up. We want freedom from maintenance.”

Derrickson lives next door to Wilson, who described herself as the head of “the

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

new modern family – a single, working mom with two kids and a professional career.”

“I’m always on the go,” said Wilson, explaining she bought the first townhouse for sale in Autumn Ridge in February. “I wanted a neighborhood where I felt safe and secure and where my property value would grow.”

Former Oak Ridge Mayor Spencer Sullivan and his wife, Linda, learned firsthand about the shortage of housing options in northwest Guilford. After deciding to sell their Oak Ridge house and property last year, the couple spent six months searching for a smaller home. They selected a townhouse under construction in Village Woods, a development on N.C. 68 started

by Jerry Cooke in 2008.

Cooke and his wife, Phyllis, live in one of the first three attached townhouses built there 12 years ago. The Sullivans bought a single-family detached townhome in the new part of Village Woods being developed by D. Stone Builders.

There, townhomes are grouped by three, with a single-family detached home and two attached townhomes.

For both couples, the motivation to live in townhomes was the same – downsizing to smaller houses and giving up lawn work and other maintenance they no longer wanted to do.

“It gives people in our community a choice,” Cooke said. “A lot of people don’t want a big yard, but they want to live in Oak Ridge.’’

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TOWN SEEKS DETAILS OF DEVELOPER’S PLANS

Expressions of opposition outnumbered support by more than three to one.

establishments in Summerfield Farms, his cattle farm and events venue on Pleasant Ridge Road. He proposed that the county establish a special tax district that would require property owners in his development – not Summerfield taxpayers – to pay for water and sewer services.

“Please don’t allow this place to become another overcrowded and overdeveloped asphalt-covered suburb,” Summerfield residents Brittany and Taylor Robertson said in an email read out loud by Dee Hall, the town’s finance officer. “If this were to happen, it would be akin to strip mining a mountain.”

...continued from p. 1

The exploratory meeting is “a logical next step” for the three municipalities, Whitaker told the council.

negotiate a development agreement with the Town Council that would allow a variety of housing separated by several large tracts of open space bisected by public trails. He said he’d install fire hydrants to accommodate the Summerfield Fire Department’s need for a more convenient, reliable source of water.

“Just saying no isn’t an option,” said council member Reece Walker, explaining that he poses a series of questions to residents who contact him. “What would you do? Would you negotiate (with Couch) or would you just let it happen?

Council member Teresa Pegram voted against sending the mayor and the manager to the meeting, saying their attendance may signal that Summerfield is interested in the developer’s proposal even though he’s not presented specifics.

Barnes and Whitaker would gather details during the meeting and share them with the council and the public, Mayor Pro Tem Tim Sessoms said.

During his presentation last month, Couch showed a sketch of development currently allowed by Summerfield’s zoning regulations – an estimated 450 houses in cul-de-sacs spanning his property that runs west from Pleasant Ridge Road to I-73.

Instead, Couch said he wants to

“We don’t know what’s best and what’s not best,” Walker said. “We hope we can come away with what’s best for Summerfield.”

The council heard from more than 30 residents who expressed their views about Couch’s proposal by email and in person during the Oct. 13 meeting.

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In an interview earlier this week, Couch said the construction of moderately priced houses would accommodate demand by aging empty nesters who want to downsize and stay in Summerfield and young workers and couples who can’t afford to live in the town. He said he’s backed by Summerfield’s comprehensive plan, which recommends less expensive housing to meet such needs.

Summerfield resident Melanie Harless offered a different view, telling the council in an email that elderly and young people who want to live in the town need to be able to afford housing that’s currently available.

“Why should we, the citizens of Summerfield, accommodate these other people that want what Summerfield does not have to offer?” Harless said. “If you want to downsize or can’t

afford to live in Summerfield, move elsewhere.”

Greensboro residents Chris and Kim Uthe said they’d “love to live in this new development.”

“Summerfield Farms Village would only serve to enhance the livability of this lovely town to many other different families who are looking for affordable homes in neighborhoods with smaller lots,” the couple said in an email.

Mayor Pro Tem Tim Sessoms said assertions by some residents that council members are aligned with Couch are inaccurate.

“Nobody here is carrying water or waving the flag of David Couch,” Sessoms said. “Name-calling, suggestions of being in somebody’s pocket, or somebody here making money off of what Mr. Couch is doing is absolutely absurd.”

“We’re going to do our due diligence, and I assure you that you will have the chance to make your feelings heard,” Mayor Barnes said. “We’ll continue to keep people informed as we go down the road.’’

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youth / school NEWS

Northwest Middle, High School music instructors among 25 GRAMMY semi-finalists

by PATTI STOKES

Northwest Middle and High School band/orchestra instructor Donny Walter said he was jubilant when he recently learned he had been named one of 25 semifinalists for The Recording Academy & GRAMMY Museum’s 2021 Music Educator Award. Even sweeter, so was his colleague and good friend, Brian McMath, Northwest High School’s band director. The two local music instructors are the only two semi-finalists from North Carolina, and were selected from more than 1,989 initial nominations submitted from all 50 states.

According to Grammy.com, “the Music Educator Award recognizes current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. The recipient will be recognized during GRAMMY Week 2021.

“The award is open to current U.S. music teachers, and anyone can nominate a teacher — students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans, and administrators.”

Look for interviews with Walter and McMath in our Oct. 29 issue.

Adobe Stock photo

Donny Walter

Brian McMath

The Recording Academy & GRAMMY Museum recently named its 25 semifinalists for the 2021 Music Educator Award – and among them are Northwest Middle and High School band/ orchestra instructor Donny Walter, and Northwest High School band director Brian McMath. The two were selected from more than 1,989 initial nominations submitted from all 50 states.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Do you Gaga?

NEWS in brief

...continued from p. 15

STOKESDALE – Thanks to a $4,000 contribution by the Stokesdale Elementary PTA last spring, the school now has its very own Gaga pit, which was installed earlier this month.

What’s a Gaga pit, some may ask?

According to www.gagacenter.com, “Gaga is a fast paced, high energy sport played in an octagonal pit. The more players the better! Dubbed a kinder gentler version of dodge ball, the game is played with a soft foam ball, and combines the skills of dodging, striking, running, and jumping, while trying to hit opponents with a ball

Photo courtesy of Stokesdale Elementary PTA

below the knees. Players need to keep moving to avoid getting hit by the ball.

Fun and easy, everyone gets a serious workout.”

Students returning to school more slowly than planned, Guilford County Schools announces GUILFORD COUNTY – In response to Guilford County’s COVID-19 data, Superintendent Sharon L. Contreras announced Wednesday the district is slowing down its students’ return to the classroom.

The revised plan brings back students in pre-kindergarten through second grade on Oct. 20 for in-person instruction five days a week. However, sixth graders will not return as originally planned.

Stay

Following the re-entry of students in grades PreK-2, and pending another review of community health metrics, students in grades 3 through 5 will return on either Nov. 4 or 5.

approach will honor the preferences of parents who are ready for their child to resume in-person learning, while still protecting the health and wellness of our students and staff.”

The decision about whether this second round of schools will reopen will be announced on Oct. 30.

As part of the revised plan and pending additional reviews of community health data and trends, middle school students and certain vulnerable student populations in grades 9-12 may return on Nov. 12. These students were originally slated to return on Oct. 26.

“Given the current community health data, we are taking a more measured approach to returning students to the classroom,” Contreras said. “This

distant but not disconnected /NorthwestObserver

“A structure fire is always devastating and a loss of life on top of that is something we strive to avoid,” Johnson said in a news release from the Summerfield department.

The chief called for help from other fire departments after seeing heavy smoke when he was two miles away from the house, the release said.

A total of 24 trucks from Greensboro and Guilford and Rockingham counties assisted, with 14 of them shuttling water back and forth to the scene.

Amid debate in Summerfield over the possibility of running of water lines to fight fires, Johnson told the Town Council in an email earlier this week, “I’m not saying that water would have changed the outcome, but I do know that water would have made things so much more efficient and would have given us more personnel on the actual fire scene to more quickly alleviate the situation.”

Carla Harvey is survived by her parents, Margie F. Hatley, of Greensboro, and Carl Hatley, of Oak Island, North Carolina, according to her obituary posted online. She’s also survived by her daughters: Hayes Sterling Harvey, Tess Chandler Harvey, Olivia Mason Harvey, Garland Prescott Harvey and Conner Daubren Harvey.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.

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

OCT. 15 - 28, 2020

35

mark your

calendar

EVERY SUNDAY

 Cub Scouts | Oak Ridge United Methodist

Church, 2424 Oak Ridge Road, will sponsor a Cub Scout pack that will meet at the church every Sunday, 4 to 5:15 p.m. Cub Scouts learn life skills in a fun, hands-on way. This program is open to all children K-5; the meetings will initially take place outdoors with social distancing guidelines being followed. More info: 130cubmaster@gmail.com.

EVERY THURSDAY  Food trucks | Stokesdale Elementary School is

hosting a different food truck every Thursday, 5 to 7:30 p.m. on the school grounds at 8025 U.S. 158.

Pacific Rim will be there Oct. 15, and West Coast Wanderer will be there Oct. 22. More info: Stokesdale Elementary School, (336) 643-8420.

SATURDAY, OCT. 17  Firefighters’ BBQ | Oak Ridge Fire Department

will host a takeout-only BBQ fundraiser Oct. 17,

Full Service Florist 336-509-1020 Locally Owned in Summerfield Fresh Flower & Silk Arrangements Holidays • Special Occasions • Weddings

www.dalyfloraldesigns.com Dalyfloraldesigns@gmail.com

Tax & Consulting Services For Individuals & Businesses  Tax Returns  Tax Planning  Payroll Service  Bookkeeping  Financial Reports  Budget Analysis

8400 Hwy 158 • PO Box 469 Stokesdale, NC 27357 kim@kimberlythacker.com

36

(336) 644-2741 office (336) 644-2743 fax

OCT. 15 - 28, 2020

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (while supplies last) at Station 15, 8325 Linville Road in Oak Ridge. BBQ costs $8 per pound. Please call ahead to pre-order 20+ pounds.

More info: (336) 643-3783.  Yard sale/Meet our staff | PS Communications,

publisher of the Northwest Observer, invites the community to a yard sale at our office property, 1616 N.C. 68 North in Oak Ridge, Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. We’ve pulled out a lot of “stuff” that we’ve accumulated over the years in our homes and in our office, and several of our staff members will be on hand throughout the morning and early afternoon to help you find some treasures. We’ll even have refreshments for you to enjoy as you comb through our offerings – plus, a chance to win some “vintage” Northwest Observer T-shirts, sweatshirts and other memorabilia. Everyone attending is asked to adhere to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.

TUESDAY, OCT. 20  Classic Car Cruise-In | JPC Monroe LLC will

sponsor its last parade of classic cars and live entertainment of the season on Oct. 20, 4:30 to 8 p.m. (weather permitting) at Oak Ridge Commons Shopping Center. EuroHaus, “the European auto pros,”

submit

your events

online at nwobserver.com

Events will appear on our online community calendar and will be considered for print publishing in the Northwest Observer

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will sponsor a “People’s Choice Award” in which attendees vote for their favorite car and the winner receives a trophy along with a gift card to a business in Oak Ridge Commons. Attendees are asked to follow COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.

More info: rfloss@aol.com.

SATURDAY, OCT. 31  Halloween treats | Stokesdale Fire Department will pass out candy (drive-through only) at the station in downtown Stokesdale (8401 U.S. 158) on Halloween night from 5 to 7 p.m. – or until they run out of candy. Everyone will be asked to stay in their vehicles and fire department personnel will direct trick-or-treaters to those passing out candy.

WE’LL BE BACK IN PRINT THURSDAY, OCT. 29 (the Northwest Observer is now offered in print the first, third and fifth Thursday of each month)

To place a DISPLAY AD in our next issue or a future issue, contact Laura:

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

Carlotta Lytton

, CPA, PC

Individual & Corporate Tax Returns Specializing in Payroll & Accounting for Small Businesses 7805 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale clyttoncpa@bellsouth.net

phone: (336) 644-7033

When your pet ages disease or illness may come along with it. Call us to schedule a

preventative senior work-up.

On the left side, click community calendar

Click

fax: (336) 644-7038

add your event

and fill in your details

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Serving the northwest Triad area since 1991

(336) 665-1286 • bel-airevet.com Find us on Facebook & Instagram

9 a.m. until

The secret’s in the sauce A longstanding tradition of selling mouth-watering BBQ – smothered in a ‘secret sauce’ – continues this Saturday, Oct. 17, when Oak Ridge Fire Department will hold its semi-annual drivethrough BBQ fundraiser

by PATTI STOKES, with excerpts from articles previously written by Helen Ledford and former NWO writer Sandra Smith

OAK RIDGE – When Oak Ridge Fire Department was established in 1955, the department relied entirely on volunteers to respond to many of the community’s emergency needs. As a way of raising funds, the firefighters traditionally prepared their own barbecue and sold it by the plate, with all the “fixins,” or by the pound.

For those new to the area, it’s important to understand the word “barbecue” in North Carolina isn’t a verb describing the act of cooking food outside on an open grill, rather a noun describing a slowly cooked meat chopped or pulled, and then covered in sauce. And in Oak Ridge at least, the delectable meat used is pork; as for the sauce, it’s vinegarbased with a wonderful mixture of sweetness and tartness.

Over the years, firefighters in Oak Ridge have gone to great lengths to protect the secret recipe for their sauce.

Back in 1998, Northwest Observer’s Helen Ledford wrote: The original “Barbecue Man” was Leo Phelps, a colorful Oak Ridge resident who has long since passed from the scene. It was he and his uncle, Arch Pegram, who formulated the first tasty, titillating marinade for the Oak Ridge Fireman’s barbecue more than 40 years ago. After Pegram died, only Leo knew the ingredients of the spicy concoction,

and he wasn’t telling.

Stirring up his brew in an old tin shack behind his sister Juanita’s house on Alcorn Road, Leo perfected the famed barbecue elixir. … “A little of this and a little of that,” was all that the mad scientist of barbecue sauce would disclose when queried as to the origin of the mouth-watering flavors in the “secret sauce.”

Later, Phelps would move his blue enamel canning pots to the property of Chuck Jones’ father off Scoggins Road. … Hoisting up his bib overalls and adjusting his baseball cap, the pots were heated up. Vinegary fumes exuded from the kitchen of the little log cabin, and 14-year-old Chuck was allowed to peek over Phelps’ hefty shoulder. Already a young Oak Ridge Fire Department volunteer, Chuck listened to and watched his barbecue mentor.”

For a long time after Phelps died, Jones was the keeper of the secret sauce recipe.

In the early 1980s, the local firefighters started cooking the barbecue at the original fire station beside Oak Ridge Elementary School. In an article Sandra Smith wrote for the Northwest Observer many years ago, she said “the fumes often made the eyes of former Oak Ridge mayor Tom Brown water as he conducted his duties in another part of the station, which had been renovated and turned into the first town hall.”

Ledford described the smells emanating from the old fire department building, once adjacent to Oak Ridge Elementary School, while the sauce was being made: “…the old fire department building fairly reeks with the scent of boiling vinegar – one ingredient you can’t keep secret. Jones does it like Leo did, making the sauce in batches in a huge 30-gallon steel vat. Children on the nearby Oak Ridge Elementary School grounds look at each other with wrinkled noses and

Pre-order pounds at Order Form. www.oakridgencfire.com BBQ

All U Can Eat & Take Outs 4 p.m. until sold out

Oak Ridge Firefighters’

$8 per plate $5 for Seniors & Kids Under 12

BBQ

(Includes BBQ, slaw, baked beans, rolls, banana pudding and drink!)

Saturday, Oct. 17 Take-out only

9 am - 12 pm

or until sold out

Station 15, 8325 Linville Road, Oak Ridge

DRIVE THRU SERVICE (Use the rear entrance off Scoggins Road)

CASH OR CHECK ONLY

8 per pound

BBQ $

Our “secret” BBQ sauce $

3

To pre-order 20 lbs or more: call (336) 643-3783

...continued on p. 39

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

OCT. 15 - 28, 2020

37

CRIME / INCIDENT report

District 1 Sheriff’s Office

has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest/northern Guilford County ...

ALCOHOL

Oct. 11 | A 21-year-old male was cited in the 5200 block of U.S. 220 N/Winfree Road in Summerfield for possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

You deserve to be

FULLY COVERED

ASSAULT

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gladwellinsurance.com

Oct. 7 | An employee of Guilford County Emergency Medical Services in the 4500 block of U.S. 220 N in Summerfield reported at 2:03 a.m. a known suspect bit his arm and tried to break his finger while he was trying to provide medical care.

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY/THEFT

Barbour & Williams Law 8004 Linville Road, Suite E-3, Oak Ridge

(336) 643-4623

barbourwilliams.com • Probate & Estate Administration • Estate Planning (Wills & Trusts)

• Trust Administration • Corporate Work • Real Estate Matters

38

OCT. 15 - 28, 2020

Oct. 5 | A resident of the 2200 block of Pleasant Ridge Road in northwest Greensboro reported at 5:59 a.m. an unknown suspect tried to break into his home 10 minutes earlier, causing $250 worth of damage.

Oct. 12 | A resident of the 8300 block of Southard Road in Stokesdale (off U.S. 158) reported a known suspect attempted to steal his bicycle at 5 p.m.

COMMUNICATING THREATS

Sept. 28 | A resident of the 500 block of Carson Ridge Drive in Colfax (off N Bunker Hill Road) reported she was threatened during a verbal argument with a known suspect.

Are your affairs in order?

Don’t FALL behind!

Oct. 2 | A local resident at Pick N Go on N.C. 68 N in Stokesdale reported a 56-year-old male known offender demanded money from her; he was arrested for common law robbery.

DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED Tracy Williams, attorney

Oct. 6 | A 40-year-old male was arrested in the 6300 block of Old Oak Ridge Road in northwest Greensboro for driving while impaired and also

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

cited for driving 15mph above the speed limit.

FRAUD

Sep. 29 | A resident of the 6800 block of Koala Drive in Oak Ridge (off Brookbank Road) reported an unknown suspect used his identity to file for unemployment between April 1 and Sept. 18.

Oct. 1 | A resident of the 6900 block of Bronco Lane in Summerfield (near Strawberry Road) reported an unknown suspect unsuccessfully attempted to use his personal information to file for unemployment.

Oct. 3 | A resident of the 5000 block of U.S. 220 N in Summerfield reported an unknown suspect stole $1,499 via her PayPal account.

Oct. 6 | A resident of the 6100 block of Moores Creek Drive in Summerfield (near Bunch Road) reported a known suspect failed to complete work for which they were paid; the total loss is $1,600.

RESISTING A POLICE OFFICER

Oct. 1 | A 60-year-old female was cited in the 7800 block of Robinson Road in Summerfield (off Scalesville Road) for resisting/obstructing a police officer.

THEFT

Oct. 4 | A resident of the 8000 block of Witty Road in Summerfield reported an unknown suspect stole a political sign from his front yard.

Oct. 7 | A person in the 2200 block of Oak Ridge Road in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect stole several items valued at $272 from her vehicle between Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. and Oct. 7 at 12 noon.

THE SAUCE

Oct. 11 | A resident of the 8600 block of Bull Road in Colfax (off N Bunker Hill Road) reported an unknown suspect stole his ATV, valued at $8,500, from his yard between Oct. 10 at 4 p.m. and Oct. 11 at 12:30 p.m.

...continued from p. 37 ask, “What’s that smell?” Other passersby might wonder why their sinuses have suddenly and violently become unclogged.

Oak Ridge old timers know… it’s barbecue time again.”

VANDALISM

Oct. 1 | A resident of the 8300 block of Wrights Farm Lane in Summerfield (near U.S. 158) reported a known suspect caused $5,000 worth of damage to her camper trailer sometime between Sept. 27 and Oct. 1.

The barbecue became increasingly popular, with the firefighters cooking as much as 5,000 pounds of pork. But the old station was demolished in 2002 as part of Oak Ridge Elementary’s expansion, and with it a place to prepare their well-known delicacy.

For a couple of years, no barbecue was held; then they made the sauce but hired someone to cook the meat. Unfortunately, the results were below their standards and the fire department resumed making the delicacy itself.

District 1 Sheriff’s Office

7504 Summerfield Road Main number: (336) 641-2300 Report non-emergency crime-related incidents by calling:

(336) 373-2222 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., M-F https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/ our-county/sheriff-s-office

Although it no longer serves a sit-down BBQ plate meal in the

bay of the fire station on Linville Road as it did for many years, Oak Ridge Fire Department volunteers and staff still gear up each fall for cooking gallons… and gallons of sauce to serve over thousands of pounds of mouthwatering meat that’s cooked for hours until it literally falls off the bone. But don’t take our word for just what an edible treat this BBQ is – find out yourself this Saturday, Oct. 17 (see ad on p. 37 for details). A word of advice: don’t wait too long to get there – more than once the BBQ has sold out long before the last customer arrived.

By the way, proceeds from the BBQ sale go back into the department to purchase equipment not covered by tax dollars, or into a fund the firefighters use to help families whose homes burn buy clothing and pay for a place to stay until insurance money kicks in.

NEW ADVERTISERS ...continued from p. 16

released from active duty during a recession, John followed advice from his grandfather to apply for a job with the police department; he was hired as a rookie patrolman and while working 11 years as a police officer he attended Guilford College part-time and earned his bachelor’s degree.

Later, John was appointed director of the newly formed Criminal Justice Training & Standards Commission, which established employment standards and training applicable throughout North Carolina. After completing the staffing and certification of all state and local police officers, John returned to local law enforcement and was appointed chief of police for Salisbury.

There, he restructured the department and oversaw the design and construction of a new police station before being appointed High Point’s chief of police; he served in that role for 17 years while also completing his MPA. After retiring as police chief, John operated a successful real estate franchise until he was elected to High Point City Council, where he served multiple terms.

John has served five terms in North Carolina’s House of Representatives and humbly asks for voters to elect him to serve a sixth term.

You won’t want to miss the October Tire Max and TOYO Tire Open Country Contest ENTER to win a Yeti Cooler

(1 given away per Tire Max store; 5 total coolers)

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4420 US Highway 220N (336) 793-5391

High Point

619 Greensboro Road (336) 885-4321

High Point

2410 Eastchester Dr (336) 841-6553

GRAND PRIZE set of TOYO Tires Enter by scanning the QR code at left or going to facebook.com/TireMaxNC Entries accepted Oct. 1-31. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER

DOUBLE ENTRY FOR SHARING OUR The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

PAGE

OCT. 15 - 28, 2020

39

We offer one guarantee: 100% customer satisfaction 40

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...

Piedmont Truck Tires &

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FULL-SERVICE SHOP Full automotive repair & maintenance • Tune-ups Wheel & tire repair/alignment • NC inspections ASE certified technicians

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www.piedmonttrucktires.com OCT. 15 - 28, 2020

and the “Chinese disease.”

The staff at Summerfield Elementary, especially their treasurer, who is always friendly and helpful.

Both of our senatorial candidates who abided by the rules they agreed to during the Oct. 1 debate. Discussed issues, no personal attacks or interruptions and acted like adults. How refreshing.

All of the very generous donors for supporting the NWHS PTSO’s Fund the Viking Voyage campaign! Because of you, we will make it a great year to be a Viking for our students and staff!

The Northwest Observer for publishing all Grins and Gripes. The First Amendment protects speech for everyone, regardless of your own personal opinions or political affiliation. Those that gripe about alternative views should be ashamed of themselves.

Editor’s Note: Thanks for the Grin – but just to clarify, we don’t publish quite all the Grins and Gripes we receive. If, for example, a reader threatens their neighbor if the neighbor’s dog poops in their yard again (it’s happened), resorts to name-calling (that definitely happens), makes statements that aren’t factual (and that also happens), I decline to publish them. As long as opinions are presented as opinions and are done so respectfully, though, I’ll continue to make a place for them in this section of the paper.

Granny’s Donuts in Oak Ridge. They gave a special discount on donuts for the Veterans in the Park get-together last weekend.

All the people who don’t get offended when someone says “the Spanish flu,” the “German measles,”

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

The reader for the shout-out about our little tree decoration project on N.C. 150 in Summerfield. We tried to make something that the kids would find interesting. Keep an eye out for changes!

The awesome dad who got rid of the wasp nest at the Oak Ridge park playground. The park staff had been notified multiple times and didn’t do anything about it. You’re my hero.

John at Sherwin-Williams in Oak Ridge. Thank you for your generous contribution to scouting and our community.

Patti Stokes for not offering a fake “heartfelt apology” for publishing the

...continued on p. 42

$750,000 C N. 8 .6

FOR SALE

Beautiful, private, convenient 1616 NC Hwy 68 N - live/work on 6.14 acres in heart of Oak Ridge This one-of-a-kind property located within Oak Ridge’s town residential and commercial core is situated on a private, 6.14-acre tract. Property rezoned in 2008 for commercial use, but originally developed for single-family residence and could be converted back.

4,000+sf ranch-style main building includes 2,800sf on upper level with living/meeting room connecting to sunroom, five other spacious rooms plus large eat-in kitchen with island (sink, DW and plentiful counter space), built-in double ovens, cook top, granite counters and tile floor; full BA, two half-BAs, two gas fireplaces and beautiful hardwood flooring also on upper level. Screened-in porch off kitchen with adjoining back deck.

Daylight basement has 1,100 sf with office and two multi-purpose rooms, fireplace and full bath.

Paved ¼-mile driveway leads from N.C. 68 to back of lot in private, park-like setting bordered by woods and pastures on all sides; large natural area/island at end of circle driveway with covered picnic shelter.

Five-minute walking distance to the heart of Oak Ridge’s shopping/retail area; eight-minute drive to PTI Airport.

Other features: • Separate 400sf guest house with kitchen and full BA across from main building • Tennis court • Pole barn (336) 643-4248 (office) • Wooden building for storage (336) 908-6528 (mobile) • 2-car garage and workshop phillipstone84@gmail.com dawnstone05@gmail.com 8500 Ellisboro Road, Suite B, Stokesdale

www.ANewDawnRealty.com

Phillip Stone

Dawn Stone

GRINS AND GRIPES ...continued from p. 40 “Chinese disease” comment from a reader. The First Amendment is still relevant... at least in the NWO. Our policemen nationwide, for their willingness to cope with such a reforming time in our country’s history. They have been taunted, yet respect for them is cut short. A tip of my hat to you all.

The entire staff at Summerfield Veterinary Hospital. You always manage to amaze us by your dedication, time, and love for your patients! We’re so grateful for your actions easing our worries.

Love, Dan “the Man’s” family!

GRIPES to...

Keep Summerfield Rural for spreading misinformation and banning citizens from responding so that information cannot be corrected. You don’t care about Summerfield. You just care about yourselves.

The readers complaining about the “Chinese disease” in a previous issue’s Grins section. How about the names for West Nile virus, Ebola virus (named after the Ebola River, near a village where the

outbreak first occurred) and Spanish flu?

Those who move to the South yet refuse to assimilate into Southern culture.

The person who stole our campaign sign, and who’s now throwing trash in the yard.

Every time that happens, I donate more to the cause. Every time you dump your trash, I call a couple more people to vote.

Those complaining about the reference to the “Chinese virus.” What about the Hong Kong flu and many others because of where they originated?

Cyclists who don’t obey traffic laws.

Cars are required to stop at red lights. I guess that isn’t true for the large group of cyclists making a left turn on a red light Saturday morning (Oct. 3) on Summerfield Road. Very dangerous!

Those accusing NWO editor of being racist for publishing reader’s reference to the “Chinese disease.” Using the geographic origin of a virus/disease is a common and long-established epidemiological practice – i.e., Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever to name a few.

Whoever defaced my Trump 2020

“ with the Northwest Observer since 2005.

We have been FAITHFULLY ADVERTISING

This has helped our BUSINESS GROW to where is it today.

We started with just my wife, Lisa, and myself and now, 15 YEARS LATER, we have ADDED 6 EMPLOYEES AND NOW HAVE 3 TRUCKS to service the Northwest area!

Thank you to the northwest community for supporting our local small business.

“

Jerry Potkay, co-owner

To begin your advertising program, contact Laura Reneer at laura@nwobserver.com or (336) 644-7035, ext. 11

42

OCT. 15 - 28, 2020

sign and stole my other Trump 2020 sign. Typical Democrat behavior to deface and steal instead of accepting – even tolerating – someone else’s opinion other than your own.

To those offended by the “racist” term “Chinese disease.” The disease literally originated in China, and last time I checked “Chinese” isn’t a race.

Those against saying “Chinese disease.” Remember the Hong Kong Flu 1968? Asian Flu 1957? Names based on the geographic location of first detection.

Outside the

It’s not racism. It’s geography.

Whoever controls lights for night soccer games at Town Park. Don’t turn them off in the middle of games. Happened twice Oct. 2 and again Oct. 9.

Those who think “Chinese disease” is an insult to all Asians. It’s an insult to the Communist leaders in China who unleashed the virus on the world. They should be held accountable.

Those who are so sensitive. The gripes say more about the gripers than the original poster.

…

The following reader-submitted GRIPES express opinions about national topics, and have been separated from the other grins and gripes as a courtesy to those who do not want to read others’ opinions on national political and other non-local topics in a local newspaper.

The liberal media who thought it would be absolutely hysterical to make

a joke of the President mocking Biden and COVID-19 safety measures and then getting the virus himself. What is funny about this?

Our current administration. Massive corruption, country deeply divided, COVID crisis poorly handled, and cheating on taxes. Who can stand four more years of this?

LETTERS/OPINIONS Submit your letters (maximum 350 words)

online: nwobserver.com e-mail : editor@nwobserver.com

Include your name, daytime phone number and name of community.

Letters from the same writer will be published no more than every 30 days.

Student shares insights on school return I am an eighth-grade student who will soon return to school, so I’ve decided to give my input on this.

Pros It will be a lot easier for teachers to instruct – like if they want to show a video, they just pull it up and project it instead of sharing their screen. They also can do oneon-one work easier, because a student can have them come over, and won’t have to worry about the rest of the class listening.

And, teachers will get to know their students better because instead of a name on a list, they get to see their face.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Cons Masks will have to be worn all day. And to keep things clean, the students for the most part will stay in one classroom and the teachers will move around. This means that I will be exposed to less classmates, but also means that if my friends aren’t in my class, I don’t really see them at school.

Overall, I think returning to school is a necessary step to get back to some form of normalcy, but it’s not without a few drawbacks.

Jake Priddy, 14 Northwest Middle School student

 AUTO SALES & SERVICE SAM'S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 965-7955.

CHOICE TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE. Oil changes, inspections, alignments and general automotive repairs. 1080 US Hwy 66 S, Kernersville, NC. (336) 992-9002.

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.

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Place online at

Saturday, Oct. 17 8 am to 1 pm 1616 NC 68 North, Oak Ridge

(1/8 mile south of Quality Mart – look for signs at the end of our driveway)

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

Desktop files and folders,

miscellaneous office “stuff”

NWO T-shirts, notepads, pens –

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

 EMPLOYMENT THE GARDEN OUTLET is hiring for our landscape crew. Please call (336) 643-0898 for more details.

INDEX

BILL'S PIZZA PUB in Oak Ridge is hiring for both day and night shifts. Please apply in person, 1431 NC Hwy. 68, Oak Ridge.

We're looking for happy workers for happy customers!

Auto Sales & Service ........ 43 Employment .................... 43 Public Notice ..............43-44  PUBLIC NOTICE Yard Sales ..................43-44 In order to comply with Governor Cooper's Save the Date......................44 Executive Order No. 169 and to promote and protect the safety and well-being of our Home Services ...........44-46 community, the Annual Meeting of the Oak Misc. Services .................. 46 Ridge Fire and Rescue Company, Inc., Misc. for Sale .................. 46 scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2020, at 7:30 pm, will be postponed until NovemMisc. Wanted .................. 46 ber 9, 2020, at 7:30 pm. This meeting is bePets & Animal Services .... 46 ing rescheduled to this date in anticipation Real Estate ................. 46-47 continued on p. 44

we’ve got more than enough!

Furniture pieces, odds and ends, some big and some small From a farm table to unused desks, how did we accumulate it all?

We’re decluttering our office and our homes, too

As we prepare for a yard sale – in which the invitees are YOU! We’ve got so many unneeded items that need to go Fall decorations, Mason jars and more, all at prices marked low

We hope to pass along some treasures, from ordinary to unique Please, come join our staff later this week!

DIRECTIONS: Look for the Northwest Observer mailbox on the bright, red post at the entrance to our driveway – then, come ¼-mile back to the end, where you’ll find us set up outside.

Please follow SOCIAL DISTANCING guidelines!

The Northwest Observer • Totally The Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal sincesince 19961996

OCT.1515 - 28,2020 2020 OCT. - 28,

43 43

of Phase 3 re-opening and may be subject to further postponement as necessary to comply with any Executive Orders or to preserve public health and safety. The purpose of the meeting includes the election of corporate officers and directors, the presentation of the annual performance and financial reports for the fiscal year ending June 8, 2020, and other business of the corporation. Anyone interested in seeking a position on the Board should contact Administrative Assistant Gale Long to obtain and file the required candidate forms. Due to this postponement, the previous filing period has been re-opened as of October 6, 2020, and will now close on October 9, 2020. Those desiring to vote at the meeting must be registered voters in the Oak Ridge Fire District and be listed on the voter registration rolls as maintained by the Guilford County Board of Elections effective as of October 9, 2020. Those seeking additional information or candidate forms may contact Gale at 8325 Linville Road, Oak Ridge, NC 27310, or by telephone at 336-643-3783.

SAVE THE DATE CRAFT FAIR. Sat., Oct. 17. 9am-1pm. Rain date: Sat., Oct. 24. 871 Gold Hill Rd., Madison. Vendors welcome. Can accommodate 14 vendors. Call Kathy, (336) 520 8493.

OAK RIDGE FIREFIGHTERS' BBQ. Sat., Oct. 17. 9am-12pm or until sold out. Station 15, 8325 Linville Road, Oak Ridge. Takeout only. BBQ is $8 per pound. To pre-order 20 lbs. or more, please call (336) 643-3783.

YARD SALES HUGE YARD SALE. Saturday, Oct. 17.

8am-2pm. 151 Dionne Way, Stokesdale.

Antiques, household, furniture, framed prints, collectibles, clothes, scrubs.

MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE. Saturday, Oct. 17. Starting at 7am. Crutchfield Farms, off of Alcorn Rd., Oak Ridge.

YARD SALE. Saturday, Oct 17. 8am-noon.

8209 Chestershire Rd., Oak Ridge, in the Huntcliff subdivision. Household items, clothing, appliances.

44 44

OCT. OCT. 15 15--28, 28,2020 2020

YARD SALES

HOME SERVICES

HOME SERVICES

BELEWS LANDING Community Yard Sale. Saturday, October 17. 7am-noon.

Crows Nest Drive near Carolina Marina.

THE CLEANING TECHNICIAN LLC. With the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be a little overwhelmed. I would like to offer my cleaning services at a discount. Licensed, bonded, and insured. Call Lisa, (336) 207-0770.

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES

MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE. Saturday, October 17. 7am-noon. 8127 Flatrock Rd., Stokesdale. Making room.

YARD SALE. Sat., Oct. 17, & Sat., Oct. 24.

8am-until. 507 Starfire Ct., Oak Ridge.

Crafts, craft supplies, clothes, household Items, bottle lamps & much more.

ESTATE SALE. Fri., Oct. 30, & Sat., Oct. 31.

8am-2pm. 133 Old Mill Dr., Summerfield.

Rain or Shine! Machine shop tools, lathes, drill press, lawn tools & equip., furniture.

EVERYTHING MUST GO!

Planning a Yard Sale?

Place your ad online at

www.nwobserver.com

HOME SERVICES AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING A-ACTION AIR. Will your furnace work this season? Call (336) 382-3750 or (336) 268-6768.

CLEANING CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING Gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. windowcleaningnc.com (336) 595-2873 CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Will fit to your budget. Pet taxi/pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, (336) 231-1838.

Tell our readers how you can help.

Call or email Laura for advertising info (336) 644-7035, ext. 11 advertising@nwobserver.com

ANNASARAH'S CLEANING. Excellent references. Trustworthy. Family owned business. Free estimates. (336) 543-3941.

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

PAOLA CLEANING SERVICE. Residential & commercial. Insured. (336) 669-5210.

DECORATING CUSTOM FRAMING, BLISSFUL STUDIOS. Private framing appts. available. Local art & gifts. 4533 US Hwy 220 Summerfield.

Located across from Golden Antiques.

(336) 298-4502.

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.

Like us on Facebook and keep up with all the northwest-area news!

ELECTRICAL 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.

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

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

FLOORING 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.

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

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.

SMALL ENGINE AND MOWER REPAIR is back at a new location. Welding available. Call or text Morris at (336) 880-7498.

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

OLD SCHOOL

HOME REPAIR /IMPROVEMENTS “No Job Too Small”

Wood Rot Repairs • Bathroom Remodeling Painting • Decks and much more! • Insured

Contact us for a free estimate!

(336) 669-7252

oldschoolsjhr@triad.rr.com

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

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.

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.

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

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

Offer a home service?

Place your ad:

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

NC FORESTRY, MULCHING & LANDWORKS. Triad's top-rated land experts!

Forestry clearing, site clearing, drainage installation, driveway installation, etc. Check us out on Facebook and Google, NCForestryMulching.com, or call (336) 362-6181.

PECHES LANDSCAPING & LAWNCARE. Tree service, brush cutting & clearing, mulching, landscaping & lawncare, deck, fence and retainer wall building, land clearing, wood chipping and snow removal..

Call John, (336) 451-6941, or call Brad, (336) 453-6180.

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

PAINTING & DRYWALL

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.

EXTERIOR GREENSCAPES. Lawn maintenance service. Call for a free estimate (336) 682-1456.

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.

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

Fill dirt, asphalt millings, stone and more.

Daniel Wilson, (336) 339-0212.

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

The Northwest Observer

Keeping you connected since 1996!

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

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Free estimates.

Licensed & insured. (336) 643-9157.

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.

DELIMA LAWNCARE. Commercial & Residential. Free estimates. (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 32 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.

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

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

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

MASONRY 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.

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.

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

(336) 643-6427.

JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, out buildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc.

Call (336) 706-8470.

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

WE’LL BE BACK IN PRINT THURSDAY, OCT. 29 Place your CLASSIFIED AD: (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 classifieds@nwobserver.com www.nwobserver.com

The Northwest Observer • Totally The Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal sincesince 19961996

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

(336) 931-0600

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

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

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. Interior and exterior. 24 hours/7 days a week. Free estimates, licensed/insured. (336) 669-5210.

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

Your business should be here!

Let us introduce you to our readers.

Call Rene' at (336) 644-7035 to find out how we can help you!

PLUMBING 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.

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.

continued on p. 46

OCT.1515 - 28,2020 2020 OCT. - 28,

45 45

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 HOME SERVICES

 PETS & ANIMAL SVCS.

PRESSURE WASHING

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

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

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

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

WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING LLC. Bonded & Insured. Follow us on Facebook.

Call or text (336) 339-6845.

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

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. N.C. General Contractor with 30 years experience. Specializing in new homes, room additions, kitchens & baths, garages, decks, vinyl siding and windows, painting, tile, laminate and vinyl plank, and remodeling of all kinds. Quality for the Right Price. 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.

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.

Offer a home service?

Place your ad:

46 46

OCT. OCT. 15 15--28, 28,2020 2020

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

Like us on Facebook and keep up with all the northwest-area news!

 MISC. SERVICES ERRANDS, laundry, mowing, babysitting, doctor appts., cooking, cleaning, etc. $13 per hour. Please call (336) 209-0344.

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

AMERICAN BUILDER CONSTRUCTION INC. Repairs & remodeling, kitchens/baths, additions, decks, attics, basements. Licensed & insured. Short wait list.

NC General Contractors. (336) 225-7478.

Services TM Construction , INC

BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS

Roof and window replacement

(336) 644-8615 office (336) 508-5242 cell Licensed & insured NC Gen. Contractor #72797

ROOFING ROOFING PRO PROFESSIONAL SVCS. Roofing, siding, windows and gutters. $500 discount for first-time buyers. Not valid with any other offers. Call Ray, (336) 419-6245.

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.

RED RHINO ROOFING, based in Oak Ridge, NC. Storm damage specialist experienced with all types of roofing. BBB accredited A, and listed with Angie's List. Call (336) 944-6118, or visit redrhinoroofing.com.

 REAL ESTATE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY SPACE AVAILABLE. 350 sq. ft. Located at Haircraft, 2601 Oak Ridge Rd. Separate entrance. Great for nail tech. or office space. $600/mo. Available Nov. 1.

Call (336) 609-1300.

LAND FOR SALE Locally owned & operated

Gated access with 24/7 camera surveillance 6705 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale • (336) 643-9963 (affiliated with Stokesdale Storage)

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

SEASONED FIREWOOD, delivered & stacked, 1/2 cord, $80. Call (336) 686-6373.

PERSIMMON PULP, pudding and more.

Call (336) 816-3441.

Got stuff?

Need stuff?

Place your ad online at

51 ACRES. Rockingham County, Bethany area. Mostly wooded. (336) 580-2452.

COMING SOON! Summerfield/Greensboro. 14 exclusive one +/- acre homesites.

For more information call (336) 430-9507.

SUMMERFIELD/ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. Small and large tracts available. Gorgeous property. Call (336) 430-9507 anytime.

HOMES FOR RENT FOR RENT IN MAYODAN. 2 BD, LR, kitchen w/DW, BA, laundry w/WD, C/A, deck, porch, storage shed, carport. $600/mo.

(336) 554-1184.

NICE 1-LEVEL TOWNHOUSE, convenient Guilford College area, quiet neighborhood.

2BR/2BA. $975 per month. (336) 392-1454.

2 BED, 1 BATH, duplex in Stokesdale. $850/month. For info call (336) 549-0501.

Your ad will reach every mailbox with an Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale mailing address.

020

12 th annual edition

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

FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, ATVs, generators, power washers, go-carts, mini-bikes, golf carts, 4-wheelers, etc. (336) 689-4167.

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

y, Keep it hanedn use it oft published by

 REAL ESTATE

 REAL ESTATE

HOMES FOR SALE

HOMES FOR SALE

COMING SOON

NEW CONSTRUCTION IN OAK RIDGE

index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS

Please support

advertisers , and tell them where you saw their ad.

our

end at the Visit this week 17 & 18, 1-5pm t.

Oc , es m Ho Parade of

270 N Bunker Hill Rd, Colfax Custom built home on 2.75 AC; NW Guilford Schools. Unfinished basement, open plan, plenty of room to park your RV/boat or to install a future pool.

Loads of privacy and NO HOA!

8413 Wolf Ridge Trail Disney Construction in the new Wolf Ridge development. Oak Ridge and NW schools.

Open floor plan with 3 bedrooms on main with a suite on second level plus bonus!

Office can flex as dining, library or living room. Covered rear porch with fireplace.

Ready this Fall.

DeDe Cunningham

Nancy J. Hess

REALTOR /Broker NC Licensed Contractor ®

nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

(336) 509-1923 dedesrealestategroup.com dedecunningham@kw.com

COME VISIT OUR PARADE HOMES Saturday & Sunday 1-5pm

AUTUMN RIDGE TOWNHOMES IN OAK RIDGE!

Open Sunday 2-4 pm

buyshugart.com

31 custom homes tucked away in a perfect location off of Pleasant Ridge Road behind Pleasant Ridge Christian Church in Summerfield. Homes will start in the $470’s. Construction has started and lots are still available!

Nancy J. Hess

nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

Unique Townhomes available in Oak Ridge.

Only 5 units left! Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this wonderful community.

Nancy J. Hess

nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

Kim Wilson

kwilson@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 662-7805

We’ll be back in print

Thursday, Oct. 29 To place a DISPLAY AD in our next issue or a future issue, contact Laura at: (336) 644-7035, ext. 11, or advertising@nwobserver.com To place a CLASSIFIED AD: www.nwobserver.com | (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 | classifieds@nwobserver.com

Without their partnership, the Northwest Observer could not be free to you, our readers!

ACCOUNTING

By the Book Accounting .................... 48 Carlotta Lytton, PCA ......................... 36 Kimberly Thacker Accounting............ 36 Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC....... 8

AUTOMOTIVE SALES / SERVICE

EuroHaus .......................................... 43 Piedmont Truck Tires Inc. .................. 40 Prestige Car Wash ............................... 6 Tire Max ............................................ 39 Vestal Buick / GMC .............................15

BUILDING & REMODELING

Disney Construction Company........... 25 Don Mills Builders .............................. 28 Friddle & Company.............................31 Johnson & Lee, LLC........................... 24 Naylor Custom Homes ...................... 23 R&K Custom Homes ......................... 27 Ray Bullins Construction .................... 23 RS Dezern Construction .................... 26 TM Construction Services .................. 46 Walraven Signature Homes ............... 26

CANDIDATES

Carly Cooke, County Commissioner... 20 John Faircloth, NC House of Rep. .......16 Prosperity Guilford for Carly Cooke ...... 5 Sebastian King, NC State Senate ...... 18 Troy Lawson, County Commissioner .. 22

CHARTER SCHOOL

Revolution Academy ............................ 7

FLORIST

Daly Floral Design ............................. 36

FUNERAL SERVICES

Forbis & Dick Stokesdale ................... 48

GROCERIES / SUPPLIES

Southern Foods ..................................13

HEALTH & FITNESS

SNAP Fitness..................................... 33

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

BEK Paint Company .......................... 45 Carpets by Direct ............................... 29 Eanes Heating & Air ............................ 2 New Garden Landscaping & Nursery ..32 Old School Home Repair ................... 44 ProStone, Inc. .................................... 32 Rymack Storage ................................ 46 Stokesdale Heating & Air....................12

INSURANCE

Gladwell Insurance ............................ 38

LEGAL SERVICES

Barbour & Williams Law .................... 38

MEDICAL CARE

LeBauer HealthCare...........................11 Wake Forest Baptist Health ................. 3

ORTHODONTIC CARE

Olmsted Orthodontics ....................... 34

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS

CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Guardian Ad Litem ............................ 35

Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital ............... 36 King’s Crossing Animal Hospital .......... 4 Northwest Animal Hospital .................. 8

CHURCH

REAL ESTATE

Central Baptist Church/AWANA........... 7

DENTAL SERVICES

Summerfield Family Dentistry ............ 34

EVENTS

GSO Builders’ Parade of Homes .........19 Oak Ridge Fire Dept. BBQ................. 37 OneBlood Blood Drive ......................... 9

The Northwest Observer • Totally The Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal sincesince 19961996

A New Dawn Realty .................... 41, 48 DeDe Cunningham, Keller Williams ....47 Nancy Hess, Berkshire Hathaway .......47 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX ............ 21, 30 Smith Marketing, Allen Tate .............. 23

YOUTH SPORTS / CAMPS

Oak Ridge Youth Association .............. 6

OCT.1515 - 28,2020 2020 OCT. - 28,

47 47

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Postal Patron

Oak Ridge, NC Permit No. 22

PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 • (336) 644-7035

gems in

ECRWSS

downtown

Stokesdale Trust. Compassion. Respect.

Proudly serving generations of families in northwest Guilford County and beyond for over 75 years.

Stokesdale

8320 US Highway 158 | (336) 643-3711

Greensboro

1118 N Elm Street | (336) 275-8408 5926 W Friendly Ave | (336) 299-9171

Locally owned and operated • forbisanddick.com At A New Dawn Realty, our team is passionate about serving the needs of our local community. We strive to offer top-notch service and have always been willing to go the extra mile to achieve our clients’ best interests.

Our team combines exceptional energy and experience, and you’ll feel confident you made the right decision if you allow us to assist you! Visit our website or Facebook page to view our clients’ testimonials.

A New Dawn Realty Tea m !

(336) 643-4248

Accounting & Tax Accounting Bookkeeping Payroll Tax Preparation Notary Public Copy Center

Anne M. Garner, EA 8304-C Hwy 158, Stokesdale (336) 441-8325 • annegarner605@gmail.com

It’s time to FALL for a great marketing plan Let us help you advertise your downtown Stokesdale business direct-mailed to

12,000+ homes

1,400 copies

online 24/7

free pickup

8500 Ellisboro Road, Suite B, Stokesdale

Contact Laura to start your targeted ad campaign

www.ANewDawnRealty.com

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

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