Northwest Observer / Dec. 7-20, 2023 by pscommunications

Dec. 7 - 20, 2023

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Walker’s request for new Summerfield election denied Newcomers Hamilton and Clay will be sworn in Dec. 12 after the county’s Board of Elections determined ‘nothing proven’ in the councilman’s allegations by CHRIS BURRITT GREENSBORO/SUMMERFIELD – Guilford County’s Board of Elections rejected Summerfield councilman Reece Walker’s petition for a new election last week after concluding he failed to prove that Gail Dunham’s behavior may have violated state campaign rules. At a hearing before the board on Dec. 1, Walker and several polling chiefs in Summerfield testified that

IN THIS ISSUE ORTC meeting preview; Blust, Bardsley file..............................2 Rezoning sought for U.S. 220 property.. 3 Your Questions......................................4

Stokesdale Christmas Parade, Dec. 9....................12

Pets & Critters.......................................13 Rescuing farm animals......................14 Adoptable Pets....................................16 Canine upper respiratory infection.....16 NWO Kids’ Korner................................19 Crime/Incident Report.......................22 Community Calendar.......................24 Congrats NWMS Twelve, ORYA Angels..27 Oak Ridge Light Up the Night........... 31 Grins and Gripes.................................32 Unexpected blessings of cancer.......34 Summerfield Tree Lighting.................. 35 Classifieds............................................36 Index of Advertisers............................39 NWO On The Go..................................40

Summerfield councilman Reece Walker is sworn in to testify by court reporter Dona Overby prior to a hearing before the county’s Board of Elections in downtown Greensboro on Dec. 1. While acknowledging that Summerfield citizen Gail Dunham’s behavior at a polling site on Election Day was irregular, the board voted 5-0 to reject Walker’s claim that it violated state campaign rules.

Dunham distributed boxes of candy to election workers and escorted at least two voters into the polling place at Summerfield First Baptist Church. But in a 5-0 vote after the hearing, the board concluded those findings didn’t prove that Dunham’s actions swayed enough voters to change the outcome of the Nov. 7 election. Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO

...continued on p. 18

Christmas traditions, cherished memories Each holiday season we enjoy a tradition of our own, which is to ask our readers about their Christmas traditions and most memorable Christmases. As always, we thank those who obliged us with some amusing, touching and inspiring responses.

compiled by ANNETTE JOYCE Denise Sacks’s favorite Christmas memories come from her elementary school days when her family lived in Charlotte. “We had a tradition of going to McAdenville, North Carolina, known as ‘Christmas Town USA,’ to see the entire community decorated with lights and singing Christmas carols as we drove through,” said Sacks, who lives in Oak Ridge.

Thirteen-year-old Jordan Smith, who lives in Stokesdale, has vivid memories of last year’s Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, when temperatures were “freezing cold.” “There was an Arctic blast,” she said. “I was the coldest I’ve ever been in my life.”

...continued on p. 8

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discussed delaying construction of the boardwalk until later, resulting in the OAK RIDGE – Newly elected Oak Ridge second round of bidding that separated Town Council members Jim Harton, Mike My goal is simply to help construction you achieve a path of wellness withfrom the of the main site Stone and Michael Gleeson will be sworn your dental health. I wantboardwalk. it to be as easy as possible to have into office by Marc (336) Tyrey,a smile a District Court 559-4023 that lasts in both form and function. Come Separately, the council will consider exceptional dentistry! judge in Guilford County.experience 1009 NC-150 W, approving a contract accepting $140,000 –Tristan J. Parry DDS Summerfield, Following the ceremony, councilNC 27358 from Guilford County for the installation members will elect a mayor and mayor of security cameras at Town Park and pro tem to serve for the next two years. possibly Heritage Farm Park. In addition, The town plans to recognize outgoing the funds will pay for construction of a council members Martha Pittman, playground at Heritage Farm Park that’s George McClellan and Spencer Sullivan. accessible to people with disabilities. In new business, the council plans In other business, the council plans to consider authorizing town staff to to review two items: the Farmhouse contract with ASJ Wilson Construction to Community Center project and the build the Veterans Honor Green. mayor’s salary. The lowest of five bidders, GreensThe council will also consider boro-based ASJ proposed to build the approving the expenditure of $9,668.49 veterans’ site for $255,000, with an to install new equipment and microalternate bid of $63,000 that would add phones to improve audio capabilities in construction of the boardwalk leading to the Town Hall conference room. the site. The system engineered by In October, the council rejected an

...continued on p. 29

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NW GUILFORD – Former state legislator John Blust and Michelle Bardsley, an educator and business woman, are seeking the Republican nomination for the District 62 state House of Representatives. The seat is being vacated by Republican Rep. John Faircloth who plans to retire next year after serving seven twoyear terms, according to his office. The 62nd House district, as redrawn for the 2024 election, covers the northern and western sections of Guilford County. The area includes northern Greensboro, Summerfield, Oak Ridge, Stokesdale, Colfax and some northwestern High Point neighborhoods.

John Blust

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The district appears to lean slightly Republican, the Associated Press reported, citing statewide census data. Blust and Bardsley announced their candidacies last month, ahead of the official filing period that started this past Monday, Dec. 4, and runs through

...continued on p. 6

Business rezoning sought for U.S. 220 property

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Owners of four parcels at the southwestern corner of U.S. 220 and N.C. 150 in Summerfield have applied to rezone the entire 4.8 acres for commercial development.

The owners are offering conditions that would prevent “obnoxious lighting” and roundthe-clock operation of businesses by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – The owners of nearly 4.8 acres consisting of four separate parcels at the southwestern corner of U.S. 220 and N.C. 150 are seeking the business rezoning

of the entire tract for commercial development. Three of the four parcels owned by Matt Lewis and Ryan Hayes are currently zoned for residential single family (RS-30). The other tract, at roughly 1 ½ acres, is located at the corner of the intersection and is zoned for general business (GB). It is currently listed for sale by Linville Team Partners of Winston-Salem, for $1.1 million. The site “would be ideal for many major retailers,” Linville Team Partners’

...continued on p. 29

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I saw that the Summerfield Fire Department helped fight the wildfire at Sauratown Mountain last month. How did the department assist? We checked with Summerfield Fire Chief Chris Johnson, one of the department’s five firefighters deployed to Sauratown Mountain in Stokes County. The crew of Johnson, lieutenants Brandon Bull and Chris Gibson and firefighter/drivers Chris Angel and Josh Conaway worked a 12-hour shift, arriving around 6 p.m. Nov. 20 and returning to Summerfield the next morning. Overnight, water from the department’s 1,500-gallon engine/tanker helped protect three houses from flames, Johnson said in an email last week. The tanker also supplied water to a brush truck assigned to the Summerfield firemen. Firefighters protected the first house until flames passed the

Photo courtesy of Summerfield Fire District

Summerfield firefighter Josh Conaway gives the thumbs up after he and the department’s crew protected a house from flames while assisting at Sauratown Mountain in Stokes County on Nov. 20. As of early last week, the fire was almost fully contained after burning more than 800 acres, according to news reports.

structure, and then the crew moved across rough, brushy terrain to the second and third houses, the chief said. “Our main job was structural protection,” Johnson said. “Forest fires like the one in Sauratown are so

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massive that you are not there to put out the fire but to make sure the structures in the fire area do not burn. Our guys worked their tails off during the high point of the fire getting around the structures.”

...continued on p. 6

Planning Board recommends denying commercial rezoning request

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At its Dec. 12 meeting, Summerfield Town Council will consider a rezoning application for two adjacent parcels on Addison Drive that abut U.S. 220. The property owners have requested the combined 1.22-tract be rezoned from RS-30 (residential) to a conditional-use business district.

by CHRIS BURRITT

the motion to deny it.

SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield’s Planning Board recommended the denial of a rezoning request by a Summerfield couple who wants to build a vehicle graphics business on vacant property between U.S. 220 and a neighborhood.

The council plans to consider approval of the rezoning request during its meeting next Tuesday, Dec. 12.

The board voted 3-2 to deny the rezoning request after Addison Drive property owner Matt Cross said he would construct a building with a farmhouse look in keeping with “the rural charm and feel of Summerfield.” Business signs would be visible only along Highway 220, not from the neighborhood, while vehicles being serviced would be kept inside of the shop, Cross said. “As much as I like the building and all the restrictions, I don’t think that’s the right use for the property,” board member Kathy Rooney said during the Nov. 27 meeting. She joined board chair Dick Feulner and board member Trudy Whitacre in recommending the Town Council deny the rezoning request while board member Clint Babcock and alternate Tara Peterson voted against

The board’s vote went against the recommendation of Summerfield’s Planning Department, which recommended approval of the rezoning application based upon goals of the town’s comprehensive plan that encourage appropriate, limited commercial development and creating an attractive community appearance. At present, the parcels are “vacant and unmaintained,” planning manager Brad Rentz told the board. Later during a public hearing, resident Joe Bigham said he doesn’t mind driving past the parcels. “I don’t really think that any of those lots are what I would call really ugly,” he said. Cross, a Greensboro firefighter, and his wife, Katherine, bought the property from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) in August.

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DEC. 7 - 20, 2023 5

BLUST, BARDSLEY RUNNING ...continued from p. 2 REZONING DENIED ...continued from p. 5 Friday, Dec. 15, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. Voters will select their parties’ nominees in the March 5, 2024 primary. The general election is Nov. 5, 2024. Blust, a lawyer who lives in northwestern Greensboro, said the newly redrawn district resembles the House district he represented for nine terms ending in 2018. Earlier, he served in the state Senate. In a statement announcing his return to politics, Blust said he would seek greater transparency in decision making by lawmakers. He cited the proposed legalization of new casinos as part of the adoption of the state budget – as opposed to stand-alone consideration – as an example of “the wrong way for the North Carolina legislature to conduct business.” Blust said he also opposed “the threat by legislative leaders” to

de-annex almost 1,000 acres in Summerfield owned by developer David Couch. In her announcement, Bardsley said she would support “local town governance” if elected to the House. She added her campaign priorities are the economy, education, public safety, healthcare and housing. Noting that CNBC has rated North Carolina as America’s top state for business for two years in a row, Bardsley said on her website that she will work to “recruit companies into our communities for good-paying jobs and economic growth.” A northern Greensboro resident, Bardsley said her experience in public education as a teacher and instructional leader spans 16 years. She also has 13 years of business experience in accounting, finance, information technology and project management.

Years ago, the agency acquired several parcels along that stretch of Highway 220 to accommodate the widening of the highway. Consisting of 1.22 acres, the adjacent tracts at 7508 and 7602 Addison Drive abut NCDOT’s easement on the western side of the highway. On the other side of Addison Drive is a neighborhood of older houses between Myers Fork and Rhondan roads. The area is located behind Summerfield Fire District’s station No. 9 on Summerfield Road. The couple is seeking to rezone the property from single-family residential (RS-30) to conditional zoning business district (CZ-BN). Among the conditions is a limitation on the potential uses of the property, based partly upon the types of businesses that Cross said he believes would benefit Summerfield residents. They include a library, government office, place of worship, park, bed and breakfast inn and ambulance service. However, board member Clint Babcock expressed concern about other uses

that are permitted in a business district, such as automotive repair and auto sales and rental. During the public hearing, several residents of the area urged the board to recommend denying the rezoning application. They expressed concerns about traffic, possible break-ins at the new business and the possibility that it could lead the way to adjacent lots being rezoned from residential to business. Whitacre and Feulner shared the same concern about the possible “domino effect” on the rezoning of other parcels. Bigham, of Loire Drive, said he believes that Cross has “the best of intentions” in setting up his shop. But he added that if the business were sold there’s no guarantee the new owner would maintain the building or the grounds. Whitacre asked whether a willow oak on the property would be preserved. Speaking from the audience, Cross said “my goal is to keep everything that we can.’’

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Firefighters from Summerfield and elsewhere in Guilford and surrounding counties arrived after Stokes County crews “had been working tirelessly for over 48 hours without a break,” Johnson said. “They needed help, and in the fire service when someone calls for help that is our job to go and help,” he said. “Because if we have a major event here and we need that help, they would be coming. The day of thinking you can handle every event in your district by yourself is over.”

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After the Summerfield crew returned home safely, about two inches of rain began falling at Sauratown Mountain, aiding firefighters, but not extinguishing the flames.

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“That mountain has a bad history of fires reigniting,” said Jimmy Holt,

the state Forest Service ranger in Guilford County. After rainfall ends, embers can lie dormant in the forest soil and under rocks and start burning again as dry, windy conditions return. The prolonged dry spell, coupled with falling leaves in the autumn, heightened the risk of the Sauratown Mountain fire reigniting, Holt said in a recent interview. As of early last week, the fire was almost fully contained after burning more than 800 acres, according to news reports. In their final efforts, crews checked for hot spots along the containment line that firefighters had established earlier. They also spread grass seed and straw to deter water runoff on the steep terrain and near streams.

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CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS, MEMORIES

some are from different countries,” said Andreescu, who is from Russia. “For some, my card may be the only one they will receive that year. Sharing beautiful physical cards is very rewarding.”

...continued from p. 1

She probably could have endured the cold more easily, except that her two horses were counting on her and her mom to take care of them. The first thing mother and daughter did Christmas morning was head to the barn, which had not yet been hooked up to electricity or water. “The water troughs were frozen over about three inches, and we had to hammer through them to get to the fresh water,” she said, adding that at one point she just curled up in the hay and cried. After the chores were completed, however, Smith happily headed back to the coziness of her warm home to open gifts with her family. She’s dreaming of a balmy Christmas this year. In 2001, Olga Andreescu of Summerfield was anticipating a

lonely Christmas. “It was the first Christmas after my divorce, my 7-year-old son wanted to spend two weeks with his grandma and I really did not have any friends,” she said. “That year I was literally alone – no friends, no family and no parties.” Rather than wallow in self-pity, Andreescu decided to help herself by bringing joy to others, specifically her coworkers at RF Micro Devices (RFMD). So, she started writing holiday cards, paired them with sweets and candies and delivered them to her immediate coworkers and their families. Andreescu continues to find joy in this simple act, which has turned into an annual tradition. “Not everyone has family and friends close by to gather with, as

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Andreescu’s list has grown considerably longer through the years. This Christmas she’ll pass along holiday cheer through over 100 cards. Marcia Wall cherishes the blessing of being able to serve as director for “The Hanging of the Greens” for 25-plus years at Central Baptist Church in Oak Ridge. In this role, Wall was responsible for planning the program, enlisting a team for decoration prep and takedown, and directing the program the Sunday night after Thanksgiving. “My favorite year was 1998. We had just completed our new sanctuary and were starting the decorating from scratch,” Wall said. “A team of ladies planned, shopped together, and

spent numerous hours making all the wreaths, garlands, bows, etc., in gold, white and silver. What a wonderful time we had fellowshipping together for months! “I am happy to say the one-hourand-15-minute program went off without a hitch. The church glowed with the beauty and music praising the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It was such a joy to see everyone so happy and the children were in awe of their special time at the altar with the pastor. The 12-foot Christmas tree just blew their minds. “At a designated time, each family or member brought their purchased new ornament to place on the tree, all with a special meaning. Many family pictures were taken in front of the tree that night. The music, the stories and the glow of Christ on everyone’s faces was a wonderful sight to behold. “The thing most touching to me was at the end of the service when the

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congregation all came forward to the altar singing ‘O, Come All Ye Faithful’ followed by the benediction. At that time, we were truly ‘one in the bond of love.’” Due to joint replacements and an inability to endure the physical labor required, Wall reluctantly relinquished the responsibility for the program about two years ago. “I feel I have lost a part of my soul by passing this responsibility on to others, but it had to be done,” she said. One of Sarah Martinez’s favorite traditions is a simple one – enjoying her grandma’s homemade lasagna for Christmas dinner. “I know it’s not a very traditional Christmas dish, but we look forward to it every year,” the Stokesdale resident said. Nancy Creider’s fondest memory occurred the first year she and her husband, John, who passed away in 2017, were married. “John and I had gotten married in November and we didn’t have any Christmas decorations,” said Creider, who lives in Kernersville. Even so, they bought a live tree a couple of days before Christmas. On Christmas Eve, the couple found themselves roaming through the now defunct Zayre department store looking for decorations. They found exactly what they wanted – red satin bells with little gold balls. The only problem was that the ornaments were being used to decorate one of the store’s trees and there weren’t any others like them for sale. The store manager came to the rescue and with his help, the couple undressed the tree, even taking the lights, and went back home to trim their own tree. “That was 58 years ago, and I still have one of those bells,” Creider said. Oak Ridge resident Jade Weaver’s

sweetest Christmas memories date back to her childhood. “Every year on Christmas Eve my great-grandma, the one and only Geneva Tucker, would come spend the night with us,” Weaver said. “This was so special because she was a true homebody who lived alone and preferred it that way. She was a force to be reckoned with and feared nothing – they don’t make them like her anymore! “We would have Christmas treats, yummy snacks and stay up tracking Santa and the reindeer on the news until it was time to go to bed. “The next morning, she was always gone early and would be busy making Christmas breakfast at her house, where we would all go after opening presents. “She was the best cook and I swear, true southern food just hasn’t tasted as good since she passed.” Michele Lalumondier’s favorite Christmas memory revolves around a Christmas Eve tradition that comes from her Italian ancestors. “Our family has a tradition of serving seven fishes for Christmas Eve dinner, after attending Mass. We change up the dishes but always have seven seafood items,” said Laulmondier, a Summerfield resident. “It is something that my grandparents did for us as Italian immigrants, and we have kept it going.” “My favorite tradition/memory has to do with Christmas Eve,” recalled Greensboro resident Jim Scott, who pastors Awaken Church in Oak Ridge. “My mother would put out a huge spread of food after the Christmas Eve service. But what was special is that she would invite people who had no family in town. Our house would always be full of people celebrating the birth of Christ.

“Mom is in heaven now, but I hope she knows she was a great example of Christmas giving.” Greensboro residents Kim Johnson and her husband Mike are huge fans of the “The Andy Griffith Show,” which is reflected in the decorations on their Christmas tree. “Our Christmas tradition since 1995 is putting up our ‘Mayberry Christmas tree,’” said Johnson. “All the ornaments represent something from an episode. A few examples include a cow wearing shoes (‘Cow Thief’ episode), a purple tie with acorns (‘Gomer Gets a Date’), a barber chair, a fishing pole, jail keys, a sling shot, a candlestick phone, eight spark plugs (‘Man In A Hurry’), and a portrait of “Old Man Rimshaw” with his eyes actually following you (‘Haunted House episode’). The tree topper is a Mayberry sheriff’s badge.” Oak Ridge resident Amy Carrickhoff shared one of her favorite Christmas memories that involved a special gift from her husband 12 years ago. “My husband wrapped one of my gifts, put it under the tree and told me and my daughters not to touch it,” Carrickhoff said. “It was a very odd shape, and I had no idea what it was.” “When I opened it on Christmas morning, with all of the family around me, I was so surprised that I started to cry – it was a chainsaw! “I love working with power tools and building things, and for some reason I had always wanted a chainsaw. To validate my insanity, when I married my husband 17 years ago, my favorite gift we received was a circular saw.”

We’ll be back with more responses in our Dec. 21 issue. “Today we do the same in my Have a Christmas tradition home. We’ve had as many as 35 or favorite holiday memory people. I fry a couple of turkeys and smoke a rib roast and we spread some you’d like to share? Email it local@ since 1996 ChristmasThe cheerNorthwest and love. Observer • Totally to editor nwobserver.com.

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Stokesdale Christmas Parade, Dec. 9 Partly sunny skies and temperatures in the low 60s are predicted for the town’s much-loved and much-anticipated annual parade this Saturday The Town of Stokesdale and its Events Committee is gearing up for the annual Christmas parade this Saturday, Dec. 9, and town clerk Robbie Wagoner says this year’s parade will be even bigger and better than in years past. “The parade will feature an increased number of participants, adding to the joy and vibrancy of the festivities,” Wagoner wrote in an email

to parade participants and sponsors. There will be lots of activities for spectators to enjoy before and after the parade, so plan to come well before it begins and stay after it ends. Crafts and vendors (hosted by Purple Wagon Events) will be set up in File photo the front lawn of StokesMarching bands, dancers, floats, big trucks, little cars and much, much more are sure to delight specdale United Methodist tators attending Stokesdale’s annual Christmas parade this Saturday, Dec. 9. Church at 9 a.m. The popular Highland North Music School so spectators are encouraged to arrive will be performing live music nearby, early to allow enough time to park and beginning at 12 noon. Crossroads claim their spot along the route of the Community Church will be serving hot parade before it kicks off at 2 p.m. dogs and individually wrapped baked goods at Stokesdale Fire Station. The parade route will begin near the N.C. 68 and U.S. 158 intersection, Roads will be blocked off to all traffic surrounding the downtown area wind through downtown and end at at 1:15 p.m. Parking will be limited due Vaughn Street. to all of the pre-parade festivities at See Stokesdale Christmas Parade’s Stokesdale United Methodist Church, ad on p. 25.

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Bakari, an okapi at Greensboro Science Center, turned 17 on Nov. 30. Okapi have an average lifespan of 15-20 years.

Coco, a 5-pound Pomeranian, loves to snuggle and enjoys a cozy nap.

Photo courtesy of the Greensboro Scien ce

Clarabelle, one of the red Angus cows that resides on farmland owned by the Doggett family in Summerfield, keeps munching on hay even when the camera is pointed at her! The Doggetts currently have seven cows, one heifer, and five calves.

Mattie, a Labradoodle firehouse therapy dog, joined Summerfield Fire Department on Oct. 26. Mattie is adjusting beautifully to her new role with the department and in the community, and is enjoying all the attention and love she is getting!

rfield Fire Department Photo courtesy of Summe

Center

Ren, a 5-month-old Frenchie, has quickly become a beloved member of the Roe family. Viva, her 4-year old (human) best friend, is very proud of Ren and loves to take her along wherever she goes!

your pet or animal photos, and so do our readers! email them to: photos@nwobserver.com

Thanks to the advertisers who made this section possible.

Local rescue provides forever home for farm animals Three retirees with a passion for helping animals dedicate themselves to caring for 45 pot-bellied pigs, 40 goats, two donkeys and four dogs – but who’s counting? by ANNETTE JOYCE SUMMERFIELD – Last Resort Farm Animal Rescue (LRFAR) is a happy place where goats, pot-bellied pigs and donkeys roam the property and are well cared for in their forever home. For the rescue’s founders and caretakers, Joe and Mary Tesh, and their best friend, Ashley Huffman, the rescue is a labor of love fueled by a passion for helping animals and big hearts to match. The rescue is located on the Tesh family farm in Summerfield. It all began back in 1998 when Joe tired of constantly mowing the 11-acre property and decided to get four goats to help with the chore. Then, Mary decided she wanted a pig. In what the trio jokingly refer to as “pig math,” the one pig became three, which then became 20 and today has evolved into 45 pot-bellied pigs of varying sizes and ages. And about those four goats?

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Ruby, one of two rescued donkeys, tries to get a treat by cozying up to Ashley Hoffman (left), Mary and Joe Tesh at Last Resort Farm Animal Rescue. Currently, there are 40 goats, 15 of which are babies. Two donkeys and four dogs round out the farm population. LRFAR doesn’t have a lot of volunteers to take care of the animals. Although high school students occasionally help out, the job is ultimately left up to Joe, Mary and Ashley. Every day the animals have to be fed and watered and the “dirt pen” cleaned. Then, after all the chores are done, the three retirees get to do what they love best – spend time with the animals and enjoy their antics.

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“All of the animals have their own stories and personalities,” Mary said as she shows off Shrek and Fiona, two very large pigs contentedly sleeping in a mound of straw. Estimated to be in their early 20s, the mated pair came from Louisiana and has been with the rescue for about eight years.

climbed down into the hole where he was spotted. The pair discovered Charlie was a fainting goat when Mary startled him and the poor goat fell over. She was able to get him to Ashley, who pulled him free and then lay on top of him until Joe arrived. That’s when they noticed the goat was wearing a shock collar.

Then there’s Charlie, a fainting goat who was found in a nearby tobacco barn that had collapsed. Charlie had been on the loose for a while when Mary and Ashley cornered him underneath the structure.

“There’s never a dull moment,” said Ashley, who lives just minutes from the rescue. “Me and Mary have had some great times.”

Determined to rescue him, Mary

While Ashley’s talking, one of the smaller pigs, Lexie, lingers close by. Lexie was found wandering around in

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 One of the rescue organization’s 45 potbellied pigs enjoys getting some attention from Joe Tesh.  Mama goats and their babies live in a separate pen at Last Resort Farm Animal for over 10 years Providing care for adults and children Rescue. Photos by Annette Joyce/NWO

Lexington before coming to live at the rescue. “Lexie doesn’t like me. I’ve done nothing to her, but she doesn’t want me in her (pen),” Ashley said. To confirm her dislike for Ashley, Leslie has bitten her on the leg to encourage her to leave the fenced area. The determined little stalker follows close behind as Ashley, Joe and Mary move around the pen. It’s obvious she has her eye on Ashley as she slides by trying to get closer to her prey. Ashley keeps her distance and every once in a while, Joe shoos Lexie away. Although LRFAR does rescue these animals, the organization is actually more of a sanctuary since none of the animals are available for adoption. There are a couple of reasons for this.

the cost of straw and hay. “We use about 250 bales of hay every winter and 30 to 35 bales of straw for bedding,” Joe said. Selling the cute baby goats that are born on the farm helps cover the cost of hay and straw. To bring in additional money for expenses, Joe, Mary and Ashley also participate in monthly yard sales at Golden Antiques in Summerfield, with Joe noting that his and Mary’s house and a parked trailer are often loaded with items to sell. The rescue does receive some monetary donations and has a couple of benefactors. Donated pumpkins left over from their church’s fall pumpkin patch and too-ripe bananas from another nonprofit ensure the animals enjoy special treats.

First, it’s difficult to find homes for farm animals.

LRFAR organized as a nonprofit in 2020, which has helped with both awareness and financial assistance.

More importantly, however, their caregivers admit they’ve become too attached to part with any of them

want more info, or to donate?

“We tried to rehome some of them years ago, but we’re kind of hard to please when it comes to our babies,” Joe said. Running a rescue like LRFAR is expensive. Food and veterinary care are the biggest expenses – and then there is

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For more information about Last Resort Farm Animal Rescue, check 6161-A Lake Brandt Rd. | 336.643.1440 them out on Facebook. Donations can be made via PayPal or 7092 Summerfield Rd., Ste C | 336.441.8055 by checks written out to the rescue and mailed to 1065 NC Hwy 150 West, The Summerfield, NC 27358. Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 DEC. 7 - 20, 2023

TWO LOCATIONS

Adoptable Pets Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network HALO

Halo is a 2-year-old female, black otter rex rabbit and one of five rabbits that Red Dog Farm brought in from a hoarding situation. She and her rabbit friends are doing well and settling into their foster homes. Halo is very sweet and snuggly, and seems to enjoy being held. Halo’s fur is incredibly soft, which makes snuggling her for hours quite easy.

Canine respiratory illness merits caution, not panic The highly contagious infection is being closely monitored as researchers work to find the cause and an effective treatment by ANNETTE JOYCE

HOMER

Homer is a 20-year-old, senior Belgian draft horse who was surrendered to Red Dog Farm by a Good Samaritan who rescued him from a kill pen. Homer is now at a healthy weight and is ready for his new home! He loves to be groomed, get a bath and to eat. He is still scared of going into a stall but enjoys a run-in shelter to keep cool and dry. He gets along with other animals, including goats and mini horses (as you can see in this photo of Homer with his new friend, Sweet Pea)!

If you are interested in adopting Homer or Halo, fill out an application at www.reddogfarm.com. Interested in adopting a different friend? Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue has just about every size pet and species you can think of, from the tiniest gerbil to the biggest horse, and dogs and cats in between. If you can’t adopt right now but are still interested in helping out, we can always use foster homes and volunteers as well! Learn more online at www.reddogfarm.com/volunteer.

Guilford County Animal Resource Center SPRING GARDEN

Spring Garden is a sweet 7-pound tabby cat. Her green-gold eyes look forward to spring even during the chill of the approaching winter/holiday season. About 5 years old, Spring Garden has years of love to share with her new family. Let her warm your heart – ask for Spring Garden by ID GCAS-A-15710 .

PADDINGTON

Paddington, despite his name, is not a bear (although he does enjoy watching the Paddington films). This handsome fellow is a 45-pound mixed-breed dog. Like Paddington Bear, however, he’s affectionate and a good walker. At 4 1/2 years old, Paddington the dog, although a bit shy, has years of love to give his new family. Ask for him by ID GCAS-A-14058.

Guilford County Animal Resource Center

980 Guilford College Road, Greensboro • Walk-in adoptions: Wed-Sun, 12-4pm To check animals’ availability or make surrender appointments, call (336) 641-3400 or visit

www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/animal-services

Reports of a mysterious respiratory illness afflicting dogs have many owners concerned about their pet’s health. According to veterinarians, symptoms of this illness are similar to kennel cough, another highly contagious upper respiratory infection; however, it’s more serious, can last much longer, and in some cases, prove fatal. Dr. Mitch Spindel, a veterinarian and owner of Animal Ark Veterinary Hospital in Winston-Salem, updated his clients in a recent letter. “The American Veterinary Medical Association is closely monitoring an

infection moving across the country,” Spindel wrote. “State and national diagnostic laboratories are working to identify the causative pathogen but currently have not been able to. The possible virus has been linked to severe pneumonia and tragically has resulted in some fatalities.” Spindel went on to say the illness falls into three general categories. “Chronic bronchitis with a prolonged cough of up to eight weeks that is not responsive to antibiotics; chronic pneumonia that is minimally or not responsive to antibiotics; and acute pneumonia (which) quickly becomes severe and often has a poor outcome in as little as 24 hours.” So far, the illness has been confined to states mostly in the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast. One of several research labs, the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Lab has been investigating the illness for more than a year, but has yet to find a cause or effective treatment.

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unfamiliar dogs, avoid letting them use communal water bowls, and wipe down surfaces where other dogs have been. This brings up the prospect of grooming, doggie daycare and boarding, where dogs come in close contact with other dogs. In those cases, it’s a matter of cleanliness and whether there are any outbreaks in the area. Carol Boone, owner of Boone Pet Spa in Kernersville, has been following protocols to protect against disease transmission. “I have a very small shop, so I only have one dog in at a time,” she said. eb “I haven’t added a lot more cleaning o G because I’ve always been careful about ill B making sure everything is clean and and disinfected between grooming sessions.” D ori The best advice here is to talk with your groomer or pet care facility and discuss what precautions are being taken. If your dog does develop a cough, Spindel advises monitoring it closely. He also noted the cough “may be accompanied by ocular or nasal discharge or sneezing.” He also advises contacting your veterinarian “if those signs develop, particularly if your dog loses its appetite, has trouble breathing, or becomes lethargic. “We also strongly urge you to keep your dogs’ vaccines updated. While the existing vaccines may not specifically target this unknown infection, maintaining overall health through routine vaccines can help support your dog’s immune system in combating the various bill@goebelforcommonground.com |www.goebelnc.com | 336.202.6485 infections,” Spindel continued. “Optimal protection against common respiratory infections includes the annual intranasal Bordetella, Adenovirus and parainfluenza vaccine combined with the The Northwest • Totally local since 1996 DEC. 7 - 20, 2023 17 bivalent influenza vaccine,” heObserver said.

There is no clear evidence at this point to determine if it’s a viral or bacterial infection, a distinction that could help greatly in finding a treatment. While the illness is definitely a concern, there are those who believe the disease is creating undue panic. “Media and social media can drive outbreak concerns,” Dr. Scott Weese, an infectious disease veterinarian at the Ontario Veterinary College, wrote in his Nov. 20 blog. “They can be great to get the word out and help sort out issues, but often, they lead to false alarms.” Nancy Osborne, an Oak Ridge dog trainer and owner of four dogs, agrees. “This is not an epidemic,” she said. “There are pockets of (the illness) cropping up in different places.” As a judge and certifying official for the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW), Osborne frequently travels to other states for nosework events, and her dogs are often with her. For the well-being of her own dogs and others, she’s extensively researched the canine respiratory illness and advises pet owners to use common sense rather than panic. “Pet owners need to be cautious and make good decisions, but they don’t need to be overly afraid,” she said, adding that she doesn’t plan to stop traveling or trialing with her dogs, but will continue to be smart about how she handles them on the road, just as she does at other times. For instance, if she stops at a rest area to give her dogs a potty break, she routinely steers away from other dogs. She also doesn’t use dog parks. Osborne suggests that owners be very cautious about their dogs mingling with

Symptoms of the canine upper respiratory infection that is moving across the nation are similar to kennel cough, but the effects are often more severe.

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“We do agree, all of us, that irregularities occurred,” Board Chair Richard Forrester said at the end of the 4 ½-hour hearing. “I would certainly say there is evidence that conduct by (Dunham was) at the very least unseemly and should not have been allowed to occur in any way at a polling place. “But…we are constrained by whether or not we can make a finding that the election results would have changed sufficiently enough to recommend to the state (Board of Elections) that a new election take place.”

“Ms. Dunham did present some irregularities,” added board member Felita Donnell, “but there is nothing proven.” Aside from his assertions of Election Day irregularities, Walker testified that he believes Dunham may have spent around $17,500 on Battleground Avenue billboard advertising for candidates she favored, without reporting the contributions to the county’s elections board. In an interview earlier this week, Dunham said she spent nowhere near that amount on the advertising and that she planned to file campaign finance reports later this month or in early January. Board members told Walker he’d need to press his campaign finance claims against Dunham with the state

elections board, not the county. Poll chiefs testified that Dunham said she was giving a box of candy to each precinct as an expression of appreciation for election workers’ service. Lynn Wiesman, chief judge at the Summerfield First Baptist Church precinct, said she refused to accept the candy and went outside to return it to Dunham, but she was gone. “The candy is the appearance of impropriety,” Wiesman testified. “I wouldn’t have taken the candy from anybody.” The hearing came 3 ½ weeks after Summerfield’s election for three council seats. Walker finished fourth, seven votes behind Heath Clay. If Walker’s petition had been successful, the new election would have occurred March 5. That possibly would have extended the uncertainty over whether landowner David Couch would seek the rezoning of nearly 1,000 acres for development, or urge state Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger to advance legislation de-annexing Couch’s property from Summerfield. In the weeks leading up to the election, campaigning focused on the best way for town leaders to negotiate with Couch. Newcomers Clay and Jonathan Hamilton defeated incumbents Walker and Jeff Davis after criticizing them for supporting a text amendment to accommodate Couch’s development plans to avoid possible de-annexation. An opponent of the amendment, Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney won reelection. So did Mayor Tim Sessoms, who has led the council’s

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efforts to avert de-annexation. Two weeks after the election, Walker filed two protests that were promptly heard by the Board of Elections. The board dismissed the first protest in which Walker challenged the town’s acceptance of absentee ballots, which was based on a technicality. But it found enough evidence in Walker’s second claim that Dunham interfered with election results to schedule the hearing Dec. 1. Dunham didn’t attend the hearing, on the advice of her attorney, Hugh Stevens, who said the former Summerfield mayor didn’t receive a subpoena from the elections board. “The burden (of proof) lies entirely with Mr. Walker,” said Stevens, adding, however, that Dunham would appear if the board wanted to hear her testimony. Dunham said in the interview that the board’s “ruling was correct. In (Walker’s) allegations, he makes it sound like I was talking to voters all the time and telling them how to vote. That’s just not true. He never proved what he was alleging.” Near the end of the hearing, Chairman Forrester asked Walker whether he’d like to continue the hearing until a later date to secure Dunham’s testimony. Even though Walker said he believed her testimony would have corroborated some of his assertions, he preferred the hearing be concluded as soon as possible. At the end of testimony, the board entered a closed session to receive instructions from a county attorney on how to state its motion to rule on Walker’s petition for a new election. The board returned to open session less than 10 minutes later, with the five members saying that despite testimony about Dunham’s unusual behavior, none of it justified asking the state elections board to schedule a new election. After the hearing, Walker said he appreciated that board members concurred Dunham behaved inappropriately, but he was disappointed they didn’t call for a new election. The hearing took place in the old county courthouse in downtown Greensboro where Walker sat across from board members and was flanked by lawyers for Dunham and Clay. Since the hearing was quasi-judicial,

not all the formal rules of a court hearing applied. During breaks in the testimony, Hamilton, a Greensboro lawyer, conferred with Clay’s lawyer, Greg Gaught. Citing a lack of evidence from Walker, Gaught asked the board to consider dismissing the protest petition. Forrester didn’t accommodate the request, but as the hearing wore on, he did urge Walker and the lawyers to limit their comments. “We’ve gone around the barn pretty hard,” Forrester said. Election Day minutiae dominated the testimony. Walker and the lawyers opposing him quizzed precinct judges about whether they had seen Dunham enter and exit the polling sites and whether they heard her talking to voters. Forrester and other board members drilled down as well, asking Walker to identify the source of his evidence and asking election chiefs whether voters saw Dunham giving workers candy. In testimony, Summerfield council candidate Teresa Perryman said she believed Dunham entered Summerfield First Baptist Church on one occasion to go to the restroom. Board members sought an explanation of the layout of the church’s Christian Life Center (CLC) to understand whether Dunham could have walked to the women’s restroom without passing through the 50-foot zone where campaigning is forbidden. “She was in the CLC” where voting took place, said Wiesman, the precinct’s chief judge. “Was she there to simply use the bathroom?” Walker said. “Was she there to simply shake hands or was she there to have influence on the election? We’ve heard chief judges state she was across the line. We heard chief judges state that while across the line she was talking about election things.” “I cannot tell you where I went to the washroom and when,” Dunham said in her interview with the Northwest Observer, adding that she was at the church for “the better part of 13 hours.” Sessoms and DeVaney, along with Clay and Hamilton, are scheduled to be sworn into office during the town council’s Dec. 12 meeting.

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CRIME / INCIDENT report

District 1 Sheriff’s Office

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

ANIMAL BITE Nov. 25 | Law enforcement officers responded to a report of an animal bite in the 1800 block of Oak Ridge Road in Oak Ridge.

ASSAULT/DOMESTIC Nov. 16 | A 28-year-old male was arrested in the 8100 block of Angels Glen Drive in Stokesdale (near U.S. 158) for assault with intent to inflict serious injury, strangulation, communicating threats, cyberstalking and interfering with emergency communication. Nov. 21 | Officers responded to a reported assault in the 7900 block of

Bartonshire Drive in Oak Ridge (off N.C. 68 N). Nov. 24 | A 61-year-old male was arrested in the 400 block of S. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax for assault on a female. Nov. 26 | Officers responded to a reported assault in the 8500 block of Springbirch Terrace in Stokesdale (near N.C. 68 N). Nov. 26 | Officers responded to a reported assault in the 5000 block of Shoreline Drive in northwest Greensboro (off Lewiston Road). Nov. 27 | A 20-year-old male was arrested in the 1600 block of N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge for assault on a female.

Nov. 30 | Officers responded to a reported domestic incident in the 2000 block of Scalesville Road in Summerfield.

by filling 20-lb. tanks; on Nov. 27, an unknown suspect shoplifted a 12-pack of White Claw alcoholic beverages and a bottle of wine, worth $68 altogether.

DRUGS

Nov. 22 | An employee of Curiosity Video Games & More in Summerfield reported at 3:37 a.m. an unknown suspect broke into the business and stole several gaming systems and controllers along with a cash counter. Additionally, the carpet, window, display cases and several pieces of merchandise were damaged; the stolen merchandise was worth about $1,706, and the damages totaled about $2,287.

Nov. 30 | Officers responded to a reported opiate overdose in the 800 block of N.C. 150 in northern Greensboro.

FOUND PROPERTY Nov. 17 | A citizen turned in a found silver MacBook Air laptop to the District 1 Sheriff’s Office in Summerfield.

FRAUD Nov. 18 | An employee of Stokesdale Veterinary Hospital reported an unknown suspect defrauded the practice of $360.83. Nov. 18 | A resident of the 7700 block of Eversfield Road in Summerfield (off Oak Ridge Road) reported an unknown suspect used her identification info to defraud her of $1,291.69.

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Nov. 22 | A resident of the 7800 block of Athens Road in Stokesdale (off U.S. 158) reported an unknown suspect stole his green Ryan aerator worth $3,500.

Nov. 28 | An employee of State Employees’ Credit Union in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect obtained $1,500 via forged checks.

Nov. 25 | A resident of the 400 block of S. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax reported an unknown suspect stole her Haul-All utility trailer worth $700.

THEFT

TRESPASSING

Nov. 19 | An employee of Tractor Supply Co. in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect shoplifted a black/ yellow DeWALT chainsaw and a black/ yellow DeWALT tool kit, worth $910 altogether.

Locally Owned and Independently Operated Franchise

Nov. 22 | An employee of AAA Self Storage on Pleasant Ridge Road in northwest Greensboro reported an unknown suspect stole three containers of pending inventory.

Nov. 20 | An employee of Stokesdale Service Station reported an unknown suspect stole a black 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Nov. 20 | An employee of Dollar General on Belews Creek Road in Stokesdale reported an unknown suspect stole $600 worth of AmeriGas propane gas

Nov. 28 | A resident of the 8600 block of Yvonne Court in Oak Ridge (near Haw River Road) reported a known suspect trespassed on his property.

District 1 Sheriff’s Office 7504 Summerfield Road

Main number: (336) 641-2300 For non-emergency incidents: (336) 373-2222 • 8 a.m.–5 p.m., M-F

https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/ our-county/sheriff-s-office

“If you want to KEEP IT, LOCK it or LOSE it!” Report suspicious activity immediately:

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mark your

calendar

z GSM’s Angel Tree | Good Samaritan Ministries’

angel tree has been set up inside Fidelity Bank, 8110 U.S. 158 in Stokesdale. “Angels” – Christmas gift wish lists for children in need — may be picked up M-TH, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can also contact Terri Johnson, GSM Angel Tree coordinator, at (336) 643-5887 or terrij1957@yahoo.com, for a child’s or sibling group’s wish list. Unwrapped gifts, labeled with the children’s corresponding angel number and letter, should be dropped off at Terri Johnson’s home in Stokesdale by Dec. 16 (contact Johnson for address). z Holiday stores | Summerfield Peace United Methodist Church is hosting a Dewey’s Bakery holiday store at Tire Max, 4420 U.S. 220 N in Summerfield. Moravia Moravian Church in Oak Ridge is hosting a holiday store in the Oak Ridge Room, next to Bistro 150 in Oak Ridge Commons. All proceeds go to church missions. For store hours and other info, see display ads on pages 10 and 11.

4117 Oak Ridge Road. Visit www.summerfieldnc.gov for more info.

FRIDAY, DEC. 8

pantry in Stokesdale will open for those in need of food on Dec. 16, 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Stokesdale Business Center, 8500 Ellisboro Road. To receive assistance or to make a donation to the ministry, contact Terri Johnson, (336) 643-5887 or terrij1957@yahoo.com.

z Block party for kids | An annual Ultimate Holi-

ANGEL TREE DEADLINE DEC. 16

NOW THROUGH DEC. 23/24

also be posted on the town’s Facebook page). Visit www.oakridgenc.com for more info or a meeting agenda.

day Block Party for kids will be held Dec. 8, 5 to 8 p.m. at Ultimate Kids/Tumblebees Gymnastics, 6908 Downwind Road in northwest Greensboro. Attractions will include mazes, an inflatable slide, a ninja gym, visits with Santa and more. The cost is $10 per child, with all proceeds going to the Salvation Army of Greensboro and N.C. Diaper Bank. Visit www.ultimate-kids.com to learn more.

TUESDAY, DEC. 12 z Town Council meeting | Summerfield Town Coun-

cil will meet Dec. 12, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Town’s Facebook page. Visit www.summerfieldnc.gov for a meeting agenda.

THURSDAY, DEC. 14 z Town Council meeting | Stokesdale Town Coun-

cil will meet Dec. 14, starting at 7 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. Citizens may attend in person, and the meeting will also be livestreamed on the town’s YouTube channel. Visit www.stokesdale.org for a meeting agenda.

THURSDAY, DEC. 7

SATURDAY, DEC. 16

z Town Council meeting | Oak Ridge Town Coun-

z Special called Town Council meeting | Summer-

cil will meet Dec. 7, starting at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. Attend in person or watch the meeting on the town’s YouTube channel (a link to the recorded meeting will

field Town Council will hold a special called meeting Dec. 16 to discuss the potential de-annexation of almost 1,000 acres. The meeting will start at 8:30 a.m. and be held at Summerfield Town Hall,

z Food pantry | Good Samaritan Ministries’s food

z “A Festival of Carols” | Stokesdale Christian

Church at 8607 Stokesdale Street invites the community to enjoy a free concert Dec. 16, starting at 5 p.m. There will be plenty of popular Christmas carols as well as piano numbers, solos and duets. Refreshments will follow. Visit www.facebook.com/ stokesdalechristianchurchdoc to learn more.

SUNDAY, DEC. 17 z Live nativity | Stokesdale Christian Church at

8607 Stokesdale Street will host a live nativity scene Dec. 17, 5 to 7 p.m. Park and watch or just drive by; there will be music and gift bags for kids.

TUESDAY, DEC. 19 z Kiwanis Club | Kiwanis Club of Northwest Guil-

ford, a nonprofit that engages in projects focused on children in our community, will meet Dec. 19, starting at 12 noon at Bill’s Pizza, 1431 N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge. More info: nwgkiwanis@gmail.com. z Northwest Guilford VFW | Northwest Guilford

VFW invites veterans and individuals who have served overseas in a conflict to join VFW Post #7999 for their monthly meeting Dec. 19, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. More info: Andy Schlosser, (336) 456-2199, or Rick Dunlap, (336) 601-0941.

Submit your events online at Click “community calendar” in the menu bar, then select “events submission” from the dropdown menu Deadline for inclusion in each issue is ... 9 a.m. on Monday Tax & Consulting Services For Individuals & Businesses

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

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The Town of Stokesdale’s Events Committee proudly presents

2023 Stokesdale Christmas Parade Saturday, Dec. 9, 2 pm Be sure to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot and catch some live music! Crafts and Vendors (Hosted by Purple Wagon Events) will be set up at the Stokesdale United Methodist Church at 9:00am. Crossroads Community Church will be serving hot dogs and individually wrapped baked goods at Stokesdale Fire Station. Highland North Music School will be set up at the Stokesdale United Methodist Church at 12:00pm.

Thank you to this year’s parade sponsors

Stokesdale Town Councilman

Tim Jones

Michael Logan,

Guilford County District 3 School Board

rcome and only omething

The Oak Ridge Youth Association would like to wish all our families

nel Messi

a very Happy and Healthy Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!

Now!

L FEB 15 L FEB 23

For more information about ORYA or to register for upcoming sports and programs, visit ORYA.ORG

ORYA.ORG TO REGISTER

Thank you to all our coaches and their families for your leadership and support on and off the field!

Oak Ridge Youth Association thanks To the Moon and Back Frozen Treats for sponsoring this page

Stop by and hang out for a bit! Play some games while enjoying sweet treats with family and/or friends. Need a SP-ace to hold a meeting or P-artY.

Call us: 336-298-4375 www.moonandbackfrozen.biz

welcome to ... youth link

A regular section in the Northwest Observer focused on the youthful matters of northwest Guilford County

Northwest Guilford Middle Twelve Team places sixth in state finals Photo courtesy of NWMS teacher David Groce

This year’s Northwest Guilford Middle Twelve Team competed in the state finals of Twelve, an academic competition where teams compete in twelve different academic categories. Northwest placed sixth in the state and again was the highest scoring traditional public middle school. Twelve Team members are (front row, L to R): Coach David Groce, Ashlynn Dalton, Akshaya Orugunti, Mackenzie Babson, Shubhi Gupta, Ryan Lovett, Arjun Gupta, and Annabelle Lee; (back row, L to R) Naman Kulkarni, Eli Palmer, Brian Long, Davis Dodds, and Alicia Namakula.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

DEC. 7 - 20, 2023 27

youth link

Oak Ridge Angels claim PONY League championship The Oak Ridge Angels 13U-15U baseball team (PONY league) played its final game of the fall season on Oct. 30. When submitting the attached photo, proud parent Anitra Satterfield wrote that the team played a double header on Oct. 30, with the first game being against another Oak Ridge team. The Angels came out on top and went on to play the Madison-Mayodan 14U Dirty Birds in a championship game held at Oak Ridge Town Park. After seven innings, the Oak Ridge Angels claimed the championship with a final score of 3-2. Photo courtesy of Anitra Satterfield

Shown in photo (L to R): (back row, standing) Coach Chad Crawford, Coach Cam Webster, Levi Bailey, Ace Satterfield, Cooper Hawkins, Isaiah Taylor, Lexton Millsap, Dahir Martinez, Coach Jason Smith, James Hitchcock and Coach Patrick Bock; (front row) Mason Crawford, Marshall Morris, Landon Fang, Ethan Brewer, Owen Michael, Kessler Bock and Maddox Smith.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

220 REZONING ...continued from p. 3 listing said, adding that the area boasts “extremely high-income demographics in (a) high growth market.” The owners applied for the rezoning of all four parcels to conditional zoning business district (CZ-BN). The new classification would make the property more attractive to “a lot of local businesses” interested in the possibility of locating there, according to Bill Greco, a principal of Land Solutions, a land use planning firm based in Oak Ridge. The site of the combined four parcels isn’t big enough or otherwise suitable for a national retailer such as Sheetz or Walmart, but it is attractive to “smaller-type business,” Greco

told those attending an information meeting last week. Representing the owners, he said there’s “zero interest” in residential development of the property. The potential commercial development of the property concerns Summerfield Road homeowner Betty Anne Chandler. Speaking during the meeting, she said the property is visible from her back porch, creating worries about light pollution and the possible removal of trees between her property and the site slated for development. The town’s development rules require a buffer of trees and other plantings, according to planning manager Brad Rentz. Greco said he

ORTC MEETING PREVIEW ...continued from p. 2 Greensboro-based Audio & Light Inc. “has been tested and is a major improvement over the existing technology,” Town Manager Bill Bruce said in a Dec. 1 memo. At present, remote participation in meetings “is hindered by poor audio quality.” Separately, state Rep. John Faircloth (R-District 62) plans to present to the town a U.S. flag flown over the state capitol in honor of Oak Ridge’s 25 years of incorporation. The council will also hear a report of

TE WA

R RF

the town’s financial audit for the fiscal year that ended June 30. It will also consider appointing Caroline Ruch as an alternate to Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

want to attend/watch? The 7 p.m. meeting at Town Hall this Thursday, Dec. 7, is open to the public. The meeting will be livestreamed on the town’s YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.oakridgenc.com.

understood Chandler’s concerns and that he would create a “wall” of landscaping to separate the homeowner’s property from development.

“I would love you forever,” Chandler told Greco. Although it lacks the authority of an ordinance, a resolution passed by the Town Council nearly 25 years ago discouraged commercial development along Highway 220 where the property is located. Its aim was to protect Summerfield Road property owners, such as Chandler, from commercial development, according to Town Manager Scott Whitaker. Two upcoming public hearings will give residents the chance to express their views about the rezoning request. During its Monday, Dec. 18, meeting, the Planning Board will consider making a recommendation to either approve or deny the application. The council will make the final decision on whether to approve the request, likely during its Jan. 9 meeting.

As a condition of the rezoning application, Greco excluded more than 40 property uses that are allowed in the BN district. Among those permitted uses that have been excluded are a helicopter launch pad, a truck stop, an indoor shooting range and other uses that Greco described as objectionable, inappropriate or not possible. Another condition disallows a business from operating 24 hours a day. In an effort to prevent what Greco called “obnoxious lighting,” another condition forbids “lights that flash, pulse, rotate, or simulate motion.” If approved by the council, the rezoning wouldn’t occur until all four of the parcels have been combined into a single tract so the property would comply with the minimum acreage requirements for the BN district, according to the application.

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Ordinary people, Extraordinary impact “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” – Kahlil Gibran

by ANNETTE JOYCE Oak Ridge resident Danny Yanusz has a largerthan-life personality, marked by a voice that resonates like a bronze bell and a lively, creative and fun-loving spirit. Beyond his exuberance, he possesses a generous heart and aspires to make the world a better place for his family, friends and community. Originally from Long Island, New York, Yanusz and his family relocated to Oak Ridge nearly 37 years ago when a job opportunity presented itself. Once settled in, he quickly began seeking ways to become involved with his new hometown. He started by attending town council meetings, initially just observing. Later, he volunteered to co-chair the Building Committee which oversaw construction of Oak Ridge Town Hall. “I had experience in lighting and construction and thought I could be useful,” he said. After the town hall project was completed, Yanusz continued to attend monthly council meetings. It was during one of these meetings that he realized the town would be celebrating its 10th anniversary that year. When he pointed that out, Mayor Ray Combs promptly congratulated Yanusz on his appointment to chair a new committee to commemorate the event. He eagerly took on the challenge and encouraged others to join him. Watching the fireworks display after a Greensboro Bats (now the Grasshoppers) game sparked the idea for a perfect way to celebrate the town’s 10th birthday, and Yanusz began to put the wheels in motion. “I’m most proud of the fact that we brought fireworks to the town,” he said. “It was an awe-

some display.” As a Special Events Committee member, Yanusz has since been involved with the town’s 20th and 25th anniversary celebrations. He has also helped bring together the decorative elements for the town’s annual “Light up the Night” event in December. Always thinking outside the box, Yanusz presented the idea of creating stars out of yardsticks and Christmas trees from metal tomato cages and inviting local organizations to sponsor and decorate them to add holiday cheer throughout the town park. “Danny has been an integral member of the Special Events Committee since it started,” committee chair Patti Dmuchowski said. “He brings his technical and imaginative talents to all our projects and events. Another talent he has is singing the ‘National Anthem’ at all our events. He is a hidden jewel in our town.” In 2009, Yanusz was elected to Oak Ridge Town Council and served as a council member for the next four years. “I enjoyed my time on the council and found it to be a humbling experience,” he said. “It was a good opportunity to serve and wonderful to meet the people of our community.” A long-time member of Oak Ridge Lions Club, an international service organization, Yanusz has invested countless hours in the group’s missions. He has served as its president, has overseen the club’s annual golf tournament fundraiser and has introduced fun ideas such as the Dog Daze Maze, a popular event at Oak Ridge’s Canine Capers each spring. Recently, Yanusz joined a men’s quartet, which meets in his home to practice a variety of songs and

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Danny Yanusz, a ‘hidden jewel’

Oak Ridge resident Danny Yanusz believes a positive attitude and a focus on what makes people happy leads to a rich life.

some original parodies. While he thrives on interacting with people and finding ways to serve his community, Yanusz’s volunteerism in recent years has been more limited due to him being an around-the-clock caregiver for his sweet wife, Linda, who has Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. Despite the need to keep an especially watchful eye on Linda when they’re out and about, Yanusz seizes every opportunity he can to be involved and is rarely seen without her at his side. In every endeavor, Yanusz exhibits an extraordinary knack for connecting with others, demonstrating an ability to tune in to their needs and perspectives. “I see things that make people happy, and I see what makes them mad,” he said. “I always focus on what makes people happy.”

Thanks to Tire Max for sponsoring this monthly feature in which we recognize “ordinary” people in our readership area who make an extraordinary impact on others. To nominate an “ordinary” person for this feature, email editor@nwobserver.com with their name, a detailed description of how they positively impact others, and your contact info. Stokesdale

7705 Highway 68 N (336) 441-8066

Summerfield

4420 US Highway 220N (336) 793-5391

Madison

706 Burton Street (336) 548-6674

High Point

619 McDonald Court (336) 885-4321

High Point

2410 Eastchester Dr (336) 841-6553

Eden

406 N. Bridge Street (336) 627-9400

Night

Sunday, Dec. 3 Oak Ridge Town Park

Oak Ridge held its annual Light Up the Night event in the Town Park last Sunday, after having to reschedule it from a day earlier due to rainy weather. Organized by the Special Events Committee, the event included family hayrides with the Grinch, an amazing magician show, a Santa letter-writing station, and of course – Santa himself! Santa arrived on the Oak Ridge Fire Department's beautiful vintage fire truck, amid sirens and blinking lights. More than 100 kids visited and had their photos taken with Santa and his elves. Nearby, Summit Church provided hot chocolate for all and a family photo opportunity. Craft vendors and food trucks also participated in the event.

After sunset, families and friends gathered around the tall pine tree in the center of the park to listen to songs of the season performed by local musicians Tyler and Emma Millard of the Ghosts of Liberty. The moment everyone was waiting for came at 6 p.m. – the lighting of the town tree, nearly 1,400 luminaries placed around the walking paths in the park, and a beautiful anniversary light display that included 25 lighted stars and a 25th anniversary centerpiece. Following the “oohs” and “ahhhs,” everyone joined the Millards in singing”Jingle Bells” and “Joy to the World,” before strolling through the park to view the magical lights.

Photos by Patti Stokes/NWO

Light Up the

Tyler and Emma Millard of the Ghosts of Liberty treated those attending Oak Ridge’s Light Up the Night event to Christmas tunes before the Christmas tree and nearly 1,400 luminaries along the park’s walkways were lit.

Oak Ridge Special Events Committee chair Patti Dmuchowski, councilman George McClellan, mayor Ann Schneider and committee member Amy Carrickoff took a few moments to relax and enjoy the festivities at the town’s Light Up the Night event on Dec. 3.

The luminaries and light display will be lighted every night through the end of December. All are welcome to take a nightly stroll during this holiday season. Thanks to all the many volunteers, Scouts, and Town staff members who helped make this wonderful event possible. Patti Dmuchowski, chair Oak Ridge Special Events Committee

Scouts with BSA Troop 219 (Oak Ridge) assisted with the setup at Oak Ridge’s annual Light Up the Night event and with the family hayrides through the park in the afternoon.

9 Scout BSA Troop 21 Photo courtesy of

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Delighted or dismayed by something in your community? Share your thoughts in

Grins & Gripes are published based on available space and editor’s discretion.

Hazel at Starbucks in Oak Ridge, for being such a consistently positive and cheerful barista (no matter how busy you are). It’s such a pleasure to see you that I almost forget how much money I’m spending on my coffee! The employees of Vulcan Materials who always make our Veterans Day Service at the Stokesdale Veterans Monument a huge success.

The kind “Good Samaritan” (Jim/ Ken) who stopped to assist us when we hit a deer while traveling on Hwy. 68 at Alcorn Road on Oct. 17. We sincerely appreciate your willingness to stop and help! Anyone who will run against Phil Berger, our senator who won’t return calls from constituents. You have my support!

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The people who placed a sign in their yard asking the neighbor to “Please shut your dogs up!” We agree – barking is not music to everyone’s ears!

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Rlayang Tree Service. Nine trees down, stumps ground, four trees pruned, and all cleaned up in about 6 1/2 hours. You fellows rock! Wilson’s Grocery new owner Jitendra Oza for bringing this iconic store back to life. Local law enforcement for stationing two cars, lights blazing, to slow traffic on Haw River Road Halloween night. The last few years we’ve had two horrible accidents in this area involving trick-or-treaters. Thanks for helping keep the kids safe. Linda from Summerfield Veterinary

Hospital for locating a coupon to help me save on dog food! I really appreciate it, and every little bit helps. Town of Summerfield staff, council members and other volunteers, Summerfield Merchants Association, Summerfield Fire Department and Greensboro Performing Arts’ singers for another great Tree Lighting on Nov. 18 (Santa and Mrs. Claus and their two elves were pretty cool, too!). All the staff at Mailboxes & More in Oak Ridge, especially Devon the Pembrokeshire Corgi. Red-haired, short of leg, and from West Wales – what a devastatingly handsome beast! Northwest Observer editor Patti Stokes, for her response in the last issue to criticism she received for a mistake. Many just do not understand the complexity of the work you do. As “Squidward” once said, “Everybody’s a critic”! Guilford County school cafeteria staff for banding together to fight for equal pay! We’re stronger together! Carrie McDonald, a wonderful NWHS student from a few years back, for donating Granny’s Doughnuts to Northwest’s growing New Testament Club. I remember that she always brought joy wherever she went – she still has that great gift. The Stonehenge HOA for the annual Charlie Brown Christmas tree set up along the neighborhood entrance in Oak Ridge. Makes me smile! Oak Ridge Special Events Committee for a wonderful Light Up the Night event. Amazing volunteers who set up over 1,300 luminaries, 25 stars and 25th anniversary sign. Great teamwork by all!

Whomever was burning recently off Scalesville Road. It filled the air and made it highly difficult for asthmatics to breathe. Please respect your neighbors and compost your leaves instead, or bag them for trash. The gripers constantly complaining about immodestly dressed ladies without sharing addresses! How are we to be morally outraged, demoralized, and scarred for life over something totally none of our business without so much as an address? For shame! Editor’s note: You are not alone in wishing we would have divulged the address of the ladies who do lawn work in shorts and sports bras. But alas, an editor must respect the rules of anonymity and I have vowed to take the address with me to my grave. I will, however, share this morsel with you: the wife who submitted the original gripe about these ladies being a distraction to her husband when he was driving indicated she lives in a neighborhood off Pleasant Ridge Road – you’re welcome, and Merry Christmas! The driver of the company car who honked their horn at my friend and me as we crossed Linville Road using the crosswalk in front of Town Hall. You saw us, the other car stopped, and had plenty of time! All the EV owners for contributing to our future landfills. Anyone could see from a mile away that was going to be a bust! The person (in the Northwest Observer’s last issue) who had the gall to blame “yard work ladies” for their manner of dress on a hot day on their own property. Go stand in a corner and be ashamed of yourself – because I am. And I can imagine all of womankind is as well! Anyone with negative comments

about personal clothing choices. God is only gonna ask you about your sins, not mine! Mind your business. People who enter public establishments with an unwarranted attitude. Have grace for others! Why not choose happiness? We could use more of it!

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The person who griped about how women dress while doing yard work. You are responsible for your own lust. Blaming women on men falling is misogyny. Us real men don’t lust.

7101 US 158, Stokesdale

Bill Goebel for displaying school board election signs at the polls during municipal elections. What a blatant disrespect to Stokesdale, Summerfield and Oak Ridge candidates and voters!

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The man with the oversized mediastyle camera who moved to the front row of NWHS’s National Honor Society induction ceremony for a photo of his beloved, then walked up the main aisle blocking the view of others’ precious children. How selfish. People driving north on N.C. 68, as you’re approaching the N.C. 68/150 intersection, who ride my bumper because I slow down where the speed limit drops to 35 mph. Just wait until the roundabouts are installed!

Happy

To the griper still complaining about the women doing yard work. You should review Matthew 5:29 with the men in your life: If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. Summerfield requiring “easements” for trails. Easements legally are owned by the property owners, who are responsible for their maintenance and are liable for damages or injury on the easement. Town should purchase as right-of-way then own, maintain and assume liability. People at the NWHS National Honor Society ceremony who let their phones ring repeatedly and talked to each other throughout. The entire program was 20 minutes long. Couldn’t it wait? Or is that the example you regularly set?

WE’LL BE BACK IN PRINT DEC. 21 To place a DISPLAY AD in our next issue,

Holidays Tracy Williams, attorney

from all of us at

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

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DEC. 7 - 20, 2023 33

Cancer brings unexpected blessings

2024 Stokeshdwaleest Greensboro nort

d l e i f r e m m Su

16th annual edition coming soon!

The biggest thing in my life for which I am thankful this year is CANCER.

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EARLY BIRD SPECIAL! Reserve your ad space by Dec. 20 to receive our early bird discount

For more information call (336) 644-7035 or email advertising@nwobserver.com Directly mailed to over 12,950 homes (EVERY HOME with an Oak Ridge (27310), Summerfield (27358) and Stokesdale (27357) zip code)

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Online year-round at nwobserver.com and shared with over 16,000 followers on Facebook 34 DEC. 7 - 20, 2023

In our last issue (Nov. 16-Dec. 6, 2023), we published a compilation of readers’ comments about the greatest blessings in their Yvonne Truhon lives. As I was laying out this lengthy and moving article in my home office (a blessing in itself!), thoughts of my own blessings started percolating in my brain.

“What!?” I can hear readers thinking. “You’re grateful for having cancer? Are you crazy?” Let me clarify. I’m not grateful for cancer, per se, and I certainly pray for medical researchers to find a cure for all the varieties of cancer which cause so much suffering and death. Nor would I ever wish cancer on anyone. My gratitude stems from discovering how many, many, MANY people care about me – love me – and take the time/make the effort to show it in ways large and small. The CNs or CNAs who do the preliminaries before my many medical appointments often ask about my “support system.” Do I have one? Do I feel it’s adequate? “Adequate” – what an understatement! My cancer has shown me that I have half a dozen “support systems” – many overlapping like circles in a Venn diagram. The largest circle represents all our readers and Facebook followers. My husband and I got all choked up when we read all the kind comments on the Northwest Observer’s Facebook page after Patti Stokes posted about my illness in early September, and again

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

when we read in the ORTC September meeting minutes that there was a prayer for me. I get a kick out of telling people who ask the “support system” question that I have everyone living in northwest Guilford County rooting for me. Smaller circles, but just as mighty, are my colleagues both at PS Communications, who have sent cards, left food at the office for me to take home, and made many accommodations so I can work from home, and at Old Salem, where I have worked as a costumed interpreter; my “theater peeps” at Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance and The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem, where I have volunteered for years; my extended family – cousins, in-laws and a former next-door neighbor we have known since 1984; and last but definitely not least, members of Augsburg Lutheran Church, some of whom are or have been associated with Old Salem and others who are/have been involved in community theater (more overlap!). Come to think about it, that’s not my last circle! My newest circle’s first member: the urgent care center PA-C who gently “noodged” me to go to the ER that Labor Day morning. I had sought care because I was “bloated” and thought it was some sort of digestive problem, but he strongly recommended going to the ER. I am also grateful for the superlative and compassionate team treating me at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical, especially at the Comprehensive Cancer Center – doctors, nurses and staffers with a host of acronymical titles (PA-Cs, FNPs, MDs, etc.). I feel positive that each one of them will do whatever it takes to ensure that I “Kick Cancer’s Butt”!

Tree Lighting Summerfield Merchants Association member Terri Hawkins (right) and her husband, Bob, help serve refreshments at the town’s annual tree lighting event on Nov. 18. Henry Metty, 5, proudly shows off the s’more he created before sinking his teeth into the delicious treat of graham crackers with chocolate and a roasted marshmallow in the middle.

Photos by Patti Stokes/NWO

Saturday, Nov. 18 Summerfield Athletic Park

The Town of Summerfield held its annual Christmas Tree Lighting event on Saturday, Nov. 18, at Summerfield Athletic Park. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and two elves arrived by fire truck and stayed very busy over the next few hours as they greeted children who lined up to share their Christmas wish lists! There was much to enjoy with Greensboro Performing Arts students singing Christmas carols, hot chocolate provided by The Jumping Bean, s’mores with marshmallows cooked over a firepit, refreshments served by members of the Summerfield Merchants Association, and the lighting of the tree by retired Summerfield Fire Captain David Watkins. The town would like to thank the Summerfield Merchants Association, Summerfield Fire Department, and Cub Scout Pack 103 for their help with this event. Cheryl Gore, Special events coordinator, manager’s assistant Town of Summerfield

Many attending the annual tree lighting on Nov. 18 brought donations of cereal and other items for Guilford Backpack Ministry, which serves children throughout northern and northwest Guilford County.

After Santa Claus (Summerfield resident Chuck Welke), Mrs. Claus (Jeanne Hoag) and two elves, cousins Colin Shanahan (left) and Hayden Shanahan, arrived at the Nov. 18 tree lighting event on a fire truck, they quickly got to work and greeted the scores of children anxious to share their Christmas wish lists.

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AUTO SALES & SERVICES HOMECARE AVAILABLE HOME SERVICES

(336) 891-3876 EUROHAUSAUTO.PRO

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DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

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INDEX Auto Sales / Services ........ 36 Employment .................... 36 Homecare Available......... 36 Public Notice ................... 36 Home Services ........... 36-38

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. Specializing in factory-scheduled maintenance and repairs. BMW, Audi, Volvo, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Mini, and Porsche. 32 years experience. 4559 US Hwy. 220, Summerfield (across from Food Lion). (336) 337-0669. SAM'S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 965-7955.

EMPLOYMENT HAIR STYLIST NEEDED (prefer established), Jan. 1, 2024, for new salon opening in historic district of downtown Kernersville. Booth rent weekly; chair, station, storage cabinet and towels provided. Contact Doris Fitzpatrick, (336) 847-2928. NORTHWEST DAY SCHOOL – The Baby House Childcare. Seeking to hire experienced infant and toddler teachers. Full-time and part-time positions available. Pay scale based on experience and education. Nurturing and caring individual a must. Please call (336) 617-7700.

Misc. Wanted .................. 39

NAIL TECH needed immediately. Part-time. Experienced only in gel nails, etc. In an exclusive retirement community. Great opportunity and income. Drug screening and references required. COVID vaccination required. Call (336) 549-5357.

Real Estate ...................... 39

HIRING? nwobserver.com

Misc. Services .................. 39 Misc. for Sale .................. 39

36 DEC. DEC. - 20, 2023 7 -720, 2023

SENIOR HELPERS. Homecare for seniors and others including companion, personal needs, transitional, chronic disease, VA, respite, post-surgery assistance. Can provide house chores as part of service at no extra charge. Knowing your loved one is happy, safe, and cared for is your priority and ours too! Locally owned and operated. Call (336) 893-0300.

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC HEARINGS: Oak Ridge Town Council and Oak Ridge Planning & Zoning Board will hold separate public hearings to consider a request to amend the Official Town of Oak Ridge Zoning Map. Any zoning decision of the Planning & Zoning Board is forwarded as a recommendation to the Town Council.

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

DECORATING 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.

Planning/Zoning Board, Dec. 14, 2023, at 7pm at Oak Ridge Town Hall.

ELECTRICAL

Oak Ridge Town Council, Jan. 4, 2024, at 7pm at Oak Ridge Town Hall.

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

PUBLIC HEARING: REZONING CASE # RZ-23-02: AG to CZ-LB. The property is at 8458 Haw River Rd. and is located on the north side of Haw River Rd. at the intersection of Haw River Rd. and Parkchester Pl., being in Oak Ridge Township. It is Guilford County Tax Parcel #166414 (approximately 1.27 acres), located in the NPDES Watershed, and owned by Zunaira Investment LLC. All citizens will be given an opportunity to be heard at these meetings.

HOME SERVICES AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING A-ACTION AIR. Furnace check-up, $79.95. (336) 268-6768 or (336) 382-3750.

CLEANING CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Quality cleaning/ budget friendly. Pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, (336) 231-1838.

The Northwest • Totally local• since 1996 TheObserver Northwest Observer Totally local since 1996

Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? It's portable generator season. Call Coble Electric, LLC at (336) 209-1486.

FLOORING / TILE MONTERO'S HARDWOOD FLOORING Installation of hardwood, laminate, carpet & tile; hardwood sanding & finishing. Commercial & residential. Insured, 20 yrs. exp. Free est., excellent. references. Please visit Monteros-hardwood-flooring.com. or call (336) 215-8842.

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE. “We get you mowing!” Comm./res., all models. Oak Ridge, NC. Please call (336) 298-4314. Ltsmeng16@gmail.com. APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707.

Place your classified ad online at

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HOME SERVICES

GENERAL HANDYMAN. Repairs, installations, assemblies, etc. Light electrical and plumbing. Yard work and power washing. Insured. No job too small. Give Gordon a call, (336) 253-7700.

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, portable sawmill and much more. We also do custom roughcut lumber. Call owner/operator Bobby Lipstreu, (336) 543-7867.

STEVE NEWMAN, TREE EXPERT. FREE EST. 40+ yrs. exp. Fully insured. Any phase of tree work. Natural area thinning and cleanup. Oak Ridge. (336) 643-1119 or (336) 253-9615.

DILLON TREE SERVICE. Certified arborists. BBB accredited. Fully insured. Familyowned. Tree removal and trimming. Available for emergency removals 24/7. Free estimates. (336) 996-6156. www.dillontreeservice.com. info@dillontreeservice.com.

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. OLD SCHOOL HOME REPAIR See display ad on page 24. CLOCK SERVICE. Free house calls for sick clocks. 8103 Windspray Dr., Summerfield. (336) 643-9931.

GUTTERS / SIDING / WINDOWS GUTTER CLEANING. Affordable. Dependable. Call anytime for free est. (336) 706-0103.

S&M

SEAMLESS GUTTERS

AFFORDABLE

HOME REPAIR Why move when you can improve?

handyman ● construction well pumps ● plumbing ● foundations sagging floors...and much more! licensed general contractors

One call fixes all! (336) 643-1184

install new gutters repair and clean old gutters FULLY INSURED

Call for a FREE estimate 336.587.8223 | 336.709.5944

GRADING / HAULING GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150. E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, demolition, lot clearing, excavating, bobcat work, etc. (336) 451-1282. BRAD'S BOBCAT & HAULING SVCS, LLC. Debris removal, grading, gravel/dirt, driveways, concrete work. (336) 362-3647. ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt, available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035.

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Sharing news of your community since 1996!

WILSON

STRAIGHT EDGE LAWN CARE. Free estimates. Please call (336) 306-0274. R C LAWN CARE. Res./comm. lawn service. Fully insured. Call/text (336) 231-9599. GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maint. (336) 655-6490. GOSSETT'S LAWNCARE. Complete lawn care/maintenance. Res./comm. Fully insured. In business for 33 yrs. (336) 451-5216. DSL DRAIN SYSTEMS & LANDSCAPING. (336) 362-4354. INTEGRITY TREE SERVICE, LLC. Tree removal, risk assessment, tree pruning, dead wood removal. Affordable/competitive pricing. Fully insured. Owner-operated. Call for free estimate, (336) 210-8310. HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES. Free estimates. Call (336) 669-5448. WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC. Lawn maint., landscaping. Irrigation/landscape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape lighting. 26 years exp. (336) 399-7764.

CM STUMP GRINDING, LLC. Family owned and operated. Commercial/residential. Free quotes! (336) 317-4600. SOUTHERN CUTZ LAWN CARE. Offering complete lawn maintenance services, landscaping, bush hogging, privacy fence installation/repair/staining, and stump grinding. Nathan Adkins, (336) 430-6086.

MASONRY 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. NEW PHASE CONCRETE. Here for all your decorative concrete needs. Specializing in decorative stamp, stained, epoxy and all other concrete poured finishes as well. Also offering refurbishment of existing stamped concrete. Make your existing stamped look like new again! (336) 399-1474 or (336) 595-4654.

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS

Seamless Gutters

Installation, repair, replacement, Leaf Guard

Certiﬁed Mold Inspections

Stokesdale

Certiﬁed Mold Remediation

336-420-0200

Crawl Space Vapor Barriers Crawl Space Cleaning Insulation/Foam Board Sealing Basement Moisture Issues

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING BRADY LANDSCAPES. BBB accredited A+. A full-service landscape contracting co. Seasonal color, mulch & pine needles. Shrubbery bed installation & renovation. 40 years exp. Fully insured. FREE EST. (336) 621-2383. www.bradylandscapes.com. EXTERIOR GREENSCAPES. Lawn maintenance service. Call for a free estimate (336) 682-1456.

locally based in Stokesdale ● (336) 937-4983 northstarmoisture@gmail.com www.northstarmoisture.com MEDLIN'S LANDSCAPING. Res./comm. lawn service. Fully insured. Call/text (336) 817-3036. ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. (336) 643-9157.

DRIVEWAY REPAIR. Seal coating and asphalt protectant. For quotes & questions, call Ryan at Triad Seal Team. (336) 901-5191.

Northwest Observer Totally1996 local since 1996 The NorthwestThe Observer • Totally local• since

continued on p. 38

DEC. 7 -720, 2023 DEC. - 20, 2023 37

HOME SERVICES

JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, outbuildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc. Also can haul mulch. Call (336) 706-8470.

PAINTING & DRYWALL

BEK Paint Co.

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION, LLC. 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. Please call (336) 362-7469.

Residential & Commercial David & Judy Long, owners

PEARMAN QUARRY LCID. Inert debris landfill. Yard waste, concrete, etc. Mulch and fill dirt available. (336) 803-2195 or (336) 558-7673.

(336) 931-0600

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

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

Phil Barker’s

, INC

PLUMBING

Refinishing

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

Furniture Refinishing & Repairs Colored lacquering on furniture

(336) 275-5056

Philbarkersrefinishing@gmail.com

1316 Headquarters Dr., Greensboro, NC

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

HOME SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDER. Oak Ridge and surrounding area. Will run errands and do light housekeeping. M,W,F. Call (336) 707-4946; ask for Katrena.

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

Locally Owned and Independently Operated Franchise

IT’S YOUR HOME. Not just any handyman will do.

336-245-4485

DEC. - 20, 2023 38 DEC. 7 -720, 2023

Services TM Construction

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

PRESSURE WASHING

BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS

Roof and window replacement

(336) 644-8615 office (336) 508-5242 cell Licensed & insured

NC Gen. Contractor #72797

tmcsi.net

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

The Northwest Observer Keeping you connected since 1996!

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

ROOFING

HOUSE and ROOF SOFT WASHING. Martin's Pressure Washing. (919) 931-0856.

CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC. 40 + years experience. (336) 643-8191.

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. Free estimates. Since 1979. (336) 362-6343 or (336) 215-6122.

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. BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Senior discount. 44 years exp. (336) 362-6343 or (336) 215-6122.

Your HOME SERVICES company should be here!

Place your classified ad online at

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The Northwest • Totally local•since 1996 TheObserver Northwest Observer Totally local since 1996

DUSTIN CLINARD ROOFING. Shingles, metal, and leak repairs. Certified for 50year non-prorated shingle warranties. Call (336) 268-1908.

Not all roof damage is this obvious

Call today for a FREE inspection

(336) 310-4133

WWW.VILLAGEROOFS.COM

MISC. SERVICES

MISC. WANTED

PIANO LESSONS, all ages and levels, Summerfield area. Patti, (336) 298-4181.

Wanted: FARM EQUIPMENT to buy. All

GRAPHIC DESIGN. Affordable solutions for all your creative needs. Specializing in print, digital, presentation design, logo creation, brochures and more. Located in Summerfield. Phone (336) 988-2657 or email david@dpinterdesigns.com.

$$$ – WILL PAY CASH for your junk / wrecked

PORTABLE WELDING SERVICE. Welding & fabrication services. Call (336) 908-6906.

REAL ESTATE

kinds. Please call (336) 430-9507.

index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS ACCOUNTING

vehicle. For quote, call (336) 552-0328.

Kimberly Thacker Accounting.....................24 Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC............ 14

YARN NEEDED to make children's hats for

ART/DANCE/MUSIC

homeless shelter. Call Beth, (336) 644-8155.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Destination Arts............................................... 20 Indigo Art Studio................................................. 3

AUTOMOTIVE SALES / SERVICE

PetroserveNC LLC............................................ 12

BUILDING / REMODELING

Aim Hearing & Audiology.............................32 New Hope Medical............................................ 6 Novant Health...........................................21, 23 Oak Ridge Physical Therapy........................ 20 Triad Direct Primary Care..............................32

CANDIDATES

Bill Goebel, candidate school board.......... 17

MISC. FOR SALE SPLIT and SEASONED FIREWOOD available. $50 per truck bed load. Oak Ridge location. Call Mark, (336) 577-5395. SEASONED FIREWOOD. Any size load delivered or you pick up. Steve Newman Tree Service. Call (336) 643-1119. CARGO solid wood bunk bed set. Two beds with mattresses, pullout underbed drawer, ladder, nightstand, 6-drawer chest, and desk with light and padded chair. Excellent for child’s room, apartment or college. Must see. $600 firm. Cash only. Call (919) 497-6764. Stokesdale. FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSED DEALER. Top Gun. Has new guns for sale. Oak Ridge. Call (336) 362-0055. HAY for sale, round bales. $40 per bale. (336) 430-9507.

JOB OPENING

Beamer.................................................................24 EuroHaus............................................................ 36 Prestige Car Wash........................................... 20 Tire Max.............................................................. 30 Old School Home Repair...............................24 Superior Outdoor Spaces.............................. 16 TM Construction Services............................. 38

WELDING AND TRAILER REPAIR. Call Tim, (336) 402-3869.

Phil Barker’s Refinishing................................ 38 S&M Seamless Gutters..................................37 Stokesdale Heating & Air............................. 33 Stokesdale Storage...........................................39 Village Roofs, Inc............................................. 38 Wilson Seamless Gutters...............................37

LEGAL SERVICES

Barbour & Williams Law................................ 33

MEDICAL / HEARING / PT

ORTHODONTIC CARE

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

GTCC....................................................................28

Olmsted Orthodontics....................................21 Reynolds & Stoner Orthodontics.................27

DENTAL SERVICES

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS

HOME FOR SALE

Magnolia Shores Family Dental.................... 2 Summerfield Family Dentistry......................15

Northwest Animal Hospital........................... 14

LAND FOR SALE

EVENTS

LOTS for sale! Exclusive homesites.

Moravia Moravian, Dewey’s Store..............10 Peace UMC, Dewey’s Store.......................... 11 TAWCMM, The Intensive 2024..................... 7 Town of S’dale, Christmas Parade.............25

A New Dawn Realty........................................39 Debbie McDonald/Kelly Wagner, KW......... 3 Kara Winicki, EXP............................................ 12 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX............................. 29 Ramilya Siegel, Keller Williams...................... 5

Only 4 remain. No HOA. Summerfield

GROCERIES / SUPPLIES

RESTAURANTS

FINISHED CORNER LOT. Located on Stafford Mill Rd., Oak Ridge. (336) 209-1296.

address. Rockingham County taxes. Call (336) 314-3773 today. Owner financing may be available.

LAND WANTED WANTED: LAND. Any size or shape. Vacant or with dwellings. Matters not. We pay CASH! Quick closings! Call (336) 430-9507.

Selling or Renting? Place your ad online at

www.nwobserver.com

Stay connected to your neighbors at

Southern Foods................................................... 8

HAIR CARE

Great Clips...........................................................21

HEALTH & FITNESS

YMCA..................................................................... 4

INSURANCE

Gladwell Insurance Agency............................ 2

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Ace Handyman Services....................... 22, 38 Affordable Home Repair................................37 Bob Rents, LLC..................................................18 BEK Paint Company....................................... 38 Carlos & Son Painting.................................... 38 DeLima Lawn Services...................................37 Dillon Tree Service.............................................. 5 New Garden Landscaping & Nursery......... 3 North Star Moisture Solutions......................37

REAL ESTATE

Bistro 150............................................................21 Rio Grande......................................................... 20 To the Moon and Back Frozen Treats.......26

RETAIL

David Cole Pottery........................................... 11 Galvanized..........................................................10 Golden Antiques & Treasures........................ 9 Kernersville Arts & Crafts Guild................... 11 Stonefield Cellars..............................................10 Triplo...................................................................... 11

SCHOOLS

Revolution Academy....................................... 29

SCIENCE CTR/ZOOLOGICAL PARK

Greensboro Science Center..........................19

YOUTH SPORTS / CAMPS

Oak Ridge Youth Association......................26 Ultimate Kids – Home of Tumblebees......27

Northwest Observer Totally local since 1996 The NorthwestThe Observer • Totally local•since 1996 /NorthwestObserver

DEC. - 20, 39 DEC.7 7 - 20,2023 2023 39

PRSRT STD PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE U.S. POSTAGE

Postal Patron Postal Patron PO268, BoxOak 268,Ridge, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 • (336) 644-7035 PO Box NC 27310 • (336) 644-7035

PAID PAID

Oak Ridge,NC NC Oak Ridge, PermitNo. No.22 22 Permit ECRWSS ECRWSS

Peter Allen and his son, Jack, found a beautiful spot to read the latest news while visiting Balboa Park in San Diego, California.

Nancy Barrett caught up on the recent Grins and Gripes after spending some time in Skagway, Alaska.

Summerfield residents Terri and Bob Hawkins paused to read the Northwest Observer while blazing the trails in Yellowstone National Park in September.

Jim and Sue Krasulas of northwest Greensboro perused the news while overlooking the Rhine River Valley in Germany.

Sam Stokes, son of NWO editor Patti Stok es, tuned in to the news from back home before taking a glacier hike in Iceland this fall.

Going near or far? Be sure to pack up your Northwest Observer and send us your NWO on the go photos! Email your high-res photo to: photos@nwobserver.com