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NW Guilford

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what’s inside

Municipal water set to flow in Oak Ridge by year’s end....................................................................... 8 Summerfield boosts legal budget to $700,025 this FY as more lawyers are onboarded............ 11 Summerfield loses ARPA funding for municipal water system.....................................12 Summerfield manager Rollins ‘relieved of duties’.14 Stokesdale signs first long‑term contract for water tank maintenance.....................................16 Bandera Farms Park set for September opening...16 Oak Ridge road work project delayed by a year.18 Nov. 3 election preview....................................................18 Mayor’s Corner..................................................................... 20 Your Questions..................................................................... 22 Oak Ridge, Summerfield hold property tax rates steady........................................ 22 Connect2 KIDS’ Korner................................................... 23 Oak Ridge ninja athlete claims world title............... 24 Student artwork decorates signal boxes around Greensboro...................................................... 25 Eagle Scout enhances Headwaters Trail.............. 26 Peace garden adds welcoming touch....................... 26 New Northwest Middle School update ................ 27 Community survey: first jobs...................................... 28 Bodybuilder makes strong comeback at 70........ 32 Alison Huber – one person, many acts of service..35 Magnalia Homestead and Farm, a hidden gem....... 38 Connect2 Crossword........................................................ 40 Moravian church celebrates 130 years.................... 42 Community Calendar........................................................ 44 Heritage Day returns Sept. 26 .................................... 46 Laughlin School, back on the market......................... 48 63 acres near U.S. 220/N.C. 150 intersection listed for retail‑residential sale............................. 50 Runway concerns take flight in Summerfield rezoning hearing......................... 50 From fore to Z4, JetZero set to take off.................... 54 Critter Connection..............................................................57 Showing livestock leads to big aspirations........... 58 ORHSA proceeds benefit local causes.......................... 60 Pet/Adoptable animals photo page............................61 Around Town photo page.............................................. 62 Grins & Gripes...................................................................... 64 Neighborhood Marketplace........................................... 66 Index of Display Advertisers......................................... 70

The good, the bad… and sometimes, the ugly Even after seven quar‑ terly issues of Connect2, I’m still struck by how much life unfolds here at home between editions – how many stories of “extraordinary, ordinary” people cross our path, and how many more we Patti Stokes simply can’t fit within the editor/publisher limits of time and space. Publishing only once every three months requires a more “zoomed‑out” view of our com‑ munity, and that comes with its challenges. While we can’t offer the week‑to‑week detail the Northwest Observer provided for so many years (weekly for 14 of its 28, and monthly in its final year), we work hard to make every quar‑ terly edition informative, relevant, and worth your time. And please – read it in comfortable doses. Readers have sometimes apologized for not digesting the entire issue in one sitting, but there’s no need for apologies – we pack a lot into each issue, so just keep it close by and come back to it when you have time for more. Since our last issue in early June, one school year has ended and another has just begun (was it just me, or did the months fly by?). The state legislature approved a one‑year morato‑ rium on property revaluations completed in Jan‑ uary. Until that decision, towns and cities across North Carolina were in flux as they prepared budgets for the fiscal year beginning July 1. With valuations holding steady, Oak Ridge and Summerfield kept their tax rates unchanged, while the majority of Guilford County Commis‑ sioners and Greensboro City Council members approved budgets with tax increases. NCDOT’s roadwork project in Oak Ridge continues, but completion has been delayed by a full year due to utilities not being moved as they were supposed to before construction began. Beyond the inconvenience, the obvious question is: who will ultimately pay for that oversight? My suspicion is that it will be us – the taxpayers. Stokesdale, meanwhile, is celebrating the near completion of its Coldwater Road/N.C. 65 water system extension that will allow the town to serve more homes and work toward system redundancy. A testimony to the value of redun‑ dancy occcurred this summer, when a water main broke in Winston‑Salem, affecting Stokes‑ dale and all others who rely on that system for their municipal water supply. And then there is Summerfield. If space allowed, our pages could be filled entirely with the ongoing drama that seems to define it. On Aug. 18, the town manager announced his retirement, effective this February. The next

morning, however, he was gone from Town Hall, and three days later – after a 3¼‑hour emer‑ gency meeting – the council approved a motion stating that Rollins had appointed assistant town manager and planning director Justin Snyder as acting manager. The council also voted to hire yet another attorney to guide it through the tran‑ sition. One and a half weeks after the meeting, there was still no statement on the town’s web‑ site or Facebook page, leaving citizens bewil‑ dered as to Rollins’ status with the town, and why another lawyer had been hired. Many have asked me to write an editorial telling Summerfield residents how shocked they should be that the town has spent $1.15 million on attorney fees over the last two fiscal years. For perspective: Stokesdale spent an average of $30,000 annually during that same period, and Oak Ridge about $50,000 annually. And it doesn’t stop there – Summerfield has budgeted another $700,025 for legal fees this fiscal year. Ironically, since adding an attorney to our council in 2024 – one who said, when introducing himself as a candidate in August 2023, that he believed he could “help the town resolve its legal issues” – our legal fees have soared. Is it necessary for me to tell you how you should feel about that, or can you draw your own conclusions, as I have? And then there’s the matter of the $5.5 mil‑ lion in ARPA funds awarded for a municipal water system – money Summerfield let slip through its fingers. The town had already spent $769,499 of that allocation, and while the county isn’t requir‑ ing repayment, it’s unlikely we’ll see any lasting benefit from those dollars. In practical terms, that’s nearly $800,000 down the drain. In closing, and on a positive note… with so much to cover, this issue was both challenging and rewarding for all of us at the forefront and those behind the scenes. My thanks, as always, to longtime Northwest Observer writers and now Connect2 writers Chris Burritt and Annette Joyce for the many articles they provided and their con‑ tinued commitment to community journalism; to our art director, Kelli Jessup, whose creativity shines through every ad she designs and every “fun” page, including Kids Corner, Around Town, and our photo spreads. And to Yvonne Truhon, my graphic artist of more than 25 years. As we put this issue to bed, I’m reminded of this time three years ago, when she received an ominous diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Since then, she has not only survived but is thriving – and still hang‑ ing in with me through the sometimes exhaust‑ ing, always tedious, but critical production phase of pulling each issue together.

Patti Stokes

editor/publisher | Connect2 NWGuilford

patti@connect2nwguilford.com

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

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Municipal water set to flow in Oak Ridge by year’s end Extension to Oak Ridge Commons marks final step after two decades of planning by CHRIS BURRITT OAK RIDGE – The town’s $8.2 million municipal water system is nearing completion as crews connect electricity to the elevated tank behind Town Hall. A final extension of the water line to Oak Ridge Commons is now underway. If state permit‑ ting stays on track, water should begin flowing to initial customers by year’s end, said former mayor Spencer Sullivan, chair of the Water Advisory Board and one of the earliest advocates for a town water system.

“It’s been a long, long journey, but we’re here,” Sullivan said. “It’s going to have such a positive impact on the town… It’s hard for people to envision how well this is going to improve life in Oak Ridge.” The system’s first custom‑ ers sit along Linville Road and N.C. 150, the route of the 3.2‑mile water line run‑ ning from Kernersville, where Winston‑Salem/Forsyth County Utilities will supply water. Early connections will include Fire Station No. 15, Town Hall, the Farmhouse Community Center, State Employees’ Credit Union and about 15 homeowners along N.C. 150. Several subdivisions have expressed interest in future service. Sullivan said the advisory board is developing a strategy for neighbor‑ hood extensions, which would require enough homeowners to justify the roughly $1 million‑per‑mile cost of running a main. “To reach into a subdivision, we would obviously need to evaluate the cost… and factor in the number of people who are

Photo by Chris Burritt/ CONNECT2

Walkers make their way past the newly painted elevated water tower behind Oak Ridge Town Hall on a warm August morning.

...continued on p. 64

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The Town of Summerfield’s legal fees have soared in the last two+ years, reaching a record-high $662,642 for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Another $700,025 has been budgeted for legal fees this fiscal year.

With three active lawsuits, more new attorneys, and a major leadership transition, the town’s legal spending far outpaces neighboring municipalities and has sparked a citizen watchdog effort by CHRIS BURRITT and PATTI STOKES SUMMERFIELD – One month into the new fiscal year, Summerfield Town Council is already allocating additional money for legal expenses. During a special called meet‑ ing on Aug. 18, the council voted to appropriate another $88,958 for legal costs, raising the town’s pro‑ jected legal spending to $700,025 for the fiscal year that began July 1. The amount includes litigation expenses and fees billed by town attorney Ashley Anderson and other contracted lawyers. Summerfield’s legal bills have escalated in recent years. The town spent $1.15 million on legal expenses in the two years ending June 30, according to town financial records.

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The town is currently involved in litigation on three fronts, and possibly four. In a civil suit filed in July 2025, Summerfield alleged that former manager Scott Whita‑ ker and former finance officer Dee Hall undermined town operations and engaged in fraudulent payouts. Whitaker and Hall deny the allega‑ tions and have sued the town for defamation. A third case involves a public‑records dispute between the town and the former employees. Some of the town’s claims against Whitaker and Hall were put to rest last April after the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department closed its investigation of fraud, embezzle‑ ment, and RICO (racketeering) and confirmed it would not be pursuing criminal charges.

...continued on p. 56

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Summerfield loses ARPA funding for municipal water system after county cancels project Was it a lack of leadership or was it somebody else’s fault? Maybe it had nothing to do with us… We deserve an answer on this. I’d like to see some transparency.” – Summerfield citizen Brian Laney, speaking at the Town’s Aug. 11 council meeting

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SUMMERFIELD – Guilford County has withdrawn the federal dollars Sum‑ merfield was counting on to launch its long‑debated municipal water system, effectively halting the project and forcing town leaders to decide whether to pursue alternative funding or let the effort die. The move came June 25, when county commissioners adopted the fiscal year 2024–25 budget and formally can‑ celed Summerfield’s allocation of Amer‑ ican Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The town had been awarded $5.5 million in 2022 as part of a broader $14.5 million distribution to Summerfield, Oak Ridge and Stokesdale during the nationwide rollout of COVID‑19 relief funding. The money was intended to jump‑start construction of an elevated water tank and roughly two miles of water lines along N.C. 150. But the county’s budget office said the proj‑ ect could not meet the U.S. Treasury’s requirement that ARPA-funded work be completed by Dec. 31 of this year.

“The Board of Commis‑ sioners canceled the contract to comply with the require‑ ment that funds be expended, and the project completed, by December 31, 2026,” the county said in a statement.

Deadlines the Town couldn’t meet Just days before announc‑ ing that he planned to retire, town manager Charles “Twig” Rollins told Connect2 the timeline became impossi‑ ble once the lone qualified bidder, Bar Construction Co. of Greensboro, confirmed it could not obtain the water tank until next year.

“We were ready to select (Bar Con‑ struction), but they couldn’t get the tower in time to meet our deadline,” Rollins said. Even if the town secured all necessary easements along N.C. 150 – a step still not completed – it would have been impossible to fin‑ ish the project by the feder‑ ally required deadline. Rollins said he proposed a workaround: pay the tank manufacturer now, complete all other work by the dead‑ line, and allow the tank to be erected afterward. County officials rejected the idea.

NWGuilford

FALL 2026

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS Guilford County allocated $104 million in ARPA funds to 41 projects between 2022 and 2023. Summerfield’s unspent portion will now be reassigned to another initiative.

Fire District calls loss ‘disheartening’ Summerfield Fire District, which has long advocated for improved water access to support firefighting, said the loss of fed‑ eral funding represents a missed opportunity.

“It is certainly disheart‑ ening that the town lost the opportunity to use these ARPA funds to improve water infrastructure within our district,” the district said in a statement. Assistant Fire Chief Jenna Daniels said the department is already exploring whether it can secure other grants or reclaim a portion of the lost funding. Since 2014, the district has favored installing water storage tanks with pumps in multiple locations to give firefighters reliable access to water in areas where tradi‑ tional municipal water infrastruc‑ ture is not available.

Town does not have to repay what it already spent Summerfield is not required to repay ARPA dollars already used. As of June 30, the town had spent $769,499, according to the county’s online dashboard. In total, Summerfield has spent more than $1.6 million in grants on water development over the past two years. The cancellation pauses – and potentially ends – the town’s effort to build a water system initially envisioned for fire pro‑ tection and later, at significantly

FALL 2026

higher cost, for drinking water. Whether the project survives now depends on the Town Coun‑ cil. Rollins said the town could pursue grants or consider using funds from the town’s reserves. Summerfield previously received $1.1 million from the state legis‑ lature for water infrastructure.

Years of debate and distraction Municipal water has been one of Summerfield’s most divisive issues. Former Town Manager Scott Whitaker wrote in 2023 that public water was viewed either as a threat that would spur unwanted growth or as an opportunity to improve fire protection and attract amenities such as restaurants. Political turnover slowed prog‑ ress. The election of three new council members in November 2023 – followed soon afterward by the majority council’s vote to notify Whitaker his employment contract would not be renewed when it expired in June 2024 and the subsequent departure of Whitaker, finance officer Dee Hall and the rest of the town staff – shifted attention away from the water project during a critical period. Rollins spent the past year trying to secure a contractor and even signaled willingness to negotiate incentives for early completion. But the federal dead‑ line loomed too large.

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Summerfield manager Rollins ‘relieved of duties’ Justin Snyder, assistant manager and planning director, appointed as acting manager in tumultuous week for the town by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – Charles “Twig” Rol‑ lins’ role as Summerfield’s town man‑ ager has ended abruptly, just hours after he announced plans to retire in six months. The morning after Rollins told the Town Council he intended to step down Feb. 28, he responded to a text from Connect2NWGuilford, saying he “was relieved of my duties last night and cannot have contact with y’all about town business,” directing all questions to Mayor Lee Haywood. The council formalized the change during an Aug. 21 emergency meet‑ ing that Rollins did not attend. After a 3¼‑hour closed session, mem‑ bers unanimously approved a motion

File photo

Summerfield town manager Charles “Twig” Rollins

stating that Rollins had appointed Assistant Town Manager Justin Snyder as acting manager for up to 120 days. The council also hired the Sands Anderson law firm for guidance on the transition, noting that state law requires munici‑ palities to have a manager

Construction Services, INC

Courtesy photo

Summerfield acting town manager Justin Snyder

in place at all times. Town attorney Ashley Anderson previously worked for Sands Anderson before joining the Brough Law Firm in Chapel Hill. Rollins became Summer‑ field’s manager in Octo‑ ber 2024 after 1½ years as

town manager in Magnolia, a town of just over 1,000 residents. He called his time in Summerfield “the most rewarding period of my government career” during the council’s Aug. 18 meeting and offered to assist with a smooth transition. Council mem‑ bers thanked him for his service, but moments later Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney moved to excuse him from the meeting. Her motion failed 4–1, and after a subsequent two‑hour closed session, the council took no action as Rollins packed his briefcase and left. During his tenure, Rollins was tasked with advancing the update of Summerfield’s strategic planning while navigating unresolved issues he inherited, including extending the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway through town and overseeing the first phase of a proposed municipal water system – matters left in flux after the depar‑ ture of former Town Manager Scott Whitaker, former finance officer Dee

...continued on p. 52

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When Caden and Mady Pyne moved from California to Oak Ridge four years ago, the historic Old Mill of Guilford – and its iconic red waterwheel – quickly captured their attention as well as their hearts. Before long, Caden began volunteering there and worked part‑time during the busy holiday season. In August, the 30‑something couple purchased the 18th‑century grist mill on N.C. 68 from longtime owners Amy and Darrell Klug, who have seen steady year‑over‑year sales growth since they purchased it in 2008. Mady said she and Caden are committed to preserving the mill’s history and its role in the community, while also viewing the purchase as “a great investment for our future.”

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Stokesdale signs first long‑term contract for water tank maintenance by PATTI STOKES STOKESDALE – After eight months of reviewing firms, the Town Council voted unanimously on Aug. 13 to approve a 10‑year inspection and maintenance contract with Utility Services Company of Madison. The council believes the decision will extend the tank’s life by at Photo courtesy of Town of Stokesdale least a few decades. A rendering of Stokesdale’s updated 300,000‑gallon waThe program cov‑ ter tank shows the large, red block lettering outlined in ers routine inspections, black that will be visible from the ground – a fresh look that will replace the faded blue finish Mayor Pro Tem engineering reports, Derek Foy jokingly described as “a rotten blueberry.”

...cont’d on p. 18

Almost there! Bandera Farms Park set to open in September as construction nears finish

Photo by Chris Burritt/CONNECT2

Workers lower one of two prefabricated restroom buildings into place on Aug. 12 in preparation for a September opening of Bandera Farms Park off Bunch Road in Summerfield.

by CHRIS BURRITT

ing becomes available.

SUMMERFIELD – Bandera Farms Park is entering its final stretch toward opening, with completion expected in September. On Aug. 12, a crane lowered one of two prefabri‑ cated restroom buildings into place, marking a visible milestone in the long‑anticipated project. Bar Construc‑ tion Co. is finishing the hiking, cycling, and equestrian trails, along with the picnic shelter, parking areas, and other features across the 120‑acre site on Bunch Road near Interstate 73. An adventure playground is planned, and a graded pad has already been pre‑ pared for a future dog park once fund‑

“The public is certainly going to love this new park,” Piedmont Land Conservancy’s Palmer McIntyre told the Town Council last month. “It is beautiful; it is very well constructed.” Bandera Farms has been in devel‑ opment for more than five years. The Greensboro‑based Piedmont Land Conservancy led the land acquisition and later transferred ownership to Summerfield. The nonprofit secured nearly $4 million in state, federal, and private grants, with additional contributions from Greensboro, Guil‑ ford County, and Oak Ridge helping to bring the project to life.

JohnBlust N.C. House District 62

Leadership ● Integrity ● Results The following previously published quotes about John Blust, drawn from his years of service in the North Carolina Senate and House, reflect the reputation he has earned during his time in public office.

John Blust’s 5 years of Military Service

“John Blust is a man of character and integrity. You can count on him to keep his word. I am proud to have him representing me in Raleigh.” – Congressman Howard Coble

•

Class leader of Officer Basic Class in Field Artillery at the United States Army Field Artillery School at For Sill, Oklahoma.

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Earned airborne wings at United States Army Airborne School, Ft. Benning, Georgia. Volunteered for duty in the 2nd Infantry Division along the Demilitarized Zone in the Republic of Korea - the toughest duty assignment for new artillery officers.

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Assigned to a nuclear capable field artillery battalion - trusted with, and trained to employ, tactical nuclear weapons.

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Served for 18 months in the 82nd Airborne Division – “America’s Guard of Honor.”

“John Blust is the most honest forthright person I have ever known in politics. He is a tireless advocate for Guilford County.” – Joe Bostic, former Chairman of the Guilford County Commissioners “John Blust is the conscience of the Senate.” – Virginia Foxx, then NC Senator, now Congressman “Over his last two years, Blust has made a name for himself in the Senate as a tireless voice for integrity and openness.” – Greensboro News & Record “John Blust is a stand up guy. He is a fighter who will always stand up for his constituents. Honor, integrity, and work ethic are not just words to John., they are a way of life.” – BJ Barnes, then Guilford County Sheriff “Sen. John Blust of Greensboro, a disarmingly candid, Mr. Smith goes to Raleigh sort of legislator.” – Raleigh News & Observer “Blust, a Greensboro resident shows uncommon integrity. He has been a refreshing voice in the N.C. Senate, where he regularly challenges standard operating procedures.” – High Point Enterprise “A hardworking tenacious representative.” – Greensboro News & Record “Blust is one of the most conscientious and hard-working elected officials I have ever met and I have met quite a few.” – John Hammer, Rhinoceros Times Editor “A Republican of character…a devout conservative whose truest allegiance is to the rule of law, not to any party or clique.” – Author Corban Addison “Blust, a Greensboro attorney and accountant, is an exceptionally conscientious legislator who has served in the House and Senate…He is a fervent advocate of more responsible fiscal management in Raleigh and has pushed relentlessly for zero-based budgeting, among other reforms.’

– Greensboro News & Record

"Brilliant performance. A totally involved and dedicated officer. Unequalled in the Battalion by his peers." – Major Charles T. Horner, Executive Officer, 2/17th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division

''1st Lt. Blust is the best lieutenant in my command ... John is intelligent, long on common sense, uncommonly articulate and always willing to assist others. His willingness to work late hours to study every conceivable nuance of his job contributed to his brilliant performance ...” – Colonel Harry F. Eng, Commander,2/17th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division

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Completion of Oak Ridge Nov. 3 election preview road work delayed by a year Voters in Oak Ridge, Stokesdale, Summerfield, and surrounding communi‑ ties will see several import‑ ant local, state, and federal races on the Nov. 3 midterm general‑election ballot. Below is a quick guide to some of the choices northwest Guilford voters will be making, along with useful elec‑ tion-related information.

On the ballot Photo by Patti Stokes/CONNECT2

Roadwork along N.C. 68 and 150 in Oak Ridge will continue for another year, as NCDOT has pushed the project’s completion date from September 2026 to September 2027 due to delays in relocating utilities.

by CHRIS BURRITT

lic have (the roads) back,” he added.

OAK RIDGE – Improvements to N.C. 68 and 150 will take a year longer than originally projected due to delays in relocating utilities along the roads.

Crews will also avoid working around Oak Ridge Elementary School during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup, Evans said, noting they’ll “do their best to be out of the way.”

The work is now scheduled for completion in September 2027, according to Josh Evans, project engi‑ neer for the North Carolina Depart‑ ment of Transportation. “The contractor doing the work on the project has been granted an exten‑ sion because of utilities that were in the way,” Evans said in a recent interview. Electrical and cable lines “were sup‑ posed to be moved before the project got going. Unfortunately, they weren’t. “We have full confidence that they’ll be able to hit the new date and we’ll be out of the way and let the pub‑

Construction of two roundabouts will occur later in the project. Evans said the contractor will first complete the roundabout at N.C. 68 and Linville Road near Bojangles before moving to the second one on N.C. 150 at Mar‑ ketplace Drive, near Sherwin-Williams and the entrance to Oak Ridge Com‑ mons.

GUILFORD COUNTY SHERIFF This race determines who will lead the county’s largest law‑en‑ forcement agency, overseeing patrol, detention, courthouse security, and civil processes. On the ballot are Danny Rogers (D), incumbent, and Phil Byrd (R) COUNTY COMMISSIONER – District 3 District 3 covers a large por‑ tion of northwest Guilford. Com‑ missioners set countywide policy, approve budgets, and oversee departments ranging from pub‑ lic safety to parks. On the ballot are Pat Tillman (R), incumbent; Derek Mobley (D); and Jeanine Couto (GRE)

NC HOUSE – District 62 District 62 includes parts of northwest Guilford. State House members craft statewide legisla‑ tion on education, taxes, transpor‑ tation, public safety, and more. On the ballot are John Blust (R), incumbent, and Shelly Headen (D) NC SENATE – District 26 This district covers portions of Guilford and neighboring counties. State senators vote on statewide laws, budgets, and policy priorities. On the ballot are Sam Page (R) and Steve Luking (D) U.S. SENATE (North Carolina) One of North Carolina’s two U.S. Senate seats is up for elec‑ tion this year. The winner will represent the state in Washing‑ ton on national issues including defense, agriculture, healthcare, and federal spending. The two candidates on the

...continued on p. 70

“Once most of the work is com‑ pleted on the 68 side, the contractor is going to jump to 150 and do every‑ thing over there,” Evans said. “There’ll be some things happening at the same time on both sides of the project.”

NEW WATER TANK ...continued from p. 16 washouts, interior and exterior paint‑ ing, access improvements, repairs, and emergency work. A year‑by‑year schedule outlines exactly when each task will occur – a structured approach council mem‑ bers said was a major reason for choosing a long‑term plan. The tank will also get a fresh look. Its faded blue paint prompted Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy to joke that it resembles “a rotten blueberry.” The council approved a calm white exterior and large, red block lettering with black outlines on two sides, tying the design to the colors of nearby

Stokesdale Elementary and the future Northwest Middle School campus to be built in Stokesdale. Black hash marks at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% will show water levels, and the tank’s ball will be painted red. The town will make an initial $116,500 payment this year using ARPA funds, followed by nine annual installments of $21,127 from the Water Enterprise Operating Fund. Council members said the agree‑ ment provides a predictable, profes‑ sional plan for maintaining one of the town’s most critical and visible water system assets.

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MY COMMITMENT TO YOU Hello NW Guilford County Neighbors, My name is Steve Luking and I care deeply about our community. Like many of you, I have children and grandchildren living here. I want them to have great public schools, a supportive community, good jobs, access to quality healthcare, and a thriving place to call home. Too often, our leaders in Raleigh lose sight of the needs of everyday people. As the cost of raising a family and running a small business continues to skyrocket, it feels like career politicians are more focused on corporate donors, special interests, and partisan fights than on finding practical solutions. I practiced family medicine for 30 years in Reidsville and served as Chief of Staff and Chair of the Hospital Board at Annie Penn Hospital. My wife and daughter are public school teachers, and I have spent decades advocating for patients, families, and strong public institutions. During the 12-year struggle to expand Medicaid I was recognized as one of the top physicians in the state fighting for it. Today, Medicaid expansion provides health coverage to more than 600,000 North Carolinians and has stabilized our rural & urban hospitals. As your state senator, my priorities are straightforward: lowering the cost of living, revitalizing our public schools (50th in the nation in funding is shameful!), improving medical care access & affordability, and creating a fairer tax system for everyday working families, small businesses and property owners. I will also bring an independent voice to the General Assembly. I promise that as your state senator I will listen to my constituents and will be thoughtful and nonpartisan in my decision making. I will work with anyone who truly has the success of everyday citizens at heart-meanwhile the special interests who far too often influence our current General Assembly will not even bother to knock on my door. I would be honored to earn your support and serve the communities we all call home.

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Thank you to the mayors of Oak Ridge, Stokesdale, and Summerfield for sharing these updates on their towns’ recent challenges, accomplishments, and ongoing projects.

Stokesdale Mayor Tee Stephenson one of our highest priorities.

The past several months have been busy for the Town of Stokesdale, with significant attention devoted to strengthening our water system, improving infrastructure, enhanc‑ ing communication, and continu‑ ing to build connections through‑ out our community.

One of our most important ongoing projects is the Coldwater Road/N.C. 65 water line exten‑ sion. Installation of the new water main and fire hydrants is now complete, and the project is mov‑ ing toward final tie-ins and service connections. The project remains on schedule for completion this fall and will expand access to municipal water for property own‑ ers along the corridor. Working with Hazen and Sawyer Engineering, we are also making steady progress on the Town’s Water System Asset and Inventory Assessment. This work will guide future decisions about system improvements, water stor‑ age, rates, and long-term capital needs.

In June, the Town Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026– 2027 budget, and Stokesdale continues to operate without a local property tax. Maintaining a balanced and responsible budget while investing in essential infra‑ structure and services remains

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The Town continues to invest in the long-term reliability of our water infrastructure. In addi‑ tion to advancing a new control valve and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for our 300,000-gallon elevated water tank, the Town Council approved a mainte‑ nance agreement with Utility Service Co., Inc. The agree‑ ment includes an upfront ren‑ ovation of the tank – complete with a fresh white exterior and new block lettering with the word “STOKESDALE” on two sides – followed by ongoing pro‑ fessional maintenance, periodic inspections, and cleaning.

the patience and cooperation of our residents throughout the inci‑ dent. Pursuant to this incident, Town staff is evaluating enhanced cus‑ tomer-communication tools that would allow the Town to provide emergency notifications through email, telephone, and text mes‑ saging. Community engagement continues to be one of the most meaningful parts of serving as mayor.

The recent regional watermain break and boil-water advi‑ sory underscored the importance of preparedness and communi‑ cation. When the July 29 break in Winston-Salem’s regional water system caused a loss of pressure in Stokesdale, Town staff worked closely with Winston-Salem/For‑ syth County Utilities, Hazen and Sawyer, the Stokesdale Fire Dis‑ trict, Guilford County Emergency Management, and our water system operator to restore ser‑ vice, monitor conditions, conduct required testing, and distribute bottled water. The advisories were lifted Aug. 1 following satisfactory water-quality results. I appreciate

As the previous school year was winding down, we welcomed the third-grade classes from Stokesdale Elementary School to Town Hall. This exception‑ ally well-behaved group listened intently as they learned about the history of Stokesdale, the origin of our town’s name, and the mean‑ ing behind our town seal. Presen‑ tations from Morris and Morris Family Dentistry and the Stokes‑ dale Fire District made the day even more memorable. These moments of connec‑ tion – across generations and throughout our community – are what make this role so rewarding. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as your mayor and look forward to continuing our work together to make Stokesdale an even better place to call home.

Oak Ridge Mayor Jim Harton After a very confusing budgeting process, the NC legislature imposed a one-year moratorium on new property valuations taking effect. With that decision the Oak Ridge Town Council was able to finalize our 2026-27 fiscal year’s budget on June 30, leaving the current property tax rate at 8 cents per $100 of property value. With this behind us, the Town

Council began updating the Town’s strategic plan, something that I first proposed in Decem‑ ber 2025. My goal is to have this updated strategy in place before the end of the year. In addition, the Town Council has initiated a volunteer recognition program to honor the many Oak Ridge resi‑ dents who contribute to the prog‑ ress of our community. It is our volunteers that make Oak Ridge strong. We also hope to encour‑ age others, especially our new res‑ idents, to join us as volunteers. The Town Council and our Parks and Recreation Advisory

NWGuilford

FALL 2026

Board continued to evalu‑ ate a possible sports courts project (including ten‑ nis, basketball and pick‑ leball) for Heritage Farm Park. The Town is working with Revington Reaves to refine the potential site plan and project future costs for this courts project which will also provide 52 needed park‑ ing spaces at Heritage Farm Park. Council is also evaluating additional parking along Lisa Drive near the Farmhouse Community Center. Financing for these projects is crucial since the cost is estimated to be more than $2 million. I remind everyone that the Town currently owes about $2.2 million on the Heritage Farm Park loan. Progress on our Town’s municipal water system has continued with the near completion of our new water tower behind Town Hall. However, additional

pipeline work to connect Oak Ridge Commons shopping center to our water system remains. We hope this will be completed by the end of the year. In addition, while NCDOT has made progress on the expanded intersec‑ tion at N.C. 68 and 150, the same progress has not been made with the two roundabouts planned at Lin‑ ville Road and N.C. 68 and between Oak Ridge Com‑ mons and Oak Ridge Mar‑ ketplace on N.C. 150. I con‑ tinue to ask our residents to drive with care as they navi‑ gate future changing traffic patterns. Finally, Williams Transco continues to make progress on the federal pipeline expan‑ sion project. I thank our residents for their continued patience while these major infrastruc‑ ture projects continue to move forward.

Summerfield Mayor Lee Haywood As I write this, students have just headed back to school and thank‑ fully, the brutal heat is moderating a little bit. The cooler temperatures are a welcome relief, but to quote Don Henley in “The Boys of Summer,” it also means that summer is becoming “out of reach.” Although I am a “fall-type” person, I’m in no hurry for summer to end and hope to make the most of what is left – where does the time go? Fortunately, we in Summerfield still have some great events to look for‑ ward to, including our last Music in the Park at Summerfield Community Park Amphitheater on Aug. 28, featuring “Bantam Rooster.” “The Lego Movie” on Sept. 5, also at the amphitheater in the community park on Centerfield Road, will wrap up Movies in the Park for this year (by the way, this movie was rescheduled from its original date of Aug. 8 due to,

believe it or not – rain!) Gates open at 7 p.m. and the movie starts at dusk. On Sept. 26 we’ll once again part‑ ner with Guilford County to host an annual Recycling Event at Summer‑ field Elementary School from 8 a.m. to noon. Guilford County Sheriff’s Office will also be there collecting creams, vitamins, bottled prescriptions and loose pills. And the following week, our annual Touch-A-Truck event will take place on Oct. 3. This is one of my favorites, and I hope to see you there at Summerfield Athletic Park, beginning at 10 a.m. Over the last few months, we’ve updated our website in an ongo‑ ing effort to improve communication with our citizens and provide a more user-friendly experience. Details about upcoming events and more can be found at www.summerfield.gov. Our town clerk, Leah Rucker, is our web‑ master and with her at the helm, it will only get better. Thanks again to Connect2 for the opportunity to speak with you directly.

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Oak Ridge, Summerfield keep tax rates unchanged State’s one‑year pause on Guilford County revaluations shapes new town budgets NW GUILFORD – Oak Ridge and Summerfield left their property tax rates unchanged for the fiscal year beginning July 1, following the legis‑ lature’s decision to impose a one‑year moratorium on higher property valuations from Guilford County’s recent reappraisals. Oak Ridge’s rate remains 8 cents per $100 of valu‑ ation, while Summerfield’s stays at 5 cents. Stokesdale does not levy a property tax. Earlier this spring, towns across Guilford County struggled with bud‑ get planning amid uncertainty over whether the new valuations would take effect in 2026. Just weeks before the June 30 deadline for adopting municipal budgets, law‑ makers voted to freeze the higher values for a year, forcing municipali‑ ties statewide – including Oak Ridge

and Summerfield – to revise revenue projections. Anticipating the higher valuations, Oak Ridge Town Manager Bill Bruce had proposed lowering the town’s tax rate from 8 cents to 6.6 cents per $100 of valuation. After the mora‑ torium halted the expected revenue increase, he recommended keep‑ ing the rate at 8 cents in the town’s $2.75 million budget. Summerfield’s Town Council adopted a $2.21 million budget that maintains its 5‑cent tax rate, which was raised from 2.75 cents last year to avoid being labeled a “paper town” with limited services. The increase brought Summerfield in line with newly chartered municipalities, which must levy at least 5 cents per $100 of valuation under state law.

Photo by Patti Stokes/CONNECT2

your QUESTIONS

Over the last few months, I’ve noticed land-clearing work near Summerfield Veterinary Hospital on U.S. 220. What’s in store? The owners of 12.1 acres on U.S. 220 north of Strawberry Road in Summerfield have cleared the property as part of their plan to construct a single-family home and a private event center, according to Justin Snyder, Summerfield’s acting town manager and planning director. Owners Salvador Salazar and

Rosa Marie Ramirez Shaw haven’t yet submitted a formal plan as “there are still watershed and re-platting issues to be worked out,” Snyder said in a recent email. A sketch plan shows the proposed event center next to Sum‑ merfield Veterinary Hospital and fur‑ ther north, the layout for the house. The proposed uses align with the agricultural (AG) zoning of the property “so no rezoning is neces‑ sary,” Snyder said. “It will be han‑ dled through the plat and site plan approval processes.”

EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS about northwest-area topics to info@Connect2NWGuilford.com

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Oak Ridge ninja athlete claims world title

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Welcoming new patients Photos courtesy of Alexandra Rice

(Above) Jackson Rice, age 11, competing in the World Ninja League’s World Championship held at the Greensboro Coliseum in June. (Right) Jackson stands atop the winner’s podium after claiming first place in the Tier 2 preteen division at the WNL World Championship.

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Fresh off his Tier 2 preteen victory at the WNL World Championship in Greensboro, 11-year-old Jackson Rice is already training for the tougher Tier 1 season ahead by PATTI STOKES OAK RIDGE – At just 11 years old, Jackson Rice already knows how to fly. Not with wings, of course, but with the kind of fearless momentum that carries a young athlete across swinging bars, balance beams, skyhooks, and zip lines – the signature obstacles of the fast‑growing sport of Ninja Warrior. And this summer, that momentum car‑ ried him all the way to a world title. Jackson, a homeschooled sixth‑grader who has lived in Oak Ridge nearly his entire life, won first place in the Tier 2 preteen division of World Ninja League’s World Champi‑ onship, held at the Greensboro Coli‑ seum in June. The annual event draws thousands of athletes and spectators from across the United States and other countries including Israel, Can‑ ada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom – and brings millions of dollars into the City of Greensboro. For Jackson, the victory was the culmination of years of training, disci‑

pline, and a child‑ hood spent climb‑ ing anything he could reach. His mother, Alex‑ andra Rice, remembers the early signs. “At age 2, he liked to hang and would swing his feet up on slides using only his upper body,” she said. “He had very good balance at an early age.” She was introduced to the sport of Ninja Warrior after talking to another mom who suggested she check out a Greensboro gym offer‑ ing camps for climbing, swinging, and jumping. Jackson tried it at age 5 – and was immediately hooked. Ninja Warrior competitions test overall athleticism, problem‑solving, grip strength, coordination, balance, and technique. Courses are inten‑ tionally “super challenging,” rarely repeated from one competition to the next, and designed to push ath‑ letes to their limits. Competitors face three stages: Stage 1 to qualify for Stage 2, Stage 2 to reach Stage 3, and Stage 3 – the hardest – where only a handful of athletes typically advance. In one competition, Jackson noted, only two out of 55 kids made it to Stage 3. At Worlds, Jackson competed against 92 athletes in his age group. He finished third overall for World

Champion, but first across all three stages combined, earning the Tier 2 title. He even missed the final obsta‑ cle on Stage 3 – and still won. His mental approach is as important as his physical strength. Sometimes athletes get to see a video of the course ahead of time; other times, they don’t see it until they arrive. “Not knowing the course can make you nervous,” Jackson said, “but everyone’s on the same playing field.” Before each run, he walks the course, studies the obstacles, and focuses on zoning out the noise. “You pretend it’s just you,” he said. Jackson trains at Level Up in Thomasville under owner/coach Chad Hohn, a four‑time competi‑ tor on the hit TV show “American Ninja Warrior.” After Jackson’s world

win, Hohn built a custom Ninja rig in his backyard – a “serious setup,” Alexandra said – where he practices almost daily except just before and after a competition and when his family is on vacation. With his world title, Jackson automatically moves up to Tier 1, the advanced level, where he knows the competition will be tougher. One of the lessons he says he’s taken from competing is to “always stay humble,” and never slack off on training. “I’m going to train even harder so I can keep winning,” he said. When he’s not training or doing schoolwork, Jackson enjoys basket‑ ball, biking, running, going to the park – and fishing. But Ninja Warrior remains his passion, and he’s really, really good at it.

Experience, integrity and “old school” values

New decks ● Deck repairs & resurfacing Screen porches ● Wood rot repairs Bathroom additions and remodels... & more

Student artwork decorates signal boxes around Greensboro Downtown Greensboro Inc. (DGI) has partnered with area schools to turn 47 traffic signal boxes into colorful pub‑ lic art displays, each wrapped in student‑designed artwork imagining what Downtown Greensboro might look like in 2035. The project, part of the “GSO35: Downtown in a Decade” initiative, invited K-12 students to submit creative visions for the city’s future. From 140 submissions representing 13 schools, 47 pieces were selected by DGI staff, board members, and members of the Forge Maker‑ space. The chosen works span all grade levels and include watercolor, digital illustra‑ tion, abstract designs, and whimsical interpretations of Greensboro’s growth. Among the selected artists is Stokesdale Elemen‑ Photo courtesy of Christina Knestrick tary third-grader Preston Stokesdale Elementary third-grader Preston Knestrick, whose artwork will Knestrick stands next to his artwork that was be displayed on a downtown selected to be displayed as a part of Downtown signal box for the next three Greensboro’s Signal Box Project. years. Preston and his family attended a celebratory reception in “This partnership with local schools early June, where students gathered transforms ordinary infrastructure into to see their artwork unveiled publicly vibrant, welcoming public art,” said Rob for the first time. His piece now joins Overman, interim executive director of DGI. dozens of others brightening Greens‑ “We’re thrilled to give students a real stage boro’s streetscape. to share their vision for downtown’s future.”

A ‘tired’ deck gets a new life The homeowner felt her deck had definitely seen better days — there was wood rot on the floorboards and railings, and plenty of boards were split or warped. The pergola was newer and she really wanted to keep it, but we still had to rebuild the outer band and replace the posts to make sure everything was solid. We wrapped up the project just in time for her family’s Easter visit, and they were ecstatic about what a big difference the deck restoration made. The black aluminum railings were a huge hit — they open up the view so much more than the old 2x2 wooden balusters ever did.

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Eagle Scout enhances Headwaters Trail with new interpretive panels

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Eagle Scout Jackson Heltsey (left) stands beside one of the four interpretive panels he designed, produced and installed this summer along the 2.5-mile Headwaters Trail in Oak Ridge as he talks about his Eagle project with MST Committee members, Oak Ridge Town Council representatives, and staff and community members on June 24.

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OAK RIDGE – The Headwaters Trail received an enhancement this summer thanks to four new interpretive panels

Peace garden adds welcoming touch to nature trails

Red dirt Pine needles White river rock (by order)

Photos courtesy of Tammy Hinkley

Asphalt millings

installed as part of an Eagle Scout proj‑ ect led by Jackson Heltsley of Troop 149 in Greensboro. Jackson, who gradu‑ ated from Northwest High School in

Karen Hinkley (above), 15, a member of Troop 219g in Oak Ridge and a sophomore at Revolution Academy, has completed an Eagle Scout project for the Town of Sum‑ merfield.

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For her project, she designed and built a peace garden along the nature trails behind the Paw Park at Sum‑ merfield Community Park. The garden consists of native plants, three benches, a kindness rock garden and in the center, a striking 6‑foot obelisk (shown in photo above right) engraved with the word “peace” in 12 different languages. Karen chose the languages based on her research of Summerfield and its cultural diversity, with her goal to make everyone feel welcome and included.

June and is now a freshman at West‑ ern University, developed the idea for the project while working with Oak Ridge’s Mountains‑to‑Sea Trail (MST) Committee. The panels are located along the 2.5‑mile trail, which follows the Haw River to Linville Road in Oak Ridge. Their placement and con‑ tent were shaped as Jackson hiked on the trail with members of the MST Committee, who helped iden‑ tify key natural features and story points along the route. Jackson designed, produced, and installed the signs, which high‑ light the environmental signifi‑ cance of the corridor, including its wetlands, native wildlife, watershed role, and beaver activity. On June 24, Jackson guided MST Committee members and others along the Headwaters Trail to show them his project. The MST spans 1,175 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks; the mission of the Oak Ridge MST Commit‑ tee is to plan and develop the trail through the town. Those interested in seeing the new signage can begin at the Headwaters Trail parking lot at 8509 Linville Road in Oak Ridge.

New Northwest Middle School project moves forward in Stokesdale Guilford County Schools finalizes land purchase, prepares for public input as planning begins on the 1,200‑student campus.

holders. Families from all feeder schools will receive official notice. Feeder patterns are expected to remain the same, and there have been no discussions about redistricting. As plans develop, GCS will post meet‑ ing details – including date, time, and location – on its website. As the host municipality, Stokesdale looks for‑ ward to hearing from residents, elected officials, and community leaders throughout the planning process.

The following is a condensed update provided by DAVID COATES, District 3 rep., Guilford County Board of Education STOKESDALE – The new Northwest Middle School project on N.C. 68 in Stokesdale continues to advance. Guilford County Schools (GCS) has officially purchased the 129.6‑acre site, a significantly larger property than the current middle school campus. The new school is planned for a 1,200‑student capacity, with room for future expansion; Northwest Middle currently serves about 900 students. As with all school construction projects in North Carolina, the site must meet specific requirements during the schematic design phase. Unlike the current setup – where Northwest Middle and Northwest High share athletic facilities – the new middle school will have its own dedicated athletic spaces incorporated directly into the site plan.

The design remains flexible, and GCS hopes to gather strong public input to ensure the school reflects the needs of students, families, and the broader community. The next major step is selecting a design‑build firm. Once that firm is approved, it will work with GCS to schedule a public meeting later this year to gather feedback from parents, residents, and other stake‑

Site work could begin as early as this fall, focused first on preparing the land. The current target is for the school to open during the 2030–31 academic year, ideally at the start of the year, though construction timelines could shift. There is precedent for new schools opening mid‑year if needed.

GCS staff are aware of Stokesdale’s water system and will coordinate with the town on any infrastructure needs that arise. Stokesdale is also exploring a pedes‑ trian and bicycle plan, and GCS has been informed of that effort, which may intersect with future site planning. Last November, the Board of Education unanimously approved spending $6.7 million to purchase the property, consisting of five separate parcels located in the 7700 block of N.C. 68. Funding for the project comes from the $1.7 billion bond package voters approved in 2022. Although the project is still in its early stages, there is a strong commitment to open communication between GCS and all interested groups. As your representative on the Guilford County Board of Education, I believe this new school represents a tremendous opportunity for our students and for the Stokesdale community. David Coates can be contacted via email at coatesd3schoolboard@gmail.com.

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Before careers, there were first jobs In celebration of Labor Day, we asked readers to look back at the work that taught them their earliest lessons

babysitter lifeguard landscaping hostess compiled by ANNETTE JOYCE delivery bus driver waiter On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law establishing the first Monday in September as a national food service maintenance holiday to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers. In those early years, the day was marked by bank teller snack bar clerk parades, ceremonies, and community celebrations that even‑ tually evolved into backyard barbecues, family gatherings, and end‑of‑summer getaways.

Growing up on a tobacco farm, my family spent this much‑anticipated holiday working. There were no parties or trips. When my younger sister and I complained, our dad always gave the same reply: “It’s Labor Day,” he said. “We’re laboring.” To put it in perspective, nearly all my friends came from tobacco‑farming families, so we were all in the same boat and it was simply part of life. In celebration of Labor Day and all the many people who make up our workforce, we thought it would be interesting to take a trip down Memory Lane and learn more about our read‑ ers’ first experiences in the working world.

Baking Contest Homemade muffins

Sweet or Savory Heritage Day

Saturday, September 26 Drop your muffins off at the Special Events Committee booth by 11 a.m.; judging is at 11:30 a.m. Entry forms and rules can be picked up at Town Hall or online at www.oakridgenc.com.

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Casey Johnson’s entrepreneur‑ ial spirit showed up early. The Stokesdale resident and owner of CJ Builders said he was work‑ ing two jobs by the time he was about 13 years old. “I had a little mowing busi‑ ness, and my dad would drive me around to each property,” Johnson said. “I also got up hay, which was a hot and sweaty job made worse because I was the biggest guy and was stuck on the ground throwing the bales up to the other guy.” Those early jobs left a lasting impression. “I learned that money doesn’t grow on trees,” he said. “It made me realize that good, hard work makes you appreciate what you get. Those jobs also taught me that you have to be on time, and that you just can’t quit.”

Liner’s job came with a bonus in that one of his co-work‑ ers happened to be a senior who was willing to share his campus knowledge with the newbie.

Billy Liner, an Oak Ridge resi‑ dent and groundskeeper for the town’s Parks and Recreation Department, strengthened his already strong work ethic during his freshman year at Louisiana State University (LSU) when he acquired a job with the universi‑ ty’s recreation facility.

“It was a great way to develop good customer service skills and a reputation for trust‑ worthiness,” the northwest Guil‑ ford resident said.

As one of three maintenance workers, Liner was responsible for keeping the facility operat‑ ing, which included everything from “changing lightbulbs to fix‑

“He kind of took me under his wing and gave me advice on dealing with college life,” Liner said. The biggest thing Liner said he took away from that first job was better time management. “I was carrying a full class load and working,” he said. “I had to manage my time care‑ fully to get everything done.’ The summer after graduating from high school, Dina Smith stepped into her first job as a bank teller. Throughout college, she returned to the same branch during summers and on Satur‑ days when she was home for the weekend.

Those skills proved invalu‑ able when she moved to Win‑ chester, Virginia, to begin her career as a social worker. “My position wasn’t available imme‑ diately, so I applied at a bank and worked there full-time until I was able to start with social ser‑ vices,” she said.

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FALL 2026

Susan Greeson, an attorney and Oak Ridge resident, said she was about 14 when she began working as a babysitter in her very small neigh‑ borhood. She remembers her mother being more than a little paranoid about her babysitting skills and attention span. “She would never let me stay with babies or toddlers because she didn’t trust me with them,” Greeson said. “This was also decades before call waiting or cell phones, and she would call the family’s house where I was staying that particu‑ lar night just to make sure I wasn’t on the phone with friends and not watching the kid.” If the phone stayed busy for more than five minutes, her mother would get in the car, drive to the house, and scold her for not doing what she was being paid to do – even if the child was sound asleep. When asked what she learned from that first job, Greeson replied, “I guessed I learned to lis‑ ten to my mother.” Like many teenagers, Jill Joyner babysat until she landed her first “adult job” as a hairdresser. “I really enjoyed what I did and learned a lot about dealing with different kinds of people,” Joyner said. As life moved forward, Joyner found her‑ self juggling two jobs when she took on the responsibilities of office manager for Stokes‑ dale Heating and Air Conditioning, the family

business owned by her husband, Ray, and his brother, Bobby. As the company grew, she even‑ tually stepped away from hairdressing to focus full‑time on the business. More than two decades later, Joyner still finds satisfaction in serving such a wide range of cus‑ tomers. “Helping other people has always been a big thing for me,” she said. “I like the fact that I get to do that every day.” At 14 years old, Bevie Marshburn earned a whopping 50 cents an hour working at a Kern‑ ersville drug store with a soda fountain. “I loved working behind the counter mak‑ ing milk shakes and talking with customers,” she said. The biggest takeaway she remembers from that job was learning how to count change. A Stokesdale resident, Bobbie Gardner began working at Wesley Long Hospital in the Laborato‑ ry for Pathologists when she was just 16 years old. She landed the job on the recommendation of a teacher. “I was proficient at typing and could tran‑ scribe the doctors’ notes,” she said. “At the time, I was interested in the medical field and was thinking of being a nurse.” Although she ultimately chose a career in real estate, Gardner came away from that job with life skills that stayed with her.

thy for what they were going through – especially the elderly and the children who were ill,” she said. “At times, it was a very stressful job. I also learned to multi-task and work under pressure.” Summerfield resident Leon Stokes, a retired software developer/engineer, worked from ages 11 to 14 as a newspaper delivery boy. “I was responsible for having newspapers delivered before 7 a.m., seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. I collected payments from subscribers and used those funds to buy the newspapers, keeping what was left over,” Stokes said. “The job was difficult. The pay was low, but good for an 11‑year‑old. The Sunday papers were heavy and sometimes the weather was miserable. Many subscribers were kind and generous and others were not. It taught me a lot. Reliability, responsibility, business, money, and dealing with people. A great experience for me, although I didn’t think so at the time.” At age 16, Stokes took on a very different responsibility: driving a school bus. “In fact, I was on the job only a few days after I got my driver’s license,” he said. “I was attracted to the job since the training excused me from some classes for a week. The pay was decent, and obviously the schedule was a good fit for a high school student. Surprisingly, as stupid and reckless as 16‑year‑olds can be, as a group we had a better driving record than the adult drivers. Maybe reaction time overcomes recklessness? As

...continued on p. 31

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DID YOU GET YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL?

ANGRY YET? On the Guilford County Commission, Democrats voted to increase property taxes, while Republicans voted against it.

7 2

DEMOCRATS voted to increase PROPERTYtaxes

REPUBLICANS voted AGAINST IT

WANT CHANGE? VOTE REPUBLICAN. Guilford County taxpayers are paying the price For families across Guilford County, opening the property tax bill has become a painful reminder of how much harder it is to make ends meet. Over the past four years, residents have paid significantly more in property taxes while county spending has grown and financial reserves have declined. Taxpayers are giving county government more, but the county’s financial position is getting weaker. The first major increase followed the 2022 property revaluation. Property values rose sharply, but the Democratic-controlled Board of Commissioners kept the tax rate at 73.05 cents per $100 of assessed value. Commissioners could have adopted a revenue-neutral rate of approximately 59.54 cents, preventing the revaluation from becoming an automatic windfall for county government. Instead, they kept the higher rate. The Rhino Times described the decision as an effective 14-cent tax increase that allowed the county to collect approximately $92 million more in recurring property-tax revenue every year. Many homeowners saw increases of 25 to 30 percent, even though commissioners claimed they had not technically raised the rate. But the additional $92 million a year was not enough. For the 2026–2027 budget, the Democratic majority increased the county tax rate from 73.05 cents to 78.95 cents — a 5.9-cent increase. All seven Democratic commissioners voted for the increase. Republicans Alan Perdue and Pat Tillman cast the only votes against it. The increase is expected to take another $44 million from Guilford County property owners every year, funding a General Fund budget exceeding $889 million. The county’s General Fund budget has grown from approximately $616 million in 2018–2019, under a Republican-majority, to more than $889 million in 2026–2027 — an increase of nearly $273 million, or approximately 44 percent. Taxpayers are paying substantially more for a county government that keeps expanding. Greensboro residents were hit especially hard because the city also increased its rate. For a home valued at $300,000, the combined

increases mean paying approximately $555 more annually — even if the home’s assessed value did not change. That is not merely a number on a spreadsheet. It is money no longer available for groceries, medicine, school supplies, car repairs or retirement savings. Renters also suffer when landlords pass higher taxes along through higher rent. Seniors on fixed incomes cannot simply earn more to cover the increase. The contrast with Republican leadership in Raleigh is clear. While Guilford County Democrats raised property taxes, the Republican-led General Assembly steadily reduced North Carolina’s individual income tax rate from 5.25 percent in 2021 to 3.99 percent for tax years after 2025. Republican legislators also placed a constitutional amendment on the November 3rd ballot that, if approved by voters, will require the General Assembly to establish limits on property tax increases by local governments. Meanwhile, Guilford County’s financial warning signs continue. Available reserves fell from approximately $102.1 million in 2022– 2023 to $58.2 million in 2024–2025 — a decline of roughly $44 million. The reserve dropped to approximately 7 percent of the following year’s budget, below the county’s own 8 percent minimum policy. Waste and mismanagement are also showing up in county departments. The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office exceeded its personnel budget by $3.9 million, largely because chronic staffing shortages forced the department to rely heavily on overtime. That is not responsible budgeting. It is the expensive consequence of failing to recruit, retain and properly manage the workforce. This is not about one budget or one tax vote. It is a four-year record of higher taxes, bigger budgets, shrinking reserves and costly failures. Taxpayers have every right to be angry — and every reason to demand change.Vote for Republican candidates who will lower taxes, control spending, eliminate waste, and restore transparency. Every dollar the government spends first comes from someone who worked hard to earn it.

PAID FOR BY THE GUILFORD REC

NWGuilford

FALL 2026

Your Vote is Your Voice

VOTE REPUBLICAN TAKE THIS WITH YOU

TO THE POLLS 2026 REPUBLICAN VOTER GUIDE

FEDERAL OFFICES • U.S. Senate, Michael Whatley • U.S. House District 5,Virginia Foxx • U.S. House District 6, Addison McDowell • U.S. House District 9, Richard Hudson

JUDICIAL OFFICES • NC Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat, Sarah Stevens • NC Court of Appeals Seat 1, Michael C. Byrne • NC Court of Appeals Seat 2, George Cooper Bell • NC Court of Appeals Seat 3, Craig Collins

STATE LEGISLATURE

• NC Senate District 26, Sam Page • NC House District 59, Alan Branson • NC House District 60, Joseph Perrotta • NC House District 62, John M. Blust

COUNTY COMMISSIONER • District 2, Alan Perdue • District 3, Pat Tillman • At-Large, Mike Perdue

BOARD OF EDUCATION • District 2, Crissy Pratt • District 4,Tracy Gaskins • District 6, Maritza Gomez

OTHER OFFICES • Sheriff, Phil Byrd • District Court Judge, District 24, Erik R. Hamner

FINISH YOUR BALLOT Scan here for candidate information and other voting resources. PAID FOR BY THE GUILFORD REC FALL 2026

COMMUNITY SURVEY ...continued from p. 29

far as I know the school system no longer employs teenage bus drivers. I enjoyed the experience and there was a lot of camaraderie among the bus drivers.” “My first job was as a waitress at Cattleman’s Steak House (which is now Mayflower) in Madison,” said Zandra Slaydon, who was 15 years old when she entered the work‑ force. She enjoyed the work, espe‑ cially interacting with customers. “The only thing I didn’t like was when some of the help didn’t show up and I had double duty trying to keep up with all the customers.” That first job taught Slaydon a couple of important lessons: don’t panic when things get hectic, and “you can’t make everyone happy no matter what!” Slaydon recently retired from the real estate industry and is embracing her new lifestyle. “I get to do so many things now that I never had time for!” Donna Claeys, who co‑owns Garden Outlet/Summerfield Florist with her husband, spent her high school summers working at a pub‑ lic pool in her New Jersey home‑ town, serving as both a lifeguard and a snack bar clerk. She was 14 that first summer and was more or less pushed into the job by her mother, who insisted she needed to start working. Claeys said she enjoyed the snack bar more than lifeguarding. “Lifeguarding was just boring,” she said. Her biggest takeaway from those summers – “learning how to be nice to people even though they were horrible” – has served her well throughout her life. Amy Smith’s first job took place on a farm in Lewiston, New York, when she was about 9 years old. The farm family owned an or‑ chard and had several children, and Smith split her time between babysitting and working in the

NWGuilford

farmer’s ice cream shop. Although she was a capable babysitter, Smith especially loved tending the shop, where she got to “scoop ice cream and talk to cus‑ tomers.” When business slowed, she enjoyed restocking baskets with peaches and apples and cre‑ ating displays. Smith, who now lives in Stokes‑ dale, quickly learned the value of good customer service and positive engagement. “I really enjoyed getting to know our customers,” she said. “I also found out that bringing joy to someone brings joy to you.” Albert Howard squeezes every bit of joy out of life, and nowhere is that more evident than in his work. The Oak Ridge resident began his career at age 16, assembling sandwiches at McDonald’s. The high‑school football player quickly discovered he loved the food industry. Within weeks, he had mastered the various stations, moved into a shift‑lead role, and was trusted with keys to the store. He would play football on Friday nights, open on Saturday morn‑ ings, and work again on Sundays. “I was a terrible student, but I was good at sports and working,” Howard chuckled. During those early years, the observant teenager was already picking up wisdom that would guide him throughout his career. He learned that leadership mat‑ tered most. “If you want to enjoy your job, you’ve got to have a good boss,” Howard said. “Someone who is will‑ ing to teach you and believe in you.” He also came to understand the power of attitude. “You have to have a good atti‑ tude,” the upbeat Howard stresses. “Someone with a bad attitude just brings everyone down.” And then there were the basics – “being on time, doing the job right and doing the things

...continued on p. 48

Making a strong comeback at 70 Mike Beitler returned to bodybuilding after 50 years – and placed third in the nation. Two years later, he’s in position to become a professional bodybuilder at 72. by PATTI STOKES OAK RIDGE – Mike Beitler grew up on the east side of Baltimore. At 14, he walked into a gym eight miles from home intending to ask about karate lessons. Before he could speak, he saw a bodybuilder named Zack posing in the corner, muscles carved like sculpture. Beitler didn’t know the name of the sport, but he knew instantly he wanted that. The karate question never got asked. For the next year and a half, he and his father trained together at that gym. At 16, he bought his first car so he could drive himself there, turning the place into a second home – a sanctuary where he learned discipline, anat‑ omy, and the art of shaping the human body with intention. He wasn’t a natural, but he was committed. And commitment carried him into a string of teenage competitions. By 17, he was practicing his posing when a seasoned competitor, Jim Hanley, stopped him

Photo (left) by Patti Stokes/CONNECT2; (right) courtesy of Mike Beitler

Oak Ridge resident Mike Beitler is a longtime professor in the Bryan School of Business and Economics at UNC Greensboro. At right, Beitler is shown on the bodybuilding stage where after an over 50‑year break from competitive bodybuilding, he’s now competing among the nation’s best at age 72.

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mid‑routine and said, “You pose like an ape.” It was harsh, but it was constructive. Hanley taught him that bodybuilding wasn’t just about muscle – it was about grace, proportion, and presentation. “The training is a sport,” Hanley told him. “The competition is an art.” That lesson stayed with him for life. At 17½, Beitler entered his first contest. He didn’t place, but he wasn’t deterred. The next summer he took fifth in Teenage Mr. Del‑ marva, an annual bodybuilding and bench‑press competition in Baltimore. That fall, at 18½, he won Teenage Mr. Greater Balti‑ more. Months later, he won Teen‑ age South Atlantic, a regional competition drawing young body‑ builders from Maryland to Florida. With several wins behind him, he competed in Teenage Mr. Amer‑ ica before stepping away from the stage to focus on building a career and a life. Although he no lon‑

ger intended to compete, he kept a disciplined fitness routine and a healthy, low‑fat diet as part of his long‑term lifestyle. For decades he trained consistently – at local gyms and in his home gym – while follow‑ ing a high‑protein, low‑carb diet. Then two years ago, on his 70th birthday, he received an unex‑ pected call from Quincy Roberts, a former competitive bodybuilder and bodybuilding contest promoter. Roberts invited him over. Having no idea what the promoter had in mind, Beitler assumed it was some‑ thing modest – maybe a request to help judge a local or possibly regional bodybuilding competition. He was wrong. Roberts suggested he compete again – after over half a century – in the 60‑and‑over category. Beitler was stunned. Compete? At 70? Against men who had been training and competing for decades?

NWGuilford

...continued on p. 34 FALL 2026

E T VO

.3 v No

JohnBlust N.C. House District 62 Leadership ● Integrity ● Results

John Blust grew up and lives in Northwest Guilford County where he learned the values of faith, family, freedom, individual responsibility, hard work, and initiative. Education

• Standout student and athlete at Western Guilford High School • B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration at UNC Chapel Hill • Law Degree at UNC Chapel Hill School of Law • Passed Certified Public Accountant exam • Passed bar exam

Military Service

MY PRIORITIES • Fight back against unfair and costly property tax increases

• Left home to join the army the day after turning 18 • Earned the rank of Captain – Field Artillery Branch • Earned Airborne Wings at US Army Airborne School • Class leader of Officer Basic Course in field artillery • Served 18 months in the elite 82nd Airborne Division • Served as a field artillery officer on the Demilitarized Zone in Korea.

Professional Service

As an accountant and an attorney, John has assisted countless clients with tax problems, wills, trusts, estates, and planning financial affairs to reduce taxes. He has also helped many clients start or expand businesses and work out financial problems.

• Repeal the grocery tax in NC • Stop higher electric rates and data center abuse • Support law enforcement and keep our community safe • Direct more of future teacher pay increases to veteran teachers

www.blustfornchouse.com Paid For By Blust For NC House

FALL 2026

NWGuilford

STOP

HELP ME PROPERTY TAX ABUSE! With the countywide revaluation, the property tax burden in Guilford County was set to surge. County commissioners were preparing a nearly $170 million spending increase – and were going to claim they had actually cut taxes despite the higher bills residents would pay. I was instrumental in persuading the North Carolina General Assembly to enact a one-year moratorium on the new valuations taking effect. After the governor signed the bill, the county commissioners could no longer disguise their massive tax increase as a tax cut, so they scaled back their spending proposal and raised the tax rate by “only 8%.” That is still a massive increase, but it will pale in comparison to the increase taxpayers will face next year if the legislature does not act again. If I return to Raleigh, I will lead the effort to cap the amount any property tax bill can increase in a single year and to enact a $100,000 Homestead Exemption for everyone’s primary personal residence. These reforms would provide lasting protection for homeowners and prevent the kind of unchecked increases we’ve just seen. We cannot allow Guilford County to become a place where average-income families are priced out of homeownership! No one should be forced to, in effect, rent the home they already own from the county through ever rising taxes. Not voting is a vote for much higher property taxes.

COMEBACK AT 70 ...continued from p. 32 The idea seemed so far‑fetched that he politely declined. But after talking with three of his closest con‑ fidantes – his wife, a close friend, and his sister – all of whom asked, “Why wouldn’t you?” he reconsid‑ ered. Though he hadn’t competed since his late teens, he had never taken a break from disciplined train‑ ing. So, he said yes.

Now Beitler has his sights set on the North American Champi‑ onships in Pittsburgh on Sept. 2–5. His posing coach, Jeff Cook at Independence Fitness, believes he can win. His body fat has dropped from 9.5% to 8.6%. His definition is sharper. And the man who placed first at Nationals won’t be compet‑ ing.

He intensified his workouts, reduced his body fat, and began working again with a posing coach.

If he wins, he will automatically earn his pro card – becoming a professional bodybuilder at 72.

For a man who hadn’t com‑ peted since the Nixon administra‑ tion, the results were extraordinary. He stepped into the Atlantic Coast Championship in 2024 and took second place.

Meanwhile, on gym days – three times a week – Beitler incorporates intense, focused workout sessions. He fasts the first few hours of each morning and eats high‑protein, low‑carb meals, with one excep‑ tion: nightly helpings of ice cream (chocolate is his favorite), a habit his father also enjoyed.

“This was not in my wild‑ est dreams six months ago,” he wrote on LinkedIn after‑ ward. “Getting back into competitive bodybuilding after 50 years off the body‑ building stage was a chal‑ lenge that I did not think I was up to.” Months later he competed at the national level and placed fifth. He followed that with a North Amer‑ ica competition, where he placed second, and in 2025 returned to Nationals and placed third. This past March, Beitler com‑ peted in the Arnold Classic USA Open – one of the two biggest events in bodybuilding – and placed fifth in the Men’s Bodybuilding 60+ division.

Outside the gym, Beitler has built a long academic career. He holds a Ph.D. and is a long‑time faculty member in the Bryan School of Business and Econom‑ ics at UNC Greensboro, where he teaches MBA courses and directs the MBA Capstone Consulting Proj‑ ects program. He has no plans to retire anytime soon. Training, he said, “gets me out of my head.” He has maintained a rigorous workout routine for more than 50 years because he loves the process – the architecture of the body, the discipline, and the quiet mental space it creates.

for PROPERTY TAX RELIEF!

“It’s a miracle, because I am 72,” he wrote. “The ‘younger’ guys looked amazing. I drove to Colum‑ bus expecting to be dead last. I sim‑ ply wanted more stage time to prep for the National title for Men 70+ in July. Many of you know, I placed 3rd last year. I have dreamed about this since I was a teenager. I feel like I am dreaming right now.”

Beitler wasn’t seeking attention for reentering competitive body‑ building at 70 and didn’t initially see his comeback as inspirational. Those around him felt otherwise. His students discovered he had competed in the Arnold Classic and cheered him on. At a faculty‑wide meeting after his comeback, he was surprised to receive recogni‑ tion and applause for his national placement. Now, as he prepares for the North America Championships, he’s beginning to understand the impact of what he’s doing.

Paid for by Blust For NC House

And this past July – in the first‑ever “Classic” division for men 70+ – he placed third again at the National Bodybuilding Champion‑ ship.

At 72, he’s proving that disci‑ pline has no age limit. Nor does passion. And the desire to grow – physically, mentally, spiritually – can last a lifetime.

Vote for REP. JOHN BLUST

Alison Huber – one person, countless acts of service

Photo courtesy of Triad Honor Flight

Stokesdale resident’s dedication to veterans, humanitarian missions, and civic engagement exemplifies the spirit of citizenship and patriotism

Stokesdale resident Alison Huber greets the crowd at a Triad Honor Flight event last year at PTI Airport.

Article compiled from info provided by NWGWC STOKESDALE – When the Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club (NGWC) prepared its nomination for the General Federation of Women’s Clubs– NC Outstanding Citizenship and Patriotism Award last spring, the writer of the nomination knew she had an impossible task: condense the impact of Alison Huber into just a few pages. The final submission stretched to four typed pages, yet still only hit the highlights of Huber’s many years of service and community engage‑ ment. Still, when the club received word in late May that Huber had been selected for the state‑ wide honor, members knew it had been enough. From the very first lines of the nomination, Huber’s spirit vividly shows through. One pas‑ sage described how “her eyes, voice, and pos‑ ture exuded affection and enthusiasm” as she updated NGWC members on the many projects she leads. “She is known for taking on multiple projects at once – and always following through,” the nomination document continued, calling her a beloved, energizing force whose tireless sup‑

port for veterans, the homeless, and vulnerable families inspires everyone around her. Among the many projects Huber is passion‑ ate about, none is closer to her heart than Triad Honor Flight (THF), the nonprofit she founded in 2020 to provide veterans with a one‑day, all‑ex‑ pense‑paid trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials honoring their service. Her passion for

the mission began in 2018, when she surprised her Cold War‑veteran father by meeting him in Washington during his Honor Flight. Sharing that day with him and her brother opened new conversations within their family and sparked a calling that has guided her ever since. As THF’s executive director and “Chief Passionate Volunteer,” Huber led the organi‑ zation to raise $250,000 in 2025, enabling 200 veterans to participate in two flights. With an increasing number of veterans applying to participate, she and her team have already planned a third flight for 2026. In 2025 alone, she devoted roughly 20 hours each week to managing the THF board, coordinating more than 100 volunteers, recruiting veterans and guardians, securing sponsors, organizing fund‑ raisers, and overseeing every logistical detail of each mission. She also personally writes thank‑you notes to donors and shares photos and messages with each veteran who travels. Since THF’s incorporation, Huber has also included nearly 1,000 area veterans in The Tree of Valor, a traveling pictorial tribute honoring the nation’s protectors. Her leadership has earned

...continued on p. 60

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Magnalia Homestead and Farm, a hidden gem

Photo by Annette Joyce/ CONNECT2

Eddie (left), Rachel, and Jim Van Eerden work together with other family members and friends to make Magnalia Homestead and Farm a welcoming place for all.

A family’s 17-acre property has become a living tapestry of ‘soul enriching’ hospitality, history, and a place to build community by ANNETTE JOYCE STOKESDALE – For more than 20 years, Jim and Rachel Van Eerden and their 11 children have opened their hearts – and their home – to neighbors, friends, and visi‑ tors from far beyond Stokes‑ dale. What began as simple invitations to share a meal or hold a meeting has grown into Magnalia Homestead and Farm, a 17‑acre retreat that draws people from around the world to gather, converse, and connect. Tucked just off Ellisboro Road, Magnalia operates as part of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

“established to be a welcom‑ ing shelter and beacon of hope by sharing gospel life and learning in the context of community.” Its mis‑ sion comes to life through community‑building experi‑ ences, “soul‑enriching hos‑ pitality,” and a wide range of educational and ministry programs.

A place where people belong Magnalia hosts an impres‑ sive array of private and pub‑ lic events, each designed to give participants a sense of belonging that keeps them returning year after year.

In November, United States Marine Corps veterans gather in Semper Fi Hall for an evening of honor and remembrance, complete with a complimentary seven‑course Colonial‑style meal prepared by a professional chef. This past Independence Day, Magnalia staged an unforgettable celebration of America’s 250th anni‑ versary. Guests toured the grounds, rode a mechanical bull, competed in a pistol‑shooting contest, savored Brunswick stew, and ended the night under a dazzling fireworks display.

Most recently, the farm welcomed the Chinese Education Freedom Foundation for a five‑day retreat. The group is developing a K-12 clas‑ sical Christian curriculum for China’s underground Christian community. “It was a blessing for us to host these 22 people, a number of whom had been kicked out of China,” Jim said.

A vision born in uncertain times The idea to expand the property took shape during the pandemic.

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“We needed to do something during the downtime rather than just sit around,” Jim said. “Our son, Eddie, was and is at the heart of this undertaking.” The Van Eerdens first met Eddie at an orphanage in Ecuador while on a mission trip; he was just five months old. With ten children already, they spent the next several years working through the adoption process and wel‑ comed him wholeheartedly into their family nearly five years later. They say he has been a bright light in their world ever since. Eddie’s involvement with Mount Jubilee Ministries – a Christ‑centered nonprofit serv‑ ing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabili‑ ties – inspired Magnalia’s first addition: a community garden tended by Mount Jubilee par‑ ticipants. From that seed, the farm’s broader vision began to grow.

Narnia House offers guests a whimsical doorway into the imaginative world created by C.S. Lewis in his classic series “The Chronicles of Narnia.” Photo courtesy of Magnalia Homestead Foundation, Inc.

David Thoreau’s 1845 retreat on Walden Pond. A pot‑bellied stove warms the interior, while the outdoor firepit invites long conversations under the trees. Other overnight options include the Green Room, a treehouse bungalow; Camp Paradiso (a per‑ manent canvas tent with a porch); and the Roosevelt Hall, which is currently under renovation. Nearly two miles of wooded hiking and biking trails connect the farm’s lodgings. Guests can

explore an 1800s blacksmith shop, visit pens filled with sheep, chickens, and rabbits, or enjoy a more modern diversion at the pickleball court, home to an annual tournament.

Hospitality at the heart Magnalia’s beauty is unde‑ niable, but its true spirit comes from the people who bring it to life. The Van Eerden family’s warmth is unmistakable from the moment visitors arrive, when they’re often welcomed with

Today, Magnalia is a place where history, literature and theology intertwine across a series of imaginative venues.

Narnia, Walden, and other worlds come to life The centerpiece of the farm is Narnia House, a lovingly crafted replica of C.S. Lewis’s home. Every room holds arti‑ facts and nods to the beloved British author, best known for the seven-book children’s fan‑ tasy series “The Chronicles of Narnia.” Guests can slip through a magical wardrobe, sleep in the nautical‑themed “Caspian’s Quarters,” or sit on the deck watching Bree and Puzzle – two animal characters from the book series – grazing nearby. A short walk through the woods leads to Walden’s Cabin, a re‑creation of Henry

hugs from Rachel and Eddie – and accom‑ panied by a couple of the family’s four dogs. Within minutes, newcomers feel less like guests and more like old friends. Many who experience Magnalia’s hos‑ pitality choose to stay involved, volunteering their time and creativity. Jim and Rachel say God continually draws people with creative ideas for new offerings – and some of those same people eagerly help bring those ideas to life.

“We never start a new proj‑ ect without other people say‑ ing, ‘We’d like to help make that project come to life,’” Rachel said. “The farm is a labor of love, and it connects people from all walks of life.” Jim is quick to acknowledge the support of their neighbors.

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“None of this happens without the graciousness of our neighbors along the road,” he said. “There were 1,200 people at the Independence Day celebration and cars were parked on the sides of the road, in neighbors’ fields, and everywhere there was a space. Our kind neighbors went out of their way to accommodate the event. We can always count on them.”

What’s next for Magnalia Even with all that already exists, Mag‑ nalia continues to evolve. An amphitheater and the Hobbit‑hole Cellar are currently under construction, promising even more imaginative spaces for future gatherings. For more information on Magnalia Home‑ stead and Farm, visit www.magnalia.org.

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Connect2 HOMETOWN GRID

Think you know northwest Guilford County? These clues will put you to the test – with a few curveballs thrown in from outside the region. Across

5 North Carolina’s first permanent capital (two words)

10 ______ Homestead and Farm, a 17‑acre retreat in Stokesdale (see article on p. 38) 11 Annual event of the holiday season: Stokesdale Christmas _______

16 North Carolina’s official flower 17 Oak Ridge’s seasonal _______ in the Park 18 Historic Oak Ridge church celebrating 130 years: ________ Moravian Church

Down 1 Oak Ridge plans to have this up and running by year-end: municipal ______ system 2 ______ Farms (one of the earliest upscale residential communities in Guilford County)

SOLUTION on p. 70

approval to open for classes in 2013

town that never had a railroad running through it (two words)

7 Line ads appearing in back of this publication

12 This for-profit charter school company plans to open a charter high school in Summerfield in 2027: ________ Heritage Academies

4 Town of Summerfield founder who bought 640 acres in 1769: Charles ____

8 This early 1800s inn stood along Oak Ridge Road in Summerfield until it was demolished in 2020

6 Summerfield _______ School received

9 The only northwest Guilford

13 Vulcan Materials Company has been the site of Stokesdale _______ Monument since 2005 14 First goat purchased by 16‑year‑old Ryleigh Johnson for exhibition in livestock shows (see article on. p. 59)

Did You Know?

3 Annual festival held in Oak Ridge every September

15 Stokesdale’s mayor is elected directly by voters every ___ years

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During WWII, crosswords in The Daily Telegraph (UK) attracted MI5’s attention when they appeared to leak military secrets. Crossword editor Leonard Dawe was interrogated after his Aug. 18, 1942 puzzle included the answer “DIEPPE” a day before the Allies raided this French port. Though that was ruled a coincidence, fears resurfaced in May 1944 when D-Day code names like “UTAH” appeared in Dawe’s crossword. In the end, it was found Dawe invited crossword suggestions from his students and they had overheard the code words from soldiers at a nearby military camp!

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Moravian church marks 130 years of faith, resilience, and community A series of events to celebrate the church’s past and present is planned for this October by SANDRA SMITH

Photo by Sandra Smith

Established in 1896, Moravia Moravian Church on Oak Ridge Road is preparing to celebrate its 130th anniversary with a series of events in October.

OAK RIDGE – Picture Oak Ridge Road in the late 1800s: a quiet coun‑ try lane traveled by horse and buggy, dotted with farms and family home‑ steads. In that landscape, one young woman’s determination planted the seeds of a congregation that contin‑ ues to thrive 130 years later. This October, Moravia Moravian Church will celebrate its 130th anni‑ versary. Member Mike Kimel is help‑ ing organize the observance, and he hopes the milestone will shine a light on the woman whose perseverance made Moravia possible. Jennie Donnell Kerner grew up at the Donnell-Honeycutt house at Oak Ridge and Bunch roads. After marrying Robah Kerner – an attorney who later became the youngest mayor of what is now Winston-Salem – she adopted his Moravian faith. During a carriage ride between Oak Ridge and Summerfield, Robah

The first time I visited, I knew that was where I wanted to be. We don’t have a lot of bells and whistles like the bigger churches do. What we do share is God’s love for each other.” – Betsy Montgomery, longtime Moravia Moravian Church member remarked that the area needed a Sun‑ day School. His untimely death from typhoid fever in 1893, just two weeks after the loss of their nearly 2‑year‑old daughter, left Jennie a widow with an 8‑year‑old son and a broken heart. The couple had already lost a 1‑year‑old son years earlier. Yet grief did not stop her. Learning of a small non-denominational Sunday School near the present-day Sandy’s

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churches. What we do share is God’s love for each other.”

belief that all are equal in God’s eyes.

A new chapter

That love The anniversary comes as extends beyond the Moravia welcomes a new pastor, sanctuary. Funds Allen Casstevens. He and his from the annual wife, Nan, and daughter Hailey bazaar, chicken live in Kernersville. Casstevens, pies, and Bruns‑ an engineering graduate with an wick stew support MBA, felt called to ministry after outreach efforts a transformative trip to the Holy including disaster Land in 2022 and has served relief, medical debt congregations across Western forgiveness, Camp and Piedmont North Carolina. Carefree, Tabitha Nan, a digital marketing profes‑ Photo by Sandra Smith Ministry, and an sional and active elder, contrib‑ annual Day of Ser‑ In keeping with the Moravian tradition, the grave markers at Moravia Moravian Church utes through weekly devotions vice with Oak Ridge in Oak Ridge are generally flat and uniform, representing Moravians’ belief that everyone, and A/V ministry. Married in Military Academy, regardless of station in life, is equal in God’s eyes. 2025, the couple say they are where volunteers grateful for the opportunity to package 12,000 meals for who came to Pennsylvania seek‑ Beauty Salon, Jennie joined the serve Moravia. global distribution. ing religious freedom and oppor‑ effort with enthusiasm. She even As Moravia celebrates tunities for mission work before had her parlor organ brought Kimel, who was drawn to years, members remain 130 from Winston-Salem to support purchasing nearly 100,000 acres Moravia’s warmth and cama‑ committed to the spirit of faith the growing group. Within a year, in North Carolina in 1753. Their raderie, especially appreciates and determination that Jennie she became superintendent and largest settlement, Salem, later its traditions. Lovefeasts – held Donnell Kerner embodied in expanded attendance to 70. merged with Winston to form on Christmas Eve and other 1893. Winston-Salem, where Old Salem occasions – feature beeswax Her adopted denomina‑ Museums & Gardens preserves “We’ve never been a big candles symbolizing Christ’s tion took notice. With Moravian their 18th‑century town. light. The Easter sunrise service church, but the Lord has us support, Jennie helped estab‑ here for a reason,” Montgom‑ takes place in the church cem‑ lish Moravia – the first Moravian Longstanding traditions etery, where flat, uniform grave ery said. “We’re just going to church in Guilford County. At Moravia, pie-making markers reflect the Moravian keep plugging along.” A church built begins before dawn. Volunteers by hands and heart arrive between 5:30 and 6 a.m., forming an assembly line that Moravia’s first wooden struc‑ produces roughly 200 pies by ture opened in 1896 on donated land at the church’s current loca‑ noon. The pies are stored in a commercial freezer in the fellow‑ tion. Sunday School rooms were Celebrate with us ship hall added in 2003. added in 1936, and by 1939, the congregation had launched the The ritual happens five to six all month long! chicken pie and Brunswick stew times a year. Pies are sold at the fundraisers that remain beloved church, Sandy’s Beauty Salon, traditions. A brick sanctuary and the Dewey’s Holiday Store replaced the original building in OCT. 6 / 6:30pm: Community-wide Supper with Friends at Oak Ridge Swim Club from 1964. Join us for a free sh fry! mid-November through Christ‑ _______________________________________________ mas Eve. Dewey’s also carries Longtime member Juanita OCT. 11 / 11am: Homecoming Sunday other Moravian favorites – paperHowerton, now 100, still remem‑ Special program, Kernersville Moravian brass band, lunch for all. thin spice cookies, sugar cook‑ bers the white wooden church _______________________________________________ ies, cakes, buns, and the iconic and the countless hours she and OCT. 24 / 8am–1pm: Annual bazaar and Brunswick stew others spent making chicken pies. 26‑point Moravian star. Breakfast, chicken pies, stew, and crafts available for purchase. _______________________________________________ Betsy Montgomery of north‑ “We laughed and had a good time, but, boy, I sure was tired,” she recalls. Chicken pie fundraisers are woven into Moravian heritage. The simple recipe – chicken, broth, and pastry crust – traces back to early Moravian settlers

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west Greensboro, who joined Moravia in 1988, helps lead the pie-making team. “The first time I visited, I knew that was where I wanted to be,” she said. “We don’t have a lot of bells and whistles like bigger

NWGuilford

OCT. 25 / 10am: Donation to food pantry (The Sonshine Room) Bring canned and shelf-stable foods to be delivered. _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ And Moravia’s pop-up Dewey’s Holiday Store returns NOV. 15–DEC. 24 at the Oak Ridge Swim Club parking lot.

Moravia Moravian Church | 2920 Oak Ridge Rd., Oak Ridge

community CALENDAR THURSDAY, SEPT. 10

a pop and blues band, from 6 to 9 p.m. Food trucks and a beverage garden will be onsite.

z MUSIC IN THE PARK | The Town of Oak

Ridge and its Special Events Committee will host the last Music in the Park of the season on Thursday, Sept. 10, coinciding with the opening night of RidgeFest. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to Oak Ridge Town Park Amphitheater and enjoy live music performed by Bandemic,

SEPT. 10-12

z RIDGEFEST | The Town of Oak Ridge and

Merchants of Oak Ridge will again co-host the annual three-day RidgeFest event at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. The event will take place Thursday, Sept. 10, 5:30 p.m. to

9:30 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 11, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 12, from 4 to 10 p.m. Enjoy carnival rides, food trucks, games and much more. The event will be punctuated by a spectacular fireworks show at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday evening. For a detailed schedule of events and list of sponsors who make the event possible, see the display ad on p. 49.

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community CALENDAR SEPT. 15, 17 & OCT. 8

SATURDAY, SEPT. 19

Road, and includes a 5K run/walk; kids’ fun run; finisher medal; race shirt; and some of the best chili you’ll ever eat. Whether you’re chasing a personal best, walking with family, or pushing a stroller, everyone is welcome! Regis‑ ter at: runsignup.com/Race/NC/ Summerfield/StopDropandRoll5K – or scan the QR code on the district’s newsletter/ad on the opposite page.

z FARMERS DAY FESTIVAL |

z HERITAGE DAY | The Town

z CANDIDATE FORUMS | The

nonpartisan League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad will host candidate forums for District 3 county commissioner, NC House District 62, and NC State Senate District 26. See details on p. 18 of this issue.

Friends of Stokesdale will host its fifth annual Farmers Day Festival on Sept. 19 (rain date Sept. 26), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the grounds of Stokes‑ dale United Methodist Church, 8305 Loyola Drive. Enjoy games for chil‑ dren and adults, hayrides, live music, a silent auction, hot dog lunch ($5 donation appreciated), classic cars, vintage farm items and equip‑ ment, a “Little Mr. and Miss Farm‑ ers Day” contest (open to children infant through 7 years of age, with pre-registration required by Sept. 11) and much more. More information: Facebook.com/FriendsofStokesdale.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 26 z RECYLE/SHRED EVENT | The

Town of Summerfield and Guil‑ ford County will again co-host an annual fall recycle/e-cycle event to be held Sept. 26 from 8 a.m. to noon at Summerfield Elementary School, 7501 Summerfield Road. Accepted items include electronics, appliances, tires and rims, personal documents for shredding, card‑ board (broken down), plastic bags and foam. Guilford County Sher‑ iff’s Office will also be collecting vitamins, bottled prescriptions and loose pills, and A Simple Gesture will collect non-perishable food items. More info: (336) 641-3792 or visit www.GuilfordCountyNC.gov/ recycles. z STOP, DROP AND ROLL 5K | Summerfield Fire District will host its 10th annual Stop, Drop and Roll 5K on Saturday, Sept. 26. The event begins and ends at Summerfield Fire Station 9, 7400 Summerfield

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of Oak Ridge will honor its past on Sept. 26 with a full lineup of family-friendly activities planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Park. For details, see article and display ads on pages 28, 46 and 47.

SATURDAY, OCT. 3 z TOUCH-A-TRUCK | The

Town of Summerfield’s annual family-friendly event with trucks and vehicles of all sizes and shapes will take place Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Summer‑ field Athletic Park, 5200 US-220 North in Summerfield. There will be a sensory-friendly hour from 10 to 11 a.m. More information: www. facebook.com/summerfieldncgov.

SATURDAY, OCT. 31 z 75TH ANNIVERSARY CEL-

EBRATION | Summerfield Fire District will hold a 75th anniversary celebration of history, service and community at Station 9, 7400 Sum‑ merfield Road, on Oct. 31, 6 to 9 p.m. This family-friendly event will offer food, music, activi‑ ties for kids including Hallow‑ een trunk-or-treating, a haunted house, bounce house, and much more! More info: Facebook.com/ SummerfieldFireDistrict.

NOV. 14-DEC. 24 z HOLIDAY STORE | Dewey’s Hol‑

iday Store returns to Oak Ridge this season with cookies, cakes, chicken pies, and pastries available Nov. 14 through Christmas Eve. Stop by for your Thanksgiving desserts and watch for our December ad.

NWGuilford

Upcoming Events Get ready for a season of great events – mark your calendar and join us this fall!

Farmers & Specialty Market

FIRST Wed., 4:00pm-6:30pm & EVERY Sat., 8:30am-12:30pm until Oct. 31 Greensboro Performing Arts, Summerfield

Artisan and Craft Fair | Sept. 5, 10am - 4pm Oak Ridge Town Park, Oak Ridge

Camel City Artisan Market | Sept. 13, 1pm - 6pm Foothills Tasting Room, Winston-Salem

Fall Sip & Shop | Sept. 19, 2pm - 7pm Brown Truck Brewery, High Point

Craft Fair Extravaganza | Sept. 27, 1pm - 5pm Gypsy Road Brewing Company, Kernersville

Music, Makers and Munchies | Oct. 3, 12pm - 7pm Cross Technology Inc., East Bend

Fall for the Community | Oct. 17, 10am - 3pm Greensboro Police Club, Greensboro

Camel City Artisan Market | Oct. 18, 1pm - 6pm Foothills Tasting Room, Winston-Salem

Fall on the Farm | Oct. 25, 1pm - 5pm Doggettville Farm, Summerfield

Fall in the Park | Nov. 7, 10am - 4pm Oak Ridge Town Park, Oak Ridge

Fall Artisan Showcase | Nov. 14, 10am - 4pm Greensboro Performing Arts, Summerfield

Merry Maker Market | Nov. 27 & 28, 10am - 4pm Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, Kernersville

Camel City Artisan Market | Nov. 28, 1pm - 6pm Foothills Tasting Room, Winston-Salem

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Heritage Day returns Sept. 26 The annual event celebrates Oak Ridge’s roots as a farming community by PATTI STOKES OAK RIDGE – Oak Ridge will come alive on Saturday, Sept. 26, when the community celebrates its rich history as a rural farming town with a vibrant Heritage Day. This annual event, initiated in 2015 by town clerk and assistant town manager Sandra Smith, promises an enjoyable mix of food, music, demonstrations, and family-friendly activities, all set against the backdrop of Oak Ridge’s agricul‑ tural roots. “I remember Oak Ridge filled with tobacco fields; nearly every family grew tobacco or tended a large gar‑ den,” Smith recalls. “The work was dirty, hard, hot, and sticky – every‑ thing you can imagine.” She fondly remembers the sight of tractors (every farm had at least one, she said) and the strong sense of com‑ munity that characterized those days.

File photo

The Old Dominion Cloggers will perform again at this year’s Heritage Day, which will offer a full lineup of family-friendly activities, demonstrations, music, food and more.

“It was a simpler time back then,” she continued. “People worked hard, but they seemed to help and be there for each other more. We knew and depended on our neighbors, whether it was to help with our crops, put out a fire, share farm goods and vegetables, or borrow a cup of sugar — all without payment or reciprocation.”

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“Community spirit thrived, with churches at the heart of it all. For instance, residents organized the Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show in the late ‘40s to raise funds for building a local church.

ing Southern staples such as pinto beans and cornbread.

“Oak Ridge has changed dramatically over the years,” she added. “I think it is important for people to honor the past and the people who came before us. There are very few farms left in Oak Ridge, and it is so important for people to understand that they were once a way of life. In the past, Oak Ridge’s ‘claims to fame’ were basically the Old Mill, Oak Ridge Military Academy, and the tradition of the Oak Ridge Horse Show.”

A petting zoo featuring various farm animals will be set up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a nod to the town’s agricultural past.

Smith expresses appreciation for her fellow Heritage Day Com‑ mittee members Phyllis Anders and Annette Joyce (“I couldn’t do it without them,” she said), noting they strive to introduce new ideas each year to keep the event fresh. Set in the scenic Oak Ridge Town Park, Heritage Day will show‑ case displays depicting soldiers’ camp life from the Revolutionary and Civil wars, with live demon‑ strations of marching and drilling. The beloved “cannon group” is “very excited to come back,” Smith said, and promises to provide an exciting experience – though attendees will get a warning each time before the cannon is fired, lest they be caught off guard by the loud blasts! Entertainment will feature per‑ formances from the Old Domin‑ ion Cloggers, who are always sure to elicit smiles with their colorful costumes and traditional dance routines, and live bands offering an enjoyable mix of country and bluegrass. A variety of vendors will be sell‑ ing vintage, repurposed, and hand‑ made crafts, alongside demon‑ strations of traditional trades like woodworking and blacksmithing. The Oak Ridge Lions Club will be selling their famous hot dogs with “fixings,” while food trucks will offer various menu items includ‑

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A tractor ride around the park will provide a unique perspective of Oak Ridge’s “crown jewel,” making it fun for all ages.

“We wanted to include that because there aren’t many farm animals left in Oak Ridge, which is so different from when I was grow‑ ing up,” Smith noted. Additionally, the town’s Spe‑ cial Events Committee is hosting a homemade baking contest. “They try to mix it up every year, and in past years they’ve had contests for best cake, pie, and cookie. This year’s competition will be for sweet and savory muffins,” Smith said, adding that the baking contest goes back to the days of a country fair when ladies proudly entered their culinary masterpieces in competitions. “But I can tell you some of our most talented entrants and winners at Heritage Day have been men!” she noted. Feedback from previous Her‑ itage Days has been overwhelm‑ ingly positive. “People are genuinely inter‑ ested in our town’s history,” Smith observed. “Long-time residents enjoy reconnecting with friends and neighbors, while newer resi‑ dents appreciate learning about our community’s past. This event truly brings everyone together to celebrate Oak Ridge.”

want to go?

Heritage Day 2026 will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Oak Ridge Town Park; park at the Linville Road entrance across from Scog‑ gins Road. For more info, email ssmith@oakridgenc.com or call Oak Ridge Town Hall, (336) 644-7009. More details are also available in the display ads on p. 28 and this page.

NWGuilford

and celebrating America’s 250th birthday

Saturday, Sept. 26

10am-4pm Oak Ridge Town Park Linville Road entrance at Shelter 2 (across from Scoggins Road)

Plans for this FREE event include: • Opening ceremony at 10am • Revolutionary & Civil War re-enactors with interactive displays • Live music and clogging demonstrations • Food trucks • Games & kids’ activities • Cannon firing at 10am, 12pm, 1pm and 3pm • Tractor-pulled rides • Farm animal petting zoo • Vintage vehicles and tractors • Sweet and savory muffin baking contest (see www.oakridgenc.com for rules, time & entry forms) • Vintage fire truck demonstration • Exhibits of household goods, farm items, tobacco equipment, etc. • Blacksmithing & outdoor cooking demos • Meet our military veterans • Characters in period dress • AGAIN THIS YEAR! Lots of vendors selling arts & crafts, homemade items, foods, and vintage/antique/re-purposed items

For info, visit Oak Ridge Town Parks’ Facebook page, www.oakridgenc.com or call Town Hall at 336-644-7009

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Once a cornerstone of Summerfield’s Black educational history and later a professional development center, the historic Laughlin School is headed back to the open market; the Summerfield Town Council voted in May to withdraw its $2.2 million offer for the 11.2-acre property which it had hoped to repurpose as a town hall and community hub. District spokeswoman Gabrielle Brown confirmed the campus – opened in 1934 as the segregated Summerfield Colored School – will return to the market, though no asking price has been released. The council ended its bid amid concerns that renovation and long-term maintenance costs could exceed $10 million.

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Howard worked for several fast‑food restaurants before land‑ ing at Domino’s Pizza, where he purchased his first franchise at age 28. He eventually owned and sold 13 stores before retiring. In 2015, boredom nudged him back into the business world, and today he owns six Jersey Mike’s locations, with two more on the way. Karen Kimrey, a Summerfield resident and Realtor, fondly re‑ members her first job as a hostess at Ragazzi’s in Greensboro; she continued working in restaurants and retail throughout high school and college. “While I certainly appreciated the food discounts and learned a lot about fine dining along the way, the most valuable lessons were about people,” Kimrey said. “Those jobs taught me how to truly listen, pay attention to the little things, stay patient under pressure,

and treat everyone with respect. They also gave me a lasting appre‑ ciation for how hard people in the service industry work. I carry those lessons into real estate every day – buying or selling a home can be stressful and emotional, and taking the time to listen, communicate well, and make people feel heard can make all the difference. Derek Foy, who works as director of supply chain for a large company and also serves as Stokesdale’s may‑ or pro tem, got his start in the work‑ ing world at age 16 while he was a junior at Northwest High School. “I waited tables at Friends Home West Retirement Village and Assisted Living facility,” Foy said. “It was a great experience – much more than just serving the residents food. In serving others, I learned the importance of values such as compassion and patience. Each individual had such unique life experiences, wisdom, and sto‑ ries to tell. I loved that job.”

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SUMMERFIELD – A 63‑acre tract at Summerfield’s main intersection is listed for $4.25 million and marketed for a supermarket‑anchored shopping center with an accompanying resi‑ dential subdivision. The land sits on the north side of N.C. 150 just east of U.S. 220 – the only corner of the inter‑ section that has not yet been commer‑ cially developed. Listed by National Land Realty, the four parcels carry CZ‑BN (Conditional-Business Neigh‑ borhood) and RS‑30 zoning. County tax records identify the owner as Lisa L. House of Stokesdale. A neighbor‑ ing 4.62 acres may also be available, though the former bank branch across

from CVS Pharmacy is listed separately. In September 2025, Florida devel‑ oper and former Summerfield resident Matt Falconer, owner of Summer‑ field Equities, told the town’s Plan‑ ning Board he had an agreement to purchase the 63 acres, contingent on securing rezoning for mixed commer‑ cial and residential use. Falconer said he envisioned a retail center anchored by a high‑end grocer, implying Publix as a possibility. On Oct. 14, 2025, the Town Council approved rezoning for more than 21 acres to CZ‑BN, leaving the remainder RS‑30. Public records show the sale never closed, and the property remains on the market.

Runway concerns take flight in Summerfield rezoning hearing Owner of private airstrip asks developer to design neighborhood around runway flight path by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – A dispute over a planned subdivision in Summerfield is unfolding not on the ground, but in the air. Developer Hal Kern won unan‑ imous Town Council approval in August for the residential rezoning

of 106 acres along Millbrook Road, south of Strader Road. Before the vote, however, he heard an unusual concern for a housing project: the impact of up to 50 new homes on the flight path of a nearby private airstrip. Homeowner Dean Meylor told council members on Aug. 12 that he worries the subdivision could inter‑ fere with his runway’s glide path. He said he hopes to negotiate with Kern to preserve the airspace “so we don’t end up losing our runway.” Meylor added that he wanted “a firm commitment” from the developer

before the rezoning vote. But such agreements typically occur later in the process, during site‑plan development, not during rezoning, according to planning director Justin Snyder. Rezoning, he explained, focuses on whether the proposed land use fits with sur‑ rounding development. “The applicant’s application is fully in line with surrounding land uses,” Snyder told the council. Kern’s attorney, Amanda Hodierne, said the developer intends to continue discussions with Meylor as the site plan is prepared. The goal, she said, is to maintain “that glide path in

the safe mathematical formula they’ve told us about and yet still make sure that we can try to deliver a nice subdivision.” Meylor said he remains uneasy. He noted that he and the developer have discussed what is needed for a safe runway and “have come a long way from where we started,” but still lack a clear agreement. He said the requirements “aren’t rocket science,” and the absence of upfront assurances is “cause for great con‑ cern.” Once Kern submits a site plan, Summer‑ field’s planning staff will review it before send‑ ing it to the Planning Board for final consider‑

ation. Several outside agencies also evaluate the plan, including the N.C. Department of Transportation for road improvements and Guil‑ ford County Environmental Health for well and septic safety. The Town Council does not vote on the site plan, leaving negotiations between Meylor and the developer to determine whether the run‑ way’s airspace can be preserved. “This is a negotiation that is going to hap‑ pen between neighbors, and the town is not in a position to act as a mediator with the final design of what goes there,” councilman Kyle Stalls said.

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Hall, and the rest of the town staff months before his arrival. Three months before Rollins took over as town manager, state lawmakers de‑annexed nearly 1,000 acres owned by developer David Couch – an action that has continued to fuel debate over growth, housing density, and zon‑ ing.

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Among the many challenges he inherited was Summerfield’s dis‑ pute with the Greensboro NAACP, which sued the town in 2024 over alleged housing discrimination; as of this writing, the case is still active.

“Everybody needs to accept we’re going to grow,” he said a month into the job. “We’re going to have commer‑ cial, we’re going to have housing, we’re going to have… you can fill in the blank,” he added. “Only the ignorant person thinks we’re not going to grow and we’re going to be able to stay the same as we are right now.” Soon after settling into his new position, Rollins hired former state auditor Beth Wood to conduct a one‑day review of alleged mis‑ conduct and financial irregulari‑ ties involving Whitaker and Hall. Wood presented her findings at the council’s Jan. 14, 2025 meet‑ ing, raising questions about the former employees’ professional performance and integrity. The town later sued Whitaker and Hall, who countersued for defamation; the case is scheduled for trial this January. Supporters of Whitaker and Hall denounced Wood’s conclu‑ sions, questioned Rollins’ prior con‑ nection to her, and criticized both the rising legal costs and Rollins’ qualifications to manage a town of Summerfield’s size and ongoing challenges. Another of Rollins’ earlier deci‑ sions was to create an in‑house maintenance department and replace long-term contracted mowing and landscaping, result‑ ing in the hiring of three additional employees and capital expendi‑

Last year, as state lawmakers scrutinized “paper towns” offering limited services, Rollins suggested the town could deflect criticism by taking over billing and customer service for garbage and recycling collection and increasing property taxes from 2.75 cents per $100 of valuation to 5 cents. Boosting the rate to 5 cents put Summerfield in the same position as newly chartered municipalities, required by state law to levy at least 5 cents per $100 of valuation. The town’s budget for the current fiscal year keeps the tax rate at 5 cents. This June, the town suffered a major setback when Guilford County budget officials determined Summerfield would miss a Dec. 31 deadline for spending federal pandemic funds earmarked for a municipal water system, resulting in the loss of nearly $5 million. Meanwhile, Bandera Farms Park, already underway when Rol‑ lins arrived, is expected to open in September. Justin Snyder now assumes day‑to‑day management of the town after joining Summerfield as planning director in Decem‑ ber 2024 and later being named assistant town manager. On his LinkedIn page, he describes the manager’s role as overseeing daily administration, staff, finances, and advising the council and mayor “to protect the Town’s interests.” Before coming to Summerfield, Snyder served as a senior planner for Guilford County and is certified by the American Institute of Certi‑ fied Planners.

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From fore to Z4, JetZero set to remake old golf course

Photo courtesy of JetZero

An artist rendering of JetZero’s 600-acre campus to be developed on the former Bel Aire Golf Club property on Pleasant Ridge Road, near the PTI Airport terminal.

Groundbreaking at Piedmont Triad International Airport tees up the transformation of the former Bel Aire Golf Club into a $4.7 billion campus where futuristic passenger planes will be built by CHRIS BURRITT NW GREENSBORO – A favorite of hackers and skilled golfers alike, the long‑closed Bel Aire Golf Club is preparing for its next chap‑ ter as part of more than 600 acres where JetZero plans to invest $4.7 billion to build its next‑generation passenger jet. A June groundbreaking attended by JetZero CEO Tom O’Leary, Gov. Josh Stein, and other executives and dignitaries marked the start of North Carolina’s larg‑ est economic‑development commitment by employment. Long Beach, California‑based JetZero has pledged to create more than 14,500 jobs over the next decade as it ramps up production of the Z4.

The blended‑body aircraft fea‑ tures an aerodynamic design that weighs less and burns less fuel than conventional passenger jets. A rendering of JetZero’s Factory One shows a sweeping collection of curved buildings rising across Interstate 73 from

Piedmont Triad International (PTI) Airport’s terminal. Envisioned at more than 8 mil‑ lion square feet, the campus will span over 600 acres, including the former Bel Aire Golf Club – its rolling hills flattened after the airport authority acquired and renamed it Pleasant Ridge Golf Course. The course closed eight years ago as recruiters posi‑ tioned the land for aerospace development. The mid‑June groundbreaking drew far more than the usual lineup of state and local leaders. Signaling the potential of the lightweight, fuel‑efficient design beyond commercial travel, representatives from the U.S. Air Force, the Defense Innovation Unit, NASA, the Federal Aviation Administra‑ tion, and the Department of Transportation attended. The Trump administration also sent a representative. “In a twist worthy of aviation history, we’ve come full circle,” Alaska Airlines development chief Pasha Saleh told sev‑ eral hundred attendees gathered under a white tent overlooking the grassy expanse of JetZero’s site. The Seattle‑based airline is among investors that have committed more

NWGuilford

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“One hundred twenty‑three years after the Wright Brothers first left the ground at Kitty Hawk,” Saleh said, “the next great leap in com‑ mercial aircraft design is beginning right here in North Carolina.” At the same time as the groundbreaking, JetZero announced plans to give a futuristic makeover to a nearly 40‑year‑old building at PTI Airport for its new headquarters. The company will keep its design team in Cali‑ fornia but expects to complete renovations on the 108,000‑square‑foot headquarters next year. JetZero intends to ramp up operations in phases over the next decade. It plans to build its manufacturing and final assembly line by 2029 to produce the first aircraft for testing and certification, company spokes‑ woman Jenny Dervin said in an email. The planes are expected to enter service in the early 2030s.

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SUMMERFIELD’S LEGAL FEES SOAR ...continued from p. 11 A jury trial on the town’s other claims of wrongdoing – which include illegal deletion of public records and improper payouts – is scheduled for January in Guilford County Superior Court; meanwhile the parties are required to participate in mediation. As of mid-July, Whitaker and Hall say they have incurred over $300,000 in legal fees – with more to come in the months leading up to their January hearing in Superior Court. An exact amount of what the town has spent on its claims against Whitaker and Hall has not been confirmed, but based on information provided via public records requests months ago and estimates of legal fees incurred since – combined with forensic audits, an undetermined amount of staff time and other related expenses – it is approaching $1 million. Separately, Summerfield’s attorneys are negotiating a possible settlement in a housing discrimination complaint filed by the Greens‑ boro branch of the NAACP. In another matter, former mayor Gail Dun‑ ham has sued the town seeking information related to its proposed elevated water tank. Most recently, the town added another attorney to its growing roster. On Aug. 21, the council held an emergency meeting and spent 3¼ hours in closed session discussing a per‑

sonnel matter that appeared connected to Town Manager Charles “Twig” Rollins’ Aug. 18 announcement that he will retire effective Feb. 28. After returning to open session, the council approved a motion stating that Roll‑ ins had appointed Justin Snyder, assistant town manager and planning director, as acting man‑ ager for up to 120 days – and to hire an attor‑ ney from Sands Anderson to guide the town through the management transition. Summerfield’s legal spending stands in sharp contrast to its neighbors in northwest Guilford County. Oak Ridge spent $49,336.50 on attorney fees in FY 2024-25; $69,474.59 in 2025-26; and has budgeted $55,000 for the current fiscal year that began June 1. Stokesdale spent $35,000 on attorney fees in FY 2024-25. Legal expenses dropped to $25,000 in FY 2025-26; for the FY 20262027 the town has budgeted $36,500 for attorney fees. In response to Summerfield’s mount‑ ing legal costs and what they describe as “an extreme case of systemic and finan‑ cial dysfunction that deserves deep-dive scrutiny,” a group of citizens has recently formed a watchdog effort called Sum‑ merfield Accountability, with a website, www.summerfieldaccountability.com.

On that website the group states its objec‑ tive is to provide “data-backed information con‑ cerning the Town of Summerfield’s governance since late 2023. The goal is to provide transpar‑ ency and accountability of this Guilford County, North Carolina, municipality with a closer look at its recent actions and spending. “Mid‑2024 marked the official beginning of a completely new administration led by a new majority council, new attorneys, and new employees, with the November 2023 town election as the impetus,” the group notes. They add that after the council chose not to renew the long‑time town manager’s con‑ tract, “follow-up council decisions and actions resulted in the resignation of all employees in May/June of 2024, the only known time an entire town staff had ever resigned in North Carolina.” The group also cites subsequent resignations or separations involving the town attorney, auditor, other vendors, and several citizen volunteers serving on boards and com‑ mittees. A timeline on the group’s website high‑ lights key events in town government over the last few years and reiterates the group’s stated purpose: “to provide objective, data-backed information of municipal actions and spend‑ ing in an effort to provide the beginnings of transparency and accountability for the Town of Summerfield’s current governance.”

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CRITTER connection Showing livestock leads to big aspirations Sixteen‑year‑old Ryleigh Johnson has turned a simple start in livestock showing into a passion that’s shaping her future career by ANNETTE JOYCE Unlike many teenagers her age, 16‑year‑old Ryleigh Johnson of Summer‑ field doesn’t spend her afternoons scrolling through social media or bouncing between school activities. Instead, she devotes her free time to a pursuit that demands grit, patience, and no small amount of heart: showing live‑ stock. Goats and lambs, to be exact. And she’s not just participating – she’s winning.

Photo courtesy of Ryleigh Johnson

Ryleigh Johnson (center), joined by her brother Lucas and show judge Lane Reigle, stands proudly with her winning goat, Honey.

Ryleigh traces her start in the show ring back to her grandparents, Mickey and Linda Johnson, who have long been involved in live‑ stock shows themselves. “I was into competitive gymnastics, but got injured and had to quit,” she explained. “They were showing livestock and I started going to shows with them and found out I really liked it.”

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and breeding. Last year, she and Honey – the first show goat born on their farm – won the reserve title at the Carolina Country Clas‑ sic in Shelby. Though she has earned other placements, that win remains one of her proudest achievements.

males, wethers tend to be calmer, friendlier, and easier to manage – qualities that make them ideal for pets, young handlers, 4‑H projects, and even brush clearing.) Those first goats gave Ryleigh the foundation she needed, and soon she was ready to invest in an animal of her own. After two years of saving, she headed to the market – and that’s where she met Elvis.

Ryleigh’s commitment extends beyond the show ring. She serves as member engagement officer for the Shiloh 4‑H Club and will take on the same role at the dis‑ trict level next year. She also acts as secretary/treasurer for a local FFA chapter. Both organizations fuel her passion for agriculture and leadership.

“He was small and had just been weaned,” she recalled. “He wasn’t the best and didn’t have any registration papers, but I only paid $300 for him.” She laughs when she remembers the nickname she and her family gave him: “Bar‑ gain Bin.” It’s fitting, consider‑ ing that most competitive show animals cost between $1,000 and $2,000, with some selling for $25,000 – and a few for as much as $200,000. But Elvis proved that price isn’t everything. “He did great,” she said. Today, Elvis has retired from competition and now helps train members of a Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter to show goats – pass‑ ing along the lessons he and Ryleigh learned together. Ryleigh’s early years in the ring were marked by determi‑ nation rather than resources. While some contestants hire “livestock jocks” – specialized trainers who prepare animals for competition – she couldn’t afford that option. Instead, she became a student of the show ring in every way she could. A friend of her grandparents taught her a lot, and she also sought other avenues to learn‑ ing. “I’d attend other shows and follow people around to see what they were doing,” she said. “At the shows I was participating in, I’d set up near more experi‑ enced people and watch.” Hands‑on learning became

Photo courtesy of Ryleigh Johnson

In pursuit of the best look, Ryleigh Johnson guides her ewe into showready posture during a competition.

her greatest teacher. She exper‑ imented, observed, and refined her techniques until she found what worked best for her animals. Preparing a goat or lamb for competition is far more involved than many people realize. Ryleigh describes it as a partnership built through training, trust, and count‑ less hours of practice.

“My favorite part is get‑ ting the animal to bond with you,” she said. “It’s such a good feeling when they choose you to be close to.” Training includes teaching the animal to be comfortable with a collar or halter, walk with its head held at a 90‑degree angle, flex its muscles, and stand still when required. But the handler must “act right,” too. “You’re judged on personal showmanship, how well you han‑ dle the animal and how well you work together,” Ryleigh explained. Presentation also plays a major role. A few days before a show, she clips the animal’s hair to highlight its body structure. On show day, she completes the “fitting” pro‑ cess – using brushes, adhesive, and

whitening spray to ensure the animal looks its best. Her dedication has paid off. Today, Ryleigh and her younger brother, Lucas, run what she calls a “small oper‑ ation” with 11 goats and five lambs used for both showing

For Ryleigh, livestock isn’t just a hobby – it’s a future. She hopes to pursue livestock genetic research at Texas A&M University or Vir‑ ginia Tech and eventually breed high‑level show stock. Her journey – from a begin‑ ner with two bottle‑fed wethers to a seasoned competitor with big ambitions – shows what can hap‑ pen when talent meets tenacity. And for Ryleigh Johnson, the story is only just beginning.

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ALISON HUBER ...continued from p. 35 significant recognition, including the 2025 Ellen Hardin Walworth Medal for Patriotism from the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Madeira Schools Foundation in Ohio. Her support for veterans extends throughout the year. She organizes an annual Veterans Day dinner – 130 attendees in 2025 – which raises funds to send addi‑ tional veterans on Honor Flights. She also leads NGWC members in preparing thank‑you cards and delivering meals to the Greensboro Servant Center, which supports homeless and disabled individuals, especially veterans. Within NGWC, Huber co‑chairs Civic Engagement and Outreach, spearheading projects such as First Responder Baskets for Patriot Day, packing 100 court compassion bags to offer comfort to survivors of domestic and sexual violence who are working through the Guilford County Family Justice Center, fund‑ raising for Guilford Backpack Min‑ istry’s Christmas Store, and coordi‑ nating meals for Greensboro Urban Ministry’s homeless residents. Her service reaches far beyond NGWC. As a Rotary Club leader, she coordinated projects supporting

veterans, homeless individuals, and shut‑ins. She collected hundreds of pill bottles for Matthew 25: Min‑ istries, business attire for StepUp Greensboro, and participated in five mission trips to Guatemala with Empower Guatemala. There, she helped install water filtra‑ tion systems and vented stoves to reduce disease and child mortality. Through social media outreach, she raised funds to provide clean water and stoves for more than 20 fami‑ lies. She even transported donated items in her luggage – meeting the checked‑bag weight limit – and sold Guatemalan goods locally to fund future missions. Her Spanish fluency further strengthens the mis‑ sion team’s impact. A member of Oak Ridge Meth‑ odist Church (ORMC), Huber also supports the church’s Bear Ministry and other ministries. She serves in multiple business and networking organizations while simultaneously being a full‑time professional and community participant. ORMC Pastor Mike Carr cap‑ tures her influence best: “Her pas‑ sion for helping others is conta‑ gious… She is truly living out the calling of God to treat others like you want to be treated.”

Proceeds from horse show, rodeo benefit local causes Photo courtesy of ORHS Association

Mutton bustin’, a longtime crowd‑pleaser at the annual Oak Ridge Horse Show, sends young riders off on a woolly sprint as they hold tight to a fast-moving sheep and try to stay aboard for as many seconds as possible.

The 80th annual Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show and Rodeo, held Easter weekend (April 3-4) at Hardins Farm & Stables in Stokes‑ dale, drew over 3,000 attendees and raised more than $8,000 for local causes. Thanks to its suc‑ cess, scholarships were awarded in May to two deserving high school students, and donations were made

to several community organizations. The Oak Ridge Horse Show Association (ORHSA) board extends heartfelt thanks to all spectators, competitors, volun‑ teers, vendors and sponsors for their support. For more info about ORHSA and next year’s horse show and rodeo on March 26-27, visit www.oakridgehorseshow.com.

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Our staff and volunteers spend a lot of time with the animals in our care, and these are just a few of the pets who are always happy to get some extra love. We’re currently caring for around 700 animals, with 192 available for adoption. We have so many animals depending on us, and we’d love to see them find families soon. All adoptable pets go home spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Fostering is also completely covered by the shelter. We provide the food, crates, supplies and medical care, and you can foster for as little or as long as you’d like.

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FALL 2026

Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network MISS PENNY Meet Penny, a sweet young cat who came to Red Dog Farm at 9 months old after being found as a tiny kitten. She may start out shy, but once she feels safe, her personality shines. Penny loves climbing into — and on top of — bags and purses, earning her the title of “little bag lady.” She gets along well with other cats and is looking for an indoor-only home where she can blossom. Penny is spayed, microchipped, and vaccinated.

MAYO Mayo is a very social 3-year-old male guinea pig with plenty of personality! He prefers people over other guinea pigs and is currently content being a single boar. Mayo loves to chat, show off, and work his charm for veggie snacks. He’s your typical laidback, happy-go-lucky little guy who would love to find a forever home of his own.

Looking for a cuddly cat, charming guinea pig, or another adoptable pet to call your own? Begin by filling out an application at www.reddogfarm.com. Meet Adam — 9-month-old energy machine, iast, group-play enthus at Almost and a daily favorite Grooming. Home Boarding & gy to spare, He may have ener to burn it off but he knows how ew! Adam with his daycare cr nging out especially loves ha , Mateo with his two besties akes and Bentley. He m a sure there’s never dull moment!

NWGuilford

Photo contributed by Almost Home Boarding & Grooming

CRITTERconnection

AROUND

TOWN

75 Years Strong

Neighbors came together in the early 1950s to establish local fire protection, forming Summerfield Fire District, Inc. in 1951. The department’s first engine, a 1951 Baker-American on a Ford chassis, cost $3,800 and was initially stored in a member’s service station until a fire station could be established. Purchased in August 1951, it entered service the following year and answered its first call – a trash-heap fire – just two days later.

Photo courtesy of Summerfield Fire District

Photo by Patti Stokes/CONNECT2

That humble beginning launched 75 years of neighbors protecting neighbors. The department is sharing daily snapshots of its history on Facebook as it counts down to Oct. 31, when the community is invited to celebrate its 75th anniversary. Facebook.com/SummerfieldFireDistrict

A Birthday Blue RibboN

Honoring a Hometown Teacher Stokesdale native August Howerton (center) was honored at the Aug. 13 Stokesdale Town Council meeting for her commitment to students and her community. Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy (second from right) read a statement and presented a plaque recognizing her deep Stokesdale roots and dedication to education. A 2015 Northwest Guilford graduate, Howerton earned her degree in Elementary Education from UNC Charlotte. She was named Teacher of the Year at both Jackson Park Elementary and Kannapolis City Schools and was later runner-up for the Southwest Region. She returns home each summer to teach Vacation Bible School and continues to broaden her perspective through Go Global NC.

Congratulations, Mason! Mason Winfree, Stokesdale’s deputy town clerk and lifelong Stokesdale resident, celebrated his 30th birthday with a first-place blue ribbon in the autoharp competition at the 90th Annual Old Fiddlers’ Convention in Galax, Virginia. A longtime fan and musician of Appalachian music, Winfree said the autoharp was the first instrument he learned to play and has remained a constant in his life. “To ring in a new decade of my life with this instrument, at this place, and in this moment is something I will always cherish,” Winfree wrote on Facebook.

Courtesy photo

Thank you to Nicole Gillespie for sponsoring Connect2’s Around Town page.

MAX imizing your

real estate experience

Nicole E. Gillespie SPS, REALTOR®/Broker RE/MAX Realty Consultants

336.210.3895 cell

Multi-Million Dollar Producer | Lifetime Achievement Award | Hall of Fame Award Winner | Pinnacle Achievement Award

NWGuilford

FALL 2026

“Your life is your story. Write well. Edit often.” — Susan Statham Photo courtesy of Laura Craven

Laura Craven: ‘I choose joy’

Despite enduring some of life’s most painful challenges, the three-time breast cancer survivor finds something to be grateful for every day by ANNETTE JOYCE Laura Craven loves being with other people, traveling both within and outside the U.S., and packs each day with as much adventure as it will hold. Despite her positive outlook on life, she’s endured both painful and frightening challenges. In 2003, she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. The disease returned in 2018, leading to a double mastectomy and reconstruction. Then, cancer struck again in 2024. While she was fighting through her second round of cancer, her husband, Bobby, was facing his own devastating diagnosis: primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a form of frontotemporal dementia that slowly destroys a person’s ability to communicate. During the pandemic, he contracted COVID and was hospitalized, leaving Laura unable to visit or speak with him in person. With Hospice’s help, she brought him home, and the couple spent the final four days of Bobby’s life together before his death in January 2021. Instead of succumbing to grief, Laura, now 63, made a conscious choice. “I could have been depressed, but I choose happy,” she said. “That’s my mantra.” One of the ways she “chooses happy” is to pour herself into helping others facing cancer. She has volunteered with the American Cancer Society (ACS) for 20 years. Locally, she serves as the event lead for Relay for Life, coordinating the area’s annual five county event. She’s also part of the ACS Southeastern Region Volunteer Fundraising Leadership Team.

Her involvement doesn’t stop there. Laura attends meetings, socials, health fairs, and community events on behalf of ACS. “I’m always trying to spread awareness,” the spunky Colfax resident said. During their 31 years of marriage, Laura and Bobby loved traveling together and especially enjoyed exploring the Caribbean. Even as Bobby’s disease progressed, they continued taking day trips. “Every Tuesday we would find somewhere Traveling near and far, spending time with friends and fun to go,” she said. family, and volunteering are some of the ways Laura After losing her travel companion, Laura Craven lives out her life’s mantra, “live a great story.” refused to give up the spirit of adventure she and Bobby had embraced. She frequently travels internationally, with “When he passed away, I felt like I was run- Ireland and Greece among her list of favorites. ning out of time. I decided to go even if I had Sometimes she travels with a friend — like the to go alone,” she said. trip last year to Iceland, where the two rented a And so she has, with traveling solo no camper van and explored the country, occalonger fazing her. sionally hiking as late as 10:30 p.m. under the “When I travel by myself, I always meet midnight sun. people and have a great time getting to know Even with her packed schedule, Laura them,” she said. makes time to give back to the community She’s visited most of the states in the U.S. through her church, The Summit Church - Oak and treasures many special memories – such Ridge. Her “pet projects” include helping with as a dog sledding adventure in Utah, where the blood drives, supporting the Triad Honor she convinced the sled driver to let her help Flight, and assisting with the church’s first steer instead of being tucked into a basket responders’ lunch. of blankets. And there’s the day trip she took Laura’s busy life leaves little room to dwell to Washington, D.C. just to see the cherry on the painful parts. blossoms. She’s run the Disney Princess half “I have to be thankful every morning,” she marathon in Orlando and two more in Myrtle said. “I read my devotional and watch the sunBeach and the Outer Banks. And before her rise and remind myself that I’ve seen cases that 65th birthday, she plans to reach her goal of are a whole lot worse than mine.” visiting all 63 national parks.

Thanks to EuroHaus for sponsoring this issue’s “Ordinary, Extraordinary” article featuring Laura Craven.

EuroHaus is proud to sponsor this issue’s “Ordinary, Extraordinary” page featuring Laura Craven, who continues to write her own inspiring story of resilience and community impact.

AUTO SERVICE & REPAIRS EuroHausAuto.pro 336.891.3876

FALL 2026

NWGuilford

GRINS and GRIPES GRINS to ... Summerfield Fire District, for 75 years of steady service, quick response, and community engage‑ ment. In a town that’s often divid‑ ed, you’re a dependable constant, showing up not only in emergences but at every community event to reflect what true small‑town spirit looks like. The Little League coaches and other volunteers who give their time to make sure our kids get the opportunity to have fun, make new friends, and learn some valuable lessons from participating in sports. Stokesdale town administrator/ clerk Robbie Wagoner for always being pleasant, helpful, efficient and on top of all things related to the town. So fortunate to have you! Former Town of Summerfield staff and Palmer McIntyre of Piedmont Land Conservancy for working tirelessly to get the Bande‑ ra Farms Park project funded and

well on its way, and all who helped bring it to completion. Excited for its opening in September!

MUNICIPAL WATER IN OAK RIDGE

Candidates who run on ideas, integrity and service to show us why they deserve our vote instead of mudslinging their opponent.

going to connect,” he said. As water begins flowing, he added, “our focus will begin to shift more towards grant applications and looking for sources of funding.”

People who foster kids and animals, giving them a safe and caring home while a permanent one is found.

GRIPES to ... Guilford County Dem‑ ocratic commissioners for backing a 5.9‑cent tax hike. How about trimming wasteful spending instead of squeezing more from residents already working hard to keep up? Summerfield Town Coun‑ cil for your past two+ years of short-sighted, damaging decisions. Attorney fees are astronomical, ARPA funds lost, and no progress on a water system. Leadership should protect resources, not waste them.

...continued from p. 8

Federal, state and local grants have funded the 250,000‑gallon tank at $3.35 million and the water line at $4.9 million, accord‑ ing to Town Manager Bill Bruce’s FY2026‑27 budget message. Bruce wrote that the tower “will serve as the foundation” of the system, offering nearly 100 homeown‑ ers and businesses the chance to connect, with another 400 homes within reach of future spur lines. The line will also “greatly enhance fire protection” by giving the Oak Ridge Fire Department access to hydrants. To encourage sign‑ups, Sul‑ livan said the town “recently put door hangers on all the homes along N.C. 150” and plans addi‑ tional outreach once the system is online. Brian Hall, vice chair of the Water Advisory Board, plans to connect his home on N.C. 150. He said the cost of running a ser‑ vice line from the road is worth the reliability of treated water drawn largely from the Yadkin River, a dependable source “even in some of the worst drought con‑ ditions.”

Here to Serve You

Dawn Stone & Phillip Stone, Owners

At A New Dawn Realty, our team is passionate about serving the needs of our local community. We strive to offer top-notch service and have always been willing to go the extra mile to achieve our clients’ best interests. Our team combines exceptional energy and experience, and you’ll feel confident you made the right decision if you allow us to assist you! Visit our website or Facebook page to view our clients’ testimonials.

8500 Ellisboro Road, Suite B, Stokesdale

(336) 643-4248 • ANewDawnRealty.com

“If my property is connected to a public water supply… I expect that my property would be viewed more favorably,” he said.

“The operational cost… is essentially equal to what I am currently pay‑ ing. Getting a more reli‑ able product for an equiv‑ alent cost is a win in my book,” he added. As a bonus, Hall expects municipal water to boost his prop‑ erty value.

He also noted the practical ben‑ efits for a busy household that gen‑ erates “dirty clothes, dirty dishes… washing dogs, washing cars,” say‑ ing a more reliable source of water supports “an improved quality of life for my family.” Not everyone shares that enthusiasm. Sullivan said town leaders need to “do a better con‑ tinuing education job” to help res‑ idents understand the safety and reliability of municipal water and why some may choose to move away from wells. Municipal water may relieve low pressure and other issues tied to community wells, he said, and eliminate the need for water softeners.

“Groundwater out here has a lot of minerals… particularly calcium and magnesium,” he noted. “And that affects the appliances and plumbing in your house. Municipal water eliminates” those problems. Some online commenters have expressed concerns that municipal water could lead to higher‑density housing. Sullivan said that’s not possible. “That cannot occur here because our lot size and our den‑ sity is controlled by the fact that our wastewater needs are handled by septic systems,” he said. The lots’ limited ability to perk means “the land won’t support more than four or five bedrooms an acre. There is absolutely no way you could have apartments out here.”

NWGuilford

FALL 2026

We Don’t Just Build,

Transform Spaces

“Renovation Works is more than the name implies – whether we’re building from the ground up, or adding to or renovating existing spaces, our passion is to take something from what it is to what it can become.” - Todd Payne, owner

New Construction | Remodeling | Additions | Kitchen | Bath Todd Payne, founder of Renovation Works, began learning the home construction trade over 40 years ago from his cousin, who he said was both a skilled carpenter and a perfectionist. While spending his earlier years in the workforce as a commodities buyer, Todd earned his general contractor’s license and built several custom homes in his spare time. After deciding to focus on home construction and renovation full-time, he launched Renovation Works in 2010. Since then, he has enjoyed working closely with homeowners on a wide range of projects across the Triad, from custom-built homes to full-scale renovations and additions of rooms, garages, and entire floors. Renovation Works brings new life to existing interiors and creates beautiful spaces from the ground up — like the modern, thoughtfully designed kitchen pictured above, part of a newly constructed home the team completed last year.

myrenovationworks.com

www. Todd Payne

owner/general contractor

FALL 2026

(336) 427-7391 | myrenovationworks@gmail.com References from local homeowners available upon request

NWGuilford

your local

neighborhood marketplace

To place a Marketplace display or Classified line ad in our WINTER 2026-27 (December, January, February) issue, call (336) 944-1665 or email info@Connect2NWGuilford.com

INDEX

AUTO SERVICES

Accounting..................................................................... 66 Auto Services............................................................... 66 Employment.................................................................. 66 Fitness.............................................................................. 66 Florist................................................................................ 66 Pottery.............................................................................. 66 Cleaning........................................................................... 67 Building / Construction......................................... 67 Electrical......................................................................... 67 General Repair & Services................................... 67 Gutters.............................................................................. 67 Lawncare / Landscaping.........................................68 Miscellaneous.............................................................68 Painting............................................................................68 Remodeling....................................................................68 Roofing.............................................................................. 69 Storage............................................................................. 69 Tree, Stump Services.............................................. 69 Pets / Pet Sitting....................................................... 69 Real Estate..................................................................... 69

EUROHAUS, European vehicle specialist w/100+ years’ exp. Lifetime warranty on OES Genuine parts. Expert repair/maintenance for BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Porsche, Land Rover, Volkswagen, and Volvo owners in NW Guilford and nearby areas. Military & first responder discounts. Valet pickup available. 6716 US 158, Stokesdale. www.Eurohaus.pro. (336) 891‑3876.

ACCOUNTING

FITNESS

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

8400 Hwy 158 • PO Box 469 Stokesdale, NC 27357 kim@kimberlythacker.com (336) 644-2741 office | (336) 644-2743 fax

THE EUROPEAN GARAGE. Quality European auto service & repair. BMW, Mini, Volvo, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Audi, Land Rover, and Porsche. Owner Butch Knight provides 37 years of exceptional and trusted expertise. 4559 U.S. 220. Summerfield (across from Food Lion). TheEuropeanGarage.com. (336) 337-0669.

EMPLOYMENT CHILDCARE CENTER/PRESCHOOL needs F/T energetic infant/toddler teacher. Pay rate based on education and experience; medical and dental coverage provided. NW Day School & The Baby House. Interested applicants call Joslyn, (336) 617-7700.

FLORIST

FULL-SERVICE FLORIST Floral arrangements for weddings, prom, special occasions, church services and funerals. Fruit and gourmet baskets and balloon arrangements also available. Order online or stop by our retail shop to discuss your floral needs.

summerfieldflorist.com

(336) 643-0898 | 5124 US-220, Summerfield We deliver in northwest and northern Guilford County!

POTTERY

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO STAY FIT Locally owned

• 24supportive Hour Access gym community • Cardio Equipment 24-Hour Access • Free Weights

Premium Cardio Equipment

• Friendly Staff

• Group Classes • HDTV

Free Weights

Friendly, Supportive Staff

Group Classes • Personal Training • Strength Training

HDTV

Personal & Strength Training

BECOME AApp PART OUR COMMUNITY Snap forOF Goal & Progress-Tracking Welcome to Snap Fitness Oak Ridge. Get 24/7 access to your locally owned fitness facility, where our supportive community will help you move your body and your mood.

Everything you need to stay fit!

(336) 643-5501

Members get access to the best range of cardio, strength, and functional training equipment, plus a member app to help set oakridgenc@snapfitness.com your own goals and celebrate your progress. Contact our gym 1433 B (68 Place) 68journey N, Oaktoday Ridge or join now to get started on yourHwy fitness

(336) 643-5501; oakridgenc@snapfitness.com

entrance on HWY 68, Oak Ridge Open Thurs. - Sat. 10am–5pm 336.668.0025 www.davidcolepottery.com

your local

neighborhood marketplace

To place a Marketplace display or Classified line ad in our WINTER 2026-27 (December, January, February) issue, call (336) 944-1665 or email info@Connect2NWGuilford.com HOME / COMMERCIAL SVCS.

GENERAL REPAIR / SVCS.

GUTTERS

CLEANING (INTERIOR & EXTERIOR) PAOLA CLEANING SERVICE. Residential, commercial & new construction. Insured. (336) 669-5210 or (336) 814-5694. CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING. We clean all styles of windows, frames, sills, mirrors, skylights, and light fixtures – residential and commercial. We also do gutter cleaning and pressure washing. (336) 595-2873. Fully ins. www.windowcleaningnc.com. GATORMAID CLEANING. Christian mom in business for 32 years in the Triad is available to provide excellent cleaning services for the elderly and others. Pet sitting also available, all at budget-friendly prices. References. Call Laura Bennett at (336) 231-1838. MARTIN’S PRESSURE WASHING. House and roof soft washing. Concrete/paver cleaning and sealing. Residential and commercial. Call or text (919) 931-0856. Visit MartinsPressureWashing.com. Serving the Triad since 2018.

BUILDING /CONSTRUCTION WE BUILD POLE BUILDINGS/BARNS and barndominiums. Call us for an estimate. (336) 430-9507.

AFFORDABLE

HOME REPAIR

& Remodeling

Repair. Refresh. Remodel. handyman construction well pumps plumbing foundations sagging floors... and much more! ●

●

Licensed general contractors

One call fixes all!

(336) 643-1184

WILSON

Seamless Gutters Installation, repair, replacement, Leaf Guard Small-town, family-owned business serving the Triad, specializing in all your seamless gutter needs

Call for a free estimate

336-420-0200

OLD SCHOOL HOME REPAIR. 20+ years in business. We pride ourselves in offering craftsmanship, consistent quality, and excellent customer service. See our display ad on p. 25 of this issue.

ELECTRICAL Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? Licensed and insured. 40 years of service. Call Coble Electric, LLC at (336) 209-1486.

GENERAL REPAIR / SVCS. GENERAL HANDYMAN. Repairs, installations,

Serving the Piedmont Triad

NW Guilford Still here. Still local. Still keeping you connected.

trical and plumbing. Landscape lighting installation.

Gutter repair www.allproseamlessguttering.com

Insured. No job too small. Call with questions. Gordon, (336) 253-7700.

Greg & Christy Pegram, owners

(336) 362-2099

HOME SERVICES, including HVAC maintenance and repair, gutter and window cleaning and power Free estimates. (336) 706-0103.

Seamless gutter installation Leaf protection installation

furniture assemblies, TV mounting, etc. Light elec-

washing/soft washing. Affordable and dependable.

since 2003

www.Connect2NWGuilford.com

Greg@allproseamlessguttering.com

...More SERVICES on p. 68

your local

neighborhood marketplace

To place a Marketplace display or Classified line ad in our WINTER 2026-27 (December, January, February) issue, call (336) 944-1665 or email info@Connect2NWGuilford.com LAWNCARE, LANDSCAPE DESIGN, MATERIALS & MAINTENANCE

MISCELLANEOUS

PAINTING

SEASONED FIREWOOD FOR SALE. ½ cord split, delivered and stacked. Pickup also available. Call Tom, (336) 686-6373.

STILL PERFECTION PAINTING. Put your trust in our brush! Reliable, skilled, affordable. Painting, pressure washing & handyman services. Call Scott Still, (336) 462-3683 or visit stillperfectionpainting.com.

WANTED: OLD FARM EQUIPMENT. Will pay cash. Call (336) 430-9507.

LANDSCAPING & DESIGN

full service maintenance

mulching ● plants ● trees pruning ● renovation ● sodding

LANDSCAPING MATERIALS mulch ● soils ● compost ● stone propane

FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding and push mowers, tillers, generators, power washers, 4-wheelers, mini-bikes, golf carts, go-carts and other gas-powered items. (336) 491-1565.

PAINTING

Residential & Commercial

www.gardenoutletnc.com

(336) 643-0898 | 5124 US-220, Summerfield Est. 1999, locally owned and operated

Get on schedule now for exterior painting before cold weather with

BEK Paint Company

PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR. 45 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. Average bedroom walls $125. No job too small. Insured. Call or text Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186.

REMODELING BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. One call does it all! Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood repair. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. Since 1979. References available. Sr. discounts. (336) 362-6343. WHITE OAK FINE CARPENTRY. Remodeling, custom cabinetry and home repair. Custom decks. Kitchen and bath remodels. No project too small. Follow us on social media. (336) 497-7835.

Locally owned and operated since 1998 AQUA SYSTEMS IRRIGATION. Quality irrigation systems. We service all systems. NC licensed contractor. Free estimates. (336) 644-1174. DELIMA LAWN CARE, LLC. Mowing, pruning, mulch/pine needles, leaf removal & much more. Commercial and residential. Licensed & insured. Serving northwest Guilford area since 2005. Call JC Ruiz, owner, at (336) 669-5210. WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC. Lawn maintenance, landscaping. Irrigation/ landscape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape lighting. 30+ yrs. exp. (336) 399-7764.

MISCELLANEOUS JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, outbuildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc. We can also haul mulch. Call (336) 706-8470. WELDING AND TRAILER REPAIR. General repairs to all kinds of metal items. Trailer refurbishing. Call Tim, (336) 402-3869.

AFFORDABLE

Exterior & Interior Painting • Carpentry Deck Staining • Cabinet Painting

HOME REPAIR

Wallpaper Removal • Front Door Refinishing Pressure Washing • Popcorn Ceiling Removal

(336) 931-0600

www.BEKPaintCompany.com David & Judy Long, owners References available | Licensed & insured All work guaranteed

CARLOS & SON PAINTING. Residential & commercial. Licensed & insured. Serving northwest Guilford area since 1999. Carlos Ruiz, owner, (336) 669-5210 or carlospainting14@live.com. LAWSON’S PAINTING. Custom decks, pressure washing, boat docks, block fill, wood repair, stain work, textured ceilings, sheetrock repair. Call (336) 253-9089.

& Remodeling

Repair. Refresh. Remodel. handyman construction well pumps plumbing foundations sagging floors... and much more! ●

●

Licensed general contractors

One call fixes all!

(336) 643-1184 NWGuilford

FALL 2026

your local

neighborhood marketplace

To place a Marketplace display or Classified line ad in our WINTER 2026-27 (December, January, February) issue, call (336) 944-1665 or email info@Connect2NWGuilford.com REMODELING

TREE, STUMP SERVICES

REAL ESTATE

RENOVATION WORKS, INC. New construction, remodeling, additions, kitchen, bath and decks. Locally owned, full-service design-and-build company. BBB A+ accredited. Call (336) 427-7391 or visit www. myrenovationworks.com to discuss your next project. See our full-page display ad on p. 65.

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE. Local arborists with 30+ years’ experience. Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Tree inspection. Stump grinding. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. Call (336) 643-9157. www.arbormastersnc.com

WE PAY CASH for LAND and / or HOUSES. Call us at (336) 430-9507.

ROOFING We can handle all of your COMPLETE ROOFING NEEDS, commercial and residential. Call (336) 430-9507. DUSTIN CLINARD ROOFING. Certified 50-year non-prorated shingle warranty. Certified commercial roof systems and coatings. Offer commercial maintenance as well as shingle, metal and leak repairs. Free estimates. (336) 268-1908.

hank you

to our advertisers for making this issue possible!

STORAGE

Storage solutions for every need!

proudly serving Stokesdale and its neighbors

CM STUMP GRINDING, LLC. Family-owned and operated. Commercial and residential. Stump grinding, stump removal, shrub and brush removal, light clearing, dirt work, culverts and more. Free quotes! (336) 317-4600. STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. 40+ years’ exp. in all types of tree work. Fully insured. Natural area thinning & cleanup. (336) 643-1119. DILLON TREE SERVICE. Certified arborists. BBB accredited. Fully insured. Family-owned. Tree removal and trimming. Available for emergency removals 24/7. Free estimates. info@dillontreeservice.com. (336) 996-6156. www.dillontreeservice.com. See display ad on p. 39.

PETS/PET SITTING

Whether you're buying or selling a home, I’m here to guide you through the process,ensuring your best interests are always my top priority. My dedication to excellence, attention to detail, and passion for helping people are the driving forces behind my work. I'm here to help!

336.707.7676 | cyndi@triadsfinest.com www.cynthiabrownnc@exprealty.com

WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING LLC. Your Summerfield Pet Sitters since 2018. Certified, bonded & insured. See our website for service and extended service areas. (336) 339-6845. www.wendycollinspetsitting.com

Gated access with 24/7 camera surveillance 8207 B & G Court, Stokesdale

“The Land Man” Phillip Stone, REALTOR

6705 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale 2nd Location NOW OPEN at 7723 NC Hwy 68 in Stokesdale

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

(336) 643-9963

WANTED: NEW HOME. Sid’s human recently lost his home, and this sweet 13‑year‑old guy needs a new home and a loving companion. He’s very sweet, vaccinated, heartworm negative and still has pep. Great with cats and dogs. If you can help, call (336) 549‑6017.

(336) 908-6528 phillipstone84@gmail.com

ELECTION INFO ...continued from p. 18 ballot are Roy Cooper (D); Michael Whatley (R); Michael Dublin (GRE); and Shannon W. Bray (LIB)

Visit www.lwvpiedmonttriad.org for more info about the League and these forums.

Depending on your precinct, your ballot may also include judi‑ cial races, Board of Education seats and other local and state‑ wide offices.

Before voting, check your sam‑ ple ballot, polling place, and voter registration status at the Guil‑ ford County Board of Elections or NC Board of Elections website.

Candidate forums

Early voting Early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 15, and continues on week‑ days through Friday, Oct. 30, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days; and Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The nonpartisan League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad will host the following candi‑ date forums: Sept. 15, from 12 to 1:30 p.m.: Guilford County Commissioner, District 3 candidates Patrick Till‑ man (R), incumbent, and Derek Mobley (D). First Presbyterian Church, Mullin Family Life Center, 706 N. Greene St., Greensboro. Lunch available for purchase. Register with or without lunch at lwvpiedmonttriad.org.

In northwest Guilford County, early voting will be offered at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Lin‑ ville Road; Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel-Pardue Road; BurMil Clubhouse, 5834 Bur-Mil Club Road in Greensboro; and Leonard Recreation Center, 6324 Ballinger Road in Greensboro.

Sept. 17, 6 p.m.: We were notified after going to press that the forum for NC House, District 62 candi‑ dates John Blust (R), incumbent, and Shelly Headen (D), at YWCA High Point has been canceled.

Election Day Citizens must vote in their assigned precincts on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 8, 6:30 p.m.: NC Senate, District 26 candidates Sam Page (R) and Steve Luking (D). Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro, 5603 Hilltop Road, Jamestown.

More election info www.guilfordcountync.gov/ government/board-elections

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE ON PAGE 40

Connect2 HOMETOWN GRID

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INDEX of Display Advertisers ACCOUNTING

Anders & Barrow CPAs, PC........................11 Kimberly Thacker Accounting...............66

ART / DANCE / MUSIC

Destination Arts.....................................36, BC

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

EuroHaus................................................................. 63 Prestige Car Wash............................................37

BUILDING / REMODELING

CJ Builders...............................................................31 Disney Construction Company............... 2 Old School Home Repair............................25 R&K Custom Homes......................................... 3 Renovation Works........................................... 65 TM Construction Services........................ 14 Walraven Signature Homes..................... 35 Z.N.Cobb Builders........................................... 56

CANDIDATES/ POLITICAL PARTIES

Pat Tillman / County Commissioner...12 John Blust / NC House.............. 17, 33, 34 Phil Byrd / Sheriff.................................................8 Republican Party......................................30, 31 Shelly Headen / NC House......................... 15 Steve Luking / NC Senate........................... 19

Allpro Seamless Guttering LLC............ 67 Amanzi.........................................................................21 Bee Safe Storage & Wine Cellar.............. 7 BEK Paint Company....................................... 68 Carpets by Direct................................................ 5 Dillon Tree Service.......................................... 39 Evans Air Services.............................................52 Flooring Innovations......................................58 Garden Outlet..................................................... 68 Kitchen Tune-up................................................ 29 Premiere Construction & Roofing..... 32 Rymack Storage................................................69 Scott’s Tractor.................................................... 14 Stokesdale Heating & Air........................... 38 Stokesdale Landscape Supply............... 26 Stokesdale Storage........................................69 Top Dog Garage Doors................................ 55 Wilson Seamless Gutters.......................... 67

INSURANCE

Gladwell Insurance Agency....................... 18

LEGAL SERVICES

Barbour & Williams Law............................. 20 Law Office of Susan Greeson............... 59

MEDICAL / AUDIOLOGY

CHURCHES

Aim Hearing..........................................................40 New Hope Medical.......................................... 48 Novant Health.......................................................71

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Olmsted Orthodontics......................37, 42 Robert Stoner Orthodontics.................. 16

DENTAL SERVICES

Almost Home Boarding & Grooming..... 61 Northwest Animal Hospital...................... 57

Central Baptist Church AWANAS..........11 Moravia Moravian............................................ 43

OR Historic Preservation Comm.......60 Summerfield Fire District.........................44 Borden Dentistry.............................................. 24 Confident Kids Pediatric Dentistry.....23 Cosmetic & Family Dentistry.....................4 Summerfield Family Dentistry............. 50

EVENTS

Oak Ridge Heritage Day............................. 47 Purple Wagon Events....................................45 RidgeFest................................................................49 Town of OR Baking Contest.................. 28

FITNESS

Snap Fitness.........................................................66

FLORIST

Summerfield Florist.......................................66

FUNERAL SERVICES

Forbis & Dick......................................................... 41

HAIR CARE

Great Clips............................................................. 36

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Affordable Home Repair.................. 67, 68

ORTHODONTIC CARE PET CARE

REAL ESTATE

A New Dawn Realty........................................64 Cyndi Brown, Triad’s Finest....................69 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX...................51, 62 Phillip Stone, A New Dawn Realty......69 Ramilya Siegel, Keller Williams..............27

RESTAURANTS

Bistro 150................................................................. 36 Gusto Pizzeria..................................................... 36 Joey’s Burger Bar.............................................37 Ridge Shrimp & Oyster................................37 Rio Grande............................................................. 36

RETAIL

David Cole Pottery.........................................66 Stonefield Cellars...............................................13 The Shoe Market...............................................53

RETIREMENT

Countryside Village......................................... 10

SCHOOLS

Revolution Academy.........................................9

For the best healthcare in your area

You want Novant

Novant Health is here for all your healthcare needs in the northwest Guilford area and across the county. Our doctors will work together to ensure you and your family get the compassionate care you need, when and where you need it. Come experience the remarkable care you deserve at Novant Health.

Convenient locations for you Novant Health Forsyth Pediatrics 2205 Oak Ridge Road, Suite BB Oak Ridge 336-644-0994 Novant Health Forsyth Pediatrics 4901 Auburn Road Summerfield 336-660-5280

Novant Health Northern Family Medicine 4901 Auburn Road Summerfield 336-660-5270

Novant Health Pain Management 7779 N.C. Highway 68 North, Suite 2A Stokesdale 336-660-5290

Novant Health Northwest Family Medicine 7607 N.C. Highway 68 North, Suite B Oak Ridge 336-643-3378

To find more physicians in Guilford County, visit NovantHealth.org/Guilford

FALL 2026

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NW Guilford

Postal Patron

history, happenings & humor of northwest guilford county www.Connect2NWGuilford.com

PO Box 444, Summerfield, NC 27366 • (336) 944-1665

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Oak Ridge, NC Permit No. 22 ECRWSS

YOU Belong Here!

Dance is with us th

fall

dance ● acrobatics/tumbling private music lessons Still enrolling for fall! Find details about ALL our classes at

DestinationArtsCenter.com or call (336) 740-6891

Let us help your little ones bloom into lifelong learners, prepared for Kindergarten and beyond, through positive social interaction and creative opportunities.

Half-day preschool with a fine arts focus.

Join our waitlist for 2026-2027 DestinationArtsCenter.com/Bloom

Bringing the arts into the hearts of children

dance, ages 14 months and up ● acrobatics/tumbling, ages 3 and up ● private music lessons, ages 5 and up

DestinationArtsCenter.com or call (336) 740-6891 2205-O Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge