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HOW TO REACH US

phone: (336) 944-1665 mail: PO Box 444, Summerfield, NC 27358 info@ Connect2NWGuilford.com for advertising, editorial and general information artdirector@ Connect2NWGuilford.com for ad design and production questions accountant@ Connect2NWGuilford.com for billing questions

OUR TEAM

Patti Stokes, editor/publisher

Kelli Jessup, art director

Yvonne Bichsel Truhon, graphic designer

Leon Stokes, IT director

Lucy Smith, finance manager

Chris Bennett, Tom McCoy, distribution

Chris Burritt, Annette Joyce, contributing writers

CIRCULATION

18,500* in print, and online 24/7 at www.Connect2NWGuilford.com

* includes 13,000+ directly mailed to ALL homes with an Oak Ridge (27310), Summerfield (27358) and Stokesdale (27357) mailing address, with an additional 5,500 copies placed in our newspaper racks and area businesses throughout northwest Guilford County for free pickup.

what’s inside

New publication, new adventure!

NW Guilford

Dear Readers,

We’ve missed you these past few months, and it’s so good to be back!

As many of you know, last year I decided to retire the Northwest Observer, which my company, PS Communications, had published for over 28 years. In the weeks before my staff and I began putting together the NWO’s final issue in December, I found myself conflicted over whether to move forward with ideas for a new publication that I’d been mulling over, or simply ride off into the sunset.

The hardest part about possibly stepping away wasn’t just that I would be closing a chapter on something that had been such a big part of my life – it was letting go of the relationships built over the years. Whether through email conversations, advertising partnerships, or connections at community events, town council meetings, and everyday encounters, our lives have intersected in big and small ways. Through my camera lens, I watched many of your kids grow from toddlers to high schoolers, and some of the young people we wrote about years ago have now become business owners and even advertisers. (Thank you, Matt Olmsted!)

For many local business owners and nonprofits, the Northwest Observer was more than a publication – it was a bridge to your community, offering a cost-effective way to connect with potential customers. I knew how much many of you relied on us, just as I knew how essential it was to have a fair, community-driven news source that kept residents informed and local officials accountable.

The overwhelming response from you –through texts, calls, emails, and even handwritten notes – has meant the world to me. Your words of appreciation and encouragement played a big role in bringing this new publication to life.

What you hold in your hands (or read on screen) carries the heart of what our readers loved about the Northwest Observer — and although they didn’t make it in this issue, I promise we will bring back the Grins & Gripes in our next one!

But Connect2 NWGuilford isn’t just a condensed version of its predecessor. It features several new elements, like Looking Back on the past 20 to 25 years of local history and events,

Patti Stokes, left, editor/publisher, with Oak Ridge resident Shelby Smith at an Oak Ridge Lions Club event in July 2023. Read Shelby’s remarkable life-transformation story on p. 19.

a crossword puzzle with all locally based clues, and fun trivia about our area. And while the local news coverage in Connect2 won’t be as extensive as it was in the Northwest Observer, we’ll include some of the news highlights from the previous three months that we think are the most relevant to our area.

The most challenging part of pulling this first issue together has been figuring out how to pack in so many articles and ideas for content – in the end, we ran out of space so did our best to provide a little of this, a little of that, with a promise of much more to come. Whether you picked up this publication out of curiosity or a desire to be more informed about your northwest Guilford community, we’re so grateful you’re here, and we hope you find Connect2 to be a valuable community resource.

In closing, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the businesses and organizations that have joined us in this new venture. Nearly 90% of our former advertisers in the Northwest Observer are here with us, along with many new ones, and we’re honored to have their trust. Please take a moment when you visit them or use their services to thank them for helping make this publication possible.

Patti Stokes

editor/publisher | Connect2 NWGuilford president/owner | PS Communications

P.S. We’ll be back in print in early June, and in the meantime, stay connected with us online at Facebook.com/Connect2NWGuilford and at www.Connect2NWGuilford.com

Have feedback, article or feature suggestions, grins or gripes, or want to know about advertising with us? Email patti@connect2NWGuilford.com or call (336) 944-1665.

How will City of Greensboro’s plan to annex property owned by developer David Couch affect Summerfield Fire District?

We posed the question to Summerfield Fire Chief Chris Johnson, who said the city’s annexation of Couch’s land will reduce the district’s property tax receipts. The anticipated revenue loss is prompting the district to request its first tax increase in 11 years.

As long as Couch’s nearly 1,000 acres remains under Guilford County’s jurisdiction, the property continues generating tax revenue for Summerfield’s fire district, Johnson said in an email. As tracts are annexed by Greensboro, however, the property revenue will go to the city.

During its March 18 meeting, Greensboro City Council plans to consider annexing almost 80 acres on Carlson Dairy Road owned by Couch. That’s the site for Christopher Farm, the first of 11 developments planned for The Villages of Summerfield Farms.

Based on Christopher Farm’s projected property valuation when completed, Summerfield Fire District would gain around $203,050 in additional yearly revenue if it were to remain

your QUESTIONS

in unincorporated Guilford County.

“However, if annexed into the city, these funds would go to Greensboro,” Johnson said. “If the entire 1,000 acres goes into the city – which I feel is going to happen, or at least most of it – it will result in a potential $3.6 million annual revenue loss for our district after buildout.”

Summerfield’s district will respond to emergencies at Christopher Farm in a mutual and automatic aid agreement with Greensboro’s Fire Department, Johnson said. But the district won’t have a contract with Greensboro’s department, resulting in “assisting without financial compensation (and) representing a significant loss for our district,” Johnson said. “The additional revenue would have enhanced our personnel, training and capital improvements without raising taxes.”

Due to the expected losses, the Summerfield district is asking the county to approve a 1.9-cent tax increase, raising the fire district’s tax rate to 15 cents per $100 property valuation, the chief confirmed.

The increase “is essential to maintain our strategic plan and effectively serve Summerfield during emergencies,” Johnson said. “We hope the main portion of (Couch’s) development will not fall under city jurisdiction, although water and zoning issues suggest otherwise.”

Johnson said Couch “has been very transparent with our department for the past five to eight years regarding his development plans. This has allowed us to incorporate these plans into our strategic vision. Although some community members have expressed concerns, these developments would have been beneficial for the fire department in several ways.”

Couch has said developing his 978 acres is going to take more than 20 years, a buildout that “supports slow growth in our area, which is crucial for funding the fire department,” Johnson said. As costs for personnel, fire trucks and insurance increase, he added, “additional financial resources are necessary. With fewer volunteers, we must employ more paid personnel, leading to personnel costs comprising 80% of our budget. This ensures adequate staffing for emergency calls.”

The development of the water system, including hydrants, for Couch’s project would “benefit Summerfield’s emergency response capabilities,” Johnson said. Summerfield’s Town Council is evaluating developing a municipal water system with hydrants to assist firefighting.

Oak Ridge road work – and congestion – starting soon

Five years after the town council approved a resolution endorsing the road improvements, NCDOT is preparing to start construction

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Oak Ridge drivers, brace yourselves. The oft-delayed N.C. 68/150 improvements are going to start in April.

“Please understand that this is DOT,” Mayor Jim Kinneman told those attending the Town Council meeting March 6, deflecting possible criticism of congestion to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. “Please have some patience and understand it’s about a two-year project.”

It’s been more than five years since the council approved a resolution endorsing NCDOT’s plans for the intersection improvements in the business district. The work is part of the town’s efforts to slow traffic through the commercial business district and promote a family-friendly, village atmosphere

for pedestrians and cyclists.

If the nearly $10.5 million project had proceeded as originally envisioned, it would have been completed before the current fiscal year ends June 30. However, it’s been delayed multiple times for various reasons. Back in 2020, a state highway funding shortfall caused by the COVID-19 outbreak prompted state road builders to tap the brakes on projects across North Carolina. Relocating utilities prior to the start of construction has also dragged on.

For Oak Ridge residents and motorists, the first visible sign of construction will be the installation of roadwork signs (“Road Work Ahead” and “End Road Work”), NCDOT resident engineer Jacob Harris said in a recent email. “This will be followed by the setup of barrels and concrete barriers.”

Completion of the project is scheduled for September 2026. Plans call for new traffic signals and pedestrian crosswalks at Highways 68 and 150 and new roundabouts at two other intersections. They’re at N.C. 68 and Linville Road, near Bojangles, and N.C. 150 and Marketplace Drive, near Sherwin-Williams across from the entrance to Oak Ridge Commons shopping center. NCDOT is “going to try to do things as best they can, but just understand…there will be times where you might have one lane of traffic,”

Kinneman said at the meeting. “They are going to take into consideration the school schedule as much as possible to try to minimize the traffic that’s going to be caused by the construction.

“But please just keep in mind when the road construction starts, you might need to plan ahead a little bit, maybe plan some alternate routes,” the mayor said.

He described roundabouts as “a controversial issue,” but added “I think once you get used to them, you find that they’re OK.”

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Former town employees pursue defamation lawsuit

A lawyer for the town’s former manager and finance officer demands that council members and staff preserve evidence

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Former Summerfield Town Manager Scott Whitaker and Finance Officer Dee Hall have put the town on notice that they are pursuing a defamation lawsuit against several council members and staff.

A letter from Raleigh lawyer J Heydt Philbeck, dated March 11, demanded the preservation of evidence that may be relevant to potential litigation. Whitaker and Hall retained the lawyer after Town Manager Charles “Twig” Rollins hired former state auditor Beth Wood to examine actions by town staff as they were leaving their jobs last year.

In a report presented to the council Jan. 14, Wood alleged data destruction and financial irregularities by Whitaker and

Hall before they departed from Town Hall on June 10, 2024. The former employees said the assertions were false and could have been explained if staff had asked them instead of publicly ambushing them and engaging in what they characterized as a reputation smear.

Though the demand letter doesn’t guarantee a lawsuit, it signals the pair’s confidence in a legal battle or settlement. Whitaker is still seeking employment, while Hall is now finance director for the Montgomery County town of Biscoe.

In a Facebook post, Hall stated, “We will be filing a defamation of character lawsuit after we are able to get all the evidence from the town that they are withholding. They haven’t given

it to me, but they’ll have to give it to a judge.”

In an email, Hall confirmed she and Whitaker plan to sue the town, Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney, and council members Janelle Robinson, Jonathan Hamilton, and Heath Clay. Also named as defendants will be Rollins, Wood, and former interim town manager and finance officer Dana Luther.

However, Mayor Tim Sessoms and Councilman John Doggett will not be included. The two have defended Whitaker and Hall’s performance, questioning the validity of Wood’s report and the majority council’s continued pursuit of allegations.

Legal battle and council divisions

Philbeck said his law firm, Bailey & Dixon, is investigating “the facts and circumstances” related to prospective claims by Whitaker and Hall and “evaluating the liability of various individuals and entities in causing substantial harms, losses, and damages to these former employees.”

As tensions rose, Sessoms challenged Hamilton to explain why the council’s majority had removed Whitaker in the first place.

Rollins then intervened, advising council members to be cautious in their remarks due to the pending legal situation. Ashley Anderson, the town’s newly appointed attorney, attended her first meeting but remained silent amid the heated exchanges.

Questions of transparency, media notification

Another dispute arose when Robinson claimed that Sessoms and Doggett were aware of as much of what was in Wood’s report before it was presented as the majority four council members were – contrary to what critics of the council majority have suggested.

ROOFING & BUILDINGS

Sessoms mentioned the potential lawsuit during the Town Council’s March 11 meeting, and called for an end to the forensic IT audit stemming from Wood’s recommendation for a “deeper dive” into alleged data deletion.

“To say that [Sessoms and Doggett] didn’t know about it is untrue. None of us knew the depths of it,” Robinson stated.

“All we are doing is promoting more legal situations,” the

mayor argued.

“Stop pursuing

these

people

for whatever

reason, and let them go. We should stop looking back in this never-ending witch hunt. We are delaying the future of Summerfield.”

Hamilton disagreed, saying, “Nobody is trying to get anybody.” Instead, he insisted the council is working to uphold government integrity.

Adding to the controversy, regional media outlets knew about the report ahead of the meeting. The Rhino Times, a Greensboro-based outlet, reported that while it hadn’t received a copy beforehand, it had been tipped off a week before that Wood would be bringing forth allegations. Other media that normally do not have reporters at Summerfield council meetings were there on Jan. 14, but none of the four majority council members nor the town manager have claimed responsibility for giving them advance notice of Wood’s report or its content.

What’s next?

With a lawsuit looming and council divisions deepening, the legal and political battles in Summerfield show no signs of easing. The outcome of the forensic audit, the impact of the defamation claims, and the town’s ability to move forward remain uncertain.

Farmhouse Community Center nears opening

Six years after the idea was first presented, the Redmon house in Oak Ridge Town Park has been renovated and expanded for citizens to use as a gathering and meeting place.

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – After years of debate and escalating costs, the Farmhouse Community Center is preparing to open at the oak-shaded entrance to Oak Ridge’s Town Park.

The center is probably going to open in May, Mayor Jim Kinneman said in a recent interview, as crews complete interior renovations and pave a parking lot. The town is allowing the Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club to use the building at no cost for nine months as a way to work out any kinks in the space, he said.

The idea of converting the historic Redmon farmhouse into a community meeting space goes back more than six years.

“Overall the structure is in good shape for its age,” Oak Ridge planning director Sean

Taylor wrote in a memo in 2018 after the completion of interior demolition of the building.

Since then, debate among council members has focused on whether preserving the circa 1930s structure is worth the cost.

The price tag for renovating, expanding and repurposing the space is estimated at $650,000; the project is being funded by federal and state grants and Oak Ridge taxpayer dollars.

Chester and Linda Redmon were living in the house when the town purchased the park property it rested on, and they were given lifetime rights to remain there.

Following their deaths, the town took possession of the house in 2018 and then gutted it and removed asbestos.

Planning advanced in early 2021 when the town hired Hill Studio, a Roanoke, Virginia-based de-

Renovation and expansion of the former Redmon house at the corner of Linville Road and Lisa Drive is nearing completion, with an opening date for the Farmhouse Community Center anticipated in May.

sign firm, to work with a subcommittee of town leaders to develop a plan for the house. The group produced a design to expand the approximately 1,100-squarefoot structure to 1,500 square feet with the addition of a food preparation kitchen, two disabled-accessible bathrooms and other space. It also features a deck overlooking the park.

Three years ago, the council voted 3-2 to accept the low bid of $630,000

from Bar Construction Co. to refurbish the house.

In January 2024, council members discussed halting the project due to rising costs, but ultimately decided to move forward with the creation of a public meeting space.

“I believe we’ve gone to the point where it makes sense to finish it,” Kinneman said at the time.

Photo by Chris Burritt/CONNECT2

New lights reflect well on town park

by PATTI STOKES

STOKESDALE – Kids in the Stokesdale Parks and Recreation (SPAR) soccer program will soon be able to practice and play games in the evening while staying closer to home, thanks to a new lighting system on the town park’s soccer fields.

Town Administrator Robbie Wagoner said the lighting project stemmed from a request by SPAR, a nonprofit that has an agreement to use the park’s soccer fields. As the soccer program has grown to over 300 participants, scheduling practice and game times has become more challenging, especially in the shorter daylight months of spring and fall.

“SPAR has a great program, and I’d like for them to have their practice and game times here at home instead of having to go elsewhere to play,” said Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy.

An unexpected funding opportunity arose in late 2023 when a representative of Sen. Phil Berger reached out to the town, asking if any projects needed financial support. Foy responded with the town’s need for soccer field lighting. Soon after, Stokesdale was awarded $175,000, which the council allocated toward the project.

In early 2024, Wagoner sent out a request for proposals (RFP) to contractors, but responses were low. A second attempt in September yielded five bids, and Winston-based Reynolda Electric, the lowest bidder, was selected.

Initially, the plan was to install lights on wooden poles, but the contractor recommended metal poles and a turnkey system from GEO Sport Lighting. The system includes 72 high-powered bulbs mounted on six metal poles and comes with a 25-year warranty covering everything from underground wiring to the lights themselves.

“The goal was to get this done by March 1 when the soccer season started,” Wagoner said. “We’re behind, but so close we can taste it!”

Opponents plot to block Oak Ridge pipeline expansion

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – A group of Oak Ridge residents, led by organizer Claire Spear, is working to oppose Transco’s plan to build a pressurized methane gas pipeline through town.

For more than six decades,

three pipelines owned by Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Williams Cos. have run through Oak Ridge, as part of an artery of nearly 10,000 miles of pipelines from south Texas to New York City. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is reviewing the company’s proposal to ex-

About a half dozen Oak Ridge residents joined organizer Claire Spear (shown in photo) at a meeting on March 4 to discuss safety risks in Transco’s proposal to expand its gas pipeline system through Oak Ridge.

pand the existing pipeline system it operates.

“Communities are asked to bear all the risks and the burdens and get none of the benefits,” said Spear, a pipelines and environmental justice organizer with 7 Directions of Service, a North Carolina-based grassroots mobilization organization.

In recent months, opponents have expressed their concerns during council meetings, hoping to persuade council members to adopt a resolution opposing Transco’s Southeast Supply Enhancement project.

Oak Ridge Mayor Jim Kinneman attended a meeting on March 4 in a “listening mode” and encouraged the handful of opponents there to grow their numbers and focus on factual, compelling arguments when addressing the Town Council. While some council members may be receptive to concerns about safety and property rights, Kinneman noted that climate change arguments are unlikely to gain traction.

The possible “blast zone” for the existing pipelines encompasses three churches on N.C. 150 east of N.C. 68, according to a presentation last year by the Property Rights and Pipeline Center, a ...continued on p. 18

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ORTHODONTICS

Happy 100th birthday, Oak Ridge Elementary School

The community is invited to an open house on March 25, 6 to 8 p.m., to celebrate the school’s long and rich history.

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by PATTI STOKES

OAK RIDGE – Sandra Smith’s roots in Oak Ridge Elementary School (ORES) go back two generations. Her grandfather helped construct the original school building before it opened as Oak Ridge Public School in 1925. One of her most cherished possessions is a handmade bookbag, crafted from worn blue jeans that once belonged to her father, the late Tom Brown. He carried it to hold his books and pencils when he and his siblings attended ORES in the 1940s.

Smith and her siblings also attended school there in the midto late 1960s. The same year that she started first grade, her mother, the late Carolyn Brown (later affectionately known as the “Queen of Oak Ridge”) became the beloved school secretary, and kept that role for 25 years. And years after that, Smith’s two daughters attended ORES.

The small country school initially served grades 1-8, later shifting to K-5. In the 1970s, a county demographer recommended closing the school due to low enrollment, but the community fought fiercely to keep it open. Their determination paid off, and as former tobacco farms gave way to residential developments, the northwest area of the county flourished. By

the 1990s, Oak Ridge Elementary was overflowing with students, prompting the addition of mobile classrooms to accommodate the growing demand.

In a recent conversation with Smith and Carl Cockman, who came to the school as a student teacher in 1995 and never left (why would he, when “it’s the best school in the county,” he asks), they shared personal memories of their time at the school, and memories from others that have been passed down over the years.

One of those stories involves the school’s first principal, Notre Johnson, who dedicated herself to the school and its students from the school’s opening until 1936. Some say Ms. Johnson was so attached to the school that she has on occasion paid a visit – in spirit, at least.

“I’m told she was very strict, but she loved the students,” Cockman said, before adding emphatically, “She does haunt our school.” As evidence, he described an incident that reportedly occurred when a new wing was being added to the school in the early 2000s. “One night when construction workers were here, the doors inexplicably started opening on their own. They were so scared that they jumped out the window.”

His dark brown eyes twinkled as he said, “I guess Ms. Johnson didn’t like what they were doing.”

Smith shared a memory from the late Marie Lowrey Armstrong, who attended ORES in the 1920s.

“She told me that when the school opened it had flush toilets,”

Oak

Ridge Elementary students hold up handmade signs reading “Let’s Go Colts” and “100 Years” while participating in a pep rally last month to celebrate the school’s 100th birthday. The school opened with 123 students and has a current enrollment of 750.

Smith said. “That was a big deal back then, because a lot of the houses still didn’t have them.”

Recalling some of her earliest teachers, Smith credits the late Edna Linville for her love of local history, Jane Crutchfield for teaching her multiplication tables, Jim Rayburn, Evelyn Peoples and many others.

“All my teachers back then made an impact on me,” she said. “It was incredible what they did for the young people and by extension, everyone in the community. In those days, everybody knew everybody.”

ORES was the hub of the community for decades. For 50 years the annual horse show was held on the school grounds every Easter weekend, and a fiddler’s convention that drew talented musicians from surrounding states was held in the school gym on the evening of Easter Monday, with student-made posters advertising the events placed all around town.

The fire department was originally housed in a small building on school property. When the department held a BBQ fundraiser every spring and fall, those at the school would be taken aback by

the vinegar smell emanating from the simmering sauce being cooked on site.

“It would practically knock you down,” Smith said, while smiling and turning up her nose simultaneously.

And of course, every time there was a fire call, students couldn’t help but turn their attention to the loud sirens.

The school was also the site of many community festivals and spring flings.

“This was a community meeting place, not just where the kids went to school,” Smith said. “My mother not only knew everybody’s parents, but what bus the kids rode. When kids would get sick, my mother would drive them home.”

It was the school’s hardwood floors and rich history that made Cockman, a self-described “old soul,” know without a doubt that he belonged there.

...continued on p. 17

Photo courtesy of

Ridge Elementary School Oak

“I read about ORES and thought, ‘This is a really neat school and I want to student teach there,’” he recalls. When an adviser warned, “That’s way out in the country,” he remembers responding emphatically, “No, that’s where I want to teach.”

Since first arriving 30 years ago, Cockman has seen countless young students and staff members pass through, and his love for the school has only intensified over time. So much so that Principal Penny Loschin suggested he be the one to organize a year-long celebration of the school’s 100th birthday – to which he readily agreed.

After a 100th Anniversary Organizing Committee was formed, the group started meeting in January 2024 to explore ways to involve students, staff and the community in a year-long 100th birthday celebration.

Some of the birthday events that have been a big hit so far this year have been a pep rally and a once-a-month “Decades Day” in which students dress up in clothing from a designated decade, beginning with the school’s earliest years in the 1920s. Smith has been a guest on the school’s morning show several times to talk about “life back then” and share personal tales of growing up in Oak Ridge and she and family members attending school there. Each grade level is creating a banner that highlights “why we love ORES,” which will be displayed in the hallways this month. Also, each classroom will be putting things into a time capsule to be placed in the front lobby and opened in 50 years.

A birthday highlight will be a staff luncheon planned for the afternoon of March 25, when hundreds of current and former staff members have been invited to gather and share memories of their time at the school. Later that same day, the school’s historic wing will be rededicated to both

Smith’s mother, Carolyn Brown, and her father, Tom Brown, who drove the school’s activity bus for many years and served as Oak Ridge’s first elected mayor. And capping off the day’s events, the community will be invited to an open house from 6 to 8 p.m.

As for the “old soul” Cockman, he’s now the longest-serving teacher at ORES.

“I feel responsible for making sure everyone knows how blessed we are to teach here,” he said.

“When I started here, I was in my 20s and everyone was my mother’s age. I have had my 20s, my 30s, my 40s and now my 50s here. There were teachers before me and there will be teachers after me, and I feel I have a responsibility to make sure everyone knows how blessed we are to teach at ORES. This reception (on March 25) is to hear stories from the staff members who came before us and let the younger people on staff know what a fine tradition we have here.”

Cockman expressed appreciation to all those who have helped plan and implement the school’s 100th birthday celebration, with a special thanks to 100th Anniversary Organizing Committee members Sandra Smith, former student/volunteer; Nancy Davis, teacher assistant; Amy Pritchett, retired teacher; Shannon Depp, parent volunteer; and Principal Penny Loschin.

want to go?

Former students, parents, grandparents, staff members and the entire community are invited to a 100th birthday celebration at Oak Ridge Elementary School, 2050 Oak Ridge Road, on Thursday, March 25, 6 to 8 p.m. Among other activities planned, the halls will be decorated with 100th birthday banners created by the students and there will be a musical performance that includes a special song written in honor of the school’s birthday.

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group seeking to end the use of eminent domain for oil and gas pipelines. In the event of an explosion, “high-consequence risk areas” reach even farther and include Oak Ridge Military Academy and Oak Ridge Elementary, the group noted. Though the existing pipelines have not leaked or exploded, residents argue that construction could heighten dangers.

Williams Cos., which earned $10.5 billion last year, argues the expansion is necessary to meet rising energy demands. The project, spanning five states, is expected to be completed by late 2027 if approved. Opponents hope to delay or block it through regulatory challenges and advocacy, with a focus on safety and landowner rights if construction proceeds.

Berger says charter loss not ‘remedy’ for Summerfield

Going to the polls is a better solution for voters who disapprove of the town’s leadership, according to the state Senate leader

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – NC Senate

NC Senate Pro Tem Phil Berger (shown in photo) moved a de-annexation bill forward last June that resulted in the de-annexation of 1,000 acres from Summerfield. While attending the Oak Ridge Town Council meeting on March 6, Berger said in an interview that he doesn’t consider removing the town’s charter to be a remedy for the discord among citizens and the town’s elected officials that began before the de-annexation and has accelerated in the months since.

President Pro Tem Phil Berger said he doesn’t believe the revocation of Summerfield’s charter is “a remedy” for ending discord revolving around de-annexation and development regulations in the town.

The prospect of Summerfield losing its charter arose last year during unsuccessful efforts by town leaders and some citizens to avert the state legislature’s de-annexation of nearly 1,000 acres in the town. Lawmakers approved the action last June, putting developer David Couch’s property under Guilford County’s jurisdiction.

Speculation about the future of the town’s charter persists as the council’s majority and Town Manager Charles “Twig” Rollins have brought forth allegations of misconduct by former manager Scott Whitaker and finance officer

Dee Hall. As Whitaker and Hall have defended their handling of the town’s finances, data storage and other matters, their supporters have accused Rollins, Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney and council members Jonathan Hamilton and Heath Clay of intentionally smearing the former employees’ reputations.

Before and after Couch’s property was de-annexed, Berger said “there have been people who have communicated with me and asked me to do that,” referring to supporting the revocation of Summerfield’s charter.

“That is not something that I have ever considered to be the remedy for the issues there, quite frankly,” the Rockingham County Republican said in a recent interview after speaking to Oak Ridge’s Town Council. “I think elections are a good remedy.”

Although Berger no longer represents Summerfield in state Senate

...continued

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Photo by Chris Burritt/CONNECT2

“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” - C.S. Lewis

‘I’m so blessed that God chose me to be His vessel.’

by ANNETTE JOYCE

Oak Ridge resident Shelby Smith made a dramatic life change six years ago. At the time, she was battling drug addiction, had been arrested multiple times and had served jail sentences. It was during her last stay in jail that she attended a Bible study – and it was then that she fell in love with Jesus. From that point forward, her life began to change. With His guidance and the unwavering support of her family, she broke free from addiction and left her old lifestyle behind.

Smith’s journey of transformation took root in Oak Ridge Methodist Church (ORMC), where she attended services with her grandmother, the late Carolyn Brown.

“Gram was a longtime member, and she got me involved in all kinds of programs,” Smith said. “She and my mom never gave up on me and continued to pray, even when I seemed like a lost cause.”

As she rebuilt her life, Smith, now 36, discovered a deep passion for working with children. She immersed herself in the church’s children’s ministry – serving as a Vacation Bible School teacher, leading children’s morning worship, and running the church nursery. If there’s an event involving kids at ORMC, she’s likely part of it.

She’s also played a key role in her church’s kids’ events such as Trunk or Treat and Welcome Back to School. At last year’s Easter Eggstravaganza, she even created a children’s game and made prizes.

Outside the church, Smith extends her love for children into her job as a toddler teacher at Oak Ridge Weekday School.

“I don’t have kids, and these kids feel like my own,” she said. “I love being able to teach them to be better, and I want them to feel loved and accepted, no matter what they might be going through.”

Two years ago, Smith became involved with ORMC’s Empower Guatemala mission, which builds simple stoves for families in need. She recently returned from her second trip to Guatemala, feeling inspired by the impact her team made and the incredible spirit of the people she met.

“These people are amazing. They don’t have much materially, but their love and joy more than make up for it,” she said.

These days Smith is preparing for another ministry opportunity – she’s stepping up as ORMC’s point person for Tabitha House, which provides transitional housing for women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction after incarceration.

Besides serving her church, Smith is an active volunteer with the Town of Oak Ridge, helping with numerous events like Music in the Park, Heritage Day, Canine Capers, and Light Up the Night. Whether she’s taking photos, parking cars, working concessions, or checking IDs, she’s always ready to lend a helping hand.

“I’m basically an extra pair of hands and do whatever is needed,” she said.

In her spare time, Smith carries on a

Photo by Annette Joyce/CONNECT2

tradition from her late grandmother – sending encouraging notes and making small gifts to brighten others’ days.

“I think it’s important to let people know you’re cheering them on,” she said.

While Smith has left her past life behind, she draws on it to inspire others and remind them that there is always hope.

“The people I was close to back then – we just got off track,” she said. “Once we started using drugs, we slowly lost everything: jobs, families, even our cars.”

Her journey nearly ended multiple times.

“I was clinically dead once, went missing another time, and had my car stolen,” she recalled. “I know I’m a miracle.”

Smith credits God’s mercy and the unwavering support of her loved ones for bringing her to where she is today.

“I’m so blessed that God chose me to be His vessel,” she said.

After struggling with addiction, Oak Ridge resident Shelby Smith relied on faith and family to help turn her life around six years ago.

A tribute to Helen Jean Ledford

For over two decades, the late Helen Jean Ledford graced the Northwest Observer, a local newspaper we published from 1996 to 2024, with heartfelt stories of growing up on a Caswell County farm in the 1940s and ’50s. The youngest of 10 children, Helen lost her father at age 4 and was raised by a resilient mother who provided her children with love, warmth, and security despite the hardships their family endured.

Helen moved to Oak Ridge in the early ’70s, working as a teacher assistant at Oak Ridge Elementary School for many years before continuing as a dedicated volunteer after retirement. It was there that we met, when my son was in the kindergar-

ten class she assisted. I was in awe of the sketches she produced in lightning speed, to the delight of her young students. On a whim one day, I asked Helen if she also wrote — lucky for me, she most certainly did. A former contributor to her hometown paper, The Caswell Messenger, and Greensboro News & Record, Helen soon became a treasured voice in the Northwest Observer as she shared her artistry and storytelling.

Helen passed away on

Jan. 22 of this year at age 88. Below is a brief excerpt from the obituary written by her daughter, Lenore Moralis:

“She cherished her time growing up on the farm. A born artist and writer, her stories, illustrations, cartoons, and custom artwork enthralled children and adults alike… Her artwork was integral to her teaching as she illustrated stories and lessons and decorated classrooms and hallways to the delight of her students. In and away from school and church, Helen taught art lessons, wrote skits and song lyrics, painted murals, and drafted commercial signs by hand. Her former kindergartners and other former pupils, many of whom are parents and grandparents now, still treasure the badges, custom-painted T-shirts, and Christmas ornaments she made for them in their likenesses.”

Failing eyesight and health challenges in the last few years of her life made it too difficult for Helen to contribute new stories, but her beloved articles from previous years remained in our archives. As I considered content for this publication, it felt only right to revive some of her work, which had resonated so deeply with our readers. It’s my honor to pay tribute to Helen by sharing her articles in this and future issues of Connect2 NWGuilford.

Patti Stokes, editor

Papa’s Violin

by HELEN LEDFORD

Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Tyler, Charlie Chaplin, Woodrow Wilson, Patrick Henry and Albert Einstein are some well-knowns in history who, in addition to their claim to fame, all played the violin. A few current and well-known celebrities who can make a fiddle’s strings sing a sweet melody are actresses Meryl Streep, Robin Givens and country singer Reba McEntire.

My father, William Edwin Farthing, a hard-working farmer, owned a violin, but to my knowledge, never laid a bow across it ...

Living on a small 13-acre farm in the ‘40s and ‘50s, we children had little access to musical instruments. However, my older brother Roy did have a guitar which he played while sitting on the front porch after work in the fields was over

for the day.

We listened to the radio, singing along with all the current pop and show tunes. We drummed on the kitchen table with our fingers, pretending it was a piano. In the summer, we made primitive flutes out of sturdy hollow stalks from squash plants.

A favorite pastime was lining up water glasses, filling them with graduated amounts of water, and creating our own xylophone sounds. And I don’t know anybody of my era who did not know how to place a piece of tissue paper on a comb and hum – and voilà, a makeshift kazoo!

And then there was Papa’s violin that always hung on the wall by a door in the upstairs of our homey little farmhouse.

Papa passed away when I was only 4. He was not, from all reports, a musical man.

File Photo

However, his German-made Hopf instrument must have been one of his prized possessions. My siblings and I cautiously slipped it from its perch at times and plunked on the strings. Sometimes I “snuck” and held the lovely golden-brown relic, along with the bow, placing it under my chin while pretending to be a concert musician. It made me feel close to Papa, whom I had known only for such a short time.

The story of the violin’s acquisition came to me by word of mouth from family members, since it took place probably before I was born. Our farm property was in close proximity to the County Home, a facility which housed sick and unfortunates who had no place to live or anyone to care for them. All of our family befriended, for decades, many of these folks, providing garden vegetables and eggs during lean times when county budgets were somewhat meager. It’s said that Papa, during the ‘30s, established a close camaraderie with one Sebastian Phillips, a resident at the facility.

Phillips is reported to have

File photo courtesy of the late Bill

been from a “pickin’ and grinnin’” dynasty of music makers. I’m told that a couple of his kin, during the Depression, often journeyed to Milton, North Carolina, to catch the train and travel to Danville, Virginia (a distance of about 25 miles). Upon boarding, carrying various musical instruments, the vagabond entertainers provided their own brand of country-style enjoyment for local travelers. Sources report they also netted quite a bit of pocket change that way!

Much later, it was learned that Sebastian Phillips had owned not one violin, but two. Terminally ill with cancer, he gifted Papa with the one of lesser value. There are no known photos of Sebastian or written accounts of his remaining days on earth. Public records indicate that today, he lies peacefully resting in a cemetery in Danville.

But alas, a mystery remains as to the whereabouts of the second violin. Passing of time occasionally brought rumors to our family of some seeking to claim and return Papa’s instrument to the Phillips family.

Ben Weston, DDS &

Jenny Weston, DDS

Farthing (Helen Ledford’s brother)

Reaching out to those devastated by Hurricane Helene

The impact of Helene made it one of the deadliest storms in the U.S. in the 21st century; in North Carolina alone, there were 100 confirmed deaths and over $59 billion in damage to property

by ANNETTE JOYCE

NW GUILFORD / WESTERN NC – On Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene roared through North Carolina’s Appalachian Mountains, bringing historic rainfall, strong winds and tornadoes. In the aftermath of flooding and landslides, over 100 people lost their lives and thousands of survivors were left isolated and struggling for basic needs.

Within hours, people from all over the country united to help with rescue and recovery efforts. What follows are the accounts of four local residents who responded individually or as part of a group in those first horrific days after the storm …

Every kind act makes a difference

In the wake of the hurricane, Denise Sacks sought ways to help and turned to Lansing – a town she and her husband, Stan, often visited – only to find it devastated by flooding. A donation center had been set up to organize clothing, food, hygiene products, pet supplies and baby essentials.

“About two weeks after the hurricane, we made several day trips to serve – sorting donations, organizing supplies, and delivering goods to local residents,” the Oak Ridge resident said. “Along the way, we encouraged and prayed with those we met.”

Beyond Lansing, the couple traveled across Ashe County, delivering generators, heaters, gas cans, and water containers. Later, Sacks helped distribute food to local relief sites and churches.

“The first donation center was entirely volunteer-run, with help from the National Guard. The outpouring of support was astounding – so much so that they had to stop accepting donations due to space constraints,” she said.

The destruction was staggering.

“No picture can capture the

devastation – homes, businesses, and roads washed away, debris tangled in treetops 30 feet high,” Sacks described. “Bridges were gone, properties covered in displaced sand and rock. Some houses were torn from their foundations.”

Initially overwhelmed, Sacks recalled The Starfish Story, a tale about a child walking along the beach after thousands of starfish were washed ashore from a storm.

As the child tossed individual starfish back into the ocean, a man who was observing chided, “Don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and thousands of starfish? You can’t make a difference!” To that the child responded, “Well, it made a difference to that one.”

For Sacks, the tale was a reminder that every small act of kindness matters.

“The most powerful thing was seeing people from all walks of life – different faiths, occupations, and backgrounds – united in service. There was no room for division, only a shared purpose.”

Photo courtesy of Denise Sacks

Over 73,000 homes in North Carolina were damaged from Hurricane Helene, with many thousands having experienced severe or catastrophic impact.

Outback Greensboro –coming May 2-4!

An undistracted weekend focused on deepening personal relationships and gaining a deeper understanding of life’s purpose

CAMP WEAVER, GREENSBORO –

Outback Greensboro traces its roots to JH Ranch, a faith-based program founded in northern California. Decades ago, Gene Johnston pledged to invest his resources in something of eternal value. That promise led him to purchase a 300-acre remote hunting lodge, which, under his son Bruce’s leadership, became JH Ranch.

First opened as a summer guest ranch for leadership development of junior and senior high school students, JH Ranch has blossomed into a much larger and more diverse operation. Over the last few decades, parents, sons, daughters, students, and couples have experienced the adventure of a lifetime at JH Ranch while forging a deeper relationship with God and one another in a beautiful, serene setting that provides an opportunity for both reflection and healing.

The program’s impact has been profound. Summerfield resident Matt DeVaney, after attending, described it as “life-changing.”

“It lasts for six straight days and every day is packed,” he said. “You talk, you listen, you heal, you ponder the future… the premise is that no relationship in your life gets better without Christ being in your heart. It’s about developing your horizontal relationship with God and watching how that grows all your vertical relationships with the people you love.”

As word spread about what people experienced at JH Ranch, reservations started being booked a year in advance, and demand exceeded the ability to serve everyone who wanted to attend. Accessibility also became limited to only those who could afford to be away for six days, coupled with the time and expense of traveling to California.

To expand its reach, the founders introduced Outback, a condensed weekend retreat run by volunteers trained at JH Ranch. Inspired by his own experience, DeVaney and a group of like-minded men began making plans to bring Outback to Greensboro.

Over the next two years, DeVaney’s wife, Nichole, and his children joined him in the effort. In 2022, the first Outback Greensboro event took place at Camp Weaver, chosen for its remote setting, free from everyday distractions. 2025 marks the fourth year of Outback Greensboro.

Attendees – whether married couples, parent-teen pairs, or “Cloud 9s” (couples engaged to be married) – arrive as duos. Cell phones and car keys are set aside, promoting a singular focus for the couples. Couples settle into individual comfortable tents at the end of a packed day to share their thoughts.

“After all, it is the Outback,” DeVaney explains. “The programs are impactful, the food is fantastic – we take great pride in the food we serve –and the live music is inspiring.”

The weekend kicks off under a big-top tent, where participants are urged to ponder their life’s purpose.

“And everything trickles down from there,” DeVaney said. “We bring in a professional comedian who does skits for us. There is great content, a lot of laughter, and activities to take home. At Outback we have a saying, ‘I heard and I forgot. I saw and I remembered. I did and I understood.’”

Topics addressed in group sessions range from life purpose and the journey of parenting, to challenges of dating, damage suffered from painful relationships, and how to strengthen existing relationships. A married couple who are professional marriage counselors travel across the country to lead the marriage week-

end discussion and activities.

Though the schedule is full, there is plenty of one-on-one time for participants to delve deeper into their relationships and explore ways to improve them.

Before Outback Greensboro became a reality, event organizers established three goals. Gaining enough volunteers to provide a 1-to-1 volunteer-to-guest ratio topped the list. After a group of “JH patriots” stepped to the forefront, other volunteers enthusiastically joined in to help achieve that goal.

“There happen to be a lot of wonderful people who are very passionate about building God’s kingdom in this community, and they are the crown jewel of our program. They have such a servant’s heart,” DeVaney said. “The next closest Outback programs are in Atlanta and Nashville. It’s pretty special that we have one in a city the size of Greensboro.”

Fundraising was the second goal. Each weekend costs $400 per pair and event organizers didn’t want to exclude anyone because of cost.

Thanks to “enough people with big hearts,” two-thirds of the cost to produce the Outback Greensboro event has been covered by donations.

About 80 guests attended last spring’s event, with room for up to 100. When demand exceeds the capacity of the spring event, organizers hope to expand the program

and offer a second event each fall.

Some participants arrive at a crossroads, their relationships in crisis. Others simply seek growth. Regardless, the weekend offers an undistracted 48-hour opportunity for transformation. A new mentorship program is in the works to further support participants beyond the event, reinforcing its lasting impact.

“The goal isn’t just a ‘mountaintop weekend experience,’” DeVaney emphasized. “The goal is to change lives one family at a time.”

He added, “This has been so impactful for my family, and we want it to be for other families as well.”

A longtime resident of Summerfield, Matt DeVaney attended Summerfield Elementary, graduated from Northwest High School, and has owned a dental practice in Oak Ridge for over 25 years. Matt and Nichole’s four children all graduated from Northern High School.

Want to learn more about Outback Greensboro? Call Matt DeVaney, Outback Greensboro city leader, at (336) 255-1912, or John Tomlinson at (336) 601-6151. To learn more about JH Ranch, visit jhranch.com.

Scan this QR code to register for the Outback Greensboro weekend May 2-4 at Camp Weaver.

Photo courtesy of Outback Greensboro

Registration is now open for the annual Outback Greensboro event at Camp Weaver in southeast Greensboro on May 2-4.

REACHING OUT

Though the road to recovery will be long and difficult, she remains hopeful.

“The resilience of these mountain people and the generosity of individuals from across the country give me hope in humanity,” she said.

An instrument of hope

Roy Carter, senior pastor at Central Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, serves with the North Carolina Baptists on Mission (NCBOM), an organization dedicated to disaster response across the U.S.

A s one of five heavy-haul drivers for NCBOM, Carter transports large-scale equipment to and from disaster zones. Just three days after the storm, he made his first trip to the devastated areas of western North Carolina, delivering Manna One – one of the largest self-contained food trucks ever built, capable of preparing and serving over 30,000 meals daily.

In addition to food relief, Carter spent much of his time transporting potable water tankers to various locations. When a tanker ran low, he shuttled it to a refill site before

returning it to service, ensuring communities had access to clean water for drinking, cooking, laundry and showers.

“I’ve been involved in disaster response with NCBOM for 32 years, and this is the worst devastation I’ve ever seen,” Carter said. “Helene was so widespread –there are so many areas affected that even seeing it firsthand is hard to comprehend.”

The human toll weighed heavily on him.

“The hardest part was witnessing the pain of those who had lost everything. You want so badly to fix it, but you can’t,” he said. “All you can do is walk the road of sorrow with them and provide hope for the future.”

Despite the heartbreak, Carter found solace in the relief work.

“Just being there and letting the victims know they aren’t alone has been a healing balm to them as well as for me,” he shared. “I rejoice that God has allowed me to be an instrument of hope in such devastating times.”

He was also moved by the outpouring of love and support.

“The response from North Carolinians – and from people across the

North Carolina Baptists on Mission’s Manna One food truck was one of the first groups to arrive in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene roared through the area last September.

country – has been incredible,” he said. “But the work isn’t over. Recovery in western North Carolina will take years, maybe even decades.”

Carter realizes that for many, Helene is in the past because it’s no longer making headline news. But for those affected, the struggle continues.

“Please, get involved – volunteer, donate, do whatever you can,” he urged. “They still need us.”

‘Still so much to do’ Summerfield resident Molly Byrd loves riding motorcycles in the North Carolina mountains. Last September, she and a friend planned one last trip of the year but, with a hurricane approaching the Gulf, opted for a car instead. Driving home on Friday, Sept. 27, they encountered overflowing ditches, submerged lowlands, and

Home, Sweet Home

Photo courtesy of Roy Carter

“Water was rushing down both sides of the mountains, even from places I’d never seen a trickle before,” Byrd recalled. “It was terrifying, not knowing what could happen in front of us as we slowly made our way toward home.”

Once home, concern for her mountain friends compelled her to return. She joined Baptists on Mission (BOM) and, three weeks later, was volunteering daily in Boone.

Arriving with donations, she found her worksite couldn’t take more supplies, but the Foscoe Grandfather Community Center could. However, when she got there, she saw the space was overwhelmed, with too few volunteers to manage it.

“I quickly realized they needed more than just donations and volunteered to come back the next day,” she said.

After finishing her BOM duties, Byrd spent her evenings sorting clothes at the center. The next day, she took charge of organizing the grocery section – her specialty.

“The biggest challenge was finding space for everything,” she said.

Sherrye Trice, who led the center, worked tirelessly, seeking donations for shelves, bins, and racks to store supplies.

“She even secured a truckload of candy from the Mars Company for Halloween!” Byrd noted.

The devastation she witnessed was staggering.

“Thousands of trees down, roads and bridges washed away, piles of debris from storm-ravaged homes – it was heartbreaking,” she said.

As she left, Byrd knew she would be returning to help.

“There’s still so much to do, and unfortunately, there will be for a very long time into the future,” she said.

‘I also saw the best in humanity’

Sally Randall, founder of Re4Him (Reform), began her ministry feeding the homeless but has since expanded its mission – most recently aiding hurricane-ravaged western North Carolina.

“Some friends and I arrived the Wednesday after the storm, helping Baptists on Mission (BOM) set up a distribution center in Lansing,”

Randall said. Two days later, she was in Asheville coordinating a canine search and rescue team.

“When videos of the destruction surfaced, I reached out to a friend with Storm First Responders, a Florida nonprofit. We worked with other organizations to deploy dog teams, searching for survivors and those lost in the storm.”

After that weekend, Randall continued coordinating volunteers from across the country, connecting them with nonprofits and securing lodging.

The first few weeks were a blur, she said, and adrenaline kept her group going as they scrambled to get supplies to those in need.

“With roads destroyed, power out, and little communication, it was a difficult task,” she noted.

She traveled weekly through 2024, delivering aid to distribution centers in Asheville, Marion and Old Fort.

“People were in shock, desperate to share their stories – stories of heartbreak,” Randall said. “A man in Lansing lost everything and took his own life. An elderly woman and her sister, their home washed away,

were denied FEMA aid beyond $750 because they had flood insurance –but the payout wasn’t enough to rebuild. Now they’re stuck in an apartment they can’t afford.

“So many were already experiencing hard times before this storm gravely intensified their situations,” she noted.

Despite the devastation, Randall was struck by the resilience of communities and the generosity of strangers.

“Driving through the wreckage, even months later, it’s clear how much work remains. The government largely failed these people –without volunteers, the losses could have been far worse. But I also saw the best in humanity, people stepping up to help however they could.”

The experience affirmed her personal calling.

“While it was hard to see the destruction, I also saw people reaching out to help their neighbors and people coming from all over the country to help. The experience confirmed in my heart that outreach is where God has called me, and I have started the process to get my chaplaincy license,” she said.

1. The Haw River is named for:

a. The ber ries of the hawthorn tree, which grew along its banks

b. A “haw ” command, given to horses and mules used in farming, which means “turn left”

c. A shortened for m of the word “Saxapahaw,” a Native American word for “piedmont”

d. Jonathan Haw, who discovered the river in the 1690s

2. Guilford County was named for:

a. Early settlers’ belief that the str eets would one day be gilded

b. The gold and gilded items pr oduced at McCullough’s Gold Mine, located near Jamestown

c. Ar chibald Guilford, one of the area’s earliest settlers

d. The first Earl of Guilfor d, Francis North

3. Stokesdale got its name from:

a. A man named Stokes, who originally sur veyed the area

b. Early settler Har ry Stokes, the great-grandfather of Connect2 and Northwest Observer editor/publisher Patti Stokes

c. A man named Stokes, who was likely an executive of the railr oad that came through the town

d. No one knows for sur e, but likely either a. or c.

4. The Oak Ridge Horse Show, a charity event founded in 1945 and held in Oak Ridge for nearly 70 years, was established to raise funds for:

a. Oak Ridge Elementar y

b. A new community chur ch (now Oak Ridge Methodist Church)

c. A new post office

d. Oak Ridge Militar y Academy

5. North Carolina got its name from:

a. King Charles I of England, whose name comes fr om the Latin word “Carolus”

b. Queen Car oline of Spain

c. Lady Car olena, the first Duchess of Nottingham

d. None of the above

6. The name of the railroad that passed through Summer field and Stokesdale was:

a. The Atlanta & Yorktown (A&Y)

b. The Wilmington & Roanoke (W&R)

c. The Atlantic & Yadkin (A&Y)

d. The High Point-Fayetteville (HPF)

7. The county seat of Guilford County was originally called:

a. Martinville, af ter Alexander Martin, who founded it and later became governor

b. Jonestown, af ter Martin Jones, who donated the property where the first county courthouse was built

c. Martinsbor o, after Alexander Strong Martin, illegitimate son of Gov. Alexander Martin, whose home was in Summerfield

d. Martin’s Crossing, after Jasper Martin, owner of a popular inn and rowdy tavern on the square

8. North Carolina is nicknamed “the Tar Heel State” because:

a. Tar, pitch, rosin and turpentine, used in shipbuilding, were produced from the state’s plentiful pine forests

b. During the Civil War, North Carolina soldiers were said to stick to their position as if they had tar on their heels

c. University of North Car olina students came up with the nickname in 1882 and it was carried forward to all residents of the state

d. Both a. and b.

9. What Guilford County municipality was originally called Green Pond?

a. Oak Ridge

b. Summer field

c. Gr eensboro

d. None of the above

...continued from p. 21

Those of our generation who are left have felt little inclination to respond to these inquiries, for though it may be of insignificant monetary value, it is considered to be a sacred family possession.

Sometime in the ‘50s my brother Bill (William Edwin ll) found the

once-perfect Hopf in a state of disrepair. He emancipated the family treasure from a gaggle of clutter and castoffs in the farmhouse’s upstairs attic. A gifted craftsman, Bill meticulously restored the beloved antique instrument, which had lost a portion of its once-glorious and gleaming body. In doing so, he has honored the memory of the violin, Sebastian and my Papa by

including, in a portfolio of his most popular photos, an image of the beloved instrument.

In retrospect, no one remembers how the subject of this piece became sadly broken. It has been suggested that, through child’s play, it might have become the victim of a vigorous sibling “tug-ofwar.” My guess is that it became splintered by the bashing of some-

one over the head (being raised in a family of 10, this is highly probable!).

And so, though a note was never played on the long-silent Hopf by any family member, it will forever be embedded in hearts and minds as “Papa’s violin” – and a tangible token of two gentlemen’s special friendship from long, long ago.

Summerfield FIRE CAMP 2025

Spring clean – safely!

Keep debris well away from your home

• Dispose of branches, weeds, leaves, pine needles, and grass clippings to avoid their becoming fuel for a fire.

• Remove leaves, pine needles, and other flammable material from the roof, gutters, and on and under the deck to help prevent embers from igniting your home.

• Keep debris well away from your home.

Inspect grills to ensure they’re in good working order

• Inspect your grill carefully and make sure it’s free of grease or fat buildup. Clean out any nests, spider webs, or other debris you may find.

• For propane grills, check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.

Use/store flammable and combustible liquids with care

• Flammable and combustible liquids should not be used near an open flame. Never smoke when working with flammable liquids.

• If you spill flammable liquids on your clothing, remove your clothing and place it outside to dry. Once dry, clothing can be laundered.

Ridge Commons: Hwys 150 / 68 • 643-3991

GREENSBORO

Cardinal Center: 2202 Fleming Rd • 665-0880

Gunter’s Crossing: 5828 N. Church St • 644-7204

Download our free app or visit greatclips.com

Gunter’s Crossing (Next

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CP_5x3_Greensboro_42929.indd 1 3/8/12 11:53 AM

local BUSINESS/REAL ESTATE

Couch land up for annexation, zoning by Greensboro

A favorable vote by the City Council on March 18 would clear the way for the first development proposed on the nearly 1,000 acres de-annexed from Summerfield

by CHRIS BURRITT

NW GUILFORD – Landowner David Couch is going to learn next week whether he can proceed with his first development within the 978 acres de-annexed from Summerfield last June.

Greensboro City Council plans to vote next Tuesday, March 18, on Couch’s request for the city to annex 78.7 acres on Carlson Dairy Road. He’s also asking the property be rezoned for residen-

tial/commercial development and for approval of a plan governing its design and construction.

Couch selected the grassy and wooded tract just northwest of Lake Higgins for Christopher Village, the first of 11 mixed-use developments planned for the Villages of Summerfield Farms. The property is located in the southeastern corner of Couch’s land.

It represents roughly a tenth of his property located in Summerfield until last June, when state lawmakers approved his request to de-annex it and brought it under Guilford County’s jurisdiction.

Pending the property’s annexation into Greensboro, Couch is requesting the zoning be changed from residential single family (RS40) to conditional planned unit development (PUD). The council’s approval would clear the way for an estimated 268 housing units,

Construction Services, INC

including apartments, with construction likely starting in 2026.

“This is a passion project for me,” Couch told a meeting of nearby residents in February. His efforts to develop his property go back nearly a decade, spanning several attempts to convince Summerfield’s Town Council to amend its zoning regulations. The council didn’t go as far as Couch wanted in his plan for higher density housing, including the town’s first apartments, which ultimately led him to seek the legislative de-annexation of his land.

Photo by Chris Burritt/CONNECT2

Designer Victor Dover drew praise from Greensboro’s Planning and Zoning Commission at its Feb. 17 meeting for his work on developer David Couch’s proposed Christopher Village; it is the first of 11 neighborhoods Couch envisions for the Villages of Summerfield Farms.

As proposed, the housing in Christoper Village would consist of single-family dwellings, rowhouses, live/work units, apartments and attached dwelling units, or “in-law quarters,” according to Florida-based designer Victor Dover.

Dover said it’s too early to estimate housing prices or apartment rents. Earlier, Couch said housing would range from the $300,000s to more than $2 million. The designer said Couch aims to develop “a neighborhood for all kinds of households and people in all different walks of life.”

Couch’s plan has won the support of Greensboro’s Planning and Zoning Commission and the planning staff. Last month, the commission voted unanimously to recommend the city council annex and rezone the property.

The development proposal aligns with Greensboro policies encouraging denser, varied hous-

ing to address the area’s housing shortage. Some commissioners described the proposed development as a national model for creating walkable neighborhoods, preserving land and scenic views and protecting the city’s watershed.

During the commission’s February meeting, Summerfield council members Heath Clay and Jonathan Hamilton urged the commission to delay voting on Couch’s request. Instead, Clay proposed Summerfield and Greensboro leaders meet with Couch to arrive at a plan suitable for all parties.

Short of such a meeting, Clay urged Greensboro to allow no more than two dwelling units per acre, versus Christopher Village’s proposed 3.41 units per acre.

Couch lawyer Tom Terrell rebutted Clay’s remarks.

“Summerfield had its chance to work with Mr. Couch and they forfeited it,” he said.

District 26, he said he’s following news reports about the discord in the town.

He cited the need for electing leaders who “will work in the best interest of the folks in Summerfield for things like availability of water so that fire protection can be enhanced and moving forward with reasonable regulation as far as growth and development so that people who own property in Summerfield can both feel that the property they own is somewhat secure, but also that if they have property that’s developable, they’ll have the opportunity to make sure they

can make the highest and best use of it.”

Zoning regulations in towns such as Summerfield have broader ramifications in efforts to create more housing across North Carolina, according to Berger.

“There’s no question that there is a need for housing in the state, and there’s a desperate need for housing in the Triad area,” he said. “The cost of housing continues to go up. Part of the reason for the increases in cost is the supply being as constrained as it is.”

In recent years, these issues have created divisiveness in Summerfield as leaders discuss the creation of a municipal water system and the regulation of development after de-annexation. Last August,

the council voted 4-1 to retain Raleigh law firm Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson to explore the town’s legal rights in the wake of the de-annexation vote. Such actions are spurring clashes in Summerfield over whether the council is wasting time and money pursuing past matters.

“I’m not involved in any of that,” Berger said. “I would say that in some respects what is happening now is a validation of a lot of the concerns that I had about how the elected officials in Summerfield were handling the responsibility that they were given. And I’m hopeful that things will get resolved there. A lot of things that have been done over the years… I don’t think have been beneficial to the people as a whole.”

Gillespie

How much property taxes rise will depend upon whether the Guilford County Commission and the Summerfield and Oak Ridge town councils cut their tax rates

by CHRIS BURRITT

NW GUILFORD – Guilford County is accelerating by a year the revaluation of property that Tax Director Ben Chavis said is going to push values higher.

State law requires revaluations in counties when housing values fall below 85% of their fair market value. At the end of 2024, the median value of property in Guilford County had fallen to 68% of fair market value from 98.5% in 2022, Chavis said.

“You want that value to be pretty close to 100% without going over 100%,” he said in a recent interview. “In simple math terms, you’ve got to bump it up about 32% to get it back to 100%.”

Property values increasing in county’s reappraisal Unleash

The valuation gap prompted the county to speed up its revaluation to be effective in January 2026. It was previously scheduled for 2027, reflecting the county’s five-year cycle for reappraisals.

Next year, the county’s Board of Commissioners and the town councils in Summerfield and Oak Ridge will decide whether to lower their tax rates to offset higher valuations. Neither town lowered its rate in 2022, resulting in higher taxes for property owners. Stokesdale doesn’t impose property taxes.

Since 2022, strong demand for a limited number of houses during and after the pandemic led to higher sales prices, which skewed valuations.

“If you recall, the housing market was hot, with people getting into bidding wars,” Chavis said. “We want to get the properties back to 100% of the market value, which the general statute requires us to do.”

Countywide, the median residential sales price increased from $271,250 in 2022 to $275,000 in 2023 and $299,900 last year, according to Chavis. Sales prices in northwestern Guilford County are higher, according

to quarterly reports from the Greensboro Regional Realtors Association.

More than half of the county’s residential properties have undergone their first review, with revaluations also planned for commercial and industrial properties, according to Chavis.

The tax department anticipates presenting its schedule of values to the county commissioners this coming fall, he said. Then next February, the department plans to mail value notices to property owners, who will have the right to appeal the new valuations.

The county plans to mail tax notices during the summer of 2026. Payments due in early January 2027 will be the first reflecting the updated property appraisals.

Between now and the end of 2025, it’s possible the valuation gap may widen, according to Chavis. He cautioned property owners in northwest Guilford against assuming their valuations will exceed the median.

“You’re going to have some property values that are greater than 32% increase and some that are less,” he said. “These percentage of increases are going to vary all over the county.”

GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE… corner lot up for auction.

Photo by Patti Stokes/CONNECT2

An online auction is running through 6 p.m. next Tuesday, March 18, for nearly 1.4 acres at U.S. 220 at N.C. 150 in Summerfield. Mocksville-based Swicegood Group Inc. is conducting the auction, which as of March 10 showed $172,500 as the highest bid. Passed by 16,000 vehicles a day, the property is “ideal for major retailers seeking to capitalize on strong traffic counts and high-income demographics,” according to the auction site.

The corner lot is part of a larger area that’s been up for sale. In January 2024, the Town Council voted 4-1 to deny a rezoning request for conditional zoning business (CZ-BN) for four parcels totaling nearly 4.8 acres fronting Highway 220. At the time, the parcel that is now up for auction was zoned for general business (GB).

Youth soccer players recently practiced on one of Stokesdale Town Park’s soccer fields, where a GEO Sport Lighting system was being installed. The lighting system should be fully operational by mid-March, and will enable Stokesdale Parks and Recreation’s soccer program to hold evening practices and games at home instead of renting fields from neighboring communities.

“This is the largest single expense on the park since it was built,” Foy added.

“I want to express my gratitude to Sen. Berger for the grant, which covered 45% of the cost. It would have been very difficult to do without that funding.”

Additional money the town received from federal ARPA (American Rescue

Plan Act) funding was used to cover the balance of the $410,662 lighting system.

“SPAR was having to rent other facilities to get all their practice times in,” Foy said. “This will certainly help that organization, and the kids and their families will see the positive impact of this.”

Photo by

Annette Joyce/CONNECT2

CRITTER connection

Bringing help, hope – and closure to victims of Hurricane Helene

K-9 trainer and her 6-year-old Belgian Malinois respond to the need for search, rescue and recovery after the natural disaster last September

by ANNETTE JOYCE

Annissia Justice and her 6-year-old Belgian Malinois, Dahlia, have spent countless hours searching for human remains. Yet, nothing could have prepared them for what they encountered when deployed to western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastation last September.

Justice, assistant director and training coordinator for the NC Troopers Association K-9 Search and Recovery team, recently shared her harrowing experi-

Photo by Annette Joyce/CONNECT2

Annissia Justice and her Belgian Malinois, Dahlia, were part of a civilian search team deployed to search for human remains in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.

ences at the 2025 Hearts of Gold Dinner, a fundraiser for Triad Golden Retriever Rescue (TGRR).

At 28 years old, Justice co-owns Cultured Canine Dog Training in Winston-Salem and has dedicated eight years to training dogs for search, rescue and recovery missions. Dahlia, whom she raised from a puppy, was specifically trained for recovery work. Despite the Belgian Malinois breed’s reputation for intensity, Dahlia is unusually social and laid-back – qualities that complement her role as an internationally certified Human Remains Detection dog.

The devastation left behind

The day after Hurricane Helene struck, Justice’s team was deployed to Asheville.

“The roads were washed out, covered in mud and trees – we just couldn’t get through,” she recalled. “We got as far as possible, then

had to backtrack an hour. The next day, we finally made it in with a police escort.”

At first glance, downtown Asheville appeared relatively unscathed, except for a large tree fallen against a power pole and a widespread power outage.

“We were wondering why we were even there,” Justice admitted.

But as soon as they reached the Swannanoa River, the reason became chillingly clear. Their first search led them to a house precariously perched atop a partially collapsed bridge. After scouring the house, they needed to cross the raging water to reach condos on the opposite bank. With limited resources, rescue teams relied on a ladder to span the distance. Both handler and dog carefully navigated the makeshift bridge while a structural engineer assessed the bridge’s stability.

When conducting search -

es, handlers release their dogs and observe their reactions to scent detection. If a dog signals a potential find, a second team is brought in for confirmation. Once two independent dogs indicate the same location, the area is marked, and a recovery team is called in. Over the course of 11 days, Justice’s team identified 20 confirmed recovery sites.

The perils of search and recovery

Dahlia works largely independently.

“It’s a partnership, but she does most of the work,” Justice explained. “My job is to read her cues and advocate for her.”

Neither of them had worked a disaster of this scale before, and Justice couldn’t help but worry for her canine partner. One of the biggest concerns? Toxic pollutants.

“There was some nasty stuff – sewage, gasoline, dead animals, oil, radiator fluid,” she recalled. “You can’t let your dog drink anything, which is tough because dogs use their tongues to gather scent. You’re never fully prepared for all the things your dog might ingest or get in their eyes.”

To mitigate exposure, Justice hosed Dahlia down after every hour-long search. At the end of grueling 15-hour days, Dahlia received a thorough scrubbing.

Another major hazard was the massive debris piles –unstable mountains of glass, metal, wood, rocks, trees, and other wreckage.

One of Justice’s most nerve-wracking searches took place along a narrow, half-mile stretch of the river’s edge.

“There was about six inches of land, and I was terrified of Dahlia walking so close to the rushing water,” she said. “She’s extremely driven, and her self-preservation instincts are low. She’ll do whatever it takes to reach the source of an odor.”

Sights and smells of disaster

Beyond the wreckage, the overwhelming stench of rotting food made searches even more challenging.

“People kept calling us because of the awful smells, convinced they were from bodies,” Justice said. “We searched hundreds of restaurants and never found a single body.”

But perhaps the eeriest part of the deployment was the complete absence of living animals.

“We didn’t see any live animals. Every animal we found was already dead,” she said. “It was unsettling.”

The human toll

Rescue teams faced many of the same hardships as storm survivors, especially in the first few days. While a makeshift soup kitchen was set up early on, there were no showers or bathrooms for five days. At night, they had a hotel room for sleeping – but without power, all they could do was collapse into dirty beds.

Justice also witnessed

the desperate struggles of local residents.

“One guy drove by, stopped at a huge puddle, and filled an empty kitty litter bucket with water to

take home and boil,” she said.

Many times, she and her teammates gave their own food and water to the people they encountered.

...continued on p. 40

Photo courtesy of Annissia Justice Justice and Dahlia endured treacherous conditions during their recovery searches in western North Carolina.

Therapy dog brings comfort to those in grief

The 6-year-old retriever also serves as a friendly ambassador to those who visit Forbis and Dick Stokesdale Chapel

by ANNETTE JOYCE

As Bob Whetstone and his therapy dog, Penny, pose for a photo at Forbis and Dick Funeral Service in Stokesdale, the 6-year-old golden retriever is noticeably distracted. A grieving family is gathered in a nearby room, and Penny, ever the devoted comforter, is eager to be by their side.

When the camera clicks for the last time, Penny dashes off, her instincts guiding her to those who need her the most.

North Carolina allows Trusts for pets.

You have thought about who will look after your kids, but who will look after your dog?

Susan P. Greeson, P.L.L.C.

A lifelong calling to serve

Penny has been a beloved presence at the funeral home since she was just three months old. Whether at the Elm Street location or now in Stokesdale, she has provided a steady source of solace to grieving families. In addition to her work at the funeral home, Penny and Whetstone, the funeral director and manager in Stokesdale, visit Hospice of the Piedmont in High Point every Wednesday and Saturday night. On Wednesdays, she also accompanies him to Shady Grove Wesleyan Church, where she enjoys playing with the children.

Spending nearly every moment by Whetstone’s side, Penny has touched countless lives in remarkable ways.

“I truly believe this –she is Jesus with fur,” Whetstone said. “She loves unconditionally, has no judgment, and just wants to make people happy.”

An intuitive healer

Penny’s gentle nature is apparent as she spends most of her days resting by the front door of the funeral home, poised to greet visitors. But it’s her uncanny intuition that sets her apart.

“Usually, there’s someone in the family who’s grieving the most,” Whetstone said. “She gravitates toward that person and lays on their feet.”

He recalled one particularly moving encounter with a family mourning the loss of a teenager. The mother was visibly shattered by grief, and Penny immediately took to her, refusing to leave her side.

“Later, Penny went back to

...continued on p. 40

Photo by Annette Joyce/CONNECT2

Bob Whetstone and his therapy dog, Penny.

Penny, a devoted 6-year-old golden retriever, rarely leaves the side of her human, Bob Whetstone, manager of Forbis and Dick Funeral Services Stokesdale Chapel. As a therapy dog, she offers comfort to grieving families and warmly welcomes visitors. Shown here, Penny delights one of her biggest fans, UPS driver Pam, by making a special "delivery" in her adorable UPS uniform. Read Penny's story on p. 38 of this issue.

Diesel

Quesinberry, a long time boarding client at Almost Home Boarding & Grooming, enjoyed some playtime during his most recent stay.

Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network

HEWEY

Hewey is a charming 7-year-old mixed breed pup who came to us as a Hurricane Helene survivor and has been enjoying life in a loving foster home. This sweet boy adores attention, belly rubs, and — his absolute favorite — being brushed! Despite being a senior, Hewey has a playful spirit and a moderate energy level, making him a great fit for a variety of homes. He’s ready to bring love, joy, and maybe even a little luck to the right family.

BENNIE

Bennie is a 5-year-old rabbit with a personality as big as his namesake, musician Benson Boone! This charming young adult bunny has just the right mix of sweetness and spunk, making him a fun and unique companion.

Bennie values his personal space and would do best in a home with adults or older children who understand his need for independence. With his adorable eyes and one-of-a-kind personality, he’s sure to steal your heart!

Interested in adopting Hewey, Bennie, or any of our other adoptable pets? Begin the process by filling out an application at www.reddogfarm.com.

CRITTER

Want to submit your critter/pet photo for possible publication in our next issue? Send your (high-res) photo to info@Connect2NWGuilford.com

the office, dug around in her basket, and pulled out a plastic animal she rarely played with,” Whetstone said. “She brought it straight to the mom.”

In a moment that left everyone stunned, they realized the name of the toy matched the deceased teen’s nickname.

A supernatural sense

At Hospice, Penny brings much-needed warmth to those in their final days. Whetstone believes she possesses a supernatural ability to sense when someone is passing.

“I’ve been sitting at a desk at Hospice with Penny lying at my feet,” he shared. “Suddenly, she’ll get up and walk into a room. She knows it’s time. She’ll gently lay her head on the laps of those grieving.”

Bringing smiles at unexpected times

Though her work is often serious, Penny occasionally provides moments of unintentional comic relief. Whetstone recalled a military funeral with a 21-gun salute that took Penny by surprise.

“I had no idea she was afraid of guns,” he admitted. “The moment the shots rang out, she belly-crawled under the pews, leapt into the family members’ laps, then started doing zoomies up and down the aisle.”

Thankfully, the family found humor in Penny’s reaction and took comfort in the unexpected joy she brought to an otherwise somber day.

Whetstone learned his lesson, though, and Penny is now kept in a quiet space during military services to avoid another

impromptu sprint.

A community favorite

Beyond her therapy work, Penny has become something of a local celebrity. UPS driver Pam is one of Penny’s biggest fans, often stopping by just to bring her a treat. One day, Whetstone decided to surprise Pam – with Penny dressed in a miniature UPS uniform, delivering her own package of happiness (see photo on p. 39)

O thers in the community frequently drop by just to say hello, often bringing toys and treats that now overflow from baskets in Whetstone’s office.

For Whetstone, working alongside his best furry friend is a dream come true and he’s grateful that together they can make the world a better place.

Penny, wagging her tail, couldn’t agree more.

Finding purpose in tragedy

When asked how the experience affected Dahlia, Justice explained that, for her dog, it was simply another job.

“She loves searching. While we may think of it as morbid, this is what Dahlia has been trained to do,” she said.

As for herself, Justice has learned to process the emotional toll of disaster work.

“Because it was a natural disaster, I’m at peace with what I saw. There was nothing anyone could have done to prevent it,” she said. “I want to work with my dog to make a difference in this world, and this is how I do it.”

Quality Craftsmanship

Commie (left) and Casey Johnson of CJ Builders.

The Most Trusted Hearing Care Experts in The Triad

Connect2 HOMETOWN GRID

Arthur Wynne, an English journalist, invented the crossword puzzle in 1913; originally called a “word-cross,” it was published in Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World newspaper on Dec. 21, 1913. The name was later changed to “cross-word,” and eventually changed to “crossword” due to a typographical error.

LookingBack

Henry Glassie, a U.S. historian, once said, “History is not the past but a map of the past, drawn from a particular point of view, to be useful to the modern traveller.” To provide a historical map to northwest Guilford County’s past 20 to 25 years, we’ve compiled the following news excerpts from our sister publication, the Northwest Observer, which PS Communications published from November 1996 to December 2024.

25 years ago: winter/spring 2000

Mayors establish goals for new terms

NW GUILFORD – In January 2000, Summerfield Town Council member John Wray was settling into his role as the town’s second mayor (after the town incorporated in 1996, Bill Petersen was appointed to serve as its first mayor). Wray’s goals included seeing the town’s long-range plan completed and collaborating with school officials “to see if we can plan and help the situation in our schools.”

When Oak Ridge incorpo-

rated in 1998, Bill Parrish was appointed to serve as interim mayor until an election was held the following year. In November 1999 Tom Brown became the town’s first elected mayor. His earliest priorities included expanding the town’s limits to include those areas that were left out when Oak Ridge incorporated almost two years earlier, and working to increase funding for northwest-area schools.

Meanwhile, Stokesdale May-

or Randy Jones, who had served as a council member since 1991, settled into his second four-year term as mayor. He emphasized the importance of proper planning and changing “in a manner that doesn’t destroy why people live here.” He also said he hoped to see a public library open in the northwest area.

Jones served as the town’s mayor

for almost 18 of the nearly 22 years he was a member of the Stokesdale Town Council, and did not run for re-election in November 2013. In March 2014, he was appointed as district court judge to the 18th Judicial District, which presides over Guilford County, to fill the vacancy created by a retiring judge; he ran for election to a full term in November 2016 but was defeated.

Opponents prevent landfill expansion

OAK RIDGE – As a rezoning hearing in February 2000 for Waste Management’s landfill expansion into Guilford County drew closer, opposition heated up. The fear of annexation by a neighboring municipality, along with the looming threat of the 186-acre Piedmont Sanitary Landfill in Forsyth County – located near the western boundaries of Oak Ridge and Stokesdale – expanding its capacity and prolonging its operation for several more years, were key factors that motivated Oak Ridge citizens to rally for incorporation. Their opposition to the landfill expansion was particularly strong, as the facility was permitted to accept waste not only from those in the region but also from several other states, including South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia.

“I don’t think we should have to

accept garbage from other states. I think each county should be responsible for their own waste disposal, or three or four should go in together and have publicly owned landfills,” Oak Ridge mayor Tom Brown said at the time.

Waste Management later withdrew its rezoning request, but the landfill expansion remained a threat. In 2001, Summerfield passed a resolution in support of Oak Ridge and Stokesdale’s objections to the expansion, citing its “impact on those communities with respect to the health, safety and welfare, together with the adverse effect on its citizens’ land values.”

With the landfill nearing capacity and scheduled to close in 2004, Waste Management tried once more to get the property rezoned to allow for its

...continued on p. 44

Oak Ridge Music in the Park

expansion. In October 2003, several hundred Oak Ridge residents scored a major win when they attended a county planning board meeting for the rezoning hearing bearing signs and wearing T-shirts that read “Stop the Dump,” and organized speakers to articulate their objections. The planning board voted unanimously to deny a zoning change that could have pushed the expansion forward.

Colfax largely annexed by Greensboro, High Point

COLFAX – Colfax residents attempted to incorporate in the late 1990s, spurred on by the threat of being annexed by the cities of Greensboro and Kernersville. At the time, Colfax resident Lynn Cummings, who led the efforts, said he was encouraged to see the county commissioners looking at growth in the northeast part of the county, where there was “ample room to grow.”

With many municipalities seeking incorporation during that time, legislators became concerned that towns would incorporate simply to receive portions of franchise fees and sales tax revenue – and to thwart existing municipalities’ annexation efforts. According to a post on UNC School of Government’s website,

“Such ‘paper towns,’ as they were called, did not provide any services or charge property taxes, but took money from the county and state. So, legislation was passed that stipulates any town incorporating after January 1, 2000, must provide at least four services – such as law enforcement, street maintenance or construction, garbage collection, or zoning – and charge a property tax of at least 5 cents per $100 of property value.”

Falling short in its efforts to avoid being annexed, the main part of Colfax was annexed by the City of Greensboro in 2008, with the City of High Point annexing other parts of the area in 2010. Some of Colfax is still unincorporated.

Henson Farms rezoning, development plan approved

SUMMERFIELD – Henson Farms, one of the earliest upscale residential communities in Summerfield, got underway after the development team succeeded in its second attempt to rezone the property in November 1999. Developers placed 11 condi-

tions on the 180-acre development, including that all lots along Brookbank Road be a minimum of 1.5 acres, the total number of houses be limited to 106 on an average lot size of 1.22 acres, and that two miles of trails and sidewalks be included.

Town, county enter into agreement for park property

SUMMERFIELD – In February 2000, the Town of Summerfield and Guilford County entered into a 50-year agreement for the town to develop and use 34.42 acres of county property located behind Summerfield Elementary School for a community park. Summerfield Community Park now includes walking and biking

trails, playgrounds, picnic shelters, exercise stations, fishing, and an outdoor amphitheater for community events. In 2010 the Town opened its second park, Summerfield Athletic Park, on U.S. 220; the athletic park includes a large multi-purpose field, three baseball fields, a playground, and a picnic shelter.

20 years ago: winter/spring 2005 Charter amendments change council, mayoral terms

SUMMERFIELD – When Summerfield incorporated in 1996, its charter stated that all council members would serve two-year terms, and council members would select the mayor from among themselves; in 2002, Summerfield voters approved a charter amendment that extended the council members’ terms from two to four years, and the terms were staggered. In 2005, voters approved another charter amendment that provided the mayor be elected directly by all the qualified voters of the Town, serve a two-year term, and vote only in case of a tie.

March 8, 1pm-5pm | Spring Vendor Market | Brown Truck Brewery, High Point

March 15, 10am-4pm | Spring Sip & Shop | Autumn Creek Vineyard, Mayodan

April 5, 10am-4pm | Spring Market in the Park | Oak Ridge Town Park, Oak Ridge

April 19, 10am-4pm | Easter Artisan Showcase | Greensboro Performing Arts | Summerfield

April 27, 1pm-5pm | Spring into Sipping & Shopping | Gypsy Road Brewing Company | Kernersville

May 3, every Wed., 4:00pm-6:30pm & Sat., 8:30am-12:30pm | Opening Day of Farmers Market Greensboro Performing Arts | Summerfield

May 10, 2pm -7pm | Summer Vendor Market | Brown Truck Brewery, High Point

The Y that never happened

NORTHWEST GUILFORD –Northwest-area leaders met with representatives of the YMCA of Greensboro in early January 2005 to discuss the viability of establishing a branch of the Y that would be located on a 50- to 60-acre tract central

to the towns of Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale. At the time, it was estimated the local towns would need to raise at least $7 million to make the idea feasible. Despite support from local leaders and citizens, the Y never got off the ground.

Shopping center rises above objections

SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield residents voiced concerns over a proposed shopping center at the corner of Lake Brandt Road and N.C. 150, saying the nearly 30-acre tract was better suited for homes and small businesses versus a strip shopping center. Charlotte-based JDH Capital eventually abandoned plans to commercially develop the tract, but it was eventually sold and developed into

the Hillsdale Village Shopping Center; it initially included four buildings that accommodated about a dozen tenants. The center was sold to William Penn Properties LLC in 2015 for $3.8 million and the following year developer/owner Will Stephens broke ground on a 6,500-square foot building in the retail center that is now home to The Village Beverage and two medical-related practices.

Towns top chart for Triad’s wealthiest ZIP codes

NORTHWEST GUILFORD – In 2005, towns in northwest Guilford County topped the Triad Business Journal’s list of the Triad’s 50 wealthiest ZIP codes ranked by 2004 median household income. Jamestown claimed the No. 1 position, with Oak Ridge coming in at No. 2. Oak Ridge’s median household income (MHI) in 2004 was $76,903, with a median home value (MHV) of $183,826; by 2024, the town’s

MHI was $146,131, with a MHV of $484,300.

Summerfield took the No. 5 position, with a reported MHI of $66,326 and MHV of $146,612; by 2024 Summerfield’s MHI was $148,182 and MHV was $455,300.

In the No. 17 position, Stokesdale had a reported MHI of $51,769 and a MHV of $99,290. By 2024, the town’s MHI had increased to $118,159 with a MHV of $323,900.

PTI expands, FedEx hub gets green light

NW GREENSBORO – After citizens fiercely fought against Piedmont Triad Airport Authority’s plans for expansion of its property surrounding the airport, a seven-year battle ended when the Airport Authority gained approval to develop the area that had been designated for airport expansion. As part of the expansion, a third runway was constructed to accommodate a FedEx cargo hub.

Opponents of the hub argued that it would cause irreparable environmental damage, bring noise pollution, decrease property values and jeopardize the health and quality of life for many Guilford County residents, while supporters touted the positive impact the hub would have on the area, predicting it would attract other businesses that would bring job opportunities and economic growth.

ABC store opens in Oak Ridge

OAK RIDGE – A grand opening for the ABC store in Oak Ridge, located in an outbuilding in the Oak Ridge Commons shopping center, was held on Feb. 14, 2005. In 2005-2006, the store’s first full fiscal year of operation, the town conservatively budgeted $11,900 for ABC profit-sharing from the store and received $30,323.

“The number budgeted and received has grown every year, and I

think we have always hit our projected budget in profit-sharing for Oak Ridge,” said Sandra Smith, Oak Ridge’s assistant town manager who served several years as the town’s representative on the Triad Municipal ABC Board.

In the current 2024-2025 FY budget, Oak Ridge has budgeted $270,000 for its share of annual revenue from ABC store profits.

“Every

Chris Johnson: answering the call, 24/7

Growing up in Summerfield, Chris Johnson spent much of his childhood alongside his grandfather, George Price, the town’s first fire chief. From as early as age 5 or 6, Johnson accompanied Price on emergency calls, witnessing firsthand the impact of helping others in critical moments.

Price, who volunteered as Summerfield’s fire chief for 36 years, owned a service station and wrecker service across from the fire station and kept his gear and portable air tank in the wrecker, always prepared to respond at a moment’s notice. If a call came in while he was working, he’d shut down the station and rush to the scene.

After school every day, Johnson walked to the service station; by age 8, he was pumping gas and changing oil, earning $5 a week. One of his fondest memories dates back to when he was 15 and worked with his grandfather to restore his first car, a wrecked Mustang.

Johnson was there when Price suffered a heart attack in 1984 while responding to a call. A year later, they responded to the tragic vehicle explosion on Bronco Lane off N.C. 150 involving Fritz Klenner, his first cousin, Susie Lynch, and her two young sons. The scene they came upon exposed a horrific ending to a twisted tale later chronicled in the bestseller “Bitter Blood.” Johnson was 11 at the time, and the memories of that day in June 1985 have never left him.

“That set the stage and made me who I am today,” he said. “It has made me process things differently… I have seen a lot of things,

to The Jumping Bean for

but the worst always goes back to that.”

Johnson was 16 when he officially joined the Summerfield Fire Department as a volunteer. While later attending college at Eastern Kentucky University, he did ride-alongs with emergency responders and after considering arson investigation he ultimately chose firefighting as his career.

After graduating, he spent a decade with the Greensboro Fire Department while continuing to volunteer in Summerfield, taking on various roles including firefighter, driver, training officer, captain and assistant chief.

In 2007, at 33, he was offered the fire chief position in Summerfield. Though he initially felt too young for the role, he accepted the challenge and became the department’s fourth chief in its 56-year history.

“Once I got here, I never wanted to leave,” he said.

Under his leadership, the department has grown from 13 employees to 43 across three stations who serve with about 35 dedicated volunteers – and it has improved from an ISO Class 6 to an ISO Class 2.

For Johnson, passion is key, and he remains on standby 24/7, ensuring readiness for major incidents.

“When the pager goes off, we have to be ready because we can’t fail the citizens,” he emphasized. “People call us on their worst day. We need to be the very best fire department – if we’re not, we’re failing our community.”

His leadership extends beyond emergency

– Jim Valvano

response, and the department has implemented community programs like child car seat installations, fire education, and even assisting senior citizens with unique needs.

The department also runs a summer fire camp for kids, holds an annual 5K fundraiser and provides a strong force of support for Summerfield’s annual two-day Founders’ Day celebration every May.

“I’ve got great people,” Johnson said. “When the church or school calls, we help out. It goes back to doing what’s right.”

Summerfield Fire Chief Chris Johnson and his mother, Judy Johnson, pose with the helmet

Photo courtesy of Chris Johnson

On Jan. 31, Johnson was presented with the “Career Fire Chief of the Year” award at the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs’ banquet.

Quick to share the credit, he said afterward, “I got that award because of everyone here. I love the men and women here. I worked with some great people in Greensboro, but these are by far the best people I’ve ever worked with… Jenna Daniels, our assistant chief – she’s smarter than I am. I have the passion and the drive, but sometimes I lack the finesse.”

Though awards are appreciated, Johnson said his greatest career highlight is his daughter, Kaylee, joining the department at age 16 to participate in the Explorer program which teaches 14- to 17-year-olds firefighting skills in rescue and fire suppression.

“I never asked her to volunteer, but when she

turned in her application, she was all smiles,” he said.

Balancing family with being on standby 24/7 for emergency responses comes with personal challenges, but Johnson said his wife, Melanie, has supported him from the start, volunteers to help with department-sponsored events, and has secured over $3 million in grants for the department.

Though he has missed many family moments, he said he has no regrets.

“I sleep with two pagers and a portable,” he said. “I always sleep in alert mode. When the pager goes off, I have to go. That’s my life.”

Whether he’s on the scene of an emergency or focused on the department’s future and how to best serve the community, Johnson’s heart remains in his hometown of Summerfield, leading a team he considers family.

“And I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said.

What some of Chris Johnson’s team members say about him…

“I admire Chief Johnson’s unwavering commitment to our community’s fire protection needs. His standard of excellence is second to none, as he expects our very best on scene. He is one of just a few people who have had such a positive and memorable impact on my life, and I would not be the person I am today without his trust, leadership and confidence.”

Rick Moseley, volunteer

“At Summerfield Fire Department, you are not just a paid or volunteer member, you are treated as family. When my wife passed away, Chief Johnson was the first person at my door. He was there with a hug to console me, brought food, and offered his help with anything I needed. He is a great chief and person. He cares deeply for the Summerfield community and makes sure the fire department is prepared and ready to protect and serve the community in every way.”

Steve Satterfield, retired career firefighter, current volunteer

“Chief Johnson has created a culture for Summerfield Fire District that is like no other. Family always comes first, both home and fire family, and he supports and fights for our best interest. His door is always open, along with his heart and mind.

“It’s a running joke that firemen hate two things: the way things are and change.

Chief Johnson embraces both and seems to have found a great balance for all of us at Summerfield.”

Vanessa Scavo, career member

“I have served with every chief this department has had, from Chris’s grandfather, the department’s first chief, to Chris. All had a good level of dedication. Chris’s is beyond dedication, it is a passion.”

David Inman, retired volunteer and current board member

“I have been with Summerfield Fire Department for more than 20 years, most as a career member. While there have been many changes throughout the years, Chief Johnson’s loyalty and dedication to the men and women of our department and to the community that he so proudly serves have remained a constant.

“His desire to take care of his people is one of the qualities I admire most about him. No one can dispute his passion for the job and for the members of the department. I have witnessed him on numerous occasions sacrifice his time with family to come in (on his day off) to cover for an employee who needed to leave for a family event. In my eyes, putting the needs of his employees before his own embodies what it means to be a true leader.

“I have had the pleasure of working with and for so many great members throughout

...continued on p. 49

MAX imizing your real estate experience

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

Congratulations on 100 years!

NC Sen. Phil Berger (front row, far left) joined Oak Ridge Town Council in congratulating Oak Ridge Elementary representatives on the school’s 100th year of educating students in the commu nity. Shown with Sen. Berger are some of the members of the 100th anniversary organizing committee (front row, L-R) Carl Cockman, Shannon Depp, Nancy Davis and Principal Penny Loschin, receiving a copy of a proclamation being presented by Mayor Jim Kinneman; (back row, L-R) Council members Jim Harton, Ann Schneider and Mike Greeson. See article on p. 14.

TOWNAround

SHOOTING SOME HOOPS

Stokesdale resident Amber Honeycutt and her son, Leland, enjoy playing basketball at Stokesdale Town Park, where Amber said they are frequent visitors. Thanks to funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the town made several improvements to its park over the last few years, including the installation of outdoor pickleball and basketball courts in December 2023.

Kids at play

Chicks are going, going, gone!

The trend of raising backyard chickens for fresh, homegrown eggs has surged in recent years, driven even further by a devastating bird flu outbreak that has claimed over 166 million wild and domestic birds in the U.S. since 2022. Shown here, Kim Hester, an employee at Tractor Supply in Oak Ridge, briefly holds two baby chicks before they were sold almost as soon as they were delivered to the store on March 5.

“There was a line of people waiting to get the chicks when I was there,” said Connect2 writer Annette Joyce. “Several of them had been calling other stores but couldn’t find any. One couple had 17 at home, 12 in the car and were buying 12 more.”

The Howe sisters of Summerfield soak up the sunshine while enjoying the playground at Heritage Farm Park in Oak Ridge. (Front, L-R) Brooklyn, 7, Reagan, 3, and Sutton, 5; (back row) Dylan, 9.

Photos by Annette Joyce/CONNECT2

Photo courtesy of Town of Oak Ridge

my career, but none have my trust as much as Chief does. I could not imagine working for anyone else. Summerfield is truly lucky to have him.”

Chris Gibson, career member

“Right from the start, Chief Johnson made me feel welcome in a place where it was easy to feel out of place: an older volunteer, a woman, and everyone seems to notice I’m not from around here.

“If someone makes a mistake, he doesn’t harp on the person or the mistake, but discusses how to make corrections in training sessions so it doesn’t happen again.

“He recognizes that as first responders we are at risk for stress disorder that can affect our emotional well-being, our families, and our jobs. He wants to know if we are hurting and he will do what he can to take care of us.

“He is quick to thank us and makes us feel like a valued part of the team, even if we played just a small role. I can’t imagine Summerfield FD without him.”

Barbara Beck, volunteer member

“After more than a decade of sharing office space with him, Chief Johnson and I have developed a cohesive teamwork relationship, often intuitively understanding what

the other is thinking. This synergy is a testament to his incredible leadership and friendship. His unwavering belief and confidence in my skills and abilities often surpass my own, which is what truly makes him an extraordinary friend and leader.

“Chief consistently puts the needs of others before his own, embodying the very essence of selflessness and servant leadership. He has been a mentor and teacher, imparting invaluable lessons that inspire me to strive toward becoming the leader he is for our department.

“It’s worth mentioning that our relationship isn’t all rainbows and sunshine. You might catch us in some lively debates, showcasing our delightful differences. This blend of viewpoints is truly our special ingredient, helping us tackle challenges from every angle and pick up a few pearls of wisdom along the way!

“I, along with my amazing coworkers at Summerfield Fire, hit the jackpot working with Chief Johnson, and the Summerfield community has also struck gold with him at the helm. He is a pillar of support, a source of inspiration, and a cherished friend. It is an honor to work alongside him, and I am proud to call him my chief.”

Jenna Daniels, assistant chief

BUSINESS CLASSIFIEDS

Call (336) 944-1665 or email info@Connect2NWGuilford.com to schedule your business classified in our summer (June, July August) issue

INDEX

Now Hiring 53

Auto Services 53

Cleaning 53

El ectrical 53

General Repair & Services 53

Landscaping & Irrigation 53 Masonry 53

Miscellaneous 53

Painting 53 Pet Sitting 53 Plumbing 53

Real Estate 53

Remodeling & Construction 53

Roofing 54

Tree Services / Stump Grinding 54

NOW HIRING

WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING LLC is hiring! We are looking for dedicated team members with a passion for caring for pets. To see our current openings and fill out an application, go to www.wendycollinspetsitting.com.

AUTO SERVICES

KNIGHT IMPORT SPECIALTY SERVICE. European auto service & repair. BMW, Audi, Volvo, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Mini, and Porsche. 35 years’ experience. 4559 U.S. 220, Summerfield (across from Food Lion). (336) 337-0669

CLEANING (INTERIOR

& EXTERIOR)

GATORMAID CLEANING. Elderly and pet service. Quality cleaning for the elderly and others. Budget friendly! Christian mom in business for 32 years in the Triad. Call Laura Bennett at (336) 231-1838

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.

MARTIN’S PRESSURE WASHING. House and roof soft washing. Concrete/paver cleaning and sealing. Residential and commercial. Visit MartinsPressureWashing.com. Call or text (919) 931-0856. Serving the Triad since 2018.

ELECTRICAL

Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS?

Licensed and insured. 40 years of service. Call Coble Electric, LLC at (336) 209-1486

GENERAL REPAIR / SVCS

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

AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. Handyman, construction, well pumps, plumbing, foundations, sagging floors and much more. No job too small. Free estimates. (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350 See our display ad in this issue’s Marketplace.

GENERAL HANDYMAN. Repairs, installations, furniture assemblies, TV mounting, etc. Light electrical and plumbing. Landscape lighting installation. Insured. No job too small. Call with questions. Gordon, (336) 253-7700

LANDSCAPING / IRRIGATION

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

AQUA SYSTEMS IRRIGATION. Quality irrigation systems. We service all systems. NC licensed contractor. Free estimates. (336) 644-1174

GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE. Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maintenance. We also do aeration and seeding. (336) 655-6490

WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC. Lawn maintenance, landscaping. Irrigation/ landscape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape lighting. 30+ yrs exp. (336) 399-7764

For more lawn/yard services, see listings under TREE SERVICES / STUMP GRINDING, p. 54.

MASONRY

COLONIAL MASONRY. Over 40 yrs. exp. Specializing in outdoor living spaces; dry-stack natural stone and flagstone. Let us help you plan your patio, fire pit, fireplace, kitchen, etc. (828) 312-0090 www.colonialmasonry.com

MISCELLANEOUS

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

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

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

PAINTING

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

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

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

PET SITTING

WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING LLC. Certified, bonded & insured. Your Summerfield pet sitter since 2018 (limited Stokesdale, limited Oak Ridge, limited Greensboro & some areas within 27455 and 27410 zip codes). (336) 339-6845 www.Wendycollinspetsitting.com.

PLUMBING

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

REAL ESTATE

WE BUY LAND and PAY CASH. Call us at (336) 430-9507

REMODELING & CONSTRUCTION

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. Free estimates. Sr. disc., 46 years exp. –since 1979. (336) 362-6343

CHASE CONSTRUCTION. Experience the difference of five generations of expertise! New construction, custom homes, remodels, additions and barndominiums. Free estimates. Call (336) 279-6591. www.chaseconstructionenterprise.com.

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

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 schedule your next project.

...More Bus. Classifieds on p. 54

Thank you to our advertisers for making this issue possible!

BUSINESS

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

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

AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS.

One call does it all! A+ with BBB. Remodeling, handyman, well pumps, plumbing, foundations, sagging floors and much more. No job too small. Free estimates. (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350

See our display ad in this issue’s Marketplace.

ROOFING

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

We can handle all of your COMPLETE ROOFING NEEDS, commercial and residential. Call (336) 430-9507

TREE SERVICES / STUMP GRINDING

DILLON TREE SERVICE. Certified arborists. BBB accredited. Fully insured. Family-owned. Tree removal and trimming. Available for emergency removals 24/7. Free estimates. (336) 996-6156 www.dillontreeservice.com. info@ dillontreeservice.com See our display ad on p. 24

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

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

ACCOUNTING

INDEX of Display Advertisers

FITNESS

444, Summerfield, NC 27358 • (336) 944-1665