Connect2 NWGuilford / FALL 2025

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history, happening happeningss & humor of northwest gguilford uilford county

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You focus on fall fun We’ll have fun focusing on your teeth

following in the footsteps of the Northwest Observer, published 1996-2024

NW Guilford

history, happenings & humor of northwest guilford county

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HOW TO REACH US phone: (336) 944-1665 mail:

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what’s inside

Couch seeks Greensboro’s biggest annexation...............................................................8 Stokesdale secures annual sales tax revenue of about $400,000..................... 9 Summerfield lawsuit alleges ‘bad faith conduct’....................................... 12 Final touches underway at Farmhouse Community Center...................................... 14 Funding secured for replacement bridge on A&Y Greenway....................................... 14 Summerfield sued over unfilled public record requests.............................. 16 Town prepares for new water tower installation.......................... 18 A new mayor in town........................................20 New high school coming in 2027............20 Connect2 KIDS Fall Word Search............ 21 Camp Carefree – a legacy of fun, love and laughter turns 40...................22 $500,000 grant sparks Bandera Farms Park debate................. 24 Community Survey: How much do local elections matter?..............................26 Connect2 Crossword..........................................30 Connect2 Election Section............................. 31 Stokesdale Candidates........................................32 Oak Ridge Candidates........................................34 Summerfield Candidates...................................42 Community Calendar......................................... 48 Greensboro airport still recruiting after JetZero win............................................50 What’s next for Summerfield Farms?....52 Developer seeks zoning approval for shopping center.....................................53 Historic downtown landmark slated for restoration..................................54 Critter Connection.................................................57 The ever-growing need for animal fosters...........................................58 Critter Connection photo page..................59 Grins & Gripes.......................................................... 64 Around Town..............................................................65 Neighborhood Marketplace...........................66 Connect2 Classifieds...........................................69 Index of Display Advertisers.........................70

From the editor’s desk Dating back to the years I spent as editor of our sister publication, the Northwest Observer, one question continues to follow me: “Where do you get all your ideas for articles?”

My children went to Oak Ridge Elementary, Northwest Middle and Northwest High School, and over the years I’ve both belonged to and volunteered with the school PTAs (now PTOs), Oak Ridge and Summerfield merchant associations and Lions Club – and of course, owning a local newspaper prompts many conversations that yield reader observations, questions and “tidbits” to follow up on.

Aside from the first few So, while we’re never at a loss monthly issues of what began as for stories to cover, we’re limited the Oak Ridge Observer in 1996, by our available space in print. when I was a rookie local news As we dove into layout for editor trying to get my bearthis issue, I knew it would have ings, we have never been short several more pages than usual on ideas for stories we consider thanks to the inclusion of a fillednewsworthy to residents in northto-the-brim Election Section and Patti Stokes west Guilford County. It helps several new and returning seaeditor/publisher that with few exceptions over the sonal advertisers. With the extra years, our writers have always lived in our pages I thought we would finally be able to readership area, so their lives are personally fit all the content we had wanted to include. interwoven in the communities they are cov- But with so much local news and so many stories to share, it just wasn’t feasible.. ering.

On that note, I want to give a shout-out to our longest-term writer, Stokesdale resident Annette Joyce, who has written and provided countless ideas for community surveys, pet and human-interest articles. She’s also a very active volunteer and church member, which gives her many opportunities to meet and interact with folks in her community and beyond. We first met when she came to work for the Northwest Observer as our advertising manager; she later left to pursue a different career path but has stayed with us as a parttime writer for almost 20 years.

Northwest Greensboro resident Chris Burritt joined the Northwest Observer staff about six years ago and we’ve been very fortunate to have him stay on as we transitioned to Connect2 earlier this year. As our lead community news writer, Chris is often tasked with the “grittier” writing that many other writers would shy away from. He not only helps me stay on top of local news and happenings by attending council and board meetings and keeping his reporting ears close to the ground, but he willingly offers ideas for and accepts writing assignments that are complex and controversial – such as the lawsuit the Town of Summerfield has filed against its former town manager and finance officer, which you’ll find in this issue.

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I’ve toyed with the idea of shifting to a bi-monthly schedule, but that would mean trading away personal downtime and stepping deeper into the daily churn of local coverage, which conflicts with my semi-retirement goals. So for now, we’ll keep squeezing as many local news and human interest stories as we can into each seasonal issue, with the hope that even though we’re not bringing you Connect2 as frequently as the Northwest Observer, this quarterly publication still provides a valuable resource and impacts you and your community by informing – occasionally entertaining – and giving you a voice.

We’ll be back in print the first week of December – between now and then, I hope you enjoy all that comes with the fall season!

Patti Stokes

editor/publisher | Connect2 NWGuilford

patti@connect2nwguilford.com P.S. Please be sure to check out the Election Section beginning on p. 31 of this issue for a wealth of information on local candidates for mayor and town council seats in Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale. The ballot will be short but the impact on our daily lives will be big, so please learn all you can about those who wish to represent you and then take 10 minutes to vote on or before Nov. 4.

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS Developer Couch seeks Greensboro’s biggest annexation Nearly 5,000 houses, cottages, townhomes, apartments and other types of housing are slated for northwestern Guilford County over the next 30 years

by CHRIS BURRITT NW GUILFORD – Developer David Couch is asking Greensboro to annex 912 acres and approve zoning for his rolling woodlands and pastures, bringing higher-density residential and commercial development long opposed by some residents and elected officials in Summerfield.

The annexation would be the largest in Greensboro’s history, according to Couch lawyer Tom Terrell. The county took jurisdiction of the property in June 2024 after state lawmakers de-annexed the land from Summerfield. For a decade, Couch tried to convince Summerfield to amend its zoning regulations to accommodate his plans for higher-density housing, including the town’s first apartments.

Although the town council ultimately budged, it was not enough to meet Couch’s needs, and with the support of

Photo by Patti Stokes/CONNECT2

Greensboro City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing Sept. 16 for landowner David Couch’s request to annex 912 acres and approve an application to rezone the property, as well as a unified development plan. Until its de-annexation in June 2024, the property, which includes Summerfield Farms on Pleasant Ridge Road, was in the town limits of Summerfield; at present, it is in unincorporated Guilford County.

N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger, the de-annexation took effect in June 2024. Earlier this year, Greensboro City Council approved the developer’s

requests for the annexation and zoning of nearly 80 acres for the first of 11 neighborhoods he plans in the Villages of Summerfield Farms.

By unanimous vote in July, Greensboro’s Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the City Council approve Couch’s annexation and zoning applications, as well as a unified development plan that would govern the development of the additional 10 villages. They would contain as many as 4,775 dwelling units built over 30 years.

The council is scheduled to hold a public hearing Sept. 16 for Couch’s requests and consider approval of his applications; they consist of five annexations, a single zoning request for all of the property and the development plan.

“This is a legacy project, which is as much about conservation and stewardship as it is about real estate,” Couch’s project designer, Victor Dover, told the commission. Concentrating housing would preserve more than a third of the land as open space, bisected by public trails

...continued on p. 56

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Stokesdale secures annual sales tax revenue of about $400,000 Starting in 2027, a new law requires Guilford County to change its formula for distributing sales tax, which will benefit Stokesdale; Oak Ridge and Summerfield may also benefit, pending voter approval of a quarter-cent sales tax increase in November 2026

File photo

In this August 2023 file photo, NC House Rep. John Blust is seen addressing the Stokesdale Town Council. Blust recently sponsored a bill that gained traction in both chambers of the state legislature, ultimately securing sales tax revenue for Stokesdale beginning in 2027 – the town’s first such funding in more than two decades.

by CHRIS BURRITT STOKESDALE – After years of advocating for financial fairness, Stokesdale leaders have secured a major win: beginning in 2027, the town will receive an estimated $400,000 annually in sales tax revenue, following the July passage of House Bill 305 by the North Carolina General Assembly.

The new law modifies Guilford County’s sales tax distribution formula, finally including Stokesdale – long left out due to its lack of property taxes – in the county’s revenue-sharing system. The breakthrough follows continued efforts led by Councilman Tim Jones and fellow town officials, who have long argued that the current formula unfairly penalized the town.

“This is going to have an overwhelmingly positive impact for Stokesdale,” said Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy. He and Councilman Jim Rigsbee traveled to Raleigh this past spring to lobby for the bill, which was sponsored

by Rep. John Blust (R-District 62).

The Greensboro legislator introduced the measure after meeting

with Stokesdale council members, including Jones, who, according to Foy, “insisted we’ve got to pursue some kind of option” to begin collecting sales tax.

Guilford County commissioners voted in 2002 to revise how local sales tax revenue was distributed.

Previously, funds were allocated using the per capita method, based on each municipality’s population. After the vote, a change to the ad valorem method, which ties distribution to the amount of property tax a town collects, took effect on July 1, 2003.

In response, leaders in Summerfield and Oak Ridge acted swiftly. By instituting a property tax the following year, they not only began generating an additional source of revenue but also ensured their towns would continue receiving a share of the county’s sales tax collections under the new formula.

Stokesdale, however, chose a different path. Its town leaders have consistently declined to levy a property tax and consequently, Stokesdale has gone without its

...continued on p. 10

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With the modified method of distribution outlined in HB 305, Stokesdale is projected to receive about $400,000 annually, according to a legislative fiscal note about the bill. That’s based on the town’s 0.62% share of the county’s population.

“The revenues of Guilford County and other municipalities in the county would correspondingly decrease by about $400,000 in the aggregate each year, with about 90% of the reductions being to the County and City of Greensboro,” the bill’s fiscal note explained.

Oak Ridge and Summerfield would see minimal reductions, each under $1,000.

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Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger expanded HB 305’s scope with an amendment that could benefit additional municipalities and public entities including the county’s school board, Guilford Technical Community College, the county’s Fire and Rescue Council and Summerfield Fire District – if voters approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase in a November 2026 referendum. Should the tax increase pass, Summerfield would receive an estimated $533,000 annually in new revenue, and Oak Ridge would gain $169,000.

Berger said his amendment put “strict guardrails” on how recipients can spend the extra money. While Guilford’s commissioners “said they want to use the additional revenue to support education, existing law does not restrict the use of funds collected to education or any particular purpose,” he said in a statement in June.

The new version of the legislation requires the November 2026 ballot to contain “clear language explaining that if the referendum is approved, the funds collected can only be used for classroom teacher salary supplements, fire protection equipment and services, Guilford Technical Community College, and a small amount for municipalities.”

“I believe these guardrails give taxpayers confidence that the revenue will be used as promised,” Berger said.

He represents parts of Guilford County, including Stokesdale and Oak Ridge, and is seeking re-election in 2026.

Berger’s amendment also includes a stipulation that Summerfield must allocate the first $3 million of its cumulative proceeds to the Summerfield Fire District for water infrastructure improvements. After that, the town would retain future proceeds. It and other municipalities would be required to spend them for public purposes.

If it gets the $3 million, Summerfield’s fire district plans to use it to install water storage tanks throughout Summerfield to reduce its reliance on refilling tankers from hydrants in Greensboro and Rockingham County and lakes and ponds, according to Chief Chris Johnson.

He outlined plans to install strategically placed water storage tanks equipped with hydrants and high-capacity pumps. Reducing reliance on external water sources would improve emergency response times, the fire chief said. The district also plans to invest in modern tankers and mobile water supply units.

“We want to ensure a reliable and accessible water supply for firefighting efforts,” Johnson said.

He envisions partnering with local businesses and schools to improve fire protection for those facilities.

“By collaborating on projects that include large water tanks and pumps, we can expand their capacity for dual use, benefiting both the facilities and the fire department,” he said. “Our ultimate goal is to protect the community efficiently and effectively, with the least disruption and maximum safety.”

Regardless of the referendum’s outcome and its potential to benefit the fire district and other public entities, Blust confirmed that Stokesdale is guaranteed its share of sales tax revenue beginning in 2027, which will have a significant impact on the town’s financial future.

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Summerfield lawsuit alleges ‘bad faith conduct’ The complaint seeks monetary damages from the former manager and finance officer who denied misconduct alleged by the town

by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – The town of Summerfield has filed a complaint against former manager Scott Whitaker and former finance officer Dee Hall, alleging they intentionally undermined town operations and engaged in fraudulent payouts to employees, including Whitaker.

The lawsuit filed July 29 in Guilford County Superior Court said the former manager violated terms of his employment agreement that ended in June 2024. When the town filed its complaint, it simultaneously requested the document be sealed to protect personnel information. However, the filing remained public nearly a month later, prompting widespread media coverage of its contents on Aug. 28.

“The Town and its attorneys took every legal step required to

…Whitaker and Hall

thereafter went to great measures to undermine the Town leading to various tortious acts for which Defendants should be held accountable.”

– A statement from the Town of Summerfield’s lawsuit against Scott Whitaker and Dee Hall. protect this information from being released to the public,” Summerfield lawyer Ashley Anderson said in an email. “We do not understand why the clerk’s office released records that were subject to a pending motion to seal, but we remain committed to continuing to take all measures to preserve the confidentiality of employee records.”

Whitaker and Hall have denied the suit’s claims, many of which first emerged in January from former state auditor Beth Wood’s one-day review of alleged improper behavior and financial irregularities.

The 28-page document lays out multiple claims, including that Whitaker deleted “scores of records related to Town business” from town-owned devices and accepted payment for unearned vacation time.

The suit said investigators sought to interview the defendants to “explain the havoc they had wreaked before leaving Town employment.” Whitaker and Hall have maintained since January they weren’t asked to explain what the suit described “as a host of financial,

…Vindication won’t come until the case works through the court system. Until then, the allegations of wrongdoing hang in the air as the Town maliciously intended.”

– A statement from the Whitaker/Hall Defense Fund on the GiveSendGo website. ethical, and professional breaches.”

“We did not break any laws; we did not break any town policies,” Hall said in response to the allegations.

“We did not in any way harm the town we love.”

The defendants’ lawyer J. Heydt Philbeck characterized Whitaker and Hall as “honorable public servants” in a statement that said the town’s complaint is “replete with outright lies, distortions, and purposefully salacious allegations.”

While not specifying false claims, Philbeck said “… Summerfield’s lawsuit serves as its ‘smokescreen’ to scapegoat the Council’s inept management of the Town’s affairs since the last election.”

“Vindication won’t come until the case works through the court system. Until then, the allegations of wrongdoing hang in the air as the Town maliciously intended,” reads a statement from the Whitaker/Hall Defense Fund page on the GiveSendGo website; the fund was established in August to help raise $100,000 to cover the cost of civil and criminal defense lawyers.

Accusing the defendants of “bad faith conduct,” the suit requests a jury trial with damages of at least

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$25,000, and asks for actual damages of about $70,100, minus $500, as reimbursement to the town for the six months of severance it paid the former manager.

The complaint also asks for punitive damages against Whitaker and Hall due to their “willful, wanton, malicious, and fraudulent actions,” as well as reimbursement for the town’s legal fees related to the case.

The council voted 4-1 on Feb. 14, 2024, not to renew Whitaker’s employment contract. While keeping him on until his employment contract expired four months later, the majority four council members gave no explanation for why they were releasing the manager after 12 ½ years of employment – or why they also declined to second Councilman John Doggett’s motion to offer him severance.

In subsequent months, legal expenses climbed as then-town attorney Jim Hoffman billed additional hours for working alongside two firms specializing in employment law and mediation. For the three months spanning April through June 2024, Summerfield paid Ramseur Maultsby $21,975 for mediation-related services and Hoffman was paid $130,100.

The town claims it made “good faith efforts to negotiate a generous severance with Whitaker.”

Had the council opted for termination instead of non-renewal, Whitaker would have been entitled to a lump-sum payout equal to 12 months of salary, benefits, and deferred compensation, per the terms of his employment contract with the town.

Three weeks before Whitaker’s departure, a mutual non-renewal agreement between Whitaker and the town was reached. The terms included six months of salary, six months of family health insurance premiums, $5,000 toward Whitaker’s legal fees, and half the cost of the mediator.

Summerfield’s lawsuit maintains the responsibility for the town’s grievances against Whitaker and Hall rest solely on the former employees’ shoulders.

“The town has been publicly maligned by Defendants as a ruth-

FALL 2025

less, uncharitable employer that inexplicably chose not to renew Whitaker’s contract and caused a financial crisis for Whitaker,” the 28-page complaint said. “An honest review of the evidence demonstrates that Whitaker was unwilling to accept the fact that his obstinate behavior would no longer be tolerated by the town,” it said. “Whitaker and Hall thereafter went to great measures to undermine the Town leading to various tortious acts for which Defendants should be held accountable.”

The complaint relies upon texts between Whitaker and Hall and other communications to build Summerfield’s case that the town’s employees had “inordinately close relationships” with one another that led to the resignation of all them in May 2024. The suit alleged Hall “organized and encouraged the mass resignation of Town staff with the knowledge of Whitaker. The entire Town staff arguably violated state law by going on strike.”

The relationships “eventually set the stage for Whitaker, Hall and the Town staff to ignore their duty to serve the Town and led them to harm the Town out of a sense of loyalty to Whitaker,” the complaint said.

It also said Whitaker violated his termination agreement by giving “a half-hearted effort, at best,” in his final weeks on the job. Months earlier, the council’s majority had taken over numerous responsibilities from Whitaker, as well as Mayor Tim Sessoms, in an illustration of increasing discord in town affairs.

According to the complaint, in his last week of employment, Whitaker locked Council member Janelle Robinson out of the second floor of Town Hall and threatened to have her and Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney arrested if they entered.

The suit also alleges Whitaker viewed sexually explicit websites on Town-issued devices, violating Summerfield’s policy against personal use of equipment and breaching his termination agreement, which required him to avoid actions that could reflect negatively on the town.

The council contracted with Dana Luther as interim finance officer

...continued on p. 16

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS Final touches underway at Farmhouse Community Center OAK RIDGE – With exterior improvements nearing completion, town officials are preparing to open the doors of the newly renovated Farmhouse Community Center in Oak Ridge Town Park, located at the corner of Linville Road and Lisa Drive.

Crews have resolved a drainage issue and are now working to level the grade around the handicap-accessible parking

area near the entrance to Town Park, according to Mayor Jim Kinneman.

The ongoing site work led to a postponement of the grand opening originally set for Sept. 14.

Once the remaining issues have been resolved, the town will host an open house to showcase the restored farmhouse, which will serve as a venue for clubs, weddings, and community gatherings.

Funding secured for replacement bridge on A&Y Greenway Completion of new bridge still two years away

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With funding now in place for replacing this trestle bridge on the A&Y Green­ way, located between Strawberry Road and Bur-Mil Park, construction is slated to begin in the fall of 2026 and be completed in the fall of 2027. ­by PATTI STOKES SUMMERFIELD/GREENSBORO – It’s been two years since pedestrians last crossed the northernmost trestle bridge on the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway, located between Strawberry Road and Bur-Mil Park.

The bridge was closed in September 2023 following a structural assessment conducted by an engineering firm, which recommended its closure due to safety concerns.

This evaluation was part of a broader initiative to upgrade the greenway segment between Strawberry Road and Lake Brandt Road to meet current design standards.

Responsibility for the bridge falls under the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department.

According to the department’s website, the Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (GUAMPO) has secured $2 million in federal funding for the bridge replacement, supplemented by a $500,000 local match. Permitting is currently underway, with construction expected to begin in fall 2026 and wrap up by fall 2027.

“The sensitive watershed habitat surrounding the bridge and green­way contribute to the complexity of this project,” the department noted.

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Summerfield sued over unfilled public record requests For the second time in four years, Gail Dunham is suing the town for public record information she requested but has still not received after several months

by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – Former Summerfield mayor Gail Dunham is suing the town and its officials – including manager Charles “Twig” Rollins and council members – for failing to provide public records she requested over five months ago regarding the proposed town water system that engineering firm Freese and Nichols is designing for Summerfield. Filed in August, the suit asks Guilford County Superior Court to compel Summerfield officials to appear in court with the records Dunham is seeking.

In a separate suit in August, Dunham sued Guilford County, manager Victor Isler and the Board of Commissioners for information about Summerfield’s proposed water system.

Details of the request Dunham’s PRR (public records request), submitted by attorney Michael

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Town’s response

Tadych, includes nearly 50 topics ranging from construction costs to environmental impact and “confirmation that the Project will not harm or otherwise negatively impact existing wells.”

Despite Dunham and her attorney’s follow-ups, she said the town has not produced the records, citing high volume and complexity of requests. The suit said she believes the defendants “have no intention of voluntarily producing any documents responsive to the requests or providing lawful justification(s)

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against the town over unfulfilled PRRs. In 2022, she won a legal fight after a Superior Court judge ordered the town to turn over about 16,600 emails she had requested and reimburse her for nearly $70,000 in legal costs.

When Dunham initially submitted her PRR several months ago, then-acting town clerk Jeff Bacon assigned it a tracking number and sent Adobe Stock photo Dunham an email saying the town for withholding responsive doc- would reply “as promptly as possible.”

“Bear in mind that factors such as the uments. A delay in the provision complexity of the request or the number of records upon request is tantaof outstanding public records requests can mount to denial.” have an impact on how quickly a response History of legal action can be provided,” the email said. It noted Dunham is well known that Summerfield has recently “received among Summerfield staff and an unprecedented record number of pubcouncil members for filing PRRs, lic records requests.” and has submitted far more Town Manager Twig Rollins said the than any other citizen in the town’s response to the lawsuit was still town’s history. being reviewed by its attorney at the This marks her second lawsuit time this issue went to press.

FORMER MANAGER, FINANCE OFFICER SUED...continued from p. 13 and manager, starting the day after Whitaker’s departure. More than a decade earlier, she had clashed with Whitaker and Hall while and after serving as finance officer and interim manager before Whitaker’s hiring.

Following their exit, Whitaker was accused of withholding keys and passwords to town devices and online accounts, “actively impairing the Town’s effort to transition to a new administration,” the suit said.

Citing state law, Whitaker and Hall refused to share passwords and give keys to council members. In her report to the council in January of this year, Wood, the former state auditor, confirmed that passwords should not have been released to council members.

According to Hall, all keys were labeled and left for Luther and passwords were shared with the town’s IT contractor when she and Whitaker departed on their last day.

In rebuttal to the allegations, the defendants’ lawyer countered that

Summerfield “is willing to engage in wasteful spending of public monies in its overt effort to malign two of its dedicated past employees who at all times were honorable public servants.”

Whitaker and Hall face an Oct. 4 deadline to reply to Summerfield’s civil complaint, received by the court July 30.

The complaint was sealed by the court on Sept. 8, nearly six weeks after the town’s attorneys requested it be sealed to protect personnel information, and days after news organizations obtained and reported details of the complaint.

Separately from the civil complaint, on Sept. 10 Summerfield’s lawyers gave the county’s Sheriff’s Office the results of its internal investigation into alleged wrongdoing by Whitaker and Hall. It’s part of “the process of referring the potential criminal matters to law enforcement,’’ according to a town statement.

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OAK RIDGE – A 250,000-gallon elevated water tank in Oak Ridge is tentatively scheduled for installation in October. The tank is expected to be up and running by next spring, initially supplied by well water from Heritage Farm Park before drawing from a 12-inch water main along N.C. 150, extending from Forsyth County.

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Oak Ridge through this new infrastructure. In July, Oak Ridge Town Council approved a $4.4 million contract with Park Construction, based in Morrisville, North Carolina, to build the water main. Construction is slated to begin this fall and will take about one year to complete, according to Town Manager Bill Bruce.

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

A new mayor in town ‘More power to you!’ former Summerfield mayor Tim Sessoms tells Lee Haywood after Sessoms resigned on Aug. 12 and Haywood was subsequently sworn in as interim mayor

by PATTI STOKES SUMMERFIELD – Former mayor Tim Sessoms submitted his resignation on Aug. 12, stating “it’s time to call it a day.” That same evening, during the Town Council’s regular meeting, Lee Haywood was sworn in as interim mayor. Haywood will serve the final three-plus months of Sessoms’s term and, as the sole candidate for mayor on the Nov. 4 ballot, is expected to be elected to a two-year term.

In his resignation letter, Ses-

soms cited growing concerns with the current council’s direction, including “pursuit of previous staff, excessive hiring, and significant tax increases,” which he said he could no longer support. “Rather than remain in this position for the next three months under these circumstances, I’ve chosen to step down today,” he wrote. Sessoms added that he would remain active in the community, attending events and supporting local programs, noting, “You don’t have to be mayor to show up and be supportive.”

He also urged council members to move past disputes with former staff and focus on the town’s future.

“Likewise, I encourage former staff to show a willingness to set aside their defamation case… nobody truly wins, and our town is best served by moving forward.”

Tim Sessoms (left), former Summerfield mayor; Lee Haywood, interim Summerfield mayor resignation and offered support.

“He told me, ‘Hey, I’m going to get in there and work with these folks and we’re going to stop these lawsuits and stop these lawyer bills.’ I told him, ‘Man, more power to you!’”

After being sworn in, Haywood addressed assumptions about his role.

“Everybody says, ‘He’s the next mayor.’ I’m not the next mayor and I don’t take it for granted,” he said.

“I consider myself the presumptive mayor because I’m the only one on the ballot.”

Haywood emphasized that he still plans to campaign actively.

“You’re going to see signs, and you’ll probably be getting a phone call from me. I’ll be going to forums and I’m going to try to meet as many of the Summerfield people as I can,” he said. “I really take to heart the duties of this office from now until the election, and hopefully thereafter.”

National Heritage Academies to open new high school by Fall 2027

In an interview with WFMY News, Sessoms shared that he called Haywood after submitting his

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National Heritage Academies, which operates Greensboro Academy and Summerfield Charter Academy in northwest Guilford – announced plans in June to move forward with building a new charter high school directly across from Summerfield Charter Academy (shown in photo) on U.S. 220.

The new school will be located on NHA-owned property across U.S. 220 from Summerfield Charter Academy

by PATTI STOKES

Attorney Tracy Williams

SUMMERFIELD – More than three years after announcing its intention to build a charter high school in Summerfield, National Heritage Academies (NHA) is moving forward with its plans. The organization announced in June that its new charter high school is expected to open no later than Fall 2027.

The expansion marks a major

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milestone for NHA, which currently operates Greensboro Academy and Summerfield Charter Academy. Both schools have earned high marks from parents, who cite strong academics, a character-building Moral Focus curriculum, safe learning environments and close relationships with caring staff as key reasons for choosing NHA schools.

The new high school will be located on NHA-owned property across U.S. 220 from Summerfield Charter Academy, placing it within easy reach of both existing campuses in northwest Guilford County.

It will initially serve rising ninth-graders from Summerfield Charter and

...continued on p. 62 FALL 2025

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Explore the puzzle below to find all the hidden words!

As you search, keep an eye out for exciting local events you may want to attend this fall, as well as some local spots to visit. Words may appear horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and even backwards — so look carefully!

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Camp Carefree – a legacy of fun, love and laughter turns 40 The community is invited to join a free 40th anniversary celebration on Sept. 13, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

by ANNETTE JOYCE STOKESDALE – Since 1986, Camp Carefree has offered a free, one-week summer camp experience to children ages 6 to 16 living with chronic illnesses and disabilities – including cancer, Spina Bifida, epilepsy and more. The camp also welcomes well siblings of ill children and hosts a special week for kids whose parents are battling serious health conditions.

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Camp Carefree

Executive Director Diane Samelak is excited to mark this milestone and hopes the celebration will draw both longtime camp supporters and newcomers.

“We are truly blessed to have so much love and sup-

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Photo courtesy of Camp Carefree

is inviting the community to a festive gathering on Saturday, Sept. 13, at its scenic 65-acre site in Stokesdale.

The free event will feature a hot dog lunch, live music, children’s activities, camp tours – and of course, plenty of cake.

Pre-registration: AWANA@oakridgecbc.org

Counselor Sydney Wrege (left) and camper Natalie Combs prepare to zipline from Camp Carefree’s 40-foot climbing tower.

port from our community and beyond,” Samelak said. “We’re grateful to our volunteers who help with everything from camp cleanup and cooking to repairs and financial support. Please join us in celebrating 40 years of this wonderful place as we look ahead to a bright future.”

For those who’ve never visited the camp, Samelak extends a special invitation to experience the surroundings firsthand.

“Once you’ve been to this beautiful camp, you want to be a part of it – and it will always stay in your heart,” she said.

The camp was founded by the late Anne and Gib Jones, who dreamed of creating a space where children with chronic illnesses or disabilities could enjoy the kind of traditional summer camp expe-

rience they might otherwise never have – complete with overnight stays, swimming, canoeing and carefree fun.

The first summer it opened, Camp Carefree offered just two weeks of programming.

Gib and a few friends built a large “barn” that housed a kitchen, dining hall, bathrooms, and bedrooms for campers and counselors.

The family’s farm served as the campground, and swimming took place in the backyard pool. Only a handful of campers came in the summer of 1986, but many of them returned again and again, and as word spread, new campers joined them. Now in its 40th year, the camp has welcomed more than 20,000 campers.

That’s a remarkable achievement for a small nonprofit that runs almost entirely on private donations and volunteer support!

Camp Carefree now operates for six weeks each summer. The original barn remains

a hub for meals and activities, while the bedrooms now house staff and counselors. A salt­water pool has replaced the family pool, and the grounds now feature bunkhouses that sleep up to 150 people, a recreation shed, medical shed, petting zoo, and more.

Tucked into the woods is a 40-foot climbing wall and zipline. A five-acre lake offers fishing and boating, and boasts a giant wooden pirate ship recently restored by volunteers from Moravia Moravian Church in Oak Ridge.

The Carefree Arena, an indoor equestrian center funded by an anonymous donor, adds even more adventure.

Despite its growth, the camp retains a rustic, well-worn charm – just as Anne and Gib intended.

“They wanted it to be a good, old-fashioned summer camp,” said Rhonda Rodenbough, board treasurer and longtime friend of the Joneses. “A place where kids could be outdoors, just playing games and enjoying each other.”

Photo courtesy of Camp Carefree

Camp Carefree campers and counselors are all smiles as they head out on the camp’s evening hayride.

Anne dedicated herself to ensuring Camp Carefree’s survival, working tirelessly well into her 80s. Her legacy lives on in every camper’s smile and every volunteer’s act When Anne and Gib welcomed their of kindness. On Sept. 13, the community first campers in 1986, they couldn’t have will come together to honor that legacy imagined the profound impact their little and to celebrate 40 years of unforgettacamp would have. After Gib’s passing, ble summer memories.

want to go?

40th anniversary celebration Saturday, Sept. 13, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Camp Carefree 275 Carefree Lane, Stokesdale Admission is free

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

$500,000 grant sparks Bandera Farms Park debate Summerfield council members welcome the state money, but differ on whether to spend it to reduce the town’s investment in the park or restore previously deleted amenities

by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – In early August, Summerfield announced a financial boost for the future Bandera Farms Park, located on a 120-acre site along Bunch Road, I-73, and Reedy Fork Creek: a $500,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources as part of the Great Trails State Program.

After learning of the grant, Town Council members held a special called meeting in which they debated how to best use it.

As costs for the project escalated, town and engineering firm Pond & Co. officials “value engineered” the project earlier this year, eliminating about $2 million in costs for several parking spaces, a second bathroom facility and some other features in the original plan.

The grant requires the money to be spent on developing trails; however, the council can reassign federal pandemic relief funds already earmarked for trail building for other purposes, according to Town Manager Charles “Twig” Rollins.

Whether the council decides to use the grant to reduce Summerfield’s projected $1.2 million investment in the hiking and equestrian park, or restore amenities deleted during the cost reduction, remains unclear.

The start of the project is approaching, with earthmoving slated to begin by the end of this year, Rollins said. That’s a couple of months later than he had projected this past spring; in a recent interview, he said the delay is due to state environmental permitting taking longer than anticipated.

“The project itself is full steam ahead,” Rollins told the council during the special called meeting

in mid-August. The town awaits completion of permitting and 90% construction documents from Pond & Co. After that, it will post a request for proposals, essentially advertising for a general contractor for the project.

“At that point we’ll know exactly what we’re dealing with money-wise, how much the project’s going to cost, and then we can start construction,” Rollins told the council.

The park on Bunch Road at I-73 rests entirely in Summerfield. It is slated to open in November 2026 – a month before the federal government’s deadline for the town to finish the park, based upon rules for spending the pandemic relief funds.

Hiring a contractor by the end of 2025 would give the town almost a year to complete the project, which is doable, Rollins said in the interview.

“You’re basically cutting two trails through the woods,” he said, one for horseback riders and the other for hikers. The project also requires clearing of land for parking, the bathroom building and a recreational shelter. Construction would go faster – and cost less – if the council decides to install a pre-fabricated bathroom building instead of using on-site construction, he said.

With the cuts, the project is now estimated to cost about $4.6 million. According to Rollins, that leaves a shortfall of about $700,000 for the town after it applies all grants, including the just-received $500,000.

Councilman John Doggett said he favors tapping the new grant to bring back the second bathroom facility, slated for the vicinity of the parking lot for horseback riders.

Council member Heath Clay suggested using the funds to trim Summerfield’s outlay for the project.

Photo courtesy of Piedmont Land Conservancy

Reedy Fork Creek is the western border of the future Bandera Farms Park, a 120-acre hiking, biking and equestrian park off Bunch Road and I-73 in Summerfield that is slated to open November 2026.

“We don’t know what surprises and expenses are going to be potentially coming forward with construction as we move to fruition here on this park,” Clay said. “So we’re hoping it’s just $700,000; it could be more. I’m trying to be cautious for this project and for the community.”

Doggett disagreed, saying “we’ve got this extra money… we might as well put it back in and make this park just a phenomenal

park. Let’s get as much as we can with the first shot” instead of adding amenities later, possibly at higher costs than if done initially, he said.

Regardless of how the council decides to use the most recent grant funds it will be receiving, Rollins said he will ask the town’s Finance Committee to advise the council on how it should cover the funding shortfall. Borrowing the money or drawing it from the town’s fund balance are options.

Quick Facts about Bandera Farms Park: To date, Summerfield has received grant support for the Bandera Farms Park project from the following sources:

and Summerfield; it marks the first time all four local governments have partnered on a joint conservation and recreation initiative.

$2.3 million from Guilford County

$50,000 from the NC Horse Council

Bandera Farms Park is a key component of the planned Piedmont Greenway, a major regional trail expected to eventually connect Greensboro and Winston-Salem.

It is being developed as a naturebased, equestrian-focused preserve, featuring about 4.5 miles of dedicated horse trails. The greenway will run parallel to the horse trails, starting with a natural surface and eventually being paved as part of the full greenway buildout.

The park is a multi-jurisdictional conservation effort involving the Piedmont Land Conservancy (PLC), Guilford County, the City of Greensboro, and the towns of Oak Ridge

For more info about the Bandera Farms Park project, visit www.Summerfieldnc.gov and type “Bandera Farms Park” in the Search bar.

$500,000 from the North Carolina Great Trails State Program $500,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) $500,000 from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) $100,000 from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP)

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COMMUNITY SURVEY

Beyond the ballot: How much do local elections actually matter?

With candidates for local town council being the only choices on the ballot in Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale this Nov. 4, we asked readers for their thoughts on the importance of voting in this off-year election compiled by ANNETTE JOYCE Without the spotlight of high-profile presidential, national or state-wide elections, municipal elections often struggle to capture public attention. Historically, these off-year elections see significantly lower participation compared to presidential or midterm cycles, leaving critical local decisions in the hands of a small fraction of voters.

In its Jan. 8, 2025 online article, the Standford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) reported voter turnout of about 60% for the last six presidential elections.

Midterm elections saw closer to

50%. In comparison, although results fluctuate depending on different localities, turnouts for local elections typically came in at less than 20%.

In the municipal elections this Nov. 4, voters in Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale will have a short ballot: Oak Ridge has five candidates vying for two open seats on its Town Council. Summerfield voters will choose among four candidates for two council seats and one candidate for mayor.

In Stokesdale, the race includes two mayoral candidates and one candidate for one open seat.

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Given the limited choices voters in northwest Guilford County will be making, we asked some of our readers how much attention they’ll give to candidates for local office, with our questions including:

tion from various sources, including newspaper articles, friends in her community, websites and multiple sources of social media.

“If you weigh all the sides and obtain several viewpoints, I believe you will have a more balanced opinion and can make a more informed decision,” she said.

How important do you think local elections are, and do you plan to vote?

What issues in your town concern you most?

How do you learn about candidates running for local office?

Do political yard signs influence your decisions?

Interestingly, many readers declined to offer a response for publication, but they did offer an explanation. Voter frustration – or indifference – were often the commonality, with their responses including, “I believe our entire political system is corrupt and mostly immoral,” “My opinion is so negative about the (town council) that I will have to decline (to answer),” and “Local officials just don’t make a difference.”

On the other hand, some of our readers told us they feel local elections are critical, and explained why.

Thanks to those who shared the following perspectives – and to everyone who takes part in our community surveys for helping shape the conversations about local issues!

Summerfield resident Theresa Davis-Wilson says she definitely plans to vote this November.

“Elections are always important since they affect where and how you live, prosper and thrive,” she said.

“Your house value can increase or decrease depending on the result of an election, which can determine your direction for a family, retirement or expanding a house.”

When it comes to educating herself on the candidates in her town, Davis-Wilson said she seeks informa-

26

“I want to know if a candidate’s values about the area I live in are aligned with mine and that they will protect what we moved out here for: rural quiet, less housing and people density, and appreciation and protection of the natural surroundings,” she added.

Believing it’s more important now than ever to participate in local elections, Stokesdale’s Alicia Stewart will definitely vote on Election Day. “Local government controls programs and services that have an immediate impact on our communities – everything from public safety and emergency services to zoning issues and schools,” she said.

“And, as my grandmother used to say, ‘If you don’t vote, you have no right complaining when things don’t go the way you want.’ I shorthand that to ‘Vote, or shut up.’”

While choosing the mayor and town council members is important, Stewart also stresses that women should make their voices heard through their votes.

“It is, in my opinion, especially important for women to vote in every election, and to remember that our right to do so was paid for by women who endured beatings and torture as they fought to vote,” Stewart said. “Decisions have been made that take away our rights to govern our own bodies. Anyone who thinks those decision-makers don’t also have designs on our voting rights is a fool.”

In choosing a candidate for any

NWGuilford

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election, Stewart considers their record of service and motives for wanting to serve as an elected official.

“Do they do what they say they’ll do? Are they in it for the good of all or just their own interests? What are their objectives?” are some of the questions she asks.

Spencer Sullivan, an Oak Ridge resident and former town council member, said he believes every election is important and always votes.

“It’s a fundamental responsibility of every citizen in a democratic republic,” he said.

Sullivan uses multiple ways to learn about the candidates in his town.

“If a candidate has been active as a volunteer serving on committees, or an incumbent councilman, I rely on their actions and track record,” he said. “In the case of newcomers who have done neither, I rely on news sources.

“I also get information from friends who know the candidates. Social media is an unreliable source, simply because of all the misinformation,” he added.

Sullivan also believes candidate forums are helpful and suggests that candidates host informal meet-and-greets for discussion with citizens.

In choosing a candidate, he looks for someone who will represent his values.

“I think the most important issue facing Oak Ridge is managing our growth while maintaining our character and identity,” he said. “With the explosive manufacturing growth occurring at the airport just six miles away, our town will grow, and growth is healthy for us,” he said.

“This will impact every aspect of our community. Long-term strategic planning will be critical to support and direct that growth in positive ways, so the town will continue to thrive.

“My ideal candidate will be active and knowledgeable in town affairs and/or committees, and display solid leadership abilities, good critical thinking and strategic planning skills.

They should also be willing to invest time representing the town by serving in regional and state government organizations.”

Growing up in Stokesdale, Robin Bates was taught as a child that voting is not just a right, but a responsibility.

“My parents set the example for me at an early age that the right to vote should never be taken for granted. I have not missed voting in any election since I registered in 1980,” she said.

Bates gets her background information about candidates from as many available sources as possible, from candidate interviews and debates to online research.

28

“When choosing a candidate, I try to look past the hype and any negativity from the opposing side,” she said. “I look for sincerity and their track record of public service and making their community better.”

As a former Summerfield Town Council member and mayor, Mark Brown said he is deeply concerned about how local government is operating in his town.

“Having served 16 years on the council as mayor and council member, I feel the citizens were well-served during that period,” he said.

“Now we only have lawfare directed not just at private citizens but at the General Assembly in Raleigh. Summerfield is in a fix, but until we get good candidates who are willing to brave the slings and arrows of modern politics on the local level we will remain in a fix.”

Brown said he finds it difficult to get reliable candidate information these days.

“Since the Northwest Observer quit publishing regularly, there is now no unbiased publication that I use for information,” he said. “I try to keep abreast of events through what limited information I can get from the town, but I realize that is heavily censored.”

“The important issues in this Summerfield election are the exposures that the majority council has gotten us into regarding the town losing its charter, all of which comes from their inept de-annexation fight against both the legislature in Raleigh and the landowner. The unnecessary almost doubling of our Summerfield taxes was a sign of mismanagement, with the council’s top priority of hiring more lawyers being one of the causes.”

Brown added that he has publicly endorsed John Doggett for re-election, because he is the only council member who has “kept the taxpayers and citizens of Summerfield foremost in mind.”

Oak Ridge resident Bill Edwards considers it an obligation to his community to vote.

“My view is that educating oneself and voting in elections is vital for our democratic republic,” Edwards said. “Failure to participate in our foundational responsibilities suggests a willingness to invite civil degradation.”

In choosing a candidate, Edwards looks at their track record and successes, personality, conservative financial mindset and trustworthiness. When asked if political signage makes a difference, he replied, “Not one bit; I am only influenced by the character and capability of the candidates.

“I research each candidate online using a number of available resources,” he said. “I also strongly rely on the political experiences of seasoned candidates.”

Edwards believes Oak Ridge elected officials should be focused on several important issues.

NWGuilford

“Solid, responsible financial governance is important to me. I would therefore like to see our local tax rate reduced moderately. I would also like to see additional family restaurants and diners in Oak Ridge for variety,” he said.

“Town council members must be held accountable to the citizens they serve,” he added. “Every vote they make should be in the long-term best interest of our town.”

“Municipal elections are very important because these elected officials can directly affect my day-to-day life,” said Summerfield resident Beth Kaplan. “I also think they should be a positive spokesperson for us to other municipalities, regional government, state government and at times to the federal government.”

Kaplan believes the greatest challenge Summerfield faces is simply staying viable as a town and protecting its charter. To her, that means tightening the budget and actively showcasing Summerfield’s strengths to the state legislature.

In making her voting decision, she said she looks at several factors.

“In local elections, I want candidates who are involved in the community,” she said. “Of course, I am voting for someone who represents my points of view, but I also want to know the candidate is listening to all points of view. And, most importantly, I want to know they are thinking about Summerfield’s future.”

“If you do not pay attention and vote your beliefs, you have no right to complain later,” Oak Ridge resident Patti Paslaru said.

“I will vote because everyone should be involved in local government and off-year elections tend to have the lowest turnouts, so each vote is especially important.”

Paslaru wants candidates who focus on taxes, infrastructure and water, and who are financially conservative.

“We need to have a balanced budget at home, and I believe government needs to as well,” she said. “We are fortunate in Oak Ridge to have a strong tax base, but in recent years we have not put enough back into our rainy-day fund. Without earlier citizens ensuring that fund was there, we would not have been able to pay off the first park,” she said, adding, “I encourage all citizens to vote their conscience. We need to ensure the future through our voices.”

“This election – and every election in the future – is critical,” said Stokesdale’s Rachel Baldwin. “Elections help protect fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, assembly, and the press, all of which are currently under attack.

“I will vote because it is my duty to let my voice be heard at the ballot box. Elections are meant to represent the people, and if the people do not make

FALL 2025

their voices heard they will not be represented.”

When choosing candidates, Baldwin looks at their leadership qualities, values, how they are funded, and their personal and professional history.

While it can be difficult to deal with all the information – and misinformation – that circulates, Baldwin said it’s critical to sort through it.

“It is easy to get overwhelmed, but it is more important than ever for everyone to use their voices!” she said.

“Although all elections are important, this year’s local elections could be pivotal for the future of our communities,” said Martha Pittman, an

Oak Ridge resident and former town council member. “Only a couple of years ago, Oak Ridge celebrated the 25th anniversary of its incorporation. As a maturing community, we are now at a point when crucial decisions must be made that will have a far-reaching and longterm impact on our future.”

Pittman, who believes voting is a duty as well as a right and privilege, said she spends time researching candidates for local office.

“Getting accurate and complete information about the candidates’ positions on all the issues is a huge challenge,” she acknowledged. “For incumbents, I look at their voting record, how

they have conducted themselves publicly, with other council members, and with citizens. I also watch recorded meetings in addition to looking at their campaign materials.

“For first-time candidates, it’s harder to get beyond what they want you to see, but it is important to really drill down and learn about them and their positions,” she said. “Although campaign materials and social media are very helpful, I generally look beyond those.

“Almost everyone who chooses to run for elected office has a history of public or community involvement on some level, and I research

...continued on p. 47

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Connect2 HOMETOWN GRID

Across

Think you know northwest Guilford County?

These clues will put you to the test – with a few curveballs thrown in from outside the region.

1

2

1 Gift shop in downtown Stokesdale: Pineapple 4 ________ 6 7 3 Summerfield’s FY2025-26 budget reflects an 8 increased property ____ from 2.75 cents (per $100 property valuation) to 5 cents.

9 10 6 North Carolina voters must now show a _____ ID when they vote.

11 12 7 By 2050, the world’s tonnage of e-waste is predicted to more than _____.

9 One-day event held in Oak Ridge every 14 September that gives a nod to the town’s past: 15 _______ Day 10 This former mayor of Summerfield announced 16 17 18 his resignation Aug. 12.

11 The Steven ______ Center opened for 20 21 performances in downtown Greensboro in September 2021.

12 Name of former Summerfield High School’s 22 newspaper and yearbook: The ________ 13 Derek ______, Stokesdale mayor pro tem 24 25 14 Future shopping center at I-73 & N.C. 150 16 # of candidates on the Nov. 4 ballot for two open seats on Oak Ridge’s Town Council 27 20 Oak Ridge Elementary’s new principal, Christopher ______ Down 21 Some citizens are opposing Williams Transco’s plans to expand its gas ______ 1 North Carolina’s official state dog: _____ hound system in Oak Ridge.

2 Oak Ridge Town Manager Bill ______ 22 Guilford County Sheriff’s Office operates 3 # of candidates on the Nov. 4 ballot for Stokesdale _____ district offices within the county. mayor 23 The towns of Oak Ridge and Summerfield 4 # of candidates on the Nov. 4 ballot for two receive profit-sharing revenue from these open seats on Summerfield’s Town Council state-run stores.

5 This futuristic jet maker announced in mid-June 24 A request from many Oak Ridge residents that it will take 600 acres at PTI Airport, with is for the town to have more locally owned promises to bring over 14,000 jobs over the next ____________ and other small businesses. decade.

26 ______ Voting for the Nov. 4 municipal 7 A game/course found in Stokesdale Town Park elections will begin Thursday, Oct. 16, and (two words) end Saturday, Nov. 1.

8 In the 1970s, a large waterslide was located 27 Three-day event every September in Oak at this site just outside northwest Guilford Ridge, sponsored by Merchants of Oak Ridge County: ______ Lake and Town of Oak Ridge

Did You Know?

3 5

13

19

23

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One of the most noteworthy people to have committed their lives to crossword puzzles is the editor of The New York Times crossword puzzle, Will Shortz. He graduated from the University of Indiana with a degree in Enigmatology, or the study of puzzles, and to date is the only person known to have earned this degree.

SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE 54

13 Summerfield _____ Mill has been owned and operated by the Neal family since 1959.

14 Hurricane ______, which devastated parts of western North Carolina on Sept. 27, 2024, was one of the deadliest storms in the U.S. in the 21st century.

15 Polly ______, Oak Ridge postmaster 16 _________ Community Center in Oak Ridge (opening fall 2025 after completion of major renovation and an expansion) 17 By law, communities incorporating in N.C. must provide four of ______ specific services.

18 _____ town (one that does not provide adequate services, as required by law, to its residents) 19 A&Y ________ (runs through Summerfield) 23 St. James ____ Church (historic church in Oak Ridge) 25 Summerfield’s mayor is elected directly by voters every ___ years.

Connect2

Election Section

What is an “off-year election”?

An off-year election is one held in an odd-numbered year, when there is no presidential or midterm congressional election on the ballot. Compared to presidential or midterm elections, off-year elections typically have a much lower voter turnout.

Why does an off-year election matter?

Because participation in municipal elections is typically much lower than in presidential or midterm contests, a small percentage of voters can have a much bigger impact on the outcome.

These local elections determine who will make decisions on critical issues like property tax rates, allocation of public funds, land use and development regulations, and the enforcement of local ordinances – matters that affect the daily lives of residents in direct and lasting ways.

What’s on the Nov. 4 ballot for Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale in this off-year election?

Voters heading to the polls in these towns won’t have much to sift through – the ballot is brief.

In Stokesdale, voters will select a mayor

FALL 2025

Municipal elections in Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale will take place on Nov. 4, with Early Voting from Oct. 16 through Nov. 1.

With the election-related information on this page, and local candidate bios and direct responses to two questions we posed on the pages that follow, we hope this Election Section will be a useful resource for voters in northwest Guilford County.

from two candidates – newcomer Tee Stephenson and current mayor Mike Crawford. Tim Jones is the only candidate on the ballot for the single open seat on the town council. The mayor and the other four council members in Stokesdale are elected to four-year terms.

In Summerfield, Lee Haywood was appointed interim mayor on Aug. 12, and is serving the last few months of former mayor Tim Sessoms’s two-year term. Haywood is the only Summerfield candidate on the Nov. 4 ballot running for mayor.

Additionally, there are four candidates running for two open seats on Summerfield Town Council: incumbents Janelle Robinson and John Doggett, former council member Teresa Winfree Perryman, and newcomer Kyle Stalls.

While the mayor in Summerfield serves a twoyear term, council members are elected to four-year terms.

In Oak Ridge, five candidates are running for two open seats on the town council: incumbents Ann Schneider and Jim Kinneman, and newcomers Ty Lindsay, Adrian Eckenrod and Lindsey Clark. In Oak Ridge, council members serve four-year terms and the mayor is elected from among the council members every two years, in December following each municipal election.

Is there Early Voting in this off-year election?

Yes, Early Voting for the municipal elections in Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale begins Thursday, Oct. 16, and ends Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. For

NWGuilford

details on Early Voting including locations and times, visit: www.guilfordcountync.gov and type “Early voting for the municipal general election” in the Search bar.

When are the polls open on Election Day? In-person voting on Election Day is by assigned precinct and polling location (you can find your precinct by using the Voter Search Tool at https:// vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/). Assigned precinct polling locations are open for voting on Election Day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

How many registered voters are there in Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale?

According to the Guilford County Board of Elections, as of late August: Oak Ridge had 3,858 registered voters; of these, 713 were registered as Democrats, 15 as Libertarians, 1,743 as Republicans and 1,387 as Unaffiliated.

Summerfield had 5,314 registered voters, and of these, 999 were registered as Democrats, 18 as Libertarians, 2,391 as Republicans and 1,906 as Unaffiliated.

Stokesdale had 2,726 registered voters; of these, 475 were registered as Democrats, 12 as Libertarians, 1,315 as Republicans and 924 as Unaffiliated.

31

municipal ELECTIONS STOKESDALE CANDIDATES MAYOR Tee Stephenson and Mike Crawford are running for the office of mayor

Tee Stephenson My wife, Nancy, and I moved to Stokesdale from Greensboro in 2017. Since retiring in 2022, I’ve been active in our community by attending Town Council meetings, chairing the Town Park Improvement Committee, serving on the Town Planning Board and Special Events Committee, and on our neighborhood HOA Advisory Board.

As chair of the Park Improvement Committee, I am honored to have helped in expanding our playgrounds, building basketball and pickleball courts, adding lighting to the soccer fields, and collaborating with the Scouts to develop nature trails.

My Special Events Committee

duties have included managing publicity and sponsorships for the town’s annual Christmas parade.

Originally from Raleigh, I graduated from N.C. State University with a bachelor’s degree in recreation and park administration. I spent 42 years in the insurance industry, including the co-founding of a successful company where I led strategic planning, agency development, and continuing education – helping grow the company into one of North Carolina’s top writers of workers’ compensation insurance.

I am the proud father of two and grandfather of four.

Why are you running for mayor?

I’m running for mayor of Stokesdale because I believe in building a community where our growth is guided by thoughtful planning, responsible financial management, and a commitment to preserving the small-town character that makes Stokesdale special. I care deeply about ensuring that Stokesdale remains a safe, welcoming, and well-managed place for current and future generations. Our

town deserves proactive, transparent leadership that puts residents first.

As mayor, I’ll work to ensure that every voice is heard and every dollar is used wisely. Key priorities that should guide our focus and financial resources in the coming year are: 1. Managing growth and infrastructure – Stokesdale is experiencing development pressures that bring both opportunities and challenges.

We must invest in responsible infrastructure that protects our rural character while preparing for future needs. It is essential that council decisions are made with a clear vision, balancing the need for new housing and businesses with the infrastructure, services, and green space required to support them.

2. Strengthening town services and staff support – Our staff play a vital role in keeping town operations running smoothly, and their time and expertise must be valued.

Investing in adequate staffing and fair compensation ensures the town can effectively handle administrative duties, public engagement, and long-term planning.

3. Improving Communication – I also support improving communica-

tion between town, county and state government and residents, ensuring that decisions are made openly and with public input to build stronger connections and trust. I’m committed to leading with integrity, listening actively, and working collaboratively to preserve what makes Stokesdale special while guiding it toward a strong future.

4. Park development and facility maintenance – Our parks are vital to community life. Enhancing parks and recreational opportunities will strengthen civic pride and provide safe, welcoming areas for families and events.

Choose two key council votes in the last two years and explain why you agreed or disagreed.

1. Park Improvements: As chair of the Town Park Improvement Committee, I fully support the council’s decision to adopt our recommendations. These enhancements align with the priorities expressed by residents in a community survey conducted several years ago. The Town Council’s vote to upgrade Stokesdale’s Park includes extending the playground, adding basketball and pickleball courts, collab-

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orating with Scout Troop 139 to build a nature trail, installing LED lighting on athletic fields, and introducing decorative fencing and a new sign. These additions promote physical activity, community engagement, and safety.

The courts provide inclusive recreation for all ages, while LED lighting improves evening usability and security. Fencing and signage enhance the park’s appearance, creating a more inviting space.

Funded in their entirety through grants, these improvements reflect a strong commitment to quality of life and represent a smart investment in Stokesdale’s future. Having personally invested many hours in meetings and in the oversight of the projects, it is gratifying to see our vision become reality.

2. Water line extensions on Coldwater and Belews Creek Roads. I also agree with the council’s decision to extend municipal water to underserved areas like Coldwater and Belews Creek Roads. Access to clean, reliable water is a basic necessity, and this project addresses long-standing gaps in infrastructure.

With nearly $5 million in grants, this initiative is both fiscally responsible and transformative. It supports public health, boosts property values, and lays the groundwork for future growth. The council’s proactive approach, including public workshops and transparency, shows thoughtful leadership.

Future consideration should be given to an additional connection to the Winston-Salem system routed down Haw River Road to provide additional redundancy.

Mike Crawford I graduated from UNC-G in 1974 with a BA degree and concentration in economics.

My wife, Donna, and I have been married 52 years and lived in Stokesdale since December 2008.

I have nearly 40 years of successful business ownership and have employed up to 25 people.

I’ve served as Stokesdale’s mayor since December 2021, and bring proven leadership and conservative values. In the last almost

four years our council has: Expanded our water system Begun inspections of our water system to ensure continuity of service Added additional playground equipment, basketball and pickleball courts in the town park, and soccer field lighting and new sand Built a very effective town staff Operated with a balanced budget Successfully fought for a state bill that, thanks to Rep. John Blust and Sen. Phil Berger’s hard work, will hopefully result in Stokesdale receiving a portion of our local sales tax revenue which the town has been denied for 22 years Managed the town and its improvements without imposing a property tax Why are you running for re-election as mayor? In my first campaign as mayor four years ago, I had the support of the majority of the council to bring some calm and cooperation. I believe I have accomplished this. My hope for the next four years is to see through the completion of our water system extension to better protect our water supply in the event of disruption along the existing water main. I would also like to see continued improvements to our town park.

tor, exterminator, decision maker, or a janitor at any time – to list a few.

These are just some of the things we do to keep our expenses down.

My primary goal for the future is to keep Stokesdale and its citizens first in all my decisions and actions.

Choose two key council votes in the last two years and explain why you agreed or disagreed.

1. Extension of our water lines, and at the same time extending water service to many citizens who previously did not have access to our water system. The importance of this expansion is that it allows us to loop the system for a good percentage of the citizens to better ensure a continuous flow should we have an interruption in service.

In keeping with that secondarily, we approved the inspection of the existing water line valves to ensure the same continuous flow of our water, with this last project due to be completed by year end.

2. The other most important issue we approved was the pursuit of regaining at least some portion of the local sales tax revenue that has been denied to the Town for so many years. To accomplish this, we had to have the N.C. Legislature write and pass a bill giving back a

portion of our sales tax revenue.

We are grateful to John Blust for introducing and supporting our bill in the N.C. House of Representatives and for Senator Phil Berger’s support in the Senate. This revenue should better secure our citizens against any need for a local property tax in the near future.

COUNCIL (one open seat) Tim Jones and Glenn Chambers filed in July to run for Stokesdale’s one open town council seat; however, Chambers told Connect2 in mid-August that he was withdrawing from the race and asking the Board of Elections to take his name off the ballot.

Tim Jones A lifelong Stokesdale resident, I am serving my second term on the Town Council and previously served as chairman of the Planning Board.

I follow conservative principles while helping manage the town and its water system, and sup-

...continued on p. 34

During these four years as mayor, we have added a basketball court, pickleball court, new playground equipment, lights for the soccer fields, and refurbished those fields with fresh sand. In keeping with these accomplishments, I will continue to seek out any available grant funds.

I am proud that our Town Council has secured at least a portion of the sales tax revenue that the town has been denied for years. It will be important that we be good stewards of this money, keeping Stokesdale first in our decisions. Stokesdale has done well without having to impose a property tax on our citizens and it is my intention to keep it that way.

We have been able to create a very good and competent town staff, and it is vital that we keep a properly trained and effective staff.

Our council members often wear many different hats to keep our town operating smoothly. Any one of us may have to be a plumber, a landscaper, a diplomat, a negotia-

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municipal ELECTIONS

OAK RIDGE CANDIDATES

STOKESDALE CANDIDATES ...continued from p. 33

port expanding the water system through grants and developers without touching town reserves.

Stokesdale has no property tax.

To help keep it that way, I collaborated with N.C. legislators to pass legislation changing how sales tax revenue is distributed, resulting in Stokesdale to receive about $400,000 annually starting with the 2027-28 budget year.

I also support: Retaining Stokesdale’s mayor-council form of government Collaborating with Stokesdale Parks and Recreation when feasible Continuing to advocate for needed improvements to the elementary school’s gym and roads around the school.

As a semi-retired small businessman with a background in agriculture, construction and real estate maintenance/invest-

ment, I support promoting a business-friendly environment by minimizing fees and regulations.

Why are you running for re-election? Because of my deep family roots in Stokesdale, I am seeking a third term as a member of the Town Council.

I care about the citizens of the town that multiple generations of my family and I have called home.

I care about our churches and property owners. And as a semi-retired resident with a background in agriculture, residential/commercial/ industrial construction and real-estate maintenance, I am concerned about the future of our town’s small businesses.

Citizens first elected me to the Town Council in 2015, and again in 2021. I also served as chairman of the Stokesdale Planning Board until 2021. Decisions and actions

...continued on p. 64

Baking Contest Homemade muffins

Sweet or Savory Heritage Day

Saturday, September 27 Special Events Booth Oak Ridge Town Park

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Lowe’s gift cards will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Proceeds from the sale of muffins benefit the Veterans Honor Green in Oak Ridge.

Donations welcome

NWGuilford

34

FALL 2025

TOWN COUNCIL Adrian Eckenrod I’m a lifelong Guilford County resident, experienced Chief Technology Officer, and dedicated public servant running for Oak Ridge Town Council. My wife and I chose Oak Ridge to raise our two children, drawn by the town’s strong sense of community and tradition. We share our home with two dogs and I value the small-town lifestyle that Oak Ridge offers.

Professionally, I lead technology and security initiatives across education and private sectors, including advanced drone applications. I also support national efforts to train public safety agencies in drone operations, reflecting my deep respect for law enforcement and first responders.

My leadership blends innovation with accountability, shaped by over two decades of executive experience in IT, cybersecurity, and strategic planning. I am committed to transparent governance, responsible growth, and preserving the character of Oak Ridge for future generations.

I serve as co-chair of the Oak Ridge Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, have served on my church’s vestry, and am president of our homeowners’ association – always working to strengthen the community I call home.

Why are you running for Town Council? Oak Ridge is at a crossroads – and strong, accountable leadership will determine whether we grow wisely or lose what makes us unique. I’m running to bring proven experience, practical oversight, and a deep respect for our community’s values.

I believe in protecting the town’s legacy while preparing for the future. My decision to run comes from years of public service, professional leadership, and a commitment to making sure Oak Ridge remains a place where

families thrive, businesses feel welcome, and traditions are honored.

These priorities should guide the council’s focus: Strategic Growth & Infrastructure – Plan for growth that protects our rural identity while ensuring infrastructure can support it, with consistent zoning enforcement and proactive planning for utilities and amenities.

Parks, Trails & Community Spaces – Invest in the spaces that bring our community together. That means maintaining and improving our parks, expanding trail access, and ensuring recreational areas are safe, accessible, and welcoming for residents of all ages.

Fiscal Responsibility & Strong Operations – No tax increases.

Maintain disciplined budgeting, healthy reserves, and competitive salaries for town staff to retain and attract top-performing professionals.

Innovation & Agility – Use evolving technologies and smarter processes to do more with less. I’ve led these transformations in business and will bring that practical knowhow to town operations.

Project Oversight & Accountability – Ensure major initiatives stay on track, on budget, and aligned with community expectations. Recent projects have shown the need for stronger oversight. I bring a proven track record in managing complex projects and will apply that experience to protect taxpayer investment and improve transparency.

My leadership style is rooted in community engagement. Listening, building consensus, and maintaining open communication are essential to effective governance. Oak Ridge deserves leaders who pair vision with accessibility – that is how I will serve.

Choose two key council votes in the last two years and explain why you agreed or disagreed.

1. Municipal water system development – I support moving forward with a right-sized, phased municipal water system designed

...continued on p. 38

Re-Elect

ANN SCHNEIDER oAK RIDGE TOWN COUNCIL

Trusted Leadership. Proven Results.

Ann Schneider brings vision, integrity, and experience to Town Council. As former mayor and current councilmember, she:

Ann is dedicated to doing what’s best for Oak Ridge. She’s led major initiatives while staying true to our town’s values:

■ Preserves Oak Ridge’s unique character ■ Leads smart investments in our future ■ Works hand-in-hand with residents, volunteers and local businesses ■ Supports low taxes and conservative budgets

including a new water system that will serve residents and the Fire Department

Leadership that moves Oak Ridge forward.

Vote November 4 Learn more at facebook.com/annschneider.nc Email: annschneider.nc@gmail.com

4 Championed infrastructure improvements,

4 Secured over $9 million in funding for parks and municipal water—without raising our tax rate 4 Helped lead expansion of park facilities and park security 4 Kept Oak Ridge’s tax rate among the lowest in the state 4 Builds strong partnerships with local residents, schools and civic groups 4 Advocates for Oak Ridge in Raleigh to shape legislation that is good for our town 4 Committed to expanding outdoor recreation, walkability and open space 4 Results you can see, including Veterans Honor Green, Heritage Farm Park, water system development and community celebrations

On Nov. 4, re-elect Ann Schneider—a proven leader: Moves Oak Ridge forward ■ Works for what’s best for our town ■ Builds consensus and brings people together ■ Accessible, responsive and effective ■ Common-sense fiscal conservative ■

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FALL 2025

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municipal ELECTIONS

OAK RIDGE CANDIDATES ...continued from p. 34 to strengthen Oak Ridge’s resilience, protect property values, and improve fire protection for homes and businesses. Reliable water access isn’t just an infrastructure upgrade – it’s a safeguard for our community’s future.

I will ensure the process is transparent from start to finish, providing clear and updated cost projections at each stage so residents are informed and engaged. This system must be built to match our actual needs, avoid over­engineering, and phase in only as demand and funding align. I will advocate for grant funding and the use of impact fees before considering any debt measures. I will also work to safeguard private wells, establish commonsense conservation standards, and design fair, predictable rates with consideration for seniors and fixed-income households.

A well-planned municipal water system is an investment in public safety, longterm stability, and qual-

ity of life – one that can be achieved without losing sight of fiscal responsibility or community trust.

2. Heritage Farm Park development – I support the decision to invest in Heritage Farm Park as a signature recreational and cultural space for Oak Ridge. This park should remain true to our rural heritage by preserving natural areas and open space, while also offering facilities that welcome all ages and abilities.

While serving on the Parks & Recreation board, I worked on collecting my own community studies for the selection of the inclusive playground.

With community feedback as our guide, we can ensure every element reflects resident priorities.

I will work to secure any possible grant funding to advance each phase without adding strain to the general fund. Cost projections and operational impacts must be shared before any shovel hits the ground, so residents understand both the upfront investment and ongoing maintenance needs.

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Lindsey Clark I am an 8-year Oak Ridge resident who values this community and wants to give back. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Virginia Tech with a Chemical Engineering degree, and worked as an engineer before becoming a project manager for a controls engineering firm. I honed problem-solving, collaboration, and leadership skills, managing projects to ensure accountability and efficient resource use.

Now, I’m a (mostly) stay-athome mom, married with two young kids and a dog. I like to stay active in the community, volunteering at my kids’ preschool, as an elementary PTO committee member, and serving on my neighborhood HOA board. I’m also standing up for neighbors’ rights through ongoing efforts to hold the town accountable for upholding development rules and respecting private property.

Most importantly, I’m not chasing a political career – I’m just a mom and neighbor who wants to bring change to Oak Ridge Town Council: more transparency, fiscal responsibility, and responsiveness to what Oak Ridge residents care about. I’m ready to listen and work hard to act on the community’s priorities, bringing my practical experience and commitment to the table.

Why are you running for town council? The top three motivating factors for me to decide to run for Town Council were the beliefs that the council and town government should better prioritize transparency, fiscal responsibility, and protecting private property.

As I have further detailed my stances on transparency and property rights in the accompanying statement regarding previous council decisions that threaten those values, I’d like to further detail my position on fiscal responsibility.

If elected to Town Council, I

38

would prioritize low taxes and fiscal responsibility, treating Town funds with the same respect as my own. I know I am not alone when I feel that I can summarize the council’s spending as follows: impulsive, lacking attention to detail, and out of touch.

Grant money given to the Town is intended to save Town money, not bloat projects. Projects should be properly managed from inception to implementation to avoid overruns in budget and schedule. Spending should reflect the priorities of the Town as a whole, gathered via surveys and feedback. Public meetings and hearings are opportunities for the Council to listen and consider opposing viewpoints to shape their decision, not to instruct the public on predetermined decisions.

To address the issue of fiscal responsibility, I would begin with a focus on improving standards for contracted work on the Town, such as requiring the following: Contractors paid when progress is made – fixed bid contracts with milestone payments No surprise costs – clearly defined scope to minimize later scope creep and change orders Competition for projects – firm requirements for a minimum of three bids on any project work Enforcement of terms – in some cases, negotiating liquidated damages during contract formation; agreed-upon amounts that are to be paid to the Town if certain aspects of the contract, like project deadlines, are not met Choose two key council votes in the last two years and explain why you agreed or disagreed.

1. On Jan. 9, 2025, the council discussed consideration/approval of the request to record all committee and public meetings conducted by the Town. The motion for audio or video recording failed: Stone and Greeson in support; Schneider, Kinneman, and Harton opposed.

I would support the audio/video recording of all public meetings.

To hold the Town accountable to their purpose of serving and rep-

NWGuilford

FALL 2025

resenting the Town, it requires maximum transparency in discussions and decision-making by government boards and committees.

Government operations should be clearly defined as well, to further promote transparency and to promote efficient use of staff and volunteer time.

I would propose: 1) Ordinances defining the structure and purpose of all government boards and committees (this may lead to the combination of some committees); 2) Requiring true public access through audio/video recording.

2. On June 6, 2024, the council held a public hearing in consideration of the closing of the public trail easement in the Ashford subdivision.

After the hearing, Stone and Greeson supported a motion to remove the easement; Schneider, Kinneman, and Harton opposed. I would support the closure of the easement.

I will defend property rights of existing properties in the development of Oak Ridge, siding with adherence to development regulations, not special interests. When all parties surrounding the easement oppose the easement and it was improperly added in violation of development regulations, the council has a duty to amend the issue.

If elected, I would introduce additional ordinances regulating public access easements to prevent similar complications in the future, including definitions of: a minimum setback, or buffer, between the public easement and existing properties, a minimum width to allow for navigation around hazards and mature trees, appropriate remedies in exceptional cases if the setback and width are not feasible, and clear responsibilities for maintenance and repair of the easements.

Ann Schneider I’ve served two terms on Council, including four years as mayor.

I’ve focused on preserving what’s best about Oak Ridge while planning for its future. To this end, I secured $9M for our water system and park projects, including our new Heritage

Farm Park. I advocate for Oak Ridge at the state level, where I serve on the NC League of Municipalities Board and formerly on the Mayors Association Board.

I have 35 years’ volunteer and work experience, including 20 years as a management consultant. I founded the town’s Special Events Committee and helped lead our Veterans Honor Green. As past Historic Preservation Commission chair, I offered walking tours of our Historic District and helped develop a book on its history. As Scholarship Committee chair for Merchants of Oak Ridge, I award scholarships to NWHS and ORMA students. I’m also a merit badge counselor for local Scouts and active with area service organizations.

My husband and I have lived in Oak Ridge for 17 years and have three grown children. We attend Oak Ridge Methodist, where I serve in Children’s Ministry and choir.

Why are you running for re-election? I love Oak Ridge and am running for re-election to continue serving our community with the energy, experience, and vision needed to preserve what makes Oak Ridge special, while investing in a strong future. Together, we can protect our small-town feel, sense of community, and natural and historic resources – while moving Oak Ridge forward.

As your Town leader, I commit to: Engaged leadership shaped by citizens. During my time as mayor, Oak Ridge launched its most ambitious agenda ever – funded by over $9 million in grants. Citizen-led committees helped guide projects such as new park facilities, a site to honor veterans, and Phase I of municipal water.

Preserving livability. As part of the strategic plan I helped develop, we expanded our commitment to outdoor recreation, walkability and open space. Next, I’ll work with residents to develop an economic development plan that strengthens our town core – making it more vibrant, walkable, and true to our small-town feel.

Conservative budgets and low taxes. At just .08 per $100 valuation, Oak Ridge has the 11th lowest municipal tax rate in NC. Our citizen-led Finance Committee ensures fiscal responsibility, saving about $500,000 per year for future needs. Although other revenue

streams are decreasing, I’ll support reconsidering our tax rate if the county’s revaluation raises costs for our residents.

Responsive leadership. I have a proven record of working hand-inhand with residents, town volunteers, schools and businesses, and always responding to residents.

Advocating for Oak Ridge. I serve on the Board of Directors for the NC League of Municipalities and have built strong partnerships with legislators and regional leaders – helping secure grants and shape legislation that benefits Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge’s future is bright when we work together.

Choose two key council votes in the last two years and explain why you agreed or disagreed.

1. Council’s most important decisions in recent years involve municipal water – an effort I helped lead during my four years as mayor.

February 2024: After much negotiation, we approved an agreement to purchase water from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County.

August 2024: Council approved construction of a 250,000-gallon water tank, funded by $3.27 million in ARPA funds awarded com-

petitively by the county following a request I submitted on behalf of Council.

July 2025: Council approved $4.9 million to construct Phase I of our municipal water main, including hydrants, stretching from Forsyth County to our fire department, funded by $4.5 million in state grants secured when I was mayor.

These steps mark a historic milestone in realizing our town’s 25-year dream of a municipal water system that will serve residents and provide much-needed access to water for our fire department.

2. Heritage Farm Park – planning for Phase II Council has responded to growing interest in pickleball by hiring McGill Associates in April 2025 to survey residents’ priorities for Heritage Farm Park, Phase II, originally designed for tennis and basketball, but which can easily accommodate pickleball.

The survey will gather resident input to guide the design and – something I argued for –meet requirements for state grant applications.

Recently, Council received a sneak peek of the results, which showed strong support for pickle-

...continued on p. 40

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municipal ELECTIONS OAK RIDGE CANDIDATES ...continued from p. 39 ball, tennis, and basketball courts, plus recommendations for additional parking.

known for sharing homemade cookies with my neighbors and volunteers at Music in the Park events.

Phase II, slated after 2030, was initially budgeted at $405K, and then raised to $905K this year. Recent estimates show costs increasing to a whopping $1.6M, demonstrating how quickly project costs can increase over time. These increases may delay the project further, unless other funding is identified.

Why are you running for re-election? I’m running for re-election to the Oak Ridge Town Council because I believe in a vibrant and thriving town which preserves the character and values that make Oak Ridge such a special place to live.

As with the 2019 survey, our resident-led Parks & Recreation Advisory Board will prioritize final results, weighing factors like maintenance and staffing needs. It will then be up to Council to finalize the plan and identify funding. As always, public input will be welcome.

Jim Kinneman I am a public servant, Air Force veteran, and small business owner committed to keeping Oak Ridge a thriving, connected community.

I grew up as one of 11 children, in a small town where I learned the values of service, responsibility, and collaboration. After high school, I joined the U.S. Air Force and served for six years, including time as an aircrew member. I flew numerous missions and earned four Air Medals and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

After the military, I built a career in software development – first as an employee, then as a self-employed developer. My wife, Carol, and I married nearly 37 years ago and have called Oak Ridge home since 2000.

I am a longtime community volunteer. I served five years as a Guardian ad Litem and now lead the Oak Ridge Lions Club, helping residents access vision care. I’ve also taken part in mission work in Guatemala, installing clean-burning stoves for rural families.

My hobby is baking, and I’m

During my time on Council, I’ve focused on practical solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives. We’ve advanced long-awaited projects like developing a municipal water system, expanding our parks, supporting youth sports, and investing in public safety. I’ve also worked to make government more transparent and accessible, leading initiatives like expanding Wi-Fi in our parks and live-streaming council meetings so more residents can stay informed and engaged.

I’ve always tried to anticipate our community’s future needs, not just react to problems after the fact.

That means planning responsibly for growth, even when it is outside our town limits. With hundreds of new apartments being built just outside our borders, we must recognize the impacts that traffic, schools, and services will have on Oak Ridge, even if those developments aren’t technically inside town limits.

Looking ahead, we must continue building a reliable water system, expand safe sidewalks and greenways, support our first responders, and move forward responsibly with Phase 2 of Heritage Farm Park so that it continues to serve as a vibrant community hub without placing unnecessary burdens on taxpayers. My approach is simple: listen first, look at the facts, and do what’s best for the whole community.

I want Oak Ridge to remain a place where families feel welcome, businesses thrive, and future generations are proud to call home.

Serving on the Town Council has been an honor, and I’d be grateful for the opportunity to continue working for you. Together, we can build on what we’ve accomplished and keep Oak Ridge strong,

vibrant, and united.

Choose two key council votes in the last two years and explain why you agreed or disagreed.

Two recent developments stand out as having a lasting impact on Oak Ridge, one a forward-looking investment, the other a reminder of the importance of listening to our residents.

The first is the launch of our municipal water system. After decades of discussion, Oak Ridge finally took the first steps toward building a reliable town-wide supply. Phase 1 is now underway, with a water tower under construction and the first main line being installed. This milestone achievement will strengthen fire protection, support future economic development, and provide residents with an alternative to aging wells. At the same time, it carries responsibilities. We must manage the system carefully to keep it financially sustainable and plan expansions that match real community needs. If done right, this investment will serve Oak Ridge for generations. I am proud to have been a leading voice in this effort.

The second is the decision to renovate the farmhouse at Heritage Farm Park. I voted against the project because of concerns about cost and priorities, and I urged Council to allow more time for residents to weigh in before approval.

That opportunity wasn’t provided, and I believe the lack of input contributed to lingering frustration about the project. Going forward, I will always advocate for citizens to have their voices heard before major decisions are made.

Once the majority voted to proceed, I believed my responsibility was to help make the project successful. The renovation was completed on budget and is already hosting community events. While some unexpected issues, such as drainage, added costs, I believe leaders must protect the community’s investment and see projects through.

Together, these two developments highlight what Oak Ridge needs from its leaders: foresight to plan for the future, transparency in decision-making, and pragmatism to follow through responsibly.

Ty Lindsay Born in Collins Grove, North Carolina, a small community just outside Oak Ridge, taught me one of life’s greatest lessons: integrity shapes not only your character but also your future. Integrity, trust, and respect – values instilled in me by my grandparents – became the guiding principles of my life.

I graduated from Western Guilford High School, continued my studies at Guilford Technical Community College, and later transferred to North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University.

My educational journey strengthened my determination to live with resilience, discipline, and purpose.

Professionally, I worked in the public sector of corporate America while also building my own landscaping business. For nearly 25 years, entrepreneurship has been a cornerstone of my life, teaching me lessons in perseverance, service, and leadership.

Family is my foundation. I have been married to my wife, Jeanelle, for 24 years, and we are blessed with two children: Aaron and Joslyn.

Residing in Oak Ridge, I have been dedicated to serving my community as a proud member of the Oak Ridge Parks and Recreation Board.

Why are you running for town council? I am running for election to Oak Ridge Town Council because I believe our taxpayers deserve a stronger voice in how their money is spent. My goal is to listen closely to our citizens, ensuring that their concerns and priorities guide the decisions we make as a council.

Two key areas I feel should be a priority are: Fiscal responsibility and citizen engagement – We must be accountable to taxpayers by making spending decisions that reflect their values and priorities. By engaging directly with the community, we can ensure their voices are heard in shaping the future of Oak Ridge.

Strengthening community part-

...continued on p. 42

Rooted in Tradition.

Leading with Innovation.

ADRIAN ECKENROD FOR OAK RIDGE TOWN COUNCIL Oak Ridge deserves leadership that honors our past while preparing for our future. I’m running to ensure our town grows with purpose—protecting what we love while embracing smart, responsible progress.

My Priorities for Oak Ridge:

• Smart Growth with Community Input • Public Safety & First Responder Support • Parks, Trails & Youth Programs • Transparent, Responsible Governance • Preserving Oak Ridge’s Small-Town Character

Oak Ridge is more than where we live— it’s who we are. I’m committed to serving with integrity, vision, and a deep respect for the traditions that make our town unique. Together, we can shape a future that reflects our shared values.

-Adrian Eckenrod

MEET ADRIAN ECKENROD

Vote FOR Adrian Eckenrod, Oak Ridge Town Council

Adrian brings executive-level leadership and a heart for community ser vice — ready to ser ve Oak Ridge with integrity and vision.

• CTO with 25+ years in technology, cybersecurity, and digital transformation • Proven executive leader with deep experience in project management, strategic planning, and budgeting • Co-chair of Oak Ridge Parks & Recreation Advisory Board • Advisor to national public safety and drone training organization • Volunteer for local organizations such as United Way, Kids’ Chance of NC, church vestr y, Adopt-A-Highway, and HOA president • Grounded by faith, family, and four paws • Deep family ties to law enforcement and military members FALL 2025

NWGuilford

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Election Day: November 4th

Early Voting October 16th thru November 1st www.adrianforoakridge.com Paid for by the Committee to Elect Adrian Eckenrod

41

municipal ELECTIONS OAK RIDGE CANDIDATES ...continued from p. 40

SUMMERFIELD CANDIDATES

nerships – In particular, I see a great opportunity to build a stronger relationship with the Oak Ridge Youth Association (ORYA). Bridging this gap will not only support our young people but also strengthen our entire community by fostering collaboration and shared goals.

I am committed to serving as a council member who listens, engages, and works with the people of Oak Ridge to build a stronger community together.

MAYOR

Choose two key council votes in the last two years and explain why you agreed or disagreed.

Two key issues the Oak Ridge Town Council has voted on in the past two years that I believe have had a significant impact are the municipal water system project and the town’s funding decisions regarding the Oak Ridge Youth Association (ORYA).

First, I fully support the council’s work on the water tower and municipal water system. Bringing municipal water to Oak Ridge without raising taxes is a major achievement. The town has done an excellent job in

securing funds in a way that protects citizens from additional tax burdens while still improving critical infrastructure. This decision will provide longterm benefits to residents, including reliable access to water and stronger support for community growth.

Second, the council’s decisions related to the Oak Ridge Youth Association (ORYA) are also very impactful. ORYA has made major contributions to the town and surrounding areas by supporting local youth programs, athletics, and community engagement. While I strongly believe we should continue to stand in solidarity with ORYA, I also feel the process for funding decisions could be improved and streamlined. Clearer guidelines and better collaboration would strengthen the partnership between the town and ORYA, ensuring that resources are used efficiently while supporting the growth and development of our youth.

Together, these two issues reflect both the strengths of the council’s work and opportunities for improvement as Oak Ridge continues to invest in its future.

RE-ELECT JIM

KINNEMAN OAK RIDGE TOWN COUNCIL

Finishing What We Started Protecting Oak Ridge’s Progress

Priorities for the Next Term

■ Expand the sidewalk network — especially east of Hwy 68 ■ Continue building the municipal water system — securing our future ■ Launch a fiscally responsible Phase II of Heritage Farm Park

Jim Will Keep Championing

■ Practical infrastructure without overburdening taxpayers ■ Responsible governance & long-term stewardship ■ Transparency, civic access & open communication ■ Programs that strengthen families, youth & community life Steady Leadership. Proven Results.

Trusted Voice for Oak Ridge.

jimforoakridgenc.com Paid for by Committee to elect Jim Kinneman

Lee Haywood was appointed on Aug. 12 to serve the remaining four months of former mayor Tim Sessoms’s term, following his resignation earlier that day. With Haywood appearing as the sole candidate for mayor on the Nov. 4 ballot, he is expected to be elected to a full two-year term and continue serving as Summerfield’s mayor until the council’s December 2027 meeting.

Lee Haywood My wife Brenda and I moved from Greensboro to Summerfield in 2000 and consider this to be our adopted hometown. We could have picked just about anywhere to live but because of the rural atmosphere, low-density housing, limited government and low tax rate (zero at the time) we fell in love and decided this would be the perfect area for us to settle down.

I work full-time as a small business owner of an industrial supply company and for over 40 years have served commercial and government accounts across North Carolina. Brenda retired at the end of 2024 after a career in purchasing.

We live in the Trotter Ridge II neighborhood off Bunch Road, a tight-knit neighborhood we like very much and where I served as HOA president for two terms. I volunteer for Meals on Wheels when possible and am also a member of Kiwanis Club of Greensboro.

We are animal lovers, and my interests include music, reading and writing, and believe it or not, yardwork.

TOWN COUNCIL Teresa Winfree Perryman I was honored to serve on Summerfield Town Council 2017-2021.

My family has called Summerfield home since the 1800’s. I’m a member of First Baptist Church of Summerfield and growing up, was a member of Summerfield 4H and Northwest Guilford Viking Marching Band. Both as a student and a mother, I’ve been incredibly involved in the school system.

I’ve attended town meetings since Summerfield incorporated, and served on the town’s Public Safety Committee.

One of my grandfathers built the first shopping center in Summerfield; back then, there were two caution lights in town on U.S. 220, and we rode our bikes on the highway.

My father graduated from Summerfield High School and my mother was born and raised in neighboring Stokesdale.

I graduated from Northwest High School in 1982. My house is now divided, my oldest son from Northwest High School, my youngest from Northern High School.

I’ve worked with Blue Bell, Exxon Company USA, and as a contractor for land surveying, and have operated a registered in-home daycare since 2002.

I’m aware of our community’s needs and concerns, and the resources available.

Why are you running for Town Council? I had the privilege of serving on Town Council from 2017 to 2021, and during that time I worked to keep government limited, budgets lean, and priorities focused on what mattered most to our citizens. Since I left office four years ago, however, property taxes have doubled and the town’s budget has grown by more than $10 million – without a corresponding improvement in core services. Residents still maintain their own private wells and have been clear that they do not want costly public water or sewer.

This disconnect between higher taxes and limited services shows why we need a return to responsible, conservative leadership.

My first priority is to maintain and protect our private wells.

Because residents rely on their wells, the town has a duty to safeguard groundwater. Clean, reliable water is the foundation of public health, property values, and long-term sustainability. Growth must never come at the expense of well safety.

My second priority is restoring fiscal responsibility to the budget.

Our comprehensive plan identifies us as a limited services government, yet taxes have doubled under that model. A limited-services town should have lean operations, disciplined spending, and accountability for every dollar. The current path has placed an unnecessary burden on families and betrayed the principles that are supposed to guide us.

I am also committed to making Bandera Farms Park the best it can be. While on council, I supported its purchase because I believed it could become a true centerpiece for recreation, conservation, and community pride. With careful, fiscally responsible planning, Bandera Farms Park can be an asset that benefits every resident for generations to come.

Finally, we must stop wasteful attorney spending and the influence of lobbyists, both of which have contributed to a higher budget.

I am a fiscally responsible conservative who will protect private wells, restore budget discipline, and keep our government true to its limited-services model.

Choose two key council votes in the last two years and explain why you agreed or disagreed.

I served on Town Council from 2017 to 2021, and since I left office four years ago, our community has faced troubling changes. The town’s budget has grown by more than $10 million, and residents have seen property taxes double – even though families continue to maintain their own private wells and have been clear that they do not want costly public water or sewer. Despite this, essential services remain limited.

1. The first key issue was the council’s vote in June of this year to almost double property taxes. This decision placed an unnecessary bur-

den on homeowners and families while offering little to no improvement in core services. A town that defines itself as a conservative, limited-services government should not be doubling taxes. This reckless choice has broken trust with residents and placed a strain on household budgets across the community.

2. The second key issue has been the council’s continued votes to expand government employment.

Our comprehensive plan clearly defines us as a limited-services government, yet these decisions have moved us toward larger government and higher long-term costs. Expanding employment may grow bureaucracy, but it does not match the priorities of a town where residents expect lean government, low taxes, and limited services.

These two votes – doubling property taxes in June and expanding government employment – show why our town needs a course correction. We cannot continue increasing costs on residents while drifting further away from our limited-services model.

If elected, I will restore fiscal responsibility, stop unnecessary government expansion, and ensure every decision reflects our community’s values: protecting private wells, keeping taxes low, and maintaining accountability in government.

John Doggett I’m a fifth-generation farmer dedicated to preserving the values that make Summerfield special. Our family farm, now a thriving beef operation, has been in the Doggett family for seven generations and keeping it strong for future generations is one of my top priorities.

My wife and I are proud parents of two children, including our daughter Lexie, a teacher at Northwest Guilford High School – my alma mater – and grandparents to our amazing Amelia, the seventh generation of our farm legacy.

My roots in Summerfield run deep. I spent years cutting meat at the old Food Lion, and have worked 22 years at Landmark Builders. I

...continued on p. 44

Bill Goebel Honored with Silver Buffalo Award Scouting America’s highest national award recognizes his exceptional service and lasting impact on youth development across the country.

It’s not very often that Scouting America honors someone with the Silver Buffalo Award. Since 1925, only 902 individuals nationwide have received it — fewer than those who have reached the summit of Mt. Everest. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant national or international contributions to youth development, both within and beyond the Scouting movement.

This year, Scouting America welcomed Eagle Scout Bill Goebel of Greensboro, NC and member of Oak Ridge Lions Club into its newest class of honorees, alongside other distinguished individuals whose efforts have shaped the lives of young people across the country.

Past recipients include 15 U.S. Presidents (e.g., Ronald Reagan, Theodore Roosevelt, Harry Truman, George W. Bush), astronauts John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, and Jim Lovell, 42 women including Nancy Reagan and Marian Anderson, athletes like Hank Aaron, Yogi Berra, and Vince Lombardi, entertainers such as Walt Disney, John Wayne, Bob Hope, and Jimmy Stewart, six Medal of Honor recipients and three U.S. Chief Justices of the Supreme Court.

Bill’s impact spans program development, mentorship, and community engagement. He has received the Silver Beaver and Silver Antelope Awards and previously served as Chairman of the Old North State Council. As BSA National Chair of a committee shaping the next 100 years of Scouting, he was instrumental in the passage of North Carolina’s Senate Bill 400, granting public school access to both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts — legislation now adopted by 20 states.

His service includes roles as a former Guilford County School Board member and U.S. Congressional aide. In 2021, he received the Marine Corps Distinguished Citizen Award. Professionally, Bill has held leadership positions with international corporations and is a successful entrepreneur. He chairs Youth of North Carolina, serves as Vice Chair of Prevent Child Abuse NC, and leads Leading-Edge Health Care Professionals. He operates FocusCFO, a fractional CFO firm, and helped launch Triad Business Bank to support small businesses.

Bill is co-host of the podcast The Common Ground Show with Rev. Odell Cleveland, where they discuss community issues and build bridges across social and political divides.

Rooted in faith, Bill is a member of Grace Community Church and has completed six years of Bible Study Fellowship. For 18 years, he has mentored high school boys and joined 13 mission trips to underserved communities in the U.S., Cuba, and Israel. He and his wife Dori have been married for 33 years and have three children: Will, Jessa, and Elisa Kay. He studied at Harvard University, Case Western Reserve, and Roosevelt University, and holds a degree in Business Management from Cleveland State University. He has earned national marketing awards, including Advertising Age’s “National Marketing Promotion of the Year” and Esty’s “National Best Creative Award” for TV advertising. His work has been published, and he has appeared on Good Morning America. A global traveler, Bill has visited over 44 countries — most recently Ukraine, supporting Scouts and a children’s hospital.

His guiding principle, both personally and professionally, is reflected in his favorite saying: “Keep the main thing the main thing.”

To join Scouting America, visit www.scoutingamerica.org.

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SUMMERFIELD CANDIDATES ...continued from p. 43 cherish the guidance of my parents, Clark and Jane, who remain active in the community. Family is at the heart of everything I do – whether it’s running the farm, serving on the Town Council, or sharing a welltimed “Dad” joke.

As a council member, I’ve worked to strengthen infrastructure, expand parks and greenways, and plan thoughtfully for our future. I believe in balancing strategic, forward-thinking governance with the small-town spirit that makes Summerfield a wonderful place to live, work, and gather.

Why are you running for Town Council? I am running for re-election to the Summerfield Town Council in order to continue serving our town faithfully. Over the past four years, I’ve worked hard to represent our community with integrity and to keep Summerfield moving forward.

During my tenure, I’ve been proud to support meaningful projects that touch every corner of town.

The new water tower and its lines strengthen our infrastructure and provide greater fire protection for residents – something I know firsthand is vital. The tower also positions us well for future needs and opportunities, reflecting the kind of forward thinking I believe is essential.

I’m equally excited about Bandera Farms Park, which will give our residents a safe and beautiful place to play, exercise, and connect. Parks are more than green spaces — they are gathering places that foster community, improve health, and enhance quality of life. I look forward to seeing families, friends, and neighbors enjoy all that Bandera will offer.

In addition, the expansion of the A&Y Greenway provides more opportunities for outdoor recreation and connection, ensuring Summerfield remains a place where people want to live and raise families.

Together, these projects are more than items on a checklist – they are investments in our shared future.

Looking ahead, I believe our next step must be creating a clear, thoughtful strategic plan – one we carry out with consistency and purpose. This will help us deliver the services and amenities our citizens deserve, rebuild trust in our council,

and send a strong message to the North Carolina General Assembly: Summerfield is not just a “paper town.” We are a vibrant, growing, connected community – a wonderful place to live, work, and gather.

Choose two key council votes in the last two years and explain why you agreed or disagreed.

Over the past two years, I’ve been on the majority side of many votes, and I stand by every single one. Some were popular, some were not, but each decision was made with careful thought, consideration, and deliberation. Two votes in particular stand out to me: the water tower and Bandera Farms Park.

1. The water tower represents the kind of forward thinking I believe is essential as a council member. Our job is not only to respond to today’s needs but also to envision what Summerfield should look like 5, 10, or even 50 years from now. The tower will provide stronger fire protection for residents – something that carries deep personal meaning for me. As a child growing up here, my family’s farmhouse was destroyed by fire because the fire department couldn’t access the water supply they needed.

That experience shaped me, and I’m committed to ensuring no Summerfield family ever faces the same fate.

Beyond fire protection, the tower and its lines will provide multiple future uses that will serve our community well for decades.

2. Bandera Farms Park is another project I’m proud to support. Parks are more than amenities – they’re investments in health, connection, and quality of life. Bandera will give our residents a safe and beautiful place to move, play, and gather. It will also be a model for what parks can and should look like: vibrant spaces that bring people together and strengthen community ties. I do wish that the original plans, with more robust amenities like ample restrooms, had remained intact.

My hope is that future generations will build upon what we’ve started and create the kind of park that residents 20, 30, even 50 years from now will be grateful for.

These votes reflect my vision: a Summerfield that honors its past while building boldly for its future.

...continued on p. 46

ProActive Therapy and Wellness: a studio built on heart, healing, and movement Michele Walker knew she wanted to be a physical therapist since ninth grade. Inspired by a scene on the TV daytime drama General Hospital and her aunt’s recovery from hip surgery, she saw physical therapy as a way to help people walk again. Today, she’s the founder of Proactive Therapy and Wellness, where she provides private therapy sessions and group wellness classes in a private, beautifully designed studio attached to her Summerfield home.

Walker’s 30-year career began as a traveling therapist, working 12-week assignments across the country in hospitals, rehab centers, and nursing homes. After fulfilling her two-year commitment, she settled in West Virginia with her new husband; meanwhile, a colleague nudged her toward home healthcare, where she found deeper connections with patients and a clearer view of their daily challenges of navigating in their own homes.

“I usually saw them multiple times and often became part of their family,” she said.

Life threw curveballs – divorce from her first husband, moving to Greensboro in 2007 and raising two young children as a single mom, and then losing both her father and ex-husband in 2008 – but Walker remained committed to her work. In 2020, a knee surgery sidelined her temporarily, giving her time to focus on continuing education courses. That’s when she discovered Parkinson’s disease therapy and met a business coach who helped her envision her own practice.

When her second husband, Guy, became terminally ill in 2022, Walker scaled back her hours to care for him and, in her downtime, worked on developing her business plan.

After Guy’s passing, she honored his memory by constructing a fully accessible studio that blended seamlessly with their home’s design.

“I felt Guy would have wanted me to do something like this,” she said.

Today, Proactive Therapy and Wellness offers a warm, personalized approach to physical therapy, with a special focus on neurological conditions like Parkinson’s. Walker is certified in LSVT BIG, PWR!Moves, and Rock Steady Boxing – programs designed to retrain the brain and improve mobility. In addition to the services that she offers at her studio, she also teaches Silver Sneakers and Tai Chi at the YMCA and a fall recovery class at Guilford Senior Center.

Her passion is to help keep seniors active and independent by improving their strength, balance, and overall mobility, including the ability to get on and off the floor, which is a predictor of healthy aging.

“People who have always been active are

more likely to stay active,” she said. “The ones who haven’t – I want to grab them before they become debilitated.”

One of her key goals is to make moving fun.

“It shouldn’t be a chore to stay healthy and strong.

It should be fun,” she said.

Her classes are infused with music, laughter, and Photo by Patti Stokes/CONNECT2 encouragement. “One of the things that would get In her Summerfield home studio, Michele Walker (right), owner of me down in home health Proactive Therapy and Wellness, guides longtime client Gerry Wray was hearing someone say, through mobility exercises tailored to improve her strength and ‘What do you expect, I’m balance while Wray uses a safety harness for support and confidence 70 years old!’ But in Silver when doing the more challenging mobility tasks.

Sneakers, I see their spirit come alive.”

What clients are saying: She recalls two recent breakthroughs: one ■ “PT with Michele Walker is a great experipatient who smiled after getting off the floor ence. Besides improving my strength and for the first time, and another with Parkinson’s balance, the sessions gave me confidence who overcame gait freezing to walk confidently in my activities.” through a doorway.

– Gerry Wray “When I can open someone’s eyes to do something they didn’t think was possible – ■ “Michele’s guidance and personal attenthat’s everything,” she said. tion brought me to a place of competence Walker encourages patients to practice by the time I finished the beginner yoga movement between sessions, even when time course. The studio is beautiful and roomy feels scarce. and her choice in soothing music added to the serenity of the experience in every class.

“When they keep up with the exercises, She cultivates a sense of welcoming and tasks become easier and take less time, opensupport for all involved. It was a pleasure to ing up more of their day,” she said. meet new friends while learning in such a Her vision for the studio is to keep it open pleasant environment.” – LZ and staffed full-time, while continuing to teach wellness classes in the community. Eventu■ “She took me from my lowest point to being ally, she hopes to offer a space where people practically a new person. She’s a miracle can work out in her studio independently, with worker.” – Diane Zinn periodic fitness assessments.

■ “My balance and stability have improved What sets Walker apart is her therapist’s significantly. Michele makes the classes so mindset. enjoyable.” – Margaret Scott “That hat will never come off,” she said.

■ “She pushed my boundaries and made “Even in wellness classes, I’m mindful of how therapy enjoyable. I’d recommend her to people are moving and what issues they have. anyone with a movement disorder.”

I personalize everything so they don’t feel like – Robert Wurz they have to figure it out alone.”

Besides private physical therapy sessions, Proactive Therapy and Wellness offers monthly eight-session group yoga courses that vary from daytime to evening schedules. Tai Chi courses are coming soon, and drop-in classes www. .net include Silver Sneakers (Thursdays at 11 a.m.) and Parkinson’s Fitness (Wednesdays at (336) 403-9582 4 p.m.).

6579 Lake Brandt Rd, Summerfield Whether you’re recovering from injury, managing a movement disorder, or simply seeking to Scan here strength and stability, Walker’s studio offers a a FREE place to grow, heal, and thrive. schedule

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FALL 2025

NWGuilford

45

SUMMERFIELD CANDIDATES ...continued from p. 44 Kyle Stalls At home, I am a husband and father. At church, a guitarist and high school group leader. At work, a civil engineering technician and utility coordinator.

Always, I strive to demonstrate thoughtfulness and honesty. I would do the same as a council member.

I was raised in Washington, North Carolina, along the marshes of the Inner Banks. I met my wife as an undergraduate at UNC-Chapel Hill, and we married as I pursued a Master of Landscape Architecture degree at NC State. For the first years of our marriage, we lived in downtown Greensboro, where our family grew to four. In 2023, we moved to Summerfield to escape the noise and bustle of the city.

Here, we have found a quiet home.

In 2024, I spent my summer lobbying against the de-annexation in Raleigh, trying to save our newfound home. Since that same year, I have served on the Summerfield

Planning Board. Now, the survival of Summerfield is my top priority, and through transparency, advocacy, and a record of accomplishment, I believe we can achieve it.

Why are you running for Town Council? My goal is to see Summerfield survive. This means doing whatever we must to retain our charter. This is the lens through which we must view all of our actions as a town. My time in Raleigh assured me that the threat is real, but I believe it can be overcome.

As the limited government model comes under scrutiny by the General Assembly, provision of new services will be inevitable. These must be approached in a deliberate, reasoned manner, to assure that they are a benefit, rather than a burden, for our citizens. Longterm, decisive thinking is essential, as well as public input. We have seen too many projects languish in design, at great cost to our town, and we cannot afford to squander time or resources any longer.

Also, I believe we can set the standard for communication and transparency in our state. I can accomplish this unilaterally, by

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offering our citizens thoughtful summaries of the factors, values, and reasoning that apply to Council decisions. Too often, the public has been left in want of succinct explanations for Council actions.

This is a gap I can immediately fill.

Finally, we must build on our internal communication with external advocacy. By maintaining open lines of communication with contacts at the state level, as well as our counterparts in other similarly-sized towns, we can build a reputation as a well-governed municipality. We can also exchange ideas on managing growth and assessing potential threats to our sovereignty. We are not alone in facing the changes that are coming to our state, but friendly networks must be built and maintained. I am prepared to take on this task. Before we take any action, we must ask if it helps us keep our charter. I can keep us on track.

Choose two key council votes in the last two years and explain why you agreed or disagreed.

Council. As I lobbied for the town in Raleigh last summer, the turmoil in Town Hall made my work considerably more difficult. In the precious minutes I could get with legislators, it was often a distraction from the issue of de-annexation. At times, legislators used it as cause to dismiss our case outright.

Unfortunately, this issue has persisted for more than a year.

Did the initial records audit help retain our charter? Yes, quite possibly. The resignation of an entire staff is highly unusual for any organization, and an audit to review policies and procedures is prudent.

Did immediately exposing the audit’s results help us retain our charter? Absolutely not. It has damaged our reputation and opened us up to potential defamation suits. Regardless of how ongoing actions conclude, this misstep has cost us dearly.

Janelle Robinson

So, does the tax increase help us retain our charter? Yes, especially if the additional revenue is allocated towards services that can get Summerfield up to post-2000 requirements. Failure to meet these requirements could easily result in much of our population being absorbed by Greensboro, facing a tax rate more than twelve times higher. Though Greensboro cannot involuntarily annex land at the moment, the General Assembly has broad power to adjust jurisdictional boundaries. Any supposed protections against annexation are unreliable.

I’m a wife, mom of three, and someone who genuinely loves serving my community. I earned my bachelor’s degree in education at UNCG and taught at Northwest Middle School before staying home to raise my kids.

I volunteered as a firefighter and EMT with the Summerfield Fire District, where I was honored to receive both Rookie of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

I’m passionate about supporting women in recovery and love finding ways to help them rebuild their confidence and purpose.

When I’m not working or volunteering, you can usually find me playing pickleball or doing CrossFit. Staying active keeps me grounded and helps me show up as my best self for the people I care about.

My family and I have a hobby farm with miniature cows, sheep, chickens, and turkeys. It’s a chaotic mix of fun, noise, and muddy boots.

I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

2. Regarding the audit involving the former town staff: With few caveats, I disagree strongly with how this issue was handled by our

Janelle Robinson did not submit answers to the two questions we posed to all the candidates in northwest Guilford County.

1. Regarding the recent tax rate increase: My family moved to Summerfield, in part, for a tax rate much lower than that of Greensboro. However, I believe the increase was unavoidable. As of the year 2000, new municipalities are required to have a minimum tax rate of 0.05. Though Summerfield’s charter predates this requirement, I believe the state will be making it the required minimum for all towns, regardless of their charter year.

COMMUNITY SURVEY ...continued from p. 29

that record,” she added. “I ask questions and try to have conversations. Certainly, the candidate’s position on multiple issues that are important to me is helpful. But integrity, vision, honesty, experience and skill sets, and a touch of humility are more important. I can disagree with a candidate on an issue and still vote for them; but I cannot vote for a candidate who does not bring vision, good values, and a willingness to listen and learn to the table.”

Regarding the impact of political signage,

Pittman said they may persuade her, but for a reason other than the one intended.

“When I see signs, I notice where they are placed and ask myself what that location says about the candidate. Knowing who supports a candidate can have a positive or negative effect. In a way, signs in your yard are endorsements, and that can be important.”

“Voting is one of the most meaningful ways I can make my voice heard,” Powell Shelton said. “As a lifelong resident of Stokesdale, I care deeply about our town and believe it’s important to have a say in who represents our community and

helps shape its policies.

“Local elected officials make decisions that impact our daily lives – from land use and development to infrastructure, parks and community services. Electing leaders who will represent the values, concerns, and needs of Stokesdale residents is essential for maintaining the character of our town while planning for future growth.”

Shelton said he always educates himself on candidates before voting.

“I try to stay informed by reading local news coverage, attending candidate forums or town hall meetings, and speaking with neighbors and

...continued on p. 70

Summerfield Fire District

Station 9

7400 Summerfield Road (336) 643-4341

summerfieldfire.com LIF

Station 29

1800 Scalesville Road (336) 643-5950

Station 39

6214 Lake Brandt Road (336) 643-2253

facebook.com/SummerfieldFireDistrict

E SAFETY

EMERGENCY DIAL 911

The Countdown to 75 Years Begins Honoring Our Roots. Celebrating Our Future.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS October 2026 We’re throwing a community-wide celebration for the 75th anniversary of the Summerfield Fire District!

REGISTER NOW! 9th

6th

Saturday, Sept. 27 Volunteers Needed

It takes a special person to fill the boots of a volunteer firefighter.

No experience necessary • Free training Visit us online at summerfieldfire.com and click “Community” for information about volunteering

Where It Started — 1951 In the early 1950s, a group of neighbors gathered in local spots like Gordon’s Hardware and Baynes Grocery (now Summerfield Town Hall) to discuss the need for fire protection in Summerfield.

Their solution? Build it themselves. That year, the Summerfield Fire District was officially formed.

George Price was named the department’s first Fire Chief — a role he proudly held for 36 years.

In 1954, the community voted to fund the new department through taxes. The first Chief George Price and the department’s first two station was built trucks in front of the original station. on Summerfield Road, across from our current location — and was home to just two fire trucks, shown here in our photo with Chief Price.

Since then, we've grown from humble beginnings into a thriving combination department with 41 career firefighters and 35 volunteers, serving with pride and purpose.

Stay tuned as we share more historic milestones leading up to our celebration in October 2026. We’re proud of where we came from — and we’re just getting started.

Summerfield Fire District Serving with pride since 1951

community CALENDAR

SEPT. 4, 5 & 6

X RidgeFest 2025 | Merchants of

Oak Ridge, in partnership with the Town of Oak Ridge, will host its threeday annual RidgeFest celebration on Thursday, Sept. 4, Friday, Sept. 5, and Saturday, Sept. 6, at Oak Ridge Town Park. There’s fun for all ages at this annual event, which features live music, carnival rides, games, food trucks – and a spectacular fireworks

show on Saturday at dusk. More info: see ad on p. 21.

THURSDAY, Sept. 11 X 9/11 Ceremony | A remem-

brance ceremony honoring the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, will take place on Sept. 11, 10 a.m. (rain or shine) at the flagpole area of Oak Ridge Town Park, near the concession stand at 6231 Lisa Drive. More info: call Oak Ridge

Town Hall, (336) 644-7009.

SATURDAY, Sept. 13

X 40th Anniversary Celebration | Camp Carefree, 275 Carefree Lane in Stokesdale, invites the community to its 40th anniversary celebration on Sept. 13, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Enjoy a hot dog lunch, live music, kids’ activities, camp tours and cake. See article on pages 22-23 for more info about Camp Carefree.

X Community recycling event | The Town of Summerfield, in partnership with Guilford County, will host a recycling event on Sept. 13, 8 a.m. to noon at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road in Summerfield.

Accepted items for recycling and e-cycling include electronics, appliances, tires, foam, broken-down cardboard and up to five boxes

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Moravian Cookies, Candles, Pear & Apple Butter, Sugarcake Weekly special orders for fresh cakes, pies, pastries, buns and more

Store hours: Mon.-Thurs. 12-7 |Fri-Sat. 11-7 | Sun. 1-7

of personal documents for shredding. More info: call Summerfield Town Hall, (336) 643-8655.

FRIDAY, Sept. 19

X Movie in the Park | The Town of Summerfield will host its last Movie in the Park of the season on Sept. 19, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Summerfield Athletic Park, 5200 U.S. 220 in Summerfield.

Movie selection TBA. More info: call Summerfield Town Hall, (336) 643-8655 or visit www.summerfieldnc.gov.

SATURDAY, Sept. 20 X Music in the Park | The Town

of Summerfield will host its last Music in the Park of the season on Sept. 20, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Park, 5404 Centerfield Road. RetroVinyl will be the featured band. Bring your picnic baskets, chairs, and friends and family and enjoy an evening of music and community fellowship. More info: call Summerfield Town Hall, (336) 643-8655.

SATURDAY, Sept. 27

X Heritage Day | The Town of Oak Ridge will give a nod to its past when it hosts its annual Heritage Day festival on Sept. 27, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., at Oak Ridge Town Park on Linville Road, Shelter #2 (near Scoggins Road). Enjoy live music, food, games, clogging, cannon firings, farm animal petting zoo, a tractor-pulled ride, vendors, exhibits and more. There will also be a muffin baking contest (see display ad on p. 34). More info: visit Oak Ridge Town Park’s Facebook page or call (336) 644-7009.

SATURDAY, Oct. 4

X Touch-A-Truck | Bring the kids

to Summerfield Athletic Park, 5208 U.S. 220 in Summerfield, on Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., for an interactive outdoor adventure featuring cool trucks and vehicles of all sizes for kids to explore, free hot dogs provided by Vulcan Materials, and lots of fun. More info: call Summerfield Town Hall, (336) 643-8655.

SATURDAY, Oct. 11 X Golf tournament fundraiser |

FALL 2025

Northwest Guilford Kiwanis is hosting its annual golf tournament fundraiser on Oct. 11 at Pine Knolls Golf Club, 1100 Quail Hollow Road in Kernersville. Shotgun start at 8:30 a.m.; captain’s choice format. Enjoy goodie bags, raffle prizes, lunch and more. $80/golfer; $320/team. Proceeds benefit local children’s organizations and programs. More info: Annette Joyce, (336) 382-8629 or nwgkiwanis@gmail.com.

Oct. 16 – Nov. 1

X Early Voting | Early voting dates for the Nov. 4 municipal elections are Thursday, Oct. 16, until 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1. For voting locations and hours, visit www. guilfordcountync.gov/government/ board-elections.

SATURDAY, Nov. 1

X Boston Butt Fundraiser | Oak Ridge Horse Show Association will hold a Boston Butt fundraiser, with orders due by Nov. 1 and pickup on Nov. 22 at Hardin Farms in Stokesdale. See ad on this page for details.

TUESDAY, Nov. 4

X Election Day | Registered voters who have not voted early can cast their ballots on Nov. 4 at their designated polling places. For a sample ballot and other voting-related info, visit www.guilfordcountync.gov/ government/board-elections.

TUESDAY, Nov. 11

X Veterans Day Ceremony | The Town of Oak Ridge’s Special Events Committee will honor veterans with a ceremony on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. (rain or shine) at the Veterans Honor Green in Heritage Farm Park, 8515 Scoggins Road. Christian Castelli will be the guest speaker.

More info: call Oak Ridge Town Hall, (336) 644-7009.

SATURDAY, Nov. 22

X Tree Lighting | The Town of Summerfield will host its annual Christmas Tree lighting celebration on Nov. 22, beginning 5:30 p.m., at Summerfield Athletic Park, 5200 U.S. 220 in Summerfield.

Check the town’s website for more details – www.summerfieldnc.gov.

NWGuilford

49

THANK YOU The Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show & Rodeo this past April was another huge success, with about 2,200 people attending the weekend event. We're excited that we once again were able to raise several thousand dollars to donate to nonprofits in and around the Northwest Guilford community.

Thanks to everyone who participated, attended, volunteered and sponsored this year's show! Our sponsorship campaign for next year's show is already underway and we hope to receive even more support. Below is a list of organizations/causes that we donated to in 2025: • • • • • • • • • • •

Triad Honor Flight Rockingham County FFA Summerfield Fire Department Genesis Ministries Rockingham County Camp Carefree NC Trooper Assoc. Caisson Unit Kids Path J. Lankford Ferrier Scholarship Oak Ridge Youth Assoc.

Stokesdale Fire Department ORHSA Scholarships

Thanks for your support, and we hope to see you next year!

Dan Hylton, Board of Directors Oak Ridge Horse Show Association Oak Ridge Horse Show Association | Post Office Box 758, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 oakridgehorseshow.com | ORHSAssoc | A 501 C3 Non-profit Organization

Oak Ridge Horse Show & Rodeo

Boston Butt Fundraiser

$45

Pick up Sat. Nov. 22 10am-2pm

To order, call (336) 202-4470

by Sat., Nov. 1

Hardin Farms

8201 Millrun Road, Stokesdale

local BUSINESS/REAL ESTATE

Greensboro airport still recruiting after JetZero win Numerous smaller tracts remain available after the futuristic jet maker grabbed more than 600 acres, PTI executive director said

by CHRIS BURRITT NW GREENSBORO – As North Carolina’s biggest economic development catch, JetZero is going to gobble up more than 600 acres at Piedmont Triad International Airport. That still leaves several hundred acres, keeping PTI in the hunt for prospective tenants.

“There’s three or four of them that

Photo courtesy of JetZero

are good, solid prospects,” Kevin Baker, executive director of the airport’s authority, said in a recent interview. “I’d say one or two are very solid prospects that would require smaller amounts of space than we have. So yeah, we are far from out of business here.”

Long Beach, California-based futuris-

tic jet maker JetZero is taking a big contiguous parcel once home to the Pleasant Ridge Golf Course, but in recent years graded and made “shovel ready.”

That’s the lingo of economic developers seeking to lure a major employer to the high-visibility Interstate 73 tract, perhaps a third original equipment manufacturer

Exquisite

walravensignaturehomes.com (336) 442-8657 (Matt Walraven) (336) 207-7790 (office) Like us on Facebook

JetZero announced on June 12 that it will locate its first advanced manufacturing and final assembly facility on the Piedmont Triad International Airport grounds, where it will produce up to 20 Z4 airplanes per month when the factory is at full run and create more than 14,500 jobs over the next decade.

The PTI Airport Authority continues to recruit prospective tenants for the airport’s remaining available acreage.

local BUSINESS/REAL ESTATE to accompany long-term tenant Honda Aircraft Co. and upstart Boom Supersonic.

Luring Denver-based Boom 3 ½ years ago sparked a hot streak for PTI, which in 2023 won Britain-based Marshall Aerospace’s U.S. operations for repair and overhaul of military aircraft. With their big-box buildings complete and road and bridgework nearing completion around them, the two companies are preparing to commence operations at the airport, eventually employing more than 2,000 people.

JetZero promises to be far bigger: a $4.7 billion manufacturing plant projected to create more than 14,500 jobs over the next decade, the largest employment announcement in North Carolina history.

“JetZero’s arrival is a powerful validation of PTI’s longterm vision to build an airport that is more than a place of transportation, but a center of aerospace excellence,” Baker said after the announcement. “This era-defining project reflects everything we’ve worked toward at PTI to create high-paying jobs and a sustainable, innovation-driven future for the airport, the region and the state.”

As PTI’s reputation has spread in aviation and economic development circles, Baker said “we’re pretty much getting asked to submit on just about every project that happens now. Marshall and JetZero found us because of the Boom project.”

Since publicizing its selec-

FALL 2025

tion of Greensboro in mid-June, JetZero is determining exactly where to put its operations at the airport, Baker said. It may occupy acreage on both sides of I-73, putting it in proximity to Boom and Marshall.

On an oversized aerial photo, Baker recently pointed out numerous parcels that are going to remain available after JetZero nails down its site. He said the airport authority continues to buy property, reaching deeper into commercial and residential areas in northwestern Greensboro.

“If somebody comes and wants a 500-acre site, we don’t have that,” Baker said. “But we do have a bunch of 50- to 100acre sites.”

The prospects are aviationrelated, as required by the Federal Aviation Administration. “In other words, they have to have a need for a runway,” Baker said.

That generally means suppliers of aircraft accessories are likely to locate in the vicinity of the airport, according to Baker.

“Seats are going to come from somewhere else,” he said.

“Tires are going to come from somewhere else, and radios are going to come from somewhere else.”

He anticipates Guilford, Forsyth and other adjoining counties securing suppliers as production at the airport ramps up enough to justify big runs.

As local and state economic recruiters have acknowledged, JetZero and Boom are still unproven since neither has assembled a plane. That brings uncertainty, Baker acknowledged.

“Obviously, they’re both startups,” he said. “There’s a risk with any startup in any business, and this is a very highly technical, complicated business. But they’ve got good plans. They’re making headway.’’

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local BUSINESS/REAL ESTATE

What’s next for Summerfield Farms?

by CHRIS BURRITT

The Greensboro City Council is scheduled Sept. 16 to consider approving developer David Couch’s request for annexing 912 acres into the city. He’s also asking to zone his land for planned unit development to accommodate higher-density residential and commercial development than allowed before the de-annexation of the property from the town of Summerfield.

Last month, Couch’s designer Victor Dover and lawyer Tom Terrell answered questions from reporters about the projected 30-year project.

I-73 and by Summerfield Road on the east.

Q

We’ve designed each of the components to be broken down into future phases. This plays well as a series of independent self-contained interconnected villages that are set within a continuous green network.

We walked every inch of the land; we walked every perimeter of a field or a forest. We looked for the best vistas to set aside as permanent green space either from a conservation point of view or from a visual scenery point of view. That’s a little counterintuitive. It means that we are fitting real estate development to the green idea, instead of the other way around.

A

Q

Would you give an overview of Villages of Summerfield Farms?

(Dover) It is, of course, a big area. It generally runs along the southern boundary touching the City of Greensboro’s watershed conservation area, on the west by

Your plan to build the first apartments on the land once in Summerfield drew the strongest objection from homeowners. How will

Rendering courtesy of Dover, Kohl & Partners

Apartments in the Villages of Summerfield Farms will feature porches, not balconies like traditional complexes, with entrances facing tree-lined sidewalks and streets to encourage socializing.

these apartments differ from typical apartments?

A

(Dover) While we’re deliberately bringing people together to live in community, we’re going to have accommodations for a lot of variety in terms of household sizes and types

and incomes. Basically, this is garden-style multifamily reimagined, just enough to maintain its price advantage but also make it a more desirable and enduring place to live.

There are a few things to rework with the prototype. Those include making the architecture look bet-

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NWGuilford

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ter and using nicer materials.

More importantly, they’re going to face those tree-lined streets, with entrances from the streets and the sidewalks, just like you would have in a traditional town. Porches are going to face the streets. The buildings are going to fit in on those streets just like the houses down the block do.

Q

Q

The unified development plan you’ve negotiated with the city appears basically the same as your original design.

That differs from critics’ speculation you’d eventually modify the project to Couch’s advantage.

How has the project changed over the past five years?

A

Greensboro plans to provide water / sewer services to Christopher Village, the first annexation and zoning project approved by the city.

(Dover) We were telling the truth all along. You’re hearing the same things because this was always the intention, and big ideas of the project have not been diluted in any way.

We’ve been making adjustments as we got into deeper design. And on every single one of these villages, we’ve replaced all the maps and made little adjustments and corrections and improvements. But, you’ll discover they’re really close to what we did initially.

What about the remaining 10 villages?

A

(Terrell) We will be looking at every option possible for water and sewer. That could mean from other local jurisdictions. It could mean temporary well and septic until public water and sewer are available.

Developer seeks zoning approval for shopping center

Stonefield Cellars

Winery, TasTing room & evenT venue 8220 NC Hwy 68 N Stokesdale

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Friday Flavors Concert Series Continues Every Friday night through the end of September Held rain or shine ● Food truck at each concert Advance ticket purchase recommended

Rendering courtesy of Summerfield Equities

Former Summerfield resident Matt Falconer, owner of Summerfield Equities, is seeking zoning approval for a grocery-anchored shopping center in the northeast quadrant of U.S. 220 and N.C. 150. Besides a grocer, the proposed center will include a medical office, bank and space for retail businesses.

If approved, Summerfield Town Center’s expected buildout year is 2028

by PATTI STOKES SUMMERFIELD – Matt Falconer, owner of Florida-based Summerfield Equities, is seeking to rezone 21.44 acres at the intersection

FALL 2025

of U.S. 220 and N.C. 150 for a grocery-anchored retail center. The parcel is part of roughly 65 contiguous acres his company is under contract to purchase, pending zoning approval.

At a neighborhood informational meeting on July 9, Falconer told about 30 residents that he first

...continued on p. 62

NWGuilford

53

Tasting Room Hours

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local BUSINESS/REAL ESTATE

Historic downtown landmark slated for restoration Owners set to begin restoring the Gordon Hardware building at the corner of Summerfield Road and N.C. 150 for a vintage goods store and Airbnb

by CHRIS BURRITT SUMMERFIELD – As they awaited the outcome of bidding for the Gordon Hardware building in Summerfield, Tom and Johanna Elsner decided to proceed with the renovation of a historic house in Reidsville. Soon afterward, Preservation North Carolina notified the couple their offer for the circa 1870s building diagonally across from Summerfield Town Hall had been accepted. More than a year and a half later, the couple has completed the Reidsville renovation, and they’re ready to start restoring the Gordon building.

The following are answers Johanna provided to our questions about their plans for a vintage goods store on the first floor and an Airbnb upstairs.

Rendering courtesy of Johanna Elsner

is completely full at this point.

We’ve put two storage containers on the property. Every time we do a historic project, we stockpile leftover materials.

We’re slowly bringing over old wood and other things that we want to repurpose.

Since purchasing the property in January 2024, what have you done toward the renovation?

Once we get rolling, hopefully here in the next couple months, we’re going to start putting in the well and the septic. Then we’re going to get that steel work done. And everything – fingers crossed – is going to go pretty quickly from there because that’s the major things we’re doing. I hope we can open by next spring.

TO PUZZLE ON PAGE 30

Connect2 HOMETOWN GRID SOLUTION

We have gotten all of our planning and permitting approved with Summerfield and Guilford County. We have engineer drawings for steel reinforcements on the back side of the building to make it structurally sound. And then, of course, I have proceeded to stock the store with an abundance of inventory. The downstairs 1 4 6

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What do you envision for the space?

I’ve got a lot of wheels spinning. We’re permitted for 1,000 square feet of retail space, and the downstairs is much bigger than that. We are going to partition off the back area for studio space because I’m going to be in there doing my crafts and fixing and repurposing things. I’m envisioning having a washer/dryer in there because I’m going to have to process vintage clothing.

Downstairs we want to put all of the fixtures, cabinetry and shelving back. That’s what we love about the property. We’re going to lean into setting the hardware store back up the way it was. We want people to come in there and feel like they’re coming back into the hardware store. We don’t have any intention of making it look different.

What type of merchandise will you sell?

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Purchased by Tom and Johanna Elsner in January 2024, the historic Gordon Hardware building at the corner of Summerfield Road and N.C. 150 will soon be undergoing restoration work before eventually opening as a vintage goods store on the lower level and an Airbnb on the second level. The owners say they want the interior and exterior of the building to remain as true to its historic look and feel as possible.

y

Vintage wares, furniture, appliances, magazines, clothes and other things to repurpose or upcycle. I envision collaborating with local artists, along the lines of the Design Archives Vintage & Handmade Emporium stores in Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Their thing is vintage, local, handmade.

Explain your plans for an Airbnb rental.

The upstairs is going to be a

studio apartment. On the south side of the building, you can see on the brick wall that there was once an exterior door leading into the second floor. We’re going to put that door back in.

We’re going to have an iron staircase up to that and an iron courtyard fence with a gate.

Parking will be located on that side of the building.

I think an Airbnb will do well.

The property is about 10 minutes from the airport. We’re going to max it out at two guests.

Have you talked to Lauren Cox, the owner of Martin’s Mercantile across Summerfield Road, about collaborating on any events at the Gordon Hardware building?

Yes, she’s eager to do some collaborations on the corner. She and I talked recently about trying to do something at Christmas.

Maybe it’s a pop-up sale outside or letting people come in and decorate things for the holidays.

I’m thinking about maybe doing some weekend barn sales when we don’t necessarily have the apartment done or the public bathroom in, but we can just open the doors and let people have a peek, come in and shop – that’s all to be determined.

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55

COUCH ...continued from p. 8 and setting the villages “within the vast green network of fields and forests and parks.”

“Wow!” commission Chair Catherine Magid said to Vice Chair Mary Skenes after Dover’s presentation. During the public hearing, no one spoke in opposition to the proposed annexation and zoning.

Henson Farms homeowner John Nash urged careful traffic planning on N.C. 150 to avoid worsening what he described as “horrendous” traffic during the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up of Revolution Academy students.

An initial analysis by the city’s transportation department and engineering firm Kittelson & Associates found that Couch’s development “is doable from a transportation point of view,” according to Dover. A new analysis will accompany each phase of the project to address the traffic impact of new construction, he said.

Former Summerfield mayor Gail Dunham addressed what she called “this rumor that Greensboro is going to gobble up everything in Summerfield.”

“It is important to know there is no forced annexation,” she said. “It is a voluntary annexation.”

For years, some Summerfield elected officials and homeowners opposed Couch’s plans, saying higher-density housing would bring more crime, traffic and school overcrowding. They fretted about losing what remains of Summerfield’s rural roots.

In contrast, Greensboro council and commission members have praised Couch for proposing a range of housing types and prices. They cited the need for more housing options with price ranges lower than the typical northwest Guilford

single-family home on a large lot.

In the second quarter of this year, the average price for a house in Summerfield and Oak Ridge topped $700,000 for the first time, according to a recent report by the Greensboro Regional Realtors Association.

“We’ve got a huge breakthrough for Greensboro, a victory for housing,” commissioner Stu Nichols said. “We’ve got a massively overdue acknowledgment of extraordinary persistence and forethought by the talented team that you assembled, Mr. Couch, as a visionary leader.”

Commissioner Warache Downing described the project as “a national precedent… this is indeed going to be a village of the future.”

“This is not about disfiguring the land,” Magid said. “With each of these villages as they come about, we will be seeing creativity that Greensboro has never seen before in the development process.”

Couch’s property is less than a 15-minute drive from Piedmont Triad International Airport.

That’s where California-based JetZero committed in June to employ more than 14,500 people over the next decade to assemble next-generation planes. The biggest job commitment in North Carolina’s history builds upon last year’s hiring of 1,200 people at Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina in Liberty, less than a quarter of its projected employment of 5,100. Boom Supersonic and Marshall USA are preparing to com-

mence operations at PTI, eventually employing more than 2,000 people.

In an earlier report, the Greensboro Realtors’ group projected the county needs more than 32,000 new housing units over the next five years. That number “has only grown with the recent JetZero announcement,” Couch spokesman Pat Ryan said in a recent email. “Any growing region needs to build housing to accommodate that growth.”

In recent letters to property owners in the vicinity of Couch’s property, Terrell explained the developer has petitioned Greensboro to annex his land and zone it for planned unit development. That would allow for a “combination of residential and commercial uses” making up the main portion of the developer’s project. The development plan negotiated with city staff would dictate setbacks, landscaping and allowed uses.

At present, the property falls under the county’s zoning ordinances in a mix of agricultural, residential single family and conditional limited office and general business, according to senior Greensboro planner Luke Carter.

Aside from housing interspersed with commercial development in the individual villages, Couch is proposing a concentration of businesses, including a grocery store, healthcare practice and lodging, in a mixed-used development called Saunders Village.

The project would also offer housing differing from the predominance of Summerfield’s cul-de-sac subdivisions, illustrating “a kind of connectedness that is missing in this part of the metropolitan region,” Dover told the commission.

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NWGuilford

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CRITTER connection

The ever-growing need for animal fosters

by ANNETTE JOYCE

Back in 2022, Rachel Baldwin decided Wynn, her 2-year-old golden retriever, might benefit from having a playmate. Rather than bring in a permanent canine resident, this animal lover decided to give fostering a try.

“Fostering is so important,”

Baldwin said. “Rescues depend on them to place the animals they take in. As a foster, you’re able to really get to know the dog and help determine what would be the best home for them.”

The Stokesdale resident also liked the idea of fostering because she could help a larger number of

dogs that needed homes.

Before long, Baldwin connected with Triad Golden Retriever Rescue (TGRR) and picked up not one, but two goldens – Lucy and Honey.

She wasn’t sure how Wynn would react, but it turned out he was a natural “big brother” and loved having the two ladies around. In

fact, when the pair found their forever home together a couple months later, Wynn had a hard time letting go.

Baldwin quickly got another foster and was able to find homes for three more rescues that year. She took a break when she decided to

...continued on p. 60

Custom Horse Barns and Buildings

Zach Cobb, owner 336-337-0477 | zncobb@gmail.com

www.zncobb.com

Presented by: 7903 Cramer Court, Greensboro ● (336) 644-7777 ● almosthome-kennels.com

Thank you to Almost Home for sponsoring our Connect2 Critter Connection photo page

Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network KAI A gentle female ball python, Kai is 1+ years old with a story of resilience. She was found abandoned in an apartment, but after receiving some much-needed TLC and a clean bill of health, she is thriving in foster care and has blossomed into a curious, calm, and easygoing companion.

Photo courtesy of Sandra Smith

During Oak Ridge Town Council’s meeting on July 10, Canine Capers Committee members Lori Lucion and Annette Joyce presented checks to rescue groups that participated in this spring’s Canine Capers event, an annual fundraiser to benefit local rescues. Pictured (front row, L–R): Lori Lucion; Mary Lou Stevens and Caboose (North Star Bloodhounds);Annette Joyce; Kim Lewis and Puggy (Vintage Fur Senior Dogs); Marty Cogswell (Ruff Love Dog Rescue); Beth Kuoni (Triad Golden Retriever Rescue); and James Mayer (Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue). Not pictured: Haley Graves Foundation. Back row (L–R):Town Council members Jim Harton,Ann Schneider, Jim Kinneman, Mike Stone, and Mike Greeson.

Skye is a regular daycare and boarding guest at Almost Home Boarding & Grooming. She’s incredibly sweet, well-behaved, and always ready to offer gentle kisses on request.

Kai loves exploring her tank and resting under her favorite rock. With her sweet nature and steady temperament, she would be a wonderful addition to a loving home with owners who have experience in snake care and can appreciate her unique charm.

ADDIE Meet Addie, a 5-year-old beagle full of sweetness and silliness. She loves people, toys and cozy beds, is learning to snuggle and now happily seeks out pets and attention. She is crate-trained, dog- and cat-friendly, and would thrive with a playful canine friend.

Addie is making progress with house training. Her beagle nose sometimes gets her into mischief, so a fenced yard is best. She is heartworm negative, up-to-date on vaccines, and only needs sensitive skin food and a daily Zyrtec for allergies. This happy little hound is ready to bring laughter and love to her forever family.

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

CRITTERconnection After being rescued from a busy traffic intersection at just six weeks old by local feline vet Dr. Katy Beachy, Shea (formerly “Slim Shady”) found her forever home 1 1/2 years ago with Summerfield resident Pam Tocornal. “She’s my shadow and has me perfectly trained,” Tocornal says.

FALL 2025

photo page

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

NWGuilford

59

FOSTERS

who meet all our requirements.”

A lack of fosters is a definite hardship when the number of dogs needing homes is growing.

...continued from p. 58 get Wynn a permanent doggie brother, Boone.

“Our numbers have been increasing for years, but this year we have probably about 30% more dogs year-to-date,” Wilhite said.

However, within a few months, there was another sister for the two brothers. Princess found a home quickly and was replaced by Rosie, who is currently up for adoption.

She noted the number of owner-surrendered dogs is on the rise – many of which are for similar reasons.

Living on the streets, Rosie had a rough start.

Photo courtesy of Rachel Baldwin

“She didn’t have Weighing in at 40 pounds, Rosie, who is about 3 any type of routine and years old, is available for adoption from TGRR. probably didn’t know where her next meal was coming in their care and can help find the from. She was afraid of everything,” best family fit for them. That helps Baldwin said. “That’s no longer the reduce return rates and eases the case. She’s ready to be a wonderful transition into a new home for both addition to someone’s family.” the animal and the human.”

According to Casey Crossan, Unlike many rescues, SPCA executive director for the SPCA of currently has a private, limitthe Triad, an organization that resed-admission shelter, which gives cues both dogs and cats, fosters them the ability to care for a majority are the best option for animals until of their animals at their facility. Still, they can find their next family.

Crossan stresses the importance of having a strong network of fosters.

“Shelters are high-stress environments for animals. Even though TGRR relies completely on fosevery shelter tries their best to ters to determine how many dogs reduce the stress, being in a home is they can take in. Faye Wilhite, always the best,” she said. “Fosters TGRR president, said finding fosters are able to learn about the animals is difficult, “especially good ones,

“There’s a new baby and the owners can’t handle both a baby and a dog… or people move to retirement homes, or elders are unable to care for their dog. Sometimes it’s dog behavior problems, and other times it’s financial issues, relocations – and the No.1 reason – divorce,” she said.

Crossan sees a similar situation at SPCA.

GCAS, Red Dog Farm doing their part After a foster-to-adopt trial, Rhea, who had been taken in by Guilford County Animal Resource Center, found her forever home last year and the center reports she is now living her best “lazy-girl” life with her four-legged siblings. “Stories like Rhea’s remind us how fosters change lives – not just for the pets, but for the families who love them.

Thank you to all of our foster families for everything you do for our animals. We have more than 200 animals in foster care and couldn’t do it without you,” the center’s website reads.

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“For us, animal intake is up and has been since late 2021/early 2022 after a brief period of leveling off during COVID,” she said.

“We can’t keep up with the requests – nobody can – it’s why you keep seeing social media posts and pleas about needing fosters and all of the municipal shelters being full and limiting owner intake/surrenders.

“The Department of Agriculture determines the number of animals facilities can house, so we are limited to 30 cats and 30 dogs.

We get that many requests a day with strays and people needing to rehome or give up their animal.”

For those with a passion for helping animals and who have available space in their homes, fostering is an extremely rewarding experience. Most rescues provide everything you need – food, veterinary care, medications, leashes, collars, etc. The organizations work with their fosters to accommodate schedules and lifestyles and make the experience enjoyable and easy.

For more info about adopting, fostering or volunteering at the SPCA or TGRR, visit triadspca.org or www.tgrr.org.

Guilford County Animal Services operates Guilford County Animal Resource Center at 980 Guilford College Road in Greensboro, the only public, open-admission animal services center in Guilford County.

The center can accommodate up to 500 animals at full capacity, including dogs, cats and other small ani-

mals in need of shelter or adoption.

To view animals awaiting adoption, visit www.guilfordcountync.gov and type “Animal Resource Center” in the Search bar.

The animal center also has a foster program and actively seeks help from foster volunteers to provide

...continued on p. 62

We Don’t Just Build,

We

Transform Spaces

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

New Construction | Remodeling | Additions | Kitchen | Bath Todd Payne, founder of Renovation Works, began learning the home construction trade over 40 years ago from his cousin, who he said was both a skilled carpenter and a perfectionist. While spending his earlier years in the workforce as a commodities buyer, Todd earned his general contractor’s license and built several custom homes in his spare time. After deciding to focus on home construction and renovation full-time, he launched Renovation Works in 2010. Since then, he has enjoyed working closely with homeowners on a wide range of projects across the Triad, from custom-built homes to full-scale renovations and additions of rooms, garages, and entire floors.

Renovation Works brings new life to existing interiors and creates beautiful spaces from the ground up — like the modern, thoughtfully designed kitchen pictured above, part of a newly constructed home the team completed last year.

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FALL 2025

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NWGuilford

61

PROPOSED SUMMERFIELD TOWN CENTER ...continued from p. 53

identified the shopping center’s site over seven years ago, shortly after he and his wife moved to Summerfield to be near their daughter. Although their families have since relocated, Falconer said he remains committed to developing a commercial center in Summerfield, where he sees a need for more convenient shopping and a community gathering space.

His conceptual plan for the proposed Summerfield Town Center includes a 46,000-square-foot grocery store, a medical office, a bank, and 34,000 square feet for restaurants and other retail businesses.

When asked if the grocer would be Publix, Falconer declined to confirm, but invited attendees to compare the architectural style shown in his plans to that of high-end grocers.

In his initial zoning application, Falconer excluded 36 uses typically allowed in BN (Business Neighborhood) zoning – including bingo

halls, fortune tellers, and houses of worship. After public input at the July 28 Planning Board meeting, he agreed to also exclude a gas station and auto sales/service center.

Residents from Elmhurst Estates, which borders the site to the northwest, voiced concerns about increased traffic, water runoff, noise, lighting, hours of operation, and the impact on wildlife – including endangered species. Several of the neighborhood’s residents emphasized runoff as a top concern, noting the elevation difference between the proposed center and nearby homes.

“The location of the shopping center is very high, and the houses (in Elmhurst Estates) are very low,” one resident said. “The water has nowhere to go but down.”

Another neighbor on the same street recalled a flash flood about a decade ago that inundated his home after a severe storm.

Following public comments, Planning Board members questioned the developer about potential runoff, entrances and exits onto/from U.S. 220 and N.C. 150, and landscape and noise buffers.

After the developer agreed to work with neighboring property owners on mitigation measures, the board voted 5-0 to recommend approval of the rezoning request. The vote aligned with the town planning director’s recommendation, which noted the site’s location in a

high-traffic commercial node and its consistency with Summerfield’s development standards.

NHA HIGH SCHOOL

U.S. Department of Education.

“This is an exciting moment not just for the families we serve but for NHA and the school boards, who have been anticipating this expansion and its educational benefits for the community,” NHA CEO Jason Pater said. “We believe that education changes lives, so the opportunity to grow our offerings into a high-quality K–12 experience will have impact beyond measure.”

...continued from p. 20

Greensboro Academy, though enrollment will be open to all students regardless of what school they currently attend.

NHA has been part of the greater Greensboro area since 1999, when Greensboro Academy first opened its doors. Summerfield Charter Academy followed in 2013, and both schools have consistently outperformed local and state averages on standardized tests. In 2023, Greensboro Academy was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, a prestigious honor awarded by the

FOSTERS

...continued from p. 60 temporary, loving homes for animals, which relieves stress and helps them show their true personalities, increasing their chances of adoption.

The center provides all necessary supplies for its foster pets.

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“The love, enrichment and socialization that these dogs gain from experiences like our Dogs Day Out program and our foster program is truly healing,” a statement on the center’s website reads.

“Thanks to our foster families and volunteers, these guys are able to thrive while they wait for their perfect family.”

For more info on adopting, fostering or volunteering at the resource center, visit www.guilfordcountync.gov and type “Animal Resource Center” in the Search bar.

Next steps: Summerfield Town Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing during its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, beginning 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road.

A vote on the rezoning request is expected to follow. The council has final authority to approve or deny the application.

Construction updates and enrollment details will be published as the project progresses.

For more information about NHA, visit nhaschools.com.

Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network (RDFARN) in Stokesdale, which is dedicated to the rehabilitation, fostering and adoption of animals of all sizes, is one of the largest animal rescues in North Carolina. The North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed on August 23, 2006, to rescue and rehabilitate neglected, abused or otherwise unwanted animals in and around Guilford County, with a particular focus on domestic farm animals.

“However, the vast majority of the animals do not live on the farm,” a statement on the nonprofit’s website reads. “Animals in our care are spread out across Guilford, Forsyth and Rockingham counties in the care of individual foster families.

Foster families care for everything from kittens to horses in their private homes (or barns) and RDFARN pays all of the bills for those animals while we find their forever homes.”

For more info about animals available for adoption, fostering animals, or volunteering, visit reddogfarm.com, or call (336) 288-7006.

“Ministry is not about impressing people; it’s about serving them.” — Anonymous

Photo by Annette Joyce/CONNECT2

Living the Gospel Derrick Moody’s mission to serve through Christ

by ANNETTE JOYCE When you meet Derrick Moody, it doesn’t take long to realize there’s something remarkable about him. Maybe it’s his infectious positivity, his genuine concern for others, or his deep joy in serving others. But these qualities are simply reflections of something greater — his profound love for Jesus Christ.

“I’m just an ordinary person, saved by grace through faith, who wants to share the extraordinary life of Jesus Christ,” Moody says humbly.

This year, the 55-year-old celebrates 20 years of ministry at First Baptist Church Summerfield. His journey began in education, recreation, and administration, where he worked closely with children and led the church’s Upward Sports program — a global Christian initiative that gives kids the chance to engage in church-sponsored athletic activities.

Today, as the church’s executive pastor, Moody’s responsibilities encompass senior ministry and any other needs that arise within the church and community.

“Derrick is a trusted friend and partner in ministry here at FBC Summerfield,” says Dr. Kelly Bullard, senior pastor. “If I had to choose two words to describe him, they’d be ‘servant leader.’ His heart for people and his service to others are driven by his love for Christ. Those who know him — from kids to senior adults — love him. His impact on our church and community runs deep and wide.”

Before entering ministry, Moody was a social worker with Hospice of Randolph County, offering comfort and peace to patients and their families. It was during this time that he rededicated his life to the Lord, guided by pastoral mentors

who helped him discover his calling.

“Over the years, many people have impacted my life,” he reflects. “They taught me that if I accomplish anything, it’s because of God. He gets all the credit.”

Drawing from scripture, Moody adds, “The Bible teaches that we can do nothing without God and that we all fall short of His glory. We rely on Jesus for His saving grace.”

Moody is quick to acknowledge the role First Baptist Church Summerfield has played in his spiritual growth.

“I’ll always be grateful to the people of this church,” he says. “Their support has helped me grow and develop over the years.”

His commitment to service extends far beyond the church walls. Once a month, Moody and fellow church members gather on the Greensboro Courthouse lawn to distribute over 275 home-cooked meals to the unhoused community.

He’s also a faithful volunteer at Summerfield’s annual Founders’ Day celebration, and this year he especially enjoyed driving the shuttle bus to transport attendees from parking areas to the event site. In addition, Moody serves on Summerfield Fire District’s board of directors.

“I have a huge respect for our first responders and want to serve them in any way I can,” he says.

“Derrick has been there for our people in the good times, celebrating with us, and in the tough times, offering compassion and prayers,” says Jenna Daniels, the fire district’s assistant chief. “The fire department, as well as this community, is very lucky to have him.”

Rev. Derrick Moody, executive pastor, First Baptist Church Summerfield

During the school year, Moody volunteers with the church’s Good News Club at Revolution Academy in Summerfield, where he participates in an interactive Christian ministry for elementary students.

While raising his sons, he spent seven seasons coaching youth baseball and frequently volunteered at local schools, assisting with P.E., field trips and testing.

Though he’s stepped back from coaching, Moody still makes time to support young people in the community, and often attends a youth baseball game, soccer match, tennis tournament, or dance recital to cheer them on.

“I really enjoy going,” he says. “Sometimes I find myself walking back and forth from dugout to dugout, rooting for both sides.”

Moody and his wife, Jana, have been married for 28 years. They live in Summerfield and are proud parents of two sons: Jacob, 21, a graduate of East Carolina University, and Nathan, 20, currently studying at Liberty University.

Thanks to EuroHaus for sponsoring this issue’s “Ordinary, Extraordinary” article featuring Rev. Derrick Moody.

EuroHaus is proud to sponsor this issue’s “Ordinary, Extraordinary” page featuring Rev. Derrick Moody.

We are thankful for his humble spirit and extraordinary impact on our community.

AUTO SERVICE & REPAIRS EuroHausAuto.pro 336.891.3876

FALL 2025

NWGuilford

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GRINS and GRIPES GRINS to ...

The person who found the billfold I left behind at Food Lion on June 24 and turned it in to the store’s office.

Thanks for being so honest!

Greensboro Parks & Recreation crew for repairing those wicked potholes on the A&Y Greenway, between the bridge over Lake Brandt Road and Owls Roost Road. Now I won’t have to worry about tripping over them!

Triad Junk Brothers for being topnotch! Came the next day when we called and went above and beyond!

Drivers who allow extra time for delays due to school bus traffic and roadwork.

Everyone benefits when we take a deep breath and practice our patience.

Tim Sessoms, for your honorable service to Summerfield. Though your resignation got little more than a

Delighted or dismayed

by something in your community?

Share your thoughts in 40 words or less by emailing info@Connect2NWGuilford.com or submit online at www.Connect2NWGuilford.com (Select “Submit your Grin or Gripe” on the homepage menu bar)

nod from the town council, many of us deeply appreciated your dedication and your leadership – as both a council member and mayor.

GRIPES to ...

Town council member Tim Jones who said he did not want to become the “junk police” for the Town of Stokesdale. If you are not, then who is?

SUBWAY of Oak Ridge for refusing to accept their own coupons. Rip-off!

Greensboro’s city buses, that habitually pull away from a bus stop without signaling, and then push their way into the traffic that’s passing them. This prevents other vehicles from returning to the right lane, blocked by the moving bus.

Very dangerous.

Town council candidates who take credit for accomplishments they had little to do with.

Drivers on Strawberry Road: I do look both ways before pulling out of my neighborhood, but if you’re flying around the curve like it’s the Daytona 500, don’t be shocked when I don’t see you until you’re on my bumper.

A&B Anders & Barrow CPAs, PC

35 Years Experience Tax Preparation  Bookkeeping Compilations Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA Jennifer M. Barrow, CPA

www.andersbarrowcpa.com Oak Ridge Business Center 8004 Linville Rd, Suite G, Oak Ridge

(336) 643-7577

municipal ELECTIONS STOKESDALE CANDIDATES: Tim Jones ...continued from p. 34

taken by the Town Council have impacts, and I want to help ensure they are positive.

I am a proponent of small, cost-effective government, which a review of my voting record on the Town Council substantiates.

Stokesdale does not have a property tax and is debt-free. I will continue efforts to keep it that way by helping make sure the citizens receive full value for each dollar spent on contracts, payroll, interlocal agreements and water-system projects.

Transparency in government is crucial, and I will support efforts to achieve that, including maintaining two public-comment periods during town meetings. And I will collaborate with elected officials at the county and state levels to advocate for Stokesdale’s citizens.

I also will continue to support the expansion of Stokesdale’s water system by using grants and funding from developers instead of town reserves, and push to minimize fees and regulations. I support efforts to improve Stokesdale’s Town Park and keep it family friendly and will continue to collaborate with Stokesdale Parks and Recreation whenever possible.

And I will continue to advocate for needed improvements for the Stokesdale Elementary school gym, roads and surrounding state roads.

May God bless Stokesdale.

Choose two key council votes in the last two years and explain why you agreed or disagreed.

1. How government operates is, and should be, important to citizens. One issue is a town’s form of government.

Stokesdale uses a N.C. mayorcouncil form, where an elected mayor and elected council oversee the town’s daily operation. On Sept. 12, 2024, the Stokesdale Town Council voted 4-1 to create a super-

64

visory position of town administrator. I was the only “no” vote. That decision moved Stokesdale toward a council-manager form of government, which I strongly oppose. In that, an expensive Town manager runs the Town with little oversight.

Stokesdale represents about 1 percent of Guilford County’s population, and the cost of a town manager is unaffordable.

Maintaining the right amount of staffing for a small town with a reasonable budget isn’t easy.

Stokesdale has to compete for employees, just like any other business or organization. Current Town Council members have been an effective team with some healthy disagreement. Minority opinions should be respected and considered.

A mayor-council form of government minimizes expenses and maximizes accountability for citizens. I support keeping it. If we follow the U.S. and N.C. Constitutions, local government will work for Stokesdale.

2. Another issue is revenue. In 2002, Guilford County commissioners voted to change the way per capita sales tax was distributed to towns. It resulted in Stokesdale losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Former and current Town Council members tried to reverse that action to no avail.

Early this year, I collaborated with N.C. Rep. John Blust, representing House District 62, which includes Stokesdale, to pursue state legislation about the tax distribution. N.C. House Bill 305 was drafted, filed March 5 and, with the help of Blust and N.C. Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger Sr., was ratified July 31. As a result, Stokesdale will receive about $400,000 in sales-tax distribution annually starting with the 2027-28 budget year.

NWGuilford

FALL 2025

MAX imizing your

real estate experience

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

336.210.3895 cell • www.NicoleGillespieRealty.com Multi-Million Dollar Producer | Lifetime Achievement Award | Hall of Fame Award Winner | Pinnacle Achievement Award

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

ound r A Photo by Patti Stokes/CONNECT2

TOWN

Summerfield’s Troop 103 Hits the Trail

Photo courtesy of Jeff Hanks

Photos by Nina Coussis

Members of Scout BSA Troop 103 gathered at the Food Lion in Summerfield on Aug. 22 before taking off for a weekend of backpacking and camping in Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia. Troop 103 is based in Summerfield and meets at Bethany Community School; its members are middle schoolers through age 18.

For more info, visit tmweb.troopmaster.com.

Carrying the Connection

Take a book, leave a book, and help spread the joy of reading!

On Aug. 19, the Northwest Guilford Kiwanis Club (photo above) dedicated and stocked its first Little Free Library, located at Bi-Rite, 8900 Ellisboro Road in Stokesdale; Bi-Rite owner David Wrenn had the honor of cutting the ribbon on the community’s newest Little Free Library (photo right). Nestled in a grassy spot beside the store’s parking lot, the library is stocked with children’s books generously donated by club members and Next Step Ministries, a Kernersville nonprofit supporting survivors of domestic violence. The club hopes to open a second Little Free Library in the near future.

FALL 2025

Photo by Annette Joyce/CONNECT2

NWGuilford

Oak Ridge resident Jeff Hanks brought the debut issue of Connect2 to MerleFest 2025, a beloved fourday annual music festival held the last weekend in April in Wilkesboro, NC. Founded in memory of Eddy Merle Watson, son of music legend Doc Watson, the “traditional plus” music event is a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and draws fans and musicians from across the country. Behind Hanks, the festival’s signature sand sculpture — crafted this year by Sandsational Sand Sculpting — adds to the celebration’s artistry and tradition.

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GUTTERS

Welcome to our new advertisersWILSON in this issue

Floral arrangements for weddings, prom, Adrian Eckenrod, Ann Schneider, Bill Goebel, Dewey’s Holiday Store, Jim Kinneman, special occasions, Merchants church services of Oak Ridge - RidgeFest, Oak Ridge Horse Show Association, Proactive Therapy and Wellness, and funerals.

Revolution Academy, Scott’s Tractor, Southern Foods and Z.N. Cobb Builders Fruit and gourmet baskets and balloon arrangements also available.

install new gutters clean old gutters repair old gutters

Seamless Gutters Installation, repair, replacement, Leaf Guard

residential & commercial ... and THANK YOU to Small-town, family-owned business FULLY INSURED ALL our advertisers in thisservingissue the Triad, specializing in all

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NWGuilford

FALL 2025

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GUTTERS RETAIL

HOME SERVICES STORAGE

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Seamless gutter installation Gutter repair Leaf protection installation www.allproseamlessguttering.com

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Gated●access with handyman 24/7 cameraconstruction surveillance ● well8207 pumps plumbing B & G Court, Stokesdale foundations ● sagging floors... and much more! licensed general contractors

LAWNCARE/LANDSCAPING TREE SERVICE

LANDSCAPING & DESIGN

full service maintenance

mulching ● plants ● trees pruning ● renovation ● sodding

LANDSCAPING MATERIALS mulch ● soils ● compost ● stone propane MORE THAN A JOB, IT’S OUR PASSION

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PAINTING

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Get on schedule now for exterior painting before cold weather with

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BEK Paint Company

Adrian Eckenrod, Ann Schneider, Bill Goebel, Dewey’s Holiday Store, Jim Kinneman, We do it all

Merchants of Oak Ridge - RidgeFest, Oak Ridge Horse Show Association, Proactive Therapy and Wellness, mowing ● trimming ● mulch since 1998 and operated Locally owned Revolution Academy, Scott’s Tractor, Southern Foods and Z.N. Cobb Builders pine needles ● aerating ● seeding fertilizing ● leaf removal ...and everything in between

Exterior & Interior Painting • Carpentry

“The Land Man”

... and THANK YOU to Phillip Stone, Barry Angel ALL our advertisers in this issue (336) 908-6528 336-362-0239 Deck Staining • Cabinet Painting

Wallpaper Removal • Front Door Refinishing

REALTOR®

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Davidin & Judy Long, owners Interested in advertising our WINTER (Dec., Jan., Feb.) issue?

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FALL 2025

NWGuilford

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Welcome to our new advertisers in this issue Welcome to our new advertisers in this issue Adrian Eckenrod, Ann Schneider, Bill Goebel, Dewey’s Holiday Store, Jim Kinneman,

Eckenrod, Ann Schneider, Bill Horse Goebel, Dewey’s Holiday Proactive Store, JimTherapy Kinneman, Merchants ofAdrian Oak Ridge - RidgeFest, Oak Ridge Show Association, and Wellness, Merchants of Oak Ridge RidgeFest, Oak Ridge Horse Show Association, Proactive Therapy Revolution Academy, Scott’s Tractor, Southern Foods and Z.N. Cobb Builders and Wellness, Revolution Academy, Scott’s Tractor, Southern Foods and Z.N. Cobb Builders

... and THANK YOU to ... and THANK YOU to ALL our advertisers in this issue ALL our advertisers in this issue for making it possible to provide Connect2 at no charge to our readers

for making it possible to provide Connect2 at no charge to our readers

Interested in advertising in our WINTER (Dec., Jan., Feb.) issue?

Interested in advertising in our WINTER (Dec., Jan., Feb.) issue?

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call (336) 944-1665 or email info@connect2nwguilford.com by Wed., Nov. 12 call (336) 944-1665 or email info@connect2nwguilford.com by Wed., Nov. 12 NWGuilford

FALL 2025

CLASSIFIEDS Call (336) 944-1665 or email info@Connect2NWGuilford.com to schedule your classified in our winter (December, January, February) issue

INDEX

Upcoming Events..........................................70 Auto Services..................................................70 Cleaning..............................................................70 Electrical............................................................70 General Repair & Services......................70 Landscaping, Lawncare, Irrigation.......... 70 Masonry..............................................................70 Miscellaneous................................................70 Painting...............................................................70 Pet Sitting..........................................................70 Plumbing............................................................70 Real Estate........................................................70 Remodeling & Construction..................70 Roofing................................................................ 71 Tree Services / Stump Grinding........... 71

UPCOMING EVENTS RIDGEFEST 2025, Sept. 4, 5 & 6. See display ad on p. 21 for details.

FALL BAZAAR & BRUNSWICK STEW SALE, Saturday, Oct. 25, 8am to 1pm. Baked goods, canned goods, chicken pies and vendors. Moravia Moravian Church, 2920 Oak Ridge Road. Call (336) 643-5166 to order stew or for more info.

PURPLE WAGON EVENTS – see our display ad on p. 10 of this issue for our full lineup of fall craft and holiday events.

PARADE OF HOMES, Oct. 4-5 & 11-12. Virtual tours and open houses.

Presented by Greensboro Builders Association. See our display ad on p. 15 for details.

BOSTON BUTT FUNDRAISER, Oak Ridge Horse Show and Rodeo. Order

by Nov. 1, pick up Nov. 22. See display ad on p. 49 for details.

DEWEY’S HOLIDAY STORE, season opening Saturday, Nov. 15. New location this year, in the Oak Ridge Swim Club parking lot. See display ad on p. 48 for details.

FRIDAY FLAVOR CONCERT SERIES, Stonefield Cellars Winery, Stokesdale, continues through the end of September.

See display ad on p. 53 for details.

HERITAGE DAY, Saturday, Sept. 27, Oak Ridge Town Park. See display ad on p. 34 for details.

BUSINESS/SERVICES AUTO EUROHAUS. A European auto repair and maintenance shop specializing in BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, Audis, Land Rovers, Porsches, Volkswagens, Volvos and more. Highly skilled technicians, A+ customer service. 6716 US 158, Stokesdale. (336) 891-3876.

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)

PAOLA CLEANING SERVICE. Residential, commercial & new construction. Insured. (336) 669-5210 or (336) 814-5694.

CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING. We clean all styles of windows, frames, sills, mirrors, skylights, and light fixtures – residential and commercial. We also do gutter cleaning and pressure washing. (336) 595-2873. Fully ins. www.windowcleaningnc.com.

GATORMAID CLEANING. 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.

MARTIN’S PRESSURE WASHING. House and roof soft washing. Concrete/ paver cleaning and sealing. Residential and commercial. Visit MartinsPressureWashing.com. Call or text (919) 9310856. 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 on p. 67.

LANDSCAPING, LAWNCARE, IRRIGATION DELIMA LAWN CARE, LLC. Mowing, pruning, mulch/pine needles, leaf removal & much more. Commercial and residential. Licensed & insured.

Serving northwest Guilford area since 2005. Call JC Ruiz, owner, at (336) 669-5210.

AQUA SYSTEMS IRRIGATION. Quality irrigation systems. We service all systems. NC licensed contractor.

Free estimates. (336) 644-1174.

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 CARLOS & SON PAINTING. Residential & commercial. Licensed & insured. Serving northwest Guilford area since 1999.

Carlos Ruiz, owner, (336) 669-5210 or carlospainting14@live.com.

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

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.

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

PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR. 45 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. Average bedroom walls $125. No job too small. Insured.

Call or text Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186.

WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC. Lawn maintenance, landscaping. Irrigation/ landscape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape lighting. 30+ yrs. exp.

(336) 399-7764.

WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING LLC. Your Summerfield Pet Sitter since 2018.

Certified, bonded & insured. See our website for service and extended service areas. (336) 339-6845. www.wendycollinspetsitting.com.

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 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.

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

PET SITTING

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

REMODELING & CONSTRUCTION BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. One call does it all! Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood repair. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. Since 1979. References available. Sr. discounts. (336) 362-6343.

...More Classifieds on p. 70

CLASSIFIEDS 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.

RENOVATION WORKS, INC. New construction, remodeling, additions, kitchen, bath and decks. Locally owned, full-service design-and-build company.

BBB A+ accredited. Call (336) 427-7391 or visit www.myrenovationworks.com to discuss your next project. See our full-page

SURVEY ...continued from p. 47 community members,” he said. “I also look for candidates’ campaign literature or websites.”

“I look for candidates who demonstrate integrity, a willingness to listen to residents, and a genuine understanding of our community’s needs,” Powell added. “It’s important that candidates have a clear plan, communicate effectively, and can work well with others to get things done for the benefit of the town.”

“Some of the most important issues currently include responsible growth and development, maintaining the

INDEX of Display Advertisers Thank you to these advertisers for making this issue possible, (and please tell them you saw their ad here)

display ad on p. 61.

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(336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350.

See our display ad in this issue’s Marketplace.

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

DUSTIN CLINARD ROOFING. Certified 50-year non-prorated shingle warranty.

Certified commercial roof systems and coatings. Offer commercial maintenance as well as shingle, metal and leak repairs. Free estimates. (336) 268-1908.

TREE SERVICES / STUMP GRINDING 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 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 display ad on p. 33.

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.

quality of life in Stokesdale, the future of our town’s infrastructure, and how public funds are managed.

“The town park, where families and neighbors come together, is also important to me and I think a dog park would be a wonderful addition. Many residents have dogs and enjoy spending time with them, so a designated area would enhance the park and benefit the community.

“Local elections often have lower turnout, but they matter just as much – if not more – than state or national ones. This is our town, and every vote helps shape its future,” he said.

ACCOUNTING

Kimberly Thacker Accounting............. 66 Anders & Barrow CPAs, PC.................... 64

Purple Wagon Events....................................10 RidgeFest.................................................................19

FITNESS

ART/DANCE/MUSIC

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

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

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

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

FLORIST

FUNERAL SERVICES

EuroHaus.................................................................63 Prestige Car Wash..........................................36

Forbis & Dick.......................................................45

BUILDING / REMODELING

HAIR CARE

CJ Builders............................................................ 32 Disney Construction Company.............. 2 Old School Home Repair......................... 66 R&K Custom Homes........................................ 3 Renovation Works...........................................61 TM Construction Services...................... 16 Walraven Signature Homes....................50 Z.N.Cobb Builders...........................................58

CANDIDATES

Adrian Eckenrod................................................41 Ann Schneider.................................................... 35 Jim Kinneman.................................................... 42 Phil Byrd...................................................................39

CHURCHES

Central Baptist Church...............................22

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Summerfield Fire District........................47

DENTAL SERVICES

Confident Kids Pediatric Dentistry... 21 Cosmetic & Family Dentistry................... 4 Summerfield Family Dentistry............ 44

EVENTS

Baking Contest/Heritage Day.............. 34 Barktoberfest.....................................................59 Boston Butt Fundraiser............................. 49 Dewey’s Holiday Store Opening....... 48 Parade of Homes.............................................. 15

70

Great Clips............................................................. 37

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Affordable Home Repair............................67 Allpro Seamless Guttering LLC...........67 Amanzi....................................................................... 52 Baja Lawncare.....................................................67 BEK Paint Company......................................67 Carpets by Direct................................................5 Dillon Tree Service.......................................... 33 Flooring Innovations..................................... 27 Garden Outlet.....................................................67 GT’s Tree Service............................................ 68 Kitchen Tune-up...............................................56 Piedmont Stone................................................... 8 Premiere Construction & Roofing...46 Rymack Storage.............................................. 68 S&M Seamless Gutters.............................. 66 Scott’s Tractor...................................................... 9 Southern Outdoor Living............................ 7 Stokesdale Heating & Air......................... 24 Stokesdale Storage....................................... 68 Wilson Seamless Gutters........................ 66

MEDICAL / HEARING / PHYSICAL THERAPY

AIM Hearing & Audiology.........................30 Eagle Physicians................................................38 New Hope Medical..........................................18 Novant Health...................................................... 71 Oak Ridge Physical Therapy.................. 37 Proactive Therapy........................................... 55

MISCELLANEOUS

Bill Goebel Silver Buffalo Award.........43

ORTHODONTIC CARE

Olmsted Orthodontics...................... 12, 37 Robert Stoner Orthodontics................. 51

PET CARE

Almost Home Boarding & Grooming... 59 Northwest Animal Hospital.................... 57

REAL ESTATE

A New Dawn Realty....................................... 26 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX................ 29, 65 Phillip Stone, A New Dawn Realty.....67 Ramilya Siegel, Keller Williams............. 13

RESTAURANTS

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

RETAIL

INSURANCE

David Cole Pottery........................................ 68 Dewey’s Holiday Store............................... 48 The Shoe Market.............................................. 17 Southern Foods.................................................. 11 Stonefield Cellars............................................ 53

LEGAL SERVICES

Revolution Academy........................... 23, 25

Gladwell Insurance Agency.....................62 Barbour & Williams Law........................... 20 Law Office of Susan Greeson............. 60

NWGuilford

SCHOOLS SIGNS

The Carolina Signsmith...............................14

FALL 2025

For the best healthcare in your area

You want Novant

Novant Health is here for all your healthcare needs with our network of experts in the northwest Guilford area, and across the county. Our doctors will work together to ensure you and your family get the compassionate care you need, when and where you n e e d i t . Come experience the remarkable care you deserve at Novant Health.

Northwest Guilford clinics Novant Health Forsyth Pediatrics 2205 Oak Ridge Road, Suite BB Oak Ridge 336-644-0994 Novant Health Forsyth Pediatrics 4901 Auburn Road Summerfield 336-660-5280

Novant Health Ironwood Family Medicine 6316 Old Oak Ridge Road Greensboro 336-605-1337

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

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

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

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

Best physicians. Amazing nurses. Remarkable care. © Novant Health, Inc. 2025

FALL 2025

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NWGuilford

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NW Guilford

Postal Patron

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

PAID

Oak Ridge, NC Permit No. 22

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

ECRWSS

! e s i r p r Su we’re expanding!

Still in Oak Ridge Commons Shopping Center,

but now with a 6,200-square-foot studio, all under one roof.

Dance is with us th

fall

dance ● acrobatics/tumbling private music lessons Still enrolling for fall!

Find details about ALL our classes at

DestinationArtsCenter.com or call (336) 740-6891

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

Half-day preschool with a fine arts focus.

Join our waitlist for 2025-2026 DestinationArtsCenter.com/Bloom

Bringing the arts into the hearts of children

dance, ages 18 months and up ● acrobatics/tumbling, ages 3 and up ● private music lessons, ages 5 and up

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