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history, happenings & humor of northwest guilford county NW Guilford PUBLISHED QUARTERLY March, June, September & December

HOW TO REACH US

phone: (336) 944-1665 mail: PO Box 444, Summerfield, NC 27358

Connect2NWGuilford.com for advertising, editorial and general information artdirector@ Connect2NWGuilford.com for ad design and production questions accountant@ Connect2NWGuilford.com for billing questions

OUR TEAM

Patti Stokes, editor/publisher

Kelli Jessup, art director

Yvonne Bichsel Truhon, graphic designer

Leon Stokes, IT director

Lucy Smith, finance manager

Chris Bennett, Tom McCoy, distribution

Chris Burritt, Annette Joyce, contributing writers

CIRCULATION

19,000* in print, and online 24/7 at www.Connect2NWGuilford.com

* includes 13,000+ directly mailed to ALL homes with an Oak Ridge (27310), Summerfield (27358) and Stokesdale (27357) mailing address, with an additional 6,000 copies placed in our newspaper racks and area businesses throughout northwest Guilford County for free pickup.

&

what’s inside

Why the name change… and how is retirement going?

As editor and publisher of the Northwest Observer for over 28 years, I’ve been asked often since Connect2 launched in March: “Why did you change the name?”

The short answer: I wanted the Northwest Observer to be appreciated for what it was, while giving this new publication its own identity – with new ideas, features, and expectations. While Connect2 retains much of the Northwest Observer’s writing style and local coverage for northwest Guilford County, it also incorporates new design and content features, as well as features from other publications we produced over the years and some ideas for features that never quite made their way into any of our publications.

feature stories about “ordinary, extraordinary” people, animals, places and history that impact us just as much, but in a different way.

I’m truly grateful for the positive feedback we received after our spring issue – from thanks for “not throwing in the towel,” to words of appreciation for still keeping people informed about local news.

Patti Stokes editor/publisher

“But isn’t Connect2 just a renamed Northwest Observer?” some have asked. Not exactly. I think of them more like siblings – shaped by shared roots but each having a unique personality and purpose.

From the Northwest Observer ’s first issue in 1996 (as the Oak Ridge Observer) to its final one in December 2024, reader habits changed significantly. As someone who has a somewhat “nerdy” interest in the inter-workings of local government, it was a bit disheartening to realize the “fun stuff” (i.e., the Grins and Gripes) seemed to be valued more than the work we put into informing our community about issues that directly and more seriously affect our daily lives (at least, that’s the impression I got based on the feedback readers gave me). What I hope to do with Connect2 is adapt to reader changes by offering more condensed versions of the “heavier” local news that’s helpful to know but not always as fun to read, balanced with the

One reader, now living out of the area, wrote that picking up the Northwest Observer when visiting family “kept me grounded to the community I called home so many decades ago (1990s to 2000s) and I always appreciated it… And now I have to say thank you for continuing the work in the new publication. I enjoyed reading it this Mother’s Day weekend. And my wife and I loved your shoutout to our old classmate Matt Olmsted, Class of 2000! I can only imagine your stories of watching generations grow up here!”

That’s what I call valuable feedback!

As for the second question I’ve been asked a lot in recent months: “How’s retirement — or semi-retirement?” It’s great! But the truth is, my days are just as full as they have been for the last many years and I’ve still got my foot in the door of local news and happenings, so there’s no time to be idle – and that’s just the way I like it!

Patti Stokes

editor/publisher | Connect2 NWGuilford patti@connect2nwguilford.com

P.S. To the reader whose feedback on our Spring issue was simply, “Bring back the Grins and Gripes – immediately!” – hope you’ll be grinning when you get to p. 48 (after you read all the very informative local news coverage first, of course).

(L to R) Gina Childress, co-owner of Golden Antiques and Treasures in Summerfield, store manager Holly Jones, and Ann Inscoe express both fascination and delight at what they read in our first issue of Connect2 (Send your reader photos, with a caption telling us who is in the picture and where it was taken, to patti@connect2nwguilford.com)

JetZero confirms Greensboro airport as a finalist

The California-based startup company planning to create more than 10,000 jobs is considering two other U.S. locations

by CHRIS BURRITT

NW GREENSBORO – Piedmont Triad International Airport is going to learn soon whether aircraft startup JetZero will keep the Greensboro airport’s hot streak alive.

Long Beach, California-based JetZero recently confirmed it’s considering PTI Airport as one of three U.S. finalists for a 10,000-plus-employee assembly factory for its revolutionary “all wing” passenger airplane. The International Paris Air Show scheduled for June 16-22 provides a global aviation audience for

Boom Supersonic, the company building the world’s fastest passenger jet, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 17, 2024, to celebrate the completion of its Overture Superfactory. Located at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, it is the first supersonic airliner factory in the United States. PTI Airport hopes to get another boost when JetZero announces its selection for a 10,000-plus-employee assembly factory for its revolutionary “all wing” passenger airplane. The company is considering two other locations besides Greensboro, and is expected to announce its selection in mid-June.

JetZero to announce its selection.

“We hope to announce the

final selection within weeks,” said company spokeswoman Jenny Dervin, noting the upcoming air show. In an email, she declined to identify the two other locations ...continued on p. 26

Photo courtesy of Boom Supersonic

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Summerfield leaders take steps to defend charter

Proposed state legislation would study whether municipalities offer too few services to retain their charters of incorporation

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Approaching its 30th anniversary next year, Summerfield faces the potential loss of its charter of incorporation. Town leaders are starting to grapple with the possibility.

A bill recently passed by the N.C. House of Representatives and under consideration in the Senate would study whether any municipalities statewide would qualify as a “paper town” due to a lack of services mandated by a state law enacted in 2000.

Under the provisions of that law, a community seeking a charter of incorporation is required to have a minimum tax rate of 5 cents per $100 of property valu-

ation. That wasn’t a requirement when Summerfield was incorporated in 1996.

Communities seeking to incorporate are also now required to offer four of these eight services: police protection, fire protection, garbage collection, water distribution, street maintenance, street construction or right-of-way acquisition, street lighting and zoning.

At present, Summerfield falls short other than imposing a property tax and regulating property zoning. It gets police protection from the Sheriff’s Office and fire protection from Summerfield Fire District. It contracts for garbage pickup and bill collection and relies upon the state Department of Transportation for road

I think perception matters. I think people are watching your process and watching your conversations.’’

– Jason Joyner, Raleigh lobbyist and government affairs consultant, speaking to Summerfield Town Council about preparing to justify the town’s charter of incorporation.

work and Duke Energy for street lighting. Residents and businesses rely upon well water, although the town is proceeding with a municipal water system.

At a special called budget meeting on May 27, Town Manager Charles “Twig” Rollins presented a FY 2025-26 proposed budget that includes a recommendation to increase the town’s property tax rate from 2.75 cents to 5 cents per $100 of property tax valuation.

The proposed budget also includes Rollins’s recommendations for three other actions to show state

lawmakers the town is willing to add services to comply with present-day incorporation requirements: contract with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office for community policing that the town now gets for free; provide in-house billing for trash collection; and take over street light service from Duke Energy.

Coupled with zoning already offered by Summerfield, the addition of those three services would “bring us in line with the standard for towns (since) 2000,” Rollins told the council during the May 27 budget meeting.

Rollins proposed the additional services with assistance from Raleigh lobbyist and government affairs consultant Jason Joyner. Hired by the council earlier last month at an hourly rate of $250, Joyner has been assessing services Summerfield currently offers and could provide in the future to retain its charter.

“This is sharpening-your-pencil season,” Joyner told the council at the special called meeting he attended on May 6. “If the bill passes, I certainly believe that you’d be included in that,” he said.

The paper towns debate in the state’s General Assembly surfaced last June when legislators were debating whether to de-annex nearly 1,000 acres in Summerfield owned by developer David Couch. Not only did the legislature de-annex the property, some lawmakers including Rep. Sarah Stevens (R-District 90) also pointed out Summerfield may not offer enough services.

This past April, Stevens introduced House Bill 801 instructing the Legislative Research Commission to study “the current status of ‘paper towns’ in North Carolina.” The commission is required to report its findings and any proposed legislation upon the convening of the legislature in 2026, giving Summerfield’s leaders roughly a year to make their case for retaining the town’s charter.

During the May 6 meeting, Rollins had

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

recommended hiring a lobbyist/consultant to help the town address the issue, since he and his staff are busy with four projects: the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway, Bandera Farms Park, the municipal water system and the town’s garbage collection contract.

“Those

other things are important, but if Summerfield has any trouble, those issues aren’t

distress, a lack of population or residents’ lack of interest in remaining incorporated, he said.

“This seems like an opportunity for Summerfield to respond in a meaningful way to an inquiry about your version of government,” Joyner said. Describing the process as “very collaborative,” he said he believes legislative staff will give the town the opportunity to respond to questions about its services. “You certainly have the ability to engage,” he said.

going to be around,”

Hamilton

Councilman Jonathan

said. “That’s

why I think it’s very important for us to push this to the front of the line if we can. I really want to make sure we take it very seriously.”

Joyner is advising the council to prepare for the likelihood that Summerfield is going to have to justify its incorporation. The proposed study bill mandates that services “provided by each town are sufficient to sustain the incorporation for purposes of continued taxation, zoning, and regulation of the right to control private property.”

Joyner said he’s unwilling to predict how lawmakers will view Summerfield if they enact the paper town bill. Typically, the legislature revokes municipal charters due to financial

Broadly, Joyner is urging the council to proceed collaboratively and seek the input of residents in preparing a plan justifying Summerfield’s right to remain incorporated.

“I think the way in which you decide to respond to this does speak to you and your leadership and your community,” he said. “The biggest thing for you to do in this process is really do the analysis of yourself.”

The task may be tougher due to years of squabbling that pops up whenever someone searches the town on the internet.

“I think perception matters,” Joyner said. “I think people are watching your process and watching your conversations.”

Summer Breeze

Summerfield prepares to seek bids for three major projects

Bidding may lead to start of Bandera Farms Park, the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway and the municipal water system this fall, town manager says by

CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – After decades of discussion, planning and bickering, the town of Summerfield is preparing to solicit bids for Bandera Farms Park, the Atlantic & Yadkin (A&Y) Greenway and the municipal water system in July or August.

That’s according to Town Manager Charles “Twig” Rollins, who said “we may be turning over dirt” on the three projects as soon as this fall if contractors submit bids and the Town Council approves them.

“We’ve got things moving,” Rollins said in a recent interview. “I think it’s exciting for the community that they’re going to get to see things actually come to fruition. It’s been a long haul for everybody.”

Summerfield faces a deadline of December 2026 to complete Bandera and the water system consisting of an elevated storage tank and lines along Summerfield Road and N.C. 150. The deadline is mandated by the federal pandemic relief grants for the projects, Rollins noted.

He’s also seeking extensions on state and federal grants for Bandera, a 119-acre equestrian and hiking preserve planned for Bunch Road at Interstate 73.

Rollins said he anticipates the completion of the greenway in late 2026 as well, even though the project doesn’t face a funding deadline.

For all three projects, he said, “the deadline for me is construction costs keep going up.

Budget season can be taxing

Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Stokesdale present draft budgets for citizen input before the state’s June 30 deadline for adoption by CHRIS BURRITT and PATTI STOKES

SUMMERFIELD

Summerfield Town Manager Charles “Twig” Rollins is recommending a $10.87 million budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. It proposes increasing the property tax rate from 2.75 cents to 5 cents per $100 of property valuation.

The towns of Oak Ridge, Summerfield, and Stokesdale will each hold public hearings on their proposed FY 2025–26 budgets during their regularly scheduled June meetings. In advance of its public hearing on June 10, the Summerfield Town Council will also hold a special called meeting on June 5 to gather public feedback on the budget.

The higher tax rate would bring Summerfield in line with the minimum required by state law for communities seeking incorporation. It’s a step that town leaders are considering as state lawmakers scrutinize whether municipalities such as Summerfield offer too few services to retain their charters.

The town would draw $57,210 from its fund balance for next year’s

budget, while relying upon grants for major projects, such as a municipal water system, for the rest of revenue, according to Rollins’ executive summary to the Town Council. He noted Summerfield has no debt and reserves exceed $7 million.

Pipeline opponents lack support of Oak Ridge’s council

A majority of the Town Council said they wouldn’t back a resolution opposing Transco’s pipeline expansion

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE –

Despite growing opposition to Transco’s proposed new methane pipeline, Oak Ridge officials remain largely unwilling to support a resolution opposing the project.

Signs opposing the proposed Southeast Supply Enhancement Project began appearing throughout Oak Ridge after Williams Cos. announced its plans last year for a nearly 10,000-mile natural gas pipeline expansion. Opponents have also created a website (www.nossep.org), voiced concerns about safety and environmental risks at town council and county commissioner meetings, circulated a petition, and requested the council approve a resolution asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to deny the SSEP.

The pipeline, part of Transco’s Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP), would add a new 42-inch pressurized line alongside three existing lines that have transported gas for more than 60 years from Texas to New York. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is reviewing the proposal, though local governments like Oak Ridge have limited influence over the final decision.

As in previous months, several citizens attended Oak Ridge Town Council’s meeting on April 3 to voice their concerns about potential safety and environmental risks the pipeline expansion poses. Claire Spear, an environmental justice organizer for the nonprofit 7 Directions, urged the council to take a public stance against the expansion by approving a draft resolution she presented that urges FERC to deny the pipeline.

“We’re not asking you for money,” Spear told the council. “We’re only asking you to pass a resolution.”

Four out of five Oak Ridge Town Council members – Ann Schneider, Jim Harton, Mike Stone, and Michael Greeson – have stated they would not support the resolution. Mayor Jim Kinneman said he may consider a resolution asking Transco to take extra safety precautions but ac-

knowledged that formal opposition is unlikely to stop the project.

“I just want it to be safe,” said Greeson, who noted that safety concerns were addressed by Williams Cos., Transco’s parent company, during a Guilford County commissioners meeting. Kyle Tarpley, a community outreach specialist with Williams, emphasized the company’s safety record and regular monitoring.

“We have a history of safely operating through ballfields, near schools, behind church parking lots,” she said.

Williams says internal inspections occur every six years, supplemented by frequent aerial and remote surveillance. However, the company’s record is not without blemish. A 2008 pipeline rupture in Virginia caused a fire, resulting in five injuries, two homes being destroyed, and 23 families being evacuated.

In Oak Ridge, some residents and advocacy groups remain deeply concerned. Jane Foy, a retired pediatrician, has spoken out at both local and county meetings. She cited safety risks and potential groundwater contamination, urging the replacement of

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

PIPELINE OPPOSITION

aging lines and more transparency with property owners.

Foy is part of a growing grassroots movement that includes support from organizations like Haw River Assembly, Guilford Clean Power Now Coalition, the Sierra Club, and 7 Directions of Service. These groups have worked to raise awareness, including organizing community meetings and encouraging broader public participation.

The potential “blast zone” from the existing and proposed pipelines includes three churches on N.C. 150 east of N.C. 68, while “high-consequence risk areas” extend to Oak Ridge Military Academy and Oak Ridge Elementary, according to the Property Rights and Pipeline Center, a group seeking to end the use of eminent domain for oil and gas pipelines.

Despite these concerns, support for the pipeline remains strong among state-level stakeholders. Schneider, in a May 8 letter to Guilford County Commissioner

...continued from p. 11

Pat Tillman, noted that most state legislators, the NC Chamber, and the NC Ag Partnership back the project.

“Our state is growing by leaps and bounds,” she wrote. “And building energy infrastructure to support our growing population is essential.”

Council member Harton said in an email that “the issue is not in the purview of the town and I will not sign a resolution challenging the pipeline addition.”

Council member Stone echoed this sentiment, questioning where the energy will come from to meet increasing demand.

“Everyone is using more energy to power more conveniences and necessities,” Stone said. “Where is the power going to come from for more houses, apartments and businesses?”

Grand Opening set for September

OAK RIDGE – The grand opening of the Farmhouse Community Center in Oak Ridge Town Park has been rescheduled for Sept. 14, with a rain date of Sept. 21. Originally planned for June, the delay allows time for Guilford County to finalize the occupancy permit and provides a soft-opening period for trial use, according to Oak Ridge Town Council Member Ann Schneider.

Groups like the Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club and the town’s Special Events Committee, along with private event hosts, will help test the facility and its online reservation system ahead of the official debut.

“The transformation of this building is incredible,” Schneider said, adding that only minor finishing touches remain, such as hanging historic photos. She noted the renovation preserved key historic elements, including fireplace surrounds and window details.

Landscaping at the farmhouse and the park’s entrance is complete. By opening in September, town leaders hope to avoid the summer heat. Plans for the grand opening include bluegrass music, flower planting and homemade ice cream.

Photo by Patti Stokes/CONNECT2

the shoe market

The Shoe Market: comfort, fit, and service that go the extra mile

Tucked away on West Market Street in Greensboro, The Shoe Market stands as one of the Southeast’s premier destinations for highquality footwear. Spanning 30,000 square feet, it’s one of the largest sit-and-fit shoe stores in the country — and proudly independent and family-owned. Many customers travel for hours to browse its extensive selection, which includes men’s sizes 7–17 (widths 2A–6E) and women’s sizes 4–13 (widths 4A–4E), along with a standout lineup of American-made brands such as SAS, Allen Edmonds, New Balance, Thorogood and more.

But what truly sets The Shoe Market apart is its old-fashioned commitment to fit, service, and long-lasting quality. Each of the store’s 25 sales associates is extensively trained before ever working solo, and many turn part-time roles into years-long careers — including one top-performing team member who’s 83 years old and a former shoe store owner himself.

At The Shoe Market, comfort and style go hand in hand. With a remarkable inventory of over 60,000 shoes from nearly 100 top brands, every pair is carefully selected to offer the perfect blend of support, fit and fashion. You’ll find trusted athletic brands like Brooks, Hoka, New Balance, and On-Running, known for their performance and innovative design. For everyday wear, The Shoe Market also features leading comfort brands such as Aetrex, Birkenstock, Dansko, Ecco, Finn Comfort, and SAS — each combining exceptional craftsmanship with foot-friendly features that result in shoes that feel as good as they look.

“We’re not a warehouse,” says

owner Perry Calhoun. “People come here because we have what others don’t — and we know how to fit shoes properly.” He notes that many first-time visitors become lifelong customers, and often, lifelong friends.

Behind this standout operation is a remarkable story of grit, family, and an enduring passion for shoes.

The man behind The Shoe Market: Perry Calhoun

At 82 years old, Calhoun is still a regular presence in the store and can often be found helping customers, despite his health challenges. His journey started humbly. Growing up without a television or much in the way of entertainment, he spent his childhood working — first delivering newspapers at age 10, then selling shoes at 14 for $3 a day.

While school didn’t interest him much beyond math, he maintained straight As. With plans to become a lawyer, Calhoun attended the University of Alabama for two years before deciding to return to the workforce and earn an income. With his early shoe sales experience, he joined a national shoe chain in a management role, moving across the country before launching his own ventures.

In 1970, he co-founded a midsize shoe store in Hickory, North Carolina, which grew into a six-store chain. After selling his stake, he briefly worked for a demanding store owner — a tough period, but one that taught him invaluable business lessons. In the late 1970s, Calhoun launched Burlington Shoes, a high-end operation near I-85 that expanded to 13 stores across the South and Midwest before he sold his interest and retired in his mid-50s.

But retirement didn’t last long. business business

several leading

variety of standard and hard-to-find widths and sizes.

In 1992, he opened The Shoe Market in Greensboro’s Cotton Mill Square. The store later moved to the Price Shopping Center, where it expanded three times into the space it occupies today. From day one, Calhoun built the business on the principles he’s lived by his whole life: hard work, integrity, and knowing what customers truly want and need.

“You have to know what shoes will sell,” he says simply. “This involves constantly having your hand on the pulse of the industry and knowing what your customers want. We always make sure the shoes in our inventory are comfortable, fashionable, durable and are unique in the marketplace.”

All three of Calhoun’s children are involved in The Shoe Market,

making it a true family business. Most actively involved is PJ, a U.S. Army veteran who studied pedorthics in New York before joining his father in the business.

To Calhoun, selling shoes isn’t just about footwear. It’s about helping people live better, more comfortable lives.

“Feet are the foundation of our bodies,” he says. “Most people don’t realize until later in life how much damage ill-fitting shoes can cause.”

More than seven decades after he sold his first pair, Calhoun is still doing what he loves. And The Shoe Market continues to thrive — not just as a store, but as a testament to the values that it was founded on: service, quality, and care that never go out of style.

the shoe market

The fitting experts... where aching feet find relief!

336.632.1188 | www.theshoemarketinc.com

Price Place Center, 4624 W. Market St., Greensboro Monday - Friday, 10am -7pm Saturday, 10am - 6pm | Sunday, 1pm - 5pm

Photo by Patti Stokes/CONNECT2

Eddie Alameda (right), a 26-year employee of The Shoe Market, assists longtime customer Pam Tocornal of Summerfield with a pair of sandals made by Finn Comfort, one of

comfort brands the store carries in a

Healthcare,

to

We specialize in:

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• Specialty Care - Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Endoscopy, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Sleep Medicine & Sports Medicine

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• Convenient Walk-In Care (Urgent Care)

Detour slated for last phase of road work in Oak Ridge

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has some good news for Oak Ridge drivers.

Even as contractors have erected temporary traffic signal poles and are preparing to place barrels and barrier walls, the biggest inconvenience to motorists is further down the road. The detour of traffic onto Linville Road from the construction work on N.C. 68 and 150 won’t start until next year, according to NCDOT resident engineer Jacob Harris.

Adobe Stock photo

The detour of traffic onto Linville Road from the construction work on N.C. 68 and 150 in Oak Ridge won’t start until next year, according to NCDOT resident engineer Jacob Harris.

project are underway, with signage being installed and subcontractors implementing erosion control measures to prevent silt runoff

“The initial stages of the ...continued on p. 44

July 7-18 is filing period for municipal candidates in November election

by PATTI STOKES

NW GUILFORD – Candidates planning to run in the Nov. 4 municipal elections in Summerfield, Oak Ridge and Stokesdale can file from Monday, July 7, through Friday, July 18. Four-year terms are up for grabs in all three towns, along with Summerfield’s two-year mayoral seat.

SUMMERFIELD – In Summerfield, the council seats held by Janelle Robinson and John Doggett, both first elected in 2021, will be on the November ballot. Robinson and Doggett both responded to Connect2 via email that as of this writing, they have not yet decided whether they will seek a second term.

The mayor in Summerfield is elected directly by voters every two years and only votes in tie situations. Mayor Tim Sessoms responded that he is undecided about seeking another term.

OAK RIDGE – In Oak Ridge, the council seats held by Jim Kinneman and Ann Schneider will be on the

November ballot. The mayor in Oak Ridge is elected from among the council members every other year, following a municipal election; Kinneman has served as the town’s mayor since December 2023, when he was elected by the majority of the five council members.

Schneider confirmed via email that she plans to run for re-election. Kinneman responded that as of this writing he is still undecided.

STOKESDALE – Two seats are open in Stokesdale, those currently held by Mayor Mike Crawford and Councilman Tim Jones; both are for four-year terms.

Gladwell Insurance sponsored the Mutton Bustin’ at the Oak Ridge Horse Show. Pictured here,

NW Guilford WORD SEARCH

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Call (336) 944-1665 or email info@Connect2NWGuilford.com to sponsor the FALL Connect2 Word Search

Explore the puzzle below to find all the hidden words! As you search, keep an eye out for exciting local attractions you can visit this summer, as well as animals you might spot at the Greensboro Science Center. Words may appear horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and even backwards—so look carefully!

Scouting America honors Dr. Mike Matzinger for distinguished service to youth

article courtesy of HOLLY STEWART

OAK RIDGE/NW GUILFORD

Oak Ridge resident Dr. Mike Matzinger has been selected to receive Scouting America’s Silver Antelope Award, one of the organization’s highest honors. This award recognizes his exceptional character, visionary leadership, and decades of impactful service to youth.

on how to create accessible outdoor experiences.

Over his more than 30 years as a dedicated Scouting volunteer, Matzinger has made a lasting difference in the lives of countless young people. He is the founder of seven Scouting units in the Greensboro-based Old North State Council, three of which he continues to lead. He has served as Scoutmaster of Oak Ridge-based Troop 600 (boys) for 19 years, Skipper of northwest Greensboro-based Ship 3 for 17 years, and Scoutmaster of Oak Ridge-based Troop 219 (girls) for six years. Under his guidance, 89 young men and nine young women have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. His mentorship has also supported three Scouts in earning National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) scholarships, including the nation’s first female recipient.

A champion for diversity and inclusion, Matzinger served four years as the founding advisor of a Venturing crew supporting over 60 African American young men – the largest crew of color in Scouting America’s history. He works extensively with youth who have special needs and disabilities and trains organizations

Matzinger’s service extends globally. In 2019, he led a territory troop to the World Scout Jamboree, and for the past three years, he has collaborated with the Scouting America Transatlantic Council and the National Organization of the Scouts of Ukraine to help Scouting continue amidst conflict. Scouts from his units annually raise funds to sponsor a dedicated summer camp experience for their Ukrainian peers and provide in-person support.

At the national level, Matzinger serves as one of three vice chairs of Scouting Alumni, the largest alumni network in the U.S., leading communications, data, and membership initiatives to engage over 30 million members. He also chairs the communications group for the National Commissioner Service Team, supporting more than 477,000 adult Scouting volunteers nationwide.

A lifetime member of NESA, Matzinger received the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award in 2022. His family’s Scouting legacy continues through his two sons, both of whom are Eagle Scouts.

Matzinger received the Silver Antelope Award during a special luncheon at the 2025 Scouting America National Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, on May 14.

To learn more about Scouting America’s mission, visit Scouting.org.

Dr. Mike Matzinger

Revolution purchases 65 acres for upper school campus

Set to be completed in 2027, the new campus will eventually serve students in grades 6-12

SUMMERFIELD –

Academy, a tuition-free public charter school that opened in August 2020 to 400 students in grades K-6, announced in late March that it has purchased 65 acres of land at 5322 Bunch Road in Summerfield. The school has awarded a contract to Winston-Salem-based Land mark Builders to build an upper school campus that will eventu ally serve 784 students in grades 6-12. Once completed, the school’s lower school campus on Oak Ridge Road in Summerfield will serve 636 students in grades K-5.

“With more than 700 families on the waiting list, the lower school will immediately fill any vacated classrooms,” a school spokesperson said. “This expansion promises to elevate educational opportunities for Guilford County families while spotlighting

Shown above, a

of

school’s new campus will eventually serve 784 students in grades 6-12.

Summerfield as a growing hub of innovation.”

School representatives say the new campus will build on Revolution Academy’s “strong foundation of offering a back-to-basics, modern traditional education focused on academic rigor, character and responsibility.”

To fund its land purchase and construction of a new campus that will include advanced classrooms, technology, athletic spaces and

more, the school launched its Revolution Rising capital campaign on March 27.

“This land is a once-ina-lifetime chance to redefine education in Summerfield, and with Revolution Rising, we invite our community to help us build something extraordinary,” said John Nosek, chairman of the school’s Board of Directors.

Principal Michele Harris added, “Our students deserve a cam-

pus that reflects their potential – a place to dream big and excel. This upper school will be a beacon of hope for Summerfield, and we’re ready to rally behind Revolution Rising to make it a reality.”

The $30 million Revolution Rising campaign kicked off by urging donors, businesses, and supporters to contribute to what it described as a “historic project.” For more information about the school, visit www.rarhinosk12.com.

Quality Craftsmanship

Casey Johnson

Artist rendering courtesy of Revolution Academy

rendering

Revolution Academy’s future upper school campus on Bunch Road in Summerfield. The public charter

Congratulations U9 Soccer Stars!

SCHOOL CALENDAR

May-August 2025

Key dates for Guilford County Schools (GCS) on traditional academic schedule & public charter schools

Friday, May 30 L AST DAY for students at Revolution Academy

Friday, June 6 L AST DAY for students at Greensboro Academy & Summerfield Charter

Wednesday, June 11 L AST DAY for students in GCS system

Wednesday, June 11 GRADUATION, Northwest Guilford High, 6 p.m.

Friday, June 13 GRADUATION, Northern Guilford High, 9 a.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 13 FIRST DAY for students at Revolution Academy

Thursday, Aug. 21 FIRST DAY for students at Greensboro Academy & Summerfield Charter

Monday, Aug. 25 FIRST DAY for students in GCS system

Photo courtesy of Kaitlin Brown

The U9 Soccer Stars, representing the Oak Ridge Youth Association, competed in their very first tournament at the Fusion Cup the weekend of May 16-18. Coached by dedicated volunteer dads Adam Lust and Johnathan Stovall, the Soccer Stars built on their undefeated recreation season by going 4-0 at the tournament, ultimately being crowned the U9 Fusion Cup champions. Shown in photo: (L to R) Kate Madelyn Ramirez; Coach Johnathan Stovall; Penelope Lust; Madelyn Folmar; Hattie Stovall; Coach Adam Lust; Emilia Brown; Carter Grace Wittman; Claire Ablott; Olivia Newsome; Elena Searcy; and Caroline Davis.

GCS enrollment numbers declining

GUILFORD COUNTY – As it moves into the next phase of school bond construction projects, Guilford County Schools has been reviewing enrollment projections for the next 10 years.

The facilities master plan, released in 2019, was created using projections from 2018. In February, the Board of Education received a report showing enrollment in the public school system has decreased 7% between the 2014-15 school year and the 2023-24 school year.

According to an article in the News & Record, during the same timeframe, enrollment in charter schools increased 133%, homeschool enrollment increased 28%, and private school enrollment increased 12% in Guilford County.

While the district’s enrollment had been expected to hold steady at about 74,000, updated Census data shows a 5% decline in the number of school-aged students in the county. That, coupled with the expansion of public charter schools in Guilford County, puts projected enrollment numbers at around 64,000 in 2035, a decrease over the next 10 years of about 3,000 students from the current level.

Sciandra, Matson set to step in as principals at Oak Ridge Elementary and Northwest Middle

Christopher Sciandra has been appointed principal of Oak Ridge Elementary as of July 1; he will take over from Principal Penny Loschin, who is retiring. Sciandra currently serves as principal at Alderman Elementary, a role he has held for three years. Under his leadership, in the

2022-23 school year, Alderman was recognized as one of the most improved schools in Guilford County, with significant increases in overall math and science proficiency.

Sciandra also served as assistant principal at Jackson Middle, Southwest Elementary and Bessemer Elementary.

Sciandra holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from State University of New York at

Fredonia and a master’s degree in school administration from UNCG.

SaraLe Matson has been named principal at Northwest Middle, where she has served as assistant principal since 2024. There she supervised the ELA, science

and math departments and supported and strengthened the work of the Exceptional Children’s team. Before being assigned to Northwest Middle, she spent two years as assistant principal at Jackson Middle.

Matson holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and education from Guilford College and a master’s degree in educational leadership from High Point University.

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Connect2 HOMETOWN GRID

The apron – a gentle reminder of the past

by the late HELEN LEDFORD

Article first published in our June 27-July 23, 2014 issue of the Northwest Observer

You can find them in antique stores – vintage aprons, old and worn, their value measured by the silent stories they tell. There are those of soft, embroidered muslin, and many made from coarsely woven bleached flour sacks.

Though the use of aprons in our culture has dwindled, they were once deemed a necessity for women in eras when money was not so plentiful. Then, they were a

“must” for protecting ladies’ garments while working around the house.

Decades ago, when wool and cotton had to be spun at home, aprons were more than likely just squares of cloth tied around the middle. Sitcom stars Lucy Ricardo (“I Love Lucy”), Barbara Billingsly (“Leave It to Beaver”) and Donna Reed (“The Donna Reed Show”) popularized aprons in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Real housewives relied on them for countless purposes other than a cover-up –i.e., as potholders, dust cloths, or a handy “handkerchief” to dry a child’s tears.

Folks who have lived through the Depression and post-Depression era remember well their Mama’s and Grandma’s aprons. Their “tie-ons” were a way of life back then; moms donned them early in the morning with the rest of their daily apparel, scrambling for a clean one when unexpected company arrived at the door.

Aprons were a regular part of my own mama’s wardrobe, but they did not stay immacu-

late for long! A busy, widowed mother with a farm and a houseful of children to tend, hers quickly became stained with berry juice, bacon spatterings, or soot from our woodfired stove. However, she kept a store of clean replacements readily accessible and changed them more than once a day.

Mama’s hand-sewn aprons were fashioned in a very simple style, using a hodge-podge of fabrics. Mostly, they were scraps left over from her dressmaking, or colorful feed sacks, washed and ironed. Always there were pockets, for simplicity and serviceability were of the greatest importance.

Ladies in our neighborhood were never seen without aprons, except at church. Some preferred a pinafore type, which fastened in the back, and others preferred a design that covered only from the waist down. An assortment of trims – rick-rack, buttons, ribbon, colorful binding tape for edging, or lace – were popular enhancements.

An elderly lady I once

Chase Michaels, MHS PA-C

Ashley Michaels, MHS PA-C

Jennah Steelman, FNP-BC

What northwest Guilford County residents enjoy about small-town living, and suggestions for improvement

compiled by ANNETTE JOYCE

Northwest Guilford County is home to some of the region’s most picturesque and welcoming small towns – Oak Ridge, Stokesdale and Summerfield. Once characterized by sprawling tobacco fields and open horse pastures, these now well-established communities have deep agricultural roots. Generations of families were born, raised, and laid to rest here. For decades, the population remained steady, with few longtime residents leaving and even fewer outsiders moving in.

But times have changed, and much of the former farmland has given way to residential neighborhoods and commercial development. A growing number of newcomers has been attracted to the area, drawn in by its rural charm, top-rated schools, low crime rate and taxes, proximity to the airport, and convenient access to nearby cities.

In this issue’s community survey, we asked several residents to share what they love about living in northwest Guilford County – and what they believe could make it even better. Read on to learn what they had to say…

Chelsea Young’s family roots run deep in Oak Ridge.

“The town is, and has been a part of my family for generations!” she said. “I live on land that my great-grandparents and grandparents lived on.

“My dad and I played in the same creeks. I walk my dogs on the land that my ancestors farmed, and I get to watch the sun rise and set over the same land that they did.”

Preserving the rural landscape is critical to Young.

she only offered one: “It would be great to have a gluten-free restaurant/bakery.”

Powers said she and her husband recognize they will one day have to downsize and move, “But honestly, we just don’t want to leave our neighbors and our lives here.”

“I feel at home in Oak Ridge,” Bill Edwards said. “Its central location, access to nearby shopping, interstate highways and international airport, small size and mix of residential and agricultural areas makes it pretty much ideal.

“I’d love to see us preserve the nature and farmland of Oak Ridge. Homes continue to go up in the fields that make our town beautiful,” she said.

When it comes to businesses, she’d like them to be more locally owned and operated.

“I’d change the Starbucks to a local coffee business, ban fast food chains and support small, locally owned restaurants,” she said. “I’d love a farm-to-table cafe with a good brunch and mimosas – and I would love to be able to safely bike from Pepper Road to the parks and shops!”

“The thing I like most about living in Summerfield is having our home on a quiet street and being able to enjoy the wildlife and the flora surrounding it. Additionally, when we want ‘city life,’ Greensboro is close by,” Lisa Powers said.

Having great neighbors also makes life in Summerfield more enjoyable.

“I have to give a shout-out to our neighbors, the Vinroots, the Hicks, and the Isberners,” she said. “They are wonderful!”

As for suggested changes,

“Friendly and safe neighborhoods, excellent schools and a variety of church options creates a really nice community feel. The preserved historical value is also important, as is the town’s support of two excellent municipal park facilities and environmental stewardship.”

Still, there are a few changes the former, longtime town volunteer believes would make the town even more appealing.

“I would rethink the 35mph speed limit between Linville Road and the Old Mill off N.C. 68, until that area is further developed,” he said. “I would support replacing the existing green and white road signs with a classier design, similar to that used in nearby Jamestown, beginning in the town core.

“I would construct a landscaped 60-foot gazebo directly across from Oak Ridge Town Hall (in the paved circle area) for informal gatherings and respite shade for park patrons. I would also like to see two paved full-size tennis courts and an enlarged amphitheater for even greater park opportunities.”

“If I had to sum up what I like best about living in Stokesdale and the surrounding area, it is the charm and the people,” said Bobbie Gardner, a former Oak Ridge resident who now lives in Stokesdale.

“I’ve used the tagline ‘finding your roots’ in my real estate business for a long time, and for a good reason. Oak Ridge has deep roots – ones of history, farming and families,” she said.

“I moved to Oak Ridge in 1974, and have many memories of the Easter Horse Show, the firemen’s BBQ, the Old Mill, Oak Ridge Military Academy – but mainly, the people.

“They created, worked, volunteered and made Oak Ridge a great place to grow up and raise a family. Having married an Oak Ridge native, I’ve learned so much about

COMMUNITY SURVEY

the families who put this town on the map.

“Selfishly, I’d like to keep Oak Ridge, Stokesdale and the surrounding area a secret. They have a saying out west: ‘Wyoming Doesn’t Exist.’ In other words, they don’t want everyone to know what a remarkable place it is.

“When you find a place that feels like home, you don’t want it to change too much. I hope the local governing members remember why they came to the area and why it is so special. They seem to be on the right track, but it never hurts to step back and study the history going forward.”

Beth Cameron enjoys the peacefulness of Oak Ridge.

“There are several parks in the area and lots of beautiful places to walk and enjoy

nature,” she added.

“If I could change anything about Oak Ridge, it’s that we need a mom-and-pop type coffee shop – something owned by a local person. There are Starbucks everywhere, and I was disappointed when one opened here instead of something locally owned.”

Stokesdale native Christy Pearson enjoys living in a “quaint little town where everybody knows everybody and it is like family.”

As the owner of Hot Heads Salon, Pearson sees this daily as customers enjoy laughing and talking with their neighbors while getting their hair done.

As for changes, Pearson said she’d like to see more locally owned restaurants, and more community activities at

Stokesdale Town Park, such as the Music in the Park events that Summerfield and Oak Ridge offer.

“I love the friendly environment,” Summerfield resident Katy Torney said. “I enjoy Saturdays at the farmers market, the Jumping Bean, the Shrimp Connection and grabbing grain for the critters at the Summerfield Feed Mill – I can get dinner for everyone in one smooth trip!”

There is one change she’d like to see.

“I do wish we could get our small-town government to work more efficiently,” she said. “We seem to spend far more of our resources on legal fees and not enough on improving our great little community.”

COMMUNITY SURVEY

LIKES, SUGGESTIONS ...continued

from p. 23

Robin Bates has generations of family members born and raised in Stokesdale.

“I’ve lived here for most of my life, and so have my parents,” she said. “All my grandparents lived in Stokesdale. My children were raised here as well.”

Over the years, Bates has seen countless changes in the landscape, the residents, and the old homeplaces.

“But in my heart, it’s still the special town I grew up in. My roots run deep here and that’s what I like best about Stokesdale.”

Regarding improvements, Bates said she would like to see a fitness center in Stokes-

dale. “I think it would be a welcome addition to the area,” she said. “The walking tracks are nice, but not convenient in inclement weather.”

“I love so much about our town, it’s hard to know where to start,” Oak Ridge resident Maureena Shepherd said.

“I guess what I love the most is that we have so many involved citizens who pour their time into making the town better... from volunteering at Oak Ridge Elementary School to creating an amazing Oak Ridge Youth Association organization, to the wonderful events that the town and Merchants of Oak Ridge put on year after year.

“The ordinary people who live here and the businesses that flourish here pour time and money into it, and that is what makes it such a wonderful, friendly, beautiful place to live!”

Shepherd says one thing would make living in Oak Ridge even better: “If I could change one thing... I would add a Burn Boot Camp here!”

The people and location rank high on Rachel Baldwin’s list of what she likes best about living in Stokesdale.

“The people in Stokesdale are friendly and care about their community,” she said. “It’s also a quiet place to live with easy access to Greensboro and surrounding areas.”

As for changes, Baldwin would like to see more small, locally owned businesses.

“The community would really benefit from small restaurants and local shops,” she said.

Brian Dawson likes the “codified building standards” in Oak Ridge.

“It makes the town uniform and pretty,” he said. “Oak Ridge is peaceful, and I love that the town has a significant amount of land for public use.”

As far as changes, Dawson has several suggestions. He is actively advocating for building pickleball courts in the town park. He’d also like to have more continuous sidewalks and bike lanes from Pepper Road into town.

Other suggestions include burying all existing power lines and implementing an ordinance that all future power lines be buried, using more roundabouts and offering mixed-use zoning options that would allow residential living over businesses.

Mark Brown has lived in Summerfield his entire 74 years and said he has “witnessed the change from a small farming community to a growing town with self-governance. I like that it has become a melting pot of people from all over, many of whom settled here because of our quality schools.”

While he loves the town, there are some definite changes Brown would like to see.

“Having served on the town council for 16 years and various other committees since the town’s origin, I have been proud of the direction of the town… until recently,” he said. “In my opinion, our current majority town council and administration is heading our beloved town towards the edge of a cliff with their poorly thought-out plans and their lack of transparency. We need an urgent change.”

Frank and Claudia Whitaker cherish the beauty that exists in Oak Ridge and its rural historic district, which preserves historic structures and dictates the visual details of many homes and businesses.

“Living in the country with wide-open spaces is such a pleasure, and we don’t take it for granted,” the couple said. “Having 140 acres of open land with parks and trails in the middle of our community is a unique asset for a small town such as ours.

“Many dedicated staff and volunteers keep our town running and make it a great place to live.”

As for changes, they offered this: “Unfortunately, our highways and secondary roads are becoming very crowded, and we wish that growth could be better controlled.”

local BUSINESS/REAL ESTATE

JETZERO FACTORY ...continued from p. 7

contending for the facility.

At full-run rate, the JetZero factory will produce about 20 airplanes a month and will employ more than 10,000 people, Dervin said. Employment will gradually grow over a period of five+ years until the facility is running at full speed.

“Early hires will be engineers to get the factory built and operational,” Dervin said. The facility “will employ the latest technology, making it a smart factory with advanced digital tools and industrial AI that will feed and respond to data collected in the build process, making it more cost- and time-efficient.”

The plane’s all wing design refers to the blending of the wings and the body, creating a broader appearance that resembles the flat body of the stingray fish. The design allows the entire airplane

to produce lift and reduce drag, resulting in up to 50% better fuel efficiency, according to Dervin.

The plane will carry about 250 passengers with a range of 5,000 nautical miles. It’s aimed at carriers looking to add planes for the “un-served middle market between single-aisle workhorses and larger twin-aisle airplanes,” Dervin said.

JetZero is generating interest in aviation circles and gaining financial backing. Last month, carrier United announced it’s investing in the company, putting it on a path to order up to 100 airplanes and an option for an additional 100. The conditional purchase agreement is based on JetZero

achieving development milestones, including flight of a full-scale demonstrator in 2027.

JetZero confirmed its consideration of the Greensboro airport after recent news reports identified PTI Airport as a finalist. In an email, Kevin Baker, the airport authority’s executive director, declined to comment on the subject.

If Greensboro wins, it would become home to its second early-stage aircraft manufacturer since 2022. That’s when Boom Supersonic chose PTI Airport for its $450 million factory to assemble its faster-than-the-speed-ofsound passenger jet.

After completing the exterior of the 180,000-square-foot facility last summer, Denver-based startup Boom is laying out the production floor and stations for assembling the Overture plane. It has installed a 15-ton crane that will be used to move fuselage and wing sections during Overture production.

While planning to build a sec-

ond facility, Boom’s first will produce 33 aircraft a year, requiring about 1,700 workers to assemble the first aircraft scheduled to roll out in 2029. Economists for the state project a $32.3 billion impact over 20 years.

Nearby PTI Airport, U.K.based Marshall Aerospace has put up its facility for servicing U.S.-based fleets of Hercules C-130 tactical transport aircraft. After breaking ground in 2023, the company is investing $50 million in its U.S. operations and creating 240 jobs.

Across Interstate 73 from Boom and Marshall is about 800 acres of land, including a former golf course, owned by PTI Airport and graded for aviation development. An aircraft taxiway across the interstate connects the main airport campus to the tract, which is “ready to host a major tenant,” according to the economic development link on PTI Airport’s website.

When Todd Payne isn’t renovating homes or building new ones from the ground up, you’ll likely find him on the 200-acre century farm in Stokesdale that’s been in his family for more than 170 years.

These days, raising a small herd of cows and helping maintain the land is a side job. But when Payne was growing up, the farm was a fulltime operation centered on tobacco — a very time- and labor-intensive crop that early on shaped a work ethic which he still maintains.

“Everything else I’ve done for a living since then has been easy in comparison,” he said.

Today, the farm is still the heart of the Payne family. A few years ago, he and his wife downsized from their five-bedroom home and built a smaller house on the property, not far from where his mother still lives in the home he grew up in. His sister and brother-in-law also live nearby. More recently, a third generation joined them on the farm property: Payne built a custom home for his daughter and her family in 2023, and completed his son and his family’s custom home earlier this year.

While Payne got his start in farming, construction wasn’t something he learned in childhood — aside from “hammering some nails when we built slides for tobacco,” he said. It was a cousin, a skilled carpenter, who introduced him to the craft.

“He taught me a lot — he was such a perfectionist,” Payne said.

In 1996, Payne earned his general contractor’s license while still working full-time as a copper buyer in Pine Hall. Later, he moved into plastics recycling as a commodity buyer, learning valuable lessons in business operations. All the while, he continued to build homes as time allowed; demand grew as his reputation for quality work spread, and in 2006 he built three custom homes.

“I carried what my cousin taught me through, worked hard, and built my business up,” he said.

By the time the housing recession hit in 2008, Payne had fully transitioned into construction. When new builds slowed, he shifted his focus to remodeling, and in 2010, he officially launched Renovation Works.

Since then, Payne has tackled a wide range of projects — from building custom homes to transforming existing spaces with additions, kitchen and bath remodels, in-law suites, garages, and even entire second-story expansions.

One of his first major kitchen renovations was featured in the Greensboro Builders Association’s Tour of Remodeled Homes in 2012.

Among his most memorable home projects was the complete overhaul of a small brick ranch house in Summerfield which had been vacant for over a year. Combining the new owners’ vision with Payne’s experience and skill set, the house was transformed into a modern, spacious home with an expanded kitchen and dining area, updated bathrooms, a new master suite, sunroom, and a fully reimagined exterior with upper-floor deck, lower-floor patio and garage. That home was also featured in the Tour of Remodeled Homes.

Photo courtesy of Renovation Works

Renovation Works is a full-service licensed residential NC general contractor serving northwest Guilford County and neighboring areas. The company specializes in new home construction, room, garage and porch/deck additions and replacements, and major renovation and remodeling projects. Shown above is a spacious, modern and open kitchen the company created after demolishing a homeowner’s outdated kitchen, tearing down interior walls and expanding the room’s footprint.

One of the things Payne enjoys about renovation work is that “every renovation job has some little nuance that makes it unique.”

It’s those nuances that give him the opportunity to draw on the critical thinking skills he’s gained from over 20 years of construction experience. They also help him anticipate the unexpected, such as the hidden issues that often surface with existing homes.

“I can usually tell early on if there’s going to be a problem with walls or floors,” he said. “I plan for the unexpected and base my time and cost estimates on the dozens of projects I’ve done before. At this point, there aren’t many unknowns that can slow me down or significantly drive the cost up.”

He credits his team of subcontractors as being key to the success of every project Renovation Works undertakes.

“I treat my subcontractors well and respect their time,” he said. “I’m the one communicating with the homeowner, but we’re all part of the process. I’m just conducting.”

Whether it’s a new build or a total transformation, Payne enjoys the process, takes pride in his work — and in the satisfaction of his clients.

“I want people to know the full range of what Renovation Works can do,” he said. “It’s more than the name implies — we build, we renovate, and we take something from what it is to what it can become.”

Todd Payne, owner of Renovation Works

local BUSINESS/REAL ESTATE

Stonefield Cellars Winery, a ‘gem in the backyard’

Owners Robert and Natalie Wurz have created a beautiful winery that boasts numerous award-winning wines, along with a community of people who share an enjoyment of music, food and friendship

by ANNETTE JOYCE

STOKESDALE – The sweet days of summer have arrived, and with them comes the highly anticipated return of the Friday Flavors Concert Series at Stonefield Cellars Winery. From June through September, this beloved tradition combines the smooth sounds of live music, delicious fare from local food trucks, and the award-winning wines that have made Stonefield Cellars a regional gem.

At the heart of the winery are owners Robert and Natalie Wurz, whose passion for viticulture and community continues to shape an experience that goes far beyond the glass.

“We feature a variety of musical genres – rock, country, Celtic, soul – with bands like Ghosts of Liberty, Gipsy Danger, and Radio

Revolver,” Natalie said. “Each concert features a different food truck, serving everything from Greek and Mexican to American and Cuban cuisine.”

While the concert series may be a summer highlight, Stonefield Cellars hums with activity all year long. The winery hosts private events, winemaking classes, community gatherings, monthly book club meetings, and open jam sessions for musicians. Wine tastings and retail sales are available every week, Thursday through Sunday.

Robert and Natalie take pride in the thriving community that has grown around their winery. Their journey began decades ago: Robert, a Napa Valley native with a Ph.D. in wine chemistry from the University of California–Davis, and Natalie, originally from Georgia with a love of gardening and

farming, met after both relocated to Greensboro in the late 1980s for careers with Ciba-Geigy (now Syngenta). Their shared love of science and the outdoors sparked a romance that later led to marriage, children, and growing a business rooted in the land.

After settling in Stokesdale in 1998 – when the area was still defined by open fields and horse

pastures –the couple began to envision a vineyard of their own. Within four years, Stonefield Cellars became the 16th bonded winery in North Carolina.

“We live just minutes from the winery, so it made sense for our family – and it made it easy for our kids to be involved from the start,” Robert said. “And we loved the idea of being the hidden

Stonefield Cellars has received numerous awards for its excellent wine.

Photo courtesy of Stonefield Cellars Winery

Photo by Annette Joyce

Natalie and Robert Wurz, owners of Stonefield Cellars Winery, have a talent for creating award-winning wine and fun-filled events held in a beautiful, peaceful haven.

gem in the backyard of Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point.”

The land, once a tobacco farm, now blooms with grapevines and Southern charm. The old farmhouse remains, and the tasting room and winery were custom-built. Natalie has added her own personal touches over the years, including a charming chicken coop inspired by her grandparents’ farm. The entire property invites guests to slow down, savor the moment, and enjoy nature’s beauty.

staff and volunteers – remains committed to offering guests exceptional wine, memorable experiences, and heartfelt hospitality.

4536 Peeples Road, Oak Ridge

As an agritourism destination, Stonefield Cellars offers guests more than just wine. Volunteers have opportunities to get hands-on experience throughout the winemaking process – from harvesting to bottling. The winery also collaborates with local organizations to host fundraisers and special events, reinforcing its role as a hub for community engagement.

Now, nearly 25 years since planting their first vines, Robert and Natalie are thinking about the next chapter.

“We’re looking for someone who shares our passion and will carry the vision forward,” Robert said. “This winery has been a labor of love, and we know it has the potential to reach even greater heights.”

Until that day comes, the couple – along with their dedicated

“Stonefield Cellars is many things,” Natalie reflected. “It’s a peaceful retreat and a vibrant gathering place. It’s where old friends reconnect and new friendships begin. We’re proud to be a small business with a big heart.”

And in a time when urban growth often comes at the cost of green space, the Wurzes are mindful of their mission.

“We believe in preserving agriculture and open land,” Natalie said. “We’re even thinking about what else we can grow here beyond grapes.”

As one of Robert’s favorite wine label quotes says: “In the ability to dream is the possibility to achieve.”

want to go?

Stonefield Cellars Winery 8220 N.C. 68, Stokesdale (336) 644-9908

For more information about Stonefield Cellars and its events, including the Friday Flavors Concert Series, visit www.stonefieldcellars.com (also, see ad on p. 8 of this issue).

This contemporary architecturally significant home is guaranteed to grab your heart! Harmonious blend of modern design and expansive natural surroundings with abundance of pleasant surprises. Clean lines, numerous windows, and open concept create a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living spaces. $719,900.

local BUSINESS/REAL ESTATE

No ‘hiccup’ for NW Guilford’s housing market

builders

by CHRIS BURRITT

NW GUILFORD – Casey Johnson of CJ Builders and Patti Disney of Disney Custom Homes are among the custom home builders in northwest Guilford County who are finding buyers for their houses as fast as they’re rising from the ground.

Even as mortgage rates have remained stubbornly high and rising global trade tensions threaten to stoke inflation, area homebuyers are looking past the uncertainty. Four in 10 of Johnson’s homebuyers are paying cash for houses costing as much as $1 million, and he said his 20-year-old business has never been busier.

“Our market is still very much booming,” he said.

Real estate agent Jason Smith said he believes the area’s housing market will skirt potential damage

from global turmoil, even though it’s disrupted financial markets. The stock market rebounded in recent weeks after plunging during the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s administration.

“We are not really seeing much of a hiccup at this point,” said Smith, senior vice president and co-owner of Smith Marketing in Summerfield with his mother, Betty, and brother Jeff. “I think we’re going to stay in a healthy market.”

The dozen houses recently built or that are under construction by Disney Custom Homes are located in northwest Guilford and start just shy of $1 million.

“We’ve got more pre-sales than we’ve had before, so I think people are ready to make that move,” Patti Disney said.

Declining stock prices and the possibility that prices for building

Ronnie Jackson, owner of Four Seasons Concrete, finishes a driveway in Oak Ridge’s Pemberley Estates where Realtors and builders say demand is brisk for houses selling for $1 million and more.

products may rise has caused consternation among some people considering the purchase of homes, especially if it’s further in the future, said Betty Smith, her firm’s president.

She added, however, that “once everything settles down, I think it will be business as usual.”

projected rates will be at 6.2% at the end of this year.

In recent years, builders and Realtors have attributed the shortage of houses for sale partly to the unwillingness of homeowners with low rates to sell. Such hesitancy meant fewer listings hitting the market, exacerbating the already tight housing supply in northwest Guilford and elsewhere.

Earlier this year, potential buyers were wary, reflecting “uncertainty about the change of policies” ushered in by the Trump administration, according to builder Ray Bullins.

“People were saying, let’s see what happens before we start,”’ he said.

As the concern eased in early spring, he added, “the spigot opened” on housing activity. Bullins is closing the sale of two spec houses he started at the first of the year and starting new houses, including one in Summerfield and another in Stokesdale.

Housing demand has risen even though mortgage rates haven’t declined as much as some economists had predicted last year, when the Federal Reserve resumed cutting interest rates for the first time in 4 1/2 years.

In August 2024, a forecast by government-run mortgage financing company Fannie Mae predicted that 30-year, fixed rates would fall to 6% in 2025.

This past April, Fannie Mae

But with rates hovering over 6%, some potential sellers have resigned themselves to paying higher rates if they want to move.

“Rates of 6-7% are settling in, so if you want to buy a house, that’s just what you’re going to pay,” Jason Smith said. “Either that or stay where you are.”

Many buyers “have realized the cost of housing is going to continue to go up,” Johnson confirmed. “So waiting for the rate to come down is not necessarily the answer. You buy the house; you don’t marry the rate, because you can always refinance.”

In a favorable sign for buyers, the tight supply shows signs of easing, according to the latest report from Greensboro Regional Realtors Association (GRRA).

Citing Triad Multiple Listing Service data, GRRA reported the Oak Ridge/Summerfield market had 85 houses for sale in the first quarter, an increase of 77.1% from 48 a year earlier. Stokesdale had

Photo by Chris Burritt/CONNECT2

72 homes for sale, up 67.4% from 43 in the first three months of 2024.

Year over year, the association said, the first-quarter supply of inventory also improved in the three towns, easing pressure on buyers to bid quickly and potentially engage in bidding wars common after the pandemic.

“The rise in inventory… is encouraging to prospective buyers,” GRRA President Mary Beth Powell said in a statement.

The average sales price for Oak Ridge/Summerfield houses climbed 11.1% from $642,890 to $714,402 in the first quarter, GRRA reported. Prices headed the other way in Stokesdale, sink-

ing 19.8%, from $518,734 to $415,993.

The proximity of the three towns to Piedmont Triad International (PTI) Airport’s economic growth is contributing to housing demand, according to Disney, who owns Disney Custom Homes with her husband, Francis, and her son, Mark, and daughter-in-law Jennifer.

Bullins concurred, saying the northwest Guilford market is poised to continue growing with “all the new jobs coming in and people wanting to be where the schools are reputable.”

As PTI Airport’s two new major tenants, Boom Supersonic and Marshall Aerospace, prepare to ramp up hiring over the next year

and a half, next-generation jet manufacturer JetZero of Long Beach, California, is considering the Greensboro airport for a manufacturing operation with 10,000 or more employees. The company confirmed last month PTI Airport is one of the three potential sites.

“We’re poised in North Carolina to be a place of growth,” Disney said. “We’re just seeing a lot of confidence.”

If projections for thousands of new jobs materialize, she said, “there’s going to be a scarcity of lots. That may be the problem” confronting custom builders and large-scale tract builders expanding into the area.

Nicole E. Gillespie

SPS , REALTOR®/Broker

The Great American Horse Drive, ‘a true cowboy experience’

Summerfield resident Scott Guthrie, 77, recently returned from a rugged two-day, 62-mile horse drive in Colorado

by PATTI STOKES

“I don’t consider myself a thrill seeker, but I like adventure and I seek things that are fun to do,” Scott Guthrie said recently after returning from his latest adventure.

A few weeks earlier, Guthrie had embarked on a two-day horse drive across the high-altitude terrain of Colorado. At age 77, he was the oldest in the group of 26 other riders like himself who sought an adventure that promised to be “highly rewarding and extremely physically demanding.”

Divided into four teams and accompanied by seasoned cowboys, the group moved hundreds of horses across 62 miles of open range, highways and backroads in northwestern Colorado. Upon returning from their winter pasture to Sombrero’s Big Gulch Ranch each spring, the horses are re-shod and refreshed before being leased out as saddles horses for the summer.

Raised in a medium-sized Oklahoma town, Guthrie fell in love with horses as

Experienced riders participate in the Great American

which several hundred saddle horses are herded across 62 miles of open range, highways and backroads, from their winter pasture to

a child. Though his family didn’t ride, his parents paid for lessons when he was about ten.

“I was always comfortable around horses, and I enjoyed them,” he said, adding, “I like to ride them, and I like to ride them fast.”

In high school, a neighbor let Guthrie ride his horses whenever, and at whatever pace he wanted, in exchange for feeding and grooming them. But after heading off to college, marrying his wife Paula, and raising two children in North Carolina, life left little time for riding.

Occasionally, he rented horses for family rides, but he came to realize his family didn’t enjoy riding as much as he did.

Over the years, Guthrie found other ways to satisfy his adventurous spirit: trail rides, a cattle drive, rafting the Colorado River, hiking and camping, and even earning his solo pilot’s license. In his early 60s

Big Gulch Ranch in Colorado.

he attempted to backpack the entire 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail, but circumstances ended the trek after summiting Mt. Katahdin and completing the 100-Mile Wilderness section of the AT in Maine.

Last summer, while on a guided trail ride during a family reunion in Estes Park, Colorado, a Sombrero Stable guide asked Guthrie if he’d ever considered the Great American Horse Drive. He had, actually – but never had the time or money. Now retired, he had both.

The drive is meant for experienced riders in top physical shape. Guthrie filled out an application detailing his riding history.

“They wanted to know if you could saddle a horse, if you were comfortable running at a canter and a gallop – and I could do all of that,” he said. “But, they didn’t ask when all these experiences happened… they also had age groups; I checked the last one, which was 55+.”

Photo courtesy of Sombrero Ranches

Horse Drive, in

Sombrero

Wanting to be fully prepared, he began weekly Western riding lessons at Crystal Creek Farm in Reidsville.

“What I envisioned was trail riding,” Guthrie said. “But my trainer (Molly Stanfield Green) had me riding in different gaits in a big arena. After the first lesson, my core muscles ached and I was dying.”

But he kept at it, eventually adding strength training at Planet Fitness several times a week. Green also had him ride a variety of horses, and at different gaits.

“She got me ready,” he said. “I would never have finished the horse drive without that prep.”

After arriving at Sombrero Ranches three days before setting off on the horse drive, Guthrie and his fellow riders climbed onto their assigned horses and were evaluated in a corral.

“They wanted to make sure we could control our horses and ride at different gaits,” he said. By the third and final day before setting off, staff declared Guthrie’s group the best they’d ever worked with.

“They said 20% of riders don’t finish, but they thought we had a good chance of everyone in our group finishing,” he said. (They all did.)

Riding for six to eight hours a day on challenging terrain, the group herded hundreds of horses through dirt roads and highways. The riding was not only physically demanding, but at times mentally intense.

“We were in teams, and if the

Photo by Patti Stokes/CONNECT2

Scott Guthrie, 77, poses outside his Summerfield home with the Sombrero Ranches buckle he received after com pleting the two-day Great American Horse Drive in mid-May.

wranglers saw horses running oppo site the herd, they would tell us what to do, and we would try to do it,”

Still, there was time to relax while in the saddle and take in the scenery. At the end of the day, the riders were served delicious food while sitting around a campfire, sharing highlights of the day and singing songs.

And along the drive, there were cheerleaders to spur them on.

“Each ranch had its wranglers and their families cheering as we passed. It was a big family affair,” Guthrie said.

Despite the demands, Guthrie never doubted he would finish.

“It was harder than I expected,” he admitted. “I envisioned I had trained for a 5K, but it was more like a marathon. By the end of Day 2, I was spent… but, I knew I was going to finish!”

He laughed when recalling his return home.

“After I laid around for about a week, I said, ‘This is the first time I’ve felt 77!’” Reflecting on the jour ney, he added, “It would’ve been better if I had done it 20 years ago – but you do it when you can.”

His advice for others considering a similar adventure?

“Make sure your core is in excellent shape, ride more and ride longer in preparation – and you have to want to do it and have the mindset that ‘You’re going to do it.’”

Guthrie has no regrets.

“I just wanted to do it once,” he said.

And while another horse drive may not be in the cards, this spirited 77-year-old will undoubtedly soon be seeking new adventures. Want to know more about the Great American Horse Drive? Visit www.sombrerohorses.com/horse-drive.

How well do you know our area of Guilford County?

Test your knowledge on these questions. (See answers on p. 54)

summerfield northwest greensboro nwguilford county stokesdale oak ridge triad trivia piedmont

1. Bunch Road, which runs between Summerfield and Oak Ridge, got its name from:

a. A length measur ement describing how long the road was

b. A gr oup, or “bunch,” of Native Americans who formerly lived there along the banks of Reedy Fork Creek

c. William Bunch or his son John, who owned a large farm on what is now Bunch Road

d. Bunch Cr eek, the original name of Reedy Fork Creek

2. The first permanent capital of North Carolina was:

a. New Ber n

b. Wilmington

c. Bath

d. Charlotte

3. The name of the Summer field High School newspaper and yearbook was:

a. The Crier

b. The Bugler

c. The Messenger

d. The Northwest Obser ver

4. The only local town that did not have a public high school was:

a. Stokesdale

b. Colfax

c. Summer field

d. Oak Ridge

5. Piedmont Triad International Airport was originally known as:

a. Lindley Field

b. Car olina Runway

c. High Point Airfield

d. Lovely Field

6. Northern High’s school color of purple was established because it was:

a. The color of the sky when a nighthawk, the school mascot, is commonly seen

b. A mixtur e of the school colors of Northwest (red) and Northeast (blue) high schools, from which its student body was formed

c. A color not used by other high schools in Guilfor d County

d. Chosen by the student body

7. Charles Bruce, the founder of Summer field, was:

a. An American Patriot during the Revolutionary War

b. An ancestor of Oak Ridge Town Manager Bill Bruce

c. A popular local minister

d. The owner of a distiller y on Summerfield Road

8. Nearby Kernersville was originally known as:

a. Kernertown

b. Benbow ’s Crossing

c. Dobson’s Crossroads

d. None of the above

9. In the 1970s, a large waterslide was located at:

a. Lake Higgins Marina

b. Belews Lake

c. Lake Townsend

d. Oak Ridge Swim Club

10 The only local town that did not have a railroad passing through it was:

a. Summer field

b. Stokesdale

c. Oak Ridge

d. Colfax

11 Lake Brandt, on the edge of Summer field, is:

a. Part of Greensboro’s drinking water supply

b. Named for Leon Brandt, Gr eensboro’s mayor 1907-08

c. Known for its water skiing championships

d. Both a. and b.

Stone & Phillip Stone, partners

CRITTER connection SMILE BIG THIS SUMMER

Red Dog Farm comes to the rescue of animals left homeless by Hurricane Helene

The local nonprofit animal rescue group took in 30 cats and dogs, five guinea pigs and two horses; many have since been rehomed, but a few are still awaiting adoption

These two sweet girls, both survivors of Hurricane Helene, were taken in by Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network after their owner surrendered them because her farm was destroyed and she had nowhere to keep them. They are waiting to be adopted.

by ANNETTE JOYCE

STOKESDALE – When Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina on Sept. 27 of last year, Red Dog Farm (RDF) Animal Rescue Network was unsure of what would be needed, but immediately began preparing to help.

water, gallon-size jugs and large 5-gallon containers.

Within hours, executive director Lauren Riehle was contacted by Rescue Ranch, a similar animal welfare nonprofit based in Statesville that was working with an Asheville animal shelter desperately in need of water.

Riehle contacted All Pets Considered on Battleground Avenue in Greensboro to ask if the store would be a drop-off point, and after getting a definite “yes,” she posted a request on social media for water.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Riehle recalled.

“I

thought it might be a couple of carloads.”

She was absolutely flabbergasted when, within 24 hours, there was enough water to fill a semi-trailer truck. And even after that, people kept coming with cases of bottled

“We collected water for nearly two weeks, and with the help of a local insulation company that supplied the trucks and drivers, we were able to send about five trucks full of water to the shelter,” Riehle said.

Meanwhile, RDF began receiving requests for animal and farm supplies for both animals taken in by the shelters, as well as for families affected by the hurricane. Again, after Riehle posted the request online, donors quickly and generously responded, and the supplies were soon on their way.

Before long, some of the animals, including dogs, cats and a few exotics, from the shelter were flown to Greensboro on two chartered planes. Riehle explained the shelter in Asheville needed the space to take in strays and keep them nearby in the hopes they would be reconnected with their owners.

“We took in 30 cats and dogs and five guinea pigs,” Riehle said,

Photo courtesy of Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network

adding that all but two of the dogs have since been adopted. As of this writing, those two have families inquiring about adopting them.

In addition, RDF took in two surrendered horses from their owner, an older woman who contacted RDF because her farm had been extensively damaged and she had nowhere to house them. Marigold, a 17-year-old Morgan Mustang, and Phoebe, a 7-year-old Paso Fino, are still being cared for at RDF while awaiting adoption.

“We’ve kept them here on the farm longer because they needed more time to decompress,” Riehle said.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, RDF experienced an uptick in foster volunteers, something that Riehle hopes will continue.

“It’s amazing to see people rise to the occasion when a disaster or crisis happens. For us, every day is a crisis, and we would love to have more fosters to help on a regular basis,” she said.

Located on a 21-acre farm in Stokesdale, RDF is dedicated to fostering and finding loving forever homes for animals of all kinds – dogs, cats, goats, snakes, emus, horses, pigs, guinea pigs and more. Since its inception in 2006, the organization has rehomed over 6,000 animals.

want to help?

Learn more about Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network and available volunteer, fostering and adoption opportunities at www.reddogfarm.com. Donations may also be made online.

Summerfield Fire District

This 1951 BakerAmerican fire engine, orginally purchased by the Summerfield Fire Department, was restored by Louis Hoffman in 1992. Now housed at Station 9 with the permission of Louis’ son, Rusty, it stands as a beloved reminder of our roots and a proud showpiece for the community.

Splash into summer with these safety tips!

As you enjoy the sunshine, backyard barbecues, and poolside fun, keep your family safe with these essential grilling and water safety reminders. A few simple precautions can make all the difference.

Grilling Safety Tips

• Place your grill well away from your home, deck railings, and out from under eaves or overhanging branches.

• Always open the lid of a gas grill before lighting it.

• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area.

• Never leave your grill unattended while it’s in use.

Pool & Water Safety Tips

Drownings happen quickly and quietly—they are preventable with constant adult supervision and basic safety practices.

• Always supervise children when they are in or near water. Avoid distractions like reading or using a cell phone.

• For preschool-aged children, an adult should be within arm’s reach at all times.

• Remove floats, balls, and toys from the pool and surrounding area when not in use to prevent unsupervised play.

CRITTER connection

11th annual Capers Canine breaks records for attendance, sponsors and vendors

by ANNETTE JOYCE

More importantly, all proceeds from the event are distributed among the participating rescue groups, helping cover the cost of caring for adoptable dogs in their programs.

The 11th annual Canine Capers, held Saturday, April 26, at Oak Ridge Town Park was the most successful one to date. This fun-filled celebration of our beloved four-legged companions offers a unique opportunity for businesses and organizations to connect with dog owners while giving pups and their humans a chance to socialize and participate in fun activities.

North Carolina allows Trusts for pets.

Ruff Love Rescue of Thomasville – a participant since the event’s inception –returned once again with an impressive variety of dogs: big and small, shy and feisty. One young puppy drew so much attention that it was carried the entire day.

This freckle-nosed darling in the care of Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network made the rounds in the Canine Capers Adopt Me Parade on April 26.

Biscuit, a Greensboro-based pet boarding and daycare facility.

“That dog’s been carried 10 miles and won’t remember how to walk,” joked one amused attendee.

“Canine Capers is always a great event for us,” said Marty Cogswell, a long-time volunteer with Ruff Love. “We had a strong turnout, received a few adoption applications, and best of all, two of our dogs found forever homes.”

A new addition this year, the “Adopt Me Parade,” gave each rescue group the opportunity to showcase their adoptable dogs. Volunteers led – or in some cases carried – their pups around the event ring, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd.

Support for Canine Capers continues to grow each year, with more than 45 sponsors and vendors participating in April. Bark Avenue was bustling with businesses offering dog-related products and services, from veterinarians to pet supply stores, trainers, boarding facilities, and vendors selling unique accessories for both dogs and their humans.

Among the first-time participants was Best Friends Bed and

“We loved Canine Capers and can’t wait to come back next year,” said Jessica Scheuerman, senior animal care attendant and “pool guru” at Best Friends.

Her beagle, Walter, was equally enthusiastic. He quickly discovered a steady stream of belly rubs from friendly attendees and didn’t waste a single opportunity.

Scheuerman also appreciated the chance to connect with other pet-related professionals.

“It’s always valuable to talk to others in the industry and support each other,” she added.

Sponsored by the Carolina Kennel Club, one of the event’s perennial highlights is the fun dog shows, featuring lighthearted competitions like “Best Puppy Dog Eyes,” “Paw Shaker,” “Fastest Pup Cup Eater,” “Largest Dog,” and “Smallest Dog.”

A fan favorite every year, the costume contest once again wowed the crowd. This year’s human winner donned a handmade spaghetti bowl costume, while her canine companion – decked out as a space rocket – rocketed into second place.

Proceeds from Canine Capers will be presented to the participating rescue groups at an Oak Ridge Town Council meeting this summer.

Greeson,

These two costumed cuties drew a lot of attention at the 11th annual Canine Capers event in Oak Ridge on April 26.

Photo courtesy of Shelby Smith

Four-year-old

Selah Jessup enjoyed bottle-feeding a young lamb during an April visit to the farm in Summerfield where Reece Walker and his family are raising 120 sheep. Walker explained that ewes often give birth to twins but may reject the second one if they don’t recognize it as their own. In such cases, the lambs are separated and bottle-fed for six to eight+ weeks to help them grow strong and thrive.

Dep. Lunsford, with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, poses with his 5-month-old basset hound, Elley Mae, while at the Founders' Day Parade in Summerfield on May 17. Did you know? Known for being sweet-tempered, friendly and affectionate, basset hounds’ sense of smell and ability to ground-scent is second only to the bloodhound.

Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network

DUNCAN

Duncan is a very sweet, affectionate 2-year-old male DSH cat. He has a goofy personality and gets the “zoomies quite a bit” – and he’s not a big fan of dogs. He has an immune deficiency disorder, but doesn’t show any symptoms (according to the latest research, cats with this disorder can have the same lifespan as any other cat); it’s essential that he be kept indoors, and a single-cat household or one with another very chill cat would be ideal. This sweet boy is neutered, microchipped, and current on his vaccinations and monthly flea/tick preventative treatments.

MIMI

Mimi is a sweet girl who came to Red Dog Farm when her owners could no longer care for her. She was very overweight, but has worked hard at the gym to drop the pounds. She is about 7 years old and gets along with other pigs. She enjoys treats and loves attention.

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

Carmen, left, and her brother, Ziggy, are long-time boarding and daycare clients at Almost Home Boarding & Grooming.

CRITTER connection

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

CRITTER connection

Ricky & me: enjoying the journey

by ANNETTE JOYCE

My lovable Labrador, Ricky, celebrated his third birthday last month. He’s been part of our family since he was about five months old and has been involved in K9 Nose Work for most of that time.

K9 Nose Work is a scent detection sport where dogs and their handlers search for three specific odors – birch, clove, and anise – across four different environments, all within designated time limits. The handler’s job is to correctly call the moment their dog identifies the source of the odor.

The sport has several levels of competition, beginning with Nose Work 1 (NW1) and progressing all the way to the highly advanced, two-day Summit League Trial (SMT).

It’s a wonderful bonding activity, and we both love it. Plus, it tires Ricky out (and me, too!).

Before Ricky, I competed with my beloved Lab, Charlie. We were both new to the sport when we started, and learned together as a team. We made it

all the way to the Elite level before he passed away in 2022.

Ricky was just eight months old when we began our own nose work journey. I thought we could pick up where Charlie and I had left off, just at a more basic level. But it didn’t quite work out that way.

seconds to spare, he found the single hide. To my surprise, we earned our NW1 title and moved on to NW2.

So far, we’ve attempted three NW2 trials – none successful, with the most recent one especially rough. But that last trial gave me the insight I needed: I had to stop trying to make Ricky be like Charlie, and just let him be himself.

We joined a puppy intro class filled with six lively, spirited pups of various breeds. Starting with puppies takes patience – and a lot of it! For months, we worked with nothing more than open boxes and bits of turkey franks, slowly building the foundation long before introducing any odors.

Ricky is extremely food motivated and will work for anything edible, including carrots and apples. He’s also a tenacious hunter, staying on a scent trail until he locates the source. Both traits make him a natural fit for nose work.

At first, I approached training Ricky just like I had with Charlie. It took time for me to realize that Ricky is a completely different dog – and we needed to find our own rhythm.

In May 2024, we passed our NW1 on our first try – during a soaking rainstorm, no less. Ricky dragged me, slipping and sliding, through each element. It was chaotic and uncomfortable, and at one point, he spent a lot of time under a bunkhouse bed playing with dead bugs. With only

For example, Charlie excelled at off-leash searches. He’d run independently through a space and quickly locate the hides. I loved those searches and tried to replicate them with Ricky.

At our latest trial, though, I watched Ricky wander aimlessly around a room off-leash with no sign of finding anything. But in the very next search, I kept him on leash – and within seconds, he nailed all three hides.

That was my “aha” moment. Since switching to on-leashonly searches, we’ve been working much better as a team. I’ve also learned to stay fully present –never turning my back or leaving a search too soon. Each search teaches me something new and strengthens our connection.

With more patience and continued growth, Ricky and I are on the path to success. But in the end, what matters most is that we’re enjoying the journey –together.

Photo courtesy of Louisa Arendt Photography Ricky searches a group of containers while his human, Connect2 writer Annette Joyce, follows along.

knew wore only white aprons, similar to the beautiful ones identified with Amish women. Crippled with arthritis, she welcomed visitors resplendent in her snow-white, crisp apron with no neck strap, but a bib attached to her print dress with two straight pins.

Old aprons are stitched with myriads of memories – of mothers substituting them as makeshift “carriers” of apples and pears from the orchard, or convenient holders for fresh-picked green beans ready to be “snapped.” A nursing mom in days gone by perhaps, at times, shielded herself and her baby at feeding time by discreetly using her apron as a covering. Sometimes they might even be transformed into an umbrella of sorts, thrown over one’s head when caught in a sudden shower!

Writer and apron curator EllynAnne Geisel is the publisher of “Apron Chronicles –A Patchwork of American Recollections.” Photographer Kristina Loggia provides beautiful and nostalgic photographs of aprons, depicting their significance in our evolving society. It is a wonderful tribute to days when our lives were much less complicated. The book is a narrative about the “wearing, making, and sharing a ‘bit of cloth and comfort,’” and is described as “more about life than fabric.”

A cross-section of people from all walks of life contributed aprons, old photos, recipes, and haunting, heartfelt stories that are the heartbeat of Geisel’s work.

Since 2004, a traveling “Chronicles” display of aprons and other memorabilia gathered from many parts of our nation has moved across our

land. I was privileged to view this unusual and striking collection when it was featured in a section of one of Greensboro’s now-defunct cotton mills. Deeply moving, this experience seemed to whisk me back in time to a distant place called “How It Used to Be.”

Handmade and beautiful aprons are for sale in profusion in this area – at farmers’ markets, gift shops, church bazaars and festivals. Many people collect them, old and new, and I myself have acquired quite a few of them. My favorites are the ones made by someone’s hands long ago, for they exude a lingering, faint, musty smell –a whisper of yesterday.

I can recall as a child running to my mother crying, when hurt or scared, and if I could just latch my small hands onto her apron and hold on, I felt loved and secure (and besides, sometimes she carried peppermints in her pocket!). For me, that familiar swatch of cloth was truly a “piece of comfort.”

The Bible itself proves aprons have been around for thousands of years. After sinning, Adam and Eve sewed leaves together to form “aprons” for themselves. (I don’t think those would work when frying bacon over a hot stove!) …

For over 20 years, Helen Ledford, a local writer, poet, artist, teacher, humanitarian – and much more – graced issues of the Northwest Observer with her homespun tales of growing up on the family farm in Caswell County, the youngest of 10 children raised by their widowed mother. Helen passed away on Jan. 22 of this year at age 88, and sharing some of her priceless stories in this publication is one of the ways we hope to keep her legacy alive.

Connect2 HOMETOWN GRID

“The longer we wait to bid it and get somebody locked in, the more it’s going to cost.”

Late last year, Summerfield leaders, engineering firm Pond Co. and groups involved in Bandera’s development proposed an estimated $1.5 million in cost reductions. Even so, estimated costs for the park exceed funding of $3.45 million by about $1.2 million, Rollins said at the time.

Similarly, rising cost projections for the Summerfield Road greenway prompted the council to shorten its route. Still, the estimated cost of $4.61 million exceeds by more than $300,000 federal funding of $3.43 million and Summerfield’s match of $857,250.

The town has secured $6.6 million in state and federal funds for establishing the water system, initially proposed for fire protection and later, at a much higher cost, for drinking water.

If the bids exceed funding secured for the projects, Rollins said the council will decide how to proceed.

“You’ve got to go back to the grant source and ask, ‘Hey, can you help us out?’” he said. “Or the town has to look at taking out a loan, dipping into the fund balance or value engineering the project. It’s a fluid situation.”

All three projects have drawn criticism over the years from some council members and residents concerned about the rising costs, with critics fearing that establishing a water system would encourage higher-density development.

The proposed greenway advanced in April, after the council voted 3-2 not to delay the project. Council member Janelle Robinson said she opposed the trail’s intrusion on the “front yards” of some homeowners and the possibility of the town taking some of them to court over easements on their land.

Councilman Jonathan Hamilton sought to delay the project to explore legal and financial ramifications of the possible condemnation of property along the route.

After the council voted not to pause the greenway, the contractor working for Kimley-Horn, the engineering firm designing the greenway, is continuing efforts to negotiate easements with property owners, Rollins said.

once construction begins,” Harris said in a recent email. “The Linville Road detour is scheduled for the final phase of the project timeline, assuming there are no changes. As of now, the closure is expected to take place next year.”

Completion of the nearly $10.5 million project is scheduled for mid-September 2026. Exactly when the primary contractor will start is uncertain as the company “finalizes other NCDOT projects and begins mobilizing resources in Oak Ridge,” Harris said.

He said the agency will share details as they’re available. In turn, the town of Oak Ridge is posting the latest information on its Facebook page. The town’s website homepage also links to the road plans.

It’s been more than five years since the Town Council approved a resolution endorsing NCDOT’s plans for Oak Ridge’s commercial district. Construction of two roundabouts and new traffic signals and pedestrian crosswalks at Highways 68 and 150 are part of the town’s efforts to slow traffic and promote a family-friendly village atmosphere

for pedestrians and cyclists. The roundabouts will be located at Highway 68 and Linville Road, near Bojangles, and at Highway 150 and Marketplace Drive, near Sherwin Williams across from the entrance to Oak Ridge Commons shopping center.

Numerous delays have pushed the project back. If it had proceeded as originally envisioned, it would have been finished before the current fiscal year ends June 30. Back in 2020, a state highway funding shortfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic prompted state road builders to tap the brakes on projects across North Carolina. The project was further delayed last year when relocating utilities took longer than anticipated.

Following the completion of the project, Oak Ridge plans to enhance the N.C. 68/150 intersection with landscaping and amenities such as planters and park benches, according to a streetscape vision plan adopted by the council in 2019.

Starting next year, the town’s capital improvement plan incorporates spending for that work.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

by ANNETTE JOYCE

“My parents told my sister and me, ‘Always be as involved as you can be in life because life is too short to waste,’” Kara Rumple said. “My sister and I live by that.”

A graduate of Northwest Guilford High School’s Class of 2025, Rumple’s commitment to that philosophy is evident in the many ways she has served and led others throughout her high school years.

During her freshman year, Rumple, now 18, discovered a passion for working with special needs students.

“My basketball coach was also the adaptive P.E. teacher,” she explained. “I had a required P.E. class during the same period, so I started volunteering by joining the adaptive class. It was a lot of fun.”

That experience became a turning point for Rumple.

“I witnessed firsthand the pure joy these students brought to gym class every day. That short period of time gave them a positive outlet and a chance to express themselves,” she said.

Wanting to build bridges between the adaptive students and the broader student body, Rumple – alongside fellow student Ava Allred – founded the Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT).

“My goal was to gather athletes from all sports to help unify and integrate everyone into one community, starting with those who have special needs,” said Rumple, who served as captain of the varsity girls’ basketball and

women’s flag football teams and was a member of the varsity field hockey team.

SALT organized activities and events designed to foster connection and inclusion, including field trips, Special Olympics participation, holiday celebrations, and more.

“I helped plan and took part in events like Shoppers Day, Wet and Wild Polar Plunge, the fair, college basketball games, and school holiday parties,” she said.

As president of SALT, Rumple also helped launch the inaugural Heroes for Hope 5K charity run at Northwest Guilford this past March. Held in memory of Greensboro police officers Sgt. Dale Nix and Michael Horan, who were killed in the line of duty, the event raised more than $5,000 for the Guilford County Family Justice Center’s Camp Hope, which is a summer program for children affected by trauma or abuse.

Rumple’s involvement with SALT gave her the privilege of participating in the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, a national high school leadership program focused on impact through action. Through this program, she was able to further hone her leadership skills and deepen her community involvement.

While at NWHS, Rumple was also active in the Key Club and participated in almost every initiative the organization led, including:

• The annual Rock-a-thon to support the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina

• The Christmas Warrior Project, which provides gifts to children battling cancer

• Valentine’s Day visits to residents of

Countryside Manor in Stokesdale

Another meaningful experience for Rumple has been volunteering with Triad Honor Flight, a local nonprofit which honors Triad-area veterans with one-day, all-expense-paid trips to Washington, D.C.

“I made posters and cards, talked with veterans, and helped send them off and welcome them back at the airport,” she said. “I have a lot of respect for and want to honor our veterans. It’s really cool to be part of that.”

Impressively, Rumple balanced all of her academic, athletic, and volunteer commitments while working two part-time jobs – one as a pharmacy technician and clerk at Crossroads Pharmacy in Stokesdale and another as a waitress at The Deck at Belews Lake.

A resident of Stokesdale, Rumple plans to attend North Carolina State University this fall, where she will major in Polymer and Color Chemistry, a pre-med track. She plans to pursue a career in dermatology or orthopedics.

Photo by

Annette Joyce/CONNECT2

NWHS Class of 2025 graduate Kara Rumple

Northwest Guilford Farmers & Specialty Market

June 4 | education appreciation day

June 21 | veterans appreciation day

July 26 | health and wellness day

Aug 13 | first responders appreciation day

Aug 23 | dog days of summer day

Bill's BBQ is a popular vendor at the Northwest Guilford Farmers Market. You'll find him there the first Wednesday of each month serving up BBQ ribs, sandwiches and beans and cole slaw.

LookingBack

On March 10, 2000, the Town of Stokesdale learned it had been awarded a $3.1 million grant from the North Carolina State Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the installation of a municipal water system. The Town had applied for the grant two years earlier and was denied, but succeeded the second time after re-applying and submitting additional information, including a letter from the state’s health director regarding the serious and chronic health threat from ethylene dibromide (EDB), which had been detected in one of the town’s subdivisions; contamination from gasoline and other toxic substances had also been detected in other locations within the town.

The first phase of the water system was estimated to cost $3.5 million. To supplement the grant funding it received, the Town drew $300,000 from reserves it had set aside to address its water issues, plus $200,000 it had placed in CDs.

Areas identified as having contamination received priority, and

ELECTION PREVIEW

...continued from p. 14

Stokesdale’s mayor is elected directly by voters, and votes on all matters that come before the council. Crawford, who is serving his first term as mayor, has confirmed he will seek re-election.

“My approach to this office has been one of caretaker, doing no harm to our Town and its future,” he wrote in an email to Connect2. “We operate with a small staff that requires our council members to take more of an active role in the daily operations, which has kept our administrative costs to a minimum and given us each a more vested in-

connecting to the system was on a voluntary basis. Property owners who signed up to connect to the system before June 2, 2000, were charged a connection fee of $200.

Phase 1 of the water system was completed in late July 2003. Over the years developers have helped fund the system’s expansion by covering the cost of extending existing water lines to their new developments.

Stokesdale’s water system now serves 870 water customers. The Town acquires its water supply from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities Commission (WS/FCUC), with a connecting water line extending east along U.S. Highway 158 from Forsyth County to the Town. The Town’s initial agreement to purchase water from WS/FCUC was renegotiated in 2023, resulting in the option to increase its daily water purchasing capacity from 300,000 to 500,000 gallons; the agreement also extended the Town’s water purchasing terms by an additional 20 years, from 2030 to 2050, to accommodate future growth.

terest than an elected official might normally have. Most importantly, whatever we’re doing seems to be working. I can’t thank my fellow council members enough. They are most influential in this decision.”

Jones did not respond to an email asking if he will seek another term.

want to run?

Candidates in the three towns are required to pay a $5 filing fee. They must be 21 and live in the municipality where they intend to run, according to the Guilford County Board of Elections. If they change their mind, they have until July 15 to withdraw their name and receive a $5 refund for their filing fee.

BUDGETS

The council scheduled a special called meeting on June 5 to gather budget feedback from citizens. During its regular meeting June 10, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center (5404 Centerfield Road) the council plans to schedule a budget public hearing, as required by state law. Adoption of the spending plan is required by June 30.

To view the Town of Summerfield’s 2025–26 proposed line-item budget, visit www.summerfieldnc.gov, select “Government” at the top of the homepage, then “Council Meeting Documents,” in the drop-down menu, then “2025 Meeting Documents,” then “May 27, 2025 Town Council Meeting (Special Called),” then “2025-26 Proposed Budget.”

OAK RIDGE

At the May 1 meeting of the Oak Ridge Town Council, Finance Committee Chair Stuart Mease spoke to the merits of the town’s proposed FY 2025–26 budgets for the General Fund and the Water Enterprise Fund.

“People want to live here. Why? It’s because of what we’re doing in the budget and how we’re managing the development of this town,”

Mease said. “And that goes to the credit of the town and staff for making good wise decisions and keeping the big picture in mind.”

Town Manager Bill Bruce followed by highlighting key elements of the budget, noting the town’s property tax rate will remain as it has since 2017, at 8 cents per $100 of assessed property value. The town also projects a budget surplus next fiscal year of about $20,000.

The proposed General Fund budget totals $2,626,367. Property tax revenue – the town’s largest funding source – is expected to bring in $1,321,704, followed by $451,962 in sales tax revenue. Unlike nearby Stokesdale, Oak Ridge receives sales tax revenue due to its property tax levy. Intergovernmental revenues (state-distributed, i.e., utility franchise taxes), are projected at $329,200. Additional revenue sources include $250,000 from ABC distributions and $154,000 in park revenue.

The increase in park revenue is described in Budget Officer Sam Anders’s budget message as “a significant increase, primarily due to a recently adopted increase in facility rental fees and greater availability of rental space at Heritage Farm Park and the Farmhouse Community Center.”

On the expense side, personnel costs remain the town’s largest line-

item expenditure. Salaries and benefits for administrative and parks staff are projected at $1,112,637. Other major expenses include $337,500 for administrative and park operations and maintenance, $313,991 for professional services, animal control, and tax collection, and $298,181 in capital expenses for debt service. An additional $125,000 is earmarked for the design of water infrastructure in the Town Core.

A public hearing for the proposed FY 2025–26 General Fund and Water Enterprise Fund budgets is scheduled for the June 5 town council meeting, beginning at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall (8315 Linville Road). Copies of the full line-item budgets are available at Town Hall and can also be viewed online at www.oakridgenc.com by selecting “Governance,” then “Financial Information,” and “Annual Budget and Audit Reports.”

STOKESDALE

At the May 8 Stokesdale Town Council meeting, Finance Officer Kim Thacker presented the town’s proposed FY 2025–26 budgets for both the General Fund and Water Enterprise Fund accounts.

As in previous years, the Town of Stokesdale will continue to operate without a property tax. The proposed General Fund budget totals $678,607 and is comprised of $495,024.48

in projected revenue, along with a $183,583.22 transfer from the Water Enterprise Fund to cover shared overhead and reimbursable expenses.

With no property tax revenue, Stokesdale’s largest source of operating income comes from intergovernmental revenue (utility franchise tax and other taxes collected by the state and distributed to local governments), which is projected at $295,000. The town also anticipates $100,000 in interest earnings from investments, which make up the bulk of its non-operating revenue, with an additional $42,604 coming from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Payroll remains the town’s largest projected expense at $331,471.30. Among administrative expenses, the most significant is $43,000 budgeted for lawn and property maintenance, followed by $25,000 allocated for attorney fees.

A public hearing for the Town of Stokesdale’s General Fund and Water Enterprise Fund budgets is scheduled for the June 12 town council meeting, beginning at 7 p.m. in Stokesdale Town Hall (8325 Angel-Pardue Road). Copies of the full line-item budgets are available at Town Hall and can also be viewed online at www.stokesdale.org by selecting “Departments” on the lefthand side of the homepage, then “Finance,” then “Financial Documents.”

Town Park

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community?

Share your thoughts in 40 words or less

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

DEADLINE for inclusion in our FALL issue: Wednesday, Aug. 20

submit online:

www.Connect2NWGuilford.com

(Click on “Submit Your Grin or Gripe” on the homepage menu bar.) by email: info@Connect2NWGuilford.com or mail to:

Connect2 NWGuilford P.O. Box 444, Summerfield, NC 27358

(Please include your contact info; name, phone and email will not be published.)

Nancy, a cashier at the Oak Ridge/ Stokesdale Food Lion, who is always so pleasant, goes above and beyond, and is just what a cashier should be.

All American Pet Resorts on N.C. 68 south (near Sheetz). Very clean and well designed, staff is there 24/7, and webcams let me check in on my dogs whenever I want. All the dogs there (including mine) seem so happy.

Jeannette Dockery, Summerfield’s event coordinator, and all the volunteers, sponsors, civic and church groups, parade participants and Summerfield Fire Department for making this year’s Founders’ Day in Summerfield a great community event.

Nicki Wagoner, organizer of the Northwest Guilford Farmers Market on Summerfield Road (in Summerfield) on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I love meeting all the local, down-to-earth and hardworking farmers and vendors

who set up there, and I enjoy the products they offer!

Summerfield resident Jeff Bacon for coming out of retirement and stepping in as a volunteer town clerk when the town’s staff resigned last May – then agreeing to stay on and help our new town clerk until she gets up to speed.

Scoutmaster Mike Matzinger, for his many years of commitment to youth engaged in the Scouting program. And congrats on recently being awarded one of Scouting America’s highest honors!

ronment at risk. And why isn’t our town council in Oak Ridge opposing it?

People who leave their dogs in the car with the windows up and temperatures in the 80s and above. Please, people, it only takes a few minutes for your dog to die of a heat stroke.

Carolina Priority Care in Oak Ridge for being closed on Mother’s Day, when I was sick as a dog and needed medical help. A legit walk-in urgent care practice doesn’t close because it’s Mother’s Day.

Whoever stole the three American flags placed at the entrance to the Twelve Oaks neighborhood in Oak Ridge for Memorial Day. I guess you should be thanked for only taking three of them, and not all six. Still… Williams Cos. for its proposed natural gas pipeline expansion through our town, which puts our safety and envi-

The Majority 4 Summerfield Town Council members for spending almost $600,000 in the last 1 ½ years on attorney fees and forensic audits. I know how the attorneys and auditors benefited, but how have the citizens benefited from this out-of-control spending?

MAX imizing your real estate experience

Around

Two new multi-purpose fields opened in Oak Ridge’s Heritage Farm Park off Scoggins Road on May 5. To reserve the fields, visit oakridgenc.myrec.com. Game On in Oak Ridge!

Sam Bainbridge (right), 18, and his girlfriend, Katie, sell fresh eggs at the Northwest Guilford Farmers Market on Summerfield Road in Summerfield on a Saturday in early May. Sam, the fifth of eight children in his family, founded Green Eggs and Sam Farm in Liberty, North Carolina, at age 13 after convincing his parents to let him get 40 laying hens. He now works full time on another farm, and with assistance from his “work crew” (three younger sisters) and “marketing team” (mom Michelle and big sister, Susie), is raising 350 laying hens along with chickens, turkeys and pigs for meat. Learn more about Sam and his farm at www.greeneggsandsamfarm.com. Check out the farmers market at www.northwestguilfordfarmersmarket.com.

Founders’ Day Shines Through

The local weather was a little bleak the morning of Saturday, May 17, but the rain stopped just Summerfield’s annual Founders’ Day parade was about to begin winding its way along Summerfield Road, and the sun soon came shining through. After the parade, attendees enjoyed carnival rides, exhibitions, storytelling, live music, food, face painting and more.

Farm Fresh from Sam

Photos by Patti Stokes/CONNECT2

Photo by Paul Bourgeois, courtesy of Town of Oak Ridge

BECOME

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Members

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equipment, plus a member app to help set your own goals and celebrate your progress. Contact our gym or join now to get started on your

BUSINESS CLASSIFIEDS

Call (336) 944-1665 or email info@Connect2NWGuilford.com to schedule your business classified in our fall (September, October, November) issue

INDEX

Auto Services 53

Cleaning 53

El ectrical 53

General Repair & Services .............. 53

Landscaping, Lawncare, Irrigation ...53

Masonry 53 Miscellaneous 53 Painting 53 Pet Sitting .................................................. 53

Plumbing..................................................... 53

Real Estate 53

Remodeling & Construction 53

Roofing 54

Tree Services / Stump Grinding 54

AUTO SERVICES

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

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

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

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

LANDSCAPING, LAWNCARE, IRRIGATION

TDJ LAWNCARE & HOUSEHOLD

CHORES. Three local college students are ready to work hard for you this summer and provide a variety of lawncare and household services at affordable prices! Call/text Jackson, (336) 707-8751

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

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

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

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

MASONRY

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

MISCELLANEOUS

SENIOR CAREGIVER w/ 24 years’ experience. Specializing in Alzheimer’s, dementia, and stroke care. Personal care, meal prep, mobility & companionship. Can also manage appts., caregivers, light housekeeping. Trustworthy, compassionate, dependable. (336) 898-1130

ANN PIANO STUDIO. Private 1:1 piano lessons in Oak Ridge & Summerfield, open to all ages and levels. Six yrs. full-time school music teacher; 25 yrs. of professional piano teaching exp. English and Mandarin 中文 TEXT 252-864-0417 or email annpianostudio@gmail.com

HOUSEHOLD CHORES & LAWNCARE. Three local college students home for the summer are ready to work hard doing miscellaneous household chores and lawncare at affordable prices! Call/text Jackson, (336) 707-8751

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

WELDING AND TRAILER REPAIR. General repairs to all kinds of metal items. Trailer refurbishing. Call Tim, (336) 402-3869

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

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

PAINTING

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.

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

PET SITTING

WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING LLC. Your Summerfield Pet Sitter since 2018. Certified, bonded & insured. See our website for service and extended service areas. (336) 3 39-6845 www.wendycollinspetsitting.com.

PLUMBING

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

REAL ESTATE

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

REMODELING & CONSTRUCTION

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. One call does it all! Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood repair. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing. Since 1979. References available. Sr. discounts. (336) 362-6343

WHITE OAK FINE CARPENTRY. Remodeling, custom cabinetry and home repair. Custom decks. Kitchen and bath remodels. No project too small. Follow us on social media. (336) 497-7835

BUSINESS CLASSIFIEDS

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 schedule your next project. Read about us in our business profile on p. 27 of this issue.

AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS.

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

ROOFING

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 our display ad on p. 43

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

INDEX of Display Advertisers

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