Northwest Observer | Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2016

Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2016

bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996

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We are all Americans.

We’re not hyphen Americans. And we need to pull together and recognize that we have common aspirations and common goals. We may differ on how to get there, but we need to have dialogues, not demonstrations. And we need to be able to sit down and calmly discuss and resolve our differences. And that is my hope and my prayer for this country, for this state, and for our town on those occasions when we do have differences.”

Oak Ridge Mayor Spencer Sullivan, during the closing Council Comments portion of the Nov. 10 Oak Ridge Town Council meeting

Photo courtesy of Summerfield Fire District

Lt. Michael Capps was one of four firefighters with Summerfield Fire District who joined over 900 other firefighters in western North Carolina on Nov. 11 to assist in battling the Party Rock Fire that threatened to engulf the small mountain town of Chimney Rock.

See story on p. 5.

Why we are thankful: Part II

In this week’s issue we share the additional responses we received recently when we asked our readers “What are you especially thankful for this year?” We’re thankful to those who took the time to respond, and to all of our readers, we wish you a very blessed Thanksgiving.

•••••

“I am thankful for the Music in the Park events sponsored by Oak Ridge Town Parks and Recreation. It has been a great outreach to our community and friends.

“Our Heritage Day event was also one of the greatest events offered by the town

and enjoyed by many. Keep up the good work [to] Town employees, volunteers and everyone involved in these events.”

Phyllis Anders, Oak Ridge “I am thankful for my family and health.”

Leslie Gunter, Greensboro “I am most thankful for my family. I have a wife who is the very best, one great daughter and son-in-law, one great son, one great stepson, two great daughters-in-law, and eight terrific grandchildren including seven grand-

daughters and one grandson.”

Mark Masters, Colfax “I’m thankful for my husband Phillip, our daughter Savannah, our son Carter, our dog Ciara and our family. This Dec. 1 I will celebrate my eighth anniversary of being in remission. I’m so thankful every day for our health.

“I’m also thankful for going through everything I have regarding my health at such a young age. It has made me truly appreciate good health and to take nothing for granted. I’m eternally thankful that Jesus

...continued on p. 26

IN THIS ISSUE News in Brief .............................. 3 Your Questions .......................... 4 Summerfield Town Council ...... 6 Firefighters answer call ............ 7 Happy Retirement, Dr. Fried .... 8 Oak Ridge Town Council ........10 Northern football wrap-up .....12 Northern basketball preview ..12 Student artist gallery ...............13 Northwest football wrap-up ...12 Northwest basketball preview 14 Business Notes ........................ 20 Community Calendar .............21 Letters/Opinions ..................... 22 Crime/Incident Report ........... 24 Grins & Gripes ......................... 25 Classifieds ................................27 Index of Advertisers ................31

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NEWS in brief

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Open burn ban in effect GUILFORD COUNTY – The N.C. Forest Service has announced that a burning ban is in effect until further notice in Guilford County. All burn permits have also been canceled. The ban does not include cooking fires such as grills or outdoor cookers.

“Even before the burn ban went into effect, we discouraged people from burning due to the dry conditions,” said Oak Ridge Fire Chief Steve Simmons.

The burn ban took effect at 5 p.m. on Nov. 21, and will be in effect until further notice. A total of 22 counties were added to the ban already issued in western North Carolina.

The open burn ban is now in place for 47 counties in the state, including Rockingham, Guilford and Forsyth Counties.

For more information about the burn ban, refer to www.ncforestservice.gov.

Watch out for those deer, dear NCDOT reports 56,206 animal-related crashes in North Carolina in the last three years EVERYWHERE – Autumn in North Carolina brings more than cooler temperatures and falling leaves. This is also the season when more deer appear along our roadways, and in turn there is a greater chance of a collision with a deer.

Between 2013 and 2015, there were more than 56,000 animal-related crashes in the state, and nearly half of them took place in the final three months of the year. A great majority of those involved deer.

A Department of Transportation study shows that in 2015, there were 18,032 animal-related crashes, a few hundred more than the previous year. Tragically, between 2013 and 2015, animalrelated crashes claimed 12 lives, injured nearly 3,400 drivers and passengers, and caused nearly $141.7 million in damages.

“Drivers need to be especially careful on the roads at this time of the year,” said Transportation Secretary Nick Tennyson. “Motorists need to be alert to their surroundings for their own safety and the safety of others because of the increased animal activity and decreasing hours of daylight during the final

months of the year.”

Guilford County ranks third of all counties in the state for animal-related crashes.

Deer are on the roadways more during the fall into early winter due to the hunting and mating seasons. They also travel more during times when it is tougher to see them, at dawn and at dusk. The end of daylight savings time, which began Nov. 6, contributes to drivers being on the road more during reduced daylight.

The largest number of animal-related crashes in 2015 came between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m., and especially between 5 and 11 p.m., when more than half of all the collisions took place. In addition to being the time when deer are more likely to be moving about and crossing roads, it is when decreased driver visibility makes it more difficult to see the animals on or near roadways.

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NCDOT has the following tips for motorists to avoid being in a deer-vehicle crash: • Slow down in posted deer crossing areas and heavily wooded areas, especially during the late afternoon and evening; • Always wear your seat belt. Most people injured in deer-vehicle crashes were not wearing their seat belt; • Statistics indicate most deer-vehicle

...continued on p. 5

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your QUESTIONS

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OUR TEAM Patti Stokes, editor/publisher Kelley Branch, editorial assistant Laura Reneer, associate publisher Annette Joyce, marketing manager Sean Gentile, art director Yvonne Truhon, page layout Leon Stokes, IT director Lucy Smith, finance manager Linda Schatz, distribution manager Marc Pruitt, Helen Ledford, Jonathan Williams and Annette Joyce, contributing writers

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Why has the new section of road at the intersection of N.C. 150 and U.S. 220 in Summerfield (beside the Food Lion shopping center), been built so high?

NCDOT district engineer Bobby Norris said there were many factors which contributed to the change in elevation at this intersection, with the ability to continue moving traffic on the road and still provide accessibility to all the stores along this area while it was under construction being a key one.

The other issue was going from two lanes, with a total width of 24 feet, to four lanes with a total width of 48 feet, plus adding turn lanes.

“The road is in a curve – that might not have been obvious before, but you can see that from a satellite view,” Norris said.

“The road being in a curve requires it to be super-elevated (slanted) for the distance of all the new lanes,” he explained.

“U.S. 220 would have had to have been

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

closed for a considerable time to be able to widen the road and provide the pavement structure required for the new section, and to incorporate the fact that there is a horizontal curve which needed

to be accounted for. So, to maintain traffic without digging up the existing road, we had to hold the elevation on one side of the road and project the grade up from the existing road.”

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Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO | NCDOT district engineer Bobby Norris explains why the elevation at this N.C. 150 and U.S. 220 intersection in Summerfield is so high.

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NEWS in brief

...continued from p. 3 crashes occur in areas where deer are more likely to travel, such as near bridges or overpasses, railroad tracks, streams and ditches; • Drive with high beams on when possible, and watch for eyes reflecting in the headlights; • Remember that deer often travel in groups, so do not assume that if you see one deer cross the road in front of you, there won’t be others following; • Slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away; • Increase the distance between your vehicle and other cars, especially at night. If the car ahead of you hits a deer, you may also become involved in the crash; • Do not swerve to avoid a collision with deer.

This could cause you to lose control of your vehicle, flipping it over, veering it into oncoming traffic or overcorrecting and running off the road, causing a more serious crash; • Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences or reflectors to deter deer as these devices have not been proven to reduce deer-vehicle crashes; and • If your vehicle strikes a deer, do not touch the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can hurt you or further injure itself.

The best procedure is to get your car off the road if possible, and call 911.

by PATTI STOKES With the wildfires in western North Carolina raging since Nov. 5, a team of four Summerfield Fire District firefighters consisting of Fire Chief Chris Johnson, Lt. Michael Capps, Lt. Chris Gibson and Engineer Zach Hardy headed to the area near the small town of Chimney Rock on Nov. 11 to help in any way they could.

Johnson said the team quickly got underway after he received an email with the following request: “We are having a call as we speak with NCEM (North Carolina Emergency Management) and Forestry (North Carolina Forest Service) in reference to the fires in the Chimney Rock area, Party Rock fire. A request to have 50 Type 1 engines has been put into Web EOC. We need five strike teams to report at 1700. These 25 engines need to have four firefighters for structural protection engine to arrive at 1700 on Nov. 11 and five additional strike teams to arrive at 0700 on Nov. 12.”

left home on the evening of Friday, Nov. 11, at around 8:45 p.m. and returned six days later.

“Once we got there we were briefed on why the request for engines and manpower was so large.

The fire grew a lot on Thursday and they feared the worst for the town of Chimney Rock,” Johnson said.

“Our initial assignment was to protect the structures in Chimney Rock. We prepped houses by clearing debris, trees, vines and leaves

away from them so it would be less fuel to burn if the fire got close to the structures. There were also times we went in and overhauled areas that were burned and times we stood by the house with hose lines deployed to control the advancement of the fire.”

Of his experience, Capps said, “This has been a career long goal of mine to be able to help on a larger scale, and to get back to the real reasons that we all joined the fire service.”

Hardy said the deployment was an overall positive experience and a great learning opportunity.

“As we talked about it Friday, we agreed this should be about the departments in the mountains. We were only there for six days and this event started on Nov. 5 and is still going on,” Johnson said.

A second crew from Summerfield had planned to travel to western North Carolina this week, but Johnson said they received word on Nov. 22 that they had been demobilized.

“It sounds like they have good control of the fire now,” the chief said. “Our main reason for going was our brother and sister firefighters needed our help and I know if we needed the same help they would be here for us. The fire service is a huge family.”

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5

SUMMERFIELD town council

Nov. 9 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by PATTI STOKES  Mayor Mark Brown called the monthly meeting to order and Linda Southard led the opening prayer.

ANNOUNCEMENTS  Town Manager Scott Whitaker announced the annual Christmas tree lighting would take place Nov. 19, 5:30 p.m. at Summerfield Athletic Park, with music by the NWHS honors vocal ensemble, light food and S’mores; attendees were asked to bring needed food items to donate to Oak Ridge United Methodist’s Backpack Buddy program.  Students who live in Summerfield are encouraged to enter the Historical Committee’s writing contest. The deadline for entries is Dec. 5 and cash prizes will be offered to winning entries in three age groups. For more info, visit www.summerfieldgov.com or call Town Hall at (336) 643-8655.  There are openings for two alternate positions on the Town’s Board of Adjustment and one resident position on the Founders’ Day Committee. If interested, contact Whitaker at swhitaker@

summerfield.gov or (336) 643-8655.  A Veterans Appreciation event was planned for Nov. 13 at the veterans monument in the Summerfield Community Park.

PUBLIC COMMENTS  Dwayne Crawford said he wanted to address a “false narrative” that had been touted, which was that if the A&Y Trail were extended through Summerfield, it would improve residents’ overall health and happiness, they would be nicer to their neighbors, would be liked more and would lose weight.

“If you believe all this, you might be wondering if the Lord Almighty is getting a little jealous … we’re getting ready to outclass him with our ‘Trail to Utopia’ and the stairway to heaven will not be so important anymore,” Crawford said.

Regarding the crosswalk which the Town was considering installing at U.S. 220 and Strawberry Road, Crawford said the highway at this location was a “super street” and meant to move traffic, and lots of it.

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COMMITTEE REPORTS Historical. Chair Linda Southard encouraged all students with Summerfield addresses to enter the committee’s writing contest. First-place prizes are $100 for the elementary age group, $300 for the middle school age group and $600 for the high school age group.

The committee planned to help with the Veterans appreciation event on Nov. 13.

Trails. Chair Jane Doggett said the committee discussed several things at its October meeting, including a proposed crosswalk at U.S. 220 and Strawberry Road.

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“We did not take a vote on it, but the general consensus of the group was that we were very excited about using the tunnel and turning south along U.S. 220 (as opposed to installing at crosswalk at the U.S. 220 and Strawberry Road intersection),” Doggett said.

The committee also discussed the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and in looking at the trail map, discovered it says nothing about Summerfield and is wrong, Doggett said, noting that committee member Jason Webster has agreed to look into this. The committee will meet again Nov. 30.

Founders’ Day. Whitaker reported the committee met to discuss preliminary items relating to next year’s Founders’ Day and also elected officers.

Summerfield Fire District. Chief Chris Johnson reported the department responded to 25 fire-related calls in October, 63 EMS-related calls and 15 other calls. Also, department personnel installed 14 car seats.

October was Fire Prevention Month and the department reached over 1,500 adults and 2,600 children through its public education efforts.

Everyone was reminded that fire

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

prevention shouldn’t just be during one month, rather fire safety should be practiced every day. Check your chimneys before beginning to use them this winter and keep a three-foot space around any heating source in your home.

AUDIT REPORT

 Rex Rouse of Rouse Rouse Penn & Rouse gave an overview of the annual audit report for the fiscal year 2015/2016.

Revenue from local sales tax and utility and cable franchise tax disbursements decreased last fiscal year, which resulted in a slight net decrease in revenue.

The total fund balance decreased from $8,347,590 to $7,671,000, largely due to last year’s purchases of the Vandergrift property and the Martin house/property.

In the category of capital outlay, $238,623 was spent last fiscal year on the development of a second entrance to Summerfield Athletic Park and $92,677 was spent on trail development.

In total, expenses increased significantly from $949,356 in FY 2014/2015 to $1,989,389 in FY 2015/2016.

Rouse praised Finance Officer Dee Hall for her excellent work, and Whitaker added that Hall had only been in place two and a half months before the audit, during which time she had to learn a new position and compile everything for the audit.

Whitaker also noted that for every check the Town wrote, four people signed them – Hall, himself and two town council members.

PUBLIC HEARING Rezoning request. The request is for .475 acres, to be rezoned from RS-40 and TCR (Town Core Residential) to CU-GB (Conditional Use-General Business) and TCM (Town Core Mixed).

Town Planning Director Carrie Spencer presented the rezoning case, saying it was for property located behind Sport Auto (on Summerfield Road, across from the post office), on Shadyside Drive. Sport Auto owner Steve Barney has purchased the property and wants to remove the old house on it and install an auto storage building for his business. Spencer noted the Planning and Zoning Board unanimously recommended approving the request.

Proponents. Steve Barney said he had come before the council 16 years earlier and requested a rezoning for Sport Auto.

“I’d like to think we’ve been a credit to the community – we’ve certainly tried,” Barney said, adding that early on there had been concerns that people would be speeding down Summerfield Road while test driving the exotic sports cars his business sold, but that had not happened.

Over the years he has sold many collector cars and people have asked him to store their cars for them, Barney explained, saying he would like to construct a building to house about 15 cars; no mechanical work will be performed on the cars at the site, no cars will be parked outside the building, and there will be no loud race cars.

The existing building on the property is not in good condition and will be offered to the fire department for a live burn exercise. “We’re going to grade the property and put up a nice building that will be acceptable and not an eyesore,” Barney said.

When council member Dianne Laughlin asked if Barney still owns the old fire station building on Summerfield Road he said yes, and it is used mostly to store Ferraris that are waiting for his mechanic to work on, or to be picked up after being repaired.

Council Comments. Councilman Mike

Adams said he was proud to have Sport Auto in Summerfield and Councilwoman Dena Barnes agreed, saying the business was a wonderful fit for the area.

 5  0 to approve the rezoning request with proposed conditions.

A&Y Trail. Whitaker said that in the last few months, during discussions about extending the A&Y Trail through Summerfield, the council had debated which alternative route to use; with one of those routes, pedestrians would cross underneath U.S. 220 via an existing pedestrian tunnel built by NCDOT, and then turn south along U.S. 220 before going back into the Greensboro watershed area.

A question arose during the discussion about whether drainage easements would need to be obtained from the paving company that the trail would cross in front of as it travels for a short distance along U.S. 220. The short answer seems to be no, Whitaker said, while cautioning that couldn’t be confirmed until a survey has been completed.

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Since the last council meeting, Stewart (the Raleigh-based firm hired to design the trail) has looked closer at the issues in terms of public input, cost and how greenway users would interact with the crossings at U.S. 220 or at the paving company, Whitaker said.

Ed Lynch, bicycle and pedestrian project manager with Stewart, said the firm had been asked to provide the town with a recommendation and it recommends using the pedestrian tunnel underneath U.S. 220 (versus installing a crosswalk at U.S. 220 and Strawberry Road), mostly because of safety.

“Thanks for posting!”

“It’s too dry to be burning anything regardless of the wild fires.”

“We can design a crossing at Strawberry Road that is safe, but if users aren’t comfortable that it is safe they won’t use it,” Lynch said. A guardrail would be placed between the trail and U.S. 220 in the area where pedestrians would travel toward the Greensboro watershed area, which would take them back to Summerfield Road.

...continued on p. 18

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

7

Happy retirement, Dr. Fried!

by ANNETTE JOYCE On Sunday, Nov. 20, Eagle Physicians Oak Ridge held an open house to celebrate the retirement of Dr. Robert “Bo” Fried (pronounced “freed”).

After nearly 19 years of providing medical service in this northwest community, the well-respected and muchloved Fried will retire from the Oak Ridge practice on Dec. 2.

It was in 1970 when Fried remembers first getting “the bug” to enter medicine; at the time, he was a junior in high school and attending a conference about engineering and health care.

That’s when he learned about a coming revolution in the medical industry in which people would be

needed who were both doctors and engineers. He felt it would be a perfect fit for his personality.

A native of the state of New York, Fried finished high school and headed to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he got his degree in electrical engineering. From there, he entered Albany Medical College and graduated in 1980.

During the last year of medical school, Fried had to decide which specialty he was going to pursue.

“I was thinking about doing something high-tech but realized I liked taking care of people more than machines so I went into family practice,” he said.

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On Jan. 5, 1998, Fried, his office manager, Darla White, and nurse Judy Smithmeyer opened the doors to Eagle Physicians Oak Ridge. At that time, Fried was the only doctor in Oak Ridge and he was charged with helping build the community’s first family practice from the ground up.

The community was much more rural back then, with very few places to shop or dine. Chuckling, Fried recalled that lunch choices were either pizza from the Village Store or something from the Old Hole in the Wall, a former eatery located off N.C. 68 near Edgefield Road.

“At the time, we sent out mailers to only 3,000 addresses,” recalled Fried.

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at Cone Hospital, Fried returned to New York and started a family practice in the rural community of Livingston.

He sold that practice in 1985 and moved back to the Greensboro area.

After working in the Wesley Long emergency department for 12 years, he was given the opportunity to open another family practice, this time in Oak Ridge.

Patients were slow to trickle in.

“Everybody out here already had a doctor,” explained Fried. “We were seeing about 50 percent of the volume we should have seen.”

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That soon began to change, however, after patients began spreading the word about Fried’s competence and his compassion. Many patients who became patients of Fried’s in the earlier days of the practice have remained loyal, and while celebrating his retirement, admit they are sad to see him go.

William Barham of Summerfield became a patient of Fried’s in 1998.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Dr. Robert “Bo” Fried retires from Eagle Physicians Oak Ridge on Dec. 2.

“I was one of his first patients,” said Barham. “He always took the time to pray with me at my visits. That’s why I kept coming to see him. I highly respect him as a doctor.”

It was in 1999 when Rick Henson, who now lives in Newland, North Carolina, first went to see Fried. Henson said he had some very complicated medical problems and Fried took his health issues very seriously, spending the extra time to make sure everything was covered.

“I quickly developed a trust with Dr. Fried,” said Henson. “I trust his competency so much that I’ve driven 130 miles for the last five years for appointments. I’m very sorry to see him go but wish him well in his new endeavors.”

“Dr. Fried has been my doctor for 10-plus years and has been wonderful,” said Arlene Williams of Greensboro. “He has the best bedside manner and he really cares about his patients. He is not just a doctor, but

There’s a special privilege that a family doctor has, which is being a part of a patient’s life in times of crisis and being involved in the personal decisions they make.”

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Dr. Robert “Bo” Fried, Eagle Physicians Oak Ridge

a friend, and I am so sorry to see him go.”

Barbara Thomas of Oak Ridge agrees.

“Dr. Fried has been a very kind and compassionate person who has gone above and beyond his responsibilities for my family over the years,” she said.

“He will be deeply missed and he is irreplaceable. I wish him much happiness in his retirement.”

“My mother always said, ‘A good doctor treats your illness, but a great doctor treats the person who has the illness,’” said Myra Blackburn of Oak Ridge. “Robert Fried has been our family doctor for over 20 years and he is a great doctor.”

Barbara Engler of Oak Ridge spoke of Fried’s “brilliance, compassion and kindness.”

Fried is quick to point out that he leaves behind a thriving practice with competent professionals to care for his patients.

Dr. Stephen Meyers, Dr. Betty Jordan, physician’s assistant Mark Hepler and the entire nursing and office staff will carry the practice forward and a new provider is expected to be in place soon.

Although Fried is leaving the Oak Ridge practice, he will continue in his current position as chief medical information officer for the Eagle Physicians healthcare group; he will also help staff Eagle’s walk-in clinic on New Garden Road in northwest Greensboro.

Fried’s wife, Ann McCarthy, a physician’s assistant, retired in October and Fried said he is most looking forward to the two of them spending more time together and doing some traveling.

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He’s also set up a woodworking shop in the couple’s Oak Ridge home and plans to spend some of his time building furniture, as well as honing his photography skills.

While he’s looking forward to the new phase of his life that lies ahead, Fried admitted that stepping away from family practice will be bittersweet.

“There’s a special privilege that a family doctor has, which is being a part of a patient’s life in times of crisis and being involved in the personal decisions they make,” said Fried. “I’m always humbled by the confidence that people put in me. I think I’m going to miss that. It’s not something you replace in other roles in your life.”

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ity of Government Plan, which provides guidance in preserving governance in case of an emergency. The plan identifies legal authorities who allow the governing body to function during disasters, the lines of succession, responsibilities and emergency powers of the governing body, meeting locations, and the support needs of the governing body to carry out its duties.

OAK RIDGE town council

Nov. 10 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by KRISTIN KUBLY  Rev. Carol Foltz of Moravia Moravian Church in Oak Ridge gave the opening invocation.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE REPORT Sgt. Clendenin introduced Sgt. Howell, who will be working in the sheriff’s District 1 which includes Oak Ridge. The average response time in the district last month was nine minutes, with about a third of those times less than four minutes. The heaviest volume of calls typically came in on Saturday afternoons.

Part 1 crimes, which include burglaries and motor vehicle break-ins, were down from 33 last year at this time to 21; only four of those calls were for Oak Ridge and most were larcenies.

Clendenin reminded everyone to keep their car doors locked and remove valuables.

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT Chief Steve Simmons of Oak Ridge Fire Department said the department responded to 68 calls in October; of those, 32 were medical-related and 36 fire- or service-related. Department personnel underwent 242 hours of training.

As a safety and fire prevention tip,

Code of Ordinances; the amendment would make procedural clarifications in the Town’s zoning enforcement procedure and increase the maximum daily penalty amount.

Bruce highlighted the major changes the amendment would make: • Either the owner or the occupant of Simmons encouraged everyone to have a building or land in violation of the their heating systems serviced and to ordinance may be held responsible have a chimney sweep inspect chimneys for the violation. Currently, both the before lighting the first fire for the winter  5  0 to approve the plan. owner and the occupant (if different) because many structure fires start out as  Councilman George McClellan must be cited. chimney fires. said some citizens have asked about • Two separate enforcement tracks are  Councilman Mike Stone asked about lowering the speed limit in the historic established: a court action or injuncdistrict to 25mph. Oakley was asked to burning permits and safety tips for tion if the violation could cause imcontact North Carolina Department of burning brush and leaves. Simmons minent peril or if the use is transitory Transportation and request a study to said information about burning and in nature and administrative action determine if the reduced speed limit is burn permits can be found on the fire for all other cases. department’s website, which links to the warranted.

• Only one notice required to inform North Carolina Forest Service. Burning the owner or occupant of an alleged AUDIT REPORT is prohibited right now because of the violation, the right to appeal to the Town Finance Officer Sam Anders continuous dry weather, and he noted Board of Adjustment within 30 days, that a small leaf fire can easily turn into introduced Thomas Boothby, a partner and the date that civil penalty aswith Dixon Hughes Goodman, the firm a 10-acre wood fire, so if a fire ever sessment would begin rather than that completed the town’s annual finandoes get out of control, call the fire the current series of letters that the cial audit. Boothby said the firm issued a department immediately. owner and occupant receives. clean opinion and that the financials are • Raise the daily civil penalty amount TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT materially correct. to $500 per day, replacing the curThe town’s cash position decreased  Town Manager Bruce Oakley rerent graduated scale of $25 for the last fiscal year from $3 million to $2.4 quested that Ron Simpson and Bobbi first day, $50 for the second day, million due to repayment of debt related Baker be reappointed to the Planning $100 for the third day, and $200 for to the town park. and Zoning Board and that Brady each day thereafter.

Young be appointed as an alternate to Property taxes increased from The Planning and Zoning Board held the Parks and Recreation Commission. $767,000 to $779,000. a public hearing for the amendment on  5  0 to approve the requested Two major subdivisions resulted in Oct. 27. The board voiced concerns reappointments. revenue from permits and fees increaslated to changes regarding notifying the ing from $55,000 to $84,000.

Oakley also presented the Continuowner or the occupant, worried that it may hamstring the Town if it wanted to Boothby confirmed there were no cite both. Bruce consulted with the town significant audit findings or concerns “Compassionate, “Compassionate, “Compassionate, Comprehensive Comprehensive Comprehensive attorney, who assured him that it does with the Town’s financial accounting.

“Compassionate, “Compassionate, “Compassionate, State-of-the-art Care” State-of-the-art Care” State-of-the-art Car Comprehensive Comprehensive Comprehensive not precludeState-of-the-art the option State-of-the-art Care” State-of-the-art Care” Care” to cite both. UlMayor Spencer Sullivan thanked the Planning and Zoning Board Boothby and audit reportKaren timately, Karen Nasisse, DVM said the clean Nasisse, DVM Karen Nasisse, DV Karen Nasisse, DVM Karen Nasisse, DVM Karen Nasisse, DVM unanimously recommended approval of spoke well of the Town’s staff and Ph 336-643-8984 Ph 336-643-8984 Ph 336-643-8984 Ph 336-643-8984 Ph 336-643-8984 Ph 336-643-89 Fax 336-643-8987 Fax 336-643-8987 Fax 336-643-8987 the amendment.

Fax 336-643-8987 Fax 336-643-8987 Fax 336-643-89 finance officer as well as1692 toNCthe financial 1692 NC 68N, Suite J, 27310 68N, Suite J, 27310 1692 NC 68N, Suite J, 27310

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 Kinneman then asked if “or” means “Compassionate, “Compassionate, that both the “Compassionate, owner and occupant can Comprehensive Comprehensive Comprehensive State-of-the-art Care” State-of-the-art Care” “Compassionate, PUBLIC HEARINGState-of-the-art Care” “Compassionate, be notified. Town Attorney Michael “Compassionate, Comprehensive Comprehensive Comprehensive Thomas saidKaren that most  Town Planning DirectorKarenBill Bruce Care” State-of-the-art Care” State-of-the-art Car KarenState-of-the-art Nasisse, DVM Nasisse, DVM Nasisse, DVM of the time the Ph 336-643-8984 Ph 336-643-8984 to Ph 336-643-8984 owner is cited, especially if he or she introduced a technical amendment Fax 336-643-8987 Fax 336-643-8987 Fax 336-643-8987 Karen Nasisse, DVM Karen Nasisse, DVM 1692 NC 68N, Suite J, 27310 1692 NC 68N, Suite J, 27310 1692 NC 68N, Suite J, 27310 is local, but the new article gives the Karen Nasisse, DV Chapter 30, Article V of the Oak Ridge

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town the option to notify the physically present person rather than an owner who may live out of state, and it allows the town to end most violations directly, although both can still be notified.

Kinneman confirmed the changes will allow the town to act faster if a violation occurs suddenly. Thomas said that under the current law, the town can go to court eventually after having started a civil penalty proceeding, but the changes allow the town to go to court immediately if there is an imminent peril or if the violation surfaces suddenly. Otherwise, the enhanced civil penalties should be effective when the owner is present and the violation is ongoing. The violator can remove the violation or appeal within 30 days before the enhanced civil penalty kicks in.  Council member Doug Nodine asked Thomas whether a Board of Adjustment meeting has to be held within the 30 days that the violator has to appeal, and Thomas said the appeal just has to be made within the 30 days, and the case will be seen at the next Board of Adjustment meeting.

No citizens chose to comment on the proposed amendment. During council comments, McClellan affirmed his support of the change, advising the audience members to be the “eyes and ears” for the town, and to let the town know if they see a violation.

50

ment.

to approve the text amend-

Subdivision Case for Linville Ridge. The property is located on Linville Ridge Drive in Oak Ridge Township. The applicant seeks approval for Phases II and III, consisting of 16 lots, right-of-way dedication, and open space dedication on a total of approximately 30.7 acres.

The applicant is Linville Oakridge, LLC. Preliminary plat approval which was originally granted in 2013 has expired and the applicant seeks reapproval of substantially the same plan.

Pointing out the case was a technical review and not a public hearing, Bruce explained that if the final plat is not recorded with the office of the Register of Deeds within two years of approval of the preliminary plat, it must be resubmitted for review. This rule keeps developers from rushing through an approval in order to get the plan grandfathered in before a major ordinance change. In this case, the developer simply did not get to the next phase before the two years were up, Bruce said.

The development plan did have four changes since being approved in 2013: Linville Ridge Drive was shortened by 150 feet, three lots were removed and some have been reconfigured, and the phase line between Phases II and III has been adjusted.

Bruce recommended approval, noting the Planning and Zoning Board approved the case by a 6-1 vote (because the vote was non-unanimous, the technical review had to come before the town council). He explained that one of the board members had concerns about issues that occurred in Phase I of the subdivision which affected neighboring property owners, but confirmed that issue does not affect Phases II and III, or the approval that the town has already given the project.

50

to approve the subdivision

plan.

Financial update

$2.886 million in total assets, which includes cash reserves, sales tax and property tax receivables. The town’s liabilities are almost $22,000, with no long-term debt.

commission was excited about approval of new alternate member Brady Young, president of Oak Ridge Youth Association. He congratulated the town on the excellent Heritage Day event and said the commission was looking forward to the luminary and tree lighting event at the town park on Dec. 3.

The commission is already working on plans for next year, including adding a new Halloween event.

Fund balances total $2.853 million, of which $2.151 million is committed to capital projects, $138,000 is restricted by state statute, and $564,000 is unassigned.

October revenue came largely from park facility usage fees, interest earnings, Planning and Zoning (subdivision) fees, and a quarterly ABC store distribution of $26,565; additional revenue of $2,975 was for 20 percent of a zoning penalty collection. Anders also advised that the state overpaid the town for the sales tax refund, so he had to send $3,600 back.

Finance Committee. Committee member Carl Salyer, who is stepping down, was recognized by the council for his service.

Planning & Zoning Board. Vice Chair Bobbi Baker said the board unanimously approved a subdivision plan last month.

Merchants of Oak Ridge. Randy Floss said the Great Pumpkin Event had the largest turnout ever, with between 700 and 800 kids and parents.

Nodine asked for the cost breakdown of hiring a building inspector, including insurance and other benefits.

Anders said he would send the analysis, but indicated the estimated cost of the health insurance benefit was based on a married individual with family coverage, which is the highest rate.

50

Historic Preservation Commission.

Chair Ann Schneider said that she, Vice Chair Debbie Shoenfeld, Town Clerk Sandra Smith, and Bill Bruce had a design consultation with a potential applicant for a Certificate of Appropriateness in the historic district. They also met with the architect and civil engineer for a project in the outparcel between

to approve the financial

report.

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...continued on p. 18

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11

NORTHERN GUILFORD Football Wrap-Up

by MARC PRUITT McCray running for 200 of the team’s 296 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Although Northern Guilford’s season ended last Friday night with a 35-21 loss at West Brunswick in the first round of the NCHSAA 3-AA playoffs, Northern head coach Erik Westberg sees an abundance of positives from the 4-8 season and for the future of the program.

“I thought our defense did a really good job of keeping us in the game and giving us opportunities to put some points on the board,” Westberg said. “Even on their first touchdown, he (McCray) broke off a 60-yard run on a fourth-and-2 play where we had a guy right in his face that he just bounced off of.”

The Nighthawks clawed their way back into playoff contention by winning four of their last five games and finishing third in the Mid-State 3-A Conference after losing their first six games against a stacked schedule with a young team that only had seven seniors on the roster.

Northern went into halftime tied at 14-14 and had some momentum after a Tyler Flippen touchdown pass to Mike Wyman with two seconds left in the second quarter.

“I think it showed our resolve to battle back like that,” Westberg said. “And we’ll have a majority of our roster back next season with a lot of playing experience.”

“We were getting the ball to start the third quarter, but we just didn’t go anywhere on our first drive,” Westberg said. “That possession, looking back,

Northern had trouble stopping the run in the season-ending loss against West Brunswick, with the Trojans’ Bubba

We came a long way this season and I’m happy with the direction we are heading. I’ll miss our seven seniors, who took the coaching staff in with open arms and were great leaders for us. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what we did this year.”

Northern head coach Erik Westberg really hurt us.”

Trailing 21-14 early in the fourth quarter, Northern was driving in the red zone but fumbled on a fourth-down play.

West Brunswick scooped the ball up and returned it past midfield, eventually scoring a touchdown.

“Instead of us maybe tying the game, they are going the other way and it changed field position,” Westberg said.

“We didn’t recover after that, but the game was closer than the final score indicated.”

After wrapping up his first season

with the team, Westberg will now turn his attention to the off-season.

“The great thing is that we don’t have to start anything new now like we did in May when I first came in,” Westberg said. “We came a long way this season and I’m happy with the direction we are heading. I’ll miss our seven seniors, who took the coaching staff in with open arms and were great leaders for us. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what we did this year.”

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The good news surrounding Northern Guilford’s girls basketball team is that all five starters are returning from a team that finished 25-8 last season and came within a whisker of winning the NCHSAA 3-A state championship.

And that’s bad news for opponents on the Nighthawks’ schedule this season.

“Our two juniors and three sophomores from last year’s team are now two seniors and three juniors,” Coach Kim Furlough said. “So we’ve got a lot of experience back, in addition to three freshmen who are really good. It is a little different team having three freshmen; we’re bringing them along and getting them in the mix. Our returning players know what is going on and are ready to roll.”

Northern has already opened its

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

season in impressive fashion, posting a 70-17 win against Grimsley last week.

Juniors Elissa Cunane and Kassie Robakiewicz led the way against Grimsley in what should be a recurring theme for the next two seasons.

Cunane, a 6-foot, 5-inch center, is drawing recruiting interest from every ACC school as well as Georgia and South Carolina.

“It’s more a case of who hasn’t offered her a scholarship yet than who has,” Furlough said. “She went on all her visits during the fall and has had a lot of home visits. She hasn’t made a decision yet about college, but she still has plenty of time for that.”

Robakiewicz, a 5-foot, 6-inch point guard, and Cunane were both all-

...continued on p. 15

student artist gallery  From Northern Middle School art teacher Anna Rumsey: “The Northern Middle eighth grade art students, during the first nine weeks, were taught basic drawing skills. To begin, they were shown how to use the grid to recreate drawings. Then, the students move on to place objects in front of them, organizing a “mini still life” and practicing techniques discussed during class, such as spatial relationships, proportion, shading techniques and good composition. Mastering these techniques, the students moved on to create a “Still Life” drawing for their final project.

 From Summerfield Elementary art teacher Michael Garrett: “These colorful giraffes were made by kindergarten

students at Summerfield Elementary. This project reinforced math skills as students cut and created their own flat shapes, such as squares, rectangles, triangles. and circles. The students really enjoyed showing their creativity as they painted the sky, collaged the habitat, and constructed their animals!”

NORTHWEST GUILFORD Football Wrap-Up

by MARC PRUITT For most of the first half against Charlotte Myers Park last Friday, Northwest Guilford stood toe-to-toe with their first-round opponent in the NCHSAA 4-AA playoffs.

But a costly turnover led to 28 unanswered points by Myers Park and a 42-27 loss, ending Northwest’s season with a 7-5 record.

With the score tied at 21-21 late in the first half and Northwest with the ball, things went haywire on an interception that eventually led to a Myers Park touchdown with four seconds left.

“That was pretty crucial,” head coach Jared Rolfes said. “That gave them their first lead and they got the ball to start the second half. And then they scored to start the third quarter

and led 35-21 – and that was really the difference in the game. We couldn’t stop them all night, and we knew we were going to need to keep scoring. It was a case of feeling the pressure offensively of having to do something just to keep up.”

Tre’ Turner had touchdown catches of 32, 15 and 9 yards, Jacob Leonard threw for two touchdowns, Thomas Hennigan had one touchdown pass, and Zach Tyler had a three-yard touchdown run which gave the Vikings a short-lived 21-14 lead.

Northwest had the lead on three occasions – 7-0, 14-7, and 21-14, but couldn’t hold on.

“We couldn’t run the ball consistently because we had a rough time trying to

I think our kids learned what adversity truly looked like this season with some injuries we had and they learned what team dynamics look like and what can ruin team dynamics.”

Jared Rolfes, Northwest Guilford head coach move their interior defensive linemen,” Rolfes said. “Outside of one play that we figured out we could do in the second quarter, we didn’t have much success running the football. They are a good team and are 11-1 for a reason. But the game was a lot closer than what the score showed. We just made a couple of critical mistakes at a bad time and it cost us. Once they got the momentum, it was hard for us to keep up.”

In looking back on the Vikings’ season, Rolfes praised his team’s 27 seniors for their leadership.

“Overall, our seniors did a great job and continued to keep the program where we want it to be,” Rolfes said. “I think our kids learned what adversity truly looked like this season with some injuries we had and they learned what team dynamics look like and what can ruin team dynamics. People can look at our record and say we underachieved. It is what it is. But we just didn’t have a lot of depth to overcome some key injuries in a couple of games. We’ve got some good players to build around for next season and I’m looking forward to that.”

NORTHWEST GUILFORD Varsity Boys Basketball Preview

by MARC PRUITT Head varsity boys basketball coach Lee Reavis has plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Northwest Guilford’s basketball team this season.

regular season and won the conference tournament; there’s no reason to think that’s not a distinct possibility again this season.

“I’ve got seven seniors returning and we have a great core group,” Reavis said. “Experience will certainly be in our favor. One of the positive things about having an experienced group is that they know what our expectations are in practice and how hard we go. They know what our mindset is in terms of how we prepare and making sure we are getting better each day.”

“Southwest Guilford is really good, especially their starting five,” Reavis said.

“But I think with our depth, we should be able to give them some problems. I like our team and I like our chances. There’s a lot of ifs and buts, but if we guard like we are capable of guarding and share the ball, we’re going to be pretty good.”

The Vikings’ season came to a disappointing end last February after losing a heart-breaker against Matthews Butler in the third round of the NCHSAA 4-A playoffs on a free throw with less than a second on the clock.

Northwest tied with Southwest Guilford for the Piedmont-Triad 4-A conference championship during last year’s

14

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

Reavis will lean on a nucleus of players – Tre’ Turner, Jalen Spicer, Reggie Davis, David Funderburg, Matt Rakes, Thomas Hennigan, Jacob Davis and Kyle Sullivan – for their experience and leadership while working a couple of newcomers into the mix.

“Overall, we will have an unselfish group,” Reavis said. “We have guys who are willing to give up a good shot for a great shot because it’s good for the team. They realize that what’s good for the team will benefit them individually and have really bought into that. Our primary goal is to get better every day.

If you’re not in the process of trying to improve, your long-term goals are not going to be attainable anyway.”

Reavis said that not much will change with the offense, but he might adjust the defense because of the loss of Jalen Gore, who graduated in June and is now playing at Guilford College.

“We won’t be able to get out and

Freshman Christian Hampton and junior Tommy Smith, both perimeter players, have the ability to stretch the floor and will see some playing time.

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pressure as much this season,” Reavis said. “We’ll stretch the floor when we can.

We’ll just have to do it in different ways.

Last year we were able to run a lot of our pressure in man-to-man with the Jalens (Gore and Spicer) being able to pressure full court. Offensively, we’re a free-flowing, read-and-react type team. You as an individual have to understand what you do well, and then also understand what your teammates do well. We don’t run a lot of set plays. We want them to learn how to play with each other and take what the defense gives them.”

Northwest will open the season on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Northern Guilford at 7:30 p.m.

Summerfield Elementary celebrates reading Summerfield Elementary student Emma Kate Julian (left) poses with “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” and Harrison and Julia Outlaw stand beside a sign promoting the school’s pirate-themed book fair at “Dress Up Like A Pirate Night” which was held last week.

Photos courtesy of Karen Harris, Summerfield Elementary media specialist

BASKETBALL PREVIEW conference selections in the Mid-State 3-A last season.

Mercedes Wampler, a 5-foot, 9-inch junior, is also garnering plenty of attention from college scouts, said Furlough.

Furlough’s daughter, Sami, and Kelly Lomax are the team captains and the only seniors on the team.

“We had a really good summer with camps and workouts,” Furlough said.

“The three freshmen have been with us since June for team activities. Playing Grimsley was the best thing for us since it gave us a great opportunity to get our young kids on the floor and get them some experience.”

Furlough says winning the conference in the regular season is one of the Nighthawks’ main goals, which will also help the team get a better schedule for the state playoffs.

...continued from p. 12 “We finished third in the league last year and then won the conference tournament,” Furlough said. “We ended up getting a 12-seed for the state tournament and we had to travel a long way to every game, which was tough. We want to put ourselves in a better position this time. Last season, we started to click at the right time and I think it was just a matter of everyone finally understanding their role and buying in. You always want your team to peak at the right time and we were very fortunate that that’s what happened. Now, we want to build on that this season and I think we’re capable of doing that.”

Northern will play against Charlotte Catholic at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, in the Headliner’s Challenge at High Point Wesleyan. The Nighthawks will host the Northwest Guilford Vikings on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 6 p.m.

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to instruct Stewart to proceed with designing the A&Y Trail extension, using the “blue” route, which will make use of the pedestrian tunnel under U.S. 220.

All Aboard! Summerfield Trail of History.

Whitaker said Summerfield resident Christa Miller has spent a great deal of time working on a series of short videos about Summerfield, with the help of Tyler Keith-Pedersen, a UNCG new media design student. The video series can be found on YouTube.

Whitaker showed one of the videos to those in attendance and said as the council meets at other facilities around town, the plan is to show the rest of the videos.

Purchasing policy, procedures manual.

Raising the threshold for requiring three quotes from $500 to $1,000 was one of a few updates to the manual that Whitaker requested and council approved.

Remote meeting participation. Town Attorney Bill Hill said a policy was needed to address situations in which council members might participate in a council meeting remotely – on an occasional basis. After conferring with the N.C. School of Government, Hill and Whitaker drafted a policy and presented

...continued from p. 7

it to the council for consideration.

After council discussion, it was decided that a member participating from remote would not count toward a quorum, and the policy would only pertain to town council meetings (not Planning and Zoning Board, Board of Adjustment or committee meetings).

Whitaker will investigate the optimum technology needed to accommodate remote participation.

Shredding events. Whitaker said Guilford County has been absorbing the entire cost of the shredding events held each fall in Summerfield but after July 2017, the Town will need to share in the cost if it continues having the events. In 2015, over 4,000 tons of documents were shredded at the event in Summerfield and the council decided that paying its share of the shredding cost in the future, which would be $600, was cost justified.

REPORTS  Whitaker said the town planner’s position is still being advertised.  The Zoning Board planned to have a special-called meeting on Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. at Town Hall to discuss a text amendment to the Town’s development ordinance.

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 Mayor Brown read a Veterans Day proclamation.

Brown also said he attended a League of Municipalities conference

With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.

MAYOR/COUNCIL BUSINESS

OAK RIDGE TOWN COUNCIL Sherwin Williams and BB&T and provided information to the owner that will hopefully be helpful when the project moves forward.

The Commission recently dedicated two historic markers, one at the Zack Whitaker house on Oct. 23 and the other at the R. P. Larkins house on Nov. 5.

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...continued from p. 11

good way to communicate with citizens.

He also thanked all the volunteers serving on boards and commissions.  Referencing the recent election, Stone said the right to vote was fought for by veterans and asked everyone to thank a veteran on Veterans Day.  Sullivan asked everyone to come together after the elections.

 Kinneman highlighted several recent positive happenings in town: the Great Pumpkin Event, the new sidewalk extension and the historic marker dedications. He also encouraged everyone to give blood, with the next local blood drive planned for Dec. 12 at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church.

“We are all Americans. We’re not hyphen Americans,” he said. “And we need to pull together and recognize that we have common aspirations and common goals. We may differ on how to get there, but we need to have dialogues, not demonstrations. And we need to be able to sit down and calmly discuss and resolve our differences.

And that is my hope and my prayer for this country, for this state, and for our town on those occasions when we do have differences.”

 McClellan said attending events such as the historic marker dedications is a

With no other business, the meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Granite starting at $29/sq. ft. installed

last month, and the Jordan Lake rules were on a list of topics to be considered by the league for possible support and assignment to lobbyists.

The Jordan Lake rules were proposed in 2006 in response to the City of Durham experiencing water quality issues. Brown said the legislature at that time decided that everyone upriver from the Jordan Lake would need to upgrade their water systems. When the Republican party took over, however, many of the rules were buried. Brown said he wrote a prepared statement while at the conference in opposition to bringing the rules back to the forefront and was happy to report that the 15 projects to get the most votes from League conference participants did not include lobbying for the Jordan Lake rules.

 The town participated in a Tractor & Treat event at Summerfield Farms on Oct. 25, which Whitaker said was a very good community outreach. The town also hosted the annual Touch-ATruck event on Oct. 29 at Summerfield Athletic Park, which Whitaker said was “the best one yet.” Vulcan Materials essentially co-sponsored the event and “went all out” to make it successful.

Two COAs are on the slate for November, one related to the car wash and one regarding the auto shop near the Oak Ridge Road and Linville Road intersection, which has new tenants.

A+

18

 Whitaker said work is underway to connect a well on the Gordon property, where the flag building was, to the Martin house as part of continued renovations.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Persimmons, pumpkins, woolly worms and the essence of autumn

by HELEN LEDFORD The late Stanley Horowitz, Jewish poet and author, is well remembered for a particular quote describing the fall season – “Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting, and autumn, a mosaic of them all.”

The distinguished, aforementioned gentleman would have appreciated the breathtaking collage of colors this season brings, especially in the higher elevations and foothills. Each year the indescribable shades of yellow, red and dark maroon lend a lovely vibrant hue to yards and woodlands. The visual effect is stunning, as crisp air signals the changing of the guard after much warmer days. That woolly sweater or bomber jacket does, for sure, feel cozy on these nippy mornings!

At this writing, “Old Sol” shines at an angle nearer to the horizon, while nightfall arrives early, shortening the length of our days. For some of us, the annual symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder have already kicked in. This very real malady brings deep melancholy feelings, making it painful to accept summer’s ending. A longer period of adjustment is needed for those who find it extremely hard to bid goodbye to carefree, hot, ice cream days.

The seasonal transition alerts and speeds up activity of the busy little woolly worm, larvae of the bright honey-col-

ored Isabella tiger moth. This scurrying, small creature is noted for its supposed ability to accurately forecast weather for the winter months, according to markings on their furry overcoats.

Reportedly, not many wiggly little weathermen have emerged in these parts, yet the traditional October Woolly Worm festival was held in Banner Elk as usual. Conclusions by this year’s crop of fuzzy mountain meteorologists seem to lean toward a fairly mild winter. Many old-timers vow that more orange/brown

coloring adorning the small autumn harbinger is sure to bring less harsh, cold weather. If the woolly worm sports a large amount of black, some diehards declare that a sign of severe winter days with lots of snow (well, we’ll just have to wait and see!).

How well I remember when growing up as a child in Caswell County, a delicious end-of-summer treat was the persimmon, found on trees that grew wild around our farm property. Those plump, red-orange orbs – both tart and sweet – were a favorite to eat right off

the tree. Most definitely, after the first frost, the juicy bounty is more flavorful and succulent.

Unfortunately, my siblings and I found that our four-footed nocturnal opossum friends considered the persimmon trees their property. A contest ensued to see if we could beat those grungy fellows to the fragrant fruit, on which they sneakily dined in the dark of night.

I am told that the current persimmon crop in our neck of the woods is next to nil – more than likely because of the unusually dry summer.

This is distressing news for all the local ladies who stir up those delicious, southern-style persimmon puddings and breads to serve for the holidays!

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With Halloween festivities having come and gone and Thanksgiving upon us, the leftover bounty of pumpkin harvests lingers at farmers’ markets, supermarkets, churchyards and along rural byways. Each year, it seems as if there are countless more “pumpkin-y” recipes and other unique ways discovered to prepare and enjoy that homegrown commodity.

Many have drooled over Starbucks’ rich and creamy pumpkin lattés, and slurped wedges of pumpkin pie with mounds of whipped cream – but what about pumpkin chili, pumpkin pie popsicles, or oven-baked pumpkin chipotle fries? These, and hundreds of other gourmet cooking techniques using pulp from

20 years

of delivering homegrown news to northwest Guilford County

...continued on p. 24

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

19

BUSINESS notes Welcome to our new advertiser!

within their private wealth management areas of trusts, estates and planning. I worked with trust clients for 15 years in a corporate trustee capacity.

families. I am also an ARAG network attorney.

On a personal note: My husband Mike and I have lived in Oak Ridge for 15 years and between us we have two children, Will and Madeleine, along with our dog Jeter. I currently serve as the chair of the Piedmont School capital campaign and I am a member of the Merchants of Oak Ridge. In my free time, I love to golf.

Delivering The Law Office of P. Greeson, homegrown Susan PLLC news since 1996 ••••• New Oak Ridge venue offers meeting, event space Susan P. Greeson, owner

When did you open your law practice, and what did you do prior to opening it? I just opened my business this fall. Prior to opening my own practice, I worked for large, regional and community banks

Looking for a place to host your next social or business gathering?

Check out the newest event venue in Oak Ridge – The Oak Ridge Room.

Owners of Bistro 150, Jennifer Mun

and her husband, Clancy Laizure, have opened the Oak Ridge Room next door to their restaurant in Oak Ridge Commons to accommodate what they have seen as a growing need for meeting

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Co-owner Jennifer Mun is excited about the opening of the Oak Ridge Room.

20

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

Main service(s) you offer: Estate planning (wills, trusts, including special needs trust, powers of attorney, living wills, buy-sell agreements, etc.), estate administration and settlement, trust and estate beneficiary representation, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.

What makes your law practice unique?

I love working with the clients, and I am in a unique position, given my background, to truly help them and their

space in the northwest area.

“At Bistro 150, we’ve had a lot of requests for small parties and meetings but we just don’t have the space,” said Mun. “We decided we wanted to do something to try to help people with their events.”

With that in mind, the couple rented the space next door and began creating an upscale venue that would appeal to a large variety of people.

About 1,300 square feet, the room will accommodate up to 50 people and a complete range of gatherings including holiday parties, baby showers, business meetings, wine tastings, rehearsal dinners, craft shows and more.

Believing that flexibility is a key factor in the success of this venture, Mun and Laizure offer their patrons a variety of options. Although outside caterers are allowed, Bistro 150 will cater events and offers everything from light hors d’oeuvres to a full course sit-down meal. For those wishing to serve alcohol, the Oak Ridge Room has its beer and wine license.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

See ad on p. 21.

Affordability is another focus. Mun said they want as many people as possible to enjoy the room and are willing to work with people in tailoring an event to meet their budget.

Mun said they’ve had a lot of help in making The Oak Ridge Room a reality. She credits one of her friends, Kelly Joyce, with coming up with the idea for the name of the location. “He mentioned it and I thought it was brilliant,” she said.

Vicky and Randy Floss, former owners of the Bistro who have become good friends with Mun and Laizure, have been the force behind creating the design of the room and have handled all the design details, from layout and painting to selecting furniture and decorating for Christmas.

“I feel very blessed to have had their help,” said Mun. “I couldn’t have this place without them.”

For more information, visit www.OakRidgeRoom.com or email oakridgeroom@gmail.com.

Now collecting pet food and supply donations through the end of December to benefit animals in need Dr. Julie Dudak

1726 Oak Ridge Road (336) 644-8789 M - F, 7:30 - 5:30 • Sat, 8 -1

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THURSDAY, DEC. 1

 Town Council meeting| The Oak Ridge Town Council will meet Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. More info and agenda: www.oakridgenc.com.

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 Estate planning, administration and settlement  Trust and estate beneficiary representation  Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements

FRIDAY, DEC. 2

Get. Be. Stay.

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 Greensboro Festival of Lights | Downtown Greensboro will host the 28th annual Festival of Lights on Dec. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. A community sing-along and Christmas tree lighting will kick off the event, with other activities including crafts, caroling, a marshmallow roast, a visit with Santa and more. More info and maps: www.festivaloflightsgso.org.  Christmas Stroll | The third annual Downtown Mayodan Christmas Stroll will take place in Mayodan on Dec. 2 from 5 to 9 p.m. There will be wagon rides, kids’ activities, craft shops, pictures with Santa, carolers, a tree lighting at 6 p.m. and more. The grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new Mayodan Arts Center will also take place this evening. More info: (336) 427-0099.

 Complimentary consultations  New patients accepted daily

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Dr. Rod C. Brown

summerfieldchiro.com 7092-A Summerfield Road

SATURDAY, DEC. 3  Light up the Night | The Town of Oak Ridge invites the community to a “Light Up the Night” luminary event on Dec. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. A tree planting and lighting will kick off the event at 6 p.m., followed by children’s activities, crafts and music. Non-perishable food items will be collected for Good Samaritan Ministries. More info: Sandra Smith at (336) 644-7009 or ssmith@oakridgenc.com.

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 Tree Lighting | The Town of Stokesdale invites the community to its Christmas Tree Lighting event on Dec. 3 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road, Stokesdale. Third-graders from Stokesdale Elementary will sing, and Santa will be paying a visit.  Holiday Parade | The Greensboro Holiday Parade will begin at 12 p.m. on Dec. 3 in downtown Greensboro. The parade is the only one in the state to include “Macy’s” style balloons. More info on parking and the parade route: www.gsoholidayparade.com.

Is your portfolio ready for the next recession?

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Phillip Hanks

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 Craft Show & Greek Pastry Sale | The Ladies Philoptochos Society of the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church at 800 Westridge Road in Greensboro will host its 19th annual craft show and pastry sale on Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info: Gwen Varsamis, (336) 601-6717 or gvarsamis@triad.rr.com.

Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC 29 Years Experience

Individual, Corporate, Partnership & Payroll Tax Electronic Tax Filing  Estate Planning Bookkeeping & Compilations Oak Ridge Business Center 8004 Linville Rd, Suite G, Oak Ridge (336) 643-7577 or 1-800-467-8299 info@samanderscpa.com www.samanderscpa.com

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

21

LETTERS/OPINIONS Submit your editorials (maximum 350 words) online: nwobserver.com e-mail : editor@nwobserver.com mail: Opinions, PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 Include your name, a daytime phone number where you can be reached and name of community in which you live.

Letters from the same writer will be published no more than every 30 days.

Grateful, humbled and honored Andy Michels, owner of Oak Ridge Physical Therapy, rarely ends a conversation with me without asking a simple question: ‘So, what are you grateful for today?’ It never fails to stop me in my tracks and prompts me to reflect on the short- and long-term blessings in my life, and the abundance of both.

dogs who curl up underneath my desk for long hours of many workdays, always grateful for a pat on the head, a few Cheerios and for me to take a break and a walk with them outside – if only we humans could be as easily content and as consistently grateful for what are often the simplest of things.

As the Northwest Observer This year I’m especially publisher/editor celebrates its 20th anniversary grateful to have welcomed our this month, I’m also especially son-in-law into our family, for continued grateful for the dear friends and famhealth and energy, and for a business ily members who have supported me that has weathered 20 years of ups and throughout this journey, for the presdowns and still provides me with all the ent and past staff members who have challenges and rewards I could ask for made invaluable contributions while bein a career. ing employed here, and to our readers and advertisers for making it possible I’m also grateful for my husband – to continue doing what we do. My hope we will celebrate our 32nd anniversary is that we have made as much of a difon Thanksgiving Day – for the health and happiness of our son, daughter and ference in your lives as you have made in ours. their chosen ones, and my two sweet Patti Stokes

with, Hurricane Matthew. Personnel from Division 7 traveled east last month to assist their fellow employees before, during and after Hurricane Matthew slammed our state, claiming lives, businesses and devastating communities.

About a dozen Triad-area NCDOT Incident Management Assistance Patrol employees worked the weekend of the storm to load 20 message boards that were used to notify drivers of flooded and closed roads in the

path of the storm. About 50 Division 7 employees dedicated their time the weekend of the storm and in the weeks following and I applaud them for their dedication to their jobs and the great state of North Carolina. I encourage the public to visit our website to find out about how NCDOT crews are working for you here in the Triad and across the state!

Mike Mills, NCDOT Division 7 engineer

Representative’s Facebook posts disappointing, unprofessional When Donald Trump chose alt-right’s Stephen Bannon to be his chief strategist, I wanted to know where my local elected officials stood on appointments like this. I went looking for their stances and unfortunately I didn’t find much information.

In my search, what I did find was North Carolina House of Representatives member John Blust’s Facebook page. I was concerned and disappointed to see an elected official posting ugly memes, articles that demeaned, and an actual personal post calling Hillary Clinton a witch. I didn’t expect to agree with Rep. Blust’s politics but this was more than that, and I left his page feeling concerned about his character.

When I finally decided to reply to one of his memes, pointing out how it could easily be devised in reverse against Republican policies, his re-

sponse was to question why liberals are humorless and to block me. I did not attack him verbally but I did honestly question what kind of leadership example he was setting.

Rep. Blust is an elected official. I am a constituent. He should not live in an echo chamber. He wants to decry liberals for not having any sense of humor then block me for questioning him openly on something he posted openly.

Since I questioned him he has taken his Facebook page private, but I have screen shots of our limited exchange as well as a cartoon I found offensive and unprofessional for an elected official to post. I am disappointed this kind of leadership is tolerated and I hope Rep. Blust will consider listening to diverse opinions – part of his job as an elected official.

Katie Muller OAK RIDGE

NCDOT’s Division 7 is working for you

KKK’s goals are not Biblical

So often N.C. Department of Transportation crews are seen closing roads for construction or accidents along our interstates, but what many people may not know is that during a crisis Division 7 crews across Guilford, Orange,

The recent presidential election has brought to light economic, social and racial divides which previously had often been unacknowledged. Simply turn on the evening news or look at social media feeds to be reminded that passions run

22

Caswell, Rockingham and Alamance Counties are a part of the local and statewide emergency response.

Today I’d like to thank my crews from Division 7 for their efforts on the latest emergency our state has had to deal

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

high for many people. Some are energized because they feel their voices have finally been heard. Others fear a loss of freedom and safety. Most disturbingly, there has been an increase in expressed racist and anti-immigrant sentiment. With

this division in mind, we, the undersigned clergy in Guilford and Rockingham counties, felt the need to respond.

News that the Ku Klux Klan in nearby Pelham, North Carolina, is planning a victory parade on Dec. 3 is deeply disheartening. The KKK is dedicated to advancing the cause of white supremacy and separating white people from people of color. The current iteration of the KKK rose in response to the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s. Since then, the KKK has actively opposed African Americans, immigrants, Jews, LGBT people and Catholics.

According to the KKK’s website, the organization’s goal is to “restore America to a white Christian nation,” “prevent mixed-race marriages” and teach whites not to “mix with the darker races.” Heartbreakingly, they refer to children of mixed racial background as “mongrel children.” This is merely a drop in the bucket of hatred for non-whites that you will find on their website. They find justification for all this hatred from the Bible.

The Bible is clear on these matters.

The people of Israel were reminded to “love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt” (Leviticus 19:33-34). Jesus summed up the Christian life with two commandments: to love God and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30-31).

The Apostle Paul reminds us “there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, bar-

barian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:11). Lastly, we must remember that “the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:11).

As leaders of faith communities, we cannot remain silent in the face of such open bigotry and hatred. We cannot let this twisting and misuse of the Holy Scriptures stand unchallenged. We will not allow the voice of racism, hate and division to shout down the good news of the Gospel for all.

We affirm that all people, regardless of racial, economic or social background, are beloved children of God and of sacred worth. Regardless of your political inclinations, we implore you to commit yourselves to the cause of peace, kindness and especially love. Let us love one another, because God is love (1 John 4:8).

Rev. Timothy C. Drum, II (Flat Rock UMC), Rev. Gayle Brown (retired Baptist minister), Rev. Morris Brown (Woodmont UMC), Rev. Steve Huntley (honorably retired PCUSA), Rev. Rodvegas Ingram (Salem and St. John UMCs), Rev. Wanda Lancaster (Gideon Grove and Palestine UMCs), Rev. Johnathan Marlowe, (Midway and Chapel Hill UMCs), Rev. Philip Setzer (Mt. Zion UMC), Rev. Ashley Thomas (Stokesdale UMC), and Rev. Angie Toth (Lowes and Mizpah UMCs).

Let’s have less election advertising Now that the elections are past, I have a suggestion for elections going forward: no advertising in the last week of the campaign.

Candidates will still campaign and their campaigns will still be covered by news media, but advertising should cease for the final week to give us a rest from the super PACs and special inter-

ests whose ads are often more vicious and less tasteful than those of even the candidates themselves.

There’s probably some legal argument that could be put forward to insure that this doesn’t happen, but honestly, wouldn’t this benefit voters on both sides of the spectrum equally?

Steve Maloy, SUMMERFIELD

Electoral College is defective For the second time in 16 years, the president-elect of the United States is not the winner of the popular vote.

Once all votes are counted, Secretary Clinton will have won the popular vote by possibly two million votes.

to just six swing states. Almost all of them were medium-sized east coast states that do not accurately represent the diversity of the United States. This often has a profound impact on voter turnout.

The Electoral College is a defective institution. It was originally formed by our country’s founders to bolster the political clout of slave states. In the 21st century, this system fails to accomplish the dubious benefits that its defenders expound. Instead, it provides for undemocratic election results, which amount to unintentional vote rigging.

North Carolina is long overdue to ratify the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Once enough states ratify, electoral votes will be assigned to the winner of the popular vote, putting an end to the Electoral College. I encourage Phil Berger, Dan Blue, Tim Moore and Larry Hall to put this on the upcoming agenda for North Carolina’s state legislature.

Emily Gering STOKESDALE

Two-thirds of the campaign stops in the 2016 presidential race were

Happy 20th anniversary, NWO! Congratulations to the Northwest Observer on your 20th anniversary. You have been a terrific supporter of the communities you serve, a voice that speaks to the issues whether they be government, sports or feature stories unique to each area.

Patti Stokes has been an outstanding editor/publisher. Beginning in May 1995, I got up at 3:45 each morning to open up the Village Store at 5:30 a.m. In 1998, after about two years of publishing the Oak Ridge Observer, Patti moved her office from her home to the Village Offices behind the store.

Soon she was coming into the Village Store once a week around 6 a.m. for coffee and I learned she had just pulled an “all-nighter” to get the paper wrapped up and off to the printer. She certainly put my early rising in perspective, since she had had no sleep, and it made me appreciative of her effort and dedication.

It has been interesting to watch Patti moving from leased office space

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

to owning her “own dirt.” This even changed some of her liberal thoughts to the more practical view, i.e., when she paid several hundred dollars to install a bike rack in front of her office that was required by ordinance but has never been used. The 12-foot-wide, paved commercial driveway that was required was also not inexpensive. You never know the obligations you face until you own your own dirt.

A small business is like a jealous wife – you keep trying to please it, but it is difficult to get it right and there is always demand for more news, more revenue and more time to get it all done and keep the family happy.

It is our hope that the Northwest Observer will continue for another 20 years, although I will probably not be around to celebrate that anniversary since I am past four score years.

Happy anniversary, Northwest Observer!

Jerry Cooke OAK RIDGE

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

23

PERSIMMONS

...continued from p. 19

now-useless jack-o’-lanterns, may be easily found simply by surfing the internet.

All over our state numerous fall events feature endless fun activities. One popular juncture, the “Pumpkin Pursuit,” has made famous the small western North Carolina mountain town of Nantahala. A well-attended autumn occasion, it draws crowds of spectators who exuberantly cheer on kayakers madly pursuing 400 to 500 small pumpkins which have been tossed into the churning rapids of the beautiful Nantahala River. Enthusiastic participants splash, flip, roll and sometimes capsize in the rushing water to grab as many of the brightly colored, bobbing little orange fall icons as possible. It is a hilarious, entertaining (and decidedly wet) happening, as eager entrants vie for cash prizes.

Flinging, or “chunking,” pumpkins

is a crowd pleaser offering amusement at some outdoor autumnal gatherings.

In one Smoky Mountain settlement, college students construct creatively designed catapults, competing for the honor of tossing pumpkins (via their primitive contraptions) the farthest distance on urban streets. Needless to say, that’s a lot of “thuds” and splatter!

In God’s orderly world, He has provided this interval of autumn when all creation seems to catch its breath. Woolly worms go to sleep in their cocoons.

Opossums inspect persimmon trees for the leavings of forgotten, fermented fruit.

Bears hoist their ample backsides into warm, comfy beds before the snow flies.

And we humans? We gear up for a mad rush into the holiday season. Think I’ll go join the bears….

Jam-packed with valuable info for northwest Guilford County residents 9 annual edition coming Jan. 2017 th

Contact us for advertising info (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 advertising@nwobserver.com

RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE BY DEC. 9 FOR

5% OFF 24

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

CRIME / INCIDENT report Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, District 1 has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest Guilford County.

The District 1 office, one of three district offices in Guilford County, encompasses Oak Ridge, Summerfield, Stokesdale, Colfax and northwest and northern Greensboro. It is bounded by Rockingham County on the north, runs east along U.S. 29 South, west along Forsyth County and south along the Greensboro City limits.

ASSAULT

to the vehicle was $1,000.

Nov. 17 | A resident of Hudson James Road in Summerfield reported that a known suspect slapped him in the face.

According to the reporting officer, there were no visible signs of an assault, and no medical treatment was required.

Nov. 20 | A resident of N.C. 68 North in Oak Ridge reported that unknown suspects attempted to force open the rear door to his house by hitting it with a blunt object. No entry was made and nothing was reported stolen. No one was home at the time of the attempted burglary.

Nov. 19 | Sometime around 5:30 a.m., a known suspect scratched a resident of Ashburton Court in Oak Ridge on the neck during an argument. No medical treatment was required and both parties agreed to separate for the remainder of the night.

BURGLARY Nov. 18 | A resident of Brynwood Drive in Colfax reported that sometime between 2:40 a.m. and 8:14 a.m. an unknown suspect kicked in the front door to her residence. There was nothing reported stolen.

Nov. 18 | The owner of a group home on Lewiston Road in Summerfield reported that an unknown suspect entered his residence by forcing open the front door. Once inside, a 50-inch LG television valued at $1,500 was stolen.

Nov. 18 | The owner of a Cadillac Escalade reported that while her vehicle was parked at Summerfield United Methodist Church on Scalesville Road between 11:40 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., an unknown suspect broke the rear passenger window to gain entry into the vehicle. No property was taken; estimated damage

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

DWI Nov. 18 | A resident of Patricia Drive in Stokesdale was cited and released for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia; the offense occurred at Belews Creek Road in Stokesdale.

FRAUD Nov. 16 | A resident of Keating Drive in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect opened a fraudulent account with Verizon Wireless in her name.

District 1 Sheriff’s Office 7506 Summerfield Road Main number: (336) 641-2300 Report non-emergency crime-related incidents by calling:

(336) 373-2222 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday

in case of emergency, dial

911

www.guilfordcountysheriff.com

Capt. Robert Elliott

GRINS and GRIPES Delighted or dismayed by something in your community?

Share your thoughts in

40

words or less

online: nwobserver.com • e-mail: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com Grins & Gripes are published based on available space and editor’s discretion.

GRINS to...

 The students of Brown Summit Middle School for their donations to Out of the Garden.  The young man in the Army uniform who saw me loading a full shopping cart, including a very large box and several loose items, at Costco and offered to help me unload them into my car.

100% customer satisfaction

We offer one guarantee:

 Danny Ivers, custodian at Northwest Middle School. My kids went on and on about how nice you are, always friendly, and how you can fix anything at the school. We appreciate you!

 The Stokesdale Fire Department and Guilford EMS for a successful CPR which saved our mother’s life on Nov. 8.  PantSuit Nation for getting me through election week – and for reminding me that this is truly still the home of the brave.  My friend who had the courage and strength to confront her husband’s killer in the courtroom for not completing his community service. Justice for Todd Martinez!  StokeRidge Tavern & Grill for doing an awesome job for Northwest Guilford’s women’s field hockey banquet. The food, service and atmosphere were outstanding!

Piedmont Truck Tires & Automotive

Also, the patrons who came in that night couldn’t have been more polite to us.  Peggy Joyce, Barbara Marshall, Betty Shelton and Juanita Southern, founders of the Stokesdale Veterans Monument Committee, for their efforts to raise money for the monument and bring it to reality, and for serving on the committee for 10 years.  Oak Ridge Youth Association members for the support they gave to Summerfield Recreation Association’s Chloe’s Lucky Charms fundraiser tournament on Nov. 5-6.  NCDOT and their workers for paving Featherstone Road instead of putting loose gravel down. It is much appreciated and you did a great job.  Summerfield Town Council for having the wisdom to reverse your earlier decision on the A&Y trail route and choose a safer path along U.S. 220.  This newspaper for printing the grins and gripes. They make me smile every time I read them!  Jon and Christian, the youth leaders

at Liberty Wesleyan Church, for being outstanding role models. Thank you for all that you do for God’s children!  Rev. James Webster of First Baptist Church in Oak Ridge for an awesome job of delivering the message at the community Thanksgiving service on Nov. 10.

GRIPES to...  The state trooper (white male) in a marked car who drove right through a red light on N.C. 150 at Linville Road in Oak Ridge at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15.  Whoever griped (twice) about pulling kids behind a mower. I’m the “deplorable.” Our kids don’t wear helmets while walking either, and that’s about the speed we were driving. Next Halloween come say hello and have a beer with us.  Stores and parts of the city that rush through the fall holidays for sales. Take a moment to enjoy our American heritage and give Thanksgiving recognition. Also, don’t forget Christmas is about Jesus, kindness, giving and family.

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Full automotive repair & maintenance • Tune-ups Wheel & tire repair/alignment • NC inspections ASE certified technicians

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Mitch Glover

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“Highest in Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction for Luxury Vehicles, Passenger Cars and Truck/Utility Vehicles.”

Jim Rice VP of Sales

(336) 668-0091 • 312 S Regional Rd, Greensboro 10 locations open M-F 7:30-5:30 Emergency roadside 24/7/365 • Shuttle service within 8 miles

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See redemption form for complete offer details. Offer expires 12/12/2016. Void where prohibited. ted. The Reward Card expires six (6) months after issuance.

No cash access. Fees apply. Reward Card issued by U.S. Bank National Association pursuant to a licensee from MasterCard International Incorporated Incorporated. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated. Michelin received the highest numerical score for luxury vehicles, passenger cars and truck/utility vehicles in the J.D. Power 2016 Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study, based on 31,977 responses measuring experiences and perceptions of original owners and lessees of new vehicles who were surveyed in November – December 2015. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

Copyright © 2016 Michelin North America, Inc. All rights reserved.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

25

THANKSGIVING ...continued from p. 1

died on the cross for us and washed away our sins. What a blessing it is to know that our forever home is waiting for us.”

“Medical breakthroughs of this nature are a direct result of people backing us. So we give thanks to all who do so much to help keep our family whole and strong. You are a blessing.”

Mark Hanson, Belews Creek

Casey Stone, Stokesdale “This November, our family is grateful life’s journey brought us to this community.

“For more than five years now, our friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers who have become friends have rallied to our side to help us build hope in the fight against Cystic Fibrosis.

“We recently held our fourth annual Brews & Barrels for Belle beer, wine and food tasting event to raise money for CF research, patient care, advocacy and other programs. It was our second consecutive sellout crowd and we raised more than $18,000, exceeding our previous record.

“The generous, loyal and determined people surrounding us in this place we call ‘home’ made this success possible.

“And that success has achieved results.

When our daughter, Annabelle, turns 6 in May, she is scheduled to begin a first-ofits-kind CF treatment. While not a cure, it is a major achievement that has the potential to add tomorrows [to her life].

Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their ad in the

26

“(I’m thankful for) my sandbox.”

Chance Hicks, age 4, Summerfield “In a season that can so quickly become focused on buying, spending and material things, it is important to be thankful for the intangible and invaluable gifts. I am most thankful for faith and family.”

Anna Carter, Oak Ridge “Do you have a column big enough (for all that I’m thankful for)? For completing driver’s ed, musical abilities I’ve learned this year, good grades in school, a new baby brother and my family in general.”

Chad Harrell, age 15, Stokesdale “This year, I am particularly thankful for simply being an American, living in a free country and being blessed with a loving, healthy family. I thank God for free choice and liberty that I so often take for granted.

“I am humbled by the myriad of ways my life has been positively touched, allowing me to grow and mature with

opportunities and new experiences. I appreciate good eyesight and the physical ability to help others who are in need. I am grateful for good housing, abundant food and clean water. I am honored to know friends who would come to my assistance without hesitation.

“All of these sensibilities culminate into a single expression of deep appreciation and humility during this Thanksgiving holiday. God bless America, indeed!”

William H. Edwards, Oak Ridge “I am thankful for my friends, my family, my house and that I’m able to get up and live life every day.”

Alivia Hicks, age 15, Summerfield “Earlier this year my 10-year-old son developed an infection that quickly turned into a life-threatening situation.

He was air-lifted to the hospital where he stayed for three weeks. It was a scary time, but everything turned out okay. I’m thankful for my son’s health. I wouldn’t want to do it again, but we learned so many valuable lessons from it.”

“I am thankful for my family, for their love and support. I am thankful for my health, and that I am able to remain active. I also appreciate the good people in our area who are willing to stand up for what they love and believe in.”

Vicki White-Lawrence, Stokesdale “(I’m thankful for) Daddy and Mama, Lyla and Savannah and Poppa and our food.”

Jackson Angel, age 5, Stokesdale “I am thankful for my crazy family.”

Addison Hicks, age 11, Summerfield “We have had incredible grace-filled opportunities to enjoy the gift of family vacations and Sunday dinners together.

We await the birth of our seventh grandchild this Christmas. No greater joy than the gift of life!

“I’m thankful for my family and friends, and for being healthy and happy.”

“In addition, we went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land during Lent and walked the Way of Saint James in Spain, known as ‘the Camino de Santiago,’ as pilgrims.

How appropriate to give thanks for that this Thanksgiving! We are truly blessed as individuals, husband and wife, family and as a nation and give God thanks for the abundance of blessings He allows in our lives each day!”

Bobbi Dalton, Stokesdale

Patty and Francis Disney, Oak Ridge

Mickey Tingen, Oak Ridge

The Northwest Observer may be free to our readers, but

it isn’t truly free.

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

As we enter the holiday season, join us in thanking our advertisers for making it possible to do what we do.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Place online at

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

NEED HELP? Call (336) 644-7035 ext. 10 Mon - Fri • 9am -2pm

INDEX Employment ............................... 27 Save the Date ............................ 27 Home Services ....................... 27-29 Misc. Services.............................. 29 Misc. for Sale ............................. 29 Misc. Wanted ........................ 29-30 Pets & Animal Services ............... 30 Real Estate ................................. 30

EMPLOYMENT

SAVE THE DATE

SAVE THE DATE

NEXT STEP MINISTRIES open positions: Director of Residential Services: Responsibilities include management of the Safe House and supervision of staff and volunteers. Position requires ability to work evenings and weekends as needed. BA or equivalent experience in Human Services.

Shelter Staff: (1st shift Monday-Friday, Saturday and Sunday; and 3rd shift FridayMonday). Duties range from shelter duties, monitoring inventory, assisting with intake forms and files, crisis intervention. Two years post-secondary education in human services or commensurate experience.

Bookkeeper: Reconciling bank statements, preparing journal entries, preparing 1099s and 1098s, recording transactions, printing checks, preparing monthly financial reports and assisting with audit. Must be proficient with Quickbooks and have an Associate’s Degree in accounting or business or equivalent experience. This is an independent contractor position.

Submit letter of interest/experience, along with names of three references, to: NSM Search Committee, PO Box 793, Kernersville, NC 27285.

JOSIE’S BOUTIQUE remaining inventory liquidation sale, every Friday and Saturday through December 17, 10am-5pm daily, 2204 Oak Ridge Road. Jewelry, purses, gifts and lots more!

Captain Elite’s Nationwide SOCCER TRAINING CAMP, January 14-16, open to male & female U10-U18 Challenge to Elite players, Greensboro Sportsplex. Visit www.captainelite.com for more info.

SERVICES ADMIN; must be organized with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, have strong interpersonal, excellent verbal and written communication skills. Send your resume and salary requirements to entu45@aol.com.

HOUSEKEEPER NEEDED, $13/hour, one day/week. Must have transportation, be a non-smoker, conscientious, dependable. The position involves cleaning, laundry and some ironing. (336) 643-2504.

LOCAL SEAMSTRESS NEEDED to sew pillows. Must be able to install invisible zippers. Work-at-home opportunity. For more info, please call (336) 404-4333.

VETERINARY KENNEL ASSISTANT needed. Duties include patient care, cage and hospital cleaning, inventory maintenance. Must have own transportation and ability to work independently. Northwest Animal Hospital, (336) 643-8984.

BLACK FRIDAY SALE, Friday, Nov. 25, 10am-6pm, Golden Antiques & Treasures, 341 Ram Loop, Stokesdale. Sales at every booth, Christmas gifts galore! Come out and shop local! (336) 949-4958, www. goldenantiquesandtreasures.com.

LADIES NIGHT OUT, Thurs., December 1, 6pm-9pm, Golden Antiques & Treasures, 341 Ram Loop, Stokesdale. Food, jewelry, vintage, art, skin care, raffles, handbags, and much more!

SAVE THE DATE! 3rd Annual Downtown Mayodan Christmas Stroll, Friday, Dec. 2, 5-9pm. Wagon rides, kid’s crafts, craft shoppes, merchant specials, appearances

by Star Wars characters & Peppa Pig, carolers, grand opening of the Mayodan Arts Center, tree lighting at 6pm and much more!

Ladies’ Philoptochos Society 19th Annual CRAFT SHOW & GREEK PASTRY SALE, Saturday, December 3, 9am-4pm, the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church, 800 Westridge Road, Greensboro, corner of W. Friendly Ave. and Westridge Road. Unique crafts, gifts and delicious pastries just in time for the holidays! Admission is FREE! MERRY MUSTANG HOLIDAY MARKET, Friday, December 9, 3:30-7:30pm, Mendenhall Middle School, 205 Willoughby Blvd., GSO, 27408. Food, holiday decor, gifts, art and more! Interested vendors can contact beaupretl@bellsouth.net.

MISTLETOE MARKET, Sat., December 10, 10am-6pm, Golden Antiques & Treasures, 341 Ram Loop, Stokesdale. Sales throughout the mall, crafters, artisans, and a special guest – Santa! Requesting public crafters/vendors to sign up for this special event. $20/space. Must have all applications by November 30. Please call for more information, (336) 949-4958.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Something

?

going on

Tell northwest Guilford County Place your Save the Date online at

HOME SERVICES CLEANING CARPET CLEANING. We clean the dirt out of your carpet, not the money out of your pockets! Starting at $20 per room, $60 minimum. Call David, Cleaning Solutions, (336) 989-4318, thecleaningsolutions.org.

MAID 2 GLIMMER Premier House Cleaning. Superior products & equip. Amazon approved. (336) 441-8388, Maid2Glimmer.com.

ANA’S HOUSECLEANING. Good references, free est., 25 years exp. (336) 309-0747.

STEPHANIE’S CLEANING SERVICE 10 years experience. (336) 423-9786.

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

HOME CLEANING. Afford. rates, ref. avail., 10 years exp. Elizabeth, (336) 453-8592.

MAID-2-SHINE. Excellent service, 15 years.

Book now for the holidays, gift certificates avail. Free est., exc. ref. (336) 338-0223.

MARIA’S CLEANING SERVICE. Free estimates, guaranteed service. (336) 552-1990.

...continued on p. 28

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

27

HOME SERVICES

HOME SERVICES

HOME SERVICES

HOME SERVICES

CastleWorks WINDOW CLEANING Includes gutters, pressure washing, chandeliers and other high ladder work. Fully insured and bonded, free estimates. (336) 609-0677. www.castleworkswindowcleaning.com.

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES

L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE Complete lawn equipment service located in Oak Ridge. Free pick up and delivery. Tune up, preventive or rebuild on all lawn service/ yard equipment. Commercial or residential.

Call or text Rick at (336) 501-8681.

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

DECORATING EXPERIENCED INTERIOR DECORATOR & personal furniture shopper will help you with style, color, shopping & furniture placement. E-mail appeninc@gmail.com or call Ann Appenzeller, (336) 314-1411.

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

FLOORING

GARY’S HANDYMAN HOME SERVICES “Providing value for the home-ownership experience.” Gary Gellert, serving NC’s Piedmont Triad area. Garygellert@gmail.com, (336) 423-8223.

JLB REMODELING, INC. Home repair, maintenance & handyman service. Licensed & insured. Competitive rates.

(336) 681-2902 or www.jlbremodeling.com.

APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr Appliance.

A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707.

MOWER REPAIR. Any type mower, weld and repair mower decks. Free pickup and delivery. Call or text Morris, (336) 880-7498.

GENERAL HOME REPAIR, bathroom repair, small/odd jobs. (336) 644-8710, 708-0522.

It’s a CARPET thing!

Repairs, restretch, replace. (336) 643-6500.

Happy 20th Birthday to us!

The Northwest Observer is celebrating 20 years of homegrown news.

How do I find out who my school board representative is?

Where do I go to renew my driver’s license?

“I hear there’s a winery in the area. How can I learn more?”

“No Job Too Small”

Jerry & Lisa Potkay, Owners • Oak Ridge, NC

(336) 669-7252

Accredited A+ Rating, oldschoolsjhr@triad.rr.com BBB of Central NC Home Repairs & Improvements • Painting Wood Rot Repairs • Bathroom Remodeling Decks and much more! • Insured

GRADING / HAULING PEARMAN QUARRY HAULING Fill dirt, gravel, sand rock, mulch & more.

Joel Richardson, (336) 803-2195.

E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, fill dirt, topsoil, lot clearing, bobcat work, excavating, mulch, etc. (336) 451-1282.

BRAD’S BOBCAT & HAULING SVCS. LLC Debris removal, grading, gravel/dirt, driveways, concrete work. (336) 362-3647.

ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035.

Use it often

Find the answer to these questions and more in the FINDER. It’s jam-packed with valuable information for northwest Guilford County residents.

GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maint. (336) 655-6490.

BRAD’S BOBCAT. Mulch, landscaping, pine needles and straw. (336) 362-3647.

D & D LANDSCAPING & IRRIGATION Complete outdoor living spaces – fireplaces, retaining walls, patios, more! NC licensed irrigation contractor. BBB A+. (336) 480-4101.

FAY’S LAWNCARE & LANDSCAPING Fall aerating & overseeding, fall clean up, leaf removal. Pine needles & mulch. Reasonable and honest. Call Taylor, (336) 464-5215.

Tell our readers about your business!

Call (336) 644-7035 for more info.

WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC. Complete lawn care & landscaping. NC lic. irrigation contractor. 20 years exp. Hardscaping, fertilization & weed control. (336) 399-7764.

STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. Free est. Lic/Ins. 30 yrs. exp. Bucket truck/chipper, total cleanup. Selective thinning & lot clearing. 24-hr. ER svc. OR, NC. (336) 643-1119.

LAWN CARE / LANDSCAPING

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Bobcat work and more. Free estimates. Licensed & insured.

Call Joe at (336) 643-9157.

TRACTOR FOR HIRE - Bush hogging, grading, brush/tree removal. (336) 207-6632.

MASONRY

ALL-SEASON STUMP GRINDING. Owner Alan Winfree. Free est. Call (336) 382-9875.

In print every year • Online year-round at nwobserver.com NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

HOME REPAIR/ IMPROVEMENT

GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150.

Keep it handy

28

OLD SCHOOL

AREA STUMP DUMP. Yard waste, concrete, etc. Fill dirt avail. (336) 602-5820.

CAROLINA STUMP & TREE SERVICE Complete tree service, $1 million liability, workman’s comp. Rick & Judy, (336) 6439332, carolinaStumpAndTreeServices.com.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

SOUTHERN STYLE concrete & landscapes.

How about a new patio or fire pit for fall? We can help with all of your outdoor living and entertainment spaces! Fire pits, driveways & sidewalks, patios and more! Give us a call at (336) 399-6619 for all your concrete and landscape needs.

HOME SERVICES

HOME SERVICES

HOME SERVICES

MISC. FOR SALE

MASONRY CONCEPTS, brick, block, stone, concrete & repairs. Free estimates. (336) 988-1022, www.masonryconceptsgso.com.

PLUMBING

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, siding, dock work, windows, roofing, rotted wood.

Sr. disc., 35 years exp. (336) 362-6343.

JOHN DEERE D130 42” MOWER, 22 HP, only 2 years old/60 hours. Excel. cond., was $1,899 new, asking $899/obo. Cart, sweeper, dethatcher, aerator avail. b/o. Oak Ridge, (848) 225-4327.

MISC. SERVICES & PRODUCTS

BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed.

Lic. & insured. Call Mark, (336) 337-7924.

WEBSTER & SONS PLUMBING, Inc. (336) 992-2503. Licensed, insured, bonded.

24/7 service. Plumbing, drain cleaning, well pumps. Give us a call, we do it all! Go to www.webstersplumbing.com for more info.

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

GAS LOGS, WOOD STOVES, INSERTS, fireplaces, sold, serviced and repaired.

Call Don Hill, (336) 643-7183.

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

PAINTING & DRYWALL

BEK Paint Co.

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

Services TM Construction , INC

BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS

Sidewalks | Driveways | Stamped concrete

644-8615 office 508-5242 cell Licensed & insured NC Gen. Contractor #72797

Residential & Commercial David & Judy Long, owners

(336) 931-0600

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

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

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

RENOVATION WORKS, INC. New construction, remodeling, additions, kitchen, bath and decks. We are a locally owned, full-service design and build company, A+ accredited with the BBB. Visit www.myrenovationworks.com or call (336) 427-7391 to start your next project.

PAINTING – INTERIOR & EXTERIOR 32 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. No job too small. Insured. Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186.

JLB REMODELING, INC. Remodeling and additions. Fully insured.

NC GC license #69997. Free est. Call (336) 681-2902 or visit www.jlbremodeling.com.

CINDY’S PAINTING – Interior painting, wallpaper removal. References & free estimates available. (336) 708-9155.

PREMIER CONSTRUCTION. Providing all of your home maintenance needs, remodeling and new construction. (336) 430-9507.

ROOFING A.L. CORMAN ROOFING INC. Res. roofing specialist serving Guilford Cty. area since 1983. BBB 25+ years w/ A+ rating. cormanroofinginc.com, (336) 621-6962.

RED RHINO ROOFING, based in Oak Ridge, NC. Storm damage specialist experienced with all types of roofing. BBB accredited A and listed with Angie’s List. Call (336) 9446118, or visit redrhinoroofing.com.

PREMIER ROOFING CONSTRUCTION Insurance specialist, free inspections, res./ comm., BBB A rating. (336) 430-9507.

CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC Residential roofing, rubber flat roofs, roof coating, metal roofs. 30 years experience.

Now accepting all major credit cards. Call (336) 643-8191 or (336) 580-3245.

The Northwest Observer – celebrating 20 years of providing homegrown news!

MISC. SERVICES COMPUTER REPAIRS – ITBASICS.COM Inside Mailboxes & More, Oak Ridge Commons. (336) 643-0068.

SAM’S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 347-7470.

SOFA, soft dark green leather. Like new, 7 ft. $400 (orig. $1,400). (336) 644-6881.

1996 SEA RAY SPEEDBOAT, great condition, mechanically sound, includes cover, trailer and Bimini. Docked at Carolina Marina. $5,200. (336) 209-6326.

SEASONED OAK FIREWOOD, $80/pickup load, delivered & stacked. (336) 253-7615.

PERSIMMON PULP, jam, pudding and more! (336) 816-3441 or 996-3892.

ALL NEW MATTRESS SETS. Still in plastic, w/ warranty. Twin, $99; Full, $109; Queen, $129; King, $191. Can deliver, layaway available. Mattress Outlet. (336) 992-0025.

SEASONED FIREWOOD, delivered & stacked, 1/2 cord, $80. Call (336) 686-6373 The Garden Outlet PROPANE GAS – 20 lbs., $10.99; 30 lbs., $16.50; 40 lbs., $22.99; 100 lbs., $55.99. Give us a call with any questions, (336) 643-0898.

Got stuff?

Sell it here in the

NWO classifieds submit your ad at

www.nwobserver.com

MISC. WANTED LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

available here

We carry moving & shipping supplies

(336) 643-9963 • 8207 B & G Court, Stokesdale

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, any and all gas items, tillers, gocarts, ATVs, generators, power washers, grills, chain saws, etc. (336) 689-4167.

...continued on p. 30

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

29

MISC. WANTED

PETS & ANIMAL SVCS.

$$$ – WILL PAY CASH up to $200 for your junk or wrecked vehicle. (336) 552-0328.

KPS – KELLY’S PET SERVICES Professional in-home pet sitting. Bonded & insured. Member Pet Sitters International.

Pet sitting while you are away, daily walks or runs, play, pet taxi, and more! KPS gives a portion of profits to animal charities. Call, email, or Facebook message for a free consultation: (336) 706-6706, kpsforyourpets@ gmail.com, www.facebook.com/kpspets, or kpspets on Instagram.

PETS & ANIMAL SVCS. AVAILABLE ANIMALS

REAL ESTATE

We Help Everyone!

SELLERS & BUYERS

(336) 643-4248

www.ANewDawnRealty.com

REAL ESTATE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

BOJANGLES is a small female kitten searching for her forever home. She is a four-month-old orange and black calico.

She is neutered and up to date on her vaccines, microchipped, and ready to go home today! You can ask for Bojangles by her ID number 33519451, or visit the Guilford County Animal Shelter, 4525 W. Wendover Avenue, Greensboro. (336) 641-3400, or visit myguilford.com/animal-services.

GROOMING STUDIO K9 GROOMING – Gentle & caring.

Nail trims to full service. Over 10 years experience. (336) 298-7635.

LOST & FOUND PETS Young female dark TABBY CAT FOUND. Been wandering at The Brooks Condos off Fleming Road since 11/12. Very friendly, but seems lost. No chip. (336) 275-5638.

Call and describe.

PET SITTING / BOARDING SMALL & PRIVATE BARN FOR LEASE, two or three horses. Private barn, riding ring and fenced pasture. Tack room, feed room & hay storage. Nine miles north of Summerfield. Water & electric provided. $800/mo. Shown by appointment only. Inquiries to joyfulliving828@gmail.com or call (336) 501-1972.

30

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE in Oak Ridge.

Mini suites available; 100 to 450 sq. ft. For more info, call (336) 643-7577.

HOMES FOR SALE STAFFORD FOREST BEAUTY

HOMES FOR RENT FOR RENT, 3BR, 2 FULL BA on 1.5 acre lot, outdoor storage building and lawn care included. $950/mo. (336) 314-7010.

Selling or renting?

Let our 25,000+ readers know!

Place your classified ad online at www.nwobserver.com, or call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10.

8298 Denver Downs Drive Just over 4,000 SF home with basement on 1.47 acres in Oak Ridge! Stone fireplace, bamboo hardwoods, upgraded kitchen appointments and open floor plan. Finished and unfinished lower level. 3-car attached garage and covered patio! Priced to sell at $499,500. Oak Ridge/Northwest schools.

Nancy J. Hess nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

LAND FOR SALE NORTHERN SCHOOLS, 10+ acres, absolutely gorgeous property, perfect for estate, horse farm or development. (336) 430-9507.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Our Real Estate Showcase ads are a great way to feature your listings!

Gail H. Kerber REALTOR®/BROKER

(336) 327-1165

kerbappeals@gmail.com

Showcase ads include a photo and description of the home, as well as the realtor’s photo and contact info.

For more info, email Annette at

www.kerbappeals.com

advertising@nwobserver.com or call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Selling or renting?

The Northwest Observer reaches over 11,000 mailboxes in Summerfield, Oak Ridge and Stokesdale each week.

Plus, it’s available for free at local restaurants, grocery stores, post offices and more.

We’ll help you reach northwest Guilford County!

display advertiser index

We’re thankful for our advertisers!

MEDICAL CARE

Bethany Medical Center ........................ 3 LeBauer Healthcare ............................... 4 Novant Northwest Family Medicine .......11

Be sure to tell them where you saw their ad – without them, the Northwest Observer could not be free to our readers.

A/C & HEATING

Stokesdale Heating & Air...................... 15

ACCOUNTING

Samuel Anders, CPA, MSA, PC ............ 21

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

Piedmont Truck Tires, Inc. ................... 25

BUILDING & REMODELING

TM Construction Services ..................... 29

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Summerfield Family Chiropractic ......... 21

CHURCHES

First Baptist Church of Summerfield ....... 6

HEALTH & FITNESS SNAP Fitness ......................................... 8

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES BEK Paint Company ............................. 29 Carpets by Direct .................................... 9 Carpet Super Mart .......................... 16-17 Furniture Medic .................................... 29 Old School Home Repair ...................... 28 ProStone............................................... 18 Stokesdale Storage .............................. 29

LEGAL SERVICES Attorney Bill Barbour ........................... 12 Law Office of Susan Greeson .............. 21

MORTGAGE / INVESTMENTS

Black Oak Wealth Management........... 21

ORTHODONTIC CARE

Mitchell & Bartlett Orthodontics .......... 13

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS

Northwest Animal Hospital ................... 10 Veterinary Hospital at Oak Ridge.......... 21 Westergaard Kennels ........................... 19

There’s no place like the cover.

Ask us about how your business can be profiled and appear as the cover story in our monthly NWO Real Estate section.

(336) 644-7035, ext. 10 advertising@nwobserver.com

REAL ESTATE

A New Dawn Realty ............................. 30 KERBAPPEALS – Gail Kerber .............. 30 Nancy Hess, Berkshire Hathaway ........ 30

RETAIL

BiRite Food Center ................................ 2 Maisy Daisy Florist ............................... 21 Midtown Furniture ............................... 32 Moravia Moravian Dewey’s Store ........... 5 Stonefield Cellars Winery ....................... 3

16 ord Guilf hwest Nort

The NWO reaches 26,000+ readers each week ... and so do our advertisers.

Advertise with us and get noticed in a trusted, relevant community publication

Contact us for advertising info Laura Reneer

Annette Joyce

associate publisher

advertising manager

advertising@nwobserver.com (336) 644-7035, ext. 10

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2016

31

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We Have a Payment Plan for You! 48 Month Interest Free Financing!

12 Month Interest Free Financing!

No Credit Check Financing!

FREE Extended Layaway!

SAVE

$

1600

Includes All 5 Pieces Twin, Full, or Queen Bedroom

599

$

SAVE

$

350 Table & 4 Chairs

199

$

New Items, Lower Prices, & Special Financing All For You!!

NTS CASH DISCOU BEAT! E THAT CAN’T B

SUPERSTORE

Call 427-5413

MIDTOWN FURNITURE

& MATTRESS CENTER

Hwy. 220 Business across from Kmart, 727 N. Highway Street, Madison, NC 27025

DELIVERY A ND DISPOSAL A VAILABLE

BUS 220

Eden Mayodan

SUPERSTORE Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9:00 am-6:00 pm or by appt.

Plenty of Parking • Large Showroom

www.midtownfurniture.com

Martinsville

135

704

Midtown Furniture

Madison BYP 220

Reidsville

311

704

Winston-Salem Greensboro

*Sale does not apply to previous purchases. All prices are after all available discounts. See store for complete financing details. We reserve the right to replace products advertised if they become available.