The Jamestown Town Council and department heads held the second budget retreat on March 20 in the Civic Center, with a different format than previous years.
Rather than considering all the projects and things the administration wants to do, then finding out there is not budget money available, this year they focused on specific items.
“We’re looking for input from Council for a couple of major initiatives,” said Town Manager Matthew Johnson before introducing Chief Derek Carson who discussed the proposed fire tax increase by Pinecroft Sedgefield Fire Department.
“Overall our plan has historically been to set a fire tax rate … and to move thru the next years without any increase,” Carson said. “What’s changed now are the pro-
jected revenue that we received and some budget shortfalls that we’ve encountered over the last year or so.”
PSFD, like other county districts, relies on Guilford County property tax, motor vehicle, estimated sales tax and prior year residuals (fund balance) for revenue. PSFD district tax rate is a pass-thru for the Town of Jamestown, which sends quarterly payments that have been collected. The Town retains no funds.
“Unknown to us, about January 2024 we started seeing our revenues weren’t coming in as predicted,” Carson said.
These figures were the result of a budgeting error in how the motor vehicle tax revenue was calculated. Figures for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 (July 2023-June 2025) indicated a projected loss of revenue of $2.3 million for the fire districts in Guilford County. (See Jamestown News Feb. 26 for the complete story with a correction March 5.)
The fire departments were already struggling financially. The budgeting error means some departments will be unable to purchase new equipment, offer training, building upgrades and other items. Fire engines alone cost around $1 million each. Larger departments should feel the effect more than smaller ones.
“In fiscal year 2024, Pinecroft-Sedgefield Fire Districts received $183,079 less than what was approved as a part of our adopted budget,” Carson said in February. “The three-year accumulated loss in revenue will be $1,096,968.
Fiscal Year 2026 figures indicate a deficit in each revenue category, resulting in a loss of $658,705 in total revenue.
Carson proposed a 3-cent fire tax increase for the upcoming fiscal year to $0.1672. This would increase the revenue by $197,103.82, still well below the revenue shortfall. There was no increase in 2024-25.
“This is the first time as fire chief I’ve had to come ask for an increase,” Carson said. He cited current development that is under construction as one reason for the increase.
“We’re planning for growth in Jamestown. We have had the same rate for five years and intend to do this one for five years,” Carson added. He noted other fire districts are also asking for increases.
“We’re going to budget for it,” Johnson said.
“There’s no way around it,” said Councilmember Pam Burgess. “We need our fire department.”
Guilford County sheriff’s office
The contract with the Sheriff’s Office was a topic at a 2024 budget meeting and a special July 9, 2024, Council meeting as well as the Jan. 23, 2025, budget meet-
Swanson offers serious message with humor
COMPILed By nORMa B. dennIs and CaROL BROOKs
shred and share
The Sedgefield Woman’s Club will host a Shred and Share event April 5 from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of the Greensboro Shrine Club, 5010 High Point Road, Greensboro.
The event includes secure shredding services for personal documents and recycling of clean, dry Styrofoam materials.
Donations of shelf-stable breakfast foods or monetary donations are welcome. Proceeds will benefit the David Wilson Food Pantry at Lutheran Church of Our Father and the Tiny House Community Development.
sPeCial CounCil
meetinG
The Jamestown Town Council will hold a special meeting April 7 at 11 a.m. in the Civic Center at Town Hall. The meeting will consider awarding a contract to the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder for street resurfacing. The public is invited to attend.
P&r meetinG
The Jamestown Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will meet April 7 at 6 p.m. in the Civic Center at Town Hall. The meeting will include election of chair and vice chair, general updates, consideration of recommended changes at Jamestown Park and Golf Course and project updates. The public is invited to attend.
sPrinG is BloominG
Warmer temperatures, trees and flowers blooming and the sound of lawnmowers are all signs that spring has arrived. “Spring is Blooming” is the theme of the April 15 A Moment In Time meeting and the many spring-related activities for the afternoon will include an opportunity to plant flowers.
This month’s lead sponsor is Griswold Home Care. Other sponsors include Jamestown United Methodist Church, Senior Resources of Guilford and HealthTeam Advantage.
Designed for people with dementia and their care partners, A Moment In Time is a place to relax and enjoy games, crafts, snacks and friendly conversation.
Meetings are held every third Tuesday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Jamestown United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 403 E. Main St.
Park and enter at the front left side of the church. Look for the purple signs. Guests with wheelchairs or walkers may enter from the back under the portico.
Reservations are requested but not required. For more information or to register, contact Laura Gulledge at 336-906-0430 or lauragulledge@gmail.com
Highlights of past meetings may be found at https://www.facebook. com/jumcmemorycafe.
Have an event that you think needs to be included in About Town? Email Norma B. Dennis at ndworddesign@gmail.com or Carol Brooks at cab1hp@gmail.com
By nORMa B. dennIs FreeLANCe WrIter ndworddesign@gmail.com
Kelly Swanson had a message to share and she did so with humor. In fact, her audience laughed almost constantly from her opening statement until the end of her talk when they sat quietly ... absorbing the message before awarding Swanson with a standing ovation. Swanson — comedian, motivational storyteller and author — was guest speaker at the March 21 Sedgefield Woman’s Club spring fundraiser. She and many of the guests wore crowns since the focus of her talk was princesses looking for their happily ever after.
“Where I came from, every girl had the same dream, to become a princess,” Swanson said. “We knew how to because we had the book. Just about any book you picked up told you what you needed, snowy white skin, a little waist and perky Disney breasts. According to the book, once you looked like a princess, you needed to find a prince. All, of course, looked like the men on the cover of romance novels.
“Then it’s all about the castle. The book doesn’t say we are going to be the only one to clean it. I only clean what can be seen — from the road.”
Swanson admitted she never fit the fairytale or much of any
Talking to Marie Benedict is like talking to a long-time friend –one who knows some of the same things you do and one who likes to laugh like you do.
But Benedict has another life that delves into historical documents, journals and places, uncovering some of the unheralded women of the past and giving them their overdue recognition in her many books.
“My mission is to excavate from the past the most important, complex and fascinating women of history and bring them into the light of present day where we can finally perceive the breadth of their contributions as well as the insights they bring to modern day issues,” Benedict said prior
to a meeting of the High Point Literary League on March 26.
“These women are hiding in plain sight and waiting for us to find them. They did not deserve to be a footnote.”
Her books are considered historical fictionalized biography.
One such interpretation is what really happened to author Agatha Christie when she disappeared for 11 days in 1926. That puzzle remains unsolved.
Fictionalized or not, Benedict makes the books as accurate as she can by doing in-depth research.
“These are my fictional versions of these women. I never pretend these are biographies. I look at my research as that it’s the architecture of the story, the foundation, the roots and the pillars upon which the story hangs. But there are always shadows between the pillars, things I don’t
know, that the research does not contain. It’s what I hope is a logical extrapolation of the facts I do have and my understanding of the character,” she said.
Benedict used her training as a litigator at two leading New York law firms to create these stories. She left the legal business after 10 years, a disgruntled lawyer who said those 10 years felt like 70 dog years. She is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of “The Mitford Affair, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, Carnegie’s Maid” and the novella, “Agent 355.” She has written about women who were often overshadowed by the men in their lives, including Mileva Marić (“The Other Einstein,” 2016), Hedy Lamarr (“The Only Woman in the Room,” 2019), Clementine Churchill (“Lady Clementine,” 2020), Belle da Costa
“The Queens of Crime” is Benedict’s newest book.
Greene (“The Personal Librarian,” 2021) and Rosalind Franklin (“Her Hidden Genius,” 2022). With Victoria Christopher Murray, she cowrote the Good Morning America
Photos courtesy Marie Benedict author Marie Benedict spoke to the High Point Literary League at the High Point Country Club on March 26.
Photos by Norma B. Dennis
In keeping with the theme of the spring fundraiser, many of the guests wore crowns.
From The Front
What does the Word “BiBle” mean?
dear Pastor sid, Here is my question for you. Many people like myself have carried our Bibles to church since we childhood. But answer this: What does the word “Bible” mean? I asked my pastor and he could not tell me. What do you think? — RH in Jamestown
hi rh in Jamestown,
The word “Bible” means books. The Bible is a compilation of 66 books written by over 40 different authors ranging from Moses to David to Matthew, Paul and others. The word “Bible” comes from the Greek word biblia which means scrolls. Later this word formed the basis for the English word bibliography, which is a listing
Ask The Pastor
of books at the end of a document. Ultimately, the Bible originated from God and is God’s way of revealing Himself to mankind. In the Word of God we discover how God made the universe including our earth and everything we see. We also discover that man is born a sinner determined to do wrong. Christ came to forgive mankind of their sins if man would humble himself and repent.
the PurPose of the neW testament
dear Pastor sid, I love reading the Bible but wish I understood more about the New Testament. Can you help me with this? — Jim H
might make the New Testament a bit easier to understand.
1. The Gospels present the person and works of Jesus Christ.
2. The book of Acts, the early Christians are spreading the truth of the person and works of Jesus.
3. The Epistles: Romans through Jude, different writers answer questions about the person and works of Jesus Christ, and finally
Ask The Pastor is written by Pastor Dr. Sid Stewart, from the Hoover’s Grove Wesleyan Church, 5399 Jackson Creek Rd., Denton. Pastor Sid’s teaching motto is: Making the Complex Simple. If you have a question about the Bible, please email Pastor Sid at moses43@juno.com and it will soon be answered in this column. Also take time to visit Dr. Stewart Productions, a YouTube Channel produced by Dr. Stewart where you will find over 650 videos and slide presentations of a variety of topics. By
Hi Jim H, The New Testament is composed of 27 books. It was written by several people including the four gospel writers, Paul the Apostle, Peter, Jude, and John. Here is a quick outline, which
Rust on the surgical instruments?
By F R eddy gROves Veter ANS P o S t
Good grief. Just how many deficiencies can one Department of Veterans Affairs facility have? A recent VA Office of Inspector General report itemized just how many when they inspected one particular hospital.
Starting at the door of this facility, there was the small problem of signs leading to the emergency room, which the facility no longer had. Other outdoor signs were so faded they were difficult to read. Interior navigational signs were inaccurate. Add to that, there was no place to sit once one got in the door, only in the vending machine area down the hall, described as “dirty and disorganized.”
Two employees were designated as toxic exposure navigators, staff meant to give the screenings to veterans. It was determined that over 450 screenings had not been done.
One disturbing deficiency at this particular facility concerned the delays in notifying patients of abnormal test results. The VAOIG had dinged this facility a
few years ago for that same problem and saw there had been no improvement. The plan: Develop a process to ensure prompt communication of test results. Target date for that: July 31, 2025. And then we have the areas where biohazardous materials were stored, yet there was no sink nor hand sanitizer, no warning signs about the “potentially infectious material” — along with cracks in the floor, holes in the walls, dust on the bed rails and handbooks that were years out of date.
The biggest problem unearthed by the VAOIG concerned the continued improper sterilizing processing of reusable medical equipment, something the VAOIG had reported on the previous year. The facility claimed that improvements had been made, yet during the inspection itself, even more problems with the sterilizing process came to light — including surgical instruments with rust.
It’s gut-wrenching to read VAOIG reports like this and know that some veterans have no choice but to seek their health care at facilities with serious deficiencies like those at this VA facility.
I hope the new VA secretary reads these reports when they cross his desk.
4. Revelation, John writes the final chapter of the works of Christ including His bodily, physical coming back to earth.
BU dge T
ing. It was brought out then that if the contract is canceled, coverage would not stop. Since they already pay Guilford County for the Sheriff, residents are basically paying twice for the same coverage. The Town pays around $500,000 per year for coverage.
One question in a recent Citizen Survey was: “Jamestown is the only municipality in the county that contracts with the [Guilford County] Sheriff’s Office to receive 24/7 coverage within town limits. Would you be comfortable with reduced public safety services?”
Of the responses, nearly 90 percent wanted to keep the service as it stands, with no reduction. With that in mind, town officials decided to renew the current contract.
However, some believe the question was misread and interpreted it to mean service would be eliminated.
To save budget expenses, one proposal would be to reduce the number of deputies at a savings of $100,000.
“To save $100,000 is not worth 50 percent coverage,” said Mayor Lynn Montgomery.
Burgess noted the sheriff presence does not seem as prevalent as it once was.
“We need to be sure we’re covered with the amount of money we’re paying,” Burgess said.
“We have been talking with them for over a year,” said Councilmember Rebecca Rayborn. “We’re paying a good amount for service but I feel they are not meeting our needs,”
In 2024, calls for service to the Jamestown district totaled 908 out of 5,468 total. The previous year showed 918 calls out of 5,365 total.
The Sheriff’s Office unit response time in Jamestown (District 3) is just over 6 minutes, the best of the seven zones it covers. Jamestown has had the lowest response times since 2019. The average response time is 8.5 minutes.
Councilmember Sarah Glanville said she was against the contract. The town would still be covered without it. She wanted to see statistics from the Sheriff’s Office about the number of speeding tickets issued, especially on Guilford Road.
“We’re the customer. We’re paying. We should have a say-so,” Burgess said. She asked if the contract could be
Book Club pick “The Personal Librarian” and the Target Book of the Year “The First Ladies.”
A children’s book, “The Secrets of the Lovelace Academy,” will be released later this month. It is a middle-grade historical adventure co-written with Courtney Sheinmel.
Benedict has collaborated with several other authors, including Kate Quinn who was a guest of the High Point Literary League several years ago. The co-authors are able to look at issues through different lenses.
She partnered with Victoria Christopher Murray on “The Personal Librarian” because she needed a Black woman to help write the story of a Black woman who was posing as White.
Co N t INU e D F ro M F ro N t
amended if, in six months, the amount of service requested is not evident. Johnson said the contract could be amended as well as canceled.
Johnson said he would talk to Capt. Latoya Howell and ask the Sheriff’s Office to add patrols and change the contract to delete equipment purchases.
Rayborn asked for monthly reports to the Town Council.
Capital improvement Program
Discussion then turned to the Capital Improvement Program as department heads talked about their most pressing needs.
Planning Director José Colón thinks the Oakdale Road sidewalk should have precedence over the Penny Road sidewalk. The Oakdale project has been on the CIP for several years. Grants administrator Rebecca Ashby is looking at allocating funds and new grants for the project.
Colón added that he would like additional funding for planning studies and a planning technician. The latter has been in the budget in the past.
With the improvements to Jamestown Park, Parks and Recreation Director Scott Coakley has requested two parttime staff. He expects park attendance to grow with the improvements.
He added that the golf course needs a new tractor with mower and he would like to hire an assistant golf course superintendent and three full-time employees, one part-time staff.
Johnson remarked the pro shop will need painting inside and a new roof. They are looking for full-time help to help pro Marcy Newton so she can give more lessons.
Public Services director Paul Blanchard said they are starting smaller storm drain projects and a snowplow is needed. Other improvements include painting Town Hall, a new roof at Town Hall and repairs to the Jamestown Library totaling $90,000. New employees needed are a public services technician, equipment operator and a fleet maintenance technician.
Johnson said the town is in the process of retraining and upgrading positions.
If a third budget retreat is needed, it will be April 24 at 10 a.m.
Her latest book was just released in February, “The Queens of Crime,” the story of a group composed of crime writers Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy who join together to solve an actual murder.
“One of my greatest sources of research was Dorothy’s own stories,” Benedict said. “She creates an employment bureau in her books staffed and run by single working women. She then places these women into scenes that are being investigating to secretly gather information. Because women were so often ignored, especially these ‘surplus women,’ these women were in great positions to gather evidence, bring them back to her fictional detective [Lord Peter Wimsey], and
help solve the crime. It’s a beautiful commentary on what happens when you underestimate women.”
Benedict closed her talk with a few thoughts.
“Finding these women, sharing their legacies is crucial,” Benedict said. “Regardless of the woman, regardless of the era, and regardless of how I actually go about it, I hope that these stories and understanding these women see their past more broadly and actually give us a fresher lens to look at our present and our future as well.
“I’ll stop writing books when we’ve made a great job of making sure that women’s history is recorded. I think we all know that I’ll be writing books forever.”
4 Wednesday, April 2, 2025
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA
GUILFORD COUNTY
Special Proceedings No. 23 SP 790
Substitute Trustee: Philip A. Glass
Date of Sale: April 3, 2025
Time of Sale: 2:30 p.m.
Place of Sale: Guilford County Courthouse
Description of Property: See Attached
Description
Record Owners: Victoria Willis
Address of Property: 3917 Shepway Loop, Greensboro, NC 27405
Exhibit A
BEING ALL of Lot 75 of PHASE 1THORNTON SUBDIVISION, as per plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 167 at Page 119, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Guilford County, North Carolina.
Subject to easements, restrictions and rights of way of record, and utility lines and rights of way in existence over, under or upon the above-described property.
Deed of Trust: Book : 7904 Page: 515 and that Affidavit of Correction recorded in Book 8027, Page 2984
Dated: February 14, 2017
Grantors: Victoria Willis Original Beneficiary: State Employees’ Credit Union
CONDITIONS OF SALE:
This sale is made subject to all unpaid taxes and superior liens or encumbrances of record and assessments, if any, against the said property, and any recorded leases. This sale is also subject to any applicable county land transfer tax, and the successful third party bidder shall be required to make payment for any such county land transfer tax.
A cash deposit of 5% of the purchase price will be required at the time of the sale. Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price so bid in cash or certified check at the time the Substitute Trustee tenders to him a deed for the property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance purchase price so bid at that time, he shall remain liable on his bid as provided for in North Carolina General
Statutes Section 45-21.30 (d) and (e). This sale will be held open ten (10) days for upset bids as required by law.
Residential real property with less than 15 rental units, including single-family residential real property: an order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 4521.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.
AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL ESTATE NORTH CAROLINA - GUILFORD COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE BEFORE THE CLERK 21SP001169-400
IN RE: FORECLOSURE OF A LIEN HELD BY CHANTILLE PLACE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.FOR PAST DUE ASSESSMENTS UPON 127 SOMMERWALL PLACE GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA, AKA BEING ALL OF LOT 87, PHASE 3, FINAL PLAT, CHANTILLE PLACE, PHASE 3, AS PER PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 199 AT PAGE 104, RE-RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 200 AT PAGE 58, OF THE GUILFORD COUNTY REGISTRY, WHICH IS TITLED TO: KEITH L. HANDFORD, SR.
Foreclosure of Lien filed with the Clerk of Superior Court on September 17, 2021, file #21M002142-400. Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in that certain Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Chantille Place Homeowners Association, Inc., and recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Guilford County, North Carolina in Book 6711, Page 1011, and because of default in the payment of the indebtedness thereby secured and pursuant to the demand of the owner and holder of the indebtedness secured by said Lien, and pursuant to the Order of the Clerk of Superior Court for Guilford County, North Carolina, entered in this foreclosure proceeding, Law Firm Carolinas, the appointed Trustee, will expose for sale at public auction on April 3, 2025, at 3:00 PM at the usual place of sale of the Guilford County Courthouse, Greensboro, North Carolina, the following described real property (including the house, if any and any other improvements thereon):
Being all of Lot 87, Phase 3, Final Plat, Chantille Place, Phase 3, as per plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 199 at Page 104, rerecorded in Plat Book 200 at Page 58, of the Guilford County Registry.
The sale will be made subject to all prior sales and releases and to all deeds of trust, liens, unpaid taxes, restrictions, easements, assessments, leases, and other matters of record, if any. Pursuant to N.C.G.S §4521.10(b), any successful bidder will be required to deposit with Law Firm Carolinas, the Trustee, immediately upon conclusion of the sale a cash deposit not to exceed the greater of Five Percent (5%) of the bid amount or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00). Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price in cash or certified check at the time Law Firm Carolinas, the Trustee, tenders to him a deed for the property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance of the purchase price so bid at the time, he shall remain liable on his bid as provided for in N.C.G.S §45-21.30(d) and (e).
This sale will be held open ten (10) days for upset bids as required by law. An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in
possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.
Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. The notice shall also state that upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.
LAW FIRM CAROLINAS
Post Office Box 41027
Greensboro, North Carolina 27404-1027. Telephone: (336) 378-1899. Signed: March 21, 2025. Jonathon L. Woodruff, Attorney for the Trustee
March 26, April 2, 2025
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL ESTATE
NORTH CAROLINA - GUILFORD COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE BEFORE THE CLERK 25SP000158-400
Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Sylvia Loflin Baird (PRESENT RECORD
OWNER(S): Sylvia Loflin Baird) to Alexis Alen, Trustee(s), dated April 26, 2018, and recorded in Book No. R 8043, at Page 125 in Guilford County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Guilford County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse, West Door U-G Level in Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on April 15, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in High Point in the County of Guilford, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Tax Id Number(s): 0201572
Land situated in the City of High Point in the County of Guilford in the State of NC Land situated in the Township of High Point in the County of Guilford in the State of NC BEING new Lot B as shown on a plan entitled “Exclusion Plat for Michael MackinnonStewart & Sylvia Loflin Baird”, as recorded in Plat Book 193 at Page 32 in the office of the Register of Deeds for Guilford County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 609 Old Mill Road, High Point, North Carolina.
NOTE: The Company is prohibited from insuring the area or quantity of the land. The Company does not represent that any acreage or footage calculations are correct. References to quantity are for identification purposes only.
Commonly known as: 609 Old Mill Rd, High Point, NC 27265-9675
The Property address and tax Parcel Identification number listed are provided solely for informational purposes.
Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.
Should the property be purchased by a third
party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).
The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.
If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.
Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the
Coffee Break
Salome’s Stars
WeeK of aPril 7, 2025
aries (March 21 to April 19) Professional relationships grow stronger, but you still might need to ease some problems with someone in your personal life. One way could be to try to be less rigid in your views.
taurus (April 20 to May 20) You might be too close to a perplexing personal situation to even attempt to make a rational decision about it right now. Stepping back could help you gain a wider perspective.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20)
Being asked to choose between the positions of two friends is an unfair imposition on you. It’s best to reject the demand and insist that they try harder to work things out on their own.
CanCer (June 21 to July 22) A change of mind about a workplace decision might be called for, once you hear more arguments — pro and con. A personal event suddenly takes an unexpected (but pleasant!) turn.
leo (July 23 to August 22) Romance once again looms
large for single Leos and Leonas, with Cupid favoring Taurus and Libra to inspire those warm and fuzzy Leonine feelings. Meanwhile, expect another workplace change.
VirGo (August 23 to September 22) A surprise gift with no strings attached could happily come just when you need it to avoid a delay in getting your project done. Expect education to dominate the week.
liBra (September 23 to October 22) Someone close to you might ask for your support as they face a demanding personal challenge. Offer it, by all means, but be careful that you don’t neglect your own needs at this time.
sCorPio (October 23 to November 21) An unexpected development could put your relationship with a partner or spouse to an emotionally demanding test. But your determination to get to the truth should save the day!
saGittarius (November 22 to December 21) A recent agreement appears to be coming apart over the surfacing of
unexpected complications. You might need to get expert advice on how to resolve the situation.
CaPriCorn (December 22 to January 19) Your keen business sense helps you get to the truth about a suspicious business deal. Expect to have many colleagues rally to support your efforts in this important matter.
aQuarius (January 20 to February 18) Someone who once moved in and out of your life through the years might now want to come back in on a more permanent basis. Give yourself a lot of time to weigh your decision.
PisCes (February 19 to March 20) Showing frustration over a delayed workplace decision might get someone’s attention — but not necessarily make them move any sooner. The best advice would be to be patient and wait it out.
Born this WeeK: You are drawn to excitement and thrilling adventures. You also enjoy fast tempo music — the more brass, the better.
Y2K (r) — In his directorial debut, Kyle Mooney (Saturday Night Live) brings back 2000s-style comedy in full force. This film deemed an “apocalyptic sci-fi comedy horror” follows a group of high school students in 1999 who crash a New Year’s Eve party. Expecting a night full of the usual teenage angst and antics, these kids receive the shock of their lives when the power goes out at midnight and technological chaos ensues! As pieces of technology from VCRs to Tamagotchis to microwaves begin to murder the partygoers, our group of unsus-
pecting high schoolers must fight to make it through the night. Jaeden Martell (Mr. Harrigan’s Phone), Rachel Zegler (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes), and even The Kid LAROI co-star in Y2K, out on April 4. (Max)
Pulse (tV-ma) — Fans of Grey’s Anatomy and medical dramas, look no further than this new series set to premiere on April 3. Taking place in a trauma center in Miami-Dade County, the show centers around Danny Simms, a third-year resident in emergency medicine. When her personal relationship with the chief resident gets him suspended, Danny
receives a promotion so that she can prove herself. With a hurricane on its way to Miami and new responsibilities on her shoulders, Danny faces the biggest challenge of her entire career. Luckily, she has the help of a great staff, played by Colin Woodell (The Flight Attendant), Justina Machado (The
Strange But True
By LUCIe WInBORne
• Rocker Chuck Berry had a degree in hairdressing.
The shark on the Jaws poster and the T. rex on the Jurassic Park poster were both modeled after exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History.
A single strand of spaghetti is called a “spaghetto.”
• Beer cans in Japan have braille on them so blind people don’t confuse alcoholic drinks with soft drinks.
• If you spent merely a day on each of the islands in the Philippines, it would take you nearly 21 years to visit all of them.
Most Americans can buy an AR-15 rifle before they can legally buy a beer.
• A party boat carrying 60 men and women capsized in Texas in 2012 after all the passengers rushed to one side when the boat passed a nude beach.
• The world’s first underwater mailbox was installed just off the shore of Susami, Japan.
• Henry Heimlich used the Heimlich maneuver for the first time at age 96.
• Vertebrates with larger brains and
more neurons, such as humans and owls, tend to have longer yawns, which help cool the brain and support cognitive function.
The term “scientist” didn’t come into usage until 1834, when it was coined by University of Cambridge historian and philosopher of science William Whewell, who wanted to create a unifying noun for people engaged in various scientific fields.
• Citizens of the small town Kamikatsu in Japan’s Tokushima prefecture are expected to separate their recycling into no fewer than 45 different categories.
• The Atlantic bluefin tuna can experience such high bursts of muscular activity while fighting a fisherman that it cooks its own flesh.
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were originally named “Penny Cups” after the amount they cost at the time.
Thought for the Day: “Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.” — Douglas MacArthur
The Bondsman (tVma) — Kevin Bacon (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F) has been enjoying thrilling roles as of late, and his latest role as the titular character in this eight-episode miniseries
continues to add to his repertoire in the horror genre. Premiering April 3, The Bondsman stars Bacon as Fred Herbert, a bounty hunter whose last mission didn’t go too well and resulted in a gruesome death. However, Fred eventually wakes up and realizes that he’s been resurrected ... with just a small catch. Lucifer only let Fred escape from hell on the condition that he continues his bounty-hunting job — but this time, he’ll be catching demons. (Amazon Prime Video)
Classified (r) — Most notably known for his role as Harvey Dent/Two-Face in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, Aaron Eckhart leads this action thriller out on April 4. Eckhart plays Evan, a hitman who has been getting his mission instructions from the CIA through the classified section of newspapers. His MI6 analyst daughter, Kacey (Abigail Breslin), tracks him down to tell him that these coded instructions haven’t been coming from the CIA and that his boss has been dead for years. Desperate to find out who he’s been killing for, Evan pairs his combat skills with his daughter’s analyst skills to follow this lead. Tim Roth (Poison) costars. (Hulu)
Horror of Dolores Roach), and Jessie T. Usher (Smile). (Netflix)
King Features Synd., Inc.
Photo courtesy of MovieStillsDB
From left, Rachel Zegler and Jaeden Martell star in Y2K.
Batch cooking Ground Beef
By PaTTI dIaMOnd
Imagine spending just a few minutes preparing ground beef, stepping away, then returning to find perfectly cooked, flavorful meat ready to use. Batch-cooking hamburger in a slow cooker saves time, money and sanity, giving you tender, ready-to-season beef without hours in the kitchen.
Skeptical?
You’re not alone. You might wonder, “It won’t be browned — will it taste good?” Trust me, you’re in for a tasty surprise! The beef emerges juicy and fully cooked. If browning matters, simply crisp it quickly in a skillet before using. But honestly, once mixed into soups or casseroles, no one can tell — it just tastes great and saves so much time. Try it once, and you’ll wonder why you waited so long!
sloW CooKer BatCh-CooKed
Ground Beef
Yield: 12 cups
total time: 3 to 5 hours
(mostly unattended)
5 pounds ground beef (85% lean / 15% fat)
1 cup beef broth or water
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
Place ground beef in slow cooker, breaking into chunks. Pour broth or water over meat, sprinkle evenly with salt, pepper and seasonings. You can adjust the seasoning later when using the beef in
specific recipes to suit your taste preferences.
Cover; cook on high 2 1/2 to 3 hours or on low 4 to 5 hours. Once cooked through, carefully drain excess fat and liquid. Break meat into crumbles.
Cool before portioning into airtight containers or freezer bags. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Now that you’ve got all this delicious, precooked beef, you might be wondering — what tasty meals can I create with it? Here are some easy, crowd-pleasing recipes to get you started.
sPaGhetti With QuiCK meat sauCe Yield: 4 servings total time: 20 minutes
12 ounces spaghetti
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced, optional
2 cups cooked ground beef
2 teaspoons italian seasoning salt and pepper, to taste
1 jar (24 ounce) marinara sauce
Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain and set aside. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Saute onion for 3 minutes, add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Saute mushrooms with the onion mixture. Add cooked ground beef to the skillet; heat through. Season with salt and pepper and Italian seasoning. Pour in marinara sauce; stir to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes. Toss the cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.
meXiCan Beef and riCe Casserole
Yield: 4 servings
total time: 25 minutes
2 cups cooked ground beef
3 cups cooked rice
1 can (15 ounce) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup salsa
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin salt and pepper, to taste sour cream and chopped cilantro, for garnish
Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C). In a large bowl, combine ground beef, rice, black beans, salsa, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Transfer mixture to a greased 9-x-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle cheese on top.
Bake for 20 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with sour cream and chopped cilantro.
What else can you make? Use precooked beef in tacos, sloppy Joes, chili, pizza toppings, quesadillas or hearty salads. Quick meals just became effortless! Enjoy your extra free time. Until next time — keep it fabulous, keep it frugal and savor every bite.
book heroine. Following a career assessment in school, her teacher wrote on her paper, “I see many paths for you beyond what
In college she was mortified to be kissed by the boy
of her dreams, whom she called Thor, only to learn he had won a pig trophy for kissing the ugliest girl at the party.
But she later married a man who believed in her dreams and encouraged her to go after them. She began telling her stories at rest homes where she leaned that castles and unrealistic Disney princess looks were overrated. She went on to follow her dream as an entertainer and motivator talking to audiences everywhere.
When she happened to see the “pig” man at an airport when traveling to one of her many performances, she realized she was still letting him write her story. She chose to ignore him.
“The best revenge is living your best life, editing that pig out of the story,” Swanson said. “I never make cheerleader, but I get to cheer people up all over the country. I get to write my story with what I say.
We can all live happily ever after.”
Reading snippets of Swanson’s talk might not seem too humorous, but as the old saying goes, “You had to be there.” Her mannerisms, facial expressions and comedic timing lent themselves to the well-deserved laughter she received, and the timely message her tales embraced was one to be remembered.
Swanson’s talk topped off a buffet brunch, provided by the chefs at Sedgefield County Club, and a raffle. It was a change from the club’s usual spring luncheon and silent auction.
“We would like to do more of this type of fundraiser,” said Celia Hunter, club president. She noted a past fundraiser at which Frank Abagnale, an authority on cyber security, presented information on avoiding fraud. “We will do it if we can get [this caliber of] speakers who will donate their time.”
The spring fundraiser joined the club’s December fundraiser to raise money club members use to support the group’s long-list of charities. Donations fall into several categories including home life, education, international outreach, public issues and conservation.
Beyond fundraising, laughter and motivation, the fellowship of friends old and new made the recent event one worth attending.
