By nORMa B. dennIs FreeLANCe WrIter ndworddesign@gmail.com
January is not the only start to a new year. June sees one starting for the Jamestown Rotary Club and with it came the instillation of officers for the group’s year 2026-2027.
Ken Esposito, assistant governor for Area 6, District 7690, was on hand to issue the oath of office to the new officers. Included were Geoff Swan, secretary; Bob Callicutt, treasure; Cliff Paddock, public image chair and Don Dale, Foundation chair. Angela Morrow was sworn in again as president.
Cliff Paddock received another Paul Harris Fellow pin for his faithful contributions to the Rotary Club. Paul Percy Harris founded Rotary International in Chicago on Feb. 23, 1905, with three friends. Harris envisioned a club where businesspeople of diverse backgrounds could share fellowship and serve their communities.
In 1957, The Rotary Foundation established the Paul Harris Fellow designation to honor individuals whose cumulative contribution of $1,000 to the Foundation reflected the spirit of service that Harris embodied. High-
see ROTaRy, PAGe 3
COMPILed By nORMa B. dennIs and CaROL BROOks
BoaRd of adJuStment meetinG
The Jamestown Board of Adjustment will meet Wednesday, July 8, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. The purpose of this meeting is for the Board to consider a request for a variance to the maximum parking requirement of the Land Development Ordinance for the property located at 6014 West Gate City Boulevard. The public is invited to attend.
BaSketBall foR a cauSe
For an exciting night of basketball be sure to attend a showdown between the Greensboro Groove and Charlotte Crown July 17 at 7 p.m. at Novant Health Fieldhouse, Greensboro Coliseum Complex.
In addition to getting to see an incredible live-action ladies basketball game, every ticket you purchase will provide a portion of its cost to supporting PAIRnc. This non-profit organization is committed to enhancing adaptive paddling opportunities for individuals with disabilities. They achieve this through education, specialized equipment and inclusive on-the-water experiences.
Tickets cost $15 plus tax and fees. To purchase tickets, visit gofevo.com/ event/Pairnc2.
For more information, contact PAIRnc at pairnc24@gmail.com or online at pairnc.org.
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
Council approves nearly $22 million budget
By CaROL BROOks FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
The Jamestown Town Council approved the budget for fiscal year 2026-27 on June 23, just one week away from the July 1 deadline. The Council held an unprecedented five budget workshops over the past months, adding, deleting, clarifying and generally discussing how to cut taxes without cutting Town services. But then came House Bill 958 and Senate Bill 889, which called for a year-long moratorium on the recent property revaluations that had already been figured into earlier budgets, cutting revenues needed by Guilford County municipalities.
“Senate Bill 889 has been passed and the governor also signed the bill [on June 19], so we are returning right back where we started, to the original-valued properties,” said Mayor Susan Dickenson. “So, we’re kind of looking at a different budget.”
“Correct,” said Town Manager Matthew Johnson. “We did have to pivot very quickly and that
does take quite a bit of a lift. As the mayor said, following the ratification of Senate bill 889, we’re submitting an updated budget for the Council’s consideration.
“North Carolina law requires counties to periodically revalue all real property to reflect current market value, a process that typically drives assessed values significantly higher in a rising market. Senate Bill 889, ratified by the General Assembly on June 10, 2026, requires counties with reappraisals effective Jan. 1, 2026, to revert to their prior schedule of values for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, meaning the new marketbased assessments cannot be used for tax purposes until fiscal year 2027-2028. For Guilford County, which completed a reappraisal this year, this creates a direct gap between what property is actually worth today and what can legally be taxed. And, since a significant portion of Jamestown’s revenues depend on the tax base, that gap flows directly into our budget planning. Council and residents should know that this is a state-
see BUdgeT, PAGe 2
Public comments from the June 23 Town Council meeting
COMPILed
By CaROL BROOks FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
Sharon Hovis is a former councilmember, retired chief of police, both in another location, Army veteran and former Guilford County magistrate. “I want to remind the Council it’s your due diligence to do what you’re doing now — ask the questions of the manager that you
should. When I called him, he couldn’t give me any answers. The only answer he gives is, ‘You call the Sheriff’s Department if you feel there is a problem on Dillon Road. You call the state.’ Which I did. I called the Sheriff’s Department and they did step up and put up a speed limit.
“The Sheriff’s Department do the best they can but somewhere in there
see COMMenTs, PAGe 3
Council hears of upcoming transportation projects
By CaROL BROOks
FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
At the June 23 Town Council meeting, Councilmember Jim Westmoreland reported on the High Point Metropolitan Planning Organization (HPMPO) meeting earlier in the day. He said the group has started talking about the next iteration of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and what’s known as Prioritization Process Number 8.
By CaROL BROOks
FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
Did you miss the ball drop New Years Eve in Time Square? If so, you have another chance on July 3 and 4. For the first time in its 119-year history, the infamous ball will be dropped not once but eight times in 24 hours to commemorate the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776, signaling the semiquincentennial of the birth of the United States of America.
The eight drops will be in eight different American time zones beginning at 10 a.m. July 3 in the Chamorro Time Zone covering American territories Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. It will then move to the continental United States. What is being called the main event, the Times Square ball will drop in New York City at midnight, signaling the official arrivtimes Square ball will drop eight times for america’s 250th birthday
BaLL, PAGe 6
“Jamestown has a series of projects committed. One is a prospective grade separation project with Oakdale Road now in preliminary engineering,” Westmoreland said. “According to the DOT Division 7 engineer, probably sometime this fall the Town will have some kind of concepts for us to react to with a grade separation project.
“There’s also one safety project they’ve identified, a new project not yet on the TIP along U.S. 29 between River and Riverdale roads. Council approved a resolution a
see PROJeCTs, PAGe 3
Dedication of Adult Day Center courtyard
By nORMa B. dennIs FreeLANCe WrIter ndworddesign@gmail.com
Overcast skies and intermittent raindrops on June 23 pushed the ceremony inside, but it failed to dampen the enthusiasm of those gathered for the dedication of the Melvin and Ruth Witcher Adult Day Center courtyard in Pennybyrn’s Healthcare Center.
The courtyard, an extension of the facility’s Adult Day Center, could be seen through the double windows and sliding glass doors that yielded a clear, albeit wet, visual as the rain finally poured down. It features shaded seating areas, a large bubbling fountain, raised
see CenTeR, PAGe 6
during the dedication ceremony, doug Witcher expressed his pleasure at the beautiful courtyard that epitomizes memories of his father’s lifework.
Photos by Norma B. Dennis
Jamestown Rotary President angela Morrow, right, presented Cliff Paddock with a plaque recognizing him as Rotarian of the year.
Officers for the year 2026-2027 include, left to right, don dale, Foundation chair; Bob Callicutt, treasurer; Cliff Paddock, public image chair; geoff swan, secretary; and angela Morrow, president.
Photo courtesy America250
Photos by Norma B. Dennis (above) a gently bubbling fountain adds to the peaceful atmosphere of the courtyard. (at left) shaded seating areas in the Melvin and Ruth Witcher adult day Care courtyard at Pennybyrn encourages rest and conversation.
(above)
After winning the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series main event on Saturday, it was only natural to feel Shane van Gisbergen would repeat on Sunday and he sure did by holding off a very hard charging Chase Briscoe over the final 30 laps of the Cup event.
The New Zealand Chevy driver showed his racing prowess once again, after earning his eighth road course win, tying Tony Stewart’s second spot to leader Jeff Gordon at nine.
This year’s Save Mart 350 started with pole sitter Ty Gibbs out front for 27 laps, easily winning the first stage with Christopher Bell close behind.
On to the next stage where Gibbs ran strong (won second stage) preparing to battle directly with SVG before all was said and done. That battle certainly shaped itself as the laps wound down as Briscoe put in a super strong effort to reach leader SVG. Every turn, the Toyota driver over extended himself to reach that back bumper. During the final few turns, Briscoe got within inches of his target, but had to settle for second place. Others among the top five included Gibbs, Kyle Larson and Bell.
The latest points standings has
From The Front
SVG sweeps Sonoma
Denny Hamlin ahead of Tyler Reddick by a single point after Reddick’s last place finish on the day. Third in points right now is Ryan Blaney 104 in arrears.
SVG StompS Sonoma o’Reilly field
Pole sitter Shane van Gisbergen schooled the O’Reilly field at Sonoma over the weekend in nearly every way possible. Pole position?
Check. Led the most laps? Check. Won the race? Check. Repeat winner of the race? Check.
With all those boxes checked, the race would have to go to SVG and it did from the outset, leading the first 17 laps before Anthony Alfredo led a handful and won his very first stage ever.
On to the second stage where SVG continued working his way quickly back to the front while several other drivers led a lap here and there. Jesse Love was fast as was teammate Connor Zilisch. But, on this day, no one had anything for the New Zealand driver winning by more than a second over Zilisch, Brent Crews, Alfredo and Parker Retzlaff.
Only four caution flags flew for non-contact incidents with a very spread out field around the 2.5-mile circuit.
The latest points stats show Justin
Allgaier still on top by a huge 224 points over Love and 238 ahead of Corey Day.
RuSSell claimS
f1 auStRian Gp win
Pole sitter George Russell driving for Mercedes had a relatively easy event taking his second checkers of the season, this time at the always challenging Austrian GP. Among the top three finishers included Max Verstappen in the Red Bull Ford as runner-up with Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli in third.
The overall points standings at this juncture show Antonelli still on top by 40 points over Russell with Lewis Hamilton sitting 46 points back in third.
mini tRuckin’
Mini Tyrrell was back in Ram action over the weekend locally at South Boston Speedway in Virginia with a huge CARS Tour late model event. Tyrrell was entered in a black Ram number 16 livery among a stacked field of star-studded series drivers.
Starting towards the front didn’t help much in a very early lap three melee, wiping out a lot of good cars including Tyrrell’s.
The next Ram truck race for the young Virginia driver is scheduled for July 11 at Limerock Park in Con-
BU dge T
necticut, a tricky short road course this writer has competed at many times!
Quik BitS …
Legacy Motor Club, known for backing Toyota drivers John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones is said to be adding well-known television host Guy Fieri as the team’s strategic owner. The TV personality should be able to bring some programming and personalities to the fray all in the interest of improving their brand.
fRom RumoRVille
Sounds as if Ryan Newman has been tapped to drive Kaulig Racing’s free agent program Ram truck at the upcoming North Wilkesboro Craftsman Truck Series event on Saturday, July 18. Look for the black number 25 Ram race truck to compete in the Faith Fest 250 with the 2008 Daytona 500 winner wheeling his way to the front.
That’s it for this week. Look for NASCAR news from Chicagoland Speedway for the Cup and O’Reilly series while the trucks take a brief break. In addition, we’ll cover racing venues from around the globe such as Indy and F1 racing.
If you have questions or comments, contact Russ at racinwithruss@gmail.com
imposed constraint on local fiscal capacity, not a local policy choice.”
Below are excepts from Johnson’s budget message.
Some highlights of Jamestown’s 2026-27 fiscal year budget:
• The budget for FY 202627 totals $21,627,200 for all Town operations, capital improvements, transfers, and debt service. The total budget, excluding interfund transfers, amounts to $19,802,894. The previous budget was $19,984,997. The current tax rate of $0.655 per $100 valuation remains the same as the previous year.
Pinecroff Sedgefield
Fire District’s new rate is $0.2037. Jamestown’s longstanding practice has been to pass that cost through to residents in the fire district, consistent with how
the County handles it.
• The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office received $475,000 for law enforcement with the understanding that this does result in a slight reduction of coverage, since the Office requested $592,102. There was much discussion about this item.
• Removed funding for a lobbyist in Raleigh to work for the Town’s needs, especially the proposed new fire station.
• Included $4,000 for the America250 celebration. Motor vehicle taxes were reduced from $30 per vehicle to $15 per vehicle. This will impact the number of streets resurfaced.
• Water rate will increase 8 percent. No change in sewer rates.
$100,000 was budgeted for staff to replace some of the water meters in the most critical condition.
Revenues
“At a tax rate of $0.655, the amount of ad valorem property tax revenue is estimated to be approximately $3,876,227, based on a collection rate of 98 percent.” Johnson said. “Sales and use tax revenues are expected to be $1,417,000 and tax and tag motor vehicle taxes are estimated to be approximately $402,457. This represents some of the larger General Fund revenues.
“The Finance team [led
by Finance Officer Faith Wilson] has worked closely with department heads to sharpen revenue projections for the coming year. Golf course performance has been strong, and if current trends hold, we expect that momentum to carry into FY 2026-27. Sales tax collections have also remained steady, and the Finance Officer determined it was appropriate to modestly increase projected sales tax revenues while remaining conservative.
“Thanks in part to favorable weather and the Recreation staff’s commitment to quality conditions and excellent hospitality, golf revenues are projected to increase approximately $76,000 and recreation revenues approximately $9,000 over the prior year.
“Recreation revenues (greens fees, cart rentals, golf shop, pro shop sales, shelter rentals and ball field rentals) are projected at approximately $1,543,850 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
“Sales tax revenues have come in stronger than anticipated, and while we remain cautious about broader economic conditions, current trends support a modest increase in projections. Taken together, these adjustments reflect an additional $167,150 in anticipated revenues.”
expenses
Co N t INU e D F ro M F ro N t NOT GETTING LOCAL NEWS?
You can find it all in the Jamestown News! Don’t miss out anymore. www.jamestownnews.com YourLocallyOwned& OperatedNewspaper!
“Personnel remains one of our most important expenditures,” Johnson said. “This category of expenditures accounts for $5,135,477 or approximately 26 percent of the total budget (excluding transfers). These expenditures include salaries, FICA, retirement, group insurance, 401(k) and other miscellaneous benefits for up to 40 full-time positions. The 2026-2027 budget contains provisions to allow for a 3 percent cost-ofliving adjustment (COLA) increase and eliminates merit increases for employees.
A breakdown of expenses per the budget:
• Personnel 26 percent
• Supplies/Materials 9 percent
• Contractual Services 25 percent
• Other operating expenses 7 percent
• Capital outlay 26 percent
• Debt payments 3 percent
• Transfers to Capital Reserve Fund 4 percent
Summary
“The preparation of the annual budget requires balancing present affordability with long-term sustainability,” Johnson said. “The revised budget reflects policy decisions made during a period of significant public concern surrounding the County’s revaluation process and this budget process has been challenging for both the Council and the staff alike.
“Staff have made every effort to reduce non-critical expenditures while maintaining the levels of service that our citizens have requested. Staff remains concerned that continued reliance on fund balance expenditures and absorption of tax increases from our partners in the fire district could create additional financial pressures in future fiscal years and limit the Town’s flexibility to respond to infrastructure, operational, staffing and service needs. Maintaining strong resource stewardship and long-term financial resiliency will remain essential to avoiding larger corrective adjustments to the tax rate in the future.
“Staff remains concerned that the revised approach places increased reliance on fund balance and deferred expenditures in ways that may impact the Town’s long-term goals,” Johnson said. “Staff would welcome continued discussion regarding alternative service levels, expenditure reductions, revenue structures, and tax rates that could better align ongoing operational needs with the Town’s long-term strategic priorities.”
council response
Several councilmembers questioned removing the Raleigh lobbyist from the budget, but in the end, the vote to eliminate this item passed, with Glanville and Councilmember Jim Gibson voting no. Mayor Dickenson was the deciding vote to remove the item.
Another item resulted in a tie vote — improving the technology in the Civic Center with, among other things, monitors. Glanville and Gibson again voted no, with Councilmembers Pam Burgess and Jim Westmoreland voting yes. Again, the mayor was the deciding vote to include $20,000 for this project.
Councilmembers all praised Johnson, Wilson, departments and others for their hard work on the budget.
“I know it was a lot of work for you,” said Glanville. “Having a wrench thrown in at the last minute was not anything anyone wanted, but you did it and it is much appreciated.”
“This Council has worked very hard in trying to balance all of the many interests of the community while continuing to provide very high levels of service and the capital projects we need in the next year,” Westmoreland said. “Understanding our community is no different than anybody else in the country right now. There’s lots of needs and issues with affordability.”
The ultimate vote to adopt the budget was not unanimous, with Gibson voting against it. However, all were in favor of adopting the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for FY 26-27.
There were no public comments during the Budget Public Hearing.
Town Council meetings may be viewed live at www. youtube.com/c/TownofJamestownNC. Click on “live.” They are also available after the meetings. The next Town Council meeting will be July 21 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall.
the Town has to step up. We have a downed tree on Dillon Road right now. Nobody’s tried to pick it up. People have been running over it. I’m sure somebody has come here and complained how it hit a car yesterday. I watched it happen.
“[The town manager] is always looking out for the staff but not the people who are the reason you get a paycheck.
Councilmembers, you need to keep doing this part. You need to keep asking him questions. You have to do the due diligence where we voted you in.
“Town attorney, you don’t know me. I’m trouble and the only reason is I’m resourceful. I’m a doubleedged sword. I’m the person who can help you or [the one] who can give you some trouble. I’ve sat where you are. I’m watching you. I will be here at every meeting.”
Robert Garland —
“Thank you for doing what is often a thankless job and for keeping the priorities of Jamestown citizens at the center of your decisionmaking. For being willing to ask the difficult questions and challenge long-standing assumptions to assure your decisions are truly in the best interest of the people you are elected to serve.
“Over the last months I have heard a great deal about budget topics and reserve staffing contracts and taxes. But the heart of all these questions is a simple question: who does local government ultimately serve?
“Town employees perform valuable work and they deserve fair compensation and quality benefits. However, they also received several significant pay increases over the past several years along with benefits that many privatesector employees would be fortunate to receive. At a time when many families are facing higher costs and economic uncertainty, government has the responsibility to balance needs of employees with the needs of taxpayers. I believe the cost-of-living adjustment included in this budget strikes that balance. It recognizes employee contributions while respecting the citizens who ultimately fund this government.
“The same principle applies to the Sheriff’s contract. This is one of the largest expenditures in our budget. The fact that the contract has existed since 1991 should not be exempt from review simply since it has been in place for decades.
er levels of PHF recognition are obtained by continuing to make contributions.
Paddock also received a plaque as Rotarian of the Year, an honor voted on by members of the Jamestown Rotary Club.
“I am very honored to have been selected as Rotarian of the Year, especially since I know our club is full of dedicated, hard-working Rotarians,” said Paddock, who has been a member of the Jamestown Rotary Club for 11 years. “I was originally attracted by the club’s sponsorship of the Jamestown Christmas Parade and wanted to become involved in that project. After joining, I learned about all the other activities of the club, includ-
From The FronT
COMM en T s
“I commend this Council for asking tough questions and seeking greater transparency regarding costs and services. Reviewing a major contract is not an attack on law enforcement. It is responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
“The same is true for our reserves. I agree that reserves should not be used to balance the budget. They exist to provide stability and prepare for unforeseen circumstances. Reserves should be reviewed regularly to assure they are being managed effectively and earning an appropriate return within the limits of law. Taxpayers deserve to know that every public dollar is working as hard as possible on their behalf.
“The easiest thing in government is to continue doing things the way they’ve always been done. The harder path is to ask whether spending decisions were made in the best interest of the community and whether citizens are receiving sufficient value for the dollars being spent. That is the responsibility of elected officials. I ask again — who does local government really serve? In my view, the answer is crystal clear.
Local government exists to serve citizens who fund it, elect it and place their trust in it.
“I want to thank this council for asking the hard questions, exercising fiscal discipline, and keeping Jamestown citizens at the forefront of your decisions. Thank you for everything you are doing.”
c heryl Harvey complained about people living in the “Yellow House” several months ago. — “Nobody has ever gotten in touch with me. There are two people spending the night there every night. I drive by late when I get off my job. The same two cars are backed in and they’re gone the next morning. Nobody’s gotten back in touch with me [to say] something’s being done about it. It is not a residential house. It is zoned commercial. I don’t know why something hasn’t been done about it by now.
“The second problem is, I was sitting outside a neighbor’s house last week and I got up to leave at 9:10 p.m. When I got to the driveway two young guys approached me. It was dark. I asked them what they were doing. ‘We’re selling pest control,’ they said. I said, you’re not supposed to be out here like this. Another came up on a little scooter and they took
ROTa Ry
Co N t INU e D F ro M F ro N t
ing the Jamestown Horse Show, the Bow Stafford Golf Tournament and many other projects to support our community.”
Bev Paddock announced a fundraiser for PAIRnc, a non-profit that she and Cliff started that supports adaptive paddling opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The organization will receive a portion of the cost of tickets to a basketball game between the Greensboro Groove and Charlotte Crown on July 17. See details in the About Town section on the front page of this paper.
In addition to its regular annual fundraisers and school supplies collection for the coming year, the
off around the corner.
I called 911 because I didn’t feel comfortable them approaching me after 9 p.m. in the driveway way up off the street. A deputy called me back shortly thereafter who said they have been all over the neighborhood today selling pest control.
I asked if he had seen a permit and the deputy said ‘no, I’m sure they had one.’ I said they did not. They have to have a permit and shouldn’t be out after dark.
“If we’re going to spend all this money ($600,000 a year) on deputies which we need, they need to know what our rules and regulations are. The deputy who called me back said he was in the area but he never rode down where I called him about. I stood out in the street and waited for him to come investigate. They never showed up. I was very disappointed in them.
“I’m disappointed in you, too, about this Yellow House. I’ve been up here for months asking the same thing. Matt [Johnson] and madam mayor, both of you told me you would get in touch with me and I haven’t had a word from anybody. You could ride by and see what’s going on and see the same thing. Obviously I’m the only one concerned.
“I expect to hear something unless you know they’re doing this and you don’t care. That’s what I assume what’s going on.”
Typically, Council and staff do not reply to public comments during the meeting, but Town Manager Matthew Johnson did reply this time.
“I’ve sent numerous emails to the parties,” Johnson said. “Never had a response. I don’t know if they’re receiving them or not. I know that the owner of the property has reached out a couple of times. No response. I’m not sure the best way to handle this. I’ve had conversations with the tenant, with the owner of the property, with the store. Nobody lives in the house. They do keep some different hours — bible study, that type of thing, that goes on. That’s appropriate. The last time we met, they were going to be investigating with Guilford County building inspections to [see if there was a] transition to a different kind of use. I haven’t talked to the owner about that. I can reach back out.
“My understanding is they use it at all different hours to do meetings, etc. There’s nothing inappropriate going on there as far as
Jamestown Rotary already has plans to expand its presence in the community. An Instagram account will be established and a flyer created that explains Rotary and can be distributed to newcomers and others throughout the community.
“We also are working to connect to either “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” or “Bed and a Book,” two groups that build beds for children who do not have a comfortable place to sleep,” Morrow said.
Jamestown Rotary meets on Tuesday nights at the Club House in Jamestown Park. Anyone interested in joining may text Morrow at 336-580-2463.
we can tell. We had Code Enforcement go in and take photographic evidence but there was no evidence of anyone staying there.” He said if someone is working all through the night, it’s not against the law.
“I have a good rapport with the property owner and I can just say it continues to be a problem. They can take it up with the tenant. We can issue a violation against the property owner. I don’t know that would have the same [effect] as having a conversation with the owner. We could take it to court, but that would be expensive.
“The proper thing would be to issue a notice of violation.
Town Attorney Robert Brown offered his opinion.
“Any time a municipality takes an enforcement action on any of its ordinances, we have to prove by evidence as the bare minimum. The hearsay evidence is not sufficient evidence. If Johnson and the vetting folks go to the building and they see toothbrushes and shampoos and clothes, that is some evidence somebody is staying there.
“It’s a difficult thing for us to prove something is residential or business. This is not a commercial property. Nobody can just walk in. We can knock and they allow us to come in and take photos.
“[Just having a citizen think someone is living there] is not sufficient to bring criminal charges. I don’t think there is enough evidence that an ordinance has been violated.”
There were no public comments during the Budget Public Hearing.
PROJ e CT s
couple of meetings ago for a transportation study as part of the Regional Transportation Safety Action Plan. This was listed in that document. It will be designed as what they call a super street. It’ll have interesting freeflow configurations to help reduce accidents.”
In the Town Council’s Community Corner, Councilmember Pam Burgess recognized the Cedarwood Garden Club and Lee Richmond for his presentation of the Gold Star Memorial Marker at the Field of Honor at Triad Park on behalf of the Town of Jamestown and the Cedarwood Garden Club on Memorial Day. The marker is in honor of our nation's fallen service members, the sacrifices of their families and their enduring legacy of patriotism and service. The presentation also recognized the many club members and generous donors who made the dedication happen at the Field of Honor.
Sheriff’s report
In May, the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office had five reports of theft, three for drug and weapon offense, three calls for service, two DWIs and one fraud. Total calls for service were 266. There were 187 self-initiated calls, 63 traffic stops and 16 citations. The average response time was 5 minutes 4 seconds. The average reaction time was 5 minutes 58 seconds.
other business
In other business, the Council set a date of July 21 for a public hearing regarding rezoning of 4909 Guilford College Road. It also set a date for a public hearing to consider a text amendment of the Land Development
Ordinance (LDO) regarding related to Flood Damage Prevention, updated FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and associated flood hazard data. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is issuing updated maps and ordinance guidelines as part of the statewide floodplain mapping update process.
“Adoption of LDO text amendment and updated floodplain maps prior to the effective date is necessary to maintain the Town’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)," said Planning Director José Colón. "According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, failure to adopt the updated maps before August 21, 2026, would result in suspension from the NFIP until the maps are adopted. Suspension from the NFIP would affect the availability of federally backed flood insurance policies within the Town. The state requires an approved amendment pf the LDO and revised maps by the governing board (Town Council) to satisfy the requirement." A hard copy of the updated floodplain maps and study will be available at Town Hall in the front conference room for public review. They may also be found on the Town’s website, Jamestown-nc.gov, under “Documents,” “Planning.”
Following the regular session, the Council went in to closed session for one hour to consult with the Town Attorney to preserve the Attorney-Client privilege. No further business occurred following the Council’s return to regular session.
NCDOT HOSTING A PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE A PROPOSAL TO CONSTRUCT A GRADE SEPARATION AT THE EXISTING CROSSING OF NCRR/NORFOLK SOUTHERN AT SOUTH ENGLISH STREET, CLOSE THE HOLTS CHAPEL ROAD AT-GRADE CROSSING AND CONSTRUCT A NEW LOCATION CONNECTOR ROAD IN GREENSBORO, GUILFORD COUNTY
STIP Project No. R-5823
GREENSBORO - The N.C. Department of Transportation is hosting a public meeting to discuss the proposal construct a grade separation at the existing crossing of NCRR/Norfolk Southern H Line at South English Street, subsequently closing the Holts Chapel Road at-grade crossing and constructing a new location connector road in Greensboro, Guilford County.
The purpose of this project is to enhance mobility and improve safety with the removal of the at-grade crossings. The purpose of this meeting is to provide interested citizens with information on the project and gather public input on the proposed design.
Project details and maps can be found on NCDOT’s project input website at publicinput.com/english-street-separation. The information will be available at the meeting allowing for one-on-one discussions with NCDOT staff, but there will be no formal presentation.
The meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 14 at New Hope Baptist Church, 304 S English Street, in Greensboro.
People may also submit comments by phone at 984-205-6615 project code 4075, email english-street-separation@publicinput.com, or mail at the address shown below by July 31, 2026
By Mail: Gregory Blakeney
NCDOT- Senior Rail Project Development Engineer 1553 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1553
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled people who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Tony Gallagher, Environmental Analysis Unit, at 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1598, 919-707-6069 or magallagher@ncdot.gov as early as possible so arrangements can be made.
Those who do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior by calling 1-800-481-6494.
personas no hablan
o tienen
al of July 4th on the East Coast.
During the late night and morning of July 4th, the drop moves west through Central, Mountain, Pacific, Alaska and Hawaii-Aleutian time zones.
The eighth and final ball drop will be 7 a.m. July 4th in American Samoa.
Each of the eight drops will feature its own special custom ball design. The entire event will be a rolling celebration of America’s birth.
“This is more than a countdown,” said Rosie Rios, chair of America250. “It’s a moment that brings the entire country together. We are creating a shared experience where every American can see themselves in this celebration and be part of
From The FronT
something bigger than any one city or moment.”
Unlike New Year’s Eve, there will be no public viewing areas in the surrounding plazas and the streets around Times Square will be closed. The event is being produced strictly as a mega-broadcast and livestream event, and the drops won’t even be visible from the ground outside the building.
However, the event will be streamed live. The america250. org website will serve as a hub for official streaming links. The event will be featured in special broadcasts like “The Great American Block Party 250” on Paramount+ and CBS News 24/7, as well as across Fox News and Fox Nation. Disney’s 24-hour live event coverage will also stream across Hulu and Disney+. Live television coverage of the celebrations can be found on ABC, CBS, and C-SPAN.
One Times Square will host ticketed public events called
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 July 7, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Greensboro in the County of Guilford, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 152, as shown on the plat entitled “Phase 1, Section 4, Map 2, Woodlea Manor Townhomes” which appears of record in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Guilford County, North Carolina, in Plat Book 91, Page 133. Including the Unit located thereon; said unit being located at 349 East Montcastle Drive Unit F, Greensboro, North Carolina.
Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours 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).
Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property.
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 property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties
“America’s Block Party in the Sky” on July 4th and “Day of Reflection” on July 5th. The broadcast will feature high-energy cultural moments and musical performances, all building into a massive July 4th concert broadcast live from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum hosted by Queen Latifah and featuring Chris Stapleton and The Smashing Pumpkins.
America250 says the entire 24-hour telethon is a benefit show designed to kickstart Giving 4th, an initiative aiming to make July 4th, 2026, the largest single day of charitable giving in American history. Rios explained:
“Charities receive one-third of their revenue at the end of the year,” Rios said. “What if we move the needle from the end of the year to the middle of the year? What better way to think about the 250th than to create a legacy that will become a movement for every Fourth of July.”
flowerbed and lush landscaping throughout.
“It is more than a physical space,” said Vonda Hollingsworth, vice president of Pennybyrn. “It is a way to reach people not just indoors, but also outdoors. It is a place for activities and quiet moments of peace.”
The courtyard, which is completely enclosed, required 200,000 tons of dirt and rocks as its base.
Kyle Hollingsworth of Hollingsworth Landscaping oversaw the project’s transformation, which took approximately three months to complete. For more than three decades Kyle grew up witnessing his mother’s dedication to Pennybyrn’s mission to “Demonstrate God’s love for the lives we touch.”
Doug Witcher and the Douglas S. Witcher Family Foundation made the courtyard and two other fountain areas in the Healthcare Center possible to honor Doug’s parents.
“Doug’s dad, Melvin, was a landscaper who enjoyed the outdoors and all it offered” Holling-
LEGAL NOTICES
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 foreclosure 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 this 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.
SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE
c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP
P.O. Box 1028
Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311
Phone No: (910)864-3068
https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com
Firm Case No: 19456 - 92653
June 24, July 1, 2026 (1950)
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA GUILFORD COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 25SP001319-400
Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Sandra Thompson (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD
OWNER(S): Sandra Thompson) to Hutchens, Senter, Kellam & Pettit, P.A. dba Hutchens Law Firm, Trustee(s), dated October 19, 2018, and recorded in Book No. R 8098, at Page 396 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 July 7, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Greensboro in the County of Guilford, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 30, Section 2, Edinburgh Subdivision, as shown on plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 110, Page 56, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Guilford County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6311 High View Road, Greensboro, North Carolina. This conveyance is made subject to the declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions for Edinburgh, recorded in Book 4026, Page 2160 and Book 4191 at Page 0554, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Guilford County, North Carolina.
Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours 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).
Should the property be purchased by a third
party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property.
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 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 foreclosure 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 this 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.
SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE
c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP
P.O. Box 1028
Fayetteville, NC 28302
4317 Ramsey Street
Fayetteville, NC 28311
Phone No: (910)864-3068
https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com
Firm Case No: 26196 - 132292
June 24, July 1, 2026 (2025) NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
sworth. said. “This is a fitting tribute to his family.”
As a landscaper Melvin appreciated the peace, beauty and comfort nature provides.
“It is so good to honor Doug’s parents while serving others,” said Sarah Baker, director of philanthropy and public relations.
Doug Witcher acknowledged that he felt his dad’s presence as he looked over the courtyard.
“I imagine Dad looking down and saying it is a good job. For 60 years he was involved in the world of landscaping. He viewed the start of each job as an untouched canvas and poured his heart into every detail of his work. For him, landscaping wasn’t just a business; it was the very paradigm through which he viewed the world.
“When Sarah (Baker) presented the idea of a courtyard to me I realized it was not just about flowers but about bringing one of my father’s dreams to life. This courtyard is a sanctuary of peace.” Father Pat Hoare concluded the ceremony with a special blessing.
NORTH CAROLINA GUILFORD COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK
Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed by Cynthia A. Everett and Charles E. Everett (PRESENT RECORD OWNERS: Cyanthia A. Everett and Charles E. Everett), to William A. Hobbs, Trustee, dated August 1, 2006 and recorded in Book 6576, Page 984, Guilford County Registry, North Carolina; default having been made in the payment of the Note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Richard R. Foust, Esq., having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds of 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 Guilford County Courthouse, in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Guilford, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:
BEING ALL OF LOT 8, BIG OAKS SUBDIVISION, AS PER THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 79, AT PAGE 81, IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF GUILFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. COMMONLY KNOWN AS 5613 HICONE ROAD, GIBSONVILLE N.C. 27249 Should the property be purchased by a third party, that person must pay the tax of FortyFive cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS 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 representatives of either the Trustee or the holder of the Note make any representation of 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 expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record any recorded releases. That an order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to 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. 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.
A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. This the 5th day of February, 2026.
Richard R. Foust
Substitute Trustee
Richard R. Foust, Attorney at Law
Office of Richard R. Foust, P.A.
Coffee Break
Weekly Sudoku
Salome’s Stars
week of July 6, 2026
aRieS (March 21 to April 19) Is someone at work resisting your ARIES charm? Hard to believe. But seriously, Lamb, you might want to back up your ideas with some solid data, then watch the “yeas” pile on.
tauRuS (April 20 to May 20) Your hard work could pay off in ways that you didn’t expect but certainly deserve. Tend to a pesky health problem now so that you’ll be in top shape to tackle the new projects coming up.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20) Planning a family event can be stressful, unless you make it clear from the start that you’re in charge. You might accept suggestions, but it’ll be your decisions that count.
dIFFICULTy THIs Week: uu
“the devil wears prada 2” (pG-13) — Going to the theaters to catch the sequel to the 2006 film “The Devil Wears Prada” was quite euphoric, so a rewatch of “Prada 2” might be called for when it’s available to rent on June 30! Pulling in $682.2 million against a $100 million budget, the sequel obviously had to bring back Meryl Streep (“Hoppers”) to reprise her role as the cutthroat fashion editorin-chief Miranda Priestly. Anne Hathaway (“Mother Mary”) is also back as Andy Sachs, who clearly didn’t get enough dirty looks from Miranda during her first goround at Runway magazine that she’s willing to work
under her again. A fun standout in the film was Emily Blunt (“Disclosure Day”), who goes even further off the deep end to maintain her career in fashion. (Amazon Prime Video)
“i love Boosters” (R) — Boots Riley, please never stop making your weird movies! They’re so much fun! Riley made his directorial debut with “Sorry to Bother You” in 2018, and he’s enlisted an incredible group of actors to star in his sophomore film. Keke Palmer (“Good Fortune”), Taylour Paige (“IT: Welcome to Derry”), and Naomi Ackie (“Mickey 17”) lead the film as the Velvet Gang, who’ve made a name for themselves by shoplifting from fashion
canceR (June 21 to July 22) You still have a way to go to bring a professional matter to a satisfactory conclusion. Meanwhile, an important personal situation could require more of your attention by week’s end.
leo (July 23 to August 22) There’s something about you
Fine Felines that makes people want to tell you secrets. But once again, be wary of who’s doing the telling. You might not want to be this person’s confidante.
ViRGo (August 23 to September 22) Creating a fuss about a family matter might get everyone’s attention. But it might be better to talk one-on-one with family members in order to spare a loved one from unnecessary embarrassment.
liBRa (September 23 to October 22) You’re making progress on a career move, albeit not as quickly as you had hoped. But stay with it. Meanwhile, your personal life takes an unexpected (but very welcome) new turn.
ScoRpio (October 23 to November 21) If you feel like you’ve been unfairly treated in a workplace decision, correct the situation now while there’s still time to do so. Arm yourself with facts and go to it. Good luck!
SaGittaRiuS (November 22 to December 21) Devising your own system of doing things might be the best way to handle an increasingly complex situa-
Couch Theatre
designer Christie Smith’s (Demi Moore) chain stores. When they hear mention of $100,000 suits that Christie’s designed, the Velvet Gang — with the help of a few angry workers who are upset with Christie’s working conditions — plan to infiltrate a fashion show and take down the designer once and for all! Out now to rent. (Apple TV)
Strange But True
By LUCIe WInBORne
Time slows down so dramatically near a black hole that if you stood close enough to it, years could pass for the universe while just minutes passed for you.
• After trading $3 billion worth of Pepsi-Cola to the U.S.S.R. in exchange for vodka, submarines and other military hardware, the Pepsi company briefly had the sixth largest military in the world.
• Iceland’s parliament, the Icelandic Althingi, first formed in 930 A.D., is the oldest in the world.
• The tradition of carrying the bride across the threshold started in medieval Europe when many people believed that a bride was especially vulnerable to evil spirits through the soles of her feet. To guard her from such attacks, the chivalric groom would carry her into their new home. Los Angeles has the world’s largest Korean population outside of Korea.
• In J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” dragon blood is revealed to be an effective oven cleaner.
• The Pyramids of Giza are the only Great Wonder of the ancient world still standing.
• During WWII, the Polish army adopted a brown bear named Wojtek into their ranks. The animal was fond of cigarettes and beer, and even received a promotion from private to corporal.
• A sloth can take up to two weeks to digest a single meal.
• Actress Roseanne Barr once attempted to run for president and got as far as filing with the Federal Election Commission, under the “Green Tea Party Ticket.”
• Lightning isn’t limited to thunderstorms, but can also occur in volcanic eruptions, wildfires and snowstorms.
• During certain periods in feudal Japan, executions of condemned criminals were used by some samurais to test their new swords.
Thought for the Day: “It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.” — Tom Brokaw
“elle” (tV-14) — The long-awaited prequel to “Legally Blonde,” starring Reese Witherspoon, is finally premiering on July 1! As an executive producer of the series, Witherspoon was inspired by Jenna Ortega’s “Wednesday” series on Netflix and wanted to see what her iconic character of Elle Woods would be like
tion. But do it tactfully in order to avoid ruffling too many of your colleagues’ feathers.
capRicoRn (December 22 to January 19) A family member’s health problem might once again require you to shift some of your current priorities around. But this time, make certain that other relatives will be around to help.
aQuaRiuS (January 20 to February 18) Catching up on tasks that you’ve left undone will take a while to accomplish. But the sooner you complete them, the sooner you’ll be able to take on another time-sensitive project.
piSceS (February 19 to March 20) You might feel swamped by everything that you’re expected to do. But take a moment to come up for air, then handle things one at a time. You’ll soon get through them all.
B o R n t H i S week : Although you love being at home with your family and furry ones, you also enjoy traveling, exploring, and making new friends.
before she ever got to law school. So, the series follows a teenage Elle, played by breakout star Lexi Minetree, during her high school years as her father relocates their family to Seattle. June
Diane Raphael (“Freakier Friday” ) plays Elle’s mother, while Tom Everett Scott (“The Summer I Turned Pretty”) plays Elle’s father. In addition, Chandler Kinney (“Pretty Little Liars”) co-stars as mean girl Kimberly, who clashes with Elle at her new school. (Amazon Prime Video)
“the choral” (R) — This touching historical drama stars Oscar nominee Ralph Fiennes (“28 Years Later”) as a choirmaster in the fictional town of
Ramsden, Yorkshire, during World War I. Although heavily judged for his homosexuality, “Germanophilia” and atheism, Dr. Henry Guthrie (Fiennes) is appointed as a replacement choirmaster when the original one is forced to join the army under military conscription. Along with their original choirmaster, many of the male singers in the choir are also conscripted, leaving Guthrie to recruit teenagers from a local hospital. As time ticks onward and the new boys face their own impending conscriptions, they’re able to find solace, joy and passion in their singing. Premieres July 2. (Netflix)
Photo courtesy of MovieStillsDB Ralph Fiennes stars in “The Chorale.”
Why dot cakes are the perfect dessert for america’s 250th birthday
By PaTTI dIaMOnd
oN A DIMe
For America’s 250th birthday, I had visions of creating something historically significant. Perhaps a colonial recipe. Maybe a dessert inspired by early American kitchens.
Then reality arrived carrying a deadline.
Instead, I found myself making the internet’s latest obsession: The Viral Dot Cake.
The funny thing is that the more I learned about the trend, the more appropriate it seemed. Dot Cakes aren’t fancy. They’re layers of cake, frosting and colorful sprinkles. They’re cheerful, nostalgic and designed to be shared. In a year filled with grand celebrations, perhaps that’s exactly the kind of dessert we need.
Sometimes the things that bring people together are surprisingly simple. Here’s the funny part: The internet’s favorite dessert isn’t an elaborate goldleaf freckled showpiece or a complicated bakery creation requiring trips to three stores and a monastery.
It’s basically birthday cake. Like the kind of cake that we remember from childhood. Colorful, affordable, nostalgic and easy to share, Dot Cake captures something we often forget: Joy doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.
The original viral Dot Cakes are typically made in small cups or jars with layers of cake and frosting topped with a thick blanket of colorful nonpareils.
For Independence Day, I gave mine a patriotic twist by tinting the cake batter red and blue and topping each cake with nonpareils or dots. The beauty of Dot Cakes is that they’re more about fun than perfection. Use a homemade cake or a boxed mix. Make frosting or open a can.
The goal is a familiar birthdaycake flavor, plenty of frosting and a festive sprinkle topping that makes people smile.
patRiotic dot cakeS yield: 4 (9-ounce) cakes total time: 40 minutes plus cooling 1 white cake mix, plus ingredients called for on package Red and blue gel food coloring 1 batch frosting (recipe follows) or 1 container prepared frosting
1 cup nonpareil sprinkles, aka dots 4 clear jars, cups or ramekins (8- to 10-ounce size)
Quick & eaSy fRoStinG
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 (7-ounce) container marshmallow creme
Preheat oven to 325 F. Prepare a half-sheet pan (13 inch by 18 inch by 1 inch) with non-stick spray and line it with parchment. Alternatively, use a 9 by13 cake pan.
Prepare cake batter according to package directions. For thin red and blue layers, divide the batter between two bowls. Tint one bowl red and the other blue using gel food coloring.
Spread the colored batters side by side in the sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes.
Alternatively, simply bake the cake according to package directions in a 9-by-13inch pan. Bake until done and cooled completely.
To make the frosting, beat cream cheese, butter and marshmallow creme with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Refrigerate. This frosting firms up beautifully when cold.
To Assemble: Using a round cutter slightly smaller than your serving cups, cut cake rounds. Place one round in the bottom of each cup. Add a layer of frosting. Repeat with additional cake and frosting layers as desired.
Finish with a smooth layer of frosting on top. Use an offset spatula to get a perfectly smooth surface. Pour sprinkles onto a plate and gently turn each cake upside down and press the tops of the cakes into the sprinkles until completely covered.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight before serving. These cakes travel beautifully, making them perfect for potlucks, picnics and Independence Day celebrations.
Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the pennypinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime — Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www. divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com.
Here's A Tip
By JOann deRsOn
• Use a carabiner clip to hold the handles of grocery bags together. They will roll about less in the trunk and are easier to carry into the house when you get home.
• “Many people keep some pet food outdoors. If you have problems with ants in your pet’s food if feeding outside, you will like this trick: Place the bowl of food into a larger pan filled with water. The ants can’t cross it, and it has the added bonus of being another source of water for the animals. Be sure to change it frequently, and put out plenty of fresh water sources for outdoor pets”. — P.Y. in Alabama
• “We unexpectedly had our friends visit with their granddaughter. Since it was unplanned, and we aren’t used to little kids, we were unprepared. My quick-thinking husband split open a garbage bag to use as a protective liner on the bed in case of an accident.” — D.D. in Oregon
• Witch hazel is an old remedy for bruises and bumps. You can find it in the first aid aisle by the peroxide and rubbing alcohol. Simply moisten a folded paper towel, and park it right on the bump (never near the eyes or mouth). It prevents bruising and can lessen swelling in some cases.
• Need to cross out a note so nobody can read it? Take this tip to the scratch pad: Instead of scribbling over something to be crossed out, write random letters over your words until the whole thing is illegible.
• “File this under you CAN teach an old dog new tricks: While watching videos on a cellphone with my daughter, I found out that a pair of folded sunglasses really works as a fantastic stand.” — C.E. in Maine
