Jamestown News - May 1, 2024

council holds final budget retreat

By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com

The 2024-25 budget for the Town of Jamestown must be adopted no later than the end of June. That’s two months away and at the April 19 Special Council meeting — the third special budget meeting — Town Manager Matthew Johnson, said, “This is still very much a work in progress.”

“We’ve mentioned this every time but I think it’s worth mentioning again, we want to take care of our assets. All the employees have worked very hard and con-

tinue to work very hard to insure the best value at the best cost. Our mission statement is to create an exceptional quality of life by supplying superior services.

“It has been and continues to be a challenge for us to balance superior services with limited resources. I don’t know of another town that provides this level of service.”

Johnson pointed out some challenges and inflationary pressures that have come up relating to the budget.

Mayor Lynn Montgomery, who is also a certified public accountant, did some figuring as Johnson gave his report.

“What you’re telling me is to keep everything the same, we still need $200,000 more — just in the increases,” she suggested, noting General Fund revenues are expected to be $7.7 million with $7.9 million in anticipated expenses.

Johnson said it is actually a $255,000 deficit.

“Duke Energy is going up 24 percent on our rates. Piedmont Natural Gas is up 15 percent. Healthcare costs are up 5 percent. Telecommunications are up 15 percent. Solid waste collection fees are going up 30 percent. Insurance is up 20 percent,” he said.

But it is not all bad news.

“We try to budget conservatively,” Johnson said. “I’d rather overestimate expenses and underestimate revenues.”

Johnson explained how the budget relates to the tax rate. He noted that for every penny increase in taxes, the Town receives $60,000 in revenue, not a lot when thinking about a half-million-dollar project.

“We do a tremendous amount with the tax rate we have,” Johnson said, noting new development will expand the tax base.

He predicted to balance the draft budget in front of them, the Town would need to increase taxes about 4.5 cents. This is just for operating expenses and does

JMs seventh grader wins art award

By nORMa B. dennIs

WrIter

A school assignment in his digital art class turned into an award-winning entry in the 2024 Superintendent Choice Art Awards competition for Kyle Murphy.

The Jamestown Middle School seventh grader won first place for his “Painted Glass” picture drawn using a computer.

“We had three days to complete the piece,” Murphy said. “It had to include a circle in the center, but we had a choice of colors and could use different shapes to make a pattern.”

Only the top artwork of each school was submitted in the competition. Murphy’s picture, along with approximately 300 art pieces from schools throughout Guilford County were on display from April 2-18 at Congdon Yards Art Gallery in the old Adams Millis building in High Point. Murphy and his parents, Bob and Bridgid arrived late on the night the awards were presented so did not hear his name announced as a winner. While browsing the entries, two of Murphy’s teachers told him he had won first place in his category. He received a Certificate of Participation, Certificate for First Place in Digital Art, a blue ribbon and a medal.

not include capital projects. Johnson suggested four items for discussion for inclusion or removal in the 2024-25 budget: hire a person to host a Citizen’s Academy (cost $25,000), customer service training (cost $23,000), purchase of two new vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office (cost $100,000), removal of $15,000 in the special events budget, some of which would go toward the 50th anniversary of Jamestown Park. The net reduction would be $88,000.

“I would prefer not to increase the tax rate and prefer to increase

that he would be better at digital art than drawing by hand.

“I wanted to give it a try,” he said. “But I would like to take the class again next year. If I did this well, I cannot imagine what I could do next year. I think I could do even better.”

“I was very surprised to win,” Murphy said. “Of all the students entered I did not think they would pick me.”

When presented with the contest assignment, his main thoughts were incorporating his favorite colors of orange and purple and spreading out all the colors to have a nice appearance. Murphy’s picture was

one of two that his teacher, Bethany Weber, choose from her class to enter in the contest.

“She sent me a letter to let me know I had been entered,” Murphy said. “We had to wait about a month to find out who had won.”

This is the first semester Murphy has taken digital art. He took it with the idea

Learning about color combinations and the best shapes to use for different patterns has been valuable for Murphy, who says he has seen a lot of people use digital art to make logos. But as much as he has enjoyed the class and would like to continue it, he considers digital art as more of a hobby. His dream career would be that of a paleontologist. He has always been interested in dinosaurs and sees a science degree in that subject as an opportunity to dig for fossils, study them and turn them over to museums.

An “A” student, Murphy says he does not have one favorite subject, but likes them all. When not studying, he enjoys playing golf and playing with his two dogs. His parents own Cakes by B’s Blue House Bakery in Jamestown and Murphy sometimes helps with offsite bakery sales.

Needless to say, his parents are proud of Murphy’s accomplishments.

“He is an all-around good kid,” Bridgid said with a smile.

MUSIC IN THe PARk

Music in the Park returns May 3 for the 2024 season. The Alek Ottaway Band is scheduled to perform from 6-10 p.m. at Wrenn Miller Park, 101 Guilford Road in Jamestown. Future concerts will be held the first Friday of each month through Oct. 4. See the full lineup of performers at https://www.jamestown-nc. gov/event.

YoGA IN THe PARk

Sponsored by the Ragsdale Y, Yoga in the Park returns Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Wrenn Miller Park. The program is free for the community and no registration is required. Bring a yoga mat or beach towel, water and sweat towel. Sessions run through August.

GoLf ToURNAMeNT

The Bow Stafford Memorial Golf Classic is quickly approaching. Sponsored by the Jamestown Rotary Club, the event is scheduled for June 21 at Jamestown Park Golf Course. It is already quickly filling up with teams.

“Members of the club have started working on the arrangements,” said Geoff Swan, tournament chair. “We hope to make this the most successful tournament we have had thus far. The community is really stepping up and supporting us with sponsorships and teams.

“The beneficiary of tournament proceeds is Feeding Lisa’s Kids, a very worthwhile local non-profit, as well as other local charitable needs.” Rotary members are still looking for additional sponsors and teams. Anyone interested in learning more about the tournament, in participating in it or helping financially may go to the Jamestown Rotary website at www.jamestownrotaryclub.com

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, manager, learn about evaluations

By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter

Sometimes you can get to know someone so well that you don’t see his or her faults. If you do, you may not want to comment on these faults during evaluations for fear of reprisal.

This comes into play when a town manager and town council are evaluated and especially when they are close acquaintances. When the results are learned, they learn how to do their jobs better and how to work together to make goals a reality. It is not always just how a person follows the job description — it is also how creative and forward-looking that person is.

Recently, Peg Carlson, director of the Center for Public Leadership and Governance at the UNC School of Government, spoke about this as well other ways to effectively evaluate leaders.

Sarah Glanville, Rebecca Rayborn, Pam Burgess and Martha Wolfe attended the special Council meeting on April 18.

In Jamestown, the Town Council evaluates the manager on a yearly basis with an informal evaluation every six months. Johnson remarked he liked the informal evaluations.

“I want to address things up front, rather than a year from now,” Johnson said.

“In the workshop, I talked about the value of having the Council ‘look in the mirror’ and reflect on how they are carrying out their governing responsibilities as a component of the Town Manager evaluation process,” Carlson said.

definitely comes from the voters.”

Evaluations are an opportunity to learn, to strengthen relations and improve performance. Carlson’s comments elicited many constructive remarks.

“The [Council] connection to the manager is key,” Carlson said. “You are a governing team.” She emphasized “team,” noting twoway conversation was important and that the Council’s responsibility is to the community.

“One of the issues we have is, we’re tight,” said Montgomery. “We know each other. We have personal relationships with the manager and staff. It makes it difficult to back up and do your job and keep emotion out of it.”

cab1hp@gmail.com see evaLUaTIOns, PAGe 2

“This self-assessment is one way to acknowledge the interdependent relationship between council and manager in serving the community. However, the ultimate evaluation of elected officials

Town Manager Matthew Johnson, Assistant Town Manager Katie Weiner, Mayor Lynn Montgomery, and Town Councilmembers

“Evaluation can sound so threatening,” said Burgess. “We should learn we are all in it together. The people here are family.”

Unlike the town manager, the Town Council answers to the voters. “Ultimately, the voters deliver their evaluation of Council mem-

bers at election time,” Carlson said. “Although it’s not an evaluation per se, you could also think of the public comment period in regular council meetings as a time when the public has an opportunity to provide feedback and input on the work of the Council.”

A town’s vision is the most

important thing. With a vision, the manager and council can lay out a play for the town. Carlson was pleased there was an Envision Jamestown plan with Guiding Principles. She noted that the council and manager each have rules and responsibilities in achieving the goals of the community.

“We set policy and procedure and the town manager carries them out,” Wolfe said.

Glanville cited the trouble in a neighboring small community where the board set a goal and the manager followed that goal. However, over the years, the board changed the goal and the manager was surprised and resigned.

“That’s one reason we enacted staggered terms — for continuity,” Johnson said. “If the community thinks we’re going in the wrong direction, they have the opportunity to weigh in on that and we can change our goals.”

Photo by Carol Brooks Peg Carlson leads session on evaluations.

COMPILed By nORMa B. dennIs and CaROL BROOKs

Photo submitted

Kyle Murphy stands under his award-winning “Painted glass” picture that won first place in the middle school digital art category.

ElEctEd Officials cOntact infOrmatiOn

U.S. HoUSe

Kathy Manning - District 6 manning.house.gov/contact DC: (202) 225-3065 NC: (336) 333-5005

U.S. Senate

Thom Tillis www.tillis.senate.gov/email-me (202) 224-6342

Ted Budd www.budd.senate.gov/contact (202) 224-3154

n.C. HoUSe

Cecil Brockton - District 60 Cecil.Brockman@ncleg.gov (919) 733-5825

n.C. Senate

Michael Garrett - District 27 Michael.Garrett@ncleg.gov (919) 733-5856

GUilford Co.

Alan Perdue - District 2 aperdue@guilfordcountync.gov (336) 451-6707

Kay Cashion - At Large kcashion@guilfordcountync.gov (336) 274-6272

JameStown

Mayor Lynn Montgomery lmontgomery@jamestown-nc.gov (336) 454-7185

Pam Burgess pburgess@jamestown-nc.gov

Sarah Glanville sglanville@jamestown-nc.gov

Mayor Pro Tem Rebecca Mann Rayborn rrayborn@jamestown-nc.gov (336) 848-9583

Martha Stafford Wolfe mwolfe@jamestown-nc.gov (336) 454-5286

Town Clerk / Assistant Town Manager Katie Weiner kweiner@jamestown-nc.gov (336) 454-1138

Town Manager Matthew Johnson mjohnson@jamestown-nc.gov (336) 454-1138

USPS-457-850 - ISSN 1074-5122

The Community's Best Source of Local Information

Freelance Writers Carol Brooks & Norma B. Dennis

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From The Front

Ragsdale Tiger Theatre to perform “Lyla” in downtown Winston-Salem

sUBMITT ed By Jas O n Reyn OL

Ragsdale Tiger Theatre is proud to present “Lyla,” an original play written, directed, designed, and performed by students in the Ragsdale High School Honors Theatre Program. This play will be submitted to the N.C. Young Playwrights Festival, and we are excited to bring it to The Mountcastle Forum Theatre.

Lucas Summers is dealing with shame, regret, and loss after being responsible for the death of his girlfriend. When he comes back home from prison he has to face the consequence of his actions, the people he hurt, and his struggle with finding forgiveness with others and himself. “Lyla” was written by junior Brianna Day and

senior Alex Baker.

Tickets are $14, which gives you an invite to the meet and greet with the authors and cast after the show, including drinks and hors d’oeuvres. (The $14 includes a $4 processing fee. This is why we

are providing free drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Sorry we couldn’t get around that pesky fee.)

Recommended for ages 13 and up, PG-13 for strong language. Show runs 70 minutes.

BU dge T

the solid waste fee,” Johnson said. “That leaves us with a staff recommendation of essentially 3 cents tax increase. If you want to go down on the solid waste fee you’ll have to go up on the tax rate to balance the budget.”

He does not believe the quality of the services the Town provides can continue if the tax rate remains low.

“The staff has done an exceptional job nitpicking [the proposed budget],” Johnson said. “I don’t know anywhere else to reduce without reducing services.”

Councilmembers had some suggestions.

Martha Wolfe suggested delaying for one year the purchase of equipment and doing the customer service and with less emphasis on the 50th anniversary of Jamestown Park.

Rebecca Rayborn was against hiring someone for a Citizen’s Academy but was in favor of customer service training.

Mayor Montgomery, on the other hand, was in favor of the Citizen’s Academy leader. Often, these

people, who are basically paid interns, are temporarily hired by the towns and many are hired into finance departments on completion of the initial hiring period.

“Let’s focus on what we need now,” said Pam Burgess, suggesting an un-paid intern. She was also in favor of customer service training.

As part of the contract with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown periodically purchases new vehicles for use within the town. Older vehicles are sold by the GCSO and Jamestown gets the proceeds.

“We don’t have to buy the sheriff cars,” Johnson said, noting the contract is not clear. “The cars’ mileage will last another year.”

GCSO usually replaces vehicles at 150,000 miles. Jamestown is the only municipality that pays for additional services from the Sheriff’s Office.

Of the four choices Johnson proposed, councilmembers voted only for the customer service training, removing the Citizens’ Academy leader and spe-

cial events line item and to delay for one year purchasing vehicles for the Sheriff. This would result in only a 2 cents tax increase.

Johnson reiterated the Town cannot continue to provide the same quality of services without an increase.

“How are we going to function if we continually reduce what we are collecting and our increases go up,” Montgomery said.

Johnson noted that before the 2023-24 budget, the last increase in the operating budget was in 2008.

Finance Officer Faith Wilson said she did not believe there would be an increase from Pinecroft Sedgefield Fire Department this year but to expect one the following year.

Johnson pointed out 14 cents of the tax rate goes to the fire department, 8 cents goes to the Sheriff’s Office and 37 cents to the Town for operations, with a portion of that going into the fund balance for savings.

“The perception is we just have money laying around because resi-

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By J Oa nn

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“I was making cookies last week and needed to roll out the dough. I couldn’t find my rolling pin anywhere. In a pinch, I pulled a bottle of wine off my wine rack and wrapped it tightly in plastic. It did the trick. I’m thinking I might just save the next empty bottle and clean the label off of it to use. I can store it right there in my rack!” — O.V. in Oregon

• Add shredded veggies to tomato sauce to up the veggie quotient. Many vegetables can be added without adding many calories and will not change the taste that much. Try carrots, squash or sweet potatoes. You can even add a tablespoon or two of canned, pureed pumpkin.

dents don’t understand the Town’s finances,” he said.

“We run as leanly as about any other organization I’ve seen and that’s due mainly to the staff. We care about the tax rate and we want to do a good job.”

CIP

Discussion then turned to the Capital Improvement Plan, which was updated following the March budget session.

Johnson said staff tried to defer everything that wasn’t critical to another year.

He suggested doing those critical things first then revisiting the CIP list in December or January to see if more could be done. He and Montgomery agreed that the Town tries to provide and add amenities without raising taxes.

“We’re facing some large capital expenditures as part of partnerships with the City of High Point for the Eastside Wastewater Treatment Plant and Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority,” Johnson said.

“They are in the beginning stages of plant expansion as

“It’s challenging to have new council members,” Montgomery said, noting three of the four councilmembers were new when she became mayor in 2017.

Often, new councilmembers begin to serve and do not really know the goals and policies of the Town. Burgess, who took office in December, said even though there was a candidate information session early in the campaign for Council, candidates are overwhelmed so early. She would prefer knowing more of the ins-andouts later in the campaign.

Montgomery noted there is a lot of back-and-forth with residents, council and manager explaining why something cannot be done, at least as timely as requested.

Rayborn remarked that sometimes the council is asked to do things that are not their job, like building a school. There are things that the Town could do but the cost is too high to comply. If a councilmember learns from a resident about a problem, she should tell Johnson rather than handling it herself.

“It’s a give and take,” Johnson said. “We don’t want it to appear a councilmember is influencing projects by going straight to the staff instead of the manager.” All this discussion about what

well as treatment of emerging compounds.

“We do not have a choice. We must participate and it does cost.”

The recommended rate increase is 10.25 percent because Jamestown’s rates are lower.

“We looked at an increase of about 17 percent but Faith [Wilson] has pulled that down to about 14 percent. That’s a little more palatable,” Johnson said.

Glanville mentioned there were lawsuits regarding the forever chemicals in the water but Public Services Director Paul Blanchard said the Town would not be sued, just PTRWA.

The Council debated whether to charge more for some services as a fee or to include it in a tax increase.

Johnson recommended a 5 cents tax increase and no increase in fees.

The proposed budget will go before the Town Council at its May 21 meeting with a final vote at the June 18 meeting. It will go into effect July 1.

the council or the manager can or cannot do was summarized in one of Carlson’s slides, where the council affirms nearly all the vision and purpose. The manager has a very small part at this stage. Next, the council is the major force behind establishing these goals while the manager makes certain the town had the resources to enact them. At the prioritization stage, council and manager roles are nearly even. The manager begins to take on more responsibility at the next stage by preparing plans while giving the council an idea of budgetary costs. At the next state, the manager plans and completes projects while council authorizes contacts. Finally the manager engages the community and staff about the projects. Council has little responsibility at this point.

As an exercise, Carlson passed out sample evaluation forms from four different communities, ranging in length from one page to 26. She hoped some of the wording could be incorporated into future evaluations in Jamestown. Weiner added that evaluations should be incorporated into the town’s Guiding Principles. Ultimately, Carlson said Jamestown was already doing many of the things in her presentation — and doing them well.

“Lyla” will be preformed at the Mountcastle ForumTheatre (second floor of the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts), 251 N. Spruce St., Winston-Salem, NC, May

property. The defaulting bidder at any sale or resale or any defaulting upset bidder is liable for the bid made, and in case a resale is had because of such default, shall remain liable to the extent that the final sale price is less than the bid plus all the costs of any resale.

Any deposit or compliance bond made by the defaulting bidder shall secure payment of the amount, if any, for which the defaulting bidder remains liable under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 4521.30.

THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.”

There are no representations 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.

This sale is made subject to any and all superior liens, including taxes and special assessments. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are the Heirs of Dorothy S. Brewer fka Dorothy S. Davis. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 45-21.29, in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties 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 [N.C. Gen. Stat. § 45-21.16(b)(2)]. 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 their sole discretion, if they believe 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.

Cape Fear Trustee Services, LLC

Substitute Trustee

Attorney Aaron Seagroves, NCSB No. 50979 Matthew Cogswell, NCSB No. 58827 5550 77 Center Drive, Suite 160 Charlotte, NC 28217

PHONE: 980-201-3840

File No.: 23-56808 59886 (1640) April 24; May 1, 2024 STOX Posting & Publishing, LLC 2701 Transit Rd., Ste. 139 Elma, NY 14059

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, GUILFORD COUNTY 23 SP 1611

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Averett W. Thompson and Pattie M. Thompson dated November 24, 2006 recorded on November 27, 2006 in Book 6636, Page 313 of the Guilford County Public Registry (“Deed of Trust”), conveying certain real property in Guilford County to Richard M. Pearman, Jr., Trustee, for the benefit of American General Financial Services, Inc. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on May 9, 2024 at 1:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Guilford County, North Carolina, to wit:

Being all of Lot 12, Block D, Section 3, Random Woods Subdivision, as per plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 32, Page 6, Office of the Register of Deeds of Guilford County, North Carolina. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 4119 Beckford Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407; PIN: 7843-46-3493

A deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, payable to Bell Carrington Price & Gregg, PLLC, will be required at the time of the sale.

Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 45-21.30, if the highest bidder at the sale, resale, or any upset bidder fails to comply with its bid upon the tender of a deed for the real property, or after a bona fide attempt to tender such a deed, the clerk of superior court may, upon motion, enter an order authorizing a resale of the real property.

The defaulting bidder at any sale or resale or any defaulting upset bidder is liable for the bid made, and in case a resale is had because of such default, shall remain liable to the extent that the final sale price is less than the bid

LEGAL NOTICES

plus all the costs of any resale. Any deposit or compliance bond made by the defaulting bidder shall secure payment of the amount, if any, for which the defaulting bidder remains liable under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 45-21.30.

THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.”

There are no representations 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.

This sale is made subject to any and all superior liens, including taxes and special assessments. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are the Heirs of Pattie M. Thompson. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 45-21.29, in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties 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 [N.C. Gen. Stat. § 45-21.16(b)(2)]. 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 their sole discretion, if they believe 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.

Cape Fear Trustee Services, LLC

Substitute Trustee

Attorney Aaron Seagroves, NCSB No. 50979 Matthew Cogswell, NCSB No. 58827 5550 77 Center Drive Suite 160

Charlotte, NC 28217

PHONE: 980-201-3840

File No.: 23-56083 59887

April 24; May 1, 2024 (1600) STOX Posting & Publishing, LLC 2701 Transit Rd., Ste. 139 Elma, NY 14059

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL ESTATE NORTH CAROLINA GUILFORD COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE BEFORE THE CLERK 23 SP 1350

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Reginald McDougle (Deceased) and Lelia McDougle (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD

OWNER(S): Reginald McDougle and Lelia McDougle, Heirs of Lelia McDougle: Brian A. Tillman) to Craig A. Williamson, Trustee(s), dated June 8, 2007, and recorded in Book No. R 6739, at Page 1487 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 May 7, 2024 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:

Being all of Lot No. 5 of College Village, according to the plat thereof which is duly recorded in Plat Book 20, Page 46, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Guilford County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2403 Williams Avenue, High Point, North Carolina.

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 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

P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street

Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311

Phone No: (910) 864-3068

https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com

Firm Case No: 12342 - 53554

April 24, May 1, 2024 (1540)

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION GUILFORD COUNTY BEFORE THE CLERK 23 SP 1206

IN RE:

FORECLOSURE OF A CLAIM OF LIEN

HELD BY NORTHBOROUGH MASTER HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. FOR PAST DUE ASSESSMENTS ON 1618 CEDAR HILL WAY, COLFAX, NORTH CAROLINA 27235

WHICH PROPERTY IS TITLED TO ANGELA M. MAKOR

Under and by virtue of the power of sale and authority contained in that certain Declaration for Northborough Master Homeowners Association, Inc. and recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Guilford County, North Carolina in Book 8060, Page 550, and because of default in the payment of the indebtedness thereby secured and pursuant to the demand of the owners and holders of the indebtedness secured by Claim of Lien 23 M 1784 and pursuant to an Order entered by the Clerk of the Superior Court for Guilford County, North Carolina, entered in this foreclosure proceeding, the undersigned Trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale in the Courthouse of Guilford County, in the City of Greensboro, North Carolina at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2024, all that certain lot or parcel of real estate, including all improvements and fixtures located thereon, situated, lying and being known as 1618 CEDAR HILL WAY, COLFAX, NORTH CAROLINA 27235, more particularly described on Exhibit “A” below.

EXHIBIT A

BEING ALL OF LOT 615, OF THE FINAL PLAT FOR LOTS 613-620, NORTHBOROUGH TOWNHOMES, SECTIONS F-3, BUILDINGS 59 AND 60, AS PER PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 205, PAGE 23, IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF GUILFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. (1618 CEDAR HILL WAY)

The present record owners of the property are Angela M. Makor and Kathleen J. Meunier.

The terms of the sale are that the property will be sold for cash to the highest bidder and a cash deposit not to exceed the greater of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, or Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($750.00) may be required at the time of the sale. 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 owner and holder of the indebtedness 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 conditions are expressly disclaimed. The property will be sold subject to restriction and easements of record, any unpaid taxes, prior liens

and special assessments, any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure, and any tax required to be paid by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a) (1). The sale will be held open for ten days for upset bids as required by law.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of 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 on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days’ written notice to the landlord. 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.

Issued the 18th day of April, 2024.

Higgins Benjamin PLLC William P. Benjamin, Esq., NC Bar #12614 J. Scott Feder, Esq., NC Bar #47253 Trustees of the Foreclosure 301 N. Elm Street, Suite 800 Greensboro, NC 27401 Tel: (336) 273-1600 April 24; May 1, 2024 (1545)

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION NORTH CAROLINA - GUILFORD COUNTY BEFORE THE CLERK 23 SP 1706

IN RE:

FORECLOSURE OF A CLAIM OF LIEN HELD BY CHAPEL RIDGE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff, FOR PAST DUE ASSESSMENTS ON 1833 CHAPEL BROOK WAY, GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27405 vs.

WHICH PROPERTY IS TITLED TO RITA A. AFFUL Defendant.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale and authority contained in that certain Declaration for Chapel Ridge Homeowners Association, Inc. and recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Guilford County, North Carolina in Book 6401, Page 2477, 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 Claim of Lien 23 M 2185 and pursuant to an Order entered by the Clerk of the Superior Court for Guilford County, North Carolina, entered in this foreclosure proceeding, the undersigned Trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale in the Courthouse of Guilford County, in the City of Greensboro, North Carolina at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2024, all that certain lot or parcel of real estate, including all improvements and fixtures located thereon, situated, lying and being known as 1833 CHAPEL BROOK WAY, GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27405, more particularly described on Exhibit “A” attached hereto.

EXHIBIT A

BEING ALL OF LOT 176 CHAPEL RIDGE SUBDIVISION WEST, MAP 1 AS PER PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 171, PAGE 97 IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF GUILFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. (1833 CHAPEL BROOK WAY)

The present record owner of the property is Rita A. Afful.

The terms of the sale are that the property will be sold for cash to the highest bidder and a cash deposit not to exceed the greater of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, or Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($750.00) may be required at the time of the sale. 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 owner and holder of the indebtedness 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 conditions are expressly disclaimed. The property will be sold subject to restriction and easements of record, any unpaid taxes, prior liens and special assessments, any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure, and any tax required to be paid by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a) (1). The sale will be held open for ten days for upset bids as required by law.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of 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 on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days’ written notice to the landlord. 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.

Issued the 4th day of April, 2024.

Higgins Benjamin PLLC William P. Benjamin, Esq., NC Bar #12614 J. Scott Feder, Esq., NC Bar #47253 Trustees of the Foreclosure 301 N. Elm

Suite 800 Greensboro, NC 27401 Tel: (336) 273-1600 May 1, 8, 2024

GTCC’s annual Student Excellence Awards Ceremony honors over 50 students for achievements

Guilford Technical Community College recently honored over 30 students at its annual Student Excellence Awards Ceremony, which recognizes outstanding academic achievement, co-curricular involvement, and contributions to GTCC and the surrounding community.

“It is always an honor for the college to recognize so many GTCC students for their hard work toward achieving excellence,” said GTCC President Anthony Clarke, Ph.D. “We know many of our students’ overcome barriers in their higher education journey, so to witness the hard work and perseverance of so many yearafter-year is truly inspiring.”

The following is a breakdown of those awards.

North Carolina Community College System Academic Excellence Award is given to one student in each of the 58 North Carolina community colleges. Recipients have completed at least 12 semester credit hours in an associate degree program, maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, participated in GTCC activities outside the classroom, and are progressing toward educational goals. This year’s winner from GTCC was:

Joanne Martin — Humanities and Social Services

Dr. Dallas Herring Achievement Award: GTCC nominates a current student or graduate for the Dr. Dallas Herring Achievement Award, each year in acknowledgement of outstanding achievement by the individual honoring their dedication, excellence, and perseverance. The award was established in 2010 as a testament to Dr. Herring’s contributions to North Carolina Community Colleges. This year’s winner was:

Archelaus McLean — Human Services and Public Safety

SkillsUSA National Awards recognize those that excelled in the SkillsUSA championship competitions which identify the best career and technical education students in the nation.

Lauren Lewis — Collision Damage Appraisal, first place

Dustin Aldridge — Aviation Maintenance, second place

Madison Gore — Restaurant Service, second place Madison Luck — Professional Portfolio, second place

Daisee Ayscue — Dental Assisting, second place

Abigail Davis — EMT, team event, first place

Ana Dominguez-Arias — EMT, team event first place Jesus Gonzalez-Pineda — Repair, first place

Garrett Stefanick — HVACR, honorable mention

system academic excellence award winner and gTCC student Joanne Martin, and gTCC President anthony Clarke, Ph.d

The Community Service Award is granted to students who are nominated by faculty or staff, maintain a program GPA of 3.0 or higher, are currently taking curriculum classes within a program of study, and regularly participate in community activities. This year’s award winners were:

Bryson Nicoletta — Business, Tech, and Creative and Performing Arts

Ila Seamans — Business, Tech, and Creative and Performing Arts

Amber Ward — Health Services

Candy Chambers — Humanities and Social Services

Dylan Hanreck — Humanities and Social Services

The Perseverance

Award is presented to students who are nominated by faculty or staff, maintain a program GPA of 3.0 or higher, are currently taking curriculum classes within a program of study, and have overcome a significant challenge while enrolled at GTCC. This year’s award winners were:

Alexis Carrington — Health Services

Tabitha Ervin — Health Services

Charnikqa Melton — Health Services

Evelyn Sears — Health Services

Archelaus McLean — Human Services and Public Safety

The Student Excellence Award is granted to students who have received a faculty or staff nomination,

earned a program GPA of 3.0 or higher, are currently taking curriculum classes within an associate degree program, participates in GTCC activities outside the classroom, and are progressing toward educational and/or career goals. This year’s winners were:

Bradley McBride — Aviation

Jacob Morris — Aviation

Nora Long — Business Tech, and Creative Performing Arts

Tori Thomas — Business Tech, and Creative Performing Arts

Siddharth Gadhiya — Health Services

Emily Morales — Health Services

John Salas — Human Services and Public Safety

Deborah Taylor — Human Services and Public Safety

Joanne Martin — Humanities and Social Services

Kyla Pesayanavin — Humanities and Social Services

David Fechner — Industrial, Construction and Transportation Technology

Jonathan Floyd — Industrial, Construction and Transportation Technology

Brianna Gibbons — Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Duncan Moore -- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Global Scholars of Distinction:

Micah Aamon

Christopher Delk

Fiona Lewis

Victoria Pastenes-Lira

Nicholas Ramcharitar

Marcus Repsher

Matt Upchurch

Jorge Vasquez Suarez

Model U.N.:

Michah Aamon

Daniel Khan

Victoria Pastenes-Lira

Nicholas Ramaharitar

Marcus Repsher

Jorge Vasquez Suarez

Club of the Year Award:

Phi Theta Kappa Club Advisor of the Year

Monica Young, Phi Theta Kapp

Earlier this month, GTCC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter was recognized by the national organization as a Five Star Chapter of Excellence. Nicholas Zavediuk and Scott Ilkenhons, advisors for the GTCC chapter, completed the Five Star Advisor Plan.

Also, GTCC Phi Theta Kappa member and chapter secretary Candy Chamber received a $500 regional scholarship.

Guilford Technical Community College is the fourth largest of 58 institutions in the North Carolina Community College System. GTCC serves more than 27,000 students annually from six campuses and a Small Business Center. For more information, visit  gtcc.edu,  Facebook,  Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn

writing about restaurants: N.C. or N.y.C.

Restaurants in New York City 2023” was a surprise.

What is so hard about writing a book or a series of articles about great restaurants in a particular city, state, or region?

“This was followed by the realization that I had a lot of eating to do.”

“I began skipping breakfast and gave up drinking almost entirely (unnecessary calories).”

I have been trying to explain these difficulties recently as I talked about the newly revised edition of my book, “North Carolina’s Roadside Eateries,” published by UNC press on April 1.

The first edition of “Roadside Eateries,” published in 2016, featured more than 100 of North Carolina’s great locally owned restaurants located near our interstates. It featured popular places where people could be found getting a good reasonably priced meal and an opportunity to visit with local people and get a dose of local color. Revising this book was a challenge. COVID caused many closures, and the normal attrition of familyowned restaurants created a great challenge. The lost restaurants had to be replaced and all the restaurants had to be checked to be sure they were still good enough to recommend to my friends and readers.

Finding and describing the right restaurants was difficult. But my task was not as hard as the project undertaken by Pete Wells, a food critic for The New York Times, who was assigned to update his previous list of the 100 best restaurants in New York City.

Wells writes that his first reaction to the assignment to update his “The 100 Best

He explains, “Twentytwo places in this edition of ‘The 100 Best Restaurants in NYC’ are new.” With a couple of exceptions, Wells has eaten at all 100 in the past 12 months. For anyone who thinks he is just getting a lot of free meals, he explains, “I don’t accept free meals from restaurants I write about.”

How did he approach this project?

He explained that he would attempt to visit each of the 100 restaurants on his list. He had three months before the deadline, which worked out to about one meal a day.

“Or so I thought,” he wrote. “Restaurants that had thrilled me before didn’t live up to my memories, and I removed more restaurants from the list than I’d expected to. Replacing them sometimes took more than one meal at a new place.”

So, Wells started eating out twice a day to meet his goal of eating at all 100 of the restaurants he would place on his list.

“To a civilian,” he wrote, “my calendar might have looked scary. But I wasn’t scared until about two weeks in, on the day I woke up with no appetite. Usually, I’m hungry after my first cup of coffee. On this day, just thinking about breakfast made me clutch my stomach.

I couldn’t imagine going out to the lunch I had scheduled, and dinner wasn’t much more appealing.

Poor Pete Wells. But the result of his work for New Yorkers and visitors will be a valuable asset, an up-to-date guide for a rich and complicated food scene.

North Carolina is different but it is tough. It is very hard to deliver an accurate and current report on the best local eateries near the interstate highways. For instance, Backyard BBQ Pit in Durham, one of my favorites, closed last year. It has reopened, but too late to be included.

Wilbur’s in Goldsboro is the favorite barbecue stop for many North Carolinians. But it also closed and then opened back up. But, in the shuffle, it got removed from “Roadside Eateries.

While I was finishing up this column, Edward Phifer, a friend from Morganton, wrote to advise that Allison’s, a popular restaurant in his hometown, was closing. It is, of course, way too late to remove it from the new edition of “Roadside Eateries.”

Keeping “Roadside Eateries” up-to-date is tough. Still, I would rather be me than Pete Wells. I do not have to stuff myself twice a day as he did, and I can pay for the reasonably priced North Carolina meals without going broke.

(Left to right) gTCC senior vice President of Instuction Beth Pitonzo, Ph.d. with north Carolina Community College

Coffee Break

Salome’s Stars

week of MAY 6, 2024

ARIeS (March 21 to April 19) You might need to do a bit more investigating before making a career move. You do best when you come armed with the facts. Meanwhile, a personal matter still needs tending to.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)

Your creativity plus your good business sense once more combine to give you an important advantage in a difficult workplace situation. Also, an ally proves their loyalty.

GeMINI (May 21 to June 20)

Avoid rushing into something just because it offers a break from your usual routine. Take things a step at a time to be sure that you’re moving in the right direction.

CANCeR (June 21 to July 22) Bouncing back from a disappointing incident isn’t easy, but you should find a welcome turn of events emerging by midweek. Spend the weekend with someone special.

Leo (July 23 to August 22)

By

Dune: Part Two (PG13) — The sequel to the 2021 sci-fi film Dune is officially out now to rent after garnering more than $685 million worldwide in its box-office release. Starring our modern-day movie stars Timothee Chalamet ( Wonka ) and Zendaya ( Euphoria ), “Part Two” picks up right after the events of the first film that left Paul Atreides (Chalamet) and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), in the hands of the Fremen troops on the planet Arrakis. Paul and Lady Jessica begin learning the ways of the Fremen, while Baron Vladimir Harkonnen remains relentless in

An incomplete project needs your attention before someone else takes it over and uses it to their advantage. There’ll be lots of time for fun and games once you get it done.

VIRGo (August 23 to September 22) Doubts involving a potential career change need to be resolved quickly so that they don’t get in the way when you feel like you’re finally ready to make the big move.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Looking to blame someone for a workplace problem could backfire if it turns out that you’ve got the wrong “culprit.” Best to get more facts before acting on your assumptions.

SCoRPIo (October 23 to November 21) Patience might still be called for until you’re sure that you finally have the full story, which could have eluded you up until now. Also, a trusted associate could offer valuable guidance.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Reflect on your recent behavior to see if you could have caused the coolness

his plans to take over the desert planet. The Baron recruits his bloodthirsty nephew, Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler), to assist him in conquering Arrakis. With much more action, an excellent ensemble cast, and visuals that will give you goosebumps, this incredible film will make you want to stay in the worlds of “Dune” forever. (Apple TV+)

In Case You Missed It Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV (TV-14) — This five-part docuseries isn’t an easy watch, whether you grew up watching Nickelodeon’s shows or not, but it’s monumental for shedding light on the brutal behind-the-

that you might now be sensing from a loved one. If so, apologize and set things straight.

CAPRICoRN (December 22 to January 19) Easing up on your social activities allows you to focus more of your energies on a long-neglected personal matter. You can get back into party mode by the weekend.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A dispute with a colleague can be resolved peacefully once you both agree to be more flexible about the positions you’ve taken and allow the space for more open-minded discussions.

PISCeS (February 19 to March 20) Volunteering to take on added responsibilities could be a risky way to impress the powers that be. Only do it if you’re sure that you won’t be swept away by the extra workload.

BoRN THIS week: Your sense of self-awareness allows you to make bold moves with confidence and security.

©2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

Couch Theatre

scenes world child actors deal with. Featuring interviews from child actors who worked for shows like All That, Zoey 101, The Amanda Show and more, the first four episodes detail the horrific work environ-

ment they had to endure at the mercy of producers like Brian Peck and Dan Schneider. Drake Bell (Drake & Josh) explains the crimes that were committed to him by Peck, a sex offender who continued

to work in Hollywood following his conviction. The series also highlights the subtly inappropriate jokes that Schneider would slide in for unknowing young actors like Ariana Grande and Jamie Lynn Spears. The fifth and final episode includes extra, in-depth interviews led by journalist Soledad O’Brien. (Max)

Breakfast on Pluto (R) — Before Cillian Murphy ever donned a brimmed hat to play J. Robert Oppenheimer and win an Oscar, he once played Patricia “Kitten” Braden in this peculiar comedy-drama film from 2005. Born Patrick, Patricia lives in the fictional Irish town of Tyrellin during the 1970s and causes havoc

because of her choice to come out as transgender.

After years of getting in trouble at school and never feeling like she belonged, Patricia decides to run away from Tyrellin and see where the world takes her.

As she tries to find her footing in the dodgiest of places, she meets an unusual array of individuals, like Billy Hatchet and the Mohawks, magician Bertie Vaughan, and the singing/ dancing Wombles, who all eventually push her closer to realizing and accepting her truth. This film will leave you astounded with Murphy’s range as an actor. Out now. (Amazon Prime Video)

Strange But True

By LUCI e WI n BOR ne

• Pass the Beano! In Japan, they used to hold contests to see who could fart the longest and loudest. The winner received a prize and high honors. Leeches have 32 brains.

• In June 2017, a tire shop in Fort Worth, Texas, was robbed so often that the owner bought a guard dog. But that didn’t solve the problem — the next time the shop was robbed, the intruders stole the dog!

• PayPal once accidentally credited a man with $92 quadrillion.

• “Highway hypnosis” is a mental state where a person can drive a vehicle great distances while responding to external events in a safe and correct manner, but with no recollection of having consciously done so.

• Andrew Myrick, a storekeeper on a Minnesota Native American reservation, allegedly suggested that starving natives eat grass. While the quote’s validity has been debated, he was notably found dead on the first day of the Dakota War of 1862 with grass stuffed in his mouth.

• Native Americans planted “Three Sisters”— corn, beans and squash — together for their mutual benefit. Corn provided a structure for the beans to climb, beans provided nitrogen to the soil, and squash spread along the ground, preventing the growth of weeds.

• A tattoo needle doesn’t actually inject ink. It’s just coated with pigment and your skin absorbs the color via capillary action.

• In 2014, 13-year-old Danielle Lei, a Girl Scout in San Francisco, became the first Girl Scout to make news by selling cookies outside a marijuana dispensary, unloading an impressive 117 boxes in just two hours.

Thought for the Day:

“You must believe in yourself enough to be the person now that others will remember you for later.” — Greg Plitt

©2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

• The average man spends about one year of his life staring at women.

©2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

de MI Tave R as

Photo courtesy of MovieStillsDB

Cillian Murphy stars in the 2005 comedy-drama film Breakfast on Pluto

By PaTTI dIaMOnd

ON A DIMe

Posole soup is a traditional Mexican dish that is enjoyed by many on Cinco de Mayo. This hearty and flavorful soup is typically made with hominy, pork or chicken, and a variety of spices, and is often garnished with lime wedges, shredded cabbage and fresh cilantro. The combination

of tender pork or chicken, chewy hominy and spicy broth creates a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for celebrating the holiday.

Posole has a long history dating back to ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations, where it was considered a sacred dish and was often served during religious ceremonies. It was believed to have both

spiritual and nutritional significance, as it was rich in protein and vitamins. Over time, posole spread throughout Mexico and evolved into different regional variations, each with their own unique ingredients and flavors. Today, posole remains a beloved and popular dish, especially during special occasions and celebrations.

Why is it called posole? Technically, “posole” is Spanish for “hominy.” But it usually refers to this traditional soup. It can be green (verde) or red (rojo), determined by the peppers used. Pork posole is most common, but today we’re using chicken.

What the heck is hominy? Hominy is dried corn that’s been soaked in a mineral lime bath in a process called nixtamalization. This alkali process loosens the hulls and softens the kernels themselves, causing them to double in size, which is why hominy looks like giant mutant corn. Without hominy, we wouldn’t have masa, or ground corn. No masa means no tortillas, tamales or tacos. Hominy is easier to digest, thus more nutritious, and makes an excellent alternative to potatoes or beans, especially in soups like this.

eASY

PoSoLe VeRDe De PoLLo

This green Mexican hominy and chicken soup is ready in just 45 minutes on the stove, or you can let it simmer in the slow cooker all day. Add jalapenos if you like heat. You can use leftover or rotisserie chicken to make it even quicker.

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 16 servings

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large yellow onion, peeled and diced

2 cups mild chiles, roast, seeded and diced

2 jalapenos, seeded and minced, optional

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts oR 3-4 cups cooked shredded chicken

8 cups chicken stock

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1 (110-ounce) can hominy, drained

Garnishes: sliced avocado, cilantro, cotija cheese, thinly sliced radishes, lime wedges, shredded cabbage, tortilla chips

Heat oil in a stockpot over medium high heat. Add onion and saute until soft and translucent. Add the peppers and garlic and saute for an additional minute, stirring occasionally. Add chicken stock, 2 cups water, cumin and salt, and bring to a simmer. If you’re not using pre-cooked chicken, add the raw chicken and cook for 15 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove and shred. Add the hominy. Return the chicken to the soup. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for at least 5 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with your desired garnishes.

The moral of the story is: If you want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo like a pro, remember, with posole soup, it’s all about the garnish. So pile on those toppings and make it rain with diced avocado, cilantro, cotija cheese, thinly sliced radishes, lime wedges, shredded cabbage and tortilla chips! Just be warned, you may need to make extra for your friends who will undoubtedly show up once they hear about your posole-making skills. Happy Cinco de Mayo, amigos!

Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, 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