Northwest Observer / April 18 - May 15, 2024

Heritage Farm Park expands recreation, honors past

This inclusive playground that accommodates children with special needs will be among park features unveiled at a May 4 grand opening of the 60-acre Heritage Farm Park in Oak Ridge. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 11 a.m., with pony rides for children, live music and food trucks planned until 2 p.m.

A May 4 ribbon cutting ceremony will unveil two new lighted multipurpose fields and an inclusive playground in a setting that preserves farming and scenic views

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Heritage Farm Park is getting ready to open with a May 4 ribbon cutting to celebrate the town’s $5.7 million investment in more recreational opportunities.

In 2018, the town bought the park land from Oak Ridge residents Frank and Claudia

Push by Summerfield seeks to derail de-annexation

As landowner David Couch seeks de-annexation of his nearly 1,000 acres, a new ‘Killing Summerfield’ video is part of the town’s statewide efforts to persuade legislators to vote against House Bill 5

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Town leaders released a nearly four-minute “Killing Summerfield” video last week, part of a multi-pronged effort to convince state lawmakers to oppose legislation that would de-annex

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THIS ISSUE

Photo courtesy of Town of Oak Ridge

Censure of Oak Ridge mayor pro tem ends in stalemate

Two motions to reprimand Mike Stone for ‘disparaging and profane comments’ about former councilman George McClellan deadlocked in tie votes.

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Mayor Pro Tem Mike Stone avoided censure at Oak Ridge Town Council’s meeting on April 4 after two separate motions to reprimand him for uttering “disparaging and profane comments” about former councilman George McClellan ended in tie votes.

During its March 7 meeting, the council scheduled the vote to censure Stone for what they called his insufficient apology to McClellan after a microphone caught Stone calling McClellan a “f***ing idiot” during the council’s meeting in February.

Councilman Jim Harton’s motion to approve a resolution censuring Stone for violating the council’s code of ethics ended in a 2-2 vote. Council member Ann Schneider joined Harton in voting for censure, while Mayor Jim Kinneman and councilman Michael Greeson voted against it; Stone did not vote on the motion.

Noting that on three occasions in recent years McClellan had made inappropriate comments,

they disagreed during a non-public meeting last December when talking about funding the renovation of the historic Redmon house. After Stone suggested that they take their dispute “outside,” Schneider said she told the two to stop acting like “9-year-olds.”

At the council’s April 4 meeting, Kinneman declared “the matter is closed” after the tie vote on the second resolution. He added that Stone and McClellan could decide privately whether to apologize – or not – to one another.

The deadlocked votes showed “that we went backwards as a council,” Harton said. “We could have established a firm standard for this council going forward. I don’t think we accomplished that.”

including one directed at Stone, Kinneman offered a motion admonishing both McClellan and Stone. It also deadlocked in a 2-2 vote as the mayor and Greeson voted for it and Harton and Schneider voted against it.

Greeson said attempting to censure Stone after the council had taken no collective action against McClellan showed political bias against Stone. Later, McClellan said in an interview that he had apologized in the first two incidents, but not to Stone in the third.

McClellan recalled calling Stone an “SOB” after

Schneider criticized the succession of motions, saying “you are turning this into a comedy.” She added that “a prompt and sincere apology would have changed everything.”

While declining to provide a direct apology to McClellan, Stone cited three Bible verses that will continue guiding his personal behavior.

The resolution prepared by Harton stated that

Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO Mayor Jim Kinneman (left) talks with Mayor Pro Tem Mike Stone prior to Oak Ridge Town Council’s meeting getting underway on April 4.

Probable costs for Bandera Farms Park skyrocket

The estimated $6.66 million price tag nearly doubles funding from grants and other sources, forcing leaders to explore scaling back the project and looking for more money

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – The development of Bandera Farms Park is probably going to cost $6.66 million, an estimate that exceeds by $3.2 million funding that has been secured for the project.

“I fainted,” Summerfield Finance Officer Dee Hall told the Town Council at its April 9 meeting, describing, only partly in jest, how she reacted after reviewing design firm Pond Co.’s opinion of probable costs for the 119-acre park slated for Bunch Road at Interstate 73.

Envisioned as a one-of-a-kind recreational preserve for hikers and horseback riders, the project won support and funding to buy the property from the Piedmont Land Conservancy (PLC), Guilford County, the city of Greensboro and the towns of Oak Ridge and Summerfield, which owns the property.

PLC led efforts to raise nearly $3.5 million in funding, buoyed by $2.3 million in federal pandemic relief funds awarded by the Guilford County Board of Commissioners.

Kevin Redding, PLC’s executive director, told the council at its meeting earlier this month that he plans to arrange a meeting with the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, as part of efforts by his nonprofit organization and Summerfield to “try to figure out a way to make (costs) more palatable.”

“We all want that park,” as well as the future route of the Piedmont Greenway, Redding said. “We need to find a way to do it within parameters that you can live with.”

Hall said she and Palmer McIntyre, PLC’s conservation planner, are looking for additional funds. However, she cautioned that efforts to “value engineer” the project too much may jeopardize grants.

“We can’t change the scope of this project,” Hall said.

Back in August 2022, PLC said the park was “fully funded” after the county commissioners gave Summerfield $2.3 million in pandemic relief aid, bringing total funding for the park to $3.45 million.

However, Pond’s opinion of probable costs verified recent concerns by council member Janelle Robinson and Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney that costs were going to escalate, partly reflecting rising construction costs across the state and the U.S. related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bandera’s probable costs soared from earlier estimates due to rising costs for asphalt, concrete, gravel and labor for parking lots and access roads, according to an April 3 letter from Juan Morales, Pond’s senior project manager, to Summerfield.

Earlier design work underestimated costs for grading and moving earth for the Piedmont Greenway, a trail expected to pass through Bandera in its route from Greensboro to Winston-Salem.

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HERITAGE FARM PARK

...continued from p. 1

Whitaker. The development of the 60-acre park preserves scenic views across fields that Kyle Anders and his son, Sam, will continue farming. People have already begun using the walking trail encircling the new park by crossing Linville Road from Town Park.

Combined, the two parks cover roughly 140 acres in the heart of Oak Ridge, with the new park blending recreational facilities with a preservation of the area’s scenic beauty and the town’s farming heritage.

“We’re preserving a lot of the open space,” Mayor Jim Kinneman said in an interview earlier this week. At the park’s grand opening ceremony, he will join council member Ann Schneider and John Browning, co-chair of the town’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, in talking about the development of the park over the past five years.

Heritage Farm Park adds two lighted multi-purpose fields, restrooms, a picnic shelter, walking trails and a playground that accommodates children with special needs. The town borrowed $3 million for the park and is relying upon county, state and federal grants and funds to cover the rest of the costs.

Separately, the town’s Special Events Committee has led fundraising for the Veterans Honor Green, slated for construction in Heritage Farm Park starting in June.

In addition to next month’s ribbon cutting for the park, organizers plan to celebrate the opening of the playground by raising a welcome banner for children to run through before playing on the equipment, said Caroline Ruch, the Parks and Recreation board member organizing festivities.

Among the festivities will be pony

rides, an activity that will be fun for children but also recognizes Oak Ridge’s equestrian and farming heritage, according to Ruch.

The ribbon cutting is scheduled for 11 a.m., with activities continuing until 2 p.m. Organizers have lined up two food vendors, Tee’s Kitchen and To the Moon and Back Frozen Treats, and music by the Tyler Millard Duo.

Festivities will take place in the field in the vicinity of the playground and adjacent restroom building. Parking will be available in a recently paved lot accessible from Scoggins Road.

Construction of the park got off to a slow start last year due to difficulties in identifying a well that would produce enough water for field irrigation and bathrooms. After a few false starts with the well, development led by Bar Construction Co. has gone smoothly, according to Town Manager Bill Bruce.

Not all work has been finished. Duke Energy is awaiting parts to flip the switch for electricity to the park, Bruce said in an email earlier this week.

Completion of the restrooms also awaits some equipment, as well as finishing of the floors. Establishment of Bermuda grass on the fields is a work in progress, Bruce noted.

Pooling of rainwater and inadequate drainage on some sections of the asphalt pathways are going to require repair and regrading, the town manager added.

“That’s the normal kind of stuff you expect,” Kinneman said. “The contractor’s taking care of that.”

April 11 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

as reported by PATTI STOKES

Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy called the monthly meeting to order at 7 p.m. with council members Jimmy Landreth and Tim Jones present; Mayor Mike Crawford and council member Jim Rigsbee were absent. The town clerk, finance officer and attorney were also present, along with eight citizens.

 3  0 to adopt the meeting agenda after making three changes.

 3  0 to adopt minutes from the Nov. 2, 2023 special called council meeting after making one addition.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Stokesdale Fire District. Chief Todd Gauldin reported the district

responded to 90 calls in March; 55 were medical-related, 10 firerelated and 25 miscellaneous.

On a public safety note, Gauldin urged citizens to take heed to severe weather warnings. He also encouraged everyone to have a weather alert radio, which provides a continuous broadcast of the latest weather announcements and emergency information for the local area.

When asked about the more common calls the district gets for emergency medical assistance, Gauldin responded, “For whatever reason, over the last few years there has been a high uptick in calls related to people falling.”

ADMINISTRATIVE

Water system report. Town Clerk Robbie Wagoner gave a report provided by Priscilla Hunsucker, the town’s water system customer service manager. Of note, 803 water bills were sent out in March, which set a record for the highest number of customers on the town’s water system. Foy noted there were 530 customers on the water system when he first took office in December 2019.

Additionally, 23 water meters have been placed on hold for builders. Administrative report. Wagoner briefly mentioned traffic routing for a spring festival local merchants have planned on Saturday, April 20, in the downtown area, but said it would be discussed in more detail later in the meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORT

Town Park Improvement. Committee chair Tee Stephenson gave an update on Andrew Knesel’s Eagle Scout project which was approved at the council’s March 14 meeting; the project involves developing a .8-mile nature trail in the town park that will connect to the existing walking trail, and Knesel has raised all the funds needed for tools to work on the trail.

Signs for rules and regulations of the basketball and pickleball courts that opened a few months ago have been posted, and Stephenson said the committee is working on finalizing the RFP (Request for Proposal) for lighting of the soccer fields.

Accessories for the park have been ordered and include mats for underneath the swings and new playground equipment and additional benches and trash cans. Two new security lights are operational in the park and Sentry Watch is preparing options for installing additional security cameras.

FINANCIAL REPORT

PUBLIC COMMENTS

„ Haven Medley, manager of 119 North Boutique in downtown Stokesdale, updated the council on plans to close a short section of Ellisboro Road, between Shilling Street and Newberry Road, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 20 for a spring festival being planned by local merchants.

„ Bill Goebel said he had collected more than enough signatures required to run as an Unaffiliated candidate for the District 3 School Board seat in November 2024.

“(Collecting the signatures was) one of the best experiences of my life,” Goebel told the council. “But it was also very difficult and it took a lot of time. There are

53,298 registered voters in District 3, and

I am looking forward to being on the ballot in November.”

OLD BUSINESS

Town Finance Officer Kim Thacker gave an overview of financial activity in March. The general fund balance includes $350,331 remaining in a federal grant the town received from ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) in 2021 and 2022; combining this with investments, checking account balances and sales tax and water enterprise reimbursements, the town has $3,398,191 in current assets.

Sales tax distribution. Jones requested collaboration from his fellow council members before finalizing a resolution requesting Guilford County Board of Commissioners change its method of sales tax distribution so that Stokesdale gets its share of sales tax collected in the county as it once did.

STOKESDALE TOWN COUNCIL

“I don’t like the way the system is,” Jones said. “I think there is some hope of getting the sales tax distribution back through legislators. Along the way, I think it would be a worthwhile endeavor to educate citizens about where their money is going and what needs to change to get it put back a different way.”

Foy confirmed the county changed its method of sales tax distribution about 20 years ago, from the per capita method (based on population) to the ad valorem method (which results in only municipalities that charge a property tax getting a share

from p. 6

of sales tax collected by the county). Jones noted that when that decision was made, the vote was 5-4.

“We pay back a lot of funding we receive from the state to Guilford County for services like animal control… It bothers me that our citizens are paying the sales tax and not getting the benefit,” Jones said.

Foy pointed out the fire district receives $284,000 of its budget based on the ad valorem tax method of distribution, and would not receive this if the distribution were changed back to the per capita method.

“I’m just trying to do what’s best for our little town… if we don’t stick up for our citizens, who will?” Jones asked.

If the county were to change back to the per capita method of sales tax distribution it would lose $12 million in tax revenue, which makes the change

A & B Anders

unlikely, Foy said.

“We need to be careful of what we’re asking for,” Landreth said. Then, directing his comment to Jones, he said, “I want the money back as bad as you do, but I don’t think it’s that simple…”

The council took no action on Jones’s request for collaboration on a resolution to the commissioners.

NEW BUSINESS

Employee insurance. Council agreed to continue paying 85% of the $64 monthly cost of dental, shortterm disability and vision for each full-time employee next fiscal year, with the coverage renewing July 1. The coverage is purchased through the N.C. League of Municipalities, and the rate will remain the same as this year.

Regional Council (PTRC) for $1,304 annual dues.

 3  0 to hire PTRC to update the town’s existing development ordinance and ensure the town is compliant with General Statute 160D, with the provision that changes to the town’s existing ordinance be noted in red.

 3  0 to have staff compile an inventory of closed session minutes that have not been released, with date and purpose of closed session and any allowable description. The inventory was requested to be in council’s hands within one week of the May 9 council meeting.

NEXT MEETING

Thursday, May 9 • 7 pm

Stokesdale Town Hall

8325 Angel Pardue Road

 3  0 to request NCDOT add three roads to its state road maintenance system – Lambert Lake Road, Seven Springs Court and Quail Crossing Road, all in Phase 2 of Old Moores Mill subdivision.

 3  0 to accept the quote of $500/month from Brittany Willard for custodial services at Town Hall and the park, and perform a background check on anyone who assists or substitutes for Willard.

 3  0 to join Piedmont Triad

Transportation Window. At the request of District 3 School Board representative Michael Logan, Jones announced that students of Stokesdale Elementary, Northwest Middle and Northwest High School (as well as 22 other schools in the Guilford County Schools system) who need school bus transportation next fall must register for it by the end of May, regardless of whether they’re new or returning students.

 3  0 to request Wagoner post details about the above requirement for students to be registered for bus transportation on the town’s website and Facebook page.

CLOSED SESSION

Council members offered brief closing remarks before recessing at 9:07 p.m. to go into a closed session with the town attorney and clerk; they reconvened at 10:01 and took no action before immediately adjourning.

Ordinary people, Extraordinary impact

Chili chef combines love of cooking with passion for helping children

by ANNETTE JOYCE

For nearly four decades, Kenny Jones has been tantalizing taste buds with his chili creations. Throughout this time span, he has traversed the nation, participating in diverse CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) cook-offs and championships. These events not only showcase culinary prowess but also function as significant fundraisers for charitable causes.

After reading a newspaper feature article on Camp Carefree about 20 years ago, Jones, now 75, decided to start a community contest aimed at supporting the camp’s fundraising efforts. Situated in Rockingham County, just outside the Town of Stokesdale limits, Camp Carefree offers a free week-long camp experience for children grappling with chronic illnesses and disabilities, along with a separate program catering to their siblings.

Jones’s wife, Joyce, and their core group of friends and fellow chili cooks, Steve and Marie Dixon, John and Lynn Stevens and Ronnie, who has since passed away, and Paula Joyce eagerly embraced the idea of a chili cook-off fundraiser and agreed to participate.

Jones has since earned the moniker “Head Beggar,” but he’s quick to point out that while he is the face of the event, it wouldn’t be successful without his crew. Preparations start in mid-February when he and Steve Dixon make their rounds selling ads for T-shirts, gathering silent auction items and “begging” for donations and volunteers. There’s also live enter-

tainment to be lined up and the distribution of posters and flyers to be organized.

One aspect that doesn’t concern Jones is assembling a lineup of cooks.

“Everyone, including our cooks from out of state, eagerly anticipates joining us at the camp,” Jones said. “They love what they’re doing and take pride in supporting the kids.”

About 17 cooks participated in the inaugural chili cook-off, which also included a silent auction, raffle and bake sale; the group cooked hot dogs and hamburgers and Jones sold T-shirts. They were amazed when the proceeds totaled $6,000, which far exceeded their goal of $1,000.

Last year around 50 cooks showed up, hailing from six states – the farthest being Wisconsin – and the group raised over $21,000 to benefit the camp. Jones estimates that in the past two decades, they have brought in close to $250,000.

With a heart for children, Jones also finds other ways to help them. In recent years he has been involved in the Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program sponsored by his church, Glencoe UMC in Summerfield.

Once a week Jones goes to Bethany Elementary School, where he listens to children read. An avid reader himself, he enjoys sharing his love of the written word with the young students and finds much satisfaction in seeing their reading skills improve.

“The teachers have said they can tell a big difference in these students’ abilities,” he said. “It makes me feel good that I can help someone who might in turn help someone else in the future.”

Besides having volunteers read with the students, the RIF program gives each student six books. When funding ran out for that part of the program this year, Jones donned his cooking cap in February and organized a chili cook-off with the Bethany Fire Department. While the chili cooks competed, the fire department sold hot dogs, hamburgers, cakes and pies to raise more money for the RIF program.

On Saturday, April 20, Jones will complete his 20th annual Chili Championship at Camp Carefree, 275 Carefree Lane, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and has high hopes for setting a new fundraising record.

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Kenny Jones, chili chef and “Head Beggar”

WELCOME to our new advertisers

Thank you to the businesses, organizations and individuals who advertise in the Northwest Observer and make it possible to provide this community resource at no charge to our readers.

Martin’s Pressure Washing

Owner/manager: Martin Kapusnik

What led you to start your business?

My desire for a clean and tidy living environment naturally prompted me to contemplate starting a cleaning business. Upon observing the abundance of dirty homes and businesses in the area, I recognized an opportunity to significantly enhance the appearance and atmosphere of our community. I launched my business in April of 2018 and have been serving the Triad ever since.

What are the main services your business offers?

We provide a wide range of exterior cleaning services for both commercial and residential properties. Our offerings include house soft washing, roof soft washing, commercial building cleaning, concrete cleaning, concrete sealing, gutter cleaning, window cleaning, deck cleaning, fence cleaning, rust removal, and much more.

Tell us about your business and customer service philosophy.

Our business philosophy revolves around prioritizing customer satisfaction with prompt communication,

Life Insurance

Let us do the protecting when you can’t

Proudly serving the Triad since 1963

attention to detail, and a dedicated approach to service. We approach each project with an attitude of gratefulness and respect for the process. We appreciate the opportunity to serve our customers and are grateful to be guests on their property.

What are some of the most rewarding parts of your job?

The joy reflected on our customers’ faces when they see their revitalized property is truly remarkable. In fact, some of my clients have even become emotional, shedding tears of disbelief at the transformation, as they thought their home was “too far gone” to ever look so good again.

What’s something related to your business that people might not know?

Removing algae, mildew, mold and other bacteria from your home not only enhances curb appeal but also promotes better health. Organic bacteria can release spores and other particles into the air, which you and

Baja Lawncare

Owners/managers: Lauren Angel (owner) and Barry Angel (husband and president)

What led to you starting Baja Lawncare?

Barry has loved working outside his whole life. Before starting Baja, he owned a copper wire business, so on weekends he’d spend his time in our yard making it gorgeous. He’s always mowed some on the side because he loves it so much. When he sold his copper wire business about two years ago, we started Baja so he could spend his time making everyone’s yard beautiful. It really is his passion.

What are the main lawn/yard services

Baja Lawncare offers?

We do all aspects of lawncare –mowing, trimming, seeding, fertilizing and everything else that’s needed to make yards green and beautiful. Tell us about your business and customer service philosophy.

your family may breathe in or track into your home. This is especially crucial if you or anyone in your family suffers from asthma, making regular property maintenance essential.

Through your business, do you help support any nonprofits or charitable initiatives?

We allocate a portion of our revenue to support charitywater.org. Clean drinking water is crucial for human life.

On a personal note, would you share a little about yourself?

I was raised in Durham, North Carolina, and relocated to Greensboro in 2017 after meeting my girlfriend, who eventually became my lovely wife. I enjoy spending my down time with my wife and daughter.

See ad on p. 45

As cheesy as it sounds, our philosophy is making our clients’ yards look as good as our own yard does. We love beginning a new yard and seeing the progress it makes because of our hard work. We are very hands-on and love our customers and getting to know them.

What are some of the most challenging parts of your job?

Honestly, the biggest challenge is always the weather.

What are some of the most rewarding parts of your job?

Seeing a yard go from drab and tattered to green and beautiful. We’re also a family-operated business. We have three nephews who work alongside Barry every day and they have a lot of fun together. We’re a close family and it’s rewarding to be able to work with them. I (Lauren) work behind the scenes.

On a personal note… would you

Since her first diagnosis of cancer over 20 years ago, and a second one about five years ago, Lauren Craven has made it her mission to help raise awareness, funds and support for cancer patients and research while living life to the fullest

by PATTI STOKES

GUILFORD COUNTY – Colfax resident

Laura Craven got her first cancer diagnosis in 2003, at age 39. After processing the news, she tried joining a support group but said she “didn’t want to just sit around in a circle and talk about my feelings and the upcoming surgery.”

When a friend later invited her to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life annual event in Greensboro, sponsored by Cone Health, she accepted. Upon showing up that first time, she received a free T-shirt and was encouraged to walk with other cancer patients and survivors who came together to celebrate their lives and the lives of those who had passed.

“That’s when I knew I had found my support group,” Craven said. “These people were celebrating … I loved the celebration and being active and surviving and thriving.”

As she went through her first journey with cancer, she embraced the Relay for Life event and became more involved. By the third year, she had formed her own team and before long, she was invited to join the Planning Committee.

When she got the call about five years ago that she had breast cancer a second time, Craven navigated through

On behalf of Relay for Life of the Triad, Colfax resident Lauren Craven received a Top Performers award from the American Cancer Society at the Denim and Diamonds celebration in Nashville, Tennessee, on Feb. 23. The local Relay chapter raised over $300,000 last year, making it the No. 2 Relay event in the nation for growth and ranking it No. 15 in the nation for total fundraising.

her treatment program and recovery while also navigating through her beloved husband, Bobby’s, journey and eventual death from Alzheimer’s. Through it all, she said she relied even more on her Relay for Life family for support.

But it’s not just about getting support. For Craven, it’s about paying it forward. Over the last 20 years Craven has not only continued, but accelerated her involvement in Relay for Life

Photo courtesy of Laura Craven

Costs still rising ‘right down the line’ after the pandemic

As inflation keeps climbing, so do worries for business owners and complaints by consumers

by

CHRIS BURRITT

NW GUILFORD – The hand-scrawled price list on the wall at Summerfield Feed Mill tells half the story: a pound of Silver Queen corn seed sells for $22.

That’s $4 more than a year ago, according to co-owner Arlene Neal. One morning earlier this week, she filled in the rest of the story, offering an explanation for why prices are stubbornly high and still rising on a wide range of items four years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed high inflation.

Companies are paying more for workers to produce and deliver agricultural supplies, building materials and food for people and their pets.

Transportation costs are also higher, prompting some manufacturers and distributors to tack fuel surcharges on shipment invoices.

“It just comes right down the line,” said Neal, who owns the Summerfield Road business with her brother, Steve, and their niece, Brandi. In December, they joined the trend, adding a 3.5% fee to debit and credit purchases, helping offset higher processing fees. The move prompted some customers to start writing checks, she added.

Higher costs chipping away at profits for companies in northwestern Guilford County and elsewhere are lingering, according to a federal government report last week showing U.S. inflation running at a 12-month rate of 3.5%.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics preliminary report for March marked the third consecutive month for inflation running higher than the Federal

Many consumers are more priceconscious than ever as post-pandemic costs of food, fuel and labor keep prices at the sales register high.

Reserve’s target of 2%.

Higher costs for housing and energy drove inflation up in March. The report raised the prospect that, broadly speaking, prices that dropped steadily in the second half of 2023

may have stalled at an elevated level.

“Prices are still high,” said David Wrenn, owner of Bi-Rite Supermarket in Stokesdale. As an independent business owner, he shops for the best prices among numerous distributors.

Adobe Stock photo

Even so, he’s grappling with prices on a wide range of products having gone up, and staying up.

Wrenn has also witnessed how manufacturers of products, such as cereal, have tried to hold down price increases by shrinking the size of boxes. Coming out of the pandemic, he said, some producers cut back on less-profitable smaller sizes of items, such as bags of dog food.

“I just don’t see them producing the stuff on which they’re not making as much money,” he said.

Customers have definitely noticed, said Wrenn, who spends more time greeting customers in the front of the store than tucked in his office on the six days of the week when he’s working.

“They say ‘this has gone up a lot,’” Wrenn said. Although it’s no consolation to shoppers, he added, that “if they go to other places, they see that higher prices are across the board.”

This past Sunday, Donna Claeys, who owns Summerfield’s Garden Outlet with her husband, Glen, said she was stunned how little nearly $180 bought at Food Lion on her big weekly shopping trip.

“There was no meat and it didn’t even cover the bottom of my cart,” said Claeys, who estimated that she would have spent about $100 for the same groceries before the pandemic.

The Garden Outlet has increased some prices, such as for the delivery of mulch and dirt and for flower arrangements. The increases recognize that costs for fuel, flowers and vases have gone up.

In Oak Ridge, shopping center tenants served by JPC Utilities are bracing for a possible increase in water and sewage treatment services that some said will roughly double their monthly rates.

On the docket of the North Carolina Utilities Commission is a proposed rate increase negotiated by the commission’s public staff and JPC, the utility operated by the Cooke family, owners of Oak Ridge Commons, the Village and Oak Ridge Marketplace.

For Brenda Chaney, owner of Mailboxes & More in Oak Ridge Commons, the rate change would increase her monthly water and sewer charge from about $50 to nearly $100 for the use of a toilet and sink by employees.

...continued on p. 46

WELCOME TO OUR NEW ADVERTISERS

...continued from p. 10

share a little about yourselves?

Barry grew up here in Summerfield but I’m a city girl now living in the country! It’s beautiful out here, but I never would’ve moved this far out of the city were it not for Barry. We have four beautiful girls and we’re a very close family. We’ve just become empty-nesters and although it’s super exciting, it’s also super sad. We’ve always had a house full of kids, including our niece and five nephews! What do you enjoy doing in your downtime?

We love watching sports and are huge Hurricane hockey fans – we absolutely love going to games. We

also enjoy spending time with family and I am a huge reader.

Any fun fact(s) to share?

We came up with our business name “Baja” by combining the first two letters in Barry’s name and our nephew and my brother’s name, Jacob. They are the founders of our business and we wanted to recognize them for their hard work.

See ad on p. 7

CJ Builders – integrating function with beauty

Casey Johnson and his father, Commie Johnson, established CJ Builders in 2005. Since then, the company has constructed top-tier residences across the northwest Guilford region, earning acclaim for their superior craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail, and commitment to realizing their clients’ new home wants and needs.

While upholding these principles, Casey recently announced significant changes underway at CJ Builders. Commie’s retirement to explore new endeavors marks one of those changes, with Josh Marshall, a trusted friend and long-standing business associate of Casey’s, stepping in to assume his role.

A Stokesdale resident, Josh is a Realtor and president/owner of Triad Homes Realty in Greensboro. He will be responsible for handling CJ Builders’s administrative details and

developing new business.

“I’m really excited about what Josh brings to the company,” Casey said. “With him focusing on the administrative side, I’m free to do what I like best, which is being on the construction site doing hands-on work. Plus, it gives me the opportunity to make sure things are done to the homebuyers’ liking.”

Along with adding a new face, CJ Builders is also opening a new office. Located at 7251 U.S. Highway 158 in Stokesdale, this will give the company a convenient place to meet with clients and prospective clients.

While the company is undergoing some changes, one thing will stay the same – CJ Builders will continue to provide top-notch customer service. For both Casey and Josh, that means carefully listening to what their homebuyers want and ensuring their desires are being met.

It also means maintaining an excellent level of communication.

“I strive to be super responsive and always get back to my customers as quickly as possible,” Casey said. “That’s a really big deal for me.”

With an over 20-year successful track record, CJ Builders propelled itself into 2024 on a solid footing.

“We’ve currently got 10 custom homes under construction and are ready to start six more,” Casey said. “But even though we’re busy, we are always willing to take on new clients and provide them with an excellent building experience.”

recently sold out the Belews Ridge community in Stokesdale and the prestigious Pemberly Estates in Oak Ridge.

Along with new home construction, Casey is establishing himself as a successful developer. CJ Builders was part of the development team that

The company is also involved with Honeycutt Reserve in Oak Ridge and is working on plans to develop new communities in Stokesdale.

File photos courtesy of Smith Marketing CJ Builders has been constructing premier custom-built homes since 2005.

CJ Builders owner Casey Johnson (left) and Josh Marshall, who recently joined the company to handle administrative responsibilities and develop new business.

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Building beautiful custom homes in the Triad for over 30 years

Rich and Kathy Dumas began building in the Triad in 1992. Since Rich and Kathy Dumas began R&K in 1992, it has become a respected, multi-gold award-winning company. Having built over 500 homes ranging in price from the $500,000s to $2 million, R&K’s wide range of construction and design types separates them from the others. Rich & Kathy walk you through every detail as they show you their passion for not just crafting homes, but building memories. R&K’s challenge to produce the best never ceases.

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Within the next several months, Northwest Animal Hospital hopes to occupy its new building which is under construction on an outparcel at 1694 N.C. 68 North in Oak Ridge, beside the veterinary practice’s current location and directly behind Starbucks. A site plan approved by the Town of Oak Ridge last August allows for the construction of a 5,441-square-foot professional building.

The veterinary practice was purchased by Oak Ridge resident Dr. Wendy Camp in October 2019, and has continued to grow in the years since. Besides providing routine veterinary care for small animals including dogs, cats and pocket pets, Northwest Animal Hospital can perform a broad range of surgeries in-house, as well as laser therapy and dentistry.

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

Residential rezoning sought for N.C. 150/Strader Road

SUMMERFIELD – Two Strader Road homeowners are seeking the rezoning of 3.2 acres at the corner of Strader and N.C. 150 from business/agriculture to residential.

The rezoning application earlier this week came two months after Summerfield’s Town Council voted unanimously to deny the conditional business rezoning of the property, as

requested by developers Will Stevens and Tim Whelan.

The council’s vote followed the Planning Board’s earlier recommendation to deny the rezoning application, after nearby homeowners complained that medical and other professional offices weren’t suitable for the area.

The April 15 rezoning application

Trust. Compassion. Respect.

by Sterling Strader Road LLC, representing Jessica and Pat Sterling, echoed homeowners’ viewpoint that residential development represents a more appropriate use for the property.

“Recent efforts by business developers at this property emphasize the need to rezone these parcels to maintain a consistent residential corridor, which is desired by the community,” the application said.

The property up for rezoning consists of two parcels. The corner lot is currently zoned for general business (BN). The second parcel wraps around the corner lot and is zoned for agricultural (AG) use.

Rezoning requests in Summerfield face scrutiny in three meetings. In this case, no date has been set for an informational meeting that will give people the opportunity to ask questions about the Highway 150/Strader Road rezoning application, according to Brad Rentz, the town’s planning manager.

Next, probably during its May 20 meeting, the Planning Board will review the application and consider making a recommendation to the council, Rentz said. Based upon that schedule, the council would consider making a final decision on the request during its June 11 meeting.

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Thank you to Nicole Gillespie for sponsoring this issue’s reader photo page

Thank you to Nicole Gillespie for sponsoring this issue’s reader photo page

Going near or far? Be sure to pack up your Northwest Observer and send us your NWO on the go photos! Email your high-res

Velvet Bryant smiles big while holding up the Northwest Observer during her first trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Going near or far? Be sure to pack up your Northwest Observer and send us your NWO on the go photos! Email your high-res photo to: photos@nwobserver.com

Northwest Observer on this beautiful beach in Cabo while on spring break.

Northwest Observer on this beautiful beach in Cabo while on spring break.

April 9 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

as reported by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Mayor Pro Tem

Lynne Williams DeVaney called the monthly meeting to order, with council members Janelle Robinson, John Doggett, Jonathan Hamilton and Heath Clay present.

Mayor Tim Sessoms was absent, as was Town Manager Scott Whitaker, who was out of town for training. As is town policy, since DeVaney was filling in for the mayor, she couldn’t vote on motions except to break a tie.

DeVaney introduced Greensborobased lawyer Jim Hoffman as Summerfield’s new town attorney; he replaces Bob Hornik, who resigned April 1.

By unanimous vote last month, the council hired Hoffman, who had served as a municipal attorney elsewhere, including the city of Greensboro, according to DeVaney. A graduate of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, Hoffman earned a law degree from William and Mary Law School in Williamsburg, Virginia.

CONSENT AGENDA

 4  0 to approve the consent agenda after adding two items to the meeting agenda: a closed session and an update on the hiring of a new IT (information technology) contractor.

The council voted to delay by a month the approval of open and closed session minutes for several previous meetings.

Two other items on the consent agenda were approved: the hiring of West Jefferson, North Carolina, auditor Cynthia Randolph to conduct Summerfield’s annual audit, at a cost of $7,500; and, without discussion, the transfer of $276,000 from the town’s undesignated fund balance to cover three additional expenses – $75,000 for a public relations campaign to express the town’s opposition to potential legislative de-annexation, $1,000 for training and education, and $200,000 for legal services related to de-annexation, personnel and the NAACP’s complaint against the town.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Founders’ Day. This year’s festival, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, May 17-18, is coming together, with all booth space and slots for food vendors taken, according to Dee Hall, the town’s finance officer.

DeVaney said she’s seeking judges among local churches for a cakebaking contest.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Sheriff’s Office. The District 1 office reported it filed 18 case reports in Summerfield last month; there were “no major incidents” in the town, with most reports related to simple assaults and fraud.

Summerfield Fire District. The fire district responded to 122 calls for service last month, including 24 firerelated, 55 EMS-related and 43 others. Personnel also installed 10 child safety seats and six smoke detectors.

COMMITTEE REPORT

to oppose a bill de-annexing nearly 1,000 acres owned by developer David Couch. She based her assessment on feedback from two lawmakers.

“Our voices are being heard,” said Adams, who interacts with legislators as Guilford County’s chair of Moms for Liberty, a nonprofit organization that advocates for parental rights in schools and governmental affairs.

„ Dwayne Crawford said “we need to rally the troops” to fight deannexation.

Opponents should tell legislators that Couch was aware of zoning regulations on parcels of property he bought in recent decades, Crawford said, adding that Couch “just wanted to change the rules” when he twice applied for a text amendment to create a new zoning district that would accommodate Summerfield’s first apartments.

„ District 3 school board member Michael Logan urged residents to attend meetings of the county’s Board of Education, especially an April 24 meeting of school board members and county commissioners to discuss the spending of $2 billion in bond funds.

COUNCIL’S BUSINESS

History Committee. Chair Bruce Petersen reported on several of the committee’s activities, including last month’s hiring of locksmith George Blake who opened a circa-1920s safe that had been in the historic Gordon Hardware building. The safe contained a bank ledger book from now-defunct Standard Theatre Supply. The locksmith retrieved the combination, making the safe usable, Petersen said.

He also reported that committee members spruced up the display of historical memorabilia and materials in Town Hall.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

„ Teresa Pegram urged the council to abandon the extension of the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway through Summerfield, saying not many residents favor the project.

„ Maria Adams reported that Summerfield residents are making headway in persuading state legislators

De-annexation fight. As state lawmakers prepare for the legislative session to get underway April 24, DeVaney said de-annexation opponents “are making progress” in the efforts to keep Summerfield intact.

(See related article on front cover.)

A&Y Greenway delay

 3  1 (Clay opposed) to delay consideration of paying contractor

Kimley-Horn $146,095 to perform additional engineering, surveying and other services for the proposed re-routing of the greenway’s southern leg.

The council voted 3-2 last month to change the route, following the recommendation of the town’s Trails and

Open Space Committee.

As initially envisioned, the trail would exit the U.S. 220 pedestrian tunnel and turn immediately south along the highway toward Lake Higgins. That route follows the watershed and tracks north before connecting with Summerfield Road past the mobile home park.

Partly due to objections from some property owners along the original route, town staff is suggesting altering the course of the trail. As now proposed, it would turn north out of the tunnel, following the sidewalk along Highway 220 before traveling along the eastern side of Summerfield Road, opposite the mobile home park.

During this month’s meeting, Robinson said she favors the trail following the original path because it would connect to the future route of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the Piedmont Greenway. She also reiterated her concern that if the trail were to run along a longer stretch of Summerfield Road than originally planned, it would encroach upon more private land.

Robinson said she brought maps to show the convergence of the trails, but she couldn’t show them because town staff hadn’t set up the overhead projector for the meeting.

She asked the council to delay deciding upon additional funding for Kimley-Horn until next month’s meeting when council members can view the maps. She added that she plans to speak to the Trails and Open Space Committee about returning the A&Y to its original route.

Clay said he favored proceeding with the project since paying KimleyHorn more money would determine the feasibility of the new route, not give the council’s approval of the route.

If the council approves the additional engineering and other

services, it would increase the town’s A&Y contract with Kimley-Horn to $778,478.

Despite the additional costs to determine the feasibility of the new route, Kimley-Horn told the town that rerouting the path along Summerfield Road would “result in significant cost savings in construction due to the reduction of the project length and removal of boardwalks and retaining walls” that would be required if the trail passed through wetlands.

Bandera Farms Park cost update. Pond and Co., the contractor responsible for engineering and construction planning and administration for Bandera Farms Park, provided a cost estimate of $6.66 million, nearly doubling the $3.45 million in grants and other funds earmarked for the hiking and equestrian trail. (See related article on p. 3.)

Board appointments

 3  1 (Doggett opposed) to appoint Kyle Stalls as an alternate on the Planning Board.

During a meeting last month, Stalls said Summerfield “doesn’t deserve the de-annexation” and has since narrated a video stating the town’s opposition to the legislative move.

“He has jumped right in; he has done a lot for the town,” DeVaney said.

Appointing Stalls is “not a good look for the town,” Doggett said, because it creates the appearance that “we are stacking the Planning Board” against Couch and his development plans.

 4  0 to reappoint Andrew

Broom to the Board of Adjustment. Speed limit reduction

 4  0 to endorse plans by the North Carolina Department of Transportation to reduce the speed limit from 55 mph to 50 mph on the stretch of Lake Brandt Road from N.C. 150 to Scalesville Road.

Projects dashboard spreadsheet. Clay presented the rough draft of a dashboard tracking town projects from their start to completion, along with changes in costs over the span of the work.

DeVaney said she had requested the dashboard to track the progression

of major projects, such as Bandera Farms Park, and how money is being spent.

Hall cautioned, however, that “some of the numbers (in the dashboard) are confusing,” partly because the format doesn’t align with budgeted expenditures and doesn’t distinguish actual and projected expenses over multiple fiscal years.

Earlier in the meeting, DeVaney asked Hall whether she could look at town expenses over three to five years and identify line-item surpluses and move those funds to areas where

money is “more needed.” Doing so may reduce spending from the fund balance, DeVaney said.

When she prepares the budget for the upcoming year, Hall said she allocates “only what I think we will use” in the year.

Some projects, such as the development of Bandera Farms Park and the A&Y Greenway, have progressed slower than anticipated by town leaders, leaving unspent money allocated for those projects. However, Hall said she’s reluctant to shift those funds elsewhere in the event the town “jumpstarts” those projects.

Video streaming of meetings. Town staff provided “ballpark estimates” for Facebook streaming of additional meetings, such as the Finance Committee, of $4,000-$5,000 for equipment and installation costing

$1,000-$2,000.

Costs for expanding streaming to more meetings may be greater than initial estimates, based upon staff’s discussion with Oak Ridge, Stokesdale and Jamestown about costs they’ve incurred for the service, according to Hall.

Summerfield already livestreams monthly town council meetings on Facebook.

Future spending on truck. Robinson requested the possible purchase of a new truck be removed from the town’s five-year capital improvement plan.

Summerfield bought a new Dodge Ram truck last year for staff to use when conducting town business, such as for the town’s code enforcement officer to drive when visiting property owners. The town also owns an old Ford truck that staff uses for hauling

and other mundane tasks.

The Ford is green, with an orange light on top of the cab; the new truck is white.

“Every time I drive by Town Hall, the white truck is sitting there,” Robinson said. “I rarely see it used,” making it hard to justify the purchase of another truck, she explained.

The purchase of a new truck isn’t budgeted, according to Hall. The capital improvement plan passed by the council last September included the truck as a potential purchase in the next few years, possibly if “the beater green truck” breaks down and isn’t worth repairing, she said.

Considering the town’s costs are “ballooning,” Hamilton suggested the council review the capital improvement plan in its entirety. Council members suggested conducting the review later this year after the council adopts the

budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.

Doggett questioned revisiting the plan “just passed six months ago.”

“It seems like a lot of work (for staff) if we’re trying to tackle other stuff right now that seems more important than a truck… To me, there are much more pressing things than that,” he added.

New IT contractor. Gray and Creech Office Solutions, the town’s new information technology contractor, has begun work following the retirement of Bill Stone as the town’s longtime IT contractor. So far, the transition has gone well, Hall said.

Closed session. The council entered a closed session to consult with town attorney Hoffman. After reconvening in open session, DeVaney reported the lawyer advised the council on the town’s mediation with Town Manager Scott Whitaker, who is disputing some terms of his employment notice by the council.

With no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:31 p.m.

Ashley Michaels, PA-C and Chase Michaels, PA-C

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OAK RIDGE town council

April 4 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

as reported by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Mayor Jim Kinneman called the monthly meeting to order, with Mayor Pro Tem Mike Stone and council members Ann Schneider, Jim Harton and Michael Greeson present. Daphne Rupard, a member of Oak Ridge Methodist Church, offered the invocation.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Sheriff’s Office. The District 1 office reported there were four car breakins at Town Park last month. The thief or thieves targeted purses, entering two unlocked cars and smashing the window of a third vehicle March 2. Another smash-and-grab incident occurred March 17. Investigators were still following up on leads at the

time of the report.

A more detailed report of activity was not available at the time of the council meeting due to technical difficulties the District 1 office was experiencing, but was later provided to town staff.

Oak Ridge Fire Department. Lt. Jesse Hopper reported the department responded to 65 calls last month, including 31 rescue calls. Personnel completed 576 hours of training.

RESOLUTION

Mike Stone censure

 2  2 In two separate motions, the council deadlocked on votes to reprimand Mayor Pro Tem Mike Stone for uttering “disparaging and profane

comments” about former councilman George McClellan. According to the town’s code of ethics, Stone wasn’t eligible to vote on this matter. (See related article in News Briefs.)

MANAGER’S BUSINESS

 5  0 to update contact information for council members and town staff for the continuity of government plan used by emergency management officials in the event of a disaster in Oak Ridge.

NEW BUSINESS

Conservation Easement Committee update. Chair Stephanie Farrell and Vice Chair Ron Simpson discussed the committee’s mission to assist property owners in obtaining conservation easements to preserve their property and historic structures.

Since its creation in 2019, the committee has worked with Piedmont Land Conservancy (PLC) to preserve land and Preservation North Carolina (PNC) to preserve structures, according to Simpson.

In recent months, the committee has received an easement application from the owner of 17 acres of former farmland and a second application from Terry Hammond and her husband, Roy Nydorf, owners of the historic Sanders-Blaylock house on N.C. 150.

Later in the meeting, Hammond said the couple is seeking a historic preservation easement for the house to preserve the property indefinitely.

Participation in Oak Ridge’s easement program is voluntary by owners of land and structures. While they continue to own their properties, easements prevent the demolition of buildings while limiting development of land, Farrell said.

The town offers Conserving Oak Ridge through Easements (CORE) grants to help owners such as Hammond and Nydorf defray costs

for easements, including expenses for legal documents.

Information about the grants can be viewed on the town’s website, under the “governance” tab on the homepage and the “boards and committees” tab on the drop-down menu.

PLC agreement

 5  0 to enter into a memorandum of understanding and agreement with Piedmont Land Conservancy to help Oak Ridge identify properties suitable for preservation. Options for owners include selling or donating their property or placing easements on it.

Solid waste franchise ordinance

 5  0 to approve the second of two readings of an ordinance renewing the town’s waste collection contract with GFL Environmental for three years.

The new contract allows the contractor up to 3% annual price increases for trash and recycling services, reflecting changes in the consumer price index in the southeastern U.S., according to Town Manager Bill Bruce.

Starting in April, Oak Ridge customers’ monthly rate for trash collection went from $18.65 to $19.21 and from $1.13 to $1.16 for recycling.

Tax collection agreement

 5  0 to approve an amended agreement for Guilford County to collect property taxes in Oak Ridge. Since its incorporation, Oak Ridge has contracted with the county’s Tax Department for this service.

Water system funding request

 5  0 to ask the county’s Board of Commissioners to appropriate $160,000 for costs related to engineering of a water line that would loop through Oak Ridge’s central business district. As proposed, the line would run in a circle along N.C. 68 and 150 and Linville Road, as a later phase of

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Historic Preservation Commission. Chair Debbie Shoenfeld said the commission is exploring ways to help Oak Ridge Elementary School celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Mountains-to-Sea Trail Committee. Chair Anne Steele reported the committee is monitoring and addressing as needed the runoff of mud and debris onto portions of the Headwaters Trail; the runoff is attributed to heavy rain and improper erosion control relating to construction in the Riverside neighborhood.

Special Events Committee. Chair Patti Dmuchowski reported the committee has raised $11,100 in donations from January through March for the second phase of the Veterans Honor Green. As proposed, the second phase envisions creating a reflective area in a shaded section of the veterans’ site.

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Co-chair Adrian Eckenrod reported the opening of Heritage Farm Park is planned for Saturday, May 4, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., and includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Food vendors, music and pony rides will be part of the event as a way to celebrate the opening of the park and honor the heritage of the farmland, according to board member Caroline Ruch.

In addition, the 10th annual Canine Capers is planned for April 27, from 9 a.m. to early afternoon. Proceeds from the event are donated to animal rescue organizations.

Finance Committee. Chair Stuart Mease reported the committee is recommending to the council that Oak Ridge leaves its property tax rate unchanged in the fiscal year starting July 1.

Spencer Sullivan reported that engineering plans for the proposed elevated water storage tank have been completed. State approval of the plans is required before the town can put the project out for bids, he said.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

„ Summerfield Town Council member Heath Clay asked Oak Ridge’s council and residents for support in Summerfield’s efforts to prevent the legislative de-annexation of nearly 1,000 acres. (See related article on front cover.)

„ George McClellan praised the town’s establishment of a municipal water system to aid fire protection and, eventually, to supply water to the business district.

spending of $2 billion in bond funds designated for school construction, renovation and repairs.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

„ As already reported in an article beginning on p. 2 of this issue, Schneider, Kinneman, Harton and Stone offered closing comments about the potential censure of Stone. Greeson didn’t comment further on the issue.

Water Advisory Committee. Chair

„ District 3 school board member Michael Logan urged residents to attend meetings of the county’s Board of Education, particularly the April 24 meeting of school board members and county commissioners to discuss

„ Schneider thanked Rep. Jon Hardister (R-District 59) for his support of Oak Ridge during his tenure in the state legislature from 2013 until his recent resignation. Hardister ran for election for North Carolina Commissioner of Labor, but lost in the Republican primary on March 5. When announcing his resignation as a state house representative late last month, Hardister said he had enjoyed public service but was ready “to rededicate my time to family and working in the private sector.”

EVERY MONDAY IN MAY

z Block party | Morehead UM Church, 3214 Horse Pen Creek Road in northwest Greensboro, will host a block party every Monday in May from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Free outdoor concert and food truck. More info: www.facebook.com/moreheadumcgso.

WEDNESDAYS & SATURDAYS

z Farmers & Specialty Market | Starting Wednesday, May 1, Northwest Guilford Farmers & Specialty Market will be open Wednesday evenings from 4 p.m. to dusk and Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Greensboro Performing Arts, 7200 Summerfield Road. More info: Nicki Wagoner, (336) 817-7765, fromtheearthfm@gmail.com, and see display ad on p. 31.

WEDNESDAYS, STARTING MAY 8

z GriefShare | Oak Ridge First Baptist Church at 2445 Oak Ridge Road will host a GriefShare

meeting every Wednesday, May 8 to Aug. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. More info: www.griefshare.org. Register at www.griefshare.org/groups/175222.

APRIL 19-21, 25-27

z “Emma” | Summerfield Stage Company will present the play “Emma” (adapted by Jon Jory from the Jane Austen novel) April 19-21 and April 25-27 at the historic Ai Church, 1306 N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge. Visit www.summerfieldstage.com to learn more, or purchase tickets at summerfieldstage.ludus.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

z Family Fun Day | Friends of Stokesdale will host its 2nd annual Family Fun Day on April 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities will be set up at Stokesdale United Methodist Church, 8305 Loyola Drive; local merchants will also combine this event with a spring festival in downtown Stokesdale. Enjoy food, music, vendors and activities for the whole family. More info: www.facebook.com/friendsofstokesdale and see article and display ad on page 31.

MONDAY, APRIL 22

z Lions Club | Oak Ridge Lions Club will meet April 22 at Bistro 150, beginning at 6:30 p.m. More info: Jim Kinneman, (336) 207-7166 or

james.kinneman@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

z Food pantry | Good Samaritan Ministries’ food pantry in Stokesdale will open for those in need of food on April 27, 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Gideon Grove UMC, 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road. To receive assistance or to donate to the ministry, contact Terri Johnson, (336) 643-5887 or terrij1957@yahoo.com.

z Canine Capers | The 10th annual Canine Capers, a fundraiser for local canine rescue groups, will take place April 27, starting at 9 a.m. at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive. Spectator admission is free. There will be a dog show, door prizes, food and more. More info: www.facebook.com/oakridgetownpark, call (336) 644-7009 or see display ad on p. 29.

z Make-A-Wish fundraiser | Countryside Village Retirement Center at 7700 U.S. 158 in Stokesdale will host a “Kettle of Wishes” family fun event/fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish foundation on April 27, 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Tickets are $10 and include a pancake breakfast, fire trucks, a petting zoo, bounce houses and more.

More info about the event and sponsorship opportunities: https://one.bidpal.net/akettleofwishes/welcome.

...continued on p. 30

$5 registration per event, per dog

Ribbons and prizes awarded

All-breed fun match dog shows for purebreds, mixed breeds and junior handlers

 Contests for best paw-shaker, ball retriever, treat toss, best puppy dog eyes, smallest dog, largest dog, best vocal performance, best kisser, best tail-wagger, best senior dog

 Pup Cup Ice Cream Eating Contest  Dog maze

 Best Costume Contest  Raffle  Free handling clinic

 Canine Good Citizen test  Nose work Sniff ‘n Go

 AKC Trick Dog Test

 Bark Avenue – featuring merchants, rescue groups and more!

Dogs must be on lead at all times. No registration papers required to enter. Dogs may be spayed or neutered. Dogs that are lame, growl or try to bite will be excused from any class. For more info call (336) 644-7009 or visit

CALENDAR EVENTS

...continued from p. 28

z “Custom Carz at Church” | Stokesdale Christian Church at 8607 Stokesdale Street will host its 10th annual car and motorcycle show April 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Spectator admission is free, and there will be food for purchase, music, games, raffles and more. More info: www.stokesdalechristianchurch.com or call (336) 643-3111.

z Open Fun Show | Piedmont Saddle Club will host a horse show April 27, starting at 9 a.m. at 8001 Leabourne Road in Colfax. Spectator admission is free; horse grounds fee is $20 (no class entry fee). There will be judged classes, games and timed events. Concessions available for purchase. More info and/or to register a horse for competition: www. facebook.com/piedmontsaddleclub.

z Mattress fundraiser | Northwest Guilford High School Band Boosters will host its 9th annual mattress fundraiser sale April 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

at 5240 Northwest School Road. There will be several brands of new mattresses up to 50% off retail price with full factory warranties, delivery available and financing options. More info: www.bit.ly/ beds4nwguilford2024.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1

z Free community meal | Gideon Grove UM Church at 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road in Stokesdale will serve pizza, salad and dessert May 1, 5 to 7 p.m. More info: www.facebook.com/gideongroveumc.

MAY 1, 9, 14 & 16

z Senior programs | Senior Resources of Guilford County will sponsor a senior program including activities and a take-home lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon on May 1 at Oak Ridge First Baptist Church, 2445 Oak Ridge Road; on May 9 at Stokesdale UMC (8305 Loyola Drive); on May 14 at Shady Grove Wesleyan Church (119 N. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax); and on May 16 at Summerfield First Baptist Church (2300

Scalesville Road). More info and/or RSVP: (336) 373-4816, ext. 265.

THURSDAY, MAY 2

z Town Council meeting | Oak Ridge Town Council will meet May 2, starting at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road. Visit www.oakridgenc.com for more info.

FRIDAY, MAY 3

z Movie in the Park | Town of Summerfield will host a free Movie in the Park featuring Disney • Pixar “Elemental” on May 3 at Summerfield Athletic Park, 5200 U.S. 220 N. Gates will open at 7:30 p.m. and the movie begins at 8:30 p.m. (dusk). Kona Ice will be onsite selling shaved ice; there will also be free popcorn. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. More info: www.summerfieldnc.gov.

SATURDAY, MAY 4

z Grand Opening | The grand opening of Heritage Farm Park at 8515 Scoggins Road in Oak Ridge will take place May 4, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music from Tyler Millard Band, free pony rides and the new inclusive playground for kids to enjoy, and food trucks. More info: www. facebook.com/oakridgetownpark, (336) 644-7009 and see display ad on p. 27.

TUESDAY, MAY 7

z Kiwanis Club | Kiwanis Club of Northwest Guilford will meet May 7, starting at 12 noon at Bill’s Pizza, 1431 N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge. More info: nwgkiwanis@gmail.com.

z Summerfield Merchants meeting | Summerfield Merchants Association, which focuses on supporting the Summerfield community, invites area professionals to a meeting May 7, 6:15 to 8 p.m. More info: see display ad on p. 21 and visit www.summerfieldmerchant.com

z Budget workshop | Stokesdale Town Council will hold a budget workshop May 7, starting at 7 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. More info: www.stokesdale.org.

z Friends of Stokesdale | Friends of Stokesdale, a nonprofit committed to preserving Stokesdale’s history and downtown charm, will meet May 7, from

7 to 8 p.m. at Stokesdale UM Church, 8305 Loyola Drive. More info: www.facebook.com/friendsofstokesdale or call Joe Thacker, president, at (336) 708-0334.

THURSDAY, MAY 9

z Town Council meeting | Stokesdale Town Council will meet May 9, starting at 7 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. More info or a meeting agenda: www.stokesdale.org.

FRIDAY, MAY 10

z Veterans’ coffee | Bethel Methodist Church at 8424 Haw River Road in Oak Ridge invites local veterans to a monthly event for coffee and fellowship May 10, starting at 8:30 a.m. More info: Larry McDonald, (336) 215-3141.

z Casino night fundraiser | Oak Ridge Youth Association will host a casino night fundraiser May 10 at The Gardens at Gray Gables, 4105 Oak Ridge Road in Summerfield. The event will include food, drinks, casino gambling tables, a magician and aerial performances on silks. More info and to purchase tickets: www.facebook.com/oryasports.

SATURDAY, MAY 11

z Music in the Park | The Town of Oak Ridge will host Music in the Park on May 11 at Oak Ridge Town Park Amphitheater, 6231 Lisa Drive, with the Special Occasion Band playing beach music from 6 to 9 p.m. There will be several food trucks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for sale. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Admission is free, but donations for the band are appreciated.

MONDAY, MAY 13

z Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club | NGWC will hold its monthly meeting May 13, starting at 7 p.m. More info about the club or to attend as a guest: contact Tiffany Hansen, president, at (336) 404-8038 or tiffanykhansen96@ gmail.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 14

z Town Council meeting | Summerfield Town Council will meet May 14, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. More info: www.summerfieldnc.gov.

Head downtown on Saturday, April 20, for a fun-filled day

Family Fun Day and Spring Festival offer lots of reasons to come to downtown

Stokesdale this Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

by PATTI STOKES

STOKESDALE – Friends of Stokesdale (FOS), a nonprofit dedicated to rejuvenating the downtown area of Stokesdale and preserving its history, will be hosting its second annual Family Fun Day this Saturday, April 20, at Stokesdale United Methodist Church, located at 8305 Loyola Road, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

FOS volunteers will be serving their signature hot dogs starting at 11:30 a.m. until supplies run out, and attendees can enjoy live music performed by the “Only God Choir” and the Northwest High School jazz band, with a DJ keeping the tunes going between performances.

The event aims to foster a sense of community spirit, and will feature simple games – like ring toss – for children, as well as cornhole and other activities.

“People comment to us that they would like to have more social events,” said FOS member Molly Byrd. “We’re not doing this as a fundraiser, we just want to focus on bringing people in the community together.”

Concurrently, 119 North Boutique located on U.S. 158 in downtown Stokesdale has taken the lead in organizing a lineup of events that align with the same goal of community cohesion.

“Several of the businesses downtown also want the community to come together, so they’re planning their event at the same time to give people another reason to come downtown,” Byrd said. “We just want to work together to make this a fun, free family community event.

Anna Freiberg, owner of 119 North

Hot dogs, bounce houses, shopping, giveaways and more will be part of the day’s offerings at two family-friendly events in downtown Stokesdale this Saturday, April 20.

Boutique, said her manager has spent many hours organizing a Spring Festival that will take place in conjunction with the Family Fun Day.

“My manager has spent all her time working with the town and state to get the street shut down,” Freiberg said, adding that her business is funding offduty officers to help with traffic and safety as well as portable bathrooms.

The Spring Festival will be set up on a portion of Ellisboro Road, between Newberry Street and Shilling Street, and will showcase almost two dozen small businesses based in downtown Stokesdale as well as neighboring areas. There will be bounce houses for children, food trucks, shopping opportunities and giveaways.

“As a small business owner, I believe in community events and promoting our area,” Freiberg said. “The town only does the (annual Christmas) parade, so we have to do things to promote business and community.

Adobe Stock photo

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ORYA Casino Night May 10

ORYA.ORG TO REGISTER

For more information about ORYA or to register for upcoming sports and programs, visit

ORYA.ORG

Join Oak Ridge Youth Association in our first annual event. It will be a night to remember with gaming, delicious food and drinks, a magician, aerial performers and a live band. Try your luck at the poker table, roll the dice at the craps table, or spin the wheel at the roulette table.

Support ORYA Casino Night and help us help the community!

Oak Ridge Youth Association not only provides youth the opportunity to participate in sports, but we also value the community and give back in many ways including:

• Replaced the roof and made upgrades/repairs to the concession stand, bleachers and picnic tables at Oak Ridge Elementary School

• Sponsored a student from Africa at Oak Ridge Military Academy

• Upgraded the electrical box to secure the field lights at Oak Ridge Elementary School

• Mow and maintain the fields at Oak Ridge Elementary School and Oak Ridge Military Academy

• Upgraded lighting at Mustang Fitness.

McDonald’s Oak Ridge, 8000 Marketplace Drive

• Updated the bathrooms at Oak Ridge Military Academy

• Teen Leadership program donates to Leukemia Society and other charities

• Donated to the Go Fund Me account for Jaxson Franklin

Hurry! Last chance to purchase tickets!

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Oak Ridge Youth Association thanks McDonald's for sponsoring this page

proud sponsor of Oak Ridge Youth Association

A regular section in the Northwest Observer focused on the youthful matters of northwest Guilford County

Hiding your smile? We can help!

Matthew J. Olmsted, DDS MS

Oak Ridge Commons Shopping Center 2205 Oak Ridge Road, Suite CC (336) 441-7007

olmstedorthodontics.com

NWHS lacrosse game dedicated to memory of Sgt. Dale Nix

(Center of photo) Kelly and Will Nix, wife and son of the late Sgt. Dale Nix, were honored and offered words of support during halftime of Northwest High School’s lacrosse game on Friday, April 5. The game was dedicated to the memory of Sgt. Nix, an Oak Ridge resident who served with the Greensboro Police Department for 23 years. Nix was off duty when he was shot and killed Dec. 30 while intervening in a theft at Sheetz gas station on Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax. Will Nix is a sophomore at Northwest High School and a member of the school’s lacrosse team. Proceeds from game admission and raffle tickets sold on April 5 went to Sgt. Nix’s family. Anyone wishing to donate to the family is invited to email Adam White at nwglacrosse@gmail.com.

Shown in photo (L to R): NWHS assistant lacrosse coaches Ken Saums and Duncan Hillary, Head Coach Dan Tichy, employees of the Guilford County Family Justice Center who worked closely with Sgt. Nix to the left and right of Kelly and Will Nix, NWHS Athletic Director Jason Allred and NWHS Principal Ashley Young.

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

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Student gamers take e-sports from fun to scholarships

Three members of Northwest Middle School’s e-sports club earned a combined $6,000 in college scholarships at a tournament last month

Northwest Middle School’s Viking Voltage e-Sports team celebrates after scoring big at an eSports gaming convention in Raleigh last month and earning $6,000 in scholarships. Team members who participated in the tournament are (front row, L to R) Riley Draime, Evan Gartner, Aidan Heaney, Riley Hutchison, Eli Wadiak, Jack Donnalley, Graham Wong; (back row, L to R) Minh McNicholas (e-Sports coach), Gael Castro, Eli Campbell, Brennen Thomas, Blake Donnalley and Luke Overby. (See story at right.)

by PATTI STOKES

NW GUILFORD – About four years ago, as the world was reeling from the physical and emotional effects of the early onset of COVID-19, Northwest Middle School science teacher Minh McNicholas came up with an idea.

“Near the end of one of the remote learning sessions, one of the kids on my call asked, ‘Mr. M, we can’t go anywhere, so can I just stay in this video class and play some games with other students?’”

Realizing his students’ desire – and need – for more social interaction, McNicholas agreed to create an opportunity for them to “game” together. What initially began with a small group of students playing video games remotely has since blossomed into the formation this year of an e-sports club at the school which has rapidly grown in popularity as well as in structure and purpose.

“We have moved from playing games just for fun to competing at the state capitol in major tournaments,” McNicholas said in an interview last month. When we spoke, he was still on a high after 12 members of the

Viking Voltage e-Sports team competed in the two-day Playthrough Gaming Convention – North Carolina’s largest gaming convention – March 16-17 at the Raleigh Convention Center along with about 1,500 other gamers across a wide span of ages. There, the Vikings e-Sports team scored high marks, with three team members placing in their individual tournament and earning $2,000 each in scholarships.

According to the National Esports Association (NEA), e-sports can open many doors for students, and colleges are now offering scholarship opportunities to grow their e-sports programs.

McNicholas confirms that the benefits of kids participating in e-sports can extend far beyond just fun and games.

“Some of our club members are playing at the competitive and scholastic level,” he said. “A lot of the games they play are similar to those used by doctors and nurses in simulations. Scholastic organizations are seeing the value in kids playing video games, so they have started to put money into kids who play at a higher level, which can indicate extreme focus and

how they perform under high pressure.”

When he first broached the subject of a gaming club, McNicholas said some parents of interested students expressed concerns about their kids already spending too much time at home playing video games.

“But that’s where our club steps in,” McNicholas said. “We actually work on social skills and allowing the students to have that interaction instead of going home and playing games by themselves.”

As the benefits of participating in the club have become more evident, so has the participation. As of last month, the club had 60 members and many friendships have been formed though their time together.

“We’re proud of our school,” McNicholas said. “We wear our T-shirts (with the club logo). The students have their names on the back of their shirts, so they really feel as if they are part of something bigger.”

To learn more about the Viking Voltage e-Sports team, check out their YouTube channel –@VikingVoltageTV.

Pipef ish have long, slender bodies that mimic the shape of sea grass. This helps them to hide from predators.

Thank you to for sponsoring this issue’s Kids’ Korner &

Kids’ Korner

How many pipefish can you find?

Pipefish can camouflage themselves by pretending to be a blade of grass. They will align their bodies vertically and even attempt to sway in rhythm with the rest of the grass.

Pipefish Word Scramble

Unscramble the letters below to create words that relate to the pipefish.

My, what a big nose you have!

Like their seahorse and seadragon relatives, pipefish have a fused jaw which creates a long, pipette-like snout that is used for sucking in their food.

Answer Key water, camoflauge, sea grass, snout, seahorse

Stokesdale

Elementary alumni invited to a ‘Welcome Back’ celebration on May 10

Stokesdale Elementary, 8025 U.S. 158 in Stokesdale, is celebrating 100 years and as part of the planned activities to commemorate this milestone, the PTO and school staff are inviting alumni (young and old) to come to a “Welcome Back” party on May 10, 8:30 a.m. to walk the halls, enjoy donuts and lemonade and sign the 100-year capsule. For more info, email jennklambert@gmail.com.

‘CHANGING CANCER AS WE KNOW IT’

...continued from p. 11

and serves as an event leader. In the months leading up to the annual Relay event in Greensboro, Craven said she volunteers almost full-time and leads monthly committee meetings as well as meets with Relay for Life team captains and participants. In her leadership role, she also does a lot of volunteer training throughout the Southeast region.

With this year’s Relay for Life scheduled for Friday, May 17, details have long been in place, plans are being executed, and fundraising has been taking place throughout the year.

“We have in-kind sponsors and several corporate sponsors – including Jersey Mike’s, which this year chose ACS as the recipient of proceeds from its annual “Day of Giving,” Craven said. “But a lot of our money also comes from the hot dog sales, yard sales and other things the teams do to raise money.”

Craven promotes and attends as many fundraisers as she can and said much of the money raised locally stays in North Carolina, which has several medical schools. She enjoys hearing testimonies from doctors who have received grants and share how they use the funding.

Besides funding research, money raised through Relay for Life is also used to provide support services to cancer patients, from volunteers who take them to doctor appointments and treatments to staffing a 24/7 line for people who just need someone to talk through as they’re

District 3 candidate Why parental rights?

Starfish Plan

going through their journey with cancer.

Craven pointed out the American Cancer Society has changed its logo from what used to be the moon, the stars and the sun, which symbolized the journey of a patient’s cancer path … “you always know the sun is going to come back out,” she said.

The current tag line is “To change cancer as we know it.”

“Maybe it won’t be cured, but maybe it will be like the flu,” Craven said.

On Feb. 23, Craven traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, to receive a reward on behalf of Relay for Life of the Triad. The local chapter raised $322,163.20 last year for the American Cancer Society, ranking it No. 15 in the nation for fundraising and No. 2 for growth. Craven said she was “bursting with pride” at what she and her team of volunteers, along with all the participants in the event, accomplished.

As she prepares for the upcoming Relay for Life event on May 17, she’s put her latest bout with cancer well behind her and says, “I rarely live with a cloud of worrying … I wasn’t celebrating that I got cancer, but I celebrate that I survived it.”

When she’s not volunteering with Relay, Craven enjoys traveling, time with friends, going to the gym, and being outdoors.

“The cancer diagnosis has strengthened my faith and I am so grateful that I am able to do all this,” she said.

Parental involvement with schools is crucial for several reasons:

• Academic Success: Research shows that students whose parents are actively involved tend to perform better academically. When parents are engaged, they provide support and encouragement to help their children succeed in school.

School Curriculum

Parents’ Rights

Local Businesses

Faith Community Government Agencies

• Positive School Environment: Involvement contributes to creating a positive school environment. When parents are active, it fosters a sense of partnership in the community, which can lead to improved morale among students, teachers, and parents.

• Better Communication: Being present facilitates better communication between teachers and parents. This open line of communication keeps parents informed about their child’s progress, and any concerns early on, so teachers can better support students’ needs.

• Behavioral and Social Development: Parental involvement helps improve behavioral and social development because parents are involved in education. This reinforces positive behaviors and teaches important values to help children navigate challenges.

• Higher Graduation Rates: Studies show that students with involved parents are 81% more likely to graduate from high school and pursue better future opportunities.

Overall, parental involvement with schools creates a supportive environment that benefits students academically, socially, and emotionally, ultimately contributing to their overall success in school and beyond.

District

1 Sheriff’s

Office has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest/northern Guilford County ...

ASSAULT / DOMESTIC / THREATS

March 15 | Law enforcement officers responded to a report of communicated threats at Northwest High School.

March 16, 30 | Officers responded to reported domestic incidents on March 16 and March 30 at a residence in the 8400 block of Deer Path Court in Stokesdale (near Oak Level Church Road).

March 17 | An assault was reported in

the 8300 block of Coldwater Road in Stokesdale (off Belews Creek Road).

March 20 | A domestic incident was reported in the 9000 block of U.S. 158 in Stokesdale.

March 21 | Officers responded to a reported domestic incident in the 6500 block of Horseman Trail in Summerfield (off Strawberry Road).

March 26 | A 40-year-old male was arrested in the 6700 block of Ironwood

Circle in northwest Greensboro (near Pleasant Ridge Road) for assault on a female, assault inflicting serious bodily injury (strangulation) and resisting/ obstructing a police officer.

March 31 | Officers responded to a reported domestic incident in the 7700 block of Middle Drive in northwest Greensboro (near Edgefield Road).

April 8 | An assault was reported in the 7900 block of Riding Trail Court in Oak Ridge (off N.C. 68 N).

April 11 | A 34-year-old female was arrested in the 3600 block of Lewiston Road in northwest Greensboro for simple assault.

April 11 | A resident of the 5500 block of Tanyard Court in Oak Ridge (near Oak Ridge Road) reported a known suspect trespassed on his property, threatened to shoot him and damaged some of his property.

April 16 | A 43-year-old female was arrested in the 8900 block of Osage Road in Stokesdale (near N.C. 65) on a charge of domestic violence.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE

April 11 | Officers responded to an attempted suicide via poison in the 2400 block of Hunters Creek Drive in Colfax (near N. Bunker Hill Road).

DEATH INVESTIGATION

March 14 | Officers conducted a death investigation involving an overdose on synthetic drugs in the 7500 block of N.C. 68 N in Oak Ridge.

March 23 | Officers conducted a death investigation involving an overdose on heroin and alcohol in the 1900 block of Ridge Oaks Court in Oak Ridge (near N.C. 68 N).

FOUND PROPERTY

March 14 | A resident reported finding property in the 8300 box of Lakedale Circle in Colfax (near Adkins Road) that included a firearm, ammunition and practice targets.

March 18 | Officers responded to a report of found property in the 2200 box of Scalesville Road in Summerfield including a firearm and ammunition.

March 19 | Officers found drugs and drug equipment in the parking lot of Dollar General on Belews Creek Road in Stokesdale.

March 31 | A vehicle that had been reported stolen was found in the 900 block of Quailmeadow Lane in Colfax (off Boylston Road).

FRAUD

March 14 | A resident of the 3300 block of Rebecca Drive in Summerfield (off Strawberry Road) reported an unknown suspect defrauded her of $7,200.

March 18 | A resident of the 7400 block of Greenlawn Drive in Summerfield (off Pleasant Ridge Road) reported an unknown suspect defrauded her of $4,300.

April 10 | A resident of the 7800 block of Newhaven Drive in Oak Ridge (off Bunch Road) reported an unknown suspect defrauded her of $50.

LARCENY

April 4 | A 41-year-old male was arrested in the 8500 block of Linville Road in Oak Ridge on several counts of “larceny by servants and other employees” and several counts of obtaining property by false pretenses.

PROPERTY DAMAGE

April 6 | Officers responded to a report of two damaged trees in the 800 block of Quailmeadow Lane in Colfax (off Boylston Road).

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

April 2 | A member of Sportsman’s Wildlife Club in Summerfield reported suspicious boat activity.

THEFT

March 14 | A resident of the 400 block of S. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax reported a known suspect stole his tan 2007 GMC Yukon.

March 14 | Two citizens at Oak Ridge Town Park reported an unknown suspect entered their vehicles and stole purses, wallets and personal I.D. items.

March 16 | A resident of the 8400 block of W. Harrell Road in Oak Ridge (off N.C. 68 N) reported an unknown suspect stole a blue cultipacker worth $1,500.

March 16 | A resident of the 1500 block of Trosper Road in northern Greensboro (off Lake Brandt Road) reported an unknown suspect stole several pieces of jewelry and an oxycodone prescription; most of the jewelry was later recovered at local pawn shops.

April 1 | A resident of the 4200 block of Hamburg Mill Road in Summerfield reported a known suspect entered his shed and stole several lawncare tools including backpack blowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers and a pole hedger, worth over $5,000 altogether; some of the tools were recovered at local pawn shops.

April 7 | A resident of the 7100 block of Holly Glen Drive in Stokesdale (near U.S. 158) reported an unknown suspect stole $40 worth of diesel fuel from his motor vehicle.

April 7 | A worker on a construction site in the 7000 block of Lanier Road in Summerfield (near Scalesville Road) reported an unknown suspect attempted a theft of property but was unsuccessful.

April 10 | A resident of the 6800 block of Palomino Ridge Court in Summerfield (near Strawberry Road) reported an unknown suspect broke into her

STALEMATE

...continued from p. 2

“members of the Town Council asked Mr. Stone to make a swift and direct written apology to Mr. McClellan, together with a public apology to the Town Council and Town residents in order to avoid this censure action.” It added that a comment posted by Stone on the Northwest Observer’s Facebook page after the incident on Feb. 1 was publicized “has been deemed insufficient because it did not include a direct apology to Mr. McClellan, taking full responsibility for the comments made, and an apology to this Council and Town residents...over the last nine weeks no sufficient statement has been made by Mr. Stone.”

Earlier this month, before the council voted on the first resolution, Stone read an apology that Harton and Schneider described as insufficient since it didn’t apologize directly to McClellan or the council. Stone replied that “my apology was extended to anyone in our town.”

Harton said he sought Kinneman’s help “in good faith” in writing the original resolution, so he was surprised to learn during the recent council meeting that the mayor was simultaneously

residence through a window in a door and stole several pieces of jewelry, worth over $1,400 altogether.

TRASH DUMPING

April 2 | Officers responded to a report of illegal trash dumping in the 8400 block of Mears Fork Road in Summerfield (off Scalesville Road).

WEAPONS

April 1 | A 26-year-old male was cited during a traffic stop in the 1200 block of N.C. 150 W/Bronco Lane in Summerfield for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.

WELFARE CHECK

March 24 | Officers conducted a welfare check in the 7700 block of U.S. 158 in Stokesdale.

April 5 | Officers conducted a welfare check in the 1700 block of Trosper Road in northern Greensboro (off Lake Brandt Road).

preparing the second resolution.

Harton said he felt “deceived” by Kinneman. The mayor countered that when other council members seek his advice, he responds “honestly and fairly.”

Kinneman referred to his preparation of a substitute motion as “an element of strategy” in deliberations and decision making by the council “as a political organization.”

“I leave here tonight certainly wondering about our town council,” Harton said. “I hope that we do not continue to go backwards with the standards for this council.”

During public comments, Carol Kinneman said she spoke not as the mayor’s wife but as an Oak Ridge resident.

“It is time for everyone, including the elected officials, to remember that every person on the dais has been elected by voters of Oak Ridge with the expectation of working together for the best interests of the town,” she said.

“I believe that all council members have good intentions,” Carol Kinneman added. “Therefore, it is time to make a collective effort to work together to provide guidance to continue making Oak Ridge the town we are all proud of.”

GRINS and GRIPES

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community?

Share your thoughts in 40 words or less email: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com

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

Keep your head up.

„ M&M Tire for always giving back to the community, especially the yearly hot dogs and Bigfoot show on Easter weekend!

„ Ann Schneider, for a great campaign run (for NC House 62 seat). She had tons of support from all of us who know what an incredibly valuable asset she is and has been to Oak Ridge!

the tremendous support he provides for Camp Carefree and the entire community. He always goes above and beyond to make things better.

„ Patti Stokes and her staff at PS Communications for a job well done on the 2024 northwest FINDER.

I love my Finder, and use it constantly. Thanks for putting this directory together!

„ Lowes Foods on Old Oak Ridge Road (northwest Greensboro) for your friendly, helpful staff. There’s always someone nearby to help.

„ Gauldin Plumbing in Stokesdale. Even though they were closed on Good Friday, Cory came right over and fixed my leak and had my water going again. They always provide great service!

„ Current Summerfield Town Council

members for picking up the slack to fight de-annexation after previous Council failed to negotiate properly or hire a PR team.

„ The four ladies with Sandy’s Beauty Shop who made my day when they brought me an Easter basket! Sandy, Hannah, Ashley and Stevie care so much for their customers and community.

„ Mike Stone for showing restraint and dignity while being attacked by (Oak Ridge) council members Harton and Schneider and their supporters.

„ Summerfield’s town manager and his family and staff members for helping get my car out of the ditch after I exited the parking lot at Town Hall and botched my right turn onto Summerfield Road.

„ Mayor Jim Kinneman and Councilman Mike Greeson for exposing the former town council – and especially former mayor Ann Schneider and the Northwest Observer – for burying past stories about George McClellan’s obscene outbursts. Your transparency and holding everyone accountable are appreciated.

„ Oak Ridge Methodist Church for providing an American Sign Language interpreter for the 11 a.m. Sunday service.

„ Carol Kinneman, the Oak Ridge mayor’s wife, for stepping up to the podium during the last meeting and telling the council members to respect one another and work together for Oak Ridge.

„ Ashley Royal, Oak Ridge’s deputy town clerk, for her hard work on our town’s Music in the Park Summer Concert Series! She has reformed our music series and it’s fantastic!

„ Northwest Observer reporters for attending and reporting details of town council meetings. Especially appreciated the last issue that dedicated at least 10 pages to Summerfield’s many ongoing issues; the town’s latest council meeting was so discombobulated it sounded like a kindergarten class.

„ Bi-Rite owner David Wrenn for

„ People who abandon cats when they’ve been taught to depend on their owner for food. Lately, the 9100 block of U.S. 158 has seen an uptick in stray cats. People, don’t get them if you can’t take care of them.

„ The mom who honked, screamed

and pointed at me in the elementary school pickup line (a few weeks ago). Cars go every other. It’s called the zipper method. You can Google it if helps you to understand.

„ The eyesore of peeling plastic and plywood that’s blighting Oak Ridge Park, complete with dumpster and porta-potty. The Council raged at Mustang Fitness until they installed little window grids, but have inflicted “Queen Ann’s Folly” on us for months.

„ Oak Ridge Mayor Jim Kinneman for not holding Mike Stone accountable for his ugly and profane remarks caught on a hot mic against a former council member and citizen.

„ The person complaining about the barking abandoned dog. The person/s who abandoned the dog

are despicable. The complainers’ first priority should have been to find help for the dog. It was probably barking because it was scared and heartbroken.

„ The Henson Forest light pollution. The light coming from your clubhouse can be seen miles away. Read up on the ecological impact and please implement some reasonable shielding to comply with state light trespass guidelines.

„ Mayor Jim Kinneman. He seems to think he solved the sticky problem of Councilman Mike Stone’s very public misbehavior, but his “political” maneuver simply let Stone off the hook, broke trust with another new councilman, and demonstrated very poor leadership.

„ Bar Construction and those responsible for overseeing the construction project of the town-owned building at Oak Ridge Town Park. Aluminum hanging off, flapping in the wind, creating a giant eyesore. Very unprofessional deconstruction.

„ Oak Ridge mayor and mayor pro tem. Your embarrassing behavior will allow Oak Ridge to rival Summerfield for worst council in northwest Guilford.

How low you have taken our town in such a short time.

„ Mayor Kinneman for deceiving two of his colleagues on Council in order to execute his “strategy” to protect his political ally Mayor Pro Tem Stone from censure. Perfect example of politics over principle. Oak Ridge residents deserve more honest leadership.

„ Those who cancelled the car cruise-in at Oak Ridge Commons on the third Tuesday from April to

October. The car owners and spectators patronize all the shops, in particular the restaurants. Only 15 hours for the entire year!

„ Oak Ridge’s new mayor. Lead with strength, not capitulation. Your fumbled focus during the last meeting about an incident that took place outside of the public ear/sight are not relevant today. Focus on the now.

„ Oak Ridge Town Council’s new council members: Stop bickering and start leading. Focus on the future, not past squabbles. Show us how disagreement can lead to progress. Let’s work together for our community’s sake.

UNSTOPPABLE

Tested for every weather extreme

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Friday, May 3, 8:30pm Summerfield Athletic Park (soccer field)

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purchase.

DE-ANNEXATION FIGHT

nearly 1,000 acres in the town.

The state General Assembly convenes next Wednesday, April 24. Although the de-annexation bill had not been placed on the legislative calendar as of earlier this week, state Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger said in February he supports moving the legislation forward. The prospect of a de-annexation vote has mobilized opponents and supporters of de-annexation, part of NC House Bill 5 (HB5).

“If it happens to us, your town could be next,” Summerfield resident and narrator Kyle Stalls said in the YouTube video posted on the town’s website. One element of the town’s $75,000 public relations campaign, the video accompanies mailings to residents in Summerfield and beyond, materials sent directly to lawmakers and plans for a bus trip by Summerfield de-annexation opponents to Raleigh for next week’s opening of the legislative session.

If passed, the bill would open “the floodgates for other NC towns to be disrupted through forced de-annexation,” read a recent mailer to Summerfield homeowners. Enactment would represent the stripping of “power from local municipal governments and citizens.”

Lawmakers are hearing from the other side as well. Summerfield developer

p.

David Couch’s team of lobbyists and lawyers is trying to persuade legislators to support HB5. They’re also contacting small towns across North Carolina, seeking to derail Summerfield’s efforts “to create an army of support before the legislative session begins.”

Couch’s lawyer Tom Terrell goes on to say in a letter he sent last month to Oak Ridge and Stokesdale that Summerfield “is not the victim it will portray itself to be” in advance of the return of legislators to Raleigh.

Terrell noted that the NAACP is challenging Summerfield’s zoning rules as “exclusionary” in violation of state and federal fair housing regulations. Despite the council’s 3-2 adoption of a text amendment last October to accommodate Couch’s plans for Summerfield’s first apartments, the town’s unified development ordinance “is so strict in its requirements and unwieldy in its procedure that only large-lot mansions can profitably be built,” Terrell said.

Summerfield councilman Heath Clay spoke at recent meetings of Oak Ridge and Stokesdale’s councils, seeking their support in urging legislators to oppose HB5.

“I firmly believe that this de-annexation is a threat to all small towns, especially those in our area,” Clay told Oak

Ridge’s council April 4.

The “Killing Summerfield” video echoes that message. If de-annexation occurs, Couch’s land would fall under the jurisdiction of Guilford County and possibly lead to the property being annexed by the city of Greensboro, according to the video.

“Making the property subject to Greensboro’s zoning laws could cram unbelievable amounts of housing units, pavement and urban congestion into this small town, straining our roads, erasing our rural character and effectively killing Summerfield,” the narrator said.

The town embarked on its campaign to persuade legislators last month after an exchange of letters between Summerfield councilman Jonathan Hamilton and Terrell signaled that longstalled negotiations over de-annexation aren’t likely to resume.

In recent months, residents have urged council members to cease squabbling amid the emergence of a divide often pitting four council members – Hamilton, Clay, Janelle Robinson and Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Williams DeVaney – against councilman John Doggett and Mayor Tim Sessoms.

Since last November’s election, the council majority has taken control of the council’s business, including the de-annexation fight.

Last month, former state legislator John Blust said he was encouraged by the town’s efforts to contact legislators in recent months. Despite Berger’s persuasive powers in the Senate, Blust told Summerfield’s council that he believes “the House is ready to vote ‘no’” on HB5.

“This thing has a good chance of going down,” said Blust, who won the Republican primary for the District 62 House seat earlier this month.

Blust cautioned, however, that legislative leaders can tack the de-annexation legislation to another bill and call a vote on it when supporters hold a majority.

„ AUTO SALES & SERVICES

KNIGHT IMPORT SPECIALTY SERVICE

European Auto Service & Repair. Specializing in factory-scheduled maintenance and repairs. BMW, Audi, Volvo, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Mini, and Porsche. 32 years experience. 4559 US Hwy. 220, Summerfield (across from Food Lion). (336) 337-0669

2021 CORVETTE. Removable top, 2,000 miles. Loaded. $87,000. (336) 643-5939.

SAM'S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 965-7955

„ EMPLOYMENT

CONSTRUCTION LABORER position. The specific responsibilities and requirements may vary depending on the company and project. This position will require out-of-state travel. Full-time. If interested please respond to ryand@cardinalmillwork.com

OAK RIDGE SWIM CLUB is now accepting applications for the 2024 season. We are offering competitive wages for lifeguards, cafe workers, cafe cooks, and greeters! See our website for more info or to apply: www.orcaswim.org.

„ PUBLIC NOTICE

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each monthly issue

NEED HELP?

Call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 Mon-Fri • 9am-12:30pm

Place online at INDEX

CHOICE TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE. Oil changes, inspections, alignments and general automotive repairs. 1080 US Hwy 66 S, Kernersville, NC. (336) 992-9002.

Luxury Auto Service

Call EuroHaus for the very best in luxury auto service at (336) 891-3876.

HIRING?

We can help!

COX CUSTOM COATINGS, LLC. Automotive paint and body repair in Oak Ridge. In business 5+ years. We work with all insurance companies. Quality work at an affordable price! Call Kyle Cox, (336) 707-6219

„ EMPLOYMENT

NORTHWEST DAY SCHOOL summer camp youth counselors needed for 10 weeks from June 9-August 16 for children from 6-9 yrs. of age. Located at 3231 Horse Pen Creek Rd., Greensboro, NC. Ages to apply between 17-23 years. Salary is $13/hour. Call Kris at (336) 617-7700 or text (336) 210-1350

STAFF OPENINGS in local childcare center. Need fun, loving, energetic teachers, full- or part-time. Experience preferred but not required. (336) 643-5930.

The GARDEN OUTLET in Summerfield. Looking for bobcat operator, landscaping crew, holiday floral designer. Please call (336) 643-0898 for more information.

Place your classified ad online at www.nwobserver.com

„ HOMECARE NEEDED

CAREGIVER/SAFETY ASSISTANT. Needed on weekday afternoons for severely autistic teenager. $15/hr. Background check required. Send resume to PO Box 622, Summerfield, NC 27358.

„ HOMECARE AVAILABLE

SENIOR HELPERS. Homecare for seniors and others including companion, personal needs, transitional, chronic disease, VA, respite, post-surgery assistance. Can provide house chores as part of service at no extra charge. Knowing your loved one is happy, safe, and cared for is your priority and ours too! Locally owned and operated. Call (336) 893-0300

„ PUBLIC NOTICE

STOKESDALE FIRE DISTRICT INC

Board of Directors interest packets are available for pickup starting on April 1. The board will have four positions available for election during the July 2024 annual meeting. If interested in applying for one of these positions, please pick up your packet at the station, located at 8401 US Hwy. 158. Packets must be returned no later than May 15, 2024, by 4pm in order to be considered.

The annual meeting of the Oak Ridge Fire and Rescue Company, Inc., will be held Monday, June 10, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting will be the election of corporate officers and directors, the presentation of the annual performance and financial reports for the fiscal year ending June 10, 2024, and other business of the corporation. Anyone interested in filing to run for a position will need to contact Gale Long, Administrative Assistant, to obtain and file the appropriate forms. The filing period opens April 11, 2024, and closes May 10, 2024. Those desiring to vote at the meeting must be registered voters in the Oak Ridge Fire District and be listed on the voter registration rolls as maintained by the Guilford County Board of Elections effective as of May 10, 2024. Gale may be contacted at 8325 Linville Road, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 or by telephone at (336) 643-3783

„ SAVE THE DATE

2024 CANINE CAPERS, an event for dogs and their humans. Saturday, April 27, starting at 9am at Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive, Oak Ridge. Dog shows for purebreds, mixed breeds and junior pet handlers. Contests for best dog trick, treat toss, largest dogs and more. Nosework sniff and go. Agility and training demonstrations. Dog-related vendors. Prizes, plenty of food and lots of fun throughout the day. All proceeds go to participating rescue groups.

STOKESDALE COMMUNITY CHOIR

Spring Concert, Saturday, May 4, at 11am. Gideon Grove UMC, 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road, Stokesdale. Free to the public with a special invitation to all veterans. This is a patriotic concert honoring all veterans and their families. Pre-concert music begins at 10:30am. Come early!

„ ESTATE SALE

ESTATE SALE. Fri., Apr. 19, & Sat., Apr. 20. 9am-2pm. Maloe Court, Oak Ridge (near Stafford Mill Rd. & Alcorn Rd.) Furniture, H-D gear, antiques, clothing, tools. Cash or local checks. Watch for signs.

continued on p. 44

„ HOME SERVICES

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

A-ACTION AIR. A/C check-up, $79.95. (336) 268-6768 or (336) 382-3750

CLEANING

CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Quality cleaning/ budget friendly. Pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, (336) 231-1838.

ANNASARAH'S CLEANING. Excellent references. Trustworthy. Family-owned business. Free estimates. (336) 543-3941

MAID-2-SHINE. Excellent service, 15 years experience. Free estimates, excellent references. (336) 338-0223

PAOLA CLEANING SERVICE. Residential & commercial. Insured. (336) 669-5210

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

PLACE YOUR AD: nwobserver.com

DECORATING

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

Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? Call Coble Electric, LLC at (336) 209-1486

BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC

Generac sales and service, Residential & commercial. (336) 298-4192

FLOORING / TILE

MONTERO'S HARDWOOD FLOORING

Installation of hardwood, laminate, carpet & tile; hardwood sanding & finishing. Commercial & residential. Insured, 20 yrs. exp. Free est., excellent references. Visit our new showroom at 605 N. Main St., Kernersville, or Monteros-hardwood-flooring.com, or call (336) 215-8842

Check in with your neighbors: www.facebook.com/northwestobserver

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES

L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE . “We get you mowing!” Comm./res., all models. Oak Ridge, NC. Please call (336) 298-4314 Ltsmeng16@gmail.com

GENERAL HANDYMAN. Repairs, installations, assemblies, etc. Light electrical and plumbing. Yard work and power washing. Insured. No job too small. Give Gordon a call, (336) 253-7700

„ HOME SERVICES

OLD SCHOOL HOME IMPROVEMENTS

New decks, repairs/replacement, wood rot repairs, bathroom remodeling and other home repairs. “No job too small.” (336) 669-7252 See our display ad on p. 7 of this issue (Neighborhood Marketplace).

GARY’S HANDYMAN HOME SERVICES

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

AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIR

Why move when you can improve?

construction well pumps ● plumbing ● foundations sagging floors...and much more!

licensed general contractors

One call fixes all!

(336) 643-1184

APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance

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

CLOCK SERVICE. Free house calls for sick clocks. 8103 Windspray Dr., Summerfield. (336) 643-9931

GRADING / HAULING

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

GUTTERS. Installation of 5” and 6” seamless gutters, downspouts and leaf protection. Insured, free estimates. (336) 362-2099 See our display ad on p. 7 of this issue (Neighborhood Marketplace).

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

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

ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING

Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt, available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035

Direct-mailing the NWO is one of our largest expenses, one of our most important commitments to our readers!

If you live in zip code 27310, 27357 or 27358 and didn’t receive your copy on Thursday/Friday, please email info@nwobserver.com.

GRADING CONSULTANT, Bobby Lipstreu, former owner of H&L Grading. I can match your project to appropriate local contractor. I also provide custom rough-cut cutting with a portable sawmill. (336) 543-7867

„ HOME SERVICES

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

COLFAX LAWNCARE. Core aeration & seeding. Fertilizing, mowing, trimming. Complete lawn care maintenance. Res./comm. Fully insured. Serving the Triad for 35 years. (336) 362-5860

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE

Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. (336) 643-9157

DILLON TREE SERVICE. Certified arborists. BBB accredited. Fully insured. Familyowned. Tree removal and trimming. Available for emergency removals 24/7. Free estimates. (336) 996-6156. www.dillontreeservice.com. info@dillontreeservice.com. See our display ad on p. 38.

DELIMA LAWNCARE. Commercial & residential. Free estimates. (336) 669-5210 See our display ad on p. 20 of this issue.

CM STUMP GRINDING, LLC. Family owned and operated. Commercial/residential. Free quotes! (336) 317-4600

SOUTHERN CUTZ LAWN CARE. Offering complete lawn maintenance services, landscaping, bush hogging, privacy fence installation/repair/staining, and stump grinding. Nathan Adkins, (336) 430-6086

STEVE NEWMAN, TREE SERVICE. FREE EST. 40+ yrs. exp. Fully insured. Any phase of tree work. Natural area thinning and cleanup. Oak Ridge. (336) 643-1119

BRADY LANDSCAPES. BBB accredited A+. A full-service landscape contracting co. Seasonal color, mulch & pine needles. Shrubbery bed installation & renovation. 40 years exp. Fully insured. FREE EST. (336) 621-2383. www.bradylandscapes.com.

EXTERIOR GREENSCAPES. Lawn maintenance service. Call for a free estimate (336) 682-1456

STRAIGHT EDGE LAWN CARE. Free estimates. Please call (336) 306-0274

„ HOME SERVICES

GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE

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

GOSSETT'S LAWNCARE. Complete lawn care/maintenance. Res./comm. Fully insured. In business for 33 yrs. (336) 451-5216

DSL DRAIN SYSTEMS & LANDSCAPING (336) 362-4354

INTEGRITY TREE SERVICE, LLC Tree removal, risk assessment, tree pruning, dead wood removal. Affordable/competitive pricing. Fully insured. Owner-operated. Call for free estimate, (336) 210-8310

HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES

Free estimates. Call (336) 669-5448

WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC

Lawn maint., landscaping. Irrigation/landscape contractor. Hardscaping & landscape lighting. 26 years exp. (336) 399-7764

MASONRY

NEW PHASE CONCRETE. Here for all your concrete needs including pouring driveways, patios, garage slabs, pool decks, etc. Specializing in decorative stamp, stained, epoxy and all other concrete finishes as well. Also offering refurbishment of existing stamped concrete. Make your existing stamped look like new again. (336) 399-1474 or (336) 595-4654

COLONIAL MASONRY. 40 yrs. exp. Specializing in outdoor living spaces; dry-stack natural stone and flagstone. Let us help you plan your patio, fire pit, fireplace, kitchen –or anything else you would like! Call (336) 949-9019. www.colonialmasonry.com.

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS

HOME SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDER Oak Ridge and surrounding area. Will run errands and do light housekeeping. M,W,F. Call (336) 707-4946; ask for Katrena.

„ HOME SERVICES

PE ARMAN QUARRY LCID. Inert debris landfill. Yard waste, concrete, etc. Mulch and fill dirt available. (336) 803-2195 or (336) 558-7673

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

PAINTING & DRYWALL

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

BEK PAINT COMPANY. Residential and commercial professional painting company serving northwest Guilford County and beyond since 1998. www.bekpaintco.com. (336) 931-0600 See our display ad on p. 7 of this issue (Neighborhood Marketplace).

PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR , 40 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. Average BDRM walls $100. Insured. Call Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186.

LAWSON'S PAINTING. Custom decks, pressure washing, boat docks, block fill, wood repair, stain work, textured ceilings, sheetrock repair. Call (336) 253-9089

CARLOS & SON PAINTING. Interior & exterior. 24 hours/7 days per week. Free estimates. Licensed/insured. (336) 669-5210. See our display ad on p. 20 of this issue.

PLUMBING

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

WEBSTER & SONS PLUMBING, Inc (336) 992-2503. Licensed, insured, bonded. 24/7 service. Plumbing, drain cleaning, well pumps. Give us a call, we do it all! Go to www.webstersplumbing.com for more info.

POOLS

„ HOME SERVICES

PRESSURE WASHING

MartinsPressureWashing.com

Roof Soft Washing

House Soft Washing

Driveway Cleaning

Gutter Cleaning

919-931-0856 ● locally owned and operated

Serving the Triad since 2018

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

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

ATTENTION to DETAIL HOME IMPROVEMENTS, LLC is a local Veteran owned & operated small business that offers services such as kitchen & bath renovations, custom glass, siding, electrical, plumbing, painting, flooring, gutters, countertops, window & door replacement, small building demolition, junk/debris hauling, rock/sand/mulch delivery, tree removal, stump grinding, and more. Please call Rob at (904) 476-2492 to schedule a free estimate.

RESTORATION of old barns and log structures. Also new construction of pole barns/ barndominiums. (336) 430-9507

WHITE OAK FINE CARPENTRY. Remodel, custom cabinetry and home repair. Follow us on social media. (336) 497-7835.

The Northwest Observer Sharing news of your community since 1996! www. nwobserver.com

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION, LLC

N.C. general contractor with 30 years experience. Specializing in new homes, room additions, kitchens & baths, garages, decks, vinyl siding and windows, painting, tile, laminate and vinyl plank, and remodeling of all kinds. Quality for the right price. Free est. Please call (336) 362-7469.

JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, outbuildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc. Also can haul mulch. Call (336) 706-8470. continued on p. 46

COX POOL SERVICE. Openings, closings, routine maintenance, weekly service. No contracts; free estimates! (336) 327-5122

„ HOME SERVICES

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

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION

Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, roofing, rotted wood. Senior discount. 44 years exp. (336) 362-6343 or (336) 215-6122

AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS. One call fixes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350

ROOFING

PREMIER CONSTRUCTION ROOFING. All your roofing needs. Residential or commercial. Call (336) 430-9507.

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Lifetime shingle and metal roofing Free estimates. Since 1979. (336) 362-6343 or (336) 215-6122

DUSTIN CLINARD ROOFING. Certified 50-year non-prorated shingle warranty. Certified commercial roof systems and coatings. Offers commercial maintenance as well as shingle, metal and leak repairs. Free estimates. (336) 268-1908

CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC 40 + years experience. (336) 643-8191

„ MISC. SERVICES &

„ MISC. SERVICES

PORTABLE WELDING SERVICE. Welding & fabrication services. Call (336) 908-6906.

WELDING AND TRAILER REPAIR

Call Tim, (336) 402-3869

ATCHISON WELDING. General welding, blacksmithing & custom iron work. Local & honest. Mike Atchison, (336) 486-9837

KIMBERLY THACKER. Accounting & Tax Services for individuals and businesses. Intuit Quickbooks ProAdvisor. See our display ad on p. 7 of this issue (Neighborhood Marketplace).

(affiliated with Stokesdale Storage) locally owned & operated

6705 US Hwy 158, Stokesdale (336) 643-9963

„ MISC. FOR SALE

WESTMINISTER GARDENS burial plots. Section Devotion C-688, #1 and #2 spots. Value is $8,600. Will sell for $4,000 for both spots. (336) 255-3836 or (336) 613-3172

LECTRIC BIKE XP LITE. Like new. $500. Please call, (336) 643-5939

„ MISC. WANTED

$$$ – WILL PAY CASH for your junk / wrecked vehicle. For quote, call (336) 552-0328.

„ MISC. WANTED

Wanted: FARM EQUIPMENT to buy. All kinds. Please call (336) 430-9507

„ PETS/ANIMAL SVCS

PET SITTING. Daytime or overnight. Make your vacations easy with pet sitting by an experienced and compassionate veterinary student. Book now in time for summer. peytonspetcare@gmail.com

WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING, LLC. Certified, bonded & insured. Summerfield/Oak Ridge area. wendycollinspetsitting.com. (336) 339-6845

OUTSIDE CAT needs a good home! He has been neutered and is up to date on all his shots. He was roaming free when we tried to domesticate him. He's gentle, but territorial & strongly resents our other cat. (336) 314-0183

When veterinary care is unavailable or unaffordable, ask for Happy Jack® animal healthcare products. For dogs, horses, & cats. At Tractor Supply®

The Northwest Observer Keeping you connected since 1996!

„ REAL ESTATE

RISING PRICES

...continued from p. 13

Restaurants and other users of a lot of water would pay more, according to Chaney, one of more than 30 tenants who submitted a petition to state regulators objecting to the rate increase.

The potential increase has created what Chaney sees as an opportunity totell retailers’ side of the inflation story.

“We hear people all the time in Oak Ridge saying that restaurants are charging so much and we’re charging so much,” she said. “It would be nice if the people brokerage had an understanding that we’re reacting to prices that keep going up. We’re not greedy people.”

Philip Cooke, who manages JPC and the commercial centers, said in a state filing last year that the utility “should have the opportunity to receive an appropriate level of revenue to enable payment of all expenses while earning a reasonable return.”

The filing noted that JPC Utilities “has never filed for an increase in rates for its water or sewer operations since the Commission granted the franchise and approval of rates on May 30, 2008.”

JPC is operating unprofitably, after years of rising costs, Cooke said in an interview earlier this week.

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

Gated access with 24/7 camera surveillance

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

PIANO LESSONS, all ages and levels. Summerfield area. Patti, (336) 298-4181

We are looking to RENT A BOAT SLIP for the summer on Belews Lake. Please text/call (336) 554-3276 if you have a space.

YARN NEEDED to make children's hats for homeless shelter. Call Beth, (336) 644-8155

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

(336 ) 643-4248

“Finally it just got to a point where the utility was losing so much money that it forced us to go back in and ask for the rate increase,” he said.

On a brighter economic note, the U.S. Labor Department reported last week that employers added 303,000 workers in March, raising the possibility that the economy can withstand

inflationary pressures and keep growing.

In northwest Guilford, homebuyers are still willing to pay higher prices. In its latest quarterly report, the Greensboro Regional Realtors Association (GRRA) said the average sales price of homes in Oak Ridge/ Summerfield and Stokesdale rose in the three months ended Dec. 31.

Prices in Oak Ridge/Summerfield increased 12.4% in the fourth quarter, climbing to $644,269 from $573,276 a year earlier, according to GRRA, citing Triad Multiple Listing Service statistics. Stokesdale prices jumped 10.4% from $395,283 to $436,278.

For northwest-area homebuilders, labor has emerged as the fastest-rising cost, according to Casey Johnson, owner of CJ Builders Inc.

“It doesn’t seem that materials are the issue anymore,” Johnson said. “It’s the labor.”

As an illustration, he said, a painter working for one of Johnson’s subcontractors may be able to command hourly pay of as much as $30 an hour, or

almost double his pay before the pandemic.

“It’s basically a big circle,” Johnson said. “These guys are needing more money because life’s costing them more in general for basic needs, food, housing, shelter and energy. All of that stuff is costing them more, which in essence makes them ask for more money.”

Fortunately, not all prices are rising.

“All of my fish is pretty much stable in cost,” said Drew Lacklen, who owns Oak Ridge’s Ridge Shrimp and Oyster with Brad Hendrix. “My shrimp prices have been the same for about two years.”

Fluctuations in costs help determine the restaurant’s menu, scrawled on a chalkboard behind the bar. The owners put king crab legs back on the menu last year, at $39.95, after rising costs reversed themselves. That allowed the owners to sell the entrée at a price customers would be willing to pay, according to Lacklen.

“Whatever it costs me, I’ve got a formula and that’s the price that goes up on the board,” he said.

A few doors down in Oak Ridge Commons, as Bistro 150 owner Jennifer Mun fried bacon one afternoon last week, she recounted how prices “went

shooting up and then down a little bit and then just stayed there.”

Mun pays about $70 for 10 pounds of bacon, which she says is roughly double pre-pandemic prices. Costs for other foods, such as eggs, salmon and mahi-mahi, have risen by a comparable percentage, she said.

Mun said she’s hopeful, but not confident that costs will start trending downward.

It’s going to be a “slow, slow process” for inflation to get back to a place where consumers aren’t having to think about it in their daily lives, Sarah House, managing director and senior economist at Wells Fargo, told CNN last week.

“Prices are not going to revert to where they were, so the best we can look for is a moderation in the rate at which prices are going up,” House said. “You see some stabilization in some key areas like the grocery store. But overall, you’re still going to see consumers bothered by the current price environment for some time.”

Claeys, of the Garden Outlet, concurred that higher prices are going to stick around. She added, “I think it’s causing people to struggle who shouldn’t be.”

index of DISPLAY ADVERTISERS

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