Northwest Observer l Dec. 12-18, 2019

Dec. 12 - 18, 2019

bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996

www.nwobserver.com Judge Lawrence McSwain (left) prepares to swear BJ Barnes into office as mayor at Summerfield Town Council’s Dec. 10 meeting. To Barnes’ right is his wife, Dena Barnes, who served on the council for 22 years, and close friends Sam Page, Rockingham County sheriff, and Terry Johnson, Alamance County sheriff. Story on p. 23

Sullivan given state’s highest service award

Cherished memories of Christmases past Thanks to the following readers who shared some of their most treasured Christmas memories and traditions (and as always, we invite others to weigh in by emailing your memories and traditions to editor@nwobserver.com). We’ll be back with more in next week’s issue.

by ANNETTE JOYCE  Angela Hoffman of Stokesdale wasn’t really aware of an important family tradition until last year on Christmas morning. “Over the years we had always

IN THIS ISSUE Councils seek funds ......................2 Aviation training in works .............3 Questions/News in brief ...............4 Oak Ridge Town Council ..............6

wrapped the kids’ gifts from me and my husband and Santa had left his gifts unwrapped,” Hoffman said. “Everything was waiting under the Christmas tree for them when they came downstairs.” But last year, Santa got a little ambitious and decided to wrap all his gifts as well. When her children, Kara, 22, and Thomas, 16, saw the packages under the tree, they were a bit put out that things were different. “It was actually kind of funny,” she said. “Needless to say, Santa won’t be wrapping his gifts this year.” Bits & Pieces .................................12 Crime/Incident Report................ 14 Calendar Events ..........................15 Parade/Tree Lighting Photos ......16 Teen finds healing .......................18 Student Profiles ............................20 NWHS Cheerleaders No. 1..........22

 Roger Howerton grew up in Oak Ridge in the 1930s. Back then, Christmas gifts were scarce. “Most of the time we’d get fruit, nuts and candy,” he recalled. “Sometimes we might get a toy.” He does, however, remember two gifts he especially enjoyed receiving on two different Christmases – a hatchet and a “pretty red wagon.” “I was about 6 when I got the hatchet, which was like an axe but smaller,” he said. “I was so proud of

...continued on p. 10 Grins and Gripes .........................24 Comments on Dena Barnes .......25 Letters/Opinions ..........................26 Classifieds ....................................27 Index of Advertisers ....................31 NWO on the Go! ..........................32

Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

Mayor Spencer Sullivan gathers his thoughts after being presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine at Oak Ridge Town Council’s Dec. 5 meeting.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine was presented to the former councilman and mayor on Dec. 5 by PATTI STOKES OAK RIDGE – Not long after the Dec. 5 council meeting got underway, Oak Ridge Town Councilman George McClellan called Mayor Spencer Sullivan to the front of the room and

...continued on p. 26