Northwest Observer February 4 - 17, 2021 by PS Communications / Connect2 NWGuilford

Feb. 4 - 17, 2021

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For high school seniors, lingering virus lowers expectations Students hope they’re allowed to return to classes and ﬁnish their ﬁnal year with a scaled-down prom and graduation ceremony by CHRIS BURRITT NW GUILFORD – Despite the disappointments and disruptions of COVID-19, seniors such as Jay Brennan

aren’t giving up on the last few months of their final year of high school. The Northern Guilford High School senior would like to return to the classroom after he and his classmates have studied from home since last March. Like other seniors, though, he’s adopted a matter-of-fact attitude as the coronavirus upended many fall activities and leaves planning for prom and graduation up in the air.

I don’t know how realistic that is at this point,” Brennan, 17, said in an interview earlier this week. “Either way, if we end in person or online, I think seniors will figure out a way to make it as good as possible.” The Guilford County Board of Education may decide during its monthly meeting next Tuesday, Feb. 9, whether to allow high school and middle school students to return for class-

“Going back would be great, but

IN THIS ISSUE News in brief ...................................................... 2 Your Questions .................................................. 4 Stokesdale Town Council meeting ................ 6 Pets & Critters .................................................... 9 Charlie and me

The (dog’s) NOSE knows: Charlie and NWO writer Annette Joyce continue their quest to perfect their nosework. ...................................... 10 NWO Kids’ Korner .....................................12, 22 Crime/Incident Report .................................. 14 Community Calendar ................................... 15 Student Proﬁles................................................ 18 Grins and Gripes ............................................24 Letters/Opinions ............................................. 27 Classiﬁeds .......................................................28 NWO On The Go / Staycation ...................... 32

...continued on p. 20

‘Getting back to normal – one person at a time’ People who’ve received the COVID-19 vaccine say they’re willing to endure sore arms and some medical unknowns to help eradicate the virus by CHRIS BURRITT NW GUILFORD – Retired nurse Pam Krueger was eager to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine for herself and her husband, DuWayne. “Vaccines are there to help people,” the Summerfield resident said. Dr. Greer Geiger, a retina specialist with the Veterans Administra-

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tion, also received the vaccination. The Oak Ridge resident is encour-

...continued on p. 26

‘It reeks of wrong’ Recently released closed session minutes emphasize council members’ long-term concerns regarding contracted vendor’s pricing, invoice structuring by PATTI STOKES STOKESDALE – Stokesdale Town Council member Jimmy Landreth says the structuring of invoices by one of the town’s vendors had been a concern of his before he was elected to the town council in November 2019, and one of the reasons he initially decided to run for town council. “I didn’t feel like council was being open and transparent and that was part of my motivation (to run for council),” Landreth said in an interview earlier this week. Former council members Tim Jones and Bill Jones had repeatedly questioned the town’s relationship with Beaver Outdoor Solutions, which began in October 2018, after Hurricane Michael blew through the town park and several trees were felled and/or leaning over the sidewalk. Then council member Frank Bruno, who chaired the town’s Property Committee, authorized

...continued on p. 3

NEWS in brief

Zoning Board opposes proposed town hall rezoning Location of proposed Summerﬁeld Town Hall

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Proposed town hall location SUMMERFIELD – A request by the town of Summerfield to rezone 13.4 acres for a new town hall failed to win the support of the town’s Zoning Board. During a special called meeting Jan. 28, the board voted 3-2 against recommending rezoning of the property at 7818 Summerfield Road from two residential classifications – RS-30 and Town Core District – to General Business. The Town Council is scheduled to consider the request during its monthly meeting next Tuesday, Feb. 9. Board Chairman Dick Feulner said he was concerned that rezoning the property for general business may lead to further commercial development that would turn

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U.S. 220 into a “mini Battleground Avenue.” The site is bounded by U.S. 220 to the east, N.C. 150 to the south and Summerfield Road to the west, near the existing Town Hall. Board members discussed the possibility of rezoning the property for conditional general business that would allow the Town Council to restrict actual uses of the property, according to Chris York, the town’s planning manager. If the town withdraws its pending rezoning application or the council denies it, the town would submit a new rezoning request, York said in a recent email. It would go before the Zoning Board Feb. 22 and the council March 9, he said.

Preview: Feb. 4 Oak Ridge Town Council meeting by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Oak Ridge Town Council will consider proceeding with planning for two major projects during its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. this Thursday, Feb. 4. Town Manager Bill Bruce will present the council with a proposal for engineering and design of the expansion of Town Park on the Whitaker property on Linville local since 1996 will also consider Road. The council

approving a proposal for design services and preparation of construction documents for the renovation of the historic Redmon house adjacent to Town Park. Separately, the council plans to consider approving a consultant’s proposal to develop an illustrated design guidebook for enhancing the “village feel” of Oak Ridge’s commercial business district, or town core.

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the landscaping company to remove the trees. When the town later received two invoices totaling $24,400, Tim Jones and Bill Jones argued it had been grossly overcharged for the tree work. Mayor John Flynt and Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks defended Bruno, who said he had considered the leaning trees in Town Park to be an emergency because children were playing nearby and he feared someone might get hurt – or killed. He said he called three companies about getting the trees removed and Beaver Outdoor Solutions, which was a member of Bruno’s business networking group, was the only company that responded promptly and was available to do the work. Months after Beaver’s invoices were paid, Bruno publicly acknowledged he erred in ordering the company to remove the trees without getting an advance quote for the work and without consulting with other council members. Tim Jones and Bill Jones became increasingly frustrated after the March 14, 2019, council meeting, however, when Bruno motioned to approve an annual contract with Beaver Outdoor Solutions, at $845 per week for the 38-week growing season to mow, trim, blow debris, weed, aerate, prune, and provide other services to maintain the town hall and park property. Prior to that, the town had been spending about $11,000 a year to have its property mowed and Bill Jones said he wouldn’t approve spending $30,000 or more per year to maintain town property. Tim Jones concurred, but Bruno’s motion passed 3-2 and the town contracted with Beaver to handle its landscaping and lawncare. Two months later, at the May 9, 2019 council meeting, Bill Jones explained he asked for a discussion item – “spending authority” – to be

placed on the meeting agenda out of concern for how money was being spent and who was authorized to spend it. Specifically, he brought up the town’s payment to Beaver for a $16,000 and an $8,400 invoice for removing trees in the town park the previous fall. The tree work should have cost a fraction of that amount, Jones contended, also saying Bruno did not have the spending authority to order the work be done without council approval. The issue remained a contentious one in the months leading up to the November 2019 election. By that time Bill Jones had vacated his council seat following his move to Kernersville; Tim Jones and Frank Bruno both lost their bids for re-election and Derek Foy, Jim Rigsbee and Jimmy Landreth were elected to the three vacant seats. Since being sworn into office just over a year ago, the three newest council members have questioned the town’s spending policies and procedures, with some of their concerns centering on its dealings with Beaver. The company was the main agenda item in a March 12, 2020 closed session in which Foy, Rigsbee and Landreth all expressed concerns about Beaver’s billing structure. Minutes from the closed session indicate the town clerk agreed Beaver was “not consistent” with its billing, and tended to bill extra jobs along with their weekly contracted services, which required her to send invoices back with a request “to break them down better.” Foy questioned whether the company was structuring invoices to fit under the Property Committee’s spending authority, specifically addressing a $10,000 “estimate” with no details about what work it was for. Thinking it was an invoice, the town clerk, who at that time was also the finance officer, paid it; later, the “estimate” was broken down into five smaller invoices. This article to be continued in our Feb. 18, 2021 issue.

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What exactly are the obligations under the North Carolina and federal mask mandates? What is the obligation of a place of business or a government facility to require them of employees or customers? The answer to this question and other questions about requirements for face coverings can be found in a 10-page executive order issued by N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper on Nov. 23 (2020), which took effect Nov. 25. The executive order was, according to the state’s website, intended to tighten the statewide mask requirement which had been issued last March – “making it clear that everyone needs to wear a mask whenever they are with someone who is not from the same household.” Besides the previously issued face covering requirements covering situations where social distancing of six feet cannot be maintained, Executive Order 180 added the face covering requirement to several additional settings including: • Any public indoor space (this includes restaurants, where patrons are supposed to wear a mask at all times – including at their table – except when they are eating or drinking); • Private indoor space “if anyone else is in that space who is not a member of the same household;” • Gyms, even when strenuously exercising; • All schools, public and private; • And all public or private transportation when travelling with people outside of the household. The following are excerpts from Executive Order 180 … “Face coverings must be worn in all indoor public settings where other individuals may be present, regardless of one’s perceived ability to maintain physi-

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Updated face covering requirements for residents and business owners in North Carolina are outlined in Gov. Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 180, which went into effect Nov. 25. cal distance of at least six (6) feet… “Businesses in North Carolina must do their part to ‘flatten the curve’ of COVID-19 in North Carolina, by ensuring their employees and guests wear face coverings at all times while on their premises, and by denying entry to those guests who do not wear face coverings, unless an exception to the requirement applies; “Face coverings should continue to be worn outdoors when it is not possible to consistently be physically distant, by at least six (6) feet, from non-household members.” As with previous executive orders, Executive Order 180 notes several exceptions

to the face covering requirement – “for example, face coverings are not required for people under 5 years of age, people who have a behavioral condition or disability, or people who are actively eating or drinking.” Under Executive Order 180, there is a penalty for individuals and businesses that do not adhere to the face covering requirements. The penalty, a Class 2 misdemeanor, could result in a fine of up to $1,000 or active punishment. For more info on Gov. Cooper’s face mask mandates, or to view Executive Order 180 in its entirety, visit www.covid19.ncdhhs.gov.

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A C C Im E In P

Ordinary peOPLE,

Extraordinary impact “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall

by ANNETTE JOYCE STOKESDALE – Until a few months ago, it wasn’t uncommon to pass through downtown Stokesdale and see Ted Southern making his rounds. The former owner of Southern Hardware and partner in South Rich, LLC, Southern was often strolling the streets, ducking into a store to touch base with a business owner or riding around in his white pickup truck. Southern, 72, passed away on Jan. 18 after a courageous battle with cancer. In his memory, main street storefronts were recently dotted with fresh flower wreaths to honor a man who meant so much to the town and the people he came in contact with. Over his lifetime, Southern impacted untold numbers of people through his loyal friendship, his willingness to help others and his vision to revive the town of Stokesdale.

partner, said he and Southern were good friends for over 50 years. “(It’s said) that if you have one or two really good friends, you’re very lucky. Ted had dozens of good friends,” Apple said. “I feel fortunate to have been one of those.” The traits that made Southern a good friend also made him the kind of man who wanted to help those in need. Dawn Stone, co-owner of A New Dawn Realty, was on the receiving end when she found herself suddenly without office space in 2011. “He was there for me,” she said. “He just took me under his wing. He had a big heart, and he was a smart businessman.” Stone, who also became a close friend of Southern’s, spoke about the many times he reached out to others.

Stokesdale resident Randy Stewart remembers first meeting a teenage Southern at his family business, Southern Milling Company. The two later played football together in high school and developed a friendship that spanned 55 years. Stewart reminisced about the good times – family vacations, weekly sushi dinners with old friends, as much golf as possible and pinochle games with their dads. “Ted was more like a brother to me,” Stewart said. “He was a friend you could always depend on.” Garfield Apple, another close friend and business

“He helped a lot of people and he didn’t flaunt it. He didn’t do it for show,” she said. Southern definitely didn’t try to draw attention to his generosity, which included providing free space for Good Samaritan Ministries’ food pantry in Stokesdale Business Center, lending a helping hand with the Stokesdale Angel Tree, helping an employee pur purchase a home and providing financial assistance to countless people in need. He also loved the town of Stokesdale and wanted to see it grow and prosper. “Ted had a really good grasp on what most of the townspeople wanted to see,” said Mark Richardson,

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Ted Southern July 26, 1948 – Jan. 18, 2021 his other business partner. Matt Moorefield, owner of MCM Resourcing, met Southern in 2017 when he purchased the building for formerly occupied by Southern Hardware. Within minutes of meeting one another, the two shook hands on a deal. “I immediately respected him,” Moorefield said. “It was just our word and we never had to think of it again.” Bi-Rite owner David Wrenn was another witness to the many things Southern did for the town and its people. “He was the type of person you want as a role model,” Wrenn said. “He was one of those who did stuff out of the goodness of his heart and not for other reasons.”

Thanks to Tire Max for sponsoring this monthly feature in which we recognize “ordinary” people in our readership area who make an extraordinary impact on others. To nominate an “ordinary” person for this feature, email editor@nwobserver.com with their name, a detailed description of how they positively impact others, and your contact info.

STOKESDALE town council

Jan. 14 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS as reported by PATTI STOKES Mayor John Flynt called the meeting to order; due to COVID-19 public gathering restrictions, the meeting was conducted virtually using Zoom.

at its current rate of expenditures; the balance is significantly more than the statewide municipality average of about six months’ coverage.

AUDIT REPORT

Revenue for the 2019-20 fiscal year was about $7,300 less than budgeted, Rouse noted, while operating expenses were about $72,305 less than budgeted.

Rex Rouse, a partner in the Edenbased accounting firm Rouse, Rouse, Rouse & Gardner LLP, presented what he emphasized was an unsigned, preliminary draft of the town’s annual audit. The accountant said his firm could not send the audit to the Local Government Commission until he has received and reviewed minutes from the town’s September through November council meetings (for more on this, see p. 5 of our Jan. 21-Feb. 3, 2021 issue). Rouse said the town has enough in its unassigned general fund balance to cover 5.71 years of operating expenses

General government salaries of $52,362 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, were about $5,000 less than the previous fiscal year. Accounting fees increased from $10,880 in FY 2018-19 to $39,172 for FY 2019-20; legal fees also increased in the same time period, from $18,943 to $47,199. Council stipends increased from $11,647 to $32,256 in FY 2019-20, which Rouse said reflected the council

WHAT they voted on, and HOW they voted: Mayor John Flynt, Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks and council members Derek Foy, Jimmy Landreth and Jim Rigsbee voted on the following items during the Jan. 14, 2021 council meeting…

 5  0: Approve minutes from one council meeting in May and five meetings in June

 5  0: Approve the release of minutes from a March 12 closed session, subject to the town attorney’s redactions, and post them on the town’s website

 5  0: Instruct the town clerk to compile a list of items a contracted

landscaping company will be responsible for and let the council review them before putting the work out for bid

 3  2: Deny (Flynt and Hooks opposed) an appeal Flynt filed in response to a waiver the town’s Planning Board granted having many more meetings. ending June 30, 2020, were up 19%. Capital outlays (for the town park) In the Water & Sewer fund, the total for last fiscal year were $24,037, debt increased from $43,657 to $54,328 compared to $70,398 in FY 2018-19. as of June 30, 2020; revenues decreased Property and grounds maintenance by about $17,000 between FY 2018-19 NEW Land increased from $37,338 in FY 2018-19 Rouse said the town’s ocFY at2019-20; io n to $95,071 last fiscal year. largest water consumers, which in Kernfour ersvCulp, ille used significantly less water include Total expenditures for the fiscal year Qu

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last year because of COVID-19, which accounted for all of the decrease. Expenses in the water and sewer fund decreased about 2% last fiscal year. “The town has no long-term debt and levies no property tax, so you are in an exemplary financial condition, although it has weakened some during the last two years,” Rouse said. After noting the town has done much work to segregate financial duties, which had been a previous recommendation, Rouse then stated, “I can’t release this report by Jan. 31 (deadline for submitting to the Local Government Commission) unless I get meeting minutes from September through November (2020) … the minutes should be released within one month of every meeting.”

 5  0 (in separate votes) to

approve meeting minutes from May 21, June 3, June 11, June 15, June 26 and June 30.

BOARD/ADMIN Water system. Town Clerk Alisa Houk reported 601 water customers had been billed for December and customers used 4,243,778 gallons of water; builders have paid for and placed 20 water meters on hold. Technical, electrical updates. Houk also said Total Computer Solutions is working on some technical kinks with connecting a new computer to the server, and the electrical line is ready for Sentry Watch to hook up the license plate camera in the park. Encroachment documents. The town has received encroachment documents from NCDOT for the road that is coming through the new development on Coldwater Road. Water lines. The developer of Treeline Trails is in the process of asking the town to take over water lines for Phase 1 of the development. Meeting minutes. As of the day of this meeting, minutes from 2020 council meetings through Aug. 13 have been completed, Houk said; minutes from meetings on Sept. 8, 9, 10 and 15, Oct. 3, 8, 20 and 26, Nov. 12 and 19 must be completed and submitted to Rex

Rouse by Jan. 29 for him to meet the Jan. 31 deadline for submitting the audit to the Local Government Commission. “I’m just hitting the high spots and basically noting the line item, the motion, the second and the vote,” Houk said.

Finance Report. Finance Officer Kim Thacker gave the monthly report and noted the town has received $53,000 from Guilford County through the CARES Act; the money is being appropriated for COVID-related expenses the town has incurred, including the purchase of computers and audio and visual equipment. Closed session minutes. Councilman Jimmy Landreth asked Town Attorney Tom Medlin about redactions the attorney had made to minutes from a closed session on March 12. Medlin said he redacted any comments he had made in which he was giving advice – “anything that a third party could use to their advantage ... At this point, it’s not appropriate to release that advice that was given,” he said.

 5  0 to approve Councilman

Derek Foy’s request to release minutes from a March 12 closed session, subject to the attorney’s redactions, and post them on the town’s website. When asked if she had checked into dictation software, Houk said she had tried some software and it worked if she spoke directly to it, but it doesn’t pick up voices from recordings.

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Waiver Appeal Citing Case 20-11-STPL-07659, Medlin explained that an appeal to the Planning Board’s Nov. 19, 2020, approval of a waiver request had been filed by John Flynt on Dec. 3. The waiver to the town’s development standards allows a private lane to serve three lots in a minor subdivision (3.38 acres) on Haw River Road in addition to the four lots it currently serves.

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Responding to Flynt’s appeal in a letter dated Jan. 9, Bill Greco of Land Solutions requested it be dismissed on the grounds that Flynt doesn’t have proper standing and the appeal wasn’t properly filed nor

...continued on p. 8

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FEB. 4 - 17, 2021

TOWN COUNCIL ...continued from p. 7

was the $200 fee paid when it was filed. In determining whether Flynt’s appeal should be dismissed, Medlin advised the council to consider: 1) Whether Flynt had a right to appeal the Planning Board’s decision on behalf of the council. “In this case, I believe the facts are, you have an appeal signed by John Flynt – it doesn’t indicate he is a council member, but at the bottom there is a note asking the town to waive the fee ... there is some evidence he was doing this as a member of the council,” Medlin said. 2) If the council determines Flynt appealed as a council member, it must vote on whether the fee should be waived. When Councilman Derek Foy asked whether the letter to the town planner indicated the appeal was being made by John Flynt as a citizen or by John Flynt the mayor, on behalf of the town council, Medlin said “the clerk sent an email to

Oliver Bass (town planner) and council members and said ‘the mayor is submitting the attached appeal form.’ “I think it’s clear this is not the council’s appeal – this is an appeal by one council member,” Medlin said. “So this is John’s appeal?” Councilman Jimmy Landreth asked, to which Medlin responded, “Correct.” When asked if Flynt would have to recuse himself if or when the council is deliberating over whether to approve his appeal request, Medlin said if any council member believes there has been an error in the law, he/she can participate (in the decision making) if he doesn’t have any financial gain; the attorney also pointed out that a quasi-judicial hearing would need to be held when deciding on the appeal. “That seems a little sticky to me... the town council as the governing body would hear the appeal…” Foy said. Flynt said his duty as a council member is to uphold the federal and state laws that apply to the town of Stokesdale and the town’s Planning Board made three egregious mistakes when grant-

ing a waiver for a driveway requirement on Notees Lane, off Haw River Road. When Flynt began to explain his reasons for appealing the board’s decision, the attorney reminded him that this wasn’t the time to go into the details, but Flynt could state he thought there were mistakes made and gave notice of appeal. Greco of Land Solutions said he understood the governing body has the right to appeal a decision, but procedural steps had been bypassed because the appeal form wasn’t properly dated and the fee wasn’t paid. “The town of Stokesdale has rules and regulations and things you have to check off, and they are taken seriously,” Greco said. “… We’ve asked to see where the governing body had a discussion and put this on the agenda ... it’s all about the validity of the manner in which it’s been filed. We don’t feel procedures have been followed and we shouldn’t be even hearing this. When we (developers and their representatives) turn in forms, request site permits, etc., it has to be by the letter and all fees have to be paid.

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We see this as a one-off action by one member of the governing body.” Flynt insisted his appeal form was submitted within the required timeframe. Landreth sought to clarify that “the governing body” did not file an appeal to the Planning Board’s approval of a waiver and Medlin confirmed that was correct. Had Flynt filed his appeal as a citizen, a $200 fee would have been required. “As a council member, who has asked the full council to waive the fee, you have to decide whether to waive the fee,” Medlin stated. “The way I see it, he was filing as an individual, but he didn’t pay the fee,” Landreth said. Flynt said he asked Bass, the town planner, if he needed to pay the fee and “he assumed I was filing as a member of the council and said basically I would be taking money from the town of Stokesdale and paying it back to the town of Stokesdale.” When Flynt again tried to explain his reason for filing an appeal, Foy said his concern centered on due process,

...continued on p. 31

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

February 2021 a monthly feature of the Northwest Observer

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We’ve reached Elite! by ANNETTE JOYCE It doesn’t seem possible, but my lovable and high-strung lab, Charlie, turned 9 years old this past November. For most of those years, he and I have spent countless hours chasing down odors in classes, workshops, trials and on our own while practicing the sport known as K9 nosework. As a nosework team, we search for specific odors – birch, anise and clove. It’s Charlie’s job to sniff out hidden odors (called “hides”) in four different environments within certain time limits. My job is to correctly declare when he finds the source. This sport has five levels – NW1, NW2, NW3, Elite and the recently added Summit. Each level is progressively more challenging. For me, NW3 is definitely the most difficult. Unlike the others, which required passing only one trial to move to the next level, NW3 required that we pass three separate trials before we could advance. Each NW3 trial included four searches with an unknown number of hides. Miss one hide or call a nonexistent hide and you failed. Charlie and I passed our final NW3 trial last March, the weekend before trials across the country were cancelled due to COVID. We had made it to the Elite level, which many had told us was “the most fun.”

After nearly a year of waiting, we finally struck out on our first Elite adventure a couple of weeks ago on a cold, windy Saturday. Charlie was anxious to go. He always knows when we’re headed to do nosework and watches impatiently as I load up the car with his crate and various paraphernalia we’ll need for the day. As soon as I arrived at the site, I knew this event really was different. Even in the parking lot while we were getting the initial briefing, there wasn’t the usual tension in the air that is often present at these competitions. In previous competitions passing had been contingent on being 100% correct, but Elite events work on a cumulative points system and titles are based on the number of points a person receives. The first title is attained at 150 points and champion status is attained by acquiring 1,000 points. The best part about the Elite level is that the search areas become larger and more challenging. For instance, our first search was an expansive arena in a horse barn, dotted with wagons, trailers and cabinets. Charlie had five minutes to sniff out an unknown number of hides, which we were told ranged from two to seven. Charlie’s body was wiggling with excitement, and his nose was on the trail even before we

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reached the entrance. In the five minutes we were allotted, we found four of the six hides. Actually, Charlie found five hides but I failed to recognize one of the hides was inaccessible even though he ran around the loaded trailer multiple times and even attempted to crawl underneath. Losing those points was completely my fault, and I learned my lesson. When we ended up in the camp’s large dining hall, I was quick to recognize the same behavior when he searched a large stack of tables. This time I made the right call. A third search included a porch, a large patch of grass and various items outside such as garbage cans, watering stations and picnic tables. This time we were told there were four hides and we had three minutes to locate them. We got three of the four before we ran out of time. I admit to having a small meltdown at the fourth search, where there was a large pavilion filled with tables,

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benches, stacks and stacks of chairs, a volleyball net and various other items. Having caught a whiff of the odor before we even reached the shelter, Charlie took off and dragged me across to the other side where he quickly alerted on a bench. We got it. But, when I turned to look back across the area, it was as though I had forgotten why we were even there. With Charlie, my state of mind runs right down the leash. Rather than allowing him to lead the search, I began directing him where to go. Bad idea. We moved aimlessly around the pavilion until I called three false alerts, which meant we had to leave the search area and would have points deducted from our final score. Fortunately, we did find two of the three hides. I could tell there were more by the way Charlie acted. He was not happy at all about having to leave the area and made sure to let me know by whining and pouting while we waited in the car until the next search. At the end of the day all the competitors, masked and socially distanced, gathered outside to learn the number of hides, where they were located and how well we had done. Charlie and I had some penalty points and missed a few hides, but still scored just over 63 points. It was a fun day, and we’re looking forward to the next competition. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another year.

Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show to return April 2-3 ‘We’re in this to give back to the community and bring the community together,’ says ORHSA member After an eight-year hiatus, the Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show is making a comeback. Scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 2-3, beginning at 9 a.m., the event will take place at Steeple Hill Farms, 7000 Belford Road in Summerfield. The weekend event is being produced by the Oak Ridge Horse Show Association (ORHSA), a local organization of volunteers who have set their sights on revitalizing the horse show and bringing back an event that has been rooted in the community’s history since its founding in 1945. According to ORHSA member Richard Isley, the upcoming horse show will feature all the events that have made it so popular in the past – riding competitions, the draft horse pull, mutton

busting, and the Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association (SEBRA) sanctioned bull riding and barrel racing. Isley noted the group plans to add a few surprises, but is waiting to finalize all the details before announcing them to the public. When the show was originally founded, profits were distributed within the community and the association intends to bring back that tradition. “The money that is raised is going back to local nonprofits,” Isley said. “We’re in this to give back to the community and bring the community together.”

want more info? For more information on the event, to volunteer, or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.oakridgehorseshow.org or call Isley at (336) 908-3302 or ORHSA chairman Isaac Bennett at (336) 402-7540. The ORHSA is a 501-C3 organization.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

FEB. 4 - 17, 2021

Kids’ Korner

Can you unscramble these groundhog-themed words? HINT: read the fun facts below to get ideas of what words we may have included here

wrosrbu ___________________________

ilph __________________________

uhwskccodo ________________________

doswha _______________________

suyepuwnnxta ______________________

reyfabru ______________________

Groundhog Day was Feb. 2 and Phil saw his shadow. Get ready for six more weeks of winter! Check out these fun facts about groundhogs: • Groundhogs have many different names. They are also referred to as woodchucks, whistle-pigs, forest marmots and land beavers. • Groundhogs live most of their lives alone. Babies stay with their mothers until they are about two months old, and then they venture out for a life of their own. • Groundhogs live in burrows and are pretty impressive builders. Their burrows are like long, underground tunnels. These burrows can be up to 50 feet long, have multiple levels and even separate rooms. • Groundhogs are pretty amazing hibernators and can be in hibernation for as long as five months. To prepare for this long hibernation, groundhogs feast all summer long. They love to eat plants and vegetables found in gardens (so most gardeners are not big fans of the groundhog). And, believe it or not, during their summer feasts, these 5- to 14-pound animals have been known to eat as much as one pound of food in a sitting (which is needed because they lose a quarter of their body weight when hibernating).

When did groundhogs start predicting the weather? The first Groundhog Day celebration took place Feb. 2, 1887. It all began with a newspaper editor (cool!)

from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and a group of businessmen and groundhog hunters who headed up to Gobbler’s Knob to observe the groundhog. They believed if the groundhog saw his shadow, due to clear weather, he would head back to his burrow and winter would persist for six more weeks; but if he did not see his shadow, due to cloudiness, spring would come early. Since then Punxsutawney Phil, the official Groundhog Day predictor, can be seen at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, each Feb. 2. This year marked the 131st prediction by Phil. Phil has about a 35% - 40% accuracy rate.

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...continued from p. 2 The council also plans to hold a public hearing to gather feedback from residents about a proposed rezoning of nearly 98 acres on the south side of Bunch Road east of N.C. 150. Owners of the property are seeking rezoning of the tract from agricultural to CZ – RPD (Conditional Zoning – Rural Preservation District). The town’s Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously last month to recommend rezoning the property with three conditions, as requested by the applicant: a maximum of 67 lots; an entrance to the development on Bunch Road; and a 20-foot-wide easement on the southern and eastern boundaries of the property for possible trail development. Several homeowners in nearby neighborhoods voiced opposition to the rezoning out of concerns it would lead to increased traffic, stormwater runoff and overcrowding of schools. The minimum lot size would be 20,000 square feet, which is half the size of most lots in Oak Ridge. In exchange for the smaller lots, developer Kevan Combs would set aside about 60 percent of the property as open space. The developer could actually create more lots under RS-40 zoning, which requires lots of 40,000 square feet, by reducing the acreage dedicated to open

space, according to Planning Director Sean Taylor. Several Planning Board members said they favored rezoning the property to restrict the number of lots to 67, despite the allowance of smaller lots. In other business, the council will consider approving the second reading of a proposed ordinance to renew the town’s waste collection franchise agreement with GFL Environmental Services (formerly Waste Industries). Extension of the three-year agreement through March 31, 2024, requires approval of the first reading, followed by a second reading during the council’s meeting Feb. 4. Separately, the council will also consider approving a reduction of the speed limit in Linville Oaks subdivision from 35 to 25 mph, and increasing the rental fees for picnic shelters in Town Park. Finally, the council will consider appointing Jim Harton to the Finance Committee and reappointing John Garrett to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

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want to participate? In-person attendance at Thursday’s meeting will be limited due to public gathering restrictions related to COVID-19. For information about viewing the meeting on the town’s YouTube channel and submitting comments, visit www.oakridgenc.com; instructions can be viewed on the homepage and on the meeting agenda posted on the Town Council tab.

Oak Ridge focuses on deﬁning ‘village feel’ in town core OAK RIDGE – Oak Ridge Town Council wants to define how to better create a “village feel” in the town core, as part of efforts to update the town’s strategic plan. A special called meeting of the Town Council Jan. 21 led to recommendations on how town staff can advance policies in the strategic plan, a blueprint for the town’s development adopted by the council in December 2018. The plan focuses on four areas – recreation, growth and development, infrastructure and preservation. Council members narrowed discussions to topics such as planning for trails, the

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Town Manager Bill Bruce told the With all the time spent at home lately, it’s time to find council that town staff is meeting with a something functional and enjoyable for the whole family consultant on a proposal to create guidelines for the design of future buildings in Oak Ridge’s commercial district “to help define the village feel.” The council decided to pursue the NANCY HESS effort, putting on the agenda for its meet(336) 215-1820 • Nancy.Hess@BHHSYostandLittle.com ing this Thursday, Feb. 4, consideration and possible approval of the consultant’s proposal to develop an illustrated design The FEB. 4 - 17, 2021 13 guidebook for enhancing theNorthwest village feel. Observer • Totally local since 1996

CRIME / INCIDENT report

District 1 Sheriff’s Ofﬁce

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

at 5 p.m. and Jan. 26 at 11:55 a.m. Jan. 28 | A resident of the 9200 block of U.S. 158 in Stokesdale reported an unknown suspect entered her residence by removing an air conditioning unit from a window and stole several items between 2:30 and 8:30 p.m. Jan. 31 | A resident of the 600 block of Rachel Smothers Drive in northwest Greensboro (near N.C. 150 W) reported an unknown suspect entered his garage and stole several items from his unlocked vehicle.

BURGLARY

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Jan. 20 | A law enforcement officer responded at 2:15 a.m. to the sound of gunshots fired during a loud argument in the 7600 block of N.C. 68 N in Stokesdale; a 43-year-old male was subsequently arrested for assault on a female by a male over age 18 and discharge of firearms. Jan. 27 | A resident of the 8100 block of Shoeline Road in Stokesdale (near U.S. 158) reported being assaulted by a known person.

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Jan. 18 | A resident of the 8600 block of Bull Road in Colfax (off N. Bunker Hill Road) reported an unknown suspect stole $960 worth of firearms from his vehicle, which was parked in the driveway, at 2:40 a.m.

Jan. 31 | A 51-year-old male was arrested in the 8800 block of Oak Ridge Road in Oak Ridge for communicating threats and resisting/obstructing a police officer.

Jan. 21 | A Mayodan resident reported an unknown suspect stole $250 worth of building materials from a house under construction in the 5900 block of Pepper Road in Oak Ridge between Jan. 20 at 5:30 p.m. and Jan. 21 at 8 a.m.

Jan. 18 | A 44-year-old male was cited at 2:15 a.m. in the 1500 block of N.C. 68 N/ Linville Road in Oak Ridge for possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance and driving with a revoked license. Jan. 20 | A 51-year-old male was arrested in the 5200 block of U.S. 220 N/Winfree Road in Summerfield for felony possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance with an additional charge for intent to distribute that substance, maintaining a dwelling/vehicle for controlled substances and possession of a firearm as a felon; he was also cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and faulty brake lights. Jan. 28 | A 51-year-old male was arrested in the 8000 block of Marketplace Drive in Oak Ridge for possession of Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances and also cited for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and possession of drug paraphernalia; a 49-year-old male was arrested for possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and cited for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jan. 22 | An employee of Dollar General on National Service Road in Colfax reported an unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the business at 12:45 a.m. and used items in the store to break into the drop safe; cash envelopes containing $1,209 altogether were stolen, along with several cartons of cigarettes with a total retail value of $1,000; the power to the store was also shut off, causing $1,175 worth of food and beverage items to go bad. Jan. 26 | A resident of the 500 block of S. Bunker Hill Road in Colfax reported an unknown suspect broke a window to access his garage and stole four dirt bikes, worth $26,200, between Jan. 25 at 4:30 p.m. and Jan. 26 at 7:30 a.m. A few hours later, another resident in the same block reported an unknown suspect stole his trailer, worth $1,200, between Jan. 25

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

DRUGS

...continued on p. 23

mark your

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FRIDAY, FEB. 5, SATURDAY, FEB. 6 & FRIDAY, FEB. 12

THURSDAY, FEB. 4  Town Council meeting | Oak Ridge Town Council

will hold its next meeting Feb. 4, beginning 7 p.m. Meetings are livestreamed and recorded on the town’s Facebook page and its YouTube channel. Visit www.oakridgenc.com for a complete meeting agenda.

MONDAY, FEB. 8

will have a drive-thru cookie booth set up Feb. 5 at Rio Grande in Oak Ridge, 5 to 8 p.m.; Feb. 6 at Bi-Rite in Stokesdale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Feb. 6 at Stokesdale United Methodist Church, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Feb. 12 at Rio Grande in Oak Ridge, 5 to 8 p.m. Cookies are $5 per box and can be ordered and paid for in advance at Bit.ly/2X7ZwM6 for faster curbside pickup.

Guilford Woman’s Club, a non-profit service organization whose members include women from all walks of life, will hold its monthly meeting Feb. 8 via Zoom. For more information about the organization, visit the group’s Facebook page. To attend the upcoming virtual Zoom meeting as a guest, email terri.johnson@allentate.com for a link.

 Northwest Guilford Woman’s Club | Northwest

SATURDAY, FEB. 6 - SUNDAY, FEB. 7 TUESDAY, FEB. 9 crafters and more from northwest Guilford County and Greensboro will host a virtual art show from Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. to Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. Visit www.eventeny.com/

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one answers screening questions and has a temperature check. Forsyth Pediatrics has also enhanced their cleaning procedures with increased disinfection of high-touch surfaces. Additionally, they are offering video visits, e-visits and electronic lab and records release through the Novant MyChart patient portal. “We have all gone through a lot of changes since COVID came to our world, but we are getting through it together,” Dr. MacDonald said. “Now more than ever, it continues to be our privilege to serve your families and the Oak Ridge community.”

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Youth

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STUDENT PROFILES Thanks to the coaches and teachers at Northern and Northwest High Schools for their student recommendations and input, which make it possible to recognize these talented, dedicated students for their accomplishments in academics, athletics and cultural arts.

NORTHERN GUILFORD Jackson Helms, junior Sport: basketball by MEREDITH BARKLEY By the end of seventh grade, Northern Guilford junior Jackson Helms realized he had a decision to make – focus on either basketball or soccer. He picked basketball, and hasn’t looked back. “I just felt like it was more action packed,” said Jackson, the Nighthawks’ 6-foot-1 point guard and shooting guard. “I like (that) you’re always involved in the play on offense and defense. I like the up tempo about it – pushing the ball and running the floor.” Jackson’s basketball journey began in second grade when his parents introduced him to several sports, giving him the opportunity to figure out which

FEB. 4 - 17, 2021

he liked best. By seventh grade he was playing enough soccer and basketball that he ended up having to back out of tournaments in one sport so he could play tournaments in the other. Something had to give. “They were intertwining with each other a little bit,” he said. He now plays basketball year-round and has had plenty of success with the sport. He picked up MVP recognition with his AAU team, helped his middle school team win a conference title, helped Northern win a title last year and has been tapped for academic allconference the past two seasons. He’s averaged about 16 points through early games this season, a big jump from last year’s average of 6.6 points per game. “I felt like with losing seniors from last year, I’d have to step up my game,” Jackson said. He credits his coaches for creating opportunities for players to find scoring success and for giving them “confidence to be able to shoot the ball.” In the classroom, he particularly enjoys math and art. He likes the challenge of working with numbers, he

said, and art gives him the chance “to be creative and put whatever’s on your mind down on paper.” He’d like to play basketball in college and has attracted interest, he said. He hasn’t decided what he’ll major in, but is leaning toward architecture, which would combine his math and art interests. Away from school, Jackson works at his father’s sign company, which allows him “more quality time” with his dad, who is also his boss.

NORTHWEST GUILFORD Madison Young, sophomore Sport: basketball by MEREDITH BARKLEY Northwest Guilford’s Madison Young figured she had reached a crossroads in her athletic career while in the sixth grade. She was playing basketball for a couple AAU teams and wedging in travel softball. Realizing it had gotten to be too much and something had to go, she decided to give up softball.

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“I love basketball way more,” said Madison, a sophomore who plays point guard and shooting guard for the Vikings. She says she was drawn to the sport as a youngster while watching college basketball with her dad, and started playing basketball in recreational leagues when she was in the third and fourth grades. She later began playing AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) ball and played on her middle school basketball team before joining the Nighthawks’ high school team last year. In more recent years she has committed herself to taking her basketball skills to a higher level. “I started working harder, getting in the gym more, practicing with my trainers more,” she said. She hopes to soon start working with young girls to help them develop their basketball skills and techniques. “I just love the feeling of playing it,” she said of the sport. This year she’s averaging about 13 points a game. Being required to wear a face mask while playing basketball has presented a challenge, Madison acknowledged. But, “I love playing, so it’s nothing I can’t get used to,” she noted. Madison plays basketball for Northwest from November through February

Youth Sync and for a travel team the rest of the year. She still has a few years of high school left, but she’s already set her sights on playing at the college level one day. “That’s my No. 1 goal,” she said. Her college preference? “I’m really open to anything,” she said, then added she’s attracted to the team chemistry she’s picked up on at N.C. State, UNC-Charlotte and Appalachian State. Basketball takes a good chunk of her time, so she doesn’t play other sports at Northwest. She has, however, made time to volunteer with Out of the Garden Project, a Triad-based ministry dedicated to providing food to the hungry. About the time the coronavirus pandemic hit a year ago she was volunteering in the nonprofit’s warehouse. She expects to get back to that this summer. “I really like helping people,” Madison said. “It makes you feel good after you do it.”

Oops! In our last issue we featured Hadley Osborne’s student profile, but mistakenly wrote that she attends Northern Guilford rather than Northwest Guilford High School. We apologize, and wanted to re-run her profile to reflect that she is a proud Viking.

NORTHWEST GUILFORD Hadley Osborne, freshman Sport: swimming by MEREDITH BARKLEY Hadley Osborne recalls once being so scared of swimming that the prospect of it brought her to tears. These days, though, the Northwest Guilford freshman is a standout on the high school’s team, has done well

enough on the Greensboro Community Y (GCY) team to advance to multistate sectional competition, coaches younger swimmers and has her sights set on swimming in college. “Now people can’t take me away ...and demand is HIGH. Now is from it,” said Osborne, who has been a great time to sell. Call me to swimming since age 8. She credits a talk about listing your home. coach who years ago encouraged her Nicole E. Gillespie, SPS to give the sport a try. REALTOR®/Broker “I like competing with people and I like feeling like I’ve done something,” RE/MAX Realty Consultants she said. That “something” includes 336.210.3895 cell winning events and “progressing in my 1.800.965.1893 efax time,” she said. www. NicoleGillespieRealty.com In a meet against Page early in this COVID-shortened season, Osborne won the 200-yard medley and was second in the 100-yard freestyle. Angela Osborne, her mother, described her daughter as “very motivated in everything she does.” That motivation kicks in at 4:15 a.m. on the days Hadley has GCY swim practice, which lasts from 5 to 7 a.m. Her mom drives her to and from practice. Swimming competitively is a commitment. She practices six days a week – six for GCY and one with Northwest’s team. So, there is one day a week she’s practicing with each team. She figures she swims about four miles during practices. “I do enjoy doing it,” Hadley said. “I get tired, but then something comes up and reminds me how much I love swimming.” COVID-19 has had some impact on BASEBALL her sport. Swimmers have to maintain their distance from each other, some SOFTBALL meets are virtual (teams compete SOCCER at separate locations and compare times) and there are no spectators. For BOYS LACROSSE some GCY meets, Angela watches her daughter compete via a computer link. GIRLS LACROSSE Hadley’s year-round routine of practices and competitions take up so much Special thanks to the Town of Oak Ridge for their partnership. time she has little left for other activities. She’s an avid reader, though, and volunteers to help elementary school students improve reading skills. “I do like helping little kids like that,” she said. The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 FEB. 4 - 17, 2021 19 Her favorite subject: biology.

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room instruction. Citing coronavirus concerns, the board voted last month to delay reopening schools for those students for at least three weeks after Jan. 21, the previous return date. School districts across North Carolina are feeling pressure to resume in-person instruction. Flanked by state education leaders, Gov. Roy Cooper said in a press conference earlier this week that “it’s time to get our children back in the classroom” after embracing research that indicates, with safety precautions, the health risks of in-person attendance are lower than state leaders had initially feared. Cooper stopped short of requiring school districts to reopen, saying he wants to give local school leaders flexibility to decide for themselves. The governor also expressed concerns about a recently introduced bill in the

state legislature mandating that districts return to in-person instruction. “I hope they do get to go back in person,” said Patricia Annunziato. Her son, C.J., is a senior at Northwest Guilford High School. “We are a COVIDconscious family, but it’s time to go back as soon as the medical experts say it’s time to go back.” Annunziato said she’s got mixed feelings about her son studying remotely from home since last spring. “I love the extra time with him because I feel like the big world is going to pull him away,” she said. “But I’m disappointed for him that he’s missed out on those typical senior milestones.” A runner on Northwest Guilford’s cross country team, C.J. Annunziato said returning to school would allow

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Photo courtesy of Jan Brennan

From left, Northern Guilford seniors Bradley Gentry, Jay Brennan, Sanya Singh and Jacob Green competed in a “virtual” swim meet last month. They swam at the Greensboro Aquatic Center while their opponents from Morehead High School in Eden swam in a different location.

seniors to see classmates and possibly enjoy traditions such as a senior picnic and graduation together.

“Throughout high school during your freshman, sophomore and junior years, you see how much fun the seniors are having,” he said. “You look forward to doing that, but a lot of that stuff we couldn’t do.” For last year’s senior class, the closing of schools in March meant an abbreviated farewell marked by the cancelation of traditional events such as prom and the shifting of graduation to drive-through ceremonies. This year, seniors are hoping for scaled-down

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

versions of the traditional events. “I’m hoping this year we can find an alternative that gives the best feel of graduation so that we can have it in our memories forever,” said Rachel Goldin, a senior at Northwest Guilford High School. “I want to be able to have that experience that a lot of people before us have had for their senior year.” Rachel’s mother, Jennifer, teaches math at her daughter’s school. She said she’s “cautiously hopeful” that high school students will resume inperson instruction. “As a teacher, it is my goal to get back into the classroom,” she said. “But it has to be done correctly and safely.” C.J. Annunziato said he and his friends have managed to have fun,

shifting to outdoor activities such as basketball and disc golf. At Northern Guilford, Brennan is captain of the swim team, which held some of its meets “virtually” at the Greensboro Aquatic Center, competing against teams which swam in different pools. “The fact that we’re playing sports is super,” Brennan said. “But, we don’t get to see our friends every day.” Jordayne Day, a Northern Guilford senior, runs on the school’s track team. She runs with a teammate and group chats with friends as a break from online classes.

“I miss the environment at school, the social life,” said Day, who serves as secretary of the student council. “At home, you’re confined to the room where you’re doing your work. At school, you’re able to walk the halls and speak to people and go to the cafeteria and go outside and play sports.” A scavenger hunt sponsored by Northwest Guilford’s PTSO last month

attracted more than 50 students. Using an app to photograph and video-record their efforts, seven teams completed 105 missions, such as kissing a lobster and giving flowers to neighbors. Goldin said she and her two teammates bought a live lobster from Harris Teeter and filmed themselves kissing it. Though their team finished fifth in the hunt, Goldin said, “We still won, in a sense, because we had a lot of fun. That is going to create memories.” Goldin said she signed an online petition circulated by fellow Northwest Guilford seniors expressing displeasure about the amount of time students are spending in front of computers for remote learning. It asked Guilford County Schools Superintendent Sharon Contreras and the school board to lessen the hours. The length of live online instruction has gone from three hours, 10 minutes to four hours, 30 minutes a day, according to the petition by the Northwest Student Advocate Group. It said breaks in the schedule extend live instruction to seven hours, 25 minutes, which coupled with homework is “an unbearable amount of time for students and teachers to sit in front of

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their computer screens.” Aside from school work, seniors are applying for college admission and requesting scholarships, an online process that deprives them of inperson help from school counselors. Students said they took SAT and ACT entrance exams last summer wearing masks and gloves, making it harder to write with pencils and turn pages and, generally, creating stress.

“It’s been a roller coaster” for seniors, said Stacy Garner, chair of Northwest Guilford’s counseling department and liaison to the senior class. “It’s a year of needing students to be flexible and rolling with the changes.”

There will be a graduation, an event for them to walk across a stage,” Garner said. “There will be some normalcy.” At Northern Guilford, student body president Annie Badger said she hopes she and other leaders will be able to arrange a prom, even if it’s for seniors only due to virus-related public gathering restrictions.

Garner said she’s urging seniors to

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order caps and gowns for graduation, although it’s unclear how the ceremony will be conducted. Some seniors said they’d prefer for the ceremony to be held in the Greensboro Coliseum’s Special Events Center, as in previous years before COVID-19, or in the high school football stadium, rather than as a drive-through event.

“I think the juniors would be willing to give up prom for the seniors to have it,” said Badger, a junior. “It’s the respectful thing to do since the seniors have lost so much. Two-thirds of their year has been anything but normal.”

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

FEB. 4 - 17, 2021

r e n r o K ’ s Kid

Valentine’s Day - True or False? Decide if each of the statements below are true or false. Then, check on page 31 to see if you’re correct!

1. TRUE or FALSE. More cards are exchanged on Valentine’s Day than any other day of the year. 2. TRUE or FALSE. Teachers receive more Valentine’s Day cards than any other person. 3. TRUE or FALSE. Red roses are the most commonly purchased flowers for Valentine’s Day. 4. TRUE or FALSE. Every Valentine’s Day, around 10 million boxes of chocolates are purchased in the United States. 5. TRUE or FALSE. The only day that beats Valentine’s Day in floral sales is Mother’s Day. 6. TRUE or FALSE. Approximately 10 new candy “conversation heart” sayings are introduced each year for Valentine’s Day.

Can you find the differences?

A few more interesting facts about Valentine’s Day... 1. Hallmark was the first company to mass-produce a Valentine’s Day card in 1913. 2. About 9 million people in the United States buy their pets a Valentine’s Day gift. 3. The oldest known Valentine’s Day card is on display at the British Museum in London. It dates back to the 1400s. 4. An average of 220,000 wedding proposals occur each Valentine’s Day. 5. One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, “Romeo and Juliet,” is set in Verona, Italy. Every Valentine’s Day, the city of Verona receives thousands of letters addressed to Juliet. Volunteers from the Juliet Club respond to each letter and award the “Cara Giulietta” (“Dear Juliet”) prize to the author of the most romantic letter. 6. Lace is often used on Valentine decorations. The word “lace” comes from the Latin laqueus, meaning “to snare or net,” as in to catch a person’s heart.

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Back on the court NW GUILFORD – Earlier this week, Northwest Guilford boys basketball held its first practice since team activities ceased when a “COVID situation” developed following the Vikings’ 75-58 win over Southeast Guilford on Jan. 16.

Following the Southeast game, a Northwest player tested positive for COVID and was quarantined. He is now well, is no longer in quarantine and at the time of this writing

CRIME/INCIDENTS

...continued from p. 14

FRAUD

Jan. 21 | A resident of the 6900 block of Toscana Trace in Summerfield (off N.C. 150 W) reported a known suspect posed as the owner of the resident’s vehicle and sold it for $5,000 on Dec. 22 (2020). Jan. 21 | A resident of the 7700 block of Alcorn Road in northwest Greensboro reported a known suspect used his debit card information to transfer $300 to a cellular cash app on Jan. 8. Jan. 21 | A resident of the 7700 block of Middle Drive in northwest Greensboro (near Edgefield Road) reported her bank called to inform her an unknown suspect put unauthorized charges on her account. Jan. 26 | A resident of the 7900 block of McCreedy Drive in Oak Ridge (near N.C. 68 N) reported a known suspect failed to complete work for which she paid them on Aug. 4 (2020). Jan. 26 | A resident of the 1000 block of Longhorn Court in northwest Greensboro (near N.C. 150 W) reported she entered into a business contract with Helpful Investing LLC in December 2018 and never received a monetary return; the total loss is estimated at $63,000.

THEFT

Jan. 23, 24 | An employee of Lowes Foods in Oak Ridge reported an unknown

was seeking a doctor’s approval to rejoin the team. Northwest (3-1) was scheduled to return to competition this Thursday, Feb. 4, at home against High Point Central (0-8) in its first Metro 4A Conference match-up of the COVIDaltered season. The Vikings have eight conference games between now and Feb. 19, when they’re scheduled to meet Ragsdale at home in the regular season finale.

suspect left the store with $60 worth of unpaid items at 9:30 a.m.; on Jan. 24, the same employee reported another unknown suspect left the store the previous day at 7:45 p.m. with $115 worth of unpaid items. Jan. 27 | A Greensboro resident reported her cell phone, worth $1,000, was stolen from Dollar General in Summerfield; it is believed she left it in the bathroom. Jan. 27 | An employee of Lowes Foods in Oak Ridge reported an unknown suspect left the store at 4:18 p.m. with $7.99 worth of alcoholic beverages that weren’t paid for. Jan. 30 | An employee of Food Lion in Stokesdale reported known suspects left the store at 2:20 p.m. with $150 worth of items they didn’t pay for; charges are forthcoming.

VANDALISM

Jan. 29 | An employee of Dollar General on Belews Creek Road in Stokesdale reported an unknown suspect sprayed graffiti on the side of the building. Feb. 1 | A resident of the 4100 block of Castleford Drive in Colfax (near Leabourne Road) reported a known suspect broke her bedroom door in half.

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Jan. 21 | A 24-year-old male was cited in the 300 block of N.C. 68 N/Old Bryan Blvd in northwest Greensboro for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and a window tint violation.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

FEB. 4 - 17, 2021

GRINS and GRIPES

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community? Share your thoughts in

words or less

online: nwobserver.com e-mail: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com

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

GRINS to...

 Alexandra Santiago, Selby Chipman and Caroline Ruppel for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. What an awesome example to set for our community. Stay proud, brave and strong!  Stokesdale’s deputy clerk, Priscilla Hunsucker, who is always cheerful, helpful and efficient.  The nice young man in a white pickup truck on Linville Road who pulled me and my garbage can out of the side ditch.  Sal Cagno and Stokesdale Parks & Recreation volunteers for organizing the basketball season. This has been

so great for the kids – thanks for your determination to make this happen!  The three boys in the Huntcliff neighborhood who picked up the litter on the empty lot and collected at least two bags of trash and one bag of recycling. Thank you for being great citizens!  Americans who take the responsibility of citizenship seriously by being informed about facts, not propaganda, from multiple legitimate news sources reflecting multiple perspectives. True citizens understand a healthy democracy depends on respectful, informed discourse, not bullying or dogma.  Dennis from Exxon 220 on Sum-

merfield, along with the nice man from Adams Towing who helped us to change our flat tire in the cold on Jan. 26. Good to know good people still exist.  China Gourmet of Oak Ridge for offering delicious take-out food during this pandemic! You’ve had to make necessary adjustments (take-out only/cash only) but we are glad you’re surviving during these tough economic times.  The staff at Northern Elementary! You greet your students with a smile every morning, whether in person or remotely. Your continued focus on students’ mental health and well-being is greatly appreciated. Go Nighthawks!  The Stokesdale cafeteria workers who provide the hard work for our students’ meals. Job well done!  Travis and the gang at State Employees’ Credit Union in Oak Ridge for going above and beyond and even offering curbside notary service.

GRIPES to...

 The landscaping company for a lot of trash flying out of its big red dump truck

on N.C. 68 near the Old Mill. Secure your trash, please... or at least go back and pick it up!  Guilford County Schools for extending the school day for high school students – they will now be spending about 4.5 hours in (remote) class, plus homework. Research advises against being in front of a screen more than 60 minutes at a time.  Northwest Observer editor for continuing to publish the rantings of an obviously mentally disturbed person whose view is distorted. A flag that seeks to honor first responders’ service seems entirely fitting and should offend no one thinking rationally.  The person spreading outdated patriarchal quotes in the gripes of the previous Northwest Observer issue. Are bold and confident women out of your comfort zone?  People who touch all the loose produce at the grocery store. Do you realize there is a pandemic? Those of us watching you are appalled that you are so careless about spreading germs to others. Where are your manners?

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/NorthwestObserver  Lack of cooperation by the owner of the used car lot at U.S. 158 and N.C. 68 in Stokesdale. Guilford County has ordered all vehicles to be removed by Feb. 1. Shame on the owner for not obeying the law.  The Oak Ridge post office employee who was not wearing a mask on several occasions while serving customers. Please have respect for others who are following rules and follow the posted rules on your own door.  Summerfield. Keep your money problems and your town problems in Summerfield. The ETJ is just a disguised anchor to get more taxpayer money in the future because you chose to incorporate. My address is Greensboro, thank you very much!  NWO’s insistence on labeling the blueline flag. Some people even say the American flag is racist! See how crazy everything

can get? Stop trying to divide this country further. The flag shows respect for LEO. Not everything is about race!  The griper regarding being against mask wearing. 405,399 Americans died in World War II. 410,000 Americans have died due to COVID. Be a patriot, wear a mask.  Restaurants that still don’t accept debit/ credit cards and only accept cash. As much as you charge, you can easily pay the credit card fee. Your cash-only requirement has nothing to do with COVID-19.  The local youth association that has turned boys’ lacrosse into a profit sport.  The school traffic on Pleasant Ridge, Summerfield and Centerfield Roads. There has got to be a better traffic flow and solution to this traffic backup. Maybe someone to direct traffic?  Local fast-food restaurants and sports bar that still don’t comply with the

mask mandate. Manager and cooks in the sports bar are sometimes without masks, as well as window crew at fastfood restaurants. We won’t be patronizing them anymore.  Local politicians, intoxicated with themselves and their office, who are trying to impose a completely unnecessary town water system for which Oak Ridge taxpayers will be on the hook in perpetuity. No! No! No!

Outside the … The following reader-submitted GRIPES express opinions about state and/or national topics, and have been separated from the other grins and gripes as a courtesy to those who do not want to read others’ opinions on state and/ or national political and other non-local

topics in a local newspaper.

GRIPES to...

 Those who attended the Jan. 6 Trump rally and protest the “biased” news coverage. You have a right to peaceful congregation, but your presence supported lies, misinformation and great damage to our democracy that led to the attempted coup.  Companies withdrawing service and canceling contracts with Donald Trump supporters. Sounds very similar to reference in the Bible concerning the mark of the beast. Wake up, America, and remember our motto: In God we trust.  The Democrats’ America: “Leaders” who take their oaths of office in a deserted city surrounded by barbed wire and 25,000 soldiers. Show trials of their predecessor. Classifying dissent as sedition and treason. Silencing opponents. Welcome to 1984.

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

FEB. 4 - 17, 2021

VACCINATIONS ...continued from p. 1

aging others to take the same step to slow the spread of what she described as “a really nasty bug.” “I’m trying to expedite the process of getting back to normal, one person at a time,” added Summerfield firefighter Matt Tedder, suffering from a sore arm after getting his second shot earlier this week. Northwest Guilford residents are among more than 13,600 people in Guilford County who’ve gotten the vaccine in a process that’s proven frustrating not only for people who want to get the shots but also for medical providers. A lack of first-dose vaccines from the state forced Cone Health last week to unex-

pectedly reschedule appointments for 10,400 people. Vaccinations are getting back on track this week, after the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said it will supply 2,925 first doses to Cone Health in each of the next three weeks. The shots are available to people 65 years and older. The state agency is also allocating 4,875 doses to the Guilford County Division of Public Health, which administers the shots at the Greensboro Coliseum’s Special Events Center, Mount Zion Baptist Church in Greensboro and the High Point University Community Center. The county agency is sharing some of its doses with Cone Health’s waiting list of recipients.

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“We are pleased that the state acknowledged our request for greater predictability in vaccine allocations by guaranteeing a baseline quantity for the next three weeks,” Terry Akin, Cone Health’s chief executive officer, said in a statement. As of this past Tuesday, Feb. 2, there had been 1,973 COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths reported in Summerfield, Oak Ridge and Stokesdale, according to the state agency’s tally of the postal zip codes in the three towns. Guilford County had reports of 35,355 cases and 415 deaths. The spread of more contagious variants of COVID-19 is creating urgency for administering vaccines. The county’s Division of Public Health said last week it received confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control of its first variant case in the county. The variant originated in the United Kingdom. Due to the variant “being highly transmissible, we are currently conducting contact tracing and will continue to heavily monitor this case,” said Dr. Iulia Vann, the county’s health director. The person suffering from the strain has been isolated, she said. Vann reiterated the widespread advice from medical professionals that people follow the three Ws: wear a face covering, wash your hands and stay six feet apart. Among the medical unknowns in the early months of the vaccines is whether people who’ve gotten the shots can still get the virus. “They’re not sure whether you can still pass it until we’ve gotten enough people vaccinated to get to herd immunity,” Krueger said. Even though she and her husband stay at home except for occasional outings such as doctor’s appointments, she said, “I’m going to take precautions because I care about other people.” In a Facebook post last month, Oak Ridge Town Council member Jim Kinneman described how he and his wife, Carol, lived separately in their home during her quarantine following her COVID-19 diagnosis. She was diagnosed after getting her first vaccine, Kinneman said in an interview earlier this week. “Her symptoms in the range of local sincepossibilities 1996 weren’t too COVID-19

severe: stuffy nose, cough, and feeling punky,” Kinneman wrote on Facebook. Recuperating from home “is not as serious as when you go into the hospital, but I think it is informative how it interrupts your routine and your personal relationship with others,” he said. “Under normal circumstances, someone FaceTiming while in the same house would be a bit ridiculous, but we do it several times a day. I wear a mask anytime I go into her room.” Tedder, the Summerfield firefighter, said he took the vaccine amid wariness and skepticism among some people, including fellow first responders. He’s heard claims – and dismisses them – that administering the shot puts a microchip in people and that the vaccine actually causes COVID-19. “I don’t think you’re 100% immune” from contracting the virus after getting the vaccine, Tedder said. “But I’m not afraid of it. I’m going to live my life.” Getting the vaccine “is a step in the right direction,” he said. “If other people see that it’s helping, maybe we can get back to life as it used to be.” Dr. Geiger said some of her patients and a minority of her co-workers are taking a wait-and-see attitude before getting the vaccine. Among her patients, Dr. Geiger said she’s seen mild side effects such as arm soreness. Some of her patients who had the virus before getting vaccinated had more severe reactions, such as soreness or tiredness that lasted for a day or two, she said. “We’re dealing with a virus that’s not like anything we’ve encountered before,” Dr. Geiger said. “If you have the flu, you know it. With COVID-19, there’s a high percentage of people who don’t show symptoms, yet it’s highly contagious.” The virus “is mutating, so the sooner we can shut down its ability to replicate the better,” she said. “The vaccine provides a mechanism to slow that spread.” A refusal by some people to wear masks and follow other precautions helps explain why the number of COVID-19 cases is rising, according to the doctor. “It takes a unified effort to shut this thing down,” she said. “Right now, we’re not doing that. We’ve got to act like a family and work together.’’

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COVID killed my field trips In May 2019, my fourth-grade class went to Raleigh. This field trip was the single best of my life (so far). The fact that we were allowed an exclusive tour of the North Carolina Capitol Building Senate Chamber was great. Last year in March, COVID hit. I was in fifth grade. We were going to Charlotte for a whole day in May, but COVID cancelled it. This year I’m in sixth grade, and we can’t go on any field trips. Along with not being able to go to friends’ houses, it makes it a lot worse. While supply is low and demand high, it might be hard for everyone who wants it to get it right now. However, I feel like I still have to vouch for getting the COVID vaccine. If you are thinking about not getting the vaccine, please, we all need you to get it. Thousands more will perish, and the economy will struggle with the constant opening and closing of businesses. Thousands more will join the millions who filed for unemployment, and kids all over the country will struggle with the hardships of virtual learning. Getting the vaccine will quicken the return to normalcy and boost the people of the world’s oh-so-important morale. Again, please get this vaccine. It will help the entire world. And hopefully, next year in seventh grade I can go on my epic field trip journey. James Reed, sixth grade Oak Ridge, Scout Troop 600

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FEB. 4 - 17, 2021

 AUTO SALES & SERVICE CHOICE TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE. Oil changes, inspections, alignments and general automotive repairs. 1080 US Hwy 66 S, Kernersville, NC. (336) 992-9002. KNIGHT IMPORT SPECIALTY SERVICE. European Auto Service & Repair, 4559 US Highway 220, Summerﬁeld (across from Food Lion). Specializing in factory-scheduled maintenance and repairs. BMW, Audi, Volvo, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Mini and Porsche. 32 years experience. (336) 337-0669.

 HOME CARE AVAILABLE

DIGNITY

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

Quality In-Home Staffing Nurses/CNAs/Aides Licensed & Insured

CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Will ﬁt to your budget. Pet taxi/pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, (336) 231-1838.

HEALTHCARE, INC.

Dignityhealthcarenc.com (336) 298-7248 Serving all your healthcare needs with pride and dignity

 SAVE THE DATE I HEART LOCAL ART! Virtual Valentine's show. Feb. 6, 10am - Feb. 7, 4pm. We are a group of independent women artisans local to the Greensboro area, working in clay, metal, ﬁbers, mixed and other media. Come shop for yourself (or for your best beloved!) by navigating to https://bit.ly/2Y7vloW.

Place online at

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

PLACE YOUR AD: nwobserver.com SAM'S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 965-7955.

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

 EMPLOYMENT AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM needs After School Group Leader for PACES, located at the new Revolution Academy in Summerﬁeld. 2-6pm, M-F, school year only. Email paces.revolution@gmail.com. Call (336) 669-5590.

INDEX Auto Sales & Service ........ 28 Employment .................... 28 Home Care Available ....... 28 Save The Date................. 28 Yard Sale......................... 28 Home Services ........... 28-30 Misc. Services .................. 30 Misc. For Sale .................. 30 Misc. Wanted .................. 30 Pets & Animal Services .... 30 Real Estate ...................... 30

28 28

FEB. FEB. 44--17, 17, 2021 2021

HOUSEKEEPER / MAID / PCA / CNA. $11-$12 per hr. starting salary, plus beneﬁts. Full-time. Planned raises to $12.50 in 3 months. Maid 2 Glimmer, (336) 441-8388.

HIRING?n help! We ca

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 HOME SERVICES

LOCAL ARTIST OPEN HOUSE. Featuring new collection series, Continuum Refresh Debut. Friday & Saturday, Feb. 12 & 13, 11am4pm. Deep discounts on available original paintings, giclées, linen pillows & silk scarves. The Studio House, 4110 Oak Ridge Road, Summerﬁeld. crystaleadiemiller.com.

THE CLEANING TECHNICIAN LLC. With the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be a little overwhelmed. I would like to oﬀer my cleaning services at a discount. Licensed, bonded, and insured. Call Lisa, (336) 207-0770. ANNASARAH'S CLEANING. Excellent references. Trustworthy. Family owned business. Free estimates. (336) 543-3941.

DECORATING BLISSFUL ART & FRAMING. SHOP LOCAL! Framing, gifts, graphic design. 4533 Hwy. 220 N., Summerﬁeld. (336) 298-4502. 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.

ELECTRICAL

 YARD SALE

BALEX ELECTRICAL COMPANY, LLC. Got Power? Residential, commercial and solar electrical services. (336) 298-4192.

INDOOR YARD SALE. Sat., Feb., 6. 8am-1pm. Includes books, furniture, housewares, jewelry & appliances. 1124 Peabody Rd., Colfax.

Need an electrician? Call BLACKMON ELECTRICAL, INC. Free est. Comm. & res. Licensed & insured. Call (336) 430-5018.

 HOME SERVICES

Do you have ELECTRICAL NEEDS? It's generator season. Call Coble Electric LLC at (336) 209-1486.

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING A-ACTION AIR. Will your furnace work this season? Call (336) 382-3750 or (336) 268-6768.

FLOORING

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

MONTERO'S HARDWOOD FLOORING Installation of hardwood, laminate & tile; hardwood sanding & ﬁnishing. Commercial & residential. Insured, 17 yrs. exp. Free est., exc. references. Call (336) 215-8842 or visit Monteros-hardwood-ﬂooring.com.

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

CLEANING

TheThe Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal sincesince 19961996 Northwest Observer • Totally

 HOME SERVICES

GENERAL REPAIR & SERVICES

H&L GRADING, LLC. No job too tough or too small. Call us ﬁrst! We are a full-service grading company that specializes in residential projects. Owner/ operator Timmy Hart has more than 30 years of grading and equipment experience. Fully licensed and insured. Land clearing, debris removal, driveways, French drains and much more. (336) 543-7867.

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

MISC. HOME SERVICES/PRODUCTS

AFFORDABLE HOME REPAIRS. One call ﬁxes all! A+ with BBB. For a free estimate call (336) 643-1184 or (336) 987-0350. CLOCK DOCTOR. Free house calls for sick clocks. (336) 643-9931 or (336) 392-4124. L & T SMALL ENGINE SERVICE "We get you mowing!" Comm./res., all models. 2103 Oak Ridge Rd., Oak Ridge. Call (336) 298-4314, LandTsmallengineservice.com. OLD SCHOOL HOME REPAIR See display ad on page 15. SMALL ENGINE AND MOWER REPAIR is back at a new location. Welding available. Call or text Morris at (336) 880-7498. FIX YOUR MOWER! Service and repairs. Spring specials. "We do it right." Free pickup & delivery. Call Rick, (336) 501-8681. APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr. Appliance A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707. 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. GREENERTIMES SMALL ENGINE Sales & Service Center. All types sold and repaired; comm./res. 9428 NC Hwy. 65, Stokesdale. (336) 548-9286 or (336) 312-3844.

GRADING / HAULING DTW GRADING & HAULING, INC. Offering a sum of aggregates, including but not limited to: fill dirt, stone, asphalt millings, and crushed concrete. We also offer full bobcat services. Driveways, minor clearing, drainage solutions and snow removal. Daniel Wilson, (336) 339-0212. BRAD'S BOBCAT & HAULING SVCS. LLC. Debris removal, grading, gravel/dirt, driveways, concrete work. (336) 362-3647. GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. (336) 362-1150.

E&W HAULING & GRADING INC. Driveways, ﬁll dirt, demolition, lot clearing, excavating, bobcat work, etc. (336) 451-1282. ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt, available. Zane Anthony, (336) 362-4035.

GUTTERS / SIDING / WINDOWS WILSON SEAMLESS GUTTERS, new construction, repairs, replacement, leaf guards. Free estimates. (336) 420-0200.

LAWNCARE / LANDSCAPING D S L DRAIN SYSTEMS & LANDSCAPING. Complete lawn service & drain systems. Mowing, pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, fertilization, trimming and more. Also providing drain systems solutions. (336) 362-4354. ORTIZ LANDSCAPING, complete lawn care. Trimming, cleaning, planting & mulch, gutter cleaning, patios & pavers, waterfalls, retaining walls, sidewalks, stonework. Residential and commercial. (336) 280-8981. SOUTHERN CUTZ LAWN CARE, oﬀering complete lawn maintenance services & bush hogging. Nathan Adkins, (336) 430-6086. ALL-SEASON STUMP GRINDING. Owner Alan Winfree. Free est. Call (336) 382-9875. CAROLINA STUMP & TREE SERVICE Complete tree service, $1 million liability, workman’s comp. Rick & Judy, (336) 643-9332. www.carolinastumpandtreeservices.com. GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maint. (336) 655-6490. HILL LAWNCARE & OUTDOOR SERVICES. Free est. Call (336) 669-5448.

ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. (336) 643-9157. STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. Free est. Lic./Ins. 40+ years experience. All phases of tree work. Lots & natural area thinning and cleanup. Large shrubbery jobs, chipping. Oak Ridge. Call (336) 643-1119. Hire a local with references. EXTERIOR GREENSCAPES. Lawn maintenance service. Call for a free estimate (336) 682-1456.

ON EAGLE'S WINGS residential home design/drafting. Call Patti, (336) 605-0519. JUNK & DEBRIS REMOVAL, construction, remodeling, and general cleanup, out buildings, garages, basements, yard waste, etc. Call (336) 706-8470.

PAINTING & DRYWALL STILL PERFECTION PAINTING. Reliable, skilled, aﬀordable. Painting, pressure washing, handyman services. Scott Still, (336) 462-3683, stillperfectionpainting.com. LAWSON'S PAINTING. Custom decks, pressure washing, boat docks, block ﬁll, wood repair, stain work, textured ceilings, sheetrock repair. Call (336) 253-9089.

PECHES LANDSCAPING & LAWNCARE. Tree service, brush cutting & clearing, mulching, landscaping & lawncare, deck, fence and retainer wall building, land clearing, wood chipping and snow removal.. Call John, (336) 451-6941, or call Brad, (336) 453-6180.

BEK Paint Co. Residential & Commercial David & Judy Long, owners

(336) 931-0600

BEKPaintCompany.com

DELIMA LAWNCARE. Commercial & Residential. Free estimates. (336) 669-5210.

• References Available • Licensed & Insured • All Work Guaranteed

Your business should be here! Place your classiﬁed ad online at

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MASONRY 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. SOUTHERN STYLE concrete & landscapes. How about a new patio or fire pit? We can help with all of your outdoor living and entertainment spaces! Fire pits, driveways & sidewalks, patios and more! Give us a call at (336) 399-6619 for all your concrete and landscape needs. MASONRY CONCEPTS, brick, block, stone concrete & repairs. Free est. (336) 988-1022, www.masonryconceptsgso.com.

CARLOS & SON PAINTING. Interior and exterior. 24 hours/7 days a week. Free estimates, licensed/insured. (336) 669-5210. PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR, 40 yrs. exp. Sheetrock repair. Average BDRM walls $100. Insured. Call Brad Rogers, (336) 314-3186.

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.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

continued on p. 30

FEB. 2021 FEB. 44--17, 17, 2021

29 29

 HOME SERVICES

Wilson

 HOME SERVICES ORTIZ REMODELING – Total restoration & home improvement. Drywall, painting, kitchen cabinets, interior trim & more. Free estimates. (336) 280-8981.

Ain’t God Good

Septic Pumping & Repair Family owned & operated since 1972

(336) 643-6427

PAINTING, DECKS AND MORE. Call Premier Construction for free estimates. (336) 430-9507.

Tank pumping, repairs, clogs, advice – ALL WITH A SMILE! Discounts: mention this ad, veteran, senior citizen, cookies & milk Find us on Google, neighborhood.com, FB

FREEMAN PLUMBING – new construction, remodel and repair. For ALL your plumbing needs! (336) 580-4525.

PRESSURE WASHING

AMERICAN BUILDER CONSTRUCTION INC. Repairs & remodeling, kitchens/baths, additions, decks, attics, basements. Licensed & insured. Short wait list. NC General Contractors. (336) 225-7478.

Services TM Construction , INC

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

Feature walls

(336) 644-8615 office (336) 508-5242 cell Licensed & insured

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

NC Gen. Contractor #72797

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, dock work, siding, windows, rooﬁng, rotted wood. Sr. disc., 41 yrs. exp. (336) 362-6343.

ROOFING PREMIER ROOFING. Commercial/residential. Providing service for all of your rooﬁng needs. Locally owned. Please call (336) 430-9507 for free assessments.

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION. 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. Call (336) 362-7469.

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION. Lifetime shingle and metal rooﬁng. We ﬁ nance. Free Estimates. Since 1979. Please call (336) 362-6343.

DOUGLAS CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING, LLC. Custom Builder, sunrooms, garages, additions, kitchens, baths. Licensed & Insured, BBB A+ accredited. Free est. Visit www.douglascr.com or call (336) 413-5050.

RED RHINO ROOFING, based in Oak Ridge, NC. Storm damage specialist experienced with all types of rooﬁng. BBB accredited A, and listed with Angie's List. Call (336) 944-6118, or visit redrhinorooﬁng.com.

JLB REMODELING, INC. Remodeling and additions. Fully insured. NC GC license #69997. Free est. Call (336) 681-2902 or visit www.jlbremodeling.com.

CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC. Residential rooﬁng, rubber ﬂat roofs, roof coating, metal roofs. 30 years experience. Call (336) 643-8191 or (336) 268-1908.

30 30

FEB. FEB. 44--17, 17, 2021 2021

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

Gated access with 24/7 camera surveillance We carry moving & shipping supplies

(336) 643-9963 • 8207 B & G Court, Stokesdale RESTORE, REPAIR & CUSTOM BUILD! Give us a call today for your free estimate! Check us out on Google to see our rating, reviews and tons of pictures of our work. Fat Rabbit Furniture, (336) 816-3641.

 REAL ESTATE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY SPACE AVAILABLE. 350 sq. ft. Located at Haircraft, 2601 Oak Ridge Rd. Separate entrance. Great for nail tech. or oﬃce space. $500/mo. Available now. Call (336) 609-1300.

LAND FOR SALE LAND FOR SALE. 25+ acres. Gorgeous wooded tract. Has 2 creeks. Quiet & serene. Possible owner ﬁnancing. (336) 430-9507.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

We Help Everyone! SELLERS & BUYERS

BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS

HOUSE and ROOF SOFT WASHING. Martin's Pressure Washing. (919) 931-0856.

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.

 MISC. SERVICES

 MISC. FOR SALE FEATHERLITE TRAILER. Electric winch. Like new. $5,500. (336) 441-8395. SEASONED FIREWOOD. $80/pickup truck load delivered & stacked. (336) 253-7615. ELECTRIC, ADJUSTABLE HOSPITAL BED with remote. $325, w/ linens. (336) 643-1426.

 MISC. FOR SALE

(336) 643-4248

www.ANewDawnRealty.com HOMES FOR SALE INVENTORY IS LOW - TIME TO BUILD!

Why wait when you can build your dream home now with one of our featured builders? Homes from $500K and up, lots priced at $79,900.

SEASONED FIREWOOD, delivered & stacked, 1/2 cord, $80. Call (336) 686-6373.

Got stuﬀ? Need stuﬀ? www.nwobserver.com

 MISC. WANTED

SPEC

Only 8 lots left!

$$$ – WILL PAY CASH for your junk / wrecked vehicle. For quote, call (336) 552-0328. FREE PICK-UP of unwanted riding & push mowers, tillers, ATVs, generators, power washers, go-carts, mini-bikes, golf carts, 4-wheelers, etc. (336) 689-4167.

DeDe Cunningham REALTOR®/Broker NC Licensed Contractor (336) 509-1923 dedesrealestategroup.com dedecunningham@kw.com

 PETS & ANIMAL SVCS. WENDY COLLINS PET SITTING LLC. Certiﬁed, bonded & insured. (336) 339-6845. wendycollinspetsitting.com.

TheThe Northwest Observer • Totally locallocal sincesince 19961996 Northwest Observer • Totally

Your company should be here! Place your classiﬁed ad online at

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TOWN COUNCIL

discussed details to include on the list of duties when letting the work out to bid, and how it should be advertised.

which had not been followed.

Houk was instructed to incorporate what Foy has written into a formal notification that the town will be accepting bids for a landscaping and property maintenance contract.

...continued from p. 8

“Our (development) code says you can have up to four lots on a private driveway and they (developers) have asked for seven; the waiver kicks it into a major subdivision,” Flynt argued. Medlin said the council was putting the cart before the horse, reminding them that “Today, the only thing before you is whether this appeal should be dismissed or proceed, and whether the fee should be waived or paid.”

“This doesn’t sit well with me,” Foy said, then motioned to deny Flynt’s appeal.

 3  2 to deny the appeal (Flynt

and Hooks opposed).

Flynt then asked Medlin if he has the right to appeal the council’s decision to Guilford County’s superior court and Medlin said yes, but Flynt would need to get an attorney and file an appeal within 30 days from this meeting.

Landscaping contract Councilman Jim Rigsbee said the contract with Beaver Outdoor Solutions will expire in March and council

 5  0 to instruct the town clerk to compile a list of items a contracted landscaping company will be responsible for and send the list to the council for final review before putting the work out for bid. Replace water line Council discussed whether to replace a 2-inch water line connecting five houses between the intersection of Oak Level Church Road and South Point Drive to the intersection of Deer Path Court with a 6-inch line. Flynt motioned to approve a proposal from Yates Construction to complete all work related to the project, at a cost of $48,675, saying the town had spent “some major money” with the engineering firm Hazen & Sawyer and the project would address one of the firm’s recommendations. Medlin pointed out that since the project exceeds $30,000, the town must go through the informal bid process and by law, must make the effort to solicit minority participation. After briefly discussing Hazen & Sawyer’s earlier recommendations, which include closing some of the gaps between where water lines end in close proximity to each other, the council adjourned the meeting at 9:24 p.m.

Valentine’s Day Answer Key True or False answers from p. 22

1. FALSE. Valentine’s Day is the second largest card giving day, after Christmas. In 2021, it is estimated over 1 billion cards will be exchanged around the world on February 14. 2. TRUE. Teachers receive the most Valentine’s Day cards followed by children, mothers, wives and girlfriends 3. TRUE. A single red rose with baby’s breath is the most commonly purchased flower for Valentine’s Day. 4. FALSE. It’s way more! Approximately 36 million boxes of chocolates are purchased for Valentine’s Day in the U. S. 5. TRUE. It is estimated that in the U.S. alone over $3.3 billion dollars will be spent on flowers for Valentine’s Day. 6. TRUE. Most recently, the sayings, “Puppy Love” and “Call Home” have been added to the candy hearts. The Northwest

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MEDICAL CARE

Carlotta Lytton, CPA...........................15 Samuel K. Anders, CPA, MSA, PC..... 10 Beamer Tire & Auto ............................ 6 EuroHaus .......................................... 28 Piedmont Truck Tires ........................... 3 Prestige Car Wash ..............................17 Tire Max .............................................. 5

BUILDING / REMODELING

TM Construction Services .................. 30

CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Guardian Ad Litem .............................15

CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES

Oak Ridge Chiropractic ......................15

DANCE / MUSIC / ACTING

Barbour & Williams Law .................... 23 Scott Tippett, Hagan Barrett Law .......13 Dignity Healthcare ............................ 28 LeBauer HealthCare.......................... 25 Novant – Forsyth Pediatrics ................17 Oak Ridge Physical Therapy ...............16 Wake Forest Baptist Health ................14 Wake Forest – Summerfield ................. 7

MUSIC LESSONS / INSTRUMENTS Moore Music Company ..................... 22

ORTHODONTIC CARE

Olmsted Orthodontics ........................16 Reynolds Orthodontics ...................... 18

PET SERVICES & PRODUCTS

Destination Arts..................................17

Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital ................12 Northwest Animal Hospital ................ 10

DENTAL SERVICES

REAL ESTATE

Great Clips .........................................16

A New Dawn Realty .......................... 30 DeDe Cunningham – Keller Williams . 30 James D. Coleman Jr. – Land for Sale 23 Nancy Hess, Berkshire Hathaway .......13 Nicole Gillespie, RE/MAX ...................19 Ramilya Siegel, Keller Williams .......... 21 The Fitzsimmons Group – Allen Tate ..11

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

RESTAURANTS

Magnolia Shores Family Dental ........... 4 Summerfield Family Dentistry ............ 26

GROCERIES / SUPPLIES

Southern Foods ................................... 8

HAIR CARE

BEK Paint Company .......................... 29 Eanes Heating & Air .......................... 24 Old School Home Repair ....................15 Stokesdale Heating & Air..................... 7 Stokesdale Storage ............................ 30 Wilson Septic & Pumping .................. 30

Oak Ridge Diner.................................17 Rio Grande Mexican Kitchen..............16

INSURANCE

National Flag Football ....................... 21 Oak Ridge Youth Association .............19

Carlos Gomez – Insure the Triad ........ 20

Observer • Totally local since 1996

RETAIL

Daly Floral Design ..............................15 Goodwill Industries of the Triad ........... 2

YOUTH SPORTS / CAMPS

FEB. 4 - 17, 2021

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PRSRT STD PAID U.S. POSTAGE Oak Ridge, NC PAID Permit No. 22 Oak Ridge, NC

Postal Patron Postal Patron

Permit No. 22

PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 • (336) 644-7035

ECRWSS

PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 • (336) 644-7035

ECRWSS

Emily Pelehach Solow, daughter of John and Marilyn Pelehach of Oak Ridge, takes a moment after her wedding to husband Devin in November to share some of the exciting local news from her hometown newspaper. Due to social distancing guidelines Emily and Devin’s wedding guests were limited to immediate family, so cardboard cutouts of friends and loved ones were placed in the seats where some of the “real people” would have been during the ceremony.

the Scouts with Troop 219 volunteered to help along trash up pick Club an’s Wom ord Northwest Guilf ng their getti re N.C. 150 the afternoon of Jan. 19, but befo e som read to work underway they took a few minutes in nts icipa part news from their hometown newspaper. As ed eciat appr C the Adopt A Highway program, the NGW ent to clear the Scouts’ help in fulﬁlling their commitm way, when the By . some of our local roadsides of trash members had C NGW the work was done, the Scouts and es, cans, bottl rded disca ﬁlled several garbage bags with s. butt ette cigar fast food wrappers and lots of

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