YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1978 w w w. j a m e s t o w n n e w s . c o m
Weekly ediTiOn
FEB. 25 - MAR. 3, 2026 Vol 48 No 9 | 1 Section | 6 Pages
Business changes owners but not direction Walk into Potent Potables, a bar at 115 E. Main St. in Jamestown, and everyone might not know your name. But linger a while and you may be surprised at old friends you may see and new friendships you may form. For over 13 years, that is the feel owners Steve and Abby Kim worked to create and what its new owners want to continue. The transfer of ownership for Potent Potables was seamless. The Kims closed their business on Jan. 31 and Melody Lowman opened it the following day. Snow fell continuously on the 31th and by the next day there was approximately 12 inches covering the ground. “We were fortunate to have a packed house on both days despite the weather, so that is a testament to our wonderful Jamestown Community,” Lowman said.
Lowman does not remember the first time she went to Potent Potables, but says she has been a patron there for about a decade and has worked behind the bar since September 2021. A former fourth grade teacher she left the classroom in 2024 and followed her interest of working in the beer industry. “I ultimately wanted to have a place of my own to run and manage, and Potent Potables was the perfect candidate, because it’s so close to home for me,” Lowman said. Lowman’s older sister Heather McKenzie and her husband Murphy provided financial help in the purchase of the business and Heather joined Lowman as a 50/50 partner in it. “Potent Potables is now a female-owned small business, which is incredible,” Lowman said. “My husband, AJ, has been instrumental with beer ordering,
Horton and legislative updates top Council special meeting by CaROl bROOks FREELANCE WRITER cab1hp@gmail.com The current Jamestown Town Council has scheduled several special meetings so far in 2026, but one scheduled for March 12 at 6 p.m. may be one of the most important, at least to residents. What is billed as a Town Hall Meeting will cover an update on the D.R. Horton project, now called the Kinsley subdivision, as well as a discussion with Jamestown’s legislative lobbyist about the upcoming legislative session. The Horton update will review the current state of the project, recent activity and the next steps. According to a Facebook post by the Town of Jamestown, the “Council will receive information from staff and ensure the project continues to move forward in accordance with adopted agreements, regulations and the Town’s development standards.” There has been some concern recently by eagle-eyed residents that one of the spec houses already constructed is on the site of a retention pond, according to plans
submitted to the Town. Last year, the Town Council voted to hire a legislative lobbyist to work in the Town’s interest in the N.C. General Assembly. At the meeting, the lobbyist(s) will be on hand “to discuss the upcoming legislative session and identify priorities that support Jamestown’s long-term goals. These discussions help ensure the Town is wellrepresented and positioned to advocate effectively for our community.” One thing candidates for Town Council and mayor in 2025 emphasized was transparency in government. Residents have also requested this. The meeting is scheduled to make certain the Town operates transparently, thoughtfully and forward-looking. The Town Hall Meeting in the Council Chambers at Town Hall is open to the public but there is no public comment period. Town Hall is located at 301 E. Main St. The meeting will be live-streamed at https:// www.youtube.com/channel/UCmi_MH3cM_DfOvhsLO9ZC6w and also will be available after the meeting.
Parks & recreation Committee to meet by CaROl bROOks FREELANCE WRITER cab1hp@gmail.com The Jamestown Park and Recreation Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting of 2026 on March 2 at 6 p.m. in the Clubhouse at Jamestown Park and Golf Course. Following election of the chairman and vice chairman, Parks and Recreation Director Scott Coakley will provide updates on parks and recreation. Golf Pro Marcy Newton
will give updates on the Jamestown Park and Golf Course Pro Shop. Golf Maintenance Superintendent Justin May will give an overview of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). P&R Superintendent Jeff Goard will provide an overview of the Girl Scout Flag Retirement project at Wrenn Miller Park. The public is invited to attend. The Clubhouse is located at 7041 East Fork Road.
melody lowman could not contain her excitement, as even a heavy snow on feb. 1 Photos submitted could not delay the opening Heather mckenzie, left, joins melody lowman and her husday for new owners of Potent her sister melody as a 50-50 band aJ are currently the only employees at Potent Potables. Potables. owner of Potent Potables. and he’s been working behind the bar with me each night. For now, he and I are the only employees.” When Potent Potables first opened it soon became more than a place to buy a drink or a bottle of wine. It became a place to gather following events along
Main Street, a venue for talented musicians, a food truck location, themed party nights, food cookoffs, trivia contests and private party celebrations. Book clubs and running groups frequented the business and, of course, the nature of the establishment saw it host its
share of wine tastings. Plans are to keep Potent Potable as a family-friendly establishment and continue to host food trucks in its parking lot. There is a possibility of bringing back the Jamestown see business, PAGE 2
Limits of Freedom — A sad reminder of how many people once lived by CaROl bROOks FREELANCE WRITER cab1hp@gmail.com To most of us, freedom is a given fact we enjoy — not being restrained, controlled or owned by someone and forced to work long, hard hours. To many African Americans, however, freedom is part of their family history. A new exhibit at the High Point Museum titled “Limits of Freedom” chronicles experiences of both free and enslaved African Americans in Guilford and Rockingham Counties. Their experiences, from service in the Revolutionary War to work along the Dan River illustrate the reality of enslaved people. Stories in the exhibit have been passed down through generations. The traveling exhibit is curated by the UNCG History Department, with support from the America 250 North Carolina initiative, managed by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Many local historic sites from this area are featured. Through a series of 12 panels, little-known his-
tory comes to light. One panel reads: “The places where history happened are powerful because they make history visible. This map highlights the experiences of enslaved and free African Americans who endured the system of slavery and surveillance in Guilford and Rockingham counties.” Many of the sites are open to the public. “Freedom is not static; its meaning constantly changes” is captioned on a timeline from 1753 to 1868. Noted on the timeline are such dates as 1816 when Quakers and others organized the North Carolina Manumission Society to free enslaved people. Jamestown’s Richard Mendenhall was a founder of the Society, which worked within the legal system to free enslaved people. A false-bottom wagon at the Mendenhall Homeplace in Jamestown is known to have transported slaves to freedom. Greensboro created a slave patrol system in 1830. Another date, 18501858 notes when the North Carolina Railroad was consee fReedOm, PAGE 2
Photo by Carol Brooks
a timeline offers some area history of enslaved people’s struggle for freedom.
Remembering Jane
by nORma b. dennis FREELANCE WRITER ndworddesign@gmail.com
It is not unusual for the Town of Jamestown to present a resolution to someone for a job well done. But for Jane Walker Payne, the resolution was presented posthumously and read by Mayor Pro Tem Pam Burgess at her funeral Feb. 15, 2026. The resolution acknowledged Payne’s life of service to her community, her appreciation for its rich history, her work on the Guilford County Historic Preservation Commission, Jamestown Planning Board and Envision Jamestown Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, and the spirit she exemplified in the face of personal loss and health challenges. “WHEREAS, the Town of Jamestown is better because of her steadfast commitment, her caring heart, and the
Jane Walker Payne legacy of service she leaves behind; “BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Pro Tem Burgess, on behalf of the Town of Jamestown, do hereby honor and celebrate the life of Jane Walker Payne, expressing my deepest gratitude for her years of distinguished service and extending my heartfelt sympathy to her family and loved ones.” Burgess became friends with Payne while serving on the Planning Board
Everyone likes GOOD NEWS and the Jamestown News wants to print a column focused on sharing good things seen happening in the community. To make the column work, you need to participate. email ndworddesign@gmail.com with your observations of a person or group being helpful to others. norma dennis will print them on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
and Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. “I could see the love Jane had for her community and for civic service,” Burgess said. “Her favorite topics were politics and history. When I expressed my desire to run for council, she encouraged me to do it and became part of my ‘campaign team.’” “With her genuine smile and warm approachability, Jane was a very special friend to many in our Jamestown community,” said Sherrie Richmond. “While on the Planning Board with me, she consistently represented our town both for growth opportunities and for keeping Jamestown’s uniqueness.” Ed Stafford, who also served on the Planning Board with Jane, acknowledged how well prepared she was before each meeting. see Jane, PAGE 2
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