YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1978 w w w. j a m e s t o w n n e w s . c o m
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noV. 12-18, 2025 Vol 47 No 46 | 1 Section | 6 Pages
CAroLinA CHristMAs BAZAAr The 52nd Carolina Christmas Bazaar will be held on Nov. 15 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, 1225 Chestnut Drive in High Point. The event features 75 vendors and a cafe serving breakfast featuring sausage biscuits and muffins and a lunch menu of sandwiches, hot dogs and soup. There will also be a bake sale, general store and treasure hunt. Special to the event are tours of the stained-glass windows in the sanctuary. Parking and admission are free. Sponsored by Wesley Women, proceeds support local charities and organizations. For more information, visit CarolinaChristmasBazaar@gmail. com. town CounCiL to Meet noV. 18 The Jamestown Town Council will meet Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. The Council is expected to award a contract for the Main Street Waterline Replacement Project, consider the appointment of an alternate Planning Board member and consider approval of amended rates at the Jamestown Park & Golf course and amended Golf Course Outing contract. In the consent agenda, the Council is expected to approve a budget amendment and the staff accountant job description and classification. The high school representative and Guilford County Sheriff’s Office will offer reports and councilmembers will report on committees on which they serve. no MAtter Your GrADe, Your future stArts now On Nov. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m., Ragsdale High School is hosting a post-secondary event “Navigate Your Path” to help students explore options, make a plan and own their futures. Attendance will help students get inspired and informed as they move forward toward their career goals. They will earn more about opportunities in universities, career and college promises, employers, trade schools, the military, apprenticeships and more. A food truck will be available onsite. “We’re super excited to host this night,” said Sara Medlin, Ragsdale’s Transitions & Engagement coordinator. “We’re highlighting as many career options as possible — particularly careers that don’t require a college degree.” CHristMAs on MAin For years, the Jamestown Business Association has coordinated “Christmas on Main,” an exciting event in Jamestown leading up to the holiday season. It is not only fun for the community, but especially important for small businesses that otherwise lack public visibility. Once celebrated three nights in December, this year the event is being planned to cover one spectacular Saturday. It will be held Dec. 13 from 11a.m. to 8 p.m. Many of the same activities will be highlighted including postcards that may be stamped by participating businesses for inclusion in a drawing for prizes. The application deadline for business that want to be included in Christmas on Main is Nov. 20. The entry fee is $75. Free trolley rides will be available to take guests from one location to another. The Jamestown Business Association and its leaders truly believe in this event and what it offers to our community. Businesses interested in participating in Christmas on Main may call Victoria Jones, JBA president, at 743-201-3211; Emily Wagoner, vice president, at 336257-9654; or Angela Morrow, secretary, at 336-580-2463.
By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com Jamestown residents have spoken — Susan Clinard Dickenson will be the next mayor of Jamestown. With all precincts reporting, newcomer Dickenson beat veteran rival Councilmember Rebecca Mann Rayborn, by just 56 votes, 475-419 or 53.1 percent to 46.9 percent of the total votes. Write-in votes totaled 78. Greg Pittman was the only announced write-in candidate prior to the election. Dickenson ran on the platform of change of leadership,
susan dickenson
Jim Westmoreland
openness, community engagement environmental concerns, and ignored infrastructure issues by current government. She began The Jamestowner9 website in 2023 as a whistleblower not only concerning environmental issues but how the Town uses taxpayer revenue. She helped monitor and
fund local water testing. Rayborn focused on her nearly eight years on the Town Council, with two of those acting as mayor pro tem. She believes in “measured, sensible growth in Jamestown that preserves our community’s charm and history, and pledge to be a good steward of citizens’ tax dollars while
Santa for Seniors is coming to town By nORMa B. dennIs FreeLANCe WrIter ndworddesign@gmail.com Santa for Seniors is coming to the Jamestown area once again. Sponsored by Senior Resources of Guilford, the project provides gifts for participants in the Meals on Wheels program. Volunteers will deliver the gift bags to those on the Jamestown route before the Christmas holidays. The gift bags provide an extra treat to those who receive them. The late Fred Byerly, who once helped deliver meals before becoming a recipient, excitedly showed all the items in his gift bag to any visitor to his home. Some past recipients also enjoyed special holiday music when one volunteer and her children sang Christmas carols to those on their delivery route. Santa for Seniors is truly a fun way to let some older citizens in the area know they are remembered. Potent Potables, 115 East Main St., is serving as a drop-off location for donations and Bridgid Murphy of Cakes by B’s Blue House Bakery will assist with the project. Donations may be made from now through Dec. 7 and volunteers will meet at the bakery beside Potent Potables on Dec. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. to pack the gift bags.
Jim Gibson
keeping town services and assets strong.” On the Town Council side, Jim Westmoreland and Jim Gibson outran their opponents to take the two vacated Council seats. Westmoreland, a former Greensboro city manager, had 593 votes, just 10 votes ahead of Gibson, a former principal at Ragsdale High School, who had 583 votes. Council candidates Cliff Paddock had 448 votes and Richard Clapp 236. There were two write-in votes for Council. These newly elected officials will be sworn in at the December Town Council meeting and officially take office Jan. 1, 2026.
Postcards used to sway voters against political candidate By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
A few suggestions for items to donate include lap blankets, canned goods, paper products, dish or hand soap, activity books, snacks, hats, scarves, gloves, socks, notecards and stamps, Chapstick, toiletries, flashlight and batteries, breakfast items and non-perishable microwaveable food. “The goal is to come together as a community to support our seniors,” said Pam Burgess, who is coordinating the event. For more information about the project, or to volunteer to deliver gift bags, contact Burgess at 336454-2121.
What began during election filing this year ended with what could be seen as a personal attack in the form of postcards against one candidate, Rebecca Mann Rayborn. The criticism had been going on since Rayborn announced her candidacy for mayor in July. However, the postcards were not threatening nor untrue, only stating the facts about Rayborn’s voting record as a Town Councilmember. One set of postcards were mailed in early October. Others were modified by hand in late October, belittling Rayborn’s signs in neighborhood yards. The altered postcards suggested the homeowners who allowed the signs in their yards were fine with the increases in property taxes, salaries, vehicle taxes and stormwater fees Rayborn had approved. One resident told the Jamestown News, “Curious to me is that the original printed card seems to have been aimed only at those
who have Rayborn election signs in their yards. The version we received is marked up with … handwritten notes that seem to redirect the message to all Jamestown residents, seeking to turn them against their neighbors who display Rayborn election signs. “So, I suppose that the first printed card version may have been targeted only to those who chose to put Rayborn signs in their yard. Another mailing, the one received by us, then went to all Jamestown residents. If this is correct, someone must have driven around Jamestown to document the addresses at which the signs are displayed.” In a Facebook post, Robert Frederick, an outspoken critic of how Jamestown is run, said the postcard perpetrators are “Anonymous Gadflies.” “The Anonymous Gadflies are not fans of Rayborn running for mayor. They made a video about that, too, released shortly after she filed to run,” he wrote. “I get why the Anonymous Gadflies are now see sWay, PAGe 2
Nutritional products enhance a healthy lifestyle By nORMa B. dennIs FreeLANCe WrIter ndworddesign@gmail.com Those who want to lose weight, gain weight or just eat for better health need look no farther than The Blend Protein & Energy Bar. Wanting to improve her health, owner Key Gibson began using and selling products by Herbalife Nutrition in 2020. “I had wanted to lose weight and nothing I tried seem to be helping,” Gibson said. “A friend recommended Herbalife Nutrition and I was so impressed with it I became a distributor.” The products are more than merchandise sold in a shop. Distributors create menus and guidelines to help customers obtain their desired goals. “I evaluate someone’s needs and create a program especially for them,” Gibson said. “I don’t just sell products, but teach people how to combine them with other foods for optimal nutrition. “Our products are not meant for total replacement, but as enhancement to a wellrounded diet,” she added. “We specialize in protein shakes, coffees and bars, clean-energy teas, waffles, donuts,
cakes, soups, and more providing a healthy and vibrant option for everyone. We also have a hemp bar that helps with pain, face and body washes and lotion for skin care, vitamins and antioxidants.” Products are sold individually or in sets. Gibson opened a shop in Jamestown in June, but due to restrictive use of signage was forced to close it recently. “I tried all type of ways to advertise my business, but due to a lack of visibility, people had trouble finding my location,” she said. Currently, Gibson is taking orders by text or phone and offers free delivery. She serves individuals and also delivers to businesses, sheriffs’ offices, schools and other groups. “I can cater events offering such things as healthy teas, shakes, muffins, brownies or cake,” Gibson said. “I have also helped with fundraisers for groups.” As a courtesy, Gibson checks in regularly with customers to make sure they have what is needed. She makes sure they have instructions on maximizing products to get Photo by Norma B. Dennis the most benefit from them. Key Gibson shows a sample of several Contact Gibson at 336-823-2008 or at Herbalife nutrition products she cartheblendinjamestown@gmail.com. ries in her business.
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.
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Dickenson elected mayor, Westmoreland and Gibson to Town Council