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
JULY 30 - AUG. 5, 2025 Vol 47 no 31 | 1 Section | 8 Pages
Rabid cats found in Jamestown By Carol Brooks freeLAnce Writer cab1hp@gmail.com There has been a new rabid cat report in Jamestown, the second one in less than a week. The first rabid cat was found last week on Woodmont Road near Jamestown Presbyterian Church. On July 22 a second rabid cat was found on Harvey Road. It is the fourth confirmed case of animal rabies in Guilford County this year, according to the Guilford
County Division of Public Health. North Carolina law requires that all domestic pets (cats, dogs and ferrets), whether living inside or outside, aged four months or older be vaccinated for rabies. Animals that are confined in outdoor fenced areas should also have current rabies vaccinations. Signs of rabies in cats include sudden changes in behavior, aggression, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing and paralysis. If you notice these symptoms,
seek veterinary care immediately, as rabies is a fatal disease once symptoms appear. As a result of the confirmed feline rabies cases in Jamestown, Guilford County Animal Services has suspended intake of healthy cats. The agency said Friday that it was taking steps to be cautious in maintaining a healthy shelter population. While intake of well cats is halted until further notice, the GCAS will accept cats that are considered a danger to the public or those that are injured or
ill, the release said. There is no need to live in fear, but people should be aware coming and going to their cars or working outside. Rabid animals have been known to attack people. County residents who suspect a cat — or any animal — may have rabies should call Guilford County Animal Control at 336-641-5990 for direction. For more information, visit guilfordcountync.gov/ animalservices or contact Animal Services at 336-6413400.
File photo
New playground to open soon By Carol Brooks freeLAnce Writer cab1hp@gmail.com
National Night out is Aug. 5 By Carol Brooks freeLAnce Writer cab1hp@gmail.com Jamestown will host National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at Wrenn Miller Park. The regular August Friday Music in the Park concert has been moved to Aug. 5 to coincide with NNO. AM Rodeo will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. Come enjoy music, food and fellowship. There will be food trucks and several activities. The Jamestown Fire Station will hold an Open House from 4 to 6 p.m. prior to the event. Tour the fire station, see the trucks up close and talk to fire personnel about the challenges faced by first responders. The Jamestown Rotary Club will be collecting school supplies, canned food and backpacks for needy kids. Drop of donations at the Rotary Club Tent during National Night Out. National Night Out is an annual communitybuilding campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighbor-
hoods safer, more caring places to live. It enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. National Night Out was introduced in August of 1984 through an already established network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and volunteers across the nation. The first annual NNO involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. It grew to become a celebration beyond just front porch vigils and symbolic efforts amongst neighbors to send a message of neighborhood camaraderie. Neighborhoods across the nation began to host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and more. In the past 42 years, National Night Out has involved 38 million neighbors and 17 thousand communities.
“If you build it, they will come” is the famous line from the Kevin Costner movie Field of Dreams. It also might be the unspoken mantra of the Jamestown Parks and Recreation Department and especially Director Scott Coakley and Supervisor Jeff Goard when referring to the new adaptive playground that will open soon at Jamestown Park. The men do not believe there is another park in the immediate area that has all the amenities this one has. Keeley Park on the other side of Greensboro is larger and all-inclusive. “The goal is to make it a destination,” Coakley said. “We received an Accessibility for Parks grant to do the playground and it’s 90 percent done,” Coakley said of the facility specially designed for children with special needs. “The basketball court and nature trail are complete,” he added. Goard said they hope to hold a soft opening with the schools before school starts back and a grand opening later in August. Every child needs a chance to play and learn, even those with special needs, whether physical, sensory or cognitive abilities. Unlike traditional playground structures, adaptive equipment features modifications that ensure inclusivity, allowing children with disabilities to participate fully in play activities alongside their peers. Examples of these modifications can include wheelchair accessibility, sensory integration and supportive seating. Safety is a primary concern in playground design. Adaptive equipment is engineered to meet safety standards and guidelines, providing secure environments where children can play confidently without barriers or hazards.
four different kinds of slides.
several games, like this musical one, dot the playground.
inclusive playground sign.
nature trail.
During the design process, P&R staff met with staff at C.J. Greene and Haynes-Inman schools for ideas. The staff learned specific needs for the playground and what the schools would not recommend. The schools teach students with special needs. We really valued their input,” Coakley said. “One of the bigger things was fencing. They have kids that will take off running. They also suggested shading.” The soft rubber mat around the equipment must be poured before the playground can open. “Playground mulch is what we usually have,” Goard said. “But the new rubber mat will be a whole lot safer, easier to maintain and will last longer.” “That surface allows wheelchairs to just roll right in,” Coakley added. “It’s hard and firm enough but has
padding underneath that eliminates fall risk.” Fencing with several gates surround the playground area with concrete walks outside the fence so parents and guardians can exercise but still watch over while the children are enjoying themselves in the enclosed area. Many features are targeted to children with disabilities. Easy-wheelchair access is everywhere. Communication boards give special features. Game boards and interactive sound machines are scattered across the playground. Several different kinds of slides exist. “Swings are always one of our most popular items out here,” Coakley said, noting there are several kinds of swings available. Expression see playground, PAGe 6
how sweet it is Beekeeper Stoney Berry lives in Jamestown, but his bees, however, spend most of their time at a secure location at the Sandy Ridge Farmers’ Market. It is there they have access to a variety of wildflowers used to produce flavorful wildflower honey, especially good to sweeten coffee or other drinks. For approximately four-five weeks out of each year, Berry transports his hives to North Wilkesboro, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where the bees gather nectar to create sourwood honey, a buttery tasting honey that is Berry’s
favorite. Sourwood honey is predominately produced from the white flowers of the sourwood tree. Timing is key to collecting this honey. When the trees start to bloom, very little other nectar sources are available so bees in nearby boxes visit the sourwood blossoms. Berry has equipment to extract the honey from the comb, but occasionally sells it with the comb included. Greg Pittman, owner of Kindred Coffee in Jamestown, sells Berry’s honey and Berry also sells it at the Farmers’ Market where he works. Starting with one hive, Berry now has a total of 150, which he recently relocated from North Wilkesboro back to Sandy Ridge.
Photo courtesy of istockphoto.com
a man in protective gear checks out a beehive. He brings them closer to home in mid-July when the sourwood trees are no longer blooming and where he can better care for them. “You have to treat them for mites to be sure they are healthy and feed them light syrup every
couple of weeks when flowers are waning and a thicker syrup during the winter,” Berry Photo by norma b. Dennis explained. Beekeeper stoney Berry sells “The bee colonies die down honey from his bees at kindred Coffee in Jamestown and at the see sWeet, PAGe 6 sandy ridge farmers’ market.
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By norma B. dennis freeLAnce Writer ndworddesign@gmail.com