The following marriage licenses were issued in Surry County:

– Autumn Rae Roberts, 22, of Surry County to Bailey Elizabeth Nester Watt, 23, of Surry County.

– Kenneth Dwayne Hutson, 39, of Surry County to Stefanie Jean France, 44, of Surry County.

– Kendal Alexsander Simms, 24, of Surry County to Jessica Marie Frost, 23, of Surry County.

– Duncan Clark Reece, 26, of Carroll County, Virginia, to Jennifer Renee Brown, 22, of Carroll County.

– James Douglas Gwyn, 67, of Surry County to Gracie Delaine Brim, 66, of Surry County.

– Steven Walter Anderson, 29, of Surry County to Emily Belle Wood, 28, of Surry County.

Audra Chilton has been named as the Surry County Schools director of school finance. Chilton will be responsible for all district finances including payroll, accounts payable and receivable, all state and federal reporting, and the development of the district’s annual budget, according to an announcement by the school system.

“Chilton will be providing a combination of deep industry knowledge, relevant experience, and financial acumen to the role.”

Chilton brings more than a decade’s worth of experience in finance. She served as a senior tax associate at Dixon Hughes Goodman in Winston-Salem, which now goes by Forvis following a recent merger, from August 2007 to August 2012. After departing from Forvis, Chilton served as a Senior accountant with BB&T from August 2012 until January 2014. In 2014, she transitioned into public schools, where she gained experience and understanding of educational funding.

Chilton graduated Cum Laude from Appalachian State University in 2006, where she received her Bachelor of Science in business administration and accounting. She received her Master of Science degree in accounting the following year. Chilton is a Certified Public Accountant and a certified finance officer with the NC State Board of Education.

“Mrs. Chilton is eager to begin this new journey with Surry County Schools with her husband of 15 years, Tyler, and their two daughters, Amelia and Blakely who attend Shoals Elementary School,” the school system said.

“It is an honor to be selected as the Director of school finance for Surry County Schools. I am excited to serve the district I was brought up in and to give back to my community,” Chilton said.

“Mrs. Chilton’s experience as a school finance officer will be an invaluable asset to Surry County Schools and our leadership team,” said Superintendent Dr. Travis L. Reeves. “We are excited to welcome her to the Surry County Schools family. Mrs. Chilton is well respected across the region and state of NC for her leadership and contributions to the North Carolina Association of School Business Officials. The Surry County Board of Education and I are excited to partner with Mrs. Chilton and look forward to her contributions to the students, staff, and families of Surry County Schools.”

It was not immediately clear who had previously held the position. Kevin Via is listed on the school system’s website as the interim finance director.

DOBSON — Two of the four early voting sites open in Surry County during recent election cycles face elimination along with certain Saturdays that service typically is available, but the final decision on locations will come from the state.

That is required due to the Surry Board of Elections failing to achieve unanimous votes on proposals for closures during a meeting Wednesday afternoon in Dobson.

There is general support among the five-member board for not operating one-stop absentee, no-excuse early voting locations in Pilot Mountain or Elkin ahead of the general election on Nov. 8. That sentiment is based on the relatively low turnout at those sites for a May 17 primary and the expectation that again will be the case this fall.

The other two sites are in Mount Airy and Dobson.

“I would like to have the one-stop open at all four locations” under ideal conditions, Board of Elections Chairman Dwayne Carter said, which have not been manifested given the voter participation rates in Pilot Mountain and Elkin.

“Dobson has to be open by statute,” Carter added regarding the home base of the Surry Board of Elections.

And the popular Mount Airy early voting station in a county facility behind Arby’s is thought to be sustaining itself when weighing the turnout against the costs of the early voting service. It allows citizens to both register and cast ballots ahead of a regular election day for whatever the reason.

“We really need to have Mount Airy open,” Carter believes.

“And, of course, you have to have the same people, the same equipment and the same supplies there,” he said of the Pilot Mountain and Elkin sites where turnout is low. Spreadsheets were prepared on attendance and expenses to achieve breakdowns on the cost per vote cast, which showed that operating those locations isn’t justifiable.

“So we did attempt to pare down,” Carter said.

However, a vote to not operate the Pilot Mountain and Elkin stations this fall didn’t produce that desired result due to parliamentary rules governing the local board.

“We did not come to a unanimous vote,” Carter said of Wednesday’s action — which means the outcome must be decided by the State Board of Elections in Raleigh.

That was the case earlier this year when Surry board members registered a split vote on the number of early voting sites for the primary. That led to a decision by the state board in March to maintain all four locations.

Although the Surry Board of Elections is a five-member body made up of three Democrats and two Republicans, Wednesday’s vote was bipartisan in nature. One GOP member made a motion to operate only the Mount Airy and Dobson locations, which also was backed by all three Democrats.

However, the remaining Republican voted against that plan — thus triggering the required intervention by the State Board of Elections at an upcoming session.

“I’m thinking it will be in August,” Carter said.

“We tried to come to a better compromise for everything and that didn’t quite work,” he mused.

The failed unanimous decision on eliminating the Pilot Mountain and Elkin locations led to another motion being introduced by a Republican member to have only the Dobson early voting site. It failed along party lines 3-2, again necessitating state involvement.

“Just like before the spring primary, it will have to go to the State Board of Elections,” Carter said.

When it takes up the matter, the options will include maintaining Mount Airy and Dobson, Dobson only or all four sites, but Carter doesn’t expect the latter to occur.

One local board member on each side of the issue will argue his case before the state board.

The Surry County Board of Elections did achieve a definitive result this week when it came to cutting the number of Saturdays when early voting stations will be open before the November election.

Three Saturdays normally would be included, with the one right before Election Day mandated to be on the schedule.

“We were unanimous in the decision to close the two Saturdays that we had the power to say ‘open’ or ‘close,’” the local chairman disclosed.

Low turnout for comparable Saturdays during the primary was again the motivation.

Carter explained that the overall downscaling sought by the Surry board is a recognition of the lack of voter interest demonstrated for off-year elections such as in 2022 when no presidential race is on the ballot.

Many local candidates will be listed who have no opposition by virtue of winning party primaries in May, making them automatic victors in November.

“We don’t predict there will be a large abundance of voters,” Carter said of the impact from such factors.

He suggested that the only hot race facing local citizens looks to be a statewide U.S. Senate contest pitting Republican Ted Budd against Democrat Cheri Beasley.

Those longing to resurrect the 1960s era of flower power and hippies have an outlet for experiencing that this weekend at a local venue.

The Hippie Revival Festival is unfolding for the second year at Miss Angel’s Farm and Orchard near Mount Airy, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday.

“Last year was such a groovy, far-out great experience that we’ve decided to make our 2022 Hippie Revival even better,” says an announcement for the two-day July 23-24 event.

Organizer Angela Shur of the farm launched the festival in 2021 for multiple reasons, including no similar gathering being held elsewhere in the area.

Another involved allowing the public to experience peace and love during turbulent times while also paying homage to the colorful hippie era, with a bit of nostalgia thrown in for those around then.

This will include two bands providing “Woodstock” music; best-dressed hippie/flower child, dance and other contests; face-painting and tie-dyeing; morning yoga; more than 50 hippie and other vendors; a petting zoo and pony rides; jugglers; and a peach pancake breakfast, among additional attractions.

Attendees are invited to take picnic blankets and lawn chairs along with their best flower crowns, paisleys and peace signs, but coolers are discouraged.

There are options to camp on the farm, where food and beverages are to be sold.

Saturday’s admission cost is $10, with overnight camping $50 per tent (which includes yoga). A Sunday breakfast and yoga bundle is available at $15 for adults and $12 for kids, with breakfast alone $10.

A portion of the proceeds will aid local food pantries, including one at Trinity Episcopal Church. Miss Angel’s Farm and Orchard is located at 252 Heart Lane (formerly Quarter Horse Lane), which is west of Mount Airy near Interstate 77, off N.C. 89.

Addiction Awareness Week at Surry Central High in April was meant to be an educational experience for the Golden Eagles to learn about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Little did two students know the lessons gleaned that week would be soon put into use when it mattered most.

At the last meeting of the county commissioners Abraham Mendez and Brian Villegas were both honored by the board with a special commendation for being citizen lifesavers.

Both are employees of Dollar General on Zephyr Road in Dobson, and both are Surry Central students as well. Another workday nearing its end, they had collected trash to run outside when Villegas said they heard screaming. A man was lying on the floor of the store with a woman was bent over him. She was crying for help.

Mendez said they approached the man in distress and were able to ascertain he was not breathing and was unconscious. Running through a mental checklist, they smelled for the presence of alcohol and not detecting any, they asked the woman if her acquaintance had taken anything — she said he had.

Where others may have run away, these two swung into action. In retrospect Villegas offered that they may have been uncertain if they were doing the right thing. However, the boys “just sort of went on instinct,” he said by phone Friday.

Using the lessons learned during a ‘mock code’ training at school Villegas went to call 911 while Mendez remained behind to begin administration of CPR until an ambulance arrived.

It was Surry Central teacher Dena Cave who invited Charlotte Reeves and her counterparts from the county’s office of substance abuse recovery to aid with substance abuse education week at the school.

Reeves spoke to students about the adolescent brain and how it is affected by substance abuse. The students also heard from speakers about their own experiences and struggles against the insidious disease of addiction.

In years past, that may have been the end of it with Surry Central students sitting on bleachers with heavy eyelids drooping shut, thanking the stars for a respite form fourth period English.

However, the days of McGruff the Crime Dog showing up have passed, high schoolers have aged out of such and are instead hungry for practical information they can apply to real world situations — as the student lifesavers did on that night.

Surry Central students may also be more in tune to the dangers of substance use than many in their age groups due to a shared tragedy.

During awareness week Carey Lowe spoke to the students, her son Noah attended Central and died in 2020 after an overdose. Cave said, “You could hear a pin drop in our gym. Many of the upperclassmen knew Noah, had a class with him, and maybe even partied with him. Hearing her story hit hard.”

On that evening though the stars aligned, Villegas and Mendez were just where they needed to be to be of assistance. Reeves said if not for Cave having “the insight to invite EMS to do a mock code training” the outcome may have been different.

“Showing these youth how to give lifesaving measures to someone who overdoses, and the youth actually taking that on and saving someone’s life who is in trouble shows that every community member has something to offer,” she said.

County emergency services director Eric Southern agreed, “Thankfully these two young men were there at the right time to react, using the knowledge they took the time to learn in order save the life of another. I am grateful for their ability to recognize a dire need and to respond appropriately.”

Not everyone knows how to spot the signs or may be trained in CPR, but Reeves reiterates you do not need to be a superhero, an EMT, or a member of the county’s All Stars Prevention group to make a difference.

“Everyday people can help by starting to recognize the local needs we have in our county. They require a special skill or give from every single kind of person living here. Everyone has something to offer,” she said.

Villegas offers his own simple advice to those who may find themselves in a similar situation. He said it does not matter what level of training you do or do not have, “Just calm down and call 911, they can tell you what to do.”

He had received CPR training during his freshman year and again during the mock code training during substance abuse awareness week. Having heard the lessons before helped jump start the students’ reaction, but Villegas said they were still a little apprehensive to intervene.

In the moment he also said it was hard to remember the 100 beats per minute that are needed when doing CPR, but dispatch reminded them. The Bee Gees classic “Stayin’ Alive” is the ironic choice often used as the gauge for the rate at which chest compressions are being given. “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Uptown Funk” are given are other references for those not familiar with the disco era standard.

Drawing upon the knowledge of prior trainings and using the assistance of the dispatcher allowed Mendez to continue CPR as Villegas stayed on the line to offer further instruction. Staying cool under pressure was also a key component to the successful outcome, Zephyr Road Dollar General manager Karen Cabe said.

The young men are mature, and she is immensely proud of them, she said, adding, “I feel very blessed to have them as part of my team. I don’t know if anyone else would have handled it the way they did. There was no panic.”

Cave wanted the students to learn lifesaving CPR during substance abuse awareness week. As a former nurse and now a health science teacher of more than a decade, she is passionate about imparting knowledge onto the next generation.

Reeves anyone can be like Cave and “find what you are passionate about and I’m sure there is someone who can use that passion.” There are many ways to start, she encourages a call to 336-366-9064 to help get connected and find ways to help right here in Surry County.

Online resources can also be found on the county’s substance abuse recovery website: www.surrycountycares.com.

In the racing world a good crew helps, and that’s what Frank Fleming was surrounded by when Mount Airy officials green-flagged action to settle a controversy involving the local modified legend.

“I think it’s positive,” Fleming said after the city commissioners voted during a Thursday night meeting to set a public hearing on a proposed amendment to regulations presently prohibiting a tall sign for a $2 million expansion of his body shop.

The stage had been set for this when those officials last met — on June 16 before taking a summer hiatus — greeted by a crowd of supporters who crammed into Council Chambers in favor of a request Fleming made then for such relief.

In the interim, new language was injected into the City of Mount Airy Zoning Ordinance which if approved will exempt rundown property Fleming bought on Merita Street — to improve and expand his longtime shop — from signage height restrictions imposed in 2016.

A similar crowd of well-wishers was on hand Thursday night, but the mood seemed to be more one of joyous support rather than tenseness as was the case before.

This was accompanied by the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners voting to schedule the required public hearing on the proposed amendment for Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. It would permit the re-use of non-conforming sign framework on the property which exceeds a 15-foot limit set in 2016 for new business developments such as that by Fleming, who is relocating his shop from Springs Road.

He has sought to utilize the metal remnants of a signage earlier drawing attention to a Winn-Dixie supermarket formerly located on Merita Street. Supporters of the amendment say such a tall structure will be needed to highlight the new body shop on a site not readily visible from nearby U.S. 52.

It also is viewed as a safety measure to easily guide people to the business and prevent them from possibly missing it and then having to double back via a U-turn in the face of heavy traffic.

The amendment contains added provisions pertaining to the Merita Street property. It says such signs that are set back a minimum of 300 feet and no more than 600 feet from U.S. 52-Bypass, U.S. 601 and Interstate 74 rights of way shall be exempt from other sign rules in the city ordinance.

An earlier attempt by Fleming to have the Mount Airy Zoning Board of Adjustment approve an exception permitting the sign was unsuccessful, and he appealed the case to Surry County Superior Court.

Unlike the June 16 city council meeting, there was little or no mention of the issue Thursday night by Mount Airy officials — and no one addressed it during a public forum, as had been the case last month.

The commissioners approved the scheduling of the public hearing through a consent agenda, in which items are lumped together for a single vote without in-depth discussion.

But Fleming said after leaving the room that he is satisfied with the direction in which council members are taking the matter.

“They’re doing it by the book the way it’s supposed to be done,” he said of the ordinance-change procedure being employed, including next month’s hearing that he hopes will bring a successful resolution.

“We just have to be patient and time will tell.”

Three local wrestlers earned All-American Honors during the offseason of interscholastic competition.

The student-athletes all finished in the top eight of their respective tournaments to receive All-American Honors. Two of the national tournaments were held in March, and the third took place in July. One was held Virginia, another in Colorado and the third in North Dakota.

Two of the three wrestlers are part of the Mount Airy City School System: rising freshman Talon Smith and rising junior Hope Horan. The third All-American wrestler is Jeremiah Price, a rising senior at Surry Central High School.

All three grapplers won gold medals at the state level before testing themselves on the national stage.

As an eighth grader at Mount Airy Middle School, Smith traveled with Mount Airy Wrestling Club to compete in the NCUSA Wrestling State Tournament.

The Tournament was held at the Rise Indoor Sports Complex in Bermuda Run and ran February 4-5. Smith won the state title competing in the 230-pound division, which helped the Club finish fourth out of 95 teams in the Junior High Division. Mount Airy Wrestling Club was just three points out of first place.

Smith went on to face some of the top wrestlers in the country as part of the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) Middle School National Tournament. Middle School Nationals were held March 25-27 at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.

In the opening round, Smith defeated Virginia’s own Caleb Hosey. Smith led 2-0 when he won via fall just 38 seconds into the first period.

Smith dropped his quarterfinal match to New York’s Christopher Belmonte via 2-0 decision. Belmonte scored a one-point escape in the second period, then recorded another escape in the third period for the match’s only points.

Belmonte went on to finish first in the 230-pound bracket.

Smith defeated Cayden Caplette of Connecticut via fall just 30 seconds into their consolation match. The win guaranteed Smith would finish in the top eight, which earned him All-American status.

The Bear dropped a match to fellow North Carolinian Conrad Sherburne via 4-2 decision, then fell in the seventh-place match to Tennessee’s Kenny Harris via 4-0 decision.

Hope Horan was one of 20 women from North Carolina to compete in the 2022 USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals. The group was N.C.’s first to ever attend the event.

The tournament was held March 18-20 at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs. All-American awards were given to the top eight individuals in each weight class in the following divisions: 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and Junior.

Making history is nothing new to Horan who, in 2021, was the first female freshman to place at the N.C. High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) State Tournament. She is also a two-time medalist at the N.C. Women’s Wrestling Invitational; Horan captured a silver medal in the 113A class in 2021, then won the 114-pound Women’s Wrestling Invitational State Championship in 2022.

Horan competed in the 117-pound weight class at nationals.

The Granite Bear won her first two matches via fall in the 32-person bracket. Horan led Oregon’s Arianne Korish 3-1 before pinning her in the second period, then led Texas’ Alyssa Martinez 13-2 when she picked up the win.

Horan and Minnesota’s Rian Grunwald were engaged in a tight 7-4 match when Grunwald picked up the win via fall. Grunwald went on to finish fifth in the 117 bracket.

Hope bounced back in the consolation round to defeat Aubrey Burns of Indiana. Horan reached the All-American status with the 7-6 decision victory.

The next rounds would short out the order in which the top eight finished. Indiana’s Phoebe Dowty defeated Horan via fall in the second period, then went on to finish fourth overall. Hope then ran into Texas’ Bayley Trang in the seventh-place match and was pinned late in the first period.

Jeremiah Price capped off his junior season at Surry Central by winning his third NCHSAA State Championship. He was also named Most Outstanding Wrestler of the 2A Division at the state championship.

Price, an N.C. State University commit, won his 100th career high school match during the 2021-22 season. Jeremiah also helped Surry Central win the Foothills 2A Conference Championship as well as the Midwest 2A Regional Championship.

Price went on to represent Team NC at the USMC/USAW Junior and 16U Nationals. The National Tournament was held July 16-22 in Fargo, North Dakota.

Jeremiah competed in the 152-pound weight class of the Junior Freestyle division, which featured 121 wrestlers.

Price opened the tournament with a dominant win over Minnesota’s Joshua Route. The Golden Eagle led 15-4 before pinning his opponent late in the second period. He followed with another second-period win via fall in the Round of 64, this time defeating Nebraska’s Adam Kruse.

Price made it to the final 16 competitors with a decision win over Iowa’s Carter Martinson. After Martinson took a 4-0 lead in the first period, Price scored five unanswered points to secure the victory.

Jeremiah ran into New Jersey’s William Henckel in the Round of 16 and was defeated via third-period fall. Henckel went on to finish fourth overall.

The three-time state champion bounced back in the consolation bracket by rattling off three consecutive wins: a 6-2 decision against Indiana’s Hunter May, a 10-8 decision against Maryland’s Paul Ognissanti and a win via fall against Wisconsin’s Zane Licht.

The trio of consolation wins guaranteed Price a spot in the top eight, with the next two matches deciding the final order of the All-Americans. Price was defeated by North Dakota’s Boeden Greenley via 7-4 decision, then lost via fall to Wisconsin’s Charlie Millard in the seventh-place match.

This is not Jeremiah’s first time earning All-American Honors. He most recently finished third overall in the 2021 Grappler Fall Classic held October 1-3 in Myrtle Beach.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Six Surry Community softball players were recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) for their success in the classroom during the 2021-22 academic year.

The six Lady Knights were named Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes for achieving a grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

Those earning the prestigious award were: Chelsey Atkins (Surry Central HS), Megan Atkins (Surry Central HS), Allie Bruner (East Surry HS), Abbigail Draughn (North Surry HS), Makara Woodbury (North Surry HS) and Kassie Eldreth (Alexander Central HS).

“We are extremely proud of our student-athletes for their commitment to academics in the classroom while striving to compete on the field at their highest level,” said Surry head coach,Blaine Bullington. “The academic recognition these student-athletes have received is well deserved and sheds a positive light on Surry and our softball program.”

The Lady Knights finished the past season with a 35-11 overall record along with a 22-6 record in Region 10 conference play. In addition, Surry was nationally ranked during the season by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

“We are extremely proud of our softball student-athletes,” stated Surry athletic director, Mark Tucker. “Our softball coaches – Blaine Bullington, Joel Jones and Gary Stone – are outstanding at emphasizing academics, and these awards certainly prove that.”

The NFCA, established in 1983, is the professional growth organization for fastpitch softball coaches from all competitive levels of play. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky and growing from 40 members in 1983 to over 5,500 today, the NFCA boasts members from all 50 states and several countries.

Mount Airy Wesleyan Church will be hosting a gospel music concert on Saturday, August 6 at 6 p.m. featuring multiple Dove Award nominees The Sound.

The Sound is a family group made up of gospel music veteran Rob Mills and his two sons, Levi and Jacob. Their distinct, country-pop inspired style has captured the attention and affection of fans around the world. The Sound has performed live for thousands of gospel music enthusiasts and has been viewed by millions on television and via social media.

The group travels thousands of miles every year to share their engaging and eclectic shows full of music, laughter, and testimony. Since their formation in 2019, their short career has been marked by four consecutive chart-topping songs, three Dove nominations, and a feature performance on the 2020 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. Their latest 2022 album, God Is Real, incorporates elements of Nashville country-pop and worship.

Mount Airy Wesleyan Church is at 2063 South Main Street, Mount Airy. The concert will be held in Mount Airy Wesleyan’s gymnasium/worship center. This is a ticketed event, and persons may purchase tickets at Mayberry Music Center, Charis Christian Books and Gifts, Mount Airy Tractor Company Inc., Toyland, Mayberry Primitives Rustic Décor and Embroidery, and Pages Books and Coffee or by calling 336-442-2991. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

You go to a doctor whose name you can’t pronounce and whose degrees you have never verified, then he gives you a prescription you can’t read. You take it to a pharmacist you have never met. They give you a chemical you do not understand and most of the time you can’t even pronounce its name. Then you go home and take the pill according to the instructions on the bottle. It’s all in trusting and sincere faith.

Look at Joseph, Jacobs’s son, Joseph with the coat of many colors found in Genesis chapter 37. The story of Joseph is not all about Joseph. It’s not all about his brothers. It’s not all about Jacob. It’s about God. It’s about forgiveness; it’s about trusting in God for your life. It’s learning that God is in control and has a plan for your life.

Sometimes we feel that God has pulled the rug out from under us. Joseph must have felt that way because no sooner than he reached some heights he was brought back down. He was brought right back to where he started. In God’s plan for our lives He may remove the good from us to give us the better. Sometimes He may remove the better to give us the best. That’s what happened to Joseph.

Think of the example that Joseph’s life gives us. It is a Christ-like example. Joseph had the favor of his Father. He was despised and betrayed by his brothers. He was sold into slavery for a few pieces of silver. But Joseph was exalted to rule. Our Lord Jesus found favor with His Father. Our Lord was betrayed by His own people. Betrayed for a few pieces of silver but now sets at the right hand of God the Father.

Each of us has encountered situations where we just felt like throwing in the towel. We felt like the whole world was against us. We felt like no matter what we did things would turn out bad. We all have at some time said to ourselves, “No matter what I do things still won’t change.” Or we feel that we have gone so far down that there is nothing that can bring us up.

I don’t know about you but if I’d been around Jacob and the boys and had known Joseph, watched the events of his life from a distance; if I had witnessed the hatred of his brothers throwing him in the pit, selling him like a piece of furniture, being bought into the slave market, and then going on through hard times for the next 13 years, I’d think I’d be tempted to tell Joseph: “Looks like God has forgotten you. God’s has abandoned you.”

We turn to God at times when our foundations of our life start shaking and many times only to discover it’s God who is doing the shaking. God cannot work good things through us until He works deeply in our hearts first. With faith, forgiveness, and knowing that God is in control and keeping our fellowship with Him intact with prayer these things come a lot easier. I believe that’s the reason Joseph had forgiveness in his heart. His fellowship with God was never broken. The Bible says that God was with Joseph. When we choose to forgive I believe we become a trophy of grace like Joseph.

We might think that we know what is best. But God has a plan for every life and all we have to do is seek after His will. The Bible says in Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

If you follow His ways. If you let Him lead you, if you seek after His will. You will find that there’s no one else who knows the right direction for your life but God. He can open doors that have been shut, He can close doors that no man can open. Nobody else can do that but God. He can give sight to the blind. He can make the lame man walk and the dumb man talk. No one else but God. “But God” can do anything but fail!

Love in Christ Jesus, Evangelist Ronnie Miller.

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Major Larry Lowe will be taking over on August 1 as the chief deputy to Surry County Sheriff Steve C. Hiatt, filling the position being left vacant by a retiring Paul Barker.

“I’m beyond blessed and honored that the sheriff has given me this opportunity. I will work tirelessly to continue the route that’s been set forth before me by the previous chief,” Lowe said this week at Surry County Courthouse in Dobson.

Major Lowe entered law enforcement in 1991 before stepping away in 2010 from full time service, he remained a part time sworn officer and retained his certifications before returning full time in 2016.

Lowe steps into the role being vacated by Barker, who said this week that he thinks 30 years of law enforcement is enough and he is now ready for a “a new chapter in life.”

Barker leaves the sheriff’s office after four years of service having moved over from the Mount Airy Police Department where he started serving in September 1993. He climbed from patrol office through detective and rose to lieutenant over all criminal investigations in 2010.

After 26 years of service to the city Barker said it was an easy decision to make the move “when Sheriff Hiatt came in and asked me to come over and be part of his command staff in 2018.”

As the chief deputy, Lowe explained he will be the second in command to Sheriff Hiatt over a force that “has grown a lot in the last few years.” He will take on a leadership role with the departmental budget and personnel matters as well.

In the latter area he knows the road will be difficult, finding applicants for law enforcement jobs is a struggle. “In today’s time in law enforcement, trying to find personnel is hard, no one wants to be a public servant.”

“We are battling it the same as others, although I do believe we have combated it better than some agencies over the last few years. We are still facing (trouble) though right now, trying to find these folks,” Lowe said.

Knowing the solution to draw new candidates into law enforcement Lowe said is the million-dollar answer. Barker said, “I think it’s a calling that a person has to have to go into any type of public service.”

These problems may be exacerbated by a shift among some Americans toward demonizing law enforcement of all stripes for the actions of some within a system some see as fundamentally broken.

Barker noted, “It’s not only police, it’s fire and rescue, too. A lot of these are volunteers, we are not, they have made a conscious effort to get into emergency services to be a servant to their town or community. I think there has been a falling away in interest in that.”

“I’ve seen in,” Lowe agreed. “Back in high school I was a volunteer firefighter, that was something you wanted to do for the community. It was a desire I had, I’m not sure why more people don’t anymore. Maybe it’s the environment of today’s world.”

Barker notes this is not an issue of a lack of local pride, but it is something happening all over. “The sheriff, Larry, and I are in close contact with our counterparts across the state. Everyone is having problems.”

The Surry County Sheriff’s Office leaders bristled at the notion a shortage of staff may hinder the services they offer or their response time. “One of the good things with the people that are involved in service to others is that heart that they have for it. They pick up the slack. Sometimes you do more with less, but those people who are in it, they are the real heroes in my opinion,” Barker said.

“For all intents and purposes, these men and women could go and make more in the private sector but choose to stay in this line of work for that reason, there is no other reason.”

The leadership took time to discuss the new detention center. Progress is ongoing with Barker reporting curbing and landscaping would be likely move forward in August.

In the interior the last cell was placed in June and finishing work is ongoing. “It’s a large building, so they have to go through and clean it, paint it, etc. We are on course from what I am hearing. The weather is the elephant in the room,” Barker said. Estimates currently have the construction done early in 2023 for an opening in late summer.

“My understanding is that it’s all under a roof and that the insulation project is well underway,” Barker said. “If you go down there from this week to next, it’s leaps and bounds in the differences.”

Sheriff Hiatt said his office plans to still use the intake part of the existing jail structure when the new facility opens, but they have no plans to continue housing inmates there.

“There is a reason we are building a new jail, the reason is it’s outdated,” Barker added. “For today’s times it’s broken up into an odd layout” that is not conducive to effective management nor in line with modern jail design.

In another change to modern tactics, the war on drugs finds the county investigation deaths that occur that are related to the scourge of opioids. Arresting and prosecuting the end users of such drugs will never end the blight but Lowe said “our county is leading the way and trying every option that is possible” to fight back.

Coming off the heels of a 13-month investigation into the overdose death of Melissa “Shannon” Dublin and the arrest of Chris Wayne Mosley on a charge of second-degree murder, the leadership said they would consider asking for more resources to add to opioid death investigations. The county’s substance abuse recovery office and sheriff alike are also looking forward to having space in the new jail for drug counseling and education.

On the radar recently with the county commissioners has been the county’s animal control. Sheriff Hiatt said a brainstorming session was scheduled for Wednesday to have discussion on that very topic. Lowe said, “We are looking to try and enhance what we have. We are doing the very best we can for the animals because ultimately that’s what it’s all about.”

Lowe is ready for the task at hand and yet knows he does not yet know everything. His goal for his tenure is laudable, “To continue to push the sheriff’s office in a professional manner to the highest level we can.”

All signs are pointing to a solution on the horizon regarding a situation whereby a local body shop owner has been barred from using an existing sign for a $2 million expansion of his business in Mount Airy.

This involves a proposed amendment to city zoning regulations, which if approved would set new distance boundaries allowing Frank Fleming to re-face the large sign left behind by the Winn-Dixie supermarket when vacating a site on Merita Street years ago.

Fleming has been denied from utilizing the framework of the former grocery store sign due to updated rules implemented in 2016.

These limit a sign’s height to 15 feet in cases of new business developments such as his, where the existing one is taller — and which Fleming says is needed to draw attention to the new body shop location tucked away off U.S. 52-North.

Construction recently has been occurring at the site where the owner plans to double his staff of about 10 employees at the present shop on Springs Road. He bought the property on Merita Street in a rundown state that is anticipated to be greatly improved through the expansion.

The local businessman, backed by a crowd of supporters, attended the last meeting of the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners on June 16 seeking an amendment to the regulations which would permit the sign use.

After hearing spirited pleas for that, city officials announced that the matter would be discussed at their next meeting scheduled today at 6 p.m.

Since the June meeting, an amendment has been devised by city planners to address what are described as non-conforming freestanding signs existing in highway corridors, mirroring the situation involving Fleming.

The added language says such signs that are set back a minimum of 300 feet and no more than 600 feet from U.S. 52-Bypass, U.S. 601 and Interstate 74 rights of way shall be exempt from other sign rules in the city ordinance.

Those pertain to one or more non-conforming signs located on a parcel of land or building whose occupancy or use has been discontinued for two consecutive years, among other provisions. Such signs are to be removed, replaced or otherwise brought into compliance with present standards.

The Mount Airy Planning Board, an advisory group to the commissioners, voted 4-2 in favor of the proposed amendment’s approval on June 27 and now the ball is in their court.

“All we’re going to do Thursday is set a public hearing,” Commissioner Jon Cawley said Tuesday regarding the fact that citizens must be allowed a chance to comment before such an ordinance change occurs. It is scheduled during another meeting of the city board on Aug. 18 at 6 p.m.

Cawley has been highly vocal in his support for Fleming’s sign request and is satisfied the amendment will solve the impasse that has included the businessman appealing the case to Surry County Superior Court.

The North Ward commissioner and 2022 mayoral candidate said he went to the Merita Street site where the expansion is underway and took a measurement with a golfing device to ensure the new language pertained to Fleming’s property.

“When I went out and shot this, I used a golf rangefinder and it was 504 feet from the edge of (U.S.) 52,” Cawley said. That device magnifies a target and shoots a laser beam at it in order to determine a precise distance.

“I didn’t know how we were going to go about it,” Cawley said of providing relief to Fleming which he and other municipal officials expressed support for during the June 16 meeting. “I thought was going to be a variance.”

A variance can be granted to a property owner when his or her planned use of a site deviates from local zoning laws.

Cawley applauded the proposed amendment as a pro-business move.

“We always need to be helping our business owners,” he said, who are often in the best position to know what’s best.

“If he thinks he needs the sign, then he needs the sign.”

DOBSON – The Surry Community volleyball team looks to build on last year’s success in which the Lady Knights captured the Region 10 Western Division Championship while being nationally ranked.

The Knights finished the season 24-5 while being ranked in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) poll during the season.

“There are high expectations in our gym to be great and build upon the success of last year’s team,” said Surry coach Caleb Gilley.

The Lady Knights recruiting class will welcome eight new players to campus this fall: Hannah Broman, Bella Cline, McKinley Duncan, Laci Hash, Pachia Khang, Anna Martin, Kara Moore and Coree Parker.

“We lost some really talented players, but we also lost some key leadership,” Gilley said. “If we can find the leadership it takes to be successful, then I think we will be just as good, if not better than last year’s team. The incoming freshman are going to be counted on from day one. I feel like between them and our sophomores, we have the pieces to compete at the national level again.”

The Lady Knights open the 2022 season on August 19 in the Cape Fear Invitational Tournament in Wilmington, NC. Surry’s home opener is set for August 23 against Rockingham Community College at 6:30 pm.

Coach Gilley on Hannah Broman: “Hannah is another big and physical player. She was a big part of the success of Alleghany High School the last few seasons. Hannah will be someone that her blocking and power will be a big tool for us this season.”

Coach Gilley on Bella Cline: “Bella is another talented middle that comes with a great work ethic. I am excited to see how much Bella develops as a player throughout the season. I think she has the tools to be a great player and with her work ethic, I think she will be successful.”

6’3” Outside Hitter/Right-side

Coach Gilley on McKinley Duncan: “McKinley was the Player of the Year in her Region in Tennessee, and we look forward to her bringing that talent into our gym. She is a physical blocker and can swing from either pin which will be good for us as it allows us to move her around to find mismatches.”

5’5” Libero/Defensive Specialist

Coach Gilley on Laci Hash: “Laci was a big part of Galax High School’s recent success in volleyball. She brings quality ball control along with a great personality into our gym.”

5’5” Libero/Defensive Specialist

Coach Gilley on Pachia Khang: “Pachia will instantly be able to bring ball control into our gym. She is a great outdoor player who will benefit from that experience. We lost three really experienced ball control kids from our team last year so Laci and Pachia will help bridge that gap for us.”

5’8” Outside Hitter/Right-side

Coach Gilley on Anna Martin: “Anna will bring leadership into our gym and depth at our pin position. She has had to be a go-to player for her high school team the last four seasons. Anna has a good swing and has proven to be someone that can score points.”

Coach Gilley on Kara Moore: “Kara is an athletic and quick setter that comes from one of the more successful programs in the state at Wheatmore High School. She was unable to play her senior season because of an injury, but she has worked hard in physical therapy, and I think she will come in our gym and immediately help us.”

Coach Gilley on Coree Parker: “Coree is a physical and experienced player. She has played at the highest of levels and been successful. She was originally committed to UNC-Charlotte out of high school, so we are happy to have a terminal middle of her level in our gym.”

• A civil disturbance Tuesday led to a Mount Airy man being charged with breaking and entering, according to city police reports.

Bobby Durelle Robinson, 40, of 401 Hadley St., allegedly took the keys to the residence of Jeffery Lee Frost on Marshall Street from a caretaker, which he entered without permission while the occupants were away and remained inside, police records state. Nothing was listed as stolen from the home.

Robinson is scheduled to appear in Surry District Court on Aug. 8.

• A $40,000 work vehicle was stolen Tuesday from a parking lot on Hay Street, where it had been left unsecured. The 2011 Ford F-350 cutaway van/truck, equipped with an 18-inch box, is owned by D Phillips Enterprises, LLC, with David Wayne Phillips of Summit Drive reporting the theft.

The vehicle, white in color, was bearing license plate number KM8056 when stolen.

• Ethan Bradly Gallimore, 22, listed as homeless, was jailed as a fugitive from justice and on an outstanding order for arrest on June 30, when he was encountered by police at Tlaquepaque Mexican Grill on Rockford Street. Gallimore’s name was found to have been entered into a national crime database due to being wanted in Virginia on an unspecified matter.

The order for arrest had been issued in Surry County, with no other information listed. Gallimore was held in the Surry County Jail under a $5,500 secured bond and is scheduled to be in District Court on Aug. 8.

• Herbert Eugene Burrows, 50, of Walnut Cove, was served with a warrant for a charge of assault on a female after being encountered by city officers during a June 30 drug activity investigation at the Circle K convenience store on Rockford Street.

The assault warrant had been filed in October 2018 through the Surry County Sheriff’s Office with Brianna Hope Ayers of Bourbon Lane as the complainant. The case is slated for Friday’s District Court session.

Jurassic Park will have nothing on Pilot Mountain this weekend.

The famous series of best-selling movies always revolve around the re-emergence of prehistoric dinosaurs, and it is those very creatures which will be let loose on Main Street in Pilot Mountain — or at least animatronic versions of the creatures.

Running the show is Ed Bounds, of Ed’s Dinosaurs Live, who said he is familiar with the area, having done a Dinosaurs on Main Street program in Pilot Mountain in 2019, as well as appearing in the Surry County Agricultural Fair.

Saturday, he and his prehistoric friends will be set up in the parking lot of town hall in Pilot Mountain. While the raptors in the Jurassic Park movies are pretty scary, the ones Bounds will be pulling out Saturday are of a much friendlier nature — though at times they may seem real, with life-like movements and the occasional whimper, cry, or roar, not to mention an amazing ability to talk just like a human.

Bounds, who was volunteering at the North Carolina zoo a decade ago, working with chimpanzees, was recruited to help out with a traveling dinosaur display at the zoo. He didn’t do a lot — essentially held a dinosaur puppet during the show, but once he held that puppet and saw how kids reacted to it, he was hooked.

So he started building his traveling dinosaur show, designing it to be fun for kids, and to be a bit of a cross between Mr. Rogers and the old Captain Kangaroo show, helping to encourage kids while teaching a few understated character lessons.

“The dinosaurs are always pranking me,” he said of how the shows play out.

He also makes a point of involving kids from the audience — “it is always interactive and immersive” he said. “The kids scream and laugh and stand up and dance. I always put a lesson in there, but you don’t really know it, you’re having fun, laughing, we sort of sneak that in there under the radar.”

On Saturday, Bounds said he will be set up in the Pilot Mountain town hall parking lot from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., with two official shows set for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The rest of the time, he said, he and his prehistoric friends will be interacting with the crowd.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun. During the show, a baby dinosaur may very well hatch from an egg.”

Jenny Kindy, the Main Street coordinator for Pilot Mountain, said the show is free for all. In addition to the dinosaur show, she said there will be other kids’ activities, as well as a couple of food trucks and probably vendors selling ice cream and Icees.

The last time Ed’s Live Dinosaurs visited the area was 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic shut downs.

Kindy said she and Events Coordinator Christy Wright were attending a conference together regarding Main Street activities, and were in a vendor show when they saw “A man off in the corner with his dinosaurs.”

That was Bounds, showing off what his animatronic creatures could do.

“Christy said from being a mom, how much her kids like dinasoaurs, that really inspired her,” Kindy said of Wright’s decision to pursue the dinosaur show for the town.

She said she was not sure what to expect from the crowd the first time.

“I was incredibly and pleasantly shocked. It was gangbusters. It was completely filled the whole day,” she said. “Each showing was completely packed, there were so many families walking up and down the sidewalks, going in the stores. It really gave an inviting and friendly atmosphere to downtown.” She said even most of the merchants got into the spirit of the show, selling dinosaur-themed goods, and many are excited for this year’s return of the dinosaurs.

Bounds, too, is hoping many folks will come out Saturday.

“They’re not going to want to miss this,” he said of area residents. “It will be more fun than they’ve had in 65-and-a-half million year.”

The Surry County Board of Commissioners heard Monday night from Teramore Development and the residents of Sheltontown about a rezoning request that would have turned the plot of land at the corner of Westfield Road and Quaker Road into a new Dollar General.

After hearing from both the developer and residents, Commissioner Larry Johnson said as one of the commissioners representing the district that he moved to deny the rezone request for the parcels of land at 2953 Westfield Road. The motion passed unanimously, and the rezoning request was denied.

Representing Teramore, Mike Fox had said they felt the rezoning request was a reasonable one that was within the land use plan. The new Dollar General location he told the board would not be a destination shopping location, but one that would fill the daily needs of the community in which it was to be located.

The Teramore request was for a conditional rezoning, and he made the statement that the developer would be open to making some changes to the plan to make it more palatable. These would be changes to landscaping or buffering but not a change in type of business or any other accommodation that would have addressed the neighbors’ concerns.

Joe Strickland, director of operations for Teramore, told the commissioners that they had opened an eye-popping 500 new Dollar General locations in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida in the past three years.

On his last visit there was some back and forth with the board and Strickland about how many Dollar General locations are in Surry County, this time Strickland was armed with an answer that 18 exist.

Five new locations have been built in Surry County in the past four years making a $10 million economic impact, he said. A sixth new location on Mount View Drive was approved in short order by the commissioners in June. The proposed Westfield/Quaker Road location would have been the seventh new location.

For Monday’s commissioners meeting both the Sheltontown opposition and the developers came armed with the knowledge gained from the planning board meeting last week. The anti-rezone group had been commended by the planning board for their organization and presentation one week prior that yielded a successful motion to deny the rezoning request.

One of the strongest points the opposition made had to do with the economic and tourism impact of the NC Scenic Byway and Bikeway that run through the area along Westfield Road. The developers asked about 14 acres that are zoned for commercial use along the byway pointing to Po-Folks, Moore’s General Store, Hiatt’s grocery, and Kustom Kraft Woodworks as examples that such business exists and does not detract from the byway.

Treva Kirkman rebutted this assertion by pointing out that many of the businesses are closed and/or the owners retired. Commissioner Johnson offered his observation that many of those businesses were family-owned on family-owned land.

Fox reminded the board as he did the planning board that this is decision to be made about land usage, and what is allowed or not based on the land use plan. It is no time for emotions nor is it for the commissioners to “choose winners and losers.”

He went on to say that “family owned is not a zoning condition” and for the planning board or the commissioners to weigh a decision on such flies in the face of the hands of government attitude so many espouse to.

Susan Krepps plays the piano at Shelton Church of Brethren across Quaker Road from the proposed location and disagreed, telling the board, “I am emotional about this, I’ll admit that. We are perfectly capable or driving two miles if we need something that we can’t get at Moore’s or Busy Bee but nine times out of ten you don’t have to.”

It was the need factor that Melissa Hiatt hammered home noting the land use plan allows for rural commercial development on a case-by-case basis if the needs are not already met by a business serving the area. With five locations within five miles the saturation of existing Dollar Generals she felt certainly does the job covering the area.

Commissioner Van Tucker, who said he shops at Dollar General, asked why this area needed another store. Strickland replied that market planning shows them this is an area that can support another location, “I was there, it is a busy area with lots of traffic. We want to capitalize on it.”

Furthermore, Strickland said the new locations have the larger floor plan “could potentially” offer new product offerings such as fresh produce. This statement was seized on by the opposition noting that when Mount View Drive was being proposed to the board Teramore alluded that all future locations would have the expanded fresh options.

Security was a concern the residents listed and Teramore addressed this with an analysis of 911 call data. The analysis was done by Ken Miller, the former police chief of Greensboro who was more recently the chief of police in Greenville, South Carolina, before resigning in 2019 after an ethics investigation that yielded no charges.

Miller told the developers that in his opinion that stores of this sort do not drive crime, and if they do it tends to be property crimes such as shoplifting. Fox added that Moore’s General Store touted the addition of dozens of new security cameras, there would have been no need for such if there was not an element of crime already found in the area.

Sheltontown organizers Heather Moore, of Moore’s General Store, and Melissa Hiatt, had told their group that Teramore would come back armed with rebuttal points, and they were not wrong.

A thorough reading of the county’s land use plan turned out to be the greatest asset the residents had besides the solidarity of purpose they showed in opposition.

Plans for Dollar General growth in Surry County will go on and as was the case for Mount View Drive, not all neighborhoods are going to fight as ferociously as did Sheltontown. The opposition always wanted it made clear that Dollar General was not and is not the enemy, but theirs was a case of “not in my backyard” that the planning board and county commissioners heard unequivocally.

Surry Medical Ministries has moved a big step closer to a new building for the free clinic it operates thanks to an injection of $400,000 in state funds.

Word of that development came earlier this week, hailed as “awesome news” by President Nancy Dixon of the board of directors for the Mount Airy facility where medical services are provided without charge to people lacking health insurance.

Dixon added that she had just learned the $400,000 was included in a state spending plan recently approved during a short session of the N.C. General Assembly.

She mentioned that the money will go toward ongoing capital efforts for the new building to replace Surry Medical Ministries’ present base of operations on Rockford Street, across from Northern Regional Hospital. The clinic, which opened in 1993, is housed in a structure that is about 70 years old, where a lack of space has hampered the growing operation.

Rep. Sarah Stevens of Mount Airy, who serves Surry County in the state Legislature — where she occupies a top leadership position as speaker pro tempore in the House of Representatives — has been a major supporter of the clinic and its mission. This also includes dental services.

“They serve people who have nothing,” Stevens has said of the facility that provides primary medical care to a large number of uninsured patients in Surry County.

Late last year, Stevens was instrumental in securing an earlier allocation of $300,000 in state budget funding for the Surry Medical Ministries clinic that renders services as a non-profit foundation with the help of volunteer health-care professionals.

That appropriation was approved to enable the clinic to become a full-time operation and possibly help provide for the new building, based on previous reports.

This past winter, the clinic’s hours were expanded from a two-days-per-week schedule to four days, in response to its caseload more than doubling after COVID-19 struck. That included an increase to around 5,000 during 2021 alone.

In addition to the state funding, clinic officials have asked the city of Mount Airy for $200,000 in capital support for medical needs of Surry County residents as the operation transitions to a new building to better serve the community. The project cost is listed as $2.7 million in city government documents.

No location for the building has been publicly announced.

Surry Medical Ministries is one of 16 non-profit organizations seeking a total of $2.4 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding awarded to Mount Airy. This far outstripped the sum available for these groups, meaning some tough decisions await city officials on that issue, expected sometime later this year.

Those organizations were invited in January to request a share of the ARPA funding.

Meanwhile, Surry Medical Ministries has been tapped by county government officials to receive a $89,345 grant through an Invest in Surry program.

Dixon, the clinic official, has said realizing the new building will involve “a multi-year proposition that will take the partnerships of everyone in our community to address.”

East Surry welcomed RJ Reynolds and North Iredell to David H. Diamont Stadium on Wednesday for 7-on-7 scrimmages.

East Surry graduate Bradley Davis Jr. capped off his high school golf career with an appearance in the Tarheel Cup.

The tournament brought together graduating high school seniors from North Carolina to compete in an East-West format. This year’s Cup was held July 15-17 at Maple Chase Golf and Country Club in Winston-Salem.

Unlike traditional tournaments, the Tarheel Cup featured three days of unique events. After a practice round and opening day dinner on Friday, the teams competed in alternate shot and mixed four-ball competitions Saturday followed by singles matches on Sunday.

The first Tarheel Cup was held in 2015. After dividing the state in half by counties, coaches for the event each picked teams of 12 recently graduated high schoolers: six male and six female. Each team’s first four male and first four female choices must come from the four classifications of N.C. public schools, and the remaining two choices for each could come from any classification.

Below are the full rosters for each team:

WEST: Shea Smith, Katie Kubec, Ruth Ann Asbill, Rae Watson, Madison Logan, Elli Finchum, Lawson Harkey, Sam Mace, Bradley Davis Jr., Sean Finan, Max Cranford, Jack Boyer

EAST: Kaitlyn Rand, Sadler Miller, Jenna Rutledge, Jayden Ford, Sidney Renville, Jiya Patel, Jacob Conklin, Simon Burgos, Jacob Bradley, Spencer Edwards, Shawn Benson, Caden Hodges

Davis entered the Tarheel Cup after helping East Surry win the 2A Golf State Championship in the spring. Davis, who was also named Foothills 2A Conference Golfer of the Year, finished State Runner-up in the 2A State Tournament.

He continued his winning ways by emerging victorious in all three stages of the Tarheel Cup. Davis teamed with Shea Smith to win the alternate shot round, then partnered with Elli Finchum to four-ball later that day.

On Sunday, the West defeated the East in the team competition.

Davis will continue his golf career at Gardner-Webb University.

If it seems that the community theater at the Stokes County Arts Council has been focusing on plays with a little more relevance to North Carolina, that is because the folks there have been doing exactly that since returning from the pandemic closures.

The play opening this weekend also brings a bit of Grammy exposure to local audiences.

“Brother Wolf: An Appalachian Adventure” opens on Friday for a four-show run over the weekend. Under the direction of Laurelyn Dossett, the show features several musical pieces, including the song “Anna Lee,” penned by Dossett and recorded by multiple national artists, including by Levon Helm and Appalachian Road Show. It appears on two of Helm’s Grammy-winning recordings, “Dirt Farmer” and “Ramble at the Ryman.”

“Anna Lee is half death ballad and half lullaby. I wrote it in the carpool line when my daughters were in school. I never expected that little song to go as far as it has,” Dossett said.

The show, a loose retelling of the epic Beowulf, was written by Preston Lane, with music written by Dossett, and debuted 16 years ago in Greensboro before going into national publication.

That was the same team which wrote Bloody Blackbeard, a show that was performed last year at The Arts Place in Danbury.

“We’re going in that direction,” said arts council Executive Director Eddy McGee, in referencing this year’s play and last year’s Bloody Blackbeard. “What we’re trying to do is go in the direction of supporting more North Carolina based stories. For years, we were much like a lot of other arts councils, producing nationally recognized productions. We’re just trying to add a little more home state flavor, if you will.”

He said that is important to the arts center.

“We are looking for North Carolina-based content…it’s not just performance, there is an educational component as well. You’re learning about North Carolina history, you’re preserving history as well. It’s not just performances for performance sake.”

That effort has paid off handsomely thus far. In 2021, McGee said the arts council made the mistake of scheduling just three performances for Bloody Blackbeard.

”They all sold out and we basically had standing room-only at those performances.”

This year, Brother Wolf is set for four shows — 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, along with a 2 p.m. Sunday performance.

“I fight sin with the good book. But I fight hell with a long sharp knife.” Such is the creed of the show’s hero, Brother Wolf, an itinerant mountain preacher.

In addition to Dossett directing, the show will include actors Lee Bodenhamer, Elise Spencer, Ava Smith and five members of the Burgess family of Danbury: Bruce, Emily, Anakin, Django and Zinn. The music will be performed live by Dossett, Andrew Young, Marci Shore and Molly Heath, a fiddle student in the Junior Appalachian Music program. Among the traditional instruments to be used are the fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and guitar.

“Beowulf is one of those classical literature pieces that everyone has heard of, but few of us really know it,” Dossett said. “Brother Wolf is a fun and exciting way into the story, with mountain monsters crawling up out of caves to wreak havoc on the Speerdane family. It’s a story of revenge and forgiveness, themes as old as time but as relevant today as ever,” said Dossett.

Some Stokes County high school seniors study the original Beowulf in class. “Seeing Brother Wolf can really help bring it to life,” she said.

All shows will be at The Arts Place, 502 Main Street in Danbury. For tickets or more information, call 336-593-8159 or visit www.StokesArts.org. Brother Wolf is rated PG-13 for mild language.

GREENSBORO — Three members of the Class of 2022 represented their Surry County high schools one final time as part of the N.C. Coaches Association’s East-West All-Star games.

Surry Central’s Mia McMillen took part in the East-West All-Star Women’s Basketball Game, which took place at the Greensboro Coliseum on July 11. East Surry’s Layton Allen and Sam Whitt competed in the East-West All-Star Football Game held on July 13 at Grimsley High School’s Robert B. Jamieson Stadium.

The NCCA sponsors five All-Star games annually for recent high school graduates: girls soccer, boys soccer, girls basketball, boys basketball and football.

The first Women’s East-West All-Star Basketball Game was held in 1975 and has since been held at the Greensboro Coliseum annually. The 2020 Games were cancelled due to the pandemic, but resumed in 2021.

McMillen is the first Surry Central girls basketball player to be selected for the East-West All-Star game. She’s also the third athlete from Surry Central to be selected for any East-West All-Star Game, joining Benny Callahan (basketball, 1975) and Michael Richardson (Soccer, 2003).

During her senior year, McMillen averaged 21.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 5.2 steals, 2.8 assists and 0.5 blocks while playing more than 31 minutes per game. She had four games of at least 30 points, 14 games of 20 or more points, 18 games of 15 or more points and scored at least 10 points in all 22 games. She also scored her 1,000th-career point as a senior.

Mia was named FH2A Conference Co-Player of the Year and recognized on the All-District team. She also represented the West in the Triad High School All-Star Classic.

McMillen helped the West basketball team defeat the East 62-55. She scored five points, grabbed four rebounds, and added one steal in 16 minutes.

The West’s Kate Hollifield, of Shelby High School, was named MVP of the game with 18 points, five rebounds, one assist, three steals and one block.

McMillen will continue her athletic career in college, just not in basketball. She will attend Limestone University to play volleyball.

The first East-West All-Star Football Game was played in 1949. Like the Basketball All-Star Game, the Football East-West Game was cancelled in 2020 before returning in 2021.

With Whitt and Allen’s inclusion in this year’s game, East Surry has now been represented in the All-Star game 18 times across all three sports and 11 times in football. The duo were preceded by the following Cardinal football players/coaches:

Earl Sheppard in 1965, Bill Edwards in 1967, Jody Hooder in 1984, Clifford Cain and coach David Diamont in 1985, Daniel Lynch in 2000, Davey Diamont and coach David Diamont in 2008, and Quincy Smith in 2020.

Whitt, an offensive lineman, was an All-Conference player all four years of high school and Northwest 1A Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year his junior year. He started in three state championship games – including East Surry’s 2019 1AA State Championship win – as well as four regional championship games.

This past season, Whitt and the “Fat Cowboys” offensive line helped East Surry put up 426.1 total yards per game. The Cardinals ran for 173.3 YPG and passed for 252.8.

Allen was named an All-Conference player his senior year after etching his name in the Cards’ record book. Allen, a wide receiver, graduates as the team’s all-time leader in single-season receptions (83), career receptions (123) and is in the top five of every receiving category. His 83 receptions for 1,294 yards led the 2A division in 2021.

Both Cardinals were named starters for the West’s offense: Whitt at right guard and Allen at receiver.

The West dominated their way to a 33-14 win. The victors racked up 356 total yards on 65 offensive plays while allowing just 119 yards. Allen grabbed two receptions for 33 yards.

The West’s Jabrii Carolina (Thomasville HS) was the game’s Most Valuable Offensive Player, and Brub Hines (R-S Central HS) was the Most Valuable Defensive Player.

Both Allen and Whitt will continue their football careers at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

DOBSON — The first youth apprentice program for registered nurses in North Carolina has culminated this year in nine local students committing to apprenticeships at Northern Regional Hospital in Mount Airy.

An additional five have signed to continue their employment with Northern Regional Hospital through the Surry-Yadkin Works program at a signing event held at Surry Community College. Ten nursing apprentices signed with Northern Regional Hospital in the program’s inaugural year in 2021.

“The youth apprenticeship program has developed even more amazingly than we could have dreamed,” said Robin Hodgin, senior vice president of Patient Services and chief nursing officer at Northern Regional Hospital. “We have been truly blessed with this group of students, a group that our staff has grown to love and appreciate. We’ve enjoyed seeing their smiling faces each day, not to mention their eagerness to learn new skills. We know these young ladies have very bright futures ahead, and we hope those futures return them to Northern Regional Hospital.”

The apprentices who signed are: Trista Berrier of North Surry High School, Hannah Hall of Starmount High School, Gisell Hernadez Aguilera of Yadkin Early College High School, Brianna Key and Mariela Secundino of Surry Early College High School, Callie Moore and Kate Parks of Surry Central High School, Cristina Seawell of East Surry High School, and Ashlyn Shore of Forbush High School.

Additionally, the following Surry-Yadkin Works pre-apprentices working at Northern Regional Hospital signed with with the hospital as PRN nurses at the event. (“PRN” stands for the Latin phrase “Pro re nata,” meaning “as needed,” and “occasionally”): Kylie Bruner, Hannah Johnston, and Clara Willard of East Surry High School, Ellen Bryant of Surry Central High School, and Natalie Payne of North Surry High School.

“Working at Northern Regional Hospital has not only been an eye-opener for me but has been a wonderful learning and working experience,” said Cristina Seawell. “The staff and especially my mentors on the Labor and Delivery floor, who are now like my family, have been amazing. They are the best teachers and have taught me so much. This must be my most amazing opportunity yet. My choice in pursuing my nursing career has become clearer since being here, and I am excited to continue my journey here, as I know that I will have lots of help and support along the way. I am very thankful.”

This opportunity is a part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship program and the state’s ApprenticeshipNC program through the N.C. Community College System Office that combines a paid work-based learning experience with classroom academics leading to a national certification. These students will earn free tuition for the associate degree nursing program at a North Carolina community college to become registered nurses.

The students began their paid pre-apprenticeships on Jan. 10 and worked through May 13 as certified nursing assistants and patient care technicians. They received high school or college credit for their employment along with a stipend each month for travel expenses.

“The partnership that Surry-Yadkin Works has established with Northern Regional Hospital is incredibly exciting for our local students as they are connected early in their educational journey to the hospital, so they can explore career paths,” said Crystal Folger-Hawks, program director of Surry-Yadkin Works. “If it’s a good fit, students can continue working at Northern Regional Hospital, while their college education is paid for through the ApprenticeshipNC program. This is a win-win for the business and students, and I’m proud to be a part of this endeavor.”

For more information about Apprenticeships at Northern Regional Hospital, visit wearenorthern.org/careers or email hrhelp@wearenorthern.org.

Surry-Yadkin Works is the first community-based internship program of its kind in North Carolina, officially beginning on Jan. 1, 2021, covering a two-county region.Surry-Yadkin Works is the collaborative effort of four public school systems in Surry and Yadkin counties including Elkin City Schools, Mount Airy City Schools, Surry County Schools, and Yadkin County Schools, as well as Surry Community College. The funding is also a joint effort with commitments from the Surry County and Yadkin County commissioners. An anonymous contributor donated $100,000 prompted by a presentation about the program at an educational summit to help begin the program.

For more information about the Surry-Yadkin Works program, contact Folger-Hawks at 336-401-7820 or folger-hawksc@surry.edu or visit www.surryyadkinworks.org.

Jackson Ferris sat anxiously on the deck of Chase & Charli’s Restaurant Sunday night waiting to hear his name called.

After more than three hours and 46 picks, the Mount Airy native – surrounded by his family and closest friends – had a monumental weight lifted off his shoulders thanks to an announcement from former Cy Young Award winner Rick Sutcliffe.

“With the 47th pick of the 2022 MLB Draft, the Chicago Cubs select Jackson Ferris – a left-handed pitcher from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.”

Jackson, 18, is the son of Jason and Lena Ferris. He also has one brother, Spencer.

Ferris is a two-time MaxPreps All-American at IMG. Over two seasons at the school, Ferris went 16-0 on the mound with a 0.80 ERA and threw 189 strikeouts in 105 innings.

IMG finished 23-2 this past season and ranked No. 4 in the nation by MaxPreps. Ferris went 8-0 with a 1.03 ERA and threw 103 strikeouts in 54.1 innings.

Jackson played his first two seasons of high school ball at Mount Airy before transferring in mid-2020.

The full results from the first two rounds of the MLB Draft, provided by the Associated Press, are listed below:

1. Baltimore Orioles, Jackson Holliday, SS, Stillwater H.S., Okla.

2. Arizona Diamondbacks, Druw Jones, OF, Wesleyan H.S., Ga.

3. Texas Rangers, Kumar Rocker, RHP, Farragut, Tenn.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates, Termarr Johnson, SS, Mays H.S., Ga.

5. Washington Nationals, Elijah Green, OF, IMG Academy, Fla.

6. Miami Marlins, Jacob Berry, 3B, LSU.

7. Chicago Cubs, Cade Horton, RHP, Oklahoma.

8. Minnesota Twins, Brooks Lee, SS, Cal Poly.

9. Kansas City Royals, Gavin Cross, OF, Virginia Tech.

10. Colorado Rockies, Gabriel Hughes, RHP, Gonzaga.

11. New York Mets, Kevin Parada, C, Georgia Tech.

12. Detroit Tigers, Jace Jung, 2B, Texas Tech.

13. Los Angeles Angels, Zach Neto, SS, Campbell.

14. New York Mets, Jett Williams, SS, Rockwall-Heath H.S., Texas.

15. San Diego Padres, Dylan Lesko, RHP, Buford H.S., Ga.

16. Cleveland Guardians, Chase DeLauter, OF, James Madison.

17. Philadelphia Phillies, Justin Crawford, OF, Bishop Gorman H.S., Nev.

18. Cincinnati Reds, Cam Collier, 3B, Chipola College.

19. Oakland Athletics, Daniel Susac, C, Arizona.

20. Atlanta Braves, Owen Murphy, RHP, Riverside Brookfield H.S., Ill.

21. Seattle Mariners, Cole Young, SS, North Allegheny H.S., Pa.

22. St. Louis Cardinals, Cooper Hjerpe, LHP, Oregon St.

23. Toronto Blue Jays, Brandon Barriera, LHP, American Heritage School, Fla.

24. Boston Red Sox, Mikey Romero, SS, Orange Lutheran H.S., Calif.

25. New York Yankees, Spencer Jones, OF, Vanderbilt.

26. Chicago White Sox, Noah Schultz, LHP, Oswego East H.S., Ill.

27. Milwaukee Brewers, Eric Brown Jr., SS, Coastal Carolina.

28. Houston Astros, Drew Gilbert, OF, Tennessee.

29. Tampa Bay Rays, Xavier Isaac, 1B, East Forsyth H.S., N.C.

30. San Francisco Giants, Reggie Crawford, TWP, UConn.

31. Colorado Rockies, Sterlin Thompson, OF, Florida.

32. Cincinnati Reds, Sal Stewart, 3B, Westminster Christian School, Fla.

33. Baltimore Orioles, Dylan Beavers, OF, California.

34. Arizona Diamondbacks, Landon Sims, RHP, Mississippi St.

35. Atlanta Braves, JR Ritchie, RHP, Bainbridge H.S., Wash.

36. Pittsburgh Pirates, Thomas Harrington, RHP, Campbell.

37. Cleveland, Justin Campbell, RHP, Oklahoma St.

38. Colorado Rockies, Jordan Beck, OF, Tennessee.

39. San Diego Padres, Robby Snelling, LHP, McQueen H.S., Nev.

40. Los Angeles Dodgers, Dalton Rushing, C, Louisville.

41. Boston Red Sox, Cutter Coffey, SS, Liberty H.S., Calif.

42. Baltimore Orioles, Max Wagner, 3B, Clemson.

43. Arizona Diamondbacks, Ivan Melendez, 1B, Texas.

44. Pittsburgh Pirates, Hunter Barco, LHP, Florida.

45. Washington Nationals, Jake Bennett, LHP, Oklahoma.

46. Miami Marlins, Jacob Miller, Liberty Union H.S., Ohio.

47. Chicago Cubs, Jackson Ferris, LHP, IMG Academy, Fla.

48. Minnesota Twins, Connor Prielipp, LHP, Alabama.

49. Kansas City Royals, Cayden Wallace, 3B, Arkansas.

50. Colorado Rockies, Jackson Cox, Toutle Lake H.S., Wash.

51. Detroit Tigers, Peyton Graham, SS, Oklahoma.

52. New York Mets, Blade Tidwell, RHP, Tennessee.

53. San Diego Padres, Adam Mazur, RHP, Iowa.

54. Cleveland Guardians, Parker Messick, LHP, Florida St.

55. Cincinnati Reds, Logan Tanner, C, Mississippi St.

56. Oakland Athletics, Henry Bolte, OF, Palo Alto H.S., Calif.

57. Atlanta Braves, Cole Phillips, RHP, Boerne H.S., Texas.

58. Seattle Mariners, Tyler Locklear, 3B, VCU.

59. St. Louis Cardinals, Brycen Mautz, LHP, San Diego.

60. Toronto Blue Jays, Josh Kasevich, SS, Oregon.

61. New York Yankees, Drew Thorpe, RHP, Cal Poly.

62. Chicago White Sox, Peyton Pallette, RHP, Arkansas.

63. Milwaukee Brewers, Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Crowder College.

64. Houston Astros, Jacob Melton, OF, Oregon St.

65. Tampa Bay Rays, Brock Jones, OF, Stanford.

66. San Francisco Giants, Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, East Carolina.

67. Baltimore Orioles, Jud Fabian, OF, Florida.

68. Minnesota Twins, Tanner Schobel, SS, Virginia Tech.

69. Oakland Athletics, Clark Elliott, OF, Michigan.

70. Tampa Bay Rays, Chandler Simpson, SS, Georgia Tech.

71. Tampa Bay Rays, Ryan Cermak, OF, Illinois St.

72. Milwaukee Brewers, Robert Moore, SS, Arkansas.

73. Cincinatti Reds, Justin Boyd, OF, Oregon St.

74. Seattle Mariners, Walter Ford, RHP, Pace H.S., Fla.

75. New York Mets, Nick Morabito, OF, Gonzaga College H.S., D.C.

76. Atlanta Braves, Blake Burkhalter, RHP, Auburn.

77. Toronto Blue Jays, Tucker Toman, SS, Hammond School, S.C.

78. Toronto Blue Jays, Cade Doughty, 2B, LSU.

79. Boston Red Sox, Roman Anthony, OF, Stoneman Douglas H.S., Fla.

80. Houston Astros, Andrew Taylor, RHP, Central Michigan

With much focus nowadays on space tourism ventures launched by visionaries such as Jeff Bezos, Sir Richard Branson and Elon Musk, local kids got the chance to explore the galaxy without even leaving Mount Airy.

This was courtesy of a summer enrichment program offered by Mount Airy City Schools which has a different theme each week, including a “Reach for the Stars” session that concluded last Thursday allowing youths to learn about space.

The theme for this week is “Under the Sea.”

Mount Airy City Schools bills the different segments of the summer enrichment program as “family engagement sessions” that are geared toward school-age children and parents.

And the beauty of the concept is that they don’t have to travel to some facility on the other side of town to participate.

“We’re bringing it to them,” said Candice Haynes, one of two lead teachers for the summer program along with Ashley Pyles. This occurs using the familiar Blue Bear Bus, which is driven to different locations around town each week, filled with books and other materials to match the different themes.

On Mondays, the bus travels to the Madoc Center, and on Tuesday program organizers set up shop on Granite Road. Fellowship Baptist Church is penciled in on the schedule each Wednesday and the week concludes with a Thursday stopover at Riverside Park.

(Today’s session has been shifted from Granite Road to Riverside Park due to the threat of rain, but will resume at the normal sites on Wednesday.)

The segments run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the different locations. The summer enrichment program began in early June and will end on July 28.

Along with “Reach for the Stars” and “Under the Sea,” the weekly themes have included “Ready Set Grow,” “STEAM into Summer” and “Red, White and Blue,” an appropriate lead-in for the July 4 weekend before the program took a brief break.

The final theme for next week’s session is “Fun Fitness.”

“We give away free books every day,” Haynes said, with breakfast and lunch also provided at no charge to participants.

Additionally, a field trip component is built into the program, including to a facility in Winston-Salem.

Along with providing fun activities for children and families, the summer enrichment effort reflects an ulterior motive of sorts: avoiding what educators refer to as “summer slide.”

That is the tendency among some students to lose academic gains they achieved during the previous school session — forcing them to play catch-up when the next term begins.

The different themes of the enrichment program each week are designed to keep the kids’ minds engaged and focused on learning.

“These are activities they’re not going to go out and do in the summertime (otherwise),” Haynes said.

Last week during the “Reach for the Stars” session, for example, participants developed Mars Rover models; worked with Legos figures; learned about the different phases of the moon and its orbit around Earth using cookies; and enjoyed hands-on time with “slime,” reminiscent of experiments undertaken with that substance in 2020 aboard the International Space Station.

The Nickelodeon television network provided the slime that has become an iconic feature of the network which is dumped on people’s heads during game shows in acts of either celebration or humiliation — which most consider a privilege overall.

Simulated slime also covered the endzone after every touchdown during a special Nickelodeon telecast of the San Francisco 49ers-Dallas Cowboys playoff game in January.

A humble mixture of vanilla pudding, applesauce, green food coloring and a little oatmeal, the slime was used by International Space Station crew members to test how the unique fluid reacted in microgravity.

Nickelodeon also created a teacher’s guide on the experiments conducted to stimulate young students.

Slime was in plentiful supply at the Madoc Center along with LEGO pieces students worked with, coinciding with another endeavor in which 26 LEGO figures were transported to the International Space Station as part of a special mission.

This week’s “Under the Sea” theme is being accompanied by activities showing the dangers of plastic to marine life, an oil slick experiment and more.

Yet aside from the educational components involved with the Blue Bear Bus summer enrichment program is the opportunity for socializing which it provides.

“Definitely, the interactions, especially with my daughter,” parent Vasso Iliopoulos said of the benefits for her two children, the daughter who is 4 and a 10-year-old son. They have been able to meet many other people during the Madoc Center gatherings that they regularly attend.

Iliopoulos also praised the program for its offering of unique activities that typically would not be available to her children during the summer — “things they don’t get exposed to at home.”

• A vehicle was stolen Saturday in Mount Airy by two suspects, according to city police reports.

The theft occurred at Quality Mart on Holly Springs Road, where the 2008 Kia Spectra was taken from the parking lot of the business.

Billy Hassell Tilley of King was identified as the owner of the car, which is white in color and was bearing license tag number TJL8448. It is valued at $3,000.

• Ronald Lee Carter, 57, of 189 Eleanor Ave., was arrested Saturday on a charge of resisting, delaying or obstructing a public officer after an incident at Dollar General on North Renfro Street.

Carter was encountered by officers responding to a shoplifting call at the store and fled on foot upon being pointed out by the manager as the suspect during the larceny investigation, police records state.

He was placed under arrest on Oak Street near Junction Street after a short foot chase, but only the resisting charge is listed in those records. Carter was held in the Surry County Jail under a $500 secured bond and slated for an Aug. 8 appearance in District Court.

• Nathanial Brendon Lee, 20, of 328 Wallace Creed Road, was jailed on a felony drug charge on July 9 after a traffic stop in the 500 block of North Main Street.

During that encounter, Lee allegedly was found in possession of an unspecified drug, leading to him being accused of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lee was confined in the Surry County Jail under a $2,500 secured bond. He was scheduled to appear in District Court Monday.

The Surry Arts Players will be performing Music Man directed by Tyler Matanick this weekend. There will be Friday and Saturday July 22-23 performances at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday performance at 3 p.m. at the Andy Griffith Playhouse.

The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize – this, despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall.

The production stars David Timm as Harold Hill, Katelyn Gomez as Marian Paroo, Hollie Heller as Mrs. Paroo, Quintin Zemon as Winthrop Paroo, Chloe Lawson as Amaryllis, David Nielsen as Mayor George Shinn, Jane Tesh as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn, LillyRuth Beck as Zaneeta Shinn, Noelle Snow as Gracie Shinn, Scott Carpenter as Marcellus Washburn, Walker York as Tommy Djilas, Robert Parks as Jacey Squires, Greg Matthews as Ewart Dunlop, Tom McCluskey as Oliver Hix, Will Banfield as Olin Britt, Judy Beamer as Alma Hix, Lori Hawkins-Beck as Maud Dunlop, Julia-Ann Banfield as Ethel Toffelmier, Ashley Mills as Mrs. Squires, RJ Heller as Charlie Cowell, Allie Pell as Constable Locke, Hailey Nichols and Tess Ramey as Pick-a-Little Ladies.

Additional cast includes Kinston Nichols as the train conductor; Devin Poindexter as a farmer; Raegan Amos as the farmer’s wife; Charlotte Banfield, Madeline Caudill, Paisley Chilton, Ava Chrismon, Reese Cox, Remi DeVore, Catherine Douglas, Molly Easter, Atticus Hawks, Prim Hawks, Hannah Hiatt, Charlie Johnson, Cassidy Mills, Brooke Nichols, Sierra Nichols, Zoey Rumsey, Charlotte Sheets, Abby Smithson, Maggie Wallace, Claire Youell, and Maddie Youell as the ensemble.

Serving on the production crew is Director/Choreographer Tyler Matanick; Music Director Darrell Beck; Stage Manager Abby Brady; Dance Captain Cassidy Mills; Assistant Director Madeline Matanick; Technical Director Tyler Matanick; Sound Engineer David Brown; Light Board Operator Patrick McDaniel; Costumes Lori Hawkins Beck, Tess Ramey, and Abby Brady; Set Building David Brow and Tyler Matanick; Conductor Darrell Beck; Piano Adam Rudisill; Keys 2 Wilson Smith; Trumpet Allen Nichols; Flute Linda Twedell; Bassoon Sherri Collins; Saxophone/Clarinet Bobby Heller; Percussion Brady Reed; and Stage Crew Brody Sheets and Kori Hawks. Instruments were provided by Olde Mill Music.

Performances are on Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 24 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20. Tickets are available online at www.surryarts.org, via phone at 336-786-7998, or at the Surry Arts Council office at 218 Rockford Street. Tickets will also be available at the box office one hour before each show if available. For additional information, contact Marianna Juliana at 336-786-7998 or marianna@surryarts.org. This show is funded in part by a Grassroots Grant from the North Carolina Arts Council along with the Diane Holcomb Endowment.

While some “new business” has emerged with the recent collapse of the Main-Oak Building, Mount Airy officials’ attention also has been focused on a bit of “old business” surrounding three dilapidated structures elsewhere in town.

These include the former Koozies/Quality Mills located at 455 Franklin St; the old Mittman body shop at 109 S. South St.; and what is referred to in municipal documents as the “red building” at 600 W. Pine St. beside Worth Honda.

All three have been declared unfit for human occupancy by the city building codes officer and on Feb. 17 the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners took action giving the separate owners of the sites 90 days to repair or demolish the structures.

With that deadline having come and gone in May, the three are still standing, but Mayor Ron Niland says some movement has occurred with two of the three locations.

The days could be numbered for the third, the so-called Koozies building, the name of a private club once operating there, which has been especially problematic — included two fires in recent months linked to homeless occupancy. Its owner is listed as an entity in Oklahoma.

During an interview last week, the mayor reported on the present status for the trio of structures, having just spoken with City Manager Stan Farmer regarding the situation.

Niland said that the red building on West Pine is in the process of being sold to a buyer who knows the structure needs to be razed and reportedly is willing to do this. The mayor did not know the identity of the supposed purchaser.

Meanwhile, the former Mittman Paint and Body Shop on South South Street was auctioned in April to J&E Properties of North Carolina based on Park Drive, which includes a business called Ultimate Towing and Recovery.

The mayor said it is his understanding that the new owner bought the site with the intention of bringing the dilapidated structure up to code for reuse.

That leaves only the Koozies building, which at last report was said to be in limbo after an auction attempt in late April.

After making a high bid of $165,000, an unnamed New York party backed out, reportedly upon learning of the demolition mandate after initially being unaware of this.

Mayor Niland indicated that the Koozies property remains unsettled — a situation municipal officials are poised to rectify shortly.

He said the plan includes going back to the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners at some point in the next 30 to 60 days for “a decision on how to proceed going forward.”

“It’s going to have to come down sooner rather than later,” Niland added concerning the Koozies facility.

“That’s got some of the same issues as the building downtown,” he said of the Main-Oak one, which collapsed on July 5. The Koozies structure also contains a wall in danger of falling, the mayor mentioned.

Under the city’s action in February, the owner’s failure to act by the May 18 deadline included giving the commissioners authority to direct the codes officer to facilitate demolition.

The price tag for that has been put at hundreds of thousands of dollars. The municipality could then seize the property to help offset the cost.

Surry County announced the appointment of Laura Neely as the county’s new finance officer. Neely will be filling that role on Sept. 1, following the retirement of Rhonda Nixon, who after a career spanning 25 years of public service is ready to pass the baton.

Neely has been employed with the Town of Dobson since 2012, serving initially as finance officer and most recently as town manager. “During my time as town manager, I gained invaluable skills and insights into working with boards and elected officials, project management, budgeting, leadership, and effective communication,” she said.

“I learned lessons from each accomplishment and mistake made while in this role. My time also solidified my love of working in the public service sector and opened my eyes to all of the amazing individuals who work daily to make Surry County a great place to live and work.”

A graduate of North Wilkes High School she earned a Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro followed by a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

She is also a graduate of the Municipal/County Administration course at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Government.

The Dobson board of commissioners met in closed session Monday, July 11, to discuss the search for a new town manager. Neely said, “Their plan is to appoint a temporary internal interim town manager at the July 28 meeting so business can continue as usual until another interim town manager is appointed.”

This will not be her first transition as a public servant. She said the last job change was made easy, “Moving from finance officer to town manager while at Dobson was a relatively smooth transition because of the mentor I had in previous Town Manager Josh Smith.”

“I felt prepared to take on the challenge and already had a good relationship with the staff and town board. My staff and board were extremely supportive during that transition and were always quick to lend a helping hand or a listening ear if needed.”

She said, “I am excited to begin a new chapter in my career at the county of Surry. This role will allow me to continue to serve the great citizens of Dobson and all of Surry County in a new capacity while presenting new challenges. Finance is my background, and I am eager to dive back in as finance officer. I feel very honored to have been selected for this role.”

“I would like to thank each and every employee, the mayor, and commissioners for their continuous support during my time with the Town of Dobson. I am so proud of our small town and the great strides we have made during my time,” Neely said.

Misty Marion currently serves a dual role for Dobson as finance officer, Neely’s job prior to town manager, and as assistant town manager. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Laura for many years. While I will miss her greatly, I know that she will be an invaluable member of the team at Surry County. I wish her the best of luck as she moves on to this net chapter in her career.”

“I am very excited to have Laura join our Surry County team,” Assistant County Manager Sandy Snow said of Neely’s move to join the county. “I am confident she will be a great asset to the county. Her finance background and public sector experience will serve her well in her new role.”

Surry County Manager Chris Knopf added, “I would like to congratulate Laura on her appointment as finance officer. I’ve had the pleasure to work cooperatively with Laura for a number of years and look forward to her joining our team here at Surry County.”

Neely says it is a bittersweet transition, but her neighbors in Dobson are being left in good hands, “The staff and board of commissioners that I leave behind are outstanding and truly desire to always do what is best for this wonderful town.”

The Board of County Commissioners made an allocation of $2.1 million within the Invest in Surry program for qualifying grants to local non-profit organizations earlier this year. At last week’s meeting of the commissioners, County Manager Chris Knopf released the details on the decisions on disbursement to area non-profits.

County staff compiled the applications from those that were submitted throughout late winter and into spring and reviewed them for compliance against the stated goals of the programs.

Applications had to meet a two-part test by the county’s Finance Committee to determine is the activity had a reasonable connection to a legitimate aim of the government. Also, the application had to prove that the program was for the public’s gain and “not that of an individual or private entity.”

Other restrictions were placed as well such as one that stated that organizations who had received other pandemic relief from the CARES Act or American Rescue Plan Act were not eligible. The size of the nonprofit was considered as there is an “assumption that larger organizations have more diverse funding and support options, and that this program’s support should be reserved for smaller non-profits in the county.”

All restrictions presented exemptions for those groups “directly dedicated to COVID patient care,” the application materials read.

In the end there were 37 applications received requesting a total of $4,722,260.45 against the $2.1 million amount allocated; so, some applications had to be weeded out.

Surry County used a variety of methods to base the decision making process on reducing the number of applications for non-profit grants so that the greatest number of organizations as possible.

An application for one of the nonprofit grants could not exceed 50% of the organization’s annual operational budget. Knopf’s office noted that applications were received from groups who exceeded that threshold amount and were therefore disqualified.

Other ways to whittle down the applicants was to set some restrictions on what the grant monies may be used for. “Funding could not be used for salaries, benefits, etc. because there was no guarantee with these types of expenditures that a tangible outcome would remain,” the county said.

Organizations who are awarded an Invest in Surry nonprofit grant will receive 50% of the awarded funding in August and the remainder in February. The county’s finance office will track the spending of funds awarded and will require reports be submitted on a regular basis to monitor compliance.

The nonprofits sharing the $2.1 million in grants through the Invest in Surry program are:

– Greater Mount Airy Habitat for Humanity $ 113,000

– Mount Airy Junior Women’s Club $25,000

– United Fund of Surry County $59,205

– Children’s Center of NWNC $100,000

– Surry County Schools Educational Foundation $25,000

– Helping Hands of Surry County $100,000

The Blackmon Amphitheatre will have a full schedule of music this weekend. Liquid Pleasure will play Thursday night. The Magnificents will take the stage on Friday night and Part Time Party Time Band will perform on Saturday night. All three shows will be at 7:30 pm.

Liquid Pleasure is a Chapel Hill based party band that plays everything from Top 40, rap, rock, and a variety of other genres. After more than two decades of bringing audiences to their feet, the band Liquid Pleasure has become a multi-cultural icon.

With no album high on the charts to boost them, Liquid Pleasure is a marketing phenomenon, generating buzz and full venues through word-of-mouth only. Liquid Pleasure brings fun and excitement to the stage.

The Magnificents Band has a wealth of live playing experience in varied styles of music, including classic soul, beach, Motown, Top 40, and dance hits.

Not just a beach music band, the Part Time Party Time Band plays a host of Motown, soul, ’60s, ’70s, and timeless classics. The band will even slide in a funk or country song to keep the dance floor full. No sequencers, synthesizers, drum machines, or backing tracks are allowed. These are real musicians playing real music with heartfelt passion.

Each concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission to each show is $15 or a Surry Arts Council Annual Pass. Children 12 and younger are admitted free with an adult admission or Annual Pass. The Dairy Center, Whit’s Custard, and Thirsty Souls Community Brewing will be at the concerts to provide food, snacks, drinks, beer, and wine for purchase. No outside alcohol or coolers are allowed to be brought into the Amphitheatre area. Those attending are asked to bring a lounge chair or blanket to sit on.

Tickets are available online at www.surryarts.org, via phone at 336-786-7998, or at the Surry Arts Council office at 218 Rockford Street. For additional information, contact Marianna Juliana at 336-786-7998 or marianna@surryarts.org

North Surry High School will host its Youth Football Camp on July 22.

The camp, which is open to rising first graders through rising ninth graders, will be held at Charlie Atkins Stadium from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost of registration is $40 and includes a t-shirt.

Payment will be accepted in either cash or checks made out to North Surry High School. Payment will need to be dropped off, mailed to North Surry at 2440 W. Pine Street or accepted on the day of the camp.

Registration forms can be found at bit.ly/3ocOy5z

The camp will be led by Varsity Head Coach Jackson Smith, the North Surry Coaching Staff, as well as current and former Greyhound players.

A message from the coaching staff: “The North Surry Youth Football Camp will provide young athletes with individual instruction, competitive drills/games and a positive learning environment. Our goal is to create a foundation for athletes to build upon; no matter their football background.”

With questions, contact Coach Smith at smithjac@surry.k12.nc.us

For years, residents in and around Pilot Mountain have enjoyed using the Edward M. Armfield Senior Civic and Recreation Center.

The facility, built specifically to serve Pilot Mountain as a community center, fitness and workout facility, among other uses, has been owned and operated by a non-profit private foundation.

That may be changing soon — though members and local residents should not worry about the prospective new owner.

That would be the Town of Pilot Mountain.

Mayor Even Cockerham recently said the town staff and commissioners have been in discussions with the foundation’s board about the concept.

“We’ve always kind of thought this might be something we need to do,” the mayor said. He said being owned by a municipal government, as part of a parks and recreation department, would give the center some advantages over being owned by the non-profit foundation.

Among those would be a host of grant opportunities not now available to the center.

Funding has been a problem, at times, for the center, although Cockerham said the membership of the center and volunteers have done an amazing job over the years of fundraising to handle needed repairs and upkeep. Volunteer work there at times has saved tens of thousands of dollars on some projects, the mayor said.

Still, the expensive process of resurfacing the pool every 20 years, periodically replacing the HVAC system, the roof, and other major projects “have been a little bit of a struggle.”

He said the center has also been hit by the coronavirus pandemic — being forced to close for many months under state orders that shuttered all gyms and workout centers across the state in 2020. Even after the gym and other facilities there reopened, some individuals opted to cancel their memberships rather than comply with state mask mandates that were in effect at different times.

“Membership has rebounded some, from what I understand, but I don’t think they’ve rebounded to pre-pandemic numbers just yet. To their credit, between volunteer work and staff going the extra mile, they have been, for the most part, a break-even operation, but it’s those long-term expenses” the are challenging.

Cockerham said the facility is vital to Pilot Mountain and Surry County. In addition to a weight room, walking track and basketball court, it is also the town’s senior center where the Meals on Wheels program operates. Additionally, the mayor said several county schools, including East Surry High School, use the indoor pool for swim meets.

“The main thing we want to make sure going forward is working with the county and with the school system to maintain the building properly and set aside funds for capital needs.”

The town has applied for a $300,000 Rural Transformation Grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce to use for the purchase. He said buying the center for that cost would essentially wipe out all of the center’s debt.

At present, he said a lot of “due diligence” is underway, including commercial building inspectors looking over the facility and grounds, and developing a capital improvement plan for the community center.

Should the process conclude with the town’s purchase of the property, Cockerham said details of how it would operate have yet to be worked out.

“Right now we’re exploring our options how best to manage the facility. The employees there would stay on as town employees, or as employees of the Armfield Center under the town’s umbrella. We won’t make any major changes.”

He also is not sure if town residents would get a break on membership fees while out-of-town members would pay more, although such an arrangement is a possibility, he said.

“The memberships there are really affordable, I’m a member of Armfield myself,” he said.

Attempts to reach officials at the Armfield Center were not successful. It is unclear how many individuals are employed there — Leah Tunstall is listed as director and Geneva Cheek as assistant director. Overall 20 people are listed on the website as employees, though it is not clear how many are fulltime, part-time, or temporary seasonal staff.

Cockerham said it’s not yet a done deal, but he is hopeful the town will learn this year what it will be able to do and get started.

“We’re still working out details when those funds will actually be available to us, timeline on when the town will take over. The staff and volunteers there have really gone above and beyond…We want to make sure anything we do respects what they’ve done to get us to this point. We hope we can be part of Armfield Center’s future, make sure it can continue to operate and be a successful asset to our town.”

SALISBURY – Food Lion recently said nearly 300 of its associates will be celebrating 30 or more years of service with the company including five long-term associates from stores in the Mount Airy area.

“Recognizing associates who have shared their gifts and talents with Food Lion and nourished their neighbors for decades is incredibly important to us,” said Meg Ham, president, Food Lion. “These dedicated associates have touched the lives of their fellow associates and customers alike. We are so fortunate to have such committed associates and I so appreciate the care, compassion and commitment they share with Food Lion and the towns and cities they serve.”

Food Lion recognizes these associates celebrating 30, 35, 40, and 45 years of service with the Years of Service Award. Each year, the omnichannel retailer holds a recognition event to share appreciation and gratitude for associates who have achieved these service milestones. At the Years of Service Awards event, each associate’s name, position, location and service milestone are read aloud and celebrated.

Locally, those recognized for 30 years of service include Pricing Coordinator Mary Fultz, Produce Sales Manager James Haymore, and Evening Manager Jason McGee.

Those recognized for 35 years of service include Perishable Associate Billy Meyers and Store Manager Chad Hiatt.

Food Lion, based in Salisbury has more than 1,100 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and employs more than 82,000 associates companywide.

Books available for check-out at the Mount Airy Public Library:

Light From Uncommon Stars – Ryka Aoki

A Letter to Three Witches – Elizabeth Bass

Republic of Detours – Scott Borchert

The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections – Eva Jurczyk

The Replacement Wife – Darby Kate

The Perfect Escape – Leah Konen

The Friendship Pact – Jill Shalvis

The Lost Village – Camilla Stern

Looking for Leroy – Melody Carlson

A Season of Change – Beth Wiseman

Red Burning Sky – Tom Young

Atlas of the Heart – Brene Brown

Crystals for Beginners – Karen Frazier

New Women In the Old West – Wenifred Gallagher

The Irish Assassins – Julie Kavanagh

The Last Castle – Denise Kiernan

Wilmington’s Lie – David Zucchino

Dante – A Life – Alessandro Barbero

Crossing the Line – Kareem Rosser

The summer programming is underway, lasting through Aug. 8. Explore the theme of the week through stories, crafts, games and more. Spaces are limited for some events, call or come by to register to secure a spot. Call 336-789-5108. The schedule is:

• Monday at 6 p.m. – teens, ages 13-17. Play like Vikings, learn about Vikings and how they roamed the seas.

• Tuesday at 2 p. m. – kids ages 8-12; Make Japanese Paper Lanterns

• Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. – Toddler Time for children ages 2 and 3;

• Thursday at 9:30 a.m. – Book Babies for children ages birth to 2 years old;

• Thursday at 11 a.m. – Preschool Storytime – ages 4-5;

• Friday at 9 a.m. – Adults, age 18 and older; This week, we will make a watercolor craft with tissue paper.

• Friday at 1 p.m. – Family Movie Series, popcorn and water will be available. Feel free to bring your own snacks. This week, we will be watching Sinbad, the Legend of the Seven Seas.

• July 21 at 4:30 p.m. Brightstar Children’s Theatre Presents “Treasure Island.” Get a crash course on this Robert Louis Stevenson classic tale of treasure, pirates and ocean adventure. For all ages.

Book Bag Giveaway. This summer, each time you check out books, put your name in the box at the check-out deks to win a bookbag full of school supplies. The drawing will be Friday, August 5.

Top Reader. The top reader of the summer, the one who turns in the most reading logs, with the most time read will win a Kindle. This contest is for youth ages 8 – 18. Turn in all reading logs by August 5.

Surry Community College is offering a fun and free English as Second Language (ESL) class at the Mount Airy Public Library Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Anyone interested should contact Jennifer Pardue at 336-386-3674.

Hooked – Come join our crochet and knitting club, every Wednesday at 3 p.m. Bring your own yarn and make the group project or bring your own project to work on.

Tai Chi has returned to the library. Join us each Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m. This class is beneficial for those with limited mobility.

The Community Book Club meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. This month we will be reading The Mapmaker’s Children by Sarah McCoy.

Pages and Petticoats Book Club — meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m.

Classic Movie Monday on July 25 at 5:30 p.m. to watch JAWS, if you dare. “We’re going to need a bigger boat.”

Keep up with all events on our FaceBook pages, https://www.facebook.com/groups/fmapl and https://www.facebook.com/mtapublibrary or our website https://nwrlibrary.org/mountairy/

Mount Airy City Schools recently announced several administrative changes for school and district positions.

Among those is Andy Mehaffey joinging the school system as finance director. He graduated from Johnson & Wales University in 2005 and from Wake Forest University with his master of business administration in 2010. Mehaffey comes with a variety of financial experiences Most recently, he has worked as finance director for Graylyn Estate at Wake Forest University. Mehaffey replaces Audra Chilton and began his role in late June.

“We are pleased and excited to have Andy Mehaffey on our team,” said Superintendent Dr. Kim Morrison. “He has a wealth of experience and visionary thinking that will contribute greatly to our financial success. After extensive interviews of many capable candidates, Andy rose above those to win the top spot. We are glad to welcome him to the Mount Airy City Schools family.”

Shannon Collins joins the school system’s finance team as finance specialist. She earned her BBA in Business administration from Campbell University and graduated from The North Carolina Association of School Business Officials Academy. She brings more than 21 years of experience in accounting, school business, and education with her. She began her role in late June.

“Shannon Collins has an extensive background in school finance and will be a tremendous asset to our finance team,” said Dr. Morrison. “She has been a leader for many years and will help us navigate the changing waters of North Carolina school finance. We welcome Shannon to the Mount Airy City Schools family.”

Nora Santillan has been named assistant director of innovative programming and world language. She will continue to oversee Language Leaders, the district’s dual language immersion program, as well as other programs with Innovative Programming Director Penny Willard.

Santillan earned her bachelor of arts in test of English as a foreign language from Instituto Neuquino del Profesorado de Inglés in Argentina and her master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages from Greensboro College. Most recently she earned her M. Ed. degree in education leadership and her N.C. School Administrator: Principal K-12 license. She began her role on July 1.

“We are excited to have Nora join the Mount Airy City Schools Innovation Team to support many of our pivotal program areas,” Willard said. “She has already established many positive relationships with our families and community partners and this is essential to our continued work. Nora’s skill set paired with this new role will allow her to lead, innovate, and serve at a greater capacity.”

Melanie Sparks has been named as Mount Airy Middle School’s assistant principal. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a bachelor of science degree in secondary mathematics education in 2001 and with a master of school administration in 2015. She has worked as a high school math teacher and most recently an exceptional children’s teacher. She is a National Board Certified teacher who brings more than 20 years of teaching experience to her new role. She will begin on August 1.

“We are excited and looking forward to Mrs. Melanie Sparks joining our family at Mount Airy Middle School,” said Principal Levi Goins. “Her wealth of experience and background will serve our students and community well. Mrs. Sparks’ desire to connect with students and staff will allow her to have a lasting impact on our school.”

In recording deeds, the state of North Carolina does not require that the amount paid for a parcel be stated on the deed. However a tax stamp at the rate of $2 for every $1,000 in value is affixed to each deed.

Recent real estate transfers recorded in the Surry County Register of Deed’s office include:

– Waffle House, Inc. to Department of Transportation, The State of North Carolina and State of North Carolina; deed for highway right of way tract; $76.

– Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. to State of North Carolina, The State of North Carolina and Department of Transportation; deed for highway right of way tract; $106.

– Stephen Bass and Jessica Bass to Robert A. Alten and Shannon M. Alten; tracts Rockford; $590.

– Ashton L. Puckett Irrevocable Special Needs Trust, Brent W. Stephens and Ashton L. Puckett to Andrew Hembree and April Hembree; 0.56 acres U.S. Highway 601 Business; $484.

– Robert D. Lilley and Yonette Lilley to Lee J. Hadfield and Arelis M. Hadfield; tract one 10.136 acres and tract two 13.58 acres and tract three 3.518 acres; $678.

– Anthony Critcher and Lorie K. Bolick to Christian Paul Ercolani and Andrew George Weyl; 25.589 acres; $360.

– Mary Lou Snow and Robert E. Snow to Gardenia Gray Properties, LLC; 0.4593 acres Longhill; $50.

– Joseph Williams to Julianna Burtoff; commissioners deed; $316.

– Kayleigh Annie Draur and Kayleigh Annie Elizabeth Carrick to Matthew Wyatt Dalton; tract one tract two 0.51 acres Dobson; $320.

– Barbara Sechrist Tilley and Glenn R. Tilley Jr. to Chelsea Amilee Tilley and Jonathan Eric Tilley; 2.427 acres Shoals; $160.

– Kayla Simpson to Christopher Sloop and Ingle Armstrong Sloop; 3.183 acres PB 17 23; $230.

– Fernando Endriga and Katherine Endriga to Susan Abbigail Endriga; lots 11-16 block B C.H. Stanliff property PB 3 183 Mount Airy; $280.

– Preston E. Hill to Christopher Sloop and Ingle Armstrong Sloop; 0.823 acres PB 40 128; $10.

– Berit Bowman to Ashley Jones and James Jones; 5.5 acres Stewarts Creek; $36.

– Berit Bowman to Benjamin Bowman; parcel 1 8.01 acres PB 8 96 and parcel 2 tract one 4.5 acres and tract two 5.75 acres Mount Airy; $0.

– John W. Steffy and Barbara A. Steffy to Emily Schiff and Andrew Shiff; lot 5 of Rivermont Estates development PB 17 1-5 Mount Airy; $652.

– Nancy J. Duncan to Ninth Colonial Investments, LLC; tract one lot 3 and portion of lot 4 block 22 and tract two lots 12-14 block 17 PB 1 204 Elkin; $1,320.

– Carlene H. Galyean, Virginia H. Galyean and Virginia Carlene Galyean to Carlene H. Galyean and Donald Keith Galyean; tract one 20,075 sq ft and tract two lot 1 section Millerode Forest subdivision Mount Airy; $0.

– Merlin V, LLC to Nain Armenta Rodriguez and Norma Alicia Ojeda; tract one lots 1-4 and tract two lots 91-95 block A Crestwood Acres development PB 4 189 Pilot; $30.

– Sandra Farley Nichols to Zachary Lineback; lot 21 section 7 Oakwood estates PB 6 131 Stewarts Creek; $410.

– Carolyn Lipe Comer to Carolyn Lipe Comer, Thomas R. Comer and John L. Comer; portion of lots 7-10 Hendrix Estate Elkin; $5.

– Gregory D. Nichols and Reta G. Nichols to Gregory D. Nichols, Reta G. Nichols, Justin Davis Nichols and James Brandon Nichols; six tracts Dobson; $0.

– Estate of Rex Harold William Johnson, Charles R. Briggs, Rex Harold William Johnson, Brenda Davidson and Dean Johnson to Clint McCann, Clinton McCann and Jamie McCann; commissioners deed 16.161 acres tract two PB 39 199 Bryan estate of Rex Harold William Johnson file 22 E SP 19; $143.

– Joseph Walters to Jerry Michael Badgett and Lowanda Shaw Badgett; tract one 1.073 acres tract two 1.015 acres PB 33 54 Mount Airy; $60.

– Kenneth W. Ross and Letitia Renee Ross to PQA Healthcare Inc.; tract one 1.58 acres and tract two 1.00 acres Dobson; $330.

– Estate of Lavonna M. Fleming, Donald Terry Fleming, Teresa Chilton Fleming, Darwin Wydell Fleming, Lynn McDuffie Fleming, Leslie Dwayne Fleming and Robert Gale Fleming to Crystal Simmons Hill; unit 3B Old Springs Condominiums bk 1 42-47 Mount Airy estate of Lavonna M. Fleming file 22 E 309; $410.

– Betty T. Cox, B.J.T.R. Cox, John I. Ring, Jennifer R. Bryant, Betty Jo Thore Ring and Matthew J. Hiatt to Matthew J. Hiatt; lot 24 White Plains Acres PB 6 80; $110.

– Linda E. Goins to Mark A. Branch and Deborah C. Branch; 0.841 acres PB 40 190 Blue Hollow Road Westfield; $10.

– Coy Lee Atkins to Brian Gammons and Andi Gammons; 1.01 acres 2036 Ararat Road Eldora; $1.

– City of Mount Airy to Joshua B. Eleva; lot 6 Graves Heights development PB 3 158 Mount Airy; $4.

– City of Mount Airy to Joshua B. Eleva; lot 16 block C Westwood development PB 6 28 Mount Airy; $9.

– Jo Ann Ahrens and Joann J. Ahrens to Vanessa Catalan Spicer and Dakota E. Spicer; lots 64-67 sections N&O Hendrix estate PB 3 84 Elkin; $200.

– James Michael Simmons Jr. and Linda Simmons to Darriene Freeman and Edward S. Loosli; two tracts; $300.

– Terry Robert Hawks and Lisa Holder Hawks to Monte Cockerham and Danielle Cockerham; 1.970 acres tract four PB 16 5 Mount Airy; $670.

– Linda L. Elder to Kelly Gentry and Chris Gentry; tract Elkin; $0.

– John McBride and Brittany McBride to Vicki Marie Hintz and Michael Hintz; tract one 1 acre and tract two tract Mount Airy; $408.

– Jerry Gordon and Sharon Gordon to James Robert Kyser and Angela Kyser; 2.00 acres lot 2 PB 37 140 Pilot; $189.

– John M. Snow and Idalina Snow to Timothy Ellis Parker; 2.00 acres Mount Airy; $900.

– Ricky Dwayne Hawks and Adina Hardy Hawks to RLGJJBoles Properties, LLC; 0.80 acres Mount Airy; $344.

– Chelsea Bartlett Wheeler, Brent Wheeler, Amanda Smith Cook and Christopher Cook to Karsten Kilgo Andersen and Brenda Kilgo Andersen; tract; $857.

The following marriage licenses were issued in Surry County:

– Autumn Rae Roberts, 22, of Surry County to Bailey Elizabeth Nester Watt, 23, of Surry County.

– Kenneth Dwayne Hutson, 39, of Surry County to Stefanie Jean France, 44, of Surry County.

– Kendal Alexsander Simms, 24, of Surry County to Jessica Marie Frost, 23, of Surry County.

– Duncan Clark Reece, 26, of Carroll County, Virginia, to Jennifer Renee Brown, 22, of Carroll County.

– James Douglas Gwyn, 67, of Surry County to Gracie Delaine Brim, 66, of Surry County.

– Steven Walter Anderson, 29, of Surry County to Emily Belle Wood, 28, of Surry County.

In the majestic hills, turns, valleys, and mountains of this region lie numerous natural resources waiting to be seen and understood. Our lands are old, retaining the stories of life before us. Crossing the line from Surry to Stokes county feels just like that. Without the roadside markers, it would be hard to tell where one begins and the other ends. The curves and bends lead directly into one another, making a spectacular scene.

One of the constant markers in our Surry/Stokes scene is the Sauratown Mountains. The Sauratown Mountain range is evidence of a once-mighty, ancient section of mountains that dominated the landscape. The quartzite rocks that remain form several notable mountains, one of those being Hanging Rock in Danbury.

The expansive landscape that is Hanging Rock State Park started its debut in society with the creation and operation of three mineral springs and their respective resorts. From the mid-1800s onward folks have traveled from all around to enjoy Stokes County’s natural resources, one of those sites still standing is known as Vade Mecum. These springs were believed to have healing qualities for those who drank the water.

April 1936 changed the dynamic of the area when several philanthropic organizations banded together to purchase the area. The Winston-Salem Foundation, The Stokes County Committee for Hanging Rock State Park, and others deeded their purchase back to the state to create a new park; more than 3,000 acres were donated.

The CCC, or Civilian Conservation Corp, oversaw the creation and carving of a recreational area out of Hanging Rocks surrounding greenery. By 1940 the group had created two dams aiding in the construction of a 12-acre lake, a stone and wood bath house that could accommodate 1,000 swimmers, a diving tower, a sand beach, picnic areas, foot and horse trails, and a 350-car parking lot.

On July 21, 1944, Hanging Rock State Park was dedicated and officially opened. The CCC camps were closed, and visitors began to make their way into the park. In 1948, a better road was built to help visitors get to the top of the mountain. The historic bathhouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, and a new visitors center was built in 1993 which is currently being renovated due to water damage.

Hanging Rock State Park is hosting two CCC educational canoe experiences this month on the lake. There, folks can learn more about how important the CCC was to the park. Trails, camping, and wonderful experiences await visitros at this historic park. Start at Vade Mecum and take the curvy path to Hanging Rock; you won’t be sorry that you did!

Emily Morgan is the guest services manager at the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History. She and her family live in Westfield. She can be reached at eamorgan@northcarolinamuseum.org or by calling 336-786-4478 x229

Setting out tomatoes for late harvest

As July reaches the halfway point, there is still a lot of summer left to produce a second harvest of late summer tomatoes. Many hardwares, garden centers, nurseries, Walmart, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware and Home Depot still have plenty of tomato plants in stock. Choose determinate varieties such as Celebrity, Rutgers, Marglobe, Homestead, and Better Boy. Place a layer of peat moss in bottom of the furrow to retain moisture as the summer heat bears down. Apply a layer of Tomato-Tone organic, tomato food before covering the plants with soil. Keep soil hilled up on both sides of tomato plants. Water base of the plants each week when no rain is in the forecast. Feed every 15 days with Tomato-Tone organic tomato food.

Another tale of a lazy Dog Day afternoon

Dogs seem to have the most common sense when it comes to coping with Dog Day afternoons, they just find a shady spot under a tree or inside the carport. They don’t seem to allow the heat to bother them and they certainly don’t experience heat strokes. Maybe this Dog Day tale will solve the mystery of why dogs can deal with the heat of Day Days better than most humans. Maybe it’s because they sometimes eat grass.

This Dog Day tale says that when a dog eats grass on a Dog Day morning, it will rain before the day is done. My Northampton County grandma always kept a few hounds around, and she always said dogs ate grass because they were sick (or maybe it was to keep them from getting sick). That made sense because in those days, most people, and we are sure most dogs, used their own remedies. Most people back then lived too far away and would not travel to a doctor or especially to a vet. They made do with what they had and so did the dogs.

As Dog Days move along, wet dew increases

As we reach past the half way point of July, the lawn is heavy, laden with dew and it lingers until mid-day. It is also unusual because it is very sticky. It is a sure signal that autumn is slowly on its way. Please do not mow the lawn when the dew is still on it because it will promote rust on the mower and blade, and also pile wet clippings on the lawn. Wait until later in the afternoon when the sun dries the dew. It will certainly be easier to mow and you will have a much better looking lawn.

Take advantage of the July corn harvest

Many gardeners don’t raise corn because they don’t have space and the long maturity time of 90 days or more to a harvest. Corn also produces a short harvest window and this prevents many gardeners from raising a corn crop. There are plenty of farms in our area that sell corn by the dozen ears or also a cabbage bag of twelve dozen ears. One such place is Smith Farms located on U.S. 601 between Boonville and Yadkinville. They will bring the corn out to your vehicle from their barn. Another location is Matthews Farm on Old U.S. Highway 421 near the Yadkin River Bridge. Both these farms offer corn for freezing. Call ahead to make sure corn is available and place your order so it will be ready when you arrive.

A fresh corn pudding is easy to prepare

This recipe is great when prepared with fresh corn, but can be made with canned cream- style corn and is great either way. Corn is a vegetable good in all seasons of the year whether fresh, frozen, or canned. For this corn pudding recipe you can use a 16 ounce can of cream-style corn or seven ears of fresh cut com from the cob (about one-and-a-half-to-two cups), Dice corn with a knife or food chopper, add half teaspoon salt, one cup of sugar, half teaspoon pepper, one teaspoon vanilla flavoring, three eggs one cup milk, two teaspoons corn starch, one stick light margarine. Mix all ingredients together until well blended. Spray baking dish or pan with Pam baking spray and pour the pudding mixture into the pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for fifty to sixty minutes. Stir pudding two or three times during the baking process. The pudding will be firm when done. To brown the pudding on top, place oven on low broil for a minute or so. Carefully watch to avoid burning. Great served warm or cold.

Investing in a durable corn silk brush

In talking about the season of fresh corn and freezing corn, a great investment that makes processing corn much easier is to always have a corn silk brush to make silking ears of com easier to do. You can purchase these brushes at Target, Walmart, houseware departments and kitchen specialty stores, as well as hardwares, from $3 to $5. A bottle brush works but not as well.

Dragon wing begonia has glossy foliage and colorful flowers

The Dragon Wing begonia fills the front with plenty of greenery and flowers as it cascades over its container. Just one potful overflows and is abundant with clusters of blooms. The leaves are oblong and glossy and the whole plant resembles a huge umbrella. The Dragon Wing will produce all the way until frost.

Majestic monarchs visit zinnia bed

Not only do black and yellow tiger swallowtails visit the colorful Zinnia bed, but so do the brightly colored Monarchs. The glow of the majestic monarch graces the zinnias with colorful orange wings framed in black with white dots present a show piece of beauty and detail. Butterfly wings are truly works of art.

Slices of green at every summer meal

Cool as a cucumber on every hot Dog Day evening is what summer’s harvest of cucumbers is all about. Cucumbers add something special to every meal of summer. All you do is use the vegetable peeler, peel several and slice them and apply salt, pepper, and apple cider vinegar or ranch dressing to add something extra to every meal. Many gardeners like the unusual cumber sandwich with cucumber slices, plenty of mayonnaise, salt and pepper. We like the old fashioned way of peeling the cucumber and applying salt and pepper and the crunch.

Simple and easy to prepare blueberry sonker

This is a simple sonker recipe with fresh blueberries and a can of blueberry pie filling. The ingredients for the sonker are one stick light margarine, one cup sugar, two-and-a-half cups fresh blueberries, one can Comstock blueberry pie filling, one teaspoon vanilla flavoring, one cup plain flour, one teaspoon baking powder, pinch of salt, one cup evaporated milk. To make crust, mix together one cup plain flour, flour, one teaspoon baking powder, pinch of salt, evaporated milk, and three fourth cup of sugar. Mix all these ingredients together until it forms a smooth batter. Melt one stick of light margarine in a saucepan and pour into a 13x9x2 inch baking pan or dish. Pour the crust mixture over the melted margarine. For the blueberry filling mixture, bring the pie filling, fresh blueberries, sugar, and vanilla flavoring together and simmer for two or three minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour the blueberry mixture into pie batter pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes until light brown. The crust will be on top when sonker is finished baking.

An essential ingredient for hotties

As the hotties of Dog Days bear down making life a bit uncomfortable for dogs and people, consider also what the hot soil in the garden plot endures. You can improve soil conditions by applying a layer of peat moss under the soil of every vegetable you plant during summer months. Peat moss promotes moisture retention and improves soil texture as it adds organic matter to the soil. It acts as a sponge to absorb moisture and helps in the cooling of garden soil. A 3.5 cubic foot bale costs around twelve dollars and is a good investment for every garden.

-Dead news report. Employee: “Editor, your assistant just died, and I was wondering if could take his place.” Editor: “It’s alright with me if you can arrange it with the funeral director.”

-Return to Sender. Husband: “The bank returned the check wrote last week.” Wife: “Good, what shall we buy with it this time?

-No Sale Salesman. Sales manager: “Did you get any new orders today?” Salesman: “Yes, I got two orders.” Sales manager: “And what were they?” Salesman: “One was to get out and the other was to stay out!”

-Hard work doesn’t always pay. Teacher: “Kids, we can always learn a lesson from the ants. They work hard every day, and what happens at the end of the day?” Student: “Somebody steps on them!”

DOBSON — Many Surry Community College programs were recognized for 100% pass rates for first-time state licensure examinations during the spring 2022 faculty/staff meeting.

The N.C. Criminal Justice Standards Division announced the 2021 results of the Standards Examination for SCC Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) students. Students in the BLET evening program achieved a passing rate of 100% for first-time test takers.

The Detention Officer Training Program students have also achieved a 100% pass rate for first-time test takers on the State of N.C. Criminal Justice Standards Division Examination for the fifth consecutive year.

The Basic LIDAR Operator Certification students also achieved a 100% pass rate on the N.C. Criminal Justice Standards Division Speed Measurement Instrument Examination.

BLET Director Jim McHone was presented with three resolutions for these achievements from the SCC Board of Trustees by SCC President Dr. Shockley at the meeting.

The N.C. Board of Cosmetic Arts announced the 2021 Cosmetology State Board Results for SCC. The SCC Cosmetology program students have achieved a passing rate of 100% for first-time test takers on the cosmetology licensure exam for the second consecutive year.

Lead Cosmetology Instructor Robin Minton accepted a resolution from the SCC Board of Trustees on behalf of the cosmetology faculty.

Phi Theta Kappa Co-Advisor Dr. Kathleen Fowler was recognized for leading the chapter to achieve state, regional, national and international recognitions during the 2021-2022 school year.

Fowler received the Paragon Award for New Advisors from the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, consisting of 1,300 chapters. She also received the PTK Carolinas Horizon Award. Other recognitions earned by the chapter include: three International Hallmark Trophies for 2020, four International Hallmark Trophies for 2022, six Regional Trophies including the 2022 Most Distinguished Chapter, Distinguished Theme Award for Honors in Action, Distinguished Honors in Action Project, Distinguished Chapter and seventh finalist for Most Distinguished Chapter of 1,300 Chapters.

Fowler was presented with a resolution from the SCC Board of Trustees for PTK’s honors.

Other programs and individuals were recognized for their work.

The NC Department of Public Instruction announced that for the academic year of 2020-2021, Surry Early College High School of Design had a 100% graduation rate, surpassing the state average of 87$. The school also received the recognition and honor of being named a Signature School of the Piedmont.

The NC Department of Public Instruction announced that for the academic year of 2020-2021, Yadkin Early College High School had a 100% graduation rate, surpassing the state average of 87%.

Surry Cellars, the college’s viticulture and enology program winery, continually receives awards at local, state, national and international competitions. Since 2009, Surry Cellars has received 96 wine awards – 42 medals in North Carolina, 18 nationally and 18 internationally. In 2021, Surry Cellars won Best Sparkling for their Traminette Pet-Nat from NC Fine Wines for the fourth consecutive year.

Surry Community College has been named a Military Friendly School for 2022-2023 and has been recognized as “Military Friendly” for the eleventh year.

• A Dobson man has been arrested for allegedly discharging a firearm at a Mount Airy nightclub, according to city police reports.

Francisco Rayo Ocampo, 35, of 109 Mexico Way, was encountered by officers last Saturday during a shots-fired investigation at Cumbia Mix on West Pine Street. He was found to have fired multiple rounds from a handgun at that location, arrest records state.

Ocampo was charged with discharging a firearm in the city limits and held in the Surry County Jail under a $300 secured bond. He is facing an Aug. 1 appearance in District Court.

• Melissa Ann Sheets, 45, listed as homeless, was charged with second-degree trespassing Monday during the investigation of a suspicious person at a residence on East Bluemont Road. It revealed that Sheets was trespassing due to being banned from that location on June 29 by a city officer.

The case is slated for the Aug. 29 session of Surry District Court.

• Cash and credit cards were stolen from a local medical facility on June 28, when the wallet of Earl Ray Marshall of Woodland Drive in Elkin was taken from Northern Wellness and Fitness Center on North Pointe Boulevard.

In addition to the brown tri-fold wallet, the loss involved an undisclosed sum of money; two credit cards, including one issued by Capital One; Dell, Amazon and Belk charge cards; a Social Security card; and a driver’s license.

• William Michael Judd, 26, of 218 W. Lebanon St., was charged with driving while impaired on June 30 after officers investigated a single-vehicle collision involving a 2013 Honda NCH50 scooter he was operating.

Police records do not list the location of the incident. Judd is scheduled to be in District Court on Aug. 8.

Last weekend on Riverside Drive in Mount Airy, a plume of smoke was rising from a small grill in front of the S&S Salon next to the DMV tag office.

The cookout and clothing distribution event were the second such that Bruised Not Broken, and Rhonda Baylor, put together. “We had a nice turnout, compared to the first one this was more. We’ll grow it. We had a whole lot, but we only have two buckets of clothes left,” she said gesturing to two large plastic totes filled with gently used clothing.

Baylor is having these events to give back to those in need. She faced struggles in her life, now she wants to be in the corner of those who may not have anyone. She has husband Keith nearby for the cookout. “I support my wife in any way I can,” he said.

More than just standing by his wife, he sees ways that he can share his knowledge and experience too. He said it means a lot to him, and to those who the Baylor’s help, to be doing good. “It means a lot. Sometimes they can look at me, some of them know my story or have heard me give testimony. With some I already know what they are thinking.

“What he is doing – I already done it,” Keith Baylor said, “He’s just doing it different.” The means and methods may have changed, but he sees a similarity in the way he lived his life for so many years, “I did it Keith’s way for all my teens, twenties, and thirties.”

“Some of the youngsters know my story and to watch me change and help others, it may touch their heart to do the same because that’s not what’s happening out there. All those bads I try to make good, but I can’t do it without Him,” he said, pointing to the skies.

The hamburger was made fresh to order, juicy right off the grill from Sister Rucker. She held court while cooking burgers and hot dogs for those who stopped by, stopping to count the remaining patties to report the headcount. Bruised Not Broken served nearly 50 burgers and three packages of hot dogs. An elderly gentleman pulled up and stepped out of his pickup, not known to the Baylors or Sister Rucker but the latter welcomed him warmly and insisted he take two burgers.

Shania Cornigans was inside doing hair at S&S Salon while the event was ongoing, she also bought the meat for the grill. She is more than happy to offer ongoing support to the cause, “What (Rhonda) is doing is a good cause, there are a lot of homeless people around here and kids that are in need, families that are in need.”

“I just feel like it’s a blessing that God put that on her heart. I wish more people would get involved so it could become something big. I encourage people to come out, make donations, purchase clothing and bring it – this can be a big community.”

“A lot of people don’t realize how many people are in need,” she said. “I see it all the time, families don’t have. We have people not working around here and the need things, need food, especially the kids. I just hope everyone can come together and make it bigger, grow it.”

“Thank you so much and God bless y’all again,” a local mother said as she was leaving the event before heading to see wrestling later in the day at Veterans Park.

Baylor said the majority of those who came to the event to get something to eat, or clothes, were strangers to her. “Some were, not all of them. I asked how they heard about it they said the newspaper and one lady said she overheard someone at Circle K.”

“Ha! That we me,” Rucker shot back from over the grill also offering a suggestion for some pulled BBQ at the next event.

Cornigans and her mother, Rucker, both said S&S Salon will continue to host these events “They can have it here,” Cornigans said because there will still be a need. She suggested, “You don’t have to donate money. Shoes, clothes, if you’re in your closet and think ‘I don’t need this anymore’ just bring it down to help someone else.”

Rhonda Baylor has a calling to serve, and she wants to do more but has found that getting the clothes to Surry County in her current car is not the best solution. “I need a van because I go back and forth the Statesville to get the clothes. What I need is a van so I’m going to sell my Cadillac and buy a van to get these clothes.”

“I love that car, and I haven’t had it long, maybe six months, but I can’t put everything in there. I said, ‘I need a van Lord’ and it came to me to sell the car.”

She said she first came to Surry County with the clothes in a garbage bag and a busted black and white television. Years later she and Keith are together owners of a Habitat home and are finding ways to feed, clothe, and share their experience with those who may benefit from it. Be on the lookout for a Bruised Not Broken event again in August, Baylor said.

The Surry County Community Corrections office is seeking information on the whereabouts of the following individuals:

• Angel Noel Church Tate, 31, a white female wanted on a post-release warrant who is on supervision for felony possession of heroin and felony possession of methamphetamine;

• William Frank Rankin Jr., 57, a white male wanted on a post-release warrant who is on supervision for felony possession of methamphetamine and a new charge of interfering with electronic monitoring equipment;

• Carl Lewis Carter Jr., 30, a white male wanted on probation violations and is on probation for larceny and shoplifting;

• Sandra Hardy Gage, 59, a white female wanted on probation violations who is on probation for level 1 driving while impaired.

View all probation absconders on the internet at http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi and click on absconders. Anyone with information on any probation absconders should contact Crime Stoppers at 786-4000, county probation at 719-2705 or the Mount Airy Police Department at 786-3535.

This is in reference to “Their View: State budget should be much better” by Bob Schofield in the July 14, 2022 edition of The Mount Airy News.

Mr. Schofield laments that funding for “state’s schoolchildren” doesn’t provide “access to a sound basic education.” Until such time as the federal government and the State of North Carolina cease indoctrinating our school children and community/state college students with anti-American (CRT) and alphabet soup deviant behaviors (amorality), the less of our tax dollars to support those ideologies espoused by the Marxist/Socialists, a.k.a progressive democrat party, the better.

After more than eight years and almost as many pitfalls, the redevelopment of the former Spencer’s textile mill property in downtown Mount Airy is reaping dividends, local citizens learned during a meeting Friday.

This included a before-and-after comparison by Randy Collins of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, who mentioned turbulence encountered soon after the city government acquired the sprawling, dormant industrial site in May 2014.

“The battle was going pretty hard at that time,” Collins said in recounting citizen unrest that peaked in 2015 over the public dollars being spent toward rejuvenating it and eminent domain concerns about neighboring properties initially included in the redevelopment area.

“And what we’ve done in seven years has been nothing short of miraculous,” the chamber president and CEO added regarding a partnership with the city and county governments, local groups and volunteers which has made good things happen.

Collins was speaking during the latest edition of a Lunch and Learn series sponsored by the chamber that allows its members and others in the community to stay abreast of important issues.

The topic of Friday’s luncheon event at Cross Creek Country Club — attended by about 100 people — was a downtown economic-development update in which the featured speaker was Main Street Coordinator Lizzie Morrison of the group Mount Airy Downtown Inc.

It has been a key player in the redevelopment effort since Mount Airy bought the old Spencer’s complex dating to 1888, which included 22 buildings and 10 acres when acquired about seven years after children’s-apparel manufacturing ceased there.

Using a PowerPoint presentation, Morrison detailed the progress that has occurred so far, including a Phase One segment focused on downtown residential growth as evidenced by the development of loft condominiums and apartments on former Spencer’s property.

Phase Two is underway, including a hotel, identified as a Marriott Tribute facility, and market center elsewhere on the site, with the hotel scheduled to be open in the spring of 2025.

Planning efforts now are focused on a Phase Three project to add a conference center in a 50,000-square-foot space at what’s known as The Cube property and an adjacent visitor center.

City officials learned this week that a $2 million state grant had been awarded for site-preparation work in The Cube area.

Upon reaching fruition, the overall redevelopment will represent an investment of $55 million to $60 million, Morrison told an audience that included city government, tourism and industrial recruitment representatives in addition to chamber members.

“When this project’s completed, it’s going to be the largest economic-development project ever in Surry County — not just Mount Airy,” said another speaker Friday, Steve Yokeley, a member of the city council who’s served all during the transformation process.

“It’s been a long battle to get things done,” Yokeley said regarding what has occurred since 2014.

Morrison related some of the pitfalls endured to reach this point.

One involved a plan to bring an expansion of the Barter Theatre in Virginia to the former Spencer’s property along with an earlier hotel envisioned by a business group in the Winston-Salem area.

However, the Barter project fell through in late 2018 over funding concerns, with the proposed hotel also doing so soon after. Yet the Barter setback served as fuel for stepping up the redevelopment efforts including the preparation of a key site plan, Morrison said.

She also addressed funding concerns by some citizens which have dogged the Spencer’s project since it began.

“There was some criticism about the amount of money the city spent on Phase One,” the Main Street coordinator said of site work and related infrastructure improvements for the residential developments with a price tag of $3.2 million.

But she said that injection of housing downtown has reaped benefits including those residents spending $2 million to $2.5 million in the downtown district annually. Their presence also helped businesses there survive the pandemic due to the extra customer base involved, Morrison said.

She also mentioned another $3.2 million earmarked by the city and county governments for site work/infrastructure during the Phase Two segment involving the hotel and market center. Those funds would have been spent anyway due to the need to replace utility lines at that location which had been in the ground more than 100 years, the coordinator advised.

Meanwhile, private investment of $15.3 million and $15 million is reflected in the Phase One and Phase Two efforts, respectively.

“It’s just a perfect storm for economic growth in Mount Airy,” Morrison said.

Collins, the chamber official, agreed with the assessment of the redevelopment now being on firm footing.

“It’s really exciting to see it,” he said.

Collins tied that in Friday by telling those gathered about an out-of-the-blue telephone conversation he had around 2017 with a woman who had been a longtime employee of Spencer’s along with her husband.

The former worker said she hoped something good could be done with the property.

After viewing conceptual drawings Morrison presented showing what the hotel/market center will look like along with the conference/visitors center — adorned by green spaces and other amenities one might see in metropolitan areas — Collins believes the woman should be encouraged.

“A lot of them are still around,” he said of former Spencer’s employees, “and I think they’re excited about what could be done there.”

Normally a sedate affair, Monday evening’s meeting of the Surry County planning board was this week anything but. Residents of Sheltontown came out in force to express their desire to block a rezoning request on Westfield Road from Teramore Development.

Teramore sounds familiar because around these parts the firm is known for building Dollar Generals and would like to build more.

Officials with the retailer say this part of the county is showing growth and that they see a need for another retail option to serve the future growth. New larger floor plan Dollar Generals they said are also incorporating fresh fruit and an increased selection of frozen/cold goods to better serve residents.

Sheltontown residents organized themselves in preparation for the planning board meeting by gathering at the Westfield Church of Brethren directly across Quaker Road from the proposed DG location at 2953 Westfield Road. When the weather turned sour, organizers Heather Moore and Melissa Hiatt moved the strategy session inside so the group could set their lineup.

Residents gathered more than 1,000 signatures for a petition against the request to rezone two parcels of land on Westfield Road from Residential General to Rural Business Conditional. They have also made up and deployed yard signs that read “Say No to Rezoning Sheltontown” in a bright yellow color reminiscent of the Dollar General coloration.

The public was allowed to offer comment at the meeting. Sheltontown residents laid out the case for why they are objecting to the rezoning request itself and not specifically objecting to Dollar General. Any commercial development along Westfield Road would raise similar concerns whether that were a proposed dollar store or not.

They say it would encroach on the natural beauty of the area, disrupt wildlife, lower property values, add traffic (including foot traffic), and they fear it could attract crime. The group presented available crime stats at the meeting to show a comparison between similar types of retail stores. The Busy Bee and Moore’s General Store were said to have had a fraction of law enforcement calls of any kind comparatively.

Chris Hiatt lives 200 yards from the proposed Dollar General. His family has roots in this area that run deep, he estimated he is in the tenth or eleventh generation of Hiatt to reside in Sheltontown. “I am one of four that still reside there, three are represented in the room tonight. That’s approximately 200 years of my family living in a three-to-four-mile radius.”

“I’ve seen traffic patterns change, what was once mill traffic is now all day traffic – we do not need more. We have a rural setting, most of us know our neighbors and what day they mow their yard or what kind of car you drive.”

“One thing that has not changed is the need for more commercial and retail business in Sheltontown. If Moore’s General Store or Busy Bee doesn’t have it, the other Dollar Generals will have it covered. We don’t want our community to look like 601-Rockford St. We don’t need any more grass, tress, or flowers replaced with asphalt and cement. We are happy as we are.”

Melissa Hiatt led off with the six applicable points of the county’s land use plan. In part the land use plan calls for decisions on use that will preserve open spaces; maintain the quality of life; encourage development of underutilized building; create sustainable economic growth to include higher wage jobs. She also noted that in the 2039 land use plan this parcel of land is zoned rural — just as it is today.

She hammered home that decisions should, “encourage isolated business in predominantly rural areas on a case-by-case basis if the amenities are not already available in the vicinity.” There is no way she sees the need for a sixth Dollar General within five miles of Sheltontown.

“The businesses built by Teramore do not offer amenities that we don’t already have. We currently have two wonderful family run, community family general stores within two miles.”

Conversely, Greensboro land use attorney Nick Blackwood gave his opinion that this rezoning request was in accord with the county’s land use plan. “(It) seems your land development ordinance itself contemplated this exact type of commercial development when that ordinance was enacted to allow for this kind of isolated commercial use to serve these specific rural areas that we are here talking about tonight.”

Mike Fox, who was representing Teramore at the planning board concluded, “Just a reminder this is land use decision… It is the use that the board is considering tonight, and it is looking at whether or not it meets your plan, which we feel it does. We feel it is not in the purview of land use decisions to pick winners and losers.”

At the air pump at Moore’s General Store Wednesday a local resident said he did not see any need for more retail options, “We got one out at Bannertown, why we need one here? Where they gonna put it anyway?”

Add Betsy Davis to the list of those who say needs are being met. “In Sheltontown we have all the amenities we need in our current community stores and if in the event that on one crazy day – that has never happened – they didn’t have something, there are five Dollar Generals within five miles, and two of those within two, I think our bases are covered. We chose to live in this area precisely because of the quiet rural environment and I hope it remains that way.”

Inside Moore’s Tarren Wright was checking out as she picked up one of the bright yellow signs. “I think there’s too many Dollar Generals. (Moore’s) is just so convenient and has gas, food, accessories, hardware, beer, jerky, and fishing supplies.”

Behind the counter Russell Davis loves hearing customers appreciate Moore’s and that support for the fight against the rezoning has garnered attention from outside the area. Some of the yellow signs, he said, have shown up in Pilot Mountain already.

“It’s not even just Dollar General, we don’t want anything else out here. I was born across the street from the property in question, and I moved back from Ohio. I came back for the quality of life here. People come here to be near town but not quite in town.”

Joe Davis has the house across the street from the site and said it would create “headaches which we purposefully chose to avoid when we moved in our home 37 years ago.” He asked that rezoning for any commercial use be denied, “Please help us protect our way of life in our community.”

The names on residences may have changed, but the sense of community has not Melody White told the board. She grew up walking to Sheltontown Grocery, now Moore’s General Store. She appreciates the sense of community, “Conversations go ‘how was the game’ or ‘how is your back?’ because neighbors know. Neighbors have skin in the game.”

A real estate agent in Mount Airy, she recounted helping a couple resettle to North Carolina after an exhaustive search. They chose this area for the very reasons the Sheltontown group opposes the rezone: the peace and quiet of a rural community coupled with its natural beauty.

One argument that the opposition stated had to do with the North Carolina Scenic Byway that runs along Westfield Road In fact, Mary Rush told the board the Hanging Rock leg of the byway begins just a stone’s throw from the Sheltontown Church of the Brethren. It should be noted that the bikeway follows along this route as well and by design the bikeway and byway were meant as a draw for tourists. The board was told that tourists come here for green spaces, not Dollar General.

After the residents made their case, the board took a moment to offer comment back to the presenters before offering a motion to deny Teramore’s rezone request. It passed the planning board to thunderous applause from the crowd.

The group are now preparing to speak to the board of county commissioners who meet Monday evening at 6 p.m. in Dobson. The commissioners may at that time chose to approve the request to rezone the land even though the planning board said no.

There is some precedent for such as Salisbury’s city council members broke with their city planning board in May to approve a new Dollar General despite vigorous local objection.

Heather Moore was excited for the group’s success at the planning board this week and hopes other communities may be watching. “Sheltontown showed up. This is just the first victory as our fight will continue in front of the county commissioners next Monday. Remember this could happen in your neighborhood as easily as it is ‘trying’ to happen in ours.”

DOBSON — Almost all candidate filing periods include some office-seekers waiting until the last minute to toss their hats into the ring, but a Friday deadline came and went without anyone doing so for municipal elections across Surry.

With the field now complete for nine different positions affected in Dobson, Pilot Mountain and Elkin, the final lineup ensures that the only contested election among all three will be for two commissioner seats in Dobson.

However, an unrelated development emerged Friday with word that a possible write-in candidacy could be undertaken for the Mount Airy Board of Education election for which the filing period had closed on March 4.

The exact seat involved was not specified by Surry County Director of Elections Michella Huff.

Meanwhile, the final list of candidates for the non-partisan municipal elections includes:

• In Dobson — Mayor Ricky Draughn will be running unopposed for his sixth four-year term on the board, while incumbent town commissioners J. Wayne Atkins and Walter White are being challenged by a pair of first-time office seekers, Sharon Gates-Hodges and John Jonczak.

Atkins is a longtime council member, while White is a recent appointee to fill a vacant term of a commissioner who resigned.

The two council candidates receiving the most votes among the four in the Nov. 8 general election will take the prize.

• Pilot Mountain — Mayor Evan Cockerham and commissioners Donna Kiger and Scott Needham are each seeking re-election to their second four-year terms without opposition.

• Elkin — The mayor there is not up for re-election, but three incumbent commissioners all filed to seek new four-year terms with no opponents having dropped the gauntlet. They include Cicely McCulloch, William Gwyn and Jeffrey C. Eidson.

Huff, the elections director, mentioned Friday the possibility of someone filing a petition to be a write-in candidate for the Mount Airy Board of Education election.

“But the signatures needed have not been turned in to date,” she added.

The city school board is partisan in nature.

After the filing period for it ended in March, only three incumbents had tossed their hats into the ring with no challengers then coming forward.

They included Kyle A. Leonard in District A and Ben Cooke, District B, both Republicans, and the board’s at-large member, Democrat Tim Matthews.

Mount Airy High School will host the Junior Granite Bear Football Camp July 21-22.

Camp will take place at the Wallace Shelton Stadium each evening from 6-8:30 p.m. Cost of registration is $40 if registered before the first day of the camp and $50 for same-day registration.

Registration forms can be found at bit.ly/3O9EkgP

The Junior Granite Bear Football Camp is designed to give children from kindergarten to eighth grade the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of being a great football player by teaching the fundamentals of each position and enhancing their athletic ability.

Each camper will have a better understanding of the “basics” and “fundamentals” of each position including stance, footwork and position specific fundamentals. Agility and speed work will also be administered each day.

The Granite Bear Football Camp will give each participant a maximum of drill periods supplemented by lectures. The objective is to give each camper a foundation on how to be a better athlete as well as a great position player, and at the same time, teach them to have a great attitude and learn how to compete within the framework of being a good sport and a team player through discipline and hard work.

“I would like to express an invitation to every young person involved in athletics in our area to be a part of our Granite Bear Football Camp,” said Mount Airy varsity head coach J.K. Adkins. “The camp will not only give your child a great foundation in football skills, but life skills which will help them in ALL their endeavors. We work the campers very hard but have a lot of fun also. Our coaching staff, as well as our players, look forward to meeting and working with the future of Mount Airy football.”

The camp director can be contacted at Mount Airy High School. The school phone number is (336) 789-5147, and Coach Adkins’ email is jadkins@mtairy.k12.nc.us

Something didn’t look quite right about the man with a bulky protrusion in his clothing, who wound up being charged this week with stealing costly steaks from a Mount Airy supermarket which he had stuffed into his pants.

Rodney Jay Canter II, 39, of 153 McMillian Lane, is accused of taking items valued at more than $100 from Lowes Foods on West Independence Boulevard, including two packages of ribeye steaks along with bacon.

After the Tuesday morning theft, Canter was able to make it outside the store — where his appearance gave him away, according to Mount Airy Police Department reports.

“I noticed a bulge in his front pants,” Lt. R.N. Bennett stated on an arrest report regarding his encounter with Canter, who subsequently was charged with larceny and possession of stolen property.

This occurred after a call was received at the police station in reference to a man stealing merchandise from Lowes Foods. And upon responding a person matching the description of the alleged perpetrator was located nearby on West Pine Street at South Street, identified as Canter.

After the investigating officer noticed the bulge at the front of the suspect’s pants and “called him to me,” Bennett’s report states, Canter — whom police records indicate was on foot — admitted to taking the steaks, saying he had made a mistake.

The officer then located two packs of steaks, listed as USDA Select ribeyes and USDA Select Angus ribeyes, along with a package of smokehouse thick-sliced bacon, stuffed into the front of Canter’s pants.

“Like the old Wendy’s commercial, we found the beef,” Police Chief Dale Watson said Thursday afternoon in commenting on the case.

He was referring to a 1980s-era advertising slogan for the fast-food hamburger chain involving an elderly customer going to a competing restaurant and complaining about the small patty placed on her bun by shouting “where’s the beef?”

“It’s not very unusual,” Watson said of the type of offense involved.

“People will go to great lengths to conceal this type of crime,” he added, although Canter’s fashion choice for the alleged theft proved to be problematic. “Typically, people try to wear a different type of attire so it cannot bring attention to what they are doing.”

In addition to the bulging pants, Canter’s demeanor was suspicious when approached by the investigating officer, the chief said.

The total value of the meat products was listed as $101.

Although the merchandise was recovered from the man’s pants, restitution is owed to Lowes Foods in the matter, according to police records.

“The items were not in resalable condition,” Watson advised.

Canter was released from custody after a citation issuance and is scheduled to appear in Surry District Court on Sept. 12.

CHARLOTTE. – Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) this week declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $1.005 per share, an increase of 2 cents per share. This dividend is payable on Sept.16 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Aug.12.

The company also declared a quarterly cash dividend on its Series A preferred stock of $359.375 per share, payable on Sept. 16, to shareholders of record at close of business on Aug.12, 2022. This is equivalent of 35.9375 cents per depositary share.

In addition, the company declared a semi-annual cash dividend on its Series B preferred stock of $24.375 per share, payable on Sept.16, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Aug.12.

Duke Energy has paid a cash dividend on its common stock for 96 consecutive years.

Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.

© 2018 The Mount Airy News