Chrissy Daughenbaugh of Maranatha Homeless Outreach in Mayfield, KY, December 24.

Courtesy of Maranatha Homeless Outreach

Rickey Daughenbaugh speaks at the outreach event in Mayfield, KY. Maranatha Homeless Outreach took donations to the tornado victims in Mayfield, December 24.

Courtesy of Maranatha Homeless Outreach

Damage seen in Mayfield, KY after the storms the ripped through on December 10-11.

Recovering from disaster can be an overwhelming challenge and the people of Kentucky have been going though just that since the massive line of storms moved through on December 10. The stuff of nightmares, the enormous storm cell produced 69 confirmed tornadoes and wreaked damage along a path over two hundred miles long and a mile in width at places.

Calculating loss in financial terms at this point is impossible, however the impact more pressing to those on the ground is the loss of over 90 souls to the storms. As more time passes, the bruises on the landscape and in the hearts of the people of the Bluegrass state, and across the region, are coming into clearer focus.

Wounds do not heal easily and emotional damage from such an event may leave indelible marks. On Christmas Eve a shipment left town headed to Kentucky delivered by a team from Maranatha Homeless Outreach, the toys donated from right here in Surry County may help soothe those hurting so badly.

With no exact location in mind, Chirssy and Rickey Daughenbaugh pointed the van toward Mayfield with a purpose in their heart. Maranatha Homeless Outreach has been helping here in Surry County since their inception in 2005. Penny Reinhart, a Maranatha board member, says she has always had a desire to serve, “I have always loved to help people more than anything in this life. It thrills me to help!”

Reinhart’s enthusiasm is not unique, and Maranatha have made part of their mission weekly meal service at Flat Rock Church of God where dinner Friday at 5 p.m. is available for those in need. Thanksgiving and Christmas meal kits given out by Maranatha had food staples to round out the cupboard and they reported about twenty were given out this Christmas. Assistance with utility bills, clothing needs, firewood, and visits for regular outreach to feed and clothe the homeless in Knoxville, Tennessee mean there is little time for rest.

For weeks though, they have been collecting for their toy drive to be the giveaway here in this community. Even last Tuesday Chrissy Daughenbaugh was set up outside Walmart in Mount Airy collecting right up until the last moment possible. Some of the excess of toys not used for local distribution have been included on this errand of generosity to Kentucky, Reinhart said.

While not the only community in need after the storm, Mayfield, Kentucky has become synonymous with the storm and its path of destruction. The tornado that razed much of Mayfield was preliminarily classified as an EF4: only EF5 ranks higher. The Mayfield storm hit top wind speed of 190 miles per hour, as estimated by the National Weather Service.

It was not too long ago when this area had its own natural disaster as Pilot Mountain smoked and smoldered for the better part of a week. That first evening, people began donating and they did not stop. People donated so much to the local volunteer fire brigade that Pilot Mountain Mayor Evan Cockerham had to ask residents to hold off on the bottles of water, there was simply no more room.

The timing of the Kentucky super storm event could not have been worse with the holidays approaching, temperatures dropping and a pandemic flexing its muscles while refusing the polite invitation to simply leave. “There are hungry and hurting people everywhere that need help,” Chrissy Daughenbaugh replied. Seeing such a great need led Maranatha to turn their attention to where it was needed.

A local charity at its heart, Maranatha is aware of the need locally and they are trying to meet those needs, but the mission calls them where they are needed – when they are needed with the passage Isaiah 6:8 helping to guide them: “Send us Lord; we will go.”

For those interested in joining Maranatha Homeless Outreach in their missions of mercy Reinhart says that help can come in many forms, and all are welcome. From financial contributions, clothing donations or even help in the kitchen making those Friday dinners, there is no contribution that cannot be used for the greater good.

When Chrissy and Rickey Daughenbaugh left for Mayfield, they did not have a church, a group, or a parking lot even picked out. They simply went with a purpose in their heart and the desire to be there for the children, to have these gifts delivered for Christmas Day. A blown fan belt did not stop them from the appointed cause: the gifts arrived with care and love from Surry County to Mayfield, Kentucky, and a wish for a Merry Christmas.

City teacher among finalists for statewide award

Fond memories of Betty Lynn

Mount Airy High School hosted the final 7-on-7 scrimmages of the offseason on July 29.

The Granite Bears were one of seven teams that took part in the scrimmages. Mount Airy welcomed fellow Northwest 1A Conference teams North Stokes and South Stokes, as well as the Foothills 2A Conference’s North Surry, Surry Central and Forbush, and the Mid-State 2A Conference’s West Stokes.

Games were held simultaneously at three locations on campus: the game field inside Wallace Shelton Stadium, the offensive practice field and defensive practice field. Since there was an odd number of teams, three teams would rotate their offense and defenses in round robin format on the defensive practice field.

The 7-on-7 served as the teams’ final offseason exercises before the season officially kicked off on August 1.

The Bears are coached by JK Adkins, who enters his fifth season with the team. Adkins holds a 37-9 record as Mount Airy’s head coach.

The 2021-22 season marked the Bears’ second trip to the 1A West Regional Semifinals under Adkins. The team finished 13-1 overall, won the NW1A Conference Championship and Adkins was named NW1A Coach of the Year. The 2021 Bears also set multiple school records, such as most shutouts and fewest points allowed in the modern era.

Mount Airy opens the season at North Surry on August 19.

Surry Central enters the 2022 season with the most new faces of any team around after graduating 17 seniors. One key returner is head coach Monty Southern, who enters his 16th season with the Golden Eagles. Southern holds an overall record of 63-102 at Central.

The Eagles are coming off back-to-back winning seasons; the team went 4-3 in the shortened 2020-21 season, then finished 6-5 in 2021-22. This is just the third time in school history that Surry Central posted back-to-back seasons with winning percentages greater than .500. The last time this happened was 1968-69.

The 2021 Surry Central team finished 6-5 overall and reached the first round of the 2A State Playoffs. Central also tied for second place in the FH2A Conference with a 4-2 record.

Central begins its season by hosting Alleghany on August 19.

North Surry enters the 2022-23 season in the opposite situation of Surry Central, in that North returns all but a handful of players but has a new head coach. Jackson Smith, who previously served as an assistant coach at North Surry, takes over the reins for the upcoming season.

The 2021 Greyhounds finished 5-5 overall and reached the first round of the 2A State Playoffs. North Surry tied for second in the FH2A Conference at 4-2.

The one team North Surry didn’t get to scrimmage at the 7-on-7, Mount Airy, is the Greyhounds’ Week One opponent come August 19.

KERNERSVILLE — The Armfield Civic Center Tritons concluded their swim season with the Tri-County Swim League Championship on July 16.

The championship was held at the Kernersville YMCA. Most of the championship races were held as scheduled, but the final few relay races were cancelled due to bad weather.

The Tritons finished fourth overall in the team standings. Despite being much smaller than teams from Winston-Salem and Kernersville, the ACC team still had multiple swimmers finish at the top of their age group in points.

Two Tritons, AnnaClaire Casstevens and Claire Hull, accumulated the most points in their respective divisions.

The ACC team was coached by a trio of standout area swimmers: Cassidy Hull, a 2022 graduate of North Surry High School that won Foothills 2A Conference Swimmer of the Year in 2021-22, is a multi-time state qualifier and will continue her swimming career at Mars Hill; Haley Joyce, a rising senior at East Surry that earned All-Conference Honors and was a state qualifier this past season; and Claire Hull, a rising sophomore at East Surry that earned All-Conference Honors and was a state qualifier this past season.

The following swimmers were the ACC’s top point winners per age group. The number listed prior to each name is the swimmer’s overall finish in their respective age group.

ACC Results by event (in yards)

2. AnnaClaire Casstevens, Phoebe Chesnet, Salem Cook, Elaina Joyce 1:36.32

1. Samuel Comer, Davis Haymore, Riggs Key, River Venable 1:54.89

1. Terrah Howlett, Stella Joyce, Gracie Key 1:11.15

3. Katherine Brinkley, Addie Graves, Emilynn Haymore, Kynlee Venable 2:29.59

1. Ashlyn Comer, Layla Comer, Caitlin Joyce 2:01.48

1. Marissa Casstevnes, Kaci Collins, Kennedy Hook, Claire Hull 2:00.45

1. AnnaClaire Simmons, Salem Cook, Elaina Joyce 1:52.36

2. Sophie Chesnet, Terrah Howlett, Stella Joyce, Gracie Key 1:25.13

3. Katherine Brinkley, Addi Graves, Emilynn Haymore, Kynlee Venable 2:53.96

Surry Central High School student Donte Watson recently was awarded the NAACP Surry County Branch 2022 Scholarship.

The organization’s president, Craig Smith, along with vice president Marie Nicholson, scholarship committee chair Sandra Joyce and vice chair Mary Frances Sawyers. were on hand at the school’s annual awards program earlier this year to present the award.

The $750 scholarship was based on student applicants providing a short essay on the Emancipation Proclamation, their academic report, the financial assistance needed and acceptance into a technical school, college, or university.

“We are happy to be able to provide this scholarship, our first of what we hope to be an annual offering,” Smith said.

Donte will be attending North Carolina State University this fall with plans to major in Life Sciences First Year-Zoology Intent.

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

Tom Clancy Zero Hour – Don Bentley

The Great Mrs. Elias – Barbara Chase-Ribound

Robert B. Parker’s Revenge Tour – Mike Lupica

Tracy Flick Can’t Win – Tom Perrotta

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook – Ashley Craft

Red, White and Black – Robert L. Woodson Sr.

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. This week, The Bermuda Triangle Escape Room. Can you solve the puzzles? Pizza will be provided, bring your own drink.

• Tuesday at 2 p. m. – kids ages 8-12; It’s Percy Jackson week. Learn about Greek Gods and Goddesses.

• Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. – Toddler Time for children ages 2 and 3; This week is cookout storytime, we’ll have hot dogs after storytime.

• 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; This week is cookout storytime, we’ll have hot dogs after storytime.

• Friday at 9 a.m. – Adults, age 18 and older; This week, The Bermuda Triangle Escape Room. Can you solve the puzzles? Pizza will be provided, bring your own drink.

Book Bag Giveaway. This summer, each time you check out books, put your name in the box at the check-out desk 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. In August we will be reading and discussing Elegy for Iris by John Bayley. This is a story of his wife, Iris Murdoch, who developed Alzheimer’s and how they managed. We will also meet to watch the movie based on the book.

Pages and Petticoats Book Club — meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. For August, we will be reading Southern Comfort by Fern Michaels.

Classic Movie Monday on Aug.29 at 5:30 p.m. to watch Key Largo. Popcorn and water provided.

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/

ARARAT, Va. — A recent event at Willis Gap Community in Ararat lived up its name in more ways than one.

Not only did the July 22 edition of a regular Friday night open jam involve various musicians playing together during impromptu sessions in an informal setting at the center on The Hollow Road.

A “superb crowd” also jammed into the relatively small venue, according to Mary Dellenback Hill, the secretary of the Willis Gap Community Center Board of Directors and the local Dan River District representative for the Patrick County Tourism Department.

The event drew nearly 100 people in all, including more than 20 musicians and singers, Hill reported. All age groups were represented.

It was part of a weekly series in which the Willis Gap Community Center Open Jam welcomes the public each Friday, when the doors are open from 6 to 10 p.m. to musicians and singers of all skill levels along with fans.

It includes acoustic instruments and features multiple musical genres such as Appalachian heritage old-time, bluegrass, country and gospel.

The Willis Gap Community Center Open Jam took root in the mid-1990s, when groups of musicians would meet regularly at a local home.

Their growing popularity subsequently prompted a move of the jam sessions to the community center, located at 144 The Hollow Road in Ararat, for the Friday night series. The Willis Gap open jam is now an affiliated partner of The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.

That alliance links various communities in Southwest Virginia, Willis Gap and Floyd among them, which are helping to preserve the traditional genres through regular performance sites and in other ways.

The July 22 Willis Gap session was especially well-attended, with Hill explaining that she had put out word about group photos to be taken then, reflecting the historical-preservation aspect of the weekly event.

“A lot of musicians knew ahead of time,” she added.

Then there were the regular attractions that have helped popularize the Willis Gap Community Center Open Jam that has been in operation for more than 25 years.

In addition to the music, it offers dancing, family friendly fun and fellowship, along with and food prepared in a kitchen that opens at 6 p.m. ahead of the performances starting at 7 p.m.

Items including hot dogs, chips, candy, cakes, coffee and sodas are sold.

Another activity is involved which tends to be a part of many gatherings these days, a 50-50 drawing.

“We had a large drawing,” Hill mentioned in the wake of the July 22 jam, which resulted in $73 going to the winner and the same sum to the center.

All proceeds from the weekly jams benefit Willis Gap Community Center.

Surrey Bancorp (Pink Sheets: SRYB), the holding company for Surrey Bank & Trust, this week reported earnings for the second quarter of 2022 were up sharply from the same period a year ago.

Net income for the six months ending June 30 was down slightly, from $3,081,159, or 74 cents per share in 2021, to $3,045,185 or 73 per shared this year.

For the quarter ending June 30, net income totaled $1,557,682 or 37 cents per fully diluted share, compared to $1,093,784 or 26 cents per common share earned during the second quarter of 2021.

The increase in earnings results from a slight increase in the net interest income and the recapture of the provision for loan losses.

Net interest income increased from $3,270,663 in the second quarter of 2021 to $3,385,534 in the second quarter of 2022. The increase in net interest income is a combination of an increase in interest income and a reduction in interest expense. Interest income increased from $3,393,790 in the second quarter of 2021 to $3,470,518 in the second quarter of 2022. The increase is primarily due to an increase in the fed funds rate.

Interest income from deposits with banks increased from $35,336 in the second quarter of 2021 to $434,171 in 2022. Interest income and fees on loans decreased from $3,322,262 in the second quarter of 2021 to $3,008,292 in 2022. The decrease results from a reduction of loan fees recognized by the bank related to the bank’s participation in the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

In the second quarter of 2021 the Bank recognized $164,444 of PPP loan fees compared to only $7,462 in the second quarter of 2022. Interest expense decreased from $123,127 in the second quarter of 2021 to $84,984 in the second quarter of 2022.

The provision for loan losses decreased from $188,616 in the second quarter of 2021 to a recapture of $414,965 in 2022, a $603,581 decrease. The 2022 recapture results from a trend in loan charge-off recoveries and a reduction in environmental factors related to the COVID 19 pandemic.

Surrey Bancorp is the bank holding company for Surrey Bank & Trust and is located at 145 North Renfro Street, Mount Airy. The bank operates full-service branch offices at 145 North Renfro Street, and 2050 Rockford Street and a limited-service branch at 1280 West Pine Street in Mount Airy. Full-service branch offices are also located at 653 South Key Street in Pilot Mountain, 393 CC Camp Road in Elkin and 1096 Main Street in North Wilkesboro and 940 Woodland Drive in Stuart, Virginia.

For more information about the bank, or to see the full quarterly report, visit https://www.surreybank.com/about-us/

Surry Community College is registering students for fall classes. The fall semester begins on Aug. 15.

Classes are offered on the Dobson campus, online, and at the college’s five learning centers –Yadkin Center, Yadkinville; Center for Public Safety, Mount Airy; Pilot Center, Pilot Mountain; and Elkin Center, Elkin.

Students can get a jumpstart on a bachelor’s degree at Surry Community College by taking general education classes and then transferring to a university. Students who want a hands-on education can earn degrees, diplomas and certificates in the advanced manufacturing; agricultural science; arts and design; business and computer technologies; construction technologies; emergency medical; fire and rescue; health sciences; law enforcement; public service; and transportation system technologies areas along with hundreds of workforce training courses in a variety of fields.

Surry Community College offers a variety of workforce certificates and courses designed so students can earn skills quickly to land a job. These Fast-Track Workforce Credentials can be completed in as little as six to 10 weeks and include construction assistant, electrical assistant, HVAC technician assistant, maintenance technician, masonry assistant, physician office assistant, production welding and project management assistant.

Anyone unsure about educational or career goals can stop by Surry Community College’s Purpose Center on the Dobson campus in the A-Building for assistance in determining goals. At the Purpose Center, the career coaches will give a career assessment and introduce those interested to the college’s many educational programs. Surry Community College offers students hands-on experiences through work-based learning, internships and apprenticeship programs.

Recent high school graduates are eligible for the North Carolina Longleaf Commitment Grant, which could potentially award them free tuition at Surry Community College for two years. Grant monies never have to be repaid.

“Never before has there been such an influx of federal and state funds to help community college students be successful and overcome financial hurdles,” said SCC President Dr. David Shockley. “For eligible college transfer students, this is a great savings and way for you to complete the first two years of your bachelor’s degree at SCC. Eligible students who are going into technical fields can use the Longleaf Commitment Grant to pay for the majority, or perhaps their entire technical training needs at SCC.”

To determine eligibility, complete the FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid and enroll in Surry Community College. Additionally, Yadkin County students may be eligible for the Yadkin Guarantee to fund their educational pursuits. Other grant monies are available to students through a variety of programs. Additionally, the Surry Community College Foundation provides numerous scholarship opportunities to help students pay for their education.

Surry Community College’s Student and Workforce Services staff will help students with college application, class registration, advising and financial aid. Students can call 336-386-3264 or email studentservices@surry.edu with any questions or concerns. Fall registration information is listed on surry.edu.

Stepping into a new role this March was Travis Frye who has been tasked as the tourism coordinator for both Dobson and Surry County Tourism Development Authorities. His goal is to ramp up the tourism efforts of the area, he says it is a challenge for which he is excited.

“I think we have a lot of potential for growth here in Dobson,” he told the town’s Board of Commissioners Thursday. While the titles on paper may be new, he has been hard at work promoting projects such as Autumn Leaves Festival for several years as the program and events director for the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce.

To aid in the creation of tourism growth Frye has developed a deep slate of activities featuring beats, eats, and meets.

It starts with Music at the Market, a collaboration between the Surry County TDA and Dobson TDA to be held at the farmers market at 601 E. Atkins St., Dobson.

“We are offering free events for folks who just want to listen to music or just get food,” Frye said. “We have a real cultural heritage of music in our area, so we want to feed on that as tourism destination on Friday nights.”

Steve Marshall and Highroad are going to kick off the series with a little bluegrass on August 26 from 7 – 9 p.m. He told the board that food trucks would be on hand too, something of a staple these days for such events. Having food options on site will hopefully draw in a little more traffic to the event.

“Folks that are just passing by and want to get some food from a food truck they can listen to the music or just get the food. We’re making it free of charge and people just need to bring their lawn chairs.”

Music at the Market will have performances through November, “That’s six bands that will be performing. All local musicians and a good opportunity for them as well.” Promoting Dobson, local food trucks, and the farmers market are all great – Frye is taking it further by finding local musical acts as well. If any news is good news, then promotion of any type for the area is a winning formula.

The tourism coordinator can’t just lay out plans and just hope for the best; so, Frye came ready to show his work. He shared his marketing campaign across radio, print, and social media that will continue through the end of the Market series. Having ads in Our State magazine alone will get these sorts of events quickly publicized to a statewide audience, giving tourists another reason to visit.

The future of tourism is going to look different as how modes of travel change. Upgrades at the Mount Airy Surry County Airport are meant to increase the capabilities of the airport and make it a destination stop for travelers to tank up, fill up, and say hello to Surry County.

Similarly, Frye told the commissioners that at the recent Visit North Carolina 365 conference they were talking about the future of electric vehicles. “One of the main things the pointed out that is coming in the future is EV charging stations and the electric cars that are constantly being promoted on television.”

“To get ahead of that, they asked rural areas as well as areas that are on major byways or interstates to start becoming proactive. So, Dobson TDA met and discussed options on where we would like to place it — where is a good tourism destination — and they settled on Shelton Vineyards.”

At a cost of approximately $18,000 the plan is to install a Level-2 ChargePoint EV charging station that will accommodate charging two vehicles at a charge time of two to four hours, he said. “It may be top off to get to their next destination or they could stay and come into the town and discover Dobson.”

The tourists are here, and the car is charging, so now Frye wants to get the delicious food of the area to fresh palettes. The sonker trail and recent sonker sign dedication gave him an idea to hoist another area favorite into the pantheon of deliciousness: ground steak.

“It is Surry County delicacy, we discussed having a festival in late spring, early summer of 2023 around the courthouse square. Not only would it encompass ground steak, but we would be focusing on delicacies like the sonker and introduce people to that. People could have sonker, ground steak, and look at crafts. We’re thinking about doing a high skill craft show, kids’ area, and live music on the square,” he said of the new concept.

Surry County TDA is also going to partner with Dobson to create a ground steak trail. “That way we can have our own website dedicated to ground steak and we can promote our local restaurants in the community. All Surry County — anybody that’s in the county that does ground steak, we’re going to promote them to promote tourism.”

Frye has something cooking that he cannot yet share with the public, the Country Concert Series is coming but, “I can’t announce what bands we have – I just have to say we have really good bands. If you’re a fan of 90s and early 00s county music, we have two big bands that will be coming.” A contractual obligation is preventing the announcement, but he is excited.

That series is going to be located outside the Hampton Inn on I-77 he said. “It’s a big field, we measured it and it can hold around 28,000 people in that vicinity. This is going to have to be a collaborative effort with the town, county, EMS, and sheriff.”

“It’s going to be a big deal and hopefully something we can do every year as an annual event.” Such an undertaking will not be easy, and he will be creating subcommittees to help divide the work. Anyone interested in serving on one should contact Frye, “Please let me know, we’ll have specific tasks for everybody.”

Finally, an announcement was made many in the area will be happy to hear, “The Surry Old Time Fiddlers Convention, you may have seen that it was canceled earlier this spring, but we revived it. The TDAs have a big investment in this, and we want to keep the convention here if possible. It does bring in 500-800 people per day over the two-day span.”

The Square Dance will be held on Friday Sept. 23 with $5 admission fee, children younger than 12 are free. At 7 p.m. Lucas Pasley and The Stratford Stringband perform, and then at 8:30 p.m. the Slate Mountain Ramblers will take the stage. A move to the Surry County Service Center in Dobson was needed to facilitate the new date but those ready to rosin a bow will not be bothered by the change.

Then on Saturday, Sept. 24, registration opens at 10 a.m. with youth contests between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with youth dance and awards following youth competition. Then from 3 until 6:30 p.m. will be the adult individual contests and at 7 p.m. the adult band contest, the adult dance and awards following the band contest.

“Things are looking really good and we’re staying really busy,” Frye said in closing also apologizing for talking so much. The board did not seem to mind, this is exactly what he was brought on to do and he came Thursday evening prepared.

Getting the fiddlers convention squared away, Music at the Market, Country Concert Series, a ground steak trail, adding electric car charging stations – his appraisal of the potential to grow tourism seems attainable.

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:

– Ashley Cave Davis and Shannon R. Davis to Josey Cristal Montalvo and Uriel Secundino; two tracts Dobson; $364.

– Richard Price to Jerry Price; tract Franklin; $48.

– Curtis James Connelly and Denise Evan Connelly to James F. Yokley II; 1.38 acres; $30.

– Piper Angel to Dennis Angel and Robin Angel; ten tracts; $0.

– Whitney Merkel White to HRS Property Group, LLC; tract one lots 25-28 and tract two lots 29-30 Ida B. Muse subdivision PB 3 129 estate of Ida B. Muse; $74.

– Millrode Forest Partnership and Norma R. Hiatt to Rebecca Claire Montgomery; lot 32 section 6 Millrode Forest PB 12 77-78 Mount Airy; $0.

– Millrode Forest Partnership and Norma R. Hiatt to Campbell Grant Montgomery; lots 30-31 section 6 Millerode Forest PB 12 77-78 Mount Airy; $0.

– Millrode Forest Partnership and Norma R. Hiatt to Stephen Paul Dowell; lot 40 section 6 Millerode Forest PB 12 77-78 Mount Airy; $6.

– Donna Hiatt Childress, Jack R. Childress, Kathryn Hiatt Beckham, Richard William Beckham and Virginia Paige Hiatt Horton to Redoak Development, LLC; 0.425 acres Mount Airy; $170.

– Randy Scott Shur and Angela Shur to Miss Angels Farm & Orchard, LLC; 0.806 acres PB 41 52 Stewarts Creek; $0.

– CMH Homes, Inc. and Jonathan Lane Harrell to Dakota L. Martel; lot 10 Oakview subdivision PB 14 8; $507.

– Janice Nunn Moore to Dustin Hostetter; 1.76 acres tract Shoals Road; $464.

– Sara Elizabeth Midkiff Smith, Charles David Smith, Jeannine Dumond and Darold Dumond to Matthew Ryan Ingram and Natasha McKinney Ingram; 4.067 acres PB 41 27 Mount Airy; $560.

– Lou Watson Sizemore to Kenneth William Watson; tract Mount Airy; $0.

– JDP Zephyr, LLC to LOA Properties, LLC; 2.15 acres Bryan; $40.

– James W. Collins Jr. and Sandra S. Collins to Carlos Javier Cardona Salcedo; lot 4 block A Fancy Acres subdivision PB 6 163 Mount Airy; $320.

– Sean Scallan to Guadalupe Castillo; 15.855 acres PB 39 183 Mount Airy; $96.

– Dorothy Simmons Granto Trust, Carl Edward Simmons Granto Trust, Scarlett Lynn Simmons Dowdy, Dorothy Simmons and Carl Edward Simmons to Chad Grayson Gough and Kimberly Sanders Gough; 0.64 acres new lot PB 41 2 Stewarts Creek; $140.

– IJK Counsulting, LLC to Cody Beck; 1.918 acres tract one Mount Airy; $400.

– Leon G. Hiatt Sr. and Leon Grant Hiatt to Charmaine L. Gudgeon; tract one 9.209 acres tract two 1.024 acres PB 41 56 Mount Airy; $900.

– Derek A. Taylor to Rosa Amelia Kelly and Matthew Joseph Kelly; 7.460 acres Bryan; $580.

– Richard Duncan and Michelle Lee Duncan to Kayla Marie Lambert; tract one tract; $240.

– Carolyn Bledsoe to Gustavo Angel Nava Rodriguez and Sandra Alonzo Mertinez; 1.54 acres Marsh; $84.

– Brannock Properties, LLC to Mayberry Esso, LLC; four tracts Mount Airy; $1,250.

– Branco Properties, LLC to Surry Endeavor, LLC; tract one 2.85 acres and tract two 0.60 acres Mount Airy; $350.

– Treva Junior Kirkman and Gretchen H. Kirkman to Kelly Goad Bates and Anthony Bates; tract one PB 33 21 Mount Airy; $326.

– Morgan and Co. Properties, LLC to Katherine Miriam Burnett Conely; 30,000 sq ft PB 39 189 Mount Airy; $370.

– Amy R. Baker to Amy Marie Shaw; lot 20 section II Reeves Wood subdivision PB 8 104 Mount Airy; $184.

– James Bradley Arrington and Meghan Emily Gipple to James Bradley Arrington; lots 92-96 and portion of lots 97-98 E.F. Tolbert land PB 3 25 Mount Airy; $0.

– Joseph Ervin Odum and Frances Ann Odum to Alcira Martinez; lots 57-62 PB 3 27 Mount Airy; $210.

– Sharon Kay Bullins, Jason Simmons, Brandy Simmons, Tasha S. McCord, Gabriel A. McCord, Kayla DeHart and Corey DeHart to Challie A. Minton Jr. and Catherine Perkins Minton; 1.46 acres Franklin; $180.

– Robert Lee Coe Jr. and Melissa J. Coe to Stone Peak Investments, LLC; 0.4 acres Elkin; $70.

– Mark Andrew Fleshman and Julia Fleshman to The David J. Friedman Trust and David J. Friedman; 3.626 acres Siloam; $894.

– Billy Ray Hiatt and Derae Nelson Hiatt to Christopher Allen Hiatt and Melissa W. Hiatt; tract one 2.98 acres tract two PB 34 199 and tract two tract; $0.

– Christopher T. Short and Tara L. Marion to Michael T. Stamm and Dellarie D. Stamm; 4.45 acres; $1,130.

– Estate of Atha Jean Inman Collins, Gary Lee Nunn, Atha Jean Inamn Collins, Linda Nunn and Vicky Lynn Bobbitt to Jennifer Bobbitt; tract one tract and tract two 0.353 acres tract three PB 25 133 estate of Atha Jean Inman Collins file 20 E 202; $202.

– Estate of Donald Ray Gravely, Mark S. Royster, Clara V. Easter, Donald Ray Gravely, Carole E. Hensle, Mary Baughn Greene and David P. Hiatt to Mary B. Greene; commisioners deed lots 54-55 Mountain View development Mount Airy estate of Donald Ray Gravely file 22 SP 21; $2.

– Donna S. Newman to James E. Rammell Jr. and Phyllis Belton Rammell; condominium deed unit 4-G Renfro Lofts Condominiums bk 1 pg 150-176; $620.

– Talal Nakhle to Tony Nakhle; 22 acres tract 17 and tract 22 22.93 acres Marshall Ney Properties, PB 1 207 Mount Airy; $20.

– Joyce K. Coe and Joyce Shores Coe to Robert Lee Coe Jr.; tract 9056 US 601; $1.

– Richard Price to Jerry Price; tract Franklin; $0.

– Estate of Royal Brent Crissman, Michelle D. Lewis, Colin W. Lewis, Emily Main, Daniel Main, Betty Pierce, Junior Crissman, Jannie Crissman, Buffy Crissman Hall and Royal Brent Crissman to Edgar Trejo and Antonio Trejo; four tract estate of Royal Brent Crissman 22 E 286; $128.

– Alisha Marie Marshall and Joshua Lee Marshall to Thomas A. Kokoruda and Gail F. Kokoruda; 11.812 acres Westfield; $92.

– Amanda Badgett Moser and Dallas Lee Moser to Kevin Paul Johnson and Kimberly Lynn Johnson; 2 acres Dobson; $500.

– Timothy W. Smith to Bryce Mahoney and Charissa Mahoney; 0.127 acres tract one PB 40 21; $0.

– Dianne S. Hunter, James C. Short, Linda M. Short, Janice S. Epperson, Steve L. Epperson, Marilyn S. Cook and Jerry A. Cook to Terry J. Mercer and Laura Yvette Mercer; tract one tract and tract two .89 acres Mount Airy; $94.

– Kevin Ray Nunn, Kelly K. Nunn, Jamie Rebecca Marshall, Jamie Nunn Linville and Kenneth Marshall to Jamie Rebecca Marshall; 4.50 acres Westfield; $26.

– Pamela E. Sinclair to Sandra L. Richman and William E. Richman; tract one .479 acres tract A lots 21-25 W. Fulton property PB 1 120 and PB 29 161 and tract two 0.127 acres tract B lots 35-36 J. Will Prather and F.S. Beamer subdivision PB 1 119 and PB 29 161 Mount Airy; $694.

– David L. Powell and Lindsey D. Powell to Matthew Christopher Mits; 1.474 acres Elkin; $710.

– Nguyen Kha Cong and Hein Thu Le to Pamela Kay Fisher; tract Mount Airy; $296.

– Leslie Lee Handy to Anne D. Handy; lots 91-93 and 163-164 and portions of lots 94-95 and 161-162 PB 3 155; $0.

Stories of mankind encroaching on nature often don’t have happy endings, but that outcome resulted from an effort to move trout from an endangered location to a new home in Surry County.

“They’re doing great,” Fisheries Biologist Kin Hodges of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission said Friday regarding the Southern Appalachian brook trout — nicknamed brookies — which were involved in the emergency operation.

It was undertaken about a year ago, but the success of the project wasn’t determined until recently.

That mission has come to light publicly through the efforts of NC Policy Watch, a news and commentary outlet based in Raleigh which is affiliated with the North Carolina Justice Center. It is known as a think tank whose mission includes keeping citizens and elected officials informed about important issues, including those involving the environment.

NC Policy Watch recently released a report to other media organizations documenting the trout-rescue operation conducted by the state Wildlife Resources Commission.

That article details the catalyst for the relocation of the brookies, the state’s official freshwater fish and North Carolina’s only native trout species.

Bottomley Properties, a company based in Alleghany County, had been timbering forestland on 360 acres along a section of Ramey Creek to expand cattle-grazing operations of the company, according to NC Policy Watch.

Hodges explained Friday that this location is in Alleghany County just across the border from Surry.

NC Policy Watch reported how shade trees that cooled Ramey Creek while also stabilizing the streambanks had been cut to the stumps. This resulted in rock, mud and dirt being freed by a hard rain and pouring into the creek, damaging three-quarters of an acre of wetlands and more than three linear miles of waterways.

The brookies’ survival was threatened by alleged violations by Bottomley Properties, which the N.C. Division of Water Resources called “some of the most extensive sedimentation damage ever seen,” based on the NC Policy Watch report citing public records in the matter.

This led to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality fining Bottomley Properties $268,000 for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act related to the degradation of creeks, wetlands and streams. The NC Policy Watch report added that the company has appealed the fine, with an administrative law judge to hear the case later this year.

Meanwhile, the fate of the brook trout hung in the balance until the state fisheries experts intervened.

Hodges explained Friday that brookies are a sensitive species that live a perilous existence.

“They need the water to remain nice and clear,” he said of the trout that exist only in the headwaters of mountain streams where no other fish can survive.

The decision was made to move brookies from Ramey Creek to another location about six miles away in Surry County, which Hodges described as an unnamed tributary of the Fisher River above Lowgap.

This waterway represented a great new home for the displaced brookies due to being on property owned by the Piedmont Land Conservancy in Greensboro. It acquires sites in Surry and other area counties containing valuable natural resources that otherwise might be threatened by unwanted development.

“This means that it is protected,” Hodges said. “So we don’t have to worry about outside disturbances harming the brook trout.”

The pristine condition of the Fisher River tributary targeted for the fish relocation also was a plus, the fisheries biologist said.

“It was in perfect shape, habitat-wise, but it just didn’t have brook trout in it,” Hodges said of the waterway that had been on the commission’s radar for years as a likely area for that species to thrive.

However, moving the fish from Ramey Creek to the spot in Surry required a painstaking process that spanned more than two weeks in June 2021, as reported by NC Policy Watch.

This included dipping electrodes into the stream to provide a shock of 400 volts in order to subdue the fish and allow them to be caught and placed in a bucket for transport.

Accessing the new location was achieved with an off-road vehicle and eventually maneuvering through thick undergrowth on foot to reach the Fisher River tributary.

The site recently was revisited to check on the progress of the brookies, which again involved providing an electric shock so they could be measured and otherwise evaluated.

Adult brookies tend to be 5 to 7 inches long, Hodges said, but in places where the food supply is plentiful and the water is deep that can be 9 or 10 inches.

The size of the fish surveyed was determined as adequate and their reproductive cycles appeared to be on track, as reported by NC Policy Watch.

“This is the best result we could have possibly seen,” Hodges said Friday.

He acknowledged that it is a shame the violations happened along Ramey Creek, but the rest of the story has been “serendipitous” with the brookies’ successful relocation.

“The pieces fell in place.”

Crooked Oak Primitive Baptist Church, established in July 1878, still stands on Pine Ridge Road in Surry County, a quarter-mile south of Crooked Oak Crossroads. The official name is “Zion Hill,” but locals call it “Crooked Oak.” There it sits under the shade trees with three windows on each side, a tin roof and two outhouses out back; a “His” and a “Hers.

As I remember, with no electricity the inside got a little toasty in the heat of summer and everybody fanned the hot air with card-board fans from the funeral home. Come winter-time, it was like being at the North Pole; even with a wood heater going full-blast. Whatever the weather, come Meeting Day, they preached, prayed and sang a joyful noise unto the Lord. When they sang, my grandma sang highest and loudest of all. When she hit an extra high note one memorable day, a dog howled outside. Then all the kids howled. Then everybody laughed. Grandma? She never missed a lick.

Foot-Washing Day always came on the fourth Sunday in July; the high social event of summer and the best time to meet all the neighbors who had not seen each other since the last Foot-Washing or the last funeral. It was the one day of the year when everybody went to church; including Pa, Mama and us boys. (So much for those who said about us, “Them Heathens never go to church.”)

The meeting came at just the right time to give everybody a hard-earned break from tending crops in the burning fields of mid-summer and they could hardly wait to get together, celebrate and share their huge back-logs of gossip, jokes and news.

On a bright July Sunday morning, they came “from all over” to that little white church on Pine Ridge Road. From Scrap-town, Garbraley, Flower Gap, Lambsburg, Pine Ridge, Round Peak, Beulah and Low Gap they came: along the hot dusty roads, riding in A-Models, T-Models, and some newer models. By farm wagon, buggy, horseback, muleback, bicycle and on foot they came and all wore their very best Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes.

The kids and dogs chased each other in the dirt and dust until all became the same color; the color of dirt. The women wore ankle-length dresses, home-made slatted cardboard sunbonnets and they too fanned themselves with cardboard fans from the funeral home. They bragged about their wonderful families, how well little Joey was doing in school, their gardens, how many cans of green beans they had “put up” so far and gossiped about the women not there.

The men wore brand-new bib overalls, with wind-up watches in the bib pockets, “chawed ‘baccer,” dipped snuff and smoked “roll your own” cigarettes made from “store-boughten” Prince Albert tobacco or from small cloth sacks of Golden Grain, also from the store. Those who had no money to buy smoked their own “home-growed ‘baccer” from Golden Grain sacks and nobody knew.

Some of the year’s best farming was done right there in the shade of the oak trees on Foot-Washing Sunday. With a cloud of tobacco smoke in the air and a sea of tobacco juice on the ground, the men traded guns, knives, horses, mules, cows, jokes, lies and talked about the good old days and the more they talked about them, the better they became. The discussions never ended about who got caught doing what and who did not, whose horse could out-pull whose mule and whose could run the fastest. “My mule can smell rain coming and your horse can’t.”

Every man was the proud owner of “the best durned huntin’ dog ever put on God’s Green Earth.” “My Ol’ Blue treed a coon one time and clomb right up the tree after it. That ol’ coon come tumblin’ down scared half to death and seein’ Ol’ Blue up in that tree scared me too.” “My Ol’ Bessie, she run a fox for two days one time and I thought I was gonna’ have to shoot ‘er to git ‘er to stop, but she finally did.”

On a Foot-Washing Sunday to remember, a red-headed girl from Lambsburg, Virginia came dressed as a cowgirl: complete with cowboy hat, vest, boots and two guns on her gun-belt. She was an instant hit with every man and if prizes had been given, she would have won by a landslide. Even with no horse, she was the main attraction and even I was impressed, because I had never before seen a real live cowgirl. (For some unknown reason, not a single woman was impressed.)

Zion Hill Cemetery was located just across the road; with a wooded area beyond, where some of the men sneaked in and sampled moonshine hidden there. As the day went on, they became experts on everything under the sun. Their fields of corn and tobacco became bigger and better and some almost became millionaires right there in the woods. Those who drank too much “took a little nap,” while their wives threatened to “burn them woods to the ground.”

One of our neighbors (Frank Coalson by name) parked his Dodge pickup under the shade trees and sold cones of ice cream and cups of lemonade from a brand-new No. 2 galvanized wash tub that had a chunk of ice floating around in it. According to my Pa, Frank’s lemonade was “Made in the shade, stirred with a spade and the best old lemonade ever made.” I agreed and figured I could have put away the whole batch all by myself.

Except for lemonade and ice cream, I’d had nothing to eat since breakfast and was in mortal danger of starving to death. To my way of looking, “all that preaching, praying, singing and foot-washing was a waste of time. Them people shoulda’ washed their feet at home like I had to do last night after wadin’ them mud holes. One good thing about the whole mess; if anybody died from hunger, there was Zion Hill Cemetery right across the road.”

Finally, just when I was about to meet my Maker, the meeting came to an end. Every family had brought food from home and the long tables (covered with white sheets) were loaded with more good stuff to eat than I’d ever seen. There were pies and cakes as far as the eye could see and it looked like every chicken in the country had been fried and brought there, which told me there were some tired people close by. Our chickens back home ran free and when we needed one to eat, we had to chase it down, which sometimes took the whole family and the dog. (We never failed.)

For most kids, (including me) it was the biggest and best meal of the year and nobody cared who ate how much. It was an awfully long time until next year, so, like everybody else, I dived in. No way was I about to go back home hungry. Until the eating began, it had been a slow day, but the sun then raced across the sky and all of a sudden, all the food was gone, all the big tales had been told and everybody headed for home. It was the end of a perfect day, but a sad time, because Foot-Washing Day at Crooked Oak Church would not be back until next year.

In the photograph: Crooked Oak Primitive Baptist Church in April, 2019.

The following marriage licenses were issued in Surry County:

– Justin Adam Atkinson, 43, of Surry County to Lauren Faye Urrea, 33, of Forsyth County.

– Matthew Travas Hayden, 34, of Surry County to Jennifer Christine Wolff, 43, of Surry County.

– Jordan Aaron Goins, 29, of Surry County to Paige Renne Simpson, 22, of Surry County.

– Cody Ryan Byrd, 29, of Surry County to Olivia Ann Gravley; 27, of Surry County.

– Ryan James Iachini, 31, of Rockbridge County, Virginia, to Stacey Ann Edith Miller, 36, of Rockbridge.

– Isai Rios Vega, 36, of Surry County to Daymarie Joan Perez, 30, of Surry County.

– Bradley Ryan Pell, 22, of Patrick County, Virginia, to Cynthia Faith Collins, 20, of Stokes County.

– Cole Spencer Fowler, 26, of Surry County to Olivia Reagan Taylor, 25, of Surry County.

– Jeremy Austin Baker, 25, of Surry County to Hannah Elizabeth Chilton, 20, of Surry County.

– John Austin Cater III, 63, of Alleghany County to Janice Riebe, 67, of Surry County.

As July wraps up, I couldn’t help but reflect on an exciting trend that has come back to the area and brought a wave of nostalgia and historical discovery with it. From Downtown Pilot Mountain’s Fun Friday ‘70s edition to the second annual Hippie Revival Festival at Miss Angel’s Farm, the ‘70s are back in Surry County in a big way.

The ‘70s were memorable for many things from the trends in fashion and hippie culture being in full swing, but the music of the decade really stood out. As a millennial, I remember every summer, saving up money and going to music festivals (such as the Vans Warped Tour in Charlotte). It was never lost on me that we had never really stopped trying to recreate the iconic music festivals of the late 1960s and 1970s.

This all had me wondering where young people from this area would have gone to hear live music and have their own music festival experience, and the answer? Love Valley just north of Statesville for the Love Valley Rock Festival of 1970.

Love Valley was, and still is today, a 2,000-acre town created by Andy Barker. Barker loved westerns and the stories of the wild west so much that he made an entire western-themed tourism destination in 1958. The creation of this town was truly interesting and exciting, especially for surrounding North Carolinians. Even here in Mount Airy, Bobby Atkins recorded a bluegrass song about the town at Stark Records in 1968, called Love Valley.

How did this Wild West wonderland become the location for “The South’s Woodstock”? Barker saw how successful other music festivals were and figured if he could get bands to play for free and people to pay $5 for a three-day ticket then he could make a good amount of money. His 22-year-old daughter Tonda also wanted to attend Woodstock the previous year, and though he thought she was too young, he allowed her to plan a music festival there in Love Valley with her 16-year-old brother, Jet. She originally planned to host 25,000 – 50,000 people if they were lucky, but no one could have expected what the festival would bring.

Because of the nature of the event, it’s hard to know just how many attended, some say 100,000 others speculated it could have been closer to 200,000, but regardless there was a huge turnout. The event strategically took place from July 13 – 16. Other major music festivals were happening in the south that July and people had traveled from all over to come and experience them.

At Love Valley, people were skinny dipping in a nearby lake and camping, and truly putting a Southern twist on hippie culture. One of my favorite stories includes, “…It was such a cool place. You had to ride horses. It was just like this Wild West town, and I can remember nights we were full of moonshine and LSD, having fake fights, and falling out of the second floor of the hotel with one of the guys in the middle of the street cracking a whip. It was nuts. I mean, it was crazy.”

This all caused quite a stir especially in more rural communities, and the event was a media frenzy with many local papers writing about it. Some were not ready to accept the ‘weird’ culture and concerned citizens from surrounding towns wrote to Andy asking him why he was having the event and voicing their concerns. Despite the concern from locals, the event went off without any real incident aside from a dispute between two rival biker gangs (Hell’s Angels and The Outlaws) though that was broken up quickly.

The bands that played at Love Valley truly helped set it off, some say that more than 40 bands showed up to play over the three days. Some of the best locally known were Kallabash out of Greensboro who iconically set off smoke bombs and finished their set naked, and lesser known Sacred Irony out of Winston-Salem.

The most well-known band to play was The Allman Brothers. They had an album out as a Southern rock band but weren’t extremely well known yet. Their performance was so well-anticipated though that they were booked to play at least twice and are thought to be one of the major reasons for the impressive turnout. The set list itself showed music to start at 6 p.m. and go to about 1- 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday a “Praise the Lord” service at the area stage from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and partying “until you couldn’t stand” starting back up at 2 p.m.

It seems unreal that less than an hour away, such a bizarre and amazing event took place. The reality though is that the Love Valley Rock Festival was so much more than anyone could have dreamed, and it had a fascinating impact on the community, artists who performed, and most importantly the participants who experienced it all. I can’t wait to see how else Surry County will embrace the ’70s, but as trends come back in style, I hope we can all bring the history back with it.

Cassandra Johnson is the director of programs and education at the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History. She is a Carroll County, Virginia, native whose family has been exploring the Devil’s Den cave in Fancy Gap for generations.

North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Division of Adult Correction is seeking information on the whereabouts of the following individuals:

• Tory Austin Teague, 27, a white male wanted on a post-release warrant who is on supervision for felony breaking and entering and felony larceny after breaking and entering;

• Robert Paul Thomas, 36, a white male wanted on probation violations who is on probation for felony possession of methamphetamine;

• Anthony Bane Thorpe, 57, a white male wanted on probation violations who is on probation for possession of a schedule II controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia;

• Kay Matthews Calhours, 64, a white female wanted on probation violations who is on probation for level 1 driving while impaired.

Anyone with information on any probation absconders, please contact Crime Stoppers at 786-4000 or probation at 719-2705.

The katydids are singing songs of autumn

Even though Dog Days are still with us, as the month of July comes to an end the katydids in the tops of mighty oaks are singing songs of the up-and-coming autumn. These unusual insects make music by rubbing their legs against their sides. They resemble large green grasshoppers. Their song is the same each evening and they remind us how slowly and subtly one season paves the way into another. Soon, the dews will become wetter and sticky and the fogs of August will be another sign that the season of fall is sneaking up on us. The crickets will join the katydids in singing of the coming change of seasons.

This is the season to start compost pile

As the harvest of some vegetable crops reach maturity, the time to start a compost bin or pile has arrived. The heat will quickly warm a pile of compost. The residue of spent vegetable crops and stalks or vines are great compost ingredients. Run the mower over them to break the garden residue down to speed up the compost process. Add grass clippings to heat it up. Add some Plant-Tone organic vegetable food or Black Kow composted cow manure to build up heat in the pile. Add peelings, hulls, and garden waste to the compost and add some water once a week. Stir the pile or bin twice each week as you add the ingredients.

The sights and sounds of midsummer

The humming birds zoom around and contend for nectar at the feeders. The birds of summer are active at the feeders and bees visit the annuals and perennials on the porch and deck. Butterflies and finches visit the zinnia bed. Thunder sounds in the distance as a storm approaches. After the storm runs its course, the garden plot will be filled with the glow of fire flies. Humid days, pop-up thunderstorms, and fire fly evenings seem to be summer’s calling cards.

Checking the rose of midsummer

The roses have bloomed all the way through the spring and early summer. With some extra care, they will bloom until frost. To keep them blooming, dead head all spent blooms, spray foliage for mites, insects, and Japanese beetles. Feed with Rose-Tone organic rose food once each month. Water once a week if no rain is in the forecast. Keep long canes trimmed back.

A bit of Saint Lammas weather lore

Saint Lammas Day will be celebrated tomorrow. On this day, it is said the grain begins to ripen and dew’s begin to get heavy. A bit of lore on Saint Lammas Day says that if his day is hot and steamy, look for winter to be white and creamy. We can certainly look for Saint Lammas Day to be hot and steamy because after all, we still have several Dog Days remaining. Don’t count on winter being too white and creamy. Winter is still more than five months away, and a lot of hot, humid weather is ahead before we can even think about the white stuff. One sure thing we know about Saint Lammas Day is that the halfway point of summer has been reached.

Connecting August fogs with winter snows

Tomorrow brings the arrival of the first day of August. The month also brings the arrival of foggy mornings. Are the fogs of August harbingers of the coming snows of winter? My grandma in Northampton County always thought they did, and so did my mother. They kept accurate records of each August fog and if they were light, medium, or heavy. They rose early every morning so they were in good position to observe and record results of the fogs. A heavy fog represents a heavy snow, medium fogs represented a medium snowfall and light fog would mean a trace of snow or a dusting of snow or just a covering of snow. Some of their observations were about as accurate as some of today’s forecasts.

Weather lore as August begins

The last full month of summer begins Monday with almost two more weeks of Dog Days remaining. The last day of the Dog Days of 2022 will be Thursday, August 11. A bit of winter weather lore to begin the month of August says that if the first week of August be warm, winter will be white and long. With Dog Days still in progress, we could very well see some more hot weather. August has plenty of weather lore as you will see in today’s Garden Plot. Even though winter is still a long way off, surely this bit of winter lore can be taken with a grain of salt.

A bowl of colorful dressed up green beans

For this summer recipe, you will need one quart fresh or canned green beans, one large diced white onion, one teaspoon sugar, half teaspoon pepper, one two ounce jar of diced pimentos, one can mushrooms, one can Green Giant Lesueur peas, one stick light margarine and half cup catsup. Mix all ingredients except green beans and simmer for fifteen minutes. Add drained green beans and half stick margarine and simmer for twenty minutes.

Tomatoes ripen quickly in late summer heat

In the heat of the midsummer sun, tomatoes will ripen fast. On days when the sun bears down and no rain is in the forecast use the water wand in shower mode and water the base of the tomato vines and not the foliage to prevent blossom end rot. During dry spells, birds will peck holes in tomatoes to obtain moisture. To prevent this, harvest tomatoes before they get fully ripe and place them on the porch or deck to finish ripening. Apply powdered lime tomato plants and hill up soil on both sides of the plants or mix lime and water in sprinkling can and pour around base of tomato plants.

The monarch butterfly with orange wings trimmed and bordered in black and white have decreased in numbers of 25% to 50% percent over the past decade. A lot of their decrease in population has been caused by the shortage of milkweed which hosts the egg-laying monarch butterflies. Milkweed is in shorter supply because of habitat destruction by development expansion, commercial enterprises, urban sprawl, and careless land management. Most of the land where milkweed prospered has been gulped up.

We are not much for the propagation of weeds, but in the interest of the survival of the Monarch and the hidden benefits of the milkweed, we are going to plant more flowers, scout for some milkweed and transplant it to the garden or try to locate some milkweed seed. After all, milkweed is a perennial and has beautiful purple and lavender flowers. We think this is a worthwhile project and we hope we can find some milkweed or milkweed seeds. Here are a few factors about milkweed: 1) Milkweed is a perennial. Monarchs and their larvae and caterpillars love milkweed. 2) Milkweed can be propagated from cuttings, the milkweed also develops seed pods and can also be rooted. (3) If you can find seed, milkweed can be planted. 4) Monarchs are also known as milkweed butterflies. 5) Monarchs migrate 1,600 miles each year to the mountains of western Mexico.

Keeping bell peppers harvested to freeze

Sweet bell peppers should soon be ready to harvest as the midsummer sun shines down on them. Sweet bells are easy to process and freeze. All you have to do is cut off the tops, split them and remove the seeds and cut into half-inch cubes and place in quart and pint plastic freezer containers. When you need peppers for recipes all during the year, get a container and pour out what you need and place the container back in freezer.

Starting a late row of strike beans

Strike is the best of a green beans for late summer harvests and abundant production. A row that is planted this week will produce a harvest before mid-September and produce until end of the month. Plant the strikes in a furrow about three or four inches deep and apply a layer of peat moss on top of the seed and also a layer of Black Kow composted manure and then an application of Plant-Tone organic vegetable food. Hill up soil on both sides of the furrow and tamp down soil over seeds in row with the hoe blade for good soil contact. Once the beans develop two leaves side dress with Plant-Tone organic vegetable food every 15 days. Apply water with water wand in ‘Shower” mode each week when rain is not in the forecast.

The rainbow of colors in the zinnia bed

The Zinnias of mid-summer are showing off a rainbow of colors and attracting an abundance of attention from yellow and black tiger swallowtails, bees, hummingbirds, sparrows, gold finches, as well as the majestic Monarch butterflies. These floral masterpieces are on display along with the tapestry of an array of butterflies, all performing a spectacular show of motion and beauty.

“Female football lover.” A man took his sweetheart to a football game. After the game, he asked her how she liked the game. She replied, “I like it, but I could not understand why the players fuss over twenty-five measly cents.” Her boyfriend said, “What are you talking about?” His sweetheart said, “Well, they were all saying get the quarter back!”

“Watered down.” A motorist, after being stuck on a muddy road, paid this farmer $50 to pull his car out of the mud. The motorist told the farmer, “At these prices you should be pulling people out of the mud day and night.” The farmer replied, “I can’t do that because every night I have to fill the hole with water!”

Editor’s Note: Community Comment is a periodic column in The Mount Airy News featuring commentary from community leaders in Mount Airy and Surry County.

Summer fun, enrichment activities, outdoor games, learning lessons, and exciting field trips describe a summer full of engagement for our students. Many of our staff dedicate their summer to make sure there is no summer loss for many of our children.

We expect 50% of our total population of students to be involved in some type of summer activity on our campus. It may be an athletic camp in soccer, basketball, football, basketball, or one of our other 27 sports. The students may be in our summer school program that allows them to work on academic areas that may be weak for them or strengthen areas where they have academic talent. Our enrichment programs in the summer are free to every child in our community. The Blue Bear Bus is out and about in the community reaching more than a hundred students and their families with amazing resources. 800+ students benefit from the many summer opportunities that Mount Airy City Schools (MACS) is able to provide.

Imagine a camp such as Baking Bears, where you are able to grow your culinary skills. You might also conduct fun science experiments at our many S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) offerings, learn about college at College Application Bootcamp, experience the arts at Arts Alive and Magical Music, or enjoy creating structures during Legos Extravaganza. Our S.E.E. (Summer Enrichment Experiences) camps have a little something for everyone.

The amount of adult educators it requires to put on these camps is a big undertaking. We feel blessed at MACS that more than 40 staff members show up to help lead summer programming. We all know how difficult it can be for high poverty families to be involved in meaningful activities, get three meals a day, and find appropriate child care while they are working. We are happy and excited to provide these opportunities for every single student.

The Blue Bear Bus is a favorite of the Mount Airy community. Any given day you see the decorated bus pulling into your neighborhood with activities for the whole family, academic support resources, along with educators ready to play games and have a lot of fun. The energy of the Blue Bear Bus team is second to none and the excitement they bring is contagious. Serving more than 100 students each week shows the popularity of this mission. Check out our link to show all of the great locations they will be visiting over the next few weeks. https://www.mtairy.k12.nc.us/apps/pages/bluebearbus

Everything from driver’s education, to teacher training, to cleaning and preparing schools is happening on our five campuses. There are custodians, school nutrition workers, maintenance workers, bus drivers, administrators, and many staff members who work twelve months out of the year preparing our schools for the upcoming school year. Any given day you can see basketball floors being stripped and waxed, classrooms being painted, maintenance occurring and planning happening. This feels busier than the school year for many of the staff members because they are onboarding new staff, working on licensure issues, and balancing budgets before the next school year begins. We are thankful for all of these everyday heroes that make a difference in the life of a child.

The summer is the best time to jump into one of our summer academic programs, our enrichment camps, or our Blue Bear Bus activities to see if you are interested in joining the Mount Airy City Schools family. We open our programs to all children, regardless if they are enrolled in another district, they are homeschoolers or they attend a charter school. Our programs are free to students with transportation and meals provided for city residents. We are the hub of the community and that only gets stronger during the summer.

If you are interested in touring our schools and seeing for yourself the amazing staff we have ready to serve you please check out our website and sign up for a tour http://bit.ly/MACStour Come see what all the excitement is about, Blue Looks Good on You.

The front-page photo of two-year-old Brexton Hiatt’s reaction to a Tyrannosaurus rex was priceless! (See “Dinosaurs galore ‘attack’ Pilot Mountain” in the July 26 edition of The Mount Airy News.] The photo captured a great moment in time – especially with young Brexton nestled safely in the arms of his proud father.

The inside photos and captions, along with the superb narrative, helped to further depict the family-fun essence of the well-attended event on Main Street in Pilot Mountain.

Congratulations to Pilot Mountain Mayor Evan Cockerham for his town’s hosting such a fantastic (and free!) interactive educational event.

BLUEFIELD, VIRGINIA – First Community Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCBC), reported this week net income for the second quarter of 2022 stood at $11.21 million, or 67 cents per diluted common share, down from $13.2 million, or 76 cents per share, from the same period a year ago.

Net income for the first six months of 2022 stood at $20.73 million, or $1.24 per share, down sharply from $28.01 million, or $1.59 per share, the previous year.

Nevertheless, the bank declared a cash dividend of 29 cents per share to stockholders, an increase of 2 cents per share over the same quarter in 2021. The dividend will be payable on or about Aug. 19 to shareholders of record on Aug. 5.

”Net income of $11.21 million for the quarter was a decrease compared to the same quarter of 2021, which included a significant reversal of provision for credit losses,” the bank said in announcing the results and explaining the drop in net income. “The normalized provision for credit losses drove much of the difference between current year-to-date net income of $20.73 million and the same period in 2021.”

The quarterly income for the second quarter in 2021 was a record for the bank, representing a 65% increase over the previous year.

First Community Bankshares Inc., a financial holding company headquartered in Bluefield, Virginia, provides banking products and services through its wholly owned subsidiary First Community Bank. First Community Bank operated 49 branch banking locations in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee as of June 30, including in Surry County.

The majority of North Carolina counties — including Surry — in recent weeks have been moved into the “high transmission” category of COVID-19, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Only Ashe and Watauga counties, in the extreme northwest corner of the state, are still considered low-transmission counties.

The high-transmission figure is up from 50 counties a week ago, and has been climbing steadily as a new, but slower-moving wave, of COVID has spread across the nation while new variants of the virus continue emerging.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) combines a number of factors when determining if a county is low, medium, or high-transmission, and that designation can change from week to week. Among those are emergency visits for COVID symptoms, hospital admissions for COVID patients, the total number of confirmed cases reported by date, the number of confirmed variants in a community, and other factors.

“If we look at the percent of positive cases in reference to the amount of testing being done, Surry County currently has an approximate 33% positivity rate,” said Maggie Simmons, assistant health director for the Surry County Health and Nutrition Center.

Overall, there have been 23,322 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Surry County since the pandemic began, with 363 deaths.

While health professionals had hoped initially that contracting the virus would offer some level of immunity, it appears some area residents are contracting the coronavirus more than once.

“We do not track how many times a person has been infected with COVID-19, but there is evidence of Surry County residents contracting the virus multiple times,” Simmons said.

Robin Hodgin, senior vice president of patient services and chief nursing officer at Northern Regional Hospital, said the facility there has treated people who have been infected with the virus twice, and in some cases even a third time.

While local case numbers are again rising, Hodgin said the hospital has not been overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients as it had been in several earlier waves.

Friday morning, she said of the 93 patients being hospitalized at the facility, 13 were suffering from COVID-19. One of the ICU beds was being used for a COVID patient, while two in the step-down unit were being used. Over the past couple of weeks, she said the average daily number of inpatients suffering from coronavirus has been around 13.

That has meant the hospital has not had delays in moving patients from the Emergency Department to regular in-patient rooms, as had been the case earlier. However, she said because some other hospitals in the region are experiencing high case counts, occasionally patients needing transfer from Northern have been experiencing delays.

Simmons, with the health department, said it is not clear if this will become the new normal — living with wave after wave of coronavirus, or if there will eventually be a way to temper its affect on society.

“We understand that for the past two years, COVID-19 has been a constant problem; however, the virus is still so new that we cannot yet forecast what the future will be in terms of COVID-19 cases, mitigation strategies, and response.”

For now, she said, when a county has a high transmission rate, as Surry County does, the standard cautions still apply.

”Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status,” she said. “Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters; maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible; follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19.”

Regardless of local transmission rates, she said some folks should take extra precautions.

“If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease: Wear a mask, avoid non-essential indoor public activities, talk with your healthcare provider about additional recommended precautions.”

Simmons said the Surry County Health and Nutrition Center is still offering no-cost testing at their facility, located at 118 Hamby Road in Dobson.

“There is PCR and rapid testing available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. We are also working with local partners to develop additional no-cost testing sites throughout the county, more information to come as those locations are secured.”

For at-home testing, she said the center “has a limited supply of free test kits for anyone interested. We encourage residents to claim the free test kits provided by the Federal Government at www.covid.gov/tests”

A second viral disease, monkeypox, has grabbed national headlines as that disease has begun popping up around the world.

As of Friday, Simmons said there have been 20 confirmed cases of the virus in North Carolina, none in Surry County. Thus far the closest confirmed case has been one in Guilford County.

“NC DHHS is keeping us updated as the situation changes,” Simmons said. “There is a vaccine for certain individuals who are at highest risk for having been exposed, and should someone be concerned, they can reach out to us and we will connect them with available resources.”

After dealing with Mount Airy’s planning-relating matters as a volunteer, Jeannie Studnicki is now doing so on a professional basis due to recently joining the Benchmark firm.

Benchmark is an entity based in Charlotte which has been contracted to provide planning services to Mount Airy since 2011, when city officials decided to privatize those functions.

That arrangement includes having personnel stationed regularly at the Municipal Building to handle matters involving zoning administration, long-range growth and others.

Studnicki, a 17-year resident of Mount Airy, is now part of that staff also including city Planning Director Andy Goodall. Her title is city planner.

She formerly served on the Mount Airy Planning Board, a key advisory group to the city commissioners which devotes initial study to annexation, zoning and related requests and then makes recommendations to the commissioners for final decisions.

Studnicki was a Planning Board member for seven years, having been appointed by the commissioners in 2015. She chaired that group for the past two years and rotated off it this year due to serving the maximum terms allowed.

The outgoing board member received special recognition for her city volunteer service from Mayor Ron Niland during a May 19 meeting of the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners.

“It was a natural progression when the city planning job presented itself,” Studnicki advised this week of her addition to the local Benchmark operation.

“This new position involves strategic thinking, goal setting, data collection and analysis, forecasting, design and public consultation, duties that I’m very familiar and comfortable with,” she added.

“It also allows me the opportunity to continue serving the city, its residents, and contributing to community growth in a meaningful way.”

Studnicki’s present responsibilities mirrored her work on the Mount Airy Planning Board. That included investigating present and emerging land-development trends and activities within the municipality, and recommending plans, policies and ordinances designed to maximize opportunities for growth while promoting public health, safety, morals and welfare.

While a Planning Board member, Studnicki assisted in the revision of far-thinking documents such as the Mount Airy Comprehensive Plan, along with zoning, sign, landscaping and other ordinances.

The new city planner, formerly of Toronto, has demonstrated a particular appreciation for architecture and historical preservation locally.

This included working to expand the number of Mount Airy districts in the National Register of Historic Places in recent years, motivated by benefits historically recognized places provide.

“Old buildings are witnesses to the aesthetic and cultural history of a city, helping to give people a sense of place and connection to the past,” Studnicki believes.

“Mount Airy thrives from its historic significance,” she observed. “Preservation of this irreplaceable heritage is in the public interest — we’d be doing a disservice if its vibrant legacy of inspiration and energy isn’t maintained and enriched for future generations.”

Studnicki, whose background includes 25 years of experience in marketing and as a business strategist working with companies including Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, AstraZeneca and more, has filled additional volunteer roles in this community.

She is a past board member of Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, a present member of the Downtown Master Plan Steering Committee and also volunteers at Northern Regional Hospital, among others.

“Twenty years from now, I want to reflect on my time in Mount Airy and feel that I contributed in a meaningful way,” Studnicki commented.

“That I championed for the welfare of our residents by helping to design a city that met their needs and interests while addressing crucial urban problems.”

This morning marks 25 days since the partial collapse of the historic Main Oak Building in downtown Mount Airy. Questions abound about the cause of the roof collapse and what the next steps look like but there is no quick answer or action in sight.

On Friday, Mount Airy Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Marshal Chris Fallaw confirmed the investigation into the collapse is still ongoing. From the street the scene has changed little with the upper level of the building still exposed and support beams bracing the outside. Businesses in the area have returned to operation with the impediments to Olde Mill Music’s entrance removed and The Loaded Goat resuming limited service this week.

With Autumn Leaves Festival and Mayberry Days on the horizon, there remains some concern about upcoming programming involving foot traffic on streets and sidewalks that may be harmed by the ongoing closure and barriers found at the Main Oak site.

Jordon Edwards has taken over as the events director for The Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce and is the Autumn Leaves Festival director. She took over from Travis Frye who departed for a tourism coordinator job for both Dobson and Surry County in March.

“It is an excellent question to be asking and for the time, I feel comfortable agreeing that ALF Vendor spaces will be impacted but to what degree I am not sure,” Edwards said. “We have started conversations with all relevant parties and hope to have a better picture within a few weeks. Our utmost importance is safety for vendors and attendees, and we will keep that at the forefront of all discussions moving forward.”

Since 2013 Lizzie Morrison has been the Main Street coordinator for Mount Airy Downtown, Inc. (MAD). She said she was unable to provide much of an update but did advise that city officials and MAD have “been in touch with their development team. At this point, they are still working through the process with their insurance company.”

She cast a hopeful tone for the outcome of the Main Oak building and the historic elements found within. “All parties are hopeful that the remaining parts of the historic Main Oak Building will be saved.”

“While the layout of some of our beloved festivals may change a bit, planners are moving forward with the 2022 festival season. We feel confident that our public safety partners at the City of Mount Airy will help to ensure the safety of festival goers and everyday pedestrians around the Main Oak Building. A stabilization system and safety barriers will continue to be in place as long as needed,” she said.

Sharing Morrison’s concerns about the state of the building is Matt Edwards. He has been fielding questions about the building given his status as executive director of the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, and the neighbor of the building.

From a recent discussion with contractors, “Last I heard they were working with the State Historic Preservation office to try and figure out a plan of action and hopefully identify some funding to help with the façade preservation.”

“At bare minimum I’m sure their architect is pulling together some options for them to consider based on what SHPO, insurance and the engineers say at this point. I know we all want to see something happen quickly, but my experience says this stuff takes time. If you rush it, you end up with bad results.”

A request for comment from the preservation office drew no response.

“These are old building in a historic district and the developers are people who have taken a calculated gamble on the rehabilitation of the building based on a lot of outside factors that we are not privy to. Those likely include tax credits that are, in most cases, predicated on maintaining the historic façade of the building,” Edwards explained.

The sad truth of the matter, he said, is that the state has its hands full with other projects. “Ultimately, while it was catastrophic for our downtown, it’s just another of many projects they are consulting on.”

“Personally, I expect it to take months before anything substantive is done, but do I hope they can get in and get some sort of cover on the exposed section because every day that passes more and more rain pours in and continues to damage the inside as well.”

That is not what anyone wants to see or hear. The National Weather Service in Blacksburg, Virginia, reports Mount Airy received more than 5.59 inches of rain since July 5, the day of the collapse. Every drop of water that is finding a crack or crevice is being pulled by gravity downward and may be eroding the structural integrity of what is left behind.

“That doesn’t even scratch the surface on any investigation the insurance company may want to do before they determine if and how much they’ll pay out. People don’t realize that projects like this are like icebergs – you see a little bit sticking up but there’s a lot going on below the surface.”

Edwards further tempered, “It’s only been three weeks and there are a lot of moving pieces.”

Surry Community College is offering a Vehicle Escort Operators Course on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Yadkin Center, 1001 College Drive, Yadkinville.

This course is designed to meet the training requirements set by the NC Department of Transportation to certify Oversize-Overweight load escort vehicle drivers. Course components consist of defensive driving, escort driver requirements, skills training, and an exam.

Tuition for the course is $71. For more information about this class or to register, call the Yadkin Center at 336-386-3580.

• A man listed has homeless has been jailed under a $10,000 secured bond on felony charges of breaking and entering and larceny after breaking and entering, according to Mount Airy Police Department reports.

Timothy Lee Browder, 44, was arrested Wednesday after officers encountered him at a residence on Banley Street and discovered that he was wanted on those charges, which had been filed on July 22 with no other details provided. Browder’s name had been entered into a national crime database, but it is unclear where the break-in case originated.

He is facing an Aug. 15 appearance in Surry District Court.

• Police learned Thursday of a crime involving the obtaining of property by false pretense in which a local business was victimized to the tune of $14,293. It involved an unknown suspect using a check from a closed account as payment for goods at Tri-State Carports Inc. on Franklin Street.

• A vehicle was stolen on July 23 as the result of a break-in at Scenic Motors on Rockford Street. A chain was cut on a gate to gain entry to a secured lot, with a storage building also broken into before the 1996 Ford F-150 pickup was stolen.

The $4,000 truck, gray in color and bearing license plate number TP26923, is owned by Blake Pike King, a Casper Stewart Road resident who is employed by Scenic Motors.

• Carl Bostic, 18, of 121 Hamburg St., was arrested at his residence on July 22 after police investigated a civil disturbance there.

Bostic allegedly failed to comply “with lawful orders,” which impeded that investigation, records state. He was charged with resisting, delaying or obstructing a public officer; confined in the Surry County Jail under a $500 secured bond; and slated for an Aug. 8 District Court appearance.

A Smith and Wesson 9mm M&P Shield handgun also was seized during the incident.

An early evening tractor-trailer crash has snarled traffic on U.S. 52 N, near Exit 131. not far from Pinnacle.

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the crash occurred at 5:49 p.m. and has resulted in one of the northbound lanes of U.S. 52 being closed.

“Expected impact to traffic is high,” the agency said as traffic back up for more than a mile at the wreck location, with the line of stalled traffic expected to grow. Southbound lanes were clear with traffic moving as normal.

It was not immediately clear what caused the wreck, how many vehicles might be involved, nor if there were any injuries. Highway department officials said traffic would likely be slowed at least until 8:30 p.m. while crews worked to clear the scene.

Northern Regional Hospital has earned a five-star rating for quality care – the highest award possible — in the most recently published ‘Hospital Compare’ report of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Northern Regional Hospital is one of 12 hospitals in North Carolina, and the only hospital in the region, to be so highly rated.

“This five-star designation comes on the heels of our recent Leapfrog ‘Grade A,’ the highest rating in patient safety, and is a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality care and service excellence,” said Chris A. Lumsden, president and chief executive officer of Northern Regional Hospital. “As we grow, improve, and expand clinical services and programs, we will uphold the superior standards that we have established in the delivery of high quality, safe care to patients and the communities we serve. Congratulations go to our entire Northern team.”

The Hospital Compare report, released July 27, compared quality data from 3,093 hospitals in the nation by looking at seven measurable indicators of quality performance, including the self-reported experiences of patients. Only 14% of hospitals in the country received a five-star rating. Hospitals are awarded between one and five stars based on quality performance, with five stars being the highest achievement for excellence.

According to Medicare.gov, Hospital Compare summarizes a variety of measures across seven areas of quality into a single rating for each hospital. Those measures are mortality, safety of care, readmissions, patient experience, effectiveness of care, timeliness of care, and efficient use of medical imaging. The report is designed to help patients make decisions about where they seek health care and encourage hospitals to continuously improve quality of care and patient safety.

“Northern Regional Hospital’s five-star designation speaks to the dedication of each member of our healthcare team – including physicians, nurses, allied-health professionals, administrators, support staff, and volunteers – who are focused 24/7 on delivering top-quality care to patients,” said Robin H. Hodgin, senior vice president for patient services and chief nursing officer. “It also speaks to the cherished level of trust our patients have in us to provide them with high-quality care and heartfelt compassion.”

Several weeks ago, the NFHS hosted its annual Summer Meeting involving key leaders from the 51 state high school associations. In addition to celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX, one of the highlights was the induction of the 2022 class into the National High School Hall of Fame.

Among the 12 inductees this year were four former high school athletes, who not only were involved in multiple sports and activities in their high school days, but who have “paid it back” through the years to ensure that others have opportunities.

These former high school athletes emphatically noted that the most important individuals who helped them achieve success during high school – and into their future careers and lives – were their coaches; and in most cases, that athlete-coach relationship continues today.

In his video remarks, Notah Begay III, a three-sport athlete at Albuquerque Academy in New Mexico in the late 1980s and a four-time winner – and only Native-American – on the PGA Tour, talked about the importance of his coaches – and the school – in keeping him in the right lane.

“The relationships I built at Albuquerque Academy and the wonderful coaches I had were keys to my success,” Begay said. “My soccer coach in my senior year, Bruce Musgrave, was the head of the English department. I wasn’t able to initially achieve the required minimum score on the verbal part of the SAT that I needed to qualify to get into Stanford.

“Well, who tutored me? Who got me ready? Who trained me at 6:00 a.m. in the morning on weekdays at school to take the SAT again? It was my soccer coach, Bruce Musgrave. I’m indebted to him for putting that time in and believing in me that I had the ability to do what I did. I look back on those years fondly. They were wonderful. It was sports and the people affiliated with those sports teams that were provided by the school that gave me that pathway to my future.”

Some might say success for a high school coach is winning 80 percent of the games, being named coach of the year or bringing home successive state titles. Begay would say success comes in the form of a coach taking extra time to help a student-athlete with homework.

Other measures of success are consistent teaching of values, character and sportsmanship. We are indebted to the hundreds of thousands of high school coaches who will take the field, court, band room or music hall this year to serve as important role models.

In addition to the significant role played by his coaches, Begay, during his Hall of Fame acceptance speech, also referenced the high school “experience” itself, relationships formed with peers and the importance of high school sports in shaping a student’s life.

“What I really appreciate – and still to this day appreciate, especially having seen sports go in a variety of different directions over the last five or six years – is just the purity of the high school game,” Begay said. “How an athlete can show up with very little experience as a freshman, but with an interest and a love for whatever that particular activity may be, and be able to be coached, be able to be developed, be able to be guided – not just on the field, but also in the classroom.

“I just think that’s a wonderful gift that each and every one of us as athletes has experienced in our lives. We all had a chance to receive an education at some wonderful universities – myself, at Stanford – and I wouldn’t have been able to do that without, of course, my soccer coach who tutored me, but also anyone and everyone who put their time and effort into my life. My parents, my two sisters, my wife have been paramount supporters of me throughout our lives.

“As an athlete, you have to be so selfish and focused in order to do your sport, and as I got away from my athletics and I segued into television, I had to grow up. I had to learn. I had to not be so selfish and be a parent and be a husband and a friend. And those are all things that I knew how to do because I had great guides and mentors in high school.

“My high school friends are still my best friends in the world, and they still treat me the same way… So, when you want to keep it real, you always go back to your high school friends because that’s where everything is pure, and in a lot of cases, for good or bad, high school is forever.”

We recall another former high school athlete and Hall of Fame inductee – former NFL tight end Keith Jackson of Arkansas – who during his speech in 2001 said, “There’s no time like high school.”

Those men and women serving as high school coaches are the lifeblood of our programs. The past few years with the pandemic have been challenging for high school students – and coaches – as mental health issues have accelerated.

As another year of high school sports and performing arts programs is at our doorstep – one filled with hope and expectations for the 12-plus million student participants nationwide – first and foremost let’s take care of each other every single day.

After almost 30 years of service to the Twin Counties and the New River Valley, Jeff and Sharon Johnson have sold Jeff Johnson Chevrolet to their son, Adam Johnson. The dealership will also be changing its name to Johnson Family Chevrolet, to reflect its success as a team, and its commitment to family values.

“I am very excited to have purchased Jeff Johnson Chevrolet,” said new owner Adam Johnson. “I want to assure everyone we are going to continue with the same values that we have always offered including our no doc, processing or hidden fees approach, value pricing, family atmosphere and large inventory selection.”

Johnson continued, “I have chosen to change the name of the dealership to Johnson Family Chevrolet to reflect the fact that our success really comes from all of our team members and their dedication ensuring the very best in customer experiences.”

“We, of course, will continue the Johnson traditions, while also streamlining our customers shopping processes, making it easier than ever to purchase a new Chevrolet or quality pre-owned vehicle.”

Johnson Family Chevrolet will retain the entire staff and strive to serve the community.

DOBSON — East Surry joined the fun of preseason volleyball by taking part in Surry Community College’s Jamboree on July 26 and 27.

The Jamboree, put on by Surry Community College, featured high schools from nine counties. Games were played at both Surry Community’s gym and Surry Central High School’s gym just across the road.

A previous News article incorrectly stated that Surry Central was the host of the Jamboree.

The Jamboree lasted three days, July 25-27, with different combinations of schools taking part each day. Both varsity and JV teams were able to compete.

Participating schools included: Surry Central, North Surry, Mount Airy, East Surry, East Rowan, Oak Grove, McMichael, West Rowan, Reagan, South Stokes, West Stokes, Starmount, Bishop McGuinness, East Wilkes, Wilkes Central, Central Davidson, North Wilkes, Alleghany, West Forsyth, Lake Norman and Glenn.

JV games began at 3:30 each afternoon. Each JV game went 20 minutes, and teams were given a 10 minute break between games one and two to allow for warm ups. Each remaining game was separated by a three minute break.

Varsity games began at 5:30 and lasted 25 minutes each. Teams were given the same breaks as JV before them.

Surry Central, Mount Airy and North Surry all competed in the first day of competition and were featured in the aforementioned article. East Surry began competing on days two and three of the Jamboree.

The Cardinals are coached by Katelyn Markle, who enters her third season as head coach. She previously served as an assistant coach at East Surry for five seasons.

The 2021-22 Cardinals finished 26-2 overall and 12-0 in the Foothills 2A Conference. East won the FH2A Regular Season and Tournament Championships without dropping a conference match; this marked East Surry’s eighth consecutive conference tournament championship.

Last season’s Cardinals reached the 2A West Regional Championship before falling 3-2 to the eventual state champs. East lost four players from its Regional Runner-up team to graduation.

2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

We are living in a time when our belief as Christians is being tested; our faith is being put under a microscope for Satan to see our every weakness. The very moral laws of God are being pushed aside and replaced by the evil heart of mankind. The Bible says in verse 4 of 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.

Satan has blinded the minds of the unbeliever, but God has given mercy and grace to those who have their faith in Christ Jesus. After we are saved through the blood of Jesus we have renounced, which means to give up, those hidden things (or things in secret of dishonesty), not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Apostle Paul is saying we don’t handle God’s word deceitfully which means don’t present God’s word in a way that keeps the truth hidden and gives false impressions. We are to present God’s word in truth so that we can be shown worthy in the eyes of people and in the sight of God. I have always in my 26 some years preached, sung, and wrote the truth of the gospel of Christ. I have taken the word of God from the KJV Bible for its face value and never tried to smooth over what God says is wrong.

The Bible is not a book for God to pat us on the back and say good job. That will come later on judgment day for Christians at the Judgment Seat of Christ if anyone should be so worthy. The Bible says; All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16.

Now if you ever think you are perfect while you are here on earth you better step back and take a real close look at yourself. If anyone ever thinks they are perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works you are deceiving yourself and certainly not fooling God. God’s word is a goal that is set before us for correction of our sinful nature. I don’t believe anyone can reach God’s goal of righteousness on earth except the Lord Jesus.

We are running a race as a servant of God, not as a self-made saint before people. This race that we are running for God has road signs that are taken from the Bible like 1 John1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. So while we are still in the race we come upon the next sign that says in 1 John1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We are not confessing our sins to keep our salvation; we are confessing our sins because of our sinful nature and keeping our prayer life in tip-top shape. But if you bypass that sign of confessing your sins the last road sign will pop up. 1 John1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. So we take time to talk to the Lord because we know and He knows we have sinned. We need and must have a regular prayer life because we are the sheep running a race for the Shepherd that speaks to us when we listen for correction and instruction. Jesus said; John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

God is holy and there is a barrier that exists between God and us when we come to Him with unconfessed sin in our lives. The Bible says in Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. That is the very reason you can’t put yourself upon a pedestal of righteousness as a human.

I’m trying to express the truth in a human-understanding way. Sometimes it takes loudly spoken words for folks to listen to the truth. I believe that God is using His word to scream out to His people today not to get caught up in this world of hate, to gather your children together and keep them under the shadow of God and keep them from using a false source of being in control without God in an animated world.

Mankind is out of control today because they are without God and the next generation is going to be worse. So don’t let that happen to your kids no matter how old they are. Teach them the road signs of the Bible now. If they belong to Christ, it will be a lot easier on them today than God chastening later in life, believe me I know.

A local organization that targets child abuse along with serving neglected and at-risk youth has become the latest grant recipient of the Mount Airy/Surry County Community Foundation.

The grant was awarded to a non-profit entity located in Dobson which was long known as the Children’s Center of Surry Inc., before being renamed Children’s Center of Northwest North Carolina in 2019.

A competitive grants program that is undertaken annually by the Mount Airy/Surry County Community Foundation resulted in the $1,530 award to the Children’s Center from the foundation’s community grantmaking fund. It will be used for life skills education.

“Nonprofits are the bedrock of our community,” Jay Williams, advisory board president of the Mount Airy/Surry County Community Foundation, said in a statement. “We’re honored to grant to an organization that helps our children thrive.”

The Children’s Center of Northwest North Carolina offers a wide range of programs that support the prevention, intervention and treatment of child abuse. It also provides services for neglected and at-risk youth. The center operates two residential cottages — in Surry and Yadkin counties — and serves families throughout Northwest North Carolina.

It has been in existence since 1998.

The Mount Airy/Surry County Community Foundation, formed in 1999, is led by a local volunteer advisory board that helps build community assets by creating permanent endowments, making grants and leveraging leadership and partnerships – all to benefit the city and county.

That board advises the Mount Airy/Surry County Community Fund, an unrestricted community grantmaking resource to support local needs.

Advisory board members live and work in the county, positioning them to strategically leverage resources, meet those needs and access opportunities.

In addition to Williams, the members include Sam Wagoner (vice president), Chris Duggins (secretary/treasurer), Carol Burke, Tanya Jones, Darren Lewis, Emily Loftis, Morris Samet and Betty Wright.

The Mount Airy/Surry County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation, provides an easy way for folks to support the place they call home.

Someone can open an endowment for his or her favorite cause at any time or contribute to an existing fund in any sum.

Tax-deductible contributions, made payable to the Mount Airy/Surry County Community Foundation, can be mailed to the North Carolina Community Foundation, 3737 Glenwood Ave., Suite 460, Raleigh, NC, 27612.

Donations can also be made online at nccommunityfoundation.org.

The entity in Raleigh, the single statewide community foundation serving North Carolina, has administered more than $217 million in grants since its inception in 1988.

With more than $400 million in assets, the North Carolina Community Foundation sustains in excess of 1,200 endowments established to provide long-term support of a broad range of community needs, non-profit organizations, institutions and scholarships.

It partners with a network of affiliate foundations to provide local resource allocation and community assistance across the state. An important component of the North Carolina Community Foundation’s mission is to ensure that rural philanthropy has a voice at local, regional and national levels.

• A Mount Airy man has been jailed under a $15,000 secured bond on a felony charge of abusing a disabled elder, resulting in injury, according to city police reports.

Brandon Michael Senter, 35, of 131 Cartwright Lane, was encountered by officers last Friday during a suspicious-person investigation at the AutoZone Auto Parts store on Rockford Street, where he is listed as an employee, and found to be wanted on that charge.

It had been filed on Feb. 9 through the Surry County Sheriff’s Office with no additional details provided. Senter is facing an Aug. 8 appearance in District Court.

• Robert Samuel Joyner, 59, of 122 Northwood Drive, was charged with hit and run Sunday, stemming from a traffic crash on Five Forks Trail at Fairview Avenue.

A 2009 Infiniti QX56 that Joyner was driving during that incident was located unoccupied in the parking lot of Northwood Apartments Saturday and positively identified then by a witness to what happened. Joyner came to the police station the next day and stated that he was operating the vehicle involved and had fled the scene of the crash.

The case is scheduled for the Sept. 26 session of Surry District Court.

• Jordan Matthew Wood, 25, of 1643 U.S. Highway 21, State Road, in the Elkin area, was confined in the Surry County Jail without privilege of bond Monday on a charge of assault on a female.

Wood is accused of wrapping his hands around the throat of Vanessa Floridalma Rodriguez of N.C. 268 at Dobson and scratching her neck.

This allegedly occurred Sunday afternoon at a business where Rodriguez is employed, Metro by T-Mobile, on Rockford Street. Wood was arrested there Monday afternoon after he was encountered by officers during a suspicious-vehicle investigation at that location.

He is facing an Aug. 8 appearance in District Court.

U.S. Senate candidate Cheri Beasley spoked with area voters in Pilot Mountain on Monday, part of her campaign swing through the region with stops in Surry, Stokes, Rockingham, and Caswell counties.

She visited the region, her campaign said, to “hear about their (voter) concerns and discuss her commitment to standing up to Washington and big corporations to do what is best for North Carolina. Cheri held community conversations with voters and met with small business owners to hear from them about how she can best support small businesses in the Senate.”

“Today I heard from small business owners that are struggling to stay afloat as prices rise and don’t have all the tools they need to strengthen their businesses, including affordable childcare. It shouldn’t be this way, and it doesn’t have to be,” Beasley said. “But it starts with having a senator who will stand up for the people and their needs first, and not corporations. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and help our communities thrive, and I will stand up for small business owners in the Senate.”

A Rotary Club of Mount Airy meeting Tuesday had a distinctly youthful appearance, which included students being recognized for academic and other achievements along with one person who’ll be participating in an upcoming jiu-jitsu competition.

Local Rotarian Rachael Williams is preparing for the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Master Championship scheduled for Sept. 1-3 in Las Vegas.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is described as a grappling-based martial art that recognizes how it is easier to control an opponent on the ground as opposed to a standing position. Once taking the opponent down, the aim is to wrestle for dominant control positions from which the opponent can be rendered harmless and forced to submit.

The Rotary Club of Mount Airy’s Global Outreach Committee is a sponsor of Williams’ participation. A $300 check for sponsorship funds was presented to her during Tuesday’s meeting at Cross Creek Country Club.

Williams will be promoting the local group during the international competition in the form of a patch on the front of her jacket providing what she called “great visibility.” Matches during the event will be live streamed, powered by FloSports, a subscription service.

“I am blown away and so thankful for this opportunity to take the Mount Airy Rotary name with me to Las Vegas in September,” Williams commented.

Another Rotary initiative that supports higher-education aspirations of local students also took center stage Tuesday.

“Every spring we give scholarships and it is dependent on how much money we have,” said the club’s Polly Long. “And this year we were able to give two.”

Awards of $500 each went to Paxton Reece and Kade Norman, recent graduates of Mount Airy and Surry Central high schools, respectively. Norman was presented a check at a Rotary meeting on June 28, which Reece was unable to attend, so she received hers Tuesday.

Along with academic performance, the scholarship criteria includes community service through the countywide Interact Club, a youth branch of the Rotary organization which encourages participation in service projects.

Scholarship recipients must be members of that group. “We look at what they’ve done for the community,” Long explained.

Reece, who is headed to the University of North Carolina to study psychology, took part in the Lunch Buddies program at B.H. Tharrington Primary School, played a role in Blue Bear Bus activities and participated in a dog wash.

Norman, who will pursue nursing training at Surry Community College, aided food distribution for those in need, participated in a cleanup effort and assisted in a building program of the Greater Mount Airy Habitat for Humanity.

Also recognized Tuesday were two local students who are winners of Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.

They are Devin Davis, a rising senior at Mount Airy High School, and Katie O’Neal, who will be entering the 12th grade at Surry Central High School.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards involve a program coordinated by Rotary clubs worldwide, which includes thousands of young people being chosen to participate in the highly selective program that provides training for their future endeavors.

The local students’ selection as award winners led to their attendance at the recent Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference at Oak Ridge Military Academy in Guilford County.

Both Davis and O’Neal got a chance to speak about their activities there during Tuesday’s Rotary meeting and how meaningful that gathering was to them.

Davis called it easily “the best experience of my life,” and expressed gratitude to the club members for sending her to the conference. “I can’t thank you enough,” she told them.

The event stressed the fact that the future is now, the student added.

“It showed me that I am not a leader of tomorrow, but a young leader of today.”

Along with recent summer temperatures, a new Andy Griffith mural on Moore Avenue remains a hot topic at City Hall — not the mural itself, but related parking and sidewalk changes there which one official says were done improperly.

“We didn’t follow our charter,” Commissioner Jon Cawley said during the last council meeting in a continuing debate over an issue that first began heating up when it last had met on June 16.

And the flame was turned up higher last Thursday night when Cawley came armed with copies of Mount Airy’s charter — the official document specifying the rights and duties of city government — documentation he’d been asked to produce at the previous session.

Cawley, who has said repeatedly that he loves the new mural, contends, however, that only the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners had the authority to change the street infrastructure there. This included widening the sidewalk to allow a better observation area for the public, which caused two parking spaces to be lost.

The often-outspoken North Ward commissioner — who is running for mayor this year — said that rather than the board, City Manager Stan Farmer authorized the recent infrastructure work.

Cawley read a pertinent section of the municipal charter, taking up about a page, which states that the city board has the power to authorize both street and sidewalk changes and makes no mention of the city manager’s role. He focused on the loss of the parking spots, indicating that affected business owners should have had a chance to weigh in on that at a public hearing.

Other members of the city council disagreed last Thursday with Cawley’s assessment of the matter, which had arisen in June in connection with an unrelated request from a local body shop owner regarding a sign.

Frank Fleming, also known for his modified racing career, is seeking an amendment to a city ordinance which would allow him to have a taller sign at a new shop location on Merita Street which isn’t presently permitted. A public hearing on the proposed amendment is scheduled for Aug. 18.

Cawley Thursday reiterated a previous statement that Fleming is doing this “the right way” in conforming to the rules, compared to what he believes is no respect being shown for city procedure concerning the mural site.

“We didn’t do it the right way,” Cawley said of his position that the board should have authorized the work, while quickly adding that he is not trying to call out the city manager, who came aboard in January.

“With all due respect, Stan, I appreciate you and I like you,” he told Farmer, seated right beside him in the council chambers.

“We didn’t follow our charter,” said Cawley, who added that “I just throw my hands up” if fellow officials think there is no need to abide by that document.

Others on the city board, in attempting to counter Cawley’s argument, said there was a gray area involved with the mural-related work and their interpretation of the charter. This was after Commissioner Marie Wood asked Cawley to read the key passages aloud while presiding at the meeting in her dual role as mayor pro tem due to the absence of Mayor Ron Niland.

“I don’t get that,” Wood said of Cawley’s accusation while advising that she sees nothing in the charter explicitly forbidding the city manager from making such decisions. “I’m trying to wrap my head around how this had anything to do with the mural.”

The board’s Steve Yokeley, who had asked Cawley to produce documentation that led to the latter’s reading of the charter, also weighed in on the matter.

“I just think that if we’re going to nitpick about allowing the city manager to do what he is charged to do,” Yokeley said, “it will be a sad day for the city.”

Commissioner Tom Koch agreed, saying he could foresee problems “if the city manager has to come to us every time anything is done in this town.”

“We just can’t micromanage,” Yokeley said. “We have to look at the big picture and set policy.”

Yokeley disagreed with Cawley’s interpretation of the charter, saying he also doesn’t see language prohibiting Farmer from removing a small parking section.

“The question was whether the city manager had the authority to take two parking spaces.”

“Where does it stop?” Cawley responded in suggesting that a couple of parking spots lost today could mean 24 being taken later under the same scenario — impacting affected businesses.

Toward the end of the mural debate that took up most of the meeting, Commissioner Joe Zalescik asked City Attorney Hugh Campbell for his assessment on what had transpired — “because none of us up here went to law school.”

Campbell concurred with Cawley that the board has the authority to make street/sidewalk changes, as the charter states, saying he couldn’t recall a similar case of parking spots being removed without board action. Campbell has been city attorney since 2002.

Yet he also thinks the city manager did not overstep his authority in the matter or otherwise did anything wrong.

The scope of the mural project had been discussed and approved by the commissioners beforehand, Campbell said of action taken last year.

That finding only produced further debate.

Commissioner Cawley reminded that the mural originally was intended for a wall of Brannock and Hiatt Furniture Co. on North Main Street. It was shifted to the location on Moore Avenue for reasons including a high cost of readying the Brannock and Hiatt wall for paint.

“The board never approved putting the mural where it is now,” he said, mentioning that all the work was done before this could occur.

“I know it’s too late now,” Cawley said of such a decision. “It was too late when I brought it up (last month).”

Yokeley said he was aware the mural site was going to be moved.

“I’m glad you knew about it,” Cawley replied. “I didn’t.”

Food, agriculture and bluegrass picking are staples in Surry County and starting Friday, Aug. 26, the three will blend together in harmony when the Music at the Market concert series kicks off at the Dobson Farmer’s Market.

Folks from all over will be able to satisfy their taste buds from food trucks on-site at 6 p.m. and whet their bluegrass appetite with the music of Steve Marshall & Highroad from 7 to 9 p.m.

Admission is free and citizens should bring their lawn chairs. BJ’s Fry Shack, My Kitchen, and Station 1978 Firehouse Peanuts are scheduled to be at the first concert.

Utilizing the location of the Farmer’s Market off the Dobson U.S. Hwy. 601 exit, at 903 E. Atkins St., Dobson, organizers of the concert series hope it will be a crowd pleaser and a perennial draw.

All concerts in the series are free and will be held at the same time of the evening from late summer through the fall, which should make for cooler weather — fingers crossed.

The concert series is sponsored by Carolina West Wireless, Surry Communications, Frontier Natural Gas and Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation.

There are six bands set to perform during Music at the Market.

“Combining their precise instrumental skills with their powerful harmony, Steve Marshal & Highroad produce music embedded in the bluegrass tradition with feeling and soul,” according to promotional material for the band.

The next show will be held on Sept. 9 featuring Hubert Lawson & the Bluegrass Country Boys. They have been described as a hard-driving traditional bluegrass and bluegrass gospel band playing in North Carolina and surrounding areas.

Hubert Lawson, who emcees the show and plays guitar, shares the stage with his wife Vera, on bass, and their two sons Lee and Eddie Lawson.

Wood Family Tradition will wrap up the month with their show on Sept. 30. Family values, legacy, faith and humor are just a few things that Wood Family Tradition bring to the stage with more than 150 years of combined experience in the Bluegrass and Bluegrass Gospel genre.

Wood Family Tradition has its roots from legendary banjoist and songwriter Al Wood. Mike and Bobby are his sons and Jason is his grandson. Other members include Jason’s wife Mackenzie, and banjoist Brian Aldridge.

Get the fiddles ready for The Country Boys on Oct. 7. The Country Boys have played in most of the regional fiddler’s conventions, and they have won the coveted first place in the Galax Fiddlers Convention competition several times. The band also placed second runner-up in the old Union Grove Fiddlers Convention.

The band specialized in fiddle tunes and receives a lot of their repertoire from Kenny Baker and Lester Flatt. More recent influences have come from the Country Gentlemen, while adding their own modern twist.

On Oct. 28 it will be time for Gap Civil to take the state for Music at the Market. The group is an Appalachian Mountain Music band built on the motto of honor and innovation. They honor the mountain traditions that have shaped and rooted their music, yet they take great pride in innovative and exciting original songs, tunes and arrangements.

Gap Civil was formed in 2017 in Sparta and features Caroline Noel Beverley on guitar and vocals, Chris Johnson on banjo and bass, Lucas Pasley on fiddle and vocals and Kyle Dean Smith on bass and lead guitar.

Slate Mountain Ramblers will end the roster of performances with a bang on Nov. 11. The Slate Mountain Ramblers is a family old-time band from Mount Airy. They formerly lived in Ararat, Virginia. For many years, Richard Bowman, his wife Barbara and their daughter Marsha have spent weekends playing music. Richard plays fiddle, Barbara the bass and Marsha the claw-hammer banjo.

The band has a winning tradition at fiddler’s conventions throughout the years. Richard, on fiddle, and Marsha, on claw-hammer banjo, have received many individual awards. The Slate Mountain Ramblers play for shows, dances, family and community gatherings, benefits and compete at fiddler’s conventions throughout the year.

The Ramblers have played internationally at the Austrian Alps Performing Arts Festival and in Gainsborough, England for the Friends of American Old Time Music and Dance Festival. They also lead fiddle, banjo, bass and dance workshops.

No music festival would be complete without a cold drink and something to snack on. Scheduled food trucks to appear at this year’s Music at the Market Concert Series include:

• BJ’s Fry Shack: Aug. 26

• Shikora Express on Wheels: Sept. 30

• Mermaids On the Go: Sept. 30, Oct. 28 and Nov. 11

• Station 1978 Firehouse Peanuts LLC: Aug. 26, Sept. 9, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 28 and Nov. 11.

If the tunes were not enough, the food trucks may add an extra tasty incentive for people to come out and enjoy dinner and music, organizers said.

Toward the end of the most recent school year, one cadet was recognized on behalf of the Cardinal Battalion as Cadet of the Semester for his work.

Cadet SSG Joseph Boggs was tapped as the Cadet of the Semester, which meant not only being recognized for his academic success and passing a set of question posed by a panel, but the honor comes with a promotion to the next rank.

Joseph, along with several other cadets, were asked a series of questions based on the JROTC curriculum. The panel judging their replies was made up of Cadet Command Sergeant Major Dylan Myers, Cadet Major Maria Chilton, Cadet First Sergeant Hunt McMasters, Cadet First Lieutenant Dylan Brock and Cadet Captain Travis Watson.

In order to compete cadents must maintain an “A” average. The cadets were graded on military bearing, appearance, and execution of drill. Each cadet was asked a maximum of ten questions. They were all scored on how well each individual answered the question and how well they executed their drill movements.

All participating cadets earned a ribbon to display on their dress uniform.

DOBSON — Three local teams got a taste of volleyball action during day one of the Surry Central Volleyball Jamboree.

The three-day event runs July 25-27 and features teams from Surry, Stokes, Forsyth, Yadkin, Wilkes, Davidson, Alleghany, Rowan and Rockingham Counties. Games were held in the gyms of both Surry Central High School and Surry Community College. Both varsity and JV teams took part.

Surry Central, North Surry and Mount Airy High Schools all faced off during the first day of the Jamboree. The teams got a first look at their competition a week before official practices begin on August 1.

JV games began at 3:30 Monday afternoon. Each JV game went 20 minutes, and teams were given a 10 minute break between games one and two to allow for warm ups. Each remaining game was separated by a three minute break.

Varsity games began at 5:30 and lasted 25 minutes each. Teams were given the same breaks as JV before them.

The Jamboree gave athletes a chance to compete in full-speed game situations before the official beginning of the season. Coaches were also given opportunities to try out new lineups and strategies against live competition.

Jamboree host Surry Central comes into the 2022-23 season with a new coach, Maddison Payne. The Golden Eagles graduated five seniors from last season; three will continue their volleyball careers at the college level, and another is set to play college softball.

The 2021-22 Eagles team finished 18-7 overall and 8-4 in the Foothills 2A Conference. Central was third in the FH2A regular season standings before being runner-up in the FH2A Tournament. The team reached the second round of the 2A state playoffs.

North Surry is coached by Shane Slate, who is entering his 24th season as Greyhound head coach. The Hounds graduated four seniors from last season.

The 2021-22 North team finished 6-17 overall and 5-7 in the FH2A Conference, good enough for fourth place. After being eliminated in the first round of the FH2A Tournament the Hounds did not qualify for the 2A State Playoffs.

Mount Airy enters its second season under the leadership of head coach Shelby Bryant. This year’s team looks much different after the team graduated seven seniors.

The 2021-22 Granite Bears finished the year 18-9 overall and 9-3 in the Northwest 1A Conference. Mount Airy tied for second in the regular season standings before winning the NW1A Tournament, which was the team’s first conference tournament championship in 30 years.

CHARLOTTE — The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) recognized student-athletes from across the country for their dedication in the classroom with the announcement of the 2021-22 All-Academic Teams.

Surry Community College had fourteen student-athletes earn All-Academic accolades for the past academic year. The Knights also led Region 10 – which consists of 33 schools from North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia – in First Team All-Academic selections with ten.

“I am extremely proud of our 14 student-athletes on earning NJCAA Academic Awards,” said Athletic Director Mark Tucker. “This is recognition of how hard our student-athletes work at achieving academic excellence while competing at the highest level. To have the most NJCAA First Team selections among all the 35 Region 10 member colleges is a tremendous accomplishment.”

Student-athletes are eligible to earn academic honors by achieving an overall grade point average of 3.60 or higher for the 2021-22 academic year. The criteria for the three All-Academic teams are:

NJCAA All-Academic First Team: 4.00 GPA

NJCAA All-Academic Second Team: 3.80-3.99 GPA

NJCAA All-Academic Third Team: 3.60-3.79 GPA

First Team honors went to the following Surry student-athletes: Brayden Adams (Baseball, Metrolina High School), Skylar Amos (Volleyball, North Stokes HS), Chelsey Atkins (Softball, Surry Central HS), Bryson Bebber (Baseball, South Rowan HS), Allie Bruner (Softball, East Surry HS), Jordyn Coe (Volleyball, Surry Central HS), Colby Crater (Volleyball, Forbush HS), Abbigail Draughn (Softball, North Surry HS), Emma Freed (Volleyball, Starmount HS) and Kalie Mabe (Volleyball, Mount Airy HS).

Abby Walker (Volleyball, West Stokes HS) and Makara Woodbury (Softball, North Surry HS) were Second Team recipients, while Michelle Thao (Volleyball, Foard HS), and Ethan Watson (Baseball, Hibriten HS) earned Third Team Honors.

“We had almost half of our student-athletes named to the Region 10 All-Academic team during the past academic year, and now to have 14 of our student-athletes honored with a national academic award is truly exceptional,” added Tucker. “Additionally, to have 10 of the 55 student-athletes that earned First Team honors from Region 10 is an incredible achievement.”

Surry’s 14 selections rank third among N.C. community colleges. The Knights joined Catawba Valley as the only North Carolina community colleges having multiple All-Academic teams while also having numerous individual selections.

In addition, Surry was the only college in Region 10 to have two athletic teams named All-Academic and also be nationally ranked during their season of competition.

For a full list of all student-athletes honored, visit njcaa.org

Lindsay Davies, D.O., has joined the medical staff of Northern Regional Hospital to serve as a Hospitalist physician for inpatients at the nationally recognized 133-bed community hospital.

A board-certified physician, Dr. Davies served previously as a hospitalist at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol, Tennessee for two years; and, prior served three years as a hospitalist at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Virginia; and a resident physician at Norton Community Hospital.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Davies to our medical staff,” said Jason W. Edsall, MD, chief medical officer of Northern Regional Hospital. “Her broad-based medical knowledge and experience, as well as her demonstrated commitment to providing quality care to patients, is a great fit for our hospital.”

Dr. Davies’ path to becoming a physician and, ultimately, a hospitalist (a specialist for inpatient hospital care) began at an early age when she visited her newborn sister in the hospital and was inspired by her local community family physician. “I grew up in the mountains of Appalachia where the only community doctor in town was an absolute pillar. Dr. Janice Gable manifested compassion, intelligence, and the actual art of medicine by caring for and treating the relatively rural community. She showed me that a woman could contribute so much goodness to the world which drove me forward and inspired me. Over the years medical interactions fascinated me and the direction of my life was very clear. The Science of how amazing the human body is drew me in completely.”

Dr. Davies’ approach to patient care is to “meet patients where they are — sometimes that means a lot of listening and sometimes teaching and instruction. I believe in gentle but direct conversations, as most people appreciate a straight shooter. I‘ve also found that if you break the science down and make it more relatable, the patient is more likely to understand the problem and buy into the treatment plan.

“This empowers the patient to contribute to their care from a place of respect and understanding. For example, I will sometimes describe the urinary system in plumbing terms, or neurologic or cardiac issues more as electrical situations. This helps patients relate to something they are more familiar with and therefore better understand what we are dealing with and how to go about treating the problem we’re facing.”

After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Alice Lloyd College in Kentucky, she attended Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee and earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree in 2013. The newly minted doctor then became a resident physician at Norton Community Hospital where she began an intensive three-year residency program in internal medicine.

“During my residency, I found through my rotations that I enjoyed the hospital setting the most, as that is where patients are very sick and you can follow their case to help them heal.”

Dr. Davies is a member of the American Medical Association and has served on numerous committees at previous hospitals, including patient safety committee and medical staff committees.

Dr. Davies is enjoying working with colleagues and applying her medical knowledge and skills to help inpatients at Northern Regional Hospital. “The group of physicians I am working with work well together, which leads to a collegial environment that thrives. I was impressed by the level of organization, dedication, and willingness to work together to ensure everyone in the group is an equal partner.”

She was attracted to Northern Regional Hospital for many reasons. “It is an independent community hospital with a commitment to give back to the community and remain independent,” said Davies. “I am also impressed at the magnitude of welcomeness I have felt. This is also a stunning part of the country not too far from home. It seems like a terrific place to raise my family with so much to offer them. I am so excited to join the team.”

Davies has three children, ages 6, 4, and 18 months old. They enjoy playing outdoors together, completing puzzles, conducting science experiments at home, and playing with cousins and their pets. They have two dogs and a bearded dragon.

The 2022 North Surry yearbook recently competed in the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association statewide contest at UNC Chapel Hill and brought home the highest honor in school history.

In the overall contest, the 2022 yearbook was named an All-North Carolina selection. This is the association’s highest rating. All-North Carolina yearbooks demonstrate excellence in all areas of journalism. North Surry was one of only thirteen schools in the state to earn this honor.

In the section contests, the book received third place for the cover and for coverage. Advertising also received honorable mention.

In the individual contests, Marissa Casstevens won third place for sports captions. Ashley Flores won third place for sports photography and honorable mention for sports spread design.

The 2021 yearbook was previously named a Yearbook of Distinction at the High School Journalism Awards held by the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The contest is open to every school in the state. Public, private, and charter high schools of every size compete against each other in the overall and individual contests. The section awards are broken down into two categories, large and small schools.

This wasn’t the only accolade the North Surry staff received. The 2021 North Surry yearbook is included in the latest volume of Possibilities, an idea book from Walsworth Publishing Company that is distributed nationally to current and prospective customers.

“The Possibilities book is a collection of Walworth’s favorites that have been gathered ‘in hopes of creating a one-stop ideation shop’ for schools. The portion of the publication containing spreads showcases schools that ‘came up with new spins on traditional topics, created eye-catching designs and masterfully utilized their photography and illustrations to create something masterful,’” said Walsworth.

A spread covering National Dog Day is featured in the book. Madalyn Edwards wrote the copy for the page. Marissa Casstevens, Cassidy Hull, Isaac Riggs, Mattie Everitt, Victoria Andre submitted the photographs that were included in the spread.

Junior Ashley Flores submitted a picture to a photography contest of a football player carrying a North Surry flag running onto the football field. That photograph also was selected to be included in the Possibilities book. Additionally, it will be included as the main varsity football photograph in the 2022 yearbook. The 2021 yearbook editors were Meg Adams and Madalyn Edwards. The 2022 yearbook editors are Marissa Casstevens, Madalyn Edwards, Micah Felts, Cassidy Hull.

“Our goal is always to make a better book than we did the year before, and the 2021 yearbook staff raised the bar for us. At the beginning of each school year, we go to the Possibilities book for ideas because it is a curated collection from some of the best yearbook programs in the country. I am really proud of the work that my students create because they have grown our program into one that others across the country can go to for inspiration,” said North Surry yearbook adviser Myra Combs.

The Kiwanis Club of Mount Airy recently presented a check to the Surry Community College Foundation for its scholarship fund. Bettsee McPhail, chapter president, presented the check to Sheila Franklin, SCC Foundation executive director.

The Kiwanis Club of Mount Airy Scholarship is awarded to a student who is a Key Club member of North Surry or Mount Airy high schools. The student must have a 3.0 grade point average and demonstrate financial need. The recipient can study any program at Surry Community College.

“The Surry Community College Foundation greatly appreciates the generous monetary gifts from individuals, organizations, and civic groups such as the Kiwanis Club of Mount Airy,” Franklin said. “Without the kindness, generosity, and philanthropic heart of those in our community, many students would not be able to achieve their educational goals and ultimately their career goals. We are so fortunate to be in a position to facilitate these scholarship monies with students in need.”

The Kiwanis Club of Mount Airy works to promote different causes, including drug overdose awareness campaigns, the local historical preservation society and promoting organ donation through the Donate Life Campaign. The Mount Airy Chapter is ranked first in North Carolina for its work in encouraging individuals to become organ donors.

Anyone interested in joining the Kiwanis Club of Mount Airy should contact McPhail at P.O. Box 705, Mount Airy, NC 27030. Individuals must be at least 18 years of age to join.

Surry Community College opened in 1964, and the Surry Community College Foundation was established in 1966 to provide financial support to students and the college at-large, promoting educational opportunity for students. As a part of its mission, the foundation administers a number of student scholarships sponsored by individuals, civic organizations, and business/industry partners.

Those interested in learning more about the foundation and how to support scholarships may contact Franklin, SCC Foundation executive director, at 336-386-3205 or franklins@surry.edu.

Before he became a member of the medical profession, Dr. David Dixon was a poet.

“I got my first poem published in 1992,” he said of the days preceding the beginning of his training to become a family physician.

Now retired from that field, Dixon’s love of writing has come full circle with the recent publishing of his first book of poetry which also is meshing with one of the Mount Airy resident’s longtime passions as a doctor: the Surry Medical Ministries clinic.

Dixon is donating every penny of proceeds from advance sales of the book — titled “The Scattering of Saints” — to the Rockford Street clinic that provides free health-care services to low-income uninsured patients. He is medical director of the all-volunteer facility, which the local doctor has been involved with since 2003, about 10 years after it first opened.

Surry Medical Ministries officials, including Dixon’s wife Nancy, who is president of its board of directors, are presently engaged in a $3.5 million fundraising campaign aimed at providing a larger facility to meet a growing demand for the clinic’s services.

The organization has been generating support from various sources, including state and local governmental funding, to make the project a reality, with the sales of Dr. Dixon’s book part of that equation.

“It was accepted for publication about two years ago,” he said of the collection of poems that took about three years to write. The book was put out by Hermit Feathers Press, a small independent publisher based in Clemmons which specializes in regional poetry of the Southeast.

The 109-page work explores a variety of subject matter from a life that also included time as a seminary student.

“It’s a little bit of everything,” Dr. Dixon, 61, added during a book-release celebration at his home last Friday night which was attended by about 50 people.

This includes material derived from his experiences as a physician, along with observations about nature, religion and life in general.

“David Dixon whirls readers through languages of faith, illness, love, loss; lives of apostles, pets, poets and trees,” says a description of “The Scattering of Saints.”

“He’s seen a lot and is not afraid to get it down on the page.”

“A search for meaning is what it’s all about,” said the author, also a musician, who was born in Mount Airy but grew up in Peru, where his parents were missionaries. The new book is dedicated to them.

Its title, “The Scattering of Saints,” is a line from one of the poems.

Among the captivating names of the many it contains are “How to Care for a Dogwood,” “Never Like the Movie” and “Speed of Light.”

Friday night’s kickoff event featured readings by other writers, Bill Colvard, Angell Caudill, Jenny Bates, Steve Cushman and Elaine Neil Orr.

Dr. Dixon said 300 advance copies of “The Scattering of Saints” have been made available for distribution by him, for which 100% of the sale proceeds will be used to benefit the free clinic.

The base cost per volume is $20.

“Many people are donating extra for the books,” Dixon explained regarding their desire to aid the Surry Medical Ministries mission beyond the $20 price.

Any contributions made above the book purchase are fully tax-deductible, according to Nancy Dixon.

Copies of “The Scattering of Saints” can be obtained from the clinic on Rockford Street, across from Northern Regional Hospital, or by reaching out to him on Facebook, Dixon said.

The option also exists for literary enthusiasts to order the poetry book on Amazon.com, but none of the proceeds from those sales will go toward the clinic.

Dixon additionally is hoping to make copies available at bookstores such as Pages in Mount Airy and others in Winston-Salem.

Start stretching and getting loose now for the United Fund of Surry Downtown Rocks and Runs which will be held on August 13.

For 65 years, the United Fund has combined a mixture of fundraisers, donations, corporate gifts, and workplace campaigns to support the member agencies under their umbrella in Surry County. The member agencies provide various services in this area from Surry Medical Ministries, Shepherd’s House, Parenting Path, and area rescue squads.

United Fund seeks to maximize the return on each dollar donated or raised by keeping those dollars in the community. Local groups have a better sense of what local needs are, which provides a unique opportunity to impact as many people in this area as possible.

“We are so excited to be back, Downtown Rocks and Runs has become the major event for our campaign kick-off. Last year, our return following COVID was our best year yet,” says Melissa Hiatt, executive director. “Our marketing committee works very hard to produce a family friendly, fun event to support our agency and lead into our campaign year.”

The upcoming race will be held downtown Mount Airy on August 13, and includes a 5K, 10K, and a Kid’s Fun Run. Early registration has started and is $25 for the 5K and $35 for the 10K.

Interested runners should act now as these are discounted rates. The rate will increase on July 30, to $30 and $40, respectively.

To sweeten the pot for early registration, “The first 200 registered runners will receive an awesome event T-shirt and a swag bag, so make sure you register now. The Fun Run is free for kids 12 and under, or you can add a Fun Run t-shirt for $10,” Hiatt said.

The 5K and 10K races will have a “gun start” which means all participants will have the same start time, and the finish time will use the chip on the back of the participant’s bib once they cross the finish line. Timing services will be provided by Go! Sports Timing and Events.

On the other hand, the Fun Run will have a clock at the finish line for the runner’s own gratification, but individual’s times are not recorded. So, whether you identify as tortoise or hare, your speed can be a closely guarded secret between you and the clock.

For anyone interested in a challenge, there will be individual and team awards for the 5K and 10K races. The Overall Top Male and Female in the 5K and 10K will win $250 sponsored by Advanced Electronic Services.

Hiatt said that awards for 5K and 10K Individuals will be: Overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Male/Female, and Top 3 Male/Female in each age division. Age divisions are 13 and under, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.

Other ways to compete include: the organization with the highest number of participants will win a Corporate Participation Challenge trophy.

There will be a 5K Team Fitness Challenge Award for the team with the fastest average team finish. Winners will receive bragging rights and a trophy.

The Fun Run (kids 12 and younger) participants will all receive a ribbon and a goody bag sponsored by the Greenhill Group.

Participants do not have to be runners to be in the 5K, both walkers and strollers are welcome.

Races start at 7:45 a.m. beginning with the 10K, then at 8 a.m. the 5K will start — both near the US Post Office parking lot on Cherry Street. The Fun Run will be in front of the Municipal Building at 9 a.m. Awards will be presented at 9:15 a.m. in front of the Municipal Building.

Early packet pickup will be August 12, from noon – 6 p.m. at White Elephant Brewing Company. Race day packet pickup and registration will be 6:30 a.m. -7:30 a.m. in front of the Mount Airy City Municipal Building, 300 S. Main St.

Updates on the races can be found on the United Fund’s Facebook page. Online registration is available until August 12 at 6 p.m. at: https://downtownrocksandruns.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=1858.

• A Dobson man has been jailed on felony drug and other charges filed in Mount Airy, according to city police reports.

Tyler Cleve Storms, 33, of 5334 Haystack Road, was arrested as the result of an incident earlier this month for which charges against Montia Marie Midkiff of Pilot Mountain previously were reported.

The case stems from a July 5 traffic stop of a 2009 Nissan Sentra on Mayberry Mall Road and a probable-cause search. Storms is accused of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver along with two misdemeanors: contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was confined in the Surry County Jail under a $5,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in District Court on Wednesday.

• Brenda Mae Surratt, 58, of 1313 Northridge St., was jailed without privilege of bond on July 11 for an assault charge resulting from a domestic call at that location.

Surratt allegedly assaulted Ronald Edward Hawks by striking him with her fist, causing minor injuries. The case was scheduled for Monday’s session of Surry District Court.

• Two copper ground rods valued at $200 were discovered stolen from a home in the 900 block of Reeves Drive on July 14 after a breaking and entering. James Michael Wilhite, a resident of Granite Street, is listed as the victim of the theft.

• North Star Garage on North Franklin Road was the scene of a larceny discovered on July 13 which involved miscellaneous items being taken from the mailbox of the business.

Pilot Mountain State Park has a new superintendent, but the new chief ranger is no stranger to the area.

Jason Anthony was tapped for the superintendent’s post recently by the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. He fills the role left by Matt Windsor, who served as park superintendent from 2008 until October of last year, when he was transferred to take a similar post at Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro.

Since then, park rangers Nick Bowman and Carla Williams have served as acting superintendents, until Anthony was named to the post.

Anthony has been with the Division of Parks and Recreation since 1998, and he has spent a fair bit of that time at nearby Hanging Rock State Park in Stokes County.

“Jason is known across the state parks system as one of our most knowledgeable and well-rounded rangers,” said North District Superintendent Kristen Woodruff. “As superintendent, his familiarity with the Sauratown Mountains, park operations of a highly-visited park and his demonstrated leadership will make for an easy transition and great new leadership for Pilot Mountain State Park.”

Anthony began his career with the division in 1998 as a seasonal employee at Fort Macon State Park, where he worked summers through college and later as a park attendant. He graduated from Toccoa Falls College in northeast Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in English and minor in history in 2002, according to the state agency. He was hired as a park ranger at Hanging Rock State Park in 2003.

During his time at Hanging Rock, Anthony supervised the lake swim area and served as lead law enforcement and boundary management ranger. He also served the division as a certified CPR instructor since 2016.

Pilot Mountain State Park straddles Surry and Yadkin counties, centering around the iconic geologic knob visible for miles around. Visitorship at the park has exploded in recent years, particularly since the coronavirus pandemic began. More than 1 million tourists have visited the site each of the past two years, to enjoy hiking, camping, climbing, and to see the mountain’s pinnacle.

“Once a navigational landmark for the Saura tribe, the Big Pinnacle can be viewed from the park’s summit area, which also offers panoramic views of the Piedmont and the Sauratown and Blue Ridge mountains,” the agency said of the park. It is one of 41 state parks and recreation areas managed by the Division of Parks and Recreation, along with nearly four dozen other facilities, sites, and agencies.

CHARLOTTE — The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) recently announced the 2021-22 Academic Teams of the Year.

Both the Surry Community College softball and volleyball programs received the distinction of All-Academic teams. To earn this recognition, the entire team must maintain a combined grade point average above a 3.0.

Among the 35 total schools in Region 10, Surry is the only one to have multiple teams earn All-Academic accolades along with those teams being ranked nationally in their sport by the NJCAA.

“Our student-athletes proved their commitment to academics while also having incredible success on the court and field,” said Surry athletic director Mark Tucker. “These awards are a direct reflection of the hard work from our student-athletes and our coaches. Surry Community College is fortunate to have student-athletes that strive to pursue their educational goals along with coaches that emphasize academic excellence on a daily basis.”

The Lady Knights volleyball team finished the year with a combined GPA of 3.45, which is the as the top overall volleyball program in Region 10 and No. 35 in the nation. The team finished among more than 180 Region 10 teams, trailing only USC-Sumter’s men’s tennis team (3.52) and Spartanburg-Methodist’s softball team (3.49).

On the court, the Surry Volleyball Team posted a 24-5 record in the fall of 2021. The team captured the Region 10 Western Division Championship while being ranked in the top 20 nationally by the NJCAA.

Team members included: Lyza Addington (West Stokes HS), Skylar Amos (North Stokes HS), Jordyn Coe (Surry Central HS), Colby Crater (Forbush HS), Natalie Eaton (North Surry HS), Emma Freed (Starmount HS), Camilla Garner (SW Guilford HS), Abigail Johnson (Surry Central HS), Kalie Mabe (Mount Airy HS), Anna Stevens (Oak Grove HS), Michelle Thao (Foard HS), Elizabeth Tilley (Davie HS) and Abby Walker (West Stokes HS).

The Surry Community softball team posted a 3.13 GPA which ranked third among all Region 10 softball programs. The Lady Knights finished with a 35-11 record while being ranked in the NJCAA national poll during the season.

Team members included: Taylor Allen (Alleghany HS), Chelsey Atkins (Surry Central HS), Megan Atkins (Surry Central HS), Allie Bruner (East Surry HS), Rachel Cooke (Maiden HS), Kelsey Craven (Eastern Randolph HS), Abbigail Draughn (North Surry HS), Kassie Eldreth (Alexander Central HS), Kaybree Martin (East Wilkes HS), Alexis Seagle (East Burke HS), Kaylee Snow (Surry Central HS), Kennedy-Grace White (Starmount HS), Lainey Williamson (Reagan HS), Makara Woodbury (North Surry HS) and Haley Wright (North Iredell HS).

Surry was also only one of four Region 10 colleges with multiple teams honored by the NJCAA joining Spartanburg Methodist, Catawba Valley, and USC-Sumter.

“We are incredibly proud of our athletic teams for their academic achievements,” stated Tucker. “Our overall grade point average this past academic year was a combined 3.10 from all of student-athletes. Our coaches are outstanding with putting an emphasis on academic success.”

A full list of all teams honored can be found at njcaa.org

Auditions for the Surry Arts Council’s production of Shrek The Musical JR. directed by Shelby Coleman are being held on Wednesday, July 27 and Thursday, July 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Andy Griffith Playhouse.

Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek The Musical JR., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and Broadway musical. It’s a “big bright beautiful world” as everyone’s favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale; Shrek The Musical JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.

Those auditioning should be prepared to sing a song from Shrek The Musical JR. and learn a short dance number from the show. There are parts for ages 5 to 18. Anyone unable to make auditions in person should send a video singing a song from Shrek The Musical JR. to shelby@surryarts.org by Wednesday, July 27 at 8:30 p.m.

The public performances will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22 and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23. School performances will be on Friday, Oct. 21 and Monday, Oct. 24.

For additional information, contact Shelby Coleman at 336-786-7998 or shelby@surryarts.org. Tickets for the shows are available online at www.surryarts.org, via phone at 336-786-7998, or at the Surry Arts Council office at 218 Rockford Street.

An early Christmas present came for Dr. Kim Morrison and Mount Airy High School when they were awarded a needs-based grant to make improvements to the aging Career and Technical Education (CTE) Building. She said this has been a long time coming and that “we’ve been asking for this for many years.”

The grant money will allow the school to make improvements to the building and to make it ADA compliant. Having been awarded the grant will help everyone, not just Mount Airy High. Morrison, the city schools superintendent, explained that the grant “saves the Surry County taxpayer almost $2 million that can be used on other needed construction projects.”

Jay Temple, Mount Airy City Schools director of auxiliary services, said the CTE renovations are ahead of schedule and the architect has already submitted the plans, “Which is phenomenal. We are basically ahead of everybody else in the state of North Carolina so this project can get underway.”

Commissioner Larry Johnson recalled, “I was one of the first students to be in that building. George Williams taught mechanical drawing on the first room on the left and the whole basement was building trades. I still remember some of the things like laying brick and welding. I’m glad you got this grant.” Morrison advised those trades are alive and well, along with programs such as drones, health science, and a new sustainable agriculture program joining this year.

When Morrison was describing her grant application earlier in the year, it was Johnson who encouraged her to take two smaller grant requests and bundle them into one. That bundle got approved and is adding an elevator, covered handicap ramps, and climate-controlled wood storage to name only a few to upgrades to the CTE building.

Commissioner Eddie Harris said, “I think it’s big boost for what you are doing over there and these technical skill trades. I’m excited to see schools doing this. I think it may light a fire for kids to look at these trades and go into them because its greatly needed, and these fields pay well. The more knowledge you can acquire is such a great benefit to our young people. For me, skilled technical education and trades is where the future is.”

Morrison, and other local education leaders, agree with his assessment. She told the board, “In our requirements, in our strategic plan that should be kicking in this year, is 100% of our students have to go through the CTE pathways. So, they have to take multiple courses in CTE and not just choose to. Once that kicks in you will see everyone going through one of those pathways.”

Surry County Schools Superintendent Dr. Travis Reeves was also on hand to update the board on the North Surry High School fuel leak. On the evening of April 21, a leak in the boiler room sent hundreds of gallons of fuel oil down a drain that runs under the parking lot and ultimately connects to Stewarts Creek.

A fuel pump malfunctioned, Dr. Reeves said, and a temporary pump and hosing were used to fix the problem. It has been identified that it was a section of this temporary hose that developed a hole in the overnight hours and leaked the fuel oil.

Reeves said the insurer Liberty Mutual will make an “ex gratia” payment to the school system in the amount of $50,000 against the total bill of $237,654.86. He read from Chad Miller that while this was not an admission of coverage, “Due to the service delays from our vendor we are seeking an exception.” The service provider was the inspector of the hose that failed who had said it would be a two-week process to investigate the hose. That timeline not kept due to staffing issues on the vendor’s side, hence the goodwill payment.

There are outstanding bills to Ultimate Towing and Recovery and the county’s emergency services from the fuel spill that the board tabled until the insurance claim was resolved. The insurance money and another $34,000 Dr. Reeves saved on other projects were put toward the bills, and the commissioners consented to pay the remainder – approximately $149,000.

Commissioner Van Tucker said to Reeves, “I want to make sure we are not giving up on the inspection. I think it’s a shame that a piece of hose that was inspected becomes a $250,000 liability for the county. I want you purse that to its fullest.”

-Dr. Brooke Lowry is serving as the dentist member on the Surry County Board of Health. She will complete her first term on the board at the end of the month. Eddie Jordan, the chair of the Board of Health, has recommended she be reappointed for another term, and Dr. Lowry has agreed. The board approved and her new term will run for three years through July 2025.

-The Surry County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council recommended Amanda Dollinger be added as a new member. Commissioner Mark Marion said he serves on this committee, and Dollinger “would be a good addition.”

Current members returning to serve another term are Joe Rick, Daniel White, Jeff Eads, and Rusty Slate. These were all approved by the county commissioners. For 2022-2023 the officers for the Surry Juvenile Crime Prevention Council are Chair Nikki Hull, Vice Chair Rusty Slate, and Secretary Tamara Viet.

– Lyn’s Medical Closet is a part of the ministry of Trinity Episcopal Church and Grace Moravian Church. They loan out medical equipment such as wheelchairs, shower benches, or walkers at no charge to assist those in need. It is from donations that these items come to the closet for reuse, some donated items cannot be used unfortunately. Others have simply lived a full life and are no longer safe or functional and must be disposed of.

They made a request to Jessica Montgomery of public works to be added onto the list of non-profits that can dump at the county landfill without fees. That request reached the board and Commissioner Larry Johnson commented he has had a positive experience and has used Lyn’s Medical Closet “several times.”

He moved they be added onto the list of approved fee-free dumpers and that the county reimburse the $2.37 in tipping fees from their last load. The motion passed without dissent.

-Finally, Westfield Elementary was back on the commissioners’ plate as County Attorney Ed Woltz brought the previous bid for the former school building – unchanged -back to the board.

The board turned down the offer from the private bidder at their June 6 meeting. It was determined at that time that $102,000 was not a high enough bid for the surplus property has been appraised at $243,000.

The offer of $102,000 the bidders feel is fair because it considers their costs for removing those buildings. Woltz discussed with the board the depreciated value of the structures on the land. It was their age and condition that led Westfield along with J.J. Jones to hit the surplus list, and nothing has changed as Westfield continues to sit.

Potential soil contamination and asbestos remediation were concerns that drove the first interested party to quickly withdraw their offer of $150,000 and they still exist. That higher offer may be tempting the board to hold out knowing that there may yet be a party out there willing again to approach such a figure.

As always Woltz reminded the board that with bidding processes such as these, they have the option to walk away at any time until the contract is signed. The board agreed to table the request for future consideration.

Mount Airy High School hosted the Junior Granite Bear Youth Football Camp July 21-22.

The camp was led by head coach JK Adkins, members of the Bears coaching staff, as well as current and former players. The camp ran 6-8:30 p.m. each night.

All campers received certificates for taking part in the camp. Additional awards were given to winners in an obstacle course and punt, pass and kick competitions in each age group: kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth grade and sixth through eighth grade. The person with the best combined finish across the punt, pass and kick competitions was named Punt-Pass-Kick Champion and given a personalized Granite Bears football helmet.

Obstacle Course Champion: Juna Goins – 20.93 seconds

Punt Champion: Gunnar Bennett – 15 yards

Pass Champion: Gunnar Bennett – 15 yards

Kick Champion: Landry O’Neal – 16 yards

Obstacle Course Champion: Bates Currin – 18.87 seconds

Punt Champion: Baker Leathers – 28 yards

Pass Champion: Bates Currin – 18.87 seconds

Kick Champion: Baker Leathers – 20 yards

Obstacle Course Champion: Braylen George – 18.22 seconds

Punt Champion: Kylan Mason – 33 yards

Pass Champion: Ty Hemric – 43 yards

Kick Champion: McKennon Hiatt – 40 yards

© 2018 The Mount Airy News