Pictured are the Surry Central Middle School Student Council Officers: Alexis Tran, president; Holden Atkins, vice president; and Taylin Leftwich, secretary.

Surry Central Middle School earlier this school year elected its Student Council Officers. They are Alexis Tran, president; Holden Atkins, vice president; and Taylin Leftwich, secretary. These students will oversee ideas the student council would like to put into action to help others in the community and in the school.

Varsity Cardinals riding win streaks

Church schedules community movie night

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

Nearly two dozen classic and old-time autos were on display Sunday at the Dobson Church of Christ.

A good-sized crowd turned out for the church’s Sunday afternoon cruise-in, which Pastor Scott Meadows hopes to make an annual event.

”We had 20 car entries for the show, two food trucks, Benny’s Ice Cream and State of Graze,” he said, giving fans the chance to enjoy a few treats while checking out the classic cars and trucks.

Gray Gwyn’s 1966 Cadillac Deville was crowned the People’s Choice award-winner.

“Those attending enjoyed viewing the cars and good times in the shade,” Meadows said.

North Surry High School hosted its Greyhound Youth Football Camp on July 22.

More than 60 kids showed up bright and early for the camp, which ran from 9 a.m to noon. Campers received instruction from the North Surry coaching staff, including head coach Jackson Smith, as well as current and former Greyhound players.

At the conclusion of the camp, awards were given to the fastest campers in four different age groups. Those awards went to: Luke Casstevens, Grady Swift, Malachi Smith and Elijah Jenkins.

Awards were also given to the best tackler and best blocker in two age groups. One set of awards was given to campers in first through fourth grade, and the other was given to anyone in fifth grade or above.

In the young group: Corleel Simmons was named best blocker, and Carter Simmons was named best tackler.

For the older kids: Lane Ramey was named best blocker, and Landon Ward was named best tackler.

The Surry Art Council’s Summer Concert Series has two bands set to play this weekend. The Entertainers will play the Blackmon Amphitheatre on Friday night, while the Holiday Band will take the stage on Saturday. Both shows will start at 7:30 p.m.

The Entertainers have shared in the South’s Beach Music tradition for over 30 years. While staying true to their R&B and beach music roots, the group also satisfies the most diverse audiences by playing selections from the latest Top 40, classic rock and roll, and country music.

The Holiday Band blends soul, blues, funk, and Carolina Beach music. Holiday has established itself as a premier entertainment package with the always-present theme “Keep The Music Alive!”

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

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

Before school was finished for the the 2021-22 year, Cedar Ridge Elementary School students in John Strickland’s class read the book “The Secret Garden.”

After reading the book, the class ventured outside, where they hid wildflower seeds in their secret garden and marked the spot with a gnome village.

What the students didn’t know at the time is that flowers would soon going to appear in the very spots where they hid their seeds.

PILOT MOUNTAIN — Even if there were such a creature as the Heat Monster, it would’ve been no match for the brontosaurus, triceratops, tyrannosaurus rex and other dinosaur species that invaded downtown Pilot Mountain over the weekend.

Of course, none were real, although some appeared to be alive — and appropriately fearsome — thanks to the animation skills of Ed’s Dinosaurs Live, a Concord-based outfit that provides educational entertainment of the prehistoric variety at events including festivals and parades.

And the interactive exhibits, rides and other attractions featuring lifelike dinosaurs which Ed’s brought to downtown Pilot Mountain Saturday for an event free to the public showed that while those creatures themselves are extinct, their human admirers certainly are not.

Nearly every inch of ground surrounding the town hall parking lot was filled with people — mostly parents with small children, some riding in strollers and others perched on the adults’ shoulders, but nearly all with looks of awe on their faces. Parking spaces also were hard to come by in the downtown vicinity.

“We’ve already had 3,000 in the first couple of hours today,” Pilot Mountain Mayor Evan Cockerham said of the attendance shortly after noon Saturday, with about two hours still to go for the Dinosaurs on Main event.

Similar to the figure of a brontosaurus that loomed over the proceedings, Cockerham was expecting final turnout to tower above that of a previous Ed’s Dinosaurs Live appearance in Pilot Mountain in 2019.

And keep in mind that all this was unfolding under a searing sun that baked the crowd in temperatures of around 90 degrees. This was intensified by the hot pavement on which folks had to stand while waiting in line for dinosaur rides or to touch replicas of the fabled denizens that once ruled the earth.

“The line has never ended since we started this,” Doug Tompkins, one of the crew members, said around noon while assisting children in mounting and dismounting a triceratops ride during the festival that had begun two hours earlier.

“But kids enjoy this stuff,” Tompkins observed regarding the dinosaur infatuation among the young.

“I think it’s because it’s something they don’t see every day — it’s not like a dog or cat,” said Stephanie Wise, a teacher who lives in Pilot Mountain and was attending the event with her husband Matthew and son Adrian, 3.

“It’s just these giant things that they can see — and touch now,” Wise added of the hands-on opportunities being offered Saturday, which included one presenter seen wearing a (what had to be uncomfortable) dinosaur costume.

“I’m glad Pilot Mountain is doing something like this,” Matthew Wise said, which Mayor Cockerham agreed was at the heart of Dinosaurs on Main in providing an event families could enjoy.

Along with the rides, face-painting, dinosaur craft stations for kids and various vendors, two shows were scheduled Saturday which proved fun and educational.

The stage was set for this as the song “Godzilla” blared from a sound system. That recording by the rock band Blue Oyster Cult celebrates the movie monster originating in Japanese cinema, containing fitting lyrics including “he picks up a bus and he throws it back down, as he wades through the buildings toward the center of town.”

“Raise your hands if you like dinosaurs,” Ed Bounds of Ed’s Dinosaurs Live shouted to the crowd upon beginning an 11 a.m. show, to which children responded enthusiastically.

“If you like dinosaurs, roar,” Bounds also urged, bringing another spirited reaction.

He informed the kids that they could be members of the “Dino Gang” by obeying simple rules such as: “Tidy up your room every 65 million years or so.”

Bounds also led an “All About T-Rex” segment during which spectators could mimic the motions of the popular dinosaur.

Dakota & Friends, another entity that presents dinosaur-themed shows, also had a presence at Saturday’s event, where markers were placed at the different exhibits to identify the dinosaurs depicted.

In addition to local organizers, those operating the various rides were impressed by the turnout.

“It’s amazing,” crew member Drew Nowlin said. “Hope everyone gets their dinosaur fill for the summer.”

That seemed to be the case for Brent Hiatt and his son Brexton, 2, of Ararat, whom his dad says just loves the way dinosaurs look and sound, their overall imposing presence. And even in extreme heat Brent offered opposite terminology to describe Saturday’s gathering:

“It’s cool.”

Surry Community College is offering an Electrical Systems Institute class starting on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the Dobson campus.

The class will meet through Dec. 15, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This program is designed to provide training for persons interested in the installation and maintenance of electrical systems found in residential, commercial and industrial facilities. The class will include such topics as AC/DC theory, basic wiring practices, industrial motor controls, applications of the National Electric Code, and diagrams and schematics.

Tuition for the course is $183. For more information about this class or to register, contact Jill Harding at 336-386-3331 or hardingjm@surry.edu.

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

When Women Were Dragons – Kelly Barnhill

The Illness Lesson – Clare Beams

The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare – Kimberly Brock

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot – Marianne Cronin

A History of Wild Places – Shea Ernshaw

A Lullaby For Witches – Hester Fox

True Crime Story – Joseph Knox

The Record Keeper – Charles Martin

When the Reckoning Comes – LaTanya McQueen

Hell of a Book – Jason Mott

The House on Vesper Sands -Paraic O’Donnell

Hamnet – Maggie O’Farrell

The House of Whispers – Laura Purcell

Cold, Cold Bones – Kathy Reichs

Daughter of the Goddess – Sue Lynn Tan

Lover Arisen – J.R. Ward

The Home-Wreckers – Mary Kay Andrews

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot – Marianne Cronin

You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty – Akwaeke Emezi

Sound of Darkness – Heather Graham

Our Kind of People – Carol Wallace

Murder at Teal’s Pond – David Bushman & Mark T. Givens

The Woman Beyond the Attic – Andrew Neiderman

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, we will make a watercolor craft with tissue paper. Tissue paper will be used to create a background and an ocean themed silhouette placed on top. Pizza will be provided, please bring your own drink.

• Tuesday at 2 p. m. – kids ages 8-12; Learn about octopuses and how they can fit and slide into any size space by making Octopus Slime.

• Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. – Toddler Time for children ages 2 and 3; This week is wet and wild water week, we will have a slip n’ slide and a wading pool. Wear your suit, bring your sunscreen and a towel.

• Thursday at 9:30 a.m. – Book Babies for children ages birth to 2 years old; This week is wet and wild water week, we will have a slip n’ slide and a wading pool. Wear your suit, bring your sunscreen and a towel.

• Thursday at 11 a.m. – Preschool Storytime – ages 4-5; This week is wet and wild water week, we will have a slip n’ slide and a wading pool. Wear your suit, bring your sunscreen and a towel.

• Friday at 9 a.m. – Adults, age 18 and older; Seven Wonders of the Seas – Learn about some of the wonders of the seas.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Community Book Club meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. 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 July 25 at 5:30 p.m. to watch JAWS, if you dare. “We’re going to need a bigger boat.” 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/

The Surry County Master Gardener’s next Lunch and Learn online webinar will take a look at “Cover Crops for the Home Garden.

“Discover the numerous benefits cover crops provide and how to incorporate buckwheat, crimson clover, mustard and radish into your home garden,” the organization said of the upcoming webinar. The Lunch and Learn will be on August 4, from 12- 1 p.m. on. For more information and to register go to the group’s Facebook page, Surry County Master Gardeners or follow the link at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/355565585237.

Recently the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History hosted its second monthly Rotary-sponsored Family Fun Day, with nearly 250 folks turning out for the event.

The third Sunday of every month through October has been set aside as Family Fun Day through funding provided by The Rotary Club of Mount Airy.

“During these events touring the museum is free to the public, which many have found exciting as they get a sneak peak of the new exhibits and the upcoming children’s play space,” museum officials said of the monthly event. “We also offer free activities during these events. Yesterday (July 16) we had a llama out in the courtyard thanks to Greg Hall from Simplicity Llama Farms located in Dobson, and everyone got their turn to get a photo taken.

“To continue with the llama theme we offered coloring, puzzles, games, and even themed crafts such as llama puppet making and a kid-friendly weaving activity.”

Museum officials say they hope to continue to see this level of turnout, especially as the museum plans to have its children’s gallery, along with some new exhibits, start to open by September. Three more Fund Day — August 21, Sept. 18, and Oct. 16, are scheduled, each planned for 1 to 4 p.m.

“The activities for each will also be something different, and we always recommend that guests pop in for a quick tour to see how things are changing as we move through our renovations,” museum officials said.

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:

– Noretta Hooker to Mark Anthony Hooker and Libby T. Hooker; tract Mount Airy; $0.

– Estate of Carol Tolbert Beck, Shirley B. Ashburn, Dale Ray Ashburn and Carol Tolbert Beck to Shirley B. Ashburn; tract one 59.503 acres and tract two 3.00 acres Long Hill estate of Carol Tolbert Beck file 22 E 94; $0.

– Judy Carol Lowery Lytle to Paul Lytle; quitclaim deed 0.69 acres Mount Airy; $0.

– Carol A. Ross and Richard Ross to Sydney Johnson; 12.177 acres tract two PB 41 49 Westfield; $166.

– Sharon M. Adkins, John R. Adkins, Davis C. Mitchell, Lisa D. Mitchell, Sandra M. Martin, John Christopher Mitchell and Angela Wall Mitchell to John Christopher Mitchell and Angela Wall Mitchell; parcel 1 48 acres and parcel 2 3.28 acres; $544.

– Kathryn H. Martinat, Donald H. Martinat Jr., John H. Martinat III, Lynn Martinat Santolla and Keith Santolla to Tyler Guy Campbell and Jamie Leigh Grace Campbell; tract Pilot; $150.

– Iris Gentry and Mason Edward Russell King to Erik Camacho; two tracts Franklin; $50.

– Jennifer Kiger Chapman and Jerry T. Chapman to Jennifer Light and Daniel Light; 1.526 acres Mount Airy; $710.

– Daryl G. Hicks and Yolanda O. Hicks to Karl A. Hunter; tract one 41/100 acres and tract two lot 9 block A J.L. Holland Farm and tract three tract Pilot; $310.

– Bessie G. Jones to Richard Lynn Roberts; tract Stewarts Creek; $0.

– Ricky L. Shrewbury and Gayle D. Shrewbury to Daniel Seth Morton and Sarah Brook Morton; 10.57 acres Longhill; $130.

– Mohamad Ali Hason to Antonio Garcia; tract one tract and tract two 0.145 acres Franklin; $168.

– Archie Dale Lankford and Carolyn A. Lankford to Christopher Todd Burchette; tract; $480.

– Andrew Paletta and Whitley Paletta to Guadalupe Castillo; tract Mount Airy; $110.

– The John Cooper Living Trust, Estate of Grady Cooper Jr., Caroline Cooper Lamm, Grady Cooper Jr., Daniel Kent Lamm, Grady Cooper III, John Stephen Cooper, David Samuel Cooper, Joseph Vann Cooper, Mary Campbell Cooper, Larry R. Hazelwood, Harvi Collins Cooper, Daniel G. Dobbins, Grover C. Dobbins Jr., Angie T. Dobbins and Martha Dobbins to Kaylee George; quitclaim deed 0.015 acres PB 41 33 Dobson estate of Grady Cooper Jr. 21 E 595; $0.

– Mildred M. Peeples to Jefferey Wayne Peeples; tract one 13.94 acres and tract two tract Mount Airy; $0.

– Joshua Miles Payne to Peggy Bloch; tract one 5.706 acres lot 1 and tract two 2.387 acres Miller View estates PB 12 83 Marsh; $310.

– Fred June Hicks and Helen Mayberry Hicks to Thomas M. Needham and Jennifer W. Needham; 0.895 acres tract one and 0.841 acres tract two PB 23 149 Shoals; $40.

– Ronda Sutton to Sutton Family Trust, Ronda W. Sutton and Jeffrey L. Sutton; 9.71 acres and 66.49 acres; $0.

– Kyle Anthony Hillman and Audrey Brook Hillman to Cagney Layne Nichols and Dallas Memory Evans; lots 48-51 block C Orchard Hills subdivision PB 4 72 Mount Airy; $362.

– Michael Whitt and Brigitte Whitt to Amanda Danielle Fechner and David Johannes Fechner; 40.836 acres PB 41 55 Rockford; $420.

– Sharon Joyce Hodges, Sharon Joyce Watkins, Amy Denise Weddle and Amy Denise Alvarez Govea to Christian Blake Alvarez; 2.215 acres tract Franklin; $0.

– Estate of John Henry Cain, John Ellis Cain, John Henry Cain, Margie Ree Ader, Franz Ader and Ricky Cain to Jarret Allan Cline; tract one tract and tract two 0.024 acres and tract three 1.10 acres estate of John Henry Cain 19 E 209 Shoals; $780.

– Jerry Gordon and Sharon Gordon to James Robert Kyser and Angela Kyser; 2.00 acres lot 2 PB 37 140 Pilot; $0.

– Karen R. Gallimore and Timothy M. Gallimore to Ramon Llorca; 08/100 acres Pilot; $80.

– Tina Dula to Ryley Keagan Absher; tract Siloam; $799.

– Jimmy R. Lynch & Sons Inc. and J.R. Lynch & Sons Inc. to Shanta Brown and Juan D. Brown; 2 parcels Pilot; $15.

– CMH Homes Inc. and Jonathan Lane Harrell to Paul Wethington and Shelley Wethington; 12.10 acres lot 3 PB 40 134; $726.

– John Michael Goins and Sarah Goins to John Henry Heath; tract one tract and tract two lot 13 Susan B. Hollingsworth lands PB 1 172; $250.

– Andrew Kyle Willard to Ashley Goad and Kelly Dexter Goad; 1.273 acres Stewarts Creek; $292.

– Stewart Stanley, Amanda Kay White and Stewart White to John Goins and Sara P. Goins; tract one .97 acres and tract two 1.92 acres Mount Airy; $480.

– Lois Y. Snow to Stewart Stanley White and Amanda Kay White; 2.455 acres lot 1 PB 19 138 Marsh; $67.

– Jason Bedsaul, Tracy Bedsaul, Amanda Tucker and Eric Tucker to Justin Mathew Bedsaul; two tracts Marsh; $0.

– Todd M. White and Dawn White to Gary Jackson Moore and Cheryl Luanne White; 0.944 acres Dobson; $20.

– Brent Davis, Kathy Davis, Dale Davis, Beverly Davis, Jeffrey Davis, Gaye Davis, Dickie Davis and Danette Davis to Dale Davis and Beverly Davis; tract one 11.078 acres PB 41 15 and tract two tract Dobson; $0.

– Brent Davis, Kathy Davis, Dale Davis, Beverly Davis, Jeffrey Davis, Gaye Davis, Dickie Davis and Danette Davis to Brent R. Davis and Kathy B. Davis; tract one 11.700 acres lot 2 PB 41 15 and tract two 17.469 acres lot 3 PB 41 32 Dobson; $0.

– Brent Davis, Kathy Davis, Dale Davis, Beverly Davis, Jeffrey Davis, Gaye Davis, Dickie Davis and Danette Davis to Dickie Davis and Danette Davis; tract one 4.846 acres PB 41 17 and tract two 39.500 acres PB 41 16 Dobson; $0.

– Brent Davis, Kathy Davis, Dale Davis, Beverly Davis, Jeffrey Davis, Gaye Davis, Dickie Davis and Danette Davis to Jeffrey Lee Davis and Gaye Collins Davis; tract one 11.969 acres lot 1 PB 41 15 and tract two 3.294 acres tract three 9.487 acres PB 41 42 Dobson; $0.

– The John Cooper Living Trust, Estate of Grady Cooper Jr., Caroline Cooper Lamm, Grady Cooper Jr., Daniel Kent Lamm, Grady Cooper III, John Stephen Cooper, David Samuel Cooper, Joseph Vann Cooper, Mary Campbell Cooper, Larry R. Hazelwood, Harvi Collins Cooper, Daniel G. Dobbins, Angie T. Dobbins, Grover C. Dobbins Jr. and Martha Dobbins to MCNC; 0.555 acres PB 41 33 Dobson estate of Grady Cooper Jr 21 E 595; $53.

– Violet I Farraday to Gary Michael Branch and Deborah H. Branch; 1.77 acres tract A Stepen V. Sprinkle subdivision PB 15 45 Elkin; $90.

– Kathleen Jessup Frye and Lester Jessup to Cory A. Clark and Savannah H. Clark; 1.14 acres; $405.

– Donna Kay Lyon, Donna Kay Hauff and John Hauff to Mary Ann Martin; lot 13 Mill Creek subdivision PB 12 17 Dobson; $330.

– Karen Shores, Betty Ford Shores and George E. Ford Jr. to Jose Barron; tract Mount Airy; $32.

– White Family of North Carolina, LLC to Michael Dean Branch and Kimberly H. Branch; 0.164 acres PB 41 63 Dobson; $0.

– Helen Alexander Faulk, Woodruff Word Faulk Jr., Rosemary Alexander Raynal, Lois Alexander Folger, Charles Llewllyn Folger and Charles Edward Raynal III to Dale M. Haupt and Elizabeth A. Haupt; 61.422 acres PB 41 58-59 Rockford; $615.

– Victoria J. Denny to Ranzie Cooke; 45.316 acres Pilot; $20.

– Bobby Gene Ed Skipper, Buster Skipper and Rhonda Skipper to Cathy Marie Austin; tract Dobson; $0.

– Joseph D. Cave to Joseph D. Cave and Amy S. Cave; 19,220 sq ft lot 10 and 26,250 sq ft lot 9 Marsh; $0.

Honoring those who have served the nation is a mission that is taken seriously in this country. Active duty, reserves, deployed, or stateside — the nation owes its veterans a thank you.

In Surry County there will soon be another way to honor and remember those who have served with the deployment of a new time capsule at Veterans Memorial Park.

Set to be placed by the tank on Saturday, Sept. 10, those putting together the time capsule is seeking artifacts that are centered around the veterans of the area and around Veterans Memorial Park itself.

Jerry Estes of the local American Legion said he wants to make sure that veterans are not forgotten. It can be easy to remember the graphic stories of war and loss, but he said he wants area veterans to be remembered for what they stood for and what they contributed to the area after they served.

Artifacts are going to be collected on Saturdays at the main office of Veteran’s Memorial Park. Space inside the time capsule will be limited, Estes said there may not be room for all the artifacts but encourages veterans to see what they may wish to archive for posterity.

In 50 years, the Veterans Memorial Park time capsule will be brought up and Estes said, “I hope it can show who we were and the things we have done. We made an impact locally, not just in our service, but afterward as well.”

“I want people to know we were here, and we cared enough to give back even after we served.”

He said attitudes have changed so much toward veterans over the years. From the ticker tape parades and celebrations to close out the second World War through the ridicule and scorn heaped on veterans returning from the horrors of Southeast Asia, the treatment of veterans has been inconsistent at best.

Estes noted that “now there isn’t as much made of the veterans returning” even as there had been in thepast decade during the height of the country’s foreign conflicts post-September 11. He said pride is not lacking even if the nation’s mood on politicians and the machinations of Washington D.C., or Raleigh, have led to a dour outlook.

“Pride comes from the people and the country, not the politicians,” Estes reminded.

The members of American Legion Post 123 in Mount Airy have been working to make sure veterans are not forgotten while also continuing to shine a light on Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action.

In 2019 the Legion launched a program to honor local POW/MIAs with memorial plaques. The first six names were placed on the “Remembering Surry County POWs and MIAs” wall outside of the meeting hall at Veterans Memorial Park in February 2020.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency last available data showed that there are still 81,600 POW/MIAs. Of that total it is estimated 41,000 were lost in the Pacific theatre and are presumed lost at sea from sinking ships or downed aircraft.

Lost remains are still being identified and the total number of missing or captured is dropping. In July alone the accounting agency made 16 press releases to confirm the outcome of missing heroes.

The National World War II Museum in New Orleans offered an estimate that roughly a quarter million veterans from WWII are still living. They go on to note that more than 200 of these veterans are dying a day as of late 2021. Sadly, COVID may have increased the rate at which the country is losing it heroes of the Greatest Generation.

Before their memories and stories are lost, an emphasis has been placed on securing oral histories of American veterans. Register of Deeds Todd Harris is spearheading the county’s campaign to conduct interviews and supply oral histories to the Veterans History Project. The goal is to preserve the firsthand interviews and narratives and is being done in conjunction with the United States Library of Congress Veterans History Project.

“We have uploaded several of our interviews as a finished product and have more in production,” Harris said Friday. “We will continue to seek veterans to interview as long as I am Register.”

For more information on the Veterans Park time capsule Estes advises parties to come to the main office at Veterans Memorial Park at 691 W. Lebanon Street in Mount Airy on Saturdays for inquiries or to contribute an artifact.

The following marriage licenses were issued in Surry County:

– Juan Gerardo Rodriguez Zaragoza, 41, of Surry County to Adriana Jeronimo Bahena, 38, of Surry County.

– Benny Carl Mullens Jr., 45, of Surry County to Jennifer Lee Cornett, 41, of Surry County.

– Cooper Aaron Orange, 24, of Surry County to Jaden Malee Badgett Brinkley, 23, of Surry County.

– David Paul Bell, 66, of Rockbridge County, Maryland, to Kathleen Lynn McKaig, 55, of Rockbridge County.

– Jacob Calvin Snow, 27, of Surry County to McKinzie Brooke Smith, 22, of Surry County.

In today’s world we can instantly contact each other at any time. Text, video, and even with our voices. It’s almost inaccurate to call the devices in our pockets “telephones,” but telephones were the first small step of mankind’s journey in instant communication. Let’s take a look back in time at the history of telephones in Mount Airy, Surry County and beyond.

The first telephone was invented by Scottish-born Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. North Carolina first began dialing in to telephones in 1879, the first being installed in Raleigh. The city also saw the first telephone exchange, and the same year, it was possible to place calls as far as Wilmington.

The introduction of telephones in rural areas of the South was largely thanks to the Rural Electrification Administration, also known as the REA. Established by Congress, the agency made it possible to bring electricity to isolated parts of the country and played a part in lighting up and bringing power to Mount Airy and its surrounds. Then in 1949, the REA reached a new phase, and began its work to also provide telephone lines to those outside of the big cities. While the REA did not build or operate facilities, it was integral to the introduction of telephones by offering start-up loans that allowed rural cooperatives to build their own service lines.

It was in 1951 that one of the major telephone companies in the area, the Surry Telephone Membership Corporation, applied for a loan of more than half a million dollars from the REA loan through the North Carolina Electrification Authority.

Surry Telephone Membership Corporation, which still exists under the name of Surry Communications, had its first telephone exchange in Level Cross, a small community just south of Mount Airy, in November 1954. The company’s telephone directory from the same year not only lists the names and numbers of its members and outlines the services it provides, but also includes instructions on how to dial using a rotary phone, and a reminder to “speak in a normal tone of voice, slowly, clearly and directly into the mouth piece” when making calls.

By 1957, Surry Telephone Membership Corporation had added exchanges in Westfield, Beulah and Zephyr. The monthly charge for a line was $3.25, with toll charges on all calls outside the member’s own exchanges.

Telephones had made it to Surry County by 1894. Those who had joined up to the service were called “subscribers,” with some of the earliest subscribers in the area being the Sparger Brothers Tobacco Factory, Blue Ridge Inn, First National Bank, C.F and Y.V. Railroad, Fulton Tobacco, and the Renfro Inn. Around the same time, a line from Mount Airy to Dobson had been newly built.

Many of the first telephones were placed in general stores, or other business establishments. One of the earliest records of telephones in Surry County is a 1909 notice announcing that Telephone Pay Stations had been installed at a number of general stores in Mount Airy, as well as Foy’s Hardware, Prather’s clothing store, and various other stores. The same notice announced that 5 cents will be charged for local connections.

Pay stations were a necessity when using telephones in their early years. To make a call, you would have to find an agent-operated telephone pay station to pay a fee and make your call. In 1888, William Gray began dreaming up what would eventually become public, coin cooperated telephones. His original had a bell attached which would alert the telephone operator that the person had paid for their call and could now be connected. The design was upgraded throughout the years.

Back in Mount Airy, the town’s telephone services were under the name of Central Telephone Company, formally Central Electric and Telephone Company, before it was separated from other utilities services in the late 1940s.

Back in Mount Airy, in 1947 the Central Telephone Company began planning to install underground telephone lines along Main Street. While assessing its feasibility, workers used power drills to explore beneath the street to determine what granite deposits are there, and whether the lines would actually be able to be placed around the granite. Around the same time, the company announced that additional telephone lines were being planned that would connect Mount Airy to Dobson and Winston-Salem.

The same year, the Central Telephone company filed an application with the North Carolina Utilities commission asking for a general increase in telephone rates. The company said rates would vary but would generally range from 25 cents to $1.25 per month for business service and 15-75 cents per month for residential. Long distance calls would not be affected by the proposed revisions.

As the years go by, we are constantly finding more and more ways to speak and connect with each other over physical distances, from Zoom to text messages, email to FaceTime calls. But it’s all due to the early work of those who saw the potential of the telephone that we have these services that make our lives just that much more connected.

Katherine “Kat” Jackson is a staff member at the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History. Originally from Australia she now lives in King. She can be reached at the museum at 336-786-4478.

Rising with the sun on a Dog Day morning

The Dog Day sun is still rising hot and early in the morning. Even the dog star Sirius rises with the sun and follows it across the sky all day long. Like Sirius, we need to rise before the heat of the Dog Day morning, do our chores and garden tasks and then take a nap in the heat of the day. We still have about two more weeks before the end of Dog Days plus the hotties of the rest of the month of August, so be prepared and deal with the heat.

The Dog Day sun shines down on the water in the birdbath and heats it up in the afternoon. It becomes distasteful to the thirsty birds on days especially when no rain is in the forecast. Empty the hot water from the baths each afternoon and refill with fresh cool water. They not only drink the water but they take cooling baths in it also.

During dry days in July when there’s not much rain and not much in mud holes, water may be difficult for birds to find. They will look for water in other sources. One source could be to peck holes in ripe tomatoes. You can avoid this situation by harvesting tomatoes and placing them on the porch or deck to finish ripening. Don’t place in the heat of direct sunlight because will cause them to ripen too quickly.

Making canned green beans taste fresh

Can and freeze all the green beans from the summer harvest so they can be enjoyed during the winter. In winter, you can prepare green beans to taste like fresh. All you have to do is open a quart jar of green beans, add one tablespoon white Karo corn syrup, one stick light margarine, half teaspoon salt, half teaspoon pepper, and half teaspoon of celery seed. Bring the green beans and all the ingredients to a boil, lower heat and simmer three minutes. Remember the beans are already cooked, and this was done when you processed them during the canning. All you are doing with the canned beans is enhancing the flavor.

The tropical colors of the portulaca

The huge container of portulaca on the deck has a new display of flowers every day in different displays and patterns. Each morning there is a different combination of colors with new array of flowers. The container is completely covered in foliage and flowers and cascades over the sides of the container. Colors of orange, red, yellow, white, burgundy, rose, tan, pink, wine, and coral. Every day that the sun shines the flowers open wide. On cloudy days, there are not as many flowers. On very warm afternoons, the container is a rainbow of colors. The portulaca has other names such as rose moss, cactus rose and desert flower.

Cooling down with a cucumber salad

Cucumbers are good at any meal during Dog Days and this recipe will cool off hungry diners. Peel and dice three or four cucumbers in half inch chunks. Dice three or four firm tomatoes into half inch chunks. Dice one medium onion into half inch chunks, or you can use four or five scallions. Dice a half cup of stuffed olives, one two ounce jar of diced pimentos (drained). For the dressing, mix half cup sugar, one fourth cup apple cider vinegar, half teaspoon salt, half teaspoon pepper, one fourth cup mayonnaise. Mix the ingredients together and pour over the salad ingredients and stir. Refrigerate for an hour or two.

Gems in the summer skies

Rainbows are glorious gems in the eastern sky on humid summer days. An afternoon thunderstorm brings relief from the heat and an extra bonus of a beautiful rainbow. The ribbon of seven bright colors of include red, orange, yellow, blue, green, indigo, and violet. These are all the colors of the prism, which are the products of light in this case, the light of the sun. The colors of the rainbow are the colors of the spectrum, and the spectrum is God’s great color wheel.

Canning squash for casseroles and sonkers

The squash of summer are now ready for a harvest. You can enjoy them fried with onions or in a casserole or sonker. Summer squash are easy to can and enjoy in winter in sonkers and casseroles. You can use the yellow crookneck or straight neck. To process for canning, scrub the squash with vegetable brush, wash them and cut the squash into half inch cubes. Place the cubes in sterilized one quart jars and fill to within half inch of top of jar. Seal with sterilized lids and rings. Place in a pressure canner and process at ten pounds pressure for 25 minutes, when using the canned squash during winter, drain water from jars before using.

Making a yellow summer squash sonker

This is a great recipe squash sonker and the ingredient that sets it apart is the use of real vanilla and not imitation, we certainly don’t know what the flavor of the very first sonker was, but it could have possibly been squash just because they are so plentiful during summer. They make a tasty sonker because they have plenty of moisture. Squash are also one of America’s oldest vegetable that can be traced back to Pilgrims in 1620. To prepare this sonker recipe simmer a quart of summer squash (preferably straight neck) or six of eight fresh squash. Mash or chop the cooked squash and drain, add one and a half cups sugar, two teaspoons real vanilla, one teaspoon pumpkin pie spices, half cup evaporated milk, two tablespoons corn starch, two teaspoons Log Cabin maple syrup. Mix (by hand) and set aside. For the crust, mix two cups plain flour, one teaspoon salt, two teaspoons sugar, two third cup Crisco shortening, ten tablespoons of ice cold water. Mix salt and sugar with plain flour, add Crisco shortening and mix with hands until crumbly, add the ice cold water and knead the dough until it forms a soft ball. Grease a 13×9×2 inch baking pan or dish with Crisco shortening and flour the pan. Spread the dough into the greased and floured pan. Pour the squash filling over the crust and pat top of filling with pats of light margarine. Bake at 375 degrees for one hour or more needed.

Hints of autumn all around us

The crickets and katydids have been singing their tunes about autumn for several weeks. Crows also have been making a racket about it also. The dogwoods have the evidence with plenty of red berries and more are turning red each day. The nandenna bushes have clusters of tiny green berries that may be pointing to autumn and possibly some harsh winter cold. Days are still getting shorter by a minute each evening. Many summer flowers are producing seed pods and weeds are trying to produce more seed as they try to prolong the weed population. Even with signs of autumn, there is still plenty of garden time left that we can take advantage of.

Perking up heat stressed tomatoes

In the heat of Dog Days, tomato vines sort of look pooped. They need a shot to perk them up and you can give them that double dose of pepper-uppers. First of all, fill a sprinkle can with water and two cups of lime (calcium carbonate powdered), stir and pour at the base of the tomato vines. Next, fill the sprinkling can with water and mix in proper amount of Alaska Fish emulsion according to directions on the bottle. Pour this solution around the base of the tomato vines. Next day, side dress the tomatoes with Tomato-Tone organic tomato food and hill soil up on each side of the row.

Sowing broccoli and cabbage seeds

With subtle hints of autumn in the air, it’s time to sow seeds of cole family vegetables such as broccoli collard, and cabbage seed to be transplanted to the garden plot in early September. Start seed of collard, broccoli and cabbage within the next ten days. Use three medium flower pots (one quart size). Fill the pots with seed starting medium and proper amount of water to moisten the medium and allow an extra handful of the medium per pot to cover the seed. Pour the medium into a bucket and mix with water until well- moistened. Fill the containers to within half inch from the top. Label each container with type of seed because all cole family seed look just alike. Scatter the seed in each pot and apply a layer of starting medium on top of seed and pat down with your fingers. Repeat process with other seed varieties. Use a spray bottle such as glass cleaner comes in and mist the containers each day. Keep pots out of direct sunlight and place in carport or porch. When plants develop two leaves, transplant seedlings to individual containers and spray or mist with water every day and protect from direct sunlight. Protect from heat of the sun. Plants should be ready to transplant to garden in early September.

“Strike up the sit down.” The company was having a problem with all its employees going on a sitdown strike. An intelligent CEO told the strikers they might as well be comfortable, so he provided them with blankets, chairs, and cases of bourbon. When they had consumed half the bourbon, the CEO sent in ten exotic dancers to entertain the strikers. Then he brought over the wives of the strikers. That was the end of the sitdown strike.

“A two-way bargain.” On the first day of the school year, the teacher sent this note home to every parent: “If you promise not to believe everything your child says happens at school, I’ll promise not to believe everything they say happens at home.”

“Double trouble.” A few years ago, a friend was in trouble and I helped him out. “I won’t forget you,” he said. He didn’t, now he’s in trouble again.

The following divorces were granted in Surry County:

– Lisa Maria Wall and Thomas Ray Wall; granted on July 7.

– Emily Hannah Edwards and Andrew Singleton; granted July 7.

– Hannah Key Wright and Charlie Wright; granted on July 7.

– Michelle Benton and Nathaniel Benton; granted on Jult 7.

– Jacqueline Cortes Puntos Martinez and Erik Puntos Martinez; granted on July 7.

– Leslie Ann Carroll and Thomas John Carroll; granted on July 7.

– Paul Andrew Garcia and Frances Garcia; granted on July 7.

– Dakota Rae Redmond and Christopher Wade Redmond; granted July 7.

– Bristol Holt Newman and Thomas Wayne Newman; granted on July 7.

– Haywood Berlie Easter and Amy Lee Shumate; granted on July 7.

– Michael Eugene Carter and Tina Ann Holland Carter; granted on July 7.

– Tabitha Reynolds and Robert Jason Reynolds; granted on July 7.

– Christy Davis Kincaid and Timothy James Kincaid; granted on July 7.

– Susan Kirkman Noonkester and Harry Leonard Noonkester; granted on July 11.

Tony and Daphne Wright of Lowgap announce the engagement of their son, Casey Gray Wright, of Lowgap, to Megan Nicole Fleming of Mount Airy. Megan is the daughter of Frank and Gina Fleming of Mount Airy.

Casey is a graduate of NC State University and is employed by Frank Fleming Body Shop and Collision Center. Megan is a graduate of Virginia Tech and is also employed at Frank Fleming Body Shop and Collision Center.

A wedding is planned for Nov. 26, 2022, at Luna’s Trail Farm in Westfield.

Editor’s Note: Reader Diary is a periodic column written by local residents, Surry County natives, and readers of The Mount Airy News. If you have a submission for Reader Diary, email it to John Peters at jpeters@mtairynews.com

This morning I walked out back of the house looking at the shrubs and flowers, while gazing at the sycamore, oak and pine trees. A red bird was hopping along on the fence. Robins and blue birds were flying from limb to limb in the trees.

It was quiet since the day had just begun. The grass was still wet from the heavy morning dew. My mind flashed back to the back porch when I was growing up in Surry County. Well, really a porch on the side of the house. But, since it was near the back, we called it the back porch. Every afternoon or evening, our family would just naturally migrate to the porch. We didn’t plan it, we didn’t talk about sitting on the porch. It just happened. Porch living was our way of life.

Dogs played around in the yard, but soon walked up on the porch to be petted and rubbed. We talked to them just like they were humans. I think they probably understood most of what we were saying. Pretty soon they were lying there in wait of a snack that would come later. Two or three cats were circling between our legs while constantly glancing over at the dogs in fear of being chased.

Mom might be stringing beans or peeling apples. A neighbor would probably drop by to talk about the crops or news about one of the neighbors. Often, we discussed a recent elementary or high school basketball or baseball game. In the summer, everyone talked about the Yankees or Dodgers. To us, there were no other teams. You were either a Dodger fan or a Yankee fan. And, you didn’t get along.

Neighbors would often drop off a “mess of beans,” several ears of corn, a basket of apples, a blackberry pie, or other assortments of food. Mom and dad always had a pitcher of “iced tea” for anyone on the back porch. Now, tea meant sweet tea. There was no such thing as unsweetened tea. That would be unheard of; it just didn’t exist. Of course, there was also a Pepsi Cola, a Big RC, a Big Orange (Nehi), a Cheerwine, or another bottle of pop that was available for the neighborhood kids. Yes, it was pop. The word soda or soft drink wasn’t in our vocabulary.

A front porch wasn’t quite a public room, but really close. It was a meeting ground between our family with friends and neighbors. Everyone could be seen; you could hear the sounds of neighborhood life. Neighbors knew one another and what was happening in our community. And because neighbors talked, laughed, and enjoyed each other’s company, news traveled fast.

When Dad heard about a plumbing problem, a leaky roof, a sick cow or horse, or someone in need of help, he just got up, jumped into the truck, and took off to offer help. Dad was really hesitant to ask for help, but eager to provide help. It was just a way of life. I think all of the families in the community really lived with this type of independence, but with compassionate hearts.

Sometime later, the backyard patio and barbecue became the focus for family living. People moved away from the porches; and with the proliferation of television, families moved indoors where rooms were air conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter. The living room recliner and the remote control eventually replaced back and front porch living. In fact, porches are now mostly little more than architectural decor.

Now, it’s usually the den, basement, or the family room at the rear of the home where families gather and relax in private. It is rare that neighbors and friends drop by for an uninvited chats and sharing of neighborhood news.

In many ways, the faster the pace of life, the more wealth a family accumulates, the more isolated and lonely we become. We won’t admit it, but our family, our children, and our friends are the biggest losers. We need our community far more than we are willing to admit.

Well, a lawnmower and weed eater outside just took me out of my reflections of living on the porch. Back into the house for now. Hoping the joy of front porch living is still alive and doing well in some areas of North Carolina.

Hope ya’ll have a relaxing and enjoyable summer. Try out the back porch!

Johnny Long grew up in the Beulah area of Surry County, graduating from Beulah Elementary School, North Surry High School, and later from UNC-CH, as well as Appalachian State University. He lives in eastern North Carolina, but still visits Surry County.

• Property worth hundreds of dollars has been stolen from vehicles in the Lowe’s Home Improvement parking lot, according to Mount Airy Police Department reports.

The incident occurred on July 15, targeting autos owned by two employees of the store, Jason Earl Hill of Pipers Gap Road in Cana, Virginia, and Bradley Mark Bedsaul of Ennice. Listed as taken were an undisclosed sum of money, a Flex reciprocating saw, a pair of costly sunglasses and an EverStart 80-amp jump starter. The loss totaled $789, not counting the currency.

• Ronald Dale Ashburn, 63, of 125 E. Oakdale St., was served last Saturday with a criminal summons for a harassing phone call charge that police records indicate had been issued earlier that day with Patrick Wayne Robinson, a Culbert Street resident, as the complainant.

Ashburn was scheduled to be in Surry District Court Friday.

• A car wash beside the Speedway convenience store on West Pine Street was the scene of a property-damage incident discovered on July 15, which involved a pry tool being used to open four latches. Damage put at $20 resulted.

• An Apple iPhone owned by Kimberly Dawn Reavis of South Davis Street in Pilot Mountain was stolen on July 14 at Quality Mart on Holly Springs Road. The phone, valued at $1,100, is described as blue in color.

• A break-in involving the larceny of jewelry said to be worth $5,000 was discovered on July 7 at a room of Quality Inn on Rockford Street where Patricia Diane Fink of Marion was staying.

Police records indicate the room was forcibly entered, enabling the theft of two gold rope chain necklaces, one with an angel and the other, a cross.

• A Pilot Mountain woman was jailed on a felony drug charge after a July 5 traffic stop on Mayberry Mall Road. A subsequent probable-cause search resulted in Montia Marie Midkiff, 31, of 290 Golf Course Road, being accused of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance along with possession of drug paraphernalia and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

Midkiff was held in the Surry County Jail under a $3,000 secured bond and slated for an appearance in District Court next Wednesday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The other two sites are in Mount Airy and Dobson.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© 2018 The Mount Airy News