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: Cost Of Street Light Pole
– Justin G. Butner and Stephanie C. Butner to Michael P. Kemerer and Kimberly M. Kemerer; lots 5-6 PB 11 150 Pilot; $1,040.
– Greater Mount Airy Habitat For Humanity Inc. to Richard D. Roberts and Stephanie L. Roberts; lots 38-39 Hillcrest PB 1 33 Mount Airy; $370.
– PEI Trading Post, LLC to PPC Holding Group, LLC; tracts Pilot; $600.
– Alice K. Hodge to Alice K. Hodge and Steven Lee Hodge; two acres Floyd Mayes Road Franklin; $1.
– Family Thyme, LLC to James Patrick Magennis and Laura Mundy Magennis; lot 44 phase 2 Orchard Mountain Development PB 10 121 Franklin; $0.
– FOE Investments, LLC to Johnny Castillo Perez and Katlyn Elizabeth Payne; 0.743 acres lot 37 section 3 Crosswinds subdivision PB 12 51 and 183; $320.
– Bryan T. Creed to Greenfront Properties, L.L.C.; tract Mount Airy; $370.
– Dimitrios V. Dounis and Efrosene Dounis to Tyler Glenn Dalton and Hannah Lynn Hobbs; condominium deed unit 101 Spencers Lofts Condominiums bk 1 360-365 and 368 Mount Airy; $452.
– John F. Stevens and Judith V. Stevens to Richard Maurion Bowes and Carol Satomi Bowes; lot 12 North Country Club Hills PB 15 19 Mount Airy; $630.
– Woods Rental, Selbert M. Wood and Tycho H. Wood to Mario A. Flores Rodriguez; tract one lot 2 and tract two lot 3 block 2 Highland Park PB 1 28 Mount Airy; $20.
– Cathie Carter Darnell Bradshaw and David L. Bradshaw to Jeffery Dezearn; tract one portion of lot 15 and tract two lots 16-19 section A PB 3 132; $180.
– Kevin Paul Johnson and Kimberly Lynn Johnson to Donald E. Crosby Jr. and Cynthia L. Clawell; two acres Dobson; $537.
– James Lambert and Shawna Lambert to Woodrow Garrett Vernon and Rachel Lynn Vernon; 2.38 acres Stewarts Creek; $440.
– Jacqueline Montalvo Garcia to Pamela Jean Edwards; lots 28-31 block E PB 3 109 Mount Airy; $248.
– Justin P. McKinney and Michelle McKinney to Steven A. Blackburn and Cathy Blackburn; tract one lots 16-17 Marie Tillotson Wall Estate subdivision PB 12 30-32 tract two 2.89 acres Eldora; $275.
– Estate of William Fred Yates, Carl Ray Yates, William Fred Yates, James Mark Rodgers, Tammy Rodgers, Anita Jo Yates, Tracy Melvin Rodgers and Heidi Elaine Rodgers to Tracy Melvin Rodgers and Heidi Elaine Rodgers; tracts estate of William Fred Yates file 22 E 871; $166.
– Kenneth and Pamela Simpson Living Trust, Edward M. Simpson Family Trust, Kenneth Simpson, Pamela Simpson and Edward Simpson to Todd Simpson; 21.993 acres PB 40 129 Ash Hill Road Eldora; $0.
– Aubrey Wayne Wall and Mary Wall to Cristina B. Uriostegui and Kimberly Uriostegio; tract Eldora; $30.
– Douglas M. Chesson Jr. to CEL Investments, LLC; lot 5 PB 3 187 Mount Airy; $290.
-Jonathan Otto Hawks to Taylor Elder and Kevin Elder; tract Mount Airy; $296.
– Preston Hale Snow to Charles Woodrow Snow and Cathy White Snow; tract Stewarts Creek; $52.
– Robert J. Lovill III and Elizabeth J. Lovill to Eusebio Hernandez Gonzalez and Maria Isabel Andrade Quilpas; lot 31 section 3 Crosswinds subdivision PB 12 51 Mount Airy; $39.
– Elizabeth J. Lovill and Robert J. Lovill III to Juanita Parker; lot 58 section 3 Hickory Creek subdivision PB 17 55 Stewarts Creek; $28.
– Joseph Lane Snow and Melissa D. Snow to Julie A. Horne; tracts Bryan; $300.
– Scott D. Huse and Barbara L. Huse to Jamie Jividen; two lots Rockford; $348.
– Sheila Marie Parish to Joshua L. Pressley; lot 16 section 2 Knollwood PB 10 35 and PB 11 45 Stewarts Creek; $434.
– Mark G. Greene and Marquis G. Greene to Cynthia Lillian Coogan and Michael Neil Speelman; tract Bryan; $498.
– Jed Stephen Norman to Irvin Dalton Reynolds; tract Stewarts Creek; $164.
– Brenda Goodson to Dru Joseph Germano and Shellcey Germano; tract one 1 1/8 acres and tract two tract Franklin; $310.
– Estate of Robert Hamilton Lankford III, John Fredrick Lankford, Lynda Lankford, Thomas Barrett Lankford, Rebecca G. Lankford and Robert Hamilton Lankford III to Scott Schultz and Ann Shultz; 1.4 acres Elkin estate of Robert Hamilton Lankford III 22 E 686; $0.
Neighbors don’t want road closed
Rockford Gator Food Program receives donation
At the annual meeting of the Friends of the Historic Satterfield House and Rosenwald School/ Sandy Level Community Council officers were elected to operate the non-profit organization. Those who will serve on the board in staggered terms expiring in 2024 are Shelby King, Ann Vaughn, Carol Burke, James Norman, and Jean Tucker.
Officers serving terms that expire in 2025 include Thomas Angel, Ella Green, Julia Mitchell, Henry Taylor, Sue Stanish, and Rev. Thomas Williams. Officers serving terms that expire in 2026 include Burnard Allen, Janice Simmons, Norm Shultz, Mary Sawyers, Peggy Taylor, Joe Zalescik, Anthony Hughes, and Shirley Rawley.
The executive committee officers were recently announced as Chairperson Ann Vaughn, Vice Chairperson Norm Shultz, Secretary Janice Simmons, Treasurer Anthony Hughes. Assistant to the Secretary Sue Stanish, Assistant to the Treasurer Burnard Allen. Colonious King will serve as president of operations of the organization.
Meetings of the Friends of the Historic Satterfield House and Rosenwald School are held on Tuesday afternoons beginning at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 326 South Main Street, Mount Airy. All are welcome to attend the meetings and consider membership in the organization.
The mission of the group is to enhance the public’s knowledge about the history, heritage, and cultural contributions of the African Americans in Mount Airy through education, collaboration, and service; to be an inclusive and welcoming hub for a diverse community, providing dynamic, social, and educational enrichment grounded in the African American values and culture.
Work is being done to upgrade the historic Satterfield House located at 262 North Franklin Road in Mount Airy to become a living museum and culture center, along with being a stop on the Booker T. Washington Trail. Fundraising and grant opportunities are in progress. For more information contact Chairperson Ann Vaughn at her e-mail address annlvaughn@gmail.com
Rockford Elementary School’s Gator Food Program received a recent donation. Every Friday, The Gator Food Program provides a helping hand for families who participate in the program by sending home a backpack filled with food items
School officials expressed a special thanks to Cross Roads Missionary Baptist Church for its donation of almost $5,000 to the Gator Food program. “We are so fortunate for their generous donation. This donation was made in memory of John White and David Reece,” school 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:
– Justin G. Butner and Stephanie C. Butner to Michael P. Kemerer and Kimberly M. Kemerer; lots 5-6 PB 11 150 Pilot; $1,040.
– Greater Mount Airy Habitat For Humanity Inc. to Richard D. Roberts and Stephanie L. Roberts; lots 38-39 Hillcrest PB 1 33 Mount Airy; $370.
– PEI Trading Post, LLC to PPC Holding Group, LLC; tracts Pilot; $600.
– Alice K. Hodge to Alice K. Hodge and Steven Lee Hodge; two acres Floyd Mayes Road Franklin; $1.
– Family Thyme, LLC to James Patrick Magennis and Laura Mundy Magennis; lot 44 phase 2 Orchard Mountain Development PB 10 121 Franklin; $0.
– FOE Investments, LLC to Johnny Castillo Perez and Katlyn Elizabeth Payne; 0.743 acres lot 37 section 3 Crosswinds subdivision PB 12 51 and 183; $320.
– Bryan T. Creed to Greenfront Properties, L.L.C.; tract Mount Airy; $370.
– Dimitrios V. Dounis and Efrosene Dounis to Tyler Glenn Dalton and Hannah Lynn Hobbs; condominium deed unit 101 Spencers Lofts Condominiums bk 1 360-365 and 368 Mount Airy; $452.
– John F. Stevens and Judith V. Stevens to Richard Maurion Bowes and Carol Satomi Bowes; lot 12 North Country Club Hills PB 15 19 Mount Airy; $630.
– Woods Rental, Selbert M. Wood and Tycho H. Wood to Mario A. Flores Rodriguez; tract one lot 2 and tract two lot 3 block 2 Highland Park PB 1 28 Mount Airy; $20.
– Cathie Carter Darnell Bradshaw and David L. Bradshaw to Jeffery Dezearn; tract one portion of lot 15 and tract two lots 16-19 section A PB 3 132; $180.
– Kevin Paul Johnson and Kimberly Lynn Johnson to Donald E. Crosby Jr. and Cynthia L. Clawell; two acres Dobson; $537.
– James Lambert and Shawna Lambert to Woodrow Garrett Vernon and Rachel Lynn Vernon; 2.38 acres Stewarts Creek; $440.
– Jacqueline Montalvo Garcia to Pamela Jean Edwards; lots 28-31 block E PB 3 109 Mount Airy; $248.
– Justin P. McKinney and Michelle McKinney to Steven A. Blackburn and Cathy Blackburn; tract one lots 16-17 Marie Tillotson Wall Estate subdivision PB 12 30-32 tract two 2.89 acres Eldora; $275.
– Estate of William Fred Yates, Carl Ray Yates, William Fred Yates, James Mark Rodgers, Tammy Rodgers, Anita Jo Yates, Tracy Melvin Rodgers and Heidi Elaine Rodgers to Tracy Melvin Rodgers and Heidi Elaine Rodgers; tracts estate of William Fred Yates file 22 E 871; $166.
– Kenneth and Pamela Simpson Living Trust, Edward M. Simpson Family Trust, Kenneth Simpson, Pamela Simpson and Edward Simpson to Todd Simpson; 21.993 acres PB 40 129 Ash Hill Road Eldora; $0.
– Aubrey Wayne Wall and Mary Wall to Cristina B. Uriostegui and Kimberly Uriostegio; tract Eldora; $30.
– Douglas M. Chesson Jr. to CEL Investments, LLC; lot 5 PB 3 187 Mount Airy; $290.
-Jonathan Otto Hawks to Taylor Elder and Kevin Elder; tract Mount Airy; $296.
– Preston Hale Snow to Charles Woodrow Snow and Cathy White Snow; tract Stewarts Creek; $52.
– Robert J. Lovill III and Elizabeth J. Lovill to Eusebio Hernandez Gonzalez and Maria Isabel Andrade Quilpas; lot 31 section 3 Crosswinds subdivision PB 12 51 Mount Airy; $39.
– Elizabeth J. Lovill and Robert J. Lovill III to Juanita Parker; lot 58 section 3 Hickory Creek subdivision PB 17 55 Stewarts Creek; $28.
– Joseph Lane Snow and Melissa D. Snow to Julie A. Horne; tracts Bryan; $300.
– Scott D. Huse and Barbara L. Huse to Jamie Jividen; two lots Rockford; $348.
– Sheila Marie Parish to Joshua L. Pressley; lot 16 section 2 Knollwood PB 10 35 and PB 11 45 Stewarts Creek; $434.
– Mark G. Greene and Marquis G. Greene to Cynthia Lillian Coogan and Michael Neil Speelman; tract Bryan; $498.
– Jed Stephen Norman to Irvin Dalton Reynolds; tract Stewarts Creek; $164.
– Brenda Goodson to Dru Joseph Germano and Shellcey Germano; tract one 1 1/8 acres and tract two tract Franklin; $310.
– Estate of Robert Hamilton Lankford III, John Fredrick Lankford, Lynda Lankford, Thomas Barrett Lankford, Rebecca G. Lankford and Robert Hamilton Lankford III to Scott Schultz and Ann Shultz; 1.4 acres Elkin estate of Robert Hamilton Lankford III 22 E 686; $0.
Abe Mayes Road is a secondary road like so many others in Surry County that simply does not see a lot of traffic. It was thought to be so underutilized, that in 2020 the Surry County Board of Commissioners decided to close 0.21 miles of the road and sent notification to the North Carolina Department of Transportation of that decision.
Paul Reynolds had petitioned that the portion of Abe Mayes Road that crosses his land and connects to Oscar Calloway Road be closed to through traffic and the board was under the impression this had been done.
County Attorney Ed Woltz explained this week to the board of commissioners that, “There was some misunderstanding as to what the action was going to be. A petition was filed with DOT and the county and what the county did was… remove the road from public upkeep, not to close the road.”
He said that in addition to passing a resolution the board should have conducted a public hearing, advertised the hearing, posted signage indicating the hearing so the neighborhood would know this was underway, “and we should have sent certified mailing to those that would be effected,” Woltz explained.
According to the residents who spoke to the board this week, that did not occur. Now the road is not being maintained and it is still open to traffic.
Woltz advised the board that the county has sent the mailings, advertised, and were holding an open hearing “to obtain comment from the citizens as to whether this closure would be adverse to access and egress of their property, or otherwise not in the public interest.”
At Tuesday’s commissioners meeting, resident Davia Sweat and Priscilla Bhati both spoke to the board and expressed concerns to the point of access and egress.
Bhati said that a newly paved portion of Abe Mayes Road gets little direct sunlight and has proved dangerous during winter weather. Sweat said there would be no other safe option during those times than to use the small length of the roadway that is set to be closed.
Sweat also told the board unequivocally that she uses that length of road daily. “They are saying no one accesses that road, yes we do we use that road every day. That road is also the EMS way; when you call them, that’s the way they come in. When you put in GPS, that’s the way it brings you in,” she said.
Both she and her mother have had serious health issues and she is concerned about adding extra time to emergency response. “If you come in the other way (via Wolfe Road), that’s adding minutes to that… and minutes count.”
Roland Jones owns a large tract of land along either side of Abe Mayes Road, and he expressed a concern that closing the road to through traffic would have an adverse impact to his property values. Chairman Eddie Harris said he thought the opposite may prove to be the case as some landowners would prefer to not have a through road – much as the petitioner was hoping to do.
“What I’m hearing is that these people would be inconvenienced by the change,” Commissioner Mark Marion said. Based on his survey of those who made the effort to turn out for the public hearing, “The people say they don’t want it closed.”
“I have been here for twelve years, and this is the first time this type of issue has come up,” Harris said, noting that often in these situations the road closure is a dead end. “These are exceptional circumstances.”
Harris asked Woltz if there was a mechanism for the board to undo what had been done in 2020, and was told, “You would have to reapply to the state of NC to put that piece of road under state maintenance and there is a bridge set to be replaced, I think for a couple million bucks, that was deferred and then canceled as a result (of the action) taken in 2020.”
“Typically, I defer to the commissioner whose district this is,” Commissioner Van Tucker said but, in this instance, he wanted to weigh in given the nature of the matter and that it was a mistake on the part of the execution of the county that was “maybe of our own doing.”
Woltz offered a suggestion that the county make contact with the department of transportation to see what the process may be to get the state to again maintain Abe Mayes Road and to revisit the issue with a whole new hearing in March.
Tucker thought that a good idea. “We can have a public hearing and the original presenters can present why they think it ought be closed, and the folks that think it ought not to be closed can present another argument, and I think that would be a good way to solve this problem.”
“The citizens deserve no less,” Harris said before the board agreed unanimously to table the issue until the second board meeting in the month of March.
The following marriage licenses were issued in Surry County:
– Joey Todd Wolfe, 33, of Surry County to Hannah Michelle Burkhart, 26, of Surry County.
– Donnie Lynn Burton, 44, of Surry County to Cassandra Patrice Tarleta, 35, of Surry County.
– Jessie Austin Helms, 28, of Henry County, Virginia, to Megan Elisabeth Hardy, 27, of Surry County.
Riders In The Sky will be performing in Mount Airy on Saturday, Jan. 21, in a 7 p.m. concert that is part of the Blue Ridge and Beyond Series at the Historic Earle Theatre.
“Riders In The Sky are the best in western music since 1977,” organizers with the arts council said of the group. “America’s Favorite Cowboys bring award-winning harmonies, wacky Western wit, and high-yodeling adventures. Their family-friendly style also appeals to children, exemplified in their recordings for Disney and Pixar.”
The gruop has won two Grammy Awards and has written and performed music for major motion pictures, including “Woody’s Roundup” from Toy Story 2 and Pixar’s film, For the Birds. The band also recorded full-length companion albums for Toy Story 2 and Monsters, Inc.
Road dates and recordings and other film and television projects have filled the days and weeks and years, and since the quartet has slowed up little, the numbers begin to add up: more than 7,700 appearances, 40 years on the Grand Ole Opry, 40 records albums, and tours of all 50 states and all over the world.
Honors accumulated as well. In addition to the two Grammy Awards, Riders received numerous awards from the Western Music Association, including the highest, membership in the Western Music Hall of Fame; numerous Wrangler awards from the Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum; awards from the Academy of Western Artists; enshrinement in the Walkway of Western Stars, and more. What began as a celebration of classic western music and an evening of hilarity has become a career, and that career has become a legend, one which, 45 years on, shows no signs of stopping or even slowing down much.
Tickets are $65 for Orchestra and $55 for Balcony. 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.
New titles available at the Mount Airy Public Library:
Wicked Dreams – Lisa Jackson & Nancy Bush
Sleep No More – Jayne Ann Krentz
Without a Trace – Danielle Steel
All the Broken Places – John Boyne
A Model of Devotion – Mary Connealy
A Christmas Memory – Richard Paul Evans
On Gin Lane – Brooke Lea Foster
Like the Wind – Robin Lee Hatcher
The Last Chairlift – John Irving
The Devil’s Weapons – Peter Kirsanow
A World of Curiosities – Louise Penny
Fields of Fire – Ryan Steck
Within These Gilded Halls – Abigail Wilson
The Story of Love – Beth Wiseman
A Killer By Design – Ann Wolbert Burgess
Storytime is here for kids of all ages. Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. is Toddler Time for children ages 2 and 3; Thursday at 9:30 a.m. is Book Babies for children ages birth to 2 years old; and on Thursday at 11 a.m. is Preschool Storytime for ages 4-5.
STEAMed Up Tuesdays from 4 — 5 p.m. Interactive fun and learning for youth in grades 4 through 6.
Hooked – Join our crochet and knitting club, every Wednesday at 3 p.m. Open for all skill levels. Bring your own yarn and make the group project or bring your own project to work on.
Crimes and Crafts is the final Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. A new book club for adults that focuses on murder, mayhem, true crime and other tales of terror. Our January read will be “Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases,” by Paul Holes.
Tai Chi Fridays. Experience meditation in motion, 10 a.m. every Friday in the Multipurpose Room. All skill levels are welcome.
It’s Yoga Y’all. Join Ms. Heather on the third Saturday of the month at 10:30 am.
The Community Book Club meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. This month the group is read mystery authors to celebrate Sherlock Holmes’ birthday. For our book club event we are reading any novel by Jane Tesh and will hear her speak at our January meeting on Jan. 25.
Chapters Book Club – meets the third Thursday of the month at 11:30. Members discuss the different books they have read.
Teen Book Club, every fourth Thursday at 4 p.m. In January we are all about mysteries. So climb into the mystery machine (or mom’s car) and come to the library. Our first book will be “A Study in Charlotte” by Brittany Cavallaro.
Local author Jane Tesh will be at the library on Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. to talk about her mysteries.
Join us for a hands-on workshop led by Master Gardener Robin Portis at 2 p.m. on Jan. 26.. The class is free, but registration is required. Call 336-789-5108 or stop by to secure a spot.
Authors Anna Petelle and Glenda Younger, authors of the Plott Hound Mystery Series, will be at the library to discuss the release of Book 4 in the series on Jan. 28 at noon.
VITA Tax Preparation – Appointments to have your taxes done will run from Jan. 28 to April 8. Call 336-415-4225 to make your appointment.
Workshop on Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. The library offers access to digital content for all mobile devices — all a person needs is a library card, a device and internet access. You can read ebooks, or listen to audiobooks on the free Libby app. Anyone without a card can arrive 15 minutes early to sign up for one.
Bring Your Child to the Library Day celebration at 11 a.m. on Feb. 4. Bright Star Touring Theatre will present African Folktales, a 45-minute production that brings to life the vastness of the African landscape and a variety of clever animals. Join Akili as she shares these tales that were traditionally passed down by word of mouth. With imaginative costumes and lots of audience participation, this production also includes valuable character-education themes. Provided by the Friends of the Mount Airy Public Library and the Surry Arts Council.
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 following divorces were granted in Surry County:
– Dena Howlett and Curtis Howlett; granted on Jan. 5.
– Stacy York and Amber York; granted on Jan. 5.
– Maria Yolanda Raya and Pedro Antonio Gonzalez-Sanchez;granted on Jan.5.
– Roger Clayton Wall and Beth Ellen Sumner-Wall; granted on Jan. 5.
– Ronald Fred Wood and Deborah Diane Wood; granted on Jan. 5.
– Cathy Holyfield Wood and James Neil Wood; granted on Jan. 5.
– Kimberly McCoy and Scott McCoy; granted on Jan. 5.
Last week the Surry Arts Council announced that it would be distributing more than $30,000 in grant funding to ten organizations throughout Surry County based on recommendations from a local steering committee to choose which groups would be among the recipients of a subgrant from the Grassroots Arts Program of North Carolina.
Among the recipient of funding was Pilot Mountain Development Corporation, which will be receiving $8,000 to assist with the upgrades and renovations to the mobile stage used for many concerts and events held in downtown Pilot Mountain.
To leverage those grant funds, the Town of Pilot Mountain has said it is going to chip in another $8,000 to match the arts council grant for a total renovation of $16,000, Jenny Kindy, Main Street coordinator for Pilot Mountain said.
Renovations to the mobile stage are needed and a wide array of improvement will be done to the stage’s flooring, awning, and interior and exterior. Upgrades will be done to enhance the audio and lighting capabilities of the stage to improve the experience of spectators for the variety of events where the mobile stage may find itself.
Kindy said office there are looking at quotes for the repair to the mobile stage with a goal of having the work done by around Easter. “The first event it will be used for is the Pilot Mountain Outdoor Adventure Festival & Expo on April 21 through 23, so that gives us about twelve weeks from start to finish to get it done.”
She is excited about the event but could not say more. “We will have a ton of information to share about that event soon. Due to the status of the artist we booked, we need preapproval before we can say more.”
With a desire to grow the recreation and tourism profile of downtown Pilot Mountain and add more events, an improved mobile stage will be a great asset to those involved in their planning and execution.
Pilot Mountain Development Corporation officials said they are looking forward to applying the grant funding toward enhancing the mobile stage which they see as a vital community asset for its varied uses throughout the year.
The mobile stage has been used for many years to host concerts in downtown Pilot Mountain. Some events that utilize the mobile stage have been the Hot Nights Hot Cars Cruise Ins, Mayfest, The Pilot Art Walk, and one of the best named events in these the Yadkin Valley: the Pilot Mountain Pig Out Food Truck Rodeo. Sometimes a name really does say it all.
Other groups receiving funding included the Surry County Historical Society, the African American Historical and Genealogical Society, the Mount Airy Public Library, the Mount Airy Photo Club, and the Reeves Community Center Foundation.
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
It’s gonna’ snow.
After a couple of cold sunny days in the new year, high thin clouds climbed into the sky over our western mountains; the direction most of our weather came from. As the day wore on, the whole sky became “smooth cloudy” and nobody had to tell us it was going to snow; we just knew and how did we know? Grandpa told us so, “Gonna’ come a big ‘un, boys, you wait and see.” Pa knew too, “See that sun back yonder? She’s a’ wadin’ snow.” As our older neighbor (Jim Smith) told Mama, “She’ll be coming over that mountain back yonder ‘afore morning.” (Mama said, “It did.”)
Sound traveled far in the cold air and we could hear neighbors chopping firewood a mile away and “Big Rigs” climbing Fancy Gap Mountain ten miles away. Our chickens scratched in the yard like there would be no tomorrow and the horse and cow grazed non-stop, because they too knew it was going to snow.
My brother and I “got in” firewood by the wheelbarrow loads, carried extra water from the spring, fed the animals, milked the cow and kept an eye on the sky all the while: hoping to see the first snowflake. Why? Everybody said, “Catch that first snowflake on your tongue and you’ll have good luck. (I saw many first snowflakes over the years, caught quite a few, but never that prized first one.)
As the day came to an end, still no snow, but we “kept watch” by shining Pa’s flashlight up into the dark sky. He told us, “You all run my new battrys’ down, boys, I’m gonna’ have me some hide.” (It was a threat we heard often about many things, but hardly ever did it amount to any loss of my precious hide.)
As the night wore on, we “tired out,” climbed into ice-cold beds, shivered until we got warm and (far in the night) we slept; with visions of deep snow dancing in our heads. Oh, the places we would go and the things we would do tomorrow, if only it would snow.
Come next morning, Pa called us and said, “The old woman’s pluckin’ her geese up yonder, boys, and them feathers is coming down.” We hit the ice-cold floor running and sure enough, huge white flakes were floating down on a world fast turning white. Finally, at long last, the snow came and we could hardly wait to get out there and go “where no man had ever gone before” in un-tracked snow.
One of the highlights of the year for the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce is coming up soon — the organization’s annual meeting.
That is slated for Thursday evening, Jan. 18, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Cross Creek Country Club, and it will include recognizing outgoing officers, welcoming new members of the group’s board of directors, and revealing the chambers’ Citizen of the Year award winner.
The night will also include a keynote speech by Jennifer Mauldin, president and chief client officer of Inmar Intelligence.
The evening dinner, the 62nd annual gathering for the chamber, has drawn more than 200 area chamber members and friends in recent years, a number that chamber officials expect to match this year, according to Jordon Edwards, the chamber’s events director and Autumn Leaves Festival director.
“It’s our largest ticketed event of the year at the chamber,” Edwards said. “It’s really important for us, not only for the ceremony and the leadership change,” but also as the chamber hears from the incoming president about the goals and priorities of the upcoming year.
Edwards said that Mauldin will be sharing with those in attendance the lessons she learned over the years in growing Inmar from a $30 million business to one with more than a billion in sales and revenue.
She said the meeting will be a time to acknowledge retiring board members — Luke Morrison of Gates Pharmacy, Brian Johnson of Johnson Granite, John Phillips of State Farm Insurance, Todd Tucker, who recently stepped down from the Surry County Economic Development Partnership, and Steve Yokeley, who served as the city’s representative to the chamber.
Incoming board members to be recognized include Stan Farmer, Peter Raymer, Melissa Hiatt, Robbie Gardner and Joe Zalescik.
The highlight of the night will be revealing the name of the person selected as this year’s Citizen of the Year. Generally considered the chamber’s highest award, chamber officials took nominations from the community last year, then a committee reviewed the applications before settling on this year’s winner. The name will remain secret until the award is presented.
Edwards said ticket sales for the event have officially closed, however, there are a limited number available for some “contingency” sales and late sponsors. For more information about the event, or to see if sponsorships are still available, visit https://www.mtairyncchamber.org/
A Mount Airy City Schools teacher has been chosen as a finalist for a statewide award.
Sabrina Moore, sixth grade teacher at Mount Airy Middle School, has been named a finalist for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching Empower Beginning Teacher of the Year Award.
“She and 26 other finalists across the state were chosen for their dedication, innovation, and ability to inspire students to achieve,” the local school system said. “Moore makes the third teacher in the MACS district to be a finalist for this award in four years.”
“Sabrina Moore is a talented and dedicated beginning teacher,” said Levi Goins, principal of Mount Airy Middle School. “She knows her students’ strengths and weaknesses and works diligently to provide them with opportunities for growth. We are proud to have her represent Mount Airy Middle.”
“We are ecstatic to have Mrs. Sabrina Moore represent our district and beginning educators across our state,” said Penny Willard, director of Innovative Programming. “She sets a great example of perseverance through her desire to be a lifelong learner. Mrs. Moore always aims to serve our middle school students with a passion for learning and growth through improved literacy skills. The district’s beginning teachers group is proud to have her represent the Mount Airy Bears.”
One of the 27 educators will be named the 2023 North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching Empower Beginning Teacher of the Year. The award will be presented March 9 at the organization’s Cullowhee campus.
“We appreciate the enthusiastic response from all over the state for the Beginning Teacher of the Year Award,” said the group’s Executive Director M. Brock Womble. “These finalists provide a snapshot of the lasting impact great teachers have on our students from the first to the last day they step into a North Carolina public school. We are excited about this opportunity to honor teachers for the important work they do in our state.”
The teacher chosen will receive a$5,000 cash prize, participation in a GoGlobal NC trip in 2024, and instructional supply funds for the teacher’s school. The runner-up will receive a $2,000 cash prize, while finalists will receive travel expenses and substitute costs for regional finalists to participate in organization’s meeting.
More information about the program is online at www.nccatbtoy.com.
In the fall, Surry Online Magnet School middle and high school students took a break from the virtual world and took a hike to Pilot Mountain State Park.
Students picked their own groups and participated in an interactive Goose Chase where they were given multiple tasks to complete throughout their hike. The Goose Chase allowed students to get to know each other a little better while enjoying the views that Pilot Mountain State Park had to offer.
Students also had the opportunity to listen to an on-site park ranger talk about the wonders of the park and learn about the daily tasks of his position. After the park ranger’s talk students took the time to ask questions about career opportunities.
Two Mount Airy officials have journeyed to California this week in an effort to strike gold with a company they hope will locate a facility in the city.
“I could see it offering lots of jobs and using lots of water,” Mayor Jon Cawley said of the best-case scenario that could be achieved before he and City Attorney Hugh Campbell departed to the Golden State.
They were heading to an undisclosed location to speak to representatives of an industry headquartered there which a veil of secrecy also surrounds.
“I can tell you it is a manufacturer,” the mayor said.
“The company has given us part of a day to try and woo them,” Cawley added earlier this week. “And I’m really excited about that.”
The visit to California is coming at a time when no full-time industry recruiter is available locally due to the recent resignation of Surry Economic Development Partnership President Todd Tucker.
Cawley and Campbell indicated that their efforts are an attempt to be proactive in trying to boost the city’s economy in the absence of an individual dedicated solely to that function.
“The Board of Commissioners and mayor have hit the ground running in 2023 with a sharp focus on job creation and economic development,” in the words of the city attorney.
When seeking the mayoral post he was elected to in November, Cawley said being mayor would allow him to be the face of Mount Airy and “tell our story” in ways that seem to mirror this week’s venture.
Cawley said before leaving that he wants the city government to help existing local companies expand while also seeking others from outside which might provide job diversity.
“I don’t believe they would be competing with anything that we have now,” he assured regarding the California prospect.
In addition to job creation, tax and other benefits a new manufacturer could provide, there is a motivation to find more users of the municipality’s surplus water supply.
“We contacted them,” the mayor said of the entity in California, which was targeted due to its potential for tapping into that supply.
In January 2021, city Public Works Director Mitch Williams disclosed that the municipality had a water-production capacity of 8.5 million gallons per day, but only 2.3 million were being used.
At that time, Mount Airy officials were working on a plan to supply a small part of that surplus to the town of Pilot Mountain, with a need to find other users voiced.
Officials of the California company “have expressed interest” in an endeavor here, according to the mayor.
In addition to what that manufacturer would bring to the table on its own, he said its presence could lead to spinoff businesses being spawned locally.
Early during the week of Dec. 26, Cawley had asked for a meeting with the California-based company and one was granted, according to Campbell.
“The mayor eagerly accepted their invitation and asked me to accompany (him) in my role as city attorney,” he added.
All that led to a discussion during a closed session at the end of a Mount Airy Board of Commissioners meeting on Jan. 5.
“The purpose of the closed session meeting was for me to apprise the board (of the situation), obtain authorization to go and discuss my role and responsibilities on the trip,” Campbell related.
Board members gave the nod for this.
“The money for the trip is in the city’s economic-development budget.” Campbell mentioned further. “The city will pay our expenses according to the city’s normal travel policies.”
Campbell said the total cost for both him and the mayor was estimated at $2,000 or less, with no additional expense or attorney fee to be involved for his participation.
He stressed that “at no time” has the board discussed economic-development incentives for the company out West.
“The purpose of this trip is to build goodwill and explore opportunities for future dialogue,” Campbell explained.
“Any commitment from the city would require approval by the board at a public meeting.”
Surry County Farm Bureau President Danny Hodges was honored recently during the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in Greensboro.
He was recognized among his peers at the Presidents’ and Agents’ Luncheon. Farm Bureau President Shawn Harding presented each winning county president with a limited edition Case knife.
Each county’s agency force worked to qualify their county president for this recognition. Special plaques were also presented to the agents and agencies whose production was superior during the contest period.
PILOT MOUNTAIN — Patriotism is alive and well among America’s youth, as evidenced by the achievements of two local students.
Abram Richardson and Luke Tedder have been recognized by Pilot Mountain Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9436 and the VFW Auxiliary for their participation in the annual Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest.
Open to middle school students, the competition gives youths the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme.
“My Pledge to Our Veterans” was the title of the essays authored by Abram and Luke.
Abram is a seventh grader at Pilot Mountain Middle School and the son of Damion and Kara Richardson of Pilot Mountain.
Luke is in the eighth grade at Meadowview Magnet Middle School near Mount Airy. His parents are Ian and Meredith Tedder of Pilot Mountain.
Each student received a monetary gift and a certification of appreciation from the Pilot Mountain VFW family during a recent meeting that involved Post Commander Kem Byrd, VFW Auxiliary President Margie Nichols and other members.
Nearly 68,800 students in grades 6-8 enter the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest nationwide each year. It reflects the VFW’s dedication to patriotism and investing in future generations through youth scholarships and other means.
The Pilot Mountain VFW Post and its auxiliary wish both local students much success in the future, a spokeswoman for the organization stated.
When the winner of a N.C. Senate seat representing this area got around to being sworn in to office, the person assuming that state post turned to a local elected official from Mount Airy for assistance.
This occurred last weekend when Eddie Settle officially became the senator for District 36, which includes Surry, Wilkes and Yadkin counties.
Settle, a Republican in his early 60s, had no opposition in the Nov. 8 election, setting the stage for the Wilkes County businessman to be administered the oath of office during a well-attended ceremony Sunday in Willkesboro.
“He asked me to be the emcee,” Mount Airy Mayor Jon Cawley said of Settle, “and I was very honored to do that.”
The program was held at the Wilkes Historic Heritage Museum in the old Wilkes County Courthouse.
“It was a really nice event,” Cawley reported afterward. “They had a lot of dignitaries there.” They included U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx along with local office holders and other participants from a number of Northwest North Carolina counties.
State Supreme Court Justice Phil Berger Jr. administered the oath to Settle as Cawley, a member of the clergy, held the Bible.
Welcoming remarks were offered by Keith Elmore, the chairman of the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners, on which Settle, a resident of the Pleasant Hill community, served multiple terms before stepping down for the state Senate seat.
Other county and Republican leaders and pastors were part of Sunday’s program that also included a presentation of colors by the Elkin High School Junior ROTC. A retired U.S. Marines gunnery sergeant led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Bluegrass music was performed by Wes Tuttle and R.G. Absher.
In his remarks during Sunday’s event, Sen. Settle repeated his reasons for running for state office, which are rooted in concerns about the direction Settle believes North Carolina is headed.
“As your senator, I will stand against the indoctrination of our children, against this woke culture, for our traditional Christian values, for our small business community, for our working parents, for our elderly, for our veterans, for our taxpayers, for the unborn,” Settle said, as reported by the Elkin Tribune/Yadkin Ripple.
Surry County offices, including the landfill and recycling convenience center locations, will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The recycling convenience centers that would normally be closed Tuesday will instead be open due to the holiday schedule.
The Surry County Board of County Commissioners meeting normally scheduled for Monday is moved to Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m.
Cold temperatures, frosty lawns, icy mud holes
Freezing temperatures at night and crystals of frost on the lawn and roof in the morning and the cold wind blowing out of the north and maybe a forecast for some snow — January can bring a mixed bag of ingredients and we can have a few sunny days mixed in to make the month interesting. The temperatures during most January days will rise above freezing and this really is a blessing because it prevents the ground from being continually frozen.
In the Piedmont, we measure our snow inches while in the Midwest part of the country they measure snow in feet. In Minnesota when the last snow falls in April, some of the first snow of the season is still at the bottom of the last snow of winter. Up north in New England, they receive their share of hefty snow falls also. A bit of weather lore for those areas of the country is if the weather for January is cold and gray, you can expect winter all the way into early May.
The bulbs of spring in their sleep mode
The bulbs of jonquils, hyacinth, crocus, daffodils and narcissus are under a blanket of crushed leaves. In the next few weeks, apply a layer of bone meal or bulb booster on top of them. When we get a hefty snow, the melting snow will soak the bone meal down into the soil and give the sleeping bulbs a boost. By the end of January, they should begin to show thin spikes of green.
Stocking up on vegetable and flower seeds
Many hardware, seed shops, garden centers, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Ace Hardware, Food Lion, Lowe’s Foods and other supermarkets have racks of seed packets on display. Most packets cost less than $2. Each week when you are shopping for groceries, pick up a packet or two of flower or vegetable seeds. There are many choices at this time of year and the racks are filled. Place the packets in a small box and keep in a warm room. Keep an inventory of the seed packets. Place flower seed in a separate envelope from the vegetable packets and update your inventory each week. They will not spoil and will be ready when the planting season arrives. Make sure the packets are labeled packed for the 2023 gardening season.
The Carolina Jasmine has fragrant blooms
A fresh sweet scent is emitting from the edge of the garden plot as the amber blooms of the perennial Carolina Jasmine are beginning to bloom. What a perfume this flower emits here in the dead of winter. We believe this scent will stir up the bees in their hives and hollows. This bush is ten years old and blooms several times during the year. We keep it trimmed and shaped and it produces blooms in every season of the year. The dark green foliage is thick and birds like to roost in its foliage. Bluebirds love to hide in the foliage.
Keeping furnace filters cleaned or changed
To keep your heating system operating cleaner and more efficiently, change your system’s filter or clean it once a month. Write the size of the filter on the door of your heating system with a black permanent marker. Keep several filters near your system. A clean filter makes the air in the home cleaner and healthier plus it makes less dusts and pollution.
A bit of unwelcome green on winter landscape
Weeds always seem to survive winter’s most harsh conditions and endure despite freezing temperatures. The chickweed, wild onions and Bermuda grass show up every month of the winter. Chickweed is easy to get rid of because it has a shallow root system and can be pulled up with little effort and thrown out of the lawn, rose bushes, or garden. Don’t even try to pull up wild onions but use the weed trimmer to cut them down to the ground level and stunt their growth. Bermuda grass has a long and deep root system. Winter months are an ideal time to pull them up by their roots and make sure to throw them out of the garden or better yet, dump in trash bin.
White frost crystals, dusting of snow and red cardinals
Saint Valentine’s Day is about a month away. We can already see a natural Valentine on the front lawn on a mid-January morning when the colorful cardinals visit the bird baths and feeders. The frosty crystals with the winter sun shining on them and maybe a dusting of snow enhances the colors of the cardinals. They are colorful in all four seasons but the white background of frost and snow creates a natural Valentine card. The cardinal could be the official bird for Saint Valentine’s Day!
Keeping birdbaths and feeders filled in winter
All the birds of winter are active as they continue their search for nourishment. They also search for water when there are no mud holes or rain for several days. Keep the bird bath filled and when the sun gets temperatures above the freezing mark, empty the ice from the bath and refill with fresh water. Check the bird feeders and refill them as needed. Sprinkle a handful of seed on the ground for smaller birds.
Making a meat loaf with brown sugar sauce
There are many varieties of meat loaf and this one is special because it features a sauce to give it a bit of spice. It is simple to prepare and the whole family will enjoy it. You will need one pound of ground chuck or ground round, two hot dog rolls or one bag of croutons run through the blender in grate mode, one cup milk, one envelope Lipton onion-mushroom soup, one teaspoon salt, half teaspoon pepper, two large beaten eggs, one half cup Heinz catsup and one tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Mix all above ingredients well and form into a loaf. Bake in a 13x9x2 inch baking pan or dish sprayed with Pam baking spray in a 350 degree oven for one hour and fifteen minutes. For the sauce to pour over the meatloaf, mix together one cup Heinz catsup, half cup dark brown sugar, two teaspoons French’s prepared mustard, one tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and one tablespoon apple cider vinegar. Pour over the meatloaf and bake for ten more minutes at 350 degrees.
Checking out the rose bushes in the dead of winter
As we move farther into winter’s longest month, the rose bushes can use a bit of tender loving care. A fresh layer of crushed leaves can be applied for more winter protection. They could use a small drink of water if there has been no precipitation for a week or so. Large canes, nips and spent blooms can be removed. If ice and snow comes, take the broom and sweep off the heavy ice and snow.
Time to purchase those Saint Valentines gifts
Saint Valentines Day is less than a month away. All the florists, supermarkets, Walmart and other big box stores are very well stocked for the event. The day of hearts, flowers and love will be here before you know it. On a cold January afternoon, spend some quality time browsing through these stores and find the perfect Valentines for the kids, grand-kids, wife, husband or sweetheart. You can choose from gift cards from their favorite shopping place, flowers in pots or containers or ordered from the florist for special delivery, gift certificates from favorite restaurants, jewelry, candy, perfume, plastic gift cards in any amount is always a gift that will please anyone.
Squash sonkers in the middle of January
January is kickoff time for thinking about the kind of squash seed to sow for the summer gardening season which will also be the season to prepare Surry County squash sonkers for great summer desserts. Straight neck squash varities are the best ingredients to prepare squash sonkers because they are most uniform in cutting into cubes, have less large seed and also are more firm and meaty. The list of yellow straight necks are great and some will produce a harvest 50 days after sowing. Some of the best varities of yellow straight necks are the most popular Early Prolific Straight neck. Other straight necks are Enterprise by Park Seed, Saffron by Burpee, Butter stick Hybrid by Burpee and dixie Hybrid by Ferry-Morse. Many hardwares, Home Depot, Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement now feature Burpee Seed in their seed racks. You can order a Park Seed catalog from W. Atlee Burpee Company, 300 Park Avenue, Warminster, Pennsylvania, 18974.
The garden plot soil in the middle of January is cold and so are the turnips that are harvested from it. The cold soil only makes the turnips sweeter and easier to peel. You can use a potato or carrot peeler to make peeling turnips easier. Turnips make a great winter meal and can be prepared like mashed potatoes. For a hearty bowl of mashed turnips, peel and cut the turnips into half-inch cubes. Place in a pot and boil until you can stick a fork through them. Drain the water and add one stick light margarine, half pound of crispy fried bacon, drained and broken into small pieces, add one fourth cup sugar, one teaspoon salt, half teaspoon pepper and two teaspoons white Karo corn syrup. Stir and mash with a potato masher or mix with mixer. For creamy turnips, add a couple of teaspoons of Dukes mayonnaise.
This month’s flower feature: Johnny Jump Ups
As we enter another season of growing flowers and vegetables, we will be featuring a special flower variety once a month and highlight their special attributes. As we reach the halfway point of January, the feature flower is the Johnny Jump Up, which is also known as Viola, wild pansy and hearts delight. They are members of the pansy family and are sort of like wild flowers. They are much smaller in size than pansies and flower over a longer season than pansies.
One very feature about Johnny Jump Up’s is that both the flowers and foliage are edible. The name of Johnny Jump Up’s is unusual because they self-seed and jump up and grow in many places where you would not expect them to grow. Their flowers are much smaller in size than the pansy and only reach about an inch in diameter, bu they produce many more flowers per plant than pansies. They perform well in rows and will produce well in large containers. Unlike pansies, they perform well in summer conditions in semi-sun away from the heat of the day. Seeds planted in spring will produce flowers in summer. Seeds sown in summer will produce blooms in autumn; seeds can be sown six weeks before the last frost date and keep them in a warm spot inside the home. Expose them to winter sunlight and bring them inside at night. They will seed on their own if you allow the flowers to develop seed.
Foliage of Johnny Jump Up’s have a mild winter green flavor and can be boiled to make a tea. Flowers can be used to decorate cakes. They can be eaten raw in salads.
“Neighborly advice.” Lawnmower repairman: “Here is your lawnmower Mr. Jones; your mower is now in perfect condition. Just don’t ever loan it to your neighbor again.” Mr. Jones: “That is just the trouble, I am the neighbor.”
“Doctor-patient relationships.” Patient: “How can I live to be a hundred years old, doctor?” Doctor: “Give up candy, cake, cookies, ice cream, doughnuts, potatoes, biscuits, gravy and fried foods.” Patient: “And if I do that will I live to be a hundred?” Doctor: “Maybe not, but it will certainly feel like a hundred years!”
“Knock knock.” When your vehicle’s engine develops a knock, the chances are going that it is opportunity knocking for the automotive shop.
“Stressed out.” Husband: “I think the Johnson’s are suffering from middle-age stress.” Wife: “Why do you feel this way about our neighbors?” Husband: “Well, his wife says he won’t act his age and she won’t admit her age.”
Getting ready for the season of the heart
All the stores and shops and big box stores are adorning themselves in red, white and pink for Saint Valentines Day next month. The shelves are now filled with racks of Valentines cards, candy displays, and party supplies as well as floral arrangements and of course there are plenty of gift cards.
Purchasing a 2023 Blums Almanac for the new year
The 195th edition of Blum’s Almanac is now on sale at local hardwares. This is not only a useful planting guide but has much information, fishing calendars, recipes, moon phases, sunrises and sunsets, healthy information, planting signs, garden information, eclipses of the moon and sun and plant zones. Plenty of useful information for every day of the year.
DOBSON — The date was Friday the 13th, but the most unstoppable force around wasn’t Jason Voorhees terrorizing the campers at Crystal Lake.
Instead, that honor went to a North Surry squad that went wire-to-wire in a top-5 matchup against Surry Central.
The No. 1-ranked Greyhounds defeated the No. 3-ranked Golden Eagles 97-70 in front of a sold out crowd. North Surry, now 16-1 overall and 6-0 in conference, takes sole possession of the Foothills 2A Conference’s top spot, while Central drops just its second game of the season and its first in league play.
Back in February, Central came within a point of being of the only FH2A team to defeat North during the 2021-22 season. The Golden Eagles led 63-61 with less than five seconds to play in that game, but a personal foul and technical foul issued to Central gave the Hounds four free throws with 1.7 seconds on the clock. North hit three of those free throws and won the game 64-63.
Instead of getting redemption in the game the they circled on the schedule at the beginning of the season, the No. 3-ranked Eagles (12-2, 5-1 FH2A) faced a fired up Greyhound squad that put up its highest point total of the season. North Surry’s three leading scorers – the senior trio of James McCreary, Kolby Watson and Jahreece Lynch – combined to outscore Surry Central 76-70.
Lynch became the first Surry County boys basketball player in recent memory to record a triple-double by finishing with 24 points, 12 rebounds, 11 steals, four assists and a block. No such performances have been documented in the News since at least 2014.
McCreary’s 31-point performance marks his third game of at least 30 this season and his first of 2023. The senior shot 5-of-9 (56%) from 3-point land while also recording six rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block.
Watson notches his third game of at least 20 this season with 21 points. He set a season-high of 23 just two days prior in an 80-72 victory over one of the top-ranked 1A teams, Bishop McGuinness.
Surry Central spread its scoring around with five players finishing in double figures. Tripp McMillen led the way with 21 points, followed by Mason Jewell with 13 points – coming off 3-of-6 (50%) shooting from beyond the arc – Josh Pardue and Jacob Mitchell with 11 each, and Ayden Wilmoth with 10.
Pardue had a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds, nine of which came off the offensive glass, while also blocking two shots. Mitchell fell one rebound shy of a double-double.
North never trailed in Friday’s game. Watson gave North the lead with a layup 23 seconds into the first quarter, and this was the start of a 7-0 run for the Greyhounds. McMillen scored Central’s first four points, then Pardue put up the next five as the lead was cut to one possession at 12-9.
Triples from Lynch and Kam McKnight nearly put the Greyhounds up by 10 at the end of the first quarter, but a 3-pointer from Jewell and Pardue capped the lead at eight if only temporarily.
North started the second quarter with another strong run, scoring eight of the first nine points in the period. The lead grew to 34-18 at one point when Central began taking multiple trips to the free throw line due to the bonus. The Eagles only had three field goals in the second quarter, but attempted 14 foul shots.
Surry Central went 13-of-20 (65%) from the line on Friday, and North finished 11-of-18 (61%).
Despite entering the bonus in the first quarter, the Eagles foul shooting couldn’t keep them step for step with the explosive Hounds. North was up 40-26 when the Greyhounds went on a 10-0 run late in the second quarter, going up 50-29 at the half after three late points for the Eagles.
North Surry only outscored Surry Central by six points in the second half, but the damage had already been done. The Hounds’ lead never dipped below 19 points for the rest of the game, and grew to as many as 29 at one point in the fourth quarter.
North Surry’s defense played a big part in the victory. The Greyhounds grabbed 17 steals, led by Lynch’s 11, while Central only had six as a team.
Pardue and Mitchell helped even out the rebounding margin with 23 of the Eagles’ 35 boards, but North held a slim 36-35 advantage there as well. Lynch’s 12 rebounds led the Hounds, followed by nine from Cam Taylor, six from McCreary, five from Jackson Smith, and four combined from Watson, Makiyon Woodbury and Zeke Moore.
NS: James McCreary 31, Jahreece Lynch 24, Kolby Watson 21, Makiyon Woodbury 6, Kam McKnight 5, Cam Taylor 4, Isaac Johnson 3, Jackson Smith 2, Fisher Leftwich 1
SC: Tripp McMillen 21, Mason Jewell 13, Josh Pardue 11, Jacob Mitchell 11, Ayden Wilmoth 10, Brian Williams 4
• A welfare check by officers at the Circle K convenience center on North Main Street led to the incarceration of a Mount Airy man under a large secured bond last Saturday, according to city police reports.
An investigation revealed that Johnny Ray Gwyn, 54, of 341 Welch Road, was the subject of an outstanding order for arrest for failing to appear in court which had been filed on Nov. 22.
In addition, police records indicate that after being taken into custody, Gwyn was charged with possession of a controlled substance in a prison/jail, a felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was confined in the Surry County Detention Center under a $16,000 secured bond and slated for a Jan. 30 appearance in District Court.
• Tools and equipment valued at $838 were stolen last Saturday from an unsecured 1999 Ford Ranger pickup at the Inman Drive residence of Wesley Kent Brown and Caleb Wesley Hiatt Brown, who are both listed as victims of the crime.
The property stolen included an impact driver and battery, a brushless chuck drill and battery, a socket set and miscellaneous tools.
• Devan Alan Ramey, 34, of Sparta, was jailed under a $1,000 secured bond on charges of resisting, delaying or obstructing a public officer and driving while impaired stemming from a Jan. 4 encounter with police investigating a suspicious vehicle at Grab and Go Mart on West Pine Street.
Arrest records indicate that the incident involved damage to open land near that location owned by Ultimate Towing and Recovery, but Ramey was not charged accordingly. A search warrant was obtained in order to obtain a blood sample from Ramey, who is scheduled to appear in Surry District Court on Jan. 30.
• Cooke Rentals on West Lebanon Street was the scene of a theft on Jan. 3, when two 4.6-gallon refillable propane cylinders valued at $32 were taken from the premises.
• Police learned on Jan. 2 of a case involving larceny and damage to property which had occurred at a rental property on Umpire Lane.
A known suspect is said to have caused damages estimated at $705 to a door and frame, a wall and a bed comforter along with stealing property valued at $51, including two bed sheets, a pillow and a pillow case protector.
No charges had been filed at last report concerning the crime in which Diamond View Real Estate of Pilot Mountain is listed as the victim.
Details were coming into focus Friday of the arrest of two Surry County residents who have both been charged with murder in the death of a young child, although the details leading to the child’s death have not been made public.
Joe and Jodi Wilson of Mount Airy have both been arrested and charged with murder according to a statement from the Surry County Sheriff’s Office. The charges stem from a Jan. 6 call the Surry County Sheriff’s Office received from Child Protective Services regarding a 4-year-old child.
Joseph “Joe” Paul Wilson, age 41, his wife Jodi Ann Wilson, age 38, of 148 Rosecrest Dr., Mount Airy, were arrested on Friday and formally charged with the murder of four-year-old Skyler Wilson.
The child, Skyler Wilson, had been transported to Brenner’s Children Hospital by Surry County Emergency Medical Services after suffering from a medical emergency on Jan. 5.
Skyler Wilson succumbed to injuries he sustained on Jan. 5 and passed away on Jan. 9.
The Surry County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Division initiated an investigation into the death and have requested the assistance of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
The investigation revealed that Skyler Wilson passed away from injuries related to abuse sustained at the hands of his parents, and his death is being investigated as a homicide. The sheriff’s office did not give any details on the alleged abuse, and said no additional information regarding the victim would be released.
Joseph and Jodi Wilson were being held Friday evening at the Surry County Detention Center under no bond. A court date for Joseph and Jodi Wilson was set for Feb. 2.
The Wilsons have two children of their own and are foster parents of two other children. According to reports other children within the custody of Joseph and Jodi Wilson have now been turned over to the Department of Social Services.
According to Sheriff Steve C. Hiatt, “This is a tragic event that resulted in the death of a precious child way too soon. Please remember the other siblings involved in this situation as well as the investigators who worked tirelessly on this case in your thoughts and prayers.”
This incident remains under investigation and the Surry County Sheriff’s Office has promised more information will follow when it can be released.
STUART, Va. — Although Patrick County’s sheriff has been on the job since taking office after a 2007 election, Dan Smith says it seems as if he’s just getting started.
“I have more energy now than I did 15 years ago when I first became sheriff,” Smith observed in announcing plans Thursday to run for a fifth four-year term in the county election later this year.
He has become a fixture in Patrick politics after being elected in 2007, capturing a second term against one challenger in 2011 by garnering 84% of the votes and winning again four years later with 88% support against another opponent.
Smith had no opposition for the last election in 2019.
In announcing his latest re-election bid, the incumbent detailed progress he says has occurred during his tenure in guiding local law enforcement efforts while also indicating that the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office is facing unique challenges today.
Combating illegal drug activity has been one priority for the office under Smith’s leadership.
He gives credit to his employees and agency partners for successfully bringing more than 800 drug dealers to justice.
Smith added that “the list is long” in terms of other accomplishments made by the employees under his command.
These include transitioning into a new jail and office, achieving and maintaining accreditation, upgrading equipment and technology and, most importantly, strengthening the bond with those the office serves, he outlined.
“We are nothing without the support of our citizens, and we take great pride in that relationship,” Smith said in a statement. “I fundamentally believe that bond starts with me, and I want folks to know that I am just a phone call away.”
Smith admits that the job of sheriff is difficult, but he embraces the challenges that come with this.
Far and away, the greatest one has involved attracting and retaining employees, he says, given a climate of pay limitations and related factors that have plagued other area law enforcement agencies in recent years — including the Mount Airy Police Department.
“When compensation doesn’t match skill set or job demands, you lose every time, and local law enforcement, regionally, has been losing badly at that game.”
Smith is grateful for the relationship he has maintained throughout the years with those controlling the purse strings locally, the Patrick Board of Supervisors and county administration, which has made that situation more tolerable.
“They have supported us and allowed me the ability to at least try and stay competitive with surrounding agencies, and I am very appreciative of that.”
Smith points to the negative image of law enforcement over the past few years as also creating challenges, while correspondingly presenting a solution.
“Treating all people with decency and respect is the simple answer, and our employees have a genuine understanding of that.”
A stake in the county
The sheriff admits that he is a bit territorial and protective when it comes to Patrick County, where Smith has deep roots.
He was born in Stuart in 1972 to Sue Simmons Smith and the late James Russell Smith Sr., the youngest of six children.
“My drive and work ethic come from my parents and brothers and sisters — they had a huge influence on me,” Smith stated.
He graduated from Patrick County High School in 1990 and from East Tennessee State University in 1994. That same year, Smith was employed by the Chesterfield County Police Department in the Richmond metro area.
In January 1997, he was hired by the Martinsville Police Department, where Smith held the rank of sergeant and was a commander on the department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.
He campaigned successfully for Patrick County sheriff later that year, replacing longtime incumbent David Hubbard, who had stepped down for health reasons.
Smith and his wife Amy have two sons, Daniel and David, and live in Patrick Springs. They are members of Stuart Presbyterian Church.
“This place is my life, it is in my DNA,” the sheriff said of Patrick County.
“I consider our people and our beauty a national treasure, and I will protect and defend it until the day I die.”
Chris A. Lumsden, president and CEO of Northern Regional Hospital, has been elected as an at-large delegate of the Regional Policy Board 3 (Southeastern United States) with the American Hospital Association.
The association is the national organization that represents hospitals and healthcare networks throughout the U.S. and serves their patients and communities through advocacy, representation, knowledge exchange, and thought leadership.
The American Hospital Association uses analysis and recommendations from the organization’s regional policy board in policy deliberations. The appointment is effective through Dec. 31, 2025.
“I am honored to represent Northern Regional Hospital and other North Carolina hospitals and health systems,” said Lumsden. “Serving on this board allows me the opportunity to favorably influence federal health care policy and legislation that impact the well being of rural, community-based hospitals.
“Chris is a transformational leader whose passion for health care is critical as the AHA develops policies to address the specific challenges that hospitals across the country are facing,” said Matthew Wright, AHA Region 3 executive. “His decades of experience and unique perspective will inform the Regional Policy Board as we undertake this important work.”
Lumsden is a native of Roanoke, Virginia, graduated with honors from Bridgewater College and received his master’s degree with honors from George Washington University. He is a licensed nursing home administrator in North Carolina and Virginia, and a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is past board chairman of several Virginia state economic development and higher education organizations and serves on the board of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, Surry County Economic Development Partnership, and several boards associated with the North Carolina Healthcare Association.
He is recipient of several distinguished leadership awards and in 2020 was named as one of the Top 20 Most Admired CEOs in the Triad region of NC by the Triad Business Journal.
PILOT MOUNTAIN — It was only a matter of time before Jordan Davis broke East Surry’s single-game record for 3-pointers, and when the time came he did more than just break the record: he shattered it.
Davis made a record 10 3-pointers during a Jan. 10 game against Forbush, which the Cardinals won 84-38. He made his 10 triples on just 12 attempts, meaning he made 83% of his shots from downtown.
Jordan nearly outscored Forbush himself with 36 points, which was just one point shy of his career high.
The previous East Surry record was held by four East Surry players: Scott Meredith, Jefferson Boaz, Dillon Mosley and – you guessed it – Jordan Davis.
The record was originally set by Meredith, a 2014 graduate who held the East Surry all-time scoring record when he graduated with 1,351 points. That record is now held by another player in this article.
Meredith later went on to make 18 3-pointers in a game on 31 attempts (58%) for Virginia’s Hargrave Military Academy in 2015. Meredith finished that game with 55 points as Hargrave defeated Combine International of Charlotte.
Meredith went on to play basketball for St. Francis University in Pennsylvania.
Jefferson Boaz, a 2020 graduate and East Surry’s current all-time leading scorer with 1,882 points, went on to tie Meredith’s record by making 7-of-10 (70%) 3-pointers in a Feb. 1, 2019 game against Bishop McGuinness. Fellow 2020 graduate Dillon Mosley tied the record less than a month after Boaz by making 7-of-9 (78%) attempts against Queen’s Grant on Feb. 26.
Boaz and Mosley both continued their football careers in college, with Boaz attending UNC-Chapel Hill and Mosley attending N.C. State.
Davis, a member of the class of 2023, hit seven 3-pointers on three occasions before eventually obliterating the record.
Davis originally tied the school record on Dec. 21, 2021, by making 7-of-14 (50%) 3-point attempts in a win over North Wilkes. He finished the game with a career-high 31 points, making all seven of his 3-pointers in the first quarter.
His next two games of seven triples occured within a five-game span. Davis went 7-of-13 from deep on Feb. 11, 2022 against Surry Central, during which he scored a career-high 37 in the overtime victory, then went 7-of-11 in a Feb. 16 game against Forbush.
Davis is committed to Geneva College in Pennsylvania to continue his basketball career.
Mount Airy High School’s basketball teams will host their home games at Surry Community College for the foreseeable future.
Due to freezing temperatures over winter break, Mount Airy’s Howard M. Finch Gymnasium suffered water damage from busted pipes.
According to Carrie Venable, Mount Airy City Schools’ Executive Officer of Communication, multiple experts were called in to assess the damage to a portion of the basketball court. Attempts to dry out the floor to resume the basketball season at home have failed.
“Thanks to our staff at MAHS we were able to catch the water leak quickly at the high school gym,” said MACS Superintendent Dr. Kim Morrison. “Unfortunately, the damage caused to the back left side of the floor requires us to remove the wood and replace it. We hope to get it repaired quickly, and we are thankful for our community and business partners that are helping us move forward with the repairs.”
Due to the water damage, all remaining JV and varsity home games have been moved to Surry Community College’s (SCC) gymnasium located at 630 S Main St. in Dobson.
“It’s unfortunate that we were forced to relocate during the heart of basketball season,” said MAHS Principal Jason Dorsett. “Providing that ‘home’ atmosphere is important and thankfully, with the help and support of Surry Community College, we have an outstanding facility to play. As the repair project is now underway, our goal will remain to return to MAHS by senior night.”
Venable added that Mount Airy City Schools is grateful to Dr. David Shockley, SCC President, for allowing students to complete their season on the Knights’ court. All Granite Bear fans are encouraged to travel to Dobson to support students as they compete this season.
SCC’s Gymnasium is located in the back left corner of campus in building P on the map of the campus. College Circle can be accessed in two locations. It circles the campus and you will find building P closest to Surry Central High School.
Parking for the gym is located in the two small lots closest to the building and overflows in the student parking areas across campus. Once the two lots near the gym fill, spectators will need to park in one of the other marked areas and walk through campus to the gym.
More information on Surry Community College can be found at surry.edu.
MACS student/staff, MAYF, Northwest 1A Conference, NCCA and NCHSAA passes will be accepted at home games played at SCC for the Granite Bears. IDs must be shown at the door for admission.
The regular price for admission is $7.00. Limited concessions (candy, drinks, and nachos) will also be available during games.
As of Jan. 13, the varsity girls team sits at 7-3 overall and 2-1 in the Northwest 1A Conference, and the varsity boys are 2-7 overall and 0-3 in conference play.
Have you heard that old saying, “You are what you eat?” There’s some truth in that; since the things you consume are broken down by your body, and ultimately influence your body’s health. Good nutritious vitamin-rich foods will have a more positive impact; while high-fat and sugary foods tend to have a more negative effect on your body. In other words, “Negative input equals negative output;” and in contrast, “Positive input equals positive output.”
Today, let’s consider this parallel to the spiritual health of our soul, mind, and emotional happiness; which ultimately also affects our physical being. The answers for our balance and contentment are all found in the Word of God.
Each of us individually, and also as the body of Christ, together the Church, are in for God’s richest blessings simply by dwelling in Christ, and allowing His Spirit to guide us in obedience to our Abba. Each day of this life here on planet Earth can be lived in victory, if we are submissive to His wise plan and purpose. He has promised us abundance of life, and fullness of His joy, just for abiding in our life-source Jesus Christ.
John 15:1-16, “I Am the True Vine…Abide in Me, and I in you, as the branch can not bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in Me…They that abide in Me, and I in them, the same bring forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing… Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit… These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full… I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known to you… I have chosen you, and ordained you (Webster – to appoint, establish in a ministerial office), that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.”
See also, John 10:10 and Eph. 3:14-21, “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth and height; and to know the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, unto Him be glory… Amen.”
Wow, do I love all those excellent adjectives adding extra emphasis on our Lord’s work in our lives for His Kingdom, here and now; and our destiny in the world to come. If we are with Him, there is no way we can fail to enjoy the fulfillment we’ll experience in the eternal day of reward. Presently we can know the satisfaction in fulfilling our purpose here in this life. We can as the Word says, “comprehend” some of what’s to come, as we yield to the powerful life-changing, character-shaping Word of God, and work of His Holy Spirit in our lives. As this previous scripture stated, “be filled with all the fullness of God.” Our souls will flourish, as we remain planted, embedded, immersed in Christ.
The opposite of a spirit-filled, healthy Christian life, is a life lived according to self-will, pride, and the lusts of the flesh for this world’s wares. We are taught in the scriptures to deny the flesh; to even mortify, or put to death the old sinful nature. Romans 8:13, “For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live. Read also Col. 3:1-10. Romans 13:11-14, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us…put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts.”
There is no joy in being in rebellion to God and His will for our life. Living according to His purpose brings a deep lasting joy because it is there that He may bless us to the fullest. As the psalmist declared, “my cup runs over.” Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them”. God our Father has appointed, and established us in Christ; set apart to do His holy work here on Earth, even as it is in Heaven. And He has equipped us with everything we need to accomplish His good will. I Tim. 4:7-8 and II Tim.3:15-17, “… exercise yourself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come… you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable… That the man of God may be perfect (complete, mature), thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
Life here is much about investment. Here’s some options: we can waste the time allotted us by binge watching some far from wholesome show, or one of many other vain time consuming behaviors the world offers; you know, negative things. Or, on the positive side, how much more will we be benefited if we invested time in praying for, and doing God’s will; while being in constant fellowship with Jesus?
Yes, what about binging on Jesus? How much more could our soul prosper by choosing to read, study, and meditate in God’s Holy Word? Phil. 4:8-9 compels us, “Finally brethren, whatever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things…and the God of peace shall be with you.” Peace of mind, joy, fulfillment.
Rockford Elementary School recently held its yearly spelling bee.
Fernanda Rodriguez, was crowned overall school champion, and he will go on to compete at the district spelling bee in February.
Clint Robson won the fourth-grade spelling bee, while Blaine Goad took the fifth grade title.
To say that Mount Airy ended 2022 with a “slight” precipitation surplus might be an exaggeration, with a razor-thin margin involved inch-wise.
Through 365 days of wet periods, dry spells and all kinds of other weather conditions in between, this area wound up with total precipitation of 52.46 inches last year, according to a breakdown from F.G. Doggett Water Plant.
That figure is just 4.1 inches — or 8.5% — above the all-time annual precipitation average for Mount Airy of 48.36 inches.
Weather records have been kept here since 1924, and the water plant is the official observation station for climactic conditions locally.
Last year’s precipitation surplus — albeit slim, minuscule, tiny or whatever — was bolstered by higher-than-usual precipitation during December, which totaled 4.32 inches. The norm in Mount Airy for the 12th month of the year is 3.74 inches.
Fog was observed on eight days during December.
Measurable amounts of precipitation were noted on 13 days last month at F.G. Doggett Water Plant, with the most for a single day — 0.78 inches — recorded on Dec. 23.
That occurred just before a strong system moved into the area and offered frigid conditions, thus producing another weather highlight for December.
This included the mercury dropping to 2 degrees above zero on Dec. 24, breaking a low-temperature record of 7 which had been set on that date here in 1930.
Overall, the cold snap resulted in an average temperature last month which was nearly 3 degrees cooler than that of all time for December in Mount Airy — 36.8 degrees compared to 39.3.
While the 2-degree reading on Dec. 24 took low-temperature honors for the month, the high for December of 62 degrees was logged on three different days, Dec. 1 and Dec. 30-31.
Frost occurred on 13 days last month.
That annual rite is soon to be upon the land — filing tax returns.
For those with low to moderate income, and no desire to get deep in all the paperwork and form filing that accompanies tax season, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is back and ready to help.
Sponsored locally by the YVEDDI Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Surry County Senior Center, the effort pairs trained volunteers with area residents whose income generally is less than $60,000.
According to Jody Crawford, program coordinator, those wishing to take advantage of the service can do so beginning Jan. 28. Starting that day, volunteers with the program will be at the Mount Airy Public Library each Saturday morning and at the Surry County Senior Center every Wednesday morning, meeting with individuals looking for assistance with filing their taxes. She said not only do the volunteers file federal taxes for those who qualify, they file state taxes for those living or working in North Carolina and Virginia.
The way the program works is simple. For those who qualify, Crawford said volunteers will sit down with individuals, go over their tax forms, and file their taxes for them. She said many of their clients are older, though individuals from all age groups utilize the service.
“Not everyone feels comfortable doing that stuff, they don’t understand taxes,” she said. “Not everyone is comfortable being online.”
So, the VITA program steps in and offers that service, free of charge.
Crawford said there is no hard and fast income limit for those seeking help.
“This is for people in the community who are usually at $60,000 or less (annual) income,” she said. However, there are other qualifiers. For instance, she said if a person has a lot of stocks or has been selling securities, they may not qualify. Someone who sold a house or received an inheritance over the past year may not qualify either, while some individuals who run a small business or who make more than $60,000 might still qualify to use the service.
“$60,000 isn’t exactly a limit, it is an estimate of when you’re likely to start having people out of the scope of what we can offer,” she said.
The best way to find out is to call — the trained volunteers know what questions to ask, and what forms to have individuals to complete to determine eligibility.
Crawford said those using the service will need to call in advance to set up an appointment. They may be asked to complete a simple form ahead of time and are told what tax documents they will need to take with them to an appointment. Generally, she said the process is fairly smooth.
“It can take as little as a half hour or 45 minutes, though usually it’s more like an hour, maybe an hour and 15 minutes,” she said. “You never know how complicated someone’s tax return is going to be.”
She said individuals utilizing the library might get faster service, since there are generally more volunteers available on Saturday than during the week.
“Usually, the library will have five or six people preparing returns. At the senior center we have fewer than that, maybe three or four. Last year we did 151 returns,” she said of how many people used the service.
While everyone involved with the program has to undergo IRS training, they are all volunteers. This is the sixth or seventh consecutive year the two local agencies — the Senior Center and the library — have offered the service. Crawford said it was offered for a number of years before, but then the program lost its coordinator and did not exist locally for two or three years. In addition to Mount Airy, the service also operates in Elkin and at other locations throughout the county.
While COVID restrictions have largely faded, she said the volunteers still often wear masks and sometimes ask that those coming in to have their taxes prepared do the same — it is up to the volunteers and what they are comfortable with, Crawford said.
She emphasized there is no cost for the service, and the services is simply filing taxes electronically on behalf of clients — it does not issue tax refund checks nor take tax payments. While individuals bringing their tax documents in to be filed can opt to have the IRS mail a check to them if they qualify for a refund, she said it is far quicker if they have a bank account the IRS can use to make a deposit.
Anyone with questions, or those wishing to make an appointment, should call 336-415-4225.
STUART, Va. — Saying the clerk of court office in Patrick County has undergone turmoil could be an understatement, with its leader suspended while facing drug and other charges, but candidate Nancy Turner Belcher seeks to turn things around.
“Our clerk’s office has suffered some setbacks,” Belcher said Tuesday regarding recent events surrounding Patrick’s present circuit court clerk, Sherri Hazlewood, a resident of Claudville.
Hazlewood had a series of run-ins with law enforcement during 2022 in multiple counties, including being charged with possession of cocaine, driving while intoxicated, breaking and entering and other offenses, according to various news reports in Virginia. She presently is suspended from the clerk post, having been removed by a judge in November.
Meanwhile, Belcher has emerged as a candidate for the seat of circuit court clerk in anticipation of a general election for the non-partisan office on Nov. 7.
Belcher, 50, lives in the Woolwine community and has nearly 25 years of experience in the legal profession. She is hoping to serve Patrick County in the court clerk capacity, given the need to restore public confidence in the position that provides a critical function in the judicial system.
“I am a person of integrity, so I would follow the law number one,” the candidate added Tuesday.
Along with that, it would be a matter of “just showing up every day” and meeting the needs of all those the office affects, said Belcher, a first-time seeker of public office.
The candidate is a lifelong resident of Patrick who is a graduate of Patrick County High School and Ricks College.
Belcher has worked as an administrative assistant for Martin F. Clark, a well-known figure in Patrick County legal circles, along with attorneys Chris Corbett and Marcus Brinks.
She later transitioned to the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Corbett, Stephanie Vipperman and presently, Dayna Bobbitt.
Belcher believes the invaluable experience she has gained in the field would enable her to make a seamless transition to the position of clerk of court.
“And having the necessary leadership skills, I know that I would undoubtedly benefit the clerk’s office with knowledge and expertise as I strive to make this county better for current and future generations,” she said in a statement.
“If elected, I would work tirelessly to make the clerk’s office a resource that would be accessible to the folks in Patrick County, whether that be in person or online,” the candidate mentioned further. “I was raised to serve others, and I know of no greater opportunity to do just that than to serve as clerk of court for Patrick County.”
The daughter of Alfred and Aylees Turner of Woolwine, Belcher has been a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS).
She served a mission within her church for 18 months in Provo, Utah. As a member of the LDS church, Belcher has served in a variety of positions including pianist, activities director and president of its Young Women’s group. She now is Relief Society president, leading an organization within the church for women ages 18 and older.
In addition, Belcher has been a member of the Smith River Rescue Squad for 25 years. This has included running calls and serving in various leadership roles including positions on the board of directors for the squad. She is presently an EMT-A (Advanced) member and vice president of the Smith River Rescue Squad.
Belcher has been married to David Belcher for 16 years and is excited about the possibility of contributing in an additional way through the clerk’s office, saying it would be “a blessing” to do so.
“I have lived in and served this community my whole life, and I am no stranger to hard work,” she assured. “I plan to continue to work hard for this community that has provided so much for myself and my family.”
Belcher filed for the clerk of clerk office after the filing period began on Jan. 3.
Two other persons are said to have tossed their hats into the ring for clerk, including Morgan Boothe and Erica Wade, with others expected to follow.
Along with removing Hazlewood from office, Judge Marcus Brinks recently appointed Boothe, deputy court clerk, to serve as clerk of Patrick County Circuit Court on an interim basis.
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• A traffic stop that turned up cocaine has led to a Mount Airy man being jailed under a $22,500 secured bond, according to city police reports.
Sayeed Miguel Silva, 19, of 426 Worth St., was encountered by officers on Brooklen Avenue near Park Drive last Friday afternoon and subsequently found in possession of a clear plastic baggie containing a white material, arrest records state.
Silva was charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, a felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also was found to be the subject of an outstanding order for arrest for failing to appear in court which had been filed in Stokes County on Dec. 14. Silva is scheduled to appear in Surry District Court on Jan. 30.
• A business on Merita Street, New 2 You Treasures, was the victim of a larceny discovered last Thursday, which involved the loss of property valued at more than $1,000 which was stolen from the rear of the establishment.
Included were two plastic tote bags containing miscellaneous tools, a kerosene lamp, a small wooden dresser and a wooden bat.
• Police were told on Dec. 18 that two green city trash containers, valued at $250, had been stolen from a residence on Galloway Street.
• Crystal Nicole Barker, 41, listed as homeless, was arrested on drug and theft charges after an incident at Walmart on Dec. 15. An investigation resulted in Barker being charged with a felony, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, identified as methamphetamine; possession of drug paraphernalia; larceny; and possession of stolen goods, described as miscellaneous items of men’s clothing with a total value of $261, which were recovered.
Barker was confined in the Surry County Jail under a $5,000 secured bond, with court date information not available.
• Jamie Robert Vanhoy, 34, of 155 E. Crosswinds Court, is facing drug and weapons charges stemming from officers investigating alleged illegal narcotics activity at Riverside Park on Dec. 11.
Vanhoy is accused of being in possession of a concealed handgun (a Smith and Wesson military/police .40-caliber pistol along with a magazine) after consuming a controlled substance.
In addition to the gun-related offense, he was charged with possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance (marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia (wooden one-hitter smoking devices). Vanhoy is scheduled to be in District Court on Feb. 13 and has been banned from all city property.
A long-time Mount Airy tradition will be making a comeback of sorts on Saturday.
That evening, the Mount Airy Surry County Branch of the National Association of University Women Inc. will join with the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History for the 18th annual program celebrating Marin Luther King.
In the Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Surry Countians Continuing the Dream will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the museum. While the event has been held every year for nearly two decades, this will be the first time in three years the gathering has been held in person.
Cassandra Johnson, director of programs and education at the museum, said COVID gathering restrictions forced the previous two versions of the event to be held virtually, and she believes all involved are excited about being able to return to in-person gatherings.
“It’s really going to be something we’re going to be proud to have back in the building,” she said of the gathering.
“The Dreamer Award has been something we’ve given out for 18 years,” she said. This recognizes “a member of our community who really upholds the dream that MLK talked about…It’s as much about celebration as well as to honor people in our own community. It’s just very important for us to continuously look into the community and see who is really putting their community first, being a leader,” upholding the hopes expressed by King.
Adreann Leufray-Belle, president of the local branch of the National Association of University Women will be one of the event leaders, and will be helping to recognize past honorees as well as announce the winner of this year’s Dreamer of the Year Award.
Fellow association members Marie Nicholson and Roxanne Beame are expected to lead in singing Lift Every Voice and Sing, and Shapaille Dobson has been putting together a presentation on the history of the Buffalo Soldiers from Surry County. Rev. Daryl Beamer will be playing piano and assisting in the lighting of the candles.
The night’s events will also feature music, socializing, and refreshments, Johnson said.
Among those who have received the Dreamer Award are:
– 2011 — Emma Jean Tucker and James A. McCarther Sr.
– 2014 — Alfrida Gaines and Faye Carter
– 2021 — Cheryl Yellow Fawn Scott and LaDonna McCarther
PILOT MOUNTAIN — The race for the Foothills 2A Conference’s top spot got a little clearer Monday as North Surry handed East Surry its first FH2A loss of the season.
The Greyhounds, the No. 1 team in the 2A West via the NCHSAA’s RPI rankings, never trailed in the 72-50 victory on Jan. 9. North seniors James McCreary and Jahreece Lynch combined to outscore East Surry 51-50.
North Surry is tied for first in the conference with Surry Central (12-1, 4-0 FH2A), who is also undefeated in league play.
Lynch scored 17 of his 22 points in the first half while making four of his first six 3-point attempts, including three consecutive makes. McCreary – who went off for a game-high 29 points – scored 2o across the second and third quarters. McCreary had a quiet night from deep with only one 3-pointer, but made up for it by knocking down eight 2-pointers and shooting 9-of-11 (82%) from the free throw line.
The Cardinals (5-5, 3-1 FH2A) held North Surry below its season average of 80.2 points, but failed to convert on the offensive end of the floor. The game marked East Surry’s fourth consecutive loss as well as the team’s fourth time in five games failing to surpass 50 points.
East Surry made two of its first six 3-point attempts, but missed the next 13 to finish 2-of-19 (11%) from deep.
North (14-1, 5-0 FH2A) went up by as many as 9 in the first quarter at 13-4 as East went scoreless for nearly four minutes. Daniel Creech ended the run by scoring off a Brett Clayton pass with 21 seconds on the clock, but Lynch rounded out his eight first-quarter points with and-1 bucket with 10 seconds to play.
East’s Luke Brown, who had an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double, added two free throws at the end of the quarter.
A free throw from Fisher Leftwich started a 7-0 Greyhound run in the second, with Lynch and McCreary each knocking down 3-pointers. Creech then hit a 3-pointer to start East Surry’s biggest run of the game. Creech, Brown and Jordan Davis each hit two free throws as the Cards entered the bonus, then Brown put back an offensive board to cap off the 10-2 run.
The Hounds entered the bonus as well and attempts 13 free throws in the quarter, making 10. The visitors’ lead once again reached double-digits and went as high as 15 after 3-pointers from Lynch and Kam McKnight. Davis responded with a 3-pointer of his own just before the break to make it 40-28.
Good defense from both sides saw the teams combine for just 11 points through the first five minutes of the second half. North’s early advantage during that span was the difference in the quarter as the teams were evenly matched through the final three minutes.
North once again held East to just four points through the first five minutes of a quarter, during which time the Hounds went up 66-44. The Cards eventually found their shot, but the 22-point deficit remained for the final few minutes of the game.
NS: James McCreary 29, Jahreece Lynch 22, Jackson Smith 7, Fisher Leftwich 5, Kolby Watson 3, Kam McKnight 3, Isaac Johnson 2, Cam Taylor 1
ES: Luke Brown 18, Daniel Creech 11, Jordan Davis 11, Tyler Reeves 4, Colby Johnson 2, Folger Boaz 2, Jace Hazelwood 2
There is a multi-million dollar engine helping drive the economy of Surry County parked quietly alongside US Highway 52 that is consistently finding itself ranked among the best in the state.
In its 2022 State of Aviation Report, the North Carolina Department of Transportation distinguished the Mount Airy/Surry County Airport as among the top three general aviation airports statewide in all metrics creating an economic output last year for the county of $739.3 million.
“The Mount Airy/Surry County Airport has again been recognized for its tremendous economic impact on our community. According to just released data from the North Carolina Division of Aviation, our airport is a leader among general aviation airports in the state in the four economic rankings,” county officials said in a statement about the report.
MWK, the call sign designation for the Mount Airy/Surry County Airport, ranked in the top three in the metrics of economic output, local/state tax revenue, personal income, and number of jobs supported.
This is yet another feather in the cap of the airport and its director George Crater who manages the day-to-day operations of the facility, which is itself managed by an Airport Authority made up of seven members comprised of representatives of the county and the City of Mount Airy.
Some may be surprised to find a striking similarity of the ranked results from this study and the previously released numbers from 2020 that also showed the Mount Airy/Surry County airport in the top three in all four metrics.
MWK produced an economic output for this region totaling $739 million which was ranked second only to Smith Reynolds in Winston-Salem, which totaled $894 million in output. Smith Reynolds was also atop the leaderboard in 2020 report when its output was $814 million compared to MWK’s $691 million.
To determine the economic output of general aviation airports the report “quantified the impact of jobs supported by the airport directly, jobs supported by the businesses that rely on the airport, and the impact of visitors,” the state explained.
By comparison Charlotte Douglas International has the largest economic output of any of the commercial airports in the state yielding an astonishing $37 billion of the state’s total aviation economic output of $72.3 billion.
Take in to account that total factors in all air cargo, wages, rental cars, food, and lodging on site – offerings that most general aviation airport do not offer. MWK would like to change that, and Crater has described future improvements to the airport that will create a chance for MWK to be more than a pit-stop but a cozy destination for tourists and visiting business leaders to enjoy.
In terms of economic output, third place belongs to the Kinston Regional Jetport at North Carolina Global Transpark, which created $660 million in economic impact. It should be noted that jetport serves Foreign Trade Zone 214 and is found on a the campus of a 2,500 acre industrial park that was once Stallings Air Base.
The FTZ was formed in 1996 as essentially a free trade zone for foreign goods to enter the country, be assembled in the United States and then have taxes assessed when the products exit the zone to be sold. Needless to say, having a foreign trade zone is a far cry from the operation locally at MWK that is creating more of an economic output.
MWK achieved first place ranking in state/local tax revenue at $38.9 million, Kinston Regional Jetport ranked second at $33.8 million, and the Columbus County airport brought in $32.1 million in taxes.
Elizabeth City’s airport ranked first in both personal income and number of jobs supported. It is adjacent to a Coast Guard base and manager Scott Hinton said in 2021 the jobs number encompasses “Everything within the fence line at the airport, meaning that jobs at U.S. Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City, both civilian and Coast Guard, are included.”
For Surry County to again have the airport ranked so highly is good sign for its future health and growth. “We are pleased that the airport continues to support local business and industry in such a significant manner,” Airport Manager George Crater said.
“The consistent rankings from one cycle to another are indicators that our community continues to be a substantial center of commerce.”
“North Carolina’s aviation system continues driving the economy by connecting people, companies and communities to markets and destinations worldwide,” said Bobby Walston, director of the Department of Aviation, found within the state’s department of transportation.
Of the $72.3 billion dollar aviation industry in the state, $6.18 billion of that is created from general aviation airports and the MWK accounted for almost 12% of that figure.
The State of Aviation report was generated from the latest analyses of economic impacts from each of North Carolina’s public airports, as conducted by North Carolina State University’s Institute for Transportation Research and Education.
The observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday will be accompanied by interruptions in Mount Airy’s sanitation services.
This will include no yard waste collections in the city that day. The next such pickups are scheduled a week later on Jan. 23.
In addition, the holiday will affect the commercial garbage routes and the industrial roll-off route normally run on Monday.
Those routes are to be serviced on Tuesday instead.
Municipal offices will be closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
DOBSON — Two Lowgap residents are facing felony charges for allegedly desecrating the grave sites of Confederate veterans at a cemetery in that area last month, the Surry County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday afternoon.
Travis William Barker, 37, of 228 Barker Hollow Lane, and Tina Louise Lowe, 44, of 156 Sunshine Lane, are each accused of disturbing a casket/grave marker stemming from a Dec. 7 incident at the Cockerham Cemetery.
It is located at 218 Hanner Way, about a quarter-mile off the roadway in a wooded area.
“There’s around 30 graves in it, but there’s only about seven or eight there that are marked,” local Civil War historian Eldridge Easter said of the Cockerham Cemetery, with the rest designated by field stones.
Two of the marked graves were the ones targeted by those charged with the crime, the resting places of Confederate veterans Andrew A. Cockerham and Samuel Cockerham, according to Easter.
On Dec. 7 at about 4:30 p.m., the Surry County Sheriff’s Office received a call in reference to someone desecrating the grave sites, states an account released Wednesday by Sheriff Steve Hiatt.
The caller stated that the two Confederate grave spots had been damaged during the incident.
Deputy Melody Capper responded to the scene to investigate, locating tools used to disturb the sites.
During the investigation, Capper and a detective with the Surry Sheriff’s Office, Sydney Alderman, were able to identify Barker and Lowe as the individuals involved in damaging the cemetery, Wednesday’s announcement states.
Lowe was arrested relatively soon, on the day after the incident, and was held under a $5,000 secured bond.
However, Barker was not taken into custody until last Friday, by the Dobson Police Department, with a $10,000 secured bond set for him.
Lowe is facing a Feb. 15 appearance in Surry District Court, while Barker is to be in court next Wednesday.
Maj. Scott Hudson of the Surry County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that the desecration mainly was limited to the grave sites themselves, including the ground being disturbed, with no actual entry occurring to caskets or anything else of that magnitude.
He said the December crime marks the first time he has dealt with such a case during his law enforcement career spanning multiple decades.
“We don’t have this kind of incident that often,” Hudson said of law enforcement in general, including resting places of Confederate veterans or those of others.
The Surry Sheriff’s Office spokesman said he had not interrogated the two suspects and does not know the motive behind their alleged crime, including why they targeted the graves of former Confederates.
Easter, the local Civil War historian, “absolutely” believes those spots were singled out for that reason.
He says there are increasing numbers of such crimes occurring around the South. In addition to modern anti-Confederacy sentiments, Easter speculates that persons addicted to drugs might be involved who hope to unearth artifacts or souvenirs which could be sold.
No property was removed from the cemetery in Lowgap, Capt. Hudson said.
Easter is hoping the arrests of Barker and Lowe will serve to deter other such crimes.
Both Andrew A. Cockerham and Samuel Cockerham survived the Civil War, with Easter unsure of their relationship to each other with their remains located in the same family cemetery.
Andrew, who was born in 1838 and died in 1910, served with Company E of the 53rd North Carolina Regiment.
Samuel (April 1840-June 1927) was a private, a member of Company D with the 37th North Carolina Regiment.
Both men were in infantry regiments.
Will Hurley recently announced he was stepping down as the head coach of both the boys and girls soccer teams at Mount Airy High School.
“I just think it was time for a change,” Hurley said. “It wasn’t an easy decision to make, and it’s still weird to think about not coaching, but I’m good with the decision. I’m definitely going to miss the kids though.”
Hurley steps down with a combined record of 330-137-27 at Mount Airy, going 203-41-13 in boys soccer from 2012-2022, and 127-96-14 in girls from 2011-2022. He also won 41 games as the head coach at Midway High School between 2006-10, bringing Hurley’s career win total up to 371.
He was named Northwest 1A Conference Coach of the Year on six occasions – five times in boys soccer and once in girls. Hurley was also named Region Coach of the Year four times and was State Coach of the Year in 2017.
The coach always stressed to his players that they were like a family, and many of the teams used to break down huddles with the mantra.
“I’ve always believed that no matter what you’re doing, if you can surround yourself with great people great things can happen,” Hurley said. “We worked to create an environment that made people want to play and look forward to soccer season. We started kids camps and ran offseason workouts with [Carson-Newman University] coach Stephen Lyons, and I think that really set the pace for creating a family in our boys and girls programs.
“We had so many kids that would come out their junior or senior year and then say they wish they had played all four years because they loved their teammates. Hearing something like that means the world to me.”
A quote from Coach Hurley after winning his 250th career game (boys and girls soccer combined) in 2020 best embodies the type of environment he aimed for in both programs.
“The biggest thing overall was transforming [the program] into a family,” Hurley said. “I’ve had kids in the past that lose and honestly couldn’t have cared less. You know, I don’t like for kids to cry, but when they do, you realize it meant something to them. You’re coaching kids that want to win and want to play for something. They’re invested in one another and don’t want to let anyone down.”
The belief that soccer could bring people together as family applied to the coaching staff as well as Hurley was able to coach alongside his two sons, Holden and Wes. Holden was named State Assistant Coach of the Year twice, and Wes earned the honor once.
“That was really special,” Hurley said. “I don’t even know how to explain it, it was just so awesome to be able to bring them into it. I just thank the Lord for that. That’s meant a whole lot to me.”
Hurley also said a long coaching career wouldn’t be possible without his wife, Sandy.
“I really want to thank my wife who has been very, very supportive over the years,” Hurley said. “She relives every single play and game with me when I come home and watch film. She’ll come to the games in 100-degree weather and 30-degree weather. She’s always been there for me, so really special thanks to her.”
Coach Hurley originally came to the Granite City to coach the girls soccer team, taking over the program in the spring of 2011.
After going 6-11-1 and 8-11-1 in his first two seasons, Mount Airy finished at least .500 in nine of the next 10 seasons. The only exception was the 2020-21 coronavirus-shortened season, in which the Bears finished just below .500 at 5-7-1.
Mount Airy also posted double-digit wins in every full season from 2013-2022.
When Hurley won his 200th career game (boys and girls soccer combined) back in 2017, he said seeing the girls team progress every year made his milestone win that much more rewarding.
“Normally, accomplishments like this aren’t glamorous [to me],” Hurley said. “But it was special in the fact that when I first came here the girls were winning like three or four games a year. Then my first year we won six. We got a little bit better and won eight, and then we won 10.
“It was a tough achievement when you’re looking at eight games a year. So we’ve turned those things around and really turned a corner.”
The 2022 Lady Bears put their names in the history books by finishing 17-3-4. The team set school records for: most wins in a season (17), most consecutive matches without a loss (17; 13 wins and four ties), most shutouts (14) and fewest goals allowed in the regular season (17).
The 2022 girls also won the program’s first conference championship, and Hurley said the 2023 team has the skills and experience to contend for a repeat.
“They’ve got a lot of really awesome kids, and I mean that in terms of their skills on the field as well as their character,” Hurley said. “I think they’ll be successful. It won’t be easy, but I think they can win the conference and I’m encouraging them do to it.”
The Mount Airy boys soccer team became one of the most dominant programs in the state, especially during the latter half of Hurley’s tenure as head coach. The Bears won at least 15 matches in nine of Hurley’s 11 seasons with the boys, and one of the two exceptions – just like the girls team – was the 2020-21 abbreviated season.
Mount Airy still managed to finish 9-1-3 that year.
The Bears had successful teams throughout Hurley’s early years as coach, even going 22-1-2 in 2013 to set the school records for total wins and consecutive wins. However, the program turned a corner in 2017 and went on incredible runs year after year.
From 2017-2022, Mount Airy’s boys accumulated an overall record of 119 wins, 10 losses and five ties. All six of those Mount Airy teams won the Northwest 1A Conference Championship, tying for the title three times and winning it outright the other three. The Bears also haven’t lost a regular season match since 2019.
The Bears haven’t lost to a 1A traditional public school since 2016. The only 1A teams to defeat Mount Airy in the span were either public charters or non-boarding parochial schools.
The 2017 season also marked Mount Airy’s first of three appearances in the 1A West Regional Final. The Bears finished 1A West Regional Runners-up in 2017, 2019 and 2021, each time falling to one of the 1A non-boarding parochial schools.
The team that defeated Mount Airy went on to win the 1A State Championship in both 2017 and 2021.
Hurley’s squads would set school records one year and then broke their own records the following year. The current single-season school records for the team are:
Mount Airy has also had numerous players in both programs set records and receive top honors on both a state and national scale during Hurley’s time as coach.
“We’ve been blessed with an unbelievable group of kids over the years,” Hurley said. “That’s what it’s always been about: the kids. All the attention should go to them. They put in the work and made Mount Airy soccer what it is today.
“Being there to witness their success will stick with me forever, and I’m so thankful for that.”
Hurley said he wouldn’t name specific players because, “there are so many that someone really important would inevitably get left out.”
Some of the individual records set during Hurley’s time as coach are as follows.
PILOT MOUNTAIN — An improbable double-digit comeback in the fourth quarter helped lift North Surry over top-ranked East Surry on Jan. 9.
Greyhound junior Sadie Badgett scored 15 of her 18 total points in the fourth quarter and overtime. This included the game-tying 3-pointer with just two seconds left in regulation.
The Hounds stayed even or a step ahead of the Cards throughout the overtime period. North Surry freshman Kalyn Collins capped off a 19-point performance with a drive to the basket with 16 seconds on the clock, then East Surry’s potential game-winning 3-pointer failed to find the mark as North won 64-62.
Both teams’ performances at the free throw line kept North Surry in the game. The Cardinals shot 14-of-25 (56%) from the line, including 9-of-19 (47%) shooting in the fourth quarter and overtime. North Surry, meanwhile, made 19-of-22 (86%) total foul shots, including 16-of-17 (94%) in the fourth quarter and OT.
Badgett and Collins combined to make 10-of-10 free throws through the first 7:58 of the fourth quarter to help the Greyhounds close the gap. Badgett was fouled when she knocked down her 3-pointer to make it 54-54 with two seconds left in regulation, but missed the free throw that would’ve put the Hounds ahead for the first time since the second quarter.
Badgett did manage to grab her own rebound, her seventh of the game, after the miss and had a chance to put the game away with a buzzer beater that fell short.
Collins made two free throws to start overtime and give the Greyhounds the lead. East Surry’s Bella Hutchens missed her first shot of the double bonus less than 30 seconds later, then East Surry was called for a lane violation on the second shot. East made up for the blunder when Brooklyn Gammons evened the game up at 56.
East missed another two free throws after Reece Niston scored for North, but a Gammons steal led to two more opportunities at the free throw line. Gammons made both to once again even the score.
The trend of North Surry scoring two points and East Surry retaliating continued into the final few seconds of play. Cardinal freshman Izzy Cline went 2-for-2 from the stripe with 27 seconds left in overtime to tie the game at 62, then Collins attacked the basket to put the Hounds up with 16 seconds to play.
East Surry ran up the floor as the home team was out of timeouts. The Cards struggled to get to the basket, eventually settling for a Cline 3-pointer that sailed off target as the final buzzer sounded.
The loss is East Surry’s second of the season and the team’s first since Nov. 19. North Surry’s victory – which served as the team’s fifth consecutive win – breaks East Surry’s eight-game winning streak.
East Surry built up its original lead by pounding the ball inside. The Cardinals used their height advantage and scored all but two of their first-half field goals within 10 feet of the hoop.
Hutchens, who finished with a 20 point, 11 rebound double-double, scored 19 of her points through the first three quarters. Hutchens and Merry Parker Boaz, who scored a game-high 23 points, combined to score 30 points in just the second and third quarters.
A 3-pointer from Badgett cut East Surry’s lead to 28-26 with 6:27 left in the third quarter, then East Surry went on a 13-3 run. East outscored North 19-9 in the third quarter to go up 45-35 at the start of the fourth quarter.
The final quarter of regulation began with Collins making two free throws for North and East’s Maggy Sechrist scoring off an offensive rebound. The Cardinals won the overall rebounding battle 25-22 and grabbed 14 offensive rebounds to the Hounds’ four.
North then went on an 8-0 run over the next 2:11 of game time, consisting of a Niston elbow jumper and six free throws from Badgett. Boaz scored for East Surry to end a dry spell of nearly three minutes, then Badgett turned around and made two more free throws. The Hounds eventually tied things up at 51-51 with 2:40 to play, marking the first tie since the second quarter.
East Surry missed six consecutive free throws after scoring its 51st point. East’s defense kept North Surry from scoring for 2:38 of game time, but the Cards couldn’t make a field goal to cement their victory.
Hutchens ended the streak of missed free throws by knocking down her second of two foul shots with 55 seconds to play, then Boaz went 2-of-2 from the line with 13 seconds to play. North’s Callie Robertson found Badgett in the corner for the game-tying 3-pointer that would force overtime and give North the shot it needed to secure the win.
East Surry drops to 8-2 overall and 2-1 in the Foothills 2A Conference, while North Surry improves to 9-4 overall and 5-0 in conference play.
North Surry, the defending FH2A Conference Champions, now hold full control of first place. Forbush is second at 3-1, followed by East Surry at 2-1 and North Wilkes at 2-2. The bottom three teams are Wilkes Central at 1-4, Surry Central at 0-2 and West Wilkes at 0-3.
Collins led North Surry in scoring with 19 points. Badgett led the way in two categories with seven rebounds and five steals, and she and Collins each had one block. Sarah Mauldin dished out a team-high four assists.
Boaz led East Surry in scoring with 23 points. Hutchens was second in scoring with 20 points while leading the Cards in rebounds (11), assists (4) and blocks (1). Addie Phipps led East in steals with five.
NS: Kalyn Collins 19, Sadie Badgett 18, Reece Niston 13, Sarah Mauldin 9, Josie Tompkins 5
ES: Merry Parker Boaz 23, Bella Hutchens 20, Brooklyn Gammons 8, Addie Phipps 4, Grace Phillips 3, Maggy Sechrist 2, Izzy Cline 2
Students in Surry Community College’s Professional Development course recently held an end-of-semester breakfast and roundtable discussion with staff and faculty members.
Students in the class, taught by Marsha Underwood, spent the semester focusing on professional social interactions and meal etiquette. Eight college faculty and staff members were invited to share breakfast with the students, as well as discuss the topic of student advising at the college.
Underwood commended her students on their work at this event, saying, “As these students are early on in their college experience, we thought this would be a great chance to gather feedback for the college’s Quality Enhancement Plan topic of student advising. This was also a chance for the students to show off the skills they learned this semester.”
Students who participated in the class and event include Angelica Cortes and Vanessa Lowe of Dobson; Caitlin Grubb of Mount Airy; Kody Ballou of Pilot Mountain; Sofia Grande and Jessica Sonato-Sixtos of Surry County.
Registration is open for spring courses at Surry Community College. For questions about college application, financial aid, or class registration, contact Student & Workforce Services at 336-386-3264 or studentservices@surry.edu.
Jessi Seat’s Shoals Elementary School kindergarten students wrote and published their own book—starting with drafting and writing and then adding illustrations.
“Parents were able to join in on a very special author’s breakfast to celebrate these young authors,” school officials said of the celebration.
ARARAT, Va. — The Ararat Ruritan Club celebrated its 70th anniversary over the weekend with a special guest in attendance to help mark that occasion.
Ruritan National President Glen Broadwater was among those gathering Saturday afternoon for the event held at the club building on Ararat Highway.
The Ararat Ruritan Club was chartered on Jan. 9, 1953, being sponsored by another club at the opposite end of Patrick County in the Critz community.
That early group in Ararat had 29 members, mostly farmers, with an honorary roll call of those individuals conducted as part of Saturday’s festivities to mark 70 years of serving the community.
Those initial members’ mission of making it a better place to work and live continues today through an active membership that has made its mark in a number of ways.
“It’s the most wonderful thing,” Broadwater said while mingling with those attending the event.
Not only is the 70-year milestone important to commemorate, said the 2022 Ruritan national president — who will step down from that post later this month. It’s also a time to reflect on what the club has done for the corner of the world which it serves.
And that can be assessed by posing a key question, added Broadwater, who lives in Nickelsville in Scott County in the far-western corner of Virginia:
“What would the community be like without you?”
The Ararat Ruritan Club is engaged in a variety of service projects, which 2023 President Pam Smith says is a way of carrying out the goals envisioned by the original members and maintaining their legacy.
It has mounted fundraisers to support community causes including the Patrick County Food Bank, a county backpack program and a Home Alone effort that serves residents in the Willis Gap and Ararat areas.
One noteworthy project emerged at the height of the coronavirus pandemic which met a need created when local students were kept at home and could not attend schools where they normally received free breakfasts and lunches.
The Ruritans mobilized to provide bags of food for the youths.
And recently when a cold snap brought record temperatures to the area, the club opened the doors to its building to provide safe, warm shelter for folks lacking that.
Saturday’s festivities included the serving of cake and ice cream to commemorate the anniversary and a large array of memorabilia on display to highlight the club’s storied history.
Broadwater pointed out that the Ararat club is one of more than 900 in the national Ruritan organization that has nearly 25,000 members throughout the United States altogether.
Surry Community College is offering Advanced EMT Feb. 13 through May 24, with an orientation scheduled for Jan. 18 at 9 a.m. The orientation and class sessions will be held at the Yadkin Center, 1001 College Drive, Yadkinville.
The course is for EMTs wishing to continue their education to Advanced EMT. Students will learn essential advanced skills including advanced airways, intravenous therapy, IV medications, ECG monitor basics, and more.
This Hybrid AEMT course consists of online course work; in-class didactic (lecture/labs/practicals); and EMS, ED, respiratory clinical rotations. In-class will be offered on a Monday/Wednesday flip/flop schedule from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. where students will choose one day each week to attend.
The prerequisites are an active EMT credential; high school diploma or high school equivalency; completed physical/immunization form provided by SCC; drug screen/background check; and entrance assessment exam including sections on English, math and EMT.
Interested applicants should register on signupgenius.com at bit.ly/SCCaemt. Direct questions to Kenneth vaught, scc coordinator of emergency medical program, at 336-386-3633 or vaughtk@surry.edu. learn more about emergency medical service courses at SCC at facebook.com/surryems.
The college is offering two notary classes this month.
The first course section will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 17 and Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Yadkin Center. The second course section will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Yadkin Center.
Notary Public courses prepares students to become a Notary Public in North Carolina. Topics include notary qualifications, guidelines, and processes for notarizing documents. After passing the course test, students are eligible to submit an application to the Secretary of State to become a notary.
Tuition for this course is $71. For information about this class or to register, call the Yadkin Center at 336-386-3580.
Two new businesses have joined the lineup of occupants at Mayberry Mall in Mount Airy, one that is replacing a previous tenant with a similar name which closed there in 2021.
Leases with Bargain Bins and Myobody Studio were disclosed Friday by Taylor Massey, marketing director of WRS Inc., a real estate investment firm based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, which bought the local shopping center in February 2019.
The bargain store opened Friday at the mall, with Myobody Studio having done so previously.
“Bargain Bins replaces Bin City Bargains as a family-owned liquidation company featuring products from major online retailers, as well as big box department stores,” Massey explained. That terminology from the WRS spokesman is almost identical to that accompanying the opening of Bin City (also listed as BinCity) Bargains at the mall in July 2021.
“It’s totally different,” Marty Miller, a store spokesman, said Saturday afternoon of the distinction between the two stores.
“Be sure to put that in there,” Miller stressed regarding including that fact in an article about the Bargain Bins opening.
The store was packed with customers Saturday. And 275 people were lined up for its opening Friday morning, according to Miller, who is office manager there.
The earlier Bin City Bargains store had shut its doors in October 2021, about three months after opening, with competition from a growing number of similar retailers cited as a reason.
As its name implies, Bargain Bins offers merchandise in a bin-type setting at reduced prices.
Though announced just last Friday to the Mount Airy News, WRS actually had leased a 20,243-square-foot retail space to Bargain Bins in October 2022, with a 1,258 square-foot section leased to Myobody Studio in December.
Information from Massey describes the Myobody operation as “a high-energy group fitness studio that focuses on HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and functional training exercises to promote a healthy lifestyle.”
The concept has gone over well so far, according to a statement from Joshua Claybook, the owner and operator of Myobody Studio, as relayed to WRS Inc.
“My family is over the moon with joy from the level of support we have received from our community,” Claybrook said.
“We hope to bring a brand of exercise and wellness to Mount Airy that is energetic, scientifically proven, safe, personal and most of all, compassionate,” he added.
“It has been a lifelong passion of ours to help others to learn the many health benefits of living a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and exercise.”
As the latest tenants to enter into leases at Mayberry Mall, Bargain Bins and Myobody Studio are joining an existing array of retailers including Belk, Hobby Lobby, Shoe Department Encore, Enmar Accessories and LA Nails.
It recently was announced that one longtime occupant, a Hallmark store with a 40-year history there, would be closing this month.
There is much more space to be occupied and WRS Inc. continues to actively seek new retailers and restaurateurs to operate at the recently redeveloped mall.
Based on events of the past six years, there was a good chance the shopping center located in the area of U.S. 52-North and Frederick Street wouldn’t even be around at all today.
After opening in the late 1960s, Mayberry Mall eventually fell into the hands of a New York owner and into disrepair.
Structural problems were ignored that came to a head in 2017, which local governmental officials said threatened public safety and eventually prompted them to plan for its demolition.
WRS Inc. stepped in at a critical point to buy the mall and initiate major renovations to achieve its present status as a viable business location.
The Pilot Mountain Civic Club officially installed new officers for 2023 at its first meeting in January. The new officers are Michael Warren as president, vice president Mike Russell, Donna Kiger as treasurer and Meagan Hutchens as secretary.
Wayne Smith, a past president and charter member, conducted the installation ceremony. He recognized the outgoing officers and thanked them on behalf of the club for their service. In the selection of new officers, he cited their leadership, contributions, and service provided as well as the support from the club membership. Referencing the by-laws and responsibilities of each position, he administered the oath of office and obtained their pledge of service to the club in serving our community. The new officers were congratulated by the members.
As the new president, Warren presented a plaque to outgoing president Michelle Fallin in recognition of her four years as president. “Her leadership, creativity, forward vision, and true caring for our community has been key in the club’s success,” officials with the club said.
“Under the new leadership, the club is excited to continue the purpose of the civic club of promoting civic pride, establishing public unity, obtaining needed improvements and providing aide to our community,” they said.
DANBURY — Despite a game-high 27 points from Mount Airy senior Morgan Mayfield, North Stokes was able to stave off a fourth quarter comeback and win 46-41 on Jan. 6.
The win broke North Stokes’ 39-game losing streak against Mount Airy that dated back to the 2004-05 season.
“I’ve told the girls all year that we need to compete in every game and most importantly finish it,” said Viking coach Scott Smith. “During that last timeout, I told the girls that we need a leader to step up and that we weren’t going to lose this game. I’m proud of them, they played hard and finished.
“It’s pretty special to beat a team like Mount Airy that’s always at the top of the conference every year. Our team is special, special kids, special parents, and I’m just along for the ride.”
Mount Airy held its largest lead of the game at 7-2 following an inside basket by Da’nya Mills. The Vikings were able to close the gap on Tela Wright’s score and took an 8-7 lead before Mayfield’s free throws gave the Bears a 9-8 edge after the first quarter of play.
Trailing 12-8, the Vikings reeled off 12 consecutive points and took a 20-15 lead into the locker room at the half. North Stokes outscored the Bears 12-6 in the quarter with four different players scoring. Leigha Wyrick led the way with five points.
Mayfield paced the Bears in the first half with 13 points that included a 3-pointer right before the halftime horn.
Mayfield added the Bears’ first five points of the third period and cut the deficit to 21-20, but that would be as close as the visitors would get the remainder of the game.
Wright’s free throw and Wyrick’s 3-pointer pushed the Viking advantage back to 25-20, and then another 6-0 run put the home team up 37-27 as the quarter ended.
North Stokes largest lead of the game was 41-28 with more than five minutes to play in the contest, but the reigning Northwest 1A Conference champs had one more push in them. Trailing 43-32, the Bears went on a 9-0 run with Alissa Clabo’s three-pointer making it a two-point game with more than a minute left in the game.
Freshman Gabbi Greer secured the win for the Lady Vikings by making 3-of-4 free throws in the final seconds.
North Stokes out-rebounded Mount Airy 33-31. Both teams committed 16 turnovers.
Caroline Mabe and Lexie Knight led the Vikings with 10 points each, Wyrick chipped in nine, and Greer had seven points and 10 rebounds.
Helping Mayfield in the scoring efforts for the Bears were Clabo with six, Mills with four, and Addie Marshall and Jalaya Revels with two points each.
North Stokes improves to 10-6 overall and 3-1 in league play, while Mount Airy drops to 7-3 and 2-1 in league play.
The Vikings will travel to East Wilkes (9-3) on Jan. 10, and then host county-rival South Stokes on Jan. 13. The Bears’ next game is on Friday at Elkin (2-11).
Scoring (free throws in parentheses)
Mount Airy: Alissa Clabo 6 (1-4), Addie Marshall 2 (0-0), Morgan Mayfield 27 (7-9), Da’nya Mills 4 (0-1), Jalaya Revels 2 (0-2). Totals 41 (8-16); 3-pointers (3) – Clabo, Mayfield (2).
North Stokes: Caroline Mabe 10 (2-7), Lexie Knight 10 (0-2), Lydia Cook 2 (0-0), Gabbi Greer 7 (3-7), Kathryn Collins 2 (0-0), Leigha Wyrick 9 (1-1), Tela Wright 6 (1-3). Totals 46 (7-20); 3-pointers (5) – Knight (2), Wyrick (2), Wright.
Records: Mount Airy 7-3 (2-1 NW1A); North Stokes 10-6 (3-1 NW1A)
DANBURY — Strong performances from North Stokes’ Samuel Collins and Will Greer led the Vikings over Mount Airy on Jan. 6.
Collins scored 22 points and Will Greer had a big game with 16 points and 12 rebounds as North Stokes defeated Mount Airy 71-47. North Stokes, ranked No. 4 in the 1A West in the NCHSAA RPI rankings, improves to 14-2 overall and 4-0 in the Northwest 1A Conference game.
The Bears’ Mario Revels hit his first of seven 3-pointers in the contest to give his team an early 3-0 advantage. Two free throws by Collins cut into the deficit, but then another 3-pointer by Logan Fonville gave the visitors a 6-2 edge.
With the Bears up 8-4, the Vikings went on a tear by scoring the game’s next 15 points. Collins scored eight points during the stretch with Mount Airy committing four turnovers. Fonville broke the scoring drought for the visitors, and Taeshon Martin’s long-distance shot from behind the arc cut the North Stokes advantage to 19-14 after the first quarter.
The Vikings grew their largest lead of the first half to 36-24 before Tyler Mason’s field goal drew the Bears deficit to 36-26 at halftime.
North Stokes went up 47-34 in the third quarter, but another Mount Airy run led by Mason and Revels’ 3-pointers cut the score to 47-42 in the last minute of the period. The Vikings’ Michael Mabe’s quick score gave the home team a 49-42 lead with one quarter to play.
The Mean Green put the Bears to rest early in the fourth quarter. Collins, Mabe, and Cole Hicks hit 3-pointers to ignite a 19-0 run, giving the Vikings a 70-45 advantage and causing both coaches to empty their benches in the last minute of the game.
North Stokes shot 62% (30-of-48) from the field and outrebounded the Bears 33-30. Helping Collins and Greer’s offensive efforts were Mabe’s 11 points and Wood’s nine. Collins led the team in assists (four) and steals (four).
Revels paced Mount Airy with 21 points, and Fonville and Mason had eight and seven points respectively.
The Vikings improved its record to 14-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play. The Bears dropped to 2-7 overall and 0-3 in league play. North Stokes will travel to East Wilkes (5-7) on Tuesday and host county-rival South Stokes (10-6, 4-0) on Friday. Mount Airy will play at Elkin on Friday at 8 p.m.
Scoring (free throws in parentheses)
Mount Airy: Zach Goins 2 (0-0), Mario Revels 21 (0-0), Taeshon Martin 5 (0-0), Tyler Mason 7 (0-0), Logan Fonville 8 (3-6), Caleb Reid 4 (0-0). Totals 47 (3-6); 3-pointers (10) – Revels (7), Martin, Mason, Fonville.
North Stokes: Brandon Shemo 5 (0-2), Jamison Wood 9 (0-0), Bryce Hairston 2 (0-0), Samuel Collins 22 (2-4), Kaiden Deskins 1 (1-2), Cole Hicks 5 (0-0), Michael Mabe 11 (0-1), Will Greer 16 (2-2). Totals 71 (5-11); 3-pointers (6) – Shemo, Wood, Collins (2), Hicks, Mabe.
Records: Mount Airy 2-7 (0-3); North Stokes 14-2 (4-0)
Will every place in the world eventually be connected by some giant pathway? While that sounds far-fetched, a movement is now underway to study the possibility of linking municipalities in Surry County via paved trails and sidewalks.
As part of that concept, the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 last Thursday night in favor of a resolution of support for the long-range connection of greenways in the county.
Specifically, the city will be partnering with an entity known as the Northwest Piedmont Rural Planning Organization to seek a feasibility study grant. If awarded, the funds would be used to help identify potential routes to connect Mount Airy to Dobson and Mount Airy to Pilot Mountain through the paved trails/sidewalk network.
The resolution approved Thursday states that city officials realize neighboring municipalities and communities in Surry hope to develop trail systems. And it is their desire to link those here with other sections of the county along with recreational areas and surrounding trail systems, it adds.
“By all means, I think this is a big-picture dream plan to be able to connect communities,” Assistant City Manager Darren Lewis, Mount Airy’s former parks and recreation director, said in follow-up comments after the board’s action.
“But there is no question it is being done all across the country,” Lewis added. “And if they can do it, why can’t we?”
“The benefits of this project are numerous and include quality-of-life improvements, community-wide health benefits, access to key amenities, the increase of tourism and economic development and the increase of property values,” the city government resolution says.
Lewis acknowledged the long-range nature of the concept actually taking shape, due to the detailed, time-consuming process involved with acquiring easements for and constructing trails.
For example, it has taken more than 20 years for Mount Airy to realize its Granite City Greenway, beginning with the opening in 2001 of the Emily B. Taylor segment along Lovills Creek.
The system now contains 6.6 continuous miles, to soon be joined by a 1.3-mile extension.
Money for the study to explore possible links elsewhere is being sought from the state Integrated Mobility Division Paved Trails and Sidewalks Feasibility Program.
Lewis said Mount Airy’s involvement in that process could help in securing grants for construction of connecting routes.
A victory over South Stokes has East Surry riding its longest winning streak since the 2020-21 Covid-shortened season.
The Cardinals defeated South Stokes 73-29 on Jan. 6 for East Surry’s eighth consecutive win. This surpasses East’s longest winning streak of the 2021-22 season, seven games, making it the program’s most since the 2020-21 Cards started 13-0.
The 44-point win is also East Surry’s largest margin of victory since the pandemic season when the Cards defeated Clover Garden 75-30.
Everything went the way of the home team as East posted its: highest scoring output of the season (73), second-highest field goal percentage (52%), second-highest 3-point shooting percentage (39%), second-most rebounds (35), second-most assists (18) and second-fewest turnovers (11) in a game this season.
East Surry (8-1), the No. 1 team in the 2A West via the NCHSAA’s RPI rankings, went straight to the basket early on. A jump shot from Addie Phipps and two free throws from Merry Parker Boaz were East Surry’s only three points scored outside the paint in the first quarter.
Bella Hutchens, who tied Boaz for the most points in the game with 17, scored eight first-quarter points. Hutchens nearly had a double-double with nine rebounds, while Boaz led the Cards with three steals and tied for the team’s most assists with five.
Despite its final shooting percentage being one of the team’s best all season, East Surry missed its first six 3-point attempts – all coming in the first quarter. South Stokes’ Rebecca Amos actually made the first triple of the game, but that would be the Sauras’ only 3-pointer of the night.
The second quarter was a different story as the Cardinals made 4-of-7 3-pointers in a span of just over four minutes. East shot 7-of-12 from deep over the second and third quarters after starting 0-of-6; the Cards didn’t attempt a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.
Haley Tyndall scored for South (6-6) to cut the East lead to 18-9 with 5:36 to play in the second quarter. Grace Phillips then knocked down the Cardinals’ first 3-pointer of the game off an assist from Brooklyn Gammons, who tied Boaz with five assists.
Gammons matched her five assists with a career-high five 3-pointers. The senior already had three games making four 3-pointers this season after four such games in her first three years with the varsity Cardinals.
In a stark contrast to the first quarter, East Surry didn’t score a single point in the paint in the second quarter: Boaz and Izzy Cline each made jump shots from the top of the key, Gammons made three 3-pointers, Phillips had one triple, and Boaz and Cline each made a free throw as part of an 18-point quarter.
East Surry’s also had five steals in the second quarter, holding South to just one field goal through the first 6:13 of game time.
South came out of halftime and scored on back-to-back possessions for the first time as Savannah Wilson, who led the Sauras with 14 points, scored on a pair of layups. Wilson scored 10 points in the third quarter after South only scored 13 as a team in the first half.
Despite South Stokes’ best offense of the game, it wasn’t enough to close the gap as East Surry had its best offensive quarter as well. Gammons made her next two 3-point attempts, and Emory Anderson joined Gammons by making her first basket from downtown.
Phipps scored the first three Cardinal points of the quarter, and then Boaz and Hutchens combined for 10 as East once again pounded the ball inside.
East Surry went up 53-21 late in the quarter when an all freshmen lineup took the floor, consisting of: Anderson, Cline, Maggy Sechrist, Addyson Boaz and Addison Green.
The game went to a running clock after East Surry started the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run.
SS: Savannah Wilson 14, Rebecca Amos 6, Sage Stovall 5, Haley Tyndall 2, Abby Cain 2
ES: Bella Hutchens 17, Merry Parker Boaz 17, Brooklyn Gammons 15, Addie Phipps 5, Emory Anderson 5, Addison Green 4, Maggy Sechrist 4, Izzy Cline 3, Grace Phillips 3
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