At Home | Fall 2014

Fall 2014

WHAT’S INSIDEOld Mill remains vibrant 5

The rich history of Laughlin School 6

Key “Did you knows?” for homeowners 8

Roadwork in progress 10

Unique custom birdhouses 12Outdoor living spaces 24

How a town evolved around a train depot 26

Unique custom birdhouses Unique custom birdhouses

How a town evolved How a town evolved

View our award-winning work online

Smith Mountain Lake, VA

Also offering:

(336) 643-4219 | www.DisneyCustomHomes.com

www.smlcottages.com

From the beginning, Disney Construction has been a family business. We take pride in our hands-on craftsmanship, which allows us to incorporate your vision and ideas with our design expertise. “Quality, Experience, Detail” is our trademark. Let us create your dream home in one of the neighborhoods we’re currently building in – or wherever you want to be!

Designed just for you with quality craftsmanship for over 30 years

We don’t just build houses, we design lifestyles. Whether you’re remodeling or building new, we take the time to listen to you and help you decide which design and features best meet your needs.

I’m a craftsman who takes personal pride in every project, and I spend a lot of time at the site doing much of the work myself.

My wife, Casey, is our full-time designer and has a talent for working alongside our clients to determine the best look for their home. We would love the opportunity to speak with you about your building and remodeling needs.”

David F landersowner

A different kind of builderfor a DIFFERENT KIND OF HOME

(336) 362-2234 | www.buildersmd.com | facebook.com/buildersmd

Lots available in Riverside, Heron’s Nest & Jessup Ridge

4 Fall 2014

Ramilya Siegel CRS, GRI, ABR, CDPE, Realtor®

Chairman’s Circle Award

(336) 215-9856 [email protected]

/RamilyaSiegel

Excellence

Enthusiasm

Experience

Best Real Estate Agents

•••Your local real estate expert

to buy or sell since 1996

contact us(336) 644-7035 • info@pscommunications- inc.com

location: 1616 NC 68 North • Oak Ridge, NC 27310mail: PO Box 268 • Oak Ridge, NC 27310

visit us onlinewww.pscommunications- inc.com

At Home, a little of this and thatIn planning the edito-

rial content for our fall at Home in northwest Guilford County, we naturally wanted to include articles about

homeownership and living spaces.

But most would agree that our home extends to the community we’ve chosen to live in, so with all the road construction underway in our area, we also wanted to incorporate an overview of the I-73 project, the widening of U.S. 220, and other current and potential road and intersection projects coming down the pike that will greatlyaffect our northwest community.

And finally, we welcomed the opportu-nity to touch on some of the rich history that our northwest communities share.

Just as with our weekly community newspaper, the Northwest Observer, our staff has worked hard behind the scenes to bring you a publication that is full of articles we hope you’ll find interesting, informative and entertaining, and to find the advertisers to make this publication possible so that we can bring it to you free-of-charge.

And as so often is the case, we ran out of room long before we ran out of ideas for stories about yesterday and today, and glimpses of what’s to come, so we prom-ise to bring you more of the same when we return with our spring at Home.

We hope you enjoy,

Patti Stokes, president/ownerPS Communications

brought to you by

publisher of the

Fall 2014 5

Interior & Exterior • Residential • Commercial • CarpentryFront Door Refinishing • Cabinet Painting • Wallpaper Removal

Pressure Washing • Deck Staining • Mildew RemovalReferences Available | Licensed & Insured | All Work Guaranteed

David & Judy Long, owners

BEK Paint Company

931-0600 | www.BEKPaintCompany.com

FREE in-home consultation!(336) 880-3845www.deepriverclosets.com

ORGANIZED SOLUTIONSfor closet, pantry, garage, office & more | design & installation

Photo by Kristin Kubly

Owner Amy Klug and volunteer Carola Schroederbag mill products to ship countrywide.

by KRISTIN KUBLY

Visitors traveling north on N.C. 68 into Oak Ridge are treated to a welcome sight when they pass by the picturesque Old Mill of Guilford and its iconic red wheel.

Owned by Amy and Darrell Klug since 2008, the mill long ago became an icon of Oak Ridge, and proudly ap-pears on its town seal.

But though most local residents are aware of the mill’s rich history, many don’t realize the unique products the mill offers for sale.

“There are still quite a few people who don’t know that we’re a working mill with

‘Mill family’ ensuresOld Mill of Guilford remains a vibrant enterprise

a country store,” says Amy Klug. “Some people think we’re just a working mill. A lot of people think we’re just a museum.”

In fact, the Old Mill of Guilford is one of the oldest operating mills in the country.

The mill dates back to 1767, when Daniel Dillon built a public grist mill on the Reedy Fork of the Haw River at the mouth of Beaver Creek. Legend has it that the mill was seized in 1781 by General Corn-wallis on his way to fight General Greene at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.

The second owner, Joel Sanders, bought the mill for $900 in 1808 and in 1819 moved the mill 500 feet down-

stream to its current location. He also built a new dam across the creek in or-der to increase the size of the millpond.

In the succeeding years, the mill changed hands and underwent several renovations, including replacing the

water wheel in 1913 with a turbine. A major challenge occurred in 1932,

when N.C. 68 was built between the dam and the mill. This forced the owner

continued on page 20

6 Fall 2014

2130 New Garden Road, [email protected] | Open Mon-Fri 10-6 & Sat 10-5

www.totalblissonline.com

Home decor • GiftsCustom silk florals

featuring Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan

Home decor Home decor Home decor

Building transformed from”colored school” to high-tech

teacher training center

by KRISTIN KUBLY

SUMMERFIELD – Enter the Laughlin Professional Development Center on Summerfield Road, and you will see tech-nology-laden rooms dedicated to training a new generation of teachers. Look a little closer, however, and you’ll see the creaky wood floors, old metal hand sinks and ‘50s-style checkerboard tile that are testament to several past generations of children who were educated there.

What is now a high-tech teacher training center was originally home to

Laughlin SchoolLaughlin School, the first in northwest Guilford County to formally educate African-American children.

For 145 years, its students experienced continuous and monumental change, including post-slavery reconstruction, the civil rights movement, integration and the explosive growth of Summerfield.

When the building was transformed into Laughlin Development Center in 2012, Linda Zenns, an induction support coach, researched and wrote a history of the school. What she expected would take an afternoon to complete ended up taking months and becaming a labor of love.

To compile information for her project, Zenns did library research, spoke with for-mer students and even visited graveyards.

has rich historyFor 145 years, its students experienced

has rich historyLaughlin School

has rich historyLaughlin School

Photo courtesy ofLinda Southard

Gary Clark, left, and his brother James Clark, right, stand on the steps of the origi-nal entrance to Laughlin School. The Clark brothers were students at Laughlin School

in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Gary Clark, who went on to become a successful fi nancial investor

and author, was a member of Laughlin’slast graduating class in 1965.

“It was just bits and pieces, but then it all kind of came together,” Zenns said. “It was an adventure, but I loved every minute of it.”

Post-Civil War era:Sabbath school

Laughlin School’s roots trace back to the area’s first Sabbath school, which

Fall 2014 7

Sponsored by:

Saturday & Sunday, October 11-12 & 18-19 • 1-5pmAdmission is FREE

Parade of Homes magazines areavailable at the Parade homes as well

as area Harris Teeter and Lowe’s Home Improvement stores

Use our smart phone app or the mobile website to map your tour

Debbie BarrowVice President | Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLSR #: 659011

628 Green Valley Road, Greensboro(336) 373-5156 office(336) 337-2335 [email protected]

suntrustmortgage.com/dbarrow


was created in 1866.

“Sabbath schools were all over the South,” said Zenns. “They were called that because the freedmen would use the churches to educate their children during the week, and then they would have church on Sunday.”

The Sabbath school in Summerfield opened in the present Peace United Methodist Church on Scalesville Road with 21 male students and 22 females.

Two Quaker women from Pennsylva-nia traveled to Summerfield to teach the children of former slaves. Unfortunately, they were scared away after the Ku Klux Klan paid a visit to their boarding house.

But the school continued, and some-time in the early twentieth century, it got its own facility – a two-room building with no electricity and wood stoves for heat-ing. Along with its new location at the

corner of Summerfield Road and Oak Ridge Road (which is now the parking lot for Summerfield Town Hall), it also got a new name: Summerfield School.

Depression and war:Summerfield Colored School

As the area’s population of African-American children grew, so did the need for a larger school that offered high school classes. The Guilford County Schools Board of Education agreed to build a school in Summerfield that would serve students of color in both Summerfield and Oak Ridge.

The Summerfield Colored School opened in 1934, during the height of the Depression, with five teachers and about 190 students. The school served first grad-ers through seniors, all in a brick building

Inset: Hundreds of children climbed the steps of Laughlin School’soriginal entrance. Above: The inviting new entrance to the LaughlinProfessional Development Center leads visitors to this breezeway,which enters into the offi ce.

Photos byKristin Kubly

8 Fall 2014

(336) 643-4248

Happy Fall! www.ANewDawnRealty.com

EveryoneWe Help

SELLERS & BUYERS& BUYERS&

Petsittingin your home

In your absence, schedule walks,play-dates, feeding, medication

and extra belly rubs with

Spoil•Me•Rotten ANIMAL CARE, INC.

Whatever you want for your pets

Nancy Brooks, PSI MemberCelebrating 19 years in business

(336) 643-5242


Did you know?

Know your boundariesBarbara Hall, managing partner with Triad Land Surveying in Kernersville, recalls a conversation regarding the importance of getting a survey on a piece of property an acquaintance was purchasing – before closing on the deal. He decided against it. Later on, she heard from him again – right after he found out half of the house on the property he had purchased was on someone else’s land. A professional land survey would have revealed this startling news before the property purchase rather than after.

While this is one of the more extreme cases, Hall says she hears similar things all the time. Someone builds a driveway, a fence or a building on another person’s property, or a buyer purchases a house thinking that the portion of lawn the former owner was maintaining was theirs when most of it belonged to the neighbor.

“Whether you use us or someone else, I highly suggest you get a survey,” says Hall. “Everybody needs to use every pos-sible resource to find out everything they can about a property before closing.”

As an alternative to a survey, people mistakenly rely on sellers or real estate agents to show them the boundaries of a property. Or, they’ll decide to do it them-selves using a metal detector to find the metal posts that mark the corners of the

by ANNETTE JOYCE

When it comes to buying or owninga home, there are a lot of issues that may

be minor, but have the potential to become major problems down the road. With a bit of knowledge and a few precautions, you can

avoid a lot of hassle and save time,money and heartache later on.

property. These people, as the old saying goes, “are playing with fire.”

Ronald D. Ingle, Jr., attorney at Ingle Law, PLLC in Oak Ridge, agrees with Hall that surveys are a must. The only time Ingle says a survey would not be needed is if the previous owner had a recent survey done.

Hall points out that the lack of a sur-vey could negate benefits offered by title insurance should a disagreement arise involving boundary issues. “If you don’t get a survey, you cannot get a title policy that addresses issues of survey,” she says.

“Title insurance protects the lender from any title issues relating to the prop-erty that a survey would disclose, but not the owner,” adds Ingle.

Cashing in on home equity

Home equity lines are often late-in-the-game revelations that can throw a wrench into an otherwise stress-free closing or refinance.

With a home equity line, a borrower uses the equity in his home as collateral for the loan. This creates a lien against

the house and is essentially a second mortgage.

Having a balance on an equity line is usually not an issue as long as the attorney and lender know about it and the homeowner will have the money to pay it off at closing. However, there are many people who are not aware that the balance on this loan must be paid in full and the account closed before the property closing takes place.

Then there are those who have an equity line and have never used it, have for-gotten that they have one or maybe never even realized there was one attached to their home. Regardless, all equity lines must be closed before any property transfer.

Not dealing with equity lines upfront can cause delays in closing. Keep in mind that the way in which the equity lines are closed can vary. For some lenders, it simply takes a trip to the bank and a few minutes. With others, it might require a few days to do paperwork.

Paid in full... or not

Jon and Rachel were only a couple of days from closing on their current home and were looking forward to moving into their new home on the lake. Suddenly, the attorney applied the brakes when it was

www.marshallstone.com facebook.com/MarshallStoneInc

minutes from the Northwest Observer

readership area, at the corner of Sandy Ridge Road & I-40

8605 Triad Drive, Colfax (336) 996-4918

new location

granite countertops or in-stock stone

Valid thru 5-31-2014

Mention this ad for

10% off

Have a need this spring?

We can help.

free deliveryon 8+ cubic yards hardwood mulch

To Northwest Observer readership area (zip codes 27310, 27357 and 27358).

Valid thru 5-31-2014

We can help.PR

OJEC

T DES

IGN,

MAT

ERIA

LS &

INST

ALLA

TION

ASS

ISTAN

CE

INDOOR & OUTDOOR

PICKUP OR DELIVERY

STONE | TILE

LAN

DSCA

PE |

MUL

CH |

DEC

ORA

TIVE A

GGR

EGAT

ES &

MO

RE

GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

10 Fall 2014

www.kcsimprovement.comLicensed & Insured | General Contractor #57314

Full-service remodeling company serving allyour residential & commercial needs

with quality craftsmanship for 30 years

Custom remodeling | Room additionsKitchen & Bath remodeling | Structural repairs

Make your dream a reality

by KRISTIN KUBLY

NORTHWEST GUILFORD – Noticed a number of earth movers and excavators around town? Get used to them, because in the next few years, you will be seeing many more as a number of major road projects get underway in northwest Guil-ford County.

Here is what to expect in the coming months.

I-73, OR THE U.S. 220/N.C. 68 CONNECTOR

One of the largest road projects in the area, the new I-73 route is a 9.4-mile, four-lane interstate highway that will begin at the existing Bryan Boulevard/Airport Parkway interchange, cross over N.C. 68, and end at U.S. 220 near the Haw River. The connection at U.S. 220 will then carry traffic north intoRockingham County.

Also known as the U.S. 220/N.C. 68 Connector, I-73 will run just east of Oak Ridge and through Summerfield, crossing over Alcorn Road, Bunch Road, Brookbank Road, Deboe Road and N.C. 150 as it winds through northwest Guilford County.

In the planning stages for al-most 20 years, this project has been a top transportation priority for both Rockingham and Guilford counties. The $176,550,000 contract was awarded in April by NCDOT to the design-build team of Flatiron Constructors, Inc./Blythe Development Company – A Joint Venture/RK&K, LLP.

Part of the project, called the I-73 Connector, will include construction of a

Roadwork in progressSeveral road projects underway, or soon to begin,

will bring major changes to the northwest area

taxiway bridge at Piedmont Triad Inter-national Airport that will cross the future I-73. The expectation is that the taxiway bridge, which begins at Caindale Drive, will spur development by providing runway access to over 600 acres of land owned by PTIA on the north side of the future highway.

While the I-73 project is federally funded, funding for the taxiway bridge was provided by the N.C. Mobility Fund, which provides money to expedite trans-portation projects that meet statewide or regional needs.

If you drive down Bryan Boulevard near the airport, you may have noticed the grading activities that have begun for the taxiway bridge. Originally slated to begin in 2016, the taxiway project, along with a strip of I-73 to connect Bryan Boulevard to N.C. 68, is already underway.

Construction of the bridge itself is expected to begin this November and

to be completed by August 2016.

Near the airport, I-73 will connect to Bryan Boulevard, which in turn connects to the I-840 interchange. This section

will also link up to the west-ern section of the Greens-

boro urban loop now under construction.

DOT division construction engineer Patty Eason explained that the new config-uration will result in a road name change: “The connector will basically merge with Bryan Boulevard there at Regional Road and will become I-73 all the way to where the I-840/I-73 interchange is.”

Eason said the section of the current Bryan Boulevard from N.C. 68 to the

In the planning stages for al-

to be completed by August

ern section of the Greens-boro urban loop now under

Fall 2014 11

Visit smithmarketinginc.com for more information on each of our team members

We do the homework that sells homes

Visit Visit information on each of our team membersinformation on each of our team members

We do the homework that sells homesWe do the homework that sells homesWe do the homework that sells homesWe do the homework that sells homesWe do the homework that sells homesWe do the homework that sells homesWe do the homework that sells homesWe do the homework that sells homesWe do the homework that sells homes

Jeff Craig(336) 209-0096

[email protected]

Deanna Autry(336) 587-4281

[email protected]

Karen Kimrey(336) 202-7572

[email protected]

Linda Weaver(336) 207-1387

[email protected]

Lisa Allen(336) 255-0068

[email protected]

Ray Alexander(336) 542-8088

[email protected]

Jeff Smith(336) 215-7880

[email protected]

Jeff Smith

Betty Smith(336) 451-4923

[email protected]

Ann Powell(336) 327-3473

[email protected]

Jim Duncan(336) 509-1907

[email protected]

Pick a winnerfrom Allen Tate’s #1 Team in the Triad

*large sales team

interchange will not be called Bryan Bou-levard anymore, but will be renamed I-73.

The U.S. 220/N.C. 68 Connec-tor project will bring some changes to northwest area residents’ daily com-mute. The highway will have interchang-es at N.C. 150 and N.C. 68, necessitat-ing new traffic signals, one at each of the ramp intersections. In addition, turn signals will be added to some of the existing signals along N.C. 68.

The good news is that NCDOT has no plans for any long-term road closures.

“All existing traffic will be maintained as much as possible,” confirmed Eason.

However, Alcorn, Bunch, Brookbank and Deboe roads, as well as N.C. 150, will have temporary lane closures at some point. In addition, those roads may have some weekend closures while the highway is tied into the existing roadways.

Neighborhoods closest to the path of the new road, which include Sterlingshire in northwest Greensboro and Abingdon, Trotter Ridge, Armfield and Henson Forest in Summerfield, will be more directly af-fected. However, Eason said early planning helped mitigate the impact on some of those neighborhoods.

“Henson Forest and Armfield both did a great job years ago, before they even started building their first house in either of those developments,” Eason said. “In fact, NCDOT design folks worked with Henson Forest on where they were locating their entrances and their pool and those kinds of things.”

Eason said all potential homeown-ers in those neighborhoods were given maps of the future road.

“I think they did a good job up front in letting everyone know the project was coming, so I don’t think we’ve had anyone who was not at least aware of the project,” she said.

While the new highway will undoubt-edly change the rural character of the area, NCDOT is trying to keep as much access for pedestrians and bicyclists as possible. At the Summerfield inter-change, two pedestrian tunnels will be added, one north of Brookbank Road and one north of Deboe Road.

Oak Ridge Town Manager Bruce Oakley believes that overall, the highway will be beneficial for his town.

“Everyone is happy that mainly the truck traffic will get off 68,” he said. “We’re pretty excited about that, since it will relieve some congestion.”

Oakley said he doesn’t think the reduced traffic through town will hurt business.

“We expect mainly to alleviate truck traffic,” the town manager said. “We expect the car traffic to be maintained at pretty high levels, so it will not have any impact on the local businesses.”

Eason believes the road will also help reduce truck traffic through Summerfield.

“The other positive thing is the traffic portion of it, at least through Summer-field, from Rockingham County down to just south of 158,” said Eason. “That will be I-73, but then I-73 will take off west-ward, and hopefully it will reduce the number of trucks coming down through the urban, populated area of 220 and


12 Fall 2014

Made to cut large yards down to size.

MZ52LE Zero-Turn 52” Mower

Bring this ad in with you and save

Off Clark Farm’s Already Low Prices!

The MZ series zero-turn mower takes performance, productivity, and comfort to an entirely new level. Featuring a 23 HP Twin Kawasaki engine with full

pressure lube, a 52" heavy-duty fabricated mower deck, large 22" rear tires for a comfortable ride over rough

terrain, a commercial grade frame and ZT3100 HHydrostatic transmission with a fast 8.5 mph ground speed, the MZ52LE will cut large lawns down to size.

336-621-4371 www.clarkfarmsupply.com

Visit our website for details.

Visit our website for more information and special dollars-off coupons!

by ANNETTE JOYCE

SUMMERFIELD – There’s one word to describe Terry King’s birdhouses – amazing. That same adjective describes this unassuming artist whose creativity, raw talent and resourcefulness have re-sulted in uniquely beautiful pieces of art.

Terry grew up working in tobacco. In high school, he became interested in music and began playing the trumpet. He went on to attend Western Carolina University and major in music, but just a year shy of obtaining his degree, he was called home to help operate the family farm. Terry and his wife, Wendy, now live in Summerfield on the farm once owned by his great-grandfather.

Terry, 52, began creating birdhouses to supplement his income. He got the idea for his particular style after seeing a birdhouse in a shop in Southport Beach, North Carolina, about 20 years ago.

“I saw where someone had sawed up a Coke crate and made a birdhouse,” he remembers. “Coke crates were

Custom-createdbirdhouses areunique works of art

becoming valuable and I didn’t want to cut up my crates, so I started building the houses and painting them (with the Coke logo).”

After building his birdhouses from exterior plywood, Terry primes and paints them with exterior paints. To make them cleanable, he has come up with a hidden hinged side that can be unscrewed and lifted. At the end of the season, the nest-ing material can be emptied to prepare for the next feathered occupant.

Terry doesn’t use decals or stencils, rather draws the designs on each bird-house freehand and then painstakingly paints in the details. Each one takes him up to a week to complete, and every single one has to meet his exacting standards before he’ll allow it to leave his studio.

Although the birdhouses are made to withstand the elements, most end up inside as decorative art. They can be found in homes throughout North Caro-lina, Florida, New Jersey and California, and there’s even one in France. Former

up a Coke crate and made a birdhouse,” he remembers. “Coke crates were

lina, Florida, New Jersey and California, and there’s even one in France. Former


Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Terry King’s birdhouses refl ect a multitude of interests.

is a standard in our homes...not an upgrade

Quality

Don Mills Builders, Inc.

More than 25 years of hands-on experience

For more information, call or visit us online

(336) 362-1777www.donmillsbuilders.com

Tour our 2014 Parade Home at 7620 Braelands Drive, Summerfield

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 11-12 & 18 -19 • 1-5pm

14 Fall 2014

40

Stokesdale

Summerfi eld

Bryan Blvd

Pleasant Ridge Rd

Alcorn Rd

Bunch Rd

Brookbank Rd

Deboe Rd

Ogburn Mill Rd

Sylvania Rd

Oak Ridge

FUTUREI-73

continued from page 11

Summerfield for sure. So hopefully that will help improve safety too.”

Work will begin this month, starting at N.C. 68 just south of Oak Ridge and continuing northward. The new highway should be open to traffic in late 2016 or early 2017.

U.S. 220 WIDENINGAnyone traveling through Summer-field is very aware of the U.S. 220 widening, under construction since May 2012. This project is turning a

13-mile stretch of U.S. 220 from a two-lane road to a four-lane limited-access highway from Horse Pen Creek Road in Greensboro to Rockingham County.

Eason said the contractor is currently running about 15 to 20 percent behind schedule due to last year’s rains, but the project is still on track to be finished by August 2016.

The new $96.2 million road will include a median with limited turns. The median has caused

some concern from local re-sponders because it means fire trucks

will have to travel farther down the high-way and exit at a cloverleaf exchange in order to cross back over the highway to get back on U.S. 220 and travel in the opposite direction.

Eason said DOT has listened to those concerns.

“We involve the emer-gency services, and any of the response folks, in with the project from public hearings all the way through,” she said. “We’ve

provided some turnarounds if they do have to make a U-turn to come back around, so we do try

to always take their comments into consideration in the design.”

The median is not the only change drivers will have to get used to. The newly widened road will also have “jug handles,” or places where the road is taken out a greater distance to allow for easier U-turns. The jug handle requires

drivers to exit right and travel into a U-shaped lane across the road to eventu-ally turn left.

The jug handles on U.S. 220 should make it easier for large fire trucks or other big vehicles to maneuver since they won’t have to make sharp left turns from the highway.

Another change will occur at the intersection of U.S. 220 and Hamburg Mill Road. Once the road is widened into four lanes, drivers on Hamburg Mill Road will be able only to turn right, going south, onto U.S. 220. Drivers going north on U.S. 220 who want to turn left onto Hamburg Mill Road will have to use a “Left Over,” similar to that which enables southbound U.S. 220 traffic to enter the Harris Teeter shopping center near Horse Pen Creek/Old Battleground Road.

The southern end of Strawberry Road, at its intersection with U.S. 220, will be closed for about 30 days some-time later this fall or early 2015 while this intersection is raised 3.5 feet.

“The contractor has not scheduled that work yet, but we will do a press release and place message boards to let the public know before that happens,” said Eason.

Walkers and bikers who currently like to exercise near the Summerfield Athletic Park will be happy to learn that DOT has

not forgotten about them. A pedestrian tunnel is planned near the park, just south of Winfree Road.

While this project has been a long time coming and seems to be never end-ing, Eason reminds citizens

there is a “light at the end of the tun-nel.”

“There’s a lot of traffic on 220 and a lot of trucks, so we ask for citizens’ patience in this process until we can get this thing completed,” said Eason. “But I think in the end, having a four-lane divided highway will improve their drive, they will experience less congestion and they’ll be able to make their commute on a daily basis more quickly.”

Fall 2014 15

(336) 668-0854 8905 W Market St, Colfax (Exit I-40 at Sandy Ridge Rd)

Open Mon- Fri 10 am-5:30pm • Sat 10 am-5pm

• Custom draperies, bedding & furniture • Upholstery service• In-home design services to create your vision

• Over 10,000 drapery & upholstery fabrics to choose from

25-50% OFF RETAIL PRICES!

We can cover all of your indoor & outdoor decorating needs

N.C. 68 IMPROVEMENTSIn recent years, a number of rear-end

accidents have occurred on N.C. 68 at East Harrell and West Harrell roads, the most recent being a fatal collision on May 6, caused by a truck rear-ending a car waiting to turn left onto East Harrell Road. In fact, N.C. 68 saw 46 accidents at those two intersections between 2007 and 2012, prompting NCDOT to make major changes to that stretch of N.C. 68.

West Harrell Road has been closed to traffic since January 2013. The next step is to move the entrance to East Harrell Road far-ther south on N.C. 68, near the top of the hill, rather than at the bottom, and install a left-turn lane. Bartonshire Drive will also get a left-turn lane.

NCDOT has already started work on that project, which should be completed by May 2015.

POTENTIAL ROAD PROJECTSU.S. 158 IMPROVEMENTS

While the U.S. 220 widening is hap-pening now and I-73 is imminent, an-other project, the possible construction of a widened U.S. 158 bypass around Stokesdale, is up in the air.

The U.S. 158 project, estimated to cost $105 million, would widen 18.8 miles of U.S. 158 to multiple lanes from U.S. 421/Business I-40 in Winston-Salem to U.S. 220 in Guilford County. The project is divided into three sections, and it is Section C, a 6.5-mile segment, that would most directly impact Stokes-dale. The segment would begin north of Anthony Road and end at U.S. 220.

Section C would be a bypass around Stokesdale, since the NCDOT cannot widen U.S. 158 in that area without having a considerable effect on the town’s central business district. After holding informational workshops and receiving public input, NCDOT present-ed four alternatives to the bypass route

through Stokesdale.At the June 12 meeting of the

Stokesdale Town Council, Steve Bowie, chairman of the town’s U.S. 158 Bypass Committee, recommended the town write NCDOT representatives and Greensboro Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Advisory Committee

members to request that the U.S. 158 Bypass project be dropped lower on DOT’s project priority list, with the hope that re-prioritizing the project would kill it entirely. The council voted to accept the committee’s rec-ommendation, and the letter

was mailed the following week.

Eason said that the project moving forward, at least in the near future, is unlikely.

“We are doing the reprioritization process this year and the projects were evaluated or rated on their existing data, congestion, costs, safety, all of those things,” said Eason. “We will know how this project will shake out by the end of this year, but it doesn’t appear that it’s go-ing to score very well, so that means that it would not be funded within the next five years. But we won’t know that for sure until we get closer to the end of this year.”

N.C. 68 AND N.C. 150INTERSECTION

The intersection of N.C. 68 andN.C. 150 in Oak Ridge may be getting some upgrades.

Oakley said that potentially, in about a year or two, crosswalks will be added and the current “slip lanes” will be converted to turn lanes. The slip lanes are the right-turn lanes on N.C. 150 that currently allow vehicles to turn at the intersection without actually entering it.

This project is contingent on funding, but the Greensboro Metropolitan Plan-ning Organization has put the intersec-tion improvements high on its recom-mended list at a cost of $908,213.

Oakley said he believes the improve-ment will not only better control traffic, but will also make the intersection safer for drivers and pedestrians.

“Vacuum Cleaner Specialists” Since 1965

1223 Grecade Street • Greensboro, NC 27408

336-274-1693 / Hours: M-F 9am ‒ 6pm Coupon expires October 31, 2014

Coupon expires October 31, 2014

“Stop in and let us earn your

business!”

Bill & Tammi Wilson, Owners


Regular Price $140.99

If your power unit doesn’t seem to be performing the way it used to, a Central Vacuum Tune-Up could be the answer! For just $99.00 (regularly $140.99), we’ll make certain your system is operating at peak performance and you’ll save over $40.00!

Includes:

• Element 1300 Power Unit

• Edge Electric Powerhead

• 35′ Standard Hose and Hose Rack

• Telescopic Wand and Adjustable Wand

• 12″ Turn & Clean Floor Brush, Crevice Tool, Upholstery Tool and Dusting Brush

• 4 Standard Inlet Valves

• Installation Labor and Materials

If you already have a central vacuum, it’s probably one of your most valued cleaning tools. That’s why it’s important to keep it in top operating condition. Time and use can hamper the working condition of your central vacuum, so take advantage of our 30% off Tune-Up Special or upgrade your system with a new, high-performing Element power unit. Don’t miss these two ways to save ‒ Call or Stop in Today!


• High-Quality Products Made in the USA

• The Industry’s Best Warranty

• Hassle-Free Maintenance ‒ no bags or filters

• Powerful Cleaning ‒ up to 5 times more than uprights

• Healthier Indoor Air ‒ no recirculation of dirt or dust

• Adds Value to Any Home

• New Retractable Hose Products ► Hide-A-Hose, Vroom and SPOT make cleaning frequent daily messes in high-traffic areas of a home (kitchens, bathrooms, entrances and laundry rooms) easy and fast! You simply pull the hose from the cabinet or wall, vacuum the mess, then the hose retracts back out-of-sight until it’s needed again.

“Vacuum Cleaner Specialists” Since 1965

1223 Grecade Street • Greensboro, NC 27408

336-274-1693 / Hours: M-F 9am ‒ 6pm Coupon expires October 31, 2014


“Stop in and let us earn your

business!”

Bill & Tammi Wilson, Owners

Coupon expires October 31, 2014 Coupon expires October 31, 2014

Regular Price $140.99

If your power unit doesn’t seem to be performing the way it used to, a Central Vacuum Tune-Up could be the answer! For just $99.00 (regularly $140.99), we’ll make certain your system is operating at peak performance and you’ll save over $40.00!

Includes:

• Element 1300 Power Unit

• Edge Electric Powerhead

• 35′ Standard Hose and Hose Rack

• Telescopic Wand and Adjustable Wand

• 12″ Turn & Clean Floor Brush, Crevice Tool, Upholstery Tool and Dusting Brush

• 4 Standard Inlet Valves

• Installation Labor and Materials

If you already have a central vacuum, it’s probably one of your most valued cleaning tools. That’s why it’s important to keep it in top operating condition. Time and use can hamper the working condition of your central vacuum, so take advantage of our 30% off Tune-Up Special or upgrade your system with a new, high-performing Element power unit. Don’t miss these two ways to save ‒ Call or Stop in Today!


• High-Quality Products Made in the USA

• The Industry’s Best Warranty

• Hassle-Free Maintenance ‒ no bags or filters

• Powerful Cleaning ‒ up to 5 times more than uprights

• Healthier Indoor Air ‒ no recirculation of dirt or dust

• Adds Value to Any Home

• New Retractable Hose Products ► Hide-A-Hose, Vroom and SPOT make cleaning frequent daily messes in high-traffic areas of a home (kitchens, bathrooms, entrances and laundry rooms) easy and fast! You simply pull the hose from the cabinet or wall, vacuum the mess, then the hose retracts back out-of-sight until it’s needed again.

18 Fall 2014

Come on in and visit our showroom, where we have

logs and heaters on display.

710 Patton Ave. Greensboro

Don’t be left in the cold if the power goes out.Call today to get locked intoour special winter rate!

(336) 274-8449

Do you know your boundaries?

935 E. Mountain St., Suite H, Kernersville, NC 27284

www.triadlandsurveying.com

935 E. Mountain St., Suite H, Kernersville, NC 27284

If not, call Triad Land Surveying!

336-993-9650

?


Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole has one of Terry’s Marine Corps birdhouses.

At a fundraiser in New Jersey two years ago, three of Terry’s birdhouses garnered close to $3,000 for the charity.

Along with being well-built, these bird-houses stand out because of the memo-ries and positive emotions they evoke. Terry is able to take products and items that people have become attached to and turn them into a conversa-tion-starting work of art.

Cigarettes and soft drinks are much sought after bird-house decorations. Terry’s Lucky Strike birdhouse is among the most popular, as is the Coca Cola house. His birdhouse themes incorporate nearly every brand of soft drink there is, including the beloved Brownie chocolate drink that’s no longer in production. He’s showcased Krispy Kreme, Charlie’s Soap, Harley Davidson and John Deere as well.

College sports teams are also a popular motif. He’s been considering adding high school mascots and has even custom created a birdhouse that showcases the Town of Summerfield and North Carolina logos.

Terry and Wendy laugh about one of his most unusual birdhouses, which fea-tured Black Kow composted cow manure.

“He runs the new ideas by me each year and I said he’d never sell that one,” says Wendy. “It sold within two hours of being put on display at one of the shows.”

Terry’s interest in art began when he was about five years old. He says he can remember the first box of crayons he ever got, which were given to him by his grandmother. He’s never taken an art class and is completely self-taught.

“I’ve been fortunate,” says Terry. “My grandparents were Depression kids. They had to make things for themselves, and I learned if I wanted something I had to make it for myself.”

It’s that kind of mindset that led Terry to create some of his most unique pieces of artwork. For in-

stance, there’s what he refers to as “poor man’s stained glass.” Wendy says that Terry wanted to work in stained glass, but felt the sup-

plies were too expensive, so he came up with a way to create

the same effect using col-ored laundry detergent

bottles and painted strips of thin wood.

Along with his birdhouses and the props he uses to create his work,

Terry’s studio is stacked with his artwork, some of which Wendy confesses she rescued from the trash because her husband wasn’t happy with the results.

“You don’t know how many pieces of art I’ve saved,” she says.

Some of those saved pieces, along with his other work, have been entered in shows at the Dixie Classic Fair, Cen-tral Carolina Fair and the Rockingham County Fine Arts Festival. The 76 ribbons that run along the ceiling of his studio attest to his work’s worth. Wendy shows off one of Terry’s rescued still lifes that she entered in one of the contests. Not only did it win the top prize, but someone purchased it on the spot.

Over the years, Terry’s work has gone from what Wendy refers to as a “Grandma Moses primitive style” to a more detailed and polished style. He still enjoys painting and sketching, but these days the demand for his birdhouses keeps him busy.

Terry’s birdhouses sell for $35 each. He has a number of birdhouses in stock, but is always willing to take custom orders.

Want one?Contact Terry King at (336) 347-7089 or

email [email protected]

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

The details in this church birdhouse include stained glass, a brick foundation and a

tiny cross on the steeple.

garnered close to $3,000 for the charity.

Along with being well-built, these bird-houses stand out because of the memo-ries and positive emotions they evoke. Terry is able to take products and items that people have become attached to and turn them into a conversa-tion-starting work

sought after bird-house decorations.

Terry to create some of his most unique pieces of artwork. For in-

stance, there’s what he refers to as “poor man’s stained glass.” Wendy says that Terry wanted to work in stained glass, but felt the sup-

plies were too expensive, so he came up with a way to create

the same effect using col-ored laundry detergent

birdhouses and the props he uses to create his work,

You know that feelingat the end of the day when all you really want to do is relax and spend quality time with your family?

Let us create an environment that helps you unwind after a hectic day. We provide simple solutions for your home and design features

that make your life easier.

www.IDSbyMaria.com (336) 944-2750

thru 11/1/2014 when you mention this ad

in-home design consultation

$100off

Main photo by Andrew J. Mayon

20 Fall 2014

Custom-built homes for over 25 years

(336) 362-0969 | [email protected] | timfrazierbuilders.com

OAK RIDGE

Tim Frazier, owner

Repairs, maintenance & installation • Attic fans Humidifiers & dehumidifiers • Whole-house air cleaner

(336) 297-9922 • [email protected]

Be safe and save on energy costs this winterAct now and schedule your heat maintenance inspection

Heat exchanger check prevents dangerous

carbon monoxide leaks and potential

poisoning

Fuel pressure and

efficiency check keeps your electric and gas costs down

Ask about duct leakage testing

Photo by Kristin Kubly

The Old Mill’s country store offers stone ground products,as well as crafts, jams, honey and cookbooks.


to replace a long overhead wooden flume, which had carried water from the dam to the mill, with a steel pipe run-ning under the road.

During Prohibition and possibly later, Klug says the mill had another sidebusiness.

“There used to be a still here,” she says. “All mills had stills, especially during Prohi-bition, because to make white lightning you need corn meal, water and sugar.”

Some current customers remember coming to the mill during that time.

“I have customers who said they used to come with their granddads, who’d tell them, ‘Now, you sit right here, and I’ll be back,’” says Klug. “It wasn’t until years later they realized what their granddads were doing.”

In 1954, the mill was purchased by Clarence E. Bailes, who replaced the turbine with a water wheel. Bailes also added a small sales office, replaced the pipe under the road and built a feed mill next to the existing mill.

A new era began when the mill was purchased in 1977 by Charlie Parnell. While Charlie was the miller, his new wife Heidi turned the mill into the con-sumer operation it is today.

“Heidi introduced lots of products

when she and Charlie married,” says Klug. “Originally this mill was a service to the farmers, and she really brought it to more of a consumer-oriented mill.”

Prior to the Parnells taking over the mill, farmers would come to get their grains ground; while waiting, they would socialize on the inviting front porch.

“I have customers in their 80s and 90s who came in as boys on horse-drawn carts with their grandfathers to have their grains ground,” says Klug. “So it’s got quite a history. People came when they were little and have been coming their whole lives.”

After closing the mill for two years for renovations, the Parnells resumed its operation. Along with volunteers from the community, the couple created a national-ly recognized brand and a local landmark.

Parnell had owned the mill for 30 years before, at the age of 88, he un-dertook the repair of the disintegrating water wheel. Sadly, while the buckets for the wheel were on order, Charlie passed away. Heidi died several months later.

The wheel was eventually repaired by a team of volunteers, but the pipe had been dry so long that the small pegs Parnell had put into it over the years dried up and fell in. Klug plans on inserting a plastic pipe inside the existing metal one, but she isn’t sure when that will happen.

Fall 2014 21

I’ve joined forces with Smith Marketing to offer my clients the highest level of service

and experience in the area.

New construction now available in Hilton’s Landing and Hartman Farm, priced

from the high $300s to the mid-$400s.

Buyers & sellers take notice!

Ann Powell (336) 327-3473

Ann Powell(336) 327-3473

CRYSTALCRYSTALCRYSTALCRYSTALCRYSTALCRYSTALCLEARCLEARCLEARCLEARCLEARCLEARCLEARCLEARCLEARWindow Cleaning

Service

Window cleaningGutter cleaningPressure washing

Roof cleaningFully insured

The difference is clear – Crystal Clear(336) 595-2873 | www.windowcleaningnc.com

“We hope to run directly off the wa-ter wheel and off of a generator that the waterwheel powers,” she says.

In the meantime, the mill will con-tinue to run solely by electricity.

After the death of the Parnells, the mill fell into the hands of Heidi Parnell’s brothers, Hans and Alfred Brandt. Both in their 70s, they knew they did not want to run the 240-year-old mill. However, they did want to make sure the new owners would care for the mill as lov-ingly as the Parnells had.

The timing was perfect for Klug. Af-ter spending several years as a stay-at-home mom, she had been considering going back to work when her youngest son started kindergarten.

A regular customer, Klug read in the paper that the mill was for sale, and her first thought was, “That would be fun!”

“It was an absolute leap of faith, be-cause I knew nothing about grinding,” Klug admits. Before making a final decision, she worked at the mill to make sure it was a good fit for her and the other workers.

With her husband working another job full time, Klug has shouldered most of the responsibility for the mill. She credits her success to the excellent pro-cesses the Parnells left behind as well as the continued presence of Annie Laura Perdue, the miller who learned the skill from Charlie Parnell himself.

Perdue has been with the mill for 40 years, first as a customer, then a volun-teer, then full-time miller.

“She’s taught me how to grind, but I’m still an apprentice,” says Klug.

“The grinding is a real art. When you’re grinding, if the stones are too close, you can ignite them and the whole mill could burn down,” Klug explains. “Too far apart, and you won’t get the product you want. It would be too coarse. So it’s a real art, and it takes time to learn.”

Grinding isn’t the only skill Klug has had to acquire.

“There was a lot to learn because we’re a retail store with wholesale; we’re manufacturing, and then we’ve got the books and taxes on top of that,” she says.

“We pretty much took the system and just moved it forward. No reason to reinvent the wheel,” Klug says. “We just followed the way Charlie and Heidi did everything.”

The only nod to the modern age is the introduction of computers and the ability to accept credit cards. This was necessary because the Old Mill’s products are now shipped nationwide, including to well-known chefs such as Bobby Flay in New York and the Lee brothers in Charleston, who Klug says are great supporters of the mill.

Otherwise, the Klugs prefer to keep the mill an old-fashioned, family-orient-ed business.

“This is a family. That’s what we call it, the ‘mill family,’” Klug says warmly. Part of that family is the army of volunteers, some of whom have been volunteering at the mill since the Parnells owned it.

The mill’s warmth and inviting atmosphere is immediately apparent to visitors as they enter from the covered front porch, where Toby, the 16-year-old mill cat, has his sleeping spot.

“He came with the mill,” Klug grins.Visitors get to see the mill in action

as they walk among barrels of grain before entering the country store.

Stepping into the store feels like go-ing back in time. Shelves are filled with hand-tied paper bags of grits, cornmeal, flour, pancake mixes, muffin mixes and much more. Local vendors also sell homemade jams, crafts and cookbooks.

Customers can leave their mark by signing the doorframe before heading out. Hundreds of signatures going back decades surround the door. It’s a folksy touch that adds to the special feeling the mill creates in people.

“Everyone comments, and I agree with them, that it’s a very peaceful, happy feeling here,” Klug says with a smile.

Want to go?The Old Mill of Guilford is located on

N.C. 68, across from Stafford Mill Road. It is open seven days a week, from

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.oldmillofguilford.com.

Let us introduce you to theseAs real estate is a big part of my life – from my family (builders, carpenters, plumbers, Realtors, engineers & developers) to my husband, Jay of Triad Home Inspectors – I have a vast knowledge of the industry. I know just how stressful buying and selling can be, so I strive to make it as effortless for my clients as possible. My goal is to exceed their expectations, to communicate and to keep their best interests at heart. I am dedicated and passionate about providing service and knowledge to my customers!

Bobbie Gardner CRS, GRI, EcoBroker, Relocation Specialist(336) 382-5939

www.allentate.com/bobbiegardner

If you are looking for a real estate agent, simply ask yourself: ‘Do I want someone who... 1) is a “full-time” real estate broker; 2) will work hard for me and put my interests first; 3) is thorough and will walk me through the entire process step by step; 4) is on time, honest and accountable; and 5) will provide me with professional, positive and satisfying results?’ If so, then feel free to contact me whether you are buying or selling. Then sit back and relax!

Gil Vaughan Buyer & Seller RepresentationREALTOR®/Broker, ABR, CGP, CSP, e-Pro, SFR, SRES

(336) 337-4780 • [email protected]

www.JustCallGil.com

Honesty ... Integrity ... Hard work ... these are just a few words to describe the cornerstones of business for Ridgewood Realty. Founded in 2009, several seasoned Realtors came together believing that a real estate transaction should be a positive & personal experience. Our goal is to do everything possible to meet the needs of our clients. Whether buying and/or selling a home, our experienced agents will walk with you every step of the way. Give us a call today!

Gail Kerber, CDPE, ABRRealtor®/Broker/Owner(336) 327-1165 cell

www.ridgewoodrealtync.com

THE BOBBIE MAYNARD TEAM – Experienced Team of Realtor/Brokers with agents who focus on and live in NW Guilford County. We spend quality time and are dedicated to making your real estate dreams come true. We specialize in working with relocation companies to market your home for sale. Whether you are buying your first home, moving up or downsizing, we have an agent to fulfill your needs. We will put our years of experience to work for you!

Bobbie Maynard, Broker/RealtorCRS, GRI, CSP, Green • (336) 215-8017

www.bobbiemaynard.com

You could say I acquired my passion for real estate early. My mother, Johnnye Greer Hunter, was a successful Realtor in Greensboro. A recipient of numerous awards and a top producing agent, I make sure my clients have a rewarding and most profitable experience. I have deep roots in the northwest area – my family, Jacob & Claudia Letterman, and I are active and committed to our community and schools. Please call me for your real estate needs.

Johnnye Letterman, Realtor® (336) 601-6012 cell [email protected]

www.johnnyeletterman.com

A native of the Triad and a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, I now live in Oak Ridge with my husband, Scott, and our three children. Licensed since 1996, I enjoy working with buyers and sellers throughout the Triad. Relentless, driven, and competent – with me you are not just anumber. Whether you are buying, selling or relocating, put my experience to work for you.

Chandra Tippett REALTOR®/Broker/Broker(336) 749-7977 [email protected]

www.triadhomesales.com

local RealtorsKeeping everyone in the loop – that’s the difference between a successful real estate transaction and a stressful one. That’s why I work extra hard to keep the communication lines open. Having lived in the northwest area my entire life, I know the area and enjoy helping my clients find exactly what they’re looking for. As a Realtor, my goal is to provide the best possible service from start to finish. You can count on me to be with you every step of the way.

Phillip Stone Broker/Realtor(336) 908-6528 cell [email protected]

www.anewdawnrealty.com

A real estate junkie, my favorite part is pulling out the Wellies and walking the land. A hard-working farm girl, in real estate since forever, with an Alphabet Soup of letters after my name – it still thrills me! 20-year Summerfield resident, community activist and animal lover. Professional, proficient in new construction, relocation, luxury homes, strategic pricing and selling/buying farms and land. Consistent achiever and problem solver ... Real Commitment & Real Results.

Call Nancy Hess, for buying and sellingState Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser REALTOR®/Broker • (336) 215-1820 [email protected]

(336) 644-7035, ext. 10 • [email protected]

Attention, RealtorsThroughout the year, we offer many opportunities

to promote yourself and your listings:

Contact us to learn more aboutthese advertising options

As your experienced real estate broker, it is my duty to predict possible problems and solve them before they create stress. I’ve been in the business many years, but I need and appreciate the questions or suggestions my clients may have, as I feel communication is imperative to a successful business relationship. My career is such a rewarding, positive experience, and I feel lucky to be able to work with clients who rely on me. Whether buying or selling, it would be my pleasure to assist you.

Kathy McClelland(336) 314-5637 cell • (336) 517-3050 [email protected]

www.homesbuyhousekat.com

Published each January, thiscomprehensive guide for northwestGuilford County residents includes a

directory of local businesses and services. Don’t miss your chance to be there when

our readers search the FINDERfor real estate services.

Introduce yourself to potential clients in our Realtor spotlight pages. At Home is published twice a year and covers everything

from real estate trends to tackling home projects and aslice of life in northwest Guilford County.

Appearing in the real estate sectionof our classifieds, Real Estate Showcaseads are a cost-effective and eye-catching

way to promote your listingsthroughout the year.

24 Fall 2014

(336) 662-00813307 Edgefield Rd, [email protected]

www.edgefieldplantstone.com

Formerly Oak Ridge Shrubbery

New name, new address, same location!Thanks for your continued support during

the contruction of the roadways

Here to stay and growing every day

Vinyl siding • Decorative shakesDecorative vinyl shutters • Seamless gutters

Replacement windows • Leaf protection by Leaf-ReliefVinyl railing • Fencing • Decorative post

Custom & decorative decksScreen & porch enclosures • Entry & storm doors

Metal & shingle roofs • Pressure washing...and all your home improvement needs

Siding separates people from the elements ...and us from our competitors

Stokesdale, NC(336) 548-4420 / 215-8775www.mayssiding.com

We are an environmentally friendly company

Outdoor living spaces provide beautiful, functional comple-ments to indoor living spaces

by ANNETTE JOYCEThere was a time when outdoor living

meant a charcoal grill and a picnic table on a concrete patio. Not anymore. Homeown-ers today are putting as much thought into designing their home’s outdoor areas as they are putting into creating the interior.

We're seeing roomy screened porches, patios with stamped concrete, expan-sive outdoor kitchens, elaborate stone fireplaces and fire pits. Water features such as fountains, cascading streams, waterfalls and Koi ponds add soothing sounds of nature, while additional plants and stones accentuate the space.

The living is goodThere are a number of reasons for

this trend, beginning with our climate.

"For entertaining or relaxing, the South’s outdoors can't be beat," says Kelly Hayes, manager of

Moving into the great outdoors

Marshall Stone's location in Colfax.

Tom Malone, owner of TM Construc-tion Services in Oak Ridge, has been in the construction business for more than 20 years. He remembers when outdoor areas were much less affordable for the average homeowner than they are now.

While outdoor living spaces make a home more attractive, Malone discovered their real beauty when he installed a fire pit at his own home.

"Our fire pit provides us with family time," says Malone. "Our kids will come out, sit with us by the fire and talk when they might not come to the den to watch TV. Outdoor living brings families togeth-er and allows them to spend more quality time. That's why we put in the fire pit."

Malone recently installed a fire pit with swings and stamped concrete at Oak Ridge resident Jennifer Pratt's home in River Oaks. The outdoor enter-tainment area replaced an outgrown,

Photo courtesyof Edgefi eld

Plant & Stone Center

A dry riverbed adds inter-esting texture

to this patio.

Fall 2014 25

Meeting your residential & commercial needs

Sales, parts and service

Meet or beatStihl products

(336) 574-4400Located at

801 E. Wendover Ave.Greensboro

Batteries & service for all brands

Who let the dogs out?It doesn’t matter with

We’ll keep your hound around – guaranteed!

(336) 993-8900 TriadDogFence.com

eyesore of a playground area. The Pratts wanted to make the area more attractive, yet functional.

Like Malone, Pratt has found the newly revamped outdoor space to be the perfect gathering place for her teen-agers and their friends.

"After the football games, it's a great place for all the kids to get together," she says. "I like being the house where all the kids hang out."

"An outdoor living area gives you another venue in your home," confirms Malone. "It’s so different than what you experience inside your home, and it of-fers a relaxing atmosphere."

Cindy Jones, who owns Edgefield Plant & Stone Center, formerly Oak Ridge Shrubbery, agrees with Malone.

"People are creating 'destinations' in their gardens – little spaces to unwind, places where they can go sit, have a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening," says Jones.

At Stokesdale's HHH Hearth, Home & Patio, owner Don Hill sees the same

thing happening. Hill, who sells, installs and services gas grills, fireplaces and fire pits, created his outdoor living area long ago and has found it to be a great place to nourish relationships.

Hill says it's not uncommon to arrive home to find three or four neighbors sitting in the swings around his fire pit enjoying the outdoors and the company.

"It's the kind of place that people can just come as they are, sit down and relax. That's the way I like it," Hill said

Plants take patienceJones says one of the biggest mis-

takes people make in creating outdoor living spaces with plants is to focus on immediate gratification.

“People want something that looks great as soon as it is planted, but they don’t think about the fact that in five years it’s going to look like a jungle and they’ll be pulling out plants,” says Jones. “A really good garden design is more difficult than people think. We try to get people to look at planting trees

and shrubs so that they will grow and enhance the property over time.”

Creating outdoorliving spaces

Outdoor living spaces can be as simple or as elaborate as you'd like.

"It's just about what you are look-ing to accomplish and your individual budget," says Hayes.

The outdoor living professionals we spoke with agree that having a plan helps you create an atmosphere and function you will enjoy for years. In creating your plan, look online, in home magazines and at various garden and landscape retailers for ideas. Ask outdoor living area professionals what outdoor projects they’ve done, and check out the outdoor areas of family, friends and neighbors.

Consider your property and your bud-get. Does your property slope, for exam-ple? Is there lots of shade? Is there one spot in particular where nothing grows?

What will your budget allow you to do?

Jones emphasizes the importance of thinking about your personal style and the style of your home.

"When we're doing a project, we re-ally try to reflect the home and the taste of the people who live there," she says.

For instance, in creating a unique garden to bring out the best in a 1920’s home, Jones has looked for interesting pe-riod architectureal pieces, such as garden gates and vintage ware.

Once you have an idea of what you want to do, talk to the professionals. Many landscapers, garden shops and contractors will work with you on a de-sign. In most cases, you can opt to pay for the design time and put in the sweat equity, or they can do the work for you. Either way, involving a professional is often less expensive and will provide you with more satisfying results.

As with any home project, a little research, planning and patience will help ensure your new outdoor living space is en-joyed by the whole family for years to come.

26 Fall 2014

Stokesdale

(336) 644-7201Residential

Commercial | Industrial Generator Installation

We’re family owned and locally operated since 2002

Chris and Kim Hicks and their children

STOKESDALE – Though modern-day Stokesdale has only been incorporated for the last 25 years, its history encom-passes about 150 years.

The town was originally established as Green Pond in the 1860s because of a swampy pond located in the general area of what is now Ellisboro Road and N.C. 65.

Back then, the town consisted of a single general store across from the intersection of Ellisboro Road and Gideon Grove Church Road. As was customary at that time, the post office was located in the store, which was most often the com-

Train depot sparkedgrowth of ‘Green Pond’

File photo | The fi rst train depot in what was then called Green Pond was

located near where the fi re station now sits. It burned in 1908 and was

replaced by another. That depot was sold and moved to Madison in

1977, with the owner converting it into a house.

munity’s gathering and meeting place.

Green Pond was eventually shortened to Pond. A carrier riding a mule would bring mail to the Pond Post Office twice a week from Kernersville. The “Greensboro Patriot” was the only newspaper delivered through the post office at that time.

In 1886, the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad was built from Greens-boro to Mount Airy. Since it passed through Pond, a railroad station was built to service the area, and the post of-fice was moved at this time.

The following year, Pond’s name was changed to Stokesdale. The town has,

in various accounts, been said to have been named after a railroad execu-tive, a train conductor or the man who surveyed the area.

The first train depot, located near where the fire station now sits, burned in 1908 and was replaced by another. The second depot was sold and moved to Madison in 1977, with the owner con-verting it into a house. Trains continued to come through Stokesdale until 1980; tracks, which ran east to west through town parallel with Highway 158, were removed in 1981.

The railroad influenced the town greatly, and a small business district sprung up around the depot. Several of the buildings that still line the town’s main street were built around 1900, dur-ing the railroad’s heyday.

Stokesdale was first incorporated in 1907, but went bankrupt during the Depression and became inactive in the 1930s. The state revoked the town’s charter in 1971, but Stokesdale reincor-porated in 1989.

The town seal shows a map of

Stokesdale and includes major roads and the railroad. The importance of ag-riculture to the town, especially tobacco, is shown by the illustration of a farmer with a horse-drawn plow, and a pick and shovel depict the quarry where rock has been mined for many years.

An alcohol-producing still represents another piece of history, when, accord-ing to the town’s website, “creeks of the northwest corner of the town provided the water to make moonshine as a way to supplement farm income.”

Stokesdale has come a long way from having one general store with a post office. Today, the town boasts numerous businesses in its downtown district and along the major highways running through and near the town, including accounting firms, craft stores, two grocery stores, gas stations and convenience stores, two pharmacies, several restaurants, medical and dental practices, two banks, veterinarians, a funeral home, a hardware store, auto supply and repair shops, a tire store and even a winery.

growth of ‘Green Pond’

File photo | The fi rst train depot in what was then called Green Pond was

located near where the fi re station now sits. It burned in 1908 and was

replaced by another. That depot was sold and moved to Madison in

1977, with the owner converting it into a house.

Railroad once ran through oldest town in the northwest area

28 Fall 2014

TM Construction Services, INC.Building | Renovations | Additions

Licensed & Insured

644-8615 (office) | 508-5242 (mobile)NC General Contractor License #72797

Outdoor living at its best

New construction design selections specialistResidential interior design consultation & furnishings

Visual merchandising / Showroom designer

Stokesdale • (336) 471-4293 • [email protected]

Laurie Acree


discovered that the couple still owed nearly $30,000 on their current house – the one they had paid off eight years before.

Although this is a fictional couple, the situation isn’t. Most people think when they pay off the loan, that’s it. But to make sure you’re free and clear, there must be a recorded Certificate of Satisfaction from the lender stating that the loan has been paid in full.

“Once a home is purchased or refi-nanced, the settlement agent (attorney) will wire a payoff to the existing lien holders (judgments, mortgages or other liens) and request a Certificate of Sat-isfaction,” says Ingle. “The lien holders will then file a Certificate of Satisfaction with the Register of Deeds in the county where the lien was recorded. A good real estate attorney will follow up on a payoff and check to make sure that a Satisfaction was recorded.”

This doesn’t always happen, however, and people don’t usually discover the mis-take until they’re trying to sell their home.

“The next time a title search is per-formed, it will show more than one existing mortgage on the property and can cause a delay in the closing process,” says Ingle.

Finding out whether your Certificate of Satisfaction has been recorded is relatively easy. The Register of Deeds office in the county where the property is located will have it on file. You can either look online or visit the registrar’s office. Both are free.

Should you discover that your mort-gage payoff wasn’t recorded, take care of it right away. First, contact the clos-ing attorney to find out why the payoff wasn’t recorded and ask that attorney to handle it. You may also have to reach out to the lender. If it’s been sev-eral years, it might take awhile to track down the various parties involved.

The bottom line on avoiding this issue – always make sure when you pay off a mortgage that you receive the Certificate of Satisfaction and that it’s recorded with the registrar’s office in the county where the property is located.

What you don’t know could cost you

It’s tempting to try to get the least expensive homeowner’s insurance cover-age possible. However, if you’ve ever had a home disaster, you quickly find out how valuable that insurance is.

While you might consider it to be a necessary evil, you should take the time to determine what you’re comfortable with financially absorbing in damage repair should disaster strike.

Susanna Nunn, an agent with State Farm Insurance in Kernersville, has been in the insurance business for 21 years.

“A common misconception is that we are insuring the market or resale value of the home but really, we are insuring the cost to rebuild the house exactly as it was on the day of the loss,” says Nunn. “These two values can be drasti-cally different in economic turns.”

Nunn says people often get confused about exactly what is covered and what requires additional coverage. Her best advice is to know your policy and ask questions before a need arises.

For instance, a regular homeowner’s policy does not cover flood damage.

“A flood is defined as surface water that rises and overflows into your home. It is not water that is driven by rain or wind due to openings in your home,” Nunn explains. “If you live in a flood plain as defined by the NFIP, flood insurance is required by lenders as part of your mortgage conditions.”

Another issue to consider is what’s covered with your plumbing system.

“Overflow of water from your plumb-ing system that arises out of a blockage on your premises is usually covered under most homeowner policies,” says Nunn. “However, if it originates from a problem in the line down the street, it usually is not covered. The extra endorsement called ‘backup of sewers and drains’ helps cover these type of events.”

In most cases, if it involves a septic tank overflow, insurance will take care of the cleanup; however, you’ll want to confirm this because individual policies vary. Homes with off-site septic systems or homes that have a basement and a sump pump should pay special attention to coverage.

Insuring vacant homes is another potential pitfall. In today’s real estate market, a seller must often relocate before they sell their home, leaving it unoccupied. If there’s a mortgage, the lender requires that home insurance be kept on the property.

“Vacant homes (where there are no furnishings) usually have to be insured through excess market at a much higher cost,” says Nunn. “We usually recom-mend someone who is relocating to find a friend or relative willing to stay in the home for a few months while it is being sold, or that they find a tenant and turn it into a rental dwelling policy.”

Buying a home is a huge investment. The more you know about that purchase and how to protect it, the less likely you’ll find yourself dealing with the kind of problems that make you an example of what not to do.

Fall 2014 29

BUILDING & REMODELING

Brickwood Builders .....................................27

Builders MD .................................................3

Disney Construction .....................................2

Don Mills Builders ....................................... 13

Greensboro Builders Association ..................7

KC’s Improvement & Construction .............10

Tim Frazier Builders ....................................20

TM Construction Services ...........................28

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

BEK Paint Company .....................................5

Boone Decorative Fabrics ...........................15

Central Carolina Farm & Mower .................25

Clark Farm, Lawn & Garden ......................12

Crystal Clear ............................................... 21

Deep River Closet Designs ............................5

Eanes Heating and Air Conditioning ..........31

Edgefield Plant & Stone Center ..................24

Evans Air Services .......................................20

Furniture Medic .......................................... 11

Guilford Gas Service ...................................18

Hicks Electric ..............................................26

Interior Design Solutions by Maria ..............19

Laurie Acree Designs ..................................28

Marshall Stone .............................................9

Mays Siding and Window Contractors ........24

Priba Furniture and Interiors .......................32

Total Bliss .....................................................6

The Vacuum Center Triad ..................... 16-17

Triad Land Surveying ..................................18

INSURANCE PROVIDERS

Susanna Nunn, State Farm ........................30

MISCELLANEOUS

Debbie Barrow, SunTrust Mortgage ..............7

PS Communications .............................23, 29

Spoil-Me-Rotten Animal Care ......................8

Triad Dog Fence .........................................25

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS & SERVICES

A New Dawn Realty .....................................8

Ann Powell, Allen Tate................................ 21

Bobbie Gardner, Allen Tate ........................22

Bobbie Maynard, Allen Tate .......................22

Chandra Tippett, BHHS/Yost & Little .........22

Gail Kerber, Ridgewood Realty ...................22

Gil Vaughan, Keller Williams ......................22

Johnnye Letterman, BHHS/Yost & Little .....22

Kathy McClelland, BHHS/Yost & Little .......23

Nancy Hess, BHHS/Yost & Little ................23

Phillip Stone, A New Dawn Realty ..............23

Ramilya Siegel ..............................................4

Smith Marketing ......................................... 11

for making this publication possible

family of publications

the

our flagship publication, bringing the local news home to northwest

Guilford County since 1996

featuring home-grown stories about fitness and healthy living

an in-depth preview of the Northern and

Northwest High School football seasons

from maintaining and improving your home

to a slice of life in the northwest

To advertise in any of these publications, contact us(336) 644-7035, ext. 10 | [email protected]

weekly

semi-annual annualannual

your directory of need-to- know, fun-to-know and

good-to-know info about northwest Guilford County

annual

30 Fall 2014

Susanna Nunn, CPCU, CLU, LTCP

p (336) 993-4600f (336) 993-4615605 N Main Street Kernersville

Providing insurance and financial services

Susanna Nunn Insurance Agency

www.susannanunn.com


with four classrooms, a library and a princi-pal’s office. While the school was small, it must have seemed luxurious compared to the previous tiny frame building.

Then disaster struck. On a January night in 1942, the new building was destroyed by an electrical fire.

But the fire did not dampen the resolve of the students and teachers. The school was rebuilt quickly with insurance money, plus an additional $20,000 that the school board provided to add more classrooms.

The rebuilt section now contains model classrooms used for teacher training.

The civil rights era:Laughlin School

The name was changed to Laughlin School in the 1950s to honor Duella M. Laughlin, one of the original five teachers and the principal from 1936 to 1950. A portrait of Laughlin still hangs in the devel-opment center’s entrance hallway, a tribute to the educator who lived to be 103.

The school continued to construct ad-

ditions through the 1950s, including more classroom buildings, a cafeteria, indoor toilets and a multipurpose room. These are the rooms now used for professional development training and offices.

Gary L. Clark, a Summerfield native who now lives in Florida, went to Laugh-lin School from first to 12th grade and was in the last graduating class of 28 students in 1965.

“Growing up in Summerfield and going to Laughlin, it was a very simple time,” Clark said. “We were one of the few black families who lived there. Everybody knew us. They used to call us the ‘crazy Clark boys,’” he said with a chuckle, remembering the scrapes he and his brothers would get into.

Attending a segregated school had its challenges, Clark admitted.

“Being a colored school, we didn’t have any current materials,” he said. “Most of the books we got were hand-me-downs from the white schools.”

An avid reader, Clark excelled aca-demically. Yet when a counselor gave him an occupational test, though his score was high, her advice was disappointing.

“What do you think she told me I ought to go into as a profession?” Clark asked. “Cook. ‘You would make a good cook,’ she said.”

Disheartened, Clark dropped out of school his senior year. But one teacher could not bear to see his talent go to waste.

“I was out about two or three

months, and she literally talked me into coming back,” Clark said. He took his final exams and was allowed to gradu-ate with his class.

Looking back, Clark said that type of caring was the main advantage of attending a small school.

“You grew up in an environment where everyone looked after each other,” he said. “You were in a school where the teachers were concerned about you.”

Clark, who marched in some demon-strations during the famous Greensboro sit-ins, attended Laughlin at a crucial period in Guilford County Schools’ history.

During the turbulent 1960s, schools in Guilford County began the process of integration.

In 1965, high school students from Laughlin began attending Northwest Guilford High School, which had been built three years earlier. A few years later in 1968, Laughlin’s middle grade students began attending Northwest Guilford Middle School, and Laughlin became an elementary school only.

Clark’s three younger brothers were among the earliest African-American students to go to Northwest.

Clark said because his brothers had to change schools, they felt the impact of integration more than he did. “Of course, they had to put up with taunt-ing and a lot of other different stuff,” he recalled. “From my perspective, I was impacted very little by it.”

Clark credits at least some of his personal and professional successes to his time at Laughlin.

“If I had gone to some other school, I don’t know that I would have turned out the way I did,” he said. “As they say, what you do, who you know and where you are dictates who you become.”

Clark was drafted into the military al-most immediately after graduation and served in the Navy for four years, after which he attended Guilford College.

Today, Clark is retired after a suc-cessful career as an investor and financial advisor. He has even written a book, “The Simplification of Becoming a Millionaire,” a business primer that of-fers “easy ways to make big money.”

Integration brings in a new eraAfter Guilford County fully integrated

all of its schools in 1970, Laughlin School students in grades 3-5 were sent to Sum-merfield Elementary School, while Laugh-lin became an integrated K-2 school.

In 1987, second grade students be-gan attending Summerfield Elementary. Laughlin served kindergarten and first grade students only until closing in 2011.

Laughlin did not stay vacant for long, however, and became Laughlin Profes-sional Development Center in 2012 when the Departments of Induction and Success and Professional Development moved into the former school building.

Zenns said she and the rest of the staff thoroughly enjoy working in a building with such a rich history.

“We love it here,” she said. “When you think about all that has gone on through the years, it is so amazing and exciting. You just feel it.”

Thank youto Linda Zenns for most of the

historical information for this article.

To read her historical account ofLaughlin School, visit www.gcsnc.com/pages/gcsnc/District. On the right-hand side, click “History of Education in GCS” and click “History of Laughlin School.”

Photo by Kristin Kubly | New teachers are trained in the latest technologyat the Laughlin Professional Development Center.

Comfort for

Every Moment

Call (336) 294-8044Hurry, These offers end soon!

$8999(Regularly $118)

Offer ends 11/30/14. Restrictions apply.

EANESPRECISIONTUNE-UP

We service all brands!

per system

We Guarantee Your ComfortAn EANES Precision Tune-up for your air conditioneror heat pump is simply the best thing you can do toguarantee your comfort all season long.

EanesComfort.com

$2000with

Qualifying Rebatesuntil 11/30/14

SAVE UP TO

See The Eanes Tune-up Difference

WATCH NOW!EanesComfort.com/TheEanesDifference

Just Scan

At Priba Furniture and Interiors, you’re welcomed like family. Both returning and new clients alike enjoy shopping in our intimate, stylish setting.

Please visit our user-friendly website, www.pribafurniture.com, for a complete listing of more than 350 lines we proudly represent. We’re happy to find the pieces you need at the most competitive price!

and experience thedifference

Come home to Priba

www.pribafurniture.com SHOWROOM: 210 Stage Coach Trail, GreensboroTEL: (336) 855-9034 | FAX: (336) 855-1370

Open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Sat 9am-5pmExtended hours with appointment

Like us on Facebook to be the first to know aboutspecial sales events

Check out our newclearance catalog on the

website. You’ll be amazed at the discounts. New markdowns weekly!

At Home | Fall 2014

Documents

Transcript of At Home | Fall 2014