The grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for The Humble Hare were held Friday morning at 705 W. Pine St. in Mount Airy. A crowd gathered to hear from speakers and see the ribbon cutting before the doors were thrown open and the shopping began.

The interior of The Humble Hare is seen just after the grand opening Friday, Oct. 7. The Hare is the new resale store that benefits Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care.

The Humble Hare keeps a watchful eye over the sales floor. On day one right after the grand opening, customers were finding deals on home wares, furniture, and clothing with proceeds going back to aid the work of Mountain Valley Hospice.

Mount Airy Mayor Ron Niland is seen asking for the oversized scissors. In a custom started by his predecessor David Rowe, the mayor cuts a small part of the grand opening ribbon of Mount Airy businesses to be put on display. He estimates there are thirty five such pieces of grand opening ribbon currently in his office.

A grand opening celebration for The Humble Hare in Mount Airy was held Friday morning at 705 W. Pine St. After the speakers spoke and the ribbon was cut, the doors opened, and shoppers went in to explore what bargains may be afoot.

Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care opened their new store location complete with new name and a super snazzy and sophisticated hare as their new logo. The hare, while humble, is seen adorned with oversized glasses and a bowtie that signifies he is one serious customer.

“The shop has undergone a complete transformation with an enhanced selection of pre-loved furniture, home decor, and clothing,” said Sara Tavery Vice President of Philanthropy, Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care.

“Our goal is to offer shoppers high-quality new and gently-used items at affordable prices while increasing revenue in support of patients and their families who lack financial resources to pay for their hospice care.”

Inside the new store were displays of furniture, clothing, home and kitchen wares, shoes, and accessories neatly displayed and ready to be browsed.

Mount Airy Mayor Ron Niland and Randy Collins of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce both spoke before the ribbon cutting. The men each shared emotional recollections of how hospice made a difference in their own lives during times of great need.

Other families will benefit from The Humble Hare as the sales from the store will help Mountain Valley Hospice offset operating costs and continue to offer services to those in need. They do not turn people away due to financial hardships, so consider that when eyeing a queen comforter or complete dish set at a deeply discounted price.

A few dollars spent within The Humble Hare can have a significant impact on the quality of life that remains for a patient and their family.

Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care provides compassionate hospice and palliative care services with a team of healthcare professionals and specially trained volunteers across eighteen counties in North Carolina and Virginia.

On their website Mountain Valley Hospice said that nationally, “More than a million patients and their families have utilized the services of hospice. While 60 percent of hospice patients have cancer, hospice is not only for cancer patients. We also help those who have several different conditions such as heart disease or AIDS.”

“Several of our patients and their families have said: “I don’t know what I would have done without hospice.” Many credit our care to helping them spend warm and memorable days with their loved ones.”

The Humble Hare will gladly be accepting donations for items that can be sold in the store and they ask that donations not be left outside the storefront. To schedule an appointment to make a donation please call 336-789-1230.

Cardinals clinch Foothills 2A Title

SBC offering free webinars in October

The idea of having “hazardous waste” around sounds scary, but an event scheduled next Saturday in Mount Airy will provide a means of getting rid of the household variety.

This involves the annual Household Hazardous Waste and Pesticide Collection day at Veterans Memorial Park.

Items can be brought to the park at 691 W. Lebanon St. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The annual collection event is jointly hosted by the Surry Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension, Surry County Public Works and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

It is an opportunity for residents to dispose of unwanted or no-longer-needed substances that might be in or around the home including paints and paint strippers, thinners, weed killers, pesticides, solvents including drain solvents, gasoline, acids and pool chemicals.

“This is stuff that can’t go into the landfill,” Tim Shores of Surry County Public Works explained Friday.

“We are solid waste and this is liquid,” he said of materials accepted at that facility compared to what can be disposed of next Saturday.

All containers should be labeled, lids closed tightly and glass bottles cushioned.

Organizers stress that the collection event is for household waste only, with no commercial waste to be allowed.

Shores mentioned that an outside company is involved in the collection and removal of the waste products received.

“That is their specialty,” he said.

Shores added that many local residents tend to take advantage of the opportunity to get rid of hazardous waste from homes.

“The volume is actually pretty good,” he said of the amounts received from year to year

Since the disposal project is an expensive endeavor, the flow is tracked to evaluate its success.

“And it goes over fairly well,” Shores said.

Last year the event allowed 1,494 pounds of unwanted pesticides and 20,366 pounds of household hazardous waste to be safely disposed of, according to figures from the Surry Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension.

This represented savings put at a conservative value of $218,600, compared to the cost of what those who participated in the event would normally have paid to dispose of the waste.

Items that shouldn’t be brought to the collection event include ammunition/explosives, radioactive materials, medicine and syringes, liquid propane and propane cylinders, infectious waste and automotive-type batteries.

PILOT MOUNTAIN — East Surry’s seniors put on a show Friday night in their final home game of the regular season.

East Surry locked Forbush down for just 56 yards of offense through the first half, while the Cardinal offense scored six first-half touchdowns with an average of 45 seconds per drive. East added another touchdown to start the second half and a field goal in the fourth to go up 52-0.

The Falcons, who won three straight games coming into the Oct. 14 Foothills 2A Conference clash, added a touchdown on their final drive of the game to make it 52-7.

The Cardinals improve to 8-0 overall and 4-0 in the FH2A Conference. By defeating Forbush, East Surry takes sole possession of first place in the conference with two weeks left in the regular season.

Led by 19 seniors, East has a chance to repeat as FH2A Champions and win the program’s fourth consecutive conference title.

The following Cardinal seniors were recognized prior to Friday’s game: Matthew Keener, Folger Boaz, Dylan Cox, Dougie Lambert, Brett Clayton, Colby Johnson, Kyle Zinn, Hayden Sammons, Gabriel Harpe, Luke Brown, Anderson Badgett, Stephen Brantley, Joshua Parker, Daniel Villasenor, Gavin Atkins, Kole Pruitt, Eli Becker, JT Simmons and Bryson Mcbride.

“These guys have come in and done everything we’ve asked, and in many cases more so,” said East Surry coach Trent Lowman. “They have followed the previous classes and teams that everyone talks about as the best East Surry teams ever and all it’s done is fuel these guys to be better than those teams.

“They’ve battled through the Covid seasons, went through remote school and no workouts, back to full swing offseason work and now back into the flow of what we consider normal football. They have experienced more variations of school and football than anyone before them, and here they are: resilient, 8-0, and working every day to get better.

“I love them. They hear it from me all the time. I love each and every one of them.”

East Surry set the tone for the game right out of the gate. The Cardinal defense forced a punt on Forbush’s opening drive, and Will Jones blocked the punt and recovered it on the Falcon 3-yard line. Zinn barreled into the end zone on the next play to get East Surry on the board.

Forbush went three-and-out on its first four offensive drives, while the Cards scored four touchdowns in the first quarter. Boaz, the Cardinal quarterback, surpassed 100 yards in the air by the end of the first quarter by completing all six passing attempts. Keener and Brown each grabbed their first of two touchdown receptions in the opening quarter.

A personal foul on East as the first quarter ended gave Forbush (3-5, 3-1 FH2A) a first down for the first time. Runs from Regan Ramey, Bryson Taylor and Jesse Wooten led the Falcons on their longest drive of the game – that wasn’t aided by a running clock – which spanned 74 yards over 11 plays and took up 6:47 of game time.

The Cards gave up three first downs on penalties on the drive, which gave the Falcons 35 yards, but made a fourth-down stand on their own 3-yard line to save a touchdown.

East followed with its longest drive before a running clock went into effect. The Cardinals covered 97 yards on seven plays over 1:41 of game time. Only two of East Surry’s six first-half scoring drives spanned more than 37 seconds.

Boaz found Brown for a 40-yard touchdown pass just before halftime, then the senior QB connected with Keener for a 10-yard TD on the opening drive of the second half to increase the lead to 49-0. Forbush punted on its only drive of the third quarter, which allowed East to drive down the field and set Brantley up for a 45-yard field goal as the fourth quarter began.

After East Surry increased the lead to 52-0, Forbush used the better part of the fourth quarter to add 53 yards of offense. East Surry didn’t allow a play of 10 yards or longer all game until Taylor completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to Mckinley Reavis.

East Surry finished with 368 total yards to Forbush’s 115.

The Cardinals have now won 22 consecutive regular season games dating back to the 2020 season.

Only four teams in the FH2A Conference are still competing for shares of the conference title: East Surry (4-0), Wilkes Central (4-1), Forbush (3-1) and North Wilkes (2-2). East Surry has defeated all three of the other teams fighting for the FH2A title and can guarantee at least a share of the conference championship with a victory over West Wilkes (1-4) OR Surry Central (1-3) in the final two weeks of the season.

8:37 ESHS 7-0 – Kyle Zinn 3-yard rush TD, Joshua Parker PAT

5:59 ESHS 14-0 – Matthew Keener 7-yard TD reception on Folger Boaz pass, Stephen Brantley PAT

2:34 ESHS 21-0 – Luke Brown 28-yard TD reception on Folger Boaz pass, Joshua Parker PAT

0:25 ESHS 28-0 – Colby Johnson 2-yard rush TD, Stephen Brantley PAT

3:57 ESHS 35-0 – Colby Johnson 11-yard rush TD, Joshua Parker PAT

1:12 ESHS 42-0 – Luke Brown 40-yard TD reception on Folger Boaz pass, Stephen Brantley PAT

9:30 ESHS 49-0 – Matthew Keener 10-yard TD reception on Folger Boaz pass, Joshua Parker PAT

11:09 ESHS 52-0 – Stephen Brantley 45-yard field goal

3:27 FHS 52-7 – Mckinley Reavis 34-yard TD reception on Bryson Taylor pass, David Guadarrama PAT

225 yards passing and four touchdowns on 13 completions

143 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 12 carries

Passing: Folger Boaz 12-of-14 for 210 yards, four touchdowns; Luke Bruner 1-of-1 for 15 yards

Receiving: Luke Brown four receptions for 107 yards, two touchdowns; Matthew Keener four receptions for 47 yards, two touchdowns; Colby Johnson two receptions for 36 yards; Kyle Zinn one reception for 16 yards; Dougie Lambert one reception for 15 yards; Stephen Brantley one reception for 4 yards

Rushing: Lindann Fleming two carries for 56 yards; Kyle Zinn four carries for 42 yards, one touchdown; Colby Johnson four carries for 33 yards, two touchdowns; Luke Bruner one carry for 8 yards; Hayden Sammons three carries for 4 yards

Kicking: Stephen Brantley 3-of-3 PATs, 1-of-1 field goals (45 yards); Joshua Parker 4-of-4 PATs

53 yards passing on five completions

Passing: Bryson Taylor 5-of-9 for 53 yards, one touchdown

Receiving: Mckinley Reavis three receptions for 39 yards, one touchdown; Andrew Hutchens one reception for seven yards; Cristofur Martinez two receptions for 6 yards

Rushing: Regan Ramey 19 carries for 49 yards; Jesse Wooten six carries for 13 yards; Bryson Taylor three carries for 2 yards; Andrew Hutchens two carries for -2 yards

Kicking: David Guadarrama 1-of-1 PATs

Reach Cory on Twitter @MaNewsSports

Holy moley, can there be a city commissioner more toxic, arrogant and just plain disrespectful of citizens than Steve Yokeley?

I attended the “Save our Main Street” rally on Sunday, Oct. 9. I can only guess that Commissioner Yokeley did not. If he had, he would have seen a thoughtful and energized group of Mount Airy-loving citizens strolling down the central part of Main Street to make a visible statement to align with their request that the council revisit, and perhaps revise, select portions of the plan approved by the council after being enthusiastically supported by Mount Airy Downtown (MAD). Quell surprise!

All participants of the Oct. 9 parade were polite, well-behaved, and sincere in their desire to use the event to let city council officials hear, once more, their collective voice. After the walk, the crowd congregated on the front lawn of the Municipal Building to offer individual concerns and ideas about how to revise and/or improve the plan. They also listened respectfully to an opposing perspective shared by a member of the board of directors of Mounty Airy Downtown Inc.

Ultimately, the gentle rally marchers — or “naysayers, fear mongers, doomsday prophets, obstructionists, and saboteurs,” as Steve Yokeley might describe them — may have missed their mark on their desired outcome [see “City sticking to guns on downtown plan” in the Oct. 13 Mount Airy News]; but they were successful in highlighting the fact that so many sitting council officials, like Commissioner Yokeley, remain unable or unwilling to listen respectfully and respond effectively to business owners and residents who dare question their poor decisions.

On Nov. 8, voters will have an opportunity to remove the many close-minded MAD puppets who now populate the city council by electing candidates who can think for themselves while respectfully serving the interests of all citizens … not just the downtown elite.

DOBSON — With 21% of Surry County’s population 65 or older, Medicare is a big concern locally, and the Surry Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension wants to help those seeking answers with a new open enrollment period under way.

It began today (Oct. 15) and will continue for eight weeks to give seniors enough time to review and make changes to their Medicare coverage.

In reminding about the open enrollment period, state Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey suggests that recipients compare plans and make necessary changes in the federal health insurance program during that time.

“Medicare plans and prices change,” Commissioner Causey said in a statement. “It is important for Medicare beneficiaries to take advantage of the open enrollment period by contacting local Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselors to save money, improve your coverage or both.”

Any changes must be made by Dec. 7 to guarantee one’s coverage will begin without interruption on Jan. 1, 2023.

One way to review and compare plans available next year is through the local Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program counselors, according to information from the Surry County Extension unit.

SHIIP is a division of the N.C. Department of Insurance which offers free, unbiased information about Medicare, Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage, long-term care insurance and other health insurance issues.

In addition to helping Medicare beneficiaries compare and enroll in plans during the open enrollment period, SHIIP counselors can assist citizens in determining if they are eligible for Medicare cost-savings programs.

Those counselors are not licensed insurance agents and do not sell, endorse or oppose any product, plan or company. Persons with questions about specific plans are encouraged to contact their insurance agents or providers.

One way to review and compare plans available for 2023 includes getting one-on-one help from local SHIIP personnel by calling the Surry County Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension at 336-401-8025.

Counselors are available in both Dobson and Mount Airy. Persons interested need to call to make an appointment for either a telephone or an in-person visit, 336-401-8025 to reach the Dobson office or 336-783-8500 for the Surry County Resource Center in Mount Airy.

The local counselors are Tom Bachmann, Mike Carper, Donna Collins, Tammy Haynes and Mary Jane Jenkins, with two new volunteers who are in training, Sylvia Gentry and Donna Sutphin.

More are always sought to assist local Medicare beneficiaries.

An informational program is scheduled at the Beulah Community Club on N.C. 89 Tuesday at 7 p.m., with other educational sessions to be announced before the Dec. 7 deadline.

• Receiving that assistance through the state Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program by calling toll free at 1-855-408-1212, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Visiting www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan to compare present coverage with all options available in this area and enroll in a new plan if there is a decision to make a change. A Medicare & You handbook mailed to people on that program in September can be consulted for this.

• Calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24-hours a day, seven days a week, to learn more about coverage options. TTY (text telephone device) users should call 1-877-486-2048.

More information about SHIIP and the Medicare open enrollment period is available at 1-855-408-1212 or by visiting www.ncshiip.com.

Causey advises seniors to contact a local SHIIP counselor before deciding about coverage because they might be able to receive more-affordable and better Medicare health and/or drug plan options in the area.

For example, even if someone is satisfied with his or her present Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, there could be another plan in the area that covers one’s health care and/or drugs at a better price.

The Autumn Leaves Festival officially started Friday with an 11:30 a.m. opening ceremony — but the event was well underway before then, with thousands of people already filling Main Street.

With picture-perfect weather — clear skies and temperatures headed to the low 70s — it was hard to remember Friday was a workday for most of the world, with so many people packing downtown to browse the vendor booths, listen to live music, and catch-up with old friends.

Among those at the opening ceremony was Margaret Noonkester, a Mount Airy native who has lived the past 50 years of her life in Ararat, Virginia. Noonkester said she was onhand in 1966 for the first Autumn Leaves Festival, and that she has been at every one since.

“I always look forward to coming,” she said of the event. Noonkester, perhaps one of the few area residents who can lay claim to having attended every festival, said she particularly misses the 10-cent ham biscuits and seeing some of the booths with women and men dressed as their farming ancestors may have a century earlier.

As Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce Chair Connie Hamlin said in her opening remarks during the ceremony, those early years the festival paid homage to the farmers of old, and celebrated the autumn tobacco and apple harvest.

“It used to be about having a good time,” Noonkester said of the festival. “Now, it’s money time,” she said of the gradual commercialization of some parts of the event. “It’s always been a big crowd, but nothing like today. It used to be mostly hometown folk.”

Still, Noonkester keeps coming because she said there is plenty to enjoy.

“I like the music, and just seeing how smart people are with their crafts.”

Plenty of people seemed to enjoy both music and crafters Friday. Upwards of 200 people had set up chairs and staked out spots around the bandstand to catch the live bands, and more than a few folks took to the dance floor set up there, showing off flat-footing and clogging skills.

And thousands — maybe tens of thousands — of area residents and visitors were already making their way up and down Main Street, checking out craft vendors and sampling the food from more than two dozen food booths set up throughout downtown.

Randy Collins, chamber president and CEO, said he was anticipating this weekend would be a big one for downtown.

During his opening remarks, Collins told the crowd there were more than 200 vendors and nearly three dozen live bands scheduled for the weekend, as he recounted a bit of history for the festival.

“The festival started in 1966,” he said. “We have had one every year since. COVID got us in 2020, but we were back in 2021, and we think this could be a record year,” he said of the 2022 version of the festival.

Lenise Lynch, the 2023 chamber chair-elect, said the festival is not only good for the vendors and visitors, but it is good for Mount Airy.

She said in addition to the food and crafts being sold, visitors to the festival spend money in local restaurants, at hotels, gasoline stations, and local shops. She encouraged those browsing the vendor booths to take a few minutes to visit the stores and shops lining Main Street.

“Without them and their support, this festival may not be possible,” she told the crowd.

After the opening remarks, Collins declared the festival “officially open,” Sugarloaf Band took to the stage and the big weekend was off and running.

ELKIN — History repeated itself at the 2022 Northwest 1A Conference Tennis Tournament.

Three Granite Bears – Carrie Marion, Kancie Tate and Ella Brant – repeated as individual conference champions. The NW1A Singles Championship came down to two Mount Airy players, and all six of the Bears’ tournament entries qualified for the 1A Regional Championship.

The defending 1A State Champions ran the NW1A gauntlet with an undefeated dual team record once again in 2022. Carrie Marion repeated as NW1A Player of the Year, and Luke Graham repeated as NW1A Coach of the Year.

The following players will represent the NW1A Conference at Regionals.

In singles: Mount Airy’s Carrie Marion, Audrey Brown, North Stokes’ Chandler Sizemore and Elkin’s Julie Cortez; in doubles: Mount Airy’s Kancie Tate/Ella Brant and Audrey Marion/Charlotte Hauser, East Wilkes’ Ava Darnell and Savannah Sparks and Hallie Younger/Emily Spicer.

After winning the NW1A, 1A West Regional and 1A State Doubles Championship in 2022 with Brant, Mount Airy sophomore Carrie Marion elected to play singles in 2022. Carrie, who was undefeated against NW1A competition during the regular season, was the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament.

Alleghany’s Maci Whitaker defeated East Wilkes’ Valerie Schubart 6-4, 6-4 in the opening round, then Carrie – who earned a first-round bye – defeated Schubart 6-0, 6-0 in the quarterfinals. The Granite Bear then defeated Elkin’s Cortez 6-1, 6-0 in the semifinals.

Mount Airy freshman Audrey Brown earned a first-round bye on the bottom half of the singles bracket. She faced East Wilkes’ Salem Sparks in the quarterfinals and won 6-1, 6-1. Sparks made it to the quarters with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Alleghany’s Alexandra Vestal.

Brown then found herself against North Stokes junior Chandler Sizemore in the semifinals. Sizemore played No. 1 for North Stokes all season and finished with a 12-4 record.

Sizemore won the first set 7-6 after winning a tiebreaker 9-7, then Brown won the second set by the same score. The pair went to a third-set which Brown won 6-1.

It was Mount Airy’s No. 1 vs. Mount Airy’s No. 6 in the championship match. Carrie captured the singles title over her teammate by a score of 6-1, 6-0.

Sizemore went on to defeat Cortez 6-1, 7-5 in the third-place match.

Tate, a senior, won the NW1A Title, finished fourth at the 1A West Regional Championship and in 2022 and was a 1A State semifinalist in singles last season. She joined forces with Brant, a sophomore, for doubles this postseason. Brant was a state qualifier in doubles both her freshman and sophomore years, and won the conference, regional and state titles in doubles in 2021.

The top-seeded Granite Bear duo earned a first-round bye. North Stokes’ Ila Hassan/Emma Hooker reached the quarterfinals with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win over Elkin’s Kendall Eads/Bronwyn Sloop, then fell to Brant/Tate 6-1, 6-0.

Brant/Tate then beat East Wilkes’ Young/Spicer 6-0, 6-1 to reach the championship match.

Mount Airy seniors Audrey Marion and Charlotte Hauser earned a bye for the opening round on the bottom half of the bracket. The Bears defeated North Stokes’ Ada Hassan/Emma Gunn 6-0, 6-2 in the quarterfinals, then found themselves against East Wilkes’ team of Darnell/Savannah Sparks in the semifinals.

Darnell/Savannah won the first set 6-4, then Hauser/Audrey Marion won the second set 6-4. East Wilkes’ duo advanced to the championship match by winning the decisive third set 6-1.

Darnell/Savannah won the first set of the championship 6-3, but Mount Airy’s Brant/Tate fired back and won the next two sets 6-4, 6-2.

Younger/Spicer defeated Hauser/Audrey Marion 6-1, 6-3 in the third-place match.

PILOT MOUNTAIN — The East Surry volleyball team capped off its regular season with a 13-match winning streak.

The Cardinals used their final week of competition before the postseason to recognize three senior players: Lily Watson, Samarin Kipple and Katie Collins.

“These three seniors are a special group because they were a part of one of my first travel ball teams when they were 13-years old, and to get a front row seat to their volleyball careers has been an absolute honor,” said East Surry coach Katelyn Markle.

“They have not had the easiest of times in their four years of high school due to a couple of Covid seasons, but they have still somehow managed to stay positive through it all. East Surry has been extremely lucky to have Samarin, Lily and Katie for four years, and they will be deeply missed next year.”

After playing at home just seven times through their first 19 matches, the Cardinals ended the regular season with three home matches in four days. Two of these matches came against Foothills 2A Conference opponents.

Victories over West Wilkes and Surry Central rounded out the Cardinals’ second consecutive undefeated conference season at 12-0.

East Surry has now won conference regular season titles in six of the past seven seasons. The Cardinals look to win their ninth consecutive conference tournament title next week; East won the Northwest 1A Tournament title 2013-2019, no tournament was held in 2020 and the Cards won the FH2A tourney title in 2021.

East Surry is the top seed in the FH2A Tournament and will have a bye in the first round. Surry Central is the No. 2 seed at 7-5, and there was a three-way tie for third between Wilkes Central, North Surry and North Wilkes at 6-6. Forbush is No. 6 at 4-8 and West Wilkes will be the No. 7 seed at 1-11.

The FH2A Tournament Semifinals and Championship matches will be hosted by Surry Central.

Markle stressed that despite only dropping one set in conference play – that coming against North Surry – East Surry is only concerned with their next match and isn’t looking past any opponent.

“Our main focus for the remainder of the season will be taking it one game at a time,” Markle said. “This season has been all about goals for us, and we just have to keep working to reach them. It’s not going to be easy, but these kids are ready to put the work in.“

AES Inc., an industrial repair and contract manufacturing company, has acquired an industrial electronic repair company, Computer Concepts of NC, Inc.

The process to acquire the firm began in June of this year and was finalized by the end of September. With the purchase, AES will eventually add several new positions to its location in Mount Airy.

“The acquisition of Computer Concepts of NC Inc. perfectly aligns with our core services at AES and our current growth strategy,” company CEO Nicholas Cooke said in announcing the purchase. “This acquisition allows current clients of Computer Concepts of NC Inc. to enjoy the benefits of our expanded workforce, diverse service offerings, web-based customer portal, two-year warranty, and free regional pick-up and delivery, to name a few. The acquisition will increase the technical capabilities of AES Inc. while increasing our customer base predominately throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.”

Founded in 1993, Computer Concepts of NC Inc. is a family-owned and operated company, headquartered in East Bend, with just a single full-time employee, owner Darrell Wooten. He founded the company to provide industrial electronic repair and engineering services to the textile industry.

“He has built an incredible business on the foundation of high-quality workmanship and a customer-centric focus,” Cooke said. “We, at AES, plan to continue that same level of customer service and high-quality workmanship that customers of Computer Concepts of NC Inc. have grown to know and love.”

He said that Wooten will join AES in a business development and technical advisement role “to ensure a smooth transition and continue to grow the business.”

He said the Computer Concepts operations will be moved to the AES Mount Airy repair facility. Cooke said the firm expects to complete the relocation by the first quarter of 2023, and that relocation will create three to five new positions in Mount Airy.

AES, founded in 1992, is a family-owned and operated company with more than 100 employees, providing industrial electronic, hydraulic, and mechanical equipment repair, sales of new and used equipment, as well as electronic contract manufacturing services to a global customer base.

“This is an exciting time for both Computer Concepts of NC Inc. and AES. As one unified team, we become an even stronger service provider within our industry.” Cooke said.

Tammy Joyce, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Mount Airy, recently attended the firm’s Financial Advisor Leaders Conference, which celebrates the contributions and achievements of some of the firm’s most successful financial advisors. The conference was held Sept. 29-30 in St. Louis.

During the two-day meeting, attendees heard from internal and external speakers about relevant topics, conferred on timely topics and shared best practices for serving clients.

“The care these financial advisors show for their clients is outstanding, as is the spirit of partnership they demonstrate with both clients and their branch teams. We applaud the positive impact they are making for their clients and in their communities,” said Chuck Orban, an Edward Jones principal responsible for the firm’s recognition events. “We always look forward to the camaraderie among attendees and the learning that takes place as we celebrate their hard work and the exceptional service they provide to our clients.”

Edward Jones, a FORTUNE 500 firm, provides financial services in the U.S. and through its affiliate in Canada. The firm’s nearly 19,000 financial advisors serve more than 8 million clients with a total of $1.6 trillion in client assets under care. The firm has several locations in Mount Airy and throughout Surry County.

Surry Community College’s Small Business Center is ranked #1 in the Piedmont Triad region in economic impact measured in fiscal year 2021-2022, when counting the number of new business startups and the number of jobs created and retained that are directly attributable to the college’s work in that area.

In the fiscal year 2020-2021, SCC’s Small Business Center was in the top 10 in the state for economic impact.

The Piedmont Triad region covers 11 counties including Surry, Stokes, Rockingham, Yadkin, Forsyth, Guilford, Alamance, Davie, Davidson, Randolph and Montgomery. Seven Small Business Centers are located throughout the region.

“I am proud to see Surry Community College’s Small Business Center excel and make such a significant impact on the college’s service area of Surry and Yadkin counties. Our work with business and industry continues to shine bright in North Carolina,” said SCC President Dr. David Shockley. “It is especially impressive that as a rural Small Business Center, we are creating such a considerable economic impact.”

Under Mark Harden’s leadership as director, the SBC at Surry Community College has received multiple awards during the past four years. In 2020, Harden received the North Carolina State Small Business Center’s Rookie of the Year Award. In 2021, Harden received a Level 2 Credentialing award from the N.C. Community College System Small Business Center Network.

“We are pleased to help the business community in meaningful ways especially during the challenging economic time of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Harden said. “We are happy to be here to provide support.”

Harden has counseled hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners while actively supporting small business start-ups, resulting in hundreds of new and retained jobs in the region. Additionally, the SCC SBC has offered more than 200 business webinars/seminars impacting 1,000 participants in the region during the past four years.

The Small Business Center provides seminars, workshops, resources and counseling to prospective business owners and existing business owners. The counseling and seminars cover a diverse range of important topics including business plans, capital funding, e-commerce, marketing, accounting, QuickBooks, income taxes, sales taxes, licenses/permits, website design and much more.

The SCC Small Business Center has facilities in Dobson, Elkin, Mount Airy, Pilot Mountain, and Yadkinville. To register for upcoming virtual seminars or to view a complete listing of the upcoming Small Business Center offerings, visit www.surry.edu/sbc.

For information about confidential, one-on-one counseling and resource referrals, contact Harden at hardenm@surry.edu or call 336-386-3685.

The identity of a man who allegedly stole a Mount Airy Fire Department vehicle and was killed when wrecking it has been released, along with more details about the unique set of circumstances surrounding that theft.

Markus Evan Beamer, 28, listed as homeless, died in the early morning hours Monday after the sport utility vehicle — taken from the fire station on Rockford Street — went of control at the intersection of U.S. 52-North and Fancy Gap Road. It flipped several times before landing on a traffic island at Fancy Gap Road.

Beamer was ejected from the 2001 Ford Expedition and pronounced dead at the scene.

Information about how he came to be at the wheel of the SUV was disclosed Thursday by city Fire Chief Zane Poindexter.

The older vehicle involved was not being relied on as any kind of first-response unit, but had been assigned for use by the person occupying a new fire inspector position.

Meanwhile, the department’s command vehicle, which is driven by a senior officer in responding to incidents, had been temporarily taken off line due to breaking down, leading personnel to rely Sunday on the SUV subsequently stolen.

“That vehicle was pulled into service that morning as a command vehicle,” Poindexter explained, and was parked outside the station.

“Upon further investigation, we have found that this vehicle was left on Fire Department property with the keys in it,” the chief advised.

The fact the keys had been left inside reflects the need to deploy mobile units quickly in case of an emergency. “And you don’t want to be looking for a set of keys,” Poindexter said of that scenario. “The command vehicle is most of the time in the station.”

He indicated that the SUV which wound up stolen normally is parked outside due to lack of space in the firehouse containing fire engine bays, where the main command vehicle also is kept. “The command vehicle wasn’t able to be moved at that time.”

This unique scenario enabled the theft of the SUV either late Sunday night or early Monday morning, when the crash occurred around 4 a.m.

“It was a mistake and we admit to it,” Poindexter said of the security lapse involved, albeit under atypical circumstances.

The SUV was not discovered missing until fire units — which routinely responded to traffic accidents and other emergencies — were dispatched to the incident with injuries involving that vehicle, according to previous reports.

Beamer apparently took advantage of the SUV’s ready availability due to being on the scene beforehand, witnessing goings-on there and seizing the opportunity.

“He had been hanging around the fire station that day (Sunday),” Poindexter said.

At one point, Beamer was spotted lying on the ground in front of the facility and fire personnel, thinking he had passed out, gave him water, the chief added.

Before this week’s incident, Beamer had been charged in a separate case with larceny of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, both felonies. He was scheduled to appear in Surry Superior Court in that case on Nov. 28.

Beamer also had been charged with other crimes, including assault on a female in September, for allegedly hitting his girlfriend, also homeless, in the face with a lighter, causing her lip to bleed, and choking the woman.

In February 2021, he was accused of possession of methamphetamine, a felony, as the result of a suspicious-person call on Hines Avenue near North Main Street.

“Turn us, O God of our salvation…wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee? …” Psalm 85:1-13.

Thinking on these words we realize that we have just read a prayer, a humble petition for the God who saved us to also bring us back to where we’ve fallen away from; where we need to return to. And where is that? Close to Him, and back into His will.

Part of the the way back home is to recognize we need to return. In Luke 15:11-24, Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son, who left home, left his father, and “wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all…he began to be in want…” He wound up getting a job feeding pigs, and in his hunger, even began eating the same husks the swine were eating. Finally, “he came to himself,” recognizing that he would be far better off if he would just return home.

The next part of the story, and our advice for returning to God, is turning away from self and sin, and our coming home with repentant heart to the Father. Because God is good and “His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 118), we know our Father is watching for us to turn the corner on our way back to Him. We know He’ll come running to embrace us, forgive us, and restore us!

II Chronicles 7:13-22, “…If My people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

I believe this is a key scripture to our being revived individually, and as the church. Last week we saw how the first step in turning to God for revival is humbling ourselves. Today we will look at the second step, which is prayer. Notice in these verses that the Lord doesn’t say He’ll hear, forgive and heal if the world repents and turns to Him: The Lord says “if my people, which are called by my name” shall make themselves right with me, then I will have mercy and do all this good for them, and the land they live in.

We the church are the ones who know Him, know better, and know we need to return to Him. So we come to Him with words of prayer; as Daniel did in Daniel 9:3-19, confessing our own sins and the sins of our nation. The book also says that Daniel fasted. Sometimes the situation is urgent and dire enough that we need to pray, and fast. Isn’t our family and friends, and their eternal souls reason enough? So let’s set aside providing for the flesh, to seek the God of Heaven in spirit and in truth.

Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us, “Seeing then that we have a Great High Priest…Jesus the Son of God, … Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Christians, I believe we recognize we’re not were we need to be. America is no longer a Christian nation. The church is now more blended with the world and its ways. The bride of Christ is not as pure and holy as she needs to be. Our light is not as bright as our God requires of us. Truly our Lord is the only answer for this grave problem, so we pray to Him to lift us back up where we belong; to revive us again. Through prayer, as we acknowledge our need for Him, He extends us mercy, and offers us help.

James 5:13-18, “…in the name of the Lord…the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up…pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual (producing the desired effect) fervent prayer of a righteous man (or woman) avails much.”

Notice that this scripture teaches us that we are to pray in the name of the Lord. His name is Jesus; which literally means savior, or the Lord is salvation. We’re acknowledging that we need saving, and He’s the one who can save us. We are to pray by faith. See James 1:6, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.” And Matthew 9:29, Jesus said, “According to your faith be it unto you.” And Luke 8:48 and 50, “be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole” …and, “Fear not: believe only… be made whole.”

Notice also that James instructs us to pray fervently. This means with great warmth of emotion. We should earnestly pour out our soul in prayer to our God. Jesus taught His disciples, and us also, to pray to our Father. In Matthew 6:5-13 we are instructed to acknowledge that Christ’s Father is also our Father by faith; we recognize in reverence that His name is holy; we desire that His kingdom come, and His will be done, here in Earth, even as it is in Heaven; we request our daily food provision; we ask for His forgiveness of any trespass against Him; we ask Him to lead us in His righteous ways; and we plead with Him to deliver us from evil, within and without. And all this is because His is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.

One of the shortest verses in the Bible, but one of the most necessary to keep is I Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” We must be in a constant frame of mind of prayer and continual communion with our God. This will keep our focus where it belongs, on Him and His will.

In closing today, realize that prayer is a two-way street. As we offer up our prayers to our Heavenly Father, remember to listen to what He replies. Psalm 85:8, “I will hear what God the Lord will speak.” The way we hear from Him is by preparing our hearts and minds to receive what He has to say to us through His word in the Bible. Read it daily, meditate on, and memorize it, do it. James 1:22, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.” Lord, “wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?”

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STATE ROAD — East Surry won the Foothills 2A Conference Golf Tournament Championship held Oct. 10 at Cedarbrook Country Club.

The Cardinals’ win in the conference tournament gave East Surry a sweep of the FH2A’s top team awards, with the Cards also winning the regular season championship.

“I’m really proud of our girls and the growth they had throughout our season,” said East Surry coach Chad Freeman. “We had such a tough year in 2021 in so many ways, but especially with Covid – we only got to play one match last season with a full lineup of girls. This year we had more consistency.

“Every girl on the team was able to contribute to a winning match score and have a hand in helping us win the conference. I’m also blessed that they are great kids and it’s a joy to be their coach.”

East Surry freshman Sophie Harris was the medalist for the championship meet with a low score of 42 strokes. She was also named FH2A Player of the Year for the season, and Freeman was named FH2A Coach of the Year.

“Sophie Harris didn’t play her best in the first two matches of the conference season, but was lights out the rest of the season on her way to earning conference Player of the Year honors,” Freeman said. “She is just a freshman and, with hard work, she has an amazing future ahead of her.”

Cardinals Claire Hardy (57) and Katie Pell (62) were East Surry’s other two scorers in the conference tournament. East Surry won with a team score of 161, followed by Wilkes Central at 186, Surry Central at 187, North Surry at 188 and North Wilkes at 205. Forbush did not compete in the team competition, but did have one golfer take part in the tournament as an individual.

“I’m proud of Claire Hardy, especially with her improvement during the second half of this season,” Freeman said. “She was able to finish her career with a conference championship as well as All-Conference honors.

“Sophie Hutchens did an awesome job for us even though she missed three matches by being a dual tennis/golf participant. Despite missing three matches, she almost placed high enough in the season-long standings to earn All-Conference. Had she been able to play in the conference tournament she would have probably earned All-Conference in golf as well as tennis, but we’re especially proud of her winning the conference singles tennis title”

“Zona Raasch and Katie Pell both showed improvement during the year and both will be able to return for us next year. I look forward to seeing how much each of them can improve for 2023.”

The top three individual performances per school contributed to team score.

Mount Airy soccer strengthened its hold on the Northwest 1A Conference’s top spot with recent wins over the second- and third-place teams.

The Granite Bears improve to 16-0 overall and 9-0 in conference play. Mount Airy is the only team in the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s four classifications to have not lost or tied a single match in 2022.

Mount Airy is one of only five teams in the state that have not lost this season, though the other five had tied at least once: Williams (15-0-1, 3A East), Wheatmore (13-0-4, 2A West), Forbush (13-0-1, 2A West), James Kenan (16-0-1, 2A East) and Mountain Heritage (8-0-1, 1A West).

The Bears faced heavy resistance in the Oct. 10 match against South Stokes. Although it was Mount Airy that struck first in the game, the Sauras (10-5-2) fired back with two quick goals of their own. Prior to Monday’s match, only two opponents – Ashe County and Elkin – had scored multiple goals on the Bears.

“I think that’s probably the first time all year that we were playing from behind,” said Bears coach Will Hurley. “We made a few mistakes early, and I think it was just kids getting excited. I feel like we created a lot of good chances for them to score by not playing our game. Not taking anything away from South Stokes because they’ve got a really good team.”

Elkin Lopez led an attack up the left sideline in the ninth minute. The senior crossed to Angel Osorno at the top of the 18-yard box, then Osorno one-touched a pass to an open Adrian Rodriguez for the goal.

South Stokes got on the board less than two minutes later. Ethan Moran launched a throw-in from the visitors’ sideline into Mount Airy’s 18, and Cooper Willard headed the throw into the back of the net.

Three minutes later in the 14th minute, the Sauras earned a free kick just outside the Bears’ 18. Tyler Whitaker curved a shot around the wall and inside the near post to take the lead.

South Stokes held on to its advantage until the 27th minute and didn’t allow Mount Airy to take the lead until the 64th. The Sauras played on the defensive for most of the half, being out-shot by the Bears 10-3 in the first 40 minutes, but only surrendered one additional goal before halftime.

Osorno netted the equalizer off a corner kick from Edwin Agabo. Agabo’s kick from the home sideline connected with Lopez in the Sauras’ 18, and Osorno redirected Lopez’s header with one of his own.

“It was rewarding to see Angel attacking so well,” Hurley said of the Bears’ second-leading scorer. “He and Adrian really did a good job creating runs and getting shots of their own.”

At halftime, Coach Hurley, along with assistant coaches Holden and Wes Hurley, spoke with his team about resilience.

“You have to want it more than they do,” the coach said to his team. “When you’re undefeated or having any kind of success you will get everybody’s best game. They have nothing to lose here so it’s up to us to rise to the challenge.”

The Bears continued to battle and held South scoreless in the second half. The defense, still without starting sweeper Carter Bray, stepped up Hurley said. Mount Airy also went with two defensive midfielders in Saeed Saavedra and Vicente Gomez that Hurley said played “tremendously.”

Noah Lambert entered the game off the bench and provided a big spark to the Bears’ offense. In a physical game, fresh legs did the trick for Mount Airy’s midfield.

Mount Airy was able to take the lead for the first time since 1-0 in the 64th minute. Agripino Perez was just across midfield in Saura territory when he sent a monster through ball in the air to a streaking Rodriguez, who finished the pass off for his second goal of the night.

Osorno added a goal for insurance four minutes later on an assist from Lopez.

“I was glad to see our guys fight back into the game,” Hurley said. “We showed a lot of that resilience in the Elkin game when it was like they seemed to score every time we did. It was kind of like a wakeup call, and I’m glad we didn’t just roll over and quit.

Against Starmount, Mount Airy – which averages 5.9 goals a game – only led 1-0 against a Ram defense that allowed just 1.8 goals per game. Like the South Stokes match, Mount Airy showed zeal in the second half and put the game away with four more goals.

Lopez scored a hat trick against Starmount (11-4-1). Rodriguez and Gavin Guerrero each had one goal, and Osorno added an assist.

Mount Airy leads the NW1A Conference with a 9-0 record. South Stokes, Starmount and Elkin are all still in the race for the NW1A title, but will be eliminated from title contention if Mount Airy can win one of its final three conference matches.

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After being thwarted by the coronavirus for two years, and Hurricane Ian more recently, the Surry County Sonker Festival has been rescheduled for Oct. 29.

The 41st-annual fall event originally was set for Oct. 1 at the historic Edwards-Franklin House, but postponed due to bad weather anticipated locally that weekend from the remnants of Hurricane Ian.

This was after the festival was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.

Now with the pandemic and hurricane out of the picture, organizers with the Surry County Historical Society are excited that it can now be held after an absence of more than three years.

The festival is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 29. When earlier postponing the event due to the weather, officials of the historical group initially were unsure about an alternate date, but it was disclosed this week.

Admission to the festival is free and open to the public.

An updated announcement from the group’s president, Dr. Annette Ayers, shows that the same slate of activities is on tap despite the four-week delay.

This will include old-time and bluegrass music performed by The Roaring Gap Rattlers and other attractions including flatfoot dancing, quilters, basketry, a pottery display, an exhibit featuring 18th- and 19th-century artifacts and more.

Tours of the Edwards-Franklin House, which dates to 1799, also will be available.

And, of course, there will be the sonkers, a type of deep-dish fruit dessert that originated in this area.

Sonker servings will be available for $4 each, with beverages costing $1.

Five different sonker flavors are on the menu, blackberry, sweet potato, peach, strawberry and cherry, Ayers has said.

Those attending the Sonker Festival are encouraged to bring lawn chairs so they can sit in the yard of the Edwards-Franklin House and enjoy the music and dancing while munching away.

The house is located at 4132 Haystack Road west of Mount Airy.

In the past, people have come from Surry and elsewhere in North Carolina along with various states such as Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania and Georgia.

DOBSON — Twelve teachers from the Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation service territory have been awarded Bright Ideas Education Grants. Employees with Surry-Yadkin EMC made surprise stops to the winning teachers recently to announce the awards.

A judge panel of retired educators from the Surry-Yadkin EMC service area blind-judged the applications in late September. The grants provide funding for classroom projects, with $7,020 being awarded overall.

This year’s local Bright Ideas grant winners, and their projects, are:

– Alicia Fallaw, a first-grade teacher at Flat Rock Elementary School in Mount Airy, will use her $476 grant for “Let’s Unlock the Love of Learning with Breakout EDU.” Through the Breakout EDU program, students will use communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creative as they work in teams to solve clues, while strengthening learning skills across all curriculum areas;

– Kellie Hunter, also a first-grade teacher at Flat Rock Elementary School, will use her $359.80 grant for “Learning is Fun when You Can Boogie,” which will include the purchase of Boogie Board ReWrite Max tablets;

– Amey King, music teacher at Flat Rock Elementary School, will use her $739.98 grant for “Strumming Along and Getting Along – Using Ukuleles to Build Community.” The project will allow students of all ages to learn to play the ukulele;

– Hannah Grill, a second-grade teacher at B.H. Tharrington Primary School in Mount Airy, will use her $513.52 grant for “Lights, Camera, Action! Using GreenScreen to bring Books to Life.” Greenscreens allow students to bring books to life using new, innovative technology;

– Juan Diaz, a teacher in the Dual-Language Immersion program at B.H. Tharrington Primary School, will use his $1,000 grant for “LegoSchoolLand in BHT,” allowing students to develop creative skills and social skills fundamental for success in the current world culture.

– Jennifer Jones, English teacher at Mount Airy High School was awarded $700 toward her project, “Meta Magic.” She will use the project to incorporate virtual reality technology in her world literature classes;

— Judea Tarn, a seventh-grade science teacher at Meadowview Middle School in Mount Airy, has been awarded a $236.70 grant. Her project, “Advance Weather Tools,” will allow the purchase of weather monitoring tools such as hygrometers, barometers, and anemometers to make students’ studies hands-on.

Other teachers who received grants include Becky Vanderheide at Mountain View Elementary School in Hays; Anna Peterson at Forbush Middle School in East Bend; Michael Holleman, an agricultural education teacher at North Wilkes High School in Hays; Anna Pardue, exceptional children’s teacher at East Wilkes High School in Ronda; and Vanessa Whicker Flynt, a kindergarten teacher at Lewisville Elementary School.

The 12 projects will touch the lives of students in the Surry-Yadkin EMC service area of Surry, Yadkin, Stokes, Wilkes and Forsyth counties.

The Bright Ideas grant program is part of Surry-Yadkin EMC’s ongoing commitment to building a brighter future through support of education. Bright Ideas grant applications are accepted by SYEMC each year from April through mid-September and winning proposals are selected in a competitive evaluation process by a panel of judges. The application process will reopen for interested teachers in April 2023.

To learn more Surry-Yadkin EMC’s programs that impact local students and communities, visit syemc.com/youth-programs. For more information about Bright Ideas grants, visit www.ncbrightideas.com.

The Patrick County Young Professionals soon will be presenting the seventh annual Stuart Spooktacular in Stuart, Virginia.

“Main Street will be transformed into a vibrant, spooky, and most importantly, a safe community celebration suitable for all ages,” the group said in announcing the Oct. 31 event. “Superheroes, witches, ghosts come one, come all! Join the fun with trick or treating, (a) Jack-O’-Lantern contest, llamas, and performances of stilt walkers, fire performers and acrobatics by the Imagine Circus!”

Festivities kick off at 5:30 p.m., the same time as judging for the table decoration contest.

“This event could not be possible without the support from our community through businesses, individuals, civic groups, and others who volunteer to participate and hand out treats,” the group said in announcing the event. “Patrick County Chamber of Commerce, Clark Gas & Oil, Town of Stuart, One Family Productions and Patrick County Tourism are also vital partners who work to bring this event to life.”

Interested businesses, organizations, churches, or individuals who would like to set up a table/booth to hand out treats need to register with the chamber of commerce office by filling out the vendor participation form, located at https://bit.ly/Spooktacular22, by calling 276-694-6012, or by visiting the chamber’s website at patrickchamber.com.

Among one of North Carolina’s most storied exports annually are thousands upon thousands of Christmas trees. This year a 78-foot Red Spruce has been chosen from the National Parks of North Carolina to be the star of the show as the official United States Capitol Christmas Tree.

The 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is a 78-foot spruce that will come from the Pisgah National Forest and is set to be felled in early November. As trees go, this one must be something special to have been chosen for such a prominent display and to have been given the affectionate nickname “Ruby.”

Also honored to be selected as part of the Capitol Christmas Tree program is Hardy Brothers Trucking of Siloam which will be escorting the tree on a tour of the state before it reaches the Capitol for the holidays.

Company officials are honored to be participating in the tradition, said Dale Norman the director of sales and marketing for Hardy Brothers Trucking. He said that due to their 57 years of service and excellent safety rating they were selected from all the trucking companies in North Carolina to haul the tree to Washington. While they have received accolades and awards for safety this was their first time transporting such an important tree to the Capitol.

“U.S. Forestry and the U.S. Capitol chose North Carolina to provide the U.S. Capitol Christmas and being selected in 2022 to move the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is a true honor, considering the many trucking companies operating in North Carolina,” Norman said.

Husband-and-wife team Harold “Ed” and Deborah Kingdon have been chosen as the team that will deliver the tree to Washington. The two have been driving for Hardy Brothers since 2018 after Ed Kingdon retired from the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard following 37 years of service and Deborah Kingdon was released from duties as chief home officer after the kids left the nest.

Every part of the procedure needs a steady hand whether it’s Hardy Brothers behind the wheel or a seasoned pro from the forestry department overseeing the delicate task of bringing Ruby down safely.

This job falls to NC Forestry employee Rodney Smith who has spent the entirety of his 30-year career working on the Uwharrie National Forest. From humble beginnings as a timber marker, he now works overseeing timber harvesting for the Uwharrie.

“I am happy just to be part of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree project and am incredibly honored to be the one to harvest this year’s tree,” he said. Smith will also accompany Ruby on her tour of the state before travelling north for her holiday show.

“Smith has dedicated his career to the careful care and management of trees in North Carolina’s forests,” said James Melonas, forest supervisor for the National Forests in North Carolina. “We recognize his longstanding contributions to our agency and community by proudly sharing this honor with him.”

When the cargo arrives in Washington, Norman said that an army of volunteers and donated equipment will be at the ready to unload and position Ruby on the Capitol lawn.

A challenge was issued to create ornaments for the tree that will grace the grounds of the U.S. Capitol and residents of North Carolina rose to meet it. “With help from residents across the state we exceeded our goal of 6,000 ornaments for the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree,” the Forest Service said. “Over the course of six months, we received over 7,500 ornaments that will adorn The People’s Tree on the West Lawn of the Capitol and other trees across Washington D.C. that will be showcased through the holiday season.”

Ornaments were decorated and donated by schools, communities, and civic organizations across 125 communities in the state. Local artists were also encouraged to donate ornaments or provide materials and expertise to aid in making ornaments.

“I am amazed that we reached our goal early, but I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised that North Carolinians, and our friends and neighbors, rallied for the cause,” said Sheryl Bryan, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree ornaments coordinator.

“I am immensely proud of the people of North Carolina and of the ornaments on this year’s trees. Each one of them has been touched with love and pride of the Old North State.”

The 78-foot red spruce will hit the road to the Capitol on Nov. 5 with a kick-off event and Harvest Celebration from 3 – 5 p.m. at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center in Fletcher, located in Henderson County. From there the tree barnstorms across the state making appearances along the way from Murphy to, you guessed it, Manteo before arriving in Washington.

The tree is making a stop in the Granite City on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Veterans Memorial Park from 10 a.m. – noon. Folks can sign a banner on the truck’s sides, take a virtual walk through an interactive display of the four national forests of North Carolina, and learn about each of the ecosystems found in each. Special appearances are also planned from two of the best-known faces of forestry: Woodsy Owl and Smokey Bear.

The tree does not travel alone and under the watchful eye of Hardy Brothers Trucking, the selected tree “along with companion trees and handmade ornaments will make the journey to Washington, D.C. for the official tree lighting ceremony at our nation’s capital,” the official website for all things Capitol Christmas Tree said.

North Carolina has long been one of the top producing states in the nation for Christmas trees. This is to be the latest U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest after Fraser firs from there were selected in 1998 and 1974. The White House has also more recently selected its tree from North Carolina with Fraser firs from Jefferson travelling to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in both 2021 and 2012; and a fir from Newland was chosen in 2018.

The N.C. Christmas Tree Association estimates the Christmas tree industry is ranked second in the nation in number of trees harvested and cash receipts.

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

Our town, Mount Airy, is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Surry County; just south of the Virginia border. We go back to a time when stage coaches ran our Main Street; headed up over the mountain and down Winston-Salem way. We’ve seen good times, bad times and once upon a time, we were known as “Little Chicago,” but whatever came our way, we fought the good fight and saved the day.

Should you drop by, the stage coaches and covered wagons are long gone and no longer will you see Tommy guns sticking out of car windows. Those Big Rigs that shook the buildings when the truck route ran Main Street? They now run the by-pass, aka; the Andy Griffith Parkway. Should you come thirsty, you no longer sneak around to someone’s back door; the moonshine we were once known for has been replaced by “Bottled-in-Bond” sold by the government in our public liquor store.

Even so, some things never change and just like the city of Chicago, we tend to get a little windy when talking about our fair city. We may not be much to look at, but we are a friendly bunch with hearts of gold and should you drop by, everybody you meet will greet you with a friendly “hello.”

Should you come hungry, you’ll find the finest dining in all the land, with stick-to-your-ribs food like you’ve never seen before: ground steak sandwiches, pork chop sandwiches, Big Moe’s, corn bread and collard sandwiches, (with a strip of fried pork side meat thrown in.) Dessert? Our famous fruit “sonker” will lift you off your feet. Should you crave some illegal moonshine, we got that too; straight from the still. You just need to know where to go and bring some cash.

With that in mind, why don’t you stop by our little town, take a load off and sit a spell? We’ll pull up a chair down at the hardware store, sit around the pot-bellied stove and drag out our favorite beverage which will quench the worst thirst, guaranteed. We’ll talk about the good old days, learn who got caught doing what, pick out a tune on the old five-string and have ourselves a whale of a good time. So, my friend, what are you waiting for? Come on down to what us natives call “Moun’ Erry, North Ka’ Liner” and you’ll be glad you did.

Sure that may sound weird, and I never thought I’d say this. I was married to NC’s 5th Congressional District candidate Kyle Parrish for 12 years. We have two amazing children and he has two more with his current wife. He’s a church-going, soccer dad who works in IT.

No personal motive, except to do something about the direction our country is headed. We were kids in college when we met, and I had never heard of a party line voter before I met Kyle. That was some kind of a political slur in the 90s. It basically meant you didn’t research who you were voting for.

So why am I asking you to vote for a guy who is ancient history to me? Because he is moderate. He’s fiscally conservative — believe me. And an avid supporter of equality, choice, human rights, educational opportunities. And frankly, he’s smart.

Let’s take a brief look at his opponent, Virginia Foxx. She is against family planning to all degrees. I don’t even know why someone without reproductive relevancy is so concerned about eliminating access to birth control, mammograms, cervical screening, and choice, but here we are. She’s outdated, and unhealthy to the women and men of North Carolina’s 5th District.

So please vote for Kyle Parrish, the time is now.

• A Monday incident at Circle K on West Pine Street led to a Morganton man being jailed on charges of resisting, delaying or obstructing a public officer and second-degree trespassing, according to Mount Airy Police Department reports.

Randall Ivey Kincaid, 38, was encountered by officers during a welfare check at the convenience store, from which he had been banned earlier Monday by a Circle K employee, leading to his arrest on the trespassing offense.

Kincaid is alleged to have “jerked away ” from police and refused to get into a patrol vehicle and was subdued without further incident, arrest records state.

The Morganton man was confined in the Surry County Jail under a $500 secured bond and slated for a Nov. 14 appearance in District Court.

• Property valued at $150, including three keys, was stolen Monday from Poppy’s, a business on Moore Avenue, by an unknown suspect.

An employee there, Melissa Rae Johnson of Maple Grove Church Road, is listed as the victim of the crime, which netted a key to a GMC Yukon, a gold key and a silver key, along with a Siamese cat key chain.

• A person listed as homeless was arrested Monday and jailed under a large bond after allegedly refusing to leave a local motel on South Andy Griffith Parkway.

Demetrious DeShel Stroud, 41, was encountered by police at the Andy Griffith Parkway Inn, where they had been banned earlier. Stroud was given the opportunity to leave the property Monday, but refused, according to arrest records, leading to their incarceration in the county jail under a $10,000 secured bond.

Stroud is scheduled to be in Surry District Court on Nov. 14.

Mount Airy government officials who support a new downtown master plan are not expected to reconsider the measure, despite opposition among critics including a protest march last Sunday.

“I see the process going forward,” Mayor Ron Niland said Wednesday regarding the plan approved by the city commissioners in a 3-2 vote on Sept. 1.

It updated a previous master plan done in 2004 to include today’s business outlook and help guide the future of Mount Airy’s central business district and adjoining areas.

But it has met with opposition from some downtown merchants and leaders, along with citizens at large, who fear this will result in a quaint downtown adopting the “cookie-cutter” look of other places.

They see the plan’s recommendations for new flex spaces accommodating outdoor dining and additional elements — along with landscaping and other cosmetic changes, including tree plantings — as undermining what already is a charming, and thriving, downtown.

In addition to organizing Sunday’s “Save Our Main Street” march, plan opponents have circulated petitions in the hopes of getting the majority of city commissioners supporting the plan update to reconsider their Sept. 1 action.

“I don’t see that,” Mayor Niland said Wednesday of this possibility.

Niland, a firm supporter of the plan, believes the measure received sufficient study which does not necessitate another look.

“We had a lot of public meetings,” he said of a nine-month process leading to the plan’s passage. “This wasn’t done in a vacuum.”

The plan’s supporters on the council also have drawn fire for voting on the measure the same night a public hearing was held concerning the proposal. During that hearing, the majority of speakers said they were opposed to the plan as it related to changes eyed for North Main Street.

In discussing the vote on Wednesday and whether, in retrospect, it might have been a good move to delay action until further study, the mayor said, “I don’t know, I think that’s hindsight — I don’t think there was any ill will on anybody’s part.”

And in discussing any need for the matter to be revisited, “I think before anything’s done we will revisit (it),” Niland said of individual aspects of the plan.

“If and when we move forward, we will do it block by block,” he assured. “The plan is not written in stone.”

Small, “very vocal” group?

The mayor also indicated Wednesday that he believed the opposition mounted obscures the fact that many downtown business operators largely support the measure, echoing comments he and other officials made at a council meeting last Thursday.

“I walked up and down Main Street and met at least 40 or 50 property owners,” he related.

While some dislike certain parts of it, “in my conversations with property owners, they’re generally satisfied with most of the plan.”

The opposition also was addressed last Thursday by other plan supporters, including Commissioner Steve Yokeley.

Yokeley’s presentation of carefully worded remarks included his belief that no one wants to see North Main become a one-lane street lined with palm trees — another West Palm Beach, Florida, Asheville “or any place besides Mount Airy.”

The longtime commissioner then took aim at what he variously termed as “naysayers,” “fear mongers,” “doomsday prophets,” “obstructionists” and “saboteurs.”

“I wish we could expect better from this small group of very vocal but consistently negative people in our city,” Yokeley continued.

He said some claim to represent the silent majority, but are relying on suppositions, innuendos, false narratives, negative comments, misinformation, partial facts, uninformed opinions and even personal attacks to make their case.

“They can always be counted on to conjure up a toxic witches’ brew which isn’t appropriate even at Halloween,” Yokeley charged.

He says the critics should produce their own plan rather than attacking a positive one that is focused on the future. “Let’s hear what you want to do instead of what you don’t want to do.”

Yokeley said he wishes the plan opponents would take time to get the facts on all issues before developing uninformed opinions and spreading misinformation along with “outright lies.”

“Think about what we could accomplish if we all work together,” said Yokeley, who began his commentary by mentioning that “we all need to get along.”

Statements by fellow members of the city board also showed that they are entrenched in their positions.

Commissioner Marie Wood said she couldn’t understand why a good plan has become “blown out of the roof,” as evidenced by criticisms being leveled.

Wood further mentioned that she had studied every aspect included in the 78-page document from the start “and I did not see any reason to vote against it” on Sept. 1.

She agreed with Yokeley in loving Mount Airy and not wanting to lessen its charm, much of which is due to its people.

“The citizens of Mount Airy make our city and they can also break it up,” Wood said.

Commissioner Joe Zalescik spoke in the same vein.

“Everybody has a right to protest, everybody has a right to march, but you’ve got to look at the facts and not make up stuff,” Zalescik observed. “Don’t create untruths about what we do up here.”

Zalescik said he also had researched the plan from the beginning and believes one way it will help involves better mobility and walkability downtown.

Council members were prompted to offered such comments in reaction to citizens addressing the plan during a public forum at last Thursday’s meeting, including four people critical of it and two who were supportive.

Shirley Brinkley, a former Mount Airy commissioner, said during her time at the podium that the predominantly non-supportive remarks by citizens during the Sept. 1 hearing seemed to make no difference among the trio of board members voting favorably.

“I believe you had your minds made up,” Brinkley stated.

Karen Armstrong also reiterated her previous concerns about not wanting to see the small-town America embodied by North Main Street damaged.

“People don’t really want the look of Main Street to change,” Armstrong said, adding that citizens shouldn’t “stand by and do nothing.”

John Pritchard, another forum speaker, offered a simple plea to city officials: “Build on what’s successful and don’t mess it up,” he said.

“Just work on the little things and keep the history alive,” urged Devon Hays, who also spoke.

Main Street Coordinator Lizzie Morrison of the group Mount Airy Downtown Inc. offered support for the plan during the forum and sought to allay fears.

“I was born and raised here — this is my hometown — I’m not trying to erase what we love about it,” she said.

In addition, John Phillips, a business owner on North South Street, spoke positively about the downtown plan and thanked city officials for approving the measure.

“When something comes up like this, there’s always disagreements, people on different sides,” Phillips acknowledged. “It’s a myth to say ‘keep things the same’ — change is inevitable.”

The local businessman believes the plan could serve to increase revenues and lower property taxes.

Commissioner Jon Cawley, who had voted against the measure on Sept. 1 along with the board’s Tom Koch, offered his take on that outcome — and its timing.

“It was obvious to me the night we had the discussion that the public was not ready for it,” Cawley said of the plan, which the commissioners had the power to act on — or not.

Holding the vote then “was a poor decision on our part,” he asserted.

Details on the fatal auto accident Monday morning that killed one and involved a stolen Mount Airy Fire Department SUV remains murky.

Monday around 4 a.m. the fire department responded to a report of a vehicle that had flipped several times and come to rest, “On the island at Fancy Gap Road and Highway 52,” the fire department said in their press releases.

Mount Airy Fire Chief Zane Poindexter said in a statement, “Units arrived on the scene to find that our FD SUV had been stolen from our parking lot during the night and the suspect had wrecked the vehicle.”

He went on to say the driver was ejected and was pronounced dead at the scene.

“It was taken from our Rockford Street station without permission sometime during the late evening or early morning hours,” Mount Airy Assistant Fire Chief Chris Fallaw said.

“It was not discovered missing until our units were dispatched to the motor vehicle accident with injuries involving this particular vehicle,” he explained Tuesday morning.

The Mount Airy Police Department in investigating and did not respond to a request for comment before press time.

Neither agency would release the name of the deceased, nor did they comment on how a city fire department vehicle was stolen or if the person killed in the wreck was affiliated with the fire department.

Attempts to get more information on the wreck and the circumstances surrounding the theft and crash were not successful.

The big weekend is here.

Autumn Leaves Festival kicks off for the 56th time on Friday, heralding a busy three-day weekend which organizers say could see upwards of 200,000 people — or more — descend on Mount Airy to check out more than 100 craft booths, food vendors, and area businesses along Main Street and some side roads.

Begun in 1966 as a downtown gathering to recognize and celebrate the area’s rich agricultural history, the festival retains some of that early influence with old-time displays and vendors centered around agricultural products. But the event has morphed into a large crafter and food festival as well.

“Typically we can see anywhere from 100,000 to 150,000 people a day, on the weekends,” said Jordan Edwards, who serves as the Autumn Leaves Festival director as well as event director for the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce. “We’re hopeful for that crowd, and more,” she said.

Edwards, in her first year with the chamber and the festival, said the organization has had a few obstacles to overcome this year — mostly centered around the July partial collapse of the Main Oak Emporium building. Efforts have been ongoing to shore up the rest of the structure to keep the area safe, while long-term salvage plans can be put together, but Edwards said some vendor booths had to be moved from around the building.

“We’re having to keep vendors 20 feet off the building,” she said this week, adding that has resulted in the loss of about 15 vendor spaces. “That has been kind of a challenge, but a unique opportunity…We’ve really tried to expand the festival to its borders, take advantage of the side streets, which hasn’t been done in the past. The festival footprint has given us some areas that are underutilized.” That, she hopes, will mean more room for vendors and shoppers.

“We have some exciting new additions to the festival,” she said. One of those additions is what she called a “public safety touch-a-truck area.”

There, various organizations dealing with public safety — police, fire departments, emergency services — will have ambulances, trucks and squad cars on hand for close-up viewing.

“Citizens and kids can go up to their equipment, children can enjoy it, crawl up in it. People can see ambulances, ATV’s, squad cars, up close,” she said. That is planned to be set up on East Independence Boulevard, near Renfro Street.

In addition to new crafters and displays, there will be plenty of old favorites — including the return of “familiar quintessential items,” including the famous Sandy Level collard green sandwiches, returning to the festival after a few years’ absence.

The festival officially gets underway Friday with an 11:30 a.m. opening ceremony at the main bandstand, but many streets in downtown will be closing at noon on Thursday so vendor booths and the bandstand can set up.

The festival will remain open, with live music at the bandstand along with the open vendor and food booths, until 9 p.m. on Friday. Saturday, the festival officially opens at 9 a.m., open until 9 p.m., and on Sunday the event lasts from 1 until 5 p.m.

Three volleyball seniors were honored by Millennium Charter Academy prior to an Oct. 11 home match against Greensboro Homeschool: Ava Utt, Lydia Horton and Abigail Hodges.

“These seniors are a tight knit group of girls that I have loved getting the opportunity to coach,” said Lions coach Nichole Ashburn. “They each work diligently both academically – taking college classes and advanced high school classes – and in the sport they love.

“Abigail Hodges is a great leader who is always encouraging to her teammates and she leads by example on the court. Lydia Horton is the player that never complains, is never negative and always pushes herself to get grow. Ava Utt is an amazing player who, even pushed outside her comfort zone, steps up and she helps teach others.”

Following Tuesday’s match, the Lions are 8-13 overall and 7-4 in the Northwest Piedmont 1A Conference. Millennium sits at No. 3 in the conference with one match remaining in conference play. The NWPC Tournament begins next week.

With a strong performance in the NWPC Tournament, the trio of seniors have a good chance to extend their final volleyball season with a bid to the NCHSAA 1A State Playoffs.

“It was an honor to get to coach them this year; these girls hold a very special place in my heart,” Ashburn said. “I am so thankful to them and their families for this wonderful season. I can’t wait to see where they go!”

Dobson Church of Christ held a youth carnival at the church on Saturday, Oct. 8, which drew youth and families from around the community for games, food, and fun.

North Surry High School recognized seniors Aniya Joyce and Kyra Stanley prior to an Oct. 11 match against Surry Central.

“These two seniors have really persevered through some unusual events over their four years,” said Greyhound coach Shane Slate. “We have dealt with two seasons impacted by Covid, and this year we had to make significant changes to our routine due to changes in staffing. I just can’t say enough about how much I appreciate the fact they continued to come in, work and keep a positive vibe going for the team.

“I also had both of them in Civics during our modified learning environment and that attitude extended to the classroom as well, so the good things I see from them in volleyball are the same everywhere else.”

Joyce and Stanley helped lead the Hounds over Surry Central on Senior Night 3-1. The Golden Eagles won the opening set 25-22, but the Greyhounds won the next three: 25-21, 27-25 and 25-19. Tuesday’s win marks Joyce and Stanley’s first win over Surry Central as high schoolers and North’s first win over Central since 2018.

The Greyhounds improve to 10-10 overall and 6-5 in the Foothills 2A Conference with the win. If the Hounds can defeat North Wilkes (12-9, 5-6 FH2A) in the season closer AND Surry Central (9-9, 7-4 FH2A) loses to East Surry (18-3, 11-0 FH2A) the same day, North Surry and Surry Central will tie for second.

North Surry looks to carry momentum from its victory over Surry Central into Thursday’s match against North Wilkes, as well as the upcoming conference tournament and, potentially, the 2A State Playoffs.

“Consistency is still our biggest issue. We play at a really high level at times and then have a number of plays where our lack of focus on the details costs us a set or a match,” Slate said. “I hope we found something to build on last night because I would like for these two seniors to finish the year with the team playing at a high level.”

Eighth grade science students at Pilot Mountain Middle School in the class of Janna Blakeney and Bill Goins recently went to the creek and pond behind the school to test and compare the water quality at the two locations.

They tested temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrates, phosphates, turbidity, and found several bioindicator species as part of their studies.

Mount Airy’s Autumn Leaves Festival won’t be the only game in town this weekend — there’s also the 17th annual 5k on the Greenway scheduled Saturday to benefit underserved individuals and school projects.

The event, held each year during the festival, is not just for hard-core runners.

All those folks, plus walkers and strollers, are invited to participate in the multi-faceted gathering which will include the 5K (3.1-mile) run at 8 a.m. Saturday and a half-mile run at 8:45 a.m.

It is a joint venture involving Mount Airy Parks and Recreation, the Reeves Community Center Foundation and Mount Airy City Schools.

The Lovills Creek (Emily B. Taylor) portion of the Granite City Greenway is the site of the event, which is the oldest 5K run held in the city. It was cancelled in 2020 because of COVID-19 and resumed in 2021, drawing 220 participants.

“It is a popular race each year largely due to being held on a flat and fast course and the organizations that the proceeds will benefit,” city Parks and Recreation Director Peter Raymer explained.

Proceeds from the event are to be split between the Reeves Community Center Foundation and city schools.

The foundation plans to designate its share for scholarships to assist underserved youth and disabled adults who otherwise would not be able to participate in recreational activities.

Mount Airy City Schools uses a competition to allocate its proceeds from the 5k on the Greenway.

Everyone who registers for the race can “represent” a school in the city system and the campus with the highest number of participants will win earn money toward its goal.

These include an updated playground at Tharrington Primary; special projects at Jones Intermediate; field trips and experiential learning opportunities for students at Mount Airy Middle School; and, at Mount Airy High, additional outdoor seating for lunch and learning spaces for classes.

“This challenge by Mount Airy City Schools has motivated a lot of families to register for this event, get some exercise and help make a difference,” Raymer added.

There is still time to register for 5k on the Greenway, which can be done at https://5kotg.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=1710

The cost for the 5K up until Race Day is $38 for adults and $28 for youths under 18. That for the half-mile (under 10) fun run is $15.

Saturday’s starting line on the Emily B. Taylor section of the greenway is near the trail entrance behind Roses, a short distance west toward West Lebanon Street.

The 5K course includes some city streets along with the greenway.

More information about the event also is available at the It’s Your Race online site.

Throughout October, the Surry County Office of Substance Abuse Recovery (SCOSAR) is making presentations to school kids during Prevention Month. The last week of the month is when national Red Ribbon Week will be observed in Surry County, however Surry Early College held its programs early.

The 2022 Red Ribbon Week theme is “Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free,” and was created by seventh graders in Wayland, New York “The theme is a reminder that everyday Americans across the country make significant daily contributions to their communities by being the best they can be because they live drug-free,” the national Red Ribbon Campaign said.

“Given the current substance use epidemic our country, Red Ribbon Week is as important as ever,” county substance abuse outreach coordinator Charlotte Reeves said. “SCOSAR is partnering with the Mount Airy Rotary Club, Mount Airy City Schools, Surry County Schools, and Elkin City Schools to spread the word to as many students as possible by celebrating Red Ribbon Week in multiple locations.”

In a survey conducted by SCOSAR of more than 700 county residents, 94.67% of respondents felt that the age to start speaking to kids about substance abuse is during elementary or middle school while kids are most impressionable. Therefore, SCOSAR will be focusing its Red Ribbon Week events at the middle schools of the area. The Rotary Club through its youth service outreach, Interact, will be aiding in the programming at the high schools.

During school presentations DEA and local law enforcement agencies will address with students the importance of staying drug-free and the harmful side effects drugs, alcohol, and vaping can have on a developing brain.

A community approach will help get the message to more ears. Other community agencies will be working with local youth as well, including Insight Human Services, Surry Friends of Youth, and the All-Stars Prevention Group. “We are honored to have to have a partnership with these community volunteers, agencies, local law enforcement, and the DEA,” she said.

“Erin Jones is the administrator for the Interact Club, and the Early College events were really great,” Reeves said. At the Early College students and faculty held a spirit week, wore red on Thursday, homeroom teachers showed short videos about the history of Red Ribbon Week and drug facts, and the narcotics officers visited the school during lunch and gave a presentation to a large group of students.

Jones also said that Interact and student council held a car wash and agreed to take part of the money raised to buy items for Hope Valley Rehabilitation in Dobson. She said Interact wanted to include a service project within its Red Ribbon Week, so they spoke with Hope Valley and produced a list of items for us to purchase.

Throughout prevention month, SCOSAR is reminding parents, teachers, and all members of the community that prevention will be the most effective tool in combating drugs, alcohol, and vape abuse for the long term. The phrase “Talk. They hear you.” means when parents take the time to explain the dangers of substance abuse in clear terms, these messages can reach children.

The AJ Fletcher Opera School visited Shoals Elementary School recently and presented “The Bremen Town Musicians!” Students and staff enjoyed the program. Some of the students and staff joined in and became part of the cast.

Mount Airy High School honored two volleyball players prior to an Oct. 11 match against Elkin: Morgan Mayfield and Kennedy Gwyn

“Our seniors have impacted this program so much,” said Granite Bear coach Shelby Bryant. “Kennedy and Morgan continue to set the bar for Mount Airy volleyball. Morgan runs the court defensively, and Kennedy is extremely smart with her offense and attacking the ball. They have grown tremendously as athletes and leaders; I have been blessed to be with them these past two years.”

With the 3-1 comeback win over Elkin, Mount Airy (13-6, 11-0 Northwest 1A) secured at least a share of the Northwest 1A Conference Regular Season Championship. This is the team’s first NW1A Title since winning the title outright in 2015.

The Bears can win the regular season championship outright with a victory in the season finale at Alleghany (16-3, 10-1 NW1A). Otherwise, Mount Airy and Alleghany would share the conference championship.

Alleghany’s only conference loss came against Mount Airy on Sept. 20.

“Our season has definitely been one for the books,” Bryant said. “This team works continuously every day at practice. They challenge themselves and it shows up when we go into game day. It is amazing at the things this team has accomplished so far this season. I know they want more and their effort will allow them to achieve that.

“I am so proud of them as athletes and as people. We have a lot more to do this season, it isn’t over yet.”

WILKESBORO — East Surry tennis players took home the top honors at Monday’s Foothills 2A Conference Championship.

The championship, held at Wilkes Central High School, saw representatives from all seven FH2A teams compete: East Surry, North Surry, Surry Central, Forbush, West Wilkes, North Wilkes and Wilkes Central.

Athletes competed for singles and doubles titles in the conference as well as the right to qualify for the Midwest 2A Regional Tournament. Any that reached the semifinal round of either the singles or doubles bracket qualified for regionals.

Both tournaments were won by East Surry competitors. The senior duo of Tara Martin and Evelyn Ruedisueli repeated as FH2A Doubles Champs, marking their third conference title as a unit, and junior Sophie Hutchens won the FH2A Singles Championship.

The Cardinals were also recognized for winning the FH2A Team Championship by finishing 12-0 in the conference for the second consecutive season. Martin repeated as FH2A Player of the Year, and coach Alison Hooker went back-to-back as FH2A Coach of the Year.

In addition to the tournament winners, the following athletes qualified for regionals: North Surry’s Whitley Hege; Surry Central’s McKenna Merritt and Karlie Robertson; Forbush’s Lauren Rockett, Caroline Myers and Salem Parker; North Wilkes’ Taylor Wood, Mallie Carson and Sarah Gambill.

North Surry’s Hege was the No. 1 overall seed in singles. Following a first-round bye, Hege reached the semifinals with a 6-2, 6-3 win over North Wilkes’ Louise Degeves.

Hutchens and Emma Bryant both won their first round matches, with Hutchens taking down Forbush’s Kate Starling 8-0 and Bryant beating Wilkes Central’s Meagan Black. Hutchens advanced to the semifinal against Hege with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Bryant.

Hege, North Surry’s No. 1 seed during the regular season, won the opening set over Hutchens 6-4. Hutchens, who primarily played No. 3 singles for East, rallied to win the next two sets 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the championship match.

Rockett was the high seed on the other side of the bracket. The No. 2 seed took on Central’s Priscilla Gentry, who defeated East Surry’s Chloe Koons 8-2 in the opening round, and won 6-2, 6-2.

North Surry’s Katie Butler defeated Wilkes Central’s Whitney Webster 8-0 in the opening round, and North Wilkes’ Taylor Wood defeated West Wilkes’ Mallory Hollars by the same score. Wood best Butler 6-2, 7-6 to reach the semifinals, but fell to Rockett in the next round.

Hutchens defeated Forbush’s top singles player 6-2, 6-0 to win the singles title.

Martin and Ruedisueli were awarded the top spot in doubles after going undefeated during the regular season. Following a first-round bye, the Cardinal duo defeated Forbush’s Emma Sorrell and Jane Helton 6-1, 6-0 in the quarterfinals and North Wilkes’ Mallie Carson and Sarah Gambill 6-0, 6-1 in the semifinals.

On the other side of the bracket, Forbush’s Myers and Parker advanced to the semifinals with a 6-1, 6-3 win over East Surry’s Taylor Bullington and Mallory Estrada. North Surry’s Molly Reeves and Mattie Bare faced Merritt and Robertson in the other quarterfinal, with the pair of Golden Eagles going over 6-1, 6-1.

Myers and Parker defeated Merritt and Robertson 6-2, 6-1 to reach the championship match. Martin and Ruedisueli won the doubles crown by a score of 6-0, 6-0.

On Saturday night several downtown Elkin bars and restaurants sent their staff members home early following a potential threat to staff and guests. The threats were related to a stabbing that occurred in Dobson on Oct. 2 in which five people, including a bouncer employed by Angry Troll Brewing, were seriously injured.

Elkin Police Chief Monroe Wagoner said officers were standing by ready to respond if needed in his town on Saturday.

Jessica Grogan of Southern on Main confirmed that her staff was asked to “clear the building, just in case” by law enforcement while they were cleaning up after closing on Saturday night.

There were no incidents of violence reported Saturday, but Elkin Police Captain J. Tulbert did confirm one arrest Saturday night. Information on that arrest and any possible connection to the threats was not immediately available.

Colby “Branch” Benton was one of the five victims and he remains hospitalized after having suffered serious injuries during the attack.

His family has been keeping well-wishers up to date on his status and recovery. Wednesday morning they said, “He had a good day yesterday. He is fully awake. Physical therapy and speech therapy started working with him yesterday. Baby steps… continue to pray!”

The family had annonced his ventilator was removed and Branch has stepped down from TraumaICU to Intermediate ICU. “He’s such a beast. He’s doing so good. We are so happy to see those baby blues. He is so loved and your prayers are heard, I believe that,” family members posted.

North Surry High School honored five senior golfers prior to an Oct. 6 match at Mount Airy Country Club.

Coach Jonathan Sutphin and the golf program recognized Gwen Bode, Molly Easter, Meredith Hicks, Sky Estrada and Cassie Noonkester.

“This group of seniors have made great strides to improve their game,” Sutphin said. “They have worked swing to swing and match to match, and learned how to compete and play this game. I have enjoyed each minute with these players and look forward to seeing what they do in the future.”

An acclaimed band will add some musical flavor in Mount Airy during the city’s annual Autumn Leaves Festival to begin later this week.

This involves a free concert by Runaway Train, which is scheduled for Friday beginning at 7:30 p.m.

It will be held at Blackmon Amphitheatre, located near the Mount Airy Municipal Building.

Runaway Train is a versatile band with local and area members which specializes in a variety of music including country, beach and contemporary/classic rock.

The free concert is being sponsored by Eagle Carports.

“They foot the bill for the amphitheatre,” said Keith Miller, a member of Runaway Train who plays rhythm guitar and is lead vocalist. “They’re just a really good company.”

Miller indicated that Runaway Train is excited to be performing in Mount Airy after two years of setbacks.

“We played in 2019 and 2020 was COVID,” he said of the pandemic that prevented a concert that year. Then in 2021, a scheduled performance was cancelled late in the day of that event due to a threat of storms which didn’t materialize.

“It never rained,” Miller said.

The Surry County School system and Wayne Farms recently celebrated the completion of the poultry lab at Surry Central High School.

“This ribbon cutting marks a new era for the poultry lab at Surry Central and the continued partnership between Surry County Schools and Wayne Farms,” school officials said in announcing the event..

Many Surry Central FFA Officers were in attendance, along with Surry County Commissioner Mark Marion, School board members Mamie M. Sutphin, Clark Goings, Dale Badgett, Melissa Key Atkinson, and those who assisted directly with the renovation project. The ceremony was also attended by representatives from Wayne Farms including Matthew Wooten, Nathan Pardue, and Lee Freeman, along with Andy VonCanon, western region agricultural education coordinator for North Carolina FFA, Bryan Cave of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, Gary York with WIFM Radio, and the Surry County Schools Central Office team.

The ribbon cutting featured remarks from FFA officers, Principal Misti Holloway, Board of Education Chairperson Mamie M. Sutphin, Wooten of Wayne Farms, Cave of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, and Superintendent Dr. Travis L. Reeves.

Renovations on the facility began in 2018, when the building was gutted in order to be outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. The area where the poultry lab stands was once part of the larger Surry Central greenhouse structure and served as an animal science lab for years.

Wayne Farms and Hog Slat Inc. partnered to make improvements to the existing structure as well as install industry-standard equipment. Through the company’s partnership with Hog Slat, Wayne Farms secured new lights, temperature controls, fans, and louvers for the facility. Hog Slat is the largest construction contractor and manufacturer of hog production equipment and produces swine and poultry units for family farms and large corporate entities. The Surry County Schools Maintenance Department was able to provide new insulation and electrical work for the project, along with overseeing the day-to-day operations of the renovation.

“This lab mimics current production practices and provides those who might not have an opportunity otherwise to learn how the poultry industry really works. This is a place where students can raise and care for chickens in order to gain irreplaceable hands-on experiences in a live animal setting,” said Agriculture Education Teacher and FFA Advisor Sarah Johnson. “Although the classroom is a necessary part of any student’s education, it is impossible to learn what agriculture is truly about from a seat, a lecture, or a textbook.

“In this facility, my students will be able to gain a deeper insight into the cost and business realities of agriculture, the struggles, and successes that farmers face, and will also offer the opportunity for students to learn how much Surry County relies on agriculture and how the world depends on people like themselves who are willing to work hard and help others.”

“It is my belief that this facility will serve as an inspiration to our students and future farmers,” Reeves said. “This facility will give them the chance to test concepts, gain real-world knowledge, and expose them to career opportunities they may not have thought about previously. Agriculture is still the number one industry in Surry County and the state of North Carolina, making this project an investment in the industry’s future.”

Surry Central High School is also the future location of a new Live Animal Lab, further solidifying the partnership between Surry County Schools and Surry Community College. The facility will be used by teachers at Surry Central High School in the Animal Science program and instructors at Surry Community College in the animal science degree program to offer hands-on instruction on raising calves, goats, piglets, and other small animals. Students from the high school and college will receive valuable training in the field of animal science in this cooperative lab.

WINSTON-SALEM — The second annual Mayberry Truck Show and Convoy, recently held at Bottomley Enterprises in Mount Airy, raised more than $410,000 for the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Brenner Children’s Patient Assistance Fund.

The event featured more than 300 custom semi-trucks and trailers, awards, live music and fireworks. At the end of the day, the convoy of truckers drove through downtown Mount Airy.

Mitchell Bottomley, CEO of Bottomley Enterprises, decided to fundraise for the Brenner Children’s Patient Assistance Fund after witnessing firsthand a family struggling to care for their child in the hospital.

“A few years ago, while my son was in the hospital, a child in the bed next to his cried as his mom had to leave him to go to work,” Bottomley said. “I decided right then if I ever had the opportunity to help a mom not to have to choose between staying with their child or going to work I would.”

The Brenner Children’s Patient Assistance Fund helps families in need cover the cost of daily expenses including travel, food, bereavement care and other living expenses while their child is in the hospital.

“We are so grateful to Mitchell for his generosity and to everyone who supported this event,” said Alisa L. Starbuck, president of Brenner Children’s Hospital and vice president of women’s and children’s health services at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. “Their support of our Patient Assistance Fund means so much to the families of our young patients and helps ease some of the financial burdens that come with having a child in the hospital.”

Those who would like to support the Mayberry Truck Show community fundraiser can make a donation to the Brenner Children’s Patient Assistance Fund by visiting their online team fundraiser page at https://give.wakehealth.edu/site/TR/Events/General?team_id=1100&pg=team&fr_id=1070.

Information about holding a community fundraiser for Brenner Children’s can be obtained by contacting Lisa Long at lclong@wakehealth.edu or 336-716-4588.

Details are still emerging in regard to the crash early Monday morning that involved a stolen Mount Airy Fire Department SUV that left one person dead.

Around 4 a.m. Monday the fire department was called to a crash in the intersection of Fancy Gap Rd. and Highway 52 in Mount Airy, Fire Chief Zane Poindexter said in a statement. “Units arrived on the scene to find that our FD SUV (2001 Expedition) had been stolen from our parking lot during the night and the suspect had wrecked the vehicle.”

The SUV flipped several times during the crash and come to rest on the island at Fancy Gap Road, the Fire Department said.

He went on to say the driver was ejected and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Assistant Chief Chris Fallaw of the Mount Airy Fire Department confirmed the SUV belonged to the fire department, “It was taken from our Rockford Street station without permission sometime during the late evening or early morning hours.”

“It was not discovered missing until our units were dispatched to the motor vehicle accident with injuries involving this particular vehicle,” he explained Tuesday morning.

The Mount Airy Police Department in investigating and more details will be forthcoming as they are made available.

A top state official has made his way to Mount Airy in recent days — not for political purposes, as is the case with many such visits during this campaign season — but regarding a serious subject: workplace safety.

North Carolina Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson was in town to recognize the municipality for the latest in its ongoing recertification efforts in the Carolina Star program that honors local governments for maintaining a safe environment for employees to function.

It is therefore part of a select group.

“We just don’t hand this out to anyone who requests it,” Dobson explained during a meeting of the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners last Thursday when he presented an award in the shape of a star to Mayor Ron Niland on behalf of the city.

There are 500 or more local government units in the state, including municipalities and counties, said the labor commissioner, a Republican who assumed that office in January 2021.

“There’s eighteen that have this award,” Dobson said, mentioning that workplace safety is a key part of economic development and other growth, which reflects having personnel healthy and active to perform key tasks.

Mount Airy was recognized in the Public Sector Star Program of the N.C. Department of Labor. Its Carolina Star designation singles out state agencies and local governments for their leadership and success in providing safe and healthy work environments.

“You here in Mount Airy are leading that charge,” added Dobson, a native of McDowell County who served in the N.C. House of Representatives before being elected labor commissioner in November 2020.

Its latest certification covers 27 years of involvement by Mount Airy in the Star program for which it has been recertified five times.

Also attending Thursday’s city council meeting were Alan Freeman and members of the city Safety Committee made up of representatives from different municipal departments, totaling 11 people altogether.

“Those are the real heroes,” Mayor Niland said of the group’s efforts in helping Mount Airy achieve its stellar safety record.

Participation in the Carolina Star initiative has coincided with the city of Mount Airy implementing various programs to reduce injuries or illnesses among municipal employees which exceed federal guidelines of OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration).

The program requires Mount Airy to be reevaluated for participation on a periodic basis and it has been recertified on each occasion.

Freeman has said that a culture has been created here whereby everyone is encouraged to identify any practices that need to be changed, which tend to be acted on immediately.The results have included low rates of work days missed among employees, along with transfers and restrictions required by on-the-job injuries or illnesses.

Such metrics are especially noteworthy given the high risk posed to some municipal employees over the years, not only those in police and firefighter positions but garbage collection — rated as the fifth-most-dangerous job in America.

Freeman said Thursday that there is no one particular safety concern that stands out among city departments due to the varying nature of employee tasks involved.

The city of Mount Airy’s major emphasis on safety resulted from the confined-space death in 1991 of a worker at the wastewater treatment plant off U.S. 52-South, who succumbed from exposure to toxic gases.

This led to a stepped-up safety effort by municipal officials aimed at ensuring no other such tragedy occurs.

On the heels of the wastewater plant death, Mount Airy not only became the first Carolina Star local government recipient in North Carolina but also was the first municipality in the nation to achieve Public Sector Star status in 1996.

“The Carolina Star recognition is a big deal,” Niland said at the meeting, “and it is a big deal because very few places have gotten that.”

Hard core criminals should be severely punished.

Rapists, murderers, serial killers, and robbers who commit horrific acts and killing their victims should be hanged, either at the site where the poor victim is found or on Main Street in that particular city or town — and let the public see this.

I truly believe a lot of these terrible crimes would slow down or possibly stop. Surely anybody would think about the penalty facing them for committing a horrible violent act on an innocent human being.

Crime never wins, only love and compassion for life prevails.

Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.

Violet O’Neal Hill

I attended the town council meeting on Thursday Oct. 6. I was once again given an opportunity to speak concerning my feelings about The New Main Street Plan. I had hoped to appeal to the council in an effort to have them re-look and revise the part of the plan that would change the look of our Main Street.

Myself along with two other people attempted to appeal to the council on this matter. One gentleman did speak in favor of the plan.

To my dismay, as the council was concluding, three of the councilmen decided to make those who opposed the Main Street Plan the bad guys. We were called “nay sayers,” and accused of spreading misinformation, and causing division in the town. I assure you, that is the last thing that myself and many others want to do. I love this town, along with the wonderful people that make up this town.

All that us so-called nay sayers want, is one thing, for this town of Mount Airy to remain the historical, family-oriented, charming town that it is right now.

White Plains Elementary School students recently celebrated Start with Hello Week, learning about the importance of starting with the word “hello”

The Start with Hello program helps individuals make new connections and creates a sense of belonging for all, school organizers said. Plainsmen shared compliments and words of encouragement to create a Wall of Positivity and colored the school with kindness with various artwork using sidewalk chalk.

Students were also given a kindness bingo sheet to complete throughout the week. On Friday, staff and students were encouraged to wear green to show their support.

The Ararat Ruritan Club of Ararat, Virginia, recently made donations to two local community volunteer rescue squads.

Ararat Ruritan Vice President Michael Noonkester presented the checks to the Ararat Volunteer Rescue Squad and the Blue Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad in support of their lifesaving efforts. Accepting on behalf of their respective squads were Mike Fulk and Billy Aldridge.

These two rescue squads are in Dan River District and service the Ararat and Willis Gap communities. They also provide mutual aid provide mutual aid in Patrick County.

The Ruritans said their goal is to create thriving communities across America through fellowship, community service, and goodwill. The clubs focus on the needs of their own community and those living in it. In today’s world, they say it is harder to find individuals who are as community minded “as our older generation were.”

“We’d love to have new members with fresh ideas to help generate more funds to go around our community,” said Ararat Ruritan Club secretary Pamela Smith.

Fundraisers held by the Ararat Ruritan Club allow them to make donations not only to the rescue squads, but also to other causes throughout the community. The club holds an in-person bingo and a virtual raffle fundraiser monthly.

They also hold several annual fundraisers, such as an ad book campaign that coincides with the BBQ/Cruise-in. If that got your attention, the BBQ/Cruise-in event is coming up soon on Saturday, Oct. 22, from noon to 6 p.m. on the grounds of the Ararat Ruritan Club.

Organizers invite all to come hungry for plates stacked with BBQ, potatoes, slaw, beans, roll, a homemade dessert, and a beverage. The cost for one of these plated of BBQ goodness is $10 and the Ruritans said the plates are available to eat in or take out.

All cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome to the free cruise-in. The Ararat Ruritan Building is located at 4711 Ararat Highway, Ararat, Virginia. For more information, contact Kevin Smith at 276-229-6493.

The Ararat Ruritan Club also recently joined forces with the other three Virginia-based Ruritan clubs in their area for a display at the Patrick County Agricultural Fair. The display highlighted fundraising and community events held by the Ararat, Meadows of Dan, Patrick Springs, and Red Bank Ruritan clubs.

Showing off their combined efforts at the fair is an effort to show the community that while they are three separate Ruritan Clubs, they all share a desire to serve.

“A joint effort of everyone in our community helps to provide for the community as a whole,” Smith said. “Everyone is so busy these days, but I believe if you take care of your community, it’ll take care of you.”

Nationally the Ruritans say there are nearly 30,000 members who work to improve the 1,100 local communities in which they live. As Smith noted, there is a desire among the Ruritans to attract new and younger members into their organization in order to sustain it into the future.

Ruritan as a national organization began May 21, 1928, in Holland, Virginia, and the name “Ruritan” was suggested by a reporter for the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot newspaper Daisy Nurney. The charter members unanimously adopted the name “Ruritan.” The word is a combination of the Latin words for open country “ruri” and small town “tan,” interpreted as pertaining to rural and small-town life.

For those who may be interested in learning more about these clubs or may seek to start one in your community, contact the Ruritans for information. The Ararat Ruritan Club can be reached via email at AraratRuritanClub@gmail.com and maintains an up-to-date Facebook page.

Marchers have taken what they hope are key steps in convincing Mount Airy governmental leaders to revisit a downtown master plan, recently approved in a controversial 3-2 vote, by holding a protest walk along North Main Street.

Holding signs with messages such as “Save Our Main Street” and “Downtown: Let it Be,” about 60 people strolled through the central business district Sunday afternoon, trailed by more than 10 vehicles also participating, according to city police estimates.

They included downtown merchants and leaders.

Two Mayberry squad car replicas also were part of that procession, which featured many wearing light-blue T-shirts promoting their cause of preventing the historic and general character of downtown Mount Airy from being harmed by the new master plan.

Developed by the Benchmark firm — which also has been contracted to provide planning-related services to the city for more than a decade — it updated a previous one from 2004.

It prescribes landscaping and other cosmetic changes, including tree plantings and burying overhead utility lines — along with reconfiguring streets and sidewalks to provide “flex space” for outdoor dining and other elements.

The plan further recommends large flexible outdoor spaces at street corners along with new decorative street lights and strategically placed loading zones.

Flex spaces 20 feet wide are envisioned on each side of North Main Street, including sidewalks 12 to 20 feet wide, with a movable bollard system and options for parking along the way.

The master plan update covers more than just Main Street, including ideas for parking, housing, traffic and other changes along side streets nearby.

“Don’t change it”

Participants in Sunday’s “Save Our Main Street” walk agree with parts of the plan and say they have been pigeon-holed by city officials as being opposed to individual items. These include traffic downtown being reduced from two lanes to one, which officials promise won’t occur.

Their main bone of contention is that North Main Street is thriving already — so why risk any changes that might disrupt this and give the area the cookie-cutter look of other “modernized” places?

“This is not about anything other than Main Street,” said Martha Truskolaski, one of the walk’s organizers, who owns the Spotted Moon gift shop downtown. “We know it’s going to be two lanes.”

The goal includes safeguarding the downtown area overall to preserve its quaint, charming look, organizers say.

Downtown Business Association President Phil Marsh, who was there Sunday, agreed that North Main Street could use some sprucing up — but the effort should stop there and not include major structural changes.

“There’s too many people who come here,” Marsh said of tourists and others drawn there, “who like it like it is.”

After gathering in the Truist parking lot at the upper end of North Main, those participating in the walk got introductory instructions from Truskolaski and fellow organizer Devon Hays.

An invocation was delivered by the Rev. Bud Cameron, whose prayer mentioned how everyone was gathered out of concern for the downtown — “that it remain a beautiful town, a welcoming town.”

The group marched, and rode, orderly and peacefully along North Main Street — which was crowded with Sunday afternoon visitors — while making its way toward the Municipal Building.

That street was closed to traffic during the march, for which some people were seated along the way to watch while others expressed curiosity about what was occurring.

“They probably picked up more people on the walk down Main Street,” a police officer positioned at one intersection observed regarding the marchers.

The procession included several candidates for this year’s municipal election along with a former city commissioner, Shirley Brinkley, who has appeared at recent meetings to speak against the plan.

Once assembled on the front yard of City Hall, walk participants offered comments about the situation in no particular order, with the gathering also including two llamas and at least one dog.

Their sentiments seemed to be summed up by woman who spoke, saying “the town that we got, don’t change it.”

“I remember when the mall opened up,” said another woman who addressed the crowd, referring to the late-1960s debut of Mayberry Mall on U.S. 52. This resulted in Main Street becoming a ghost town, she recalled.

“Eventually it came back — so leave it like it is,” the woman implored.

“We brought property here from San Diego, California because of the small-town atmosphere,” said Jim Spann, another person at the Municipal Building, who believes this shouldn’t be tinkered with by officials.

Gene Rees, a longtime downtown Mount Airy businessman, was spotted in the assemblage in front of City Hall and at one point someone asked him to weigh in on the matter.

Rees’ response reflected a diplomatic approach that includes trying to salvage something good from the document recently approved by the commissioners in a split vote.

“It’s not perfect,” he said of the Benchmark study, while acknowledging that this is typical with most such master plans that should be viewed as a kind of road map.

That was the case with the original downtown plan in 2004, of which few recommendations were ever implemented, according to Rees, although its guidelines for renovations have proved helpful to him. Rees said Sunday he had renovated more than 30 buildings downtown.

“If we can take two or three good things from it,” he said of the updated plan, “we won’t lose control of our downtown.”

To those concerned about the area being stripped of its historical character, “I have as much respect for that as anybody,” said Rees, who has been involved with North Main Street for 47 years. “No one will fight harder to maintain the character of Main Street than me.”

Rees says his hope is “not to lose one single parking space.”

Brinkley spoke after Rees, telling him that while she appreciates what he has done all these years, there is concern about the fact the city council approved the entire plan in its 3-2 decision on Sept. 1. Its inclusion of elements that have upset citizens were the reason for Sunday’s walk, she said.

Truskolaski said the council will be approached at an upcoming meeting and presented with petitions signed by persons opposed to the document in the hope officials will take some kind of action to remedy the situation.

Sunday’s event was a key part of that process, she said, praising the turnout.

“To have this many people I think was so amazing,” added Truskolaski, who advised them their efforts also will be relied on moving forward.

“We’re going to continue to need your support if we’re going to save downtown Main Street.”

A local woman has been arrested and faces multiple charges in relation to an interstate police chase that began in Virginia and ended in Mount Airy with a Surry County Sheriff’s Deputy firing his gun at a suspect Monday morning. Her male accomplice remains at large as of Monday evening.

On Monday at approximately 4:25 a.m., the Surry County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division responded to assist the Patrick County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office with a vehicle pursuit entering North Carolina.

The Patrick County Sheriff’s Office began the pursuit around Pedigo Ridge Road when they observed a Lincoln Town Car towing a four-wheeler. According to a statement released from Surry County Sheriff Steve C. Hiatt Monday afternoon, an unidentified white male was operating or riding the four-wheeler while it was being towed. The Lincoln Town Car and four-wheeler did not adhere to the lights and sirens of the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office.

The police report said after the Town Car fled the scene a chase ensued with speeds in excess of 70 mph.

A deputy with the Surry County Sheriff’s Office caught up with the pursuit near the intersection of Riverside Drive and Linville Road in Mount Airy. The Lincoln Town Car turned left onto Linville Road, causing the four-wheeler to roll in the intersection, throwing the unidentified white male from the four-wheeler.

The as yet man was able to restart the four-wheeler and attempted to run over and strike the Surry County Deputy during the apprehension. That deputy drew his service weapon and fired it during the altercation.

The suspect was able to elude law enforcement by speeding off on the four-wheeler. However, the four-wheeler was located near the scene and had been involved in a single vehicle accident. The unidentified white male fled on foot. The four-wheeler had been reported stolen in Patrick County.

The operator of the Lincoln Town Car, identified as Amber Rose Spainhour, 35, of 318 Rocky Lane, Mount Airy, was arrested at the scene and was charged with one count of felony fleeing to elude arrest, one count of felony possession of stolen goods, one count of fugitive from justice, and one count of driving while licenses revoked.

Spainhour received a court date of Oct. 26 and the Surry County Sheriff’s statement said further criminal charges await her in Patrick County. On the day prior she is facing eight additional charges unrelated to Monday’s high speed interstate pursuit in Surry County District Court including possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a dwelling or vehicle for the use or sale of a controlled substance.

The Surry County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation are assisting with the incident. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the officer involved shooting which is standard procedure.

The deputy involved in the discharge of a service weapon has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is under investigation, but the sheriff did not identify the deputy.

Six local student-athletes captured individual state championships during the winter season of the 2021-22 school year.

The sextet of athletes competed for three different schools – Mount Airy, North Surry and Surry Central – competed in three different sports – wrestling, swimming and indoor track – and came from three different graduating classes: 2022, 2023 and 2024.

All six have been recognized at their respective school’s football games this season where they also received their state championship rings.

Here’s another look at the six state champions.

Connor Medvar – Mount Airy Class of 2022

Including the dual team championship, Medvar finished the year with a 34-1 record. Of his 34 wins, he won: 14 via fall, four via technical fall, nine by decision – including three major decision wins – and seven via forfeit.

He won the Northwest 1A Championship, 1A West Regional Championship and 1A State Championship at 170 pounds – marking his second state championship in as many years. He previously won the 1A State Title at 152 pounds.

Medvar only had one close match throughout the regional and state tournaments, which he won via 9-5 decision. His other matches were: a 32-second win, a 17-0 tech fall, a 60-second win, a 13-4 major decision and a 10-3 decision.

Medvar was one point away from winning the state championship match via major decision while already wrestling up a weight class.

Matheson Williams – Mount Airy Class of 2022

Williams became Mount Airy’s first state champion swimmer in 16 years when he secured the 2021-22 1A/2A 100-yard Backstroke State Title.

Matheson never finished lower than first in a 100 backstroke race this season. He won every race during the regular season before winning the 100 backstroke title, as well as the 500 freestyle title, at the Northwest 1A Conference Championship.

He went on to win the backstroke championship at the 1A/2A Central Regional Championship and qualify for the state meet with the No. 2 overall time: 55.38 seconds. He continued his undefeated stretch by winning the preliminary race with a time of 55.25 seconds, then went on to win the state title with a time of 54.80 seconds.

Jared Hiatt – North Surry Class of 2023

Hiatt qualified for the NCHSAA 1A/2A State Championship Meet in all three jumping events: triple jump, high jump and long jump.

Jared’s top finish came in long jump. His mark of 22-06.00 feet earned him a state championship, and the second-place finisher was 15 inches behind him.

Hiatt’s distance was the third best in the state among all classifications. The 4A champion posted a mark of 23-01.00, and the 4A runner-up finished 22-10.25.

His mark of 41-03.50 feet earned fifth place in triple jump, and he posted a leap of 6-00.00 to win a bronze medal in high jump.

He followed his championship-winning performance in indoor track by winning the 2A Outdoor Track Long Jump Championship in the spring.

Jeremiah Price – Surry Central Class of 2023

Jeremiah won his third 2A Wrestling State Championship as a junior, this time in the 152-pound weight class after his previous two came in the 145 class. His state championship victory in 2022 makes him the first three-time state champ in Surry Central history and just the second in Surry County history.

Price finished the year with a 42-0 individual record. Out of 42 total matches, he won: 27 via fall, seven via technical fall, six via forfeit and just three via decision. Similar to his freshman and sophomore years, Jeremiah swept the individual honors in his respective weight class. He won the Foothills 2A Conference Championship, 2A Midwest Regional Championship and 2A State Championship in the 152 class.

Price’s dominant performance at the State Championship Tournament earned him the title of Most Outstanding Wrestler of the 2A Division. He won his first two matches in a combined 36 seconds, then won his semifinal and championship matches via technical fall (25-10, 26-9).

Hope Horan – Mount Airy Class of 2024

Mount Airy’s Hope Horan got her first taste of gold as a sophomore by winning the NCHSAA Women’s Wrestling Invitational Championship for the 114-pound weight class.

Horan’s victory came just one season after she made history for Mount Airy High School. She was not only the first female from the school to qualify for the NCHSAA State Championship Wrestling Meet – where wrestlers are not separated by gender – but she was also the first female to ever medal at the state meet as a freshman by finishing fourth at 106.

Horan also competed in the Women’s Wrestling Invitational in 2021, finishing second. She wrestled in the 114-pound weight class in 2022 with the goal of taking down the competitor that beat her the year before.

Hope won her first two matches of the tournament via fall: one in the first period and the other in the second. She got her rematch in the semifinals and went up 7-0 before her opponent defaulted with an injury.

Horan then won the 114 Championship via major decision.

Jacob Price – Surry Central Class of 2024

Jacob won his first 2A Wrestling State Championship as a sophomore in the 145-pound weight class. He was a state qualifier as a freshman, but competed with an injury that took six more months to fully recover from.

Price finished the season with a 32-2 overall record. Of his 32 victories, he won: 24 via fall, three via decision, one via technical fall and four via forfeit.

Jacob won the Foothills 2A Conference Championship, was named Most Outstanding Wrestler of the conference championship, then went on to win the 2A Midwest Regional Championship – both at 145. At the state tournament, Jacob won his first match via first-period fall, then posted back-to-back wins via major decision and technical fall. He won the 145 Championship Match via 8-2 decision.

KING — Mount Airy improved to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the Northwest 1A Conference with a 62-0 win over North Stokes.

The Oct. 7 game, which served as coach JK Adkins’ 100th career win as head coach, was held at West Stokes High School due to construction at North Stokes.

The Granite Bears maintained their one-game hold on first in the NW1A Conference with their second shutout in three weeks. Mount Airy’s rock solid defense held North Stokes to negative total yardage for the game while also scoring the team’s first two defensive touchdowns of the season.

Caleb Reid led the Bears with three total touchdowns. The junior recovered a fumble for a touchdown on defense, then added two rushing touchdowns behind his team-high 90 yards on seven carries.

Josh Chavis had the team’s other defensive touchdown by returning an interception 23 yards to the end zone.

Tyler Mason and Ian Gallimore each had two touchdowns for the Bears.

Gallimore, who went a perfect 3-of-3 passing for 88 yards, threw two touchdowns passes: a 25-yard pass to Mario Revels for the first score of the game, then a 44-yard pass to Walker Stroup in the second quarter.

Mason had a quiet night rushing by his standards. He carried three times for 60 yards and a touchdown and also had a 57-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Mount Airy’s remaining touchdown was scored by Nas Lemon on a 4-yard run.

According to Mount Airy sports historian Doug McDaniel, Friday’s victory was the program’s 313th shutout win all time. It was also Mount Airy’s 51st time shutting out an opponent while also scoring more than 50 points, 36th time scoring 60 or more and – with the win – the Granite Bears have won seven games in a season for the 64th time.

Mount Airy heads into its bye week for its first week off since August. The Bears hold a one-game lead over East Wilkes (3-1) for first in the conference, and Starmount (2-1) is only 1.5 games behind. However, the Granite Bears have already defeated both those teams.

Following their bye week, the Bears will travel to Elkin (1-6, 1-2 NW1A) on Oct. 21 then return home on Oct. 28 for Senior Night against Alleghany (2-5, 1-2 NW1A).

© 2018 The Mount Airy News