In recording deeds, the state of North Carolina does not require that the amount paid for a parcel be stated on the deed. However a tax stamp at the rate of $2 for every $1,000 in value is affixed to each deed.

Recent real estate transfers recorded in the Surry County Register of Deed’s office include:

– Thomas Frank Cirone, Colene Calhoun Collins, Jenny Lynn Blackburn, Jamie Sue Blackburn, Jamey Aaron Culler, Corey Staurt Adams, Caroline Elizabeth Adams, Brandon Troy Adams, Morgan Cheek Adams and Thomas C. Flippin to Jenny Lynn Blackburn; four tracts; $0.

– Thomas Frank Cirone, Colene Calhoun Collins, Jenny Lynn Blackburn, Jamie Sue Blackburn, Jamey Aaron Culler, Corey Staurt Adams, Caroline Elizabeth Adams, Brandon Troy Adams, Morgan Cheek Adams and Thomas C. Flippin to Thomas Frank Cirone; 0.024 acres lot 26 block 25 Elkin; $0.

– Dustin Vaughn and Sheena Vaughn to Dustin Vaughn, Sheena Vaughn, Jeffrey Stewart Moore and Vickie Jarvis; lot 5 Near and Far development PB 18 23 Westfield; $0.

– Bonnie G. Coleson to Maria Cristina Rangel Lechuga; 2.72 acres tract one PB 38 66 Mount Airy; $100.

– Song Xiong to Vang Lue Lor; .59 acres Mount Airy; $0.

– Debra E. Bradshaw to Eric Douglas Bradshaw ; 0.377 acres lot 2 D.G. Myers subdivision PB 4 51 Elkin; $0.

– Marilyn K. Smith to Gabriel N. Leftwich and Kaitlyn V. Lewis; 0.525 acres Mount Airy; $750.

– Langhorne A. Ellis Living Trust, Langhorne A. Ellis and Barry M. Ellis to Marilyn Kay Smith; condominium deed unit 207 bk 1 360-365 and 368-370 Spencers Lofts condominium Mount Airy; $830.

– Marty Douglas Puckett, Monica E. Puckett, Rhonda Puckett Hamstead and Steven Lynn Hamstead to North Carolina Custom Modulars, LLC; lot 4 PB 40 134 Jim Hill Road; $118.

– Estate of John Lee Mittman, Fredrick G. Johnson, John Lee Mittman, Amy Mittman White and Alfred Junior White to James Wesley Collins; tract Mount Airy estate of John Lee Mittman 07 E 271 and file 21 SP 183; $40.

– Gregory Flippin Smith and Melissa H. Smith to Daniel Ramsay and Erica D. Ramsay; 46.563 acres South Westfield; $427.

– George Michael Midkiff Sr. and Mary P. Midkiff to Noah Myer Reece; tract; $270.

– Andrew T. Dutko Jr. and Sharon R. Dutko to Katherine E. Wood; 29.363 acres tract B PB 40 142-143; $0.

– Rodney Gray Taylor, Karen S. Taylor, Donald Rayford Taylor and Brenda Taylor to Devan Kendall Harrison; lots 26-29 Luther Inman subdivision PB 4 172; $391

– Estate of Lola Mae Coleson, Diane Coleson McCarthy and Lola Mae Coleson to Maria Valle; lots 23-24 Meadow Creek Manor PB 7 95 Mount Airy estate of Lola Mae Coleson file 22 E 32; $460.

– Christopher B. Sizemore and Maggie S. Sizemore to Investmore, LLC; 0.349 acres Mount Airy; $241.

– Larry D. Lowe and Audra M. Lowe to Brandi Felts and Nathan Felts; tract Pilot; $650.

– Tuesday S. Brannock to Ashley Grace Clement; tract Mount Airy; $246.

– Brandon L. Wilber and Lexis Brook Collins to Tuesday Brannock and Ashlyn Savannah Parker; 0.5968 acres lots 34-38 and portion of lots 62-63 PB 4 38 Mount Airy; $320.

– Dean Shawn Ruedisueli and Rhonda Michelle Ruedisueli to Tommy R. Harrold; lot 23 section 2 Trotter Place subdivision PB 10 94 Pilot; $430.

– James Eugene Simmons and Betty Gray Hiatt Simmons to Maurice Dwaine Simmons; 1.280 acres tract one PB 40 121 Dobson; $45.

– Carolyn Brown Simpson and Gordon Dewitt Simpson to Raymond Lynn Brown and Deanna Stone Brown; 9.2089 acres Dobson’ $80.

– Patricia Clement and Patricia Clement Roberts to Benjamin J. Cristinziani and Dawn Marie Cristinziani; 6.38 acres Stewarts Creek 360 Old Rail Road Mount Airy; $810.

– Billy Spurlin and Janet Spurlin to Erik Camacho; 2 tracts Franklin; $4.

– James Coleman White and Mary Estelle White to James Coleman Stewart; 4.137 acres PB 40 155 Eldora; $0.

– Lisa Renee Jackson to Greg Woodward and Leona Woodward; 3.00 acres Pilot Mountain; $590.

– James Chesnut and April Bacani to Tim Davis and Regina Jivani; lots 1-4 West Elkin subdivision Elkin; $230.

– Wade J. White Jr. and Kathleen S. Leiphart to Jonathan Wade White and Crystal Marie White; lots 53-60 Westfield; $503.

– Michelle D. Shelton, David Southard, Trent E. Draughn and Velvet Draughn to Toribio Mora Meran and Nancy H. Ortiz; 0.69 acres PB 18 114; $80.

– James Gerald Billings and Wanda Billings to Bailey Johnson and Hannah Johnson; lot 30 Rolling Hills subdivision PB 13 160 Franklin; $24.

– Cecil Eugene Noah to Rebecca Marie Noah; tract Mount Airy; $0.

– James Willis Lovelace to Melinda Dawn Hoots and Alejandro Gonzalez; lots 27-28 block 7 Highland Park PB 1 50 1241 Brooklen Ave; $39.

– Elkin Land Co., LLC and Elkin Land Company, LLC to Marcelina Joy Zimmerman; 1 acre Elkin; $176

– John Whitaker, Michael Whitaker and Lori Whitaker to Judd David Goldbach; tract; $142.

– Estate of Nick Bobich, Estate of Nick Bobich III, Charles Nicholas Babb, Nick Bobich, Nick Bobich III and Charles Babb to Joel Torres Mata; 0.616 acres Dobson estate of Nick Bobich file 22 E 296; $224.

– Jean Dickerson Watson to Mark W. Stone, Lisa A. Stone and Matthew D. Simpson; 1.530 acres PB 36 15 Westfield; $0.

– Lovenia T. Newsome to Lovenia T. Newsome and Adam Bruce Wall; 3.00 acres tract 2 Edgar Hill Farm; $0.

– Vernon Medley and Martin Allen Medley to Andrew Moore; tract PB 40 156 Marsh; $0.

– Estate of Mary Ann Gore, Marie G. Hawks, Raymond Patrick Hawks, Mary Ann Gore, Sherry L. Gore, Jeffery Mears, Janet G. Childress, Trent H. Childress, Kathy A. Sechrist and Jonathan D. Sechrist to Kimberly K. Rowley and Nancy S. Diop Hathaway; 0.689 acres estate of Mary Ann Gore 22 E 172; $374.

Surry’s sonker enters rare company

DOBSON — Master Gardener volunteers of Surry County have schedule a summer full of garden adventures.

“Whether you like planting herbs, flowers, or ornamentals, there is something for you,” the group said in a recent statement. In addition to virtual workshops the group has been holding, there are four in-person, hands-on opportunities coming up this spring and summer. They are:

• Thursday, May 26, 10 a.m.- Herbs for the Italian Blend, at a cost of $20 per participant;

• Thursday, June 23, 10 a.m.- Plants for a Drought Resistant Garden, at a cost of $5 per participant;

• Thursday, July 21, 10 a.m. – Sensitively Creative! at a cost of $5;

• Thursday, August 25, 10 a.m. – Inviting Pollinators to your Backyard, at a cost of $5.

All workshops will be h eld at the demonstration gardens at the Historic Courthouse at 114 W. Atkins Street.

Participants will have something to take home with them from each of the programs. Each class has an attendance limit and registration is required. For more information, or to register, call the N.C. Cooperative Extension Surry County Center office at 336-401-8025.

KERNERSVILLE — The Northwest Piedmont 1A Conference held its Track and Field Championship on May 4 at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School.

Bishop McGuinness’ girls and Cornerstone Charter Academy’s boys came away with the team conference championships. Points were awarded for each top-6 finish: 10 points for first place, 8 for second, 6 for third, 4 for fourth, 2 for fifth and 1 for sixth.

Millennium Charter Academy finished fourth in the girls standings and sixth in the boys. The Lions won one individual conference championship, and finished second in four events.

Ruby Hoerter finished first in girls pole vault by clearing a height of 5-06.00 feet. Hoerter also earned All-Conference Honors – given to competitors that finished in the top two of an event – in the 3,200-meter run, and as a member of MCA’s 4×400 and 4×800 relay teams.

Hoerter completed the 3,200 meters in 14:36.70.

She was joined by teammates River Edge, Clara Minix and Ava Utt on both the 4×400 and 4×800 teams. Millennium’s 4×400 team finished the race in 5:17.48, and the 4×800 team finished in 12:22.51.

Minix and Utt added All-Conference performances in high jump and the 800 meters. Minix was less than five seconds out of first place in the 800 meters by finishing in 2:46.88, and Utt was two inches from tying the conference champion in high jump with a mark of 4-08.00.

Hiatt also competed in the discus throw and shot put for Millennium, taking fourth in both. Palak Patel competed in both throwing events as well, finishing seventh in shot put and eighth in discus throw.

Seven Millennium boys competed in the NWPC Conference Championship: Liam Allred, Calvin Devore, Isaac Shipley, Diego Gomez, Ford Holmes, Hartley Devore and Brody Krakenberg.

The closest All-Conference performance for the MCA’s boys came in the 4×800 relay; Shipley, Krakenberg, Hartley and Calvin Devore took third at 9:50.93.

Calvin Devore also came close in the 800 meters by finishing fourth. His time of 2:11.43 was less than three seconds behind the race-winning time, and was exactly two seconds behind the second-place finisher.

Also competing for Millennium’s boys: Hartley Devore, Holmes and Krakenberg finishes sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively, in the 3,200 meters; Shiply finished 10th in the 800 meters, followed by Gomez at 11; Holmes and Gomez took 10th and 13th in the 1,600 meters, respectively; and Allred finished 15th in the 400 meters and 16th in the 200 meters.

The following Lions qualified for the Midwest 1A Regional Championship in the corresponding events:

River Edge, Ruby Hoerter, Clara Minix, Ava Utt, Palak Patel (alternate): 4×800

Calvin Devore, Hartley Devore, Brody Krakenberg, Isaac Shipley: 4×800

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The Surry Arts Players will be performing “Little Women” directed by Shelby Coleman this weekend. There will be a Saturday performance at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday performance at 3 p.m.

Based on Louisa May Alcott’s life, “Little Women” follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested – her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America.

“Little Women” offers a night filled with laughter, tears, and a lifting of the spirit.

The production stars Raegan Amos as Jo March, Madison Stowe as Meg March, Cassidy Mills as Beth March, LillyRuth Beck as Amy March, Laura Hutchins as Marmee March, Scott Carpenter as Professor Bauer, Greg Matthews as Mr. Laurence, Django Burgess as Theodore Laurence III “Laurie,” Walker York as Mr. John Brooke, Shawn Murphy as Aunt March, Ashley Mills as Mrs. Kirk, Madelyn Holladay as The Hag, Alexis Holladay as Sir Braxton Prendergast, Kaitlyn Holladay as Rodrigo II, Thomas Holladay as Rodrigo, Abbie Schuyler as Clarissa, Kori Hawks as The Troll and Robert Parks as The Knight.

The Surry Arts Players are welcoming newcomer Laura Hutchens who has performed with the Piedmont Opera and serves as an adjunct professor of voice at High Point University. Madison Stowe is also a newcomer and is from Martinsville, Virginia. has performed in numerous community theater productions around the tri-state.

Serving on the production crew is Director/Choreographer Shelby Coleman, Music Director Katelyn Gomez, Conductor Hollie Heller, Costume Designer Khriste Petree, Lighting Designer Tyler Matanick, Set Design by Shelby Coleman, Set Construction Tyler Matanick and David Brown, Set Painting Shelby Coleman and Lori Hawkins Beck, Prop Master Shelby Coleman and Cassidy Mills, Sound Engineer Tyler Matanick, Production Assistant Reese Cox, Pianist Teresa Martin, Trumpet Allen Nichols, Percussion RJ Heller, Clarinet/Tenor Saxophone Bobby Heller and Stage Crew Revonda Petree, Noah Petree, Reese Cox, Isabelle Cowan, Patrick McDaniel, and Noah Wilkes.

Performances are on Saturday] at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Andy Griffith Playhouse. Tickets are $20. Tickets are available online at www.surryarts.org, via phone at 336-786-7998, at the Surry Arts Council office at 218 Rockford Street, or at the box office one hour before the performances. For additional information, contact Marianna Juliana at 336-786-7998 or marianna@surryarts.org.

Surry Central recognized seven baseball seniors before an April 29 home game against East Surry.

Spencer LeClair, Dakota Mills, Kade Norman, Austin Cave, Kayden Gage, Brady Edmonds and Kendall White were honored for their contributions to the Golden Eagles’ program, with many being with the team throughout their entire high school careers.

In the Senior Night game, Central held East Surry to its second-lowest scoring total of the season at three runs. However, the Eagles struggled to score and came up short 3-0 in the regular season finale.

The Golden Eagles entered the Foothills 2A Conference Tournament as the No. 5 seed and dropped their quarterfinal game to No. 4 West Wilkes 7-3.

Surry Central qualified for the 2A State Playoffs as the No. 26 seed and opened the tournament at No. 7 Lincoln Charter. The Golden Eagles rallied late in the game when faced a big deficit, but four seventh-inning runs weren’t enough to bring Central back.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has been holding induction ceremonies throughout the school year, including services for several local residents.

– Meredith Cox, of Mount Airy, at East Carolina University;

– Hollie Bowers, of Pinnacle, at East Carolina University;

– Diane Palmieri, of Pilot Mountain, at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro;

– Amy Snow, of Pilot Mountain, at The University of Alabama in Huntsville;

– Stephen Sasser, of Elkin, at University of North Carolina Wilmington.

They are among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10% of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 325 campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines.

Aside from a light consent agenda on the itinerary, the Surry County Board of County Commissioners have just one thing scheduled for its Monday night meeting.

But that item seems to be gaining considerable attention locally and possibly even nationally.

That one item is a talk on “Election Integrity” that is, according to an agenda provided by the county, to be presented by Mike Lindell, Prof. David Clements, John Bowes, Shannon Lauletta, Carol Snow, Dr. Christian McMasters and Dr. Douglas Frank. Those people are a combination of local and regional Republican Party officials, as well as individuals who have become known throughout the party for largely unsubstantiated claims there was widespread fraud in the 2020 election, or for their public opposition with mask mandates and other pandemic cautions.

However, no one with the county, nor with the local GOP, could confirm Lindell — known for his company My Pillow as well as his ardent belief the 2020 presidential election was somehow fraudulent — or any of the other people listed would actually be in attendance.

Monday’s gathering is part of the ongoing story involving county board of elections chairwoman Michella Huff and Surry County Republican Party Chair Keith Senter. Frank attended a contentious meeting between Huff and Senter and has met with each of the county commissioners to explain why he believes there were voting irregularities.

This time it will be recorded, live streamed, and will be available for any who are interested in hearing the theory from its source and then decide for themselves the merits thereof.

His theory has been presented already in other states, including testimony in a Kansas hearing last month. Their secretary of state, Republican Scott Schwab, issued a statement rebutting Frank’s theory, “These claims, without evidence, are based on supposition, conjecture, and misrepresentation of our state’s election data to apply theories regarding election activities in other states to Kansas,” Schwab wrote.

“This rhetoric has become destructive toward Kansas and the foundation of our republic. It has put our county election officers and volunteer poll workers in harm’s way and encouraged mistrust in our elections.”

North Carolina election officials are weighing in as well, ruing the fact that the board of commissioners is giving an outlet for public address for what they call “absurd and baseless theories”

“State and local elections officials across North Carolina are focused on the 2022 primary election,” read a statement released late Friday by Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the North Carolina Board of Elections. “We have already served more than 437,000 voters who have exercised their right to vote. We encourage North Carolinians to vote early through 3 p.m. Saturday or from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at their assigned polling place, where bipartisan election officials will ensure their vote counts.

“It’s unfortunate for Surry County voters that these individuals are being given a platform to continue to spread disinformation about the 2020 general election, which has long been certified in North Carolina and across the United States,” the statement continued. “We respectfully ask the voters of Surry County to seek accurate information about elections from reliable sources, such as the Surry County Board of Elections and the State Board of Elections. Elections officials across the country – with different political affiliations – have reviewed the conspiracy theories spread by these individuals, and they are not credible. These individuals are doing nothing more than breeding distrust in our elections system, using absurd and baseless theories.

“Anyone with actual evidence of election irregularities should present it to the State Board’s Investigations Division or the law enforcement agency of their choice. A number of the individuals on the board’s agenda have been offered this opportunity, repeatedly, but have not provided any such evidence to authorities…For more information about the recounts, audits, and certification of the 2020 general election in North Carolina, please see here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/about-elections/election-security/post-election-procedures-and-audits/2020-election-certification.”

Kevin Shinault, a local official with the Surry County GOP, has been vocal at commissioners’ meetings speaking during the open forum on his concerns about 2020. He said Friday that since 2010 and the birth of the Tea Party movement, there have been many more eyes on the county and its functions.

Shinault spoke of his satisfaction with the county board of commissioners and their adherence to fiscal responsibility. For the past 15 years or so, he said, the county commissioners and board of elections have been doing a good job. “I would say 90% of the people I talk to think the commissioners do a great job in holding the fiscal line.”

That is not to say he is fully satisfied, and as a retired schoolteacher he trusts his gut and his eyes. The concerns he has will not just go away and feeling like he hits a wall makes him more confident he is approaching a hidden truth. For him, the math just isn’t there and the numbers do not add up. Registration rates he says are too high, and participation rates seem out of alignment with reality. “We know there is not widespread voter fraud in Surry County,” he said by phone Friday, “but there is some, there is enough – the voter rolls have to be cleaned up.”

“This is not a top-down thing,” he went on, “I know Michella Huff, I know her dad. I want it to be known we are not coming for her, the board, or the commissioners. The county has been doing a great job.”

Surry County resident Ken Badgett saw the agenda and said, “It appears that the board has allowed its usual ‘Open Forum’ to be hijacked by election conspiracy theorists with infamous reputations. These dangerous people do not represent the best interests of the citizens of Surry County.

“Our best interests are represented by the professional staff of the board of elections and by the hundreds of local residents who honestly conduct our elections as poll workers during each election year,” he wrote.

Monday night citizens can peel back the curtain and ensure they are hearing the whole story, from the source when Dr. Frank and associates make their presentation. For all the talk of media bias and skewed perspectives, Shinault is hopeful people will take the opportunity to hear the theory and make up their own minds – as he has.

Rain or not, Dobson area residents — and most anyone willing to drive to the county seat — will have a chance to get all wet on Saturday.

And every day afterward, too, until mid-September.

The town is reopening its popular, and freshly painted, splash pad at Dobson Square Park.

“We have given it a fresh new coat of paint. It’s blue and it looks beautiful,” Town Manager Laura Neely said.

It is also free, no doubt another attractive feature for area residents who make good use of the facility.

“It brings people in not only from different towns in the county, but from different counties altogether,” Neely said. “Schools do field trips, usually in May for end of school year. Daycares, elementary schools come in. It’s heavily used.”

The nearby picnic shelter has already been reserved for the day by a local group, but the splash pad itself is open for all to use.

Officially the splash pad opens at 8 a.m. Saturday, and is available for use until 8 p.m. It sticks to those hours six of the seven days each week. Only Wednesday is different, when it is open from noon until 8 p.m.

“Wednesday morning we have maintenance hours,” she explained.

Neely said the pad has proven popular since it was opened in 2015, although there is no way to keep an official count on how heavily it is used.

“We do have park staff on site during the summer months to clean up trash and monitor that the rules are being followed, that everyone is safe at the splash park,” she said, but otherwise visitors are on their own to go in and out of the water as they please.

The water does turn off every 15 minutes, to keep from wasting the resource if the splash pad is empty. However, users can keep the water running simply by pushing a button. The only time it is off during normal operating hours is when there is lightning in the area.

“We’ll turn it off until the storm is over,” she said.

While the splash pad is free to use at any time during the normal operating hours, Neely said two picnic shelters at the park can be reserved for use by organizations and families for birthday parties and other gatherings.

“The easiest way to reserve the park is online,” she said. But those wishing to do so can call the office, email town officials, or stop by at 307 N. Main Street. The town’s website is https://www.dobson-nc.com/181/Splash-Pad and the phone number is 336-356-8962.

While the splash pad was shut down in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was open last year. That doesn’t dampen the enthusiasm among town staff for its reopening this year.

“We get excited about it every year…it’s such a great thing for the town,” Neely said.

PILOT MOUNTAIN — A walk-off hit by Folger Boaz lifted East Surry to a 3-2 playoff win over R-S Central on Thursday.

The Cardinals initially took a 2-1 lead in the third inning. East held the visiting Hilltoppers from scoring additional runs through the sixth, then R-S Central tied things up in the top of the seventh. Strong defense from East kept the visitors from taking the lead, and hits from Luke Bowman and Boaz sealed the win for the Cards.

“It’s a mixture of emotions for us,” said East Surry coach Chad Freeman. “There’s nervousness, even though the game is over and we know the outcome. There’s excitement. There’s joy for our guys. Honestly, there’s heartbreak for their team. R-S has a quality coaching staff, their kids battled, they’ve got good kids; that’s the type of team you want to go up against.

“At the end of the day, it was two solid teams going after each other and we were fortunate to come away with the win.”

East Surry (23-1) put runners on base in each of the first two innings, but couldn’t score to match R-S Central’s run from the top of the first. This changed in the third inning when Bowman reached first on a fielder’s choice then moved to second on an error by the Hilltoppers. Boaz was intentionally walked with two outs, and a passed ball allowed Bowman to score.

The score was now tied 1-1 with the rain picking up. Luke Brown was walked, and Anthony Ayers singled to load the bases. Another passed ball sent Boaz home to give East Surry its second run.

R-S Central (19-7) took Drew Yelton off the mound after East Surry’s second run. Yelton threw 2.2 innings, allowed two runs on three hits and walked three batters. Hayden Wheeler took over on the mound and ended the inning with a strikeout

The Cardinals struggled against Wheeler through the sixth inning. The Hilltopper junior struck out eight of the first 11 batters he faced; one East Surry player grounded out, another flied out and only one – Boaz in the fifth – got on base via error.

“The first kid was a little bit craftier and more off-speed oriented, and [Wheeler] threw a little harder. We tried to get our guys to make an adjustment and be ready for the fastball, and we didn’t do a good job of that the first few innings he was on the mound. Finally that last inning, when we swung up to the top of our lineup, we did a little bit better job of it.”

The Hilltoppers also had chances to build a lead, leaving runners on base in each of the first six innings. Trey Shearer opened the fourth with a double, and Audrey Scruggs bunted for a single that moved Shearer to third as well.

Brown, who spent five innings on the mound for East Surry, struck out the next batter, then Ayers checked the runner on third before throwing a runner out at first. R-S Central sent a hit to left field that would’ve scored at least one run had it not been caught by Gabriel Harpe.

One inning later, R-S Central’s Tanner Boone singled and teammate Caleb White was walked. A balk put the runners on second and third with two outs, but Brown struck out his final batter to leave the runners stranded.

“Luke may not have had his best stuff today, but he battled and came up big,” Freeman said. “Part of it is a credit to R-S: they took phenomenal approaches, and their two-strike approaches were on point.”

Ayers took over on the bump in the sixth inning and East continued to stave off R-S Central’s comeback attempts. Even when the visitors managed to score the game-tying run in the top of the seventh, Freeman said his guys were able to stay calm due to their experience in high-pressure games.

One such game Freeman referenced was East Surry’s 2021 playoff opener against Community School of Davidson. The Cards, who went on to win the 1A West Regional Championship, were nearly upset in the first round by that CSD team.

“I think last year’s CSD game gave them the composure to not get rattled against Hendersonville, and even tonight when we had the shot to get the tying run at the plate and didn’t execute there,” Freeman said. “We’ve been through it enough that we’ve come back before. We’ve been in tight situations before and our guys didn’t panic, so that’s a credit to them.”

The Cards got out of the top of the seventh by forcing two fly outs, including one chased down by Harpe in left field, and got the third out when Bowman threw to Trey Armstrong at second to catch a runner stealing.

Bowman then went up to bat and picked up the first East Surry hit against Wheeler. The Cards already had one out on the board in the bottom of the seventh, then the second came on a fly out. Boaz approached the plate with two outs and hit right over the left fielder’s head. Bowman sped around the bases and reached the plate just as the ball made its way back into the infield.

As the celebration settled, Freeman praised the Cardinals for the resilience shown against a very good R-S Central team. East Surry’s goal is to survive and advance, and he said that’s exactly what they did.

East Surry will host the winner of No. 5 East Rutherford (20-5) and No. 12 Morehead (19-5) in the Sweet 16.

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Authorities have released the name and cause of death of a man found earlier this week dead while sitting on a lawnmower, and a second man — identified as a “person of interest” in the shooting, is now dead.

Deputies with the Surry County Sheriff’s Office initially responded in the case at 1:18 p.m. Monday to a house in the 600 block of Golf Course Road in Pilot Mountain. There they found Vincent Lee Bray, 65, dead from an apparent gunshot according to Surry County Sheriff Steve C. Hiatt.

Working with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, officials ruled the death a homicide, and identified Michael (Mike) Patrick Alford, 71, of 657 Golf Course Road, Pilot Mountain as “a person of interest,” the sheriff said in a statement released Thursday afternoon.

“It appears that Mr. Bray and Mr. Alford had a history of disagreements dating back years,” the sheriff said. “Investigators interviewed Mr. Alford on May 9…in the evening hours pertaining to the incident. Mr. Alford abruptly concluded the interview with investigators and left walking from the Surry County Sheriff’s Office,” the sheriff said.

The next day Alford’s wife, Debra Alford, reported her husband missing, saying she had not spoken to him since his Monday night interview with the sheriff’s office.

On Wednesday, the sheriff said his office received a call about “a possible suicide incident” in the 400 block of Shoals Road, Pinnacle. There deputies arrived on the scene to find Michael Alford in an open field, dead from “an apparent self-inflected gunshot wound.”

The investigation is still active, the sheriff said, adding that no additional information will be released “at this time.”

Westfield Elementary School recently named 13 students as Leaders of the Month for April.

“These students were chosen by their peers for demonstrating the leadership attribute, being considerate,” school officials said. “Being considerate is thinking of other’s feelings and having or showing others they care.”

Each of the students received a book to take home.

The Mount Airy News is running question-and-answer articles with candidates leading up to the May 17 primary. We posed the same three questions to candidates for the Republican nomination for the North Carolina House of Representatives District 90 seat, which covers Mount Airy and Surry County, along with parts of Wilkes and Alleghany counties. Here are their answers.

Benjamin Romans is from the Roaring River community.

Question: In recent years, there has been a lot of public discussion on the role of government, big vs. small government, intrusion in private lives vs. basic freedoms, and the like. In your opinion, what is the role of the state government in North Carolina?

Romans: Government should seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom, and minimize the state; emphasizing free association, freedom of choice, individualism and voluntary association.

Question: What do you believe are the two or three biggest issues facing North Carolinians today, and how do you believe the state government should attack those issues

Romans: Abortion. Abortion was not a decision made by the supreme court in 1973. In fact it was an opinion. Therefore it falls under the Tenth Amendment and is a state’s issue. Abortion should be illegal because it is murder. We must protect the unborn. Legislation should be put into place to criminalize abortions.

Liberty. There are far to many victimless crimes currently in North Carolina and throughout the country. Big government has reduced many of our God-given, constitutionally protected rights. Unconstitutional taxes and unreasonable regulations have crippled our economy thus creating a nation of dependent slaves who no longer know true freedom. So in conclusion the government should get its nose out of our business. Big government is a big problem.

Question: Why are you running for office, and why should voters cast a ballot for you? What sets you apart from your opponent?

Romans: I am running for office to bring forth true change. To institute true freedom and Liberties. Voters should vote for me because I care. I am the common man. I have counted change in order to make it to my next payday. I have the backbone to stand up to crooked politicians who have systematically destroyed this state and country. I am the true liberty candidate.

Sarah Stevens is a Mount Airy attorney, who has served seven consecutive terms in the House of Representatives. She is the House Speaker Pro Tempore, and in the 2021-22 session, she served as chair of the Judiciary 2 committee, as well as being a member on the appropriations, appropriations capital, and regulatory reform committees. She was also co-chair of the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee and the Social Services Regional Supervision and Collaboration Working Group, as well as holding other non-standing committee assignments.

Question: In recent years, there has been a lot of public discussion on the role of government, big vs. small government, intrusion in private lives vs. basic freedoms, and the like. In your opinion, what is the role of the state government in North Carolina?

Stevens: Government should be limited but it s necessary to maintain law and order. The government is also critical to having the necessary infrastructure. Local government should be a limited function and often oversteps its allowed purposes.

Question: What do you believe are the two or three biggest issues facing North Carolinians today, and how do you believe the state government should attack those issues?

Stevens: Today it is inflation. People are struggling with getting necessary food and medicine and housing. The federal government has aggravated this issue with limiting our supply of fuels from a myriad of sources. Food and medicine come from transportation as does building supplies. The cost of everything continues to rise. The federal government should restart the (Keystone) pipeline and reduce the extra fees they have added to public leased lands which provide oil.

Question: Why are you running for office, and why should voters cast a ballot for you? What sets you apart from your opponent?

Stevens: I know that this job is public service. I have been in this office for the past 12-and-a-half years. Experience and seniority matter in Raleigh. What we do is important. I am a lawyer and that gives me an advantage in critical thinking. I ran my own office so I know what it takes to make a payroll and pay taxes.

A murder will take place this weekend on Jones School Road in Mount Airy — not really, just make-believe as part of a production to benefit the historic facility where it will be held.

This involves the staging of a play titled “Lights! Camera! Murder!” in L.H. Jones Auditorium on the grounds of the former Jones School and present community resource center in the northern part of town.

A local drama club, The Good Time Players, is putting on the production for which shows are scheduled Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

Proceeds from the performances will benefit the J.J. Jones Alumni Association, which owns the former school auditorium that is now used for various community events. It operates separately from other parts of the old campus long owned by the county government, with the funds raised to go toward the ongoing maintenance of the auditorium.

“I am in the play,” Alumni Association President Nancy Bowman Williams said.

“Lights! Camera! Murder!” — described as a comedy murder mystery — has about 10 cast members altogether. The plot concerns the slaying of the leading man in a detective movie and efforts to unmask his killer. The story is set in the 1940s.

Tammy Denny of The Good Time Players Drama Club is the play’s director. That group is known for its staging of productions as fundraisers for worthy causes, with Denny involved for several years.

The doors open at 6 p.m. Friday for the first of the three “Lights! Camera! Murder!” presentations, with the play starting at 7 p.m. The audience will be seated at tables.

On Saturday night, the same schedule will be observed for a dinner theater event. “Saturday is a sellout,” Williams said of a 100-plate limit imposed by the caterer for the evening.

However, space will be found around the auditorium then for those who simply want to watch the play with no meal included. “We’re not going to turn anybody away,” the Alumni Association president said.

A matinee is planned Sunday afternoon, when the doors will open at 2 p.m. for a 3 o’clock show.

Organizers say a “dessert-theater” setup will be in place Friday night and Sunday afternoon, for which tickets were still available at last report.

The cost is $20 per person all three days, with those interested in attending asked to show up at the door.

Unlike some community theater productions that include several weeks of rehearsals, the local staging of “Lights! Camera! Murder!” has involved a much longer undertaking.

Rehearsals actually began in June 2021 for shows that originally were to be held much earlier than now.

“And COVID happened,” Williams explained.

East Surry recognized five soccer seniors during halftime of a May 4 home match against Alleghany.

The Cardinals held a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes when four players and one manager paraded onto the field with members of their families: Brianna Whitaker, Liannette Chavez, Samantha Blose, Jamariah Lowery and manager Nick Lowery.

The Lady Cardinals went on to win the match 3-1. Blose scored both goals in the first half, with the second being assisted by Chavez. Morgan Bryant added an insurance goal in the 56th minute.

East Surry out-shot Alleghany 16-5 in the match. Cardinal keeper Katie Collins saved three of the Trojans’ shots, and one went off frame.

The win over Alleghany was East Surry’s fifth consecutive win, marking the Cards’ longest winning streak of the season. It is also East’s longest winning streak since the 2017 team won nine straight games.

The Lady Cards sit at 11-5-2 on the season, marking the program’s first season of double-digit wins since the aforementioned 2017 team finished 13-8. East Surry also finished third in the Foothills 2A Conference at 8-4.

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, the country’s largest one-day food drive is Saturday and it provides residents with an easy way to donate food to those in need.

The National Association of Letter Carriers launched the campaign in 1983 to helps feed millions of Americans, now they need the public’s help.

Residents simply leave their donation of non-perishable food items next to their mailbox before the mail runs on Saturday, May 14. Letter carriers will collect these food donations on that day as they deliver mail and distribute them to local food banks “in the areas they serve,” Jimmy and Karen Caparolie, co-directors of the Pilot Mountain Outreach Center, said.

They explained that at the center donations have “just dropped off over the last two years, and there are not a lot of drive by donations. We are serving more people; we need more to serve more people.”

The food drive is held annually on the second Saturday in May in cities and towns across the country. Hunger affects one in eight Americans, including millions of children, senior citizens, and veterans.

In the 30 years since it began, the food drive has collected about 1.82 billion pounds of food for struggling residents. The need is as great as ever, given the pandemic-caused economic dislocations of the past two years.

“Letter carriers are a part of every neighborhood in the nation,” association President Fredric Rolando said, “and we see the growing need for food assistance in our communities. On Saturday, May 14, we invite everyone to participate in the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Together, we can help stamp out hunger in America.”

The timing is important, with food banks, pantries and shelters running low on donations from the winter holidays and with summer approaching, when most school meal programs are suspended.

On May 14, as they deliver mail, the nation’s 200,000 letter carriers will collect the donations that residents have left near their mailboxes. People are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, canned meats and fish, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox before the regular mail delivery on Saturday.

Karen Caparolie said that hygiene items are also needed although not listed. The Caparolies recommend a plastic bag because the handles will make it easier for the letter carrier to pick up. Donations can also be made at the Pilot Mountain Outreach Center Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon, at 407 East 52 Bypass, Pilot Mountain.

Donations made Saturday will be replenishing supplies at local food banks and nourishing those in need.

Postal workers in Mount Airy will also be accepting donations, with food collected going to Yokefellow Ministries.

Area businesses and individuals who won Mountie Awards — the Mount Airy News’ Reader’s Choice Awards — or Gemini Awards — the Carroll News’ Reader’s Choice Awards — can show off their awards by having them mounted on keepsake plaques by the graphics team at The Mount Airy News.

However, a firm contacting winners offering to mount those awards on plaques (at substantially higher costs) or to create trophies for the awards is not affiliated with The Mount Airy News, The Carroll News, or their parent company, Adams Publishing Group.

The company, identifying itself in emails as Showmark Media, LLC, does not have permission to use the Mounties or Gemini Awards logos, nor the names and logos of the two newspapers.

Area readers and businesses, particularly those who won the popular awards, should be wary of doing business with any firm implying or stating they have a relationship or authorization with The Mount Airy News or the Carroll News.

A Google search found that Showmark, based in Shelton Connecticut, has engaged in similar practices across the country. An attorney in Philadelphia reported on his blog he was being spammed by the company despite repeated requests asking Showmark to cease; a weekly paper in California — the Tracy Press — warned its readers and reader’s choice award winners against doing business with Showmark; and Atlantic Business Magazine alleged Showmark was once “…trying to cash in on Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEO awards by selling fake awards.”

Mount Airy and Carroll News Publisher Sandra Hurley said if local winners wish to get a plaque or discuss other ways to show their Mounties and Geminis those papers could help.

“We will be happy to help our customers display their winning information,” she said.

Recent city government debates over outdoor dining/alcohol consumption in downtown Mount Airy are continuing with one councilman’s charges that Mayor Ron Niland has acted improperly regarding that issue.

This includes Niland’s handling of an attempt by Commissioner Jon Cawley — during an April 21 council meeting — to have an earlier vote by the group relaxing that activity rescinded. That was followed by the mayor later saying he didn’t recall key details about it during the commissioners’ last meeting a week ago.

A question has been left in Cawley’s mind about whether Niland deliberately circumvented a board vote on a related motion presented by Cawley on April 21, and what role the apparent memory lapse played.

“It was either incompetence or deceit,” the North Ward commissioner said Tuesday. “And neither one is acceptable.”

For his part, the mayor is defending his involvement surrounding the commissioners’ April 7 vote allowing any “food and beverage” establishment downtown to offer outside dining — including serving beer and wine — and that action’s aftermath.

“Everything I’ve done has been fair and open,” Niland said Tuesday afternoon.

And on Wednesday morning, the mayor addressed Cawley’s “incompetence or deceit” remarks in particular:

“I am saddened that my colleague would feel this way — and the comment is beneath the office he holds,” Niland countered.

He declined to elaborate on those criticisms at length.

“I refuse to comment further on these hateful accusations,” the mayor added. “I would not want to dignify those comments.”

This verbal barrage has come to a boil just days before Niland and Cawley square off in a primary election next Tuesday which features a three-way battle also including a former commissioner, Teresa Lewis. The two receiving the most votes then will go head to head in the general election in November.

But the seeds for the dispute were sown on April 7, when the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 — with Cawley dissenting — to expand opportunities for downtown businesses to offer outside dining/drinking, limited previously to restaurants.

His main bone of contention was the use of the word “plaza” numerous times in a revised city ordinance, which Cawley believes could allow alcohol consumption in Jack A. Loftis Plaza, a public rest area.

A wine shop called Uncorked is located next door to that facility, which was seen being marked with a tape measure that Cawley has said was done to prepare for a hole to be made in Uncorked’s wall to accommodate a serving window.

In seeking to have the April 7 action rescinded, or undone, when the board next met on April 21, Cawley expressed the belief that fellow commissioners weren’t fully aware of its implications — which some vehemently denied.

When Cawley made a motion on April 21 to rescind the decision, the mayor — who presides over council meetings — said the motion would have to be seconded in order for it to come to a vote.

However, Cawley says this was not required per new parliamentary procedure rules adopted by city officials several years ago, which don’t require seconds to motions. Under Robert’s Rules of Order, the longtime standard by which most governmental bodies operate including Mount Airy previously, a second would have been needed.

An air of confusion permeated the April 21 meeting, which City Attorney Hugh Campbell was absent from, with uncertainty expressed about exactly how to handle the rescinding attempt and an outright crackdown on drinking in public spaces suggested by Commissioner Tom Koch.

And when the next meeting rolled around last Thursday, Niland did not recall asking for a second on Cawley’s April 21 motion.

“Mayor, you called for a second on my motion,” Cawley replied in an authoritative tone.

Niland took an apologetic stance at last week’s meeting in his closing comments ending the session.

The mayor emphasized that he was not trying to be unfair to Cawley.

“If I made a mistake, I apologize,” Niland said. “It was not intentional.”

Fast-forwarding to this week, Cawley is of the opinion that Niland’s asking for a second on April was possibly an attempt by the mayor to avoid a vote on his motion.

“It kept the vote off the record,” Cawley said, explaining that this could become an issue down the road if problems result from expanding outside dining regulations — while knowing fully his motion would’ve been defeated.

The North Ward representative is particularly incensed that Niland seemed emphatic in his denial during last week’s meeting that the motion had been made and he called for the second.

“And he was wrong on both of them,” Cawley continued. “He says I didn’t make a motion — which I did — and he didn’t call for the second — which he did.”

Cawley said it is difficult for him to conceive that Niland expressed no recollection of such details regarding a matter that had been vigorously debated by the board.

Niland now is acknowledging that Cawley did indeed formally seek to have the April 7 decision undone on April 21. “I’m sure the motion took place.”

But the mayor denied any move on his part to keep a decision off the books, as Cawley is alleging.

“Nothing’s further from the truth,” Niland said Tuesday. “Absolutely not.”

The mayor also says that Cawley had every opportunity on April 21 to make the case that no second was needed for his motion and a subsequent vote.

Cawley said this week that he does not know exactly where Niland was coming from on the issue. “I can’t speak for his intentions.”

But the veteran councilman is concerned about how other city government business might be handled in the future, judging by recent events.

“The issue is now, how are we doing things?”

Some people tried to outrun the rain, some people tried to hide from the rain, and more than a few outsmarted the rain and brought an umbrella — a wise move. No one wanted to walk away because raindrops kept falling on their head. After having been uprooted by COVID last year, a little precipitation was not going to dampen the spirits of Budbreak.

Mother Nature had some plans for the day, she had earlier made Mayfest a damp affair, but the folks who wanted to come out to support Budbreak and sample the wares from local breweries and vineyards are a hearty sort. With cloudy skies that gave way to drizzle and at times more precipitation than some would have liked, organizer Bob Meinecke said the weather had “very little impact as we had people paying to come in as late as 5 p.m.”

Being so close to the event, Meinecke said it is hard for an accurate estimate to be made on the turnout or the proceeds. “Can’t really go there yet. Too many moving parts,” he said. When the dust settles though the results of Budbreak’s return to spring “should be in excess of $20,000.”

While it may fall short of the mark set last year, that is a haul the Rotarians will be happy to accept. When it comes to groups such as the Mount Airy Rotary, they will never achieve a magic donation number level where they say, “Enough, we’re done.”

Even a Budbreak that did not make as much as the last one is still a great success. People in this community will benefit from the hard work of the men and women who organized and staffed the event.

With the rain, it begs the question if this is the sort of event that may be better inside. The plan for the proposed Spencer’s Mill project downtown contains a visitor’s and convention center that seems like it would be tailor-made for an event such as Budbreak. The Greensboro Coliseum is an annual host to a similar beer and wine event, and the capacity of such a venue no doubt leads to some serious donations for the Animal Rescue and Foster Program, their charitable partner.

Meinecke said he did not think the new convention center would or should take the place of having Budbreak out in the open.

“It needs to remain as an outdoor event. We like our location and because we rely heavily on logistical help from Old North State, we don’t see moving to another location,” he said. Given the street fair atmosphere, the music pumping from the stage in the parking lot between Brannock & Hiattt and Old North State, and the added bonus of overflow dancers from the Cinco de Mayo festivities at the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History there was a lot to take in.

Main Street in Mayberry took a short trip south of the border for a few minutes as the dancers formed a circle in traditional garb. Some in the crowd stopped in their tracks as they were unaware there was a Cinco de Mayo event ongoing as well. “Now, this is different,” Jon Rawls of Hickory said. “I wasn’t expecting this.”

From inside businesses faces popped out of doorways and necks craned for a view as the dancers began while a drummer beat the rhythm.

Old favorite breweries and wineries come back year after year, it is that continuity that Meinecke says many are looking for. Not one to play favorites with the vendors of the event he so carefully helped to organize, he diplomatically deflected when speaking of his favorite wine. “Because drinking pallets vary so much, we make sure there is a broad range to choose from. There is a slight leaning toward sweeter wines.”

The vendors kept the commemorative tasting glasses full, and some long lines at certain tables may have told the tale of which were the favorites. Sue Brownfield reported back that she sold lots of wine and had spoken to happy vendors.

Meinecke was upbeat as always in offering the report from this year’s Budbreak. “There is always lots of events to compete with. We stand out and by all account reached our expectations.”

When asked about his expectations for his senior season, Mount Airy senior Reece McDuffie said the following at his college signing in November 2021:

“I don’t know the last time we had a home playoff game, so that’s a huge goal. I think it’s very possible with the team we have.”

McDuffie’s words came to fruition nearly six months later as Mount Airy hosted Queen’s Grant High School on May 10. The Granite Bears put on a show against the Stallions, winning 11-1 in five innings to advance to the second round of the 1A State Playoffs.

Mount Airy’s most recent home playoff game – prior to Tuesday – was nearly a decade ago on May 14, 2013. The 2013 Bears dropped that game 4-2 to visiting Albemarle.

The 2022 Granite Bears kept their historic season alive by shutting the Stallions down. After scoring one run on two hits in the top of the first inning, Mount Airy held Queen’s Grant (9-8) to one hit for the remainder of the game.

Rylan Venable and Ashton Gwyn split time on the mound for the Bears (18-8). The duo allowed just three hits, walked one player and struck out 10 batters.

Mount Airy finished with 12 total hits, including a team-high four hits from Logan Dowell. Venable and Reece Deaton each had two hits, while Kamden Hawks, Cameryn Wilson, Landon Cox and Brison George each had one.

Hawks and George each hit doubles, and Venable had a 2-run home run.

Ian Gallimore scored Mount Airy’s first run in the bottom of the first inning. The sophomore was walked, moved to third on a Dowell single then scored on a ground out hit by Hawks.

Wilson and John Penn added runs No. 2 and No. 3 in the next inning. Wilson led the inning with a single, and Penn was walked. An error on a George hit brought Wilson in, then Penn scored on a hit from Venable.

Dowell crossed the plate for run No. 4 in the bottom of the third thanks a bomb hit to the center field fence by Hawks.

After slowly building a lead through three innings, Mount Airy exploded for six runs in the fourth. George, who was the first of 12 batters for the Bears in the inning, led with a double, then Venable smashed a homer to increase Mount Airy’s lead to 6-1.

Gallimore was walked to prompt a pitching change for the visitors. The substitution didn’t pay off, though, as Gallimore stole second then scored on a Dowell single.

Dowell advanced to third on a wild pitch, then Hawks was walked to put runners on the corners. Cash Hemric, running for Hawks, took a lead off of first and Queen’s Grant attempted to pick him off. An errant throw sent Hemric to second and scored Dowell to increase the lead again to 8-1.

Deaton scored Hemric with an RBI single, then Deaton scored on a hit from Landon Cox to make it 10-1.

The Stallions last chance to put runs up ended after three batters after Gwyn struck out three-in-a-row in the top of the fifth. Dowell had his fourth single in the bottom of the inning and stole his way around the bases before scoring on a Deaton hit.

No. 8 Mount Airy advances to the Round of 32 and will host No. 9 Bethany on May 13. Bethany (18-9) finished second in the Northwest Piedmont 1A Conference and defeated No. 24 Mitchell 8-3 in the opening round.

Queen’s Grant – 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, X, X = 1

PINEHURST — After finishing State Runner-Up in 2019 and 2021, East Surry’s golf team finally won the ultimate prize in 2022.

The Cardinals dominated the second day of competition at Foxfire Resort’s Red Fox Course to secure the 2A State Championship. The title is East Surry’s seventh in school history, and the program’s first since winning four consecutive titles from 2005-2008.

“I’m so proud and excited for those young men who worked so hard to get here,” said East Surry coach Darrin Haywood. “I would probably say that it was more of a feeling of relief than anything else. We have been so close and right there on the cusp so many times. Me and the boys were waiting for all scores to be counted, saying ‘We’re not believing it until it’s up on the board.’ Then they called me up there and it was just surreal.”

Haywood called the entire second day of competition a “very exciting but nerve-wracking five hours.”

East Surry finished the first day of competition tied for top overall spot with Midway High School. Though the Cards were in a prime position to win the state title, the team felt it hadn’t performed up to its potential through the first 18 holes.

“Monday, when we posted our score we knew that was not our best golf,” Haywood said. “We didn’t feel great being the first ones to post, but when we saw we were even with [Midway] it kind of relaxed our guys. Our kids knew that we had a lot left in us, and even though we didn’t play to East Surry’s standard of golf we were still tied for first.

“We weren’t behind anyone and it was ours for the taking. The kids showed a lot of confidence, saying ‘we’ve been here before. We’ve done as bad as we’ve done all year and are still in the perfect position to win.”

After combining to shoot 328 after the first day, East Surry bested Midway’s foursome by eleven strokes, 326 to 337, on the second 18 holes.

The Cardinals were led both days by Bradley Davis Jr. Davis shot 75 (+3) on the first 18 holes, which was just one shot in back of the overnight leader, Drew O’Neal from Beddingfield.

Davis matched his +3 round from the first day on the final day to put up a superb 6+ total for the tournament. Midway’s Logan Atkins posted the only even-par round of the tournament in the Final Round to pair with his opening round 76 (+4), winning the individual title by two shots over his counterpart from East Surry.

Atkins won the individual championship with a two-day total of 148, and Davis finished as State Runner-up with a total score of 150

“The thing about Bradley is that he’s just so consistent,” Haywood said. “He stays even keel and never gets rattled, and those are just some of the qualities that make him a very good golfer. He knew he was in the running for the top spot this week, and never got worried even when he didn’t play his best – which was still very good – in the first round.

“Brad might hit a rough shot then look at me and ask how everybody else was doing. It says a lot about him as a young man to care first about the team accolades. These guys love each other and wanted each other to succeed. It was always team-first with them.”

Following Davis, East Surry also got outstanding rounds from the rest of their scoring foursome to solidify the victory on the final day of the event. Chase Harris shot 78 (+6) thanks to a pair of matching 39’s on the front and back nine. Connor Key and Anderson Badgett contributed an 86 and an 87, respectively.

Also contributing to the Cards’ success was what Haywood called a ‘caravan of fans’ supporting the team.

“So much of the community was there and I was so surprised,” Haywood said. “There were people I never thought I’d see there just because they didn’t have a family member playing. It was incredible to see.

“Those kids see that everybody is there supporting them; not to make them nervous or add pressure, but to offer genuine support and see good golf. It helped the kids relax and feel like home. They were surrounded by people they grew up around and saw their entire life there to cheer them on. I think that really helped.”

East Surry added another piece of hardware when the N.C. High School Athletic Association presented the 2A Men’s Golf Championship Sportsmanship Award to Jordan Davis.

Surry Community College’s Law Enforcement Training program recently achieved a 100% pass rate for first-time test takers for the Basic RADAR course and exam.

The Radar Operator Certification Course is a 40-hour commission-mandated course governed by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. The class consisted of 14 students from six agencies. Agencies that received training include the Mount Airy, Dobson, and Elkin police departments, along with the Yadkinville and Winston-Salem police departments and the and Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.

“Surry Community College strives every day to meet the training needs of our front line first responders in every effort to make Surry, Yadkin, and surrounding counties a safer place to live, work and play. This training is just one in a series of community service training provided by the excellent instructional staff at SCC. We are proud of our students and our instructional staff,” said Jim McHone, director of Basic Law Enforcement Training.

For more information on Surry’s law enforcement programs and course offerings, contact McHone at 336-386-3292 or mchonej@surry.edu. Follow the program on Facebook @surryblet.

The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History is offering two events this month, one hearkening to the days when iron and steel blacksmithing represented the cutting edge of technology, and another taking attendees into the space age.

The first is the museum’s last blacksmith workshop of the season. Local master blacksmith Joe Allen will teach participants about the tools and techniques involved in entry-level blacksmithing.

Everyone will receive hands-on instruction on the tools and conditions necessary to forge iron and will get their opportunity to use a hammer and anvil, as well as other basic tools, to craft two different projects they will get to keep. All of the tools and materials are included in the workshop price, and it will be held in the museum courtyard.

This workshop will be on Saturday from 1 p.m.–5 p.m. and costs $75 for members and $100 for non-members. The class will be limited to six participants per class, so early registration is encouraged.

Pete Taggett will be presenting for the museum’s first Maker’s History presentation featuring local craftsmen and creators who have contributed to technology, science, and history. Taggett will tell the story of how he worked on the communications antenna used on the Apollo missions. From the early Apollo mission where men were eventually put on the moon to helping to save astronauts during the Apollo 13 explosion, Taggett’s work has helped shape history.

This presentation will be held Saturday, May 20 from 12 p.m.–1 p.m. at the museum. It is free to the public, and there will be opportunities to ask questions. Those attending may take a lunch to eat while listening to the talk.

This presentation is being hosted in partnership with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. For those unable to attend, there will be a Zoom link for anyone to watch the event virtually. For more information about this event and how to register to watch virtually, check the museum’s social media accounts or reach out to Cassandra Johnson at the museum at 336-786-4478.

The Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce will host a morning networking event called Business Over Breakfast on Thursday May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The event will be held at the Mount Airy City Schools Central Office, 351 Riverside Drive, Mount Airy.

Business Over Breakfast will feature tabletop networking where attendees can talk about their businesses and exchange business cards. Attendees will rotate tables and have the opportunity to meet almost everyone in the room. People who may be interested in this event are sales managers, sales professionals, business development staff or any small business owner.

The event will feature a buffet breakfast catered by the Ol’ Farmer Restaurant, from Cana, Virginia. The breakfast is open to all members of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce or any prospective member. Sponsorships for the Business Over Breakfast are available and provide marketing for sponsoring companies and event tickets.

Chamber President and CEO Randy Collins remarked “traditional business networking is alive and well in Surry County. Attendees will meet many business prospects in a short amount of time. Bring your business cards and come join us.”

Tickets or sponsorships can be purchased on the chamber website www.mtairyncchamber.org. Questions on the event should be directed to Jordon Edwards at the chamber via email at jordon@mtairyncchamber.org.

This is in reference to the article by Ryan Kelly, “Federal injunction sole path to voting machine audit” in the Saturday, May 7, edition.

I, one among many, saw a presentation concerning 2020 voting in Surry County. Had Ms. Michella Huff (county board of elections chair) attended the meeting, I believe she would fully understand the purported “explosion” by Keith Senter (Republican party chair) during their meeting about voting concerns – primarily with voting machines.

There were actual photographs which showed a fingertip chip hidden on the motherboard of a machine. As stated in the referenced article, current communications technology makes the machine susceptible to surreptitious hacking which could then taint the results. Although the chip in the photographs was not purported to be from one of the machines within Surry County, the inference is that like-machines could be so “infected.” Hence, the request to have an audit of the machines. Unfortunately, it appears that no machine audit directed by Federal Court Order will ensue until a statistically, major loss occurs in the next presidential voting cycle.

Actually, voting machines are only one aspect of 2020 voting issues within Surry County. A statistical forensic investigation into voting data, showed that although reliably “red,” there were statistically too many “blue” votes for the number of registered democrats.

Additionally, during the presentation, actual voter registration data sets from Surry County were shown. Data input into registration rolls showed multiple voting ID numbers given to a single person. For example, I could have two ID’s, one for Harmon and another for Harman, depending on who inputted/updated the information into the database. Also, funeral homes are not required by law to notify the Election Board of deaths; ergo, the database doesn’t get scrubbed.

It appears the only solution to reinstate integrity for our democratic institution of voting is for each state to take on the gargantuan task to conduct in-dept audits of entire voting processes: tabulation, citizen voter databases, and collection of paper ballots.

The Mount Airy News is running question-and-answer articles with candidates leading up to the May 17 primary. We posed the same three questions to candidates for the Surry County Board of Commissioners Mount Airy District seat.

Bill Goins is an avid outdoorsman who is in his fourth year on the board of commissioners, and its current chairman. He and wife, Shelley, have four children. Both are active in the county and attend Bannertown Baptist Church.

Goins is a lifelong resident of Surry County who is proud to call Surry County home. After spending 28 years as an educator- teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal in the Surry County School System, he retired in August 2020.

He wears many hats serving on the State Water Infrastructure Authority, the Surry County Board of Social Services, Mount Airy/Surry County Airport Authority, Mount Airy Liaison Committee, Flat Rock and Bannertown Water and Sewer Authority, Northern Regional Hospital Board of Trustee, Partners Behavioral Health Board, Surry County Budget and Finance, and Surry County Property Committee.

“It has been an honor to serve as county commissioner over the last four years and I would consider it an honor to serve another term to represent the people of Surry County. I would appreciate your vote in early voting or on Tuesday, May 17.”

Question: Can you identify an area of concern that matters to you and describe how you may choose to address that issue?

Goins: Choosing one issue is a difficult task when you look at the issues that you face as a county commissioner. There are several areas of concern for me, but probably the most prevalent and the one that people talk about most is opioid addiction. It impacts so many people and families in our county. We hear the number of overdoses each year but is only the tip of the iceberg.

There has been a great deal of work in this area, and we are in a better position than many counties because of the work of previous commissioners and the hiring of a director position to work with all the stakeholders and develop a plan. We will be receiving opioid settlement money and because of the efforts in Surry County, we will be able to use that money to immediately fight the opioid crisis here in the county.

We need to continue to support a “continuum of care” for residents suffering from substance use disorder and seeking treatment and recovery. Short-term goals include a communications campaign, transportation program, work programs for employees and employers, housing, and planning for detention facility programs. Long-term goals include surveys, implementation of detention center programs, a mentor program, and an “Innovation Grant Pool” for non-profit organizations.

As we move forward, we need to give people hope and support as they work to recover from substance use. We need to understand that we are dealing with people from all walks of life, and they deserve our help in beating their addiction.

Question: How would you describe your political philosophy and what that means for your style of governance?

Goins: I am a Republican and I have been since I first registered to vote in 1986. For me, being a Republican and a conservative means I want to be a good steward of the taxpayers’ money and to spend it wisely. I, along with my fellow commissioners, have done a great job in looking at our budget and asking some tough questions about how we spend taxpayer money. We always want to do the most we can with the money that is collected from taxes and other revenue sources.

During COVID, we had to look at how to do things differently. We had to make difficult decisions because we did not know what the future would hold or what the impact would be on our economy. We cut all departments by 10% and ultimately cut the county budget by $1.7 million. We asked everyone to do more with less, and with the current labor shortage they have continued to do more with less people.

Now we have to deal with inflation unlike we have seen in a long while. That means we must look at our budget and plan on how to deal with the increased expense of doing business. We have to ask, “Are we headed for a recession?” Indicators say it is possible, but I feel confident in our ability to “pump the brakes” and slow our spending when times call for it. Our tax rate is low at 55.2 cents on $100 worth of property. More importantly, our sales tax revenue has seen growth every quarter for the past two years.

Question: What does the future of Surry County look like in five years?

Goins: When I ran, I talked about economic development, education, safety, and building better relationships with all the stakeholders in the county. I think we have addressed these items in various ways and there is still much to do in these areas as I look to another term in office if elected. I am optimistic and believe the future holds great things for Surry County.

Today, we are faced with inflation, higher fuel prices, supply chain issues, and a labor shortage. And I believe several of these issues will continue for the foreseeable future. Economic development will always be ongoing. We want to continue to look to bring jobs to Surry County.

We need to continue to make Surry County an attractive place to do business. It is important for us to continue to foster economic development and bring in new jobs here, but it is equally important to find ways to partner with existing industries so they will continue to call Surry County home. When we are asked to help with water, sewer, natural gas, and other needs, we need to work toward meeting those goals.

Our school systems along with Surry Community College are working to address the labor shortage with programs like Surry-Yadkin Works. The program partners with our high schools and places students in businesses and industries. This gives them an opportunity to experience what is like working in a field they might want to pursue. Additionally, this allows our students to explore what Surry County has to offer as they begin to enter the workforce.

I see our county government as continuing to be responsive to the needs of our citizens. I commit to continuing to work for all the citizens and with our current board, even when we do not agree, in working to do what is best for the citizens of this county.

Walter D. Harris was born and raised in the Washington suburbs of Alexandria, Virginia. Along with wife Melisa (Lisa Beasley) Burton Harris they have three daughters and three grandsons. Both work at Lowe’s hardware in Mount Airy and attend Mount Airy Wesleyan Church, which they love.

He was educated in catholic and private schools. Duke University yielded his college education with a political science and government degree. A return to the classroom via the kitchen at The Culinary Institute of America in New York led to a stint as a corporate executive chef for Sheraton and Marriott. He is familiar with million-dollar budgets and has owned and operated three successful restaurants in North Carolina.

Harris is serving his third term as a Surry County Delegate to the North Carolina GOP convention and his second term on Surry County Board of Adjustments. He and his wife have been chair and co-chair on Surry County’s GOP Executive Committee for several terms. He has served as judge for several elections in. Harris said he “heavily campaigned for our 45th President Donald J. Trump for the 2016 and 2020 campaigns and is planning the same in 2024.”

Question: Can you identify an area of concern that matters to you and describe how you may choose to address that issue?

Harris: Many negative issues thrive within our county’s border and is embedded into our county’s heartland. National struggles as inflation and illegal migration are certainly paramount issues of which I have little control other than my family budget. However, there is a major issue our county must deal with in which I can influence as your commissioner. When we hear of crime locally, it mirrors what we see/hear in our national and state news. Most of these crimes are related to drugs, directly and indirectly; Therefore, I believe the “war on drugs” remains the most prevalent issue facing our county.

Society struggles to apprehend and prosecute the dealers and has been for over 70 years. I believe the root of “the drug problem” is addiction. Guess what everybody, addiction is in our DNA. It’s time to be harsher with the users. Users are not innocent. These drug addictions are “self-created” (I speak of illegal drug use for recreational purposes).

Do these people want to be drug addicts? I say no, but once exposed and hooked they need to be removed from society and sentenced to a lengthy serious rehabilitation, a minimum of 6 months, not a Betty Ford 30-day slap on the wrist. I have some worthy ideas worth exploring. Ideas on decreasing the demand for these drugs and assist our addicted citizens. Citizens on drugs do not work and sap our county of vital resources.

Question: How would you describe your political philosophy and what that means for your style of governance?

Harris: I registered as a Republican in 1971. Decades have passed and I’m now a conservative Republican. Every single decision I make as your commissioner will be based on my core conservative value. I love and defend our constitution. I am fiscally dedicated to holding our budget and fighting any unnecessary changes to the budget. If additional money is needed, find it elsewhere within our budget and save. My style of governance as a commissioner will represent only 20% of the voting bloc, but I will bond my conservative governance with 40% of our ‘equal-minded” conservative commissioners to assure and maintain the majority conservative vote.

Remember Coca-Cola’s voter suppression claim in Atlanta and how this company’s political views negatively affected many political campaigns and ultimately the presidential election? Remember? Commissioners Eddie Harris and Van Tucker crafted a serious response/resolution to Coca-Cola kicking their business out of our government offices. A well-crafted conservative response representing our county’s conservative values. Remember how the other three commissioners let Coca-Cola off the hook? I would have voted yes with Mr. Eddie Harris and Mr. Van Tucker. This is how I govern, conservative.

Question: What does the future of Surry County look like in five years?

Harris: Very promising. Our county has a very large land mass. I would love to honeymoon very large businesses to our county complete with infrastructure with a growing young employee base. We need young families. Our county’s geographic location is convenient for domestic commerce. Slow, deliberate, and well-planned is key to our future growth. Politically speaking, I see our county’s future as more conservative. I envision Surry as a haven for all families, young and old, to enjoy “their/our” constitutionally entitled happiness in a secure protective conservative Republican-bathed county.

Surry is well into a decade of Republicanism. Surry County is unique and has proven its itch, its desire to stand out as a beacon of conservatism for all North Carolina counties. This will not happen until conservatives hold the majority within our five commissioners.

Editor’s Note: The Mount Airy News was not able to secure a photo of Steven Odum, despite several requests.

Steven R. Odum is a conservative Republican candidate for the county board of commissioners Mount Airy district seat. Marriedto Wendy for nearly 25 years, they have six children and are raising three grandchildren. He said they love Surry County, and he hopes to be able to assist in bringing much needed change, safety, security, and economic stability to the people if elected to represent his district.

A lifelong resident of Surry County, he was raised by parents Bobby and Della in a Christian family and taught the value of hard work and the dollar. It was a tobacco farm on his mother’s side of the family and construction on the other side, a day out of school was really no day off, but a day of labor.

“I assure it did not hurt me. I learned to farm and provide for myself and a family. I also learned the craft and trade of building houses. I obtained my education through the Surry County school system and Surry Community College where I obtained my National Registry EMT-Paramedic and my Associate degree in nursing.

“I worked for a few different EMS organizations for nearly seventeen years and have worked as a registered nurse for twelve years. Currently, I am a travel nurse and have traveled the country working ICU / PCU units battling the Corona 19 / Covid virus.”

Question: Can you identify an area of concern that matters to you and describe how you may choose to address that issue?

Odum: The issue I believe to be most concerning in Surry County is the opioid crisis. To call it an “opioid crisis” doesn’t honestly address the depth of the problem we are facing. We have an overdose crisis that is actually the poisoning of a significant portion of our county.

I believe our first step in addressing the problem is to honestly acknowledge its severity, without sugarcoating it. Only a truly informed public is capable of making decisions and taking actions that cut to the heart of this tragedy. This is an issue that has affected almost every family in the county and has brought significant pain, grief, and financial stress on our communities.

I strongly believe in and support the philosophy of harm reduction programs and efforts. These along with collaboration with local law enforcement, state and federal law enforcement, the education system, and local non-profit organizations and with utilization of a well-enforced drug court, we can achieve the goal of reducing and preventing overdose and overdose deaths.

Question: How would you describe your political philosophy and what that means for your style of governance?

Odum: I am a conservative Republican. I believe the government belongs to the people. My hope and my plan is to be a voice for the people of Surry County in any decision I would be making in the office of county commissioner. It is not the job of an elected official to make decisions, without knowing the opinions of those he or she represents. Therefore, my style of leadership is a partnership with our county citizens.

Question: What does the future of Surry County look like in five years?

Odum: The past 20 years have been devastating for Surry County. NAFTA brought the end of a rich history of textile jobs and pride in our community. The loss of jobs and illegal immigration, coupled with the pharmaceutical assault from drug companies, all hit us hard.

We must address the health of our economy. Encouraging small business owners and entrepreneurship are vital in stabilizing our local economy. We need to focus on economic development ensuring potential businesses are aware of the wealth of resources along with the excellent labor force Surry has to offer.

I personally believe the citizens of our beautiful county are more than tired of traveling out of county for employment sufficient to provide for their families. We are constantly encouraging our citizens to spend locally, support local businesses as we should. These same citizens deserve the opportunity to work within minutes of their homes while earning wages that can provide for their families.

I believe that with the right objectives and goals, with the right individuals in place, Surry County has an excellent future for business, housing, and financial stability for its citizens. We cannot continue to sit by waiting for someone else to act. We have to pull together as individuals and truly form a “we the people” attitude.

The Mount Airy News is running question-and-answer articles with candidates leading up to the May 17 primary. We posed the same three questions to candidates for the Surry County Board of Commissioners South District seat.

Eddie Harris was born in Mount Airy in 1961 and lived in the Boones Hill section south of Bannertown and went to Bannertown Elementary School and the old South Main Street School for sixth grade. After that, his family moved to Mountain Park where he finished his last six years at Elkin City Schools. A graduate of Surry Community College and Appalachian State University he married Robbin Burchette who taught first grade for 30 years in Surry County and Elkin City schools.

They have two daughters Mary Gwyn and Victoria and two sons-in-laws Alex Ratley and Brandon Cox, as well as two grandsons Harris Ratley and Samuel Cox. He is employed in the family’s business Harris Leather and Silverworks manufacturing equestrian products. “I am a self-taught hand engraver and silversmith in that business. I also do carpentry work remodeling houses on the weekends. I am a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.”

He is the current vice chair of the Surry County Board of Commissioners while also serving the community on a variety of committees. Harris is a self-identified history and genealogy buff who in discussions on J. J. Jones High was a vocal proponent of protecting the history of the building for posterity.

Question: Can you identify an area of concern that matters to you and describe how you may choose to address that issue?

Harris: I am running for a fourth term because I am honored to serve our citizens as county commissioner and appreciate the confidence the good people of Surry County have shown me these last 12 years. My primary focus is making this county a safe and decent place to raise a family, have a good paying job, and hopefully build a county in which our young people can remain.

I will continue to vote to maintain our current tax rate and insist that county tax dollars are not wasted but spent in a conservative common-sense fashion. Our tax rate has remained unchanged, and our unencumbered fund balance has grown during my tenure in office. I met with Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s credit rating agencies to elevate our ratings and put our county’s financial position on a solid footing. We hired some of the best financial advisors in our state. Our financial position is sound having achieved this through commonsense conservative principals.

I will not waver in representing our working people and senior citizens who must choose whether they are going to pay their property taxes, pay their power bill, buy groceries, or their medicine. I will never forget these forgotten Americans. I will also continue our war on drugs and substance abuse that is ravaging many of our families and affecting innocent children in a horrible way. Surry County has led the way in developing a comprehensive prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery approach.

Question: How would you describe your political philosophy and what that means for your style of governance?

Harris: I am a conservative Republican and am very disturbed by what I see taking place in our country today. This includes our federal government, state government, as well as the public schools in our nation. I am pro-life and will fight the intolerant, divisive, disruptive leftist agenda that liberal politicians, the leftist news media, big corporation, and unelected big tech oligarchs are using to usurp our basic constitutional rights. They are dividing Americans young and old in every way imaginable.

When the radical woke left calls the American flag, the English language, Mickey Mouse, Dr. Seuss, meritocracy, and accountability racist, our mothers birthing persons, thieves uninvited guest, and the list goes on it causes me great worry for our nation. We need to look for ways to bring Americans together not tear the fabric of our nation apart.

I am a strong defender of freedom of speech and the rule of law. I believe what is happening at our southern border a disgrace to our people and our national sovereignty. I believe Surry County citizens should know the beliefs of all elected officials, that is why I voted to make our school board elections partisan. Knowledge is power. Our children belong to their parents and not the school boards. Political and social indoctrination have no place in our public schools. The people of this county do not support the destructive woke Critical Race Theory, social justice equity agenda. These beliefs have carried me through my 12 years on the board and I believe they mirror the working people of this county.

Question: What does the future of Surry County look like in five years?

Harris: Looking out five years I continue to see people wanting to move to our county to escape the big cities. I see our taxes low, revenues stable, and an economy that continues to diversify with small business continuing to be the leading employers. Tourism will continue to play a big role. I see a county that is more focused on keeping trash off our roadsides. I see our drug problem continuing to be challenge, but hopefully progress will be made in that area.

I believe our young people will continue to move into trades and technical education careers. I serve as a trustee on our community college board and that has been a primary focus. Surry County will continue to be a special place to live and raise a family. We must continue to offer our citizens and especially our young people the hope and promise of tomorrow. The promise of a forgiving God and a nation birthed by liberty and freedom with endless opportunity. I remain optimistic despite what we are seeing in our nation today because ultimately only God can heal our nation. With warmest regards, I seek to remain your humble servant.

Tessa Anne Saeli of Elkin is a mother of four who along with husband Dr. James Saeli own Beth EL Wellness & Chiropractic in Elkin. Her kids are grown, but an empty nest it is not with four dogs, four ducks, one cat and a bunny to keep them company.

She wants voters to know that she has a great deal of leadership experience and qualifications, “but I am not a politician and do not want to be.

“I am an ordained and licensed minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Certified Biblical Life Breakthrough Coach. I have managed many large budgets and large groups of staff and volunteers. I have served on the North Carolina Southern Baptist Ordination Board, have served in South Carolina and North Carolina in different churches in different roles: youth pastor, associate pastor, worship pastor and children’s pastor as well as education director and missions director.

I served on Marlboro County Arts Council and Downtown Development Board, I’m a former schoolteacher, preschool director of two very large pre-schools in the Raleigh area, community outreach director, former Rotarian, and a former prison chaplain in South and North Carolina; on the Development Board of Stevens Christian Academy in South Carolina; part of the American Renewal Project and Convention of States. Have attended numerous John Maxwell Leadership Seminars to fill myself with good counsel and wisdom.

And let me add, the current elections machines need to be audited now.

Question: Identify an area of concern that matters to you and tell the readers how you may choose to address that issue.

Saeli: An area of concern in Surry County is the substance abuse problem that is truly a plague on this land. I will allocate all of my commissioner’s salary to the Substance Abuse Recovery Team for programs, prevention, etc. I will also work closely with them to establish better programs and the building of new Rehab Centers that are much needed in this area. However, prevention is the number one goal. The churches need to be better educated on how to actually “help” their own congregations. I want to be a connector in that process between the governing officials and the churches. Time to go “upstream.”

Question: How would you describe your political philosophy and what that means for your style of governance?

Saeli: I don’t have a “political” philosophy. Politics is a demonic spirit. Governance, however, is different. This nation was founded upon Biblical principles and should be governed as such. Prayer, the Bible, the Constitution is all we need. We don’t need new laws. We need to follow the ones we have. They work. Surrounding yourself with good counsel that believes in these things is a must. Term limits are a must. Praying over every decision can’t be an afterthought, it needs to be a leader’s first thought.

Question: What does the future of Surry County look like in five years?

Saeli: The future of Surry County depends on the outcome of this election. If we’re going to continue to live on the “merry go round” of the same thing over and over over again, keep the officials we have. But if you want a fresh outlook with new ideas and new breakthroughs for the future, vote for new people to lead. There is a great future ahead for Surry County if we elect new leaders that listen to God and will not compromise. Also, we need news outlets that report truth instead of pieces of the actual story.

The Mount Airy News is running question-and-answer articles with candidates leading up to the May 17 primary. We posed the same three questions to candidates for the Surry County Board of Commissioners Central District seat. Here are their answers.

Mark Marion is a Surry County Commissioner from Dobson who is seeking a second term as county commissioner, and is the past chair of the commissioners. He was born and raised in Surry County. A man “63 years young,” he along with wife Sara have four daughters and six grandchildren. He is a member of Salem Baptist Church in Dobson who had racked up more than 30 years of service with RJ Reynolds before retiring.

Marion said, “I proudly coached many years and a couple of generations of children in baseball and basketball. Although I no longer coach, I get to enjoy watching my grandchildren play in all their sports.”

Question: Can you identify an area of concern that matters to you and describe how you may choose to address that issue?

Marion: As a county commissioner, all things that go on in Surry County matter to me but the two things that concern me most at this time is our opioid crisis and the overcrowding in our jail. The jail has been overcrowded for several years and it is a danger to the detention officers as well as the inmates. It is an enormous cost to send our inmates to other counties to be housed. The state inspection department was one step from closing our jail down. Our new jail is under construction and will house a new 911 operations center as well as a magistrate’s office. It can’t be completed soon enough.

The opioid crisis is not going away anytime soon, county government along with the sheriff’s department has initiated a substance abuse program where county employees along with volunteers are working diligently to combat the everyday influx of drugs in our county and assist the citizens that are affected in their rehabilitation. A plan to use opioid settlement money has been designed as a long term road map, lots of counties don’t have one.

Question: How would you describe your political philosophy and what that means for your style of governance?

Marion: As the old saying goes “treat others as you would have them treat you.” I came to the conclusion a long time ago that I’m never going to please everyone. That’s where the common sense approach comes in. I try to make decisions based on what I believe my constituents would want. Sometimes you get it right but believe me the times you get it wrong; you’re going to hear about it.

I really enjoy being a commissioner, sure there are times when you get those calls where citizens are unhappy, and you do your best to lead them in the right direction; then you get those calls where you can ease someone’s mind or comfort them. We learn and grow together every day and I would appreciate your support for this upcoming election.

Question: What does the future of Surry County look like in five years?

Marion: Surry County’s outlook is very bright. No one has a crystal ball to predict the future but the economic development along with infrastructure, broadband, water and sewer, natural gas upgrades and improvements to the Mount Airy/ Surry County airport to attract new businesses and sustain our present ones outline a promising future.

We haven’t raised property taxes since I’ve been on the board, and I don’t foresee it in the near future. Our citizens are very good about paying their taxes so we can invest in the welfare of our county. We strive to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars and with God’s help Surry County will continue to prosper. We want our county to be a place where our children and grandchildren want to continue living and raise their families.

Landon Tolbert, 30, a small business owner from Mount Airy is in his first campaign for office. “I have been a small business owner since I was 15 years old. I know the value of a hard day’s work. I believe because of this experience I will make a strong, conservative, leader for Surry County.

“I would like to begin by thanking my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for allowing me to take this journey to run for Surry County commissioner. I am a Christian first and a true fiscal conservative. I stand for the 2nd amendment, pro-life, and the Constitution.”

Question: Can you identify an area of concern that matters to you and tell the readers how you may choose to address that issue?

Tolbert: One issue that I am concerned about is that we need stronger leadership in office. I believe that we need conservative leaders who will work for the people. There seems to be a disconnect between what the people want and what the representatives do. For example, it seems like the government’s spending keeps increasing while the taxpayer’s wallet seems to keep decreasing. Times are hard right now due to inflation, and I believe that we need leaders who take this into consideration. We need leaders who will be more fiscally conservative with taxpayer dollars.

Question: How would you describe your political philosophy and what that means for your style of governance.

Tolbert: I, Landon Tolbert, want to be a watchman on the wall for the people of Surry County. The term watchman comes from the book in the Bible Ezekiel 33. A watchman to me, means a true representative that fights for the good of the people and understands the consequences of their decisions. I believe I will answer to not only the people, but I will answer to God if I do not fulfill the job of a watchman correctly. With every decision that I make, I will honor God and the people.

Question: What does the future of Surry County look like in five years?

Tolbert: I believe that if conservative leaders are voted into office, then Surry County has a bright future. Surry County can have a future with low taxes, a small government, a thriving economy, and a place where young families will choose to stay and live their lives. I hope to make all this possible with your vote.

The Konnection Band returns to the Blackmon Amphitheatre stage on Friday, while Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot will take the stage on Saturday night. Both shows will start at 7:30 p.m.

Founded in 2005, The Konnection has been tabbed as one of the East Coast’s premier party bands, specializing in a variety of music including Top 40, Rock, Country, R & B, Beach, and Oldies.

Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot are known as a Soul, R&B party band based out of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Their musical repertoire covers decades of hits from favorite artists and genres of music including soul, rhythm and blues, funk, reggae, jazz standards, country, 50s, 60s, and Carolina Beach Music. In addition to performing some of the most current hits that are topping the charts today, the group has had many successful chart-topping hits on local radio and internet stations across North and South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Florida.

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

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

A South Ward slot on the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners is among city offices up for grabs in the 2022 municipal election season. With a non-partisan system involved, the three candidates facing off in the primary will be narrowed to two who will be on the November general election ballot. Each responded to the same set of questions designed to help voters learn about their backgrounds and positions on key issues to make informed choices. Listed in alphabetical order, the candidates and responses include those of:

Tell citizens a little about yourself.

Answer: My name is Gene Clark, and I seek your support to serve as commissioner, South Ward, of the Mount Airy city council. At 59 years old, I have had an abundance of personal and professional experiences that shaped my ability to work well with others to achieve shared goals.

As a husband to my beautiful wife Becky, I have learned to cherish her unconditionally and listen carefully to her wise counsel. As father to two beloved sons, Taylor and Tyler, I have learned to put the needs of family above my own personal desires, and to expect and respect differences of opinion — so long as those differences harm no one else.

As a successful business leader for more than 40 years who has worked from the ground up in the highly competitive furniture business, I understand the importance of developing and maintaining a sustainable budget, identifying and prioritizing needs versus wishes, seeking opportunities for growth and expansion, hiring and mentoring young professionals so they can advance to more-lucrative positions and ensuring customer satisfaction and repeat business by providing a high-quality product that is truthfully promoted.

My Christian faith is the foundation of who I am and has always informed my value system. Since birth, I have been part of the Methodist Church and participated in a variety of faith-based organizations and volunteer roles — including Methodist Men, pastor-parish and serving on the church Finance Committee and Administrative Council.

I also have held several leadership positions with the Bassett (Virginia) Kiwanis Club, including president and vice president. Most recently, I led the now-defunct Citizens for Transparency — a local group dedicated to encouraging members of the city council to engage in open, honest communications with the public.

I believe my background will serve me well as commissioner, because it provides a foundation for me to engage collegially with other council members as we work together to ensure that the city’s needs are consistently prioritized.

Question: Why are you interested in serving as a city commissioner?

Answer: I love Mount Airy and want to help ensure its ability to remain a family favorite beacon to yesteryear while expanding its attraction to the next generations. Sweet memories of bygone days can stir our souls, but the tools and technology of today and tomorrow must stir our imagination so we can effectively embrace the future.

As a commissioner, I will use my talents and strengths to help lay the groundwork for the city to aggressively and strategically search out and seize opportunities to move our focus beyond the immediate “downtown” area — where we have stayed mired for the past 10 years. As a commissioner, I am interested in helping to heal the ever-widening chasm that now exists between the elected officials of this town and its people.

To that end, I will invite and welcome ideas, comments, criticism and questions from the public — because a city council is only as effective as its communications — and our present council only tells people what they’re going to do rather than engage in open, honest discussions with constituents about potential plans.

Question: What do you consider the two most important issues now facing Mount Airy and how will you address them?

Answer: Jobs is my top consideration. And when I say jobs, I mean jobs that pay significantly more than minimum wage. I’m talking about jobs that can sustain a family and permit the purchase of a reasonably priced home within the city limits or nearby vicinity. We cannot grow unless and until we engage aggressively in finding and attracting small, medium or large-sized businesses to Mount Airy.

We must rally our local business and political interests to help us recruit new employers to our town, including women and minority owners who bring with them refreshingly new and updated views and perspectives. Such entrepreneurs will be attracted to what Mount Airy has to offer — including easy on/off access to all major highways and byways, superb educational and health care facilities, a rich variety of cultural and recreational activities and outlets and strong traditions with a culture wrapped in old-fashioned values.

My second priority will be to attain and maintain budget compliance. Over the years, we have gotten off track and spent money recklessly while raising taxes at the drop of the hat. We cannot continue on that budgetary train wreck. As commissioner, I will help ensure that the city manager and all department heads operate in unison to correct budgetary variances that lead to over-spending, and that they also lead the effort to cut costs, as might be necessary.

Unlike the federal government, Mount Airy does not have a printing press that will produce more greenbacks — so we must not spend more than our revenues allow and borrow more than we can comfortably repay. Developing and maintaining a budget is not brain surgery — it only requires a commitment to “staying within our means.” Rest assured, I mean to stay within those well-defined boundaries.

Question: What makes you the best choice for the office you are seeking?

Answer: If you believe, as I do, that the status quo has gotta go, then I’m the commissioner for you. Mount Airy is long overdue for a group of elected officials who will put the needs of the whole city first — ahead of their own personal interests.

And the city is long overdue for a group of elected officials who can work well together rather than squabbling like grade-school bullies. As your commissioner, I will be truthful and honest with you and vote with integrity at all times. And as your commissioner, I will be a proud ambassador for the city of Mount Airy — the place we all love and the place we all call home.

Tell citizens a little about yourself.

Answer: My name is Phillip Thacker, I am 67 years old and was born and raised in Mount Airy.

I have been married to my wife Nancy for 48 years and am blessed with two married children and three wonderful grandchildren.

After 46 years of working here in Mount Airy, I am retired and have the time to continue serving the community. I am a graduate of Mount Airy High School and Surry Community College with an associate in science degree.

I was previously employed by Quality Mills for 12 years as an engineer and by Renfro Corp. for 34 years as an engineer and an engineering manager.

Other involvements have included serving on the Mount Airy Planning Board for three years and the Mount Airy Board of Education for 23 years.

I presently am a member of the Mount Airy City Schools Educational Foundation; treasurer of our church, for 21 years; and a trustee.

Question: Why are you interested in serving as a city commissioner?

Answer: I was born and raised in Mount Airy and have been fortunate enough to work here for 46 years.

During that time I have served the community since 1993 as a member of the planning board and formerly the city school board, so now I would like to continue serving the community as a Mount Airy city commissioner.

Question: What do you consider the two most important issues now facing Mount Airy and how will you address them?

Answer: (1) Increasing the number of jobs available in the community is important to me. We need to be aware of the opportunities available and pursue them.

(2) Keeping a sharp eye on the budget. I would address this with the simple idea that you can only spend what you have available.

Question: What makes you the best choice for the office you are seeking?

Answer: Working in the private sector in Mount Airy for a long time makes me aware of the need for jobs in the city today.

Having served on a public board that successfully takes care of our tax dollars and demonstrates success is another reason. And serving on several local boards prepares you on how to work together with people and move a board in the right direction.

I know I can be a positive influence on the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners and our community.

I will do my best to make good decisions for the city of Mount Airy.

Tell citizens a little about yourself.

Answer: I presently serve as a Mount Airy city commissioner and work hard every day to represent your interests in making this city a better place to live, work and play.

My credentials include 35 years of elected and appointed public service experience; being a former member of the Mount Airy Planning Board who now is a member of the Mount Airy Tourism Development Authority; and serving as a representative for Surry County Tourism and Economic Development.

Also, I am a member of the Surry County Farmers Market Board and the coordinator of the Mount Airy Farmers Market along with being a member and membership ambassador of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce;

I am a small business owner in Mount Airy, of Station 1978 Firehouse Peanuts, LLC; have strong public safety experience with more than 40 years in fire and rescue activities; and am a retired health care media executive with 40 years of experience

Question: Why are you interested in serving as a city commissioner?

Answer: In addition to now serving as Mount Airy’s at-large commissioner, I have 35 years of elected and appointed public service experience in local government and continue to make public service a priority in my life.

Question: What do you consider the two most important issues now facing Mount Airy and how will you address them?

Answer: There is a need for new affordable housing, especially for young people who work in Mount Airy. The city has land available for development and can offer incentives for new housing opportunities.

Secondly, we have to fill the vacant positions in our police and fire departments. I also would like to see the Police Department be nationally certified. This will help with recruitment and retention of our police force.

Question: What makes you the best choice for the office you are seeking?

Answer: Experience and a commitment to Mount Airy, including serving on the Mount Airy Planning Board before I was appointed to the at-large commissioner seat.

In working as a volunteer ambassador for the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, being on the Surry County Farmers Market board and coordinating the Mount Airy Farmers Market, public service is at the core of my beliefs — as service to humanity is the best work of life.

I recently viewed an online recording of the Mount Airy city council meeting of April 21.

It felt a bit like watching the Academy Awards – with the slap!

As the meeting edged close to a scheduled discussion of the now well-known Uncorked drama, Commissioner Marie Wood spoke out of turn to inappropriately chastise Commissioner Jon Cawley for, among other council sins, having dared to mention Uncorked – which, until then, had apparently remained a secret known only to a few select individuals – including members of the planning committee, a few cherry-picked commissioners, and probably some others with council-approved top secret clearance that would entitle them to know how and why the local Uncorked business had become intrinsically linked to a requested change in a city ordinance. (Apparently, Wood forgot that the Business-Which-Cannot-Be-Named had initially been referenced, out loud, by a city employee – whose own name shall be withheld for fear that he, too, could be publicly censured.)

A bit later in the meeting, Wood’s verbal slap was bolstered by Commissioner Steve Yokeley, who said he resented the insinuation that board members don’t do their homework.

Once the Oscar-worthy feigned indignation performances by Wood and Yokeley were out of the way, Commissioner Cawley addressed the elephant in the room – which is the lack of transparency that seems to be consistently applied to council proceedings in order to guarantee a pre-determined vote on key issues. Clearly, in the case of “Uncorked-gate,” not every commissioner had been given all the same background information (including implications and relevant potential consequences) that is supposed to help inform their vote. Indeed, the limited information provided to Cawley made no mention of Uncorked — or the fact that that establishment stood to potentially benefit from the ordinance change that was being promulgated.

I believe the only reason such secret, underhanded shenanigans are permitted to plague our local governing body is so the council can continue its ‘hide and slide’ decision-making process – whereby bits and pieces of relevant information are conveniently hidden, omitted, or purposefully withheld from one or more commissioners so the others can easily slide their preferred outcome through the voting process. No vote should be taken unless and until all commissioners are working from the exact same script.

Kudos to Commissioner Cawley for once again standing up for truth and transparency. And shame on the mayor for not showing the leadership required to demand, effective immediately, that all background information and/or recommendations shared with all council members be exactly the same – with no seemingly calculated omissions of relevant factors.

Government does not get any bigger than when it controls what its citizens must do with their own body. That is not small government. That is not conservative government. That is totalitarian government.

Rebuke the Republican-sought totalitarian government!

The third time was the charm for Elkin in its dual team series against Mount Airy.

After both regular season meetings went to the Granite Bears, the Buckin’ Elks went on the road Monday to face Mount Airy in the third round of the 1A State Playoffs. Mount Airy first defeated Elkin 6-3 on March 24, then secured the Northwest 1A Conference Championship by defeating the Elks 5-4 on April 12.

Another close match went the way of the Elks this time. Elkin defeated Mount Airy 5-4 on May 9 to advance to the 1A West Regional Championship. The Buckin’ Elks set up another third meeting in the regional final, as Elkin is set to face Bishop McGuinness for a shot at the 1A State Championship.

The May 9 edition of the Bears-Elks rivalry saw Elkin win three singles matches for the first time; Mount Airy held a 4-2 advantage after singles in each of the previous two meetings. Similar to the teams’ two regular season matches, Mount Airy won the top three singles matches: No. 1 Georgie Kriek defeated Owen Jennings 6-1, 6-4, No. 2 Carson Hill defeated Thomas McComb 6-1, 6-2, and No. 3 John Juno defeated Jack Zamudio 6-0, 6-3.

In addition to the top three spots, Mount Airy won No. 6 singles in its first meeting with Elkin and No. 5 singles in the second meeting. This time, however, Elkin swept courts No. 4-No. 6: Luke McComb topped Connor Sechrist 6-4, 6-1, Clay Sebastian bested Kieran Slate 6-1, 6-1, and Addison Blackwelder defeated Martin Cooke 6-1, 3-6, 1-0 (10-4).

Just as Mount Airy won the top three singles matches in all three meetings against Elkin, the Bears also won No. 1 doubles in all three. Kriek and Hill were the victors each time, defeating Jennings and Luke McComb in the first two meetings and topping Thomas McComb and Zamudio in round three, 8-2.

Elkin slid its top singles player, Jennings, to No. 2 doubles for the playoff match. Jennings teamed with Blackwelder to defeat Juno and Dylan Tilley 8-1.

This left all eyes on No. 3 doubles where Luke McComb and Sebastian took on Cooke and Jared Pinto. Elkin took a 1-0 lead before Mount Airy won back-to-back games. Luke McComb and Sebastian responded with two-straight wins, then Mount Airy tied the game score at 3-3 behind Pinto’s serve.

Elkin won three-straight to make it 6-3. The Bears won on Pinto’s serve again to cut the lead to 6-4, but Elkin won the next two games to seal the victory.

Mount Airy’s season ends at 15-5 overall. Monday’s loss was the Bears’ only defeat at the hands of a fellow 1A team.

Elkin improves to 14-5 with the playoff victory. The Elks will need another strong performance to get past Bishop McGuinness (15-1), who previously defeated Elkin 7-2 on March 30.

A local man’s death is being investigated as a homicide, according to Surry County Sheriff Steve C. Hiatt.

The sheriff, in a statement released late Monday, said deputies from his office responded to a call of “an unresponsive patient setting (sic) on a lawnmower,” in the 600 block of Golf Course Road in Pilot Mountain at 1:18 p.m. Upon arrival at the scene, deputies discovered the man was dead.

“Deputies on the scene requested the assistance of the Criminal Investigation Division and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation,” the sheriff said. “This investigation is still ongoing and is being ruled a homicide,” Hiatt said. “This investigation is believed to be an isolated incident.”

The sheriff declined to release the name of the victim, the address of the finding, or whether the man had suffered any obvious wounds.

“The sheriff’s office will release additional information at a later time.”

The most crowded race facing city voters this spring is in the North Ward, where four candidates are seeking to fill the seat now held by mayoral candidate Jon Cawley. After the May 17 primary, the first- and second-place winners will then go head to head in the non-partisan municipal election next November. Each person in the race responded to the same set of questions designed to help voters learn about their backgrounds and positions on key issues to make informed choices. Listed in alphabetical order, the candidates and responses include those of:

Tell citizens a little about yourself.

Answer: I am Chad Hutchens, 45 years old, who has have been a sworn law enforcement officer for more than 24 years. I am presently a sergeant with the Surry County Sheriff’s Office in the School Resource Officer Division.

I have been employed with the Surry County Sheriff’s Office for about 22 years. Before that, I was an officer with the Mount Airy Police Department.

I obtained a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Columbia Southern University and a master’s degree in criminal justice/public administration degree from Liberty University. I received my Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) certification from Surry Community College in 1997. In January of 1998, I began as an officer with the Mount Airy Police Department. In July 1999, I was hired by the Surry County Sheriff’s office as a school resource officer and in May 2007, received my Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate. In July 2009, I was promoted to the Criminal Investigations Division as a detective.

In July 2014, I had the opportunity to return to the School Resource Officer Division of the Surry County Sheriff’s Office. In July 2019, I was promoted to sergeant of that unit. I serve as a liaison between the Surry County Schools and Surry County Sheriff’s Office. I encourage preventative measures for safety, instruct drug-awareness programs and lead a team of great officers.

In addition to having attended numerous schools at the federal, state and local levels, I have completed training in technology-facilitated crimes against children and protecting children online, presented by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

I have been a public service advocate involved with various organizations in our community. I have served with the Mount Airy Rescue Squad, Surry County Emergency Services, Surry County E-911 Communications, United Fund of Surry, Fraternal Order of Police and Boy Scouts of America. I have received the National Jefferson Award for my contributions through public and volunteer community service.

Question: Why are you interested in serving as a city commissioner?

Answer: I am running for city commissioner because the great citizens of Mount Airy have made a difference in my own life, and I know that we can continue to make a difference for all citizens in our community. As a public servant, I have had the opportunity to help and influence the lives of the citizens who we are so grateful to serve. I will continue to bring my passion and experience to help everyone within our great community.

I also am seeking office because I have a passion for helping others, and I was raised to believe that community service is a noble exercise of our freedom. However, I also believe that community service must be done for the right reasons. It should be viewed as a personal commitment to better our community, not as a means of personal gratification.

Educated in public administration, I understand the policy issues facing our city. As a public employee myself, I also understand the challenges of providing superior public service.

Question: What do you consider the two most important issues now facing Mount Airy and how will you address them?

Answer: (1) Economic development and (2) community development.

We should strive to promote Mount Airy and our city merchants. We must also balance business development with quality of life. Infrastructure is a subject matter that needs our attention. We should assess our needs and address the issues of aging and outdated water and sewer lines. Recreation is essential to the growth and development of our community. We need to ensure that we have adequate facilities for our citizens to safely enjoy and promote the health and well-being of everyone.

We need a citizens-driven approach to government. Citizens should be at the forefront, as they best understand our city’s dynamics, cultures and history. We need to have citizens involved in identifying issues and measuring performance. We should be encouraging citizen participation and working to develop partnerships among our citizens. Buy-in and participation are of great importance, as our citizens are the stakeholders of our community.

The bottom line is that I care about Mount Airy, and I care about working hard for you. The critical issues to you are those same issues that are important to me.

I will work to grow our community while also preserving our small-town charisma.

Question: What makes you the best choice for the office you are seeking?

Answer: I have developed many useful skills through my education and life experience as a law enforcement officer and community volunteer. I have experience ranging from policy regulations to strategic planning. I have a positive track record in leadership as both a volunteer and paid public service professional. I understand that there are different perspectives on issues in the city regarding regulations for financial and fiscal management. I have always been focused on those we serve and their families. I will always strive to represent the public’s best interests, and I am committed to that priority.

I genuinely love Mount Airy. I sincerely appreciate its beauty, charm, history, award-winning schools and all our city activities and events. I have been an active member of our community through volunteer public service and serving as a law enforcement professional.

I have been involved with the Mount Airy Rescue Squad for the past 27 years, with which I have served as a member, chief and now as a board member. I have the confidence and support of our great sheriff, Steve Hiatt, in serving as a sergeant supervising our School Resource Officer and DARE officer unit. I have served with numerous service organizations such as the North Carolina High School Athletic Association; the Boy Scouts of America, of which I am an Eagle Scout; and the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Tell citizens a little about yourself.

Answer: My name is Teresa Davis Leiva. I am 37 years old. My husband, Carlos, is a software developer by profession and we have two children who attend Mount Airy City Schools. I grew up just outside the city limits in Sheltontown and graduated from Mount Airy High School in 2002. I work as an advocate for high-risk children at Jones Intermediate and Mount Airy Middle schools, and taught piano lessons from my home until the pandemic hit in 2020.

I’m also an active member of my church, serving as the children’s music conductor and an adviser in the Compassionate Service Program, providing care to those in need. I am a former school board member for Mount Airy City Schools, serving on an interim basis from July 2019 to Dec. 1 2020, through the start of the pandemic.

In my free time, I volunteer for multiple programs in our community, such as Surry Animal Rescue, where we foster cats and dogs (more than 150 fosters collectively) and assist with adoptions and fundraisers. I proudly serve as a board member of the Greater Mount Airy Ministry of Hospitality over The Shepherd’s House and Helping Hands Foundation of Surry County, and I am the president of the Board of Directors for The Redemption House-Surry, a long-term men’s recovery program located right outside the city in Toast.

As the adviser over the High School Interact Club, whose motto is “Service Above Self,” I work to cultivate the next generation of service-oriented individuals. Because of the scope of my community-based activities, I believe that I am in the best position to reflect the wants and needs of those who would be my constituents.

Question: Why are you interested in serving as a city commissioner?

Answer: I feel called to serve our community. I can’t change the world, the United States or even the entire state of North Carolina, but I can help to cultivate a thriving community here in Mount Airy. On a daily basis I work with children who will need jobs when they grow up, affordable housing and positive activities, and I would like to be in a position where I can do the most good for them and for all of us who live here.

This is my home, and I understand the history of Mount Airy because it is my history. We have a really wonderful town, with strong, kind individuals who deserve to be supported and to be heard. I want to be able to provide the opportunities for growth, while balancing a fiscally conservative approach and utilizing local networks as well as local partnerships to set us up for future success. I would like to support the continuance of responsible growth while maintaining the rich, vibrant history and culture we already have. Mount Airy is a great place to live, and I want to keep it that way.

Question: What do you consider the two most important issues now facing Mount Airy and how will you address them?

Answer: While there are some who would say jobs and housing are the two biggest issues, I would select workforce development and poverty as those I see a need to address. Jobs and housing both fall under these categories. Though proper workforce development and utilization of community programs that already exist, such as career and technical education programs, along with partnerships with the city and Surry Community College, Mount Airy City Schools, Surry County Schools, NexGen, etc. and proper marketing we can increase development, without necessarily spending money to fix problems.

As we build stronger partnerships and grow our workforce, we provide opportunities for those struggling with poverty to rise above their circumstances. A stronger workforce cultivates a stronger economy, which entices more housing developers and businesses to choose Mount Airy.

There are many other needs our community has, but I believe that once we have focused our efforts on these issues, we will have time and tools necessary to address the other needs plaguing our community. A stronger economy generates more sales for local businesses, more enticement for tourism and more opportunities to be able to recover from addiction, just to name a few of the needs we have here in Mount Airy. I would support the endeavors that grow our workforce and encourage the retention and success of our citizens.

Question: What makes you the best choice for the office you are seeking?

Answer: My experience of being a former school board member sets me apart from my opponents running for the North Ward seat. As someone who already learned how to work alongside elected officials overseeing all facets of a large-scale community program such as the educational system, I understand why it is important to be fiscally responsible and how to allocate funding appropriately.

This experience has taught me exactly why it is imperative that officials listen to their constituents, respect differing perspectives and be willing to adapt as the needs of the community change and grow. Through my experiences in multiple community programs, I know and work/volunteer alongside an amazing network of individuals here in Mount Airy who are already striving to decrease poverty, build houses, grow our economy and help with substance-abuse recovery, as well as those who are putting in the effort to provide wholesome activities through parks and recreation, downtown development and the vital network of public safety.

As the youngest candidate and the only candidate with school-age children, I would also bring the perspective of young families with me to this position. While we have some great city commissioners, there is no representation of young families, or diversity. My young, multicultural family sets me apart from my opponents and grants me a broader view of all the people we are striving to serve.

Tell citizens a little about yourself.

Answer: I’m a retired commercial banker and have lived here 30 years. I’m a senior citizen outside but only 39 inside, graduated from East Carolina University, where I studied business and economics, and have spent my entire career working with businesses large and small.

Before being transferred here I worked in other North Carolina towns, so between those places and here I’ve been involved with various chambers of commerce, Habitat, Rotary, Lions and other civic clubs, as well as Central Methodist Church. After retirement I started a management-recruiting business to locate banker candidates for other banks across the Southeast. I sold that business in 2021.

Question: Why are you interested in serving as a city commissioner?

Answer: I’m a candidate for city commissioner because I think our city should adjust its direction and priorities. I want to help that happen. Our downtown is the envy of others. We have unique tourism that has kept us going during tough spells. Record-setting city spending over the past nine years has created big improvements downtown and at Spencer’s. We hope they will repay us over time. That’s been a huge kickstart and it’s now time to take off the taxpayer-paid training wheels and have private developer money move that area forward. This is what the city promised originally, so let’s get back to that plan. We need to turn more attention to the rest of the town.

Most people know I’ve closely followed our city government for years, much like others might follow Duke/Carolina basketball. From speaking up at city forums to letters to the newspaper, I’ve shown citizens my long-term sincere interest in good stewardship of taxpayer monies. That’s what a commissioner should do. We’ve all seen lots of changes over the past few years and more will come. As your commissioner I’ll make sure those changes meet the common sense test and are the best ones for all citizens.

Question: What do you consider the two most important issues now facing Mount Airy and how will you address them?

Answer: Our two biggest issues are a lack of good-paying full-time jobs and our almost zero population growth.

We have surplus city water and land. Our workforce is great, but much of it commutes out of town daily. Our school system is strong, as is our community college. Cost of living is moderate. Quality of life is tops. We’ve got a lot to offer. Jobs and population are directly connected and new full-time jobs can solve both problems.

Macy’s chose China Grove for a distribution center with 2,800 jobs. Just one recent year in the state saw 157 new announcements and 19,700 new jobs. Seventy percent of that went to small towns in rural counties. We didn’t get a shot at Macy’s or the 157 new job announcements. I say we weren’t trying hard enough; it wasn’t the priority it should have been.

City expenses increase over time, but our population has stood still since 2010, so each citizen will pay more taxes — unless we grow. Tourism is frosting on the cake, but real jobs form the cake itself. Real jobs are what give young people the confidence and security to marry, buy homes and raise families. We need that.

As a commissioner I’ll work to have the right people, the right priorities and the right business-recruiting plans to let the world know we are the real thing and we have everything they could want in a new location

Question: What makes you the best choice for the office you are seeking?

Answer: That’s an easy one for me.

I’ve attended 90 percent of city council meetings for many years. Most candidates don’t start attending meetings until they file for office. They’ll need a lot of on-the-job training, but I can make a meaningful contribution from day one.

Attending all those meetings taught me a great deal. I understand city operations and procedures. I know past and present issues, I know the city budget and I know business. I know Mount Airy.

My priorities are: solid full-time jobs to grow the city, fairness and openness with all citizens, common sense and good stewardship of taxpayer money to lower taxes.

I’ve spent years speaking up for the silent majority and I’m talking with lots of them on front porches as I campaign. Many recognize me from my longtime focus on city government. I’ve spoken countless times in the public forum portion of our city board meetings. I’ve written numerous letters to the newspaper. Most of you know who I am and what I stand for — now I’m asking you to show up for me at early voting that’s going on now and especially at the primary polls on May 17.

Tell citizens a little about yourself.

Answer: My family and I moved to Mount Airy in 1996. I became licensed as a school counselor in 1999 and as a licensed professional counselor in 2001. I have worked for Mount Airy City Schools and have had my own private practice. I have served as a board member for the United Fund of Surry and also as a committee member for Young Life of the Foothills. My husband, Bill, is an orthopaedic surgeon and joined Surry Orthopaedics in 1996. He later went on to form Blue Ridge Orthopaedics, and since then has been employed by Northern Regional Hospital.

All five of our children attended Mount Airy City Schools, and all graduated from Mount Airy High School. Each has gone on to complete a higher education and all have successful careers

I was born in England and raised in the United States, so as a naturalized U.S. citizen I take voting and civic responsibility quite seriously. Recently I was challenged by a friend to think about serving our city in an elected capacity. Running for city commissioner has so far proven to be interesting and informative. I have met with a number of city leaders, and I am extremely encouraged by the status and future of this community.

Question: Why are you interested in serving as a city commissioner?

Answer: I have always been interested in community development, and I have witnessed tremendous growth and progress in this city over the last 26 years. I would consider it an honor and a privilege to help navigate this great city forward to an even brighter future for all constituents. I believe that in order to be an effective leader, it is crucial to be available and accessible to respond to queries and concerns.

Not only do I commit to being approachable, I will also do the research necessary to fully understand all sides of pressing issues. Rather than pursuing my own agenda, I want to be a conduit by which the voices of the great people of Mount Airy are heard.

Question: What do you consider the two most important issues now facing Mount Airy and how will you address them?

Answer: Growth while retaining the inherent charm of the area is quite important. As an avid watcher of local real estate, it seems there is a shortage of available and affordable housing. As city commissioner, I would explore ways to alleviate this shortage, consulting with local Realtors and developers to understand barriers to more housing becoming available. As a homeowner I am keenly aware of a shortage of contractors to work on new or existing homes. Consulting with local educators to explore ways to encourage more people to enter the area of construction and development could prove helpful.

Secondly, aiding and promoting the development and improvement of our downtown area is crucial. I have attended a couple of the meetings where a consultant described ways to accomplish a myriad of goals to bolster our downtown, not only for local citizens but the many visitors we welcome each year. For instance, the Spencer’s buildings are a key project and opportunity for revitalization downtown. I am hopeful that this will bear fruit economically and also bring many more visitors to our community.

Question: What makes you the best choice for the office you are seeking?

Answer: I will dedicate myself to viewing issues from all sides. While I firmly believe that all my competitors are more than competent, I am confident I can bring a fresh approach to this public office. With my goal of being available to listen, and indeed my training professionally in listening well, I believe I would provide a level of accessibility that many I have spoken with say is vital.

This community has been extremely good to me and my family, and a chance to serve as city commissioner would be only a small token of my appreciation.

A fire at a local child-care facility Monday afternoon caused no injuries to the children, but an HVAC worker who had been using a torch there was treated for smoke inhalation.

The incident was reported about 1:20 p.m. at Magical Moments Day Care at 122 Williamson Ave. in Mount Airy, located off South Franklin Road in the vicinity of the Surry Emergency Medical Service headquarters.

“It happened at the worst-possible time — nap time,” city Fire Chief Zane Poindexter said of the scenario that had unfolded as the emergency situation occurred. “Every child in there was laid down for naps.”

The chief credited Sharon Anthony, the director of the preschool center, and her staff for “an excellent job” in getting all the occupants out safely.

They included 23 children and 12 adults.

An emergency plan had been prepared to address just such an occurrence, and the staff executed that plan “to perfection,” Poindexter said.

The blaze — which was brought under control in less than 15 minutes — has been ruled accidental, caused while work was being conducted by an unidentified employee of the Logan heating and air-conditioning company using a torch in a ceiling area.

“And some kind of malfunction happened with the torch,” explained the fire chief, who added that the worker suffered smoke inhalation.

“He was treated at the scene by the EMS,” Poindexter said, and did not require hospitalization.

No structural damage resulted, but contents damage of $20,000 occurred, which the chief said largely involved smoke damage and fire extinguisher powder that coated items and will require attention.

“It’s going to be closed until they can get cleaned up,” Poindexter said of Magical Moments Day Care.

Seventeen firefighters responded to the scene altogether, including members of neighboring units who arrived as part of an automatic-aid agreement with the Mount Airy Fire Department.

The Franklin and Bannertown volunteer fire departments lent that assistance.

In addition to the Surry EMS, county fire marshal personnel responded.

East Surry recognized six seniors prior to an April 28 home game against Surry Central.

The Cardinals honored Peyton Inscore, Tristen Mason, Anthony Ward, Trey Armstrong, Luke Bowman and Anthony Ayers ahead of the team’s final regular season home game at Barry Hall Field. East Surry went on to win the game 8-1.

East won the Foothills 2A Conference Regular Season Championship with a 12-0 conference record, then went on to defeat West Wilkes and North Surry to win the FH2A Tournament Championship.

The Cardinals (21-1) earned the No. 4 seed in the 2A West and will host No. 29 Hendersonville (9-13) on May 10.

PILOT MOUNTAIN — East Surry softball recognized four senior softball players ahead of an April 27 home game against West Stokes.

The four seniors – Rosie Craven, Maegan Banks, Haley Chilton and Clara Willard – were all four-year members of the varsity softball team. The Lady Cards dropped their Senior Night game 9-1, but turned around and won the regular-season finale the next night by defeating Surry Central 8-3.

East Surry finished the 2022 season 5-14 overall and 4-8 in the Foothills 2A Conference.

North Surry recognized seven senior student-athletes during an April 29 home match against North Wilkes.

The seven Greyhound seniors are: Savannah Seal, Camila Flores, Isabel Delfin, Weatherly Reeves, Nydia Cabrera, Callie Allen and Eve Bodnar.

North Surry defeated North Wilkes 6-0 to win its second Foothills 2A Conference match. The Greyhounds finished 2-10 in the FH2A Conference.

Three candidates are on the ballot for the at-large seat on the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners in next week’s primary election. City offices are non-partisan, with the two then getting the most votes advancing to the general municipal election in November. Candidates for the at-large position on the five-member board mustn’t live in a particular ward, but may reside anywhere in the city limits. Each responded to the same set of questions designed to help voters learn about their backgrounds and positions on key issues to make informed choices. Listed in alphabetical order, the candidates and responses include those of:

Tell citizens a little about yourself.

Answer: I am Deborah Cochran and want to be your next at-large city commissioner. I just turned 60. You can have full confidence in my character. I have passed not one, but two extensive background checks, one as a teacher and one for my concealed carry. I obtained a bachelor’s degree in business management from Gardner-Webb University and a teaching licensure in business and information technology from N.C. State University.

I am a career development coordinator at John F. Kennedy High School and former business teacher at this school since 2015. I taught part-time at Surry Community College for 18 years, worked in radio broadcasting for decades and have been a notary since 1984.

I bring history and experience, having served during the Great Recession as an at-large city commissioner from 2007-2009 and was elected to two terms as mayor here in my hometown of Mount Airy, 2010-2015. I have attended UNC School of Government and ethics training courses. I will bring all the skills and depth of knowledge that I have acquired as a former commissioner and mayor along with teaching business and placing students in careers.

Question: Why are you interested in serving as a city commissioner?

Answer: We are a nation of inflation. Economics experts predict a recession is coming in 2023. I have been approached by several citizens to seek this office due to my proven record in government. I served during the Great Recession and know what it is like to make difficult choices. My actions match my words.

Question: What do you consider the two most important issues now facing Mount Airy and how will you address them?

Answer: Lowering property taxes — when I left office we had reduced our tax rate from 63 cents to 48 cents (per $100 of assessed valuation). Now the rate is 60 cents. People are dealing with grocery inflation, high gas prices and the highest inflation overall in more than 40 years.

I have experience in lowering the tax rate. Businesses and citizens need relief. Citizens live within their means and government can do the same by becoming fiscally responsible.

Public safety will always be a top priority.

Property crime is becoming an issue. In the last three years, I’ve had a bicycle stolen and license plate removed from my car parked in my yard on a Sunday afternoon. A couple went to different homes in the neighborhood. Another incident involved a neighbor watching a woman steal mail from mailboxes and notifying the Mount Airy Police Department. The woman had my check on her person in the back of the police car.

I was getting ready to teach a high school class when I received the call from the Police Department.

We don’t want Mount Airy ending up like other cities where businesses and people are moving away due to crime. It is imperative for citizens and neighbors to be aware of their surroundings. Defunding police is not the answer.

As a property crime solution, it is imperative that the city recruit businesses that provide jobs and employee benefits. People need to work and be productive. Those who live purposeful lives are not engaged in criminal activity. As mayor, I flew to West Memphis, Arkansas, and helped recruit a business that is still one of the city’s largest water users, which keeps our water rates low and provides jobs.

Question: What makes you the best choice for the office you are seeking?

Answer: I have a strong background. I bring history and experience. I have a proven record of lowering taxes and recruiting business.

The municipality is still receiving property taxes and water revenues from decisions I made while on the board. I’m conservative and recycle campaign signs. I encourage anyone to research my record while I was in office from 2007-2015. I serve the citizens who pay the bills.

I have an expansive community service background, too.

Tell citizens a little about yourself.

Answer: My name is Tonda Phillips and I have lived in Surry County most of my life. I’m 44 years old and have been a self-employed top producer in the insurance, real estate and mortgage industries for more than 20 years.

I attended Surry Community College and Gardner-Webb University. I presently serve on the board of directors for the Shepherd’s House (homeless shelter) and Helping Hands of Surry. I’m the president of the Rotary Club of Mount Airy, a member of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce and also serve on the Spencer Lofts and Greenbrier Villas Condominiums associations.

I have served on the board of Habitat for Humanity and volunteer with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team. I’m also trained in conflict resolution.

Question: Why are you interested in serving as a city commissioner?

Answer: I’m interested in serving as Mount Airy city commissioner because there is a need for a new perspective. I have watched the present council drag its feet on decisions that could have been settled through existing city ordinances and processes. It seems that recently, a fire has been lit under them to make decisions that could have been long since handled.

We have great momentum with recreation, culture and tourism. I think these things have always been available to us, but those who resisted change held us back from improving in these areas. There are things that city leaders can do to propel us to a better future using the existing protocol to enhance services and encourage growth of our present resources.

Businesses/jobs, housing and infrastructure are basic necessities for a healthy economy. We cannot neglect or procrastinate on these things.

Question: What do you consider the two most important issues now facing Mount Airy and how will you address them?

Answer: The two most important issues, in my opinion, are public safety and business development. Our police and fire departments need adequate pay and staffing to be proactive in preventative action. There is a need to educate the public so that when faced with an incident, our citizens know what to do to minimize the damage. Risk management is an important function of city operations.

As far as economic development, I believe the city is responsible for providing the needed resources to attract businesses to this area. Our town is full of friendly citizens ready to welcome business and workforce opportunities. Businesses need well-positioned facilities, access to infrastructure and skilled labor. I believe, with some determination, we can accommodate these needs.

Question: What makes you the best choice for the office you are seeking?

Answer: I am the best choice for the at-large city commissioner seat because I’m a person of action. You might not hear me shouting my opinion or arguing with others, but you will see results. I believe any problem can be solved through prayer and then open communication.

I have been a local business owner, employing and serving local families for 20-plus years. As a Realtor, I can help with housing, both affordable and market-rate. I personally brought two large apartment complexes to Mount Airy, one beside Walmart and one just past Odell’s Sandwich Shop. As an insurance professional, I can help with managing our risk and exposure to catastrophic events. As a financial representative, I can budget our tax dollars to the highest and best use for all citizens.

Listen, motivate, engage — we all can.

Tell citizens a little about yourself.

Answer: Steve Yokeley, age 74; B.S and D.D.S. degrees from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Active-duty U.S. Navy officer for two years, with 21 years in the U.S. Navy Reserve; retired as a general dentist after 33 years of practice; Fellowship and Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry; was on the part-time faculty of the UNC School of Dentistry and the Dental Department of Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University;

Past president of the UNC School of Dentistry Alumni Association and of the Second District Dental Society (includes Winston-Salem and Charlotte); past chairman of the North Carolina Dental Political Action Committee;

Have been an active real estate broker licensed in North Carolina and Virginia for the past 16 years; past president of Surry Regional Association of Realtors and was Realtor of the Year in 2007 and 2015; have been a member of First Presbyterian Church in Mount Airy for many years, including serving as a deacon and an elder;

Have been a Mount Airy city commissioner for 12 years; was Mount Airy’s representative to the Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC, which includes 12 counties and about 63 municipalities in the Piedmont and Triad areas of North Carolina) for 11 years, serving on the executive committee of the PTRC for eight years, including two as chairman; also was the council’s representative to the North Carolina Association of Regional Councils of Government;

Was honored to have received the PTRC’s Grady Hunter Regional Excellence Award in 2019 for dedication to regional issues and the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Public Service Award in 2015.

Question: Why are you interested in serving as a city commissioner?

Answer: I am running to continue to serve as a city commissioner for the same reason that I have for the past 12 years – I want to continue to help make Mount Airy an even better place to live, work and play.

I always have been oriented toward service to others. I enjoy helping individuals and organizations be the best that they can be. I want to continue to be positively involved in our great community and make a positive difference.

Question: What do you consider the two most important issues now facing Mount Airy and how will you address them?

Answer: (1) The need to improve the quality of life for all ages by increasing the quantity and quality of recreational opportunities and free-time diversions, improving and increasing the number of housing units and bringing more and better-paying jobs of all types.

There are many reasons why people want to live in a certain location such as Mount Airy, including recreational opportunities and free-time diversions; adequate housing; challenging, rewarding and good-paying jobs; good schools; adequate medical care; taxes as low as possible; and a safe, friendly and healthy environment.

I will continue to address these important concerns by making sure that Mount Airy city government supplies the services that a municipality should be responsible for providing, including outstanding police and fire protection as well as trash, recycling, brush and leaf collection. I also will continue to help make sure that Mount Airy has a friendly environment to support both businesses that already are here and which want to maintain their success and/or expand, and those that are considering a move here.

In addition, I will help make Mount Airy a place where entrepreneurs will be able to thrive, and developers and builders will be encouraged to construct new housing of all types as well as commercial buildings. All of this can be done without the need for additional taxes.

(2) The need to improve and update our infrastructure, which includes repaving city-maintained streets, upgrading our wastewater-treatment plant, fast tracking the replacement of aging water and sewer lines, upgrading our parks and recreation facilities and improving the condition of our city buildings.

I want to make sure that we develop the proper plans to do all of these improvements and updates as efficiently and most cost-effectively as possible. I want to be sure that we explore all outside funding opportunities including the use of grants. Even though much needs to be done, with proper planning and use of grants we can do them without putting additional burdens on city taxpayers.

Question: What makes you the best choice for the office you are seeking?

Answer: First, I have a positive vision for the future, and I am not running against anyone or anything. I am a doer who wants to make positive things happen in Mount Airy. I am a good listener, an analytical thinker and a planner. I always try to do the right thing in an ethical manner and work tirelessly to get it done. I know how to get positive things done and don’t give up until they are completed.

I know how to avoid wasteful spending. I also know the proper ways to invest our tax dollars for a successful and prosperous future for all of us. I have been a tireless supporter of trying to get new uses for the Spencer’s property, which should include a downtown hotel. I know the importance of maintaining our present course and getting across the finish line at Spencer’s.

I have the knowledge and experience needed to finish the revitalization of several areas of our downtown, including the Spencer’s property.

Mount Airy softball’s four senior players helped the team end a seven-year playoff drought.

Skylar Partin, Sofia Stafford, Sydney Seagraves and Savannah Horne were in the fifth grade the last time the Granite Bears made the playoffs. The 2015 team finished the regular season 6-11 overall and was named the No. 26 seed in the 1A West, where the Bears faced No. 7 Avery County in the opening round and lost 13-3.

Mount Airy finished just outside the playoff picture in 2016 and 2017, then wasn’t able to field a varsity team in 2018 – the class of 2022’s eighth-grade year.

This senior class has faced tough odds during its four years. The 2019 Bears had just two upperclassmen and played a brutal conference schedule that included four games against the eventual 1A State Champion North Stokes.

Things were looking up for the 2020 Bears after picking up a program-defining road win against East Wilkes, but then the season was shut down just days later due to COVID-19. The 2021 season was also an anomaly as teams were only allowed to play a maximum of 14 games, but the team showed improvement by starting the season 4-1.

The 2022 Bears lost some key pieces from the year before, but that didn’t stop them from competing. This year’s team finished the regular season 4-15 overall and 4-8 in the Northwest 1A Conference.

Seagraves was selected for the NW1A All-Conference squad, while Stafford and Partin were named All-Conference Honorable Mentions.

Mount Airy, seeded No. 27 in the 1A West, travels to No. 6 Cornerstone Charter on May 10. Cornerstone finished the regular season 14-2 overall and finished first in the Northwest Piedmont 1A Conference.

Local tennis players competed in the NCHSAA Individual State Championship Tournaments on May 6-7.

Three singles athletes and two doubles teams from local schools qualified for their respective state tournaments. One singles player from Mount Airy competed in the 1A State Tournament held at Cary State Park, while two singles players from East Surry and two doubles duos from Surry Central competed in the 2A State Tournament at Ting Park in Holly Springs.

The 1A Tournaments featured eight entries per bracket, and the 2A Tournaments had 16 entries per bracket.

Mount Airy junior Georgie Kriek reached the 1A State Tournament for a second consecutive season. In 2021, Kriek was one of eight state qualifiers and fell to Raleigh Charter’s Ryan Hill in a three-set thriller in the opening round.

Kriek had little trouble advancing to the state semifinals in 2022 after finishing second in the 1A Midwest Regional Tournament. The Granite Bear defeated Clover Garden’s Will Oldham 6-0, 6-0 in the opening round.

Kriek ran into Langtree Charter’s Nikhil Deshpande in the semifinals and fell 6-1, 6-2. Deshpande went on to win the 1A Singles Championship with a 6-1, 6-0 win in the finals.

Kriek’s season will continue as Mount Airy still stands in the 1A Dual Team State Playoffs.

East Surry’s No. 1 and No. 2 seeds this season both competed in the 2A State Singles Tournament. Both were first-time state qualifiers.

Top-seeded Cooper Motsinger, a senior, entered as the 2A Midwest Regional Champion. His Cardinal teammate Levi Watson, a sophomore, qualified as the fourth-place finisher at regionals.

Watson had the unfortunate draw of facing Pine Lake Prep’s Tyler Ramanata in the opening round. Ramanata, who won the 1A Singles Championship in 2021, defeated Watson 6-0, 6-1.

Motsinger defeated Lincoln Charter’s Connor Milligan 6-4, 6-4 in the opening round, then topped Franklin Academy’s Lance Keller 6-1, 6-1 in the quarterfinals.

Motsinger ran into Ramanata in the semifinals and fell 6-0, 6-0. Like Kriek’s semifinal opponent, Ramanata went on to win the 2A Singles Championship. Ramanata only lost a combined three games in his four matches at the state tournament.

All four of Surry Central’s state qualifiers competed in their first state tournaments.

Central’s top-ranked doubles team of senior Jacob Edmonds and junior Josh Pardue entered the tournament as the 2A Midwest Regional Runners-up, and the team of junior Michael Tucker and freshman Tripp McMillen were the No. 4 seed from the 2A Midwest.

Pardue and Edmonds dropped their first-round match to Community School of Davidson’s Luke Breen and Julian Rizo 6-1, 6-3. Breen and Rizo won their quarterfinal match in straight sets, then lost to the eventual state champions in the semifinals.

Tucker and McMillen fell to Lincolnton’s Zach Zagorkski and Piero Ravolino 6-3, 6-4 in the opening round. Zagorkski and Ravolino lost in the quarterfinals.

The weather was not cooperative, with heavy storms on Friday evening and rain off and on much of Saturday, but the annual Pilot Mountain Civic Club Mayfest returned this year, filling the streets with vendors and shoppers.

While the crowds might have been off from what organizers were hoping for as a result of the poor weather, thousands still made their way to Pilot Mountain for the three-day event.

Mayfest, the major annual fundraiser for the local Civic Club, is a popular gathering, where town residents, as well as visitors from all around the region, visit Pilot Mountain for live music, a variety of food booths, and a number of craft and other vendors.

The event, an unofficial beginning of summer for many, had been cancelled the past two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but folks seemed to enjoy this weekend’s event even through the stormy weather.

Surry Early College High School sponsors a Games Club open to all Early College students who enjoy tabletop games, card games, video games, and esports.

Lucas Gillispie, Director of digital learning, AIG, Media, and the Surry Virtual Academy for Surry County Schools, is the club sponsor which meets each Friday after school.

The Games Club was established in 2014 and has around 30 members. Students compete in Early College Cup competitions by participating in chess and esports games such as Super Smash Brothers. Games for the club were funded by a DonorsChoose grant and some games have been donated.

The White Plains Elementary School’s Student Council completed a service learning project. The students collected donations for two community organizations. Snacks and miscellaneous items were collected for the Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice Home, and pet items were collected for Mayberry 4 Paws.

• A man listed as homeless was jailed under a high bond last week on a felony drug charge and other violations after being encountered by officers during a breaking and entering in progress, according to Mount Airy Police Department reports.

Alfred Daniel Pacheco, 27, was located on May 1 at an unoccupied residence in the 300 block of Linville Road, owned by Old Banner Properties in Toast.

Pacheco allegedly had drugs on his person, resulting in charges of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine), a felony; breaking and entering; possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance (marijuana); resisting, delaying or obstructing a public officer; possession of drug paraphernalia (a syringe); and possessing marijuana paraphernalia.

No property was reported stolen as a result of the break-in, with Pacheco confined in the Surry County Jail under a $15,000 secured bond and slated for an appearance next Monday in District Court.

• Police responding to a shoplifting call on May 2 at Lowes Foods filed felony drug charges against Sydney Brooke Leftwich, 28, of 252 Toast Road, and Zackary Wade Johnson, 34, of 145 Splendor Lane, which involved heroin.

Both were charged with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, along with misdemeanor violations of possession of drug paraphernalia. Johnson additionally is accused of possessing a Schedule III controlled substance (listed as sublingual film Suboxone), also a misdemeanor.

Leftwich and Johnson were each jailed under a $500 secured bond, with Leftwich slated to be in Surry District Court next Monday and Johnson, June 6.

• An orange and black Stihl weedeater valued at $400 and owned by Jennie Loucinda Lowry of Broad Street was stolen on April 30 from a trailer while at a location on Pender Street.

• Security personnel at Walmart reported on April 26 that an incident involving larceny and possession of stolen goods had occurred at the store, where a known suspect stole two Midea air-conditioning units valued at $518.

The case was still under investigation at last check.

• Soho Bar and Grill on Franklin Street was the scene of a larceny on April 25, when persons unknown ate there and left without paying the bill totaling $34, including for hibachi chicken, draft beer and other items.

• Miscellaneous tools valued at $2,000 were discovered stolen on April 23 from an outbuilding that was broken into on Lovill Circle, with a resident of that street, Charles Michael Lovill, listed as the victim.

• Police were told on April 19 that tools and equipment valued at $3,806 were missing after a break-in of a commercial/office building on Hickory Street. Included were various DeWalt power tools and battery packs, a welder stand kit, a vehicle computer code reader and vehicle parts/accessories.

Kevin Markham of Westview Drive is listed as the owner of the property.

In recording deeds, the state of North Carolina does not require that the amount paid for a parcel be stated on the deed. However a tax stamp at the rate of $2 for every $1,000 in value is affixed to each deed.

Recent real estate transfers recorded in the Surry County Register of Deed’s office include:

– Teddy Ray Trivette and Mildred C. Trivette to Michael Ray Trivette, Wendell AL Trivette and Angela T. Hicks; 0.355 acres Mount Airy; $0.

– Rickie Dodd, Rick Dodd and Jayne Dodd to Jennifer Kleinheksel and Lindsay Tweeten; 0.764 acres PB 4 177 Elkin; $0.

– Robert Terry Smith III and Elizabeth Michelle Smith to Vicky Sue Allen; tract one 1/3 acres and tract two 0.48 acres and tract three 1 acre Mount Airy; $60.

– Robert Mitchell Simmons to Jodi Holloway and Claude Holloway; lots 31-34 J.H. Crossingham property PB 3 77 Mount Airy; $280.

– Beroth Oil Company to Muath Salim; tract 1412 S. Main Street Mount Airy; $320.

– John C. Harford and Kimberly Harford to Stephen Albert Berry III and Laura Blinson Berry; 12.272 acres PB 40 169; $1,370.

– Howard William Hull Jr., Howard Bill W. Hull Jr. and Cathy Hull to Amanda D. Pennix and Harry C. Pennix III; 1.1996 acres PB 40 100 Stewarts Creek; $34.

– PMB Ventures, LLC to Jenna L. Nunn; condominium deed unit F Colonial Condos bk 1 3 Pilot; $250.

– Brian Allen Dennis and Kelly Lynn Dennis to Jessy Wade Norman and Realyn Taylor Norman; tract one and tract two 0.884 acres PB 36 194 1149 W. Lebanon Street Mount Airy; $340.

– Kenneth C. Mason Living Trust, Kenneth Martin Mason and Kenneth C. Mason to Estate of David Lee Mason, Joseph H. Williams and David Lee Mason; 6.860 acres Rockford; $0.

– Larry Marshall to Aasha Renee Marshall and Dustin Anthony Lawhon; 1.66 acres; $164.

– Howard William Hull Jr., Howard Bill W. Hull Jr. and Cathy Hull to Jonathan Troy Waddle; 1.996 acres PB 40 101 Stewarts Creek; $83.

– Ruth C. Evans to Peggy Ann Kostuck; .54 acres Pilot; $508.

– Richard Luffman Elmore, Margaret Elizabeth Walker Elmore, Amalie Joanna Walker Hinson, Carla Melissa Anderson and Charles Michael Anderson Jr. to Miranda Anderson; 0.460 acres Elkin; $0.

– Catlyn Thompson to Jacob McHone; 6.11 acres Mount Airy; $254.

– Alice V. Hawks to Jasmine M. Smith; 0.706 acres PB 40 181 Mount Airy; $246.

– Jan Bowman to Joshua B. Eleva; tract Mount Airy; $14.

– Sheets Self Storage, LP and AJ Sheets, LLC to Valley Storage Mount Airy, LLC; tract one 7.31 acres PB 30 133 tract two tract; $17,338.

– Pearlie Mae Hawks, Sandra Hawks Fisher, Sandra Hawks Wright and Clinton Fisher to Sandra Hawks Fisher; 2.878 acres lot 22 Stone Creek subdivision PB 11 135 Stewarts Creek; $0.

– James Wilson Collins Jr. and Sandra Smith Collins to David K. Reich and Elaine G. Reich; 16.61 acres tract four Willie Brinkley estate plus easement South Westfield; $210.

– Michael C. Finney and Deborah M. Finney to Autumn Blaze Campgrounds, LLC; 48.938 acres Marsh; $841.

– Andrew H. Berman and Sherry Berman to Michael Alan Hettleman and Anna Kathleen Hettleman; 1.321 acres Elkin; $790.

– Brian Wilson Marsh, Jenny Lea Marsh, Larry Wilson March and Louise E. Marsh to Cory T. Marsh and Kayla W. Marsh; tract Dobson and Rockford; $1,500.

– Fredy Gomez, Fredy Demetrio Gomez Vasquez and Theadora Marian Gomez to Jennifer Jo Bartley; tract two Burchview Station PB 16 124 Elkin; $302.

– Mary Jane Griffith, Garner R. Jarrell and Linda Jerrell to Timothy Cook and Bonnie Cook; 39.70 acres Pilot; $340.

– Todd Morrison to John G. Calhoun and Lisa R. Calhoun; 21.628 acres tract two PB 40 122 Eldora; $200.

– Beverly L. Grubaugh to Arland Lee Hardman Jr. and Maria De La Luz Caballero; unit 205 Lakeview Condominium book 1 189-192; $240.

– Jeffery L. Hodges, Peggy C. Hodges and Peggie Cockerham Hodges to Erik Puntos Martinez, Manuel Luna Ruiz and Eddy Cabrera; tract Franklin; $220.

– Michael D. Love and Barbara Love to Yogi D. Love and Lisa Ann Josey; 6.42 acres Eldora; $0.

– Ngo Minh Thuy Ngoc to Charles Edward Carns; lot 3 Southwood PB 9 134 Mount Airy; $340.

– David Norman to Keychain Capital Investments, LLC; tract one 0.470 acres and tract two 1.669 acres Bryan; $150.

– The Estate of Karen Jessup, Mark S. Royster, Seth G. Worth and Karen Jessup to Paul C. Rasmussen and Ashley Elizabeth Beavers; lots 5-8 V.R. Hunter subdivision PB 5 23 Estate of Karen Jessup file 21 E 669; $418.

– Allied Investors Group, LLC to Joshua Horton and Rachel Horton; tract Mount Airy; $588.

– Warriers For Christ, LLC to Jorge Llamas and Olivia Llamas; lots 19-20 block D E.C. Bivens land PB 3 69 Mount Airy; $40.

– Jeffrey G. Throckmorton and Sara Cook Throckmorton to Michael Henry Morand and Tonya Annette Mornad; 3 lots Mount Airy; $364.

– TH Propco, LLC to 1039 N Bridge St, LLC; tract; $2,062.

– TH Propco, LLC to 349 Andy Griffith Parkway, LLC; lot 1 PB 22 32; $3,385.

– The Paul G. and Bettina R. Porter Living Trust, Paul Gregory Porter, Paul G. Porter and Bettina R. Porter to Rickey Erwin Porter and Kellie Anne Porter; .263 acres Pilot; $0.

– Alfred Cecil Tyner Jr., Janet Marie Tyner, Bobby J. Tyner, Trinity C. Tyner and John W. Tyner to Robert Wayne Newsome; .68 acres Shoals; $30.

– Caroline Cooper Lamm, Kent Lamm, Daniel Kent Lamm, Grady Cooper III, John Stephen Cooper, Mary Cooper, David Samuel Cooper, Larry R. Hazelwood, Joseph Vann Cooper, Harvi Cooper, Daniel G. Dobbins, Angie Dobbins, Grover C. Dobbins Jr. and Martha Dobbins to Town of Dobson; 0.031 acres PB 40 116 Dobson; $0.

– Simms Family Trust and David Joseph Simms Sr. to Alla Dibbert; first tract lots 18-23 and second tract 0.07 acres portions of lots 48-52 and third tract lots 33-38 block B Blue Ridge Acres development PB 5 3 8531 NC Hwy 8 Elkin; $460.

– Katie S. Welborn, Katie R. Sherrill and Jennifer D. Welborn to Christopher Todd Gifford and Crystal Lynn Gifford; 1.68 acres South Westfield; $700.

– Timothy Dale Hodgin, Robin Hodgin, Gary Wayne Hodgin, Diane Hodgin, James Marshall Hodgin and Denaye Hodgin to Jimmie McMickle; tract Mount Airy; $740.

– Melissa W. Casey to Yolanda Rodriguez and Adrian Rodriguez; lot 3 Dobson Acres PB 12 129; $340.

– Jack Allen Cox Jr. and Sheila C. Cox to Dharmin Patel; tract 386 Lovers Lane Mount Airy; $26.

– Angel Lee McCloud to Christopher Williams and Marshay Renay Williams; 1.409 acres Mount Airy; $31.

– Ana Rosa Leandro and Alejandro Vega to Carlos Rodriguez Rangel and Maria Reyna Rodriguez Perez; lot 8 PB 14 235 Marsh; $90.

– Robert O. Poplin IV to Hawks Enterprises, LLC; tract one 0.170 acres and tract two tract Mount Airy; $370.

– Surry Endeavor, LLC to J-Mac Properties, LLC; six tracts Pilot and Dobson; $2,500.

– Helen S. Pfitzner and Glenn S. Pfitzner to Allison Pfitzner Pratt and Benjamin Craig Pratt; 1.430 acres PB 40 163 Mount Airy; $0.

– Elias Fernandez and Mayra I. Fernandez to Bianca Galloway; lot 7 Millers Creek subdivision PB 12 17 Dobson; $400.

With spring time comes tourists returning during the warm season. As much as I love to see families enjoying Main Street, the visitors I most look forward to are actually the thousands of birds who stop by. Many of us enjoy seeing new birds at our feeders, like tiny warblers and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Blue Grosbeaks, and even Scarlet Tanagers.

More than a hundred species of birds migrate through and to our region every spring, and though we all enjoy seeing the new addition to our feeder or on a walk, watching these birds has a rich history in our community. Did you know that International Migratory Bird Day is celebrated every year on the second Saturday of May? This holiday is celebrated all throughout North and South America, and North Carolina is certainly no exception.

This region is important to migrating birds during both the spring and fall. During the spring, thousands of birds leave their winter homes, ranging from South America all the way up to the far southern states of the US, and head north, hoping to find plenty of food and a good nesting spot. During their fall migration, we see other types of birds migrating from the north to find warmer weather during the cool seasons.

These birds come through this region for many reasons. We are a part of a long-known migration route for many birds, and some use the mountains to help navigate. The mountains and waterways also provide lots of food and nesting opportunities, and even events such as storms bring them through the area.

The movements of these birds have been noted for hundreds of years in this region. More than 350 years ago, the Saura tribe was known to hunt migrating birds for food, tools, and to wear. Some of those birds you can still see today, such as Thrush (Swainson’s and Wood are both still popular here) or maybe even a Snow Goose if you are very lucky nowadays. Not all of the birds they would have observed are still around today, though, with the infamous passenger pigeon being the prime example.

Early European settlers also observed and hunted migrating birds, more than 250 years ago. Moravian settlers were recorded as being especially fascinated with “exotic” migrants such as the Whippoorwills, which “calls only at night;” a fascination many of us here still share. They also relied on migrating birds as a food source, such as wild geese and the passenger pigeon. They would go from hunting these passenger pigeons by the thousands each winter to witnessing their extinction. In the fall of 1760, men in Wachovia hunted 1,200-1,800 pigeons in a single hunt one night. Here in Surry County in 1842, a flock roosting over four square miles stayed 17 nights. By the late 1800s, they would be gone from North Carolina. By 1914, the last passenger pigeon, which was kept in the Cincinnati zoo, died and the species was gone forever.

Modern groups would soon follow in the footsteps of past bird migration observers, but with the hope of conserving species rather than for hunting. In 1902, the Audubon Society of North Carolina was founded, and during this time, bird watching became a popular hobby as concern for losing species grew. Soon after, with the construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway here and a rising interest in parks, the Carolina Bird Club was founded in 1937. This initial club had members from all over the state, including Winston-Salem and surrounding communities, and they were dedicated to studying and conserving birds.

Bird watching is still a beloved hobby in this region, and the number of groups and opportunities has only grown. One of our most prominent groups is the Forsythe chapter of the Audubon Society, and they notably do migrating hawk counts every fall throughout the region, but the Pilot Mountain watch is a personal favorite. Every year, starting in September, counters will be out at Pilot, counting migrating hawks and birds of prey as they fly south. A few rare finds, such as Northern Harriers, have been seen, but broad-winged hawks are what we get the most of. Every year, thousands of these birds pass by Pilot, and with the local record being more than 10,000 passing by in a single day in 1993.

For centuries, the people of Surry County and the surrounding communities have watched these birds as they migrate through. Over the years, the intent has changed from hunting for nutrition to watching and conservation, but one thing hasn’t changed — we are simply fascinated with them. So, set up a backyard feeder or get out to a local park this spring (and fall) because you never know what new bird could be visiting.

Cassandra Johnson is the director of programs and education at the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History. She has been an avid bird-watcher for more than 10 years.

The Surry County Community Corrections office is seeking information on the whereabouts of the following individuals:

• Terry Lee Bramlett, 48, a white male wanted on probation violations who is on probation for felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia;

• Michael Ray Norman, 51, a white male wanted on probation violations who is on probation for two counts of communicating threats and driving while license revoked;

• Jesse Lee Poindexter, 39, a white male wanted on probation violations who is on probation for level 1 driving while impaired;

• Ann Utt Martin, 51, a white female wanted on probation violations who is on probation for felony interfere with electronic monitoring equipment.

View all probation absconders on the internet at http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi and click on absconders. Anyone with information on any probation absconders should contact Crime Stoppers at 786-4000, county probation at 719-2705 or the Mount Airy Police Department at 786-3535.

Before the nights of May get warmer, we have to go through “Blackberry Winter.” This is the time when wild blackberries are white with blooms along the fields, meadows, and country roads of Surry County. As they bloom for the next two or three weeks, we can expect a few more chilly days and nights.

A trip to the Surry strawberry patch

The scent of the wild honeysuckle mingled with the sweet aroma of strawberries emitting from fields of pick-your-own strawberry farms in the rolling hills of Surry County on a May morning is an experience to remember. Whether you pick your own or buy them ready-picked, it is a fun place to visit. There is something extra special about picking your own berries and being close to them and getting the stain and aroma on your fingertips.

Total eclipse of moon is May 15-16

A total eclipse on the moon will occur on Sunday and Monday, May 15-16, and it is an event that will last from 9:26 p.m. Sunday until 1:55 a.m. Monday. The length of the lunar event will be four hours and 19 minutes. The eclipse will be visible all over North America and begins at 9:26 p.m. Sunday night, Eastern Daylight Savings Time, when the moon enters the penumbra and at 10:27 p.m. the moon enters the umbra. The moon leaves the umbra at 1:55 a.m. Monday. The moon leaves the penumbra at 2:50 a.m.. Totality will last one hour and 24 minutes. The eclipse ends at 2:50 a.m. Monday. In referring to the penumbra, which is the Latin word for “Shadow” or the darkest part of the shadow where the light is completely blocked. The umbra is the area not only some but all the light is blocked.

We kick of the 2022 season of the strawberry harvest with a strawberry cream salad. You will need two quarts of fresh strawberries, two three-ounce boxes strawberry Jello, two cups boiling water, one cup cottage cheese, one pint dairy whipping cream, one cup sugar, one teaspoon strawberry flavoring. Cap and cut strawberries into halves. Stir the berries into one cup sugar. Dissolve Jello into two cups water and one teaspoon of strawberry flavoring. Chill the Jello in refrigerator until it is slightly thickened. Stir in the strawberries and cottage cheese. Beat dairy whipping cream until thick. Fold whipped cream with tablespoon of sugar added to it and fold the whipped cream into the Jello mixture. Pour into a bowl sprayed with Pam. Chill in refrigerator until firm. Makes eight servings. Keep salad refrigerated.

The sweet perfume of honeysuckles

The first warm evenings of May evokes the fresh scent of the wild honeysuckles and their blossoms wafting in the twilight breezes. The white and coral blooms are things of beauty. In the twilight air of the deck, they are a treat to the nostrils. Pick a bud vase of honeysuckle blossoms and place them in the kitchen, den or bedroom for a sweet spring perfume.

The nights of May are now beginning to have a hint of warmth. This is good news for the warm weather vegetable crops. Frost danger should be a thing of the past. Green beans in such varities as the Top Crop, Strike, Tenderette, Kentucky Wonder Bush, Blue Lake Bush and Derby can now be planted. Wait another ten days to plant squash, cucumbers, pepper, tomato plants and egg plants. By that time, soil temperatures will be consistent and warm and so will the nights.

Starting a container or a pot of Coleus

Coleus or Josephs coat adorns any deck or porch with a coat of many colors. Coleus comes in colors of pink, cream, maroon, yellow, mint green, red, purple and lavender. The colors are framed in a mostly green border. As they continue to grow, they produce stems of very light purple flowers. When you continue to pinch these flowers off more leaves begin to form and you will have plenty of foliage till frost.

Planting summer squash for sonkers

If you live in Surry County, you are no stranger to sonkers because they are a tradition as well as a treat. My mother-in-law, a native of Surry County, made squash sonkers with a layer of biscuit dough and fresh summer squash, milk (evaporated), butter, vanilla, sugar and thickened with corn starch. It was unforgettable and we still remember its wonderful flavor. You can use many fruits and a few vegetables such as squash and sweet potatoes to make sonkers. We think squash make the best because they are so unique. The very first sonkers made way back when, were probably made from squash simply because they were so available and everyone had plenty of them. You can use canned squash to make them all year long. The season for planting summer squash is almost here with the soil warming up. Several varieties of summer squash make better sonkers than others. The best varities for sonkers are the straight-necks simply because they are meaty with less moisture. Several varities that meet these conditions are Early Prolific straight-necks, Saffron by Burpee Seed, Enterprise by Park Seed. These are all straight-neck varities and they can be split and seeds removed easily for a more tasty sonker, meaty, without seed or much water. Better squash make tastier sonkers. Long live the sonker!

Make waves with the wave petunias

Of all the petunias, the wave variety is the best, especially the hot pinks. These waves are available in several colors including white. They produce bountiful hanging baskets of continual blooms that cascade over the sides of the baskets. You can also set several out in large pots or containers. Feed them with Flower-Tone organic flower food once each month. As they finish their bloom stage, pinch of spent blooms to promote new blooms. As the season advances, trim off long runners to strengthen blooms for a longer season.

Warm soil will cause potato vines to grow and also attract Colorado potato beetles. If you detect any, spray a mist of Sevin spray directly on the foliage. Check soil underneath the vines to see if any potatoes are forming. Pull the soil up to the base of the plants on each side of the furrow.

Planting a piece of true American history

The American Bee Balm plant has been an important plant in our country’s history since before the revolutionary war. It’s leaves were used as a substitute for tea after British tea was dumped from their ships into the Boston Harbor in the Boston Tea Party. This act was done in protest to British taxation as well as British dominance. American colonist boiled the leaves of the bee balm to make a form of tea. It most likely was a common plant that grew wild in the New England woodlands. You can plant a piece of American history on your front porch and enjoy pretty pink or lavender flowers and mint green leaves all spring and summer and perhaps make some bee balm tea. Most nurseries, garden shops, hardwares, Home Depot, Lowe’s Home Improvement and Ace Hardware have it. Transplant them from the small pot they came in to a larger container filled with a fine textured potting medium. It will grow fast after being transplanted. Feed it with Flower-Tone organic flower food once each month. Some varities will grow taller than others. You can winter them over by trimming them back and move to a protected area on the porch and cover with a towel on freezing nights. We have one that is several years old and produces new foliage every spring. We believe the American colonists used the taller varities.

Setting out a few early tomato plants

It is still a little early for setting out the bulk of the tomato plants harvest because nights are still inconsistently cool, but a few varities such as Early Girl, Celebrity and Oregon Spring which are determinants can be set out for an early harvest. Set out only what you can cover for warmth at night. You will need just a few because in a few more weeks, you can set out the main harvest of tomatoes. You can stake the early tomatoes and cover with plastic bags (clear). Cut clear plastic bags and cover soil around base of plants to promote warmth in the soil. Anchor bags with a layer of soil. Feed with Tomato-Tone organic tomato food.

“Doing the math.” On the first day of school the teacher of the first grade said, “If anyone has to go to the bathroom, hold up two fingers.” A small voice from the back of the room said, “How will that help?”

“Not me.” The preacher said, “Prepare to meet thy maker. Every single member of this congregation is going to die.” One man in the congregation seemed to enjoy the preachers words, “What’s so funny?” the pastor asked. The man answered, “I’m not a member of this congregation.”

“Sign me up, sir!” Army recruiter: “What do you mean you want to join the army? You’re still in high school, you are only an infant!” Teenager: “Yes, sir, I want to join the infantry.”

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