DOBSON — Ten vehicles and additional personnel are needed in the Surry County Sheriff’s Office, according to a report Sheriff Graham Atkinson made to the Surry County Board of Commissioners this week.

The sheriff’s requests come on the heels of his department losing seven deputies in the past six weeks.

Atkinson has requested the county authorize his department to do a “salary study” to bring the office in line with other jurisdictions to which Surry County is losing deputies. Such a study could cost about $6,500.

Atkinson made a pitch for more funding to the Surry County Board of Commissioners at a budget workshop Wednesday evening.

The sheriff said deputies are currently using 10 vehicles with more than 120,000 miles. The cost to replace the vehicles with new Dodge Charger patrol cars would be about $256,000.

“This is not an exaggeration of the department’s needs,” said Atkinson. “We didn’t pad this.”

Additionally, Atkinson is requesting $20,000 to purchase used cars for narcotics detectives. Five in-car cameras will cost $27,000 and $39,000 is needed for vehicle and equipment maintenance.

Atkinson’s needs aren’t limited to vehicles and equipment.

The sheriff told county commissioners he’d like to see three new personnel additions to his department.

Atkinson is looking for one more patrol deputy, an additional school resource officer and a clerical position to handle receiving concealed carry permits.

Under a previous sheriff a deputy was removed from the patrol division in order to serve as a DARE officer, according to Atkinson. That move left one patrol shift short a deputy.

“That would put seven on every shift,” explained Atkinson. “That’s not enough. Our goal would be ten.”

Atkinson said deputies patrol 536 square miles of territory while on duty. His office has been attempting to increase numbers in its patrol division in order to better serve the county.

The additional patrol officer, whose starting salary would be about $28,000, would cost county taxpayers about $92,000 once all costs such as benefits, a vehicle and all necessary equipment are factored into the equation.

If approved by commissioners, Atkinson’s additional clerical position would help to receive concealed carry and pistol permits. The permits are in high demand these days.

“Monday morning at the sheriff’s office is like opening bell at the stock exchange,” joked Atkinson.

Commissioners recently approved another deputy position to process those permits. However, Atkinson said his department needs the clerical position, which will cost $36,000 including salary and benefits, in order to provide the customer service residents expect when they come to apply for a permit.

Seven school resource officers are assigned to the county’s three high schools and four middle schools, according to the Sheriff. The security and other services the deputy provides are something schools have come to expect. Thus, when a deputy is out sick or on vacation, the schools expect a replacement.

Atkinson told commissioners adding a resource officer would cost the county about $83,000.

However, there’s another funding issue regarding resource officers. Atkinson said the four officers at the middle schools were put there using a state grant which funded all initial costs associated with the additions and the salaries of the deputies.

That grant will end in the next fiscal year. According to Atkinson, commissioners will need to decide whether to fund the salaries and benefits for those four deputies.

Assistant County Manager Sandy Snow said the salaries and benefits for the four resource officers top $180,000.

Jail

“We really don’t have the option of just not addressing that gate,” said Atkinson of an issue at the Surry County Detention Center.

According to Atkinson, a gate between the jail, courthouse and sheriff’s office is stuck in the open position. Parts to repair the gate are no longer available, and the cost of a new one will be about $23,000.

Additionally, Atkinson told commissioners his department is requesting $13,500 to replace five toilets in the jail. The replacements are part of an annual program to eventually replace all of the aging toilets in jail cells. Parts are no longer available for the toilets currently in the cells, and putting an inmate in a cell without a toilet is not an option.

Transport vehicles at the jail travel more than 12,000 miles per month. With many inmates requiring transport to mental health facilities or to another detention facility with an available bed, the vehicles are constantly in use, according to Atkinson.

The sheriff is requesting $45,000 to replace two transport vehicles which have odometers which have topped 100,000 miles. Atkinson said a vehicle breaking down while transporting prisoners presents many levels of concern.

“Often we have one officer transporting multiple prisoners,” explained Atkinson. “If that vehicle breaks down that could result in a really bad situation.”

With Lt. Lauren Osborne seated behind him, Sheriff Graham Atkinson, left, makes his budget recommendations to county commissioners. Commissioner Larry Phillips listens.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_SheriffBudget.jpgWith Lt. Lauren Osborne seated behind him, Sheriff Graham Atkinson, left, makes his budget recommendations to county commissioners. Commissioner Larry Phillips listens. Andy Winemiller | The News

The weather in Mount Airy during March was a mixed-bag situation, bringing 80-degree temperatures as well as cold, sleet and snow.

However, measurable precipitation occurred on just eight of March’s 31 days for a total well below average for the third month of the year. That caused the city’s precipitation level to be below normal for the year as a whole as of March 31, according to figures from F.G. Doggett Water Plant, the city’s official weather-monitoring station.

Only 1.41 inches of precipitation was recorded at the plant last month, compared to the March average for Mount Airy of 4.10 inches. The most falling on a single day was 0.34 inches, on March 2.

The snow and sleet, which were noted on March 3-4, resulted in no accumulation.

For the year, as of the end of March, Mount Airy has received total precipitation of 9.68 inches — 1.19 inches, or 10.9 percent below normal for the first three months, when the area averages 10.87 inches.

The maximum temperature here last month of 81 degrees was logged on March 17.

At the other end of the scale was a trio of 25-degree readings, coming on March 3, 5 and 6.

All that combined to make March warmer than usual overall, with temperatures averaging 51.3 degrees — nearly 4 degrees higher than the local March average of 47.4 degrees.

Weather records have been kept in Mount Airy since 1924.

Four days with frost were noted in March and one day with fog.

The N.C. State Highway Patrol, Troop E, will be holding a job fair and information session on Tuesday evening for anyone interested in learning about career opportunities with the agency.

“Troopers will discuss everything from basic qualifications of an applicant to retirement from the organization,” according to a statement released by the highway patrol.

“If being a North Carolina State Trooper has ever crossed your mind, or if it is something you have always wanted to do, come by and see us at this session. If you would like to speak to a recruiter, call Trooper R.R. Carroll at (919) 441-3654.”

Tuesday’s event will be in the Surry County Human Services Building, at 1218 State St. (behind KFC), from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Organizers say the session will begin promptly, so they encourage those attending to arrive early.

DOBSON — VOCE will feature Vivaldi’s “Gloria” for its spring concert this year, with the Surry Central High School chorus and instrumentalists from the N.C. School of the Arts joining the choral ensemble.

Also on the program, and offering a contrast with the typical classical music-nature of the rest of the production, the Marshall Brothers and George Smith will accompany VOCE with some bluegrass music.

The group is under the direction of Patti Miller Fulk.

The concert is scheduled for April 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Salem Baptist Church on Rockford Road in Dobson. There is no charge for admission, however all donations are appreciated. VOCE is a non-profit organization. For information, contact Mark Gillespie at 789-2035.

Health Department Inspections is a regular listing of inspections conducted in Surry County establishments by North Carolina health officials. The listing includes restaurants, schools, day care facilities, adult care and other facilities. The listings give the health inspector score, if applicable, along with the text of their findings in their words.

Twelve Oaks Rest Home nursing home, 1297 Galax Trail, Mount Airy. Inspected Feb. 1, score 96. Violations: 1) Floors easy to clean, no obstacles, drains where needed The base moulding in room 62 is duct taped to the wall to keep it on the wall. Use a more permanent method of keeping the base moulding on the wall. Repair the walls where damaged (shared shower room, storage room—AL side (peeling wallpaper), wall in room 5). Clean cobwebs from closets where needed (room 1).

2) Facilities conveniently located, clean and in good repair Clean the potty chair in room 34. Clean the toilet in room 43. Clean the showers in the shared shower room. Rule 15A NCAC 18A .1312 states: “Shared bathing equipment that has contact with patient’s skin shall be cleaned with detergent and an EPA registered hospital disinfectant between patient uses. Manufacturer’s instructions shall be followed for cleaning equipment with pumps…” The chemical dispensing unit that came with the whirlpool bath is no longer able to be used, so a new sanitizer dispensing system is being used, but there are no instructions available for this system, especially for sanitizing the jets. This unit needs to be replaced or the original disinfection system replaced to properly clean and disinfect the unit following manufactuer’s instructions. Also, the bath had a hole in it, covered with duct tape, which means this needs to be repaired or have the unit replaced. Repair the leaky valve under the toilet in room 1 (corrected during the inspection). Clean the hand-held shower head in room 1. Clean the cabinet under the sink in the laundry room.

3) Quantitiy and hot water sufficient, backup water supply plan The backup water supply plan is not sufficient. It covers what to do for the residents as far as drinking water goes, but it does not cover what is required in rule 15A NCAC 18A .1312 (f), which reads: “The backup water supply plan shall include a plan for either relocating residents or providing an alternative source of water for essential functions such as food preparation, hand washing, bathing, cleaning, dishwashing, laundry and disposal of bodily waste.” The backup water supply plan should be reworked.

4) Patient contact items in good repair, properly stored, cleaned and disinfected All patient care or consumable items shall be stored at least eight inches above the floor to prevent water contamination from cleaning floors. Adult pull-ups were found in the floor in some rooms (hallway outside of an office, wellness desk in assisted living side and memory care unit, etc.). A box of toilet paper was found in the storage room with a clearance of less than 8 inches, as well.

5) Food storage units with thermometers, maintain temperatures The refrigerator used for the shakes in the medication room in the memory care unit did not have a thermometer inside of it. Place a thermometer in there.

Twelve Oaks Rest Home cafeteria, 1297 Galax Trail, Mount Airy. Inspected Feb. 1, score 94. Violations: 1) Proper hot holding temperatures: Potentially Hazardous Food (Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food), Hot and Cold Holding – P — Ground meatballs marked with a resident’s name on the foil covering the bowl (hot holding cart) was reading 110 degrees F. Whole meatballs were reading between 118 and 130 degrees F in the hot holding carts. All hot food must be held at 135 degrees F or higher. The meatballs were reheated to correct this (prepared within the last 2 hours).

2) Toxic substances properly identified, stored, and used ho: Separation-Storage – P — A bottle of cleaner was stored beside/above some clean bowls in the kitchen. Keep all toxic chemicals stored away from food, food prep surfaces, clean utensils, single-service items, and clean linens. The chemical was moved to the chemical storage room to correct this. Common Name-Working Containers – PF — Two bottles of sanitizer were not labeled (one in the chemical storage room and one in one of the satellite dining rooms). Keep all chemicals labeled. This was corrected by placing a manufacturer’s label on the bottles.

3) Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control: Cooling Methods – PF — Eggs were found cooling in a covered, deep plastic container at 105 degrees F (approximately 6 inches deep of food product). Two containers of vegetable salad were cooling in deep stainless steel pans, tightly covered with aluminum foil. They had been prepared just an hour earlier, according to the kitchen manager. When cooling foods, you must cool using an approved method. Cooling food in deep containers with tight fitting lids/covers does not allow the warm air to be displaced with cold air quickly, thus, it is not an approved method. The eggs were transferred to an uncovered stainless steel pan with 2 inches or less of food product and placed in the freezer (top shelf to cool). The vegetable salad had less than 2-inches of food product in the pans, but were vented to correct this.

4) Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage and display: Food Storage-Preventing Contamination from the Premises – C — Vegetable oil was found stored on the floor to prop a door open. Keep all food stored off of the floor. An opened package of cake mix and an opened package of brown rice were found on shelves in the dry storage room (in no designated container). All opened containers of dry food must be stored in an approved container with a tight-fitting lid. Miscellaneous Sources of Contamination – C — A dented can of food was found in the dry storage room. Because the dent was on the seal, it was recommended that the can not be used. The kitchen manager wrote “do not use” on the can and intends to get credit for the dented can.

5) Utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried and handled: Equipment, Utensils, Linens and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles-Storing – C — The drawers on the prep table storing clean utensils were dirty. It is important to keep drawers/containers that store clean utensils kept clean so that clean utensils are not contaminated when storing the utensils.

6) Single-use and single-service articles; properly stored and used: Equipment, Utensils, Linens and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles-Storing – C — Three containers of single-service spoons were found that had the food contact surface of the spoon pointed upward. These spoons can be easily contaminated when customers or employees reach for them. Keep the spoons stored with the handles up, food contact surfaces down.

7) Non-food-contact surfaces clean: Nonfood Contact Surfaces – C — Clean all nonfood contact surfaces (top of equipment, shelving, racks, inside of the fryer cabinet, carts, etc.). Clean the inside of the hot holding carts/tables.

8) Physical facilities installed, maintained and clean: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions – C — Clean the floors under the ice machine and coffee station. Clean under the dish machine. Clean the hood system (filters and hood). Floors, Walls and Ceilings-Cleanability – C — Keep all storage off of the floor (chemicals in the chemical storage room, vegetable oil). Fill any holes in the walls with caulk or silicone. Ensure that the walls are smooth and easy-to-clean after applying caulk/silicone.

Wendy’s, 1906 Rockford St., Mount Airy. Inspected Feb. 4, score 97.5. Violations: 1) Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized: Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization-Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness – P – Sanitizer in two of the three wiping cloth buckets tested below 150ppm quat. Keep all santizer prepared to manufacturers specifications. The sanitizer was replinished to correct the violation. Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces and Utensils-Frequency – C – The ice machine had mold build-up inside of the top cabinet today. Keep the ice machine cleaned a frequency to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria build-up.

2) Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained and used; test strips: Manual Warewashing Equipment, Wash Solution Temperature – PF – The wash water was 102 degrees F. today while an employee was washing dishes. The wash water must be kept at minimum of 110 degrees F. unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. The wash water was remade to correct the violation.

3) Physical facilities installed, maintained and clean: Repairing-Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures-Methods – C – Re-grout the floor tile in high traffic areas in the kitchen. Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions – C – Clean the floor in the bun freezer under the shelving.

Most people don’t like to think about being incapacitated by a medical condition, much less about making preparations for that possibility — or worse.

However, taking steps in advance can provide peace of mind and prevent many problems later, which is the idea behind an event scheduled next week at the Surry County Senior Center in Mount Airy.

An informational seminar will be held Thursday at noon on advance directives — which are legal documents, such as living wills — in which individuals specify their end-of-life medical treatment decisions.

It is open to persons 55 and older.

The free presentation, to be given in partnership with Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, will be led by Allison Hemrick, community outreach liaison with that organization.

“We have had that particular workshop with Mountain Valley Hospice before, and it’s very informative and there seems to be a lot of interest in it,” said Annalisa Davis, director of L.H. Jones Family Resource Center at 215 Jones School Road. It houses the Surry County Senior Center.

All adults can benefit from thinking about what their health-care choices would be if they are unable to speak for themselves, event organizers say.

A recent ABC News poll showed that about 58 percent of American adults do not have a will or other estate plan. Even more — nearly 75 percent of adults — lack an advance medical directive, according to a 2014 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Next week’s event in Mount Airy is coinciding with April’s designation as Advance Directives Month.

The presentation will explore the importance of:

• What advance directives are and what individuals need to know about them;

• Health-care power of attorney;

• Living wills;

• Durable power of attorney;

• MOST (Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment).

The seminar is limited to 20 people, on a first-come, first-served basis, with lunch to be provided.

Those interested in attending are asked to register with Annalisa Davis at 786-6155, extension 222.

L.H. Jones Family Resource Center is under the umbrella of Yadkin Valley Economic Development District Inc. (YVEDDI), a non-profit community action agency formed in 1965 to serve Surry, Stokes, Yadkin and Davie counties.

Tom Joyce may be reached at 336-415-4693 or on Twitter @Me_Reporter.

McDonald’s claims to have served more than 85 billion customers while Facebook has hit the 1 billion users mark — and now the Mount Airy Police Department is on the list of those achieving milestones.

The police department has recorded the 1 millionth dosage unit of medication received at a prescription drug drop box located in its front lobby.

It was established in December 2011 to allow the public to dispose of unwanted or unused medications on a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week basis, and the 1 million level was reached Thursday, according to Capt. Alan Freeman.

Putting the effort over the top was a batch of pills including highly addictive controlled substances such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and lorazepam, which will be safely processed instead of possibly reaching the wrong hands and causing tragedy.

Police personnel displayed the colorful, yet potentially deadly pills in two large plastic bags on Friday.

The prescription drop box at the station on Rockford Street — a converted postal receptacle — has been a hit with the public since it was installed. Within the first few days of being available in late 2011, about 4,000 dosage units were collected and by early March 2012, 44,647 pills had been placed in the drop box.

Police count and meticulously catalog each dosage unit received, allowing a running tally to be kept of quantity and type, and Officer Ray Arnder logged the 1 millionth pill.

Chief Dale Watson said Friday that the volume of drugs collected is a testament to two factors.

“I just think an awareness,” he said of one, “that the community knows there is a way to get rid of unwanted medications.”

The misuse and abuse of prescription drugs locally is well-documented, including 43 overdose deaths reported for Surry County last year.

The other factor for the drop box’s heavy use illustrates the magnitude of what law enforcement officers and various local agencies are facing with the drug problem.

“It just shows the abundance of them,” the police chief said of the saturation of certain prescription medications in society today. This has been blamed largely on the pharmaceutical industry and the willingness of medical providers to prescribe such substances as opposed to pain-killing alternatives.

But the pills taken at the police department are guaranteed not to cause harm, as they are destroyed, either with a drug incinerator the department received in 2013 or by the State Bureau of Investigation.

The SBI is enlisted to destroy large quantities received locally, including the latest haul of 240,000 pills, which the small incinerator of the police department is ill-equipped to handle.

“It would take us quite a while,” Chief Watson said.

Tom Joyce may be reached at 336-415-4693 or on Twitter @Me_Reporter.

From left, Capt. Alan Freeman, Community Police Officer Gerald Daniel and Chief Dale Watson are shown with prescription pills received at a Mount Airy Police Department drop box visible in the background, where 1 million dosage units had been collected as of Thursday.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Pills-and-more-pills.jpgFrom left, Capt. Alan Freeman, Community Police Officer Gerald Daniel and Chief Dale Watson are shown with prescription pills received at a Mount Airy Police Department drop box visible in the background, where 1 million dosage units had been collected as of Thursday.

It can be difficult to engage students these days, but Black Violin did not have that problem when performing for a group of about 450 field-tripping fifth-graders on Friday.

The duo from Florida easily had the local kids dancing, cheering and singing along to their unique blend of classical music and hip-hop.

“You thought you were coming to some quiet violin show,” Kev Marcus, violinist and one-half of Black Violin, told the crowd. “Rule number one: this is a party. Get out of your seats and dance. Nobody will stop you.”

While onstage, Marcus mentioned why they play the kind of music they play, noting that the pair met in orchestra class.

“We’d listen to Mozart and Beethoven in class,” he said. “On the way to third period we’d be listening to Jay Z.”

The result of that training and love for all genres of music was shared on stage Friday with the local students through the Surry Arts Council, with another show open to the public that evening at 7:30.

Ian Gilley, a Jones Intermediate student, had been looking forward to it.

“I enjoy classical music a lot,” he said. “I’m really excited to see them.”

Gilley said in school they had seen some of the duo’s videos and “we learned what they stand for, and what they are all about.”

“I never thought about it in this way. In the 1600 or 1700s-ish you would only play classical music in bands. They put it into hip-hop and have this deep meaning, like their album ‘Stereotypes’.”

Mercer Meadows, who is also a student at Jones Intermediate, was surprised when learning about Black Violin in school.

“It was different from the expectation of them being in suits,” she said. “Normally a violin would be in an orchestra.”

Once the musicians launched into their set, the energy never faltered. The songs ranged from original music to covers of contemporary pop songs.

Students went from bopping in their seats to waving their hands, from dancing in the aisles to crashing the stage.

With the audience’s full attention, Wil Baptiste, who plays the viola, spoke some words of encouragement.

“Whatever it is you want to do, you just gotta do it different from everybody else,” he said.

After the show, spirits seemed high as the group left the dark theater and piled back into school buses.

“It was awesome,” said Gilley, who admitted to dancing “a lot. It was really fun.”

Sally Reece, a Jones Intermediate School teacher, whose student Kaiyon Miron break-danced in the aisle for a few songs, said, “This was the best Surry Arts Council program we have ever seen. I’ve never seen (the students) so engaged in a program.”

Reece said that while the students had spent time in language arts classes learning about the band, their different instruments and some music history, “I don’t think anyone was prepared” for the actual experience.

The teacher was glad their schedule had been rearranged so the students would attend only lunch and recess upon their return to school.

“It would be hard to go back from that,” she said.

Reece had shared her positive impression of the show with Tanya Jones, SAC executive director, who said for a program to be the considered the “best” meant a lot.

The Arts Council staff had been working on bringing Black Violin to town for about a year and a half, since initiating a grant process with South Arts, which provided partial funding for the event.

“Since then they’ve become much more well-known.” she said. “This is probably a one-time thing for Mount Airy.”

The hard work paid off.

“The show was excellent,” Jones said, thanking Melissa Sumner, operations director, the SAC staff and volunteers, the community as well as several local folks who lent back line support: Blanton Youell, David Vaught, Les Slate and Rick Caudill.

“It really is a perfect example of the community pulling together to help the Arts Council do something really incredible.”

Black Violin performs for local fifth-graders at a Surry Arts Council sponsored field trip at the Earle Theatre Friday.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_1604015_BlackViolin-R2.jpgBlack Violin performs for local fifth-graders at a Surry Arts Council sponsored field trip at the Earle Theatre Friday. Terri Flagg | The News

Local fifth-graders enjoy Black Violin’s performance during a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre on Friday.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_1604015_BlackViolin-R3.jpgLocal fifth-graders enjoy Black Violin’s performance during a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre on Friday. Terri Flagg | The News

Black Violin performs for local fifth-graders at a Surry Arts Council sponsored field trip at the Earle Theatre Friday.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_1604015_BlackViolin-R3jpg.jpgBlack Violin performs for local fifth-graders at a Surry Arts Council sponsored field trip at the Earle Theatre Friday. Terri Flagg | The News

Kaiyon Miron, a Jones Intermediate fifth-grader, cheers for Black Violin during a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre on Friday.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_1604015_BlackViolin-R4.jpgKaiyon Miron, a Jones Intermediate fifth-grader, cheers for Black Violin during a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre on Friday. Terri Flagg | The News

Kev Marcus, violinist with Black Violin, performs for local fifth-graders at a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre Friday.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_1604015_BlackViolin-R5.jpgKev Marcus, violinist with Black Violin, performs for local fifth-graders at a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre Friday. Terri Flagg | The News

Wil Baptiste of Black Violin plays the viola during a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre Friday.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_1604015_BlackViolin-R6.jpgWil Baptiste of Black Violin plays the viola during a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre Friday. Terri Flagg | The News

Kev Marcus, violinist with Black Violin, performs for local fifth-graders at a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre Friday.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_1604015_BlackViolin-R7.jpgKev Marcus, violinist with Black Violin, performs for local fifth-graders at a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre Friday. Terri Flagg | The News

Black Violin performs for local fifth-graders at a Surry Arts Council sponsored field trip at the Earle Theatre Friday.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_1604015_BlackViolin-R8.jpgBlack Violin performs for local fifth-graders at a Surry Arts Council sponsored field trip at the Earle Theatre Friday. Terri Flagg | The News

Local fifth-graders enjoy Black Violin’s performance during a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre on Friday.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_1604015_BlackViolin-R9.jpgLocal fifth-graders enjoy Black Violin’s performance during a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre on Friday. Terri Flagg | The News

Local students unload from the bus and head into the Earle Theatre on Friday for a Black Violin performance.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_1604015_BlackViolin-R10.jpgLocal students unload from the bus and head into the Earle Theatre on Friday for a Black Violin performance. Terri Flagg | The News

Local fifth-graders enjoy Black Violin’s performance during a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre on Friday.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_1604015_BlackViolin-R11.jpgLocal fifth-graders enjoy Black Violin’s performance during a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre on Friday. Terri Flagg | The News

Wil Baptiste introduces his viola "Tiffany" to a crowd of about 450 fifth-graders during a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre Friday.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_1604015_BlackViolin-R12.jpgWil Baptiste introduces his viola "Tiffany" to a crowd of about 450 fifth-graders during a Surry Arts Council sponsored concert at the Earle Theatre Friday. Terri Flagg | The News

The following books have recently been received at the Mount Airy Public Library, and are available for checkout:

Miss Julia Inherits a Mess by Ann B. Ross, fiction

Brush of Wings by Karen Kingsbury, fiction

As Time Goes By by Mary Higgins Clark, fiction

No Safe Secret by Fern Michaels, fiction

What We Find by Robyn Carr, fiction

The Atonement by Beverly Lewis, fiction

Once a Rancher by Linda Lael Miller, fiction

Darkness by Karen Robards, fiction

Family Jewels by Stuart Woods, fiction

Overload by Joyce Meyer, non-fiction

Master the New SAT, non-fiction

*****

The Friends of the Mount Airy Public Library group has opened a used bookshop, called Between the Covers, on Main Street, and it will be the fundraiser for the library’s programs. We hope you will support the store, which in turn will support us. The store will begin opening for business in March, and the grand opening will take place in April. The store will be located at 140 Main Street, between the movie theatre and Specialty Gifts. Contact Pat Gwyn, pgwyn@nwrl.org, or call 336-789-5108, to volunteer to help with the shop.

*****

The Magic Tree House Book Club for kids has begun meeting at the Mount Airy Public Library on Mondays, at 4 p.m. with reading books and doing activities from the beloved series by Mary Pope Osborne.

*****

Preschool story times are held on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. for 2- and 3-year-olds, and on Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m. for 4-and 5-year-olds.

*****

New Baby Storytime, for babies from birth to 24 months, will meet on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m.

*****

Wednesday at 4 p.m. we are here to help you get started using ancestry.com to track your genealogy. Stop by the front desk to ask for help in beginning your search.

*****

A Basic Spanish Class for adults will now be offered at the library on Wednesday afternoons from 5 p.m. till 6 p.m., led by instructor Maria Luisa Saldarriaga.

*****

Pajama Story time for kids takes place each Thursday night at 7 p.m. The kids are welcome to wear their pajamas, and bring their cuddle toys. We’ll hear a couple of stories, and do an activity that goes with the story.

*****

The library has an Adult Coloring Class on Thursday nights, at 6 p.m. till 8 p.m. The library supplies coloring sheets, colored pencils, and markers, but are are welcome to bring their own supplies as well. The library plays relaxing music, and those participating enjoy hot drinks for those who’d like coffee or tea.

*****

Tai Chi is offered each Friday morning at 10 a.m. This class is for everyone, but especially for those with limited mobility, due to conditions such as arthritis.

*****

The Mount Airy Public Library Community Book Club meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month, at 1 p.m. New members are always welcome.

*****

The Surry County Storytelling Guild meets on the first Tuesday night of each month, at 7 p.m., to practice their art of storytelling, and they invite you to come listen, or join in.

*****

The Community Book Club meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month, at 1 p.m. New members are always welcome.

*****

Be making plans now, and gathering supplies, for the library’s Trashion Show on Saturday, August 13, at 11 a.m. Participants are invited to design and create their own piece of wearable art, fashioned from everyday objects and recyclable items. Use your creativity to make your design, and have it ready to walk the red carpet. If you don’t create an entry, please come to watch the show. If you have an entry, please arrive at 10:30 a.m. for registration.

*****

Questions? Call the library at 336-789-5108. Find us on Facebook at Friends of the Mount Airy Public Library.

Go to our website to view our events and catalog online at nwrl.org.

Library hours:

Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Friday 8:30 a.m. till 5 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. till 1 p.m.

Health Department Inspections is a regular listing of inspections conducted in Surry County establishments by North Carolina health officials. The listing includes restaurants, schools, day care facilities, adult care and other facilities. The listings give the health inspector score, if applicable, along with the text of their findings in their words.

West Pine Drive In, 675 West Pine St., Mount Airy. Inspected Feb. 3, score 96. Violations: 1) PIC present, Demonstration – Certification by accredited program, and performs duties: Certified Food Protection Manager – C — Beginning January 1, 2014, it became a requirement that an ANSI-approved food safety certified person-in-charge be on the premises during all operating hours. There was no food safety certified person-in-charge here that has taken the class since the last certification expired.

2) Toxic substances properly identified, stored, and used: Common Name-Working Containers – PF — One bottle of degreaser was not labeled. Keep toxic chemicals labeled. One bottle labeled “sanitizer” had degreaser inside of it. Make sure chemicals are correctly labeled at all times. Both bottles were labeled correctly to correct this during the inspection.

3) Equipment, food and non-food-contact surfaces approved; cleanable, properly designed, constructed and used: Good Repair and Proper Adjustment-Equipment – C — The merchandise reach-in cooler was not holding temperatures properly at the time of inspection (milkshake mix was discarded to correct this). Replace any split gaskets on unit doors. Sand and paint any rusty, chipping racks. Sand and paint the inside of the reach-in cooler.

Amalfi’s Pizza, 544 CC Camp Road, Suite 500, Elkin. Inspected Feb. 10, score 93. Violations: 1) PIC present, Demonstration – Certification by accredited program, and performs duties: Certified Food Protection Manager- At least one employee who has supervisory and management responsibility and the authority to direct and control food preparation and service shall be a certified food protection manager by taking and passing an ansi accredited program (servsafe for example). This person must be present during the operations including during the inspection.

2) Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils – P- Observed dried food on the slicer at the time of inspection. Clean and sanitize the slicer after each use. Cdi by cleaning and sanitizing.

3) Proper hot holding temperatures: Potentially Hazardous Food (Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food), Hot and Cold Holding – P- Observed pizza stored at room temperature at 73 F. Once pizza is cooked it must be properly cooled and stored cold or held hot for single slice preparation throughout the day. Cdi by throwing away the pizza.

4) Proper date marking and disposition: Ready-To-Eat Potentially Hazardous Food (Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food), Date Marking – PF- Observed container of sliced deli ham in the walk-in and dice ham in the pizza make unit that needed to be date marked. Also a large container of ranch needs to be date marked in the walk-in cooler. Date mark lasagna, noodles, manicotti, meatballs, and lettuce i the sandwich unit. Cdi by dating all of these foods.

5) Physical facilities installed, maintained and clean: Repairing-Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures-Methods – C-repair the walk-in cooler floor (threshold). Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions – C- Clean floors under equipment and along floor joints.

Arby’s #1913, 2123 Rockford St., Mount Airy. Inspected Feb. 11, score 96.5. Violations: 1) Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils – P- At the time of inspection, the sanitizer buckets were not strong enough. The sanitizer container where the sanitizer is dispensed was almost empty. Cdi by connecting a new container of sanitizer a making new buckets at 200 ppm.

2) Personal cleanliness: Effectiveness-Hair Restraints – C- Hair restraints are required for those who prepare food.

3) Utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried and handled: Equipment, Utensils, Linens and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles-Storing – C- Observed utensils stored below prep sink water lines. Store slicer, sheet pans and other containers away from water lines and splash from drains on the food prep table shelving below the prep sink. Recommend additional air-drying racks. Equipment and Utensils, Air-Drying Required – C- Air-dry cutting board by standing on side.

4) Non-food-contact surfaces clean: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils – C- Clean tops of equipment. Clean prep table shelving where utensils are stored. Clean gaskets. Replace moldy tubing in the ice machine. Clean fryer cabinets.

5) Physical facilities installed, maintained and clean: Repairing-Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures-Methods – C- Repair the wall and floor where plumbing work was done in the storage room. Replace the caulk behind the 3-compartment sink. Repair cracked floor tiles. Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions – C- Clean floor joints and under equipment. Maintaining Premises, Unnecessary Items and Litter – C- Remove equipment that is no longer used in the dumpster corral.

Armfield Civic Center, 873 W. Hwy 52 Bypass, Pilot Mountain. Inspected Feb. 12, score 97. Violations: 1) Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage and display: Food Storage-Preventing Contamination from the Premises – C — There was a box of pop-tarts stored in the floor in the storage room. Keep all food off of the floor. Also, there were plastic cups stored inside of the cheese ball containers. If you choose to leave the cup in the container, it must have a handle that extends above the cheese balls so that they are not contaminated by a contaminated handle. Otherwise, use the cup once and throw it away.

2) Utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried and handled: Equipment, Utensils, Linens and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles-Storing – C — Bowls were being stored with the food contact surface exposed. Keep them inverted to keep them from becoming contaminated.

3) Equipment, food and non-food-contact surfaces approved; cleanable, properly designed, constructed and used: (A) and (C) Good Repair and Calibration-Utensils and Temperature and Pressure Measuring Devices – C — Two plastic bowls, one clear and one blue were found with numerous cracks in them. Discard of any containers that significant cracking as these are not easy to clean. Good Repair and Proper Adjustment-Equipment – C — Replace the split gasket on the right-hand door on the reach-in cooler.

4) Physical facilities installed, maintained and clean: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions – C — Clean the floors underneath equipment (significant build-up of dust underneath). Clean the floors underneath the shelving in the dry storage room. Clean the vent in the men’s restroom. Storing Maintenance Tools – C — Do not keep the hose stored inside of the can wash basin Keep it hung up so the can wash has easy access to washing out trash cans, mops, and mop buckets.

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.

• Estate of Betty Sue Blackburn to Lowe-Hice, LLC. 53.01 acres in Dobson. $250

• Melissa A. Ramey and Leslie Murray to Austin R. Burchette. Two lots in the Carolina Ridge Development in Bryan Township. $152

• Zachary and Erica Hawks to Adam T. Sprinkle. One acre in Dobson. $260

• James and Stella Nixon to Walter and Elizabeth White. Tracts in Mount Airy, Dobson, Bryan Township and Elkin. $298

• Gwendolyn H. May to Mark A. Alliston. Tract in South Westfield. $0

• Independence Lumber Inc. to Todd and Tanya Brock. 9.584 acres in South Westfield. $58

• C. Wayne and Jane Sheets to Randall A. Lynch. 1.344 acres in Mount Airy. $28

• Estate of Barbara F. Simmons to Willie and Donna Wilburn. Lot in the Fairfield Subdivision in Mount Airy. $280

• JKK Property Investors, LLC to Josh and Laura Oakes. 1.075 acres in Elkin. $50

• Secure Inc. to Jerry Crouse. 0.565 acres in Bryan Township. $30

• Jacob and Tana Leftwich to Benjamin Kemp Long. 1.25 acres in Eldora Township. $244

• Brian and Ingram Johnson to Blake and Erica Miller. 1.639 acres in Mount Airy. $510

• R.S. Parker Homes, LLC to Michael and Molly Anderson. Lot in Pilot Mountain. $473

• Charles and Aleta Gunter to Mary J. Keller. 9.93 acres in Franklin Township. $340

• Mike Marion Construction Company Inc. to Hughes Construction Company Inc. 1.65 acres in Shoals. $60

• Charlie W. Hull to Lucas and Mandi Danley. 3.51 acres in Stewarts Creek Township. $0

• JKK Properties, LLC to Josh and Laura Oakes. 1.075 acres in Elkin. $50

• Primestar Fund Inc. to Christina A Rippey. Lots in Windsor Park in Dobson. $252

• Amber and Jacob Flippen to Brandon and Shelby Heath. 0.24 acres in Mount Airy. $100

• Dewey and Clairse Carpenter and family to Clairse and Dewey Carpenter. 3.12 acres in Stewarts Creek Township. $33

• Jack and Tammy Hodges to Theodore and Jamie Guynn 2.66 acres in Dobson. $52

• Dana and Mary Marshall to Amy M. Gravely. 2.716 acres in Mount Airy. $1

• Dana and Mary Marshall to Amy M. Gravely. 0.88 acres in Mount Airy. $1

• Christopher and Cynthia Fowler to Adam C. Stanley. 15.15 acres in Marsh Township. $0

• William and Judith Stevens to David and Jennifer Yates. 11 acres in Westfield Township. $64

• Lowe-Hice, LLC to the Estate of Betty Sue Blackburn Hutchens. 21.812 acres in Dobson. $0

• Horace and Jewel Bondurant to C.O.C. Properties Inc. 1.43 acres in Pilot Mountain. $580

• Steven and Kathy Sheppard to Eddie and April Sawyers. 0.306 acres in Pilot Mountain. $300

• Dorothy and Tony Davis to April Berrier. 0.34 acres in Mount Airy. $167

• Edward and Arlene Gertge to Roger W. McKinney. 15.07 acres in Pilot Mountain. $520

• James and Eloise Easer to Frances S. Poston. Two lots in the Haymore Development. $138

The following marriage licenses were issued in Surry County.

• Jamie W. Goad, 37, and Joey L. Kramer, 42, of Mount Airy. Issued April 7.

• Robert H. Tate, 43, and Angela D. Bobbitt, 40, of Mount Airy. Issued April 7.

• Hilario Grande-Gonzalez, 26, of Elkin, and Guadalupe N. Rodriguez-Bedolla, 24, of Dobson. Issued April 7.

• Felix Mendoza Ocampo, 31, and Tania Campos, 29, of Dobson. Issued April 7.

• Paul A. Luallen, 44, and Jenny M. Kornegay, 36, of Pilot Mountain. Issued April 8.

• Kyle J. Wissing, 28, and Emily F. Harbach, 32, of Winston-Salem. Issued April 8.

• Frank A. Clawson, 4, and Deborah D. Wolfe, 39, of Mount Airy. Issued April 8.

• Jimmy H. Reece, 24, of Elkin, and Morgan E. Howlett, 2, of Dobson. Issued April 11.

• Eric D. Walker, 23, and Adanna Y. Gonzales, 22, of Elkin.Issued April 12.

• Jorge L. Gonzalez-Vargas, 23, and Patricia Antunez, 23, of Dobson. Issued April 12.

• William S. Johnson, 23, of Ararat, and Kayla R. Goins, 20,of Mount Airy. Issued April 12.

• Tyler L. Harold, 31, and Amelia M. Oakley, 26, of Fancy Gap, Virginia. Issued April 13.

DOBSON — The word “folly” suggests a carefree or whimsical situation where one’s primary goal is to have fun and not really care about serious aspects, which hundreds of people appeared to be doing Saturday in Dobson.

An array of attractions, coupled with “awesome” spring weather, made Dobson Square Park a crowded place for the fifth-annual Spring Folly, held both Saturday and Sunday in the county seat.

The event usually attracts a large number of residents from surrounding communities, and was boosted this year by the addition of carnival-type rides for the first time ever.

This gave the Spring Folly the flavor of a county fair normally held in late summer or fall, with the appearance of rides including kiddie swings, tubs of fun, a spinner, a gyroscope, a kiddie Ferris wheel, a trackless train, a bounce house and an inflatable slide.

“It’s been the first year we’ve had carnival rides, and it’s gone over very well,” said Misty Marion, municipal services manager for the town of Dobson, who had a big hand in organizing the gathering.

Long lines were seen for rides throughout the park, as the kiddie train chugged around another part of the complex nearby.

The adding of the rides proved popular with a group of Spring Folly participants led by McKenzie Bledsoe, a young Dobson woman who took her nieces, Madison Moorefield, 9, and Chloe Miles, 7, and nephew, Jax Niles, 2, to the event.

“They liked the bouncey-slide,” Bledsoe, who was attending for the first time, said in listing what the kids had enjoyed most at the Spring Folly, which she added was “neat” overall.

“The spinning swings” were Madison’s favorite.

“We have a good mixture of activities for children and parents, also,” Marion said, with the sound of her voice nearly drowned out by music accompanying a nearby Zumba activity, another new attraction for 2016.

A variety of craft items and other offerings such as plants made up a large vendor area at the Spring Folly, which also featured booths manned by civic organizations such as the Dobson Lions Club and businesses including Wayne Farms and others. Food items such as funnel cakes, ribbon fries, ice cream, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, barbecue, ground steak and tacos also were offered.

“We are really pleased — it has been a great turnout yesterday and today,” Marion said Saturday afternoon.

The Spring Folly appeared to be one of those occasions when a good time was had by all, which is exactly what organizers wanted.

“We’re just happy to see people come out and enjoy themselves,” Marion said.

“And the weather’s been awesome, so that really helps.”

Tom Joyce may be reached at 336-415-4693 or on Twitter @Me_Reporter.

The addition of carnival-type rides at this year’s Dobson Spring Folly proves to be a big hit with younger attendees.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Folly-a.jpgThe addition of carnival-type rides at this year’s Dobson Spring Folly proves to be a big hit with younger attendees.

Vendors of cool drinks do a thriving business Saturday at Dobson Square Park.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Foly-b.jpgVendors of cool drinks do a thriving business Saturday at Dobson Square Park.

DOBSON — An Elkin woman was arrested on April 8 and charged with felony elder neglect following an investigation by the Surry County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities became involved after EMS responded to a call about a fall at the home of Maria Deneane Kidd, 51, of CC Camp Road, Elkin, and observed the “squalid” living conditions at the residence, according to a spokesperson from the sheriff’s office.

Kidd was the caretaker for her elderly mother, who was injured.

An anonymous call to the Department of Social Services led to the victim’s removal from the home.

The victim now resides in a nursing facility and remains under Department of Social Services guardianship.

Kidd, who was also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, was released from the magistrates office under a written promise to appear in court on May 17.

Det. Ashley Doiel said these types of investigations are difficult.

“It hits close to home because the elderly and children are so defenseless,” she said.

In other sheriff’s office reports:

• An act of vandalism is under investigation after Ronald Adams Inman, 69, of Corner Road, Pinnacle, reported three televisions and tires dumped on his property on April 3.

• Jody C. Inman, 36, of Red Hill Creek Road, Dobson, was arrested April 8 and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Surry County Detention Center under a $1,000 secured bond.

• Jennifer Marie Johnson, 30, of Fox Croft Drive, was charged on April 8 with possession of a controlled substance in jail. Bond was set at $1,000 with a court date of April 27.

• Michael Draper Gravely, of Homeplace Road, Ararat, Virginia, was arrested April 6 and charged with obtaining property by false pretense on a Feb. 17 warrant and two felony probation violations from January.

• Derrick Ray Simmons, of Junction Street, Mount Airy, was arrested on April 6 and charged with possession of stolen goods. He was also served with a failure to appear from March 7. Bond was set at $7,000 with an April 17 court date.

• Adrian Salgado Grande, 39, of Stony Knoll Drive, Dobson, reported on April 10 a larceny of items from his truck bed. Various tools including a black toolbox, extension cords, an electric drill and grinder, and bolt cutters were stolen. The value of the stolen items totaled $380.

• Antonio Manuel Hernandez, 18, of Cedar Ridge Road, Mount Airy, reported on April 9 a breaking and entering at his home. A 50-inch television, valued at $300, was reported stolen along with an XBOX One and XBOX 360 video game consoles valued at $400 and $200 respectively.

• Phillip Lee Easter, 66, of Duck Hollow Trail, alerted authorities to 12 needles and a metal spoon found in a parking lot on McBride Road. Officers seized the items, according to the April 9 report.

• A suspect or suspects vandalized two mail boxes on Founders Lane in Dobson, according to April 9 reports made by April Breeze Stanley and Daniel Jay Waldrop. Each mailbox was valued at $50.

• Faith Lawson McCreary, 51, of McCreary Drive, reported on April 9 a breaking and entering at a residence on Forkner Drive that resulted in the theft of $90 propane heater.

• Ebbie Steven Phillips, 59, of 992 NC 268, Pilot Mountain, reported a breaking and entering of an outbuilding, in Pinnacle. According to the April 8 report, a wood laminated ten-point crossbow worth $1,300 was stolen, along with a hand-held blower and a weed-eater valued at about $550 total. The padlock was cut in order to gain entry.

• Johnny Ray Snow, 20, of Greenhouse Trail, reported on April 8 a 1985 Yamaha Midnight Maxim stolen, which was valued at $600.

Out of town travelers on N.C. 89 west of Mount Airy bright and early Saturday morning encountered what they might have considered a strange sight:

A house perched atop a large hauler that was headed out the driveway of North Surry High School, an event that literally stopped traffic.

It wasn’t some bold heist executed at daybreak to steal school property which was under way — especially with Surry deputies on the scene — but an operation involving the latest house to roll off the assembly line for the Greater Mount Airy Area Habitat for Humanity.

The structure had been assembled in recent months by local building-trade students through a Habitat partnership, and reached the stage where it could be moved to a new, permanent home at the corner of Willow and Taylor streets in Mount Airy.

Under normal transportation conditions, this would be an uneventful trip of only a few miles.

But when moving a house, such a trek takes on “huge” proportions, as described by local Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Betty Ann Collins.

Upon leaving North Surry at about 6:45 a.m., a time when roadways were less crowded, the house transport was escorted by deputies who stopped traffic at key locations and were joined by Mount Airy police when the unusual caravan reached the city limits.

The only rough spot was turning in at the upper end of Taylor Street to reach the lot where the structure would be placed, which personnel of Oldham House Movers, LLC, of Seagrove quickly overcame.

“When they started down Taylor Street, (they) had to back the house up because of a fire hydrant,” Collins said.

“And they did have to do some tree trimming and some more backing up, and boom, the house was coming down the street.”

Soon it was safely on the lot, a process closely monitored by neighbors in lawn chairs across Taylor Street.

“I was totally confident because this was the fourth house they have moved for North Surry and Habitat,” Collins said of all those built through the Habitat/schools partnership. The first went to a location in Holly Springs.

“It was a huge team effort,” Collins said of Saturday’s operation, which included lunch provided by Subway.

Seeing such a project reach fruition is “fulfilling,” according to David Brown, chief of technology for Surry County schools, who came to the Taylor Street site mainly because his small grandson wanted to see the house being moved. The child seemed fascinated with the heavy equipment used.

But Brown also spoke from the viewpoint of someone involved with Surry County Schools, about the educational opportunity provided to local students through the Habitat partnership.

“To know that they have this skill set when they graduate to help them in a career, that’s very fulfilling,” Brown said of the carpentry and other trades learned.

He, too, was “very confident” that Saturday’s house-moving would be mostly seamless.

“These guys do this for a living,” Brown said of the Oldham crew.

Tim Oldham, who is part of the operation along with his dad, said the biggest challenge with such moves is not having to negotiate streets or highways, but actually getting the structure onto the property itself.

The company moves 30 to 40 buildings a year, Oldham said.

Collins said foundation work will be done over the next couple of weeks or so, paving the way for crews to come in and finish the house to ready it for future occupant George Mills and his three children.

Mills was on the scene Saturday and watched anxiously as the house was being leveled into place.

“Oh, man, I was apprehensive and was out of breath the entire time,” said Mills, who is elated over the opportunity the Habitat for Humanity program is providing so the family can move from a present housing situation that is crowded. “I am pretty excited.”

Tom Joyce may be reached at 336-415-4693 or on Twitter @Me_Reporter.

A new Habitat for Humanity house assembled by local students heads Saturday to its permanent home at the corner of Willow and Taylor streets in Mount Airy.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Habitat-house-move-1.jpgA new Habitat for Humanity house assembled by local students heads Saturday to its permanent home at the corner of Willow and Taylor streets in Mount Airy.Betty Ann Collins | Special to the News

The house is shown departing from North Surry High School early Saturday.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Habitat-house-moving.jpgThe house is shown departing from North Surry High School early Saturday.Betty Ann Collins | Special to the News

Heavy equipment is used to place the structure on the home site in Mount Airy.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Habitat-house-moving-me.jpgHeavy equipment is used to place the structure on the home site in Mount Airy.Tom Joyce | The News

There were no signs saying “Slow — Artist at Work” anywhere in downtown Mount Airy Saturday, but that was the rule of the day nonetheless as the talents and creations of more than 60 artists were showcased.

A fifth-annual art walk, aided by Mother Nature’s aesthetically pleasing contribution of a bright-blue sky and warm temperatures, attracted many artisans as well as members of the public eager to sample their work.

Throughout the downtown district, those representing a variety of genres — from painting to sculpture — were demonstrating their abilities, many right on the sidewalks, while others set up shop inside stores or display windows inches away from passersby. More than 40 locations were included.

Exposure for artists

Far from artistic meccas such as Paris or New York City, the event in Mount Airy provided a rare opportunity for local residents such as Anthony Bradley Shumate. He was working on a drawing at the front of Prudence McCabe Confections on North Main Street as some of his past artwork adorned that space.

“It means a lot to have people to look at it and see that I’ve done this,” said Shumate, 17, of Dobson, who is a student at Surry Central High School and was making his first appearance at the art walk with his paintings and drawings.

That was echoed by another art walk first-timer, Christina Rizada of Mount Airy, as she worked on a picture of a chihuahua while seated at a table on the walkway outside Bark and Meow Pet Spa.

“It just gets you noticed out there,” Rizada said of trying to find a niche in the art world as she plied her specialty, which includes paintings and drawings not only of animals but landscapes and other subjects.

“I do a little bit of everything, really,” added the artist, whose dog portrait representing her rendering of Dantea, the “mascot” for Bark and Meow Pet Spa. In the long term, the student at Salem College pursuing a B.A. in studio art hopes to become a teacher.

In the short term, Rizada was hoping Saturday’s exposure from having people stroll by and see her artwork might lead to someone commissioning her to draw their pets or other scenes.

Sales by those such as Rizada were one objective of the art walk, which seemed to benefit both artists and business operators hosting them.

“It just helps everybody,” said Dennis Williams, manager of Talley’s Custom Frame and Gallery, where artists Richard Zagursky and Douglass Cave were showcasing paintings.

“We just sold one of Douglass Cave’s paintings,” Williams said, also mentioning the exposure the art walk provides to those who might not experience it otherwise.

“Doug has been around for a while, but the young people, it gets them seen,” Williams said, “especially those people who are trying to get established as an artist.”

Variety of attractions

Besides painting and drawings, among other talents on display Saturday were photography, woodworking, leatherworking, jewelry design, quilt-making, mixed media, chocolate making and even limberjack crafting.

The latter involves making dolls with loose limbs that step dance or “jig” on the end of a vibrating board or platform in imitation of a real step dancer.

One of the more unusual exhibitors Saturday was Joseph Brunjes of Walnut Cove, a photographer whose specialties include tintypes, a format developed in the 1850s.

Brunjes, who was operating from Carlos Jones Blue Ridge Park, said tintypes are coming back into style among those who prefer antique images. “It’s a family heirloom type of look,” he said, which fits well with occasions such as weddings.

“I like the fact that they’re hand-made,” Brunjes said. “This is all-metal.”

Tintypes that are more than 150 years old are still in existence today. “So there’s a permanence to them,” Brunjes said.

This is not the case with photographic paper, and digital photos can be lost if a computer crashes or a smartphone is stolen, he pointed out.

From near and far

Everyone seemed pleased with the variety on display Saturday during the gathering that is growing from year to year.

“It’s been a great day and, of course, the weather has been beautiful,” observed Jennie Lowry, a longtime official of the Downtown Business Association who also runs a music store there with her husband.

“A lot of people seem to be enjoying the art walk,” said Lowry, who added that an extra draw this year was live music at three locations, included the revamped Canteen Alley.

A Vermont couple, Gordon and Rita Garrow, had made their way to Mount Airy Saturday, as part of a tour around the region, specifically because of “the Mayberry thing,” he said.

And they considered the fact the art walk was going on as a bonus. “We hit it at a great time,” Gordon Garrow said.

“It just looks like a really nice, neat little place.”

The art walk also was appreciated by locals who found their way downtown.

“I think it’s just wonderful,” Ellen Eich of Mount Airy said of the event that was providing the central business district an extra element of charm.

“It’s a good place for people to show their talents,” she said of the artists involved, “and it’s a good place to walk around and visit with people.”

Tom Joyce may be reached at 336-415-4693 or on Twitter @Me_Reporter.

Artist Gatlin Hiatt, whose specialties include acrylic and watercolor painting and drawing, displays some of her creations along North Main Street during Saturday’s annual art walk.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Artwalking-1.jpgArtist Gatlin Hiatt, whose specialties include acrylic and watercolor painting and drawing, displays some of her creations along North Main Street during Saturday’s annual art walk.Tom Joyce | The News

Christina Rizada works on her rendering of a chihuahua from a table on a downtown sidewalk.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Artwalking-2.jpgChristina Rizada works on her rendering of a chihuahua from a table on a downtown sidewalk.Tom Joyce | The News

Dobson artist Anthony Bradley Shumate is a study in concentration inside the Prudence McCabe Confections business.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Artwalking-3.jpgDobson artist Anthony Bradley Shumate is a study in concentration inside the Prudence McCabe Confections business.Tom Joyce | The News

Passersby stroll alongside sidewalk artwork.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Artwalking-4.jpgPassersby stroll alongside sidewalk artwork.Tom Joyce | The News

Joseph Brunjes of Walnut Cove displays a tintype, an archaic form of photography he says is making a comeback because of its unique "family heirloom" look and lasting qualities.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Artwalking-5.jpgJoseph Brunjes of Walnut Cove displays a tintype, an archaic form of photography he says is making a comeback because of its unique "family heirloom" look and lasting qualities.Tom Joyce | The News

DOBSON — Surry Community College had quite a draw to see a bunch of drawings this week.

SCC hosted Surry County Schools’ ninth-annual Superintendent’s Art Contest. Just a bit more than 200 people attended the art show and the awards presentation Thursday night.

Hundreds of students from all over the school district submitted artworks, and the art teachers narrowed down the show to 372 pieces in 16 categories inside the N.C. Center for Viticulture and Enology.

The pieces were on display for two hours before the congregation moved across the parking lot to the auditorium in the administrative building.

The seats were filled, and parents lined up in the aisles to hear Dr. Travis Reeves, superintendent, and Jeff Tunstall, assistant superintendent, honor the top three finishers in the 16 categories.

The school district brought in judges from outside the area for unbiased opinions, noted Reeves. The judging was hard, and a few spots had ties as the judges couldn’t choose between so many great pieces.

At the high school level, three girls from North Surry took home a combined eight medallions — given out for finishing in the top three in a category.

Laura Vega earned a blue ribbon for first place in painting and two second-place finishes in 3-D art and drawing.

Jossy Bueno won a first place in digital media/photography, second place in painting and third place in 3-D art.

Sunie Shore took first place in mixed media and third place in drawing.

Surry Central’s Mallory Spagnoletti also earned multiple medallions. She finished second in mixed media and third in painting.

At the middle school level, Hallee Stanley, Meadowview, placed in two categories. She tied for second in painting, then tied for third place in 3-D art with partner Diana Garcia, a fellow eighth-grader at Meadowview.

Once all the category winners were revealed, Reeves said there was one prize left to award, and it was a place in the SCS office building, just outside his personal office.

Reeves asked first-grader Maddison Danley if he could borrow her 2-D artwork “Beautiful Flower” for the next year to display as his Superintendent’s Choice Award. Danley, from Rockford Elementary, shyly nodded her head.

For the full list of winners, see the online edition at www.mtairynews.com.

Grades K-1

2-D Art

1st place, “Beautiful Flower” by Maddison Danley, 1st grade, Rockford

2nd place, “The Moon and the Sun” by Ryan Starkey, 1st grade, Flat Rock

3rd place, tie, “City” by Daisy Tate, 1st grade, Franklin

3rd place, tie, “The Giraffes” by Talon Dearborn, 1st grade, Franklin

3-D Art

1st place, “The Bluebird” by Hector Ojeda, 1st grade, Copeland

2nd place, “Rainbow Fish” by Esmeralda Barrientos, 1st grade, Dobson

3rd place, “Baby Sea Turtle” by Ashlyn Kottwitz, 1st grade, Pilot

Grades 2-3

2-D Art

1st place, “Arpilleras” by Joslyn Wiles, 2nd grade, Rockford

2nd place, tie, “Flowers Gathered” by Sadie Moore, 3rd grade, White Plains

2nd place, tie, “Tracks in the Snow” by Mercedez Carreon, 3rd grade, Westfield

3rd place, “Monocle Man” by Jacob Jenkins, 3rd grade, Franklin

3-D Art

1st place, “Sweet Treat” by EmmaGrey Dorsett, 2nd grade, Dobson

2nd place, “Fox Mama and Her Baby” by Jessica Bowman, 3rd grade, Shoals

3rd place, “Outerspace” by Diego Torres, 3rd grade, Dobson

Grades 4-5

2-D Art

1st place, “Quiet Road” by Jada Freeman, 5th grade, Copeland

2nd place, “Sadness” by Jackie Trejo, 4th grade, Rockford

3rd place, tie, “My Little Landscape” by Domenico Coppola, 5th grade, Pilot

3rd place, tie, “Snowman Huddle” by Olivia Johnson, 4th grade, Rockford

3-D Art

1st place, “Swirly Bowl” by Juan Caro, 5th grade, Pilot

2nd place, “Hootie” by Joshua Marion, 5th grade, Dobson

3rd place, “Pillow Pal” by Abigail Hernandez, 5th grade, Dobson

Digital Media/Photography

1st place, “Remodeling Remnants” by Azya Norman, 4th grade, Westfield

2nd place, “Lazy Day” by Karla Pedraza and Kaesi Blythe, 5th grade, Dobson

3rd place, “The Future of the World” by Harley Marsh, 4th grade, Westfield

Grades 6-8

Drawing

1st place, “Lost Cabin” by Trent Shumate, 8th grade, Central

2nd place, “Brendan Urie” by Lauren Barker, 8th grade, Pilot Middle

3rd place, “Lone Wolf” by Alan Sonato, 6th grade, Central

Painting

1st place, “Sea Turtle” by Brendan Pack, 7th grade, Central

2nd place, tie, “Checkmate” by Magaly Sanchez, 8th grade, Gentry

2nd place, tie, “Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino” by Hallee Stanley, 8th grade, Meadowview

3rd place, “The Great Blue Heron” by Lanee Kyle, 6th grade, Gentry

3-D Art

1st place, “Fierce Dragon” by Javier Salazar, 7th grade, Central

2nd place, tie, “Elephant Pride” by Leann Brannock, 8th grade, Central

2nd place, tie, “The Royal Feathered Peacock” by Emily Cazarez, 8th grade, Central

3rd place, tie, “Chili Rojo Man” by Sam Whitaker, 7th grade, Central

3rd place, tie, “Lilly and Pad Double Snack Bowls” by Diana Garcia and Hallee Stanley, 8th grade, Meadowview

Digital Media/Photography

1st place, “A Little Bit of Lavendar” by Allison King 8th grade, Central

2nd place, “Flower of Life” by Ulises Guillen, 7th grade, Meadowview

3rd place, tie, “Just Me” by Natalie Payne, 6th grade, Gentry

3rd place, tie, “Backyard Pond” by Cameron Jones, 8th grade, Pilot Mountain

Grades 9-12

Drawing

1st place, “Gertrude” by Bridgette Slate, 12th grade, North Surry

2nd place, tie, “Generations” by Jackie Hernandez, 11th grade, North Surry

2nd place, tie, “Buho” by Laura Vega, 12th grade, North Surry

3rd place, “Restored” by Sunie Shore, 10th grade, North Surry

Painting

1st place, “Papillon” by Laura Vega, 12th grade, North Surry

2nd place, tie, “Frame of Mind” by Jossy Bueno, 12th grade, North Surry

2nd place, tie, “Cherry Composition” by Belle Brindle, 12th grade, Surry Central

3rd place, “J.F.K.” by Mallory Spagnoletti, 11th grade, Surry Central

Mixed Media

1st place, “Ripped” by Sunie Shore, 10th grade, North Surry

2nd place, “Lady Manhattan” by Mallory Spagnoletti, 11th grade, Surry Central

3rd place, “Bird on a Branch” by Brandon Horton, 12th grade, Surry Central

3-D Art

1st place, “Guardian” by Levi Roundy, 11th grade, North Surry

2nd place, “Prosperity Through Patience” by Laura Vega, 12th grade, North Surry

3rd place, “Octavious” by Jossy Bueno, 10th grade, North Surry

Digital Media/Photography

1st place, “Defining Gravity” by Jossy Bueno, 10th grade, North Surry

2nd place, “Beauty Discovered” by Tristin Russell, 10th grade, East Surry

3rd place, tie, “Decayed Train Tracks” by Chandler Queen, 10th grade, East Surry

3rd place, tie, “Carnival” by Laken Robertson, 12th grade, East Surry

Superintendent’s Choice Award

“Beautiful Flower” by Maddison Danley, 1st grade, Rockford

Dr. Travis Reeves, left, picks “Beautiful Flower” by Maddison Danley (right), first grade, Rockford Elementary, as his Superintendent’s Choice Award winner.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Arts-WOW-Groups-2016-26.jpgDr. Travis Reeves, left, picks “Beautiful Flower” by Maddison Danley (right), first grade, Rockford Elementary, as his Superintendent’s Choice Award winner. David Brown | Surry County Schools

Brenden Pack, a seventh-grader at Central Middle, takes first place in the middle-school painting category with “Sea Turtle.”

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Sea-Turtle.jpgBrenden Pack, a seventh-grader at Central Middle, takes first place in the middle-school painting category with “Sea Turtle.” Jeff Linville | The News

Belle Brindle, left, and Mallory Spagnoletti, right, pose with their Surry Central art teacher Stephanie Miller after Thursday’s Superintendent Art Contest. Brindle had a second-place finish, while Spagnoletti had a second and a third.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_0JAL2852_filtered.jpgBelle Brindle, left, and Mallory Spagnoletti, right, pose with their Surry Central art teacher Stephanie Miller after Thursday’s Superintendent Art Contest. Brindle had a second-place finish, while Spagnoletti had a second and a third. Jeff Linville | The News

Front row from left, Laura Vega, Sunie Shore and Bridgette Slate are honored for their entries in the high school drawing category. Handing out awards are, back row, school board members Early Coe, Clark Goings, Terri Mosley and Superintendent Travis Reeves.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Arts-WOW-Groups-2016-12.jpgFront row from left, Laura Vega, Sunie Shore and Bridgette Slate are honored for their entries in the high school drawing category. Handing out awards are, back row, school board members Early Coe, Clark Goings, Terri Mosley and Superintendent Travis Reeves. David Brown | Surry County Schools

Allison King, eighth-grader at Central Middle, shakes hands with school board chairman Early Coe as she is awarded first place in the digital media/photography category.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_0JAL2845_filtered.jpgAllison King, eighth-grader at Central Middle, shakes hands with school board chairman Early Coe as she is awarded first place in the digital media/photography category. Jeff Linville | The News

Brendan Pack, a seventh-grader from Central Middle, shakes hands with school board members as he is awarded first place in the painting category for his “Sea Turtle.”

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_0JAL2843.jpgBrendan Pack, a seventh-grader from Central Middle, shakes hands with school board members as he is awarded first place in the painting category for his “Sea Turtle.” Jeff Linville | The News

Former President John F. Kennedy once said, “The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it.”

The families of American soldiers who have died in defense of freedom throughout the world know too well the harsh reality behind Kennedy’s famous words. And in nations such as the Netherlands, there are residents who continue to honor the men and women in the U.S. military who gave the ultimate sacrifice more than seven decades ago for this cause.

Ever since the people of the Netherlands were freed from Nazi Germany occupation on May 5, 1945, by Allied Forces, the Dutch have been paying their respects to the American soldiers who died in nearby battles during World War II by adopting their grave or name on the Tablets of the Missing at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial.

Located in the Dutch city of Margraten, the permanent American military cemetery is overseen by the American Battle Monuments Commission, an agency of the executive branch of the United States government. The cemetery contains 8,301 graves and a Tablets of the Missing memorial, which contains the names of 1,722 American soldiers missing in action.

Dutchman Sebastiaan Vonk is one of the thousands of residents of the Netherlands who adopts one or more of the 10,023 graves and/or names located in the cemetery. He adopted his first grave at the age of 13.

“Ever since the end of WWII, people have adopted the graves of these men and women out of a deeply heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifices that they made for our freedom,” Vonk said. “They truly are our liberators and heroes.”

Vonk added the “Adopt-A-Grave” program, which was founded in 1945 by Dutch citizens, has a waiting list of 300 Dutch wishing to adopt a grave or name in the Margraten cemetery.

“As part of adopting the grave, many visit the graves regularly to bring flowers,” he said. “Moreover, many have conducted research on the soldier whose grave they have adopted, hoping to learn more about them. It was, and it is, not uncommon that adopters correspond with the soldiers’ families. In fact, transatlantic friendships between families that began just after the war continue to exist today in some cases.”

Unfortunately, many adopters have been unable to locate the one thing in particular they’ve sought out to find – a photograph of the American soldier who died so the Netherlands could be liberated.

Vonk has been helping his fellow Dutchmen put a face to the name of the soldier they’ve adopted through the Fields of Honor – Database, a website he developed in 2007 at the age of 14 to collect and display information and photographs of the nearly 24,000 American soldiers buried in Margraten and two other American military cemeteries in Belgium (Ardennes and Henri-Chapelle).

The Faces of Margraten tribute born

To mark the 70th anniversary of the Netherlands’ liberation from Nazi Germany occupation, a Dutch nonprofit known as the Foundation United Adopters American War Graves, which Vonk serves as chairman of and helped found in 2011, put together the first annual The Faces of Margraten event in May 2015.

Leading up to the tribute, which was attended by 25,000 people, the foundation called on volunteers to help find photographs of the soldiers buried or memorialized in Margraten that had yet to be found and posted to the Fields of Honor – Database.

With the help of countless volunteers, the foundation was able to locate photographs for 3,300 of the more than 10,000 soldiers. From May 2-5 of 2015, these photographs were placed beside the graves and in front of the Tablets of the Missing at the cemetery.

“For the first time in 70 years, our liberators were literally given a face, and not just on the Internet,” Vonk said. “The 3,300 photos were testimony to many individual lives that were lost during the war.”

With the second annual The Faces of Margraten tribute scheduled to take place May 1-5, the race is on to find additional photographs to put even more faces to the names.

“We expect to have 4,000 photos on display this year,” Vonk said. “Soldiers’ families continue to contact us with additional photos, and we have been able to successfully reach out to other families through the U.S. media.

“It is just very important for us that we get the word out about this project, and I would like to call on everyone to help spread the word. We have 4,000 faces now, but sadly, 6,000 are still missing,” he added.

Wanted: Photographs of local heroes

Before the second annual The Faces of Margraten event takes place next month in the Netherlands, an Indianapolis woman is hoping her efforts will lead to the discovery of photographs for some of the 6,000 U.S. soldiers buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial who have yet to have their photograph featured in the tribute to those who died while serving in World War II.

After reading about efforts to put faces to the names of the 10,023 American soldiers buried or memorialized in the cemetery in Margraten, retiree Teresa Hirsch, who sais she has always been interested in the events of World War II, decided in March 2015 to volunteer her services to the Foundation United Adopters American War Graves – the Dutch nonprofit group behind The Faces of Margraten tribute.

Over the past year, Hirsch’s efforts have paid off as she has been able to find photographs for nearly 150 American soldiers buried or memorialized in Margraten. She even had the opportunity to attend last year’s The Faces of Margraten event where she got to see first-hand what her work means to the Dutch citizens who have adopted graves and/or names of the missing.

“I’ll never forget the guy who yelled out to his friend, ‘They have a picture of my soldier,’” Hirsch recalled. “I spoke to him and he said he’s been adopting the liberator for 15 years but never knew what he looked like. I realized that someone had sent in the photo, and this is what it looks like when they are found. That’s irresistible to me.”

Hirsch added she plans to travel to the Netherlands again this year, but before she leaves, she has some work left to do here in the States as she calls upon readers of Civitas Media-owned newspapers throughout North Carolina and other states to help her locate photographs of the following soldiers buried in Margraten (biographical information gathered by the Foundation United Adopters American War Graves, the Dutch nonprofit organization behind the Faces of Margraten tribute):

Families of American soldiers buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten can submit photos for use in the May tribute by visiting www.thefacesofmargraten.com. For families unsure if their loved one is buried in Margraten, they can search cemetery records by visiting www.fieldsofhonor-database.com. The website also contains information for American soldiers buried in Belgium at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery as well as at Ardennes American Cemetery.

Hirsch added enough can’t be said about the gratitude the Dutch have for their liberators, and the emotional ties they have to those soldiers who gave their lives so the people of the Netherlands could be free of Nazi Germany occupation.

“The few (grave adopters) I have spoken with their feedback has been simply wanting to make sure the U.S. family knows someone is visiting their loved one and bringing them good thoughts and flowers locally,” she said. “It has to be one of the biggest act of kindness out there.”

Pictured is an overhead look at the inaugural The Faces of Margraten tribute held in May 2015 at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial located in Margraten, Netherlands.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Margraten-1.jpgPictured is an overhead look at the inaugural The Faces of Margraten tribute held in May 2015 at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial located in Margraten, Netherlands. The Faces of Margraten | Sebastiaan Vonk

Pictured looking at names on the Tablets of the Missing are some of the estimated 25,000 people who visited the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Netherlands, in May 2015 for the inaugural The Faces of Margraten tribute.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Margraten-2.jpgPictured looking at names on the Tablets of the Missing are some of the estimated 25,000 people who visited the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Netherlands, in May 2015 for the inaugural The Faces of Margraten tribute. The Faces of Margraten | Ed Tiebax

Pictured walking around the graves of U.S. soldiers buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Netherlands, are some of the estimated 25,000 people who visited the cemetery in May 2015 for the inaugural The Faces of Margraten tribute.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Margraten-3.jpgPictured walking around the graves of U.S. soldiers buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Netherlands, are some of the estimated 25,000 people who visited the cemetery in May 2015 for the inaugural The Faces of Margraten tribute. The Faces of Margraten | Sebastiaan Vonk

DOBSON — The Alpha Xi Tau Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Surry Community College will be holding a talent show – called “Surry’s Got Talent” – on Thursday at 7 p.m.

The general public is welcomed to attend the event at SCC in Building A, Room 121, as Surry students show off a multitude of talents in competition for first, second and third place prizes.

Acts will include Susanna Minter of Mount Airy performing a traditional Irish dance, Geoffrey Walker of Elkin playing an original composition on the piano, Bailey Strickland of Mount Airy doing an ’80s-themed dance routine, and Anna Hendrix of Elkin singing while playing guitar.

The event entry will be $5 per person or $12 per family or group. Light refreshments will be available for purchase.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, has 1,285 chapters on college campuses in all 50 states as well as in Canada, Germany, Peru, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions.

For more information about Phi Theta Kappa, contact PTK’s Faculty Advisor Kennette Thomas at (336) 386-3283 or thomask@surry.edu or go to www.ptk.org. You can also follow the local organization on www.facebook.com/surryPhiThetaKappa.

After a winter hiatus, the Hot Nights and Hot Cars cruise-in series is scheduled to return to downtown Pilot Mountain on April 30.

While traditionally held on the first Saturday of each month from May through October, organizers decided on the late April cruise-in as a way of avoiding a conflict with the annual Mayfest street festival.

“This is going to be the 35th Mayfest,” noted Jerry Venable, chairman of Mount Pilot Now organization which sponsors the Hot Nights and Hot Cars summer cruise-in series. “We recognize this is important to Pilot Mountain and we moved our first date to accommodate Mayfest. In June, after this first one, we’ll go back to having a cruise-in on the first Saturday of every month.”

According to Venable, this year’s cruise-ins will be adding some new features while making a point to retain the attractions that have regularly drawn large crowds from across the state and beyond.

Among the additions will be the involvement of Classic Muscle of Winston-Salem, joining Jeff’s Paint and Body as title sponsors. The nationally-recognized company, offering classic Chevy muscle car, truck and GM performance parts, will provide a display for two as yet unscheduled shows during the summer.

Organizers are also working to schedule a showing of a group of un-restored classic muscle cars from the 1960s era.

“Some of these are extremely rare,” Venable noted. “These are truly classic high performance muscle cars and we think it’s going to be really cool to bring them to Pilot Mountain.”

Another recent addition that will be making a return will be “Race Car Friday Night,” scheduled for Sept. 30. The evening will feature an assortment of race cars of all types parked along Main Street, many accompanied by owners and drivers.

Mock Beroth Tire, a longtime cruise-in participant, is also planning a return with either a “Bigfoot” Monster Truck or an Indy-car simulator.

“We’re adding some new things,” Venable said, “and we want to continue to bring in different things and keep getting better. But we also want to make a point of keeping all the things that people really enjoy.”

Other returning features will include a display each month of one of the Richard Petty Museum’s historic Petty racing cars sometimes accompanied by a traveling display of memorabilia.

Also featured at each event will be the Advance Automotive classic car of the month. Other activities will include a 50/50 drawing, with ticket-holders also entered into a drawing for a diamond ring provided by Gilley’s Jewelers.

This year’s events will again feature a diverse array of award-winning beach music bands. Scheduled bands in order of appearance are the Black Water Rhythm and Blues Band, Steve Owens and Summertime, the Fantastic Shakers, Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot, The Entertainers and North Tower. Scheduled start time for all concerts is 5:30 p.m.

Groups will again be featured on the Depot Street or “Gasoline Alley” stage, with its checkerboard dance floor open to all. Lawn chairs are encouraged for listening comfort.

For many, the day will continue to be all about the cars. Owners of antique, classic, street rod, pro street and muscle cars will again be invited to bring their vehicles downtown to either park or cruise. Special lots will be designated for classic vehicle parking.

Announced hours are 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. but downtown streets usually begin to fill by noon. Classic and spectator vehicle continue to make their way into town throughout the afternoon

A courtesy park and ride shuttle service will again be offered with periodic downtown stops from 3–10 p.m. Shuttle buses will be carrying attendees from the two Key Street PART park-and-ride lots to the downtown area and later returning them to their cars. The #1 lot is located on Golf Course Road, off Key Street, while the #2 lot is on Key Street, beside Surrey Bank & Trust.

“We’ve already been getting a lot of calls about this season,” Venable noted. “We had some bad weather last year and it seems like folks are really excited about the chance to come back to Pilot Mountain. We’re expecting a lot of people to be coming into town.”

The streets will soon be lined with classic cars and hot rods in Pilot Mountain, when the annual Hot Nights and Hot Cars cruise-in series returns on April 30.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC03383.jpgThe streets will soon be lined with classic cars and hot rods in Pilot Mountain, when the annual Hot Nights and Hot Cars cruise-in series returns on April 30.