Late in the afternoon of Dec. 17, a passing storm caused a power outage at and around the Oakboro home of Curtis and Anita Barbee.

“With the power out, we didn’t have heat or water,” said Curtis, “so we turned on our gas logs to get some heat.”
Curtis’ 92-year-old mother, Virginia, was in the same predicament at her nearby house, so Curtis soon had her to join him and Anita at their home to stay warm.

As the power outage stretched into the late hours of the evening, the three decided to turn in for the night, Curtis and Anita in their bedroom, and Virginia on a sofa in the living room.
Curtis, who said the couple’s house was built in 1979, had installed a CPI security system in 2013. In 2018, he upgraded the system to include fire and carbon monoxide monitoring in addition to break-in protection.

On that Sunday evening, his decision to do so most likely saved his life, as well as that of his wife and mother.

At some point during the evening, the Barbees’ gas fireplace logs, a common accessory in many homes, malfunctioned, leaking deadly carbon monoxide (CO) fumes into the house.

“The colorless and odorless fumes triggered the CO detector in the home security system,” said CPI Media Relations Manager Kristi O’Connor, “and CPI Security Central Station Operator Kaysen Malcolm received the alarm. Malcolm dispatched the West Stanly Fire Department to the home.”

The responses to the alarm, both by Malcolm and by the West Stanly Fire Department, were keys to keeping the Barbee family safe.

“Usually, a CO detector will reset if it is a false reading,” Malcolm said, “but this one wouldn’t reset, so I reached out to the home.”
But, with no power, the home land line phone wasn’t working either, so Malcolm called Curtis on his cellphone.

“For some reason, the (cell)phone didn’t go off, and the voicemail didn’t work,” Curtis said, “but then the CO detector started sounding, and after that our daughter, who was our backup contact, called us and told us she had been called by CPI.”

Meanwhile, Malcolm had dispatched WSFD to the home, where firefighters Josh Cook, Christopher Hinson and Matthew Rayburn arrived to find the three Barbees safely outside.

“We checked the CO level in the house, and it was very high,” said Rayburn, who added that the firefighting team isolated the source, cut off the gas to the logs, then opened the structure’s windows and ventilated it.

“We had a zero reading before we left,” he added.

The Barbees were introduced to Malcolm and to WSFD Deputy Chief Jason Almond, and reunited with the three responding firefighters at a press conference at the West Stanly Fire Department on Dec. 28, during which CPI presented a $1,000 check to the department

“We are very thankful to everyone for all they did,” said Anita.

“We are definitely blessed,” added Curtis.

Almond delivered a message on behalf of WSFD on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

“This winter, the West Stanly Fire Department wants to remind you of the dangers of carbon monoxide, which is the No. 1 cause of poisoning deaths in the United States, killing more than 3,800 individuals annually,” he said. “CO cannot be seen, tasted or smelled, and can kill you before you know it’s there.”

“Common causes of CO poisoning are malfunctioning appliances and furnaces, stoves, ovens, water heaters, grills and motor vehicles,” he continued. “Symptoms of CO poisoning include flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, confusion and breathing difficulties.”

Almond also noted that best practices to protect against such poisoning include having appliances which could emit CO checked annually, as well as installing detection devices.

“You should have a UL approved, battery operated CO detector on each level of your home,” he said. “Batteries should be checked monthly, and replaced each time the clocks are changed (for daylight saving time), and, if the detector goes off, move outside and call 911 immediately.”

When asked his thoughts on having added the CO and fire detection upgrade to his security system, Curtis remarked, “It’s better than a lot of other things I’ve bought…it worked.”

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During Monday’s meeting of Albemarle City Council, the board received an update on the status of leaf collection delays by the city’s contractor (Waste Management, Inc.), which have generated numerous customer complaints.

“There have been issues with Waste Management for quite a while,” said City Manager Michael Ferris, “and our Public Works staff has been trying to communicate with them.”

Public Works Director Ross Holshouser reported that as of Dec. 18, the contractor is well behind schedule.

“Waste Management is four days off from being a full cycle behind,” said Holshouser. “They are currently operating two trucks, and according to an email I received today a third truck should be up and running by mid-week if parts come in. Then their goal is to keep three trucks running until they catch up.”

“The last time Waste Management was here, they told us they would take care of notifying (city customers) where they stood,” said Mayor Ronnie Michael, “but I haven’t seen anything come out.”

Holshouser replied that his department, as well as Public Information Officer David Fath, “have emails going back to July where we built a database of customers and sent it to Waste Management, who were supposed to implement some type of notification service, but I haven’t seen anything either.”

“We did reach out to Waste Management and asked them to try to notify residents about the delays in leaf collection,” Holshouser continued. “The response that I got stated that the way their notification system is set up is based on trash collection routes…but, as you know, our leaf collection routes do not align with the regular recurring trash collection schedule.”

“Why couldn’t they just notify everybody?” asked Councilman Chris Whitley.

“That was the email I sent them today,” said Holshouser, “(I asked them) to please notify everybody, because everybody is affected. Her (Marilyn Wells, WM regional manager) response was that she was going to try to get back with her higher-ups and she would let me know.”

“Did they start out behind this year?” Whitley asked.

“They were behind after the first cycle,” Holshouser replied. “We’ve been receiving phone calls since the end of October.”

“I know Council sort of told staff not to do any notifications when she (Wells) was here; to leave that all with Waste Management,” stated Michael, “but either she’s not doing, or they’re not doing what they said they would do.”

In response to a request for suggestions as to how to move forward, Fath recommended that a deadline be set for Waste Management to notify all customers.

“My answer in the short run would be, based on the communication Ross had today about an ‘all customer notification,’ I’d like to give them 24 hours to do that for us. We’ve posted notifications on our website, but I’d like to see (Waste Management) come through. We’ve told them we understand their reasoning for not being able to do individual notifications, but we’d like to give them time to give a full customer notification to everybody affected.”

“They should, and they’ve got to understand that we (Council) can’t go anywhere that we don’t hear about this,” said Michael. “So, they need to be following up on their job.”

“We don’t have a whole lot to hold over their head, since this is the final year they will be doing leaf collection for us,” he added, “but they are getting paid to do it, so let’s do our best to get them to do their job.”

Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.

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Six members of the West Stanly High School cheerleading squad participated in the 82nd Annual Pearl Harbor Day Memorial Parade held in Honolulu on Dec. 7.

Cheerleaders Ariah Austin, Ali Broadway, Kaelynn Guyette, Lexi Rushing, Sarah Shue, and Audrey Torelli made the trip, having earned “All American” cheer status at the UCA (Universal Cheerleaders Association) camp during the summer.

“Cheerleaders from all over the United States who earned All-American level participated,” said Erika Burr, Austin’s mother, who assisted in coordinating the trip.

“Eleven cheerleaders from West Stanly made All-American and six of them were able to go to Hawaii. The girls had to try out and were selected by the camp instructors,” she said.

Austin recounted snorkeling (her first time doing so) as particularly memorable, and said she is “thankful to have had this wonderful opportunity.”

“(Seeing) Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona was a great experience,” she said. “We were able to learn about our history as well as recognize and honor all that were involved.”

Rushing also felt the connection to the nation’s past that the event memorialized.

“My favorite experience was being able to see Pearl Harbor, and learning about the history behind it,” she said, adding, “I also enjoyed going to a luau and experiencing Hawaiian culture.”

Shue described the experience as “a dream come true.”

“Hawaii is such a beautiful place, and being able to enjoy and tour the island was very special to me,” she said. “Overall, it was great fun, and we had many different places to explore.”

Practice with such a large band of cheerleaders was also a unique experience, according to Shue.

“Practice was different than any regular practice, but it was fun and very successful,” said Shue. “There were so many cheerleaders from all over the U.S. that we got to meet and get close with.”

“It was an absolute honor and privilege to cheer in the parade,” added Torelli, stating that “the experience and friendships are something I will remember for a lifetime.”

Like Torelli, Guyette also counted the parade as the high point of the experience.

“My best memory was the parade,” she said. “It was incredible to see the community come together and watch it, to meet so many people from different places and to make new friends.”

In addition to Burr, Kelly Reed (Austin’s grandmother) and Michelle Shue (Sarah Shue’s mother) accompanied the squad on the trip, and both expressed their appreciation of the girls’ achievements, and to their coaches for making the trip possible.

“I am beyond proud of these girls and their accomplishment of making All-American Cheer,” Reed said, with Shue adding: “Thank you to our WSHS coaches for giving our girls the opportunity to try out and have the opportunity to experience this.”

Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.

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Canton Baptist Church performed a re-enactment of Christ’s birth on Dec. 9 at the church in the Endy community.

“This is the first year we have done a live nativity,” said Pastor Curtis Williams, who noted that “around 30” church members had volunteered in various roles to make the event possible.

Three shuttles ferried visitors hayride-style from the church to the manger scene, approximately one-fourth mile away.

“In the past, we didn’t have a place to do a live nativity,” said Williams, “but the church was gifted 17 acres, and the land has a barn and shed on it. So, with that, we now have a place to do this.”

The nativity scene was staffed by Canton youth Chris Lisenby (Joseph), Maleigh Barkay (Mary), Diesel Burleson and Curtis Williams (Shepherds) and Olivia Huneycutt and Morgan Lisenby (Angels), with donkeys also present (and braying) at the stable.

“We had planned to have sheep and goats also,” said Williams, who noted that some last-minute unforeseen circumstances kept them away.

Although temperatures were unseasonably warm, occasional drizzles did not seem to keep people away.

“It’s hard to tell how many to expect,” Williams said, adding that the event had been heavily publicized on radio, print and social media.

“The church office has had quite a few calls, too,” he added.

The event is Canton’s way of reminding the community of the “why” in celebrating Christmas, according to the pastor.

“We really want to give the people of the community the true meaning of Christmas,” he said. “Gifts and get-togethers are fine, but we want to keep the real reason for the season up front.”

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The “Hunger Monster” is real, and can be found in Stanly County.

At Stanly Community Christian Ministry’s annual assembly, conducted Dec. 19 at the E.E. Waddell Community Center, SCCM development director Ashlyn Barbee illustrated this point using the children’s book “Lulu and the Hunger Monster” by Eric Talkin.

The book’s story is told from the perspective of the central character (Lulu), who relates an account of her family’s battle with the “Hunger Monster;” i.e., the experience of not having access to sufficient food to meet basic needs, also known as “food insecurity.”

“I read this book to a children’s preschool class recently, and it brought tears to my eyes,” said Barbee, who related that 19% of Stanly County families live with food insecurity.

“In the end, the story illustrates that it’s okay to ask for help,” said Barbee.

According to statistics presented during the meeting by Executive Director Heather Kilde, SCCM is a valuable resource in helping local citizens who are dealing with food insecurity.

“Since Jan. 1, at our Assistance Center, we have helped provide food and toiletries to 2,494 households,” she said. “In addition, our mobile pantry has served another 1,533 households, and food pantry operations in East Albemarle (194) and in Norwood (437) account for another 631.

“SCCM has also provided financial assistance with utility bills (387 households), bulk fuel (11), rent/mortgage payments (164) and medicine (37) during the same time period,” added Kilde. “In addition, Community Table operations in Albemarle and Norwood provide daily meals to those in need, with each site distributing over 100 meals per day.”

While contributions from churches, individuals, businesses and civic groups help fund SCCM’s activities, a large portion of the organization’s income is generated by its Clothing Closet operation, headquartered at 1324 E. Main St. in Albemarle.

“If not for the Clothing Closet, we would be operating at a huge deficit,” said Kilde.

While gently-used clothing items have always been accepted at the Clothing Closet, Kilde noted that a new clothing recycling program makes it possible for less-than-pristine items to be collected, reprocessed and re-sold, with proceeds coming back to SCCM.

“Even if you think it’s unwearable, donate it,” she said, adding that “all donations, whether monetary or clothing, stay local.”

According to information provided by SCCM, total contributions translate to a total services value of $1.14 million. This includes Community Table meals ($144,000), Assistance Center food distribution ($717,000), Food Pantry distributions in Norwood and East Albemarle ($48,000), Clothing Closet distributions ($77,000) and Volunteer Hours ($152,000).

In SCCM business, officers for the 2024 year were approved, including president Ron Loflin, vice president Demetria Bennett, secretary Doug Hume and treasurer Paul Hinkle. The organization’s Board of Directors includes (in addition to the officers), Georgette Edgerton and Derrick Adcock (terms expire 2024), David Cochran and Carol Moseley (terms expire 2025), and Bradley Eudy, Britt Burch and Julie Busch (terms expire 2026).

Volunteers are needed at both the Albemarle and Norwood sites, said Kilde, who encouraged anyone interested in volunteering to contact Devonna Morgan at the SCCM headquarters (704-982-7915).

“This is the community’s ministry,” said Kilde. “Our purpose is to help each other.”

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North Stanly students in the English classes of Dina Story experienced a living history lesson at the Stanly County Senior Center as a panel of six veterans recounted their wartime experiences in Vietnam.

Students in attendance are in the process of reading “The Things They Carried,” a collection of linked short stories by American novelist Tim O’Brien. The book gives the account of a platoon of American soldiers fighting on the ground in the Vietnam War, and is based upon O’Brien’s experiences as a soldier in the 23rd Infantry Division.

“Reading the book is important, but the accounts of those who actually experienced Vietnam need to be heard so that their stories will continue to be told after they are gone,” Story said. “This is a great opportunity for building community between our young people and our veterans, and it’s important that our young people hear these ‘real world’ experiences from those who have lived them.”

The panel consisted of Army veterans Roger Eudy, Duane Rowland, Roger Speight, Bill Peak and Bobby Baldwin, and Air Force veteran Rick Chalue. Each veteran gave recollections of their time in Vietnam, their responsibilities, how they gravitated toward military service and their ages at induction.

Eudy, who was 20 when he entered service, recounted that he was first stationed in Key West, Florida in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis (“That’s a whole ‘nother story,” he told the students), but after a year had passed, he and fellow soldiers stationed there had become bored and volunteered to go to Vietnam, where the conflict was in its early stages at that time.

“It’s not something I like to talk about,” he said in reference to his time there, adding that as a 20-year old teamed with younger soldiers, he was expected to lead, despite feeling unprepared for that role.

“That parallels the plot of the book,” interjected Story.

Rowland entered military service “straight out of high school” and found himself in combat a year later.

“I got a great education real fast,” he recalled.

Rowland noted that many young men of draft age took extreme measures to avoid serving.

“There were people moving out of the country to avoid (the draft),” said Rowland, who served as a driver delivering munitions to various destinations, which he described as “nerve wracking” work.

Speight recalled that prior to his being drafted at age 20, employment was tough to find, as many businesses avoided hiring men eligible for the draft since they could be pulled into duty at any time after being hired.

“So, I volunteered for the draft and ended up at Fort Bragg,” he said, before landing in Vietnam during the Tet offensive in 1968.

“We got shelled six of the first seven nights we were there,” Speight said, adding that he spent his 21st birthday in the Southeast Asian country.

Drafted at age 18, Peak was inducted into the Army on his 19th birthday, and following basic training he was ordered to Germany.

“But I got pneumonia,” he said, “and when I recovered I was reassigned to Vietnam.”

As a member of the 101st Airborne, Peak was issued a radio and assigned to a Pathfinder unit, which established landing zones for air assaults and helicopter operations, determined the most practical landing zones, withdrawal routes and approach lanes in hostile areas.

“I was the person who had to make the call for air support when we needed it,” said Peak. “I’m fortunate to have made it back home.”

Baldwin recalled Vietnam as being a confusing and somewhat asinine situation for American troops.

“Vietnam was not (considered) a war,” he said. “We couldn’t shoot unless we were shot at first, or otherwise had got special permission.”

To make matters worse, the enemy was difficult to identify.

“We couldn’t tell the South Vietnamese from the North Vietnamese,” Baldwin said. “They all looked alike to us.”
Chalue recollected a harrowing experience aboard a C-130 transport plane hit by enemy fire.

“There were 250 soldiers on board, and we all had to strap on parachutes and jump,” he said, and although he landed uninjured in a rice paddy, it was far from a pleasant place to land.

“The rice paddies are fertilized with human and cattle excrement,” Chalue recalled. “I was alive, but I was covered head to toe in that muck.”

Chalue recalled that he heard someone yelling from a tree on higher ground in the middle of the paddy. It turned out to be a brigadier general who had also jumped, and whose parachute had snagged in the tree.

“He was badly injured, with bones sticking out of breaks in his leg and arm. I climbed the tree and managed to cut enough cords to get him down,” he said. “Then we heard machine gun fire in the distance.”

“You know what that is,” the injured general said. “They are killing the survivors who parachuted down.”

After firing a flare, which could have revealed their position (“it was our only choice” said Chalue), the duo were rescued by helicopter, at which point they learned a sobering fact.

“We were the only two survivors,” he learned.

Several common threads could be drawn from the panel members’ individual experiences. These included lingering aftereffects, both mental and physical, as well as their return to a country that for many years held them in contempt.

“I’m still jumpy when I hear a plane come over low and loud,” recalled Peak.

“When I got home, I was a nut case,” said Baldwin. “While we were over there, it was kill or be killed. Then, when we got home, we were expected to just go back to normal.”

Speight showed the students a program from a remembrance ceremony he attended in 2015.

“It was good for our service to finally be recognized,” he said, “but, the sad part is that only one mother and father were in attendance. People forget the sacrifices that the parents of the soldiers made.”

Baldwin has been told by doctors that physical ailments he currently deals with (diabetes, neuropathy) are the result of his exposure to Agent Orange, a defoliant used during the conflict.

“And it took 40 years for us to get benefits from the VA,” he said.

All panel members expressed disappointment at the lack of appreciation and occasional outright hostility they encountered upon returning home.

“I flew home in civilian clothes,” Eudy said. “People would have spit on me if I had worn my uniform.”

“We were blasted after coming home,” said Peak. “People referred to us as ‘baby killers.’ ”

Despite the miserable conditions, daily brushes with death and lack of appreciation, none of the panel members expressed regret at having served.

“Vietnam was fought to prevent the spread of communism,” said Eudy, “and I’m proud of what we did.”

“I hope this has been cathartic for (the panel members),” said Story. “They deserve to be honored.”

Story expressed appreciation to NSHS staff member Kathy Tillman, co-teacher Cheri Hopkins and Senior Center staff members Pam Sullivan and Alexa Sells with making the event a success, and her husband Chris and panel member Roger Speight with helping “recruit” other panel members.

Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.

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A nationwide convenience store chain will be coming to Locust in 2024, as Quik Trip, also known as QT, will locate at the southwest corner of West Main Street and South Central Avenue (the N.C. Highway 24-27/N.C. Highway 200 intersection).

Following a public hearing in which no opposition to the building proposal was registered, Locust City Council members voted 6-0 (with Councilwoman Mandy Watson absent) to grant the company’s request for a conditional rezoning.

“Quik Trip’s values are family-friendly,” said QT Real Estate Manager J.D. Dudley, who presented the company’s request to the council. “You won’t find risque magazines, rolling papers or anything like that on the shelves. Our employees are not allowed to have tattoos, and we don’t even allow them to have facial hair.”

Dudley noted that although the chain is best known for gasoline sales, in recent years it has moved more into food sales.

“Our brisket is better than Buc-ee’s,” he interjected, adding that made-to-order food is available as well as “Coffee Wow,” a coffee bar where customers can self-serve regular coffee, lattes and similar hot beverages. Foods available include traditional fast food as well as bakery goods.

The chain is a major supporter of United Way and Folds of Honor, and also participates in the national Safe Place program, a youth outreach and prevention program for young people under the age of 18 who are in need of immediate help and safety.

“All QTs are Safe Places,” said Dudley, adding that nationwide, the chain has provided assistance to more than 600 endangered youngsters since having joined the program.

“We are also supportive of local law enforcement,” added Dudley.

Councilman Harry Fletcher commended Dudley on the company’s decision to save as many trees as possible on the development site, saying, “It’s good to hear that you are preserving the oak trees located on that corner.”

“A buffer of green space was one of the things we added after bringing our original design to you all,” Dudley said, adding that the building’s front and back are identical in design, and will appear the same from both South Central Avenue and West Main Street.

“The building is designed with lots of glass and an elevated checkout area so that law enforcement can see inside easily,” he said.

Councilman Mike Haigler praised the design, describing it as “the culmination of several months of collaboration” between QT, the Locust Planning Board and city staff.

According to Dudley, QT will “move as quickly as we can to begin the process,” adding that initial steps will involve collecting soil cores and samples on the site, with closing on the property planned for April.

Editor’s Note: See an upcoming edition of The Stanly News & Press to learn how some community members want to save a historic house on this property.

Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.

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In addition to being named grand marshal of the Albemarle Christmas Parade, longtime Albemarle resident and community leader Alice Davis was honored by the Albemarle City Council at its Dec. 4 meeting with a proclamation of Saturday, Dec. 9 being designated as Alice “Nana” Davis Day in the city.

Alice Davis has been named grand marshal of the Albemarle Christmas Parade. (Contributed)

Prior to Mayor Ronnie Michael’s presentation of the proclamation, council members shared their memories and appreciation of the 95-year-old Davis.

“I just want to thank you for what you’ve done for the community,” said Councilman David Hunt, who said in the several years that he has known her she has been “a sweet lady to know and to talk with” as she served her community.

Councilman Benton Dry said, “Mrs. Alice, we’ve known each other a long time, and I have to say that you have been a guiding light not only for our city, but for every community in Stanly County…I don’t think there will ever be anyone who can hold a light to what you’ve meant and what you’ll continue to mean to each and every one of us.”

“I think I’ve known you for 40 years, going back to our Civitan Club days,” recalled Councilman Chris Whitley. “You were working hard then, and you’re still working hard now, and I just want to say how much I appreciate all the work you’ve done and all the lives you’ve touched in our community.”

Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Sue Hall recalled that “Ms. Alice” is well known not only to herself, but to her children as well.

“Every time you see me you ask about my children,” said Hall, who said, “they’ll be here this weekend and will be looking forward to seeing you on that float.

“You’ve been a leader not only in the South Albemarle community, but in the entire city and county,” Hall added, noting that Davis was instrumental in the formation of the area’s first female Civitan club in August 1980.

“Thank you so much for all you’ve done for Albemarle; we are all blessed by all you have done,” added Councilman Bill Aldridge. “We’ll never know the full impact you’ve had on all the people you have come in contact with.”

“Ms. Davis, your fingerprints are all over this city,” said Councilman Chris Bramlett, “and they will be here forever.”

Having known Davis for his entire life, Councilman Dexter Townsend said, “Ms. Alice, you’ve known me longer than I’ve known myself,” before describing her as a mentor to many in the community, and whose hours of service are immeasurable.

“You’ve been an advisor and a counselor, and you’re not just ‘Nana’ to your grandchildren, you’re the ‘community Nana’ as well,” he said. “You’ve done more for this community than I can ever thank you for.”

Townsend also noted Davis as a key person in the establishment of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast, as well as a talented publicist before the days of social media.

“We have Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram and things of that nature now, but Mrs. Alice had a telephone,” he recalled, “and she’s more dangerous with a telephone than any of us can be (with social media).”

Townsend closed by stating that Davis has one speed, “and that is wide open.”

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Every year since 1994, Stanly Commons has been the site of the annual Festival of Trees, sponsored by Tillery Compassionate Care (TCC), formerly known as Hospice of Stanly and the Uwharrie.

This year the tradition continues.

“We have a number of new things going on,” said Michaele Connors, one of the organization’s two bereavement counselors, shortly prior to the annual tree lighting celebration on Dec. 4.

“Our goal is to make the event one that is festive and celebratory,” said Connors, who added, “we want it to be an event for the whole community.”

Attendance at the tree lighting was indicative of success in TCC’s efforts to reach the community.

“The number of people here has definitely increased,” said Connors. “In addition, we have desserts which have been donated by our volunteers, cookies from Albemarle Sweet Shop that children and adults can decorate on their own, and we have two special guests from the North Pole who will be with us later tonight.”

Janna Spurr, also a bereavement counselor, noted that TCC understands that the holidays are an especially difficult time for those who have recently lost family or friends.

“Holidays are tough,” she said. “We are glad to be of service, and this event is one way we hope to help out those who are hurting.”

According to Spurr, the event has grown since 2022.

“We have 51 sponsored trees (compared to 45 last year), and we have nine angel trees (compared to six in 2022),” she said.

The “angel trees” are decorated solely with white hand-made angel ornaments, all created by the organization’s volunteers, and placed in memory of loved ones who have passed on.

“Our volunteers have made over 1,100 angels this year,” Spurr said.

Of the 51 trees sponsored by various individuals and organizations, Tracy and Scott Efird have been longtime sponsors, placing a tree annually for their late daughter Kerri, who passed of cystic fibrosis in 1997 at the age of 18.

“We have been sponsoring a tree for about 15 years now,” said Tracy.
“It’s a work of passion,” she added, while noting that coming up with a new theme for the tree each year is a challenge.

“This year, I was going through some old photos and found one of Kerri and her Snoopy stuffed animal,” Tracy said. “That solved the challenge right then.”

The tree is a “Charlie Brown Christmas” theme, with Snoopy and all the “Peanuts” characters represented.

“Everybody loves Snoopy, and every year we want the tree to be one that makes people happy,” said Efird.

Efird’s husband, County Commissioner and Locust Planning and Zoning Director Scott Efird, who is also a board member for Tillery Compassionate Care, contributes to decorating the tree as well, said Tracy.

“He’s a good box opener,” she joked, adding that putting the tree together each year is a team effort for the two.

Tracy offered high praise for TCC’s work in the area.

“We wish we had known more about their availability when Kerri was in her late stages,” she said. “They provide amazing services.”

Listen to “Jingle Bells” from the Festival of Trees.

Festival Of Trees

The Festival of Trees is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Jan. 17, 2024.

Interested in purchasing an angel ornament? Those wishing to may do so at TCC’s main office at 960 N. First St., Albemarle, or online at tillerycompassionatecare.org. Ornaments are $12 each.

Interested in sponsoring a tree in the future? Call TCC at 704-983-4216, or complete a form online at tillerycompassionatecare.org.

Interested in volunteering with Tillery Compassionate Care? Call TCC at 704-983-4216.

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Following a public hearing about rezoning a 113-acre parcel on the east side of U.S. Highway 52 north of Carter Road, Albemarle City Council voted to deny approval of the request.

Progressive Land Company, LLC filed the request, which would have resulted in rezoning of the parcel from HID (Heavy Industrial) to R-10 (General Residential).

On Nov. 2, the Albemarle Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend the rezoning, contingent upon an amendment to the future land use plan.

Planning and Development Services Director Kevin Robinson noted the current zoning of the tract took place in the late 1990s/early 2000s with the intent of an industrial park (“For Stanly”) being located there, but it subsequently failed to attract clients.

“While it is a goal of the city to maintain lands suitable for industrial development, the lack of interest in this site in the 20-plus years since it was brought into the city likely indicates that industry may be better suited in other areas,” he said.

Inconsistencies with the current plan were also acknowledged by the Planning and Development Services staff in analysis of the application, but some potential positives from rezoning and amending the land use plan were also noted.

“Staff does not find the proposed use to be consistent with the city’s future land use plan, however, given the proposed zoning, the parcel’s proposed use, adjacent uses and lack of development as defined in the existing future land use plan, there are merits to consider the proposed rezoning as consistent with an amendment to the city’s future land use plan,” read Robinson in summarizing the staff’s recommendations.

Questions as to housing density and utility services to homes on the parcel were raised by Councilmen Chris Bramlett and Bill Aldridge.

“If (the property is) turned into residential, what density would result with the R-10 zoning?” asked Bramlett.

Aldridge asked, “Does the Pfeiffer-North Stanly Water Association (which would provide water to the site) have sufficient capacity to service such a development?”

Two residents spoke in opposition to the rezoning request, citing similar concerns.

“We don’t want this development, and we don’t need it,” said Danny Buchanan, who cited fire, police, first responder services and schools in the area as potentially being overwhelmed, adding that a similar development of 400-plus homes is being planned on nearby property.
Buchanan said the applicant had made no inquiry as to water service capacity to the Pfeiffer-North Stanly Water Association.

Jody Cook, a resident of Timber Ridge Lane, expressed concerns with traffic along Carter Road in addition to utility, fire and police services.

“I have a child who has just gotten his permit,” Cook said, “and he would be driving down Carter Road. Traffic is enough there now as it is. I don’t want to see any extra traffic.”

Cook added that he had spoken with a representative of Pfeiffer-North Stanly Water Association on Monday morning.

“(The developer) has yet to contact them about even providing the water to them for this development, or if they even have the capacity to do it,” he said.

After closure of the public hearing, Aldridge moved, seconded by Councilman Benton Dry, to deny the request. The motion passed 5-2, with Councilmen Dexter Townsend and Chris Whitley in favor of the rezoning.

In other business:

● Following a public hearing, Council unanimously approved text amendments to Chapter 93 of the City Code of Ordinances (Flood Damage Protection) in order to bring the code into compliance with state regulations.

● Council discussed permitting golf cart use on city streets. This matter had come before the council in 2017, but no action was taken after a public hearing generated little feedback.

Townsend moved, seconded by Dry, to request the police department to research ordinances from other municipalities who allow golf cart usage. The motion passed 6-1, with Bramlett dissenting.

● Pastor Clint Lewey of Friendship Baptist Church in Stanfield expressed disappointment with the council’s failure to approve Ordinance 23-25, which would have defined and limited attendance at drag show events to those 18 and older.

● A closed session was conducted to consult with the city attorney.

The next meeting of Albemarle City Council will take place at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18.

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