Hometown Highlights: Summerfield, NC

By Samantha Hogsett

     Summerfield Town Hall

                                                    Photo By: Samantha Hogsett

Winter break in Summerfield, NC is the same as during any other break. Not much changes with the seasons besides the grass turning brown and the trees becoming bare. One would think Summerfield would be most beautiful during North Carolina’s summer days because of its familiar name, but the title hints more towards the community. It is named after John Summerfield, an evangelist, who preached in the town around the early 1810s. Summerfield began as an agricultural community but has since grown into a suburban area with the addition of new businesses and homes. Currently, 937 acres are being (unwillingly) de-annexed for more developments (Fox8). Secretly, my hope is that Summerfield will remain the same forever. Now, each time I’m home, I make sure to enjoy how Summerfield is now before it inevitably changes and grows further from its rural history. In the name of preserving Summerfield, these are a few things I did over winter break.

This is my favorite tree in Summerfield. I get to see it on my drive home from school. It looks most beautiful in the winter when you can see its branches curving in all directions.

Photo By: Samantha Hogsett

When the Christmas season approaches Summerfield welcomes Christmas tree vendors and farmers to sell to our community. Family-owned Sunnyside farms always make the journey from Ashe County to our downtown. It is always exciting to see something happening there because the most “thrilling” parts of downtown are the post office, the sheriff’s office, and a public elementary school. Seeing the trees always puts me in the Christmas spirit. The inflatable Santa helps too.

Sunnyside Farm’s Christmas Tree Venue in Downtown Summerfield.

Photo By: Samantha Hogsett

My favorite place to eat is Center Grove Grill and Soda Shop. Only a few minutes from my old high school, I often went there with my friends and have even made our assistant editor and chief, Clare Buchanan, eat there on multiple occasions. The interior is decorated with pictures of Elvis and Marylin Monroe and some exceptionally creative images of them photoshopped together along with other 60s heroes. The specials are usually written on a chalkboard held by an almost life-sized Betty Boop statue. But, the real gem is the I Love Lucy themed women’s bathroom. The food is wonderful, but the best part is the familiar faces of the staff.

                                  Center Grove Grill. Photo By: Samantha Hogsett

I feel very lucky when all my family is together. It is especially wonderful to be reunited with my brother over break. Traditionally, to spend time with each other, my family will go to Shane’s Sporting Clays. A skeet shooting range that has been around since 1987, the first in NC. It is something we usually do over the holidays.

    My brother seemingly completely zoned out at Shane’s

Another endeavor is driving to Greensboro to see the “Running of the Balls.” It is a neighborhood decorated with Christmas ball lights that attracts runners each year for a 5k. The profits go to Second Harvest Food Bank to provide meals for those in need (Second Harvest). I drove through the neighborhood this year with my friend, it is always a magical experience.

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Running of the Balls. Photo by: Samantha Hogsett

What is not pictured in this article, is countless hours of college football and a season of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I do love Summerfield, but besides what I included, there is only so much you can find to do. But, the best part of my break has not been Summerfield, but the friends and family I have here. I love driving down familiar roads with my friends discussing all the things that once happened here. Even though Summerfield continues expanding, I have my friends and memories to preserve its legacy.