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A national non-profit organization that recognizes injured and fallen first responders has awarded a $10,000 grant to retired Kernersville Police Officer Sean Houle.
Houle was severely wounded in the line of duty after being shot with his own weapon by a suspect during a struggle in the early morning hours of February 21, 2021. After weeks in the hospital and months of recovery that included numerous surgeries, Houle retired from the Kernersville Police Department (KPD) last December. Today, Houle works as a chaplain with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team.
Running 4 Heroes, Inc. announced Thursday that Houle is the May 2022 recipient of the organization’s Injured First Responder Grant after Houle was nominated for the award.
“The Running 4 Heroes organization continues to keep K9 Officer II Sean Houle in our prayers, and we are honored to announce that Officer Houle has been selected as our May 2022 recipient of our $10,000 Injured First Responder Grant,” noted a social media post announcing Houle’s selection.
The announcement also noted, “On February 21st, 2021, K9 Officer II Sean Houle of the Kernersville Police Department in North Carolina was giving someone a ride home when he encountered a man that he had dealt with earlier in the evening during a traffic stop. A struggle ensued, and the suspect managed to get ahold of Officer Houle’s gun and shot him with it, hitting him in the face, arm, and hand.
“The incident left Officer Houle in Critical condition, and since the incident, he has undergone multiple surgeries, including the removal of the bullet, reconstruction surgeries and a multitude of therapy sessions. The type of injuries he sustained was deemed a “unicorn style” injury, and that the projection of the bullet caused a rare style of injury. Because of the injury, Officer Houle was forced to medically retire, though he is working on becoming a chaplain for his agency and using his testimony to inspire and encourage others. His K9 Jax was also able to retire with him and will be able to remain by his handler’s side as he continues to recover.”
Houle has spoken often about his experience, crediting God, his fellow first responders and the doctors and nurses who treated him that night for saving his life, in what can only be described as a miraculous recovery considering his injuries were so severe.
“I truly, honestly believed that was it. I closed my eyes and I saw my wife and two boys. It was like I could reach out and touch them,” Houle told the Kernersville News during a May 2021 interview. “If there’s a person out there that has a doubt about God, about prayer, read about me. God definitely had His hand on me that night.”
Houle continued.
“Everyone, Forsyth County EMS, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, the officers I work with on my squad and the dispatcher, they basically had to be perfect that night and they were. They responded with urgency and in record time. They got me to the hospital where the doctors could treat me,” Houle said. “It had to be perfect. God made us all human. We’re not perfect, but that night, He had his hand on me and everyone else to do their jobs and work on me perfectly.”
According to the Running 4 Heroes website, the organization “started with a kid, an appreciation for our First Responders, and a mission to raise awareness and funds for those fallen in the line of duty.”
“Zechariah Cartledge was born with the gift of running. He was raised with an appreciation for First Responders and all they do for the community. As he grew older, Zechariah decided to help the families of our fallen First Responders in a meaningful way. Encouraged by the mission and vision of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Zechariah began his journey raising funds for those families by running,” the website notes. “In 2019, Running 4 Heroes officially became a non-profit 501(c)(3). Zechariah runs one mile for every First Responder who makes the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. He wants to honor those who gave up their life so we may live in a better world.”
With Houle’s grant award, Running 4 Heroes stated that the organization has now been able to award $277,500 in funding to a combined 32 heroes who have been injured in the line of duty since January 2020.
Running 4 Heroes also posted that Zechariah, 13, and his father, Chad Cartledge, CEO of the organization, will be in North Carolina in early June to present Houle with his grant award. They are also working closely with the KPD on coordinating a location where Zechariah can do a one-mile run in support of North Carolina first responders.
“We are excited to return to North Carolina, and we ask everyone to continue to keep the recovery of Officer Houle in your thoughts and prayers,” Running 4 Heroes concluded.

Community leaders welcomed completion of the new Kernersville Auto Museum on Old Winston Road with a special ribbon cutting on Thursday, April 28.
Kernersville Mayor Dawn Morgan, along with Alderman John Barrow and Town Manager Curtis Swisher, were joined by Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Chair Dave Plyler, Vice Chair Don Martin and Commissioner Ted Kaplan in celebrating the event. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education member Dana Caudill Jones, a lifelong native of Kernersville and former alderman, also attended, as did Kernersville Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Chris Comer and staff.
Built by Jim Taylor, another lifelong resident of Kernersville, the museum is the new home to more than two dozen antique and classic cars, with room for dozens more. Taylor shared the museum’s story with the Kernersville Board of Aldermen during the Board’s Wednesday night, April 27 meeting.
Taylor thanked the mayor and Board of Aldermen for the opportunity to speak about the new auto museum, calling it the “next tourist attraction for the great city of Kernersville.”
“My family moved to the Kernersville area when I was four-years-old to Hopkins Road,” Taylor told those who might not know him personally. “I grew up on a small tobacco farm, which is now known as Timber Trails subdivision, and I have lived here in the Kernersville area my entire life.”
After retiring in 2000 from Piedmont Aviation, which Taylor explained was the parent company of Piedmont Airlines, Taylor began to get involved with the local non-profits in town.
“One of the first things that I was involved with was helping create the Kernersville Foundation,” Taylor noted.
Taylor also said he served with the late Arnold King for 15 years on the EDAC Committee and spent three years as president of the Kernersville Museum. In addition, he has provided financial support to Kernersville non-profits for the last 20 years and established the local Kernersville Cruise-in held on the second Saturday of every month, starting in 2009.
Taylor told the Board that he decided four years ago that he needed to do something to establish an auto museum in Kernersville. For the next two years, Taylor said he tried to find a facility that would accommodate what he wanted to do.
“Unfortunately, I was not able to find a building, so, I did it the hard way,” Taylor said. “I started looking for some property to build a building. The good fortune was that I found property on Old Winston Road, which was an ideal location.”
Taylor said he placed the property under contract in October 2020 and then came before the Board not long after with a request to rezone the property for an auto museum.
“Thank you so kindly in your efforts in helping me do that,” Taylor said.
Taylor started construction on the building in June 2021 and then finished around February of this year, “which was quite a Herculean effort in view of the fact that we were having a lot of difficulty in getting materials,” Taylor noted.
Taylor recognized Town staff with planning and inspections, thanking them for their patience in working with him on what was essentially a “do-it-yourself” job, which allowed him to complete the project in about six months.
Taylor said the Kernersville Auto Museum was incorporated this past March as a non-profit institution and received its 501(c)3 status 30 days later, “which I understand is almost unheard of in this day and time,” he said.
“Presently, we have 17 vehicles in the museum on display, and we hope for many more to come soon,” Taylor said.
According to Taylor, the museum building is 11,000 square-feet, with hopes to be able to house approximately 50 automobiles.
“We plan to start opening the facility on May 6 on a limited schedule,” Taylor continued.
Taylor said the museum will be open two days a week, on Fridays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Our vision for the museum is to preserve the history of vintage and antique cars and to display them for the general public viewing. We hope we can educate and inspire a lot of young people with the history of these vehicles and what an important role they played in the development of our nation,” Taylor said. “Many of our young people have never had any exposure to these cars. I can also envision many of the schools taking advantage of coming to the museum and visiting with us on field trip days and things such as that.”
Taylor noted the recent Touch-A-Truck event, sponsored by the Kernersville Kiwanis Club at the John Deere facility on West Mountain Street, where attendees, young and old alike, could get up close and personal with large construction vehicles and more.
“I was there with one of the Model T’s that we have in the museum and I was told we had about 5,000 people, but I think we had about six thousand that came through the Model T,” Taylor joked. “I just about wore the hinges off the door letting them in and out. If they could get to that steering wheel and steer it a little bit and work the choke and levers, and get their picture made by their grandmother or the grandfather, or the mother and dad, they were happy. They were smiling. It thrilled me to be able to do that.”
Taylor said he hopes the museum brings back a lot of memories for seniors in the community.
“Just this past week, I had the pleasure and opportunity to bring a good friend of mine who just celebrated his 100th birthday into the museum, and I wished you could have seen his face light up when he looked at all those cars, and especially the 1921 Model T Depot Hack. He was thrilled with that and he was acquainted with them all. He really was,” Taylor said.
In addition, Taylor said he hopes the museum becomes a venue for displaying family cars in honor of loved ones, both living and those who have passed away.
“I trust these comments will give you a little better insight into what we’re trying to accomplish at the museum,” Taylor told the Board members.
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Apple asked Taylor if the museum would be involved in any joint activities with the classic car groups that display downtown.
“Oh yes. I’m involved very heavily and have been for 20 years with the Old Salem AACA (Antique Auto Club of America) chapter. We have almost 100 members in that chapter, and they’ll be supporting the museum in a very, very big way.”
In order to generate income, Taylor said the museum will charge $250 per month for storing and displaying vehicles. He also said they hope to host some charity events and secure grant funding along the way.
“That’s how we plan to keep it going,” Taylor said. “We have a beautiful facility. It’s paid for, but we need just a little kickstart to get it moving.”
The Kernersville Auto Museum is located at 204 Old Winston Road.

Peacocks and pheasants and fainting goats, oh my! These are just a few of the incredible creatures to be enjoyed at Sweet Water Farm, just on the outskirts of Kernersville. Two hundred and fifty birds, assorted rabbits and various other feathered, furry and four legged wonders thrive on the property. This place also has unique hosts. One such host goes by the name Kynsley, who is a whopping 6 years old. Her sidekick, aka, the other host, is an incredibly large and proud Blue Slate Turkey, who goes by the moniker of “Billy Bob.” (Information has it that the children of the owners of this bit of paradise on Earth name all the creatures that live there).
The proud owners of the farm are Kris and Kayla Atkins. They have three children. You already know about Miss Kynsley, but her older sister is Cali, and her younger brother is Kash. Cali is 11 and has a vast array of knowledge about the creatures and helps quite a bit with the feeding and watering of all of them. She acquiesces to Kynsley in several areas but make no mistake, this young lady is something akin to Dr. Doolittle. The animals take to her gentle spirit. She just seems to recognize what each may want. Kynsley is more of an orator and handler of the menagerie. Little brother Kash is inquisitive and learning how to help and interact with all the vast array of species. He loves to rove from pen to pen in the aviaries and wrangle eggs from the various layers. All three of the children are fearless where the birds and animals are concerned. Kash has a tiny bit of fear over the turkeys since he had a nasty encounter with a particular ornery one some time back. No animals with a bad temperament can be found at Sweet Water Farm. The ornery turkey in question was rehomed someplace where he could continue to be himself without retribution. Nothing but kindness and consideration is given to the farm creatures. Each species is cared for equally. (It is hard not to fall in love with Billy Bob, who will follow you around and “strut” his stuff for you.)
The Baby Doll Sheep are hard to resist as well. These little lambs are black in color with the roundest faces and sweetest little cries out for a bottle. It wouldn’t matter if they had just finished one. Just like human children, most of the creatures wouldn’t hesitate to have a snack when offered. Many of the animals and birds found on this farm, such as the Baby Doll Sheep, were donated to the family. How does something like this operation start, you ask?
Wonder no more! Back in 2002, Kris said he had goats and chickens. By 2012, he had gotten away from animal care as he went through a trying time with his health and needed to care for himself. Kris has kidney issues; they are failing him. Once he got back in a better place health wise, he started receiving animals again and in 2015, to quote Kris, he was, “back in heavy.” He needed something to do. He wanted to feel productive even though his health stood in the way of secular employment. Animals seem to have a healing and soothing quality. Kris is being soothed quite a bit these days.
While Kris has taken on this rather extensive hobby, his wife, Kayla, plays an integral part in the day-to-day operations. She is employed off the farm and then returns home to care for her own brood as well as offering support care to the farm brood. She also offers particular care to Kris as she has learned to administer his kidney dialysis to him in the comfort of their home on the farm. Busy lady! She goes through her day with the grace of a queen and is loved by her family and the farm animals as well.
The two older children, Cali and Kynsley, have “show” chickens called Mottled Bantam Cochins and Large Standard Cochins. They show their feisty and quite lovely fowl at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. The Forsyth Fowl Fanciers is a group dedicated to poultry shows, amongst other things. The family has ties to this group. Both girls have won ribbons and trophies for their prize poultry.
Goats your thing? Fainting goats on the farm are simply adorable, as well as the Boar goats named Winnie and Waffles and, of course, their newborn, yet to be named. Fainting goats originated as bait goats many years ago. While this sounds cold to our ears, times past were more difficult and controlling predators was a real problem. Since the goat got its name of the “fainting” variety due to the self-defense mechanism of falling down or freezing in place upon being frightened, the predator would naturally grab the downed goat and thereby sparing the more prized animals. In modern days, these creatures just give us a show and then spring right back up. The Boar goat is known as a meat goat to be consumed. Don’t you fret! That would never happen here at the Sweet Water Farm where this goat family is literally family.
What types of protection and from what would the farm creatures need protecting? The Atkins have had issues mostly with foxes and racoons. Rarely anymore since “Rhett” the Great Pyrenees and his two young ones, Bailey and Salem, have begun roaming the property. The Great Pyrenean Mountain dog was bred for just such an operation. Watch out predators, you are being stalked in return.
How can the public help an operation like Sweet Water Farm? Since this is a non-public, for hobby and therapy farm mainly for Kris, some opportunities do exist. You can call them at 336-816-2555 and ask what can be done to aid. Your discarded Christmas tree is one way to help. The birds on the farm use these trees for shelter and shade. Some animals nest in the trees and others, such as the goats, eat the trees. Such a simple gesture can go a long way. Call for other suggestions from the proprietors of the farm.
The question was begged to be asked of Kris if it be made public how to help him with his kidney failure. Kayla was quick to respond as Kris was a bit reticent about this type of query. She has kidney donor packets with information on how to go about helping. If you call, or email Kris_atkins@aol.com, she will be more than happy to get a packet out to you. Kris made it clear that this was voluntary with no sort of pressure at all. He is humble and has a gentle spirit and the question had to be asked. So, it was.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the upcoming modeling “gig” the farm’s India Blue peacock has. The La-Z-Boy company wants this fabulous specimen to simply sit on one of its couches and pose. Were we all so lucky. So off to Charlotte, NC for fame and fortune goes this proud and elusive creature. Hopefully, Mr. Peacock behaves himself on the nice furniture if you get the drift!

Saturday was a sad day for East Forsyth High School and the local community, as Kernersville’s Richard “Wick” Barrow, the voice of East Forsyth, passed away at the age of 88.
Barrow was an announcer for East Forsyth sports for over 40 years and also was an announcer for Kernersville American Legion Post 36 baseball for many years. He was a devoted and welcome fixture for East Forsyth as an announcer for football and also served as the announcer for East Forsyth baseball and basketball games. In 2013, Barrow was appropriately honored when he was inducted into the East Forsyth Hall of Fame for Outstanding Service to the school.
The loss of Barrow will be an adjustment for numerous East Forsyth fans, coaches and staff members who have enjoyed having him announce games for some time.
Eagle football coach Todd Willert, who will be entering his 20th year as varsity head coach, will be one of many who will miss Barrow next season.
“I’ve coached here for 19 years and, for me, hearing Barrow is all I have known as a head coach. It will be kind of eerie to hear a different voice,” said Willert. “You don’t hear much in football as a head coach because you are so locked in, but I always heard him. He was always there for football. He was always there for baseball, and he was always there for basketball. He was the voice of the Eagles.”
Barrow was born and raised in Kernersville. His announcing career started at the annual Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show. He was given an opportunity to announce one game at East Forsyth with Elwood Sears, and Barrow continued to announce games afterward. Barrow also worked for and retired as a supervisor at Western Electric, which is now AT&T Network Systems.
“One thing I can say about Wick is he loved East Forsyth athletics. Particularly, he loved football, basketball and baseball. I can’t say which he loved better,” said former East Forsyth Athletic Director (1999-2014) Tim White. “He was announcing before we had a press box here. He started being a spotter for Elwood Sears in the early 70s and they had a big time. They were good friends. Then he started full-time in the late 70s-early 80s.”
Needless to say, Barrow was devoted to East Forsyth. While he was as professionally and as impartial as possible, withholding his opinion was sometimes difficult, according to White and East Forsyth Athletic Director Allen Plaster.
Plaster, who has been the athletics director at East for nine years, an assistant baseball coach for five years and was the head varsity baseball coach for eight years, came to rely on Barrow and enjoyed having him announce the games.
“Wick was definitely an Eagle through and through. I remember some of the comments he made when he announced a foul, or a penalty in football if he did not agree with it,” said Plaster. “He would say, ‘They say it is a holding penalty.’ He would get his two cents in. One of the things that a lot of people don’t understand is how many people it takes to hold a game, whether it is football, baseball or basketball. When you have a person like Wick, who announced for 40 plus years, it is one less thing you have to worry about. It is like a security blanket for an athletic director. If he was going to miss a game, 99.9% of the time he would call me and he would already have somebody else ready to do it. I hate to lose him. He has been a staple at East Forsyth for a long, long time.”
“Wick would let one slip every now and again. He would tell it like it was. It might be against the official. It might be against the other coach. It might be against our coach. He would speak up on close calls and things of that nature,” White added. “Because of his love for East Forsyth it was hard for him to be unbiased.”
Barrow was a polished announcer and was professional and devoted to East Forsyth. For over 40 years, it is doubtful East Forsyth fans and coaches would have wanted him to be any other way.
A graveside service celebrating Barrow’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 19 at Bunker Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery with Pastor David Rorie officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Friday, March 18 at Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel as well as following the graveside service in the church fellowship hall. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.