VGCC trustees approve new Associate Degree in Visual Arts

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Vance-Granville Community College’s Board of Trustees approved the offering of an Associate in Fine Arts degree in Visual Arts beginning in the fall of 2017 as the trustees met for their bi-monthly meeting on the Main Campus on Nov. 21.

The board also welcomed Jennifer P. “Jenny” Hester of Henderson as a newly appointed trustee, received preliminary plans for capital improvements on four campuses, and celebrated the results of the latest faculty and staff campaign to support the VGCC Endowment Fund.

Hester, who works in real estate and development in Henderson, was sworn in by Resident Superior Court Judge Henry W. “Chip” Hight of Henderson. Appointed for a four-year term on the board by N.C. Governor Pat McCrory, she replaces Dr. Doris Terry Williams of Henderson, who had served since November 2010.

The Fine Arts degree will be added to the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees already being offered by Vance-Granville. A minimum of 60 semester hours of College Transfer courses will be required in English; communications, humanities and fine arts; social and behavioral sciences; mathematics; and natural sciences, in addition to classes in art history, two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, and drawing. For graduates who wish to complete a four-year degree, course credits will transfer to all 16 campuses of the University of North Carolina System under the state’s Comprehensive Articulation Agreement.

The board’s action came on a recommendation from the trustees’ Curriculum Committee, chaired by Trustee Barbara Cates Harris. With board approval, the College will now submit the program to the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) and the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) for their approvals.

In other action from the Curriculum Committee, the board voted to approve closure of the Associate in Applied Science in Entrepreneurship program. Citing consistent low enrollment, Harris said the program will end in the fall of 2017 with a “teach-out plan” for currently enrolled students through Spring Semester 2018. The program was designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and growth as self-employed business owners. The College continues to offer a variety of related programs in Business Administration, Accounting and Office Administration, among others.

Faculty-Staff Drive for Scholarships

The co-chairs of the annual faculty and staff drive on Vance-Granville’s four campuses announced to the Trustees that $20,079 was raised this fall from among employees to support the mission of the College and students through scholarships.

The drive co-chairs were Kristi Salmons-Ellenberg, department chair and instructor for Social Sciences; Willie Mae Foster-Hill, Main Campus receptionist; and Steven Sievert, instructor for Computer Education.

VGCC awarded 301 scholarships at its annual awards ceremony this October. The funds raised by the faculty and staff this year will help with future scholarships.

Capital improvements

The Board of Trustees received a preliminary look at capital improvement projects that may be made possible with the $7.6 million in funds that the College is receiving through the Connect NC bonds approved by statewide voters this past March.

Projects are proposed at all four campuses, according to Trustee Donald C. Seifert, Sr., chair of the Building Committee.

Among the largest projects, the replacement of outdated heating, ventilation and air conditioning and fire alarm systems on Main Campus is projected to cost around $4 million. Exterior masonry repairs and restoration, also on Main Campus, are projected at around $1 million. Both projects will enter the design phase in January 2017 with a proposed construction start date of August 2017, Seifert said.

Other projects, depending upon available funds, could include, on Main Campus, the remodeling of restrooms, renovations to several instructional areas, and the construction of a “burn building” for the Fire/Rescue department in Continuing Education; at South Campus, the replacement of heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment; at Franklin, renovations to a lab and boiler replacement; and at Warren, gas pack and heat pump replacements. The Connect NC Bond funds must be designated for repairs and renovations or the construction of new facilities.

In addition to the Connect NC Bond projects, Seifert said roof renovations to Building 6 on Main Campus are in the design phase, and the project will be bid out in February and completed in the summer of 2017. Remaining balances from other renovations on Main and South campuses will be available for space utilization improvements and repairs and renovations, respectively, Seifert said. Among those improvements, Steve Graham, Vance-Granville’s vice president for finance and operations, said a Bioprocess Technology laboratory on Main Campus is being retrofitted to house a new curriculum program in Histotechnology. The Bioprocess program is moving to the Franklin County Campus.

Other Action

In other action:

  • Trustee Sara Wester, chair of the Personnel Committee, reported on new employees, retirements and resignations. Among those retiring is Jacquelin “Jackie” Heath, program head and instructor for School-Age Education. Heath, who began employment on Sept. 15, 1976, and retires in January, is Vance-Granville’s longest-serving full-time faculty or staff member.
  • Trustee L. Opie Frazier, Jr., co-chair of the Investment Committee, and Steve Graham, Vance-Granville’s vice president of finance and operations, updated the board on the move of the College’s investments to First Citizens Wealth Management in October. In September, the board approved the firm as the financial advisor, ratifying the designation of the firm by the VGCC Endowment Fund Board of Directors.
  • In her report to the trustees, President Dr. Stelfanie Williams reported on recent activities and events at Vance-Granville. Among those, she noted upcoming holiday events, including the Vance-Granville Community Band’s Holiday Concert on Monday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m.

The next meeting of the VGCC Board of Trustees will be held on Monday, Jan. 23, at the Main Campus.

News 11/23/16

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Home and Garden Show 11/22/16

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City Tire Celebrates 60 Years of Business in Henderson

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On Friday, November  18th, Mike Rainey celebrated the company’s 60 years in business with family and friends, staff, local officials and business owners and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

City Tire has been doing business since 1956, which is before some of their customers were even born. Businesses that last 60 years do so because they are customer conscious and in this day and age it is difficult to find a company that will go the distance.

For 60 years City Tire has been providing a personal touch to guide their customers through the tire and wheel buying experience. City Tire is a family owned and operated business in Henderson.

Got a tire or wheel problem? Then check them out…City Tire has a solution. Get in and out quickly without sacrificing the quality of your work. They sell and service passenger, light & big trucks, farm equipment and specialty tires for customers in Henderson and surrounding areas. Whether it’s regular maintenance like tire rotations, balancing and flat tire repairs or specialty services like wheel straightening, brakes or alignment to name a few, they’re your one stop solution for tire and wheel sales and service.

For more information, please contact them at (252) 492-1195.

This anniversary represents a very significant milestone for City Tire and the Chamber is very excited to have been a part of this celebration.

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 11/22/16

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Town Talk 11/22/16

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Agritourism farms hosting fun activities for the holidays

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Farms across the state are opening up to visitors for the holidays, offering choose-and-cut Christmas trees, winter hayrides, visits with Santa and other fun activities.

“Agritourism is a big part of North Carolina’s $84 billion agriculture economy,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “While many people may think about visiting farms during the spring or summer, the holidays can be a wonderful time to visit local farms with family and friends.”

Christmas Trees and Poinsettias

North Carolina is the second-largest producer of Christmas trees in the nation. Some choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms have already opened for the season, and even more are scheduled to open Thanksgiving weekend.

Almond Christmas Tree Farm (https://www.facebook.com/Almond-Christmas-Tree-Farm-887660978036003/) in Albemarle will open Nov. 25. The farm offers choose-and-cut trees, fresh-cut Fraser firs, wreaths, greenery and hayrides.

Hickory Creek Farm (https://hickorycreekfarmnc.com/index.html) in Greensboro also will open for the season on Nov. 25. On Dec. 3, the farm will have a Farm Antique Tag Sale with vintage items handpicked from N.C. farms available to buy.

Pardue Tree Farm (https://www.parduetreefarm.blogspots.com) in Sparta is open daily through Dec. 24. The third-generation family farm offers Fraser firs, handmade wreaths and garland.

On Dec. 4, Mitchell’s Nursery & Greenhouse (https://www.mitchellsnursery.com) in King will have its Poinsettia Open House from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. The nursery grows 81 varieties of poinsettias, and will have more than 9,000 plants to choose from.

Holiday Events

Many farms offer special holiday programming for families to enjoy. Cukabury Farms (https://www.cukaburyfarmsllc.com/) in Fairmont will hosts its annual Christmas Light Show with hayrides through the farm, Christmas music and more. The light show takes place Dec. 2-17 on Fridays and Saturdays, and daily Dec. 19-23.

Hubb’s Corn Maze (https://www.hubbscornmaze.com/Christmas.html) in Clinton will air “The Polar Express” on Nov. 25 and 26. The event also includes visits with Santa.

Raised in a Barn Farm (https://www.raisedinabarnfarm.com/) in Chocowinity will offer Storytime with Santa, Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and holiday hayrides through downtown Washington starting Nov. 26.

Trosly Farm (https://www.troslyfarm.com/) in Elk Park will open a Holiday Farm Store and Market on Saturdays through Dec. 17. The market features handmade chocolates, local honey and farm-raised meats among other items.

Winery Events

North Carolina is home to more than 180 wineries, and several of them will host special events during the holidays. In Leicester, Addison Farms Vineyards (https://www.addisonfarms.net/handcrafted-christmas) will be hosting its annual Handcrafted Christmas event on Dec. 3 from noon to 5 p.m. The event features local crafters and artisans. Complimentary wine tastings also will be offered in exchange for a $10 donation to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.

Also on Dec. 3, Cypress Bend Vineyards (https://www.cypressbendvineyards.com) in Wagram will host a Christmas Open House. Guests can enjoy live music, Christmas treats and special merchandise from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Farm Animals

Through Dec. 18, Apple Hill Farm (https://www.applehillfarmnc.com) in Banner Elk will offer guided walking tours of its working alpaca farm Fridays through Sundays. Tours will run every hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is also a farm store with alpaca socks, yarns, hats, gloves, and other items.

Helpers of Our Farm (https://www.hoofnc.org), an educational farm animal sanctuary in Bolivia, will hold its Frosty Hooves fundraiser on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Proceeds will help feed and care for the sanctuary animals through the winter.

Other Events

Plum Granny Farm (https:// www.plumgrannyfarm.com) and Buffalo Creek Farm and Creamery (https://www.buffalocreekfarmandcreamery.com), both located north of Winston-Salem, are teaming up for a Small Business Saturday Holiday Market on Nov. 26. More than a dozen vendors will offer a variety of gift items, from goat cheese and truffle butter to handmade jewelry and baskets.

On Dec. 10, Two Sisters Farmstead (https://www.twosistersfarmstead.org) in Candler will host its monthly Family Discovery Day. The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon, and allows families to experience farm life firsthand.

North Carolina is home to more than 700 agritourism farms. To find a complete listing of farms near you, go to www.visitncfarms.com.

Burning ban issued for 22 additional counties to protect lives and property

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Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler today banned open burning and canceled all burning permits for 22 more counties in Western North Carolina. Added to the list are Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Cabarrus, Caswell, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Randolph, Richmond, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Wilkes and Yadkin counties.

The burning ban will take effect at 5 p.m., Monday, Nov. 21, and will be in effect until further notice.

Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in the affected counties, regardless of whether a permit was issued. The issuance of any new permits also has been suspended until the ban is lifted. Violation of the ban carries a $100 fine plus court costs of $180.

The ban on open burning is necessary because of the dry weather conditions and the potential for the increase in human-caused wildfires in the region. As of Nov. 20, there have been 3,021 wildfires affecting more than 19,058 acres on state protected lands across North Carolina this year. In the mountains alone, there have been 1,203 fires that have burned 4,015 acres.

Those numbers do not include fires burning on federal lands, the Party Rock fire near Lake Lure and the Chestnut Knob fire. The Party Rock fire has burned 7,171 acres since it was first reported on Nov. 5. The Chestnut Knob fire, burning in the South Mountain State Park, has burned 6,433 acres since it was first reported on Nov. 6. These fires, combined with those on federal lands, have burned closed to 46,000 acres in Western N.C. State protected lands include state and private owned properties.

“Fire experts with the N.C. Forest Service feel the current drought situation and the increase in available forest fuels makes it necessary to increase the number of counties under the burn ban,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We want to be proactive in our approach and take appropriate action to prevent the potential for human-caused wildfires.”

An open burn ban is now in place for the entire counties of Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Caswell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Guilford, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Montgomery, Polk, Randolph, Richmond, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey.

Here are a few facts about the law regarding the ban on open burning:

  • The burn ban does not apply to cooking fires such as grills or outdoor cookers.
  • The ban does not apply to a fire within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. County fire marshals have jurisdiction over open burning within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The N.C. Forest Service has advised county fire marshals of the burning ban and asked for their consideration of also implementing a burning ban. In addition, other local ordinances and air quality regulations may also impact open burning.
  • If a fire within that 100-foot area escapes containment, a North Carolina forest ranger may take reasonable steps to extinguish or control it. The person responsible for setting the fire may be responsible for reimbursing the N.C. Forest Service for any expenses related to extinguishing it.
  • Open burning includes burning leaves, branches and other plant material. In all cases, it is illegal to burn trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other non-vegetative materials.
  • Outdoor burning is also prohibited in areas covered by Code Orange or Code Red air quality forecasts.

Local fire departments and law enforcement officers are assisting the N.C. Forest Service in enforcing the burn ban.

Fire Prevention Education Team deployed to region

A U.S. Forest Service Fire Prevention Education Team is working in Western North Carolina in an effort to decrease the number of human-caused wildfires there. In addition to assisting with information on these wildfires, the team is working with communities, distributing information and working with the media to raise awareness about the current fire danger. In addition a joint information center has been established to help provide information to the media and the public. The JIC can be reached at 828-575-2352 or by email at ncjicinformation@gmail.com.

You can also contact Brian R. Haines at 919-857-4828. Residents with questions regarding their specific county can contact their county ranger with the N.C. Forest Service or their county fire marshal’s office.

News 11/22/16

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Vance County School Update 11/21/16

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