June, 2018 - WIZS

Anderson Weighs in on Downtown Henderson

June 8, 2018/by Kelly Bondurant

Tom Anderson, a member of the community and downtown property owner for approximately 20 years, was on WIZS’ Town Talk program Thursday to discuss revitalization efforts and issues concerning the downtown Henderson area.

Shortly after moving to Vance County Anderson, along with his wife Letha, purchased the old Farmers & Merchants Bank Building at 135 S. Garnett St., and later the Interiors & Gifts Too building. According to Anderson, he and his wife invested quite a bit of money into the downtown area, without a decent return for their efforts.

“It’s difficult to sell a building in Henderson, especially in downtown Henderson, and get what you put into it,” Anderson said.

An on-going discussion regarding downtown Henderson includes the need for a full-time downtown development director. Downtown Director Kaine Riggan is currently contracted on a part-time basis.

Vance County recently denied a request made by the Downtown Development Commission to increase County funding by $18,500 to convert the part-time downtown development director’s position to a full-time position as required for Main Street Program status. The County did fund $1,500 for the position, an amount equal to previous years’ allotment.

“The City of Henderson is willing to put up a certain amount of money to fund a [full-time] downtown development position. The County, in the past, has put up $1,500 per year. If we want to have a full-time person, the City and County are both going to have to come up with additional funds,” said Anderson.

Anderson believes Riggan’s efforts to revitalize the downtown area are already paying off. “Kaine does a good job of trying to recruit people to the community and get storefronts open and operating,” said Anderson. “He works 20 hours on the books and another 20 hours off the books. You can’t expect him to work for nothing.”

Anderson said he feels downtown Henderson is a safe area, although he admits that difficulties parking can be a deterrent to visitors. The bigger issue, Anderson believes, is the lack of funds.

“What is the priority? We are a Tier 1 County and are economically distressed,” Anderson said. “There’s not enough money to put into all of the buckets.”

According to Anderson, whatever the solution or solutions, “You have to have a vibrant downtown area in order to have a vibrant community.”

Vance Co. Middle and High School Announce Mascots and School Colors

June 8, 2018/by WIZS Staff

The mascots and school colors for Vance County High School and Vance County Middle School were revealed on Thursday, June 7, 2018, at school assemblies for the students who will be attending the schools in 2018-2019.

The high school mascot is the Vipers and the school colors are green, black and white.

The middle school mascot is the Jaguars and the school colors are black and gold.

Let’s go Vipers and Jaguars!!!

Maria Parham Health Announces Exciting Community Partnership

June 8, 2018/by WIZS Staff

-Press Release, Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health (MPH) is excited to announce a partnership with community members from the communities they serve. The MPH Patient and Family Advisory Board (PFAB), will provide a formal communication vehicle for patients and families to take an active role in improving the patient experience at MPH.

The board will focus on discovering what programs and practices represent the most successful patient and family experiences within MPH and will help replicate and share those best practices across the community. Guided by MPH’s mission, vision, and values, the PFAB is dedicated to ensuring that our patients and families have a safe, quality, compassionate and supported healthcare experience.

Front row, left to right: Pat Daniel and Linda Hicks, PFAB Chair Second row, left to right: Amanda Wilkins-Registered Nurse, Dena Hunter-CNA, and Ja’Lonte Williams- PFAB Chair-Elect, Bert Beard- Chief Executive Officer, Maria Parham Health Third row left to right: Misty Woodward- Chief Nursing Officer, Maria Parham Health, Ursula Kennedy, Director of Patient Experience, Maria Parham Health; Jim Johnson, Chair, Maria Parham Health Board of Trustees and Woody Caudle (Photo courtesy Maria Parham Health)

Oxford Commissioners to Hold June’s Board Meeting Tues., June 12

June 8, 2018/by WIZS Staff

-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

The City of Oxford Board of Commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room, City Hall.

Among the agenda items:

-Public Hearing for the FY 2018 – 2019 Budget.

-Consider adopting the FY 2018-2019 Budget Ordinance and associated schedule of fees or call for a Special Meeting to adopt the budget prior to June 30, 2018.

-Public Hearing to consider a rezoning request from Attorney James C. Wrenn, Jr. on behalf of HEW Rental.

-Consider amending the Oxford Zoning Ordinance for 4.8 +/- acres of land located at 322 Lewis Street from B-2 (Highway Business to 1-2) General Industrial as well as approving the consistency statement of declaring that this also amends the comprehensive plan in an effort to meet the development needs of the community as a factor in rezoning the property.

-Consider formally including the portion of Professional Park Drive, not currently on the Powell Bill list.

-Consider adopting a demolition ordinance for 614 Granville Street.

-Consider awarding the Fiscal Years 2017-18 & 2018-19 Audit Contract to Preston Douglas & Associates. LLP.

-Consider formally offering a 7.5% raise to the manager in recognition of his performance and leadership this past year.

Historic 1830’s Grape Hill Home in Need of a New Location

June 8, 2018/by WIZS Staff

— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Craig Hahn, Executive Director ~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook

Here’s what they have to say on the Preservation North Carolina website about Grape Hill: (you can also see plenty of great interior pictures here)

“Built during the agricultural boom years of the 1830’s, Grape Hill is an unusual blend of sophisticated interior woodwork emblematic of Antebellum Warren County architecture within an exterior of elegant simplicity.

Architectural & Historical Information

Built for the Joshua Davis Jr. family near Locust Grove, the seat of his parents’ plantation, it appears to be a simple two-story Federal-Adamesque I-house, but on a much grander scale. Archival photographs show its original entry porch was more Greek Revival in style with a pedimented portico supported by a Doric entablature.

The tall five-bay façade with side addition accommodates two stories of nine-over-nine windows, a molded box cornice, tall stone chimneys stuccoed and scored to give a refined ashlar finish, all resting on a high stone foundation under which is located a basement with summer kitchen and workspace.

The double-leaf entry doors lead into a wide highly ornamented hallway with tall marbleized baseboards, heavily molded door surrounds with bullseye corner blocks and a low wainscot. The stairway is located at the back of the wide center hall and features a single-run stair with ogee bracket ends and marbleized risers. The enormous main parlor shares similar woodwork to the center hall including marbleized baseboards, low wainscot with a heavy band creating a chair rail.

The highlight of the main parlor is a mantel which shares intricate detail with some of the finest early houses in Warren County showcasing wide molded engaged pilasters supporting a multi-paneled frieze topped by a delicately carved lozenge band below the deep molded shelf. Both parlor mantels were stolen years ago, but happily, the mantel from the main parlor was recovered and has been safely stored off-site. The remaining first floor rooms share more simplified versions of the parlor and center hall woodwork such as a low wainscot, six-panel doors and a post-and-mantel with molded detailing in the side addition. Plaster walls and beautiful wide board wood floors can be found throughout the house. The former gabled rear porch located at the back of the center hall was enclosed decades ago and includes a bathroom.

Second floor details are fine yet predictably more modest and include simple paneled mantels, six-panel doors, chair rails, and a simplified version of the first-floor stair that continues up to two large attic rooms. The second story is also divided by a stair hall with one large bedroom on one side and three rooms on the other side of the hall. Much original paint remains on doors and trim (red and blue-gray).

Grape Hill has been vacant for many years and has been used for storage for the surrounding farm. The house must be moved or it will be lost to demolition. The house appears to be very sturdy, but will require a complete rehabilitation once moved to its new site.”

Click here for interior pictures available at the Preservation North Carolina website.

Grape Hill – Structure Only – 1471 U.S. Highway 1 North Norlina, NC 27563 Warren County

$10,000  2,900 square feet  Lot Size: N/A acres / Zoning: N/A

Contact: Cathleen Turner, Regional Director Preservation NC, Piedmont Office 919-401-8540, cturner@presnc.org

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Town Talk 06/08/18

June 8, 2018/by Larry

News 06/08/18

June 8, 2018/by Larry

Chick-fil-A Princess Night to Feature Miss NC & Miss Henderson (TONIGHT)

June 7, 2018/by Kelly Bondurant

Miss North Carolina Victoria Huggins and Miss Henderson Shanice Street will be the guests of honor at Chick-fil-A of Henderson’s Princess Night being held Thursday, June 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Guests are encouraged to dress up like their favorite princess and enjoy princess-themed items and activities. Huggins and Street will be on-hand to talk to guests and sign autographs.

To add to the feeling of royalty, John Faucette of Carolina Carpet & Flooring has donated a red carpet for the occasion.

Both Huggins and Street were recently on WIZ’s Town Talk program to discuss their participation in Princess Night and their experiences as Miss NC and Miss Henderson, respectively.

Huggins, who was crowned in June 2017 and whose year as the reigning Miss NC will soon be over, had this to say about her experience, “For two more weeks, I’m the 80^th Queen of the Tarheel State. I love my job as Miss North Carolina. I’ve literally traveled from Murphy to Manteo, over 36,000 miles in my Ford and now with 301 appearances under my belt.”

While Huggins has enjoyed her experience, she said she is looking forward to a break and some downtime. “Winning the crown means 365 days of full-time service to NC, said Huggins. “You have to stop your job and your education for that year. You have to dedicate your life to the citizens of NC. It has been my greatest honor.”

Along with the responsibility of traveling and making hundreds of appearances, Huggins said winning Miss NC also meant “a $20,000 scholarship, an apartment in Raleigh, use of a car for a year and free Chick-fil-A meals for a year.”

Huggins explained that her main motivation for entering the pageant was for the scholarship opportunities so that she could graduate college debt free. “I have now earned over $30,000 in scholarships which has allowed me to graduate from UNC Pembroke debt-free and will allow me to complete my master’s degree from John Hopkins University online debt-free as well.”

According to Huggins, the Miss America organization is the leading scholarship provider for young women in the world.

“My goal of completing school debt-free was all possible because of what some people see as just a crown and a sash. It is so much more – it has made me an empowered, confident and educated young woman.

Shanice Street, the reigning Miss Henderson, hopes to be crowned Huggins’ successor as Miss North Carolina. The Miss North Carolina 2018 Finals will be televised live on ABC11 and ABC11.com on Saturday, June 23 at 8 p.m.

Street, who was crowned Miss Kerr Lake in September 2017 and Miss Henderson in February 2018, is currently busy “practicing my dance routine, figuring out wardrobe, exercising and reading current events to prepare for the interview portion of the competition.”

While attending classes and cheerleading for Wake Forest University, Street also finds the time for a job which enables her to pay for all of her own competition expenses.

“Sometimes I do struggle,” said Street. “I’m human and I get tired. The most important thing I’ve learned is to persevere and continue on despite obstacles. Everything isn’t going to come to me easily but working for it makes it so worth it.”

Street’s motivation is serving as a role model for others. “As a little girl, you always look up to these women as role models,” Street said. “It really is an honor for me to have the opportunity to hopefully be that to someone else.”

Perry Memorial Library Announces Summer Reading Programs for Youth

June 7, 2018/by WIZS Staff

-Information courtesy the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library and www.perrylibrary.org

Join the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library for Summer Reading 2018!

June 16 – August 3

Fun weekly prizes, exciting entertainment, storytimes, reading incentives and grand prizes!

Our State Magazine Announces Third Annual Made in NC Awards

June 7, 2018/by WIZS Staff

— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Craig Hahn, Executive Director ~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook

“Show us what you’re made of, North Carolina.” Prouder words were never spoken. Our State magazine, now in its 85th year, and presenting sponsor Mast General Store are celebrating the astounding talent of the people who make North Carolina so special with its third annual Made in NC Awards. In the Our State tradition of spotlighting the best creators, makers, designers, and chefs across this amazing state of ours, the Made in NC Awards supports local businesses, highlights artisans and entrepreneurs, and celebrates North Carolina-made products. For the full details on the Made in NC Awards, visit madeinncawards.com.

Our State and Mast General Store will honor unique makers and business owners in four categories: Home & Garden, Style, Food & Drink, and Art. All products must be able to be reproduced for sale. Submissions will be judged upon quality (50%), innovation and creativity (25%), and the tie to North Carolina (25%).

Representing the 2018 panel of judges are: Lisa Cooper, president of Mast General Store; Nicole Bogas, Our State Store manager; Bradley Rhyne, cofounder of Ole Mason Jar; Bob Page, founder and owner of Replacements, Ltd.; artist Patrick Doughtery; and Van Eure, owner of The Angus Barn. Judges from the Our State Store and Mast General Store will consider all submissions for merchandising opportunities.

This distinguished panel of judges will select one winner and two honorable mentions for each of the four categories, and an overall winner will be selected from among the four category winners. Each category winner will receive email and social media promotion; a short feature on madeinncawards.com and ourstate.com; and a quarter-page ad, valued at $2,000, in the December 2018 issue of Our State magazine.

The overall winner will receive an additional $500 prize. Category winners will also be featured at the Made in NC Awards Celebration Event on October 13, 2018, at Mast General Store’s location in downtown Winston-Salem. Winners will be announced on August 23, 2018.

“We are very excited to announce the third annual Made in NC Awards as an extension of the Our State brand,” said Bernie Mann, the publisher of the magazine. “There are so many amazing business owners and entrepreneurs in North Carolina, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase them and our great state.”

Entries will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. EST on July 18, 2018. To submit your entry or to find answers to any of your questions about the Made in NC Awards, visit madeinncawards.com.

About Our State

Each month, Our State celebrates the very best of North Carolina from the mountains to the coast through lively storytelling and stunning photography. Published by Mann Media, Inc., the award-winning magazine reaches more than one million readers each month with subscribers in every state and 15 foreign countries.

About Mast General Store

The Original Mast General Store opened in 1883 in the rural community of Valle Crucis, North Carolina. Downtowns in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee offer the same friendly and knowledgeable service that welcomed neighbors in Valle Crucis more than 100 years ago.