June, 2018 - WIZS

Pamela Hester Named Vance Co. Tourism Director

June 20, 2018/by WIZS Staff

-Press Release, Vance County Tourism Development Authority Board

The Vance County Tourism Development Authority is pleased to announce the hiring of Pamela Weathers-Hester, as the next Tourism Development Director. She will begin in this position on July 2, 2018.

Mrs. Hester has background experience in advertising, marketing, and community outreach locally and in areas across North Carolina. She previously worked with Henderson’s Main Street Program organizing, directing, and coordinating overall operations of the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission and the Main Street Program.

Mrs. Hester is excited to be able to show the world that Vance County, Home of Kerr Lake, is a great place for hosting tourism-related events and activities. She will be a welcome addition to the county’s management team and the Vance County community.

Granville County Offered Opportunity to “Show What the Region is Made Of”

June 20, 2018/by WIZS Staff

-Press Release, County of Granville, Public Information Officer Lynn Allred

Granville County has much to offer, and what better way to bring attention to the talents of the people who live here than nominating them for statewide recognition through the Made in NC Awards presented by Our State magazine and Mast General Store? Now in its third year, the contest spotlights unique makers and business owners in four categories: Home and Garden, Style, Food and Drink and Art. All products must be able to be reproduced for sale, with submissions judged on quality, innovation, creativity and the connection with North Carolina.

“Whatever it is that you make and sell, you’re proud to produce it right here in North Carolina,” contest information reads, “and we want to help you show it off to the entire state.”

One winner and two honorable mentions will be selected for each of the four categories, and an overall winner will be selected from the four category winners, receiving a $500 prize, an email and social media promotion; a short feature on madeinncawards.com and on ourstate.com; and a quarter page ad in the December 2018 edition of Our State magazine ($2,000 value). Category winners will also be featured in the Made in NC awards celebration on Oct0ber 13 in downtown Winston Salem.

Last year’s winners include Blue Mountain Bowls of Pisgah Forest for their vessel sinks (overall winner, winner of Art category); Ole Mason Jar of Charlotte for their button-down shirts (Style category); Troutman Chair Company of Troutman, NC for their Plantation Rocking Chairs (Home and Garden category) and The Chef’s Farmer of Shelby for their Old North Shrub beverage (Food and Drink category).

Judges for this year’s contest include Mast General Store President Lisa Cooper; Our State Store Manager Nicole Bogus; Co-founder of Ole Mason Jar Bradley Rhyne; Founder and Owner of Replacements Ltd. Bob Page; Artist Patrick Doughtery; and Angus Barn owner Van Eure. In addition to determining this year’s winners, judges from the Our State Store and Mast General Store will also consider submissions for merchandising opportunities.

Entries are accepted online at madeinncawards.com through July 18. Once all submission forms are received at the end of the entry period, an Our State representative will contact nominees if a sample of the product is required.

Winners will be announced on August 23, 2018.

For more information about this contest, contact Angela Allen, Director of Granville County Tourism Development Authority, at 919-693-6125 or angela.allen@granvillecounty.org.

Youth “Fishing With a Mentor” Program at Fox Pond Park

June 20, 2018/by WIZS Staff

-Information courtesy Sandra Wilkerson, Director of Admin and Events, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks, in conjunction with the City of Henderson and Vance County, announces “Fishing With a Mentor,” a program for local youth ages 6 – 18 to be held at Fox Pond Park, 375 Vicksboro Rd, Henderson.

This free program is a mentor-led, department supported event to enhance youth participation in fishing while enjoying real-life conversations centered around present-day topics while utilizing Fox Pond and its amenities.

An opening ceremony for the program will be held on Sunday, July 8, 2018, from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Fox Pond Fishing Pier. Free food will be provided to participants after the event.

Dates for the fishing program include Wednesday, July 11, 18, 25 and August 1, 2018, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Those interested may register at the Aycock Recreation Center, 307 Carey Chapel Rd, Henderson.

For more information, call Tara Goolsby at (252) 438-3948 or email tgoolsby@ci.henderson.nc.us or Gregory Kelly at (252) 431-6099 or email gkelly@ci.henderson.nc.us.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

West End Community Watch Hears from City Manager, Fire Dept.

June 20, 2018/by WIZS Staff

-Information courtesy Claire Catherwood, West End Community Watch

The West End Community Watch met on Tuesday, June 19 at West End Baptist Church. Henderson City Manager Frank Frazier was pleased to report that taxes and city sewer rates will not increase. Still, due in part to the fact that the City now has reduced debt, City employees will receive 5% raises.

Additionally, many other improvements have been made or are in progress. The Wastewater Plant renovations, which began in 2011, have been completed. Renovations to the old municipal building and the downtown Fire Station are in progress. Several streets have been resurfaced. The City’s retention rate of employees has improved greatly. Discussions are underway for future stormwater projects.

Captain Lee Edmonds, fire prevention officer of the Henderson Fire Department, informed the group that most houses in other areas of the city had already been visited by the fire department. Homes in West Henderson will be the last ones visited. The annual visit can be expected before the end of summer. In November, the rotation begins again. These inspections have been made by the Henderson Fire Department since 2009.

Statewide, there are been more fire-related deaths this year than ever before. Therefore, the State has stepped up fire prevention methods. All fire departments in the State of NC are now required to make regular home visits. When the fire department enters a home, the firemen do a quick safety inspection and check the placement of smoke detectors. They make sure the detectors are operational and replace them or their batteries, when necessary. A resident can call to request an inspection or assistance with a smoke detector.

Plenty of Programs for Adults at Perry Memorial Library

June 20, 2018/by WIZS Staff

-Information courtesy the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library website

Upcoming events for adults at the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library, 205 Breckenridge Street, Henderson:

Adult Summer Reading – Saturday, June 16 – Friday, August 3. Reading, Movies, Programs, Prizes. Pick up prize card at the Reference Desk.

Photograph & Document Preservation Program – Saturday, June 23 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Experienced digitizers will facilitate this program and have equipment available to digitize items. Bring any photo or documents, a flash drive and any questions you may have.

Books to Movies Book Club – Monday, June 25 from 5 – 8 p.m. The movie “The Martian” based on the novel by Andy Weir will be viewed followed by a discussion on both the movie and the novel. Books are available at the library now for checkout. Bring a bag dinner and a friend!

Cookies & Coloring – first Sunday of every month from 1 – 2:30 p.m. All materials provided by the library.

Needlework Club (formerly the Knitting Club) – every other Monday from 1 – 3 p.m. Check the library’s calendar for exact dates. All adults – all needle crafts – all skill levels.

Roanoke Rapids’ First Baptist Invites Youth to Vacation Bible School

June 20, 2018/by WIZS Staff

-Information courtesy Rev. Donald West, First Baptist Church – Roanoke Rapids

TEAM JESUS Vacation Bible School will take place at First Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids July 9 – 13 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

The Olympic themed VBS will include Olympic Bible lessons, games, snacks, crafts, music, puppet shows and great Olympic fun. This exciting VBS is for preschoolers through 12th graders.

The church is located at 515 Becker Drive in Roanoke Rapids just one mile from Interstate 95 and 20 minutes east of Littleton.

For more information, call 252-537-6171 or access the church website at www.fbcrrweb.org or the church Facebook page. All kids and youth are invited to experience this Olympic challenge!