Superheroes for Duke Kids to Hold 220 Fundraiser, Toy Donation

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-Information courtesy Shirley Loftis, Superheroes for Duke Kids

Superheroes for Duke Kids will hold a fundraiser at 220 seafood Restaurant in Henderson on Monday, December 2, 2019, from 4 until 7 p.m.

Cost is $7 per plate and meal includes trout, french fries, slaw and hush puppies (drink included for eat-in meals only).

Funds raised will purchase toys for kids in Duke Hospital. Toy donations will also be accepted the night of the fundraiser.

For a toy wish list sorted by age range, please visit Superheroes for Duke Kids’ Facebook page (click here).

Oxford Logo

Commissioners to Hear From Public on Possible Internet Sweepstakes Moratorium

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

The City of Oxford Board of Commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room, City Hall in Oxford.

Agenda items include:

Public Hearing to receive citizen input on the request from the UDO Committee asking for consideration of placing a moratorium on any new internet sweepstakes establishments.

Consider adopting an ordinance placing a 60-day moratorium on any new internet sweepstakes establishments in the B-2 (highway business) and B-3 (general business) zoning districts.

Consider approving the 2020 Board of Commissioner Meeting dates.

Disposition of City Property – the City of Oxford has a 1989 Grumman Fire Truck that needs to be disposed of either by sale or donation. The City put out a notice to garner interest in the fire truck and received several letters of interest. The Public Safety Committee recommended donating the Fire Truck to another Fire Department that is in need.

Please click here for the full meeting agenda.

Town Talk 11/08/19

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News 11/08/19

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Maria Parham Health

Town Talk 11/07/19: Demolition Begins on Maria Parham’s New $3.2 Million Cath Lab

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Maria Parham Health CEO Bert Beard and Dr. Sydney Short, cardiologist with Maria Parham Cardiology, were the guests of honor on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.

Beard said he was pleased to announce that demolition has begun on the area that will serve as the hospital’s new catheterization (cath) lab. With a price tag of $3.2 million, the new lab will occupy currently unused space in the building and will be located off of the emergency room, directly adjacent to the helipad.

Work on the lab is expected to be completed in June or July 2020 with a grand opening to follow.

Short, who joined Maria Parham in January, said the current cath lab has grown exponentially as far as services provided in the past year.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the program here now,” Short said. “We are raising the level of care quite a bit. The cath lab has been here a few years, and in May 2019 we started doing PCIs.”

A PCI, or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, is a non-surgical procedure that uses a catheter to place a stent in the heart in order to open up blood vessels that have been narrowed by plaque buildup. Complications of plaque buildup include chest pain, heart arrhythmias and heart failure.

Previously, MPH patients would have been referred to another hospital for such a procedure. “Now, patients that come in with chest pain can have a heart catheterization study done here and have a stent placed safely here,” said Short.

In addition to PCIs, Maria Parham Cardiology has increased its offering of other services including stress tests, echocardiograms, heart monitoring – including longer-term loop monitoring – and pacemaker implantation.

“The level of services has increased significantly, so we are able to do a lot of things to treat patients here who in the past would have been transferred,” Short explained.

Beard said continued expansion of both the quality and the quantity of health services offered in the local, rural community is the commitment of Maria Parham and Duke LifePoint Healthcare.

According to Beard, another example of this commitment will be realized at the end of January 2020 when Duke will station a life flight helicopter and crew at MPH 24/7. Two additional ambulances will also be stationed as part of the hospital’s designation as a strategic transport center.

“We are 100% committed to offering services that we know we can confidently provide to the patients at a high-quality level,” said Beard. “The additional services being offered should tell the community that you have access to quality care right here.”

To hear the interview with Beard and Short in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

American Flag

Granville’s Veterans Parade to Honor Military Personnel & Families

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-Information courtesy Oxford NC, Historic Downtown 

The Annual Granville County Veterans Parade honors all those who have or are currently serving in the military and their families. Please come out and show your support on Sunday, November 10, 2019, in Downtown Oxford.

The parade starts at 3 p.m. and will leave from Belle Street, take a left onto Williamsboro Street, a right onto College Street and then right onto McClanahan Street ending in front of the Oxford Fire Station.

Bring your flags and support your veterans!

Triangle North Healthcare Foundation Awards Over $250,000 in Health Grants

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-Press Release, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation

Triangle North Healthcare Foundation’s Board of Directors has awarded $258,500 in grants to local organizations in the Foundation’s seventh annual grant cycle. With the 2019 grant award, the Foundation’s contributions to the community total over $1.8 million since the Foundation began grantmaking in 2013.

“The primary purpose of our grantmaking is to invest in organizations that share our mission to improve health in our region,” said Val Short, executive director for the Foundation. “Our hope is that these grant awards will result in improved health and healthier outcomes for children and adults in Vance, Warren, Granville, and Franklin counties,” said Short.

The eight grants approved by the board fall under one or more of the five funding priorities established by the Foundation in 2013, including chronic disease, mental health and substance abuse, nutrition and physical activity, reproductive health, and success in school as related to health and wellness.

“In all of our grant programs, health and wellness are at the heart of the work they will do,” said Short.

The list of the grant recipients and their projects for 2019-20 includes:

  • Alliance Rehabilitative Care (ARC) – Access to Dental Care – Residents entering the substance abuse halfway house in Henderson will receive dental screening and preventive care and, when necessary, more extensive dental treatment to prevent further decay and to promote overall health.

 

  • Henderson Family YMCA – 1) Girls on the Run – a self-esteem and healthy lifestyles program for girls & boys culminating in a 5k run/walk at the end of each semester; 2) Safety Around Water – teaches water safety and drowning prevention skills to 2nd graders in Vance County.

 

  • NC Med Assist – Free Pharmacy Program & Over-the-Counter Giveaways –– provides free medications and support for low income and uninsured individuals in the Triangle North Region.  In addition, two over-the-counter medicine giveaways will be implemented this year in Vance and Granville counties.

 

  • Shepherd Youth Ranch – Trail to Success – Provide skill building for youth suffering from grief, loss, abandonment and abuse. Partial scholarships will be provided to 10 youth who are referred by the school system or law enforcement who will enter into an intensive 24-week program, which consists of weekly group and monthly family sessions in a unique program that uses horses to help with therapy.

 

  • Strength and Mending (S.a.M) Child Advocacy Center – Child Forensic Interviews – provides a centralized, child-centered approach to investigation that reduces the risk of trauma to the children who are victims of abuse; increases opportunities for healing for the child and non-offending family members.

 

  • TROSA (Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers, Inc.) – Rebuilding Lives: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Recovery – provides a two-year residential recovery program with treatment, education, vocational training and care for residents of the Triangle North region who suffer from alcohol and substance abuse, free of charge.

 

  • Working Landscapes – What’s Growing in Granville County— in partnership with Granville Vance Public Health & Granville County Schools, this program aims to improve the health of students in Granville County Schools by learning about and consuming healthy, locally grown food.

Located in Henderson, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, and schools in Vance, Warren, Granville, and Franklin counties. The Foundation’s grant funding mission has been made possible by the endowment that was established after Maria Parham Health merged with the for-profit Duke-Lifepoint in 2011.

The Foundation will launch a new grant cycle in the spring of 2020, but in the meantime, the Foundation staff is available to discuss ideas for grant projects or to provide assistance with grant writing.  Call the Foundation office at 252-430-8532 for information about future grant opportunities or visit the Foundation’s website at www.tnhfoundation.org .

Masonic Home for Children

Masonic Home Administrator Thanks All Involved in Homecoming’s Success

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A 2019 Homecoming “Thank You” message from Kevin Otis, Administrator, Masonic Home for Children at Oxford:

We realize that good weather is important, but realize even more that the real success of Homecoming is the help so many provided. MHCO especially wants to thank everyone who lined College Street to watch the parade, enjoyed the BBQ, participated in the activities, and danced to the music!

So many people and groups were involved in making this weekend enjoyable for everyone. This year, MHCO had amazing volunteer supports from United Rentals, Wells Fargo, the Rainbow Girls, several individuals, alumni, masons, and MHCO Ambassadors. Their help allowed the staging to be more effective and timelier than in past years.

The Alumni hit a record with the Charlie Burton Chip Shots for Children Golf Tournament. Big thanks to Bill and Tina Gilreath for chairing the tourney and for their entire family’s contributions to the weekend. Many may not realize how much extra work goes on behind the scenes to promote the alumni portion of the weekend. Special thanks to all who help the alumni truly enjoy coming back home.

The BBQ teams continue to increase and are energized to participate. The Soggy Bottom Boys BBQ Team’s first Homecoming was three festivals ago when Hurricane Matthew washed out everything but our enthusiasm and commitment. They have been committed ever since. Before Homecoming they do a preparation cook-off. They receive donations for anyone wanting to sample what they prepared. This year they contributed $555 to go toward the pool.

We are also blessed that the Hub had two teams including Tobacco Wood. It is important and fantastic for local businesses to want to participate and help the Home. Let them all know your appreciation. Special thanks to Brother Charles Barrett for chairing the BBQ competition.

The Shrine Parade was impressive, and several more units participated this year. There were smiles on the faces of children of all ages as the parade went over one hour! The community groups were a hit also as three bands, three scout groups, and dance and karate teams shared their support for MHCO. Big thanks to Frank Long, Gene Purvis, and Chris Richardson for their continued leadership for the parade.

Oxford Police Department Oxford Fire Department, the Sheriff’s Office, EMS, and the City of Oxford continue to support the Home in all areas, and this year was exceptional and safe. We applaud all they do to keep our kids, staff and the entire community safe.

Special thanks to our friends in the media as they helped MHCO get the word out so everyone knows the family-friendly fun that is available. We appreciate all their ongoing support. Thanks to Oxford Public Ledger, The Daily Dispatch, 98.3 FM, and WIZS 100.1 FM/1450 AM. We appreciate you sharing our good news. Special thanks to Granville County Public Schools for allowing bookbag flyers to be sent with the children to inform their families.

The music and entertainment were extraordinary this year. Special thanks to the Tams and Tonez as they got everyone dancing and grooving. As always, we appreciate Russell Ragland Productions, Ted’s Twisted Balloons, Scrap Exchange (sponsored by Creedmoor Rotary Club), Lumpy’s Ice Cream, Sheetz, and Gaming Unplugged.

Finally, we would like to thank the Board, staff and children for all their support and effort. The cottage booths are always a hit and the proceeds go toward cottage special needs and events. Special recognition to Board Members Dewey Preslar and the Andrew Jackson Boys for cooking for everyone on Friday, Nicki Perry for staying at the cottage booths all day, Don Steichen for his work on the float, and Tony Cozart for helping load up the fencing. To all, we hoped we thanked you personally, and if not, we appreciate each and every one of you.

What we collectively do for Homecoming is fantastic, but what we accomplish for the children every day is the really impressive work. If you know a family going through troubled times, please let them know to consider MHCO. If you would like to be a houseparent and help children overcome challenges and develop every day, please consider applying. If you want to help children today and tomorrow, consider setting up a recurring gift.

For any information please visit MHCO’s webpage www.mhc-oxford.org or call 919-693-5111. The children beam from the light you help shine.

Thank you all!

Chess Grandmaster Headlines VGCC Small Business Summit

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Maurice Ashley, the first African-American International Grandmaster in chess, served as the keynote speaker for the eighth annual Small Business Summit, presented by the Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center and the Warren County Economic Development Commission in partnership with the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center and the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County.

The event, entitled “It’s All About the Path You Choose – Using the Right Strategy to Make the Best Moves,” was held on October 29 at the Warren County Armory & Civic Center in Warrenton.

As a nationally-recognized motivational speaker, Ashley discusses the character-building effects of chess. He also examines how the strategies used in the game can be translated into strategies to be used in business, or in any facet of life.

Ashley is a commentator for the biggest chess events in the world, including the World Chess Championships, the US Chess Championships, the Grand Chess Tour and the legendary Man vs. Machine matches between Garry Kasparov and IBM’s Deep Blue. He is a member of the US Chess Hall of Fame, a championship coach, an author, and the designer of a mobile app, “Learn Chess with Maurice Ashley.”

After his remarks, Ashley wowed the spellbound audience by playing – and winning – a chess match while blindfolded.

Former U.S. Representative Eva Clayton gave an introduction of Ashley through a pre-recorded video message.

The event was made possible in part through a grant from NC IDEA, a private foundation with a mission to maximize the economic potential of the people of North Carolina by supporting the formation and fruition of high-growth entrepreneurial endeavors in the state.

During the summit, NC IDEA President and CEO Thom Ruhe gave a brief presentation on “Ice House Entrepreneurship,” an experiential, problem-based program designed to empower learners by exposing them to entrepreneurial thinking while immersing them in entrepreneurial experiences that will enable them to develop creativity and critical thinking, effective problem solving, teamwork, and other entrepreneurial skills.

“I am so pleased with this year’s event and am grateful for Stacy Woodhouse, EDC Director of Warren County, and his efforts in securing an NC IDEA grant, which made it possible to bring a speaker of the caliber of Maurice Ashley to our event. He did not disappoint!” said VGCC Small Business Center Director Sheri Jones. “It was also a pleasure to have Thom Ruhe present and to have him promote Ice House Entrepreneurship to the crowd. It was a wonderful introduction to a program that we are bringing to the area in January.”

For more information about the services available to entrepreneurs through the VGCC Small Business Center, contact Sheri Jones at 252-738-3240 or joness@vgcc.edu.

Blessed Hope Baptist to Hold Keith Plott Gospel Singing

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-Information courtesy Lauren Elliott, Blessed Hope Baptist Church

Blessed Hope Baptist Church, 741 Dabney Road in Henderson, will hold a Keith Plott Gospel Singing on Sunday, November 24, 2019, at 6 p.m.

All are invited to attend!