Coop Extension’s Annual Symposium to Focus on ‘Conservation Through Gardening’

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-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, NC Cooperative Extension

Join the Vance/Warren Extension Master Gardener volunteers on Saturday, March 28, 2020, for the annual Garden Symposium entitled “Petals, Pollinators & Passerines” at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. The market is located at 210 Southpark Dr. in Henderson.

The theme this year is “conservation through gardening,” with lessons on how garden practices can help birds, bees and native plants.

Outstanding presenters include Dr. Elsa Youngsteadt, noted pollinator researcher at NCSU and author of The Bees of North Carolina; Dr. Annabel Renwick, native plants curator at Duke Gardens; and Christina Harvey with the Wake County chapter of Audubon North Carolina.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the program starting at 9 a.m. sharp. Register by March 17 for the early bird price of only $30, which includes refreshments and lunch.

There will also be an optional afternoon workshop on Upcycling which will demonstrate how to make garden treasures out of items usually found in the trash or recycling bin. Pre-registration is strongly preferred.

All the details, including the registration form, are posted at https://go.ncsu.edu/vancegarden or call the Vance County Extension Center at 252-438-8188.

The Symposium is co-sponsored by the Vance County Extension Center and the Vance/Warren Master Gardener Volunteer Association (Gardeners of Kerr Lake).

NC Coop Extension

Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie 02/19/20

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Home and Garden 02/18/20

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Snow…Winter Weather Advisory

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Snow…Winter Weather Advisory

News 02/19/20

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Town Talk 02/18/20: Daeke Discusses Potential McGregor Hall Funding

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Garry Daeke, Henderson City Council member, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Daeke briefly mentioned the upcoming Focus 20/20 Regional Economic Development Summit to be held at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center on Thursday, February 20, 2020, and discussed the success of another downtown entity, Sadie’s Coffee Corner.

“What a great venue, and a great community space where people can come together,” said Daeke. “Sadie’s is a great place for anyone and everyone to come together in downtown, relax and enjoy good food and drinks.”

In light of a recently completed economic development study quantifying McGregor Hall’s impact on the local economy, including increased traffic at downtown business and restaurants, McGregor Hall representatives requested City and County funding to assist with its remaining $2.9 million debt.

The results of the study, prepared by the Municipal Research Lab at NC State University, were sent to Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen and former City of Henderson Manager Frank Frazier. While McGregor Hall did not list a specific monetary amount in its funding request, it pointed out the following, as indicated in the study:

  • McGregor Hall is directly responsible for injecting $2.4 million into the Henderson economy during the 12 months preceding April 2019.
  • McGregor Hall is directly responsible for 5.5% of all economic growth in Vance County over the past three years.
  • McGregor Hall, with a 1,000 seating capacity, is the only performing arts center with over 750 seats in NC (not connected with an educational institution) that does not receive any kind of municipal or county funding.

With an annual budget of $491,839 as of 2018, McGregor Hall currently operates with one full-time employee and three part-time employees. The rest of the blanks are filled by numerous volunteers and donors, a feat that Daeke admitted will be hard to maintain in the long-run.

“I don’t think it can continue, in my opinion, with the level of quality they provide now with just so many volunteers,” Daeke said. “It’s very important that the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center continues to grow, thrive and be a pinnacle centerpiece for Vance County.”

Providing a history of the construction of McGregor Hall and other Breckenridge buildings, including the Henderson Police Department, Daeke stated that the City has already invested quite a bit of money into the project and suggested the County may be the place to turn to for additional funding.

“The City has a couple of million dollars in the facility already whereas the County was not involved in that funding,” explained Daeke. “The County benefits greatly from the sales tax [generated by McGregor Hall], the City to a lesser degree. For every $3 that’s generated by McGregor Hall, $2 goes to the County and $1 to the City.”

Daeke said the impact study has helped to shine a light on the extent of McGregor Hall’s economic reach and believes the County appreciates the results as well.

“A very fair and economical way of helping would be for the County to step up and provide some help; they get return from it. I do think the County sees its role in continuing to help McGregor Hall.”

To hear the interview with Daeke in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

H-V Chamber Logo

H-V Chamber of Commerce Releases Agenda for Regional Economic Dev. Summit

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-Information courtesy The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce has released the agenda for Focus 20/20, the Regional Economic Development Summit to be held at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in Henderson on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The summit kicks off at 9:30 a.m.

Agenda:

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Networking and Registration

9:30 – 9:45 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks

Diane Cox, Executive Director, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments
Gordon Wilder, Chairman, Vance County Board of Commissioners
Eddie Ellington, Mayor, City of Henderson
Benny Finch, Board Chairman, Henderson Vance Downtown Development Commission
John Wester, Embassy Cultural Center Foundation

9:45 – 11 a.m. Opening Act: Setting the Stage – Hear about the condition of today’s economy and how our region compares to the country and the state. Learn how investment in vital infrastructure is key to creating good jobs and promoting full economic development.

Facilitator: Richie Duncan, Economic Development Director, Franklin County

Speakers:
Dr. Michael Walden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Extension Economist at North Carolina State University

Jennifer Lantz, Executive Director, Wilson Economic Development Council

Hillary Sherman, NC Economic Development Representative, US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Second Act: Advancing Entrepreneurship – Supporting an entrepreneurial ecosystem is a critical building block for community and economic development. Learn about advancing entrepreneurship to encourage the development of new and innovative businesses that support a resilient economy.

Facilitator: Stacy Woodhouse, Economic Development Director, Warren County

Speaker: Thom Ruhe, President & CEO, NC IDEA

12 – 1 p.m. Lunch/Invocation

Harry Mills, Economic Development Director, Granville County

1 – 1:15 p.m. Introduction: Jordan McMillen, County Manager, Vance County
Remarks from North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Anthony M. (Tony) Copeland

1:15 – 2:30 p.m. Third Act: Developing Talented and Innovative People – Retaining, retraining, and retooling our citizens to prepare them for the jobs of the future is of utmost importance. Connecting top talent with quickly changing business needs will further change the workforce landscape as responsiveness and adaptability become paramount. Hear about innovative workforce initiatives that are preparing our workforce.

Facilitator: Sherry Wilborn, Economic Development Director, Person County

Speakers:
Dr. Jenni Harris, Executive Director of Business Services,
North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions

Dawn Michelle Tucker, Dean of Continuing Education and College & Career Readiness, Vance-Granville Community College

Dr. Pamela G. Senegal, President, Piedmont Community College

Judy Bradsher, M.Ed., Director, CTE Programs/GEAR UP Liaison, Person County Schools

Rhonda L. High, Customized Training Director, Halifax Community College

2:30 – 4 p.m. Final Act: 13 Ways to Kill Your Community – Author and former politician Doug Griffiths provides a revelatory and insightful look at the often universal challenges that limit community success and how to overcome them.

Introduction: Walter Gardner, Board Officer, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments

Keynote Speaker:
Doug Griffiths, President and CEO, 13 Ways, Inc.

Closing Remarks:
Dennis Jarvis II, Economic Development Director, Vance County

Event Sponsored by:
Franklin County Committee of 100, Henderson-Vance Industrial Park, Tommy and Jenny Hester and Region K Community Assistance Corporation.

Lunch Sponsored by:
Franklin County Economic Development Commission, Granville County Economic Development Commission, Henderson-Vance County Economic Development Commission, Person County Economic Development Commission and
Warren County Economic Development Commission.

Dr. Gregory McKnight Appointed to Vacant Granville BOE Seat

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

At a special work session on Monday, February 17, 2020, the Granville County Board of Education voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Greg McKnight to the vacant seat for District 5. This seat became vacant when Mr. Ed Mims resigned in December of 2019.

The Granville County Board of Education has appointed Dr. Greg McKnight to the vacant seat for District 5. (Photo courtesy GCPS)

As directed by Board policy, the vacancy was filled through a selection process, which included the submission of an application, followed by an interview process. Three applicants were interviewed for this seat.

Board Chair Mr. David Richardson commented on the decision to appoint Dr. McKnight, stating, “We are very pleased to have someone with Dr. McKnight’s depth of experience in public education, and passion for educating children. We believe his presence on our Board will be a huge asset.”

Dr. Gregory McKnight’s career in public education spans more than 15 years. Some of his previous roles in the field of education are middle school teacher, elementary principal, and professional development consultant with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. In his current role, Dr. McKnight is an Educator Support Specialist for SAS EVAAS.

Dr. McKnight holds a bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education from North Carolina Central University, a master’s degree in School Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from UNC-Chapel Hill. McKnight and his wife Latisa have a daughter Gabrielle, who is a student at G.C. Hawley Middle School.

I Voted Sticker

Notice of Granville Co. Polling Location, Room Changes for Election Day

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-Information courtesy Granville County Board of Elections

The Granville County Board of Elections announces polling place room and location changes for the upcoming March 3, 2020 Primary and Board of Education Elections. These changes are for Election Day polling places. All affected voters were also mailed cards noting the polling place move and the new location.

NOTICE OF POLLING PLACE ROOM CHANGES ON ELECTION DAY (MARCH 3, 2020)

If your polling place on March 3, 2020 (Election Day) is in one of the following precincts, you will need to vote in a different room.

Election Day Precincts (Room Changes):

Creedmoor Precinct located at Creedmoor Elementary School, 305 East Wilton Avenue, Creedmoor

  • Voting is still in the music room but it is now in the large open area.

Mt. Energy Precinct located at Mt. Energy Elementary School, 2652 NC Hwy 56 East, Creedmoor

  • Voting is now in the Media Center.

West Oxford Elementary Precinct located at 412 Ivey Day Road, Oxford, NC

  • Voting is now in the gym.

NOTICE OF POLLING PLACE LOCATION CHANGES ON ELECTION DAY (MARCH 3, 2020)

Election Day Precincts (At a New Location):

The following precincts have moved to another location and address:

Oak Hill Precinct

Moved from Toler-Oak Hill School located at Toler-Oak Hill School, 8176 Hwy 96 North, Oxford, NC to Camp Oak Hill & Retreat Center located at 1528 Oak Hill Road, Oxford, NC

  • Voting will be in the last room on the right down the sidewalk. There will be a separate entrance for voters to enter and exit.

Salem Precinct

Moved from the Oxford/Henderson Airport located at the Oxford/Henderson Airport, 6514 Airport Road, Oxford, NC to Oxford Preparatory School located at 6041 Landis Road, Oxford, NC

  •  Voting will be in the gym.  There will be a separate entrance from the school on the far right for voters to enter and exit.

Sassafras Fork Precinct

Moved from Sassafras Fork Elementary School located at Stovall-Shaw School, 7696 US Hwy 15 North to Stovall Branch Library located at 300 Main Street, Stovall, NC

  • Voting will be in the conference room.

Tally Ho precinct

Moved from Stem Fire Station located at the Stem Fire Station, 100 Franklin Street, Stem, NC to Granville Central High School located at 2043 Sanders Road, Stem, NC

  • Voting will be in the band room.

Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Dept. Welcomes Toshia Somerville

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-Information courtesy Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks

The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department is excited to introduce Toshia Somerville as the new Administrative Support Specialist.

Toshia Somerville is the new Administrative Support Specialist for the Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department. (Photo courtesy H-V Rec & Parks)

Toshia is a native of Hampton Roads, Virginia. She graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fashion Buying and Marketing.

Following graduation, she enlisted in the US Army and served seven years as an Arabic Linguist. After her service, she attended Regis University where she received a Master of Business Administration Degree.

Toshia is married to Corei Somerville and they have 4 children – Alexis, Corei Jr., Jaelen and Jeremiah. Toshia enjoys giving back to her community and is excited to be part of the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks team.