TownTalk: Embrace Henderson Family Spectacular

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After a COVID-19 delay, Embrace Henderson’s Family Spectacular is returning to Saddlerock Farm on Saturday, April 9 for a fun-filled event for children and adults.

Embrace Henderson’s Kevin Kilgore told John C. Rose Monday that the group is glad to get back to its mission of coming together to host events, revivals – and the Family Spectacular – after a two-year COVID-19 break.

The Spectacular will be held at Saddlerock Farm, 1786 Weldon’s Mill Road, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“It’s the only event that we’ve scheduled this year…because it’s outside, it felt like it was a good place to start back,” Kilgore said.

The 2022 event marks the 10th anniversary of the Spectacular. Kilgore said previous events have had right around 1,000 in attendance. “I’d love to have twice that many, but we’re comfortable with the number of adults and kids that do come,” he said.

There will be horse rides, hayrides, bouncy houses, children’s games, an illusion show, just to name a few. There also will be sno cones, popcorn and drinks to enjoy.

The event is absolutely free, Kilgore said.

Embrace Henderson was formed in 2010 when a group of individuals and various churches joined forces to be able to bring events, revivals and events like the Family Spectacular, all while spreading God’s Word.

The local group is partnering with Bob Fowler’s Child Evangelism Fellowship and Scott and Karen Lamm with LammEvents.com to bring all the activities to Vance County next month.

“There’s no way we could do this without either of them,” Kilgore noted.

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The Local Skinny! Around Old Granville: The Mystery Of Harrison Macon

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Where is Harrison Macon? Or perhaps the better question is where is this Revolutionary War veteran buried? Harrison Macon was the brother of the famous Nathaniel Macon and while Nathaniel may be more well known, Harrison also had quite a significant life. He was captured at Camden, South Carolina in 1780 during the Revolution and was a captain during the war. He was born circa 1745 and was dead by 1790. He married Hannah Glenn, daughter of Gideon Glenn who lived in present day Rocky Ford. The Glenn’s owned over a thousand acres of land and Harrison Macon lived close by, just “across the creek” from the Glenn’s. This was likely Lynch’s Creek.

The Glenn’s, as was the custom in that time, had a family burial ground on their property and legend has it that Harrison, being the husband of Hannah Glenn, was buried in the Glenn family cemetery. But just where is that?

On the Around Old Granville segment of the Local Skinny on Monday, WIZS’ Bill Harris and North Carolina Room Specialist at Thornton Library in Oxford, discussed the mystery of Macon’s place of burial. The search began four or five years ago when the Halifax Rifles chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution got curious about it. The search has continued with local historians from Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin Counties attempting to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

One of the documents unearthed is an application for a headstone made to the U.S. War Department in 1931 by Dr. Daniel T. Smithwick of Franklin Co. Dr. Smithwick was a local historian who had married Evelyn Macon, a great granddaughter of Harrison Macon. According to the application, Smithwick place the the headstone at the “Old Home Place”, near Louisburg. Was it a Macon home place, the Glenn homeplace? No one really knows for certain. Macons lived all around the area from Ingleside (which was once known as Macon) all the way to the Bobbitt area.

The Glenn Home place is still standing and occupied. It has been heavily remodeled many times and if there is a Glenn family burial ground then this is the likely site of Macon’s resting place. Just down the road from present day Rocky Ford are the remains of a once thriving community called Letha which was situated near a ford on Lynch’s Creek. The remains of an old dam can be found there along with a building or two. The land was likely part of what was once Glenn property and there is a cemetery with a number of unmarked graves inclucingh one burial situated on top of a hill overlooking the creek it is this grave that has caught the attention of local historians. This particular grave is covered in stones, somewhat reminiscent of Nathaniel Macon’s grave site in Warren Co. but nowhere near as elaborate. Could this be the site of Harrison Macon? Many historians certainly think this is a possibility. So far no headstone has been found at the site but further investigation is needed.

So the question remains “Where is Harrison Macon?”

Filing Period Ends For May 17 Primary

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The filing period for the May 17 primary election ended at noon today, and several candidates filed the necessary paperwork before the deadline, according to Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan

Randy Oxendine, a Democrat, filed for the District 2 seat on the Vance County Board of Education, a seat currently held by his wife, Darlynn Oxendine.

Republican Jonathan Collier added his name to the list of candidates for the office of Vance County Sheriff. Collier faces Patrick Bailey in the Republican primary race. Incumbent Curtis Brame and Sterlin Walker will be on the Democrat ballot for sheriff in the primary.

William Earl Purvis filed for Henderson City Council Ward Seat 2 At Large and will challenge incumbent William Burnette for the seat.

The City Ward 1 at large incumbent Sara Coffey has filed for re-election and faces opposition from Clementine Hunter, who also has filed for the seat.

Amanda Burnette, a Democrat, filed to run for Clerk of Superior Court. She faces incumbent Henry Gupton in that race.

In neighboring Granville County, a field of three Democrats and three Republicans are vying for the job of sheriff.

Democrats Keith Daniel, Robert D. Fountain, Jr. and Ronald M. Smith, Sr. have filed. Republicans Vance Johnson, Robert Morris and Clinton Owens also have filed.

In the race for Board of Education District 5, Samantha Harris and Danielle Hayes will vie for the seat. And in District 7, incumbent David Richardson faces Taylor Frederick for the seat.

Bradley Oldenburg, (R) has filed for Granville County Commissioner in District 2. He joins Rob Williford II, (D), who had previously filed.

In the newly created NC Senate District 18, four candidates have tossed their names into the ring: Republican Dimitry Slabyak filed in December, before the filing was suspended; Republican E.C. Sykes of Raleigh filed Feb. 28, Libertarian Ryan Brown of Creedmoor filed on Mar. 1 and Democrat Mary Wills Bode of Oxford filed Mar. 2.

Area Schools Participate In National Program Focused On Reducing Social Isolation

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School cafeterias usually are abuzz with activity at lunch time – there’s usually a lot of chatter as students take a few minutes to decompress from the rigors of the classroom. But cafeterias also can be a place where students can experience social isolation. Conjure up an image of a student eating alone in a cafeteria and you get the picture.

In an effort to raise awareness about the negative effect social isolation can have on young people’s mental health – and academic performance – WellCare of North Carolina is bringing No One Eats Alone Day to a couple of area schools.

Clarke Elementary in Henderson was scheduled to participate today (Friday, Mar. 4) and G.C. Hawley Middle School in Creedmoor is slated to participate on Mar. 10, according to information from WellCare. Henderson YMCA will be the third site in the area to participate, scheduled for Mar. 24.

Billed as “a positive prevention initiative designed to promote inclusion and a culture of belonging in middle schools,” No One Eats Alone Day was created by the nonprofit Beyond Differences.

According to a press statement, students “will learn about social isolation and the negative impact it can have on mental health and academic performance, while also being encouraged to create new friendships. Mental health is especially important now as students experience the growing stressors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its social isolation effects.”

The area schools and the YMCA join thousands of schools across the country that will celebrate No One Eats Alone Day. The initiative will reach more than a million students in all 50 U.S. states. No One Eats Alone Day is sponsored by the Centene Charitable Foundation.

WellCare of North Carolina provides government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex needs primarily through Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans across the state. WellCare of North Carolina is one of the state’s Medicaid Prepaid Health Plans (PHPs). Visit www.wellcare.com/nc to learn more.

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TownTalk: County Commissioners To Work On Issues During Retreat

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Updated 3/4/2022

The Vance County commissioners completed their planning retreat on Thursday, Mar. 3 and prioritized five goals for the coming year, which remain in draft form until they are formally approved at the April board meeting.

County Manager Jordan McMillen told WIZS News that all indications are that the five priorities will be:

  1. To retain or assist in creation of 150 new jobs and $10 million in new investment for the County to include completion of design and construction of a shell building at the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park.
  2. Complete an Economic Development Strategic plan aimed at setting priorities and benchmarks for the future of economic development to include prioritizing regionalization.
  3. Implement a community paramedicine program that seeks to improve community health, reduce frequent fliers, and assist in lowering EMS call volume.
  4. Begin planning (land acquisition and design) necessary for a new public safety center to house the county EMS and fire departments.
  5. Begin construction of Phase 1B of the county water system and offer public information/signup meetings with a goal of increasing signups 20 percent above the current level.

Other takeaways that McMillen noted following the retreat include the positive financial position the county finds itself in, which will help the county be able to bring employee salaries more in line with the market.

“This speaks to our fund balance (unassigned fund balance of 44 percent of expenditures) and also the increases we have seen in sales tax revenue the past few years which we are hopeful will position us to implement our recent salary study with the new budget July 1,” McMillen said.

The board must approve the salary plan before it goes into effect. “As we work budget, we intend to be in position to approve the salary study at our June meeting to be effective with the new budget,” McMillen said.

He cited some details of the salary study, noting that 82 percent of salaries “are closer to the minimum and have not progressed to the midpoint or the maximum of the pay grade.” If and when the plan is approved, “employees’ salaries would be slotted where they belong along the pay range according to the market and our starting salaries will move up as well across the board,” he explained.

Neighboring counties have conducted similar studies in the past year or so, which impacts Vance County’s ability to effectively recruit and retain employees, McMillen added.

“Economic development remains the top goal and priority for our board,” he said. “A major part of this effort is continuing to develop our industrial park and looking toward a possible shell building in the future.” McMillen said more information about this topic will be announced at the commissioners’ meeting Monday, Mar. 7.

During the retreat, the group discussed the need to work together with neighboring counties to strengthen regionalism and support regional efforts.

The county’s effort over the past five years to return foreclosed and other properties to the tax rolls has been successful, McMillen said. In that period, 116 properties have been returned to the tax rolls, which is the equivalent of returning $830,000 in value to the tax rolls.

The county took in more than $300,000 in revenue for these properties, he said.

 

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Vance County commissioners and county staff have gathered today (Thursday) for its annual planning retreat to discuss upcoming priorities, review goals and talk about results of a recent salary and benefits study of county jobs.

It began at 9 a.m. today and was scheduled to conclude at 2 p.m., according to information from County Manager Jordan McMillen.

The retreat was rescheduled from an earlier date so the salary study could be completed. John C. Rose perused the 51-page agenda that McMillen had prepared for the retreat, and said the first topic of conversation was the salary and benefits study, which was presented to commissioners.

Also on the agenda was a recap of the county’s financial condition and fiscal outlook presented by Finance Director Katherine Bigelow.

There are numerous openings within county government and law enforcement that have yet to be filled, including 16 at the detention center and 8 within the sheriff’s office. There are 32 openings at the Department of Social Services and a dozen openings within the EMS system.

Whether qualified candidates simply aren’t looking in Vance County or not considering working here because the pay isn’t competitive with other areas, the fact remains that there are openings that need to be filled.

The salary study included information about employee outreach, current conditions, review of compensation and having an updated pay plan, according to information in the agenda.

 

Some of the goals that were scheduled to be discussed included the following:

 

  • Creation of 150 new jobs and bringing in $10 million in new investment
  • Completion of economic development plan
  • Construction of a shell building at industrial park
  • Creation of a paramedicine program to reduce EMS call volume
  • Initial planning of a new public safety center to house EMS and fire departments
  • Start Phase 1B of the county water system
  • Increase signups to the water system by 20 percent over current signups

 

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The Local Skinny! From The Land Of Ice And Snow: Vikings Coming To Granville

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The Vikings are planning an invasion soon, right here in Granville County. But this invasion is filled with activities for the whole family, especially if you’re into axe-throwing and drinking mead.

The Viking Experience will take place at the Granville Expo Center on Mar. 26 and Mar. 27.

Hannah Reed and her mother Angela Reed are the business duo behind the weekend event, which they describe as part educational and part entertainment.

They talked with John C. Rose on Thursday’s The Local Skinny! about how those who attend the local venue will be transported back to the Middle Ages, when Vikings in their sailing ships were conquering and pillaging.

There will be plenty of activities for children and adults, including “Vikings in training” activities and fight demonstrations throughout the weekend.

Not into axe-throwing and sword-fighting? That’s ok, too. There will be music and dancing “pretty much all day,” as well as a Norse-inspired acrobatic groups to entertain attendees.

Purchase an extra “fight pass” to gain access to the fight pit, where foam swords and other “safe” weapons abound, the Reeds said.

Based in Creedmoor, the Reeds attend similar festivals in Maryland, but noticed that there weren’t any Norse-inspired events around these parts. So about five years ago, they set the wheels in motion that has resulted in the first Viking Experience in the area.

Vendors will sell food, drinks, jewelry and much more during the weekend. And re-enactors will mingle with the crowds. “Our characters are roaming constantly and will interact with you as if you are actually part of that world,” Hannah said.

The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mar. 26 and then from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mar. 27. Tickets are available online at https://www.thevikingexperiencenc.com/

Plan to stay for the dinner theatre, which is offered at a separate ticket price

Angela suggests buying tickets in advance.

“We are getting a huge, huge interest in this event – much larger than we even expected,” she said.

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Dr. Stephen Pearson – City’s Orange Street Lot to Bear His Name

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The late Dr. Stephen Pearson, co-founder of Sadie’s Coffee Corner downtown, will be remembered in a ceremony next week.

The City of Henderson will host a ceremony and officially name the city’s Orange Street parking lot after Dr. Pearson.

That lot is next to Sadie’s on South Garnett Street.

The ceremony will take place Tuesday, March 8 at 11 a.m.

The public is invited to attend.

Pearson and Amanda Pearson, his wife, celebrated the grand opening of Sadie’s on November 9, 2019. Pearson died at age 57 about one year ago in late March 2021.

Pearson was well-liked and loved by many and had otherwise risen to the board chair level of the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission.

As he said in a video presentation at the 2020 Henderson Vance Chamber of Commerce meeting and banquet, “We came in with very clear goals, a very clear business plan, things that we would absolutely make sure that we changed in the dynamic of business on main street, and we also came with the mindset that if we are going to come down and provide some change, then we’re going to change from the inside. You can’t change things from the outside.”