WIZS Radio Local News Audio 03-17-22 Noon
Click Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
The Local Skinny! Around Old Granville: Canadian Immigrants
We’ve learned from history lessons in school about immigrants who traveled from faraway places, their worldy possessions often fitting in a small suitcase, passing by the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor to begin their new lives in America.
But did you know that there was a contingent of immigrants who came here after the end of the Civil War to what is now Vance County – all the way from…Canada?
A local man named Samuel Jones Parham got into the real estate business at a time when land prices had tanked as a result of the breakup of the huge plantations during Reconstruction.
Although Parham wasn’t single-handedly responsible for “the Canadian invasion,” Mark Pace quipped, he did go to an area in central Ontario to talk up the great land deals in the area.
“He made a connection in central Ontario,” Pace told Bill Harris on the Around Old Granville segment Thursday’s The Local Skinny! To be specific, he sold land to several families in the towns of Hamstead and St. Mary’s.
Pace said 25 families – for a total of about 400 people – relocated from Canada to Vance County between 1871 and 1873. The majority of these immigrants were first-generation Canadians whose families had come from Scotland, Pace said.
Scotland and Canada both were subjects of the British Crown back then, Pace reminded, and there was a lack of land ownership. “The motivation (to immigrate) was to own your own land,” he said.
Most of the families settled along Sandy Creek, between Vicksboro and Epsom, he said. Families with last names like Buchan, Dickie, Fox, McMillan, Pyree, Stewart and Smith were among those who came south to the United States with the dream of owning property.
“Some of their great- and great-great-grandkids are still here today,” Pace said.
Interestingly enough, there began a reverse migration of sorts back to the same area of Ontario – thanks to a crop called tobacco. Tobacco was being planted – and harvested – in that same area, and many people from here would go back to Canada to work during the growing season.
Samuel Parham died in 1880; his widow died in 1903. Although her husband was a mayor of Henderson, her name is perhaps better known because the original hospital in Henderson was named in her memory: Maria Parham.
Click Play
McGregor Hall Presents “Living with Ruthie Mae” Sunday At 2 PM
Tickets are still available for Sunday afternoon’s performance at McGregor Hall of Garrett Davis’s play “Living with Ruthie Mae,” and patrons are reminded that the mask mandate has been lifted for indoor spaces.
The show had to be rescheduled from mid-January, and all tickets from that original date will be honored with the same seat selection. The show begins at 2 p.m.
“Living with Ruthie Mae” is a comedy about that one sweet family member who doesn’t know when to go home – the most recent work of the North Carolina playwright – and features Shirley Jones of The Jones Girls and American Idol finalist Scott Savol.
According to information from McGregor Hall, “per our local and state health guidelines, we are no longer requiring masks to be worn in our facility. However, we do encourage our patrons to exercise their personal judgment on what is best for the health and safety of you and your family when visiting McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center.”
Visit https://www.mcgregorhall.org/ to purchase tickets online.
TownTalk: Corbitt Preservation Event To Be Held On April 9
When he looks at one of those old Corbitt trucks, Charles Powell sees so much more than an old vehicle that just happened to be manufactured right here in Henderson in the early part of the 20th century – he sees, in his words “magnificent pieces of equipment.”
Powell, president of the Corbitt Preservation Association, and plenty of other Corbitt Truck enthusiasts are looking forward to gathering again in a few weeks to share their love of the locally produced vehicle with others.
There will be a Spring Fling and Open House on Saturday, April 9 in the area of the Bennett H. Perry Museum, which also is home to the preservation association. This is the 20th year for the event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.
“You can’t just look at it as a hunk of metal,” Powell told John C. Rose on Thursday’s Town Talk. What some may see as utilitarian vehicles of a bygone era, Powell and other Corbitt truck fans see as history on wheels.
There will be some Corbitt trucks parked along Church Street in front of the museum so folks have a chance to see them up close.
The preservation association was all set to have the open house last year, but COVID-19 quashed those plans. Powell said the open house for the museum is a great way to let the community know that the museum is here for them to enjoy.
“I think everybody’s ready to get out,” Powell said. “People have been inside for so long – I think they’re really going to like these events.”
There are half a dozen or so car shows or other similar events across the state that Powell and others either drive or trailer some of the old Corbitts to, including the Got To Be NC festival in Raleigh and another at the Transportation Museum in Spencer, near Salisbury.
“It takes quite a bit to get these vehicles loaded up and hauled to a show,” Powell explained. Some of the vehicles are between 70 and 100 years old, so driving them is often out of the question.
Some of the ones who have loved and cared for the vehicles are getting older, too, he said. He’d love to attract some younger folks to become members of the preservation association. Membership dues were waived during the pandemic and Powell said anyone interested in becoming involved need do nothing more than show up at a meeting – the next one is May 15 – or come out to the spring fling and sign up.
Find the group on Facebook at Corbitt Preservation Association or at https://corbitttrucks.com/
Click Play
TownTalk: Granville Gardeners’ Expo Coming April 23
From Master Gardeners looking for a little something to add to their flower beds to newbies just hoping to cultivate a green thumb, the upcoming Granville Gardeners’ Expo will have something for just about everyone.
From workshops and demonstrations to plants and home décor, the Granville County Expo and Convention Center on Saturday, April 23 will be filled to overflowing with vendors and others to kickstart springtime gardening projects, according to Christi Henthorn, one of the event organizers.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and it will be a time “to learn, shop and have some fun,” Henthorn told John C. Rose and Bill Harris on Thursday’s Town Talk.
The Granville Gardeners is a nonprofit organization that is filled with all different types of gardeners, from the backyard enthusiast to commercial nursery men and women. “Our job as garden club members is to help folks (find ways to) garden that fits their needs,” Henthorn said. Likewise, local vendors who will be on hand can help you decide which plants best fit the space you have.
Visit https://www.thegranvillegardeners.org/ and click on the Expo link to find the list of plants available for pre-order to be picked up on the day of the event. The link to pre-order is scheduled to go live tomorrow (Friday, Mar. 18), Henthorn said.
Some of the workshops planned for the expo include learning how to compost and putting together attractive planters
“We have some very, very experienced gardeners that have lived here their whole lives and their gardens are just stellar,” Henthorn noted.
There still is room for more vendors, with 10 x 10 spaces priced at $40. Other sizes are available as well, she said. There also are sponsor opportunities as well. Below is a list of the sponsorship levels:
- Seed – $100
- Sprout – $300
- Sapling -$500
- Bouquet – $1,000+
to learn more or send an email to granvillegardeners@gmail.com. In addition, the club phone number is 919.892.9135.
Christi Henthorn details the upcoming Granville Gardners Expo.
Click Play
Reserve Your Place Today For Rescheduled Granville Chamber Banquet
The deadline to reserve tickets for the upcoming Granville County Chamber of Commerce banquet is fast approaching – members have through Friday, Mar. 18 to register to attend, according to information from Chamber Director Lauren Bennett.
The banquet is scheduled for Monday, Mar. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center. The speaker is UNC basketball legend Phil Ford.
The Chamber also is accepting nominations for 2021 Small Business of the Year.
Click form to complete a nomination form.
All nominations should be returned to the Granville Chamber by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 18.
Nominations may be submitted in several ways:
Hand deliver: 124 Hillsboro Street, Oxford, N.C.
Mail: P.O. Box 820, Oxford, N.C. 27565
Email: lauren@granville-chamber.com
Arrested for First Degree Murder
— Henderson Police Department Press Release
On Saturday, March 12, 2022 at approximately 5:25 PM, Officers of the Henderson Police Department were dispatched to 410 Young Street in reference to a gunshot victim.
After arriving, Sinaya Harrison, age 20 of Vance County, was located seated in her vehicle with an apparent gunshot wound. She was quickly transported by emergency medical personnel to an area medical facility where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Information from the public quickly came in, and through the diligent work of the Henderson Police Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations, we were able to develop information leading to the arrest of three individuals.
Elijah Brooks Hart, 30yrs old, of the Epsom/Gillburg community, Antonio Lamont Alston, 21yrs old, of the Epsom/Gillburg community, and Jamon Raheem Alston, 27yrs old, also of the of the Epsom/Gillburg community have all been arrested for First Degree Murder.
All three have been taken to the Vance County Detention Center, without bond, to await further court processes.
It is believed this was an isolated incident and occupant(s) within the victim’s car were the intended target of the heinous crime.
We are still following up on leads and if anyone has information about this incident, please contact us through Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at (252- 492-1925 or the P3 app), Henderson Police Department 252-438-4141, or contact us through Facebook or Instagram.
Authority Chief Marcus W. Barrow
Check Those Smoke Alarm Batteries!
The catchy phrase “spring ahead, fall back” is a good reminder for setting clocks to reflect the beginning and end of Daylight Savings Time. But fire officials everywhere would love to tack on an extra reminder to check or change smoke alarm batteries, too. It’s not as catchy, but “change your clock, change your batteries” serves as a reminder that could save lives. And since Daylight Savings Time just began a few days ago, it’s still a good idea to check those batteries.
Local fire departments often will change faulty smoke detectors. Contact your local fire department to learn more about this program.
According to N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, “changing your clock either back or forward should be like tying a string around your finger to remember to check your smoke alarm battery. The two practices need to go hand in hand.” Causey also is the state fire marshal.
“Changing the battery routinely is an important step to keep your home and everyone inside safe. Smoke alarms cut the chances of dying in a fire in half, but they have to be in proper working condition in order to do their job,” Causey said in a press statement.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, families have an average of three minutes to get out of their homes once their smoke alarm sounds due to fire. However, those life-saving minutes only occur when alarms are fully powered and operational.
There were 134 fire deaths in North Carolina in 2021, and in many of those incidents, a proper-working smoke alarm was not inside the home. So far this year, there have been 31 fire deaths.
The NFPA reports three out of every five home fire deaths across the nation resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Dead batteries caused one-quarter of the smoke alarm failures. Hardwired power source problems caused 7 percent of the failures. The rest of the failures occurred because of defective or improperly installed alarms.
Causey offered these tips in addition to checking and changing smoke alarm batteries:
- Place a smoke alarm on every level of your home outside sleeping areas. If you keep bedroom doors shut, place a smoke alarm in each bedroom.
- Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when they hear it.
- Prepare and practice an escape plan – know at least two ways to get out of a room, crawl low under smoke and plan where to meet outside.
- Keep smoke alarms clean by regularly vacuuming over and around it. Dust and debris can interfere with its operation.
- Install smoke alarms away from windows, doors, or ducts that can interfere with their operation.
- Never remove the battery from or disable a smoke alarm. If your smoke alarm is sounding “nuisance alarms,” try locating it further from kitchens or bathrooms.
- Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms once a month to make sure they’re in proper working order.
Visit website smoke alarms page to learn more.
TownTalk: GRACE Ministries Plans A Day Of Worship And Fellowship
Jamie Elliott is looking forward to being able to gather outside Saturday afternoon to share some fun activities with his congregation and the larger community.
Elliott told John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk that he plans to continue the “Day of Church And Community Fellowship every third Saturday of the month at the Grace Ministries Burr Street location.
“We’re trying to have local churches and the community come together,” Elliott said, to “be involved and see what’s going on” with church programs and out in the community.
The day will begin with breakfast and a women’s ministry, followed by a quick lunch and then a children’s ministry program from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The day’s activities conclude with supper and a live music concert. Bring a lawn chair, Elliott said, to be able to sit back and enjoy the music.
Folks are wanting to get back outside and enjoy each other’s company, he said. The last two years of COVID-19 restrictions have eased recently, which makes events like this a bit safer to have.
All are welcome, Elliott said. He’s just hoping for a good turnout for an event that he said he invites the community to come out and be a part of the fellowship and worship opportunity.
Avian Influenza Still A Threat To Local Poultry
Poultry owners are being encouraged to step up biosecurity measures due to the continued threat of a highly contagious bird influenza responsible for more than 100 bird deaths since mid-January.
State Veterinarian Dr. Mike Martin said poultry owners from backyard chickens to commercial facilities should be aware that High Path Avian Influenza continues to be a concern in the state. He said poultry should stay indoors if possible.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, along with the United States Department of Agriculture and the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission has been tracking the highly pathogenic Eurasian H5 avian influenza first identified in January in wild waterfowl in our state.
“Since Jan. 16, more than 100 wild birds have tested positive for HPAI in North Carolina,” Martin said. “The wild waterfowl that tested positive in our state are still wintering in the Carolinas. HPAI has also been confirmed in 17 commercial poultry farms across seven states and 10 backyard/independent flocks in seven states. These positive cases in domestic poultry flocks in other states continue to rise, which is concerning. North Carolina has not had a case of HPAI in domestic poultry.”
This type of HPAI virus is considered a low risk to people according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, but is dangerous to other birds, including commercial and backyard flocks of poultry.
If your birds are sick or dying, report it right away to your local veterinarian, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Division, 919.707.3250, or the N.C. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System 919.733.3986.
If you have questions about migratory birds, hunting, or wild waterfowl found dead on your property, visit the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s website at www.ncwildlife.org.