WIZS Radio Local News Audio 04-14-22 Noon
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TownTalk: Chamber Banquet A Success; Hopper Named Citizen Of The Year
It’s always a good day to hear good news, and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce added to the good-news cycle Tuesday evening when it announced Mark Hopper as the 2021 Citizen of the Year.
Hopper is the director and board chair of McGregor Hall, and he has guided the cultural arts center from its opening in 2016 through the pandemic shutdown and back into operation. His unwavering support for bringing back shows, productions, competitions and other events is a critical component for the continued success of McGregor Hall.
Chamber President Michele Burgess and Events Director Sandra Wilkerson said the annual dinner and banquet was a big hit, from the food provided by Chamber member Cook Shack to the highlight of the evening, which was the citizen of the year announcement.
“We did have a really nice event,” Burgess said, adding that it was nice to be back at an in-person gathering to celebrate Chamber accomplishments in the community.
Board President Ronald Bennett’s theme for the year shines the spotlight on community, and the Chamber members will focus on carrying that message far and wide to grow pride for the area and to play up the assets that Henderson and Vance County have to offer.
“Together, we work better,” Wilkerson said. By bringing together nonprofits, churches, as well as businesses large and small, she said the message will get out.
Past board chairman Dr. Levy Brown shared remarks during the evening’s proceedings. “(He) came back and made remarks as our past chairman,” Burgess said. “He still has a place in his heart for Henderson.
The committee selected Hopper from a strong list of worthy nominations, Burgess said. “We all realized how important McGregor Hall is to the community,” both in its cultural value and its economic value.
“He led the force in keeping it open,” Burgess said, and sought grants to bolster the shoestring budget, she added.
Archie Taylor, Vance County commissioner and previous Citizen of the Year recipient, announced the winner. In remarks, Taylor talked about Hopper’s influence on the success of McGregor Hall. “Soon after his election to chair of the board of McGregor Hall, he began to educate himself in the day-to-day management of a large performing-arts and learning center, including taxes, payroll, building upkeep, fund raising, and the direction of a large volunteer base – all with minimal paid employees – while continuing his artistic leadership of programing and theatrical productions. The most significant aspect of these achievements is that he has accomplished all of this entirely as an unpaid volunteer.
He said Hopper has invested himself to promote and grow his community through selfless dedication and leadership-by-example. “We can think of no one who has more humbly, sacrificially, generously and successfully contributed to the betterment of Henderson and Vance County than the man we are honoring this evening.”
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TownTalk: Timberlake Organizes JF Webb Class Of 1970 Reunion
The students who graduated from J.F. Webb High School in 1970 are the last students to be known as Webb Wildcats. Beginning the next year, the Oxford high school mascot became the Warrior.
Frank Timberlake is a member of the Class of 1970 and he is putting the word out to fellow Wildcats about the 50th reunion celebration that is scheduled to take place – after a 2-year delay – in early June.
Timberlake still lives locally and he said he has the “wonderful – or dubious – job” of trying to reach out to classmates to spread the word about the reunion, which is set for June 4, 2022.
“This year, the Class of “70 is turning 70,” Timberlake told John C. Rose on Town Talk Wednesday. He said many classmates have remained in touch over the years, but he wants to try to reach those folks who may have moved away from the immediate area to let them know about the reunion.
He also would like to know about classmates who have passed away, because there will be a special tribute during the reunion to remember them.
For the group that does convene for the reunion, Timberlake said, it will be just a low-key time. There will be cornhole boards and barbecue, he said, but mostly, the attendees “just want to spend quality time visiting.”
Contact Timberlake at frankt@rftimberlake.com or give him a call at 919.805.0055 to learn more about reunion details.
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BOOKS to Develop a Love of Reading and Learning
— Story courtesy of Aarika Sandlin, Vance County Schools
Students at Dabney Elementary School have hundreds of new books on their library shelves, thanks to the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries.
Dabney Elementary was one of 205 schools from 43 states across the country to receive a $5,000 grant in Spring 2021. “There are many students who don’t have books at home, so having access to a library at school is essential,” the former First Lady said in a press statement. “With the grants, school libraries across the nation can restock and update their collections providing opportunities for students for years to come.”
“The timing for the funding for our library was perfect”, said Joy Suther, assistant principal at Dabney Elementary. “Through the grant, our school added books that match the students’ interests, further engaging them in a love for reading.”
Dabney’s principal, Dr. Michael Putney, agreed. “I am so in awe of finally seeing the faces of happy readers again as they come from the media center with a book in their hands. Students have gotten accustomed to using laptops and other devices to read, so it is nice to see them with the new books. They are so quick to share the name of the book they have selected. I am appreciative of the effort that our reading intervention teacher, Sherry Frazier, put forth in securing this grant for our students.”
Frazier continues to work with students on improving their comprehension and reading skills. Improving literacy is the key to ensuring students continue to grow and learn in all subject areas. “The library additions have been instrumental in increasing engagement”, shared Frazier. “The books are a mix of fiction, biographies and other nonfiction, which supports content area knowledge. Reading is one of the fastest ways to build vocabulary, which supports comprehension.”
The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries supports school libraries with the greatest needs with the goal of encouraging all students to develop a love of reading and learning. Since its inception in 2002, it has awarded more than $16 million to more than 2,800 schools across the country.
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 04-13-22 Noon
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Home And Garden Show 04-13-22
On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
- Row covers can be used to protect sweetcorn from birds
- Consider warm season turf.
- Easter Lillies like to be in 65F during the day and 60F at night keepout of direct sunlight to prevent wilting.
- No frost or freeze in 10-day forecast, but 37 in a few days
- Never refuel a hot lawnmower. Take a break let the mower cool down,then refuel the mower.
- If planting trees and shrubs, correct installation is crucial. Look it up, don’t assume.
- We can identify problem weeds or insects and advise how to control them. Bring us a sample.
- For deck and patio plantings, clean and sanitize containers, and be cautious about reusing container mix.
- Check moisture of soil media before watering plants
- Limited space for a vegetable garden? Try growing in containers.
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Tree Dedication Ceremony Apr. 29 At GAP In Memory Of Commissioners
The Granville County Board of Commissioners and county staff will gather at the Granville Athletic Park on Friday, April 29 to make a special dedication to remember three former commissioners in conjunction with National Arbor Day.
A grove of four maple trees will be dedicated in memory of former commissioners Dave Currin, Owen Roberts and Edward Smoak, according to a press statement from Terry Hobgood, Granville County public information officer.
The ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. “All members of the community are invited to attend and are especially encouraged to submit names of those they would like to see honored at this event. Granville County intends to make this a recurring recognition to honor the service and memory of former commissioners while also adding to our beautiful tree canopy at the GAP in conjunction with National Arbor Day,” the press statement read.
The commissioners approved the idea at their February 2022 meeting and the plan is to install a plaque to dedicate this area of the GAP as a special place dedicated to deceased commissioners honored for their service to the county.
To submit a name of a former official to be considered for recognition at the April 29 event, contact Hobgood at 919.693.5240 or terry.hobgood@granvillecounty.org. The memorial grove and dedication ceremony will be located near the main entrance of the GAP (4615 Belltown Road, Oxford) near the walking path and butterfly garden at the large soccer fields adjacent to the main parking lot.
Cooperative Extension With Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden
Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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The Local Skinny! Henderson Partners With DOT For Cleanup
Think about the roads you use frequently when running errands or from home to work or to drop the kids at school. Are there roadsides that could use a little spring cleaning?
Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon invites church and civic groups, school groups and individuals to participate in Community Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 23.
Armed with trash bags, teams of volunteers – including as many as 50- or 60 city employees – will set out from the Dr. Andrea L. Harris Operations Center on Beckford Drive to various sites throughout Henderson. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Blackmon told John C. Rose on Tuesday’s The Local Skinny! that this cleanup event is in partnership with the spring Litter Sweep sponsored by NC Department of Transportation.
Blackmon said the city council discussed improving the city’s appearance and giving visitors a better perception of what Henderson has to offer during its annual planning retreat a couple of months ago.
“We’re asking the entire community at-large to join us on that day,” Blackmon said. Groups that have a particular area in mind are asked to contact Tracey Kimbrell at 252.430.5702 or email traceykimbrell@henderson.nc.gov to sign up. City staff will provide bags for the cleanup effort. “We’ll even provide a public safety officer to provide some visible presence from law enforcement on that day,” he added.
Groups or individuals also can just show up at the Harris Operations Center at 8 a.m. and join forces with other volunteers who will go out to pre-determined areas targeted for cleanup.
Blackmon said this event will kickstart an ongoing quarterly effort that the city is undertaking to give a little extra support to ongoing cleanup services the city already provides.
“We have a very good operations staff,” Blackmon said. But it’s not a large staff, so efforts like this are needed to help. “I don’t think we’ll run out of areas in the city that could use a little help,” he said.
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TownTalk: Veterans Find Assistance with Butner Organization
The Veterans Life Center in Butner is a nonprofit agency that helps 21st century veterans with the skills and support necessary to become self-reliant and to become productive members of the community.
As part of the ongoing series “Former Active Duty, Still Boots on the Ground” segment of Town Talk, Phyllis Maynard and John C. Rose spoke with two men who work at the VLC to learn more about what it offers former military personnel.
VLC Executive Director John Turner is a veteran of the U.S. Army and Coast Guard. Martin Woodard is the VLC program director who served in the U.S. Air Force and has a long career in counseling and is affiliated with the UNC School of Medicine and the NC Division of Mental Health.
The VLC services offer a unique approach in several ways, Turner said. Firstly, it’s designed especially for 21st century veterans – which is defined as those who served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Secondly, the veterans receive care, counseling and other support from fellow 21st century veterans, who understand the particular challenges those vets face. And thirdly, the services are provided in a caring environment that cares for the whole veteran. We talk about goals, and opportunities and the future,” Turner said. “That’s what sets us apart.”
The VLC is a residential program that helps veterans be proactive in their recovery. Woodard said by beginning with a culture of respect and a holistic approach to care, veterans experience a positive support system that promotes that self-reliance.
“We strive to build a foundation,” Woodard said, that incorporates physical health, behavioral health and mental health. A veteran who suffers from PTSD, for example, may also have other underlying health concerns that need to be addressed as well. Or a veteran with substance abuse problems may also need counseling for having suicidal thoughts.
That’s another unique asset that the VLC has – it’s located just a few hundred yards from the R.J. Blackley Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center.
Having partnerships with other agencies, from substance abuse treatment centers and the VA is key to helping veterans get back on the right path, the men noted. The facility also is close to the South Campus of Vance-Granville Community College, where participants can take classes and find a career.
Woodard said the investment comes from all sides, including from the residents, who are learning how to deal with untreated or unresolved issues that stemmed from the military. They are learning how “to re-engage in society in a way they deserve,” Woodard said. Having support from the larger community is a tangible way to say “Thank you for your service.”
Just five years ago, the VLC was nothing more than an idea, Turner said. A working group met a couple of times a month, put together a vision for a facility whose primary goal would be to give veterans an outcome of self-reliance.
Then it was a matter of working backward to get all the pieces to come together. The result is a nonprofit VLC is a collaboration of state and local groups and the VA to be able to provide resources alongside the other existing services – all with a similar goal: serving the veterans who have served their country.
“We value partnerships,” Woodard said. “No one program can meet the needs by itself.”
The VLC program is for veterans with honorable discharges. But whether they ultimately are accepted into the program or not, Woodard said he wants veterans to know two things: they will not be judged and their diagnoses don’t have to define them or affect what they can achieve.
According to Turner, “If they’re calling in, they want to be heard and understood.”
“If they call us, we’re going to do our best to give them hope,” Woodard said.
Visit www.vlcnc.org to learn more. Call VLC at 919.803.5516.
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