Town Talk: First Fruits Farms Balloon Festival

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Jason Brown’s faith has led him to do some interesting things since he retired from his NFL football career and he and his family have used their farm in Franklin County to do everything from growing and giving away produce to transforming an old dairy barn into a wedding venue.

And on Memorial Day weekend, visitors will have a chance to cast their eyes to the skies for the second annual Memorial Balloon Festival at First Fruits Farm.

The Vance County native said there could be as many as 35,000 to 40,000 people in attendance during the four-day event, which kicks off on Friday, May 27 and ends on May 30. He spoke with John C. Rose on Tuesday’s Town Talk about what’s in store at the farm, located at 2805 E. River Rd. in Louisburg.

The festival is a way to honor veterans and those who served in the military, and Brown said the event has special meaning for him. His brother, Lunsford, was killed while deployed to Iraq in 2003. And again this year, Brown said there will be a Gold Star reception for families like his who have lost a loved one. More than 100 Gold Star families attended last year’s event. “There is comfort and strength” for the families to be together, “to share love and their experience with one another,” Brown said.

Visit https://ncmemorialballoonfest.com/the-venue/ to purchase tickets and see a complete schedule of events for the weekend festival. There will be fireworks displays, balloon rides and tethered balloon rides and family fun for everyone.

“It’s an opportunity to bring the community together at a time when there’s so much divisiveness,” he said. The festival will provide a time for fellowship, as well as food and some good entertainment. Brown said some folks spend more than one day at the festival so they can take their time and soak in all the activities and performances.

Brown said God pointed him to farming and agriculture, something he said his time on the football field didn’t exactly prepare him for. “As long as there’s faith – that’s what’s most important.”

It’s a long way – literally and figuratively – from the football fields of the NFL to the sweet potato fields of Franklin County, but Brown said God continued to order his steps to make his dream a reality.

That reality has become a hybrid of sorts – growing produce that he gives away with the help of hundreds of volunteers each season. He said “some of the most awesome people give up a Saturday morning” to dig, collect and distribute the hundreds of thousands of pounds of sweet potatoes that provide a healthy food to those in need. “They truly are the salt of the earth,” he added.

Volunteers are vital during harvest time, and Brown said there’s room for additional volunteers to help at the balloon festival, too. Visit the webpage to learn how to register, but Brown said in exchange for four hours of service, volunteers will get free admission and parking to the festival. And a cool t-shirt.

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The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 05-17-22

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for May 17, 2022. The Chamber compiles the information, and it is presented here and on the radio. Contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at 438-8414 or email Michele@hendersonvance.org to be included.

Name of the Company: Vulcan Materials Company

Jobs Available: General Laborers Needed.

Method of Contact: Apply through the NC Works Office at 857 S Beckford Drive, Suite G in Henderson. Or call 252-438-6129.

 

Name of the Company: Jersey Mike’s Sub Shop, Soon To Open.

Jobs Available: Full-time and part-time applicants are needed immediately.  Looking for applicants of all ages, good work ethic, willingness to learn new skills, and be a strong member of the team.

Method of Contact: Apply online at jerseymikes.com website and search for Henderson 27536 location on drop down menu.  Or send your resume to hendsubs@gmail.com.

Name of the Company: Jersey Mike’s of Henderson

Jobs Available:  Assistant Manager Position is now open.  Work directly with restaurant owner Tom Freeman at the Beckford Avenue shopping center location.  Opening June 8.

Method of Contact: Apply online at jerseymikes.com/careers.  Or email resume to hendsubs@gmail.com.

 

Name of the Company: Sam’s Furniture and Mattress Center

Jobs Available: Office Manager Position Open.  Potential for growth in the company.  Salary begins at $14 an hour.  Full-time. Duties include:  maintain daily reports & organize daily files in use with our company software & computer systems; assisting customers applying to purchase and completing the transaction; assisting management with store presentation and store cleanliness. Monday thru Friday 8am – 5pm with hour lunchbreak, off on Wednesdays, and able to work Saturdays 8am – 3 pm.

Method of Contact: Bring resume and apply in person at 515 South Garnett Street in downtown Henderson.

 

Name of the Company:  For Your Occasion Event Rentals

Jobs Available:  Multiple Positions Available:  Part-time Event Coordinator; Linen Attendant; and Driver/Installer for family-oriented event rental company.  Flexible work schedules, Monday – Friday and occasional weekend work.  Comparable hourly wages and friendly work environment.

Method of Contact:  Email:  info@fyoeventrentals.com or call 252-492-9800.

 

Name of the Company: Edward Jones, Beckford Drive Location in Henderson, NC.

Jobs Available:  Opening for a Branch Office Administrator (job#68078BR).  Edward Jones provides a comprehensive 6-month training program and an experienced peer to help mentor you as you learn the job requirements.  Benefits are provided.  Looking for candidates who can work independently, proficient in current and new office technology, willingness to learn how financial services/markets work, and ability to provide excellent customer service.

Method of Contact: Apply online at edwardjones.com/careers, or apply through your LinkedIn account.

 

Name of the Company: Walmart Distribution Center, 680 Vanco Mill Road in Henderson, NC

Jobs Available: Freight Handler/Order Fillers.  Full Time.  10-12 hour shifts.  $17.55 – $23.55 an hour.  Prefer candidates with 1 year or more warehouse experience.

Method of Contact: Apply through Indeed.com website or online at www.careers.walmart.com.

 

Name of the Company:  Hoyle’s Tire and Axle

Jobs Available: Tire Technician.  Full-time and Part-time workers needed.  Duties include mounting tires, inspecting tires, unloading trucks, and repairing tires.  Hours are Monday-Friday, from 6:30 am to 3:00 pm.  Paid vacation, holiday pay, health benefits, and overtime available.

Method of Contact: Apply in person at their Vance County location 175 Bearpond Road.  Or call 252-438-2818.

 

 

Name of the Company: Woodlief’s Lawn Care

Jobs Available:  Full-time workers needed immediately for local lawn care business with continued winter work hours.  Also, looking for part-time summer workers.  Will train the right applicants who are interested in working for a full lawn care business with outdoor work responsibilities.

Method of Contact: Call Ryan Woolief, owner, at 252-432-1637 or email ryan.woodlief@gmail.com

 

 

Name of the Company:Lane and Associates Dental Office

Jobs Available: Treatment Coordinator.  Full-time.  Provide excellent customer service.  Ensure patients receive a 5-star experience beginning with check-in and follow through to check-out.  Must be skilled with current computer skills, professional appearance and manner, and excellent planning and organization skills.  High School Diploma.  Prefer dental office experience.

Method of Contact: Apply in person online at Indeed.com.  Website: https://lanedds.com/.   Office location at 900 South Garnett Street, Henderson.

 

 Name of the Company:  Select Products, paper company in Vance County.

Jobs Available:  Multiple positions open immediately:  CDL Truck Drivers, Maintenance Mechanics, Fork Lift Operators, and Order Pickers/Packers.  Full-time.

Method of Contact:Apply in person at Select Products facility, 1133 Poplar Creek Road, Henderson, across from main campus of VGCC.  Zollie Perry, Human Resources Manager.

 

Some of these businesses are present or past advertisers of WIZS.  Being an ad client is not a condition of being listed or broadcast.  This is not a paid ad.

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Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden

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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! Nobles Talks Latest At The Animal Shelter

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Thanks to a local volunteer firefighter, the animals up for rescue or adoption at Vance County Animal Services may get some extra “likes” that just might land them in their furever home.

Lightning, a male lab mix, is the first animal to be named “Firedog of the Month” on the Facebook page of Watkins Volunteer Fire Department.

Frankie Nobles, Vance County’s chief animal services officer, said “there’s no telling how many people have seen him” since his picture was first posted a few days ago.

Nobles told John C. Rose on Monday’s The Local Skinny! that he gives all the credit to volunteer firefighter Justin Simmons. It was his idea to feature an adoptable pet from the animal shelter on social media to spread the word about the animals.

It’s a great way to “get the animals recognized and get them out of the shelter,” Nobles said. Just last week, the shelter took in more than 30 kittens; luckily, one rescue organization wanted every single one, and Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society was able to transport them last Friday evening.

Having volunteers like Simmons who think outside the box are certainly helpful as the shelter gets more and more animals, whether they come in as strays or as owner surrenders, as in Lightning’s case.

He said volunteers are welcome at the shelter and their efforts go a long way to socialize animals and prepare them for adoption or rescue.

“Volunteers can get out and walk them – it really helps them out a lot,” Nobles said.

He and his staff are making plans to take puppies or dogs on visits to other county offices and to get the dogs more visible in the community with walks downtown, for example.

It helps the dogs expend some energy, gets them out of their kennels for a bit and – who knows – maybe they’ll find a new home in the process.

Find a photo of Lightning on the Watkins Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook page and stay tuned for the next Firedog of the Month.

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The Local Skinny! Maria Parham Health To Host Job Fair On Thursday

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Maria Parham Health is hosting a job fair from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 19. There are a variety of clinical and non-clinical jobs available.

Human Resources Director Randy Toscano spoke with John C. Rose on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! and said job applicants could possibly be extended an offer at the job fair.

Applicants should bring a resume and may apply online beforehand, but it’s not necessary, Toscano said. There will be a computer set up in the hospital lobby to apply. There will be information tables from each department set up and the department heads will be available to speak with prospective applicants.

Among the departments that are looking to fill positions are nursing, radiology, registration and labs, he said. Individuals who are interested in a career in the health care industry are encouraged to attend. “You can walk out with a new career,” Toscano said.

There is always a need for phlebotomists, LPNs and RNs, he added, but also in non-clinical areas such as housekeeping, registration and food service.

Register online at https://www.mariaparham.com/

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TownTalk: Crime Stoppers Breakfast Held In Appreciation To Law Enforcement

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The Henderson Vance Crime Stoppers kicked off National Police Week by giving area law enforcement officers a pat on the back – and a complimentary breakfast.

Frankie Nobles is president of the local Crime Stoppers organization and he said Wednesday’s  breakfast included an awards ceremony to recognize a number of people who serve the community.

The event was held at J.R.’s Restaurant 39, and owners J.R. Stainback and wife Harley received Business of the Year award for their efforts to support local law enforcement. The Crime Stoppers group holds its monthly meetings at Restaurant 39, Nobles said, noting the “many things they do for Crime Stoppers and our community.”

Nobles told John C. Rose on Monday’s Town Talk that Clearview Baptist Church footed the bill for the breakfast, which fed more than 100 law enforcement officers and other local leaders who joined in to say thank you.

“These officers need this recognition,” Nobles said. “They need to know how important they are to our community.”

The breakfast is just a small show of support for the men and women who dedicate themselves to keeping the community safe. “Law enforcement agents…put their lives on the line every day, and the community just doesn’t recognize that enough,” Nobles said.

He said the breakfast gives officers from different agencies the opportunity to mingle and to support each other, too.

“If (that’s) just a little something we can do, that’s what we’ll do,” Nobles said, adding that if the officers can come in and be stress-free for the 30 minutes or so to eat breakfast, “it was all worth it.”

The Henderson Police Department’s Gregory Hunter received the Sam Pearson Memorial Award.

Detective Andrew Bishop of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office received the Tom Long Memorial Award award; Sgt. Akira Alston received the detention officer award and Trooper J.P. Taylor was honored for State Highway Patrol officer of the year.

Heather Lovings, a member of the support staff for Vance County Animal Services, was honored for her work as well. “It’s not always about the officer handling the cases, but also about the support person,” Nobles said.

Nobles said the recipient of the VGCC law enforcement award will receive his award on Friday, so the announcement will be made public at that time.

This is the first year that wildlife officers have joined the group, and Nobles said he hoped they would participate in future events.

 

 

West End Baptist

West End Baptist Church To Host 3-Day Yard Sale May 18-20

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The Baptist Men’s group of West End Baptist Church is hosting a huge three-day yard sale this week. Jerry Parrish invites the community to come join the fun and check out all the items for sale on Wednesday through Friday, May 18-20.

The yard sale will be held at the church, located at 619 Dabney Dr. and will start each day at 7 a.m.

Among the items for sale are a large selection of golf clubs, working vacuum cleaners, a working refrigerator, an assortment of Halloween and Christmas items, as well as yard tools, weed eaters, chain saws, a couple of riding lawnmowers and even a paddle boat.

All proceeds will go to support local and state ministries including ACTS, Rebuilding Hope, Lifeline Ministries, Baptist On Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and GRACE Ministries.